cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developments in Control Systems for Diesel-Electric Locomotives

In the years 1945 and 1946 we have seen the completed development of new and larger Diesel engines designed specifically for use in main line Diesel-electric locomotives. Application of the larger electric transmission systems required for converting the engine power into tractive effort at the rail has presented new control problems, in the solution of which many new developments in circuits, apparatus, and manufacture have been made.
Articulation of surfaces for bio-applications

Materials science and engineering is witnessing an increasing global focus on the materials related to energy, environment, and medical applications. The Surface Engineering Committee of the Materials Processing & Manufacturing Division (MPMD) of TMS has been active in promoting the novel applications of emerging materials and technology. In 2008, the Surface Engineering Committee had a JOM theme of Materials and Surfaces for Energetics that dealt with subjects ranging from energetics of microand nano-scale materials to processing for energetic applications. This year, our committee has focused on Articulation of Surfaces for Bio Applications. The confl uence of materials science with biology has opened up a plethora of opportunities for scientists and engineers to explore this exciting fi eld of research. In this issue of JOM, the Surface Engineering Committee presents fi ve papers that deal with different aspects of surface modifi cations for bio-applications. The review by Ryan Boehm and coauthors provides an insight in the fi eld of fl exible electronics for biomedical applications. The authors have shown that polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), diamond-like carbon (DLC), and gold materials which were used to make fl exible electronics have adequate biocompatibility and may be used in medical applications such as neural probes, Articulation of Surfaces for Bio-applications
Export volume, exchange rates and global economic growth: the Indian experience

Analysis of the nexus of India's export volume, real effective exchange rates and measures of global economic growth is performed using time series techniques of cointegration and causality. The results suggest that India would benefit from a policy of export growth that is managed, rather than stimulated by exchange rate depreciation.
Early Short-Term Treatment With Doxycycline Modulates Postinfarction Left Ventricular Remodeling

Background— Myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with early metalloproteinase (MMP) activation and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. We hypothesized that preserving the original ECM of the infarcted left ventricle (LV) by use of early short-term doxycycline (DOX) treatment preserves cardiac structure and function. Methods and Results— LV morphometry and function were measured in 3 groups of rats (sham, MI, and MI+DOX). DOX (30 mg/kg per day) was given orally 48 hours before and 48 hours after MI. Rats were examined at 2 and 4 weeks after MI. By 4 weeks, DOX significantly decreased (P<0.05 versus MI) the heart weight to body weight ratio, myocyte cross-sectional area, and internal LV diameter, whereas it preserved anterior wall thickness within the infarct. Collagen/muscle area fraction did not change in the region of the infarct/scar. Parallel left shifts (versus MI) were observed in pressure-volume relationships of DOX MI rats at all pressures. DOX treatment also shifted passive epicardial stra...
Bond market development and integration in ASEAN

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has focused increasingly on financial integration as part of its economic-deepening agenda. This paper considers the challenges and opportunities associated with the creation of an ASEAN bond market. In addition to surveying the status quo of fixed-income markets in the context of capital market development and integration in the region, the paper gauges the benefits that might be generated through, inter alia, financial market diversification and interest rate convergence. It also addresses approaches to the inevitable liquidity problem, such as via the creation of an ASEAN currency basket. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serum proteins of the silver pheasant, Gennaeus nycthemerus

Abstract 1. 1. Fractionation of silver pheasant serum showed three main protein fractions (macroglobulins, globulins, albumin) each of which contained more than one component. 2. 2. The protein fractions were immunologically similar to the corresponding chicken serum fractions. 3. 3. The silver pheasant elicited precipitating antibody following antigenic stimulation, but the antibody level was in general lower than the antibody level in an analogous chicken serum. 4. 4. Pheasant serum had a higher albumin level than chicken serum. Pheasant albumin also had a higher aromatic amino acid content than chicken serum albumin.
FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON THE PRODUCTION AND PREVENTION OF DIETARY HEPATIC INJURY IN RATS

The present report on experimental hepatic injury is based on observations amassed during the last 9 years, comprising 1922 rats. It has been shown that there are several dietary factors which may intervene, singly or in combination, in the development of massive or zonal hepatic necrosis. Deficiency of sulfur-containing amino acids is only one of them. From the present studies, tocopherol emerges as an additional protective dietary factor. With regard to the development of massive hepatic necrosis tocopherol may compensate for the absence of sulfur-containing amino acids (cystine, methionine) and vice versa. As a further factor, the quality of dietary fat should be taken into consideration. Fats, like lard and cod liver oil, with a high content of unsaturated fatty acids enhance, whereas fats low in unsaturated fatty acids, such as crisco and butter, retard or prevent the development of massive hepatic necrosis. It is questionable whether with all these dietary factors the etiology of massive hepatic necrosis is completely defined. The interchangeability of sulfur-containing amino acids (cystine, methionine) and vitamin E as leading etiologic factors makes it difficult to accept pure deficiency as the basis of massive hepatic necrosis. The role of possible endogenous hepatotoxic substances and their neutralization by cystine (methionine) or tocopherol are discussed. Diffuse hepatic fibrosis is a regular occurrence in rats kept for 100 to 150 days on a diet low in lipotropic factors. Cystine, and, among the fats, lard and especially cod liver oil, have an enhancing effect on the production of hepatic cirrhosis. In rats fed rations free from cod liver oil, and with vegetable shortening such as crisco as source of fat, the incidence and severity of cirrhosis are reduced. Ceroid deposit accompanies cirrhosis only in rats which have been kept on a cirrhosis-producing diet containing fats with a high content of unsaturated fatty acids (cod liver oil, lard). Tocopherol, even when given in excessively large doses (30 mg. daily) will not prevent the formation of ceroid, and will reduce only slightly its total quantity. Under the same treatment the incidence and intensity of cirrhosis remain uninfluenced. Cellular injury in the form of degenerated or necrotic hepatic parenchymal cells, found singly or in small groups in and around the fibrous bands in the cirrhotic liver of rats, is a common occurrence. The fibrotic changes seem to begin, not in the portal spaces, but close to the central vein, although they are not as distinctly and exclusively pericentral as, for instance, in cardiac cirrhosis. Thus, experimental dietary cirrhosis is non-portal. The role of fat infiltration is discussed with special reference to the other microscopic changes found in hepatic cirrhosis. Acute necrotizing nephrosis or various stages of healing of this process are often found with great frequency in rats kept on a cirrhosis-producing diet.
Rod pathways in mammalian retinae

A variety of recent experiments has resolved the way in which signals are transmitted from rod photoreceptors to ganglion cells in the mammalian retina. Rods connect to a single class of rod bipolar cell, which depolarize in response to light. Rod bipolar cells are not connected directly to ganglion cells: they synapse onto rod amacrine cells, which excite ON-centre ganglion cells via gap junctions, and inhibit OFF-centre ganglion cells via inhibitory glycine synapses. Monoamines have particular influences on the rod system, through synapses with rod amacrine and rod bipolar cells, and a function for dopamine and indoleamines within this system can be hypothesized from recent experiments. There is evidence to suggest that dopaminergic amacrine cells bring the surround response into the rod system through synapses with the rod amacrine cell, and that an indoleamine, probably serotonin, increases the signal in the ON pathway through a feedback synapse onto the rod bipolar terminal.
Effect of Dietary Fats on the Fatty Acid Compositions of Serum and Immune Tissues in Chickens

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to measure the effect of dietary fat source on the fatty acid composition of immune cells in chickens. One-day-old female chicks were fed corn and soybean meal-based diets containing 7% of either lard, corn oil, canola oil, linseed oil (LO), or menhaden fish oil (FO). After being fed experimental diets for 3 to 4 wk, samples of serum, thymus glands, bursa of Fabricius glands, and splenocytes were collected. All samples were frozen and stored at −80 C until lipid analysis. Results indicate that the fatty acid composition of the sera and immune tissues of chickens reflected the fat in the diet The relative content of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids varied considerably among immune tissues, with, from greatest to least, spleen, bursa, and thymus. The young chick demonstrated a substantial capacity to elongate and desaturate linoleic (C18:2n-6) and α-linolenic acids (C18:3n-3). Feeding chicks fats rich in n-3 fatty acids (e.g., LO or FO) decreased significantly (P
Phase-Locked Responses to Tones of Chinchilla Auditory Nerve Fibers: Implications for Apical Cochlear Mechanics

Responses to tones with frequency ≤ 5 kHz were recorded from auditory nerve fibers (ANFs) of anesthetized chinchillas. With increasing stimulus level, discharge rate–frequency functions shift toward higher and lower frequencies, respectively, for ANFs with characteristic frequencies (CFs) lower and higher than ∼0.9 kHz. With increasing frequency separation from CF, rate–level functions are less steep and/or saturate at lower rates than at CF, indicating a CF-specific nonlinearity. The strength of phase locking has lower high-frequency cutoffs for CFs >4 kHz than for CFs 2 kHz, the inflections coincide with the tip-tail transitions of threshold tuning curves. ANF responses to CF tones exhibit cumulative phase lags of 1.5 periods for CFs 0.7–3 kHz and lesser amounts for lower CFs. With increases of stimulus level, responses increasingly lag (lead) lower-level responses at frequencies lower (higher) than CF, so that group delays are maximal at, or slightly above, CF. The CF-specific magnitude and phase nonlinearities of ANFs with CFs < 2.5 kHz span their entire response bandwidths. Several properties of ANFs undergo sharp transitions in the cochlear region with CFs 2–5 kHz. Overall, the responses of chinchilla ANFs resemble those in other mammalian species but contrast with available measurements of apical cochlear vibrations in chinchilla, implying that either the latter are flawed or that a nonlinear “second filter” is interposed between vibrations and ANF excitation.
Electrodeposition of Si from organic solvents and studies related to initial stages of Si growth

Abstract Electrodeposition of Si on substrates such as Ni, Ag and GC from acetonitrile and tetrahydrofuran containing SiCl 4 and SiHCl 3 as precursors is reported. The deposits readily oxidize on exposure to air but XPS analysis of a deposit with minimum contact with air confirms that elemental Si (2p, 99.5 eV) is electrodeposited. The deposits contained C, O, N and Cl impurities; annealing under argon improved the quality of the deposits. Studies related to initial stages of Si growth using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry suggest that growth occurs via four stages (1) nucleation and localized growth, (2) growth in between islands, (3) growth inhibition and (4) slow growth stage and the growth is inhibited after a layer (∼2 nm) of Si is electrodeposited on the substrate.
A theoretical approach for character recognition based on phenomenological attributes

The importance of using a theory of characters in the designing of automatic computer character recognition algorithms for hand-printed letters is demonstrated. Ambiguously shaped characters or “difficult cases” constitute the basis for the theory. It is argued that a theory based on ambiguities, rather than on the classical archetypal shape of letters, leads to algorithms which will perform more accurately. Letters are described in terms of an abstract set of functional attributes, each of which can be related to a type of ambiguity between two letters. The relations between the functional attributes, which specify the letter's identity, and the physical attributes, which are derived from the physical image, are called graphical context rules. These rules can be determined from psychological experimentation.
Pool boiling heat transfer with nano-porous surface

Anodizing technique has been recognized as an efficient way to grow the well-ordered oxide nano-structures on metal substrate. In the present experimental study, the nucleate pool boiling heat transfer coefficient and long-term performance of nano-porous surface fabricated by the cost-effective and simple anodizing technique were investigated with water. The incipient wall superheat of pool boiling in nano-porous surface was lower than that in non-coating surface. The nucleate boiling heat transfer coefficient of nano-porous coating surface appeared higher than that of non-coating surface particularly at the low heat flux condition. The higher coefficient remained throughout 500 h of operation.
Symplectic reduction, geometric phase, and internal dynamics in three-body molecular dynamics

Abstract Symplectic reduction of the planar dynamics of a non-collinear triatomic molecule leads eventually to an internal phase space with symplectic dynamics in the bond lengths and bond angle. For the overall and internal angular velocities, the dynamic and geometric phases describe conditions for the separation of energies and separation of dynamics.
Decreased signal transduction in rat parotid cell aggregates during aging is not due to loss of alpha1-adrenergic receptors

Specific binding of the agonist, 3H-epinephrine, and antagonist, 3H-prazosin, to alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in both intact and broken rat parotid cell preparations was measured as a function of age in Wistar rats. Agonist binding exhibited approximately tenfold weaker affinity (Kd approximately 10 nM) for both intact and broken cells than did the antagonist (Kd approximately 1 nM). In addition, Bmax for the agonist was only 25 to 50% of that of the antagonist (7-10 fmol/mg protein vs. 15-30 fmol/mg protein) in both preparations. Binding affinity decreased significantly between ages 3 and 24 months for the antagonist but not the agonist in both intact and broken cells. The number of binding sites did not change with age in intact cells when measured with either agonist or antagonist, or when measured with agonist in broken cells, but increased markedly (approximately two fold) with age in broken cells for the antagonist. The latter results support the hypothesis that the aged rat parotid cell exhibits a naturally occurring, post-alpha 1-adrenoreceptor defect in signal transduction.
Designing effective gaze mechanisms for virtual agents

Virtual agents hold great promise in human-computer interaction with their ability to afford embodied interaction using nonverbal human communicative cues. Gaze cues are particularly important to achieve significant high-level outcomes such as improved learning and feelings of rapport. Our goal is to explore how agents might achieve such outcomes through seemingly subtle changes in gaze behavior and what design variables for gaze might lead to such positive outcomes. Drawing on research in human physiology, we developed a model of gaze behavior to capture these key design variables. In a user study, we investigated how manipulations in these variables might improve affiliation with the agent and learning. The results showed that an agent using affiliative gaze elicited more positive feelings of connection, while an agent using referential gaze improved participants' learning. Our model and findings offer guidelines for the design of effective gaze behaviors for virtual agents.
Expansion of the Classic Acetylacetone Physical Chemistry Laboratory NMR Experiment: Correlation of the Enol–Keto Equilibrium Position with the Solvent Dipole Moment

An expansion of the classic NMR study of the acetylacetone enol to keto equilibrium, now widely employed in a basic form as a physical chemistry laboratory course experiment, is described. Repeating the basic experiment in a series of aprotic solvents of increasing polarity focuses the laboratory exercise on the origin of solvent-induced shifts in the equilibrium position. The results may be rigorously interpreted in the context of the Onsager–Kirkwood theory. However, a simpler theoretical explanation, more readily appreciated by undergraduate students, can be based on the interaction energy between the solute and solvent dipole moments.
Three-dimensional collagen represses cyclin E1 via β1 integrin in invasive breast cancer cells

The behavior of breast epithelial cells is influenced by their microenvironment which includes stromal cells and extracellular matrix (ECM). During cancer progression, the tissue microenvironment fails to control proliferation and differentiation, resulting in uncontrolled growth and invasion. Upon invasion, the ECM encountered by breast cancer cells changes from primarily laminin and collagen IV to primarily collagen I. We show here that culturing invasive breast cancer cells in 3-dimensional (3D) collagen I inhibits proliferation through direct regulation of cyclin E1, a G1/S regulator that is overexpressed in breast cancer. When the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 was cultured within 3D collagen I gels, the G1/S transition was inhibited as compared to cells cultured on conventional 2D collagen or plastic dishes. Cells in 3D collagen downregulated cyclin E1 protein and mRNA, with no change in cyclin D1 level. Cyclin D1 was primarily cytoplasmic in 3D cultures, and this was accompanied by decreased phosphorylation of Rb, a nuclear target for both cyclin E1- and cyclin D1-associated kinases. Positive regulators of cyclin E1 expression, the transcription factor c-Myc and cold-inducible RNA binding protein (CIRP), were decreased in 3D collagen cultures, while the collagen I receptor β1 integrin was greatly increased. Inhibition of β1 integrin function rescued proliferation and cyclin E1 expression as well as c-Myc expression and Rb phosphorylation, but cyclin D1 remained cytoplasmic. We conclude that cyclin E1 is repressed independent of effects on cyclin D1 in a 3D collagen environment and dependent on β1 integrin interaction with collagen I, reducing proliferation of invasive breast cancer cells.
57.1: Invited Paper: Flexible OLEDs for Lighting Applications

In this paper we will discuss the key technologies needed for fabricating flexible OLED lighting panels with specific focuses on flexible substrates, high efficacy phosphorescent materials and thin film encapsulation technologies. We will report results of 15 cm × 15 cm phosphorescent OLED (PHOLED™) flexible lighting panels using flexible substrates.
Probing Dark Forces and Light Hidden Sectors at Low-Energy e+e- Colliders

A dark sector - a new non-Abelian gauge group Higgsed or confined near the GeV scale - can be spectacularly probed in low-energy e{sup +}e{sup -} collisions. A low-mass dark sector can explain the annual modulation signal reported by DAMA/LIBRA and the PAMELA, ATIC, and INTEGRAL observations by generating small mass splittings and new interactions for weak-scale dark matter. Some of these observations may be the first signs of a low-mass dark sector that collider searches can definitively confirm. Production and decay of {Omicron}(GeV)-mass dark states is mediated by a Higgsed Abelian gauge boson that mixes kinetically with hypercharge. Existing data from BaBar, BELLE, CLEO-c, and KLOE may contain thousands of striking dark-sector events with a high multiplicity of leptons that reconstruct mass resonances and possibly displaced vertices. We discuss the production and decay phenomenology of Higgsed and confined dark sectors and propose e{sup +}e{sup -} collider search strategies. We also use the DAMA/LIBRA signal to estimate the production cross-sections and decay lifetimes for dark-sector states.
Rheumatic manifestations of systemic disease: sarcoidosis

Purpose of reviewSarcoidosis commonly involves the lungs but also not uncommonly presents as uveitis, arthritis, myositis or neurologic disease. Recognition of the presenting features, organ complications, and immunopathogenesis is important for timely diagnosis and appropriate management.Recent fin
Cardiomyocytes from embryonic stem cells: towards human therapy.

Background: Despite improvements in survival with current therapies, it is now clear that major cardiovascular event rates in patients remain high. Cardiac cell replacement therapy by using human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes has emerged as a promising future approach to regenerate functional myocardium. However, there are still many hurdles to be overcome for the clinical application of these cells. Objective: This review describes the embryonic stem cell system, their differentiation into cardiomyocytes, and functional characterization of the cardiac lineage derivatives in culture and upon in vivo engraftment in animal models. Results/conclusion: A better understanding of the characteristics of the cardiomyocytes from human embryonic stem cells not only predicts their behaviour after implantation but will also help in the design of future strategies for cardiac regeneration in vivo.
Relationship between pre-embryo pronuclear morphology (zygote score) and standard day 2 or 3 embryo morphology with regard to assisted reproductive technique outcomes.

Objective To test the hypothesis that pregnancy rates are low if grade Z1 pre-embryos are not available for transfer and to determine if pronuclear morphology is a better predictor of pregnancy than traditional embryo morphology. Design Prospective clinical study. Setting Academic human reproduction laboratory. Patient(s) One hundred couples undergoing IVF with conventional insemination or ICSI. Intervention(s) Embryo quality was assessed using both pre-embryo pronuclear morphology (zygote scoring or Z-scoring) at the time of fertilization evaluation and standard day 2 and day 3 embryo morphology (number of blastomeres and grading based on degree of fragmentation and blastomere size). Main Outcome Measure(s) We tested two decision models, one based on Z-scores and another on morphology, to determine which grading system better predicted pregnancy outcomes in assisted reproductive technique. Zygote score and embryo morphology were measured for all embryos and the transferred embryo pool. Implantation and pregnancy rates resulting from the embryo transfers of all cycles were calculated. Result(s) The Z-score distribution of 552 embryos was 27% Z1, 8% Z2, 50% Z3, and 15% Z4. Z1 and Z3 embryos had significantly ( P ∼.03) higher quality over Z2 and Z4 embryos. Using the Z-score decision model with Z1 embryos having highest priority for transfer, pregnancy rates were similar between Z1 and Z3 embryos. Using embryo morphology as a decision model, pregnancy rates were highest in transfers containing one or two "best"-quality embryos. Conclusion(s) Z1 and Z3 embryos had similar morphology and pregnancy rates. The decision model based on the Z-score model was not better than standard embryo morphology in predicting pregnancy outcome.
Gender Differences in Immigrant Health: The Case of Mexican and Middle Eastern Immigrants

This article draws on theories of gender inequality and immigrant health to hypothesize differences among the largest immigrant population, Mexicans, and a lesser known population of Middle Easterners. Using data from the 2000-2007 National Health Interview Surveys, we compare health outcomes among immigrants to those among U.S.-born whites and assess gender differences within each group. We find an immigrant story and a gender story. Mexican and Middle Eastern immigrants are healthier than U.S.-born whites, and men report better health than women regardless of nativity or ethnicity. We identify utilization of health care as a primary mechanism that contributes to both patterns. Immigrants are less likely than U.S.-born whites to interact with the health care system, and women are more likely to do so than men. Thus, immigrant and gender health disparities may partly reflect knowledge of health status rather than actual health.
Synthesis of substance P.

SUBSTANCE P has been synthesized by the solid-phase procedure of Merrifield1,2 according to the sequence H-Arg-Pro-LysPro-Gln-Gln-Phe-Phe-Gly-Leu-Met-NH2 reported in the previous letter.
All roads lead to violations of countable additivity

This paper defends the claim that there is a deep tension between the principle of countable additivity and the one-third solution to the Sleeping Beauty problem. The claim that such a tension exists has recently been challenged by Brian Weatherson, who has attempted to provide a countable additivity-friendly argument for the one-third solution. This attempt is shown to be unsuccessful. And it is argued that the failure of this attempt sheds light on the status of the principle of indifference that underlies the tension between countable additivity and the one-third solution.
Use of labeled compounds to study the mechanism of flavor formation in oxidizing fats

2-14C-Hexanal,trans, trans-5-14C-2,4-decadienal, 4-14C-1-octen-3-ol, 4-14C-1-octen-3-one and 1-14C-1-pentanol were synthesized and added to freshly deodorized soybean oil in concentrations ranging from 7–125 ppm. The soybean oil was oxidized, and the fate of the labeled compounds was followed. Hexanal was converted to hexanoic acid especially at 50 C or higher. The 2,4-decadienal was converted to 2,4-decadienoic acid at room temperature, and heptenal, 2-octanal, 2-nonanal, glyoxal and malonaldehyde were found among the labeled products. 1-Octen-3-ol was converted to 1-octen-3-one at room temperature, but the 1-octen-3-one formed a stable end product that produced no other labeled compounds. 1-Pentanol was converted to pentanoic acid at 50 C or higher.
Marked increases in psychopathology found in a 30-year cohort comparison of suicide attempters

Background. Although several epidemiological studies have found increases in the percentages of people who have made a suicide attempt, few cohort comparisons have been conducted to determine changes within this population over time. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if there have been changes in the clinical profile of suicide attempters in recent decades. Method. Comparisons between a sample of 258 suicide attempters evaluated between 1970 and 1973 and a second sample of 179 suicide attempters evaluated between 1999 and 2002 were made on depression, hopelessness, suicide intent, drug use, history of suicide attempts and subsequent suicide attempts. Results. Present-day suicide attempters were found to exhibit greater levels of depression (p = 0.031), hopelessness (p = 0.008), suicide intent (p < 0.001), and had much higher rates of illicit drug use (p < 0.001). Almost twice as many of the present-day suicide attempters had histories of four or more suicide attempts ( p < 0.001), and the present-day suicide attempters made subsequent suicide attempts at close to four times the rate in the year following the index attempt (p < 0.001). Conclusions. The present-day suicide attempters exhibited greater levels of psychopathology on every major variable assessed. Replication is necessary and public health implications are discussed.
Impact of Native Grasses and Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) on Great Basin Forb Seedling Growth

Re-establishing native communities that resist exotic weed invasion and provide diverse habitat for wildlife are high priorities for restoration in sagebrush ecosystems. Native forbs are an important component of healthy rangelands in this system, but they are rarely included in seedings. Understanding competitive interactions between forb and grass seedlings is required to devise seeding strategies that can enhance establishment of diverse native species assemblages in degraded sagebrush communities. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to examine seedling biomass and relative growth rate of common native forb species when grown alone or in the presence of a native bunchgrass or an exotic annual grass. Forb species included bigseed biscuitroot (Lomatium macrocarpum [Nutt. ex Torr. & A. Gray] J.M. Coult. & Rose), sulphur-flower buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum Torr.), hoary aster (Machaeranthera canescens [Pursh] Gray), royal penstemon (Penstemon speciosus Douglas ex Lindl.), and Munro's globemallow (Sphaeralcea munroana [Douglas ex Lindl.] Spach ex Gray); and neighboring grass species included bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides [Raf.] Swezey), Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda J. Presl); and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.). Forbs and grasses were harvested after 6, 9, or 12 wk of growth for biomass determination and calculation of relative growth rates (RGR) of forbs. Neither bunchgrass reduced biomass of any forb. RGR was reduced for royal penstemon when grown with either native grass and for Munro's globemallow when grown with bottlebrush squirreltail. Although only assessed qualitatively, forbs with vertically oriented root morphologies exhibited no reduction in RGR when grown with native grasses, compared to forbs with dense lateral branching, similar to the root morphology of native grasses. Biomass of forbs was reduced by 50% to 91% and RGR by 37% to 80% when grown with cheatgrass. Understanding native forb interactions with native grasses and cheatgrass will aid land managers in selecting effective seed mixes and making better use of costly seed.
Disassembly of Simian Virus 40 during Passage through the Endoplasmic Reticulum and in the Cytoplasm

The nonenveloped polyomavirus simian virus 40 (SV40) is taken up into cells by a caveola-mediated endocytic process that delivers the virus to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Within the ER lumen, the capsid undergoes partial disassembly, which exposes its internal capsid proteins VP2 and VP3 to immunostaining with antibodies. We demonstrate here that the SV40 genome does not become accessible to detection while the virus is in the ER. Instead, the genome becomes accessible two distinct detection procedures, one using anti-bromodeoxyuridine antibodies and the other using a 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine-based chemical reaction, only after the emergence of partially disassembled SV40 particles in the cytoplasm. These cytoplasmic particles retain some of the SV40 capsid proteins, VP1, VP2, and VP3, in addition to the viral genome. Thus, SV40 particles undergo discrete disassembly steps during entry that are separated temporally and topologically. First, a partial disassembly of the particles occurs in the ER, which exposes internal capsid proteins VP2 and VP3. Then, in the cytoplasm, disassembly progresses further to also make the genomic DNA accessible to immune detection.
ATTRIBUTABLE RISK RATIO ESTIMATION FROM MATCHED-PAIRS CASE-CONTROL DATA

Explicit formulas are provided for estimating the attributable risk ratio among the exposed and the entire target population utilizing matched-pairs data. Large-sample standard errors and corresponding confidence intervals are provided. These estimates can be obtained from the cross-classification frequencies of matched pairs by disease and exposure status in the usual 2 X 2 table. The key to the development of these formulas lies in recognizing that attributable risk among the exposed is a direct function of the odds ratio, and population attributable risk is a direct function of the odds ratio and exposure prevalence among only the cases (assuming a rare disease). The formulas presented in this paper require only a calculator for computation. The methodology is illustrated with data from a matched-pairs case-control study of oral conjugated estrogens and endometrial cancer.
The CRISPR-Associated Gene cas2 of Legionella pneumophila Is Required for Intracellular Infection of Amoebae

Recent studies have shown that the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) array and its asso- ciated (cas) genes can play a key role in bacterial immunity against phage and plasmids. Upon analysis of the Legionella pneumo- philastrain 130b chromosome, we detected a subtype II-B CRISPR-Cas locus that contains cas9,cas1,cas2,cas4, and an array with 60 repeats and 58 unique spacers. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analysis demonstrated that the entire CRISPR-Cas locus is expressed during 130b extracellular growth in both rich and minimal media as well as during intracellular infection of macro- phages and aquatic amoebae. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) further showed that the levels of castranscripts, especially those ofcas1andcas2, are elevated during intracellular growth relative to exponential-phase growth in broth. Mutants lacking components of the CRISPR-Cas locus were made and found to grow normally in broth and on agar media. cas9,cas1, cas4, and CRISPR array mutants also grew normally in macrophages and amoebae. However, cas2mutants, although they grew typically in macrophages, were significantly impaired for infection of both Hartmannella andAcanthamoeba species. A comple- mentedcas2mutant infected the amoebae at wild-type levels, confirming that cas2is required for intracellular infection of these host cells. IMPORTANCE Given that infection of amoebae is critical for L. pneumophila persistence in water systems, our data indicate that cas2has a role in the transmission of Legionnaires' disease. Because our experiments were done in the absence of added phage, plasmid, or nucleic acid, the event that is facilitated by Cas2 is uniquely distinct from current dogma concerning CRISPR-Cas function.
Recent trends in biomedical informatics: a study based on JAMIA articles

In a growing interdisciplinary field like biomedical informatics, information dissemination and citation trends are changing rapidly due to many factors. To understand these factors better, we analyzed the evolution of the number of articles per major biomedical informatics topic, download/online view frequencies, and citation patterns (using Web of Science) for articles published from 2009 to 2012 in JAMIA. The number of articles published in JAMIA increased significantly from 2009 to 2012, and there were some topic differences in the last 4 years. Medical Record Systems, Algorithms, and Methods are topic categories that are growing fast in several publications. We observed a significant correlation between download frequencies and the number of citations per month since publication for a given article. Earlier free availability of articles to nonsubscribers was associated with a higher number of downloads and showed a trend towards a higher number of citations. This trend will need to be verified as more data accumulate in coming years.
The challenge to reach nutritional adequacy for vitamin A: β-carotene bioavailability and conversion—evidence in humans

b-Carotene is an important dietary source of vitamin A for humans. However, the bioavailability and vitamin A equivalency of b-carotene are highly variable and can be affected by food- and diet-related factors, including the food matrix, food-processing techniques, size of the dose of b-carotene, and the amounts of dietary fat, fiber, vitamin A, and other carotenoids in the diet as well as by characteristics of the target population, such as vitamin A status, nutrient deficiencies, gut integrity, and genetic polymorphisms associated with b-carotene metabolism. The absorption of b-carotene from plant sources ranges from 5% to 65% in humans. Vitamin A equivalency ratios for b-carotene to vitamin A from plant sources range from 3.8:1 to 28:1, by weight. Vitamin A equivalency ratios for b-carotene from biofortified Golden Rice or biofortified maize are 3.8:1 and 6.5:1, respectively, and are lower than ratios for vegetables that have more complex food matrices (10:1 to 28:1). The vitamin A equivalency of b-carotene is likely to be context-specific and dependent on specific food- and diet-related factors and the health, nutritional, and genetic characteristics of human populations. Although the vitamin A equivalency of b-carotene is highly variable, the provision of vegetable and fruit sources of b-carotene has significantly increased vitamin A status in women and children in community settings in developing countries; these results support the inclusion of dietary interventions with plant sources of b-carotene as a strategy for increasing vitamin A status in populations at risk of deficiency. Am J Clin Nutr doi: 10.3945/ajcn.112.034850.
An economic comparison of biological and conventional control strategies for whiteflies (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) in greenhouse poinsettias.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the costs of biologically controlling infestations of silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring, in New England greenhouse operations on poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima Wild. ex Koltz, using the parasitic wasp Encarsia formosa Gahan (Nile Delta strain). Partial budget analysis was used to compare costs for conventional verses biological control regimens. Four alternative whitefly control budgets are developed; two conventional chemical-based control budgets formulated with and without the use of imidacloprid, and two biological control budgets which demonstrate the impact of possibly greater pest monitoring efforts necessary to implement this type strategy successfully. The analysis shows that biological whitefly control costs were >300% greater than conventional chemical-based control strategy costs. Most of this increase is caused by the higher costs of Encarsia formosa as the material control input. If monitoring costs are held constant across different strategies, labor costs actually decline for biological control. This is because of a significant reduction in the number of control applications made and the relatively lower cost of applying E. formosa. If more extensive monitoring efforts are required to implement biological control successfully, labor costs increase by 56% over the conventional pre-imidacloprid regimen. Based on these results, the authors conclude that cheaper and more reliable means of producing E. formosa must be developed before this strategy will become economically viable for commercial poinsettia greenhouse production.
Teaching Well Child Care

Despite recommendations that the emphasis of the well child visit be on behavior and de velopment, some studies indicate that pediatricians continue to spend a relatively small per centage of each well baby visit on these subjects. One factor contributing to the discrepancy between current recommendations and practice may be the way we teach residents to perform this task. In this study, we investigated and evaluated current methods for teaching well child care. Our data indicate that the content of well child care is being taught, but that problems with teaching setting, methods and frequency of supervision, and lack of formal evaluation may be among the factors which contribute to our continued inability to change the focus of well child visits.
Mass absorption coefficients of Parylene N at soft x-ray and vacuum-ultraviolet wavelengths

Parylene N was selected as a bandpass filter for the extreme-ultraviolet telescope, flown on the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in July 1975. The telescope measures stellar and diffuse cosmic radiation in the wavelength region from 45 to 170 A. In connection with this application, a systematic study was conducted of the mass absorption coefficient of the Parylene N. The results of the study for the wavelength region from 44 to 2536 A are reported.
A mimic of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

A 52-year-old man with atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease (status-post renal transplant), and a presumed diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) prior to catheter ablation for refractory atrial fibrillation. An electrocardiogram during sinus rhythm suggested an accessory pathway ( Panel 1 ). The CMR revealed normal ejection fraction ( Panel 2A , Supplementary material online, Movie S1 ), concentric left ventricular hypertrophy with wall …
TGFβ in Cancer

The transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling pathway is a key player in metazoan biology, and its misregulation can result in tumor development. The regulatory cytokine TGFβ exerts tumor-suppressive effects that cancer cells must elude for malignant evolution. Yet, paradoxically, TGFβ also modulates processes such as cell invasion, immune regulation, and microenvironment modification that cancer cells may exploit to their advantage. Consequently, the output of a TGFβ response is highly contextual throughout development, across different tissues, and also in cancer. The mechanistic basis and clinical relevance of TGFβ's role in cancer is becoming increasingly clear, paving the way for a better understanding of the complexity and therapeutic potential of this pathway.
DEVELOPMENT OF ENDF/B-VII.1 AND ITS COVARIANCE COMPONENT

The US nuclear data community, coordinated by CSEWG, is preparing release of the ENDF/B-VII.1 library. This new release will address deficiencies identified in ENDF/B-VII.0, include improved evaluations for some 50-60 materials and provide covariances for more than 110 materials. The major players in this undertaking are LANL, BNL, ORNL, and LLNL. We summarize deficiencies in the ENDF/B-VII.0 and outline development of the new library. We concentrate on the BNL activities which aim in providing covariances for the materials important for the design of the innovative reactors. Finally we outline a futuristic approach, known as assimilation that tries to link nuclear reaction theory and integral experiments.
Precision calibration of an optically sampled analog-to-digital converter

The general configuration of the proposed high-speed ADC was described. A train of optical pulses samples the analog signal applied to the optical modulator. A dual-output Mach-Zehnder electro-optic modulator is used to implement phase-encoded optical sampling. Output circuits detect and integrate the modulated optical pulses. The integrated level is held until electronic digitizer converts the signal into digital form. The circuit then resets and waits for the next input pulse. The output circuits include amplifiers before the digitizers.
Factor-Independent Assembly of Elongation-Competent Ribosomes by an Internal Ribosome Entry Site Located in an RNA Virus That Infects Penaeid Shrimp

The Taura syndrome virus (TSV), a member of the Dicistroviridae family of viruses, is a single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus which contains two nonoverlapping reading frames separated by a 230-nucleotide intergenic region. This intergenic region contains an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) which directs the synthesis of the TSV capsid proteins. Unlike other dicistroviruses, the TSV IRES contains an AUG codon that is in frame with the capsid region, suggesting that the IRES initiates translation at this AUG codon by using initiator tRNAmet. We show here that the TSV IRES does not use this or any other AUG codon to initiate translation. Like the IRES in cricket paralysis virus (CrPV), the TSV IRES can assemble 80S ribosomes in the absence of initiation factors and can direct protein synthesis in a reconstituted system that contains only purified ribosomal subunits, eukaryotic elongation factors 1A and 2, and aminoacylated tRNAs. The functional conservation of the CrPV-like IRES elements in viruses that can infect different invertebrate hosts suggests that initiation at non-AUG codons by an initiation factor-independent mechanism may be more prevalent.
A tube-based robust nonlinear predictive control approach to semiautonomous ground vehicles

This paper proposes a robust control framework for lane-keeping and obstacle avoidance of semiautonomous ground vehicles. It presents a systematic way of enforcing robustness during the MPC design stage. A robust nonlinear model predictive controller (RNMPC) is used to help the driver navigating the vehicle in order to avoid obstacles and track the road centre line. A force-input nonlinear bicycle vehicle model is developed and used in the RNMPC control design. A robust invariant set is used in the RNMPC design to guarantee that state and input constraints are satisfied in the presence of disturbances and model error. Simulations and experiments on a vehicle show the effectiveness of the proposed framework.
Parental needs for information related to neurocognitive late effects from pediatric cancer and its treatment

Background Parents' needs for information about neurocognitive late effects (NCLE) associated with cancer treatment may differ as to the preferred source, format, timing, and amount of information about potential NCLE from treatment. Parental characteristics, treatment variables, and other risk factors may also modulate the needs for information about NCLE. Procedure A total of 90 parents completed a series of questionnaires related to their perceived knowledge of NCLE and need for further information about NCLE, coping style, stress, perceived risk for NCLE, and information related to their child's diagnosis and treatment. Results These findings indicate that although parents report feeling knowledgeable about NCLE, they continue to have a need for further information. Many parents would prefer multi-modal presentation of this material, but they do not have a clear consensus about the optimal time to first discuss this risk. Parents who reported higher levels of emotional distress expressed a preference to receive information earlier. Stepwise regression analyses revealed that parents of children who received cranial radiation reported being well informed about NCLE, whereas parents of children who received chemotherapy reported wanting more information about NCLE. Conclusions It is important to recognize the high level of need for information about potential NCLE in caregivers of children with cancer. Further research is needed to understand how to tailor the timing and mode of presentation to individual families. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:273–279. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.