cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fertilization of Russet Burbank in short-season environment

A three-year investigation determined effects of N, P, K, and S rates on tuber yield and quality, economic return, and plant nutrient status of Russet Burbank grown on mineral soils in the Klamath Basin of Oregon. Yield responses were consistent over years. The highest yields and economic returns were achieved with the combination of 202 kg N, 29 kg P, 56 kg K, and 22 kg S ha-1. Petiole NO3-N concentrations were below published critical levels at the optimal N fertilizer rate of 202 kg N ha-1. Yield and economic return responses to increasing N rates were positive but small. The highest yield occurred at the lowest P rate (29 kg ha-1). Tuber yield, grade, or quality did not respond to K fertilization. Findings suggest that nitrogen fertilizer management based on petiole analysis may require modifications for short growing-season environments.
Gender-based disparities in access to and outcomes of liver transplantation

Despite comprising 35% of transplants, the number of female transplant recipients has continued to decline. Accordingly, there is a growing attention to the issue of access to and outcomes of liver transplantation in women. The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate the published literature on etiologies contributing to gender-based disparities in liver transplantation focusing on the steps from chronic liver disease through transplantation including disparities in liver disease prevalence, access to liver transplant centers and transplant waiting list, receipt of liver transplantation once listed and disparities in post-liver transplantation outcomes. Our review finds factors contributing to this disparity may include gender differences in the etiology of underlying liver disease and patient and physician referral patterns, lifestyle and health care, but also utilization of an imperfect organ allocation system based on the model for end stage liver disease score and donor-recipient liver size matching. The review also highlights the need for further research in the area of gender disparity in order to develop appropriate approaches to address it and to improve allocation of this precious resource in the future.
Unmet needs for home and community-based services among frail older Americans and their caregivers.

Objective: This study examined unmet needs for home- and community-based services (HCBS) among frail older Americans. Method: Using population-based sample from the National Long-Term Care Survey, a hierarchical logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the predictors of unmet needs for seven types of HCBS. Results: Lack of awareness, reluctance, unavailability, and affordability of services were the main reasons for unmet needs for HCBS. Factors that were associated with unmet needs included Black race/ethnicity, greater care needs (functional limitations and behavioral problems), and less informal support (substitute help and family agreement). Discussion: It is important to identify risk factors that may lead to older adults’ unmet needs for HCBS. The findings of this study charge researchers to look beyond service utilization and give more attention to service needs among those who did or could not access the services.
DESIGN TRADE-OFFS FOR THE SUBCARRIER TRAFFIC INFORMATION CHANNEL WAVEFORM

Recently a subcarrier traffic information channel (STIC) waveform and prototype have been designed and successfully tested as a means for broadcasting traffic data to vehicles on the highways. This approach to traffic information broadcasting makes use of a frequency modulated (FM) broadcast subcarrier. Achieving reliable communications over this channel requires a waveform that is robust in the multipath and fading environment associated with very high frequency (VHF) propagation to mobile receivers. This is best accomplished in this application by the use of forward error correction (FEC) techniques. This paper presents some of the design trade-offs involved in the coding and waveform design and discusses some of the rationale for the modulation and coding selection. The waveform described here does not represent a final, refined design, but instead serves as a proof-of-concept for enabling some IVHS applications and is intended to identify show stoppers, if they exist. The success of this waveform impl...
A RDF‐based digital library system

Purpose – To research a resource description framework (RDF) based digital library system that facilitates digital resource management and supports knowledge management for an interoperable information environment.Design/methodology/approach – The paper first introduces some of issues with metadata management and knowledge management and describes the needs for a true interoperable environment for information transferring across domains. A journal delivery application has been implemented as a concept‐proof project to demonstrate the usefulness of RDF in digital library systems.Findings – The RDF‐based digital library system at the University of Arizona Libraries provides an easy way for digital resource management by integrating other applications regardless of metadata formats and web presence.Practical implications – A journal delivery application has been running in the RDF‐based digital library system since April 2005. An electronic theses and dissertation application will be handled by the same syst...
Effect of trait hostility on cardiovascular responses to harassment in young men

Hostile individuals may experience more extreme and frequent episodes of anger than nonhostile persons and thus may have exaggerated physiological responses to their environments. Such responses may be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This study examined cardiovascular responses of 24 low- versus 21 high-hostile young men to a mental arithmetic task administered with and without provocation in 2 x 2 (groups x Tasks) repeated measure design. hostility classifications were based on weighted interview ratings of Potential for Hostility. As predicted, high-hostile men showed differentially greater heart rate, blood pressure, and rate-pressure product changes only in response to the task administered with harassment (ps < .05). Similarly, high-hostile men reported more distress, tenseness, irritation, and greater concentration during the harassing task, compared to low-hostile men (ps < .05). Also, the harassing task elicited greater increases in vascular resistance and greater increases in stroke volume for all subjects, relative to the neutral task (ps < .003). Results suggest that hostile persons faced with anger evoking situations may produce a constellation of exaggerated cognitive-emotional and cardiovascular responses consistent with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Differential post-dispersal seed predation drives chaparral seed bank dynamics

Animal community structure influences plant community structure in many ways, one of which is varying post-dispersal seed predation rates by different, sometimes distantly related animal taxa. In fire-prone mediterranean-climate vegetation, such as California chaparral, rodents are commonly assumed to be the most effective post-dispersal seed predators, which would render them the main driver for soil seed bank dynamics. This is a critical issue because the most dominant species of the chaparral rely on dormant, persistent soil seed banks to recruit after wildfires. Here, we used a series of exclusion experiments in combination with close video observation to show that granivorous birds are more effective than rodents in removing seeds of Ceanothus papillosus, a fire-dependent obligate seeder shrub of the California chaparral. We furthermore used seed traps and germination experiments to show that C. papillosus can have extremely high seed production and expresses strong intra and inter-annual seed bank dynamics. We conclude in contrast to other studies, that granivorous birds, in addition to rodents, are major determinants of C. papillosus seed bank densities. We also found that seed bank density increased between years, despite high seed predation rates. We conclude that high seed production in combination with small and dark seed design may help some seeds to stay undetected, thus allowing C. papillosus to build a sufficiently dense enough seed bank to regenerate after wildfire. Our results indicate that the ratio of granivorous birds to rodents has the potential to play a major role in shaping chaparral community structure by differentially impacting soil seed bank densities.
The effects of compensation on psychiatric disability.

Abstract Psychiatrically impaired veterans who were receiving 100% partial or no compensation for their psychiatric disabilities were compared on type and level of psychopathology, self-esteem, locus of control and treatment utilization. All groups were highly elevated on measures of psychopathology. There were no differences between groups on psychopathology measures, except that the 100% group scored significantly higher than the uncompensated group on hostility. Differences in locus of control were not found. On 3 of 10 subscales, partially compensated patients reported higher levels of self-esteem than patients in one or both of the other groups. Uncompensated patients required the most hospitalization. Those who were receiving 100% disability compensation required less hospitalization and the number of days they spent in the hospital was significantly reduced following attainment of full compensation.
Grandmother Involvement in Mexican American Families Implications for Transborder Relationships and Maternal Psychological Distress

Grandmothers often provide support for Mexican-origin mothers and young children. The factors influencing grandmother involvement, and the implications of this involvement for maternal well-being, particularly in the context of transborder family relationships, remain largely unexplored. This study considers the extent to which maternal, child, and intergenerational factors are linked with levels of grandmother involvement, and in turn grandmother involvement is associated with maternal psychological distress among an American community sample of 78 Mexican-origin families, for which over one third of grandmothers live in Mexico. Findings suggest that mother reported grandmother involvement is higher when children are temperamentally difficult, mothers perceive overall high-quality mother–grandmother relationships, and grandmothers live in the United States. Furthermore, extensive grandmother involvement when grandmothers live in Mexico is related to higher levels of psychological distress. These results ...
Monitoring surfaces on the molecular level during catalytic reactions at high pressure by sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy

Sum frequency generation (SFG), using non-linear laser optics, detects vibrational spectra of submonolayer amounts of adsorbates with excellent energy and time resolution. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STM) is sensitive to the atomic surface structure; readily imaging defects, steps and kinks as well as stationary adsorbed species. Both of these techniques can be used during reactions at high pressures and temperatures to obtain molecular information in situ. We report studies of propylene hydrogenation over Pt(111) crystal surfaces at atmospheric pressures and 300 K using SFG and STM. Four surface species (2-propyl, π-bonded propylene, di σ-bonded propylene, and propylidyne) were identified; the first two being implicated as reaction intermediates. The platinum surface structure remains unchanged during the reaction, consistent with the structure insensitive nature of olefin hydrogenation. Propylene decomposition induced substantial surface reconstruction.
Predictive capabilities of a free‐volume theory for solvent self‐diffusion coefficients

Evaluation d'une theorie proposee par l'auteur par comparaison avec valeurs experimentales obtenues pour les systemes polystyrene/THF et polystyrene/toluene. Conversion du coefficient de diffusion mutuelle D en coefficient d'autodiffusion D 1 possible mais non generalisable. Accord correct entre les predictions et les mesures dans le cas ou les effets d'energie du procesus de diffusion sont negligeables par rapport aux effets de volume libre
Lifting Algebraic Elements in C*-Algebras

Abstract Suppose J is a closed ideal in a unital C*-algebra A . This paper reduces the problem of lifting algebraic elements from A / J to A to the problem of lifting finite orthogonal families of projections. Such liftings are always possible when A has real rank zero. An application shown is that for every ϵ > 0 and for every nonzero polynomial p, there is a δ > 0 such that whenever a is a C*-element with ||a|| ≤1 and ||p(a)||
Versatile Pathway to Functional Telechelics via RAFT Polymerization and Click Chemistry

Two novel azidofunctionalized chain transfer agents (CTAs) were prepared and subsequently employed to mediate the reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerizations of styrene (Sty) and N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) under a variety of conditions. Trithiocarbonate 2-dodecylsulfanylthiocarbonylsulfanyl-2-methyl-propionic acid 3-azido-propyl ester and dithioester 4-cyano-4-methyl-4-thiobenzoylsulfanyl-butyric acid 3-azido-propyl ester successfully mediated the polymerizations of Sty and DMA. Both RAFT polymerizations exhibited pseudo-first-order kinetics and a linear Mn dependence with conversion. The resulting homopolymers (Mn = 4 − 22 × 103 g/mol and Mw/Mn ≤ 1.33) were demonstrated to have retained ω end group functionality, as evidenced by the successful formation of block copolymers. The α-azido terminal polymers and the azidofunctionalized CTAs were coupled with high efficiency by click chemistry to various alkynes (propargyl acrylate, propargyl methacrylate, and propargyl alcohol) i...
ACCELERATION OF LOW-ENERGY IONS AT PARALLEL SHOCKS WITH A FOCUSED TRANSPORT MODEL

We present a test particle simulation on the injection and acceleration of low-energy suprathermal particles by parallel shocks with a focused transport model. The focused transport equation contains all necessary physics of shock acceleration, but avoids the limitation of diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) that requires a small pitch angle anisotropy. This simulation verifies that the particles with speeds of a fraction of to a few times the shock speed can indeed be directly injected and accelerated into the DSA regime by parallel shocks. At higher energies starting from a few times the shock speed, the energy spectrum of accelerated particles is a power law with the same spectral index as the solution of standard DSA theory, although the particles are highly anisotropic in the upstream region. The intensity, however, is different from that predicted by DSA theory, indicating a different level of injection efficiency. It is found that the shock strength, the injection speed, and the intensity of an electric cross-shock potential (CSP) jump can affect the injection efficiency of the low-energy particles. A stronger shock has a higher injection efficiency. In addition, if the speed of injected particles is above a few times the shock speed, the produced power-law spectrum is consistent with the prediction of standard DSA theory in both its intensity and spectrum index with an injection efficiency of 1. CSP can increase the injection efficiency through direct particle reflection back upstream, but it has little effect on the energetic particle acceleration once the speed of injected particles is beyond a few times the shock speed. This test particle simulation proves that the focused transport theory is an extension of DSA theory with the capability of predicting the efficiency of particle injection.
Investigation of a coupled geothermal cooling system with earth tube and solar chimney

Abstract We present a systematic study of a coupled geothermal cooling system with an earth-to-air heat exchanger and a solar collector enhanced solar chimney. Experiments were conducted with an existing test facility in summer to evaluate the performance of the system, in terms of passive cooling capability, active cooling capability, and soil thermal capability. Correspondingly, three different tests were carried out in 43 days in a sequence, from a passive cooling mode to an active cooling mode, and then back to a passive cooling mode. The results show that the coupled geothermal system is feasible to provide cooling to the facility in natural operation mode free without using any electricity. The solar collector enhanced solar chimney can provide more airflow to the system during the daytime with a stronger solar intensity. The thermal sensation analysis based on predicted mean vote and predicted percent of dissatisfied people indicates that the indoor air condition under the natural airflow stage was more acceptable in terms of thermal comfort than that of the forced airflow stage. The cooling capacity of the coupled system drops quickly after the one week forced airflow test due to the underground soil temperature increase. It takes the soil over two weeks to fully recover from the thermal saturation after the forced air test. In addition, the underground soil temperature test results indicate that the underground heat dissipation in the horizontal level was greater than that in the vertical level. The findings suggest that a minimum level of control on the system and consideration on soil saturation is needed to further improve the overall performance.
Flow structure and wall layer control in a lower half heated upper half cooled enclosure with superimposed temperature deviations

This paper presents an investigation on the effects of superimposed temperature deviations as a control technique for the flows and mixing in lower half heated upper half cooled enclosures. Results show that the strength of the wall layer depends on the difference between the wall surface temperature and the fluid core temperature. The location of the head-on collision between a pair of upward/downward wall layers, which controls the mixing and fluid exchange between the two halves, is determined by the wall layer flow momentum strengths. Elevating/reducing the wall temperature by a superimposed temperature deviation is an effective control for the flow and mixing in such enclosures. Heat transfer analysis shows that the superimposed temperature deviations have minor effects on the total heat flow rate from the lower walls. Thus, this technique can be applied onto reactor vessels without modifying the reactor vessel configuration.
Abstract 3544: Jak/Stat signaling: A potential target for pancreatic cancer management

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL NexrutineR (Nx) isolated from the bark of Phellodendron amurense is being sold as an anti-inflammatory herbal supplement over the counter in the US. Recent studies from our laboratory demonstrated its potential as an anti-prostatic agent by targeting multiple signaling pathways including Akt/CREB/NFkB/Cyclin D1/Cox-2 both in vitro and in vivo. Given the importance of some of these signaling pathways in multiple cancers, we explored its role in pancreatic cancer (PanCA) using variety of cell lines. Human pancreatic cancer cells that differ in the status of K-Ras (BxPC-3 with wild type K-Ras and Capan-2 with mutant K-Ras), non- tumorigenic HPNE-Ras, MIAPC and ASPC-1 were tested for growth inhibition, apoptosis, necrosis, Cox-2 expression and activity following treatment with Nx. Our data indicate that Nx can significantly inhibit proliferation of these cell lines differentially through induction of apoptosis and necrosis without any significant effect on cell cycle profile. Investigation of molecular mechanism of action identified a role for Jak1 and transcription factors NFkB and Stat3. Western blotting data show that Nx can inhibit the protein levels of pStat3 and Jak1 effectively without influencing the protein levels of total Stat3. Similarly Nx treatment decreased the DNA binding activities of both NFkB and Stat3. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed the binding of Stat3 to Cox-2 promoter. In addition combining Nx with Gemcitabine (standard of care treatment for PanCA) demonstrated strong synergistic growth inhibitory activity through modulation of Stat3. Overall, the present study unveils a novel interplay between Jak1/Stat3 and NFkB signaling in pancreatic cancer cells. These data further suggest that the targeted disruption of Jak1/Stat3 and NFkB may represent a valid therapeutic approach in this cancer. Supported by NCCAM (APK). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3544. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3544
Dispersion relations and Landau damping for transverse and longitudinal Alfvén waves propagating through a gas of infinite conductivity

Abstract A simplified model for low frequency plasma waves without collisions is studied. In this model the contribution of the electrons is described phenomenologically by Ohm's Law for infinite conductivity. The ions are described by a Boltzmann-Vlasov equation for which the force density is simply given by the body force ( 1 c ) j × H. This model corresponds essentially to a gas possessing an infinite electrical conductivity. Dispersion relations and expressions for the Landau damping are derived in this model for longitudinal and transverse hydromagnetic waves, which propagate parallel and perpendicular to the lines of force. Two of the wave modes, which have been found, can be identified as transverse and longitudinal Alfven waves. In addition to these modes other modes have been found which have certain similarities with viscosity shear and temperature waves well known from classical fluid dynamics. Viscosity shear and temperature waves in classical fluid dynamics arise from dissipative forces. It is conceivable to assume that the Landau damping mechanism also is connected with certain dissipative forces and therefore gives rise to other wave modes which, however, cannot be derived from classical fluid dynamics.
Descending projections from the dysgranular zone of rat primary somatosensory cortex processing deep somatic input.

In the mammalian somatic system, peripheral inputs from cutaneous and deep receptors ascend via different subcortical channels and terminate in largely separate regions of the primary somatosensory cortex (SI). How these inputs are processed in SI and then projected back to the subcortical relay centers is critical for understanding how SI may regulate somatic information processing in the subcortex. Although it is now relatively well understood how SI cutaneous areas project to the subcortical structures, little is known about the descending projections from SI areas processing deep somatic input. We examined this issue by using the rodent somatic system as a model. In rat SI, deep somatic input is processed mainly in the dysgranular zone (DSZ) enclosed by the cutaneous barrel subfields. By using biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) as anterograde tracer, we characterized the topography of corticostriatal and corticofugal projections arising in the DSZ. The DSZ projections terminate mainly in the lateral subregions of the striatum that are also known as the target of certain SI cutaneous areas. This suggests that SI processing of deep and cutaneous information may be integrated, to a certain degree, in this striatal region. By contrast, at both thalamic and prethalamic levels as far as the spinal cord, descending projections from DSZ terminate in areas largely distinguishable from those that receive input from SI cutaneous areas. These subcortical targets of DSZ include not only the sensory but also motor-related structures, suggesting that SI processing of deep input may engage in regulating somatic and motor information flow between the cortex and periphery. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:1021–1046, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of gadolinium chelates with manganese-DPDP for liver lesion detection and characterization: preliminary results.

Abstract Nonspecific extracellular gadolinium chelate (NEGd) was prospectively compared with manganese (Mn)-DPDP (Mn) for the detection and characterization of focal liver lesions of various histology. Seventeen patients with known or suspected focal liver lesions underwent NEGd and Mn-enhanced studies at 1.5 T. Study findings were correlated with histology (five patients), computed tomography (CT) examinations (17 patients), and 4- to 13-month imaging follow-up by CT and/or MR (five patients). NEGd studies were performed as serial postcontrast spoiled gradient echo (SGE) sequences, and Mn studies were performed as SGE sequences 15 and 30 min postcontrast and T1-weighted, fat-suppressed spin echo at 16 min. NEGd and Mn images were prospectively interpreted in a separate blinded fashion. Lesion detection and characterization were determined. NEGd and Mn-enhanced images demonstrated 61 and 49 lesions, respectively (p = .1, NS). A total of 60 and 33 lesions were characterized on NEGd and Mn images, respectively, which was significantly different (p = .008). No differences were observed for the detection and characterization of liver metastases; whereas there was a trend for superior detection and characterization for hepatocellular carcinoma with NEGA.
Design of static reaction gantry for an ultralight airplane destruction test

The steel gantry superstructure needed to perform an airplane static test is described. Standard civil engineering design practices are used to react the loads generated by an airplane in flight. Reaction columns are mounted on a structural floor to carry the wing airloads and the downward acting fuselage loads are carried directly into the floor. The gantry can accommodate a general aviation airplane or rotorcraft. An immediate use for an ultralight airplane is shown as an example configuration of the four main steel frames.
An analysis of prereferral interventions

The interventions used by 105 elementary classroom teachers before referring students for psychoeducational evaluation were examined. Analyses were conducted on: (a) types, combinations, and duration of preferral interventions; (b) individuals spoken with prior to referral; and (c) the relationship between prereferral interventions and reasons for referral. Most interventions appeared to be teacher-directed actions, ones that sometimes were influenced by consultation, most were implemented for an unspecified time period with few measures of observed success or failure. Most teachers used combinations of interventions; few types of interventions were related to the reasons for referral cited by the teachers. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the role of prereferral intervention in the referral process, and the role of consultation in the intervention process.
Modification of Chemical Toxicity by Selenium Deficiency

Selenium deficiency causes a number of hepatic metabolic alterations in the rat which could lead to changes in chemical toxicity. It causes a decrease in glutathione peroxidase activity, an increase in glutathione S-transferase activity, and an increase in the rate of glutathione synthesis. The hepatotoxicities of three compounds which bind to glutathione S-transferase; iodipamide, acetaminophen, and aflatoxin B1, are decreased by selenium deficiency. The toxicity of redox cycling compounds is generally increased by selenium deficiency and is accompanied by evidence of lipid peroxidation. Thus, nitrofurantoin (100 mg/kg) causes renal tubular necrosis in selenium-deficient rats but not in controls. Selenium-deficient rats are much more sensitive to diquat toxicity than are controls. Lethality of diquat in selenium-deficient rats appears to be causally linked to lipid peroxidation. Lethality of diquat in control rats is not linked to lipid peroxidation. The effect of selenium does not appear to be mediated by glutathione peroxidase, however, indicating that selenium has another oxidant defense function. Another interesting observation made was that increases in inspired O2 tension decreased ethane production (lipid peroxidation) in selenium-deficient and in control rats given diquat. Thus, O2 appears to prevent diquat-induced lipid peroxidation.
Conjugate heat transfer during two-phase solidification process in a continuously moving metal using average heat capacity method

Abstract The average heat capacity method was successfully implemented for the analysis of conjugate heat transfer during the two-phase solidification process in continuous castings. The finite element technique with fixed grid was used for the current research. This method overcomes the limitation of the time increment of the otherwise so-called effective heat capacity method. The investigation included the ranges of mold cooling rate ( Bi 2 ) , post-mold cooling rate ( Bi 3 ) , superheat (Θ o ) , and withdrawal speed ( Pe ) from 0.025 to 0.075, 0.042 to 0.126, 1.2 to 2.7, and 1.0 to 3.45, respectively. The current study shows that two parameters, namely, Pe and Θ o are very important in controlling the microstructure and breakout condition of the cast material.
Structure and enhanced reactivity rates of the D5h Sc3N@C80 and Lu3N@C80 metallofullerene isomers: the importance of the pyracylene motif.

In this paper we report enhanced reactivity of the D5h isomers in comparison with the more common Ih isomers of Sc3N@C80 and Lu3N@C80 toward Diels−Alder and 1,3-dipolar tritylazomethine ylide cycloaddition reactions. Also, the structure of the D5h isomer of Sc3N@C80 has been determined through single-crystal X-ray diffraction on D5h-Sc3N@C80·Ni(OEP)·2benzene (OEP = octaethylporphyrin). The Sc3N portion of D5h-Sc3N@C80 is strictly planar, but the plane of these four atoms is tipped out of the noncrystallographic, horizontal mirror plane of the fullerene by 30°. The combination of short bond length and high degree of pyramidization for the central carbon atoms of the pyracylene sites situated along a belt that is perpendicular to the C5 axis suggests that these are the sites of greatest reactivity in the D5h isomer of Sc3N@C80. Consistent with the observation of higher reactivity observed for the D5h isomers, cyclic voltammetry and molecular orbital (MO) calculations demonstrate that the D5h isomers have sl...
Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry in the detection of adverse obstetric outcomes in women with unexplained elevated maternal serum α-fetoprotein levels☆

Abstract OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that in pregnancies complicated by unexplained elevations of maternal serum α-fetoprotein, second-trimester uterine artery Doppler findings would detect adverse obstetric outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred three subjects with unexplained elevations of maternal serum α-fetoprotein had uterine artery Doppler velocimetry studies performed at the time of targeted ultrasonographic examination (17 to 22 weeks). A resistance index >95th percentile or the presence of a uterine notch was considered abnormal. Adverse outcomes included preeclampsia, preterm birth, low birth weight, intrauterine growth restriction, abruptio placentae, and fetal death. Statistical analysis was performed by Student t test, χ 2 analysis, and stepwise logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: An elevated uterine resistance index was associated with an increased relative risk for both preeclampsia (relative risk 41.82, 95% confidence interval 5.36 to 326.13) and low birth weight (relative risk 4.65, 95% confidence interval 1.90 to 11.39). A uterine artery notch was associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia (relative risk 52.22, 95% confidence interval 6.82 to 399.70), preterm birth (relative risk 3.21, 95% confidence interval 1.32 to 7.81), and a low birth weight (relative risk 4.18, 95% confidence interval 1.64 to 10.66). when the presence of a uterine notch, vaginal bleeding, and level of maternal serum AFP were analyzed, by stepwise logistic regression, the presence of a notch was found to be the only significant factor (odds ratio 6.95, 95% confidence interval 1.24 to 39.10) for the development of an adverse outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal uterine artery Doppler findings are associated with an increased frequency of adverse obstetric outcomes in women with unexplained elevated maternal serum AFP levels. Abnormal Doppler findings demonstrated high sensitivity for the development of preeclampsia but were less sensitive in predicting other outcomes. the presence of a uterine artery notch is a better independent predictor of adverse outcome than are early vaginal bleeding or maternal serum AFP level.
Complete interocular transfer of an adaptation process responsible for perceptual fluctuations with an ambiguous visual figure

Abstract The rate of apparent change (RAC) was determined for the perceptual fluctuations which occur with a moving ambiguous figure. The RAC increased with viewing time, attaining a maximum after about 3 min. This increase of RAC with viewing time, during monocular observation, transferred 100 per cent to the contralateral eye. The complete interocular transfer indicates that the physiological process which causes perceptual fluctuations is not located in the retina but in a central pathway common to the two eyes. This physiological process appears to be a type of neural adaptation which affects a given perception only during the time when that perception is occurring. This central adaptation process is most dramatically demonstrated with ambiguous stimuli, because of the resulting perceptual rivalry, but the process probably operates to some extent in all visual sensations and perceptions. Its possible roˆle in other visual phenomena, such as the disappearance of stabilized retinal images, is discussed.
Transition operator equations for the coupled reaction channels many-body scattering formalism

Adhikari has pointed out that the coupled reaction channels many-body scattering equations can be interpreted as a projected version of a formally exact set of dynamical equations. This provides a new basis for calculating the corrections due to three-body breakup processes. To establish a convenient framework for such analyses, we recast the formalism into transition operator equation form. We observe that the integral equations that result are not independent of each other. This defect is remedied by a formal decoupling procedure. The resulting equations are antisymmetrized and projected onto a finite basis. 1983 PACS number: 24.10.Cm
Protease-activated receptor-2 exerts contrasting model-specific effects on acute experimental pancreatitis

Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) is a 7-transmembrane G-protein-coupled tethered ligand receptor that is expressed by pancreatic acinar and ductal cells. It can be physiologically activated by trypsin. Previously reported studies (Namkung, W., Han, W., Luo, X., Muallem, S., Cho, K. H., Kim, K. H., and Lee, M. G. (2004) Gastroenterology 126, 1844–1859; Sharma, A., Tao, X., Gopal, A., Ligon, B., Andrade-Gordon, P., Steer, M. L., and Perides, G. (2005) Am. J. Physiol. 288, G388–G395) have shown that PAR2 activation exerts a protective effect on the experimental model of pancreatitis induced by supramaximal secretagogue (caerulein) stimulation. We now show that PAR2 exerts a worsening effect on a different model of experimental pancreatitis, i.e. one induced by retrograde pancreatic ductal infusion of bile salts. In vitro studies using freshly prepared pancreatic acini show that genetic deletion of PAR2 reduces bile salt-induced pathological calcium transients, acinar cell injury, and activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, whereas genetic deletion of PAR2 has the opposite or no effect on these pancreatitis-related events when they are elicited, in vitro, by caerulein stimulation. Studies employing a combination of trypsin inhibition and activation of PAR2 with the activating peptide SLIGRL show that all these differences indeed depend on the activation of PAR2. These studies are the first to report that a single perturbation can have model-specific and opposite effects on pancreatitis, and they underscore the importance of performing mechanistic pancreatitis studies using two dissimilar models of the disease to detect idiosyncratic, model-specific events. We suggest PAR2 activation exerts a worsening effect on the severity of clinical pancreatitis and that interventions interfering with PAR2 activation may be of benefit in the treatment of patients with severe pancreatitis.
Gas Jet–Workpiece Interactions in Laser Machining

Laser machining efficiency and quality are closely related to gas pressure, nozzle geometry, and standoff distance. Modeling studies of laser machining rarely incorporate gas effects in part because of the complex structure and turbulent nature of jet flow. In this paper, the interaction of a supersonic, turbulent axisymmetric jet with the workpiece is studied. Numerical simulations are carried out using an explicit, coupled solution algorithm with solution-based mesh adaptation. The model is able to make quantitative predictions of the pressure, mass flow rate as well as shear force at the machining front. Effect of gas pressure and nozzle standoff distance on structure of the supersonic shock pattern is studied. Experiments are carried out to study the effect of processing parameters such as gas pressure and standoff distance. The measured results are found to match and hence validate the simulations. The interaction of the oblique incident shock with the normal standoff shock is found to contribute to a large reduction in the total pressure at the machining front and when the nozzle pressure is increased beyond a certain point. The associated reduction in flow rate, fluctuations of pressure gradient and shear force at the machining front could lower the material removal capability of the gas jet and possibly result in a poorer surface finish. The laser cutting experiments show that the variation of cut quality are affected by shock structures and can be represented by the mass flow rate. @S1087-1357~00!01702-0#
Rejuvenation of periosteal chondrogenesis using local growth factor injection.

Summary Objective To examine the potential for rejuvenation of aged periosteum by local injection of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) alone or in combination to induce cambium cell proliferation and enhance in vitro periosteal cartilage formation. Methods A total of 367 New Zealand white rabbits (6, 12, and 24+ month-old) received subperiosteal injections of TGF-β1 and/or IGF-1 percutaneously. After 1, 3, 5, or 7 days, the rabbits were sacrificed and cambium cellularity or in vitro cartilage forming capacity was determined. Results A significant increase in cambium cellularity and thickness, and in vitro cartilage formation was observed after injection of TGF-β1 alone or in combination with IGF-1. In 12 month-old rabbits, mean cambium cellularity increased 5-fold from 49 to 237cells/mm and in vitro cartilage production increased 12-fold from 0.8 to 9.7mg 7 days after TGF-β1 (200ng) injection compared to vehicle controls ( P in vitro cartilage production ( R 2 =0.98). An added benefit of IGF-1 plus TGF-β1 on in vitro cartilage production compared to TGF-β1 alone was observed in the 2 year-old rabbits. IGF-1 alone generally had no effect on either cambium cellularity or in vitro cartilage production in any of the age groups. Conclusions These results clearly demonstrate that it is possible to increase cambium cellularity and in vitro cartilage production in aged rabbit periosteum, to levels comparable to younger rabbits, using local injection of TGF-β1 alone or in combination with IGF-1, thereby rejuvenating aged periosteum.
Worker compensation and macroeconomic shocks in service- and goods-producing sectors

Identifying the differing reactions of service- and goods-producing industries' employee earnings to shocks to real output growth, inflation, and the stance of monetary policy will help firms better manage their supply chain operations. Operations managers regularly take into account the differences between the manufacturing and service sectors with issues related to demand, inventory and logistics. To date, however, differences in compensation between these sectors have not been fully taken into account. In this paper, the relationship among these earnings time series and the aggregate measures of economic activity is examined in the context of generalised impulse response functions generated from a vector autoregression (Koop et al., 1996; Pesaran and Shin, 1998). Results from the time series analysis indicate that the response of compensation varies by industry. For example, monetary policy shocks tend to raise the growth rate in compensation in both the service sector and the goods-producing sector but the former effect is more pronounced.
Lipid monolayers: surface potential of dipalmitoyllecithin with regard to ion sorption and Ca2+ binding

Abstract In line with previous work, the surface potential of commercial preparations of dipalmitoyllecithin on aqueous support increased in the order water 2 . This effect, indicating counterion binding on acidic sites, was not observed, however, after purification of lecithin on a silicic acid column. The potentials that previous authors attributed to fixed dipoles of the lipid do not exist. The increased potentials of dipalmitoyllecithin on CaCl 2 solutions in comparison with NaCl were the effect of interaction of Ca 2+ with the fixed charges of acidic contaminants present in ordinary preparations of the otherwise neutral phospholipid. The electrical potential of the Gouy diffuse double layer found in monolayers of the neutral phospholipid is indeed produced by ionic impurities. The claim that the fixed dipoles have large potentials comparable to those of fixed charges is thus incorrect. The fallacy is caused by a fundamental error in the theory of surface potentials at the point where the formalism of the parallel plate capacitor, requiring free charges, is applied to the treatment of uncharged dipoles, which are systems of neutralized charges.
A geometrical theory of diffraction for crack-opening displacements

Abstract We present a geometrical theory of diffraction which predicts the crack-opening displacements associated with the scattering of waves by a crack in a homogeneous, isotropic, linearly elastic medium. For the two-dimensional problem of scattering of plane waves by a crack of finite width, this theory agrees with the leading-order term in the asymptotic expansion of the exact solution. This theory fails at caustics. For the problem of scattering of a normally incident planer wave with liongitu dinal motions by a penny-shaped crack, this theory, when corrected for the presence of the caustic, agrees very well with numerical results.
Climate Change Projections in CESM1(CAM5) Compared to CCSM4

AbstractFuture climate change projections for phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) are presented for the Community Earth System Model version 1 that includes the Community Atmospheric Model version 5 [CESM1(CAM5)]. These results are compared to the Community Climate System Model, version 4 (CCSM4) and include simulations using the representative concentration pathway (RCP) mitigation scenarios, and extensions for those scenarios beyond 2100 to 2300. Equilibrium climate sensitivity of CESM1(CAM5) is 4.10°C, which is higher than the CCSM4 value of 3.20°C. The transient climate response is 2.33°C, compared to the CCSM4 value of 1.73°C. Thus, even though CESM1(CAM5) includes both the direct and indirect effects of aerosols (CCSM4 had only the direct effect), the overall climate system response including forcing and feedbacks is greater in CESM1(CAM5) compared to CCSM4. The Atlantic Ocean meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) in CESM1(CAM5) weakens considerably in the twenty-first c...
Review of Giant cell arteritis

Giant-cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic autoimmune disease affecting primarily the elderly. Giant cell arteritis can cause sudden and potentially bilateral sequential vision loss in the elderly. Therefore, it is considered a medical emergency in ophthalmology and a significant cause of morbidity in an increasingly aging population. Ophthalmologists need to be able to recognize the classic symptoms and signs of this disease, and then be able to work-up and treat these patients in an efficient manner. An in-depth review of GCA from the literature as well as personal clinical experience follows.
The Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 Exhibits a Common Secondary Structure in Green Algae and Flowering Plants

Sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS-2) regions of the nuclear rDNA repeats from 111 organisms of the family Volvocaceae (Chlorophyta) and unicellular organisms of the Volvocales, including Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, were determined. The use of thermodynamic energy optimization to generate secondary structures and phylogenetic comparative analysis of the spacer regions revealed a common secondary structure that is conserved despite wide intra- and interfamilial primary sequence divergence. The existence of this conserved higher-order structure is supported by the presence of numerous compensating basepair changes as well as by an evolutionary history of insertions and deletions that nevertheless maintains major aspects of the overall structure. Furthermore, this general structure is preserved across broad phylogenetic lines, as it is observed in the ITS-2s of other chlorophytes, including flowering plants; previous reports of common ITS-2 secondary structures in other eukaryotes were restricted to the order level. The reported ITS-2 structure possesses important conserved structural motifs which may help to mediate cleavages in the ITS-2 that occur during rRNA transcript processing. Their recognition can guide further studies of eukaryotic rRNA processing, and their application to sequence alignments may contribute significantly to the value of ITS-2 sequences in phylogenetic analyses at several taxonomic levels, but particularly in characterizing populations and species.
Kinetics of solution hardening

The flow stress of solution hardened single crystals and polycrystals is analyzed with respect to its dependence on temperature and strain rate. An evaluation of literature data, especially at low temperatures and low concentrations in fcc alloys, reveals that the interaction between dislocations and discrete, atomic-sized obstacles (or fixed clusters of them) cannot be responsible for solution hardening. A “trough” model is favored in which the effect of the solutes is postulated to be equivalent to a continuous locking of the dislocations along their entire length, during every waiting period. The macroscopic features of this model are similar to Suzuki’s chemical-hardening model. It can also explain the strong interaction of solution hardening and strain hardening at elevated temperatures, as well as basic features of dynamic strain-aging, in particular its strain dependence.
Bilateral multilocular cysts of the kidneys

Abstract This is a case report of a patient with bilateral, nonsynchronous multilocular cysts of the kidneys, indicating that unilaterality should not be a criterion of this entity.