cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Audience‐perceived anxiety patterns of public speakers

Gray's neurological theory of anxiety (1982, 1990; Gray & McNaughton, 2000) predicts that state anxiety will decrease with continuous exposure to a fear arousing stimulus. Previous studies of psychological and physiological state anxiety patterns during public speaking have reported a pattern of progressively decreasing anxiety levels consistent with this phenomenon, known as habituation. In the current report, the extent to which the state anxiety behaviors of speakers conform to the habituation pattern is examined. In the first of two studies, 30 novice speakers presented informative speeches to audiences of 18 to 20 fellow students. These speeches were videotaped and replayed in their entirety for observers (N=30) who rated the severity of each performer's speech anxiety behaviors. In the second study, each videotaped presentation was divided into one‐minute segments and presented in random order to a new set of observers (N=25). Procedures in the second study were designed to control for rater expecta...
Endoscopic imaging of the human vocal cords using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

Endoscopic polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) was used to obtain cross-sectional images of laryngeal tissues in human subjects, in vivo. Imaging in tissue to a depth of 1.2 mm and with axial resolution below 10 micrometers enabled the epithelial layer to be readily identified in OCT intensity images, with the underlying superficial lamina propria characterized by an increased backscatter signal, and increased birefringence in polarization-sensitive images.
Optimal filter parameters for low SNR seismograms as a function of station and event location

Global seismic monitoring requires deployment of seismic sensors worldwide, in many areas that have not been studied or have few useable recordings. Using events with lower signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) would increase the amount of data from these regions. Lower SNR events can add significant numbers to data sets, but recordings of these events must be carefully filtered. For a given region, conventional methods of filter selection can be quite subjective and may require intensive analysis of many events. To reduce this laborious process, we have developed an automated method to provide optimal filters for low SNR regional or teleseismic events. As seismic signals are often localized in frequency and time with distinct time-frequency characteristics, our method is based on the decomposition of a time series into a set of subsignals, each representing a band with f/Δf constant (constant Q). The SNR is calculated on the pre-event noise and signal window. The band pass signals with high SNR are used to indicate the cutoff filter limits for the optimized filter. Results indicate a significant improvement in SNR, particularly for low SNR events. The method provides an optimum filter which can be immediately applied to unknown regions. The filtered signals are used to map the seismic frequency response of a region and may provide improvements in travel-time picking, azimuth estimation, regional characterization, and event detection. For example, when an event is detected and a preliminary location is determined, the computer could automatically select optimal filter bands for data from non-reporting stations. Results are shown for a set of low SNR events as well as 379 regional and teleseismic events recorded at stations ABKT, KIV, and ANTO in the Middle East.
Thermodynamic and kinetic characterization of a bridged-ethylene hybrid C18 stationary phase

In this study, a series of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitrogen-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) is separated on a hybrid stationary phase using methanol and acetonitrile mobile phases. Temperature is varied from 283 to 313 K in order to determine thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the separation. Thermodynamic behavior is characterized by the retention factor and associated changes in molar enthalpy, whereas kinetic behavior is characterized by the rate constants and associated activation energies. In this study, the retention factors for the NPAHs are smaller than those for the parent PAHs in methanol, while they are more similar to the parent PAHs in acetonitrile. The changes in molar enthalpy are very similar for all solutes, yet are more negative in acetonitrile than in methanol. The rate constants for the NPAHs are smaller than those for their parent PAHs in both mobile phases. Moreover, the rate constants in acetonitrile are one to four orders of magnitude smaller than those in methanol. Based on these thermodynamic and kinetic results, the hybrid stationary phase is compared to traditional silica stationary phases. In addition, the relative contributions from the partition and adsorption mechanisms are discussed.
Growing pains—and successes—in transforming the information systems organization for client/server development

Information systems (IS) groups are under increasing pressure to contribute to organizational performance and to support, or even drive, broad organizational transformation efforts through the successful exploitation of information technology (IT). Using a "sociocentric" model of organizational work, this paper analyzes the experiences of one company's IS group that recently embarked on a long-term, enterprise-wide client/server system development initiative designed to transform organizational decision support processes. Even though the client/server initiative is still in its infancy and has not yet delivered high-impact applications, it has brought about substantial changes in the nature of work in the IS group. These changes range from new philosophies, methodologies, and technologies to shifts in the skills, communication patterns, control structures and management styles required to develop and manage information systems.
Development of Closed-Loop Tail-Sizing Criteria for a High Speed Civil Transport

A study was conducted to determine the closed-loop tail-sizing criteria for a High Speed Civil Transport using a newly developed integrated aircraft/controller design methodology. The key idea is to cast closed loop requirements as linear matrix inequalities, for which efe cient numerical solvers are available. In particular, the effects of certain feedback specie cations, and of actuator amplitude and rate constraints on the maximum allowable c.g. travel for a given set of tail sizes are studied. A constant gain state feedback controller is designed as a part of the tail-sizing process.
ATLAS OF FOLIAR SURFACE FEATURES IN WOODY PLANTS, IX. BETULACEAE OF EASTERN UNITED STATES

Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine foliar surface features such as cuticular patterns, epicuticular wax, and trichome types in species ofAlnus, Betula, Carpinus, Corylus, andOstrya. Six trichome types are recognized in this survey, four non-glandular (acicular, filiform, aduncate, subulate) and two glandular (stipitate gland and peltate scale). The distribution of these trichomes among the genera supports the recognition of two tribes, Betuleae (Alnus andBetula) and Coryleae (Carpinus, Corylus, andOstrya). Trichome morphology can be an important supportive taxonomic character in determining evolutionary relationships.
The Role of Human Beings in the Quantum Universe

A profound change in our scientific understanding of the role of human beings in the unfolding of our streams of conscious experiences was wrought by the 20th-century switch from classical mechanics to quantum mechanics. The streams of consciousness thoughts of human beings were converted from causally inert passive witnesses of the unfolding of a mechanically controlled and causally self-sufficient physical universe into logically needed dynamical inputs into the physical aspects of nature. These physical aspects, as they are now understood, contain causal gaps that are neatly filled by inputs from the realm of our conscious thoughts in a way that allows our conscious intentions to tend to produce their intended consequences.
Law and the Humanities: An Uneasy Relationship

In 1930 legal professionals like Judge Learned Hand assumed that law was either part of the humanities or deeply connected to them. By the early twenty-first century, this view no longer seems accurate, despite the fact that legal scholarship has become increasingly interdisciplinary. Instead law has moved closer to the social sciences. This essay discusses why this is so, and why the humanities exist in an uneasy relationship with law and contemporary legal scholarship. No matter how often the legal academy embraces skills and knowledges external to law, law's professional orientation - and the fact that law is taught in professional schools where most students will not become academics - continually pulls legal scholarship back toward an internal attitude toward law and recourse to traditional legal materials. As a result, law remains far more like a divinity school - devoted to the preservation of the faith - than a department of religion - which studies various religions from multiple perspectives. To the extent that the contemporary disciplines of the humanities view law externally or in ways inconsistent with its professional orientation, they are merely tolerated in law schools rather than central to legal study. More generally, because law is a professional field, it resists colonization by other disciplines that view law externally. Instead, law co-opts the insights of other disciplines and turns them to its own uses. Ironically, law's thoroughly rhetorical nature, which strongly connects it to the traditions of the humanities, places the contemporary disciplines of the humanities at a relative disadvantage. Law uses rhetoric to establish its authority and to legitimate particular acts of political and legal power. Law's professional orientation pushes legal scholars toward prescriptivism - the demand that scholars cash out their arguments in terms of specific legal interpretations and policy proposals. These tasks push legal scholars toward technocratic forms of discourse that use the social and natural sciences more than the humanities. Whether justly or unjustly, the humanities tend to rise or fall in comparison to other disciplines to the extent that the humanities are able to help lawyers and legal scholars perform these familiar rhetorical tasks of legitimation and prescription.
The visual impact of gossip.

Gossip is a form of affective information about who is friend and who is foe. We show that gossip does not impact only how a face is evaluated—it affects whether a face is seen in the first place. In two experiments, neutral faces were paired with negative, positive, or neutral gossip and were then presented alone in a binocular rivalry paradigm (faces were presented to one eye, houses to the other). In both studies, faces previously paired with negative (but not positive or neutral) gossip dominated longer in visual consciousness. These findings demonstrate that gossip, as a potent form of social affective learning, can influence vision in a completely top-down manner, independent of the basic structural features of a face.
Design and dynamic characterization of “single-stroke” peristaltic PDMS micropumps

In this paper, we present a monolithic PDMS micropump that generates peristaltic flow using a single control channel that actuates a group of different-sized microvalves. An elastomeric microvalve design with a raised seat, which improves bonding reliability, is incorporated into the micropump. Pump performance is evaluated based on several design parameters—size, number, and connection of successive microvalves along with control channel pressure at various operating frequencies. Flow rates ranging 0–5.87 µL min−1 were observed. The micropump design demonstrated here represents a substantial reduction in the number of/real estate taken up by the control lines that are required to run a peristaltic pump, hence it should become a widespread tool for parallel fluid processing in high-throughput microfluidics.
High-Resolution Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy

The article provides a general overview of the instrumentation, a discussion of its probe-forming system and its detection system. 8 figures.
Acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy associated with active systemic lupus erythematosus and anticardiolipin antibodies

Acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) is an axonal variant of Guillian-Barre syndrome (GBS) that presents with acute ascending quadriparesis. This has generally been described in association with Campylobacter jejuni infections or with anti-ganglioside antibodies. Known cases have shown a slow recovery and a poor prognosis. We report a case with clinical and electrophysiological evidence of AMSAN in association with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and anticardiolipin antibodies but not the other associations, with a rapid response to combination immunosuppressant and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy. The association between AMSAN and SLE has not been previously described. This case illustrates that early recognition and the utilization of electrophysiologic techniques may be beneficial in the diagnosis and management of GBS associated with SLE. Fulminant or rapidly progressive cases should be managed in specialized intensive care units. Combination therapy of immunosuppressants and IVIg may be beneficial in non-vasculitic axonal radiculo-neuropathies associated with SLE, resulting in good outcomes.
Fast Layout Generation of RF Embedded Passive Circuits Using Mathematical Programming

In this paper, we present a methodology for the automatic generation of layout for radio frequency (RF) designs using embedded passives. Our methodology is divided into three steps: 1) pre-layout optimization; 2) placement and routing; and 3) post-layout optimization. We show that our methodology generates layouts with small area and good performance response within a fraction of design time compared with fully manual design effort. We make use of circuit models to represent and optimize the physical layout of the resistance-inductance-capacitance (RLC) components as well as the entire RF circuit that uses them. We perform non-linear mathematical programming-based optimization at various stages of the methodology to achieve high quality layouts. Full wave electromagnetic simulations are kept completely out of the design loop, so our methodology significantly reduces design time. We have used our methodology to successfully generate layouts for large-scale filter circuits.
THE INFLUENCE OF ESTRADIOL AND CORTISOL ON UTERINE HISTAMINE OF THE OVARIECTOMIZED RAT1212

Four hours following a single intravenous dose of estradiol-17β to the ovariectomized rat, uterine histamine concentration was significantly decreased. The decrement was not due to an increase in histaminase activity in the organ. Cortisol given concomitantly did not prevent the estrogen-induced release of istamine, although it did block the uterine hydration response due to estrogen as earlier described from these laboratories. Uterine histamine concentration was restored to control levels within 14 hours following estrogen injection. Tteri taken from intact, untreated animals during those phases of the estrous cycle associated with elevated estrogen secretion exhibited histamine levels which were significantly reduced below those in the quiescent state. It is proposed that the early accumulation of water, electrolytes and plasma protein following estrogenic stimulation of the uterus are secondary manifestations of the hyperemia and increased capillary permeability resulting from estrogen-induced release...
Scanning slit confocal microscopic observation of cell morphology and movement within the normal human anterior cornea.

Purpose: Noninvasive in vivo observations of the anterior human cornea were performed to study cell structure and dynamics. Cellular elements were identified by their location, morphology, and pattern of movement. The hypothesis that cells in the epithelial layer of the normal cornea migrate centripetally was tested. Methods: Using a scanning slit Confocal microscope with a new 0.75-numeric aperture contact objective, individual cells of normal human corneas were observed over time, quantifying the velocity and direction of cellular movement within the basal epithelial layer. Results: Basal epithelial cells, wing cells, the basal epithelial nerve plexus, and the subepithelial nerve plexus were identified readily. Centripetal motion was observed for three corneal cell types: basal epithelial cells, basal epithelial nerves, and unidentified cellular elements ( P ossibly Langerhans cells). The unidentified cellular elements moved along the length of the basal epithelial nerves. The basal epithelial nerve plexus maintained a roughly stable topology as it slid centripetally. New nerve material appeared at the site of entry of the nerve into the epithelium. No growth cones were present at the distal termini of the growing epithelial nerves. Conclusion: In the midperiphery of the normal human cornea, basal epithelial cells and nerves slide centripetally, probably in concert. Unidentified cellular elements used the basal epithelial nerve plexus as a pathway for intraepithelial movement. Observations in this study suggest that neurite growth occurred by the addition of new membrane material along the length of the axon rather than at a distal growth cone.
Polarized-Neutron Study of the Field-Induced Magnetic Moment in Chromium

The polarization of chromium in a magnetic field is found to be of $3d$ electronic character. The data are best fitted by having a 60%-orbital-40%-spin contribution of the $3d$ electrons to the static magnetic susceptibility both above and below the antiferromagnetic transition temperature. The orbital contribution to the static magnetic susceptibility was found to be (98\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ emu/mole. No evidence has been found of a well-defined localized spin above the antiferromagnetic transition temperature.
Syncretism and subversion in AIDS governance: how locals cope with global demands

This article attempts to lay out a set of broad theoretical questions illustrated with material from two visits to sub-Saharan Africa including interviews with government officials and international organization representatives in Botswana and Malawi about 70 interviews with staff from AIDS NGOs across sub-Saharan Africa and an initial effort at mapping the universe of organizations responding to Africas AIDS pandemic. The article focuses on four issues: (1) the nature of the organizations responding to AIDS in Africa; (2) the relation of AIDS governance to existing patterns of African governance including the possibilities of syncretism and conversely a stand-off between the organizational models created by AIDS NGOs and existing patterns of authority and cooperation in African societies; (3) the problems and possibilities of cultural match between existing repertoires of collective action schemas and those proffered by NGOs and international organizations;1 and (4) the slippery matter of the play of power money and identity in a field of power with very unequal players. (excerpt)
On the influence of internal hydrogen of fatigue thresholds of HSLA steel

The effect of internal hydrogen on the near-threshold fatigue crack growth behavior is investigated for an HSLA microalloyed steel with a view to separating true hydrogen effects from any closure effects. It is found that the effect of hydrogen on near-threshold fatigue crack growth is largely determined by the availability of hydrogen ahead of the growing crack. The apparent absence of enhanced cracking in gaseous hydrogen may reflect hydrogen availability, as controlled by the rate of hydrogen adsorption and by the diffusion distance in front of the crack tip. Once hydrogen becomes available at the crack tip through cathodic charging prior to testing or by an increase in triaxial stress at the crack tip, increased susceptibility to cracking is observed. 13 references.
Research on Vibration and Instability of the Double-Span Beam Base on Transfer Matrix

The vibration and instability of a beam which is Double-span Euler Beam with axial force is studied by transfer matrix method. The transfer matrix of transverse free vibration and axial compression of the beam is derived. Then based on the assembled transferring matrix, the effect of the position of intermediate support on the natural frequencies and Euler critical axial force of the beam is discussed, which offered a useful method to start research of vibration of complicated framework.
The X-ray morphology of Abell 1367

X-ray observations of the nearby cluster Abell 1367 were made with the Imaging Proportional Counter (IPC) and High Resolution Imager (HRI) aboard the Einstein Observatory. The IPC is used to study the diffuse cluster emission. With the HRI, eight point sources are detected above the diffuse cluster emission, three of which are apparently associated with cluster galaxies. In addition, the HRI observations have resolved 13 extended features with characteristic radii of order arcmin, eight of which are associated with cluster galaxies. These extended sources have luminosities of 1.5-6.5 x 10 to the 41st per (H0)50)-squared ergs per sec in the 0.5-4.5 keV band and constitute about 60% of the total cluster emission. The ways in which these hot galactic coronae can be maintained are discussed.
Growth Response of Tetraploid Smooth Muscle Cells to Balloon Embolectomy-induced Vascular Injury in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat

Previous studies in this laboratory have demonstrated that smooth muscle hypertrophy in large arteries of hypertensive animals is accompanied by development of polyploidy in a large fraction of the smooth muscle cell population. The present studies address whether there is an inherent loss in the ability of tetraploid cells to respond to proliferative stimuli by examining whether these cells initiate DNA replication after balloon catheter-induced vascular injury. Left carotid arteries of 5- to 7-month-old spontaneously hypertensive rats were subjected to balloon injury, and the animals were perfused intravenously with [3H]thymidine for 32 h. The animals were killed, and smooth muscle cells were isolated from carotid medial preparations by enzymatic digestion. Cells were processed for simultaneous autoradiographic analysis of [3H]thymidine incorporation and fluorometric analysis of cellular DNA content as a means of simultaneously assessing both the ploidy level of a cell and whether or not it had initiate...
The effects of thrombin and cytokines upon the biomechanics and remodeling of isolated amnion membrane, in vitro

Abruption-induced thrombin generation and inflammation/infection induced cytokine production have both been associated with fetal membrane (FM) weakening and preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes (PPROM). Using our in vitro model system we have demonstrated that thrombin, and separately the cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β), remodel and weaken full thickness FM. Additionally, we have reported that the anti-oxidant and NFκB inhibitor, alpha-lipoic acid (LA), blocks these thrombin and cytokine induced effects. The purpose of these studies was to determine whether thrombin and cytokines directly weaken the amnion membrane (AM), the major load-bearing component of FM. Isolated AM or full thickness FM fragments from unlabored Cesarean deliveries were incubated with thrombin, TNFα, or IL-1β, for 48 h. Rupture strength (breaking force) of each fragment was thereafter determined using our published methodology. Biochemical evidence of remodeling and apoptosis; immunoreactive Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (C-PARP) levels in tissue extracts, were determined by western blot and densitometry. Thrombin induced a dose-dependent weakening of isolated AM (P < 0.001) coupled with dose dependent increases in PARP cleavage, and reciprocal increases and decreases, respectively, in MMP9 and TIMP3 protein (all P < 0.01). Thrombin receptor activating peptide-6 (TRAP) also weakened isolated AM. Neither TNFα nor IL-1β weakened isolated AM. However, both cytokines weakened AM when it was incubated together with the choriodecidua as part of full thickness FM (P < 0.001). Cytokine-conditioned choriodecidua medium also weakened isolated AM (P < 0.001). Under conditions in which cytokines weakened the AM, the changes in MMP9, TIMP3 and PARP cleavage were consistent with those seen after thrombin incubation. LA blocked the FM weakening and remodeling effects. In summary, thrombin weakens AM directly whereas cytokines weaken AM indirectly by causing the release of soluble intermediates from the choriodecidua.
Conceptualizing and assessing community-based HIV prevention work: a case study in South Africa.

In ‘Letting them die’: why HIV/AIDS prevention programmes fail, Catherine Campbell provides a tremendously valuable, detailed and sensitive case study, using it to ask questions that are crucial to making HIV prevention efforts productive and effective, which they have far too seldom been. She offers an insightful ethnographic look at the Summertown communitybased prevention project in South Africa, assessing the strengths and failures in its planning and implementation. Catherine Campbell, a social psychologist at the London School of Economics and the University of Natal, has used extensive interview data to appraise this project, to work beyond the journal-and-conference academic circuit and use the outcome of this initiative to strongly conceptualize future community-level interventions. Campbell considers what are the practical and motivational reasons that keep people from taking relatively simple measures to protect themselves from HIV infection even after they have been informed about transmission risks and have condoms available. Although there are many HIV prevention programs ongoing worldwide, almost none is effective enough to significantly affect a community’s future, and few do the sort of critical and fine self-assessment and inquiry that Campbell documents in this book. The insights she provides are crucial not only for improving future work done at Summertown but surely are important for efforts undertaken at other sites as well. Campbell deploys a multi-faceted analysis comprising Bourdieuvian notions of human and social capital and social reproduction,
Stability of polyvinyl chloride latex. II. Coagulation by metal chelates

Abstract Coagulation of a polyvinyl chloride latex by two metal chelate counterions, Co(dipy) 3 3+ and Co(phen) 3 3+ , as well as by the chelating agents 2,2′-dipyridyl and 1,10-phenanthroline has been studied. It was found that Co (phen) 3 3+ coagulates the latex more efficiently than the corresponding dipy complex. The former can also reverse the charge of the latex particles. This is consistent with the greater adsorptivity of the Co(phen) 3 3+ which was established earlier. The chelating agents coagulate the same latex only if pH is sufficiently low to produce protonated counterions. Again the phenanthroline species coagulates more efficiently than the protonated dipyridyl ion.
Ultrasound for vascular access in pediatric patients

SummaryObjectives: In pediatric patients vascular access is often more difﬁcult than inadults because of the smaller size of the vessels and the inability of the patientto cooperate without deep sedation or general anesthesia. ThereforeUltrasound has already become an invaluable tool for vascular access, butthe full potential of ultrasound has yet to be fully realized. Improvements inimage quality and a better understanding of optimal insertion techniquescontinue to help clinicians safely and efﬁciently place catheters with fewercomplications.Methods and Technique: The probes used for the vascular access are mainlylinear and convex type. Higher- frequency ultrasound provides a vivid image;however, the signals are remarkably attenuated. Therefore, the choice of theprobe with appropriate frequency is essential. As blood vessels are relativelyeasily identiﬁed with ultrasound, ultrasound-guided vascular access does notrequire as sharp images as ultrasound-guided nerve block. For pediatric vas-cular access, the linear probe with 5–15 MHz, 2–5 cm depth is ideal and ade-quate for almost all cases. Ultrasound-guided vascular access has two mainapproaches: ‘long-axis’ or ‘in-plane approach’ and ‘short-axis’ or ‘transverseapproach’. The long-axis approach visualizes the vessel along the insertionpathway and is commonly used to monitor the entire approach of the needleinto the vessel. The short-axis approach is easier to show the positional rela-tionship and depth of target vessels, but it is much harder to follow the needletip within the tissues.Conclusion: The use of ‘real-time’ ultrasound has been shown to increaseﬁrst insertion success, reduce access time, have a higher overall success, andreduce arterial puncture. As the technology continues to improve the use ofultrasound will become as ubiquitous as the lines themselves.IntroductionThe use of ultrasound is becoming the standard ofcare for central venous access (1–3). Ultrasound isparticularly useful in pediatric patients as vascularaccess is often more difﬁcult than in adults becauseof the smaller size of the vessels and the inability ofthe patient to cooperate without deep sedation orgeneral anesthesia. Furthermore, the overall experi-ence of most anesthesiologists in the placement ofcentral or arterial access in infants and smaller chil-dren is limited because of the infrequent need formost pediatric surgeries. Lastly, the highest risk factorfor a complication during central venous catheteriza-tion in children is the number of attempts at catheterinsertion (4–7).Traditionally, vascular access has been performedusing the landmark technique; guessing vessel positionalthough potential anatomic relationships and by feelingthe pulse of an artery or edge of a muscle (8,9). Thisapproach is an ‘educated blind’ technique, which maybe more prone to complications. Anatomic variabilityand smaller vessel size may further increase the risk ofthe complication (10).
Rapid Screening of Effective Dopants for Fe2O3 Photocatalysts with Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy and Investigation of Their Photoelectrochemical Properties

Scanning electrochemical microscopy in the photoelectrochemical (PEC) mode was used to search for more efficient doped iron oxide photocatalysts under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm). Iron oxide doped with one or two different metal cations was investigated to improve its PEC performance. Among various dopants, Sn or Ti as single dopants and Be or Al as codopants showed an improved photocurrent response of Fe2O3 under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm). Fe2O3 doped with 4% Sn(IV) and 6% Be(II) showed the highest photocurrent as well as a good photosensitivity and stability in alkali solution (0.2 M NaOH) under UV and visible light irradiation.
A staged screening strategy for prenatal alcohol exposure and maternal risk stratification.

Aims: To present an incremental process for a staged screening strategy to identify women at increased risk of having a child with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and to enhance the manageme...
English and French towns in feudal society: a comparative study

(1993). English and French towns in feudal society: a comparative study. History of European Ideas: Vol. 17, No. 2-3, pp. 393-394.
Catchment context and the bottom‐up regulation of the abundance of specialist semi‐aquatic weevils on water hyacinth

1. Bottom-up regulation is prevalent in plant–herbivore interactions and is thought to be particularly important in the case of aquatic plants and their specialist insect herbivores. 2. Recently published mesocosm studies have shown that the abundance of specialist Neochetina weevils, N. bruchi and N. eichhorniae, on water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) are principally under the influence of nutrients in plant tissues. 3. We examined historical patterns of the abundance of these species of semi-aquatic weevils in two water bodies from catchments with significantly different nutrient loads in subtropical Australia to test the validity of the published conceptual model of bottom-up regulation. 4. Our results revealed that these weevils are indeed under bottom-up regulation under field conditions. However, the nature of this regulation appears to be influenced by the broader catchment context of the water hyacinth-infested water body, with plant tissue nutrients influencing weevil abundance more in the catchment with lower nutrient run-offs. 5. Our findings reaffirm the importance of bottom-up regulation in plant–insect interactions, add to the growing evidence of indirect effects spanning terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and inform management of water hyacinth using these weevils as biocontrol agents.
Elastic interactions between hydrogen atoms in metals. II. Elastic interaction energies

The fully harmonic lattice approximation derived in a previous paper is used to calculate the elastic interaction energies in the niobium-hydrogen system. The permanent-direct, permanent-indirect, induced-direct, and induced-indirect forces calculated previously each give rise to a corresponding elastic interaction between hydrogen atoms. The latter three interactions have three- and four-body terms in addition to the usual two-body terms. These quantities are calculated and compared with the corresponding two-body permanent elastic interactions obtained in the harmonic-approximation treatment of Horner and Wagner. The results show that the total induced elastic energy is approximately (1/3) the size of the total permanent elastic energy and opposite to it in sign. The total elastic energy due to three-body interactions is approximately (1/4) the size of the total two-body elastic energy, while the total four-body elastic energy is approximately 5% of the total two-body energy. These additional elastic energies are expected to have a profound effect on the thermodynamic and phase-change behavior of a metal hydride.
Constraints on representations of conformal field theories

Abstract We consider conformal field theories with generalized blocks which satisfy Ising-type algebras. By requiring the correct analytic properties of the correlators, we find constraints on the central charge and conformal dimensions of the fields.
Projective-planar signed graphs and tangled signed graphs

A projective-planar signed graph has no two vertex-disjoint negative circles. We prove that every signed graph with no two vertex-disjoint negative circles and no balancing vertex is obtained by taking a projective-planar signed graph or a copy of -K"5 and then taking 1-, 2-, and 3-sums with balanced signed graphs.
Role of Flagella in Host Cell Invasion by Burkholderia cepacia

Burkholderia cepacia is an important opportunistic human pathogen that affects immunocompromised individuals, particularly cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Colonization of the lungs of a CF patient by B. cepacia can lead not only to a decline in respiratory function but also to an acute systemic infection, such as bacteremia. We have previously demonstrated that a CF clinical isolate of B. cepacia, strain J2315, can invade and survive within cultured respiratory epithelial cells. In order to further characterize the mechanisms of invasion of B. cepacia, we screened a transposon-generated mutant library of strain J2315 for mutants defective in invasion of A549 respiratory epithelial cells. Here we describe isolation and characterization of a nonmotile mutant of B. cepacia with reduced invasiveness due to disruption of fliG, which encodes a component of the motor-switch complex of the flagellar basal body. We also found that a defined null mutation in fliI, a gene encoding a highly conserved ATPase required for protein translocation via the flagellar type III secretion system, also resulted in loss of motility and a significant reduction in invasion. Both mutants lacked detectable intracellular flagellin and failed to export detectable amounts of flagellin into culture supernatants, suggesting that disruption of fliG and fliI impaired flagellar biogenesis. The reduction in invasion did not appear to be due to defective adherence of the flagellar mutants to A549 cells, suggesting that functional flagella and motility are required for full invasiveness of B. cepacia. Our findings indicate that flagellum-mediated motility may facilitate penetration of host epithelial barriers by B. cepacia, contributing to establishment of infection and systemic spread of the organism.
Quantitating the Magnitude of the Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-Specific CD8 T-Cell Response: It Is Even Bigger than We Thought

Measuring the magnitudes and specificities of antiviral CD8 T-cell responses is critical for understanding the dynamics and regulation of adaptive immunity. Despite many excellent studies, the accurate measurement of the total CD8 T-cell response directed against a particular infection has been hampered by an incomplete knowledge of all CD8 T-cell epitopes and also by potential contributions of bystander expansion among CD8 T cells of irrelevant specificities. Here, we use several techniques to provide a more complete accounting of the CD8 T-cell response generated upon infection of C57BL/6 mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Eight days following infection, we found that 85 to 95% of CD8 T cells exhibit an effector phenotype as indicated by granzyme B, 1B11, CD62L, CD11a, and CD127 expression. We demonstrate that CD8 T-cell expansion is due to cells that divide >7 times, whereas heterologous viral infections only elicited <3 divisions among bystander memory CD8 T cells. Furthermore, we found that approximately 80% of CD8 T cells in spleen were specific for ten different LCMV-derived epitopes at the peak of primary infection. These data suggest that following a single LCMV infection, effector CD8 T cells divide ≥15 times and account for at least 80%, and possibly as much as 95%, of the CD8 T-cell pool. Moreover, the response targeted a very broad array of peptide major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs), even though we examined epitopes derived from only two of the four proteins encoded by the LCMV genome and C57BL/6 mice only have two MHC class I alleles. These data illustrate the potential enormity, specificity, and breadth of CD8 T-cell responses to viral infection and demonstrate that bystander activation does not contribute to CD8 T-cell expansion.
Temperature dependent transport in nanotube bioconjugates

Carbon nanotube (CNT) based bioconjugates are among the candidates for molecular level electronics. In this work, we have studied transport mechanism of single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) - peptide nucleic acid (PNA) bioconjugates. Electrical conductivity of the bioconjugates was studied at temperatures ranging from 70 K to 350 K. Negative differential resistance (NDR) behavior was observed at almost all temperatures and conductivity was found to increase with increasing temperatures. NDR behavior can be attributed to alignment and misalignment of energy bands of SWNT and PNA under different voltages.
Toxicity of oxygen from naturally occurring redox‐active pro‐oxidants

The survival of all aerobic life forms requires the ground-state of molecular oxygen, O2. However, the activation of O2 to reactive oxygen species (ROS) is responsible for universal toxicity. ROS are responsible in deleterious intracellular reactions associated with oxidative stress including membrane lipid peroxidation, and the oxidation of proteins and DNA. Redox-active allelochemicals such as quinones and phenolic compounds are involved in activating O2 to its deleterious forms including superoxide anion free radical, , hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, and hydroxyl radical, . Molecular oxygen is also activated in biologically relevant photosensitizing reactions to the singlet form, 1O2. The insect lifestyle exposes them to a broad diversity of pro-oxidant allelochemicals and, like mammalian species, they have developed an elaborate antioxidant system comprised of chemical antioxidants and a bank of antioxidant enzymes. We have found that an insect's antioxidant adaptation to a particular food correlates well with its risk of exposure to potential pro-oxidants. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The design and collection of COSINE, a multi-microphone in situ speech corpus recorded in noisy environments

We present an overview of the data collection and transcription efforts for the COnversational Speech In Noisy Environments (COSINE) corpus. The corpus is a set of multi-party conversations recorded in real world environments with background noise. It can be used to train noise-robust speech recognition systems or develop speech de-noising algorithms. We explain the motivation for creating such a corpus, and describe the resulting audio recordings and transcriptions that comprise the corpus. These high quality recordings were captured in situ on a custom wearable recording system, whose design and construction is also described. On separate synchronized audio channels, seven-channel audio is captured with a 4-channel far-field microphone array, along with a close-talking, a monophonic far-field, and a throat microphone. This corpus thus creates many possibilities for speech algorithm research.
A method for assessing sublethal effects of contaminants in soils to the earthworm, Eisenia foetida

We developed and tested a procedure that allows quantification of the effects of soil contaminants on earthworm (Eisenia foetida) growth and reproduction. The procedure monitors isolated pairs of earthworms and generates a higher ratio of data per organism than other commonly used procedures. It also incorporates an accurate technique for measuring adult growth, has high sensitivity compared to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 14-d acute toxicity test, and is cost effective. We applied the method to a variety of soil-testing problems. A food-and-substrate trial using artificial soil demonstrated the sensitivity of the method and the need for food supplementation to stimulate earthworm reproduction. Application of the procedure to assess efficacy of a soil bioremediation technology revealed the advantage of measuring both growth and reproduction and highlighted the usefulness of a single integrated measure of these two responses. The method also was used as a fast-screening analysis for field soils in a large-scale ecological risk assessment. Finally, a reference toxicant, used in dilution series, demonstrated that responses of E. foetida using our method were similar to their responses in the OECD artificial-soil test method. The results of this study indicate that this procedure can be used both for regulatory and compliance needs within the framework of ecological risk assessment.
Mechanisms of Neural and Behavioral Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease

This review critically examines progress in understanding the link between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) molecular pathogenesis and behavior, with an emphasis on the impact of amyloid-β. We present the argument that the AD research field requires more multifaceted analyses into the impacts of Alzheimer’s pathogenesis which combine simultaneous molecular-, circuit-, and behavior-level approaches. Supporting this argument is a review of particular research utilizing similar, “systems-level” methods in mouse models of AD. Related to this, a critique of common physiological and behavioral models is made—highlighting the likely usefulness of more refined and specific tools in understanding the relationship between candidate molecular pathologies and behavioral dysfunction. Finally, we propose challenges for future research which, if met, may greatly extend our current understanding of how AD molecular pathology impacts neural network function and behavior and possibly may lead to refinements in disease therapeutics.
Ka-band slot-fed higher order-mode low-loss Fabry-Perot filters

Low-loss bandpass filters consisting of Fabry-Perot resonators excited by slots which couple to higher order resonator modes are demonstrated. For close reflector spacings, the slots efficiently couple power from rectangular waveguide to the TEM/sub 400/ and TEM/sub 300/ modes of the resonator. At Ka-band the filters have insertion losses less than 1 dB in general and less than 0.5 dB in some cases. The unloaded Q values of the filters range from 1500 to 3000. The filters are mechanically tunable over a 25% bandwidth. >
Safety Issues of Maternal Drug Therapy During Breastfeeding

Two goals when counseling breastfeeding mothers taking medication are protecting the infant from adverse events and permitting necessary maternal therapy. Madadi et al. report a case–control study of neonatal and maternal opioid toxicity after codeine administration. Therapeutic considerations in counseling breastfeeding mothers include susceptibility to drug toxicity of the very young and/or premature infant, significant interindividual variations in drug response, the dose–response relationship with respect to drug toxicity, and the role of pharmacogenetics in both the mother and the infant. These host factors may combine in a particular patient to act synergistically to produce an adverse reaction. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2009); 85, 1, 20–22 doi:10.1038/clpt.2008.209
Deterrence and Incapacitation: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis of California's Three-Strikes Law1

Using uniform crime statistics, this research investigates the impact of California's three-strikes law on instrumental, violent, minor, and drug-related crimes over the first 5 years of the law's implementation. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models reveal little immediate impact of the law, but significant effects on instrumental crime over time, suggesting an incapacitation effect. After correcting for autocorrelation distortions, less restrictive multiple regression models that test simultaneously for immediate and gradual intervention effects disclose immediate (deterrent) effects on instrumental and minor crimes and arrests, and long-term (incapacitation) effects on these and violent crimes as well. Drug-related crimes appear impervious to the three-strikes law under any analytic model, suggesting the unresponsiveness of such crimes to increasingly severe legal sanctions.
Toward a predictive theory of risk effects: hypotheses for prey attributes and compensatory mortality

Risk effects, or the costs of antipredator behavior, can comprise a large proportion of the total effect of predators on their prey. While empirical studies are accumulating to demonstrate the importance of risk effects, there is no general theory that predicts the relative importance of risk effects and direct predation. Working toward this general theory, it has been shown that functional traits of predators (e.g., hunting modes) help to predict the importance of risk effects for ecosystem function. Here, I note that attributes of the predator, the prey, and the environment are all important in determining the strength of antipredator responses, and I develop hypotheses for the ways that prey functional traits might influence the magnitude of risk effects. In particular, I consider the following attributes of prey: group size and dilution of direct predation risk, the degree of foraging specialization, body mass, and the degree to which direct predation is additive vs. compensatory. Strong tests of these hypotheses will require continued development of methods to identify and quantify the fitness costs of antipredator responses in wild populations.