cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dendritic cells are required for effective cross-presentation in the murine liver.

The liver harbors a diversity of cell types that have been reported to stimulate T cells. Although most hepatic dendritic cells are immature, a small population of CD11chigh conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) exists that expresses high levels of costimulatory molecules. We sought to determine the relative contribution of cDCs to cross-presentation by the liver. In vitro, liver nonparenchymal cells (NPCs) depleted of cDCs induced only minimal proliferation and activation of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells when loaded with soluble protein antigen. Using a transgenic mouse with the CD11c promoter driving expression of the human diphtheria toxin receptor, we found that selective depletion of cDCs in vivo reduced the number and activation of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in the liver after intravenous administration of soluble protein antigen. Adoptive transfer of DCs, but not CD40 stimulation, restored the hepatic T-cell response. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the ability of the liver to effectively cross-present soluble protein to antigen-specific CD8+ T cells depends primarily on cDCs. Despite costimulation, other resident liver antigen-presenting cells cannot compensate for the absence of cDCs. (HEPATOLOGY 2008.)
Matrix isolated Co atoms: Excitation, emission and the photochemical Co + H2→CoH2 reaction ag

Abstract The a4P↔a4F transitions in the 12 000-14 000 cm−1 region for Co atoms isolated n Ne, Ar and Kr matrices have been explored by excitation and emission measurements. In Ar and Kr, but not in Ne, there is evidence of matrix splitting of the a4P 5 2 level. Irradiation in this red region of Ar and Kr matrices containing Co and H2 (HD, D2) leads to the formation of the metal dihydride. Rates of the photochemical reaction have been measured at 12K as a function of laser irradiation and show distinct isotope dependence. I.R. vibrational intensities place a lower limit of about 160° for the HCoH valence angle.
Magnetic susceptibilities of some 3d transition metal boracites

Abstract Effective magneton numbers and Curie-Weiss temperatures of eleven 3d-metal boracites have been determined from susceptibility versus temperature measurements. All investigated boracites display negative Curie-Weiss temperatures. CrI and NiIboracites become anti-ferromagnetic at about 90° and 120°K, respectively. NiIboracite shows an anomalous peak of susceptibility at about 60°K which coincides with the temperature of the simultaneous onset of ferro-electricity and weak ferromagnetism.
Significance of the Intestinal Flora in Nutrition of the Guinea Pig.

SummaryAn investigation was made on the cecal flora of guinea pigs receiving a purified basal diet and the basal diet supplied with gum arabic, potassium acetate and magnesium oxide. Significantly ...
LACTATION IN HUMANS

Postpartum milk secretion is a hormonally regulated process that reflects the highly coordinated actions of endocrine, neuroendocrine, and behavioral mechanisms. Structural development of the mammary gland during pregnancy is stimulated primarily by estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin (PRL), the secretion of which is controlled directly or indirectly by the fetoplacental unit. Following parturition, PRL also plays an important role in initiating and sustaining milk secretion and suppressing the resumption of cyclic hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian function. Dynamic postpartum PRL secretion is in response to the neurogenic stimulus of suckling, which both acutely releases PRL and maintains the responsiveness of PRL regulatory pathways to subsequent nursing. The central control of PRL secretion at this time involves the integrated activities of inhibitory and stimulatory hypothalamic mechanisms. A major feature of lactation is the degree to which the entire process is controlled by the developing organism itself.
Chromatin modifications in the germinal vesicle (GV) of mammalian oocytes

The nucleus of eukaryotic cells is organized into functionally specialized compartments that are essential for the control of gene expression, chromosome architecture and cellular differentiation. The mouse oocyte nucleus or germinal vesicle (GV) exhibits a unique chromatin configuration that is subject to dynamic modifications during oogenesis. This process of 'epigenetic maturation' is critical to confer the female gamete with meiotic as well as developmental competence. In spite of its biological significance, little is known concerning the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating large-scale chromatin structure in mammalian oocytes. Here, recent findings that provide mechanistic insight into the complex relationship between large-scale chromatin structure and global transcriptional repression in pre-ovulatory oocytes will be discussed. Post-translational modifications of histone proteins such as acetylation and methylation are crucial for heterochromatin formation and thus play a key role in remodeling the oocyte genome. This strategy involves multiple and hierarchical chromatin modifications that regulate nuclear dynamics in response to a developmentally programmed signal(s), presumably of paracrine origin, before the resumption of meiosis. Models for the experimental manipulation of large-scale chromatin structure in vivo and in vitro will be instrumental to determine the key cellular pathways and oocyte-derived factors involved in genome-wide chromatin modifications. Importantly, analysis of the functional differentiation of chromatin structure in the oocyte genome with high resolution and in real time will have wide-ranging implications to understand the role of nuclear organization in meiosis, the events of nuclear reprogramming and the spatio-temporal regulation of gene expression during development and differentiation.
Advances in fluorescent protein technology

Current fluorescent protein (FP) development strategies are focused on fine-tuning the photophysical properties of blue to yellow variants derived from the Aequorea victoria jellyfish green fluorescent protein (GFP) and on the development of monomeric FPs from other organisms that emit in the yellow-orange to far-red regions of the visible light spectrum. Progress toward these goals has been substantial, and near-infrared emitting FPs may loom over the horizon. The latest efforts in jellyfish variants have resulted in new and improved monomeric BFP, CFP, GFP and YFP variants, and the relentless search for a bright, monomeric and fast-maturing red FP has yielded a host of excellent candidates, although none is yet optimal for all applications. Meanwhile, photoactivatable FPs are emerging as a powerful class of probes for intracellular dynamics and, unexpectedly, as useful tools for the development of superresolution microscopy applications.
The LD 50 value of tetraethyl lead.

Im Hinblick auf den offensichtlichen Mangel eines LD50-Wertes fur Bleitetraethyl wurde bei intragastrischer Applikation im Rattenversuch der Wert 14,18 mg/kg (Spielraum 12,62–15,93) ermittelt.
‘To Aleppo gone’: From the North Sea to Syria in Chaucer’s Man of Law’s Tale and Shakespeare’s Macbeth

AbstractSyria is a referent both in Chaucer’s Man of Law’s Tale, in which Custance’s first husband is the ‘Sowdan of Surrye,’ and in Macbeth, in which the witches plot to scourge the husband of one of their nemeses, who is ‘to Aleppo gone.’ Both texts treat Syria and the northern reaches of Great Britain as complementary zones, in space as well as time. Such analogous representations of geographical and temporal distance permit a plausible linkage between the Man of Law’s Tale and Macbeth, adding to the growing conversation about links between Chaucer and Shakespeare. The geographical tableau common to both authors shows that they shared an awareness of Islamic and Christian otherness. In Shakespeare’s era, this otherness was complicated by Ottoman power and its impact on the split within Christianity. The Ottoman Empire’s strength further added to the sense, already evident in Chaucer, that ideas of geographical and historical otherness stemming from Christianity’s eastern Mediterranean origins proved ve...
High-resolution sensitive nonlinear laser detection method for chemical analysis based on degenerate four-wave mixing

ABSTRACTDegenerate four-wave mixing (D4WM) is presented as a simple nonlinear laser method with spectral resolution high enough to resolve isotope/hyperfine lines and detection sensitivity sufficient for sub-ppb or sub-attomole detection in various atomizersand detection cells. Two counterpropagating pump beams and a probe beam are mixedinside the nonlinear medium that consists of analyte atomic or molecular species, and thephase conjugate signal beam is generated as the wavefront-reversed replica of the probe beam. Optical alignment is relatively simple, and optical signal collection is highly efficient since the signal is a laser beam. Continuous sample introduction is possible using an air-acetylene flame as the atomizer. When a relatively low-pressure demountable discharge cell is used as the atomizer, Lorentzian (pressure) broadening is also minimizedin addition to cancellation of Doppler broadening. Degenerate four-wave mixing is also effective in detecting trace amounts of analytes in the condensed phase at room
Measuring Product Creation Effectiveness

The purpose of measuring performance on any business process is so that you can do it better the next time around; this is as true of product creation as it is of manufacturing, purchasing, or distribution. In practice, however, companies usually treat each product creation project as a brand‐new, one‐time effort, plunging in and figuring out how to do it from scratch, without any reference to how it was done the last time. This ad hoc approach costs a lot of time and money and constitutes a lost opportunity. Unless companies change their approach toward product creation from an ad hoc process into a systematic and replicable one, there is no hope for improvement.
Exploration of heavy ion irradiation effects on gate oxide reliability in power MOSFETs

Abstract Heavy ion irradiation effects on gate oxide reliability in power MOSFETs were explored. Devices were exposed to heavy ion fluences and LETs simulating exposure in spacecraft at bias levels not expected to cause catastrophic failure. Time dependent dielectric breakdown measurements and charge separation techniques resulted in no detectable changes. The gate voltage at which oxide breakdown occurs and the gate I–V curves suggest subtle changes in device characteristics that can be detected at high gate biases. However, there is no indication that heavy ion exposure results in a significant reduction in gate oxide reliability.
Additional Agents of Change in Promoting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Inclusiveness in Organizations

King and Cortina (2010) describe several ways in which organizations can promote equity in the workplace environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) employees. We commend the authors for promoting such inclusiveness and describing both the moral and fiscally responsible reasons for doing so. We are hopeful that employers will heed the valuable suggestions offered by King and Cortina and work to adopt formal policies that protect the rights of LGBT employees, launch diversity initiatives to make LGBT employees feel more accepted, and advocate on behalf of LGBT interests. As King and Cortina mention, however, employers are not prescribed by law to adopt such policies or act on behalf of the best interests of their LGBT employees. And ultimately, some employers simply will not. What, then, can be done to work toward and achieve the same important outcomes? Are there other sources that also have the power to motivate LGBT inclusiveness and initiatives within organizations other than the employers themselves? We assert
Motility of Urease-Deficient Derivatives of Helicobacter pylori

Early studies of a ureB mutant derivative of Helicobacter pylori had suggested that urease is needed for motility and that urease action helps energize flagellar rotation. Here we report experiments showing that motility is unaffected by deletion of ureA and ureB (urease genes) or by inactivation of ureB alone, especially if H. pylori strains used as recipients for transformation with mutant alleles are preselected for motility. This result was obtained with the strain used in the early studies (CPY3401) and also with 15 other strains, 3 of which can colonize mice. We conclude that urease is not needed for H. pylori motility.
The practice of oral medicine in the United States in the twenty-first century: an update

Objective The aim of this study was to describe the practice characteristics of Oral Medicine trained dentists in the United States. Methods This study was a cross-sectional survey of members of the American Academy of Oral Medicine. Patient demographic characteristics, referring providers, medical comorbidities, diagnoses, and practitioner information were collected during a 5-day practice week. The survey was open during the years 2011 and 2012. Results Information from 916 patients was entered by 74 practitioners from 20 states. The mean number of practitioners seen before consulting Oral Medicine providers was 2.2, and patients had experienced symptoms for 16.8 months before the initial encounter. Common chief complaints were nonulcerative mucosal lesions, orofacial pain, and dry mouth. Patients with cardiovascular disease were at a higher risk of developing lichenoid lesions, and those with psychiatric conditions were at higher risk of reporting burning mouth symptoms. Conclusions Diagnoses and procedures performed by Oral Medicine practitioners complement practice characteristics of general and specialty dentists in the United States.
Epinephrine-Induced Cardiac Arrhythmias in Rabbits Exposed to Trichloroethylene: Potentiation by Caffeine

Abstract Approximately 200 000 industrial workers are exposed to trichloroethylene in the United States. Individuals intoxicated with trichloroethylene are known to develop cardiac arrhythmias. Caffeine is known to be a cardiac stimulant and is one of the drugs most widely used by the American population. Therefore, it was of interest to study the effect of caffeine on the arrhythmogenicity of trichloroethylene. Rabbits were treated with a vehicle control (1 mL/kg, ip) or caffeine (10 mg/kg, ip, 30 minutes prior to exposure) and exposed for one hour to 6000 ppm trichloroethylene under dynamic airflow conditions. Epinephrine was infused until arrhythmias occurred after 7.5, 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes of exposure and also 15 and 30 minutes post-exposure. Serial blood samples were collected at these time points and analyzed for trichloroethylene and the two major metabolites, trichloroethanol and trichloroacetic acid. Rabbits treated with caffeine and exposed to trichloroethylene developed more arrhythmias in response to epinephrine than rabbits exposed to trichloroethylene alone, and the arrhythmias occurred sooner and in response to lower doses of epinephrine. Caffeine treatment had no effect on trichloroethylene blood concentration, but significantly decreased trichloroethanol blood levels after 45 and 60 minutes of exposure to trichloroethylene. Caffeine also reduced blood levels of trichloroacetic acid. The data indicate that caffeine can potentiate the arrhythmogenicity of trichloroethylene in rabbits.
Patient interpretations of prescription order quantitative statements.

Abstract Objectives To characterize the variability in patient understanding and interpretation of quantitative statements from prescription orders and to evaluate the influence of sociodemographic characteristics on how patients interpret quantitative statements. Methods Participants were recruited in both a clinic and pharmacy setting in Kentucky. Patients were given a survey that asked for general background information and two questions pertaining to their experience with topical products. Then, patients were read a scenario and asked to use a provided tube of cream and squeeze out what they considered a small amount. Results 100 eligible patients participated in the study, with the majority having previous counseling on the use of topical products. The mean (±SD) cream weight representing a small amount was 0.36± g. Regression analysis demonstrated a significant nonlinear relationship for two of the patient characteristics, age and body mass index (BMI), with the greatest effect in the middle of age and BMI distributions (at approximately age 50 years and BMI 30 kg/m 2 ). No evidence indicated that gender, race, education, or previous experience with or education about topical products had any effect on cream weight perception. Conclusion Patients demonstrated tremendous variability in the interpretation of a small amount of topical product cream. Further research should be conducted to determine whether policy changes are warranted to require more specific prescription order instructions in the outpatient setting.
Grinding Forces and Energy

Grinding forces and energy play an important role in all abrasive machining operations. While specific grinding energy may be obtained from workpiece dynamometer values or by measuring spindle power, care must be exercised in converting dynamometer reading into power consumed. This is particularly true for operations involving a large ratio of wheel depth of cut to wheel diameter or when the radial force on the wheel is large relative to the tangential component. Interpretation of workpiece dynamometer results are discussed and several specific examples are considered including the diamond sawing of granite and the creep feed grinding of metal.
Intracranial bleeding from child abuse: the value of skull radiographs.

Two infants with intracranial bleeding are described. Each had extensive evaluations aimed at uncovering vascular anomalies or bleeding diatheses. Plain skull radiographs that demonstrated fractures led to the correct diagnosis of child abuse. This report serves to emphasize the value of the plain skull radiograph in the evaluation of infants with intracranial bleeding.
dc conductivity studies on “Li5AlO4” at intermediate temperatures and its possible application for the electrolysis of water

The results of dc conductivity experiments at intermediate temperatures on a material of initial composition Li5AlO4 invarious environments are reported. These results indicate that, unde: certain conditions, dc charge conduction in this system is due to the transport of hydroxide ions derived from the formation of LiOH. The possible application of this system for the electrolytic decomposition of water vapor is discussed.
Application of pseudo-transient continuation method in dynamic stability analysis

In this paper, pseudo-transient continuation method has been modified and implemented in power system long-term stability analysis. This method is a middle ground between integration and steady state calculation, thus is a good compromise between accuracy and efficiency. Pseudo-transient continuation method can be applied in the long-term stability model directly to accelerate simulation speed and can also be implemented in the QSS model to overcome numerical difficulties. Numerical examples show that pseudo-transient continuation method can provide correct approximations for the long-term stability model in terms of trajectories and stability assessment.
Interactive presentation: A new asymmetric SRAM cell to reduce soft errors and leakage power in FPGA

Soft errors in semiconductor memories occur due to charged particle strikes at the cell nodes. In this paper, we present a new asymmetric memory cell to increase the soft error tolerance of SRAM. At the same time, this cell can be used at the reduced supply voltage to decrease the leakage power without significantly increasing the soft error rate of SRAM. A major use of this cell is in the configuration memory of FPGA. The cell is designed using a 70nm process technology and verified using Spice simulations. Soft error tolerance results are presented and compared with standard SRAM cell and an existing increased soft error tolerance cell. Simulation results show that our cell has lowest soft error rate at the various supply voltages.
EQUILIBRIUM ANALYSES OF THE ACTIVE-SITE ASYMMETRY IN ENTEROCOCCAL NADH OXIDASE : ROLE OF THE CYSTEINE-SULFENIC ACID REDOX CENTER

Recent studies [Mallett, T. C., and Claiborne, A. (1998) Biochemistry 37, 8790−8802] of the O2 reactivity of C42S NADH oxidase (O2 → H2O2) revealed an asymmetric mechanism in which the two FADH2·NAD+ per reduced dimer display kinetic inequivalence. In this report we provide evidence indicating that the fully active, recombinant wild-type oxidase (O2 → 2H2O) displays thermodynamic inequivalence between the two active sites per dimer. Using NADPH to generate the free reduced wild-type enzyme (EH2‘/EH4), we have shown that NAD+ titrations lead to differential behavior as only one FADH2 per dimer binds NAD+ tightly to give the charge-transfer complex. The second FADH2, in contrast, transfers its electrons to the single Cys42-sulfenic acid (Cys42-SOH) redox center, which remains oxidized during the reductive titration. Titrations of the reduced NADH oxidase with oxidized 3-acetylpyridine and 3-aminopyridine adenine dinucleotides further support the conclusion that the two FADH2 per dimer in wild-type enzyme ca...
Random time sampling with self‐observation for library cost studies: Unit costs of interlibrary loans and photocopies at a regional medical library

A simple general method for determining labor costs, random time sampling with self-observation, is described. Unit costs of providing interlibrary loans and photocopies were determined by this method. The working time of all appropriate library personnel was sampled using Random Alarm Mechanisms and a structured checklist of mutually exclusive tasks. The workers' actual wage rates were applied to the resulting percentages. The total lender's unit cost per request received, including direct labor, materials, fringe benefits, and overhead, was $1.526 for originals mailed postpaid by lender and $1.534 for photocopies mailed. Corresponding unit costs per request filled were: originals $1.932 and photocopies $1.763. Labor costs included the costs of verifying, paging, copying, packaging & mailing, record keeping, and reshelving, based on wage rates in effect February 1969. This practical, objective method of work sampling causes minimal interference with service operations, and does not distort the data being collected. Acceptable reliability can be achieved at low cost. Under comparable conditions, the cost of providing a photocopy did not exceed the cost of lending an original document.
Cortical stimulation during learning in rabbits

Abstract Rabbits were trained to perform a conditioned avoidance response to a buzzer. Prior to the beginning of training, nonpolarizable electrodes were implanted in the frontal, visual and auditory cortex bilaterally. The effect of cathodal and anodal polarization was tested during the course of training. Cathodal polarization in both the frontal and auditory areas caused a significant decrement in performance, lasting over a period of two days. Cathodal polarization in the visual cortex did not alter the conditioned avoidance response to the buzzer. Anodal polarization produced no consistent effects on performance.
A Model of Adsorbent Behavior Applied to the Use of Layered Beds in Cycling Zone Adsorption

Abstract A simple model of adsorbent behavior in cycling zone adsorption is developed. The model is used to illustrate trends in adsorbent behavior and to investigate the use of layered beds in cycling zone adsorption.
Knowledge-based simulation of genetic regulation in bacteriophage lambda

Abstract We have developed a general-purpose computer program for the functional simulation of regulatory genetics. This simulator is knowledge-based and was developed using the Unit System, a software tool for the acquisition, representation, and manipulation of hierarchically organized knowledge. The advantages of a knowledge-based design are presented, and the simulator's architecture is described. Its performance on the decision between lytic and lysogenic growth in Bacteriophage Lambda is reported.
Asymmetric confidence bands for simple linear regression over bounded intervals

Abstract Computation of simultaneous confidence bands is described for simple linear regressions where the band is constructed to be asymmetric about the predictor mean. Both two-sided and one-sided bands are constructed. The bands represent extensions of a class of symmetric confidence bands due to Bowden, 1970. J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 65, 413–421. An example illustrates the computations, and a WWW-based applet for computing the bands is described.
Limitations to Bromide Determinations in Alfalfa Using the Bromide-Selective Electrode

Bromide is a potential tracer of nutrient uptake by plant roots in soil-plant systems, yet traditional methods of Br analysis have been time consuming, expensive, or difficult to complete. The bromide-selective electrode (BrSE) has been used with some success as a simple means to accurately determine Br in soils and plant materials. We tested 0.1 M NaNO 3 and 0.025 M Al 2 (SO 4 ) 3 as extractants of Br in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) for determination with a BrSE and investigated BrSE interferences from Cl and soluble proteins (...)
Steady-state Levels of Histone Acetylation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The importance of control of the levels of histone acetylation for the control of gene expression in eukaryotic chromatin is being elucidated, and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has proven to be an important model system. The level of histone acetylation in yeast is the highest known. However, only acetylation of H4 has been quantified, and reports reveal loss of acetylation in histone preparations. A chaotropic guanidine-based method for histone isolation from intact wild-type cells or from a single-step nuclear preparation with butyrate preserves acetylation of all core histones. Histone H4 has an average of more than 2 acetylated lysines per molecule, distributed over 4 sites. Histones H2A, H3, and H2B have 0.2, ∼2, and >2 acetylated lysines per molecule, respectively, distributed across 2, 5, and 6 sites. Thus, yeast nucleosomes carry, on average, 13 acetylated lysines per octamer,i.e. just above the threshold of 10−12 deduced for transcriptionally activated chromatin of animals, plants, and algae. Following M r 100,000 ultrafiltration in 2.5% acetic acid, yeast histone H3 was purified to homogeneity by reversed-phase high pressure liquid chromatography. Other core histones were obtained at 80−95% purity.
Systematic editing: generating program transformations from an example

Software modifications are often systematic ---they consist of similar, but not identical, program changes to multiple contexts. Existing tools for systematic program transformation are limited because they require programmers to manually prescribe edits or only suggest a location to edit with a related example. This paper presents the design and implementation of a program transformation tool called SYDIT. Given an example edit, SYDIT generates a context-aware, abstract edit script, and then applies the edit script to new program locations. To correctly encode a relative position of the edits in a new location, the derived edit script includes unchanged statements on which the edits are control and data dependent. Furthermore, to make the edit script applicable to a new context using different identifier names, the derived edit script abstracts variable, method, and type names. The evaluation uses 56 systematic edit pairs from five large software projects as an oracle. SYDIT has high coverage and accuracy. For 82% of the edits (46/56), SYDIT matches the context and applies an edit, producing code that is 96% similar to the oracle. Overall, SYDIT mimics human programmers correctly on 70% (39/56) of the edits. Generation of edit scripts seeks to improve programmer productivity by relieving developers from tedious, error-prone, manual code updates. It also has the potential to guide automated program repair by creating program transformations applicable to similar contexts.
Risky Assets and the Choice of Tax Base

Using a two-period model in which income is earned in the first period and saving can be invested in a risky asset, the authors explore the implications of the wealth tax and the consumption tax approaches for both the government and the wage earner. Settings under which decisions are made through Marshallian utility functions and settings under which decisions are made through von Neumann-Morgenstern risk preference functions are clarified. This is an issue that has suffered from benign neglect in this literature. It is shown that the implications of uncertainty for tax policy are much greater than has hitherto been implied.
A Large-Area High-Reflectivity Broadband Monolithic Single-Crystal-Silicon Photonic Crystal Mirror MEMS Scanner With Low Dependence on Incident Angle and Polarization

In this paper, we introduce a single-axis resonant combdrive microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) scanner with a large-area highly reflective broadband monolithic single-crystal-silicon (SCS) photonic crystal (PC) mirror. PC mirrors can be made from a single monolithic piece of silicon through alternate steps of etching and oxidation. This process allows the fabrication of a stress-free PC reflector in SCS with better optical flatness than deposited films such as polysilicon slabs on low-index oxide. PC mirrors can be made in IR transparent dielectric material and can achieve high reflectivity over a broad wavelength range. PC reflectors have several advantages over other mirror technologies. They can tolerate much higher processing temperatures and higher incident optical powers as well as operate in more corrosive environments than metals. Compared to multilayer dielectric stacks, PC mirrors allow for simpler process integration, thus making them highly compatible with CMOS and MEMS processing. In this paper, we fabricate a PC mirror MEMS scanner in SCS without any deposited films. Our PC mirrors show broadband high reflectivity in the wavelength range from 1550 to 1600 nm, and very low angular and polarization dependence over this same range. The single-axis MEMS scanners are fabricated on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers with the PC mirrors also fabricated in the SOI device layer. The scanners are actuated by electrostatic comb drives on resonance. Dynamic deflection measurements show that the scanners achieve 22deg total scan angle with an input square wave of 67 V and have a resonance frequency of 2.13 kHz.
Different Reactions of Potato Varieties to Infection by Potato Leafroll Virus, and Associated Responses by its Vector, Myzus persicae (Sulzer)

Vector-dependent plant pathogens can alter their hosts such that vector behavior and pathogen spread are affected. For example, Potato leafroll virus (PLRV)-induces changes in volatiles emitted by potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.) that influence settling behavior by Myzus persicae, a principal vector of the virus. Prior work in this pathosystem has utilized a single potato variety, Russet Burbank, but as is true for other plant responses to biotic stresses, responses may differ among plant genotypes. To examine this, PLRV-induced changes in headspace volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and associated aphid responses to these VOCs were compared among four potato varieties (Chipeta, Desiree, IdaRose, and Russet Burbank). Total headspace VOCs differed among the varieties and were differentially induced by PLRV infection such that the effect of variety, infection, and their interaction was significant; two of the varieties had increased concentrations of headspace VOCs, and two did not. MANOVA for the effect of infection and variety on total VOCs and major VOC classes also was significant. A principal component analysis (PCA) partially separated the VOC profiles from the four varieties. Aphid arrestment differed in response to the VOCs of the four varieties, and was greater on those that were more readily infected by PLRV (Desiree and Russet Burbank) as compared with those that were less readily infected (Chipeta and IdaRose). Aphid responses were not clearly related to specific characteristics of blends, such that total VOCs and composition appear to contribute. The four varieties used in this study have distinct pedigrees representative of different cultivated forms of S. tuberosum. Although cultivated potato varieties have been subjected to genetic manipulation by humans, the differences in PLRV induced changes in VOCs nonetheless indicate the potential for complex effects of PLRV infection on host plant VOC emissions, and vector responses in managed, and natural systems.
Characterization of cell surface carbohydrate receptors for Entamoeba histolytica adherence lectin.

Binding and cytolysis of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells by Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites is inhibitable by galactose (Gal) or N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc). To better define the carbohydrate receptor for E. histolytica, we compared the binding and cytolytic target properties of 10 CHO glycosylation mutants. Each mutant expresses a uniquely altered array of N- and/or O-linked cell surface carbohydrates. Amebic adherence was reduced when lactosamine-containing N-linked carbohydrates were essentially absent (Lec1 mutant), almost undetectable when Gal and GalNAc residues were absent on both N- and O-linked carbohydrates (ldlD.Lec1 mutant), and enhanced for mutants with increased terminal Gal residues (Lec2 and Lec3). Parental CHO cells treated with neuraminidase to expose Gal residues behaved like Lec2 mutants. Binding of purified Gal or GalNAc lectin to parental, Lec1, ldlD.Lec1, and Lec2 mutant CHO cells corroborated the adherence results. The suitability of CHO cell mutants as targets for amebic cytolysis correlated with their glycosylation phenotype: the Lec1 mutants were less susceptible than parental CHO cells, the ldlD.Lec1 mutants were highly resistant, and the Lec2 mutants required higher concentrations of Gal for inhibition. The E. histolytica Gal or GalNAc adherence lectin bound preferentially to beta 1-6-branched, N-linked carbohydrates lacking terminal sialic acid or fucose residues. However, amebic lectin binding to either N- or O-linked cell surface carbohydrates was sufficient to initiate parasite cytolytic activity.
Nucleation of Highly Dense Nanoscale Precipitates Based on an Innovative Process: Warm Laser Shock Peening

Warm laser shock peening (WLSP) is an innovative thermo-mechanical processing technique, which combines the advantages of laser shock peening (LSP) and dynamic aging (DA). It has been found that a unique microstructure with highly dense nanoscale precipitates surrounded by dense dislocation structures is generated by WLSP. In order to understand the nucleation mechanism of the highly dense precipitates during WLSP, aluminum alloy 6061 (AA6061) has been used by investigating the WLSP process with experiments and analytical modeling. An analytical model has been proposed to estimate the nucleation rate in metallic materials after WLSP. The effects of the processing temperature and high strain rate deformation on the activation energy of nucleation have been considered in this model. This model is based on the assumption that dynamic aging during WLSP can be assisted by the dense dislocation structures and warm temperature. The effects of the working temperature and dislocation density on the activation energy of precipitation have been investigated. This model is validated by a series of experiments and characterizations after WLSP. The relationships between the processing conditions, the nucleation density of precipitates and the defect density have been investigated.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Diet of a Population of Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, Thamnophis elegans, Along the Grande Ronde River, Southeastern Washington

Abstract We investigated the diet of the western terrestrial garter snake (Thamnophis elegans) along the Grande Ronde River in southeastern Washington. Snakes were collected with mass, snout-vent length and sex recorded. Of the 38 snakes collected 27 contained 31 prey items. The most abundant prey item was sculpin fish (Cottus spp.) (81.5%). There was no statistically significant relationship between size or sex of snake and prey presence, absence or size. Our data demonstrate that there is no change in prey base in relation to snake size or age. This is also the first population of Thamnophis elegans shown to specialize on Cottid fish in October, pre-overwintering hibernation.
Recognition of an expanded genetic alphabet by type-II restriction endonucleases and their application to analyze polymerase fidelity

To explore the possibility of using restriction enzymes in a synthetic biology based on artificially expanded genetic information systems (AEGIS), 24 type-II restriction endonucleases (REases) were challenged to digest DNA duplexes containing recognition sites where individual Cs and Gs were replaced by the AEGIS nucleotides Z and P [respectively, 6-amino-5-nitro-3-(1 0 -b-D-2 0 -deoxyribo furanosyl)-2(1H)-pyridone and 2-amino-8-(1 0 -b-D-2 0 deoxyribofuranosyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazin4(8H)-one]. These AEGIS nucleotides implement complementary hydrogen bond donor–donor– acceptor and acceptor–acceptor–donor patterns. Results allowed us to classify type-II REases into five groups based on their performance, and to infer some specifics of their interactions with functional groups in the major and minor grooves of the target DNA. For three enzymes among these 24 where crystal structures are available (BcnI, EcoO109I and NotI), these interactions were modeled. Further, we applied a type-II REase to quantitate the fidelity polymerases challenged to maintain in a DNA duplex C:G, T:A and Z:P pairs through repetitive PCR cycles. This work thus adds tools that are able to manipulate this expanded genetic alphabet in vitro, provides some structural insights into the working of restriction enzymes, and offers some preliminary data needed to take the next step in synthetic biology to use an artificial genetic system inside of living bacterial cells.
Central vs. distributed dynamic thermal management for multi-core processors: which one is better?

In this paper we investigate and contrast two techniques to maximize the performance of multi-core processors under thermal constraints. The first technique is a distributed dynamic thermal management system that maximizes the total performance without exceeding given thermal constraints. In our scheme, each core adjusts its operating parameters, i.e., frequency and voltage, according to its temperature which is measured using integrated thermal sensors. We propose a novel controller that dynamically adapts the system to simultaneously avoid timing errors and thermal violations. For comparison purposes, we implement a second technique based on a runtime centralized, optimal system that uses combinatorial optimization techniques to calculate the optimal frequencies and voltages for the different cores to maximize the total throughput under thermal constraints. To empirically validate our techniques, we put together an extensive tool chain that incorporates thermal and power consumption simulators to characterize the performance of multi-core processors for a number of configurations ranging from 2 cores at 90 nm to 16 cores at 32 nm. Our results show that both investigated techniques are capable of delivering significant improvements (about 40% for 16 cores) over standard frequency and voltage planning techniques. From the results, we outline the main advantages and disadvantages of both techniques.
NUICursorTools: cursor behaviors for indirect-pointing

Designing touchless control for six degrees of freedom (6DOF) input devices (e.g., Kinect®) is fundamental for natural user interfaces, but it raises unsolved challenges. These challenges stem from inherent limitations of human motor control in mid-air, and include undesirable jitter from continuous hand tremor, arm fatigue when traversing very large displays, and limited motor control on pixel-accurate selections. To address these problems, we contribute NUICursorTools, a nimble and flexible toolkit that provides a device-agnostic, driver- and middleware-agnostic solution that eliminates touchless cursor jitter, allows optimization of control-display gain and pointer acceleration for touchless control, and enables design of custom complex cursor behaviors. Due to its high-level, device-independent design, NUICursorTools has broad applicability for current and next- generation interaction contexts in which an onscreen cursor is indirectly controlled by any input device.
Ablation of human nail by pulsed lasers

Background and Objective The hard and resistant structure of the nail plate forms a natural barrier that limits the penetration of topical drugs. To overcome this barrier, the use of pulsed laser systems has been suggested. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of four laser systems on nail plate ablation rates, ablation efficiencies, and subsequent craters morphology. Study Design/Material and Methods: Solid state Er:YAG (2.94 μm, 250 μs), a Ho:YSGG (2.08 μm, 250 μs), a XeC1 Excimer (308 nm, 15 ns), and a novel solid-state ultrashort pulse laser (1.05 μm, 350 fs) were used. Ablation rates, surface morphology, and extent of collateral damage were evaluated using light and electron microscopy. Results Best ablation efficiencies were demonstrated with the ultrashort pulsed laser (1 μm/mJ), whereas maximum material removal per pulse was obtained with the Er:YAG laser (80 μm/pulse). Scanning electron microscopy showed cracking damage with both Ho:YSGG and Er:YAG. XeC1 and the ultrashort pulse system left tissue surfaces free of cracks or thermal damage. Conclusion With its minimal acoustical and mechanical impact, high efficiency, and negligible collateral damage, the ultrashort pulse laser at 3 J/cm2 was found to be the optimal laser system for nail ablation. Lasers Surg. Med. 21:186–192, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
FATTY ACID STABILITY OF GULF OF MEXICO BROWN SHRIMP (Penaeus aztecus) HELD ON ICE AND IN FROZEN STORAGE

The fatty acid composition of iced, frozen and frozen-glazed brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) was determined as a function of storage time. The iced shrimp were analyzed every third day for 18 days while both frozen sets were analyzed at regular intervals for 183 days. No significant changes in neither the iced, frozen nor the frozen-glazed shrimp could be detected.
Coordinating Theoretical and Empirical Efforts to Understand the Linkages Between Organisms and Environments

Schwenk and colleagues challenged biologists to develop a deeper understanding of the linkages between organisms and environments. These linkages are captured by the concept of the niche, which has guided theoretical and empirical research in ecology for decades. Despite this research, we still cannot explain or predict much of the variation in niches over space and time. This shortcoming hinders efforts to forecast biological responses to environmental change. We believe that progress has been slowed by poor coordination between theoretical and empirical efforts to understand the evolution of niches. Therefore, progress should be sped by research programs that integrate modeling and experiments. Such research programs should focus on the structures of environmental variation, the constraints on phenotypes, and the relationships between phenotypes and fitness.
Allyl Glycidyl Ether-Based Polymer Electrolytes for Room Temperature Lithium Batteries

A new family of polymer electrolytes based on a poly(allyl glycidyl ether) (PAGE) platform has been developed that overcomes many of the limitations of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) for battery electrolyte applications. PAGE was shown to have peak conductivities at [O]/[Li] = 16, with σ > 3 × 10–5 S/cm at 25 °C and σ > 5 × 10–4 S/cm at 80 °C. Below 60 °C, PAGE has a conductivity that is 10–100 times higher than that of PEO at equivalent salt concentrations with this disparity in conductivities between PAGE and PEO increasing with decreasing temperature. In addition, the synthetic versatility of allyl glycidyl ether as a building block is demonstrated by the preparation and evaluation of various AGE–EO macromolecular architectures that show superior performance to both PAGE and PEO.
Comparative Effectiveness of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Among Patients With Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation: Findings From the National Cardiovascular Data Registry's Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Registry.

Background— Atrial fibrillation is common in patients with heart failure, but outcomes of patients with both conditions who receive cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D) compared with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) alone are unclear. Methods and Results— Using the National Cardiovascular Data Registry’s ICD Registry linked with Medicare claims, we identified 8951 patients with atrial fibrillation who were eligible for CRT-D and underwent first-time device implantation for primary prevention between April 2006 and December 2009. We used Cox proportional hazards models and inverse probability-weighted estimates to compare outcomes with CRT-D versus ICD alone. Cumulative incidence of mortality (744 [33%] for ICD; 1893 [32%] for CRT-D) and readmission (1788 [76%] for ICD; 4611 [76%] for CRT-D) within 3 years and complications within 90 days were similar between groups. After inverse weighting for the probability of receiving CRT-D, risks of mortality (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.75–0.92), all-cause readmission (hazard ratio, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.80–0.92), and heart failure readmission (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.62–0.76) were lower with CRT-D compared with ICD alone. There was no significant difference in the 90-day complication rate (hazard ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.60–1.29). We observed hospital-level variation in the use of CRT-D among patients with atrial fibrillation. Conclusions— Among eligible patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation, CRT-D was associated with lower risks of mortality, all-cause readmission, and heart failure readmission, as well as with a similar risk of complications compared with ICD alone.
Using Conflict Theory: Development of Incompatible Goals

much of this book is about understanding social conflicts. Why did World War II occur? Why do I and my husband fight so often over trivial matters? Why does the Palestinian conflict continue to fluctuate between escalation and deescalation? There are three different ways to answer such questions: to look at the origins of conflict, to consider conflict actions, and to focus on conflict dynamics. This chapter considers the first problem, origins due to goal incompatibility. Clearly, there are any number of specific reasons why two conflict actors can have incompatible goals. But it is possible to subsume them under three main headings: contested resources, incompatible roles, and incompatible values. This point is so important that it is worth representing it graphically (see Figure 3.1). Contested Resources As the term suggests, resources are contested when a party wants some of the resources the other party has or when both adversaries want the same unallocated resource. Let us consider the main types of such resources, and then ask why a party may want more than it has already. Frequently Contested Resources Humans can fight about a bewildering variety of things: about money, about land, about children, about infidelity, about politics. And yet it is possible to reduce this perplexing variety by classifying resources into three main categories: wealth, power, and prestige (Weber [1922] 1947). Wealth Because the first of the three main resources, wealth, usually involves “tangibles,” it is easiest to understand.
Pharmacotherapy and Other Medical Treatments

Virtually all of the major treatment options for migraine can be categorized as either acute or preventive in nature. Acute treatments are those used on an as-needed basis and designed to either abort or reduce the severity of a current headache attack. Preventive treatments, by comparison, are typically used on a daily basis and intended to reduce the likelihood of future headache episodes.