cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Housing Components and Development of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

While the environment contributes to EoE pathogenesis, few environmental risk factors for EoE have been identified. To determine whether housing components such as exterior materials, heating systems, and house age are associated with EoE. This case–control study used the UNC EoE clinicopathologic database to identify newly diagnosed EoE patients. Controls were patients without EoE who underwent endoscopy during the study time frame. Housing data were collected from publicly available online sources, and cases and controls were compared. The primary analysis was restricted to those living at their provided address at the time of diagnostic endoscopy. Multivariable logistical regression estimated associations after adjusting for potential confounders. Of 451 EoE cases and 2421 controls identified, the primary analysis included 158 cases and 769 controls. Compared to controls, EoE cases were more likely to have a house with a brick exterior (35% vs 26%; p = 0.04), gas heating (14% vs 8%; p = 0.06), or forced air (57% vs 45%; p = 0.009). In adjusted analysis, brick exterior was positively associated with EoE diagnosis [aOR 1.83 (95% CI 1.11–3.02)]. The average duration a patient lived in their house before EoE diagnosis was 7.2 ± 5.9 years, while symptom duration prior to diagnosis was 6.8 ± 8.4 years. EoE patients were more likely to have houses with a brick exterior, forced air, or gas heating, and brick exteriors were independently associated with EoE. Since symptoms generally started after moving into a house, housing-related environmental exposures may contribute to EoE disease development.
Convolutional Neural Network for Crystal Identification and Gamma Ray Localization in PET

Spatial resolution in positron emission tomography using traditional pixelated block detectors is inherently limited by the size of the detector array elements, namely, the scintillator crystals and readout pixels. Conventional centroiding algorithms based on Anger logic are widely used to localize individual events down to the scintillator level. However, these algorithms are associated with well-known performance degradation along the edges and corners of detector arrays. In this article, we explore the use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for 3D gamma ray localization as a computationally inexpensive alternative to classical centroiding. The method is successfully implemented on Monte Carlo simulated data from a single-ended readout depth-encoding detector array consisting of LYSO:Ce scintillator crystals coupled 4-to-1 to silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) pixels. The CNN demonstrated higher crystal identification accuracy at the edges and corners (99.0% versus 49.2%) and lower spatial error compared to classical centroiding (0.38 mm versus 0.76 mm). In addition, the CNN achieved 2.75 mm FWHM depth-of-interaction (DOI) resolution. Preliminary qualitative results for how our approach translates to experimental data after training on simulated data are also presented. Future work on the CNN-based approach with more experimental data could improve the performance of block detectors with multicrystal scintillators and possibly achieve subscintillator spatial resolution.
Practice, Practice, Practice! Effect of Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta Volume on Outcomes: Data From the AAST AORTA Registry.

Abstract Background Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is an endovascular adjunct to hemorrhage control. Success relies on institutional support and focused training in arterial access. We hypothesized that hospitals with higher REBOA volumes will be more successful than low-volume hospitals at aortic occlusion with REBOA. Methods This is a retrospective study from the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Aortic Occlusion for Resuscitation in Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Registry from November 2013 to January 2018. Patients aged ≥18 y who underwent REBOA were included. Successful placement of REBOA catheters (defined as hemodynamic improvement with balloon inflation) was compared between high-volume (≥80 cases; two hospitals), mid-volume (10-20 cases; four hospitals), and low-volume ( Results Of 271 patients from 20 hospitals, 210 patients (77.5%) had successful REBOA placement. Most patients were male (76.0%) and sustained blunt trauma (78.1%). cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was ongoing at the time of REBOA placement in 34.5% of patients. Inpatient mortality was 67.4%, unchanged by hospital volume. Multivariable logistic regression found increased odds of successful REBOA placement at high-volume versus low-volume hospitals (odds ratio [OR], 7.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.10-27.29; P = 0.002) and mid-volume versus low-volume hospitals (OR, 7.82; 95% CI, 1.52-40.31; P = 0.014) and decreased odds among patients undergoing CPR during REBOA placement (OR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.03-0.34; P Conclusions Hospitals with higher REBOA volumes were more likely to achieve hemodynamic improvement with REBOA inflation. However, mortality and complication rates were unchanged. Independent of hospital volume, ongoing CPR is associated with a decreased odds of successful REBOA placement.
“We have to focus on improving our and our next generation’s rights!” Exploring critical literacy in a third space for Korean female high school students

This study provides a situated account of a native English-speaking teacher who implements critical literacy in the English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom at a Korean high school. Teacher in...
Reflectionless dual standing-wave microcavity resonator units for photonic integrated circuits

We propose a novel photonic circuit element configuration that emulates the through-port response of a bus coupled traveling-wave resonator using two standing-wave resonant cavities. In this "reflectionless resonator unit", the two constituent cavities, here photonic crystal (PhC) nanobeams, exhibit opposite mode symmetries and may otherwise belong to a single design family. They are coupled evanescently to the bus waveguide without mutual coupling. We show theoretically, and verify using FDTD simulations, that reflection is eliminated when the two cavities are wavelength aligned. This occurs due to symmetry-induced destructive interference at the bus coupling region in the proposed photonic circuit topology. The transmission is equivalent to that of a bus-coupled traveling-wave (e.g. microring) resonator for all coupling conditions. We experimentally demonstrate an implementation fabricated in a new 45 nm silicon-on-insulator complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (SOI CMOS) electronic-photonic process. Both PhC nanobeam cavities have a full-width half-maximum (FWHM) mode length of 4.28 μm and measured intrinsic Q's in excess of 200,000. When the resonances are tuned to degeneracy and coalesce, transmission dips of the over-coupled PhC nanobeam cavities of -16 dB and -17 dB nearly disappear showing a remaining single dip of -4.2 dB, while reflection peaks are simultaneously reduced by 10 dB, demonstrating the quasi-traveling-wave behavior. This photonic circuit topology paves the way for realizing low-energy active devices such as modulators and detectors that can be cascaded to form wavelength-division multiplexed links with smaller power consumption and footprint than traveling wave, ring resonator based implementations.
The structural association between teacher-student relationships and school engagement: Types and informants

Abstract This study examined the structural associations between teacher-student relationships (TSR) and school engagement in a sample of Korean upper elementary students. Depending on the informants used to report TSR or school engagement, four different structural equation models were explored. Primary results present that TSR plays a different role across the different types of school engagement (i.e., behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement). Initially, it was hypothesized that the association between TSR and school engagement would be stronger when the same informant was used to measure both TSR and school engagement. However, the hypothesis was partially supported by the findings. When students reported both TSR and school engagement, weak or non-significant relations between TSR and school engagement were found.
A two-layer channel routing algorithm for mixed analog and digital signal nets

The coupling of signals between sensitive nets by signals from digital and large-swing analog nets and effects of unwanted parasitic capacitances due to overlapping nets are a concern in the design of analogue VLSI circuits. A two-layer, detailed channel-routing algorithm for mixed analog and digital signal nets has been developed to address these problems. The algorithm accounts for capacitive coupling between nets on the same layer and on adjacent layers. It has been implemented in the C programming language. >
U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service testing for Salmonella in selected raw meat and poultry products in the United States, 1998 through 2003: analysis of set results.

The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) tests sets of samples of selected raw meat and poultry products for Salmonella to ensure that federally inspected establishments meet performance standards defined in the pathogen reduction–hazard analysis and critical control point system (PR-HACCP) final rule. In the present report, sample set results are described and associations between set failure and set and establishment characteristics are identified for 4,607 sample sets collected from 1998 through 2003. Sample sets were obtained from seven product classes: broiler chicken carcasses (n = 1,010), cow and bull carcasses (n = 240), market hog carcasses (n = 560), steer and heifer carcasses (n = 123), ground beef (n = 2,527), ground chicken (n = 31), and ground turkey (n = 116). Of these 4,607 sample sets, 92% (4,255) were collected as part of random testing efforts (A sets), and 93% (4,166) passed. However, the percentage of positive samples relative to the maximum number of positive results allowa...
Relationship of Gaussian Beam Theory to Scanned Ultrasonic Measurements with Commercial Transducers

The effects of diffraction play an important role in defining the performance of an ultrasonic inspection. For example, in a scanned inspection with a focussed probe, diffraction determines the size of the beam near the focal point. This in turn defines the size of the scan increments which will produce a desired probability of detecting a flaw. Increments which are too great will introduce a greater possibility of missing a flaw. Those which are too small will cause excess time and inspection cost.
Treatment and prognosis of avulsed teeth: A discussion and case report

A documented case that involves avulsion of an incisor is reported. Calcium hydroxide failed to prevent progressive irreversible root resorption. The importance of extraoral time, transport media, duration and type of splinting, as well as the rationale for the use of calcium hydroxide in the treatment of avulsed teeth are discussed. This case could serve as a reminder to practitioners, that patient compliance, timing and sequencing of endodontic therapy, and regular recalls is critical in the prevention or treatment of root resorption in avulsed teeth. It also emphasizes the frustration of many clinicians in treating avulsed immature teeth. The reporting of long-term documented cases should be encouraged so that replantation techniques may be evaluated.
Against repair-based reanalysis in sentence comprehension.

Structural reanalysis is generally assumed to be representation-preserving, whereby the initial analysis is manipulated or repaired to arrive at a new structure. This paper contends that the theoretical and empirical basis for such approaches is weak. A conceptually simpler alternative is that the processor reprocesses (some portion of) the input using just those structure-building operations available in first-pass parsing. This reprocessing is a necessary component of any realistic processing model. By contrast, the structural revisions required for second-pass repair are more powerful than warranted by the abilities of the first-pass parser. This paper also reviews experimental evidence for repair presented by Sturt, Pickering, and Crocker (1999). We demonstrate that the Sturt et al. findings are consistent with a reprocessing account and present a self-paced reading experiment intended to tease apart the repair and reprocessing accounts. The results support a reprocessing interpretation of Sturt et al.'s data, rendering a repair-based explanation superfluous.
Perinatal choline deficiency delays brain development and alters metabolite concentrations in the young pig.

Objectives: Adequate choline supply during the perinatal period is critical for proper brain formation, when robust neurogenesis and neuronal maturation occur. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the impact of perinatal choline status on neurodevelopment.Methods: Sows were fed a choline-deficient (CD) or choline-sufficient (CS) diet during the last half of the gestational period. At 2 days of age, piglets from sows within each prenatal treatment group were further stratified into postnatal treatment groups and provided either a CD or CS milk replacer, resulting in four treatment groups. At 30 days of age, piglets underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures to analyze structural and metabolite differences.Results: Single-voxel spectroscopy (SVS) analysis revealed postnatally CS piglets had higher (P < 0.001) concentrations of glycerophosphocholine–phosphocholine than postnatally CD piglets. Volumetric analysis indicated smaller (P < 0.006) total brain volumes in prenatally CD pi...
The Effect of Ambient Temperature and Humidity on Measured Idling Emissions from Diesel School Buses

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is currently sponsoring a research study at Rowan University to develop strategies for reducing diesel emissions from mobile sources such as school buses and class 8 trucks. One such source of diesel emissions results from unnecessary idling of school buses, which is a typical practice that occurs in the mornings to warm up engines and in the afternoon while bus drivers wait to pick up children for their afternoon routes. To quantify emissions and fuel consumption during idling, three school buses equipped with an International T444E, an International DT466E, and a Cummins 5.9L B series engine were instrumented and tested in an environmental chamber. To simulate a wide variety of idling situations, tests were conducted at four different ambient temperatures (20°F, 40°F, 65°F and 85°F) and relative humidity ranging from 37 to 90%. Exhaust gas emission measurements were made using a Semtech-D mobile emissions analyzer to measure CO, CO 2 , NO 2 , NO and unburned hydrocarbons, along with a Sensors PM-300 to measure PM. In addition to quantifying school bus emissions during idling conditions, another objective of this study was to develop a NO x humidity correlation for use in mobile school bus emissions testing currently being performed in conjunction with the idling study. From the results of this study, a new NO x humidity/temperature correlation was developed using a similar technique to that found in SAE standard J1243. Three sets of engine specific coefficients for the J1243 NO x correction equation were calculated and applied to the idling data collected in the chamber.
Defining cosQ, the site required for termination of bacteriophage lambda DNA packaging.

Bacteriophage λ is a double-stranded DNA virus that processes concatemeric DNA into virion chromosomes by cutting at specific recognition sites termed cos. A cos is composed of three subsites: cosN , the nicking site; cosB , required for packaging initiation; and cosQ , required for termination of chromosome packaging. During packaging termination, nicking of the bottom strand of cosN depends on cosQ , suggesting that cosQ is needed to deliver terminase to the bottom strand of cosN to carry out nicking. In the present work, saturation mutagenesis showed that a 7-bp segment comprises cosQ. A proposal that cosQ function requires an optimal sequence match between cosQ and cosNR, the right cosN half-site, was tested by constructing double cosQ mutants; the behavior of the double mutants was inconsistent with the proposal. Substitutions in the 17-bp region between cosQ and cosN resulted in no major defects in chromosome packaging. Insertional mutagenesis indicated that proper spacing between cosQ and cosN is required. The lethality of integral helical insertions eliminated a model in which DNA looping enables cosQ to deliver a gpA protomer for nicking at cosN. The 7 bp of cosQ coincide exactly with the recognition sequence for the Escherichia coli restriction endonuclease, Eco O109I.
Conceptualizing organizational implementation and practice of statistical process control

Abstract Current widespread implementation and practice of statistical process control (SPC) attest to the potential of SPC to contribute to continuous quality improvement efforts. While much has been written about SPC- related topics, a more fundamental question — “What does the implementation and practice of SPC entail?” — has yet to merit a detailed conceptual or empirical examination. As a result, very little knowledge has accumulated or has been documented to identify, describe, and define the requisite organizational policies and actions to make the implementation and subsequent practice of SPC an effective and viable part of any organization's quality management system. In this paper, we report on research efforts towards an enhanced conceptualization of this phenomenon; we provide various definitional perspectives on organizational efforts to implement and practice SPC, culminating in the proposition of the construct, SPC Implementation/ Practice , and its nominal definition. We also employ an empirical approach, utilizing a panel of subject-matter-experts and the affinity diagram, to identify and define a set of 14 requisite policies and actions indicative of the implementation and practice of SPC within organizations. The identification of these 14 requisite policies and actions facilitates the construction of a diagnostic instrument that organizations can employ to assess shortcomings and uncover improvement opportunities in their implementation and practice of SPC.
Laminar natural convection between finitely conducting vertical plates

Abstract Laminar natural convection between finitely conducting vertical plates has been investigated by a finite-difference procedure. Results are obtained for Grashof numbers of 10, 10 3 and 10 6 , wall-to-fluid conductivity ratios of 1 and 10, channel height-to-width ratios of 0.5, 1 and 5 and wall thickness-to-width ratios of 0.1 and 0.5. Results indicate that conduction has a significant influence on the natural convection heat transfer, particularly at high Grashof numbers, low conductivity ratios and high wall thickness-to-channel width ratios. The interface temperature distribution is non-uniform. Both velocity and temperature profiles are significantly influenced by conduction. However, when the velocities are normalized with the inlet velocity, the resulting distributions are remarkably close to the velocity profiles for the constant temperature wall. The total mass flow rates and heat flow rates are observed to increase with Grashof numbers, conductivity ratios and channel height-to-width ratios.
Sensitivity analysis for variational inequalities defined on polyhedral sets

Variational inequalities have often been used as a mathematical programming tool in modeling various equilibria in economics and transportation science. The behavior of such equilibrium solutions as a result of the changes in problem data is always of concern. In this paper, we present an approach for conducting sensitivity analysis of variational inequalities defined on polyhedral sets. We introduce the notion of differentiability of a point-to-set mapping and derive continuity and differentiability properties regarding the perturbed equilibrium solutions, even when the solution is not unique. As illustrated by several examples, the assumptions made in this paper are in a certain sense the weakest possible conditions under which the stated properties are valid. We also discuss applications to some equilibrium problems such as the traffic equilibrium problem.
Beyond Glycolysis: GAPDHs Are Multi-functional Enzymes Involved in Regulation of ROS, Autophagy, and Plant Immune Responses

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is an important enzyme in energy metabolism with diverse cellular regulatory roles in vertebrates, but few reports have investigated the importance of plant GAPDH isoforms outside of their role in glycolysis. While animals possess one GAPDH isoform, plants possess multiple isoforms. In this study, cell biological and genetic approaches were used to investigate the role of GAPDHs during plant immune responses. Individual Arabidopsis GAPDH knockouts (KO lines) exhibited enhanced disease resistance phenotypes upon inoculation with the bacterial plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato. KO lines exhibited accelerated programmed cell death and increased electrolyte leakage in response to effector triggered immunity. Furthermore, KO lines displayed increased basal ROS accumulation as visualized using the fluorescent probe H2DCFDA. The gapa1-2 and gapc1 KOs exhibited constitutive autophagy phenotypes in the absence of nutrient starvation. Due to the high sequence conservation between vertebrate and plant cytosolic GAPDH, our experiments focused on cytosolic GAPC1 cellular dynamics using a complemented GAPC1-GFP line. Confocal imaging coupled with an endocytic membrane marker (FM4-64) and endosomal trafficking inhibitors (BFA, Wortmannin) demonstrated cytosolic GAPC1 is localized to the plasma membrane and the endomembrane system, in addition to the cytosol and nucleus. After perception of bacterial flagellin, GAPC1 dynamically responded with a significant increase in size of fluorescent puncta and enhanced nuclear accumulation. Taken together, these results indicate that plant GAPDHs can affect multiple aspects of plant immunity in diverse sub-cellular compartments.
Untersuchungen der spektroskopischen und elektrochemischen Eigenschaften 9,10 -arylsubstituierter Anthracene. II. Diskussion des elektrochemischen und sterischen Verhaltens

Experimentell ermittelte UV-, ESR- und elektrochemische Daten arylsubstituierter Anthracene werden an Hand von Modellrechnungen und Literaturdaten diskutiert. Dabei kann gezeigt werden, das diese Eigenschaften im wesentlichen durch die Molekulgeometrie, hier reprasentiert durch Verdrillungswinkel, bestimmt werden. Ein spezifischer Einflus der Arylsubstituenten auf die elektronischen Eigenschaften des Grundkorpers konnte nicht nachgewiesen werden.
Cu nanofilm formation by electrochemical atomic layer deposition (ALD) in the presence of chloride ions

Abstract The effect of Cl − on the structure of Cu nanofilms deposited with electrochemical ALD, using surface limited redox replacement (SLRR), is described. These investigations involved ultrahigh vacuum analytical methodologies coupled directly with electrochemical studies (UHV-EC), as well as in situ scanning tunneling microscopic (STM) studies. Pb was chosen as the sacrificial metal as it forms atomic layers on Cu via underpotential deposition (UPD). In addition, it is significantly more reactive than Cu, less noble, and thus undergoes redox replacement by Cu. Pb UPD was formed at −0.44 V versus Ag/AgCl, for 20 s. The substrates used in these studies were Ar + ion bombarded and annealed Au(1 1 1) single crystal substrates. The resulting Pb UPD coated Au(1 1 1) was immersed in a Cu 2+ ion solution at open circuit for 10 s, allowing redox replacement of the Pb UPD by Cu. Nanofilms were then formed by repeating this process of Pb UPD followed by exchange for Cu. The resulting Cu nanofilms were characterized using low energy electron diffraction (LEED), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and in situ STM. The total Cu in a deposit was estimated by anodic stripping. Up to five cycles of Pb replacement by Cu were performed in these studies. The structures formed displayed a (5 × 5) unit cell, consisting of a 4 by 4 arrangement of Cl atoms on the Cu surface. The degree of surface order appeared to decrease gradually as the number of replacement cycles was increased, though a relatively clear LEED pattern was still observed after five replacement cycles.
Surgical portosystemic shunts in the era of TIPS and liver transplantation are still relevant

Background The surgical portosystemic shunts (PSS) are a time-proven modality for treating portal hypertension. Recently, in the era of liver transplantation and the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS), use of the PSS has declined.
Radon‐222 Concentration and Aquifer Lithology in North Carolina

The presence of the radioactive gas radon (Rn-222) in many ground water supplies is a potentially significant source of public exposure to ionizing radiation. A wide range of radon concentrations has been measured in ground water in North Carolina, including some far in excess of national average concentrations. North Carolina is, however, geologically complex and ground water radon concentrations vary considerably among the state's aquifers. The highest average radon concentrations occur in areas underlain by granites (geometric mean 5910 pCi/l), and the lowest occur in the Atlantic Coastal Plain region (48 pCi/l). Average radon levels intermediate between these extremes are characteristic of the large areas of North Carolina underlain by gneisses, schists and metavolcanic rocks. Relative average radon concentrations in ground water from the rock types surveyed are consistent with relative abundances of uranium, the parent element of radon, in these rocks. Although other geologic and hydrologic factors also have an effect, aquifer lithology is a useful predictor of the concentration of radon in ground water. The occurrence of high radon concentrations in certain aquifer types; such as granites, shows that geologic factors should be considered in estimates of population exposure to radon, and that knowledge of aquifer geology can help to predict ground water radon concentrations in areas where field sampling has not been done.
Endoscopic axillary lymph node dissection: An experimental study in human cadavers

Abstract Background: The role of axillary lymph node dissection in the staging of patients with breast carcinoma is currently under evaluation. As a result of recent advances in minimally invasive techniques, an endoscopic approach to axillary lymph node dissection may be an attractive alternative to lymphadenectomy performed via a standard "open" axillary incision. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of such an approach in human cadavers. Study Design: Twelve axillary dissections (right in seven, left in five) were performed in seven cadavers. A 2.5-cm incision was made along the lateral chest wall 12 cm inferior to the apex of the axilla. The subcutaneous axillary space was expanded with a balloon dissector, and exposure was maintained with a prototype external lift device. Endoscopic dissection was performed with three or four 5-mm ports inserted into this space. Histologic analysis was performed to document the number of lymph nodes removed. Results: The mean dissection time for endoscopic axillary lymphadenectomy was 56.7 ± 19 minutes (range, 30–90 minutes). Structures visualized endoscopically included the axillary vein (12 of 12 patients), the long thoracic nerve (12 of 12 patients), the thoracodorsal nerve (10 of 12 patients), and the intercostobrachial nerve (11 of 12 patients). An average of 9.9 ± 7.2 lymph nodes (range, 2–22 nodes) was removed from each axilla. Open exploration of the axilla after the endoscopic dissection confirmed no injuries to any neurovascular structures. Residual lymph nodes were removed from the axilla in 7 of 12 dissections (58%; average, 4.2 ± 4.0 nodes per specimen). Conclusions: These results suggest that endoscopic axillary dissection is feasible with currently available technology. Clinical trials in patients with breast carcinoma may be warranted to evaluate this technique further.
Sex stereotyping of infants: A review of gender labeling studies

Studies that have addressed the question of whether adults and children respond differently to male and female infants because of actual differences in the infants or because of preconceived sex stereotypes are reviewed, and the overall conclusions from these studies are evaluated. Twenty-three studies were identified in which neutrally clothed infant stimuli were labeled male in some conditions and female in other conditions. The strength and consistency of gender labeling effects on perceptions and behaviors in these studies were appraised. The results indicate that knowledge of an infant's gender is not a consistent determinant of adults' reactions, but more strongly influences young children's reactions. The implications of these findings for research on early sex role socialization are considered.
Lateral translation micro-tracking of planar micro-optic solar concentrator

High-concentration photo-voltaic systems focus incident sunlight by hundreds of times by combining focusing lenses with accurate, dual-axis solar tracking. Conventional systems mount large optical arrays on expensive tracking pedestals to maintain normal incidence throughout the day. A recently proposed micro-optic solar concentrator utilizes a twodimensional lens array focusing into a planar slab waveguide. Localized mirrors fabricated on the waveguide surface reflect focused sunlight into guided modes which propagate towards an edge-mounted photovoltaic cell. This geometry enables a new method of solar tracking by laterally translating the waveguide with respect to the lens array to capture off-axis illumination. Using short focal length lenses, translations on the order of millimeters can efficiently collect 70° full-angle incident fields. This allows for either one or two-axis tracking systems where the small physical motion is contained within the physical footprint of a fixed solar panel. Here, we experimentally demonstrate lateral micro tracking for off-axis light collection using table-mounted components. We also present a novel tracking frame based on de-centered cams and describe a lens configuration optimized for off-axis coupling.
Interventional radiology peer, a newly developed peer-review scoring system designed for interventional radiology practice.

Abstract Purpose Existing diagnostic radiology peer-review systems do not address the specificities of interventional radiology (IR) practice. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of a specifically developed interventional peer review method, IR Peer. Materials and Methods Retrospective review of a prospectively encoded pilot database aimed at demonstrating the feasibility of IR Peer in a multiphysician practice was performed. This scoring system used morning peer review of selected IR cases from the previous day in the form of a five-item questionnaire and an ordinal answer scale that grades reviewers' agreement with imaging findings, procedural/technical management, early outcomes, and follow-up plan. Patient lists from IR Peer and morbidity and mortality (MM the latter will require further confirmatory research.
Development of label-free microsphere optical resonator bio/chemical sensors

Whispering Gallery Modes (WGMs) in microsphere ring resonators enable excellent sensitivity due to the high Q-factor (> 10 6 ) that significantly increases the light-matter interaction. The analytes attached to the sphere surface change the local refractive index, leading to a spectral shift in the resonances of the WGM. A practical microsphere-based sensor must detect minute changes in the refractive index. In addition, the microsphere surface should be functionalized for subsequent binding of bio/chemical molecules. Both functionalization and binding processes should be monitored in order to better anchor the captured molecules and to acquire quantitative and kinetic binding information. In this work, we have carried out a series of experiments towards developing highly sensitive fused silica microsphere based sensors. A fiber prism is used to couple the light from a tunable diode laser to the sphere. A fluidic well is built to allow for injection and withdrawal of samples. The sensor sensitivity of refractive index is characterized by using the mixture of water and alcohol. It is shown that our system is able to detect changes in refractive index as low as 10 -7 . We further monitor the kinetics of layer deposition when the sphere surface is functionalized with silane solution. Finally we monitor the protein binding to and peptide cleavage from the functionalized microsphere. Our results should lead to highly sensitive microsphere bio/chemical sensor arrays with applications in biomedical sciences, environmental monitoring, and drug discovery.
Export Requirements of Pneumolysin in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major causative agent of otitis media, pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis. Pneumolysin (Ply), a member of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs), is produced by virtually all clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae, and ply mutant strains are severely attenuated in mouse models of colonization and infection. In contrast to all other known members of the CDC family, Ply lacks a signal peptide for export outside the cell. Instead, Ply has been hypothesized to be released upon autolysis or, alternatively, via a nonautolytic mechanism that remains undefined. We show that an exogenously added signal sequence is not sufficient for Sec-dependent Ply secretion in S. pneumoniae but is sufficient in the surrogate host Bacillus subtilis. Previously, we showed that Ply is localized primarily to the cell wall compartment in the absence of detectable cell lysis. Here we show that Ply released by autolysis cannot reassociate with intact cells, suggesting that there is a Ply export mechanism that is coupled to cell wall localization of the protein. This putative export mechanism is capable of secreting a related CDC without its signal sequence. We show that B. subtilis can export Ply, suggesting that the export pathway is conserved. Finally, through truncation and domain swapping analyses, we show that export is dependent on domain 2 of Ply.
Determination of CCl3F and CCl2F2 in seawater and air

An improved analytical technique has been developed for the rapid and accurate shipboard measurement of two anthropogenically produced chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), CCl3F (F-11) and CCl2F2 (F-12) in air and seawater. Gas samples (dry air or standard) are injected into a stream of purified gas and then concentrated in a low temperature trap. Seawater samples collected in oceanographic Niskin bottles are transferred into glass syringes for storage until analysis. An aliquot of approximately 30 cm3 of seawater is introduced into a glass stripping chamber where the dissolved gases are purged with purified gas, and the evolved CFCs are concentrated in the same cold trap. The trap is subsequently isolated and heated, and the CFCs are automatically transferred by a stream of carrier gas into a precolumn and then a chromatographic separating column. The CCl3F and CCl2F2 peaks are detected by an electron capture detector (ECD) and their areas are integrated digitally. CFC amounts are calculated using fitted calibration curves, generated by injection of various multiple aliquots of gas standard containing known concentrations of CFCs. Preliminary concentration values for these compounds are printed at the completion of each analysis. Total analysis time for air and water samples is < 10 min, allowing detailed vertical profiles of the concentrations of these compounds in the water column and concentrations in the overlying atmosphere to be determined within a few hours of the completion of a hydrographic station. Typical relative standard deviations for analyses of CCl3F and CCl2F2 in near-surface seawater containing equilibrium levels of these compounds are approximately 1%. Limits of detection for both compounds in 30 cm3 seawater samples are about 0.005 × 10−12 mol kg−1.
Developmental plasticity and maternal effects of reproductive characteristics in the frog, Bombina orientalis

Life history theory suggests that reproductive characteristics such as ovum size and clutch size should be well buffered against vararies of the environment. However, studies which demonstrate environmental sensitivity of reproductive characteristics are increasing in number, as are studies which find that maternal effects are responsible for much of the variation in developmental and growth rates in embryonic and larval fish and amphibians. The data reported here demonstrate that the environment, in terms of temperature and food availability that a specific individual encounters during vitellogenesis, exerts a strong influence on both egg size and number. Warmer temperatures and less food decrease ovum size, while colder temperatures and less food decrease clutch size. The variation in ovum size that is induced by the environment can exert a strong influence on variation in offspring development and growth and serve as an excellent model for studies on the evolution of developmental plasticity.
THE ELECTROMAGNETIC RESPONSE OF A MAGNETIC IRON ORE DEPOSIT

Field experiments in the vicinity of a tabular body of nearly massive magnetite have demonstrated that the body may respond in either of two ways; it may react as a permeable mass, or it may react as an eddy current inductor, depending upon the frequency employed. If several frequencies, spanning a broad range, are employed, both types of response will be experienced. The transition from one type of response to the other would appear to have considerable significance. Based upon theoretical and empirical work to date, it seems possible to establish a relationship between transition frequency and percentage magnetite at any given section of a deposit.
Polarization lidar for shallow water depth measurement

A bathymetric, polarization lidar system transmitting at 532 nm and using a single photomultiplier tube is employed for applications of shallow water depth measurement. The technique exploits polarization attributes of the probed water body to isolate surface and floor returns, enabling constant fraction detection schemes to determine depth. The minimum resolvable water depth is no longer dictated by the system's laser or detector pulse width and can achieve better than 1 order of magnitude improvement over current water depth determination techniques. In laboratory tests, an Nd:YAG microchip laser coupled with polarization optics, a photomultiplier tube, a constant fraction discriminator, and a time-to-digital converter are used to target various water depths with an ice floor to simulate a glacial meltpond. Measurement of 1 cm water depths with an uncertainty of ±3 mm are demonstrated using the technique. This novel approach enables new approaches to designing laser bathymetry systems for shallow depth determination from remote platforms while not compromising deep water depth measurement.
Estimating Causal Effects in Mediation Analysis Using Propensity Scores

Mediation is usually assessed by a regression-based or structural equation modeling (SEM) approach that we refer to as the classical approach. This approach relies on the assumption that there are no confounders that influence both the mediator, M, and the outcome, Y. This assumption holds if individuals are randomly assigned to levels of M but generally random assignment is not possible. We propose the use of propensity scores to help remove the selection bias that can result when individuals are not randomly assigned to levels of M. The propensity score is the probability that an individual receives a particular level of M. Results from a simulation study are presented to demonstrate this approach, referred to as Classical + Propensity Model (C+PM), confirming that the population parameters are recovered and that selection bias is successfully dealt with. Comparisons are made to the classical approach that does not include propensity scores. Propensity scores were estimated by a logistic regression mode...
A dilutional microassay for serum ionized calcium using ion-selective electrodes

Abstract A microassay for serum ionized calcium was developed and characterized with commercially available instrumentation that employs conventional electrochemical, ion-selective electrode, methodology. The microassay consists of diluting serum with an appropriate concentration and volume of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane at physiological pH and ionic strength. The diluent was capable of buffering serum throughout the normal and pathologic ranges of pH and the performance characteristics of the microassay were independent of serum protein concentration. An application of the method is provided and the results support the view that calcium may be involved in cysteamine-induced attenuation of episodic growth hormone secretion in male rats.
Active versus Passive Pluralism: A Changing Style of Civil Religion?

The reform of the United States Immigration Act in 1965 transformed what Robert Bellah identified as “American civil religion” and one of its central components: America's unique religious pluralism. At midcentury, Will Herberg showed how religion functions in the creation of American identity through what we call here “passive pluralism.” This passive pluralism allowed the mainline religions of America to claim a presence within the nation. But the new immigration patterns have created what the author calls here “active pluralism,” which lays assertive claim to the meanings of public time and space. This argument is explored through the construction of an Orthodox Jewish ritual space or eruv in Los Angeles.
The North Inlet marsh — estuarine ecosystem: A conceptual approach

The North Inlet marsh — estuarine ecosystem (located at South Carolina, USA) is described via three sub-models: intertidal, benthic-subtidal and water column. The principal storage compartments and fluxes of energy are defined for each submodel. A detailed example of the intertidal oyster subsystem of the intertidal submodel is described. The biological components of the intertidal oyster subsystem of the intertidal submodel is described. The biological components of the oyster community are shown to be stable and a linear systems model of the oyster community is developed. A 1% sensitivity analysis of the intertidal oyster model affords some order in which aspects of the oyster community should be studied.
Gene expression of the six insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in the mouse conceptus during mid- and late gestation.

The insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) comprise at least six distinct species that may modulate the action of IGFs. IGFs are important regulators of fetal growth and differentiation. To define sites of IGFBP mRNA synthesis, we have used in situ hybridization techniques in mouse conceptuses of different gestational ages (11-18 days). Expression of mouse (m) IGFBP-1 was detected in mouse conceptuses after day 12 of gestation and was restricted to the liver. Transcripts for mIGFBP-2, -4, and -5 were detected in various tissues and were found in all stages tested. In contrast, expression of mIGFBP-3 and -6 could be only weakly detected in late gestational conceptuses. Comparison of the expression patterns of mIGFBP-2, -4, and -5, which were found widely distributed in mouse conceptuses, revealed that mIGFBP-2 was expressed in the mesoderm-derived part of the tongue (day 13.5), but mainly in the ectodermal layer. Transcripts for mIGFBP-4, however, were detected only in the mesodermal part, wh...
Dunne receives 2011 G. K. Gilbert Award: Citation

Thomas Dunne received the 2011 G. K. Gilbert Award at the 2011 AGU Fall Meeting, held 5–9 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes “a scientist who has either made a single significant advance or sustained significant contributions to the field of Earth and planetary surface processes, and who has in addition promoted an environment of unselfish cooperation in research and the inclusion of young scientists into the field.”
Endocrinopathy, vision, headache, and recurrence after transsphenoidal surgery for Rathke cleft cysts.

BACKGROUND; Rathke cleft cyst can enlarge and become symptomatic. OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical data and results of all patients treated by the senior author for a Rathke cleft cyst. METHODS: A prospectively maintained surgical database, supplemented with updates from telephone conversations, of all patients presenting to the Barrow Neurological Institute from 1992 to the present was reviewed. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients (17 males, 56 females; mean age, 40 years; range, 5-80 years) underwent 77 resections. The mean length of follow-up was 27 months (range, 0-129 months). Presenting symptoms included headache (75%), followed by endocrinopathy (49%), and visual symptoms (39%). Preoperative chiasmopathy resolved in 75% and improved in 21 % of the patients. Patients' preoperative endocrinopathy resolved at various rates, depending on the specific axis (29%-100%). Endocrinopathies were more likely to resolve in females than males. New postoperative endocrinopathies also occurred (0-8%). Headache resolved (68%) or improved (21 %) in most patients. No patient had worsened headaches. Eight patients had a recurrence, 4 of whom underwent reoperation. The presence of squamous metaplasia was the only predictor of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Surgical fenestration and/or resection of Rathke cleft cyst via the transsphenoidal approach are a rational choice for surgical management of these lesions when symptomatic. In most cases, visual symptoms and headache can be expected to improve. New persistent endocrine deficits can be expected in a small percentage of patients, but preexisting endocrinopathies resolve in many patients.
Determinants of eyewitness performance on a lineup

A simulated crime was staged before 64 witnesses in order to generate eyewitness reports to be analyzed for accuracy. Forty-eight of the witnesses attempted to pick out the suspect from two videotaped lineups—one with and one without the suspect. Successful witnesses showed significantly fewer errors of commission than those who picked the suspect but impeached their identification with another choice. There were 13.5% positive identifications, 13.5% impeached, 40.3% mistaken identifications, and 19.2% nonidentifications. An analysis was made of the differences between successful and unsuccessful eyewitnesses.
Enhancement of interleukin-1 activity by murine cytomegalovirus infection of a macrophage cell line

Abstract The effect of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection on interleukin 1 (IL-1) secretion was assessed using the macrophage cell lines P388D1 and 1774A.1. The former proved to be nonpermissive for MCMV in that infectious virus and viral immediate early protein (pp89) were not expressed in these cells. MCMV infection of the P388D1 cells had no effect on release of biologically active IL-1. In contrast, J774A.1 cells, which were semi permissive for virus replication and pp89 expression, secreted enhanced levels of IL-1 activity following infection. The enhancement was evident when infection either preceded or followed lipopolysaccharide stimulation of the macrophages. The relative proportion of IL-1 α and β secreted from MCMV-infected cells was similar to noninfected controls. In addition, the bioactivity of intracellular IL-1 α escaping membranes of fixed cells was unaffected by virus infection. From these findings, we conclude that limited MCMV expression in the J774A.1 macrophage cell line enhances secretion of IL-1 α and β bioactivity.
The Smiling Sunbather and the Chivalrous Football Player: Young Adolescents' Images of the Ideal Woman and Man

One hundred and eighty-one ninth grade students were randomly as-signed the ideal man or ideal woman version of a questionnaire in which they ranked ten qualities of the ideal person and drew a pic...