cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal Conductivity of Ordered Mesoporous Titania Films Made from Nanocrystalline Building Blocks and Sol-Gel Reagents

This paper reports the cross-plane thermal conductivity of amorphous and crystalline mesoporous titania thin films synthesized by evaporation-induced self-assembly. Both sol−gel and nanocrystal-based mesoporous films were investigated, with average porosities of 30% and 35%, respectively. The pore diameter ranged from 7 to 30 nm and film thickness from 60 to 370 nm, while the average wall thickness varied from 3 to 50 nm. The crystalline domain sizes in sol−gel films varied from 12 to 13 nm, while the nanocrystal-based films consisted of monodisperse nanocrystals 9 nm in diameter. The cross-plane thermal conductivity was measured at room temperature using the 3ω method. The average thermal conductivity of the amorphous sol−gel mesoporous titania films was 0.37 ± 0.05 W/m·K. It did not show strong dependence on pore diameter, wall thickness, and film thickness for sol−gel amorphous mesoporous titania thin films. This result can be attributed to the fact that heat is carried, in the amorphous matrix, by loc...
Remarks Concerning the Relation between Rotator Phases of Bulk n-Alkanes and Those of Langmuir Monolayers of Alkyl-Chain Surfactants on Water

Substantial advances have recently been made in characterizing the structures and phase diagrams of Langmuir monolayers of alkyl-chain surfactants on water. These allow detailed comparisons to be made with the bulk phases formed by n-alkanes, in particular, the rotator phases. It is shown that the untilted Langmuir phases denoted CS, S, and LS, correspond to the herringbone-crystal, distorted rotator without long-range herringbone order (RI) and hexagonal rotator (RII), respectively. The quantitative behavior of the distortion and area/molecule in the Langmuir monolayers, their derivatives and jumps at the transitions are shown to correspond more closely to the behavior of n-alkane mixtures where the interlayer interaction is weakened than to that of the pure n-alkanes. It is shown that the tilted phases can be associated with the same three categories regarding distortion and herringbone order that characterize the untilted phases, if the distortion is measured perpendicular to the chain-axis. An “anomal...
On the atmosphere with exponential turbulence

An exact calculation is presented for the photon-average bending angle and intensity produced during occultation of a point source by an isothermal atmosphere with an exponential height dependence of turbulent power. The calculation is performed via an expansion in powers the gradients of average refractivity and turbulent power. Attention is given to conditions for the validity of the expansion. The results are compared with other expressions recently presented by Eshleman and Haugstad for the same distribution of refractivity, and discrepancies are noted. Finally, certain properties of photon averages which may be of importance for the reduction of occultation data, are discussed.
Cutaneous Malignancies of the Upper Extremity

Cutaneous malignancies are the most common primary malignancies of the hand. The hand surgeon may be the first physician to see these patients or may have the patients referred to them because of expertise in this anatomical region. This article reviews diagnosis and treatment, including margin of resection and need for sentinel lymph node biopsy, for the 3 most common cutaneous malignancies: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma.
Date stamping: will it withstand the test of time?

The past two decades have seen an explosion of work on measuring and reporting health care quality as a means to ensure accountability and to stimulate quality improvement. In the Unites States, hospital quality has been a central focus of this activity. Hospitals generate almost a third of all health care costs (Smith et al. 2006) and most deaths occur in this setting (IOM 2000).
T Cell Receptor Structures: Three for the Price of One

A T cell receptor (TCR) that binds both major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II molecules reveals a novel structural variation that can potentially allow a single TCR to have three widely differing binding sites (Yin et al., 2011).
Characterization of charge injection and trapping in scaled SONOS/MONOS memory devices

Abstract In this paper we investigate scaled SONOS/MONOS (polysilicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-semiconductor)/(metal-oxide-nitride-oxide-semiconductor) memory devices, and the characterization of storage traps in the nitride. The amphoteric and closely-compensating trap models, which describe the positive and negative charging of the nitride “memory” layer, have been compared. “Scaled” complementary SONOS and MONOS nonvolatile memory transistors with the nitride thickness ranging from 85 to 185 A have been designed and fabricated. The linear voltage-ramp method, which measures the flatband voltage shift and separates the charges at the injecting boundary during the WRITE/ERASE operations, has been employed to study non-steady state trapping in the nitride of “scaled” complementary SONOS/MONOS devices for low voltage E2PROM's (electrically erasable and programmable read only memories). We have demonstrated a differential, saturated flatband voltage shift of 6.5 V with a ±8 V programming voltage for scaled-down devices with dimensions of 20 A for the tunnel oxide, 85 A for the nitride, and 51 A for the blocking oxide. Charge injection and trapping in scaled multi-dielectric structures have been modelled with an amphoteric trap concept. The trap density NT0, ≈ 1019 cm−3, effective capture cross section of electrons and holes, \ gs n + , \ gs p − ≈10 −13 cm 2 , and effective capture cross section of neutral charge states, \ gs n 0 , \ gs p 0 ≈ 10 −14 cm 2 , have been determined with an amphoteric trap model.
Three-dimensional visualization and quantification of evolving amorphous objects

Studying the stability, evolution, and interaction of coherent structures over time-varying data sets is the essence of discovery in many branches of science. In this paper, the authors discuss the process of visiometrics: visualizing, extracting, quantifying, and mathematizing evolving amorphous objects. This concept is applied to data sets from fluid dynamical problems. In particular, for three-dimensional phenomena, it is shown how this approach enhances understanding of the topology and kinematics of these problems.
Trypanosoma brucei brucei and T. b. gambiense: Stumpy Bloodstream Forms Express More CB1 Epitope in Endosomes and Lysosomes than Slender Forms

CB1-glycoprotein is a component of flagellar pocket, endosome, and lysosome membranes of long, slender bloodstream forms of the Trypanosoma brucei subgroup of African trypanosomes. We have used immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and cryoimmunoelectron microscopy to study CB1-glycoprotein expression as long, slender bloodstream forms of pleomorphic T. b. brucei and T. b. gambiense transform through intermediate stages into short, stumpy forms. Intermediate and stumpy forms express more CB1-glycoprotein than long, slender forms. These results, coupled with previous work showing that procyclic forms do not express CB1-glycoprotein, show that the expression of lysosomal membrane glycoproteins is regulated coordinately with other aspects of lysosome and endosome function as these trypanosomes go through their life cycle.
Performance trade‐offs in input/output buffer design for a non‐blocking space‐division packet switch

Performance trade-offs in buffer architecture design for a space-division packet switching system is studied. As described in Figure 1, the system is constructed by a non-blocking switch fabric and input/output buffers. The capacity of the non-blocking switch fabric is defined by the maximum number of packets, denoted by m, which can be simultaneously routed from multiple inputs to each output. The buffer size at each input is considered to be finite, equal to K. The emphasis here is placed on the input packet loss probability for systems constructed by different ms and Ks. From the performance point of view, we conclude: (a) choosing m = 3 or 4 is sufficient to exploit the maximum utilization of a non-blocking switch fabric (b) introducing input buffers of moderate size K significantly reduces the packet loss probability.
An integrated approach towards the study of scratch damage of polymer

To seek a better understanding of the scratch damage of polymers, an integrated analysis approach is proposed in this article. This integrated approach essentially involves (a) the use of a new scratch test device for testing, (b) employing microscopy techniques and image an analysis tool, VIEEW®, for studying material damage and scratch visibility, and finally (c) performing finite element (FE) modeling to examine the mechanical response of the polymeric substrate involved during the scratch process. Applying this approach to five model material systems and employing linearly increasing load tests, the findings of the fundamental material science study of the scratch damage of these materials are presented. From the three-dimensional FE analysis, the numerical results generated were able to reasonably predict the scratch damage and provide corresponding mechanistic interpretation. The essential link between material science and mechanics outlines the uniqueness of this approach for studying the scratch damage of polymers.
APPLICATION OF AEROSPACE MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES IN THE FIELD OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH.

Abstract The tremendous increase in the output of scientific data from research activities of government, industry, and other institutions, and the multiplicity of scientific and technological organizations has created an overwhelming complex problem to the managerial and decision-making functions in the direction of research and production. In this paper, a method of systems management techniques is proposed to cut across lines of organizations and disciplines to effectively utilize our research potential and operational knowledge in the field of occupational health.
Auxotonic contractile responses of rat tracheal and bronchial airway smooth muscle.

The purposes of the present study were to directly compare: (1) the degree of trachealis muscle shortening and changes in tracheal dimensions and (2) ACh-mediated auxotonic contraction of trachea and intraparenchymal bronchi. The auxotonic contractile properties of tracheal and bronchial airway smooth muscle were assessed from 1-2 mm thick tracheal sections and;1 mm thick lung slices using videomicrometry in vitro at 37 degrees C. Acetylcholine resulted in reductions in luminal area, perimeter, mean radius, length, and breadth (22.0, 10.0, 11.9, 10.7 and 12.0%, respectively). Trachealis muscle shortening reached a maximum of 39.8+/-4.3%. The K(+)channel blocker 4-aminopyridine significantly augmented the ACh-mediated reductions in tracheal luminal dimensions. In response to ACh (10(-3)m), reductions in bronchial dimensions were significantly greater than those of the trachea for luminal area, perimeter and mean radius (44.6 vs. 18.6, 32.0 vs. 8.0 and 28.9 vs. 9.9%, respectively). These data indicate that auxotonic contractile responses of rat tracheal smooth muscle differ from those previously reported in the dog and guinea pig, that ACh-mediated auxotonic contraction of tracheal smooth muscle is augmented by 4-aminopyridine, and that proportionate reductions in luminal dimensions in response to ACh are considerably greater for bronchial than tracheal airways.
Processing and presentation of antigens derived from intracellular protozoan parasites

Control of parasitic protozoan infections requires the generation of efficient innate and adaptive immune responses, and in most cases both CD8 and CD4 T cells are necessary for host survival. Since intracellular protozoa remodel the vacuolar compartments in which they reside, it is not obvious how their antigens enter the MHC class I and class II pathways. Studies using genetically engineered parasites have shown that host cell targeting, intracellular compartmentalization, subcellular localization of antigen within the parasite, and mechanism of invasion are important factors determining the presentation pathway utilized. The recent identification of endogenous parasite-derived CD8 T cell epitopes have helped confirm these concepts as well as provided new information on the processing pathways and the impact of parasite-stage specific antigen expression on the repertoire of responding T cells stimulated by infection. Elucidating the mechanisms governing antigen processing and presentation of intracellular protozoa may provide important insights needed for the rational design of effective vaccines.
Is O.J. Simpson Verdict an Example of Jury Nullification? Jury Verdicts, Legal Concepts, and Jury Performance in a Racially Sensitive Criminal Case

In criminal cases involving minority defendants, some minority legal scholars argue that despite the overwhelming evidence of guilt, racial minority jurors should possess the moral obligation to acquit "guilty" defendants as a protest against racial discrimination in the criminal justice and court systems. While the rate of racial acquittals is on the rise in criminal courts in large metropolitan jurisdictions, the present analysis shows that in the O.J Simpson trial involving a number of racial and ethnic minorities, minority jurors are more likely to adhere to the strict application of criminal legal standards- presumed innocence, burden of proof, and reasonable doubt- in their deliberative process. Our empirical analysis reveals that while the presence of biases in law enforcement raised the "reasonable doubt" and "proof beyond a reasonable doubt" standards among white jurors, none of the three legal standards had statistically significant relations with their determination of the trial outcome. For racial minorities, however, all three legal concepts and racial biases in the criminal justice system show statistically significant impacts on their determination of the Simpson verdict. While there is the greater scrutiny of both presumed innocence and reasonable doubt among racial minority jurors, the concept of the government's burden of proof negatively affected minorities' views in the Simpson acquittal. This suggests that the government's superior positions and prosecutorial resources may be too much to overcome in order to win an acquittal. Thus the burden of proof standard may measure racial minorities' sense of powerlessness in obtaining a fair trial and securing an acquittal. Similarly our findings show that racial minorities who believe there are racial biases and prejudices held and used by law enforcement authorities also feel that O.J. Simpson would be adjudicated guilty of murder, suggesting that the government which relies on evidence collected by discriminatory Jaw enforcement agencies might still be too powerful to enable Simpson to win an acquittal verdict. While advocates for racially based jury nullification reinforce the image of lawlessness of minority jurors in America's criminal courts, the present analysis show that, at least in a highly publicized criminal trial involving a prominent minority defendant, minority jurors show the opposite, suggesting that racial minority jurors are indeed law abiding participants in the administration of justice.
Developing Community-Specific Recommendations for First-Line Treatment of Acute Otitis Media: Is High-Dose Amoxicillin Necessary?

Objectives. National recommendations are to use high-dose amoxicillin (80–90 mg/kg per day) to treat uncomplicated acute otitis media (AOM) in children who are at high risk for infection with nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae (NSSP). However, high-dose treatment may not be necessary if the local prevalence of NSSP is low. The objective of this study was to estimate the local prevalence of NSSP in children with acute upper respiratory illnesses and to develop community-specific recommendations for first-line empiric treatment of AOM. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional prevalence study in the offices of 7 community pediatricians in St Louis, Missouri. S pneumoniae was isolated from nasopharyngeal swabs collected from children who were younger than 7 years and had AOM, nonspecific upper respiratory infection, cough, acute sinusitis, or pharyngitis. Children were excluded from the study when they had received an antibiotic in the previous 4-week period. Parents and providers completed a brief questionnaire to assess risk factors for carriage of NSSP. On the basis of National Clinical Chemistry Laboratory Standards, isolates with a penicillin minimum inhibitory concentration ≥0.12 μg/mL were considered to be nonsusceptible to penicillin (NSSP), and isolates with a penicillin minimum inhibitory concentration >2 μg/mL were categorized as nonsusceptible to standard-dose amoxicillin (35–45 mg/kg per day; NSSP-A). Results. S pneumoniae was isolated from the nasopharynx of 85 (40%) of 212 study patients (95% confidence interval [CI]: 33%–47%); 41 (48%) of 85 isolates were NSSP (95% CI: 37%–59%), and 6 (7%) were NSSP-A (95% CI: 1.5%–13%). Among the 212 study patients, the prevalence of NSSP was 19% (95% CI: 14%–25%), and the prevalence of NSSP-A was 3% (95% CI: 0.6%–5%). Carriage of NSSP was increased in child care attendees compared with nonattendees (29% vs 14%; odds ratio: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.3–5.2). Conclusions. In our community, although the prevalence of NSSP among isolates of S pneumoniae identified from the nasopharynx of symptomatic children is high (48%), the probability of NSSP-A infection among symptomatic children is
Why They Stay: Understanding Research Participant Retention in Studies of Aging, Cognitive Impairment and Dementia.

Background: Retaining participants in longitudinal research in aging and Alzheimer’s disease remains a significant challenge. “Study partners” are often required to insure participation and accuracy of information because cognitive impairment may interfere with accurate reporting. The purpose of the present report was to identify attitudes and reasons for continued participation in observational research. Methods: 53 individuals (33 participants and 20 study partners) who were participating in the longitudinal cohort at the Mount Sinai Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center were available for this survey. They were asked a single open-ended question about why they continued in our study. Seven categories of answers (e.g., Altruism, Value relationship with staff, and Concern about health) were identified and frequency of endorsement was summarized for participants and study partners separately. Results: There were 82 responses from the 53 individuals. Forty five percent of the participants and 55% of the study partners identified altruism as one reason they participate in research over time, and 75% of study partners and 30% of participants mentioned valuing the relationship with staff as a reason they stayed in research. Conclusions: This data suggests that retention efforts should be directed toward fostering strong relationships between research staff and study participants and reinforcing the opportunity to contribute to others, which fosters a sense of altruism.
Evaluation of lanolin alcohol films and kinetics of triamcinolone acetonide release

The film-forming potential of lanolin alcohol was evaluated. Inclusion of ethylcellulose in lanolin alcohol improved film integrity. The hardness and modulus of elasticity of these lanolin alcohol-ethylcellulose films were improved by incorporating propylene glycol or cetyl alcohol. Triamcinolone acetonide release from selected film compositions was investigated. The data were analyzed from the viewpoint of the first-order kinetic theory and the release from a planar system having a homogeneous or granular matrix. The results suggest that the drug release follows a diffusion-controlled matrix model and a square root of time release profile. The release rate constants were proportional to drug concentration. Drug release was maximal from a system containing the drug in a near-saturated solution.
Understanding, Promoting, and Measuring the Effects of Mother-Infant Attachment During Infant Feeding

Rita H. Pickler, Guest Editor M other-infant attachment has long been thought necessary for almost all aspects of infant well-being. Attachment is in£uenced by many factors and is most clearly observed in the interaction of a mother and her infant. A mother’s role in this interaction is to be sensitive to the infant’s behavioral cues, respond appropriately to those cues, and assist the infant to develop cue giving and selfregulatory behavior. Feeding interactions are particularly crucial to the development of attachment, but feeding an infant does not necessarily lead to attachment. Rather, infants become attached to adults who are sensitive and responsive to them. In fact, infant feeding di⁄culties may make feeding interactions between mothers and high-risk infants very stressful with potentially negative consequences for the infant and the mother.
Diode-Laser-Based Sensor for Measuring Atomic Mercury in Coal-Combustion Exhaust

UV radiation at 253.7 nm is generated by sum-frequency mixing a 784-nm distributed feedback diode laser and a 375-nm external cavity diode laser for in situ measurements of atomic mercury emissions from coal-fired combustors.
Relative x-ray collection efficiency, spatial resolution, and spectral resolution of spherically-bent quartz, mica, germanium, and pyrolytic graphite crystals

Abstract The relative x-ray collection efficiency, spatial resolution, and spectral resolution of spherically-bent quartz, mica, and germanium crystals were compared with cylindrically and spherically-bent highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and spherically-bent highly annealed pyrolytic graphite (HAPG) mosaic crystals. The crystals were characterized using Mn-K-α 1 (5898.8 eV) and Mn-K-α 2 (5887.6 eV) x-rays generated from a Manson x-ray source. The HOPG and HAPG crystals had about (10–100)× higher x-ray collection efficiency than the quartz, mica, and germanium crystals. However, good spatial resolutions were obtained with the quartz (49 μm), mica (61 μm), and germanium (275 μm) crystals, while the HOPG and HAPG crystals provided no useful spatial resolving power. Deconvolution of the spectral broadening due to the Mn-K-α 1 intrinsic width (2.33 eV), source size (320 μm), and image plate detector resolution (63 μm) demonstrated the spectral resolutions ( E /Δ E) of the quartz (3800–6600), mica (4600), and germanium (3400–4500) crystals to be considerably higher than that of the HOPG (1200–2400) and HAPG (2500) crystals.
CLINICAL UTILITY OF POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR) IN DIAGNOSIS OF ENTEROVIRAL MENINGITIS. † 975

CLINICAL UTILITY OF POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR) IN DIAGNOSIS OF ENTEROVIRAL MENINGITIS. † 975
Contact for shallow junctions

Abstract A brief review of the formation process and Schottky behavior of shallow silicide contacts is presented. Both silicon alloys and refractory metal alloys have been explored for shallow silicide formation, and both high (0.85-0.75 eV) and low (0.50-0.40 eV) Schottky contacts have been demonstrated.
Wage Inequality, Collective Bargaining, and Relative Employment from 1985 to 1994: Evidence from Fifteen OECD Countries

Using microdata from 1985 to 1994 for fifteen OECD countries, I find that greater union coverage and membership lead to higher relative pay and lower relative employment for less-skilled men, with similar pay effects but only weak evidence of negative employment effects for less-skilled women. Greater economy-wide union coverage or membership leads to lower employment and higher relative wages for young men (with similar but weaker effects for young women), and a greater propensity to attend school for both genders. With few jobs for young people, education may have a low opportunity cost and may enhance one's employability.
Modeling and Detection of Joint Loosening using Output-Only Broad-Band Vibration Data:

Damage detection and structural health monitoring techniques based on vibration data have seen increased attention in recent years. Among the different vibration-based methods, the ones based on ra...
Lexical comprehension and grammatical deficits in children with specific language impairment

Several accounts of specific language impairment (SLI) in children have appeared in the recent literature. One of the most explicit is that of Locke. The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate some of the details of Locke's proposal. In the first of two studies, it was found that children with SLI who were limited to single-word utterances showed deficits in their lexical comprehension. In the second study, a number of children with SLI who had reached the grammatical stage of development showed age-appropriate levels of lexical comprehension. Although the first of these findings was in keeping with Locke's account, the second was not. Additional provisions for this proposal are suggested.
The Effect of Snow on Traffic Counts in Western New York State

AbstractWhile most people know anecdotally that weather affects traffic, relatively little research has examined the correlation between snow and traffic in great detail. Most studies have also been difficult to generalize for other areas and regions where drivers may be accustomed to more (or less) snow.This study examines the relationship between snow and traffic volumes in western New York State, an area that is regularly inundated by snow (more than 225 cm most seasons). Total daily traffic counts for the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) showed a moderate negative correlation to snow for the period of study (2003–10). However, this correlation is caused by the large number of passenger cars and other similar vehicles on the road. Most other vehicle types, such as tractor trailers, had no correlation whatsoever. Additionally, the results for all vehicle classes were similar for both suburban and rural areas. Finally, it was observed that the ratio of large to small vehicles increases during snow ...
Deformable Prototypes for Encoding Shape Categories in Image Databases

Abstract We describe a method for shape-based image database search that uses deformable prototypes to represent categories. Rather than directly comparing a candidate shape with all shape entries in the database, shapes are compared in terms of the types of nonrigid deformations (differences) that relate them to a small subset of representative prototypes. To solve the shape correspondence and alignment problem, we employ the technique of {\em modal matching}, an information-preserving shape decomposition for matching, describing, and comparing shapes despite sensor variations and nonrigid deformations. In modal matching, shape is decomposed into an ordered basis of orthogonal principal components. We demonstrate the utility of this approach for shape comparison in 2-D image databases.
Ecosystem and Restoration Consequences of Invasive Woody Species Removal in Hawaiian Lowland Wet Forest

A removal experiment was used to examine the restoration potential of a lowland wet forest in Hawaii, a remnant forest type that has been heavily invaded by non-native species and in which there is very little native species regeneration. All non-native woody and herbaceous biomass (approximately 45% of basal area) was removed in four 100-m2 removal plots; plots were followed for a three-year period. Removal plots had a lower leaf area index, higher air temperatures, higher afternoon soil temperatures, and lower relative humidity than control plots. Removal plots had 40% less litterfall mass and similarly reduced nutrient inputs. Leaf litter decomposition rates were much slower in the removal plots, due more to site quality than litter quality. However, soil N and P were not different between treatments. Native species had a distinct suite of leaf traits (greater integrated water use efficiency, lower mass-based leaf nutrient concentrations, and lower specific leaf area). Despite major environmental changes in the removal plots, native species’ diameter growth and litterfall productivity were not significantly greater after removal, testifying to the slow response capabilities of native Hawaiian trees. Our results are consistent with the expectation that native species are conservative in regards to resource use and may not strongly respond to canopy removal, at least at the adult stage. Management strategies will have to incorporate the slow growth rate of Hawaiian species and the fact that weeding may be required to suppress expansion and nutrient inputs of introduced species.
Voltage-gated proton channels find their dream job managing the respiratory burst in phagocytes.

The voltage-gated proton channel bears surprising resemblance to the voltage-sensing domain (S1–S4) of other voltage-gated ion channels but is a dimer with two conduction pathways. The proton chann...
A Composite Stabilizing Data Structure

A data structure is stabilizing if, for any arbitrary (and possibly illegitimate) initial state, any sequence of sufficiently many operations brings the data structure to a legitimate state. A data structure is available if, for any arbitrary state, the effect of any operation on the structure is consistent with the operation's response. This paper presents an available stabilizing data structure made from two constituents, a heap and a search tree. These constituents are themselves available and stabilizing data structures described in previous papers. Each item of the composite data structure is a pair (key, value), which allows items to be removed by either minimum value (via the heap) or by key (via the search tree) in logarithmic time. This is the first research to address the problem of constructing larger data structures from smaller ones that have desired availability and stabilization properties.
Radiofrequency ablation of hepatic tumors.

Radiofrequency thermal ablation is receiving increasing attention as an alternative to standard surgical therapies for the treatment of liver neoplasms. Benefits over surgical resection include the anticipated reduction in morbidity and mortality, low cost, suitability for real time image guidance, the ability to perform ablative procedures on outpatients, and the potential application in a wider spectrum of patients, including nonsurgical candidates. This review examines reported clinical results of this new therapeutic technique, potential complications, current limitations, thermal ablation mechanisms, as well as technical features and diagnostic modalities used in the procedure.
The β2-tubulin gene from three tephritid fruit fly species and use of its promoter for sperm marking

To isolate testis-specific regulatory DNA that could be used in genetically transformed insect pest species to improve their biological control, b2-tubulin genes and their proximal genomic DNA were isolated from three economically important tephritid pest species, Anastrepha suspensa, Anastrepha ludens ,a ndBactrocera dorsalis. Gene isolation was first attempted by degenerate PCR on an A. suspensa adult male testes cDNA library, which fortuitously isolated the 2.85 kb b1-tubulin gene that encodes a 447 amino acid polypeptide. Subsequent PCR using 5 0 and 3 0 RACE generated the 1.4 kb Asb2-tubulin gene that encodes a 446 amino acid polypeptide. Using primers to conserved sequences, the highly similar A. ludens and B. dorsalis b2-tubulin genes, encoding identical amino acid sequences, were then isolated. To verify Asb2tubulin gene identification based on gene expression, qRT-PCR showed that Asb2-tubulin transcript was most abundant in pupal and adult males, and specific to the testes. This was further tested in transformants having the DsRed.T3 reporter gene regulated by the Asb2-tubulin 1.3 kb promoter region. Fluorescent protein was specifically expressed in testes from third instar larvae to adults, and fluorescent sperm could be detected in the spermathecae of non-transgenic females mated to transgenic males.To confirm these matings, a PCR protocol was developed specific to the transgenic sperm DNA. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
NMDA receptor-mediated activation of NADPH oxidase and glomerulosclerosis in hyperhomocysteinemic rats.

This study investigated the role of NMDA receptor in hyperhomocyteinemia (hHcys)-induced NADPH oxidase (Nox) activation and glomerulosclerosis. Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a folate-free (FF) diet to produce hHcys, and a NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801, was administrated. Rats fed the FF diet exhibited significantly increased plasma homocysteine levels, upregulated NMDA receptor expression, enhanced Nox activity and Nox-dependent O2.− production in the glomeruli, which were accompanied by remarkable glomerulosclerosis. MK-801 treatment significantly inhibited Nox-dependent O2.− production induced by hHcys and reduced glomerular damage index as compared with vehicle-treated hHcys rats. Correspondingly, glomerular deposition of extracellular matrix components in hHcys rats was ameliorated by the administration of MK-801. Additionally, hHcys induced an increase in tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) expression and a decrease in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-9 activities, all of which were abolished by MK-801 treatment. In vitro studies showed that homocysteine increased Nox-dependent O2.− generation in rat mesangial cells, which was blocked by MK-801. Pretreatment with MK-801 also reversed homocysteine-induced decrease in MMP-1 activity and increase in TIMP-1 expression. These results support the view that the NMDA receptor may mediate Nox activation in the kidney during hHcys and thereby play a critical role in the development of hHcys-induced glomerulosclerosis. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 13, 975–986.
Ze Frank and the poetics of Web video

This article initiates a poetics of Web video by considering the central features of one kind of video on the Web, the amateur videoblog, in terms of its functions, which include various affordances of use, and constraints, which include economics, technology, and viewing conditions. It takes as its central example an American videoblog called The Show With Ze Frank, which ran from 2006-2007, and which drew a passionate community of fans into collaborating in its creation. This article considers amateur Web video as a potentially democratic space for media production, offering an alternative to commercial media that involves ordinary citizens as participants and champions their creativity.
Indicators of criminality during treatment for drug abuse.

Many studies have pointed to a sharp reduction in criminal activities upon entry into drug treatment programs [1, 2], as well as to a generally low ebb of criminal behavior during treatment. The present study sought to add to such findings by taking a close look at several indicators of criminality in a sample of 3483 outpatients who were followed for the first 6 to 12 months in methadone maintenance or drug-free treatment programs at 31 different agencies participating in the Drug Abuse Reporting Program [3]. The data available on each patient, admitted during a one-year period starting June 1, 1971, consisted of an Admission Record and bimonthly status reports.
Modulation of arginine metabolic pathways as the potential anti-tumor mechanism of recombinant arginine deiminase

Arginine deiminase (ADI), currently in clinical trials, has various biological activities including anti-proliferation, anti-angiogenesis and inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). To recognize limitations and therapeutic applications, the mechanism of ADI modulation of arginine metabolic pathways was investigated. MCF-7 and A549 cells have notable different sensitivity to recombinant ADI (rADI) and express diverse argininosuccinate synthase (AS) activity, which regenerates arginine. Due to compartmentalization of arginine, utilization of arginine for protein synthesis occurs from either the intracellular arginine pool or the citrulline-arginine-regeneration pathway, whereas for polyamine synthesis, utilization is only from the intracellular arginine pool. Modulating AS activity or introducing rADI intracellularly to reduce intracellular arginine regeneration may expand therapeutic applications of rADI.
Air traffic controllers' visual scanning, aircraft selection, and comparison strategies in support of conflict detection

When aircraft are not aligned into orderly streams, air traffic controllers (ATCs) will likely need to develop visual scanning strategies to enhance their conflict detection performance given their limited perceptual and cognitive resources. In this work, visual scanning, aircraft selection, and aircraft comparison are investigated. Twenty-five active professional ATCs detected conflicts in a simulated enroute environment. After the trials, the ATCs documented their visual search and conflict detection strategies. Analysis of the written information shows that the visual scanning methods can be classified into six categories (circular, linear, augmented, regional, density-based, and proximity-based). The aircraft selection methods fall into three categories (select aircraft that are at same altitude, at same altitude and converging, and at same altitude and in close proximity). The aircraft comparison methods fall into five categories (attend to altitude changes, speed (or speed differences), speed and angle/bearing, overtake, and projection). The proposed integrated process incorporates the categorizations by accommodating the visual scanning strategies into the overall process. Language: en
Combined anterior and posterior approaches for complex tibial plateau fractures

We report the use of combined anterior and posterior approaches for the reduction and fixation of complex tibial plateau fractures involving a large split posteromedial fragment. In four patients, we used a posterior plate to fix the posteromedial fragment. All fractures united in good position with no significant complications, and all patients had a good range of knee movement. This technique should be considered for complex fractures in which there is a substantial posteromedial fragment (split) component.
Synthesizing the Implementation Literature: The Ambiguity-Conflict Model of Policy Implementation

A review of the policy implementation literature finds the field split into two major schools, top-down and bottom-up. Previous attempts to reconcile these models are described, followed by an alternative model. This model reconciles these approaches by concentrating on the theoretical significance of ambiguity and conflict for policy implementation. A number offactors crucial to the implementation process are identified as varyingly dependent on a policy's ambiguity and conflict level. Four policy implementation paradigms are identified and the relevance of the existing literature to these conditions is discussed. The four paradigms are low conflict-low ambiguity (administrative implementation), high conflict-low ambiguity (political implementation), high conflict-high ambiguity (symbolic implementation), and low conflicthigh ambiguity (experimental implementation).
A Review of “Russia's Own Orient: The Politics of Identity and Oriental Studies in the Late Imperial and Early Soviet Periods”

Vera Tolz, Sir William Mather Professor of Russian Studies at the University of Manchester, examines perceptions of the East within the boundaries of the tsarist and Soviet states from the 1880s th...
Patterns of early mortality after trauma in a neighborhood urban trauma center: can we improve outcomes?

Even with specialized trauma systems, a significant number of deaths occur within the early postinjury period. Our goal was to examine deaths within this period for cause and determine if care could improve outcomes. A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who were dead on arrival or died within 4 hours of arrival between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2011. Survival probabilities and Injury Severity Score (ISS) were calculated. Chart review and trauma review processes were used to determine cases with opportunities for care improvement. Two hundred eighty-nine patients were dead on arrival (DOA), and 176 patients died within 4 hours of arrival. The most common mechanism of injury was gunshot wounds (68.4%). The most common causes of death were uncontrolled hemorrhage (68.2%) and neurologic trauma (23.4%). Average ISS was 32. Twenty-nine patients had survival probability percentages over 50. Ten of 176 (5.7%) deaths were found to have opportunities for care improvement. In three cases (1.7%), errors contributed to death. The majority of trauma patients DOA or dying within 4 hours of hospital arrival have nonsurvivable injuries. Regular trauma review processes are invaluable in determining opportunities for care improvement. Autopsy information increases the reliability of the review process. Language: en
Adjoint Based Anisotropic Mesh Adaptation for the CPR Method

Adjoint-based adaptive methods have the capability of dynamically distributing computing power to areas which are important for predicting an engineering output such as lift or drag. In this paper, we apply an anisotropic h-adaptation method for simplex meshes using the correction procedure via reconstruction(CPR) method with the target of minimizing the output error. An adjoint-based error estimation with a local refinement sampling process is utilized to drive the anisotropic mesh refinement without making any assumption about the solution features. The accuracy and efficiency of the isotropic and anisotropic adaptation strategies are compared on several 2D inviscid flow problems.
Automated Earthmoving Status Determination

Efforts are underway at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop automated non-intrusive production measurement systems and procedures for monitoring the status of general earthmoving operations at typical construction sites. The approach involves the use of autoregistered Lidar range sensing systems, wireless communications, high speed networking, temporal project databases, web-based data analysis and 3D user interfaces to provide useful derivative quantities to the earthmoving contractor while at the actual construction site. These same techniques may prove useful for planning and execution of remote, autonomous excavation on other planets. Present research is focused on developing methods for automated registration of independent 2-I/2D range data, automated volumetric calculations, including cut/fill requirements and amounts of raw material removed or placed, and web-based 3D site simulators which reflect the instant terrain geometry. This paper discusses the methods employed to achieve this capability and plans currently underway for daily construction monitoring at a $6M process plant in the spring of 2000.
Effects of Induced Host-plant Mineral Deficiencies on Attraction, Feeding, and Fecundity of the Alligatorweed Flea Beetle

The hypothesis that host-plant selection by the alticine flea beetle, Agasicles hygrophila Selman and Vogt, may be influenced by the nutritive properties of alligatorweed was investigated. Alligatorweed deficient in phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium and plants receiving complete nutrition were used to study flea beetle attraction, feeding, and fecundity. Plants receiving complete nutrition were almost always preferred in feeding and fecundity tests to mineral-deficient plants. All responses were significant except fecundity in the minus-magnesium group and a choice test on attraction in the calcium group. The ratio of leaf tissue consumed per egg produced by the female was the same in both control and experimental groups.
C3 photosynthesis and high temperature acclimation of CAM in opuntia basilaris engelm. and bigel.

Carbon fixation by CAM at high night temperatures was examined in the stem succulent, Opuntia basilaris. Nighttime accumulation of titratable acids was uniformly high among plants growing naturally along an altitudinal temperature gradient in Death Valley, California during the hot summer period. Plants grown at high temperature regimes (40°/30°C) had rates of CAM and C3 fixation similar to rates observed in plants maintained at a cool temperature (20°/10°C). C3 fixation comprised 30% of the total carbon fixed by the potted, well watered plants. However, when pads were excised, C3 fixation was suppressed while CAM continued unabated.
Accreditation in the Professions: Implications for Educational Leadership Preparation Programs.

Program accreditation is a process based on a set of professional expectations and standards meant to signal competency and credibility. Although accreditation has played an important role in shaping educational leadership preparation programs, recent revisions to accreditation processes and standards have highlighted attention to the purposes, designs, and impacts of accreditation. This article examines programmatic accreditation in other professional disciplines to identify themes and trends that may have implications for the design of accreditation for educational leadership programs.
Transgenic Rice Plants Obtained by Agrobacteriummediated Co-transformation Method

Both of the plasmid p1300 and plasmid p13W8 were introduced into Japonica Rice Kongyu 131 by Agrobacterium-mediated co-transformation,the same two plasmid were introduced into Kendao 12 by the same way.The results showed that the co-transformation efficiency was highest when two kinds of Agrobacterium was 1∶1 volume,and the co-transformation efficiency were 4.08% and 2.63%,respectively.The transformed plants were screened by PCR method,specific fragments of plasmid p1300 could be screened in 13 transgenic lines,specific fragments of plasmid p13W8 could be screened in 4 transgenic lines.Positive Antisense-Waxy Gene plants were 30.77% of all transformed plants.
Stress, Transposons, and the Brain Epigenome

Long thought to be transcriptionally silent junk, transposable elements (TEs) are emerging as sources of functional elements in mammalian genomes due to the introduction of modern deep sequencing techniques. They have begun to attract the attention of neuroscientists due to the observation that the brain appears to be a privileged environment for transposon activity. In the brain, TEs show active transposition and frequently interact with the epigenetic machinery during development and in response to environmental inputs like stress. Barbara McClintock, the discoverer of TEs, long asserted that these elements were an important part of the genomic control apparatus, particularly in response to stress to the organism. Recent work has shown that this observation was a prescient one, as stress shows the capacity to alter the activity of these elements in the brain, in some cases with both adaptive and pathogenic consequences. TEs have been recently implicated in a number of mental disorders including Rett syndrome, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia. TE-derived regulatory RNA may comprise one of the largest single classes of functional elements in our genome, a discovery which will have a profound effect on how gene-environment interactions are understood within the context of the nervous system and beyond.
H∞-property of the discrete-time extended Kalman filter with uncertain measurements

This work analyzes the finite-time H∞-property of the discrete-time extended Kalman filter in the presence of uncertain measurements and stochastic l2 type disturbances. The stochastic analysis provides a bound on the ratio of estimation error energy to disturbance energy. A special case of this result is also shown to be the finite-time H2-property of the extended Kalman filter.
Spain’s America: from kingdoms to colonies

The vast and precious dominions owned by Spain in the Indies are not properly colonies or factories as are those of other nations, but an essential and integral part of the Spanish monarchy.1 Procl...