cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
0.18 μm CMOS fully differential CTIA for a 32x16 ROIC for 3D ladar imaging systems

We describe a 2-D fully differential Readout Integrated Circuit (ROIC) designed to convert the photocurrents from an array of differential metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) detectors into voltage signals suitable for digitization and post processing. The 2-D MSM array and CMOS ROIC are designed to function as a front-end module for an amplitude modulated/continuous time AM/CW 3-D Ladar imager under development at the Army Research Laboratory. One important aspect of our ROIC design is scalability. Within reasonable power consumption and photodetector size constraints, the ROIC architecture presented here scales up linearly without compromising complexity. The other key feature of our ROIC design is the mitigation of local oscillator coupling. In our ladar imaging application, the signal demodulation process that takes place in the MSM detectors introduces parasitic radio frequency (rf) currents that can be 4 to 5 orders of magnitude greater than the signal of interest. We present a fully-differential photodetector architecture and a circuit level solution to reduce the parasitic effect. As a proof of principle we have fabricated a 0.18 μm CMOS 32x16 fully differential ROIC with an array of 32 correlated double sampling (cds) capacitive transimpedance amplifiers (CTIAs), and a custom printed circuit board equipped to verify the test chip functionality. In this paper we discuss the fully differential IC design architecture and implementation and present the future testing strategy.
A NOTE ON EVALUATING BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION AND BEHAVIOR MODELING AS INDUSTRIAL TRAINING TECHNIQUES

The training literature (1967-1976) was searched for reports of scientific evaluations of behavior modification and behavior modeling used in industrial training. No reported scientific evaluations of behavior modification were found. Four reports (1976) of scientific evaluation of behavior modeling used in training managers were found. The research designs used in these studies were analyzed for possible threats to internal validity. Enough threats to internal validity were discovered in the designs used to question the reported results of behavior modeling training of managers.
Tripterocalyx carneus (Nyctaginaceae) Is Self-Compatible

Abstract Recent phylogenetic work has demonstrated that the ability of species of the angiosperm family Nyctaginaceae to self-fertilize is evolutionarily labile. However, the potential for further investigation of the evolution of mating systems in the family is limited, because there is no information on reproductive biology for several genera. I performed an experiment on a natural population of Tripterocalyx carneus to determine whether this species is self-compatible. Individual flowers were emasculated, bagged to exclude pollinators, or both. Flowers that were bagged but not emasculated set viable fruit in the majority of cases, which demonstrates that this species is self-compatible.
Men, Women, and Publication Productivity: Patterns Among Social Work Academics

This article analyzes how three sets of characteristics—(1) individual attitudes, practices, and academic position; (2) location and professional connections; and (3) marital/family statuses—operat...
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Precludes Replenishment of the Short-Lived Receptor of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha by Virion Host Shutoff-Dependent Degradation of Its mRNA

Cell function is tightly regulated by surface receptors. Earlier reports showed that herpes simplex virus 1 regulates by diverse mechanisms the presentation of antigenic peptides, downregulates the signaling pathways associated with receptor tyrosine kinases, and posttranslationally modifies members of the Src family of protein kinases. Here we report that the receptor for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-R1) rapidly disappears from both the cell surface and total cell lysates in cells infected with wild-type virus or a variety of mutants but not in cells infected with the mutant DeltaU(L)41, which lacks the U(L)41 gene, the virion host shutoff gene. The half-life of TNF-R1 appears to be less than 30 min in both mock-infected and infected cells. The disappearance of TNF-R1 correlates with the disappearance of cytoplasmic TNF-R1 mRNA in wild-type-virus-infected cells. The results suggest that by degrading the TNFR1 mRNA, the virus precludes the replenishment of naturally decaying TNF-R1.
University students' explanations for their descriptions of people who stutter: an exploratory mixed model study.

Abstract Semantic differential instruments are often used to assess fluent speakers’ attitudes toward people who stutter (PWS). Such instruments are prone to response bias and often lack the power to explain respondents’ general impressions of PWS. To address these concerns 149 fluent university students completed an open-ended questionnaire in which they described PWS and provided an explanation for their descriptions. A mixed model design with a qualitative emphasis allowed for thematic as well as quantitative data analysis. The results suggest that individuals may have simultaneously positive and negative attitudes toward PWS regardless of gender or familiarity with PWS. Multiple explanations were provided and took into account personal and societal reactions to stuttering. Fluent speakers appear to perceive PWS as being likeable individuals who are poor communicators, a combination of high-warmth and low-competence that elicits pity and passive harm from listeners according to social psychologists ( Cuddy et al., 2008 ). The implications of these findings and future research directions are discussed. Educational objectives After reading this article, the reader will be able to: (1) describe issues of concern related to the measurement of attitudes toward PWS; (2) describe how mixed (qualitative and quantitative) designs can contribute to a deeper understanding of fluent speakers’ attitudes toward PWS; and (3) discuss how the ways in which fluent speakers’ thoughts about stuttering and PWS can influence their emotions and behaviors when in the presence of someone who stutters.
Value of information methodology for assessing the ability of electrical resistivity to detect CO2/brine leakage into a shallow aquifer

a b s t r a c t Subsurface sequestration of CO2 has uncertainties and potential consequences. Decision analysis and the value of information (VOI) can aid in (1) linking subsurface uncertainty to economic outcomes and (2) determining when additional information may be useful before making further decisions. This study uses an uncertainty quantification (UQ) evaluation of CO2 and accompanying brine leakage into a shallow aquifer via an abandoned wellbore from a deep reservoir to demonstrate both of these functions. First, we equate the range of TDS (total dissolved solids) plume results into a range of possible economic outcomes from a decision for an agricultural application of the resource, where the groundwater is used to irrigate corn crops, and therefore high saline concentrations result in economic losses. We use the concept of perfect information and these risk quantification results to identify that any information source will be only relevant when considering plumes which exceed 2000 ppm concentration. Next, we provide a physics-based methodology to calculate the reliability of electrical resistance data to detect pH/brine plumes. We simulate the electrical resistivity response for all of the leak simulations from the UQ study. This gives us the information reliability which, along with the economic outcomes, is used to calculate the value of imperfect information (VOIII). The calculated reliabilities demonstrate that electrical resistivity generally can determine the existence of a plume but it cannot perfectly determine if the plumes’ concentration is ≥2000 ppm. We present VOIII measures for three different electrical resistivity field acquisitions that vary in their distance to the leaking wellbore. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Comparison of the reactions π− p → p + X and pp → p + X at 205 GeVc☆

Abstract Characteristics of the reactions π − p → p + X and pp → p + X are compared at 205 GeV c . In the lower multiplicity final states significant differences are observed in the spectrum of M 2 , the mass-squared of the produced system X. However, the inclusive reactions show remarkable similarities in the distribution of momentum transfer to the recoil proton and in the dependence on M 2 of the average charged multiplicity of X. Triple-Regge theory with PPP or PRR terms is found to correctly predict the ratio of the inclusive cross sections for 30 ≲ M 2 ≲ 120 GeV 2 .
Turbulent jet flames in a crossflow: effects of some jet, crossflow, and pilot-flame parameters on emissions

Abstract A study was conducted to document and understand the pollutant emissions characteristics of high-velocity jet flames in a crossflow of air. Measured were unburned hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, and NOx emission indices; the ratio of NO2 to NOx; and flame dimensions. Four fuels of differing sooting propensities were used: C2H4, C3H8, CH4, and a 95 wt.% CO/5 wt.% H2 mixture. A straight-tube burner was employed (4.12 mm i.d.) with jet velocities ranging from approximately 15–100 m/s, depending on the fuel type. Tests were conducted at two crossflow velocities, 2.3 and 4.3 m/s, yielding jet-to-crossflow velocity and momentum ratios within the ranges of 4–37 and 9–940, respectively. The crossflow flames are shorter than comparable straight-jet flames, indicative of enhanced entrainment and mixing. Comparatively high levels of unburned hydrocarbons and CO emissions, along with high ratios of NO2 to NOx, obtain for crossflow flames as a consequence of fuel being swept from the jet in the nearfield, which is possibly supplemented by local flame quenching brought about by the rapid mixing with the crossflow. NOx emissions tend to follow the same trends as those of straight-jet flames, for most conditions. Ethylene flames, however, are a major exception. For these flames, NOx emission indices depend strongly on both the jet-to-crossflow momentum ratio and the magnitude of the crossflow velocity. Radiant fraction measurements suggest that the NOx levels are coupled strongly with how the crossflow affects in-flame soot and, consequently, radiation losses.
An observational study of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis prophylaxis in a national cohort of male veterans with rheumatoid arthritis

We applied regression techniques to a large cohort of patients to understand why certain patients are prescribed medications to prevent glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO). Rates of prescriptions to prevent osteoporosis were low. The presence of drugs and disorders associated with osteoporosis and gastrointestinal conditions actually are associated with a decreased likelihood of receiving osteoporosis-preventing medications. To understand why some patients are prescribed medications to prevent GIO while other patients are not, we examined whether there is an association among osteoporosis-inducing medical conditions or medications and prescriptions for osteoporosis prophylaxis in a large cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients on chronic glucocorticoids. Department of Veterans’ Affairs national administrative databases were used to construct a cohort (n = 9,605) and provide the data for this study. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine medical conditions and medications associated with dispensing of GIO-preventive medications, controlling for sociodemographic variables, comorbidities, glucocorticoid dosage, prior fractures, and rheumatoid arthritis severity. A subanalysis examined predictors of early GIO prevention. Subjects were more likely to receive GIO prophylaxis if they were older, African American, treated with multiple antirheumatic disease-modifying drugs, or received greater glucocorticoid exposure. The prescription of certain drug classes (loop diuretics and anticonvulsants) and conditions (malignancy, renal insufficiency, alcohol abuse, and hepatic disease) were associated with lower likelihood of GIO prophylaxis, despite putative links between these agents/conditions and osteoporosis. The presence of gastrointestinal disorders dramatically decreased likelihood of GIO prophylaxis. Few characteristics predicted the dispensing of GIO-preventing medications within 7 days of the initial glucocorticoid start date. Rates of prescriptions to prevent osteoporosis in a cohort of older men with rheumatoid arthritis on chronic glucocorticoids were low. Gastrointestinal disorders and drugs and disorders potentially linked to osteoporosis are associated with diminished odds of being prescribed GIO-preventing medications.
nhr-25, the Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog of ftz-f1, is required for epidermal and somatic gonad development.

We have analyzed the expression and function of the Caenorhabditis elegans gene nhr-25, a member of the widely conserved FTZ-F1 family of nuclear receptors. The gene encodes two protein isoforms, only one of which has a DNA binding domain. nhr-25 is transcribed during embryonic and larval development. A nhr-25::GFP fusion gene is expressed in the epidermis, the developing somatic gonad, and a subset of other epithelial cells. RNA-mediated interference indicates a requirement for nhr-25 function during development: disruption of nhr-25 function leads to embryonic arrest due to failure of the epidermally mediated process of embryo elongation. Animals that survive to hatching arrest as misshapen larvae that occasionally exhibit defects in shedding molted cuticle. In addition, somatic gonad development is defective in these larvae. These results further establish the importance of FTZ-F1 nuclear receptors in molting and developmental control across evolutionarily distant phyla.
Improving positive blood culture removal time significantly decreases total processing time.

Context.— Timely processing of blood cultures with positive results, including Gram staining and notification of clinicians, is a critical function of the clinical microbiology laboratory. Analysis of processing time in our laboratory revealed opportunities to enhance workflow efficiency. We found that the average time from positive blood culture result to removal of the bottle for processing (positive-to-removal [PR] time) was inadequate for our rapid pathogen identification program. Objective.— To determine whether increased vigilance about PR time and prioritization of laboratory resources would decrease PR time and total processing time. Design.— We performed a retrospective analysis of blood culture PR time 7 months before and 7 months after an in-service meeting during which the importance of PR time was emphasized, and corrective measures were implemented. Results.— Before the in-service meeting, the average PR time for 5057 samples was 38 minutes, with an aggregate time of 192 251 minutes. Unexpec...
The effect of training technique and amygdala lesions on the acquisition and retention of a taste aversion

This study explored the effect of amygdala lesions in rats on the acquisition of a taste aversion using either a single bottle or two bottle training procedure. The results indicated that training procedure was an important factor in the development of a taste aversion. Animals with amygdala lesions acquired an aversion as rapidly as control animals using a two bottle technique, but showed a marked retardation in learning when a single bottle technique was employed. In extinction, all amygdala-lesioned animals showed a persistent aversion to the taste. These results were taken to support the concept that lesions to the amygdala produce an inhibitory deficit.
Colchicine inhibits isoflurane-induced preconditioning.

Background When administered before prolonged myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, isoflurane exerts potent cardioprotective effects similar to those inferred by ischemic preconditioning. To determine whether an intact cytoskeleton is critically important in isoflurane-induced preconditioning, the authors used a rabbit model in which isoflurane-induced myocardial preconditioning decreases myocardial infarct size (IS) substantially. In this model, the authors tested whether the microtubule depolymerizing agent, colchicine, would inhibit isoflurane-induced myocardial preconditioning. Methods Myocardial IS was measured in four groups of propofol-anesthetized rabbits, each subjected to 30 min of anterolateral coronary occlusion followed by 3 h of reperfusion. Groups differed only in the pretreatments given, and only the control group received no pretreatment. An isoflurane-preconditioned group was pretreated with 15 min of end-tidal isoflurane, 1.1%, and then 15 min of washout. An isoflurane-plus-colchicine group was administered 2 mg/kg colchicine intravenously before isoflurane pretreatment. A colchicine-control group was administered 2 mg/kg colchicine but no isoflurane pretreatment. Myocardial IS and area at risk (AR) were defined by staining. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance or covariance. Results Infarct size, expressed as a percentage of AR (IS:AR) was 33.6% ± 8.8% (SD) in the control group. Isoflurane preexposure reduced myocardial IS:AR significantly, to 11.8% ± 9.1%. Colchicine pretreatment eliminated the preconditioning-like effect of isoflurane (IS:AR = 32.6% ± 8.7%). Colchicine alone did not alter IS (IS:AR = 27.6% ± 7.1%;P= not significant). Conclusions Colchicine abolished the preconditioning effect of isoflurane but did not increase IS when administered alone. An intact microtubular cytoskeleton is critically important in the process of volatile anesthetic-induced preconditioning.
Tolerant Dimensions Of Cultural Pluralism in the Ottoman Empire: The Albanian Community, 1800–1912

Scholars who have conducted research on the different peoples of the Ottoman Empire in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries have, as a general rule, focused their studies on the process by which the various national minorities gained their independence from “Turkish” rule. To study this complex problem, historians of the Balkans and of Middle Eastern countries other than Turkey have selected a methodological framework which seeks to analyze the nature of the struggles that led to the eventual emergence of nation-states such as Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, and Syria.
Mother-infant relationships in bonnet macaques: sources of variation in proximity

Family composition is an important predictor of variation in proximity among captive bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata) mothers and their infants. Infants that have several immature sisters in the group are initially more independent that infants with fewer sisters, but as they reach 6 months of age infants with several sisters become less independent than their peers. The effects of the presence of juvenile females on the relative independence of their infant siblings seem to be related to the fact that the members of families with several immature females are the targets of more aggression than are the members of other families.
Hindered diffusion of high molecular weight compounds in brain extracellular microenvironment measured with integrative optical imaging

This paper describes the theory of an integrative optical imaging system and its application to the analysis of the diffusion of 3-, 10-, 40-, and 70-kDa fluorescent dextran molecules in agarose gel and brain extracellular microenvironment. The method uses a precisely defined source of fluorescent molecules pressure ejected from a micropipette, and a detailed theory of the intensity contributions from out-of-focus molecules in a three-dimensional medium to a two-dimensional image. Dextrans tagged with either tetramethylrhodamine or Texas Red were ejected into 0.3% agarose gel or rat cortical slices maintained in a perfused chamber at 34 degrees C and imaged using a compound epifluorescent microscope with a 10 x water-immersion objective. About 20 images were taken at 2-10-s intervals, recorded with a cooled CCD camera, then transferred to a 486 PC for quantitative analysis. The diffusion coefficient in agarose gel, D, and the apparent diffusion coefficient, D*, in brain tissue were determined by fitting an integral expression relating the measured two-dimensional image intensity to the theoretical three-dimensional dextran concentration. The measurements in dilute agarose gel provided a reference value of D and validated the method. Values of the tortuosity, lambda = (D/D*)1/2, for the 3- and 10-kDa dextrans were 1.70 and 1.63, respectively, which were consistent with previous values derived from tetramethylammonium measurements in cortex. Tortuosities for the 40- and 70-kDa dextrans had significantly larger values of 2.16 and 2.25, respectively. This suggests that the extracellular space may have local constrictions that hinder the diffusion of molecules above a critical size that lies in the range of many neurotrophic compounds.
Vision screening essentials: screening today for eye disorders in the pediatric patient.

1. Donald H. Tingley, MD* 1. *OcuSight Eye Care Center, Rochester, NY After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Discuss the role of early intervention for vision-threatening problems. 2. Explain how to screen patients for the most common vision problems. 3. Recognize when to screen for vision problems. 4. Describe who should be screened for vision problems. Screening for eye disorders and vision problems is essential in preparing pediatric patients for the future. For this reason, regular vision evaluations are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Significant problems affecting vision are common in children. Vision problems occur in 5% to 10% of all preschoolers and include refractive error, strabismus, and amblyopia. Strabismus is present in 4% of preschool-age children, and amblyopia affects up to 40% of those having strabismus. Major refractive errors requiring correction occur in 5% to 7% of preschool-age children. Cataracts in children are far less common (0.1% incidence), but vision can be affected seriously without early treatment. A simple screening can check effectively for such problems during a time when treatment is most critical without requiring all patients to have a “gold standard” complete eye evaluation at every age, saving both time and health-care resources. Screening improves visual acuity. In a randomized, longitudinal study, intensive early screening led to a 60% decreased prevalence of amblyopia and improved visual acuity compared with a one-time screening at 37 months of age. (1) Amblyopia responds to therapy, and results are best when treatment is started early in life. The same study showed a 70% lower prevalence of residual amblyopia after treatment when therapy was initiated before age 3 years. The single most effective screening test for the presence of amblyopia is the determination of visual acuity via noninvasive screening. The consequences of not finding vision-related problems can include adverse effects on school and social performance as well as adult self-image. Further, …
Measurement of electron-ion recombination

Microwave techniques are applied to the measurement of the recombination between electrons and positive ions. The measured recombination coefficients for monatomic gases range from 1.7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ cc/ion-sec. for helium to 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$ cc/ion-sec. for argon. The recombination coefficients for diatomic gases range from 2.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ cc/ion-sec. for hydrogen to 2.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$ cc/ion-sec. for oxygen. At electron temperatures of 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, the recombination is found to be independent of pressure for the monatomic gases. A pressure dependence is observed in diatomic gases, the recombination increasing with increasing pressure in nitrogen and oxygen.
SWCNT-thin-film-enabled fiber sensors for lifelong structural health monitoring of polymeric composites - From manufacturing to utilization to failure

Abstract With glass, polyaramid, nylon and polyethylene terephthalate as the fiber substrate, a continuous spray coating and winding process was developed for fabricating SWCNT-FibSen sensor – single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) thin film enabled 1D fiber sensor. The microstructures of the SWCNT-FibSen and its piezoresistive behavior were respectively characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy and evaluated by the coupled electromechanical tensile test. With embedding the SWCNT-FibSen sensor in the fiberglass prepreg laminates at different orientations and locations, its use for multipurpose sensing in life-long (from manufacturing to failure) structural health monitoring of high-performance polymeric composites was demonstrated. During the manufacturing process, the sensor was able to provide valuable local resin curing information. After the manufacturing process, the sensor was useful in mapping the stress/strain states of the host composite under different deformation modes – tension, bending, compression and failure. The integrity of the sensing performance of the embedded SWCNT-FibSen sensor was demonstrated upon a 10,000-cyclic coupled electromechanical test.
Natural bacterial flora of the bean clam, Donax gouldi

Abstract Morphological and physiological studies of 47 bacterial isolates from the digestive gland of Donax gouldi, the bean clam, indicated the predominance of gram-negative, polar monotrichous, fermentative rods of the genus Vibrio. Environmental factors apparently influence the variety of bacteria present in healthy clams from two sites, but intrinsic factors are considered more vital in the selection of the gut flora. The significance of the uniformity of bacterial types in the digestive tract of various marine animals is discussed.
Tuning charge balance in PHOLEDs with ambipolar host materials to achieve high efficiency

The efficiency and stability of blue organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) continue to be a primary roadblock to developing organic solid state white lighting. For OLEDs to meet the high power conversion efficiency goal, they will require both close to 100% internal quantum efficiency and low operating voltage in a white light emitting device.
Is there a signal of sea-level rise in Chesapeake Bay salinity?

[1] We evaluate the hypothesis that sea-level rise over the second half of the 20th century has led to detectable increases in Chesapeake Bay salinity. We exploit a simple, statistical model that predicts monthly mean salinity as a function of Susquehanna River flow in 23 segments of the main stem Chesapeake Bay. The residual (observed minus modeled) salinity exhibits statistically significant linear (p < 0.05) trends between 1949 and 2006 in 13 of the 23 segments of the bay. The salinity change estimated from the trend line over this period varies from −2.0 to 2.2, with 10 of the 13 cells showing positive changes. The mean and median salinity changes over all 23 cells are 0.47 and 0.72; over the 13 cells with significant trends they are 0.71 and 1.1. We ran a hydrodynamic model of the bay under present-day and reduced sea level conditions and found a bay-average salinity increase of about 0.5, which supports the hypothesis that the salinity residual trends have a significant component due to sea-level rise. Uncertainties remain, however, due to the spatial and temporal extent of historical salinity data and the infilling of the bay due to sedimentation. The salinity residuals also exhibit interannual variability, with peaks occurring at intervals of roughly 7 to 9 years, which are partially explained by Atlantic Shelf salinity, Potomac River flow and the meridional component of wind stress.
Community Education and Green Jobs: Acknowledging Existing Connection.

Green jobs are currently a much-discussed topic in political, economic, and educational forums. Millions of Americans would be very glad to have one. But what are they exactly? Or more pointedly, what should they be and how can the field of adult education support their development? From the perspective of a community educator who has worked in the field of environmental education and environmental justice for more than 15 years, green jobs should be more than environmentally friendly employment, as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They should serve to advance the development of sustainable societies. To do this, there are three elements that, woven together, can create green jobs that will serve society in significant ways. These elements are workforce development; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education; and community education for sustainability. Examples of existing programs that address these elements will be discussed below.
Testosterone effect on experimental diabetes mellitus in encephalomyocarditis (emc) virus infected mice.

A diabetes mellitus-like disease occurs in male DBA/2 mice infected with the M variant of the encephalomyocarditis virus. Female mice of this strain sustain systemic infection, but rarely exhibit hyperglycaemia. The diabetogenic effects of the virus were studied in 3 groups of adult DBA/2 males-castrates, castrates treated with testosterone, and sham-operated controls. After infection, pancreatic insulin concentrations decreased precipitously to approximately 10% of control values in intact males and castrates treated with testosterone; hyperglycaemia occurred concomitantly in both groups. In contrast, untreated castrates failed to develop hyperglycaemia and the effect on the insulin content of the pancreas was less striking.
Advances in the development of next-generation anthrax vaccines

Anthrax, a disease of herbivores, only rarely infects humans. However, the threat of using Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent, to intentionally produce disease has been the impetus for development of next-generation vaccines. Two licensed vaccines have been available for human use for several decades. These are composed of acellular culture supernatants containing the protective antigen (PA) component of the anthrax toxins. In this review we summarize the various approaches used to develop improved vaccines. These efforts have included the use of PA with newer adjuvants and delivery systems, including bacterial and viral vectors and DNA vaccines. Attempts to broaden the protection afforded by PA-based vaccines have focused on adding other B. anthracis components, including spore and capsule antigens.
Canonic real-valued FFT structures

An N-point FFT processes N complex signals to compute N output complex signals using decimation-in-time (DIT) or decimation-in-frequency (DIF) approach. The FFT makes use of n = log 2 N stages of computations where each stage computes N complex signals; N is assumed to be power-of-two. This paper considers implementation of a real signal of length N. Since the degrees of freedom of the input data is N, each stage of the FFT should not need to compute more than N signal values, where a signal value can corresponds to a purely real or purely imaginary value. Any more than N samples computed at any FFT stage is inherently redundant. This paper, for the first time, presents novel DIT and DIF structures for computing real FFT, referred as RFFT, that are canonic with respect to the number signal values computed at each FFT stage. In the proposed structure, in an N-point RFFT, exactly N signal values are computed at the output of each FFT stage and at the output. No prior canonic DIT RFFT structure was presented before. This paper, for the first time, presents a formal approach to compute RFFT using DIT in a canonic manner. While canonic FFT structures based on decimation-in-frequency were presented before, these structures were derived in an adhoc way. This paper presents a formal method to derive canonic DIF RFFT structures.
Unilateral Hearing Loss in Young Children: Developing Best Practices with Limited Evidence

Substantial evidence exists to highlight the difficulties that children with UHL can experience. Unfortunately, the research regarding effective intervention for this population of children remains...
Bridging the gap between academia and industry - Washington University's process control laboratories

Washington University's Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering uses a DCS virtual plant to model and explore bioreactor and bioprocess control opportunities. “State of the Art” industrial software, hardware and novel synthetic biology technologies are utilized to learn actual problems in both traditional chemical plant and new biotechnology industry. Students conduct control concept testing with pilot plant scale hardware/software. Emphasis is placed on advanced control techniques and its new applications that is easy enough to be used by undergraduates with the guidance of an experienced instructor.
AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF CALIBRATION IN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL EXPERT JUDGMENT

In contrast to many studies revealing biases in the probabilistic judgments of task-naive participants, a growing body of literature has revealed that over time, professionals are able to gain a reasonably accurate appreciation for the inherent uncertainty that exists in their work environments. The present study assessed how well experienced (working) air traffic controllers are able to predict the probability of the loss of separation between a pair of converging aircraft. Sixteen controllers expressed probabilistically whether or not the depicted pair of aircraft would lose separation. The actual probability of conflict was manipulated by varying the time differential between when each pair of aircraft would reach the point of potential conflict, coupled with uncertainty due to wind perturbations. Results revealed that in instances where perceptual information was available to distinguish between conflicts and non-conflicts, the difference between the actual conflict probability and the mean of the controllers’ judged probabilities of conflict was minimal, highlighting the high calibration level of these domain experts at an aggregate level.
Research Note---Interbrand Variant Overlap: Impact on Brand Preference and Portfolio Profit

Firms often carry a portfolio of multiple brands within a product category to target different quality tiers in the market. Furthermore, to satisfy heterogeneous consumer preferences within each quality tier, these firms also offer several variants for each brand. A natural outcome of this practice is interbrand variant overlap that could occur across tiers or within a tier. In this paper, we show that across-tier variant overlap is likely to diminish the preference of an upper-tier brand and enhance the preference of a lower-tier brand. We also find that variant overlap within a tier is likely to increase preferences of a brand belonging to the tier. Such variant overlap effects have important brand portfolio management implications for a multibrand firm. Specifically, we demonstrate that such a firm can enhance its portfolio profit under certain conditions by pruning its variants to reduce variant overlap. Because our paper relies on aggregate data, future research should investigate variant overlap at the individual level using panel or experimental data.
Determinants of Maternal Mortality in the Developing World

Maternal mortality is the culmination of a series of detrimental events in a woman's life, pregnancy being the last one. The underlying pathology is the lack of education, sanitation, accessible health care, as well as poor nutrition and poverty. These affect women during pregnancy and childbirth when they are more vulnerable. This 10-year review of literature from the developing world focuses on, and discusses the determinants of maternal mortality. Methods of reducing maternal mortality through policy addressing health care needs are touched on.
Genetic factors in exercise adoption, adherence and obesity

Physical activity and exercise play critical roles in energy balance. While many interventions targeted at increasing physical activity have demonstrated efficacy in promoting weight loss or maintenance in the short term, long term adherence to such programmes is not frequently observed. Numerous factors have been examined for their ability to predict and/or influence physical activity and exercise adherence. Although physical activity has been demonstrated to have a strong genetic component in both animals and humans, few studies have examined the association between genetic variation and exercise adherence. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of the non-genetic and genetic predictors of physical activity and adherence to exercise. In addition, we report the results of analysis of 26 single nucleotide polymorphisms in six candidate genes examined for association to exercise adherence, duration, intensity and total exercise dose in young adults from the Training Interventions and Genetics of Exercise Response (TIGER) Study. Based on both animal and human research, neural signalling and pleasure/reward systems in the brain may drive in large part the propensity to be physically active and to adhere to an exercise programme. Adherence/compliance research in other fields may inform future investigation of the genetics of exercise adherence.
Perceived family members' influence on introducing healthy food into the family

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the perceived reactions of the adolescent, mother, father and brother/sister on the introduction of healthy food into the family. Subjects were 328 adolescents between 12 and 22 years of age. Twenty classes were included in the study, five classes chosen randomly for each grade level. Four hypothetical situations were submitted to the adolescent representing a family member trying to introduce healthy food into the family. The findings provide support for the strategy of targeting families rather than individuals in nutrition intervention programs. Independent of age, adolescents attribute themselves not too much influence in changing the families eating habits. As reported by adolescents, mothers are seen to be more powerful than their children, but less influential than their husbands. Introduction of healthy food by the father results in positive reactions by the adolescent (mean 3.6) and the mother (mean 3.8). Introduction of healthy food by the mother results in comparable positive reactions by the adolescent (mean 3.7), but in less positive reactions by the father and other siblings (mean 3.1). The adolescent themselves gets less positive reactions, by the mother (mean 3.4), the father (mean 3.0) and siblings (mean 2.9). This argues against targeting the 'gatekeeper', in the hope
Transcending Socialization: A Nine-Year Ethnography of the Body’s Role in Organizational Control and Knowledge Workers’ Transformation

A nine-year ethnography is used to show how two investment banks’ controls, including socialization, targeted bankers’ bodies, how the bankers’ relations to their bodies evolved, and what the organ...
Reconfigurable coordination model for dynamic autonomous real-time systems

In an open environment, in addition to satisfy both temporal and functional requirements, real-time information systems are further complicated by the dynamicity of composing autonomous entities. The paper presents a real-time reconfigurable coordination model (RT-RCC) that decomposes dynamic realtime information systems based on the principle of separation of concerns, in contrast to traditional object-oriented functional decompositions. In particular, dynamic open distributed real-time systems are decomposed into two categories of active entities, namely, functional actors which are responsible for accomplishing tasks, and non-functional coordinators which are responsible for coordination among the functional actors. High level language abstractions and a framework for actors and coordinators are provided to facilitate programming with the RT-RCC model. Our initial performance evaluation of the framework in non real-time environment has shown that the overhead introduced by separating coordinators from functional entities is less than 2%, the benefit gained is the decoupling of non-functional and functional requirements and the improvement of the software modularity and reusability in both functional and non-functional domains.
Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). XIII. Systematics of Miconia subcompressa, a Hispaniolan endemic comprised of three eco-geographic subspecies

The pattern of morphological variation in Miconia subcompressa, a species endemic to the mountains of southern Hispaniola, is assessed by a consideration of numerous herbarium specimens (many collected by the authors) and a phenetic (Principal Components) analysis of 14 vegetative characters, and morphological entities are compared with a phylogenetic hypothesis based on nrDNA-sequence variation (ITS, ETS) including several accessions of this species (from across its geographic and elevational range) as well as related species of Miconia sect. Chaenopleura , especially those of the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti. Our morphological data, incorporating recently collected herbarium material, indicate that the populations of M. subcompressa from the Monteada Nueva region (= Loma Trocha de Pey) are diagnosable morphologically from those of the Massif de la Selle and Massif de la Hotte, and these plants are described here as Miconia subcompressa subsp. beverlyana . Additionally, this study supports the recognition of the populations from moist pine forest/cloud forest habitats of the Massif de la Hotte, occurring mainly from 1450–2300 m, as M. subcompressa subsp. plumieri (= M. plumerii, sic). Finally, Miconia subcompressa may be paraphyletic, as preliminary molecular evidence suggests that M. xenotricha may have arisen within its phylogenetic structure.
Differential Damage to Range Grass Seedlings by Russian Wheat Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Resistance to feeding damage by the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), was studied in the greenhouse on seedlings of nine range grass species: Elytrigia dasystachya (Hook.) A. Love & D. Love, Elytrigia intermedia (Host) Nevski subsp. intermedia, Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski, Elytrigia spicata (Pursh) D. R. Dewey, Elytrigia supifolia (Czern. ex Nevski) Nevski, Elymus trachycaulus (Link) Gould ex Shinn, Elymus cinereus Scribner & Merr., Elymus junceus Fischer, and Leymus karelinii (Turcz.) Tzvelev, and two hybrids between Elytrigia repens and Elytrigia spicata and Elytrigia repens and Elytrigia supifalia . Based on the amount of feeding damage, plant introductions (PI 440065 and PI 440066) of Elytrigia repens and the hybrids between Elytrigia repens and Elytrigia spicata (RS and RSl) and Elytrigia repens and Elytrigia supifalia were resistant. All other entries were susceptible. It may be possible to use Elytrigia repens entries with Russian wheat aphid resistance to make interspecific crosses to a broad range of grasses for the purpose of developing Russian wheat aphid-resistant grass hybrids.
The Corporate Boomerang: Shareholder Transnational Advocacy Networks Targeting Oil Companies in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Transnational advocacy networks (TANs) targeting corporations differ from those targeting states in the strategies they employ, determinants of network effectiveness, and assessments of goal achiev...
Effect of ethanol, acetate, and phenol on toluene degradation activity and tod–lux expression in Pseudomonas putida TOD102: evaluation of the metabolic flux dilution model

The reporter strain Pseudomonas putida TOD102 (with a tod-lux fusion) was used in chemostat experiments with binary substrate mixtures to investigate the effect of potentially occurring cosubstrates on toluene degradation activity. Although toluene was simultaneously utilized with other cosubstrates, its metabolic flux (defined as the toluene utilization rate per cell) decreased with increasing influent concentrations of ethanol, acetate, or phenol. Three inhibitory mechanisms were considered to explain these trends: (1) repression of the tod gene (coding for toluene dioxygenase) by acetate and ethanol, which was quantified by a decrease in specific bioluminescence; (2) competitive inhibition of toluene dioxygenase by phenol; and (3) metabolic flux dilution (MFD) by all three cosubstrates. Based on experimental observations, MFD was modeled without any fitting parameters by assuming that the metabolic flux of a substrate in a mixture is proportional to its relative availability (expressed as a fraction of the influent total organic carbon). Thus, increasing concentrations of alternative carbon sources “dilute” the metabolic flux of toluene without necessarily repressing tod, as observed with phenol (a known tod inducer). For all cosubstrates, the MFD model slightly overpredicted the measured toluene metabolic flux. Incorporating catabolite repression (for experiments with acetate or ethanol) or competitive inhibition (for experiments with phenol) with independently obtained parameters resulted in more accurate fits of the observed decrease in toluene metabolic flux with increasing cosubstrate concentration. These results imply that alternative carbon sources (including inducers) are likely to hinder toluene utilization per unit cell, and that these effects can be accurately predicted with simple mathematical models. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Generation of sawtooth and square waveforms for heavy ion induction accelerator cells using impedance tapered PFN's

The induction linear accelerator is a leading candidate for the acceleration of high current heavy ion beams to initiate inertial confinement fusion (ICF). To impart energy to the ion beam, it is necessary to generate well controlled ramped pulses at the beginning of the acceleration cycle and flat top pulses in later stages of the linac. The linac consists of many series induction cores similar to other previous induction accelerators but with the added requirement that the waveshapes are changing along the length of the accelerator in order to maintain longitudinal stability. It is highly desirable to generate these waveforms to be within a few percent of the ideal as required by physics so that a minimum of "active" modulators are applied to reach 1% of ideal. Since the induction cores are highly nonlinear, impedance tapered PFN's are used to generate both sawtooth and square pulses.
Subgingival microflora of periodontal patients on tetracycline therapy

Samples of subgingival plaque were collected from periodontal patients receiving two different tetracycline treatment regimens following conventional periodontal therapy. Four patients had received an oral dose of 1000 mg/day for 2 weeks and nine had received 1000 mg/day for 1 week followed by 250 mg/day for extended time periods. The latter regimen is similar so that commonly prescribed for the chronic skin disease, acne vulgaris. Taxonomic characterization of plaque isolates indicated that the predominant organisms cultured from both treatment groups were species of Streptococcus and the branching, filamentous Gram-positive rods, Actinomyces and Rothia. A much greater microbial complexity was observed among the flora isolated from patients taking 250 mg/day. The latter group harbored many of the fastidious Gram-negative organisms presently implicated in the etiology of periodontal disease. All bacterial strains isolated were tested for resistance to tetracycline by replica-plating cultures on an agar medium containing two-fold dilutions of the antibiotic. Streptococcus, Veillonella and Neisseria were the bacterial genera found to be consistently resistant to tetracycline, with minimum inhibitory concentrations as high as 128 micrograms/ml. Among the Actinomyces, selection for antibiotic resistance was common only within a single species, A. odontolyticus. However, A viscosus strains isolated at 54% of the subgingival flora from one patient did demonstrate an intermediate resistance level, growing on concentrations up to 8 micrograms/ml. Tetracycline resistance was shown by a variety of Gram-negative rods isolated from the low dosage group. Although a minimum number of patients were studied, extensive microbial analyses of the predominating subgingival bacteria indicated that the goal of tetracycline therapy was achieved during the 2-week therapy period at 1000 mg/day.