cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cuprous Complexes Formed with Isonicotinic Hydrazide

Chelate formation by Cu(II) and isonicotinic acid hydrazide has been postulated as an important step in the antitubercular activity of isonicotinic hydrazide (Isoniazid). Reevaluation of the copper-isonicotinic hydrazide system gives evidence for the formation of a Cu(I) species rather than a Cu(II) species. The reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) and the subsequent formation of an isonicotinic hydrazide complex with the latter ion, therefore, may be the critical reaction responsible for the efficacy of isonicotinic hydrazide against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Mumbai’s Mysterious Middle Class

Mumbai forms the decor to an interesting set of relationships among economic liberalization, globalization, class restructuring and an unprecedented housing construction boom. The much talked about new Indian middle class is primarily an urban phenomenon and seems nowhere more salient than in India’s commercial capital and largest city. This article seeks to undo some of the mysteries that surround the new middle class: how it can be empirically defined, whether and how it is growing, how class restructuring in Mumbai conforms (or not) to Western arguments about social polarization, and how any such class restructuring can best be explained. The empirical analysis employs existing data from various sources on income and consumption in Mumbai (and India at large) and reports on selected findings from a recent survey by the author on housing, class and upward mobility among households in newly constructed homes in Greater Mumbai. Data on the distribution of household incomes show that the upper-middle income classes have grown relative to the total, that the lower-middle income classes have shrunk, and that the ranks of the poor have expanded slightly. Survey data among new home buyers in Mumbai suggest little upward mobility. Discourse about the ‘new middle class’ tends to focus on consumption rather than income and additional findings indicate that much of the growth in consumption is credit-based.
Molecular Diversity Among the Trypsin Resistant Surface Proteins of Group B Streptococc

Summary The alpha () component of the c protein and R proteins are trypsin resistant, but antigenically distinct, proteins on the cell surface of some but not all strains of group B streptococci (GBS). These two classes of proteins, along with the group and type polysaccharide, can be used to characterize strains of GBS. Four species of R protein (R1 through R4) have been described. We studied trypsin extracts from numerous strains of GBS by immunodiffusion in agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis/Western blot. Sera monospecific for , R1 and R4 were used to immunoprecipitate/blot the proteins. The molecular weight of the blotted proteins was determined. Although by immunodiffusion the proteins within a class were identical to each other, great heterogeneity in size and blotting pattern was found within each class. Variation was independent of the polysaccharide serotype. Multiple molecular weight species were seen for , R1 and R4 proteins. For a given strain, the various forms ofor R1 appeared to form a multiple size ladder; those of R4 were fewer and closer in size. The highest form ofranged from 85 to 170 kDa, with 45 kDa being the highest form for some rare GBS strains. For R4 the predominant and highest form varied from 84 to 197 kDa, whereas some strains with R1 had the highest form over 200 kDa. Our results indicated that despite similarities, there is great diversity among the , R1 and R4 trypsin resistant proteins of GBS.
Liszt Missa Choralis Performed by the Oratorio Society of Virginia

The Oratorio Society of Charlottesville–Albemarle was formed in 1966 by a small group of musicians in Charlottesville, Virginia, interested in performing classical choral masterworks. The Oratorio Society performed its first concert in 1968. The group has been in continuous existence since that time, and has been led by 7 different music directors and conductors. In 2008 the Society changed its name to the Oratorio Society of Virginia to better reflect its membership and the audience it serves. Since its founding, the Oratorio Society has performed many of the greatest oratorios of all time, including works by Bach, Brahms, Dvorak, …
A welfare economic approach to measure outcomes in stuttering: comparing willingness to pay and quality adjusted life years.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare two welfare outcome measures, willingness to pay (WTP) and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) gained, to measure outcomes in stuttering. Method Seventy-eight adult participants (74 nonstuttering and 4 persons with stuttering) completed one face-to-face structured interview regarding how much they would be willing to pay to alleviate severe stuttering in three interventions of varying impact. These data were compared with QALYs gained as calculated from time trade off (TTO) and standard gamble (SG) data. Results Mean (median) WTP bids ranged from US$ 16,875 (8000), for an intervention resulting in improvement from severe stuttering to mild stuttering, to US$ 41,844 (10,000) for an intervention resulting in a cure of severe stuttering. These data were consistent with mean changes in QALYs for the same stuttering interventions ranging from 2.19 (using SG) to 18.42 (using TTO). Conclusions This study presents the first published WTP and QALY data for stuttering. Results were consistent with previous cost-of-illness data for stuttering. Both WTP and QALY measures were able to quantify the reduction in quality of life that occurs in stuttering, and both can be used to compare the gains that might be achieved by different interventions. It is widely believed that stuttering can cause reduced quality of life for some speakers; the introduction into this field of standardized metrics for measuring quality of life is a necessary step for transparently weighing the costs and consequences of stuttering interventions in economic analyses. Educational objectives: The reader will be able to (a) describe the underlying theoretical foundations for willingness to pay and quality adjusted life years, (b) describe the application of willingness to pay and quality adjusted life years for use in economic analyses, (c) compare and contrast the value of willingness to pay and quality adjusted life years in measuring the impact of stuttering treatment on quality of life, (d) interpret quality adjusted life years, and (e) interpret willingness to pay data.
Genetic variants of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ are associated with gastric cancer.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) are implicated in pathogenesis of insulin resistance and cancers of the digestive system. We investigated the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of PPAR δ and γ with gastric cancer and explored interactions with risk factors of gastric cancer. We conducted our analysis in a case–control study of 196 gastric cancer patients and 397 controls residing in the Taixing region of Jiangsu, China. Six SNPs in the PPARδ (rs2076167, rs3734254) and PPARγ genes (rs10865710, rs1801282, rs3856806, rs13306747) were genotyped. We employed logistic regression to evaluate the association between each genotype and gastric cancer and tested for gene–environment interaction with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, smoking status, and meat and salt intake. We found that the G/G variant rs2076167, in tight linkage disequilibrium with rs3734254 (R 2 = 0.97), was associated with increased risk of gastric cancer in a recessive model (OR 2.20, 95 % CI 1.12, 4.32). The association between G/G variant of rs2016167 and gastric cancer was particularly strong among those with higher salt intake (OR 5.11, 95 % CI 1.11, 23.5), but did not vary by H. pylori infection or smoking status. We found that genetic variants of PPARδ were associated with gastric cancer. If the association is confirmed in larger studies, it may implicate a role for PPARδ activators, such as insulin-sensitizing agents, in prevention of gastric cancer.
Analysis of the Host Transcriptome from Demyelinating Spinal Cord of Murine Coronavirus-Infected Mice

Persistent infection of the mouse central nervous system (CNS) with mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) induces a demyelinating disease pathologically similar to multiple sclerosis and is therefore used as a model system. There is little information regarding the host factors that correlate with and contribute to MHV-induced demyelination. Here, we detail the genes and pathways associated with MHV-induced demyelinating disease in the spinal cord. High-throughput sequencing of the host transcriptome revealed that demyelination is accompanied by numerous transcriptional changes indicative of immune infiltration as well as changes in the cytokine milieu and lipid metabolism. We found evidence that a Th1-biased cytokine/chemokine response and eicosanoid-derived inflammation accompany persistent MHV infection and that antigen presentation is ongoing. Interestingly, increased expression of genes involved in lipid transport, processing, and catabolism, including some with known roles in neurodegenerative diseases, coincided with demyelination. Lastly, expression of several genes involved in osteoclast or bone-resident macrophage function, most notably TREM2 and DAP12, was upregulated in persistently infected mouse spinal cord. This study highlights the complexity of the host antiviral response, which accompany MHV-induced demyelination, and further supports previous findings that MHV-induced demyelination is immune-mediated. Interestingly, these data suggest a parallel between bone reabsorption by osteoclasts and myelin debris clearance by microglia in the bone and the CNS, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report of using an RNA-seq approach to study the host CNS response to persistent viral infection.
Dopaminergic agonists that result in ocular growth inhibition also elicit transient increases in choroidal thickness in chicks

The dopaminergic system has been implicated in ocular growth regulation in chicks and monkeys. In both, dopamine D2 agonists inhibit the development of myopia in response to form deprivation, and in chicks, to negative lenses as well. Because there is mounting evidence that the choroidal response to defocus plays a role in ocular growth regulation, we asked whether the effective agonists also elicit transient thickening of the choroid concomitant with the growth inhibition. Negative lenses mounted on velcro rings were worn on one eye starting at age 8-12 days. Intravitreal injections (20 μl; dose = 10 nmole) of the agonist (dissolved in saline) or saline, were given through the superior temporal sclera using a 30G needle. Eyes were injected daily at noon, for 4 days, and the lenses immediately replaced. Agonists used were apomorphine (non-specific; n = 17), quinpirole (D2; n = 10), SKF-38393 (D1; n = 9), and saline controls (n = 22). For the antagonists, the same protocol was used, but on each day, the lenses were removed for 2 h. Immediately prior to lens-removal, the antagonist was injected (20 μl; dose = 5 nmole). Antagonists used were methylergonovine (non-specific; n = 12), spiperone (D2; n = 20), SCH-23390 (D1; n = 6) and saline controls (n = 27). Comparisons to saline (continuous lens wear) controls were from the agonist experiment. Axial dimensions were measured using high frequency A-scan ultrasonography at the start of lens wear, and on day 4 prior to the injections, and then again 3 h later. Refractive errors were measured using a Hartinger's refractometer at the end of the experiment. Apomorphine and quinpirole inhibited the refractive response to the hyperopic defocus induced by the negative lenses (drug vs saline controls: -1.3 and 1.2 D vs -5.6 D; p < 0.005 for both). This effect was axial: both drugs prevented the excessive ocular elongation (change in axial length: 233 and 205 μm vs 417 μm; p < 0.01 for both). Both drugs were also associated with a transient thickening of the choroid over 3 h (41 and 32 μm vs -1 μm; p < 0.01; p = 0.059 respectively) that did not summate: choroids thinned significantly over the 4 day period in all lens-wearing eyes. Two daily hours of unrestricted vision during negative lens wear normally prevents the development of myopia. Spiperone and SCH-23390 inhibited the ameliorating effects of periods of vision on lens-induced refractive error (-2.9 and -2.8 D vs 0.6 D; p < 0.0001), however, the effects on neither axial length nor choroidal thickness were significant. These data support a role for both D1 and D2 receptors in the ocular growth responses.
IC-Processed piezoelectric microphone

A miniature diaphragm pressure transducer having sensitivity to acoustic signals at the level of conversational speech has been fabricated by combining micromachining procedures (to produce a thin silicon-nitride diaphragm) with ZnO thin-film processing. The sensor consists of a patterned ZnO layer (which acts as a piezoelectric transducer) deposited on a thin square micromachined diaphragm made of LPCVD silicon nitride. The diaphragm, 2 µm in thickness, is the thinnest yet reported for a piezoelectric readout structure of relatively large area (3 × 3 mm2). The transducer shows an unamplified response of roughly 50 µV/µbar when excited by sound waves at 1 kHz with the variation of the sensitivity from 20 Hz to 4 kHz being approximately 9 dB. These results are obtained using a 0.1-mm-wide annular pattern that measures 3.6 mm in circumference.
Is standardization of left ventricular chamber elastance necessary

Because of the relation between left ventricular (LV) chamber elastance and heart size, it has been hypothesized that maximum time-varying elastance (Emax) must be standardized to differentiate between preserved and depressed LV systolic performance. To test this hypothesis, we studied 66 patients, of whom 25 had a normal LV, 20 had aortic regurgitation, 14 had mitral regurgitation, and seven had cardiomyopathy, with micromanometer-determined LV pressures and radionuclide angiograms during multiple LV loading conditions. Multiple regression analysis established that Emax was independently related to LV end-diastolic volume (r = -0.69). When the Emax and LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) data from all patients were plotted, a curvilinear relation was evident. Data transformation to the base e identified two distinct linear relations, one in the normal patients of lnEmax = -0.60 (lnEDV) +4.34 (r = -0.67, p less than 0.001); and one in the patients with cardiac pathology of lnEmax = -1.06 (lnEDV) +6.12 (r = -0.73, p less than 0.001), which differed from each other (p less than 0.01). When a mathematical standardization was applied to these data to eliminate the independent contribution of heart size to the reduction in lnEmax, the normal patients had a standardized lnEmax versus lnEDV slope of 0, whereas that in the patients with cardiac pathology remained negative and continued to differ from that in the normal patients (p less than 0.001). Dichotomization of patients with cardiac pathology into those with preserved and depressed LV chamber elastance by lnEmax or standardized lnEmax provided highly concordant data (k = 0.73, p less than 0.001). Moreover, the estimated contribution of LVEDV to the reduction in Emax in patients with cardiac pathology averaged only 14 +/- 7%. We conclude from these data that LV chamber elastance calculated with radionuclide angiography has an independent relation with LVEDV, that a mathematical standardization of Emax for heart size does not significantly alter the dichotomization of patients with cardiac pathology into those with preserved and depressed LV systolic performance, and that heart size makes a relatively small contribution to the reduction in this index of LV systolic performance. Thus, standardization for heart size may not be necessary to identify whether preserved or depressed LV chamber elastance exists in an individual adult patient with cardiac pathology compared with normal adult patients.
Leakage and leakage sensitivity computation for combinational circuits

Leakage power is emerging as a new critical challenge in the design of high performance integrated circuits. Leakage is increasing dramatically with each technology generation and is expected to dominate system power. This paper describes a static (i.e input independent) technique for efficient and accurate leakage estimation. A probabilistic technique is presented to compute the average leakage of combinational circuits. The proposed technique gives accurate results with an average error of only 2% for the ISCAS benchmarks and accurately predict both subthreshold and gate leakage as well as the leakage sensitivities to process and environmental parameters.
AFM-Based Nanomechanical Properties and Storage of Dentin and Enamel

This study evaluated the affects of 2 different solutions, e. g. deionized water and Hanks’ Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS), on nanohardness and elastic modulus of dentin and enamel from human third molars at storage times of 0, 1, 7, 14 and 28 days using a modified AFM (Triboscope). The pH values of the solutions were monitored throughout the test periods. Storing the specimens in deionized water resulted in a large decrease of mechanical properties, e.g. the reduced elastic modulus of dentin decreased from 24.0 ±1.5 GPa to 21.0 ±1.6, 8.6 ±1.1 and 5.2 ±1.1 GPa for storage times of 1, 7 and 14 days, respectively. Mechanical properties of dentin and enamel dropped by more than 12% after one day and more than 50% after a week when stored in deionized water. The observed changes in mechanical response were attributed to a superficial demineralization process during storage. In contrast, storing teeth in HBSS did not significantly alter the mechanical properties of dentin or enamel over the time studied.
Optical interconnects to electronic chips

Optical interconnects are progressively replacing wires at shorter and shorter distances in information processing machines. This paper summarizes the progress toward and prospects for the penetration of optics all the way to the silicon chip.
Book and literature review

Davidoff, P.G., Davidoff, D.S. and Eyre J.D. 1995. Tourism Geography, 2nd edn. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. Foster, D.L. 1995. Destinations: North American and International Geography, 2nd edn. New York: Glencoe. Hudman, L.E. and Jackson, R.H. 1990. Geography of Travel and Tourism. Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers. Mancini, M. 1995. Selling Destinations: Geography for the Travel Professional, 2nd edn. Cincinnati, OH: South‐Western Publishing. Sebo, R.L. 1991. The Traveler's World. Cincinnati, OH: South‐Western Publishing. Weissmann, A. 1997. Travel Around the World. Austin, TX: Weissmann Travel Reports.
Meandering Instability of a Vertical Plume

The meandering instability of a two-dimensional vertical plume is considered in this paper. The base flow profile is derived using boundary layer approximation and similarity hypothesis, in the spirit of Blasius boundary layer solution. Using linear stability analysis, we derive a modified version of the Orr-Sommerfeld equation governing the disturbances. The resulting eigenvalue problem is solved by the Galerkin method. It is found that a vertical plume is unstable to meandering, and in particular, three different wavelengths of meanders exist. A meandering instability of long wavelength ensues at the lowest portion of a vertically rising plume, where R<94 . Beyond R=94 and R=192 , the most unstable wavelength shifts to an intermediate and to a short wavelength meandering during the course of rising motion.
Integrity Tests and Morality: Associations with Ego Development, Moral Reasoning, and Psychopathic Personality

Although past research has shown links between integrity tests and the Big Five personality traits, little is known about the relationship between integrity and other individual difference constructs used to predict moral behavior. The present study expands this research by examining the relationships between ego development, moral reasoning, psychopathic personality, and three commonly used integrity tests. Both overt and personality-based integrity tests showed the strongest (negative) correlations with psychopathic personality but only modest correlations with ego development and moral reasoning. On the whole, these findings suggest that integrity tests may be more closely related to overt moral behavior than to moral reasoning.
The Nature of Marine Sediments

The discussion in this chapter will be restricted to surficial sediments (upper few meters) found on the continental shelf (beach to the continental shelf-slope break, approximately to 100–130 m water depth) and in other nearshore environments (lagoons, estuaries, and bays). This coastal area is approximately 29 × 106 km2, or 8% of the world’s oceans and is characterized by high spatial and temporal variability in both morphology and sediment distribution [Reineck and Singh 1973]. Short-term temporal changes in the seafloor, which occur at time scales of minutes to decades, are the result of the interaction of hydrodynamic (waves, currents and tides, and deposition from rivers), biological (bioturbation), and biogeochemical (mineral dissolution, precipitation, and in situ gas bubble formation) processes acting on the seafloor. Longer-term changes in seafloor characteristics result from global changes in sea level which alter regional sediment erosion, transport, and depositional patterns and occur over geological time scales. These coastal areas are the likely locations for high-frequency sonar operations and high-frequency acoustic experiments. The general trends in sediment morphology and characteristics described herein should reflect corresponding trends in high-frequency acoustic behavior.
Assessment of the effectiveness of low-pressure UV light for inactivation of Helicobacter pylori

Three strains of Helicobacter pylori were exposed to UV light from a low-pressure source to determine log inactivation versus applied fluence. Results indicate that H. pylori is readily inactivated at UV fluences typically used in water treatment regimens. Greater than 4-log10 inactivation was demonstrated on all three strains at fluences of less than 8 mJ cm−2.
Endothelial vasodilator production by uterine and systemic arteries. IV. Cyclooxygenase isoform expression during the ovarian cycle and pregnancy in sheep.

Abstract Uterine artery endothelial production of the potent vasodilator, prostacyclin, is greater in pregnant versus nonpregnant sheep and in whole uterine artery from intact versus ovariectomized ewes. We hypothesized that uterine artery cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and/or COX-2 expression would be elevated during pregnancy (high estrogen and progesterone) and the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle (high estrogen/low progesterone) as compared to that in luteal phase (low estrogen/high progesterone) or in ovariectomized (low estrogen and progesterone) ewes. Uterine and systemic (omental) arteries were obtained from nonpregnant luteal-phase (LUT; n = 10), follicular-phase (FOL; n = 11), and ovariectomized (OVEX; n = 10) sheep, as well as from pregnant sheep (110–130 days gestation; term = 145 ± 3 days; n = 12). Endothelial and vascular smooth muscle (VSM) COX-1 protein levels and uterine artery endothelial cell COX-1 mRNA levels were compared. Using immunohistochemistry and Western analysis, the primary loca...
Fruit Ripening has Little Influence on Grapevine Cold Acclimation

This four-year study tested whether the physiological demand of fruit ripening may interfere with grapevine cold acclimation in autumn or with midwinter hardiness. Three harvest time treatments were established in a mature vineyard of own-rooted Cabernet Sauvignon vines: clusters were removed after fruit set, at veraison, or after the first fall frost. Average yield of the late harvested vines varied from 4.2 to 5.1 kg/vine (7.5 to 9.2 t/ha) among years, and soluble solids varied from 23.4 to 25.6 Brix. The presence of fruit during ripening delayed leaf senescence, measured as chlorophyll decline. The fruit also tended to delay the senescence-associated decrease in photosynthesis. All vines showed typical patterns of autumn cold acclimation, midwinter hardiness, and spring deacclimation. Cold hardiness of buds, cane phloem, and cane xylem varied during winter depending on prevailing temperature, and during the coldest winter reached levels of −27°C for 50% bud damage and −28°C for the onset of xylem injury. Early fruit removal had no effect on cane nonstructural carbohydrates and, with few exceptions, failed to enhance cold hardiness. Depending on the year, early fruit removal improved bud hardiness on 5 to 15% and xylem hardiness on 8 to 38% of all measurement dates. On those dates, the early harvested vines tended to be 1 to 2°C hardier than the late harvested vines, irrespective of the time of crop removal. No trend was found for phloem hardiness. These results indicate that cropping, at least within commercially acceptable limits in regions with sufficiently long or warm growing seasons, rarely impacts cold acclimation and maximum hardiness. Grapevines appear to adjust seasonal leaf physiology to meet their carbon demand for both fruit ripening and cold acclimation.
Turning the 10-23 DNAzyme on and off with light.

DNAs with catalytic function, or DNAzymes, have become important tools for a variety of biochemical applications.[1] Some of the most widely known DNAzymes, the 8–17 and the 10–23, were evolved by in vitro selection for RNA cleavage,[2] as a way of inhibiting gene expression.[3] Other DNAzymes have been used for catalyzing chemical reactions,[4] as biosensors[5,6] and in nanodevices.[7–9] Being able to photomodulate the function of DNAzymes with high spatial and temporal resolution could be useful for many applications in biotechnology and biology.
Right Brain, Left Brain; Left Face, Right Face: Hemisphericity and the Expression of Facial Emotion

Research on the asymmetry of facial expressions is reviewed in terms of neuroanatomy, qualitative and quantitative measures of asymmetrical expression, method of expression elicitation (spontaneous, posed, imagery-based), type of expression (happy, sad, etc.), and expression rating procedures. Neuroanatomical evidence indicated that contralateral control of facial musculature exists only for the lower face and that different motor pathways are responsible for spontaneous versus posed expressions. Empirical research on the differential assignment of qualitative trait attributes to facial regions was judged to be meagre and data on quantitative differences in the asymmetry of facial expressions was inconclusive because of the wide variability in methodology across past investigations. Specific suggestions for future investigations in this area are offered and alternative conceptualizations of hemisphericity and facial asymmetry proposed.
Breast conserving surgery and irradiation : the importance of demarcating the excision cavity with surgical clips

Abstract Purpose : To determine whether or not the surgical scar and surgical induration are suitable landmarks for localizing the boost field in the treatment of patients undergoing breast conservation surgery and irradiation. Methods and Materials : Thirty-five patients had surgical clips placed in the excision cavity at the time of tumor excision. The boost field locations for these patients were determined by encompassing the surgical induration with a minimum 2 cm margin or, when there was no induration, by encompassing the incision scar with a 3 cm margin. Simulator radiographs were taken with the boost field margins marked with solder wire. Results : The simulator radiographs showed that the excision cavity clips were at or outside the boost field margins in 19 patients, 54% of the entire group. An unexpected finding was that, in six of the 23 patients with the surgical scar 2 cm medial or lateral to the areola, the excision cavity clips were inadequately covered by tangential fields even though the fields appeared to be adequate based on external landmarks. Conclusion : (a) This study suggests that the skin incision and surgical induration are not reliable landmarks for boost field localization. (b) Without surgical clips, part of the excision cavity would have underdosed by the tangential fields in 23% of patients with medial or lateral surgical scars.
Experimental Tests of Possible Mechanisms for the Organic Magnetoresistive Effect

We experimentally test three existing models of organic magnetoresistance (OMAR) which are all based on carrier spin dynamics. We first prove that hyperfine field originating from the hydrogen nuclei in organic materials is necessary for observing OMAR by studying C60 sandwich devices using several different electrode materials. We show that C60, unlike many other organic semiconductors, does not exhibit any intrinsic OMAR effect. However, we find that as soon as the carriers in C60 are brought in proximity with hydrogen-containing compounds, either in the form of a polymeric electrode, or side-chain substituents, a weak OMAR effect is observed. Next, we perform charge-induced absorption and electroluminescence spectroscopy in a polyfluorene organic magnetoresistive device. Our experiments allow us to measure the singlet exciton, triplet exciton and polaron densities in a live device under an applied magnetic field, and to distinguish between three models of OMAR. These models are based on different spin-dependent interactions, namely exciton formation, triplet exciton-polaron quenching and bipolaron formation. We show that the singlet exciton, triplet exciton and polaron densities and conductivity all increase with increasing magnetic field. Our data are inconsistent with the exciton formation and triplet-exciton polaron quenching models.
The effect of feral cats on the population viability of black-vented shearwaters (Puffinus opisthomelas) on Natividad Island, Mexico

Insular breeding seabirds are likely to be particularly vulnerable to introduced mammalian predators because they often lack behavioural, morphological and life-history defenses against predation. We studied the life-history of the black-vented shearwater (Puffinus opisthomelas) on Natividad Island, Baja California Sur, Mexico, to examine its vulnerability to introduced feral cats. Using an allometric equation, we estimated that feral cats consumed 328 g of food day-1 to satisfy their nutritional requirements. We used stable isotope analysis of cat scat to estimate that 90% of the cats' diet was composed of shearwaters. Using data from our focal species and from the closely related manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus), we created a demographic model to evaluate the effects of cat population size on the annual growth rate (λ) of the shearwater. The annual growth rate for black-vented shearwaters was estimated to be 1.006 in the absence of cat predation. With predation, we estimated that annual growth rate declined approximately 5% for every 20 cats in a population of 150,000 birds. Persistence times of bird colonies decreased both with an increase in the size of the feral cat population and with a decrease in the size of the initial bird population.
ZBTB33 binds unmethylated regions of the genome associated with actively expressed genes

DNA methylation and repressive histone modifications cooperate to silence promoters. One mechanism by which regions of methylated DNA could acquire repressive histone modifications is via methyl DNA-binding transcription factors. The zinc finger protein ZBTB33 (also known as Kaiso) has been shown in vitro to bind preferentially to methylated DNA and to interact with the SMRT/NCoR histone deacetylase complexes. We have performed bioinformatic analyses of Kaiso ChIP-seq and DNA methylation datasets to test a model whereby binding of Kaiso to methylated CpGs leads to loss of acetylated histones at target promoters. Our results suggest that, contrary to expectations, Kaiso does not bind to methylated DNA in vivo but instead binds to highly active promoters that are marked with high levels of acetylated histones. In addition, our studies suggest that DNA methylation and nucleosome occupancy patterns restrict access of Kaiso to potential binding sites and influence cell type-specific binding. We propose a new model for the genome-wide binding and function of Kaiso whereby Kaiso binds to unmethylated regulatory regions and contributes to the active state of target promoters.
Characteristics of sleep disturbance in community-dwelling Alzheimer's disease patients

This study examined the frequency, predictors, and impact of sleep problems in a population-based sample of 205 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Sleeping more than usual and early morning awakenings were the most common sleep problems reported but were the least disturbing behaviors for caregivers. Night-time awakenings were less common but were most disturbing to caregivers. Using logistic regression analyses, the factors most strongly associated with night awakenings among patients were male gender, greater memory problems, and decreased functional status. Patient depression increased the risk for caregivers to rate patient sleep problems as more disturbing overall. Cluster analyses revealed three characteristic groups of patients who awakened caregivers: one group was inactive during the day but had few other behavior problems; one group had increased levels of fearfulness, fidgeting, and occasional sadness; and the third group had multiple behavior problems, including frequent episodes of sadness, fearfulness, inactivity, fidgeting, and hallucinations. These findings indicate that the nature of sleep problems in AD is multifaceted; future research on the occurrence and treatment of sleep disturbance in dementia patients should consider the patterns of individual differences that may influence its development.
Optical Interconnects in the Data Center

Optical interconnects in large-scale systems offer the possibility of new system topologies, with many multi-core processors and memories integrated together and densely co packaged. This opens up new possibilities in large-scale installations like data centers, supporting both commercial and scientific applications. A first step is to explore the optical and electrical circuits and devices required to create optical links, but many interesting research questions remain about how to construct large-scale systems that employ those links.
The Potential for Horses to Disperse Alien Plants Along Recreational Trails

Plant invasions are rapidly becoming an important threat to the conservation of wildlands. Understanding how potentially invasive plants are dispersed to new habitats is a critical step in the process of understanding such invasions. Our objective was to characterize the potential for long-distance transport of plant species in the digestive tract of horses along recreational trails. We sampled horse dung along the first 4 000 m of the Lower Piney River trail in the White River Forest of western Colorado. We evaluated the seed content of each sample by applying standard methods for soil seed bank analysis. We found 20 species and 564 seedlings. Twelve of the species were graminoids, 6 were forbs, 1 was a shrub, and 1 was a tree. The species were evenly divided between natives and aliens, but 85% of the seedlings were aliens. An average of 47 seedlings emerged per sample, but the range was from 4 to 192. Our results make it clear that horses, and very likely all pack stock used on recreational trails, represent a potentially important dispersal vector for alien plants into western wildlands.
Transovarial Transmission of Francisella-Like Endosymbionts and Anaplasma phagocytophilum Variants in Dermacentor albipictus (Acari: Ixodidae)

Dermacentor albipictus (Packard) is a North American tick that feeds on cervids and livestock. It is a suspected vector of anaplasmosis in cattle, but its microbial flora and vector potential remain underevaluated. We screened D. albipictus ticks collected from Minnesota white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for bacteria of the genera Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Francisella, and Rickettsia using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) gene amplification and sequence analyses. We detected Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) in nymphal and adult ticks of both sexes at 45 and 94% prevalences, respectively. The A. phagocytophilum and FLEs were transovarially transmitted to F1 larvae by individual ticks at efficiencies of 10-40 and 95-100%, respectively. The FLEs were transovarially transmitted to F2 larvae obtained as progeny of adults from F1 larval ticks reared to maturity on a calf, but A. phagocytophilum were not. Based on PCR and tissue culture inoculation assays, A. phagocytophilum and FLEs were not transmitted to the calf. The amplified FLE 16S rRNA gene sequences were identical to that of an FLE detected in a D. albipictus from Texas, whereas those of the A. phagocytophilum were nearly identical to those of probable human-nonpathogenic A. phagocytophilum WI-1 and WI-2 variants detected in white-tailed deer from central Wisconsin. However, the D. albipictus A. phagocytophilum sequences differed from that of the nonpathogenic A. phagocytophilum variant-1 associated with Ixodes scapularis ticks and white-tailed deer as well as that of the human-pathogenic A. phagocytophilum ha variant associated with I. scapularis and the white-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus. The transovarial transmission of A. phagocytophilum variants in Dermacentor ticks suggests that maintenance of A. phagocytophilum in nature may not be solely dependent on horizontal transmission.
Sequence stratigraphy of fluvially-dominated strata of the Mid-Late Pennsylvanian Conemaugh Formation, Central Appalachian Basin

Abstract Sequence stratigraphic analysis of nonmarine, fluvially-dominated strata is particularly challenging compared to paralic and marine sequences due to rapid facies changes and limited lateral continuity of key beds. The Conemaugh Formation of central West Virginia is a prime example of this type of stratigraphic interval. This study describes the stratigraphy and sedimentary facies from 68 outcrops in the lower 100 m of the Mid-Late Pennsylvanian, nonmarine Conemaugh Formation in this area. Facies identified include 1) fluvial–upper estuarine channel sandstones, 2) crevasse splay channel and sheet sandstones, 3) lacustrine shale, mudstone, and claystone, 4) lacustrine/palustrine limestone, 5) paludal coal and carbonaceous shale, and 6) hackly mudstone and claystone paleosols. Mature, polygenetic, high-chroma calcic vertisols and calcisols are the regionally developed interfluvial sequence boundaries (IFSBs) of seven fourth-order sequences (major cyclothems) between the Upper Freeport and Harlem coal horizons. Initial paleosol development occurred under well-drained conditions and strongly seasonal, semiarid–arid climate approaching and during glacial maxima at a time of minimal accommodation space on the interfluves. Subsequent rising water table associated with rising base level occurred as interglacial sea level rose and the climate became less seasonal and more humid. This initially led to deposition of thin, carbonaceous mud and peat followed by lacustrine and palustrine limestones. The presence of spirorbid microconchids indicates that the lakes were at least intermittently connected to the sea, which reached to within 50–80 km of all outcrops in the study during five transgressions. The tops of these limestones represent maximum flooding surfaces. They are overlain by coarsening–upward lake-fill sequences formed during high accommodation on the interfluves during the HST. A nonmarine sequence stratigraphic model and a polygenetic paleosol model are proposed for the Conemaugh in central West Virginia. This study underscores the importance of recognizing regionally developed IFSB paleosols and microconchid limestones in correlation and sequence stratigraphic analysis.
Utility analysis of management strategies for suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage in patients with thunderclap headache with negative CT result.

Purpose To determine the most effective follow-up strategy for evaluation of patients with thunderclap headache and negative initial non-contrast CT for acute subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Materials and methods Institutional review was performed to assess the frequency of CT angiography (CTA) in screening patients with negative non-contrast CT. A comparative effectiveness analysis based on decision tree modelling was subsequently performed to assess three different strategies—no follow-up, lumbar puncture (LP) and CTA. The clinical probabilities and utilities from literature were used to design the decision tree. Base-case scenario utility calculations, sensitivity analyses and probabilistic Monte Carlo simulation were performed. Results Institutional review of recent data in the last two years demonstrates frequent use of CTA in patients with thunderclap headache with limited utility. The decision tree analysis shows CT with LP follow-up to be the most effective strategy with the highest expected utility of 0.79926 quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) compared with 0.79875 QALY for no follow-up and 0.79869 QALY for CTA follow-up. Monte Carlo simulation showed LP was the best strategy in 86.4% of all iterations. Sensitivity analyses demonstrate that CT without follow-up is the best strategy only when the sensitivity of CT is very high (99.6%) or the pre-test probability of SAH in a patients with thunderclap headache with negative initial CT is low (1.6%). Conclusions CT with no follow-up was shown to be the best strategy when the pre-test probability of SAH is low ( 99.6%). Otherwise, LP should be the preferred strategy for follow-up.
Reflection in a Distant Mirror: Why the West Has Misperceived the Grameen Bank's Vision of Microcredit

This article critiques a very popular model for economic development and poverty reduction. Developed by the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, the model uses microloans (or microcredit) to aid the poor in becoming self-employed. In the United States, microcredit is often perceived as a panacea, receiving ever greater funding and bipartisan support. However, partly because the information we have about the model is more myth than fact, the development community in the US has reached unsupportable and false conclusions about the model's ability to solve market failure, increase participation by the poor in functioning markets, and incorporate indigenous values. In reality, the model fails to eliminate the informational and other problems that contribute to market failure in poor communities, arguably leaving the poor with even fewer resources to sell their products or services. In addition, rather than teaching the poor the values necessary to participate in mainstream markets, the model encourages the poor to engage in informal behaviors that have the opposite effect. Finally, contrary to the Grameen Banks claims that it has captured an indigenousness that causes its program to stick with its target population, the more chilling reality is that those features of the Grameen Bank that are so attractive to the development community in the West are largely a reflection of Western values, which had previously been exported around the world. The indigenousness that the Western development community perceives is in fact a more dubious hybridity that fails to incorporate the true values of the target population. The implications of this hybridity ought to give us pause as we consider the pros and cons of the Grameen Bank model. This discovery should also require us to confront the extent to which the West's increasing market dominance redefines the struggle for cultural integrity and economic survival at the most local level.
Learners’ Interpersonal Beliefs and Generated Feedback in an Online Role-Playing Peer- Feedback Activity: An Exploratory Study

Peer feedback affords interaction and critical thinking opportunities for learners in online courses. However, various factors prevent learners from taking advantage of these promising benefits. This study explored learners’ perceptions of the interpersonal factors in a role-playing peer-feedback activity, and examined the types of peer feedback that learners generated when playing a role. Participants were 16 graduate students engaged in an online role-playing peer-feedback activity. The results from survey responses revealed learners’ positive interpersonal beliefs, including psychological safety and trust, toward the role-playing peer-feedback activity. In addition, more than sixty percent of the participants reported being more comfortable critiquing peers’ work when playing a role. The content analysis of the peer-feedback entries indicated that learners were able to generate highly constructive feedback entries. In addition to adding supportive comments, those feedback entries identified problems, asked questions, and provided suggestions. The results show that role-play strategy has great potential to enhance learners’ interpersonal beliefs in peer-feedback activity and their feedback quality.
REFRACTION CORRECTIONS FOR SURFACE INTEGRAL METHODS IN JET AEROACOUSTICS

One of the major challenges in computational jet aeroacoustics is the accurate modelling and prediction of acoustic flelds in order to reduce and control the jet noise. Surface integral methods (e.g. Kirchhofi method and Ffowcs Williams - Hawkings (FW-H) method) can be used in Computational Aeroacoustics (CAA) in order to extend the near-fleld CFD results to far-fleld. The surface integral methods can e‐ciently and accurately predict aerodynamically generated noise provided the control surface surrounds the entire source region. However, for jet noise prediction, shear mean ∞ow exists outside the control surface that causes refraction. The mean ∞ow refraction corrections had been done in the past using simple geometric acoustics (GA). A more rigorous method based on Lilley’s equation is investigated here due to its more realistic assumption of the acoustic propagation. Jet noise computational results based on Large Eddy Simulation (LES) for the near-fleld for an isothermal jet at Reynolds number 400,000 are used for the evaluation of the solution on the FW-H control surface. The proposed methodology for prediction of far-fleld sound pressure level shows that the acoustic fleld within the zone of silence is consistent with the experimental results.
Patients Prefer the Use of a Patient Decision-Making Aid When Discussing Surgical Options for Nephrolithiasis

METHODS: The magnetic Blackstar DJ is a 7 french ureteral stent with a small magnet fixed with a string at the distal DJ loop. To remove the DJ a customized catheter with a magnetic Tiemann tip is used. The catheter is inserted after transurethral application of a standard lubricant and removed with the DJ after getting in contact with the DJ’s magnet. The study was approved by local ethics committee. We placed the magnetic DJ in 20 consecutive patients after ureteroscopy for stone removal. No additional foley catheter was placed. The DJ was removed the next day with the magnetic retrieval catheter either by a physician or a nurse. Retrieval time, patient comfort and feasibility of the retrieval device were assessed. RESULTS: The DJ could be removed with the retrieval device within less than 30 seconds in 19 out of 20 patients. In the first patient the removal was not successful due to an enlarged prostate middle lobe. For this patient a cystoscopical removal was needed. In the second patient the removal was performed under fluoroscopic control to ensure save handling of the retrieval device by the surgeon. In all other patients the removal of the catheter was performed in the patients room on the ward. CONCLUSIONS: The removal of the magnetic DJ using the retrieval device is fast and easy and can be performed by physicians as well as nurses. The patients didn’t complain about a lot of discomfort during the removal. This technique might lead to significant cost reduction compared to the standard cystoscopical removal of ureter stents with sterile instruments in the endourological operation room. Our feasibility study indicates this magnetic DJ to significantly reduce patient’s discomfort by DJ removal and therefore seems to be a promising new device for endourologists.