cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Postsymptom Application of Fungicides on Urediniospore Production by Puccinia triticina on Wheat and P. hemerocallidis on Daylily.

Abstract Greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of post-symptomatic fungicide applications on urediniospore production of leaf rust of wheat, Puccinia triticina, and daylily rust, P. hemerocallidis. Fungicides from five chemical classes were evaluated for their effect on urediniospore production at 24-h intervals post application for 96 h. The quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicide (azoxystrobin) significantly reduced cumulative urediniospore production by P. triticina (40.1 and 11.3% of control) and P. hemerocallidis (37.9 and 35.6% of control) in both trials. The demethylation inhibitor, myclobutanil, significantly reduced urediniospore production by P. hemerocallidis 24 h post treatment in both trials and cumulative production in one trial. Myclobutanil did not affect urediniospore production by P. triticina. Four QoI fungicides significantly reduced urediniospore production by P. triticina at all collection times (24, 48, and 72 h) and cumulative production in both trials. No ...
Basic science for the practicing physician: gene expression microarrays

Objective To provide a general overview of gene expression microarray technology and its relevance to physicians practicing allergy/immunology. Data Sources The PubMed interface to MEDLINE was searched for primary and review articles on gene expression microarrays. Specific articles on clinical applications of microarrays were retrieved, along with articles on use of microarrays in models of allergy, asthma, and immunologic diseases. Study Selection The author's knowledge of the field was used to include sources of information other than those obtained through the MEDLINE search. Results A synopsis of gene expression microarray technology, with emphasis on the relevance to allergy, asthma, and immunology, is presented. Conclusions Gene expression microarray technology allows investigators to measure gene expression across the genome. This has allowed researchers to improve our understanding of immunologic mechanisms in disease models. Initially used solely as a research tool, microarray-based clinical tests are now available, and many more are in development. Use of microarrays in allergy, asthma, and immunology will support the development of novel diagnostic tests for the physician and facilitate exploration of the basic mechanisms underlying allergic and immunologic diseases.
Male-female interactions in prairie voles

Abstract Dyadic encounters between virgin female prairie voles ( Microtus ochrogaster ) and males with various reproductive histories were analysed using observational techniques and sequential analysis. Unfamiliar, sexually inexperienced males interacted in a manner that would permit physical contact, pheromone transfer and the subsequent induction of female sexual behaviour. Low levels of olfactory investigation were seen among sibling males and females, which may account for the failure of such pairs to reproduce. Agonistic encounters were common between females and unfamilar sexually-experienced males, suggesting that fighting could also provide a behavioural barrier to reproduction.
Remarkable stereocontrol in the addition of an anion to an α- alkoxyaldehyde by encouraging or discouraging internal complexation. Applications to brief syntheses of the mus musculus (house mouse) pheromone and exo-brevicomin

Abstract Stereoselective addition of ethylmetallic reagents to acrolein dimer 1 and the conversion of the threo alchol 4t to exo -brevicomin and the Mus musculus pheromone are reported.
Characterization of a β-galactosidase fusion protein containing the starch-binding domain of Aspergillus glucoamylase

Abstract Granular starch was used as a biospecific adsorbent to investigate the possible application of the starch-binding domain (SBD) as an affinity tail for a one-step purification of target proteins from crude cell extracts. A β-galactosidase (β-gal) fusion protein containing the C-terminal 119 amino-acids from GA-I (BSB119) was used as a model system to study the starch binding and elution. Because of proteolysis, approximately 40% of initial β-gal activity lacked the SBD, and the remaining fusion protein contained from to one to four SBDs per molecule of β-gal tetramer. The fusion protein forms containing at least one intact SBD adsorbed to starch. The bound fusion protein was eluted by using 10 m m solutions of various maltooligosaccharides and cyclodextrins. The best eluants were 10 m m maltodextrin with an average degree of polymerization ( DP ) of 10 and 10 m m β-cyclodextrin. The elution of BSB119 with maltooligosaccharides of increasing DP suggested that the starch-binding site of the SBD consists of at least five glucosyl binding sites. SDS-PAGE gels and Western blots showed that the purity of the fusion protein eluted from starch was as good as or better than that obtained by conventional affinity chromatography.
The Crystal Chemistry and Role of Metal-Metal Bonding in the Monochalcogenides TiS, VS, TiSe, and VSe and Their Solid Solutions

Abstract The influence of metal-metal bonding on the physical properties of the titanium and vanadium monosulfides, monoselenides, and their solid solutions is explored. Compounds were synthesized at 800°C and characterized by room-temperature X-ray diffraction, chemical analysis, density, differential thermal analysis (DTA), magnetic susceptibility, and electrical resistance. All compounds formed one of three closely related crystal structures: hexagonal B 81, orthorhombic B31, or a rhombohedral 9R polytype. In all these structures, partially occupied orbitals of 3d parentage form narrow bands as a result of metal-metal interactions; all compounds were metallic and Pauli paramagnetic except nominal VSe, which exhibits an antiferromagnetic Neel temperature TN ≅ 240 K and becomes semiconductive below 50 K. Evidence of anion vacancies was found for all samples; compounds formed from larger selenium atoms also incorporate interstitial metals into trigonal bipyramidal sites, stabilizing the hexagonal B81 structure and avoiding distortions to the ideal ("unstuffed") B31 or 9R structures.
Minds and Machines: Limits to Simulations of Thought and Action

Although distinctions can be drawn between relations of simulation, replication, and emulation, basic differences between digital machines and human beings render the strong forms of anticipation that are impossible in principle. Because the use of signs in affecting behavior is dependent on a context of preexisting motives, beliefs, ethics, abilities and capabilities, ontic and epistemic difficulties relative to the complex interaction of distinct variables and relevant conditions to which each person has been subjected in his or her unique life, makes non-trivial explanations and predictionsâ€”ones not involving stereotyped or scripted behaviorâ€”theoretically impossible, including for the weakest forms of simulation. Indeed, even stereotypical behavior may not be predicable on similar grounds for real, historical human beings, not only in general but even for each single case. This study may even be viewed as an essay about freedom of the will.
Differential regulation of myometrial prostaglandin production by changes in length.

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether stretching and shortening of human myometrial strips alters prostaglandin production. Study Design We measured 6-keto prostaglandin F 1α (PGF 1α ; a PGI 2 metabolite) and PGF 2α in the contraction baths of myometrial strips that were obtained at cesarean delivery from 5 term pregnant women. Fluid was collected after the stretching and after the strip lengths were decreased by 4%, 6%, or 8%. Prostaglandin concentrations were measured in triplicate by competitive enzyme immunoassay and compared by Kruskal–Wallis tests. Results Stretching myometrial strips increased the production of 6-keto PGF 1α by 31%, but not PGF 2α . Shortening strips had little effect on 6-keto PGF 1α production, but increased PGF 2α production by 158%. Conclusion Stretching myometrial strips from pregnant women increases synthesis of PGI 2 ; shortening strips increases synthesis of PGF 2α . Differential prostaglandin synthesis that is related to myometrial stretching and shortening could play a role in uterine quiescence during gestation and increased contractility during parturition.
A Summer Academic Research Experience for Disadvantaged Youth

Internships are an effective way of connecting high school students in a meaningful manner to the sciences. Disadvantaged minorities have fewer opportunities to participate in internships, and are underrepresented in both science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors and careers. We have developed a Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE) program that provides an enriching academic internship to underrepresented youth. Our program has shown that to have a successful internship for these disadvantaged youth, several issues need to be addressed in addition to scientific mentoring. We have found that it is necessary to remediate and/or fortify basic academic skills for students to be successful. In addition, students need to be actively coached in the development of professional skills, habits, and attitudes necessary for success in the workplace. With all these factors in place, these youths can become better students, compete on a more level playing field in their internships, and increase their potential of participating actively in the sciences in the future.
Studies on the entomopathogenicity and bacterial associates of the nematode Oscheius carolinensis

Abstract The entomopathogenic potential of Oscheius carolinensis (Nematoda: Rhabditidae), a recently described nematode species, was tested on various developmental stages of five insect species. The nematode penetrated, killed, and reproduced in all of the insect species tested; however, some insect developmental stages proved more susceptible to infection than others. O. carolinensis was consistently associated with four bacterial species, one of which, Serratia marcescens, appears to be carried on the cuticle of the nematodes and through its association provides the worms with entomopathogenic potential. In manual inoculation assays, S. marcescens killed fourth-instar Helicoverpa zea larvae within 24 h at concentrations as low as 330 μg/mL (3.96 × 103 CFU). Another species, Enterococcus mundtii, inflicted levels of mortality of 33.3% only after mechanical wounding (pin-pricking) of H. zea and at much higher concentrations. A third species, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, did not cause mortality even at the highest dose tested (500 mg/mL or 6 × 106 CFU), with or without wounding. The fourth species, Providencia rettgeri, predominant in ground-up surface sterilized nematodes, caused low levels of mortality (25%) when manually applied to pin-picked larvae larvae. Nematodes did not performed well on insect hosts after surface sterilization; nonetheless, it is possible that P. rettgeri in combination with S. marcescens is responsible for the facultative insect colonization ability of O. carolinensis. Based on results from this study it would appear that O. carolinensis association with its bacteria allows the nematode a dual life: style as an entomopathogen when associated with S. macescens, and to an extent with P. rettgeri, and as a free-living entity when associated with all others. Further studies of are needed to fully characterize the association between O. carolinensis and S. marcescens, to determine the exact role of the bacterial associates in the nematode’s ecology and to assess this nematode’s applicability for agricultural insect pest management.
A cometary aggregate interplanetary dust particle as an analog for comet Wild 2 grain chemistry preserved in silica-rich Stardust glass

Many of the nanometer-scale grains from comet 81P/Wild 2 did not survive hypervelocity capture. Instead, they melted and interacted with silica melt derived from the aerogel used by the Stardust mission. Their petrological properties were completely modified, but their bulk chemistry was preserved in the chemical signatures of mostly vesicular Si-rich glass with its typical Fe-Ni-S compound inclusions. Chondritic aggregate IDP L2011A9 that experienced atmospheric pre-entry thermal modification was selected as an analog to investigate these Wild 2 chemical signatures. The chemical, petrologic, and mineralogical properties of the individual constituents in this aggregate IDP are presented and used to match the chemical signatures of these Wild 2 grains. Mixing of comet material and pure silica, which is used in a diagram that recognizes this mixing behavior, is used to constrain the probable petrologic and minerals that caused the Wild 2 signatures. The Wild 2 nanometer-scale grain signatures in Si-rich glass allocations from three different deceleration tracks resembled mixtures of ultrafine-grained principal components and dense agglomerate-like material, Mg-rich silicates (<500 nm) and Fe,Ni-sulfides (<100 nm), and Si-rich amorphous material. Dust resembling the mixed matrix of common chondritic aggregate IDPs was present in Jupiter-family comet Wild 2.
The extrinsic coagulation cascade and tissue factor pathway inhibitor in macrophages: a potential therapeutic opportunity for atherosclerotic thrombosis.

Abstract Objectives The coagulation protease cascade plays the central requisite role in initiation of arterial atherothrombosis. However, the relative participation of the extrinsic as compared to the intrinsic pathway is incompletely resolved. We have investigated in vivo the relative importance of the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways to define which is more essential to atherothrombosis and therefore the preferable prophylactic therapeutic target. We further addressed which type of plaque associated macrophage population is associated with the thrombotic propensity of atherosclerotic plaques. Methods Both photochemical injury and ferric chloride vascular injury models demonstrated arterial thrombosis formation in ApoE deficient mice. We found that direct interference with the extrinsic pathway, but not the intrinsic pathway, markedly diminished the rate of thrombus formation and occlusion of atherosclerotic carotid arteries following experimental challenge. To explore which plaque macrophage subtype may participate in plaque thrombosis in regard to expression tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), bone marrow derived macrophages of both M and GM phenotypes expressed tissue factor (TF), but the level of TFPI was much greater in M- type macrophages, which exhibited diminished thrombogenic activity, compared to type GM-macrophages. Results and conclusions Our works support the hypothesis that the TF-initiated and direct extrinsic pathway provides the more significant contribution to arterial plaque thrombogenesis. Activation of the TF driven extrinsic pathway can be influenced by differing colony-stimulating factor influenced macrophage TFPI-1 expression. These results advance our understanding of atherothrombosis and identify potential therapeutic targets associated with the extrinsic pathway and with macrophages populating arterial atherosclerotic plaques.
ON THE BASIS FOR THE FREUNDLICH ADSORPTION ISOTHERM

Abstract The theoretical underpinnings of the Freundlich adsorption isotherm, an often useful empiricism, are discussed. It is shown that the Freundlich expression does not originate from a true exponential distribution of energies of adsorption for the adsorption sites. However, at low solute concentration, a certain energy distribution which is semi-exponential in nature does lead to the Freundlich expression.
A large signal model of the inverted InGaAs/InAlAs/InP HBT for harmonic distortion analysis

A large signal equivalent circuit based on the Ebers-Moll model is developed for the InGaAs/InAlAs/InP collector-up HBT. The parasitic elements of the equivalent circuit are extracted at COLD (zero) bias by numerical optimization. An analytical approach is used to extract the intrinsic parameters of the small signal equivalent circuit at non-zero bias points. Appropriate equations given by device physics are fitted to the bias variation of intrinsic parameters so that the Ebers-Moll model parameters can be extracted. Harmonic distortion analysis is performed to verify the resulting HBT model. Excellent agreement between measurements and simulations is achieved at the fundamental and second harmonic frequencies. The agreement is not as good at the third harmonic frequency. This could be due to the fact that measurement inaccuracy exists in the lower drive level and the f/sub max/ of the device is very close to the third harmonic frequency.
Modeling radiation belt radial diffusion in ULF wave fields: 1. Quantifying ULF wave power at geosynchronous orbit in observations and in global MHD model

[1] To provide critical ULF wave field information for radial diffusion studies in the radiation belts, we quantify ULF wave power (f = 0.5–8.3 mHz) in GOES observations and magnetic field predictions from a global magnetospheric model. A statistical study of 9 years of GOES data reveals the wave local time distribution and power at geosynchronous orbit in field-aligned coordinates as functions of wave frequency, solar wind conditions (Vx, ΔPd and IMF Bz) and geomagnetic activity levels (Kp, Dst and AE). ULF wave power grows monotonically with increasing solar wind Vx, dynamic pressure variations ΔPd and geomagnetic indices in a highly correlated way. During intervals of northward and southward IMF Bz, wave activity concentrates on the dayside and nightside sectors, respectively, due to different wave generation mechanisms in primarily open and closed magnetospheric configurations. Since global magnetospheric models have recently been used to trace particles in radiation belt studies, it is important to quantify the wave predictions of these models at frequencies relevant to electron dynamics (mHz range). Using 27 days of real interplanetary conditions as model inputs, we examine the ULF wave predictions modeled by the Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry magnetohydrodynamic code. The LFM code does well at reproducing, in a statistical sense, the ULF waves observed by GOES. This suggests that the LFM code is capable of modeling variability in the magnetosphere on ULF time scales during typical conditions. The code provides a long-missing wave field model needed to quantify the interaction of radiation belt electrons with realistic, global ULF waves throughout the inner magnetosphere.
Paternal Dominance of Trans-eQTL Influences Gene Expression Patterns in Maize Hybrids

Heterosis refers to the superior performance of hybrid progeny relative to their inbred parents, but the mechanisms responsible are unknown. Hybrids between the maize inbred lines B73 and Mo17 exhibit heterosis regardless of cross direction. These reciprocal hybrids differ from each other phenotypically, and 30 to 50% of their genes are differentially expressed. We identified approximately 4000 expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) that allowed us to identify markers linked to variation in expression. We found that over three-quarters of these eQTL act in trans (78%) and that 86% of these differentially regulate transcript accumulation in a manner consistent with gene expression in the hybrid being regulated exclusively by the paternally transmitted allele. This result suggests that widespread imprinting contributes to the regulation of gene expression in maize hybrids.
Enhanced light trapping and carrier collection in glancing angle deposited nanostructures

Nanostructured materials have become an attractive alternative to their thin film and bulk counterparts in photovoltaic (PV) research. They owe this attention mainly to their superior optical and electrical properties. Light trapping in vertically aligned nanostructures results in high optical absorption and core/shell type of nanostructured devices provide enhanced carrier collection by utilizing a radial junction. Combination of these two features can potentially lead to the development of high efficiency nanostructured solar cells. Here, results from optical absorption properties of indium sulfide (In 2 S 3 ; n-type semiconductor) nanostructures as a model material system in different geometries and their photoconductive properties in an In 2 S 3 -nanorods-core/metal-shell device design are presented and discussed. Glancing angle deposition (GLAD) technique was used to grow In 2 S 3 nanostructures in different shapes (i.e., zigzags, springs, screws, tilted rods, and vertical rods). Optical absorption was found to strongly depend on the shapes of semiconducting nanostructures through ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy measurements. Numerical solutions of finite difference time domain (FDTD) optical modelling show that diffracted light is distributed uniformly within the 3D nanostructure geometries, indicating an enhanced diffuse light scattering and light trapping. A high pressure sputter deposition method was used to get a conformal silver (Ag) layer around GLAD In 2 S 3 nanorods and produce the nanostructured core/shell photoconductive devices. Core/shell geometry was observed to enhance radial interface and shorten charge carrier transit times. This provides efficient carrier collection and results in superior photocurrent and gain. Slow recovery of photocurrent arisen from prolonged carrier lifetimes due to high surface states in nanorods is also eliminated by the metal shell, which provides surface passivation and decreases surface states. Overall, we demonstrate that GLAD nanostructures provide both efficient charge carrier collection and enhanced light trapping, and therefore can lead to the utilization of low quality (i.e. low cost) materials for high efficiency solar cells.
PREKALLIKREIN DEFICIENCY IN MAN

Blood plasma obtained from an individual with abnormal thromboplastin formation, due to deficiency of Fletcher factor, was fully corrected by 2% of normal, Hageman factor- or PTA-deficient plasma. It was also reconstituted by addition of highly purified human or rabbit prekallikrein. The plasma failed to generate kinin upon exposure to kaolin, a defect which was also corrected by addition of prekallikrein. Prekallikrein antigen was not detectable in this plasma. Fletcher factor-deficient plasma did not support the normal generation of PF/dil when dilute plasma was incubated in glass vessels and injected intracutaneously. Small quantities of Fletcher factor-deficient or Hageman factor-deficient plasma corrected the ability of the other to generate PF/dil. The formation of plasmin in dilute, acidified plasma incubated with kaolin was also abnormal in Fletcher factor-deficient plasma. Plasmin generation was normalized by addition of prekallikrein or small quantities of Hageman factor-deficient plasma. The data support the identity of Fletcher factor and prekallikrein.
Party and free votes in Canada: Abortion in the House of Commons

This study extends the analysis of parliamentary free voting by examining a non-British example: Canadian MPs' voting behavior on Bill C-43, which attempted to establish a federal abortion law. As in most previous studies, we find that partisanship was by far the best predictor of voting behavior. Unlike previous research, however, we analyze free votes at every stage of the legislative process and find different voting dynamics at different stages. In general, Canadian MPs felt at greater liberty to vote as their consciences dictated when their votes mattered least. On the key roll calls leading to final disposition, however, when voting was most visible and outcomes most important, Canadian MPs re-coalesced around their parties.
Antigen Receptor Genes in Autoimmune B and T Cells

Abnormal humoral and/or cellular autoimmune responses of sufficient magnitude and duration are sometimes considered the primary, and at other times secondary, contributors to many human and animal diseases (l), Clinically, the wide spectrum of autoimmune diseases has been divided into two main categories: systemic and organ-specific diseases. Types of autoimmune diseases frequenty overlap, and more than one autoimmune disorder tends to occur in the same individual. Among the non-organ-specific diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus serves as the prototype.
Post-ejaculatory pain syndrome

Abstract The clinical features of psychogenic post-ejaculatory pain are described and some hypotheses regarding the etiology of this rare, distressing sexual disorder of men are offered. The source of the pain appears to involve the involuntary spasm of certain muscles of the male genitalia, which can be triggered by a variety of psychosexual conflicts. The syndrome of post-ejaculatory pain is considered within a continuum of psychogenic ejaculatory disorders, which range from the most severe impairment–retarded ejaculation (RE)–to the mildest–premature ejaculation (PE).
Geographic Dimensions of the AIDS Epidemic

(1989). Geographic Dimensions of the AIDS Epidemic. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 41, No. 1, pp. 71-78.
Ultra low power digital signal processing

The explosive growth of portable wireless devices has elevated power consumption to be one of the most critical design parameters. This paper presents several techniques to implement DSP functions with the lowest possible power consumption. Since power is consumed only when capacitance is being switched, power can be reduced by minimizing this capacitance through operation reduction, choice of data representation, exploitation of spatial and temporal signal correlations, re-synchronization to minimize glitching, and logic, circuit and physical design. Aggressive voltage scaling to 1 V and below through circuit and architecture optimization is the key to low-power design. A systems approach to low-power design can result in orders of magnitude power reduction.
Sarcoidosis: social predictors of severity at presentation

To determine relationships among social predictors and sarcoidosis severity at presentation, demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, and barriers to care, A Case-Control Etiologic Study of Sarcoidosis (ACCESS) was set up. Patients self-reported themselves to be Black or White and were tissue-confirmed incident cases aged > or =l8-yrs-old (n=696) who had received uniform assessment procedures within one of 10 medical centres and were studied using standardised questionnaires and physical, radiographical, and pulmonary function tests. Severity was measured by objective disease indicators, subjective measures of dyspnoea and short form-36 subindices. The results of the study showed that lower income, the absence of private or Medicare health insurance, and other barriers to care were associated with sarcoidosis severity at presentation, as were race, sex, and age. Blacks were more likely to have severe disease by objective measures, while women were more likely than males to report subjective measures of severity. Older individuals were more likely to have severe disease by both measures. In conclusion, it was found that low income and other financial barriers to care are significantly associated with sarcoidosis severity at presentation even after adjusting for demographic characteristics of race, sex, and age.
A unified algorithm for gate sizing and clock skew optimization to minimize sequential circuit area

This paper examines the problem of minimizing the area of a synchronous sequential circuit for a given clock period specification under the standard-cell paradigm. This is effected by appropriately selecting a size for each gate in the circuit from a standard-cell library, and by adjusting the delays between the central clock distribution node and individual flip-flops. Traditional methods treat these two problems separately, which may lead to very sub-optimal solutions in some cases. Experimental results show that by considering the two problems together, it is not only possible to reduce the optimized circuit area, but also to achieve faster clocking frequencies. We also address the problem of making this work applicable to very large synchronous sequential circuits by partitioning these circuits to reduce the computational complexity.
Near-infrared reflectance analysis for predicting beef longissimus tenderness

Near-infrared reflectance spectra (1,100 to 2,498 nm) were collected on beef longissimus thoracis steaks for the purpose of establishing the feasibility of predicting meat tenderness by spectroscopy. Partial least squares (PLS) analysis (up to 20 factors) and multiple linear regression (MLR) were used to predict cooked longissimus Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) force values from spectra of steaks from 119 beef carcasses. Modeling used the combination of log(1/R) and its second derivative. Overall, absorption was higher for extremely tough steaks than for tender steaks. This was particularly true at wavelengths between 1,100 and 1,350 nm. For PLS regression, optimal model conditions (R2 = .67; SEC = 1.2 kg) occurred with six PLS factors. When the PLS model was tested against the validation subset, similar performance was obtained (R2 = .63; SEP = 1.3 kg) and bias was small ( 6 kg) for Warner-Bratzler shear force. These data indicate that NIR is capable of predicting Warner-Bratzler shear force values of longissimus steaks. Refinement of this technique may allow nondestructive measurement of beef longissimus at the processing plant level.
Computer-automated quantification of plus disease in retinopathy of prematurity.

Abstract Background In some cases of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), it difficult to determine with certainty whether plus disease is present or absent. We have developed a computer program that captures digital images from a video-indirect ophthalmoscope, identifies and traces the major posterior pole blood vessels, measures the dilation and tortuosity of each vessel, and calculates whether or not an eye has plus disease. Our purpose was to determine the accuracy of the computer program in comparison with two masked examiners. Methods A representative sample of posterior pole images from 20 premature infants, 10 normal and 10 representing various degrees of dilation and tortuosity, was extracted from our video database and analyzed by the computer program as well as by two masked examiners experienced in the diagnosis of ROP. The standard photograph from the Cryotherapy for ROP study, representing the minimum degree of dilation and tortuosity required for plus disease, was also digitized, analyzed, and used as a numeric comparison for the automated determination of plus disease. Results Of the five images determined to have plus disease by both examiners, four were calculated to have plus disease by the computer program (80% sensitivity). Of the 11 images without plus disease, 10 were calculated not to have plus disease by the computer program (91% specificity). Conclusions Our computer program has very good sensitivity and specificity compared with masked examiners’ determination of the presence or absence of plus disease. Automated analysis of dilation and tortuosity of posterior pole blood vessels has the potential to remove subjectivity from the determination of plus disease.
Context in verbal short-term memory.

We tested the hypothesis that stimulus-related contextual information that is incidental to task demands—an episodic code—is automatically, obligatorily encoded and stored as a part of short-term memory (STM) representations. Four experiments employed a running span task to investigate the effects of manipulating two types of contextual information: stimulus grouping and color. Three experiments established that grouping context effects are sensitive neither to volitional control nor to task difficulty and that they generalize across testing procedures (yes/no recognition and immediate serial recall). A fourth experiment demonstrated an effect of manipulating the congruity of the color of stimuli between study and test. These demonstrations of the robustness and generality of context effects in STM are consistent with the predictions of the episodic coding model of STM.
Meningiomas involving the temporal bone: clinical and pathological aspects

The arthor gratefully acknowledges the kind permission of Charles C. Thomas, publisher of his monograph,Meningiomas Involving the Temporal Bone: Clinical and Pathological Aspects, (1964), to use some of the material, including illustrations, in that work.
Stem cells and bioactive scaffolds as a treatment for traumatic brain injury.

Successful repair of the injured brain is critical, as traumatic brain injury pathology often involves a secondary cascade of insults that may ultimately lead to worsened neurologic dysfunction. Damage is balanced by the brains attempt to repair itself, the genetic profile of the person, underlying health issues, and age, among other factors. The challenge in using a tissue engineering approach to repair and regeneration is centered at the heterogeneous and complex environment, variables that are difficult to measure and interpret. The brain must be in a state that minimizes rejection, inflammation, immune response, and donor cell death to maximize the intended benefit. Tissue engineering, using a bioactive based scaffold to both counter some of the hostile factors and to chaperone donor cells into the brain, has merit, yet the complexity of transplanting a combination biologic construct to the brain has yet to be successfully transferred to the clinic. Several options, such as cell source, scaffold composition, as well as delivery methods will be discussed.
Modeling and Planning of Step-Stress Accelerated Life Tests With Independent Competing Risks

This paper presents a method for planning multiple-step step-stress ALT (SSALT) with statistically independent competing risks. A statistical model is constructed and asymptotically -, D-, and Ds-optimal ALT plans are developed. Because the asymptotical optimality might sometimes lead to impractical ALT plans with finite sample size, additional constraints are introduced, and the planning of ALT on the constrained design space is also studied. Finally, we provide a numerical example to illustrate the application of the proposed method.
Testing a Behavioral Theory Model of Labor Negotiations

Summary The Behavioral Theory we have developed stands up well and helps us gain a better feeling for the behavioral dynamics of collective bargaining. As expected, economic variables such as bargaining power and the estimated cost and probability of a work stoppage are important determinants of bargaining behavior. Nevertheless, the variables have a differential effect on bargaining goals, with strong bargaining power and low probability of a strike contributing to both distributive and integrative bargaining, whereas high expected costs of a strike help to persuade constituents to support their negotiators (intraorganizational bargaining). Thus we see the roie of intraorganizational bargaining as an alternative to being able to obtain a better settlement from the opponents. Attitudinal structuring seems to be more closely tied to integrative bargaining than was indicated by Walton and McKersie. Furthermore, there seems to be less direct conflict between the tactics used in integrative bargaining and those used in distributive bargaining than predicted by theory. Perhaps the mixed nature of most bargaining keeps the majority of negotiators from applying all-out distributive tactics. At any rate, strong bargaining power, constructive relationships, clear and specific statements of issues, as well as exploring them in a noncommital fashion, seem to aid both distributive and integrative bargaining. We uncovered a number of relationships which varied significantly according to the side (labor or management) and/or team role (chief negotiator or other team member) of the respondent. Although we feel they should be included in the theory of bargaining as moderator variables, and have thus included them in our model, we have only hinted at their impact in this paper. Overall, bargaining behavior and conditions seem to have as much effect on bargaining success as do the economic variables. Of course, we did not measure every possible economic variable, but neither did we examine all possible tactics. Our study confirms that collective bargaining is an interpersonal, attitudinal process as well as an economic one and that there are several distinct goals for the process. We have also demonstrated that, despite problems of locating current negotiations and obtaining an adequate rate of response, field study of the behavioral aspects of collective bargaining is feasible. We hope that investigations along this line will continue.
Lipotropes regulate bcl-2 gene expression in the human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7.

Abstract Lipotropes, a methyl group containing nutrients, including choline, methionine, folic acid, and vitamin B12, are essential nutrients for humans. They are important methyl donors that interact in the metabolism of one-carbon units and are essential for the synthesis and methylation of deoxyribonucleic acid. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of excess lipotropes on the growth of a human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, and normal mammary cells, MCF-10A, in culture. Both cell lines were grown in basal culture medium for 24 h and then switched to medium supplemented with 50 times the amount of each lipotrope as basal culture medium (control). Although there were no significant differences in growth between treatments in either cell line, gene array and Northern analysis revealed that expression of bcl-2 was decreased in lipotrope-treated MCF-7 cells. The ability to induce tumor cell death could have many uses in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Bcl-2 regulates apoptosis and h...
Effect of hepatic glucose infusion on glucose intake and licking microstructure in deprived and nondeprived rats

The effects of hepatic-portal glucose or saline infusions on intake and the temporal distribution of licking (lick microstructure) were evaluated in nondeprived and in 20.5-h food-deprived rats. Ra...
Separate and Joint Associations of Shift Work and Sleep Quality with Lipids

Abstract Background Shift work and/or sleep quality may affect health. We investigated whether shift work and sleep quality, separately and jointly, were associated with abnormal levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), and low-and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in 360 police officers (27.5% women). Methods Triglycerides, TC, and high-density lipoprotein were analyzed on the Abbott Architect; low-density lipoprotein was calculated. Shift work was assessed using City of Buffalo payroll work history records. Sleep quality (good, ≤ 5; intermediate, 6–8; poor, ≥ 9) was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire. A shift work + sleep quality variable was created: day plus good sleep; day plus poor sleep; afternoon/night plus good; and poor sleep quality. Mean values of lipid biomarkers were compared across categories of the exposures using analysis of variance/analysis of covariance. Results Shift work was not significantly associated with lipids. However, as sleep quality worsened, mean levels of triglycerides and TC gradually increased but only among female officers (age- and race-adjusted p = 0.013 and 0.030, respectively). Age significantly modified the association between sleep quality and TC. Among officers ≥ 40 years old, those reporting poor sleep quality had a significantly higher mean level of TC (202.9 ± 3.7 mg/dL) compared with those reporting good sleep quality (190.6 ± 4.0 mg/dL) (gender- and race-adjusted p = 0.010). Female officers who worked the day shift and also reported good sleep quality had the lowest mean level of TC compared with women in the other three categories (p = 0.014). Conclusion Sleep quality and its combined influence with shift work may play a role in the alteration of some lipid measures.
Learning to Fear the Inspector-General: Measuring Spillovers from Anti-Corrupt Policies

In this paper I investigate whether the effectiveness of an anti-corruption agency may increase over time, as its reputation becomes more known. Small anti-corruption agencies may not get to be known by its subjected politicians in the first years. As a result, if one measures the efficiency of the agency in these first years, the result may under estimate the efficiency that such small scale can achieve once politicians adjust to its existence. I test this argument using data from a Brazilian anti-corruption program. Since 2003 a national anti-corruption program has the objective of name and shaming local governments. Because of limited budget, the program cannot investigate every place in every period, so it randomly selects 4% of Brazilian cities every year to be audited. I compare politicians audited in the same time periods that differ in how much they are informed about the program. I suppose that mayors become aware of the program by watching it auditing neighboring cities. Mayors who observed the program auditing neighboring cities in 2003 and 2004 form the "treatment group" of well informed politicians. Mayors who by coincidence did not have neighboring cities investigated in 2003 and 2004 form the "control group" of poorly informed politicians. I then measure how many illicit acts local governments of both groups had committed in 2005 and 2006. According to the data, there is a clear divide in the behavior of those informed as compared to the behavior of those not well informed. The consequence is that small anti-corruption agencies may become more efficient over time, as their reputation becomes stronger and diffuses amongst the politicians in its jurisdiction.
Ultrafast and nonlinear surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Ultrafast surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has the potential to study molecular dynamics near plasmonic surfaces to better understand plasmon-mediated chemical reactions such as plasmonically-enhanced photocatalytic or photovoltaic processes. This review discusses the combination of ultrafast Raman spectroscopic techniques with plasmonic substrates for high temporal resolution, high sensitivity, and high spatial resolution vibrational spectroscopy. First, we introduce background information relevant to ultrafast SERS: the mechanisms of surface enhancement in Raman scattering, the characterization of plasmonic materials with ultrafast techniques, and early complementary techniques to study molecule-plasmon interactions. We then discuss recent advances in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopies with ultrafast pulses with a focus on the study of molecule-plasmon coupling and molecular dynamics with high sensitivity. We also highlight the challenges faced by this field by the potential damage caused by concentrated, highly energetic pulsed fields in plasmonic hotspots, and finally the potential for future ultrafast SERS studies.
Physician Attitudes toward Adult Vaccines and other Preventive Practices, United States, 2012:

Objectives.We described the following among U.S. primary care physicians: (1) perceived importance of vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices relative to U.S. Preve...
Vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy of secondary organic material produced by condensational growth from α-pinene ozonolysis.

Secondary organic material (SOM) was produced in a flow tube from α-pinene ozonolysis, and collected particles were analyzed spectroscopically via a nonlinear coherent vibrational spectroscopic technique, namely sum frequency generation (SFG). The SOM precursor α-pinene was injected into the flow tube reactor at concentrations ranging from 0.125 ± 0.01 ppm to 100 ± 3 ppm. The oxidant ozone was varied from 0.15 ± 0.02 to 194 ± 2 ppm. The residence time was 38 ± 1 s. The integrated particle number concentrations, studied using a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), varied from no particles produced up to (1.26 ± 0.02) × 107 cm–3 for the matrix of reaction conditions. The mode diameters of the aerosols increased from 7.7 nm (geometric standard deviation (gsd), 1.0) all the way to 333.8 nm (gsd, 1.9). The corresponding volume concentrations were as high as (3.0 ± 0.1) × 1014 nm3 cm–3. The size distributions indicated access to different particle growth stages, namely condensation, coagulation, or combinat...
Strain Sensor Comparison for Improving Experimental Measurement of Hysteresis Energy

The viability of extensometer strain acquisition has been investigated by measuring both dissipated and stored energy during fatigue loading. The motivation behind this work stems from the difficulties in characterizing both physics-based fatigue lifing models and hard damping coatings for aerospace applications. Dissipated energy is critical in fatigue life modeling for defining damage parameters and determining loading cycles to failure; and the capability of hard damping coatings are assessed by quality factor (Q) which is directly proportional to the ratio of stored versus dissipated energy per cycle. Previous studies show the accuracy of physics-based lifing models and empirical damping assessments rely heavily on measurement sensors, experimental procedure, and data acquisition parameters. The following study compares the strain measurement capability of three extensometers on an axial servohydraulic load frame with experimental procedure and acquisition parameters in mind. The study investigates the variability in dissipated and stored energy per unit length of Titanium 6Al-4V bars under three different loading frequencies and data sampling rates. Damping results and data crossover phenomenon near hysteresis amplitude are also observed in this study. The results show that the extensometer with a 101.6 mm gage length (0.3 % maximum strain amplitude) performs better than the two 25.4 mm gage length sensors (4 % and 30 % maximum strain amplitude) regardless of loading frequency and sampling rate, and the data crossover is significantly reduced with the larger gage length extensometer.
Synthesis of 3-amino-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinazolinones as potential anticonvulsants

Thirteen 3-amino-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinazolinones have been synthesized from ethyl chloroformate and o-aminobenzylhydrazines. The latter compounds were obtained from the metal hydride reduction of either o-aminobenzhydrazides or o-acylaniline hydrazones. All compounds were evaluated in mice in the maximal electroshock (MES) seizure and pentylenetetrazole (sc Met) seizure threshold tests for anticonvulsant activity and in the rotorod test to determine neurotoxicity. Five of the compounds showed activity in one or both tests at a dose of 300 mg/kg or lower. The most active compound is 3-dimethylamino-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinazolinone.
Alternatives to HDEHP and DTPA for Simplified TALSPEAK Separations

The TALSPEAK process is an established option for lanthanide/minor actinide separations using solvent extraction. In this process, selective extraction of lanthanides is achieved by contacting a water-soluble aminopolycarboxylate complexant in a concentrated carboxylic acid buffer with a liquid cation exchanging extractant in an immiscible organic diluent. Although TALSPEAK process development has been successful on several levels, studies of the detailed fundamental chemistry have revealed undesirable complex interactions between aqueous and organic solute species. These complications threaten to impair process modeling and could impact engineered operations. In the present work, results are reported describing equilibrium partitioning and phase transfer kinetics trends for trivalent lanthanide ions and americium into bis-2-ethyl(hexyl) phosphoric acid (HDEHP) or structural analog 2-ethyl(hexyl) phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (HEH[EHP]) organic phases from aqueous lactate solutions containing di...