cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Food, Habitat and Parasites of the Woodland Jumping Mouse in Central New York

One hundred forty woodland jumping mice, Napaeozapus insignis , taken in the summer in central New York were examined. Wooded areas with herbaceous ground cover, especially when moist, were more apt to harbor Napaeozapus than were dry areas, or areas with little or no cover. The stomachs of 103 mice contained, by volume, 37% subterranean fungi ( Endogone and Hymenogaster ), 24% various seeds, 12% fleshy fruits, 10% lepidopterous larvae, 8% miscellaneous vegetation, 8% Coleoptera and 1% unidentified animal material. A cestode, Hymenolepis sp., and nematodes, Rictularia sp. and Citellinoides zapodis were found. The mites, Haemolaelaps glasgowi, Eulaelaps stabularis, Haemogamams alaskensis, Protomyohia breviseiosa, Radfordia ewingi, Pergamasus sp. and Labidophorus (= Dermacarus ) were on some of the mice. Three fleas, Orchopeas leucopus , were taken. The protozoan, Hexamita , was seen in cecal smears of 2 mice examined.
Toward antiferromagnetic metal spintronics

ABSTRACT Spintronics is about control and manipulation of magnetic moments for new and improved functionality in electronic devices. The phenomenon of spin transfer emerged as a unique tool to control the magnetic state of a ferromagnet (F) with an electrical current. MacD onald and co-workers predicted that spin tran sfer could also occur in an antiferromagnet (AFM), where it might be even stronger under certain conditions. We recently showed that the exchange bias at an AFM/F interface, with AFM = FeMn and F = CoFe, could be either increased or decreased depending upon the polarity of the applied current. We attributed th ese changes to effects of the current on th e AFM. Here we extend that study to a new AFM = IrMn and to a new F = Py = Ni x Fe 1-x with x ~ 0.2. Using exchange-biased spin-valves (EBSVs) of the form AFM/F(pinned)/Cu/F(free), where both Fs are the same alloy, we first compare da ta for F = CoFe with AFMs = FeMn or IrMn. The data for FeMn and IrMn are generally similar, with the current having clear effects upon the exchange bias, but little or none on the coercive field of the free CoFe-layer. We then present data for F = Py with AFMs = FeMn or IrMn. With Py, the current generally affects both the exchange bias and the coercive field of the free layer, in ways that we are not yet able to simply correl ate with layer thicknesses or AFM. Keywords: spin-transfer torque, exchange bias, multilayer, spin valve, giant magnetoresistance
Simian sarcoma virus--transformed cells secrete a mitogen identical to platelet-derived growth factor

Normal rat kidney (NRK) cells transformed by simian sarcoma virus (SSV) release into the culture medium a biologically active mitogen with properties identical to those of human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Like PDGF, the growth factor derived from SSV-NRK cells was shown to be stable to heat and sensitive to reducing agents. It was capable of inhibiting binding of labeled PDGF to the receptor on human fibroblasts. It also stimulated the phosphorylation of the same membrane protein (185 kilodaltons) in isolated plasma membranes from human fibroblasts. Immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled proteins released by SSV-NRK cells showed that a 34-kilodalton protein was specifically precipitated by antiserum to PDGF. Upon reduction, this protein had a molecular size of 17 kilodaltons. PDGF has been shown to consist of two 14- to 18-kilodalton proteins linked by disulfide bonds.
Analysis of a composite performance reliability measure for fault-tolerant systems

Today's concomitant needs for higher computing power and reliability has increased the relevance of multiple-processor fault-tolerant systems. Multiple functional units improve the raw performance (throughput, response time, etc.) of the system, and, as units fail, the system may continue to function albeit with degraded performance. Such systems and other fault-tolerant systems are not adequately characterized by separate performance and reliability measures. A composite measure for the performance and reliability of a fault-tolerant system observed over a finite mission time is analyzed. A Markov chain model is used for system state-space representation, and transient analysis is performed to obtain closed-form solutions for the density and moments of the composite measure. Only failures that cannot be repaired until the end of the mission are modeled. The time spent in a specific system configuration is assumed to be large enough to permit the use of a hierarchical model and static measures to quantify the performance of the system in individual configurations. For a multiple-processor system, where performance measures are usually associated with and aggregated over many jobs, this is tantamount to assuming that the time to process a job is much smaller than the time between failures. An extension of the results to general acyclic Markov chain models is included.
Magnetic nanoparticles for direct protein sorting inside live cells

This work reports the first example of the biofunctional magnetic nanoparticles as a “magnetic dock” for directly sorting proteins inside live cells. We decorate the iron oxide nanoparticles with the ligands that bind selectively to fusion proteins consisting of the proteins of interest (POIs) and the ligand receptors. Similar to protein sorting processes on vesicles, the clusters of these functionalized magnetic nanoparticles only bind to the fusion proteins via the interaction with the receptors, but exhibit little interaction to other proteins. This work demonstrates new applications of magnetic nanoparticles and may ultimately contribute to the exploration of the functions of proteins via the selective, spatiotemporal control of the proteins by a magnetic force.
Software safety for the space station flight telerobotic servicer (FTS)

Abstract Chang, K.-H. and Cross, J.H., 1988. Software safety for the space station flight telerobotic servicer (FTS). Journal of Occupational Accidents, 10: 179–189. NASA has committed to the design and implementation of a Space Station Flight Telerobotic Servicer (FTS) to assist the astronauts in assembly, maintenance, servicing, and inspection tasks on the Space Station and the Space Shuttle. One of the major requirements of FTS is safety. An acceptable level of safety can only be reached by analyzing and implementing safety issues through the conceptualization, design, construction, and operation phases of the FTS. This safety requirement is not solely dependent on the visible hardware components such as manipulators and hydraulic systems. It is also dependent on the underlying software which controls every action of these hardware components. This article discusses three issues that are crucial to robot software safety. These issues include software design philosophy, software operation modes, and a safety subsystem.
A transitivity problem from control theory

Let XI ,..., X, be a family of C” vector fields on a connected manifold M of dimension n, and let B be a family of functions on the real line with values in Ri”, i.e., functions zl(t) = (U’(t),..., uL(t)), -co < t < co, satisfying suitable conditions. In this paper for example, we shall supposc Q to consist of piecezvise c0nstan.t functions. On M consider systems of differential equations determined by these data as follows:
Decision-making in older adults with serious illness: barriers to the goals of care discussion

Individualizing the goals of care discussion is challenging, especially at the end of life. This article explores some difficulties with goals of care planning using a clinical scenario involving a decisionally impaired elderly African–American female with advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia and dementia facing a life-threatening condition. Physicians should personalize divergent goals such as a cure, rehabilitation, life-prolonging care and comfort care after factoring in individual patient preferences and disease trajectories. This case illustrates the barriers to the goals of care discussion: lack of education about the disease progression, poor communication techniques, poor language choice, not having proper decision-makers present and lack of trust between the decision-maker and the healthcare team. Harnessing technology can cause breakthroughs in the future.
Wrist, spine, and hip bone density in women with variable histories of lactation

This study investigated the relationship between long-term lactation (� 10 m/child) and bone density in women aged 26-37. The subjects either experienced long-term lactation for 1-2 children (n = 10), long-term lactation for 3-4 children (n = 8), orwere nullipa- rous (n = 10). The three groups did not differ significantly in height, weight, percent of ideal weight, usual caffeine and calcium intake, or duration of oral contraceptive use. Bone-density measurements were obtained by single- or dual-photon absorptiometry from the ultradistal radius, lumbar spine (L2-L3), and three hip sites: femoral neck, Ward's triangle, and trochan- teric. Lactation history was not associated with significant differences in bone density in any bone site. With respect to height, weight, Ca intake, and duration oflactation, only height was correlated to bone density and only for L2-L3 (r = 068, p < 0.02). Thus, a history of long- term lactation may not be associated with low peak adult bone density. Am J C/in Nutr l988;48:1479-81.
Who Evacuates When Hurricanes Approach? The Role of Risk, Information, and Location*

Objective. This article offers an expanded perspective on evacuation decision making during severe weather. In particular, this work focuses on uncovering determinants of individual evacuation decisions.Methods. We draw on a survey conducted in 2005 of residents in the eight-county Houston metropolitan area after Hurricane Rita made landfall on September 24, 2005.Results. We find that evacuation decisions are influenced by a heterogeneous set of parameters, including perceived risk from wind, influence of media and neighbors, and awareness of evacuation zone, that are often at variance with one of the primary measures of risk used by public officials to order or recommend an evacuation (i.e., storm surge). We further find that perceived risk and its influence on evacuation behavior is a local phenomenon more readily communicated by and among individuals who share the same geography, as is the case with residents living inside and outside official risk areas.Conclusions. Who evacuates and why is partially dependent on where one lives because perceptions of risk are not uniformly shared across the area threatened by an approaching hurricane and the same sources and content of information do not have the same effect on evacuation behavior. Hence, efforts to persuade residential populations about risk and when, where, and how to evacuate or shelter in place should originate in the neighborhood rather than emanating from blanket statements from the media or public officials. Our findings also raise important policy questions (included in the discussion section) that require further study and consideration by those responsible with organizing and implementing evacuation plans. Language: en
THz dichroic plates for use at high angles of incidence

The design of a high-frequency dichroic plate consisting of an electrically thick self-supporting metallic mesh that can be used in a linearly polarized quasi-optical system at high angles of incidence is described. The measured and computed performance of a 2.5-in-aperture mesh is given. This mesh has a 3-dB cutoff frequency of 875 GHz and less than 0.75 dB of transmission loss from 950-1350 GHz at incidence angles of 0, 30, and 45 degrees . The results of a multimode waveguide analysis corroborate the measured data. >
Commentary: Agent Orange and birth defects in Vietnam

The subject of Ngo et al.s review has been in the news since the 1960s: has exposure to Agent Orange sprayed in Vietnam between 1962 and 1971 or its dioxin contaminant 2378-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (or TCDD) resulted in an increased incidence of congenital malformations in Vietnam? Since 1983 there have been a number of Vietnamese conference presentations which support the belief that Agent Orange exposure is linked to birth defects in Vietnam. However committee Reports of the US Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences published as biennial reviews since 1994 the most recent of which is Veterans and Agent Orange Update 2004 conclude that with the exception of spina bifida and anencephaly the published peer-reviewed literature does not convincingly support an association between herbicide or dioxin exposure and birth defects in humans. (excerpt)
Role for NOD2 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced iNOS expression and NO production in human macrophages

M.tb, which causes TB, is a host-adapted intracellular pathogen of macrophages. Macrophage intracellular PRRs, such as NOD proteins, regulate proinflammatory cytokine production in response to various pathogenic organisms. We demonstrated previously that NOD2 plays an important role in controlling the inflammatory response and viability of M.tb and Mycobacterium bovis BCG in human macrophages. Various inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, ROS, and RNS, such as NO, can mediate this control. iNOS (or NOS2) is a key enzyme for NO production and M.tb control during infection of mouse macrophages; however, the role of NO during infection of human macrophages remains unclear, in part, as a result of the low amounts of NO produced in these cells. Here, we tested the hypothesis that activation of NOD2 by its ligands (MDP and GMDP, the latter from M.tb) plays an important role in the expression and activity of iNOS and NO production in human macrophages. We demonstrate that M.tb or M. bovis BCG infection enhances iNOS expression in human macrophages. The M.tb-induced iNOS expression and NO production are dependent on NOD2 expression during M.tb infection. Finally, NF-κB activation is required for NOD2-dependent expression of iNOS in human macrophages. Our data provide evidence for a new molecular pathway that links activation of NOD2, an important intracellular PRR, and iNOS expression and activity during M.tb infection of human macrophages.
UNA CUESTIÓN DE INTERESES: ENTRE BENITO, MAXIMILIANO Y PORFIRIO. LA REFORMA LIBERAL Y LA LIBERALIZACIÓN DE TASAS DE INTERÉS EN YUCATÁN, 1850-1900

This paper analyzes the effect of anti-usury laws on the Yucatan mortgage market during the nineteenth century henequen boom. We show that the Reform Laws that ended the restrictions on interest rates in Mexico transformed the legal credit market and initiated a new phase in Mexico’s financial history. Before the creation of banks in Mexico, private mortgages recorded by notaries were one of the few formal long-term debt instruments in the country. This paper uses these notarial sources to demonstrate the effects of a specific law decreed by President Benito Juarez in 1861 on the Yucatan mortgage market, as well as the role that notaries played in private credit transactions. This analysis is based on approximately one thousand mortgage contracts recorded between 1850 and 1900 collected in the General Archive of the State of Yucatan.
Lobular and cellular patterns of early hepatic glycogen deposition in the rat as observed by light and electron microscopic radioautography after injection of 3H‐galactose

Very low hepatic glycogen levels are achieved by overnight fasting of adrenalectomized (ADX) rats. Subsequent injection of dexamethasone (DEX), a synthetic glucocorticoid, stimulates marked increases in glycogen synthesis. Using this system and injecting 3H-galactose as a glycogen precursor 1 hr prior to sacrifice, the intralobular and intracellular patterns of labeled glycogen deposition were studied by light (LM) and electron (EM) microscopic radioautography. LM radioautography revealed that 1 hr after DEX treatment, labeling patterns for both periportal and centrilobular hepatocytes resembled those in rats with no DEX treatment: 18% of the hepatocytes were unlabeled, and 82% showed light labeling. Two hours after treatment with DEX, 14% of the hepatocytes remained unlabeled, and 78% were lightly labeled; however, 8% of the cells, located randomly throughout the lobule, were intensely labeled. An increased number of heavily labeled cells (26%) appeared 3 hr after DEX treatment; and by 5 hr 91% of the hepatocytes were intensely labeled. Label over the periportal cells at this time was aggregated, whereas centrilobular cells displayed dispersed label. EM radioautographs showed that 2 to 3 hr after DEX injection initial labeling of hepatocytes, regardless of their intralobular location, occurred over foci of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) and small electron-dense particles of presumptive glycogen, and in areas of SER and distinct glycogen particles. After 5 hrs of treatment with DEX, the intracellular distribution of label reflected the glycogen patterns characteristic of periportal or centrilobular regions.
Scalar fused multiply-add instructions produce floating-point matrix arithmetic provably accurate to the penultimate digit

Combined with doubly compensated summation, scalar fused multiply-add instructions redefine the concept of floating-point arithmetic, because they allow for the computation of sums of real or complex matrix products accurate to the penultimate digit. Particular cases include complex arithmetic, dot products, cross products, residuals of linear systems, determinants of small matrices, discriminants of quadratic, cubic, or quartic equations, and polynomials.
Historical gains in soybean (Glycine max Merr.) seed yield are driven by linear increases in light interception, energy conversion, and partitioning efficiencies

Soybean (Glycine max Merr.) is the world’s most widely grown leguminous crop and an important source of protein and oil for food and feed. Soybean yields have increased substantially throughout the past century, with yield gains widely attributed to genetic advances and improved cultivars as well as advances in farming technology and practice. Yet, the physiological mechanisms underlying the historical improvements in soybean yield have not been studied rigorously. In this 2-year experiment, 24 soybean cultivars released between 1923 and 2007 were grown in field trials. Physiological improvements in the efficiencies by which soybean canopies intercepted light (e i), converted light energy into biomass (ec), and partitioned biomass into seed (ep) were examined. Seed yield increased by 26.5 kg ha –1 year –1 , and the increase in seed yield was driven by improvements in all three efficiencies. Although the time to canopy closure did not change in historical soybean cultivars, extended growing seasons and decreased lodging in more modern lines drove improvements in ei. Greater biomass production per unit of absorbed light resulted in improvements in ec. Over 84 years of breeding, soybean seed biomass increased at a rate greater than total aboveground biomass, resulting in an increase in ep. A better understanding of the physiological basis for yield gains will help to identify targets for soybean improvement in the future.
Alteraciones espirométricas en pacientes con secuela de tuberculosis pulmonar

El pulmon con secuela de tuberculosis es un diagnostico frecuente de limitacion en la funcion pulmonar que requiere estudio. Objetivo : Determinar las alteraciones espirometricas mas frecuentes en pacientes con secuela de tuberculosis pulmonar que requirieron hospitalizacion, grado de severidad y la respuesta a broncodilatadores. Material y Metodos : Se realizo un estudio descriptivo transversal retrospectivo con revision de los informes de espirometria realizadas durante el ano 2007 en la Unidad de Funcion Pulmonar del Servicio de Neumologia del Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo. Resultados : Se revisaron 104 espirometrias. El promedio de edad fue 51,2 anos. El motivo de hospitalizacion fue broncorrea infectada en 75%, disnea en 74,04% y hemoptisis en 30,77%. La CVF, VEF 1 , VEF 1 %CVF, CVIF% y FEF 25-27% , en promedio fue 109%; 72,9%, 57%, 59,7% y 31,4%, respectivamente. Se obtuvo patron de normalidad ventilatoria en 16,35%; obstructivo en 79,81% y no-obstructivo (restrictivo) en 13,46%. En los pacientes con patron obstructivo, la presencia de reversibilidad total a los broncodilatadores se obtuvo en 28,92%. Se encontro una correlacion negativa (p<0,05) entre disnea y CIVF. Conclusiones : El patron obstructivo sin reversibilidad a broncodilatadores fue la alteracion espirometrica mas frecuente encontrada en pacientes con secuela de tuberculosis pulmonar. Existe una relacion inversa la disnea y la CI.
Simply distracting learners is not enough: More evidence for the learning benefits of an external focus of attention

This experiment followed up on previous studies showing learning benefits of instructions directing the performers' attention to the effects of their movements (external focus) relative to instructions directing attention to the movements themselves (internal focus). The main purpose was to determine whether similar advantages could be achieved by preventing learners from focusing on their movements through the use of an attention-demanding secondary task. Participants practiced balancing on a stabilometer. External and internal focus group participants were instructed to focus on markers attached to the balance platform or on their feet, respectively. A third group was required to shadow a story presented to them while balancing. In addition, a control group without attentional focus instructions or a secondary task was included. The external focus group showed more effective balance learning than the other groups. The results provide evidence for the learning benefits of external focus instructions. In ...
Common mode voltage reduction schemes for voltage source converters in an autonomous microgrid

Voltage-sourced converter (VSC) is becoming the key element in the operation of microgrids due to its high performance and efficiency. However, implementing VSC may generate some issues to the microgrid such as high common mode voltage (CMV). CMV could produce high leakage current and bearing failure in case of motor load. This paper develops a solution for high CMV using reduced CMV-PWM algorithm to control of VSC with interfaced source in an autonomous microgrid. It also investigates the performance of V/F controller of VSC when reduced CMV-PWM technique is applied. The following approaches are implemented to provide detailed procedures for reducing CMV of VSC. First, a microgrid with V/F vector control is illustrated. Second, a reduced CMV-PWM method is investigated and compared with conventional PWM technique. Finally, a microgrid is modeled and simulated in PSCAD/EMTDC to validate reduced CMV-PWM technique.
Fluorescence polarization of tetracycline derivatives as a technique for mapping nonmelanoma skin cancers.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer, often resulting in high morbidity. Low visual contrast of these tumors makes their delineation a challenging problem. Em- ploying a linearly polarized monochromatic light source and a wide- field CCD camera, we have developed a technique for fluorescence polarization imaging of the nonmelanoma cancers stained using anti- biotics from the tetracycline family. To determine the feasibility of the method, fluorescence polarization images of 86 thick, fresh cancer excisions were studied. We found that the level of endogenous fluo- rescence polarization was much lower than that of exogenous, and that the average values of fluorescence polarization of tetracycline derivatives were significantly higher in cancerous as compared to nor- mal tissue. Out of 86 tumors 54 stained in demeclocycline DMN and 32 in tetracycline TCN, in 79 cases 51—DMN, 28—TCN the location, size, and shape of the lesions were identified accurately. The results of this trial indicate that nonmelanoma skin tumors can be distinguished from healthy tissue based on the differences in exog- enous fluorescence polarization of TCN and/or DMN. Therefore, the developed technique can provide an important new tool for image- guided cancer surgery. © 2007 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. DOI: 10.1117/1.2435710
Linkage and Retention in HIV Care among Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States

Men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. While the MSM population does better than other HIV infection risk groups with regard to linkage to and retention in care, little is known about engagement in care outcomes for important subpopulations of MSM. There is also a dearth of research on engagement in care strategies specific to the MSM population. Key MSM subpopulations in the United States on which to focus future research efforts include racial/ethnic minority, young, and substance-using MSM. Health care systems navigation may offer a promising engagement in care strategy for MSM and should be further evaluated. As is the case for HIV-infected populations in general, future research should also focus on identifying the best metrics for measuring engagement in care.
A High Resolution, Low Offset And High Speed Comparator

This paper describes a CMOS comparator which uses a novel feedforward autozeroing circuitry to obtain high speed and low threshold uncertainty.' Fabricated in a standard 2pm digital CMOS process, it achieved an input resolution of 0.23mV at a comparison speed of 30MS/s. The residual offset (included in the 0.23 mV resolution) was less than 100pV. The circuit consumes 5mW from a single 5Volt supply. The active area for the circuit is 0.33~ 0.4 mm'.
An Analysis of the Operations Research/Management Science Industrial-Academic Interface

This study provides information on how the directors of the operations research/management science OR/MS function in industry view three major industrial-academic interfaces: the professional journal, the professional society, and the directors' hiring practices. Questionnaires were mailed to OR/MS managers of the 500 largest U.S. industrial corporations, with a response rate of approximately 40%. Initially, the characteristics of the OR/MS directors were examined. Next, the three interfaces were investigated with respect to the directors' backgrounds. Finally, implications based on the analysis for both academicians and practitioners were drawn.
Epidemiologische Aspekte der Krebserkrankung im hohen Lebensalter

Die Krebserkrankungen kommen gehauft im hoheren Lebensalter vor. Sie sind selten bei Jugendlichen und nicht sehr haufig in der mittleren Lebensphase. Der Anteil der uber 65 jahrigen an der Gesamtbevolkerung betragt in den USA etwa ein Achtel. In dieser Altersgruppe wird jedoch die Halfte aller Krebserkrankungen in Bezug auf die Ge- samtbevolkerung diagnostiziert. Krebs ist die zweithaufigste Todesursache in den USA ach Herz-Kreislauferkrankungen.
Air filtration with nano and micron sized titania silicate fibers

.Electrospinning of an aqueous TiO 2-SiO 2 hybrid sol is reported. The electrospinning parameters were varied to achieve several sets of fibermats with different mean diameters. After heat treatment at 600°C for 3 hours, 4 sets of continuous amorphous fibermats with mean fiber diameters ranging from 280 nm – 1540 nm were obtained. These fibermats were designed for high radiation and abrasive environments found on lunar and Martian surface. Within the resolution of our equipment, at a flow rate of 4.1 liters per minute, near perfect efficiency was observed for 0.29 µm (CV <= 3%) aerosolized particles at a pressure drop of only 254 Pa. The role of various factors like fiber diameter, thickness of filter, and the mass of the filter is reported. A decrease in pressure drop was observed with increase in average fiber diameter which indicates that multi-fiber interactions possibly dominate the gas flow in this system. The nature of the fibermat is also explored.
Pursuing Mechanical Part Feature Recognition Through the Isolation of 3-D Features in Organic Shapes

The successful extraction of 3D features in mechanical parts has always been a challenging task and has yielded mixed results. Extracting features from organic shapes however is even more difficult. This is due to the fact that they are defined by both gradual and abrupt changes in surface curvature. The term curvature is explained in detail in section 4. Learning how to recognize organic shapes may give insights into better ways of performing feature recognition on mechanical parts. Determining the exact values of curvature, based on the underlying parameters can prove to be quite difficult. Curvature can be a good tool to identify features as most of the features are areas of slowly changing curvature bounded by sudden changes in curvature. The benefits of developing a generic algorithm that picks out curvature, and hence the organic features, are quite huge. This paper explains one approach taken to accomplish this task. This paper studies characteristics of the watershed algorithm[1] when applied to the features on bones. This algorithm is used to isolate features based on curvature gradients. This paper uses the knowledge from the field of anthropology and medicine to explore the sensitivity factor analysis of the watershed and its effectiveness in extracting the features on bones. The paper also compares the differences between the anatomists definition of a feature and the algorithm interpretation of the same feature.
Faraday rotation spectroscopy based on permanent magnets for sensitive detection of oxygen at atmospheric conditions.

A low-power Faraday rotation spectroscopy system that uses permanent rare-earth magnets has been developed for detection of O2 at 762 nm. The experimental signals are generated using laser wavelength modulation combined with a balanced detection scheme that permits quantum shot noise limited performance. A noise equivalent polarization rotation angle of 8 × 10−8 rad/Hz1/2 is estimated from the experimental noise, and this agrees well with a theoretical model based on Jones calculus. A bandwidth normalized minimum detection limit to oxygen of 6 ppmv/Hz1/2 with an ultimate minimum of 1.3 ppmv at integration times of ~1 minute has been demonstrated.
The effect of rectifying gap junctions on phase-locking in neuronal networks

Introduction Gap junction mediated electrical coupling is ubiquitous in neuronal systems. Electrical coupling is almost always modeled as a linear ohmic resistance between cells, where the coupling current is proportional to the transjunctional potential. However, many gap junctions exhibit rectification with transjunctional voltage [1]. That is, the coupling conductance attenuates for increased voltage differences between cells. This rectification process can evolve at different time scales. Because gap junction rectification alters the strength of coupling between cells in a way that depends on the intrinsic states of the cells, it may affect the dynamics in neuronal networks. However, the effects of rectification on network dynamics are largely unstudied.
Performance of an online translation tool when applied to patient educational material.

BACKGROUND: Language barriers may prevent clinicians from tailoring patient educational material to the needs of individuals with limited English proficiency. Online translation tools could fill this gap, but their accuracy is unknown. We evaluated the accuracy of an online translation tool for patient educational material. METHODS: We selected 45 sentences from a pamphlet available in both English and Spanish, and translated it into Spanish using GoogleTranslate™ (GT). Three bilingual Spanish speakers then performed a blinded evaluation on these 45 sentences, comparing GT-translated sentences to those translated professionally, along four domains: fluency (grammatical correctness), adequacy (information preservation), meaning (connotation maintenance), and severity (perceived dangerousness of an error if present). In addition, evaluators indicated whether they had a preference for either the GT-translated or professionally translated sentences. RESULTS: The GT-translated sentences had significantly lower fluency scores compared to the professional translation (3.4 vs 4.7, P < 0.001), but similar adequacy (4.2 vs 4.5, P = 0.19) and meaning (4.5 vs 4.8, P = 0.29) scores. The GT-translated sentences were more likely to have any error (39% vs 22%, P = 0.05), but not statistically more likely to have a severe error (4% vs 2%, P = 0.61). Evaluators preferred the professional translation for complex sentences, but not for simple ones. DISCUSSION: When applied to patient educational material, GT performed comparably to professional human translation in terms of preserving information and meaning, though it was slightly worse in preserving grammar. In situations where professional human translations are unavailable or impractical, online translation may someday fill an important niche. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine
Increased stability of grain supplies in developing countries: Optimal carryovers and insurance

Abstract Departures of grain supplies and consumption below trend of three percent of less could be achieved if the United States would provide grain to meet all production shortfalls in excess of six percent and if the developing countries carried modest levels of stocks. The cost of the programme would be small. The insurance feature should represent the major form of food aid provided by the United States. Examples of the operation of a programme of optimal carryovers and insurance are provided for India and Africa for the period 1968 through 1974.
Association between very small tumour size and increased cancer-specific mortality after radical prostatectomy in lymph node-positive prostate cancer

Objective To determine whether very small prostate cancers present in patients who also have lymph node (LN) metastases represent a particularly aggressive disease variant compared with larger LN-positive tumours. Patients and Methods We identified 37 501 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1988 and 2001 treated with radical prostatectomy within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The primary study variables were tumour size by largest dimension (stratified into: (i) microscopic focus only or 1 mm; (ii) 2–15 mm; (iii) 16–30 mm; (iv) >30 mm), regional LN involvement, and the corresponding interaction term. We evaluated the risk of 10-year prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM) using the Fine and Gray model for competing risks after controlling for race, tumour grade, T stage, receipt of radiation, number of dissected LNs, number of positive LNs, year of diagnosis, and age at diagnosis. Results The median follow-up was 11.8 years. There was a significant interaction between tumour size and LN involvement (P-interaction 30 mm (24.7% vs 24.9%; P = 0.156). Conclusion In patients with prostate cancer with LN involvement, very small tumour size may predict for higher PCSM compared with some larger tumours, even after controlling for other prognostic variables. These tumours might be particularly aggressive, beyond what is captured by pathological assessment of tumour grade and stage.
A Disaggregated Approach To The Analysis Of The Effects Of Foreign Ownership On Bank Performance

his paper examines the financial characteristics of foreign-owned U.S. banks with respect to orientation, profitability, efficiency, liquidity and riskiness. A disaggregated approach is used in the paper. Foreign-owned banks are divided into groups according to the nationality of owners, and according to the individual or institutional nature of owners. Our results show that individually-owned banks are most problematic in terms of serving the needs of their local communities, and in terms of risk exposure. British style banks were found to be most similar, and Japanese banks least similar to domestic banks in terms of their orientation.
The politics of uncertainty: sustaining and subverting electoral authoritarianism

This is an ambitious book, the synthesis of a decade’s worth of systematic study of autocratic politics. It leaves no doubt that Andreas Schedler has constructed a new theory of electoral authorita...
MEASUREMENT AROUND A ROTOR BLADE EXCITED IN PITCH, PART 1: DYNAMIC INFLOW

This is the first of two papers describing experiments on a two-bladed rotor in hover, under controlled pitch excitation. Measurements of the inflow to the rotor are described, first under steady conditions, and then under prescribed 4-per-rev pitch excitation. The high data rates, data acquisition techniques and data quality required for this experiment are demonstrated, including 4-per-rev velocity variations due to 1-degree pitch oscillation, extracted over a single period of rotor revolution at 600rpm. The steady case results agree with lifting-line-based analytical predictions except in the tip region, as expected. The excited-blade case shows the 4-per rev velocity perturbation, and the dependence on the phase of the excitation. Spectral analysis of the LDV data shows multiple harmonics of the excitation frequency. The rate of pitch change is seen to be high enough to produce substantial hysteresis effects, whose variation with radial position is measured. The hysteresis is seen to arise from the inboard shed vorticity, and to decay towards the tip. NOMENCLATURE f frequency, in Hz. G(f) Spectral density, in dB. r Radial coordinate, with origin at the center of the rotor hub. R Rotor radius. z Axial coordinate, with origin at the center of the rotor hub, positive going downstream. Vz Inflow velocity in m/s, perpendicular to the tip path plane; positive going downstream.
Microstructural Design and Tailoring of Advanced Materials

In order to successfully achieve microstructural tailoring of materials for desired properties, it is necessary to understand processing-structure-property linkages in great detail. Boundaries and interfaces, where most of the “action” occurs, pose particularly difficult problems, but progress in high resolution characterization techniques, especially electron optical, are certainly proving to be enormously helpful. This chapter presents some applications to show how such methods have allowed quite successful microstructural tailoring to be accomplished for specified properties. Examples are drawn from our current research programs on low carbon steels, refractory ceramics based on Si3N4, and magnetic alloys.
Patient Characteristics and Their Relationship to Psychotherapy Outcome

An important variable relating to both the course and outcome of psychotherapy involves the patient and the characteristics he or she brings into the therapeutic situation. Past research in this area has attempted to relate patient variables such as motivation, expectancies, demographic characteristics, diagnosis, severity of maladjustment, and personality traits to continuation in therapy, therapy outcome, and in-therapy patient behavior.
Time-Dependent Behavior of Dendrites Under Diffusion-Controlled Conditions

Dendrites interact with hydrodynamic flows during solidification. In the presence of gravity, thermal and solutal buoyancy forces induce convective motion in the melt. The basic theories of dendritic growth, however, are best tested under diffusion-controlled conditions, where, ideally, gravitational acceleration and convection are absent, or at least drastically reduced. Microgravity experiments of the Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE) were designed to measure convection-free dendritic growth. IDGE experiments to accomplish this were flown on United States Microgravity Payload Missions: USMP-2 (March 1994), USMP-3 (March 1996), and USMP-4 (December 1997).
Engineering Properties of Expansive Clays

Expansive clay soils have been encountered at the sites of structures throughout the western United States. Inasmuch as most of these structures are hydraulic, the normal difficulties encountered w...
Abstract MP57: The Association Between Anthropometrics and Different Measures of Cardiac Structure and Function - The Echo-SOL Study

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitudes and significances of the associations between adiposity and echocardiographically determined measures of left ventricular (LV) structure and function in a diverse cohort of Hispanic/Latino adults. Methods: Subjects were 1,350 adult men and women participants of the Hispanic Communities Health Study - Study of Latinos (HCHS-SOL) who enrolled in an ancillary study to determine cardiac structure and function by echocardiography. In addition to echocardiography, subjects were evaluated by extensive survey information, relevant physical measurements (to include bioelectrical impedance) and fasting blood assays. Results: The mean age was 56.1 years and 57% were female. Twenty-six percent were Mexican American, 25% Cuban American, 18% Dominican American, 17% Puerto Rican American, 8% Central American and 7% South American. Overall, the mean ejection fraction was 60.5%, while the mean stroke volume was 70 ml, end diastolic volume 83 ml, fractional shortening 31% and cardiac output 4.5 L/min. Results of multivariable linear regression adjusted for age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, cigarette smoking, family history of coronary heart disease, C-reactive protein and chronic kidney disease revealed that each 1-unit increment in body mass index (BMI) and fat mass (FM) by impedance was associated with 0.64 and 0.25 (p Conclusions: Among Hispanics/Latinos from different cultural backgrounds, and by three measures of body composition (BMI, FM and WHR), higher levels of adiposity are significantly associated with higher LV mass indexed for height and the odds for hypertrophy, while not being associated with better or worse ejection fraction.
Deemed Capital Gain Election to Generate Suspended Passive Losses

David R. Nave, Pitcairn Trust Company, Jenkintown, Penn., discusses using the deemed capital gain election to recognize significant suspended passive losses, and, among other things, outlines the impact on partnerships and S corporations.
Can Teachers “Lean in”? Family Responsibilities Discrimination

1. Lauren Bock Mullins[1][1][⇑][2] 1. 1Long Island University, Brookville, NY, USA 1. Lauren Bock Mullins, Long Island University, 720 Northern Blvd, Brookville, NY 11548, USA. Email: lauren.mullins{at}liu.edu This qualitative study uses grounded theory to explore family responsibilities discrimination (FRD) as it relates to school teacher discretion at work and at home, and career advancement within the context of leaning in. The results of the analysis of the data from semi-structured interviews and exit surveys provide preliminary evidence that teachers’ discretion is affected by their family responsibilities and perception of FRD, and that career advancement is directly and indirectly affected by FRD. Impediments to school teachers’ willingness and ability to lean in are identified as themes, and suggestions are offered to improve workplace rights for teachers with family responsibilities. [1]: #aff-1 [2]: #corresp-1
Dielectric constant of 3 He near the liquid-vapor critical point

High-resolution measurements of the static dielectric constant $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ along the critical isochoe are reported for $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ in the region of the critical point. The experiments were conducted at a frequency of 1000 Hz and the purpose was to observe a divergence of ${(\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}\ensuremath{\epsilon}}{\ensuremath{\partial}T})}_{{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{c}}$ as ${T}_{c}$ is approached from above. No evidence for a critical anomaly was found, the estimated upper bound for its integrated value being ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}\ensuremath{\sim}4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ which is consistent with the theoretical estimations. Hence, the recently reported enhancement in ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}$ for S${\mathrm{F}}_{6}$ over that predicted by theory is not observed in $^{3}\mathrm{He}$. In the Appendix, some experimental questions arising in such constant-density experiments are discussed.
Type studies in the Hydnaceae - I. The genus Manina

(1912). Type Studies in the Hydnaceae—I. The Genus Manina. Mycologia: Vol. 4, No. 5, pp. 271-278.
Overweight school children in New York City: prevalence estimates and characteristics.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of overweight and associated characteristics in a representative sample of children from schools in New York City (NYC). DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey with an in-person interview (including measurements of height and weight) and a household questionnaire. SUBJECTS: Second and fifth grade students from schools in NYC participated. A total of 1 396, including 692 second and 704 fifth grade, children were included in the analysis. MEASUREMENTS: Prevalence of overweight based on the body mass index (BMI) and the 85th or 95th percentile cutoff points from Cycles II and III of the National Health Examination Survey reference recently developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The characteristics of overweight examined were: age, gender, socio-economic status, Hispanic origin, family structure, number of children in the household, meal preparation by children, food diversity and participation in the National School Lunch Program. RESULTS: Overweight based on the 85th percentile of BMI was 37.5% among second grade and 31.7% among fifth grade children. Based on the 95th percentile, overweight was 19.9% and 17.8%, respectively. Overweight was associated with Hispanic origin, fewer children in the household, family structure and meal preparation by children. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight is prevalent among elementary school children in NYC. Studies in diverse geographically defined areas with diverse populations, are necessary to design effective prevention efforts. Primary prevention efforts in NYC should target Hispanics and take into consideration individual behaviour and family characteristics.
Nonhuman primate models for AIDS

Historically, animal model systems have been important components of biomedical research, and the same is proving true for research directed at the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic. The most relevant and valuable models for studying infection by HIV-1 and HIV-2 and progression to AIDS involve infection of nonhuman primates with HIV-1, HIV-2, or some of the closely related simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs). The SIV macaque model has proven valuable in all aspects of AIDS-related research, with primary emphasis on defining pathogenic properties of lentiretroviruses and on testing novel approaches for prophylactic and therapeutic intervention. Because of certain limitations with the HIV-1 chimpanzee model, not the least of which is the expense involved, the use of HIV-naive chimpanzees should be limited to experiments related to vaccine development, an area for which their value has been demonstrated. Continued efforts to halt the spread of HIV infection and progression of HIV-related diseases will require further use of these animal models.
Edward I. Lee, MD

I want to thank Dr. Edward Lee for serving as guest editor for this issue of Seminars in Plastic Surgery on “Vascular Anomalies.” I also appreciate the efforts made by the outstanding authors for sharing their knowledge and expertise. Dr. Lee is currently an assistant professor in the Division of Plastic Surgery in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital. Dr. Lee specializes in pediatric plastic surgery. He is a graduate of the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Dr. Lee trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Baylor, and completed a fellowship in pediatric plastic surgery at Texas Children's Hospital. Dr. Lee has research interests in many aspects of pediatric, craniofacial, and general plastic surgery. He is currently involved in several projects that address surgical outcomes for pediatric patients, including those with vascular lesions. He is a superb clinician and uniquely qualified to edit this issue.