cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disruption of ecosystem processes in western North America by invasive species

Muchos ecosistemas de Norteamerica occidental han cambiado dramaticamente a causa del efecto producido por especies no autoctonas. Aqui se muestra una revision del impacto ecologico producido por 56 especies diferentes de plantas, animales y hongos, y especies de protistas que fueron traidos a esta region por humanos. Discutimos las caracteristicas de las especies invasoras que pueden producir un gran impacto en el ecosistema, y exploramos como las especies invasoras pueden alterar de forma muy diferente los atributos de un ecosistema. Especificamente, incluimos ejemplos de especies invasoras que afectan a la geomorfologia, a los regimenes del fuego, a la hidrologia, al microclima, a la composicion atmosferica, al ciclo de nutrientes, y a la productividad. Finalmente, revisamos las consecuencias directas de invasiones biologicas de algunas especies autoctonas. Resumimos los ejemplos de este articulo en el Anexo 1. Nuestros ejemplos ilustran como, a medida que la especie invasora llega a ser dominante a lo largo de areas extensas de ecosistemas como los prados del oeste de Norteamerica occidental, en zonas arbustivas, dunas, cauces de rios y estuarios, las propiedades y el funcionamiento de estos ecosistemas han cambiado. Hasta ahora, algunos ecosistemas en esta region, como los bosques, permanecen relativamente intactos por efecto de la especies invasoras. Sin embargo, ataques recientes de patogenos a los bosques ponen de manifiesto la vulnerabilidad potencial de estos ecosistemas
Activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase by electrical stimulation, and low-Na+ perfusion of guinea-pig heart.

Abstract (1) Electrical stimulation (2 Hz) of guinea-pig hearts, perfused with medium containing 11 mM D-glucose plus 0.1 mM octanoate as substrate, resulted in an increase in the percentage of pyruvate dehydrogenase in the active form (PDHa) from 16 to 68%. (2) Rapid isolation of mitochondria by a technique designed to minimize net loss or gain of Ca2+ revealed an increase in mitochondrial Ca2+ content of the stimulated hearts, as measured with 45Ca (2.74 ± 0.27 versus 1.37 ± 0.11 nmol/mg protein; stimulated versus rested). (3) Perfusion of rested hearts with a medium containing a reduced Na+ concentration (20 mM, with the remainder replaced with Li+) also gave increased values of PDHa content (30.9% versus 16% for the normal, physiological medium). This procedure is known to raise cytosol Ca2+ concentrations and would be expected to give mitochondrial Ca2+ loading. (4) These results are consistent with a role of mitochondrial Ca2+ in activating pyruvate dehydrogenase in the intact heart.
COMPARISON OF SUBSCORES BASED ON CLASSICAL TEST THEORY METHODS

Will reporting subscores provide any additional information than the total score? Is there a method that can be used to provide more trustworthy subscores than observed subscores? These 2 questions are addressed in this study. To answer the 2nd question, 2 subscore estimation methods (i.e., subscore estimated from the observed total score or subscore estimated using both the observed subscore and observed total score) are compared. Analyses conducted on 8 certification tests indicated that reporting subscores at the examinee level may not be necessary as they do not provide much additional information than the total score. However, at the institutional level (for institution size greater than 30), reporting subscores may not be harmful, although it may be redundant. Finally, results indicated that subscores estimated using both the observed subscore and observed total score were the most trustworthy and may be used if subscores were to be reported.
Contact resonance imaging — a simple approach to improve the resolution of AFM for biological and polymeric materials

Abstract It is frequently observed that high resolution is difficult to achieve when using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to image “soft-and-sticky” surfaces, such as polymers and biomaterials. A new and simple method, contact resonance imaging (CRI), is introduced to address these issues. In CRI, the sample is modulated at a resonance frequency of the tip-sample contact, while the average position of the tip still remains in contact with the surface, i.e. in the repulsive region of the force–distance curve. The improvement in image resolution is demonstrated using various biological and polymeric specimens under ambient laboratory conditions and in liquid media. The possible mechanism of the resolution improvement is discussed in comparison to other techniques, such as tapping-mode imaging.
Evidence for genetic linkage of autism to chromosomes 7 and 4

Molecular Psychiatry (2006) 11, 979 & 2006 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved 1359-4184/06 $ 30.00 www.nature.com/mp IMAGE Evidence for genetic linkage of autism to chromosomes 7 and 4 GD Schellenberg 1,2,3 , G Dawson 4,5 , YJ Sung 6 , A Estes 5 , J Munson 4 , E Rosenthal 7 , J Rothstein 7 , P Flodman 8 , M Smith 8 , H Coon 9 , L Leong 1,2 , C-E Yu 1,2 , C Stodgell 10 , PM Rodier 10 , MA Spence 8 , N Minshew 11 , WM McMahon 9 and EM Wijsman 6,7 Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Puget Sound Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; 3 Departments of Neurology and Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; 4 Department of Psychology and the Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; 5 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; 6 Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; 7 Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; 8 Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; 9 Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; 10 Department of OB/GYN, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA and 11 Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA a c E D A B C F -log p b d WBS Reelin WNT2 EN2 all MO FC reg+ reg- phrase word FOXP2 -log p location (cM) location (cM) Molecular Psychiatry (2006) 11, 979. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4001918 The plots are of significance levels for linkage of autism to genetic markers on chromosomes 7 and 4 expressed as log 10 of the P-value. The top row (a, c) is for families with a strict diagnosis of autism and the bottom row (b, d) is all families, some with a broader diagnostic classification. The left panes (a, b) are for chromosome 7 and the right panel (b, d) are for chromosome 4. Lines are: all, all families; MO, male-only families where all affected subjects are male; FC, female containing families where at least one affected subjects is female; reg þ , regression positive families; reg-, regression negative families; phrase, age-at-first phrase as a quantitative trait; word, age-at-first word as a quantitative trait. Locations of chromosome 7 genes are indicated by arrows. WBS, Williams-Beuren syndrome region (85.34–87.4 cM). Bars at the top of (a) are locations of autism linkage signals from other studies. For more information on this topic, please refer to article by Schellenberg et al on pages 1049–1060.
Genetic implications of halide enrichment near a mississippi valley-type ore deposit

Host dolomite, Buick lead-zinc-copper deposit, Viburnum Trend, Missouri. Halide enrichment extends up to 250 ft from the deposit and is in close association with trace element enrichments. The Br and Cl enrichment zone is strong additional evidence that the ore-forming solutions of the Viburnum Trend were metal-rich Na-Cl brines. Br/Cl ratios also display an asymptotic decrease with distance from the deposit. The Br/Cl ratios of the whole-rock samples from within and near the deposit and from the water soluble leachate reveal that the ore-forming solutions were enriched in Br relative to seawater. The elevated Br/Cl ratios indicate that the ore-forming solutions were initially formed from the evaporation of seawater past the point of halite precipitation. This implies that the ore-forming solutions evolved from bitterns which formed contemporaneously with evaporite sequence. These bitterns subsequently underwent mixing with less saline waters prior to or during ore mineralization.--Modified journal abstract.
Oil Spill: Management Crisis or Crisis Management?

Stock values and earnings of Ashland Oil and Exxon were analyzed to determine if a correlation existed between a rapid, positive management response and minimization of the financial impact following an oil spill. The results showed a positive correlation for the company that employed, what experts call, ‘good’crisis management techniques.
Effects of ammonia inhalation of young cattle.

Abstract Extract The trend toward confinement housing for dairy cattle has increased the problems associated with a variety of atmospheric contaminants. These noxious products include ammonia, hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and methane as well as dust, organic acids and water vapour. The atmospheric concentration of ammonia is dependent upon many factors such as rate of animal excretion, water vapour level, temperature, ventilation and general management.
Partial purification of an insulin inhibitor from human albumin fractions.

Human albumin fractions prepared from normal and diabetic subjects by Debro and Cohn fractionation procedures inhibit the action of insulin on rat hemidiaphragm muscle in vitro. By G-100 Sephadex-gel filtration, it has been possible 1) to separate insulin inhibitory activity from the major portion of starting albumin leaving non-inhibitory albumin which appears to be physically and immunologically unaltered, and 2) to concentrate insulin inhibitory activity (Fraction x) 150-fold over the starting preparation (200 μg protein/ml of Fraction x vs. 30,000 μg protein/ml of albumin). The inhibitor, which is presumably bound to albumin in the original preparation, is somehow dissociated from albumin under the conditions of Sephadex filtration and is then separable from albumin on the basis of difference in molecular size. That the inhibitor is a small molecular weight material is supported by its ready dialyzability from solutions containing low concentrations of albumin (.001%). At higher concentrations of albu...
Review of the Role of Faith- and Community-Based Organizations in Providing Comprehensive Sexuality Education

This article reviews the role of faith- and community-based organizations in providing comprehensive sexuality education for adolescents in the United States. To gather information about these organizations, a broad approach was used that included a formal literature review, systematic searches through organizational Web sites, and the convening of a panel of experts who support comprehensive sexuality education in faith- and community-based organizations. This paper provides an overview of the context in which community- and faith-based organizations provide comprehensive sexuality education, the various approaches taken, and the challenges, needs, and recommendations for these programs.
Konjac/gellan gum mixed gels improve the quality of reduced-fat frankfurters

Mixed gels of konjac (1%, 2%) and gellan gum (0.25%, 0.5%) were incorporated into reduced-fat (18%) frankfurters and compared with reduced-fat and high-fat (28%) controls for physicochemical, textural, sensory properties and storage stability. C28 (control at 28% fat) had the highest (P<0.05) lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) values but the lowest redness (a*). C28 had the lowest textural hardness, shear force value and sensory firmness but highest juiciness scores. Treatments containing konjac/gellan gum mixed gels were not different from C28 in sensory overall acceptability, among them K1G5 (1% konjac/0.5% gellan gum) was numerically higher. C18 had the highest TPC (∼7.8 log CFU/g) after 12 weeks of storage, followed by gum-containing treatments. In conclusion, it appears feasible to incorporate konjac/gellan gum mixed gel at current levels to reduced-fat frankfurter for acceptable sensory merits with reasonable shelf life.
Magnetic resonance imaging: silicon for the future.

Hyperpolarized silicon particles show high potential for in vivo magnetic resonance imaging.
Temperature and pH effects on cytochrome c oxidase immobilized in an electrode-supported lipid bilayer membrane

Bovine cytochrome c oxidase has been successfully immobilized in an electrode-supported lipid bilayer membrane. The surface confined oxidase is capable of directly transferring electrons to the underlying electrode making characterization of the enzyme with direct electrochemical methods facile. Cyclic voltammetry indicates that the immobilized oxidase is capable of transferring electrons to the solid electrode over a wide range of pH and temperature values. Furthermore, the oxidase maintains its electron transfer properties at temperatures in excess of 80°C. Upon cooling the electrode back to room temperature, it was found that the enzyme still retained its electron transfer capabilities revealing the robust nature of the enzyme is this environment. In addition the oxidase continues to be capable of mediating electron transfer from solution-resident, reduce cytochrome c to the underlying metal electrode. The use of oxidase-modified electrodes enables the detection of solutions of reduced cytochrome c at concentrations as low as 0.25 μM.
Implementation and verification of a microstructure-based capability for modeling microcrack nucleation in LSHR at room temperature

A microstructure-based capability for forecasting microcrack nucleation in the nickel-based superalloy LSHR is proposed, implemented, and partially verified. Specifically, gradient crystal plasticity is applied to finite-element models of the experimentally measured, 3D microstructure wherein a microcrack is known to have nucleated along a coherent Σ3 boundary. The framework is used to analyze this particular nucleation event and conduct an extensive grain boundary analysis study, the results of which underpin the importance that elastic anisotropy and coherency have in the localization of plastic slip.
The use of small groups in a large lecture microbiology course

In the fall of 1997, we started using small groups in our large (100–200 students) junior level introductory microbiology course. Students form five-person groups early in the semester, and work on projects within these groups throughout the semester. These projects involve exploration of concepts such as metabolism, protein synthesis, and viral reproduction strategies and the submission of a poster describing a disease of their choice at the end of the semester. We have refined the use of the small groups during the last three semesters, and student acceptance and performance have improved steadily. In the fall semester of 1998, a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of these group projects was performed. Students were chosen at random to participate in student consultation groups to discuss group projects. Furthermore, we utilized a master teacher-in-residence from the Rocky Mountain Teachers Education Collaborative (RMTEC). This teacher-in-residence attended our classes, spoke with students, helped with student consultation groups, and provided observations of student responses to group work activities. RMTEC also provided funds to hire a research assistant to conduct student consultation groups, analyze student evaluations of our course, and compare evaluations from before and after the implementation of group examinations. Additionally, the Center for Teaching and Learning at Colorado State University assisted with mid-semester evaluations in each subsequent semester. The results of our analysis show that small groups in large lectures can be an effective learning tool provided students are given well-designed activities with clearly defined, obtainable goals and clearly articulated guidelines. Our experience also shows that the manner in which the instructor presents the process to students affects students' willingness to participate in the process. It must be clearly articulated to students why he has incorporated active learning strategies into the course, what he hopes students will gain from the experience, and how he expects students to participate in these activities. We recognize the increase in workload on ourselves as instructors, but the benefits seem worth the additional time and effort. This paper describes the group process that we use and provides an evaluation of the effort. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 25, 121–126.
Genomic structure and embryonic expression of zebrafish lysyl hydroxylase 1 and lysyl hydroxylase 2.

Collagen biosynthesis in both invertebrates and vertebrates is critically dependent upon the activity of lysyl hydroxylase (LH) enzymes. In humans, mutations in the genes encoding LH1 and LH2 have been shown to cause two distinct connective tissue disorders, Ehlers–Danlos (Type VIA) and Bruck syndromes. While the biochemical properties of these enzymes have been intensively studied, their embryonic patterns of expression and developmental roles remain unknown. We now present the cloning and analyses of the genes encoding LH1 and LH2 in the zebrafish, Danio rerio. We find these genes to be similarly organized to other vertebrate lh (plod) genes, including the presence of an alternatively spliced exon in lh2. We also examine the mRNA expression patterns of lh1 and lh2 during embryogenesis and find them to exhibit unique and dynamic patterns of expression. These results strongly suggest that LH enzymes are not merely housekeeping enzymes, but play distinct developmental roles. The identification of these genes in the zebrafish, a genetic model organism whose development is well characterized, now provides the basis for the establishment of the first animal models for both Ehlers–Danlos (Type VIA) and Bruck syndromes.
Increased luminescence of the tetracycline-europium(III) system following oxidation by hydrogen peroxide.

Tetracylines are well-known antibiotics, which have been and are still used for the treatment of a wide variety of bacterial infections. Ever more sensitive methods are required for the determination of these important antibiotics. Tetracyclinesensitized luminescence of europium(III) was first described by Hirschy et al. [1]. A subsequent paper from the same laboratory explained the binding characteristics of europium(III) to tetracycline [2]. Extra-weak chemiluminescence generated during oxidation of some tetracycline antibiotics (tetracycline, chlortetracycline, methacycline and oxytetracycline) has been observed in the presence of H2O2 in basic, air-saturated solutions [3,4]. In this communication, it is reported that the fluorescence intensity is increased 15 times when H2O2 is added to the fluorescent europium(III)– tetracycline system. The method is based on the contact energy transfer of an oxidized form of the antibiotic to europium(III) followed by emission from a lanthanide localized DoF2 transition [5].
Auscultatory and phonocardiographic manifestations of pure mitral regurgitation

Summary Auscultatory and phonocardiographic studies are reported in 33 patients in whom pure, organic mitral regurgitation was believed to be the sole hemodynamic fault. Comments were made regarding the nature of the systolic murmur, second heart sound, third heart sound, middiastolic murmur, and opening snap. The study included a discussion of the effects of pressor amine infusion and amyl nitrite inhalation. Comment was made on the additional acoustic events that might occur when mitral incompetence is associated with pulmonary hypertension.
Selective Binding of Ribosomes to Initiation Sites on Single-stranded DNA from Bacterial Viruses

Bacterial ribosomes can bind to initiation sites on single-stranded DNA acting as messenger. Factors are synthesized during phage development which are required for binding to late gene sites but not to early gene sites. They may be involved in the control of translation.
Inotropic response to dobutamine in elderly patients with decompensated congestive heart failure.

Abstract One of the principal effects of aging on the cardiovascular system is an attenuation of responsiveness to (8-adrenergic stimulation.1 Dobutamine, a synthetic catecholamine with potent inotropic properties mediated through stimulation of cardiac β receptors, has been shown to be less effective in elderly patients with either normal left ventricular function2 or congestive heart failure (CHF) complicating acute myocardial infarction.3 However, although CHF is a leading cause of hospitalization in the elderly, the response to dobutamine in elderly patients with severe, decompensated CHF has not previously been described.
Theoretical Implications of Disordered Syntactic Comprehension.

Abstract We reexamine data from Caplan and Hildebrandt 1988 within the context of a different set of background assumptions, concluding that where these can be clearly distinguished from those underlying GB theory the evidence favors a non-GB-based account. We attribute the deficits observed in the process of infinitival complement constructions to an inability on the part of the patients to access either or both of two data structures required to support our proposed parsing algorithm, and show that on this account it is unnecessary to posit a compensatory heuristic to account for the behavior observed. We also question some other cases where Caplan and Hildebrandt advert to compensatory heuristics.
ROLE OF MECHANICAL FACTORS IN PATHOGENESIS OF PRIMARY OSTEOARTHRITIS

Abstract Studies of the relation between joint function and mechanical stress have led to a revival of the old concept that primary osteoarthritis is actually a wearing out of joints. Recent experimental evidence suggests that joints can wear out by repetitive impulsive loading, rather than by rubbing. This new mechanistic approach is compatible with the pathology of, and clinical experience with, the disease.
Porphyrins with exocyclic rings. Part 5. Synthesis of a naphtho[1,2-b]porphyrin.

Abstract Condensation of 2-acetyl-1-tetralone with diethyl aminomalonate in refluxing acetic acid gave a dihydronaphtho-pyrrole 9a in excellent yield. Transesterification with benzyl alcohol gave the corresponding benzyl ester 9b and subsequent regioselective oxidation with lead tetraacetate afforded the acetoxymethyl derivative 13. Pyrrole 13 condensed with the α-unsubstituted pyrrole 14 to give the asymmetrical dipyrrylmethane 15 and hydrogenolysis over 10% palladium-charcoal yielded the related dicarboxylic acid 16. Acid catalyzed condensation of 16 with dipyrrylmethane dialdehyde 18 gave the dihydronaphthoporphyrin 17 in 44% yield. Alternatively, 17 condensed with two equivalents of pyrrole aldehyde 19 in the presence of HBr to give the a,c-biladiene 20 and cyclization with CuCl2 in DMF, followed by demetallation with 10% H2SO4 in TFA, afforded 17 in 37% yield. Dehydrogenation of 17 with DDQ in refluxing toluene gave 8, the first example of a naphthoporphyrin, in 76% yield. Porphyrin 8 exhibited an unusual electronic spectrum and this may have value in the characterization of sedimentary porphyrins.
Perfect classifiers in partial observability bivariate probit

Abstract There have been numerous applications of partial observability bivariate probit models. These models identify determinants of individual discrete outcomes when all that is observed are collective outcomes and individual characteristics. Numerical difficulties with their likelihood functions are commonly reported. This note looks at one aspect: the existence of perfect classifiers.
Primary and secondary effects of ascorbate on procollagen synthesis and protein synthesis by primary cultures of tendon fibroblasts.

Abstract The effects of ascorbic acid on collagen biosynthesis were studied in primary cultures of fibroblasts from chick embryo tendons. Addition of ascorbate to the cultures increased the rate of synthesis of procollagen hydroxyproline, but the effect was not explained by activation of prolyl hydroxylase as has been seen in other cell cultures. Instead the increase in the rate of hydroxyproline synthesis appeared to be the result of some direct cofactor effect of the vitamin. In the presence of ascorbate, most of the newly synthesized procollagen was hydroxylated and became triple helical. In the absence of ascorbate, the overall degree of hydroxylation in newly synthesized procollagen was reduced, but a small fraction of newly synthesized procollagen was near-maximally hydroxylated and became triple helical. When cultures were exposed to ascorbic acid for more than 6 h, there was an increase in rate of protein synthesis, rate of procollagen synthesis, and fraction of membrane-bound ribosomes. The increases in these parameters in the presence of ascorbate appeared to be a secondary effect produced by the accumulation of stable triple-helical procollagen in the culture system.
Myocardial contractility after 24 hours of hypothermic (4°C) storage

Summary Contractility measurements may be used to provide an objective index of myocardial preservation. Myocardial contractility was measured in 20 eanine hearts following 24 hrs of hypothermic storage (4°C) with three different methods of preservation. A marked decrease of contractile force was observed in all instances. A technique of preservation utilizing hypothermic coronary perfusion (15 ml per min) with an artificial colloidal plasma expander (6% hydroxyethyl starch in 0.9% sodium chloride solution) gave the best results. All cadaverie hearts preserved at ambient hypothermic (4°C) conditions failed to contract following 24 hrs of storage. Two of five hearts preserved at 4 atm O2 at 4°C failed to contract after 24-hr storage. Hearts obtained from living donors function significantly better after 24-hr storage than cadaver hearts. Glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) was measured in the perfusing and/or preserving fluid after 1- and 24-hr storage. Final GOT levels of 600 U per g or more were associated with lack of contractility, but lower enzymatic levels did not always indicate myocardial vie ability.
Laboratory studies of petal-shaped occulters

We present laboratory studies of scaled occulting starshades for the New Worlds Observer (NWO). A deep reactive ion etched silicon starshade has been fabricated by NIST, designed to cover the same number of Fresnel zones as in the proposed mission. The broadband shadow is mapped with a photometer in a dark vacuum tunnel fed by a heliostat at HAO. CCD images provide direct contrast measurements of different features around the starshade. Preliminary measurements reach 5x10 -6 suppression in the center of the shadow at the focal plane. The two-dimensional structure of the starshade diffraction pattern is compared to that produced by the Fresnel integral.
Thoracic Operations for Pulmonary Nodules are Frequently Not Futile in Patients with Benign Disease

Introduction Pulmonary nodules often require operative resection to obtain a diagnosis. However, 10 to 30% of operations result in a benign diagnosis. Our purpose was to determine whether negative thoracic operations are futile by describing the pathological diagnoses; determining new diagnoses and treatment changes initiated based on operative findings; and assessing morbidity, mortality, and cost of the procedure. Methods At our academic medical center, 278 thoracic operations were performed for known or suspected cancer between January 1, 2005, and April 1, 2009. We collected and summarized data pertaining to preoperative patient and nodule characteristics, pathologic diagnosis, postoperative treatment changes resulting from surgical resection, perioperative morbidity and mortality, and hospital charges for patients with benign pathology. Results Twenty-three percent (65/278) of patients who underwent surgical resection for a suspicious nodule had benign pathology. We report granulomatous disease in 57%, benign tumors in 15%, fibrosis in 12%, and autoimmune and vascular diseases in 9%. Definitive diagnosis or treatment changes occurred in 85% of cases. Surgical intervention led to a new diagnosis in 69%, treatment course changes in 68% of benign cases, medication changes in 38%, new consultation in 31%, definitive treatment in 9%, and underlying disease management in 34%. There was no intraoperative, in-hospital, or 30-day mortality. Postoperative in-hospital events occurred in seven patients. The mean total cost was $25,515 with a mean cost per day of $7618. Conclusions Patients with a benign diagnosis after surgical resection for a pulmonary nodule received a new diagnosis or had a treatment course change in 85% of the cases.
Bereavement: An Incomplete Rite of Passage:

A bereavement ritual observed during anthropological fieldwork in Peru gives basis to this article which asserts that bereavement has become an incomplete rite of passage. The article reviews the role of ritual and rites of passage, examines other anthropologic examples of death and bereavement rituals, and identifies the lack of post-funeral ritual for many bereaved individuals in the United States. While funerary rituals which end with the funeral and burial of the dead are helpful in providing immediate structure for the bereaved, they are not congruent with the long-term emotional needs and reconstruction of meaning within grief. The author acknowledges value of both private ritual and reunions of the community of mourners, and recommends that bereavement counselors and/or the funeral industry offer to help bereaved construct a "ritual of remembrance and new meaning" after time has allowed them to move along in meaning reconstruction processes of making sense, finding benefits, and identity change.
The Rule of Law without Due Process Punishing Robbers and Bandits in Early-Twentieth-Century China

This article investigates one important aspect of the Chinese legal-judicial reform that was unfolding in the early twentieth century (1901-37): i.e., why and how certain types of violent crimes were categorized and punished outside the criminal code and the criminal procedural law that were adopted as the law of the land and applied in court. It will reveal a continuous tension between, on the one hand, the principles of the rule of law, judicial independence, and due process that guided the legal-judicial reform and were insisted on by judicial officials and, on the other hand, the desire of provincial and county administrative officials to resort to “quick justice” to punish and deter violent crimes. An analysis of that tension will help to illuminate not only criminal law and criminal justice but also an important dimension of provincial and county administrative and judicial practices in early-twentieth-century China.
A Time for Tea: Women, Labor, and Post/Colonial Politics on an Indian Plantation.

Exile to Paradise: Savagery and Civilization in Paris and the South Pacific, 1790-1900. Alice Bullard .Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2000. 290 pp., appendix, notes, illustrations, bibliography, index.
The use of multimedia clinical case scenario software in a problem-based learning course: impact on faculty workload and student learning outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of using multimedia clinical case scenario software in lieu of text-based problem-based learning (PBL) cases. The specific interests in this study were student learning outcomes and facilitator utilization. Methods: The study was conducted with one cohort of 39 physician assistant (PA) students using the seven text-based PBL cases and adding one DxR Clinician software case. Faculty members facilitated each case. A second cohort of 41 PA students completed a blended curriculum of four PBL text cases and four DxR Clinician cases, including the same case used by the first cohort. The students’ clinical reasoning case scores for each cohort were compared using a two-tailed unpaired t-test. During the second cohort’s use of the DxR clinician cases, facilitators were available to the students upon request. Facilitator hours for each case in both cohorts were tabulated. A quantitative analysis of faculty time commitment was performed comparing the cohorts using a paired t-test. Results: The clinical reasoning score between cohorts increased 12% with the increased use of multimedia clinical case scenario software. The savings in faculty facilitator time was 41% using the blended curriculum of text-based cases and multimedia cases. This time savings could potentially rise to 92% using multimedia cases exclusively. Conclusions: The use of multimedia clinical case scenario software offers an exciting opportunity to encourage clinical reasoning skills using an updated format for PBL. Additionally, the faculty time savings due to decreased PBL facilitation would allow more programs to incorporate PBL into their curriculum.
Convexity properties of the overflow in an ordered-entry system with heterogeneous servers

The overflow probability in an Erlang loss system is known to be decreasing convex in the number of servers. Here we consider the GI/M/m loss system with ordered entry and heterogeneous servers. We show that adding a sequence of servers with non-increasing (non-decreasing) service rates will yield a decreasing convex (log-concave) sequence of overflow probabilities. An optimal server allocation problem is solved as a direct application of these results.
Controlled clinical comparison of VersaTREK and BacT/ALERT blood culture systems

To assess the relative yields in automated microbial detection systems of bacteria and yeasts isolated from the blood of adult patients with suspected sepsis, we compared the new VersaTREK system (VTI) (TREK Diagnostic Systems, Cleveland, OH) to the BacT/ALERT 3D system (3D) (bioMerieux, Inc., Durham, NC). Identical protocols were followed for the two systems. Paired aerobic (REDOX 1) and anaerobic (REDOX 2) VTI media were compared with standard aerobic (SA) and anaerobic (SN) 3D media; each of the four culture bottles was filled with 6 to 9 ml of blood. All bottles flagged positive by the instruments were subcultured to determine both true-positive (growth) and false-positive (no growth) cultures. Additionally, to assess false-negative bottles, terminal subcultures were done on all negative companion bottles to true-positive bottles. All isolates were identified by standard methods. All 4 bottles were adequately filled and yielded 413 clinically significant isolates in 5,389 (79%) of the 6,786 4-bottle sets obtained. Although no overall difference in yield or in time to detection was detected between the two systems, significantly more streptococci and enterococci as a group were detected by VTI. Moreover, significantly more microorganisms were detected by VTI for patients receiving antimicrobial therapy. The two systems were comparable (P, not significant) at detecting the 179 unimicrobial episodes of bacteremia seen. False-positive rates for aerobic and anaerobic bottles, respectively, were 1.6% and 0.9% for VTI and 0.7% and 0.8% for 3D. We conclude that the VTI and 3D systems are comparable for detection of bloodstream infections with bacteria or yeasts.
A study of e-government infrastructure through WiFi implementation: strategic pricing to recover costs

As cities saw the need to improve communication capabilities for their employees and to serve economically disadvantaged residents, several US municipalities responded by deploying a citywide WiFi network. Nevertheless, the cost and the price of municipal wireless service is a major factor in the transition to e-government. A problem for municipal wireless providers is competition from commercial broadband providers. The authors surveyed the current status of municipal wireless networks and compared it to the introduction and adoption rate of commercial 3G technologies. Game theory analysis was used to determine an effective and competitive price.
Analytic error variance predictions for planar vehicles

Path planning algorithms that incorporate risk and uncertainty need to be able to predict the evolution of path-following error statistics for each candidate plan. We present an analytic method to predict the evolving error statistics of a holonomic vehicle following a reference trajectory in a planar environment. This method is faster than integrating the plant through time or performing a Monte Carlo simulation. It can be applied to systems with external Gaussian disturbances, and it can be extended to handle plant uncertainty through numerical quadrature techniques.
Effect of gravity on dimensional change during sintering—I. Shrinkage anisotropy

The effects of gravity on sintering shrinkage and dimensional uniformity are analyzed using a continuum theory of sintering. Shape change caused by gravity during sintering is described both analytically and numerically. For a cylindrical sample shape, analytical approximations to characterize gravity-induced nonuniformities in shrinkage and compact aspect ratio are shown. As an illustration of the concept, analysis is performed for the solid-phase sintering of a copper powder cylindrical specimen to replicate earlier experiments reported by Lenel et al. (Trans. Am. Inst. Min. Engrs, 1963, 227, 640) and Exner (Rev. Powder. Metall. Phys. Ceram. Soc., 1968, 51, 604). The intensity of shrinkage anisotropy is compared for viscous and diffusional mechanisms of sintering. An algorithm is introduced for minimization of gravity-induced shrinkage anisotropy, suggesting an asymptotic approach to the peak temperature for best dimensional uniformity.
Hydrologic filtering of fish life history strategies across the United States: implications for stream flow alteration

Lotic fish have developed life history strategies adapted to the natural variation in stream flow regimes. The natural timing, duration, and magnitude of flow events has contributed to the diversity, production, and composition of fish assemblages over time. Studies evaluating the role of hydrology in structuring fish assemblages have been more common at the local or regional scale with very few studies conducted at the continental scale. Furthermore, quantitative linkages between natural hydrologic patterns and fish assemblages are rarely used to make predictions of ecological consequences of hydrologic alterations. We ask two questions: (1) what is the relative role of hydrology in structuring fish assemblages at large scales? and (2) can relationships between fish assemblages and natural hydrology be utilized to predict fish assemblage responses to hydrologic disturbance? We developed models to relate fish life histories and reproductive strategies to landscape and hydrologic variables separately and t...
Interlayer Exchange Coupling

The extensive research done on interlayer exchange coupling in transition metal multilayers has resulted in a deep understanding of this coupling and a remarkable agreement between theoretical results and measurements. The coupling between two magnetic layers separated by a non-magnetic spacer layer is mediated by the electrons of the spacer layer. The coupling, which oscillates in sign as a function of the thickness of the spacer layer, is closely related to the well-known RKKY interaction between magnetic impurities. Due to the existence of many high-quality measurements, it has been much more fully developed theoretically than the interaction between impurities. Theory predicts that the periods of the oscillatory coupling should depend on critical spanning vectors of the Fermi surface belonging to the spacer-layer material. There is remarkable agreement for the measured periods and those predicted from the Fermi surfaces. There is also substantial agreement between theory and experiment on the strength of the coupling. This review presents the comparison between theory and experiment in some detail.
Dual-function reporter protein for analysis of gene expression in living cells

The firefly luciferase (Luc) protein and the jellyfish green fluorescent protein (GFP) are two commonly used molecular reporters that can be detected noninvasively in living cells. The properties that make GFP or Luc useful for a particular experimental application are quite distinct. A recombinant protein with both fluorescent and bioluminescent characteristics might take advantage of the strengths of both reporters. An expression vector encoding a chimeric protein in which GFP was tethered to Luc through a 19-amino acid linker was prepared and characterized. Western blotting with antibodies specific for either GFP or Luc showed that a protein of appropriate size was expressed in transfected cells. Fluorescence microscopy revealed bright green fluorescence from transfected cells, indicating proper formation of the GFP chromophore. Luc enzymatic activity in protein extracts from transfected cells showed that Luc was fully functional. The treatment of living cell cultures stably expressing the GFP-Luc fusion protein with the protein translation-inhibitor cycloheximide (Chx) was used to show that the half-life for Luc protein activity was approximately 2 h at 37 degrees C. The utility of this dual-function reporter protein was shown by the identification of single living cells expressing the chimeric protein within a population by fluorescence microscopy, followed by quantification of Luc activity from the same living cells.
Lasers in the treatment of the prostate

The present approaches to the laser treatment can be divided into transurethral sidefiring application, either under visual or ultrasound control, transurethral contact laser fibers, a combination of these two techniques, and transurethral or transperineal interstitial laser application.
Role of Natural Killer Cells in a Cohort of Elite Suppressors: Low Frequency of the Protective KIR3DS1 Allele and Limited Inhibition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Replication In Vitro

Natural killer (NK) cells are associated with the innate immune response and are important in many viral infections. Recent studies indicate that NK cells can control human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication. We studied the effect of NK cells on HIV-1 replication in a subpopulation of HIV-1-infected individuals termed elite suppressors (ES) or elite controllers. These patients maintain a clinically undetectable viral load without treatment and thus provide a fascinating cohort in which to study the immunological response to HIV-1. Using an autologous system, we analyzed the effects of NK cells and CD8 + T cells on viral replication in CD4 + T lymphoblasts. Although we had postulated that NK cells of ES would be highly effective at controlling viral replication, we found that NK cells from some, but not all, ES were capable of inhibiting replication in the presence of interleukin-2, and the inhibition was less robust than that mediated by CD8 + T cells. Additionally, we examined whether particular alleles of the KIR receptors, specifically KIR3DS1 and KIR3DL1, or allele-ligand combinations correlated with the control of HIV-1 replication by NK cells and whether any specific KIR alleles were overrepresented in ES. Our ES cohort did not differ from the general population with respect to the frequency of individual KIR. However, of the eight ES studied, the four exhibiting the most NK cell-mediated control of viral replication also had the fewest activating KIR and were haplotype A. Thus, the strong NK cell-mediated inhibition of viral replication is not necessary for the immunological control of HIV-1 in all ES.
Efficient relational joins with arithmetic constraints on multiple attributes

We introduce and study a new class of queries that we refer to as ACMA (arithmetic constraints on multiple attributes) queries. Such combinatorial queries require the simultaneous satisfaction of arithmetic constraints on three or more attributes from different relations, and thus often involve expensive multi-join operations. Building on techniques from constraint programming, we develop preprocessing methods, algorithms, and a new constrained join operator that allow ACMA queries to be evaluated efficiently within a conventional relational database engine. We present the results of a careful performance evaluation of both our new approach and the conventional nested-loop join algorithm. Measurements of tuples read, intermediate tuples generated, and execution time shows that our approach achieves superior performance for ACMA joins.
Patterns of failure for stage I ampulla of Vater adenocarcinoma: a single institutional experience

Background: Ampullary adenocarcinoma is a rare malignancy associated with a relatively favorable prognosis. Given high survival rates in stage I patients reported in small series with surgery alone, adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) has traditionally been recommended only for patients with high risk disease. Recent population-based data have demonstrated inferior outcomes to previous series. We examined diseaserelated outcomes for stage I tumors treated with pancreaticoduodenectomy, with and without CRT. Methods: All patients with stage I ampullary adenocarcinoma treated from 1976 to 2011 at Duke University were reviewed. Disease-related endpoints including local control (LC), metastasis-free survival (MFS), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Forty-four patients were included in this study. Thirty-one patients underwent surgery alone, while 13 also received adjuvant CRT. Five-year LC, MFS, DFS and OS for patients treated with surgery only and surgery with CRT were 56% and 83% (P=0.13), 67% and 83% (P=0.31), 56% and 83% (P=0.13), and 53% and 68% (P=0.09), respectively. Conclusions: The prognosis for patients diagnosed with stage I ampullary adenocarcinoma may not be as favorable as previously described. Our data suggests a possible benefit of adjuvant CRT delivery.
Impact of hydrogen dilution on the properties and light induced changes of a-Si:H based materials and solar cells

Studies have been carried out on a-Si:H materials and corresponding solar cells fabricated with and without hydrogen dilution of silane by rf PECVD. The effect of hydrogen dilution on the growth kinetics and microstructures and their dependence on the substrate temperature have been studied. Hydrogen diluted a-Si:H materials and solar cells exhibit improved properties and higher stability to light induced changes. Distinct differences are found in the electron mobility lifetime ({mu}{tau}) products and subgap absorption over a wide range of generation rates. Striking differences are also found in the kinetics of light induced degradation in both the materials and their corresponding solar cells. Direct correlations are presented between the degradation kinetics of p(a-SiC:H)/i(a-Si:H)/n({micro}c-Si) solar cells and those of thin film materials constituting the i-layers.
Modeling rate-dependent hysteresis in piezoelectric actuators

Hysteresis of a piezoelectric actuator is rate dependent. Most hysteresis models are based on elementary rate independent operators and are not suitable for modeling actuator behavior across a wide frequency band. This work proposes a rate dependent modified Prandtl-Ishlinskii (PI) operator to account for the hysteresis of a piezoelectric actuator at varying frequency. We have shown experimentally that the relationship between the slope of the hysteretic loading curve and the rate of control input can be modeled by a linear function. The proposed rate-dependent hysteresis model is implemented for open-loop control of a piezoelectric actuator. In experiments tracking multi-frequency nonstationary motion profiles, it consistently outperforms its rate-independent counterpart by a factor of two in maximum error and a factor of three in rms error.