cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Probing the Thermodynamics and Kinematics of Solar Coronal Streamers

We present the results of a resistive magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model of an equatorially confined streamer belt using observational constraints for the heating and acceleration of the solar wind. To initiate the 2.5 dimensional MHD calculations, we used the Potential Field Source Surface model of the coronal magnetic field configuration with the boundary conditions at the photosphere specified by the National Solar Observatory/GONG magnetogram data. Calculations were performed for the fully thermal conductive model with observationally constrained heat flux, q eff, and the effective temperature, T eff, derived from the semi-empirical steady-state two-dimensional model of the solar corona. We compared the results of the model to a polytropic solution (polytropic index γ = 1.05), and demonstrate that our MHD model is in better agreement with reconstructed density and observed flow velocity than the polytropic model for the coronal streamer structure observed during 2008 February 1-13 by the COR1 coronagraph on board the STEREO spacecraft.
Scintigraphy of normal mouse ovaries with monoclonal antibodies to ZP-2, the major zona pellucida protein

The zona pellucida is an extracellular glycocalyx, made of three sulfated glycoproteins, that surrounds mammalian oocytes. Parenterally administered monoclonal antibodies specific for ZP-2, the most abundant zona protein, localize in the zona pellucida. When labeled with iodine-125, these monoclonal antibodies demonstrate a remarkably high target-to-nontarget tissue ratio and provide clear external radioimaging of ovarian tissue.
Chronic hypoxia causes morphological alterations in astroglia in the phrenic nucleus of young adult rats

The present study was carried out to determine if chronic hypoxia in noninjured rats causes morphological alterations in the phrenic nucleus similar to those caused by spinal cord hemisection rostral to the nucleus. Normal rats were subjected to chronic hypoxia in an atmosphere chamber for 48 h. A Bioquant system was used to quantitatively analyze electron micrographs through the phrenic nuclei of chronically hypoxic and normal rats. The results indicated that chronic hypoxia caused astroglial processes to retract from between adjacent dendrites, leading to a significant increase in phrenic dendrodendritic membrane apposition. Unlike spinal cord injury, however, chronic hypoxia did not induce synaptogenesis in the phrenic nucleus. Specifically, the mean length of phrenic dendrodendritic appositions increased significantly from a normal value of 1.42 +/- 0.09 to 1.82 +/- 0.11 microns in hypoxic animals. Moreover, the mean number of dendrodendritic appositions in the normal phrenic nucleus (16.75 +/- 1.11) increased markedly (24.00 +/- 3.54) in the phrenic nucleus of hypoxic rats. There was no significant difference between the mean number of double (17.75 +/- 1.03) or multiple (20.00 +/- 1.47) synapses in normal rats as compared to the mean number of double (18.50 +/- 3.10) or multiple (20.25 +/- 2.84) synapses in the phrenic nucleus of hypoxic animals. From the present results, it is concluded that the rapid synaptogenesis in the phrenic nucleus following spinal cord hemisection is induced by the generalized effects of spinal cord injury and astroglial process retraction does not necessarily lead to synapse formation. The physiological significance of the astroglial movement, however, needs elucidation by additional experiments.
Fumigation effects on bacterial populations in new golf course bermudagrass putting greens

Abstract Golf course putting greens in the United States are normally built with a root-zone mix composed of >80% sand and a peat source. Populations of seven aerobic bacterial groups, commonly associated with soil or plant roots, were monitored during the building, planting and establishment of miniature bermudagrass putting greens, with a different set of greens built in each of 2 years. At each phase of construction, including pre- and post-fumigation, the following bacterial groups were enumerated: fluorescent pseudomonads, Gram-positives, Gram-negatives, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia , actinomycetes, heat-tolerant and total aerobic. The fumigants methyl bromide, dazomet and metam sodium were used at either normal or 10× field rates. In both years, by 50–70 days after fumigation, which included 4 weeks after planting, the size of the populations for all of the bacterial groups were either greater than or similar to the size of the populations prior to fumigation. The sand source, peat source, and fumigant source and amount did not have any long-term detrimental effects on size of the populations of any of the bacterial groups evaluated.
The effect of denaturants on the crossflow membrane filtration of Escherichia coli lysates containing inclusion bodies

Abstract Recovery of inclusion bodies from Escherichia coli cell lysates often includes a washing step to remove associated contaminants that may otherwise interfere with refolding of the solubilized protein. The effects of denaturants typically used in the washing step on the cell lysate viscosity and membrane filtration performance were examined. Guanidine HCl alone and in combination with the nonionic detergent, Triton X-100, had the greatest effect on the cell lysate viscosity, the dead-end filtration rate and the performance of the crossflow membrane filters. Triton X-100 reduced the dead-end filtration rate, but had less of an effect than guanidine HCl on permeate flux during crossflow membrane filtration. Urea had minimal effect on either the dead-end filtration rate or the permeate flux and protein transmission during crossflow membrane filtration. The use of low concentrations of urea along with a PVDF membrane allowed for inclusion body washing without detrimental changes in the permeate flux and protein transmission during crossflow membrane filtration.
Nanotechnology applications in osteodistraction

Most current strategies for bone regeneration have relatively satisfactory results. However, there are drawbacks and limitations associated with their use and availability, and even controversial reports about their efficacy and cost-effectiveness. The induction of new bone formation through distraction osteogenesis (DO) is widespread clinical application in the treatment of bone defects, limb deformities, and fracture nonunions. However, a lengthy period of external fixation is usually needed to allow the new bone to consolidate, and complications such as refracture at the distraction gap often occur. Although various biomaterials have been used as injectable delivery systems in DO models, little has been reported on the use of nanobiomaterials as carrier materials for the sustained release of growth factors in bone regeneration. One area of focus in nanotechnology is the delivery of osteogenic factors in an attempt to modulate the formation of bone. This review article seeks to demonstrate the potential of nanobiomaterials to improve biological applications pertinent to osteodistraction.
The Self-Forgiveness Process of Caregivers After the Death of Care-Receivers Diagnosed With Alzheimer's Disease

This study explores the relationship of self-forgiveness and adaptive coping, religious/spiritual practices, social support, decreased grief, and mental well-being. 133 caregivers were surveyed. Bivariate analysis and stepwise regression models revealed that decreased grief, adaptive coping, and social support were significant in explaining the variation in self-forgiveness. This is one of the first studies to address self-forgiveness as part of the grieving process of Alzheimer's caregivers. Future directions are explored supporting inclusion of self-forgiveness as an aspect of grief and adaptive coping; which is further enhanced by the level of social support experienced by the caregiver.
The effects of time-to-surgery on mortality and morbidity in patients following hip fracture

Abstract Purpose There is a perception that the standard of care is to repair hip fractures surgically within 24 hours of hospitalization. However, it is unclear whether this reduces mortality or morbidity. Subjects and methods We performed a retrospective study in consecutive hip fracture patients, aged 60 years or older, who underwent surgical repair. Patients with metastatic cancer, trauma, or a fracture occurring >48 hours before admission were excluded. The primary outcome was long-term (up to 18 years) mortality. Secondary outcomes included 30-day mortality and decubitus ulcers, serious bacterial infections, myocardial infarction, and thromboembolism. Analyses were adjusted for medical conditions; the comparison group comprised patients who underwent surgery for hip fracture repair within 24 to 48 hours because there were no patients with active medical problems who underwent surgery within 24 hours. Results Of the 8383 patients, surgery was delayed for more than 24 hours in 2464 patients (29%) for medical reasons and in 1341 patients (16%) without active medical problems. Compared with those who underwent surgery 24 to 48 hours after admission to the hospital, patients who underwent surgery more than 96 hours after admission did not have increased long-term mortality (hazard ratio=1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.95 to 1.21), although the risk of decubitus ulcer was increased (odds ratio=2.2; 95% CI: 1.6 to 3.1). There were no associations between time-to-surgery and the other secondary outcomes. Conclusion Time-to-surgery in hip fracture patients was not associated with short- or long-term mortality after adjusting for active medical problems. Other than increasing the risk of decubitus ulcer formation, waiting did not appear to affect patients' outcomes adversely.
Trajectories of family management practices and early adolescent behavioral outcomes.

Stage– environment fit theory was used to examine the reciprocal lagged relations between family management practices and early adolescent problem behavior during the middle school years. In addition, the potential moderating roles of family structure and of gender were explored. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to describe patterns of growth in family management practices and adolescents’ behavioral outcomes and to detect predictors of interindividual differences in initial status and rate of change. The sample comprised approximately 1,000 adolescents between ages 11 years and 15 years. The results indicated that adolescents’ antisocial behaviors and substance use increased and their positive behavioral engagement decreased over time. As adolescent age increased, parental knowledge of their adolescent’s activities decreased, as did parental rule making and support. The level and rate of change in family management and adolescent behavioral outcomes varied by family structure and by gender. Reciprocal longitudinal associations between parenting practices and adolescent problem behavior were found. Specifically, parenting practices predicted subsequent adolescent behavior, and adolescent behavior predicted subsequent parenting practices. In addition, parental warmth moderated the effects of parental knowledge and rule making on adolescent antisocial behavior and substance use over time.
The Year that Was ... and Yet to Be

The editor in chief rings in the new year by describing the various changes he's implemented for 2007, including adding new department editors, changing department titles, and starting a new horizontal track to cover the International Polar Year. Special thanks is extended to those reviewers who contributed to the magazine in 2006.
Impacts of section 404 permits requiring compensatory mitigation on wetlands in California (USA)

We analyzed data from Section 404 permits issued in California from January 1971 through November 1987 that involved impacts to wetlands and required compensatory mitigation (wetland creation, restoration, or preservation). The purpose of this study was to determine patterns and trends in permitting activity and to document cumulative effects of associated management decisions on the California wetland resource. The 324 permits examined documented that 387 compensatory wetlands (1255.9 ha) were required as mitigation for impacts to 368 wetlands (1176.3 ha). The utility of the data on wetland area was limited, however, since 38.0% of the impacted wetlands and 41.6% of the compensatory wetlands lacked acreage data. The wetland type most frequently impacted (37.8% of impacted wetlands) and used in compensation (38.2% of compensatory wetlands) was palustrine forested wetlands. Estuarine intertidal emergent wetlands had the most area impacted (52.3%) and compensated (62.5%). The majority of the wetlands were small (less than or equal to 4.0 ha in size). Wildlife habitat was the most frequently listed function of impacted wetlands (90.7% of the permits) and objective of compensatory wetlands (83.3%). Endangered species were listed as affected in 20.4% of impacted and 21.0% of compensatory projects. The number of permits requiring compensatory mitigation and the number of impacted and compensatory wetlands increased from 1971 to 1986.
Modeling and Analysis of Continuously Electronics Infrared Heating Oven

Based on research of the Infrared Heating Oven, an important equipment of the zinc plating production line, the paper established the mathematical model using the principle of heat transfer, and analyzed main influencing factors such as thickness, width, speed of the strip and characteristic parameters of the coating. Both the steady and unsteady-state heat conduction are considered, which provide more accurate theory basis for the design and use of infrared heating oven. And through the theoretical derivation, the relationship between input voltage and output power was made out, which will better fulfill the convenient control.
Quantum Information Processing in Cavity-QED

We give a brief overview of cavity-QED and its roles in quantum information science. In particular, we discuss setups in optical cavity-QED, where either atoms serve as stationary qubits, or photons serve as flying qubits.
Fatty Acids in Neutral Lipids and Phospholipids from Chicken Tissues

SUMMARY Lipid material from skin, depot fat, and dark and white meat from broiler-type male chickens was fractionated into neutral lipids and phospholipids by column chromatography. The fatty acids of these fractions were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. Muscle tissues contained relatively larger quantities of phospholipids than did skin and depot fat. Neutral lipids and phospholipids had similar percentages of unsaturated fatty acids. Some 18 different fatty acids were found in the neutral lipids, and 22 fatty acids were found in the phospholipid fraction. The composition of fatty acids in the neutral lipids was similar in the four tissues. Phospholipids from muscle tissues contained more long-chain fatty acids than phospholipids from skin and depot fat. Arachidonic acid was found to be one of the major fatty acids in the phospholipid fraction.
Seven tiny particles could be first samples of interstellar dust

With the help of more than 30,000 volunteers from around the world, scientists have identified seven candidates for contemporary interstellar dust—particles from the vast space between stars. The researchers detailed their findings in the journal Science (doi:10.1126/science.1252496).
Recent progress in fusion reactor materials studies: Focus on transmutation and radioactivation aspects

A review is presented of recent progress attained in the understanding of the influence of transmutation on the development of fusion-relevant property change data. It is shown that early experiments on helium effects on void swelling, irradiation creep and tensile properties of austenitic stainless steels were often misleading, and the influence of helium is much smaller than originally expected. Similar definitive conclusions concerning the role of helium in ferritic steels, copper alloys, and vanadium alloys cannot'be drawn at this time. It is also shown, however, that the formation of solid transmutants can be very important in a number of alloy systems, especially for some of those proposed as reduced radioactivation candidates
The effect of genotype and sex on the patterns of protein accretion in pigs

Protein accretion curves were derived using food intake, growth and body composition data from a total of 320 pigs, which comprised castrated males and gilts from five genotypes. The 32 pigs from each genotype/sex subclass were offered ad libitum a series of isoenergetic diets (13·8 MJ metabolizable energy per kg) designed to provide a non-limiting intake of nutrients and to allow maximum protein deposition rates. Four pigs from each subclass weren slaughtered at each of the live weights (kg) 25, 44, 65, 85, 100, 115, 130 and 150. Daily food intake (dF/dt) was described as an increasing exponential function of age (t), live weight (W) as an increasing exponential function of cumulative food consumed (F), and protein weight (Pr) as an allometric function of live weight (W). The rate of protein accretion in the body of pigs [d(Pr)/dt] was calculated as d(Pr)/dt = (dF/dt).(dW/dF).(dPr)/dW). Bootstrap procedures were used to estimate standard errors for the food intake, growth and compositional parameters and to obtain the confidence bands for the dependent variables (dF/dt, W, Pr and d(Pt)/dt).Protein accretion rate as a function of live weight was curvilinear, increasing to a maximum, then decreasing with increasing live weight. There were significant differences between subclasses in the maximum rate of protein accretion, although there was no relationship between this rate and the live weight, stage of maturity, or age at which maximum protein accretion occurred. Describing protein accretion as a multiplicative function of food intake, food efficiency and the partitioning of nutrients in the body allowed changes in the magnitude and shape of the protein accretion curve to be ascribed to one, or a combination, of the above mechanisms.
Influence of N2 or O2 on two alkylating agents in Neurospora crassa.

Abstract Previous studies have indicated that the alkylating agent, 2-methoxy-6-chloro-9-(3-[ethyl-2-chloroethyl] aminopropylamino)acridine dihydrochloride (ICR-170), induces much more killing and mutation in conidia of Neurospora crassa treated in an atmosphere of N2 than in an atmosphere of O2. It was desirable to determine if a similar effect—more killing and mutation in N2 than in O2—could be observed with two other known alkylating agents, β-propiolactone (BPL) and ethyl methane-sulfonate (EMS), in the same test system. Conidia of a heterokaryotic strain of N. crassa were bubbled with N2 or O2 during treatment with BPL or EMS. Forward-mutation was measured in the ad-3 region by a direct method. The results indicate that N2 or O2 do not influence the lethal and mutagenic activities of BPL or EMS during treatment of conodia. Hence the influence of N2 or O2 on the lethal and mutagenic activities of ICR-170 is different from the influence of these gases on BPL or EMS using the ad-3 test system in N. crassa.
Electrochemistry of polyaniline in ambient-temperature molten salts

Abstract Polyaniline (PAn) films obtained from acidic aqueous solution can be reversibly transferred between aqueous solution and an ambient-temperature molten salt consisting of mixtures of aluminum chloride with 1-methyl-3-ethyl-imidazolium chloride. The films show electrochemical activity in basic, neutral and acidic melts. The doping processes and deterioration mechanism are discussed for these melts. The redox reaction of PAn in basic melt is more stable and facile than in the other melts. The oxidized film is conducting and is insulating on reduction.
Cross validation model selection criteria for linear regression based on the Kullback–Leibler discrepancy

Abstract For many situations, the predictive ability of a candidate model is its most important attribute. In light of our interest in this property, we introduce a new cross validation model selection criterion, the predictive divergence criterion (PDC), together with a description of the target discrepancy upon which it is based. In the linear regression framework, we then develop an adjusted cross validation model selection criterion (PDCa) which serves as the minimum variance unbiased estimator of this target discrepancy. Furthermore, we show that this adjusted criterion is asymptotically a minimum variance unbiased estimator of the Kullback–Leibler discrepancy which serves as the basis for the Akaike information criteria AIC and AICc.
Kinetic approach to hyper-doped optical quality thin films

Efficient and benign doping of thin films is key for materials applications and sensor development. Herein, an alternative method of doping is presented where R6G is loaded to an evolving silica thin film. Dopant loading is markedly enhanced and doping can be carried out under relatively benign conditions. The film exhibits outstanding optical quality while its mechanical strength is well-preserved. Early results show diffusion and encapsulation can be tunable.
An analytical model for the determination of optimal output reflectivity and fiber length in erbium-doped fiber lasers

An analysis relating the output power of erbium-doped fiber lasers to the output mirror reflectivity r/sub out/ is performed, and a closed-form expression valid for r/sub out/ >
Campaign Effects and the Dynamics of Turnout Intention in Election 2000

Previous survey analyses examining campaign effects on turnout are somewhat unconvincing because they do not control for the fact that individuals may have decided they will vote independent of campaign activities (even before the campaign begins). Using a unique repeated measures data set of the 2000 presidential campaign, I estimate a Markov chain transition model to test the effects of campaign efforts on turnout intention conditional on precampaign turnout intention. I demonstrate that campaign efforts have a substantial influence on turnout intention, even taking initial turnout intention into account. More notably, I find that different campaign efforts are effective for intended nonvoters than for intended voters.A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls.—Dan Quayle
Improving digital circuit simulation: a knowledge based approach

The simulation of digital logic circuits is a common practice in design automation. Because of advances in integrated circuit technology, currently available digital circuit simulator cannot model all circuit behavior. Combining artificial intelligence and simulation techniques, a knowledge based simulator was designed and constructed to model non-standard circuit behavior. Circuit designer expertise on behavioral phenomena is used to diagnose, analyze, and emulate this behavior in the knowledge based simulator. An expert system guides the base simulator by manipulating its events in order to achieve the desired behavior. This paper focuses on the prototype systern architecture which integrates features of a an event-driven gate-level simulator and features of the multiple expert systern architecture, HEARSAY-II.
Stem Cell Therapy for the Inner Ear Recent Advances and Future Directions

In vertebrates, perception of sound, motion, and balance is mediated through mechanosensory hair cells located within the inner ear. In mammals, hair cells are only generated during a short period of embryonic development. As a result, loss of hair cells as a consequence of injury, disease, or genetic mutation, leads to permanent sensory deficits. At present, cochlear implantation is the only option for profound hearing loss. However, outcomes are still variable and even the best implant cannot provide the acuity of a biological ear. The recent emergence of stem cell technology has the potential to open new approaches for hair cell regeneration. The goal of this review is to summarize the current state of inner ear stem cell research from a viewpoint of its clinical application for inner ear disorders to illustrate how complementary studies have the potential to promote and refine stem cell therapies for inner ear diseases. The review initially discusses our current understanding of the genetic pathways that regulate hair cell formation from inner ear progenitors during normal development. Subsequent sections discuss the possible use of endogenous inner ear stem cells to induce repair as well as the initial studies aimed at transplanting stem cells into the ear.
Wanting and Drug Use: A Biocultural Approach to the Analysis of Addiction

The integration of neurobiology into ethnographic research represents one fruitful way of doing biocultural re- search. Based on animal research, incentive salience has been proposed as the proximatefunction of the mesolimbic dopamine system, the main brain system implicated in drug abuse (Robinson and Berridge 2001). The research presented here ex- amines incentive salience as the mediator of the wanting and seeking seen in drug abuse. Based onfield work with adolescents at a school and a drug treatment center in Bogota, Colombia, this article addresses: 1) the development of a scale to measure the amount of incentive saliencefeltfor drugs and drug use; 2) the results from a risk-factor survey that examined the role of in- centive salience and other risk factors in addiction; and 3) the ethnographic resultsfrom in-depth interviews with Colombian adolescents examining dimensions of salience in the reported experiences of drug use. Incentive salience proved to be a signif- icant predictor of addicted status in logistic regression analysis of data from 267 adolescents. Ethnographic results indicated that incentive salience applies both to drug seeking and drug use, and confirmed the importance of wanting, a sense of en- gagement, and shifts in attention as central dimensions of ex- periences related to drug use. (biocultural, addiction, substance use and abuse, incentive salience, adolescence, Colombia)
Changes in Plasma, Red Blood Cell and Cerebrospinal Fluid Mineral Concentrations in Calves during Magnesium Depletion Followed by Repletion with Rectally Infused Magnesium Chloride

Hypomagnesemic and normomagnesemic calves were infused rectally with MgCl2 X 6H2O to determine effects on magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) concentrations in plasma, red blood cells (RBC) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Sixteen Holstein bull calves were fed one of four semipurified diets containing low or adequate Mg and normal or excess K in a 2 X 2 factorial arrangement. When CSF Mg concentration began to decrease in calves fed low Mg diets, each calf was given a rectal infusion of 50 ml of 30% MgCl2 X 6H2O solution while under general anesthesia. Blood and CSF were then sampled periodically for 3 hours and plasma, RBC and CSF were analyzed for Mg, Ca and K concentration. Plasma Mg increased (P less than 0.001) within 5 minutes after rectal infusion in all calves regardless of diet. An increase (P less than 0.01) in CSF Mg was also observed within 30 minutes in hypomagnesemic calves with CSF Mg levels less than 1.8 mg/dl. Rectal infusions had no effect on K in plasma, Ca or K in CSF, Mg, Ca or K in RBC, or packed cell volume but plasma Ca had increased (P less than 0.05) within 120 minutes in calves fed low Mg and high K and within 60 minutes in those fed adequate Mg, normal K diets.
Accurate estimation of the signal baseline in DNA chromatograms

Estimating accurately the varying baseline level in different parts of a DNA chromatogram is a challenging and important problem for accurate base-calling. We are formulating the problem in a statistical learning framework and propose an Expectation-Maximization algorithm for its solution. In addition we also present a faster, iterative histogram based method for estimating the background of the signal in small size windows. The two methods can be combined with regression techniques to correct the baseline in all regions of the chromatogram and are shown to work well even in areas of low SNR. By improving the separation of clusters, baseline correction actions reduce the classification errors when using the BEM base-caller developed in our group.
Human serum retinol transport in malabsorption.

Using specific immunoassays for retinol-binding protein (RBP) and prealbumin (PA), the proteins responsible for serum vitamin A transport in man, the retinol transport system has been examined in 22 adults with malabsorption (mean stool fat 23 g/24 hr). Mean serum concentrations of vitamin A and RBP in these patients did not differ from normal, whereas PA levels were depressed (P < 0.001). This contrasted with the previously reported marked depression of all three components of the serum retinol transport system in patients with liver disease and the marked elevations of vitamin A and RBP in patients with renal failure. In patients with malabsorption, serum concentrations of vitamin A were correlated with RBP (r = 0.901, P < 0.001). These data are consistent with the hypothesis that patients effectively mobilize hepatic stores of vitamin A as a retinol-RBP complex during fat malabsorption. For this reason, serum vitamin A concentrations are a poor means of screening for malabsorp- tion. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 27: 700-705, 1974. controls and in patients with liver and renal disease.
Cutting Edge: Influence of Tmevpg1, a Long Intergenic Noncoding RNA, on the Expression of Ifng by Th1 Cells

The majority of the genome is noncoding and was thought to be nonfunctional. However, it is now appreciated that transcriptional control of protein coding genes resides within these noncoding regions. Thousands of genes encoding long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) have been recently identified throughout the genome, which positively or negatively regulate transcription of neighboring target genes. Both TMEVPG1 and its mouse ortholog encode lincRNAs and are positioned near the IFN-γ gene (IFNG). In this study, we show that transcription of both mouse and human TMEVPG1 genes is Th1 selective and dependent on Stat4 and T-bet, transcription factors that drive the Th1 differentiation program. Ifng expression is partially restored in Stat4-/-Tbx21-/- cells through coexpression of T-bet and Tmevpg1, and Tmevpg1 expression contributes to, but alone is not sufficient to, drive Th1-dependent Ifng expression. Our results suggest that TMEVPG1 belongs to the general class of lincRNAs that positively regulate gene transcription.
Integrating landscape connectivity and habitat suitability to guide offensive and defensive invasive species management

Summary 1. Preventing the arrival of invasive species is the most effective way of controlling their impact. Preventative strategies may be ‘offensive’ aimed at preventing the invader leaving colonised locations or ‘defensive’ aimed at preventing its arrival at uninvaded locations. The limited resources for invasive species control must be prioritized, particularly for numerous vulnerable locations or uncertainty about which sites are already invaded. 2. We developed an integrative modelling framework to prioritise locations for either strategy by incorporating connectivity and habitat suitability. We applied this framework to a data set comprising 5189 water bodies in Wisconsin and Michigan, U.S.A, for zebra mussels Dreissena polymorpha and Eurasian watermilfoil Myriophyllum spicatum. We developed the framework with a spatial graph based on recreational boater movement and habitat suitability models. 3. An historical graph comprised 3105 natural lakes connected in one of 18 components, whereas a total of 3944 water bodies (lakes and reservoirs) were connected in one of 13 separate components in a graph of the contemporary system. Habitat suitability models accounted for around half of the deviance in the distribution data for each species. 4. There was a distinct spatial pattern in the levels of risk and subsequent recommended allocation of management interventions across several levels of investment. Higher risk water bodies were generally found in the largest component of the spatial graph. At comparatively low levels of investment, where managers target 5% of all locales to control D. polymorpha, the results suggested that 71% and 27% of this effort should be committed to defensive and offensive strategies, respectively, in the largest component. For M. spicatum, 92% and 8% of this effort should be allocated in this component to defensive and offensive strategies, respectively. It is only with much greater investment that water bodies in other components should be targeted. 5. Synthesis and applications. Allocating limited resources to prevent the spread of invasive species is a challenge that transcends ecosystems and geography. We successfully identified a reduced number of locations to target for offensive and defensive intervention strategies for two species. This framework is readily applicable to other aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems vulnerable to invasive species.
Return for follow-up care and contraceptive continuation among adolescents.

Family planning clinic personnel have reported high rates of contraceptive discontinuation among adolescent clients and the majority of these teenagers fail to return for their 3-month and annual reproductive health examinations. To learn more about the characteristics of adolescents unlikely to return to family planning clinics for follow-up care the medical history records of 218 adolescent oral contraceptive acceptors at 6 clinic sites in Californias Bay Area were randomly selected from a sampling frame of all females 17 years of age and younger who received their initial OC prescription during the 22-month study period. The average age of study respondents was 15.4 years; 48% were black 39% were white 8% were Hispanic and 4% were Asian. The average age at 1st intercourse was 14.3 years; only 9% of study subjects obtained contraception before becoming sexually active. Over half (110 adolescents) of the sample failed to return to the family planning clinic for follow-up care. Both bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine the correlates of nonreturn. There were no significant differences between adolescents were returned to the clinic and those who did not in terms of age ethnicity clinic where served or other sources of medical care. In terms of reproductive history adolescents who started having intercourse at younger ages and those who waited longest after the onset of intercourse to seek contraception were least likely to return to the clinic. 75% of the adolescents who had a sexually transmitted disease at the time of the initial visit did not return. Other factors significantly correlated with nonreturn for follow-up were irregular menstrual periods referral for additional medical tests failure to have obtained a pap smear in the year prior to the initial visit and the presence of general health problems such as asthma.
The Transfusion Medicine Tutor: A Model for the Design and Use of Expert Systems for Teaching

There is a long research history addressing the design of knowledge-based systems for tutoring. There exists, however, very little rigorous empirical data describing the impact of such systems on users. This paper presents the results of two studies that were conducted to investigate the effectiveness of an expert system for teaching medical technology students a complex abduction task, the identification of alloantibodies in a patient's blood. The first study, involving 30 students, showed that those students who used the system with all intelligent tutoring functions turned on and with instructor assistance available went from 0% correct on a pre-test case to 80% − 93% correct on post-tests (p 0.05). The results of the second study found that 36 students who used the system with all intelligent tuto...
Transient hygrothermal stresses in fiber reinforced composites: a heterogeneous characterization approach

Transient hygrothermal stresses induced in fiber-reinforced composites are studied in detail by adopting a novel heterogeneous characterization approach. This approach incorporates two distinct features: transient moisture absorption analysis of actual composite materials exposed to a humid environment, and highly detailed computational analyses that capture the actual heterogeneous microstructure of the composite. The latter feature is carried out by modeling a uniaxial laminate having more than one thousand individual carbon fibers that are randomly distributed within an epoxy matrix. Results indicate that these computational models are essential in capturing the accurate moisture absorption process of the actual specimen. In the analysis, the evolutions of thermal residual stresses and moisture-induced stresses within the humidity and thermal exposed composites have been analyzed. It was observed that high stress concentration develops in the epoxy phase where high fiber density or fiber clustering exists and its magnitude increases as the moisture content saturates. Large stresses can potentially initiate epoxy damage or delamination of epoxy and fibers. Furthermore, due to opposing effects of thermal and moisture exposure, lower stresses are found in the laminate when both are considered simultaneously.
Representing trust in cognitive social simulations

Trust plays a critical role in communications, strength of relationships, and information processing at the individual and group level. Cognitive social simulations show promise in providing an experimental platform for the examination of social phenomena such as trust formation. This paper describes the initial attempts at representation of trust in a cognitive social simulation using reinforcement learning algorithms centered around a cooperative Public Commodity game within a dynamic social network.
The Theory of Clubs and Competitive Coalitions

This review discusses research demonstrating that club economies and coalition economies with many participants and relatively small effective groups (clubs, jurisdictions, or coalitions) are competitive. Small groups are effective if all or almost all gains to collective activities can be realized by cooperation restricted to them. At this point, there are many papers in the literature demonstrating the competitiveness of club and coalition economies in a variety of contexts. To facilitate the exposition, I treat economies with quasilinear utilities and games with side payments. The main concepts and results for this framework are discussed. Additionally, relationships are established with regard to broader models of club and coalition economies, including very recent contributions to the literature.
Rise of forensic anthropology

Physical anthropologists have long been called upon to apply their knowledge of human skeletal biology to practical problems of concern to the medicolegal system. The discipline of forensic anthropology arose out of this need to determine and assess the characteristics of an individual. The present paper traces the development of forensic anthropology and analyzes its brief historical roots, methodological advances, and the role it now plays in both the anthropological community and the criminal justice system. Since its formal establishment as a section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in 1972, the discipline has made great strides, especially in the determination of demographic characteristics such as age, sex, and race. There is, however, a dearth of research on the factors of individualization accompanied by a proliferation of improperly designed studies. Unfortunately, further progress is limited by the absence of a precisely documented, modern skeletal collection. This paper also addresses the issue of identification and the problems associated with current approaches and the interpretation of results. This critical review of the field leads to the conclusion that the future of forensic anthropology depends on the commitment of its practitioners and investigators to the research and development of forensically applicable techniques.
Validation of current joint American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology guidelines for antibody response to the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine using a population of HIV-infected children

Background Measuring antibody responses to 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines (PPV) is crucial to evaluation of humoral immune function. However, data are limited comparing responses in immunodeficient subjects. Objective A case-controlled study comparing changes in PPV antibody titer in immunocompetent and immunodeficient children was performed to validate current guidelines. Methods A cohort of 95 immunocompetent children and 22 HIV-infected children, ages 2 to 15 years, was vaccinated with PPV, and before and after vaccination, IgG titers against capsular polysaccharides for 12 pneumococcal serotypes were measured. Results were used to calculate the receiver operator characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity of various interpretation criteria for their accuracy in detecting suboptimal responders. Results Immunodeficient subjects had lower CD4%, antidiphtheria, antitetanus titers, and mean post-PPV titers (2.5 ± 1.7 vs 4.5 ± 2.1 μg/mL; P Conclusion Current guidelines using ≥4-fold increase in post-PPV titers has sufficient sensitivity and specificity to identify antibody deficiency. The minimal positive responses should be at least 50% of serotypes tested. Clinical implications Measurement of PPV antibody response based on the current guidelines accurately identify children with humoral immunodeficiency.
Lightweight rainfall radiometer STAR aircraft sensor

The X-Band Lightweight Rainfall Radiometer using synthetic thinned aperture radiometer technology (LRR-X STAR) is an aircraft microwave sensor that is jointly under development by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the University of Michigan. It operates at 10.7 GHz with 86+ simultaneous 2.1/spl deg/ HPBW antenna beams distributed over a /spl plusmn/ 45/spl deg/ cross track field of view to permit pushboom imaging. It is intended to address several pressing issues related to the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission, for which it is a science and technology testbed instrument. In terms of technology readiness, LRR-STAR will evaluate and validate the design approaches being taken by each of its critical subsystems. At the system level, it will validate the calibration methodology used to produce Level 1 brightness temperature imagery. All electrical, mechanical and thermal subsystems of the LRR-STAR are currently in development and several key subsystems have had successful prototype fabrication and laboratory testing. An overview of the instrument design is presented, together with a status report on the hardware development.
Markets and Morality

It is common knowledge that Adam Smith, the acknowledged father of Economics as we know it, had written The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) before he wrote The Wealth of Nations (1776). More sophisticated students of Economics today would also know that Adam Smith held the Chair in Moral Philosophy from 1752, after a year as Professor of Logic, at Glasgow University. Therefore, that Economics has evolved from moral philosophy, and has affinity by birth with it and therefore is a moral science, should not surprise anyone. Yet, the analysis of the interaction between Economics and moral philosophy, or perhaps simply morality, has raised interesting issues over time. In the following, I concentrate on a few salient ones today.
Direct and indirect effects of retinoic acid on human Th2 cytokine and chemokine expression by human T lymphocytes

Vitamin A (VA) deficiency induces a type 1 cytokine response and exogenously provided retinoids can induce a type 2 cytokine response both in vitro and in vivo. The precise mechanism(s) involved in this phenotypic switch are inconsistent and have been poorly characterized in humans. In an effort to determine if retinoids are capable of inducing Th2 cytokine responses in human T cell cultures, we stimulated human PBMCs with immobilized anti-CD3 mAb in the presence or absence of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) or 9-cis-RA. Stimulation of human PBMCs and purified T cells with ATRA and 9-cis-RA increased mRNA and protein levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 and decreased levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12p70 and TNF-α upon activation with anti-CD3 and/or anti-CD28 mAbs. These effects were dose-dependent and evident as early as 12 hr post stimulation. Real time RT-PCR analysis revealed a dampened expression of the Th1-associated gene, T-bet, and a time-dependent increase in the mRNA for the Th2-associated genes, GATA-3, c-MAF and STAT6, upon treatment with ATRA. Besides Th1 and Th2 cytokines, a number of additional proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines including several chemokines were also differentially regulated by ATRA treatment. These data provide strong evidence for multiple inductive roles for retinoids in the development of human type-2 cytokine responses.
Stall Usage Differences of Thirteen Different Freestall Base Types

Abstract The objective of this study was to compare percentages of cow preference measures for factors affecting use of stalls with different stall bases. Stall status was recorded four times each day in two pens with different stocking densities for a 6-mo period starting June 19, 2002. Six factors were analyzed: stall base, distance to water ( WDIST ), stall location within stall base section ( STLLOC ), stalls on interior or exterior row ( RLOC ), inside barn temperature, and length of time cows were exposed to stall bases ( XPOSR ). The 101% stocking density ( SD ) pen had eight different bases: two foam mattresses ( FMATR ), three rubber mattresses ( RMATR ), and three rubber mats ( RMAT ). The 66% SD pen had seven different stall bases, two identical to the first pen: a cork-filled mattress ( CMATR ), two FMATR, two RMATR, a waterbed, and a RMAT. Each pen was analyzed separately. Stall bases were grouped with 3 to 7 stalls per section and randomly placed in each row. In the 101% SD pen, FMATR and RMATR had the greatest lying and occupied percentages, and two RMAT had the least lying and occupied percentages. In the 66% SD pen, one FMATR and one RMATR had the greatest lying and occupied percentages, waterbeds were intermediate, and the CMATR, one RMATR, and a RMAT were inferior. Waterbeds were the stall base of choice during the coldest weather. In both pens, cows preferred the exterior ( EXTR ) row during evening and early morning. The addition of a foam layer increased use of mattresses and mats.
Heart Transplantation – Surgical Results

Heart transplantation has become a widely used therapeutic option for the treatment of end-stage heart failure. Since the first human orthotopic heart transplant in the late 1960s, the surgical technique has undergone several revisions. These revisions have addressed certain anatomic and geometric distortions that occurred with the original biatrial technique of Lower and Shumway. Early revisions have included the use of a bicaval technique for implanting the right atrium. Subsequently, the additional use of a direct pulmonary venous anastomosis has lead to the surgical concept of the total orthotopic heart transplant. These revisions of the original bi-atrial technique have led to a decrease in atrial size and distortion, conduction abnormalities and tricuspid and mitral valve regurgitation. This has also resulted in less atrial thromboembolic events, less need for permanent postoperative pacemaker placement, and in an overall increase in right and left heart performance in the early postoperative period. Overall, this has contributed to better clinical results with patients returning sooner to their normal exercise capacity. Ninety percent of heart transplant patients lead a relatively normal lifestyle having no limitations in their activity and 40 % return to work. We believe that the technique of total orthotopic heart transplantation has improved surgical results and clinical outcomes.