cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unresolved issues in excimer laser corneal surgery

More than one hundred fifty clinical excimer laser units designed for corneal surgery have been developed and sold commercially. Manufacturers include Meditec Lasers in Germany, Summit Engineering, Taunton Technologies, and Visx in the United States, and Synthelabo in France. Furthermore a number of prototypes have been built in the USSR and other countries which are being investigated for their clinical use. While in the United States and Canada, substantial regulation of these devices has limited their distribution and use, sales in other parts of the world have been restricted only by market forces. Early clinical successes have created an enthusiasm for this new technology. In spite of this, substantial technical issues remain uncertain and have not been carefully studied. Indeed we have accepted certain parameters for on an almost serendipitous, empirical basis. It is a proper time to pause and consider the bases for these laser techniques.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Multi-conjugate adaptive optics for a new generation of giant telescopes

A handful of groups around the world are actively working on the development of the next generation of telescopes of 30 m diameter and more. Present implementations of adaptive optics will be inadequate to realize the full resolving power of these new instruments in imaging and spectroscopy. Instead, multi-conjugate adaptive optics (MCAO) systems are being contemplated. We explore here the application of MCAO using laser guide beacons, to a 30 m telescope. Using a new simulation code, we show that reliance on the expensive lasers needed to generate sodium resonance beacons can be reduced through the use of refocused Rayleigh laser guide stars at much lower cost. We show that in the geometric optics approximation, modes of the phase distortion of order less than or equal to the number of deformable mirrors in the MCAO are correctable with no isoplanatic error. A new figure of merit is derived which predicts the relative ability of a chosen beacon/deformable mirror architecture to sense and correct wavefront aberration, based solely on knowledge of the optical geometry and the statistics of the aberration to be corrected. Numerical simulation can therefore be minimized by avoiding the exploration of unpromising beacon arrangements.
Nucleotide sequences of the attachment sites of bacteriophage Mu DNA.

THE temperate bacteriophage Mu has the remarkable ability to insert its DNA in apparently random sites of the Escherichia coli chromosome (1–3). All Mu prophages have the same gene order4, and the finding that the prophage and the phage maps are identical suggests that specific sites (attachment sites) at the ends of the Mu genome are used for the integration of Mu5. Phage particles do not contain the excised, free form of the Mu DNA; instead, the Mu genome is flanked by what seems to be heterogeneous bacterial DNA6,7. The variable DNA at both ends of Mu is thought to be generated when Mu DNA is transposed to many new chromosomal sites during replication and is subsequently packaged into phage particles together with adjacent host DNA. The nucleotide sequence analysis of the ends of Mu DNA reported here substantiates this hypothesis and identifies the attachment sites of Mu. Structural features of the attachment sites are presented.
Unusual Bat Behavior During Winter in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Abstract Between December 2012 and April 2013, bats were observed flying during daylight hours throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Although some bats displayed typical foraging and drinking behavior, others appeared sick or incapable of flying, some were flying erratically, and one collided with a hiker. These observations tended to be reported on warmer-than-average days. Nine bats were collected and tested negative for rabies; 6 that were tested for White-nose Syndrome (WNS) via histology were all diagnosed as WNS positive. An additional 6 bats that were not tested for rabies were also WNS positive. We hypothesize bats were becoming increasingly active and emerging from hibernacula due to WNS.
Effects of Chemical Binding on the Neutron Cross Section of Hydrogen

Fermi derived the energy dependence of the neutron scattering cross section of hydrogen chemically bound such that it acts as a harmonic oscillator. For comparison with this theory, the total cross section was measured with a high- resolution crystal spectrometer for hydrogen bound in four materials. In zirconium and yttrium hydrides, in which chemical bonding is relatively isotropic, the predicted structure with discrete energy levels is observed. In the less isotropic magnesium hydride, there is some evidence of energy levels, although not clearly resolved. For water the variation in the cross section is smooth, with no evidence of energy levels. (auth) search for 12119 The perturbations of the energy levels of the hydrogen atom by a possible electric dipole moment of the proton, d, were obtained. The inhomogeneous equation for the first-order perturbation of the wave functions was solved analytically. The shifts of the energy levels are of the second order in d. In particular, there results a decrease of the Lamb shift between the 2S/sub 1/2 and 2P/sub 1/2/. levels. By equating this decrease to the maximum allowed by the approximate agreement between the experimental and theoretical values of the Lamb shift, it is concluded that the electric dipolemore » moment of the proton, d, must be less than 1.3 x 10/sup -13/ cm times the charge of the electron. Calculations wore also carried out for the shifts of the energy levels of deuterium produced by a possible electric dipole moment of the deuteron. (auth)« less
Preliminary report of a palliative care and case management project in an emergency department for chronically ill elderly patients.

The Palliative Care Service at Montefiore Medical Center (MMC) established a pilot project in the emergency department (ED) to identify chronically ill older adults in need of palliative care, homecare, and hospice services and to link such patients with these services. Two advance practice nurses conducted consultations on elderly patients who were found to have one or more “palliative care triggers” on initial screening. A standardized medical record abstraction form was developed. Service utilization and survival were evaluated using the Clinical Information Systems of MMC. Activity of daily living items were developed from the Outcome and Assessment Information Set and the Palliative Care Performance Scale (PPS). Risk factors for hospitalization and use of the ED were taken from the SIGNET model risk screening tool. Physical and emotional symptoms were evaluated using the 28-item Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale short form. Preliminary outcomes and characteristics are presented for 291 patients who completed the intake needs assessment questionnaire. Almost one third (30.9%) of the study cohort died during the project period. Most of the deaths occurred beyond the medical center (7.7% died in the medical center and 23.3% outside the medical center). Thirty percent of patients who died were enrolled on a hospice. Survival time was predicted by the presence of dyspnea, clinician prediction of death on the current hospitalization, psychosocial distress, and PPS scores. Chronically ill patients visiting an urban community ED had complex medical and psychosocial problems with limited support systems and homecare services. Significant proportions of such patients can be expected to have limited likelihood of survival. The presence of palliative homecare and hospice outreach services in the ED in urban community hospitals may provide an effective strategy for linkage of elderly patients at the end of life with otherwise underutilized services.
Epidemiological Consequences of Imperfect Vaccines for Immunizing Infections

The control of some childhood diseases has proved to be difficult even in countries that maintain high vaccination coverage. This may be due to the use of imperfect vaccines, and there has been much discussion on the different modes by which vaccines might fail. To understand the epidemiological implications of some of these different modes, we performed a systematic analysis of a model based on the standard susceptible-infectious-recovered equations with a vaccinated component that permits vaccine failure in degree (``leakiness''), take (``all-or-nothingness''), and duration (waning of vaccine-derived immunity). The model was first considered as a system of ordinary differential equations and then extended to a system of partial differential equations to accommodate age structure. We derived analytic expressions for the steady states of the system and the final age distributions in the case of homogenous contact rates. The stability of these equilibria are determined by a threshold parameter $R_p$, a fun...
Exploring tourism experience sought: A cohort comparison of Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation

Seniors compose an important segment of the travel and tourism market. With an aging population, and the biggest bulge of `new' seniors beginning to join the mature travel market in the form of Baby Boomers, the question arises as to whether the travel industry and destination organizations fully understand the needs and wants of these aging segments, and whether they are adequately prepared for them. From the perspective of past age-based analysis, what applied to certain age groups yesterday may not now be relevant. Using the Travel Activities and Motivation Survey, this study pursued a comparative assessment of the Baby Boomer generation and the Silent Generation in the tourism experiences sought and actual vacation activities. The findings show that differences in cohort-induced lifestyles and values permeate into vacation experience and activity. It would be unwise to assume that people in similar chronological age and life stages will always have similar travel preferences from generation to generat...
Toward efficient analysis of <70 kDa proteins with 100% sequence coverage

For complete characterization of larger proteins, primary structural analysis by mass spectrometry must be made more efficient. A straightforward approach is illustrated here using two proteins of 159 and 199 kDa with five and nine Lys residues, respectively. These proteins were degraded by Lys-C to mixtures of peptides ranging in size from 5 to 48 kDa, whose multiply charged ions (from electrospray ionization) are far more amenable than the intact proteins to direct interrogation in a Fourier-transform mass spectrometer. For the 199 kDa PchF of approximately 60% purity, an unfractionated Lys-C digest gave 106 isotopic distributions from 71 components (most of which were below 6 kDa); 15% sequence coverage was obtained. For the > 90% pure PchE (159 kDa), complete sequence coverage was obtained from six Lys-C peptides of 5, 8, 26, 32, 40 and 48 kDa, with all but the largest of these measured at isotopic resolution on a 4.7 Tesla instrument. Practical strategies for implementing this characterization strategy on a proteomic scale are considered.
Provider characteristics and behaviors as predictors of immunization coverage

Abstract Background: Most studies of immunization behaviors measure adherence to standard immunization practices, relying on surveys without linking reported behaviors to objectively measured immunization rates. This study attempts to close that gap. Methods: In 1997, pediatric, family, and general providers in Pennsylvania serving children aged Results: Immunization rates for our sample fell short of national goals (average up-to-date immunization status at 12 months=69%). They were significantly higher for pediatricians than for family/general practitioners (78% vs 58%, p p p p p Conclusions: Pediatricians have higher coverage rates than family/general practitioners. Although pediatricians see more children, the number of immunization-delayed children at 12 months is approximately the same for both provider groups. Therefore, efforts to improve coverage should continue to be directed toward both groups.
Structure of C32H34N2O5S2: corrigendum.

The structure of this compound [Olszak, Stepien, Wajsman, Grabowski, Glinka & Lecocq (1987). Acta Cryst. C43, 2169-2171], which contains a 13-membered heterocyclic ring, was described as triclinic, space group P1, with a = 12.756 (3), b = 9.950 (3), c = 13.566 (3) A, alpha = 90.49 (1), beta = 118.04 (1), gamma = 90.04 (1) degrees, Z = 2. It should be described as monoclinic, space group C2/c, with a' = 23.947 (6), b' = 12.756 (3), c' = 9.950 (3) A, beta' = 90.57 (3) degrees, Z = 4. The C2/c coordinates are given. The molecule lies on an exact, rather than an approximate, twofold axis.
Recent NASA Research on Aerodynamic Modeling of Post- Stall and Spin Dynamics of Large Transport Airplanes

A simulation study was conducted to investigate aerodynamic modeling methods for prediction of post-stall flight dynamics of large transport airplanes. The research approach involved integrating dynamic wind tunnel data from rotary balance and forced oscillation testing with static wind tunnel data to predict aerodynamic forces and moments during highly dynamic departure and spin motions. Several state-of-the-art aerodynamic modeling methods were evaluated and predicted flight dynamics using these various approaches were compared. Results showed the different modeling methods had varying effects on the predicted flight dynamics and the differences were most significant during uncoordinated maneuvers. Preliminary wind tunnel validation data indicated the potential of the various methods for predicting steady spin motions.
Photoelectrochemical mineralization of textile diazo dye pollutants using nanocrystalline WO3 electrodes

Abstract Photoelectrochemical degradation processes of Naphthol Blue Black (NBB) dye in aqueous solutions were investigated seeking an effective method of degrading textile diazo dyes. Nanocrystalline WO3 film on a Pt mesh electrode was used as the photoanode for photoelectrochemical degradation of NBB dye. Higher rates of NBB degradation were observed in chloride-containing environments than in sulfate solutions. A strong pH dependence of the NBB dye degradation rate has been found in chloride media. The pH dependence follows the trend of decreasing oxidizing power of electron holes, hVB,s, trapped at the surface of WO3 particles, with increasing solution pH. In the low pH range (1.0–4.5), photooxidation of the medium favors the formation of Cl and Cl2 − radicals which are powerful oxidants for the NBB dye. In alkaline solutions, the formation of OH radicals is predominant over Cl and Cl2 − radicals but the kinetics of NBB degradation is much slower than in acidic media. In sulfate solutions, the rate of NBB photodegradation is slower than in chloride media. Evidently, the lower oxidizing power of the dipersulfate ion S2O8−2 being the oxidant in this environment, is the limiting factor. The intermediates of the NBB dye degradation were detected using HPLC analysis. Possible dye degradation mechanism is proposed.
Stimulus properties of benzodiazepines: correlations with binding affinities, therapeutic potency, and structure activity relationships (SAR)

Using a two-lever operant choice task, rats were trained to discriminate diazepam (3.0 mg/kg) from saline under a fixed-ratio 10 (FR10) schedule of reinforcement. Once the discrimination was learned, generalization studies were conducted using various doses of 17 benzodiazepine derivatives. The diazepam stimulus generalized in a dose-related manner to each of these compounds. ED50 values were compared with available data on displacing affinities (K i values) for tritiated diazepam brain binding in man, and with human therapeutic potency. A significant correlation (r=0.88, n=9) was found between benzodiazepine binding affinities and ED50 values derived from the diazepam stimulus generalization assay. A significant correlation (r=0.92, n=10) was also found between drug discrimination ED50 values and human therapeutic potencies. Finally, the benzodiazepine structure activity relationships generated from the drug discrimination studies closely paralleled the known structure activity relationships for these agents. The results provide further evidence that benzodiazepines exert their pharmacological effects through an interaction with benzodiazepine receptors.
A parallel ensemble-based framework for reservoir history matching and uncertainty characterization

We present a parallel framework for history matching and uncertainty characterization based on the Kalman filter update equation for the application of reservoir simulation. The main advantages of ensemble-based data assimilation methods are that they can handle large-scale numerical models with a high degree of nonlinearity and large amount of data, making them perfectly suited for coupling with a reservoir simulator. However, the sequential implementation is computationally expensive as the methods require relatively high number of reservoir simulation runs. Therefore, the main focus of this work is to develop a parallel data assimilation framework with minimum changes into the reservoir simulator source code. In this framework, multiple concurrent realizations are computed on several partitions of a parallel machine. These realizations are further subdivided among different processors, and communication is performed at data assimilation times. Although this parallel framework is general and can be used for different ensemble techniques, we discuss the methodology and compare results of two algorithms, the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) and the ensemble smoother (ES). Computational results show that the absolute runtime is greatly reduced using a parallel implementation versus a serial one. In particular, a parallel efficiency of about 35 % is obtained for the EnKF, and an efficiency of more than 50 % is obtained for the ES.
Transient kinetics in CO oxidation on platinum

Abstract Steady state and transient kinetics of CO oxidation on polycrystalline Pt wires at total pressures of ~1 Torr are examined for temperatures up to 1500 °K. Following step changes in wire temperature in times less than 1 sec, rates of CO2 production versus time are measured using an on-line mass spectrometer system with a time response of several seconds. Transients with time constants up to several hundred seconds are observed which suggest that at low temperatures the Pt surface contains a multilayer film on which the reaction rate is different than on the “clean” surface obtained at high temperatures. Activation energies and orders of the transient reaction are obtained from measurements at different temperatures, and the rate of film formation is shown to agree with a model of diffusion limitation.
A weak turbulence analysis of the two-stream instability

Weak turbulence analysis of Maxwellian plasma waves nonlinear interactions effects on two stream instability with Gaussian momentum distribution
Lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract A discrepancy between E-rosette-forming cells and total T cells identified by monoclonal antibodies (Leu-1 + ) was observed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). E-Rosette-forming cell percentages of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) were significantly lower than those observed in normal individuals, in contrast to the percentage of Leu-1 + cells in SLE patients which were not different from those of normal values. The cells which did not form E rosettes, but stained positively with the monoclonal anti-Leu-1 antibody (E − , Leu-1 + ) had certain functional capability evidenced by their ability to mount a proliferative response to T-cell mitogens, phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A, but failed to provide T-helper-cell activity to support the differentiation of normal B lymphocytes into immunoglobulin-secreting cells following stimulation with pokeweed mitogen. Inhibition of E-rosette formation, but not of the staining for Leu-1, was demonstrated by incubating sera from SLE patients with normal MNC. These studies suggest that the T-cell markers, E + and Leu-1 + , do not necessarily characterize identical subpopulations of T cells. When referring to E − cells in studies with MNC from SLE patients, it should be realized that this population includes, in addition to B cells and macrophages, cells staining positively for Leu-1 antigen and reactive to T-cell mitogens.
Compensating wage differences

Abstract The paper develops a model of the allocation of workers to jobs based on individual's preferences for job satisfaction vs earnings. Given the distribution of levels of job satisfaction and productivities, it is possible to solve explicitly for wages as a function of job satisfaction. More productive individuals will take more (less) satisfying jobs whenever the elasticity of substitution between job satisfaction and earnings is less (greater) than one. The paper also discusses the effects of inequality on earnings of high and low productivity workers and the effects of compensating wage differences on the distribution of earnings.
Are gender differences in responses to supportive communication a matter of ability, motivation, or both? reading patterns of situation effects through the lens of a dual-process theory

Women process information about support situations and messages more extensively than men, but little is known about whether these gender differences reflect underlying differences in processing ability, motivation, or both. Two studies examined information processing by men and women in both relatively less serious and more serious situations. Participants in Study 1 responded to more and less serious experimental scenarios, whereas participants in Study 2 reported on a recent bereavement situation. In both studies, the pattern of observed gender differences was most consistent with women possessing both greater ability and greater motivation to process information about support situations and messages.
International residential energy end use data: Analysis of historical and present day structure and dynamics☆

Abstract International comparisons of residential energy use have been hindered in the past by lack of data and common measuring systems. In this paper, we report on ongoing efforts to disaggregate data on residential space comfort and appliance energy use for major member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Indicators of structure (i.e. dwelling size, number of appliances, incomes) and of intensity (energy use per degree day, etc.) are developed for various countries and compared. It is shown that there is much room for energy conservation by reductions in energy intensity, even while structural factors (e.g., rising incomes) tend to increase energy use.
Generalized sensitivity analysis in quantum collision theory

This paper considers the sensitivity of the scattering matrix with respect to variations of input parameters including those that persist asymptotically. The analysis shows that the first order sensitivity coefficients (i.e., the partial derivatives with respect to input parameters) of the scattering matrix may be expressed in terms of the available solution of the Schrodinger equation. This work encompasses earlier results which appear as special cases. As an application sensitivity with respect to the total energy is considered and the relevance of the result to the energy behavior of observables is discussed. In a second application, we show how sensitivity analysis may be used to estimate corrections to effective Hamiltonian results and also to examine their accuracy. The coupled states and infinite order sudden methods are chosen to illustrate the approach. Finally, the scope of sensitivity analysis in quantum collision theory is discussed.
RECOVERY FROM “HEPATORENAL SYNDROME” AFTER ORTHOTOPIC LIVER TRANSPLANTATION

Abstract Three patients with progressive renal failure and advanced hepatic insufficiency due to cirrhosis of the liver underwent orthotopic liver transplantation. All three patients had immediate improvement in hepatic function and within two weeks after liver replacement regained nearly normal kidney function. However, the renal recovery was delayed in each case, and its course was not uniform. Plasma renin activity was high, and renin substrate was low before transplantation in one case in which these measurements were obtained; both returned to normal soon after liver replacement. (N Engl J Med 289:1155–1159, 1973)
Nanofiber alignment regulates adhesion and integrin expression of human mesenchymal stem cells and tendon fibroblasts

Rotator cuff tears are among the most common shoulder injuries that require surgery. High failure rates of biological graft-based repairs underscore the need for functional alternatives. In this study, effects of nanofiber organization on adhesion of cuff fibroblasts (hRCF) and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) are evaluated. It is hypothesized that fiber alignment will regulate cell morphology and integrin gene expression. hRCF and hMSC were seeded on aligned and unaligned nanofiber scaffolds of polylactide-co-glycolide. Cell morphology (n=3) and gene expression (n=5) for integrins α2, αV, α5, and β1 were determined over 14 days. Cell morphology was found to differ between groups. Higher α2 and β1 expressions in hRCF and hMSC on aligned scaffolds suggest aligned scaffolds a more biomimetic structure to native tendon, since integrin α2β1 facilitates cell attachment to collagenous matrices. Expressions for αV and α5, which are associated with tendon healing, were significantly higher on unaligned scaffolds, and suggest a healing response by the cells. In conclusion, the cells may recognize differences in matrix organization, and fiber alignment regulates cell adhesion. Moreover, the aligned nanofiber matrix may promote a more biomimetic fibroblast response than the unaligned scaffold.
A generalization to the non-separable case of Takesaki's duality theorem for C * -algebras

Takesaki [5] poses the question of how much information about aC *-algebraA is contained in its representation theory. He gives it a precise meaning in the following setting: One can furnish the set Rep (A:H) of all representations ofA in a suitable Hilbert spaceH with a topology, with an action of the unitary groupG ofB(H) on it, and with an addition. The setA F of operator fields Rep (A:H)→B(H) commuting with the action ofG and addition, called the admissible operator fields, turn out to form aW *-algebra isomorphic to the bidual ofA with Arens multiplication or with the universal enveloping von Neumann algebra ofA. Takesaki shows in the separable case thatA can be identified inA F as the set of continuous admissible operator fields, and leaves the same question open for arbitraryC *-algebras. Changing the structures on Rep(A:H) slightly, it is shown here that this result obtains in the general case as well. The proof proceeds along the lines set up in [5] but makes no use of the representation theory of NGCR algebras.
Elimination of Rubella From the United States: A Milestone on the Road to Global Elimination

Routine rubella vaccination was begun in the United States in 1969 with the goal of preventing congenital rubella infection. In October 2004, 35 years after initiation of the program, an independent panel of international experts was convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assess progress toward elimination of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Based on available data, panel members concluded unanimously that rubella is no longer endemic in the United States. The national objective of elimination of rubella and CRS by 2010 from the United States has been attained.1 Rubella was first described as a mild exanthematous illness of childhood early in the 19th century by German physicians, resulting in the name German measles. In 1941, Sir Norman Gregg, an Australian ophthalmologist, recognized that a number of children developed cataracts after an epidemic of rubella and proposed an association between maternal rubella infection and the development of cataracts, deafness, heart disease, and mental retardation in the infant.2 In addition, Gregg is credited with introducing the concept of an intrauterine viral infection as having teratogenic potential. In 1962, rubella virus was isolated in cell culture.3,4 This was the same year as the start of a worldwide pandemic that spread to the United States in 1964-1965 and resulted in >12 million cases of rubella. This was the last rubella epidemic to occur in the United States, but it resulted in thousands of infections in pregnant women, causing … Address correspondence to H. Cody Meissner, MD, Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Tufts-New England Medical Center, 750 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111. E-mail: cmeissner{at}tufts-nemc.org
Exposing the Gap Between What Is Possible and What Is Acceptable: How M-Learning Can Make a Contribution to Sonography Education

Mobile learning or m-learning is used on a daily basis, on every continent, in a plethora of ways. Yet, its awareness and implementation in the field of sonography education are lacking. Whether as a tool of formal education or a form of professional development, mobile learning has much to offer this diagnostic medical imaging field. This article defines the differences between electronic learning (e-learning) and m-learning, illustrates a few of the many opportunities this application holds to offer its stakeholders, and challenges sonography educators to begin using its value as an educational tool in their established curriculums.
Measuring 3D left ventricular strain from unwrapped harmonic phase

This paper presents a method for measuring 3D left ventricular (LV) strain from phase unwrapped harmonic phase (HARP) images derived from tagged cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Limited user interaction is needed, but, in contrast to existing techniques, 3D strains can be measured over the entire LV. In addition, unwrapped phase is more robust to interframe motion since it only requires that the average interframe deformation be less than one-half tag spacing. The unwrapped-phase-derived strains were validated on a set of 30 human studies by comparing them to strains estimated by a feature-based technique. The standard deviation of the difference between strains measured by the two methods was less than 5% of the average of the strains from the two methods.
Conducting Internet Research With the Transgender Population: Reaching Broad Samples and Collecting Valid Data

Health research on transgender people has been hampered by the challenges inherent in studying a hard-to-reach, relatively small, and geographically dispersed population. The Internet has the potential to facilitate access to transgender samples large enough to permit examination of the diversity and syndemic health disparities found among this population. In this article, we describe the experiences of a team of investigators using the Internet to study HIV risk behaviors of transgender people in the United States. We developed an online instrument, recruited participants exclusively via websites frequented by members of the target population, and collected data using online quantitative survey and qualitative synchronous and asynchronous interview methods. Our experiences indicate that the Internet environment presents the investigator with some unique challenges and that commonly expressed criticisms about Internet research (e.g., lack of generalizable samples, invalid study participants, and multiple participation by the same subject) can be overcome with careful method design, usability testing, and pilot testing. The importance of both usability and pilot testing are described with respect to participant engagement and retention and the quality of data obtained online.
Three-dimensionally ordered macroporous TiO2 electrodes: Fabrication of inverse TiO2 opals for pore-size-dependent characterization

The increased use of viscous electrolytes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has revitalized the interest in three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) structures as potential electrodes. The simplest approach to a 3DOM structure, such as inverse opals, is colloidal assembly followed by precursor infiltration and calcination. However, current assembly methods are often optimized for very narrow particle size ranges due to the colloidal forces specific to the method used. Using five particle sizes, ranging from 0.5 to 10 μm, we have studied the particle-size dependence of six commonly used colloidal assembly methods and its effect on the resulting inverse opal structure using scanning electron microscopy and Fast Fourier Transforms. Our results indicate a clear correlation between particle size and colloidal assembly method. The information provided by our study will enable systematic studies on inverse opal TiO2 electrodes with various pore sizes, in which the influence of the inverse opal preparation methods used is minimized.
Inhibition of sperm-egg fusion in the hamster and mouse by carbohydrates.

After spermatozoa bind to and penetrate the extracellular matrix of the egg, the zona pellucida, they adhere to and fuse with the plasma membrane of the egg. Since sperm–egg fusion may involve membrane glycoproteins and/or carbohydrate binding proteins, we sought to test this hypothesis by challenging sperm–egg fusion in hamster and in mouse with added carbohydrates. In this study, a number of carbohydrate and glycoconjugates were examined for their ability to inhibit sperm–eggfusion. In the hamster, D(+)-glucosamine, D(+)-galactosamine, albumin-bovine-glucosamide and-galactosamide, fucoidan and dextran sulphate inhibited the fusion of spermatozoa with zona-free eggs. The same effects were seen in the mouse, except for the toxic effects of D(+)-galactosamine. These facts suggest a role of carbohydrate binding proteins or glycoproteins in the fertilisation process at the level of binding to and fusing with the oolemma.
Group-beneficial traits, frequency-dependent selection and genotypic diversity : an antibiotic resistance paradigm

The evolution of group-beneficial traits potentially allows the survival of ‘cheaters’ that would otherwise be unfit. Here we describe experimental work on group-beneficial traits and the consequences of frequencydependent selection in the context of bacterial antibiotic resistance. We constructed a ‘self-limited antibiotic resistant’ (SLAR) strain of Escherichia coli in which a TEM-1 b-lactamase was anchored to the inner membrane. In pairwise competition experiments between the SLAR strain and ampicillin-sensitive strains, only the SLAR strain survived in the presence of ampicillin. We also constructed a ‘shared antibiotic resistant’ (SAR) strain in which TEM-1 b-lactamase protected both the SAR strain and nearby sensitive cells, thus acting as a model for a genetically defined group-beneficial trait. In pairwise competition experiments of the SAR strain against two different sensitive strains of E. coli, we found that the sensitive strains maintained themselves at frequencies of 5–12% in the presence of ampicillin. When the relative cost of the SAR strain was lowered, its equilibrial frequency rose. Sensitive strains also arose from pure cultures of the SAR strain. In these cases, too, the sensitive ‘cheaters’ were maintained in ampicillin at frequencies comparable to those observed in the previous competitions. These results suggest that traits which benefit other group members can permit survival of genotypes that otherwise would be eliminated by natural selection, and allow the maintenance of greater genetic variation upon which evolution can operate.
Heteroclitic Immunization Induces Tumor Immunity

In tumor transplantation models in mice, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are typically the primary effector cells. CTLs recognize major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I–associated peptides expressed by tumors, leading to tumor rejection. Peptides presented by cancer cells can originate from viral proteins, normal self-proteins regulated during differentiation, or altered proteins derived from genetic alterations. However, many tumor peptides recognized by CTLs are poor immunogens, unable to induce activation and differentiation of effector CTLs. We used MHC binding motifs and the knowledge of class I:peptide:TCR structure to design heteroclitic CTL vaccines that exploit the expression of poorly immunogenic tumor peptides. The in vivo potency of this approach was demonstrated using viral and self-(differentiation) antigens as models. First, a synthetic variant of a viral antigen was expressed as a tumor antigen, and heteroclitic immunization with peptides and DNA was used to protect against tumor challenge and elicit regression of 3-d tumors. Second, a peptide from a relevant self-antigen of the tyrosinase family expressed by melanoma cells was used to design a heteroclitic peptide vaccine that successfully induced tumor protection. These results establish the in vivo applicability of heteroclitic immunization against tumors, including immunity to poorly immunogenic self-proteins.
The Getting-Out-of-Bed (GoB) Scale: A Measure of Motivation and Life Outlook in Older Adults with Cancer

Objective: To develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a measure of motivation and life outlook (Getting-Out-of-Bed [GoB]). Design: Secondary analysis of baseline and 6-month data from a longitudinal follow-up study of older breast cancer survivors. Participants: Women (N = 660) diagnosed with primary breast cancer stage I—IIIA disease, age ≥65 years, and permission to contact from an attending physician in four geographic regions in the United States (city-based Los Angeles, California; statewide in Minnesota, North Carolina, and Rhode Island). Measurement: Data were collected over 6-months of follow-up from consenting patients’ medical records and telephone interviews with patients. Data collected included the 4-item GoB, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), breast cancer, sociodemographic, and health-related characteristics. Results: Factor analysis produced, as hypothesized, one principal component with eigen values of 2.74baseline and 2.916-months which explained 68.6%baseline and 72.7%...
Histone (H1.5) and Prolmyelocytic Leukemia Zinc Finger (PLZF) Staining Patterns Differentiate Carcinoid from Small Cell Carcinoma in Fine Needle Aspirations (FNA)

Introduction: Typical (TC) and atypical carcinoid (AC) can be difficult to differentiate from high grade neuroendocrine carcinomas, particularly small cell carcinoma (SCC) on cytologic samples and often have overlapping immunohistochemical markers. Promyelocytic Leukemia Zinc Finger (PLZF) and Histone H1.5 (H1.5) have recently been presented as markers of low and high malignant potential, respectively, in tissue biopsies of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors. PLZF is a transcriptional repressor, mostly studied in leukemia, with tumor suppressor like activity. H1.5, conversely, is associated with active transcription. Materials and Methods: We applied these findings to FNAs not limited to the lung. We retrieved cell blocks from 48 cases including SCC (nZ28; 22 pulmonary, 3 mediastinal, 2 cervical lymph nodes, 1 abdominal wall), TC (nZ19; 12 pulmonary, 2 rectal, 2 liver, 1 pancreas, 1 duodenal, 1 mediastinal), and AC (nZ1 pulmonary) and performed immunohistochemical stains for anti PLZF using concentrations varying from 1:500-1:2000 and H1.5 (conc. 1:800-1:2000). The intensity and location of the stain were recorded and the difference in staining patterns between SCC and carcinoid tumors was examined. Results: H1.5 stained 28 (100%) of the SCC and 5 (25%) of the carcinoids (5 TC; 4 pulmonary, 1 mediastinal, 0 AC) (p<0.01). PLZF was positive in 13 (65%) of the carcinoids (12 TC; 9 pulmonary, 2 rectal, 1 liver, 1 AC) and negative in all of the SCC (p<0.01). H1.5 is very sensitive for SCC (100% sensitivity; 63% specificity). The positive predictive value for SCC staining with H1.5 was 84% with a 100% negative predictive value. PLZF is specific for carcinoid when differentiating it from SCC (100% specificity; 65% sensitivity). The positive predictive value for carcinoid staining with PLZF was 100% with an 80% negative predictive value. H1.5 and PLZF stains are exclusively nuclear. The H1.5 staining was more intense than that for PLZF in all cases. PLZF staining was diffuse in 80%, patchy in 20% of the positive specimens; moderate in 90%, weak in 10%. H1.5 was strong in 77%, weak in 23% of the positive specimens. No difference in staining pattern was noted between pulmonary and extrapulmonary sites. Conclusions: Either positive staining with PLZF or negative staining with H1.5 excludes SCC. PLZF positivity is suggestive of TC or AC; H1.5 positivity is suggestive of SCC. These findings are consistent with previous studies done on pulmonary biopsies. PLZF and H1.5 may be diagnostically useful in cytologic preparations where the differences between carcinoid tumors and SCC are often subtle.
Target Ratcheting and Incentives: Theory, Evidence, and New Opportunities

The article presents an introduction in which the authors discusses articles contained within the issue on topics related to target setting (ratcheting) and incentives in business, including an analysis of a Spanish travel agency and a survey of the targeted earnings of U.S. companies.
Wireless MediaNets: application-driven next-generation wireless IP networks

Thanks to the explosive creation of multimedia contents, the pervasive adoption of multimedia coding standards and the ubiquitous access of multimedia services, multimedia networking is everywhere in our daily lives. Unfortunately, the existing best effort IP network infrastructure, originally designed with little real-time QoS requirement, has started to suffer from performance degradation on emerging multimedia networking applications. This inadequacy problem is further deepened by the prevalence of last/first-mile wireless networking, such as Wi-Fi, mobile WiMAX, and many wireless sensors and ad-hoc networks. This can be evidenced by more and more fragmentation of application-driven IP-based networks, such as for power grid distribution, networked security surveillance, intelligent transportation communication, and many other sensor networks. To overcome the QoS challenges, the next generation wireless IP networks have to be architected in a top-down manner, i.e., application-driven layered protocol design. More specifically, based on the application media data, compression schemes are applied, the subsequent Network, MAC- and PHY-layered protocols need to be accordingly or jointly enhanced to reach the optimal performance. This is the fundamental concept behind the design of Wireless MediaNets. In this survey paper, I will address the QoS challenges specifically encountered in video over heterogeneous wireless broadband networks and address several application-driven Wireless MediaNet solutions based on effective cross-layer integration of APP and MAC/PHY layers. More specifically, the congestion control for achieving airtime fairness of video streaming to maximize the link adaptation performance of Wi-Fi, the minimum latency event-driven data exchange for distributed wireless ad-hoc sensor networks, and the opportunistic multicast of scalable video live streaming over mobile WiMAX.
Simultaneous Inference For The Mean Function Based on Dense Functional Data.

A polynomial spline estimator is proposed for the mean function of dense functional data together with a simultaneous confidence band which is asymptotically correct. In addition, the spline estimator and its accompanying confidence band enjoy oracle efficiency in the sense that they are asymptotically the same as if all random trajectories are observed entirely and without errors. The confidence band is also extended to the difference of mean functions of two populations of functional data. Simulation experiments provide strong evidence that corroborates the asymptotic theory while computing is efficient. The confidence band procedure is illustrated by analysing the near-infrared spectroscopy data.
Self-Regulated Learning in Reading: Gifted Pedagogy and Instructional Settings:

Personal processes, the environment, and individual behaviors of both teachers and students are factors that facilitate students' use of self-regulation learning strategies in reading. Some environ...
Transport by Populations of Fast and Slow Kinesins Uncovers Novel Family-Dependent Motor Characteristics Important for In Vivo Function

Intracellular cargo transport frequently involves multiple motor types, either having opposite directionality or having the same directionality but different speeds. Although significant progress has been made in characterizing kinesin motors at the single-molecule level, predicting their ensemble behavior is challenging and requires tight coupling between experiments and modeling to uncover the underlying motor behavior. To understand how diverse kinesins attached to the same cargo coordinate their movement, we carried out microtubule gliding assays using pairwise mixtures of motors from the kinesin-1, -2, -3, -5, and -7 families engineered to have identical run lengths and surface attachments. Uniform motor densities were used and microtubule gliding speeds were measured for varying proportions of fast and slow motors. A coarse-grained computational model of gliding assays was developed and found to recapitulate the experiments. Simulations incorporated published force-dependent velocities and run lengths, along with mechanical interactions between motors bound to the same microtubule. The simulations show that the force-dependence of detachment is the key parameter that determines gliding speed in multimotor assays, while motor compliance, surface density, and stall force all play minimal roles. Simulations also provide estimates for force-dependent dissociation rates, suggesting that kinesin-1 and the mitotic motors kinesin-5 and -7 maintain microtubule association against loads, whereas kinesin-2 and -3 readily detach. This work uncovers unexpected motor behavior in multimotor ensembles and clarifies functional differences between kinesins that carry out distinct mechanical tasks in cells.
Faculty Perceptions of Business Advisory Boards: The Challenge for Effective Communication

The author surveyed over 1,600 business faculty from 395 AACSB-accredited schools to ascertain their opinions about business advisory boards. The findings reveal that vast majorities of faculty were not directly involved with their business advisory boards, but they received updates through documentation and administrative feedback. Most felt, however, the information provided was deficient in substance and depth. Consequently, faculty who did not attend board meetings saw the contributions and importance of boards as being less significant than did those faculty who attended the meetings. The author presents the results in relation to 6 specific disciplines and from previous studies.
A pilot study of three-dimensional child anthropometry for vehicle safety analysis

The publicly available anthropometric data for U.S. children were published in 1977, lack body shape data, and do not include measurements in supported sitting postures that are needed for vehicle safety applications. A pilot study was conducted of methods using standard anthropometry, laser scanning, and three-dimensional coordinate measurement to develop the data needed to improve the sizes and shapes of crash dummies and other design tools used to develop and assess child restraints, belt-positioning boosters, and vehicle seat and belt restraint systems. A total of 15 children ages 4 to 11 were measured in this pilot study. Language: en