cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thulium Fiber Lasers Stabilized by a Volume Bragg Grating in High Power, Tunable and Q-Switched Configurations

Thulium fiber lasers are spectrally stabilized using a volume Bragg grating. 159 W power and >100 nm tuning range are achieved in CW configurations, and pulses 350 ?J are generated when Q-switched.
The Cellular Origins of the Outer Retinal Bands in Optical Coherence Tomography Images

Author(s): Jonnal, Ravi S; Kocaoglu, Omer P; Zawadzki, Robert J; Lee, Sang-Hyuck; Werner, John S; Miller, Donald T | Abstract: PurposeTo test the recently proposed hypothesis that the second outer retinal band, observed in clinical OCT images, originates from the inner segment ellipsoid, by measuring: (1) the thickness of this band within single cone photoreceptors, and (2) its respective distance from the putative external limiting membrane (band 1) and cone outer segment tips (band 3).MethodsAdaptive optics-optical coherence tomography images were acquired from four subjects without known retinal disease. Images were obtained at foveal (2°) and perifoveal (5°) locations. Cone photoreceptors (n = 9593) were identified and segmented in three dimensions using custom software. Features corresponding to bands 1, 2, and 3 were automatically identified. The thickness of band 2 was assessed in each cell by fitting the longitudinal reflectance profile of the band with a Gaussian function. Distances between bands 1 and 2, and between 2 and 3, respectively, were also measured in each cell. Two independent calibration techniques were employed to determine the depth scale (physical length per pixel) of the imaging system.ResultsWhen resolved within single cells, the thickness of band 2 is a factor of three to four times narrower than in corresponding clinical OCT images. The distribution of band 2 thickness across subjects and eccentricities had a modal value of 4.7 μm, with 48% of the cones falling between 4.1 and 5.2 μm. No significant differences were found between cells in the fovea and perifovea. The distance separating bands 1 and 2 was found to be larger than the distance between bands 2 and 3, across subjects and eccentricities, with a significantly larger difference at 5° than 2°.ConclusionsOn the basis of these findings, we suggest that ascription of the outer retinal band 2 to the inner segment ellipsoid is unjustified, because the ellipsoid is both too thick and proximally located to produce the band.
Four-year Longitudinal Study of Behavioral Changes in Coping With Stress

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between stress and coping. METHODS: Short- and long-term approaches to behavioral change were evaluated in 3 groups (short-term, long-term, control). RESULTS: Subjects participating in a 6-week stress management program designed to develop stress management skills reported temporary decreases in burnout, while subjects receiving additional "refresher" sessions showed decreases in burnout throughout a 4-year period. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that long-term approaches yield permanent behavioral changes.
Nutritional Requirement for Taurine in Patients Receiving Long-Term Parenteral Nutrition

Animals fed diets lacking the amino acid taurine have low plasma and tissue levels of taurine and ultimately have retinal dysfunction. Since parenteral nutrition does not ordinarily provide taurine, we looked for evidence of taurine deficiency in 21 children and 23 adults undergoing long-term parenteral nutrition at home for an average of 27 +/- 23 (S.D.) months. The fasting plasma taurine level was reduced in children as compared with controls (26 +/- 13 vs. 57 +/- 16 mumol per liter, P less than 0.001). In adults with less than 25 per cent intestinal absorption of the recommended caloric intake, the plasma taurine level was also significantly reduced and correlated inversely with the duration of parenteral nutrition. Electroretinograms were abnormal in each of eight children who were examined. Addition of taurine to the intravenous solutions restored plasma levels to normal in four children; the electroretinograms of three of these children also became normal. The plasma taurine level became abnormally low again in two of three children one year after the intravenous taurine was discontinued. We conclude that children and possibly adults receiving long-term parenteral nutrition have a nutritional requirement for taurine.
Rapid determination of volatile halohydrocarbons in drinking water by automated headspace gas chromatography

In order to establish a new method for rapid determination of volatile halohydrocarbons in drinking water,DB-624 capillary column was used to determine 8 volatile halohydrocarbons in drinking water through automated headspace gas chromatography,the equilibrium time and equilibrium temperature were studied and optimized at the same time.Artificial water samples were tested by the said method,and the time needed for each sample determination was 10 min.The test results showed that,the average standard addition recovery of the 8 volatile halohydrocarbons was 90.5%-108.2%,the relative standard deviation was 1.82%-5.39%,the detection limit was 0.10-0.50 μg/L.Four halohydrocarbons were found in the water sample of secondary water supply system of Ningbo city.The said method is simple and rapid,and has high precision and accuracy in the determination of volatile halohydrocarbons in drinking water.
An Enhanced Analytical Electrical Masking Model for Multiple Event Transients

Due to the reducing transistor feature size, the susceptibility of modern circuits to radiation induced errors has increased. This, as a result, has increased the likelihood of multiple transients affecting a circuit. An important aspect when modeling convergent pulses is the approximation of the gate output. Thus, in this paper, a model that approximates the output pulse shape for convergent inputs is proposed. Extensive simulations showed that the proposed model matched closely with HSPICE and provides a speed-up of 15X.
Impact of childcare arrangements on developmental outcomes of Korean children in their first 2 years

We investigated whether center-based care has a positive impact on children’s development in comparison to in-home care or activity programs, such as music, physical, play, and sensory experience classes. Using nationally representative data gathered from 2,078 families with children in South Korea, whom we monitored from birth to the age of 2 years, we utilized linear regressions and a propensity score matching method to examine the impact of center-based care on the children’s development. Results suggested that participation in center-based care positively affects only the child’s development of gross motor skills, whereas in-home care and activity programs showed a broader positive influence on children’s development, such as their communication and problem-solving skills. The benefit from center-based programs was much smaller compared to that of other care arrangements. On the basis of these results, we suggest the use of various forms of publicly funded childcare services, including more active utilization of in-home care, with service quality assurance measures. We expect our investigation to provide possible directions for childcare policies across cultures.
KGEN: A Python tool for automated Fortran kernel generation and verification

Abstract Computational kernels, which are small pieces of software that selectively capture the characteristics of larger applications, have been used successfully for decades. Kernels allow for the testing of a compiler's ability to optimize code, performance of future hardware and reproducing compiler bugs. Unfortunately they can be rather time consuming to create and do not always accurately represent the full complexity of large scientific applications. Furthermore, expert knowledge is often required to create such kernels. In this paper, we present a Python-based tool that greatly simplifies the generation of computational kernels from Fortran based applications. Our tool automatically extracts partial source code of a larger Fortran application into a stand-alone executable kernel. Additionally, our tool also generates state data necessary for proper execution and verification of the extracted kernel. We have utilized our tool to extract more than thirty computational kernels from a million-line climate simulation model. Our extracted kernels have been used for a variety of purposes including: code modernization, identification of limitations in compiler optimizations, numerical algorithm debugging, compiler bug reporting, and for procurement benchmarking.
Towards real-time hardware gamma correction for dynamic contrast enhancement

Making the transition between digital video imagery acquired by a focal plane array and imagery useful to a human operator is not a simple process. The focal plane array “sees” the world in a fundamentally different way than the human eye. Gamma correction has been historically used to help bridge the gap. The gamma correction process is a non-linear mapping of intensity from input to output where the parameter gamma can be adjusted to improve the imagery's visual appeal. In analog video systems, gamma correction is performed with analog circuitry and is adjusted manually. With a digital video stream, gamma correction can be provided using mathematical operations in a digital circuit. In addition to manual control, gamma correction can also be automatically adjusted to compensate for changes in the scene.
“Lying‐Down” Adrenal Sign: There Are Exceptions to the Rule Among Fetuses and Neonates

A linear-shaped or "lying-down" adrenal gland is a sign often seen with the absence of the kidney in the renal fossa due to renal agenesis, renal ectopia, or horseshoe kidney. It is theorized that the presence of the kidney in the normal location within the renal fossa is important for the formation of the normal triangular inverted V or Y adrenal shape. There are exceptions to this rule whereby a kidney is missing from the renal fossa, yet a normal adrenal shape is present. This series looked at 18 cases of an empty renal fossa in fetal, neonatal, and pediatric patients and recorded the shape of the adrenal gland. Nine cases (50%) appropriately showed the linear or lying-down adrenal gland; 6 (33%) showed an exception to the rule, with a normally shaped adrenal gland; and 3 (17%) showed a pseudo exception in which the adrenal gland was linear but blended with the diaphragmatic crus to simulate a triangular adrenal gland. The sonographic characteristics of the crus are different from those of the adrenal gland; thus, this pseudo exception can be avoided by careful inspection. Because the absence of the kidney is often a difficult diagnosis, the lying-down adrenal gland sign can be a helpful secondary sign for confirming that a kidney is absent or ectopic in position and not within the renal bed.
Commercialism in Cancer Care

Abstract Commercialism has assumed a large role in how health care is provided and financed in the United States. The hugely complex interactions that exist between and among stakeholders in our for-profit healthcare industry may interfere with providing treatment that should be uninterrupted, confidential, value based, accessible, and compassionate. Cancer patients are especially vulnerable to compromises in ethical care because of the seriousness of the disease, but also due to the length of treatment and the costs associated with cancer care. Although many of the costs of cancer care are distributive in that they are shared through governmental or nongovernmental payment programs, individuals remain burdened with deductible and copay expenses that may exceed their ability to pay. Furthermore, the assumed necessity for disclosing protected health information for payment purposes raises important ethical questions. Additionally, the role of marketing and business models that strive to increase the demand for healthcare products and services are aspects of the healthcare system that give rise to social and ethical concerns. This chapter explores some of these issues and presents several examples of potential ethical lapses that are of especially relevant to cancer patients.
Impact of Software Ecosystems on the Implementation of Open Source-Based Electronic Health Record Software

In this manuscript, we examine the ways in which the members of the ecosystem surrounding an open source software (OSS) based EHR system impact the quality and success of the resultant implementation. Following a brief theoretical review, we provide narratives of successful OSS-based EHRs at three US hospitals, followed by a brief discussion of the contributions and effects of the open source ecosystem that differ from those expected in proprietary EHR installations.
Customizing memory: Number tattoos in contemporary Israeli memory work:

This article considers the recent appearance of the Auschwitz prisoner number tattoo on the bodies of Israeli descendants of Holocaust survivors. While media attention granted to this phenomenon is...
First Past the Post, in Politics

First past the post (FPTP) is the name given to the simplest possible system of electing persons to office. Two features distinguish FPTP from other electoral systems: the number of elected seats per district (one) and the rules by which those seats are allocated among candidates (simple plurality).
Democratization and Gender Equality in Sub-Saharan Africa

Since 1990, sub-Saharan Africa has witnessed both greater democratization and improvements in gender equality. This article explores whether there is a causal connection between the two. It develop...
Effects of community-accessible biochar and compost on diesel-contaminated soil

Petroleum pollution is a global problem that requires effective and accessible remediation strategies that takes ecosystem functioning into serious consideration. Bioremediation can be an effective...
A mechanism for the activation of the mechanosensitive Piezo1 channel by the small molecule Yoda1.

Mechanosensitive Piezo1 and Piezo2 channels transduce various forms of mechanical forces into cellular signals that play vital roles in many important biological processes in vertebrate organisms. Besides mechanical forces, Piezo1 is selectively activated by micromolar concentrations of the small molecule Yoda1 through an unknown mechanism. Here, using a combination of all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, calcium imaging and electrophysiology, we identify an allosteric Yoda1 binding pocket located in the putative mechanosensory domain, approximately 40 A away from the central pore. Our simulations further indicate that the presence of the agonist correlates with increased tension-induced motions of the Yoda1-bound subunit. Our results suggest a model wherein Yoda1 acts as a molecular wedge, facilitating force-induced conformational changes, effectively lowering the channel’s mechanical threshold for activation. The identification of an allosteric agonist binding site in Piezo1 channels will pave the way for the rational design of future Piezo modulators with clinical value. Besides mechanical forces, the mechanosensitive channel Piezo1 is activated by the small molecule Yoda1 through an unknown mechanism. Here, using molecular dynamics simulations, calcium imaging and electrophysiology, the authors identify an allosteric Yoda1 binding pocket located in the putative mechanosensory domain.
Investigating material attractiveness for an innovative metallic fuel design

Abstract This paper investigates the material attractiveness for an innovative fuel design (IFD) based on Lightbridge’s metallic fuel (MF) design. The used MF will have a plutonium vector that offers lower material attractiveness than traditional used uranium oxide fuel because of its high 235U concentration (19.7%), allowing for higher fuel burnup. An IFD was modelled using published information from Lightbridge. This paper presents analysis carried out on the IFD to assess its material attractiveness. The IFD was burned for 21 atom percent, equivalent to 190.9 GWd/MTU, for 1150 days – two 18-month cycles— which translates to 88.32 kW/fuel rod. This IFD power level is a 13% uprate to a traditional uranium oxide fuel burned at a level of 44 GWd/MTU for 1150 days, a power of 67.94 kW/fuel rod. This configuration of the IFD offers a one-to-one replacement of the traditional uranium oxide fuel rod in a pressurized water reactor (PWR). Additionally, the fresh IFD was doped with three different actinides (238Pu, 237Np, and 241Am) from 0.1 to 1 wt% and the resulting plutonium vector’s material attractiveness were evaluated using Bathke’s Figure of Merit 1 and 2. The figure of merit (FOM) analyses showed that the non-doped used IFD has medium attractiveness as compared to the high attractiveness of traditionally used uranium oxide fuel. The doped IFDs had medium attractiveness with the FOM values slightly decreasing with increasing dopant concentration. In the FOM estimations, the radiation dose term was neglected as its contribution was insignificant due to the relatively small gamma signature from plutonium isotopes. Overall, the IFD analyses highlights that the actinide doped MF can yield used fuel which is unattractive.
An analytical theory to describe sequence-specific inter-residue distance profiles for polyampholytes and intrinsically disordered proteins

Intrinsically Disordered Proteins (IDPs), unlike folded proteins, lack a unique folded structure and rapidly interconvert among ensembles of disordered states. However, they have specific conformational properties when averaged over their ensembles of disordered states. It is critical to develop a theoretical formalism to predict these ensemble average conformational properties that are encoded in the IDP sequence (the specific order in which amino acids/residues are linked). We present a general heteropolymer theory that analytically computes the ensemble average distance profiles (⟨Rij2⟩) between any two (i, j) monomers (amino acids for IDPs) as a function of the sequence. Information rich distance profiles provide a detailed description of the IDP in contrast to typical metrics such as scaling exponents, radius of gyration, or end-to-end distance. This generalized formalism supersedes homopolymer-like models or models that are built only on the composition of amino acids but ignore sequence details. The prediction of these distance profiles for highly charged polyampholytes and naturally occurring IDPs unmasks salient features that are hidden in the sequence. Moreover, the model reveals strategies to modulate the entire distance map to achieve local or global swelling/compaction by subtle changes/modifications—such as phosphorylation, a biologically relevant process—in specific hotspots in the sequence. Sequence-specific distance profiles and their modulation have been benchmarked against all-atom simulations. Our new formalism also predicts residue-pair specific coil-globule transitions. The analytical nature of the theory will facilitate design of new sequences to achieve specific target distance profiles with broad applications in synthetic biology and polymer science.
Contrast-Induced Nephropathy: Managing At-Risk Patients

The administration of iodinated contrast media (CM) is a standard component of many computed tomography (CT) examinations. The large number of procedures performed each year and the infrequency of adverse events attests to the safety of CM. However, a small number of patients experience adverse events that are directly related to the CM or the procedure being performed. In this chapter, we examine the issue of renal toxicity. Objectives of this review include recognizing the patients at risk for renal complications following CM administration and understanding strategies to minimize the risk in those who will receive CM.
Oropharyngeal dysphagia

Oropharyngeal dysphagia is not a single disease but a symptom complex that is recognized by difficulty in transfer of a food bolus from mouth to esophagus or by signs and symptoms of aspiration pneumonia or nasal regurgitation. Its etiologies are legion, with the most common result of underlying neuromuscular disease, including cerebrovascular accidents, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy. There are two methods of treatment for oropharyngeal dysphagia; one is specific and directed at the underlying disease and the other is general (supportive) and designed to preserve oral intake for nutrition while preventing aspiration pneumonia. Following a general discussion of the etiology and clinical presentation of orophyarngeal dysphagia, a description of the methods for supportive care is presented as well as the approach to the treatment of cricopharyngeal dysfunction and Zenker’s diverticulum.
Die Statusorganisation des Betriebes

Als gesellschaftliches Ganzes ist der Betrieb ein Machtgleichgewicht zwischen den Organisationen der Gewerkschaft und der Unternehmensleitung einerseits und einen Netz informeller, in Wechselbeziehung stehender Gruppen anderseits. Die Tatigkeit der Werkmeister, der gewerkschaftlichen Vertrauensleute und anderer Funktionare ist eine Funktion ihrer Arbeitsstellung, ihrer sozialen Rollen und ihrer sozialen Einstellung. Die Arbeitsrolle und die Orientierung der Trager dieser Amter wird durch ihre soziale Stellung in den Gruppen bestimmt, in denen sie tatig sind.
Conditions for the formation of prominences as inferred from optical observations

In the optical region of the electromagnetic spectrum, the conditions most frequently associated with the formation of prominences are: (1) the existence of opposite polarity photospheric magnetic fields on opposing sides of a prominence, (2) a coronal arcade that connects the magnetic fields on opposing sides of a prominence, (3) a transverse magnetic field configuration in the chromospheric and photospheric polarity inversion zones that is approximately perpendicular to the direction of maximum magnetic field gradient between adjacent patches of opposite polarity line-of-sight magnetic flux, (4) in active regions or decaying active regions, the alignment of chromospheric fibrils in a polarity inversion zone approximately parallel to the transverse magnetic field component and parallel to the long axis of the future prominence, (5) the long-term (hours to days) converging flow of small patches of opposite polarity magnetic flux towards a common polarity inversion zone, and (6) the cancellation of encountering patches of magnetic flux of opposite polarity at a photospheric polarity inversion boundary (interpreted as the transport of magnetic flux upwards or downwards through the photosphere). Because these are observed conditions found from magnetograms and filtergrams at various wavelengths, they do not necessarily represent independent physical conditions. Although none of these conditions have proven to be individually sufficient for prominence formation, a combination of 3 of these conditions might prove to be both necessary and sufficient. The following hypothesis is offered for study and evaluation: condition (2) and the combination of conditions (5) and (6), if dynamically maintained for a sufficient length of time, will invariably result in the formation of a prominence.
Phase transformations in near equiatomic Ta−Ru alloys

Phase transitions in near equiatomic alloys of Ta-Ru have been investigated with X-ray powder patterns at room temperature and resistance, metallography, and susceptibility measurements as a function of temperature. The results suggest a “two-step” cubic-to-tetragonal-to-orthorhombic martensitic transformation with decreasing temperature in alloys with compositions in the immediate vicinity of 50–50 at. pct while those slightly farther away in composition exhibit a single transition from cubic-to-tetragonal on cooling to room temperature.
GDR (Genome Database for Rosaceae): integrated web resources for Rosaceae genomics and genetics research

Peach is being developed as a model organism for Rosaceae, an economically important family that includes fruits and ornamental plants such as apple, pear, strawberry, cherry, almond and rose. The genomics and genetics data of peach can play a significant role in the gene discovery and the genetic understanding of related species. The effective utilization of these peach resources, however, requires the development of an integrated and centralized database with associated analysis tools. The Genome Database for Rosaceae (GDR) is a curated and integrated web-based relational database. GDR contains comprehensive data of the genetically anchored peach physical map, an annotated peach EST database, Rosaceae maps and markers and all publicly available Rosaceae sequences. Annotations of ESTs include contig assembly, putative function, simple sequence repeats, and anchored position to the peach physical map where applicable. Our integrated map viewer provides graphical interface to the genetic, transcriptome and physical mapping information. ESTs, BACs and markers can be queried by various categories and the search result sites are linked to the integrated map viewer or to the WebFPC physical map sites. In addition to browsing and querying the database, users can compare their sequences with the annotated GDR sequences via a dedicated sequence similarity server running either the BLAST or FASTA algorithm. To demonstrate the utility of the integrated and fully annotated database and analysis tools, we describe a case study where we anchored Rosaceae sequences to the peach physical and genetic map by sequence similarity. The GDR has been initiated to meet the major deficiency in Rosaceae genomics and genetics research, namely a centralized web database and bioinformatics tools for data storage, analysis and exchange. GDR can be accessed at http://www.genome.clemson.edu/gdr/ .
Some theoretical limits on nuclear source localization and tracking

We consider the simple and general estimation problem of finding the location of a nuclear source from radiation measurements. Our objective is to study the effect of the inherent quantum randomness of radioactive emissions on the accuracy to which nuclear sources can be localized. To this end, we consider an ideal mobile detector making perfect, noiseless measurements and formulate a general problem of maximum likelihood estimation of source location using such measurements. For the case of a stationary source and a detector moving with uniform speed in a straight line, we derive solutions to the maximum likelihood location estimate as well as the corresponding Cramer-Rao lower bounds. We present a simple iterative procedure for calculating the ML estimate, and argue that in the asymptotic case of source strength becoming large, the procedure converges to the ML estimate with high probability and this estimate is unbiased. We also present simulations showing that the maximum likelihood estimates approach the Cramer-Rao bounds, and comment on the implications of these theoretical results with ideal detectors and perfect estimators to the problem of nuclear source localization.
Diffusion fMRI detects white-matter dysfunction in mice with acute optic neuritis

Optic neuritis is a frequent and early symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). Conventional magnetic resonance (MR) techniques provide means to assess multiple MS-related pathologies, including axonal injury, demyelination, and inflammation. A method to directly and non-invasively probe white-matter function could further elucidate the interplay of underlying pathologies and functional impairments. Previously, we demonstrated a significant 27% activation-associated decrease in the apparent diffusion coefficient of water perpendicular to the axonal fibers (ADC⊥) in normal C57BL/6 mouse optic nerve with visual stimulation using diffusion fMRI. Here we apply this approach to explore the relationship between visual acuity, optic nerve pathology, and diffusion fMRI in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of optic neuritis. Visual stimulation produced a significant 25% (vs. baseline) ADC⊥ decrease in sham EAE optic nerves, while only a 7% (vs. baseline) ADC⊥ decrease was seen in EAE mice with acute optic neuritis. The reduced activation-associated ADC⊥ response correlated with post-MRI immunohistochemistry determined pathologies (including inflammation, demyelination, and axonal injury). The negative correlation between activation-associated ADC⊥ response and visual acuity was also found when pooling EAE-affected and sham groups under our experimental criteria. Results suggest that reduction in diffusion fMRI directly reflects impaired axonal-activation in EAE mice with optic neuritis. Diffusion fMRI holds promise for directly gauging in vivo white-matter dysfunction or therapeutic responses in MS patients.
Firearm-Related Injury Surveillance in Colorado

Abstract Context: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment uses existing data sources to identify and assess firearm-related deaths and injuries statewide. Objective: Implementation and evaluation of a surveillance system for fatal and hospitalized nonfatal firearm-related injuries. Design: Electronic death certificate and hospital discharge data are used to identify firearm-related deaths and injuries. Cases are confirmed and supplemental information is obtained from the Colorado Uniform Crime Report/Supplemental Homicide Report, police investigations, medical records, and newspaper accounts. Electronic data sets are created containing the information manually abstracted from these sources. Setting: Statewide. Participants: Vital records, Colorado Hospital Association, medical records, Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, police departments Main Outcome Measures: Surveillance system simplicity, flexibility, sensitivity, and predictive value positive Results: System-identified cases were compared with deaths and injuries identified from external sources such as hospital trauma registries, emergency department logs, and paramedic trip reports. The surveillance system is flexible, acceptable to reporting agencies, and sensitive, detecting 69% to 77% of firearm-related hospitalizations identified from external sources. The system’s predictive value positive is high, with 89% of the potential cases confirmed as actual cases. Although simple in design, the surveillance system requires significant staff time to abstract information and because existing data sources are used, timeliness of the data is often delayed. Additionally, minor injuries (those requiring less than 24 hours or no hospitalization) are not detected. Conclusions: Despite these limitations, the surveillance system is a valuable resource for information about firearm-related deaths and injuries, and represents an important first step in reducing the number and severity of firearm-related injuries in Colorado.
Myopic Perceptions and Textbooks: Chinese Americans' Search for Identity1

Americans have perpetuated inaccurate images and attitudes concerning the Chinese that suggest the operation of social-psychological anomalies and prevent the growth of healthy human relations. Narrow stereotypic perceptions of and prejudice toward the Chinese have been so pervasive and tenable that Americans of Chinese ancestry do not perceive themselves with a meaningful identity. Examination of American social studies textbooks for elementary and secondary schools shows that Asian studies and the involvement of Asians in American history are barely mentioned or neglected completely; furthermore what information is given reinforces stereotypic illusions. There is rising protest and counterresponse to the restrictive perceptions among younger Asian Americans who seek the identity and acceptance they have been denied by others and themselves.
Automated Diabetes Testing Device for the One-Armed/Disabled Patient

We were approached by an amputee diabetic to build a device that could test blood sugar with the use of only one arm. Originally, this product was client based only. It was designed for an elderly diabetic amputee such that the device would allow him to single-handedly manage his blood glucose testing without any extra assistance from other persons. Although this was originally a client-specific device, it is expected to have a broader market based on the prevalence of arm amputations among the diabetic patient population. Statistics reveal that over 80,000 amputations are performed each year in the United States on people with diabetes. [1] The target audience is also intended for older individuals who suffer from having limited fine motor coordination due to conditions such as arthritis. Diabetic patients must test their glucose level several times a day, and therefore it is absolutely critical to have a glucose-testing device that allows a user to test his or her glucose-level with no trouble. This device would provide these diabetic patients with access to a more convenient and user-friendly system that would allow an individual to test his or her blood glucose level with ease.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Tomato Golden Mosaic Virus Leftward Gene Expression: Autoregulation of Geminivirus Replication Protein

The genome of the geminivirus tomato golden mosaic virus (TGMV) consists of two DNA components, designated DNA A and DNA B. DNA A encodes AL1, the only viral protein required for DNA replication. AL1 protein interacts specifically with sequences in the common region that is conserved between the two genome components, near sequences involved in the transcription of complementary sense genes encoding BL1 protein and the AL1 protein itself. In the experiments described here, we replaced the AL1 and BL1 open reading frames with the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene and used the gene replacement constructs to examine AL1 and BL1 gene expression in tobacco protoplasts. We found that expression of the GUS reporter in the AL1 replacement construct was reduced to background levels when transfections included a plasmid expressing AL1 protein from the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, indicating that AL1 gene expression is autoregulated. Surprisingly, a similar repression of BL1 gene expression by AL1 protein was not observed. Plasmids expressing the TGMV AL2 or AL3 proteins had no significant effect on AL1 or BL1 gene expression. In the course of these studies, we showed for the first time that the product of the AL3 ORF alone is sufficient to complement the replication-deficient phenotype of a TGMV AL3 mutant. The results are discussed in light of the multiple activities of AL1 protein.
Oxygen tolerance in mice following exposure to butylated hydroxytoluene.

Abstract Adult BALB c mice, which are sensitive to hyperoxia (LT50 = 4.5 days 100% O 2 ), were made tolerant to 100% O 2 after treatment with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Following a single ip dose of 400 mg/kg, mice survived longer periods in O 2 when exposed to O 2 at 7, 14, and 21, but not 2 days, following BHT injection. The tolerance was most pronounced on Day 7 (LT50 = 9.6 days) and decreased with time (LT50 7.7 days on Day 14 and 7.3 days on Day 21). Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase levels of whole lung homogenates following BHT exposure were elevated on Day 7 when expressed as per milligram of protein or DNA. Other antioxidant defenses were generally increased only when expressed on a per lung basis. Histopathology of lungs from BHT-treated mice revealed typical BHT-induced lung lesions. BHT treatment followed by long-term hyperoxic exposure produced additional damage to the lung manifested by the exudative phase of diffuse alveolar damage with 1 week of exposure. This was followed by the proliferative phase, then chronic interstitial pneumonitis and fibrosis with 2 and 6 weeks of exposure, respectively. Mice continued to survive in 100% O 2 despite this damage. We conclude that pretreatment with BHT enhances O 2 tolerance in mice, which may be mediated by induction of antioxidant defenses and also by cell renewal induced by BHT damage.
Influence of Chimpanzee Predation on Associations Between Red Colobus and Red-tailed Monkeys at Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda

Colobines often associate with cercopithecines at various African sites. Such polyspecific associations presumably have an antipredation function. At Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda, red colobus (Procolobus rufomitratus) spend considerable time in association with red-tailed monkeys (Cercopithecus ascanius), and they are also heavily hunted by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). I conducted behavioral observations and playback experiments to test the hypothesis that red colobus and red-tailed monkeys obtain mutual protection and predator-related benefits by associating. Despite high chimpanzee hunting pressure on red colobus and much lower hunting pressure on red-tailed monkeys, red-tailed monkeys initiate, maintain, and terminate the associations. The results suggest that rather than providing red colobus with protection against chimpanzees, the associations occur mostly because they protect red-tailed monkeys against predation by eagles.
Scientific and political orientation of American scientists

Abstract The paper presents some findings of a study which surveyed the political attitudes and involvement of American scientists. We found an unambiguous rank ordering based on political orientation among the various subgroups of scientists. The greater the scientists' identification with basic science and the university, the greater the liberalism. However, the claim that scientific elites are more liberal than the rank-and-file and that physicists are the most liberal among natural scientists was not substantiated. The fear that a scientific-technological elite might become a dominant political elite was not reflected in the thinking of a large majority of our 1205 respondents. A majority expressed reservations about the skill and knowledge of the citizenry to understand and resolve the increasingly complex problems of our society, recognize that a separation of science and politics is not attainable or even desireable, but remain somewhat uneasy with the new situation in which their work has become so enmeshed with policy concerns. The traditional norm system of science continues to receive substantial support and takes precedence over either the concern about the social consequences of certain types of “dangerous” knowledge, or the costs that heavy investments in basic science involve. We find that scientists are largely prepared to sacrifice the norm of communality at the altar of nationalism. The clash between an internal ideology of science that values disinterested search for knowledge and an external ideology of society which focuses on utility presents a continuing dilemma.
The properties of a ribonuclease from Serratia sp. with a proclivity for adenylic acid residues.

Abstract A ribonuclease partially purified from Serratia sp. catalyzes the stoichiometric conversion of poly (A) to 5′-AMP, but attacks poly (C) and poly (U) very slowly. Poly (G) is not attacked at all. Studies with di- and trinucleotides indicate that the ribonuclease is inactiv against those oligonucleotides which have phosphoryl groups at their 3′-terminal positions. Oh the other hand, the corresponding dinucleoside monophosphates and trinucleoside diphosphates are readily degraded, although the larger molecule is hydrolyzed at a somewhat faster rate. The hydrolytic data obtained from the degradation of the trinucleoside diphosphates suggests that the 3′-termini of these compounds are the positions at which enzymatic attack is initiated. The enzyme also displays a marked proclivity for adenylic acid-containing heteropolymers, releasing, within the first two hours of incubation, 5′-AMP at a faster rate than other nucleotides. Yeast RNA was degraded in a similar manner. No detectable reaction was apparent, however, when calf thymus DNA was tested as a substrate.
Long-distance neuronal migration in the adult mammalian brain

During the development of the mammalian brain, neuronal precursors migrate to their final destination from their site of birth in the ventricular and subventricular zones (VZ and SVZ, respectively). SVZ cells in the walls of the lateral ventricle continue to proliferate in the brain of adult mice and can generate neurons in vitro, but their fate in vivo is unknown. Here SVZ cells from adult mice that carry a neuronal-specific transgene were grafted into the brain of adult recipients. In addition, the fate of endogenous SVZ cells was examined by microinjection of tritiated thymidine or a vital dye that labeled a discrete population of SVZ cells. Grafted and endogenous SVZ cells in the lateral ventricle of adult mice migrate long distances and differentiate into neurons in the olfactory bulb.
Aberrant localization of MAP5 immunoreactivity in the hippocampal formation in Alzheimer's disease.

Immunocytochemistry was used to examine MAP5 immunoreactivity in the hippocampal formation obtained postmortem from five elderly, normal individuals, six individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and two “transition” cases that did not have a history of dementia but did exhibit significant AD pathology. In all of the cases examined, axonal staining was restricted to the mossy fibers and their terminal field in CA3 stratum lucidum. In control cases, MAP5 immunoreactivity was observed in the neuronal cytoplasm and the proximal portion of the apical dendrites of pyramidal and granule cells. In both AD and transition cases, increased intensity of immunostaining was observed in CA3 pyramidal, subicular, and dentate gyrus granule cell neurons. Within individual neurons, immunoreactivity filled the neuronal perikarya, including the nuclear region, and the apical dendrite. Punctate staining was observed in neuritic plaques, but neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads were not immunostained. The increase and altered distribution of MAP5 immunoreactivity in both vulnerable and nonvulnerable neurons in AD may reflect an aberrant sprouting response. The increased expression of early cytoskeletal proteins may be tolerated in some regions such as CA3, but not in others including CA1 where the increased expression appear to precede aberrant phosphorylation, proteolysis, and incorporation of cytoskeletal proteins into AD pathology. Alternatively, the results could reflect sprouting in response to the neuronal loss and degeneration.
Genome-wide association study identifies GPC5 as a novel genetic locus protective against sudden cardiac arrest.

Competing Interests: Aravinda Chakravarti is a paid member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Affymetrix, a role that is managed by the Committee on Conflict of Interest of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Funding: This work was supported by the Donald W. Reynolds Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; and National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) grant R01 HL088416 (to S.S.C) and R01 HL088456 (to N.S.). S.S.C. is the Pauline and Harold Price Professor at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California. The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC) is carried out as a collaborative study supported by NHLBI contracts N01-HC-55015, N01-HC-55016, N01-HC-55018, N01-HC-55019, N01-HC-55020, N01-HC-55021, N01-HC-55022, R01HL087641, R01HL59367 and R01HL086694; National Human Genome Research Institute contract U01HG004402; and NIH contract HHSN268200625226C. Infrastructure was partly supported by grant number UL1RR025005, a component of the NIH and NIH Roadmap for Medical Research. The Cardiovascular Heart Study is supported by contracts N01-HC-35129, N01-HC-45133, N01-HC-75150, N01-HC-85079 through N01-HC-85086, N01 HC-15103, N01 HC-55222, and U01 HL080295 from the NHLBI, with additional contribution from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. This publication was made possible by grant number 1UL1RR025005 from the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), a component of the NIH, and the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of NCRR or NIH. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Weight gain and maturity in fetuses exposed to low levels of lead.

The relationship between prenatal low-level lead exposure and fetal growth was evaluated in a sample of 4354 pregnancies in which the mean umbilical cord blood lead level was 7.0 μg/dl (SD = 3.3; 10th percentile, 3.4 μg/dl, 90th percentile, 10.9 μg/dl). Higher cord blood lead levels were significantly associated with gestations of slightly longer duration. Comparing infants with cord blood lead levels ⩾15 μg/dl to those with levels
Large channels perforate underside of Antarctica's Fimbul Ice Shelf

In November 2010 Langley et al. used ground-penetrating radar to capture high-resolution measurements of the internal structure of the Fimbul Ice Shelf, a roughly 200 by 100 kilometer sheet of ice that floats off the coast of eastern Antarctica. They found that the ice shelf appears to be decaying from below. At the glacier-ocean boundary, the ice is perforated by a network of channels, grooves cut into the ice that are as wide as the glacier is thick.
On the convergence of a new time window discretization method for the traveling salesman problem with time window constraints

In this paper, we discuss convergence of a time window discretization method for the traveling salesman problem with time window constraints. This recently proposed discretization method leads to a lower bound to the minimization problem. Analysis shows that this method always guarantees convergence to the optimal solution. We also illustrate that the traditional method that gives feasible solutions does not always provide such a guarantee.
Comparison of Dietary Intake and Physical Activity between Women with and without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Review

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age worldwide. In addition to deleterious effects on fertility imparted by PCOS, women with PCOS are at increased risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, and certain cancers. Hormonal and metabolic aberrations in PCOS have the potential to influence dietary intake and physical activity levels. There are emerging global data that women with PCOS have different baseline dietary energy intakes compared with women without PCOS. These alterations in diet may exacerbate clinical symptoms and compound risk of chronic disease in patients. Few studies have compared baseline physical activity levels between women with and without PCOS. Although comparisons between studies are confounded by several factors, the data point to no differences in activity levels among PCOS and non-PCOS groups. This review provides an assessment of the current literature on baseline dietary intake and physical activity levels in women with PCOS. Future recommendations to strengthen research in this area are provided, given the implications to aid in the development of effective nutrition-focused interventions for PCOS.
Screening of crude plant extracts as feeding deterrents of the wireworm, Melanotus communis

Extracts from 78 plant species (24 families) were screened for antifeedant activity against the corn wireworm, Melanotus communis Gyll. (Coleoptera: Elateridae). Five extracts from four families significantly reduced wireworm feeding damage in a series of ‘choice’ feeding tests. Two extracts, Asclepias tuberosa and Hedera helix, exhibited exceptional levels of feeding deterrency. An x-ray technique indicated that wireworms burrowed indiscriminately between soil containing either of these extracts and surrounding untreated soil, but were found more frequently in the untreated areas. RESUME Examen d'extraits bruts de plantes comme repulsifs contre Melanotus communis Gyll. L'aptitude a empecher la prise de nourriture de Melanotus communis Gyll. a ete recherchee dans les extraits de 78 plantes appartenant a 24 familles. Cinq extraits de 4 familles ont reduit significativement les degâts alimentaires lorsqu'il y avait choix alimentaire. Deux extraits - Asclepias tuberosa et Hedera helix - presentaient des niveaux exceptionnellement eleves de dissuasion de l'alimentation. Une technique aux rayons X a montre que les taupins fouillaient indistinctement le sol contenant de ces extraits ou le sol avoisinant non traite, mais on les recontrait plus frequemment dans le sol non traite.