cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of Cl- in photosynthesis. II. The effect of Cl- upon fluorescence.

Abstract Cl - is necessary for noncyclic electron transport in isolated chloroplasts. In order to locate its functional site, the fluorescence of chloroplasts at 684 nm was examined with respect to the reduction/oxidation poise of the quencher compound located on the reducing side of Photoact II. The fluorescence yield in the absence of Cl - is lower due to a drop in the maximum fluorescence yield at saturating light intensity and a decrease in quantum efficiency. There is a good correlation between induction of the Cl - effect by heating or by increasing the pH of the suspending medium, and decline of the fluorescence quantum efficiency. The fluorescence yield kinetics in the absence of Cl - resemble more closely those obtained with added methyl viologen, which speeds electron transport, rather than those obtained with (dichloro-phenyl) methylurea or o -phenanthroline which block the oxidation of the quencher by Photosystem I. It is therefore thought that the site of Cl - involvement is on the oxidation or water-splitting side of Photosystem II and that the absence of Cl - decreases the electron flow rate from water to the quencher.
Quantitative determination of maximal imaging depth in all-NIR multiphoton microscopy images of thick tissues

We report two methods for quantitatively determining maximal imaging depth from thick tissue images captured using all–near-infrared (NIR) multiphoton microscopy (MPM). All-NIR MPM is performed using 1550 nm laser excitation with NIR detection. This method enables imaging more than five-fold deep in thick tissues in comparison with other NIR excitation microscopy methods. In this study, we show a correlation between the multiphoton signal along the depth of tissue samples and the shape of the corresponding empirical probability density function (pdf) of the photon counts. Histograms from this analysis become increasingly symmetric with the imaging depth. This distribution transitions toward the background distribution at higher imaging depths. Inspired by these observations, we propose two independent methods based on which one can automatically determine maximal imaging depth in the all-NIR MPM images of thick tissues. At this point, the signal strength is expected to be weak and similar to the background. The first method suggests the maximal imaging depth corresponds to the deepest image plane where the ratio between the mean and median of the empirical photon-count pdf is outside the vicinity of 1. The second method suggests the maximal imaging depth corresponds to the deepest image plane where the squared distance between the empirical photon-count mean obtained from the object and the mean obtained from the background is greater than a threshold. We demonstrate the application of these methods in all-NIR MPM images of mouse kidney tissues to study maximal depth penetration in such tissues.
The low-temperature neutron irradiation facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The Low-Temperature Neutron Irradiation Facility (LTNIF) was constructed in the Bulk Shielding Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This facility provides high radiation intensities (1.5 × 1017n/m2 s, E > 0.1 MeV) and special environmental and testing conditions (2.0 < T < 800 K). The needed refrigeration system and an initial determination of the neutron radiation spectrum are described in some detail. Radiation shielding and double containment of the cryogenic irradiation chamber are required in order to meet reactor safety requirements. In addition to describing the irradiation cryostat and its refrigeration system, relevant auxiliary devices and planned research areas are summarized.
Congenital absence of the aortic arch associated with patent ductus arteriosus and ventricular septal defect.

Abstract An infant with congenital absence of the aortic arch, patent ductus arteriosus and interventricular septal defect is described. The difficulties encountered in diagnosis even with the utilization of cardiac catheterization are pointed out. In view of possible surgical repair in this and other congenital cardiac defects, the desirability of angiocardiographic studies is emphasized.
Approaching the fundamental noise limit in Mo/Au TES bolometers with transverse normal metal bars

Abstract Recent efforts in the Transition Edge Sensor (TES) bolometer/calorimeter community have focused on developing detectors whose noise properties are near the fundamental limits. These include the in-band phonon noise, the out-of-band Johnson noise, and the 1/f noise. We have investigated the noise performance of Mo/Au-bilayer TES bolometers designed for infrared detectors. These detectors use normal metal regions for the suppression of excess noise, which are oriented either parallel to (“bars”) or transverse to (“stripes”) the direction of current flow. Two nearly identical detectors, one with stripes and one with bars, were fabricated at the NASA/GSFC detector development facility. Significantly lower noise is found with the normal metal regions oriented transversely. We compare the detailed noise measurement and quantitative analysis of the noise level in each device as a function of the detector resistance. Our preliminary result is that the best detector features only moderate excess noise in both the in-band region and in the out-of-band region. This noise performance is suitable for instruments with multiplexed TES arrays, such as GSFC's FIBRE and SAFIRE.
Developing and assessing beginning teacher effectiveness: the potential of performance assessments

The Performance Assessment for California Teachers (PACT) is an authentic tool for evaluating prospective teachers by examining their abilities to plan, teach, assess, and reflect on instruction in actual classroom practice. The PACT seeks both to measure and develop teacher effectiveness, and this study of its predictive and consequential validity provides information on how well it achieves these goals. The research finds that teacher candidates’ PACT scores are significant predictors of their later teaching effectiveness as measured by their students’ achievement gains in both English language arts (ELA) and mathematics. Several subscales of the PACT are also influential in predicting later effectiveness: These include planning, assessment, and academic language development in ELA, and assessment and reflection in mathematics. In addition, large majorities of PACT candidates report that they acquired additional knowledge and skills for teaching by virtue of completing the assessment. Candidates’ feelings that they learned from the assessment were the strongest when they also felt well-supported by their program in learning to teach and in completing the assessment process.
Protamines in plant sperm

Sperm protamines have been isolated from representatives of three major plant groups: algae (Chara corallina ), bryophytes ( Marchantia polymorpha), and ferns ( Marsilea vestitia ). We previously reported the complete displacement of histones by protamines in Marchantia (Reynolds W F & Wolfe, S L, Exp cell res 116 (1978) 269 [8] ). Marchantia protamines appear as four components on acid-urea gels, whereas Chara and Marsilea protamines comigrate as a single band with a mobility comparable to salmon protamine. The amino acid compositions of the plant protamines show these to be arginine-rich, highly basic (35-42%) proteins which display overall similarity in amino acid composition (84-91%). The molecular weights of Chara and Marsilea protamines are approx. 4700-5300 D.
Quality assurance and quality control in light stable isotope laboratories: a case study of Rio Grande, Texas, water samples.

New isotope laboratories can achieve the goal of reporting the same isotopic composition within analytical uncertainty for the same material analysed decades apart by (1) writing their own acceptance testing procedures and putting them into their mass spectrometric or laser-based isotope-ratio equipment procurement contract, (2) requiring a manufacturer to demonstrate acceptable performance using all sample ports provided with the instrumentation, (3) for each medium to be analysed, prepare two local reference materials substantially different in isotopic composition to encompass the range in isotopic composition expected in the laboratory and calibrated them with isotopic reference materials available from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), (4) using the optimum storage containers (for water samples, sealing in glass ampoules that are sterilised after sealing is satisfactory), (5) interspersing among sample unknowns local laborat...
Hosting an ACM SIGDOC unconference

In this paper, we describe our experience hosting an "unconference" as a student chapter of ACM SIGDOC. This paper can serve as a starting point for other groups wanting to try this non-traditional approach to sharing information in a participant-driven event or meeting. We explain the unconference idea, our planning stages, technology we used, implementation and delivery, lessons learned, and plans for the future. A checklist at the end of the paper details the steps to running a successful unconference.
Multiple sclerosis: Capping of surface immunoglobulin G on macrophages engaged in myelin breakdown

Macrophages were examined for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and albumin in actively demyelinating lesions in two patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemical technique. In both cases, macrophages were present that stained for cytoplasmic or surface IgG or both. In one case, in which the tissue was rapidly fixed in chilled fixative, macrophages located among myelinated nerve fibers at plaque margins, but not elsewhere in the plaque, revealed surface IgG in the form of caps restricted to one or both poles of the cell. These caps were absent in sections stained for albumin. Because capping implies the presence of a multivalent ligand close to the cell surface and because cap formation was observed only in macrophages contacting myelin sheaths, we suggest that antimyelin antibody cytophilic for macrophages may be present in the central nervous system in MS, and that immune ligand-mediated phagocytosis may play a role in myelin breakdown in the disease. This study provides the first direct evidence that IgG participates locally in myelin breakdown in MS.
Glycine receptor alteration in the mutant mouse spastic.

The mutant mouse spastic, which carries a single-locus, recessive mutation1 on chromosome 3 (refs 2, 3), is characterized by hyperexcitability, rapid tremor, rigidity and prolonged righting reflexes1. No anatomical abnormalities have been found in preliminary histological studies of muscle or the central nervous system (CNS)1. Electromyographic studies in spastic mice demonstrate abnormal electrical bursts during activity and abnormal stereotyped reflexes4. Drugs which increase γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)5 or enhance GABA synaptic action6 reduce spastic symptoms, suggesting that they result from an imbalance in excitatory and inhibitory influences in the spastic CNS. Strychnine antagonizes the synaptic action of glycine7, and binds to a membrane site with the characteristics of the postsynaptic glycine receptor8–11. The behavioural and electrophysiological abnormalities of spastic mice are reproduced in normal mice given subconvulsive doses of strychnine4, suggesting that spastic symptoms might result from a deficiency in glycine-mediated inhibition4. We describe here evidence that supports this hypothesis: a decrease in 3H-strychnine binding in membrane fractions prepared from spastic compared with littermate control mice. We also demonstrate an involvement of the benzodiazepine, and possibly the GABA, binding site in the spastic phenotype.
Another Look at Nonverbal Rule Induction in Children With SLI: Testing a Flexible Reconceptualization Hypothesis

This study focuses on the ability of preschool children with specific language impairment (SLI) to extract target regularities from recurring nonverbal stimuli. As a step beyond previous methodologies, we also assessed their ability to shift and extract other regularities after feedback indicated that their choices were no longer correct. This step was motivated by Connell and Stone's (1994) hypothesis that difficulties manifested by children with SLI in extracting nonverbal "rules" from multiple problem sets may reflect difficulties in "flexible reconceptualization," that is, in the ability to flexibly shift across regularities. Thirty 4- and 5-year-olds with SLI and 30 age-matched children developing language normally participated in a discrimination learning-shift paradigm. Findings indicated that both language groups were successful in extracting regularities and making shifts. In fact, language groups did not differ in number of regularities extracted, number of shifts completed, or trials to criteri...
Ethanol induces conditioned social preference in male mice.

Background Affiliative social interactions promote alcohol consumption, and alcohol also promotes affiliative behavior. Furthermore, for most species, moderate doses of ethanol (EtOH) and social affiliation are each rewarding. However, animal studies of drug and EtOH reward typically test individuals in isolation. To address social dimensions of EtOH reward, this study tested EtOH-induced conditioned social preference in male C57BL/6 mice with (ORCHX+T) and without (ORCHX) testosterone. Methods ORCHX+T males received EtOH (0, 1, 2, or 3 g/kg) intraperitoneally and were paired 4× for 30 minutes each with 1 of 2 stimulus males: with the CS− stimulus male after saline injection and with the CS+ male following EtOH. After pairing, time spent with CS+ and CS− males was measured in a 10-minute test. Results ORCHX+T test males showed conditioned preference for the CS+ male in response to 3 g/kg EtOH (change in preference: +71.3 ± 30.0 s/10 min, p 0.05). In separate groups of mice, stimulus males (IS+) received EtOH during pairing to determine whether test mice prefer another intoxicated mouse. Both ORCHX+T and ORCHX test mice showed an increase in preference score for the IS+ mouse (ORCHX+T: +68.1 ± 24.0 seconds; ORCHX: +58.9 ± 19.6 seconds, p < 0.05). Conclusions These data demonstrate that EtOH promotes social preference in male mice, as it does in females. Testosterone enhances this effect.
Optical Technology For Spacecraft Antennas

The persistent trend to use millimeter wave frequencies for satellite communications and surveillance presents the challenge to design large aperture phased array antennas for various space applications. These arrays, now under consideration, will comprise of thousands of elements utilizing monolithic microwave integrated circuit modules, and will have a fiberoptic distribution network. New space vehicles, such as the space station, will contain several remotely-located antennas which must be connected to central processing units. The interconnecting of these remotely-located antennas will be done via fiber-optic links. Therefore, the two most important applications of fiberoptic distribution networks in spacecraft are antenna remoting and phased array distribution networks. These will be considered in this paper.
Fondaparinux in an obese child with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and a history of renal failure.

A 9-year-old obese child with a history of ulcerative colitis was admitted to the intensive care unit for significant blood loss, hemorrhagic shock, and acute renal failure. Following complications from total colectomy secondary to multiple perforations, the patient developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and subsequent portal vein thrombosis. Subcutaneous (SQ) fondaparinux therapy was initiated because the patient was unable to transition to oral anticoagulation. An anti-factor Xa assay was developed and used to adjust his fondaparinux therapy. Based on hemorrhagic complications and fondaparinux-based anti-factor Xa assay results, the fondaparinux was adjusted to a final dosage of 4.5 mg (0.066 mg/kg) SQ daily. In children unable to transition to oral anticoagulation, fondaparinux may be an alternative for the treatment of thrombosis associated with HIT. We noted that our patient required a lower dose per kilogram of fondaparinux than described in previous published reports. Despite this lower d...
Semiquinone intermediates are involved in the energy coupling mechanism of E. coli complex I.

Abstract Complex I (NADH:quinone oxidoreductase) is central to cellular aerobic energy metabolism, and its deficiency is involved in many human mitochondrial diseases. Complex I translocates protons across the membrane using electron transfer energy. Semiquinone (SQ) intermediates appearing during catalysis are suggested to be key for the coupling mechanism in complex I. However, the existence of SQ has remained controversial due to the extreme difficulty in detecting unstable and low intensity SQ signals. Here, for the first time with Escherichia coli complex I reconstituted in proteoliposomes, we successfully resolved and characterized three distinct SQ species by EPR. These species include: fast-relaxing SQ (SQNf) with P1/2 (half-saturation power level) > 50 mW and a wider linewidth (12.8 G); slow-relaxing SQ (SQNs) with P1/2 = 2–3 mW and a 10 G linewidth; and very slow-relaxing SQ (SQNvs) with P1/2 = ~ 0.1 mW and a 7.5 G linewidth. The SQNf signals completely disappeared in the presence of the uncoupler gramicidin D or squamotacin, a potent E. coli complex I inhibitor. The pH dependency of the SQNf signals correlated with the proton-pumping activities of complex I. The SQNs signals were insensitive to gramicidin D, but sensitive to squamotacin. The SQNvs signals were insensitive to both gramicidin D and squamotacin. Our deuterium exchange experiments suggested that SQNf is neutral, while SQNs and SQNvs are anion radicals. The SQNs signals were lost in the ΔNuoL mutant missing transporter module subunits NuoL and NuoM. The roles and relationships of the SQ intermediates in the coupling mechanism are discussed.
Solid-state electrochemical stamping of functional metallic nanostructures

A new approach of directly patterning metal at nano-scale with excellent dimensional resolution and flexibility is introduced for fabrication of functional nano-structures. This technique is based on the solid-state electrochemical dissolution of a metallic substrate at its contact with a pre-patterned surface of a solid electrolyte tool, and the subsequent formation of the complimentary pattern on the metal substrate as the solid electrolyte etches through the metal layer. Our results demonstrate repeatable and high-fidelity patterning of metal structures with a wide dimension range (20 mum to 50 nm). As this process is carried out in ambient environment and does not require wet chemicals, its potential for use as a simple and yet high-throughput metal patterning technique offers a highly competitive approach to fabricating functional structures and devices such as chemical sensors and photonic devices.
Seasonal variation of imipramine binding in the blood platelets of normal controls and depressed patients

Imipramine binding (IB) was studied in the blood platelets from normal controls and depressed patients over a 4-year period (1981-1984) to determine if seasonal variation was present in Bmax or KD. Bimonthly variation in the Bmax of IB was found in normal controls studied longitudinally. No such variation was found when individual values from normal controls were examined on a monthly or seasonal basis. Bmax in depressed patients showed a significant seasonal, but not monthly, variation. KD of IB varied in normal controls using monthly or seasonal data, but not in the probably more reliable bimonthly data. These results suggest that IB studies comparing groups of subjects should match groups for season of the year or, for greater accuracy, month of the year.
New sorbents for olefin/paraffin separations by adsorption via π ‐complexation

New adsorbents for olefin paraffin separation are synthesized by effective dispersion of Ag(I) and Cu(I) cations on substrates with hydrocarbon-phobic surfaces. These cations bind olefin molecules by a {pi}-complexation bond, a weak chemical bond. Ethane/ethylene and propane/propylene separations are considered. Cation exchange resins and CuCl/{gamma}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} are effective substrates. On the Ag(I) resin at 25 C and 1 atm, the equilibrium adsorption ratio for C{sub 2} H{sub 4}/C{sub 2}H{sub 6} = 9.2 and C{sub 2}H{sub 4} capacity = 1.15 mmol/g; the corresponding values for C{sub 3}H{sub 6}/C{sub 3}H{sub 8} = 10.4 and C{sub 3}H{sub 6} capacity = 1.29 mmol/g. The CuCl/{gamma}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} sorbent shows equally promising results. The sorption rates are pore-diffusion-controlled and rapid. The olefin selectivity, capacity, and rates are much higher than all previous attempts and are suitable for applications in cyclic adsorption processes. The equilibrium data are correlated with an isotherm equation that accounts for both physical adsorption and {pi}-complexation with energy, heterogeneity, using only two true fitting parameters. Molecular orbital calculations using a C{sub 6}H{sub 5}SO{sub 3}{sup {minus}} substrate indicate that the {pi}-complexation bond is contributed mainly by the donation of olefin {pi}-bond electrons to the empty s-orbital of the metal, while the d-{pi}*more » back donation contributes only 16%. Moreover, the relative order of the heats of adsorption is correctly predicted.« less
Effects of litter removal on arthropod communities in pine plantations

Natural and anthropogenic disturbances can cause abrupt changes in trophic interactions by altering the rate, timing, or composition of organic inputs to ecological systems which in turn can shift patterns of species dominance. We examined the short-term effects of litter removal on soil fauna in pine plantations of three different species (longleaf, Pinus palustris; loblolly, P. taeda; and slash, P. elliottii) using a manipulative experiment, with the goal of examining differences among dominant orders of arthropods and differences among timber types. We sampled arthropods once per month for 6 months immediately following raking, and found that removal of the litter caused significant changes to abundance or presence of five of the nine dominant orders. Reductions in abundances of arthropod orders were most apparent in loblolly pine stands, while increases in abundance were more common in longleaf and slash pine stands. The differential impact among orders suggests that removal of the litter layer is likely to alter trophic interactions by changing the relative abundance of functional groups. Repeated litter removal via raking could have negative repercussions on ecosystem stability. Finally, nutrient additions through fertilization seem unlikely to mitigate the changes imposed on the arthropod community through litter removal.
Comparisons between Colony Phase Variation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae FA1090 and Pilus, Pilin, and S-Pilin Expression

The gonococcal pilus is a primary virulence factor, providing the initial attachment of the bacterial cell to human mucosal tissues. Pilin, the major subunit of the pilus, can carry a wide spectrum of primary amino acid sequences which are generated by the action of a complex antigenic variation system. Changes in the pilin amino acid sequence can produce different pilus-dependent colony morphotypes, which have been previously shown to reflect phase variation of pili on the bacterial cell surface. In this study, we further examined the relationships between changes in pilus-dependent colony morphology, pilin sequence, pilus expression, and pilus function in Neisseria gonorrhoeae FA1090. A group of FA1090 colony variants expressed different pilin sequences and demonstrated different levels of pilin, S-pilin, and pilus expression. The analysis of these colony variants shows that they do not represent two distinct phases of pilus expression, but that changes in pilin protein sequence produce a spectrum of S-pilin production, pilus expression, and pilus aggregation levels. These different levels of pilus expression and aggregation influence not only colony morphology but also DNA transformation efficiency and epithelial cell adherence.
Observation of a 1750 MeV/c2 state in the peripheral photoproduction of K+K−

Abstract The FOCUS collaboration of Fermilab has observed a clear enhancement at a mass of 1750 MeV/c2 in the exclusive photoproduction of K+K−. The data were obtained using a photon beam with energies from 20 to 160 GeV incident on a BeO target. Mass and width measurements are presented, as well as a search in K ∗ K . This enhancement has not yet been correctly interpreted.
The Association Between Transfer of Emergency Department Boarders to Inpatient Hallways and Mortality: A 4-Year Experience

Study objective We developed and implemented an institutional protocol aimed at reducing crowding by admitting boarded patients to hospital inpatient hallways. We hypothesized that transfer of admitted patients from the emergency department (ED) to inpatient hallways would be feasible and not create patient harm. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study in a suburban, academic ED with an annual census of 70,000. We studied consecutive patients admitted from our ED between January 2004 and January 2008. In 2001, a multidisciplinary team developed and implemented an institutional protocol in which admitted adult patients boarded in the ED were transferred to hospital inpatient hallways under select conditions. We extracted data from the electronic medical record system, measuring patient demographics, ED disposition (discharge, admit to floor, admit to hallway), ED length of stay, and inhospital mortality. We report ED length of stay, subsequent transfer to an ICU, and hospital mortality of patients admitted to standard and hallway inpatient beds. Results Of 55,062 ED patients admitted, there were 1,798 deaths. Of all admissions, 2,042 (4%) went to a hallway; 53,020 went to a standard bed. Patients admitted to standard and hallway beds were similar in age (median [interquartile range] 55 years [37 to 72 years] and 54 years [41 to 70 years], respectively) and sex (48.2% and 50% female patients, respectively). The median (interquartile range) times from ED triage to actual admission in patients admitted to standard and hallway beds were 426 minutes (306 to 600 minutes) and 624 (439 to 895 minutes) minutes, respectively (P Conclusion Transfer of ED-boarded admitted patients to an inpatient hallway occurs during high ED census and waiting times for admission but does not appears to result in patient harm.
Microbiology of infected hemangiomas in children.

: Bacterial infections are a common complication of hemangiomas in children. The objective of this study was to establish the aerobic and anaerobic microbiology of infected hemangiomas. A retrospective 8-year review of clinical and microbiology laboratory records from patients with secondarily infected hemangiomas was carried out. Specimens from infected sites were processed for the presence of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Bacterial growth was present in 32 of 38 specimens. Aerobic bacteria alone were recovered in 12 infected hemangiomas (37.5%), anaerobic bacteria alone in 8 (33%), and mixed aerobic and anaerobic flora in 12 (37.5%). A total of 80 isolates (47 aerobes and 33 anaerobes) were recovered, giving an average of 2.5 isolates per specimen (1.5 aerobes and 1.0 anaerobes). The highest number of isolates were recovered in infections of the perineum (3.7 per site) and the legs (2.8 per site). The predominant aerobic isolates were Staphylococcus aureus, group A β-hemolytic streptococci, and Enterobacteriaceae. The predominant anaerobes were Peptostreptococcus sp., gram-negative bacilli, and Fusobacterium sp. Organisms that belong to the mucous membranes close to the lesions predominated in infections next to those membranes. The polymicrobial etiology of secondarily infected hemangiomas and the association of bacterial flora with the anatomic site of the lesions is thereby demonstrated.
Virus detection and identification using random multiplex (RT)-PCR with 3'-locked random primers

PCR-based detection and identification of viruses assumes a known, relatively stable genome. Unfortunately, high mutation rates may lead to extensive changes in viral nucleic acid sequences making dedicated PCR primer use problematic. Furthermore, in bioterrorism, viral consensus sequences can be genetically modified as a countermeasure to RT-PCR and DNA chip detection. Accordingly, there is a great need for the development of rapid and universal virus detection and identification technologies. We report herein that viral genomic DNA or RNA can be separated from host nucleic acids in plasma by filtration and nuclease digestion, and randomly amplified in a single PCR using a mixture of primers designed to be resistant to primer-dimer amplification (5'-VVVVVVVVAA-3', V = A, G or C; 38 or 6561 primers). We have termed this novel PCR method Random Multiplex (RT)-PCR since hundreds of overlapping PCR amplifications occur simultaneously. Using this method, we have successfullydetected and partially sequenced 3 separate viruses in human plasma without using virus-specific reagents (i.e., Adenovirus Type 17, Coxsackievirus A7, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus B). The method is sensitive to ~1000 genome equivalents/ml and may represent the fastest means of detection of unknown viruses. These studies suggest that the further development of random multiplex (RT)-PCR may lead to a diagnostic assay that can universally detect viruses in donated blood products as well as in patients suffering with idiopathic disease states of possible viral etiology.
Performance of a multiple description streaming media content delivery network

Content delivery networks (CDN) have been widely used to provide reduced delay and packet loss, fault tolerance, and improved scalability for Web content delivery. Additional benefits are provided for video streaming when one designs a streaming media CDN (SM-CDN) for either conventional single description (SD) or multiple description (MD) coding. Specifically, when precise network conditions and topology are known, simulations show that an MD-SM-CDN can provide 20 to 40% reduction in distortion over a conventional SD-SM-CDN, even when the underlying CDN is not designed with MD streaming in mind. This paper examines the performance of an MD-SM-CDN as a function of different network topologies and loss conditions, and compares it with a conventional SD-SM-CDN. This examination provides insight into an MD-SM-CDN's performance when knowledge of network topology and conditions is imprecise or uncertain. Our simulations indicate that an MD-SM-CDN can provide improved performance over a conventional SD-SM-CDN over a wide range of network topologies and loss conditions.
Observations of social and reproductive biology of the bent‐winged bat Miniopterus australis in northern Borneo

The small bent-winged bat Miniopterus australis was studied at low tropical latitudes north of the equator, principally in Subis cave, Niah, Sarawak, East Malaysia. During the course of field-work in 1957–58, most specimens were captured at roost in concavities in the cave ceiling, here termed “cupolas”. At all months of observation, roosting groups varied from one to seven bats. Solitary bats were predominantly males, and multiple groups rarely included more than one male. It is suggested that the sexes differ in their response to a potential or familiar roosting site, depending on the prior occupation by other bats. Roosting behaviour did not vary with the progress of the reproductive cycle and seemed to have no epigamic function. Observations of reproductive biology in 1957–58, supported by specimens captured in 1959–60, demonstrated that the species is monoestrous, with a brief annually recurrent breeding season in November-December. Copulation was observed in early November and preceded ovulation. In unovulated females taken in early December the right uterine horn was distended with spermatozoa. The single embryo subsequently implanted in the right horn, although in the three females examined the fertilized ovum derived from the left ovary. Parturition occurred in late April and early May after a gestation period of 4 1/2–5 months. This period is considerably longer than the presumed species-specific minimum, observed at latitude 15d S. The prolonged gestation period is regarded as an adaptation to perennially low and variable food resources in an otherwise favourable environment, and there is evidence that the months of gestation and birth coincide with a period of limited seasonal increase in abundance of insect prey.
Direct Computations of Unsteady Flows About Thin Airfoils

The intent of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of direct numerical computation in capturing acoustic fields. It has been the trend to use high-order schemes whenever there is interest in resolving the acoustic field, even though there has never been a complete study of the accuracy of low-order schemes. We revisit a long-standing benchmark problem in aeroacoustics to show the validity of such low-order schemes. The problem we consider is that of a flat-plate airfoil in a non-uniform flow. We show that when the linearized Euler equations are used to model problems in aeroacoustics, a simple second-order numerical scheme is powerful enough to provide accurate aeroacoustic results. We validate this computational approach by comparing both the RMS and instantaneous pressure on the airfoil and in the far field to semianalytic and asymptotic results.
Optimizations of source distribution in wireless power transmission for implantable devices

Implantable medical devices will play an important role in modern medicine for preventive and post-surgery monitoring, drug delivery, local stimulation, and biomimetic prosthesis. To reduce the risk of wire snapping, and replacement and corrosion of embedded batteries, wireless delivery of energy to these devices is desirable. Current studies in wireless power transmission into biological tissue tend to operate below 10 MHz because of the common belief that lower operating frequency yields higher power transfer efficiency. Our previous work [1], however, showed that the optimal frequency maximizing the power transfer efficiency is in the low GHz frequency range. The corresponding wavelength inside tissue is a few centimeters which is in the same order as the dimension of the transmit coil. This suggests that we should consider using an array of transmit coils to focus the electromagnetic energy and hence boost up the received power further.
Domestic Obstacles to International Affairs: The State Department Under Fire at Home

One of the most peculiar aspects of the U.S. foreign-policy process is the low regard in which the non-military institutions of foreign affairs are held by the rest of the federal government.The author would like to acknowledge the research assistance of James Bralski and David Rothstein in preparing this article. Distrust of the State Department and its diplomatic milieu is deeply embedded in U.S. political culture, never far beneath the surface in Congress, the White House, and other agencies of the executive branch. As a result, the State Department is routinely neglected in each of its primary areas of responsibility: the development and articulation of foreign policy; the conduct of private and public diplomacy; and the transfer of foreign assistance. The State Department's marginalized status, codified and institutionalized with the passage of the National Security Act of 1947, persists in the administration of President George W. Bush. The costs of this bureaucratic neglect are difficult to gauge. They can be detected, however, in the mixed signals coming from the myriad government agencies regarding U.S. foreign policy, in the problems experienced by the foreign service in recruiting and retaining personnel, and in the failure of many aid programs to achieve their stated goals. Widely publicized accounts of the State Department's interagency disputes and lack of clout undermine the credibility of foreign service officers (FSOs) as they engage daily with foreign governments and private citizens.
Role of Allergen Sensitization in Older Adults

There is a common perception among physicians and patients that allergic diseases are not relevant in older adults. There is also recognition that innate and adaptive immune functions decline with aging. It is the function of a variety of immune cells in the form of allergic inflammation that is a hallmark of allergic diseases. In fact, there is a fairly consistent observation that measures of allergic sensitization, such as skin prick testing, specific IgE, or total IgE, decline with age. Nonetheless, the association between allergic sensitization and allergic diseases, particularly asthma and allergic rhinitis, remains robust in the older adult population. Consequently, an appropriate evaluation of allergic sensitivities is warranted and indicated in older asthma and rhinitis patients to provide optimal care for the individual and minimize any resultant morbidity and mortality.
SiGe power HBT's for low-voltage, high-performance RF applications

Silicon-Germanium (SiGe) power heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBT's) are fabricated by using two or ten device unit cells with an emitter area of 5/spl times/0.5/spl times/16.5 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ each. The large power transistor features 1 W RF output power at 3-dB gain compression, 3.5 V bias, and 2.4 GHz with a maximum power-added-efficiency (PAE) of 48% for class A/B operation. At a supply voltage of 1.5 V, the transistor delivers a 3-dB RF output power of 150 mW with a PAE of 47%. It is shown that a high collector doping level is advantageous for low-voltage operation. Further, by using special bias sense ports, the interconnect losses are found to degrade the device performance to a considerable degree.
Higher-Order Logic Programming

In this paper we consider the problem of extending Prolog to include predicate and function variables and typed λ-terms. For this purpose, we use a higher-order logic to describe a generalization to first-order Horn clauses. We show that this extension possesses certain desirable computational properties. Specifically, we show that the familiar operational and least fixpoint semantics can be given to these clauses. A language, λProlog that is based on this generalization is then presented, and several examples of its use are provided. We also discuss an interpreter for this language in which new sources of branching and backtracking must be accommodated. An experimental interpreter has been constructed for the language, and all the examples in this paper have been tested using it.
Fermi and Swift Observations of Short GRBs

The Fermi and Swift satellites offer unique, and complementary capabilities for the study of short GRBs. Here, I briefly summarize the current status of Fermi and Swift observations of short GRBs, and outline some highlights, focusing on the prompt emission phase.
Differentially Private M-Estimators

This paper studies privacy preserving M-estimators using perturbed histograms. The proposed approach allows the release of a wide class of M-estimators with both differential privacy and statistical utility without knowing a priori the particular inference procedure. The performance of the proposed method is demonstrated through a careful study of the convergence rates. A practical algorithm is given and applied on a real world data set containing both continuous and categorical variables.
A Constrained Coalitional Approach to Price Formation

Since Edgeworth (1925) it has been understood that the Bertrand price setting game does not produce a pure strategy equilibrium in a number of simple settings. Two prominent examples are price competition with convex costs and spatial competition with finite buyers. Building on work by Hamilton MacLeod and Thisse (1991), this paper develops an alternative model of price formation. We examine as a non-transferable utility coalitional game the set of outcomes that are feasible in the Bertrand price setting game. We prove that the core of this NTU coalitional game is equivalent to the set of outcomes that can be produced by undercut-proof prices. Moreover we show that the market clearing price is always in the core, and that where competition exists on both sides of the market there is a sense in which the core collapses to only admit market clearing outcomes.
Oxygen supply and oxidative phosphorylation limitation in rat myocardium in situ

The 1H-NMR signal of the proximal histidyl-NδH of deoxymyoglobin is detectable in the in situ rat myocardium and can reflect the intracellular Po 2. Under basal normoxic conditions, the cellular Po...
Nonsilicate Optical Coatings

The intent of this chapter is to review the sol-gel processing of nonsilicate optical coatings. The literature is reviewed and details are reported. A theme is the processing cycle, and the role of precursor chemicals, additives, processing methods, hydrolysis conditions, and thermal treatments on the forming of optical coatings. Materials of interest, include Al203Ta 2O5Ti02, SnO, Fe304, W03, V 205 and related compounds In addition, recent developments in the sol-gel processing of electrooptic (e.g., LiNbO3) and ferroelectric ceramics (e.g., Pb(Zr, Ti)03) are summarized. Elsewhere in this volume, additional information is given on properties and applications. The emphasis in this chapter is on compositional matters which relate directly to the deposition of nonsilicate optical coatings.
Perioral wrinkles are associated with female gender, aging, and smoking: Development of a gender-specific photonumeric scale.

Background Perioral wrinkling is commonly reported among older adults, but its objective evaluation and causes remain poorly understood. Objective We sought to develop a photonumeric scale for perioral wrinkling and to elucidate contributory lifestyle factors. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we recruited participants for facial photographs and a survey. A gender-specific photonumeric scale for perioral wrinkling was developed and used by 3 graders to evaluate participant photographs. Scores and survey responses were used to create a multiple regression model to predict perioral wrinkling. Results In all, 143 participants aged 21 to 91 years were enrolled. Intraclass correlation coefficient values for interrater and intrarater reliability were high (>0.8) across 2 trials and 3 graders. A multiple regression model for prediction of perioral wrinkling severity included age, gender, and years of smoking as variables. Limitations The study was limited by sample size and a predominantly Caucasian study population. Conclusion We created a photonumeric scale that accounts for gender differences in perioral wrinkling and highlighted contributory variables to photoaging in this anatomical location.
Innate immunity in sarcoidosis pathobiology.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The immunopathogenesis of sarcoidosis is considered to involve contributions from both adaptive and innate immune responses. Although the identification of adaptive responses to candidate pathogenic antigens will elucidate mechanisms that regulate inflammation in sarcoidosis, innate mechanisms likely represent the 'missing link' to the initiation, maintenance, and resolution of noncaseating granulomatous inflammation, the hallmark feature of sarcoidosis. Furthermore, environments that expose patients to candidate pathogenic antigens for sarcoidosis also provide opportunities for engagement with innate ligands. RECENT FINDINGS Several studies have identified enhanced responsiveness via pattern recognition receptor pathways, potentiating the local induction of cytokines relevant to granulomatous inflammation, such as through stimulation of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor and Toll-like receptor pathways. These pathways contribute to the inherent properties of granulomas including, in some cases, persistent localization of pathogens and antigen. Serum amyloid A has been identified to be abundant in sarcoidosis tissues, and this promiscuous host protein can serve as an innate ligand to regulate experimental granulomatous inflammation. Nascent evidence supports a potential role for alternatively activated macrophages to direct histopathological outcomes in sarcoidosis. SUMMARY Innate pathways deserve further investigation as potential therapeutic targets for inhibiting granuloma formation in sarcoidosis.
Bioenergy and Anaerobic Digestion

Abstract Anaerobic digestion is a renewable energy technology that produces biogas. Biogas can be used to conduct work that has social benefits, such as the production of electricity or heat. Anaerobic digestion must be managed properly to generate biogas. Anaerobic digesters provide the vehicle to manage the anaerobic digestion process to maximize biogas production and stabilize slurry. Feedstocks, or biomass, are fed to a digester to create biogas. Feedstocks vary in their biogas production potential. Anaerobic digestion is a complex biochemical reaction carried out in a number of steps by several types of microorganisms that require no oxygen to live. This reaction produces biogas, which is primarily composed of methane and CO 2 . A great variety of organic material can be used as feedstocks for generating biogas. All anaerobic digesters perform the same basic function. They hold organic matter in the absence of oxygen and maintain proper conditions for methane forming microorganisms to grow. There are a wide variety of anaerobic digesters, each performing this basic function in a subtly different way. Construction and material handling techniques can vary greatly within the two categories of digesters described here: attached growth and suspended growth systems.
The impact of race on perceptions of anxiety after radical prostatectomy.

e538Background: Despite the potential side effects associated with treating prostate cancer, many men choose treatment over observation. The relative treatment benefits and harms to heath related q...
Michigan: The Consequences of Legislative Change and Competition for Death Investigation Turf in Michigan:

Michigan has experienced a surge in the appointment of board-certified forensic pathologists as the County Medical Examiner, seeing an increase from eight counties with slightly less than 50% of th...
Professionalizing Healthcare Management: A Descriptive Case Study

Despite international recognition of the importance of healthcare management in the development of high-performing systems, the path by which countries may develop and sustain a professional healthcare management workforce has not been articulated. Accordingly, we sought to identify a set of common themes in the establishment of a professional workforce of healthcare managers in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings using a descriptive case study approach. We draw on a historical analysis of the development of this profession in the United States and Ethiopia to identify five common themes in the professionalization of healthcare management: (1) a country context in which healthcare management is demanded; (2) a national framework that elevates a professional management role; (3) standards for healthcare management, and a monitoring function to promote adherence to standards; (4) a graduatelevel educational path to ensure a pipeline of well-prepared healthcare managers; and (5) professional associations to sustain and advance the field. These five components can to inform the creation of a long-term national strategy for the development of a professional cadre of heathcare managers in LMIC settings.