cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Special Section Guest Editorial: Nanoplasmonics

CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics, University of Central Florida, Orlando,Florida 32816-2700, United StatesNanoplasmonics is an emerging electromagnetic-wave technology that exploits deep-subwave-length nanoscale composites of conductors and dielectric-semiconductors for new free-spaceand on-chip waveguided applications. The nanoplasmonic possibilities include surface waves,bulkwaves,metasurfaces,andquantumconfinementutilized atwavelengthsinthevisible,infra-red, and terahertz regions, with the longer wavelengths leading to lower propagation loss.Nanoplasmonics complements nanophotonics, and the two technologies can be cointegratedon a chip for new functionality and synergism. The eleven papers in this special section presentasnapshotofcurrentinternationalresearchinthisfield.Invitedpaperscovergroup-IVmid-infra-red plasmonics, tunable plasmonic materials for optical modulation, and beamsteering and plas-monic resonance within a photonic-crystal nanobeam. An invited review article gives anoverview of midinfrared plasmonic materials. The contributed papers explore passive and activeplasmonic devices (e.g., modulators, waveguides, resonators, spectral filters, lenses, and nano-antennas), and the plasmonic properties of nanostructures, such as nanoparticles, nanorods, andnanoshells. The guest editors thank all authors who have contributed to this special section andhope that the readers will enjoy the selection.
Retreatment with anti-EGFR based therapies in metastatic colorectal cancer: impact of intervening time interval and prior anti-EGFR response

This retrospective study aims to investigate the activity of retreatment with anti-EGFR-based therapies in order to explore the concept of clonal evolution by evaluating the impact of prior activity and intervening time interval. Eighty-nine KRAS exon 2-wild-type metastatic colorectal patients were retreated on phase I/II clinical trials containing anti-EGFR therapies after progressing on prior cetuximab or panitumumab. Response on prior anti-EGFR therapy was defined retrospectively per physician-records as response or stable disease ≥6 months. Multivariable statistical methods included a multiple logistic regression model for response, and Cox proportional hazards model for progression-free survival. Retreatment anti-EGFR agents were cetuximab (n = 76) or cetuximab plus erlotinib (n = 13). The median interval time between prior and retreatment regimens was 4.57 months (range: 0.46-58.7). Patients who responded to the prior cetuximab or panitumumab were more likely to obtain clinical benefit to the retreatment compared to the non-responders in both univariate (p = 0.007) and multivariate analyses (OR: 3.38, 95 % CI: 1.27, 9.31, p = 0.019). The clinical benefit rate on retreatment also showed a marginally significant association with interval time between the two anti-EGFR based therapies (p = 0.053). Median progression-free survival on retreatment was increased in prior responders (4.9 months, 95 % CI: 3.6, 6.2) compared to prior non-responders (2.5 months, 95 % CI, 1.58, 3.42) in univariate (p = 0.064) and multivariate analysis (HR: 0.70, 95 % CI: 0.43-1.15, p = 0.156). Our data lends support to the concept of clonal evolution, though the clinical impact appears less robust than previously reported. Further work to determine which patients benefit from retreatment post progression is needed.
Using MEMS-based storage in disk arrays

Current disk arrays, the basic building blocks of high-performance storage systems, are built around two memory technologies: magnetic disk drives, and non-volatile DRAM caches. Disk latencies are higher by six orders of magnitude than non-volatile DRAM access times, but cache costs over 1000 times more per byte. A new storage technology based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) will soon offer a new set of performance and cost characteristics that bridge the gap between disk drives and the caches. We evaluate potential gains in performance and cost by incorporating MEMS-based storage in disk arrays. Our evaluation is based on exploring potential placements of MEMS-based storage in a disk array. We used detailed disk array simulators to replay I/O traces of real applications for the evaluation. We show that replacing disks with MEMS-based storage can improve the array performance dramatically, with a cost performance ratio several times better than conventional arrays even if MEMS storage costs ten times as much as disk. We also demonstrate that hybrid MEMS/disk arrays, which cost less than purely MEMS-based arrays, can provide substantial improvements in performance and cost/performance over conventional arrays.
The fisher ideal index and the indirect malmquist productivity index: A comparison

In this paper we develop a connection between the revenue indirect Malmquist productivity index and the Fisher ideal input index. As a by‐product we report a set of conditions under which the direct and indirect Malmquist productivity indexes coincide.
Measuring nominal scale agreement between a judge and a known standard

Two designs for comparing a judge's ratings with a known standard are presented and compared. Design A pertains to the situation where the judge is asked to categorize each ofN subjects into one ofr (known) classes with no knowledge of the actual number in each class. Design B is employed when the judge is given the actual number in each class and is asked to categorize the individuals subject to these constraints. The probability distribution of the total number of correct choices is developed in each case. A power comparison of the two procedures is undertaken.
Dbp5, Gle1-IP6 and Nup159: a working model for mRNP export.

Gene expression is a stepwise process involving distinct cellular processes including transcription, mRNA (mRNA) processing, mRNA export, and translation. As mRNAs are being synthesized, proteins associate with the RNA to form messenger ribonucleoprotein particles (mRNPs). Previous studies have demonstrated that the RNA-binding protein composition of these mRNPs is dynamic, changing as the mRNP moves through the different steps of gene expression, and playing a critical role in these events. An important step during this maturation process occurs at the cytoplasmic face of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) where the export protein Gle1 bound to inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) spatially activates the ATP-hydrolysis and mRNP-remodeling activity of the DEAD-box protein Dbp5. Recent work from our laboratory and others has provided important insights into the function and regulation of Dbp5. These include a more detailed explanation of the mechanism of Dbp5 RNP remodeling, the role of Gle1-IP6 in stimulating Dbp5...
High creep resistance tin-based alloys for soldering applications

Tin-antimony and tin-indium-antimony alloys made using relatively simple processing steps are discussed as potential creep-resistant, lead-free solders. The intermetallic SbSn forms a very advantageous distribution of high aspectratio whiskers, providing a significant composite strengthening effect that is relatively unaffected by aging at temperatures below 100°C. The intermetallic InSb is even more effective than SbSn per volume fraction. Evidently, strong interactions between dislocations and InSb particles are the origin of the creep-rate reduction. Compared to other potential creep-resistant solder alloys, the creep properties of the Sn-Sb and Sn-In-Sb alloys compare favorably, particularly the high volume-fraction Sn-Sb alloys. It is suggested that even better creep resistance could be achieved in alloys containing distributions of both InSb particles and SbSn whiskers.
Gel permeation chromatography as a combinatorial screening method: Identification of highly active heteroligated phenoxyimine polymerization catalysts

A number of mixed-ligand bis(phenoxyimine) titanium catalysts were screened using a pooled combinatorial approach. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was used to analyze polypropylene mixtures, leading to the identification of highly active catalysts. Complexes with only one ortho-fluorinated ligand are significantly more active than homoligated complexes for the syndiospecific polymerization of propylene.
Defect-related breakdown and conduction in SiO 2

A statistical model incorporating the effects of defects provides good representation of breakdown results for Al-SiO2-Si MOS capacitors. Implications of this model for interpretation of the yield from life tests and histograms obtained from ramp tests are discussed for the case of a Poisson distribution of defects over the capacitors. The breakdown rates of MOS capacitors in life tests are found to be correlated to defects inferred from conduction measurements.
The Informational Sketch — A Major Vice of the Technical Writer

The author of this article argues that all too often teachers of technical writing spend too much time pressuring their students to write simply and without jargon, and that as a result they often get writing that is bad because it is skeletal and undeveloped writing lacking in continuity and narrative functions. The technical writer is often overjoyed to submit outline-writing because it requires small effort, not realizing that it shifts the burden of interpretation to the reader. The author recommends a number of cures for the skeletal technical paper.
Headspace volatile analysis to evaluate oxidative and thermal stability of soybean oil. Effect of hydrogenation and additives

Headspace gas chromatographic analysis of heated soybean oil was investigated as a tool to determine what effect hydrogenation and additives have on the formation of total and individual volatile components. Soybean oil was hydrogenated to varying linolenate (Ln) contents with either nickel (Ni) or copper catalysts. Oils were stabilized with citric acid (CA) or a combination of CA with tertiary butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) and/or methyl silicone (MS). Volatiles were analyzed with a capillary gas chromatography equipped with a headspace sampler positioned on the injector. Oxidative stability was determined after storage of the oils at 60 C. To study thermal abuse and frying performance of oils, samples were heated for several, hours with prolonged bread frying. The deterioration of the oil was accelerated further by static heating in air within the headspace sampler. All hydrogenated oils produced less total volatiles than the unhydrogenated control oil after prolonged heating and bread frying. Static heating at 190 C for one hr showed that the oil hydrogenated with Ni to 0.4% Ln was the most stable. MS decreased the formation of volatiles in all samples and was particularly effective, in stabilizing the hydrogenated oils. However, MS had little effect on volatiles in the oil hydrogenated to 0.4% with Ni. Unique volatile compounds identified included 2,4-heptadiental in nonhydrogenated soybean oil and 2-nonenal in most hydrogenated oils. On heating, the amount of 2-heptanal decreased significantly in the Ni hydrogenated oils compared to the control. Hexanal, on the other hand, decreased in all hydrogenated oils compared to the control.
Dependence of ESCA signal intensities of ionic compounds on chemical environment

Abstract Variation in ESCA signal intensities for ionic compounds is interpreted in terms of the dependence of photoelectron escape probability on the immediate environment of the emission center. A model has been developed to estimate this escape probability by the fractional solid angle not blocked by the nearest neighbors of the emission center. A linear correlation is found between the normalized intensity ratios for simple alkali halides and the fractional escape solid angle ratios. Absolute intensity measurements have been carried out for alkali perchlorates and alkali chlorides. The chlorine signal intensities were constant for perchlorates but decrease steadily from LiCl to CsCl. These observations are consistent with the chlorine atom in the perchlorate groups always being surrounded by four oxygens; therefore its fractional escape solid angle is independent of the compound.
Thermal stability of a new solid oxide fuel/electrolyzer cell seal glass

Abstract Long-term thermal stability of sealing glass is critical for hermetic seals of solid oxide fuel and electrolyzer cell stacks. In this work, a SrO–La 2 O 3 –Al 2 O 3 –SiO 2 glass (SABS-0 glass) has been evaluated as a high temperature sealant by thermal treatment. Powder and bulk SABS-0 glasses are studied in both air and H 2 /H 2 O atmospheres at 800 °C for up to 1000 h. Weight measurements show negligible SABS-0 glass vaporization during the thermal treatment. Both SABS-0 powder and bulk samples show some surface devitrification but the SABS-0 glass bulk remains amorphous at all the thermal treatment conditions. On the polished bulk SABS-0 surface, needle-shaped crystals are observed for both the air and the H 2 /H 2 O thermal treatment conditions. Polishing is believed to be the initiator for the SABS-0 glass surface devitrification. The crystalline phases, indentified as silicates and aluminates, increase with the thermal treatment time. However, the crystalline phases on the polished SABS-0 glass surface are very limited and only exist on the very surface of both the air and the H 2 /H 2 O atmosphere treated samples. The SABS-0 glass has excellent thermal stability in solid oxide fuel/electrolyzer operating environments and is a promising sealant material for such applications.
A service-learning program for computer science and software engineering

This paper presents a service-learning educational program called EPICS (Engineering Projects In Community Service). It also describes our efforts and experiences from incorporating this program within a Computer Science and Software Engineering curriculum. Our paper concludes by discussing various key challenges and some early lessons learned while crafting such program.
SU‐E‐T‐159: Average and Maximum Doses in Thin Fricke Layers Irradiated with Soft X‐Rays

Purpose: To determine the relationship between maximum and average doses in thin Fricke layers irradiated with soft x‐rays. Methods: The MC code PENELOPE was used to modeling a Fricke solution pillbox‐like volume 0.30 cm thick and 1.5 cm diameter embedded in the center and flushing the surface of a 0.50‐cm thick, 1125 cm3 solid water thank filled with water. The pillbox was covered with a 0.0030 cm thick polystyrene film and the reference point for the absorbed dose calculations was its geometric center for all the simulations performed at a source‐detector distance of 30.0 cm using the PTB (Physikalisch‐Technische Bundesanstalt‐Germany courtesy: R. Kramer) calibration therapy TW30 kV, TW50 kV TW 70kV and TW100 kV spectra. The same procedure was followed with pillbox thickness varying from 0.0010 to 0.40 cm. For each x‐ray quality, the average energy per unit mass (average dose) in the pillboxes were normalized for the 0.30 cm thick Fricke solution and their maximum average dose values were assigned as being the CPE region. The effect of the beam divergence on the average dose and the water/Fricke dose relationship are being investigated. Results: As the thickness of the pillbox increases, the average dose increases, reaching a maximum after descending due to attenuation in the solution. With an uncertainty of ±0.3%, a deviation between the maximum and average doses of 17.0% (0.010‐cm depth), 5.2% (0.025‐cm depth), 0.23% (0.15‐cm depth) and 0.00% (0.30‐cm depth) were observed for 30, 50, 70 and 100 kV, respectively. Conclusions: As expected, different thickness of Fricke solution are required to determine the absorbed dose under CPE condition. Nevertheless, the data provided in this work may serve for absolute calibration of the Fricke solution using a similar setup, radiation qualities and the calculated relationship between maximum and average dose presented herein.
Biomass Boundary Layer Turbine Power System

A “Boundary Layer Turbine” (BLT), with a specially designed multiple-disk rotor consisting of a number of closely packed parallel disks fixed to the shaft, was used to demonstrate direct conversion of biomass for small-scale distributed power generation. The turbine operates under the effect of skin friction drag exerted on the parallel plates, resulting from the flow of hot gases between the parallel plates. This concept is well known for its resistance to erosion when pumping viscous fluids, and the technology has been developed for commercial pump applications but not for a turbine. The turbine based on this concept is capable of encountering particle-laden gas and can accept ash-containing biomass fuels. In the present experiments, wood-derived sawdust (particle size ∼1 mm) and natural oats were fired separately as the test fuels. These fuels were injected directly into the stream of vitiated hot air downstream of the combustor. The location of injection was based on a 1- to 3-second residence time for complete combustion. This paper discusses a performance study and assessment of deposition, erosion, and corrosion (DEC) effects on the working components of the BLT. The potential for cost-effective electricity production from biomass in distributed-generation applications is also explored. The BLT was operated for 40 hours, consuming 68 kg of biomass fuel. The testing included initial firing of 10% biomass (by heating value), increasing to 100%. Documented performance shows isentropic turbine efficiencies of 11% at 3.2 kW and 6284 rpm. Turbine inlet conditions averaged 2.8 bar and 645 K. Over the course of testing, no significant component degradation was observed. The hot components were coated with a small amount of soot, but no deposits were formed that would lead to plugging or buildup in the turbine housing. The results of the study represent the first step toward development of a biomass BLT. It has been demonstrated that no significant barriers should hamper the use of biomass fuels in the rotor; however, isentropic efficiencies will have to be improved to at least 50% to achieve meaningful overall cycle efficiency.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
On the experience of epilepsy

Teenage adolescence might be the most confusing, most emotional point in a person’s life—a vast collection of stressful experiences lumped into only 4 or 5 years. It is a period when we start recognizing the opposite sex, when we finally experience a little parental freedom, when we take on new responsibilities, and—unfortunately—when we truly reap the consequences of our decisions. However, it is also when we finally undergo a difficult period of self-discovery. We begin asking ourselves vital questions, such as “Who am I? What am I all about?” I began asking myself these questions at age 16 when I began having epileptic seizures, and let me tell you, my period of self-discovery was not easy. Of course I knew I was having some medical problems, but at the time I was not even aware I had been diagnosed with “epilepsy.” In fact, I never heard the word until I was 21 years old and finally able to speak with a doctor myself. Why? Because my parents were ashamed of admitting I had epilepsy. No, they were terrified of it. When I eventually asked them why I had never been told I have epilepsy, why I had to find this out on my own, they said, “Because no son of ours has epilepsy.” They were convinced my diagnosis meant I was possessed by an evil spirit or that my epilepsy was a punishment from God. It was a sign that someone in our family had committed a major sin, thereby making them concerned about what others would think. I was dumbfounded and terribly hurt. I resented them for never telling me of …
The λ‐complete multigraphs

Let E1……Em be the edges of a hypergraph. Assume each element in the union of the edges occurs in at least two of E1……Em. Assume further that every pair of distinct edges, E1, and E1, intersect in at most one element and that for each such pair there are exactly λ other edges Ek such that E1 and E1 both intersect Ek. We characterize the hypergraphs for which each |E1| ≤ 2. These are the λ-complete multigraphs.
Mean microvessel segment length and radius after embolic stroke: Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM)

We offer a new means of noninvasively assessing mean microvessel segment length and radius after ischemic stroke. This method involves measuring changes in T₂ and T₂⁎ after injecting an intravascular superparamagnetic iron oxide contrast agent and result was verified using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) of both normal brain tissue and the ischemic recovery region. Embolic stroke was induced in 8 male Wistar rats and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed 1 day and 6 weeks later. On MRI taken at 6 weeks, MRI of the recovery region revealed a significant increase in mean vessel size index (VSI) (5.75 ± 0.54 vs 4.81 ± 0.3 9μm; p < 0.001) and decrease in mean segment length (MSL) (16.61 ± 2.33 vs 26.52 ± 3.20 μm; p < 0.001) compared to the normal contralateral hemisphere, comparable with published values. There was also a significant correlation between MSL and VSI measured by MRI vs LSCM in the recovery region and normal contralateral hemisphere (p < 0.001). Our data suggest that a) morphological changes in the microvasculature can be measured noninvasively using MRI, and b) both MRI and LSCM give comparable information about both of these important parameters.
Regional aortic differences in atherosclerosis susceptibility. Relationship to lipid concentration and prostaglandin biosynthesis.

In spontaneously atherosclerosis-susceptible White Carneau pigeons intimai cushions are noted consistently at the coeliac branch of aorta at birth. While these cushions do not progress into atherosclerotic lesions, the area across from the cushion (so called “lesion area”) develop a classic atherosclerotic plaque by three years of age. In order to explain this regional aortic susceptibility to atherosclerosis, cholesterol and cholesteryl ester concentrations and prostaglandin biosynthesis in the two aortic regions were examined. It was found that the concentration of free and esterified cholesterol was higher in the intimai cushion area. Examination of the formation of various prostaglandins from C14-arachidonic acid indicates a striking increase in PGE2 synthesis in the lesion area with no difference in the formation of 6-keto PGF1α (stable product of PGI2). These studies suggest that one of the earliest changes noted in the “lesion area” that differs from the intimai cushion is the enhanced formation of PGE2.
Intracranial ependymoma long term outcome, patterns of failure.

We analyzed 31 patients with intracranial ependymoma, all verified by secondary neuropathology review. There were 12 patients with ependymomas and 19 patients with anaplastic ependymoma by the WHO classification. Eight patients received craniospinal irradiation, 22 patients received cranial irradiation alone, and one patient was treated with chemotherapy alone. The median follow-up time was 11 years. The 5- and 10-year progression-free survivals (PFS) were 60% and 48%. Those with anaplastic tumors had a decreased 10 year PFS over those with low grade lesions: 26% vs. 55% (p=0.02). Delivering spinal irradiation in addition to cranial irradiation did not improve outcome. There were relapses in 16 patients. All patients relapsed at the primary intracranial sites with no spinal failures. Patients treated with whole brain irradiation had decreased 10 year PFS over those treated with local fields: 19% vs. 64% (p=0.006). Those patients treated to ⩾ 50 Gy had an improved long-term PFS (p=0.04). Multivariate analysis was undertaken with the following variables: extent of cranial irradiation, pathology, anatomic site of ependymoma, cranial irradiation dose, extent of surgery, and whether spinal irradiation was given. With PFS as the endpoint, only extent of cranial irradiation (favoring local fields) and pathology (favoring low grade ependymoma) were significant prognosticators. We conclude that carefully outlined local field irradiation is the therapy of choice, and elective spinal irradiation is of questionable benefit.
An Ultra Low-Power (⩽13.6 mW/latch) Static Frequency Divider in an InP/InGaAs DHBT Technology

An ultra-low power static frequency divider with a maximum clock frequency > 61 GHz was designed and fabricated into a 500 nm InP/In 0.53Ga47As/InP double heterojunction bipolar transistor (DHBT) technology utilizing a collector pedestal process for reduced base-collector capacitance Ccb. This is the first reported digital circuit in this material system employing such Ccb reduction techniques. The divider operation is fully static, operating from fclk = 4 GHz to 61.2 GHz while dissipating 27.1 mW of power in the flip-flop from a single -2.30 V supply. The power-delay product of this circuit is 113.0 fJ/latch if all devices in the latch are considered and 63.2 fJ/latch if the power associated with the voltage level-shifting emitter followers is not included in the power-delay calculation. By either method of calculation, this is a record low power-delay product for an InP DHBT-based static frequency divider; more than 2times lower than has been previously reported. The circuit employs the current mode logic (CML) topology and inductive peaking
Genetic epidemiology of birth defects: nonsyndromic cleft lip and neural tube defects.

This review has focused on only two common structural malformations. However, the difficulties and successes encountered while attempting to elucidate the genetic contribution to these two conditions are likely to be echoed in studies of other complex congenital anomalies. As our understanding of the mechanisms which give rise to a particular malformation gradually unfolds, the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the genetic contribution to these conditions becomes increasingly apparent. Experience indicates that both traditional and genetic epidemiologic approaches will be integral components of any such efforts, since the identification of environmental risk factors (e.g., folic acid) may provide clues regarding the nature of disease susceptibility loci, and the identification of susceptibility loci will provide new opportunities to explore potential environmental covariates of disease risk (e.g., maternal cigarette smoke). Although we are not yet in a position to completely describe the genetic contribution to any single structural malformation, advances over the past decade have led to a rapid increase in our ability to elucidate the relevant genetic factors. Given the complex nature of the nonsyndromic structural malformations, there is undoubtedly much work to be done before we fully understand the genetic contribution to even a single malformation. However, for the first time, such an understanding and the accompanying potential for prevention seem within our reach.
Advantages and limitations of using fluorescence in situ hybridization for the detection of aneuploidy in interphase human cells

Fluorescence in situ hybridization with chromosome-specific DNA probes is being increasingly utilized for the detection of chromosome aberrations induced in vitro and in vivo by chemical and physical agents. Although potentially a powerful technique, FISH studies for aneuploidy can be heavily influenced by cellular phenomena and hybridization artifacts which make the performance and interpretation of the results difficult. As a consequence, frequently hyperdiploid frequencies are reported in the literature which are substantially higher than one would expect based upon frequencies seen in conventional metaphase analyses. In this article, a number of the potential pitfalls that we have encountered while performing FISH analyses for aneuploidy are discussed and their potential impact on the observed hybridization frequencies is described. After considering these factors, the frequencies of lymphocyte nuclei containing 3 and 4 chromosome copies are compared between metaphase values obtained from published human population studies and interphase values obtained from similar studies using FISH. It is concluded that by using caution in the evaluation of slides, interphase studies using FISH to detect hyperdiploidy and polyploidy can provide estimates of numerical alterations which closely reflect those seen during metaphase analysis using either FISH or conventional approaches. However, due to the inability of interphase analysis to distinguish hyperdiploidy from polyploidy as well as other potential problems, frequencies of aneuploid nuclei obtained using single label FISH should only be considered approximations of absolute frequencies. For additional accuracy, multi-color FISH with two or more different probes should be performed.
Influence of hurricanes on coastal ecosystems along the northern Gulf of Mexico

Available literature indicates that hurricanes do not generally produce long-term detrimental impacts to unmodified coastal systems and that they often provide net benefits along the U.S. Gulf Coast. While there is normally initial erosion from hurricanes, they also often result in a large influx of inorganic sediments, creating new wetlands and contributing to the maintenance of existing wetlands. The formation of washover deposits is disastrous where cultural development has occurred, but in natural areas these deposits are part of the natural cycle of shoreline development and contribute to habitat diversity and productivity. Abundant rainfall typically associated with hurricanes often results in large increases of sediment and nutrient inputs into coastal estuaries, leading to both short-term and long-term increases in productivity. Rainfall during tropical disturbances accounts for a significant part of total precipitation along the northern gulf. The immediate impact of hurricanes may be to reduce populations of some species but these populations generally recover rapidly. Overall, productivity in natural systems seems to be increased by periodic hurricanes. Hurricane impacts are often severe and long lasting in wetlands that have been modified by human impacts such as semi- or complete impoundments.
HIV-1 vaccine-specific responses induced by Listeria vector vaccines are maintained in mice subsequently infected with a model helminth parasite, Schistosoma mansoni

In areas co-endemic for helminth parasites and HIV/AIDS, infants are often administered vaccines prior to infection with immune modulatory helminth parasites. Systemic Th2 biasing and immune suppression caused by helminth infection reduces cell-mediated responses to vaccines such as tetanus toxoid and BCG. Therefore, we asked if infection with helminthes post-vaccination, alters already established vaccine induced immune responses. In our model, mice are vaccinated against HIV-1 Gag using a Listeria vaccine vector (Lm-Gag) in a prime-boost manner, then infected with the human helminth parasite Schistosoma mansoni. This allows us to determine if established vaccine responses are maintained or altered after helminth infection. Our second objective asked if helminth infection post-vaccination alters the recipient's ability to respond to a second boost. Here we compared responses between uninfected mice, schistosome infected mice, and infected mice that were given an anthelminthic, which occurred coincident with the boost or four weeks prior, as well as comparing to un-boosted mice. We report that HIV-1 vaccine-specific responses generated by Listeria vector HIV-1 vaccines are maintained following subsequent chronic schistosome infection, providing further evidence that Listeria vector vaccines induce potent vaccine-specific responses that can withstand helminth infection. We also were able to demonstrate that administration of a second Listeria boost, which markedly enhanced the immune response, was minimally impacted by schistosome infection, or anthelminthic therapy. Surprisingly, we also observed enhanced antibody responses to HIV Gag in vaccinated mice subsequently infected with schistosomes.
An Efficient Stochastic Clustering Auction for Heterogeneous Robotic Collaborative Teams

Stochastic Clustering Auctions (SCAs) constitute a class of cooperative auction methods that enable improvement of the global cost of the task allocations obtained with fast greedy algorithms. Prior research had developed Contracts Sequencing Algorithms (CSAs) that are deterministic and enable transfers, swaps, and other types of contracts between team members. In contrast to CSAs, SCAs use stochastic transfers or swaps between the task clusters assigned to each team member and have algorithm parameters that can enable tradeoffs between optimality and computational and communication requirements. The first SCA was based on a "Gibbs Sampler" and constrained the stochastic cluster reallocations to simple single transfers or swaps; it is applicable to heterogeneous teams. Subsequently, a more efficient SCA was developed, based on the generalized Swendsen-Wang method; it achieves the increased efficiency by connecting tasks that appear to be synergistic and then stochastically reassigning these connected tasks, hence enabling more complex and efficient movements between clusters than the first SCA. However, its application was limited to homogeneous teams. The contribution of this work is to present an efficient SCA for heterogeneous teams; it is based on a modified Swendsen-Wang method. For centralized auctioning and homogeneous teams, extensive numerical experiments were used to provide a comparison in terms of costs and computational and communication requirements of the three SCAs and a baseline CSA. It was seen that the new SCA maintains the efficiency of the second SCA and can yield similar performance to the baseline CSA in far fewer iterations. The same metrics were used to evaluate the performance of the new SCA for heterogeneous teams. A distributed version of the new SCA was also evaluated in numerical experiments. The results show that, as expected, the distributed SCA continually improves the global performance with each iteration, but converges to a higher cost solution than the centralized SCA. The final discussion outlines a systematic procedure to use SCA in various aspects of the application of multi-robot cooperative systems.
Rethinking Religion in India: The Colonial Construction of Hinduism, edited by Ester Bloch, Marianne Keppens and Rajaram Hegde, Routledge: New York, 2010, xv + 192pp. ISBN 978 0 415 54890 8, US$130 (hbk), ISBN 978 0 203 86289 6, US $100 (e-book)

Rethinking Religion in India: The Colonial Construction of Hinduism , edited by Ester Bloch, Marianne Keppens and Rajaram Hegde, Routledge: New York, 2010, xv + 192pp. ISBN 978 0 415 54890 8, US$13...
Linguistic Insights Into The Reading Process

Various linguists have put forward proposals for studying the reading process and for teaching reading. Bloomfield and Fries tried to use linguistic knowledge to devise a method of teaching reading based on a belief that children had to learn sound-symbol relationships in order to read. Venezky has proposed a model of the reading process which is something of a bridge between their work and that of Chomsky and Halle. The latter have proposed that present English orthography is an optimal system for the language and that the phonemes of so much interest to Bloomfield and Fries are no more than methodological artifacts. However, they acknowledge that their phonological model might not be an appropriate one for children. If this is the case, then certain insights from Bloomfield and Fries may still be relevant. The possible applications of linguistics to reading are still uncertain in the absence of empirical evidence to support any of the present hypotheses.
Molecular-Cloning of the Human Gene Encoding Lanosterol Synthase from a Liver cDNA Library

Lanosterol synthase [(S)-2,3-epoxysqualene mutase (cyclizing, lanosterol forming), EC 5.4.99.7] catalyzes the cyclization of (S)-2,3-oxidosqualene to lanosterol in the reaction that forms the sterol nucleus. We report herein the cloning and characterization of the human gene (OSC) encoding lanosterol synthase, a predicted 83 kDa protein of 732 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence is 36-40% identical to known yeast and plant homologues and 83% identical to Rattus norvegicus lanosterol synthase. The new gene was shown to encode lanosterol synthase. The yeast lanosterol synthase deficient mutant SMY8 was complemented by the human gene, and a cell-free homogenate of SMY8 expressing the human gene was shown to convert 2,3-oxidosqualene to lanosterol.
Production of house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) IgA specific anti-sera and its application in immunohistochemistry and in ELISA for detection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum-specific IgA

Abstract The IgA antibody response plays a vital role in mucosal immunity because it functions to neutralize pathogens at the mucosal surface and thus impedes attachment to underlying tissues. Although the importance of IgA in the mucosal immunity of galliform birds has been established, studies examining IgA-based immunity in passerine birds are lacking, perhaps due in part to the absence of reagents that can detect passerine IgA. A 469 base pair region of the house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) IgA heavy chain was PCR-amplified from spleen cDNA and sequenced. The predicted amino acid sequence was found to share 55% and 46% identity with the IgA heavy chain of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and chicken (Gallus gallus), respectively. The heavy chain fragment was produced using a bacterial expression system and purified. Rabbit anti-sera were generated against the recombinant protein. The anti-sera reacted with a single house finch serum protein (∼50–55 kDa) in Western blot. The anti-sera were used to identify plasma cells in the Harderian gland and conjunctiva of house finches with conjunctivitis associated with Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection. The anti-sera were also utilized in an ELISA to detect M. gallisepticum-specific IgA antibodies in lachrymal samples of infected finches.
Preoperative CT evaluation of adrenal glands in non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma

Preoperative chest computed tomographic (CT) scans in 84 patients with biopsy-proved non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma were reviewed. At least one adrenal gland was visualized in 70 of these. Evidence of a solid adrenal mass was present in 18 (14.5%) glands in 15 (21.4%) patients. Percutaneous needle aspiration under CT guidance confirmed metastatic malignancy in the four patients who were biopsied. Because the documented presence of adrenal metastases in non-small cell lung cancer makes surgical resection or local irradiation inappropriate, it is recommended that both adrenal glands in their entirety be specifically included whenever a staging chest CT examination is performed in patients with such tumors. Percutaneous needle biopsy for pathologic confirmation of the nature of solid adrenal masses discovered in this process is also useful.
PEOPLE'S CONCILIATION: A MODE OF CONFLICT MANAGEMENT OF CIVIL DISPUTES IN CHINA

People's conciliation is a grass‐roots effort for conflict management in China. It settles civil disputes without characterizing them as conflicts between blameworthy adversaries. It does not take legal effect. But with support from the people's court and government, it is generally honored as an institution to maintain and promote mutual confidence and reciprocal relations among rural villagers, urban residents, and work unit employees. This paper attempts to provide a comprehensive description and analysis of people's conciliation. The origin, development, and organization are approached in relation to conciliation in Chinese history as well as other forms of intervention such as self‐conducted, lawyer‐assisted, administrative, and judicial conciliation. Case variety, principle, prohibition, strategy, procedure, and conciliator training are examined Illustrative cases are provided. Ideological and institutional aspects are analyzed in light of Maoism, political economy, culture and community, and public attitude in China.
Delineation of hippocampal subregions using T1-weighted magnetic resonance images at 3 Tesla.

Although several novel approaches for hippocampal subregion delineation have been developed, they need to be applied prospectively and may be limited by long scan times, the use of high field (>3T) imaging systems, and limited reliability metrics. Moreover, the majority of MR imaging data collected to date has employed a T1-weighted acquisition, creating a critical need for an approach that provides reliable hippocampal subregion segmentation using such a contrast. We present a highly reliable approach for the identification of six subregions comprising the hippocampal formation from MR images including the subiculum, dentate gyrus/cornu Ammonis 4 (DG/CA4), entorhinal cortex, fimbria, and anterior and posterior segments of cornu Ammonis 1-3 (CA1–3). MR images were obtained in the coronal plane using a standard 3D spoiled gradient sequence acquired on a GE 3T scanner through the whole head in approximately 10 min. The average ICC for inter-rater reliability across right and left volumetric regions-of-interest was 0.85 (range 0.71–0.98, median 0.86) and the average ICC for intra-rater reliability was 0.92 (range 0.66–0.99, median 0.97). The mean Dice index for inter-rater reliability across right and left hemisphere subregions was 0.75 (range 0.70–0.81, median 0.75) and the mean Dice index for intra-rater reliability was 0.85 (range 0.82–0.90, median 0.85). An investigation of hippocampal asymmetry revealed significantly greater right compared to left hemisphere volumes in the anterior segment of CA1–3 and in the subiculum.
Application of a multiplex suspension array for rapid and simultaneous identification of clinically important mold pathogens.

Abstract We have developed a microsphere-based suspension array (MSA) for the identification of 23 medically important mold pathogens including Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Mucor spp., Rhizopus spp., Rhizomucor pusillus, Penicillium marneffei, Saksenaea vasiformis, Apophysomyces elegans, Lichtheimia corymbifer, and Syncephalastrum racemosum. Twenty-one oligonucleotide probes were designed based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) region for species level identification of molds. Among the 21 probes, 2 probes are shared by more than one species due to low or absence of sequence variability, i.e. Rpam for Rhizopus azygosporus/Rhizopus microsporus and Fumop for Fusarium moniliforme/Fusarium oxysporum/Fusarium pallidoroseum. No cross reactivity was identified except for probes of Mucor racemosus (Murac) which cross react with Mucor hiemalis and Mucor ramosissimus. The sensitivity of MSA is 100 fg–1 ng. The whole procedure including DNA extraction and PCR amplification can be finished within 5 h. The MSA is simple, rapid, specific, high-throughput and capable of multiple-species detection in one reaction tube.
Zip6 (LIV-1) regulates zinc uptake in neuroblastoma cells under resting but not depolarizing conditions

Impaired zinc homeostasis is implicated in many cases of brain injury and pathogenesis. While several routes of zinc influx have been identified in neurons under depolarizing conditions, zinc uptake mechanisms during resting conditions are unknown. We have previously detected Zip6 at the plasma membrane of rat neurons, suggesting a role for Zip6 in neuronal zinc uptake. Zinc uptake under resting and depolarizing membrane potentials was measured in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells using 65Zn. Zinc uptake was higher under depolarizing conditions, compared with resting conditions, and could be reduced by high extracellular calcium, gadolinium, or nimodipine, which suggests that L-type calcium channels are significant routes of zinc uptake under depolarizing membrane potential. In contrast, zinc uptake under resting conditions was not affected by calcium or calcium channel antagonists. Zip6 was localized to the plasma membrane in SH-SY5Y cells, and siRNA-mediated down-regulation of Zip6 expression reduced zinc uptake during resting, but not depolarizing conditions. Zinc treatment (100 microM Zn) reduced zinc uptake under resting, but not depolarizing conditions, which was associated with lower plasma membrane-associated and total Zip6 protein abundance. These results demonstrate that Zip6 functions as a zinc import protein in neuroblastoma cells, that zinc influx during resting and depolarizing conditions occurs via distinctly different processes in these cells, and suggest that neuronal zinc uptake may be down-regulated by excess zinc levels, but only under resting conditions.
Phosphorylase kinase: development of a continuous fluorometric assay for the determination of catalytic activity.

Abstract The preferential binding of 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate by rabbit muscle phosphorylase a is the basis of a continuous fluorometric assay for phosphorylase kinase. The maximum rate of change in fluorescence ( d Δ F dt ) is dependent on both the concentration of phosphorylase kinase and on conditions, such as pH and calcium ion concentration, which affect the enzyme. Parallel measurements of the increases in fluorescence and of 32P incorporation demonstrate the existence of a distinct intermediate in the conversion of phosphorylase b to a . We have used the assay to monitor the increase in calcium-independent activity which accompanies the limited chymotryptic digestion of phosphorylase kinase.
On-chip integrated optoplasmonic molecules and superlenses

In this paper we summarize our recent advances in the design and fabrication of optoplasmonic molecules and superlenses. These structures contain specific numbers of optical microcavity resonators and noble metal nanoparticles in well defined geometries enabling electromagnetic interactions between the photonic and plasmonic components. These optoplasmonic structures were fabricated using a novel template assisted fabrication approach that facilitates a convenient positioning of noble metal nanoparticles into the equatorial plane of whispering gallery mode resonators. The near- and far-field properties of the fabricated structures were characterized using scattering spectroscopy and generalized multiple particle Mie theory (GMT) simulations.
Auroral enhancement of atomic nitrogen

Abstract Calculations have been carried out to show the nighttime growth of atomic nitrogen at ~100 km with the incidence of auroral electrons. For typical densities of auroral ionization, judged from riometer observations of cosmic radio noise absorption, the nitrogen concentration rises rapidly to levels in excess of daytime conditions. However, atomic emissions from electron impact excitation with the enhanced nitrogen concentration do not compete with those due to recombination processes of ions ( N 2 + ) from the stable molecular nitrogen reservoir.
Universal Iterative Strategy for the Divergent Synthesis of Dendritic Macromolecules from Conventional Monomers by a Combination of Living Radical Polymerization and Irreversible TERminator Multifunctional INItiator (TERMINI)

A new synthetic concept named TERMINI that stands for irreversible TERminator Multifunctional INItiator is reported. Suitable combinations of TERMINI and living polymerizations provide access to strategies for the design and synthesis of unprecedented complex molecular and macromolecular architectures from a diversity of commercial monomers. TERMINI represents a masked multifunctional initiator designed to quantitatively and irreversibly interrupt a chain organic reaction or a living polymerization. After demasking, the TERMINI repeat unit enables the quantitative reinitiation, in the presence or absence of a catalyst, of the same or a different living polymerization or a chain organic reaction in more than one direction, thus becoming a branching point. The demonstration of this concept was made by using a combination of metal-catalyzed living radical polymerization (LRP) and (1,1-dimethylethyl)[[1-[3,5-bis(S-phenyl 4-N,N‘-diethylthiocarbamate)phenyl]ethenyl]oxy]dimethylsilane as TERMINI, to elaborate a ...