cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Weld Overlay Defects in a Hydrocracking Unit Reactor

Asset Performance Management is a key element of operational excellence. It refers to the management systems, strategies and activities aimed at maintaining the integrity of plant assets for their desired life. The safe operation of the assets is to be ensured at any cost. The objective of this paper is to offer one of the most critical assets in a refinery, namely the Hydrocracking Unit (HCU) reactor, as a case study addressing assessment of defects found in the weld overlay.The reactor was built in 1978 according to ASME Sec. VIII Div. 2 and has been in operation since then. The reactor is constructed of Chromium-Molybdenum (Cr-Mo) base material (SA 336 F21) with thickness of 266 mm and corrosion resistant stainless steel (TP-347 with thickness of 3.2 mm) weld overlay. The very high operating temperature and pressure of the reactor in hydrogen rich hydrocarbon service and the resulting thermal stress and material degradation caused disbonding and cracks in the stainless steel weld overlay. This paper will address the approach that was used to alleviate such type of defects. Also, various considerations that go into the assessment are discussed and recommendations are suggested.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Use of bowel in laparoscopic urology.

Summary Minimally invasive urology is a rapidly expanding field. What once was thought technically impossible is now becoming a reality, especially with the advent of intracorporeal stapling and automated suturing devices. Laparoscopic assistance and pure laparoscopy improve convalescence and cosmesis in comparison with open surgical procedures. Minimally invasive continent urinary stomas, ACE procedures, bladder augmentation, urinary diversion, and urinary undiversion have all been described in clinical practice. Continent urinary diversions and ileal bladder augmentations are being developed. Eventually, even the most challenging urologic procedures will be performed in a minimally invasive manner.
The Promised Land: The Great Black Migration and How It Changed America

An examination of the great black migration and how it changed America. The author points out that the 20th-century migration of five million people from the rural South to the urban North changed America into a place where race relations affected the texture of life everywhere.
Exploring patterns of employee psychosocial outcomes among child welfare workers

Abstract Child welfare workers continue to suffer from increased levels of job stress and burnout, often resulting in an intention to leave. Although the literature on these psychosocial employee outcomes is extensive, much of it is limited in that it has failed to determine if variability exists across these constructs in a way that can be systematically categorized. This cross sectional exploratory study utilized a statewide purposive sample of respondents ( N = 209) from a public child welfare organization in a Northeastern state. Two complementary cluster methods and discriminant function analysis were used to determine if subtypes of job stress, burnout, well-being, job satisfaction and intent to leave exist among public child welfare workers. Since the results yielded three different clusters of workers, an Analysis of Variance was used to identify significant group differences, while Scheffe post hoc tests were examined to determine which groups differed. Findings show that the all three clusters significantly vary from one another in terms of the adverse employee psychosocial outcomes. Our findings suggest that child welfare workers represent a heterogeneous group with dissimilar psychosocial needs. To meet those employee needs and maximize their work output, child welfare administrators should make a concerted effort to better understand the unique needs of this strained workforce.
Positioning a tourism destination to gain a competitive edge

Positioning is a form of market communication that plays a vital role in enhancing the attractiveness of a tourism destination. This article describes the different parts of the positioning process and applies it to the case of positioning a U.S. destination to Japanese visitors.
Clinical significance of increased density in the proximal femoral marrow detected by visual inspection on abdominopelvic postcontrast CT examination.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the clinical significance of increased density of the proximal femoral diaphyseal marrow when incidentally detected on postcontrast abdominopelvic CT examinations. Method: The proximal femoral marrow of 63 patients was classified as normal or abnormal based on visual inspection by three attending radiologists. Abnormal density was defined as attenuation greater than that of adjacent musculature. The attenuation of the marrow was also measured. All patient medical records were reviewed for pertinent laboratory and clinical data. Results: Increased marrow density had a low sensitivity for anemia (28%) but a high specificity and positive predictive value (100%) for anemia. Three of these patients had unilaterally increased attenuation associated with local pathology. Visual inspection was adequate for identifying abnormalities in instances of underlying malignancy. Conclusion: Increased density of the proximal femoral diaphysis is a highly specific finding for a marrow replacement process. Anemia was the most common clinical diagnosis in our series of patients with abnormal marrow density. Although the sensitivity for increased bone marrow attenuation is low, the extremely high specificity and positive predictive value of this finding for marrow reconversion and/or replacement suggest that even if detected incidentally, it should not be disregarded and, in the absence of a preexisting causative diagnosis, warrants further evaluation. The specific pattern of marrow abnormality may be helpful in differentiating localized processes from other processes that may affect hematopoietic function in a more widespread or global distribution. In particular, visual inspection of marrow density was more specific for identifying asymmetric marrow density in localized processes than was a quantitative measure of difference between the two femurs (>20 HU). Index Terms: Computed tomography-Bone marrow-Bone marrow, density-Diaphysis, femoral.
Overview of international environmental health.

Ultimately, the health and quality of life of all human beings depend upon the environment and ecosystems to which we are directly and indirectly connected. The papers in this special edition address a number of the critical environmental health issues on which U.S. government agencies and their collaborating partners are engaged internationally. The agencies are members of the International Environmental Health Subcommittee, chaired by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The activities described span the range from global policy to country-level field activities. While environmental factors related to infectious disease dominate the global burden of environmentally-related disease, acute and chronic exposures to chemicals are increasingly important public health issues at the local, national, and regional levels; arsenic in drinking water is a good example. Intersectoral action involving governments (at all levels), the private sector, and civil society working together in partnership is absolutely critical to sustainably resolving the problems touched on this overview and meeting the environmental health challenges of the twenty-first century.
Abstract 573: Ionizing radiation activates IFN signaling in tumor cells

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Ionizing radiation (IR) uses multiple pathways to mediate killing in tumor cells. We found that fractionated irradiation leads to the constitutive overexpression of Interferon Stimulated Genes (ISGs) which are controlled by Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 (Stat1). Stat1 mediated IFN signal transduction and at the same time was involved in the production of Type I and Type II IFNs. IR-induced ISGs represent the following groups: 1) mitochondrial-related genes with pro- and anti-apoptotic functions, 2) cell cycle control and regulators of transcription, 3) protein modification and degradation, 4) cytoplasmic sensors of nucleic acids, and 5) anti-viral defense. Fractionated or single-dose IR induced the IFN pathway mediated by activation of Stat1 in breast, colon, prostate and head and neck tumor xenografts. Depletion of tumor-derived IFNs led to the suppression of IR response indicating that IFN production/signaling is a component of anti-tumor IR action. Cell-autonomous experiments indicated that tumor cells up-regulate Stat1 and ISGs and produce IFNα in response to single dose IR (3Gy). Up-regulated Stat1 in irradiated tumor cells was not phosphorylated at Tyr701 position compared to Stat1 activation following interferon stimulation. In a syngeneic tumor model of B16F1, IR-induced activation of IFN signaling in tumors (assessed both by up-regulation of the Stat1-dependent pathway and induction of Type I and Type II IFNs) was dependent on TNFα signaling in the host and was impaired in TNFR1,2-/- mice. We therefore conclude that IR induces IFN signaling in tumor cells as a component of the cytotoxic response. This interferon induction depends on TNFα signaling in host cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 573. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-573
SU‐FF‐T‐238: GafChromic XR‐QA Film in Testing Panoramic Dental Radiography

Purpose: The location and the field size of the incident X‐ray beam in panoramic dental radiography most often cannot be ascertain visually. These parameters are needed for quality controltesting and dosimetry determination. To alleviate this problem, GafChromic XR‐QA film was tested on two panoramic systems. Method and Materials: For each system, the dose‐area product was computed with the length of a cross section image of the incident beam and the exposure measurement with a pencil ion chamber. The result was confirmed by direct analysis of a dose distribution on a film. Placement of the ion chamber was determined by these images. The dose‐area products were thus determined to be 713 cGy.mm2 and 721 cGy.mm2 . From these values, the effective doses were computed to be 5.2 μSv and 5.3 μSv respectively. Results and Conclusion: This version of radiochromic film has thus been demonstrated to be a useful complement to a pencil ion chamber in the testing of a panoramic radiography system.
Structural and Functional Characterization of Cardiac Troponin T Mutations in the TNT1 Domain That Cause Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

FHC is a primary cardiac muscle disorder that is one of the most common causes of sudden death in young people. FHC “hotspot” mutations at residue 92 in cardiac troponin T (cTnT) flank the proposed α-helical TNT1 tail domain whose flexibility has been suggested to be important in normal protein-protein interactions within the thin filament. Through Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, we showed that FHC mutations Arg92Leu, Arg92Trp, and Arg92Gln cause local α-helical structural changes and increased flexibility at a critical hinge region 18 Angstroms distant from the mutation. We have extended this MD analysis via the use of a self-defined coordinate to measure localized bends in the helix and found that forces acting on this bending coordinate are lower in mutants than wildtype. This quantitatively suggests a less restrictive bending motion in mutants explaining the increased flexibility of the hinge region. To determine how primary biophysical changes induced by these mutations cause complex cardiomyopathies we hypothesize that flexibility alterations and changes in force within compaction-expansion regions in mutational segments lead to electrostatic perturbations, possibly interfering with cTnT-TM complex formation and thin filament function. In vitro motility assays with wildtype cTnT and hotspot FHC-cTnT mutants are in progress to directly correlate predicted alterations in electrostatic properties with resultant functional changes. Moreover, contractile and Ca2+ transient measurements on isolated myocytes address downstream myocellular responses to the mutation's primary perturbation on structure and function. Data showed normal percent shortening in Arg92Leu myocytes while Arg92Trp percent shortening was significantly impaired compared to Non-Tg (4.740 + 1.165 vs. 6.971 + 2.098, p<0.001). Completion of these studies will directly address the links between thin filament structure/function, downstream myocellular responses, and resultant distinct cardiovascular phenotypes.
Information Technology (IT) Project Management Failures: Pioneering Grounded Theory Exploring the IT Project Failure Trend Data Sampling Selection Methodology

This paper addresses the qualitative component of the data collection, analysis and validation process within a Multi-method research framework. The “functional” purpose of this research is to uncover the key “soft factors” impacting Information technology project success (and failures). The authors hypothesize that alarming (and increasing) rates of IT Project Failure (Stoica and Brouse, 2012) are strong indicators that this systemic trend has not yet been addressed from a root cause perspective. This trend has been explored from a distinctive lens integrating Grounded Theory, Social Theory and Systems Dynamic principles within the Multi-method construct. This study capitalizes its validation against Field Methods within Social Sciences (Guest at. al., 2006). This key purpose of this paper is to present the statistical robustness as well as challenges of the data (post collection) gathered for the assessment of this systemic issue (and not its “functional” interpretation – which is addressed on separate publications).
NATO: in search of a vision

NATO: in search of a vision, edited by Gulnur Aybet and Rebecca R. Moore, Washington, DC, Georgetown University Press, 2010, 256 pp., £20.75 (paperback), ISBN 978-1-58901-630-9 Bringing together th...
SOI wafer mold with high-aspect-ratio microstructures for hot embossing process

This paper reports using a Silicon oil insulator (SOI) wafer as a mold insert for the hot embossing process on high-aspect-ratio microstructures to overcome two drawbacks of Inductive Coupled Etching (ICP) process, the area dependent etching and the micrograss. A thin sacrificial wall to eliminate the undercut in the big open area during ICP etching is also described. A good result of final embossed structure on PMMA with aspect ratio of 12 : 1, uniform thickness, and smooth surface is presented.
Differentiation of vascular endothelium in the chick chorioallantois: A structural and autoradiographic study☆

Abstract The maturation of vascular endothelial cells in the chick chorioallantoic membrane, from 8 to 18 days after fertilization, was investigated by light and electron microscopy. Light microscopic autoradiography following administration of tritiated thymidine was used to determine the thymidine labeling index of the endothelial cell population at various stages of development. Results indicate that, prior to day 11 of incubation, endothelial cells have the morphological characteristics of immature and relatively undifferentiated cells. During this time they exhibit a high labeling index of approximately 23%. At 11 days, the labeling index decreases to 2.8%, and subsequently the cells begin to acquire structural characteristics of mature differentiated endothelium. The pattern of endothelial cell labeling suggests that, during the period of high endothelial cell mitosis, the capillary network of the growing chorioallantoic membrane is expanding by an overall proliferation of endothelial cells in existing capillaries, rather than by formation of new capillary sprouts. The immaturity of endothelial cells in the young chorioallantois, or conversely their high rate of cell division, may influence the ability of this membrane to support grafted tissue prior to day 11.
Abstract 5353: Identification of a subset of AIDS related lymphoma (ARL) containing HIV infected macrophages that is immunophenotypically distinct from EBV+ ARL

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC The risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma is 60X greater in the HIV-infected population when compared to non-infected individuals despite the initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The primary difference between lymphoma in non-infected individuals and those with AIDS related lymphoma (ARL) is that ARL is high-grade and metastatic. Since the introduction of HAART the incidence of ARL has decreased but not the same extent as other AIDS-related malignancies and there has been little change amongst the CD4 strata. Therefore, with the increase in life expectancy afforded by HAART, the overall number of ARL cases is expected to rise in the future. Preliminary reports have suggested that some ARLs contain HIV-infected macrophages that may contribute to ARL pathogenesis. A recent study evaluating HIV sequence evolution in the contest of metastatic ARL found lymphoma specific HIV compartmentalized within sites of lymphoma that was distinct from HIV present in non-lymphoma sites (Salemi et al, PLOSone Dec 3, 2009). These data suggested the existence of a lymphoma specific form of HIV evolving within individuals who develop ARL. The goal of this research was to determine the incidence of HIV infected lymphomas in the pre and post-HAART eras and if HIV-positive lymphomas have a specific immunophenotype. A tissue microarray containing ∼150 of ARLs (from 1982-2007) was obtained through the AIDS and Cancer Specimen Resource (ACSR) and was used for HIV p24 and macrophage CD68 immunohistochemistry. Double staining techniques confirmed that p24 expression was localized to tumor associated macrophages (TAM). There was a highly significant (p<0.001) increase in the frequency of p24+ ARL cases post-HAART (after 1996; 49%) as compared to pre-HAART (before 1996; 26%). Using antigen expression data CD20, CD3, CD10, BCL6, BCL2, MUM1, Ki67, blimp, p53 and EBV, provided by the ACSR, we were able to determine that p24+ ARLs were generally of B cell origin but did not have a specific immunophenotype. In contrast, EBV+ ARLs were more likely to express MUM1 or blimp and less likely to express CD29, CD10 or BCL6. EBV status was not associated with a pre/post HAART diagnosis (44 vs. 40%). However, a subset of EBV-/p24+ tumors was identified. In the pre-HAART era, 13% of the tumors were EBV-/p24+ compared to 30% in the post-HAART era suggesting, that the incidence of this tumor type is increasing (p<0.05). These data describe for the first time the existence of potentially tumor specific HIV in up to 1/3 of all post HAART ARLs, a class of tumor that is immunophenotypically distinct from EBV+ ARLs. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5353.
Phosphorescent oxygen sensor with dendritic protection and two-photon absorbing antenna.

Imaging oxygen in 3D with submicron spatial resolution can be made possible by combining phosphorescence quenching technique with multiphoton laser scanning microscopy. Because Pt and Pd porphyrin-based phosphorescent dyes, traditionally used as phosphors in biological oxygen measurements, exhibit extremely low two-photon absorption (2PA) cross-sections, we designed a nanosensor for oxygen, in which a 2P absorbing antenna is coupled to a metalloporphyrin core via intramolecular energy transfer (ET) with the purpose of amplifying the 2PA induced phosphorescence of the metalloporphyrin. The central component of the device is a polyfunctionalized Pt porphyrin, whose triplet state emission at ambient temperatures is strong, occurs in the near infrared and is sensitive to O2. The 2PA chromophores are chosen in such a way that their absorption is maximal in the near infrared (NIR) window of tissue (e.g., 700−900 nm), while their fluorescence is overlapped with the absorption band(s) of the core metalloporphyrin...
A method for analysis of phenotypic change for phenotypes described by high-dimensional data

The analysis of phenotypic change is important for several evolutionary biology disciplines, including phenotypic plasticity, evolutionary developmental biology, morphological evolution, physiological evolution, evolutionary ecology and behavioral evolution. It is common for researchers in these disciplines to work with multivariate phenotypic data. When phenotypic variables exceed the number of research subjects--data called 'high-dimensional data'--researchers are confronted with analytical challenges. Parametric tests that require high observation to variable ratios present a paradox for researchers, as eliminating variables potentially reduces effect sizes for comparative analyses, yet test statistics require more observations than variables. This problem is exacerbated with data that describe 'multidimensional' phenotypes, whereby a description of phenotype requires high-dimensional data. For example, landmark-based geometric morphometric data use the Cartesian coordinates of (potentially) many anatomical landmarks to describe organismal shape. Collectively such shape variables describe organism shape, although the analysis of each variable, independently, offers little benefit for addressing biological questions. Here we present a nonparametric method of evaluating effect size that is not constrained by the number of phenotypic variables, and motivate its use with example analyses of phenotypic change using geometric morphometric data. Our examples contrast different characterizations of body shape for a desert fish species, associated with measuring and comparing sexual dimorphism between two populations. We demonstrate that using more phenotypic variables can increase effect sizes, and allow for stronger inferences.
Cyberphysical Systems: Workload Modeling and Design Optimization

Built to interact with the physical world, a cyberphysical system (CPS) must be efficient, reliable, and safe. To optimize such systems, a science of CPS design considering workload characteristics (e.g., self-similarity and nonstationarity) must be established. CPS modeling and design are greatly improved when statistical physics approaches - such as master equations, renormalization group theory, and fractional derivatives - are implemented in the optimization loop.
Modeling the solid-state reaction between Sn-Pb solder and a porous substrate coating

Solder joints in hybrid microelectronic circuit electronics are formed between the solder alloy and the noble metal thick film conductor that has been printed and fired onto the ceramic. Although the noble metal conductors provide excellent solderability at the time of manufacture, they are susceptible to solid-state reactions with Sn or other constituents of the solder. The reaction products consist of one or more intermetallic compounds (IMC). The integrity of these solder joints can be jeopardized by formation of IMC layers, which can have thermal and mechanical properties that are substantially different from the solder and substrate and which can consume the conductor layer by solid-state reaction. Analytical models predicting IMC growth for a variety of conditions are needed to improve predictions of long-term joint reliability and manufacturing processes. Unfortunately, because of the inherent porosity of thick film conductors, IMC growth in conductors cannot be well predicted by simply applying growth kinetics to a quasi-one-dimensional layer geometry. Rather, IMC growth involves a complicated geometry in which the interfaces between solid-state phases grow, intersect, and coalesce. In such geometries, explicit boundary tracking, which is normally done in one-dimensional models, is impractical. In heat transfer analyses, an implicit approach, referred to as the enthalpy method, has been used to address multidimensional problems in which interface displacement is controlled by an energy flux. However, an analogous general approach has not been available for mass transfer and reaction analyses. This paper discusses initial 2-D results from a coupled experimental and computational effort to develop a mathematical model and computer code that will ultimately predict 3-D intermetallic growth in porous substrate-solder systems. The numerical model is based on an implicit interface tracking approach developed for diffusion-reaction analyses in complicated geometries. To illustrate the implicit approach with a “real” system, the 2-D calculations were based on the reaction couple formed between 63Sn-37Pb solder and 76Au-21Pt-3Pd substrates. Physical constants in the model were evaluated from experimental data. Consumption of the thick film was predicted as a function of time and compared with data from independent experiments.
The Human Frontal Oculomotor Cortical Areas Contribute Asymmetrically to Motor Planning in a Gap Saccade Task

BACKGROUND: Saccadic eye movements are used to rapidly align the fovea with the image of objects of interest in peripheral vision. We have recently shown that in children there is a high preponderance of quick latency but poorly planned saccades that consistently fall short of the target goal. The characteristics of these multiple saccades are consistent with a lack of proper inhibitory control of cortical oculomotor areas on the brainstem saccade generation circuitry. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In the present paper, we directly tested this assumption by using single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to transiently disrupt neuronal activity in the frontal eye fields (FEF) and supplementary eye fields (SEF) in adults performing a gap saccade task. The results showed that the incidence of multiple saccades was increased for ispiversive but not contraversive directions for the right and left FEF, the left SEF, but not for the right SEF. Moreover, this disruption was most substantial during the approximately 50 ms period around the appearance of the peripheral target. A control condition in which the dorsal motor cortex was stimulated demonstrated that this was not due to any non-specific effects of the TMS influencing the spatial distribution of attention. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Taken together, the results are consistent with a direction-dependent role of the FEF and left SEF in delaying the release of saccadic eye movements until they have been fully planned. Language: en
Subcategory learning in normal and language learning-disabled adults: how much information do they need?

Purpose The purpose of this experiment was to determine if nonreferential morphophonological information was sufficient to facilitate the learning of gender subcategories (i.e., masculine vs. femin...
Autocrine regulation of erythropoietin gene expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Abstract We have previously reported that a marked increase in erythropoietin (Epo) production can be demonstrated in Hep3B cell cultures in response to hypoxia (1). In order to determine whether this increase involves an autocrine mechanism, we have investigated the effects of purified human recombinant Epo (rHuEpo) on Epo production. Purified rHuEpo (5–80 mU/ml) produced a significant increase above control levels of Epo in Hep3B cell cultures under normoxic (20% O 2 ) conditions. Hypoxie (1% O 2 ) incubation of Hep3B cells with rHuEpo caused an increase over control levels of EpomRNA. Hep3B cells also expressed Epo receptor (Epo-R) transcripts. Binding studies using [ 125 I]-Epo revealed that Hep3B cells contain a single class of binding site (kd = 2.9 nmol/rmL and Bmax = 1760 sites/cell). Antierythropoietin receptor monoclonal antibody inhibited the rHuEpo induced elevation in medium levels of Epo and blocked [ 125 I]-Epo binding to Hep3B cell membranes. These results demonstrate that the expression of EpomRNA may be controlled, at least in part, by an autocrine mechanism.
A Survey of Veterinarians in the US: Euthanasia and Other End-of-Life Issues

ABSTRACTA stressful aspect of veterinary medicine is the euthanasia of animals, especially companion animals. The veterinarian must relate to both the suffering animal and the grieving client. An objective of this project was to assess veterinarians' need for training on how to help themselves and their clients with animal euthanasia considerations. Additionally, we sought to determine if practitioners felt well prepared from veterinary school. A survey of 463 veterinarians in the southeastern United States (return rate = 75%) found that they average euthanizing 7.53 animals per month. The majority of clients were present during the process, and most left the animal for the veterinarian to make the final disposal of the remains, typically cremation. Most veterinary practices did not have a trained grief counselor on staff, however, referrals to a grief support group and or a hotline were often made. The majority of veterinarians did not think that their veterinary school training prepared them to relate t...
Gonococcal Porin Vaccine Evaluation: Comparison of Por Proteosomes, Liposomes, and Blebs Isolated from rmp Deletion Mutants

The gonococcal major outer membrane protein, Por (protein I), is a potential vaccine candidate. A large-scale animal trial compared the immunogenicity of Por inserted in liposomes (mimicking its in vivo structure) with previously used vaccines containing Por. Por was purified from Rmp (protein III)-negative gonococcal mutants and made into five different formulations: proteosomes, proteosomes absorbed to alum, liposomes, gonococcal membrane blebs, and gonococcal membrane blebs absorbed to alum. Por liposomes induced the greatest amount of Por antibodies; proteosomes and both preparations of blebs induced minimal amounts of Por antibodies. Proteosomes absorbed to alum induced slightly lower amounts of Por antibodies than did liposomes, especially when protein IA was used. Whole-organism absorption studies revealed that a significantly greater percentage of liposome-induced Por antibodies recognized exposed portions of the protein than did proteosome- or proteosome/alum-induced antibodies.
Very large magnetoresistance in graphene nanoribbons

Graphene has unique electronic properties, and graphene nanoribbons are of particular interest because they exhibit a conduction bandgap that arises due to size confinement and edge effects. Theoretical studies have suggested that graphene nanoribbons could have interesting magneto-electronic properties, with a very large predicted magnetoresistance. Here, we report the experimental observation of a significant enhancement in the conductance of a graphene nanoribbon field-effect transistor by a perpendicular magnetic field. A negative magnetoresistance of nearly 100% was observed at low temperatures, with over 50% magnetoresistance remaining at room temperature. This magnetoresistance can be tuned by varying the gate or source-drain bias. We also find that the charge transport in the nanoribbons is not significantly modified by an in-plane magnetic field. The large observed values of magnetoresistance may be attributed to the reduction of quantum confinement through the formation of cyclotron orbits and the delocalization effect under the perpendicular magnetic field.
Organizational Citizenship Behavior and Performance: A Meta-Analysis of Group-Level Research

Most of the research on the relationship between organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and performance has been conducted at the individual level. During the past 10 years, however, group-level research on that relationship has begun to appear. This article meta-analytically reviews 38 independent samples (N = 3,097) in which the relationship between OCB and performance was studied at the group level. The analyses in this study suggest a positive overall relationship between OCB and performance (ρ = .29), as well as the presence of several moderating variables. The theoretical implications of these findings are discussed, and some suggestions for future research are offered.
Adapting the Community of Inquiry Survey for an Online Graduate Program: Implications for Online Programs:

A cohort-based online professional doctorate program that consisted of both online coursework and research activities was designed using Garrison et al's community of inquiry (CoI) framework. The evaluation of the program proved a challenge because all existing CoI assessment methods in the past have dealt with online courses, not with online programs. In the absence of a validated instrument for measuring the success of the community of inquiry design at a program level, the CoI survey for online courses was adapted and used with the second cohort of online students (n = 18). This article presents (a) an extension of the construct's cognitive, teaching, and social presence for online programs, and (b) an instrument to measure student perceptions of a CoI that encompasses asynchronous and synchronous interactions, as well as course-specific and non-course-specific interactions in different learning spaces.
On the intellectual heritage of Henri Poincaré

Poincare's understanding of how mathematics grows over time was informed by the theory of evolution by natural selection and Mach's economy of thought. According to Poincare, mathematics is neither created nor discovered but cultivated as part of our intellectual inheritance. This paper is based on a lecture delivered at the joint meeting of the BSHM and CSHPM at Trinity College, Dublin, 2011. The title echoes The mathematical heritage of Henri Poincare (1983) a collection of essays edited by Felix Browder.
Stream Restoration in the Upper Midwest, U.S.A.

Restoration activities intended to improve the condition of streams and rivers are widespread throughout the Upper Midwest, U.S.A. As with other regions, however, little information exists regarding types of activities and their effectiveness. We developed a database of 1,345 stream restoration projects implemented from the years 1970 to 2004 for the states of Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin in order to analyze regional trends in goals, presence of monitoring, spatial distribution, size, and cost of river restoration projects. We found that data on individual projects were fragmented across multiple federal, state, and county agencies, as well as nonprofit groups and consulting firms. The most common restoration goals reported for this region were in-stream habitat improvement, bank stabilization, water-quality management, and dam removal. The former two were most common in Michigan and Wisconsin, where salmonid fisheries enhancement appeared to be an important concern, whereas water-quality management was most frequent in Ohio. The most common restoration activities were the use of sand traps and riprap, and other common activities were related to the improvement of fish habitat. The median cost was $12,957 for projects with cost data, and total expenditures since 1990 were estimated at $444 million. Over time, the cost of individual projects has increased, whereas the median size has decreased, suggesting that restoration resources are being spent on smaller, more localized, and more expensive projects. Only 11% of data records indicated that monitoring was performed, and more expensive projects were more likely to be monitored. Standardization of monitoring and record keeping and dissemination of findings are urgently needed to ensure that dollars are well spent and restoration effectiveness is maximized.
Radar identification of urban-enhanced thunderstorm activity for Atlanta, Georgia, USA

The distribution of warm season (June through August) thunderstorm activity surrounding Atlanta, Georgia from 1997-2006 was identified from composite reflectivity data obtained from the network of National Weather Service radars (WSR-88D). Maxima of medium- to high-reflectivity episodes were identified to the north of and within downtown Atlanta and immediately east of the primary urban expansion of the central business district. Additional enhanced, high-reflectivity areas are found south of downtown Atlanta. These regions are also correlated with high-density urban expansion south of the Atlanta CBD.
Label-free receptor assays

Label-free biosensors offer integrated, kinetic and multi-parametric measures of receptor biology and ligand pharmacology in whole cells. Being highly sensitive and pathway-unbiased, label-free receptor assays can be used to probe the systems cell biology including pleiotropic signaling of receptors, and to characterize the functional selectivity and phenotypic pharmacology of ligand molecules. These assays provide a new dimension for elucidating receptor biology and for facilitating drug discovery.
EMPLOYMENT, SOCIAL SECURITY, AND FUTURE RETIREMENT OUTCOMES FOR SINGLE MOTHERS

Employment rates for single mothers with dependent children have been rising, partly because of welfare reform and expansions in the Earned Income Tax Credit. This paper examines this trend and implications for future retirement security. The results show that employment and earnings gains for single mothers during the late 1990s will translate into modestly higher Social Security benefits and better retirement outcomes when they reach later life, assuming these trends persist. However, most single mothers will fare worse in retirement than other women, primarily because they generally earned low wages over their lifetimes and many lack financial support from spouses.
Histone Deacetylases RPD3 and HOS2 Regulate the Transcriptional Activation of DNA Damage-Inducible Genes

DNA microarray and genetic studies of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have demonstrated that histone deacetylases (HDACs) are required for transcriptional activation and repression, but the mechanism by which they activate transcription remains poorly understood. We show that two HDACs, RPD3 and HOS2, are required for the activation of DNA damage-inducible genes RNR3 and HUG1. Using mutants specific for the Rpd3L complex, we show that the complex is responsible for regulating RNR3. Furthermore, unlike what was described for the GAL genes, Rpd3L regulates the activation of RNR3 by deacetylating nucleosomes at the promoter, not at the open reading frame. Rpd3 is recruited to the upstream repression sequence of RNR3, which surprisingly does not require Tup1 or Crt1. Chromatin remodeling and TFIID recruitment are largely unaffected in the Δrpd3/Δhos2 mutant, but the recruitment of RNA polymerase II is strongly reduced, arguing that Rpd3 and Hos2 regulate later stages in the assembly of the preinitiation complex or facilitate multiple rounds of polymerase recruitment. Furthermore, the histone H4 acetyltransferase Esa1 is required for the activation of RNR3 and HUG1. Thus, reduced or unregulated constitutive histone H4 acetylation is detrimental to promoter activity, suggesting that HDAC-dependent mechanisms are in place to reset promoters to allow high levels of transcription.
A code transition delay model for ADC test

We propose a new fault model for static linearity testing of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). Faults in the analog sub-circuit (ASC) manifest as a delay or advance of the code transition points, when the triangle wave input is applied. The delays or advances are measured in terms of the number of clocks that occur between the ideal case transition and the actual transition between two given codes. These differences are calculated for both the lower edge and the upper edge of a given code and are then used to calculate the differential linearity error (DLE) at that code. This technique considers time ordering of the codes which the histogram method does not. It also requires less hardware and is more conducive to a built-in self-test (BIST) implementation because we use only 6 registers rather than a register for every code that the ADC produces. The technique is validated on several CMOS flash ADCs.
Electrocardiogram screening of infants for long QT syndrome: survey of pediatric cardiologists in North America☆

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate current opinions toward screening infants for long QT syndrome (LQTS) by electrocardiogram (ECG) among pediatric cardiologists in North America. Background Research from Italy shows that ECG screening of infants for LQTS is cost-effective. Methods E-mail invitations were sent to 1045 pediatric cardiologists in North America listed in the American Academy of Pediatrics directory. The survey was Internet-based with multiple choice questions. Two repeat e-mail reminders were sent after the initial invitation. Results Three sixty-three (35%) responses were returned. Among the respondents, 40% had more than 20 years of clinical experience, 32% had 10 to 20 years, 21% had 5-10 years, and 6% had less than 5 years. Thirty-one percent of respondents agreed and 41% disagreed that screening LQTS may decrease the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome. When asked if an ECG between 2 and 4 weeks of life can be used to screen newborns for LQTS, 47% agreed and 33% disagreed. To the question: "pediatricians should offer families the option of 12-lead ECG at baby's 2-week visit for detecting an uncommon but potentially lethal disease," 27% agreed and 49% disagreed. When asked if there should be a mandate for ECG screening of all newborns, 11% agreed and 69% disagreed. The support for a mandate of ECG screening decreases with increasing number of years of experience ( P = .03). Conclusions Most pediatric cardiologists in North America remain skeptical about ECG screening of infants for LQTS. Among pediatric cardiologists, current support for ECG screening at pediatrician's offices is low, and only 10% would agree to a mandate for ECG screening.
Experimental investigation of optical waveguide-based multigas sensing

In this letter, the results of an experimental investigation for simultaneous multiple gas detection utilizing an optical fiber sensor are described. The optical fiber system used for these experiments contained a section of hollow tubing and this allowed a combination of gas molecular absorption with optical waveguide technology. A fiber-optic sensing structure was designed and demonstrated which can monitor multiple gases simultaneously. The experimental results demonstrate the characteristic absorptions in the optical spectra corresponding to the narrow molecular absorption lines of the gases tested, which included acetylene and carbon monoxide.
Multidimensional probability density function approximations for detection, classification, and model order selection

This paper addresses the problem of calculating the multidimensional probability density functions (PDFs) of statistics derived from known many-to-one transformations of independent random variables (RVs) with known distributions. The statistics covered in the paper include reflection coefficients, autocorrelation estimates, cepstral coefficients, and general linear functions of independent RVs. Through PDF transformation, these results Can be used for general PDF approximation, detection, classification, and model order selection. A model order selection example that shows significantly better performance than the Akaike and MDL method is included.
Linear Unbiased State Estimation under Randomly Varying Bounded Sensor Delay

The motivation for the work reported in this paper accrues from the necessity of finding stabilizing control laws for systems with randomly varying bounded sensor delay. It reports the de- velopment of reduced-order linear unbiased estimators for discrete-time stochastic parameter systems and shows how to parametrize the estimator gains to achieve a certain estimation error covariance. Both finite-time and steady-state estimators are considered. The results are potentially applicable to state estimation for stabilizing output feedback control systems. (~) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Initial Experience with New Intraluminal Devices for GERD Barrett's Esophagus and Obesity

Transoral intraluminal surgery is less painful. However, endoscopic antireflux procedures have been unsuccessful, endoscopic foregut mucosal excision procedures are often difficult to perform, and endoscopic intra-luminal suturing is both imprecise and too shallow. We have endeavored to correct these deficiencies and report here new devices for GERD, obesity, and Barrett’s mucosal excision. A retrospective review of ex vivo and in vivo animal experiments using sharp blade mucosal excision for esophageal and gastric mucosa and a suturing device with transverse needles designed to full thickness penetrate the gastric wall were completed. A total of 338 excisions were performed in 134 ex vivo tissue experiments and in 119 in vivo attempts. Suture needle testing was performed in ex vivo human stomachs and porcine stomachs and in in vivo canine and baboon stomachs. One excision perforation (0.9%) occurred in a live animal. Satisfactory mucosal excision depth for the Barrett’s device was reproducible. Progressive suture actuation reliability improved from 83% during ex vivo testing to 96.7% in in vivo experiments. The results demonstrate feasibility, reliability, and safety for gastric and esophageal mucosal excision. Suturing reliability improved and further studies will be performed to finalize the instrument designs, the operative techniques, and the other device applications.
A model-based framework for assessing the value of ICT-driven healthcare delivery

New developments in information and communications technologies are increasingly being proposed as technological enhancements to healthcare delivery. However, if the full potential of such technological advances is to be realized from a clinical perspective, it is vital that proper methodology is in place to facilitate the assessment and evaluation of such proposed solutions in order to maximize the benefit which technology can offer. In this paper it is proposed that a model-based framework should provide the underpinning evaluative methodology. Candidate models are proposed. The applicability of this modelling approach is considered in the context of a recently developed prototype service for the telematic delivery of home and satellite haemodialyis in the management of end-stage renal disease.
Suppressor of Pyrimidine 3 Mutants of Neurospora and Its Relation to Arginine Synthesis

The basis of the mutant phenotype of the pyr 3a strain of Neurospora appears to be the arginine sensitivity of an early step in pyrimidine synthesis. The effect of a suppressor mutation which renders pyr 3a pyrimidine-independent is to reduce arginine levels in the mycelium by its effect on ornithine transcarbamylase.
Thalassornectes (Alcidectes) aukletae, new subgenus and species (Acari: Hypoderatidae) from the crested and parakeet auklets (Aves: Charadriiformes: Alcidae)

In the genus Thalassornectes, a new subgenus, Alcidectes, and a new species, T. (Alcidectes) aukletae, are described from deutonymphs in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of the crested auklet, Aethia cristatella (Pallas), and the parakeet auklet, Cyclorrhynchus psittacula (Pallas), from the eastern Pacific USSR. The new subgenus and species differ from one or both of the single species in each of the other two subgenera, Thalassornectes and Rallidectes, by (1) the normal size, position, and parallel arrangement of the genital papillae; (2) the larger size of seta sce; (3) the greater length and stronger development of setae sci, d1, l1, h, and sh; (4) the equal size of tarsi III and IV or their size subequal, with tarsus IV slightly longer than tarsus III; (5) both epimera I and sternum well developed and nearly equal in length; and (6) the free sclerotized posteriad extension from epimerite II on the ventral cuticular surface. This is the first hypoderatid reported from the host order Charadriiformes. The distribution of T. (Alcidectes) aukletae among auklets may be attributed to either cospeciation or may have an ecological basis; data are insufficient at present to sustain either hypothesis.