cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence that Egfr Contributes to Cryptic Genetic Variation for Photoreceptor Determination in Natural Populations of Drosophila melanogaster

One objective of quantitative genetics is to identify the nucleotide variants within genes that contribute to phenotypic variation and susceptibility [1]. In an evolutionary context, this means characterizing the molecular polymorphisms that modify the penetrance and expressivity of perturbed traits. A survey of association between 267 SNPs in almost 11 kb of the D. melanogaster Egfr and the degree of eye roughening due to a gain-of-function EgfrE1 allele crossed into 210 isogenic wild-type lines provides evidence that a handful of synonymous substitutions supply cryptic variation for photoreceptor determination. Ten sites exceed Bonferroni threshold for association in two sets of crosses to different EgfrE1 backgrounds including a particularly significant cluster of sites in tight linkage disequilibrium toward the 3′ end of the coding region. Epistatic interaction of this cluster with one other site enhances the expressivity of this haplotype. Replication of the strongest associations with an independent sample of 302 phenotypically extreme individuals derived from 1000 crosses of EgfrE1 to freshly trapped males was achieved using modified case-control and transmission-disequilibrium tests. A tendency for the rarer alleles to have more disrupted eye development suggests that mutation-selection balance is a possible mechanism contributing to maintaining cryptic variation for Egfr
Observers with discrete-time measurements in the sliding mode control of nonlinear systems

The paper investigates the problem of designing an observer for nonlinear nonaffine systems with discrete time measurements (continuous-discrete time systems). The paper considers the variable-structure control of nonlinear systems when the state vector is not completely available and the output measurements are discrete time; the use of suitably designed observers is required. The strategy of introducing integrators in the input channel is exploited to enlarge the class of tractable control systems. An observer is proposed and conditions are found under which it is proven the convergence to the unique ideal solution of both system and observer. The control problem is solved by forcing a sliding regime for the observer, while satisfying an exponential stability criterion for the observation error state equation.
The recent photometric variability of Io

Abstract Photoelectric observations of Io since 1974 show significant year-to-year changes not observed in the other Galilean satellites, an abrupt decrease in brightness midway through the 1977/1978 observing season, and substantial year-to-year changes in the shape of the rotational lightcurve which are interpreted in terms of an albedo model.
Pit formation during graphene synthesis on SiC(0001): In situ electron microscopy

We have studied the formation of graphene on the Si face of SiC(0001)-6H and -4H using in situ electron microscopy. By imaging the nucleation and growth of the $6\sqrt{3}$ ``buffer layer'' during annealing in vacuum we identify key factors responsible for the appearance of deep pits during graphene formation. Pits form because domains of the buffer layer pin decomposing surface steps. Graphene is observed to nucleate in the pits, where the step density is high.
Pillar shape modulation in epitaxial BiFeO3–CoFe2O4 vertical nanocomposite films

Self-assembled epitaxial CoFe2O4-BiFeO3 nanocomposite films, in which pillars of CoFe2O4 grow within a single crystal BiFeO3 matrix, show both ferrimagnetism and ferroelectricity. The pillars typically have a uniform cross-section, but here two methods are demonstrated to produce a width modulation during growth by pulsed laser deposition. This was achieved by growing a blocking layer of BiFeO3 to produce layers of separated pillars or pillars with constrictions, or by changing the temperature during growth to produce bowling-pin shaped pillars. Modulated nanocomposites showed changes in their magnetic anisotropy compared to nanocomposites with uniform width. The magnetic anisotropy was interpreted as a result of magnetoelastic and shape anisotropies.
Reactive compensation in three-phase four-wire systems at sinusoidal voltages and currents

The power factor in three-phase systems with neutral conductor can degrade at sinusoidal voltages and currents below unity due to the load reactive power and the load imbalance. Its value could be improved back to unity with a reactive balancing compensator. Such a compensator is composed, in general, of two sub-comoensetors in Δ and Y configuration. The paper presents a method of calculation of the LC parameters of a balancing compensator based on the Currents' Physical Components (CPC) power theory.
Co-prime sampling for higher-order statistics with application to LTE channel estimation

This paper studies higher-order statistics of non-Gaussian signal using temporal co-prime sampling. We extend co-prime sampling to pairwise co-prime sequences (PCS) to derive higher-order statistics (HOS), and analyze the computational complexity of PCS-based HOS algorithm for both parametric and nonparametric methods. Compared to the existing HOS algorithms, the proposed algorithm vastly reduces the computation complexity by several orders in terms of the length of segmentation window. We also apply PCS-based HOS algorithm to estimate the coefficients of simplified LTE spacial channel model only based on its outputs. Our simulations show that 3rd-order PCS-based HOS achieves 80% performance gain compared to the existing HOS with the same computational complexity, or it has 12% performance loss with 15% complexity compared to the counterpart processing the same length of signal.
True Metabolizable Energy and Amino Acid Digestibility of Dehulled Soybean Meal

Abstract Five experiments were conducted to evaluate a procedure for determining true metabolizable energy (TME) and amino acid digestibility of dehulled soybean meal (DSM). The procedure consisted of fasting birds for 24 hr, force-feeding DSM, and quantitatively collecting excreta for 48 hr. In Experiment 1, feed was withdrawn from roosters fed ad libitum, and excreta were collected for 48 hr at 6-hr intervals. Results indicated that a 24-hr pre-experimental fasting period was sufficient for complete intestinal clearance of dietary residues. In Experiments 2 and 3, roosters were force-fed 25 or 50 and 20 or 40 g of DSM, respectively, and adult male turkeys were force-fed 100, 200 or 300 g of DSM in Experiment 4. Lower estimates of dry matter digestibility and TME were obtained for 48-hr compared with those of 24-hr excreta collection periods, indicating that more than 24 hr were required for complete intestinal clearance of dietary residues. Average dry matter digestibility (%) and TME (kcal/g) of DSM for 48-hr collection periods were 45.2 ± 1.1 and 3.003 ± .054 for roosters, and 56.8 ± 2.8 and 3.292 ± .039 for turkeys, respectively. The higher values for turkeys than for roosters are believed to be due to incomplete clearance of dietary residues from the turkey. As length of acid hydrolysis of samples prior to amino acid analysis was increased from 24 to 72 hr, the apparent levels of threonine, serine, and tyrosine of DSM and excreta decreased as expected, whereas the observed levels of glycine increased. Average digestibility of amino acids in DSM was approximately 90% for both chickens and turkeys. In Experiment 5, microbial cells present in poultry excreta were harvested via differential centrifugation, and the amino acid composition was determined. In general, the amino acid composition of the microbial cells was similar to that of excreta (from endogenous sources and/or feed residues) voided by fasted birds or birds fed DSM. However, the excreta samples consistently contained higher levels of serine and proline and lower levels of alanine than the microbial cells.
An alliance between acquisitions and collection management

In 1990 the Acquisitions Department of the University of Iowa Libraries began to report to the Director for Collection Management and Development as part of a library-wide reorganization. The following paragraphs will summarize the background and rationale for that change and describe some of the consequences, both positive and negative, for acquisitions and collection management. While it is too soon to reach a verdict on the success of this model, our experience suggests that it has a number of advantages.
Hazardous drinking and its association with homelessness among veterans in care.

Abstract Background While scholarship on alcohol use and homelessness has focused on the impact of alcohol abuse and dependence, little is known about the effects of lower levels of misuse such as hazardous use. Veterans receiving care in the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System (VA) constitute a population that is vulnerable to alcohol misuse and homelessness. This research examines the effects of hazardous drinking on homelessness in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study, a sample of 2898 older veterans (mean age = 50.2), receiving care in 8 VAs across the country. Methods Logistic regression models examined the associations between (1) hazardous drinking at baseline and homelessness at 1-year follow-up, (2) transitions into and out of hazardous drinking from baseline to follow-up and homelessness at follow-up, and (3) transitioning to hazardous drinking and transitioning to homelessness from baseline to follow-up during that same time-period. Results After controlling for other correlates including alcohol dependence, hazardous drinking at baseline increased the risk of homelessness at follow-up (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02, 1.88). Transitioning to hazardous drinking more than doubled the risk of homelessness at follow-up (AOR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.41, 4.15), while more than doubling the risk of transitioning from being housed at baseline to being homeless at follow-up (AOR = 2.49, 95% CI = 1.30, 4.79). Conclusions Early intervention that seeks to prevent transitioning into hazardous drinking could increase housing stability among veterans. Brief interventions which have been shown to be effective at lower levels of alcohol use should be implemented with veterans in VA care.
Congenital multicystic dysplastic kidney in the adult

Unilateral multicystic kidneys are not infrequent during infancy. However, few cases in adults are reported. A case is presented in which a unilateral multicystic kidney with atresia of the ureter was found as an incidental finding in an asymptomatic elderly patient. The literature is reviewed, and a nonoperative diagnostic approach is favored.
Widely-tuned room-temperature terahertz quantum cascade laser sources

We demonstrate room temperature terahertz (THz) quantum cascade laser (QCL) sources with a broad spectral coverage based on intracavity difference-frequency generation. Dual mid-infrared (mid-IR) active cores based on the single-phonon resonance scheme are designed with a THz nonlinearity specially optimized for the high operating fields that correspond to the highest mid-infrared output powers. Integrated dual-period distributed feedback (DFB) gratings with different grating periods are used to purify and tune the mid-IR and THz spectra. Two different phase matching schemes are used for THz generation. The first is the collinear modal phase matching scheme, wherein the wafer is grown on a n+ InP substrate. Room temperature single mode operation THz emission with frequency tuning range from 3.3 to 4.6 THz and THz power up to 65 mW at 4.0 THz are realized. The mid-IR to THz power conversion efficiency is 23 uW/W2. The second is the Cerenkov phase-matching scheme, wherein the wafer is grown on a semi-insulating InP substrate, and device’s facet is polished into 20-30 degrees for THz extraction. Room temperature single mode emissions from 1.0 to 4.6 THz with a side-mode suppression ratio and output power up to 40 dB and 32 µW are obtained, respectively. The mid-IR to THz power conversion efficiency is 50 uW/W2.
Organizational analysis and information systems design: a road revisited

Looks retrospectively at an article written by the author and his colleagues in 1975 and contributed to the Journal of Business Research. Concludes that the article is still relevant today, where information systems are still an important topic in the field of marketing.
STRESS AND COPING PATTERNS AMONG ADOLESCENT RUNAWAYS

The practice-integrated study of 30 suburban runaways and 30 nonrunaways explored the extent to whcih particular stressful events and inadequate coping skills precipitate runaway episodes. The findings showed that certain types of stressful events combined with inadequate coping patterns led many youths to run away. Conversely, most nonrunaway youths were living in less conflict-ridden homes. Although the level of stress was lower for the comparison group, when stressful events did occur the nonrunaways reacted by exhibiting positive coping mechanisms.
Low temperature solid oxide fuel cells with pulsed laser deposited bi-layer electrolyte

Abstract Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) using a pulsed laser deposited bi-layer electrolyte have been successfully fabricated and have shown very good performance at low operating temperatures. The cell reaches power densities of 0.5 W cm−2 at 550 °C and 0.9 W cm−2 at 600 °C, with open circuit voltage (OCV) values larger than 1.04 V. The bi-layer electrolyte contains a 6–7 μm thick samarium-doped ceria (SDC) layer deposited over a ∼1 μm thick scandium-stabilized zirconia (ScSZ) layer. The electrical leaking between the anode and cathode through the SDC electrolyte, which due to the reduction of Ce4+ to Ce3+ in reducing environment when using a single layer SDC electrolyte, has been eliminated by adopting the bi-layer electrolyte concept. Both ScSZ and SDC layers in the bi-layer electrolyte prepared by the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique are the highly conductive cubic phases. Poor conductive (Zr, Ce)O2-based solid solutions or β-phase ScSZ were not found in the bi-layer electrolyte prepared by the PLD due to low processing temperatures of the technique. Excellent reliability and flexibility of the PLD technique makes it a very promising technique for the fabrication of thin electrolyte layer for SOFCs operating at reduced temperatures.
Evidence for the location of divalent cation binding sites on the chloroplast membrane

We have used a combination of chemical labeling and detergent fractionation techniques to locate the divalent cation binding sites on the chloroplast membrane. We determined the Ca2+-binding properties of Triton X-100 subchloroplast particles. Photosystem II (TSFII) particles showed one binding site withn=8.4 μmoles-mg chl−1 andk d =20 μm. Photosystem I (TSFI) particles contained two binding sites. The first had ann=1.5 μmoles-mg chl−1 andk d =4 μm. The second had ann=9.6 μmoles-mg chl−1 andk d =160 μm. We have previously shown (Prochaska & Gross,Biochim. Biophys. Acta 376:126, 1975) that the divalent cation binding sites could be blocked using a water-soluble carbodiimide plus a nucleophile. Chlorophylla fluorescence and lightscattering changes were affected at the same carbodiimide concentrations emphasizing the relationship between these processes. The carbodiimide-sensitive sites were found to be located on the Photosystem II particles. A direct correlation between the inhibition of calcium binding and the carbodiimide-mediated incorporation of a (14C)-nucleophile was observed upon varying such parameters as carbodiimide concentration, nucleophile concentration, pH, and time of reaction. The presence of CaCl2 during the carbodiimide plus nucleophile modification procedure decreased the incorporation of (14C)-nucleophile, emphasizing the competition of the CaCl2 and the modification reagents for some of the same sites. Sodium dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis of chlorophyll protein aggregates suggested that the site of competition of the calcium chloride and the modification reagents was the light-harvesting chlorophylla/b protein.
A step towards a [2.2]paracyclophane : A single crystal to single crystal reaction involving a hydrogen-bonded molecular assembly with multiple reaction centres

A single crystal to single crystal [2+2] photodimerization has been achieved within a molecular cocrystal composed of finite, hydrogen-bonded molecular assemblies using the absorption-edge irradiation technique. The cocrystal is composed of a resorcinol template and a diolefin reactant that reacts to form a non-symmetrical cyclobutane product. The product is an intermediate in a two-step solid-state synthesis of a [2.2]paracyclophane. The ability to conduct the reaction in a single crystal to single crystal fashion attests to the robustness of the hydrogen-bonded assemblies during the course of the solid-state transformation.
Nuclear photoproduction of charged pions near threshold

Abstract Total cross sections for photoproduction of charged pions from nuclei near threshold are calculated. The full nuclear potential is included in the distortion of the produced pion.
Sourcing Practices and Innovation: Evidence from the Auto Industry on the Sourcing Relationship as a Dynamic Capability

This research uses the dynamic capabilities (DC) framework to analyze innovation efforts in the auto industry to understand the linkages between sourcing relationships and innovation. The DC framework provides a look at several capabilities within the relationships that facilitate innovation processes such as robust bi-directional information flows and learning processes centered on the relationships. To examine the innovation processes, the author conducted fourteen interviews and examined a variety of secondary source materials for a comparative analysis of three case studies. The research supports the view that sourcing relationships are dynamic capabilities which enable firms to develop resource synergies from the internal and external environment. Viewing these relationships as dynamic capabilities leads to the conclusion that investing in relational resources can contribute to competitive advantage for the firm.
Capsule commentary on Putman et al., directive counsel and morally controversial medical decision-making: findings from two national surveys of primary care physicians.

Putman et al.1 utilized two independent cross-sectional surveys to investigate whether primary care providers (PCPs) are less likely to endorse directive counsel for “morally controversial” medical decisions compared to typical ones. The first survey asked abstractly about directive counseling, and found that physicians were less likely (35 % vs. 65 %) to endorse directive counseling for morally controversial than typical decisions. The second survey included a clinical vignette of a patient requesting palliative sedation; in this case, 41 % of providers endorsed directive counsel, while 51 % endorsed avoiding influencing the patient’s decision. Physicians were more likely to endorse directive counseling if the physician attended religious services, considered religion to be fairly or mostly important, or were less theologically pluralistic. It is interesting to note that the gap narrowed from the abstract question about morally controversial decision to a more concrete clinical vignette. While limited by responder bias,2 the weak association between self-report and provider behavior and the cross-sectional study design, this study suggests that physician beliefs affect their opinions about directive counsel for morally controversial decisions. It highlights the important tension between being directive and nondirective with respect to clinical decision-making. Physicians are not passive bystanders; they bring their own beliefs and biases to the conversation. Though this investigation examines directive counsel surrounding the specific scenario of palliative sedation, previous studies have found that physicians are more likely to reject directive counsel in similar morally controversial areas, such as sexual and reproductive health.3 For medical educators, these findings highlight how world views held by learners at all levels may impact the art of respectfully counseling patients regarding both typical and morally controversial medical decisions. If this hesitancy translates to providing less information, this could be important; shared decision-making is complex, and one of our primary duties is support and enhance patients’ abilities to make autonomous decisions about their care.4 The line between directive counseling and nondirective counseling can be difficult to delineate. While it is a truism that we should not impose our own beliefs or value systems on patient decision-making, if we hesitate to provide adequate counseling we also fail as providers. Further research is needed.
Politics, Careerism, and the Voluntary Departures of U.S. District Court Judges:

Prior studies hypothesize that judges time their retirements to allow a like-minded president to select their replacements. We propose a modification to this argument and theorize that during the e...
Bridging integrator 1 (Bin1) deficiency in zebrafish results in centronuclear myopathy

Autosomal recessive centronuclear myopathy (CNM2), caused by mutations in bridging integrator 1 (BIN1), is a mildly progressive neuromuscular disorder characterized by abnormally centralized myonuclei and muscle weakness. BIN1 is important for membrane sensing and remodeling in vitro in different cell types. However, to fully understand the biological roles of BIN1 in vivo and to answer critical questions concerning the muscle-specific function of BIN1 in vertebrates, robust small animal models are required. In this study, we create and characterize a novel zebrafish model of CNM2 using antisense morpholinos. Immunofluorescence and histopathological analyses of Bin1-deficient zebrafish skeletal muscle reveal structural defects commonly reported in human CNM2 biopsies. Live imaging of zebrafish embryos shows defective calcium release in bin1 morphants, linking the presence of abnormal triads to impairments in intracellular signaling. RNA-mediated rescue assays demonstrate that knockdown of zebrafish bin1 can reliably examine the pathogenicity of novel BIN1 mutations in vivo. Finally, our results strongly suggest that the phosphoinositide-binding domain of BIN1, present only in skeletal muscle isoforms, may be more critical for muscle maturation and maintenance than for early muscle development. Overall, our data support that BIN1 plays an important role in membrane tubulation and may promote skeletal muscle weakness in CNM2 by disrupting machinery necessary for excitation–contraction coupling in vertebrate organisms. The reproducible phenotype of Bin1-deficient zebrafish, together with the generalized advantages of the teleost system, makes this model readily adaptable to high-throughput screening strategies and may be used to identify therapies for CNM2 and related neuromuscular diseases.
Louis Tobian (1920–2006)

The hypertension community lost an outstanding scientist, clinician, educator, and friend with the death of Louis Tobian on September 2, 2006, after a relatively brief illness. Lou was born and raised in Dallas and received his BA degree from the University of Texas. He attended Harvard Medical School in an accelerated program during World War II and received his MD degree in 1943. After postgraduate training at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, the University of California Hospital in San Francisco, and the Parkland Hospital in Dallas, he joined the faculty at the University of Texas–Southwestern Medical School. In 1954, he was appointed associate professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine, where he spent the remainder of his career, leading the Division of Renal Diseases from 1964 to 1976 and the Hypertension Section from 1964 to 1994. Lou attributed his pursuit of a career in hypertension in part to the influence of the legendary Tinsley Harrison, who offered Lou a position in the Department of Medicine at Texas–Southwestern. According to Lou’s version of the offer, Harrison told him that he could either join the infectious diseases unit at a salary of $100 per month or work on hypertension for $200 per month. Always the pragmatist, Lou decided on hypertension. Whatever his motivation, we are fortunate that Lou made the choice that he did. Louis Tobian made several contributions to our understanding of the role of the kidney and of sodium in the …
A One-Step, Real-Time PCR Assay for Rapid Detection of Rhinovirus

One-step, real-time PCR assays for rhinovirus have been developed for a limited number of PCR amplification platforms and chemistries, and some exhibit cross-reactivity with genetically similar enteroviruses. We developed a one-step, real-time PCR assay for rhinovirus by using a sequence detection system (Applied Biosystems; Foster City, CA). The primers were designed to amplify a 120-base target in the noncoding region of picornavirus RNA, and a TaqMan (Applied Biosystems) degenerate probe was designed for the specific detection of rhinovirus amplicons. The PCR assay had no cross-reactivity with a panel of 76 nontarget nucleic acids, which included RNAs from 43 enterovirus strains. Excellent lower limits of detection relative to viral culture were observed for the PCR assay by using 38 of 40 rhinovirus reference strains representing different serotypes, which could reproducibly detect rhinovirus serotype 2 in viral transport medium containing 10 to 10,000 TCID50 (50% tissue culture infectious dose endpoint) units/ml of the virus. However, for rhinovirus serotypes 59 and 69, the PCR assay was less sensitive than culture. Testing of 48 clinical specimens from children with cold-like illnesses for rhinovirus by the PCR and culture assays yielded detection rates of 16.7% and 6.3%, respectively. For a batch of 10 specimens, the entire assay was completed in 4.5 hours. This real-time PCR assay enables detection of many rhinovirus serotypes with the Applied Biosystems reagent-instrument platform.
Global T-wave Inversions with Isolated Hypomagnesemia

Abstract Background The physiological actions of magnesium within the cardiac conduction system and myocytes have yet to be fully elucidated. Because concurrent hypocalcemia or hypokalemia were also present in previous human reports, specific electrocardiographic effects of isolated hypomagnesemia have not been clearly delineated. Objective We report a case in which dynamic electrocardiogram (ECG) changes were demonstrated in isolated hypomagnesemia. Case Report A 37-year-old man with history of heavy alcohol use was admitted for syncope. The ECG showed global T-wave inversions with prolonged corrected QT (QTc) duration on ECG. Extensive work-up including cardiac catheterization was unremarkable. His serum magnesium was noted to be low at 1.1 mg/dL, and his serum calcium and potassium were within normal limits. The patient received magnesium infusion with subsequent ECGs showing resolution of his global T-wave inversions and prolonged QTc. Conclusion This case is unique because it reports dynamic ECG changes in a patient with isolated hypomagnesemia. Although isolated hypomagnesemia is commonly believed to result in dysrhythmia, we were unaware of any previous cases of ECG abnormalities in humans. Clinically, we advise checking serum magnesium and correcting hypomagnesemia when prolonged QTc duration and global T-wave inversions are seen on ECG.
Pollination biology of a night-flowering Galápagos endemic, Ipomoea habeliana (Convolvulaceae)

Ipomoea habeliana is an endemic, night-flowering member of the Galapagos flora. Pollination experiments, flower-visitor observations, nectar sampling, pollen transfer, and pollen to ovule ratio and pollen size studies were included in this project. The large, white flowers of this species set fruit via open pollination (55%), autonomous autogamy (51%), facilitated autogamy (91%), cross-pollination (80%), diurnal open pollination (60%) and nocturnal open pollination (60%). Fruit set is pollen-limited. Ants, beetles, crickets and hawk moths regularly visit the flowers. Ants are the most frequent visitors, but hawk moths are the only effective pollinators. Nectar is available throughout the night, but is most abundant early in the evening when hawk moth visits are most frequent. Experiments with fluorescent dust demonstrate intra- and inter-plant pollen movement by hawk moths. Although this species is adapted for hawk moth pollination, it readily sets fruit via autonomous autogamy when no visits are made. Thus, it is concluded that it is facultatively xenogamous. Additional support for this conclusion is provided by the pollen to ovule ratio of 1407 and by the fact that the plants grow in a region that has few or no faithful pollinators. Conservation efforts for I. habeliana should include hand pollinations, which could significantly increase seed set. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 160, 11‐20.
Retinal hemorrhage predicts neurologic injury in the shaken baby syndrome.

• Shaken baby syndrome consists of intracranial and intraocular hemorrhage in the absence of signs of direct trauma in infants who have sustained whiplash/ shaking injuries. We evaluated 14 consecutive cases of presumed shaken baby syndrome seen at the University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, between August 1983 and March 1988, to determine if the severity of retinal hemorrhage was predictive of the severity of acute neurologic injury. The severity of retinal hemorrhage was based on the type and size of hemorrhage and the extent of fundus involvement. We found a significant correlation between retinal hemorrhage severity and acute neurologic findings. Diffuse fundus involvement, vitreous hemorrhage, or large subhyaloid hemorrhages were associated with more severe acute neurologic injury.
d-amino acids for the enhancement of a binary biocide cocktail consisting of THPS and EDDS against an SRB biofilm

Biofilms of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) are often responsible for Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) that is a major problem in the oil and gas industry as well as water utilities and other industries. This work was inspired by recent reports that some d-amino acids may be useful in the control of microbial biofilms. A d-amino acid mixture with equimolar d-tyrosine, d-methionine, d-tryptophan and d-leucine was tested in this work for their enhancement of a biocide cocktail containing tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium sulfate (THPS) and ethylenediamine-N,N’-disuccinic acid (EDDS). Desulfovibrio vulgaris (ATCC 7757) was cultured in ATCC 1249 medium. Its biofilm was grown on C1018 carbon steel coupons. Experimental results indicated that the triple biocide cocktail consisting of 30 ppm THPS, 500 ppm EDDS and 6.6 ppm d-amino acid mixture (with equimolar d-tyrosine, d-methionine, d-tryptophan and d-leucine) was far more effective than THPS and EDDS alone and their binary combination. The triple biocide cocktail effectively prevented SRB biofilm establishment and removed the established SRB biofilm. The d-amino acid mixture alone did not show significant effects in the two tasks even at 660 ppm.
On the Role of Lamellar Interfaces on the Strength and Ductility of Two-Phase Titanium-Aluminum

The deformation mechanisms active in hard orientation compressed pst-TiAl have been studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The observed deformation modes involved soft superdislocation and hard ordinary dislocation slip, and hard twin systems. The transfer of these twin shears occurred across all types of (γ/γ)-interfaces. Transfer mechanisms have been determined on the basis of crystallographic analyses of the TEM data. The active modes of deformation were consistent with macroscopic shape changes observed for the pst-TiAl when the twin shear transfer mechanisms were considered. Based on these observations it has been proposed that the strength and ductility of polycrystalline fully-lamellar TiAl may be improved by reducing the width of both γ- and α 2 -lamellae.
The Effects Of Student Response Systems On Performance And Satisfaction: An Investigation In A Tax Accounting Class

Does the use of student response systems (clickers) in the classroom increase student performance on exams? Do students perceive a benefit to using clickers in the classroom? This study investigates the effect of student response systems on accounting students’ learning outcome and perceived satisfaction. Results show that, though the use of clickers may not always help students do better on exams, clickers are a useful pedagogical tool that can help students pay attention in class and be more involved in a learning friendly environment.
Quantization errors in axial motion stereo on rectangular-tessellated image sensors

The purpose of the paper is two-fold: first, to investigate the spatial quantization errors on the image plane; second, to discuss a speed/accuracy trade-off between axial and lateral stereo (conventional stereopsis). Triangulation errors in 3-D point position estimation are analyzed with analytical approximations and verified with extensive numerical simulations. A performance comparison to conventional stereopsis reveals a trade-off between accuracy and speed for axial stereo, which could be tailored to fit one's performance requirements. The authors pay attention to the anisotropy of rectangular image tessellation, since log-polar sensors are still uncommon. >
Direct and Mediated Associations among Earnings Quality, Information Asymmetry, and the Cost of Equity

ABSTRACT: Using path analysis, we investigate the direct and indirect links between three measures of earnings quality and the cost of equity. Our investigation is motivated by analytical models that specify both a direct link and an indirect link that is mediated by information asymmetry, but do not suggest which link would be more important empirically. We measure information asymmetry as both the adverse selection component of the bid-ask spread and the probability of informed trading (PIN). For a large sample of Value Line firms during 1993–2005, we find statistically reliable evidence of both a direct path from earnings quality to the cost of equity, and an indirect path that is mediated by information asymmetry, with the weight of the evidence favoring the direct path as the more important.
A software re-engineering process model

A descriptive process model of software re-engineering is presented. The overall structure of the process model is defined by the re-engineering approach. Three re-engineering approaches are described: lump sum, incremental, and evolutionary. The focus is on the breadth of possible tasks. >
Hierarchical classification for automatic image annotation

In this paper, a hierarchical classification framework has been proposed for bridging the semantic gap effectively and achieving multi-level image annotation automatically. First, the semantic gap between the low-level computable visual features and users' real information needs is partitioned into four smaller gaps, and multiple approachesallare proposed to bridge these smaller gaps more effectively. To learn more reliable contextual relationships between the atomic image concepts and the co-appearances of salient objects, a multi-modal boosting algorithm is proposed. To enable hierarchical image classification and avoid inter-level error transmission, a hierarchical boosting algorithm is proposed by incorporating concept ontology and multi-task learning to achieve hierarchical image classifier training with automatic error recovery. To bridge the gap between the computable image concepts and the users' real information needs, a novel hyperbolic visualization framework is seamlessly incorporated to enable intuitive query specification and evaluation by acquainting the users with a good global view of large-scale image collections. Our experiments on large-scale image databases have also obtained very positive results.
Thermal fluctuations from an artificial ion beam injection into the ionosphere

Simulations of argon beam experiments flown on two sounding rocket flights (ARCS 1, 2) reveal two bands of electrostatic wave emissions, one at high frequencies around the upper hybrid mode, the other at low frequencies around the lower hybrid mode. The latter is significantly enhanced by the argon beam in the simulations, and the enhancement was clearly observed on ARCS 2. This enhancement at phase velocities greater than the beam velocity is suggested to be due to an increase in the thermal fluctuation level of the plasma when the argon beam is present. Inclusion of electron dynamics and oblique angles of wave propagation with respect to B allows investigation of electron heating. Electron tail heating is observed parallel to B for k-parallel/k-perpendicular proportional to the square root of m(e)/m(0), while background ions are heated perpendicular to B.
Development of a two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics approach for computing three-dimensional honeycomb labyrinth leakage

A new approach for employing a two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to approximately compute a three-dimensional flow field such as that in a honeycomb labyrinth seal was developed. The advantage of this approach is that it greatly reduces the computer resource requirement needed to obtain a solution of the leakage for the three-dimensional flow through a honeycomb labyrinth. After the leakage through the stepped labyrinth seal was measured, it was used in numerically determining the value of one dimension (DTF1) of the simplified geometry two-dimensional approximate CFD model. Then the capability of the two-dimensional model approach was demonstrated by using it to compute the three-dimensional flow that had been measured at different operating conditions, and in some cases different distance to contact values. It was found that very close agreement with measurements was obtained in all cases, except for that of intermediate clearance and distance to contact for two sets of upstream and downstream pressure. The two-dimensional approach developed here offers interesting benefits relative to conventional algebraic-equation models, particularly for evaluating labyrinth geometries/operating conditions that are different from that of the data employed in developing the algebraic model. @DOI: 10.1115/1.1772405#
Undergraduate microelectronics education

Various aspects of the existing undergraduate microelectronics program at Santa Clara University are discussed. The program is organized around the Microelectronics Laboratory facility where the students acquire basic clean-room skills and fabricate and characterize basic devices as they study them. A new course in microelectronic materials is being developed in collaboration with local industry where the students will perform experiments and become exposed to the current technology in electronic materials processing and manufacturing. >
Immune Containment and Consequences of Measles Virus Infection in Healthy and Immunocompromised Individuals

The pathogenicity of measles virus (MV) is intimately linked to the immune status of the infected individual. Measles is typically a self-limiting disease; however, individuals who are immunocompromised ([56][1], [79][2]), malnourished ([26][3], [78][4], [113][5]), or at the extremes of age ([23][6
Advances in Cardiopulmonary Bypass and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for the Neonate and Infant

There have been numerous advances in all of the associated subspecialty areas necessary for successful congenital cardiac surgery over the last 2 decades. Within the operating room itself, advances have occurred in instrumentation, prosthetics and biomaterials, surgical optics including loupes, and fiberoptic lighting. However, some of the most important advances have been in the techniques and hardware of cardiopulmonary bypass, the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in the intensive care unit, and the refinement of strategies to optimize neurodevelopmental outcomes.
DOS: a scalable optical switch for datacenters

This paper discusses the architecture and performance studies of Datacenter Optical Switch (DOS) designed for scalable and high-throughput interconnections within a data center. DOS exploits wavelength routing characteristics of a switch fabric based on an Arrayed Waveguide Grating Router (AWGR) that allows contention resolution in the wavelength domain. Simulation results indicate that DOS exhibits lower latency and higher throughput even at high input loads compared with electronic switches or previously proposed optical switch architectures such as OSMOSIS [4, 5] and Data Vortex [6, 7]. Such characteristics, together with very high port count on a single switch fabric make DOS attractive for data center applications where the traffic patterns are known to be bursty with high temporary peaks [13]. DOS exploits the unique characteristics of the AWGR fabric to reduce the delay and complexity of arbitration. We present a detailed analysis of DOS using a cycle-accurate network simulator. The results show that the latency of DOS is almost independent of the number of input ports and does not saturate even at very high (approx 90%) input load. Furthermore, we show that even with 2 to 4 wavelengths, the performance of DOS is significantly better than an electrical switch network based on state-of-the-art flattened butterfly topology.
The nucleic acid and carbohydrate content of influenza virus A and of virus fractions produced by ether disintegration

The preparation of purified influenza virus from infected allantoic fluid is described, and its fractionation by ether treatment with the production of pure samples of soluble antigen and haemagglutinin.Chemical analysis of intact infective virus showed it to have a nitrogen content of 9.3%, a carbohydrate content of 3.5%, and a content of ribonucleic acid of 0.7–0.74%.Purified soluble antigen derived from the infective virus particle was shown to be a ribonucleoprotein containing 5.3% RNA. No carbohydrate other than ribose was found. Purified haemagglutinin was shown to be a mucoprotein containing 4.2% of a polysaccharide possibly composed of galactose and mannose in equimolar proportions.
A Woman's Place: Unpaid Work in the Home

Household work has onlv recentlv become a valid top­ ic ojstudy Feminist scholars were among the first so­ cial scientists to draw attention to women's unpaid work in the home. Althougb housebold work occupa­ tions are fi'equentlv usedfor assessment and treat­ ment witbin practice, occupational tberapy literature demonstrates a paucity in tbe area oftbese occupa­ tions. Tbis review of tbe feminist literature summa­ rizes theory and research tbat explore tbe historical. political, social, and personal meanin[?s ofbousebold work. Feminist analvsis ofhousebold work may sensi­ tize occupationaL therapists to the complex interac­ tions of these meanings and lead them to the realiza­ tion that women's responsibilitv for unpaid work in the home may have repercussions in the dadv liues of both women and men.
The Electrostatic Deviation of $ \alpha $ -rays from Radio-Tellurium

A determination of the electrostatic deviation of the α -rays from radio-tellurium was suggested to the writer by Professor J. J. Thomson, as a continuation of the work on α-rays done by Professor A. S. Mackenzie. The general plan of the work was to let a beam of the rays pass between two charged plates, and then fall upon a glass plate coated with a thin layer of zinc sulphide on the side receiving the radiation. A photographic plate in contact with the other side of this fluorescent screen would be affected by the scintillations and thus mark the position of the beam.
Influence of dose, environmental conditions and nuclear volume on survival times in several gamma-irradiated plant species.

SummaryA relationship between environmental conditions (light and temperature) and mean survival time (MST) after gamma-irradiation has been shown for plant species from six genera (Arabidopsis Capsella Chrysanthemum Raphanus Tradescantia, and Tropaeolum). A five-fold difference among species in MST after irradiation was found to be directly related to nuclear volume (NV). The regression MST(Y) versus NV(X) has the form log Y = −0·515 + 0·597 log X, and a correlation coefficient of 0·92. An increase of 8°C in temperature after irradiation decreased the MST and reduced survival (by over 50 per cent for Arabidopsis thaliana). Decreased post-irradiation temperature increased the MST and the percentage survival of Arabidopsis and Capsella bursa-pastoris. A correlation between decreasing survival time and increasing dose also was demonstrated for these two species. The importance of allowing sufficient observation time and controlling environmental conditions after irradiation to determine accurate levels of s...
K -Shell Auger Transition Rates and Fluorescence Yields for Elements Be-Ar

The quantity $\ensuremath{-}rV(r)$ for ions, formed by removing a $1s$ electron from the neutral atom, is computed by the approach of Herman and Skillman. A straight-line approximation of $\ensuremath{-}rV(r)$ is made, leading to an exactly solvable one-electron Schr\"odinger equation. The discrete and continuum orbitals are used to compute Auger $\mathrm{KLL}$ and $\mathrm{KLM}$ transition rates, radiative rates, and fluorescence yields for the elements Be-Ar. Comparison with experimental $K$-shell fluorescence yields indicates the calculations are 25% too high for Mg and Al and within 5% for Ar. Comparison of the individual Auger transition intensities for F, Ne, Na, and Mg indicates differences of 50%. This 50% difference between calculated and measured individual Auger transition intensities persists up to Ar, where the sum of the individual intensities is in better than 7% agreement with that derived from the fluorescence yield and $K$-state width.
More than Manuscripts: Reproducibility, Rigor, and Research Productivity in the Big Data Era.

More than Manuscripts: Reproducibility, Rigor, and Research Productivity in the Big Data Era Lance A. Waller and Gary W. Miller Rollins Professor and Chair, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322 and Editor-in-Chief, Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
S-band continuously-tunable slot-ring antennas for reconfigurable antenna array applications

This paper presents a continuously-tunable single-polarized slot-ring antenna operating at S band. The frequency tunability is achieved by loading the slot-ring antenna with varactors. By properly designing the feeding network and biasing circuits, the slot-ring antenna is able to cover 2–4 GHz. A prototype antenna was fabricated and measured. The measured return loss is better than 9 dB from 2.66 to 4.09 GHz. The antenna gain and radiation pattern are very close to simulation results. This tunable slot-ring antenna can be extended for a reconfigurable antenna array to cover both L band and S band by strategically placing switches and varactors inside the slots of the antenna. This novel antenna array is able to change its frequency, polarization and radiation pattern.
Casimir force in Schwarzschild metric: Progress report

In this paper I report progress on both theoretical and experimental aspects. I describe two approaches to calculating putative effects of gravitational curvature on the Casimir force. The work I describe continues the quest to answer the question: do virtual field excitations follow geodesics?
Leaderless Formation Control for Multiple Autonomous Vehicles

This paper develops a leaderless formation control strategy based on emergent consensus algorithms. The proposed strategy only requires local neighbor-to-neighbor information exchange between vehicles and does not assume the existence of any explicit leaders in the team. The proposed strategy is then applied to a micro air vehicle (MAV) formation ∞ying scenario as a proof of concept.
"Market Manipulations: Quilts, Patches, Stitches and the Understanding of Patterns of Misconduct"

With two major recent rounds of scandals, studies of corporate wrongdoing have proliferated. Yet we still lack comparative social scientific understandings of the most common forms of fraud. In thi...