cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How important is metadata

Metadata is expensive. Information services and digital library researchers spend considerable time, effort, and money on metadata. It is time to ask a number of important questions: How much metadata is really necessary and for what reason?What are the right metrics for metadata; its correctness, appropriateness, and return on investment?Is metadata harvesting really useful for the creation of digital library services?Are the assumptions about the utility, or even necessity, of metadata a legacy of years of library science and practice?Do these assumptions make sense in the current context of massive computing power and automatic analysis?.Clearly there is no one "correct' answer to these questions. The panel will provide the forum for practitioners and researchers from a number of areas to express their views and, hopefully, provoke stimulating discussions from the audience.
Sensitivity of diffusion length determination on background current collection efficiency in light beam induced current analysis using the Zook equation

The fall‐off of the light beam induced current in the vicinity of a grain boundary is frequently used to determine the minority‐carrier diffusion length in the vicinity of the boundary and the surface recombination velocity at the boundary. It is shown that the numerical values obtained can be very sensitive to the choice of the background.
Chemoenzymatic synthesis and antibody detection of DNA glycoconjugates.

A chemoenzymatic approach for the efficient synthesis of DNA−carbohydrate conjugates was developed and applied to an antibody-based strategy for the detection of DNA glycoconjugates. A phosphoramidite derivative of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) was synthesized and utilized to attach GlcNAc sugars to the 5‘-terminus of DNA oligonucleotides by solid-phase DNA synthesis. The resulting GlcNAc−DNA conjugates were used as substrates for glycosyl transferase enzymes to synthesize DNA glycoconjugates. Treatment of GlcNAc−DNA with β-1,4-galactosyl transferase (GalT) and UDP−Gal produced N-acetyllactosamine-modified DNA (LacNAc−DNA), which could be converted quantitatively to the trisaccharide Lewis X (LeX)−DNA conjugate by α-1,3-fucosyltransferase VI (FucT) and GDP−Fuc. The facile enzymatic synthesis of LeX−DNA from GlcNAc−DNA also was accomplished in a one-pot reaction by the combined action of GalT and FucT. The resulting glycoconjugates were characterized by gel electrophoresis, matrix-assisted laser desorption ...
Project Emission Estimator

Motivated by the need to address the challenges of global climate change, this paper develops and implements a project-based life-cycle framework that can be used to estimate the carbon footprint for typical construction work items found in reconstruction, rehabilitation, and capital preventive maintenance projects. Through applying existing life-cycle assessment methods and inventories, the proposed framework considers the life-cycle emissions of products and processes involved in the raw material acquisition and manufacturing phase and in the pavement construction phase. The framework also estimates emissions from vehicular use and maintenance operations during the service life of the pavement. The Project Emission Estimator (PE-2), a web-based tool that implements the project-based life-cycle framework, can be used to benchmark the carbon dioxide (CO2) footprint of highway construction projects. This paper suggests ways contractors and state transportation agencies can implement the PE-2 to benchmark a...
Response bias for picture recognition in patients with Alzheimer disease.

Objective—To investigate whether changing recognition stimuli from words to pictures would alter response bias in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Background—Response bias is an important aspect of memory performance in patients with AD, as they show an abnormally liberal response bias compared to healthy older adults. We have previously found that despite changes in discrimination produced by varying the study and test list length, response bias remained remarkably stable in both patients with AD and older adult controls. Methods—Patients with mild AD and healthy older adults underwent two separate study-test sessions of pictures and words. For both pictures and words, increasing study-test list lengths were used to determine whether bias changed as a factor of discrimination or task difficulty. Results—Consistent with apriori hypotheses, healthy older adults showed increased discrimination and shifted to a more liberal response bias for pictures compared to words. In contrast, despite their higher level of discrimination for pictures, patients with AD showed a similar response bias for both pictures and words. Bias was consistent across varying study-test lengths for both groups. Conclusions—These results suggest that response bias is a relatively invariant factor of an individual with AD that remains liberal regardless of discrimination or stimulus type.
Acceleration Control for a Plug-in Series Hybrid Electric Vehicle

Acceleration control using fuzzy logic is investigated in this paper for a plug-in series hybrid electric vehicle in order to improve the vehicle response to drivers demand. The transient process of acceleration is mainly considered in this research. Fuzzy logic is used for motor transient torque control according to drivers input and vehicle velocity, outputting a regulatory factor to increase motor torque transiently when drivers acceleration pedal is pushed down deeply and to reduce the torque increment when acceleration process is close to over. Performance of fuzzy control is tested by MATLAB simulation. Simulation results indicate that the presented fuzzy algorithm is feasible and effective for improving vehicle acceleration ability without damaging stable velocity control characteristic; in simulation, vehicle acceleration time of 0-100km/h has been reduced by 2.4 seconds.
Mechanical and Optimization Analyses for Novel Wound Composite Axial Impeller

A mechanical and optimal analyses procedure is developed to assess the stresses and deformations of Novel Wound Composite Axial-Impeller under loading conditions particular to centrifuge. This procedure is based on an analytical method and Finite Element Analysis (FEA, commercial software ANSYS) results. A low-cost, light-weight, high-performance, composite turbomachinery impeller from differently designed patterns will be evaluated. Such impellers can economically enable refrigeration plants using water as a refrigerant (R718). To create different complex patterns of impellers, MATLAB is used for creating the geometry of impellers, and CAD software UG is used to build three-dimensional impeller models. Available loading conditions are: radial body force due to high speed rotation about the cylindrical axis and fluid forces on each blade. Two-dimensional plane stress and three-dimensional stress finite element analysis are carried out using ANSYS to validate these analytical mechanical equations. The von Mises stress is investigated, and maximum stress and Tsai-Wu failure criteria are applied for composite material failure, and they generally show good agreement.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Anti-Stokes Raman conversion in silicon waveguides

The first observation of parametric down-conversion in silicon is reported. Conversion from 1542.3nm to 1328.8nm is achieved using a CW pump laser at 1427 nm. The conversion occurs via Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) in which two pump photons and one Stokes photon couple through a zone-center optical phonon to an anti-Stokes photon. The maximum measured Stokes/anti-Stokes power conversion efficiency is 1×10-5. The value depends on the effective pump power, the Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) coefficient of bulk silicon, and waveguide dispersion. It is shown that the power conversion efficiency is a strong function of phase mismatch inside the waveguide.
Association and dissociation of phycocyanin by small molecules.

Abstract Sedimentation velocity experiments showed that tetraalkylammonium salts, with alkyl chain lengths ranging from methyl to pentyl and in the concentration range from 0.02 to 0.16 m , decrease the aggregation of C-phycocyanin in sodium phosphate buffers, pH 6.0 and 7.0, I 0.1, at 23 °C. Tetrabutylammonium and tetrapentylammonium bromides and chlorides disaggregate 11S and 17S C-phycocyanin aggregates to produce a 6S subunit. The larger alkyl group produces the greater effect. An explanation for this effect would be that hydrophobic and possibly ionic interactions between the protein and the tetraalkylammonium cation effectively block assembly of the 6S to 11S aggregate. These salts may provide a novel means for the control of protein assembly. Recent studies on the effect of neutral aromatic compounds on C-phycocyanin aggregation were extended to saturated solutions of α- and β-naphthol, with concentrations of m , respectively. Sedimentation velocity experiments and absorption spectroscopy suggest that the aggregation of C-phycocyanin is increased by naphthol binding to the protein.
Morphological variation and phenotypic plasticity of buoyancy in the macroalga Turbinaria ornata across a barrier reef

Many aspects of morphology of benthic algae (length, surface area-to-volume ratio, and blade undulation) are plastic traits that vary in response to physical factors (such as light or water flow environment). This study examines whether frond buoyancy is a plastic trait, and whether differences in morphology including buoyancy affect the potential persistence of macroalgae in habitats characterized by different water flow regimes. Fronds of the tropical alga Turbinaria ornata in protected backreef environments in Moorea, French Polynesia possess pneumatocysts (gas-filled floats) and experience positive buoyant forces, whereas fronds in wave-exposed forereef sites either lack pneumatocysts entirely or have very small, rudimentary pneumatocysts and experience negative buoyant forces. Forereef fronds transplanted to the backreef developed pneumatocysts and experienced increased buoyant force indicating that buoyancy is a phenotypically plastic trait in T. ornata. In comparing the potential for dislodgement by drag, drag was greater on forereef fronds at low flow speeds as these fronds were stiffer and did not bend over at low flow speeds and therefore were less streamlined in the flow than backreef algae, which bent easily. The environmental stress factor (ESF) (a measure of the likelihood of detachment for a frond in its habitat) was higher for forereef than backreef fronds at all flow speeds. When examined with respect to the flow velocities likely in their respective habitats however, the chance of detachment for backreef and forereef was similar. Neither backreef nor forereef fronds were predicted to break under normal, non-storm conditions, but both were predicted to break in storms. Strong forereef morphologies are well suited to habitats characterized by rapid flow, whereas the weaker, buoyant, tall backreef fronds are well suited to habitats where crowding and shading is common but hydrodynamic forces are low.
Comparing extraction buffers to identify optimal method to extract somatic coliphages from sewage sludges

Somatic coliphages are present in high numbers in sewage sludge. Since they are conservative indicators of viruses during wastewater treatment processes, they are being used to evaluate the effectiveness of sludge treatment processes. However, efficient methods to extract them from sludge are lacking. The objective was to compare different virus extraction procedures and develop a method to extract coliphages from sewage sludge. Twelve different extraction buffers and procedures varying in composition, pH, and sonication were compared in their ability to recover indigenous phages from sludges. The 3% buffered beef extract (BBE) (pH 9.0), the 10% BBE (pH 9.0), and the 10% BBE (pH 7.0) with sonication were short-listed and their recovery efficiency was determined using coliphage-spiked samples. The highest recovery was 16% for the extraction that involved 10% BBE at pH 9.0. There is a need to develop methods to extract somatic phages from sludges for monitoring sludge treatment processes.
Interface Design and Display Modalities to Improve the Vehicle Inspection Process

There is a direct need in industry to improve the in-production vehicle inspection process and to support mobility for inspection stations. In this paper we present a novel interface design implemented on three multi-modal prototype systems, in which design was based on results from an initial field study we conducted. The design of these systems incorporate two main objectives: 1) enforce a systematic check on each of the items on the list to reduce missed items and 2) facilitate mobility in that the tools used to assist in inspection can be installed at one area and then later easily moved to another area. Our novel graphical software interface aims to enforce systematic checks through incorporation of a system-directed delivery of the checklist items with options for error correction and support of dynamic inspection, where items identified for inspection may differ among checkpoints. We have designed three hardware configurations that support our interface, with aims to achieve mobility from one inspection area to another, leave both hands free for inspection, and incorporate a more convenient way to refer to the list while conducting an inspection. This paper additionally presents preliminary feedback and suggestions for improvement from a pilot study conducted on our interface implemented on three hardware configurations. In the future we plan to incorporate the suggestions from the pilot study and to conduct a more formal evaluation on our multi-modal systems.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Tubular aggregates in endoplasmic reticulum: evidence against their viral nature

In a case of human herpes simplex encephalitis, tubular arrays were observed within the cisterns of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of endothelial cells and macrophages. Such structures, previously observed in lupus erythematosus, in a variety of neoplasms, and in a number of virus-induced disorders, have been regarded as viral or viruslike in nature. The present observations indicate that the tubules originate as invaginations of the ER membrane. This suggests that these tubules, described in a wide variety of circumstances, are a host cell product. Although their nature and function is not established, the possibility that they represent viruses is considered unlikely.
The utility of peritoneal biopsy and omentectomy in the upstaging of apparent early ovarian cancer.

Hypothesis The hypothesis of this study is that routine blind peritoneal biopsies performed during the surgical staging of apparent early ovarian cancers rarely influence final cancer stage and thus are of little benefit to staging. Few studies have been done examining this question of whether the biopsies of grossly normal-appearing peritoneal tissue are of benefit to the surgical staging procedure. Methods Operative and pathology reports from 122 patients with early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer staged by gynecologic oncologists at Barnes-Jewish Hospital from 1995 to 2009 were reviewed. All had full surgical staging resulting in a final stage of IA to IIIA. The operative findings were assessed to determine how frequently the peritoneal biopsies upstaged the cancer. Other findings including age, grade, histological type, and preoperative CA-125 were assessed. Results The median age of the patients was 53 years (range, 23-81 years). The distribution of cancer types was endometrioid (42), serous (23), clear cell (19), mucinous (16), and mixed or other (22). The most frequent stage was IC (n = 50; 41%), followed by IA (n = 40; 33%). A total of 19 patients had positive peritoneal biopsies (16%). Of these, only 6 (5%) were microscopically positive, or from normal-appearing tissue. Five (4%) of these 6 subjects were upstaged by the random peritoneal biopsies alone. Five (4%) of the patients had microscopic metastases to the omentum, 4 (3%) of whom were upstaged by this finding alone. One patient had both microscopic peritoneal and omental disease. Conclusions Although the rate of microscopic metastases to peritoneal tissue is low, random peritoneal biopsies are still indicated in early-stage disease owing to the low morbidity of the procedure and a small but present possibility of upstaging and altered management. Furthermore, systematic peritoneal biopsies ensure careful palpation and examination of all surfaces.
Inactivation of glycogen synthase a by the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Kinetics of inactivated forms

Rabbit skeletal muscle glycogen synthase was phosphorylated to varying degrees with [γ-32P]ATP and the catalytic subunit of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Phosphorylation of glycogen synthase up to 1 mol phosphate per mol subunit had very little effect on the activity ratio (activity measured in the absence of glucose 6-phosphate divided by activity measured in the presence of glucose 6-phosphate), the A0.5 for glucose 6-phosphate (concentration of glucose 6-phosphate which gives half maximal activation), or the Km for UDPGlc measured in the absence of glucose 6-phosphate. Phosphorylation to the extent of 1.8 mol phosphate per mol subunit resulted in partial inactivation of glycogen synthase (activity ratio = 0.6) due primarily to an increase in the Km for UDPGlc measured in the absence of glucose 6-phosphate. Phosphorylation to the extent of 2.6–2.8 mol phosphate per mol subunit resulted in further inactivation (activity ratio = 0.05–0.13) due primarily to a decrease in V (maximal velocity) measured in the absence of glucose 6-phosphate and partly to an additional increase in the Km for UDPGlc measured in the absence of glucose 6-phosphate. The form of glycogen synthase containing 2.6–2.8 mol phosphate per mol subunit was unique in that activation by glucose 6-phosphate showed little or no positive cooperativity, A0.5 for glucose 6-phosphate was relatively high, and V measured in the absence of glucose 6-phosphate was reduced. Phosphorylation of glycogen synthase had very little effect on either the Km for UDPGlc or the V measured in the presence of glucose 6-phosphate. We conclude from these studies that inactivation of glycogen synthase a by the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in vitro is complex, and that no single kinetic parameter is the best index of inactivation.
Clinical pharmacology and dietary supplements: an evolving relationship.

Since their introduction in 1994, dietary supplements have gained a significant foothold in the American health-care system. The fact that almost 20% of US adults spend a total of $14 billion annually on nonvitamin, nonmineral “natural” products1 is a testament to the popularity of these supplements. However, most consumers, and many health-care professionals, are unaware that clinical pharmacology has played a key role in assessing the safety of herbal supplements. In the process, a productive—though often stormy—relationship has developed between clinical pharmacology and the dietary supplements industry. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2010) 87 2, 235–238. doi:10.1038/clpt.2009.245
Proteomic dissection of the von hippel-Lindau (VHL) interactome

The von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene encodes a component of a ubiquitin ligase complex containing elongin B, elongin C, cullin 2, and Rbx1, which acts as a negative regulator of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF). VHL ubiquitinates and degrades the alpha subunits of HIF, and this is proposed to suppress tumorigenesis and tumor angiogenesis. Several lines of evidence also suggest important roles for HIF-independent VHL functions in the maintenance of primary cilium, extracellular matrix formation, and tumor suppression. We undertook a series of proteomic analyses to gain a comprehensive picture of the VHL-interacting proteins. We found that the ARF tumor suppressor interacts with VHL30, a longer VHL isoform, but not with VHL19, a shorter VHL isoform. ARF was found to release VHL30 from the E3 ligase complex, promoting the binding of VHL30 to a protein arginine methyltransferase, PRMT3. Our analysis of the VHL19 interactome also uncovered that VHL19 displays an affinity to collagens and their biosy...
Differential Imaging Using Charge-Coupled Device - CCD - Imagers with On-Chip Charge Storage

A CCD technique is described which allows long integration periods between readouts together with moderate chopping rates. During each phase of a differential chopping cycle, one set of charge images is shifted to the center of the chip, which is light sensitive. At the same time, the other set of charge images is shifted under one of two masked areas which serve as charge-storage sites. Since the vertical shifting between phases can be accomplished in much less time than the typical exposure per phase, there is negligible image smearing. For a given light level and chopping rate the performance of this technique is limited primarily by the readout noise and the vertical charge transfer inefficiency. If many transfer cycles are required between readouts, the charge transfer inefficiency will diffuse the accumulated charge images along the vertical columns. Laboratory and astronomical data obtained with this technique using a CCD camera and the 2.3 m telescope on Kitt Peak are presented.
The influence of food on food intake: Methodological problems and mechanisms of action

Emphasis has been placed on the understanding of the regulation of food intake in the hope of aiding the battle against obesity and of helping to ameliorate the anorexia of cancer and eating disorders. Available data suggest that the regulatory system is multifaceted and complex. This review focuses on current research on the regulation of appetite and satiety by carbohydrates, fats, and proteins as well as by artificial sweeteners. Some methodological problems and potential mechanisms of action at the biochemical level are discussed. Evidence suggests that organisms are more successful in defending against calorie dilution than in adjusting to increases in calories. The implications of that defense relative to the use of ersatz nutrients are explored.
Quantitation of anti-tetanus and anti-diphtheria antibodies by enzymoimmunoassay: methodology and applications.

We have developed enzymoimmunoassays (EIA) for the quantitation of antibodies (Ab) to tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (TT, DT) using lmmulon I plates coated with the appropriate toxoid. A preparation of human tetanus immunoglobulin with a known concentration of anti-TT Ab was used as calibrator of the anti-TT antibody assay. The assay of anti-DT Ab is calibrated with a pool of human sera whose anti-DT Ab concentration was determined by quantitative immunoelectrophoresis, using a horse anti-DT with known Ab concentration as calibrator. A peroxidase-conjugated anti-human IgG was used in both assays. ABTS was used as substrate, and the reaction was stopped after 1 min incubation with citric acid and the OD measured at 414 nm on a Vmax reader. The assays have been applied to a variety of clinical situations. In patients suspected of having tetanus, the quantitation of antibodies has been helpful in establishing a diagnosis. In patients with a history of hypersensitivity to tetanus toxoid, verification of the levels of anti-TT antibody may prevent unnecessary and potentially harmful immunizations. The assays have also been used for the diagnostic evaluation of the humoral immune response to TT and DT, both in pediatric patients and in immunosuppressed patients. Several non-responders have been detected, and we have recently used the assay to monitor the effects of fish oil administration on the humoral immune response. Finally, the sensitivity of the assay for anti-TT antibody has been proven to be adequate for the assay of anti-TT Ab produced in vitro by stimulated human B cells. In conclusion, the assay of anti-TT and anti-DT antibodies by EIA is relatively simple and has a variety of clinical and research applications.
Transition metal-catalyzed C–H activation as a route to structurally diverse di(arylthiophenyl)-diketopyrrolopyrroles

Dithiophenyldiketopyrrolopyrroles can be directly (hetero)arylated in moderate to excellent yields by Pd-catalyzed coupling to the CH position of a fluoro(hetero)arene (in the presence of Ag2CO3) or the CBr position of a bromo(hetero)arene.
Longitudinal consistency of adolescent ethnic identification across varying school ethnic contexts

The present study examined consistency and inconsistency in adolescents' ethnic identification (i.e., self-reported ethnicity) across the 6 middle-school semesters. The sample (N = 1,589, of whom 46% were boys and 54% were girls) included African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Caucasian/White, Latino/Latina, Mexican/Mexican American, and multiethnic students. Latent class analyses yielded 3 key patterns in ethnic identification across the middle-school years: consistent, late consistent, and inconsistent. Ethnic identification remained consistent across fall and spring of 6th, 7th, and 8th grades for only about 60% of the students. Asian/Pacific Islander students were more consistent, and multiethnic students were less consistent than students from other ethnic groups. School ethnic composition was associated with systematic shifts in ethnic identification from the beginning to the end of middle school for those students who initially identified as Latino/Latina, African American, or multiethnic but not for Mexican-origin students. In combination, the results provide insight into the consistency of ethnic identification, the role of context in adolescents' self-representation, and considerations for longitudinal studies that examine ethnic differences.
Arithmetic partial differential equations, II

Abstract We continue the study of arithmetic partial differential equations initiated in [7] by classifying “arithmetic convection equations” on modular curves, and by describing their space of solutions. Certain of these solutions involve the Fourier expansions of the Eisenstein modular forms of weight 4 and 6, while others involve the Serre–Tate expansions (Mori, 1995 [13] , Buium, 2003 [4] ) of the same modular forms; in this sense, our arithmetic convection equations can be seen as “unifying” the two types of expansions. The theory can be generalized to one of “arithmetic heat equations” on modular curves, but we prove that they do not carry “arithmetic wave equations.” Finally, we prove an instability result for families of arithmetic heat equations converging to an arithmetic convection equation.
Shocked Quartz in the Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary Clays: Evidence for a Global Distribution

Shocked quartz grains displaying planar features were isolated from Cretaceous- Tertiary boundary clays at five sites in Europe, a core from the north-central Pacific Ocean, and a site in New Zealand. At all of these sites, the planar features in the shocked quartz can be indexed to rational crystallographic planes of the quartz lattice. The grains display streaking indicative of shock in x-ray diffraction photographs and also show reduced refractive indices. These characteristic features of shocked quartz at several sites worldwide confirm that an impact event at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary distributed ejecta products in an earth-girdling dust cloud, as postulated by the Alvarez impact hypothesis.
From worlds to probabilities: a probabilistic semantics for modal logic

Whether possible worlds are understood realistically, actualistically, or heuristically, it is interesting that a large and natural class of modal logics can be characterized by means of a semantics in which possibility and necessity are interpreted as quantifiers over possible worlds. The quantificational interpretation of l and O is interesting not only because it marks off a natural and applicable class of modal logics from the rest, but also because it illuminates the logics it marks off in two ways: since, in each case, O is interpreted as a universal quantifier over alternative possible worlds, we have an account of what is the same about the meaning of Ol from one system of modal logic to the next. And since the properties of the alternativeness relation vary among different modal systems, we also have an account of how the meaning of O differs from one system to the next. In this paper I will develop a probabilistic semantics for modal logic that preserves this quantificational apparatus, with its vocabulary for saying what is the same and what is different about the meaning of necessity in different modal logics. My aim is to develop a species of generalized Kripke model for modal logic, based on the idea that Popper functions are a kind of generalized truth valuation. This aim is consistent with the central motivation of probabilistic semantics: to interpret systems of logic without appealing to reference or truth conditions.' Nevertheless, the aim of this paper is clearly at odds with the views of others who have worked on probabilistic semantics for modal logic. In [12] Charles Morgan presents a quantification-based probabilistic semantics for modal logic but makes it clear in [10], where he presents a non-quantification-based probabilistic semantics for modal logic, that he regards the quantificational approach as such as being philosophically inferior. Needless to say, I disagree with Morgan's philosophical assessment of the quantificational approach. In my view, once the ontologically problematic
FROM KHINCHIN’S CONJECTURE ON STRONG UNIFORMITY TO SUPERUNIFORM MOTIONS

We attempt to develop a new chapter of the theory of uniform distribution; we call it strong uniformity. Strong uniformity in a nutshell means that we combine Lebesgue measure with the classical theory of uniform distribution, basically founded by Weyl in his famous paper from 1916 [Uber die Gleichverteilung von Zahlen mod Eins, Math. Ann.77 (1916), 313–352], which is built around nice test sets, such as axis-parallel rectangles and boxes. We prove the continuous version of the well-known Khinchin’s conjecture [Eins Satz uber Kettenbruche mit arithmetischen Adwendungen, Math. Z.18 (1923), 289–306] in every dimension we still have strong uniformity, but not superuniformity. However, in dimension three we have the even more striking super-duper uniformity for two-dimensional rays (replacing the torus lines). Finally, we indicate how to exhibit superuniform motions on every “reasonable” plane region (e.g., the circular disk) and on every “reasonable” closed surface (sphere, torus and so on).
Bioinformatics in otolaryngology research. Part two: other high-throughput platforms in genomics and epigenetics.

Objectives: This second segment of the two-part review summarises several modern high-throughput methods in genomics, epigenetics and molecular biology. Many principles from nucleotide sequencing and transcriptomics can be applied to other high-throughput molecular biology techniques. Specifically, this manuscript reviews: array comparative genome hybridisation; single nucleotide polymorphism arrays; microarray technology, used to study epigenetics; and methodology applied in proteomics. Finally, the review describes current methods for the integration of multiple molecular biology platforms. Conclusion: Progress in treating human disease in general will require close collaboration with experts in bioinformatics. Improved understanding, by clinicians and physician-scientists in our field, of the concepts presented in both parts of this review will advance diagnosis and therapy for diseases of the head and neck.
Electromagnetic Pulses at Short-Pulse Laser Facilities

Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) is a known issue for short-pulse laser facilities, and will also be an issue for experiments using the advanced radiographic capability (ARC) at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). The ARC diagnostic uses four NIF beams that are compressed to picosecond durations for backlighting ignition capsules and other applications. Consequently, we are working to understand the EMP due to high-energy (MeV) electrons escaping from targets heated by short-pulse lasers. Our approach is to measure EMP in the Titan short-pulse laser at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and to employ that data to establish analysis and simulation capabilities. We have installed a wide variety of probes inside and outside the Titan laser chamber. We have high-frequency B-dot and D-dot probes, a photodiode, and fast current-viewing and integrating current transformers. The probe outputs are digitized by 10 and 20 Gsample/s oscilloscopes. The cables and oscilloscopes are well shielded to reduce noise. Our initial measurement campaign has yielded data useful mainly from several hundreds of MHz to several GHz. We currently are supplementing our high-frequency probes with lower-frequency ones to obtain better low-frequency data. In order to establish analysis and simulation capabilities we are modeling the Titan facility using various commercial and LLNL numerical electromagnetics codes. We have simulated EMP generation by having a specified number of electrons leave the target and strike the chamber wall and other components in the chamber. This short impulse of electrons has a correspondingly broad spectrum, exciting high-frequency structure in the resulting EMP. In this paper, we present results of our initial measurement campaign and comparisons between the measurements and simulations.
Reducing recursive effect for fast proximity correction

Abstract Previously, we proposed PYRAMID, an efficient tool for proximity effect correction in electron-beam lithography. Because PYRAMID corrects circuit primitives one at a time it may suffer from the recursive effect (i.e., correction on one element affects how a previously corrected element should have been corrected). In this paper, we present two different methods for reducing the recursive effect and compare their performance in terms of accuracy and speed.
Increased Protein Sorption in Poly(acrylic acid)-Containing Films through Incorporation of Comb-Like Polymers and Film Adsorption at Low pH and High Ionic Strength

In principle, incorporation of comb-like block copolymers in multilayer polyelectrolyte films can both increase film thickness relative to coatings containing linear polymers and provide more swollen films for increased sorption of proteins. In the absence of added salt, alternating adsorption of 5 bilayers of protonated poly(allylamine) (PAH) and comb-like poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-graft-poly(acrylic acid) (PHEMA-g-PAA) leads to ∼2-fold thicker coatings than adsorption of PAH and linear PAA, and the difference in the thicknesses of the two coatings increases with the number of bilayers. Moreover, the (PAH/PHEMA-g-PAA)n films sorb 2- to 4-fold more protein than corresponding films prepared with linear PAA, and coatings deposited at pH 3.0 sorb more protein than coatings adsorbed at pH 5.0, 7.0, or 9.0. In fact changes in deposition pH and addition of 0.5 M NaCl to polyelectrolyte adsorption solutions alter protein sorption more dramatically than variations in the constituent polymer architecture. When deposited from 0.5 M NaCl at pH 3.0, both (PAH/PHEMA-g-PAA)5 and (PAH/PAA)5 films increase in thickness more than 400% upon adsorption of lysozyme. These films contain a high concentration of free -COOH groups, and subsequent deprotonation of these groups at neutral pH likely contributes to increased protein binding. Lysozyme sorption stabilizes these films, as without lysozyme films deposited at pH 3.0 from 0.5 M NaCl desorb at neutral pH. Films deposited at pH 9.0 from 0.5 M NaCl are more stable and also bind large amounts of lysozyme. The high binding capacities of these films make them attractive for potential applications in protein isolation or immobilization of enzymes.
Effects of PMCA2 mutation on DPOAE amplitudes and latencies in deafwaddler mice.

Abstract The deafwaddler ( dfw ) mouse mutant is caused by a spontaneous mutation in the gene that encodes a plasma membrane Ca 2+ ATPase (type 2), PMCA2 (Street et al., 1998. Nat. Genet. 19, 390–394), which is expressed in cochlear and vestibular hair cells. Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) amplitudes and latencies were examined in control mice, deafwaddler mutants, and controls treated with the drug furosemide. Furosemide causes a transient reduction of DPOAEs (Mills et al., 1993. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 94, 2108–2122). We wanted to determine whether DPOAEs obtained in furosemide-treated mice were similar or different from results obtained in +/ dfw mice. DPOAE amplitude and phase were measured as a function of f 2 / f 1 ratio. These data were converted into waveforms using inverse fast Fourier transform, and their average latency was used to estimate DPOAE group delay. Homozygous deafwaddlers did not produce DPOAEs. Heterozygous deafwaddlers (+/ dfw ) had increased DPOAE thresholds and reduced amplitudes at high frequencies, compared to controls. To the extent that DPOAEs depend on functional outer hair cells (OHCs), abnormal DPOAEs in +/ dfw mice suggest that PMCA2 is important for OHC function at high frequencies. Similar to the effects of furosemide, the mutation reduced DPOAEs for low-level stimuli; in contrast to furosemide, the mutation altered DPOAEs elicited by high levels.
Quality and the College of American Pathologists

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) is dedicated to pathology and laboratory medicine quality. The CAP's Laboratory Accreditation Program, Proficiency Testing Program, Q-Probes and Q-Tracks,...
Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide deficient mice exhibit impaired thymic and extrathymic regulatory T cell proliferation during EAE.

We have shown that mice deficient in pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP, gene name ADCYAP1) manifest enhanced sensitivity to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), supporting the anti-inflammatory actions described for this neuropeptide. In addition to an increased proinflammatory cytokine response in these mice, a reduction in regulatory T cell (Treg) abundance in the lymph nodes (LN) was observed, suggesting altered Treg kinetics. In the present study, we compared in PACAP deficient (KO) vs. wild type mice the abundances and rates of proliferation FoxP3+ Tregs in three sites, the LN, central nervous system (CNS) and thymus and the relative proportions of Th1, Th2, and Th17 effector subsets in the LN and CNS. Flow cytometry analyses revealed a decrease in Treg proliferation and an increased T effector/Tregs ratio in the LN and CNS of PACAP KO mice. In the thymus, the primary site of do novo natural Treg production, the total numbers and proliferative rates of FoxP3+ Tregs were significantly reduced. Moreover, the expression of IL-7, a cytokine implicated in thymic Treg expansion during EAE, failed to increase at the peak of the disease in the thymus and LN of PACAP KO mice. In addition to these Treg alterations, a specific reduction of Th2 cells (about 4-fold) was observed in the lymph nodes in PACAP KO mice, with no effects on Th1 and Th17 subsets, whereas in the CNS, Th1 and Th17 cells were increased and Th2 decreased. Our results suggest that endogenous production of the neuropeptide PACAP protects against EAE by modulating Treg expansion and Th subsets at multiple sites.
Pressure dependence of the photoabsorption of polyacety-lene

Abstract The optical absorption spectra of pure cis and trans-polyacetylene at various hydrostatic pressures, in the region 0–9 Kbar, are reported. We find a “red shift” of the absorption edge indicating a reduction of the energy gap as a function of pressure. At 9 Kbar, E is reduced by about 0.1 eV. In addition a decrease ing the slope of α (ω) is observed at high pressures. These changes result from an increase in the interchain transfer integrals, t1. Comparison of the data with the results of tight binding calculations lead to estimates of t1≃ 0.025 − 0.05 eV (ambient) and t1/t1≃ 10−2.
Crystallization Driven Formation of Conducting Polymer Networks in Polymer Blends

Electrically conducting networks based on polyaniline−camphorsulfonic acid (PANI-HCSA), blended with crystalline and amorphous polyamides (nylon 6 and Selar), and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT-PSS), blended with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), were prepared from solution. These blends exhibited a conductivity that rises smoothly and rapidly from the insulating state with increasing conducting polymer content. When the conducting polymer salts are blended with insulating crystalline hosts, they show a more rapid increase in conductivity relative to blends prepared using amorphous hosts. This faster rise in electrical conduction stems from the presence of more developed conductive pathways in the crystalline host blends due primarily to the crystallization driven exclusion of the conducting polymer into the interspherultic region as seen by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In the PANI-HCSA/nylon 6 blends conductivities of 1 S/cm are found at ...
Effects of surface treatments on the retention of restorative materials to dentin

The effect of various pretreatments on shear bond strengths between dentin and three restorative materials was investigated. Pretreatments included use of cleansing agents and adhesion promoters in combination. Results indicated that: (1) phosphoric acid (50%) and EDTA (10%) were not effective in improving bonding between restorative materials and dentin; (2) NPG-GMA significantly increased resin-dentin adhesion with Cervident and Simulate resin. Silane adhesion promoter in combination with Fuji provided the greatest resistance to shear forces; and (3) Fuji Type II restorative material demonstrated more resistance to shear forces than Cervident and Simulate resins.
On the Nucleon-Nucleon Interaction

A charge-independent interaction between nucleons is assumed, which is characterized by a short range repulsion interior to an attractive well. It is shown that it is then possible to account for the qualitative features of currently known $n\ensuremath{-}p$ and $p\ensuremath{-}p$ scattering data. Some of the implications for saturation are discussed.
A modified rearing system for production of Pseudacteon curvatus (Diptera: Phoridae), a parasitoid of imported fire ants☆

Abstract A self-contained, climate-controlled box for exposing fire ants to attack by Pseudacteon parasitoids was developed. The initial system, which is being used to rear Pseudacteon tricuspis Borgmeier, consists of large (about 244 cm L × 97 cm W × 50 cm H), well-ventilated boxes (“attack boxes”) housed in a climate-controlled room (approx. 28 °C, 80% RH, 12:12 (L:D) h). Adult flies emerge into the boxes, which contain live host ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren). Host ants are confined in a series of trays within the box, each containing a pair of inverted cups under which the ants can hide. The cups alternate up and down, inducing the ants to trail back and forth within each tray. A modified system used for Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier consists of closed boxes, through which preconditioned air is pumped to maintain high relative humidity. Steam is used to generate humidity in a small, temperature-controlled room from which conditioned air is drawn, and infrared heating elements mounted above the attack box prevent condensation. This new system maintains high relative humidity (range 80–90%) crucial for activity and survival of P. curvatus. System performance was monitored in 4 ways: (1) environmental conditions within the system (RH, temperature, dew point, and light intensity); (2) production of P. curvatus; (3) successful development and emergence of P. curvatus; and (4) attack rates throughout the box. The modified system is capable of producing >1400 flies/day/attack box. This system will be useful for researchers with limited space in which rearing and research activities are conducted simultaneously.
Precipitating Circumstances of Suicide Among Youth Aged 10–17 Years by Sex: Data From the National Violent Death Reporting System, 16 States, 2005–2008

We examined the circumstances that precipitated suicide among 1,046 youth aged 10-17 years in 16 U.S. states from 2005 to 2008. The majority of deaths were among male subjects (75.2%), non-Hispanic whites (69.3%), those aged 16-17 years (58.1%), those who died by hanging/strangulation/suffocation (50.2%) and those who died in a house or an apartment (82.5%). Relationship problems, recent crises, mental health problems, and intimate partner and school problems were the most common precipitating factors and many differed by sex. School problems were reported for 25% of decedents, of which 30.3% were a drop in grades and 12.4% were bullying related. Prevention strategies directed toward relationship-building, problem-solving, and increasing access to treatment may be beneficial for this population.
Learning with arbitrary versus ecological conditioned stimuli: evidence from sexual conditioning.

Laboratory investigations of Pavlovian conditioning typically involve the association of an arbitrary conditioned stimulus (CS) with an unconditioned stimulus (US) that has no inherent relation to the CS. However, arbitrary CSs are unlikely to become conditioned outside the laboratory, because they do not occur often enough with the US to result in an association. Learning under natural circumstances is likely only if the CS has a preexisting relation to the US. Recent studies of sexual conditioning have shown that in contrast to an arbitrary CS, an ecologically relevant CS is resistant to blocking, extinction, and increases in the CS-US interval and results in sensitized responding and stronger secondorder conditioning. Although the mechanisms of these effects are not fully understood, these findings have shown that signature learning phenomena are significantly altered when the kinds of stimuli that are likely to become conditioned under natural circumstances are used. The implications of these findings for an ecological approach to the study of learning are discussed. An earlier version of this article was presented by M. Domjan as an invited address at the 2001 meetings of the Pavlovian Society of North America in New Brunswick, NJ. The preparation of the manuscript and the original research by the authors were supported by Grant MH 39940 from the National Institutes of Health.
Microvessel density is not increased in prostate cancer: digital imaging of routine sections and tissue microarrays.

Angiogenesis is considered a prognostic factor and therapy target in many tumors but remains controversial in prostate cancer. This study compares the microvessel density of normal prostate and prostate cancer of different grades using an automated approach to determine its clinical utility. Neoplastic and normal prostatic tissues from 60 prostatectomies were examined by routine histological sections (group I); 136 prostatectomies were used to create tissue microarrays (group II). Microvessel density was calculated using CD31 immunostaining. Automated Cellular Image System (ChromaVision, San Juan Capistrano, CA) and Aperio automated systems were used to digitally analyze microvessel density in Groups I and II respectively. Microvessel density was not significantly increased in tumor versus normal prostate in Group I (P = .303). Both the mean vessel count and vessel area were significantly higher in normal tissue than in tumor either by Automated Cellular Image System or Aperio analysis (P .05). Aperio comparison of low- versus high-grade prostate cancer demonstrated that only mean vessel count was increased in high-grade tumors (P = .047); no other automated parameter in either group showed significant association with Gleason scores. Irrespective of methodology, microvessel density was not increased in prostate cancer compared to normal prostate. The bias of using vascular hot spots that possibly contributed to previous contradictory results has been mitigated by automated microvessel density quantitation here. Similar microvessel density of low- and high-grade tumors indicate that microvessel density is neither an important nor reliable prognostic marker for prostate cancer.