cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optic Disc Tumors

Retinoblastoma affects the sensory retina and is the most common intraocular malignant tumor of childhood that occasionally may extend into the optic nerve. Up to 30% of cases are bilateral. The incidence of retinoblastoma is about 1 in 20,000 live births in the United States. 1 Seventy percent of all retinoblastomas are unilateral and 30% are bilateral. Bilateral cases are transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner with incomplete penetrance. 2 Only 10%–15% of unilateral cases are hereditary. 3 The average age at presentation in bilateral cases is about 10 months and in unilateral cases 21 months. 2
Closed-loop control of systems over a communication network with queues

Due to remote sensor, actuator and processor locations, many systems need to implement closed loop control through a communication network. Thus, they face the problem of random delays being introduced by the network. These delays may deteriorate the system performance and may even cause instability. The problems get more complicated when the possibility of queue formation at the transmitting side is considered for closed loop data transmission. The authors propose a state prediction/control scheme to control this type of system. The scheme utilizes knowledge of the amount of data in a queue to enhance prediction. Two automotive examples are used to illustrate the performance of the proposed scheme.
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF LATENT PSITTACOSIS VIRUS IN McCOY CELLS

Kajima, Masahiro (University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind.), Nehama Sharon, and Morris Pollard. Electron microscopy of latent psittacosis virus in McCoy cells. J. Bacteriol. 88: 709–715. 1964.—Replication of psittacosis virus in McCoy cells was observed periodically by electron microscopy, and was correlated with the appearance of inclusion bodies in infected cells stained by acridine orange fluorochrome. Three well-defined morphological stages characterized the replication cycle: (i) noninfectious initial body, (ii) noninfectious intermediate body, and (iii) infectious mature or elementary body. When replication of virus was interrupted by aminopterin, the virus failed to develop beyond the noninfective initial body stage; however, after treatment of such cultures with folinic acid, intermediate and mature virus particles appeared in the cells. Latent psittacosis virus, as described here, represented a virus in which the replication process was interrupted at a noninfective (eclipse) stage of the developmental cycle. Images
Full-wave EM modeling in tilted cylindrically-layered media

We propose a Transformation Optics-based (T.O) methodology to rigorously (full-wave) model interactions of electromagnetic (EM) waves with tilted cylindrical interfaces, i.e., where the (locally) cylindrical interfaces exhibit tiltin relative to each other. Antennas radiating in such tilted-layer environments arise (for example) in geophysical prospection scenarios characterized by relative deviation between the exploration borehole and invastion zone. We introduce flexibly-defined, T.O.-based annular slabs coating each vertically-oriented interface so that the fields interact with the interfaces as if the latter were in fact tilted, while satisfying the appropriate boundary conditions. Numerical results illustrate teh proposed modeling method, assessing the perturbation on the EM fields versus the relative interface tilting angle.
News Media Consumption and Political Behavior in Latin America

News media are an important factor in any democratic society. Research focused on developed democracies has paved the way for analysis in the context of less well-developed democracies. The project endeavors to continue that investigation into whether and how news media consumption affects democratic behavior among individuals in a region comprised of developing democracies: Latin America. Employing rich survey data available from the 2008 Latin American Public Opinion Project, traditional analyses are used to test one of the most basic questions for political communication researchers: Does news media consumption motivate or depress political participation? The results indicate that, on average, news media mobilize political participation, albeit to different degrees per medium and participation type. This seems to happen because those media socialize Latin Americans to value political participation.
Characteristic polynomials of symmetic rationally generated toeplitz matrices

Formulas are given for the characterstic polynomials {pn (λ)} and eigenvectors of the family {Tn } of real synometric Toeptitz matrices generated by a retional function R(z) with real coefficients such that R(z)=R(1/z). The formulas are in terms of the zeros of a fixed polynomial P(w;λ) with coefficients which are simple functions of λ and the coefficients ofR(z). The representation Pn (λ) exhibits two factors such that the zeros of one have associated symmetric eigenvectors and the zeros of the other have associated skew-symmetric eigenvectors. In all of these formulas, n is a parameter; that is, the formula does not become more complicated as n increases.
Life History and Ecology of Gammarus Minus Say (Amphipoda. Gammaridae)

[Une etude de la biologie et de l'ecologie de Gammarus minus Say a ete effectuee. Les resultats ont montre que, pendant le cycle de vie typique, les jeunes Gammartis sortent de la poche incubatrice de la femelle a la fin du printemps, murissent pendant l'ete et l'automne, et s'accouplent pendant les mois d'hiver, liberant de nouveaux jeunes le printemps suivant. Les etudes d'habitat revelent que le terreau est l'element preferentiel pour l'habitat de ces organismes., Une etude de la biologie et de l'ecologie de Gammarus minus Say a ete effectuee. Les resultats ont montre que, pendant le cycle de vie typique, les jeunes Gammartis sortent de la poche incubatrice de la femelle a la fin du printemps, murissent pendant l'ete et l'automne, et s'accouplent pendant les mois d'hiver, liberant de nouveaux jeunes le printemps suivant. Les etudes d'habitat revelent que le terreau est l'element preferentiel pour l'habitat de ces organismes.]
Perceptions and practices of student binge drinking: an observational study of residential college students.

Professionals have debated the use of the term binge drinking over the past couple of decades, yet little attention has been paid to college student perceptions. We explored how students at one university qualitatively defined binge drinking; whether their own definitions coincided with those adopted by researchers; and whether students' own definitions varied according to their behavior. The most common definition provided by studesnts included a description of the consumption of a large, non-specific, amount of alcohol. Only half of the students who, by standard definition, participated in binge drinking in the previous 30 days actually identified their behavior as such. Finally, binge drinkers were more likely to define binge drinking in an extreme manner such that it results in vomiting or blacking out.
Mice Defective in Two Apoptosis Pathways in the Myeloid Lineage Develop Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia

Abstract Fas-deficient (Fas lpr/lpr ) mice constitutively expressing Bcl-2 in myeloid cells by the hMRP8 promoter often develop a fatal disease analogous to human acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML-M2). Hematopoietic cells from leukemic Fas lpr/lpr hMRP8bcl-2 animals form clonogenic blast colonies in vitro and can transfer disease to wild-type mice. In vitro ligation of Fas on Fas +/+ hMRP8bcl-2 marrow cells depletes approximately 50% of myeloid progenitor activity, demonstrating that Bcl-2 can only partially block Fas-mediated death signals in myelomonocytic progenitors. In addition, Fas lpr/lpr marrow contains greatly increased numbers of myeloid colony-forming cells as compared to Fas +/+ controls. Taken together, these data suggest that Fas has a novel role in the regulation of myelopoiesis and that Fas may act as a tumor suppressor to control leukemogenic transformation in myeloid progenitor cells.
Virtual Lab for System Identification of an Electromechanical System

A stand-alone virtual instrument (vi) has been developed to augment an experimental system identification laboratory exercise in a required mechanical engineering course on system dynamics. The Virtual Lab (VL) was used productively as a post-lab exercise in conjunction with an existing laboratory experiment for system identification. The VL can be formatted as a standalone file, which the students can download and access at their convenience, without the need for LabVIEW software. The virtual lab presented in this paper used the experimental identification of a transfer function for an xy recorder developed at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. In the original Rose-Hulman experiment, students view a video of the acquisition of frequency response data for an X-Y recorder. Then, students complete a detailed optimization procedure using Microsoft Excel in order to determine system parameters for two transfer function models. This paper describes using the Virtual Lab to extend the original lab exercise into an interactive mode. The students complete the Microsoft Excel part of the exercise, but then repeat the optimization using brute force via the LabVIEW based VL developed by the authors, rather than using the optimization toolbox in Excel. With the VL, students can see in real-time the effects of each unknown parameter on the frequency response plot, thus providing additional insight into the relationships between these parameters and the behavior of the electromechanical system. This feature is notably absent in the Microsoft Excel portion of the exercise. Although this exercise uses simple dynamic models, the combination of Excel and LabVIEW approaches provide an insightful introduction to experimental system identification. In this paper, details of the VL are presented, including the functionality of the VL and methodologies for disseminating the VL as a stand-alone piece of software. Finally, some assessment results for the original (Excel version) and VL methods of presenting the laboratory exercise are discussed.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
The Wind-Induced Wave Growth Rate and the Spectrum of the Gravity-Capillary Waves

Abstract A form of the spectrum of gravity-capillary waves is suggested, based on a balance of the wind input, the spectral flux divergence, the viscous dissipation, and the modulation from the wave-drift interaction. The spectrum in the alongwind direction is expressed as where k is the wavenumber, m and α are constants, u* is the wind friction velocity, δ is the threshold wind friction velocity, c is the short-wave phase velocity, and mo is the zeroth moment of nondirectional frequency spectrum of long-wave orbital velocity. For shorter capillary waves, the addition of dissipation due to the eddy viscosity is needed. A kinematic wave breaking criterion is applied in the calculation of the short-wave dissipation. It is found that this short-wave dissipation, due to wave-drift interactions, has the effect of suppressing the spectrum at higher wind speed and yields a good agreement with the measurements of both the wave spectrum and the wave directional spreading rate. It is also found that the fluctuation...
Nasal CPAP in Treatment of Persistent Atelectasis

Communications for this section will be published as space and priorities permit The comments should not exceed 350 words in length, with a maximum of five references; one figure or table can be printed. Exceptions may occur under particular circumstances. Contributions may include comments on articles published in this periodical, or they may be reports of unique educational character. Specific permission to publish should be cited in a covering letter or appended as a postscript.
HIGH-TEMPERATURE X-RAY DIFFRACTION INVESTIGATION OF THE URANIUM-CARBON SYSTEM

The system UC-UC/sub 2/ was investigated at temperatures to 2200 deg C utilizing high-temperature x-ray-diffraction techniques. UC/sub 2/, which has the CaC/sub 2/ structure, was shown to transform to the CaF/sub 2/ structure at 1820 deg C. Mean coefficients of expansion of UC, U/sub 2/C/sub 3/, and UC/sub 2/ were determined. The decomposition of U/sub 2/C/sub 3/ to cubic UC/sub 2/ and to UC saturated metastably with carbon was observed. Solubilities of UC in UC/sub 2/ and UC/sub 2/ in UC were determined near 1800 deg C by a method based on lattice- parameter measurements. The formation of, and existence conditions for, U/sub 2/ C/sub 3/ were confirmed. It was observed that UC/sub 2/ tends to decompose toward UC at the extreme temperatures, probably by loss of carbon to CO. (auth)
Reply by Author to C.V. Smith Jr. and D.R. Smith

of the approximate solution if one blindly extended the integrations to r = 28 sec using the same values of tI and TV as used for smaller values of tl We believe that Ref. 4, when properly interpreted, is concerned with how one can achieve an approximate solution to motion problems when the differential equations can not be solved exactly. This has always been possible through the method of weighted residuals or the principle of virtual work. Indeed, Professor Bailey's applications of his Eq. (4) are simply Galerkin method approximate solutions of Lagrange's equations of motion after some integration by parts. Professor Bailey's presentation certainly serves to call attention to the need in his Eq. (4) for (dTVdtf, )6<?, when dq, * 0; but the content of Eq. (4) is not one whit different from the Galerkin solution. Furthermore, as mentioned in Ref. 3, Hamilton's "Law of Varying Action" as presented in 1834 and 1835 is quite different from what Professor Bailey describes with the same title in his Eq. (4). His procedure is not "contrary to the state of energy theory found in textbooks and in the variational calculus," and he has not cleared up a 140 year mystery on how to achieve direct solutions. His contribution has been to provide some very excellent and informative examples of the application of Galerkin's method, demonstrating the accuracy possible for certain problems.
Developing improved strategies to determine male reproductive risk from environmental toxins.

It is important that evaluation procedures for chemicals incorporate measures suitable to detect a wide range of potential effects from those chemicals. The reproductive systems are among the most sensitive to toxic insult, so it is important that effective methods be developed and applied for detection of reproductive effects and protection of reproductive capability. As adequate data on the effects of human exposures are seldom available, it is necessary then to use data from other species. Species used most frequently are rodents, rabbits, dogs and subhuman primates. Knowledge gained from research with farm species is being applied in the design of improved protocols to detect health effects. Included are important contributions in developing new evaluation tests, improved experimental design and in furthering understanding of reproductive biology. The paper addresses several testing and risk assessment issues in male reproductive toxicology that form the basis for some of the authors' research.
Functionally Independent AU-rich Sequence Motifs Regulate KC (CXCL1) mRNA

Certain pro-inflammatory chemokine mRNAs containing adenine/uridine-rich sequence elements (AREs) in their 3′ untranslated regions (3′-UTRs) are known to exhibit constitutive instability and sensitivity to proinflammatory stimuli resulting in the stabilization of the message. Using tetR-regulated transcription we now show that the 3′-UTR of the mouse CXCL1 (KC) mRNA contains at least two ARE motifs that are structurally and functionally distinct. A fragment of 77 nucleotides containing 4 clustered AUUUA pentamers located at the 5′-end of the KC 3′-UTR is only modestly unstable yet promotes markedly enhanced, post-transcriptional protein production in response to either interleukin-1α (IL-1α) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), suggesting translational regulation. In contrast, a fragment containing 3 isolated AUUUA pentamers corresponding to the residual 3′ 400 nucleotides of the KC 3′-UTR confers both instability and is stabilized in response to IL-1α. Although the clustered AUUUA pentamers in the upstream region are required for stimulus sensitivity, mutation of all three pentamers in the downstream region has little or no effect on either instability or stimulus sensitivity. The upstream region is comparably stabilized in response to either IL-1α or LPS, whereas the AUUUA-independent downstream determinant is differentially more sensitive to IL-1α. Finally, using UV-induced RNA cross-linking, these functionally independent sequences exhibit different patterns of interaction with RNA-binding proteins. Collectively, these findings document the presence of multiple independent determinants of KC mRNA function and demonstrate that these operate via distinct mechanisms.
Tropical tree species composition affects the oxidation of dissolved organic matter from litter

Plant species effects on soil nutrient availability are relatively well documented, but the effects of species differences in litter chemistry on soil carbon cycling are less well understood, especially in the species-rich tropics. In many wet tropical forest ecosystems, leaching of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from the litter layer accounts for a significant proportion of litter mass loss during decomposition. Here we investigated how tree species differences in soluble dissolved organic C (DOC) and nutrients affected soil CO2 fluxes in laboratory incubations. We leached DOM from freshly fallen litter of six canopy tree species collected from a tropical rain forest in Costa Rica and measured C-mineralization. We found significant differences in litter solubility and nutrient availability. Following DOM additions to soil, rates of heterotrophic respiration varied by as much as an order of magnitude between species, and overall differences in total soil CO2 efflux varied by more than four-fold. Variation in the carbon: phosphorus ratio accounted for 51% of the variation in total CO2 flux between species. These results suggest that tropical tree species composition may influence soil C storage and mineralization via inter-specific variation in plant litter chemistry.
Nonlinear vibro-acoustic technique for land mine detection

The innovative technique for detection of artificial objects, such as mines, pipes, containers, etc., buried in the ground, is developed and tested. The technique does not depend upon the material from which the object is fabricated whether it be metal, plastic, wood, or any other material. It depends upon the fact that a mine is a 'shell' whose purpose is to contain explosive materials and associated detonation apparatus. The mine shell is in contact with the soil in which it is buried. The shell is an acoustically compliant article, which compliance is notably different from the compliance of the surrounding soil. This difference is responsible for the mechanically nonlinear behavior of the soil/shell interface making it the detectable entity. Thus for this new technology, the fact that the mine is buried is turned to a detection advantage. Because the technique intrinsically detects buried 'shells,' it is insensitive to rocks, tree roots, chunks of metal, bricks, etc. which was confirmed experimentally. The paper discusses physical mechanisms of the nonlinear behavior of the soil-mine interface, the results of experimental investigation of the observed nonlinear interaction, and demonstration of landmine detection technique based on the discovered phenomenon.
CHARGED PARTICLE ACTIVATION ANALYSIS COUPLED WITH X-RAY COUNTING

A survey is given on the analytical use of X-ray emitting radioisotopes produced by charged particle activation. Thirty-nine proton and deuteron reactions were considered on twentysix elements (34≤Z≤82). Thick target yields and sensitivity estimates are presented. The features and limitations of this method and the scope of non-destructive and destructive determinations are discussed. The main interest of this approach is to open an avenue for trace analysis with simplified data acquisition and reduction.
Determination of the membrane topology of lemur tyrosine kinase 2 (LMTK2) by fluorescence protease protection

Lemur tyrosine kinase 2 (LMTK2) is a novel membrane-anchored kinase reported to be involved in several normal and pathophysiological conditions, including endosomal membrane recycling, prostate cancer, and neurodegeneration. In this study, we have investigated the topology and orientation of LMTK2 within cellular membranes utilizing fluorescence protease protection. Appending the green fluorescent protein to either the amino or carboxyl terminus of LMTK2, we were able to determine which side of intracellular membrane these regions were located. Our results indicate that LMTK2 is an integral membrane protein in which both the amino and carboxyl termini are exposed to the cytoplasm. Moreover, this topology places the kinase active site within the cytoplasm.
1284 PHOCOMELIA OF LEFT LOWER LEG IN AN INFANT WHOSE MOTHER TOOK LARGE DOSES OF PYRIDOXINE (B-6): ? DÉJÀ VU OF THE THALIDOMIDE DISASTER?

This girl, now age 2½ tnos, has nearly total amelia of her left leg at the knee. There is a rudimentary foot (? just the 5th toe). X-ray shows no knee joint or tibia. Femora are normal length. Examination is otherwise normal. Pregnancy was full-term normal vaginal delivery. Birth wt 3.2+ kg. Megavitamin preparations of B-6, B-12, A, E and C were ingested by the mother, who weighs only 47 kg. At least 54 mg/day of B-6 was taken in mos 1-4 of pregnancy, and possibly more, since over-the-counter B-6 tablets are shelved together in 50, 100, 500 and 1000 mg sizes. Recent reports describe sensory neuropathy in adults with megavitaminosis B-6 (NEJMed 309:445, 1983;ibid.311:986, 1984). This neuropathy shows striking clinical similarities to that of thalidomide: stocking glove numbness first in feet and later in hands, and ataxia. A late sign with thalidomide was weakness; not yet seen in B-6. Lenz' suspicions were aroused by a woman who took thalidomide during pregnancy and developed “polyneurit-, is”, delivering a phocomelic baby. We face the same dilemma with B-6 that Lenz did when he stated in Nov. 1961: “From a scientific point of view it seems premature to discuss it [thalidomide as teratogen]. But as a human being and as a citizen, I cannot remain silent…” (see review “The Saga of Thalidomide: Neuropathy to Embryopathy”, NEJMed 267:1184 and 1238, 1962).
Tomato spotted wilt virus resistance among high and normal O/L ratio peanut cultivars with and without irrigation

Abstract In recent years, several high oleic (O) and low linoleic (L) fatty acid ratio peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars with varying levels of disease resistance have been developed and released for commercial production. Improved disease resistance has become of even greater importance, particularly resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) which causes spotted wilt disease in peanut. The objective of this study was to compare these high and normal O/L ratio peanut cultivars with and without irrigation for yield and TSWV resistance. For three consecutive years (1997–1999) the normal O/L ratio cultivar ‘Georgia Green’ and the high O/L ratio cultivar ‘Georgia Hi-O/L’ were found to have the highest pod yield, and a comparably high level of resistance to TSWV when compared to 11 other cultivars with and without irrigation. Georgia Hi-O/L was also found to have a significantly higher O/L ratio than the other high and normal O/L ratio cultivars for improved peanut oil quality both with and without irrigation. In general, irrigation appeared to increase expression of plant symptoms for TSWV disease incidence and had little effect upon O/L ratios among the 13 peanut cultivars evaluated.
Polarization of reflected 10.6-Mum radiation from sublimed sulfur targets.

Properties of the state of polarization of the reflected radiation of λ = 10.6 μm for sublimed flowers of sulfur are studied. It is shown that sublimed sulfur follows Lambert's cosine law and depolarizes 73% of incident linearly polarized radiation. The absolute reflectance matrix coefficients for the sulfur are given. Selection of sublimed sulfur as a standard reflectance is discussed.
Recruiting Low Income and Racially/Ethnically Diverse Adolescents for Focus Groups

Recruiting and enrolling low income, racially and ethnically diverse adolescents into research studies can be a challenge. This paper details our research team’s methodology in the recruitment and enrollment of low income and racially/ethnically diverse adolescents in three cities as part of a broader study to understand adolescent perceptions of a health risks. Our team used Florida’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Plan administrative databases to identify a sample of adolescents for focus group participation. Utilizing geographic information systems software we generated maps of racial and ethnic group clusters in three cities and identified community centers within each cluster to hold the focus groups. We mailed initial focus group introduction letters, conducted follow-up phone calls for recruitment and further implemented techniques to optimize participant confidentiality and comfort. We enrolled 35 participants for eight focus groups in three cities at a total cost of $264 per participant, including personnel, materials, travel, and incentives costs. As a result of our efforts, groups were fairly evenly distributed by both race and gender. Administrative databases provide opportunities to identify and recruit low income and racially/ethnically diverse adolescents for focus groups that might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in research studies. It is important that researchers ensure these populations are represented when conducting health assessment tool evaluations.
A membrane model from implicit elasticity theory: application to visceral pleura

A Fungean solid is derived for membranous materials as a body defined by isotropic response functions whose mathematical structure is that of a Hookean solid where the elastic constants are replaced by functions of state derived from an implicit, thermodynamic, internal energy function. The theory utilizes Biot’s (Lond Edinb Dublin Philos Mag J Sci 27:468–489, 1939) definitions for stress and strain that, in one-dimension, are the stress/strain measures adopted by Fung (Am J Physiol 28:1532–1544, 1967) when he postulated what is now known as Fung’s law. Our Fungean membrane model is parameterized against a biaxial data set acquired from a porcine pleural membrane subjected to three, sequential, proportional, planar extensions. These data support an isotropic/deviatoric split in the stress and strain-rate hypothesized by our theory. These data also demonstrate that the material response is highly nonlinear but, otherwise, mechanically isotropic. These data are described reasonably well by our otherwise simple, four-parameter, material model.
Numerical study of heat transfer from an isothermally heated flat surface due to turbulent twin oblique confined slot-jet impingement

Abstract The heat transfer from an isothermally heated flat surface due to two-dimensional turbulent twin oblique confined slot-jet impingement is studied numerically using the ANSYS FLUENT commercial code. Initially the flow and thermal fields for a normal confined slot-jet impingement are investigated using the RNG k – e model and the SST k – ω model, and their performance is evaluated against experimental data. The local Nusselt number distribution predicted by the SST k – ω model agrees notably better with the existing experimental data. Subsequently, the SST k – ω model is employed to study the twin oblique impinging jet heat transfer problem. Systematic parametric study is conducted by varying the jet exit Reynolds number (Re = 23,000 and 50,000), the jet-to-jet separation distance ( L = 0, 2, and 4), the jet exit to the target plate distance ( H = 2.6, 4, and 6), and the inclination angle of the jet to the impingement surface (45° ≤ φ ≤ 90°). Results indicate that, as the impingement angle is reduced from 90° (normal impingement), the peak Nusselt number at the impingement surface is gradually reduced and its location slightly shifts away from the jet axis with a corresponding slight decrease of the average Nusselt number for any combination of Re, L , and H . The average Nusselt number is a strong direct function of the Reynolds number and the impingement angle whereas it is a weak inverse function of the jet to target plate separation distance.
Intermediate filament formation by a yeast protein essential for organelle inheritance

Intermediate filaments are abundant cytoskeletal components whose specific cellular functions are poorly understood. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein MDM1 displays structure and solubility properties that are similar to those of intermediate filament proteins of animal cells. Yeast cells that have a mutant form of MDM1 exhibit temperature-sensitive growth and defective transfer of nuclei and mitochondria to daughter cells during incubation at the nonpermissive temperature of 37 degrees C. The purified, wild-type MDM1 protein readily forms 10-nanometer-wide filaments at either 4 degrees C or 37 degrees C. In contrast, the purified, mutant protein forms filaments at 4 degrees C but fails to form such structures at 37 degrees C. These results suggest that intermediate filament proteins are universal components of eukaryotic cells.
Metrological Electron Microscope for the Certification of Magnification and Linewidth Artifacts for the Semiconductor Industry

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has, for several years, been developing a metrological electron microscope system traceable to national standards of length. This metrology instrument will certify standards for the calibration of the magnification of scanning electron microscopes (SEM) and for the certification of artifacts for SEM linewidth measurement. These artifacts are not only directed to instruments used in the semiconductor community but will also be useful for the various other applications to which the SEM is currently being used. The SEM-based metrology system now operational at the Institute will be described as well as its design criteria and procedures for its characterization. The design and criteria for a new lithographically produced SEM low-accelerating-voltage magnification standard to be calibrated on this system will also be presented.
John Rawls and the recent history of public administration

John Rawls’ theory of justice has had a direct impact on public administration, especially work in new public administration. His theory has influenced the obligations of public administrators, the scope of citizen participation in public administration, and the equitable distribution of public services. It has also contributed to the development of administrative ethics. In addition, it suggests ways in which a mediating model of public reason might be developed for public administrators working on deeply divisive social and economic issues.
Removing duplication from java.io: a case study using traits

Code duplication is a serious problem with no easy solution, even in industrial-strength code. Single inheritance cannot provide for effective code reuse in all situations, and sometimes programmers are driven to duplicate code using copy and paste. A language feature called traits enables code to be shared across the inheritance hierarchy, and claims to permit the removal of most duplication. We attempted to validate this claim in a case study of the java.io library. Detecting duplication was more complex than we had imagined, but traits were indeed able to remove all that we found.
Screening small-molecule compound microarrays for protein ligands without fluorescence labeling with a high-throughput scanning microscope.

We describe a high-throughput scanning optical microscope for detecting small-molecule compound microarrays on functionalized glass slides. It is based on measurements of oblique-incidence reflectivity difference and employs a combination of a y-scan galvometer mirror and an x-scan translation stage with an effective field of view of 2 cm×4 cm. Such a field of view can accommodate a printed small-molecule compound microarray with as many as 10,000 to 20,000 targets. The scanning microscope is capable of measuring kinetics as well as endpoints of protein-ligand reactions simultaneously. We present the experimental results on solution-phase protein reactions with small-molecule compound microarrays synthesized from one-bead, one-compound combinatorial chemistry and immobilized on a streptavidin-functionalized glass slide.
Temporal factors in the sensitivity of the alpha rhythm to habituation and conditioning

A delayed conditioning paradigm with ISIs of .5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 sec was administered to four groups of 14 human subjects. First, 15 3-sec tones and lights each were presented randomly, providing tone and light blocking baselines as well as pseudoconditioning control; this was followed by 15 tone-light trials. The pattern of occipital alpha blocking was obtained by integrating the alpha band (7.5–13.5 Hz) over .1-sec epochs. An analysis of the last block of three conditioning trials yielded a significant ISI effect in which the 1.0-sec group manifested the most conditioning. Unexpectedly, the .5-sec group did not have significantly different habituation and conditioning trends as did the other groups. This result is explained by evidence from the baseline trials of all subjects pooled that there is a regular unconditioned block to tone stimuli, smaller than, but similar to the block to light stimuli. The alpha system appears insensitive to experimental treatments during the block, but after about 90 msec can be further modified.
A "customary and necessary" program--Medicaid and health care reform

A 0;Customary and Necessary1; Program — Medicaid and Health Care Reform Medicaid plays a starring role in health care reform. Sara Rosenbaum describes numerous issues that will confront the 0;new1; Medicaid. Published Online May 5, 2010 (DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp1003890)
Further examinations of the relationship between reward contingency and intrinsic motivation

Abstract A series of laboratory studies were conducted to examine the effect of contingent monetary reward on the occurrence of behavior presumably determined by intrinsic task motivation. A general hypothesis that contingent monetary rewards would reduce the frequency of such behaviors was derived from a postulate of cognitive evaluation theory. For all of the studies, intrinsic task motivation was operationally defined as the amount of free time a subject spent working on a task without receiving reward. Study 1 investigated the effects of reward contingency and reward magnitude upon the behavioral measure of intrinsic motivation and upon related attitudinal variables. Study 2 examined the effects of reward contingency and two individual difference variables (self-esteem and perceived locus of control) on intrinsic motivation and attitudinal measures. Although Study 2 showed no significant results, Study 1 demonstrated support for the hypothesis with the behavioral measure of intrinsic motivation, but not with the attitudinal measures. Further examination of the behavioral measure of intrinsic motivation suggested that this variable was bimodally distributed in both Studies 1 and 2. A test for normality indicated that the distributions were significantly non-normal and that parametric analyses of mean differences were inappropriate. Study 3 reported the results of nonparametric reanalyses of Studies 1 and 2 and of data previously published by Deci as supportive of the postulate under examination. Deci's data were also found to be generally bimodal. The nonparametric analyses were nonsignificant for all data sets. Theoretical implications of these results are discussed and future directions for research are suggested.
A reconciliation of simple and complex models of age-dependent predation

Abstract Predation intensity often varies with prey age or development stage. Several theoretical studies have considered what effect such age-dependent predation has on the stability of predator-prey interactions. The simple models suggest its effect is typically stabilizing; more complex models suggest otherwise. Current theory is therefore divided on this issue. Here I show that the conclusion of previous studies of simple models is due to biologically extreme restrictions on certain parameter values. When these are relaxed, age-dependent predation becomes equally capable of a stabilizing or destabilizing effect, just as in more complex models. Specific conditions favoring each effect are identified and discussed.
Retrotransposons as a major source of epigenetic variations in the mammalian genome.

Transcription of retrotransposons is usually repressed by DNA methylation, but a few elements, such as intracisternal A-particles (IAPs) associated with the Agouti and Axin-fused loci, partially escape this repression mechanism. The levels of this repression are also variable among individuals with an identical genome sequence, generating epigenetically different states of loci or ‘epialleles.’ In the current study, we tested the existence of additional retrotransposon-derived epialleles in the mouse genome. Using a series of bioinformatic approaches, 143 candidate epialleles were first identified from the mouse genome based on their promoter activity and association with active histone modification marks. Detailed analyses suggest that a subset of these elements showed variable levels of DNA methylation among the individual mice of an isogenic background, revealing their stochastic nature (metastability) of DNA methylation. The analyses also identified two opposite patterns of DNA methylation during development, progressive gaining vs. losing, confirming the dynamic nature of their DNA methylation patterns. qRT-PCR analyses demonstrated that the expression levels of these elements are indeed variable among the individual mice, suggesting functional consequences on their associated endogenous genes. Overall, these data confirm the presence of a number of new retrotransposon-derived epialleles with suggestions of the presence of more, and further identify retrotransposons as a major source of epigenetic variations in the mammalian genome.
Hsp90 and mitochondrial proteases Yme1 and Yta10/12 participate in ATP synthase assembly in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Hsc82 and Hsp82, the Hsp90 family proteins of yeast, are both required for fermentative growth at 37°C. Inactivation of either of the mitochondrial AAA proteases, Yme1 or Yta10/12, allows fermentative growth of hsc82∆ or hsp82∆ strains at 37°C. Genetic evidence indicates interaction of Hsc82/Hsp82 with the Yme1 and Yta10/Yta12 complexes in promoting F(1)F(o)-ATPase activity, with Hsc82 specifically required for F(1)-ATPase assembly. A previously reported mutation in Rpt3, one of the six ATPases of the proteasome, suppresses yme1∆ phenotypes and increases transcription of HSC82 but not HSP82. These genetic interactions describe a functional role for Hsp90 proteins in mitochondrial biogenesis.
Quantitative models for inventory and production planning in closed-loop supply chains

The increased popularity of remanufacturing requires firms to rethink their supply chain systems and explore new avenues for the coordination of forward and reverse supply chains to transform existing supply chain systems into closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) systems. Several issues encountered in remanufacturing create unique operational challenges that must be taken into account in specifying guidelines for inventory and production planning (I&PP) for CLSC systems. These challenges provide a rich context for novel optimisation problems. Consequently, the literature on I&PP for CLSC systems has been growing continually. In this paper, we review the existing quantitative literature on I&PP for CLSC systems. We broadly categorise the present work into deterministic and stochastic problems according to the modelling of demand and return processes. Upon identifying the important relevant modelling parameters that influence the complexity of the underlying models, we provide a comprehensive classification of t...
Is There an Association Between Physical Punishment in Childhood and Physical Health in Adulthood

* Abbreviations: ACE — : adverse childhood experience NESARC — : National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Since the landmark study on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs),1 there has been a growing interest in the relationship between ACEs and physical health. ACEs are associated with smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, alcohol use, and liver disease in adults in a dose-dependent fashion. In the original study by Felitti et al,1 ACEs were more common that one might expect; although the majority reported 0 or 1 ACE, one-fourth of all respondents reported ≥2 ACEs. Physical punishment, by contrast, is nearly universal in the United States; ∼90% of preschool-age children were spanked in the last year.2 Three decades of research on physical punishment has shown with remarkable consistency that spanking children increases the risk of poor mental health, aggression, and delinquent and antisocial behavior; decreases the quality of the parent-child relationship, increases behavioral symptoms, and increases rates of physical-abuse victimization.3 Despite the recognized association between ACEs and physical health in adulthood, however, there have been no studies to our knowledge that have evaluated the relationship between physical punishment and physical health in adulthood. … Address correspondence to Rachel P. Berger, MD, MPH, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Child Advocacy Center, 4401 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224. E-mail: rachel.berger{at}chp.edu
Variance of intensity for a discrete-spectrum, polychromatic speckle field after propagation through the turbulent atmosphere

The extended Huygens–Fresnel principle is used to develop formulations for the variance of the received intensity for a discrete-spectrum, polychromatic speckle field after propagation through the turbulent atmosphere. This principle takes into account the effects of the turbulent atmosphere on a polychromatic laser beam as it propagates to an incoherent target and on the resultant speckle field as it propagates back to the receiver. It is found that the variance of the received intensity can be increased substantially by atmospheric turbulence and that, for the purpose of formulating the variance, under certain conditions the source can be completely characterized by its vacuum speckle contrast ratio.
Hydrogen Storage on Carbon-Based Adsorbents and Storage at Ambient Temperature by Hydrogen Spillover

Hydrogen storage is a crucially missing link to a future “hydrogen economy.” Extensive hydrogen storage studies have been focused on carbon-based adsorbents due to their light weight, high surface area, and tailorable structure. An overview/analysis of the progress on hydrogen storage on various carbon-based adsorbents is given in this review. Particularly, a recent, fast-developing research direction—hydrogen storage via spillover on carbons via added catalysts — is reviewed separately. A fundamental understanding of the factors that affect both H2 and spillover hydrogen storage capacities, as well as strategies for improving the storage performance from the viewpoints of both hydrogen storage and materials chemistry, are discussed.
Designing distributed algorithms for mobile computing networks

Mobile computing represents a new paradigm that aims to provide continuous network connectivity to users regardless of their location. To realize this aim, it is necessary to design distributed algorithms that explicitly account for host mobility and the physical constraints associated with such networks. This paper presents an operational system model for explicitly incorporating the effects of host mobility with appropriate cost measures. It points out the drawbacks of executing distributed algorithms in this model that are not explicitly designed for mobile hosts. To overcome the resource constraints of mobile hosts, we propose a two tier principle for structuring distributed algorithms for mobile hosts so that the computation and communication requirements of an algorithm are borne by the static hosts to the extent possible. In addition, since location of a mobile host could change after initiating a distributed computation and before receiving the result, location management of mobile participants needs to be explicitly integrated with algorithm design.
Introduction to special issue on neuroimmunology in brain development and disease.

Although neural-immune cross-talk during disease and/or trauma has been studied for many years, the dogma has been that there is little interaction between the immune and nervous systems in healthy individuals. This belief was historically based on indications that the blood-brain barrier (BBB) blocks immune cell infiltration into the central nervous system (CNS), leading to limited immune responses in the CNS, and by a lack of classical immune proteins in the brain (Murphy and Sturm, 1923; Joly et al., 1991). However, recent observations from both clinical and basic science research have caused a paradigm shift in our understanding of neural-immune interactions, indicating clearly that there is extensive communication between these systems (McAllister and van de Water, 2009). There is now clear evidence that environmental insults that alter the immune response can affect brain development as well as behavior (Patterson, 2009; Meyer et al., 2011). Moreover, mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders have provided strong support for immune involvement in CNS development and disease (Patterson, 2009; Patterson, 2011). Finally, several different kinds of immune molecules, including cytokines, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins, and complement, are expressed in the developing and adult brain and have critical functions in brain development and plasticity (Garay and McAllister, 2009; Shatz, 2009; Elmer and McAllister, 2012; Stephan et al., 2012). In this Special Issue, we include reviews covering a range of topics from epidemiology indicating a role for immune dysregulation in neurodevelopmental disorders to basic mechanisms underlying the effects of immune molecules in brain development and disease.
Pharmacogenetics of the treatment response of age-related macular degeneration with ranibizumab and bevacizumab.

AbstractIntroduction: Age-related macular degeneration is a major cause of blindness among people aged 50 and older in industrialized countries. Anti-VEGF therapy has been tremendously successful in the treatment of neovascular macular degeneration. Examining the pharmacogenetics of patients’ response to the anti-VEGF molecules could allow for a tailored treatment strategy based on patients’ underlying genetics rather than the “one-size fits all” approach currently used. Methods: Review of the English literature for papers examining the pharmacogenetics of treatment response of neovascular macular degeneration to either ranibizumab or bevacizumab. Polymorphisms in CFH, ARMS2, HTRA1 and VEGF A were examined and reviewed. Results: Patients with the high-risk CC genotype in complement factor H (CFH) had a worse response to therapy with ranibizumab and bevacizumab. No clear trends were found with ARMS2, HTRA1 and VEGF A. Conclusions: The goal of personalized medicine is to craft a treatment program that is id...