cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Controlling nanoparticle distribution in hydrogel by electrophoresis for gradient refractive index lens applications

The principle, experiment setup and experimental results of a novel process of controlling the nanoparticle distribution in hydrogel by utilizing the theory of electrophoresis are discussed and demonstrated. The distributed nanoparticles in hydrogel changed the refractive index of the material, which provide the new application for organic gradient refractive index (GRIN) lens. For conducting the electrophoresis experiments, two miniaturized electrophoresis running tools have been designed and fabricated. The dimensions of vertical ruing tool is about 4 x 3 x 3.5 cm (L x W x H). In order to clearly observe the running results, the process of self-assembly are used to label the nanoparticles with fluorescent dye. The silica nanoparticles (7-9 nm in diameter) are being investigated to explore its effect on the optical improvement of hydrogel material. Polyacrylamide hydrogel is used as lens material. Various analysis equipments are employed to characterize the samples, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thin film measurement system and fluorescent microscopy. The experimental results from fluorescent microscope have shown that nanoparticles were moving toward the opposite charged electrode from particle resource and distributed according to the electrical field. For GRIN lens application, the electrophoresis phenomena have also been investigated by the testing setup with a circular electrode (3 cm in diameter). The testing results were examined by thin film measurement system and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. With the data of analyzed Si concentration, it has been proven again that the distribution of nanoparticles could be controlled by electrophoresis in hydrogel film which presents the radial gradient refractive index profiles. The refractive indices change range could be larger than 0.06. The simulation results with CoventorWare@ also predicted the nanoparticles movement and distribution in hydrogel under electrical filed with different values of electrophoretic mobilities.
Toward an understanding of the economics of pastoralism: The balance of exchange between pastoralists and nonpastoralists in Western Iran, 1815–1975

It has become a theoretical commonplace among students of southwest Asian pastoralism that the balance of exchange between pastoralists and their settled neighbors has had a profound effect on pastoralists, strongly influencing household viability and, indeed, the viability of pastoralism as an adaptation. However, little attempt has been made to examine historical variation in the balance of exchange. Attempts to use transformations in the balance of exchange as a means of accounting for change among pastoralists thus remain largely impressionistic and underspecified. This paper examines variations in the balance of exchange between Iranian pastoralists and non-pastoralists from 1815 to 1977. It demonstrates that to the degree that there were long term shifts in the balance of exchange, they favored pastoralists, and it argues that this trend became stronger, rather than weaker in the 20th century. This suggests that pressures on pastoralists over this period were not directly economic and that variation in the balance of exchange itself cannot account for outcomes such as the increased settlement of Iranian pastoralists.
Conversion of the Sulfhydryl Oxidase Augmenter of Liver Regeneration into a Selenoprotein

Augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) is a flavin-dependent sulfhydryl oxidase with roles in mitochondrial oxidative protein folding and cellular signaling. To study ALR's reaction mechanism we have prepared a form of the enzyme in which sulfur was replaced with selenium. The selenium-rich ALR is catalytically active, thermally stable, and its structure is almost identical to that of the native ALR. The presence of selenium in the active site leads to the formation of a charge-transfer complex during turnover, as detected by visible spectroscopy. To further demonstrate the role selenium plays in ALR's active site, we have utilized E. coli's selenium insertion machinery to introduce selenium in a site-specific manner. using this method we are able to convert ALR's redox active CxxC motif to a selenocysteine containing CxxU motif. Our results demonstrate that the selenocysteine proximal to the FAD cofactor is sufficient to cause a charge-transfer complex during turnover. In addition, 77Se NMR spectroscopy was used to probe locations typically occupied by sulfur - an insensitive nucleus that is not amendable for NMR studies of proteins. Biological 77Se NMR has so far been underutilized due to the challenges of isotopically enriching protein with 77Se. Here, we have developed a method to introduce 77Se by heterologous expression in E. coli. We report the NMR spectra of ALR bound to oxidized and reduced FAD. An unidentified resonance appears only in the presence of the reducing agent and disappears readily upon exposure to air and subsequent reoxidation of the flavin. Hence, 77Se NMR spectroscopy can be used to directly probe the chemical environment surrounding the sulfur/selenium sites as a function of their redox state.
Colitis Associated with Metronidazole Therapy

A 46-year-old woman was treated with oral metronidazole for trichomonal vaginitis and developed diarrhea, which persisted for five weeks. Tissue culture assay of stool supernatant showed a cytopathic toxin that was neutralized by Clostridium sordellii antitoxin, and cultures yielded Clostridium difficile, which produced a similar or identical cytotoxin in vitro. This isolate proved sensitive to metronidazole at 0.25 microgram/ml. Prior reports have indicated that metronidazole may also be used therapeutically in patients with antibiotic-associated colitis ascribed to other agents. The patient presented here shows the enigma that the same agent used for therapy of colitis may also cause this complication.
The creation of a Ministry of Culture: towards the definition and implementation of a comprehensive cultural policy in Peru

In June 2010, a Ministry of Culture was created in Peru, raising many questions regarding the ability of this new administrative structure to effectively implement a comprehensive cultural policy, which has been lacking so far, for the Peruvian State has based its previous policies almost exclusively on the preservation of cultural heritage. The Ministry inherits the flaws of the National Institute of Culture, and must address various challenges: the improvement of heritage management; the inclusion of indigenous populations in a never established national identity; a renewed scheme of promotion of the arts and incentives to cultural industries. The article discusses possible policy options for the new ministry, evidences the needs for a renovation of bureaucratic culture within the ministry, for clarification in the objectives set to the Ministry and for more comprehensive data about cultural practices in Peru.
Mixed-Genome Microarrays Reveal Multiple Serotype and Lineage-Specific Differences among Strains of Listeria monocytogenes

Epidemiological studies and analysis of putative virulence genes have shown that Listeria monocytogenes has diverged into several phylogenetic divisions. We hypothesize that similar divergence has occurred for many genes that influence niche-specific fitness and virulence and that identifying these differences may offer new opportunities for the detection, treatment, and control of this important pathogen. To explore this issue further, we developed a microarray composed of fragmented DNA taken from 10 strains of L. monocytogenes. We then hybridized genomic DNA from 50 different strains to replicate arrays and analyzed the resulting hybridization patterns. A simple Euclidean distance metric permitted the reconstruction of previously described genetic relationships between serotypes, and only four microarray probes were needed to discriminate between the most important serotypes (1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, and 4). We calculated an index of linkage equilibrium from the microarray data and confirmed that L. monocytogenes has a strongly clonal population structure (IA = 3.85). Twenty-nine informative probes were retrieved from the library and sequenced. These included genes associated with repairing UV-damaged DNA, salt tolerance, biofilm formation, heavy metal transport, ferrous iron transport, and teichoic acid synthesis. Several membrane-bound lipoproteins and one internalin were identified, plus three phage sequences and six sequences with unknown function. Collectively, these data confirm that many genes have diverged between lineages of L. monocytogenes. Furthermore, these results demonstrate the value of mixed-genome microarrays as a tool for deriving biologically useful information and for identifying and screening genetic markers for clinically important microbes.
Multistart method with estimation scheme for global satisfycing problems

We present a multistart method for solving global satisfycing problems. The method uses data generated by linearly converging local algorithms to estimate the cost value at the local minimum to which the local search is converging. When the estimate indicates that the local search is converging to a value higher than the satisfycing value, the local search is interrupted and a new local search is initiated from a randomly generated point. When the satisfycing problem is difficult and the estimation scheme is fairly accurate, the new method is superior over a straightforward adaptation of classical multistart methods.
Sex differences and seasonal trade-offs in response to injured and non-injured conspecifics in red-spotted newts, Notophthalmus viridescens

Injured prey often release alarm chemicals that induce antipredator behaviors in conspecifics. Injured or killed prey most likely release a wide array of chemicals in addition to alarm substances, such as sexual pheromones, which could enhance or compromise antipredator responses. Thus, damage-release cues provide an excellent opportunity to examine the influence of seasonally fluctuating sexual pheromones on antipredator behaviors. We used a series of laboratory and field experiments and meta-analysis to examine seasonal changes and sex differences in the response of red-spotted newts, Notophthalmus viridescens, to the odor of non-injured conspecifics and conspecific tissue extracts, the latter of which presumably contain pheromones of non-injured conspecifics combined with alarm chemicals signaling predation. During the peak of the breeding season, males were attracted to females and multiple males, but did not avoid tissue extracts from either sex. As the breeding season waned, male attraction to females and males decreased, while avoidance of alarm extracts from both sexes concurrently increased. In contrast to male behavior, females were indifferent to both sexes during the breeding season, and showed significant avoidance only of female extract. As the breeding season progressed, females displayed no change in response to treatments. Male and female responses to female rinse and extract differed significantly, but their response to male treatments did not. During the non-breeding season, both males and females were indifferent to the odor of conspecifics and avoided conspecific tissue extracts, with the magnitude of male avoidance greater than that of female avoidance, suggesting sex differences in response to alarm cues in both the breeding and non-breeding seasons. In general, both male and female response to conspecific odor and tissue extracts covaried positively, suggesting that social pheromones can be detected within conspecific macerates and compromise alarm-chemical avoidance. Many of the sex differences in both seasons are likely explained by selection pressures imposed on males to intensely mate search during the breeding season, suggesting that the mating system of newts directly influences predation threat during reproductive activity and may have significant indirect consequences on risk during the non-breeding season.
Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in men who have sex with men: risk calculators for real-world decision-making.

Background Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can be clinically effective and cost-effective for HIV prevention in high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM). However, individual patients have different risk profiles, real-world populations vary, and no practical tools exist to guide clinical decisions or public health strategies. We introduce a practical model of HIV acquisition, including both a personalized risk calculator for clinical management and a cost-effectiveness calculator for population-level decisions.
Does Chlorpromazine Produce Cardiac Arrhythmia Via the Central Nervous System

The influence of the central nervous system in the production of phenothiazine-induced arrhythmia and death was examined in this study, In a series of cats, spinal cords were transected at the atlanto-occipital junction prior to the 1 mg/kg/min, i.v. infusion of chlorpromazine or thioridazine. No protection against drug-induced arrhythmia or death was afforded by this procedure, In other cats, 60H-dopamine was administered prior to intravenous injection of atropine and influsion of chlorpromazine, 1 mg/kg/min. in these in situ denervated heart preparations, there was no protection against chlorpromazine-induced arrhythmia or death, In alpha-chloralose anesthetized cats, 0.5 mg chlorpromazine administered intracerebroventricularly did not induced arrhythmia or death, although blood pressure decreased initially. Thus, chlorpromazine or thioridazine do not appear to produce arrhythmia or death via a central locus and may instead be acting directly on myocardial conduction to produce arrhythmia and death.
A new approach for determination of material constants of internal state variable based plasticity models and their uncertainty quantification

Physically-based plasticity models such as the BCJ model include internal state variables that represent the current state of the material and allow capturing strain rate and temperature history effects as well as the coupling of rate- and temperature-dependence with material hardening. However, the inclusion of internal state variables increases significantly the number of unknown material constants that need to be found through fitting of the model to experimental stress–strain data at different strain rates and temperatures. This makes the fitting process extremely challenging and increases the uncertainty in the material constants. The paper presents a physics-guided numerical fitting approach that reduces the associated difficulties and uncertainties involved in determining the material constants of the BCJ plasticity model. The approach uses experimental data from monotonic and reverse loading stress–strain curves at different temperatures and strain rates to determine the 18 material constants of the model. An evidential uncertainty quantification approach is used to determine uncertainties rooted in experimental data, selection of stress–strain curves at different loading conditions, variability of material properties, numerical aspects of the fitting method and mathematical formulations of the BCJ model. The represented uncertainty of the BCJ material constants based on mathematical tools of evidence theory is propagated through Taylor impact simulations of a 7075-T651 aluminum alloy cylinder. Uncertainty quantification results verify the presented numerical fitting approach for the BCJ model and its potential applicability to other similar material models.
Efficacious Form for Model Pseudopotentials

A simple way has been discovered to put model pseudopotentials, $V(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}})={\ensuremath{\Sigma}}_{\mathrm{lm}}|{Y}_{\mathrm{lm}}〉{V}_{l}(r)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}〈{Y}_{\mathrm{lm}}|$, into a form which reduces the number of integrals of $V(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}})$ required for an energyband calculation from $\frac{\mathrm{mn}(n+1)}{2}$ to $\mathrm{mn}$ for each $l$ in the sum (where $n$ is the number of plane waves used in the expansion and $m$ the number of points in the Brillouin zone at which the calculation is performed). The new form may be chosen to improve the accuracy of the pseudopotential when used in other chemical environments.
Carcinoma of the skin with perineural invasion.

Purpose. To evaluate the outcome and patterns of relapse in patients treated for skin carcinoma of the head and neck with either microscopic or clinical perineural invasion. Methods and Materials. Radiotherapy alone or combined with surgery was used to treat 135 patients with microscopic or clinical evidence of perineural invasion of skin carcinoma. All patients had at least 2 years of follow-up. Results. The 5-year local control rates without salvage therapy were 87% with microscopic perineural invasion and 55% with clinical perineural invasion. Overall, 88% of the local failures occurred in patients with positive margins. Almost half of the recurrences in patients with microscopic perineural invasion were limited to the first-echelon regional nodes. However, only 1 of 11 patients with basal cell carcinoma with microscopic perineural invasion had a nodal failure. Ninety percent of recurrences in patients with clinical perineural invasion occurred at the primary site. Cranial nerve deficits rarely improved after successful treatment of the primary disease. Radiographic abnormalities remained stable 30% of the time when patients had clinical evidence of progressive disease. Conclusions. Radiotherapy in patients with skin cancer with clinical perineural invasion should include treatment of the first-echelon regional lymphatics. The risk of regional node involvement is also relatively high for patients with squamous cell carcinoma with microscopic perineural invasion. In patients with clinical perineural invasion, the poor local control rates with conventional radiotherapy suggest a need for dose escalation with or without concomitant chemotherapy. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 25: 000–000, 2003
Cultivating the qualitative research borderlands: educational poetics and the politics of inclusivity

Qualitative research has extended the boundaries of legitimate knowledge by including the insights of ‘subjects’, valuing the voices of groups that have been excluded from telling their stories, seeing the complex ways researchers may be positioned in relation to other research participants, and becoming more diverse in their views of validity and reliability. Gitlin argues that these extensions have been a powerful force in furthering a politics of inclusivity within the knowledge production process. While this politic is argued to be important and critical in the development of qualitative methodologies, Gitlin claims it is time to look at what might lie on the other side of a politics of inclusivity. He does so by using an emergent form of inquiry he calls educational poetics. Moving to the borderlands between the educational and aesthetic communities, this political humanist form of inquiry is centered on having commonsense become an object on inquiry with the purpose to fostering relations of freedom.
Who's crossing the border: new data on undocumented immigrants to the United States

The majority of undocumented immigrants to the United States enter through the southern border and most are from Mexico. Researchers in the US have been able to create estimates of how many unauthorised immigrants come from each country, but there has been little research on the geographical origins of immigrants from within Mexico. In this research we make use of a unique unduplicated file of people detained at or near the border by the US Border Patrol during the years 1999 to 2006. By focusing especially on the population aged 20–34, we are able to create a migration propensity index, which is the ratio of detainees from each state in Mexico to the population aged 20–34 in that state. The analysis of this index confirms the few other sources of information suggesting that migration from Mexico to the US is increasingly occurring from the more southern, indigenous states. A multiple regression analysis of the migration propensity index and state-level variables finds that the death rate from accidents and violence among men aged 20–34 is the single most important predictor of a state's migration propensity index. This is related to a variety of factors indicating that migrants come from states with the poorest economic infrastructure. We discuss the implications of these shifts for both receiving and sending communities. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Culture at work: Family therapy and the culture concept in post‐World War II America

During the 1950s and 1960s, the concept of culture had currency beyond the disciplinary boundaries of anthropology and sociology. This article takes up a clinical example of the invocation of the culture concept by examining how early family therapists such as Nathan Ackerman, Murray Bowen, and Don Jackson used culture as a category of analysis during the formative years of their new field. The culture concept played an integral role in the processes by which family therapists simultaneously defined the object of their research and treatment, the family, and built their new field. Their varied uses of culture also contained tensions and contradictions, most notably between universal and relativist views of family and psychopathology and between views of family therapy as a conservative force for maintaining the nuclear family or a progressive force for overcoming social inequality.
Rydberg–Rydberg transitions of NO using an optical–optical double resonance multiphoton ionization technique

New Rydberg–Rydberg transitions of 14N 16O have been observed by the technique of optical–optical double resonance multiphoton ionization (OODR‐MPI). The analysis of S 2Σ+–A 2Σ+ (0,0), (1,1) and 4f–A 2Σ+ (1,1) bands are reported. Molecular constants of the S 2Σ+ v=0,1 levels are in good agreement with those derived from absorption data. The structure of the 4f(v=1) level of the 14N 16O isotope can be fully investigated for the first time since the OODR‐MPI spectrum is free from any overlap, in contrast to the corresponding absorption spectral region. No detectable spectral perturbation was observed for levels up to N=10, although the non‐Rydberg G 2Σ−(v=8) level lies at the same energy as the 4f(v=1) level. The 4f(v=1) rotational levels are described by an intermediate case (b)/case (d) coupling scheme and present a similar pattern to that of the 4f(v=0) rotational levels previously studied from absorption data. Rotational constants B1=1.968 cm−1 and αe=0.020 cm−1 have been derived from our analysis and t...
Ergodic properties of an infinite system of particles moving independently in a periodic field

We investigate the ergodic properties of a general class of infinite systems of independent particles which undergo nontrivial “collisions” with an external field, e.g. fixed convex barriers (the Lorentz gas). We relate the ergodic properties of these systems to the ergodic properties for a single particle moving in a finite box (with periodic boundary conditions) with the same dynamics. We prove that when the one particle system is mixing or aK-system for a sequence of boxes approaching infinity so is the infinite particle system with an equilibrium measure obtained as a Poisson construction over the one particle phase space.
Scalable Distributed Belief Propagation with Prioritized Block Updates

Belief propagation (BP) is a popular method for performing approximate inference on probabilistic graphical models. However, its message updates are time-consuming, and the schedule for updating messages is crucial to its running time and even convergence. In this paper, we propose a new scheduling scheme that selects a set of messages to update at a time and leverages a novel priority to determine which messages are selected. Additionally, an incremental update approach is introduced to accelerate the computation of the priority. As the size of the model grows, it is desirable to leverage the parallelism of a cluster of machines to reduce the inference time. Therefore, we design a distributed framework, Prom, to facilitate the implementation of BP algorithms. We evaluate the proposed scheduling scheme (supported by Prom) via extensive experiments on a local cluster as well as the Amazon EC2 cloud. The evaluation results show that our scheduling scheme outperforms the state-of-the-art counterpart.
The Language Desert: The Condition of Literacy and Reading in Contemporary America

This essay is an engagement with a series of propositions about literacy and reading in the United States: that large numbers of people struggle with what one might call narrative complexity; that they resolve such struggles by falling back onto narrative simplicities which, through a series of cultural preferences, congeal to produce much of the stuff of popular culture; that this condition and process is essentially what the varied critics—from left and right—of the culture of modernity were actually identifying, though from a largely normative, not empirical, standpoint; that what was being critiqued was essentially a condition formed by cognitive underdevelopment; and that we can actually explain this empirically by mining decades’ worth of research in reading and literacy studies, particularly in the context of childhood and social class. In short, this paper is an admittedly tentative step in an effort to build a bridge between two knowledge silos that have in part remained determinably apart—reading/literacy studies and cultural/critical theory. The essay also suggests that, in order to understand reading and literacy, it is important to begin to engage research in neuroscience, particularly that which suggests that the brain is actually not designed—in evolutionary terms—to read.
Classification and Categorization: Drawing the Line

It is the intent of this paper to demonstrate that the processes of classification and categorization are actually two separate and distinct processes. The classical theory of categories is described, the major arguments against it are reviewed, and alternative approaches to the structure of categories are discussed. The apparent failure of the classical theory to account for the instability observed in category membership is attributed to the underlying assumption that the terms "classification" and "categorization" refer to the same process. The possibility that an interactive functional relationship exists between classification and categorization is advanced on the basis of the individual's need to communicate.
Effect of vacuum-ultraviolet irradiation on the dielectric constant of low-k organosilicate dielectrics

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) irradiation is generated during plasma processing in semiconductor fabrications, while the effect of VUV irradiation on the dielectric constant (k value) of low-k materials is still an open question. To clarify this problem, VUV photons with a range of energies were exposed on low-k organosilicate dielectrics (SiCOH) samples at room temperature. Photon energies equal to or larger than 6.0 eV were found to decrease the k value of SiCOH films. VUV photons with lower energies do not have this effect. This shows the need for thermal heating in traditional ultraviolet (UV) curing since UV light sources do not have sufficient energy to change the dielectric constant of SiCOH and additional energy is required from thermal heating. In addition, 6.2 eV photon irradiation was found to be the most effective in decreasing the dielectric constant of low-k organosilicate films. Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy shows that these 6.2 eV VUV exposures removed organic porogens. This contributes to the decrease of the dielectric constant. This information provides the range of VUV photon energies that could decrease the dielectric constant of low-k materials most effectively.
The Transition from Veterinary School to Equine Practice

The transition from veterinary school to equine practice can be challenging. This article provides suggestions and advice for new graduates in areas that include internships, associate positions, financial considerations, balancing personal and professional responsibilities, mentorship, continuing education, and professionalism.
CcpA-Dependent Regulation of Bacillus subtilis Glutamate Dehydrogenase Gene Expression

The Bacillus subtilis rocG gene, encoding catabolic glutamate dehydrogenase, was found to be subject to direct CcpA-dependent glucose repression. The effect of CcpA required the presence of both the HPr and Crh proteins. The primary CcpA binding site was identified by mutational analysis and DNase I footprinting. In the absence of inducers of the Roc pathway, rocG was still expressed at a low level due to readthrough transcription. CcpA-dependent repression of rocG readthrough transcription proved to contribute to the slow growth rate of B. subtilis cells in glucose-glutamate medium. Increased readthrough expression of rocG was shown to be partially responsible for the growth defect of ccpA strains in glucose-ammonium medium.
Coherent Transients and Pulse Fourier Transform Spectroscopy

The early practitioners of pulsed NMR would never have dreamed that their sophisticated coherence techniques would one day be adapted to the optical region. Coherent radiation sources were needed, and the laser had yet to be conceived. We now know that the subject of optical coherent transients has steadily grown, beginning with the photon echo measurements of KURNIT, ABELLA, and HARTMANN [1].
Falling film evaporation of binary mixtures

Falling film evaporators are being used increasingly in the chemical process industries for multicomponent mixtures. Experimental data for the heat transfer characteristics are lacking, especially for wide-boiling-range mixtures. This study obtained experimental measurements of heat and mass transfer for a binary mixture evaporating in downflow in a heated vertical tube. Local heat fluxes, wall temperatures, and bulk fluid temperatures were measured for ranges of film flow rate and fluid composition. Boiling ranges of up to 55 C were investigated, using several mixtures of ethylene glycol and water. The tests were run at atmospheric pressure, with heat fluxes ranging from 3000 to 25000 W/m/sup 2/, and film Reynolds numbers of 300 to 3000. The results show that the heat transfer coefficient for the mixtures is a weak function of wall superheat, tube length, and film Reynolds number, but a very strong function of mixture composition. A preliminary analysis indicates the presence of a significant mass transfer resistance, contrary to earlier speculations.
Friends in High Places: International Politics and the Emergence of States from Secessionism

State emergence is an essential dynamic of the international system, yet international relations scholars pay it little attention+ Their oversight is all the more unfortunate because international politics ultimately determine which aspiring system members will succeed in becoming new states+ Existing models of state emer- gence rely exclusively on internal or domestic-level explanations+ However, the inter- national system is inherently social; therefore any aspiring state's membership also depends on the acceptance of its peers+ I present a novel, international-level model of state birth that suggests state leaders should use decisions regarding new members strategically to advance their own interests, not passively abide by domestic factors+ I test this argument using a new data set on secessionism and Great Power recogni- tion ~1931-2000!+ I find that external politics have important, underappreciated effects on state emergence+ Furthermore, acknowledging the politics of recognition's central- ity to state birth alters our understanding of civil conflict dynamics and conflict res- olution and suggests important implications for system-wide stability+
Nonconsensus West Nile Virus Genomes Arising during Mosquito Infection Suppress Pathogenesis and Modulate Virus Fitness In Vivo

West Nile virus (WNV) is similar to other RNA viruses in that it forms genetically complex populations within hosts. The virus is maintained in nature in mosquitoes and birds, with each host type exerting distinct influences on virus populations. We previously observed that prolonged replication in mosquitoes led to increases in WNV genetic diversity and diminished pathogenesis in mice without remarkable changes to the consensus genome sequence. We therefore sought to evaluate the relationships between individual and group phenotypes in WNV and to discover novel viral determinants of pathogenesis in mice and fitness in mosquitoes and birds. Individual plaque size variants were isolated from a genetically complex population, and mutations conferring a small-plaque and mouse-attenuated phenotype were localized to the RNA helicase domain of the NS3 protein by reverse genetics. The mutation, an Asp deletion, did not alter type I interferon production in the host but rendered mutant viruses more susceptible to interferon compared to wild type (WT) WNV. Finally, we used an in vivo fitness assay in Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes and chickens to determine whether the mutation in NS3 influenced fitness. The fitness of the NS3 mutant was dramatically lower in chickens and moderately lower in mosquitoes, indicating that RNA helicase is a major fitness determinant of WNV and that the effect on fitness is host specific. Overall, this work highlights the complex relationships that exist between individual and group phenotypes in RNA viruses and identifies RNA helicase as an attenuation and fitness determinant in WNV.
The relationship between income and food insecurity among Oregon residents: does social support matter?

Objective: Millions of US households experienced food insecurity in 2005. Research indicates that low wages and little social support contribute to food insecurity. The present study aimed to examine whether social support moderates the relationship between income and food insecurity. Design: Using a mail survey, we collected data on social support sources (social network, intimate partner and community) and social support functions from a social network (instrumental, informational and emotional). We used hierarchical logistic regression to examine the potential moderation of various measures of social support on the relationship between income and food insecurity, adjusting for potential confounding variables. Setting: Oregon, USA. Subjects: A stratified random sample of Oregonians aged 18‐64 years (n 343). Results: We found no evidence of an association between social support and food insecurity, nor any evidence that social support acts as a moderator between income and food insecurity, regardless of the measure of social support used. Conclusions: Although previous research suggested that social support could offset the negative impact of low income on food security, our study did not find support for such an effect.
Integrated Technique for Data Transmission Reliability in Metal Fill Monitoring Using Wireless Sensor Network

Data transport reliability is utmost important for high fidelity applications. One of these applications is metal-fill monitoring in Lost Foam Casting (LFC) process using wireless sensor network. The lossy foundry environment presents a great challenge for reliable wireless data transfer. An integrated protocol for reliable data transmission has been proposed which is well suited for such environments. Real casting experiments have been conducted to test the effectiveness of the proposed protocol. The results show that the protocol is able to successfully retrieve all the lost data packets.
Correlational change analysis: Reliability and metric issues

Abstract Unless certain metric conditions are met, and unless reliability estimates are available, analyzing change data via correlational techniques is often inappropriate. Although these techniques are useful for problems of practical prediction, the absence of equivalent interval scales and reliability estimates may influence the value of the observed coefficient so as to misrepresent the underlying causal model. The consequences of ignoring reliability estimates and metric equivalences are discussed for each of the three most commonly used correlational techniques: (1) The correlation of crude gain scores with initial scores, (2) The correlation of crude gain scores with third variables, and (3) The correlation of residualized gain scores with third variables.
The final stage of the laparoscopic procedure: exploring final steps

Despite significant advances in laparoscopic technique and technologies, laparoscopic Urologic surgery remains technically demanding regarding various surgical steps including the challenge of specimen retrieval and extraction, whether to install a drainage system and the best option for wound closure. Laparoscopic specimen entrapment and extraction occurs at what is falsely considered the ″end of the procedure″. During open surgery, after the specimen has been mobilized, the specimen is simply lifted out of the larger incision which has been made to achieve the surgical objectives. In contrast, significant laparoscopic skill is required to entrapand safely extract laparoscopic specimens. Indeed, the Urologist and surgical team which are transitioning from open surgery may disregard this important part of the procedure which may lead to significant morbidity. As such, it is imperative that during laparoscopic procedures, the ″end of the procedure″ be strictly defined as the termination of skin closure and dressing placement. Taking a few minutes to focus on safe specimen entrapment and extraction will substantially reduce major morbidity. The following review focus on the technology and technique of specimen entrapment and extraction, on the matter of whether to install a drainage system of the abdominal cavity and the options for adequate closure of trocar site wounds. This article 's primary objectives are to focus on how to minimize morbidity while maintain the advantages of a minimally invasive surgical approach.
Nonlinear-optical properties of a noninteracting Bose gas.

We show that the characteristic Rabi frequency and nonlinear susceptibility of atoms in a dilute Bose gas remain unchanged by the process of condensation. We neglect the effects of atomic dipole –dipole interactions and spontaneous emission.
Spider transparent clock

This paper discusses a device, the spider transparent clock, which can be used to retrofit existing bridges and routers to allow them to deliver highly accurate time using the IEEE 1588 protocol. The spider transparent clock corrects for the internal queuing jitter and asymmetry introduced by these bridges and routers.
Adventitial Cells Do Not Contribute to Neointimal Mass After Balloon Angioplasty of the Rat Common Carotid Artery

Background Previous studies suggest that the migration of adventitial cells into the neointima after balloon angioplasty might have an important role in vascular lesion formation. The current experiments were designed to study the migration of adventitial cells in response to mechanical injury of the rat carotid artery. Methods and Results Adventitial cells were stained in situ with PKH26, a fluorescent dye, after balloon angioplasty of the rat common carotid artery. Animals were killed at different time points, and tissue sections were examined under light and fluorescence microscopy. PKH26-labeled cells were detected exclusively in the adventitia. No labeled cells were present in the media or the neointima at any time point examined. A highly cellular neoadventitial layer composed of myofibroblasts exhibited an extensive proliferative response 3 days after injury over the entire adventitial circumference. Conclusions Despite the prominent role that adventitial myofibroblasts seem to have in the postangi...
Allele-sensitive mutant, Itkas, reveals that Itk kinase activity is required for Th1, Th2, Th17, and iNKT-cell cytokine production.

Abstract Itk(-/-) mice exhibit defects in the activation, development, and function of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and iNKT cells. These and other defects in these mice make it difficult to uncouple the developmental versus functional requirement of Itk signaling. Here, we report an allele-sensitive mutant of Itk (Itkas) whose catalytic activity can be selectively inhibited by analogs of the PP1 kinase inhibitor. We show that Itkas behaves like WT Itk in the absence of the inhibitor and can rescue the development of Itk(-/-) T cells in mice. Using mice carrying Itkas, we show using its inhibitor that Itk activity is required not only for Th2, Th17, and iNKT-cell cytokine production, but also surprisingly, for Th1 cytokine production. This work has important implications for understanding the role of Itk signaling in the development versus function of iNKT cells, Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells.
The relationship between frequency of Facebook use, participation in Facebook activities, and student engagement

Educators and others are interested in the effects of social media on college students, with a specific focus on the most popular social media website-Facebook. Two previous studies have examined the relationship between Facebook use and student engagement, a construct related to positive college outcomes. However, these studies were limited by their evaluation of Facebook usage and how they measured engagement. This paper fills a gap in the literature by using a large sample (N = 2368) of college students to examine the relationship between frequency of Facebook use, participation in Facebook activities, and student engagement. Student engagement was measured in three ways: a 19-item scale based on the National Survey of Student Engagement, time spent preparing for class, and time spent in co-curricular activities. Results indicate that Facebook use was significantly negatively predictive of engagement scale score and positively predictive of time spent in co-curricular activities. Additionally, some Facebook activities were positively predictive of the dependent variables, while others were negatively predictive.
Inflammatory Intermediates Produced by Tissues Encasing Silicone Breast Prostheses

Silicone prostheses, when implanted within the soft tissues of the breast, evoke an inflammatory reaction. In response to silicone exposure, inflammatory mediator production by individual cells has been observed in various experimental studies. In this study, inflammatory mediator production by periprosthetic tissues (whole organ) was measured. The mediator levels were correlated with both the tissue histopathology of the periprosthetic capsules and the clinical symptoms noted by each patient. Tissue surrounding breast implants removed at surgery from ten women (average age and implant duration 40 and 7 years respectively) was cultured in vitro for 24 hours. Control tissues consisting of (a) augmentation mammaplasty skin scars from eight additional patients and (b) knee synovium from seven orthopedic surgery patients with arthritis undergoing primary joint arthroplasty were similarly cultured. The mediators [interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and prostaglandin E2 ...
Effect of hypoxemia and acidemia on the fetal cardiac response to acetylcholine: Experimental observations in fetal baboons***

Abstract The effect of hypoxemia and acidemia on the fetal cardiac response to acetylcholine (ACh) was studied in 24 baboon fetuses in utero. A bolus injection of ACh was giv8n intravenously to the fetus at a dose that ranged from 5 to 160 µg/kg of estimated fetal weight. The responses were divided into two groups accordiog to fetal oxygenation and acid-base state. Fetuses in group I Were well oxygenated (PaO2, 31 ± 1.4 mm Hg; pHa, 7.32 ± 0.154); only five atrioventricutar (A-V) heart blocks were induced with 50 ± 3.3 µg/kg of ACh. Fetuses in Group II were hypoxemic (PaO2, 18 ± 1.2 mm Hg) and acidemic (pHa, 7.05 ± 0.048); ten A-v heart blacks-were induced with a comparable dose of ACh (45 ± 6.8 µg/kg). Dose response relationship is noted in individual fetuses with multiple dosage injections. These findings suggeetthat the fetal cardiac response to ACh is both dose related and more profound when the fetus is hypoxemic and acidemic, and indicate that the hypoxic and acidotic fetus is at greater risk from strong stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system. Atropine prevented myocardial conduction defect induced by intravenous injection of ACh even in the severely hypoxemic baboon fetus. This observation suggests that judicious use of atropine could be a life-saving measure when a prolonged severe of cord occlusion is suspected. (Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 141:682, 1981.)
Managerial Cost Inefficiency and Takeovers of U.S. Thrifts

This paper uses a two-step methodology to examine the relationship between managerial cost inefficiency and the takeover of U.S. thrifts during a period of market liberalization and widespread takeover activity, 1994 to 2000. In the first stage using stochastic cost frontiers, controllable managerial cost inefficiency scores are estimated for all stock firms operating each year in 1994 to 2000. In a second stage, these scores are used to examine correlates of takeovers, focusing on cost inefficiency. For takeovers by banks, a significant negative relationship between cost inefficiency and takeover is found, suggesting an exit of more cost efficient firms from the thrift industry during this period. However, takeovers by thrifts are associated with other characteristics.
Evolution of the density self-correlation in developing Richtmyer–Meshkov turbulence

Turbulent mixing in a Richtmyer–Meshkov unstable light–heavy–light (air– –air) fluid layer subjected to a shock (Mach 1.20) and a reshock (Mach 1.14) is investigated using ensemble statistics obtained from simultaneous velocity–density measurements. The mixing is driven by an unstable array of initially symmetric vortices that induce rapid material mixing and create smaller-scale vortices. After reshock the flow appears to transition to a turbulent (likely three-dimensional) state, at which time our planar measurements are used to probe the developing flow field. The density self-correlation (where and are the fluctuating density and specific volume, respectively) and terms in its evolution equation are directly measured experimentally for the first time. Amongst other things, it is found that production terms in the equation are balanced by the dissipation terms, suggesting a form of equilibrium in . Simultaneous velocity measurements are used to probe the state of the incipient turbulence. A length-scale analysis suggests that an inertial range is beginning to form, consistent with the onset of a mixing transition. The developing turbulence is observed to reduce non-Boussinesq effects in the flow, which are found to be small over much of the layer after reshock. Second-order two-point structure functions of the density field exhibit a power-law behaviour with a steeper exponent than the standard power found in canonical turbulence. The absence of a significant region is observed to be consistent with the state of the flow, and the emergence of the steeper power-law region is discussed.
Advances in Molecular Biology of Hepatitis B Virus Envelope Protein

Hepatitis B virus(HBV) envelope protein is composed of PreS1,PreS2 and S protein.They are exposed at the outer surface of HBV virion and involved in the attachment,assembly and maturation of HBV virion.The expressed envelope proteins synthesized by the infected hepatocyte produce a serial of biological effects on the growth,mtabolism and melignant transformation of hepatocyte,and also play important roles in protective immune response.The variation of envelope proteins enable the effects of HBV on the infected hepatocyte become more complex.HBV envelop protein plays an important role in the molecular pathological mechanism of the chronicity of hpatitis B and the progression of HBV-related diseases.