cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gate etch induced diode leakage prevention with 7-nm CVD stacked gate dielectric

Using a CVD stacked oxide, containing a thermally grown layer and a deposited CVD film, as the gate dielectric for MOS devices provides significant advantages over a single thermally grown oxide, due to mismatch of weak spots in the two layers, reduced substrate consumption and stress compensation between component layers. This paper discusses how a 7-nm stacked gate oxide reduced process-induced diode leakage by /spl sim/10/sup 2/, an advantage not reported previously. Micropore misalignment in the two component layers of the stacked gate oxide preventing the reactive etchant ions from reaching the substrate could explain the enhanced "etch stop" provided by the stacked oxide.
Rapid Detection of Mutagens by Induction of Luciferase-Bearing Prophage in Escherichia coli

Mutagenicity in bacteria is highly correlated with carcinogenicity in humans, and many industrial wastes and manufacturing sites contain mutagenic components. This has stimulated interest in rapid screening assays for genotoxic agents. We describe a rapid and sensitive bacterial test for detecting DNA-damaging agents, based on bioluminescence reporting of prophage λ induction. A promoterless cassette bearing genes encoding bacterial luciferase was transposed randomly into the λ chromosome from the suicide plasmid pUTmini-Tn5luxAB, and Escherichia coli JM101 was lysogenized with the resulting phages. In the lysogens, the luciferase genes are expressed from phage promoters, which allows rapid detection of DNA-damage-triggered prophage induction with a simple whole-cell luciferase assay. One lysogen was selected among several for its high ratio of induced to spontaneous luciferase activity upon exposure to mitomycin C. Within 4 h, the assay detects ethyl methanesulfonate, methyl methanesulfonate, and mitomycin C with sensitivity comparable to those of assays requiring more time, although not all tested mutagens were detected. The test is also automatable and generates very little waste, which makes it a potentially valuable tool for rapid screening and process monitoring.
Nephron segment localization of polyoma virus large T antigen in renal allografts

This study uses CD10 and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) as respective proximal and distal tubular segment markers to localize polyoma virus replicative activity, as determined by large T antigen (TAg) expression, in allograft polyoma virus nephropathy (PVN). Sixteen biopsies and 2 nephrectomy specimens with PVN had serial 2-mum paraffin sections stained using monoclonal antibodies to polyoma virus TAg by immunoperoxidase with diaminobenzidine as chromogen. A second immunolabeling step used CD10 as a proximal nephron marker or EMA as a distal tubular marker, and alkaline phosphatase with fast red as chromogen. BK viral DNA was detected in blood in 16 of 18 tested. Fourteen of 16 had cortex and medulla, and 2 had cortex only in the biopsy sample. Fourteen (100%) of 14 had double-positive EMA and TAg expression (EMA+TAg+) in medullary collecting ducts. T antigen was evident in loops of Henle in nephrectomies. Thirteen (81.3%) of 16 had EMA+TAg+, and 10 (62.5%) of 16 had CD10+TAg+ cortical tubular segments. CD10+TAg+ cells were observed in the parietal epithelium of Bowman's capsule in 3 biopsies (18.75%). T antigen was observed in 5.1% of CD10+ tubular profiles compared with 21% of EMA+ profiles in renal cortex (P < .0001). Polyoma virus TAg was observed in medullary collecting ducts, in distal and proximal cortical tubules, and in Bowman's capsule, in decreasing order of frequency. Loops of Henle also had TAg. This distribution suggests potential for an ascending route of infection of allograft tubules in PVN.
Evidence in Rat and Mouse Liver for Temporal Control of Two Forms of Cytochrome P-450 Inducible by 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

In the liver of perinatal rats or mice, the ratio of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-induced aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase to total cytochrome P-450 content decreases, whereas the ratio of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-induced acetanilide 4-hydroxylase to total cytochrome P-450 content increases, between 18 or 19 days and 22 days following conception. The ontogenesis of inducible aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase corresponds well with increases in a 56000-Mr electrophoretic band; we suggest this band represents the cytochrome P1-450 subunit. The later temporal expression of inducible acetanilide 4-hydroxylase closely parallels 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-induced increases in size of a 54000-Mr electrophoretic band and a 2–3-nm hypsochromic shift in the Soret peak of the total microsomal reduced cytochrome P-450 · CO complex. We suggest this band represents the cytochrome P-448 subunit. Previous work from this laboratory has shown that this developmental difference is separated by several weeks in rabbit liver, as compared with several day's separation shown in this report with rat or mouse liver. The data here therefore provide evidence in the rodent for temporal control of the expression of different structural gene products regulated by the Ah locus.
Dress and physical attractiveness of women in job interviews

This study was an investigation of the independent and combined influence of physical attractiveness and dress on impressions thatfemale and male hiring agents form about the personality characteri...
Border Practices, Boundaries, and the Control of Resource Access: A Case from China, Thailand and Burma

This article traces border practices along boundaries that China and Thailand share with Burma. It portrays a spectrum of small border polities, from principalities on the fringes of Southeast Asian kingdoms, through Nationalist troops in Burma following their defeat in China, to ‘drug lords’ and ‘rebel armies’. The focus here is on Akha village heads who have worked their connections in multiple directions, including into Burma, to position themselves as patrons controlling local resource access. With state appointment as border guardians, village heads become chiefs of new kinds of small border entities, protecting the border for the homeland while enabling certain illicit information, people, and goods to cross. In regions with a history of complex patronage relations, state efforts to control peripheral people, resources, and territories have in fact produced small border chiefs, with practices similar to those of frontier princes in the past.
High‐performing, loyal employees: the real way to implement strategy

Strategy implementation is best accomplished through high‐performing people. Every organization must develop and retain its high‐performing employees who are focused on giving target customers what they want. Key performance factors are explored including clear mission and strategy, selection and training, corporate culture, communications and information, and rewards.
Electron-optical phase shift of magnetic nanoparticles II. Polyhedral particles

A method is presented to compute the electron-optical phase shift for a magnetized polyhedral nanoparticle, with either a uniform magnetization or a closure domain (vortex state). The method relies on an analytical expression for the shape amplitude, combined with a reciprocal-space description of the magnetic vector potential. The model is used to construct two building blocks from which more complex structures can be generated. Phase computations are also presented for the five Platonic and 13 Archimedean solids. Fresnel and Foucault imaging mode simulations are presented for a range of particle shapes and microscope imaging conditions.
Development of optimal drug administration strategies for cancer-chemotheraphy in the framework of systems theory

Design of Drug administration strategies for cancer chemotherapy is formulated as an optimization problem by considering both the healthy (normal) and tumor cell kinetics. The optimization problem is solved by using concepts of exponential stabilization and an algorithm for the solution of the above problem is presented.
Freehand Maps Are for Teachers and Students Alike

Abstract Freehand maps are recommended for illustrating geographic concepts. The chief advantage of freehand maps is that they can be used to highlight selected information in order to accomplish particular explanatory purposes. Freehand maps may be used productively by students as well as by teachers. With freehand maps, geographic concepts may be presented simply and directly, yet forcefully and clearly.
Study of beam–beam effects in eRHIC with self-consistent beam–beam simulation

Abstract Beam–beam effects in eRHIC was studied with a self-consistent (strong–strong) beam–beam simulation by using the particle-in-cell method. Beam–beam limits were examined as thresholds of the onset of coherent beam–beam instability. For the proposed luminosity, the bunch intensities optimized in consideration of the beam–beam effect were discussed. It was also found that the modulation in the beam–beam interaction on PACMAN bunches in eRHIC can induce a high-order coherent beam–beam instability with a spontaneous oscillation of transverse beam size and a chaotic oscillation of beam centroid. As the beam–beam interaction in eRHIC is traditionally considered as strong-weak or very unsymmetrical, the beam–beam problem in eRHIC represents an example of the coherent beam–beam effect in the strong-weak case of beam–beam interactions.
The per-capita-income criterion and natality policies in poor countries.

Discussions of birth rates in less developed countries (LDC’s) are almost always couched in terms of income per-capita or per-consumer-equivalent. A decrease in population growth rate is said to lead to a higher per-capita income (PCI) than would occur with a higher birth rate, and therefore a lower birth rate is advocated. This runs the danger of choosing a course of action that people really do not want. A static analysis of a PCI criterion leads to an optimum which is quite unacceptable. One can raise the PCI of any given group by getting rid of all small sub-groups that have a lower PCI. Static analysis is not directly relevant to those problems of LDC’s, because the relevant control variable is the birth rate. This paper explores some of the ramifications of different birth rates. The general conclusion is that per-capita income alone cannot be a satisfactory criterion for a rational national natality policy. At best it can be but one factor to be taken into consideration in such a policy decision.
Intron Presence–Absence Polymorphisms in Daphnia

Here, we report 2 novel intron gains segregating in populations of Daphnia pulex endemic to Oregon. These novel introns do not have an obvious source and are not present in any D. pulex populations outside Oregon, other species of Daphnia that we examined, or any other organism for which sequence data are available. Furthermore, the novel introns are both found in the same gene, a Rab GTPase (rab4), and they appear to differ in their insertion site by one base pair, providing some support to the proto-splice site hypothesis. The rarity of intron-gain polymorphisms is questioned as we discovered 2 events in an initial survey of only 6 nuclear loci in 36 Daphnia individuals. Neutrality tests failed to ascertain a clear selective effect for either intron insertion, and a significant difference in recombination rate was not observed in alleles that contain the novel intron insertion versus alleles lacking it. We conclude that one novel intron insertion segregating at high frequencies in Daphnia populations in Oregon is unlikely to be adaptive and may result from the reduced efficacy of selection in isolated populations of small effective size.
Impact of transistor aging effects on sense amplifier reliability in nano-scale CMOS

Bias temperature instability (among other problems) is a key reliability issue with nanoscale CMOS transistors. Especially in sensitive circuits such as sense amplifiers of SRAM arrays, transistor aging may significantly increase the probability of failure. By analyzing the Current Based Sense Amplifier circuit and Voltage-Latched Sense Amplifier circuit through HSPICE simulations, we observe that under the effects of Negative Bias Temperature Instability (NBTI) aging alone, the failure probability increases for both circuits. However, under Positive Bias Temperature Instability (PBTI) only or the combined effects of both NBTI and PBTI, failure probability reduces over time.
Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease:Who is at Risk?

Abstract This issue marks the beginning of a new section in Transfusion Science entitled “Evolving Concepts in Transfusion Medicine.” This section is designed to feature critical discussions (2 pages or less) of evolving areas within transfusion medicine. It is meant to highlight new developments and areas of controversy within the broad scope of the medical, scientific, technical, epidemiologic, and public health aspects relating to the rationale for provision of blood component therapy. Recent and continued advances in our understanding of the biology of hematopoiesis, infectious diseases, and molecular genetics now provide the scientific basis for an evolution of our principles and practices within transfusion medicine. Ongoing technical advances, i.e. more effective leukodepletion methods and recombinant techniques, will make it possible to provide new components for transfusion. New sensitive and specific techniques for the detection of infectious disease, i.e. polymerase chain reaction technology, may have broad impact on the safety of transfusion. It is the goal of “Evolving Concepts in Transfusion Medicine” to relate these and other new research findings to their current and future impact on transfusion practice.
Short-term and latent post-settlement effects associated with elevated temperature and oxidative stress on larvae from the coral Porites astreoides

Coral reefs across the Caribbean are undergoing unprecedented rates of decline in coral cover during the last three decades, and coral recruitment is one potential process that could aid the recovery of coral populations. To better understand the effects of climate change on coral larval ecology, the larvae of Porites astreoides were studied to determine the immediate and post-settlement effects of elevated temperature and associated oxidative stress. Larvae of Porites astreoides were exposed to 27 °C (ambient) and +3.0 °C (elevated temperature) seawater for a short duration of 24 h; then, a suite of physiological parameters were measured to determine the extent of sublethal stress. Following the +3.0 °C treatment, larvae did not show a significant difference in maximum quantum yield of PSII (F v/F m) or respiratory demand when compared to controls maintained at 27 °C. The addition of micromolar concentrations of hydrogen peroxide did not impact respiration or photochemical efficiency. Catalase activity in the larvae increased (>60 %) following exposure to elevated temperature when compared to the controls. Short-term larval survival and settlement and metamorphosis were not affected by increased temperature or the H2O2 treatment. However, the settled spat that were exposed to elevated temperature underwent a 99 % reduction in survival compared to 90 % reduction for the control spat when examined 24 days following the deployment of 4-day-old settled spat on settlement tiles in the field. These results show that short-term exposure to some stressors might have small impacts on coral physiology, and no effects on larval survival, settlement and metamorphosis. However, due to post-settlement mortality, these stressors can cause a significant reduction in coral recruitment.
Self-Assembled Monolayers Based Upon a Zirconium Phosphate Platform

Organically surface-modified α-zirconium phosphate was obtained by reacting the surface P–O–H groups of α-zirconium phosphate nanoparticles (α-ZrP) with octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS). Surface functionalization of α-ZrP with OTS was accomplished using a one-step synthesis producing highly hydrophobic nanoparticles. The formation of P–O–Si bonds arising from nucleophilic attack of POH to the silane was confirmed by solid-state NMR experiments. The surface coverage of the organic modifier was characterized by TGA, AFM, and FTIR. In addition, we show the applicability of this system with a photoinduced electron-transfer reaction in a nonpolar solvent. Using an organically surface-modified α-ZrP previously loaded with tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)32+), the quenching of the luminescence of Ru(bpy)32+ in the presence of p-benzoquinone was monitored; a static quenching constant (Ks) value of 8.82 × 102 M–1 and a dynamic quenching constant (KD) value of 6.99 × 102 M–1 were obtained.
Commentary on "a roadmap for the prevention of dementia: the inaugural Leon Thal Symposium." An impending prevention clinical trial for Alzheimer's disease: roadmaps and realities.

I have been invited to briefly comment on “A Roadmap to Prevention of Dementia.” Leon Thal and I last met at an Arizona ADRC Advisory Committee in April 2006, and we initiated a conversation regarding what an Alzheimer’s disease prevention study for an oral drug or nutrichemical might look like. The rosiglitazone–Alzheimer’s disease (AD) Phase III program was just underway, with several 48-week trials based on a pharmacogenetic design: randomization by APOE genotype in thousands of patients. I had sought his advice, knowing his interest and his propensity for straightforward discussion. We left each other that weekend when he flew home, after he demonstrated the filing of a flight plan on his computer. We had plenty of time to talk because the rosiglitazone trials would not end soon— last patient in, last patient out— until late 2008. Tragically we were wrong about our remaining time. From 1997 through 2007 I participated in drug discovery and drug development priority decisions as a member of the GSK Research and Development Executive Committee. With the perspective of living in a world in which priority setting and incentives are powerful elements of choices, I was struggling with the design of a possible AD prevention trial and the need for exclusivity incentives to encourage the company to consider prioritizing such a trial. Although folks like to wax poetic about possible scenarios, I was dealing with some realistic constraints, intimately tied to regulatory issues and return on investment considerations. Discussions with regulators had begun, the jury of the Phase III trials was still out, but preplanning might accelerate action immediately on the heels of drug approval. Leon Thal, for me, was a friend from outside of that world who had an understanding of the influences of cost, regulatory interactions, incentives, risks, and competition, all of which are intimately involved in any expensive prevention undertaking.
Some Thoughts on Creating the Future

Most futurologists seem to assume that the best way of coping with the future is to perfect methodologies of prediction, but the ability to forecast accurately may not be the crucial element in dealing effectively with the future. Rather, trying to create the future might be far more fruitful, a possibility this paper explores in some detail.
On the stability of the equilibrium state and small oscillations of non-holonomic systems

The stability of small oscillations of non -holonomic systems is discussed. In contrast to Neimark and Fufaev, we have shown here that a non-holonomic system does indeed possess an isolated equilibrium state under certain conditions. We provide conditions under which there exists asymptotic stability of small oscillations of a non-holonomic system about its equilibrium position. The connection between a holonomic and non-holonomic system is also discussed. The results obtained here can be useful for the control of a non-holonomic system
Online infidelity in Internet chat rooms: an ethnographic exploration

Abstract Internet chat rooms have introduced unprecedented dynamics into marital relationships: never in history has it been so easy to enjoy both the stability of marriage and the thrills of the dating scene at the same time. This study examined the phenomenon of online infidelity in chat rooms, a process whereby individuals involved in a long-term committed relationship seek computer synchronous, interactive contact with opposite-sex members. The following factors were investigated: (a) what elements and dynamics online infidelity involves and how it happens; (b) what leads individuals specifically to the computer to search for a relationship “on the side”; (c) whether individuals consider online contacts as infidelity and why or why not; and (e) what dynamics chat room users experience in their marriages. The results revealed three theoretical constructs that represent married individuals’ chat room experiences. The first construct, Anonymous Sexual Interactionism, refers to these individuals’ predilection for anonymous interactions of a sexual nature in chat rooms. The allure of anonymity gains extra importance for married individuals, who can enjoy relative safety to express fantasies and desires without being known or exposed. The second, Behavioral Rationalization, denotes the reasoning that chat room users present for conceiving their online behaviors’ as innocent and harmless (despite the secrecy and highly sexual nature). The third, Effortless Avoidance, involves chat room users’ avoidance of psychological discomfort by exchanging sexual messages with strangers. Happily married individuals also join such rooms, a trend that is also discussed. Together, these constructs symbolize chat room dynamics and serve as a foundation upon which further studies can build.
The effect of agency and communality on self-esteem: Gender differences in longitudinal data

Prior studies have noted a positive relationship between masculinity (M) and self-esteem (S-E) for both males and females. However, during adolescence, males and females have been described as experiencing a divergence into two domains: agency for males and communality for females. The present study hypothesized that, contrary to the cross-sectional positive correlational relationship between M and S-E for both males and females, an agentic orientation during adolescence would predict heightened S-E at young adulthood for males only. Conversely, a communal orientation was hypothesized to predict heightened S-E for females only at young adulthood. Using structural equation models with latent variables to analyze data from a community sample of 654 subjects (M=192, F=462; White=432; Black=97; Hispanic=64; Asian=61), these hypotheses were confirmed. In addition, as found in typical masculinity-femininity (M-F) studies, both males and females evidenced a positive relationship between S-E and M, as measured on the Personal Attributes Questionnaire and essentially no relationship between F and S-E. Possible reasons for this complexity and implications for future research are discussed.
Benchmarking the Efficiency of Array Processing for Various Types of Language Processors

In this paper, we propose a benchmarking technique and performance indicators that can be used to evaluate and compare programming languages and language processors in the area of efficiency of array processing. The proposed subscript permutation technique is used to develop a matrix multiplication benchmark (MMB). MMB is used to evaluate language processors and provide insight into performance levels attainable by scripting languages, virtual machine based languages, and languages that compile to the native machine language.
Late-onset nontraumatic dislocation of anterior chamber phakic intraocular lens.

Long-term stability of the position of phakic intraocular lenses (pIOLs) is important in maintaining visual acuity as well as avoiding injury to the local tissues. We report a case of late nontraumatic dislocation of an iris-fixated pIOL, with subsequent successful repositioning. Financial Disclosure Neither author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Ethical concerns about federal approval of risky pediatric studies.

The US Federal Code limits research with healthy children to no more than a minimal risk of harm; it restricts research with children who have some disorder or condition to no more than a minor increase over minimal risk, unless potential harms are offset by potential benefits to them, as in therapeutic studies. Higher risk studies require “407 approval,” named after the relevant section of the code describing requirements. Rarely used until recently, 407 approval requirements include Institutional Review Board approval and authorization by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services after consultation with a panel of experts; a period for public comment; and assurances that there are adequate permission, consent, and assent. This 407-approval mechanism contains both procedural and interpretative ambiguities, which raise ethical concerns about 1) the expertise represented on advisory panels, 2) the scope of the information offered to the public for comment and its potential conflicts with investigators’ intellectual property or commercial interests, 3) whether any upper level of risk exists, and 4) how it conforms with other policies such as the best interest of the child standard in the law or in medical decision making.
The potential role of pediatric surgeons in adolescent medicine

Abstract Adolescent medicine is a rapidly growing and an increasingly recognized discipline. Based upon our 6-yr experience with an active Division of Ad'olescent Medicine we believe that the adolescent's surgical diseases also are unique problems deserving of special interest. While other surgeons have assumed responsibility for care in many of the adolescent programs, the pediatric surgeons' background and training especially qualify them for a major role in this area. It is a stimulating and gratifying opportunity to which they should address themselves.
Potential value of repeat stool testing for Clostridium difficile stool toxin using enzyme immunoassay

AbstractObjective:The aim of this brief review is to summarize the literature as it relates to the potential value of repeat stool testing for Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) toxin using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for toxin A&B and also propose a potential newer algorithm for diagnosing C. difficile.Research design and methods:Two investigators conducted independent literature searches using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus until May 1st, 2010. All databases were searched using the terms Clostridium difficile, CDAD, antibiotic associated diarrhea, C. difficile in combination with enzyme immunoassay, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, Clostridium difficile toxin A, Clostridium difficile toxin B, Clostridium difficile toxin and repeat stool testing. Articles which discussed EIA in C. difficile infection (CDI) patients were reviewed and relevant cross references also read and evaluated for inclusion. Selection bias could be a possible limitation of the approach used in selecting or finding articles f...
Measurement of hypoxanthine and xanthine in late-gestation human amniotic fluid by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection.

Abstract A robust analytical method was developed for measurement of hypoxanthine and xanthine in late-gestation human amniotic fluid by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using diode-array detection. Purity of analyte peaks was confirmed via on-line analysis of peak spectra utilizing the purity parameter treatment of spectral data. Amniotic fluid obtained by amniocentesis was deproteinized by centrifugal ultrafiltration and chromatographed on an octadecylsilica column using isocratic elution with 1% (v/v) acetonitrile in 0.05 M ammonium dihydrogenphosphate pH 6.0; hypoxanthine and xanthine were resolved, but the hypoxanthine peak was not pure. Chromatography on a column of polar end-capped octadecylsilica, using similar mobile phase conditions, yielded spectrally pure peaks of hypoxanthine and xanthine. Hypoxanthine and xanthine levels in amniotic fluid from fourteen patients, gestational age 34–39 weeks, ranged from 0.56 to 2.74 μM and 1.62 to 5.52 μM, respectively.
Structural and magnetic study of some oxygen stabilized rare-earth-iron intermetallic compounds☆

Abstract A new series of oxygen stabilized intermetallic compounds was identified in sintered, pre-alloyed, rare-earth-iron powder samples. The composition of these compounds corresponds to the formula R12Fe32O2, though the concentration of oxygen may, in some instances, be variable. The crystal structure of these compounds belongs to space group Im3m. Their presence has been observed in several RFeO systems, with R = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Y. Magnetic measurements indicate that Y12Fe32Ox (x ⩽ 2) is ferromagnetic, whilst the compounds with R = Dy and Ho are ferrimagnetic. The magnetic ordering temperatures of these three compounds range from 180 to 265 K, with possibly higher ordering temperatures for the Gd- and Tb-containing compounds.
On the origin of the large refractive index change in photolyzed PbI 2 films

Photoconductivity spectra and x-ray diffraction experiments on PbI2 films photolyzed at 165°C by 488 nm light, in different ambients, show that the observed induced absorption arises from band-gap states associated with the inclusion of isolated oxides or carbonates of lead in the film, rather than states associated with Pb clusters.
Impacts of Reduced Tillage on Operating Inputs and Machinery Requirements: Discussion

The authors of this paper have given me few, if any, glaring errors of commission to attack, and they have had the integrity to point out many of their omissions themselves. While this honesty is laudable it tends to make the' job of the discussant more difficult. Many of the omissions I do refer to can reasonably be ascribed to limitations of time and space imposed by the invited paper format and does not imply that the authors are unaware of or have not considered these points. I will proceed by indicating some of the gaps in this analysis and then move on to some areas of research that could benefit our understanding of the economics of alternative tillage systems.
Influence of Bt transgenes on cell wall lignification and digestibility of maize stover for silage

There have been inconsistent reports that maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids with the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cry1 Ab transgene contain more lignin than non-Bt hybrids of similar genetic background. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of the cry1 Ab transgene on lignin concentration (using three different assays), yield, and forage quality traits of maize. Replicated trials were conducted at four locations in Minnesota with 12 commercial hybrids (three MON810 and three Bt11 cry1 Ab transgene event hybrids, and respective near-isogenic controls). Whole plants and the fourth elongated, aboveground internodes were harvested at silage maturity. Samples were analyzed for crude protein, starch, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber, 24- and 96-h in vitro ruminal NDF digestibility, and lignin (acid detergent, Klason, and acetyl bromide). European corn borers (Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner) were not controlled and damage was limited to the non-Bt hybrids, averaging 1.5 internodes plant -1 with tunnels. Environment and environment × hybrid interactions affected all measures of maize performance and quality, but comparisons of non-Bt/Bt hybrid pairs, for both whole plants and internodes, found no consistent differences in yield, nutrient content, in vitro ruminal NDF digestibility, or lignin concentration. Differences in lignin concentration were infrequent, small in magnitude, and inconsistent between a few non-Bt/Bt hybrid pairs at individual locations. Two non-Bt/Bt hybrid pairs did not differ in lignin concentration at any location. Contrary to some earlier reports, presence of the cry1 Ab transgene did not alter lignin concentration or other forage quality traits of maize stover in commercial maize hybrids.
Enabling Technologies and the Business of Science

The rapid pace of innovation, combined with tightening financial markets, is forcing new paradigms to emerge for the biotechnology business strategist
Autonomic SLA Management in Federated Computing Environments

Federated computing environments offer requestors the ability to dynamically invoke services offered by collaborating providers in the virtual service network. Without an efficient resource management, however, the assignment of providers to customer’s requests cannot be optimized and cannot offer high reliability without relevant SLA guarantees. We propose a new SLA-based SERViceable Metacomputing Environment (SERVME) capable of matching providers based on QoS requirements and performing autonomic provisioning and deprovisioning of services according to dynamic requestor needs. This paper presents the new autonomic SLA management and the object-oriented SLA model for large-scale service-oriented systems. An initial reference implementation in the SORCER environment is also described.
Globalization and World Literature

World Literature’s time has come again in the current development of a new discipline of World Literature suitable for a time of globalization. The new disciple faces some challenges: the challenge of translation, the challenge of what literary works to choose as representative, the challenge of making a universal definition of “literature.” The thought experiment of imagining what commentary you would need to put with a translation into Chinese of W. B. Yeats’s lyric, “The Cold Heaven,” exemplifies these problems. Explaining the reasons for Friedrich Nietzsche’s rejection of Goethe’s Weltliteratur, in The Birth of Tragedy, is, when that rejection is put into the context of The Birth of Tragedy as a whole and of other writing by Nietzsche, a good example of the theoretical problems that the renewed discipline of World Literature may need to take into account.
Corpora lutea of pregnancy and elevated serum progesterone during pregnancy and postpartum anestrus in woodchucks (Marmota monax).

Serum samples (n=62) were collected from wild-caught woodchucks (n=45) that were nonpregnant (n=3), pregnant (n=25) or postpartum (n=34) when bled at the time of capture and/or necropsy, or following maintenance and observation for variable periods of time. Progesterone concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay and related to the actual or estimated time from parturition which occurs at 31 days postcoitum in this species. Mean serum progesterone levels during the initial, middle and last third of pregnancy were 6.5 ± 1.7, 22.5 ± 3.7 and 16.8 ± 3.2 ng/ml, respectively. Postpartum progesterone levels were elevated above basal values ( 90 days postpartum were 25.1 ± 6.2, 60.6 ± 18.5, 22.8 ± 8.7 and 0.4 ± 0.2 nglml, respectively, and those at 30-60 days postpartum were greater than those at midpregnancy (P<0.05). Mean corpus luteum diameters were also greater (P<O.05) postpartum (2.9 ± 0.3 mm) than during pregnancy (1.5 ± 0.3 mm). The correlation between placental scars and ipsilateral corpora lutea indicated that the corpora lutea observed postpartum were the corpora lutea of the recent pregnancy. The termination of each uterine horn in a separate external cervical os precluded the occurrence of transcornual migration. The results demonstrate that, in this hibernating species of sciurid rodent which bears a single litter per year, the corpora lutea of pregnancy are maintained or rejuvenated following parturition and, independent of suckling, secrete amounts of progesterone for 2-3 months during the postpartum anestrus that are equal to or greater than those during pregnancy.
PMU based real-time monitoring for delayed voltage response

Voltage instability due to large disturbances plays a major role in many blackout incidents. Online tools that can assess stability of the system have been recommended in order to reduce the occurrences of large scale blackouts. This paper proposes a model free algorithm that can assess the short term voltage stability of the system in real time based on voltage measurements from PMU's. This approach uses simple calculations to determine the Lyapunov Exponent whose sign indicates the stability (negative) or instability (positive) of the system. A new method to identify the problem of delayed voltage recovery at a bus based on a virtual reference and the Lyapunov exponent is proposed and is tested on the IEEE 162 bus system. It is successful in detecting the delayed recovery which was not detected by using the conventional Lyapunov exponent. The implementation of the Lyapunov exponent in a real time cyber-physical test bed is described using the Phasor models in Opal-RT and the usefulness of implementing the method in the test bed is described.
A Holistic Reference Framework for e-Government: The Practical Proof of a Scientific Concept

In the field of e-Government Austria ranks second within the European Union. The following paper describes one contributing factor for this success: The Holistic Reference Framework for e-Government as postulated by Wimmer, which defines eight different views, each of them representing a specific frame to integrate stakeholders into e-Government projects, to observe all aspects of various stakeholder groups with their specific needs, but also their specific know how. In accordance with this Holistic Reference Framework, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance developed its online e-tax application FinanzOnline, which has achieved outstanding acceptance by its users. The same holds true for the new federal budgeting and bookkeeping system. The paper at hand describes the way the project processes were set up in congruence with the Holistic Reference Framework and describes the established systems and their results.
Simulation of Transient, Multiphase, Axial Dispersion Model for Mass Transfer Operations

Abstract The partial differential equations together with the initial and boundary conditions that describe the transient, multiphase, axial dispersion model for mass transfer operations are given in a fairly general format. Results of the numerical solution by the method of lines are presented graphically for the case of isothermal gas absorption accompanied by nonlinear fast chemical reactions. The effects of each parameter are discussed.
Can Antenatal Care Result in Significant Maternal Mortality Reduction in Developing Countries

Antenatal screening can only be important as a maternal mortality reduction tool if the main causes of maternal mortality have detectable premorbid states for which there are efficacious and acceptable remedial interventions. Out of the seven major contributors to maternal mortality in developing countries, only malaria, HIV and pre-eclampsia/ eclampsia meet the above screening criteria. Antenatal care services will not identify most women who will develop postpartum hemorrhage, sepsis, obstructed labor and complications of abortion. In countries with low prevalence for HIV and malaria the potential contribution of antenatal screening to maternal mortality reduction is severely limited. Antenatal care services contribute immensely to newborn survival; it is for this reason that they must be strengthened. Maternal mortality reduction strategies must include universal access to family planning, skilled attendance at birth and emergency obstetric care services.
Interruptive discourses: Léopold Senghor, African Emotion and the poetry of politics

This paper suggests that Senghor's political and poetic work can be understood as connected to his position as a sophisticated critical thinker. In order to move past a hasty rejection of his work, one might analyse Senghor's work as part of the more serious anti-colonial, epistemological activism that emerges in the mid-twentieth century. I argue that, for Senghor, politics is an art of interrupting discursive closures. I characterize Senghor's thinking as focused on epistemological questions, a recognition of the embeddedness of these questions in everyday political decision-making, and an awareness of the way his own thinking develops over time. I examine Senghor's On African Socialism in order to unpack the nuances in his approach. In thinking about international politics and the legacy of colonialism, I suggest that Senghor was successful in keeping open discursive closures and that from him we can learn how to prioritize the critical analysis that the development of critical questions entails.
Lower bounds for the hub location problem

We present a new lower bound for the Hub Location Problem HLP where distances satisfy the triangle inequality. Our lower bound is based on a linearization of the problem and its modification obtained by incorporating the knowledge of a known heuristic solution. A lower bound was computed for some standard data sets from the literature ranging between 10 and 25 nodes, with 2, 3, and 4 hubs, and for different values for the parameter α, representing the discount for the flow between hubs. The novel approach of using a known heuristic solution to derive a lower bound in all cases reduced the difference between the upper and lower bound. This difference measures the quality of the best known heuristic solution in percentages above the best lower bound. As a result of this research, for smaller problems all instances with 10 and 15 nodes the average difference is reduced to 3.3%. For larger sets 20 and 25 nodes the average difference is reduced to 5.9%.
Differential allergy responses to Metarhizium anisopliae fungal component extracts in BALB/c mice

Intratracheal aspiration (IA) exposure to Metarhizium anisopliae crude antigen (MACA), which is composed of equal protein amounts of mycelium (MYC), conidia (CON) and inducible proteases/chitinases (IND) extracts/filtrates, has resulted in responses characteristic of human allergic asthma in mice. The study objective was to evaluate the potential of each component extract to induce allergic/asthma-like responses observed in this mouse model. BALB/c mice received 4 IA exposures to MACA, CON, MYC, IND, or bovine serum albumin (BSA; negative control) or appropriate vehicle control or inflammatory control over a 4-wk period. Mice were assessed by whole-body plethysmography for immediate airway responses and airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine (Mch) challenge (PenH). Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected 3 d after the final exposure. Additionally, BALF neurotrophin levels and extract protease and chitinase activity levels were evaluated. Western blot analysis showed that each comp...
Diffraction patterns of simple apertures

The Fraunhofer diffraction patterns of the triangle, trapezoid, and hexagon are calculated and displayed in moire plots. The diffraction pattern of the general polygonal aperture with a finite number of vertices can be calculated in terms of elementary functions.
6-MHz 2-N/m piezoresistive atomic-force microscope cantilevers with INCISIVE tips

Piezoresistive atomic force-microscope (AFM) cantilevers with lengths of 10 /spl mu/m, displacement sensitivities of (/spl Delta/R/R)/A 1.1/spl times/10/sup -5/, displacement resolutions of 2/spl times/10/sup -3/ A//spl radic/Hz, mechanical response times of less than 90 ns, and stiffnesses of 2 N/m have been fabricated from a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer using a novel frontside-only release process. To reduce mass, the cantilevers utilize novel inplane crystallographically defined silicon variable aspect-ratio (INCISIVE) tips with radius of curvature of 40 A. The cantilevers have been used in an experimental AFM data-storage system to read back data with an areal density of 10 Gb/cm/sup 2/. Four-legged cantilevers with both imaging and thermomechanical surface modification capabilities have been used to write 2-Gb/cm/sup 2/ data at 50 kb/s on a spinning polycarbonate sample and to subsequently read the data. AFM imaging has been successfully demonstrated with the cantilevers. Some cantilever designs have sufficient displacement resolution to detect their own mechanical-thermal noise in air. The INCISIVE tips also have applications to other types of sensors.
Oviposition Response of Green Lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) to Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Potential Attractants on Pecan

Pecan foliage is attacked by three species of aphids [Monellia caryella (Fitch), Melanocallis caryaefoliae (Davis), and Monelliopsis pecanis Bissell], resulting in damage that can reduce tree nut yield. In this study, we assayed the ovipositional response of the green lacewing Chrysoperla rufilabris (Burmeister) to M. caryella and M. caryaefoliae at high and low aphid densities and the development of C. rufilabris larvae when fed solely on each of the three pecan aphid species. During 2004 and 2005, combinations of attractants and food sprays were applied to pecan trees in an orchard to monitor green lacewing ovipositional response. We found that C. rufilabris laid more eggs on seedling trees infested with the M. caryella (at both high and low densities) than on seedlings infested with M. caryaefoliae. Development of C. rufilabris was unaffected by aphid species. At least one attractant/food spray treatment applied to trees in an orchard significantly increased green lacewing oviposition for three of the five treatment dates over both years. These results show that larvae of C. rufilabris will consume all aphid species attacking pecan, even though female ovipositional response can differ for aphid species. It is likely that combinations of attractants and food sprays can be used to enhance green lacewing populations in orchards.
The Slippery Slope of Religious Relativism

Among the questions facing the religious there is one that is becoming particularly pressing in our contemporary world of mingled cultures. Expressed as religious people sometimes put it to themselves, it is: How does my religion relate to other religions? There are two very different answers abroad. One is: mine is true and all others, to the extent that they depart from mine, are false and are to be rejected. The other is: mine is valid-for-me, and those of others are valid-for-them. The first answer has the virtue of being utterly straightforward and not mealy-mouthed, but it seems parochial and myopic, for, as John Hick points out:In the great majority of cases, the tradition within which a religious person finds his relationship to the Real depends to a very great extent upon where and when he or she is born…In view of this situation, can one be unquestionably confident that the religion which one happens to have inherited by birth is indeed normative and that all others are properly to be graded by their likeness or unlikeness to it?
Nucleolin: A Novel Intracellular Transporter of HSPA1A

The author’s previous studies demonstrated that thermal stress induces the release of HSPA1A from cells by a mechanism independent of the classical protein transport pathway. However, the exact mechanism by which HSPA1A, a leaderless protein, gains access to the extracellular milieu remains unknown. Our study further demonstrated that the plasma membrane of cells functions as a reservoir for HSPA1A and thermal stress induces the redistribution of plasma membrane bound HSPA1A into subcellular cytosolic components. From there, the nucleolin-mediated transport system carries the HSPA1A to the plasma membrane for its relocalization and final release into the extracellular milieu. In this chapter, we focus on the role of nucleolin as a transporter of intracellular HSPA1A.
A constrained dynamical systems approach for attitude consensus of multiple rigid bodies

This paper presents a constrained dynamical systems based attitude synchronization and tracking for multiple rigid bodies. The attitude dynamics of multiple vehicles are coupled via explicit constraint functions that mirror a priori communication topologies. Additional constraint functions are imposed to achieve specific consensus and formation objectives. The constraint stabilization is achieved via a modified Baum-garte stabilization method that includes an integral term. The performance of these constrained dynamics based formations is evaluated for bounded control authority.