cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mode beating spectra from integrated twin ring diode lasers

We fabricated 1-cm-long semiconductor ring lasers monolithically integrated with passive waveguides and photodiodes. Longitudinal mode beating and fine tuning is investigated in a single ring and in a system of two traveling-wave ring lasers with opposite lasing directions.
Trick or treat: putting peer prediction to the test

Collecting truthful subjective information from multiple individuals is an important problem in many social and online systems. While peer prediction mechanisms promise to elicit truthful information by rewarding participants with carefully constructed payments, they also admit uninformative equilibria where coordinating participants provide no useful information. To understand how participants behave towards such mechanisms in practice, we conduct the first controlled online experiment of a peer prediction mechanism, engaging the participants in a multiplayer, real-time and repeated game. Using a hidden Markov model to capture players' strategies from their actions, our results show that participants successfully coordinate on uninformative equilibria and the truthful equilibrium is not focal, even when some uninformative equilibria do not exist or are undesirable. In contrast, most players are consistently truthful in the absence of peer prediction, suggesting that these mechanisms may be harmful when truthful reporting has similar cost to strategic behavior.
A hyperstable collagen mimic.

Background Collagen is the most abundant protein in animals. Each polypeptide chain of collagen is composed of repeats of the sequence: Gly-X-Y, where X and Y are often L-proline (Pro) and 4( R )-hydroxy-l-proline (Hyp) residues, respectively. These chains are wound into tight triple helices of great stability. The hydroxyl group of Hyp residues contributes much to this conformational stability. The existing paradigm is that this stability arises from interstrand hydrogen bonds mediated by bridging water molecules. This model was tested using chemical synthesis to replace Hyp residues with 4( R )-fluoro-l-proline (Flp) residues. The fluorine atom in Flp residues does not form hydrogen bonds but does elicit strong inductive effects. Results Replacing the Hyp residues in collagen with Flp residues greatly increases triple-helical stability. The free energy contributed by the fluorine atom in Flp residues is twice that of the hydroxyl group in Hyp residues. The stability of the Flp-containing triple helix far exceeds that of any untemplated collagen mimic of similar size. Conclusions Bridging water molecules contribute little to collagen stability. Rather, collagen stability relies on previously unappreciated inductive effects. Collagen mimics containing fluorine or other appropriate electron-withdrawing substituents could be the basis of new biomaterials for restorative therapies.
Detection of H-Y antigen on human male leukocytes

Abstract Using the Staphylococcus aureus binding technique, we have demonstrated H-Y (‘male’) antigen on human male leukocytes.
TESTING ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS OF CAPITAL CONTROL LIBERALIZATION

The literature on why restrictions over capital flows have been liberalized is filled with alternative causal stories (the pluralist, statist and systemic model, and economic explanations). In this article, we provide a test of these models of capital control liberalization within the context of 18 OECD countries from 1967 to 1995. We have avoided the usual practice of aggregating multiple governments in one country within one year into one country-year observation, and use the country-year-government as the unit of analysis instead to correctly test the relationship between government characteristics and liberalization policy. We find that when the government considers lifting or imposing restrictions over capital flows, it responds to both systemic pressures and the key supporters of free capital flows. Governments also consider the current account balance and are heavily influenced by the prior policy choice regarding restrictions on capital transactions. We fail to find support for such explanations as the impact of government ideology, government strength, and central bank independence.
Work‐related fatalities in the agricultural production and services sectors, 1980‐1989

A total of 6,727 workers died of work-related injuries in the agricultural production and agricultural services sectors between 1980 and 1989, as established by data from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) National Traumatic Occupational Fatalities (NTOF) surveillance system. The agricultural production sector accounted for the higher fatality rate (22.9 deaths per 100,000 workers), due largely to deaths caused by machinery and motor vehicles. The leading cause of death in the agricultural services sector was being struck by falling objects, primarily trees. Fatality rates were highest in the East South Central United States and lowest in the New England states. Blacks had the highest fatality rate (26.4 deaths per 100,000 workers) while workers other than white or black had the lowest rate (18.9 per 100,000 workers). Males were at higher risk of death than females, with the 65 years of age and older male group having the highest rate (60.5 deaths per 100,000 workers). Males 16-24 years of age exhibited the largest decrease in their average annual fatality rate during the 10-year period, down to 7.2 from 20.6 deaths per 100,000 workers. Possible reasons for this decrease are suggested.
Students' Spatial Structuring of 2D Arrays of Squares

We define spatial structuring as the mental operation of constructing an organization or form for an object or set of objects. It is an essential mental process underlying students' quantitative dealings with spatial situations. In this article, we examine in detail students' structuring and enumeration of 2-dimensional (2D) rectangular arrays of squares. Our research indicates that many students do not "see" the row-by-column structure we assume in such arrays. We describe the various levels of sophistication in students' structuring of these arrays and elaborate the nature of the mental process of structuring.
Fate and distribution of busulfan in the boll weevil

Abstract Feeding a diet containing radioactive busulfan, [1,4-14C]1,4-butanediol dimethanesulfonate, to boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, showed that of the ingested busulfan, 40% was metabolized to CO2, 36% of the radioactivity appeared in the frass, and 8% of the radioactivity was found in the weevil. Gas chromatographic analysis of the frass extracts showed that only 4% of the radioactivity present was busulfan; analysis of the weevils after 144 hr on the treated diet showed that only 19% of the radioactivity in the weevil could be extracted with dichloromethane, and 59% of this amount was busulfan. The maximum level of busulfan in the weevil (0.52 μg/weevil) was found after 144 hr on the treated diet, and this level decreased rapidly after removing the weevils from the treated diet, and 24 hr later, no busulfan was detected by gas chromatography (minimum detectable level was about 0.15 μg/weevil).
Synthetic cannabinoids pharmacokinetics and detection methods in biological matrices

Synthetic cannabinoids (SC), originally developed as research tools, are now highly abused novel psychoactive substances. We present a comprehensive systematic review covering in vivo and in vitro animal and human pharmacokinetics and analytical methods for identifying SC and their metabolites in biological matrices. Of two main phases of SC research, the first investigated therapeutic applications, and the second abuse-related issues. Administration studies showed high lipophilicity and distribution into brain and fat tissue. Metabolite profiling studies, mostly with human liver microsomes and human hepatocytes, structurally elucidated metabolites and identified suitable SC markers. In general, SC underwent hydroxylation at various molecular sites, defluorination of fluorinated analogs and phase II metabolites were almost exclusively glucuronides. Analytical methods are critical for documenting intake, with different strategies applied to adequately address the continuous emergence of new compounds. Immunoassays have different cross-reactivities for different SC classes, but cannot keep pace with changing analyte targets. Gas chromatography and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry assays - first for a few, then numerous analytes - are available but constrained by reference standard availability, and must be continuously updated and revalidated. In blood and oral fluid, parent compounds are frequently present, albeit in low concentrations; for urinary detection, metabolites must be identified and interpretation is complex due to shared metabolic pathways. A new approach is non-targeted HRMS screening that is more flexible and permits retrospective data analysis. We suggest that streamlined assessment of new SC's pharmacokinetics and advanced HRMS screening provide a promising strategy to maintain relevant assays.
Immigration, social realities, and the complex politics of education

Over the past decade, it has become increasingly clear to me and many others that some of the very best critically oriented work on how educational institutions, policies, and practices are sites f...
Complex determinants within the Moloney murine leukemia virus capsid modulate susceptibility of the virus to Fv1 and Ref1-mediated restriction.

Abstract Two of the most well-known genetic mechanisms in mammalian cells which control the susceptibility of cells to productive infection by retroviruses and lentiviruses rely on the cellular Fv1 and Ref1 restriction factors, which act, after viral entry, to prevent productive infection through their interactions with viral capsid (CA) sequences. While previous studies of Fv1 restriction involving N- and B-tropic murine leukemia viruses (MLVs) had demonstrated that the identity of a single amino acid residue at CA110 (arginine vs. glutamic acid) determines whether the resulting virus is N (arg) or B-tropic (glu), analogous studies of dual-tropic MLVs, such as Moloney MLV (Mo-MLV), have shown that additional residues other than CA110 are also involved in the specification of dual-tropic host range. Here we have further studied the CA determinants of Mo-MLV host range, with an emphasis on identifying additional CA residues and unique combinations of CA residues which differentially influence the ability of the resulting virus to infect murine and human cells. First, we show that CA82, a residue previously identified to affect the pattern of Fv1 restriction of different MLV viruses in murine cells, is a particularly strong potentiator of B-tropism in an Mo-MLV background carrying a glutamic acid residue at CA110 (A110E substitution), and that interestingly, different residues at CA82 lead to distinct patterns of restriction in human but not in murine cells. We also identify another CA residue, CA214, as a similarly potent potentiator of B-tropism, in the context of the A110E substitution. While another substitution at CA110, A110R, leads to strong potentiation of N-tropism in murine cells, in the absence of additional mutations, we found that A110R alone was not sufficient to confer appreciable restriction in Ref1-expressing cells, despite the fact that authentic N-MLV shows strong restriction in those cells. In conjunction with the A110R substitution, substitutions at CA82, but not at CA214, do lead to significant restriction in human cells, thus demonstrating a distinction between the interactions between those two determinants of restriction and CA110. Finally, using cell lines engineered to express the TRIM5αhu gene product, recently identified as the Ref1 restriction factor, and RNAi technology to knock-down expression of TRIM5αhu in human cells, we directly demonstrate that the unique patterns of restriction observed in human cells with the different mutants are consistent with a TRIM5αhu-mediated restriction. These studies shed further light on the complex determinants within the viral CA gene product which control the susceptibility of murine and human cells to retroviral infection.
Impaired release of gallbladder calcitonin gene-related peptide in human gallstone disease.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a neurotransmitter present in the peripheral ends of sensory neurons of the gut and may modulate reflexes of the enteric nervous system. We studied the release of CGRP in normal human gallbladders and in those containing gallstones to test the hypothesis that abnormalities of regulation of CGRP release participate in gallstone formation. Human gallbladder strips were obtained from histologically normal organs removed during liver surgery (n = 8) or from patients operated upon for symptomatic cholelithiasis (n = 14). After removal of the mucosa, muscle strips were superfused with oxygenated Kreb's buffer in an organ bath at 37°C. Pharmacologic agents were added to the superfusate and samples were collected at 2-min intervals for analysis. CGRP release was measured by a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay and adjusted for tissue weight. In normal gallbladders, CGRP release was stimulated sixfold over basal by capsaicin (10 -5 M) to 363 ± 75 pg per gram of muscle per 2 min. This release was abolished by addition of somatostatin (SS) or the neural blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX). Lesser degrees of CGRP release were observed after nonspecific stimulation with K + or phosphodiesterase inhibition with caffeine. In gallbladders with gallstones, capsaicin-induced CGRP release was 74 ± 16 pg per gram of muscle per 2 min (20% of normal, P < 0.001). Release induced by caffeine and K + was also inhibited compared to normal gallbladder strips. Release of CGRP from diseased strips was abolished by TTX and inhibited by SS to degrees similar to normal tissue. CGRP release in normal human gallbladder muscle strips is increased by the sensory neuron stimulant capsaicin, the nonspecific stimulant K + , and phosphodiesterase inhibition by caffeine. This release is abolished by blockade of axonal transmission with TTX and by SS. CGRP content and release from gallbladders containing gallstones are inhibited. Whether these observations have significance in gallstone formation or are secondary processes remains to be seen. © 1995 Academic Press, Inc.
Sport Management Internships: Agency Perspectives, Expectations, and Concerns

(2004). Sport Management Internships: Agency Perspectives, Expectations, and Concerns. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 75, No. 2, pp. 30-33.
Neck pain and swelling in a young man

A middle aged man presents to the emergency department (ED) with right-sided neck pain and swelling. He had a right internal jugular vein (IJ) catheter during a hospitalisation for intestinal haemorrhage 2 weeks ago. Shortly thereafter, the patient noted progressively worsening neck pain and swelling, with dysphagia, odynophagia and pain with neck movement over the last 2 days. The patient denies fevers, chills, vocal changes, respiratory distress, dyspnoea, chest pain or recent drug use. On exam, the patient appears uncomfortable, with a blood pressure 133/74, heart rate 108 BPM, respiratory rate of 16, pulse oximetry of 100% and temperature of 36.6°C. He has swelling and tenderness to palpation of the right neck and right lower jaw. 1. What is your differential diagnosis? 2. What are the appropriate tests to obtain in this patient? 3. What does the CT imaging show; does this change or narrow your differential diagnosis? 4. What is …
Fluorescence monitoring of laser induced population changes of 6P and 6D levels in cesium vapor

Abstract Observations of enhancement and reduction of the fluorescence intensity in the continuous-wave excitation of Cs atomic vapor is reported. The reduction is due to a depopulation of the 6 2 P o 3/2 state upon illumination of a Cs vapor cell with light corresponding to the 6 2 P o 3/2 →6 2 D 5/2 transition (917.23 nm). Collisional relaxation of the 6 2 D 5/2 atoms to the 6 2 D 3/2 state, followed by radiative decay to the 6 2 P o 1/2 state (876.14 nm), creates an increase in the population of the 6 2 P o 1/2 state. The increase in the excited state population results in an increase in the fluorescence intensity of the 6 2 P o 1/2 →6 2 S 1/2 transition (894.35 nm). These laser induced population changes, monitored by the decrease or increase of the corresponding fluorescence signals, were modeled using a simplified density matrix formalism, which allowed an order of magnitude estimate of the rates of level mixing between 6 2 D states and 6 2 P states.
Regulation of Atherogenesis by Chemokines and Chemokine Receptors

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory and metabolic disorder affecting large- and medium-sized arteries, and the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis involves accumulation of lipids and leukocytes in the intima of blood vessel walls creating plaque. How leukocytes accumulate in plaque remains poorly understood; however, chemokines acting at specific G protein-coupled receptors appear to be important. Studies using knockout mice suggest that chemokine receptor signaling may either promote or inhibit atherogenesis, depending on the receptor. These proof of concept studies have spurred efforts to develop drugs targeting the chemokine system in atherosclerosis, and several have shown beneficial effects in animal models. This study will review key discoveries in basic and translational research in this area.
Renne receives 2005 N.L. Bowen award

Paul Renne received the N.L. Bowen Award on 6 December 2005 from the Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology Section at the 2005 AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to volcanology, geochemistry, or petrology.
The Transmittance and Reflectance of Gold Black Deposits in the 15- to 100-Micron Region

The transmittance and specular reflectance of several gold black deposits were measured from 15 to 105 μ. Differences in the conditions of preparation of the deposits are correlated with differences in their infrared properties. The large change in the absorption in the 15- to 80-μ region is associated with a condenser effect.
Immune recognition, response, and regulation: how T lymphocytes do it.

Effective immunity to infectious agents requires the initial recognition of antigen by specific receptors, which leads to the activation of immunocytes and the elicitation of an immune response. Because T cell antigen recognition and directed responses are complex processes, they are initiated and quelled in a highly regulated manner. Our laboratory has focused on defining the molecular processes that control T cell antigen presentation and recognition. Research in this area is focused on determining the chemical nature of antigens displayed by Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-encoded class I molecules and the nonclassical class I-like prote in CD1d. Quantitative aspects of antigen presentation and recognition are also being studied to determine how these factors control the initiation of a T cell response. Our studies provide insights into the biochemical basis of T cell antigen recognition and response as well as the molecular processes underlying the initiation and regulation of immune responses by CD1d-restricted natural T lymphocytes.
Effectiveness of a community-based oral cancer awareness campaign (United States)

Objective: The purpose of this study was to provide the first systematic evaluation in the United States of a community-based oral cancer awareness campaign. Methods: We used a non-equivalent control group design and random-digit-dialing methods to examine billboard effectiveness and pre- and post-billboard impact between intervention and control counties in adult probability samples in Florida, USA. Results: Respondents in the intervention county were more likely than controls to correctly identify the billboard message to get tested for oral cancer, and less likely than controls to report ever having an oral cancer examination, or to have heard of oral cancer. Results of pre-post analyses within each county showed that oral cancer examinations were significantly more frequent in both counties after the campaign. There were no significant differences between counties on the proportion of individuals who reported having seen the campaign or on any other item measuring billboard awareness or impact. Conclusions: Results suggest the Florida billboard campaign had limited success in increasing public awareness. Future cancer awareness campaigns should incorporate theoretical models, target high-risk groups and the broader community and provide culturally relevant messages as part of a multi-media campaign.
Vibrational properties of the clean reconstructed W(100) surface.

A force-constant model for the dynamical matrix of the ({radical}2 {times} {radical}2 ){ital R}45{degree} W(100) clean reconstructed surface has been constructed, based on all existing total-energy results for this surface. Such results are available for five distortions around the reconstructed geometry. The dynamical matrix is used to study the vibrational properties of the surface, including the surface modes and their dispersions, the vibrational correlation functions, and the mean squared displacements. The surface is found to exhibit a number of characteristic modes and resonances. These include three strong surface features whose polarizations are mainly perpendicular to one another and which are folded back upon reconstruction, and also a subsurface mode above the bulk bands. The qualitative features of many of these modes and resonances can be understood on the basis of simple, qualitative properties of this surface (such as zone folding), but the values of the frequencies and the dispersions depend on details of the surface force constants. The total-energy results are found to constrain strongly the frequencies and dispersions of the surface modes. The surface mean squared displacements and correlation functions exhibit interesting anisotropies, which are related to the surface modes. The dependence of the surface mode frequencies and eigenvectorsmore » on the force constants is described, and the implications of the present results for electron-energy-loss spectroscopy and He-atom scattering are discussed.« less
A Flywheel Energy Storage and Conversion System for Solar Photovoltaic Applications

A low-drag, low-power magnetic bearing and a permanent magnet brushless d-c motor-generator have been developed for a satellite flywheel. These will be combined with a terrestrial flywheel and control electronics to make up a flywheel energy storage and conversion system for use in a stand-alone solar photovoltaic residence. Technical and economic performance analyses indicate that, contrary to general thought, a flywheel system will be competitive if not superior to more conventional systems utilizing either present-day or advanced batteries. This derives from the ability of the flywheel to perform the functions of d-c to a-c inversion and optimal impedance matching between the PV arrays and the load in addition to providing energy storage. The motor-generator design will also be discussed. This paper describes the structural topology, performance data, design parameters, and test measurements of the magnetic bearing and motor-generator as well as a description of the flywheel and control electronics to be used. A preliminary discussion of the economic aspects is also included.Copyright © 1979 by ASME
The Social Work Ethics Audit: A Risk-Management Strategy

In recent years, social work's knowledge base related to professional ethics has expanded significantly. However, most practicing social workers concluded their formal professional education at a time when comprehensive ethics education was not a critical or mandated component of the curriculum. This article integrates current knowledge on social work ethics and introduces the concept of a social work ethics audit to aid social workers in their efforts to identify pertinent ethical issues; review and assess the adequacy of their current ethics-related practices; modify their practices as needed; and monitor the implementation of these changes.
Effect of growth hormone and thyroid hormone on autoimmune thyroiditis in obese chickens.

Abstract The effect of thyroxine (T 4 ) and recombinant (rcGH) or purified pituitary-derived (pcGH) chicken growth hormone on the development of spontaneous autoimmune thyroiditis (SAT) was examined in the Obese strain (OS) chicken. Day-old OS chicks were randomly assigned to a control or 1.0 ppm T 4 supplemented diet and a vehicle or 500 μg rcGH/kg BW daily injection, using a 2×2 factorial design. At 4 weeks, sera were analyzed for anti -thyroglobulin autoantibody (TgAAb) using a kinetics-based ELISA. Leucocytic infiltration of the thyroid was assessed using computer-based video imaging techniques. A close correlation between TgAAb and thyroid infiltration was seen with both being decreased ( p 4 /rcGH treatment. Neither the T 4 or rcGH alone produced this effect and the rcGH treatment significantly elevated TgAAb. In a second experiment, all but the control group received 1.0 ppm T 4 supplementation and two of the T 4 -treated groups received either 50 or 200 μg pcGH/kg BW by daily injection. As before, T 4 /pcGH significantly reduced TgAAb and thyroid infiltration. T 4 alone produced no significant effects. These data support the conclusion that the combined treatment of T 4 and cGH exert an immunomodulatory effect within a strain that is predisposed to autoimmune thyroiditis while GH treatment alone exacerbated the condition. These results also show that video imaging techniques can be used to evaluate the extent of histopathology present within the OS thyroid.
The influence of foraging benefits on association of cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) with cattle

The degree of association between cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) and cattle was studied during one summer on Saint Catherines Island, Georgia, USA. Previous work by Grubb (1976) and others indicated that cattle egrets foraging with cattle require fewer steps and less time to catch prey than egrets foraging without cattle and single egrets catch prey at a higher rate than egrets foraging in groups of two or more with cattle. Accordingly, we predicted that when given a choice egrets should forage with cattle rather than alone, egrets should prefer to associate with standing rather than sitting cattle, and single egrets associated with cattle should be more common than expected by chance.
Inverse association of general joint hypermobility with hand and knee osteoarthritis and serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein levels.

Objective. Extensive joint hypermobility, lower serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels, and early-onset osteoarthritis (OA) are phenotypes of inherited pseudoachondroplasia and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia. However, few studies have evaluated the association between articular hypermobility and primary OA. We undertook the present study to evaluate this association and to test the hypothesis that COMP levels are associated with hypermobility in patients with OA and individuals without OA. Methods. Two separate cohorts were available for analysis, the CARRIAGE (CARolinas Region Interaction of Aging Genes and Environment) extended family and a subset of the GOGO (Genetics of Generalized Osteoarthritis) sibpair cohort. In the CARRIAGE family, we performed hand and knee examinations and hypermobility evaluations (Beighton criteria) and obtained sera for measurement of COMP and hyaluronan (HA). Data on COMP and HA levels and extensive joint radiographic and hypermobility data were also available for the GOGO cohort. Results. The prevalence of hypermobility was 13% in the CARRIAGE family and 5% in the GOGO cohort. In the CARRIAGE family, hypermobility was associated with a significantly reduced prevalence of hand (especially proximal interphalangeal joint) and knee OA and lower mean serum COMP levels, both in the total cohort and in non-hand-OA subgroups. These results were further validated in the GOGO subsets without radiographic OA, in which hypermobility was also associated with a significantly reduced mean serum COMP level (P < 0.0001 adjusted for age). Serum HA levels did not differ in relation to hypermobility in either cohort. Conclusion. The present results indicate that there is an inverse relationship between hypermobility and hand and knee OA, and that hypermobility is associated with lower serum COMP levels. Genetic variations of the COMP gene may account for some subgroups of benign joint hypermobility.
Modeling and analysis of the effects of QoS and reliability on pricing, profitability, and risk management in multiperiod grid-computing networks

In this paper we develop a network equilibrium model for optimal pricing and resource allocation in Computational Grid Network. We consider a general network economy model with Grid Resource Providers, Grid Resource Brokers and Grid Users. The proposed framework allows for the modeling and theoretical analysis of Computational Grid Markets that considers a non-cooperative behavior of decision-makers in the same tier of the grid computing network (such as, for example, Grid Resource Providers) as well as cooperative behavior between tiers (between Resource Providers and Grid Brokers). We introduce risk management into the decision making process by analyzing the decision-marker's reliability and quality of service (QoS) requirement. We analyze resource allocation patterns as well as equilibrium price based on demand, supply, and cost structure of the grid computing market network. We specifically answer the following questions with several numerical examples: How do system reliability levels affect the QoS levels of the service providers and brokers under competition? How do system reliability levels affect the profits of resource providers and brokers in a competitive market? How do system reliability levels influence the pricing of the services in a competitive environment? How do users' service request types, QoS requirements, and timing concerns affect users' behaviors, costs and risks in equilibrium? How does the market mechanism allocate resources to satisfy the demands of users? We find that for users who request same services certain timing flexibility can not only reduce the costs but also lower the risks. The results indicated that the value of QoS can be efficiently priced based on the heterogeneous service demands.
Effects of Long‐Term Ungulate Exclusion and Recent Alien Species Control on the Preservation and Restoration of a Hawaiian Tropical Dry Forest

Although the destruction of tropical rain forests receives much attention, tropical dry forests are in general far more threatened and endangered. Eliminating grazing ungulates is often considered a key first step toward protecting these ecosystems, but few studies have investigated the long-term effects of this tech- nique. We examined the effects of ungulate exclusion from a 2.3-ha native dry-forest preserve on the island of Hawaii by comparing its present flora to the flora of an adjacent area subjected to continuous grazing since the preserve was fenced over 40 years ago. Relative to this adjacent area, the fenced preserve contained a more diverse flora with substantially greater coverage of native overstory and understory species. Until re- cently, however, regeneration of native canopy trees within the preserve appears to have been thwarted by a dominant herbaceous cover of alien fountain grass ( Pennisetum setaceum ) and predation by alien rodent species. Our results indicate that although ungulate exclusion may be a necessary and critical first step, it is not sufficient to adequately preserve and maintain Hawaii's remaining tropical dry forest remnants. Our re- cent efforts to control the dominant alien species within the fenced preserve suggest that this practice may fa- cilitate both the regeneration of native species and the colonization and potential invasion of new alien plants. Comparisons of seedlings of the dominant native canopy tree Diospyros sandwicensis growing in sites both dominated by and free of fountain grass suggested that fountain grass inhibits Diospyros seedling growth and photosynthesis but may increase survival if seedlings are protected from ungulates.
Digoxin-specific Fab fragments in the treatment of oleander toxicity in a canine model.

Study objective: To examine the efficacy of digoxin-specific Fab fragments (dsFab) in the treatment of experimentally induced Nerium oleander cardiac glycoside toxicity in a dog model. Design: A nonblinded, placebo-controlled experiment. Subjects: Ten adult greyhound dogs of either sex divided into treatment and control groups of five dogs each. Interventions: A tincture of oleander was prepared and administered intravenously to each animal. After the onset of cardiotoxicity, the treatment group received 60 mg/kg dsFab IV Measurements and main results: All dogs exhibited dysrhythmias meeting our criteria for cardiac glycoside cardiotoxicity within 27 minutes of beginning the infusion. Three of five control dogs had lethal dysrhythmias during the three-hour observation period. The remaining two control dogs exhibited dysrhythmias throughout the three-hour experiment. All five of the dsFab-treated dogs survived and converted to normal sinus rhythm within eight minutes of dsFab infusion. Three treatment animals reverted back to nonlethal and hemodynamically stable dysrhythmias after a mean of 107 minutes. Conclusion: Large doses of dsFab are efficacious in the treatment of dysrhythmias in this canine model of N oleander cardiac glycoside poisoning.
Superselective intraophthalmic artery chemotherapy in a nonhuman primate model: histopathologic findings.

Importance We describe the histopathologic findings in a nonhuman primate (NHP) model of superselective intraophthalmic artery chemotherapy (SSIOAC), detailing ocular and orbital vascular adverse effects. Objective To further document, using comprehensive ocular and orbital histopathology, previously reported toxic effects observed with real-time ophthalmoscopy during SSIOAC in a NHP model. Design Comparative interventional case series. Setting Preclinical trial approved under the guidelines of the Institutional Animal Care and Utilization committee. Participants Six adult male rhesus macaques ( Macacca mulatta ). Interventions The right eye of each NHP was treated with 3 cycles of SSIOAC using either melphalan (5 mg/30 mL) or carboplatin (30 mg/30 mL). Both eyes in each animal were enucleated 6 hours after the final procedure, before euthanasia and formalin perfusion of the NHP; we then performed orbital dissection of the arterial vasculature and optic nerves. Main Outcome Measures Histopathologic examination of the eyes, optic nerves, and orbital vessels of the 6 treated NHPs. Results We found leukostasis with retinal arteriole occlusion in all treated eyes. Retinal endothelial cells stained positive for 2 inflammatory markers, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and interleukin 8. Transmission electron microscopy revealed occlusion of the retinal vessels with ultrastructural changes in the endothelial cells and surrounding pericytes. Additional findings included nerve fiber layer infarcts, central retinal artery thrombosis, hypertrophy and occlusion of choroidal arteries with disruption of the internal elastic lamina, patchy choroidal inflammation, and birefringent intravascular foreign bodies. Orbital findings included ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery wall dissection, fracturing of the internal elastic lamina, intimal hyperplasia, and eyelid vessel damage. Optic nerves displayed hemorrhage, leukostasis, and foreign body crystallization. Control eyes, optic nerves, and orbital vessels were normal. Conclusions and Relevance Histopathologic examination of our nonhuman primate model for SSIOAC revealed significant toxic effects in the ocular and orbital vasculature. These findings substantiate previous observations with real-time retinal imaging and parallel reported vascular toxic effects in children with retinoblastoma treated with SSIOAC.
Adaptive credit granting policies

Abstract We analyze here the optimal interest rate determination of a bank that learns about the repayment behavior of its customers from their past behavior. Optimal dynamic methods are first suggested for determining the interest rate for a bank that learns about the probability of default of its borrowers. It is shown that such a bank determines lower than or equal interest rates than a bank that does not adapt its probability of default according to its past experience. Similar results also obtain when the bank learns about the probabilities that its borrowers belong to each of K ( K larger than 2) quality groups.
Physicians' confidence in vaccine safety studies.

Abstract Objectives To ascertain, through two separate surveys among nationally representative networks of pediatricians (Peds) and family physicians (FM): 1) physicians' reported level of confidence in pre- and post-licensure vaccine safety studies; and 2) changes in reported level of confidence from 2007 to 2010/11. Methods Two surveys were conducted in August to October 2007 and in November 2010 to January 2011. The survey response rates were 81% (FM, 79%, Peds, 84%, p = 0.07) for the 2007 survey (691/848) and 66% (FM, 61%, Peds, 70%, p = 0.003) for the 2010/11 survey (532/811). Results One in three family physicians compared to one in ten pediatricians in both surveys reported little or no confidence in pre - licensure vaccine safety studies (p Conclusion While most family physicians and pediatricians report confidence in post-licensure vaccine safety studies, one third of family physicians report little or no confidence in pre-licensure studies. More research is needed to better understand the reasons behind some physicians' lack of confidence in vaccine safety studies.
Homogeneous quasi-geostrophic turbulence driven by a uniform temperature gradient

Abstract Statistically steady states consistent with a horizontally uniform time-averaged temperature gradient in a two-layer quasi-geostrophic model on a beta-plane are found by numerically integrating the equations for deviations from this mean state in a doubly periodic domain. Based on the result that the flow statistics are not strongly dependent on the size of the domain, it is suggested that this homogeneous flow is physically realizable. The dependence of the eddy heat and potential vorticity fluxes and eddy energy level on various model parameters (the beta effect, surface drag, small-scale horizontal mixing) is described. Implications for eddy flux parameterization theories am discussed.
Data compression for thermal mitigation in the Hybrid Memory Cube

Main memory performance is becoming an increasingly important factor contributing to overall system performance, especially due to the so-called memory wall. The Hybrid Memory Cube (HMC) is an attempt to overcome this memory wall by stacking DRAM on top of a logic die and interconnecting them with dense and fast through silicon vias (TSVs). However, modeling the Hybrid Memory Cube in HotSpot has indicated that this cube has a natural temperature variation, with the hottest layers at the bottom and the cooler layers at the top. High temperatures and variations within a DRAM can result in reduced performance and efficiency, especially when dynamic thermal management (DTM) schemes are used to throttle DRAM bandwidth whenever temperature gets too high. Hence this paper attempts to reduce the maximum temperature and variation by using data compression, where the compression is performed in the on chip memory controller, and the compressed blocks are read/written using fewer bursts in the Hybrid Memory Cube, hence reducing power dissipation. The compressed blocks are stored only in the hotter banks of the cube to mitigate the thermal gradient in the cube. Maximum temperature was reduced by as much as 6°C, and since the HMC spent lesser time throttling when DTM schemes were used, a maximum of 14.2% speed up was observed, at an average of 2.8%.
Building blocks for integrated graphene circuits.

The observation of single sheets of graphite (graphene) presents new possibilities for carbon-based nanoelectronics. We report defect tolerant configurations for a nearly reflectionless 120° turn and nearly reflectionless symmetric and asymmetric splitters, which can be cut from graphene. Connections between zigzag strips of different widths can be made with either low or high reflectance depending on the connection shape.
Optimizing resources utilization in IP Multimedia Subsystem

IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), an architectural framework for delivering multimedia services standardized by Third Generation Partnership (3GPP/3GPP2), is deployed as part of 3G and beyond wireless networks. It facilitates wireless carriers to offer rich multimedia services such as Chat, Presence, and Video Conference with a high degree of flexibility. These services vary in terms of their delay sensitivity and cost. With increasing demand for IMS services, service providers are facing substantial new challenges to deliver services with the required Quality of Service (QoS) to end users. One of the main factors that negatively influences the QoS is session setup delay experienced by the users. This work focuses on the impact of session setup delay on the QoS experienced by users for each of the IMS services, and proposes a simulation model to optimize selection of services that can offered with the required QoS so as to maximize revenue generated. The preliminary results show that the proposed approach maximizes the QoS, as well as the revenue for the service providers.
The staining of sciatic nerve glycoproteins on polyacrylamide gels with concanavalin A-peroxidase.

Abstract The plant lectin concanavalin A (Con A) possesses a remarkably specific capacity to bind primarily α- d -mannose or α- d -glucose sugar residues on macromolecules (cf. 1). The multivalent Con A will bind to carbohydrates on cell surfaces, and free binding sites on the attached Con A will bind to horseradish peroxidase which is a glycoprotein (2). Since peroxidase may be visualized by reaction with diaminobenzidine (3), it has been possible using this method to specifically “stain” carbohydrate residues on cell surface macromolecules (2, 4). The same principles for staining cell surfaces should apply to “staining” glycoproteins separated by polyacrylamide electrophoresis. In this paper, we examine the staining of glycoproteins in sciatic nerve by a Con A-peroxidase labeling technique. The method is more sensitive for mannose or glucose containing glycoproteins than the periodic acid-Schiff's (PAS) method commonly used.
Session 15: Quantum, power, and compound semiconductors devices - III-V MOSFETs with high k dielectrics

This session highlights recent developments in III-V MOSFETs with high-k gate dielectrics. The session opens with a talk by Goel et al., describing the impact of gate dielectric stacks on InGaAs-channel MOSFETs, including dielectric scaling for several candidate dielectrics. ZrO 2 was identified as a promising choice based on leakage, thermal stability, and electrostatic control. The second paper by Sun and co-workers from IBM focuses on buried-channel In 0.7 Ga 0.3 As MOSFETs with gate scaling to 80 nm. This is followed by a surface-channel result by Xuan and colleagues at Purdue on enhancement-mode In 0.75 Ga 0.25 As-channel MOSFETs with an ALD-deposited Al 2 O 3 gate dielectric. The channel In mole fraction and its impact on performance are also described. The fourth paper in the session by Chiang et al., describes a systematic study of Fermi level pinning in In 0.2 Ga 0.8 As MOS-C structures based on stacks of GGO and Al 2 O 3 . The next paper by Varghese and coworkers employs a wide range of analytical techniques and simulation to characterize the InGaAs/Al 2 O 3 interface. Trap density, type, and location in position and energy are extracted. They conclude that it is possible to attain large inversion currents as the majority of traps are donor-like. The last paper in the session by Chin et al., reports a promising new surface passivation technology employing a mixture of ammonia and silane for GaAs NMOSFETs with silicon oxynitride gate dielectrics. The lowest reported sub-threshold swing was achieved for this type of device.
Modeling of piezoelectric materials on rubber beams

It is common to use piezoelectric materials to reduce vibrations or otherwise alter the dynamics of structures made of metal or composite materials. In contrast, this work addresses modeling of piezoelectric patches applied to a rubber substrate. An underlying goal of modeling, however, is to represent the significant physics of a problem with the simplest model possible. There were several simplified approaches to modeling piezoelectric actuation on classical beam and plate elements developed in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Of these, the pin force, extended pin force, and Euler-Bernoulli methods are assessed in this study. The basic concepts of the three approximation methods are developed, and the curvatures predicted by each is compared to predictions from a special-purpose finite element code. The final conclusion is that the constant-strain approaches (pin force and enhanced pin-force) are not accurate for very soft substrates. Future work includes adding the time dependence of rubber materials as well as the possibility of material of geometric nonlinearities.
Soft drinks, aggression and suicidal behaviour in US high school students

Consumption of carbonated soft drinks has been rising among teens, and recent research has identified potential links to violence, depression, suicidal thoughts and suicidal behaviour. We analyse a national data-set, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, to examine the relationship between soft drink consumption and aggression, depression and suicidal behaviours among US adolescents. We find that higher soft drink consumption is associated with a range of undesirable behaviours: being in a physical fight, feeling sad or hopeless and having suicidal thoughts and actions. The data display a 'dose-response' relationship, with the percentage engaged in aggression or suicidal behaviour increasing steadily with greater quantities of soft drinks consumed. While further research is needed to determine if the association is causal, soft drink consumption may be a useful indicator for both aggression and suicidal behaviours among American high school students.
Automatable on-line generation of calibration curves and standard additions in solution-cathode glow discharge optical emission spectrometry

Abstract Two methods are described that enable on-line generation of calibration standards and standard additions in solution-cathode glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (SCGD-OES). The first method employs a gradient high-performance liquid chromatography pump to perform on-line mixing and delivery of a stock standard, sample solution, and diluent to achieve a desired solution composition. The second method makes use of a simpler system of three peristaltic pumps to perform the same function of on-line solution mixing. Both methods can be computer-controlled and automated, and thereby enable both simple and standard-addition calibrations to be rapidly performed on-line. Performance of the on-line approaches is shown to be comparable to that of traditional methods of sample preparation, in terms of calibration curves, signal stability, accuracy, and limits of detection. Potential drawbacks to the on-line procedures include signal lag between changes in solution composition and pump-induced multiplicative noise. Though the new on-line methods were applied here to SCGD-OES to improve sample throughput, they are not limited in application to only SCGD-OES—any instrument that samples from flowing solution streams (flame atomic absorption spectrometry, ICP-OES, ICP-mass spectrometry, etc.) could benefit from them.