cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Planning for Online Education: A Systems Model.

The purpose of this article is to revisit the basic principles of technology planning as applied to online education initiatives. While not meant to be an exhaustive treatment of the topic, the article is timely because many colleges and universities are considering the development and expansion of online education as part of their planning activities. The article suggests that purposeful planning is key to the successful implementation of online education as opposed to disruption or radical transformation that may be damaging to an institution’s culture.
"Where Did We Come From, and Where Do We Go? A Critique of the Dynamic Capability Literature"

The Studebaker Corporation was founded in 1852 as a family owned and operated wagon and carriage manufacturing company. They grew to become one of the largest in the world. The company was also the...
Enhanced Cross-Linked Density by Annealing on Fluorinated Polymers Synthesized via Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition To Prevent Surface Reconstruction

Thin films of 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyl acrylate copolymerized with the cross-linker divinylbenzene (p(PFDA-co-DVB)) were synthesized via initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). The vapor deposited approach is significant as the fluorinated monomer and hydrocarbon cross-linker lack a common solvent. Changes in physical and chemical properties in the copolymers before and after an annealing treatment were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle (CA) measurements with water and mineral oil, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and nanoindentation. Cross-linking results in lower CA hysteresis than measured for the iCVD p(PFDA) homopolymer. Furthermore, annealing improves the extent of reaction of the vinyl bonds on the DVB units incorporated into the film. This further enhancement in the cross-linking density is correlated with an additional reduction in the CA hysteresis observed after annealing of the p(PFDA-co-DVB) films. CA hysteresis values ...
Crystal Defects In GaN on (0001) Sapphire

Defect structures in GaN thin films grown on (0001) sapphire have been studied using a combination of different transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Two fundamentally different types of defects are found in these films. Planar defects which lie on planes perpendicular to the growth surface are common. In some regions of the films, other planar defects are present which run parallel to the surface of the substrate. The terminology used to describe these different defects varies quite widely in the literature and includes combinations of antiphase (inversion) domain boundaries and stacking faults. The second type of defect is generally referred to as a threading dislocation since many thread through the whole thickness of the film. Dislocations with different Burgers vectors have been identified in this work and in previous studies; these dislocations usually have a component of their Burgers vector lying normal to the (0001) plane. The overall defect structures in these films have been characterized using conventional bright-field and dark-field imaging. The detailed structure of the individual defects have been examined using weak-beam microscopy both in plan view and in cross section. This paper illustrates the different types of defects, both planar and linear, compares them to defects which have been characterized more thoroughly in related materials, and discuss the nomenclature of the different defect configurations.
VCSEL Based Radio-over-Fiber Link for the Low Frequency Aperture Array Receiver of the SKA

A VCSEL-based, radio over fiber link for the Low Frequency Aperture Array of the SKA interferometer is presented. The link SFDR measured is better than 76 dB-Hz2/3 up to 8 km within a 50-350 MHz bandwidth.
Obtaining Large Numbers of Metaphases in Barley Root Tips

This technic was developed primarily to facilitate the scoring of radiation-induced chromosome aberrations in the first mitotic root-tip division of Hordeum vulgare (barley). The two main features of the technic are (1) the germination of the barley seeds in 0.2% colchicine, which destroys the spindle and thus causes the accumulation of large numbers of cells in metaphase, and (2) the digestion of the middle lamella by treatment with 4-5% pectinase, which allows the cells to be separated from one another and to be flattened. It was found also that the use of hot (60°C) Carnoy's fixative both shortened the time necessary for good fixation and removed any droplets of lipid in the cells that might otherwise obscure the chromosomes.
Alton Ochsner, MD (1896-1981): surgical pioneer and legacy linking smoking and disease.

Edward William Alton Ochsner kept a plain, metal card file in which he recorded close to 50 years worth of medical experiences, research, and insights. The most populated topics were filed as “Canc...
The dental mirror in operations of the prostate.

Le miroir dentaire n'a pas ete utilise dans les operations ouvertes de la prostate. Son utilisation peut permettre au chirurgien urologue d'identifier les saigneurs qui peuvent compliquer une enucleation d'un adenome par ailleurs sans probleme
MBE-grown Mg 0.13 Cd 0.87 Te for MgCdTe (1.7 eV)/Si (1.1 eV) tandem solar cell applications

Mg x Cd 1−x Te (1.7 eV)/Si (1.1 eV) (x∼0.13) tandem cells have the potential to reach conversion efficiencies greater than 30% with low cost. Mg 0.13 Cd 0.87 Te/Mg y Cd 1−y Te (y>0.13) double-heterostructures (DH) grown by molecular beam epitaxy feature 1.7 eV bandgaps and very high absorption coefficients measured by photoluminescence (PL) and ellipsometry. Both undoped and n-doped Mg 0.13 Cd 0.87 Te/Mg y Cd 1−y Te DHs exhibit comparable carrier lifetimes (50 ns) to that of high-quality doped CdTe/MgCdTe DHs, and show great promise to have even longer carrier lifetime through optimizing barrier height, barrier thickness, and doping concentration, leading to increased performance in solar cells.
Sudden Death in Epilepsy and Occult Cardiac Disease

Pathological evaluations of the hearts of 7 patients with epilepsy, aged 12 to 44 years, who died suddenly are reported from the Department of Neurosciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark.
Mobile versus headworn augmented reality: How visions of the future shape, contest, and stabilize an emerging technology:

This study examines the development of augmented reality (AR) technologies, utilizing theories like social construction of technology (SCOT) and from the sociology of futures literature. While some have criticized SCOT for over-privileging certain social groups, drawing rigid boundaries between groups, and overlooking the role of power between them, this study addresses those critiques by conducting an ongoing mapping of the discussion surrounding AR. Through in-depth interviews and participant observation analyzing the discourse and development taking place at industry, standards, and academic conferences, this study explores a contestation emerging between two coalitions (mobile vs headworn) and how they are using future visions to negotiate the material design of the technology, the policies surrounding the technology, and stakeholder perceptions of the technology. The tactics these coalitions engage in reveal new components of stabilization, specifically deploying a “pre-stabilized ideal” to frame tec...
Modeling approaches and provisioning algorithms for dynamic bandwidth adjustment in multi-media networks

The problem that the required bandwidth in the Internet multi-media networks varies over time and can be dynamically adjusted is not well modeled and understood in the literature. In this paper, we propose models and algorithms of a single link represented by a multi-class Erlang loss system. We also propose efficient approaches for dimensioning the link under multi-class traffic.
Cadmium inhibits placental trophoblast cell migration via miRNA regulation of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) pathway

Preeclampsia (PE), a condition during pregnancy that involves high blood pressure and proteinuria, is potentially fatal to both mother and child. PE currently has no known etiology or cure but has been tied to poor placental trophoblast cell migration. Increased levels of the toxic metal cadmium (Cd) have been associated with increased risk of developing PE, as well as miRNA-associated regulation of the transforming growth factorbeta (TGF-β) pathway. Signal reprogramming of the TGF-β pathway via epigenetic mechanisms is hypothesized to modify placental trophoblast function. In the present study we investigated the role of increased and decreased signaling of the TGF-β pathway in relation to Cd-induced reduction in cellular migration in JEG3 trophoblast cells. Furthermore, the role of a miR-26a as a molecular mediator of placental trophoblast migration was confirmed. The results demonstrate that increased expression of miR-26a and decreased signaling of the TGF-β pathway increase placental cell migration. These findings have relevance for mechanistic understanding of the underpinnings of poor placentation associated with PE.
Abstract 1021: Mutations in SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex sensitize tumors to OXPHOS inhibition

Recent large-scale cancer genomic studies have established a framework in which biological functions and genetic interactions of established and novel cancer genes can be explored. One of the major findings of these studies has been the discovery of frequent genetic alterations in chromatin and epigenetic regulators including inactivating mutations in components of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. In lung adenocarcinoma in particular, a quarter of tumors have inactivating mutations in the SWI/SNF components Smarca4, ARID1A or the histone modifier SETD2. With the aim of understanding the mechanism of tumor development and identifying potential vulnerabilities of SWI/SNF mutant tumor, we developed a genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM) of lung adenocarcinoma by selectively ablating Smarca4 in the respiratory epithelium. We demonstrate that Smarca4 acts as a bona fide tumor suppressor and cooperates with p53 loss. Cross species integrative gene expression analyses revealed signatures of enhanced oxidative phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) response in Smarca4 mutant murine and human lung tumors. We further show that Smarca4 mutant cells have increased oxygen consumption, enhanced basal and maximal respiratory capacity and production of ROS. This is primarily driven by activation of the mitochondrial master regulator, PGC1alpha. Finally, we show that Smarca4 and other SWI/SNF mutant lung cancer cell lines have exquisite sensitivity to inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation using a novel small molecule that is under development. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for further development of OXPHOS inhibitors as therapies in SWI/SNF mutant tumors. Citation Format: Yonathan Lissanu Deribe. Mutations in SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex sensitize tumors to OXPHOS inhibition [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1021. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1021
Numerical Experiments on a Nonlinear Wave Equation with Singular Solutions

We use a Fourier pseudospectral method to compute solutions to the Cauchy problem for a nonlinear variational wave equation originally proposed as a model for the dynamics of nematic liquid crystals. The solution is known to form singularities in finite time; in particular space and time derivatives become unbounded. Beyond the singularity time, both conservative and dissipative Holder continuous weak solutions exist. We present results with energy-conserving discretizations as well as with a vanishing viscosity sequence, noting marked differences between the computed solutions after the solution loses regularity.
Epilogue: Designing and Integrating Emerging Technologies for Learning, Collaboration, Reflection, and Creativity

We live in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world where technology is an integral and pervasive part of our everyday lives. Technology can expose us to complexity and open up new worlds for us to explore, offering opportunities for academic, personal, and professional growth. Technology can also be designed and integrated to support us in navigating demanding environments, working with challenging ideas, interacting and collaborating with others, building communities that enable us to develop in various ways, and creating meaningful and innovative products. In essence, the potential of technology for transforming lives depends in part on how designers, teachers, and learners conceive of it as fulfilling their needs and enabling them to meet their goals.
Identification of Driver Mutations in Rare Cancers: The Role of SMARCA4 in Small Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary, Hypercalcemic Type (SCCOHT)

Cancer is a complex genetic disease that can arise through the stepwise accumulation of mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in a variety of different tissues. While the varied landscapes of mutations driving common cancer types such as lung, breast, and colorectal cancer have been comprehensively charted, the genetic underpinnings of many rare cancers remain poorly defined. Study of rare cancers faces unique methodological challenges, but collaborative enterprises that incorporate next generation sequencing, reach across disciplines (i.e., pathology, genetic epidemiology, genomics, functional biology, and preclinical modeling), engage advocacy groups, tumor registries, and clinical specialists are adding increasing resolution to the genomic landscapes of rare cancers. Here we describe the approaches and methods used to identify SMARCA4 mutations, which drive development of the rare ovarian cancer, small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT), and point to the broader relevance of this paradigm for future research in rare cancers.
A New Treatment for Invasive Squamous Cell Bladder Cancer: The Nigro Regimen: Preoperative Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy

AbstractWe report 5 cases of invasive squamous cell bladder cancer treated with preoperative mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil in combination with preoperative external beam radiation therapy (the Nigro regimen), and the subsequent apparent cure of 3 of the 5 patients.
Preparing Early Childhood Preservice Teachers for Science Teaching: Aligning across a Teacher Preparation Program.

In early childhood education and early childhood teacher preparation, science is often a challenging academic content area. However, young children are primed for science learning, and early scienc...
Single-Site Laparoscopic Percutaneous Extraperitoneal Closure Versus Modified Transumbilical Two-Port Laparoscopic Suturing of the Hernia Sac for the Treatment of Pediatric Inguinal Hernia: Comparison of the Outcomes of Two Different Approaches

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the surgical outcomes of single-site laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (SLPEC) and modified transumbilical two-port laparoscopic suturing (M-TTLS) of...
Structure-specific DNA replication-fork recognition directs helicase and replication restart activities of the PriA helicase.

DNA replication restart, the essential process that reinitiates prematurely terminated genome replication reactions, relies on exquisitely specific recognition of abandoned DNA replication-fork structures. The PriA DNA helicase mediates this process in bacteria through mechanisms that remain poorly defined. We report the crystal structure of a PriA/replication-fork complex, which resolves leading-strand duplex DNA bound to the protein. Interaction with PriA unpairs one end of the DNA and sequesters the 3′-most nucleotide from the nascent leading strand into a conserved protein pocket. Cross-linking studies reveal a surface on the winged-helix domain of PriA that binds to parental duplex DNA. Deleting the winged-helix domain alters PriA’s structure-specific DNA unwinding properties and impairs its activity in vivo. Our observations lead to a model in which coordinated parental-, leading-, and lagging-strand DNA binding provide PriA with the structural specificity needed to act on abandoned DNA replication forks.
Soviet Holocaust Retribution in Lithuania, 1944–64

This article is a microanalysis of Soviet Holocaust retribution in four cases studies, with focus on Lithuania. It was difficult to disentangle crimes against Jews and crimes against Soviet power in cases involving high-ranking nationalists. Soviet authorities had a strong motivation to condemn nationalist leaders and to justify their execution or deportation to the Gulag, but were not as strongly invested in the outcome of the trials involving ordinary people. Punishing collaborators in Nazi crimes consistently remained an aim in and of itself (but was not to be pursued at the expense of other state campaigns). The authorities and locals pursued justice for murdered Jews while simultaneously utilizing the Jewish wartime fate in the pursuit of broader political aims during postwar Sovietization. In the broader postwar Soviet prosecution of treason and collaboration, authorities and defendants navigated competing understandings of personal participation (lichnoe uchastie) in atrocities and the (ir)redeemability of defendants.
Approximate ℋ spaces

We show how, for a wide class of asymptotically flat space-times, it is possible to solve the equation for asymptotically shear-free complex null cones (the good-cut equation) to first approximation, and thereby obtain first-order ℋ spaces and associated firstorder asymptotic projective twistor spaces.
Risk and Protective Factors for Batterer Intervention Treatment Program Attrition: How Completers Are Distinct From Dropouts and No-Shows:

The current study assessed attrition in batterer intervention treatment programs (BIPs). The influence of 25 risk and protective factors on treatment “no shows,” “dropouts,” and “completers” were e...
Preconception maternal cocaine self-administration increases the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine in male offspring.

Although the influence of gestational cocaine exposure on offspring has been the focus of a sustained research effort, the effect of preconception cocaine self-administration by dams on progeny has received far less attention. In the current study, adult female rats were allowed to self-administer cocaine 2 h a day for 60 days and then after a 10-day wash out period, bred to naive males. Maternal behavior was measured in dams until weaning. When male and female progeny reached adulthood, anxiety-like behavior, memory, and cocaine self-administration were assessed in separate cohorts of rats. Despite a total of at least 30 days of cocaine abstinence, the quality of maternal behaviors was negatively affected by previous cocaine exposure as reflected by less time spent with pups as well as an excess of other maladaptive maternal behaviors. Measures of anxiety-like behavior and memory were not affected by maternal cocaine intake in either male or female offspring. In contrast, male, but not female, the progeny of dams exposed to cocaine showed increased reinforcing efficacy of cocaine as measured by cocaine self-administration under a progressive ratio schedule. The fact that cocaine self-administration was influenced only in the male offspring of cocaine-exposed dams argues against this phenotype being linked to altered maternal behavior, although this possibility cannot be ruled out completely. Collectively, these results indicate that preconception cocaine self-administration by dams results in the relatively selective enhancement of cocaine addiction-like behavior in male offspring.
Qualitative Observations of Student Reasoning: Coding in the Wild

Understanding student thinking and identifying student misconceptions are important precursors to developing high quality pedagogical materials and approaches. Prior work has used conceptual assessment surveys and task-based interviews to pursue this knowledge, typically having students evaluate existing code or predict or explain code behavior. However, features of student thinking captured under these conditions may differ from features of student thinking that occurs "in the wild." We present the results of a study conducted with 10 introductory CS students at a large, engineering-focused US university. In this work, students were asked to "Please, think aloud" as they interacted in a development environment, attempting to reverse engineer a solution to a defined task based on a provided executable. We captured and analyzed video recordings of the screen and audio recordings of their utterances to characterize their actions, current task, the relevant CS concept involved, current problem-solving phase, and expressed level of certainty. We also took note of the nature of their uncertainties and if and how these uncertainties were resolved. We found that students showed uncertainty regardless of success at task completion. Students who were successful at the task engaged in live experimentation to address these uncertainties in their thinking and coding. However, the ability to produce a program that behaved correctly did not guarantee that the students fully grasped the underlying concepts: some students submitted erroneous code that coincidentally worked, while expressing doubts about the correctness of their implementation.
PAHSAs attenuate immune responses and promote β cell survival in autoimmune diabetic mice

Palmitic acid esters of hydroxy stearic acids (PAHSAs) are endogenous antidiabetic and antiinflammatory lipids. Here, we show that PAHSAs protect against type 1 diabetes (T1D) and promote β cell survival and function. Daily oral PAHSA administration to nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice delayed the onset of T1D and markedly reduced the incidence of T1D, whether PAHSAs were started before or after insulitis was established. PAHSAs reduced T and B cell infiltration and CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation, while increasing Treg activation in pancreata of NOD mice. PAHSAs promoted β cell proliferation in both NOD mice and MIN6 cells and increased the number of β cells in NOD mice. PAHSAs attenuated cytokine-induced apoptotic and necrotic β cell death and increased β cell viability. The mechanism appears to involve a reduction of ER stress and MAPK signaling, since PAHSAs lowered ER stress in NOD mice, suppressed thapsigargin-induced PARP cleavage in human islets, and attenuated ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 activation in MIN6 cells. This appeared to be mediated in part by glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) and not the G protein-coupled receptor GPR40. PAHSAs also prevented impairment of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and improved glucose tolerance in NOD mice. Thus, PAHSAs delayed the onset of T1D and reduced its incidence by attenuating immune responses and exerting direct protective effects on β cell survival and function.
New precise half-life measurement for the superallowed β + emitter 34 Ar

We have measured the half-life of $^{34}\mathrm{Ar}$, the parent of a superallowed ${0}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{0}^{+}$ $\ensuremath{\beta}$ transition, to be 0.84646(35) s. With a precision of 0.04%, this result is an essential ingredient needed to complete a third pair of mirror superallowed transitions, $^{34}\mathrm{Ar}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}^{34}\mathrm{Cl}$ and $^{34}\mathrm{Cl}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}^{34}\mathrm{S}$, the ratio of whose $ft$ values would provide the most sensitive test yet of the isospin-symmetry-breaking corrections used to obtain ${V}_{ud}$. In a sequence repeated thousands of times, we implanted a very pure $^{34}\mathrm{Ar}$ beam into tape for 0.7 s, and then rapidly transported the collected source to a shielded $4\ensuremath{\pi}$ proportional gas counter, which detected the decay positrons from the combined decays of $^{34}\mathrm{Ar}$ and its daughter $^{34}\mathrm{Cl}$. The data were analyzed as a linked parent-daughter pair. Our new result replaces one we published 13 years ago.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients with Wilson's Disease in the United States: A National Survey.

Abstract Introduction and Objectives Wilson’s disease (WD) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by excessive copper disposition predominantly in the liver and brain. Hospitalization data on patients with WD are scarce. Hence, we sought to examine the inpatient characteristics and outcomes of patients with WD. Patients and Methods We utilized the National Inpatient Database (2006–2011) and analyzed all adult patients with a diagnosis of WD. Results There were 9046 hospitalizations during the study period. The leading etiologies for admissions were chronic liver disease (8.58%), WD (6.49%) and infections (septicemia 3.10% and pneumonia 2.50%). The overall inpatient mortality rate for WD patients was 2.58%. Independent predictors of mortality in WD patients were acute respiratory failure (OR: 4.53; 95% CI: 2.44–8.42), acute renal failure (OR: 4.09; 95% CI: 2.19–7.65), decompensated liver disease or liver failure (OR: 3.37; 95% CI: 1.72–6.59), and advanced age (every 10 year increase, OR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.25–1.75). Propensity-score matched analysis revealed better inpatient survival in WD patients compared to matched non-WD patients (2.84% vs. 4.67%, p = 0.01). Conclusions Our study demonstrated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized patients with WD. These findings add important knowledge to our understanding of the healthcare utilization and outcomes of this rare disease in the United States.
Lurking Under the Surface: Dercum's Disease.

Adiposis dolorosa, also known as Dercum's disease, is a rare disorder characterized by debilitating painful lipomas throughout the body. The prevalence and etiology of Dercum's disease are unknown as mentioned in the National Organization of Rare Disorders. We present an interesting case of Dercum's disease in a 53-year-old female who initially presented with a six-week history of painful subcutaneous masses. Ultrasound findings were suggestive of lipomas, however, her symptoms were debilitating beyond that of benign lipomas. She then represented with a rapidly increasing number of soft tissue masses manifesting throughout her body, as well as significant diffuse pain concentrating around these lesions within a short period of time following her initial presentation. The patient underwent surgical excision of a select number of these masses, with histopathology consistent with lipomas. Most cases of Dercum's disease are sporadic, and no guidelines exist regarding the treatment of the disease. Due to the rarity of this condition, in conjunction with simple lipomas typically presenting as painless masses, many patients may be misdiagnosed and neglected due to being falsely labeled as pain seeking or having their symptoms attributed to psychological disorders. Management, therefore, is complex and currently consists of a multidisciplinary approach employing multimodal treatments, including pain control, surgical excision, and psychotherapy. Although this condition has been described in the literature for over 100 years, there have been minimal advancements towards alleviating the suffering of these patients. We aimed to unearth and bring to light the reality and the suffering experienced by patients with Decrum's disease.
Intrathoracic Inoculation of Zika Virus in Aedes aegypti.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are the main vectors of many medically relevant arthropod-borne (arbo) viruses, including Zika (ZIKV), dengue (DENV), and yellow fever (YFV). Vector competence studies with Ae. aegypti often involve challenging mosquitoes with an artificial bloodmeal containing virus and later quantifying viral titer or infectious plaque-forming units (PFU) in various mosquito tissues at relevant time points post-infection. However, Ae. aegypti mosquitoes are known to exhibit midgut infection and escape barriers (MIB and MEB, respectively), which influence the prevalence and titer of a disseminated infection and can introduce unwanted variability into studies analyzing tissues such as the salivary glands. To surmount this challenge, we describe herein a protocol for the intrathoracic inoculation of ZIKV in Ae. aegypti. This method bypasses the midgut, which leads to a more rapid and higher proportion of disseminated infections in comparison to oral challenge, and mosquitoes become infected with a consistent dose of virus. Our protocol is advantageous for studies that need a large sample size of infected mosquitoes, need to bypass the midgut, or are analyzing salivary gland infection or escape barriers. Graphic abstract: Cartoon depiction of Aedes aegypti intrathoracic inoculation. Figure made with Biorender.com.
Erosion of Civilian Control in Democracies: A Comprehensive Framework for Comparative Analysis:

Civilian control of the military is a fundamental attribute of democracy. While democracies are less coup-prone, studies treating civilian control as a dependent variable mostly focus on coups. In ...
Characterization of Bradyrhizobium japonicum serocluster 123 member isolates native to Iowa soils

42 INTRODUCTION 43 MATERIALS AND METHODS 46 Phage Isolation 46 Phage Typing 47 Electron Microscopy 48 Phage Genome Analysis 48 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 50 Phage Typing 50 Phage Morphology 58 Phage Genomic Analysis 60 SUMMARY 62 REFERENCES CITED 63 PAPER 2. INTERSTRAIN COMPETITION AND Nj-FIXATION EVALUATION AMONG BRADYRHIZOBIUM JAPONICUM SEROGROUP 123 MEMBER ISOLATES 65 ABSTRACT 67 INTRODUCTION 69 MATERIALS AND METHODS 72 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 75 Screening of Isolates 75 Effectiveness Studies 77 Competition Studies 81 SUMMARY 86 REFERENCES CITED 87 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 89 REFERENCES CITED 92 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 106 APPENDIX 108
Seasonal variations in the Amazon plume-related atmospheric carbon sink

[1] The Amazon River plume is a highly seasonal feature that can reach more than 3000 km across the tropical Atlantic Ocean, and cover ∼2 million km2. Ship observations show that its seasonal presence significantly reduces sea surface salinity and inorganic carbon. In the western tropical North Atlantic during April–May 2003, plume-influenced stations exhibited surface DIC concentrations lowered by as much as 563 μmol C kg−1 (∼28%) and pCO2 as low as 201 μatm. We combine our data with other data sets to understand the annual uptake and seasonal variability of the plume-related CO2 sink. Using flux estimates from all seasons with monthly plume areas determined by satellite, we calculate the annual carbon uptake by the outer plume alone (28 < S < 35) to be 15 ± 6 TgC yr−1. Diazotroph-supported net community production enhanced the air-sea CO2 disequilibrium by 100x and reversed the typical CO2 outgassing from the tropical North Atlantic. The carbon sink in the Amazon plume depends on climate-sensitive conditions that control river hydrology, CO2 solubility, and gas exchange.
Electrical impedance along connective tissue planes associated with acupuncture meridians

Acupuncture points and meridians are commonly believed to possess unique electrical properties. The experimental support for this claim is limited given the technical and methodological shortcomings of prior studies. Recent studies indicate a correspondence between acupuncture meridians and connective tissue planes. We hypothesized that segments of acupuncture meridians that are associated with loose connective tissue planes (between muscles or between muscle and bone) visible by ultrasound have greater electrical conductance (less electrical impedance) than non-meridian, parallel control segments. We used a four-electrode method to measure the electrical impedance along segments of the Pericardium and Spleen meridians and corresponding parallel control segments in 23 human subjects. Meridian segments were determined by palpation and proportional measurements. Connective tissue planes underlying those segments were imaged with an ultrasound scanner. Along each meridian segment, four gold-plated needles were inserted along a straight line and used as electrodes. A parallel series of four control needles were placed 0.8 cm medial to the meridian needles. For each set of four needles, a 3.3 kHz alternating (AC) constant amplitude current was introduced at three different amplitudes (20, 40, and 80 μAmps) to the outer two needles, while the voltage was measured between the inner two needles. Tissue impedance between the two inner needles was calculated based on Ohm's law (ratio of voltage to current intensity). At the Pericardium location, mean tissue impedance was significantly lower at meridian segments (70.4 ± 5.7 Ω) compared with control segments (75.0 ± 5.9 Ω) (p = 0.0003). At the Spleen location, mean impedance for meridian (67.8 ± 6.8 Ω) and control segments (68.5 ± 7.5 Ω) were not significantly different (p = 0.70). Tissue impedance was on average lower along the Pericardium meridian, but not along the Spleen meridian, compared with their respective controls. Ultrasound imaging of meridian and control segments suggested that contact of the needle with connective tissue may explain the decrease in electrical impedance noted at the Pericardium meridian. Further studies are needed to determine whether tissue impedance is lower in (1) connective tissue in general compared with muscle and (2) meridian-associated vs. non meridian-associated connective tissue.
PRIMARY BONE TUMORS IN THE CAT

A description of the clinical behavior, radiographic signs, histologic appearance, therapy, and clinical sequelae in 15 cats with primary bone tumors seen over a 10-year period is presented. Seven tumor types were identified: osteosarcoma (3 cats), chondrosarcoma (4 cats), parosteal osteosarcoma (2 cats), giant cell tumor (1 cat), ossifying fibroma (1 cat), solitary osteochondroma (1 cat), and osteochondromatosis (3 cats). The cats had a mean age of 8.4 years and there was no sex predilection. Domestic short-hair, mixed-breed cats comprised 80% of affected cats. A retrospective review of feline osteosarcomas was made and data was compared to that of canine osteosarcomas. Significant differences were the incidence of metastatic disease, the age on onset, forelimb-hindlimb incidence, and duration of clinical signs. Five tumors were surgically excised successfully. Radiotherapy controlled one unresectable tumor. Three young adult cats had osteochondromatosis with progressively enlarging lesions limited to flat and irregular bones. Two of the three cats were FeLV positive. Metastatic disease was not detected in any cats in this study.
New insights into executive compensation and firm performance: Evidence from a panel of “new economy” firms, 1996‐2002

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the relation between executive compensation, firm size and firm performance on a panel of the so‐called “new economy” firms in the USA over the period 1996‐2002.Design/methodology/approach – The authors use two measures of performance, total shareholder return and return on assets, and concentrate on total CEO compensation, which includes stock option compensation, as equity‐based compensation practices have been prevalent in new economy firms. The estimation process uses both the feasible generalized least squares method of Parks and Kmenta and the panel corrected standard error method of Beck and Katz. These methodologies investigate error structures that do not conform to the classical ordinary least squares assumptions.Findings – The econometric results indicate that estimates on firm size are robust to alternative specifications of the error structures. There is evidence however that the effect of firm size on CEO compensation is more significant after the stock m...
Symmetric Transporters for Asymmetric Transport

The crystal structure of a membrane transporter protein sheds light on the molecular mechanism by which glucose is absorbed by the intestine and the kidneys.
Applications of Percolation Theory to Grain Boundary Engineering

Grain boundary networks differ from randomly assembled networks due to a requirement for crystallographic consistency at grain boundary junctions. The effects of crystallographic constraint are observed at all length scales, from preferential coordination at individual triple junctions to nonrandom percolation thresholds for large networks.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
The demand for reliable transit service: New evidence using stop level data from the Los Angeles Metro bus system

Abstract This study explores the role of service reliability in determining bus transit ridership. Using stop level service supply, demand, and performance data from the Los Angeles Metro bus system, I investigate whether reliability of a directional line serving a stop influences the number of passengers boarding the line at that stop, controlling for various other established factors affecting demand. This cross-sectional analysis of the variation in line boardings across about 1300 sample schedule time point bus stops served by about 300 directional bus lines over a six-month period uses a historical archive of real-time geo-referenced vehicle location data, and focuses on five different time periods, peaks and off-peaks, of a typical weekday. By evaluating two measures that capture different dimensions of bus service reliability, and by estimating a series of regression models, I find systematic evidence that higher average service punctuality (or schedule adherence) and lower variation in schedule deviation over time are associated with greater ridership, all else equal, particularly during the peak periods. This study also provides first empirical evidence that the effect of reliability on peak-period ridership is moderated by headway. The demand for reliability seems to be higher for lines with relatively longer headways. The findings indicate that service reliability influences transit mode choice and/or line/route selection, and suggest that system-wide ridership gains can be expected from reliability improvements. From an urban planning perspective, this study provides more evidence that good service quality can effectively compliment transformations in the urban fabric brought about by coordinated land use — transit plans to promote transit use.
White Color Phase of the Swift Fox, Vulpes velox

While live-trapping Swift Foxes ( Vulpes velox ) in northwestern Texas, we captured and radio-collared a Swift Fox that exhibited a white pelage and light blue eyes. Although white color phases and light blue eyes have been reported for other canid species, this is the first documentation for Swift Foxes.
Microtubules beneath the pellicles of two ciliate protozoa as seen with the SEM.

SYNOPSIS. Chemical procedures remove some of the outer 3 limiting membranes of 2 ciliate protozoa, Euplotes eurystomus and Tetrahymena pyriformis, and reveal sheets of microtubules in their ectoplasm for SEM study. This greatly enhances the analysis of the 3-dimensional geometry of these sheets, as is shown especially for E. eurystomus. In this organism, sheets of microtubules can readily be observed and described as they course through or around parts of the oral apparatus and other 3-dimensionally complex regions.
Spiral Scanning and Encased Cantilevers for High Spatial and Temporal Resolution in Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic Force Microscopy in vacuum readily achieves atomic resolution however imaging in fluid has substantially lower resolution due to the damping of the cantilever by the fluid. We reduced the damping and force noise of the probe by building a protective encasement around the cantilever which keeps the cantilever dry but allows the tip to probe the sample in solution. The substantially lower viscosity of the air leads to orders of magnitude improvement in force noise. Furthermore, encased cantilevers retain high resonance frequencies and Q factors when immersed in liquid such that they are thermally limited even at high stiffness. This enables high resolution imaging and force spectroscopy on all commercial AFM systems in liquid.Raster scanning is not ideal for high speed AFM. Less than half of the scan time is used to create an image because trace and retrace can not be interlaced due to piezo hysteresis. Furthermore, the scanner resonance distorts triangular waveforms or requires sinusoidal scanning, where images are rendered from even less than half of the scan time. using advanced image processing tools, such as Inpainting, enables image rendering from 100% of the scan time and use of scan waveforms that best match the inertial limits of the scanner. We have also developed a Z piezo with over 300 kHz bandwidth enabling high scan speeds frame rates. Spiral scanning together with encased cantilevers will lead to significant advances in temporal and spatial resolution for soft biological samples imaged by Atomic Force Microscopy.
The long-term course of cyclosporine-associated chronic nephropathy

We evaluated a chronic renal injury in 37 cardiac transplant recipients treated for 12 to 24 months with cyclosporine (CsA). Twenty-four cardiac transplant recipients treated with azathioprine for more than 24 months served as controls. Despite equivalent cardiac performance, GFR in those treated with CsA was depressed, 47 +/- 3 versus 94 +/- 4 ml/min/1.73 m2 (P less than 0.001). CsA therapy was also associated with significant elevation of renal vascular resistance (RVR), proteinuria, arterial hypertension, and impaired intrarenal conversion of inactive prorenin to active renin. Histopathological changes associated with CsA included an obliterative arteriolopathy with deposition of proteinaceous material in necrotic arteriolar walls, and associated tubulointerstitial damage. A minority of glomeruli exhibited either ischemic collapse or sclerosis. Area perimeter analysis revealed enlargement of the remaining glomeruli with significant expansion of the mesangium. Longitudinal examination over a 48 month period (N = 15) during which CsA was reduced in dosage or withdrawn revealed persistent hypofiltration, increasingly elevated RVR and heavier proteinuria. Further histopathological deterioration was observed when renal tissue was sampled a second time in six patients, and three members of the experimental group developed end-stage renal disease. We conclude that continuous CsA therapy for more than 12 months causes a chronic injury to renal microvessels that is rarely reversible and potentially progressive.
Three-dimensional range information from single-frame incoherently illuminated images

A system is described that will give the range to different portions of a scene. The optical system is modified such that the optical transfer function has periodic nulls, with the period of the nulls depending on the axial distance within the volume of the 3D scene. These same nulls appear in the spatial frequency spectrum of the images of objects that are at different distances within the volume of the scene. Estimation of the period of the nulls in the spatial frequency spectrum of the image then gives the ranges to different objects within the scene. A similar optical/digital processing technique is used to extend the depth of field of the composite system so that it will work over larger changes in range.
Effects on substance use outcomes in adolescents receiving motivational interviewing for smoking cessation during psychiatric hospitalization

The purpose of this study was to compare substance involvement among psychiatrically hospitalized adolescent smokers who had received motivational interviewing (MI) versus brief advice (BA) for smoking cessation. One hundred and ninety-one (191) adolescent smokers (62.3% female; 15.4 years of age) were randomly assigned to MI (n=116) or BA (n=75). All patients were assessed at baseline, immediately after hospitalization, and at 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-ups. Rates of substance use in the MI condition during follow-up increased from a low of 8.2% (SD=18.5) to a high of 15.4% (SD=30.0) substance use days, whereas in BA, substance use days increased from a low of 8.4% (SD=20.8) to a high of 21.4% (SD=35.2). The results of this study suggest that MI, relative to BA, for smoking cessation was associated with better substance use outcomes during the first 6 months following psychiatric hospitalization among adolescents. This finding is consistent with previous studies that have shown that smoking cessation does not have a detrimental effect on substance abuse treatment outcomes among youth.
Polypeptide transforming growth factors isolated from bovine sources and used for wound healing in vivo

Transforming growth factors, which are polypeptides that induce the transformed phenotype in nonneoplastic cells, have been isolated in bulk amounts from bovine salivary gland and kidney. In experiments in which wound healing chambers were implanted subcutaneously in the backs of rats, these bovine transforming growth factors accelerated the accumulation of total protein, collagen, and DNA in treated chambers. These studies thus show an effect of an isolated transforming growth factor in vivo.
Incidence of Nonarteritic Anteripr Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

Purpose Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy is the most common acute optic nerve disease of adults over age 50 years. This study determined the incidence of acute nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in the circumscribed population of Olmsted County, Minnesota. Methods This was a retrospective study of the incidence of acute nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy between 1981 and 1990. The Rochester Epidemiology Project medical records linkage system facilitates identification of the medical records of virtually all Olmsted County residents with a given diagnosis. All cases of acute nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy that fulfilled certain inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified. Results Twenty-two cases in 21 patients (11 men and 10 women) were recorded. The crude annual incidence rate was 10.3 per 100,000 individuals (95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.1 to 18.4). When adjusted to the age and sex distribution of the 1990 United States white population, the incidence rate was 10.2 per 100,000 (95% CI=6.5 to 15.6). At diagnosis, the median age was 72 years, mean visual acuity was 20/200 in the affected eye, and the most common visual field defect was an altitudinal deficit (10 cases). Conclusions Although results of this small study should be interpreted cautiously, extrapolation of our findings to the United States white population indicates that nearly 5,700 new cases of acute nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy may be expected to occur each year in this group.
Preschool children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: impairments in behavioral, social, and school functioning.

ABSTRACT Objective To examine differences in home, school, and medical functioning between preschool-age children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and normal control children. Method A sample of 94 children (58 with ADHD, 36 normal controls) between 3 and 5 years old participated. Dependent measures included parent and teacher ratings of problem behavior and social skills, parent ratings of stress and family functioning, medical functioning data, observations of parent–child interactions and classroom behavior, and a test of preacademic skills. Results Young children with ADHD exhibited more problem behavior and were less socially skilled than their normal counterparts according to behavior ratings. Parents of children with ADHD experienced greater stress and were coping less adaptively than parents of non-ADHD children. Children with ADHD exhibited more noncompliant and inappropriate behavior than normal controls, particularly during task situations. Parents of children with ADHD were more likely to display negative behavior toward their children. Children with ADHD exhibited more negative social behavior in preschool settings and scored significantly lower on a test of preacademic skills. No significant differences in injuries or utilization of medical services were found. Conclusions Preschool-age children with ADHD are at significant risk for behavioral, social, familial, and academic difficulties relative to their normal counterparts.