cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-shelled upconversion nanostructures with enhanced photoluminescence intensity via successive epitaxial layer-by-layer formation (SELF) strategy for high-level anticounterfeiting

Owing to the ability to convert near-infrared (NIR) incident light into high-energy ultraviolet or visible light photons, lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have attracted great attention in anticounterfeiting applications as appealing and unparalleled agents. To facilitate the efficient energy transfer and overcome the bottleneck of low upconverted photoluminescence, we report a one-pot successive epitaxial layer-by-layer formation (SELF) strategy based on ion layer adsorption and Ostwald ripening to synthesize a series of high-quality monodispersed multi-shelled UCNPs with narrow size distribution (coefficient of variation less than 5%). Up to 30 layers of uniform shell are successfully deposited by successive introduction of the shell precursor solutions, which results in fold change of 300 and 200 in upconverted emission intensities for Er3+ and Tm3+-doped multi-shelled UCNPs, respectively. Using as-prepared multi-shelled UCNPs via SELF approach in conjunction with fabricated downconversion nanoparticles (DCNPs), we develop a facile and cost-effective strategy based on dual-modal manipulation of luminescence in anticounterfeiting to provide extra high-level security protection. The genuine pattern with true information is easier to visualize with the naked eye under excitation of 980 nm near-infrared (NIR) laser, while the false information could be readily read out when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Meanwhile, latent fingerprint recognition with low background interference and distinguishable details in ridge patterns is achieved taking advantage of the significantly improved brightness in multi-shelled UCNPs.
Candidate Emergence and the Success of Women

At least partially in response to Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential election (Jordan and Balz 2018), 2018 witnessed a record number of women running for and winning legislative elections across the country. This candidacy surge affords a unique opportunity to evaluate why individuals choose to run for office. Extant literature identifies both individual- and institutional-level determinants of candidate entry, yet little attention has been given to a critical institutional feature that can encourage or discourage women to put their names forward: primary type. This article develops a model of candidate emergence positing that different primary systems—by virtue of including and excluding the participation of various subpopulations of a state’s electorate—will be more or less attractive to potential female candidates relative to potential male candidates. We uncover evidence consistent with our theory: women appear less interested in running in certain types of primaries (e.g., semi-closed) but find other systems more appealing (e.g., nonpartisan). The results also indicate that after considering primary type, women tend to outperform men in the subsequent general election across the board. This study provides encouraging evidence that closing the representation gap is an increasingly achievable goal but that the rules of the electoral game continue to determine who is playing.
The influence of soybean population and POST herbicide application timing on in-season and subsequent-season Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) control and economic returns

Overreliance on herbicides for weed control has led to the evolution of herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth populations. Farm managers should consider the long-term consequences of their short-term management decisions, especially when considering the soil weed seedbank. The objectives of this research were to (1) determine how soybean population and POST herbicide application timing affects in-season Palmer amaranth control and soybean yield, and (2) how those variables influence Palmer amaranth densities and cotton yields the following season. Soybeans were planted (19-cm row spacing) at a low-, medium-, and high-density population (268,000, 546,000, and 778,000 plants ha–1, respectively). Fomesafen and clethodim (280 and 210 g ai ha–1, respectively) were applied at the VE, V1, or V2 to V3 soybean growth stage. Nontreated plots were also included to assess the effect of soybean population alone. The following season, cotton was planted into these plots so as to understand the effects of soybean planting population on Palmer amaranth densities in the subsequent crop. When an herbicide application occurred at the V1 or V2 to V3 soybean stage, weed control in the high-density soybean population increased 17% to 23% compared to the low-density population. Economic return was not influenced by soybean population and was increased 72% to 94% with herbicide application compared to no treatment. In the subsequent cotton crop, Palmer amaranth densities were 24% to 39% lower 3 wk after planting when following soybean sprayed with herbicides compared to soybean without herbicides. Additionally, Palmer amaranth densities in cotton were 19% lower when soybean was treated at the VE stage compared to later stages. Thus, increasing soybean population can improve Palmer amaranth control without adversely affecting economic returns and can reduce future weed densities. Reducing the weed seedbank and selection pressure from herbicides are critical in mitigating resistance evolution.Nomenclature: Clethodim; fomesafen; Palmer amaranth, Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats.; cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L.; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr.
Single layer In-O atomic sheets as phonon and electron barriers in ZnO-In2O3 natural superlattices: Implications for thermoelectricity

The phases in the ZnO half of the ZnO-In2O3 binary system are natural superlattices consisting of a periodic stacking of single InO2 sheets separated by indium doped ZnO blocks with a spacing that depends on the composition according to the relationship In2O3(ZnO)k. Characterization by combined, atomic resolution, aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy analysis indicates that the atomic structure of each InO2 layer consists of a single continuous sheet of octahedrally coordinated InO2. The sheets are also crystallographic inversion boundaries. Analysis of the electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and Seebeck coefficient data at 800 °C indicates that the InO2 sheets not only decrease thermal conductivity by phonon scattering but also create potential barriers to electron transport. The origin of the potential barriers, the role of piezoelectric effects, and their dependence on superlattice spacing are discussed qualitatively. It is also argued that the crystallographically aligned InO2 sheets within individual grains are also transport barriers in randomly oriented polycrystalline materials.
Drivers and Barriers to Implementation of Connected, Automated, Shared, and Electric Vehicles: An Agenda for Future Research

Several converging trends appear to reshape the way citizens and goods move about. These trends are social, including urbanization and population growth, and technological, such as increased automation and connectivity. All these factors influence the market for connected, automated, shared and electric (CASE) vehicles, which presents many opportunities and challenges. The pace of the shift to a profoundly penetrated market for CASE vehicles is far from secure. Such transformation depends on the development of technologies, consumer attitudes, and policies. An expanding body of research has investigated the potential social and behavioral results of deploying CASE vehicles. However, most academic literature to date concentrates on technological issues linked to these vehicles. There are several teams from federal and state agencies, OEMs, academia, startups, and consortiums working on this complex subject. This study investigates several academic papers, as well as federal and industry reports, considering all the stakeholders mentioned above. Its aim is to present a comprehensive picture of the implementation barriers and drivers of CASE vehicle usage and provide suggestions to solve them. The findings confirm that several issues are currently affecting the implementation of CASE vehicles on the road. Although there have been significant partnerships and collaborations between CASE vehicle stakeholders, namely technology companies, federal-state agencies, and academic scholars, considerable work is still required to solve the remaining barriers facing CASE-related technologies. This would enable decision-makers to create effective policies for future transportation networks and increase the speed of CASE vehicle market penetration to enhance road network’s level of service.
COVID-19 pneumonia diagnosis using chest x-ray radiograph and deep learning

In the effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, quick and effective diagnosis is paramount in preventing the spread of the disease. While the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test is the gold standard method to identify COVID-19, the use of x-ray radiography (CXR) has been widely used in the clinical workup for patients suspected of infection as an additional means of diagnosis and treatment response monitoring. CXR is available in almost every medical center across the world, allowing a quick and protected means of identifying potential COVID-19 cases to subject to quarantine procedures. However, the major challenge with the use of CXR in COVID-19 diagnosis is its low sensitivity and specificity in current radiological practice due to the similarities in clinical presentation to other diseases. Machine learning methods, particularly deep learning, have been shown to perform extremely well in a variety of classification tasks, often exceeding human performance. To utilize these techniques, a large data set of over 12,000 CXR images, including over 6,000 confirmed COVID-19 positive cases, was collected to train and validate a deep learning model to differentiate COVID-19 pneumonia from other causes of CXR abnormalities. In this work we show that this deep learning method can differentiate between COVID-19 related pneumonia and non-COVID-19 pneumonia, with high sensitivity and specificity.
Associated Mechanisms of Goal Directed Behavior in Infants and Young Children with Down Syndrome

Early goal-directed behavior is an important area of cognitive development for long-term outcomes in typical development yet is substantially disrupted in Down syndrome (DS). While motor abilities, visual attention, and haptic perception are established associated mechanisms of early goal-directed behavior in typical development, there has been minimal investigation into these as mechanisms of goal-directed behavior in children with DS. The aim of the present study was to examine fine motor, gross motor, visual attention, and haptic perception as associated mechanisms of two types of goal-directed behavior in DS. Participants included 38 infants and toddlers with DS (mean CA=24.84 months). Measures included standardized assessments of fine and gross motor, and behavioral assessments of visual attention, tactile integration, problem solving, and functional object use. Results identified specificity in associated mechanisms across different types of goal-directed behavior—problem solving, and functional object use. Haptic perception was identified as the most salient predictor of goal-directed behavior. Collectively, findings indicate that haptic perception and fine and gross motor abilities are essential mechanisms of goal-directed behavior in DS and therefore may serve as potential targets for intervention.
Creating Culturally Responsive Services for Vietnamese-Heritage Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Despite a population of over two million Vietnamese people in the United States, very few domestic violence shelters employ Vietnamese-speaking staff or provide culturally responsive services. Research on the needs of Vietnamese intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors is also sparse, and very few studies have asked Vietnamese IPV survivors themselves about their service recommendations. To fill this gap in the literature, the current study conducted qualitative interviews and focus groups with 20 Vietnamese IPV survivors and 13 service providers about IPV services for Vietnamese survivors living in the United States. Analytic Induction was used to identify recommendations for culturally responsive services at the practitioner, intervention, and institutional levels. Participant recommendations were primarily at the intervention and institutional levels. At the institutional level, participants recommended more community outreach and education. At the intervention level, participants recommended more comprehensive and long-term services, more accessible services and locations, and incorporating cultural values and norms into services. At the practitioner level, participants recommended hiring bilingual/bicultural staff and providing culturally responsive and trauma-informed training. Much of the cultural competency literature focuses on practitioner skills and knowledge, but findings from the current study suggest that changes at the intervention and institutional level are just as important. Such changes include the development of non-Western service models, relationship-based methods of community engagement, and long-term services to meet survivors’ needs.
Abstract 95: Nutrition and Cognitive Decline Over 21-years: Results from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC)

Background: A healthy diet may be protective against cognitive decline by mechanisms that involve improved vascular risk factors such as hypertension and dysglycemia, and reduced systemic inflammat...
Does Racism Discriminate? Racial and Ethnic Discrimination Among Nigerians and Jamaicans in Houston Texas:

As a result of more racially inclusive immigration policies in the U.S., the African and Caribbean population has increased. Thus far, scholarly inquiry on Black immigrants have focused on their in...
Neuromorphic Graph Algorithms: Cycle Detection, Odd Cycle Detection, and Max Flow

Neuromorphic computing is poised to become a promising computing paradigm in the post Moore’s law era due to its extremely low power usage and inherent parallelism. Spiking neural networks are the traditional use case for neuromorphic systems, and have proven to be highly effective at machine learning tasks such as control problems. More recently, neuromorphic systems have been applied outside of the arena of machine learning, primarily in the field of graph algorithms. Neuromorphic systems have been shown to perform graph algorithms faster and with lower power consumption than their traditional (GPU/CPU) counterparts, and are hence an attractive option for a co-processing unit in future high performance computing systems, where graph algorithms play a critical role. In this paper, we present a neuromorphic implementation of cycle detection, odd cycle detection, and the Ford-Fulkerson max-flow algorithm. We further evaluate the performance of these implementations using the NEST neuromorphic simulator by using spike counts and simulation time as proxies for energy consumption and run time. In addition to gains inherent in neuromorphic systems, we show that within the neuromorphic implementations early stopping criteria can be implemented to further improve performance.
Trends in morbidity, healthy life expectancy, and the compression of morbidity

Abstract This chapter lays out the dimensions of morbidity and the processes linking morbidity and mortality. It provides evidence of recent trends in morbidity of the older American population: decline in some types of disability but not others, disease, and physiological dysregulation among the older American population. In addition, the chapter uses data from two recent cohorts to look at survival without disease and the age at onset of diseases. We have generally seen an increase in the prevalence and time with disease; but disease appears less disabling now than in the past. In addition, the onset of myocardial infarction appears to have been delayed by the recent control of biological risk. Most of the evidence does not support the idea that we have experienced a recent compression of morbidity; it does support some delay and retarding of progression of the morbidity process.
Russian military thinking and threat perception : a Finnish view

“The three main security challenges for Finland today are Russia, Russia and Russia. And not only for Finland, but for all of us.” This quote is from a speech by Finnish Minister of Defense Jyri Hakamies in Washington in September 2007. His remarks were immediately strongly criticized as inappropriate and it was pointed out that his view didn’t represent the official position of the Finnish Government. Mr. Hakamies seemed, however, to gain in credibility a month later, when a senior Russian diplomat gave a strongly worded presentation about the security threats in the Baltic Sea area in a seminar organized by the Finnish National Defense University and later appeared several times on Finnish television. The message sent was that Finnish membership in NATO would be perceived as a military threat to Russia. This peculiar episode caused cold shivers, as it reminded us of unpleasant experiences during the post-war period. The Russian military force build-up and the war in Georgia in August 2008 was the ultimate confirmation for all of Russia’s neighbors, that the Soviet-style mindset is not a thing of the past.
From Silicon Valley to Shenzhen: Global Production and Work in the IT Industry by Boy Lüthje, Stefanie Hürtgen, Peter Pawlicki and Martina Sproll Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2013.

Starting in the late 1960s and gathering momentum thereafter, a number of industries, electronics among them, were transformed by what Richard Baldwin has described as the “second unbundling” (Bald...
Isolation and expression of the Escherichia coli gene encoding malate dehydrogenase.

An oligodeoxynucleotide specific for a pentapeptide sequence corresponding to amino acid residues 32 through 36 of Escherichia coli malate dehydrogenase was chemically synthesized and used to identify the mdh gene on plasmid pLC32-38 from the Clarke-Carbon recombinant library. Cells transformed with this plasmid exhibited a 10-fold increase in malate dehydrogenase activity. A 1.2-kilobase PvuII fragment which hybridized with the oligodeoxynucleotide probe was subcloned, and the identity of the mdh structural gene was confirmed by partial nucleotide sequence analysis. The expression of the mdh gene, as measured by both Northern blotting and enzyme assays, was found to vary over a 20-fold range with different culture conditions. Images
Identification of REST targets in the Xenopus tropicalis genome

A major role of REST (repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor) is to inhibit the expression of neuronal genes in neural stem cells and non-neuronal cells by binding to a 21 bp consensus sequence and recruiting epigenetic and regulatory cofactors to gene regulatory regions. In neural stem cells, REST silences differentiation-promoting genes to prevent their premature expression and is central to the regulation of neurogenesis and the balance of neural stem cells and neurons. To understand the role of REST in vertebrate neurogenesis, we performed a genome-wide screen for REST targets in Xenopus tropicalis. We identified 742 neuron-restrictive silencer elements (NRSE) associated with 1396 genes that are enriched in neuronal function. Comparative analyses revealed that characteristics of NRSE motifs in frog are similar to those in mammals in terms of the distance to target genes, frequency of motifs and the repertoire of putative target genes. In addition, we identified four F-box ubiquitin ligases as putative REST targets and determined that they are expressed in neuronal tissues during Xenopus development. We identified a conserved core of putative target genes in human, mouse and frog that may be fundamental to REST function in vertebrates. We demonstrate that NRSE sites are associated with both protein-coding genes and lncRNAs in the human genome. Furthermore, we demonstrate that REST binding sites are abundant in low gene-occupancy regions of the human genome but this is not due to an increased association with non-coding RNAs. Our findings identify novel targets of REST and broaden the known mechanism of REST-mediated silencing in neurogenesis.
Data fusion and nonlinear tracking filter implementation using multilayer networks

One of the capabilities of multilayer neural nets that has not received much attention is the ability to efficiently fuse information of different forms for facilitating intelligent decision-making. In this paper the authors describe the capabilities and functionality of neural network algorithms for data fusion and implementation of nonlinear tracking filters. For a discussion of details and for serving as a vehicle for quantitative performance evaluations, the illustrative case of estimating the position and velocity of surveillance targets is considered. Efficient target tracking algorithms that can utilize data from a host of sensing modalities and are capable of reliably tracking even uncooperative targets executing fast and complex maneuvers are of interest in a number of applications. The primary motivation for employing neural networks in these applications comes from the efficiency with which more features extracted from different sensor measurements can be utilized as inputs for estimating target maneuvers. Such an approach results in an overall nonlinear tracking filter which has several advantages over the currently popular efforts at designing nonlinear estimation algorithms for tracking applications, the principal one being the reduction of mathematical and computational complexities.
Remote Sensing by Radar

This article describes the basic principles of radar remote sensing for scientific purposes. In addition, it provides several examples of the radar remote sensing instrument. Scientific remote sensing radar includes synthetic aperture radar (SAR), radar altimeter, scatterometer, meteorological radars, and radar sounder. A radar transmits an electromagnetic signal and receives a reflected echo from illuminated objects. From the received signal, useful information on the illuminated objects can be extracted for various applications. Examples of geophysical quantities that remote sensing radars can measure are land topography, surface deformation, biomass, soil moisture, ocean surface topography, ocean vector winds, cloud, precipitation, and subsurface layers. A radar is capable of collecting remote sensing data under almost all weather conditions, day or night.
Implications of ammonia emissions for fine aerosol formation and visibility impairment: a case study from the lower fraser valley, British Columbia

Abstract Ammonia enhances atmospheric aerosol formation and, once in the aerosol form, enhances the light extinction characteristics of those aerosols. In this paper, an ammonia emissions inventory is developed for the Lower Fraser Valley (LFV) of British Columbia and used in conjunction with ambient ammonia and ammonium measurements to explain: (i) the observed temporal and spatial variability of fine inorganic aerosol composition and concentrations in the valley, and (ii) the severity and spatial variability of visibility degradation in the LFV. It is proposed here that advection of urban emissions of nitrogen and sulphur oxides over agricultural areas in the eastern and central valley with higher ammonia emissions favours subsequent ammonium nitrate and sulphate formation. This leads to higher fine mass concentrations and lowest visibility in the predominantly agricultural regions of the valley.
Schistosoma mansoni: Activation of the alternative pathway of human complement by schistosomula

Abstract Schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni newly transformed from cercariae by either the mechanical or skin penetration procedures, as well as 5-day-old schistosomula recovered from the lungs of mice, were tested for their ability to activate the human alternative complement pathway. Newly transformed larvae prepared by both methods, although less active than cercariae, were found to activate the pathway to a comparable degree as judged by the consumption of fluid phase C3 and factor B and the conversion of native C3 into a component with a more anodal electrophoretic mobility. The alternative pathway activating capacity could not be blocked or enhanced by pretreating the larvae with purified IgG or F(ab′) 2 fragments prepared from human sera containing antibodies directed against schistosomula. In contrast to newly transformed parasites, 5-day-old schistosomula recovered from mouse lungs failed to activate the alternative pathway as judged by either the C3 or B consumption assays or the C3 conversion assay. This developmental change could not be reversed by treating lung stage larvae with neuraminidase and heparinase, enzymes which are known to alter the activating capacity of other particulate substances or with chondroitinase ABC or trypsin.
What's New in Pediatric Surgery

This is a reflection on 2 people who have had a profound influence on many lives and a review of changes in pediatric surgery.
Region specific modeling of cardiac muscle: comparison of simulated and experimental potentials.

This article investigates the quantitative predictive capabilities of region-specific models by comparing experimental electrograms obtained from in vivo mapping of the ventricular free wall with those obtained through simulation of a region specific three-dimensional bidomain model that incorporates measured fiber orientations. Epicardial electrograms were recorded from canine left ventricles during and after unipolar pacing using a 528-channel electrode plaque. Fiber directions throughout the tissue were estimated from diffusion-weighted MRI and from pace mapping. Electrograms were computed in the bidomain model with experimentally derived properties during paced activations at the same spatiotemporal resolution as those recorded experimentally. Epicardial potentials from model and experiment were directly compared, and sensitivities of these comparisons to reference electrode location and to the choice of material properties were analyzed. The comparisons performed here demonstrate, that (1) the stimulus artifact can be used to estimate the in vivo myocardial fiber architecture, (2) the correlation between simulated and experimental electrograms decreases with increasing pacing depth, and (3) the quantitative comparisons between bidomain model and experimental data are sensitive to both the description of the fiber architecture, and the location of the unipolar reference electrode, but relatively insensitive to moderate changes in the bidomain conductivities. © 2002 Biomedical Engineering Society.
Evidence for the parasexual cycle in a strain of Aspergillus flavus containing virus-like particles.

Eight isolates of A. flavus and A. parasiticus were screened for the presence of virus-like-particles (VLP). Qnly A.flavus strain NRRL 5565 contained detectable VLP. Spore color and auxotrophic mutants were induced in this strain and evidence for the parasexual cycle was obtained. Attempts to form heterokaryons between 3 auxotrophs of the VLP-containing strain and 9 auxotrophs from two different aflatoxigenic strains were unsuccessful.
Cosmic ray antimatter from supersymmetric dark matter

In this paper we study the antiproton, positron and gamma-ray fluxes resulting from the aniaihilation of supersymmetric dark matter in our galactic halo. We show that the requirement of closure imposed by inflationary cosmologies constrains the supersymmetric dark matter to be either a relatively pure photino eigenstate or a relatively pure higgsino eigenstate, or possibly a scalar neutrino with a mass less than 4 GeV. The photino choice can lead to observable p fluxes when sfermion masses are 2. In contrast, sneutrino dark matter annihilates ahnost entirely into neutrinos, resulting in a monochromatic neutrino flux that is probably unobservable. In a recent paper [1], Silk and Srednicki (S&S) show that cosmic ray antiprotons, positrons and gamma-rays can provide an experimental approach to the study of supersymmetric dark matter concentrated in our galactic halo. They consider the interesting and important case where the supersymmetric dark matter candidate is a photino, and show for a particular choice of sfermion masses that the annihilation of relic photinos in the halo can lead to observable ~, e + and ),-ray fluxes. In this paper, we extend the analysis of S&S to the most general supersymmetric dark matter candidate. We show that the requirement of closure imposed by inflationary cosmologies places a powerful constraint on the structure of the minimal supersymmetric model, which forces the dark matter candidate to be either a relatively pure photino eigenstate or a relatively pure higgsino eigenstate, or possibly a scalar neutrino. We consider each of these cases and compare their cosmic ray signatures. In an inflationary cosmology, the mean mass density of the universe p must be very nearly equal to the closure density Oct = 3Ho/8~rG, where H 0 is the Hubble
Effect of blueberry ingestion on natural killer cell counts, oxidative stress, and inflammation prior to and after 2.5 h of running.

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants known as anthocyanins, which may exhibit significant health benefits. Strenous exercise is known to acutely generate oxidative stress and an inflammatory state,...
Spatial Orientation and Wayfinding in Airport Passenger Terminals: Implications for Environmental Design

Passengers and visitors of our nation's major airports often encounter problems of spatial orientation and wayfinding. The present study used a multiple method strategy to determine the sources of guidance information that passengers deem most important, how successful those sources are, and what design qualities facilitate or inhibit their effectiveness. The results are consistent with established theories of human navigation and spatial cognition, and are used to generate specific guidelines for effective redesign.
Educating nurses for the 21st century.

Abstract The current and projected demand for nurses and nursing services worldwide, coupled with dramatic changes in the delivery of health care, require nurses with more knowledge, more education, and more skills. Issues facing nursing require a reconceptualization of the approach and expectations for nursing practice and for the educational models and processes that lead to reformed nursing practice. New initiatives such as the Clinical Nurse Leader and the Doctor of Nursing Practice may lead the transformational process that is needed.
THE LOW-POWERED LEADER CONFRONTS A MESSY PROBLEM: A TEST OF FIEDLER'S THEORY

The article examines Fiedler's contingency theory of leadership with groups of young adults engaged in an initially unstructured research task over a period of about six weeks. Variables such as ho...
Vision-related quality of life before and after keratoplasty for Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy.

Purpose To assess vision-related quality of life in Fuchs' dystrophy and changes in vision-related quality of life after 3 types of keratoplasty (penetrating keratoplasty [PK], deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty [DLEK], and Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty [DSEK]). Design Prospective, observational case series. Participants Sixty-three subjects with Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy: 12 subjects (12 eyes) received PK, 11 subjects (11 eyes) received DLEK, and 40 subjects (40 eyes) received DSEK. Methods Subjects were examined before keratoplasty and at regular intervals through 3 years after keratoplasty. At each examination, vision-related quality of life was assessed using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire; best spectacle-corrected and uncorrected visual acuities were measured by using the electronic Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study protocol; keratometric cylinder was measured by a manual keratometer. Disability glare was measured with a straylight meter. Main Outcome Measures Vision-related quality of life composite score. Results Vision-related quality of life composite score for all eyes with Fuchs' dystrophy before keratoplasty was 72±11 (n = 63) and did not differ between groups ( P = 0.88). Vision-related quality of life improved by 6 months (PK, P = 0.008; DLEK, P = 0.03; DSEK, P P = 0.01) and DSEK ( P = 0.004). At 6 months, the composite score was higher after DSEK than after PK ( P = 0.006). At 3 years, there were no differences in composite scores between the 3 treatments ( P = 0.33; mean minimum detectable difference, 8 [α = 0.05; β = 0.20]). After keratoplasty, quality of life was correlated with uncorrected visual acuity at 1 year ( r = −0.38; P = 0.001) and at 3 years ( r = −0.36; P = 0.02), with disability glare at 3 years ( r = −0.41; P = 0.02), and with best-corrected visual acuity at 6 months ( r = −0.34; P = 0.03), but not thereafter. Conclusions Vision-related quality of life in patients with Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy is significantly impaired but improves after keratoplasty, irrespective of the technique. The improvement is faster after DSEK than after PK, and this might be explained in part by rapid improvement in uncorrected visual acuity after DSEK. This study affirms an advantage of endothelial keratoplasty over PK with respect to patient-reported outcomes.
Noninvasive discrimination of rejection in cardiac allograft recipients using gene expression profiling

Rejection diagnosis by endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is invasive, expensive and variable. We investigated gene expression profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to discriminate ISHLT grade 0 rejection (quiescence) from moderate/severe rejection (ISHLT > or = 3A). Patients were followed prospectively with blood sampling at post-transplant visits. Biopsies were graded by ISHLT criteria locally and by three independent pathologists blinded to clinical data. Known alloimmune pathways and leukocyte microarrays identified 252 candidate genes for which real-time PCR assays were developed. An 11 gene real-time PCR test was derived from a training set (n = 145 samples, 107 patients) using linear discriminant analysis (LDA), converted into a score (0-40), and validated prospectively in an independent set (n = 63 samples, 63 patients). The test distinguished biopsy-defined moderate/severe rejection from quiescence (p = 0.0018) in the validation set, and had agreement of 84% (95% CI 66% C94%) with grade ISHLT > or = 3A rejection. Patients >1 year post-transplant with scores below 30 (approximately 68% of the study population) are very unlikely to have grade > or = 3A rejection (NPV = 99.6%). Gene expression testing can detect absence of moderate/severe rejection, thus avoiding biopsy in certain clinical settings. Additional clinical experience is needed to establish the role of molecular testing for clinical event prediction and immunosuppression management.
Pulmonary Vascular Endothelial Cells Modulate Stretch-induced DNA and Connective Tissue Synthesis in Rat Pulmonary Artery Segments

lion and increased production of connective tissue.’ Experimental studies using central pulmonary arteries have shown increased synthesis of DNA2 and collagen3 within 1 day and increased elastin synthesis within 3 days’ of onset of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in the rat. We postulated that elevated pressure within the central arteries transmitted from increased resistance in arterioles constricted by hypoxia may play a role inthe early biosynthetic changes in the blood vessel wall. To test this hypothesis, we simulated hypertension in isolated vessel rings by mechanically stretching the tissue and measuring connective tissue and DNA synthesis after short periods of mechanical tension. The role of the endothelial cell in modulating this process was studied by stretching vascular rings with the endothelial layer removed. Main pulmonary artery trunks from normotensive male Sprague Dawley rats (200 g) were isolated, excised, and cut into 2 segments 2-3 mm long. Proximal and distal segments were randomly assigned to either stretched or control groups. Tissues were attached to stainless steel hooks and placed in an organ bath containing 5 ml Krebs Ringer bicarbonate, pH 7.4, at 37#{176}C and aerated with 95% 0� and 5% CO5. A tension equivalent to 50 mm Hg was applied to the stretched tissue and a tension equivalent to 10mm Hg to control. Tension was calculated taking into account the
Frost heave in helium & other substances

A thermomolecular pressure associated with a thermal gradient produces the phenomenon known as frost heave' in moisture-containing frozen ground. Thermomolecular pressures can occur in any material. As described here it is known that frost heave or thermomolecular pressures can be exhibited by any material undergoing premelting,' where liquid exists at temperatures below the normal solid-liquid phase boundary. Yet, the recent work on [sup 4]He [Hiroi, et a., Phys. Rev.B 40, 6581 (1989)] is the first published study of thermomolecular pressure in nonaqueous material. The striking prominence of the effect presents advantages of further applications of thermomolecular pressure for fundamental research. This paper describes the phenomenon, outlines the theory and discusses some possible static and dynamic studies of quantum liquids.
Guiding-center Hamiltonian for arbitrary gyration

A systematic procedure for deriving the guiding-center Hamiltonian $K$ is described, valid for arbitrary ratio of particle gyro-scale length to perpendicular magnetic scale length. Practial examples are given where the method permits an explicit evaluation of $K$ for cases where the small-gyroradius approximation used for standard guiding-center theories is invalid.
Invasion processes of pathogenic Escherichia coli.

Abstract Pathogenic Escherichia coli causes extraintestinal infections such as urinary tract infection and meningitis, which are prevalent and associated with considerable morbidity. Previous investigations have identified common strategies evolved by pathogenic E. coli to exploit host cell function and cause extraintestinal infections, which include the invasion into non-phagocytic eukaryotic cells such as epithelial and endothelial cells and associated host cell actin cytoskeletal rearrangements. However, the mechanisms involved in pathogenic E. coli invasion of eukaryotic cells are shown to differ depending upon types of host tissues and microbial determinants. In this mini-review, invasion processes of pathogenic E. coli are discussed using E. coli K1 invasion of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) as a paradigm. E. coli K1 is the most common Gram-negative organism causing neonatal meningitis, and E. coli invasion of HBMEC is shown to be a prerequisite for E. coli traversal of the blood-brain barrier in vivo. Previous studies have demonstrated that E. coli translocation of the blood-brain barrier is the result of specific E. coli–host interactions including specific signal transduction pathways and modulation of endocytic pathways. Recent studies using functional genomics have identified additional microbial determinants contributing to E. coli K1 invasion of HBMEC. Complete understanding of microbial-host interactions that are involved in E. coli K1 invasion of HBMEC should help in the development of new strategies to prevent E. coli meningitis.
An analytical and experimental investigation of active structural acoustic control of noise transmission through double panel systems

An analytical and experimental investigation of active control of sound transmission through double panel systems has been performed. The technique used was active structural acoustic control (ASAC) where the control inputs, in the form of piezoelectric actuators, were applied to the structure while the radiating pressure field was minimized. Results verify earlier experimental investigations and indicate the application of control inputs to the radiating panel of the double panel system resulted in greater transmission loss (TL) due to its direct effect on the nature of the structural-acoustic (or radiation) coupling between the radiating panel and the receiving acoustic space. Increased control performance was seen in a double panel system consisting of a stiffer radiating panel due to its lower modal density and also as a result of better impedance matching between the piezoelectric actuator and the radiating plate. In general the results validate the ASAC approach for double panel systems, demonstrating that it is possible to take advantage of double panel system passive behavior to enhance control performance, and provide design guidelines.
The effect of age on the regional distribution of four cations in the rat heart

It has been postulated that the concentration of metals in the heart influences the activity of enzymes and ultimately, cardiac function. In this investigation, the regional distribution of Calcium [Ca], Magnesium [Mg], Copper [Cu] and Zinc [Zn] was analyzed in the hearts of Fischer 344 rats (1, 3, 12, 24 months of age). Samples of right and left atria (RA, LA), right and left ventricles (RV, LV), and septum (S) were homogenized in 5% La, 25% HNOs. The samples were digested, centrifuged, and assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. [Ca] Increased in the RA, LA and LV from 3 to 24 months of age. [Mg] In the RV, LV and S decreased throughout the age span. [CU] in the LV decreased between 3 and 12 months of age, while [Zn] remained constant. The Zn:Cu increased by 56 percent between 3 and 24 months of age. In summary, these data suggest that there are differences in the concentration of metals in the heart as a function of age.
Cloning and sequencing of the genes encoding 2-nitrotoluene dioxygenase from Pseudomonas sp. JS42.

Abstract The first step in the metabolism of 2-nitrotoluene (2NT) by Pseudomonas sp. JS42 (JS42) is the addition of dioxygen to the aromatic nucleus of 2NT to form 3-methylcatechol with concomitant release of nitrite. This reaction is catalyzed by the three-component dioxygenase system 2-nitrotoluene 2,3-dioxygenase (2NTDO). We report here the cloning and nucleotide (nt) sequence of a 4912-basepair (bp) SacI DNA fragment from JS42 encoding all of the genes required for 2NTDO activity. Sequence analysis of the 4912-bp SacI DNA fragment revealed five open reading frames (ORFs). The amino acid (aa) sequences of the predicted polypeptides from these ORFs exhibit high homology to the aa sequences of polypeptides from other three-component dioxygenase systems. Based on aa sequence analyses, four of the peptides were designated Reductase 2NT , Ferredoxin 2NT , ISPα 2NT and ISPβ 2NT (ISP for iron-sulfur protein) with gene designations ntdAaAbAcAd . The predicted aa sequence from the remaining ORF (ORF2) had identity to ISPα subunits from other three-component dioxygenase systems but had a calculated molecular weight ( M r ) of 21 259, which is uncharacteristically small for ISPα subunits.
Enhancing the freshman and sophomore ECE student experience using a platform for learning/spl trade/

Outcomes based assessment has shown that introducing a platform for learning/spl trade/ based on a robot referred to as TekBots/spl trade/ into the first two electrical and computer engineering (ECE) courses enhances students' sense of community, innovation capabilities, and troubleshooting skills. At Oregon State University, Corvallis, ECE students enhance their fundamental understanding of ECE concepts as they construct and build upon their individual robot (TekBots). They experience first-hand the fun associated with engineering while gaining a sense of accomplishment. This platform will eventually extend through the four-year curriculum so that, rather than a single point project, the robot serves as a platform that connects and integrates the content from course to course.
LITHIUM IN YOUNG SOLAR-TYPE STARS IN THE ORION NEBULA REGION

Lithium abundances have been determined for 24 late-type pre-main-sequence stars in the Orion Nebula region with V=12-14 and B-V=0.5-1.4. All of the stars are within 20 arc minutes of the Trapezium; they range from approximately 1.0 to 1.6 solar mass and from 106 to 107 years old. Approximate chronological ordering of the stars is possible from their location in the color-magnitude diagram, but they show no obvious evolutionary sequence of lithium depletion. In particular, the trend seen in the Pleiades, that faster rotators tend to have more lithium, is not seen here. There is no obvious correlation in the Orion stars between Li and v sin i. On the average, stars in the present sample have greater Li abundances than similar stars in the older Pleiades cluster. One can infer that the process which depletes Li in these late-type stars requires more time to act than the age of this Orion sample. The status of Parenago 1799 as an ultra-fast fotator (UFR) (Walker 1990) is qualitatively confirmed; it is shown that the star is rotating at an appreciable fraction of breakup velocity. This is the only UFR in the present sample, fewer than in a Pleiades sample of similar size. The two T Tauri stars in the binary system Parenago 1540 have similar lithium abundances, suggesting similar depletion histories, and consistent with the findings of Lee, et al. (1994). Parenago 1643 and 1929 are shown to have incorrect apparent colors via newly-determined spectral types; their observed colors lead to very high Li abundances, but their corrected colors suggest more typical lithium abundances. Similarly, we have used spectra types and the spectral type-color relation from Duncan (1993) to refine teh colors and thus improve our estimates of Li abundances for P1477 and P1518.
Poland and Russia: The Perennial Question

greater than her actual power would seem to have warranted. At St. Helena, Napoleon spoke of Poland as a ccle de voute' of the European edifice, belatedly admitting that he should have made fuller use of this country in furthering his plans. In the twentieth century, the Polish question rose to the centre of European politics on several occasions. In the First World War, as a German historian put it, 'Poland was [for Berlin] not only a war aim, but also the key to Germany's hegemony in Europe.51 At the height of the Polish-Soviet war, Winston Churchill called Poland the 'linchpin of the Versailles Treaty,' and France's premier Alexandre Millerand wrote that the future of European civilization was 'at stake on the banks of the Vistula.'2 Be it at the Congress of Vienna, the Paris Peace Conference, or at Yalta, the Polish problem occupied a crucial place in the debates among the powers, provoking conflicts and tensions. How do we explain this phenomenon? The pre-partition Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth, which was one of the largest European countries, did not bask in the limelight of international controversy. Paradoxically, the partitioning of Poland by the three powers, Russia, Austria, and Prussia, in the late eighteenth century in a sense created the 'Polish Question' which has ever since1921-39 being somewhat of an exception plagued international relations like a ghost that refuses to be exorcized.3 While the importance of the partitions is still not fully perceived by many authors of western history textbooks, their long-range impact on European developments can hardly be over-