cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen-Bonded Hybrid Multilayers: Film Architecture Controls Release of Macromolecules

We report on the construction of purely hydrogen-bonded hybrid polymer multilayers, which are composed of polymer pairs with low- and high- pH stability, and show that the critical pH value of film deconstruction, fraction of components released, and the rate of film dissolution can be tuned in a wide pH range from 3 to 9.5 by varying film composition and architecture. The film building blocks were poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL)/poly(l-aspartic acid) (PLAA) bilayers as pairs of hydrogen-bonded polymers with low pH stability (critical disintegration pH of ∼ 3.3), and poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL)/tannic acid (TA) bilayers as hydrogen-bonded polymers with a higher critical disintegration pH of ∼9.5. Hybrid TA/PVCL/PLAA multilayers were prepared at low pH using a layer-by-layer technique. Film deposition and pH-induced deconstruction were followed by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflection mode (ATR-FTIR) and phase-modulated ellipsometry. PVCL/TA and PVCL/PLAA pairs ...
The conformational analysis of aromatic methoxyl groups from carbon-13 chemical shifts and spin-lattice relaxation times

Abstract In a series of polymethoxy benzaldehydes and acetophenones it was found that diortho-substitution distorts the ArOCH 3 conformation. This distortion is accompanied by a downfield shift in the corresponding methoxyl 13 C frequencies and an increase in their spin-lattice relaxation times.
Application of a general reaction/diffusion resist model to emerging materials with extension to nonactinic exposure

A general reaction/diffusion PEB model is applied to IBM APEX- E, Shipley UVIIHS, and an IBM experimental negative tone resist (ENR). Parameter extraction is carried out from development rate data (DRM) and specialized exposure experiments without the need for specialized equipment. APEX-E has the highest (Delta) CD/(Delta) TPEB (approximately 18 nm/degree Celsius) of the group. This is attributable to a nonlinear acid diffusion mechanism due to the PEB temperature which is low in relation to its glass transition temperature (Tg). UVIIHS achieves a (Delta) CD/(Delta) TPEB of approximately 10 nm/degree Celsius due to PEB processing close to the material's Tg, but varies as a function of feature type. ENR achieves a sensitivity of approximately 9 nm/C for the nearly full thickness of resist to remain. The general DUV model proved to apply to resists of very different mechanisms and processing conditions. Comparison of the energy density required for electron beam exposures shows a sensitivity an order of magnitude lower than with optical exposure for all resists and this is likely attributable to a different mechanism in the energy transfer to the photoacid generator.
An improved summing compton gamma-ray spectrometer

Abstract A simple ad hoc analog computer using semiconductor logarithmic elements is used to examine the coincident pulse-pairs from a summing Compton spectrometer for compatibility with the Compton scattering equation for the particular scattering angle being used. With the aid of this circuit, the total absorption fraction of the spectrometer can be raised almost to 100% by identifying and rejecting electronically those coincidences in which some of the energy of the incident photon has escaped from either detector. At the same time, the polarization sensitivity of the Compton spectrometer is also improved since coincidences in which multiple scattering has taken place are rejected. The system can also be used to make the spectrometer telescopic, selecting electronically rather than by heavy collimators the incident direction of interest. The latter capability may be useful in situations where there is an omnidirectional flux. Though scintillation crystals have been used here to demonstrate the principle, the technique would be equally applicable (and perhaps most useful) in a light and compact Compton spectrometer using semiconductor detectors.
HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC EFFECT OF MENHADEN OIL IN THE PRESENCE OF DIETARY CHOLESTEROL IN SWINE.

SummaryThirty male miniature swine were fed a beef tallow basal ration supplemented with crude soybean phosphatides and menhaden oil with and without 0.5% cholesterol for a period of 48 weeks. The animals that received no cholesterol supplement all maintained normal plasma cholesterol values (75–85 mg %). The swine fed soybean phosphatides plus cholesterol showed no change in plasma cholesterol values. The swine fed beef tallow showed on cholesterol supplementation a rise in plasma cholesterol, but returned to normal in 12 weeks. The swine fed menhaden oil showed a 100% increase in plasma cholesterol when supplemented with 0.5% cholesterol and, although this level decreased, it remained substantially above the remaining groups throughout the experiment. Fecal analyses of cholesterol showed much less cholesterol in the feces of fish oil-fed pigs supplemented with cholesterol, indicating that the fish oil (or the highly unsaturated fatty acids in fish oil) may have facilitated the absorption of the dietary ...
Spectroscopic studies of hydrogen bonding in H2S

Abstract The energy of hydrogen bonding in the gas phase has been estimated for H 2 S from quantitative infrared intensity measurements in the 4 μ region. Our value of 1·7±0·3 kcal/mole may be considered to be in excellent agreement with the result of theoretical calculations (1·8 kcal/mole) by Fyfe (4) in view of uncertainties in both the calculated and measured values.
The genetic analysis of recombination using adenovirus overlapping terminal DNA fragments.

Abstract We have studied the consequences of genetic recombination between overlapping terminal fragments of adenovirus genomes with respect to markers in the overlapping sequence. The findings are consistent with general recombination occurring approximately isotonically within the interval. In particular, single markers within the overlap, scored nonselectively, showed frequencies of recovery dependent on the position of their locus in relation to the ends of the overlap. Pairs of ts markers recombined to form ts + progeny in proportion to their distance apart, provided the markers were oriented so that a single crossover between them would produce a full-length genome bearing both ts + alleles. In the opposite orientation, where such a single crossover would be expected to produce ts ts recombinants, the ts + frequency was much lower, indicating that multiple recombination events are rare in this system. These findings rule out site-specific recombination, recombination occurring exclusively at the cleaved ends of the overlap, and recombination by means of mismatch repair of a heteroduplex the length of the overlap. They also indicate either that any heteroduplex junction region formed in the course of this reaction is quite short or that it is not subject to heteroduplex repair. Finally, our results demonstrate the efficacy of overlap recombination as a genetic and physical mapping tool and as a method of strain construction, and they suggest other applications, such as using overlap recombination to demonstrate that closely spaced pairs of markers (e.g., putative second-site reversions and their accompanying is lesions) can be segregated.
Effects of fractures on NMO velocities and P-wave azimuthal AVO response

This paper attempts to explain the relationships between fractured medium properties and seismic signatures and distortions induced by geology‐related influences on azimuthal AVO responses. In the presence of vertically aligned fractures, the relationships between fracture parameters (fracture density, fracture aspect ratio, and saturated fluid content) and their seismic signatures are linked with rock physics models of fractured media. The P‐wave seismic signatures studied in this paper include anisotropic parameters (δ(v), (v), and γ(v)), NMO velocities, and azimuthal AVO responses, where δ(v) is responsible for near‐vertical P‐wave velocity variations, (v) defines P‐wave anisotropy, and γ(v) governs the degree of shearwave splitting. The results show that in gas‐saturated fractures, anisotropic parameters δ(v) and (v) vary with fracture density alone. However, in water‐saturated fractures δ(v) and (v) depend on fracture density and crack aspect ratio and are also related to Vp/VS and Vp of background r...
Towards greater uniformity of species diversity studies in Mediterranean-type ecosystems

Abstract Understanding of inter- and intra-continental patterns of plant species diversity in a variety of ecosystems has been hindered by several conceptual and methodological shortcomings. In this paper two major areas of concern are identified and general guidelines for improving species diversity studies in Mediterranean-type ecosystems are suggested. A primary suggestion would be to standardize sampling techniques whenever possible. An example would be to include progressive nesting of quadrats at various scales within a 0.1 ha sample plot. Plots should be adequately stratified to represent the full range of environmental and disturbance gradients that occur within the overall study area. In addition, each habitat and/or disturbance type should be adequately replicated to ensure statistical validity of any comparisons undertaken. Sampling should take place during spring months when flowering and phenological activity is maximized. Secondly, greater uniformity in the analysis and presentation of diversity data would facilitate interstudy comparisons. Use of the nested quadrat approach permits analysis of species richness trends at scales ranging from 1 m 2 to 1000 m 2 or greater. Preference should be given to those diversity models and indices recognized as best depicting proportional abundances of species. In addition, identifying components of structural diversity contributed by various life- or growth-forms as well as native versus non-native elements would lead to fuller understanding of the data.
Clustering in the incidence of myelodysplastic syndromes.

Abstract The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of malignancies with poor prognosis and obscure etiology. To better understand the distribution of MDS in the population and help generate etiologic hypotheses, we assessed potential clustering in the incidence of MDS in the state of Connecticut using population-based cancer registry data that recently became available. A significant spatial clustering was identified. The most likely area with a high incidence of MDS included 46 census tracts near the west border of Connecticut, and the ratio of observed/expected cases was 2.84. The P value associated with this cluster was 0.0001. Although no temporal clustering was indicated, a space-time analysis identified a cluster in the central south of Connecticut from March 2002 through August 2003 (P = 0.008). This is the first analysis of potential clustering in the incidence of MDS using population-based data. If the intriguing finding on spatial clustering is supported by future studies with larger sample sizes and/or in other geographic areas, it would be extremely interesting to explore the “causes” of clustering, which may help shed light on the etiology of MDS.
Increased prediction accuracy of adverse drug events using bayesian analysis

Aims To guide corrective actions to decrease adverse drug events (ADEs) we need better predictive statistical methods than are commonly used. Logistical regression (LR) poorly classifies ADEs due to complex and non-linear data. We aim to determine whether ADEs reported in a voluntary medication error (ME) database will be more accurately classified by Bayesian belief analysis (BB) than standard LR procedures. Methods: Design Retrospective Cohort Study SETTING: Urban, tertiary university medical center PARTICIPANTS: Inpatients from Jan 1994 - July 2001 who had ME reported on a voluntary ME reporting system. (N= 2,922 MEs) INTERVENTION: Time in the hospital results in ADE or non-ADE ANALYSIS: LR, BB, with Decision Q v4.1.2 software. Results BB correctly classified 51.9% ADEs while LR could only classify 30.8%. BB also yielded greater specificity throughout the ROC curve. By BB ADEs were most directly impacted by “problem” followed by “drug category” with rank order scores of 202.9 and 49.1, respectively. Most common drug category for MEs was CNS drugs followed by antibiotics. BB was also used to test for statistical significance. Conclusion BB yields additional useful information that is not determined by the traditional descriptive and logistical regression methods, including an increase in accuracy of classification. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P72–P72; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.12.166
Isothermal titration calorimetry study of the interactions between chitosan and a bile salt (sodium taurocholate)

Abstract The binding of bile acids to dietary fibers in the small intestine has been proposed as a mechanism for the reduction of blood cholesterol levels. In this study, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) was used to characterize the binding of sodium taurocholate (NaTC) to a cationic biopolymer (chitosan). The influence of ionic strength (0–150 mM NaCl) and temperature (10–40 °C) on the binding interactions was examined (pH 3, acetate buffer). At 30 °C, NaTC bound strongly to chitosan to form an insoluble complex that contained about 4×10−3 mol of NaTC per 1 g of chitosan at saturation. The presence of salt (0–150 mM NaCl, pH 3) decreased the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of NaTC (in both the absence and presence of chitosan), increased the minimum NaTC concentration required for binding to be observed, but had little influence on the amount of NaTC bound to chitosan at saturation. The enthalpy changes associated with micelle dissociation went from exothermic at low-holding temperatures (10 °C) to endothermic at higher holding temperatures (40 °C). Conversely, the enthalpy changes associated with NaTC–chitosan binding went from endothermic at low-holding temperatures (10 °C) to exothermic at higher holding temperatures (40 °C). The temperature dependence of these processes indicated the importance of changes in hydrophobic interactions within the systems. This study provides information that may lead to the rational design of chitosan-based ingredients or products with improved cholesterol lowering ability.
Ferredoxin/thioredoxin system functions with effectors in activation of NADP-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase of barley seedlings

Abstract NADP-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, a chloroplast enzyme whose activity has been historically linked to greening, was present in an inactive state in barley seedlings germinated in the dark. The inactive enzyme was converted to an active enzyme by effectors such as ATP and by thioredoxin that was reduced either photochemically with ferredoxin and ferredoxin-thioredoxin reductase or chemically with the nonphysiological sulfhydryl reagent dithiothreitol. NAD-linked glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase was not affected by enzyme effectors or thioredoxin under these conditions. The results suggest that NADP-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase is present throughout the life cycle of barley plants. The inactive enzyme is converted during greening to an active state by light either via enzyme effectors or via the ferredoxin-thioredoxin system.
The state of simian virus 40 DNA in the embryonal carcinoma cells of the murine teratocarcinoma

Abstract Murine embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells do not express virus-specific T antigen following infection with SV 40 . To investigate this block in T antigen expression, the state of the viral DNA in SV 40 -infected EC cells was examined. When assayed by filter hybridization and transfection, SV 40 DNA was present in 247DESC12 EC cells at early times after infection, but was lost with continued growth of the infected EC cell cultures. Although PCC4azal EC cells were T antigen negative following infection with SV 40 , T antigen was expressed in a small percentage of differentiated cells when infected with SV 40 following DMA treatment. In addition, T Ag was not expressed in PCC4azal EC cells infected with SV 40 and subsequently differentiated with DMA.
Phase Equilibrium, Excess Enthalpies, and Densities of Binary Mixtures of Trimethylbutylammonium Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide with Ethanol, 1-Propanol, and Dimethylformamide

The molecular interactions between the ionic liquid trimethylbutylammomium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [N1114][Tf2N], and three common solvents, including short chain alcohols (ethanol and 1-propanol) and an aprotic solvent (N,N-dimethylformamide or DMF) were investigated through experimental properties. The excess enthalpies were measured by calorimetry at temperatures from 308.15 K to 323.15 K over the whole composition range and excess volumes were calculated from density measurements. The vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) measurements of the [N1114][Tf2N] + DMF mixture were obtained using a headspace gas chromatography instrument. It was determined that hydrogen bonds between the alcohol molecules contribute to the positive excess enthalpies, while the favorable interactions between DMF and [N1114][Tf2N] might be explained by electrostatic interactions between the ionic liquid and the zwitterionic resonance structure of DMF. The nonrandom two liquid (NRTL) equation was successfully used to correla...
Quantitative characterization of spectral ultraviolet radiation-induced photodegradation in coating systems exposed in the laboratory and the field

Abstract Experimental and mathematical procedures used by the coatings and polymeric building materials community for characterizing the photodegradation effects of UV radiation are compared with those used in the medical, biological, and agricultural communities. In these other disciplines, field and laboratory photodegradation data are related through total effective dosage, which is derived from the cumulative spectral UV irradiance to which a material is exposed and the material's absorption and quantum yield parameters. Total effective dosage has been shown to be a good predictor of human response to solar UV radiation. The mathematical basis for determining the total effective dosage and the assumptions underlying its computation are reviewed. The intent of this presentation is to identify methods for improving the design of laboratory and field experiments for evaluating photodegradation in coatings and other building material systems.
On fuzzy-set interpretation of possibility theory

A revised fuzzy-set interpretation of possibility theory is introduced in this paper. Contrary to the standard fuzzy-set interpretation of possibility theory, which is coherent only for normal fuzzy sets, the revised interpretation is shown to be coherent for all fuzzy sets. It is also argued that the revised interpretation, which coincides with the standard one for normal fuzzy sets, is more meaningful on intuitive grounds. Prior to the introduction of the revised interpretation, previous efforts to overcome the well-known difficulties of the standard interpretation are critically examined, and it is demonstrated that none of them results in a coherent and meaningful interpretation of possibility theory.
Trends in the rate of emergency room admissions for preventable cardiovascular conditions among african american men and women over the past decade. Continuation of negative trends.

Abstract PURPOSE: The objective of this retrospective analysis was to compare secular changes in the rate of emergency room admissions (per 100,000) for selected acknowledged preventable cardiovascular conditions among African Americans (AA) men and women aged ⩾21 from 1991–1998, and rate of change for Caucasian (Cau), Hispanic (Hisp), and Asian (Asi) men and women aged ⩾21; conditions included angina, congestive heart failure (CHF), diabetes, and hypertension. METHODS: Results are derived from calendar-year California hospital data based on a selection of specified ICD-9 codes that correspond to the principal diagnosis for admission. The combined study sample size included a total of 21,016 individuals who were admitted to a hospital via the ER. Separate standardized and age-adjusted Poisson regression models were employed for each condition to assess race and time main effects and race × time interaction terms (P ⩽ 0.01). Age and payer-source were entered as covariates to control for confounding effects. Men and women were analyzed separately. RESULTS: Mean overall rates of ER admission due to angina were significantly lower among AA men compared to Cau men (17.8 vs 18.2); however, rates were higher among Hisp and Asi men (6.03 and 7.1, respectively). Rates for CHF were higher among AA men compared to Cau, Hisp, and Asi men (23.7 vs, 11.0, 3.7, 4.8, respectively); similar results were observed for diabetes (8.6 vs 2.7, 2.3, 1.2, respectively) and hypertension (5.1 vs, 1.6, 0.9, 1.5, respectively). Differentials in 1991 resulted in widening disparities overtime for each condition. For women, mean overall rates due to angina were significantly higher among AA women compared Cau, Hisp, and Asi women (17.0 vs 13.5, 5.7, 5.7, respectively). Similar patterns were observed for CHF (23.1 vs, 11.0, 3.7, 4.8, respectively), diabetes (6.4 vs 2.0, 1.8, 1.1, respectively) and hypertension (5.8 vs 1.9, 1.1, 1.5), respectively). As observed among AA men, differentials in 1991 resulted in widening disparity overtime. CONCLUSIONS: Findings reveal higher rates of ER admissions for preventable cardiovascular conditions among AA men and women during the 1990s with evidence of widening health status disparities into the new millennium.
Superior Perovskite Oxide‐Ion Conductor; Strontium‐ and Magnesium‐Doped LaGaO3: II, ac Impedance Spectroscopy

Alternating current impedance spectroscopy and electron microscopy were used to investigate the effect of grain boundaries in LSGM-based materials. The impurity LaSrGa3O7 existing in the samples La0.8Sr0.2Ga1-yMgy-O3–0.5(0.2+y) (y= 0.05–0.10) gives a contribution to a perfect or depressed grain-boundary semicircle in the impedance spectroscopy. The depressed semicircle represents a constant phase element (CPE) indicating LaSrGa3O7 is an oxide-ion insulator. The grain-boundary semicircle vanishes if a hydrogen-containing atmosphere is applied. This fact may reflect proton conduction in LaSrGa3O7. In contrast, the impurity LaSrGaO4 existing, for example, in the samples x= 0.20, y= 0.25–0.30 gives no grain-boundary contribution to the impedance.
Ionization Measurements of SuperCDMS SNOLAB 100 mm Diameter Germanium Crystals

Scaling cryogenic Germanium-based dark matter detectors to probe smaller WIMP-nucleon cross-sections poses significant challenges in the forms of increased labor, cold hardware, warm electronics and heat load. The development of larger crystals alleviates these issues. The results of ionization tests with two 100 mm diameter, 33 mm thick cylindrical detector-grade Germanium crystals are presented here. Through these results the potential of using such crystals in the Super Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (SuperCDMS) SNOLAB experiment is demonstrated.
Schottky barrier probe tunneling

Abstract Schottky barrier probe tunneling is reviewed as a method for measuring gaps in the electronic density of states of exotic materials. Although there have been notable successes, the Schottky barrier itself is found to produce an intrinsic zero bias resistance peak, which limits the usefulness to strong, well-defined gaps.
Sulfur isotopic studies of Archean slate and graywacke from northern Minnesota: evidence for the existence of sulfate reducing bacteria

Abstract Sulfur isotopic studies of pyrite from metasediments in the >2.6 Byr old Deer Lake green-stone sequence, Minnesota, have been conducted in order to evaluate the possible importance of sulfate reducing bacteria in sulfide formation. Pyrite occurs as ovules up to 2 cm in diameter within graphitic slates, and as fine disseminations in metagraywacke units. SEM studies indicate the pyrite is framboidal in morphology. δ 34 S values of pyrite from the Deer Lake sediments range from −2.3 to 11.1‰, with a peak at ~ +2‰ Isotopic data are consistent with either high temperature inorganic reduction of circulating seawater sulfate, or low temperature bacterial reduction. However, the lack of sulfide bands or massive occurrences in the sediments, the restriction of pyrite mineralization to the sediments, and the absence of evidence for hot spring activity suggest that a diagenetic origin of pyrite is more feasible. Sulfide in such an environment would be produced principally by the action of sulfate reducing bacteria. Results of the study are in agreement with those of Goodwin et al. (1976) who suggest that dissimilatory sulfate reduction was operative in the Archean ocean some 2.75 Byr ago.
Atom-surface elastic scattering in the presence of laser radiation

A qualitative discussion on atom-surface elastic scattering taking place in the presence of laser radiation is given. It is suggested that appreciable effects of laser radiation on diffraction patterns may be expected if the laser radiation is capable of inducing electronic transitions in atoms with a large probability.
Reversible inhibitions of cytochrome system components by macromolecular polyions.

Abstract Cytochrome oxidase activity of whole heart homogenates, Keilin and Hartree heart muscle particles, and deoxycholate-treated heart muscle oxidase preparations were all inhibited by the polycations, protamine (sulfate), histone, ribonuclease, and lysozyme. The polycationic inhibitions could be blocked and reversed by the polyanions, polyglucose sulfate, polyethylene sulfonate, carageenins, sulfochitosans, DNA, chondroitin sulfate, and heparin. Neither hyaluronic acid nor n-acetylneuraminic were effective in regard to blocking or reversing the polycation inhibitions of oxidase activity. Polyglucose sulfate and other macroanions, alone, were capable of increasing the cytochrome oxidase activity of non-protamine-treated enzyme preparations. Polyglucose sulfate also restored oxidase activity lost as a result of aging of enzyme preparations. Polyanionic substances including polyglucose sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, heparin and glutamyl polypeptides formed complexes with cytochrome c, with resultant loss in catalytic activity of the hemeprotein. Such complex formation could be reversed by addition of protamine to the system, with reactivation of cytochrome c. The reversible interactions between polyions and the cytochrome system components were more effective in Tris than in phosphate buffers of equal molarities. Increase in ionic strength beyond 0.08, resulted in a weakening of the protamine inhibition of oxidase activity. It was concluded that coulombic attractions between cytochrome system components and oppositely charged polyions were involved in the phenomena described.
Visualizing bacteria in nematodes using fluorescent microscopy.

Symbioses, the living together of two or more organisms, are widespread throughout all kingdoms of life. As two of the most ubiquitous organisms on earth, nematodes and bacteria form a wide array of symbiotic associations that range from beneficial to pathogenic 1-3. One such association is the mutually beneficial relationship between Xenorhabdus bacteria and Steinernema nematodes, which has emerged as a model system of symbiosis 4. Steinernema nematodes are entomopathogenic, using their bacterial symbiont to kill insects 5. For transmission between insect hosts, the bacteria colonize the intestine of the nematode's infective juvenile stage 6-8. Recently, several other nematode species have been shown to utilize bacteria to kill insects 9-13, and investigations have begun examining the interactions between the nematodes and bacteria in these systems 9. We describe a method for visualization of a bacterial symbiont within or on a nematode host, taking advantage of the optical transparency of nematodes when viewed by microscopy. The bacteria are engineered to express a fluorescent protein, allowing their visualization by fluorescence microscopy. Many plasmids are available that carry genes encoding proteins that fluoresce at different wavelengths (i.e. green or red), and conjugation of plasmids from a donor Escherichia coli strain into a recipient bacterial symbiont is successful for a broad range of bacteria. The methods described were developed to investigate the association between Steinernema carpocapsae and Xenorhabdus nematophila 14. Similar methods have been used to investigate other nematode-bacterium associations 9,15-18and the approach therefore is generally applicable. The method allows characterization of bacterial presence and localization within nematodes at different stages of development, providing insights into the nature of the association and the process of colonization 14,16,19. Microscopic analysis reveals both colonization frequency within a population and localization of bacteria to host tissues 14,16,19-21. This is an advantage over other methods of monitoring bacteria within nematode populations, such as sonication 22or grinding 23, which can provide average levels of colonization, but may not, for example, discriminate populations with a high frequency of low symbiont loads from populations with a low frequency of high symbiont loads. Discriminating the frequency and load of colonizing bacteria can be especially important when screening or characterizing bacterial mutants for colonization phenotypes 21,24. Indeed, fluorescence microscopy has been used in high throughput screening of bacterial mutants for defects in colonization 17,18, and is less laborious than other methods, including sonication 22,25-27and individual nematode dissection 28,29.
Direct-drive induction motors: using an induction motor as an alternative to a motor with reducer

This article presents the performance and size comparisons of direct-drive induction motors with gearbox-driven systems. Three different low-speed applications with output speeds to the driven equipment ranging from 300-600 r/min is reviewed. In addition, permanent-magnet (PM) motor advantages and disadvantages are also discussed.
Theoretical studies of grain boundaries in Ni3Al with boron or sulfur

It is well known that grain boundaries (GB) can have pronounced effects on the physical properties of materials (mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, fracture path, resistivity, etc.). Accordingly, a great deal of effort has been devoted to trying to understand the structure, energetics, and properties of grain boundaries. Significant experimental and theoretical progress has been made in understanding grain boundaries in pure systems, while the understanding of grain boundaries in alloy systems is much less developed. Also the mechanical properties of the grain boundaries are not well understood. In the present report, the authors summarize recent results on atomistic simulations of grain boundaries in the Ll/sub 2/ ordered alloy Ni/sub 3/Al. Understanding grain boundaries in this material is of particular importance since intergranular fracture limits the applicability of this otherwise promising material. To put these results into perspective, additional simulations were performed on grain boundaries in pure Ni and Al. Many features of grain boundaries in the ordered alloy may be understood in terms of the results on pure Ni and Al grain boundaries. The authors also consider the effect of boron, sulfur, and nickel segregation on the strength of grain boundaries in Ni and Ni/sub 3/Al.
The prevalence, six-month persistence, and predictive values of laboratory indicators of bacterial vaginosis (nonspecific vaginitis) in asymptomatic women.

The natural course of signs and laboratory test findings indicative of bacterial vaginosis was followed in an observational noninterventive 6-month longitudinal study of 270 asymptomatic women. Only the minority of positive Gardnerella vaginalis cultures (5 of 33), wet mount clue cells (5 of 14), sniff tests (3 of 11), Papanicolaou smear clue cells (0 of 5), and discharge consistent with bacterial vaginosis (11 of 49) persisted in the absence of therapy. While these four laboratory parameters as well as chromatographic succinate/lactate ratios (performed only on the final visit) were abnormal significantly more often in patients with abnormal discharge than in those with normal discharge (p = 0.006, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p = 0.0003, and p = 0.002, respectively), all were insensitive predictors of abnormal discharge with sensitivities ranging between 10.6% and 20.2% and abnormal test predictive values between 30.6% and 65.2%. We conclude that G. vaginalis represents indigenous flora in some normal women and that therapy is unwarranted for the incidental finding of a positive laboratory indicator of bacterial vaginosis in the patient without symptoms.
Metastatic breast cancer

The management of metastatic breast cancer continues to provide enormous challenges. The taxanes have significant activity in patients with resistant disease, and combination regimens are being evaluated as first-line therapy. The combination of paclitaxel and doxorubicin appears to have substantial activity, but troublesome cardiac toxicity has been noted in a recently reported study. Docetaxel has been shown to be very active in initial phase II evaluation, notably in women with anthracycline-resistant disease. The controversy over high-dose therapy continues, and its role in the management of metastatic breast cancer outside the confines of clinical trials remains unclear. The HER-2 protein appears to be a predictive factor for patients with metastatic disease. Antibody therapy directed at this target can produce responses in a proportion of patients. Bisphosphonates appear to be beneficial to patients with lytic bony metastases when administered in conjunction with cytotoxic or hormonal therapy.
Prolegomenon to an alternative genealogy of German modernism: German architects' encounters with world cultures c. 1900

Reading the canonical texts on German architecture in the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries, one is led to believe that few German architects engaged with non-European architectural tra...
Self-similar hot accretion on to a spinning neutron star: matching the outer boundary conditions

Medvedev & Narayan have described a hot accretion flow on to a spinning neutron star in which the gas viscously brakes the spin of the star. Their self-similar solution has the surprising property that the density, temperature and angular velocity of the gas at any radius are completely independent of the outer boundary conditions. Hence, the solution cannot be matched to a general external medium. We resolve this paradoxical situation by showing that there is a second self-similar solution which bridges the gap between the original solution and the external medium. This new solution has an extra degree of freedom which permits it to match general outer boundary conditions. We confirm the main features of the analytical results with a full numerical solution.
Effects of Policies to Restrict Malt Liquor Sales on Neighborhood Crime

We examined the effectiveness of malt liquor sales restrictions adopted in 2005 in three liquor stores in a large Midwestern U.S. city. We hypothesized that the restrictions would be associated with crime reductions in adjacent neighborhoods. Using Poisson regression modeling, we compared crime rates two years prior to, and two years following policy adoption. Findings were mixed; malt liquor restrictions were associated with reductions in disorderly conduct citations, but increases in larceny/theft, beyond citywide trends. Limitations and implications of our study are discussed, and further research suggested. The study was funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hierarchical audio-visual cue integration framework for activity analysis in intelligent meeting rooms

Scene understanding in the context of a smart meeting room involves the extraction of various kinds of cues at different levels of semantic abstraction. Specifically, human activity in a scene is usually monitored using arrays of audio and visual sensors. Tasks such as person localization and tracking, speaker ID, focus of attention detection, speech recognition and affective state recognition are among them. In this paper we demonstrate a system that extracts such information by synergistically combining the information from the various tasks to support each other. We exploit the fact that the output of one kind of human activity analysis task contains valuable information for another such block and by interconnecting them, a robust system results. We demonstrate this in a smart meeting room context equipped with 3 cameras and 16 microphones. The system performs the tasks of person tracking, head pose estimation, beamforming, speaker ID and speech recognition using audio and visual cues. The novelty lies in putting together the tasks such that they can provide relevant information to one another. We evaluate the performance of our system and present results for tasks such as keyword spotting and tracking re-identification on real-world meeting scenes collected in our audio-visual testbed.
Acceptability and Suitability of Athel, Tamarix aphylla, to the Leaf Beetle Diorhabda elongata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a Biological Control Agent of Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.)

The leaf beetle Diorhabda elongata (Brulle) sensu lato has been released in the western United States for the classical biological control of exotic saltcedars (Tamarix species and hybrids). However, athel (T. aphylla [L.] Karsten), an exotic, moderately valued evergreen species in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, has not been targeted for biological control. All populations of D. elongata previously examined, including those promising for release in southern areas of the saltcedar infestation, develop and oviposit on athel. Therefore, we assessed more fully the acceptability and suitability of athel to three D. elongata populations (Tunisia, Crete, and Uzbekistan). All populations of D. elongata laid similar numbers of eggs on athel and saltcedar in no-choice tests. In multiple- and paired-choice tests, oviposition on saltcedar was generally greater than on athel but with some notable exceptions and inconsistencies within populations. Increasing cage size delayed the colonization of and oviposition on test plants by small groups of adult beetles but did not change the pattern of egg-laying. For Crete beetles, survival and development were similar for larvae fed athel or saltcedar. Adult size was negatively affected by a larval diet of athel. An adult diet of athel did not reduce lifetime fecundity, although it did decrease egg mass size and delayed the start of oviposition. As a result, the innate capacity for increase decreased. The potential for damage to athel by D. elongata may be higher than previously thought; however, this may be offset by the potential for increased invasiveness of athel.
The influence of watershed land use on lake N: P in a predominantly agricultural landscape

This study tests the hypothesis that lakes in watersheds dominated by row-crop agriculture (e.g., maize or soybeans) have systematically higher N: P than lakes in watersheds with large tracts of pasturelands. Current biogeochemical models of eutrophication suggest that agricultural nitrogen and phosphorus fluxes lead to a systematic decline in the N: P of receiving waters. In contrast, different agricultural activities (i.e., row-cropping vs. animal agriculture) use greatly divergent N and P amendments, and fluxes from agricultural watersheds diverge through a broad range of observed N: P (i.e., sub-Redfield to .100). Animal agriculture leads to low N: P fluxes and row-cropping to high N: P. The connection between agricultural watershed land use and lake nutrient stoichiometry was tested in a highly agricultural region of the United States (Iowa) on 113 lakes in watersheds with different amounts of row-crop (0%–95%) and pastureland (0%–36%). Multiple regression analysis shows that lakes in watersheds with large areas in pasturelands have low N: P, whereas lakes in watersheds dominated by row-cropping have systematically high N: P. Lakes in watersheds with >30% pasture had the lowest N: P, approaching Redfield levels. N: P was most frequently high (>50 as atoms) in lakes with >90% of their watersheds in row-crop agriculture. The dynamics of agricultural practice necessitates the inclusion of real-world differences among agricultural systems in nutrient stoichiometric models. Intensive row-crop agriculture yields N: P stoichiometry at high levels usually observed in pristine headwaters and open oceans, whereas increased animal agriculture will drive N: P to low levels usually associated with cyanobacterial blooms.
The influence of maternal language responsiveness on the expressive speech production of children with autism spectrum disorders: A microanalysis of mother–child play interactions:

Adult responsiveness is related to language development both in young typically developing children and in children with autism spectrum disorders, such that parents who use more responsive language with their children have children who develop better language skills over time. This study used a micro-analytic technique to examine how two facets of maternal utterances, relationship to child focus of attention and degree of demandingness, influenced the immediate use of appropriate expressive language of preschool-aged children with autism spectrum disorders (n = 28) and toddlers with typical development (n = 16) within a naturalistic mother–child play session. Mothers’ use of follow-in demanding language was most likely to elicit appropriate expressive speech in both children with autism spectrum disorders and children with typical development. For children with autism spectrum disorders, but not children with typical development, mothers’ use of orienting cues conferred an additional benefit for expressi...
Effect of inhaled carbon dioxide on laryngeal abduction.

Hypercapnia produces a profound effect on respiratory drive and upper airway function to maintain airway patency. Previous work has evaluated the effects of hypercapnia on the sole arytenoid abduct...
Characterizing superconducting BSSCO tapes and bulk joints

For many potential applications, long lengths of superconducting tapes and bulk materials with high current capacities are needed. Producing long lengths of superconducting bulk and tapes by joining is considered a challenge. Superconducting monofilament Bi(2223) tapes were fabricated using the powder in tube method with groove and flat rolling. The tapes were rolled to a final thickness of 250 /spl mu/m. The tapes and bulk materials were processed using a combination of pressing and sintering. The average critical currents for the tapes and bulk materials were 70 and 180 A at 77 K and self field respectively. Superconducting tapes and bulk specimens were joined using lap and butt configurations and thermomechanically processed to make superconducting joints. The maximum joint efficiencies for the lap and butt joints were in the range of 30% to 100%. The phase changes and microstructural development in the joint region were investigated using hardness measurements, XRD and SEM.
An experiment to reduce corrosivity in submarine sonar domes by nitrogen injection

The Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington (APL-UW) and the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) undertook a long-term study on reducing corrosion in submarine sonar domes. For several years APL-UW, under the auspices of NAVSEA, has inspected dome structures and recommended improvements in their design, materials, and maintenance. Classical corrosion control on submarines has emphasized exclusively materials selection and processing, protective coatings, and planned maintenance. Since about 1990, we have added the idea of understanding what factors change the corrosivity in sonar domes and how to reduce that corrosivity. Tests have been conducted to determine the corrosivity rates of sonar-dome materials, instrumentation has been devised to monitor dome-water corrosivity in situ, and follow-on tests have been conducted to determine the feasibility of injecting nitrogen into the dome water to reduce the corrosion rate.
Evaluation of the dose calculation accuracy in intensity-modulated radiation therapy for mesothelioma, focusing on low doses to the contralateral lung.

This study compares Monte Carlo (MC) with conventional treatment planning system (TPS) calculations. The EGS4nrc MC code, BEAMnrc, was commissioned to simulate a Varian 21Ex Linac. The accuracy of the simulations, including points blocked by the jaws, was evaluated by comparing MC with ion chamber and MOSFET measurements. Eight mesothelioma IMRT cases were planned using Eclipse (pencil beam and superposition convolution algorithms). Dose distributions were recalculated using BEAMnrc/DOSxyz, and compared with TPS. MC agreed with experimental results for IMRT fields within 3% (96% of points). For regions blocked by the jaws, average agreement between MC and experiment was better than 5% up to 20 cm from isocenter. MC modeled dose in regions blocked by the jaws better than the TPS. The pencil beam algorithm underestimated lung MLD, V20, and V5, compared with MC, by a mean (range) of 16% (11-22%), 9.0 (2.4 – 30.1), and 11.8% (2 – 30%), respectively. The superposition convolution algorithm gave better agreement of 8.5% (0 – 17%), 4% (0 – 12%) and 0% (-6 – 6%). Mean dose to the targets was better than ± 5% in all cases. In conclusion, there is excellent correlation between TPS and MC calculations for the target doses. The pencil beam algorithm and superposition convolution algorithms both underestimate lung dose parameters, but the superposition convolution dose offer improvements in dose calculation accuracy for these patients.
Test-driven goal-directed debugging in spreadsheets

We present an error-detection and -correction approach for spreadsheets that automatically generates questions about input/output pairs and, depending on the feedback given by the user, proposes changes to the spreadsheet that would correct detected errors. This approach combines and integrates previous work on automatic test-case generation and goal-directed debugging. We have implemented this method as an extension to MS Excel. We carried out an evaluation of the system using spreadsheets seeded with faults using mutation operators. The evaluation shows among other things that up to 93% of the first-order mutants and 98% of the second-order mutants were detected by the system using the automatically generated test cases.
Cytokines act within the brain to inhibit luteinizing hormone secretion and ovulation in the rat.

Alterations of immune activity are often accompanied by reproductive disorders. Because interleukins mediate the host's response to immune activation, we first examined the effect of the central injection of several lymphokines on LH secretion by gonadectomized rats. We then studied the ability of the most potent lymphokine in this system, interleukin-1β (11-1β), to interfere with the proestrous LH surge and ovulation in the intact female rat as well as the dependence of this effect on the activation of opiate receptors. Finally, we investigated the possibility that increased brain levels of Us, as induced by the central administration of a bacterial endotoxin, might also alter the normal ovulatory process. After intracerebroventricular (icv) injection, 11-1β, 11-6, and tumor necrosis factor all lowered plasma LH levels in castrated rats. On a molar basis, 11-1β was the most potent inhibitor of LH secretion. In gonadectomized animals, 2.5 and 10 ng 11-1β administered icv significantly (P ≤ 0.01) decreased...
Urban Debt, Neoliberalism and the Politics of the Commons

The rural/metropolitan/wilderness hybrid central to urban shrinkage directly challenges a commonly held belief that a city consists of a dense concentration of people living in a limited geographic...