cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance of tonpilz transducers with segmented piezoelectric stacks using materials with high electromechanical coupling coefficient

Tonpilz acoustic transducers for use underwater often include a stack of piezoelectric material pieces polarized along the length of the stack and having alternating polarity. The pieces are interspersed with electrodes, bonded together, and electrically connected in parallel. The stack is normally much shorter than a quarter wavelength at the fundamental resonance frequency so that the mechanical behavior of the transducer is not affected by the segmentation. When the transducer bandwidth is less than a half octave, as has conventionally been the case, for example, with lead zirconate titanate (PZT) material, stack segmentation has no significant effect on the mechanical behavior of the device in its normal operating band near the fundamental resonance. However, when a high coupling coefficient material such as lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT) is used to achieve a wider bandwidth with the tonpilz, the performance difference between a segmented stack and a similar piezoelectric section with electrodes only at the two ends can be significant. This paper investigates the effects of stack segmentation on the performance of wideband underwater tonpilz acoustic transducers. Included is a discussion of a particular tonpilz transducer design using single crystal piezoelectric material with high coupling coefficient compared with a similar design using more traditional PZT ceramics.
Regulation of kappa immunoglobulin gene transcription in vitro

An in vitro transcription system has been established with a whole-cell extract from the human Burkitt's lymphoma, Daudi, cell line. The B cell extract has been compared with a HeLa cell extract in an effort to study lymphocyte-specific regulatory factors of kappa light chain gene transcription. Both extracts were capable of transcribing Vk genes and other RNA polymerase II dependent genes. Alpha-amanitin at [0.1 micrograms/ml] completely inhibited the accumulation of transcripts in both systems. At low DNA template concentrations the kappa intronic enhancer stimulated Vk promoter transcription 3-7 fold in B cell extracts. The enhancer-dependent transcription was abolished by excising the enhancer from the test plasmid with Eco R1. Both Vk promoter and enhancer-dependent transcription in HeLa extracts was undetectable at low [DNA]. These results demonstrate that kappa enhancer stimulation of Vk transcription in vitro is observed in B cell extracts only under conditions of low DNA template concentration.
Identification of the Murine Hox-c12 and Hox-c13 Homeoboxes on Yeast Artificial Chromosomes

Abstract The structure of the Antennapedia -class homeobox gene clusters is highly conserved in human and mouse. Of all the human homeobox genes known, only HOX-C12 and HOX-C13 have not also been identified in mouse. These two genes are located at the extreme 5′ end of the human HOX-C cluster and are predicted to be located in a similar position on the murine Hox-c cluster. We have isolated two yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) containing the murine Hox-c cluster. We designed primers specific to the human HOX-C12 and C13 homeoboxes and used the polymerase chain reaction and sequencing to identify the homeobox of the murine orthologs of these two genes on one of the YACs. Only the YAC containing the 5′ end of the Hox-c cluster contained these sequences. Thus, we have identified two mouse homeobox genes not previously reported and established linkage of these genes to the 5′ end of the mouse Hox-c cluster.
Mitochondrial DNA variation in finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn)

This study was conducted to classify 26 lines of finger millet from Africa and India into cytotype groups based on the Southern blot hybridization patterns obtained with maize and sorghum mitochondrial cloned gene probes. Five restriction endonuclease enzymes were used for single digestions on total cellular DNA, giving a total of 20 enzyme/probe combinations. There was a low level of polymorphism, with identical RFLP banding patterns in 23 of the 26 lines. However, mtDNA clone atp9 hybridized to a 3.6 Kb Xba1 fragment in ecotype SDFM-1143 from Malawi; but did not hybridize to a 3.0 Kb fragment present in all other ecotypes. Two Zimbabwean lines, SDFM 63 and SDFM 77, had an extra, low intensity 6.5 Kb Xba1 fragment hybridized by mtDNA clone cox1. This data enabled classification of the lines into 3 cytopype groups.
Temperature, stress and the distribution of leukocytes in red-spotted newts, Notophthalmus viridescens

Adult newts,Notophthalmus viridescens, were maintained in constant darkness and at a constant temperature of 3.5 °C or of 11.0 °C or of 21.0 °C. Animals of each group were sacrificed after an 8-day sojourn in their constant environments, at which time blood smears for each newt were prepared. Differential counts of leukocytes of the animals maintained at 3.5 °C and of those that lived at 21.0 °C were compared with the differential counts of the newts that lived at 11.0 °C. In the blood of animals maintained at 3.5 °C and at 21.0 °C, there were more neutrophils and fewer lymphocytes than the same types of cells in the blood of newts that lived at the intermediate temperature, 11.0 °C (Table 1). Those differences, statistically significant atP<0.001, may indicate that the constant high and low temperatures constitute physiological stress for this species.
Comparison of maximum production rates and optimum operating/design parameters in overloaded elution and displacement chromatography.

The results of a study of the optimization of the experimental conditions for maximum production rate in overloaded elution and displacement chromatography are discussed. This study is based on the use of the equilibrium-dispersive model of chromatography and the competitive Langmuir isotherms to calculate individual band profiles in the elution and displacement modes, and of a simplex algorithm to optimize the production rate. The operating parameters (sample size, mobile phase velocity, and the displacer concentration in the displacement model) and the column design parameters (column length and average particle diameter) are optimized simultaneously. Binary mixtures having relative concentrations 3:1 and 1:3, and separation factors of 1.2 to 1.8 are investigated. One of our major results is that, in both modes of chromatography, the maximum production rate is achieved at very low values of the retention factors, k′, much lower than those used in current practice. In all cases, unless k′ exceeds greatly that optimum value, the production rate is higher in overloaded elution than in displacement chromatography. This is particularly true for the extraction of a minor component, which is eluted second. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Composition analysis of α-helices in thermophilic organisms

We present a statistical comparison of the amino acid composition in a secondary structure element, the alpha-helix, of proteins stable at high temperatures with those which are less so. This study has shown that the temperature-dependent Zimm-Bragg helix propagation value s is not a good predictor for the helix-forming tendency of an amino acid in thermostable proteins. However, we have shown that delta s, the change in s from 20 to 60 degrees C, accurately predicts the direction of the probability shift for 15 amino acids in thermostable protein alpha-helices, although it does not predict the magnitude of that change. The residues tyrosine, glycine and glutamine show a significant increase in residency in alpha-helices for thermostable proteins over their non-thermostable counterparts. Significant decreases in alpha-helix residency occur for the residues valine, glutamic acid, histidine, cysteine and aspartic acid in proteins from thermophilic organisms. Aromatic interactions, hydrogen bonding and a reduction of charge may explain the increase observed for tyrosine and glutamine and the decrease in glutamic acid and aspartic acid, although packing considerations cannot be ruled out. The only physical explanation for the increase in glycine would seem to be its positive delta s value.
Learning through writing in an engineering course

In the Fall 1982 semester, engineering report writing was integrated into the structure of a junior-level electrical engineering course at Howard University. The required homework consisted of engineering reports instead of the traditional textbook problem sets. A follow-up analysis of grades on examinations, on reports, and in later courses showed that (1) student understanding of engineering subject matter was not compromised by the course structure; (2) writing skills improved over the course of the semester; and (3) the correlation of student writing skills to problem-solving skills was approximately 0.5.
Multiple haemoglobins of mandrills, papio sphinx

Abstract 1. 1. Electrophoresis of red cell haemolysates of mandrills, Papio sphinx , indicates that two major haemoglobins are present in this species. These haemoglobins have identical gb chains and different α chains, α A and α B . 2. 2. The amino-acid compositions and amino-terminal groups of the α A , α B , and β chains were determined. Valine is the amino-terminal group of each of the chains. 3. 3. The presence of two major haemoglobins in P. sphinx may be a true genetic polymorphism or may be the result of either gene duplication or ambiguity in transcription of the genetic code.
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network Cesarean Registry : impact of shift change on cesarean complications

Objective This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of change of shift for physicians and nurses on complications associated with cesarean delivery. Study Design 17,996 term women undergoing an unscheduled cesarean delivery in 13 centers from 1999-2000 were included. Maternal and neonatal morbidities were evaluated by time of infant delivery vis-a-vis nursing change of shift (6 am-8 am, 2 pm-4 pm, 10 pm-12 am vs all other hours). The sample was then limited to weekdays only and physician shift changes were evaluated (physician shift change 6 am-8 am, 5 pm-7 pm vs all others). A composite of 30 maternal morbidities was also evaluated by logistic regression, controlling for potentially confounding factors. Results Physician change of shift had no measurable effect on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Neonatal facial nerve palsies were increased at nursing change of shift (5 vs 0) as were hysterectomies (33 [0.24%] vs 23 [0.53%]; P Conclusion Physician change of shift does not appear to be associated with an increase in morbidities. However, cesarean delivery during nursing change of shift is associated with increased risk of neonatal facial nerve palsy and hysterectomy. Further investigation is needed to understand the cause of this association.
Non-genetic diversity shapes infectious capacity and host resistance

The spontaneous generation of distinct phenotypes within a clonal population of cells allows for both bet-hedging at the population level and the division of labor among subpopulations. This is emerging as an important theme in bacterial pathogenesis, because bacterial pathogens exhibit phenotypic heterogeneity with respect to characteristics that impact virulence. The phenomenon of persister cells and models of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) pathogenesis illustrate the importance of non-genetic diversity in the disease process. Such heterogeneity can arise from specific genetic architectures amplifying stochastic fluctuations in factors affecting gene expression, and this also drives variation in eukaryotic cells. Thus reproducible variation in both host and pathogen processes affects the outcome of infection.
Golf Instruction: Learning from the Flight of the Golf Ball

Abstract The flight pattern of the ball offers a storehouse of information which can greatly enhance the golf swing. Ball flight is a graphic portrayal of how the ball was struck. Becoming familiar with the factors that shape ball flight patterns should facilitate one's golfing prowess.
HF signal measurement device for DVD disk

A DVD disc signal measurement device is introduced in this paper. The device is fed high frequency signal and EFM+ signal from a DVD disc driver. By using EFM+ signal as input reference, the device is capable of recording all the peak (or bottom) values of a specified xT signal in an user defined duration. To improve the accuracy of the measurement device, the ac and dc components of high frequency signal are proceeded individually and then combined to give the corrected peak (or bottom) values. The corrected peak value is given by adding the dc component and the peak fo the ac component. The corrected bottom value is given by subtracting the peak of inverse AC component from the dc component.
Identifying heritable composite traits from multivariate phenotypes and genome-wide SNPs

An important approach to reducing missing heritability and enhancing success of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for complex diseases is the identification of traits that are highly heritable and homogeneous in their etiology. Many approaches have been proposed to define such traits based on either cluster analysis or pedigree-based heritable component analysis. None of the existing methods, however, exploit the dense genome-wide genotypic data that are now readily available from GWAS, and with exome and whole genome sequencing more data will be available in the future. Moreover, because a phenotype can vary with respect to a covariate, such as age or race. The fixed effect due to the covariates may lead to a spuriously elevated estimate of heritability. Existing heritable component analysis methods have not considered covariate effects. We propose an optimization approach to identify composite traits with high heritability as a function of multiple phenotypic variables where heritability is estimated from genome-wide single neucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Our approach can model the covariate effects within heritability analysis. The proposed optimization problem can be efficiently solved by a sequential quadratic programming algorithm. A case study demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach for finding composite traits with high SNP-based heritability.
A new genetic syndrome among the Old Order Amish of Smicksburg Pennsylvania

The Old Order Amish are a religious sect well known for their simple way of life and are of interest to geneticists due to the unique opportunity they provide for the study of genetic diseases. The Old Order Amish have a high rate of consanguinity and therefore have a higher proportion of recessive genetic conditions than non-Amish populations. We have evaluated individuals described as having developmental delays from an Old Order Amish community located in Smicksburg, PA. Approximately 22% of couples in this community are known to be consanguineous. We evaluated one family in which four of the fourteen siblings (two males and two females) had what appeared to be a syndrome previously undescribed among Amish or non-Amish populations. Features seen in all of the siblings included moderate to severe mental retardation, hypotonia, microcephaly, a short philtrum, hypoplastic alae nasi, and a long columella. Three of the siblings had short stature, deep set eyes, prominent lips, pectus excavatum, and hyperextensible joints. Two of the siblings had prominent eyebrows, knee contractures, atrophy of the interossei muscles, disconjugate gaze and hyperreflexia. Other less common findings included delayed sexual maturation, subluxable patellae and cataracts. The individual with cataracts had an ulcerativc ocular illness at age 13 years with subsequent cataract formation. Chromosome analysis, and metabolic testing including urine organic and amino acids were completed and were normal. The parents denied consanguinity Two maternal aunts and an uncle are said to be similarly affected, however they have not consented to an evaluation. Two maternal cousins, brothers to each other and both evaluated by us, also have some overlapping but nonspecific features. The family would not permit photographs at the time of the evaluation.
Teaser rates in conventional adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) markets

This article examines the pricing of teaser rates on adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs). The theory indicates that lenders may offset teaser rates on ARMs through an increase in upfront fees or points, through looser life of loan rate caps, or through higher contract rates after the teaser has expired. Cross-sectional regression results fail to reject the null hypothesis that teaser ARMs are correctly priced.
SOFT X RAYS FROM HIGH-INTENSITY LASER INTERACTIONS WITH SOLIDS

High-density plasmas are produced by illuminating solids with ultrashort laser pulses of 120 fs at 800-nm light, focused down to an intensity of approximately $8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{16}{\mathrm{W}/\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^{2}.$ Soft x rays are thus generated from the subsequent cooling of the plasma. Spectral data are presented for aluminum, Pyrex, and quartz targets. Emission from up to the lithiumlike species of all targets was observed.
Tac1 regulation by RNA-binding protein and miRNA in bone marrow stroma: Implication for hematopoietic activity.

Abstract Hematopoiesis is the process by which immune and blood cells are produced from a finite number of relatively few hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). In adults, hematopoiesis occurs in the adult bone marrow (BM), with the support of stromal cells. This support partly occurs through the production of hematopoietic regulators belonging to the families of cytokines and neuropeptides/neurotransmitters, which mediate their actions through specific receptors. Thus, stromal cells could be central to the neural-hematopoietic-immune axis. This study focuses on Tac1 , which encodes hematopoietic regulators belonging to the tachykinin family of neuropeptides. We examined post-transcriptional regulation of Tac1 in BM stroma. Since this gene is inducible in stroma, we selected cytokines with varying hematopoietic effects: stimulator Stem Cell Factor (SCF), broad-acting IL-11 and suppressive TGF-β1. RNA shift with Tac1 mRNA and cytoplasmic extracts from IL-11 and SCF-stimulated stroma showed RNA shift after 15 min at 37 °C, whereas a shift was detected with extracts from TGF-β1-stimulated stroma after 5 min at room temperature. Another level of post-transcriptional regulation was observed by the detection of miRNAs that interact with the 3′ untranslated region of Tac1 mRNA. In summary, this study showed that cytokine induced miRNA downregulation and RNA-binding protein(s) are involved in post-transcriptional regulation of Tac1 in BM stroma. The broad categories of cytokines as hematopoietic stimulators or inhibitors might depend on the avidity of RNA-binding protein(s) for Tac1 mRNA, as well as the ability to degrade or stabilize the specific miRNAs.
Health outcomes among American Indians with spinal cord injury.

Abstract Krause JS, Coker JL, Charlifue S, Whiteneck GG. Health outcomes among American Indians with spinal cord injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2000;81:924-31. Objective: To identify factors related to risk for poor health outcomes and secondary conditions in a sample of American Indians with spinal cord injury (SCI). Design: Interviews were conducted by telephone with most participants; those who did not have telephones returned materials by mail. Setting: A large rehabilitation hospital in the Western/Mountain region of the United States. Participants: Ninety-seven American Indians with SCI completed a comprehensive health interview. All participants were adults with traumatic SCI and were at least 1 year postinjury. Main Outcome Measures: Selected items from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to assess health behaviors and general health outcomes. Two secondary conditions were also investigated as outcome measures: pressure sores and post-SCI injuries. Results: Multiple linear regression was used to predict seven health-related outcomes. Depressive symptomatology and post-SCI injuries were the primary predictors of the majority of health outcomes. Alcohol consumption was associated with a greater risk for post-SCI injuries, and being older at injury was associated with poorer health outcomes. Conclusions: Interventions to reduce depression, injuries, and alcohol misuse have potential for improving health among American Indians with SCI. © 2000 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Immunocytochemical comparison of posttranslationally modified forms of tubulin in the vestibular end-organs of the gerbil: tyrosinated, acetylated and polyglutamylated tubulin

Specific antibodies against α-tubulin, acetylated α-tubulin, tyrosinated α-tubulin and polyglutamylated α- and β-tubulin were used to compare the distribution of posttranslationally modified tubulin in the vestibular end-organs of the gerbil. Antibodies to acetylated tubulin labeled a dense network of microtubules in the hair cells and bundles of microtubule in the supporting cells. Nerve fibers within and below the epithelium were weakly labeled. This localization paralleled that seen with antibodies to α-tubulin which labeled all microtubules present in the cells. Antibodies to tyrosinated tubulin labeled networks and bundles of microtubules in both hair cells and supporting cells and in addition gave intense, diffuse labeling in the cytoplasm of both cell types. It also labeled the nerve fibers. Antibodies to polyglutamylated tubulin were localized mainly in nerve fibers, and in the calyces the labeled microtubules were found running circumferentially around the type I sensory hair cells. Thus, tyrosinated tubulin was found in the fine networks of microtubules in both the sensory and supporting cells. Acetylated tubulin was found in the dense networks and bundles of microtubules in the sensory and supporting cells, but did not colocalize with polyglutamylated tubulin, which was found predominantly in the nerve fibers. The labeling patterns for the tyrosinated tubulin and posttranslationally modified tubulins in the sensory and supporting cells of the vestibular end organs differ from that seen in the organ of Corti and may reflect differences in the stability of the microtubules and the mechanical properties of the sensory epithelium.
Clinician's Guide to Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus infection is common, often silent, and almost always chronic and can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer. Deaths related to chronic hepatitis C are expected to increase dramatically in the future. Many cases of infection are asymptomatic and are undiagnosed because of a lack of recognition by patients and physicians. All patients currently or previously at risk of infection should undergo screening, including those who received blood transfusions before 1992. Interferon is the only effective therapy, but disappearance of virus is sustained in only 10 to 15% of patients. The combination of interferon and oral ribavirin therapy may increase the sustained response rate to about 40%. New agents such as hepatitis C virus-specific protease inhibitors may be available in the next 5 to 10 years, and treatment is evolving toward multiple-drug regimens analogous to those used for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In contrast to public funding for drug development in HIV, such funding for hepatitis C has been limited.
The structure of human mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase reveals a novel tetrameric interface of two 4-helix bundles

The 2.2 A resolution crystal structure of recombinant human manganese superoxide dismutase, a homotetrameric enzyme that protects mitochondria against oxygen-mediated free radical damage, has been determined. Within each subunit, both the N-terminal helical hairpin and C-terminal alpha/beta domains contribute ligands to the catalytic manganese site. Two identical 4-helix bundles, symmetrically assembled from the N-terminal helical hairpins, form novel tetrameric interfaces that stabilize the active sites. Structurally altered polymorphic variants with reduced activity, such as tetrameric interface mutant Ile-58 to Thr, may produce not only an early selective advantage, through enhanced cytotoxicity of tumor necrosis factor for virus-infected cells, but also detrimental effects from increased mitochondrial oxidative damage, contributing to degenerative conditions, including diabetes, aging, and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
Ethical issues with target marketing on the Internet

The popularity of the Internet and World Wide Web (WWW) heightens the issue of target marketing and the vulnerability of some segments. There is an ethical concern that the ability to accurately target market certain segments that are deemed vulnerable allows these groups to be exploited by marketers. This paper explores ethical issues related to target marketing to vulnerable groups on the Internet and WWW. Additionally, the role education has in developing marketing ethics is explored. The author concludes that marketers on the Internet and WWW should follow the same ethical marketing practices as are followed in more traditional marketing venues.
Theory of polymer adsorption at interfaces

Previous theories valid for polymer chains with large loops protruding into the solvent are developed. Interaction in various layers parallel to the interface is calculated according to the Flory-Huggins theory. Excluded volume effects are shown to be so small that they can be neglected. The adsorption isotherm is expressed in two parameters: one for the partition function for adsorbed segments and the other one for the stiffness of the chains. For adsorption from good solvents, the fraction of segments in the surface layer is large and the loops are small. For adsorption from theta-solvents, the fraction of segments in the surface layer is small and the loops are large. The trends are in agreement with those experimentally observed, but the observed layer thickness is larger than the theoretically deduced upper limit.
Stimulus imagery effect and the role of imagery in incidental learning1

Previous studies employing concrete and abstract noun stimuli showed strong incidental learning imagery effects which were associated with test of recognition but not with test of free recall. Two ...
Magnetic isotope effects in biradicals: Substantial 13C enrichment and a novel mechanistic probe

Abstract Photolysis of 2,n-diphenylcycloalkanones (n-membered ring, n = 10, 11, 12, 15) produces products that are significantly enriched in 13 C. The enrichments are different for each product, and this allows assignment of the dynamic pathways through which each product is formed.
Associations between Peer Nominations, Teacher Ratings, Self-Reports, and Observations of Malicious and Disruptive Behavior.

This study evaluates the validity of two aggression scales for predicting observations of malicious or disruptive behavior at school. Subgroups of a sample of 1,560 children (age 8.6 ± 1.5 years) were assessed using (a) peer nominations of aggression, (b) teacher reports on the Teacher Report Form (TRF) of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) Aggression scale and the peer nomination items, or (c) self-reports on the peer nomination items. Criteria were observations of physical, verbal, initiated, retaliatory, malicious, and disruptive behaviors. Teacher report peer nominations predicted observed physical, verbal, initiated, and retaliatory aggression and disruptive behavior. Peer nominations predicted physical aggression, verbal aggression, initiation and disruptive behavior, and TRFs predicted verbal, initiated, and disruptive behavior. Self-reports did not significantly predict any behavior. Implications for assessment of aggression are discussed.
Training and its Impact on Organizational Commitment among Lodging Employees

Training is one of the key methods managers employ to control hospitality products and services. The purpose of this research was to examine the attitudes U.S. hotel employees have about the traini...
Altering Automatic Verbal Processes with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Abstract Background: Word retrieval during verbal fluency tasks utilizes both automatic and controlled cognitive processes. A distinction has been made between the generation of clusters and switches on verbal fluency tasks. Clusters, or the reporting of contiguous words within semantic or phonemic subcategories, are thought to reflect a relatively automatic processes In contrast, switching from one subcategory to another is thought to represent more controlled, effortful form of cognitive processing. Objective: In this single-blind experiment, we investigated whether tDCS can modify qualitative aspects of verbal fluency, such as clustering and switching, in healthy adults. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to receive 1mA of either anodal/excitatory or cathodal/inhibitory active tDCS over the left prefrontal cortex in addition to sham stimulation. In the last segment of each 30-minute session, participants completed letter- and category-cued fluency tasks. Results: Anodal tDCS increased both overall productivity and the number and proportion of words in clusters during category-guided verbal fluency, whereas cathodal stimulation produced the opposite effect. Conclusions: tDCS can selectively alter automatic aspects of speeded lexical retrieval in a polarity-dependent fashion during a category-guided fluency task.
Invasive Infections with Haemophilus influenzae Serotype a Containing an IS1016-bexA Partial Deletion: Possible Association with Virulence

Background Recent reports of invasive Haemophilus influenzae non-b capsular serotypes in the era since development of conjugate vaccines have prompted concern about serotype replacement. Unusual clusters of invasive infection due to H. influenzae serotype a with clinical features that resemble those of infection due to H. influenzae serotype b have been described. A unique feature often associated with more-virulent H. influenzae serotype a isolates is the IS1016-bexA partial deletion, which was previously identified in the capsule locus of H. influenzae serotype b strains. We report the clinical, epidemiologic, and molecular genetic features of 2 cases of severe disease caused by H. influenzae serotype a. Methods Invasive H. influenzae isolates were serotyped with standard serological methods, and molecular typing was done with PCR. The capsular genotype of each isolate was characterized with PCR, partial sequencing, and Southern blot hybridization. Further strain typing was performed with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Results We identified 2 children with severe invasive disease due to H. influenzae serotype a. Both H. influenzae serotype a isolates contained the identical pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern and capsular genotype. An IS1016-bexA partial deletion in the capsule gene locus similar to that found in H. influenzae serotype b was identified in both isolates by means of PCR and sequencing of the IS1016-bexA junction. Conclusions We describe 2 cases of severe invasive disease due to H. influenzae serotype a with the putative virulence-enhancing IS1016-bexA partial deletion and duplication of the capsule locus. Our data support the hypothesis that this mutation may be associated with virulence in non-b capsular serotypes of H. influenzae.
Rhythmicity of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) forms the outermost layer of the retina. Its interactions with outer segment portions of rod and cone photoreceptors are essential for vision. Among the many essential support functions of the RPE for photoreceptors, the contribution of the RPE in photoreceptor outer segment renewal is strictly rhythmic occurring once a day for both rods and cones. RPE cells contribute to shedding of distal outer segment tips of photoreceptors and are solely responsible for the concomitant clearance of shed debris by phagocytosis. Here, we discuss current knowledge of how the diurnal rhythm is established and how the rhythm translates into synchronized activation of the phagocytic machinery of the RPE.
Tests of calibration and goodness‐of‐fit in the survival setting

To access the calibration of a predictive model in a survival analysis setting, several authors have extended the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test to survival data. Gronnesby and Borgan developed a test under the proportional hazards assumption, and Nam and D'Agostino developed a nonparametric test that is applicable in a more general survival setting for data with limited censoring. We analyze the performance of the two tests and show that the Gronnesby–Borgan test attains appropriate size in a variety of settings, whereas the Nam-D'Agostino method has a higher than nominal Type 1 error when there is more than trivial censoring. Both tests are sensitive to small cell sizes. We develop a modification of the Nam-D'Agostino test to allow for higher censoring rates. We show that this modified Nam-D'Agostino test has appropriate control of Type 1 error and comparable power to the Gronnesby–Borgan test and is applicable to settings other than proportional hazards. We also discuss the application to small cell sizes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Special paraunitary matrices, Cayley transform, and multidimensional orthogonal filter banks

We characterize and design multidimensional (MD) orthogonal filter banks using special paraunitary matrices and the Cayley transform. Orthogonal filter banks are represented by paraunitary matrices in the polyphase domain. We define special paraunitary matrices as paraunitary matrices with unit determinant. We show that every paraunitary matrix can be characterized by a special paraunitary matrix and a phase factor. Therefore, the design of paraunitary matrices (and thus of orthogonal filter banks) becomes the design of special paraunitary matrices, which requires a smaller set of nonlinear equations. Moreover, we provide a complete characterization of special paraunitary matrices in the Cayley domain, which converts nonlinear constraints into linear constraints. Our method greatly simplifies the design of MD orthogonal filter banks and leads to complete characterizations of such filter banks.
Radial wood allocation in Schizolobium parahyba

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Pioneer species of tropical trees allocate wood specific gravity (SG) differently across the radius. Some species exhibit relatively uniform, low SG wood, whereas many others exhibit linear increases in SG across the radius. Here, we measured changes in SG across the radius of Schizolobium parahyba (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae), a wide-ranging, neotropical pioneer, used extensively in land reclamation and forest restoration in Brazil. METHODS Pith-to-bark radial wood cores were extracted with increment borers from 42 trees at five sites, in Central and South America. Cores were cut into 1-cm segments whose specific gravities were determined and analyzed via linear and nonlinear regression. Wood specific gravity, very low initially at 0.15-0.20, doubled or tripled across the tree radius to 0.45-0.65 for large adults. KEY RESULTS Unlike linear increases in other tropical pioneers, the increases in Schizolobium were nonlinear (convex up). At one site with even-aged trees, the magnitude of the radial increase was similar in all trees, despite a 4-fold difference in diameter among trees, implying that the radial increases in Schizolobium were regulated by tree age, not by tree size. CONCLUSIONS This unique pattern of development should provide an extended period of growth when SG is low, facilitating hyper-extension of the bole, at some risk of structural failure. Later in growth, the SG rate of increase accelerates, reinforcing what was a precarious bole. Overall, these results suggest a third model for xylem allocation in tropical trees, a model that may be associated with monopodial stem development and limited life span.
A Novel Prostaglandin E Receptor 4–Associated Protein Participates in Antiinflammatory Signaling

Prostaglandin E2 exerts an antiinflammatory action by ligation of the heptahelical receptor EP4 in human macrophages. Because the mechanism by which EP4 receptor stimulation suppresses inflammatory activation in macrophages remains undefined, we sought interactors with the carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the EP4 receptor. Yeast 2-hybrid screening of the human bone marrow cDNA library with the EP4 receptor as a bait identified a cDNA clone encoding a 669-amino acid protein, designated here as EP4 receptor-associated protein (EPRAP), which contains 8 ankyrin motifs that might recruit other signaling molecules. EPRAP bound to the full-length EP4 receptor in HEK293 cells cotransfected with V5-tagged EPRAP and FLAG-tagged EP4 receptor cDNA, as anti-FLAG antibody coimmunoprecipitated EPRAP with the EP4 receptor from the lysates of cotransfected cells. Human macrophages derived from peripheral blood monocytes expressed an approximately 70-kDa protein detected by Western blotting with a polyclonal anti-EPRAP antibody. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry colocalized EPRAP with the EP4 receptor in human atheromata. Interference with EPRAP function by small interference RNA limited prostaglandin E2-mediated suppression of chemokine expression in macrophages activated with lipopolysaccharide and tumor necrosis factor alpha. In conclusion, the antiinflammatory action of prostaglandin E2 in macrophages involves EPRAP that associates directly with the cytoplasmic tail of EP4 receptor.
Evaluating the quality of NMR structures by local density of protons

Evaluating the quality of experimentally determined protein structural models is an essential step toward identifying potential errors and guiding further structural refinement. Herein, we report the use of proton local density as a sensitive measure to assess the quality of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structures. Using 256 high-resolution crystal structures with protons added and optimized, we show that the local density of different proton types display distinct distributions. These distributions can be characterized by statistical moments and are used to establish local density Z-scores for evaluating both global and local packing for individual protons. Analysis of 546 crystal structures at various resolutions shows that the local density Z-scores increase as the structural resolution decreases and correlate well with the ClashScore (Word et al. J Mol Biol 1999;285(4):1711-1733) generated by all atom contact analysis. Local density Z-scores for NMR structures exhibit a significantly wider range of values than for X-ray structures and demonstrate a combination of potentially problematic inflation and compression. Water-refined NMR structures show improved packing quality. Our analysis of a high-quality structural ensemble of ubiquitin refined against order parameters shows proton density distributions that correlate nearly perfectly with our standards derived from crystal structures, further validating our approach. We present an automated analysis and visualization tool for proton packing to evaluate the quality of NMR structures.
Chemically modified graphene/P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) electroactive polymer nanocomposites with superior electromechanical performance

Graphene nanosheets (GNS) were functionalized with 3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)-aniline to achieve homogeneous dispersion and favorable interfacial interactions in the poly(vinylidenefluoride-trifluorethylene-chlorofluoroethylene) P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) terpolymer matrix. The effects of functionalized GNS (FGNS) on the dielectric, mechanical, and electromechanical actuation properties of the FGNS/P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) terpolymer nanocomposites were systematically evaluated. It was found that incorporating FGNS into the P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) terpolymer, even at low loading levels (e.g., ∼1.0 vol%), increased the dielectric constant, Young's modulus, tensile strength, and electromechanical actuation performance of the resulting FGNS/P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) terpolymer nanocomposites drastically.
Integrated health management in salmonid aquaculture

Abstract Fish suffer from the same kinds of diseases that occur in other types of animals and many of the methods of control are also similar. Health management in aquaculture depends on an integration of maintaining optimal environmental conditions, enhancement of the animal's resistance, and control of pathogenic organisms. These aspects are discussed as they relate to salmonid culture, but most of the principles are germane to other types of aquaculture.
Environmental Resistance and the Politics of Energy Development in the Brazilian Amazon

Since the energy shortage in 2001, there has been renewed interest in energy-generation projects in Brazil. Policy options under consideration include expansion of natural gas exploration and hydropower generation in the Amazon. This article analyzes environmental opposition to two projects, the Urucu pipeline and the Belo Monte Dam. Despite significant environmental and social costs, development of energy resources is a critical political issue. Proponents tend to be politically well connected, are willing to face strong opposition, and pursue projects over a long time period. Opposition strategies have had limited effectiveness because of the project's larger context and because there are few incentives for compromise solutions. However, polarization is unlikely to lead to lasting solutions and reduced environmental impact. This may be an important consideration when fighting against other proposed high-profile regional projects with larges-scale environmental implications, such as the Madeira dams and ...
As Others See Us Clinical and Research Implications of Cross-Informant Correlations for Psychopathology

Discrepancies are often found between self-reports and reports by others regarding psychopathology. Both the person being assessed and various informants may contribute crucial data concerning a person's functioning. Comprehensive assessment requires data from multiple informants. Such data can be easily obtained with parallel self-report and collateral-report forms. The multi-informant data can be compared, aggregated, and used in many ways. Optimal use of multi-source data is essential for clinical assessment and for discovering causes and cures of psychopathology.
Rewiring cortex: rules of cortical network development

Summary form only given. Specific areas of the cerebral cortex have specific functions in the adult brain. How is this functional specificity achieved? Over the past decade, my laboratory has explored the role of the environment in shaping cortical function. The visual cortex in mammals consists of several areas, each with particular networks that enable it to process vision. Rewiring the brain by inducing retinal projections to innervate the auditory pathway causes the auditory cortex to develop with vision, and a very different pattern of electrical activity in input pathways than that due to audition. Visual inputs significantly alter various aspects of intracortical networks in the rewired auditory cortex, leading to a map of visual space, visual orientation selective responses, and an orientation map in the auditory cortex-features that are typical of the primary visual cortex. The rewired projection also mediates visual behavior, arguing that the functional role of a cortical area can be profoundly influenced by the nature of inputs it receives during development.
The beam dynamics studies of combined misalignments and RF errors for RIA

The National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) design for the Rare Isotope Accelerator (RIA) driver linac uses superconducting quarter-wave, half-wave and 6-cell elliptical cavities with rf frequencies ranging from 80.5 MHz to 805 MHz with two charge-stripping chicanes. The driver linac requirements include acceleration of light and heavy ions to final beam energies of /spl ges/400 MeV/nucleon with final beam powers of 100 to 400 kW. The impact of simultaneous misalignment and rf errors for the full RIA driver linac, including the charge-stripping chicanes, on the 6-dimensional beam emittance was evaluated by simulation. Beam loss and large-amplitude beam behaviors were also studied.
The formal description of programming languages

The formal description methods introduced in this paper were related to our simple language SPL for explanation purposes. Actually, the methods (i.e., abstract trees, predicates, state components, control trees, etc.) apply to all programming languages. However, some programming languages contain facilities that cannot be expressed using the methods described in this paper alone. For example, additional definitions are required to represent the multitasking facilities of PL/1. To solve this particular problem, an extension to the execution control of the abstract interpreter was used in the formal description of PL/1.
Single-frame polarization measurement techniques

This paper will describe methods of measuring all of the components of the Stokes polarization vector for each pixel in a scene using only one frame of passive optical sensor data, one radar pulse, or one radiometer integration interval. Both active and passive sensors operating in any waveband from microwave to visible will be considered. For systems operating in the millimeter wave and terahertz bands, the techniques developed by Dereniak and his students at the University of Arizona will be discussed. For other wavebands, a technique developed by the author that requires the coherent reception of two orthogonally-polarized signal components will be presented. This latter method works for both for both broad-band and narrow-band active or passive signals, but requires focal planes and hardware in the visible and infrared bands that may be too complicated for many applications. Results of calculations made for the millimeter and terahertz bands will be presented.
Osteoporosis Diagnosis and Management in Long-Term Care Facility.

Abstract: Background Contemporary estimates of the prevalence of diagnosed osteoporosis among long-term care facility residents are limited. Methods This chart review collected data between April 1, 2012 and August 31, 2013 for adult (age ≥ 30 years) residents of 11 long-term care facilities affiliated with the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in the New Orleans metropolitan area. Data (demographics; comorbidities; osteoporosis diagnosis, risk factors, diagnostic assessments, treatments; fracture history; fall risk; activities of daily living) were summarized. Data for residents with and without diagnosed osteoporosis were compared using χ 2 tests and t tests. Results The study included 746 residents (69% women, mean [SD] age: 76.3 [13.9] years, median length of stay approximately 18.5 months). An osteoporosis diagnosis was recorded for 132 residents (18%), 30% of whom received a pharmacologic osteoporosis therapy. Fewer than 2% of residents had bone mineral density assessments; 10% had previous fracture. Calcium and vitamin D use was more prevalent in residents with diagnosed osteoporosis compared with other residents (calcium: 49% versus 12%, vitamin D: 52% versus 28%; both P Conclusions The prevalence of diagnosed osteoporosis was higher than previously reported for long-term care residents, but lower than epidemiologic estimates of osteoporosis prevalence for the noninstitutional U.S. population. In our sample, osteoporosis diagnostic testing was rare and treatment rates were low. Our results suggest that osteoporosis may be underdiagnosed and undertreated in long-term care settings.