cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Non-Gaussian Error Volumes on Conjunction Assessment Risk Analysis

An understanding of how an initially Gaussian error volume becomes non-Gaussian over time is an important consideration for space-vehicle conjunction assessment. Traditional assumptions applied to the error volume artificially suppress the true non-Gaussian nature of the space-vehicle position uncertainties. For typical conjunction assessment objects, representation of the error volume by a state error covariance matrix in a Cartesian reference frame is a more significant limitation than is the assumption of linearized dynamics for propagating the error volume. In this study, the impact of each assumption is examined and isolated for each point in the volume. Limitations arising from representing the error volume in a Cartesian reference frame is corrected by employing a Monte Carlo approach to probability of collision (Pc), using equinoctial samples from the Cartesian position covariance at the time of closest approach (TCA) between the pair of space objects. A set of actual, higher risk (Pc >= 10 (exp -4)+) conjunction events in various low-Earth orbits using Monte Carlo methods are analyzed. The impact of non-Gaussian error volumes on Pc for these cases is minimal, even when the deviation from a Gaussian distribution is significant.
Penn Health for Women: the evolution of a women’s health program in an academic setting☆

Penn Health for Women is an interdisciplinary model for women’s health care created and implemented in an academic setting to provide comprehensive, integrated care to women of all ages and to establish a leadership position in women’s health within the surrounding communities.
Ripple formation and smoothening on insulating surfaces.

Ion bombardment of insulating surfaces such as Al2O3 and SiO2 produces ordered patterns of ripples. The ripple wavelength varies with ion energy, incidence angle and substrate temperature. A region of stability is also known to exist for near-normal incidence during Ar+ ion bombardment, where initially rough surfaces are smoothened. A number of relaxation mechanisms are found to be operative under specific conditions, including: surface-confined viscous flow, impact-induced lateral currents and impact-assisted surface diffusion during ion bombardment at high temperatures. Most of the experimentally observed phenomena are explained through extension of the Bradley–Harper theory by the addition of these new processes. Phenomena that are not explained by the linear theory, such as the saturation of surface amplitude during the formation of ripples, are thought to arise from nonlinear effects. This contribution describes the present status of the linear theory relevant to this class of materials and recent experimental results.
A reduced chemical kinetic model for IC engine combustion simulations with primary reference fuels

A reduced chemical kinetic mechanism for the oxidation of primary reference fuel (PRF) has been developed and applied to model internal combustion engines. Starting from an existing reduced reaction mechanism for n-heptane oxidation, a new reduced n-heptane mechanism was generated by including an additional five species and their relevant reactions, by updating the reaction rate constants of several reactions pertaining to oxidation of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and by optimizing reaction rate constants of selected reactions. Using a similar approach, a reduced mechanism for iso-octane oxidation was built and combined with the n-heptane mechanism to form a PRF mechanism. The final version of the PRF mechanism consists of 41 species and 130 reactions. Validation of the present PRF mechanism was performed with measurements from shock tube tests, and HCCI and direct injection engine experiments available in the literature. The results show that the present PRF mechanism gives reliable performance for combustion predictions, as well as computational efficiency improvements for multidimensional CFD simulations.
Role of Crop Debris and Weeds in the Epidemiology of Bacterial Leaf Spot of Lettuce in California

Bacterial leaf spot of lettuce (BLS), caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians, has increased in importance in California over the past 5 years. The pathogen can be seedborne, but it was not recovered from selected commercial lettuce seed lots planted during this time. Survival of X. campestris pv. vitians in association with plant debris was investigated in a 3-year field experiment in Salinas, CA. The initial lettuce spring crop was spray inoculated with X. campestris pv. vitians, which resulted in 100% disease incidence. Spring crops were followed by a 1-month summer fallow period, whereas fall crops were followed by a 5-month winter fallow period. High populations of X. campestris pv. vitians (up to 106 CFU/g) were recovered from lettuce plant debris after the 1-month summer fallow and BLS developed on all subsequent fall lettuce crops. During the winter fallow period, X. campestris pv. vitians populations associated with plant debris declined and, by 2 months after harvest, only small populations were detected. Spring crops also developed BLS, but at reduced levels. X. campestris pv. vitians was recovered from leaves of several symptomless weed species collected around commercial infested fields, but not from weeds collected around previously infested fields during fallow periods. During the course of this study, an X. campestris pv. vitians-specific polymerase chain reaction primer pair was developed.
The distribution and transport of pollution aerosols over the Norwegian Arctic on 31 March and 4 April 1983

Abstract During the spring of 1983, Arctic haze—as discussed in terms of visual observations, condensation nucleus concentrations and aerosol scattering extinction coefficients—was observed over the Norwegian Arctic to exhibit pronounced horizontal and vertical variability because of the meteorologicalsynoptic conditions present. The maximum intensity of Arctic haze was encountered within a transport zone as part of a synoptic ‘return-flow’ pattern. The air mass found in this transport zone was of a continental polar type, hence relatively dry and cold, and most likely originated over central Eurasia. The maximum of aerosol transport associated with the presence of Arctic haze occurred in the 600- to 800-mb level above a marine boundary layer, in a zone 250–350 km wide with wind speeds of 8–10m s −1 .
Diazepam and intubation in emergency treatment of seizures in children.

Study objectives: This study was undertaken to determine the incidence of endotracheal intubation after the use of diazepam compared with phenobarbital or phenytoin in emergency treatment of seizures in children. Design: The records of all children (98) were reviewed in a case-control fashion. A logistic regression model was used to determine whether there was an association between diazepam administration and intubation, adjusting for all other covariates (age, weight, convulsion time before first anticonvulsant was given, response latency, diagnosis, and therapy). Setting: All children were treated in an emergency department and then transported to a tertiary pediatric center by a pediatric transport team. Type of participants: All patients were children, with a median age of 2.7 years (range, 0.17 to 15.3 years). Interventions: None. Measurements and main results: Only the use of diazepam was found to be significantly associated with intubation after adjusting for all other covariates (adjusted odds ratio, 49.4; P P > .83). Conclusion: A significant association was found between diazepam use and intubation. Response latency was not shorter when diazepam was used as the initial anticonvulsant compared with phenobarbital or phenytoin.
Hemodynamic changes following corticosteroid and naloxone infusion in dogs subjected to hypovolemic shock without resuscitation

B-endorphin, which is released concomitantly with ACTH from the pituitary during stress, may also alter cardiac performance in hemorrhagic shock. In this study of 36 dogs subjected to hemorrhagic shock without resuscitation, we demonstrate the interaction of high doses of dexamethasone (DEX) or methylprednisolone (M) and opiate receptor blockade with naloxone (NAL). NAL, when given alone, resulted in the most hemodynamic improvement and the longest survival time while those animals receiving DEX or M, even in combination with NAL, did not do as well. These data suggest that corticosteroids block the NAL effect following hemorrhagic shock.
The effect of a prestimulus cue on vibrotactile thresholds

This study was designed to examine the effect of a prestimulus cue on lingual vibrotactile thresholds. A light was presented as the prestimulus cue to 20 subjects who served as their own control. The thresholds obtained with the prestimulus cue were statistically significantly lower and less variable than the thresholds obtained without the cue.
CARMIL is a Bona fide capping protein interactant

Abstract CARMIL, also known as Acan 125, is a multidomain protein that was originally identified on the basis of its interaction with the Src homology 3 (SH3) domain of type I myosins from Acanthamoeba. In a subsequent study of CARMIL from Dictyostelium, pull-down assays indicated that the protein also bound capping protein and the Arp2/3 complex. Here we present biochemical evidence that Acanthamoeba CARMIL interacts tightly with capping protein. In biochemical preparations, CARMIL copurified extensively with two polypeptides that were shown by microsequencing to be the α- and β-subunits of Acanthamoeba capping protein. The complex between CARMIL and capping protein, which is readily demonstratable by chemical cross-linking, can be completely dissociated by size exclusion chromatography at pH 5.4. Analytical ultracentrifugation, surface plasmon resonance and SH3 domain pull-down assays indicate that the dissociation constant of capping protein for CARMIL is ∼0.4 μm or lower. Using CARMIL fusion proteins, the binding site for capping protein was shown to reside within the carboxyl-terminal, ∼200 residue, proline-rich domain of CARMIL. Finally, chemical cross-linking, analytical ultracentrifugation, and rotary shadowed electron microscopy revealed that CARMIL is asymmetric and that it exists in a monomer ↔ dimer equilibrium with an association constant of 1.0 × 106 m-1. Together, these results indicate that CARMIL self-associates and interacts with capping protein with affinities that, given the cellular concentrations of the proteins (∼1 and 2 μm for capping protein and CARMIL, respectively), indicate that both activities should be physiologically relevant.
Monolithic polycrystalline-silicon pressure transducer

A monolithic pressure transducer using polycrystalline silicon for both the diaphragm material and an integral piezoresistor has been fabricated. The device can be made with good repeatability and with easily varied diaphragm thickness. Electrical-output linearity is very good over a pressure range of 0?11 cm Hg for a 2.4 ?m diaphragm having an area of 0.00136 cm2.
Bayesian optimal designs for estimating a set of symmetrical quantiles.

We propose multiple-objective Bayesian optimal designs for the logit model. As an example, we consider the design problem for estimating several percentiles with possibly unequal interest in each of the percentiles. Characteristics of these designs are studied and illustrated for the case when the interest lies in estimating the three quartiles. We compare these optimal designs with the sequential designs generated via a generalized Polya urn model and found the latter to be highly efficient. In addition, comparisons are made between locally optimal designs and Bayesian optimal designs.
Transition of the Patient with IBD from Pediatric toAdult Care—An Assessment of Current Evidence

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic disease of remitting and relapsing nature that is increasingly diagnosed in childhood or adolescence. The importance of the transition from pediatric to adult health care is increasingly recognized, yet the preparation of patient and family before transfer and early subsequent care in the adult health care environment can be variable and challenging. Pediatric providers need to start early and prepare patients in a stepwise fashion. However, patients may not have mastered all the steps before transfer or may regress to earlier behaviors during stress. Thus, adult providers will need to understand how to maintain and finish the transition process. This is an updated literature review of the transition process in inflammatory bowel disease, which focuses on the practical ways that both pediatric and adult health care providers can optimize care.
Associations of PON1 and Genetic Ancestry with Obesity in Early Childhood

Obesity in children has become an epidemic in the U.S. and is particularly prominent in minority populations such as Mexican-Americans. In addition to physical activity and diet, genetics also plays a role in obesity etiology. A few studies in adults and adolescents suggest a link between obesity and paraoxonase 1 (PON1), a multifunctional enzyme that can metabolize organophosphate pesticides and also has antioxidant properties. We determined PON1192 genotype and arylesterase levels (ARYase, measure of PON1 enzyme quantity), to characterize the relationship between PON1 and obesity in young Mexican-American children (n = 373) living in an agricultural community in California. Since PON1 polymorphisms and obesity both vary between ethnic groups, we estimated proportional genetic ancestry using 106 ancestral informative markers (AIMs). Among children, PON1192 allele frequencies were 0.5 for both alleles, and the prevalence of obesity was high (15% and 33% at ages two and five, respectively). The average proportion of European, African, and Native American ancestry was 0.40, 0.09, and 0.51, yet there was wide inter-individual variation. We found a significantly higher odds of obesity (9.3 and 2.5- fold) in PON1192QQ children compared to PON1192RR children at ages two and five, respectively. Similar relationships were seen with BMI Z-scores at age two and waist circumference at age five. After adjusting for genetic ancestry in models of PON1 and BMI Z-score, effect estimates for PON1192 genotype changed 15% and 9% among two and five year old children, respectively, providing evidence of genetic confounding by population stratification. However even after adjustment for genetic ancestry, the trend of increased BMI Z-scores with increased number of PON1192 Q alleles remained. Our findings suggest that PON1 may play a role in obesity independent of genetic ancestry and that studies of PON1 and health outcomes, especially in admixed populations, should account for differences due to population stratification.
New standard-model test for future colliders.

We point out that for $W$-pair production from ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ or $q\overline{q}$ beams, the correlation between the decay planes of the $W'\mathrm{s}$ is numerically negligible (at tree level) in the standard model. This occurs for the production of $\mathrm{WW}$ via intermediate fermions or gauge bosons and independently for $\mathrm{WW}$ produced via Higgs-boson exchange, and is not restricted to two-body diagrams. In general, the correlation need not vanish, and so a nonzero correlation would be a clear signal of physics beyond the standard model. Definition of the $W$-decay plane should be fairly straightforward from the decay $W\ensuremath{\rightarrow}f\overline{f}$ and, hence, the correlation measurement is experimentally feasible.
The effects of career plateaued workers on in-group members’ perceptions of P-O fit

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects on in-group members of an influential worker's response to being in a state of career plateau. Design/methodology/approach – Using the concepts of the career plateau, person-organization fit, and organizational climate, a set of propositions is presented and discussed relative to the influential worker's response. A model is presented to illustrate the effects and the components involved. Findings – An influential career plateaued worker can affect the in-group he or she is associated with. An ineffectively plateaued worker is not only low in productivity, but also resorts to such negative behavior as absenteeism, withdrawal, and frequent job changes. When noticed by other in-group members, such behavior can affect their attitudes and behaviors. Practical implications – The organizational socialization process can counter the effects of the otherwise influential ineffectively career plateaued person's response. This is possible if the socializa...
Minimizing the Effects of Transverse Torques During Thrusting for Spin-Stabilized Spacecraft

During an orbital maneuver of a spin-stabilized spacecraft, undesired transverse torques are present due to thruster misalignment and offset from the center of mass. These body- xed torques cause the thrust vector to precess about a direction that is offset from the nominal. This oscillation of the thrust vector over the course of the maneuver decreases the  nal magnitude of the D V while the average offset causes a pointing error. Previous work shows that inserting a short-coast phase into the maneuver can eliminate the pointing error. The behavior of the thrust axis is considered to  nd solutions for the coast phase timing that minimize the average oscillation of the thrust axis to maximize D V, while retaining the property of eliminating the secular pointing error. The new maneuver scheme realizes a signi cant increase in ef ciency over the previous solution, particularly if the oscillation of the thrust axis is large.
Design of a zinc(II) ion specific fluorescence sensor

Abstract We report the synthesis of {[3-(biscarboxymethylamino)-2-methoxy-5-methylphenyl]carboxymethylamino}acetic acid, which functions as a Zn 2+ selective fluorescence probe (sensor).
Risk-relevant indices for the characterization of persistence of chemicals in a multimedia environment

The present research study proposes a new set of appropriately defined indices for the characterization of persistence of chemicals in a multimedia environment that prominently figures as a key exposure-based indicator within contemporary frameworks of chemical hazard and risk assessment, as well as recent international regulatory initiatives. Effectively overcoming some of the limitations associated with traditional approaches that could lead to a potential misclassification of chemical substances, the proposed set of persistence indices retain also a conceptually insightful and computational appeal. Conceptually inspired by certain measures/indices for the characteristic time found in classic dynamic systems theory, and technically relying on notions and methods from the theory of matrices, the new performance indices can be easily calculated on the basis of a dynamic multimedia environmental model and the aid of a software package such as MATLAB. In particular, an extension of the notion of equivalence width as a quantitative proxy of overall persistence is introduced, that captures the dynamic history of the chemical's environmental behavior, while remaining independent of the particular release pattern and discharge conditions (thus overcoming the standardization difficulties encountered when a large number of chemicals need to be first screened and classified in a tiered hazard assessment methodology). Furthermore, a second persistence index is introduced whose value can be analytically calculated through the solution of a simple Lyapunov matrix equation bearing some resemblance to certain measures of system resilience used in theoretical biology and ecology, yet inspired by system-theoretic notions associated with the Lyapunov framework of analysis in systems science. Furthermore, for both persistence measures a comparison is made with the slowest time-constant associated with the specific chemical dynamics in a multimedia environment, and upper and lower bounds are established. Finally, the proposed persistence indices are calculated on the basis of a standard dynamic multimedia environmental model for various representative cases involving chemicals of particular interest.
Parents in substance abuse treatment: Implications for child welfare practice

Abstract Substance abuse treatment in parents of young children is an important element of child welfare services. This study compares the predictive factors of post-treatment drug use in organizational, service and individual characteristics between parents and non-parents, mothers and fathers. The analysis sample is derived from the National Treatment Improvement Evaluation Study (NTIES), a longitudinal study designed to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the specialty substance abuse service system. The results show that treatment duration and the frequency of counseling available in treatment facilities are the most predictive factors for parents when other factors are controlled. Further, treatment duration, onsite service availability, and frequency of counseling available are significant factors in predicting post-treatment drug use for fathers, but not for mothers. These findings have implications for improving substance abuse treatment services for parents in child welfare settings.
In-flight refinement of the radiometric, spectral, and spatial calibration of the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS)

The current performance of AIRS radiometric, spectral, and spatial calibration algorithms are described. Radiometric accuracy is validated to tenths of a kelvin. Spectral stability is better than 0.5% of the spectral response function FWHM. Geolocation accuracy is accurate to approximately 2 km at nadir. An algorithm has been implemented to correct for space views contaminated by the moon. Planned algorithm improvements include correcting the 2 km bias in geolocation.
Distributing National Library of Medicine Duplicate Books to the Michigan Health Sciences Libraries Association

Due to shrinking library budgets and a struggling economy, many health sciences libraries have been forced to decrease or eliminate spending on library collections, especially for monographs. In order to assist its members, the Michigan Health Sciences Libraries Association initiated a resource-sharing project to distribute free National Library of Medicine duplicate books to member libraries. This article provides background information on the Michigan Health Sciences Libraries Association and its National Library of Medicine duplicate books program. The procedures used to distribute and promote books and an analysis of the free books distributed to libraries is provided. Future plans and considerations are also discussed.
A functional approach to ecomorphological patterns of feeding in cottid fishes

One of the major goals of an ecomorphological analysis is to correlate patterns of interspecific differences in morphology with patterns of interspecific differences in ecology. Information derived from functional morphological studies may provide a mechanistic framework supporting the correlation, but the move from a correlational relationship to a causal relationship requires experimental evidence that the interspecific morphological differences create performance differences and therefore ecological differences. The goal of this study was to examine ecomorphological relationships in the diets of cottid fishes (Scorpaeniformes: Cottidae) from the northeastern Pacific by using functional classifications of predators (based on their mode of attack) and of prey (based on their anti-predator defenses). The proposed ecomorphological relationships were tested by examining capture success among the cottids in attacks on prey with different escape abilities. As predicted on functional morphological grounds, both multivariate and univariate analyses indicated that the gravimetric importance of ‘elusive prey’ (i.e. fishes, shrimp, mysids, and octopods) was greater in cottid species with a larger relative mouth size. Supporting a causal link between morphology and ecology, performance tests indicated that larger-mouthed cottids had significantly higher capture success on Heptacarpus shrimp than did smaller-mouthed species. As predicted, there were no differences in capture success among predators regardless of their attack style or ecomorphological patterns in attack on crabs (Cancer and Petrolisthes spp.) when the crabs were presented on a sand surface (i.e. ‘easy prey’). Several difficulties still exist when trying to apply a functional group approach to ecomorphology. These include the behavioral plasticity of the predators, the confounding factor of evolutionary history in identifying correlated ecomorphological features, multiple morphological solutions to common functional problems, the limitations of traditional dietary studies during extremes of prey abundance, and an inadequate understanding of the anti-predator defenses of most prey, including modifications that occur during ontogeny or in different habitats.
The use of f0F2 data to remove the ambiguity in total electron content data

Abstract The use of f 0 F 2 data to remove the ambiguity present in total electron content data obtained by measuring the Faraday rotation of signals from geostationary satellites is discussed. Plots are presented relating content and f 0 F 2 at Hawaii on a monthly basis. Analysis of the data shows that content does not vary as ( f 0 F 2) 2 as predicted by a Chapman layer with constant scale height, but varies as ( f 0 F 2) 2(1− p ) with the exponent exhibiting both seasonal and long-term changes.
Mutations in Viral Movement Protein Alter Systemic Infection and Identify an Intercellular Barrier to Entry into the Phloem Long-Distance Transport System

Abstract Viral systemic infection of a plant host involves two processes, cell-to-cell movement and long-distance transport. Molecular determinants associated with these two processes were probed by investigating the effects that alanine scanning mutations in the movement protein (MP) of red clover necrotic mosaic virus (RCNMV) had on viral infection in the plant hosts Nicotiana edwardsonii, Vigna unguiculata (cowpea), and the experimental plant Nicotiana benthamiana. Plants were inoculated with RCNMV expressing wild-type and mutant forms of the MP. Immunocytochemical studies at the light and electron microscope levels were performed on these plants, using a polyclonal antibody raised against the RCNMV capsid protein to identify the cells/tissues that RCNMV could infect. These experiments demonstrated that one cellular boundary at which the RCNMV MP functions to facilitate entry into the phloem long-distance transport system is located at the interfaces between the bundle sheath and phloem parenchyma cells and the companion cell–sieve element complex. Interestingly, in Nicotiana tabacum, a host that only allows a local infection, RCNMV cell-to-cell movement was found to be blocked at this same intercellular boundary. Four mutants that were able to systemically infect N. benthamiana were partially or completely defective for systemic infection of N. edwardsonii and cowpea, which indicated that these MP mutants exhibited host-specific defects. Thus, the roles of the RCNMV MP in cell-to-cell movement and in long-distance transport appear to be genetically distinct. These results are discussed in terms of the mechanism by which RCNMV enters the phloem to establish a systemic infection.
Equatorial plasma bubble zonal velocity using 630.0 nm airglow observations and plasma drift modeling over Ascension Island

[1] We present OI (630.0 nm) airglow image data from Ascension Island (geographic: 7.9°S, 14.4°W; dip latitude: 16°S) in the southern Atlantic Ocean taken with the Utah State University all-sky CCD camera during 20 March to 7 April 1997 in order to study plasma bubbles occurring in the low-latitude nighttime ionosphere. The initial plasma bubble onset occurs in the early evening hours at ∼19:15–20:00 LST and is followed by eastward propagation with an average speed of ∼90–120 m/s prior to local midnight, rapidly decreasing around the midnight and postmidnight periods. The Ascension results are compared with similar observations from Christmas Island in order to examine the longitudinal variations of EPB development and propagation. The observed EPB velocities from Ascension Island are also compared with the results of a plasma drift model. In a case study during the night of 4–5 April, the velocity reveals unusual latitudinal shear, up to 0.12 m/s/km, with a reversal to westward flow at low latitudes while eastward flow is maintained at higher latitudes. Consequently, the bubble rotates counterclockwise and tilts eastward, significantly away from alignment with the geomagnetic field lines. The westward reversal of the drift motion near the geomagnetic equator is most likely the result of a reversal in the F region dynamo or from a large increase in the altitude of the shear node in the F region plasma drift at the geomagnetic equator.
Examining the Relationship Between a Childhood History of Sexual Abuse and Later Dissociation, Breast-Feeding Practices, and Parenting Anxiety:

The purpose of this study is to compare Mexican American adolescent mothers with and without childhood sexual abuse (CSA) histories to examine the influence of CSA on dissociation, selection of infant feeding method, and intimate parenting anxiety. Participants are 78 English-speaking adolescents between 15 and 19 years of age and recruited from the southwestern United States. Nearly one third of the sample ( n = 24, 30.77%) reports CSA histories. There is no correlation between CSA history and intimate parenting anxiety, no difference between breast-feeding and formula-feeding mothers in CSA severity, and intimate parenting anxiety does not predict dissociation. These findings are inconsistent with previous research. Supportive resources may explain the inconsistency and play a role in adolescent mothers' responses to CSA. Further research is necessary to explore these possibilities.
Electron induced reactions of surface adsorbed tungsten hexacarbonyl (W(CO)6)

Tungsten hexacarbonyl (W(CO)6) is frequently used as an organometallic precursor to create metal-containing nanostructures in electron beam induced deposition (EBID). However, the fundamental electron stimulated reactions responsible for both tungsten deposition and the incorporation of carbon and oxygen atom impurities remain unclear. To address this issue we have studied the effect of 500 eV incident electrons on nanometer thick films of W(CO)6 under Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV) conditions. Results from X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Mass Spectrometry, and Infrared Spectroscopy reveal that the initial step involves electron stimulated desorption of multiple CO ligands from parent W(CO)6 molecules and the formation of partially decarbonylated tungsten species (Wx(CO)y). Subsequent electron interactions with these Wx(CO)y species lead to ligand decomposition rather than further CO desorption, ultimately producing oxidized tungsten atoms incorporated in a carbonaceous matrix. The presence of co-adsorbed water during electron irradiation increased the extent of tungsten oxidation. The electron stimulated deposition cross-section of W(CO)6 at an incident electron energy of 500 eV was calculated to be 6.50 × 10−16 cm−2. When considered collectively with findings from previous precursors (MeCpPtMe3 and Pt(PF3)4), results from the present study are consistent with the idea that the electron induced reactions in EBID are initiated by low energy secondary electrons generated by primary beam–substrate interactions, rather than by the primary beam itself.
Routing protocols to determine stable paths and trees using the inverse of predicted link expiration times for mobile ad hoc networks

The high-level contribution of this paper is the design and development of routing protocols to discover stable paths and trees for unicast and multicast communication based on the predicted link expiration times LETs of links in mobile ad hoc networks MANETs. Both of the stability-based unicast SILET and multicast MILET routing protocols discover routes through an on-demand request-reply cycle with a link weight being 1 plus the inverse of the LET of the link. The destination nodes and the multicast receiver nodes connect to the source node through paths that have the lowest sum of the link weights. The inclusion of a '1' in the link weight helps to minimise the hop count of the paths from the source node to each of the targeted end nodes of the communication session; the inclusion of the inverse of the LET in the path/tree optimisation function helps to maximise the path/tree lifetime. The proposed protocols effectively neutralise the stability-hop count tradeoff and are able to simultaneously maximise the path/tree lifetime and minimise the hop count per source-destination/source-receiver path. The performance of SILET and MILET has been extensively studied in the ns-2 simulator along with contemporary unicast and multicast routing protocols.
Prenatal diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta type III

Ultrasonographic and radiographic evaluation of a fetus at risk for osteogenesis imperfecta (O.I) type III was performed. Real-time ultrasound measurements at 15 weeks gestation were interpreted as normal, but at 20 and 22 weeks of gestation revealed marked shortening of the long bones and deformity of the femurs. The findings were confirmed by fetal radiography at 22 weeks gestation. Radiographic and histologic changes characteristic of O.I. were observed in the aborted fetus. Thus the antenatal manifestations of O.I. type III maybe severe enough to make prenatal diagnosis possible in the second trimester for families at risk for recurrence of this disorder.
Predicting afterpulsing in free-running, Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes at 1.06 μm wavelength

An operational model of afterpulsing in Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes is used to explore sources of afterpulsing in the devices and predicts dark-noise behavior in free-running mode. Predictions of the model are compared with experiment.
Catalytic Infrared Dehydration of Onions

Dehydrated onions are commonly dried with convection heating, which is inefficient and costly. This study compared the drying and quality characteristics of onion dried with catalytic infrared (CIR) heating and forced air convection (FAC) heating. Sliced high-solids onions were dehydrated under 9 conditions: CIR heating with and without air recirculation, and FAC each operated at 60, 70, and 80 ◦ C. In general, CIR both with and without air recirculation had higher maximum drying rates, shorter drying times, and greater drying constants than FAC at moisture contents greater than 50% (d.b.). Dried onion quality, measured as pungency degradation, was similar for both the drying methods at 60 and 70 ◦ C. The color analysis showed better product color (whiter and less yellow) at lower temperatures for CIR and higher temperatures for FAC. The browning could have been caused by the higher surface heat flux of the CIR heating and longer process times of FAC drying. Aerobic plate counts and coliform counts were not significantly different for either product from the CIR or FAC drying. However, samples dried by the CIR had significantly lower yeast and mold counts than those dried by the FAC. It is recommended that CIR be used in the early stages of onion drying.
Size Dependent Electroluminescence from CdSe Nanocrystallites (Quantum Dots)

We obtain spectrally narrow (FWHM < 40 nm) electroluminescence from nearly monodisperse CdSe nanocrystallites (quantum dots) incorporated into thin films of polyvinyl carbazole (PVK) and an oxadiazole derivative (PBD) sandwiched between aluminum and ITO electrodes. The electroluminescence and photoluminescence spectra are nearly identical at room temperature and are tunable from ~530 nm to ~650 nm by varying the size of the dots. Voltage studies at 77K indicate that while only the dots electroluminesce at the lower voltages, both the dots and the PVK matrix electroluminesce at higher applied voltages. Variable temperature studies indicate that the electroluminescence efficiency increases substantially as the films are cooled down to cryogenic temperatures.
Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy in the Management of Atrial Fibrillation

Antiarrhythmic drugs have been used for the acute conversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm, as well as for the long-term maintenance of sinus rhythm. In recent years, concerns regarding antiarrhythmic drug efficacy as well as safety have prompted a re-examination of the indications for antiarrhythmic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation. This review will focus on the safety and efficacy of antiarrhythmic therapy in the acute and chronic management of patients with atrial fibrillation.
Learned and naïve natural enemy responses and the interpretation of volatile organic compounds as cues or signals

In response to arthropod herbivory, plants release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are attractive to natural enemies. Consequently, VOCs have been interpreted as co-evolved plant-natural enemy signals. This review argues that, while these data are necessary, they are not sufficient to demonstrate a VOC plant-natural enemy signaling function. We propose that evidence that (1) plant fitness is increased as a consequence of natural enemy recruitment, and either (2A) natural enemies preferentially learn prey-induced VOCs or (2B) natural enemies respond innately to the VOCs of the prey-host plant complex, is also required. Whereas there are too few studies to rigorously test hypotheses 1 and 2A, numerous studies are available to test hypothesis 2B. Of 293 tests of natural enemy responses to VOCs, we identified only 74 that were unambiguous tests of naive natural enemies; in the remainder of the tests either natural enemies were experienced with their host in the presence of VOCs, or experience could not be ruled out. Of those 74 tests with naive natural enemies, attraction was observed in 41 and not in 33. This review demonstrates that empirical support for the hypothesized VOC plant-natural enemy signaling function is not universal and presents alternative hypotheses for VOC production.
Rheological properties of calcium carbonate-filled polypropylene melts

An experimental study was carried out to investigate the viscoelastic behavior of calcium carbonate-filled polypropylene melts, using the Han slit rheometer. In the analysis of the experimental data, the pressure gradient was used to determine the wall shear stress, and the exit pressure to determine the elasticity of the filled polymers. The study shows that the materials studied follow a power law in viscous behavior over the range of shear rates investigated and that the viscosity increases and elasticity decreases as filler concentration is increased. Also investigated was the effect of temperature on the viscoelastic properties of filled polypropylene melts.
hnRNP L and NF90 interact with hepatitis C virus 5’ terminal untranslated RNA and promote efficient replication

ABSTRACT The 5′-terminal sequence of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive-strand RNA genome is essential for viral replication. Critical host factors, including a miR-122/Ago2 complex and poly(rC)-binding protein 2 (PCBP2), associate with this RNA segment. We used a biotinylated RNA pulldown approach to isolate host factors binding to the HCV 5′ terminal 47 nucleotides and, in addition to Ago2 and PCBP2, identified several novel proteins, including IGF2BP1, hnRNP L, DHX9, ADAR1, and NF90 (ILF3). PCBP2, IGF2BP1, and hnRNP L bound single-stranded RNA, while DHX9, ADAR1, and NF90 bound a cognate double-stranded RNA bait. PCBP2, IGF2BP1, and hnRNP L binding were blocked by preannealing the single-stranded RNA bait with miR-122, indicating that they bind the RNA in competition with miR-122. However, IGF2BP1 binding was also inhibited by high concentrations of heparin, suggesting that it bound the bait nonspecifically. Among these proteins, small interfering RNA-mediated depletion of hnRNP L and NF90 significantly impaired viral replication and reduced infectious virus yields without substantially affecting HCV internal ribosome entry site-mediated translation. hnRNP L and NF90 were found to associate with HCV RNA in infected cells and to coimmunoprecipitate with NS5A in an RNA-dependent manner. Both also associate with detergent-resistant membranes where viral replication complexes reside. We conclude that hnRNP and NF90 are important host factors for HCV replication, at least in cultured cells, and may be present in the replication complex. IMPORTANCE Although HCV replication has been intensively studied in many laboratories, many aspects of the viral life cycle remain obscure. Here, we use a novel RNA pulldown strategy coupled with mass spectrometry to identify host cell proteins that interact functionally with regulatory RNA elements located at the extreme 5′ end of the positive-strand RNA genome. We identify two, primarily nuclear RNA-binding proteins, hnRNP L and NF90, with previously unrecognized proviral roles in HCV replication. The data presented add to current understanding of the replication cycle of this pathogenic human virus.
Differing functional responses of simple and complex nuclear bodies in uterine luminal epithelial cells following estrogenic stimuli.

A single injection of estradiol or the antiestrogen, nafoxidine, into immature female rats results in a striking divergence in the frequency of observation of nuclear bodies in uterine luminal epithelial cells (Padykula et al., 1981). During the 72 hour period after a single injection of nafoxidine (estrogen antagonist with agonist effects), progressive cellular hypertrophy occurs and is accompanied by a linear increase in the total number of nuclear body profiles (TNB). Conversely, the 72 hour period after a single injection of estradiol is marked by cellular catabolism and a linear decrease in TNB. Our recent demonstration that the population of nuclear bodies consists of two major structural types, simple nuclear bodies (SNB), and complex nuclear bodies (CNB) (Padykula and Pockwinse, pp. 119–130, this volume), permits separation and analysis of the original TNB data in terms of the functional responses of SNB or CNB. During the 72 hour period after injection of nafoxidine, the luminal epithelial cells remain in an anabolic state because the nuclear concentration of estrogen receptor and RNA polymerase activity are elevated. Separate quantitative analysis of the complex and simple nuclear bodies demonstrates two distinct functional responses: (1) a linear increases in the frequency of CNB, and 2) a relatively constant frequency of SNB. Since the complex bodies do not increase in diameter during this period, the increase in the frequency of TNB may arise from an increase in the actual number of CNB per nucleus during cellular hypertrophy. Conversely, a single injection of estradiol results in a relatively short elevation of nuclear estrogen receptor concentration and RNA polymerase activity which returns by 24 hour to the control level. This brief estrogenic stimulation is reflected by a linear decrease in the frequency of TNB and a linear decrease in the frequency of SNB. The frequency of CNB decreases suddenly between 4 and 12 hours and levels off thereafter. The steady decrease in the frequency of observation of nuclear bodies during catabolism may represent a decrease in the actual number of SNB and CNB per nucleus rather than a reduction in their size. This study provides quantitative evidence that simple and complex nuclear bodies are functionally separate entities. Also, some evidence suggests that simple nuclear bodies may be the precursors of complex nuclear bodies.
Comparison of measured and calculated epicardial potential during transthoracic stimulation

The authors develop a physiologically realistic volume conductor model for calculating epicardial potentials during transthoracic stimulation to measure cardiac potentials during a transthoracic stimulus, and compare the measurements to calculated epicardial potentials obtained from the model. Potential measurements during a stimulus are recorded for three closed chest dogs. Four different torso electrode combinations (anterior-posterior, neck-waist, precordial and right-left lateral) are used to deliver the stimulus. A boundary integral model is developed which utilizes electrode, heart, and torso geometry, the surface geometry from lung and skeletal muscle interfaces, and internal inhomogeneity conductivities to compute epicardial potentials from a knowledge of stimulus strength and location. >
Characteristics of DuPont photopolymers for slanted holographic grating formations

The characteristic parameters of DuPont OmniDex613 photopolymers including the shrinkage factor, diffusion coefficient, and nonlocal response length are studied for slanted holographic gratings recorded at the UV wavelength of 363.8 nm by application of the rigorous coupled-wave analysis in conjunction with an angular-selectivity measurement, a real-time diffraction-monitoring technique, and a nonlocal diffusion model. Both small ( 40 deg) slant-angle gratings are presented. Depending on the exposure intensity, the recording shrinkage factor of the photopolymer varies from ~2.75% to ~4.20%. Furthermore, the effects of postbaking conditions on the refractive-index modulations and the shifts of Bragg angles for slanted holographic gratings are also investigated systematically. It is found that the postbaking processing can not only increase the refractive-index modulations from Δn1~0.013 to ~0.028 for a small slant-angle grating and from Δn1~0.011 to ~0.022 for a large slant-angle grating, but can also compensate the recording shrinkage.
The relationships of oocyte quality and follicular fluid prolactin and progesterone in superovulated beef heifers with and without norgestomet implants.

Limited application of in vitro fertilization and embryo transplant in the animal industry has been primarily due to biological rather than technical aspects. The successful collection of mature, fertilizable oocytes is a prime requirement for in vitro fertilization but the variability of oocytes that develop into viable embryos has restricted the usefulness of this tool. Increased concentrations of progesterone and prolactin in human follicular fluid have been reported to be associated with oocyte maturity and successful in vitro fertilization (Fishel et al., 1983; Laufer et al., 1984). The objectives of this study were to (1) relate follicular fluid prolactin and progesterone concentrations to oocyte quality in superovulated beef cattle and (2) document the changes in prolactin and progesterone in conjunction with oocyte quality throughout the ovulatory period in both superovulated animals and in superovulated animals with the ovulatory LH spike suppressed with progestin implants.
CORR Insights(®): Revision Distal Femoral Arthroplasty With the Compress(®) Prosthesis Has a Low Rate of Mechanical Failure at 10 Years.

W e have made good progress since limb-sparing surgery became a possibility for patients with large skeletal defects about the knee, but that development has plateaued during the last 20 years, in large measure because of limitations associated with continued use of cemented femoral stems in patients who are likely to survive for many years. Because the development of different forms of fixation has been slow, we continue to settle for cemented stems. More patients are surviving their disease, and the number of patients undergoing revision procedures for reconstructive failures continues to grow [2]. Aseptic loosening, infection, and mechanical failure continue to be the major issues our patients face over time, with aseptic loosening being the most common reason for revision [1]. Unlike our hip and knee arthroplasty colleagues, we have been slow to make advances in durable femoral fixation. Where Do We Need To Go?