cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Harmonic generation predominantly from a single spin channel in a half metal

Harmonic generation in atoms and molecules has reshaped our understanding of ultrafast phenomena beyond the traditional nonlinear optics and has launched attosecond physics. Harmonics from solids represent a new frontier, where both majority and minority spin channels contribute to the harmonics. This is true even in a ferromagnet whose electronic states are equally available to optical excitation. Here, we demonstrate that harmonics can be generated mostly from a single spin channel in half-metallic chromium dioxide. An energy gap in the minority channel greatly reduces the harmonic generation, so the harmonics predominantly emit from the majority channel, with a small contribution from the minority channel. However, this is only possible when the incident photon energy is well below the energy gap in the minority channel, so all the transitions in the minority channel are virtual. The onset of the photon energy is determined by the transition energy between the dipole-allowed transition between the $\mathrm{O}\text{\ensuremath{-}}2p$ and $\mathrm{Cr}\text{\ensuremath{-}}3d$ states. The harmonics mainly from a single spin channel can be detected, regardless of laser field strength, as long as the photon energy is below the minority band energy gap. This prediction should be tested experimentally.
SBGN Activity Flow Update

SBGN Activity Flow specification was released in September 2009. In this talk, a brief review is provided on the specification, and a number of issues raised by the community are discussed. Particular focus was on the issue of graphical representation of entity decoration of a biological activity. A number of proposals from the community are discussed in detail.
Second-harmonic and sum-frequency generation for surface studies

Second harmonic generation (SHG) has now been well established as a versatile surface-sensitive probe [1]. It has been used to study electrochemical processes at electrode surfaces, molecular adsorption and desorption at metal and semiconductor surfaces, orientational phase transition of molecular monolayers on water, surface reconstruction and epitaxial growth, and so on. More recently, it has been employed as a tool to monitor monolayer polymerization and other surface reactions [2], to probe polar order of molecules at interfaces [3], and to measure molecular nonlinearity [4]. While most surface techniques are restricted to the solid/vacuum environment, SHG is applicable to nearly all interfaces as long as the interfaces are accessible by light. In addition, SHG has the advantages of being capable of in-situ measurements with high temporal, spatial, and spectral resolutions.
Geometry of Fermat adeles

If L(a, s) := Σ n c(n,a)n -s is a family of geometric L-functions depending on a parameter a, then the function (p, a) → c(p, a), where p runs through the set of prime integers, is not a rational function and hence is not a function belonging to algebraic geometry. The aim of the paper is to show that if one enlarges algebraic geometry by adjoining a Fermat quotient operation, then the functions c(p, a) become functions in the enlarged geometry at least for L-functions of curves and Abelian varieties.
Cost-Based Dynamic Reconfiguration System for Evolving Holarchies

Autonomous, highly distributed control architectures are composed of a significant number of holons/agents that can reason and act on behalf of represented processes or artifacts in a coordinated manner. Depending on the social organization capabilities of the agents, the autonomous system could evolve into complex agent organizations called temporal holarchies. Cost-based negotiation supports the holarchy formation. Dynamic hierarchical teamworks architecture of middle-agents is described to increase robustness of the architecture.
Changes in Women's Plasma Lipid and Lipoprotein Concentrations Due to Moderate Consumption of Alcohol Are Affected by Dietary Fat Level

We studied the impact of substituting ethanol for dietary carbohydrate, in high- and low-fat diets, on plasma lipids and lipoprotein concentrations. During a 12-wk, weight maintaining, controlled feeding study, women consumed only food and beverage provided by the Human Studies Facility of the USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center. Twenty-six women (age 41-59 y) consumed either a high-fat diet (38% of energy from fat) or a low-fat diet (18% of energy from fat) for 12 wk. The 12-wk feeding period was divided into two 6-wk periods in a cross-over design during which either ethanol or carbohydrate was added to the diet (5% of total daily energy intake). When the women consuming the high-fat diet had ethanol added to their diet, they had 6% lower plasma cholesterol (P = 0.003), 11% lower LDL cholesterol (P = 0.001) and 3% higher HDL cholesterol (P = 0.06) than when they had an equal amount (% energy) of carbohydrate added to their diet. The greater HDL cholesterol concentration was due to a 21% greater the HDL(2) subfraction (P = 0. 001). The ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol was 14% lower. No significant differences existed in plasma lipids in women consuming the low-fat diet between the periods in which they had ethanol or carbohydrate added to their diet. This study suggests that the decreases in cardiovascular disease risk factors typically seen with moderate alcohol consumption may not be evident in individuals consuming a diet low in fat. Therefore changes in the risk factors associated with a low-fat diet and moderate alcohol consumption do not appear to be additive.
Abstract bilinear systems: The forward shift approach

A bilinear realization theory for a Volterra series input-output map is given. The approach involves a special transform representation for a Volterra series and certain shift operators on a Fock space. The approach yields in a very simple manner a theory of span reachability, observability and minimality for bilinear systems.
Relative Importance of Various Sources of Defect‐Producing Hydrogen Introduced into Steel During the Application of Porcelain Enamels

Deuterium (heavy hydrogen) was used to trace the source of defect-producing hydrogen in steel. The deuterium was introduced, in turn, as a replacement for protium (regular hydrogen) in the pickling acid, the milling water, the quenching water, the chemically combined water in the clay, and the dissolved water in the frit. The gases evolved during fishscaling of the coated steel specimens from each experiment were collected and analyzed for deuterium and protium with the mass spectrometer. The data showed that the principal source of defect-producing hydrogen was the dissolved water in the frit. Experiments in which the presence or absence of lifting and fishscaling served as criteria confirmed the tracer work. Other experiments demonstrated that reboil in ground-coat enamels is closely associated with the water content of the coating.
How Much Do Enzymes Really Gain by Restraining Their Reacting Fragments

The steric effect, exerted by enzymes on their reacting substrates, has been considered as a major factor in enzyme catalysis. In particular, it has been proposed that enzymes catalyze their reactions by pushing their reacting fragments to a catalytic configuration which is sometimes called near attack configuration (NAC). This work uses computer simulation approaches to determine the relative importance of the steric contribution to enzyme catalysis. The steric proposal is expressed in terms of well defined thermodynamic cycles that compare the reaction in the enzyme to the corresponding reaction in water. The SN2 reaction of haloalkane dehalogenase from Xanthobacter autotrophicus GJ10, which was used in previous studies to support the strain concept is chosen as a test case for this proposal. The empirical valence bond (EVB) method provides the reaction potential surfaces in our studies. The reliability and efficiency of this method make it possible to obtain stable results for the steric free energy. T...
Cleavage of chimpanzee secretory immunoglobulin A by Haemophilus influenzae IgA1 protease

Abstract Immunoglobulin (Ig)A proteases synthesized by human mucosal pathogens have a unique specificity for human IgA and will not cleave IgA from other species. In contrast, animal pathogens have not reliably been shown to cleave IgA of the animals they infect. This lack of an animal model has prevented an understanding of the importance of IgA1 proteases as virulence factors. One strategy to develop an animal model would be to identify a species capable of infection by a human IgA-producing pathogen whose IgA was susceptible to cleavage by IgA1 protease of that bacterium. The chimpanzee can be infected with Haemophilus influenzae and is closely related immunologically to man. For these reasons it was sought to determine whether chimpanzee secretory IgA (SlgA) is susceptible to cleavage by IgA1 protease of H. influenzae. This report shows that chimpanzee SlgA can indeed be cleaved at the hinge region by H. influenzae IgA1 protease into Fabα and (Fcα)2 · SC fragments. The susceptibility of chimpanzee SlgA to IgA1 protease of a human pathogen could serve as the basis of an animal model to determine the importance of IgA1 protease in pathogenesis.
Cell biology: A BID for the pathway.

Cells have many ways of coping with damage to their DNA, but how are these all coordinated? It seems that BID — a regulator of programmed cell death — stands at the crossroads of several damage-response pathways.
Truncated Estrogen Receptor Product-1 Suppresses Estrogen Receptor Transactivation by Dimerization with Estrogen Receptors α and β *

The estrogen receptor (ER) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that acts as a homodimer. Truncated estrogen receptor product-1 (TERP-1) is a pituitary-specific, estrogen-induced, isoform of rat ERα that is transcribed from a unique start site and contains only the C-terminal region of the full-length receptor. TERP-1 does not affect transcription directly but suppresses ligand-activated ERα and ERβ activity. Because TERP-1 contains a dimerization domain and part of the coactivator binding pocket, we hypothesized that it modulates ER function by direct interactions with full-length ER or the steroid receptor coactivator, SRC-1. Localization studies demonstrate that TERP-1 is present in the cytoplasm and nucleus of transfected cells and colocalizes with nuclear ER. Protein binding studies show that TERP-1 forms heterodimers with both ERα and ERβ and inhibits ERα binding to its cognate DNA response element. TERP-1 also binds SRC-1, and increasing levels of SRC-1 decrease the TERP-1-ERα interactions, in agreement with the rescue of TERP-1-suppressed ERα transcriptional activity by SRC-1. Mutational analysis of TERP-1 and ERα in the activation helix and the AF-2 dimerization helix indicates that TERP-1 acts predominantly through dimerization with ERα. Therefore, TERP-1 suppression of ER transcription occurs primarily by formation of inactive heterodimers and secondarily by competition for coactivators.
Discrimination in intestinal absorption of strontium and calcium.

Absorption of Sr/sup 85/ and Ca/sup 45/ was studied in the rat by the technique of in vivo intestinal perfusion. With no calcium added to the perfusion solution the percentage of Sr/sup 85/ absorbed was about 0.3 that of Ca/ sup 45/. With increasing levels of calcium in the perfusion solution, the percentage of Sr/sup 85/ and Ca/sup 45/ absorbed decreased; however, the ratio of percentage absorption of Sr/sup 85/ to Ca/sup 45/ increased, reaching a value of about 0.6 in 25 mmcalcium solution. There was no evidence of discrimination in the reverse movement of Sr/sup 85/ and Ca/sup 45/ from blood to intestine. The discrimination which ocours in the absorption process would appear to be a dominant factor in determining over-all strontium calcium relationships. (auth)
Fatigue Behavior of Electrically Conductive Adhesives

The fatigue behavior of an isotropic conductive adhesive made of epoxy matrix with silver flakes is studied by performing fatigue tests. Repetitive tensile and compressive strains are applied to th...
Relaxation of intestinal bladders by intravesical oxybutynin chloride

Incontinence is a frequent complication of continent urinary diversions and neurogenic bladder augmentations constructed from intestinal segments. Oxybutynin chloride was delivered intravesically and orally to six beagles 9 months after bladders were replaced by tubularized ileum (in three dogs) or sigmorectum (in three dogs). Intravesical oxybutynin produced greater bladder relaxation by urodynamic criteria. Measured oxybutynin chloride concentrations suggested that high tissue levels were achieved at low systemic levels. In two human patients with ileocecal urinary diversions, intravesical oxybutynin chloride decreased bladder pressure and decreased the number and magnitude of superimposed contractions. Intravesical application of oxybutynin chloride may produce local drug levels unachievable by oral administration and may better treat incontinence in patients who intermittently catheterize intestinal bladders or intestinally augmented neurogenic bladders.
Daily Emotions and Daily Learning and the Moderating Effects of Perceived Resources

This paper seeks to better clarify the dynamics between affect and learning and how the perception of acquired resources might moderate this relationship. To do this, we use an experience sampling ...
How emergency physicians approach low back pain: Choosing costly options

Abstract To determine ways in which emergency physicians approach the diagnosis and treatment of the common presenting complaint of low back pain, responses of emergency physicians to a questionnaire dealing with three hypothetical patients with different types of low back pain were taken from a stratified national random sample of eight medical specialties. For severe acute (with and without sciatica) or chronic low back pain, physicians were asked which tests and consultants they would use in pursuit of the diagnosis, and which treatments and specialty referrals they would recommend in each of the three scenarios. For diagnosis in the acute cases (pain less than 1 week), up to 22% of emergency physicians recommended computed tomography (CT scan) and 36% recommended magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Specialist consultation would be sought for 61% of the acute sciatica patients, 32% of the acute nonsciatica patients, and 47% of the chronic patients. In approaching treatment, over 75% of emergency physicians would advise bedrest for an average of 3.5 to 4.5 days. Between 16% and 40% suggested physical therapy for the acute patients. Referrals to surgical specialists (orthopedist or neurosurgeon) were highest (81%) for acute sciatica, compared with 52% for chonic low back pain, and 41% for acute nonsciatic low back pain. In conclusion, given that most cases of acute low back pain resolve with minimal intervention, diagnostic imaging, laboratory testing, and early specialist consultation favored by many emergency physicians would add little except expense to understanding its etiology. For treatment, emergency physician recommendations for bedrest were longer than necessary and, for physical therapy, of no proven benefit. The tendency to refer acute cases to orthopedists and neurosurgeons could set the stage for unnecessary operative intervention. Simpler, less costly, and more reassuring approaches to emergency department patients with low back pain should be considered.
Stability of self-stimulation responding during long test sessions

Abstract Rats with electrodes implanted in either rewarding preoptic or posterior hypothalamic areas were run on self-stimulation in continuous 16-hr sessions at several current levels. Comparison of responding in hours 14–16 to responding in hr 0–2 suggested that in hypothalamic but not preoptic sites response stability is related positively to initial response rate and curvilinearly to current level.
Human Illness Costs of Foodborne Bacteria

The economic costs of human illness caused by two bacterial contaminants of food (Salmonella and Listeria) have been used to extrapolate costs to other bacterial caused human illness. A bacterium-by-bacterium estimate is necessary because each enters the food chain in different ways and at different locations. Also, each bacterium and its toxins respond differently to control procedures. Future benefit/cost analyses of foodborne disease control will need to consider the costs of foodborne disease, potential benefits from control, the responsiveness of the specific bacterium and toxins to the alternative control measures, and the costs of control measures at different points in the food chain. This study provides a first approximation of human illness costs (medical costs and productivity losses) for specific bacteria contaminating the U.S. food supply. The National Academy of Sciences has called for using risk assessment in setting priorities in food safety programs. Economics can enhance the risk assessment and risk management process by providing a uniform measure for evaluating the costs and benefits to be gained from strategies to control contamination of food. From an economic efficiency perspective, too much inspection for low probability health risks or inspection not directly related to reducing health risks can be as costly as too little inspection with consequent foodborne disease costs. The key to optimal regulation is to determine when marginal social costs equal marginal social benefits. Economic cost of disease estimates assign different relative importance to diseases than other health indices. Mushkin compared rankings of economic costs with other health status measures for seventeen disease categories. The importance of the diseases varies markedly with the measure used: foodborne disease falls in the category of infectious and parasitic diseases, which ranks seventh in importance for number of disability days, eleventh for number of deaths, and fourteenth in economic costs to society of the seventeen disease categories (Mushkin). The literature on the social cost of foodborne disease is new and limited to either broad estimates (Garthright, Archer, and Kvenberg; Archer and Kvenberg; Todd 1985a, p. 159) or estimates for a specific foodborne disease outbreak (Todd 1985a, b; Cohen et al.; Shandera et al.); neither are very useful for benefit/cost analyses. The former are too general and do not permit a correlation between a specific pathogen and various control options. The latter are narrow and do not capture the wide range of outcomes (mild illness to death) for he specific bacterium. Data exist for two foodborne bacteria that take account of all known acute cases, yielding cost-of-illness estimates for the whole bacterial disease profile. Thes tw diseases represent extremes on a continuum of likely foodborne disease outc mes. Using these data in combination with epidemiological data on incidence and severity, t is paper extrapolates costs to other foodb rne bacteria to make a first approximation of the cost of all bacterial pathogens.
Inhibition of release of corticotrophin.

MOST present concepts of the mechanism of stress activation of the adenohypophysis include the idea of neuro-endocrine ‘releasing factors’ which liberate a portion of the stored preformed corticotrophin1. In contrast to the depletion of corticotrophin demonstrated by Rochefort et al.2 during prolonged stresses, we have not been able to demonstrate any depletion after stress of short duration during the period of marked elevation of circulating corticotrophin. In adrenalectomized animals, there is actually an elevation of adenohypophyseal corticotrophin content coincident with the period of peak blood-level of corticotrophin3. This has led us to consider that, in the pituitary, stimulation of biosynthesis of corticotrophin is a very important element in the response to acute stresses. For this reason, we felt that it might be of interest to determine whether a blockade of corticotrophin biosynthesis would have any effect on the subsequent ability to release this hormone. We examined the effect of ethionine pre-treatment upon the stress-induced secretion of corticotrophin in rats.
On the mechanism of side chain oxidation of N-β-alanyldopamine by cuticular enzymes from Sarcophaga bullata.

The metabolism of N-beta-alanyldopamine (NBAD) by Sarcophaga bullata was investigated. Incubation of NBAD with larval cuticular preparations resulted in the covalent bindings of NBAD to the cuticle and generation of N-beta-alanyl-norepinephrine (NBANE) as the soluble product. When the reaction was carried out in presence of a powerful quinone trap viz., N-acetylcysteine, NBANE formation was totally abolished; but a new compound characterized as NBAD-quinone-N-acetylcysteine adduct was generated. These results indicate that NBAD quinone is an obligatory intermediate for the biosynthesis of NBANE in sarcophagid cuticle. Accordingly, phenylthiourea--a well-known phenoloxidase inhibitor--completely inhibited the NBANE production even at 5 microM level. A soluble enzyme isolated from cuticle converted exogenously supplied NBAD quinone to NBANE. Chemical considerations indicated that the enzyme is an isomerase and is converting NBAD quinone to its quinone methide which was rapidly and nonenzymatically hydrated to form NBANE. Consistent with this hypothesis is the finding that NBAD quinone methide can be trapped as beta-methoxy NBAD by performing the enzymatic reaction in 10% methanol. Moreover, when the reaction was carried out in presence of kynurenine, two diastereoisomeric structures of papiliochrome II-(Nar-[alpha-3-aminopropionyl amino methyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzyl]-L-kynurenine) could be isolated as by-products, indicating that the further reactions of NBAD quinone methide with exogenously added nucleophiles are nonenzymatic and nonstereoselective. Based on these results, it is concluded that NBAD is metabolized via NBAD quinone and NBAD quinone methide by the action of phenoloxidase and quinone isomerase respectively. The resultant NBAD quinone methide, being highly reactive, undergoes nonenzymatic and nonstereoselective Michael-1,6-addition reaction with either water (to form NBANE) or other nucleophiles in cuticle to account for the proposed quinone methide sclerotization.
Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome: review of imaging findings and current literature.

Papillon-Lefevre syndrome (PLS) is a rare autosomal recessive condition that causes palmoplantar keratoderma and premature exfoliation of primary and secondary dentition. There are several diseases that can mimic PLS, and it is estimated that the disease is far more prevalent than documented but may either be misdiagnosed or not acknowledged. Radiological exams can provide important clues to differentiate between these syndromes and make an accurate diagnosis.
Northern spotted owl habitat models for research and management application in calfornia (usa)

In order to test the veracity of currently accepted ideas about Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) habitat associations in the Klamath Province of northern California (USA) we compared different habitat descriptions using predictive habitat-association models. The current description used by federal agencies and new descriptions based on research results and field biologists' best estimates of owl nesting/roosting habitat and foraging habitat were evaluated. For each habitat description, three habitat metrics and three forms of the relationship between owl occupancy and quantities of these habitat metrics were evaluated, each at three spatial scales. Our refined descriptions of owl nesting and roosting, and foraging habitat, were better at predicting owl occupancy than the habitat description currently used by federal land managers. The best-fitting model for predicting owl occupancy was at the 200-ha scale and exhibited a pseudo-threshold relationship to nesting and roosting habitat and a quadratic relationship to foraging habitat. This model correctly classified owl-occupied sites 94% of the time for the developmental data set and between 85% and 92% of the time on four independent test data sets. The current description of owl habitat in northern California ranked among the worst in the collection of models we examined. The testing of multiple models on the four independent data sets was very important for determining the goodness-of-fit and predictive capabilities of the best models. We explored the use of the best-fitting model to predict number of owls on several independent study areas and found a strong correlation between predicted and observed number of owls. The results of this study are beginning to be used to make land-management decisions regarding harvesting and prescribed-burning activities on federal forestlands and were specifically designed to be amenable to adaptive resource management.
Permeability Transition Pore-Mediated Mitochondrial Superoxide Flashes Regulate Cortical Neural Progenitor Differentiation

In the process of neurogenesis, neural progenitor cells (NPCs) cease dividing and differentiate into postmitotic neurons that grow dendrites and an axon, become excitable, and establish synapses with other neurons. Mitochondrial biogenesis and aerobic metabolism provide energy substrates required to support the differentiation, growth and synaptic activity of neurons. Mitochondria may also serve signaling functions and, in this regard, it was recently reported that mitochondria can generate rapid bursts of superoxide (superoxide flashes), the frequency of which changes in response to environmental conditions and signals including oxygen levels and Ca2+ fluxes. Here we show that the frequency of mitochondrial superoxide flashes increases as embryonic cerebral cortical neurons differentiate from NPCs, and provide evidence that the superoxide flashes serve a signaling function that is critical for the differentiation process. The superoxide flashes are mediated by mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening, and pharmacological inhibition of the mPTP suppresses neuronal differentiation. Moreover, superoxide flashes and neuronal differentiation are inhibited by scavenging of mitochondrial superoxide. Conversely, manipulations that increase superoxide flash frequency accelerate neuronal differentiation. Our findings reveal a regulatory role for mitochondrial superoxide flashes, mediated by mPTP opening, in neuronal differentiation.
Enantioselective reduction of ketones with β-hydroxysulfoximine-borane complexes

Abstract Optically pure β-hydroxysulfoximines were treated in toluene solution at −78°C with 2 equiv. of gaseous diborane. The resulting borane complexes were used to reduce prochiral ketones at −78°C; alcohols with optical purities ranging from 3 to 82% were obtained.
Star-studded development

Abstract Principles of Development edited by Lewis Wolpert, Rosa Beddington, Jeremy Brockes, Thomas Jessel, Peter Lawrence and Elliot Meyerowitz Current Biology and Oxford University Press, 1997. £25.95 hbk (xx+484 pages) ISBN 0 19 850263 X
Two-point statistics of multifractal measures

Abstract The relationship between the ƒ(α) function of a multifractal and the spatial correlations of its singularity strengths is examined. An expression to compute the probability of observing two different singularities α’ and α″ within a distance r is derived for measures arising from isotropic random multiplicative processes. The correlation of α's is shown to decay logarithmically with distance. Possible applications to turbulence models are discussed, and the results are illustrated for a binomial measure, where the scaling of two-point correlation functions is shown to exhibit a phase transition.
Circuit-based framework for understanding neurotransmitter and risk gene interactions in schizophrenia

Many risk genes interact synergistically to produce schizophrenia and many neurotransmitter interactions have been implicated. We have developed a circuit-based framework for understanding gene and neurotransmitter interactions. NMDAR hypofunction has been implicated in schizophrenia because NMDAR antagonists reproduce symptoms of the disease. One action of antagonists is to reduce the excitation of fast-spiking interneurons, resulting in disinhibition of pyramidal cells. Overactive pyramidal cells, notably those in the hippocampus, can drive a hyperdopaminergic state that produces psychosis. Additional aspects of interneuron function can be understood in this framework, as follows. (i) In animal models, NMDAR antagonists reduce parvalbumin and GAD67, as found in schizophrenia. These changes produce further disinhibition and can be viewed as the aberrant response of a homeostatic system having a faulty activity sensor (the NMDAR). (ii) Disinhibition decreases the power of gamma oscillation and might thereby produce negative and cognitive symptoms. (iii) Nicotine enhances the output of interneurons, and might thereby contribute to its therapeutic effect in schizophrenia.
A comparison of imputation methods for handling missing scores in biometric fusion

Multibiometric systems, which consolidate or fuse multiple sources of biometric information, typically provide better recognition performance than unimodal systems. While fusion can be accomplished at various levels in a multibiometric system, score-level fusion is commonly used as it offers a good trade-off between data availability and ease of fusion. Most score-level fusion rules assume that the scores pertaining to all the matchers are available prior to fusion. Thus, they are not well equipped to deal with the problem of missing match scores. While there are several techniques for handling missing data in general, the imputation scheme, which replaces missing values with predicted values, is preferred since this scheme can be followed by a standard fusion scheme designed for complete data. In this work, the performance of the following imputation methods are compared in the context of multibiometric fusion: K-nearest neighbor (KNN) schemes, likelihood-based schemes, Bayesian-based schemes and multiple imputation (MI) schemes. Experiments on the MSU database assess the robustness of the schemes in handling missing scores at different missing rates. It is observed that the Gaussian mixture model (GMM)-based KNN imputation scheme results in the best recognition accuracy.
Graphene Nucleation Density on Copper: Fundamental Role of Background Pressure

In this paper we discuss the effect of background pressure and synthesis temperature on the graphene crystal sizes in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on copper catalyst. For the first time, we quantitatively demonstrate a fundamental role of the background pressure and provide the activation energy for graphene nucleation in atmospheric pressure CVD (9 eV), which is substantially higher than for the low pressure CVD (4 eV). We attribute the difference to a greater importance of copper sublimation in the low pressure CVD, where severe copper evaporation likely dictates the desorption rate of active carbon from the surface. At atmospheric pressure, where copper evaporation is suppressed, the activation energy is assigned to the desorption energy of carbon clusters instead. The highest possible temperature, close to the melting point of copper, should be used for large single crystal graphene synthesis. Using these conditions, we have synthesized graphene single crystals with sizes over 0.5 mm. Single crysta...
Retrieving quantum yield of sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence near surface from hyperspectral in-situ measurement in productive water.

Magnitude and quantum yield (η) of sun induced chlorophyll fluorescence are determined in widely varying productive waters with chlorophyll concentrations from 2–200 mg/m3. Fluorescence was estimated using linear fitting of in-situ measured surface reflectance with elastic and inelastic reflectance spectra. Elastic reflectance spectra were obtained from Hydrolight simulations with measured absorption and attenuation spectra as inputs. η is then computed based on a depth integrated fluorescence model and compared with Hydrolight calculation results. Despite the large variability of coastal environments examined the η values are found to vary over a relatively narrow range 0.1%–1% with mean values of 0.33%±0.17%.
Reflection and transmission properties of holographic mirrors and holographic Fabry–Perot filters. II. Holographic mirrors with partially coherent light

The reflection and transmission properties of holographic mirrors (HM's) under partially coherent illumination are investigated with emphasis on the properties of reflected light. The effects of a HM on the spectrum and on the coherence properties of partially coherent incident light are studied. We show that within angular and frequency-selectivity ranges of HM's (where their reflectivities are nearly uniform), the changes in the spectrum and in the coherence properties are negligible. Yet changes are expected when the spectrum of the incident light falls beyond frequency-selectivity ranges of the HM's or when the spectrum of the reflected light is observed beyond the angular-selectivity ranges of the mirrors. We illustrate the results by considering in detail the performance of HM's when the incident light is produced by planar secondary Gaussian Schell-model sources. Some computed curves are presented.
Effectiveness of implanting catheterizable channels into intestinal segments.

Abstract Objective To assess the effectiveness of implanting continent catheterizable channels (CCCs) into bowel segments used for bladder augmentation or substitution. Methods The records of patients operated on between 2000 and 2003 were reviewed. CCCs were created using the appendix or a transverse tubularized bowel, and were implanted either in the intestinal segment of an augmentation or into an intestinal continent reservoir. Implantation into the intestinal segment was preferred over the native bladder, when it allowed the stoma to be placed at the umbilicus, creating the shortest possible channel. Ease of catheterization and continence through the stoma were evaluated by clinic interviews or record review. Results Thirty-two patients (16 males) were 11.6 years old (mean) at the time of operation. Mean follow-up was 26 months. The CCCs were implanted in colon (24), ileum (six) and into a seromuscular colocystoplasty (two). At the last follow up all patients had satisfactory continence through the catheterizable stoma, but the continence rate after the initial procedure was 87.5% (28/32). Three patients required revision because of a short tunnel and became continent. One patient experiences occasional incontinent episodes when the bladder is full, but has not been re-operated on. Three patients experienced difficulties with catheterization attributed to a skin-level stenosis and have been revised. The overall revision rate was 18%. Conclusion CCCs constructed with either appendix or transverse tubularized bowel implanted into intestinal segments had a success rate comparable to that reported by others when implanted in the native bladder. The umbilical location of the stoma had significant cosmetic advantages and no apparent disadvantages.
Uterine morcellation at the time of hysterectomy: techniques, risks, and recommendations.

ImportanceUterine leiomyomata or fibroids are the most common pelvic tumor experienced in women. A minimally invasive approach to hysterectomy has proven benefits of cosmesis, lower blood loss, less pain, decreased hospital stay, and faster recovery. The incidence of uterine morcellation, the proces
A learning model for becoming interculturally competent

Abstract The world is becoming increasingly interdependent with nation states struggling to work together and share limited resources. There is a growing demand for individuals who are interculturally competent, those who can work and live effectively with others in different cultures. Most of the research on intercultural competency over the last 25 years has focused on prediction, by identifying characteristics of sojourners indicative of successful intercultural experiences. Little if any research has taken a learning perspective—how it is that sojourners learn to become interculturally competent. Understanding the learning process is essential to developing more effective education programs and identifying factors that can aid the sojourner during his or her intercultural experience. The field of adult education offers transformative learning theory that could act as a model for this process. This essay illustrates a significant link between intercultural competency and the theory of transformative learning, in an effort to shed light on the learning process of becoming interculturally competent.
Systematic electrochemical oxidative doping of P3HT to probe interfacial charge transfer across polymer–fullerene interfaces

This work demonstrates the detection and control of interfacial charge transfer across polymer–fullerene interfaces relevant to organic electronic platforms, including solar cells and photodetectors. Electrochemical deposition of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (e-P3HT) and subsequent electrochemical oxidation to systematically vary the fraction of oxidized thiophene (e-P3HT+) was used to form donor polymer films. The fullerene electron acceptor C60 was vacuum deposited onto the e-P3HT, and interfacial interactions were monitored with optical and photoelectron spectroscopy. Charge redistribution (sub-stoichiometric or even stoichiometric electron transfer) from e-P3HT to C60 was observed when the initial fraction of e-P3HT+ was low, as evidenced by the formation of new polaronic species and simultaneous n-doping of the C60. These charge transfer results are expected to impact interfacial rates of free carrier generation and recombination, as well as competing charge transport processes, particularly in thin film devices (<60 nm). While charge transfer of this sort has been previously observed, the ability to control the extent of charge redistribution through the systematic oxidation of the thiophene species demonstrates additional chemical tunability that can further increase the functionality of polymer–fullerene type II heterojunctions. Collectively, this work highlights the need to characterize and strategically manipulate nanoscale deviations from bulk properties in the future rational design of functional organic electronics.
Flexible flatfoot in children and adolescents

Flexible flatfoot is a normal foot shape that is present in most infants and many adults. The arch elevates spontaneously in most children during the first decade of life. There is no evidence that a longitudinal arch can be created in a child’s foot by any external forces or devices. Flexible flatfoot with a short Achilles tendon, in contrast to simple flexible flatfoot, is known to cause pain and disability in some adolescents and adults. Joint-preserving, deformity-correcting surgery is indicated in flexible flatfeet with short Achilles tendons when conservative measurements fail to relieve pain under the head of the plantar flexed talus or in the sinus tarsi area. Osteotomy is the fundamental and central procedure of choice. In almost all cases, Achilles tendon lengthening is required. In some cases, rigid supination deformity of the forefoot is present, requiring identification and concurrent treatment.
Salinity Tolerance and Osmotic Response in Two Species of Spider Crabs of the Genus Libinia (Decapoda Brachyura, Majidae)

An zwei Dreieckskrabben, Libinia emarginata und L. dubia, wurdea Salinitatstoleranz und osmotische Reaktion untersucht. Beide Arten erreichen ein osmotisches Gleichgewicht innerhalb 6 Std. nach Uberfuhrung in eine neue Salzgehaltskonzentration. Im Zustand osmotischen Gleichgewichts war die Hamolymphe beider Arten hyperosmotisch im Verhaltnis zu den experimentellen Salzgehalten. Der durchschnittliche Unterschied fur alle getesteten Salzgehalte betrug 33 mOsm bei L. emarginata und 8 mOsm bei L. dubia. Bezogen auf eine Mortalitat von 50% nach 24 Std. tolerierten beide Arten Salzgehalte von 600 bis 1400 mOsm. Diese Ergebnisse lassen es ungerechtfertigt erscheinen, sowohl L. emarginata als auch L. dubia weiterhin als stenohalin zu bezeichnen; es ware besser von "hyperosmotischen Osmoconformern" zu sprechen.
Suggestions on seeking employment

Some practical suggestions that may aid the engineering graduate in becoming situated in industry.
Electrical and optical switching properties of single crystal bi4ti3oi2

The full and partial switching properties of twin free Bi4Ti3O12 crystals have been studied by a combination of c-axis electrical switching measurements and optical observations of the domain patterns in the ab and ac planes. No absolute switching threshold could be detected for Bi4Ti3O12. However a sharp increase in the activation field was measured at low E. The large self reversal effects, the dependence of switching speed on 'off time and the close approach to a threshold are due to the lock-in of the reversing domain walls at energy traps. The polarization reversal occurs with a small number of domains whose sides are parallel to and extend the full length of the c-axis. Initially the domains have a lenticular ab cross-section with most of the growth occurring along the lenticle's long axis which is parallel to the crystal's b-axis. As the domains coalesce a-axis growth becomes dominant.
A Quartile Test for Differences in Distribution

Abstract We propose a simple nonparametric statistic using sample quartiles to test differences in distribution. Simulation results suggest that the test is about equal in power over a wide range of alternatives to the familiar procedure of Kolmogorov and Smirnov. When the two distributions compared differ in both location and dispersion, the quartile test may be more sensitive than the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Wilcoxon rank-sum, Siegel-Tukey, and runs tests.
Heat Treatment Effects on Strawberry Plant Survival and Angular Leaf Spot, Caused by Xanthomonas fragariae, in Nursery Production

Turechek, W. W., and Peres, N. A. 2009. Heat treatment effects on strawberry plant survival and angular leaf spot, caused by Xanthomonas fragariae, in nursery production. Plant Dis. 93:299308. Angular leaf spot is an important disease in strawberry nursery production. The European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) lists Xanthomonas fragariae as an A2 quarantine pathogen. Therefore, nurseries wishing to export plants to European countries must maintain phytosanitary standards to exclude X. fragariae. To help nurseries achieve these standards, heat treatment for killing or reducing the number of viable bacterial cells in strawberry crown tissue was investigated. First, the sensitivity of bacteria to heat was determined by dispensing 1-ml aliquots of standardized cell suspensions in microcentrifuge tubes for each of four isolates of X. fragariae, including the type culture, and submerging the tubes in water at 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, and 56°C for 0, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120, 240, 360, and 480 min. Bacteria were transferred to growth medium to determine the proportion surviving heat treatment. Two trials were conducted in a greenhouse to determine the sensitivity of bare-root plants to heat treatment. In the first trial, plants of cvs. Camarosa and Diamante from two different nurseries were heat treated as follows: (i) plants placed in metallic mesh cages and immersed directly into water (industry standard, direct dip); (ii) plants sealed in a plastic bag and the bag immersed in water (bagged dry); or (iii) plants wetted in warm water, sealed in a plastic bag, and then immersed in water (bagged wet). Plants were treated at 44 or 48°C for 0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 min. In the second trial, plants of cvs. Camarosa, Camino Real, Diamante, Oso Grande, Strawberry Festival, and Ventana from a single nursery were subjected to the same treatments. In both trials, plants were potted after treatment and rated for growth characteristics. Results showed that populations of bacteria exposed to 56 and 52°C were killed completely after 15 and 60 min of exposure, respectively; both treatments killed plants. Bacterial populations exposed to 44°C for 4 h or 48°C for 2 h were reduced by 10 5 or 10 6 CFU/ml. The same treatments minimally affected vegetative growth of plants bagged dry or wet, but flowering was adversely affected. These heat treatments were selected for testing of nursery stock of several cultivars in field trials established at two locations in successive years. The survival rate among cultivars was similar to that observed in greenhouse trials, and angular leaf spot developed appreciably only in non-heat-treated control plots. Heat treatment of strawberry nursery stock is feasible and can be used to supplement standard production practices for producing pathogen-free nursery stock.
Neuropeptide Y perfused in the preoptic area of rats shifts extracellular efflux of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin during hypothermia and feeding

This study examined the localized action of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on monoamine transmitter activity in the hypothalamus of the unrestrained rat as this peptide induced hypothermia, spontaneous feeding or both responses simultaneously. A guide tube was implanted in the anterior hypothalamic pre-optic area (AH/POA) of Sprague-Dawley rats. Then either control CSF vehicle or NPY in a dose of either 100 ng/μl or 250 ng/μl was perfused by push-pull cannulae in this structure in the fully sated, normothermic rat. Successive perfusions were carried out at a rate of 20 μl/min for 6.0 min with an interval of 6.0 min elapsing between each. Samples of perfusate were assayed by HPLC for their levels of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT) and their respective metabolites. Whereas control CSF was without effect on body temperature (Tb) or feeding, repeated perfusions of NPY over 3.0 hr caused dose—dependent eating from 4 to 39 g of food, hypothermia of 0.9 to 2.3°C or both responses concurrently. As the rats consumed 11–39 g of food, the efflux of NE, MHPG, DOPAC and 5-HT was enhanced significantly, whereas during the fall in Tb the efflux of NE, DOPAC and 5-HIAA from the AH/POA increased. When the Tb of the rat declined simultaneously with eating behavior, the levels in perfusate of DOPAC and HVA increased significantly while MHPG declined. During perfusion of the AH/POA with NPY the turnover of NE declined while DA and 5-HT turnover increased during hypothermia alone or when accompanied by feeding. These results demonstrate that the sustained elevation in NPY within the AH/POA causes a selective alteration in the activity of the neurotransmitters implicated in thermoregulation, satiety and hunger. These findings suggest that both DA and NE comprise intermediary factors facilitating the action of NPY on neurons involved in thermoregulatory and ingestive processes. The local activity of NPY on hypothalamic neurons apparently shifts the functional balance of serotonergic and catecholaminergic neurons now thought to play a primary role in the control of energy metabolism and caloric intake.
Evolution and relationships: A call for integration.

In this introduction to the special issue on evolutionary approaches to relationships, we first review some of the major theories and milestones that have shaped and informed modern evolutionary thinking. In doing so, we discuss some of the major evolutionary theories that are most relevant to interpersonal relationships, and we describe how these theories are structurally linked. We then discuss the importance of theorizing about and studying phenomena from multiple levels of explanation–ultimate, ontogenetic, and proximate. Several misconceptions that continue to plague evolutionary psychology are then discussed, and we suggest ways in which evolutionary psychologists have unwittingly created, perpetuated, or sometimes exacerbated certain misconceptions. We conclude that the science of relationships could benefit from an infusion of more evolutionary thinking, and we propose that evolutionary psychology could benefit by having more relationship researchers.