cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of generalized filter-diagonalization to extract instantaneous normal modes

Abstract In this paper, we apply the generalized filter-diagonalization (GFD) technique for extracting normal modes through correlation functions generated by molecular dynamics simulation. We test our method on a 256 argon particles system. Normal modes are calculated by the power spectrum of the velocity auto-correlation function, generalized filter-diagonalization, and direct diagonalization of the force matrix. The argon cluster provides a rigorous model for the generalized filter-diagonalization technique since the average separation between adjacent modes is less than 0.1 cm −1 . Excellent agreement was achieved even for normal modes that are separated by as little as ∼ 0.01 cm −1 .
Ensuring rational public reporting systems for health care-associated infections: systematic literature review and evaluation recommendations.

Background The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) systematically reviewed published studies for the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) in preparation for guidance to states on mandatory public reporting systems for health care–associated infections (HAI) in hospitals. The HICPAC asked whether public reporting systems are effective in improving health care performance, by measured improvements in clinical processes or patients' health status as the intended outcomes, including but not limited to reduced HAI events; and whether new evidence of effectiveness of private reporting policies to reduce HAI had been published since the 1970s landmark Study on the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control study. Methods Public reporting systems are information provided to the public about the quality of health services. Of 450 published papers reviewed using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 studies qualified for detailed, protocol-based abstractions. Results Findings indicate that the evidence for effectiveness for public reporting systems to improve health care performance is inconclusive. No studies have investigated reduction of HAI as an outcome of public reporting. Conclusion Rigorous evaluation of mandatory public reporting systems for HAI is recommended to ensure that stakeholders' needs are identified and met.
CD14 C-159T polymorphism and its association with chronic lung diseases: A pilot study on isocyanate exposed population of Central India

Context: CD14 functions as a multifunctional receptor for bacterial cell wall components including endotoxin and lipopolysaccharide and is likely to influence the cytokine profile and subsequent immunoglobulin E production in response to antigen/allergen contact in allergic phenotypes. Aims: The present study was to investigate genetic polymorphism in CD14 gene - 159C/T, which may be one of the risk factor for increased prevalence of Chronic Lung Diseases in the Central India. Settings and Design: Survivors of Methyl isocyanates toxicity in Bhopal still suffering from various respiratory ailments were examined. Materials and Methods: Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was performed to determine the polymorphism of C-159T. Statistical analysis used: All analysis was done using SPSS software, version 11.5 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). Results: The genotype and allelic frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg's equilibrium. Prevalence of CC, CT, and TT were 5.5%, 22.2% and 9.25% respectively in asthmatics; 16.6%, 20.3% and 5.5% respectively in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and 5.5%, 14.8% and 1.85 respectively among interstitial lung disorder (ILD) patients; whereas the control cohort with no methyl isocyanate exposure displayed (CC, CT, and TT) cytosine,thymine as 2%, 1.6% and 2% respectively. Increased risk of Asthma among those carrying TT genotype and T allele (odds ratio [OR] =2.61 and 2.02 respectively). Conclusion: COPD risk significantly found among those with CC genotype and C allele (OR = 2.81 and 1.50 respectively), whereas ILD risk found significantly among CT genotype and C allele (OR = 1.75 and 1.40 respectively). Therefore, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) C-159T polymorphism in CD14 gene might be a risk factor for development of CLD in this population.
Blood organochlorine pesticide concentrations, clinical hematology and biochemistry in workers occupationally exposed to pesticides.

Organochlorine pesticide concentrations in blood and various clinical test variables were measured in 2,620 pesticide-exposed subjects and in 1,049 persons not occupationally exposed to pesticides. Differences in the pesticide contents of blood were identified in relation to geography, age, and occupational exposure. Analysis of hematologic and biochemical variables in terms of broad occupational categories revealed only very limited differences, but relationships of certain biochemical tests to serum organochlorine pesticide contents suggested subtle effects of these pesticides on liver function.
Inhibition of transgene expression in plant protoplasts by the presence in cis of an opposing 3′-promoter

Abstract The possibility that gene expression could be negatively modulated by RNA polymerases transcribing a gene from its 3′ end towards its 5′ end concurrent with normal 5′ to 3′ transcription has been investigated. The effect of 3′ promoter presence and orientation on 5′ to 3′ gene transcription was determined by comparing transient chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity in Nicotiana tabacum suspension culture protoplasts electroporated with various cat gene containing plasmids. Initial constructs contained the CaMV 35S promoter 5′ to the Tn9 cat gene-nos terminator and in some cases the CaMV 35S promoter 3′ to the nos terminator. Using these constructs in linearized form a statistically significant reduction, about two-fold, in CAT activity as compared to normal single 5′ promoter configuration driven expression, was seen only in the presence of a 3′ promoter inverted with respect to the 5′ promoter. The presence of a 3′ promoter in the same orientation as the 5′ promoter resulted in no significant reduction in CAT activity. Possible mechanisms include antisense RNA production, RNA polymerase ‘colllision’, transcriptionally induced topological constraints and/or destabilization of positive transcriptional factors. The effects of decreasing the 5′ promoter strength and providing a strong polyA-signal/terminator for the antisense strand are also reported.
Glyco-macroligand microarray with controlled orientation and glycan density

We report a new type of glycan microarray, namely, oriented and density-controlled glyco-macroligand microarray based on end-point immobilization of glycopolymer that was accompanied with boronic acid (BA) ligands in different sizes as detachable “temporary molecular spacers”. Briefly, an O-cyanate chain-end functionalized lactose-containing glycopolymer was pre-complexed with polyacrylamide–BA, lysozyme–BA, and bovine serum albumin (BSA)–BA conjugates as macromolecular spacers first and then immobilized onto an amine-functionalized glass slide via isourea bond formation both at pH 10.3, respectively. Subsequently, the macromolecular spacers were detached from the immobilized glycopolymers at pH 7.4 so as to afford the oriented and density controlled glycopolymer microarrays. The spaced glycopolymer microarray showed enhanced lectin (Arachis hypogaea) binding compared to a non-spaced one. Among them, the polyacrylamide–BA spaced glycopolymer showed the highest level of lectin binding compared to lysozyme–BA- and BSA–BA-spaced glycopolymers. Furthermore, SPR results confirmed the same trend of density-dependent lectin binding as the glycoarray. This glyco-macroligand microarray platform permits variations of glycan density in the polymer, glycopolymer density and its orientation on the microarray surface and thus will provide a versatile tool for profiling glycan recognition for both basic biological research and practical applications.
Generating NMR chemical shift assignments of intrinsically disordered proteins using carbon-detected NMR methods.

Abstract There is an extraordinary need to describe the structures of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) due to their role in various biological processes involved in signaling and transcription. However, general study of IDPs by NMR spectroscopy is limited by the poor 1H amide chemical shift dispersion typically observed in their spectra. Recently, 13C direct-detected NMR spectroscopy has been recognized as enabling broad structural study of IDPs. Most notably, multidimensional experiments based on the 15N,13C CON spectrum make complete chemical shift assignment feasible. Here we document a collection of NMR-based tools that efficiently lead to chemical shift assignment of IDPs, motivated by a case study of the C-terminal disordered region from the human pancreatic transcription factor Pdx1. Our strategy builds on the combination of two three-dimensional (3D) experiments, (HN-flip)N(CA)CON and 3D (HN-flip)N(CA)NCO, that enable daisy chain connections to be built along the IDP backbone, facilitated by acquisition of amino acid-specific 15N,13C CON-detected experiments. Assignments are completed through carbon-detected, total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY)-based side chain chemical shift measurement. Conducting our study required producing valuable modifications to many previously published pulse sequences, motivating us to announce the creation of a database of our pulse programs, which we make freely available through our website.
NADP phosphatase as a marker in free-flow electrophoretic separations for cisternae of the Golgi apparatus midregion.

Abstract Based on cytochemical analysis, the enzyme NADP phosphatase is most concentrated in the so-called intercalary cisternae from the mid-region of the Golgi apparatus stack. Using free-flow electrophoresis to separate different Golgi regions of rat liver Golgi apparatus, the NADP phosphatase activity, based on estimation of the rate of release of inorganic phosphate from NADP under standard conditions, was similarly localized to membrane fractions from the center of electrophoretic separations. Peak specific activities for both a putative cis marker (NADH-cytochrome c reductase) and an established trans marker (galactosyltransferase) coincided with minima in NADP phosphatase activity, in agreement with the cytochemical observations. The pattern of distribution of enzyme activity for NADP phosphatase differed from that of both acid phosphatase and glucose-6-phosphatase. The pH optimum was 5.0, the Km for NADP was 0.6 mM and a corresponding production of NAD and inorganic phosphorus was shown. Taken together with other markers for free-flow electrophoresis separation, the NADP phosphatase will provide considerable utility as a specific market to help identify intercalary cisternae of the mammalian Golgi apparatus and to monitor electrophoretic separations.
Inflammatory myopathy: a review of etiologic and pathogenetic factors.

Human idiopathic inflammatory myopathy is an acquired disorder with an annual incidence of two to five cases per million. A genetic influence of two to five cases per million. A genetic influence on host susceptibility may also play a role. With the marked heterogeneity of the disease one of the major challenges is to identify subsets that might share a more uniform pathogenesis and manifest a less diverse profile of clinical findings, histopathological abnormalities, and natural history. Dermatomyositis can be distinguished by clinical appearance and pathological changes, but the recognition of additional disease subsets remains very inexact. Current evidence suggests that dermatomyositis occurs as a result of a vasculopathy, but immune mechanisms involved in other categories of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy may also involve cell-mediated immunity and possibly multiple mechanisms. Even though viral-induced muscle inflammation occurs in humans, there is no convincing evidence for a viral cause of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. Experimental allergic myositis may be produced by the injection of animals with skeletal muscle homogenates and complete Freund's adjuvant, but the myositogenic factor is unknown and the parallels between experimental allergic myositis and human idiopathic inflammatory myopathy are limited.
Synthesis, oligomerization, and biological activity of the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 envelope glycoprotein expressed by a recombinant vaccinia virus.

Abstract The full-length envelope gene from an infectious human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) molecular clone was expressed in CD4 + and CD4 − cells by a recombinant vaccinia virus vector. Pulse-chase experiments indicated that gp160 was processed into gp120 and gp41 subunits. Although large amounts of gp120 were shed into the medium, the recombinant vaccinia virus-infected cells fused with uninfected CD4+ cells. The receptor binding of HIV-2 gp120 was further analyzed using a panel composed of nine soluble CD4 mutants containing insertions of 2 amino acids within the first and second immunoglobulin-like domains. Of three mutations previously shown to interfere with HIV-1 gp120 binding, two also interfered with binding of the HIV-2 glycoprotein indicating use of the same binding site. Chemical crosslinking, sucrose gradient sedimentation, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were employed to study the oligomerization of the envelope protein. The data indicated that gp160 assembles posttranslationally into dimers and higher oligomers that are probably tetramers.
Truth, lies, and racial consequences in Ernest Hemingway's True at First Light: A Fictional Memoir

AbstractThis article examines Ernest Hemingway's posthumously published novel True at First Light: A Fictional Memoir, by relating the author's vision of the role of Africa in the literary imagination to issues the novel raises for postcolonial cultural and historical criticism. Analyzing the novel's narrative, which draws upon Hemingway's second safari to Kenya in 1953–4, offers insight into Hemingway's 'African American' consciousness, and the new awareness that he was able substantively to arrive at for the first time in this novel, less than 10 years before his death. This awareness inaugurated what might be called a fictional reverse migration, whereby Hemingway reconnects with the black native perspective on Africa that he encountered on his first safari in 1933–4, in order to acquire material insight into what blacks were experiencing in America at the time of his second safari. Identifying this awareness also leads to the possibility of (re)reading Hemingway's racial perspective in his earlier wor...
Phosphorylation of translational initiation factor 3 (eIF-3) by cyclic AMP-regulated protein kinase.

Abstract Translational initiation factor 3 (eIF-3) is phosphorylated by the cyclic AMP-regulated protein kinases from rabbit reticulocytes. eIF-3 is a large molecular weight complex which facilitates binding of the ternary complex containing met tRNA f , GTP and initiation factor 2 to 40S ribosomal subunits. A single polypeptide with a molecular weight of 130,000 is modified. The phosphorylation is dependent upon the presence of cyclic AMP and is inhibited by the inhibitor protein diagnostic for cyclic AMP-regulated protein kinase. Assuming a molecular weight of 700,000 for eIF-3, one mole of phosphate is incorporated per mole of eIF-3. Thus the phosphorylation of two interacting components of the protein synthesizing system, 40S ribosomal subunits and eIF-3, is controlled by cyclic AMP.
Soil Moisture Estimation Under Tropical Forests Using UHF Radar Polarimetry

In this paper, we report on the performance of a semiempirical algorithm for the retrieval of soil moisture (SM) under dense tropical forests using ultrahigh frequency (UHF) polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. The algorithm is a simplification of a 3-D coherent model of forest canopy based on the distorted Born approximation (DBA). The simplified model reduces the number of parameters and preserves the three dominant scattering mechanisms of volume, volume-surface, and surface for three polarized backscattering coefficients, i.e., σ HH , σ HV , and σ VV , at UHF frequencies. The inversion process uses the Levenberg-Marquardt nonlinear least squares method to estimate the three model parameters: vegetation aboveground biomass, integrated SM up to a certain depth, and surface roughness. The performance of the inversion process is examined by first using simulation data where the initial values of the inversion process vary randomly and then using airborne UHF SAR data acquired in Costa Rica over La Selva Biological Station. The results with simulated data show that the inversion process is not significantly sensitive to initial values considering they are in the range of ±50% of the true value. A root-mean-square error (RMSE) of less than 4% can be achieved in retrieving the SM. The use of an alternate inversion approach without initial conditions using a genetic algorithm is less efficient (> 120 times longer time) and produces larger error with simulated data (RMSE = 11%) than the Levenberg-Marquardt estimation method. The inversion model simultaneously produces a biomass and SM distribution at 100-m spatial resolution. The RMSE of biomass estimation is 38 Mg/ha (15% relative error) when compared with 28 field plots. Over the plots where SM ground measurements are available, but not at the exact same day as the radar flight occurred, the total volumetric RMSE is 13.6%. However, only two ground measurements were very close to the flight day (three days apart), and for those, the SM estimate has about 3% absolute volumetric error. At the P-band, the SM sensing depth is inversely correlated with the SM allowing to map the spatial variations of SM close to the average root zone or hydrological active horizon of soils in tropical ecosystems.
A FACTORIZATION THEOREM WITH APPLICATIONS TO INVARIANT SUBSPACES AND THE REFLEXIVITY OF ISOMETRIES

Ab stract. We prove a factorization result for spaces of vector-valued square integrable functions, and give two applications. The first one involves factorization results related to invariant subspaces of the Hardy space of the unit ball in C d . The second application is a proof of the fact that arbitrary commutative families of isometries on a Hilbert space generate reflexive algebras.
The Caernarvon secure embedded operating system

The Caernarvon operating system was developed to demonstrate that a high assurance system for smart cards was technically feasible and commercially viable. The entire system has been designed to be evaluated under the Common Criteria at EAL7, the highest defined level of assurance.Historically, smart card processors have not supported the hardware protection features necessary to separate the OS from the applications, and one application from another. The Caernarvon OS has taken advantage of the first smart card processors with such features to be the first smart card OS to provide this kind of protection. Even when compared with conventional systems where the hardware protection is routine, the Caernarvon OS is noteworthy, because of the EAL7 assurance.This approach facilitated implementation of a formally specified, mandatory security policy providing multi-level security (MLS) suitable for both government agencies and commercial users. The mandatory security policy requires effective authentication of its users that is independent of applications. For this reason, the Caernarvon OS also contains a privacy-preserving, two-way authentication protocol integrated with the Mandatory Security Policy.The Caernarvon OS includes a strong cryptographic library that has been separately certified under the Common Criteria at EAL5+ for use with other systems. The Caernarvon OS implements a secure method for downloading trusted and untrusted application software and data in the field, with the assumption that all applications are potentially hostile. While the initial platform for the operating system was smart cards, the design could also be used in other embedded devices, such as USB tokens, PDAs, cell phones, etc.
Job ads, jobs, and researchers: Searching for valid sources

Research on librarians' roles and responsibilities often takes the form of content analysis of job advertisements found in aggregators such as print journals and websites. Whether these ads help us better understand librarianship depends on how representative the source data is for each study—the line going from jobs, to job ads, then to job ad sources. Print sources dominate even in studies published after 2000. This study examines where reasonably representative job advertisements for academic libraries may be found by starting at the origin: the institutions themselves. It finds that commonly used print sources provide only a small fraction of available positions (the majority of which are those in doctoral institutions), and even the most comprehensive aggregator misses nearly half of the available positions. Taking job ad samples directly from institutions is time-consuming but provides more representative data. Smaller colleges pose a particular challenge for finding ads as few of them have openings at any one time and few of their ads appear in national aggregators.
Process Modeling of Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Wet-Exploded Corn Stover

The aim of this work was to investigate the optimal process conditions leading to high glucose yield (over 80 %) after wet explosion (WEx) pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. The study focused on determining the “sweet spot” where the glucose yield obtained is optimized compared to the cost of the enzymes. WEx pretreatment was conducted at different temperatures, times, and oxygen concentrations to determine the best WEx pretreatment conditions for the most efficient enzymatic hydrolysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis was further optimized at the optimal conditions using central composite design of response surface methodology with respect to two variables: Cellic® CTec2 loading [5 to 40 mg enzyme protein (EP)/g glucan] and substrate concentration (SC) (5 to 20 %) at 50 °C for 72 h. The most efficient and economic conditions for corn stover conversion to glucose were obtained when wet-exploded at 170 °C for 20 min with 5.5 bar oxygen followed by enzymatic hydrolysis at 20 % SC and 15 mg EP/g glucan (5 filter paper units) resulting in a glucose yield of 84 %.
Joint time delay and carrier frequency offset estimation for near equal power co-channel OFDM signals using low rank adaptive filters

Carrier frequency offset (CFO) estimation in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems is difficult in co-channel interference (CCI), i.e. when a second user overlaps the signal-of-interest (SOI). Previous work presented a rank selection method applying MUltiple SIgnal Classification (MUSIC) to the time-domain signals, for jointly estimating the CFOs of two co-channel OFDM users, based on power level differences. In this paper, we apply a joint reduced rank implementation of this algorithm based on a more efficient method, the Reduced Order Correlation Kernel Estimation Technique (ROCKET). We compare ROCKET to the original MUSIC algorithm and show that ROCKET greatly improves CFO estimation accuracy when the CFOs of the two signals are nearly the same and time delays are random. We also compare ROCKET's CFO estimation accuracy to the Cramer-Rao Lower Bound (CRLB) and show it achieves better accuracy thanMUSIC, especially at low carrier-to-interference ratio (CIR), as well as improved bit error rate (BER) performance. Since synchronization must be obtained to estimate CFO, and given the ease with which OFDM signals may be transformed between time and frequency, we first apply the ROCKET algorithm in the frequency domain to jointly estimate the time delays of both users simultaneously. CFO (or delay) estimation accuracy is sufficient with a power difference between the SOI and the interferer, i.e. CIR, of just 0.5 dB, whereas the MUSIC algorithm only operates well down to CIR of 1–2 dB. The approach is to apply ROCKET in the time (or frequency) domain at rank D = k so that the frequency (or time) at which the spectrum peak occurs is the normalized CFO (or delay) estimate for the kth strongest user for all K users of the system. Hence, ranks D = 1 and D = 2 are applied when K = 2 users overlap.
Keyboard Design Variables Evaluated during Dual-Task Mode Selection

Research was performed to determine the optimal and desirable qualities of a keyboard interfaced with a remote display. The keyboards were two 3 − 3 keyboards, one with buttons 5.16 mm in diameter and the other 12.7 mm square. The experimental task involved subjects centering a set of crosshairs on a cursor on a CRT (with their right hand), while simultaneously selecting modes (with their left hand) on the keyboards without observing the keyboards. The experimental design was as follows: (1) two keyboards; (2) three orientations of the keyboard (0, 15 and 35 degrees) from the horizontal and (3) with and without gloves (approved Air Force flight gloves). This design was conducted as a 3 − 2 − 2 repeated measures factorial design. Performance measures were response time on the keyboards, selection errors on the keyboard and tracking scores.Results of this study indicate that mean response time was found to be significantly lower on the large keyboard when examining both keyboards as a whole and with and wit...
UV Resonance Raman and Circular Dichroism Studies of a DNA Duplex Containing An A3T3 Tract: Evidence for a Premelting Transition and Three-Centered H-bonds

The presence of An and AnTn tracts in double-helical sequences perturbs the structural properties of DNA molecules, resulting in the formation of an alternate conformation to standard B-DNA known as B‘-DNA. Evidence for a transition occurring prior to duplex melting in molecules containing An tracts was previously detected by circular dichroism (CD) and calorimetric studies. This premelting transition was attributed to a conformational change from B‘- to B-DNA. Structural features of An and AnTn tracts revealed by X-ray crystallography include a large degree of propeller twisting of adenine bases, narrowed minor grooves, and the formation of three-centered H-bonds between dA and dT bases. We report UV resonance Raman (UVRR) and CD spectroscopic studies of two related DNA dodecamer duplexes, d(CGCAAATTTGCG)2 (A3T3) and d(CGCATATATGCG)2 [(AT)3]. These studies address the presence of three-centered H-bonds in the B‘ conformation and gauge the impact of these putative H-bonds on the structural and thermodynam...
Casein and paracasein: neutralization with alkali, precipitation by calcium chloride and binding of calcium.

Abstract The amount of NaOH required to neutralize casein and paracasein was found to be essentially equal, namely 60–64 × 10−5 moles/g. At the same concentration of CaCl2, almost equivalent amounts of α-casein and α-paracasein are sedimented in 45 min. in the ultracentrifuge. With whole casein and paracasein the amounts are of the same magnitude, but some-what further apart. With low-speed centrifugation, on the other hand, the paracasein was easily sedimented, but the casein almost not at all. Thus, both caseins and paracaseins are highly aggregated, but the latter is stable under the conditions of low-speed centrifugation. The possible role of a protective colloid in the casein-paracasein transformation is discussed. Both α-paracasein and paracasein bind less calcium (9 and 18%, respectively) than do the corresponding caseins.
Michael I. Pupin [Scanning the Past]

Recounts the life and professional achievements of Michael I. Pupin. Pupin was born in 1858 in the small village of Idvor, which later became part of Yugoslavia. Pupin was an active member of both the IRE and the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AlEE), serving as President of the IRE in 1917 and as President of the AIEE in 1925. He received the Edison Medal of the AlEE in 1920 and the IRE Medal of Honor in 1924. His popular autobiography, From Immigrant to Inventor, received the Pulitzer Prize in 1924. He also wrote The New Reformation (1927) and Romance of the Machine (1930). as well as many technical papers. He died in New York City in 1935.
Chance and necessity in the evolution of a bacterial pathogen

The combination of genomic, epidemiological and evolutionary analyses provides a powerful toolbox for understanding how pathogens adapt to their human hosts. By sequencing 112 Burkholderia dolosa genomes from an outbreak among patients with cystic fibrosis, a new study documents evolution in action and identifies a set of genes that contributed to the pathogen's adaptation.
Vegetation and fire history from three lakes with varved sediments in northwestern Wisconsin (U.S.A.)

Abstract The vegetation and fire history for the past 900 yrs. in northwestern Wisconsin is interpreted from pollen and charcoal analysis of cores from three lakes in Chippewa County, Wisconsin. The sediments are annually laminated and provide accurate time control. The cores from the three lakes contain similar pollen sequences which have been divided into three pollen assemblage zones. Pollen Zone 1 records a period (A.D. 1050–A.D. 1700) of Pinus and Quercus forests during which mesic hardwoods increased in abundance. From A.D. 1700 to A.D. 1830 (Pollen Zone 2), mesic hardwoods and Betula trees remained abundant, while P. strobus decresed. In the past 130 yrs. (Pollen Zone 3), European settlement has significantly altered the vegetation and fire regime of the landscape. The time series for pollen deposition rates and charcoal/pollen ratios are similar in the three lakes, although single charcoal peaks are not always seen in all three lakes.
Commercializing the echocardioscope: A case study in biomedical technology transfer

The echocardioscope does not meet reasonable criteria for a profitable investment opportunity for most companies. While a demand for the product is a necessary condition for profitability, it is not sufficient. There has to be something at work on the supply side, some significant patent, or an opportunity to achieve a cost advantage based on volume, or something to prevent other companies from being able to produce the same product at the same or a lower cost.
Optical limiting properties of derivatized carbothiacyanine dyes

The nonlinear optical absorption of a range of dialkyl- carbothiacyanine dyes has been measured using intensity dependent transmission measurements of the absorption cross- section at 532 nm. The ground and effective excited state absorption cross-section for each of the dyes has been determined. It was observed that with increasing bridge conjugation length between the carbothiacyanine end groups, the absorption cross section of ground state decreases slightly while the absorption cross-section of the excited state increases leading to an overall increase in the absorption cross-section ratio by an order of magnitude from 0.3 to 5.29. The absorption cross-section ratio tracks linearly with the difference between the energy of the pump laser and the energy of the ground state absorption. The counter ions of the dyes also affect the nonlinear absorption significantly. These organic materials exhibit good potential for optical limiting applications.
Impact of the number of resected and involved lymph nodes on esophageal cancer survival.

Background Using a large data set, we investigated the impact of the number of resected and involved lymph nodes on overall survival for patients with esophageal cancer. Methods From the National Oncology Database™, esophageal cancer cases with data available on the total number of resected and involved nodes as well as other variables were evaluated as it relates to overall survival by multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards method. Patients with 0, exactly 1 or 1–3 positive nodes were separately studied to determine the association between the number of lymph nodes resected and overall survival. Results From 1969 to 2002, 3,144 (17%) of 18,390 esophageal cancer cases with complete data were identified. Increasing number of involved nodes predicted poorer outcome (P < 10−6). Results from studying patients with 0, exactly 1 or 1–3 positive nodes showed that survival improved with increasing number of nodes analyzed up to 12. Three-tier nodal grouping with increasing risk of death were identified, 0, 1–3, and ≥4 positive nodes (P < 10−5). Conclusions The pathological assessment of minimal 12 lymph nodes provides sufficient prognostic information. Three-tier nodal grouping is suggested for the next version of AJCC staging system for esophageal cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;100:127–132. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
GABAergic neurons in the embryonic olfactory pit/vomeronasal organ: maintenance of functional GABAergic synapses in olfactory explants.

Abstract In previous work, we showed a robust γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAergic) synaptic input onto embryonic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) neurons maintained in olfactory explants. In this study, we identify GABAergic neurons in olfactory pit (OP) of embryonic micein vivoand study, using patch-pipet whole-cell current and voltage clamp techniques, synaptic interactions of these neurons in explant cultures.In vivo,glutamate decarboxylase (GAD, the enzyme which synthesizes GABA) mRNA was first detected in nasal regions on Embryonic Day (E) 11.5. From E12.5 to E13.5, robust GAD expression was localized to cells primarily in the ventral aspect of the OP. GAD mRNA was not detected over dorsally located cells in olfactory sensory or respiratory epithelium. In addition, GAD mRNA was not observed in cells along olfactory axons. GAD mRNA was dramatically reduced in the OP/vomeronasal organ by E16.5. Using antibodies against both GABA and GAD, immunopositive axonal-like tracts were detected in the nasal septum on E12.5. GABAergic staining decreased by E13.5. To examine synaptic interactions of these GABAergic cells, embryonic olfactory explants were generated and maintained in serum-free media. As explants spread, neuron-like cells migrated into the periphery, sometimes forming ganglion-like clusters. Cells were recorded, marked intracellularly with Lucifer Yellow and post-fixation, immunocytochemically examined. Forty-six cells, typically multipolar, were GABAergic, had resting potentials around −50 mV, and exhibited spontaneous action potentials which were generated by spontaneous depolarizing GABAergic (GABAA) synaptic activity. OP neurons depolarized in response to GABA by increasing Cl−conductance. The biophysical properties of OP-derived GABAergic neurons were distinct from those reported for olfactory receptor neurons but similar to embryonic LHRH neurons. However, unlike LHRH neurons, GABAergic neurons did not migrate large distances in olfactory explants or appear to leave the olfactory pitin vivo.
Some aspects of the organization of the lateral geniculate nucleus inGalago senegalensis revealed by using horseradish peroxidase to label relay neurons

Following injection of horseradish peroxidase into area 17 of the prosimian Galago senegalensis, columns of labeled neurons are seen in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus extending through all cell layers. Individual counts of the number of labeled and unlabeled neurons reveal that from 91 to 98% of all neurons within these densely labeled columns are labeled. These results indicate that most of the neurons within the LGN of the bushbaby project to striate cortex. Average diameter measurements of labeled and unlabeled cells within the labeled columns were used to determine whether cell layers could be separated into two types (parvocellular and magnocellular) or three types (small, medium, and large) on the basis of cell body size. These measurements indicate that the LGN of the bushbaby is composed of two layers each of small (layers 4 and 5), medium (layers 3 and 6), and large (layers 1 and 2) relay neurons. These observations are consistent with the conclusion that layers 1 and 2 in the LGN of Galago are homologous with the magnocellular layers, and layers 3 and 6 homologous with the parvocellular layers, identified in the LGN of New and Old World monkeys.
MRI image reconstruction via homomorphic signal processing

We consider the use of homomorphic signal processing for image reconstruction in phased-array magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Based on the prior information provided from the spectral analysis of the estimated true pixels and the coil sensitivities, homomorphic signal processing is used to partly filter out the coil sensitivities based on the criterion of image contrast in the reconstructed image in specified pixel locations. The image quality, quantized as the entropy of the pixel value distribution, demonstrates a better image contrast compared with the widely used sum-of-squares (SoS) method.
Effects of genetic obesity on rat upper airway muscle and diaphragm contractile properties

The contractile properties of pharyngeal respiratory muscle are altered in sleep apnoea and in conditions associated with sleep apnoea, such as ageing. We hypothesized that the contractile properties of the pharyngeal musculature are also altered by obesity, another factor associated with sleep apnoea. Studies compared a pharyngeal muscle, the sternohyoid, with the diaphragm. These were chosen as representative muscles whose contraction has opposing effects on upper airway patency. Both muscles were removed from nine lean and nine obese male Zucker rats (a genetic model of obesity), and isometric contractile properties were studied in vitro at 37 degrees C. For the sternohyoid muscle, in obese compared to lean animals there were no significant differences in isometric contraction time (15.2 +/- 0.3 vs 14.2 +/- 0.6 ms, respectively), half-relaxation time (13.6 +/- 0.5 vs 12.6 +/- 0.9 ms, respectively), twitch-to-tetanic tension ratio (0.22 +/- 0.02 vs 0.24 +/- 0.02, respectively), force-frequency relationship, fatigue resistance (2 min fatigue index 0.20 +/- 0.03 vs 0.18 +/- 0.02, respectively), or maximal degree of force potentiation during repetitive stimulation (52 +/- 11 vs 74 +/- 20% increase, respectively). For the diaphragm, the only significant effect of obesity was a lowering of the twitch-to-tetanic tension ratio (0.25 +/- 0.01 vs 0.29 +/- 0.02, respectively). In obese, as in lean animals, the sternohyoid had faster isometric twitch kinetics, a larger degree of force potentiation, and lower resistance to fatigue, than the diaphragm. In lean, but not obese, animals the sternohyoid twitch-to-tetanic tension ratio was lower than and the force frequency relationship was located to the right of that of the diaphragm. In this study, genetic obesity in rats was not associated with any significant alterations in the contractile properties of the pharyngeal muscle, and only small changes in the relationship between the contractile properties of the sternohyoid and diaphragm muscle.
Effect of surface polarity on wettability and friction coefficient of silicone rubber/poly (acrylic acid) hydrogel composite

Water absorption, surface energetic, and friction coefficient of filled silicone rubber composites containing different amounts of a superadsorbent hydrogel, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), were investigated. Measurements were performed in two different time windows, 1 and 5 weeks, to study the effect of hydration time on surface polarity of the samples. It was shown that water absorption increased consistently with hydrogel content and that prolongation of hydration time led to a marked increase in surface tension and polarity. Friction, as measured by a solid–solid contact method in phosphate buffer saline, showed strong dependence on polarity of the composite surface. Results demonstrate that the surface of the composite continued to evolve after the bulk had reached equilibrium swelling and the surface tension reached that of PAA after 5 weeks of hydration time.
The Roles of Regional Organizations for Interlocal Resource Exchange: Complement or Substitute?

This article investigates competing visions of how regional organizations influence cooperation among individual local governments within a metropolitan area. As network brokers among local governments, regional organizations can reduce the transaction costs of self-governing solutions to regional problems through bargaining and contracting among local units, but their centralized activities might also crowd out interlocal exchanges. Florida Regional Planning Councils are examined to test competing hypotheses based on these two visions, identifying the influence of regional organizations’ governance and activities on interlocal revenue transfers among municipal governments. Evidence that regional organizations can complement as well as substitute for interlocal cooperation is reported. In conclusion we discuss these findings in the context of vertical and horizontal federalism and theories of institutional collective action.
The Solar Wind in the Outer Heliosphere

The solar wind evolves as it moves outward due to interactions with both itself and with the circum-heliospheric interstellar medium. The speed is, on average, constant out to 30 AU, then starts a slow decrease due to the pickup of interstellar neutrals. These neutrals reduce the solar wind speed by about 20% before the termination shock (TS). The pickup ions heat the thermal plasma so that the solar wind temperature increases outside 20–30 AU. Solar cycle effects are important; the solar wind pressure changes by a factor of 2 over a solar cycle and the structure of the solar wind is modified by interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) near solar maximum. The first direct evidences of the TS were the observations of streaming energetic particles by both Voyagers 1 and 2 beginning about 2 years before their respective TS crossings. The second evidence was a slowdown in solar wind speed commencing 80 days before Voyager 2 crossed the TS. The TS was a weak, quasi-perpendicular shock which transferred the solar wind flow energy mainly to the pickup ions. The heliosheath has large fluctuations in the plasma and magnetic field on time scales of minutes to days.
Prevalence of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus in Prenatal Screening Cultures

Recommendations for the perinatal treatment of women colonized with Streptococcus agalactiae include vancomycin prophylaxis for those with severe penicillin allergies and antibiotic-resistant organisms. Because of potential postpartum infections due to vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and the possible spread of vancomycin resistance, the prevalence of VRE in prenatal screening cultures was determined.
The Evidence for Physiologic Management of the Active Phase of the First Stage of Labor

The active phase of first stage labor is generally defined as the period between 3 cm to 4 cm to complete cervical dilatation, in the presence of regular uterine contractions. Most women will experience this portion of labor within hospital obstetric units, where care commonly features restriction to bed, electronic fetal monitoring, early treatment of "slow" labors, and few pain management options beyond epidurals and narcotics. However, the available evidence on appropriate care for healthy childbearing women favors activity in labor, intermittent auscultation, patience from caregivers, and nonpharmacologic methods of pain relief. This article reviews the evidence for care practices that support physiologic labor. Modifying intrapartum care to reflect current evidence will improve women's health, and will require a multilevel approach and consistent midwifery demonstration of the model.
Some experiments with a supervised classification procedure

A supervised classifier is described where a systematic search through a training database produced an efficacious set of prototypes for its operation. Using this technique, two studies, one dealing with phone recognition and another with large-vocabulary speech recognition, were conducted with data from several speakers. The superiority of the supervised classifier design is demonstrated by comparative performance analysis. >
The Human Right to Health and HIV/AIDS: South Africa and South-South Cooperation to Reframe Global Intellectual Property Principles and Promote Access to Essential Medicines

The HIV/AIDS pandemic has had a devastating and disproportionate impact in countries of the Global South. The experience of an individual infected with HIV in Africa is very different than that of an individual infected with HIV in America. Life expectancy varies sharply. The ability or inability to access medicines essential for treatment accounts for much of the variance. This article examines how the rhetoric of human rights used in the context of South Africa's AIDS crisis resonated across the Global South, resulted in a powerful social movement for access to medicines, and contributed to important changes in international intellectual property law principles. This article first introduces the competing commitments governments of the Global South face with a discussion of the current status of the global AIDS epidemic and an explanation of the structure and content of the international intellectual property and human rights legal systems. This article then provides a discussion of how domestic civil society activists organized to oppose international intellectual property interests through law and politics using the language of international human rights. Next, it presents an interpretation of how events in South Africa led to the Doha Declaration and strengthened the emerging alliance between countries of the Global South. Finally, it identifies lessons to be learned from the experience of these actors.
Predictors of HIV testing and intention to test among Hispanic farmworkers in South Florida.

: Context and Purpose: This study examined the predictors of HIV testing and factors associated with intention to accept a free HIV test among 244 Hispanic migrant/seasonal farmworkers in South Florida. Methods: Time and space sampling procedures were used to recruit participants in public venues. Bilingual staff interviewed eligible respondents in these settings. Findings: Despite high rates of sexual risk, only 21% of respondents had been tested for HIV. The majority of those tested were females tested during prenatal care. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, being female (odds ratio [OR] = 3.73), having at least 12 years of education (OR = 4.46), earning more than $201 per week (OR = 2.76), and ever having used marijuana (OR = 3.31) were positively associated with having been tested for HIV, while not being documented (OR = 0.24) and having rated one's health as “very good” or “good” (OR = 0.42) were negatively associated with testing. The multivariable predictors of intention to accept a free HIV test were having visited a health care provider and/or an emergency room in the past 12 months (OR = 1.97), having been tested for HIV (OR = 2.36), preferring an HIV test that used a finger stick for specimen collection with results given in 30 minutes (OR = 4.47), and worrying “some” or “a lot” about getting HIV (OR = 3.64). Women (OR = 0.52) were less likely than men to intend to accept a free HIV test. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of routinely offering HIV testing to sexually active individuals in high HIV prevalence areas. They also suggest the need to make testing more accessible to migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
Slot line between oppositely-magnetized ferrite layers for broadband, high-nonreciprocity phase shifters

A novel phase shifting structure that exhibits both broadband operation and high nonreciprocity is presented. This structure comprises a slot line between two oppositely magnetized ferrite substrates. A full-wave, spectral-domain analysis is used, where Green's functions are formulated using a transmission matrix approach. By eliminating the use of relatively thick high-dielectric substrates, a bandwidth of 3:1 and a differential phase of 50 degrees /cm are feasible. The addition of thin layers of high-dielectric material is shown to increase the differential phase to over 100 degrees /cm without significantly reducing the bandwidth. >