cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Revision of the Middle American Clade of the Ant Genus Stenamma Westwood, Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae

Stenamma is a cryptic "leaf-litter" ant genus that occurs in mesic forest habitats throughout the Holarctic region, Central America, and part of northwestern South America (Colombia and Ecuador). The genus was thought to be restricted primarily to the temperate zone, but recent collecting efforts have uncovered a large radiation of Neotropical forms, which rival the Holarctic species in terms of morphological and behavioral diversity. By inferring a broad-scale molecular phylogeny of Stenamma, Branstetter (2012) showed that all Neotropical species belong to a diverse Middle American clade (MAC), and that this clade is sister to an almost completely geographically separated Holarctic clade (HOC). Here, the Middle American clade of Stenamma is revised to recognize 40 species, of which 33 are described as new. Included in the revision are a key to species based on the worker caste, and for each species where possible, descriptions and images of workers and queens, images of males, information on geographic distribution, descriptions of intraspecific variation, and notes on natural history. Several species groups are defined, but the majority of species remain unassigned due to a lack of diagnostic morphological character states for most molecular clades. The following species are redescribed: Stenamma alas Longino, Stenamma diversum Mann, Stenamma expolitum Smith, Stenamma felixi Mann, Stenamma huachucanum Smith, Stenamma manni Wheeler, and Stenamma schmidti Menozzi. The following are described as new: Stenamma andersoni sp. n., Stenamma atribellum sp. n., Stenamma brujita sp. n., Stenamma callipygium sp. n., Stenamma catracho sp. n., Stenamma connectum sp. n., Stenamma crypticum sp. n., Stenamma cusuco sp. n., Stenamma excisum sp. n., Stenamma expolitico sp. n., Stenamma hojarasca sp. n., Stenamma ignotum sp. n., Stenamma lagunum sp. n., Stenamma llama sp. n., Stenamma leptospinum sp. n., Stenamma lobinodus sp. n., Stenamma longinoi sp. n., Stenamma maximon sp. n., Stenamma megamanni sp. n., Stenamma monstrosum sp. n., Stenamma muralla sp. n., Stenamma nanozoi sp. n., Stenamma nonotch sp. n., Stenamma ochrocnemis sp. n., Stenamma pelophilum sp. n., Stenamma picopicucha sp. n., Stenamma saenzae sp. n., Stenamma sandinista sp. n., Stenamma stictosomum sp. n., Stenamma tiburon sp. n., Stenamma tico sp. n., Stenamma vexator sp. n., and Stenamma zelum sp. n. Although many of the newly defined species consist of challenging species complexes, this study establishes a robust baseline that will guide future work on the systematics of MAC Stenamma. The total global diversity of Stenamma now includes 84 extant species.
From conditional to secured and sovereign: The new strategic link between the citizen and the nation-state in a globalized world

Citizenship―the legal link between the individual and the nation-state―has developed its own independent history. Prior to the American and French Revolutions, citizenship was based on allegiance to versus protection of the King, but in the nineteenth century it was transformed into a conditional status based on rights and duties. Recently, courts and governments have secured citizenship, bringing about a new stage in its development: reversing the traditional dependency of the individual on the state, they recognized that sovereignty belongs to citizens. This model was presented by the U.S. Supreme Court in the late 1950s, but originated in a movement of the whole international community which aimed to guarantee the protections of citizenship to all individuals: it reduced statelessness, securing it for 99.8% of human beings; it gave rise to multiple citizenship and, paradoxically, reinforced nation-states as the main providers of the “the right to have rights.” Far from signifying a “post-national” or “disaggregated” form of citizenship, these legal developments, in the context of globalization, consolidate and reinforce national citizenship.
Innate lymphoid cells and allergic inflammation

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) play critical roles in anti-helminth immunity and airway epithelial repair. Recently, these cells have also emerged as key players in the development of allergic inflammation at multiple barrier surfaces. ILC2s arise from common lymphoid progenitors in the bone marrow, are dependent on the transcription factors RORα, GATA3, and TCF-1 and produce the type 2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and/or IL-13. The epithelial cell-derived cytokines IL-25, IL-33, and TSLP regulate the activation and effector functions of ILC2s, and recent studies suggest that their responsiveness to these cytokines and other factors may depend on their tissue environment. In this review, we focus on recent advances in our understanding of how ILC2s are differentially regulated in the context of allergic inflammation and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting ILC2s in the treatment of allergic diseases.
The Luminosity constraint on solar neutrino fluxes

A specific linear combination of the total solar neutrino fluxes must equal the measured solar photon luminosity if nuclear fusion reactions among light elements are responsible for solar energy generation. This luminosity constraint, previously used in a limited form in testing the no neutrino oscillation hypothesis, is derived in a generality that includes all of the relevant solar neutrino fluxes and which is suitable for analyzing the results of many different solar neutrino experiments. With or without allowing for neutrino oscillations, the generalized luminosity constraint can be used in future analyses of solar neutrino data. Accurate numerical values for the linear coefficients are provided.
The CO coadsorption and reactions of sulfur, hydrogen and oxygen on clean and sulfided Mo(100) and on MoS2(0001) crystal faces

Abstract The chemisorption and reactivity of O2 and H2 with the sulfided Mo(100) surface and the basal (0001) plane of MoS2 have been studied by means of Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy (TDS), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) and Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED). These studies have been carried out at both low (10−8–10−5Torr) and high (1 atm) pressures of O2 and H2. Sulfur desorbs from Mo(100) both as an atom and as a diatomic molecule. Sulfur adsorbed on Mo(100) blocks sites of hydrogen adsorption without noticeably changing the hydrogen desorption energies. TDS of 18O coadsorbed with sulfur on the Mo(100) surface produced the desorption of SO at 1150 K, and of S, S2 and O, but not SO2. A pressure of 1 × 10−7 Torr of O2 was sufficient to remove sulfur from Mo(100) at temperatures over 1100 K. The basal plane of MoS2 was unreactive in the presence of 1 atm of O2 at temperatures of 520 K. Sputtering of the MoS2 produced a marked uptake of oxygen and the removal of sulfur under the same conditions.
Preschool Application of the Metropolitan Readiness Tests: Validity, Reliability, and Preschool Norms.

910 subjects were followed from pre-kindergarten through the latter part of first grade. It was found that scores on the Metropolitan Readiness Tests (MRT) obtained prior to kindergarten entrance correlated .65 with MRT scores obtained one year later, at pre-first grade level. Pre-kindergarten MRT scores predicted late first grade achievement in reading, spelling, and arithmetic approximately as effectively as did MRT scores obtained at pre-first grade level. Pre-kindergarten MRT norms based on the study sample are presented.
Distance Education from a Collections Development Perspective

Summary Research has shown that distance learners are more successful in their courses and have a higher level of satisfaction with their programs when quality library resources and services are available to them. Despite such findings, universities often continue to plan the delivery of distance education programs without consulting with the library. The author shows how collaboration between librarians, faculty and administrators can lead to successful distance education programs. In addition, she also reports on studies and initiatives at Ball State University Library to address these challenges.
Thermal-Force Terms and Self-Generated Magnetic Fields in Laser-Produced Plasmas

The several magnetic-source terms affecting laser-produced plasmas are presented and their importance discussed. The thermal force is shown to greatly modify the magnetic-field distribution in numerical simulations. Experimental implications are also discussed.
Effect of Dexamethasone on a1-adrenergic Tone During Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition in Neonatal Rat Carotid Artery. |[bull]| 1103

Although dexamethasone has been used to treat the severe hypotension in extremely low birth weight infants, the mechanism of action of dexamethasone is unknown. Previously we observed an increase in carotid artery contractile response to al-adrenergic agonists over the first two weeks of life in rats. We also observed that dexamethasone enhances maturation of α1-adrenergic mediated vessel contraction in 3-5 day old rats. In this study we tested the hypothesis that dexamethasone enhances α1-adrenergic receptor response by suppression of nitric oxide synthase production. Pups were treated with SC dexamethasone 0.4μg/gm body weight or saline from DOL 2 until sacrifice. Carotid arteries were isolated and vessel responses were studied in a myograph. The results in the table below represent maximum percent decrease in vessel diameter in reponse to phenylephrine (PE) in the presence or absence of L-NAME. Data were analyzed by Student's t test. In separate experiments, carotid arteries from dexamethasone and control rats were isolated for nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression. There was no difference in inducible or endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression in control vs. dexamethasone treated rats. These results indicate there is nitric oxide production in these vessels, which when inhibited by L-NAME allows greater contraction to the α1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine. Although dexamethasone enhances α1-adrenergic contractile response in vessels from first week of life animals, the action of dexamethasone in these vessels does not appear to be related to downregulation of nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression.
Managing public service contracts: Aligning values, institutions, and markets

The contracting of public services has been an integral part of public managers’ work for a long time, and it is here to stay. This essay sums up current research on the topic for busy practitioners and scholars. Where are we today with respect to the problems and pitfalls of contracting out, from balancing equity with efficiency to confronting the frequent problem of imperfect markets?
Are students learning what faculty are intending to teach

Background Lectures are common in surgical clerkships, although faculty members rarely are trained in this skill. Previous authors have addressed the impact of lecture format, length, etc. on post-test performance, but little work has addressed students' free recall of information. This study was designed to explore what junior surgery students recall in relation to faculty objectives and lecture ratings. Methods Prior to surgery clerkship teaching sessions, faculty submitted three to six learning objectives. Immediately following these sessions, students completed lecture evaluations and described three to six concepts they learned. These qualitative data were coded as “general, specific,” or “very specific,” and categorized according to aspects such as “Treatment, Work-Up, Basic Science,” etc. Student-derived themes and session ratings were analyzed relative to faculty objectives. Results Students provided 16–79 surveys for each of 10 faculty members, whose lecture ratings ranged from 4.9 to 6.1 on a scale of 7. Most of the 1818 statements were “very specific” or “specific” rather than “general” (14.4%). Students commonly recalled concepts related to treatment (28.6%), indications (12.1%), work-up (11.9%), basic science (9.5%), and prognosis/course of disease (9.2%). Four to 10 themes (mean 8, median 7, and mode 7) emerged for each lecture. The percentage of concepts provided by faculty that emerged from student themes (congruence) ranged from 50% to 100%. Conclusions Surgery students freely recalled 50% to 100% of faculty teaching objectives, and the degree of congruence was loosely linked to lecture ratings. Future research is warranted regarding what influences congruence between faculty objectives and student recall.
Be open: Mindfulness predicts reduced motivated perception

Abstract Mindfulness is defined as non-judgmental present-moment attention and awareness, which varies across persons and moments. As a non-judgmental stance, mindfulness should allow for greater perceptual objectivity. Previous research suggests that self-interest can motivate people to “see what they want to see” ( Balcetis & Dunning, 2006 ). We hypothesized that mindfulness would moderate this effect such that state and trait mindfulness would be associated with less motivated perception. We adapted the methods of Balcetis and Dunning (2006) in an online study (N = 161). Results show that state and trait mindfulness predicted less motivated perception. These effects were stronger after excluding participants who noticed the ambiguity of the image as well as controlling for mood. These findings suggest that mindfulness is a stance of greater objectivity.
The area monotonic solution to the cooperative bargaining problem

Abstract A new solution is proposed to Nash's cooperative bargaining problem. Nash's independence of irrelevant alternatives axiom is replaced with a new axiom, area monotonicity (AM). The unique solution satisfying AM, symmetry, weak Pareto optimality, and independence of equivalent utility representations is characterized. It is the utility allocation at the intersection of the Pareto frontier and the line which departs from the disagreement point and divides the utility possibility set in half. Alternatively, the solution is characterized by strong Pareto optimality and AM.
Barriers to homeownership and housing quality: The impact of the international mortgage market

Abstract International mortgage markets can play an important role in stimulating affordable housing markets and improving housing quality in many countries. Unfortunately, international mortgage markets are often less developed than in the United State. This lack of development often translates into lower homeownership rates or lower housing quality. The problems faced in international mortgage markets include but are not limited to (1) legal systems that delay foreclosure proceedings, (2) incomplete or weak financial institutions, (3) high inflation, and (4) cultural barriers to mortgage market development and homeownership.
Protein crystallization and phase diagrams

The phase diagram is a map which represents the state of a material (e.g., solid and liquid) as a function of the ambient conditions (e.g., temperature and concentration). It is therefore a useful tool in processing many different classes of materials. In this article, methods to determine the phase diagram of an aqueous solution of a globular protein are described, focusing on the solid (crystal) and condensed liquid states. The use of the information contained in the phase diagram for protein crystallization is also discussed.
High-quality large-area MBE HgCdTe/Si

HgCdTe offers significant advantages over other similar semiconductors, which has made it the most widely utilized variable-gap material in infrared (IR) focal plane array (FPA) technology. HgCdTe hybrid FPAs consisting of two-dimensional detector arrays that are hybridized to Si readout circuits (ROIC) are the dominant technology for second-generation infrared systems. However, one of the main limitations of the HgCdTe materials system has been the size of lattice-matched bulk CdZnTe substrates, used for epitaxially grown HgCdTe, which have been limited to 30 cm2 in production. This size limitation does not adequately support the increasing demand for larger FPA formats which now require sizes up to 2048×2048, and only a single die can be printed per wafer. Heteroepitaxial Si-based substrates offer a cost-effective technology that can be scaled to large wafer sizes and further offer a thermal-expansion-matched hybrid structure that is suitable for large format FPAs. This paper presents data on molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE)-grown HgCdTe/Si wafers with much improved materials characteristics than previously reported. We will present data on 4- and 6-in diameter HgCdTe both with extremely uniform composition and extremely low defects. Large-diameter HgCdTe/Si with nearly perfect compositional uniformity and ultra low defect density is essential for meeting the demanding specifications of large format FPAs.
Network motifs are enriched with transcription factors whose transcripts have short half-lives

Network motifs, the recurring regulatory structural patterns in networks, can self-organize to produce networks because of the large ratio of genes to transcription factors (TFs) in genomes. We find a common design principle of these motifs: the TFs whose transcripts have short half-lives are significantly enriched in motifs and hubs. This enrichment becomes one of the driving forces for the emergence of the network scale-free topology, enables the network to adapt quickly to environmental changes and mitigates gene expression fluctuations. Motifs are classified into subtypes that are preferentially used in different cellular conditions.
Smart-aggregate-based damage detection of fiber-reinforced-polymer-strengthened columns under reversed cyclic loading

Structural health monitoring is an important aspect of the maintenance of large civil infrastructures, especially for bridge columns in areas of high seismic activity. In this project, recently developed innovative piezoceramic-based sensors were utilized to perform the health monitoring of a shear-critical reinforced concrete (RC) bridge column subjected to reversed cyclic loading. After the column failed, it was wrapped with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets, commonly used to retrofit seismically damaged structures. The FRP-strengthened column was retested under the same reversed cyclic loading pattern. Innovative piezoceramic-based sensors, called 'smart aggregates', were utilized as transducers for health monitoring purposes. On the basis of the smart aggregates developed, an active-sensing approach and an impact-hammer-based approach were used to evaluate the health status of the RC column during the loading procedure. Wave transmission energy is attenuated by the existence of cracks during the loading procedure, and this attenuation phenomenon alters the curve of the transfer function between the actuator and sensor. To detect the damage occurrence and evaluate the damage severity, transfer function curves were compared with those obtained during the period of healthy status. A transfer-function-based damage index matrix was developed to demonstrate the damage severity at different locations. Experimental results verified the effectiveness of the smart aggregates in health monitoring of the FRP-strengthened column as well as the unstrengthened column. The experimental results show that the proposed smart-aggregate-based approach can successfully detect damage occurrence and evaluate its severity.
Selection of Durable Closure Pour Materials for Accelerated Bridge Construction

With the public’s demands for reduced construction time and traveling delays, full-depth precast bridge decks or decked bulb tees are being more widely used. When these systems are used, precast elements are brought to the construction site ready to be set in place and quickly joined together. Then, a concrete closure pour (CP) completes the connection. The selection of CP materials is critical. The procedure and methods for selecting durable CP materials are discussed in this paper. The accelerated construction is quantified as two categories: overnight cure of CP materials and 7-day cure of CP materials. For both categories, candidate materials are selected first based on literature review of published data as well as tests of compressive strength and flow and workability. Then, the performance criteria for selecting durable CP materials for both categories are developed based on durability tests of selected candidate materials. These durability tests include freezing-and-thawing durability, shrinkage, ...
Effects of renin-angiotensin system blockade on renal angiotensin-(1-7) forming enzymes and receptors

Effects of renin-angiotensin system blockade on renal angiotensin-(1-7) forming enzymes and receptors. Background Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)2, a homologue of ACE, which is insensitive to ACE inhibitors and forms angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] from angiotensin II (Ang II) with high efficiency was investigated in response to chronic blockade with lisinopril, losartan, and both drugs combined. Methods Thirty-six adult Lewis rats were assigned to receive these medications in their drinking water for 2 weeks while their arterial pressure, water intake, and urine volume were recorded throughout the study. Measures of renal excretory variables included assessing excretion rates of angiotensin I (Ang I), Ang II and Ang-(1-7) while blood collected at the completion of the study was used for measures of plasma angiotensin concentrations. Samples from renal cortex were assayed for renin, angiotensinogen (Aogen), neprilysin, angiotensin types 1 and 2 (AT 1 and AT 2 ) and mas receptor mRNAs by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase (RT) real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). ACE2 activity was determined as the rate of Ang II conversion into Ang-(1-7). Results Comparable blood pressure reductions were obtained in rats medicated with either lisinopril or losartan, whereas both drugs produced a greater decrease in arterial pressure. Polyuria was recorded in all three forms of treatment associated with reduced osmolality but no changes in creatinine excretion. Lisinopril augmented plasma levels and urinary excretion rates of Ang I and Ang-(1-7), while plasma Ang II was reduced with no effect on urinary Ang II. Losartan produced similar changes in plasma and urinary Ang-(1-7) but increased plasma Ang II without changing urinary Ang II excretion. Combination therapy mimicked the effects obtained with lisinopril on plasma and urinary Ang I and Ang-(1-7) levels. Renal cortex Aogen mRNA increased in rats medicated with either lisinopril or the combination, whereas all three treatments produced a robust increase in renal renin mRNA. In contrast, ACE, ACE2, neprilysin, AT 1 , and mas receptor mRNAs remained unchanged with all three treatments. Renal cortex ACE2 activity was significantly augmented in rats medicated with lisinopril or losartan but not changed in those given the combination. Conclusion Our data revealed a role for ACE2 in Ang-(1-7) formation from Ang II in the kidney of normotensive rats as primarily reflected by the increased ACE2 activity measured in renal membranes from the kidney of rats given either lisinopril or losartan. The data further indicate that increased levels of Ang-(1-7) in the urine of animals after ACE inhibition or AT 1 receptor blockade reflect an intrarenal formation of the heptapeptide.
Interaction of Splenectomy and Perioperative Blood Transfusions on Prognosis of Patients With Proximal Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

Purpose: To assess the interaction of splenectomy and perioperative allogeneic blood transfusions on the prognosis of patients undergoing a potentially curative resection of proximal gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer, because reports from the transplantation literature demonstrated that the immunosuppressive effects of transfusions are dependent on the presence of an intact spleen. Patients and Methods: Between July 1, 1985, and July 30, 2001, 240 patients underwent complete resection (R0) of a proximal gastric or GEJ cancer (Siewert type II or III). Clinical and pathologic factors were collected in a prospective database. The survival data were modeled using the method of Kaplan and Meier and analyzed by the log-rank test and Cox regression. Results: The median follow-up of the patients was 25 months (40 months for survivors). The median relapse-free survival was 30 months, and the median disease-specific survival was 45 months. Univariate analysis suggested an interaction of splenectomy...
Surface-state models for clean and oxygen-covered germanium

Abstract Experimental results on the conductivity and field-effect mobility of clean germanium, and the changes in these properties under progressive oxygen-coverage, are reviewed. The changes take place in three rather well-defined stages. Simple surface-state distributions are found by trial-and-error, which account for each of these stages. All three appear to be due pairwise (donor and acceptor) changes in surface state concentrations.
Nephrogenic adenoma of the prostatic urethra involving the prostate gland: A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of eight cases

Nephrogenic adenoma (NA) of the prostatic urethra with involvement of the prostate gland can mimic other small-gland proliferations of the prostate, particularly adenocarcinoma of the prostate. To further characterize this lesion and refine diagnostic criteria we retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathologic features and immunohistochemical findings of eight cases of NA involving the prostate gland seen at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center from 1987 to 1992. The patients' ages ranged from 44 to 76 years (average age, 65 years). Six patients had lower genitourinary tract operations. Follow-up information was available for six patients (follow-up period, 5 to 38 months); only one patient had clinical evidence of recurrence (5 months after surgery). The remaining patients were alive and well with no evidence of disease. Histologically, NA was characterized by a proliferation of small tubules lined by a single layer of cuboidal or flattened cells with clear or eosinophilic cytoplasm. The nuclei were round with fine chromatin and there was no mitotic activity. Nucleoli were generally small, but occasionally prominent. All NA extended into the prostatic parenchyma, raising the possibility that these lesions may represent prostatic small-gland proliferations, particularly prostate adenocarcinoma. However, all cases tested were negative for prostate-specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase. Our findings indicate that the histologic features and the use of prostate-specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase immunostains will help to distinguish NA of the urethra involving the prostate from other small-gland proliferations (eg, small-acinar adenocarcinoma of the prostate, clear cell adenocarcinoma of the urethra, sclerosing adenosis, atypical adenomatous hyperplasia, florid hyperplasia of mesonephric remnants, simple lobular atrophy, and incomplete basal cell hyperplasia).
Fabrication and performance of superconducting RF cavities for the cornell ERL injector

Six 1300 MHz superconducting niobium 2-cell cavities are manufactured in-house for the prototype of the Cornell ERL injector to boost the energy of a high current, low emittance beam produced by a DC gun. Designed for high current beam acceleration, these cavities have new characteristics as compared to previously developed low-current cavities such as those for TTF Precision manufacture is emphasized for a better straightness of the cavity axis so as to avoid unwanted emittance dilution. We present the manufacturing, processing and vertical test performance of these cavities. We also present the impact of new cavity characteristics to the cavity performance as learnt from vertical tests.
Medical screening after a coal fly ash spill in Roane County, Tennessee.

ObjectiveTo assess the health of community residents following a coal fly ash spill at the Tennessee Valley Authority Kingston Fossil Plant in Harriman, Tennessee, on December 22, 2008.MethodsA uniform health assessment was developed by epidemiologists at Oak Ridge Associated Universities and medical toxicologists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Residents who believed that their health may have been affected by the coal fly ash spill were invited to participate in the medical screening program.ResultsAmong the 214 individuals who participated in the screening program, the most commonly reported symptoms were related to upper airway irritation. No evidence of heavy metal toxicity was found.ConclusionsThis is the first report, to our knowledge, regarding the comprehensive health evaluation of a community after a coal fly ash spill. Because this evaluation was voluntary, the majority of residents screened represented those with a high percentage of symptoms and concerns about the potential for toxic exposure. Based on known toxicity of the constituents present in the coal fly ash, health complaints did not appear to be related to the fly ash. This screening model could be used to assess immediate or baseline toxicity concerns after other disasters. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1–8)
NMR measurement of bitumen at different temperatures.

Heavy oil (bitumen) is characterized by its high viscosity and density, which is a major obstacle to both well logging and recovery. Due to the lost information of T2 relaxation time shorter than echo spacing (TE) and interference of water signal, estimation of heavy oil properties from NMR T2 measurements is usually problematic. In this work, a new method has been developed to overcome the echo spacing restriction of NMR spectrometer during the application to heavy oil (bitumen). A FID measurement supplemented the start of CPMG. Constrained by its initial magnetization (M0) estimated from the FID and assuming log normal distribution for bitumen, the corrected T2 relaxation time of bitumen sample can be obtained from the interpretation of CPMG data. This new method successfully overcomes the TE restriction of the NMR spectrometer and is nearly independent on the TE applied in the measurement. This method was applied to the measurement at elevated temperatures (8–90 C). Due to the significant signal-loss within the dead time of FID, the directly extrapolated M0 of bitumen at relatively lower temperatures (<60 C) was found to be underestimated. However, resulting from the remarkably lowered viscosity, the extrapolated M0 of bitumen at over 60 C can be reasonably assumed to be the real value. In this manner, based on the extrapolation at higher temperatures (P60 C), the M0 value of bitumen at lower temperatures (<60 C) can be corrected by Curie’s Law. Consequently, some important petrophysical properties of bitumen, such as hydrogen index (HI), fluid content and viscosity were evaluated by using corrected T2.
Measuring Racial/Ethnic Disparities across the Distribution of Health Care Expenditures

Objective. To assess whether black–white and Hispanic–white disparities increase or abate in the upper quantiles of total health care expenditure, conditional on covariates. Data Source. Nationally representative adult population of non-Hispanic whites, African Americans, and Hispanics from the 2001–2005 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys. Study Design. We examine unadjusted racial/ethnic differences across the distribution of expenditures. We apply quantile regression to measure disparities at the median, 75th, 90th, and 95th quantiles, testing for differences over the distribution of health care expenditures and across income and education categories. We test the sensitivity of the results to comparisons based only on health status and estimate a two-part model to ensure that results are not driven by an extremely skewed distribution of expenditures with a large zero mass. Principal Findings. Black–white and Hispanic–white disparities diminish in the upper quantiles of expenditure, but expenditures for blacks and Hispanics remain significantly lower than for whites throughout the distribution. For most education and income categories, disparities exist at the median and decline, but remain significant even with increased education and income. Conclusions. Blacks and Hispanics receive significantly disparate care at high expenditure levels, suggesting prioritization of improved access to quality care among minorities with critical health issues.
Growth rates of larval and juvenile bigeye scad Selar crumenophthalmus in captivity

Growth rates of larval and juvenile bigeye scad Selar crumenophthalmus reared in captivity were studied. The results are presented, discussed, and compared to wild S. crumenophthalmus and other pelagic fish. S. crumenophthalmus are a small pelagic carangid fish of circumtropical distribution. Larvae were reared in a modified mesocosm system and sampled daily for growth. Larvae grew to a mean size of 4.74 cm (Standard Length) and 1.30 g by 45 days post hatch (dph). Larval length-at-age was best described by the exponential equation Y = 1.966e0.0704t . For juvenile growth trials, 1940 fish were stocked into four 2.5 m3 cylindro-conical tanks at two different densities (262 fish m-3 and 120 fish m-3) and reared from 45 dph to subadult stage. Fish were sampled daily for growth. No statistically significant differences in growth or survival were detected between tanks. Mean length and weight at 141 dph was 13.24 cm (Total Length) and 25.20 g. Juvenile length-at-age was best described by the Von Bertalanffy Growth Model equation L t = 27.75(1 – e-0.03(t-1.57)). Weight-at-age was best described by a linear equation W t = 1.7313x + 12.4662. The exponent of the length-weight equation was 3.14. In addition to providing the first published description of larviculture and juvenile growout techniques for S. crumenophthalmus, this study contains the first published data on this species’ larval growth and directly confirms estimates of S. crumenophthalmus juvenile growth done by other researchers using indirect techniques such as otolith daily growth increment and frequency distribution analysis.
AMD3100 and CD26 Modulate Mobilization, Engraftment, and Survival of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Mediated by the SDF‐1/CXCL12‐CXCR4 Axis

The chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12) and its receptor, CXCR4, are involved in a number of facets of the regulation of hematopoiesis at the level of hematopoietic stem (HSCs) and progenitor (HPCs) cells. Modulation of this ligand-receptor interaction may be of clinical utility. We now report that: (1) the CC chemokine, macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha/CCL3) synergizes with AMD3100 (an antagonist of the binding of SDF-1/CXCL12 to CXCR4) to rapidly mobilize HPCs to the blood of mice; moreover, the combination of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) with AMD3100 and MIP-1alpha/CCL3, given in a specific sequence, mobilizes the greatest number of HPCs compared to any combination of two of these mobilizing agents; (2) pretreatment of recipient mice with Diprotin A, an inhibitor of CD26/Dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPPIV), enhances the competitive HSCs repopulating capacity of untreated donor cells; (3) the survival-enhancing effects of SDF-1/CXCL12 on HPCs subjected in vitro to delayed addition of growth factors (GFs) are mediated in part through the cell cycle-related proteins p21(cip1/waf1) (as assessed using p21(cip1/waf1) -/- and +/+ mice) and Mad2 (using Mad2 +/- and +/+ mice); and (4) deletion of CD26/DPPIV on mouse bone marrow cells increases the survival-enhancing effects of SDF-1/CXCL12 on HPCs. These results demonstrate the means to increase the mobilization of HPCs, the engrafting capability of HSCs, and responsiveness of HPCs to the survival-enhancing activity of SDF-1/CXCL12, effects that may be of practical value.
In Vivo Effects of Sporulation Kinases on Mutant Spo0A Proteins in Bacillus subtilis

The phosphorylated form of the response regulator Spo0A (Spo0A~P) is required for the initiation of sporulation in Bacillus subtilis. Phosphate is transferred to Spo0A from at least four histidine kinases (KinA, KinB, KinC, and KinD) by a phosphotransfer pathway composed of Spo0F and Spo0B. Several mutations in spo0A allow initiation of sporulation in the absence of spo0F and spo0B, but the mechanisms by which these mutations allow bypass of spo0F and spo0B are not fully understood. We measured the ability of KinA, KinB, and KinC to activate sporulation of five spo0A mutants in the absence of Spo0F and Spo0B. We also determined the effect of Spo0E, a Spo0A~P-specific phosphatase, on sporulation of strains containing the spo0A mutations. Our results indicate that several of the mutations relax the specificity of Spo0A, allowing Spo0A to obtain phosphate from a broader group of phosphodonors. In the course of these experiments, we observed medium-dependent effects on the sporulation of different mutants. This led us to identify a small molecule, acetoin, that can stimulate sporulation of some spo0A mutants.
Performance assessment of scaled strained-Si channel-on-insulator (SSOI) CMOS

Abstract The device/circuit performance of strained-Si (SS) MOSFETs including strained-Si channel-on-insulator (SSOI) is assessed via a physics-based compact model calibrated against fabricated 70 nm strained and unstrained (control) Si devices. With emphasis on SS device specific features, mobility enhancement and band offsets, and SOI advantages, dynamic floating-body effects and no areal junction capacitance, the speed superiority of SSOI CMOS is discussed. Device design point and performance trade-off are presented as well, thus allowing exploitation of maximum performance in the SS devices.
Human Sperm-Specific Peptide Vaccine That Causes Long-Term Reversible Contraception

A novel dodecamer peptide sequence, YLP12, was identified on human sperm that is involved in oocyte binding. We investigated its immunocontraceptive effects in a murine model. A vaccine was prepared by conjugating the synthetic YLP12 peptide with the binding subunit of recombinant cholera toxin. Vaccination of female mice by i.m. or intranasal routes without any additional adjuvant induced a sperm-specific immune response in serum and the vaginal tract that caused a long-term contraceptive state. Fertility was fully regained when antibody reactivity diminished at 305‐322 days. The contraceptive effect was also completely reversed voluntarily by intravaginal administration of the peptide. Antibodies affected fertility at the prefertilization stage by inhibiting sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction, and sperm-oocyte binding. The peptide sequence is an epitope of a 50 6 5-kDa membrane protein localized on the acrosome and tail of spermatozoa. Thus, the sperm-specific YLP12 is an attractive candidate for contraceptive vaccine.
Using Vagueness Measures to Re-rank Documents Retrieved by a Fuzzy Set Information Retrieval Model

Traditional information retrieval (IR) systems evaluate user queries and retrieve/rank documents based on matching keywords in user queries with words in documents.These exact word-matching and ranking approaches ignore too many relevant documents that do not contain the exact keywords as specified in a user query. Instead of considering these traditional approaches, we propose to retrieve documents using a fuzzy set IR model and rank retrieved documents for any vague query using the "vagueness score" of the documents based on the word senses as defined in WordNet. Using the vagueness scores, we rank the most highest "relevant" documents of a vague query qas the ones that best cover the different possible senses of keywords in q. The proposed word-sense ranking method enhances the existing ranking approaches on ordering retrieved documents for vague queries and thus provides a more reliable and elegant tool for information retrieval.
The effect of glucocorticosteroid administration on fetal movements and biophysical profile scores in normal pregnancies

Objective: To evaluate and quantify the effect of glucocorticosteroid administration on fetal movements and biophysical profile scores. Methods: Eighteen women at 32-34 weeks' gestation were enrolled. Inclusion criterion was an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy not considered to be at high risk. Patients participated for 3 consecutive days. On day 1, the patients underwent a baseline biophysical profile including a non-stress test followed by a 12-mg betamethasone intramuscular injection. On day 2, the patients received a non-stress test and a second dose of betamethasone. On day 3, a biophysical profile with non-stress test was performed. Maternal counts of fetal kicks were also recorded before, during and after the study period. Each test was conducted at approximately the same time of day to control for diurnal variation. Comparison was made between pre-betamethasone biophysical profile scores and fetal movement and post-betamethasone biophysical profile scores and fetal movement. Results: Biophysical ...
Bilateral basal ganglia activation associated with sensorimotor adaptation

Sensorimotor adaptation tasks can be classified into two types. When subjects adapt movements to visual feedback perturbations such as in prism lens adaptation, they perform kinematic adaptations. When subjects adapt movements to force field perturbations such as with robotic manipulanda, they perform kinetic adaptations. Neuroimaging studies have shown basal ganglia involvement in kinetic adaptations, but have found little evidence of basal ganglia involvement in kinematic adaptations, despite reports of deficits in patients with diseases of the basal ganglia, such as Parkinson's and Huntington's disease, in these. In an effort to resolve such apparent discrepancy, we used FMRI to focus on the first few minutes of practice during kinematic adaptation. Human subjects adapted to visuomotor rotations in the context of a joystick aiming task while lying supine in a 3.0 T MRI scanner. As demonstrated previously, early adaptive processes were associated with BOLD activation in the cerebellum and the sensory and motor cortical regions. A novel finding of this study was bilateral basal ganglia activation. This suggests that, at least for early learning, the neural correlates of kinematic adaptation parallel those of other types of skill learning. We observed activation in the right globus pallidus and putamen, along with the right prefrontal, premotor and parietal cortex, which may support spatial cognitive processes of adaptation. We also observed activation in the left globus pallidus and caudate nucleus, along with the left premotor and supplementary motor cortex, which may support the sensorimotor processes of adaptation. These results are the first to demonstrate a clear involvement of basal ganglia activation in this type of kinematic motor adaptation.
Effect of Alfalfa Saponin on Laying Chickens

Abstract COONEY, Butts, and Bacon (1948) found that dehydrated alfalfa meal had a depressing effect on the growth, diet consumption, and diet utilization of chicks. Lepkovsky et al. (1950) reported that dehydrated alfalfa meal contains a naturally occurring substance (or substances) that depresses the growth of chicks, and that its fiber is not the offending substance. The experiments of Heywang (1950) indicate that both dehydrated and suncured alfalfa meals may contain a factor (or factors) that retard not only the growth of chicks but also the egg production of layers. He also observed that alfalfa meals may vary considerably in their retarding effects, and thus in the amount of responsible factor. According to Peterson (1950) the growth inhibiting effect of Quillaja saponin is similar to that of dehydrated alfalfa meal. Consequently, his results indicate that the growth inhibiting effect of alfalfa might be due to saponin. Heywang and Bird (1953) fed …
Cationic dependency of high affinity prostaglandin F2α receptors in bovine corpus luteum cell membranes

Abstract The specific binding of [ 3 H] Prostaglandin (PG) F 2 α to bovine corpus luteum cell membranes prepared in homogenizing buffer containing either 1 mM EDTA (H-EDTA) or 1 mM Ca 2+ (HCa 2+ ) was examined. The membranes prepared in H-EDTA buffer bound less [ 3 H] PGF 2 α and had a single class of PGF 2 α receptors with an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 2.7 × 10 −8 M. The addition of Ca 2+ to these membranes resulted in increased binding with the appearance of new PGF 2 α receptors of Kd = 4.3 × 10 −9 M. The membranes prepared in HCa 2+ buffer contained two classes of receptors with Kds = 2.9 × 10 −9 M and 2.9 × 10 −8 M. The removal of Ca 2+ from these membranes resulted in lower binding as well as a complete disappearance of receptors of Kd = 2.9 × 10 −9 M. These results suggest the dependency of high affinity PGF 2 α receptors, in bovine corpus luteum cell membranes, on cations.
Role of IFN-γ in Regulating T2 Immunity and the Development of Alternatively Activated Macrophages during Allergic Bronchopulmonary Mycosis

Pulmonary Cryptococcus neoformans infection of C57BL/6 mice is an established model of a chronic pulmonary fungal infection accompanied by an "allergic" response (T2) to the infection, i.e., a model of an allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis. Our objective was to determine whether IFN-gamma plays a role in regulating the pulmonary T2 immune response in C. neoformans-infected C57BL/6 mice. Long-term pulmonary fungistasis was lost in IFN-gamma knockout (KO) mice, resulting in an increased pulmonary burden of fungi at wk 3. IFN-gamma was required for the early influx of leukocytes into the lungs but was not required later in the infection. By wk 3, eosinophil and macrophage numbers were elevated in the absence of IFN-gamma. The inducible NO synthase to arginase ratio was lower in the lungs of IFN-gamma KO mice and the macrophages had increased numbers of intracellular cryptococci and YM1 crystals, indicative of alternatively activated macrophages in these mice. There was evidence of pulmonary fibrosis in both wild-type and IFN-gamma KO mice by 5 wk postinfection. IFN-gamma production was not required for the development of T2 cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) producing cells in the lungs and lung-associated lymph nodes or induction of an IgE response. At a number of time points, T2 cytokine production was enhanced in IFN-gamma KO mice. Thus, in the absence of IFN-gamma, C57BL/6 mice develop an augmented allergic response to C. neoformans, including enhanced generation of alternatively activated macrophages, which is accompanied by a switch from a chronic to a progressive pulmonary cryptococcal infection.
Enhanced MR imaging of the shoulder, and sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joint arthritis in primary hemochromatosis

Shoulder arthritis is a common feature of hemochromatosis. However, a combination of sternoclavicle (SC) and acromioclavicular (AC) joint involvement associated with shoulder is uncommonly seen. We describe the MR imaging findings of the shoulder and SC and AC joint in a patient with primary hemochromatosis. MRI of the left shoulder revealed inflammatory arthritis and 1-cm erosion of the humeral head, enlargement of the anterior glenoid labrum and formation of glenoid labral ovoid mass due to iron deposit. MRI of the AC joint showed inflammation and erosion with joint fluid. Significant contrast enhancement was noted at the SC joint due to inflammation.