cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Attitudes and Perceptions of Independent Community Pharmacy Owners/Managers on the Comprehensiveness of Strategic Planning

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the attitudes and perceptions of independent community pharmacy owners/managers about the comprehensiveness of strategic planning conducted for their pharmacies. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting United States. Participants Nationwide random sample of 1,250 owners/managers of independent community pharmacies. Intervention Mailed survey. Main Outcome Measures Comprehensiveness of strategic planning conducted; components used in the strategic planning process. Attitudes and perceptions of owners/managers of independent community pharmacies toward strategic planning. Results A total of 527 (42.1%) usable questionnaires were returned. Of the 141 (26.8%) respondents who indicated that they conduct strategic planning, most components of the process were used. However, only 78 (55.3%) of those respondents conducted a review of pharmacy systems, and only 60 (42.6%) periodically evaluated implemented strategies. Approximately 88% of the variance in comprehensiveness was accounted for by 12 variables identified as significantly associated with the comprehensiveness of strategic planning conducted by owners/managers of independent community pharmacies. These included factors such as favorable cost–benefit relationship, impact of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, and remaining competitive in the pharmacy marketplace. Conclusion While a minority of the survey population, respondents who reported conducting strategic planning used a reasonably comprehensive process. Further, several variables were identified as significant factors associated with comprehensiveness of strategic planning conducted.
Impact of high-fat diet and antioxidant supplement on mitochondrial functions and gene transcripts in rat muscle

High-fat diets are reported to increase oxidative stress in a variety of tissues, whereas antioxidant supplementation prevents many diseases attributed to high-fat diet. Rodent skeletal muscle mito...
Snoring significance in patients undergoing home sleep studies.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of snoring, independent of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on patients referred for home sleep studies and to report a new technology for the reporting of snoring,...
Relationship of Milk Production Efficiency to the Relative Proportions of the Rumen Volatile Fatty Acids

Summary The molar composition of the rumen VFA was studied at three dietary ratios of hay to concentrate in 12 dairy cows used in a lactation-balance experiment previously reported. As the proportion of concentrate in the ration increased, the relative proportion of acetic acid decreased, whereas that of propionic and butyric acids increased. Correlation analyses indicated that the efficiency with which digestible energy was converted to FCM was highly correlated with the relative proportion of propionic acid in the rumen VFA and with the ratio of acetate to propionate, as well as with the crude fiber content of the ration. The plausibility and some of the implications of a causal relationship are discussed.
Modification of Biases Held by Teacher Trainees Toward the Disturbingness of Child Behaviors.

AbstractThe effect of an intensive camp counseling experience with institutionalized emotionally disturbed adolescents on the perceptions of camp counselors regarding the disturbingness of certain child behaviors was investigated. Comparisons were made between the ratings of teacher trainees who served as counselors and teacher trainees who did not on the Disturbing Behavior Problem Checklist. Analysis of the data indicated that the counselors tended to view the deviant child behaviors as less disturbing at the end of the camp week than did the controls.
Morphology of Triprojectate fossil pollen: Form and distribution in space and time

During the Late Cretaceous (65–85 million years ago, Ma) Triprojectacites, a group of now-extinct fossil pollen, were among the most dominant elements of Northern Hemisphere circumboreal palynological assemblages. Triprojectates represent an unknown group of parent plants of imprecise albeit angiosperm affinities. Although long considered restricted to the Late Cretaceous, recent reports suggest the group persisted until as late as the Oligocene (30–35 Ma) in Arctic areas. Reaching their evolutionary and geographic acmes during the Campanian to Maastrichtian (70-65 Ma), triprojectates were present on all continents except Antarctica. The plants that produced triprojectates apparently spread from the then-contiguous Siberia-western North America landmass (an area referred to as theAquilapollenites province) during the later Maastrichtian. Several monophyletic groups of triprojectates are recognized, with only one having a possible connection with the modern flora. Despite intensive study, precise morphological delimitation of fossil pollen in the Triprojectacites group has not been achieved in the more than 30 years since their first description. Application of light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy facilitates more critical examination of these fossil pollen grains in order to define internal and external group boundaries. Triprojectacites can be informally subdivided by body, sculpture, and aperture types. I recognize 14 of these morphological types, some of which have not previously been assigned to triprojectates. In some cases these 14 groups correspond to previously described genera such asAquilapollenites Rouse,Triprojectus Mtchedlishvili,Mancicorpus Mtchedlishvili, andIntegricorpus Mtchedlishvili. In addition I regard four other groups roughly corresponding to the previously described pollen genera: (1)Cranwellia Srivastava; (2)Pentapollenites Krutzsch; (3)Morinoipollenites Zhao & Wang andJianghanpollis Zhao & Wang; and (4)Loranthacites Mtchedlishvili; as requiring additional investigation to document their triprojectate features. These morphological types can, and often do, correspond to previously published genera.
EXPERIENCE WITH "CARDIOVERSION" OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AND FLUTTER.

Abstract Synchronized direct current countershock, “cardioversion,” was used in 70 patients on 94 occasions for reversion of atrial fibrillation or flutter. The method and anesthetic technics are described. A modification of the size and location of the electrode has decreased the incidence of minor discomfort resulting from the procedure and lowered the amount of energy necessary for successful cardioversion. In 90 of 94 episodes, or in 66 of 70 patients, the arrhythmia was restored to sinus rhythm. With a follow-up period of from 1 to 9 months, 52 of 66 patients (79%) remained in sinus rhythm. Fourteen patients (21%) reverted to atrial fibrillation despite multiple cardioversions and maximally tolerated quinidine therapy. Certain factors appear to decrease the chances of maintaining sinus rhythm: duration of fibrillation, type of valvular lesion, functional classification and previous quinidine failure. The advantages anticipated with the restoration of sinus rhythm are discussed. The emergency indication and contraindications are outlined. A broad policy of selection of patients for cardioversion is suggested. The reasons for this approach are the high degree of acute success (94%), the low incidence of complications (5%) and success in maintaining sinus rhythm (79%) for a short follow-up Period.
Documenting software systems with views VI: lessons learned from 15 years of research & practice

A "view" is a form of graphical documentation representing some aspect of a software system. Views can be an important aid in helping to understand large-scale applications, and can be automatically produced through reverse engineering. This paper summarizes our findings and lessons learned related to documenting software systems with views from numerous projects spanning 15 years of research and practice (1992-2007). These findings have continued relevancy for modern software development and technical communication alike.
The Second Asilomar Workshop on Microprocessors

Newly-appointed technical sessions editor John Hiles (see Update) attended the Asilomar Workshop on Microprocessors held at the end of April; his report is presented below. As with most Computer Society workshops, which attempt to encourage free and candid communication among participants, this one published no proceedings and in fact prohibited tape recorders as well as photographs of slides. In the spirit of observing that requirement, Hiles' commentary is kept at a fairly general level. However, without attributing specific comments or discussing specific presentations, it does summarize the major thrusts of the discussions.
Anatomical and developmental bases for the ventral arc of the human pubis

The ventral arc of the pubis is frequently used for sexing adult human hip bones. This study addresses the issues of the anatomical and developmental bases for the ventral arc. Dissection of seven adult pelves (four females and three males) demonstrates that the sexes are identical in the muscular and ligamentous attachments to this ridge of bone. The tendons of gracilis and adductor brevis, which are fused for a variable extent, arise from the ridge of bone, and the fibers of the ventral pubic ligament attach to its medial border. Lateral placement of the ventral arc is defined in terms of the minimum distance between the ridge of bone and the inferior border of the symphyseal face of the pubis. The hypothesis that lateral placement of the ventral arc is positively correlated with pubic length was tested using two random samples of adult female hip bones (N = 50 for both whites and blacks) from the Hamann-Todd collection. The correlation between these variables is significant. The results support the argument that lateral placement of the ventral arc is related to the amount of postadolescent growth occurring at the symphyseal border of the pubis. Therefore, the ventral arc should not be considered as an independent criterion from pubic length in sexing adult hip bones.
Cost semantics for space usage in a parallel language

We describe a framework for better understanding scheduling policies for fine-grained parallel computations and their effect on space usage. We define a profiling semantics that can be used to determine the asymptotic space taken by any schedule. A nondeterministic parallel transition semantics is used to describe all possible parallel executions. Refinements of that semantics can be used to model the behavior of particular schedulers. We use the framework to show that different schedules can lead to asymptotic differences in space usage.
Fish toxicity of jet fuels—I. The toxicity of the synthetic fuel JP-9 and its components

Abstract The toxicity of the jet fuel JP-9 and its components RJ-4, RJ-5 and MCH was assessed in static bioassays on the warm water fish, golden shiner (Notemigonus chrysoleucas). The 96-h LC50 of emulsions was 2.0 mg 1−1 for JP-9, 0.51 mg 1−1 for RJ-4, 0.61 mg 1−1 for RJ-5 and 72 mg 1−1 for MCH. As determined by the 96-h LC50 values unemulsified fuel (pools of fuel) JP-9 was 235 times less toxic, RJ-4 was 196 times less toxic, RJ-5 was 7700 times less toxic and MCH was 3.3 times less toxic than the corresponding emulsified materials. In continuous flow bioassays with the water soluble fraction of the fuel and its components the effect on egg hatchability and fry development of flagfish (Jordanella floridae) and rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) was studied. The no effect of level on flagfish egg hatchability was 0.23 mg 1−1 for JP-9 and 0.05 mg 1−1 for RJ-5. Concentrations of 0.83 mg 1−1 MCH and 0.2 mg 1−1 RJ-4 did not affect egg hatchability. In rainbow trout studies 97-day LC50 values for RJ-4 and RJ-5 were 0.045 mg 1−1 and 0.072 mg 1−1, respectively, and 23-day LC50 values for JP-9 and MCH were 0.26 mg 1−1 and 1.3 mg 1−1, respectively. The accumulation of fuels in fish bodies was studied and it was found that flagfish can tolerate a total body burden of 0.5 mg MCH g−1 wet weight without lethality. It was also found that body burdens of 0.43 mg RJ-4 g−1 and of 0.27 mg RJ-5 g−1 on a wet weight basis will produce 50% mortality in rainbow trout. Voiding of MCH from fish bodies occurs readily in fuel-free water, but RJ-4 and RJ-5 are retained in the tissues.
Influence of Flexibly Mounted Rolling Element Bearings on Rotor Response: Part I—Linear Analysis

Linear analysis of damped flexibly mounted rolling element bearings influence on dynamic rotor unbalance response, including optimum support characteristics
Obesity surgery mortality risk score: proposal for a clinically useful score to predict mortality risk in patients undergoing gastric bypass

Abstract Background Currently, no clinically useful scoring system is available to stratify the mortality risk for patients undergoing gastric bypass (GBP). We propose the obesity surgery mortality risk score as a clinically useful score system to predict the mortality risk for patients undergoing GBP. Methods Prospectively collected data from 2075 consecutive patients undergoing GBP at a single university from 1995 to 2004 were analyzed to determine the preoperative factors correlating with 90-day mortality. Results Four independent variables correlated with mortality using multivariate analysis, including body mass index ≥50 kg/m 2 (odds ratio [OR] 3.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.44–8.99), male gender (OR 2.80, 95% CI 1.32–5.92), hypertension (OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.11–7.00), and a novel variable pulmonary embolus risk, that included previous thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, inferior vena cava filter, right heart failure, and obesity hypoventilation (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.12–6.12). A fifth variable, patient age ≥45 years (OR 1.64, 95% CI 0.78–3.48), significant on univariate analysis, was added to the ultimate scoring system because of its significance in other studies. A scoring system was developed by arbitrarily scoring the presence of each independent variable as equal to 1 point, resulting in an overall score of 0–5 points for each patient. The factors were grouped into 3 risk classes (A, B, or C) to increase the evaluable cases in each class (e.g., Conclusion The analysis reveals that mortality risk for gastric bypass can be stratified based upon independent variables that can be identified before surgery. The OS-MRS, a simple, clinically relevant scoring system, is proposed, which stratifies mortality risk into low (Class A), intermediate (Class B), and high (Class C) risk groups in the current study population. This risk assessment scoring system may contribute to surgical decision making in bariatric surgery if its ability to stratify risk is validated in subsequent studies.
Astronomical data processing in EXTASCID

Scientific data have dual structure. Raw data are preponderantly ordered multi-dimensional arrays or sequences while metadata and derived data are best represented as unordered relations. Scientific data processing requires complex operations over arrays and relations. These operations cannot be expressed using only standard linear and relational algebra operators, respectively. Existing scientific data processing systems are designed for a single data model and handle complex processing at the application level.EXTASCID is a complete and extensible system for scientific data processing. It supports both array and relational data natively. Complex processing is handled by a metaoperator that can execute any user code. As a result, EXTASCID can process full scientific workflows inside the system, with minimal data movement and application code. We illustrate the overall process on a real dataset and workflow from astronomy---starting with a set of sky images, the goal is to identify and classify transient astrophysical objects.
The gene: the polymerase chain reaction and its clinical application.

Chromosomal DNA transfers and stores information regarding the structure and function of the cell. Genetic information, encoded within sequences of nucleotides that compose DNA, is grouped into functional units called genes. Genetic diseases are caused by changes in the chromosomal DNA, leading to a change in the quantity or function of the protein gene product. In the past, genetic diagnosis was limited by the availability of sufficient quantity and quality of DNA and the absence of an efficient amplification procedure. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR), an inexpensive, rapid, and accurate means of amplifying DNA, is already making a major contribution to the diagnostic sciences. PCR techniques have been widely used in diverse applications, including molecular analysis of microbial pathogens, inheritable diseases and syndromes, and neoplasms. The purpose of this article is to 1) Review gene structure and function, 2) review principles of PCR technology and its applications in molecular biology, and 3) discuss an experimental clinical application of PCR to identify novel infectious agents responsible for odontogenic infections.
Fecal sterols of some avian species

Abstract 1. 1. Of the species examined, only chicken produced feces containing 5β-stanols (coprostanol derivatives). 2. 2. Feces of all species contained 5α-stanols; that of the White Carneau pigeon contained the most. 3. 3. The major sterol fraction in all species was the Δ 5 sterols consisting mainly of cholesterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol. 4. 4. The proportions of these sterols were different in the different species. β-Sitosterol was the major plant sterol in all the species.
I-Living: An Open System Architecture for Assisted Living

Advances in networking, sensors, and embedded devices have made it feasible to monitor and provide medical and other assistance to people in their homes. Aging populations will benefit from reduced costs and improved healthcare through assisted living based on these technologies. However, these systems challenge current state-of-the-art techniques for usability, reliability, and security. This is a particular challenge for open and extensible systems that combine software and hardware from many vendors and provide information to diverse clinicians. In this paper we present the I-Living architecture for assisted living that allows independent parties work together in a dependable, secure, and low-cost fashion with predictable properties. Our approach is based on an Assisted Living Service Provider (ALSP) who provides a server that collects and maintains encrypted assisted persons (APs)' records. Our ALSP can be a third party distinct from APs, communication providers, and clinicians; or it can be part of an ISP, hospital or similar enterprise. We have explored the architecture by developing a collection of applications and implementing them in a prototype system. Our system shows the feasibility and opportunity of an open approach to assisted living systems.
The Metric of the Latent Variables in a LISREL-IV Analysis

A potential source of confusion in the interpretation of a LISREL-IV analysis is the metric of the latent variables. This paper demonstrates that fixing the pattern coefficient of one of the indicators of each latent variable to 1.0 results in an arbitrary and meaningless metric which is usually different for each latent variable. Since many of the parameter estimates such as the pattern coefficients, the factor loadings, and the variance-covariance matrix of the latent variables are a function of the metric of the latent variables, much of the LISREL-IV output may be uninterpretable. This paper demonstrates how to specify a priori the variances of the latent variables in a LISREL-IV analysis.
Dilution limits of n-butane/air mixtures under conditions relevant to HCCI combustion

The role of a spark discharge in extending the operating limits of homogeneous change compression ignition (HCCI) combustion has been investigated using engine experiments and computational flame modeling. The flammability limits of ultra-dilute n-butane/air mixtures are calculated over ranges of temperature, pressure, and dilution levels relevant to HCCI operation. The results suggest that with the elevated temperatures required to achieve HCCI combustion the in-cylinder charge is capable of supporting a propagating flame over most of the HCCI operating regime. However, under light-load and idle conditions the dilution levels are too large and the spark has no effect on HCCI combustion. Thus, some other mechanism must be found to control combustion phasing under these conditions. Since the true eigenvalue for the flame propagation calculation is the mass burning rate and not the flame speed, these results demonstrate that using an arbitrary flame speed cut-off criteria for determining the dilution limit significantly underestimates the actual flammability ranges.
Determination of the wave structure of the three-phase flow riemann problem

In a previous paper (Transp. Porous Media,55(1): 47–70), algorithms are given for computing the analytical solution to the three-phase Riemann problem. Application of those algorithms requires that the wave configuration is known. The purpose of this note is to provide a procedure to determine the wave structure for any initial and injected saturation states.
Methyl Motional Parameters in Crystalline l-Alanine: Molecular Dynamics Simulation and NMR

The correlation time for side-chain methyl reorientation in crystalline l-[β-2H3]alanine is calculated from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and compared with NMR measurements. Correlation times for methyl reorientation may be a sensitive measure of packing in proteins, and characterizing the motions of side-chains is of interest for protein folding. Converged correlation functions were obtained by averaging over all side-chain methyls in the primary cell of MD simulations with periodic boundary conditions. When corrected for neglect of quantum mechanical tunneling, the correlation times from simulation are in excellent agreement with those from NMR, but this difference may not be significant. A torsional parameter in the CHARMM22 force field was reduced on the basis of ab initio calculations for use in the simulations, and the agreement between MD and NMR correlation times confirm that this was correct.
Dependence of Brownian and Néel relaxation times on magnetic field strength.

Purpose: In magnetic particle imaging (MPI) and magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS) the relaxation time of the magnetization in response to externally applied magnetic fields is determined by the Brownian and Neel relaxation mechanisms. Here the authors investigate the dependence of the relaxation times on the magnetic field strength and the implications for MPI and MPS. Methods: The Fokker–Planck equation with Brownian relaxation and the Fokker–Planck equation with Neel relaxation are solved numerically for a time-varying externally applied magnetic field, including a step-function, a sinusoidally varying, and a linearly ramped magnetic field. For magnetic fields that are applied as a step function, an eigenvalue approach is used to directly calculate both the Brownian and Neel relaxation times for a range of magnetic field strengths. For Neel relaxation, the eigenvalue calculations are compared to Brown's high-barrier approximation formula. Results: The relaxation times due to the Brownian or Neel mechanisms depend on the magnitude of the applied magnetic field. In particular, the Neel relaxation time is sensitive to the magnetic field strength, and varies by many orders of magnitude for nanoparticle properties and magnetic field strengths relevant for MPI and MPS. Therefore, the well-known zero-field relaxation times underestimate the actual relaxation times and, in particular, can underestimate the Neel relaxation time by many orders of magnitude. When only Neel relaxation is present—if the particles are embedded in a solid for instance—the authors found that there can be a strong magnetization response to a sinusoidal driving field, even if the period is much less than the zero-field relaxation time. For a ferrofluid in which both Brownian and Neel relaxation are present, only one relaxation mechanism may dominate depending on the magnetic field strength, the driving frequency (or ramp time), and the phase of the magnetization relative to the applied magnetic field. Conclusions: A simple treatment of Neel relaxation using the common zero-field relaxation time overestimates the relaxation time of the magnetization in situations relevant for MPI and MPS. For sinusoidally driven (or ramped) systems, whether or not a particular relaxation mechanism dominates or is even relevant depends on the magnetic field strength, the frequency (or ramp time), and the phase of the magnetization relative to the applied magnetic field.
Some effects of vibration upon powder segregation during die filling

Abstract The mechanism of segregation during die filling with a 10–35 mesh lead mixture using a vibrating die is one of filtration of fines down through the moving powder mass. This mechanism is modified by other mechanisms which occur in the powder as a result of the vibratory conditions. The vibration conditions used varied between 0–0.6 inches amplitude and 1–100 c.p.s. frequency. At low amplitude and frequency the powder mass is quiescent. At high amplitude, the powder bounces in the die. At intermediate amplitudes over the frequency range 1–100 c.p.s., a marked churning of the powder mass occurs. During conditions of churning, radial segregation is reduced (i.e., more fines locate in the bottom of the die cavity). Less vertical segregation is observed when churning is absent. The results indicate that in the bottom zone of the die, for conditions of churning, increasing the time of vibration tends to allow some mixing to occur which causes a moderate reduction in the vertical segregation. In the case of the fine (80–325) mesh system, there is an apparent anomaly in the vertical segregation observed, in that the coarse component tends to locate in the bottom zone of the die during vibratory die filling.
Five-Month-Old Infants Have Different Expectations for Solids and Liquids

Many studies have established that 2-month-old infants have knowledge of solid objects' basic physical properties. Evidence about infants' understanding of nonsolid substances, however, is relatively sparse and equivocal. We present two experiments demonstrating that 5-month-old infants have distinct expectations for how solids and liquids behave. Experiment 1 showed that infants use the motion cues from the surface of a contained liquid or solid to predict whether it will pour or tumble from a cup if the cup is upended. Experiment 2 extended these findings to show that motion cues lead to distinct expectations about whether a new object will pass through or remain on top of a substance. Together, these experiments demonstrate that 5-month-old infants are able to use movement cues and solidity to discriminate a liquid from an object of similar appearance, providing the earliest evidence that infants can reason about nonsolid substances.
Recursion relation generation of probability profiles for specific‐sequence macromolecules with long‐range correlations

The problem of calculating detailed probability profiles giving the probability of each unit in the chain to be in the ordered state (and all other average quantities as well including the fraction of strand association) for specific-sequence macromolecules requiring statistical weights that correlate up to the total number of units in the chain (e.g., DNA, collagen) is formulated in terms of recursion relations for appropriate a priori and conditional probabilities, thus generalizing the approach of Lacombe and Simha for nearest-neighbor correlations in specific sequence macromolecules. The technique allows the probability profiles for chains of thousands of units to be calculated in minutes making no approximation in the basic model.
Enhancement of the solubility of proteins overexpressed in Escherichia coli by heat shock.

Protein misfolding resulting in the formation of inclusion bodies is one of the major problems during protein overexpression in Escherichia coli. In this paper, we introduce a new method, which is simply to heat shock a cell culture prior to protein induction, allowing effective enhancement of the solubility and thereby the yield of overexpressed proteins in E. coli. Using this method, we show that the solubility of the E. coli protein KsgA-D Ni s significantly increased when overexpressed from a T7 promoter. In addition, we also show that the solubility of several Caenorhabditis elegans proteins are also enhanced after heat-shock treatment when expressed in E. coli. Taken together, these results suggest that the ‘‘heat-shock protocol’’ is a generalizable and useful method for increasing the solubility of many proteins overexpressed inE.coli.
Effects of Sex of Caller, Implied Sexual Orientation of Caller, and Urgency on Altruistic Response Using the Wrong Number Technique

This study using the wrong number technique focussed on the effects of sex of caller, sexual orientation of caller, and urgency on the altruistic response of making a call. In a 2 (sex)×2 (heterosexual or homosexual)×2 (“last quarter” or “no more change”) factorial design the dependent variable was the number of seconds taken for a return telephone call. A woman or man asking for a boyfriend or girlfriend were helped faster than homosexual ones. Further research exploring the ways people of different sexual orientations are responded to is recommended.
Distinct Innate Immune Phagocyte Responses to Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia and Hyphae in Zebrafish Larvae

Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common filamentous fungal pathogen of immunocompromised hosts, resulting in invasive aspergillosis (IA) and high mortality rates. Innate immunity is known to be the predominant host defense against A. fumigatus; however, innate phagocyte responses to A. fumigatus in an intact host and their contributions to host survival remain unclear. Here, we describe a larval zebrafish A. fumigatus infection model amenable to real-time imaging of host-fungal interactions in live animals. Following infection with A. fumigatus, innate phagocyte populations exhibit clear preferences for different fungal morphologies: macrophages rapidly phagocytose conidia and form aggregates around hyphae, while the neutrophil response is dependent upon the presence of hyphae. Depletion of macrophages rendered host larvae susceptible to invasive disease. Moreover, a zebrafish model of human leukocyte adhesion deficiency with impaired neutrophil function also resulted in invasive disease and impaired host survival. In contrast, macrophage-deficient but not neutrophil-deficient larvae exhibited attenuated disease following challenge with a less virulent (ΔlaeA) strain of A. fumigatus, which has defects in secondary metabolite production. Taking these results together, we have established a new vertebrate model for studying innate immune responses to A. fumigatus that reveals distinct roles for neutrophils and macrophages in mediating host defense against IA.
A REVIEW OF REINFORCEMENT CONTROL PROCEDURES

A demonstration of the effects of reinforcement requires comparison of response rates in the presence of a contingency with those in another condition that controls for the influence of extraneous variables. We describe several control conditions that have been used in evaluating the effects of positive and negative reinforcement. The methodological rigor and practical utility of each type of control condition are discussed, and recommendations for the use of these conditions are presented.
Reducing Online Model-Development Time by Agents Using Constraints Between Shared Observations

A situated agent must determine aspects of its environment in order to make appropriate decisions. This determination must be done quickly, as performance can suffer until each agent develops a sufficiently accurate model of its environment. We introduce a two-phase model-development approach called pre-deployment learning and situated model-development in agents (PLASMA) that leads to a significant reduction in the online (post-deployment) time required to determine environmental models. During the pre-deployment phase, an incompletely specified, site-independent model of an agent's environment is developed, with the site-dependent features represented as parameters in the model. This pre-deployment model is then completed during the post-deployment phase by determining the model parameters using constraints between local and shared observations. In this article, we use the PLASMA approach in developing an environmental model for potential solar visibility and panel collection characteristics by each agent in a power-aware wireless sensor network. We show that, by using temporal and spatial constraints between shared observations, agents can reduce online model-development time by as much as 80% relative to a standard multi-agent reinforcement learning algorithm. Furthermore, we show that using constraints between shared observations can further reduce post-deployment parameter determination time by as much as 67% relative to sharing only local variable values in a distributed variable satisfaction post-deployment technique. In all but the most unlikely of environmental conditions, using the PLASMA-based approach allows individual agent-harvesting models to be completed using only the first and second day observations when compared with 10 days of observations required by the power management algorithm of Kansal et al.
Early indicators of change: divergent climate envelopes between tree life stages imply range shifts in the western United States

Aim To determine if differences in climate envelopes for six coniferous tree species and two life stages (trees and seedlings) suggest a potential for species range contractions, expansions or shifts in response to climate change and if these patterns differ between subalpine (i.e. cool-climate) and montane (i.e. warm-climate) species. Location The dry domain of the western United States. Methods Using data from the Forest Inventory and Analysis National Program, we quantified the relationship between probability of occurrence and climate for adults and seedlings of each species with a Bayesian logistic regression. Assuming that distributional differences between life stages highlight shifting regeneration patterns relative to adult trees, we assessed differences between seedlings and adult trees based on predicted probabilities of occurrence and climate envelope boundaries. Results Differences between occurrence probabilities for seedlings and adults were greatest for montane, as opposed to subalpine, species and along range margins, especially in the southern and western portions of the study area. Climate envelope boundaries of seedlings differed from adult trees most frequently in montane species and often suggested range contractions or range shifts,as opposed to range expansion.
Microbial Community Responses to Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Enrichment in a Warm-Temperate Forest

Forest productivity depends on nutrient supply, and sustained increases in forest productivity under elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) may ultimately depend on the response of microbial communities to changes in the quantity and chemistry of plant-derived substrates, We investigated microbial responses to elevated CO2 in a warm-temperate forest under free-air CO2 enrichment for 5 years (1997–2001). The experiment was conducted on three 30 m diameter plots under ambient CO2 and three plots under elevated CO2 (200 ppm above ambient). To understand how microbial processes changed under elevated CO2, we assayed the activity of nine extracellular enzymes responsible for the decomposition of labile and recalcitrant carbon (C) substrates and the release of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from soil organic matter. Enzyme activities were measured three times per year in a surface organic horizon and in the top 15 cm of mineral soil. Initially, we found significant increases in the decomposition of labile C substrates in the mineral soil horizon under elevated CO2; this overall pattern was present but much weaker in the O horizon. Beginning in the 4th year of this study, enzyme activities in the O horizon declined under elevated CO2, whereas they continued to be stimulated in the mineral soil horizon. By year 5, the degradation of recalcitrant C substrates in mineral soils was significantly higher under elevated CO2. Although there was little direct effect of elevated CO2 on the activity of N- and P-releasing enzymes, the activity of nutrient-releasing enzymes relative to those responsible for C metabolism suggest that nutrient limitation is increasingly regulating microbial activity in the O horizon. Our results show that the metabolism of microbial communities is significantly altered by the response of primary producers to elevated CO2. We hypothesize that ecosystem responses to elevated CO2 are shifting from primary production to decomposition as a result of increasing nutrient limitation.
A 5-formyltetrahydrofolate cycloligase paralog from all domains of life: comparative genomic and experimental evidence for a cryptic role in thiamin metabolism

A paralog (here termed COG0212) of the ATP-dependent folate salvage enzyme 5-formyltetrahydrofolate cycloligase (5-FCL) occurs in all domains of life and, although typically annotated as 5-FCL in pro- and eukaryotic genomes, is of unknown function. COG0212 is similar in overall structure to 5-FCL, particularly in the substrate binding region, and has distant similarity to other kinases. The Arabidopsis thaliana COG0212 protein was shown to be targeted to chloroplasts and to be required for embryo viability. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that a high proportion (19%) of archaeal and bacterial COG0212 genes are clustered on the chromosome with various genes implicated in thiamin metabolism or transport but showed no such association between COG0212 and folate metabolism. Consistent with the bioinformatic evidence for a role in thiamin metabolism, ablating COG0212 in the archaeon Haloferax volcanii caused accumulation of thiamin monophosphate. Biochemical and functional complementation tests of several known and hypothetical thiamin-related activities (involving thiamin, its breakdown products, and their phosphates) were, however, negative. Also consistent with the bioinformatic evidence, the COG0212 proteins from A. thaliana and prokaryote sources lacked 5-FCL activity in vitro and did not complement the growth defect or the characteristic 5-formyltetrahydrofolate accumulation of a 5-FCL-deficient (ΔygfA) Escherichia coli strain. We therefore propose (a) that COG0212 has an unrecognized yet sometimes crucial role in thiamin metabolism, most probably in salvage or detoxification, and (b) that is not a 5-FCL and should no longer be so annotated.
Etching of Zirconium Oxide, Hafnium Oxide, and Hafnium Silicates in Dilute Hydrofluoric Acid Solutions

Oxides and silicates of zirconium and hafnium are actively being considered and tested to replace SiO2 as the gate material. Though these materials have the high-dielectric constant (k ∼ 20–25) needed to provide a larger equivalent oxide thickness, they are very refractory and difficult to etch by wet and dry methods. In this paper, work done on wet etching of ZrO2, HfO2, and HfSixOy in dilute hydrofluoric acid (HF) solutions is presented and discussed. Experiments were done on various high-k films deposited by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. It was found that the as-deposited high-k films can be dissolved with a good selectivity over SiO2 in dilute HF solutions, but heat-treated high-k films are difficult to etch with good selectivity over SiO2 under the same conditions.
Anti-Ia antibody diminishes ocular inflammation in experimental autoimmune uveitis.

An experimental model of inflammatory eye disease, experimental autoimmmune uveitis (EAU), was established by injecting rats in the footpad with S-antigen in complete Freund's adjuvant. This model system was used to evaluate the role of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens (la) in the pathogenesis of this T cell mediated disease. One day prior to S-antigen priming, rats were injected with either anti-la antibodies or with mouse ascites. Clinical and histopathological analysis of eyes from rats treated with anti-la antibody showed less ocular inflammation as well as a delay in onset of EAU when compared to controls (p=0.01). Furthermore, immunocytochemical evaluation demonstrated that tissue obtained from animals receiving anti-la therapy also expressed less la antigen, as well as a diminution in the number of infiltrating macrophages and lymphocytes. These data show that anti-la treatment significantly modifies the course of EAU in the rat. In addition, this study suggests that MHC cla...
Infrared single photon avalanche detectors

There are a number of mature and emerging applications that require the ultimate in sensitivity, i.e., single photon detection. A promising candidate is the single photon avalanche diode (SPAD). Its performance is measured in terms single photon detection efficiency, dark count probability (dark count rate), operating temperature, spectral response, jitter, and afterpulsing. Quenching circuits for SPADs have also become active areas of research. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Art and Labor in the Framing of Guatemala's Dead

In Guatemala, how did photographers work to represent atrocity? Did they think of the images of death they produced as art? As work? In Guatemala, visual narratives provided by the camera were often more successful than the bullet at creating a sense of political clarity that actively obfuscated the disruptive and destructive force of political violence. Graphic reporters, as photographic journalists called themselves, actively worked to give images of violence their own aesthetic narrative: a narrative they had to negotiate with their editors, print reporters and, most importantly, the intelligence and public affairs arms of the Guatemalan Armed Forces. In staging and orienting their images – defining what story they would tell and what characters and motivations they would allow into their frame of vision – graphic reporters consciously engaged in the production of a complexly authored narrative aesthetic that came to represent both atrocity and their own work as artists.
VAD-Cyclosporine Therapy for VAD-Resistant Multiple Myeloma

Few effective treatments are available for patients with multiple myeloma that is resistant to vincristine-doxorubicin by continuous infusion with high dose dexamethasone (V AD). In order to modulate p-glycoprotein, the multidrug resistance gene product, we administered a VAD-cyclosporine combination to patients with confirmed resistance to VAD. Twenty-five patients with multiple myeloma resistant to VAD received cyclosporine 4 mg/kg infused over 2 hours followed by a continuous infusion of 10 mg/kg/24 hrs for a total of 108 hours. VAD was given concurrently as a continuous infusion of vincristine 0.3 mg and doxorubicin 9 mg/m2 daily for 4 days with oral dexamethasone 20 mg/m2/day for 4 days beginning on days 1,9 and 17. Clinical response and toxicity were correlated with MDR expression in plasma cells and the effects of cyclosporine on liver function. Six of 25 patients responded (24%; 958 CI 9-45%) with a median remission time of 7 months. Clinical response did not correlate with either the measured or ...
Studies on the cold test as a method for the assay of adrenal cortical steroids.

IN 1931, Hartman demonstrated a significant difference in the sensitivity of normal and adrenalectomized rats exposed to low environmental temperatures, and showed that the resistance of adrenalectomized rats can be increased by the administration of cortical extract. Since these observations were reported, numerous studies have been presented confirming these findings and suggesting the use of this technique as a quantitative method for the assay of adrenal cortical steroids. Selye and Schenker (1938) reported that a method involving the cold test could be utilized to detect as little as 0.05 cc. of Wilson’s adrenal cortical extract. The quantitative aspects were not discussed in any detail by these authors and it is apparent that if the method is subjected to statistical analysis according to Wilson (1941) that the method as suggested by Selye and Schenker is statistically unreliable.
Monetary stability and the rule of law

Abstract This paper investigates the relationship between the functioning of money and the rule of law. We explore the claim that monetary stability is a necessary condition for the rule of law to operate and that periods of rapid inflation and deflation stemming from monetary instability erode and undermine the rule of law. We support our argument with panel data evidence and four detailed case studies from the Roman empire, the Weimar Republic, the Great Depression and the Great Recession. Our conclusions examine what monetary institutions are most conducive to maintaining monetary stability and the rule of law.
Repair of thin film wiring with laser-assisted processes

The ability to repair defective circuit elements on the high end packaging components being built by IBM for the System/390 is important in meeting yield and reliability targets. A number of laser-based technologies have been developed at IBM, establishing the capability to modify fine line circuit patterns on a range of packaging materials. The ability to control the laser/material interaction with the ability to successfully modify the circuit without adversely affecting the integrity of the dielectric is discussed. Removal of unwanted conductors is done with a computer-controlled, excimer-laser micromachining system operating at 308 nm. New conductor segments are created through the laser chemical vapor deposition of gold from the pyrolytic decomposition of dimethyl-Au-trifluoroacetylacetonate. The applications of these techniques to IBM's thin film packaging are described, with specific focus on the two technologies introduced for the manufacture of high end, thin film packaging products. >
Clinical implications of circulating tumor cells in advanced colorectal cancer

It has previously been reported that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can be a promising prognostic marker in the management of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). CTCs are tumor-derived biomarkers circulating in the peripheral blood of patients, and are recognized as a valuable non-invasive alternative for detection of micro-metastases. Molecular and quantitative characterization of CTCs may also reveal potential novel therapeutic targets to further individualize cancer management. Additionally, CTC analysis combined with individual prognostic factors may enable prediction of therapy-specific response. This article discusses the significance of CTCs with particular focus on detection and clinical outcomes in mCRC.
A new genus and species of Nothomorphina Cobos, 1955 from northwestern South Africa (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Polycestinae)

A new genus and species, Richtersveldia insperata Bellamy, gen. & sp. nov., is described from the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. The new genus is placed in the subtribe Nothomorphina Cobos, 1955 and a key to separate the four genera in that subtribe is given. The new species is illustrated with one color plate showing different aspects of habitus and close-ups of head, antenna and aedeagus.