cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Capsid protein of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus is a determinant for vector transmission by a beetle

Cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) is a bromovirus transmitted by species of chrysomelid beetles, including the spotted cucumber beetle, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardii Barber. An experimental system was set up to identify the viral determinant(s) of the beetle transmission of CCMV. Nicotiana clevelandii was selected as an experimental plant host because it supports the replication and accumulation of both CCMV and a second member of the family Bromoviridae, cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Using a reverse genetic system for CMV, a cDNA copy of the CCMV capsid protein (CP) gene was substituted for that of the CMV CP gene. The resulting 'CMV-hybrid' consisted of wild-type CMV RNA1, RNA2, and a chimeric CMV RNA3 expressing the CCMV structural protein. The CMV-hybrid replicated and formed virions in N. clevelandii; in electron micrographs the hybrid virus was indistinguishable from CCMV. In beetle feeding assays, both CCMV and the CMV-hybrid were transmitted by D. undecimpunctata, while beetle transmission of CMV was not observed. Conversely, only CMV was observed to be transmitted by the aphid Myzus persicae. Surprisingly, the CMV-hybrid was transmitted more efficiently than the parental CCMV, and a virus-induced alteration in beetle feeding behaviour is proposed to account for the difference. These results indicate that the CCMV CP is a viral determinant for beetle vector transmission.
First-principles combinatorial design of transition temperatures in multicomponent systems: the case of Mn in GaAs.

The transition temperature ${T}_{C}$ of multicomponent systems---ferromagnetic, superconducting, or ferroelectric---depends strongly on the atomic arrangement, but an exhaustive search of all configurations for those that optimize ${T}_{C}$ is difficult, due to the astronomically large number of possibilities. Here we address this problem by parametrizing the ${T}_{C}$ of a set of $\ensuremath{\sim}50$ input configurations, calculated from first principles, in terms of configuration variables (``cluster expansion''). Once established, this expansion allows us to search almost effortlessly the transition temperature of arbitrary configurations. We apply this approach to search for the configuration of Mn dopants in GaAs having the highest ferromagnetic Curie temperature. Our general approach of cluster expanding physical properties opens the way to design based on exploring a large space of configurations.
SU-GG-I-81: Partial Volume Characteristics of Ionization Chambers in Kilovoltage X-Ray Exposure Measurements

Purpose: The study is designed to evaluate partial volume response of ionization chambers used for measuring radiation exposure in quality control in radiology. Materials and Methods: A diagnostic x‐ray unit(Philip Super 80 CP) was used to measure partial volume response of 15cm3, 150cm3 and 600cm3 chambers for 81kVp, 400mA, and 0.25s. The beam output was measured using a monitor chamber (Radcal 6.0cm3) placed close to the collimator. A slit of 2.0mm wide made in a lead sheet of 3.2mm thick and size of 30×30cm2 was placed on the ionization chamber and moved in an increment of 2.0mm over the entire length of the chamber. For the measurements of the ionization chamber of 10 cm3(CT chamber), the beams of 120kVp, 200mA and 0.2s were generated, and a slit of 5mm wide was made in a similar lead sheet that was moved in an increment of 5.0mm. All measurements were made at source to chamber distance of 1.0meter. Results: Keithley 15cm3 Model 96035 B ion chamber exhibits a narrow region (30–50mm) from the edge of the chamber of increased sensitivity. Beyond the region the exposure measurement decreases relative to the chamber position exhibiting a partial volume effect. Keithley 150cm3 Model 96020C, the center of the chamber 55mm to 90mm shows an area of increased sensitivity with sensitivity decreases at the edges. Keithley 600cm3 Model96050, and Keithley Computed Tomography Chamber(10cm3) Model 500‐200: the response of the chambers is uniform along its axis. However, the sensitivity decreases at the edges (1cm from either side) of the ion chambers.Conclusion: The spatial dependence of ion chambers sensitivity varies from chamber to chamber. It is therefore, important that ion chamber behavior and the manufacturer's specification should be strictly adhered such as dose and dose rate changes, operating voltage, x‐ray energy and/or spectral characteristics.
Fast RC Reduction of Flip-Chip Power Grids Using Geometric Templates

Realizable power grid reduction becomes a key to efficient design and verification of nowadays large-scale power delivery networks. Existing state-of-the-art realizable reduction techniques for interconnect circuits, such as the TICER algorithm, cannot be well suited for effective power grid reductions, since reducing the mesh-structured power grids by TICER's nodal elimination scheme may introduce excessive number of new edges in the reduced grids that can be even harder to solve than the original grid due to the drastically increased sparse matrix density. In this paper, we present a novel geometric template-based reduction technique for reducing large-scale flip-chip power grids. Our method first creates geometric template according to the original power grid topology and then performs novel iterative grid corrections to improve the accuracy by matching the electrical behaviors of the reduced template grid with the original grid. In addition, a multilevel grid correction scheme has been proposed to achieve faster convergence during the grid reduction process, which allows for effectively handling very large-scale power grids with millions of parasitics components and thousands of ports. Our experimental results show that the proposed reduction method can reduce industrial power grid designs by up to 95% with a very satisfactory solution quality obtained in dc and transient analysis.
Growth inhibitory effects of gossypol and related compounds on fungal cotton root pathogens

UNLABELLED The effect of the terpenoids gossypol, 6-methoxygossypol, 6,6'-dimethoxygossypol, gossypolone and apogossypolone on growth of fungal soil pathogens was investigated. The compounds were tested at a concentration of 100 μg ml(-1) in a Czapek Dox agar medium at 25°C. Gossypol, gossypolone and apogossypolone demonstrated strong growth inhibitory activity (≥90%) against Pythium irregulare, Pythium ultimum and Fusarium oxysporum. These same terpenoids provided good growth inhibition against most Rhizoctonia solani isolates. Methylated gossypol derivatives generally yielded reduced growth inhibition against the tested fungi compared with gossypol. Dose-response effects of gossypol, gossypolone and apogossypolone were determined over a concentration range of 5-100 μg ml(-1) against P. irregulare CR1, P. ultimum ATCC 56081 and R. solani CR15. At lower concentrations, gossypol proved to be a more potent growth inhibitor of P. irregulare (ED50 = 4 μg ml(-1) ) and P. ultimum (ED50 = 13·2 μg ml(-1) ) than the other tested compounds. Rhizoctonia solani CR15 was more resistant to growth inhibitory effects of all tested terpenoids (ED50 = 35-43 μg ml(-1) ). SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY This work demonstrates that gossypol is an effective natural antimicrobial agent against a wide range of potential fungal pathogens of cotton. Relative to gossypol, methylated gossypol derivatives that are also found naturally in root tissue were less effective at inhibiting the growth of soil fungal pathogens. However, by virtue of their significant concentration in root tissue, they still may contribute to cotton defence.
Algorithms for the free-surface Green function

Numerical methods are outlined for computing the velocity potential, and its derivatives, for linearized three-dimensional wave motions due to a unit source with harmonic time dependence beneath a free surface. Two distinct cases are considered where the fluid depth is either infinite, or of constant finite depth. Efficient algorithms are developed in both cases, to replace the numerical evaluation of the relevant integrals by multi-dimensional approximations in economized polynomials. This technique is substantially faster than conventional direct methods based on numerical integration.
Spontaneous regression of metastatic malignant melanoma.

Spontaneous regression of metastatic malig- nant melanoma is rare. A case is presented here. The primary lesion, a lentigo maligna melanoma of the face, recurred after excision and metastasized to the parotid and upper cervical lymph nodes, and to the lungs. The patient declined further therapy. There was no clinical or radiologic evidence of metastasis 1 year later. Although rare, spontaneous regression of cancers has been documented.',* "Spontaneous regres- sion" means partial or complete resolution of a tu- mor in the absence of any treatment or with therapy that is inadequate to alter the course of the malig- nan~y.~ The first report of complete regression of meta- static malignant melanoma in the English literature appears to have been by Bennett in 1899.4 Bodurtha reviewed 29 cases in 1979. Regression of cutaneous or lymph node metastases5 was more frequent than regression of visceral metastases.6 The patient pre- sented here had a lengito malignant melanoma of the face that metastasized to the regional lymph nodes and the lungs. The metastatic lesions re- solved spontaneously after removal of the cuta- neous lesion.
NOISE EXCITATION OF HALF-INTEGER QUADRUPOLAR SPINS AT HIGH FIELD

Abstract Quadrupolar parameters for half-integer nuclear spins are often derived by an analysis of the second-order broadening superposed on the central transition spectrum. Under typical conditions, where the exciting radiofrequency fields are weaker than first-order quadrupolar splittings, distortions in lineshape and intensity are difficult to avoid. We apply stochastic excitation to these systems and demonstrate that undistorted lineshapes can be observed independent of the magnitude of the quadrupolar interaction. This should provide a significant improvement in quantitative measures of nuclear spin densities.
FCAPT uvby photometry of the mCP stars HD 16545, HD 93226, HR 7575, and HR 8206

The Four College Automated Photoelectric Telescope (FCAPT) obtained differential Stromgren uvby observations of the magnetic CP (mCP) stars HD 16545, HD 93226, HR 7575, and HR 8206. These are the first reported from the FCAPT. HD 16545, with its largest amplitudes (0.06 mag) being those in v and in b, has a period of 1.61926 days, close to its period from Hipparcos photometry. The HD 93226 photometry exhibits a period of 1.72907 days, with the v, b, and y light curves in phase. The u light curve is shifted by 0.05 to 0.10 in phase. Its u amplitude is a relatively large 0.10 mag. The v photometry of HR 7575 is consistent with the 223.826 day period of Mikulasek et al. HR 8206 is a small-amplitude variable with a period of 1.5849 days.
Random choice in amorphous processes

I prove that the natural multicellular environment requires random scheduling of cell activity in order to successfully execute arbitrary amorphous programs. This proof uses an unusual new method of constructing amorphous programs. Amorphous processes model natural multicellular information processing and so it is finite in most respects. Thus it is surprising that a non-computable operation (random choice for cell activity) is an essential part of the formalism's interpretation. The necessary randomness could originate in thermodynamic events. To the extent that amorphous processes successfully model multicellular biological information processing, this result suggests that there is something essential to the processes of life and evolution that lies just beyond Turing computability.
Influence of mastication on saliva, plaque pH and masseter muscle activity in man

An earlier study showed that frequent gum chewing may enhance parotid gland function and reduce the acidogenicity of dental plaque. The aim now was to determine whether these effects would be observed after a 2-week period of diet altered to increase masticatory effort, and secondarily to assess the effects of chewing gum on masseter muscle activity. Ten subjects took part in the first experiment. Saliva was collected before and after the diet change and the plaque pH response to a sucrose challenge was measured. Subjects completed 3-day diet histories and wore electromyographic (EMG) devices to record masseter activity. In the second experiment, 10 subjects wore EMG devices for 3 days to record masseter activity on three daily regimens: baseline (no gum chewing), hourly gum chewing (sugar-free gum chewed for 10 min every hour) and chewing five sticks of gum each for 20 min during the day. Data were analysed by paired t test or repeated-measures analysis of variance. For the first experiment, EMG data indicated significant increases in chewing activity (p < 0.05), although there were no changes in salivary flow rates or the plaque pH response to sucrose. The second experiment showed that total EMG activity increased significantly on both gum-chewing regimens (p < 0.01), the magnitude of the increase being greater for hourly chewing. Overall, masseter EMG activity was increased 41% by diet alteration, compared to increases of 96 and 152% on the five-stick and hourly gum-chewing regimens, respectively.
Effect of Environmental Temperature on Display Monitoring Performance: An Overview with Practical Implications

The present paper provides an overview of studies which have examined the ability of personnel to monitor displays while exposed to reduced or elevated environmental temperatures. Certain ambiguities, in the results of these investigations, may be attenuated by analysis of operator body temperature change under the prescribed thermal conditions. Skill level (specific to the performer) and precise task composition are identified as potent influences on monitoring efficiency under this environmental stressor. In practical terms, the synthesis suggests that to maintain optimal performance, workers engaged in monitoring type tasks should be protected, where possible, from levels of thermal stress sufficient to induce dynamic, non-compensable body temperature change.
Effects of temperature, oxygen, heme ligands and sulfhydryl alkylation on the reactions of nitroprusside and nitroglycerin with hemoglobin.

Abstract Nitrovasodilators react with hemoglobin (Hb) to form heme(III) and nitric oxide (NO)Hb. These reactions can be exploited as models for events that take place at the cellular level leading to the biological effects of the prodrugs. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) is known to undergo a one-electron reduction in its reaction with heme(II), resulting in the labilization of the cyanide ligand trans to the NO ligand. This reduced form is here called “penta.” Upon dissociation of the trans -cyanide, the resulting species is here called “tetra.” Dissociation of the trans -cyanide is obligatory for transfer of the NO to a heme(II) group. NO release from penta is blocked by excess free cyanide in solution, which prevents the formation of tetra. As reported here, both penta and tetra had unique EPR signals when frozen at −196°, but only tetra gave an EPR signal at 22°. NOHb also has a unique EPR signal, but it could not be detected when SNP was incubated with Hb in air or 10 or 5% oxygen. NOHb was detected in similar incubations under 1% oxygen, but the levels were 3- to 10-fold lower than those found under 100% nitrogen. The concentration of tetra was also much lower under 1% oxygen and penta was not detectable, suggesting that oxygen may either shift the penta-tetra equilibrium towards tetra or that penta may be susceptible to oxidation by molecular oxygen. Nitroglycerin (GTN) also generated much less NOHb but more heme(III) under 1% oxygen than under nitrogen. Carbon monoxide (CO), which binds to heme(II), completely blocked the reactions of SNP and GTN with Hb, whereas N -ethylmaleimide (NEM) alkylation of globin sulfhydryl groups increased both NOHb and heme(III) formation. 13 C NMR studies on uniformly 13 C-labeled SNP suggested that oxygen had little effect on the concentrations of the NMR-detectable species in the reaction. In summary, the most oxygen-sensitive step in the nitrosylation of Hb by SNP was probably the transfer of NO to heme(II). However, the penta-tetra equilibrium was affected by oxygen, temperature and cyanide. No evidence was found for the involvement of the globin sulfhydryl groups in either the GTN or the SNP reaction with Hb.
Ethics of Human Enhancement: An Executive Summary

With multi-year funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), a team of researchers has just released a comprehensive report detailing ethical issues arising from human enhancement (Allhoff et al. 2009). While we direct the interested reader to that (much longer) report, we also thank the editors of this journal for the invitation to provide an executive summary thereof. This summary highlights key results from each section of that report and does so in a self-standing way; in other words, this summary presupposes no familiarity with the report and offers the opportunity to gain quick familiarity with its most central findings.
Response of Early, Medium, and Late Maturing Peanut Breeding Lines to Field Epidemics of Tomato Spotted Wilt

Abstract Epidemics of tomato spotted wilt, caused by tomato spotted wilt Tospovirus (TSWV), were monitored in field plots of runner-type peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars Georgia Green and Geo...
Epithelioid leiomyoma of the bladder : An unusual cause of voiding symptoms

Epithelioid leiomyoma of the bladder is a rare benign neoplasm. A 63-year-old woman with a 2-year history of frequency and urgency was found to have a bladder mass on intravenous urography and subsequent cystoscopy. The mass was removed endoscopically. The patient's symptoms resolved.
Comparison of actuator designs for active vibration control of a gear pair system

Four actuation concepts for the active suppression of gearbox housing mesh frequency vibrations caused by transmission error excitation from the gear pair system are modeled and compared by computing the required actuation force and amplifier power spectra. The proposed designs studied consist of (i) active inertial actuators positioned tangentially on the gear body to produce a pair of reactive force and moment, (ii) semi-active gear-shaft torsional coupling to provide tuned vibration isolation and suppression, (iii) active bearing vibration control to reduce vibration transmissibility, and (iv) active shaft transverse vibration control to suppress/tune gearbox casing or shaft response. Numerical simulations that incorporate a transmission error term as the primary excitation are performed using a finite element model of the geared rotor system (dynamic plant) constructed from beam and lumped mass/stiffness elements. Several key comparison criteria, including the required actuation effort, control robustness and implementation cost, are examined, and the advantages and disadvantages of each concept are discussed. Based on the simulated data, the active shaft transverse vibration scheme is identified as the most suitable approach for this application.
The Technologies of Normalization and Self: Thinking about IRBs and Extrinsic Research Ethics with Foucault.

In this article, the authors discuss the technologies of normalization and self in relation to ethics and the problematization of extrinsic research ethics. They argue that institutional review boards (IRBs) and other similar institutional mechanisms promote extrinsic forms of ethics that are exemplified through institutionalized structures such as (a) the Belmont Report, (b) IRB protocol, (c) informed consent, and (d) localized interpretations of IRB rules and regulations. However, at the same time, institutional normalization enables researchers and participants to construct themselves as ethically responsible participants through resistance and critical reflection. Such “care of the self” and critical awareness of dominant discourses and regimes of power and knowledge are essential to the development and practice of research that is ethical, free, and responsive. Finally, the authors conclude that the discussions about researchers' ethical decision making and freedom of choice need to be separate from ...
Mechanical properties of atomic layer deposition-reinforced nanoparticle thin films

Nanoparticle thin films (NTFs) exhibit multifunctionality, making them useful for numerous advanced applications including energy storage and conversion, biosensing and photonics. Poor mechanical reliability and durability of NTFs, however, limit their industrial and commercial applications. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) represents a unique opportunity to enhance the mechanical properties of NTFs at a relatively low temperature without drastically changing their original structure and functionality. In this work, we study how ALD of different materials, Al2O3, TiO2, and SiO2, affects the mechanical properties of TiO2 and SiO2 NTFs. Our results demonstrate that the mechanical properties of ALD-reinforced NTFs are dominantly influenced by the mechanical properties of the ALD materials rather than by the compositional matching between ALD and nanoparticle materials. Among the three ALD materials, Al2O3 ALD provides the best enhancement in the modulus and hardness of the NTFs. Interestingly, Al2O3 ALD is able to enhance not only the modulus and hardness but also the toughness of NTFs. Our study presents an additional benefit of depositing nanometer scale ALD layers in NTFs; that is, we find that the hardness and modulus of ultrathin ALD layers (<5 nm) can be estimated from the mechanical properties of ALD-reinforced NTFs using a simple mixing rule. This investigation also provides insight into the use of nanoindentation for testing the mechanical properties of ultrathin ALD-reinforced NTFs.
Role of Oxidation State of Vanadium in Vanadium Oxide-Hematite Nanoparticles

Single phase, a FeVO4 triclinic crystalline structure was successfully synthesized by annealing the mechanochemically milled xV2O5·(1-x)α-Fe2O3 composites (x = 0.5) at 550 °C for 1 h. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Mossbauer spectroscopy were combined for a detailed study of the assisting role of the mechanochemical milling process. Mechanochemical milling homogeneously mixed the starting materials of α-Fe2O3 and V2O5 and substantially decreased their average grain sizes. The partially V5+-substituted α-Fe2O3 phase and Fe3+-substituted V2O5 could be the important intermediate phases in the production of FeVO4 single phase. In addition, xV2O3·(1-x)α-Fe2O3 (x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7) solid solutions were successfully synthesized by mechanochemical activation of V2O3 and α-Fe2O3 mixtures. Complete solid solutions exist after 12 h ball-milling time for all studied x values. The synthesized xV2O3·(1-x)α-Fe2O3 solid solutions with x = 0.5 and 0.7 were mainly paramagnetic at room temperature. The study demonstrates that the transformation pathway is related to the valence state of the metallic specie of the oxide used in connection with hematite.
Optimizing mode transition sequences in idle intervals for component-level and system-level energy minimization

New embedded systems offer rich power management features in the form of multiple operational and nonoperational power modes. While they offer mechanisms for better energy efficiency, they also complicate power management decisions in the presence of realtime constraints. A traditional dynamic power management techniques based on localized break-even-time analysis with simple on/off power controls often yield suboptimal if not incorrect results globally. To address these problems, This work presents two core algorithms for reducing idle energy consumption at the component level and system level. The first algorithm discovers the optimal sequence for mode transition over multiple power modes under timing constraints. It assists the second algorithm that performs a sophisticated global search strategy to aggressively explore system-wide energy savings by correctly interpreting the constraints across all subsystems. Experimental results show that in an embedded radio system where idle energy cost matches or exceeds the active energy consumption, our technique can further reduce the idle energy by 50-70%, which translates into 30-50% of overall system energy compared to existing techniques.
Strengthening by Ion Exchange

This paper is a brief review of the physical and chemical methods of strengthening glass, in particular that due to the large for small ion exchange resulting from treatment in molten salt at temperatures below the annealing range for the glass. Abrasion of treated glass is shown to reduce markedly the strength of experimental alkali-lime-silica glasses as well as commercial glasses of this and other types. Treated alkali-alumina-silica and alkali-zirconia-silica glasses, however, are less affected by abrasion. Strength after abrasion increases with alumina or zirconia content, reaching 117,000 psi for cane of a 35% alumina glass. The explanation for the aluminum or zirconium effect may involve an unusual ionic environment caused by their presence in the lattice.
Calculating the parameters of full lightning impulses using model-based curve fitting

A brief review is presented of the techniques used for the evaluation of the parameters of high voltage impulses and the problems encountered. The determination of the best smooth curve through oscillations on a high voltage impulse is the major problem limiting the automatic processing of digital records of impulses. Nonlinear regression, based on simple models, is applied to the analysis of simulated and experimental data of full lightning impulses. Results of model fitting to four different groups of impulses are presented and compared with some other methods. Plans for the extension of this work are outlined. >
Examining Effects of Writing Interventions Highlighting Results for Students With Primary Disabilities Other Than Learning Disabilities

Writing is an important foundational skill, critical for success in school. Unfortunately, many students, including students with disabilities, have difficulties with written language production. These students lack knowledge of writing processes and employ deficient strategies for organization, planning, goal implementation, and self-regulation. The majority of research for students with disabilities has focused on students with learning disabilities (LD). Less is known about writing instruction with students with primary disabilities other than LD. The purpose of this review, therefore, is to investigate writing interventions for students diagnosed with primary disabilities other than LD and to ascertain if interventions benefit these specific student populations. Of 15 studies, 13 used self-regulated strategy development (SRSD) instruction and 2 studies blended SRSD components within other intervention packages. Results indicate that SRSD has promise for students with primary disabilities other than LD...
Exploring Migration Data Using Interval‐Censored Time‐to‐Event Models

Abstract Ecologists and wildlife biologists rely on periodic observation of radiocollared animals to study habitat use, survival, movement, and migration, resulting in response times (e.g., mortality and migration) known only to occur within an interval of time. We illustrate methods for analyzing interval-censored data using data on the timing of fall migration (from spring-summer-fall to winter ranges) for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in northern Minnesota, USA, during years 1991–1992 to 2005–2006. We compare both nonparametric and parametric methods for estimating the cumulative distribution function of migration times, and we suggest a parametric (cure rate) model that accounts for conditional (facultative) migrators as a potential alternative to traditional parametric models. Lastly, we illustrate methods for exploring the effect of environmental covariates on migration timing. Models with time-dependent covariates (snow depth, temp) were sensitive to the treatment of the data (as inter...
Chronic Idiopathic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction Caused by a Degenerative Disorder of the Myenteric Plexus: The Use of Smith's Method to Define the Neuropathology

In this paper we report the pathologic basis of chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction in a patient who had a subtotal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis for severe obstipation. Conventional light microscopy of the resected intestine showed an increased thickness of the longitudinal muscle, minimal amounts of smooth muscle fibrosis, and normal smooth muscle cells. The morphology of the myenteric plexus was difficult to interpret with this technique, but quantification of colonic neurons revealed a significantly decreased number compared with controls. Silver stains of the myenteric plexus by Smith's method showed: (a) patchy loss of nerve tracts with replacement by Schwann cells, (b) degeneration and decreased numbers of both argryophilic and argyrophobic neurons, (c) fragmentation and dropout of many axons, and (d) increased thickness and disorganized spatial arrangement of other axons. The pathology of this intestinal neuropathy could be missed by conventional light microscopy and may be apparent only when a silver technique is used to visualize the myenteric plexus.
Molecular cloning of a Trypanosoma cruzi cell surface casein kinase II substrate, Tc-1, involved in cellular infection

In this work, we report the cloning and characterization of the first cell surface casein kinase II (CKII) substrate (Tc-1) of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease. Analysis of the gene sequence revealed a 1,653-bp open reading frame coding for 550 amino acid residues. Northern blot analysis showed a 4.5-kb transcript that is expressed in invasive trypomastigotes but not in noninvasive epimastigote forms of T. cruzi. Southern blot analysis indicates that Tc-1 is a single-copy gene. At the amino acid level, Tc-1 displayed 95% and 99% identity to two hypothetical proteins recently reported by the T. cruzi genome project. Analysis of the translated amino acid sequence indicates that the Tc-1 gene has a putative transmembrane domain with multiple cytoplasmic and extracellular CKII phosphosites. Exogenous human CKII was able to phosphorylate serine residues on both recombinant Tc-1 and Tc-1 of intact trypomastigotes. This phosphorylation was inhibited by the CKII inhibitors heparin and 4,5,6,7,-tetrabromo-2-azabenzimidazole. Immunoblots of solubilized trypomastigotes, epimastigotes, and amastigotes probed with anti-recombinant Tc-1 immunoglobulin G revealed a 62-kDa protein that is expressed only in infective trypomastigotes. Immunoprecipitation of labeled surface proteins of trypomastigotes indicated that the 62-kDa protein is a surface protein, and we found that the protein is uniformly distributed on the surface of trypomastigotes by direct immunofluorescence. Antibodies to Tc-1 effectively blocked trypomastigote invasion of host cells and consequently reduced parasite load. Preincubation of either trypomastigotes or myoblasts with CKII inhibitors blocked T. cruzi infection. Thus, for the first time, we describe a cell surface CKII substrate of a protozoan parasite that is phosphorylated by human CKII and that is involved in cellular infection.
Dodecapus: An MR-compatible system for somatosensory stimulation.

Somatotopic mapping of human body surface using fMRI is challenging. First, it is difficult to deliver tactile stimuli in the scanner. Second, multiple stimulators are often required to cover enough area of the complex-shaped body surface, such as the face. In this study, a computer-controlled pneumatic system was constructed to automatically deliver air puffs to 12 locations on the body surface through an MR-compatible manifold (Dodecapus) mounted on a head coil inside the scanner bore. The timing of each air-puff channel is completely programmable and this allows systematic and precise stimulation on multiple locations on the body surface during functional scans. Three two-condition block-design “Localizer” paradigms were employed to localize the cortical representations of the face, lips, and fingers, respectively. Three “Phase-encoded” paradigms were employed to map the detailed somatotopic organizations of the face, lips, and fingers following each “Localizer” paradigm. Multiple somatotopic representations of the face, lips, and fingers were localized and mapped in primary motor cortex (MI), ventral premotor cortex (PMv), polysensory zone (PZ), primary (SI) and secondary (SII) somatosensory cortex, parietal ventral area (PV) and 7b, as well as anterior and ventral intraparietal areas (AIP and VIP). The Dodecapus system is portable, easy to setup, generates no radio frequency interference, and can also be used for EEG and MEG experiments. This system could be useful for non-invasive somatotopic mapping in both basic and clinical studies.
A Business Case for Quality Improvement in Addiction Treatment: Evidence from the NIATx Collaborative

The Network for the Improvement of Addiction Treatment (NIATx) promotes treatment access and retention through a customer-focused quality improvement model. This paper explores the issue of the “business case” for quality improvement in addiction treatment from the provider’s perspective. The business case model developed in this paper is based on case examples of early NIATx participants coupled with a review of the literature. Process inefficiencies indicated by long waiting times, high no-show rates, and low continuation rates cause underutilization of capacity and prevent optimal financial performance. By adopting customer-focused practices aimed at removing barriers to treatment access and retention, providers may be able to improve financial performance, increase staff retention, and gain long-term strategic advantage.
An event-based architecture definition language

This paper discusses general requirements for architecture definition languages, and describes the syntax and semantics of the subset of the Rapide language that is designed to satisfy these requirements. Rapide is a concurrent event-based simulation language for defining and simulating the behavior of system architectures. Rapide is intended for modelling the architectures of concurrent and distributed systems, both hardware and software in order to represent the behavior of distributed systems in as much detail as possible. Rapide is designed to make the greatest possible use of event-based modelling by producing causal event simulations. When a Rapide model is executed it produces a simulation that shows not only the events that make up the model's behavior, and their timestamps, but also which events caused other events, and which events happened independently. The architecture definition features of Rapide are described: event patterns, interfaces, architectures and event pattern mappings. The use of these features to build causal event models of both static and dynamic architectures is illustrated by a series of simple examples from both software and hardware. Also we give a detailed example of the use of event pattern mappings to define the relationship between two architectures at different levels of abstraction. Finally, we discuss briefly how Rapide is related to other event-based languages. >
The frequency of gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation determines the number of pituitary gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) induces both synthesis and release of pituitary gonadotropins, but rapid or slow frequencies of stimulation result in reduced LH and FSH secretion. We determined the effects of frequency of GnRH stimulation on pituitary GnRH receptors (GnRH-R). Castrate male rats received testosterone implants (cast+T) to inhibit endogenous GnRH secretion. GnRH pulses were injected by a pump into a carotid cannula and animals received GnRH (25 ng/pulse) at various frequencies for 48 h. In control animals (saline pulses) GnRH-R was 307+21 fmol/mg protein (+.SE) in cast+T and 598+28 in castrates. Maximum GnRH-R was produced by 30-min pulses and was similar to that seen in castrate controls. Faster or slower frequencies resulted in a smaller GnRH-R response and GnRH given every 240 min did not increase GnRH-R over saline controls. Equalization of the total GnRH dose/48 h (6.6 ng/pulse every 7.5 min or 200 ng/pulse every 240 min) did not increase receptors to the maximum concentrations se...
Epidemiology of iatrogenic facial nerve injury: a decade of experience

Objectives/Hypothesis To determine the procedure-specific incidence, risk factors, and injury patterns in patients with iatrogenic facial nerve injury as seen at a tertiary care facial nerve center. Study Design Retrospective chart review. Methods Facial Nerve Center patient records from 2002 to 2012 were reviewed for cases of iatrogenic facial nerve injury. These were analyzed by type of inciting procedure, injury location, patient demographics, and referral pattern. Results Out of 1,810 patient records, 102 were identified that involved iatrogenic facial nerve injury. Oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures accounted for 40% of injuries, resections of head and neck lesions 25%, otologic procedures 17%, cosmetic procedures 11%, and other procedures 7%. The most common operation resulting in facial nerve injury was temporomandibular joint replacement. The most frequent pattern of injury was total hemifacial weakness. Conclusions Iatrogenic facial nerve injury occurs most commonly in temporomandibular joint replacement, mastoidectomy, and parotidectomy. Direct visualization of the nerve may decrease the incidence of injury, and early referral for facial nerve exploration may result in improved outcomes. Level of Evidence 2b. Laryngoscope, 124:260–265, 2014
The pitfalls of prestige and dominance in leadership education.

P hysicians in training need to appreciate that people end up in formal leadership positions for all sorts of reasons. Some are drafted without having sought such a post. Others have been thinking about it for a very long time—in some cases, virtually their whole lives. There are chairs of departments, deans of medical schools, and hospital CEOs who attained their positions simply because they were the best people for the job, and then there are others who have organized their lives around such objectives and put their names forward again and again in an effort to achieve them. Some are nearly desperate to be appointed to leadership and eagerly move from one institution to another to achieve their goal. This discussion concerns the latter group, people who have long sought out positions such as chair or dean or president. What animates them? In some cases, their passion for leadership does not grow out of a deep understanding of the organization’s challenges or a strong sense of calling to service, but rather a strong need for one of two things: prestige or dominance. Such people either see the desired leadership position as a clear ratification of their success or they want to increase their influence over other people by acquiring the formal authority of the person in charge. People whose leadership aspirations are motivated by a desire to appear successful often operate with a very conventional notion of success. They believe that success is measured not so much by the quality of a person’s ideas or work but rather by the titles on a resume or business card. They are not so interested in tackling the day-to-day challenges of the position as in using the position as a kind of trophy to prove that they have reached a particular career summit. For this very reason, they often become restless in whatever position
A method of improving transformer overloading beyond nameplate rating

Utilities are becoming increasingly interested in the prospect of overloading the transformers beyond the nameplate rating to meet the increased demand for power as it may be more economically viable than installing a new transformer. However, the safety of the transformer has to be ensured while overloading it and hence, there is a maximum loading beyond which the transformer should not be overloaded. In this paper, we present results and insights based on an extensive study performed on 48 transformer units and an analysis of the factors that limit their overloading capability. We observe that the ancillary equipment ratings are the most prominent limiting factor. This is confirmed by several case studies and evaluation results. We propose a new practice for selecting ancillary equipment that will improve the transformer overloading capability significantly. We also present analytical results to demonstrate the impact of our solution on transformer overloading capability.
Metabolic control in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: factors associated with patient outcomes.

We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the association of various demographic and medical-care variables with metabolic outcomes in non-insulin-dependent diabetic subjects. The study population was representative of the diagnosed care-seeking diabetic population of a defined geographic community on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. The dependent variable metabolic control was measured as the mean of all random plasma glucose values obtained only at scheduled diabetes clinic visits over 2yr. Multivariate analysis of the data showed that better metabolic control was most strongly associated with compliance with scheduled appointments. Mode of treatment was also associated with metabolic control. Other variables tested, including source of care, age, sex, duration of diabetes, presence of complications, and weight change, were not associated with metabolic control. The strongest analysis of covariance model with demographic and medical-care variables accounted for 39% of the variance in metabolic control. The analysis suggests that other variables, possibly including several psychosocial variables, need to be assessed for their contribution to metabolic control.
Radiographic diagnosis of an expansile bone lesion in a dog

An old dog had an expansile lesion affecting the ulnar diaphysis. The lesion had clinical and radiographic features typical of a bone cyst; however, computed X-ray tomography indicated that the lesion had a tissue content incompatible with a true cyst. The histological diagnosis was osteosarcoma. This report emphasises the highly variable radiological appearance of canine osteosarcoma; biopsy is required to establish the diagnosis because the radiological signs may mimic a lesion of different aetiology.
RESULTS OF THE INTRATRACHEAL INJECTION OF THE BORDET-GENGOU BACILLUS IN THE MONKEY AND RABBIT

Experiments are reported which show that the virulent Bordet-Gengou bacillus can produce a significant lymphocytosis and an interstitial mononuclear pneumonia in both the monkey and the rabbit. Both of these reactions occur apparently as the result of a toxic material formed in vivo from the Bordet-Gengou bacillus and are not dependent on the multiplication of the organism itself. It was also shown that the strictly avirulent form could also cause an interstitial mononuclear pneumonia but no lymphocytosis. This interstitial mononuclear pneumonia was thought to be the result of the foreign substance produced by the organism when it was in this stage. This was substantiated by the fact that this lesion could be produced both by living and dead organisms.
Mycosis fungoides in children and adolescents.

Abstract The clinical and histologic findings in five young patients with mycosis fungoides are reviewed. The skin specimen from a 16-year-old boy had an infiltrate predominately Leu-1 + , Leu-4 + , Leu-3a + 3b + , OKT6 + , Leu-2a − , Leu-8 − , and Leu-9 − , and rearrangements were noted in T cell receptor gene ( β chain [constant region probe] and γ chain [J region probe] ); no rearrangements were found in a histologically normal lymph node or peripheral blood. The skin specimen from an 11-year-old girl contained predominately Leu-4 + and Leu-9 + lymphoid cells. No T cell receptor gene rearrangements were found in the skin or in an involved lymph node. The variations in clinical, histologic, and immunopathologic features suggest that mycosis fungoides in young patients represents a heterogeneous subgroup of cutaneous T cell lymphoma.
Quality of Life Outcomes Following Resection of Adult Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors.

BACKGROUND Intramedullary spinal cord tumors are rare but clinically significant entities. Resection is critical to prevent permanent neurological deficits. However, no studies have investigated the quality of life (QOL) benefit of resection in adults. OBJECTIVE To investigate QOL outcomes after intramedullary spinal cord tumors resection. METHODS A consecutive retrospective review of all patients who underwent intramedullary spinal cord tumors resection at a single tertiary care institution between January 2008 and December 2013 was conducted. QOL was measured by the EuroQol 5-Dimensions (EQ-5D), Pain Disability Questionnaire (PDQ), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Multivariable regression was used to identify independent predictors of outcomes. RESULTS Among 45 patients, the most common pathology was ependymoma (60%). No significant changes between preoperative and postoperative EQ-5D, PDQ, or PHQ-9 were observed. Improvements exceeding the minimal clinically important difference occurred in 28% of patients in EQ-5D, 28% in PDQ, and 16% in PHQ-9. Worse preoperative neurological status predicted worsened EQ-5D (β = -0.09, P = .04) and PDQ (β = 20.77, P < .01), while ependymomas predicted QOL improvement exceeding the minimal clinically important difference in PDQ (OR 14.98, P = .04) and approached significance in EQ-5D (OR 43.52, P = .06). Conversely, cervical tumors predicted worsened PDQ (β = 18.32, P < .01) and failure to achieve EQ-5D minimal clinically important difference (OR <0.01, 95% CI <0.01-0.65, P = .02). Postoperative complications, such as syrinx formation (β = -0.09, P = .04) and cerebrospinal fluid leak (β = 13.85, P = .04), predicted diminished improvement in EQ-5D and PDQ, respectively. CONCLUSION Although resection did not significantly improve QOL, it is likely necessary to arrest QOL deterioration. Patients with better preoperative neurological status or ependymoma experienced QOL improvement, while postoperative complications negatively impacted long-term QOL. ABBREVIATIONS EQ-5D, EuroQol 5-DimensionsGTR, gross total resectionIMSCT, intramedullary spinal cord tumorsMCID, minimal clinically important differenceMMS, Modified McCormick ScalePDQ, Pain Disability QuestionnairePHQ-9, Patient Health Questionnaire-9POD, plane of dissectionQOL, quality of lifeSSI, surgical site infection.
Role selection in ad hoc teamwork

An ad hoc team setting is one in which teammates must work together to obtain a common goal, but without any prior agreement regarding how to work together. In this work we introduce a role-based approach for ad hoc teamwork, in which each teammate is inferred to be following a specialized role that accomplishes a specific task or exhibits a particular behavior. In such cases, the role an ad hoc agent should select depends both on its own capabilities and on the roles currently selected by other team members. We present methods for evaluating the influence of the ad hoc agent's role selection on the team's utility and we examine empirically how to choose the best suited method for role assignment in a complex environment. Finally, we show that an appropriate assignment method can be determined from a limited amount of data and used successfully in new tasks that the team has not encountered before.
Some Problems of Ladino/Judezmo Romanization

While ALA/LC standards have been developed for the Romanization of Hebrew and Yiddish for bibliographic purposes, the lack of such a standard for the Romanization of Ladino/Judezmo impedes access to materials in that language. The distinctiveness of Ladino/Judezmo argues that it be treated on its own terms, and not as merely derivative of its principal components, Spanish and Hebrew. This article establishes the rationale for an ALA/LC standard for the Romanization of Ladino/Judezmo and suggests sources that could serve as its basis.