cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of laboratory populations of snails (Biomphalaria and Bulinus spp.) by river prawns, Macrobrachium spp. (Decapoda, Palaemonidae): implications for control of schistosomiasis

Human schistosomiasis is a common parasitic disease endemic in many tropical and subtropical countries. One barrier to achieving long-term control of this disease has been re-infection of treated patients when they swim, bathe, or wade in surface fresh water infested with snails that harbor and release larval parasites. Because some snail species are obligate intermediate hosts of schistosome parasites, removing snails may reduce parasitic larvae in the water, reducing re-infection risk. Here, we evaluate the potential for snail control by predatory freshwater prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii and M. vollenhovenii, native to Asia and Africa, respectively. Both prawn species are high value, protein-rich human food commodities, suggesting their cultivation may be beneficial in resource-poor settings where few other disease control options exist. In a series of predation trials in laboratory aquaria, we found both species to be voracious predators of schistosome-susceptible snails, hatchlings, and eggs, even in the presence of alternative food, with sustained average consumption rates of 12% of their body weight per day. Prawns showed a weak preference for Bulinus truncatus over Biomphalaria glabrata snails. Consumption rates were highly predictable based on the ratio of prawn: snail body mass, suggesting satiation-limited predation. Even the smallest prawns tested (0.5-2g) caused snail recruitment failure, despite high snail fecundity. With the World Health Organization turning attention toward schistosomiasis elimination, native prawn cultivation may be a viable snail control strategy that offers a win-win for public health and economic development.
Seasonal and Geographic Variation in the Foods of Adult White-Tailed Ptarmigan

As I studied various aspects of the life, distribution, and population fluctuations of ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus, L. lagopus, L. leucurus) over the past 10 years, I realized the importance of obtaining quantitative data on the food habits of these birds. The fund of information on the foods of White-tailed Ptarmigan (L. leucurus) in the literature is amazingly low, there being only reports of scattered and fragmentary collections. For that reason I began to collect crops of this species, and have summarized the results of crop examinations in this paper.
Effects of formalin fixation and collagen cross‐linking on T2 and magnetization transfer in bovine nasal cartilage

Endogenous collagen cross-links influence cartilage biomechanical properties and resistance to degradation. Formalin fixation modifies collagen residues and forms new cross-links in a dose-dependent manner. We tested the hypothesis that magnetization transfer (MT) effects and T2 depend on collagen cross-linking in cartilage. These parameters were measured in bovine nasal cartilage (BNC) prior to fixation, after 9 weeks of immersion in formalin solutions ranging in concentration from 0% to 10%, and after NaBH3CN reduction and washing. T2 decreased by 59.4% ± 1.1% upon fixation in 10% formalin, and was 32.2% ± 5.2% shorter than initial values after washing. The apparent MT rate increased 25.9% ± 3.7% and 52.8% ± 7.1% over baseline under these conditions. Biochemical assays showed no significant differences in water, proteoglycan, natural cross-link, or collagen content between the 0% and 10% formalin-treated samples, while amino acid analysis demonstrated losses in (hydroxy)lysine and tyrosine, and new peaks consistent with methylene cross-links in fixed samples only. We conclude that formalin fixation of cartilage results in significant decreases in T2 and increases in MT parameters that persist after removal of unreacted formaldehyde. The collagen cross-links thus created are associated with large changes in MT and T2, indicating that interpretation of T2 and MT values in terms of cartilage macromolecular content must be made with caution. Magn Reson Med 57:1000–1011, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Autoregressive parameterization of cardiovascular control: Comparison with Fourier techniques

A model for cardiovascular regulation is used to analyze time series data using causal and non-causal techniques. Although noncausal Fourier techniques such as cross-spectral analysis are useful in characterizing physiologically open-loop processes, such as the effect of respiration (RESP) on heart rate (HR), they are difficult to interpret in a feedback containing system, such as the closed-loop relationship between HR and blood pressure (BP). Using autoregressive moving average (ARMA) analysis, postural changes led to an increase in arterial baroreflex gain that was observed at frequencies <0.15 Hz and a broadband decrease in mechanical feedforward gain. These changes were not well described by noncausal cross-spectral analysis.
Equilibrium Configuration of Epitaxially Strained Thin Film Surfaces

The formation of convex and concave regions on the surface of a strained thin epitaxial film on a thick substrate is analyzed by minimization of energy associated with the configuration. The strain energy change resulting from the formation of undulations is modelled with the strain in the film represented by a continuous distribution of dislocations along the perturbed surface and the interface. A discrete dislocation model is also used when periodic undulations are formed. Results of energy minimization for germanium or germanium-silicon alloy films on silicon substrate illustrate that convex regions tend to grow. On the other hand, convex regions formed to conserve mass in shape changes associated with concave regions become stable with minimum energy under quasi-equilibrium when the mobility of adatoms is low. We have determined the size and radius of curvature of the undulations at minimum energy and conclude that it is favorable to form atomic steps on the surfaces from which dislocation generation and strain relaxation takes place.
Bird use and heavy metal accumulation in waterbirds at dredge disposal impoundments, Corpus Christi, Texas

During 1979-80, several large impoundments (dredge-pits) on the south shore of Nueces Bay, Corpus Christi, Texas, were filled with sediments from dredging operations. Waterbirds were observed using these impounded areas as feeding and resting sites. Previously the authors found that shorebirds collected from underdeveloped areas in Nueces Bay in 1976-77 before the impoundments were built had high selenium and cadmium concentrations in their tissues. Thus, through the food web, waterbirds utilizing dredge disposal impoundments may be exposed to even higher concentrations of certain heavy metals. Their goal was to determine the extent to which aquatic birds used dredge-pits and to determine the accumulation of selected heavy metals in their tissues compared to non-industrialized areas.
Polyubiquitin chains: functions, structures, and mechanisms.

Ubiquitin is a highly conserved 76-aminoacid polypeptide that is found throughout the eukaryotic kingdom. The covalent conjugation of ubiquitin (often in the form of a polymer) to substrates governs a variety of biological processes ranging from proteolysis to DNA damage tolerance. The functional flexibility of this post-translational modification has its roots in the existence of a large number of ubiquitinating enzymes that catalyze the formation of distinct ubiquitin polymers, which in turn encode different signals. This review summarizes recent advances in the field with an emphasis on the non-canonical functions of polyubiquitination. We also discuss the potential mechanism of chain linkage specification as well as how structural disparity in ubiquitin polymers may be distinguished by ubiquitin receptors to translate the versatile ubiquitin signals into various cellular functions.
Resonant-cavity photodetectors: performance and functionality

In recent years photodetector structures have become more complex in response to more stringent performance demands such as higher bandwidth and lower noise. There are, however, fundamental performance limitations such as the responsivity/bandwidth tradeoff that have not been adequately addressed. At present, it appears that significance increases in performance will be the result of major technological breakthroughs rather than incremental improvements in conventional structures. Our productive approach is the implementation of resonant-cavity structures.
Coordinating inventory control and pricing strategies: The continuous review model

We analyze an infinite horizon, single product, continuous review model in which pricing and inventory decisions are made simultaneously and ordering cost includes a fixed cost. We show that there exists a stationary (s,S) inventory policy maximizing the expected discounted or expected average profit under general conditions.
Assessment of event quality in major spectator sports

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to enhance understanding of service quality at major spectator sports events by developing a conceptual framework and measurement scale specifically designed for assessment of spectators' perceptions of event quality.Design/methodology/approach – Utilising a comprehensive literature review and detailed qualitative preliminary procedures, a comprehensive model of event quality for spectator sports (MEQSS) and a measurement scale of event quality in spectator sports (SEQSS) are developed. The models are then tested using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling using data from a quantitative survey of a convenience sample of spectators at a major league baseball game in the United States.Findings – The proposed model is shown to fit the data well. Reliability and validity of the SEQSS are established through a pilot test and the substantive survey.Research limitations/implications – The findings of the study are limited by the sample being restric...
Ignition characteristics of heptane–hydrogen and heptane–methane fuel blends at elevated pressures

Abstract There is significant interest in using hydrogen and natural gas for enhancing the performance of diesel engines. We report herein a numerical investigation on the ignition of n-C7H16/H2 and n-C7H16/CH4 fuel blends. The CHEMKIN 4.1 software is used to model ignition in a closed homogenous reactor under conditions relevant to diesel/HCCI engines. Three reaction mechanisms used are (i) NIST mechanism involving 203 species and 1463 reactions, (ii) Dryer mechanism with 116 species and 754 reactions, and (iii) a reduced mechanism (Chalmers) with 42 species and 168 reactions. The parameters include pressures of 30 atm and 55 atm, equivalence ratios of ɸ = 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0, temperature range of 800–1400 K, and mole fractions of H2 or CH4 in the blend between 0 and 100%. For n-C7H16/air mixtures, the Chalmers mechanism not only provides closer agreement with measurements compared to the other two mechanisms, but also reproduces the negative temperature coefficient regime. Consequently, this mechanism is used to characterize the effects of H2 or CH4 on the ignition of n-C7H16. Results indicate that H2 or CH4 addition has a relatively small effect on the ignition of n-C7H16/air mixtures, while the n-C7H16 addition even in small amount modifies the ignition of H2/air and CH4/air mixtures significantly. The n-C7H16 addition decreases and increases the ignition delays of H2/air mixtures at low and high temperatures, respectively, while its addition to CH4/air mixtures decreases ignition delays at all temperatures. The sensitivity analysis indicates that ignition characteristics of these fuel blends are dominated by the pyrolysis/oxidation chemistry of n-heptane, with heptyl (C7H16-2) and hydoxyl (OH) radicals being the two most important species.
On the Impacts of Greedy Thermal Management in Mobile Devices

As mobile system-on-chips incorporate multicore processors with high power densities, high chip temperatures are becoming a rising concern in mobile processors. Modern smartphones are limited in their cooling capabilities and employ CPU throttling mechanisms to avoid thermal emergencies by sacrificing performance. Traditional throttling techniques aim at achieving maximum utilization of the available thermal headroom so as to minimize the performance penalty at a given time. This letter demonstrates that such greedy techniques lead to fast elevation of temperature on other system components and cause substantially suboptimal performance over increased durations of phone activity. Through experiments on a commercial smartphone, we characterize the impact of application duration on throttling-induced performance loss and propose quality-of-service (QoS) tuning as an effective way of providing the mobile system user with consistent performance levels over extended application durations. The proposed QoS-aware frequency capping technique achieves up to 56% improvement in performance sustainability.
Interaction of anti-DNA antibodies with synthetic polyanionic antigens.

Autoantibodies to DNA (anti-DNAab), found primarily in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cross-react with a variety of antigens. The binding of these antibodies to naturally occurring mucopolysaccharides such as heparan and chondroitin sulfates has led to the suggestion that anti-DNAab have specificity for a polyanionic epitope. In this study, to avoid the use of endogenous immunogens to which humans may have become sensitized, we have used the synthetic polyanions, dextran sulfate (DS), polyvinyl sulfate (PVS) and the semi-synthetic antigen, pectic acid (PA) to evaluate this hypothesis using SLE sera (n = 15) and sera from healthy individuals (controls; n = 15, age and sex matched to SLE group). Inhibition of binding with 125I-DNA was optimal at 1 mg/ml for DS and PVS, and resulted in significant inhibition of binding by both SLE and control sera of native DNA (P less than 0.01, each group); no inhibition was observed with PA, nor was a significant inhibition observed with any antigen on binding of SLE or control sera groups to denatured DNA. We conclude that while on quantitative grounds reaction of anti-DNAab with polyanions may not be clinically relevant, it is clear that, unlike polycarboxylates (e.g. PA), polysulfated polymers, whether aliphatic, as in the case of PVS, or glycosidic, such as DS, react with a subpopulation of anti-DNAab in such a manner as to block significantly the ability of these antibodies to bind DNA.
Management of the Patient with Suspected Temporal Arteritis: A Decision-Analytic Approach

Objective To perform a decision analysis of temporal arteritis (TA) to guide clinicians in the interpretation of diagnostic testing and choice of therapy. Design Computer-based decision analytic model. Methods A 785-node decision tree was created that reflects common testing and therapeutic options for a patient with suspected TA. A comprehensive literature search was then performed. From this search, point estimates and distributions for pooled probabilities and utilities were derived using inverse variance weighting and random effects techniques. Employing utility analysis, this decision model selects the diagnostic/therapeutic pathway resulting in the greatest utility for any user-defined set of patient characteristics on presentation. Main outcome measure Using utility analysis, the diagnostic/therapeutic pathway that results in the least expected disutility is selected as the optimal course of action. Results The choice of diagnostic testing depends on several factors, including patient age, symptoms, and clinical findings. These factors can be used to calculate the pretest probability of TA being present. The optimal selection of diagnostic tests (laboratory or biopsy) depends on the pretest probability of disease. A temporal artery biopsy is recommended under most circumstances, with the choice of a unilateral versus bilateral biopsy depending upon blood test results and calculated pretest probability. A few scenarios exist in which blood tests alone can rule in or rule out TA without the need for biopsy. Empiric steroid therapy is almost never recommended. Conclusions In TA, both the disease and its treatment are hazardous for the patient. Clinicians should have a very low threshold to initiate a diagnostic workup for TA. Physicians are often uncertain when a temporal artery biopsy is indicated and whether to perform a unilateral or bilateral biopsy. Often, the pathway chosen is not evidence based. Although the biopsy has long been considered the gold standard for diagnosis, it is invasive and less than 100% sensitive. The decision whether to undertake unilateral or bilateral biopsies is difficult, and our decision model delineates a method for choosing. This article contains additional online-only material available at http://www.ophsource.org/periodicals/ophtha .
Bead-to-fiber transition in electrospun polystyrene

The morphological transition, namely bead-to-fiber transition, of electrospun polymer was examined for polystyrene, with its molecular weight ranging from 19,300 to 1,877,000 g/mol. Tetrahydrofuran and N,N-dimethylformamide were used as solvents to examine the effects of solvent properties on the morphological variations. Polymer molecular weight and solvent properties had a significant effect on the morphology of beads as well as fibers. Observation of fiber diameter and its distribution suggested that the effect of molecular weight and solvent may be independent. The critical concentrations at which incipient and complete fibers were observed were found to decrease significantly with molecular weight, as can be expected. The effect of solvents on these critical concentrations was minimal for moderate to high-molecular-weight (>100,000 g/mol) solutions. For low-molecular-weight solutions, the transition occurred at concentrations much lower than those predicted by a model, based exclusively on chain entanglements. Rapid solidification of jet which is expected to occur with concentrated solutions may play a vital role in establishing stable fibers during electrospinning. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Unit testing in Java

The design of unit tests is a fundamental part of learning to design programs. We present a Java library that supports the design of tests for a novice programmer, together with the test evaluation, and the reporting of test results in an informative manner. The tester library has been used at a number of universities with a great success.
Membrane-initiated actions of estradiol (E2) in the regulation of LH secretion in ovariectomized (OVX) ewes

We demonstrated that E2 conjugated to BSA (E2BSA) induces a rapid membrane-initiated inhibition of LH secretion followed hours later by a slight increase in LH secretion. Whether these actions of E2BSA are restricted to the pituitary gland and whether the membrane-initiated pathway of E2BSA contributes to the up-regulation of the number of GnRH receptors during the positive feedback effect of E2 were evaluated here. We have shown that the suppression of LH secretion induced by E2 and E2BSA is the result of a decreased responsiveness of the pituitary gland to GnRH. In this study we further tested the ability of E2BSA to decrease the responsiveness of the pituitary gland to GnRH under the paradigm of the preovulatory surge of LH induced by E2. For the first experiment GnRH and LH secretions were determined in samples of pituitary portal and jugular blood, respectively, in ewes treated with 12 mg E2BSA. In the second experiment, the number of GnRH receptors was quantified in ewes 12 h after administration of 25 micrograms E2 (the expected time for the increase in the number of GnRH receptors and the positive feedback effect of E2 in LH secretion) or 12 mg E2BSA. In the third experiment, the preovulatory-like surge of LH was characterized in ewes injected with 25 micrograms E2 alone or followed 8 h later (before the beginning of the LH surge) with 60 mg E2BSA. a) the decrease in LH secretion induced by E2BSA was not accompanied by changes in the pulsatile pattern of GnRH, b) E2BSA increased the number of GnRH receptors, and c) the presence of E2BSA in E2-treated ewes delayed the onset, reduced the length, and decreased the amount of LH released during the preovulatory surge of LH. a) the rapid suppression of LH secretion induced by E2BSA is mediated only via a direct action on the pituitary gland, b) E2 acting via a membrane-initiated pathway contributes to increase the number of GnRH receptors and, c) administration of E2BSA near the beginning of the pre-ovulatory surge of LH delays and reduces the magnitude of the surge.
Peripherally inserted central catheters revisited

Abstract Background: This study compares central venous catheters (CVC) and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) for indications for insertion, complications, and economic impact. Methods: A retrospective review of 838 (283 CVC, 555 PICC) consecutively placed venous catheters reflected 49,365 CVC and 11,814 PICC days. Results: There were 57 (20%) complications in the CVC group, 197 (35%) complications in the PICC group. PICC were associated with a statistically significant increase in the incidence of catheter malfunction (P = 0.0005), arm vein phlebitis (P = 0.0004), and overall complications (P = 0.00001). A higher complication rate was noted in PICC inserted for chemotherapy (P = 0.00001) and parenteral hyperalimentation administration (P = 0.04). Charges for inpatient insertion of PICC and CVC were $500 and $2,500, respectively. Conclusions: PICC have a significantly higher complication rate than CVC. PICC provide cost-effective central access of 2 to 3 weeks’ duration, reserving operatively placed CVC for longer access requirements.
In situ measurement of methyl bromide in indoor air using long-path FTIR spectroscopy

A new Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer has been set up at the California Department of Flood and Agriculture for monitoring gas phase pesticides and inert ingredients used in the formulation of pesticides. To allow detection of trace quantities down to the ppm range, the FTIR instrument has been interfaced to a custom, external open multiple reflection system with a base pathlength of 2.5 m. The mirror system is of the double corner cube White type design capable of achieving a total absorption pathlength of 140 m. Our initial application was to monitor the concentration of methyl bromide after controlled releases of this fumigant into an indoor environment.
Transmission mode ion/ion proton transfer reactions in a linear ion trap.

A new method is described for effecting ion/ion proton transfer reactions that involves storage of analyte ions while oppositely charged ions are transmitted through the stored ion population. In this approach, the products are captured and stored in the linear ion trap for subsequent mass analysis. Charge reduction of multiply charged protein ions is used as an example to illustrate the analytical usefulness of this method. In another variation of the transmission mode ion/ion reaction approach, two charge inversion experiments, implemented by passing analyte ions through a population of multiply charged reagent ions in a LIT, are also demonstrated. A pulsed dual ion source approach coupled with a hybrid triple quadrupole/linear ion trap instrument was used to demonstrate these two methods. The results for ion/ion reactions implemented using these so-called “transmission mode” experiments were comparable to those acquired using the more conventional mutual storage mode, both in terms of efficiency and information content of the spectra. An advantage of transmission mode experiments compared with mutual storage mode experiments is that they do not require any specialized measures to be taken to enable the simultaneous storage of oppositely charged ions.
A combined modified reverse dot-blot and nested PCR assay for the specific non-radioactive detection of Listeria monocytogenes

Abstract A modified reverse dot-blot assay was developed and used in combination with a nested PCR amplification of hly A for the specific detection of Listeria monocytogenes . The deoxynucleotides and digoxygenin-11-dUTP concentrations in the PCR were optimized for maximal sensitivity and economy. For the dot-blot hybridization, digoxygenin-labelled PCR products were directly spotted on nylon membrane-bound poly-dT tailed capture probes and the signal detection was either colorimetric or chemiluminescent. With crude cell lysates, the total assay could be completed in about 6 h with a detection limit between 2 and 25 colony forming units (cfu) per PCR. The assay was then tested for its applicability to environmental sampling of artificially contaminated aluminum surfaces. For environmental sampling, the assay requires an additional overnight enrichment step and has a sensitivity corresponding to 5 cfu per 25 cm2 of inoculated surface.
Fine structure of the terminal organ of the house fly larva, Musca domestica L.

The dorsal organs of the cephalic lobes of the house fly larva, Musca domestica L. were studied by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Five types of receptors were found in the distal part of the dorsal organ: (1) The dome, whose ultrastructure is similar to that of thin-walled pegs, is assumed to be an olfactory receptor. (2) A lateral pore receptor, with the distal tips of two dendrites exposed to the exterior through a pore, is presumed to be a contact chemoreceptor. (3) A scolopidium-like receptor, with an ultrastructure characteristic of a scolopidium receptor except that the dendrite might be exposed to the exterior through an opening, is assumed to be both a mechanoreceptor and contact chemoreceptor. (4) Two receptors, each with one of its two dendrites exposed to the exterior, are probably contact chemoreceptors. (5) Two unclassified receptors, each with one dendritic tip exposed to the exterior and the other dendrite with a tubular body ending near the pore, may serve as both contact chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors. The last four types are located in the invagination between the dome and the cylindrical portion of the dorsal organ. The seven basal pores of the dome are apparently points of origin of the scolopales and have no sensory function. The dorsal organ is supplied by 35–41 bipolar neurons, indicating the possibility of additional undescribed receptors.
Genetic combining ability of light and heavy inbred lines in single crosses of poultry.

iallel crossing scheme is a method employed to assess the magnitude of TqFeddif€erent types of genetic variability among the crosses of a set of inbred lines. The modified complete diallel involves all crosses (including reciprocals but omitting the parental inbreds) among a random sample of inbred lines from a population of lines. The variation among F, cross means may then be partitioned into general and specific combining ability variances and general and specific reciprocal effect variances. HENDERSON (1948), HAYMAN (1954) and GRIFFING (1956a, 1958) presented the theory underlying the diallel design and analysis. GRIFFING (1956b) and KEMPTHORNE (1956) gave the genetic interpretation of the general and specific combining ability variances estimated from a diallel cross of completely homozygous inbred lines. The theory has been extended by MATZINGER and KEMPTHORNE (1956) to the case where the inbreeding coefficient is arbitrary but constant for all lines. EISEN, BOHREN and MCKEAN (1963) have given the genetic interpretation of general and specific reciprocal effects when the lines are homozygous. The results of diallel experiments with poultry (HILL and NORDSKOG 1958; GOTO and NORDSKOG 1959; MERRITT and GOWE 1960; REDMAN and SHOFFNER 1961; YAO 1961; and WEARDEN et al. 1965) suggest that general combining ability variance is the single most important source of genetic variation for most traits, but that specific combining ability and reciprocal effect variances may be important for some traits. The major objective of the present study was to assess the types of genetic variability present for 13 traits among the crosses of a random set of four White Leghorn (light type) and four heavy type inbred lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS The data used for this investigation were collected at the North Central Regional Poultry Breeding Laboratory, Lafayette, Indiana over a period of three years. The inbred lines employed and their respective inbreeding coefficients are given in Table 1. The average inbreeding coefi
Lower bound on average mean-square error for image restoration

An average mean-square error bound that is applicable to general image observation models involving degradations of blur, signal-dependent and signal-independent noise, and sensor nonlinearity is derived. A Cramer-Rao lower bound on average mean-square errors for any unbiased image restoration scheme is derived. This bound is analytically expressed as a function of degradation parameters of imaging systems. Potential performance improvements by incorporating signal-dependent noise or sensor nonlinearity into algorithmic design are discussed. >
Comprehending Dirty-Word Descriptions:

The study of diity-word descriptions extends our knowledge of semantic, comprehension, and contextual language processes. Two studies were conducted to examine how we interpret and react to diity-wor(| descriptions. Subjects were asked to judge how much they would like a fictitious person described with dirty and non-dirty adjective pairs. Liking was significantly influenced by (a) semantic interpretation (connotation v. denotation), (b) the intrinsicalness of the adjective to the person described (prenominal adjective order), and (c) the contextual relation between the speaker and the listener (friend v. enemy).
The many proofs of an identity on the norm of oblique projections

Given an oblique projector P on a Hilbert space, i.e., an operator satisfying P2=P, which is neither null nor the identity, it holds that ||P|| = ||I –P||. This useful equality, while not widely-known, has been proven repeatedly in the literature. Many published proofs are reviewed, and simpler ones are presented.
Raman spectroscopy of nanophase TiO2

Raman spectra are reported for consolidated nanophase TiO2 particles in their as-compacted state and after annealing at a variety of temperatures up to 1273 K. The Raman-active bands normally observed for the rutile form of TiO2 were present in as-compacted samples having average grain sizes in the range from about 10 to 100 nm. However, significant broadening of these bands was found, which was uncorrelated with initial grain size, but not necessarily with other synthesis-related factors. This broadening decreased upon isochronal annealing at elevated temperatures in air. Based upon these observations, it is concluded that nanophase TiO2 in the as-consolidated state contains significant defect concentrations within the rutile grains and that these intragrain defects and the grain-boundary regions as well have local atomic structures with the rutile symmetry, albeit with some short-range displacements. Some sporadic sample regions containing small amounts (<5%) of the anatase form of TiO2 were also found; these traces of anatase transformed to rutile upon annealing in air at temperatures above 883 K.
Otologics middle ear transducer™ ossicular stimulator: Performance results with varying degrees of sensorineural hearing loss

Objectives This study was conducted to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the Otologics Middle Ear Transducer™ (MET™) Ossicular Stimulator and, in particular, to compare the audiologic benefits of this novel form of electromechanical stimulation with those of conventional acoustical amplification. Material and Methods A total of 282 patients were implanted with the device in Europe and the USA. Pure-tone audiometry, speech recognition and subjective assessment of benefit were tested before the surgery and 2, 3, 6 and 12 months afterwards. The US patients were fitted with a digital hearing aid for a minimum of 4 weeks prior to surgery, and the same benefit measures were performed with the digital hearing aid and their “walk-in” hearing aid. Results Group mean postoperative bone and air conduction thresholds did not change significantly from preoperative levels. Postoperative air conduction thresholds decreased slightly in some individual patients, due to the mass loading effect exerted by the transduce...
Biomechanical function of surgical procedures for acromioclavicular joint dislocations

Abstract Purpose Surgical procedures for treatment of acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation replace the coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments to minimize motion, allow scarring, and increase the subsequent stability of the joint. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical function of the surgically repaired or reconstructed (CC Sling, Rockwood Screw [DePuy Orthopaedics, Warsaw, IN], and Coracoacromial [CA] Ligament Transfer Construct) AC joint after AC joint dislocation. Type of Study A cadaver study using a convenience sample. Methods Twelve cadaveric shoulders were tested using a robotic/UFS testing system. Three external loading conditions (anterior, posterior, or superior load of 70 N) were applied to intact and surgically repaired or reconstructed AC joint. The resulting kinematics of the AC joint and in situ forces in the CC ligaments or surgical constructs was determined. Results For the CC Sling, anterior and posterior translation significantly increased by 110% and 330% in response to an anterior and posterior load, respectively. However, the posterior translation for the Rockwood Screw significantly decreased by 60%. Anterior, posterior, and superior translation for the CA Ligament Transfer Construct significantly increased by 110%, 360%, and 100%, respectively. The coupled translations also significantly increased for the CC Sling and CA Ligament Transfer Construct in response to all loading conditions. In contrast, the coupled translations for the Rockwood Screw tended to decrease. Furthermore, the in situ forces increased significantly for all 3 surgical constructs compared with the intact CC Ligaments in response to an anterior and posterior load. Conclusions At time zero, increases in the primary and coupled motion for the CC Sling and CA Ligament Transfer Construct could comprise the initial healing period prescribed for AC joint dislocation. Our findings also suggest that the Rockwood Screw provides a highly rigid fixation and may explain the complications frequently seen in clinical practice. Clinical Relevance Current surgical procedures do not have the appropriate stiffness to restore the stability of the intact joint before healing. Therefore, our results may lead to the design and development of new repairs, reconstructions, and rehabilitation protocols for AC joint dislocation.
Diagnosis of IUGR: traditional biometry.

An important advance in obstetric medicine will be the improved ability to identify pathologic states of fetal growth, determine their consequences, and implement appropriate interventions. In response to utero-placental insufficiency and under nutrition, the fetus makes physiologic, metabolic, and hormonal adaptations which influence growth, including reducing metabolic dependence on glucose and increasing oxygenation of other nutritional substrates including amino acids and lactate. These endocrine changes combined with reduced nutrient supply divert amino acids from protein synthesis and tissue growth, resulting in impaired somatic growth and diminished growth of kidneys, liver, and heart—the developing organs with the highest rates of cellular turnover. The obstetrician must be able to recognize and accurately diagnosis the fetus with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Ultrasonography is the accepted standard for monitoring fetal growth. Serial ultrasound measurements can provide a reasonable estimate of fetal gestational age and weight based on individual and composite fetal biometric measurements. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss those traditional biometric measurements as they relate to the diagnosis of IUGR.
Mapping the Real in Cyberfiction

Cyberfiction offers a tantalizing view of what a completely networked world might be like; yet even with distance transcended by computers and phone links, the real world persists as an important component of these narratives. Examin- ing the representation of real spaces in cyberpunk fiction not only reveals the narra- tives' reliance on events in ''real'' space but also shows how their assumptions about organizing space and distributing power are more colonialist than futurist. In con- junction with this geography, these narratives also employ the genre most closely associated with colonialism—namely, adventure. The reliance on first-world/third- world divisions leads us to question why these seemingly innovative narratives would rely on ''old'' geographies and ''old'' genres in their re-vision of a new, postdistance world. The innovations of Pat Cadigan's Mindplayers offer sharp contrast to the stan- dard texts of cyberfiction, particularly classics by Bruce Sterling and William Gibson. The difference shows that only by questioning narrative structure, interrogating the conventions of genre, and mapping a geography of real space that is closer to home can cyberpunk narratives stop reinscribing technological change in terms of the exotic and begin to explore the repercussions of technology on the scale of the famil- iar. This change in narrative and geographical imagination must happen in order to achieve the aim that all these fictions seek: that is, to challenge our understanding of what this new technological power will enable.
High conservation value or high confusion value? Sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation in the tropics

Green labeling of products that have been produced sustainably is an emerging tool of the environmental movement. A prominent example is the Forest Stewardship Council, which certifies timber that is harvested to manage and maintain forests defined as having High Conservation Value (HCV). The criteria for HCV are now being applied to four rapidly expanding crops in the tropics: oil palm, soy, sugarcane, and cacao. However, these criteria do not provide adequate protection for biodiversity when applied to agriculture. The only criterion that provides blanket protection to forests is one that protects large expanses of habitat (≥20,000–500,000 ha, depending on the country). Absent of other HCVs, the collective clearing of forest patches below these thresholds could result in extensive deforestation that would be sanctioned with a green label. Yet such forest patches retain much biodiversity and provide connectivity within the agricultural matrix. An examination of forest fragments in biodiverse countries across the tropics shows that future agricultural demand can be met by clearing only forest patches below a 1,000 ha threshold. We recommend the development of a new HCV criterion that recognizes the conservation value of habitat patches within the agricultural matrix and that protects patches above 1,000 ha.
Listeria monocytogenes PrsA2 Is Required for Virulence Factor Secretion and Bacterial Viability within the Host Cell Cytosol

In the course of establishing its replication niche within the cytosol of infected host cells, the facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes must efficiently regulate the secretion and activity of multiple virulence factors. L. monocytogenes encodes two predicted posttranslocation secretion chaperones, PrsA1 and PrsA2, and evidence suggests that PrsA2 has been specifically adapted for bacterial pathogenesis. PrsA-like chaperones have been identified in a number of Gram-positive bacteria, where they are reported to function at the bacterial membrane-cell wall interface to assist in the folding of proteins translocated across the membrane; in some cases, these proteins have been found to be essential for bacterial viability. In this study, the contributions of PrsA2 and PrsA1 to L. monocytogenes growth and protein secretion were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Neither PrsA2 nor PrsA1 was found to be essential for L. monocytogenes growth in broth culture; however, optimal bacterial viability was found to be dependent upon PrsA2 for L. monocytogenes located within the cytosol of host cells. Proteomic analyses of prsA2 mutant strains in the presence of a mutationally activated allele of the virulence regulator PrfA revealed a critical requirement for PrsA2 activity under conditions of PrfA activation, an event which normally takes place within the host cell cytosol. Despite a high degree of amino acid similarity, no detectable degree of functional overlap was observed between PrsA2 and PrsA1. Our results indicate a critical requirement for PrsA2 under conditions relevant to host cell infection.
A 24GHz multi-phase PLL for optical communication

Speed and noise are always two critical factors to tradeoff in contemporary phase-locked loop (PLL) design. Noise becomes a more serious problem in high frequency system design because the clock period is already comparable to the jitter. Thus, new techniques are imperative to suppress the noise. In this paper, a high-frequency, low-noise PLL is demonstrated as a test vehicle because it is one of the most critical components in wired and wireless communication systems. A multi-phase LC-ring oscillator is designed to effectively achieve both low noise and wide tuning range. A negative impedance amplifier (NIA) charge pump is proposed that can further reduce the noise of the PLL. In addition, a pulse swallow frequency divider is implemented that can program the frequency to the desired value. Finally, comparison of this work to previously published VCOs in phase noise, tuning range and DC power is shown in a table. The simulation demonstrates that the VCO phase noise is -102.19 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset.
Mesoscale Meteorological Structure of a High-Ozone Episode during the 1995 NARSTO-Northeast Study

Abstract Observations and numerical model fields were analyzed to study the meteorological structures contributing to high concentrations of lower-tropospheric ozone over the northeastern United States on 14–15 July 1995. It was found that the episode is characteristic of high-ozone events associated with the Bermuda high, having light winds, high temperatures, few clouds, and sparse rain over the entire region. The specific distribution of ozone at the peak of the episode on 14 July is of particular interest, however, since only the area from the urban corridor to the Atlantic Coast experienced ozone exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard. The analyses showed that an Appalachian lee trough (APLT) played a vital role in this pattern. Mesoscale structures associated with the APLT that affected ozone formation and distribution included 1) south-southwesterly winds east of the trough, which favored accumulation of emissions in an airstream that passed directly along the urban corridor; 2) w...
Good intentions are not enough: a decolonizing intercultural education

Despite unquestionably good intentions on the part of most people who call themselves intercultural educators, most intercultural education practice supports, rather than challenges, dominant hegemony, prevailing social hierarchies, and inequitable distributions of power and privilege. In this essay I describe a philosophy of decolonizing intercultural education – an intercultural education dedicated, first and foremost, to dismantling dominant hegemony, hierarchies, and concentrations of power and control. I argue that attaining such an intercultural education requires not only subtle shifts in practice and personal relationships, but also important shifts of consciousness that prepare us to see and react to the socio‐political contexts that so heavily influence education theory and practice.
Software Development Processes Applied to Computational Icing Simulation

The development of computational icing simulation methods is making the transition form the research to common place use in design and certification efforts. As such, standards of code management, design validation, and documentation must be adjusted to accommodate the increased expectations of the user community with respect to accuracy, reliability, capability, and usability. This paper discusses these concepts with regard to current and future icing simulation code development efforts as implemented by the Icing Branch of the NASA Lewis Research Center in collaboration with the NASA Lewis Engineering Design and Analysis Division. With the application of the techniques outlined in this paper, the LEWICE ice accretion code has become a more stable and reliable software product.
CCD Charge Injection Structure at Very Small Signal Levels

A frame transfer charge-coupled device (CCD) designed for X-ray detection on board the SUZAKU spacecraft includes an input serial register and a charge injection structure which allows a very uniform injection of extremely small charge packets into the imaging section of the device. A variation of the fill-and-spill method was implemented to inject charge into the CCD. Very small charge packets (down to just a few electrons) can be reproducibly injected with noise as low as five-electron rms. The operation of the structure is described, and the results of the measurements are compared with the simulations. We have measured electron ldquoevaporationrdquo over potential barrier as a function of time, results being in excellent agreement with our model. By fitting a model to the data, it is possible to determine the internal capacitance of the input node. Charge injection noise as a function of signal charge was measured, and the results are also in agreement with theory. The designed structure can be used as a tool for studying and mitigating radiation damage effects in CCDs.
Modeling Si/Si1−xGex heterojunction bipolar transistors

Abstract Modeling Si/Si 1−x Ge x /Si heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) has been examined. The model equations account for valence- and conduction-band discontinuities, heavy doping effects and high collector current effects. Bias-dependent emitter resistance and heterojunction capacitances are also included. Comparison between the model prediction and the experimental data is used to demonstrate the model utility and accuracy. Good agreement between the model prediction and measurement has been obtained. The model is useful for predicting the gate delay of emitter-coupled logic at different temperatures.
Nonlinear Rheology of Unentangled Polymer Melts Reinforced with High Concentration of Rigid Nanoparticles

A scaling model is presented to analyze the nonlinear rheology of unentangled polymer melts filled with high concentration of small spherical particles. Assuming the majority of chains to be reversibly adsorbed to the surface of the particles, we show that the emergence of nonlinearity in the viscoelastic response of the composite system subjected to a 2D shear flow results from stretching of the adsorbed chains and increasing desorption rate of the adsorbed segments due to the imposed deformation. The steady-state shear viscosity of the mixture in nonlinear shear thinning regime follows the power lawwhereis the applied shear rate. At large strain amplitude γ 0, the storage and loss moduli in strain sweep tests scale asandrespectively.