cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biological control of puncturevine,Tribulus terrestris in california after twenty years of activity of introduced weevils

Fifteen years of field tests were conducted in California on 1,200 plots infested with the annual puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris L.) in order to examine the effect of 2 introduced weevils,Microlarinus lareynii (Jacquelin du Val) andM. lypriformis Wollaston (Col.: Curculionidae), on puncturevine. Since 5 of the 6 series of plots marked a substantial reduction in viable seed production and puncturevine coverage, it is suggested that the 2 introduced weevils curtailed the pucturevine population's capacity to compensate in the natural situation and significantly contributed to the decline in puncturevine density.
Effects of chain length, conformation and α-form packing arrangement on theoretical monoacid triglyceride β′-forms

Theoretical β′-form monoacid triglycerides of odd and even chain length having a bend in the glycerol region were prepared by bond rotations from selected α-form conformers. The shapes of such β′-forms depend on the bonds rotated and the direction of rotation. Intermolecular minimization procedures determined best-fit positions around a centralized molecule, which revealed unsymmetrical packing among five of nine different energetically-favored orthorhombic subcell arrangements. Methyl gap energy is influenced more by overall triglyceride conformation than by whether the fatty acid chains have an odd or even number of carbon atoms. Total lattice-packing energies varied little between odd and even chain lengths; thus, many combinations of conformation and subcell arrangement are consistent with known X-ray long spacings and polymorphic behavior of β′-forms.
Portfolio Performance with Lending or Borrowing

The availability of a single riskless lending and borrowing interest rate is one of the underlying assumptions of the two-parameter efficient markets model. When the model is used to evaluate ex-post portfolio performance this assumption becomes too restrictive. For investors facing a borrowing rate which is higher than the lending rate, performance evaluation must take into account investment goals. It is also necessary to recognize that investors willing to assume high risk in order to obtain high returns have available a number of alternative portfolios which are efficient. La disponibilite d'un simple taux d'interet sur pret ou emprunt, tout risque exclu, est une des hypotheses fondamentales du modele des marches actifs a deux parametres. Lorsque le modele sert aevaluer le rendement expost de portefeuille, cette hypothese s'avere trop limitee. Dans le cas ou les investisseurs se trouvent face a un taux d'emprunt superieur au taux de pret, l'evaluation du rendement doit s'effectuer en considbration des objectifs d'investissements. II faut de meme preciser que les investisseurs, prets a edosser de grands risques dans le but d'obtenir des benyefices eleves, possedent un nombre disponible de portefeuilles alternatifs qui sont productifs. Das Vorhandensein eines einzigen risikofreien Anlage- und Aufnahmezinssatzes stellt eine der grundsatzlichen Voraussetzungen des zweiparameterischen Effizientmarkt-Modells dar. Bei der Verwendung des Modells fur die Ermittlung der ex post Portefeuilleleistung wird diese Voraussetzung zu einschrankend. Fur Anleger, die einen Aufnahmezinssatz, der den Anlagezinssatz uberschreitet, bezahlen mussen, muss die Leistungsermittlung Investitionsziele berucksichtigen. Ebenfalls muss berucksichtigt werden, dass Anleger, die hohe Risiken eingehen um hohe Ertrage zu erreichen, uber eine Anzahl von alternativen effizienten Portefeuillen verfugen.
Inhomogeneous strains in small particles

Abstract This paper considers the evidence for strains in small particles. Firstly, the dynamical electron diffraction theory for dark field imaging of small particles is briefly reviewed, considering primarily the effects of strain on wedge crystals and identifying the fingerprint of strain contrast effects under strong beam conditions. Evidence included herein and from published papers by other authors clearly shows inhomogeneous strain effects in both multiply twinned particles and single crystals. Considering these results and earlier reports of lattice parameter changes, there are problems with the uniqueness of these analyses, and the strains in the small single crystals are thought more likely to be due to interfacial stresses or contaminants than any intrinsic particle effect; there are so many different origins of this type of strain that we cannot with confidence isolate a unique source. It is emphasised that the uniqueness of any interpretation of experimental results from small particles must be very carefully considered.
Using color to compute optical flow

In order to study the motion of non-rigid objects in an image sequence, it is often necessary to compute a dense optical flow field. Gradient-based techniques have been relatively successful at computing dense flow fields for gray-scale images when additional constraints are added. However, these constraints often introduce errors at the edges of objects, where the object motion is different from the background motion. Our approach is to use color images to obtain three constraint equations corresponding to three color components. This gives us an overdetermined linear system with three equations and two unknowns (x and y direction components of optical flow) which can be solved using linear least-squares algorithm. No further constraints are necessary. This paper presents such a color-based optical flow estimation and includes some initial promising results on synthetic motion image data. Further research directions are also discussed.
Design and evaluation of NextGen aircraft separation assurance concepts

To support the development and evaluation of future function allocation concepts for separation assurance systems for the Next Generation Air Transportation System, this paper presents the design and human-in-the-loop evaluation of three feasible function allocation concepts that allocate primary aircraft separation assurance responsibilities and workload to: 1) pilots; 2) air traffic controllers (ATC); and 3) automation. The design of these concepts also included rules of the road, separation assurance burdens for aircraft of different equipage levels, and utilization of advanced weather displays paired with advanced conflict detection and resolution automation. Results of the human-in-the-loop simulation show that: a) all the concepts are robust with respect to weather perturbation; b) concept 1 (pilots) had highest throughput, closest to assigned spacing, and fewest violations of speed and altitude restrictions; c) the energy of the aircraft during the descent phase was better managed in concepts 1 and 2 (pilots and ATC) than in concept 3 (automation), in which the situation awareness of pilots and controllers was lowest, and workload of pilots was highest. The paper also discusses further development of these concepts and their augmentation and integration with future air traffic management tools and systems that are being considered for NextGen.
The effect of temperature on the self-association of S5 and on the association of S5 with S8 as determined by sedimentation equilibrium

Abstract Solutions of proteins S5 and S8 from the Escherichia coli 30 S ribosomal subunit have been examined by sedimentation equilibrium methods as a function of temperature for their behavior in solution as isolated components and in mixtures. The standard enthalpy and entropy at 4 °C for the isodesmic self-association of S5 were determined from a study over the temperature range of 3 to 33 °C to be 0.1 ± 0.9 kcal/mol and 18 ± 3 cal/(mol × deg), respectively. The protein S8 remained monomeric over the same range of temperature. The standard enthalpy and entropy at 4 °C for the association of S5 and S8 were determined on mixtures from a study over the temperature range of 3 to 27 °C to be −0.4 ± 1.6 kcal/mol and 20 ± 6 cal/(mol × deg), respectively. Based on these values and the previously determined standard Gibbs free energies ( S. H. Tindall and K. C. Aune, 1981 , Biochemistry 20 , 4861–4866), the driving force for the self-association of S5 and the association of S5 with S8 could be interpreted as being derived from the expulsion of water upon ion pair formation at the interaction sites.
Development of Structural Condition Index to Support Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation Decisions at Network Level

Every year, state highway agencies apply large amounts of seal coats and thin overlays to pavements to improve the surface condition, but these measures do not successfully address the problem. Overall pavement condition continues to deteriorate because of the structural deformation of pavement layers and the subgrade. To make effective decisions about the type of treatment needed, one should take into consideration the structural condition of a pavement. Several different structural estimators can be calculated by using falling weight deflectometer data and information stored in the Pavement Management Information System (PMIS) at the Texas Department of Transportation. The analysis considers pavement modulus and structural number as the structural estimators of a pavement. The evaluation method is based on the sensitivity of the structural estimators to deterioration descriptors. The deterioration per equivalent single-axle load of all major scores stored in the Texas PMIS is proposed as the primary indicator of pavement deterioration. In addition, the use of the structural condition index is recommended as a screening tool to discriminate between pavements that need structural reinforcement and those that do not. This index is calibrated for use in maintenance and rehabilitation analysis at the network level.
PRICING-BASED APPROACHES IN THE DESIGN OF NEXT-GENERATIONWIRELESS NETWORKS: A REVIEW AND A UNIFIED PROPOSAL

Unlike the bandwidth in a wired network, radio spectrum is a significantly scarce resource. This resource needs to be efficiently shared and reused by a number of users who may be simultaneously accessing a variety of mobile services. Thus, careful planning and management of the radio spectrum is required to maximize its value across all users and all accessed services. The evolving need for supporting differentiated services for novel multimedia applications in the wireless network adds a new dimension to this complex problem. Network researchers and architects are investigating the use of pricing to efficiently handle many of the corresponding network design and management issues. In this paper, we make two important contributions on this topic. First, we review the existing body of literature that attempts to utilize pricing in the design of next-generation wireless networks. Specifically, we classify the existing works into three categories: (a) pricing-based resource provisioning; (b) pricing-based static planning; and (c) pricing-based adaptive resource management. Second, we propose a unified pricing scheme which attempts to encompass the various design issues into a single comprehensive framework that can potentially lead to a scalable, differentiated-services wireless network architecture for the future.
Presidential Address: From Where We Stand

In preparing for this presidential address, I have done the customary reading of the past presidents' addresses, searched through Bartlett's Book of Quotations and Roget's Thesaurus, and even subscribed to American Speaker. It is difficult to describe the conflict of emotions I have experienced over the past year as president of the American Society for Surgery for the Hand (ASSH). Past presidents have spoken of the pride and humility they felt upon assuming the office of this most prestigious of all subspecialty societies, and I am no different. First, I want to give thanks to those people who have been the focus of my life: First, my parents, both of whom instilled in me a sense of family, loyalty, and a work ethic. Second, my teachers and role models, many of whom are in this auditorium today. Third, my children, Sarah and Dan, who have taught me what life is really all about. Finally, but certainly not last, to my wife, Nancy, whose love, support, and understanding have frequently been stretched to the limit and beyond. She is my best friend. As hard as it is for me to believe, in 4 years it will be the end of the twentieth century. There is nothing like the end of a millennium to make one stop and take inventory. During the last half of this century, there has been a remarkable shift in the role of the surgeon as teacher, educator, healer and in the medical field in general. This shift is now in high gear. We
The N-terminal α-Helix of Pancreatic Phospholipase A2 Determines Productive-mode Orientation of the Enzyme at the Membrane Surface

Phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) hydrolyzes glycerophospholipids to free fatty acid and lyso-phospholipid, which serve as precursors for the biosynthesis of eicosanoids and other lipid-derived mediators of inflammation and allergy. PLA 2 activity strongly increases upon binding to the surface of aggregated phospholipid. The N-terminal ∼ten residue α-helix of certain PLA 2 isoforms plays important roles in the interfacial activation of the enzyme by providing residues for membrane binding of PLA 2 and by contributing to the formation of the substrate-binding pocket. However, the relative contributions of the N-terminal α-helix and the rest of the protein in membrane binding of PLA 2 and its productive-mode orientation at the membrane surface are not well understood. Here we use a variety of biophysical approaches to determine the role of the N-terminal helix in membrane binding strength, orientation, and activity of human pancreatic PLA 2 . While the full-length PLA 2 binds to membranes with a defined orientation, an engineered PLA 2 fragment ΔN10 that lacks the N-terminal ten residues binds to membranes with weaker affinity and at random orientation, and exhibits ∼100-fold lower enzymatic activity compared to the full-length PLA 2 , indicating the key role of the N terminus in PLA 2 function. The results of polarized infrared spectroscopic experiments permit determination of the orientation of membrane-bound PLA 2 and identification of its interfacial binding surface. Moreover, the full-length PLA 2 demonstrates increased conformational flexibility in solution and is stabilized upon membrane binding, while the ΔN10 fragment is more rigid than the full-length PLA 2 both in free and membrane-bound states. Our results suggest that the N-terminal α-helix supports the activation of PLA 2 by (a) enhancing the membrane binding strength, (b) facilitating a productive-mode orientation of PLA 2 at the membrane surface, and (c) conferring conformational integrity and plasticity to the enzyme.
Time decay and untangling of vibronically tangled resonances: Naphthalene second singlet☆

Abstract The Green function method is used to explain quantitatively the very complex spectrum of naphthalene in the region of the second excited singlet state (1B2u) studied experimentally by McClure and by Wessel. The 1B2u state strongly interacts with a mass of vibronic levels belonging to the lower singlet (1B3u) causing a complete lack of correspondence between the zero-order energy levels and the observed spectrum. In the spirit of Wessel's ideas, a zero-order density function can be derived from the observed spectrum, allowing the spectroscopic analysis to be continued from the weakly perturbed region into the strongly pertubed “resonance”. The vibronic assignments can be made to within a 2–3 cm−1 accuracy. This spectral region also presents a good example of the “intermediate case” in radiationless transition theory, and under suitable excitation would give rise to complicated, nonexponential fluorescence decay, with low overall fluorescence yield. A dispersion relationship, derived earlier, allows the real and imaginary parts of the Green function to be obtained from the absorption spectrum. When these terms are used in the time evolution equations under various light source excitations, fluorescence decay curves can be calculated. The decay curves exhibit well-defined picosecond or subpicosecond “beats”, but commencing at intensities at least two orders of magnitude below that of the initial (r = 0) intensity. Using present picosecond technology, the beats would be difficult to detect. The naphthalene case gives but one example of a molecule having “vibronically tangled resonances”, many other large polyatomic molecules as well as smaller molecules like NO2, SO2, and CS2 show similar complications.
Bilingual Computerized Speech Recognition Screening for Depression Symptoms

The Voice-Interactive Depression Assessment System (VIDAS) is a computerized speech recognition application for screening depression based on the Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression scale in English and Spanish. Study 1 included 50 English and 47 Spanish speakers. Study 2 involved 108 English and 109 Spanish speakers. Participants completed demographic and acculturation scales, Beck Depression Inventory–II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Composite International Diagnostic Interview–Short Form, and VIDAS (aural or visual). Both studies examined the psychometric properties and participant comfort ratings for VIDAS. Study 2 also examined psychometric sensitivity and specificity, and participant selection of digitized gender for VIDAS. Both studies found that VIDAS generally demonstrated adequate interitem reliability, convergent validity, sensitivity, and specificity. However, the aural modality displayed lower reliability and validity. Participants in both language groups rated each VIDAS modality favora...
Miscanthus Establishment and Overwintering in the Midwest USA: A Regional Modeling Study of Crop Residue Management on Critical Minimum Soil Temperatures

Miscanthus is an intriguing cellulosic bioenergy feedstock because its aboveground productivity is high for low amounts of agrochemical inputs, but soil temperatures below −3.5°C could threaten successful cultivation in temperate regions. We used a combination of observed soil temperatures and the Agro-IBIS model to investigate how strategic residue management could reduce the risk of rhizome threatening soil temperatures. This objective was addressed using a historical (1978–2007) reconstruction of extreme minimum 10 cm soil temperatures experienced across the Midwest US and model sensitivity studies that quantified the impact of crop residue on soil temperatures. At observation sites and for simulations that had bare soil, two critical soil temperature thresholds (50% rhizome winterkill at −3.5°C and −6.0°C for different Miscanthus genotypes) were reached at rhizome planting depth (10 cm) over large geographic areas. The coldest average annual extreme 10 cm soil temperatures were between −8°C to −11°C across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Large portions of the region experienced 10 cm soil temperatures below −3.5°C in 75% or greater for all years, and portions of North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin experienced soil temperatures below −6.0°C in 50–60% of all years. For simulated management options that established varied thicknesses (1–5 cm) of miscanthus straw following harvest, extreme minimum soil temperatures increased by 2.5°C to 6°C compared to bare soil, with the greatest warming associated with thicker residue layers. While the likelihood of 10 cm soil temperatures reaching −3.5°C was greatly reduced with 2–5 cm of surface residue, portions of the Dakotas, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wisconsin still experienced temperatures colder than −3.5°C in 50–80% of all years. Nonetheless, strategic residue management could help increase the likelihood of overwintering of miscanthus rhizomes in the first few years after establishment, although low productivity and biomass availability during these early stages could hamper such efforts.
Spring and Summer Water Levels in a Missouri River Reservoir: Effects on Age-0 Fish and Zooplankton

Abstract The effects of water level on the early life history of fish in Lake Francis Case, South Dakota, were studied by comparing the abundance, growth, diet, and food supply (zooplankton) of selected species in a low-water year (1974) and a high-water year (1975). Young of 21 fish species were collected. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens), white bass (Morone chrysops), buffaloes (two Ictiobus species), and centrarchids were significantly more abundant in net catches in 1975 than 1974. Flooded shoreline vegetation in 1975 apparently enhanced spawning success by providing a more suitable substrate and protective cover for early life stages. First-summer growth of the four most abundant fishes (yellow perch, buffaloes, and white bass) did not change significantly between years. Standing crops of the larger zooplankton (calanoids and daphnids) decreased during the high-water year, perhaps because of predation by age-0 fish. Standing crops of the smaller zooplankton species such as Bosmina longirostris and Chy...
Comparison of the Chemical and Oxidative Characteristics of Particulate Matter (PM) Collected by Different Methods: Filters, Impactors, and BioSamplers

In this study, we compare the chemical and oxidative characteristics of concentration-enriched PM2.5 samples simultaneously collected by a filter, a Nano-Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposition Impactor, and a BioSampler. Gravimetric measurements showed considerable agreement in particulate matter (PM) collection efficiency for all three samplers. Accordingly, samples from the three collectors exhibited similar chemical compositions. The mass fractions of their inorganic ions, labile and nonlabile, were comparable. Moreover, the organic carbon (OC) content of the BioSampler slurry was similar to that of the filter, while water-soluble OC levels of the filter and impactor samples were close to a 100% agreement. Lastly, linear regression analyses demonstrated that the water-soluble elements existed in similar proportions for the filter and impactor samples. Their respective total components were also in very good agreement. By contrast, the recoverable elements from the BioSampler slurry, determined by high-resolu...
Insight into the Sialome of the Black Fly, Simulium vittatum

Adaptation to vertebrate blood feeding includes development of a salivary “magic potion” that can disarm host hemostasis and inflammatory reactions. Within the lower Diptera, a vertebrate blood-sucking mode evolved in the Psychodidae (sand flies), Culicidae (mosquitoes), Ceratopogonidae (biting midges), Simuliidae (black flies), and the frog-feeding Corethrellidae. Sialotranscriptome analyses from several species of mosquitoes and sand flies and from one biting midge indicate divergence in the evolution of the blood-sucking salivary potion, manifested in the finding of many unique proteins within each insect family, and even genus. Gene duplication and divergence events are highly prevalent, possibly driven by vertebrate host immune pressure. Within this framework, we describe the sialome (from Greek sialo, saliva) of the black fly Simulium vittatum and discuss the findings within the context of the protein families found in other blood-sucking Diptera. Sequences and results of Blast searches against seve...
An instrument to predict endoscopy tolerance: a prospective randomized study.

Our purpose in this study was to determine if the use of an instrument developed by our group to direct sedation choice improves patient satisfaction with endoscopy sedation compared to standard sedation practice. After 200 enrollments, data were available for 194 patients who completed the study. There were nine cases of dissatisfaction: five (5%) in the control group and four (4%) in the intervention group (P = 0.78). The 95% confidence intervals (1%–10%) were almost identical, indicating no difference between groups. The study was stopped after an interim analysis showed no significant difference in satisfaction between the groups. This could have been because the assumption that patients with increased risk of dissatisfaction do better with deeper sedation is incorrect. Another explanation could be the increased awareness of the value of benzodiazepines in endoscopy. Consistent with our findings, nervousness rather than pain predicted dissatisfaction, and the optimal use of anxiolytics with amnesic properties may be comparable to that of propofol.
Intraoperative hypotension and prolonged operative time as risk factors for slow graft function in kidney transplant recipients.

Abstract: Background: Slow graft function (SGF) is an immediate post-operative complication of cadaveric kidney transplantation pre-disposing to acute rejection (AR) and lower graft survival. The objective of this study was to test whether intraoperative hypotension and/or prolonged operative time are risk factors for SGF in patients post-cadaveric kidney transplant. Methods: This was a single center retrospective case–control study of patients post-cadaveric kidney transplant performed at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) between January 2002 and February 2005. Data were retrieved from the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) database. Results: One hundred and sixty patients underwent cadaveric kidney transplant. Intraoperative measurements including blood pressure and operative time were available in 94 patients of which 57 had immediate graft function (IGF) and 37 had SGF (defined as decline in serum creatinine (Cr) of <50% by day 3). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, intraoperative hypotension and prolonged operative time were additive independent risk factors for SGF. For every 5 mmHg increment decrease in blood pressure, the odds ratio (OR) for SGF was 1.28 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08–1.53) for systolic blood pressure (SBP), 1.38 (CI: 1.06–1.79) for diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and 1.51 (CI: 1.15–1.99) for mean arterial pressure (MAP). For every 30 min increase in operative time, the OR for SGF was 1.35 (CI: 1.07–1.71). Conclusion: Intraoperative hypotension and prolonged operative time are independent risk factors for SGF in patients post-cadaveric kidney transplant.
Evolving methodologies in bipolar disorder maintenance research

Background During the development of a new treatment for bipolar disorder, maintenance studies are used to evaluate the ability of the putative mood stabiliser to prevent relapse and recurrence of further episodes. Comparisons with the early bipolar disorder maintenance studies indicate that the methodologies of recent trials have evolved substantially. Aims To review the methods used in the first- and second-generation maintenance studies, highlighting the differences of the various designs. Method Literature review. Results Methods that have evolved the most include patient enrolment, randomisation schemes and the use of outcome measures and statistical analyses. In addition, regulatory and commercial issues have also influenced study design. Conclusion There is little consensus on the methodology of bipolar disorder maintenance studies. As the integration of newer therapies into routine clinical practice is dependent on the evidence from controlled studies, it is essential that future maintenance trials in bipolar disorder achieve adequate methodological rigour without sacrificing overall feasibility.
Optimal Performance Measures with Task Complementarity

This study examines optimal performance measures under moral hazard where a risk neutral agent with limited liability is assigned two interdependent tasks. Task interdependency, or complementarity, is captured by assuming that when the agent provides high effort on one task, it affects the probability of success on a second task. Two performance measures are considered, disaggregate and aggregate. The relative benefit of aggregate performance measures derives from the agent's uncertainty about compensation when performing the second task. The relative benefit of disaggregate measures arises because it produces more information about the agent's actions on each task. The comparative advantage of aggregate measures is maximized for relatively independent tasks and diminishes with strong positive or negative complementarity. Endogenous task assignment is then explored. The principal can bundle the two tasks together and assign them to a single agent, maintaining the effects of task complementarity, or unbund...
Genetic Variability and Population Differentiation in Captive Baird's Tapirs (Tapirus bairdii)

The objectives of this study were to assess the level of genetic variability and population differentiation within captive populations of an endangered large mammal, Baird’s tapir (Tapirus bairdii). We genotyped 37 captive animals from North American (NA) and Central American (CA) zoos and conservation ranches using six polymorphic microsatellite loci. Standard indices of genetic variability (allelic richness and diversity, and heterozygosity) were estimated and compared between captive populations, and between captive and wild population samples. In addition, we evaluated levels of population differentiation using Weir and Cockerham’s version of Wright’s F-statistics. The results indicate that the NA and CA captive populations of Baird’s tapirs have retained levels of genetic variability similar to that measured in a wild population. However, inbreeding coefficients estimated from the molecular data indicate that the CA captive population is at increased risk of losing genetic variability due to inbreeding. Despite this, estimated levels of population differentiation indicate limited divergence of the CA captive population from the wild population. Careful management appears to have kept inbreeding coefficients low in the NA captive population; however, population differentiation levels indicate that the NA population has experienced increased divergence from wild populations due to a founder effect and isolation. Based on these results, we conclude that intermittent exchanges of Baird’s tapirs between the NA and CA captive populations will benefit both populations by increasing genetic variability and effective population size, while reducing inbreeding and divergence from wild populations. Zoo Biol
Prediabetes awareness, healthcare provider’s advice, and lifestyle changes in American adults

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine whether persons who are aware of their prediabetes were more likely than persons with normal glycemia to report lifestyle changes (weight control, physical activity and fat/calories intake), and to determine the interactive effect of persons aware of their prediabetes and persons reporting doctor/health care provider’s (DHCP) advice on overall lifestyle change. Methods Data from the 2005 to 2006 and 2007 to 2008 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were used for this investigation. Odds ratio from multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether persons who are aware of their prediabetes were more likely than persons with normal glycemia to report lifestyle changes. Results Persons who are aware of their prediabetes were more likely than persons with normal glycemia to report increased weight control (OR = 1.72; 95% CI = 1.34–2.20) and physical activity (OR = 1.28; 95% CI = 1.02–1.61), and reduced fat/calorie intake (OR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.41–2.34), after adjusting for age, BMI, persons reported DHCP advice, race/ethnicity, sex, education and household income. Persons who reported DHCP advice were more likely than persons who did not report DHCP advice to report increased weight control (OR = 1.87; 95% CI = 1.67–2.09) and physical activity (OR = 1.59; 95% CI = 1.43–1.78), and reduced fat/calorie intake (OR = 2.19; 95% CI = 1.96–2.46), after adjusting for confounders. There was no significant interaction between persons aware of their prediabetes and persons that reported DHCP advice with reported overall lifestyle change. Conclusions Creating diabetes risk awareness in at-risk groups and increased counseling of at-risk groups by doctors/health care providers may be the keys to prevent diabetes.
Carbon 14 Tryptophan Metabolism in Developing Rat Molars

The unique absence of tryptophan in dentin collagen and its presence in enamel protein(s) provide a specific biological marker for the study of amelogenesis. Isotopic tryptophan was administered to young rats. The incorporation, distribution, and turnover of the labeled precursor was expressed in auto-radiographs and radiochemically determined specific activitv.
Efficacy of Chemicals for Controlling Colony Spread by Rhizopus Species

Abstract Of various chemicals tested, dichloran was found to be most effective for restricting the rates of colony spread by three Rhizopus species at the lowest concentration (25 mg/L or less) on potato dextrose agar and Czapek Dox agar. Higher concentrations of methyl red (50 mg/L), rose bengal (50 mg/L), Triton X-100 (100 mg/L), bromocresol green (500 mg/L), sodium deoxychlorate (500 mg/L) and oxgall (3000 mg/L) were required to equally reduce colony spreading. Tween 80 (5000 mg/L) and methanol (50 000 mg/L) did not reduce the colony diameters of the molds. R. oryzae grew faster and was more tolerant to chemicals than R. oligosporus and R. stolonifer.
Heat transfer modelling of rail thermite welding

Rail thermite welding is a valuable welding technology for the railroad industry due to its simplicity, portability, and economy. This paper describes a heat transfer analysis conducted by use of the finite element method. Only the heat transfer by conduction was simulated explicitly in the model, with the other thermally significant phenomena being included through the boundary and initial conditions. Despite these simplifications, the model can be used to analyze the thermal conditions during thermite welding with good accuracy. The predicted temperature history, weld deposit, and HAZ profiles were also in good agreement with the experimental measurements in laboratory welds. It was found that the weld gap is the most influential welding parameter for rail thermite welding. A wider gap weld appears to be less sensitive to chance variations in other welding parameters, and therefore fairly consistent thermal conditions can be obtained.
Yield strain behavior of trabecular bone

If bone adapts to maintain constant strains and if on-axis yield strains in trabecular bone are independent of apparent density, adaptive remodeling in trabecular bone should maintain a constant safety factor (yield strain/functional strain) during habitual loading. To test the hypothesis that yield strains are indeed independent of density, compressive (n = 22) and tensile (n = 22) yield strains were measured without end-artifacts for low density (0.18 +/- 0.04 g cm(-3)) human vertebral trabecular bone specimens. Loads were applied in the superior-inferior direction along the principal trabecular orientation. These 'on-axis' yield strains were compared to those measured previously for high-density (0.51 +/- 0.06 g cm(-3)) bovine tibial trabecular bone (n = 44). Mean (+/- S.D.) yield strains for the human bone were 0.78 +/- 0.04% in tension and 0.84 +/- 0.06% in compression; corresponding values for the bovine bone were 0.78 +/- 0.04 and 1.09 +/- 0.12%, respectively. Tensile yield strains were independent of the apparent density across the entire density range (human p = 0.40, bovine p = 0.64, pooled p = 0.97). By contrast, compressive yield strains were linearly correlated with apparent density for the human bone (p < 0.001) and the pooled data (p < 0.001), and a suggestive trend existed for the bovine data (p = 0.06). These results refute the hypothesis that on-axis yield strains for trabecular bone are independent of density for compressive loading, although values may appear constant over a narrow density range. On-axis tensile yield strains appear to be independent of both apparent density and anatomic site.
Concealed weapons detection using an uncooled millimeter-wave microbolometer system

We describe the status of, and present the first imagery obtained using an active uncooled mm-wave microbolometer- based imaging system. The microbolometers consist of 2 micrometers X 6 micrometers X .02 micrometers Nb films, coupled to the incident field by annular slot antennas. The system frequency is centered at 94 GHz. Imagery has been obtained using a mechanically scanned primary mirror and single-pixel bolometer, as a prototype for a 120-element focal-plane array still under development. With our most recent version of the optical system, high quality images, with clear detail on a spatial scale of 1 cm, have been obtained with acquisition times of 70 s and a target range of 1.3 m.
Cobalt oxide-tungsten oxide nanowire heterostructures: Fabrication and characterization

Nanowire heterostructures comprised of cobalt oxide and tungsten oxide were fabricated in a core/shell configuration. This was achieved by sputter coating tungsten oxide shells on standing cobalt oxide nanowires on a substrate. To ensure the polycrystallinity of tungsten oxide shell, the nanowire heterostructures were subjected to post-sputtering annealing process. The cobalt oxide nanowires for this study were grown employing a thermal method via vapor-solid growth mechanism. The crystal structures, morphologies, dimensions, and phases at various growth stages of nanowire heterostructures were studied using high resolution electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction methods. The interfaces of these nanowire heterostructures were also studied and showed variation in the lattice spacing across the heterostructure diameter. Results indicated that the cobalt oxide nanowires survived multiple processing steps and resulted in stable heterostructure configurations. The investigation shows, for the first time, a dry processing route for the formation of such novel nanowire heterostructures.
Two New Species of Dombeya (Malvaceae) from Madagascar

Two new Malagasy species of Dombeya Cavanilles subgen. Xeropetalum (Delile) K. Schumann (Malvaceae) are described. Dombeya asymmetrica Applequist is native to Mananara-Nord in northeastern Madagascar, and D. rienanensis Applequist to the Matatana River basin. Dombeya rienanensis is placed within subseries Trohy Arenes. Dombeya asymmetrica is tentatively placed within subseries Repandae Arenes; the species is distinguished by its long, narrow lanceolate leaves with asymmetrical apices.
Research without results: inadequate public reporting of clinical trial results.

Abstract Objective In order to increase transparency in the medical literature, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Modernization Act of 1997 and the FDA Amendment Act of 2007 required registration of all “applicable trials” with required “basic results” reporting. We evaluated the rate of compliance with the FDA mandatory results reporting in www.clinicaltrials.gov . Methods All completed registered interventional studies that may be subject to FDA regulation, one year prior to required results reporting (October 2006 to September 2007, n = 1097) and during the two years after required reporting (October 2007 to September 2008 (07–08), n = 2231 and October 2008 to September 2009 (08–09), n = 2923). Results Downloading all 99,315 records from clinicaltrials.gov, we excluded all non-applicable studies. Results reporting increased from 6.8% (n = 75) prior to mandatory reporting to 19.1% (n = 427, p Conclusion The majority of studies registered in clinicaltrials.gov are not required to report data. Of studies that may be required to report data, compliance with data reporting has improved. The clinicaltrials.gov website is not yet a comprehensive resource for study results.
Feeding outcomes in infants after supraglottoplasty.

Objective. Review the impact of bilateral supraglottoplasty on feeding and compare the risk of postoperative feeding difficulties between infants with and without additional comorbidities.Study Des...
Quantitative Analysis of MRI Signal Abnormalities of Brain White Matter With High Reproducibility and Accuracy

Purpose: To assess the reproducibility and accuracy compared to radiologists of three automated segmentation pipelines for quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurement of brain white matter signal abnormalities (WMSA). Materials and Methods: WMSA segmentation was performed on pairs of whole brain scans from 20 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 10 older subjects who were positioned and imaged twice within 30 minutes. Radiologist outlines of WMSA on 20 sections from 16 patients were compared with the corresponding results of each segmentation method. Results: The segmentation method combining expectationmaximization (EM) tissue segmentation, template-driven segmentation (TDS), and partial volume effect correction (PVEC) demonstrated the highest accuracy (the absolute value of the Z-score was 0.99 for both groups of subjects), as well as high interscan reproducibility (repeatability coefficient was 0.68 mL in MS patients and 1.49 mL in aging subjects). Conclusion: The addition of TDS to the EM segmentation and PVEC algorithms significantly improved the accuracy of WMSA volume measurements, while also improving measurement reproducibility.
Macrocyclic piperazinones as potent dual inhibitors of farnesyltransferase and geranylgeranyltransferase-I

A series of macrocyclic piperazinone compounds with dual farnesyltransferase/geranylgeranyltransferase-I inhibitory activity was prepared. These compounds were found to be potent inhibitors of protein prenylation in cell culture. A hypothesis for the binding mode of compound 3o in FPTase is proposed.
A Combined Analytical and Search-Based Approach for the Inductive Synthesis of Functional Programs

Inductive program synthesis addresses the problem of automatically generating (declarative) recursive programs from ambiguous specifications such as input/output examples. Potential applications range from software development to intelligent agents that learn in recursive domains. Current systems suffer from either strong restrictions regarding the form of inducible programs or from blind search in vast program spaces. The main contribution of my dissertation (Kitzelmann, Ph.D. thesis, 2010) is the algorithm Igor2 for the induction of functional programs. It is based on search in program spaces but derives candidate programs directly from examples, rather than using them as test cases, and thereby prunes many programs. Experiments show promising results.
Influence of nonadiabatic tunneling ionization on short-wavelength-driven high harmonic generation

High harmonic generation efficiency is theoretically modeled and compared with experiments using 400 and 800 nm driver pulses. Our study shows that for short drive wavelengths nonadiabatic tunneling ionization leads to enhanced low order harmonics.
The Maturation of Grammatical Principles: Evidence from Russian Unaccusatives

This article tests the hypothesis that young children have a maturational difficulty with A-chain formation that makes them unable to represent unaccusative verbs in an adultlike fashion. We report...
Radiographic methods in the evaluation of periodontal therapy.

Radiographic methods are commonly utilized to assess periodontal bone changes in clinical trials. Radiographs are unique as a data source in that they provide a permanent visual record of the bone support and allow for linear, area, and volume measurements of periodontal lesions. The major limiting factors in the use of radiographic outcomes measures are geometric distortion and radiographic processing errors. The use of standardized methods and computer algorithms has reduced the effect of these errors on data from radiographs. Radiographic analysis in clinical trials is largely done in digital format by indirect digitizing film with a video camera. Direct digital detectors are now available for intra-oral use. The use of a direct detector eliminates the need for film processing and allows for dose reduction. The detectors currently available are limited in size and resolution. Subtraction radiography allows for area and volume estimates of bone gain or loss. The subtraction methods are highly precise, b...
NEOSPORA CANINUM IN VITRO: EVIDENCE THAT THE DESTINY OF A PARASITOPHOROUS VACUOLE DEPENDS ON THE PHENOTYPE OF THE PROGENITOR ZOITE

We previously reported that Neospora caninum can be induced to express BAG1, a bradyzoite antigen, within 3 days of culture under stress conditions. The main goals of the present experiment were to increase the expression of BAG1 in vitro (in part by extending cultures for 9 days), to observe parasitophorous vacuoles at various points of stage differentiation, and to test the ability of organisms produced in vitro to function like mature bradyzoites. Expression of BAG1 and of a tachyzoite antigen (NcSAG1) was monitored using a double-label immunofluorescence assay. For the purpose of this study, organisms expressing NcSAG1 were designated as tachyzoites, those expressing BAG1 were designated as bradyzoites, and those expressing both antigens were designated as intermediate zoites. The greatest percentage of intermediate zoites and bradyzoites (14%) occurred in bovine monocytes maintained for 9 days. These bradyzoites did not appear to be functionally mature; they did not induce patent infections in dogs, in contrast to bradyzoites that were produced in chronically infected mice. In vitro, large parasitophorous vacuoles contained either a pure population of tachyzoites or a mixture of tachyzoites and intermediate zoites, which is indicative of asynchronous stage conversion of organisms within a vacuole. Bradyzoites were first observed within small vacuoles on day 6, and bradyzoites never shared vacuoles with tachyzoites. This finding suggests that vacuoles containing bradyzoites may develop only if the cell is invaded by a zoite that has already begun bradyzoite differentiation. An alternative possibility is that cysts may develop if the establishing tachyzoite undergoes bradyzoite differentiation before multiplying. Cysts do not appear to arise from transformation of tachyzoites within large parasitophorous vacuoles.
Sea Level Rise in Delaware Bay, U.S.A.: Adaptations of Spawning Horseshoe Crabs (Limulus polyphemus) to the Glacial Past, and the Rapidly Changing Shoreline of the Bay

Horseshoe crabs have proven adept at locating suitable areas of sandy beach spawning habitat throughout their long geological history. Paleogeographic studies have shown that the most recent period of sea level rise (SLR) has been occurring in Delaware Bay for at least 6,000 years. Comparison of aerial photographs from the 1930s with contemporary satellite imagery clearly indicates a landward movement of the shoreline along the New Jersey coastline of Delaware Bay. Habitat for horseshoe crab spawning has been adversely impacted over this period of time by the loss or degradation of spawning beaches, which to some extent has been offset by the deposition of this sand in “marginal habitats” such as tidal creeks and sandy deltas. The well-documented natural landward movement of a beach-marsh system in a time of SLR has been compromised in some locations by the hardening of the coastline through construction of bulkheads, groins and jetties. This directly reduces the productivity of these beaches for horseshoe crabs, and, consequently, their use by shorebirds. The response to SLR and storms in the recent past has emphasized the protection of coastal property; however, there has been some effort to restore beach ecosystems through nourishment. Given that SLR is an ongoing process, beach nourishment projects to protect a developed shoreline will require a long-term commitment at considerable cost. From the perspective of horseshoe crab conservation and habitat preservation, we suggest that consideration be given to the strategy of property buy-outs and abandonment, thus enabling a more natural beach response to SLR.