cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic diversity of giant reed (Arundo donax) in the Santa Ana River, California

Giant reed is one of the most widespread invasive species in riparian habitats in California and other coastal states of the United States. This species is thought to spread primarily asexually by flood dispersal of stem and rhizome pieces; viable seeds have not been found in the United States. Research was conducted to quantify genetic variation in giant reed along the Santa Ana River in California and to investigate the pattern of distribution of variation along this watershed. Populations at least 3.2 km apart were collected along the length of the Santa Ana River from the headwaters to the Pacific Ocean. One additional population from a different watershed was collected to serve as an out-group. Genetic analyses were conducted using both starch gel electrophoresis for isozyme analysis and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Both isozyme and RAPD analyses revealed levels of genetic diversity comparable with those in the literature for clonal species, suggesting that asexual reproduction is the primary means of spread of giant reed. Most phenotypes were spread along the Santa Ana River, which is expected if water is the primary means of spread of vegetative propagules. Among the unique phenotypes found, two isozyme phenotypes and one RAPD phenotype were dominant and were found spread along the river, which may indicate greater fitness or competitive superiority to the other phenotypes that were less common. The dominant phenotypes were also found in the out-group population, possibly because of spread by humans. Because spread occurs mainly asexually, management efforts should focus on preventing establishment and spread of vegetative propagules. A moderate level of genetic diversity also suggests that biological control of this weed could be successful.
Mass Transport in Nanowire Synthesis:An Overview of Scalable Nanomanufacturing

The ability to rationally engineer the growth and nanomanufacturing of one-dimensional nanowires in high volumes has the potential to enable applications of nanoscale materials in a diverse range of fields including energy conversion and storage, catalysis, sensing, medicine, and information technology. This review provides a roadmap for the development of large-scale nanowire processing. While myriad techniques exist for bench-scale nanowire synthesis, these growth strategies typically fall within two major categories: 1) anisotropically-catalyzed growth and 2) confined, template-based growth. However, comparisons between growth methods with different mass transport pathways have led to confusion in interpreting observations, in particular Gibbs–Thomson effects. We review mass transport in nanowire synthesis techniques to unify growth models and to allow for direct comparison of observations across different methods. In addition, we discuss the applicability of nanoscale, Gibbs–Thomson effects on mass transport and provide guidelines for the development of new growth models. We explore the scalability of these complex processes with dimensionless numbers and consider the effects of pressure, temperature, and precursor material on nanowire growth.
A new hypothesis of neurodegenerative diseases: The deleterious network hypothesis

Growing evidence has indicated the existence of deleterious networks in the brains of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington's disease. The deleterious networks are formed on the basis of the intimate interactions among the key pathogenic factors, including oxidative damage, aberrant calcium homeostasis, metabolic compromise and, under certain circumstances, amyloid' precursor protein mismetabolism. Based on the novel concept, 'deleterious network, a unifying hypothesis, the deleterious network hypothesis of neurodegenerative diseases, is proposed. This new theory stresses that the deleterious network is just the common pathway of the degenerative disorders, triggering of which by aging, certain genetic or environmental factors leads to a cascade of pathological alterations of the illnesses. It appears that this new theory has synthesized some most appealing hypotheses about neurodegenerative illnesses, providing consistent explanations to a larger number of observations about those diseases than other hypotheses. Because the disorders appear to result from the interactions among the key detrimental factors, it is suggested that the patients of the neurodegenerative diseases should be treated by combinative application of the drugs which can diminish peroxidative damage, calcium mismetabolism and metabolic compromise.
The links between inflation, inflation uncertainty and output growth: New time series evidence from Japan

Abstract Employing a bivariate EGARCH-M model, we investigate the links between inflation, inflation uncertainty and output growth for post-war Japanese data. Our results indicate that increased inflation uncertainty is associated with higher average inflation and lower average growth in Japan. Further, we find that increased growth uncertainty is associated with higher average inflation, but unrelated to average growth. Lastly, both inflation and growth display significant asymmetry in their respective conditional variances. Specifically, negative surprises raise both inflation uncertainty and growth uncertainty more than positive surprises.
Some tests for common principal component subspaces in several groups

SUMMARY An approximate test, based on sample eigenprojections, is obtained for testing the hypothesis that the subspaces spanned by the first m principal components of several different covariance matrices are identical. This procedure can fairly easily be extended to an analogous test of hypothesis concerning correlation matrices. Extensions to a robust principal components analysis are also considered. In recent years principal components analysis has been generalized from the typical single population setting to that of several populations. This paper focuses on an extension that may be useful in those situations in which one needs a variance preserving simultaneous reduction of dimensionality in several groups. This sort of reduction will be possible when the subspace spanned by the most important principal component vectors of a particular group is the same as that of any other group. Formally, suppose the same p variables are being measured on objects in g different groups with the covariance
Formation of the thioester, N-acetyl, S-lactoylcysteine, by reaction of N-acetylcysteine with pyruvaldehyde in aqueous solution

N-acetylcysteine reacts efficiently with pyruvaldehyde (methylglyoxal) in aqueous solution (pH 7.0) in the presence of a weak base, like imidazole or phosphate, to give the thioester, N-acetyl, S-lactoylcysteine. Reactions of 100 mM N-acetylcysteine with 14 mM, 24 mM and 41 mM pyruvaldehyde yield, respectively, 86%, 76% and 59% N-acetyl, S-lactoylcysteine based on pyruvaldehyde. The decrease in the percent yield at higher pyruvaldehyde concentrations suggests that during its formation the thioester is not only consumed by hydrolysis, but also by reaction with some substance in the pyruvaldehyde preparation. Indeed, purified N-acetyl, S-lactoylcysteine disappears much more rapidly in the presence of pyruvaldehyde than in its absence. Presumably, N-acetyl, S-lactoylcysteine synthesis occurs by rearrangement of the hemithioacetal of N-acetylcysteine and pyruvaldehyde. The significance of this pathway of thioester formation to molecular evolution is discussed.
Temperature dependence of 1.98 eV photoluminescence band in Cd1-xMnxTe semiconductor alloys

Abstract The 1.98 eV photoluminescence (PL) band in Cd 1-x Mn x Te has been studied over the composition range 0.4 ≤ x ≤ 0.7. This emission is shown to be insensitive to magnetic phase transitions. Above ∼ 70 K, the emission intensity displays two temperature activated regions which appear to be intrinsic to the manganese system. The band maximum undergoes a red shift on cooling down to 60 K, followed by a nearly equal blue shift down to 1.8 K: models explaining these behaviors are discussed.
Differences in the mode of regulation of ornithine decarboxylase and tyrosine aminotransferase in H-35 rat hepatoma cells shown by varying the medium composition

Abstract The effects of dibutyryl cyclic AMP, dexamethasone, and asparagine as inducers of ornithine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.17) and tyrosine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.5) in H-35 rat hepatoma cells were studied; a comparison was made between cells incubated in Eagle's minimal essential medium and cells incubated in Earle's balanced salt solution (salts/glucose solution). The addition of either 1 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP or 1 μM dexamethasone increased both ornithine decarboxylase and tyrosine aminotransferase activities of H-35 hepatoma cells maintained in Eagle's minimal essential medium, whereas 10 mM asparagine increased the activity of ornithine decarboxylase and had no effect on tyrosine aminotransferase activity. The actions of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and dexamethasone but not asparagine, as inducers of ornithine decarboxylase activity, appeared to be dependent on the incubation medium used; dibutyryl cyclic AMP and dexamethasone were ineffective in increasing ornithine decarboxylase activity of H-35 hepatoma cells maintained in the salts/glucose solution, while asparagine was fully effective. Parallel studies on tyrosine aminotransferase demonstrated that both dibutyryl cyclic AMP and dexamethasone elicited maximal increases of tyrosine aminotransferase activity of H-35 hepatoma cells maintained in the salts/glucose solution. Experiments on the activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and the uptake/binding of [3H]dexamethasone to whole cells revealed no significant difference between H-35 hepatoma cells maintained in Eagle's minimal essential medium and cells maintained in the salts/glucose solution. The half-lives of ornithine decarboxylase of cells maintained in minimal essential medium and salts/glucose solution were 45 and 38 min, respectively; the corresponding values for tyrosine aminotransferase were 2.5 and 1.5 h, respectively. It is proposed that the actions of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and dexamethasone as inducers of ornithine decarboxylase may involve the participation of component(s), possibly amino acids, present in the Eagle's minimal essential medium but not in the salts/glucose solution. These components may either mediate or modulate the actions of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and dexamethasone in the induction of ornithine decarboxylase activity.
Effects of succinylacetone on the uptake of sugars and amino acids by brush border vesicles.

Effects of succinylacetone on the uptake of sugars and amino acids by brush border vesicles. Infants with hereditary tyrosinemia excrete succinylacetone (SA) in their urine, and suffer from a reversible renal Fanconi syndrome with glycosuria and hyperaminoaciduria. Thus, we have examined the effects of 4mM SA on rat renal brush border membrane vesicle uptake of sugars and amino acids. SA, unlike sodium maleate, significantly inhibits Na + -dependent vesicular sugar and amino acid uptake. 22 Na-uptake, as well as membrane fluidity of the vesicles, are also affected by SA. Inhibition of glycine uptake by SA is reversible and competitive in nature, while α-CH 3 -D-glucoside uptake is non-competitively affected. We conclude, therefore, that SA has a more complex action on the rat renal tubule than sodium maleate, and is likely a much more physiologic model for study of the human renal Fanconi syndrome.
Measurement of bluetongue virus binding to a mammalian cell surface receptor by an in situ immune fluorescent staining technique

A quantifiable in situ immune fluorescent assay (IFA) was developed to measure bluetongue virus (BTV) binding to mammalian cells. The utility of the assay was demonstrated with both Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and bovine pulmonary artery endothelial (CPAE) cells. Since heparin sulfate (HS) has been shown to function as a receptor for a number of viruses, its role as a receptor for BTV was evaluated with the in situ IFA. Binding of BTV to both CHO and CPAE cells was inhibited in a dose dependent manner by HS. In addition, HS deficient CHO cells showed greatly diminished binding of BTV when compared to the parental cell line. The IFA protocol will find application, as a non-isotopic, quantifiable technique, to study virus-cell receptor interactions. Information gained from such studies will expand our understanding of the early steps in virus replication.
Expectancy and halo effects as a result of artificially induced teacher bias

Abstract This investigation examined the effects of deviancy labels on teachers' expectations of child behavior and their ability to evaluate child behavior objectively. One hundred elementary school teachers were randomly assigned to one of four label groups. Each group dealt with one label (emotionally disturbed, learning disabled, mentally retarded, normal), and each group participated in two separate treatment phases. During Phase I teachers identified behaviors they expected to be displayed by hypothetical children characteristic of the label condition. They were asked to complete a referral form for either a hypothetical normal, mentally retarded, learning disabled, or emotionally disturbed child. During Phase II, each group saw the same videotape of a normal fourth grade boy and completed a second referral form based on the behaviors displayed during this presentation. Experimental procedures were identical for the four groups, except each group was told the child was a member of a different category. Results indicated that teachers hold negative expectancies toward children categorized with a deviancy label and maintain expectancies even when confronted with normal behavior, behavior inconsistent with the stated label. Maintenance of this bias is sufficient to cause teachers to misinterpret actual child behavior, resulting in a halo effect. Results further indicated that the label of educable mentally retarded generated a greater degree of negative bias than did the labels learning disabled or emotionally disturbed, although all three deviancy labels produced negative expectancies and halo effects significantly different from those found under control conditions.
Ultracompact biochemical sensor built with two-dimensional photonic crystal microcavity.

We report an experimental demonstration of an ultracompact biochemical sensor based on a two-dimensional photonic crystal microcavity. The microcavity, fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator substrate, is designed to have a resonant wavelength (λ) near 1.5 µm. The transmission spectrum of the sensor is measured with different ambient refractive indices ranging from n=1.0 to n=1.5. From observation of the shift in resonant wavelength, a change in ambient refractive index of Δn=0.002 is readily apparent. The correspondence between absolute refractive index and resonant wavelength agrees with numerical calculation to within 4% accuracy. The evaporation of water in a 5% glycerol mixture is also used to demonstrate the capability for in situ time-resolved sensing.
The stimulation of rat bone marrow fibroblast colony formation by 2-mercaptoethanol.

The definition of the function of bone marrow strornal cells in the regulation of hematopoiesis has been complicated by the limited growth of these cells in vitro. We have demonstrated that the addition of 2-mercaptoethanol to rat bone marrow cultures enhances bone marrow fibroblast proliferation as evidenced by a 2-fold increase in the total number of fibroblast colonies and a 5-fold increase in the number of these colonies which contain more than 80 cells. We also present evidence suggesting that enhancement of fibroblast growth may not be due to direct action of 2-mercaptoethanol, but may result from the activation of a serum component. The results from this study should facilitate further research into the function of bone marrow fibroblasts in the regulation of hema-topoietic cell differentiation.
Deucalionis Regio, Mars: Evidence for a New Type of Immobile Weathered Soil Unit

Abstract A small equatorial region south of Sinus Meridiani, Deucalionis Regio, has been found spectrally distinct from other regions as seen in a high spectral resolution telescopic image of Mars. Interpretations from a variety of other observations, including infrared radiometric data, historical occurrences of localized dust storms, and general circulation wind modeling, also suggest that the surface of Deucalionis Regio has properties that are different than those of nearby regions, Arabia, Acidalia, Sinus Meridiani, and Oxia, in terms of expression of color, crystalline hematite content, and perhaps pyroxene abundance and mineralogy. The thermophysical and aeolian observations indicate that the soils in Deucalionis Regio are relatively immobile, despite the likely occurrence of winds strong enough to move unconsolidated materials. We propose that the soils in this region are indurated or crusted. We predict that a Mars Observer-class thermal emission spectrometer and gamma ray spectrometer will show the presence of crust-forming minerals and elements in the soils of this region. The spatial correlation between areas that have been previously proposed to be regional exposures of crust, and areas that are spectrally similar to Deucalionis Regio, may suggest a possible genetic relationship between the composition and the physical properties.
Noninvasive photoacoustic tomography of human peripheral joints toward diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis

The feasibility of photoacoustic tomography (PAT) in imaging human peripheral joints in a noninvasive manner was demonstrated through studies of cadaver human fingers. Based on the intrinsic optical contrast, intra- and extra-articular tissue structures in the finger at the levels of the joints were visualized successfully with satisfactory spatial resolution. The imaging depth of PAT in the near-infrared region enables the cross-sectional imaging of a human finger as a whole organ. As a novel technology with unique advantages, PAT holds promise for early diagnosis of inflammatory joint disorders and accurate monitoring of disease progression and response to therapy.
Supporting urban emergency response and recovery using RFID‐based building assessment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on improving mobile computing support for professionals involved in a disaster response and recovery operation to facilitate better assessment of the damage caused to buildings and to make this assessment information available to personnel within the disaster response arena so as to expedite a safe, efficient and effective disaster response process.Design/methodology/approach – The research method involved the use of scenario‐based user needs analysis for studying end‐user needs and requirements and use of Rational Unified Process for software design and implementation. An IT‐supported collaboration platform was developed to enable first responders to communicate using handheld devices and laptops and share critical building evaluation information using a mobile ad hoc network. The deployed system was trialled at Illinois Fire Services Institute (IFSI).Findings – Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)‐enabled mobile devices and tags can be used for posting, g...
Cell Ingression and Apical Shape Oscillations during Dorsal Closure in Drosophila

Programmed patterns of gene expression, cell-cell signaling, and cellular forces cause morphogenic movements during dorsal closure. We investigated the apical cell-shape changes that characterize amnioserosa cells during dorsal closure in Drosophila embryos with in vivo imaging of green-fluorescent-protein-labeled DE-cadherin. Time-lapsed, confocal images were assessed with a novel segmentation algorithm, Fourier analysis, and kinematic and dynamical modeling. We found two generic processes, reversible oscillations in apical cross-sectional area and cell ingression characterized by persistent loss of apical area. We quantified a time-dependent, spatially-averaged sum of intracellular and intercellular forces acting on each cell's apical belt of DE-cadherin. We observed that a substantial fraction of amnioserosa cells ingress near the leading edges of lateral epidermis, consistent with the view that ingression can be regulated by leading-edge cells. This is in addition to previously observed ingression processes associated with zipping and apoptosis. Although there is cell-to-cell variability in the maximum rate for decreasing apical area (0.3–9.5 μm2/min), the rate for completing ingression is remarkably constant (0.83 cells/min, r2 > 0.99). We propose that this constant ingression rate contributes to the spatiotemporal regularity of mechanical stress exerted by the amnioserosa on each leading edge during closure.
Thermodynamics of a reverse turn motif. Solvent effects and side-chain packing

The linear pentapeptide, Ala-Tyr-cis-Pro-Tyr-Asp-NMA (AYPYD) is known to have a significant population of type VI turn conformers in aqueous solvent. We have carried out theoretical studies of the conformational energetics of this peptide using a potential of mean force (PMF) consisting of the AMBER/OPLS empirical potential energy function, a macroscopic electrostatic model of polar solvation, and a surface area-based model of non-polar solvation. Conformers were taken from molecular dynamics simulations reported elsewhere, or generated by a random search method reported here. The chain entropy of folding was calculated by a systematic search of accessible dihedral angle space. The intra-peptide component was found to strongly favor folding and was nearly cancelled by the polar solvation term which disfavored folding. The non-polar solvation term had little effect. Fluctuations about the average value of the PMF were small and in accord with estimates from a simple harmonic model. When applied to conformers generated by a random search, the PMF selected a conformer close to the NMR-determined structure as the lowest energy conformer. The conformer with the second-lowest energy was extended, but was found to fold rapidly to the turn state in a subsequent molecular dynamics study, and may be an important state on the folding-unfolding pathway. Averages of the PMF were combined with the entropy estimates to provide an estimate of the free energy of folding that is in reasonable agreement with experimental results. In terms of the interplay between backbone electrostatic interactions and the packing of apolar side-chains, this peptide provides a model for the energetics of protein folding, and therefore makes a useful test case for calculations.
Estimating Downburst-Related Maximum Surface Wind Speeds by Means of Proximity Soundings in New South Wales, Australia

Abstract A regional climatology of strong wind gusts associated with thunderstorms is presented, and the ability to estimate gust strength from ambient conditions is tested. Strong wind events were selected for 10 stations in New South Wales, Australia, from anemograph records and coincident thunderstorm reports. Most events took place between midafternoon and late evening and during the warmer months of the year, which is broadly consistent with the occurrence of severe thunderstorms in general. One sounding-based index, designed to predict the strength of microbursts, proves to be of limited value in predicting the magnitude of strong convective gusts, even of short-lived gusts. A modified index that combines the microburst index with upper-level wind speed is more useful.
Transition metal impurities in copper

Abstract The electronic structure of magnetic transition metal impurities (Fe, Co, Ni) in Cu is calculated by means of a 13 and 19 atom cluster approach. The local cluster density of states (CDOS) for the Cu clusters agrees very well with the respective bulk and surface DOS of Cu metal. The local Fe moment of 3μB is in good agreement to experiment and Green's function calculations. The spin density shows a negative polarization of the conduction electrons beside the strong localized impurity moment.
Normality and paracompactness in box products

Abstract For any cardinal κ , if X is the box product of a family of discrete spaces in the κ-box topology and X is normal, then X is paracompact. The same is true of products of κ-metrizable spaces.
Development and Evaluation of a Boronate Inhibitor of γ-Glutamyl Transpeptidase

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) plays a central role in the metabolism of glutathione and is also a marker for neoplasia and cell transformation. We have investigated the compound L-2-amino-4-boronobutanoic acid (ABBA) as a structural analog of the putative ternary complex formed by the enzyme, L-serine, and borate, proposed to function as a transition state analog inhibitor. ABBA was found to be a potent inhibitor of the enzyme, with Ki = 17 nM using typical assay conditions (pH 8, gamma-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide substrate, 20 mM glycyl-glycine acceptor). ABBA is a stable amino acid analog with pK values determined from 13C and 11B NMR to be 2.3, 11.0 (amino titration), and 7.9 (boronate titration). The structural similarity to glutamate suggested that it might function as a glutamate analog for some glutamate-dependent enzymes or receptors. Transamination of pyruvate by ABBA to yield alanine in the presence of glutamic pyruvic transaminase was demonstrated by 13C NMR. The 2-keto-4-boronobutanoic acid transamination product is apparently fairly labile to hydrolysis, leading to formation of 2-ketobutanoic acid plus borate. The latter is also subsequently transaminated to yield 2-aminobutanoic acid. Both of these metabolites were observed in the 13C NMR spectrum. However, the corresponding transamination of oxaloacetate by ABBA in the presence of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase was not observed. Effects of ABBA on the growth of cultured rat liver cell lines ARL-15C1 (nontumorigenic, low gamma-GT activity) and ARL-16T2 (tumorigenic, high gamma-GT activity) were also investigated, both in standard Williams Media as well as in a low cysteine growth medium. A high concentration (1 mM) of ABBA inhibited the growth of both cell lines in both media, with the degree of inhibition greater in the low cysteine medium. Alternatively, growth inhibition by 10 microM ABBA could be observed only in the low cysteine media. In general, there were no significant differences between the two cell lines in terms of sensitivity to ABBA.
Recent Hospitalization and the Risk of Hip Fracture Among Older Americans

Background. We identifi ed hip fracture risks in a prospective national study. Methods. Baseline (1993 – 1994) interview data were linked to Medicare claims for 1993 – 2005. Participants were 5,511 self-respondents aged 70 years and older and not in managed Medicare. ICD9-CM 820 . xx (International Classifi cation of Diseases, 9th Edition, Clinical Modifi cation) codes identifi ed hip fracture. Participants were censored at death or enrollment into managed Medicare. Static risk factors included sociodemographic, socioeconomic, place of residence, health behavior, disease history, and functional and cognitive status measures. A time-dependent marker refl ecting postbaseline hospitalizations was included. Results. A total of 495 (8.9%) participants suffered a postbaseline hip fracture. In the static proportional hazards model, the greatest risks involved age (adjusted hazard ratios [AHRs] of 2.01, 2.82, and 4.91 for 75 – 79, 80 – 84, and ≥ 85 year age groups vs those aged 70 – 74 years; p values <.001), sex (AHR = 0.45 for men vs women; p < .001), race (AHRs of 0.37 and 0.46 for African Americans and Hispanics vs whites; p values <.001 and <.01), body mass (AHRs of 0.40, 0.77, and 1.73 for obese, overweight, and underweight vs normal weight; p values <.001, <.05, and <.01), smoking status (AHRs = 1.49 and 1.52 for current and former smokers vs nonsmokers; p values <.05 and <.001), and diabetes (AHR = 1.99; p < .001). The time-dependent recent hospitalization marker did not alter the static model effect estimates, but it did substantially increase the risk of hip fracture (AHR = 2.51; p < .001).
Discrete emotions predict changes in cognition, judgment, experience, behavior, and physiology: a meta-analysis of experimental emotion elicitations

Our purpose in the present meta-analysis was to examine the extent to which discrete emotions elicit changes in cognition, judgment, experience, behavior, and physiology; whether these changes are correlated as would be expected if emotions organize responses across these systems; and which factors moderate the magnitude of these effects. Studies (687; 4,946 effects, 49,473 participants) were included that elicited the discrete emotions of happiness, sadness, anger, and anxiety as independent variables with adults. Consistent with discrete emotion theory, there were (a) moderate differences among discrete emotions; (b) differences among discrete negative emotions; and (c) correlated changes in behavior, experience, and physiology (cognition and judgment were mostly not correlated with other changes). Valence, valence-arousal, and approach-avoidance models of emotion were not as clearly supported. There was evidence that these factors are likely important components of emotion but that they could not fully account for the pattern of results. Most emotion elicitations were effective, although the efficacy varied with the emotions being compared. Picture presentations were overall the most effective elicitor of discrete emotions. Stronger effects of emotion elicitations were associated with happiness versus negative emotions, self-reported experience, a greater proportion of women (for elicitations of happiness and sadness), omission of a cover story, and participants alone versus in groups. Conclusions are limited by the inclusion of only some discrete emotions, exclusion of studies that did not elicit discrete emotions, few available effect sizes for some contrasts and moderators, and the methodological rigor of included studies.
Detection of modified- live equine intranasal vaccine pathogens in adult horses using quantitative PCR

DURING an equine respiratory disease outbreak, the modified-live intranasal vaccines available against strangles ( Streptococcus equi subspecies equi ) and equine influenza virus (EIV) are commonly used due to their ability to induce a rapid onset of mucosal immunity. However, horses displaying clinical signs of respiratory disease are routinely tested using quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis of nasal secretions to help determine the causative pathogen(s), and these qPCR assays do not distinguish between a modified-live vaccine pathogen and the wild-type pathogen. Thus, if a horse that had recently received a modified-live intranasal vaccine subsequently develops signs of respiratory disease it would be unclear whether the qPCR detection of that pathogen in nasal secretions is from the vaccine or represents true infection. Therefore, the objective of this study was to provide a timeline for how long after vaccination will a horse continue to shed modified-live vaccine S. equi subspecies equi and EIV. A total of 23 adult horses with no intranasal vaccine history were selected from the Center for Equine Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis and randomly assigned to one of two groups (12 horses in S. equi vaccine group; 11 horses in EIV vaccine group). Groups were housed according to gender in large paddocks of 3–5 horses each, with central water and food areas. Study horses ranged from 4 to 15 years of age (median=10 years), with a total of 13 geldings and 10 mares. Most horses belonged either to the Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred breed. Horses were vaccinated annually against eastern/western equine encephalitis virus, tetanus, West Nile virus, rabies virus, equine herpesvirus type 1/herpesvirus type 4 and EIV. Horses had not been vaccinated for over 12 months at the time of study commencement. Prior to study commencement, each study horse was deemed to be healthy based on a physical evaluation, …
The Effects of Organophosphate Pesticide Exposure on Hispanic Children's Cognitive and Behavioral Functioning

Objective This study investigates the effects of Organophosphate (OP) pesticides exposure on the cognitive and behavioral functioning of Hispanic children living in an agricultural community. Methods Forty-eight children were administered a battery of cognitive measures, and their parents and teachers completed behavior rating scales. Children provided a urine sample for analysis of OP pesticides metabolites. Results All children had a detectable level of at least one OP pesticide metabolite. Higher OP pesticide metabolite concentration levels were significantly correlated with poorer performance on some subtests of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. However, the significance of this association was dependent upon the inclusion of two samples with noticeable higher OP pesticide metabolite concentration levels. Conclusions Short-term OP pesticide exposure seems to have deleterious effects on children’s speed of attention, sequencing, mental flexibility, visual search, concept formation, and conceptual flexibility. This study is among a relatively small number of studies investigating an extremely complex problem. Limitations and suggestions for future studies are discussed.
Adaptive regulation of intestinal folate uptake: effect of dietary folate deficiency.

Folate is an essential micronutrient that, in mammals, must be obtained from exogenous sources via intestinal absorption. Previous studies have characterized different aspects of the mechanism of t...
""To Be'' or ""Ought to Be'': The Questions of Empirical Content and Normative Bias in Léon Walras's Methodology

Leon Walras was a truly revolutionary economist. Not only did he leave a lasting mark on economic doctrine participating in the Marginalist Revolution, which supplanted the labor theory of value of the classical school, but he also contributed to major changes in economic methodology as being one of the first and most ardent promoters of the use of mathematics in economics. For an actor who played such a great role in the development of economics, how did he conceive his scientific endeavor? This question can be broken down into two different but related questions: First, how did he know that he had found true scientific laws? What was his theory of knowledge? Is it best described as empiricist (claiming that all knowledge comes from experience) or idealist (claiming that reason can achieve knowledge independently of experience)? And, second, what relation did his writings on pure theory bear with his policy prescriptions? Was there a normative bias in Leon Walras's methodology, i.e., were his positive statements molded by his normative inclinations? This last set of questions has generated much debate, given that Walras actively fought for scientific rigor while not refraining from defending his views on the desired social order. For W. Jaffe, who unearthed his correspondence, a careful study of primary evidence shows that Walras's conception of justice heavily influenced his search for pure truth. The Elements d'economie politique pure ( Elements ), “appears, on the surface, as a competely wert-frei ” system, but it is nevertheless “inform[ed]” by “implicit moral convictions” (Jaffe 1977, p. 371). However, D. A. Walker has strongly attacked Jaffe's allegation that Walras's theory of general equilibrium was deliberately constructed as a normative scheme, pointing to Walras's “careful distinctions between normative and positive subject matters” (Walker 1984, p. 466).
A Game Playing System for Use in Computer Science Education

The MAPLE Game Playing System is a web application and website that allows students to design and program game playing agents using the Python programming language. The system provides a platform for assignments in introductory computer science courses and senior and graduate-level A.I. courses. The website allows users to upload, use, and share agents that play games such as the Prisoner’s Dilemma, Stag Hunt, and Matching Pennies. In this paper, we discuss the features and functionality of the system and suggest possible assignments within A.I. or introductory programming courses.
Complement-Dependent Injury and Protection in a Murine Model of Acute Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis

Complement plays a key role in the pathophysiology of many inflammatory diseases, and in this study, we investigated the role of complement in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Compared to wild-type mice, mice deficient in C3 or factor B were protected from acute dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. C1q/mannose-binding lectin (MBL) double-deficient mice, however, exhibited more severe colitis than wild-type mice. When mice were allowed to recover after DSS treatment, all C1q/MBL(-/-) mice died by day 2 of recovery period, and, surprisingly, all C3(-/-) and factor B(-/-) mice died by day 5. Serum endotoxin levels were significantly increased in complement-deficient mice prior to death, particularly in C1q/MBL(-/-) mice, and antibiotic treatment prevented the lethal effect of DSS in all complement-deficient mice. In contrast to complement deficiency, targeted complement inhibition with either complement receptor 2 (CR2)-Crry (blocks all pathways at C3 activation) or CR2-factor H (blocks alternative pathway) was highly protective at treating established acute colitis. Endotoxin levels remained low in complement-inhibited mice, and complement inhibition also reduced inflammatory cytokines, leukocyte infiltration, and tissue injury while improving wound repair and mucosal healing. CR2-factor H provided more effective protection than CR2-Crry. Thus, complement has both pathogenic and protective roles in acute DSS-induced colitis, and whereas the alternative pathway appears to play a key role in tissue inflammation and injury, the classical/lectin pathway provides important protection in terms of host defense and wound repair. Targeted inhibition of the alternative pathway may represent a therapeutic modality for treating acute phases of inflammatory bowel disease.
Panel session - improving learning and retention in introductory statics

Statics is the first engineering class mechanics-based majors encounter. It tends to operate as a “weeder” course, due to most students’ difficulties in learning the engineering approach to problem solving, which is characterized by model-based reasoning. Difficulty in model-building can cause a lack of confidence and a diminished sense of self-efficacy that is particularly problematic when amplified by gender and under represented minority (URM) issues. Many valuable attempts have been made in the past at developing new tools to help students learn modeling, and develop engineering intuition. The goal of this panel is a two-pronged discussion: on the one end, present and discuss the most pertinent and intractable challenges associated with Statics learning that students encounter; on the other, present and discuss various interventions, technological or otherwise, that the panelists have attempted and/or developed to remedy the situation. Ideally the panel outcome will be to define pathways for developing and disseminating cognitively-based interventions that better supports learning and retention of all engineering students.
Sonographically guided deep plantar fascia injections: where does the injectate go?

Objectives To determine the distribution of sonographically guided deep plantar fascia injections in an unembalmed cadaveric model. Methods A single experienced operator completed 10 sonographically guided deep plantar fascia injections in 10 unembalmed cadaveric specimens (5 right and 5 left) obtained from 6 donors (2 male and 4 female) aged 49 to 95 years (mean, 77.5 years) with a mean body mass index of 23.2 kg/m(2) (range, 18.4-26.3 kg/m(2)). A 12-3-MHz linear array transducer was used to direct a 22-gauge, 38-mm stainless steel needle deep to the plantar fascia at the anterior aspect of the calcaneus using an in-plane, medial-to-lateral approach. In each case, 1.5 mL of 50% diluted colored latex was injected deep to the plantar fascia. After a minimum of 72 hours, study coinvestigators dissected each specimen to assess injectate placement. Results All 10 injections accurately placed latex adjacent to the deep side of the plantar fascia at the anterior calcaneus. However, the flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) origin from the plantar fascia variably limited direct latex contact with the plantar fascia, and small amounts of latex interdigitated with the FDB origin in 90% (9 of 10). In all 10 specimens, latex also covered the traversing first branch of the lateral plantar nerve (FBLPN, ie, Baxter nerve) between the FDB and quadratus plantae muscles. No latex was found in the plantar fat pad or plantar fascia in any specimen. Conclusions Sonographically guided deep plantar fascia injections reliably deliver latex deep to the plantar fascia while avoiding intrafascial injection. However, the extent of direct plantar fascia contact is variable due to the intervening FDB. On the contrary, the traversing FBLPN is reliably covered by the injection. Deep plantar fascia injections may have a role in the management of refractory plantar fasciitis, particularly following failed superficial perifascial or intrafascial injections, in cases of preferential deep plantar fascia involvement, or when entrapment/irritation of the distal FBLPN is suspected.
Decentralized Coordination Control for Formation Stability of Autonomous Robotic Systems

Formation stability of a group of autonomous robotic systems is considered in the paper. We design cooperative control scheme in the framework of Lyapunov theorem for general linear dynamic systems. Decentralized control laws are explicitly constructed for individual systems with inter-system communications. Simulations show asymptotically tracking of a time-varying trajectory with pre-designated formation for a group of dynamic agents.
Reliability of clinical examinations for pediatric skin and soft-tissue infections.

To determine the interrater reliability of clinical examina- tion by pediatric emergency medicine physicians for the diagnosis of skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs). METHODS: A cross-sectional study of patients presenting to a pediatric emergency department with SSTIs was performed. Each lesion was examined by a treating physician and a study physician (from a pool of 62 physicians) at the bedside during the emergency department visit. The primary outcome was reliability, as measured with the weighted statistic, for determining whether the lesion was an abscess and whether the lesion required a drainage procedure. RESULTS: A total of 371 lesions were analyzed for interrater reliability. The weighted value for diagnosis of the lesion as an abscess was 0.39 (95% confidence interval: 0.32- 0.47), and that for assessment of the need for drainage was 0.43 (95% confidence interval: 0.36 - 0.51). Agreement was statistically more likely for lesions in children 4 years of age but was not more likely for lesions in nonblack patients, lesions in patients with a history of or exposure to a close contact with a SSTI, or lesions examined by 2 experienced pediatric emergency medicine physicians. CONCLUSIONS: Among the 62 participating physicians at our site, the reliability of the clinical examination was poor. This may indicate that improved education and/or more-objective means for diagnosing these infections in the acute care setting are warranted. Additional studies are needed to determine whether these results are generaliz- able to other settings. Pediatrics 2010;126:925-930
Electronic spectra of intermediate charge transfer complexes of CrO2Cl2 in argon matrices

Abstract The matrix isolation technique has been combined with UV/Visible spectroscopy to characterize electronic transitions in 1:1 complexes of CrO2Cl2 with a series of lone pair electron donors. Following twin jet deposition with NH3, (CH3)2O and (CH3)2CO, new absorptions were observed near bands of parent CrO2Cl2. These are assigned to intramolecular electronic absorptions of the CrCl2O2 chromophore. Weak, diffuse absorptions were observed with PH3, indicative of a very weak interaction in the 1:1 complex. The reaction between OVCl3 and NH3 was also investigated, and resulted in unstructured absorptions at 582 and 473 nm. These have been assigned to LMCT transitions. Theoretical DFT calculations support the identification of these molecular complexes.
War and the Survival of Political Leaders: A Comparative Study of Regime Types and Political Accountability

We seek to answer the question, What effect does international war participation have on the ability of political leaders to survive in office? We develop a model of political reliability and derive seven related hypotheses from it that anticipate variation in the time a national political leader will survive in office after the onset of a war. Drawing upon a broadly based data set on state involvement in international war between 1816 and 1975, our expectations are tested through censored Weibull regression. Four of the hypotheses are tested, and all are supported by the analysis. We find that those leaders who engage their nation in war subject themselves to a domestic political hazard that threatens the very essence of the office-holding homo politicus, the retention of political power. The hazard is mitigated by longstanding experience for authoritarian elites, an effect that is muted for democratic leaders, while the hazard is militated by defeat and high costs from war for all types of leaders. Additionally, we find that authoritarian leaders are inclined to war longer after they come to power than democratic leaders. Further, democratic leaders select wars with a lower risk of defeat than do their authoritarian counterparts.
A permanent tendon-to-bone suture technique in the distal phalanx

This technique is used to place a permanent tendon-to-bone suture in the distal phalanx without increasing the amount of dissection beyond that needed for a Bunnell button repair. This technique has the advantage of greater strength without the problems of a percutaneous device that must be removed before full wound healing strength has developed.
National and Post-national Dynamics in the Olympic Design: The Case of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games

Following Arjun Appadurai’s call, this paper will attempt to pinpoint the “crisis of the nation” as revealed in the representation of a “new Greece”2 at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Taking as a case study Santiago Calatrava’s design of the Athens Olympic Stadium (Figure 1) and its use during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games, I will examine questions of selfhood, otherness, and national identity in contemporary Greece as a means of proposing that alternative types of allegiances must be envisaged. As has been the case with most modern Olympic Games, Athens 2004 was conceived as a national rather than a civic event. The redesign of national identity was a conscious goal of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games organizers, who saw the Olympics as an opportunity to brand the look of a “New Greece.” The aim of the organizers was to overhaul the country’s outdated image as a nation caught between a glorious antiquity and technological backwardness, as well as convince the international community of Greece’s modernity and Europeanization in both cultural and economic terms. The image of a “new Greece,” it was thought, would stimulate new foreign and domestic investments and increase the country’s prestige. Footnotes for this article begin on page 90.