cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Size dimorphism and the mating system in horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemis L.

Abstract This study asks whether male-male competition and female choice are important in the mating system of sexually dimorphic, adult horseshoe crabs (Chelicerata: Limulidae, Limulus polyphemus L.). Amplexed pairs approaching a beach for spawning are generally accompanied by a number of unattached, sexually mature suitor males. For the amplexed pair, the average pairwise ratio of male to female carapace width remains constant at 0·78 throughout the spawning season. Morphological characters that relate to mating in amplexed males were compared with unpaired males. Mated and suitor male crabs could not be distinguished on the basis of morphology or body size. Male clasper dimensions, relative to the point of amplexus on the female opisthosoma, suggest that there are no size-related constraints on the point of amplexus on the female opisthosoma, suggest that there are no size-related constraints on the ability of males to amplex with females. Although multiple males participate in the mating process, via the formation of spawning clusters of up to 15 males to one female, there is no evidence of successful male-male displacement. Size-assortative mating does not occur, and large females do not attract either larger males or larger numbers of suitor males in a cluster. A simulation model, using data from 1800 individual horseshoe crabs, generated mated pairs based on the assumption that amplexus was a completely random process with respect to prosoma width. The frequency distribution of actual mated pairs was indistinguishable from the output of the simulation model. The role of size dimorphism and the male-biased sex ratio in the mating system of horseshoe crabs are discussed.
Noninvasive Assessment of Indomethacin Therapy in Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Preterm Infants

Summary: We performed 138 serial two-dimensional (2D), M-mode, and Doppler echocardiographic studies to assess the efficacy of intravenous indomethacin (INDO) therapy for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in 41 preterm infants. Nine infants expired without sufficient echo data to warrant inclusion in the study. Of the remaining 32 infants, 12 (Group 1) required ligation despite INDO therapy, 18 (Group 2) responded to INDO or spontaneously closed their PDAs, and 2 were transferred to other hospitals with their PDAs still open and were lost to followup. The presence of PDA was verified by 2-D echo vizualization of the ductus (high parasternal short-axis views) and Doppler demonstration of high velocity ductal flow toward the main pulmonary artery. The ratio of PDA lumen to aortic root inner diameter (Ao) was measured as well. Indication for surgical ligation was failure of the PDA to close after 3 or more courses of INDO. In Group 1, the PDA/Ao ratio was 0.45 kO.10 standard error of the mean (SEM) pre-INDO, and 0.40k0.12 SEM post-INDO (immediately before ligation). In Group 2, the PDA/Ao ratio was 0.42kO. 11 SEM pre-INDO, and 0.19k0.14 SEM at the end of INDO course (p<O.Ool), with 12 in
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Antibiotic Use

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Treatment of suspected infection is a mainstay of the daily work in the NICU. We hypothesized that NICU antibiotic prescribing practice variation correlates with rates of proven infection, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), mortality, inborn admission, and with NICU surgical volume and average length of stay. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study of 52 061 infants in 127 NICUs across California during 2013, we compared sample means and explored linear and nonparametric correlations, stratified by NICU level of care and lowest/highest antibiotic use rate quartiles. RESULTS: Overall antibiotic use varied 40-fold, from 2.4% to 97.1% of patient-days; median = 24.5%. At all levels of care, it was independent of proven infection, NEC, surgical volume, or mortality. Fifty percent of intermediate level NICUs were in the highest antibiotic use quartile, yet most of these units reported infection rates of zero. Regional NICUs in the highest antibiotic quartile reported inborn admission rate 218% higher (0.24 vs 0.11, P = .03), and length of stay 35% longer (90.2 days vs 66.9 days, P = .03) than regional NICUs in the lowest quartile. CONCLUSIONS: Forty-fold variation in NICU antibiotic prescribing practice across 127 NICUs with similar burdens of proven infection, NEC, surgical volume, and mortality indicates that a considerable portion of antibiotic use lacks clear warrant; in some NICUs, antibiotics are overused. Additional study is needed to establish appropriate use ranges and elucidate the determinants and directionality of relationships between antibiotic and other resource use.
Toroidal current profile control during low confinement mode plasma discharges in DIII-D via first-principles-driven model-based robust control synthesis

In order for ITER to be capable of operating in advanced tokamak operating regimes, characterized by a high fusion gain, good plasma confinement, magnetohydrodynamic stability and a non-inductively driven plasma current, for extended periods of time, several challenging plasma control problems still need to be solved. Setting up a suitable toroidal current density profile in the tokamak is key for one possible advanced operating scenario characterized by non-inductive sustainment of the plasma current. At the DIII-D tokamak, the goal is to create the desired current profile during the ramp-up and early flat-top phases of the plasma discharge and then actively maintain this target profile for the remainder of the discharge. The evolution in time of the toroidal current profile in tokamaks is related to the evolution of the poloidal magnetic flux profile, which is modelled in normalized cylindrical coordinates using a first-principles, nonlinear, dynamic partial differential equation (PDE) referred to as the magnetic diffusion equation. The magnetic diffusion equation is combined with empirical correlations developed from physical observations and experimental data from DIII-D for the electron temperature, the plasma resistivity and the non-inductive current drive to develop a simplified, control-oriented, nonlinear, dynamic PDE model of the poloidal flux profile evolution valid for low confinement mode discharges. In this work, we synthesize a robust feedback controller to reject disturbances and track a desired reference trajectory of the poloidal magnetic flux gradient profile by employing the control-oriented model of the system. A singular value decomposition of the static gain matrix of the plant model is utilized to identify the most relevant control channels and is combined with the dynamic response of system around a given operating trajectory to design the feedback controller. A general framework for real-time feedforward + feedback control of magnetic and kinetic plasma profiles was implemented in the DIII-D Plasma Control System and was used to demonstrate the ability of the feedback controller to control the toroidal current profile evolution in the DIII-D tokamak. These experiments constitute the first time ever a first-principles-driven, model-based, closed-loop magnetic profile controller was successfully implemented and tested in a tokamak device.
Cognitive-behavioral skills, social supports, and child abuse potential among mothers of handicapped children

This study examined the relationship among cognitive functioning, social support networks, and risk for child abuse in a sample of 92 mothers of developmentally disabled children. Mothers found to be at highest risk for child abuse potential tended to score low on cognitive skills, social support networks, and life satisfaction. Beck Depression Inventory scores were found to explain 57% of the variance in the Child Abuse Potential Scores. Single mothers differed significantly from married mothers on child abuse potential, relationship satisfaction, community involvement, and loneliness. The authors discuss implications of the study and the need for future research with families of handicapped children.
Systematic Error Associated with Apparatus 2 of the USP Dissolution Test V: Interaction of Two Tableted Prednisone Formulations with Glass and Plastic Vessels

Recently marketed glass vessels that are uniform and pass USP specifications were compared with uniform plastic vessels that also pass USP specifications. Two lots of prednisone tablets, Tablet 1 and Tablet 2, were tested in both types of vessels. Tablet 1 gave higher results (+12.7% of label claim) in glass vessels at 50 rpm but gave equivalent results in either vessel at 75 rpm. Tablet 2 gave equivalent results in either vessel at 50 rpm but gave higher results (+22% of label claim) in glass vessels at 75 rpm. The type of vessel used to obtain dissolution results for tablets should be specified.
Low-Income Parents' Perceptions of Favoritism in the Schools

Interviewed low-income parents feel that schools favor the children of others, have negative feelings about schools, and feel powerless.
A continuum of paired comparisons models

SUMMARY An approach to building models for paired comparisons experiments based on com- parisons of gamma random variables is considered. The probability that one object is preferred to a second object is taken to be the probability that one gamma random variable with shape parameter r is less than a second independent gamma random variable with the same shape parameter but a different scale parameter. This is motivated by considering a point scoring competition as the basis for each paired comparison. Different values of r provide different paired comparisons models including the Bradley-Terry model, having r equal to one, and the Thurstone-Mosteller model, achieved as r tends to infinity. Applications of the models to data sets are discussed. The most common analysis of paired comparisons experiments associates a parameter with each object in the experiment such that the probability that one object is preferred to a second object is a function of the difference between the associated parameters. This linear model approach is described in detail by David (1988). Some nonparametric techniques are discussed by Kendall & Babington-Smith (1939), Remage & Thompson (1966) and Gokhale, Beaver and Sirotnick (1983). A bibliography of the paired com- parisons literature is given by Davidson & Farquhar (1976). The present paper considers a subset of the linear models which are obtained from a physical model of the comparison procedure. We suppose that the outcome of a paired comparison is determined by comparing the waiting time for r events to occur in each of the two processes being compared. Gamma random variables are used to describe these waiting times. The resulting models include the Bradley-Terry (Bradley & Terry, 1952) and Thurstone-Mosteller (Thurstone, 1927; Mosteller 1951) linear models. The following section provides a motivation for models based on gamma random variables. An independent increments gamma process extends the range of applicable models by permitting noninteger as well as integer values of r. The models which are developed for particular values of r are described in ? 3. Relationships with currently used methodologies are described wherever possible. Section 4 describes inference under the gamma model including estimation procedures and goodness-of-fit measures. The gamma approach is applied to several paired comparisons data sets in ? 5.
THE INTERMEDIATE STATE IN FISSION AND SHAPE ISOMERS

The purpose of the present paper is to survey different versions for the calculation of 1) isomer ratios for shape (fission isomers), 2) the ratio between the cross section for isomeric (fission) and prompt fission and the ratio between the cross section for neutron evaporation to prompt fission. The models discussed for the evaluation of the above observable quantities are based on the statistical compound nucleus model. Although the models have much in common they differ in detail. Certain models are time dependent but no explicitly energy dependent. Others are energy dependent but time dependent. An energy dependent model is discussed in detail. In this model the neutron evaporation is discussed in a rigorous way. Also in the latter calculation there are no adjustable parameters. All parameters are obtained from other sources. The predictions of the theory are compared with experiments. Very good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained.
Toxicity of chronic benzene inhalation: CD-1 mice exposed to 300 ppm

Male, six-week old mice were exposed to benzene in an inhalation chamber for 6 hr/day, 5 days/wk. Red cell, white cell and white cell differential counts were performed. Tissues routinely sectioned at autopsy included lung, liver, spleen, bone marrow and kidney, as well as abnormally appearing organs. Hemototoxic responses observed include immediate depression of peripheral lymphocytes and red blood cells, and an increase in circulating granulocytes. Exposed animals dying with bone hypoplasia survived about 75 fewer days than mice dying with bone hyperplasia. The appearance of hemosiderin pigments in the spleens is evidence for benzene-induced hemolysis. (JMT)
Localized Corrosion Susceptibility of Alloy 22 in Chloride Solutions: Part 1—Mill-Annealed Condition

Abstract Alloy 22 (UNS N06022) is a Ni-Cr-Mo-W alloy developed for corrosion resistance in a variety of aggressive environments. Because of its excellent corrosion resistance, Alloy 22 was selected as a candidate container material for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste at the proposed repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The localized corrosion susceptibility of mill-annealed Alloy 22 was assessed in chloride-containing solutions at temperatures ranging from 60°C to 150°C by comparing the crevice corrosion repassivation potentials with corrosion potentials measured in separate tests. Crevice corrosion repassivation potentials were found to be strongly dependent on temperature, chloride concentration, and nitrate-to-chloride molar concentration ratio. Corrosion potentials were dependent on solution pH but independent of chloride concentration.
NO-dependent protein nitration: a cell signaling event or an oxidative inflammatory response?

Tyrosine nitration is becoming increasingly recognized as a prevalent, functionally significant post-translational protein modification that serves as an indicator of nitric oxide (z.rad;NO)-mediated oxidative inflammatory reactions. Nitration of proteins modulates catalytic activity, cell signaling and cytoskeletal organization. Several reactions mediate protein nitration, and all predominantly depend on z.rad;NO- and nitrite-dependent formation of nitrogen dioxide, a species capable of nitrating aromatic amino acids, nucleotides and unsaturated fatty acids. Here, we review the mechanisms that mediate in vivo protein nitration and how nitration of specific tyrosine residues impacts on protein function.
Uptake of Dietary Retinoids at the Maternal-Fetal Barrier IN VIVO EVIDENCE FOR THE ROLE OF LIPOPROTEIN LIPASE AND ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS

Dietary retinoids (vitamin A and its derivatives) contribute to normal embryonic development. However, the mechanism(s) involved in the transfer of recently ingested vitamin A from mother to embryo is not fully understood. We investigated in vivo whether lipoprotein lipase (LPL) facilitates the placental uptake of dietary retinyl ester incorporated in chylomicrons and their remnants and its transfer to the embryo. We examined the effects of both genetic ablation (MCK-L0 mice) and pharmacological inhibition (P-407) of LPL by maintaining wild type and MCK-L0 mice on diets with different vitamin A content or administering them an oral gavage dose of [(3)H]retinol with or without P-407 treatment. We showed that LPL expressed in placenta facilitates uptake of retinoids by this organ and their transfer to the embryo, mainly through its catalytic activity. In addition, through its "bridging function," LPL can mediate the acquisition of nascent chylomicrons by the placenta, although less efficiently. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis showed that placental LPL acts in concert with LDL receptor and LRP1. Finally, by knocking out the retinol-binding protein (RBP) gene in the MCK-L0 background (MCK-L0-RBP(-/-) mice) we demonstrated that the placenta acquires dietary retinoids also via the maternal circulating RBP-retinol complex. RBP expressed in the placenta facilitate the transfer of postprandial retinoids across the placental layers toward the embryo.
Complex treatment of a maxillary lateral incisor with dens invaginatus and associated aberrant morphology.

A case is reported involving nonsurgical and surgical treatment of a maxillary lateral incisor with a dens invaginatus and associated nonvital blunderbuss canal and a vital, normal-shaped canal. An attempt at apexification of the nonvital canal failed, resulting in the combined treatment modalities. A 1-year follow-up x-ray showed nearly complete periradicular osseous repair.
Feasibility of lead cooled breed and burn reactors

Abstract The objective of the present work is to assess the feasibility and achievable performance of a large Breed-and-Burn (BB less than 10% higher than for Na-cooled core. The maximum possible accumulated burnup in the LBE-cooled B&B core is ∼45% FIMA – smaller than the 55% FIMA possible to achieve in the reference sodium cooled core. For the same core volume HLM-cooled cores require 26% smaller mass of fissile material to establish initial criticality.
A spherical Wiener-Plancherel formula

A spherical analogue of Wiener's s-function and spherical difference operators are defined for d-dimensional Euclidean space. In this context a spherical Wiener-Plancherel formula is proved.
Regional distribution of somatostatin-like immunoreactivity in the human brain

Summary The regional distribution and chromatographic characteristics of somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SLI) were studied in autopsy specimens of 8 human brains. SLI concentrations in 8 different regions of these brains ranged from (mean±S.E.) 756.3 ± 363.4 pmol/g tissue in anterior hypothalamus to 1.6 ± 0.6 pmol/g in cerebellum. Chromatography of the extracts of human brain cortex, anterior hypothalamus, thalamus and amygdala on Sephadex G-50 disclosed one major peak which corresponded to the elution peak of synthetic somatostatin. Since the human brains were obtained at autopsy 11–36 h after death, the effects of temperature and time lapse between death and tissue extraction on SLI concentration and chromatographic pattern in rat brain were examined. After storage at 4°C or 23°C for 2 h and 8 h, a significant increase in SLI concentration was noted, although by 24 h the increase was no longer observed. A gradual loss in the earlier eluting forms of SLI on gel chromatography was observed with storage at 4°C or 23°C.
Regions of the brain influencing the projection of developing optic tracts in the salamander

Eye primordia from the Mexican axolotl or the California newt were transplanted into hosts of either species. These "third" eyes often developed an optic nerve that penetrated the host brain and made one of three central projections: bilateral to the dorsal thalami, tecta, and basal optic nuclei; ipsilateral to the same areas; or ipsilateral into the cord. The type of projection made by a transplanted eye seemed to depend on where its nerve first entered the brain. The optic fibers that reached the visual centers of the midbrain were organized retinotopically in the optic tectum and mediated visually-guided behavior.
Auditory fear conditioning increases CS-elicited spike firing in lateral amygdala neurons even after extensive overtraining

We examined the influence of extensive overtraining (75 trials) of auditory fear conditioning on the expression of conditional stimulus (CS)-elicited spike firing in lateral amygdala (LA) neurons. Single units were recorded from chronic multichannel electrodes implanted in the LA of conscious and freely moving rats. In sequential training sessions, the rats received either five or 70 fear conditioning trials, which consisted of a white-noise CS and a coterminating footshock unconditional stimulus (US). Unpaired (sensitization) controls received the same number of trials, but the CS and US were explicitly unpaired. Paired CS-US presentations yielded robust increases in CS-elicited spike firing in LA neurons after both five and 70 conditioning trials, and the magnitude of the spike firing increases was correlated with the expression of conditional freezing to the CS. After 75 training trials, maximal conditioning-related increases in LA firing were exhibited within 20 ms of CS onset, indicating that this increase is mediated by direct thalamo-amygdala projections. There was no significant increase in CS-elicited spike firing or freezing behaviour in the unpaired group. These results complement amygdala lesion studies [e.g. Maren, S. (1999a) J. Neurosci., 19, 8696-8703] and support the view that the basolateral complex of the amygdala is involved in the encoding and storage of fear memories even after extensive overtraining.
Anders Breivik and the Death of Free Speech in Norway

On July 22, 2011, Anders Breivik detonated a bomb in Oslo and massacred dozens of teenagers at a Labour Party Youth camp on the island of Utoya. Nearly all the media coverage of Breivik focused on the conservative political views outlined in his Manifesto. The week of the massacre, The New York Times ran a series of editorials which identified Breivik as a part of the counterjihad movement represented by Pete King, Bruce Bawer, Geert Wilders, Newt Gingrich, and Robert Spencer. In Norway, the Norwegian media was quick to blame Siv Jensen of the conservative Progress Party for creating the “climate of hate” which produced Breivik. In the wake of the murders, prominent Norwegian intellectuals began calling for a rejection of American “free speech absolutism” in favor of vigorously enforcing an “anti-racism” clause in Norway’s penal code which criminalizes threatening or insulting speech, or speech that incites contempt for anyone because of his or her skin color, religion, or sexual orientation. However, this would contribute little to public safety in Norway; instead it would stifle the kind of vigorous debate about social issues that one would expect to find in an open society. It would also demoralize moderate Muslims who are working to promote free speech and democratic pluralism in Muslim-majority countries.
Characterization of the chicken serotonin N-acetyltransferase gene. Activation via clock gene heterodimer/E box interaction.

The abundance of serotoninN-acetyltransferase (arylalkylamineN-acetyltransferase, AANAT) mRNA in the chicken pineal gland exhibits a circadian rhythm, which is translated into a circadian rhythm in melatonin production. Here we have started to elucidate the molecular basis of the circadian rhythm in chicken AANAT (cAANAT). The 5′-flanking region of the cAANAT gene was isolated and found to contain an E box DNA element that confers strong luciferase reporter activity. In transfection experiments using chicken pineal cells, an E box mutation dramatically decreased reporter activity. Northern blot analysis indicated that several putative clock genes (bmal1, Clock, and MOP4) are co-expressed in the chicken pineal gland. bmal1 mRNA is expressed in a rhythmic manner in the chicken pineal gland, with peak levels at early subjective night, coincident with the increase in cAANAT expression. Co-transfection experiments in COS cells demonstrated that chicken BMAL1/CLOCK and human BMAL1/MOP4 heterodimers bound the AANAT E box element and enhanced transcription. These observations suggest that binding of clock gene heterodimers to the cAANAT E box is a critical element in the expression of the cAANAT genein vitro.
Caryospora uptoni and Frenkelia sp.-like Coccidiallnfections in Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo borealis)

The feces from 16 red-tailed hawks (Buteo borealis) were examined by fecal flotation for the presence of coccidial oocysts or sporocysts. Oocysts of Caryospora uptoni were found in five (31%), sporocysts of a Frenkelia sp.-like coccidium were found in eight (50%), and mixed infections with both species of coccidia were found in three (19%) red-tailed hawks. Neither oocysts nor sporocysts were found in six (38%) red-tailed hawks. Sexual stages of C. uptoni were found in the duodenum and jejunum of a naturally infected red-tailed hawk. Sexual stages were located in enterocytes on the distal three-fourths of the villi. This study shows that over 60% of red-tailed hawks may be passing coccidial oocysts/sporocysts in their feces and provides morphological information for diagnosing C. uptoni infections in histological sections.
Innovative strategy for severe left ventricular failure without use of a left ventricular assist device.

From Division of Cardiac Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md; and the Foundation for the Advancement of Cardiothoracic Surgical Care, McLean, Va. Disclosures: Author has nothing to disclose with regard to commercial support. Received for publication Oct 28, 2014; accepted for publication Oct 29, 2014 Address for reprints: Nevin M. Katz, MD, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1800 Orleans St, Suite 7107, Baltimore, MD 21287-4618 (E-mail: nevinkatz@aol.com). J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2015;149:606 0022-5223/$36.00 Copyright 2015 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2014.10.121
Criteria for SLI: The Stark and Tallal Legacy and Beyond

Since it first appeared, the Stark and Tallal (1981 ) criteria for the selection of children with specific language impairment (SLI) has had a profound influence on research with this population. A review of the recent literature indicates that these criteria continue to be used, in part or in whole, in current research. However, the recent literature also provides illustrations of the use and interpretations of norm-referenced tests that can serve to update current best practices in subject selection. The original criteria for IQ and language test scores, along with their more recent adaptations, are reconsidered in light of current information on the use of tests with SLI.
Fixed-time kinetic enthalpimetry: improved sensitivity for enthalpimetric enzyme activity determinations in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems

Abstract A fixed-time (integral) method is described for the enthalpimetric determination of enzyme activity. The method involves the determination of residual unreacted substrate after a fixed incubation time with the sample. Results are presented for the determination of cholinesterase in aqueous solution and in 0.1cm 3 samples of reference sera using 30-min incubation periods. Results are correlated with a spectrophotometric procedure. A precision of 1.8% relative standard deviation is reported for serum assays. Preliminary data are also presented for the enthalpimetric determination of cholinesterase activity after immobilization onto non-porous glass beads by carbodiimide and glutaraldehyde coupling procedures.
Naturalistic Findings for Assisted Snowplow Operation

Performance data on the benefit of a driver assistance system for snowplows was collected during normal snow removal operations. Collection occurred during a series of ride-alongs by research staff over two winters. The test area was a major interstate freeway over a western mountain pass that historically has had numerous low visibility conditions and heavy snowfall. Variables examined were lateral displacement from the lane center, speed, steering wheel angle standard deviation, and nearest forward target when following. The driver assistance system appeared to be quantifiably similar to unaided driving in good weather conditions. The findings suggest that the system was particularly beneficial during low visibility and obscured road marking conditions - the scenarios for which the system was designed.
Mapping the AAV Capsid Host Antibody Response toward the Development of Second Generation Gene Delivery Vectors.

The recombinant Adeno-associated virus (rAAV) gene delivery system is entering a crucial and exciting phase with the promise of more than 20 years of intense research now realized in a number of successful human clinical trials. However, as a natural host to AAV infection, anti-AAV antibodies are prevalent in the human population. For example, ~70% of human sera samples are positive for AAV serotype 2 (AAV2). Furthermore, low levels of pre-existing neutralizing antibodies in the circulation are detrimental to the efficacy of corrective therapeutic AAV gene delivery. A key component to overcoming this obstacle is the identification of regions of the AAV capsid that participate in interactions with host immunity, especially neutralizing antibodies, to be modified for neutralization escape. Three main approaches have been utilized to map antigenic epitopes on AAV capsids. The first is directed evolution in which AAV variants are selected in the presence of monoclonal antibodies or pooled human sera. This results in AAV variants with mutations on important neutralizing epitopes. The second is epitope searching, achieved by peptide scanning, peptide insertion or site-directed mutagenesis. The third, a structure biology-based approach, utilizes cryo-electron microscopy and image reconstruction of AAV capsids complexed to fragment antibodies, which are generated from monoclonal antibodies, to directly visualize the epitopes. In this review, the contribution of these three approaches to the current knowledge of AAV epitopes and success in their use to create second generation vectors will be discussed.
Identification and characterization of diffusion barriers for Cu/SiC systems

The promise of CuSiC metal matrix composites (MMCs) as a thermal management material is to provide increased power density and high reliability for advanced electronic systems. CuSiC will offer high thermal conductivity between 250 and 325 W/mK with corresponding adjustable thermal expansion coefficient between 8.0 and 12.5 ppm/∘C. The major challenge in development of these materials is control of the interface interactions. Cu and SiC react at high temperatures between 850 and 1150∘C, needed for fabrication of the CuSiC material, with an expected decrease in thermal conductivity of the CuSiC MMCs as the Si product of reaction dissolves into the Cu. The application of barrier coatings onto SiC was observed to control chemical reaction of Cu and SiC. In the current study, the effectiveness of four barriers to prevent Cu diffusion and reaction with SiC were evaluated between 850 to 1150∘C. Immersion experiments were conducted at 1150∘C to understand the reaction between copper and silicon carbide. Reaction products were identified with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron diffraction. Laser flash thermal diffusivity measurements confirmed thermal conductivity to decrease with increasing silicon content of the copper as determined by induction coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) and glow discharge mass spectrometry (GDMS).
A Perturbation Solution of Helicopter Rotor Flapping Stability

A SOLUTION for the flapping stability of a helicopter blade, including the influence of a periodic coefficients due to the rotor forward velocity, is obtained using the techniques of perturbation theory. Contents The dynamics of a helicopter rotor in forward flight are described by a set of linear, ordinary differential equations with periodic coefficients. Sophisticated and wellknown techniques are available for the analysis of constant coefficient equations, including stability determination and control system design. Even the determination of the stability of periodic coefficient equations requires, however, considerable numerical calculation (specifically, for one frequently used technique, numerical integration of the equations of motion is required), and other topics are considerably more difficult than the corresponding constant coefficient system analysis. An alternate mathematical approach to periodic coefficient equations is the use of small perturbation techniques. The base paper considers the application of these techniques to the calculation of the flapping stability of a single blade of a helicopter rotor. The dynamics of the flapping motion of a single blade of a helicopter rotor are governed by the following equation.
Sites of control of hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis

An inhibition in the conversion of mevalonate to cholesterol has been demonstrated in liver of cholesterol-fed rats by both in vitro and in vivo methods. Synthesis decreased to 30% of the control value after 1 week and 20% after 1 month on a 1% cholesterol diet. After a year, synthesis from mevalonate was almost completely inhibited. The rate of conversion of squalene to cholesterol was not con- sistently decreased but that of farnesyl pyrophosphate to choles- terol was decreased considerably. The rate of conversion of mevalonate to famesyl pyrophosphate by a soluble liver enzyme preparation was also decreased in cholesterol-fed animals. Sites of inhibition of cholesterol synthesis were detected before mevalonate, between mevalonate and farnesyl pyrophosphate, and after famesyl pyrophosphate, probably at the conversion of farnesyl pyrophosphate to squalene. The inhibition of mevalonate conversion to cholesterol developed more slowly than that of acetate <nd appeared to be secondary to it. The maximum capacities of normal liver homogenates and slices to synthesize cholesterol from mevalonate were shown to be far greater than from acetate. Consequently, sites of inhibition after mevalonate probably do not have a significant effect on the over-all rate of cholesterol synthesis in the intact cholesterol- fed animal.
Learnability in Optimality Theory

In this article we show how Optimality Theory yields a highly general Constraint Demotion principle for grammar learning. The resulting learning procedure specifically exploits the grammatical structure of Optimality Theory, independent of the content of substantive constraints defining any given grammatical module. We decompose the learning problem and present formal results for a central subproblem, deducing the constraint ranking particular to a target language, given structural descriptions of positive examples. The structure imposed on the space of possible grammars by Optimality Theory allows efficient convergence to a correct grammar. We discuss implications for learning from overt data only, as well as other learning issues. We argue that Optimality Theory promotes confluence of the demands of more effective learnability and deeper linguistic explanation.
Serenomyces associated with palms in southeastern USA: isolation, culture storage and genetic variation

Serenomyces is a genus belonging to the family Phaeochoraceae, which is known to occur only in association with the plant family Arecaceae (palms). It is presumed to be one of the causes of a leaf disease referred to as either rachis blight or petiole blight, depending on the palm species affected. The fungus is not readily observed, with few reports in the literature; it cannot be readily isolated from tissue, with only one known instance of it being cultured on artificial media and has no DNA sequences deposited in GenBank. Over an 8 y period, leaves symptomatic for rachis or petiole blight were obtained from Florida and South Carolina, USA. The fungus was induced to produce ascospores, and single-spore isolates were obtained in culture and, in some instances, induced to produce ascospores in culture. Based on ascospores size and ITS sequencing, Serenomyces from Phoenix canariensis and P. dactylifera form one group, Serenomyces from Thrinax radiata form a second group and Serenomyces from Sabal palmetto...
Testing the limitations of 2-D companding for strain imaging using phantoms

Companding may be used as a technique for generating low-noise strain images. It involves warping radio-frequency echo fields in two dimensions and at several spatial scales to minimize decorrelation errors in correlation-based displacement estimates. For the appropriate experimental conditions, companding increases the sensitivity and dynamic range of strain images without degrading contrast or spatial resolution significantly. In this paper, we examine the conditions that limit the effectiveness of 2-D local companding through a series of experiments using phantoms with tissue-like acoustic and elasticity properties. We found that strain noise remained relatively unchanged as the applied compression increased to 5% of the phantom height, while target contrast increased in proportion to the compression. Controlling the image noise at high compressions improves target visibility over the broad range induced in elastically heterogeneous media, such as biological tissues. Compressions greater than 5% introduce large strains and complex motions that reduce the effectiveness of companding. Control of boundary conditions and ultrasonic data sampling rates is critical for a successful implementation of our algorithms.
Designing Spice-predictable, D.C. coupled, multistage, bipolar-junction-transistor amplifiers

The proposed method for designing D.C. coupled, multistage amplifiers whose performance matches the design criteria (as measured by Spice simulation), uses a reduced version of the Gummel-Poon model of the transistor that is used by Spice.
Relationship between the clinical likelihood of group a streptococcal pharyngitis and the sensitivity of a rapid antigen-detection test in a pediatric practice.

Objective. The sensitivity of a rapid antigen-detection test (RADT) for group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis is critical to whether the test is cost-effective and to whether a confirmatory throat culture is needed. We evaluated a second-generation RADT to determine if its sensitivity varies across the broad clinical spectrum of patients tested for GAS in pediatric outpatient practice. Methods. We used laboratory logbooks from a single pediatric clinic to identify 1184 consecutive patient visits at which an RADT was performed. In a blinded chart review, we calculated McIsaac scores to separately estimate the pretest clinical likelihood of GAS pharyngitis for visits at which the RADT result was positive (n = 384) and for visits at which the result proved to be false-negative (n = 65). Positive RADT results were assumed to be true positives, and test sensitivity was estimated by dividing the number of positive results by the sum of positives and false-negatives. Results. As the clinical likelihood of GAS increased, there were stepwise increases in RADT sensitivity (from 0.67 to 0.88). Sensitivity was low (0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62–0.86) in patients clinically unlikely to have GAS (McIsaac score ≤2) and high (0.94; 95% CI: 0.89–0.99) in patients Conclusions. For pediatric patients who are clinically unlikely to have GAS pharyngitis, as indicated by a McIsaac score ≤2, the sensitivity of a second-generation RADT may drop below thresholds reported for cost-effectiveness. For children who have tonsillar exudate and no cough, the test may be sensitive enough to meet current pediatric practice guidelines for stand-alone testing.
Automatic identification of different types of welding defects in radiographic images

Radiographic testing is a well-established non-destructive testing method to detect subsurface welding defects. In this paper, an automatic computer-aided identification system was implemented to recognize different types of welding defects in radiographic images. Image-processing techniques such as background subtraction and histogram thresholding were implemented to separate defects from the background. Twelve numeric features were extracted to represent each defect instance. The extracted feature values are subsequently used to classify welding flaws into different types by using two well-known classifiers: fuzzy k-nearest neighbor and multi-layer perceptron neural networks classifiers. Their performances are tested and compared using the bootstrap method.
Tangible interfaces for real-time 3D virtual environments

Emergent game formats, such as machinima, that use game worlds as expressive 3D performance spaces have new expressive powers with an increase of the quality of their underlying graphic and animation systems. Nevertheless, they still lack intuitive control mechanisms. Set direction and acting are limited by tools that were designed to create and play video games rather than produce expressive performance pieces. These tools do a poor job of capturing the performative expression that characterizes more mature media such as film. Tangible interfaces can help open up the game systems for more intuitive character control needed for a greater level of expression in the digital real-time world.The TUI3D project (Tangible User Interfaces for Real-Time 3D) addresses production and performative challenges involved in creating machinima through the development of tangible interfaces for controlling 3D virtual actors and environments in real-time. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of a tangible puppet prototype for virtual character control in the Unreal game engine and discuss initial user feedback.
Attachment and Commitment in Dyadic Friendships: Mediating Roles of Satisfaction, Quality of Alternatives, and Investment Size

This study integrated the investment model and attachment theory to examine: (1) whether the link between friendship attachment and commitment would be mediated by relationship features of satisfaction, quality of alternatives, and investment size; and (2) whether these mediation processes would function at the intrapersonal (actor) and interpersonal (partner) levels. The sample included 120 pairs of same-sex friends (78 pairs of women). Data were analysed with the Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM). Mediated actor effects suggest that individuals high in attachment avoidance are less satisfied with and invest less in their current friendship; these in turn, lead them to show less commitment. Furthermore, individuals high in attachment anxiety invest more in their current friendship, which in turn leads to higher commitment. Mediated partner effects suggest that individuals high in attachment avoidance have a friend who feels less satisfied with, invests less, and shows low commitment in their current friendship. The current study demonstrated that a dyadic design is useful in illustrating the dynamics of commitment between close friends.
Child Welfare Worker Caseload: What's Just Right?.

This study was designed to establish a caseload standard for child welfare workers. Understanding reasonable workload expectations for child welfare workers is a cornerstone of quality service provision and the recruitment and retention of qualified workers. Because of the analytic complexity of this question, qualitative and quantitative methods were used.The mixed methods included focus group sessions involving 60 Children, Youth and Families (CYF) workers, analysis of more than 16,000 CYF cases maintained by the CYF information management system, and job shadowing of 34 randomly selected CYF workers for an aggregate of 5,600 work hours. The study was conducted on the CYF located in Pittsburgh. Results indicated that, on average, some CYF workers had been assigned twice as many cases as the 16 to 17 per month suggested as reasonable by the present findings.
Interrelation of energy intake, body size, and physical activity with prostate cancer in a large prospective cohort study.

Energy restriction reduces prostate tumor growth in transplantable tumor models in rodents, which suggests that excessive energy intake may contribute to the risk of prostate cancer. The association of total energy intake across the normal range with prostate cancer has not been consistent in epidemiological studies. We prospectively evaluated the joint associations of energy intake and body size or physical activity with prostate cancer. Participants were 46786 male health professionals ages 40-75 years at baseline in 1986 who were free of cancer diagnosis. Between 1986 and 2000, we documented 2896 incident prostate cancer cases (excluding stage T1a) by review of medical records and histopathology reports. Of these, 339 were metastatic or fatal cases. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate the multivariate relative risk (RR) of prostate cancer associated with energy intake measured using a food frequency questionnaire, overall and stratified by body mass index, waist size, physical activity, as well as by age and family history of prostate cancer. There was no association between energy intake and total prostate cancer incidence. However, a modest increased risk of metastatic or fatal disease with energy intake was suggested [RR comparing extreme quintiles: 1.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96-1.98, P(trend) = 0.06]. This association was most pronounced in men with a lower body mass index (in stratum or= median: RR = 1.74, 95% CI 0.93-3.26; P(interaction) = 0.09]. Also, the association of energy intake with metastatic and fatal prostate cancer was restricted to men who were younger [in stratum <or= 65 years old: RR = 2.60, 95% CI 1.26-5.39; P(interaction) = 0.04] or who had a positive family history [RR = 3.33, 95% CI 1.26-8.76; P(interaction) = 0.04]. Although energy intake is known to be imperfectly measured by questionnaire, we observed a positive association between energy intake and metastatic or fatal prostate cancer among men who were leaner, more physically active, younger, and who had a family history of prostate cancer. Our observations suggest the testable hypothesis that the elevated risk of clinically important prostate cancer in men with a high energy intake may be attributable to certain metabolic profiles that favor enhanced growth factor production over an increase in adiposity.
Patient perspectives on physician conflict of interest in industry-sponsored clinical trials for multiple sclerosis therapeutics.

Background:Pharmaceutical industry financial support of physicians, physician practices, and academic departments involved in multicenter industry-sponsored clinical trials of novel therapeutic agents is a relatively new and infrequently acknowledged source of potential physician conflict of interest. Detailed disclosure of these relationships to study participants is not uniformly a part of informed consent and documentation practices.Objective:To understand attitudes of patients with multiple sclerosis concerning disclosure of potential physician–industry conflicts of interest created by clinical trials and how such disclosures may influence study participationMethods:An anonymous online instrument was developed.Results:597 people with multiple sclerosis participated in the study. The study found that detailed disclosure of conflicts of interest is important to potential participants in industry-sponsored clinical trials for multiple sclerosis therapies and that the presence of these conflicts of intere...
3.21 Stoichiometric Auxiliary Ligands for Metals and Main Group Elements: Ligands for Magnesium and Calcium

This chapter highlights the use of magnesium and calcium salts in a variety of diastereo- and enantioselective transformations. The ready availability of magnesium and calcium salts along with their low toxicity makes them ideal catalysts for stereoselective reactions. The Lewis acidity of the metal salt can be tuned by the counterion. The magnesium (II) complexes show broad utility as Lewis acid catalysts and have been successfully applied in cycloadditions, radical reactions, aldol reactions, Mannich-type reactions, and conjugate additions. In contrast, the number of successful examples using chiral calcium complexes is rather sparse. The future looks promising for exploiting the useful characteristics of magnesium and calcium reagents for the development of new and novel stereoselective transformations.