cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spectroscopy at High Pressures—Status Report and Update of Instrumental Techniques:

A status report and update of the instrumentation necessary to obtain spectra of molecules at high pressures are presented. The optical pressure cells used, the spectrophotometer needed to obtain the spectra, the optical link between the two, high pressure spectroscopic windows, pressure calibration methods, and future outlook of the technique will be determined. The use of the high pressure cells with the interferometric technique and for Raman spectroscopy is outlined.
An investigation of hemisphere differences for moderately imageable words across high and low image contexts

Abstract The RVF/LH advantage typically found for high image nouns may be reduced or eliminated when they are mixed with other types of words, such as low image nouns ( Chiarello, Liu, & Shears, 2001 ). Global stimulus context thus appears to affect the distribution of processing across the hemispheres ( Chiarello et al., 2001 ). This idea was further investigated in the present study by presenting moderately imageable words (e.g., HOBBY) intermixed with either low or high image nouns. It was predicted that these medium image words would show a RVF advantage when mixed with high image nouns. However, this RVF advantage was expected to disappear when they were mixed with low image nouns, because the medium image words would be relatively more imageable in that context. This hypothesis was not supported, as similar RVF advantages were found for each imageability condition. It is suggested that more heterogenous stimulus distributions may be necessary for context-dependent alterations of cerebral asymmetries to occur.
Increasing the accuracy of the expanded programme on immunization's cluster survey design

The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) of the World Health Organization developed a cluster survey design for the rapid assessment of children's vaccination coverage in developing countries. Because of its simplicity and familiarity, the EPI methodology has been used for additional purposes, including the detection of relatively small changes in vaccination coverage levels that are already high and the estimation of other population parameters when moderate accuracy is required. This article suggests techniques for improving the accuracy of the EPI cluster survey method, including (a) segmenting sample clusters, if necessary, so that reasonably sized areas can be counted, mapped, and listed; (b) selecting an equal probability sample of housing units within a cluster; (c) selecting a fixed number of housing units per sample cluster; and (d) performing weighted analyses. These procedures will produce accurate estimators and corresponding standard errors in EPI cluster surveys.
The Reporting of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks in American Social Studies Textbooks: A Muslim Perspective.

This study analyzes the reporting of the September 11th terrorist attacks in social studies textbooks from a Muslim perspective and reports on findings from a study of the responses of American Muslim children to the treatment of the events of September 11th in social studies textbooks. Constructivist grounded theory was used to centralize the participant's perspective in the readings of social studies textbooks leading to emergent themes that developed into a theoretical framework about basic social processes within the reading. Propaganda-making is suggested here as a theoretical conceptualization of the processes undertaken by textbook authors, and the category "Muslim reactions" is suggested as a typology of Muslim responses to these characterizations. Exploring how readers engage with the text and how the text engages with the reader in the construction of knowledge, the framework developed in the study can be used to inform a culturally relevant pedagogy and curricula in the teaching of 9/11 in social studies classrooms.
Heterotrimer Formation, Together with Isoprenylation, Is Required for Plasma Membrane Targeting of Gऔγ *

Nascent औ and γ subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins need to be targeted to the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane (PM) in order to transmit signals. We show that औ1γ2 is poorly targeted to the PM and predominantly localized to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes when expressed in HEK293 cells, but co-expression of a G protein α subunit allows strong PM localization of the औ1γ2. Furthermore, C-terminal isoprenylation of the γ subunit is necessary but not sufficient for PM localization of औ1γ2. Isoprenylation of γ2 and localization of औ1γ2to the ER occurs independently of α expression. Efficient PM localization of औ1γ2 in the absence of co-expressed α is observed when a site for palmitoylation, a putative second membrane targeting signal, is introduced into γ2. When a mutant of αs is targeted to mitochondria, औ1γ2 follows, consistent with an important role for α in promoting subcellular localization of औγ. Furthermore, we directly demonstrate the requirement for α by showing that disruption of heterotrimer formation by the introduction of α binding mutations into औ1 impedes PM targeting of औ1γ2. The results indicate that two membrane targeting signals, lipid modification and α binding, make concerted contributions to PM localization of औγ.
Illicit drug use among pregnant women enrolled in treatment for cigarette smoking cessation.

INTRODUCTION Smoking during pregnancy is the leading preventable cause of poor pregnancy outcomes in the United States. In population studies and nationwide surveys, pregnant smokers report more illicit drug use than pregnant nonsmokers. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of illicit drug use among pregnant women enrolled in clinical trials for smoking cessation. METHODS Urine specimens from 115 pregnant women were tested for illicit drug use during a study intake visit (~10th week of pregnancy) and during the final antepartum (FAP) smoking-status assessment (~28th week of pregnancy). Participants smoked about 18 cigarettes/day prepregnancy, were generally young (<25 years), Caucasian, with a high school education and without private insurance. RESULTS About 34% of specimens from the intake visit and 25% of those from the FAP assessment tested positive for an illicit drug. The most common drug detected was marijuana (90% of positive specimens), followed by opioids (18%), cocaine (5%), benzodiazepines (3%), and methadone (3%). None tested positive for amphetamines. The majority of women (53%) who tested positive for an illicit substance at intake also tested positive at the FAP assessment. CONCLUSIONS Approximately a quarter to a third of pregnant women enrolled in these smoking-cessation trials were determined to be using illicit drugs, with marijuana use being the most prevalent. Those providing smoking-cessation services to pregnant women may want to be prepared to assist with obtaining services for other drug use as well.
Formation of transmembrane tubules by spontaneous polymerization of the hydrophilic complement protein C9

The ninth component of complement C9 can undergo circular polymerization in the fluid phase and on lipid membranes. The concomitant hydrophilic-amphiphilic transition is the result of a conformational reorganization of C9 and allows insertion of poly C9 into membranes in the form of a transmembrane protein channel. The ultrastructure of poly C9 resembles that of membrane lesions caused by complement.
Theoretical performance of mid-infrared broken-gap multilayer superlattice lasers

We present calculations of the differential gain and threshold current densities for a 3.7 μm multiple quantum well structure consisting of a “well” composed of several periods of an InAs/InGaSb superlattice alternating with a quinternary alloy “barrier.” We find serious limitations to the optical properties of active regions composed of these multiple quantum wells, and propose a four-layer superlattice structure which corrects these problems.
2-Iminopyrrolidines as potent and selective inhibitors of human inducible nitric oxide synthase.

A series of substituted 2-iminopyrrolidines has been prepared and shown to be potent and selective inhibitors of the human inducible nitric oxide synthase (hiNOS) isoform versus the human endothelial nitric oxide synthase (heNOS) and the human neuronal nitric oxide synthase (hnNOS). Simple substitutions at the 3-, 4-, or 5-position afforded more potent analogues than the parent 2-iminopyrrolidine 1. The effect of ring substitutions on both potency and selectivity for the different NOS isoforms is described. Substitution at the 4- and 5-positions of the 2-iminopyrrolidine yielded both potent and selective inhibitors of hiNOS. In particular, (+)-cis-4-methyl-5-pentylpyrrolidin-2-imine, monohydrochloride (20), displayed potent inhibition of hiNOS (IC50 = 0.25 μM) and selectivities of 897 (heNOS IC50/hiNOS IC50) and 13 (hnNOS IC50/hiNOS IC50). Example 20 was shown to be an efficacious inhibitor of NO production in the mouse endotoxin assay. Furthermore, 20 displayed in vivo selectivity, versus heNOS isoform, ...
Ultraviolet (UV) Sensitive Phosphors For Silicon Imaging Detectors

The fluorescence properties of UV sensitive organic phosphors and the radiometric properties of phosphor coated silicon detectors in the VUV, UV, and visible wavelengths are described. With evaporated films of coronene and liumogen, effective quantum efficiencies of up to 20% have been achieved on silicon photodiodes in the vacuum UV. With thin films of methylmethacrylate (acrylic), which are doped with organic laser dyes and deposited from solution, detector quantum efficiencies of the order of 15% for wavelengths of 120-165 nm and of 40% for wavelengths above 190 nm have been obtained. The phosphor coatings also act as antireflection coatings and thereby enhance the response of coated devices throughout the visible and near IR.
Promoting Nursing Students' Positive Attitudes Toward Providing Care for Suicidal Patients

Nurses my encounter patients who are suicidal in most clinical settings, yet many nurses report a negative attitude toward providing care for these patients. Nursing programs, in which students lea...
Target-Mediated Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Model of Exendin-4 in Rats, Monkeys, and Humans

A mechanism-based pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model was developed for exendin-4 to account for receptor-mediated endocytosis via glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) as the primary mechanism for its nonlinear disposition. Time profiles of exendin-4 concentrations after intravenous, subcutaneous, and continuous intravenous infusion doses in rats, intravenous and subcutaneous doses in monkeys, and intravenous infusion and subcutaneous doses in humans were examined. Mean data for glucose and insulin after glucose challenges during exendin-4 treatment in healthy rats were analyzed. The PK model components included receptor binding, subsequent internalization and degradation, nonspecific tissue distribution, and linear first-order elimination from plasma. The absorption rate constant (ka) decreased with increasing doses in all three species. The clearance from the central compartment (CLc) (rats, 3.62 ml/min; monkeys, 2.39 ml · min−1 · kg−1; humans, 1.48 ml · min−1 · kg−1) was similar to reported renal clearances. Selected PK parameters (CLc, Vc, and koff) correlated allometrically with body weight. The equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) was within the reported range in rats (0.74 nM), whereas the value in monkeys (0.12 pM) was much lower than that in humans (1.38 nM). The effects of exendin-4 on the glucose-insulin system were described by a feedback model with a biphasic effect equation driven by free exendin-4 concentrations. Our generalized nonlinear PK/PD model for exendin-4 taking into account of drug binding to GLP-1R well described PK profiles after various routes of administration over a large range of doses in three species along with PD responses in healthy rats. The present model closely reflects underlying mechanisms of disposition and dynamics of exendin-4.
AGU journals increase in importance according to 2010 Impact Factors

[1] AGU journals continue to rank highly in many categories in the 2010 Journal Citation Report (JCR), which was released by Thomson Reuters on 28 June. JCR reports on several measures of journal usage, including a journal's Eigenfactor score, its Article Influence score, its Impact Factor, and its rank within a cohort of similar journals. According to the 2010 statistics, AGU again has outperformed its larger competitors. Four different AGU titles are ranked in the top three journals in six different cohorts. The Impact Factor of several AGU journals increased significantly over the previous year.
Supramolecular hydrogen-bonding assembly of silanediols with bifunctional heterocycles

X-ray crystallography showcases the distinct self-association and hydrogen-bonding patterns of organic silanediols, R2Si(OH)2, with bifunctional heterocycles for supramolecular assembly. Diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) studies identify the dominant hydrogen-bonding patterns and structures in solution, which correlate with solid-state patterns at high concentrations.
Water activated disposable and long shelf life microbatteries

Water-activated microbatteries with long shelf life have been demonstrated based on a one-mask, micromachining process for the first time. Magnesium is used as the anode and silver chloride or cuprous chloride is used as the cathode in the prototype demonstration. Adding water or aqueous solutions activate the electrochemical reactions between the anode and cathode to release electricity. Experimentally, a maximum output voltage was measured at 1.65 Volts and the maximum operation capacity has been demonstrated to be more than 1.8 mW-hours when an electrode area of 12 mm /spl times/ 12 mm was used. As such, these microbatteries have great potential to be integrated with micro devices as the power sources for microsystems, such as disposable diagnostics and BioMEMS chips.
Steep-front short-duration voltage surge tests of power line filters and transient voltage suppressors

Steep-front short-duration voltage surge tests were conducted on commercially available power-line filters and two types of transient voltage suppressors to determine their effectiveness for protection against nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) induced power-line transients. The tested power line filters were single-phase industrial-type units in the 120/208 V and 277/480 V class rated at 100 or 200 A. It was found that the tested power-line filters provide from 38 to 54 dB of attenuation for steep front surges (20 to 40 ns rise time and 150 to 400 ns fall time to half-value waves for 2 to 20 kV peak voltage), and transient voltage suppressors add an additional 2 to 8 dB of attenuation. It was also found that while the tested power line filters provide good protection against EMP induced surges, degradation of the filter characteristics may occur and delayed failures of filter components are possible. Transient voltage suppressors reduce the EMP induced surge by 40% and thus provide some protection for the filter. >
Determination of the spectral dependence of reduced scattering and quantitative second-harmonic generation imaging for detection of fibrillary changes in ovarian cancer

Here, we examine ovarian cancer extracellular matrix (ECM) modification by measuring the wavelength dependence of optical scattering measurements and quantitative second-harmonic generation (SHG) imaging metrics in the range of 800-1100 nm in order to determine fibrillary changes in ex vivo normal ovary, type I, and type II ovarian cancer. Mass fractals of the collagen fiber structure is analyzed based on a power law correlation function using spectral dependence measurements of the reduced scattering coefficient μ s ′ where the mass fractal dimension is related to the power. Values of μ s ′ are measured using independent methods of determining the values of μ s and g by on-axis attenuation measurements using the Beer-Lambert Law and by fitting the angular distribution of scattering to the Henyey-Greenstein phase function, respectively. Quantitativespectral SHG imaging on the same tissues determines F SHG /B SHG creation ratios related to size and harmonophore distributions. Both techniques probe fibril packing order, but the optical scattering probes structures of sizes from about 50-2000 nm where SHG imaging – although only able to resolve individual fibers – builds contrast from the assembly of fibrils. Our findings suggest that type I ovarian tumor structure has the most ordered collagen fibers followed by normal ovary then type II tumors showing the least order.
We Can't Change What We Don't Recognize: Understanding the Special Needs of Gifted Females

In this article, an overives of some of the major issues, questions and problems related to gifted females will be presented. These issues include the underachievement of gifted females; creative productivity of females; male dominance in mathematics and science; cultural stereotyping, sex roles and mixed messages; lack of planning; the perfection complex and the imposter syndrome; concerns about counseling and special populations, Research related to the issues of ability, achievement, personality, social and environmental pressures related to gender will be briefly discussed and suggestions for future research directions will be made.
Statistical Modeling of Cardiovascular Signals and Parameter Estimation Based on the Extended Kalman Filter

Cardiovascular signals such as arterial blood pressure (ABP), pulse oximetry (POX), and intracranial pressure (ICP) contain useful information such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and pulse pressure variation (PPV). We present a novel state-space model of cardiovascular signals and describe how it can be used with the extended Kalman filter (EKF) to simultaneously estimate and track many cardiovascular parameters of interest using a unified statistical approach. We analyze data from four databases containing cardiovascular signals and present representative examples intended to illustrate the versatility, accuracy, and robustness of the algorithm. Our results demonstrate the ability of the algorithm to estimate and track several clinically relevant features of cardiovascular signals. We illustrate how the algorithm can be used to elegantly solve several actively researched and clinically significant problems including heart and respiratory rate estimation, artifact removal, pulse morphology characterization, and PPV estimation.
Investigation of pion-treated human skin nodules for therapeutic gain

A patient with multiple metastatic tumor nodules in the skin, from a primary breast carcinoma, was treated with graded doses of pions and X-rays to establish skin tolerance. She was followed up for 346 days, permitting observation of time to regrowth of the tumor nodules. All 16 of these had disappeared after treatment, without significant correlation with type of radiation or dose, or with nodule size. However, time to regrowth depended both on the type and the dose of radiation. Earlier, relative biological effectiveness (RBE), was established at 1.42 for acute skin injury. Using this RBE to normalize doses of pions and X-rays causing equivalent acute skin injury, and plotting those doses vs time to regrowth of tumor nodules, yielded a therapeutic gain (37.5%) in favor of pions. No late skin or subcutaneous tissue changes were seen, and no qualitative difference between pions and X-rays in late skin effects was observed.
Beef alliances: motivations, extent, and future prospects

With their growth, it is important to consider how alliances will impact the beef industry in the future. Alliances have the potential to make sweeping changes to cattle production, live and feeder cattle marketing, food safety protocols, use of government grades and standards, ownership structure, supply chain management, wholesale and retail product marketing, risk management, and many other industry activities. In an effort to address these issues, this article addresses the following questions: What is an alliance? What has motivated their proliferation? What have we learned from alliances? What aspects of alliances affect their likelihood of success or failure? What is the future of alliances? Are they a fad or a long-term evolving industry structural change?
Alveolar Surfactant Homeostasis and the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Disease

The alveolar region of the lung creates an extensive epithelial surface that mediates the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide required for respiration after birth. Maintenance of pulmonary function depends on the function of type II epithelial cells that synthesize and secrete pulmonary surfactant lipids and proteins, reducing the collapsing forces created at the air-liquid interface in the alveoli. Genetic and acquired disorders associated with the surfactant system cause both acute and chronic lung disease. Mutations in the ABCA3, SFTPA, SFTPB, SFTPC, SCL34A2, and TERT genes disrupt type II cell function and/or surfactant homeostasis, causing neonatal respiratory failure and chronic interstitial lung disease. Defects in GM-CSF receptor function disrupt surfactant clearance, causing pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Abnormalities in the surfactant system and disruption of type II cell homeostasis underlie the pathogenesis of pulmonary disorders previously considered idiopathic, providing the basis for improved diagnosis and therapies of these rare lung diseases.
Pseudohypacusic Disturbance in Adults

In audiometry, descriptive terms like hearing loss, hearing disorder, hearing disturbance, hearing dysfunction, and dysacusis are used in specific contexts. More recently, the term “auditory” has gained favor over “hearing” since the former relates to a physiological system and not just a perceptual process per se. In the past, the main body of literature dealing with pseudohypacusic disturbance employed “hearing loss” in spite of the fact that this term may lack validity. Often, there is no physiological loss in pseudohypacusic disturbance. This author will reserve hearing loss to describe actual shifts in auditory sensitivity and use it in direct quotations from the literature. Auditory disturbance will be used in lieu of hearing loss since the former is more valid by definition alone. Hearing loss implies a reduction in auditory sensitivity or threshold shift and this may or may not be the case.
Absence of malice: a meta-analysis of nonresponse bias in counterproductive work behavior research.

Despite the alleged frequency of counterproductive work behavior (CWB) in the population, most samples exhibit exceedingly low base rates. One potential explanation for this incongruence is nonresponse bias, which leads to range restriction in the CWB distribution. We investigated this possibility by determining whether response rates within CWB research were lower than that found across management research and whether range restriction could explain reduced CWB engagement. We also examined whether range restriction attenuated CWB�s relations to other variables. Our primary findings are that reported response rates for studies containing CWB measures are substantially lower (37%) than response rates reported within the general management literature (53%) and that range restriction is likely present in the CWB literature, resulting in low base rates and attenuated relations to CWB. In addition, tests of publication bias indicated that low response rates are less likely to be reported, and the true response rate within the CWB literature may be considerably lower.
Microstructure suspended in three-dimensional flows

The dynamical behaviour of stretchable, orientable microstructure suspended in a general three-dimensional fluid flow is investigated. Model equations given by Olbricht, Rallison & Leal are examined in the case of microstructure travelling through arbitrarily complicated flows of the carrier fluid. As in the two-dimensional analysis of Szeri, Wiggins & Leal, one must first treat the orientation dynamics problem; only then can the equation for stretch of the microstructure be analyzed rationally. In three-dimensional flows that are steady in the Lagrangian frame, attractors for the orientation dynamics are shown to be equilibria or limit cycles.
A Low-Harmonic Diode Rectifier-Fed Drive Using Zero-Sequence Coupling between Machine and Grid.

A new method to reduce the harmonic currents drawn by diode rectifier-fed drives is presented. The method involves coupling the machine neutral to the grid side and injecting a zero sequence current through controlled use of the 'zero-vector' state in the machine side inverter PWM. Simulation results are presented to show that harmonic levels within IEEE 519 limits can be achieved through this method. The main advantage of the proposed scheme is that no additional hardware components are needed and the current spectrum improvement is achieved through control modifications.
FLASH: Fast Length Adjustment of Short Reads to Improve Genome Assemblies

Motivation: Next-generation sequencing technologies generate very large numbers of short reads. Even with very deep genome coverage, short read lengths cause problems in de novo assemblies. The use of paired-end libraries with a fragment size shorter than twice the read length provides an opportunity to generate much longer reads by overlapping and merging read pairs before assembling a genome. Results: We present FLASH, a fast computational tool to extend the length of short reads by overlapping paired-end reads from fragment libraries that are sufficiently short. We tested the correctness of the tool on one million simulated read pairs, and we then applied it as a pre-processor for genome assemblies of Illumina reads from the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and human chromosome 14. FLASH correctly extended and merged reads >99% of the time on simulated reads with an error rate of <1%. With adequately set parameters, FLASH correctly merged reads over 90% of the time even when the reads contained up to 5% errors. When FLASH was used to extend reads prior to assembly, the resulting assemblies had substantially greater N50 lengths for both contigs and scaffolds. Availability and Implementation: The FLASH system is implemented in C and is freely available as open-source code at http://www.cbcb.umd.edu/software/flash. Contact: moc.liamg@cogam.t
The changing face of pleural empyemas in children: epidemiology and management.

Objective. Empyema remains a significant cause of morbidity in children. This study evaluates the changes that have affected the outcome in children with pleural empyema, including the emergence of resistant organisms, the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, and earlier treatment with video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS). Methods. A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who were discharged with a diagnosis of empyema and community-acquired pneumonia over a 10-year period (1993–2002) at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas. Data collected included demographic information, clinical presentation, radiographic studies, laboratory data including culture results, and hospital course. Results. A total of 230 charts were available for review. The mean age of the patients was 4.0 ± 3.6 years. Of the pleural fluid cultures performed, 32% (69 of 219) were positive. An additional 27 patients had a cause identified by blood culture. The first penicillin-nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified in 1995, and the first methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was identified in 1998. After the universal use of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, 3 major changes have occurred (1999–2000 vs 2001–2002): 1) the number of patients admitted with empyema (per 10 000 admissions) has decreased from 23 to 12.6; 2) the prevalence of S pneumoniae has decreased from 66% (29 of 44) to 27% (4 of 15); and 3) S aureus has become the most common pathogen isolated (18% vs 60%), with 78% of those being methicillin resistant. The use of early VATS ( 48 hours after admission) significantly decreased the length of hospitalization (11.49 ± 6.56 days vs 15.18 ± 8.62 days). Conclusions. The microbiologic cause of empyema has changed with an increasing incidence of S aureus, particularly methicillin-resistant S aureus. The use of VATS for initial therapy of empyema results in decreased duration of fever and length of hospitalization.
Boron-10 lined proportional counter model validation

The decreasing supply of 3He is stimulating a search for alternative neutron detectors; one potential 3He replacement is 10B-lined proportional counters. Simulations are being performed to predict the performance of systems designed with 10B-lined tubes. Boron-10-lined tubes are challenging to model accurately because the neutron capture material is not the same as the signal generating material. Thus, to simulate the efficiency, the neutron capture reaction products that escape the lining and enter the signal generating fill gas must be tracked. The tube lining thickness and composition are typically proprietary vendor information, and therefore add additional variables to the system simulation. The modeling methodologies used to predict the neutron detection efficiency of 10B-lined proportional counters were validated by comparing simulated to measured results. The measurements were made with a 252Cf source positioned at several distances from a moderated 2.54-cm diameter 10B-lined tube. Models were constructed of the experimental configurations using the Monte Carlo transport code MCNPX, which is capable of tracking the reaction products from the (n,10B) reaction. Several different lining thicknesses and compositions were simulated for comparison with the measured data. This paper presents the results of the evaluation of the experimental and simulated data, and a summary of how the different linings affect the performance of a coincidence counter configuration designed with 10B-lined proportional counters.
Comparison of Susceptibility of Pest Euschistus servus and Predator Podisus maculiventris (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) to Selected Insecticides

Susceptibility of the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say), and the spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Say), to acetamiprid, cyfluthrin, dicrotophos, indoxacarb, oxamyl, and thiamethoxam, was compared in residual and oral toxicity tests. Generally, susceptibility of P. maculiventris to insecticides was significantly greater than or not significantly different from that of E. servus. Cyfluthrin and oxamyl were more toxic to the predator than to E. servus in residual and feeding tests, respectively. Dicrotophos is the only compound that exhibited both good residual and oral activity against E. servus, but even this toxicant was more toxic to the predator than to the pest in oral toxicity tests. Feeding on indoxacarb-treated food caused high mortality for both nymphs and adults of P. maculiventris. In contrast, E. servus was unaffected by feeding on food treated with this compound. Insecticide selectivity to P. maculiventris was detected only with acetamiprid for adults in residual toxicity tests and for nymphs in oral toxicity tests. Because insecticide selectivity to P. maculiventris was limited, it is extremely important to conserve P. maculiventris in cotton fields by applying these insecticides for control of brown stink bugs only when the pest reaches economic threshold.
Interactive visualization of hospital contact network data on multi-touch displays

Hospital infections cost the lives of more than 100,000 people in the United States every year. Understanding how infections spread in hospitals is critical to reducing this problem. To help in this endeavor, we developed an interactive, multi-touch hospital contact-network visualization and disease spread simulation. The system visually animates healthcare workers as they move through a hospital building based on a very large, real world dataset of electronic medical record login sessions. Users control the visualization and infection spread simulation by direct manipulation using multi-touch interactions and on screen controls. Through our implementation, we explore how infection control experts might use visual analytics and multi-touch user interfaces to explore such large datasets. We share the feedback gathered from three domain experts, who tested our application and suggested additional use cases for similar systems or potential datasets.
Machine Comprehension with Syntax, Frames, and Semantics

We demonstrate significant improvement on the MCTest question answering task (Richardson et al., 2013) by augmenting baseline features with features based on syntax, frame semantics, coreference, and word embeddings, and combining them in a max-margin learning framework. We achieve the best results we are aware of on this dataset, outperforming concurrentlypublished results. These results demonstrate a significant performance gradient for the use of linguistic structure in machine comprehension.
Recent Progress and Application of Synthesized Diamond (Present Status and Future of Vapor Phase Deposition of Diamond)

Diamond is known as the most difficult material to machine and a costly material. These have been limited the application of diamonds in a small area. The method to make diamonds from gas phase was reported by Setaka et al. in 1981 and many Japanese successfully developed various methods of diamond deposition. Diamond can essentially be deposited from the mixed gas consisting of hydrogen and methane and the diamonds made by this technique have the same characteristics as IIa diamonds which do not contain any impurity elements. The application of diamond films have already started. Tools, speaker diaphragms and X-ray windows are the products used presently. As diamond has many useful characteristics for electrical applications, expectations to use in electric parts and devises are quite common. The development of diamond devices using vapor deposited diamond film has been already begun. For the future application of this technology, improvement of this process for obtaining higher quality films and fabrication by lower cost is required.
Factors affecting methane emissions from rice production in the Lower Mississippi river valley, USA

Abstract Rice (Oryza sativa L.) plays a key role in sustaining global food security; however, rice production also accounts for a significant proportion of global methane (CH4) emissions, a major greenhouse gas involved in altering global climate. Many previous studies have quantified the proportion of CH4 emissions by independently evaluating factors such as soil texture and cultivars – an approach that has led to potentially biased estimates of their actual contribution to total emissions. Most of these studies have not considered the influence of the preceding crop or growing-season weather that could lead to a significant variation in carbon budgets. The main objective of this study was to identify the key edaphic, cultivar, and environmental factors and determine their proportional contributions towards CH4 emissions in direct-seeded, rice-based cropping systems. A multiple regression model was developed to quantify CH4 emissions as a function of temperature (both day and night independently and in combination) and other weather variables, soil (silt-loam-surface-textured Albaqualf and clay-surface-textured Epiaquert), cultivar (conventional and hybrid), and cropping system (rice-rice and soybean [Glycine max L.]-rice). Results showed that (i) the Albaqualf emitted 211% more CH4-C than the Epiaquert (P
Drug resistance analysis of foodborne pathogens in Changsha in 2010 and 2011

Objective To investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility of foodborne pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes in Changsha,so as to provide guidance for the application of antibiotics. Methods Ten strains of Salmonella,28 strains of Staphylococcus aureus and 19 Listeria monocytogenes isolates from Changsha from 2010 to 2011 were collected for drug sensitivity test by broth dilution technique. Results Twenty- eight strains of Staphylococcus aureus were fully sensitive to 4 kinds of antibiotics( 100%),but fully resistant to penicillin( 100%). The resistance rate of Staphylococcus aureus against oxacillin was 57. 14%. Ten strains of Salmonella showed various resistance to 14 kinds of antibiotics,with highest drug resistance rate against tetracycline and amoxicillin- clavulanic acid,reaching 60%. The multi-drug resistance rate of Salmonella was 40%,resistant to at least six kinds of antimicrobials. Nineteen strains of Listeria monocytogenes were fully sensitive to fifteen kinds of antimicrobials,without drug resistant strains. Conclusion Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus had severe drug resistance in Changsha,indicating it was necessary to strengthen drug resistance monitoring of food- borne pathogens and management of antibiotics usage,so as to reduce the drug resistance of pathogens.
Prevalence of Chrome Rhinopathy among Workers with Exposure of Chromium and Its Compounds in A Chromate Plant

[Objective]To understand the occupational health status of a chromate plant,and effectively control the occurrence of chromium rhinopathy induced by chromate hazards.[Methods]Chromate dust concentration in the plant was measured. After health detection on workers with exposure of chromium and its compounds (exposed group) and workers from other positions (control group),the incidence of chromium rhinopathy among workers in the 2 groups were compared.[Results]Chromate dust concentration was 0.054 mg/m3 in workshop,which exceeded the maximum allowable concentration ( 0.05 mg/m3) in workshop according to State regulations; health examination of workers in exposure group and control group showed the difference of chromium rhinopathy was significant(χ2=13.78,P0.01).[Conclusion]The major occupational hazard in the chromate plant was chromate dust. According to the status of inadequate dust-prevention facilities,it is necessary to intensify the occupational health inspection,to popularize knowledge of occupational disease prevention,to increase the awareness and self-protection of chromium rhinopathy among workers,so as to protect the health of workers.
Tendon entrapments and dislocations in ankle and hindfoot fractures: evaluation with multidetector computed tomography.

The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of tendon entrapments and tendon dislocations associated with ankle and hindfoot fractures in patients studied by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). Additionally, we describe particular tendon injuries associated with specific fractures. This was a retrospective review of all individuals with a trauma-protocol CT for suspected ankle and/or hindfoot fractures during a consecutive 41-month time period at a single Level I Trauma Center. Each patient’s images were evaluated by two radiologists and an orthopedic surgeon for tendon entrapment, tendon dislocation, and bone(s) fractured or dislocated. There were 398 patients with ankle and/or hindfoot fractures that showed tendon entrapment or dislocation in 64 (16.1 %) patients. There were 30 (46.9 %) patients with 40 tendon entrapments, 31 (48.4 %) patients with 59 tendon dislocations, and three (4.7 %) patients with both tendon entrapment and dislocation. All patients with tendon entrapments were seen with either pilon fractures and/or a combination of posterior, medial, or lateral malleolar fractures. The most frequently entrapped tendon was the posterior tibialis tendon (PTT) in 27 patients (27/30, 90.0 %). The peroneal tendons were the most frequently dislocated, representing 27 (87.1 %) of patients with tendon dislocation; all resulted from a talar or calcaneal fracture or subluxation. This study demonstrates that tendon entrapments and tendon dislocations are commonly seen in complex fractures of the ankle and hindfoot. Pilon fractures were associated with the majority of tendon entrapments, whereas calcaneus fractures were associated with the majority of tendon dislocations.
gr-MRI: A software package for magnetic resonance imaging using software defined radios

The goal of this work is to develop software that enables the rapid implementation of custom MRI spectrometers using commercially-available software defined radios (SDRs). The developed gr-MRI software package comprises a set of Python scripts, flowgraphs, and signal generation and recording blocks for GNU Radio, an open-source SDR software package that is widely used in communications research. gr-MRI implements basic event sequencing functionality, and tools for system calibrations, multi-radio synchronization, and MR signal processing and image reconstruction. It includes four pulse sequences: a single-pulse sequence to record free induction signals, a gradient-recalled echo imaging sequence, a spin echo imaging sequence, and an inversion recovery spin echo imaging sequence. The sequences were used to perform phantom imaging scans with a 0.5Tesla tabletop MRI scanner and two commercially-available SDRs. One SDR was used for RF excitation and reception, and the other for gradient pulse generation. The total SDR hardware cost was approximately $2000. The frequency of radio desynchronization events and the frequency with which the software recovered from those events was also measured, and the SDR's ability to generate frequency-swept RF waveforms was validated and compared to the scanner's commercial spectrometer. The spin echo images geometrically matched those acquired using the commercial spectrometer, with no unexpected distortions. Desynchronization events were more likely to occur at the very beginning of an imaging scan, but were nearly eliminated if the user invoked the sequence for a short period before beginning data recording. The SDR produced a 500kHz bandwidth frequency-swept pulse with high fidelity, while the commercial spectrometer produced a waveform with large frequency spike errors. In conclusion, the developed gr-MRI software can be used to develop high-fidelity, low-cost custom MRI spectrometers using commercially-available SDRs.
Atomic Layer Deposition of FeO on Pt(111) by Ferrocene Adsorption and Oxidation

We report the synthesis of a submonolayer film of FeO(111) on the Pt(111) surface using atomic layer deposition under well-defined ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. FeO islands were characterized by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy. FeO(111) on Pt(111) was prepared through adsorption and oxidation of ferrocene. Because ferrocene adsorption is crucial to the overall process, it was studied in detail at different exposures and temperatures. At low exposures and at 300 K, ferrocene was found to adsorb dissociatively mainly as Cp (cyclopentadienyl ring). At high exposures, molecular adsorption dominated, and the dissociation fragments were replaced with ferrocene molecules. The adsorbed ferrocene desorbed from the Pt(111) surface at a temperature between 473 and 573 K. FeO(111) islands were grown by exposing the ferrocene adlayer to 1 × 10–6 mbar O2 at 623 K resulted in islands with the shape of truncated triangles an...
An Introduction to Biological Membranes

A membrane defined the outer boundary of the first living cell nearly 4 billion years ago. Since then, membranes have acquired additional functions through evolutionary selection. Modern membranes participate in many essential cell activities including barrier functions, transmembrane signaling, forming a locus for metabolic reactions, energy transduction, cell compartmentalization, and intercellular recognition. In this chapter we will explore some of the basic functions of biological membranes. We will also discuss some of the structural features of modern membranes. We will close this chapter with a brief discussion of a few research milestones that have contributed to our knowledge of what membranes are and how they work.
Analysis of glucose metabolization capability and breeding value of Holstein sires

Abstract The associations between the ability to metabolise glucose measured by the glucose tolerance test (GTT) and the estimated breeding values (EBVs) for milk performance in German Holstein sires were evaluated. The German Holstein sires born 1993 (n=43), 1998 (n=98), 1999 (n=104), 2000 (n=96), 2001 (n=91), 2002 (n=82), and 2003 (n=28) were analysed. The EBVs were taken from Vereinigte Informationssysteme Tierhaltung Verden. Statistical analyses were performed by General Linear Model and MIXED procedures, and phenotypic correlations among GTT and EBVs for milk performance were computed by the Pearson correlations. The sires born in 1993 had some significant ( P 0.01) negative correlations between the milk yield and GTT, similarly for protein yield, but the majority of the correlations were non-significant ( P> 0.05). For the sires born in 1998–2003, the same correlation analysis resulted in non-significant and very low coefficients, few significant ( P 0.05) correlations were found only for protein yield in year of birth 2000, protein percentage in year 2003, and for fat percentage and yield in year of birth 2002. GTT may be helpful for studying the metabolic capacity of dairy cattle; however, the possible use of GTT in breeding value prediction must be again clarified.
Resolution and sensitivity improvement in positron emission tomography by the first interaction point determination

Resolution loss of positron emission tomography (PET) caused by photon scattering and penetration is analyzed, and a novel 2-D detector scheme and associated detection algorithm are proposed to correct the effect of scattering and penetration, thereby improving resolution as well as sensitivity. The errors in coincidence line assignment due to photon scattering and penetration are computed using Monte Carlo simulation, and the resulting image blur is examined. The error in the coincidence line assignment and resulting image blur can be corrected by forming the coincidence line between the first interaction points (FIPs). The optimum algorithm for the determination of the FIP is derived using mathematical models of photon interactions in scintillation detectors. Simulation studies show the feasibility of developing entirely new lines of ultrahigh-resolution brain PET which also possess high sensitivity. >
Near threshold RF-only analog to digital converter

This paper describes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) capable of operating in a RF-only circuit topology. A major limitation to direct RF-powered sensors are the lack of analog circuits. The proposed architecture is comprised of a cross-coupled pair of inverters, which act as the comparator for the ADC. This setup has been simulated in IBMs 0.13 µm bulk CMOS process for a 3 bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC). At a RF supply voltage of 300 mV RMS and frequency 13.57 MHz, the ADC has a resolution of 20 mV and can resolve voltages ranging from −80 mV to 80 mV, and at a frequency of 915 MHz the ADC can resolve voltages ranging from −140 mV to 140 mV. In order to optimize the ADC operation, the sampling time has been adjusted to one-third of the evaluation time, to give the comparator enough time to complete the amplification.