cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fate and characteristics of Picea damaged by Elatobium abietinum (Walker) (Homoptera: Aphididae) in the White Mountains of Arizona

Spruce aphid, Elatobium abietinum (Walker), is a new invasive pest in high-elevation forests of southwestern USA. Plots in the White Mountains of Arizona were evaluated over several years to assess the extent and severity of damage in high-elevation forests and to identify tree and site characteristics associated with defoliation and mortality. Large areas were defoliated in each of 4 recent outbreaks. Impact from a single defoliation episode included an overall mortality of 10.3% to Picea engelmannii Parry, 24%-41% in severely defoliated trees. Defoliation severity was much greater on P. engelmannii than on P. pungens Engelm. and was more severe in the lower canopy layers. Retention of foliage in the upper-crown third of individual trees was a critical factor in tree survivorship. Mortality was associated with defoliation severity and severe infection by Arceuthobium microcarpum (Engelmann) Hawksworth & Wiens. Picea pungens was much more susceptible to A. microcarpum more than was P. engelmannii . The combined effects of high levels of defoliation and mistletoe infection were lethal, resulting in almost 70% mortality. Mortality continued to occur at 3 years after defoliation. This aphid will affect natural disturbance regimes and tree population dynamics in mixed-conifer and spruce-fir forests of the American Southwest.
An adaptive coordinated medium access control for wireless sensor networks

We have developed adaptive coordinated medium access control (AC-MAC), a contention-based medium access control protocol for wireless sensor networks. To handle the load variations in some real-time sensor applications, ACMAC introduces the adaptive duty cycle scheme within the framework of sensor-MAC (S-MAC). The novelty of our protocol is that it improves latency and throughput under a wide range of traffic loads while remaining as energy-efficient as S-MAC. We illustrate such optimized trade-offs of AC-MAC via extensive simulations performed over wireless sensor networks. Our simulation results show that AC-MAC is as energy-efficient as S-MAC while its latency and throughput are always trying to follow the classic IEEE 802.11 MAC (no duty cycle), which outperform the S-MAC (fixed duty cycle), specially under the heavy load.
Plaque radiotherapy for large posterior uveal melanomas (≥8-mm thick) in 354 consecutive patients

Abstract Objective To assess treatment complications and tumor control after plaque radiotherapy for large posterior uveal melanomas measuring 8 mm or greater in thickness. Design Prospective noncomparative interventional case series. Participants Three hundred fifty-four patients each of whom had a posterior uveal melanoma measuring 8 mm or greater in thickness treated with plaque radiotherapy. Main outcome measures The four endpoints included (1) poor final visual acuity (20/200 or worse), (2) enucleation, (3) local tumor recurrence, and (4) metastasis. The clinical data regarding patient features, tumor features, and radiation parameters were analyzed for their impact on the four main outcomes using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results Using Kaplan-Meier estimates, final visual acuity was poor in 57% at 5 years and 89% at 10 years follow-up. Using multivariate analysis, the most important risk factors for poor visual acuity included retinal invasion by melanoma, increasing patient age, iodine 125 (I 125 ) isotope, and 106 ) isotope. Using Kaplan-Meier estimates, local tumor recurrence was found in 9% at 5 years and 13% at 10 years follow-up. Using multivariate analysis, risk factors for tumor recurrence included Ru 106 radioisotope and ciliary body involvement with tumor. Tumor-related metastases were found in 30% at 5 years and 55% at 10 years follow-up. Using multivariate analysis, risk factors for metastases included inferotemporal meridian, anterior extension of the tumor to the iris root, increasing tumor base, and posterior margin Conclusions Plaque radiotherapy provided tumor control at 10 years in 87% of patients with selected large posterior uveal melanomas (>8 mm thick) that otherwise would have been managed with enucleation. The large intraocular mass and associated features and radiation complications led to poor visual acuity in most patients. At 10 years follow-up, enucleation was necessary in 34% of patients, and metastasis developed in 55% of patients.
Developmental studies in Drosophila. VI. Ultrastructural analysis of the salivary glands of Drosophila pseudoobscura during the late larval period.

Salivary gland cells of Drosophila pseudoobscura were examined electron microscopically and cytochemically during the late larval stage of development. The data indicate that several synthetic processes are occurring in the glands during this period. The first, a presumably digestive secretion, is produced throughout the gland in the earliest stages studied, and only in the most proximal cells with increasing time. Mucoprotein granules, which are secreted and utilized as a “glue” at the time of puparium formation, are produced in the most distal cells of the gland beginning at about 100–106 hours after hatching, and are eventually found throughout the medial region as well, but never in the proximal portion of the gland. Such granules are produced in the Golgi regions and have nonmucoprotein “caps” at their periphery. Several types of material are also found within the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum of the cells; the function and significance of these crystals, granules, and aggregations of granules is unknown. Lysosomal activity is present in the cells from the earliest stages, and increases with time.
Spleen Segmentation and Assessment in CT Images for Traumatic Abdominal Injuries

Spleen segmentation is especially challenging as the majority of solid organs in the abdomen region have similar gray level range. Physician analysis of computed tomography (CT) images to assess abdominal trauma could be very time consuming and hence, automating this process can reduce time to treatment. The proposed method presented in this paper is a fully automated and knowledge based technique that employs anatomical information to accurately segment the spleen in CT images. The spleen detection procedure is proposed to locate the spleen in both healthy and injured cases. In the presence of hemorrhage and laceration, the edge merging technique is used. The accuracy of the method is measured by some criteria such as mis---segmented area, accuracy, specificity and sensitivity. The results show that the proposed spleen segmentation method performs well and outperforms other methods.
Genericity and UD-random reals

Avigad introduced the notion of UD-randomness based in Weyl's 1916 definition of uniform distribution modulo one. We prove that there exists a weakly 1-random real that is neither UD-random nor weakly 1-generic. We also show that no 2-generic real can Turing compute a UD-random real.
Clinical experience with intravenous infusion of emulsified fat.

Abstract The results of 1,466 infusions of fat emulsion into 426 patients are presented and discussed. Emulsions containing 10 to 15 per cent of coconut, olive, peanut, and cottonseed oils, and synthetic triolein have been used. Data pertaining to such reactions as pyrogenicity, blood pressure, pulse, and chills are presented. The collected data are analyzed in regard to the overall effect of type of oil, concentration of oil, concentration of emulsifiers, presence of synthetic emulsifiers, quantitative and qualitative serum protein abnormalities of patients, and the effects of an antihistaminic on these reactions. Ninety-one per cent of the cottonseed oil infusions, 86 per cent of the coconut oil infusions, 82 per cent of the olive oil infusions, 85 per cent of the coconut oil-olive oil infusions, 83 per cent of the peanut oil infusions, 76 per cent of the synthetic triolein infusions were without pyrogen reaction. If one excludes temperature rises of 2.0 ° F., the percentage of successful infusions rises appreciably to 97 per cent for emulsions of cottonseed oil and 94 per cent for emulsions of synthetic triolein. A small number of other unfavorable reactions occasionally observed are discussed in detail, especially as they pertain to the intrinsic colloid character of fat emulsions. Substantial progress has been made toward the solution of the problems associated with the availability and use of emulsions of fat that can be given satisfactorily by vein.
A Monte Carlo Analysis of Missing Data Techniques in a HRM Setting

Researchers have examined various techniques to solve the problem of missing data. Simple techniques have included listwise deletion, pairwise deletion, mean substitution, regression imputation and hot-deck imputation. Past research suggests that regression imputation and pairwise deletion generally result in less dispersion around true score values while listwise deletion results in more dispersion around true scores. Unfortunately, this research spent much less time examining whether the various techniques lead to overestimation or underestimation of the true values of various statistics. The present study utilized a Monte Carlo Analysis to simulate an HRM research setting to evaluate missing data techniques. Pairwise deletion resulted in the least dispersion around true scores and least average error of any missing data technique for calculating correlations. Implications for use of these techniques and future missing data research were explored.
Percutaneous treatment of venous outflow obstruction in pediatric liver transplants.

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous dilation in the treatment of impaired venous outflow in pediatric patients with liver transplants. MATERIALS AND METHODS Review was undertaken of the records of 35 procedures to dilate impaired venous outflow in 16 consecutive children (aged 11 days to 17.8 years; mean, 7.2 ± 5.8 y) after liver transplantation over a period of 8 years. Patients presented clinically with signs or symptoms of obstruction of the hepatic venous or inferior vena cava anastomosis and/or abnormal noninvasive imaging findings and were referred primarily to the interventional radiology department for treatment. None were excluded. Technical and clinical success rates were calculated. After venoplasty, patients with incomplete venographic resolution or pressure gradients exceeding 5 mm Hg were treated with stents. Seven died or required repeat transplantation during the study period for reasons unrelated to venous outflow obstruction. Patency rates were calculated for all other patients with sufficient follow-up in the pediatric hepatology clinic. RESULTS The combined technical success rate for venoplasty (12 of 16) and stent placement (three of 16) was 94% (15 of 16), and the clinical success rate was 81% (13 of 16). One minor complication occurred: a transient hypoxic episode. Primary patency rates were 72.7% (eight of 11) at 3 months, 60% (six of 10) at 6 months, 55.6% (five of nine) at 12 months, 50% (four of eight) at 18 months, and 50% (three of six) at 36 months. Primary assisted and secondary patency rates were 90.9% (10 of 11) at 3 months, 90% (nine of 10) at 6 months, 88.9% (eight of nine) at 12 months, 87.5% (seven of eight) at 18 months, and 83.3% (five of six) at 36 months. CONCLUSIONS Excellent technical and clinical success rates can be achieved with percutaneous dilation of impaired venous outflow after pediatric liver transplantation. Long-term patency may require repeated interventions.
A Family of Four‐Coordinate Iron(II) Complexes Bearing the Sterically Hindered Tris(pyrazolyl)borato Ligand TptBu,Me

A new family of 14-electron, four-coordinate iron(II) complexes of the general formula [Tp(tBu,Me)FeX] (Tp(tBu,Me) is the sterically hindered hydrotris(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-pyrazolyl) borate ligand and X=Cl (1), Br, I) were synthesized by salt metathesis of FeX(2) with Tp(tBu,Me)K. The related fluoride complex was prepared by reaction of 1 with AgBF(4). Chloride 1 proved to be a good precursor for ligand substitution reactions, generating a series of four-coordinate iron(II) complexes with carbon, oxygen, and sulphur ligands. All of these complexes were fully characterized by conventional spectroscopic methods and most were characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis. Magnetic measurements for all complexes agreed with a high-spin (d(6), S=2) electronic configuration. The halide series enabled the estimation of the covalent radius of iron in these complexes as 1.24 A.
Phosphoproteins of vesicular stomatitis virus: Identity and interco nversior of phosphorylated forms

Abstract Two proteins of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), M (matrix) and NS (nucleocapsid-associated), each contained about the same proportion of phosphoserine and phosphothreonine, with phosphoserine as the principal phosphorylated amino acid. Essentially all phosphate (greater than 98%) present in the NS protein was in a typical phosphomonoester bond, while the M protein contained 10 to 15% of its phosphate in an undetermined linkage. Two forms of the NS protein, NS1, and the more highly phosphorylated NS2 form, were separated in SDS-polyacrylamide gels containing urea, and partially digested with chymotrypsin. A comparison of the chymotryptic peptides indicated that the same two phosphorylated forms, NS1 and NS2, were found in virions as well as in the cytoplasm of infected cells. These two forms were interconvertible in vitro . A conversion of NS2 to the lesser phosphorylated NSl form, presumably by a protein phosphatase activity, occurred in the presence of cytoplasm from either infected or uninfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. However the amount of the NS1 species was greatly reduced upon acceptance of phosphate through the action of the virion-associated protein kinase. The products of the kinase reaction were analyzed in more detail by matching phosphopeptides from the partial protease digests of the products with NS and M proteins phosphorylated in vivo. In vitro , M protein was the major phosphate acceptor, while in vivo , NS protein had the greatest capacity to accept phosphate.
Synthesis, characterization, and crystal structures of novel single and mixed-metal framework materials assembled from 2-(4-pyridyl)thiazole-4-carboxylic acid with cobalt, cadmium, and vanadium oxide

Three new coordination polymers containing 2-(4-pyridyl)thiazole-4-carboxylate (pytac) with cobalt, vanadium oxide, or cadmium iodide have been synthesized solvothermally, isolated, and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction. [Co 3 (pytac) 6 ](H 2 O) 8 ( 1 ), which crystallizes in the space group C 2/ c ( a = 24.1418(8) A, b = 17.5088(6) A, and c = 14.4562(5) A, β = 96.0390(10)°), has 1D hexameric water channels that constitute a 14.4% of the unit cell volume. Co 3 (pytac) 2 (H 2 O) 4 V 4 O 12 ( 2 ), which crystallizes in the space group P 1 ¯ ( a = 8.6591(5) A, b = 9.0044(5) A, and c = 10.6495(6) A, α = 67.1160(10)°, β = 82.6880(10)°, and γ = 83.9880(10)°), is an extension of the former in that it contains Co(H 2 O) 4 V 4 O 12 in addition to the Co-only 2D layers. [CdI(pytac)(H 2 O)]·H 2 O ( 3 ), which also crystallizes in the space group P 1 ¯ ( a = 8.2376(4) A, b = 8.4859(4) A, and c = 11.1261(5) A, α = 68.2020(10)°, β = 77.5610(10)°, and γ = 69.1230(10)°), exhibits structural characteristics similar to 2 , in that both contain 1D chains where the pytac ligand simultaneously engages in three different coordination modes: chelating, single bond coordination, and μ-2 bridging between two metal centers via carboxylate oxygen atoms.
Molecular phylogeny of Clupeiformes (Actinopterygii) inferred from nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences.

The taxonomy of clupeiforms has been extensively studied, yet phylogenetic relationships among component taxa remain controversial or unresolved. Here we test current and new hypotheses of relationships among clupeiforms using mitochondrial rRNA genes (12S and 16S) and nuclear RAG1 and RAG2 sequences (total of 4749 bp) for 37 clupeiform taxa representing all five extant families and all subfamilies of Clupeiformes, except Pristigasterinae, plus seven outgroups. Our results, based on maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian analyses of these data, show that some traditional hypotheses are supported. These include the monophyly of the families Engraulidae, consisting of two monophyletic subfamilies, Engraulinae (Engraulis and Anchoa) and Coilinae (Coilia and Setipinna), and Pristigasteridae (here represented only by Ilisha and Pellona). The basal position of Denticeps among clupeiforms is consistent with the molecular data when base compositional biases are accounted for. However, the monophyly of Clupeidae was not supported. Some clupeids were more closely related to taxa assigned to Pristigasteridae and Chirocentridae (Chirocentrus). These results suggest that a major revision in the classification of clupeiform fishes may be necessary, but should await a more complete taxonomic sampling and additional data.
Supression of proton decay in SU(5) grand unification

Abstract By adding a scalar 45 representation to the minimal SU(5) model of grand unification so that the fermion mass spectrum is realistically realized, and letting the SU(3) octet piece of the 45 be light, the proton decay lifetime can be pushed up by orders of magnitude with only a slight drop in the value of sin 2 θ W . We show numerical results from a two-loop renormalization-group analysis using modified minimal subtraction, and discuss in some detail the structure of the Higgs sector which allows for such a scenario.
Integration of Pythium nunn and Trichoderma harzianum isolate T-95 for the biological control of Pythium damping-off of cucumber.

Two biological control agents, Pythium nunn and Trichoderma harzianum isolate T-95, were combined to reduce Pythium damping-off of cucumber in greenhouse experiments lasting 3–4 weeks. T. harzianum T-95, a rhizosphere competent mutant, was applied to seeds and P. nunn was applied to pasteurized and raw soils naturally and artificially infested with Pythium ultimum. Some treatments were also amended with bean leaves to enhance the activity of P. nunn. The biological control of Pythium damping-off was evaluated in a Colorado soil (Nunn sandy loam) and an Oregon soil mix, which were replanted twice after 2 and 3 months. Interactions between P. nunn and T-95 were detected in the Colorado but not the Oregon soil. No consistent evidence of antagonism between P. nunn and T. harzianum was seen, and significant interactions were detected in the Colorado, but not the Oregon soil. In the first planting of some treatments, the combination of P. nunn and T. harzianum gave greater control of damping-off than either applied alone. P. nunn was most effective in soils that were pasteurized or amended with bean leaves. T. harzianum controlled Pythium damping-off in the Colorado, but not the Oregon soil. In both soils, disease declined over time in treatments amended with bean leaves but without P. nunn or T. harzianum added. This suppression was greater in the Colorado soil, which contained an indigenous population of P. nunn. This work demonstrates that two compatible biological control agents can be combined to give additional control of a soil-borne plant pathogen.
The nationwide study of epikeratophakia for myopia

In the nationwide study of epikeratophakia, 116 ophthalmic surgeons performed 352 procedures for the correction of myopia; 256 of the eyes had 30 or more days of follow-up after suture removal. Of 204 eyes, 153 (75%) were within 30% of emmetropia after surgery. Of 208 eyes, 202 (97%) had postoperative best corrected visual acuity within two Snellen lines or better of their preoperative visual acuity. All but one patient improved uncorrected visual acuity. Of the 120 patients who equaled or improved their preoperative best corrected visual acuity, 116 (97%) were within two Snellen lines of their preoperative measurement between 30 and 60 days after suture removal. Corneal astigmatism changed from a preoperative mean (± S.D.) of 1.4 ± 0.8 diopters to a postoperative mean of 2.6 ± 2.1 diopters. Of 352 tissue lenses, 36 (10%) were removed, largely as a result of inaccurate power, decay, or failure to reepithelialize, and 17 of these eyes underwent a second successful epikeratophakia procedure.
Interpersonal and self-critical dysphoria and behavioral problems in adolescents

Clinical evidence suggests that various problem behaviors in adolescence can be expressions of dysphoria that have not reached threshold for the diagnosis of depressive disorders. Formulations of two major types of dysphoria distinguish between disruptions of interpersonal relatedness (e.g., feelings of loss or abandonment) and diminished self-esteem (e.g., feelings of self-criticism, failure, or guilt). Adolescents in a suburban high school were given the Achenbach Youth Self-Report, the Adolescent Depressive Experiences Questionnaire, and the Community Epidemiological Survey of Depression for Children (CES-DC). Even after level of depressive symptoms (CES-DC) was partialled out in hierarchical multiple regressions, interpersonal dysphoria significantly accounted for additional variance in predicting internalizing disorders, while self-critical dysphoria added significantly to the explained variance of both internalizing and externalizing disorders, specifically delinquency and aggression in both males and females.
Gratitude As A Virtue

In my view, gratitude is better understood as a virtue than as a source of duties. In addition to showing how virtue theory provides a better match for our moral phenomenology of gratitude, I argue that recent work in the area of the suberogatory, our considered judgments concerning the role of third parties, our reluctance to posit claim-rights to gratitude, and the observations of preceding studies of the subject all lend support to my contention that the language of duties is ill-suited to describe the moral dynamics of gratitude.
A quantitative analysis of Propolis: a promising new storage media following avulsion.

– Both length of extra-alveolar time and type of storage media are significant factors that can affect the long-term prognosis of replanted teeth. Numerous studies have examined various media in an attempt to determine the ideal material for storage of the avulsed tooth. The purpose of this study was to use a Collagenase–Dispase assay to investigate the potential of a new storage media, Propolis, in maintaining viable periodontal ligament (PDL) cells on simulated avulsed teeth. Seventy freshly extracted human teeth were divided into five experimental groups and two control groups. The positive and negative controls corresponded to 0-min and an 8-h dry time, respectively. The experimental teeth were stored dry for 30 min and then immersed in one of the five media (Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS), milk, saline, Propolis 50%, and Propolis 100% for 45 min). The teeth were then treated with dispase grade II and collagenase for 30 min. The number of viable PDL cells were counted with a hemocytometer and analyzed. Statistical analysis demonstrated that both Propolis groups kept significantly more PDL cells viable compared to either milk, saline, or HBSS. Within the parameters of this study, it appears that Propolis may be a better alternative to HBSS, milk, or saline in terms of maintaining PDL cell viability after avulsion and storage.
REPAIR OF ULTRAVIOLET DAMAGE IN CELLULAR DNA

Something happens to the UV damage of cellular DNA during photoreactivation of cells so that it can no longer be detected in cell lysates. The disappearance is consistent with its repair, although in the absence of a recogntzed biological activity for the extracted DNA, it cannot be certain that this material has returned to its original state. The DNA damage repairable by the photoreactivating enzyme in vitro is produced by short wave lengths of natural sunlight, and can be repaired by this enzyme at the same time it is being produced, utilizing the longer wave lengths of sunlight to drive the reaction. From circumstantial evidence it is surmfsed that photoreactivable UV lesions in DNA cause a significant fraction of the total effects of UV on cells. Their repair is essential if these effects are to be prevented. These lesions therefore correspond to the radiation-induced poison sometimes invoked to account for UV phenomena in organisms. Photoreactivation is one of the mechanisms evolved by cells to repair the damage produced by sunlight in their DNA. Because it is so widespread among living things and because it could in principle occur with such a low level of cellular organization it could be consideredmore » a primitive mechanism, evolving fairly early in the history of life on earth. Other more sophisticated mechanisms probably exist to perform the same function and may be responsible for some of the factors modifying the effects of UV radiation on cells. (auth)« less
Componential Model of Reading (CMR) Validation Studies

The three current models of identifying learning disabilities: discrepancy model, RtI, and Componential Model of reading are discussed in terms of their utility.
Ergodic properties of the nonlinear filter

Abstract In a recent work (Bhatt et al., SIAM J. Control Optim. 39 (2000) 928) various Markov and ergodicity properties of the nonlinear filter, for the classical model of nonlinear filtering, were studied. It was shown that under quite general conditions, when the signal is a Feller–Markov process with values in a complete separable metric space E then the pair process (signal, filter) is also a Feller–Markov process with state space E× P (E) , where P (E) is the space of probability measures on E. Furthermore, it was shown that if the signal has a unique invariant measure then, under appropriate conditions, uniqueness of the invariant measure for the above pair process holds within a certain restricted class of invariant measures. In many asymptotic problems concerning approximate filters (Budhiraja and Kushner, SIAM J. Control Optim. 37 (1997) 1946; 38 (2000) 1874) it is desirable to have the uniqueness of the invariant measure to hold in the class of all invariant measures. In this paper we first show that for a rich class of filtering problems, when the signal has a unique invariant measure, the property of “asymptotic stability” for the filter holds. Using this property of asymptotic stability we then provide sufficient conditions under which the (signal, filter) pair has a unique invariant measure. We also show that, in a certain sense, the property of asymptotic stability is necessary for the uniqueness of the invariant measure.
The historical Latin and etymology of selected anatomical terms of the larynx

The etymological evolution of the anatomical terms larynx, cricoid, glottis, epiglottis, and thyroid (cartilage) dates to antiquity. Human dissection replaced animal in the 16th and 17th centuries and terms evolved. This evolution was recorded in the literature largely in Latin. We translated key studies of laryngeal anatomy from the 16th century to better understand this evolution. We present the Latin with our translations, and historical commentary as essential to this understanding. Vesalius favored the Latin scutiform (shield) for the thyroid cartilage, but recognized peltalis (shield). The Basle Nomina Anatomica (BNA) chose the Greek thyroid (θυρeoeιδ ) for modern convention. Vesalius used the name “innominate” for the cricoid cartilage, but described its resemblance to a ring, drawn in the margin of the Fabrica. Krikoid, the Greek for ring shaped, was adopted by the BNA. Although the term arytenoid was used for centuries, Vesalius argued the Greek name referred to the spout of a cup or ladle. He recognized the human arytenoids as two separate cartilages as opposed to single in certain animals. The glottis was defined by Vesalius as the vocal fold or rima glottidis of today, and he advanced its function by understanding the paired, mobile arytenoid cartilages. He defined the function of the epiglottis and first described the pre-epiglottic space. Vesalius' student at Padua, Italy, Columbo contributed to anatomical knowledge, but animosity between them clouded the record. Harvey, working 75 years later in England, offers an evolutionary window from Vesalius. Harvey's laryngeal studies preceded by a decade his groundbreaking studies on the circulation of blood. Clin. Anat. 23:131–144, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Phase Lags of Quasi-periodic Oscillations in Microquasar GRS 1915+105

I report the discovery of hard X-ray phase lags associated with the famous 67 Hz quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) in microquasar GRS 1915+105. The QPO is seen on multiple occasions. For this investigation, I have chosen one particular observation when the oscillation is the strongest. The measured hard lags show strong energy dependence. With respect to the 2-2.5 keV band, the phase lag increases from insignificant detection at 5.2-7.0 keV to as much as 2.3 radians (which corresponds a time lag of ~5.6 ms) above ~13 keV. In the same observation, one narrowly peaked, strong QPO at 67 mHz, along with its first three harmonics, one weak QPO at ~400 mHz, and one broad QPO at ~840 mHz are also detected. Similar cross spectral analyses have been performed on these QPOs (and the harmonics), in order to measure any phase lags associated with the features. Phase lags are detected in all, with similar energy dependence. For the 67 mHz QPO, the results are quite intriguing: only the first- and third-harmonic components show hard lags, while the fundamental and second-harmonic components actually display smaller soft lags. Coupled with the energy dependence of the QPO amplitude, the results seem to indicate a complicated change in the signal profile with photon energy. I will discuss the implication of the phase lags on possible origins of the QPOs.
The chemistry of vicinal tricarbonyl compounds. Applications in the synthesis of isoquinoline alkaloids

Abstract The central carbonyl of a vicinal tricarbonyl system is used as a dielectrophile with substituted phenethylamines in short, efficient syntheses of the isoquinoline alkaloids, papaveraldine, hydrastine and cordrastine.
LEARNING TO READ IS WHO YOU ARE

In this article, the authors explore how the social dynamics in a reading and writing event influence “who children are” (e.g., good readers, non-readers, leaders). The authors explore how the presence of English language learners (ELL) affects the distribution of symbolic capital (i.e., who has high status and prestige) in classroom social interaction, thus affecting the social identities available to the participants. The authors look beyond cultural and linguistic mismatch as reasons for which ELL students are often marginalized during literacy events. They argue that the issue lies in addressing the status that ELL students often have within the classroom community in relation to their non-ELL peers.
Energetics Analysis of the Global Circulation during the Special Observation Periods of FGGE

A global energetics analysis is presented for the FGGE SOP-1 and SOP-2 with ECMWF and GFDL data sets. Both global integral properties and spectral characteristics are examined. There is a large discrepancy between the present FGGE analysis and previously available estimates concerning the level of available potential energy and kinetic energy. This discrepancy is attributable to an earlier restriction of data coverage. There is a significant seasonal difference in the energy reservoir of the Northern Hemisphere, whereas the diference is minor in the Southern Hemisphere. This leads to a seasonal contrast of the globally integrated energy budget which comes mostly from the Northern Hemisphere. Both the global energy level and the intensity of the general circulation are more pronounced during SOP-1 than during SOP-2. One major focus of attention in this study is an energetics comparison of ECMWF and GFDL data sets. There is a twofold difference in the intensity of the general circulation as measured with these two data sets. The energetics diagnosis indicates that the operational modes of the general circulation as described by these two data sets also differ considerably. The contrasts between SOP-1 and SOP-2 and between the ECMWF and GFDL versions of the data sets are apparent in the pattern of energy flow in the wavenumber domain.
Monte Carlo study of the spatially modulated phase in an Ising model

The spatially modulated or "sinusoidal" phase which occurs in a three-dimensional spin-\textonehalf{} Ising model with competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions between adjacent and next-nearest $\mathrm{xy}$ layers is studied by Monte Carlo methods. The equilibrium wave vector, $q(T)$, changes, possibly with jumps, from $q=\frac{\ensuremath{\pi}}{2a}$ at $T=0$, to its near-critical value: for $\ensuremath{-}\frac{{J}_{2}}{{J}_{1}}=0.6$, the change occurs rapidly in the interval $0.8 {T}_{c}$ to $0.9 {T}_{c}$. The magnetization wave form appears to display distinct, although small, third harmonic components up to ${T}_{c}$.
Digital tomosynthesis (DTS) for quantitative assessment of trabecular microstructure in human vertebral bone

Abstract Digital tomosynthesis (DTS) provides slice images of an object using conventional radiographic methods with high in-plane resolution. The objective of this study was to explore the potential of DTS for describing microstructural, stiffness and stress distribution properties of vertebral cancellous bone. Forty vertebrae (T6, T8, T11, and L3) from 10 cadavers (63–90 years) were scanned using microCT and DTS. Anisotropy (μCT.DA), and the specimen-average and standard deviation of trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV), thickness (Tb.Th), number (Tb.N) and separation (Tb.Sp) were obtained using stereology. Apparent modulus ( E FEM ), and the magnitude (VMExp/ σ app ) and variability (VMCV) of trabecular stresses were calculated using microCT-based finite element modeling. Mean intercept length, line fraction deviation and fractal parameters were obtained from coronal DTS slices, then correlated with stereological and finite element parameters using linear regression models. Twenty-one DTS parameters (out of 27) correlated to BV/TV, Tb.Th, Tb.N, Tb.Sp and/or μCT.DA ( p p E FEM and VMCV (by 9–11% and 13–19%, respectively; p p In conclusion, DTS has potential for quantitative assessment of cancellous bone and may be used as a modality complementary to those measuring bone mass for assessing spinal fracture risk.
Extreme points and support points of subordination families

This paper surveys the main results and open questions in the theory of extreme points and support points of subordination families of analytic functions. An effort has been made to make the list of references as complete as possible.
Application of quantitative microbial risk assessment for selection of microbial reduction targets for hard surface disinfectants

Background This quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) included problem formulation for fomites and hazard identification for 7 microorganisms, including pathogenic Escherichia coli and E coli 0157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes , norovirus, Pseudomonas spp, Salmonella spp, and Staphylococcus aureus . The goal was to address a risk-based process for choosing the log 10 reduction recommendations, in contrast to the current US Environmental Protection Agency requirements. Method For each microbe evaluated, the QMRA model included specific dose-response models, occurrence determination of aerobic bacteria and specific organisms on fomites, exposure assessment, risk characterization, and risk reduction. Risk estimates were determined for a simple scenario using a single touch of a contaminated surface and self-inoculation. A comparative analysis of log 10 reductions, as suggested by the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the risks based on this QMRA approach was also undertaken. Results The literature review and meta-analysis showed that aerobic bacteria were the most commonly studied on fomites, averaging 100 colony-forming units (CFU)/cm 2 . Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found at a level of 3.3 × 10 −1 CFU/cm 2 ; methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA), at 6.4 × 10 −1 CFU/cm 2 . Risk estimates per contact event ranged from a high of 10 −3 for norovirus to a low of 10 −9 for S aureus . Conclusion This QMRA analysis suggests that a reduction in bacterial numbers on a fomite by 99% (2 logs) most often will reduce the risk of infection from a single contact to less than 1 in 1 million.
Is distrust the negation of trust?: the value of distrust in social media

Trust plays an important role in helping online users collect reliable information, and has attracted increasing attention in recent years. We learn from social sciences that, as the conceptual counterpart of trust, distrust could be as important as trust. However, little work exists in studying distrust in social media. What is the relationship between trust and distrust? Can we directly apply methodologies from social sciences to study distrust in social media? In this paper, we design two computational tasks by leveraging data mining and machine learning techniques to enable the computational understanding of distrust with social media data. The first task is to predict distrust from only trust, and the second task is to predict trust with distrust. We conduct experiments in real-world social media data. The empirical results of the first task provide concrete evidence to answer the question, "is distrust the negation of trust?" while the results of the second task help us figure out how valuable the use of distrust in trust prediction.
Electrochemical behavior of cobalt–chromium alloys in a simulated physiological solution

Several cobalt-chromium alloys such as MP35N are used for biomedical implants. The electrochemical behavior of these alloys in the passive range differs from that of other biomedical alloys. In particular, their cyclic potentiodynamic polarization curves exhibit an increase in current at a potential of about 0.4 V (SCE). This study examined the electrochemical behavior of MP35N in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Tests were performed on mechanically polished MP35N rod and electropolished MP35N wire using cyclic potentiodynamic polarization, potentiostatic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In both cases, the surface oxide was shown to undergo two distinct changes as the potential is increased. The first change appears to be associated with solid-state oxidation reactions involving the conversion of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) and of Co(II) to Co(III) at similar potentials. The second change involves transpassive dissolution that results in the release of chromate and nickel ions. At potentials below where these reactions occur, the impedance spectra showed near-capacitive behavior, and the data could be fitted by a parallel resistance-capacitance (as a constant phase element) circuit associated with the passive oxide film. The thickness of the oxide was determined from the capacitance and found to be consistent with surface analytical results reported in the literature. Resistivities obtained from resistance values indicated changes in the film composition as the potential was increased, particularly after the onset of the solid-state reactions. (c) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2010.
Exploring the effects of racial preferences on urban housing markets

Social segregation of residential areas is a fact of life in urban America, and its most vivid manifestation is racial segregation. Extreme patterns of segregation have changed very little in the postwar period. For example, the index of segregation computed by the Taeubers declined only slightly from 85.2 in 1940 to 80.0 in 1970.’ Moreover, there continues to be convincing evidence of widespread discrimination against blacks in urban housing markets, strongly affecting the availability of housing to them.2 Economists have devoted a good deal of thought to the consequences of racial prejudice and discrimination and at least three types of market inefficiencies have been identified. First, some households pay higher prices per unit of housing service than they would in the absence of prejudice; and these higher prices are not necessarily offset in the aggregate by lower prices elsewhere. Second, because of the location attributes associated with dwellings and the limited range over which units can be economically modified, prejudice causes some mismatch between desired attributes and those purchased. The high incidence of dwelling deficiencies in units occupied by blacks compared to whites in the same economic circumstances is one indication of this phenomenon. 3 Third, premature depreciation and abandonment of some housing results from neighborhood succession patterns
Strategic financial risk management and operations research

Abstract Risk management has become a vital topic for financial institutions in the 1990s. Strategically, asset/liability management systems are important tools for controlling a firm's financial risks. They manage these risks by dynamically balancing the firm's asset and liabilities to achieve the firm's objectives. We discuss such leading international firms as Towers Perrin, Frank Russell, and Falcon Asset Management, which apply asset/liability management for efficiently managing risk over extended time periods. Three components of asset/liability management are described: 1) a multi-stage stochastic program for coordinating the asset/liability decisions; 2) a scenario generation procedure for modeling the stochastic parameters; and 3) solution algorithms for solving the resulting large-scale optimization problem.
Human sensitivity to PhIP: a novel marker for prostate cancer risk.

Abstract 2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) has been implicated in the development of colon, prostate and mammary gland tumors in rats. In this study, we developed a modified in vitro mutagen sensitivity assay, with activated PhIP (N-OH-PhIP) as the challenge mutagen and chromosome aberrations as the endpoint, and applied it in a pilot prostate cancer case–control study of 81 cases and 84 age and ethnicity-matched controls. Our results showed significantly higher baseline breaks among the cases, mean ± S.E. = 1.86 ± 0.23 versus 0.96 ± 0.14 in controls; P = 0.006. Individuals with high baseline breaks (dichotomized at the control median) had a 36% increased risk for PC (OR = 1.36; 95% CI = 1.08–1.72). In stratified analysis, high baseline breaks was associated in younger participants (≤60 years) with an OR of 1.71 (1.14–2.57) and in those with a positive family history of PC, an OR of 1.43 (0.97–2.11). PhIP treatment induced significantly higher breaks in cases, mean ± S.E. = 5.07 ± 0.39 versus 3.83 ± 0.24 in controls; P = 0.05. Higher PhIP-induced breaks was associated with an overall 17% increased risk for PC (OR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.03–1.33), a significantly increased risks (OR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.00–1.41) among younger participants, non-smokers (OR = 1.39, 1.03–1.88) and 1.20 (1.00–1.45) among those with no family history of PC. Results from this pilot study demonstrate differential sensitivity to PhIP among subgroups and therefore, this assay have potential as a susceptibility marker for prostate cancer risk.
Dependence of consumers on macroalgal (Laminaria solidungula) carbon in an arctic kelp community: δ13C evidence

Stable carbon isotope measurements (δ13C) were used to assess the importance of kelp carbon (-13.6 to-16.5‰) versus phytoplankton carbon (-25.5 to-26.5‰) to resident fauna of an isolated kelp bed community on Alaska's north arctic coast from 1979 to 1983. The predominant kelp, Laminaria solidungula, showed some seasonal variation in δ13C which was correlated with changes in the carbon content of the tissue. Animals that showed the greatest assimilation of kelp carbon (>=50%) included macroalgal herbivores (gastropods and chitons,-16.9 to-18.2‰), a nonselective suspension feeder (an ascidian,-19.0‰) and a predatory gastropod (-17.6‰). Animals that showed the least incorporation of kelp carbon into body tissues (<=7%) included selective suspension-feeders (hydroids, soft corals and bryozoans,-22.8 to-25.1‰). Sponges, and polychaete, gastropod and crustacean omnivores exhibited an intermediate dependence on kelp carbon (15 to 40%). Within some taxonomic groups, species exhibited a broad range in isotopic composition which was related to differences in feeding strategies. In the polychaete group alone, δ13C values identified four major feeding habits: deposit-feeders (-18.0‰), omnivores (-20.4‰), predators (-22.2‰) and microalgal herbivores (-23.0‰). Distinct seasonal changes in the δ13C values of several animals indicated an increased dependence on kelp carbon during the dark winter period when phytoplankton were absent. Up to 50% of the body carbon of mysid crustaceans, which are key prey species for birds, fishes and marine mammals, was composed of carbon derived from kelp detritus during the ice-covered period.
Nuisance cyanobacteria in an urbanized impoundment: interacting internal phosphorus loading, nitrogen metabolism, and polymixis

Severe nuisance blooms of cyanobacteria, mainly Aphanizomenon and Microcystis, historically have plagued polymictic Ford Lake, one of the most productive warm-water sport fishing lakes in Michigan, U.S.A. Biomass development in the lake is known to be limited by phosphorus. Alternative theories ascribed nuisance conditions either to allochthonous inputs or to internal loading of phosphorus from anoxic sediments. From 2003 to 2009, there was a strong linear relationship between allochthonous total phosphorus income and phosphorus retained within the basin. The relationship had a negative intercept, implying negative retention, or positive export, of phosphorus from the lake from May to September. Mass balance calculations at lake inlet and outlet were consistent with rates of sedimentary phosphorus accumulation measured from sediment cores. Release rates of soluble reactive phosphorus from anoxic sediments were half that of allochthonous inputs. However, severe declines in nitrogen to phosphorus ratio developed in the anoxic, nitrate-poor hypolimnion because accumulation of ammonium was only tenfold that of phosphate. The result was a steep decline in ratio of total nitrogen to total phosphorus during July and August throughout the lake after episodic mixing events, followed by and coinciding with development of heterocystous Aphanizomenon populations. Lake sediment composition determined by X-ray fluorescence in addition to results of sediment core experiments indicates that phosphorus release is governed by an iron trap mechanism such that phosphate and iron are released only when both oxygen and nitrate are depleted.
Drosophila melanogaster genomic DNA sequence homologous to mammalian cytosine DNA‐methyltransferase gene

Using Southern blotting procedure we have shown that Drosophila genomic DNA hybridizes with 4423-bp C-terminal fragment of murine cytosine DNA-methyltransferase gene. Thus, the Drosophila genome has a sequence homologous to the mammalian cytosine DNA-methyltransferase gene. We assume that DNA methylation most likely responsible for strong CpG suppression in the Drosophila genome mainly was catalyzed by a cytosine DNA-methyltransferase that has since been lost.