cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimation of nitrogen inputs to catchments: comparison of methods and consequences for riverine export prediction

Catchment nitrogen (N) budgets are a valuable tool to assess relative magnitude of N inputs and predict losses via riverine export. However, a range of computational approaches may be chosen, potentially affecting the modeled relationship between inputs and exports. To determine the influence of various assumptions and computational details on the effectiveness of N input estimates in predicting riverine N export, we compared eight separate net anthropogenic N input budgets and one soils compartment budget for each of 18 Lake Michigan catchments. N input estimation methods that took into account seasonal fluctuations in livestock numbers and estimated crop N-fixation by legume yield rather than area harvested best predicted river N export. The average annual river export of N from the 18 catchments ranged from less than 300 kg N km−2 year−1 in forested areas to more than 800 kg-N km−2 year−1 in agricultural catchments and 1,580 kg-N km−2 year−1 in small urban catchments. Using the most effective model (R 2 = 0.95, median prediction error = 1.8%) riverine N exports were found to account for 21% of N inputs. Other methods predicted riverine N exports less well (R 2 = 0.61–0.73), bias was greater, and the fractional export of N inputs by rivers decreased to ~13%. The soil N budget also was a less effective predictor of river export. This comparison demonstrates that N budgeting that incorporates more detailed description of agricultural N sources can substantially improve prediction of riverine N exports from catchments with a wide range of landscape characteristics.
DOES VARIABLE COLORATION IN JUVENILE MARINE CRABS REDUCE RISK OF VISUAL PREDATION

We discovered that newly settled marine rock crabs, Cancer irroratus, exhibit a variety of non-adult colors early in life. This color polymorphism predominates in populations of minute juvenile crabs living in polychromatic habitats where it apparently renders them inconspicuous to visual predators such as fish. Experiments revealed lower frequencies of non-adult color morphs in monochromatic three-dimensional habitats with predators and polychromatic habitats from which predators were excluded. These patterns result from selective predation on visually contrasting color morphs. Adult crabs are monochromatic, conspicuous, and not associated with shelters. Both polymorphic newly settled and monochromatic large individuals occur in environments dominated by small predatory fish where larger adult crabs are at low risk of predation. Behavioral and visual crypsis may only be important early in life when post-settlement mortality is high, and survival at that stage determines recruitment and ultimately population densities. The well-known examples of camouflage among insects usually apply to adults who, unlike these marine counterparts, are small relative to their predators and thus remain vulnerable throughout their lives. Many other large marine crustaceans are cryptic only early in life, suggesting that this early developmental color polymorphism might be an important difference between marine and terrestrial arthropods.
High-pressure Liquid Chromatographic–Mass Spectrometric Determination of ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Human Plasma following Marijuana Smoking

Abstract A method was developed for analyzing ∆ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (I), a psychotomimetic constituent found in marijuana smoke. The developed method utilizes a high-pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) gradient elution program to separate I from the other major cannabinoids in marijuana smoke. To achieve the sensitivity required to detect I in human plasma following marijuana smoking, a mass spectrometric quantification method was developed to analyze the HPLC eluant. To 1 ml of human plasma was added a known amount of internal standard, trideuterated I. This stable isotope provided a check on extraction efficiency, a marker for UV monitoring of the HPLC effluent and subsequent collection, and a convenient mass for mass spectrometric quantification. An ion-counting techique was used in conjunction with the peak matching accessory of the mass spectrometer to provide for a rapid comparison between molecular ions of I and the internal standard. The method was linear, accurate, and reproducible over the concentration range expected for I in plasma following marijuana smoking; 2.5 ng/ml was the lower practical limit of detection. Plasma from 11 male subjects was analyzed by the method at appropriate intervals up to 24 hr after the smoking of a marijuana cigarette containing 10.8 mg of I. Results demonstrated that levels of I could be determined accurately in the plasma of marijuana smokers in the 1-hr period following smoking.
Reaction kinetics and biasing in Al/Ni multilayers

Abstract The phase evolution from annealing ion-beam-sputtered Al/Ni multilayers was studied using X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry measurements. The sequence of phase formation depends on the modulation wavelength Λ and the average composition 〈 c 〉. The initial phase formed may also depend on the composition gradient. Annealing short Λ samples with a composition of either Al 0.40 Ni 0.60 or Al 0.75 Ni 0.25 produced only AlNi or Al 3 Ni, i.e. the stable phase with the same 〈 c 〉. At intermediate Λ, Al 9 Ni 2 was often the initial phase formed. Experiments were performed on multilayer samples in which 20 nM AlNi layers, denoted as biasing layers, were placed between each Al and Ni layer. The AlNi modified the kinetics, increasing the nucleation temperatures and changing the amounts of the product phases. The AlNi layer appears to dissociate in the later stages of annealing. Composition gradients and biasing layers may be used to control the phases present in technological materials.
Boundary slopes of knots

The results in this paper show that simple connectivity of a 3-manifold is reflected in the behavior of essential surfaces in exteriors of knots in the manifold. A corollary of the main theorem is that any non-trivial knot, with irreducible complement, in a homotopy 3-sphere must have two boundary slopes that differ by at least 2. This statement is false for knots in a homology 3-sphere. The main theorem itself applies more generally to knots in closed orientable 3-manifolds with cyclic fundamental group.
Analysis of the Backbone Dynamics of Interleukin-8 by 15N Relaxation Measurements

The backbone dynamics of the cytokine interleukin-8, a symmetric homodimer of overall molecular mass 16 kDa, has been investigated at pH 5.2 by means of 15N relaxation measurements using heteronuclear two-dimensional inverse detected 1H-15N spectroscopy. 15N T1, T2 and NOE data were obtained for 66 out of a total of 67 backbone amide groups. The overall correlation time is 9.10(+/- 0.05) ns at 26.6 degrees C. All residues exhibit very rapid motions on a time-scale of < or = 20 ps. These very rapid motions alone can account for the 15N relaxation behaviour of 30 residues. The 15N relaxation data for another 21 residues can only be accounted for by the inclusion of an additional internal motion on a time-scale ranging from 0.5 to 3.5 ns. These residues are clustered at the N and C termini, and in the loop regions connecting elements of secondary structures. Finally, the 15N relaxation data for another 15 residues could only be accounted for by the presence of chemical exchange on a time-scale ranging from approximately 170 ns to 2.25 ms. In addition, the inclusion of chemical exchange improved the fit to the experimental data for 10 of the 30 residues whose 15N relaxation behaviour could be accounted for by very fast motions alone. The residues exhibiting chemical exchange line broadening cluster at the interface of the long C-terminal alpha-helix and the underlying beta-sheet. It is suggested that this clustering is indicative of concerted rather than independent motions in regions of secondary structure, with motion at any one residue being propagated to neighbouring residues in van der Waals contact.
Carbohydrate intake modifies associations between ANGPTL4[E40K] genotype and HDL-cholesterol concentrations in White men from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study

Background Common allelic variation in the angiopoietin-like 4 gene (ANGPTL4[E40K]) has been associated with low triglyceride (TG) and high HDL-C.
Interaction devices for hands-on desktop design

Starting with a list of typical hand actions - such as touching or twisting - a collection of physical input device prototypes was created to study better ways of engaging the body and mind in the computer aided design process. These devices were interchangeably coupled with a graphics system to allow for rapid exploration of the interplay between the designer's intent, body motions, and the resulting on-screen design. User testing showed that a number of key considerations should influence the future development of such devices: coupling between the physical and virtual worlds, tactile feedback, and scale. It is hoped that these explorations contribute to the greater goal of creating user interface devices that increase the fluency, productivity and joy of computer-augmented design.
Nuclear Electric Power System for Solar System Exploration

Introduction T national program on unmanned exploration of the solar system was initiated in the early 1960's with reconnaissance of the moon, Mars, and Venus. In the same time frame, reconnaissance of the outer planets was initiated. These programs were accomplished through a combination of chemical propulsion, radioisotope thermoelectric power conversion, and photovoltaics. The mass of the spacecraft used for each of these solar system missions is shown in Fig. 1 both as a function of solar system target and as a function of the year when data returned to Earth from the spacecraft. Planned missions are shown as dashed lines in this figure. Superimposed on this data is the capability of chemical propulsion and solar electric propulsion (SEP) for direct flight missions. Gravity assist has been and will be used to increase the payload capability of both chemical and SEP-powered spacecraft, particularly for reconnaissance or fly-by missions. This approach is indicated in Fig. 1 via payloads in excess of direct flight capability. This technique is limited by the increase in mission time required and by the need for retropropulsion to place the spacecraft in orbit about the target body. Optimization of orbital missions using gravity assist require extensive detailed calculation beyond the scope of this paper. Variations of SEP capability also occur because of the target planets relation to the sun which varies with launch date and affects power available to the propulsion subsystem. Thus, from Fig. 1 it can be concluded that continuation of a balanced program of planetary exploration and Earth orbital missions can be maintained through the 1980's with improved versions of the same power and propulsion systems as have been used in the past. Beyond this time frame, sun-independent spacecraft for exploration and intensive study of the outer planets will be required. Design efforts have evolved a design concept for a nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) spacecraft over a range of power levels. Selection of the power level for NEP systems will depend not only upon science payload requirements, but also upon Shuttle capability and orbital altitude before system startup. Other possible applications for a space nuclear power system must be considered to amortize the cost of applying nuclear space power to these missions. Evaluation of some of these factors are presented in this paper on the selection of an NEP system.
DEVELOPMENT AND GENETICS OF PATTERNS

Developments in the probiem of differentiation are discussed, along with the role of genes in the process. Consideration is given to differentiation in Drosophila. The embryological and mathematical approaches are also discussed. (P.C.H.)
A K-theory version of Monk's formula and some related multiplication formulas

We derive an explicit formula, with no cancellations, for expanding in the basis of Grothendieck polynomials the product of two such polynomials, one of which is indexed by an arbitrary permutation, and the other by a simple transposition; hence, this is a Monk-type formula, expressing the hyperplane section of a Schubert variety in K-theory. Our formula is in terms of increasing chains in the k-Bruhat order on the symmetric group with certain labels on its covers. An intermediate result concerns the multiplication of a Grothendieck polynomial by a single variable. As applications, we rederive some known results, such as Lascoux’s transition formula for Grothendieck polynomials. Our results are reformulated in the context of recently introduced Pieri operators on posets and combinatorial Hopf algebras. In this context, we derive an inverse formula to the Monk-type one, which immediately implies a new formula for the restriction of a dominant line bundle to a Schubert variety. c 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Financial Linkages between the U.S. And Latin America: Evidence from Daily Data

Motivated by recent bursts of global financial market turbulence, this paper investigates the linkages between the financial markets in the United States and those of the seven largest Latin American economies, focusing on the impact of shocks originating in the U.S. stock, bond, and currency markets. After documenting that cross-country linkages were different in tranquil and turbulent times within our sample, we find that: for stock markets, recent episodes of market turbulence stood out from preceding ones as they showed an increased sensitivity of Latin American markets to U.S. shocks, reversing a trend of weakening linkages; currency markets in Latin America exhibited a decrease in cross-market linkages with the U.S. during the last episodes of volatility, consistent with increased exchange rate flexibility in the region; and the external bond markets in Latin America remained on a trend of weakening linkages with U.S. corporate bonds, while they increased their sensitivity to movements in other emerging market bond markets.
Bidirectional Familial Influences in Dietary Behavior: Test of a Model of Campaign Influences.

Using both cross-sectional and longitudinal data spanning a decade, this article analyzes how dietary behavior of household children and adults (N = 576 households) was affected by the Stanford Five-City Project (FCP). Tests of a three-part, cumulative model of bidirectional influences within the family, which conceptualizes household members as sources of influence on each other and subject to influence by an external agent, were supported. Children and adults were influenced by both each other and the FCP campaign in changing and maintaining health behaviors. This article demonstrates that public health campaigns can be made more effective if they conceptualize both children and adults as potential sources of influence. The long-term effectiveness of such efforts can be enhanced by encouraging families, as opposed to individuals, to change health behaviors.
Promoter targeting by adenovirus E1a through interaction with different cellular DNA-binding domains

A puzzling property of the transcriptional activators encoded by several animal viruses is their ability to function promiscuously. The adenovirus E1a protein, for example, stimulates transcription of adenoviral genes as well as a wide variety of other viral and cellular genes. We show that E1a can interact with several classes of cellular DNA-binding domains and thereby be recruited to diverse promoters. Our results explain how a single protein can regulate transcription of multiple genes that lack a common promoter element.
Glucuronide conjugates of aldosterone 1. The preparation and properties of two isomeric C-18 tri-0-acetyl glucuronide methyl esters of aldosterone 21-monoacetate (1) ☆

Abstract Two compounds have been Isolated from a Koenigs-Knorr reaction between aldosterone 21-monoacetate and methyl (2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-1 bromo-1 deoxy-α-D glucopyranosyl) uronate. Both compounds exhibit uv absorption, soda fluorescence, blue formazan colour with blue tetrazolium reagent, and release aldosterone and aldosfcerone 21-monoacetate when hydrolyzed at pH 1.0 at R.T. Their Infrared and mass spectra are almost identical but they exhibit different crystalline forms, melting points and Chromatographic properties. From their chemical properties and spectrographic analyses we have concluded that they are diastereoisomerides of aldosterone 18-triacetyl glucuronlde methyl ester 21-acetate, being epimeric with regard to the configuration of the bond to the glucuronide moiety at the C-18 carbon atom.
Metachronous colorectal malignancies

Sixty-two patients with metachronous colorectal malignancies who underwent surgery at the Mayo Clinic were reviewed. Fifty per cent of the patients developed a second carcinoma within 5.5 years from the time of resection of their first tumor, and the time interval for the entire group ranged from one to 23 years. Adenomas of the colon or rectum occurred in 25 of the 62 patients (40 per cent). A negative correlation was noted between the age of the patients at the time of their first operation and the time interval in years from the first to second resections. The five-year cumulative probability of survival of the 62 patients after resection of the metachronous lesions was 59 per cent. Seven of the 62 patients (11 per cent) developed a third metachronous lesion. Adequate treatment for metachronous colorectal malignancies should imply surgery with a curative intent, and after resection of a first colorectal carcinoma, lifelong, periodic, total colonic evaluation is essential.
Comparing retinal thickness measurements using automated fast macular thickness map versus six-radial line scans with manual measurements.

Purpose To compare automated retinal thickness values generated by the fast macular thickness maps (FMTM) and customized 6-radial line scans (RLS) versus manual retinal measurements on Stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA). Design Prospective, observational case series. Participants Patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), or branch/central retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Methods Patients were prospectively imaged using the FMTM and customized RLS patterns on Stratus OCT at the same sitting. Each scan was evaluated for errors in retinal segmentation (i.e., correct retinal boundaries [CRB]). Automated values were recorded while central retinal thickness measurements were determined manually for both patterns. The presence or absence of epiretinal phenomenon, cystoid spaces, pigment epithelial detachment, and subretinal fluid was also noted. Main Outcome Measures Errors in retinal segmentation at and outside the fovea (i.e., CRB) and percentage of automated values within a clinically acceptable margin (±25 μm) of the manual central retinal thickness. Results A total of 147 eyes of 147 patients (95 eyes with exudative AMD, 41 eyes with DME, and 11 eyes with macular edema caused by RVO) were included. For wet AMD, the total number of CRB at the fovea and outside the fovea was 363 (63.7%) and 360 (63.2%), respectively, in FMTM and 428 (75.1%) and 426 (74.7%), respectively, in RLS ( P P = 0.11, P = 0.15, respectively). Some 40% and 56% of automated foveal center point thicknesses on FMTM and RLS, respectively, were within ±25 μm of the manual central retinal thickness for AMD ( P = 0.042), versus 94% and 81% for DME and RVO, respectively ( P = 0.07). Conclusions For exudative AMD, the RLS protocol provides fewer segmentation errors than the FMTM protocol, and its automated retinal thickness values (e.g., foveal center point, central subfield) correlate better with manual retinal thickness measurement than FMTM. In DME and RVO, however, both protocols provide similar and low segmentation errors, and their automated results are close to manual measurements. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
Frequency domain tomography in small animals with the equation of radiative transfer

We have developed a model-based iterative image reconstruction scheme based on the equation of radiative transfer in the frequency domain for the applications in small animal optical tomographic imaging. To test the utility of such a code in small animal imaging we have furthermore developed a numerical phantom of a mouse. In simulation studies using this and other phantoms, we found that to make truly use of phase information in the reconstruction process modulation frequencies well above 100 MHz are necessary. Only at these higher frequencies the phase shifts introduced by the lesions of interest are large enough to be measured. For smaller frequencies no substantial improvements over steady-state systems are achieved in small geometries typical for small animal imaging.
Hereditary pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma

Hereditary pheochromocytomas (pheo) and paragangliomas (pgl) are caused by identifiable germline mutations. The previously well-known associated syndromes include neurofibromatosis type 1, multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 A and B, and von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. Newly discovered mutations in the succinate dehydrogenase gene complex have been identified as a cause of inherited pgls and pheos. It is now clear that up to 30% of patients presenting with sporadic pheos/pgls harbor a recognizable germline mutation, and therefore directed genetic testing is recommended for many of these patients.
Women and "Hopeless" Congressional Candidacies Nomination Frequency, 1916-1978

This article examines the extent to which women were nominated by the major parties to run for the House of Representatives in contests they had little chance of winning. The findings indicate that...
Absolute Line Intensities in the Bands ν2 and ν5 and the Transition Dipole Moments of CH3F

Abstract The absolute intensities of 188 vibration-rotational spectral lines of transitions to the vibrational states ν2 = 1 and ν5 = 1 of 12CH3F have been measured with a diode laser. By taking into account the mixing of the rovibrational wavefunctions of both vibrational states by Coriolis and l-type interactions (Papousek, Papouskova, Ogilvie, Pracna, Civis, and Winnewisser. J. Mol. Spectrosc.153, 145-166 (1992 )), the values of the vibrational transition moments and their relative signs were determined by a least squares fit to the experimental data: 〈0, 0 0 |μ z | 1, 0 0 〉 = ϵ × (0.01106 ± 0.00017)D and 〈0, 0 0 |μ x |0, 1 ±1 〉 = ϵ × (0.02173 ± 0.00005)D where ϵ = ±1.
Eliciting user preferences using image-based experience sampling and reflection

Determining requirements for any design project involves identifying and ranking user needs and preferences. User needs are typically elicited via personal or focus group interviews, site visits, and photographic and video analysis. Often, however, users know more than they say in a single or even several interviews [1]. We propose a methodology for assisting a user who is interested in learning about his or her own preferences using a process we call image-based experience sampling and reflection. We describe the methodology using a storyboard example from the domain of architectural redesign of home environments.
Pebble Flow and Coolant Flow Analysis Based on a Fully Coupled Multiphysics Model

In pebble bed reactors (PBRs), pebble flow and coolant flow are highly correlated, and the behavior of each flow is strongly influenced by pebble-coolant interactions. Simulation of both flows in P...
MicroRNAs and liver disease.

Posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression is now recognized as an important contributor to disease pathogenesis, whose mechanisms include alterations in the function of stability and translational elements within both coding and noncoding regions of messenger RNA. A major component in this regulatory paradigm is the binding both to RNA stability as well as to translational control elements by microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are noncoding endogenously transcribed RNAs that undergo a well-characterized series of processing steps that generate short single-stranded (∼20–22) RNA fragments that bind to complementary regions within a range of targets and in turn lead to mRNA degradation or attenuated translation as a result of trafficking to processing bodies. This article will highlight selected advances in the role of miRNAs in liver disease including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma and will briefly discuss the utility of miRNAs as biomarkers of liver injury and neoplasia.
FINE ROOT ARCHITECTURE OF NINE NORTH AMERICAN TREES

The fine roots of trees are concentrated on lateral branches that arise from perennial roots. They are important in the acquisition of water and essential nutrients, and at the ecosystem level, they make a significant contribution to biogeochemical cycling. Fine roots have often been studied according to arbitrary size classes, e.g., all roots less than 1 or 2 mm in diameter. Because of the size class approach, the position of an individual root on the complex lateral branching system has often been ignored, and relationships between the form of the branching root system and its function are poorly understood. The fine roots of both gymnosperms and angiosperms, which formed ectomycorrhizae (EM) and arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) fungal associations, were sampled in 1998 and 1999. Study sites were chosen to encompass a wide variety of environments in four regions of North America. Intact lateral branches were collected from each species and 18 561 individual roots were dissected by order, with distal roots numbered as first-order roots. This scheme is similar to the one commonly used to number the order of streams. Fine root diameter, length, specific root length (SRL; m/g), and nitrogen (N) concentration of nine North American tree species (Acer saccharunz, Juniperus monosperma, Liriodendron tulipifera, Picea glauca, Pinus edulis, Pinus elliottii, Pinus resinosa, Populus balsamifera, and Quercus alba) were then compared and contrasted. Lateral roots 75% of the total number and length of individual roots sampled in all species except Liriodendron tulipifera. Both SRL and N concentration decreased with increasing root order in all nine species, and this pattern appears to be universal in all temperate and boreal trees. Nitrogen concentrations ranged from 8.5 to 30.9 g/kg and were highest in the first-order "root tips." On a mass basis, first- order roots are expensive to maintain per unit time (high tissue N concentration). Tissue N appears to be a key factor in understanding the C cost of maintaining first- and second- order roots, which dominate the display of absorbing root length. There were many sig- nificant differences among species in diameter, length, SRL, and N concentration. For example, two different species can have similar SRL but very different tissue N concen- trations. Our findings run contrary to the common idea that all roots of a given size class function the same way and that a common size class for fine roots works well for all species. Interestingly, fine root lateral branches are apparently deciduous, with a distinct lateral branch scar. The position of an individual root on the branching root system appears to be important in understanding the function of fine roots.
A new approach to PID controller design of STATCOM

As a common reactive power compensation equipment in power system, the static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) has played a very important role in the stable operation of power system, which requires fast response and well-designed controller. This paper presents a new approach to proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller design of STATCOM based on root counting and signature theory with the help of computer-aided calculation. The complete coefficient set of stabilizing PID controllers can be found, which is superior to the traditional trial and error method. The performance specification could be considered within the entire stabilizing set to identify the desired values of coefficient gains of PID controller. Case study is implemented to illustrate and verify the feasibility of the proposed approach.
Chalcopyrite—bearer of a precious, non-precious metal

The mineral chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) is the world's most abundant source of copper, a metal component in virtually every piece of electrical equipment. It is the main copper mineral in several different ore deposit types, the most important of which are porphyry deposits. Chalcopyrite is unstable at the Earth's surface, so it weathers from sulphide outcrops and mine waste piles, contributing acid and dissolved copper to what is known as acid rock drainage. If not prevented, dissolved copper from chalcopyrite weathering will be transported downstream, potentially harming ecosystems along the way. Pristine areas are becoming targets for future copper supply as we strive to meet ever-increasing demands for copper by developed and developing nations. Additionally, our uses for copper are expanding to include technology such as solar energy production. This has lead to the processing of increasingly lower grade ores, which is possible, in part, due to advances in bio-leaching (i.e. metal extraction catalysed by micro-organisms). Although copper is plentiful, it is still a nonrenewable resource. Future copper supply promises to fall short of demand and the volatility of the copper market may continue if we do not prioritize copper use and improve copper recycling and ore extraction efficiency.
Human-computer interaction for large-scale image retrieval

As digital cameras and online photo sharing services become more popular, digital images are growing exponentially on the Internet. Thus supporting more effective retrieval from large-scale image collections has become a challenging issue for CBIR community. In this paper, we have developed a human-centered computing framework for assisting users to access large-scale online image collections: (a) filtering out junk images from Google Images; and (b) exploring large-scale Flickr images.
The efficacy of three common hospital liquid germicides to inactivate Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts.

Abstract We evaluated three commonly used hospital disinfectants against three concentrations of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts (1·5 × 10 6 , 1·5 × 10 5 , 1·5 × 10 4 ). A 10% phenol product, a 10% povidone-iodine product and a 2·5% glutaraldehyde product were tested against Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts without organic load. In-vitro excystation was used to determine viability and a cell culture assay was used to determine infectivity of germicide-treated oocysts. A 2·5% glutaraldehyde product was the most effective in halting excystation of sporozoites and infection in cell monolayers. However, this occurred only at the longest exposure time of 10 h and with the lowest concentration of oocysts (1·5 × 10 4 ). The 10% phenol product and the 10% povidone-iodine product also decreased excystation, but were unable to halt infection. Although the ability of C. parvum to withstand chemical treatment is well known, the ability of oocysts to remain viable and infectious after a 10 h treatment in glutaraldehyde is cause for concern. Endoscopic equipment that may come into contact with these organisms cannot be immersed into glutaraldehyde for this length of time due to its corrosive nature. Thus, the results of this research are cause for concern in hospital disinfection units.
Identification of Aeromonas veronii Genes Required for Colonization of the Medicinal Leech, Hirudo verbana

Most digestive tracts contain a complex consortium of beneficial microorganisms, making it challenging to tease apart the molecular interactions between symbiont and host. The digestive tract of Hirudo verbana, the medicinal leech, is an ideal model system because it harbors a simple microbial community in the crop, comprising the genetically amenable Aeromonas veronii and a Rikenella-like bacterium. Signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM) was used to identify genes required for digestive tract colonization. Of 3,850 transposon (Tn) mutants screened, 46 were identified as colonization mutants. Previously we determined that the complement system of the ingested blood remained active inside the crop and prevented serum-sensitive mutants from colonizing. The identification of 26 serum-sensitive mutants indicated a successful screen. The remaining 20 serum-resistant mutants are described in this study and revealed new insights into symbiont-host interactions. An in vivo competition assay compared the colonization levels of the mutants to that of a wild-type competitor. Attenuated colonization mutants were grouped into five classes: surface modification, regulatory, nutritional, host interaction, and unknown function. One STM mutant, JG736, with a Tn insertion in lpp, encoding Braun's lipoprotein, was characterized in detail. This mutant had a >25,000-fold colonization defect relative to colonization by the wild-type strain at 72 h and, in vitro, an increased sensitivity to sodium dodecyl sulfate, suggesting the presence of an additional antimicrobial property in the crop. The classes of genes identified in this study are consistent with findings from previous STM studies involving pathogenic bacteria, suggesting parallel molecular requirements for beneficial and pathogenic host colonization.
Symptomatic low intracranial pressure in shunted hydrocephalus

Fourteen patients with ventricular cerebrospinal fluid shunts in place for chronic hydrocephalus presented with a history and neurological deficits usually associated with high intracranial pressure (ICP) caused by an obstructed shunt system. However, the symptoms were characteristically present when the patient was upright and active, and were usually relieved by lying down. The symptoms of intermittent headache, nausea, emesis, lethargy, and diplopia were associated with paresis of upward gaze or minimal strabismus. Measurement of ICP showed unexpected dramatically low levels with a marked drop in pressure when the patient was in the upright position, whereas ICP was near normal when the patient was supine. The low ICP was corrected by insertion of a high-pressure Flo-Control valve into the shunt system already in place. Postoperatively, the immediate clinical improvement and more normal ICP measurements were striking.
A global and local robot tracking and control strategy using multisensory inputs

A dual phase robot tracking and control strategy is proposed where a global trajectory of the robot is initially estimated in phase one using absolute location information provided by fixed, "far-away" sensors and then in phase two, a fine-motion reactive tracker is invoked to compensate for the local deviations about the globally estimated trajectory from phase one. This dual phase tracking strategy reduces both the tracking error and the capture time of the target by the robot, compared to the operation of either mode of tracking (global or local) independently. The sensory information provided by the multiple sensors, disparate or redundant, is fused together to increase the reliability of the system. >
PS3-3: Biobanking for Research: A Survey of Member Attitudes and Understanding

Background/Aims Population-based biobanks are an important resource for genetic research. To optimize recruitment of healthy individuals into a research biobank, it is important to know what potential participants understand about this type of research, and the use, risks, and benefits of providing samples to a biobank.
Some observations on the sodium and potassium interactions in the blue-green alga Anabaena flos-aquae A-37.

Blue green alga Anabaena flos-aquae A-37 growth limitation by absence of K or Na from culture medium
Absence of a functional defect in CD8+ T cells during primary murine gammaherpesvirus-68 infection of I-Ab−/− mice

The murine gammaherpesvirus-68 kills I-Ab−/− mice despite the presence of virus-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). This has raised the possibility that these CTL are functionally abnormal. Here, no difference was observed between I-Ab−/− mice and I-Ab+/+ controls in virus-specific CTL function, T cell receptor usage, or surface phenotype. Thus CTL immunity was independent of CD4+ T cells in a chronic herpesvirus infection, but was still inadequate to control virus replication.
Effect of plasmid backbone modification by different human CpG motifs on the immunogenicity of DNA vaccine vectors

DNA vaccines, in general, have been found to be poorly immunogenic in nonhuman pri- mates and humans as compared with mice. As the immunogenicity of DNA plasmids relies, to a large extent, on the presence of CpG motifs as built in adjuvants, we addressed the issue of poor immuno- genicity by inserting recently identified CpG oligo- nucleotides (ODN) optimal for human (K-type or D-type CpG ODN) into the backbone of plasmid VR1020. We found that plasmid DNA containing K-type CpG motifs or D-type CpG motifs signifi- cantly enhanced the up-regulation of surface mol- ecules and production of interleukin-6 from hu- man peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and stimulated monocytes to develop into function- ally mature dendritic cells (DC) compared with unmodified plasmid. Monocyte maturation into DC was through plasmacytoid DC present in the cul- ture. It is interesting that the K-type CpG motif- modified plasmid stimulated significant levels of interferon (IFN)- and IFN- from human PBMC. Immunization of mice with D-type CpG motif-mod- ified plasmid, encoding Plasmodium falciparum surface protein 25, yielded enhanced antigen-spe- cific antibodies. Taken together, these results sug- gest that insertion of immunomodulatory human CpG motifs into plasmid DNA can improve immu- nogenicity of DNA vaccines. J. Leukoc. Biol. 78: 000-000; 2005.
Working session: tools for program comprehension: building a comprehender's workbench

Comprehension, the primordial task, has not changed much in 40 years. Whether the comprehension task is global (architectural) or atomic (single statement effect), the approach is the same. We run it. We read it. We grep (search) it. An electronic search on the criteria ?comprehension and tools? yielded no results. Therefore, while there is programmer's workbench, a maintainer's workbench, and a tester's workbench, the comprehender's workbench is evidently barren. While borrowing tools from other engineers gives a toehold, the question still arises: ?What tools belong in a comprehender's workbench, per se?? This workshop session will try to answer this question.
Transformations of speech spectra to a two-dimensional continuous-valued phonetic feature space for vowel training

A vowel articulation training aid for the deaf has been developed. This is an improved digital system processor (DSP) version of the analog filter-bank system presented by S.A. Zahorian and S. Vankat (1990). The real-time signal processing strategy and the mapping of the continuous feature space to a two-dimensional display space are described. A combined linear/nonlinear transformation, in the form of an artificial neural network, is used to convert cepstral coefficients to a 2-D space suitable for computer displays. A multistage artificial neural network training algorithm has been developed that yields better performance and reduced training time relative to conventional training techniques. >
Host-derived lipids and oxylipins are crucial signals in modulating mycotoxin production by fungi

A major problem in grain production is the contamination of seed with mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp. Among these fungi, Aspergilli commonly associate with oil-rich crops such as corn, peanuts, cotton, and various tree nuts, suggesting an important role for host lipids in the ability of pathogens to produce mycotoxins. Recent genetic and pharmacological studies demonstrated that plant-derived lipids, especially their oxidized products called oxylipins, govern the outcome of the host-fungal pathogen interactions. The emerging picture suggests that host lipids and oxylipins act as signals to modulate fungal developmental processes including sporogenesis and biosynthesis of mycotoxins by mimicking the regulatory action of endogenous fungal oxidized lipids. In this review we discuss recent findings that implicate host seed lipids, and their oxylipin derivatives including hydroperoxides, jasmonates, and C6-volatile compounds in regulating fungal development and mycotoxin biosynthesis.
Defoliation effects of Diorhabda carinulata on tamarisk evapotranspiration and groundwater levels

Diorhabda carinulata (northern tamarisk beetle) has been released in the western United States as a biological control agent for the invasive plant Tamarix spp. (tamarisk). A few studies have been conducted analysing the effects of beetle defoliation on tamarisk water consumption, but predefoliation and post-defoliation comparison based on field data is scarce. The question of whether beetles substantially alter tamarisk water consumption is still open for discussion. In this study, an eddy covariance station and groundwater monitoring well were installed in a tamarisk stand along the Virgin River near Mesquite, NV, in 2010 to observe the impacts of tamarisk defoliation on evapotranspiration (ET) and groundwater levels. ET was calculated using the eddy covariance method and the White method and supported by Landsat remote sensing estimates. Data collected in 2010 established a baseline since the beetles arrived at the site in late 2010 and started feeding on foliage causing tamarisk trees to turn to brown during 2011. Repeated defoliations in 2011 and 2012 show that post-defoliation ET values and magnitude of diurnal groundwater-level fluctuations decreased compared with the predefoliation values. Estimated annual ET and annual average daily groundwater fluctuations were reduced by 18% and 35%, respectively. However, the magnitude of effects of defoliation was dependent on the growth stage of tamarisk at the time of defoliation. Also, ET recovered within a month as tamarisk established new leaves. Results from this study suggest that long-term changes in ET are highly dependent on repeated defoliation occurrences over several years. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
See Jane Run: Women Politicians as Role Models for Adolescents

Does the presence of female political role models inspire interest in political activism among young women? We find that over time, the more that women politicians are made visible by national news coverage, the more likely adolescent girls are to indicate an intention to be politically active. Similarly, in cross-sectional analysis, we find that where female candidates are visible due to viable campaigns for high-profile offices girls report increased anticipated political involvement. Contrary to conventional wisdom, this effect does not appear to be mediated through beliefs about the appropriateness of politics for women, nor through perceptions of government responsiveness. Instead, an increased propensity for political discussion, particularly within families, appears to explain the role model effect.
Unit Test Scores in PSI Versus Traditional Classes in Beginning Psychology

Even initial unit test performance of PSI students is superior to that of students in a traditional course, under controlled conditions.
Introduction to Lubricated Pipelining

There is a strong tendency for two immiscible fluids to arrange themselves so that the low-viscosity constituent is in the region of high shear. We can imagine that it may be possible to introduce a beneficial effect in any flow of a very viscous liquid by introducing small amounts of a lubricating fluid. Nature’s gift is evidently such that the lubricating fluid will migrate to the right places so as to do the desired job. This gives rise to a kind of gift of nature in which the lubricated flows are stable, and it opens up very interesting possibilities for technological applications in which one fluid is used to lubricate another.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Cancer Patients

In this chapter, we discuss the bidirectional relationship between the various malignancies (solid organ and hematologic) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). We then discuss the importance of screening for CKD in the cancer patient, and various methods by which screening can be conducted. We review key aspects of the clinical management of patients with CKD and highlight issues unique in cancer patient with CKD, including drug dosing, hypertension, metabolic bone disease, anemia, risks of radiographic imaging, nutrition, renal replacement therapy, and conservative management.
Understanding Intelligent Systems

Science fiction has long imagined a workforce reshaped by robots, but the increasingly common instantiation of intelligent systems in business is much more mundane. Beyond the utopian and dystopian hype of increased efficiencies and job displacement, how do we understand what disruptions intelligent systems will have on the workforce?
Demand for international medical travel to the USA

The USA has developed a global reputation for providing high-quality, cutting-edge medical care, and individuals from across the world travel to the country to receive care for complex medical conditions. Beyond this goal of higher quality of care, however, very little is known about the motivational patterns influencing medical travellers' decision making, including the extent to which existing tourism theory and forecasting models apply to this specialized group. The present study seeks to contribute to the knowledge base by developing and testing a macro-level model of international medical travel to the USA. Using country-level data from the US Department of Commerce, World Health Organization, World Bank and Central Intelligence Agency, a two-part regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with the presence and volume of inbound medical travel by country of origin. The results indicate that travel time and out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure are significant predictors of inbound medical tourism from a given country, and travel time, travel cost, services trade and the number of outbound travellers are significant predictors of the total volume of inbound medical travellers by country. The results are discussed in the light of existing tourism research, and guidance for hospitals, policy makers and the tourism industry is provided on where to target resources for developing relationships with providers and payers abroad.
Enhanced-Performance Control of an Electromagnetic Solenoid System Using a Digital Controller

Solenoids can be used as linear or incremental motion actuators, most often by coupling the solenoid armature to a linear spring. In this configuration, its limited open-loop stable range (less than one-third of the full range) affects performance and limits applications. The input–output linearization control method is an effective technique to extend the stable range. But in practice, however, the time-delay effect from both measurement and actuation can make the system less damped and therefore more sensitive to disturbances. This effect was analyzed and a digital proportional and integrator controller plus extended state observer (ESO) is proposed to enhance the performance of the electromagnetic actuator. Simulation and experimental tests show that this combined proportional and integral and ESO technique can extend the stable range of motion to 77.6% of full stroke with less sensitivity to external disturbances.