cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of trophic level and metamorphosis on discrimination of hydrogen isotopes in a plant-herbivore system.

The use of stable isotopes in ecological studies requires that we know the magnitude of discrimination factors between consumer and element sources. The causes of variation in discrimination factors for carbon and nitrogen have been relatively well studied. In contrast, the discrimination factors for hydrogen have rarely been measured. We grew cabbage looper caterpillars (Trichoplusia ni) on cabbage (Brassica oleracea) plants irrigated with four treatments of deuterium-enriched water (δD = −131, −88, −48, and −2‰, respectively), allowing some of them to reach adulthood as moths. Tissue δD values of plants, caterpillars, and moths were linearly correlated with the isotopic composition of irrigation water. However, the slope of these relationships was less than 1, and hence, discrimination factors depended on the δD value of irrigation water. We hypothesize that this dependence is an artifact of growing plants in an environment with a common atmospheric δD value. Both caterpillars and moths were significantly enriched in deuterium relative to plants by ∼45‰ and 23‰ respectively, but the moths had lower tissue to plant discrimination factors than did the caterpillars. If the trophic enrichment documented here is universal, δD values must be accounted for in geographic assignment studies. The isotopic value of carbon was transferred more or less faithfully across trophic levels, but δ15N values increased from plants to insects and we observed significant non-trophic 15N enrichment in the metamorphosis from larvae to adult.
Ineffectiveness of Cough for Enhancing Mucus Clearance in Asymptomatic Smokers

Using monodisperse aerosols radiolabeled with 99m To, we studied the effectiveness of cough and rapid inhalations for clearing mucus in ten asymptomatic smokers. On three separate study days, each subject breathed 5 µm (MMAD) 99m Tc-iron oxide particles under controlled breathing conditions. While seated in front of a gamma camera, retention (R) of lung activity (measured as a percent of initial activity) was measured over the initial 2 h and again at 24 h following particle inhalation. On the control day the subject sat quietly in front of the camera, while on the cough day each subject performed 60 controlled coughs during the first hour of retention measurements, and on the rapid inhalation study day each subject performed 90 rapid inhalations during the first hour of retention measurements. Because breathing patterns were controlled during particle inhalation, initial lung deposition patterns were matched on control, cough, and rapid inhalation study days. By paired analysis, retentions at both 1 and 2 h (R 1 and R 2 ) for the cough and rapid inhalation measurements were not significantly different from control (mean control R 1 = 69 percent; mean cough R 1 = 66 percent; mean rapid inhalation R 1 = 66 percent, NS; and mean control R 2 = 59 percent, mean cough R 2 = 55 percent; mean rapid inhalation R 2 = 54 percent, NS). Retention at 24 h (R 24 ) was not significantly different between cough, rapid inhalation, and control measurements (mean cough R 24 = 15 percent, mean rapid inhalation R 24 = 14 percent, mean control R 24 = 17 percent). In other words, these young smokers with normal pulmonary function were unable to enhance their rate of mucus clearance by coughing. The inability of these young smokers to enhance their mucus clearance by cough suggests a change in the mucociliary apparatus from normal.
The role of percutaneous balloon compression in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia recurring after other surgical procedures.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) recurring after surgery can be difficult to treat. Treatment algorithms have not been standardized or universally accepted. Here we investigated the effectiveness of percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) in the treatment of patients with TN recurrence after other surgical techniques and analyzed the role of some clinical and operative factors in determining the prognosis. The records of 22 patients (13 M and 9 F) suffering recurrent TN after one (2 gamma knife surgery, 5 percutaneous radiofrequency rhizotomy, 6 percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy, 3 microvascular decompression) or more (6 patients) procedures and submitted to PBC at our institution from January 2003 to February 2012 were reviewed. Seven patients had TN related to multiple sclerosis (MS). Mean follow-up was 51.81 ± 26.63 months. 81.81 % of patients reported an acute pain relief. No major complication was observed after PBC. Eight patients (36.36 %) experienced pain recurrence and underwent one (five patients) or more (three patients) PBC. At the last follow-up, we obtained an excellent outcome (BNI I–II) in 16 patients out of 22 (72.72 %) and a good outcome (BNI III) in the remaining six. No patients had an uncontrolled pain. The lack of history of MS (p = 0.0174), the pear-like shape of the balloon at the operation (p = 0.0234) and a compression time <5 min (p < 0.05) were associated to higher pain-free survival. Considering these results PBC could be considered a useful technique for patients whose pain recurs after other procedures.
Self-compensating fiber optic flow sensor system and its field applications

A self-compensating fiber optic flow sensor system based on the principle of broadband white-light interferometers and cantilever beam bending is described. The fiber optic sensor system uses two fiber ferrule sensors that are bonded on either side of a cantilever beam to measure the flow rate by monitoring the air-gap changes caused by the bending of the cantilever beam. Cross sensitivity of the temperature and pressure dependence of the sensor can be compensated for automatically. The prototype sensor system was constructed, laboratory characterized, and field tested. The results from the field testing have demonstrated high resolution, repeatability, and stability for on-line detection of the flow rates of fluids.
Helping students to learn to use diagramming as a problem solving tool

This miniworkshop focuses on diagramming as a problem solving tool. Unfortunately, many students enter engineering without valuing the use of diagrams in model-based reasoning. Too often, they see diagramming as something which is superfluous and disconnected from "real problem solving." Students often come to their first engineering course with a well-practiced strategy that uses a rote problem solving approach in which they 1) write down the known and unknown variables they find in the problem statement, 2) search for a formula or equation that uses these variables, and then 3) enter the numbers into the formula and calculate an answer. Our first goal is to share our major research findings and our second goal is to share the learning activities we have developed and tested in our classroom. These activities increase students' motivation to use diagramming as a "tool for thinking" when solving complex problems. Our research shows that students can be taught to improve their diagramming skills and be more successful in both problem solving and conceptual understanding. Participants in this mini-workshop will receive a packet of materials, including full lesson plans for 5 different activities, an example diagram assessment matrix, and copies of mini-lecture slides. This activity-based mini-workshop will include mini-lectures, whole group discussion, paired work, and problem solving which will give participants the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to adapt and implement the lesson plans in their courses. Faculty who attend will be better equipped to incorporate direct instruction in diagramming as a "tool for thinking" and as an "engineering habit of the mind".
Longitudinal Monitoring of Listeria monocytogenes Contamination Patterns in a Farmstead Dairy Processing Facility

Contamination of dairy products with Listeria monocytogenes is a concern because multiple human listeriosis outbreaks have been linked to contaminated cheese and dairy products. Dairy production on farmstead operations may be a particular concern because L. monocytogenes is also an animal pathogen that can be shed by ruminants with and without clinical symptoms; physical proximity between production animal and dairy processing facilities may thus provide a higher risk for introduction of L. monocytogenes into the dairy production process. To better understand the risks of L. monocytogenes contamination associated with farmstead dairy production, samples from a farmstead dairy processing operation and the milking barn of the directly adjacent dairy sheep operation were tested for L. monocytogenes over a 3-yr period. Prevalence of L. monocytogenes for samples collected on the farm (n = 85) and the dairy production facility (n = 674) was 9.4 and 2.7%, respectively. Molecular subtyping using automated EcoRI ribotyping of L. monocytogenes isolates revealed that distinct subtypes were associated with the dairy production facility and the farm's milking parlor. Although a total of 5 and 4 different ribotypes were identified among isolates obtained from the dairy production facility and the milking parlor, respectively, only 1 ribotype (DUP-1030A) was isolated from both. Different ribotypes were predominant among isolates from the dairy production facility (ribotype DUP-1052A, representing 15 of 18 isolates) and the farm's milking parlor (ribotype DUP-1039A, representing 4 of 8 isolates); each of these ribotypes appeared to persist over time in the respective area. Our data support that i) in farmstead dairy processing facilities, L. monocytogenes present on the farm can largely be prevented from being introduced into the processing facility; and ii) L. monocytogenes can persist on farm and in processing areas, providing a potential high-risk source for contamination. Preventing cross contamination between dairy production and processing facilities and control of persistent L. monocytogenes are thus critical to assuring the microbial safety of farmstead dairy products.
Plenary Lecture. The blue phases. A review of experiments

Abstract We present a review of the experimental aspects of research on the blue phases of chiral liquid crystals. First a general description of blue phases is given and their relation to other important condensed matter problems is mentioned. Experimental proof for the existence of blue phases is followed by a description of experiments relating to the structure of BPI and BPII and of the electric field-induced phases BPH and BPX. The remainder of the review is then devoted to the structure of BP III, which is still one of the outstanding problems of liquid crystal physics. A brief discussion of outstanding questions and new directions completes the review.
Degradable Conjugates from Oxanorbornadiene Reagents

Oxanorbornadienedicarboxylate (OND) reagents were explored for purposes of binding and releasing drugs from serum albumins as representative macromolecular carriers. Being highly reactive Michael acceptors, ONDs form adducts with thiols and amines, which then undergo retro-Diels–Alder fragmentation. A study of more than 30 model adducts revealed a number of modifications that can be used to influence adduct stability. For the most reactive OND linkers, the labeling of the single available bovine serum albumin (BSA) cysteine residue was complete within minutes at a mid-micromolar concentration of reactants. While a selectivity of greater than 1000-fold for thiol over amine was observed with model amino acids, the labeling of protein amines with ONDs is fast enough to be practical, as demonstrated by the reaction with thiol-depleted BSA. The OND–amine adducts were found to be up to 15 times more stable than OND–thiol adducts, and to be sensitive to acid by virtue of a stereochemically dependent acceleration...
Instructional Processes in Team Training

The present research effort involved the development of a descriptive instructional process model of an operational Navy team training system. The model focuses on the team oriented instructional assessments, decisions, strategies, approaches, feedback processes, etc. used by instructors during team training. It served to clarify and enhance the understanding of team training instructional processes, and permitted evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the instructional system. Based on these, several potential interventions are discussed.
Comparison of land surface temperature (LST) modeled with a spatially-distributed solar radiation model (SRAD) and remote sensing data

The solar radiation model SRAD was applied to a Mediterranean mountainous environment in southern California for estimating land surface temperature (LST). The simulated SRAD LST results were compared with high- and meso-resolution satellite-based LST data at daily, monthly and annual temporal scales to identify potential ways of improving the LST accuracy in either the SRAD or satellite-based approaches. It was found that mean monthly and annual LST from SRAD closely matched the MODIS LST observations (but for the fact they were from 0.7 to 1.5^oC lower) while the daily LST from SRAD agreed less well with ASTER observations and were 2.1^oC and 4.8^oC higher for 01/23/05 and 07/21/06, respectively. High mountainous, steep and south/north facing slopes resulted in large discrepancies in LST estimates and the winter LST estimates are more sensitive to terrain factors and their associated land use/cover characteristics than the summer estimates. It is therefore suggested that vertically variable elevation lapse rates, spatially distributed surface albedo and leaf area index for the time-specific simulations that represent the heterogeneity of land surface characteristics be used in SRAD inputs. The results also show how instantaneous model outputs rather than lumped average daily outputs offer better comparisons with satellite based data as well.
L-Glutamate effects on electrical potentials of synaptic plasma membrane vesicles.

Abstract The electrogenic nature of the l -glutamate-stimulated Na+ flux was examined by measuring the distribution of the lipophilic anion [35S]thiocyanate (SCN−) into synaptic membrane vesicles that were incubated in a NaCl medium. Concentrations of l -glutamate from 10−7 to 10−4 M added to the incubation medium caused an enhanced intravesicular accumulation of SCN−. Based on the SCN− distribution in synaptic membrane vesicles it was calculated that 10 μM l -glutamate induced an average change in the membrane potential of + 13 mV. l -Glutamate enhanced both the Na+ and K+ conductance of these membranes as determined by increases in SCN− influx. Other neuroexcitatory amino acids and amino acid analogs ( d -glutamate, l -aspartate, l -cysteine sulfinate, kainate, ibotenate, quisqualate, N- methyl - d - aspartate , and dl -homocysteate) also increased SCN− accumulation in synaptic membrane vesicles. These observations are indicative of the activation by l -glutamate and some of its analogs of excitatory amino acid receptor ion channel complexes in synaptic membranes.
Scaling of passively mode-locked soliton erbium waveguide lasers based on slow saturable absorbers.

We assess the scaling potential of high repetition rate, passively mode-locked erbium-doped soliton lasers. Our analysis focuses on three recently demonstrated lasers using saturable Bragg reflectors (SBR) as the mode-locking element. We use the soliton Area theorem to establish the limitations to increasing the repetition rate based on insufficient intracavity pulse energy, SBR properties, and dispersion engineering. Finally, we examine possible approaches to alleviate these limitations by changing the laser’s structure and composition.
Aristotle, Galileo, and the DSM Taxonomy: The Case of Schizophrenia

With the diagnosis schizophrenia used as an example throughout, the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders's (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) approach to psychopathologic taxonomy is subjected to critical analysis as representing a fundamentally Aristotelian conception of the phenomena of mental disorders. This approach is contrasted, in the manner suggested by Kurt Lewin's early writing on the subject, with the Galileian mode of thought, emphasizing the dynamic causal matrix in which behavior occurs. Some of the positive implications of an altered view of the problem of taxonomy within the latter perspective are drawn out, and brief suggestions are made as to directions for the future.
Diffusion-limited exchange of 18O between CO2 and water in red cell suspensions.

Abstract The loss of 18O from labeled CO2 caused by the exchange of oxygen with water, a process catalyzed by carbonic anhydrase, has been measured in suspensions of rt erythrocytes at pH 7.4 and and 25°C. The rate of loss of 8O from all CO2 and the rate of loss 18O from doubly-labeled CO2 are shown to be related to the rate constant for the catalyzed hydration of CO2 inside the cell and a rate constant for the diffusion of CO2 out of the cell. The results show that the diffusion of CO2 out of the cell with a half-time near 2 msec is a lower process than the intracellular, catalytic conversion of CO2 to HCO3− which has a half-time near 0.3 msec. From this information we estimate the gradient of 18O content in CO2 in the red cell during an 18O-exchange experiment. The rate constant for the entry of CO2 into red cells, also obtained from 18O-exchange data, has a value of the same magnitude as that anticipated for the diffusion-controlled rate of encounter between CO2 and red cells. This indication of diffusion-controlled depletion of 18O from CO2 is supported by experiments with a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor which show that carbonic anhydrase does not have a rate-limiting role in the 18O exchange until greater than 80% of the enzyme is inhibited.
Metal sandwich plates subject to intense air shocks

Recent results on fluid–structure interaction for plates subject to high intensity air shocks are employed to assess the performance of all-metal sandwich plates compared to monolithic solid plates of the same material and mass per area. For a planar shock wave striking the plate, the new results enable the structural analysis to be decoupled from an analysis of shock propagation in the air. The study complements prior work on the role of fluid–structure interaction in the design and assessment of sandwich plates subject to water shocks. Square honeycomb and folded plate core topologies are considered. Fluid–structure interaction enhances the performance of sandwich plates relative to solid plates under intense air shocks, but not as significantly as for water blasts. The paper investigates two methods for applying the loading to the sandwich plate—responses are contrasted for loads applied as a time-dependent pressure history versus imposition of an initial velocity. � 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Effect of Ti addition to Pt/C catalyst on methanol electro-oxidation and oxygen electro-reduction reactions

Abstract Carbon supported binary Pt–Ti alloys were investigated for application in methanol electro-oxidation (MOR) and oxygen electro-reduction reactions (ORR). Various compositions of Pt 100− x Ti x /C ( x = 0, 25, 50, and 75) catalysts were synthesized by sequential impregnation of Pt and Ti followed by annealing at 900 °C for 30 min under H 2 /Ar flow. X-ray diffraction results showed formation of the Pt 3 Ti intermetallic phase in Pt 50 Ti 50 and Pt 25 Ti 75 catalysts after annealing at 900 °C. The Pt 50 Ti 50 /C-900 and Pt 25 Ti 75 /C-900 catalysts (the ‘-900’ designation indicates the catalyst was annealed at 900 °C) exhibited 103% ( 87.4 mA m g Pt − 1 ) and 198% ( 128 mA m g Pt − 1 ) higher MOR activity, respectively, than in the Pt/C-900 catalyst ( 43.0 mA m g Pt − 1 ) at 0.7 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)). These two catalysts also showed high ORR activity. From a specific activity basis, the Pt 50 Ti 50 /C-900 and Pt 25 Ti 75 /C-900 catalysts exhibited 32.3 and 30 .2 μ A c m Pt − 2 , respectively, which were 171 and 154% higher than the 11.9 μ A c m Pt − 2 value of the Pt/C catalyst at 0.8 V (vs. RHE). Methanol-tolerant ORR activity was also investigated, but in the presence of methanol, the Pt 50 Ti 50 /C-900 and Pt 25 Ti 75 /C-900 catalysts both exhibited poor ORR activity.
Micromachining of copper by femtosecond laser pulses

Abstract Simulation results of femtosecond laser ablation of copper were compared to experimental data. The numerical analysis was performed using a predictive model, including a two temperature model, an optical critical point model with three Lorentzian terms, two phase change models for melting and evaporation under superheating, and a phase explosion criterion for ejection of metastable liquid decomposing into droplets and vapor phase. The experiments were conducted with a 120-fs, 800-nm Ti:sapphire lasers for fluences up to 408 J/cm2. The ablation depths were measured, and the ablation rate was estimated. It was shown that the present numerical simulations correlate well with the experimental data over the entire range of the laser fluences investigated except for those below 0.8 J/cm2, indicating that the proposed model is an accurate and efficient tool for predicting ultrashort-pulsed laser material ablation.
Through-The-Lens Automatic Focusing And Leveling In An Advanced Mask Stepper

Design, mechanization and performance of a through-the-lens focus control system now in use by the mask-making facility at the IBM Essex Junction facility on their most advanced step-and-repeat cameras are discussed.
Clinical use and interpretation of group A streptococcal antibody tests: a practical approach for the pediatrician or primary care physician.

OBJECTIVESRecall the different serologic group A streptococcal antibody tests available and understand their diagnostic potential.Identify the indications for performing group A streptococcal antibody tests and select the appropriate serologic test for a given clinical situation.Describe when not to
Associations between factors affecting access to care and health-related quality of life: results of a statewide HIV/AIDS cross-sectional study.

Abstract The objective of this cross-sectional study was to describe the relationship between access to care and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Mississippi by administering a statewide survey. A random probability sample of PLWHA was derived from the Mississippi State Department of Health's communicable disease tracking system. Interviews were conducted with 220 PLWHA to collect data on access to care, demographic and social characteristics, and HRQOL. Overall, most participants had access to care and reasonable HRQOL. Multivariate and univariate analyses were performed to measure associations between access to care and HRQOL. Univariate analyses showed that age, income, social networks, severity of disease, having been prescribed medications, and having experienced problems accessing care to be significantly associated with HRQOL scales. Multivariate analysis of variance models further demonstrated low-income level, having experienced problems accessing...
Toward a more perfect union: The career and contributions of Robin M. Williams

For more than half a century the sociologist Robin M. Williams, has used his consummate analytical and communicative skills to assess and explain the character, quality and contradictions of American culture. His career as a scholar, teacher, editor and leader in our profession, and his extensive writings—especially but not exclusively in the realm of “intergroup relations”—offer a powerful counter to the contention that sociology is moribund, that its practitioners have little of importance to say about the real lives of real people or to contribute to debates over America’s unfinished agenda. For students and for younger colleagues in sociology, he is a perfect example of what his one-time teacher, Robert K. Merton, must have had in mind when he first used the expression,“role-model.” (See Merton 1981)
Intra- and Interday Precision of Molecular Weight Data Determined by GPC: Precision of Mn and Mw

Abstract The goal of the investigation was to determine the intra- and interday precision of GPC molecular weight data. Typical GPC conditions with organic eluents were chosen to obtain data close to actual conditions. Good precision data not only improves the reliability of results but also the productivity because less time-consuming recalibrations are needed. The intraday relative standard deviations for Mn and Mw were for below 1.5% with the majority below 1.0%. The interday precision from day 1 to day 20 for Mn was 1.4% and 1.3% for Mw. Retention time stability below 0.06% is required to obtain molecular weight precision data below 1%. Fully automated data acquisition, evaluation, and reporting were found to be more precise in comparison to semiautomated with automated data acquisition and interactive data evaluation.
Determining if (FC-) (conflict-directed) back jumping visits a given node is NP-hard

Conflict-directed back jumping is a modification of the backtracking algorithm that can outperform forward checking in non-pathological examples. We prove it is in general NP-hard to determine if back jumping or conflict-directed back jumping or their forward checking hybrids visit a given node of a search space. This shows that these algorithms are fundamentally more complex to analyze than backtracking and forward checking. We conclude by describing how similar results can e proved for versions of the Maintaining Arc Consistency algorithm. 001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve.
The vernacularization of science, medicine, and technology in late medieval Europe: broadening our perspectives.

The following article is the concluding piece of a series on the vernacularization of science, medicine, and technology in the Late Middle Ages inaugurated in 1998 with a special issue of ESM (III,2) and continued with two articles in ESM (IV,2) in 1999, featuring papers selected by William Crossgrove and Linda Ehrsam Voigts. All of these articles grew out of a series of papers presented at the Thirty-Second International Congress on Medieval Studies at Western Michigan University in May 1997, a series which now concludes with the present
Characteristics of pulmonary hypertension in preterm neonates

Characteristics of preterm infants who develop pulmonary hypertension (PHT) and their response to inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) are not well described. Our objective was to identify risk factors for PHT in infants <37 weeks gestational age (GA) and to evaluate their response to iNO. A retrospective chart review was conducted in infants <37 weeks GA born from July/2000 to October/2005 who had an echocardiographic diagnosis of PHT in the first 4 weeks of life. A comparison non-PHT group was generated matched for GA and birth date. Data on prenatal and postnatal characteristics, response to iNO and mortality were collected. Low Apgar scores, preterm premature rupture of membranes, oligohydramnios, pulmonary hypoplasia and sepsis were independently predictive of PHT. Mortality was significantly higher in the PHT group (26.2% versus 4.1%; P<0.0001) compared to the control group. Low birth weight, severe intraventricular hemorrhage and male sex were significantly associated with death in infants with PHT. Thirty-seven percent (23/61) of infants with PHT were treated with inhaled NO. Infants <29-week GA had poor response to iNO and the response to iNO increased with GA (P<0.02). Low Apgar scores, oligohydramnios and pulmonary hypoplasia are associated with the development of PHT in premature infants. The percentage of infants responding to iNO increases with advancing GA.
Diffusion of Engineering Education Innovations: A Survey of Awareness and Adoption Rates in U.S. Engineering Departments

Background Despite decades of effort focused on improvement of engineering education, many recent advances have not resulted in systemic change. Diffusion of innovations theory is used to better understand this phenomenon. Purpose (Hypothesis) Research questions include: How widespread is awareness and adoption of established engineering education innovations? Are there differences by discipline or institutional type? How do engineering department chairs find out about engineering education innovations? What factors do engineering department chairs cite as important in adoption decisions? Design/Method U.S. engineering department chairs were surveyed regarding their awareness and department use of seven engineering education innovations. One hundred ninety-seven usable responses are presented primarily as categorical data with Chi square tests where relevant. Results Overall, the awareness rate was 82 percent, while the adoption rate was 47 percent. Eighty-two percent of engineering departments employ student-active pedagogies (the highest). Mechanical and civil engineering had the highest rates, in part due to many design-related innovations in the survey. Few differences by institution type were evident. In the past, word of mouth and presentations were far more effective than publications in alerting department chairs to the innovations. Department chairs cited financial resources, faculty time and attitudes, and student satisfaction and learning as major considerations in adoption decisions. Conclusions The importance of disciplinary networks was evident during survey administration and in the results. Specific recommendations are offered to employ these networks and the engineering professional societies for future engineering education improvement efforts.
Racial differences in arterial stiffness after exercise in young men.

Background African-American men have stiffer arteries than white men at rest. We sought to test the hypothesis that reductions in stiffness after aerobic exercise may be attenuated in African-American (AA) men compared with white (W) men. Methods Twenty-four young men (age 22 ± 1.0 years; 12 AA and 12 W) underwent measures of central (carotid-femoral) and peripheral (femoral-dorsalis pedis) pulse-wave velocity (PWV) before, 15 min after, and 30 min after a graded maximal aerobic exercise test (EX). Results A group effect was detected for central PWV, because AA men had significantly higher resting aortic stiffness compared with W men (P Conclusions Our data support previous findings of greater resting central aortic stiffness in young AA versus W men. This difference was not affected by acute EX. This is the first study to note large racial differences in the peripheral arterial response to exercise, consistent with the notion of blunted vasodilatation in response to adrenergic stimulation in AA men.
What is Curriculum Studies

(2008). What is Curriculum Studies? Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy: Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 57-59.
Synthesis and characterization of Pd(IMe)2, and its reactivity by C–S oxidative addition of DMSO

Abstract Two-electron reduction of PdX2(NHC)2 with Groups 1, 2 metals (K, Mg) is a convenient route to Pd(NHC)2 complexes including Pd(IMe)2 (2a), isolated and crystallographically characterized as the least sterically encumbered d10 M(0)L2 species to date. 2a exhibits a regular linear geometry and modest Lewis acidity to coordinating solvents and additional IMe. In contrast to its analogs with bulkier NHC = ItBu and IPr, 2a undergoes cleanly net oxidative addition of the Me–S(O)Me bond of DMSO, forming trans-PdMe(S(O)Me)IMe2 (3) at RT. DFT calculations suggest this reaction to proceed by substitution of IMe by κS-DMSO followed by concerted C–S oxidative addition to Pd with a single IMe, with a preference of ca. 10 kcal/mol in the effective ΔGs‡ over the direct pathway. Calculations also identify two facile intramolecular pathways for racemization of Pd(II) methylsulfinyl complexes at sulfur.
PDEF in Prostate Cancer

Prostate-derived Ets factor (PDEF) is a relatively recently described member of the Ets family of transcription factors. It differs from other family members in its restricted and epithelial-specific expression in normal tissues and its unique DNA-binding motif that together may impart interesting specificity to its function. This communication reviews our current understanding of the expression characteristics of PDEF in normal prostate and in prostate cancer. Also, the biochemical and genetic evidence relating to the role of this transcription factor in prostate cancer is reviewed. Most evidence is consistent with an oncogenic role for PDEF in prostate cancer. Specific observations about the loss of PDEF expression in prostate tumors and its apparent role as a prostate tumor suppressor are also discussed. PDEF is one of the few transcription factors with potential to have a significant impact on the management of prostate cancer. A better understanding of its biology and its role in prostate cancer is urgently needed.
The Weissenbacher-Zweymüller phenotype in the neonatal period as an expression in the continuum of manifestations of the hereditary arthroophthalmopathies

The authors report the case of a female infant who presented with bilateral congenital glaucoma and myopia diagnosed at six weeks. Her facies was flat with a very low nasal bridge and a vascular nevus covering the glabellar area, micrognathia and high arched palate. The limbs appeared shorter proximally and a radiologic skeletal survey revealed dumbbell shaped long bones, flattened acetabular roofs, posterior defects in the vertebral bodies in the thoracic region, platyspon-dyly. Seen in follow-up at nine weeks, 14 months and 24 months, after several goniotomies which successfully controlled her intraocular pressure, she presented with high myopia, moderate hypotonia and hyperextensible joints. The midfacial hypoplasia persisted, but the skeletal X-rays showed that the long bones seem to acquire a more elongated appearance. Her mental and motor development, although five to nine months delayed, reflected regular progress. The clinical findings in this patient suggest that she belongs in the heterogeneous ...
Supercritical CO2-Based Production of Fullerene Nanoparticles

Fullerene nanoparticles have potential uses in a variety of applications including pharmaceuticals, lubricants, composite materials, specialized coatings, and interfacing membrane surfaces. In this study, the supercritical antisolvent process is used to reduce fullerene particle size from 40 μm to as low as 29 nm. C60 dissolved in toluene is injected into supercritical CO2, causing precipitation of C60 as fine particles. Because of the high diffusivity of CO2 in toluene, a rapid supersaturation is achieved, which results in the formation of C60 nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution. The effect of pressure, temperature, and jet velocity on particle size and morphology is studied. The particle size increases linearly with the density of supercritical CO2. A high jet velocity yields spherical particles whereas a lower jet velocity yields both spherical and rodlike particles. In most cases, a uniform thin film of the particles is obtained on the collection plate.
Distance Relay Protection for Subtransmission Lines Made Economical

Less important transmission lines are usually protected with directional over-current relays. Much better protection and consequently improved service would be provided by modern high-speed distance relays but at several times the cost. What is required is a distance relay arrangement considerably less expensive than the relays now used on high-voltage transmission lines but with as nearly as possible the same characteristics. Such an arrangement is now available. The paper describes successful tests in the laboratory and on an actual system in this country with both natural and staged faults. The equipment consists of a single high-speed reactance relay which is enabled to protect all three phases by being automatically switched to the correct potential and current by a phase selector relay.
The pharmacologic evaluation of locomotor activity versus inflammatory parameters in rat adjuvant arthritis

Adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) is an experimental model of inflammatory joint disease in the rat which mimics rheumatoid arthritis. Although paw inflammation (e.g., swelling) is commonly used to monitor the efficacy of antiarthritic drugs, a reduction in locomotor function may provide a more sensitive evaluation of “functional disability” in AA rats. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary therapy with prednisolone or ibuprofen on locomotor activity as well as arthritic symptoms in established AA (days 20–42). AA rats demonstrated an increase in arthritis scores, spleen weights, fibrinogen, and WBC along with a reduction in locomotor function. Prednisolone (2 mg/kg/day) exhibited a positive therapeutic effect on all these parameters. Ibuprofen (50 mg/kg/day) consistently lowered arthritis scores and fibrinogen; however, locomotor function only improved on day 35. In conclusion, the measurement of locomotor activity in concert with other experimental parameters may provide a more meaningful evaluation of disease severity or improvement in AA.
Is there a difference in metal ion-based inhibition between members of thionin family: Molecular dynamics simulation study

Abstract Thionins have a considerable potential as antimicrobial compounds although their application may be restricted by metal ion-based inhibition of membrane permeabilizing activity. We previously reported the properties associated with the proposed mechanism of metal ion-based inhibition of β-purothionin. In this study, we investigated the effects of metal ions on α-hordothionin which differs from β-purothionin by eight out of 45 residues. Three of the differing residues are thought to be involved in the mechanism of metal ion-based inhibition in β-purothionin. The structure and dynamics of α-hordothionin were explored using unconstrained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in explicit water as a function of metal ions. Although the global fold is almost identical to that of β-purothionin, α-hordothionin displays reduced fluctuating motions. Moreover, α-hordothionin is more resistant to the presence of metal ions than β-purothionin. Mg +2 ions do not affect α-hordothionin, whereas K + ions induce perturbations in the α2 helix, modify dynamics and electrostatic properties. Nevertheless, these changes are considerably smaller than those in β-purothionin. The proposed mechanism of metal ion-based inhibition involves the hydrogen bonding network of Arg5–Arg30–Gly27, which regulates dynamic unfolding of the α2 C-end which is similar to β-purothionin response. The key residues responsible for the increased resistance for α-hordothionin are Gly27 and Gly42 which replace Asn27 and Asp42 involved into the mechanism of metal ion-based inhibition in β-purothionin. Comparison of MD simulations of α-hordothionin with β-purothionin reveals dynamic properties which we believe are intrinsic properties of thionins with four disulphide bonds.
Brain and kidney of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy patients contain identical rearrangements of the JC virus promoter/enhancer

The kidneys of six progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) patients were examined by PCR amplification for the presence of JC virus. Amplification of three different areas of the viral genome from multiple samples of each kidney revealed three that were positive for the virus. The use of a PCR-based typing assay on all tissue samples, and cloned sequences from the viral coding region from each positive kidney showed that the same viral genome was present in the kidney as in the brain of the patient. Regulatory region clones all had the archetypal promoter/enhancer structure. However, when PCR fragments from the regulatory region were digested with a restriction enzyme which cuts in region D, the region most often deleted in PML-type promoters, a low level of undigested DNA remained. This DNA refractory to digestion had a rearranged sequence identical to that of the unique rearranged promoter in the brain of each patient. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Animal issues and society.

Abstract Animal use topics are sensitive issues today. Animal uses issues are often presented as black and white or ‘we’ are right and ‘they’ are wrong. This is clearly demonstrated in the available literature from most organizations. Topics presented will include: delineation of issues and concerned groups; examples of animal issues in education and agriculture; the terrorist issue; examples of animal issues/sportsman issues; examples of political and legislative impact; and examples of biomedical and toxicology animal use issues.
An infinite-dimensional classical integrable system and the Heisenberg and Schrödinger representations

We present an infinite-dimensional classical integrable hamiltonian system on projective Hilbert space. We show that the equations of motion correspond to the Heisenberg ones of quantum mechanics when the hamiltonian operator is compact, and that the formulation of these equations as a classical Lax pair with parameter gives rise naturally to an infinite set of conversation laws. Further, an infinite-dimensional version of Moser's transformation for integrating classical systems is shown to relate the Heisenberg and SchrSdinger pictures.
Structure of Lactate Dehydrogenase at 2.8 Å Resolution

Electron density distributions for the M4 isoenzyme of LDH reveal details of the conformation of the subunit, boundaries between the subunits, and features relevant to the binding of coenzyme and substrate.
Lower limits of organic reactions. II

Spectrofluorometry was used to confirm completeness of the reaction of carbonyls in 5.0 · 10−4 to 5.0 · 10−7 molar solutions. This procedure of estimation is 1000 times more sensitive than spectrophotometric methods.
The Effect of CommonGround Software and Decision Support Center

Located in a community mental health center, the first decision support center in psychiatry used peer support and an Internet-based software program, CommonGround, to assist consumers in decisional uncertainty about psychiatric medication use and to foster shared decision making between the consumer and prescriber. This study examined the impact of the decision support center on the consumer-doctor interaction in the medication consultation. A pretest/posttest design assigned consumers to either an experimental or control group for 4 months. The Measure of Patient-Centered Communication (MPCC) (Brown, Stewart, McCracken, McWhinney, & Levenstein, 1986) was used to evaluate the medication consultation. The Patient Perception of Patient-Centeredness Questionnaire (PPPC) (Stewart, Meredith, Ryan, & Brown, 2004) was used to evaluate the consumer's and prescriber's perceptions of the consultation. A one-way multivariate analysis of covariance was not significant for the combined dependent variable of the measu...
Measuring and Changing the Quality of Care via National Registries

There is abundant evidence that in-hospital and postdischarge interventions can reduce the complications of stroke and can prevent future events.1 Despite ready access to published guidelines and widespread health provider awareness, guidelines are often poorly implemented in in-hospital and postdischarge environments, and risk factors are poorly controlled. The effort to close the gap between what is known and what is practiced has been the focus of several initiatives in the past decade, spearheaded by the Institute of Medicine. After large-scale quality improvement (QI) programs in cardiovascular disease demonstrated the power of a patient-focused QI registry to increase rates of adherence to national guidelines, a series of stroke QI prototypes were developed and pilot-tested.2 The original criteria for stroke performance measurement were developed through expert consensus and review of the available evidence, undertaken independently by multiple health care societies and government agencies, including the Joint Commission, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, American Medical Association, Physicians Consortium for Performance Improvement, American Academy of Neurology, Veterans Administration, National Committee for Quality Assurance, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.3 Ultimately, these measures were incorporated into the Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center certification program and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get with the Guidelines-Stroke (GWTG-Stroke) program. Many of these were endorsed by the National Quality Forum (Table). Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Joint Commission, and American Heart Association/American Stroke Association have pursued harmonization of measures in their programs, the Veterans Administration has developed parallel efforts integrated into a broader Veterans Administration framework of QI.4 These programs have shown that a hospital-based stroke QI program can lead to clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvements in measures derived from established care processes (Table). Defying the conventional wisdom, they have demonstrated that …
Advances and challenges in predicting agricultural management effects on soil hydraulic properties

Agricultural management practices can significantly affect soil hydraulic properties and processes in space and time. These responses are coupled with the processes of infiltration, runoff, erosion, chemical movement, and crop growth. It is essential to quantify and predict management effects on soil properties in order to model their consequent effects on production and the environment. We present work done thus far on this topic area along with the challenges that lie ahead. The effects of tillage and reconsolidation, wheel-track soil compaction, crop residue management, macropore development and management interactions with natural sources of variability, such as topography, are addressed. Whether explicitly or implicitly, the available field studies include interactions between treatments, such as tillage, crop rotation and residue management. Controlled equipment traffic has been shown to have significant effects on soil compaction and related hydraulic properties in some soils and climates, but in others, landscape and temporal variability overwhelm any effects of wheel tracks. New research results on wheel-track effects in Colorado are highlighted along with initial attempts to predict their effects on hydraulic properties. The greatest challenge for the future is improved process-based prediction using a systems approach to include tightly coupled process interactions in space and time.
Memory expansion technology (MXT): software support and performance

A novel memory subsystem called Memory Expansion Technology (MXT) has been built for fast hardware compression of main-memory content. This allows a memory expansion to present a "real" memory larger than the physically available memory. This paper provides an overview of the memory-compression architecture, its OS support under Linux and Windows®, and an analysis of the performance impact of memory compression. Results show that the hardware compression of main memory has a negligible penalty compared to an uncompressed main memory, and for memory-starved applications it increases performance significantly. We also show that the memory content of an application can usually be compressed by a factor of 2.
Visual signatures for financial time series

Information visualization techniques have been applied to many research fields in recent years. This paper introduces the concept of visual signature for financial time series. Unlike other information visualization, visual signatures are designed to more proactively reveal visual patterns of market data. Previous research on visualizing financial time series is discussed and compared. This paper shows how the concept of visual signature helps professional analysts obtain instant and useful visual messages from it.