cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of vitellogenin in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Apocrita: Formicidae).

Abstract Vitellin (VN) and vitellogenin (VG) profiles were analyzed in monogyne and polygyne colonies of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta . Non-denaturing and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analyses indicated that the native VN was likely 350 kDa and comprised of two subunits in the molecular size range of 170–185 kDa. SDS–PAGE of hemolymph showed that the relative mobilities and subunit patterns of VG and VN were similar. VG was present in the hemolymph of reproductive queens; alate, virgin queens; and workers, but not in males. Anti-VN, prepared from polygyne egg homogenates, reacted with egg homogenates and with hemolymph VG from reproductive, monogyne and polygyne queens and alate, virgin polygyne queens. Analysis of circulating VG and ovarian development in alate, virgin queens showed that low levels of VG appeared by five days following adult eclosion, but egg development was not observed until seven weeks. VG was evident in newly inseminated queens, and increased steadily for the first three weeks following dealation. VG levels declined slightly near eclosion of the first workers (= nanitics) and dropped sharply after nanitic emergence at five weeks following dealation. Oocyte maturation peaked at days 15–25 following dealation, but otherwise remained low but steady. These studies provide the basis for future investigations into endocrine regulations of vitellogenesis in S. invicta queens.
INHIBITION AND ACTIVATION OF BARLEY PEPTIDE HYDROLASES II. PEPTIDE HYDROLASES B AND C, AND L‐LEUCYL‐β‐NAPHTHYLAMIDASE

Peptide hydrolase B is inhibited by DIPF and appears to be a “serine esterase” enzyme. Para-chloromercuribenzoate is also inhibitory, but it acts irreversibly and not as a mercaptide former. Dithiothreitol acts irreversibly to inhibit the enzyme and thioglycolate is a weak, reversible inhibitor. Peptide hydrolase C is also inhibited by DIPF, and no consistent indication of metal ion or sulphydryl group involvement was observed. L-leucyl-β-naphthylamidase apears to be a metalloenzyme. It is mildly inhibited by some chelating agents and is stimulated by Ni2+ after prior treatment with EDTA. The enzyme is moderately inhibited by PCMPS and exhibits variable responses to different sulphydryl compounds.
Interventions to improve adherence and persistence with osteoporosis medications: a systematic literature review

Adherence and persistence with osteoporosis medications are poor. We conducted a systematic literature review of interventions to improve adherence and persistence with osteoporosis medications. Seven studies met eligibility requirements and were included in the review. Few interventions were efficacious, and no clear trends regarding successful intervention techniques were identified. However, periodic follow-up interaction between patients and health professionals appeared to be beneficial. Adherence and persistence with pharmacologic therapy for osteoporosis are suboptimal. Our goal was to examine the design and efficacy of published interventions to improve adherence and persistence. We searched medical literature databases for English-language papers published between January 1990 and July 2008. We selected papers that described interventions and provided results for control and intervention subjects. We assessed the design and methods of each study, including randomization, blinding, and reporting of drop-outs. We summarized the results and calculated effect sizes for each trial. Seven studies met eligibility requirements and were included in the review. Five of the seven studies provided adherence data. Of those five studies, three showed a statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) improvement in adherence by the intervention group, with effect sizes from 0.17 to 0.58. Five of the seven studies provided persistence data. Of those five, one reported statistically significant improvement in persistence by the intervention group, with an effect size of 0.36. Few interventions were efficacious, and no clear trends regarding successful intervention techniques were identified in this small sample of studies. However, periodic follow-up interaction between patients and health professionals appeared to be beneficial.
A local mean-value theorem for analytic functions with smooth boundary values

Let f be an analytic function on a connected open set Ώ in the complex plane. Then, for given a, b ∈ Ώ, the equationneed not have a solution z ∈ Ώ. As a matter of fact, this would happen with each locally one-to-one analytic function which is not one-to-one on Ώ. But if we fix a a ∈ Ώ, then, for all b sufficiently close to a, (1) is solvable for z. This is an easy consequence of the Open Mapping Theorem applied to f'. For, assuming that f' is non-constant (otherwise, (1) holds for all a, b, z ∈Ώ), the Open Mapping Theorem tells us that f'(Ώ), the image under f' of Ώ, is an open neighbourhood of f'(a); so it is a direct consequence of the definition of f'(a) that there exists δ > 0 such that 0 < |b – a| < δ implies (f(b) – f(a))/(b – a) ∈f'(Ώ). A stronger statement has been obtained by J. M. Robertson [1, p. 329], who has shown thatand, if f''(a) ≠ 0, then.
Late Outcomes With Repair of Penetrating Thoracic Aortic Ulcers: The Merits of an Endovascular Approach

Background Penetrating aortic ulcers (PAU) often occur in a debilitated elderly population. Although early results of repair for PAU are well described, late outcomes remain poorly characterized and are the focus in this report. Methods Ninety-five patients (mean age 70.7 years) underwent distal arch/descending aortic repair for PAU (1993 to 2011). Indications for intervention included rupture, saccular aneurysm, or symptoms. Associated intramural hematoma (IMH) was present in 41. Treatment was by open descending aortic repair (DTAR, n=37) or thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR, n=58). The DTAR group was younger (68 years versus TEVAR 72.5 years, p = 0.02), and less frequently presented with rupture (24% versus TEVAR 43%, p = 0.09). Results Early morbidity included death (9 patients; 9.5%), stroke (8), permanent paraplegia (2), and dialysis (5). Early adverse events were independently predicted by rupture, total descending repair, and DTAR (all p p = 0.016) and urgent presentation ( p = 0.002), but not repair type. Ten-year freedom from aortic reintervention/rupture was 71.4%. Associated IMH increased the risk for reintervention/rupture (5-year freedom PAU 97.1% versus PAU/IMH 72.1%, p = 0.01), primarily because of decreased efficacy after TEVAR for PAU/IMH (5-year freedom 57.7% versus DTAR 100%, p = 0.05). Conclusions Despite the presence of an older, more complex TEVAR group, late outcomes after repair for PAU were affected more by age and type of presentation than by treatment strategy. Recognizing the perils of intervention in this high-risk population, TEVAR emerges as the therapy of choice to reduce early morbidity and provide similar late survival.
Participation, performance, and appraisal

Appropriate rewards can increase an employee's job contribution. Performance appraisals and employee participation in the budget process can reinforce improved job performance.
Critically Ill Patients With Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Virus Infection in 2014

Since 2009, H1N1pdm09 virus has continued to circulate and cause critical illness worldwide, but it has not predominated in the United States until this season, with a corresponding resurgence of influenza-related hospitalizations, critical illness, severe ARDS, and deaths. This year more than 60% of laboratory-confirmed influenzaassociated hospitalizations and deaths reported in adults younger than 65 years to date have been attributed to H1N1. 3,4 No significant antigenic changes in circulating H1N1pdm09 virus strains compared with vaccine strains have been detected since 2009. The relative effect on young and middle-aged adults might be partially due to their low influenza vaccine coverage and crossreactive immunity to H1N1pdm09 virus that elderly individuals have acquired from past exposure to antigenically related viruses. Based on lessons learned from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, we offer suggestions for the care and management of H1N1pdm09 patients at risk for critical illness during this influenza season.
Cleft palate in rodents after maternal treatment with various lathyrogenic agents.

Ingestion of diets containing 50% ground sweet pea seeds (Lathyrus odoratus) by pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats on days 10-20 of gestation resulted in high frequencies of fetal resorption and surviving young with various degrees of edema, forelimb flexure, angulation of the vertebral column, micrognathia, cleft palate, and other defects. Pregnant A/J mice maintained on such a diet on days 9-18 of gestation produced offspring with cleft palate and other malformations. The lathyrus factor, β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), given in multiple oral doses to pregnant rats at various times during pregnancy also produced high frequencies of resorption and of young with edema, cleft palate, and malformations of vertebrae and limbs. However, when single doses of 500 mg BAPN were administered on day 15 the resorption rate was markedly reduced whereas the frequency of cleft palate was greatly increased. Three other lathyrogenic agents produced high frequencies of cleft palate in rats: 50 mg aminoacetonitrile on day 15, 400 mg D-penicillamine on days 10-15, and 50 mg semicarbazide on days 10-16. The period of greatest cleft palate susceptibility with all the agents tested was day 15.
Intermittent catheterization in children

Many children with myelodysplasia are ideal candidates for intermittent nonsterile urethral catheterization to manage urinary incontinence. This method of urinary management becomes no permanent commitment and is preferred by patients and parents to supravesical diversion when successful.
Metal-binding characteristics of a phytochelatin analog (Glu-Cys)2Gly

Abstract The present studies were undertaken to explore the possibility of using synthetically designed genes encoding phytochelatin analog (Glu-Cys) n Gly peptides in transgenic plants for phytoremediation. We studied the metal-chelating characteristics of a synthetically prepared phytochelatin analog peptide (Glu-Cys) 2 Gly to determine if a gene encoding such a peptide might be useful in phytoremediation, as a first step. Studies with Cd(II), Hg(II), and Pb(II) show that the synthetic (Glu-Cys) 2 Gly peptide exhibits metal-chelating properties similar to the phytochelatin (γ Glu-Cys) 2 Gly. GSH-bound metals were also shown to be quantitatively transferred to (Glu-Cys) 2 Gly. The Cd(II)-form of the synthetic (Glu-Cys) 2 Gly peptide-like PCs was able to form stable complexes with sulfide. The spectroscopic properties of (Glu-Cys) 2 Gly-coated complexes of CdS were comparable to those exhibited by (γ Glu-Cys) 2 Gly-coated CdS particles. Both (γ Glu-Cys) 2 Gly and (Glu-Cys) 2 Gly exhibited a Cd-binding stoichiometry of 0.5 Cd per peptide molecule. UV-visible, HPLC, and mass-spectral analyses indicated that one Hg(II) ion was chelated by each molecule of (γ Glu-Cys) 2 Gly or (Glu-Cys) 2 Gly. Each molecule of (γ Glu-Cys) 2 Gly or (Glu-Cys) 2 Gly bound to one atom of Pb(II).
Expanding utilization and regional coverage of diagnostic CT colonography: early Medicare claims experience.

Purpose The aim of this study was to assess national and regional trends in utilization and Medicare coverage of diagnostic CT colonography (CTC). Methods Medicare claims for diagnostic CTC were identified for the first 4 complete years for which Current Procedural Terminology ® tracking codes existed (2005-2008). The frequencies of billed and denied services were extracted on a national and regional basis, along with physician provider specialty and site of service. Results Total annual claims for diagnostic CTC for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries increased from 3,660 to 10,802 (+195%) between 2005 and 2008. Overall, 50.1% (14,051 of 28,048) of all claims were denied, with annual national denial rate decreasing from 70.0% to 43.4% (2,562 of 3,660 to 4,692 of 10,802, P Conclusions Diagnostic CTC is performed predominantly by radiologists in private office and outpatient hospital settings. Since the advent of Current Procedural Terminology tracking codes, the utilization of diagnostic CTC by Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries has tripled. Despite perceptions that new technology tracking codes are not payable, more than half of all examinations are now reimbursed by Medicare. Coverage varies regionally but overall is improving annually, setting the stage for expanded patient access.
Comment on the Letter “On the influx of small comets into the Earth's upper atmosphere”

A critical comment is made on the proposal by Frank et al. (1986) that a flux of small comets constantly impacts the earth's atmosphere. The seismic amplitudes generated in the moon by such comets impacting that body are calculated, and it is concluded that the proposed flux of comets is 100,000 times greater than would be supported by either the seismic impact rate of the moon or the amplitude of its steady state reverberation. Frank et al. reply that this discrepancy may be traced to the insensitivity of the lunar seismic stations for the detection of the impacts of tenuous, weakly bound comets relative to those of dense, stony meteoroids.
Sickle cell disease is associated with decreased HIV but higher HBV and HCV comorbidities in US hospital discharge records: a cross-sectional study

Objective Some studies suggest that HIV infection progresses slowly in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). The authors aimed to determine the relationships between SCD and HIV infection. Methods National Hospital Discharge Survey data from adult African–Americans in the period of 1997–2009 were analysed. The comorbidities of SCD with HIV infections in hospital discharges were analysed. Multiple logistic regression was used to test the association between SCD and HIV. For comparative purposes, the relationships of SCD with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) were also assessed. Results 423 431 records were divided into two time periods 1997–2003 (53% of records) and 2004–2009 (47% of records). The frequency of HIV diagnosis was lower in patients with SCD (1.5% vs 3.3% in patients without SCD). In logistic regression, SCD diagnosis was associated with an OR of 0.24 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.32) for HIV diagnosis in the first period and with an OR of 0.31 (95% CI 0.22 to 0.42) in the second period. In contrast, SCD was associated with higher risk of HCV (OR=2.01, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.59 in the first period and OR=2.12, 95% CI 1.71 to 2.63 in the second period). SCD was also associated with a higher risk of HBV (OR=1.15, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.83 in the first period and OR=1.82, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.68 in the second period). Conclusions The lower risk of HIV comorbidity, but not HCV and HBV, with SCD is consistent with the possibility that SCD has a unique effect in altering the risk of HIV infection or progression. Investigation of how the haemolytic and immunological changes of SCD influence HIV might lead to new therapeutic or preventive approaches.
Modeling of embedded inductor on low cost multilayer laminate MCM technology and its application

Distributed embedded inductor models are developed on low cost multilayer laminate MCM technology for two different stack-ups - 50/200/50 and 35/150/35. The characterization and modeling process are summarized, and developed model equations for double-/spl pi/ model circuit elements are presented. The developed model is useful beyond the self-resonant frequency (SRF) and is able to be incorporated with time-domain circuit simulations as well as frequency-domain circuit simulations. Compared with the generic electromagnetic field solver, the developed double-/spl pi/ equivalent-circuit model dramatically reduces computation time and supports rapid performance optimization. The developed inductor model is applied to diplexer and filter designs. It enables these designs to include all parasitic effects associated with embedded inductor components.
Electromagnetic radiation from a cylindrically capped bi-wedge

The cylindricalLy capped bi-wedge is an arrangement of two perfectly conducting wedges, apex to apex and exactly opposing; it is truncated by a cylinder whose axis is the apex of the biwedge. A line source at the apex excites this geometry. To find the radiation properties of this configuration the corresponding boundary-value problem is solved. Truncating the bi-wedge by a cylinder defines two regions-the interior and the exterior. The fields in the interior and exterior region are given by appropriate series expansions which are solutions to Maxwell's equations. A relationship between the coefficients of the two fields is obtained when thoe fields are matched across the aperture. A set of infinite simultaneous equations is generated. These can be solved for the coefficients to which special summation techniques have been applied to make a truncation of the infinite matrix valid. The radiated field of a bi-wedge is then expressed as a series with unknown coefficients. These can now be calculated by solving a set of finite simultaneous equations. A bi-wedge in the resonance region was chosen to illustrate this procedure. The computations for ka = \pi/2 were performed and the far-field radiation patterns plotted for various wedge angles. The limiting cases of the Rayleigh region, the thin bi-wedge, and the bi-wedge when the angle \theta_{0} approaches \pi/2 are then analyzed. It is found that for the thin and the very thick bi-wedge the matrix decouples, and the field can be given exactly for these two limiting cases. Furthermore, it was found that the simple formulas of the two limiting cases could be extended to give usable results for other angles, thereby avoiding a solution of the infinite matrix.
Genetic differentiation of Texas Gulf Coast populations of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus

Allelic frequencies at three polymorphic, enzyme-encoding gene loci (GOT-2, EST-1, EST-2) were determined for Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun) megalopae and adults sampled along the Texas coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Significant temporal and spatial variation was observed at all three loci. Primary findings included: (1) megalopal allelic frequencies often differed significantly from those observed among neighboring adult populations; (2) larval allelic frequencies appeared to vary seasonally, with populations showing sharp differences in the summer months but tending to be more homogeneous in winter; (3) allelic frequencies among adult populations were significantly heterogeneous, but only one locus (EST-2) showed significant temporal variation; (4) juvenile and adult crabs sampled within one bay showed no size-specific differences in allelic frequencies. The spatial heterogeneity in allelic frequencies suggests that interpopulation gene flow is not sufficient to overcome population differentiation resulting from genetic drift and/or natural selection. Temporal variation in larval allelic frequencies suggests seasonal changes in larval source populations which may result from population differences in spawning season or developmental times or from seasonal changes in coastal current patterns.
Supercomputing and Scientific Workflows Gaps and Requirements

Over the past decade, workflows have been successfully applied to a number of scientific domains with great success. Workflow engines are now commonly used across scientific disciplines to automate mundane tasks, collect provenance, and orchestrate complex processes. However, workflows have not yet made significant strides managing fine-grain, concurrent tasks directly on supercomputing platforms. As scientific computing becomes an increasingly important discovery method and high performance computing environments become more complex, addressing this gap becomes critical. Using a simple use case as motivation, this paper describes the current barriers to using workflow engines in a supercomputing environment and outlines the new capabilities that must be provided if workflows are to be successfully applied in this context.
Development and testing of a pulsed helium ion source for probing materials and warm dense matter studies

The neutralized drift compression experiment was designed and commissioned as a pulsed, linear induction accelerator to drive thin targets to warm dense matter (WDM) states with peak temperatures of ∼1 eV using intense, short pulses (∼1 ns) of 1.2 MeV lithium ions. At that kinetic energy, heating a thin target foil near the Bragg peak energy using He+ ions leads to more uniform energy deposition of the target material than Li+ ions. Experiments show that a higher current density of helium ions can be delivered from a plasma source compared to Li+ ions from a hot plate type ion source. He+beam pulses as high as 200 mA at the peak and 4 μs long were measured from a multi-aperture 7-cm-diameter emission area. Within ±5% variation, the uniform beam area is approximately 6 cm across. The accelerated and compressed pulsed ion beams can be used for materials studies and isochoric heating of target materials for high energy density physics experiments and WDM studies.
Fuzzy control theory: a nonlinear case

Abstract Sources of nonlinearity in a fuzzy controller include the fuzzification algorithm used for the controller inputs; fuzzy control rules; type of fuzzy logic used for evaluating the fuzzy control rules; and the defuzzification algorithm used for the controller output. We analyze the performance of a simple fuzzy controller with linear and nonlinear defuzzification algorithms. We prove theoretically that such a fuzzy controller, the smallest possible, with two inputs (error and rate change of error) and a nonlinear defuzzification algorithm is equivalent to a nonfuzzy nonlinear proportional-integral (PI) controller with proportional-gain and integral-gain changing with error and rate change of error about a setpoint. Furthermore, this fuzzy controller is precisely equivalent to a conventional linear PI controller if a linear defuzzification algorithm is employed. Computer simulation showed that the performance of the fuzzy controller was almost the same as that of the PI controller when first-order and second-order linear processes were used. Furthermore, the fuzzy controller was significantly better when a first-order with a time delay model was used. More importantly, the simulated result illustrated that the fuzzy controller was stable when a nonlinear process model was controlled, but the PI controller was unstable.
Memorising Milton's Paradise Lost: A study of a septuagenarian exceptional memoriser

At age 58, JB began memorising Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost. Nine years and thousands of study hours later, he completed this process in 2001 and recalled from memory all 12 books of this 10,565-line poem over a 3-day period. Now 74, JB continues to recite this work. We tested his memory accuracy by cueing his recall with two lines from the beginning or middle of each book and asking JB to recall the next 10 lines. JB is an exceptional memoriser of Milton, both in our laboratory tests in which he did not know the specific tests or procedures in advance, and in our analysis of a videotaped, prepared performance. Consistent with deliberate practice theory, JB achieved this remarkable ability by deeply analysing the poem's structure and meaning over lengthy repetitions. Our findings suggest that exceptional memorisers such as JB are made, not born, and that cognitive expertise can be demonstrated even in later adulthood.
Properties Of An X-Ray Catoptrical System

The need for an x-ray imaging system with better than micron resolution is increasingly evident to workers in laser fusion and general plasma diagnostics. As early as 1974, John L. Emmett of the Lawrence Livermore Laboratories in an article titled, "Shopping List for Fusion" cited the need for hardware to make measurements with micron resolution in the soft x-ray region. In the same year, KMS reported that their x-ray image of an imploding pellet, formed with a pinhole, had a resolution of only 14 microns. Laser-fusion diagnostic requirements are such that it requires viewing a small object at neither very small or very large distances. What is needed is an x-ray microscope with a large working-distance objective. For this and other reasons we favor the basic Kirkpatrick-Baez arrangement. We shall explore some of the problems and solutions associated with the formation of x-ray images at small angles of grazing incidence mainly in the crossed-mirror configuration.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Prejudice Reduction: What Works? A Review and Assessment of Research and Practice

This article reviews the observational, laboratory, and field experimental literatures on interventions for reducing prejudice. Our review places special emphasis on assessing the methodological rigor of existing research, calling attention to problems of design and measurement that threaten both internal and external validity. Of the hundreds of studies we examine, a small fraction speak convincingly to the questions of whether, why, and under what conditions a given type of intervention works. We conclude that the causal effects of many widespread prejudice-reduction interventions, such as workplace diversity training and media campaigns, remain unknown. Although some intergroup contact and cooperation interventions appear promising, a much more rigorous and broad-ranging empirical assessment of prejudice-reduction strategies is needed to determine what works.
Inhibition of human vascular NADPH oxidase by apocynin derived oligophenols

Abstract Enzymatic oxidation of apocynin, which may mimic in vivo metabolism, affords a large number of oligomers (apocynin oxidation products, AOP) that inhibit vascular NADPH oxidase. In vitro studies of NADPH oxidase activity were performed to identify active inhibitors, resulting in a trimer hydroxylated quinone (IIIHyQ) that inhibited NADPH oxidase with an IC 50 = 31 nM. Apocynin itself possessed minimal inhibitory activity. NADPH oxidase is believed to be inhibited through prevention of the interaction between two NADPH oxidase subunits, p47 phox and p22 phox . To that end, while apocynin was unable to block the interaction of his-tagged p47 phox with a surface immobilized biotinylated p22 phox peptide, the IIIHyQ product strongly interfered with this interaction (apparent IC 50 = 1.6 μM). These results provide evidence that peroxidase-generated AOP, which consist of oligomeric phenols and quinones, inhibit critical interactions that are involved in the assembly and activation of human vascular NADPH oxidase.
Relationship of Brain MRI Abnormalities and Physical Functional Status in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is an unexplained illness that is characterized by severe fatigue. Some have suggested that CFS is a "functional somatic syndrome" in which symptoms of fatigue are inappropriately attributed to a serious illness. However, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data suggest that there may be an organic abnormality associated with CFS. To understand further the significance of brain MRI abnormalities, we examined the relationship between MRI identified brain abnormalities and self-reported physical functional status in 48 subjects with CFS who underwent brain MR imaging and completed the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36. Brain MR images were examined for the presence of abnormalities based on 5 general categories previously shown to be sensitive to differentiating CFS patients from healthy controls. There were significant negative relationships between the presence of brain abnormalities and both the physical functioning (PF) (rho=-.31, p=.03), and physical component summary PCS (rho=-.32, p=.03) subscales of the SF-36. CFS patients with MRI identified brain abnormalities scored significantly lower on both PF (t(1,46) =2.3, p=.026) and the PCS (t(1,41) =2.4, p=.02) than CFS subjects without an identified brain abnormality. When adjusted for age differences only the PF analysis remained significant. However, the effect sizes for both analyses were large indicating meaningful differences in perceived functional status between the groups. These results demonstrate that the presence of brain abnormalities in CFS are significantly related to subjective reports of physical function and that CFS subjects with MRI brain abnormalities report being more physically impaired than those patients without brain abnormalities.
Influence of nitrogen on cellulose and lignin mineralization in blackwater and redwater forested wetland soils

Microcosms were used to determine the influence of N additions on active bacterial and active fungal biomass, cellulose degradation and lignin degradation at 5, 10 and 15 weeks in soils from blackwater and redwater wetlands in the northern Florida panhandle. Blackwater streams contain a high dissolved organic C concentration which imparts a dark color to the water and contain low concentrations of nutrients. Redwater streams contain high concentrations of suspended clays and inorganic nutrients, such as N and P, compared to blackwater streams. Active bacterial and fungal biomass was determined by direct microscopy; cellulose and lignin degradation were measured radiometrically. The experimental design was a randomized block. Treatments were: soil type (blackwater or redwater forested wetlands) and N additions (soils amended with the equivalent of 0, 200 or 400 kg N ha–1 as NH4NO3). Redwater soils contained higher concentrations of C, total N, P, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, B and Zn than blackwater soils. After N addition and 15 weeks of incubation, the active bacterial biomass in redwater soils was lower than in blackwater soils; the active bacterial biomass in blackwater soils was lower when 400 kg N ha–1, but not when 200 kg N ha–1, was added. The active fungal biomass in blackwater soils was higher when 400 kg N ha–1, but not when 200 kg N ha–1, was added. The active fungal biomass in redwater wetland soils was lower when 200 kg N ha–1, but not when 400 kg N ha–1, was added. Cellulose and lignin degradation was higher in redwater than in blackwater soils. After 10 and 15 weeks of incubation, the addition of 200 or 400 kg N as NH4NO3 ha–1 decreased cellulose and lignin degradation in both wetland soils to similar levels. This study indicated that the addition of N may slow organic matter degradation and nutrient mineralization, thereby creating deficiencies of other plant-essential nutrients in wetland forest soils.
The effects of vitamin B6 on carbohydrate metabolism in women taking steroid contraceptives: preliminary report.

Abstract In order to help clarify which mechanisms are responsible for the adverse effects of oral contraceptive steroids on carbohydrate metabolism, the following experiments were undertaken. Twelve women whose glucose tolerance tests had progressively deteriorated while taking steroid contraceptives were given one month of therapy with vitamin B 6 with their steroid contraceptive. There was a significant improvement in their glucose tolerance test results after this combined treatment. These data suggest that a relative vitamin B 6 deficiency in oral contraceptive users, perhaps acting through an increase in the resulting circulating xanthurenic acid levels, is related in part to the observed carbohydrate metabolism deterioration.
Provider Cost Transparency Alone Has No Impact on Inpatient Imaging Utilization

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine whether presenting providers with cost information at the point of order entry significantly influences imaging utilization. Methods Using data from fiscal year 2007, the 10 most frequently ordered imaging tests were identified. Five of these were randomly assigned to the active cost display group and 5 to the control group. During a 6-month baseline period from November 10, 2008, to May 9, 2009, no costs were displayed. During a seasonally matched intervention period from November 10, 2009, to May 9, 2010, costs were displayed only for tests in the active group. At the conclusion of the study, the radiology information system was queried to determine the number of orders executed for all tests during both periods. The main outcome measure was the mean relative utilization change between the control and intervention periods for the active group vs the control group. An additional measure was the correlation between test cost and utilization change in the active group vs the control group. Results The mean utilization change was +2.8 ± 4.4% for the active group and −3.0 ± 5.5% for the control group, with no significant difference between the two groups ( P = .10, Student's t -test). There was also no significant difference in the correlation between test cost and utilization change for the active group vs the control group ( P = .25, Fisher's z -test). On the basis of the observed standard deviations, this study had 90% power to detect an 11.8% difference in mean relative utilization change between groups. Conclusions Provider cost transparency alone does not significantly influence inpatient imaging utilization.
Human immunodeficiency virus-associated cytomegalovirus infection with multiple small vessel cerebral infarcts in the setting of early immune reconstitution

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an important cause of neurologic disease in the context of advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and is recognized as a cause of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Central nervous system vasculitis secondary to CMV has only rarely been described in the context of HIV, despite the established ability of CMV to infect microvascular endothelial cells in the brain. However, we report a case that demonstrates the association between CMV and multiple small vessel cerebral infarct lesions after initiation of HAART.
A Theoretical Treatment of PA Power Optimization in Clipped MIMO-OFDM Systems

This work presents a theoretical framework for determining the optimal clipping level for a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system. We start by modeling of the clipping noise, and propose a maximum likelihood (ML) receiver for the resulting signal. The bit error rate (BER) for this ML receiver is then derived for MIMO spatial multiplexing, space time coding, and cyclic delay diversity schemes. A search through the tradeoff space between the BER performance penalty and power amplifier (PA) power consumption advantage reveals optimum clipping levels of the system. Using an IEEE 802.11n like system, we show that the optimum clipping as predicted by this approach can improve PA power efficiency as much as 70%.
Imaging penetrator-beacon design for Mars

A navigation sensor design using penetrator beacons to support a precision Mars surface-relative navigation scenario is presented. Penetrator beacons are small ballistic vehicles that would precede a soft lander to image a proposed landing region and establish a network of surface-relative radio navigation beacons. It is proposed that the use of penetrator beacons could support a precision landing, could meet mission navigation accuracy requirements, would not require additional mission elements such as an imaging orbiter, and could be designed using current technology, thereby reducing costs. Investigations concluded that penetrator beacons could provide high-resolution images of a landing region and provided a network of radio navigation beacons within the proposed landing region.
Mobility calculus in cellular wireless networks

Future personal communication networks (PCN) supporting multimedia traffic will have small cell size (picocellular) resulting in a much higher cell crossing rates due to handoff as compared with the traditional cellular wireless networks. A generic probabilistic model is presented for cellular wireless networks. The model considers any number of cells and an arbitrary mobility pattern. The absence of a product form solution and the large dimensionality of the problem in any practical situation make an "exact" solution impossible. We concentrate on two limiting behavior of slow and high mobility rate. Using the system behavior in these limiting cases, a simple methodology for approximating the performance measure of the system is provided.
Ki-67 Immunoreactivity in the Differential Diagnosis of Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Neoplasms in Specimens With Extensive Crush Artifact

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of immunohistochemical markers in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors with particular emphasis on the preservation of immunoreactivity in areas showing crush artifacts. Specimens from 9 carcinoid tumors (CTs) and 13 small cell carcinomas (SCCs) with crush artifact were stained with antibodies to Ki-67, chromogranin A, synaptophysin, and cytokeratin. The immunoreactivity was well preserved in the crushed areas. Ki-67 was expressed in the crushed areas of all SCCs. Reactivity was diffuse or at least present in 25% of the crushed areas. In contrast, the immunoreactive areas in CTs never exceeded 10%. Immunoreactivity for Ki-67, synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and cytokeratin is well preserved in tissue with crush artifacts and can be interpreted reliably. The diagnosis of SCC should be questioned if fewer than 25% of cells show reactivity for Ki-67.
Theorem proving for verification

The challenges in using theorem proving for verification of parallel systems are to achieve adequate automation, and to allow human guidance to be expressed in terms of the system under examination rather than the mechanisms of the prover. This paper provides an overview of techniques that address these challenges.
Nanoparticle-nanocup hybrid array structure with a tunable sensitivity for colorimetric biosensing

Colorimetric detection is cost-effective and user-friendly when used for sensing target analytes without a need of bulky and expensive equipment. The extraordinary transmission phenomena through plasmonic periodic nanocup arrays achieve colorimetric sensing by detecting color changes of transmitted light associated with the refractive index variation. The application of the nanocup arrays, however, is relatively restricted due to a limited sensitivity for monolayered target analyte detections on the surface. In order to improve the sensitivity bounded by the underlying nanostructures, hybrid nanoparticle (NP) – nanocup array substrates are developed for enhancing the sensitivity to the refractive index change. The three dimensionally assembled Au NPs in circle along the sidewall of each nanocup increases the density of hot spots by the heterogeneous plasmonic coupling between the NP and the edge of the nanocup; thus a small refractive index change at the hot spot becomes easily detected than bare nanocup arrays. In addition to the bulk refractive index sensing, an ultrasensitive spectroscopic detection of the antigen-antibody binding is achieved by this three-dimensional self-assembly of Au NPs on the Au nanocup arrays.
An assessment of farmers' willingness to participate in water trading in southern Spain

This study applies contingent valuation to assess farmers9 willingness to trade irrigation water. We analyse farmers9 willingness to pay for water and their willingness to accept the selling of water through a seasonal market, under both normal rainfall and drought conditions. A survey of 241 farmers (irrigators and non-irrigators) in the Guadalquivir River Basin and in the Mediterranean (Almanzora) Basin in southern Spain is used as a basis to construct the irrigation water supply and demand curves for both basins. Assuming that each basin operates as a single country, an international commerce framework is applied to study inter-basin trading. Results show that there is scope for both intra-basin and inter-basin markets. The equilibrium market price increases from 0.17 EUR/m 3 in the baseline scenario to 0.21 EUR/m 3 under drought conditions. These results are in line with observed market prices during 2006–2007. We also find a threshold volume under which start-up costs for irrigation infrastructure make it unprofitable for non-irrigators to enter the market. Finally, we conclude that farmers9 ethical perspective of considering irrigation water as a non-tradable commodity constrains them from participating in such markets.
Function of colored rice in healthcare and its research status

Colored rice is rich in compounds flavonoids and polyphenols,which possess potent antioxidant capacity.Colored rice also is rich in microelements iron and zinc,these substances may provide health benefits associated with enhancing protective effect against cancer,chronic disease,cardiovascular disease,diabetes and anemia.The pigment in colored rice grains synthesizes and pigmentizes only in pericarp,and no anthocyandin was observed in endothelium and aleuronic layer.Anthocyandins are the major flavonoids of the purple rice,the purple pericarp characteristic of rice is dominant over that of white pericarp.The purple pericarp is controlled by two genes.Pb gene was positioned on chromosome 4,and Pa gene was mapped on chromosome 1.Proanthocyanidin is the major flavonoids of the red rice,red pericarp characteristic of rice is dominant over that of white pericarp.The red pericarp were controlled by two genes(Rc/rc and Rd/rd),Rc gene was mapped on chromosome 7,and Rd gene was mapped on chromosome 1.Rc gene encodes a bHLH protein as a Myc-related transcription factor.It was reported that a 14 bp deletion within the exon 6 of the Rc gene caused the mutation from red to white color of pericarp.In recent 20 years,many cultivars had been released in China and had been playing an important role in the rice production.
Complex Electromagnetic Anti-Interference Technology Research and Simulation under Network Environment

At the completion of anti-jamming in the process of the complex network environment,all kinds of jamming signals in the composition of mixed signal are very complex,the complex electromagnetic interference under the network environment based on information maximization method,can only separate the complex signals into super gaussian distribution or sub-gaussian signal function distribution,and cannot be further refined,anti-interference cannot implement complex under the network environment. The paper put forward a technology based on the beam informs complex electromagnetic anti-interference methods,under the network environment from two angles of time domain and frequency domain analysis of complicated electromagnetic signal network environment. Based on beamforming for space sensors sampling weighted sum operation,we improved particular direction transmission wave signal,which can avoid the interference of other directions. The wave direction and the array of normal direction angle were defined,forming a beam output signal. After the array in the direction of the matrix and the direction vector were given,we used complete transformation matrix Bulter matrix conversion between yuan domain to beam domain. The simulation results show that the proposed method has high anti-jamming ability.
Belief utility as an explanatory virtue

Our beliefs guide our actions. But do potential actions also guide our beliefs? Three experiments tested whether people use pragmatist principles in fixing their beliefs, by examining situations in which the evidence is indeterminate between an innocuous and a dire explanation that necessitate different actions. According to classical decision theory, a person should favor a prudent course of action in such cases, but should nonetheless be agnostic in belief between the two explanations. Contradicting this position, participants believed the dire explanation to be more probable when the evidence was ambiguous. Further, when the evidence favored either an innocuous or a dire explanation, evidence favoring the dire explanation led to stronger beliefs compared to evidence favoring the innocuous explanation. These results challenge classic theories of the relationship between belief and action, suggesting that our system for belief fixation is sensitive to the utility of potential beliefs for taking subsequent action.
Low-Temperature History-Dependent Dielectric Constant in Amorphous SiO2 and SiO1.8 Films

We report observation of a novel history-dependent dielectric constant in two types of amorphous silicon dioxide, dependent on the history of a DC electric field applied to the samples. When the DC field was held constant, the dielectric constant decayed linearly with the logarithm of the time since the DC field was applied. When the DC field was subsequently swept slowly through a range of values, the dielectric constant showed a hole where the DC field had previously been held. We also report on investigations of the frequency- and AC excitation field-dependence of the temperature of the dielectric constant minimum in these materials.
Conformal Field Theory and Kac-Moody Algebras

One of the mysteries of the superstring is the existence of two ways of formulating the theory: the first is the NS—R model (after the GSO projection) with anticommuting vectors, and the second is the GS model with genuine anticommuting spinors. Each formulation has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. In this chapter, we will discuss the conformal field theory, which allows us to see the dynamic link between the two formalisms.
Academic time during college: Associations with mood, tiredness, and binge drinking across days and semesters

The current study examined the amount of time American college students spent on academics and explored whether functioning indicators (i.e., positive affect, negative affect, tiredness, and binge drinking) rose and fell with academic time across days and semesters. College students (N = 735) were followed longitudinally and completed 14 daily diaries within each of 7 semesters (N = 56,699 days). The results revealed that academic time decreased slightly during the middle semesters and then increased in later semesters. Furthermore, on days when students spent more time on academics, they reported less positive affect, more tiredness, and less binge drinking; however, the strength and direction of associations depended on the analysis level and whether it was a weekend. Positive affect, for instance, was inversely associated with academics across days, but the reverse was true across semesters. These results emphasize the importance of considering the temporal context in research on adolescent and young adult time use.
The information privacy domain

A definition of information privacy is elusive due to its multi-facetted aspects. The paper presents the position that information privacy is a domain and not a property, and elaborates various components of this domain. It goes on to use the provided definition of information privacy domain to test Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The definition provided can be employed in enacting new laws, designing new information systems and in analysing privacy and security technologies.