cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intrinsic regime of exciton photophysics in ultra-clean carbon nanotubes bridging an air gap (presentation video)

We demonstrate a new regime of intrinsic exciton photophysics in SWCNTs with narrow spectral linewidth down to 200 μeV and prolonged spontaneous emission times up to T1=18 ns, about two orders of magnitude better than prior measurements and in agreement with values(10-100ns) hypothesized by theorists about a decade ago. Furthermore, we establish for the first time exciton decoherence times of individual nanotubes in the time domain and find fourfold prolonged values up to T2=2.1 ps compared with ensemble measurements. These first observations motivate new discussions about the magnitude of the intrinsic dephasing mechanism while the prolonged exciton dynamics is promising for applications.
A Phase II evaluation of ixabepilone (IND #59699, NSC #710428) in the treatment of recurrent or persistent leiomyosarcoma of the uterus: An NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group Study

Abstract Objective The combination of gemcitabine and docetaxel is the standard first-line therapy for recurrent or metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma. There is no standard second-line therapy. Ixabepilone is a semi-synthetic analog of epothilone B that binds to the same site on beta tubulin as paclitaxel and may be a more potent polymerizer of tubulin. We sought to determine the activity of ixabepilone as a single agent as second-line treatment for patients with metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma who had received taxane based therapy. Methods Eligible women with unresectable uterine leiomyosarcoma progressing after prior cytotoxic therapy containing a taxane were treated with ixabepilone 40mg/m 2 on day one of a 21day cycle. Patients with prior pelvic radiation were treated without dose reduction. Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) response was assessed by computed tomography (CT). Results Twenty-three of 26 women were evaluable (two wrong histology, one never treated) with two of 23 receiving 1cycle of therapy. There were no complete or partial responses. Stable disease (SD) was seen in four patients (17.4%, median 3.4months). Seventeen patients (73.9%) had increasing disease (PD) and two patients were inevaluable per RECIST. One patient had SD over 6cycles of treatment. Median PFS for all 23 patients was 1.4months and overall survival was 7.0months. The predominant grade 3 or 4 toxicity was uncomplicated myelosuppression: neutropenia grade 3 (13%), grade 4 (17%), and anemia grade 3 (22%). Conclusion Ixabepilone as a single agent is not an active second-line therapy for uterine leiomyosarcoma previously treated with a taxane.
Two-Dimensional Surface-Emitting Arrays Of GaAs/AlgaAs Diode Lasers

Three approaches to fabricating two-dimensional surface-emitting GaAs/AlGaAs diode laser arrays are discussed: a hybrid approach in which linear arrays of edge-emitting lasers with cleaved end facets are mounted on microchanneled Si heatsinks with integral 45° deflecting mirrors, a monolithic approach in which edge-emitting lasers are fabricated with deflecting mirrors adjacent to both end facets of each laser, and a monolithic approach in which horizontal-cavity lasers are fabricated with intracavity 45° deflecting mirrors. In both monolithic approaches, all the laser facets and deflecting mirrors are fabricated by ion-beam-assisted etching.
Effects of fish size and feeding frequency on metabolism of juvenile walleye

Abstract The effects of fish weight and feeding frequency on metabolism of juvenile (204 to 425 g) walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) reared under intensive culture conditions are described. The metabolic rates (mg kg− h−1) for oxygen consumption (OC) varied inversely with fish weight (BW). In the rectilinear arithmetic regression, BW accounted 86% of the variability in the metabolic rate measured by OC. The ammonia excretion (AE)-BW relationship was more variable, regressions for fish given 15 feedings per day were significant but not for fish given 2 and 3 feedings per day. For a data set of 82 measures of average daily AE mg kg−1 h−1 rates, the slope of the log10−log10 AE to BW regression was significant (P>0·01) but BW accounted for only 30% of the variability in AE. The exponent (b) for the general equation M BW = aBW b relationship, derived from the log10−log10 regression, was −0·465 for OC-BW and −0·460 for AE-BW. The average daily rates of OC and AE were not significantly affected by feeding frequencies of 2, 3, and 15 times daily. However, the variance in OC, but not AE, was significantly affected by feeding frequency after the effects of fish weight were removed by analysis of covariance. The variance in OC declined with increasing number of feedings per day for 2 to 15 feedings per day. The implications to fish culture are discussed.
Effect of Linkage Groups on Motional Cooperativity in the Secondary Relaxations of Some Glassy Polymers

The secondary relaxation of bisphenol A polycarbonate (BPA-PC) is due to a cooperative motion that includes several repeat units. We believe that the linkage between neighboring BPA segments plays an important role in requiring this long-range cooperativity. It is expected that a more flexible linkage would require less motional cooperativity. To demonstrate this idea, polyformals based on the comonomer BPA, tetramethylbisphenol A (TMBPA), and methylene chloride with controlled sequence structure were synthesized, and DMA studies were conducted. The results show that the secondary relaxation behavior of copolyformals is not dependent on the block length of BPA segments, which suggests that the molecular motion does not require in-chain cooperation. The lower in-chain motional cooperativity of BPA-PF is attributed to the lower rigidity of the formal linkage.
Synthesis of carboxylated poly(NIPAAm) oligomers and their application to form thermo-reversible polymer-enzyme conjugates

A thermo-reversible poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) poly(NIPAAm) oligomer with a carboxyl functional end group has been synthesized by radical polymerization using β-mercaptopropionic acid as a chain transfer reagent. This polymer has been conjugated to an enzyme, β-D-glucosidase, to form a thermo-reversible water soluble-insoluble polymer-enzyme conjugate. This conjugate can be used for separation, recovery and recycle of an enzyme simply by applying small temperature changes to the reaction medium. In contrast to the random polymer-enzyme conjugates reported in the literature, in this study the enzyme is coupled to each polymer chain by a single end attachment. These preliminary studies show that the conjugated enzyme exhibits very high retention of activity ( > 90%) compared to the native enzyme and shows improved thermal stability.
Regulation of subtypes of beta-adrenergic receptors in rat brain following treatment with 6-hydroxydopamine

The technique of quantitative autoradiography has been used to localize changes in the densities of subtypes of beta-adrenergic receptors in rat brain following treatment with 6-hydroxydopamine. Previously reported increases in the density of beta 1-adrenergic receptors in the cerebral cortex were confirmed. The anatomical resolution of autoradiography made it possible to detect changes in the density of beta 2-adrenergic receptors in the cortex and in a number of other brain regions. The density of beta 1-adrenergic receptors increased from 30 to 50% depending on the region of the cortex being examined. The increase in the somatomotor cortex was greater than that in the frontal or occipital cortex. The increase in the density of beta 2- adrenergic receptors in the cortex was not as widespread as that of beta 1-adrenergic receptors and occurred primarily in frontal cortex, where the density of receptors increased by 40%. The densities of both beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors increased in a number of forebrain, thalamic, and midbrain structures. Selective changes in the density of beta 1-adrenergic receptors were observed in the superficial gray layer of the superior colliculus and in the amygdala. The density of beta 2-adrenergic receptors increased in the caudate-putamen, the substantia nigra, and the lateral and central nuclei of the thalamus, whereas the density of beta 1-adrenergic receptors did not change in these regions. The densities of both subtypes of beta-adrenergic receptors increased in the hippocampus, the cerebellum, the lateral posterior nucleus of the thalamus, and the dorsal lateral geniculate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Community wireless networks: Emerging wireless commons for digital inclusion

Community wireless networks (CWNs) have emerged as collective actions where communities develop common telecommunication infrastructure for their use. These collective projects have gained widespread popularity as they serve as digital highways for community members to join the information society. This paper explores the role of CWNs in achieving digital inclusion. In particular, we used a survey-based instrument to measure the size and the capacity of a number of networks. We also explored other related variables such as service pricing, funding instruments and the life duration of the investigated CWNs to distinguish them from similar networks. This study provides useful theoretical accounts and analytical insights that we believe that can guide future studies and advance CWNs as a form of common projects. Also, it has the pote4ntial to help policy makers and community developers in promoting such collective projects.
Caspase-Dependent Cell Death in Drosophila

Cell death plays many roles during development, in the adult, and in the genesis of many pathological states. Much of this death is apoptotic in nature and requires the activity of members of the caspase family of proteases. It is now possible uniquely in Drosophila to carry out genetic screens for genes that determine the fate—life or death— of any population of cells during development and adulthood. This, in conjunction with the ability to obtain biochemical quantities of material, has made Drosophila a useful organism for exploring the mechanisms by which apoptosis is carried out and regulated. This review summarizes our knowledge of caspase-dependent cell death in Drosophila and compares that knowledge with what is known in worms and mammals. We also discuss the significance of recent work showing that a number of key cell death activators also play nonapoptotic roles. We highlight opportunities and outstanding questions along the way.
Lattice dynamics and light scattering in Hafnia and Zirconia

Abstract We report the results of a lattice-dynamical analysis and light scattering measurements on HfO 2 and Zr0 2 . The analysis is based on group theoretical considerations and is accomplished by the use of a related computer program, previously published. The Born-von Karman approach is complemented by an external-mode treatment of both the monoclinic and tetragonal phase. Raman scattering techniques are employed to obtain the long-wavelength optical phonon frequencies.
Effects of differential supplementation of fatty acids during the peripartum and breeding periods of Holstein cows: II. Neutrophil fatty acids and function, and acute phase proteins.

The objectives were to evaluate the effects of differential supplementation of Ca salts (CS) of fatty acids (FA) on plasma acute phase proteins and both FA composition and function (i.e., activity and cytokine production) of neutrophils, during the peripartum and breeding periods. Holstein cows were assigned randomly to receive either CS of palm (PO) or safflower (SO) oils from 30 d prepartum until 35 d postpartum (dpp) and CS of PO or fish oil (FO) from 35 to 160 dpp. Supplementation of CS of FA was at 1.5% of dietary dry matter. Cows (n = 32) were sampled three times weekly from parturition to 35 dpp for analyses of plasma concentrations of haptoglobin and fibrinogen. Cows (n = 47) were sampled for neutrophil phagocytic and oxidative burst activities toward Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and neutrophil abundances of L-selectin and β2-integrin assessed by flow cytometry at 32 d prepartum, within 7 h after parturition, and 4 and 7 dpp. Profiles of FA in neutrophils and cytokine production (i.e., tumor necrosis factor alpha, TNF-α, and IL-1β) were assessed prepartum (n = 14), 35 (PO vs. SO; n = 26) and 85 dpp (PO vs. FO; n = 28). Plasma concentrations of haptoglobin and fibrinogen were greater for cows fed SO compared with PO. The percentage of neutrophils with phagocytic and oxidative burst activities was not affected by transition diets, but activities per neutrophil were greater in SO compared with PO diets at 4 (phagocytosis and oxidative burst) and 7 dpp (oxidative burst). Neutrophil abundance of L-selectin, but not β2-integrin, was greater in SO compared with PO at 4 and 7 dpp. Neutrophil productions of TNF-α and IL-1β were increased at 35 dpp in SO compared with PO diets, but production of TNF-α was attenuated in FO compared with PO at 85 dpp. Neutrophil ratios of n-6:n-3 FA were greater at 35 dpp in the SO diet and less at 85 dpp in FO compared with PO diets. In conclusion, cows supplemented with CS of SO had improved innate immunity (i.e., acute phase response and neutrophil function) to better cope with the bacterial challenges in the postpartum period. Conversely, CS of FO attenuated neutrophil cytokine production.
How Transdiagnostic Factors of Personality and Psychopathology Can Inform Clinical Assessment and Intervention

Research suggests that many mental disorders-mood and anxiety, substance use, and personality psychopathology-are related through relatively few latent transdiagnostic factors. With regard to the comorbidity of personality disorders and common mental disorders, factor structures such as internalizing-externalizing have been replicated in numerous samples, across the life span, and around the globe. One critical feature of transdiagnostic factors is that they serve as a point of intersection between personality and psychopathology, making them particularly relevant phenomena for applied clinical work. Although numerous studies have supported the significance of transdiagnostic factors for research and classification purposes, there has been comparatively less articulation of how such factors might be of benefit to practicing assessment clinicians. Herein, we present an overview of transdiagnostic factor research findings, and we apply these findings to the clinical topics of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. For clinicians as well as researchers, the use of transdiagnostic constructs presents positive implications for efforts to understand, characterize, and ameliorate psychopathology-including its manifestations as personality disorder-in a valid, effective, and efficient way.
Kautilya on economics as a separate science

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the origin of economics as a separate science.Design/methodology/approach – A very comprehensive approach is presented for determining the origin of economics as a science. Three kinds of inter‐related issues are discussed: how to interpret and evaluate earlier, particularly ancient, writings, the specification of the requirements for declaring economics as a science and the definition, scope and methodology of economics.Findings – Application of the most stringent requirements for declaring economics as a separate science to Kautilya's Arthashastra validated A.K. Sen's claim that it is the first book on economics.Research limitations/implications – According to Kautilya, economics is a separate science but not independent of other disciplines and particularly of ethics. Whereas, most of the current research ignores this inter‐dependence and consequently does not fully capture reality.Practical implications – It implies that the inter‐dependence between ec...
Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: The Role of Endotracheal Aspirate Surveillance Cultures

BACKGROUNDInappropriate antibacterial treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens is associated with increased mortality. Endotracheal aspirate (ETA) surveillance cultures potentially identify MDR pathogens, particularly MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa, resulting in improved selection of therapy in patients who subsequently develop VAP.OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of ETA surveillance cultures in the identification of MDR P. aeruginosa in newly intubated adults who subsequently develop VAP.METHODSDaily ETA surveillance cultures for P. aeruginosa were collected in all adults newly intubated for 48 hours or more. Patients with preexisting lung disease or colonization or infection with P. aeruginosa were excluded. Risk factors and outcomes of patients newly colonized with MDR P. aeruginosa were assessed.RESULTSSeventy-five patients newly colonized with P aeruginosa were identified. Twenty (27%) of these patients were colonized with a P. aeruginosa isolate that ...
Sequential cooperative sensing for multi-channel cognitive radios

sequential cooperative spectrum sensing algorithm is developed for multi-channel cognitive radio (CR) systems. Each CR quantizes the local observations to a single-bit datum per sample per channel, and relays the data sequentially to the fusion center for joint decision. The optimal trade-off between the sensing time and the sensing reliability is sought with the objective of maximizing the overall throughput of the CR system under prescribed “collision” probability constraints. A constrained dynamic programming formulation is developed and a reduced-complexity approximate solution is derived. Numerical tests verify the efficacy of cooperation and sequential processing for spectrum sensing.
Monkey locomotion during gait transitions: How do interlimb time intervals, step sequences, and kinematics change?

Cine film documenting unrestrained locomotion of vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) ranging in age from 6 to greater than 48 months was analyzed to provide information on gait transitions from walking to loping. Changes in the duration of time between reciprocal footfalls were measured to determine how alternate limb movements, which occurred during walking, were converted to synchronous limb coordination characteristic of loping. Footfall pattern changes were also determined, and walk-lope transition speeds were plotted on logarithmic coordinates, as a function of body mass. Conversion from alternate to synchronous limb movement during vervet walk-lope transitions was effected by systematic decreases in the duration of time between successive footfalls. These decreases primarily affected contralateral limb pairs, RH-LH and RF-LF. Synchronous contralateral limb movement was considered to be mechanically advantageous because, when coupled with increased ranges of back motion, it provided a mechanism for increasing hindlimb step length. Intraspecific scaling of walk-lope transition speed in vervets provided support for McMahon's (1975) elastic similarity principle.
Determining ADC effective number of bits via histogram testing

A new application for one of the widely known A/D converter (ADC) dynamic testing methods, namely the histogram method, is discussed. After computing the transition voltages of the ADC transfer characteristics, the effective number of bits is computed. Simulation shows that this method more accurately characterizes the ADC used for arbitrary input signals, compared to the fast Fourier transform (FFT) and sine-fit methods which characterize the ADC in the light of an input sinusoid. The technique outperforms sinewave fitting as it gives more accurate results, while avoiding convergence problems of the iterative curve fitting algorithm. The FFT method was verified to be the least accurate. Simulation indications that the histogram method is better than the sine-fit method are presented. >
Integrated Function‐Key Sequences for the M300 Workstation

You can design sequences that use one function key to work on the results of another. In this way you can complete an entire ILL workform, sending fields in batches, and only rarely need to use the arrow keys. We've developed two related sequences‐one for book requests, the other to help you through requests for article photocopies. (The techniques used here were discussed in more detail in “Fun with M300 Function Keys,” OCLC Micro, vol. 2, no. 4, beginning on p. 21.)
Carotid revascularization strategies: the need for more data.

Over the past decade, >1 million carotid revascularization procedures have been performed. During this time period, the frequency of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has slightly declined, whereas carotid artery stenting (CAS) has increased.1 Somewhat surprisingly, in this timeframe, only 2 large (enrolling >1000 patients) randomized controlled trials have been initiated in North America to assess the merits of carotid revascularization approaches. Is this paucity of high-quality data due to limited funding, the influence of competing interests, or are there simply not that many burning questions left? The first of the major randomized controlled trials is the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stent Trial (CREST).2 The principal results of CREST, which enrolled approximately equal numbers of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, were published in 2010. For the primary end point of periprocedure stroke, myocardial infarction, death, or subsequent ipsilateral stroke, there was not a significant difference between the 2 treatments (6.8% CEA versus 7.2% CAS, P =0.51). However, the components of the primary end point differed in the 2 groups with periprocedure stroke more common with CAS and periprocedure myocardial infarction more frequent after CEA. Where does this leave the second of …
Critical Management Studies: A Reader

The article reviews the book "Critical Management Studies: A Reader," edited by Christopher Grey and Hugh Willmott.
Neuronal Chemorepellent Slit2 Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration by Suppressing Small GTPase Rac1 Activation

The Slits are secreted proteins with roles in axonal guidance and leukocyte migration. On binding to Robo receptors, Slit2 repels developing axons and inhibits leukocyte chemotaxis. Slit2 is cleaved into Slit2-N, a protein tightly binding to cell membranes, and Slit2-C, a diffusible fragment. In the present study, we characterized the functional role of Slit2-N in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and the cell association properties of 2 truncated versions of Slit2-N. Here, we document for the first time that Slit2-N is a chemorepellent of VSMCs. Intact blood vessels expressed Slit2 and Robo receptors as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real time PCR. Recombinant Slit2-N prevented the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-stimulated migration of VSMCs. Slit2-N also abrogated PDGF-mediated activation of small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) Rac1, a member of the Rho GTPase superfamily of proteins involved in regulating the actin cytoskeleton. Furthermore, Slit2-N inhibited the PDGF-induced formation of lamellipodia, a crucial cytoskeletal reorganization event for cell motility. Slit2-N had no effect on the PDGF-mediated increase in DNA synthesis determined by [3H]thymidine uptake, suggesting that VSMC growth is unaffected by Slit2. Analysis of 2 engineered Slit2-N fragments (Slit2-N/1118 and Slit2-N/1121) indicated that 3 amino acids upstream of the putative cleavage site (Arg1121, Thr1122) are involved in the association of Slit2-N to the cell membrane. Our data assign a novel functional role to Slit2 in vascular function and show that cell guidance mechanisms that operate in the developing central nervous system are conserved in VSMCs.
Efficacy of outpatient ketamine infusions in refractory chronic pain syndromes: a 5-year retrospective analysis.

Objective. We evaluated whether outpatient intravenous ketamine infusions were satisfactory for pain relief in patients suffering from various chronic intractable pain syndromes. Design. Retrospective chart review. Setting and Patients. Following Institutional Review Board approval, we retrospectively analyzed our database for all ketamine infusions administered over 5 years from 2004 to 2009. Outcome Measures. Data reviewed included doses of intravenous ketamine, infusion duration, pain scores on visual analog scale (VAS) pre- and post-procedure, long-term pain relief, previous interventions, and side effects. All patients were pretreated with midazolam and ondansetron. Results. We identified 49 patients undergoing 369 outpatient ketamine infusions through retrospective analysis. We excluded 36 infusions because of missing data. Among our patients, 18 (37%) had a diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Of the remaining 31 (63%) patients, eight had refractory headaches and seven had severe back pain. All patients reported significant reduction in VAS score of 5.9 (standard error [SE] 0.35). For patients with CRPS, reduction in VAS score was 7.2 (SE 0.51, P < 0.001); for the others, the reduction was 5.1 (SE 0.40, P < 0.001). The difference of 2.1 between groups was statistically significant (SE 0.64, P = 0.002). In 29 patients, we recorded the duration of pain relief. Using the Bernoulli model, we found (90% confidence interval) that the probability of lasting pain relief in patients with refractory pain states was 59–85% (23–51% relief over 3 weeks). Conclusions. We conclude that in patients with severe refractory pain of multiple etiologies, subanesthetic ketamine infusions may improve VAS scores. In half of our patients, relief lasted for up to 3 weeks with minimal side effects.
Harnessing simultaneously the benefits of UWB and MBWA: A practical scenario

UWB has a very large bandwidth in a WPAN network, which is best used for HD-video applications. Meanwhile, MBWA is a WMAN option optimized for wireless-IP in a fast moving vehicle. In this paper, we propose a practical engineering scenario that harnesses simultaneously the distinctive feature of both UWB and MBWA. However, this in-proximity operation of the technologies will inevitably cause mutual interference to both systems. In light of this, as a preliminary phase to coexistence, we have derived, under various circumstances, the maximum interference power limit that needs to be respected in order to ensure an acceptable system performance as requested by the new IEEE 802.20 standard.
A detailed 1H and 13C NMR study of a repeating disaccharide of hyaluronan: the effect of sodium and calcium ions

Hyaluronan (HA), a polyanionic polysaccharide consisting of repeating glucuronate and N-acetylglucosamine residues, exists surrounded by ions in its physiological milieu. For example, the average concentration of sodium is 300 mM in bovine hyaline cartilage, or roughly twice that of typical extracellular fluid [1]. It has been shown that salts can modify strongly the properties of HA [2,3] and its constituent monomers [4,5]. For example, Van Damme et al. [2] reported that binding of HA to lysozyme is most efficient at pH 7.5 and 10-15 mM NaCI. Self-association of hyaluronate segments in aqueous solution requires a sodium concentration of 150 mM [3]. Several physical techniques (NMR [6-13], X-ray [14-17], CD [8,18], and IR [9,14]) have been employed to determine if salts interact with uronate residues non-specifically (via electrostatic interaction) [7] or through chelation by several ligands acting in concert. Most authors have postulated the existence of chelation sites. A review of studies conducted on HA in the solid and liquid states leads to the conclusion that the oxygens of the carboxyl groups on HA and of water molecules always take part in coordination of metal cations, while other oxygens around the sugar ring are sometimes involved as well. The type of
Assessment of Enduring Deficit and Negative Symptom Subtypes in Schizophrenia

The clinical importance of subtypes based on enduring deficit or negative symptoms was examined in a group of schizophrenic patients who were assessed twice over a 1-year period. Subgroups of patients with high levels of enduring negative or deficit symptoms, based on the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms and the Quality of Life Scale, had a poorer prognosis and were consistently worse in social adjustment, quality of life, and thought disorder over the year than were patients with less severe negative symptoms. Subtypes based on Andreasen's negative schizophrenia classification and on enduring thought disorder were only weakly related to other symptoms and social adjustment. Social-skill deficits were weakly related to the enduring negative symptom subtype and Andreasen's negative schizophrenia. The results suggest that enduring negative and deficit symptoms may be associated with a poor outcome in schizophrenia, including more severe positive symptoms, lower levels of social adjustment, and a poorer quality of life.
Scattering by densely packed sticky particles with size distributions and applications to microwave emission and scattering from snow

The snow medium is treated as densely packed sticky ice particles following a size distribution. We apply the quasicrystalline approximation (QCA) dense medium theory to calculate the absorption, scattering and emission of snow at multiple frequencies. The correlation of particle position is taken into account by using the Percus-Yevick approximation that can accommodate particles of multiple sizes. The size distribution is discretized so it can be applied to the Percus-Yevick approximation for the cross pair distribution function of particles with different sizes.
Two zero and two pole active compensation replaces a charge pump in PLLs

A 2 zero and 2 pole compensation circuit with an operational amplifier replacing a charge pump in a PLL has been fabricated in an 0.065 mum gate length CMOS technology. It achieves state of art performance with 1 mW low power dissipation at 240 MHz output frequency and a small 0.06 mm2 area. The circuit has a wide output frequency range of 12-600 MHz with a low jitter measurement of 80 ps peak to peak.
Data Reconciliation—Based Traffic Count Analysis System

Traffic volume data, especially average annual daily traffic (AADT), are important in transportation engineering. They are required in managing and maintaining existing facilities and in planning and designing new facilities. Many state highway agencies use the ramp counting procedure described in FHWA's Traffic Monitoring Guide to estimate AADTs for freeways. The procedure involves counting all entrance and exit ramps between two established mainline counters (anchor points) and then reconciling the count data to estimate mainline AADT. The reconciling of count data includes three steps. First, AADTs for the ramps and the anchor points are estimated from the count data. Then AADT for each uncounted mainline link is calculated by addition or subtraction of ramp AADT to or from mainline AADT, starting from one anchor point. Finally, adjustments of the AADT are performed to achieve a match at the second anchor point if necessary. The process can be time-consuming and labor-intensive if it is done manually. ...
Tropism, compartmentalization and retention of banana bunchy top virus (Nanoviridae) in the aphid vector Pentalonia nigronervosa.

Plant viruses of the families Luteoviridae and Geminiviridae rely on hemipteran vectors for the infection of their hosts. Several lines of evidence have revealed that these viruses are transmitted by competent vectors in a circulative manner, involving entry into the vector’s body and the crossing of epithelial tissues forming the alimentary tract and the salivary glands. Similar to luteovirids and geminiviruses, a third family of plant viruses, the family Nanoviridae, have also been reported to be transmitted by aphids in a circulative manner. However, there is limited direct evidence of a possible path of translocation through the aphid vectors. Here, we used time-course experiments and transmission assays coupled with real-time PCR and immunofluorescence assays on dissected tissues to examine the translocation, compartmentalization and retention of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) into the aphid vector Pentalonia nigronervosa. Our results indicate that BBTV translocates rapidly through the aphid vector; it is internalized into the anterior midgut in which it accumulates and is retained at concentrations higher than either the haemolymph or the principal salivary glands. Despite the large increase in viral concentration, we have failed to detect BBTV transcripts with RT-PCR. When tissues were not permeabilized, BBTV localized as distinct puncta in the proximity of the basal surface of the cells forming the anterior midgut and principal salivary glands, suggesting an on-going process of virion escape and internalization, respectively. Interestingly, we document that those organs can have direct contact within the aphid body, suggesting a possible haemolymph-independent translocation path.
Implantable or External Defibrillators for Individuals at Increased Risk of Cardiac Arrest: Where Cost-Effectiveness Hits Fiscal Reality

Objcetives: Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are highly effective at preventing cardiac arrest, but their availability is limited by high cost. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are likely to be less effective, but also less expensive. We used decision analysis to evaluate the clinical and economic trade-offs of AEDs, ICDs, and emergency medical services equipped with defibrillators (EMS-D) for reducing cardiac arrest mortality. Methods: A Markov model was developed to compare the cost-effectiveness of three strategies in adults meeting entry criteria for the MADIT II Trial: strategy 1, individuals experiencing cardiac arrest are treated by EMS-D; strategy 2, individuals experiencing cardiac arrest are treated with an inhome AED; and strategy 3, individuals receive a prophylactic ICD. The model was then used to quantify the aggregate societal benefit of these three strategies under the conditions of a constrained federal budget. Results: Compared with EMS-D, in-home AEDs produced a gain of 0.05 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) at an incremental cost of $5225 ($104,500 per QALY), while ICDs produced a gain of 0.90 QALYs at a cost of $114,660 ($127,400 per QALY). For every $1 million spent on defibrillators, 1.7 additional QALYs are produced by purchasing AEDs (9.6 QALYs/$million) instead of ICDs (7.9 QALYs/$million). Results were most sensitive to defibrillator complication rates and effectiveness, defibrillator cost, and adults’ risk of cardiac arrest. Conclusions: Both AEDs and ICDs reduce cardiac arrest mortality, but AEDs are significantly less expensive and less effective. If financial constraints were to lead to rationing of defibrillators, it might be preferable to provide more people with a less effective and less expensive intervention (in-home AEDs) instead of providing fewer people with a more effective and more costly intervention (ICDs).
Where Is the Phonics? A Review of the Literature on the Use of Phonetic Analysis with Students with Mental Retardation

The purpose of this article is to review studies conducted in the last 12 years that consisted of examining the use of phonetic analysis strategies and/or phonics instruction with students with mental retardation. We conducted computer data-based searches and a manual search of 15 journals published from 1990 to 2002. Only 7 studies emerged that consisted of the use of phonetic analysis (making letter—sound correspondences) with individuals with mental retardation. Outcome measures varied across studies. However, no studies in the last 12 years focused on examining the effectiveness of direct/explicit phonics instruction with children with mental retardation. Findings from the 7 studies not emphasizing direct/explicit instruction revealed that individuals with mental retardation have the potential to benefit from phonic analysis strategies and/or instruction. Clearly, further research is needed before substantial conclusions can be derived. Suggestions for future research are provided.
The Proliferation of Alternative Routes to Certification in Special Education: A Critical Review of the Literature

In this article we review research on alternative routes to certification (ARC) in special education. First, ARC is defined, and the confluence of factors that has hastened its growth and popularity, particularly in specialized, high-need areas such as special education, is discussed. Second, available research in the area of ARC in special education is summarized, with particular attention to the efficacy of the various approaches and programs and to the process and outcome variables used to assess program impact. Third, programmatic features associated with successful ARC programs are described, and what remains unknown about ARC programs is discussed. We conclude with a series of recommendations for policymakers and teacher educators.
Standard neutrino spectrum from B 8 decay

We present a systematic evaluation of the shape of the neutrino energy spectrum produced by beta decay of $^{8}\mathrm{B}$. We place special emphasis on determining the range of uncertainties permitted by existing laboratory data and theoretical ingredients (such as forbidden and radiative corrections). We review and compare the available experimental data on the $^{8}\mathrm{B}$(${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\beta}}}^{+}$${)}^{8}$Be(2\ensuremath{\alpha}) decay chain. We analyze the theoretical and experimental uncertainties quantitatively. We give a numerical representation of the best-fit (standard-model) neutrino spectrum, as well as two extreme deviations from the standard spectrum that represent the total (experimental and theoretical) effective \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3\ensuremath{\sigma} deviations. Solar neutrino experiments that are currently being developed will be able to measure the shape of the $^{8}\mathrm{B}$ neutrino spectrum above about 5 MeV. An observed distortion of the $^{8}\mathrm{B}$ solar neutrino spectrum outside the range given in the present work could be considered as evidence, at an effective significance level greater than three standard deviations, for physics beyond the standard electroweak model. We use the most recent available experimental data on the Gamow-Teller strengths in the A=37 system to calculate the $^{8}\mathrm{B}$ neutrino absorption cross section on chlorine: ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{\mathrm{Cl}}$=(1.14\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.11)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}42}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ (\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3\ensuremath{\sigma} errors). The chlorine cross section is also given as a function of the neutrino energy. The $^{8}\mathrm{B}$ neutrino absorption cross section in gallium is ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{\mathrm{Ga}}$=(2.${46}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1.1}^{+2.1}$)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}42}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ (\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3\ensuremath{\sigma} errors). \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Wnt-11 is expressed in early avian mesoderm and required for the differentiation of the quail mesoderm cell line QCE-6.

The beginning of mesodermal development involves the aggregation of newly gastrulated cells into epithelial fields, as a prelude to organ formation. To analyze the molecular regulation of this initial patterning, we have focused on the Wnt family of secreted signaling proteins, molecules which have been shown to promote embryonic patterning by regulating cell-cell associations. In this study, we show that the Wnt-11 gene is expressed by newly gastrulated mesoderm cells within avian embryos. The expression pattern of Wnt-11 also suggests that it may be involved in formation of the cardiogenic fields and somites. Subsequently, we utilized the quail mesoderm cell line QCE-6 as a culture model for examining the influence of Wnt-11 on early mesoderm cell differentiation. This cell line has been shown to be representative of early nondifferentiated mesoderm cells and has the potential to differentiate into cardiomyocytes, endothelial or red blood cells. Similar to early mesoderm cells, QCE-6 cells express Wnt-11. We have engineered stable transfectants of these cells that produce either diminished or enhanced levels of Wnt-11 protein. Our studies show that Wnt-11 regulates cellular interactions of QCE-6 cells, as demonstrated by alterations in contact-inhibited growth, tight and gap junction formation and plakoglobin expression. Both the morphology and growth factor-induced differentiation of QCE-6 cells are regulated in a cooperative fashion by Wnt-11 and fibronectin. These results, described in detail below, demonstrate the uniqueness of QCE-6 cells as a culture system for analyzing Wnt activity. In particular, QCE-6 cells are the first cell line that has demonstrated: (1) Wnt-dependent differentiation; (2) concentration-variable responses to Wnt protein; and (3) altered cell phenotypes as a direct response to Wnt-5a class proteins (e.g. Wnt-4 and Wnt-11).
Regulatory science: Trust and transparency in clinical trials of medical devices

Regulatory approval of high-risk cardiovascular devices is on the basis of clinical studies submitted with a premarket approval application. Failure to publish many of these studies in peer-reviewed literature, and major discrepancies between premarket approval submissions and those studies that are published, raise important questions for clinicians and other stakeholders.
Community Cultural Wealth: An Assets-Based Approach to Persistence of Engineering Students of Color

Background Community cultural wealth, or the types of cultural capital that students of color employ, has been used to understand the persistence of students of color in engineering. The assets-based theory of community cultural wealth helps identify the cultural resources that these students develop in their families and communities and bring to engineering. This theory problematizes the experiences of students of color in the context of an educational system designed for White males. Purpose The study sought to answer four research questions: What types of community cultural wealth did African American and Latino students rely on through their engineering programs? How did the different types of capital contribute to student persistence? What differences emerged between African American and Latino students? What differences emerged at the intersection of race/ethnicity and gender? Design/Method We applied secondary qualitative analysis to interviews with 31 engineering undergraduates: 11 African American students and 20 Latino students from 11 universities. Results Each type of community cultural wealth took various forms and contributed to student persistence. Students alluded to navigational and aspirational capital most often. African American men and women activated particular types of capital differently. Women with different racial/ethnic backgrounds also relied on different forms of capital or methods of activation. Conclusions The types of capital are dynamic in how they interact with one another. Community cultural wealth is a useful assets-based construct for the study of persistence of engineering students of color.
Intraarterial Hepatic SPECT/CT Imaging Using 99mTc-Macroaggregated Albumin in Preparation for Radioembolization

Current standard practice for radioembolization treatment planning makes use of nuclear medicine imaging (NMI) of 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) arterial distributions for the assessment of lung shunting and extrahepatic uptake. Our aim was to retrospectively compare NMI with mapping angiography in the detection and localization of extrahepatic 99mTc-MAA and to evaluate the typical and atypical findings of NMI in association with catheter placement. Methods: One hundred seventy-four patients underwent diagnostic angiography in preparation for radioembolization. 99mTc-MAA was administered to the liver via a microcatheter positioned in the desired hepatic artery. Planar scintigraphy imaging followed by SPECT/CT imaging was obtained within 2 h. All images were reviewed for hepatic and extrahepatic 99mTc-MAA deposition and compared with the mapping angiogram. Results: Intrahepatic lobe shunting was present on NMI in only 2.9% of the cases but was present in 62.5% of the patients with portal vein thrombosis. Extrahepatic distributions included lungs (100%), the gallbladder (49%) if present, and locations involving hepaticoenteric arterial anatomy recognized on angiograms (16%). Free pertechnetate was identified on 38% of the nuclear medicine images. Three percent of nuclear medicine images showed alternative findings such as a thyroid nodule or metallic artifact. Conclusion: Patients being considered for radioembolization should undergo both angiography and scintigraphy for the assessment of hepaticoenteric arterial anatomy, hepatopulmonary shunting, and appropriate dosimetry considerations. Knowledge of the expected distribution of 99mTc-MAA with normal variants and potential nontarget delivery to adjacent structures is critical in improving clinical outcomes.
Techniques for Integrated Thermal-Structural Design of an Orbital Propellant Depot

The use of orbital depots for cryogenic propellants has become a prominent concept for enabling large-scale deep space exploration missions with high propellant requirements. Propellant depots are intended to eliminate the need for a heavy-lift launch vehicle, but lack the flight history of heavy-lift launch vehicles. As such, it is necessary to thoroughly explore the design of propellant depots to bolster their reputation as a viable concept. An important characteristic of a propellant depot is the coupling between the thermal and structural design of the depot’s tanks. The chosen design must be capable of withstanding launch loads while having low heat transfer to the contained propellant to reduce boil-off. Through design space exploration with thermal and structural analysis/design software, progress has been made towards choosing a design point suitable for a given deep space mission. This study is primarily performed through an integrated analysis with two commercial structural design software packages: HyperSizer and NASTRAN. HyperSizer uses standardized failure criteria for aerospace structures to optimize the detailed components of a structural design. NASTRAN performs the finite element analysis necessary to pass structural loads to HyperSizer and analyze thermal performance. With this integrated system, a large number of design points are generated with varying ring frame spacing, stiffener spacing, stiffener designs, construction materials, and insulation materials. Each of these designs have been sized to have a low inert mass while still meeting structural strength and stability requirements. From these design points, a Pareto Frontier is developed for structural efficiency versus thermal efficiency, allowing for efficient thermal/structural design concepts to be identified. This paper discusses the pursuit and application of these promising design concepts as well as further exploration with high-fidelity analyses. The results of this paper provide initial insight to structural designs for propellant depots.
Biology of the Green-striped Mapleworm, Dryocampa rubicunda (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) in the Northeastern United States

The green-striped mapleworm, Dryocampa rubicunda (F.), is univoltine in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. Pupae overwinter in the litter beneath maple crowns and adults emerge from mid-May through mid-July. Peak oviposition occurs in early July. Females produce 150–200 eggs each and deposit them on the underside of foliage in clusters of 9–11. Most larval feeding is completed by mid-August. Brief descriptions of all life stages are given with special emphasis on variation in the color of adults and larvae. Egg survival for 5 plot-years was never less than 89%; pupal survival varied from 67—90%. Several parasites were identified, the most abundant being a tachinid, Eumasicera sternalis (Coquillet), which emerged from pupae.