cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of Cottonseed Meal on Vanadium Toxicity and 48Vanadium Distribution in Body Tissues of Laying Hens

Abstract Hens of two commercial White Leghorn strains were fed diets representing a complete factorial arrangement of 0, 3, or 6 ppm vanadium (V) from dicalcium phosphate and 0 or 5% cottonseed meal (CSM). Test diets were fed for 4 consecutive weeks beginning when hens were 25, 40, 62, or 76 weeks old. After each 4-week treatment period, all hens were fed a diet containing no added V or CSM. Albumen quality (Haugh units) was determined on eggs produced on Days 6 and 7 of each week of feeding the test diets. Three ppm V caused a slight decrease in Haugh units, while 6 ppm V reduced Haugh unit score (HU) by 6 to 15 units when fed to hens 29, 44, or 80 weeks old. The relative influence of V on HU of eggs from 66-week-old hens was less pronounced. The inclusion of 5% CSM in the diet counteracted most of the adverse effects of V on egg quality, irrespective of strain of hens. Egg production and egg weight were not affected by V or CSM. In a second experiment, hens fed diets containing no V + no CSM, 6 ppm V + no CSM, no V + 5% CSM, or 6 pp m V + 5% CSM were given 110 μCi of 48 V by oral capsule. Greatest concentrations of 48 V were found in bone, kidney, liver, and magnum. Little 48 V was detected in whites, and none was found in yolks of eggs produced 2 days after 48 V dose. Five percent CSM significantly (P
Progress in MBE grown type-II superlattice photodiodes

We report on the status of GaSb/InAs type-II superlattice diodes grown and fabricated at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory designed for infrared absorption in the 8-12μm range. Recent devices have produced detectivities as high as 8x1010 Jones with a differential resistance-area product greater than 6 Ohmcm2 at 80K with a long wavelength cutoff of approximately 12μm. The measured quantum efficiency of these front-side illuminated devices is close to 30% in the 10-11μm range without antireflection coatings.© (2006) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Laryngo-upper esophageal sphincter contractile reflex in humans deteriorates with age

Abstract Background & Aims: Recent studies have shown the existence of several reflex connections between the aerodigestive and upper gastrointestinal tracts. Our aim was to study the effect of laryngeal stimulation on upper esophageal sphincter (UES) pressure and to determine the reproducibility of this effect. Methods: We studied 14 young and 10 elderly healthy nonsmoker volunteers and 7 patients with UES dysphagia using a concurrent manometric and video endoscopic technique. Three levels of laryngeal air stimulation were studied: 6 mm Hg/50 ms, 10 mm Hg/50 ms, and 6 mm Hg/2 s. Ten young subjects were studied twice. Results: For 6-mm Hg/2-s and 6-mm Hg/50-ms duration stimuli, the frequency of UES response to air stimulation as evidenced by mucosal deflection (response/deflection ratio) in the elderly volunteers was significantly lower compared with that of young subjects ( P P P
Alternative Projections of the U.S. Population

The U. S. Bureau of the Census recently released a set of population projections that include middle and high projections that we argue are too conservative. The projections discount the possibility of future baby booms and assume slow rates of mortality decline and low levels of immigration. In this article we explore the impact on the size and age composition of the U. S. population of alternative scenarios of plausible fertility, mortality, and immigration assumptions. We conclude that (I) the Census Bureau’s highest projection might be interpreted as a reasonable middle projection, (2) a reasonable high projection would yield a U.S. population in 2080 some 300 million persons larger than the Bureau’s highest projection, with the population 85 and older more than twice the Bureau’s greatest estimate, and (3) uncertainty about the pace of population growth is substantially greater than the Bureau’s projections suggest.
Why and how should we study infant cry

The study of the acoustics of infants' vocalizations has important implications for the study of infant development and for clinical prediction. We suggest procedures that enhance the probability of discriminating among sub-glottal, periglottal, and supraglottal sites of pathology, With these procedures, then, it should become possible to contribute to diagnosis and therefore to treatment.
Dissociation of immune responses to the SS-A (Ro) 52-kd and 60-kd polypeptides in systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome.

The cellular RNA particle SS-A (Ro) is a target of autoimmune response in many patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Recent immunologic, biochemical, and DNA cloning studies have shown that the SS-A particle consists of at least 2 polypeptide components, of 52 kd and 60 kd. Immunodiffusion analysis of 60 sera from patients with primary SS revealed 47 (78%) to be SS-A precipitin positive. Western blotting studies of the sera showed 3 groups of reactivities: 22 (47%) possessed autoantibodies against both the 60-kd and the 52-kd polypeptides, 19 (40%) reacted only with the 52-kd protein, and 6 (13%) were nonreactive in Western blots although positive in immunodiffusion. Fifty-one of 90 SLE sera (57%) were SS-A precipitin positive by immunodiffusion. In Western blots, 24 (47%) possessed antibodies against both the 60-kd and the 52-kd antigens, while 9 (18%) reacted only with the 60-kd protein. Eighteen (35%) were nonreactive by Western blot, although positive by immunodiffusion. Antibody to the 52-kd antigen without concomitant antibody to the 60-kd antigen was seen only in patients with primary SS, whereas antibody to the 60-kd antigen without concomitant antibody to the 52-kd antigen was seen only in SLE patients. Although antibodies to SS-A are detected in both SS and SLE, our findings show that there is dissociation of immune responses to the 2 component antigens of the particle, which may be evidence of different events initiating the autoimmune process in these diseases.
The infrared spectra of nonplanar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with five- or seven-membered rings

Abstract The infrared (IR) spectra are computed for compact polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with one five- or one seven-membered central ring, which have a bowl and saddle shape, respectively. In spite of the large geometric distortion compared with the planar PAHs with only six-membered rings, the IR spectra are surprisingly similar. Species with more than one five-membered ring show larger difference compared with typical PAHs. The C–C modes in the “ball” shaped C60 and C70 are shifted somewhat from those in typical PAHs. The ions of C60 and C70 show the typical enhancement of these modes compared with neutrals. Cases where the B3LYP method fail are discussed as is the choice of functional.
Constrictive pericarditis after cardiac surgery

Forty-five patients were identified as having constrictive pericarditis after cardiac surgery. The mean patient age was 61 years (range, 40 to 77 years). Twenty-three of 37 patients with adequate clinical information were reported to have had a diagnosis of postpericardiotomy syndrome after the original surgery. The mean interval from original surgery to presentation with constriction was 23.4 months (range, 1 to 204 months). Computerized tomography was helpful in establishing a diagnosis of constriction in 23 of 29 patients (79%). Bypass graft patency was 93% (85 of 91 grafts). Severe pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary artery systolic pressure greater than or equal to 60 mm Hg) was present in nine patients; 8 had coexistent valvular disease (seven cases of mitral valve disease, and aortic valve disease in one). Thirty-seven of the 45 patients underwent pericardial stripping, 28 of whom experienced marked symptomatic improvement. One patient had persistent right heart failure, which was not documented to be secondary to constriction. Four patients had persistent constrictive physiologic conditions. Three of these patients had more extensive pericardial stripping and showed clinical improvement. Four patients (11%) died within 30 days of stripping. Eight patients received medical therapy alone. The decision to treat patients medically was based either on favorable response to medical therapy (five patients), or poor general clinical status.
Recent developments in electronic radiography at Los Alamos

An overview of the radiographic capabilities with emphasis on electronic image detection and processing at the Los Alamos National Laboratory is presented. Fixed facilities and portable x-ray sources and imaging systems make up the Los Alamos capability. Examples of imaging with large area amorphous silicon imaging panels, a portable computed tomography system, high speed x-ray imaging applications and equipment, and small area, high resolution imagers are given. Radiographic simulation and reverse engineering from radiographic images to computer aided design files and solid models is also presented.
Symbolic computation of divided differences

Divided differences are enormously useful in developing stable and accurate numerical formulas. For example, programs to compute f(x)-f(y) as might occur in integration, can be notoriously inaccurate. Such problems can be cured by approaching these computations through divided difference formulations. This paper provides a guide to divided difference theory and practice, with a special eye toward the needs of computer algebra systems that should be programmed to deal with these often-messy formulas.
Reliability and validity of a chronic care facility adaptation of the Clinical Dementia Rating scale.

Objective This study investigated the reliability and validity of a chronic care facility adaptation of the Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR-CC). Method Sixty-two residents in a chronic care facility participated in an inter-rater and 1 month test–retest reliability study. The instrument was validated against the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results Inter-rater and 1 month test–retest reliability for the global CDR-CC score were excellent (intraclass correlation coefficients 0.99 and 0.92, respectively). The CDR-CC domain and global scores were negatively correlated with the MMSE. Conclusions The CDR-CC is a global assessment tool that reliably and validly measures cognitive and functional impairment in a chronic care setting. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Picosecond studies of saturation of electron trapping on P4 + states in a-Si: H:P

Abstract Using the optical pump and probe technique, we have studied trapping of electrons at P 4 + states in the first few picoseconds after photogeneration in a-Si:H:P (PH 3 /SiH 4 = 2%). Saturation of these states was achieved by increasing the photoinduced electron density from 5 × 10 17 cm −3 . The density of P 4 + states in the dark was found to be 1.4 × 10 19 cm −3 .
Der spannungsfreie Verschluß der Narbenhernie

Narbenhernien sind haufige Komplikationen abdominalchirurgischer Eingriffe. Die Verschlustechniken der direkten Naht, der Fasciendoppelung und der plastischen Defektdeckung mit autologem oder alloplastischem Material erreichen bei adaquatem Einsatz den Verschlus der Hernie. Rezidivquoten von 30–50 % belegen, das die Verhinderung des Rezidivs das eigentliche Problem darstellt. Eine sorgfaltige Vorbereitung des Patienten und eine physiologisch und anatomisch begrundete Operationstechnik sind Voraussetzung des Operationserfolgs. Der technisch korrekte Einsatz und die Berucksichtigung der speziellen Indikationen der Operationsverfahren helfen, das Rezidiv zu verhindern. Der gezielte Einsatz von Defektplastiken verstarkt das vorhandene Gewebe. Neue Ansatze durch spannungsorientierte Verschlustechniken reprasentieren einen erfolgversprechenden Weg.
Gauging the Emerging Plus-Size Footwear Market An Anthropometric Approach

In order to gauge the emerging needs for the plus-size footwear market, this study tested the following four hypotheses: 1) as BMI increases, foot morphology changes; 2) increased BMI influences co...
Efficient Sampling Methods for Truncated Multivariate Normal and Student-t Distributions Subject to Linear Inequality Constraints

Sampling from a truncated multivariate distribution subject to multiple linear inequality constraints is a recurring problem in many areas in statistics and econometrics, such as the order-restricted regressions, censored data models, and shape-restricted nonparametric regressions. However, the sampling problem remains nontrivial due to the analytically intractable normalizing constant of the truncated multivariate distribution. We first develop an efficient rejection sampling method for the truncated univariate normal distribution, and analytically establish its superiority in terms of acceptance rates compared to some of the popular existing methods. We then extend our methodology to obtain samples from a truncated multivariate normal distribution subject to convex polytope restriction regions. Finally, we generalize the sampling method to truncated scale mixtures of multivariate normal distributions. Empirical results are presented to illustrate the superior performance of our proposed Gibbs sampler in...
Retained rear-tip extenders in redo penile prosthesis surgery: a case for heightened suspicion and thorough physical examination.

ABSTRACT Introduction Penile Prosthesis infection is a dreaded complication that can occur after primary inflatable penile implants. Redo prosthesis operations and salvage procedures have become increasingly popular after these inflections. These operations, however, have higher rates of re‐infection as compared to primary implants. Aim We describe a patient who was referred for repeat redo penile prosthesis surgery in whom retained rear‐tip extenders harboring purulent fluid was discovered during physical examination. Results The patient underwent exploration and two rear‐tip extenders were removed. He later underwent redo prosthesis insertion and the device remains fully functional and infection free at follow‐up. Conclusion This case conveys the importance of a thorough physical examination and raises the index of suspicion for retained prosthesis fragments in patients with recurrent penile prosthesis infections.
Collagen Defect Induced by Penicillamine

ALDEHYDES derived from lysine are involved in the crosslinking of collagen and elastin1–3 and abnormalities in crosslinking can be induced by lathyrogens such as β-amino-propionitrile, isonicotinic acid hydrazide and semicarbazide4,5 as well as by D-penicillamine6,7. Lathyrogens seem to inhibit aldehyde synthesis by irreversibly inactivating a lysyl oxidase in connective tissue8. Although penicillamine at the usual dosage does not affect the activity of this enzyme, it seems to prevent crosslinking by binding to the peptide-bound aldehydes on collagen9.
Hippocampus and superior colliculus: congruent EEG activity demonstrated by a simple measure.

Simultaneous EEG recordings were taken from the superior colliculus and the hippocampus in awake, freely moving albino rats. A simple method for scoring the synchronization-desynchronization shifts in each of the two structures allowed for a quantitative assessment of the congruence in activity between the two recordings. Intrarater and interrater reliability measurements were high, indicating that the method may be useful. It is also inexpensive particularly when long time periods of EEG activity require analysis. The congruence between the hippocampus and superior colliculus EEG recordings is of interest and, to our knowledge, has not been reported previously.
Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase A (MsrA) restores α-crystallin chaperone activity lost upon methionine oxidation

Abstract Background Lens cataract is associated with protein oxidation and aggregation. Two proteins that cause cataract when deleted from the lens are methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) that repairs protein methionine sulfoxide (PMSO) oxidized proteins and α-crystallin which is a two-subunit (αA and αB) chaperone. Here, we tested whether PMSO formation damages α-crystallin chaperone function and whether MsrA could repair PMSO-α-crystallin. Methods Total α-crystallin was oxidized to PMSO and evaluated by CNBr-cleavage and mass spectrometry. Chaperone activity was measured by light scattering using lysozyme as target. PMSO-α-crystallin was treated with MsrA, and repair was assessed by CNBr cleavage, mass spectrometry and recovery of chaperone function. The levels of α-crystallin-PMSO in the lenses of MsrA-knockout relative to wild-type mice were determined. Results PMSO oxidation of total α-crystallin (met 138 of αA and met 68 of αB) resulted in loss of α-crystallin chaperone activity. MsrA treatment of PMSO-α-crystallin repaired its chaperone activity through reduction of PMSO. Deletion of MsrA in mice resulted in increased levels of PMSO-α-crystallin. Conclusions Methionine oxidation damages α-crystallin chaperone function and MsrA can repair PMSO-α-crystallin restoring its chaperone function. MsrA is required for maintaining the reduced state of α-crystallin methionines in the lens. Significance Methionine oxidation of α-crystallin in combination with loss of MsrA repair causes loss of α-crystallin chaperone function. Since increased PMSO levels and loss of α-crystallin function are hallmarks of cataract, these results provide insight into the mechanisms of cataract development and likely those of other age-related diseases.
Highly Sensitive NH3 Detection Based on Organic Field-Effect Transistors with Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane as Receptor

We have increased organic field-effect transistor (OFET) NH(3) response using tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (TPFB) as a receptor. OFETs with this additive could detect concentrations of 450 ppb v/v, with a limit of detection of 350 ppb, the highest sensitivity reported to date for semiconductor films; in comparison, when triphenylmethane (TPM) or triphenylborane (TFB) was used as an additive, no obvious improvement in the sensitivity was observed. These OFETs also showed considerable selectivity with respect to common organic vapors and stability toward storage. Furthermore, excellent memory of exposure was achieved by keeping the exposed devices in a sealed container stored at -30 °C, the first such capability demonstrated with OFETs.
Low-energy architectures for Support Vector Machine computation

This brief presents a novel architecture for Support Vector Machines (SVMs), a machine learning algorithm that performs classification tasks. SVMs achieve very good classification accuracy at the cost of high computational complexity. We propose a low-energy architecture based on approximate computing by exploiting the inherent error resilience in the SVM computation. We present two design optimizations, fixed-width multiply-add and non-uniform look-up table (LUT) for exponent function to minimize power consumption and hardware complexity while retaining the classification performance. A novel non-uniform quantization scheme is proposed for implementing the exponent function which reduces the size of the look-up table by 50%. The proposed non-uniform look-up table reduces the power consumption by 35% using 10-bit quantization. The proposed architecture is programmable and can evaluate three different kernels (linear, polynomial, radial basis function (RBF)). The proposed design consumes 31% less energy on average compared to a conventional design. We estimate that SVM computation using RBF kernel can be performed in 382.2nJ for 36 features and 5000 support vectors using 65nm technology.
Word association type and the temporal stacking of responses

In two studies, data were gathered concerning the originality and latency of word associations obtained under no instructions or under instructions to be as original as possible. Responses were scored as paradigmatic (P) or syntagmatic (S). Earlier analyses had determined that highly original responses tended to be S. The hypothesis that instructions to be original would increase the latency of responding was confirmed. Under no instructions, S responses were of greater latency than P. However, contrary to prediction, under originality instructions the reverse was true, and further analyses revealed that P responses of longer latency were of significantly less originality. The results are interpreted in terms of a response-hierarchy model.
First-Grade Teachers' Perception and Implementation of a Semi-Scripted Reading Curriculum.

A teacher's role was dramatically changed from that of an educator to that of a facilitator with the adoption of semi-scripted curriculums. This case study explores teachers’ perception and implementation of a state's English Language Arts curriculum in first-grade classrooms. Four first-grade teachers from a large urban school district were observed during the 90-minute literacy instruction block for four weeks each using Spradley's Developmental Research Sequence. In addition, data were collected from multiple teacher interviews. Qualitative analyses yielded the following themes: (a) teachers were minimally supported in professional development for using the curriculum; (b) they often ventured beyond the scope of the curriculum in resource usage; and (c) their planning was eased with the adoption of a semi-scripted curriculum. Furthermore, this sampling of first-grade teachers implemented English Language Arts curriculum through integrating both phonics and reading instruction. Findings are relevant to ...
Temperature dependence of the viscoelastic shift factor in ionomers

The temperature dependence of log a of poly(styrene -co- sodium methacrylate) was analyzed by means of the relation based on the free volume and the hole theories of liquids. For the near-Tg region the relation becomes a single parameter equation of T/Tg. The analysis revealed a transition in flow pattein at TT associated with disintegration of the ion multi plets. The Tt-transition was previously detected in other theological functions, viz, relaxation modulus, mechanical and dielectric tan δ plots.
Improving measurements of SF 6 for the study of atmospheric transport and emissions

Abstract. Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is a potent greenhouse gas and useful atmospheric tracer. Measurements of SF6 on global and regional scales are necessary to estimate emissions and to verify or examine the performance of atmospheric transport models. Typical precision for common gas chromatographic methods with electron capture detection (GC-ECD) is 1–2%. We have modified a common GC-ECD method to achieve measurement precision of 0.5% or better. Global mean SF6 measurements were used to examine changes in the growth rate of SF6 and corresponding SF6 emissions. Global emissions and mixing ratios from 2000–2008 are consistent with recently published work. More recent observations show a 10% decline in SF6 emissions in 2008–2009, which seems to coincide with a decrease in world economic output. This decline was short-lived, as the global SF6 growth rate has recently increased to near its 2007–2008 maximum value of 0.30±0.03 pmol mol−1 (ppt) yr−1 (95% C.L.).
IRF-8/Interferon (IFN) Consensus Sequence-binding Protein Is Involved in Toll-like Receptor (TLR) Signaling and Contributes to the Cross-talk between TLR and IFN-γ Signaling Pathways

Toll-like receptor (TLR) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) signaling pathways are important for both innate and adaptive immune responses. However, the cross-talk between these two signaling pathways is incompletely understood. Here we show that IFN-γ and LPS synergistically induce the expression of proinflammatory factors, including interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, IL-12, NO, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Comparable synergism was observed between IFN-γ and peptidoglycan (PGN; a TLR2 ligand) and poly(I:C) (a TLR3 ligand) in the induction of IL-12 promoter activity. IFN-γ enhanced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ERK and JNK phosphorylation but had no effect on LPS-induced NF-κB activation. Interestingly, we found that IRF-8–/– macrophages were impaired in the activation of LPS-induced ERK and JNK and the production of proinflammatory cytokines induced by LPS or IFN-γ plus LPS. Retroviral transduction of IRF-8 into IRF-8–/– macrophages rescued ERK and JNK activation. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation experiments show that IRF-8 physically interacts with TRAF6 at a binding site between amino acid residues 356 and 305 of IRF-8. Transfection of IRF-8 enhanced TRAF6 ubiquitination, which is consistent with a physical interaction of IRF-8 with TRAF6. Taken together, the results suggest that the interaction of IRF-8 with TRAF6 modulates TLR signaling and may contribute to the cross-talk between IFN-γ and TLR signal pathways.
Meloidogyne javanica Parasitic on Peanut.

Peanut fields in four governorates of Egypt were surveyed to identify species of Meloid- ogyne present. Fourteen populations obtained from peanut roots were all identified as M. javanica based on perineal patterns, stylet and body lengths of second-stage juveniles, esterase phenotypes, and restriction fragment length polymorphisms of mtDNA. Three of 14 populations, all from contiguous fields in the Behara governorate, had individuals with a unique two-isozyme esterase phenotype. All populations of M. javanica tested on peanut had levels of reproduction on the M. arenaria-susceptible peanut cultivar Florunner that were not different from M. arenaria (P = 0.05), and had lower levels of reproduction on the M. arenaria-resistant genotype TxAG-7 than on Flo- runner (P = 0.05). Reproduction of the five Egyptian populations of M. javanica tested was lower on root-knot nematode resistant tomato cultivars Better Boy and Celebrity than on the root-knot nema- tode susceptible cultivar Rutgers (P = 0.05). These data are evidence that some populations of M. javanica are parasitic on peanut and that the peanut and tomato genotypes resistant to M. arenaria are also resistant to these populations of M. javanica.
Photoschaltbare Wasserstoffbrücken-Verknüpfung in selbstorganisierten zylindrischen Peptidanordnungen

DasneuephotochromesupramolekulareSystem1 basiert auf der (E)→(Z)-Isomerisierung eines Azobenzols, substituiert mit Cyclopeptiden, die alternierend D- und L-α-Aminosauren enthalten. Es ist moglich, in Losung sowie in dunnen Filmen an der Luft-Wasser-Grenzflache reversibel zwischen inter- und intramolekular angeordneten zylindrischen β-Faltblattstrukturen hin- und herzuschalten. Zudem ist bei diesem System die selten beobachtete quantitative photoinduzierte (E)→(Z)-Isomerisierung moglich.
Adaptive filtering and control for wavefront reconstruction and jitter control in adaptive optics

This paper employs adaptive filtering and control for reconstruction and prediction of wavefronts and for control of laser beam jitter in an adaptive optics system. Adaptive compensation is needed in many adaptive optics applications because wind velocities and the strength of atmospheric-turbulence can change rapidly, rendering any fixed-gain reconstruction algorithm far from optimal. Also, vibration of the optical platform commonly produces laser beam jitter. The performance of the methods proposed here is illustrated by application to recently developed simulations of high energy laser propagation through extended turbulence.
The Association for Academic Surgery, an Idea Whose Time Has Come?

I thank Dr. Ko for his kind introduction. Membership in the Association for Academic Surgery has been a highlight of my professional career. I have attempted to contribute as much to the organization as the organization has contributed to my professional growth. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as a member of the Committee on Issues, the chair of the Committee on Issues, the secretary, the president elect, and this past year as the 34th president of the association. The most rewarding aspect of my time in the AAS has been the many friendships and collaborations I have developed. The AAS has afforded me the opportunity to get to know and interact with some of the most talented young surgeons in the world. For that opportunity I am grateful. The past year has been an exciting one. It has been a true joy working with the officers, the council members, and the staff of our management firm. The most difficult aspect of being AAS president has been the preparation for this moment. I have pondered my message for 2 years, hoping for divine inspiration. Two years ago, Past President Souba, as Dr. Klimberg’s invited speaker, discussed the need for academic leadership and the role of the AAS. He challenged the AAS membership to develop programs concerning leadership and leadership training [1]. I was inspired and determined to make leadership the focus of the 35th Annual Meeting of the AAS and of my address. I was going to discuss the practical aspects of a midcareer move to a leadership position. Hence, the title “From Led to Leader,” published in the announcements. However, the events of September 11 have had a profound impact on all our lives and our view of the world. I am certain there are few, if any, in this room who did not lose a loved one or know someone who lost
All-dielectric metamaterials: double negative behavior and bandwidth-loss improvement

In this paper, realization of double-negative (DNG) metamaterials utilizing only-dielectric spherical particles, arranged periodically inside a host medium, is investigated. It is demonstrated that the dielectric particles can successfully offer both electric and magnetic dipole moments at certain frequency ranges. The plots of near-field patterns clearly illustrate this interesting phenomenon. The possibility to realize negative electric permittivity and negative magnetic permeability as a result of the resonance of TM011 and TE011 modes are addressed. Increasing the couplings among the spheres by bringing them close to each other will result in a larger bandwidth for each of the modes that by properly selecting the permittivities of spheres, wider DNG region can be achieved. Also, the DNG performance of an array of dielectric spherical particles producing magnetic dipole moments located periodically inside a host plasmonic material (negative permittivity) is investigated. The advantageous and challenges of the proposed designs are highlighted. In compared to the conventional designs based on metallic inclusions, all-dielectric metamaterials are free of conduction loss, and in addition they provide a wider material bandwidth. Further, all-dielectric metamaterials are more feasible for fabrication in both RF and optics. A full wave analysis based on finite difference time domain (FDTD) technique is applied to comprehensively provide a physical insight of the complex periodic structure.
Molecular characterization of an Aspergillus parasiticus dehydrogenase gene, norA, located on the aflatoxin biosynthesis gene cluster

An Aspergillus parasiticus cDNA library was screened with monoclonal antibody raised against a purified A. parasiticus 43-kDa protein demonstrating norsolorinic acid reductase (NOR) activity. One immunopositive clone contained a cDNA insert of 1,418 bp. DNA sequence analysis of this cDNA identified an open reading frame of 1,167 bp that represented the norA gene. The deduced amino acid sequence of the norA coding region consisted of 388 residues capable of encoding a polypeptide of 43.7 kDa. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA from A. parasiticus indicated that there may be an additional copy of norA. Western blot (immunoblot) analysis of crude protein extracts of A. parasiticus mycelia demonstrated a band of reactivity at 43 kDa only when the fungus was grown in a medium conducive to aflatoxin biosynthesis. Northern (RNA) blot analysis of total RNA from the fungus demonstrated a band of hybridization at about 1.5 kb. As observed with the fungal NORA protein, the norA transcript was present only when the fungus was grown in medium conducive to aflatoxin biosynthesis. Hybridization of the norA cDNA with cosmid DNAs known to encompass a major portion of the A. parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway gene cluster placed the norA gene coding region just upstream of the ver-1 gene. The deduced amino acid sequence of norA had 49% amino acid identity with that of an aryl-alcohol dehydrogenase (aad) gene from Phanerochaete chrysosporium.
Ordinary interactive small-step algorithms, III

This is the second in a series of three articles extending the proof of the Abstract State Machine Thesis---that arbitrary algorithms are behaviorally equivalent to abstract state machines---to algorithms that can interact with their environments during a step, rather than only between steps. As in the first article of the series, we are concerned here with ordinary, small-step, interactive algorithms. This means that the algorithms:(1) proceed in discrete, global steps,(2) perform only a bounded amount of work in each step,(3) use only such information from the environment as can be regarded as answers to queries, and(4) never complete a step until all queries from that step have been answered.After reviewing the previous article's formal description of such algorithms and the definition of behavioral equivalence, we define ordinary, interactive, small-step abstract state machines (ASMs). Except for very minor modifications, these are the machines commonly used in the ASM literature. We define their semantics in the framework of ordinary algorithms and show that they satisfy the postulates for these algorithms.This material lays the groundwork for the final article in the series, in which we shall prove the Abstract State Machine thesis for ordinary, intractive, small-step algorithms: All such algorithms are equivalent to ASMs.
Variants of multidimensional scaling for node localization

Recently multidimensional scaling (MDS) has been successfully applied to the problem of node localization in ad-hoc networks, such as wireless sensor networks. The MDS-MAP method uses MDS to compute a local, relative map at each node from the distance or proximity information of its neighboring nodes. Based on the local maps and the locations of a set of anchor nodes with known locations, the absolute positions of unknown nodes in the network can be computed. We investigate several variants of MDS and their effects on the accuracy of localization in wireless sensor networks. We compare metric scaling and non-metric scaling methods, each with several different optimization criteria. Simulation results show that different optimization models of metric scaling achieve comparable localization accuracy and non-metric scaling achieves more accurate results than metric scaling for sparse networks at the expense of higher computational cost.
THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY ACTION IN NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION

One of the major shortcomings of research on neighborhood revitalization is its lack of a strong theoretical base. The explanations presented thus far are divergent and individually fail to account adequately for some important aspects of the process. In an attempt to overcome these shortcomings, this study (1) provides a general overview of neighborhood revitalization activities in US. cities, (2) sets such activities within the broader context of a model of neighborhood change, and (3) demonstrates the utility of the model through a case study of neighborhood revitalization activities in Eastown, Grand Rapids. The study shows that revitalization, as posited by the Public Affairs Counseling model of neighborhood change, can be prompted by active intervention of neighborhood organizations as expressed in neighborhood locational conflict.
Taxonomic Status of Atelophryniscus chrysophorus McCranie, Wilson, and Williams, 1989 (Anura: Bufonidae) Inferred from Phylogeny

The family Bufonidae is nearly cosmopolitan in distribution and contains 33 genera. The monotypic bufonid genus Atelophryniscus was described relatively recently from Honduras. This taxon was distinguished from Bufo on the basis of its unusual gastromyzophorus tadpole. Stream-dwelling gastromyzophorus tadpoles are atypical within Bufonidae and when Atelophryniscus was described, this type of tadpole was unknown among members of the genus Bufo. To investigate the phylogenetic placement of this taxon, we analyzed 83 previously published morphological characters for a sampling of Old and New World bufonids and included newly coded data. The data indicate that (1) there are no autapomorphies supporting the recognition of Atelophryniscus; (2) this taxon is embedded within the genus Bufo; and (3) it is sister to Bufo veraguensis of South America.
Comparison of Nasal and Nasopharyngeal Swabs for Influenza Detection in Adults

Influenza is a major cause of acute respiratory illness worldwide and accounts for thousands of deaths in the United States in a typical season.1,2 The 2009 pandemic and increasing type-specific antiviral resistance have heightened the need for influenza testing that is accurate, timely, and well-tolerated by patients.3,4 A variety of specimens have been used for influenza testing including the nasopharyngeal (NP) swab, oropharyngeal swab, nasal wash, and nasal aspirate. The NP wash or aspirate is generally considered the ‘gold standard’ for virus isolation, but it is cumbersome to perform and unpleasant for patients.5-7 Swabs are easier and faster to collect and may be preferred by providers and patients. Comparative data on the sensitivity of influenza sampling procedures are limited; many studies focus on pediatric populations or use older diagnostic methods.5,8-12 Recent literature has focused on NP sampling compared to oropharyngeal or combined nose-throat swabs.6,7,10,12 To date, no studies have compared paired nasal and NP swabs collected from adults. Several methods for laboratory diagnosis of influenza are available. Viral culture has historically been considered the ‘gold standard’ diagnostic test, but traditional culture can require up to 7 days to obtain a positive result.5 Recent findings from studies utilizing real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) for the detection of respiratory pathogens suggest that the use of this current molecular technology may outweigh potential differences in sensitivity due to specimen type.7,10 We conducted a prospective study to examine differences in the detection of influenza by specimen type. Paired nasal and NP swabs were tested by both viral culture and rRT-PCR. Study procedures were reviewed and approved by the Marshfield Clinic Institutional Review Board, and all participants gave written informed consent for influenza testing.
The utility of web mining for epidemiological research: studying the association between parity and cancer risk

Background The World Wide Web has emerged as a powerful data source for epidemiological studies related to infectious disease surveillance. However, its potential for cancer-related epidemiological discoveries is largely unexplored. Methods Using advanced web crawling and tailored information extraction procedures, the authors automatically collected and analyzed the text content of 79 394 online obituary articles published between 1998 and 2014. The collected data included 51 911 cancer (27 330 breast; 9470 lung; 6496 pancreatic; 6342 ovarian; 2273 colon) and 27 483 non-cancer cases. With the derived information, the authors replicated a case-control study design to investigate the association between parity (i.e., childbearing) and cancer risk. Age-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for each cancer type and compared to those reported in large-scale epidemiological studies. Results Parity was found to be associated with a significantly reduced risk of breast cancer (OR = 0.78, 95% CI, 0.75-0.82), pancreatic cancer (OR = 0.78, 95% CI, 0.72-0.83), colon cancer (OR = 0.67, 95% CI, 0.60-0.74), and ovarian cancer (OR = 0.58, 95% CI, 0.54-0.62). Marginal association was found for lung cancer risk (OR = 0.87, 95% CI, 0.81-0.92). The linear trend between increased parity and reduced cancer risk was dramatically more pronounced for breast and ovarian cancer than the other cancers included in the analysis. Conclusion This large web-mining study on parity and cancer risk produced findings very similar to those reported with traditional observational studies. It may be used as a promising strategy to generate study hypotheses for guiding and prioritizing future epidemiological studies.
Use of an Extracellular Matrix (CorMatrix) as an Interposition Graft in a Low-Pressure Environment Does Not Work: Are We Asking for Too Much?

In this issue of the Seminars, Hibino et al 1 report their preliminary experience using CorMatrix extracellular matrix (ECM) as an interposition graft. The results are quite disappointing when the graft is used in the reconstruction of the central pulmonary arteries (PAs) during comprehensive stage II reconstruction for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Of 10 patients, 8 developed significant stenosis. In all, 2 patients died at home after the comprehensive stage II from unknown reasons. One of these had a pre-Fontan catheterization and the tube graft had successfully remodeled without evidence of stenosis. Overall, 3 patients had reconstruction of an interrupted aortic arch with a CorMatrix interposition graft and all 3 did well without complications or need for reoperations. The last 5 decades significant progress has been made in congenital heart surgery and previously lethal diseases can be now treated surgically with minimal morbidity and mortality. Comparable progress, however, has not been accomplished in the development of vascular conduits with true potential for growth. The CorMatrix ECM received its first Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance in 2005 showing significant promise in that regard. Encouraged by animal data showing the potential for true tissue regeneration and growth surgeons started applying the material in congenital heart repairs with promising early results. 2,3 Shortly after, many jumped on the CorMatrix bandwagon and before too long innovating surgeons started using (experimenting with?) the ECM in various offlabel applications including aortic, mitral and tricuspid valve repair, the creation of neocusps in tetralogy of Fallot and the use of the material in pulmonary and aortic arterioplasties. 4,5 The ease of handling and the hemostatic properties were quite favorable and provided additional motivation for the adoption of the material. Before too long the first reports started surfacing cautioning against the aggressive use of the ECM and documenting disappointing medium term results: failure of ECM resorption and tissue regeneration, valve degeneration with the development of valve insufficiency and stenosis and the development of stenosis in the right ventricular outflow tract and the reconstructed PAs were reported. 6,7 A recent large prospective multicenter non-randomized trial validated these initial concerns. 8 There are certainly important questions in the study of Hibino and associates: The thought process behind the decision to replace the central PAs instead of patch
Breaking the bundle of rights: Conservation easements and the legal geographies of individuating nature:

This paper bridges critical legal geography and geographical work on neoliberal natures to illustrate the vital role that US law has played in reimagining the values of nature as divisible from the...
Collection synthesis

The invention of the hyperlink and the HTTP transmission protocol caused an amazing new structure to appear on the Internet -- the World Wide Web. With the Web, there came spiders, robots, and Web crawlers, which go from one link to the next checking Web health, ferreting out information and resources, and imposing organization on the huge collection of information (and dross) residing on the net. This paper reports on the use of one such crawler to synthesize document collections on various topics in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. Such collections could be part of a digital library.
Lipid Peroxidation in Nutritional Muscular Dystrophy.

Summaryα-Tocopherol and ubiquinone concentrations, and lipid peroxidation were investigated in gastrocnemius, masseter, heart and liver tissues of the guinea pig during the initial stages of nutritional muscular dystrophy. α-Tocopherol and ubiquinone concentrations were significantly less in tissues from animals fed E— diet than from animals fed E+ diet, at 15 and 21 days on diet. Lipid peroxidation was significantly greater in E— than E+ heart and liver tissues at 15 days, but E— gastrocnemius and masseter muscles did not show significant increases in lipid peroxidation until 21 days of diet. Supplementation of animals on E— diet with dl-α-tocopherol reduced lipid peroxidation in all tissues comparable to the lipid peroxidation from tissues of normal animals. Addition of dl-α-tocopherol acetate to incubating homogenates from tissues of all dietary regimens reduced lipid peroxidation only in E— tissues. The well established presence of nutritional muscular dystrophy in gastrocnemius muscle at 15 days of t...
Maternal Kinship Involvement and Father Identity in Fragile Families

Research has shown that nonresident versus resident fathers are less involved with their biological children and involvement may be a function of father identity. Research also has shown that maternal kin play a central caregiving role in families. This paper examines the extent to which maternal family involvement is associated with father identity. Data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 1836) showed that, net of a number of confounding factors, maternal family involvement was associated negatively with father identity, although nonresident fathers were significantly likely to feel less good about themselves as fathers regardless of maternal family involvement. Overall, results suggested that the extended family context in which parents (of young children) are embedded may contribute to how men identify as fathers.
Stepwise Synthesis of Robust Metal–Organic Frameworks via Postsynthetic Metathesis and Oxidation of Metal Nodes in a Single-Crystal to Single-Crystal Transformation

Utilizing PCN-426-Mg as a template, two robust metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), PCN-426-Fe(III) and PCN-426-Cr(III), have been synthesized through a strategy of postsynthetic metathesis and oxidation (PSMO) of the metal nodes step by step. The frameworks remained in their single crystal form throughout. Furthermore, the stability and porosity of the frameworks were significantly improved after PSMO. By taking advantage of both the kinetically labile metal–ligand exchange reactions prior to oxidation and the kinetically inert metal–ligand bonds after oxidation, robust MOFs, which would otherwise be difficult to synthesize, can be readily prepared.
Using Stigma Imprints to Determine Fire Blight Risks in Pear and Apple Orchards

The stigmas on pistils of healthy flowers become epiphytically colonized with Erwinia amylovora before any evidence of disease in pear or apple orchards where there is an overwintering inoculum source (4). The epiphytic populations of E. amylovora are more likely to be on the stigmas than on any other healthy part of the tree. Stigma imprinting of pear and apple flowers on selective media is a simple, sensitive and inexpensive technique to determine the incidence of flower colonization by E. amylovora. The technique allows for a rapid assay of large numbers of flowers on a daily basis. Current prediction models utilize environmental parameters but do not take into account the inoculum potential within the orchard. The results of imprinting flower stigmas from orchards with varying risk factors over several years reveals that the information can be used to determine risk and anticipate fire blight outbreaks within orchards. Stigma imprint data can be used in conjunction with Maryblyt or Cougarblight to aid in management decisions and improve control of fire blight. The degree of streptomycin resistance isolates in the orchard can also be determined prior to any bactericide sprays being applied.
Transgenic Oil Seed Crops

遺伝子組換え技術は食糧の増産や品質の向上により, 将来の人口増加に伴う食糧危機を克服するための技術である。油糧作物の領域では, 農業上の改良と消費者や加工業者のニーズにあった油成分の改良があげられる。前者としては, 雑草防除を簡素化する除草剤の影響を受けない作物や害虫防除を簡素化する害虫抵抗性作物が今日栽培されている。後者としては, 現在のところ高ラウリン酸のナタネだけであるが, 多くの研究が行われており, 西暦2000年ころにはいくつかの改良された油糧作物が世に出てくると考えられる。また, 除草剤ラウンドアップの影響を受けない大豆を例に食品としての安全性についても記載した。