cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of prairie management practices on mycorrhizal symbiosis

The effects of tallgrass prairie management practices, burning, mowing (simulated grazing), and fertilization, on mycorrhizal symbiosis were studied in a field experiment established in 1986. In 1987 and 1989, there were no significant effects of these management practices on mycorrhizal fungus species composition. While 14 and 11 species were observed in 1987 and 1989, respectively, the dominant species in both samplings was Glomus ambisporum. Spore numbers were generally not affected by these management practices. However, in 1987 there were significant effects on spore number due to nitrogen addition and a burn x mow interaction, but these were not apparent in 1989. In 1989 there was a significant burn x nitrogen interaction, with nitrogen fertilization of unburned plots significantly increasing the number of mycorrhizal fungal spores. In winter months total % root colonization, active % root colonization and inoculum potential were low whether or not plants were fertilized. In contrast, in late spring and early summer when plants were actively growing, fertilization reduced total % root colonization, active % root colonization, and inoculum potential in soil. However, nitrogen fertilization was not as inhibitory to the symbiosis as phosphorus fertilization or phosphorus + nitrogen fertilization. The negative effects of nitrogen fertilization on mycorrhizae are probably offset by the pronounced benefit of nitrogen fertilization to plant biomass production.
Rethinking Land Struggle in the Postindustrial City

The racial and cultural politics of land and property are central to urban struggle, but have received relatively little attention in geography. This paper analyzes land struggles in Detroit where over 100,000 parcels of land are classified as “vacant”. Since 2010, planners and government officials have been developing controversial plans to ruralize Detroit's “vacant” neighborhoods as part of a program of fiscal austerity, reigniting old questions of racialized dispossession, sovereignty, and struggles for liberation. This paper analyzes these contentious politics by examining disputes over a white businessman's proposal to build the world's largest urban forest in the center of a Black majority city. I focus on how residents, urban farmers, and community activists resisted the project by making counterclaims to vacant land as an urban commons. They argued that the land is inhabited not empty and that it belonged to those who labored upon and suffered for it. Combining community-based ethnography with insights from critical property theory, critical race studies, and postcolonial theory, I argue that land struggles in Detroit are more than distributional conflicts over resources. They are inextricable from debates over notions of race, property, and citizenship that undergird modern liberal democracies and ongoing struggles for decolonization.
A pilot study of cidofovir for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in AIDS

Objective To assess the safety, tolerability and effect of cidofovir for HIV-1 associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Design Prospective, open-label study in nine AIDS Clinical Trials Units. Patients and methods Twenty-four HIV-1-infected individuals, with neuroimaging and clinical findings consistent with PML, and symptoms for 90 days or less, whose diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of JC virus DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid or brain biopsy, received cidofovir 5 mg/kg intravenously at baseline and 1 week, followed by infusions every 2 weeks with the dose adjusted for renal function. Follow-up continued to 24 weeks. The safety of cidofovir and changes in neurological examination scores between baseline and week 8 were assessed. Results Seventeen subjects were receiving potent antiretroviral agents. Survival at 12 weeks was 54%. The CD4 cell count at entry was significantly associated with survival (P = 0.02). Five subjects discontinued treatment because of toxicity: a 50% or greater decrease in intraocular pressure in either eye in four, and proteinuria in one. Overall, magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities and neurological examination scores worsened. Only two subjects experienced a 25% or greater improvement in neurological examination scores at week 8, which were significantly better in subjects with HIV-1-RNA levels of 500 copies/ml or less at entry compared with those with HIV-1-RNA levels over 500 copies/ml (P = 0.05). Conclusion Cidofovir did not improve neurological examination scores at week 8. However, such scores were significantly better in subjects who entered with suppressed plasma HIV-1-RNA levels, which could be the result of control of HIV-1 infection itself or cidofovir.
Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Nonintact Beefsteaks of Different Thicknesses Cooked by Pan Broiling, Double Pan Broiling,or Roasting by Using Five Types of Cooking Appliances

This study compared thermal inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in nonintact beefsteaks of different thicknesses by different cooking methods and appliances. Coarsely ground beef was inoculated with rifampin-resistant E. coli O157:H7 (eight-strain composite, 6 to 7 log CFU/g) and then mixed with sodium chloride (0.45%) plus sodium tripolyphosphate (0.23%); the total water added was 10%. The meat was stuffed into bags (10-cm diameter), semifrozen (−20°C, 6 h), and cut into 1.5-, 2.5-, and 4.0-cm-thick steaks. Samples were then individually vacuum packaged, frozen (−20°C, 42 h), and tempered (4°C, 2.5 h) before cooking. Partially thawed (−2 ± 1°C) steaks were pan broiled (Presto electric skillet and Sanyo grill), double pan broiled (George Foreman grill), or roasted (Oster toaster oven and Magic Chef standard kitchen oven) to a geometric center temperature of 65°C. Extent of pathogen inactivation decreased in order of roasting (2.0 to 4.2 log CFU/g) > pan broiling (1.6 to 2.8 log CFU/g) ≥ double pan br...
Media Review: The Surprising Power of Liberating Structures

Daniel Pesut reviews The Surprising Power of Liberating Structures, by Henri Lipmanowicz and Keith McCandless.
Common Procedural and Jurisdictional Pitfalls to Avoid in Practicing Before the Arkansas Supreme Court

ed, not included in the addendum. The addendum shall also contain a reference to the abstract pages where the transcript exhibit appears
Differential Z + multi-jet cross section measurements at CMS

Abstract We present a measurement of the cross section of Z / γ ⁎ plus jet events in proton-proton collisions as a function of the vector boson transverse momentum. The data were collected with the CMS detector at s = 8 TeV , corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb−1. The measurement is performed for vector bosons that have a transverse momentum larger than p T > 40 GeV and for different jet multiplicities. We consider MadGraph [1], Sherpa [2] and BlackHat + Sherpa [3] for Monte Carlo simulation (MC). MadGraph and Sherpa are multi-leg, leading-order matrix elements with parton showering programmes while BlackHat is an NLO parton-level MC. We also study the variables p T Z / H T and log 10 ⁡ ( p T Z / p T j 1 ) which are suitable to challenge the validity of NLO predictions. In hadronic searches for new physics, p T Z / H T would correspond to a E T / H T ratio.
Stress, Health, and Disparities

Large racial inequalities exist in the onset, course, and outcomes of illness. Despite extensive knowledge of the size, trends, and determinants of social inequalities in health, much remains to be learned about the forces driving them. This chapter reviews knowledge of racial inequities in health and the potential contribution of psychosocial stressors. It describes patterns in the distribution of disease by race, and relationships between psychosocial stress and health. It explores how stress is experienced in the body and how psychosocial stressors are characterized. Evidence relating psychosocial stressors to health is examined, and biological mechanisms behind these relationships are discussed. Differential exposure to chronic and acute psychosocial stressors may be an important part of social experience, affecting health and contributing to health disparities. A comprehensive view of stressors could capture the full effect of stress on human physiology, health, and health disparities. Research and clinical implications of associations between psychosocial stressors and health are considered.
Aggressive event incidence using the staff observation of Aggression Scale-Revised (SOAS-R): a longitudinal study

The aim of this study was to identify aggressive event incidence rates in the inpatient psychiatric setting, describe characteristics of events and differences based on aggression target and type (verbal vs. physical). A longitudinal study was carried out of aggressive events identified by workers in four inpatient psychiatric units using the Staff Observation of Aggression Scale-Revised (SOAS-R) over 6 weeks. A total of 113 aggressive events were recorded resulting in a rate of 13.27 events per bed per year. Verbal aggression was demonstrated in 86 % and physical aggression in 57 % of events. Most events (70.8 %, n = 81) targeted a worker. Compared to other targets, workers were 3.4 times more likely to feel threatened (95 % CI 1.2–9.6, χ2 = 5.08, p = 0.0242), and less likely to have a visible injury (OR 0.15, 95 % CI 0.04–0.6; χ2 = 7.1, p = 0.0078). Event severity ranged from 0 to 21 with a mean of 9.5(SD = 5.1), with 20 % considered severe. Verbal events had lower mean severity of 6.5(SD = 3.8) versus physical events with a severity of 11.8(SD = 4.8; t = 6.5, df = 111, p < 0.0001). In 57.5 % of events there was no consequence to the victim. For most events (76 %) resolution included workers talking to the patient, while 54 % involved use of medication. Restrictive measures (physical hold, seclusion or physical restraint) were involved in 24.8 % of events. Aggression incidence was similar to incidence found in other studies. Workers were the target of most aggressive events and many were identified as having no understandable provocation. Further understanding of event characteristics will promote more effective prevention and management of aggressive events.
Optimization of process parameters for amorphous semiconductor contacts on high-purity germanium detectors

High-purity germanium (HPGe) represents a premium material for gamma-ray spectroscopy and imaging, with electrical contacts playing a large role in detector performance. Amorphous semiconductor contacts to HPGe detectors have been demonstrated to operate as a sufficient charge injection barrier, while providing a simple fabrication process and flexibility in contact geometry and bias application. The primary remaining challenges are reliable reproduction of high barrier heights and inter-contact impedance as well as stability with respect to time and temperature cycling. The results from a study of electron barrier height and temperature cycling stability with varying process conditions are given in this paper.
Clinical Outcomes of Anticoagulation for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation: A 10 year cohort study.

P210 From January 1990 through July 2000 a cohort of 373 patients without prior thromboembolic events were treated with warfarin for nonvalvular or valvular atrial fibrillation. Patients were managed in an anticoagulation clinic using point-of-care prothrombin time monitoring. A computerized database was used to collect information on warfarin dose, INR results and clinical events. There were 6577 prothrombin time measurements with INR results as shown in the table and 52.1% of measured INRs were within the recommended range of 2.0–3.0. During 424 patient-years there was one stroke and three TIAs. The incidence of thromboembolism was 0.9% per year. Eleven patients sustained major bleeding events: gastrointestinal (8); retroperitoneal (1); subdural hematoma (1) and cebrebrospinal (1). The incidence of major bleeding was 2.6% per year. The lowest combined percentage of both major bleeding and thromboembolism occurred with INR values of 2.0–3.9. Long-term warfarin therapy with unselected outpatients in an anticoagulation clinic produced stroke and bleeding rates comparable to pooled data from controlled studies.
Recruitment to mail and telephone interventions for obesity in a managed care environment: The weigh-to-be project

Study Design: Cross-sectional. Patients and Methods: A total of 1801 members of an MCO were recruited by direct mail, clinic flier, and physician referral for a research study evaluating mail- and telephone-based weight loss programs; 412 additional overweight members of the same MCO were identified in a general member survey for comparison purposes. Body mass index, demographics, diet, and exercise habits were measured. Results: Study volunteers were heavier, more likely to be women, more likely to be minorities, more educated, and younger than the general sample of overweight members. They also had a more extensive history of dieting, ate a diet higher in fat and lower in fruit and vegetables, and were more likely to report binge eating than the general sample. However, study volunteers reported a higher level of physical activity. Conclusions: Invitations to participate in weight loss programs can attract large numbers of people in a managed care setting. However, the participation bias in recruitment to such programs is similar to that seen in traditional face-to-face interventions. Women of higher socioeconomic status who are severely obese and who have an extensive history of weight control efforts are more likely to participate. Additional research is needed to find ways to reach more men and older adults. (Am J Manag Care. 2004;10:378-382)
“A banquet for all the world”: democracy and consumerism in Disney’s Food Will Win the War

This essay considers Food Will Win the War, an animated short made early in World War II by Disney Studios for the United States Department of Agriculture. Through a fantastical catalogue of hyperb...
Charge densities in actinide compounds: strategies for data reduction and model building

The data quality requirements for charge density studies on actinide compounds are extreme. Important steps in data collection and reduction required to obtain such data are summarized and evaluated. The steps involved in building an augmented Hansen–Coppens multipole model for an actinide pseudo-atom are provided. The number and choice of radial functions, in particular the definition of the core, valence and pseudo-valence terms are discussed. The conclusions in this paper are based on a re-examination and improvement of a previously reported study on [PPh4][UF6]. Topological analysis of the total electron density shows remarkable agreement between experiment and theory; however, there are significant differences in the Laplacian distribution close to the uranium atoms which may be due to the effective core potential employed for the theoretical calculations.
LibGuides by Design: Using Instructional Design Principles and User-Centered Studies to Develop Best Practices

LibGuides are an essential resource in academic libraries. Although librarians use LibGuides primarily as instructional tools there is little discussion about the application of pedagogical and lea...
Multi‐constituent simulation of thrombus formation at LVAD inlet cannula connection: Importance of Virchow’s triad.

As pump thrombosis is reduced in current-generation ventricular assist devices (VAD), adverse events such as bleeding or stroke remain at unacceptable rates. Thrombosis around the VAD inlet cannula (IC) has been highlighted as a possible source of stroke events. Recent computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies have attempted to characterize the thrombosis risk of different IC-ventricle configurations. However, purely CFD simulations relate thrombosis risk to ad hoc criteria based on flow characteristics, with little consideration of biochemical factors. This study investigates the genesis of IC thrombosis including two elements of the Virchow's triad: endothelial injury and hypercoagulability. To this end a multi-scale thrombosis simulation that includes platelet activity and coagulation reactions was performed. Our results show significant thrombin formation in stagnation regions (|u| < 0.005 m/s) close to the IC wall. In addition, high shear-mediated platelet activation was observed over the leading-edge tip of the cannula. The current study reveals the importance of biochemical factors to the genesis of thrombosis at the ventricular-cannula junction in a perioperative state. This study is a first step toward the long-term objective of including clinically relevant pharmacological kinetics such as heparin or aspirin in simulations of inflow cannula thrombosis.
Will flat optics appear in everyday life anytime soon

Flat optical components based on metasurfaces will appear in our daily life in the near future. Our discussion focuses on metasurface-based components consisting of sub-wavelength spaced dielectric nanostructures in the optical region. After an introduction to the underlying technology, the advantages of metasurfaces are highlighted and the efforts in the development of metasurface components is discussed. The metasurface not only promises a reduction in the size and complexity of optical components but also brings new functionalities. Examples of achromatic optical components, a full-Stokes metasurface camera, and a metasurface depth sensor with superior performance are highlighted. Finally, future trends and opportunities are discussed.
Analyzing Co-occurrence Networks of Emojis on Twitter

Emojis have become an integral part of digital communication in recent years. They promote the expression of emotions and ideas through visual icons of people, animals, and symbols. Twitter provides a platform for discussion and commentary in real time with a diverse and global audience, making it a good candidate for studying the usage of emoji across various topics. In this paper, 296260 tweets containing emojis have been used to create undirected-weighted co-occurrence networks of emojis with respect to dating, music, US politics, Olympic Games, epidemics, in addition to a control group. For each co-occurrence network, we find related tweets by searching Twitter using associated terms. Node weight and Eigenvector centrality measures are used to compare the co-occurrence networks to one another. We find that Open image in new window and Open image in new window are the most influential emojis in the epidemics co-occurrence network, occupying first and second place, respectively in terms of eigenvector despite not being in the top 10 emojis in terms of node weight.
Anterior Interosseous Nerve to Ulnar Nerve Transfers: A Systematic Review

Background There has been an increasing utilization of end-to-end (ETE) and reverse “supercharged” end-to-side (SETS) anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) to ulnar nerve transfers (NTs) for treatment of high ulnar nerve injury. This study aimed to review the potential indications for, and outcomes of, ETE and SETS AIN–ulnar NT. Methods A literature review was performed, and 10 articles with 156 patients who had sufficient follow-up to evaluate functional outcomes were included. English studies were included if they reported the outcome of patients with ulnar nerve injuries treated with AIN to ulnar motor NT. Outcomes were analyzed based on the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire scores, grip and key pinch strength, and interosseous Medical Research Council–graded motor strength. Comparisons were made using the independent t-test and the chi-square test. No nerve graft control group was required for eligibility. Ulnar nerve injury types varied. Results NT resulted in 77% of patients achieving M3+ recovery, 53.7 ± 19.8 lb grip strength recovery, 61 ± 21% key pinch recovery, and a mean DASH score of 33.4 ± 16. In this diverse group, NT resulted in significantly greater M3+ recovery and grip strength recovery measured in pounds than in the nerve graft/conventional treatment group, and ETE repairs had significantly better outcomes compared with SETS repairs for grip strength, key pinch strength, and DASH scores, but heterogeneity limits interpretation. Conclusion ETE and SETS AIN–ulnar NTs produce significant restoration of ulnar nerve motor function for high ulnar nerve injuries. For ulnar nerve transection injuries at or above the elbow, ETE NT results in superior motor recovery compared with nerve grafting/conventional repair. However, further research is needed to determine the best treatment for other types of ulnar nerve injury and the role of SETS NT.
The Living Pay for the Dead

This chapter explores the social changes that occurred during the sixteenth century in the Izalco region of western El Salvador that during the colonial period formed a part of the audiencia of Guatemala. The focus is on the socioeconomic factors that encouraged and motivated the unusually strong Spanish presence in the Izalco region in the early Colonial period and on the impact of Spanish domination on the indigenous population.
Novel Therapies in Development for Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic macular edema (DME) secondary to diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause for functional visual loss in the developed world. Laser photocoagulation has been used for decades in the treatment of DME. However, the advent of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) has revolutionized the treatment of DME. Three important anti-VEGF agents whose efficacy has been well established via phase III clinical trials include ranibizumab, bevacizumab, and aflibercept. However, even in the era of anti-VEGF therapies, there are some challenges that retina specialists have to confront in managing patients with DME. These include the need for frequent treatment and an unpredictable response to therapy. There is evidence to suggest that pathways other than the VEGF pathway may be playing a role in the development of DME. Thus, extensive research is focused on development of novel agents that target these pathways. This review focuses on novel therapeutic agents in development, which may be used as a monotherapy or in combination with anti-VEGF agents, for the management of DME in the future.
Polypeptide chains from porcine cerebral myelin.

Abstract Porcine cerebral myelin contains 20% protein by weight. The polypeptide chain components of this protein range in molecular weight from 18,800 to 97,000 with predominant species of 18,800, 25,000, 48,000, and 52,000. The encephalatogenic basic protein which is 25 to 30% of the total membrane protein has a molecular weight of 18,800 and the proteolipid complex originally described by Folch and Lees ((1951) J. Biol. Chem. 191, 807) contains several polypeptide chains with molecular weights between 25,000 and 90,000
Development of an undergraduate robotics course

Robotics is a multi-disciplinary subject typically taught at the graduate level. Yet, because of its multidisciplinary nature, robotics is an ideal example of curriculum integration. Students are forced to combine knowledge acquired in a variety of classes across different disciplines. This paper discusses several issues related to the recent development of an undergraduate robotics course at the University of West Florida, USA. The course includes elements of classical robotics such as kinematics, dynamics and control of robot manipulators and robot building concepts. The course culminates in a robotics competition in which teams of students build robotic devices that compete against those of other teams.
A study of coil orientations to enhance the transfer efficiency of a multi-repeater wireless power transmission system

In this work, we investigated the feasibility of improving wireless power transfer (WPT) efficiency for long ranges using multiple repeaters with antenna orientation enhancement. The system architecture included one transmitter antenna (TX), one receiver antenna (RX) and repeater antennas (RP) in a cascaded arrangement. In our experiments, 15 repeaters were used for demonstration. The spacing between adjacent antennas was 30 cm and the overall distance from TX to RX was 4.8 m. Identical antennas were made of 46 AWG, 145-strand Litz wires in 10 turns of coils which have a size of 60 cm × 60 cm in a rhombic shape. In the transmitter circuit, a class-E power amplifier was used to convert power from DC supply to 900 kHz while a 100-Ω resistive load was used in the receiver circuit to harvest the wireless energy. The system efficiency was measured as the ratio between the output power delivered to load and the input power from the DC source. Theoretical model based on inductive coupling was presented to calculate the system characteristics such as power transfer between antennas, power loss induced in each antenna and total wireless power transfer efficiency. Calculation and measurement results matched well and both confirmed the effects by coil orientation variations in a WPT system.
Wortmannin Blocks Goldfish Retinal Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase and Neurite Outgrowth

The goldfish retina has been used extensively for the study of nerve regeneration. A role for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in neurite outgrowth from goldfish retinal explants has been examined by means of wortmannin (WT), a selective inhibitor of the enzyme. The presence of PI3K in retinal extracts was determined by means of immunoprecipitation as well as by an in vitro assay system for catalytic activity. The relative amount of the p85 subunit of PI3K detected by western blot in the retina following optic nerve crush was unchanged. WT inhibited goldfish brain PI3K activity at concentrations as low as 10−9 M, approximating that reported for inhibition of mammalian PI3K's. Daily addition of 10−8 M WT to retinal explants, activated by prior crush of the optic nerve, significantly inhibited neurite outgrowth during a 7 day in vitro culture period, while a single addition of WT to freshly explanted retina had no effect on neurite outgrowth. These results suggest that a PI3K-mediated process may be critical for nerve regrowth.
Interaction-induced Bose metal in two dimensions

We show here that the regularization of the conductivity resulting from the bosonic interactions on the ``insulating'' (quantum-disordered) side of an insulator-superconductor transition in two dimensions, gives rise to a metal with a finite conductivity, $\ensuremath{\sigma}=(2/\ensuremath{\pi}{)4e}^{2}/h,$ as temperature tends to zero. The Bose metal is stable to weak disorder and hence represents a concrete example of an interaction-induced metallic phase. The phenomenological inclusion of dissipation reinstates the anticipated insulating behavior in the quantum-disordered regime. Hence, we conclude that the traditionally studied insulator-superconductor transition, which is driven solely by quantum fluctuations, corresponds to a superconductor-metal transition. The possible relationship to experiments on superconducting thin films in which a low-temperature metallic phase has been observed is discussed.
City and Countryside in an Environmental Context

Rainforest Cities: Urbanization, Development, and Globalization of the Brazilian Amazon. John O. Browder and Brian J. Godfrey. New York: Columbia University Press, 1997. 429 pp. From Principles to Practice: Indigenous People and Biodiversity Conservation in Latin America. Andrew Gray. Alejando Parellada. and Hellen Newing. eds. Copenhagen, Denmark: International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, 1998. 303 pp.
A low power 77 K nano-memory with single electron nano-crystal storage

We present experimental results of a threshold-shifting nano-memory. The observations are consistent with single electron storage in nano-crystals and offer possible evidence of Coulomb blockade at 77 K. The nano-memory consists of a silicon field-effect transistor with nano-crystals of silicon placed in the gate oxide in close proximity of the inversion surface. Electron charge is stored in these isolated 5-10 nm size nano-crystals which are separated from each other by >5 nm of SiO/sub 2/ and from the inversion layer on the substrate surface by sub-2 nm of SiO/sub 2/. Charge is injected from the inversion layer and its storage in the nano-crystals causes a shift in the threshold voltage which is sensed via current. The magnitude of this threshold shift is relatable to the charge in the nano-crystals, oxide thicknesses, and other device parameters. The uniqueness of this work is that this is the first memory utilizing single electron storage in a mainstream silicon technology which operates at low powers and yet does not sacrifice the drive current, reproducibility, and noise margin needs of a practical memory technology. It should also be possible to extend the concept to room temperature by utilizing the suspected Coulomb blockade behavior in nanocrystals of 3 nm size.
Proto-solid bitumen in petroleum altered by thermochemical sulfate reduction

Thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) involves a complex series of redox reactions whereby petroleum is oxidized by sulfate forming H2S and CO2. A highly aromatic, sulfur rich carbonaceous residue, which we define as TSR-solid bitumen, is commonly seen in reservoir rocks where TSR has occurred. Using atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry, we find that TSR altered oils and condensates contain highly condensed polynuclear aromatic and naphthenoaromatic species with 0–3 S atoms. These chemical species are not present in petroleum fluids of equivalent maturity that have not experienced TSR and must have been formed by the TSR process. We call these species proto-solid bitumen as they represent the type of organic compounds that could easily precipitate from the TSR altered oils with slight chemical alteration or changes in reservoir conditions.
RFID Instrumentation in a Field Application

The behavior of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags is investigated in a field application. The RFID instrumentation is used to mark the position of point strain sensors in a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), short-span bridge. The tags are surface mounted on carbon FRP structural elements and covered with a resin wear layer, i.e. the deck of the bridge. The smart composite bridge was installed in 2000 and serves as a field testbed for various sensor technologies including the RFID tags. The operation of the RFID network is tested in the field and compared to laboratory tags. Specific research issues include long-term survivability after six years, behavior on carbon FRP material, and environmental effects of weather, especially the presence of water. The feasibility of short-range RFID tags as location markers is discussed. The results show the suitability of RFID technology for field environments.
Peripheral stem cell mobilization and engraftment in patients over age 60

Data from 225 multiple myeloma (MM) patients, undergoing peripheral stem cell (PBSC) mobilization with high-dose cyclophosphamide and hematopoietic growth factors, were analyzed for median CD34+ cell count and median time to post-transplant neutrophil (ANC > 500/microliters) and platelet (> 50,000/microliters) recovery according to age groups (20-49, 50-59 and > or = 60 years) and duration of prior therapy ( 24 months). Fifty-seven of the 225 patients were > or = 60 years. No difference in either the median number of CD34+ cells collected or time to engraftment occurred between age groups, when adjusted for duration of prior therapy. These data support the concept that autotransplants can be performed safely in patients > or = 60 years and that these patients should not be excluded from the most effective treatment modalities.
Relativistic jet meets target - The gamma-rays from 3C 273

Gamma-rays dominate the emission from quasar 3C 273, although they cannot arise in its active center. Their origin is ascribed to a relativistic beam which entrains and clumps ambient cluster gas. Secondary electrons from nuclear collisions lead to bremsstrahlung gamma-rays and ultimately to a double radio source. This model requires a great deal of clumping of jet and target matter to get sufficient reactions to occur. The clumping required is consistent with the Liouville theorem, given the high collimation of the beam, which suggests that the process, however unexpected, is at least thermodynamically permitted. The present model is experimentally distinguishable from other models through its location of the X-ray source in the extended optical jet region, and through a number of detailed spectral features.
Transition intensities from thermal (n, γ) in Be, Al, Cl, Sc, and Ti

Abstract Gamma-ray transition intensities are reported for thermal neutron capture in Be, Al, Cl, Sc and Ti in the energy range 50 keV to 10 MeV. Ten new transitions are discussed. The pulsed neutron source permits discrimination againts isomers.
An image processing and optimal nonlinear filtering technique for particle image velocimetry of microflows

We have developed a processing methodology for extracting accurate measurements from ensembles of image pairs of particle-laden steady microflows. Processing the subimages and their correlations produces an estimate of the particle-displacement probability-density function that improves with ensemble averaging. An optimal nonlinear filter precisely extracts flow measurements from the measured displacement distribution. This methodology has been used to dissect the pressure-driven component from the electrokinetic component of particle motion in particle-image videos with no depth resolution of a planar microflow past an obstacle array and bubble.
Electrical conductivity and electron‐spin resonance in oxidatively stabilized polyacrylonitrile subjected to elevated temperature

Electrical conductivity and electron spin resonance measurements are presented for oxidatively stabilized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers subjected to heat treatment at temperatures ranging from 700 to 950 K. Conductivity measurements made at temperatures between 77 and 523 K reveal that PAN fibers heat treated in vacuum behave as semiconductors, with a room-temperature conductivity dominated by the contributions of impurity states, with an activation energy of 88 kcal/mole. A decrease in conductivity is observed upon air which is attributed to a decrease in the electron-phonon scattering time. ESR spectra indicate that conducting pathways having metallic properties are formed at temperatures as low as 715 K, although the contribution of these pathways to the room-temperature conductivity is extremely small next to the contribution of localized spin centers.
Cell lysis: another function of the coat protein of the bacteriophage f2.

Evidence is presented that the coat protein of bacteriophage f2 causes the lysis of infected Escherichia coli. To lyse bacteria, the coat protein produced must be of the quality to produce phage particles, although it need not be produced in amounts sufficient to give a large yield of particles. Mutants that are blocked in coat-protein synthesis, or that direct the synthesis of an imperfect coat protein, do not lyse their host bacteria. In addition to its obvious structural role and its postulated regulatory role, another, perhaps enzymatic, role has been found for the coat protein of the phage f2.
Pathogenesis of Irradiation-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction

Neurocognitive dysfunction is a common sequela of cranial irradiation that is especially severe in young children. The underlying mechanisms of this disorder have not been described. The present review describes the role of the hippocampus and the anatomically related cortex in memory function and its marked susceptibility to ischemic and hypoxic injury. Based on studies of animal models of human amnesia and histopathological findings in the irradiated brain, the neurocognitive sequela of cranial irradiation can be seen to be mediated through vascular injury, resulting in ischemia and hypoxia in the hippocampal region. Recognition of the site and mechanisms of this injury may lead to the development of techniques to minimize the risks.
Case report: adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma associated with recurrent strongyloides hyperinfection

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) was demonstrated postmortem in a 47-year-old woman initially manifesting severe hypercalcemia and a vertebral compression fracture. Hyperinfection with Strongyloides stercoralis preceded the appearance of ATLL by several months and ultimately dominated the terminal course. Although HTLV-I and S. stercoralis commonly infect the same host, only three other cases of concomitant ATLL and hyperinfection have been reported in English. The apparent rarity of this association suggests that immunologic sequelae of ATLL do not predispose to dissemination and multiplication of Strongyloides. Observations pertinent to this conclusion are reviewed.
A Device for the Preparation of Cereal Endosperm Bricks

sp. L.) endosperm hardness (kernel texture) has been a topic of intense interest for the past ≈100 years (Pomeranz and Williams 1990; Morris 2002). One of the first recorded devices for measuring wheat kernel texture was that of Roberts (1910), which determined the force required to crush individual kernels. There are two reasons why the assessment of kernel texture in wheat, in particular, is of great interest: 1) wheat exhibits distinct classes of kernel texture, namely soft, hard, and durum; and 2) the differences in kernel texture among these classes has a profound effect on flour milling, starch damage, particle size distribution, water absorption, and end-use quality (Morris and Rose 1996; Morris 2002). As we will describe, our objective was to produce a geometrically defined subsample of the endosperm as opposed to studying the whole kernel. The measurement of wheat kernel texture has been largely empirical because kernels and endosperm are difficult to work with due largely to their diminutive size. Current methods (AACC International 2000) such as near-infrared reflectance (Approved Method 39-70A), particle size index (Approved Method 55-30), and single kernel characterization System (Approved Method 55-31) provide measurements in arbitrary unitless proportions or scales. Generally, to obtain objective measures of material proper-ties in universal units of force, work, etc., complex geometries must be simplified, and in the case of wheat, the bran, germ, and pigment strand should also be eliminated. A few researchers have been successful in achieving this goal. Glenn of the USDA devel-oped a method of “turning” on a lathe endosperm cylinders of defined geometry, and then subjecting them to testing in both com-pression and tension (Glenn et al 1991; Jolly 1991; Jolly et al 1996; Delwiche 2000; Osborne et al 2001; Dobraszczyk et al 2002). This same technique was studied in the senior author’s lab and found to be exceedingly tedious. The centering of the kernel “cheek” on the lathe stub was particularly problematic. Haddad, Abecassis and co-workers (Haddad et al 1998, 1999, 2001; Sam-son et al 2005) eliminated the problems associated with “turning” cylinders, by preparing through sanding rectangular parallelepi-pedal test samples. Here we term such specimens “bricks”. We have devised and constructed a similar device that eliminates the need for adhesive paper and glue to hold specimens during their preparation (see Haddad et al 1998). Furthermore, one of the pro-cessing steps in the technique described by Haddad et al (1998) as “Two machined half-grains are placed between two sheets, and a wedge is set at height l of the extremities of the sheets” has been eliminated. We have used the device described here to prepare hundreds of bricks of various wheat (
Prevention of murine norovirus infection in neonatal mice by fostering.

Murine norovirus (MNV) causes subclinical chronic infections in adult immunocompetent mice and is endemic in many mouse colonies. The susceptibility of neonatal mice to MNV infection was investigated. Intestinal homogenates from Swiss Webster (SW) mice inoculated orally with MNV-L on postpartum days (ppd) 1 to 3 were negative for MNV by RT-PCR at postinoculation days (pid) 3 and 7. In contrast, 69% of intestinal homogenates prepared on pid 3 and 7 from mice inoculated orally at ppd 5 to 8 were MNV-positive by RT-PCR. Because only mice 10 d of age or older were infected by contact with infected dams, a study was performed to determine whether fostering of neonatal mice from MNV-infected to MNV-naive dams could be effective at preventing infection of neonatal mice. Four litters each of 1-, 2-, 4-, or 6 d-old mice from MNV-L–infected dams were transferred to naive dams with similar-aged litters and vice versa. On ppd 21, feces from all MNV-infected dams and litters transferred to them were MNV-positive. In contrast on ppd 21, feces from all MNV-naive dams and litters transferred to them were MNV-negative. Fostering of 2-d-old mice from 5 of 5 MNV-C–, 5 of 6 MNV-D–, and 7 of 8 MNV-G–infected dams onto MNV-naive dams prevented MNV infection of the foster mice. In the 2 litters where MNV was detected, dams were infected within 7 d of transfer, suggesting that the neonatal mice had served as fomites. In summary, fostering was effective at preventing MNV infection in 33 of 35 litters of neonatal mice. Precautions to prevent transmission of virus on the surface of neonatal mice to foster dams could increase the efficiency of the fostering process.
Modified Pereyra Bladder Neck Suspension: 10-Year Mean Followup Using Outcomes Analysis in 125 Patients

AbstractPurpose: We attempt to determine the long-term success rate of the modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension, identify preoperative factors predictive of long-term outcome, and investigate the influence of method and length of followup on reported continence status after modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension.Materials and Methods: The charts of 177 patients who underwent modified Pereyra bladder neck suspension at our institution more than 5 years ago were reviewed. An attempt was made to contact all patients either by mail or telephone to complete a patient survey questionnaire.Results: Of 177 patients 125 (71 percent) completed the patient survey with a mean followup of 9.8 years. At survey followup 20 percent of the patients reported no incontinence of any type and 51 percent reported stress urinary incontinence with or without urge incontinence. Of the patients 71 percent reported significant improvement in the incontinence and 73 percent were satisfied with the results of the procedure. No ...
Evaluation of in vitro storage properties of apheresis platelets suspended in a bicarbonate-containing additive solution with low levels of plasma and stored with a 24-hour interruption of agitation.

Background and Objectives PLT additive solutions (PAS) are useful for reducing the frequency and/or severity of plasma-associated transfusion reactions. A new PAS solution, PAS-5, containing 5% plasma, maintains in vitro PLT properties during 7-day storage. Periods with interruption of agitation (IA) ≤24 h routinely occur during PLT shipment and do not usually compromise platelet quality. The aim of the study was to evaluate the properties of PLTs stored for 7 days in 95% PAS-5/5% plasma subjected to a 24-h IA. Materials and methods Double apheresis Amicus units (n = 12) were collected using a manual PAS-5 addition to hyperconcentrated PLTs. PLT units were equally divided in two containers. Control and test PLTs were stored with continuous agitation at 20–24°C except for 24-h IA period for test units between days 2–3. Results During storage, levels of glucose, lactate, mitochondrial membrane potential and aggregation significantly differed in test units compared to those of control. The pH levels of test PLTs were less than those of control units with 7/12 test units having pHs <6·2 on Day 7 compared to 1/12 control units. Morphology score, GP1bα expression, ESC values, superoxide production were also less, and activation was greater in test PLTs than those of control. All other parameters were similar between test and control units. Conclusion PLTs stored in PAS-5 solution containing 5% plasma with a 24-h IA results in marked decrements in many in vitro PLT quality parameters during 7-day storage.
An innovations approach to least-squares estimation--Part II: Linear smoothing in additive white noise

The innovations approach to linear least-squares approximation problems is first to "whiten" the observed data by a causal and invertible operation, and then to treat the resulting simpler white-noise observations problem. This technique was successfully used by Bode and Shannon to obtain a simple derivation of the classical Wiener filtering problem for stationary processes over a semi-infinite interval. Here we shall extend the technique to handle nonstationary continuous-time processes over finite intervals. In Part I we shall apply this method to obtain a simple derivation of the Kalman-Bucy recursive filtering formulas (for both continuous-time and discrete-time processes) and also some minor generalizations thereof.
Verbal-labeling and cue-training in reversal-shift behavior

Abstract Three experiments were performed which investigated the possibility of improving reversal-shift behavior in preschool children. In all experiments S s learned to discriminate between sets of curvilinear and rectilinear lines. Within each experiment S s were divided into 3 groups: a control group which learned to discriminate without special training, a cue-training group which was taught to attend to the essential characteristics of the stimuli from each category, and a labeling group that learned to use common labels for the stimuli from each category. A reversal shift was initiated following preshift training. Results indicated that the training procedures did increase the speed with which the S s reversed and that verbal-labeling was more effective than cue-training, but both groups were superior to the control condition. The results were interpreted within the framework of the coordinated single-unit and mediational S-R formulation.
Cultural constructivism: the confluence of cognition, knowledge creation, multiculturalism, and teaching

Knowledge is created in the crucible of culture, and is mediated by the nature of nature. In the teaching of diverse students, teachers need to understand the process by which cultural paradigms, juxtaposed to the process of knowledge construction, may potentially create multiple realities for different students. When teaching diverse students, therefore, teachers need the heightened awareness by which they can more effectively decipher student knowledge. This will enhance their ability to direct their teaching towards their intended learning outcomes. In this paper, some activities are shared to illustrate the process by which culture may serve as a context for knowledge construction, and its implications for teaching.
Primary malignant tumors of bone. Evaluation of current diagnosis and treatment.

The author's experience in the diagnosis and treatment of primary malignant bone tumors (700 cases) is reviewed, together with the experience of the staff at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, to evaluate various approaches to diagnosis and treatment, and to determine whether progress has been made in treating bone sarcoma. The survival rates remain fairly constant and continue to be largely influenced by the adequacy of the surgery performed. Radiation therapy, while largely palliative, plays a role in adjunctive and definitive treatment (especially in reticulum cell sarcoma of bone). High energy forms of radiation therapy prove superior to ortho-voltage treatment. The clinical achievements of chemotherapy present scant evidence that it plays more than an adjunctive palliative role in the majority of cases treated. There is evidence that in some cases it may play an adjunctive role in successful treatment when used with radiation and/or surgery.