cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Initial yielding and fracture in notched sheet molybdenum

Abstract The initial yielding and fracture initiation behavior of wrought stress-relieved and recrystallized molybdenum was investigated at room temperature. The effect of notch severity and grain size on the nature of plastic flow in notched sheet tensile specimens was investigated by means of photoelastic coatings. The nature of fracture initiation in notched sheet tensile specimens was studied through the use of pre-polished and etched tandem notch specimens. Application of the Griffith-Orowan theory for crack propagation and the Cottrell criterion for crack initiation reveal that the effective surface energies for crack propagation and crack initiation are of the same order of magnitude, which is 103 ergs/cm2. This finding is supported by the experimental observation that no microcracks were found. Plastic flow regions determined experimentally from the photoelastic coating studies were shown to be in good agreement, both qualitatively and quantitatively, with theoretical results predicted by elastic-plastic stress analyses. Initial yielding at the notch root was found to occur at the same nominal stress level for the given material condition, independent of the magnitude of the stress concentration factor. This nominal stress in the notch section was very nearly equal to the smooth tensile yield stress.
Calcineurin expression, activation, and function in cardiac pressure-overload hypertrophy.

Background—Vascular hypertension resulting in increased cardiac load is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy and is a leading predicator for progressive heart disease. The molecular signaling pathways that respond to increases in cardiac load are poorly understood. One potential regulator of the hypertrophic response is the calcium-sensitive phosphatase calcineurin. Methods and Results—We showed that calcineurin enzymatic activity is increased 3.2-fold in the heart in response to pressure-overload hypertrophy induced by abdominal aortic banding in the rat. Western blot analysis further demonstrates that calcineurin A (catalytic subunit) protein content and association with calmodulin are increased in response to pressure-overload hypertrophy. This increase in calcineurin protein content was prevented by administration of the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A (CsA). CsA administration attenuated load-induced cardiac hypertrophy in a dose-dependent manner over a 14-day treatment protocol. CsA adm...
The Distribution of Descents in Fixed Conjugacy Classes of the Symmetric Groups

The distribution of descents in a fixed conjugacy class ofSnis studied and it is shown that its moments have a remarkable property. This is proven two ways: one via generating functions and the other via a combinatorial algorithm. This leads to an asymptotic normality theorem for the number of descents and major index in conjugacy classes ofSnwith large cycles.
Mixed convection over a vertical zircaloy plate in steam with simultaneous oxidation

Abstract An analytical study is made of the quasi-steady, laminar, binary boundary layer flow of steam and hydrogen over a vertical Zircaloy plate under conditions pertinent to the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor accident. The experimentally observed oxidation rate law is modified to account for the possible presence of hydrogen in steam outside the boundary layer and for variable plate temperatures. The oxidation of Zircaloy gives rise to a small suction velocity of the steam-hydrogen mixture at the cladding surface. Details of the longitudinal and transverse components of the velocity profiles, temperature, and hydrogen concentration profiles across the binary boundary layer are presented as well as longitudinal distributions of wall suction velocity, wall shear, and wall temperature. A parametric study of the effect of surface radiative heat loss was made, using recently reported data on the radiation heat transfer coefficient. Correlations are proposed for the local wall temperature rise and for the local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers.
Hall viscosity: A link between quantum Hall systems, plasmas and liquid crystals

Abstract In this Letter, the assumption of two simple postulates is shown to give rise to a Hall viscosity term via an action principle formulation. The rationale behind the two postulates is clearly delineated, and the connections to an intrinsic angular momentum are emphasized. By employing this methodology, it is shown that Hall viscosity appears in a wide range of fields, and the interconnectedness of quantum Hall systems, plasmas and nematic liquid crystals is hypothesized. Potential avenues for experimental and theoretical work arising from this cross-fertilization are also indicated.
Chemical and isotopic prediction of aquifer temperatures in the geothermal system at Long Valley, California

Abstract Temperatures of aquifers feeding thermal springs and wells in Long Valley, California, estimated using silica and Na-K-Ca geothermometers and warm spring mixing models, range from 160/dg to about 220°C. This information was used to construct a diagram showing enthalpy-chloride relations for the various thermal waters in the Long Valley region. The enthalpy-chloride information suggests that a 282 ± 10° C aquifer with water containing about 375 mg chloride per kilogram of water is present somewhere deep in the system. That deep water would be related to ∼ 220°C Casa Diablo water by mixing with cold water, and to Hot Creek water by first boiling with steam loss and then mixing with cold water. Oxygen and deuterium isotopic data are consistent with that interpretation. An aquifer at 282°C with 375 mg/kg chloride implies a convective heat flow in Long Valley of 6.6 × 10 7 cal/s.
Observation of nuclear hyperfine splitting in the infrared vibration—rotation absorption spectrum of the no molecule

Abstract Nuclear hyperfine splitting of several absorption lines in the Q branch of the fundamental 2 Π 1 2 vibration—rotation band of 14 N 16 O has been observed using a turnable PbSSe semiconductor laser operating near 5.4μm
The effect of salts on the viscosity of solutions of polyacrylic acid

Abstract 1. 1. The viscosity of polyacrylic acid solutions has been studied as a function of concentration of added sodium chloride and degree of neutralization at a given concentration of polymer. 2. 2. The viscosity of PAA solutions has been measured as a function of concentration of sodium chloride and concentration of polymer at a given degree of neutralization. 3. 3. The effect of salts other than sodium chloride was found to depend on the charge and concentration of the cation rather than on ionic strength. A doubly charged cation is much more effective than a univalent positive ion. 4. 4. An empirical expression [1] was found to express the viscosity as a function of salt concentration which was valid at least for low salt concentrations. 5. 5. Empirical expressions were found for the variation of the parameter in the relationship mentioned in Item 4 with concentration of polymer. 6. 6. A comparison of the various theories explaining the behavior of PAA solutions was made.
Cloning and characterization of cDNAs coding for Vicia faba polyphenol oxidase

Three cDNA clones were isolated which code for the ubiquitous chloroplast enzyme, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), from Vicia faba. Analysis of the cloned DNA reveals that PPO is synthesized with an N-terminal extension of 92 amino acid residues, presumed to be a transit peptide. The mature protein is predicted to have a molecular mass of 58 kDa which is in close agreement to the molecular mass estimated for the in vivo protein upon SDS-PAGE. Differences in the DNA sequence of two full-length and one partial cDNA clones indicate that PPO is encoded by a gene family. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence shows that the chloroplast PPO shares homology with the 59 kDa PPOs in glandular trichomes of solanaceous species. A high degree of sequence conservation was found with the copper-binding domains of the 59 kDa tomato PPO as well as hemocyanins and tyrosinases from a wide diversity of taxa.
Geochemistry of a silicified, felsic volcaniclastic suite from the early Archaean Panorama Formation, Pilbara Block, Western Australia: an evaluation of depositional and post-depositional processes with special emphasis on the rare-earth elements

Abstract Many elements in a suite of pervasively silicified, dacitic volcaniclastic and volcanic rocks from the early Archaean Panorama Formation, Warrawoona Group, Western Australia, were strongly depleted or enriched relative to those in equivalent unaltered units during widespread, post-depositional metasomatism. The present compositions of the altered rocks are dominated by Al 2 O 3 , K 2 O, and SiO 2 and lie on or close to a quartz-sericite mixing line. The Al contents were probably inherited from the original dacitic rocks while Si, some K and possibly Rb may have been introduced during metasomatism. The elements Mg, Ca, Na and, to a lesser extent, Fe, Mn, and Sr, have been depleted relative to Al during alteration whereas silica has been greatly enriched. The high and variable Ba concentrations suggest that Ba, like Si, was introduced during silicification. The REE and Th were relatively immobile during alteration, and were diluted during silicification in the same proportion as Al. Most of the rocks represent detrital sand- and silt-sized felsic tephra, debris eroded from felsic volcanic rocks or ash-fall deposits that underwent a short interval of transport and deposition dominated by physical rather than chemical processes. A few siltstones contain clay minerals that probably formed by the chemical weathering of Warrawoona Group basalts. The siltstones have lower Th and La concentrations, lower La Lu ratios, and higher Sc and Cr concentrations than felsic rocks in the suite. Regional alteration pervasively silicified the original sediments shortly after deposition. The replacement mineral assemblage indicates a maximum temperature for hydrothermal alteration of about 350°C. Because of the lack of chemical weathering and the low temperature of post-depositional alteration, REE abundances in volcaniclastic rocks of the Panorama Formation reflect their felsic volcanic provenance and are interpreted to have preserved a relict magmatic signature. The lack of a negative Eu anomaly and high La Lu ratio (chondrite-normalized ratio is 7 to 39) suggest that magmas of the Panorama Formation formed by direct melting of an eclogite residue without subsequent crystallization of feldspar during the commencement of cratonization of the Pilbara Block. This origin differs from the origin of some other silicic volcanic rocks of the Duffer Formation, representing earlier felsic volcanic activity of the Warrawoona Group, that were produced by fractional crystallization from basaltic parents. This suggests a polygenetic origin for felsic magmas of the Warrawoona Group.
Factors associated with dental caries experience in 1-year-old children.

OBJECTIVES Dental caries in early childhood is an important public health problem. Previous studies have examined risk factors, but they have focused on children during the later stages of the disease process. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors associated with caries in children aged 6 to 24 months as part of a cross-sectional analysis. METHODS Two hundred twelve mothers with children 6 to 24 months of age were recruited from Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children clinic sites in southeastern Iowa for participation in a longitudinal study of dental caries. Baseline assessments included detailed questions regarding the children's beverage consumption, oral hygiene, and family socioeconomic status. Dental caries examinations using the d(1)d(2-3)f criteria and semiquantitative assessments of salivary mutans streptococci (MS) levels of mother and child were also conducted. Counts of the number of teeth with visible plaque were recorded for maxillary and mandibular molars and incisors. RESULTS Of the 212 child/mother pairs, 187 children had teeth. Among these children, the mean age was 14 months, and 23 of the children exhibited either d(1), d(2-3), or filled lesions. Presence of caries was significantly associated with older age, presence of MS in children, family income <$25,000 per year, and proportion of teeth with visible plaque. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that not only microbial measures, including MS and plaque levels, are closely associated with caries in very young children, but that other age-related factors may also be associated with caries. Continued study is necessary to more fully assess the risk factors for caries prevalence and incidence in preschool children.
Historical mass, power, schedule, and cost growth for NASA science instruments

In the early stages of NASA instrument development, science instruments are typically the most nascent part of any NASA mission development. As the building of spacecraft become less challenging for a mature industry, NASA's continual need to push the cutting edge of science requires the revolutionary and evolutionary development of instruments to meet science requirements. Instruments then face substantial issues that can result in significant increases in mass, power, cost, and schedule. Although previous studies have identified such issues, there are few industry standard reserve/contingency design and programmatic guidelines for instruments. This paper compares historical mass, power, cost, and schedule growth to industry reserve guidelines while offering potential recommendations to minimize instrument mass, power, cost, and schedule growth for future missions.
PATTERNS OF CHANGE OF PRECIPITATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Abstract Because of its relative insensitivity to changes of station location and to such natural phenomena as volcanic activity, precipitation is a promising weather element for the study of secular changes of the general circulation. A study of the precipitation records for individual stations, smoothed by the use of decadal moving averages, suggests that the prominent precipitation trends are continuous in time and space. A preliminary synoptic study of the interdecadal changes of average precipitation reveals details of the circulation changes in regard to cyclonic activity and moisture supply.
PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF ANABAENA VARIABILIS (CYANOPHYCEAE) TO INSTANTANEOUS EXPOSURE TO VARIOUS COMBINATIONS OF LIGHT INTENSITY AND TEMPERATURE1

Light intensity and temperature interactions have a complex effect on the physiological process rates of the filamentous bluegreen alga Anabaena variabilis Kutz. The optimum temperature for photosynthesis increased with increasing light intensity from 10°C at 42 μE·m−2·s−1 to 35°C at 562 μE·m−2·s−1. The light saturation parameter, IK, increased with increasing temperatures. The maximum photosynthetic rate (2.0 g C·g dry wt.−1·d−1) occurred at 35°C and 564 μE·m−2·s−1. At 15°C, the maximum rate was 1.25 g C·g dry wt.−1·d−1 at 332 μE·m−2·s−1. The dark respiration rate increased exponentially with temperature. Under favorable conditions of light intensity and temperature the percent of extracellular release of dissolved organic carbon was less than 5% of the total C fixed. This release increased to nearly 40% under combinations of low light intensity and high temperature. A mathematical model was developed to simulate the interaction of light intensity and temperature on photosynthetic rate. The interactive effects were represented by making the light-saturation parameters a function of temperature.
Progress toward re‐engineering non‐ribosomal peptide synthetase proteins: a potential new source of pharmacological agents

Many important pharmaceutical agents, including vancomycin, bleomycin, cyclosporin, and several antibiotics, are produced by non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) enzymes in microorganisms. The NRPS pathway produces an extensive library of products using multienzyme complexes acting in an assembly-line fashion. Engineering an NRPS system to produce an even greater variety of products, some of which may also have beneficial therapeutic value, would be an enormous advantage. Several approaches have been successful in generating novel NRPS products: mutational biosynthesis during which nonnatural substrates are fed to an organism; domain and module swapping between different species to generate hybrid enzymes; and rational site-directed mutagenesis, based either on phylogeny or computational prediction, intended to switch substrate specificity and produce altered products. This review will highlight the progress in these areas and describe research in the future that will extend the capacity for re-engineering NRPS systems. Drug Dev. Res. 66:9–18, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Bribery and extortion in international business: Ethical perceptions of greeks compared to americans

This study investigates the differences in he way bribery and extortion is perceived by two different cultures — American and Greek. Two hundred and forty American business students and two hundred and four Greek business students were presented with three scenarios describing a businessman offering a bribe to a government official and three scenarios describing a businessman being forced to pay a bribe to an official in order to do business. The Reidenbach-Robin instrument was used to measure the ethical reactions of the two samples to these scenarios. Results indicate that ethical reactions to bribery and extortion vary by (a) the nationality of the person offering the bribe, and (b) the country where the bribe is offered. In addition, Greeks perceived some of the scenarios as being less unethical than did Americans.
Axisymmetric free surface seepage

Seepage through porous media in most instances is not a two-dimensional flow phenomenon. One such situation which is investigated herein is the flow from a pond with a bottom formed by the rotation of a curve consisting of a small segment being horizontal and the remainder being an arbitrary convex shaped curve. The approach used to solve this free surface axisymmetric seepage problem is an alternating iteration scheme in conjunction with the Baiocchi transformation and method. The problem is split into two overlapping regions, one in which the free surface is treated and the other in which the singularity is treated. This approach does not require moving meshes and allows a very general prescribed shape for the pond boundary. The numerical approach to the reformulated seepage problem is presented along with several numerical results and comparisons. Also presented is a proof of uniqueness of the solution for such problems provided we make a certain smoothness assumption for the free surface. The alternating iteration scheme is proved to converge provided existence and certain smoothness for the iterates and for their "free surfaces" are assumed. The iterates involved are solutions of certain complementarity systems. The existence and regularity of these solutions is not investigated in this paper.
Cutting performance and chemical characterization of TiC-coated carbide cutting tools

Abstract The adhesion of TiC thin films deposited by an r.f. sputter deposition process on complex carbide cutting tool materials was investigated. The chemical compositions of the film-substrate interface and of the substrate surface were determined and related to substrate preparation techniques before film deposition via ion scattering spectrometric techniques. Previous investigators noted the deleterious effect of cobalt on machining performance. We found that sputter etching prior to deposition resulted in cobalt depletion at the surface. This is the first time that the relationship between cobalt depletion and the adhesional characteristics and cutting performance of TiC-coated cutting tools has been reported. In this comparative study for substrate preparation we found that the cobalt-depleted surfaces exhibited significant adhesional characteristics for the deposited films with minimal spallation and significantly improved cutting performance.
Did Euclid's elements, book I, develop geometry axiomatically?

Historians are fond of repeating that Euclid developed geometry on an axiomatic b sis, but the wonder is that any mathematician who has looked t The Elements would agree with this. Anyone w o looks t The Elements with modern hindsight sees that something is wrong; but we have al be told in our childhood that Euclid d the ax omatic method, so t e usual r acti n s to speak of "gaps". This word is ardly right, though if h re w s noth ng there in the first place. Could it b tha , by insisting on the axio atic basis, we are viewing The Elements from a false perspective and seeing its accomplishm nts in a bad light? This is precisely wh t I intend to prove. e Greeks of Euclid's time l had the axiomatic method ; Aristotle's description of it can be consi ered a close approximation to our own. Or better yet, one may consider Eudoxus' theory of agn tude as presented in Book V of The Elements', the procedure there discl sed is pretty much i accordance with our vi w of what an axiomatic development houl be. It is known, however,
Studies for laser densification of ceramic coating

Abstract A mathematical analysis describing the densification of ceramic coating processed with a moving TEM00, mode laser beam has been presented in this paper. Calculations of the depth of the heat affected zone in ZrO2, A12O3 and TiO2 ceramic substances is performed by adopting a three-dimensional quasi-steady state heat conduction model based on the mechanism of viscous solid-phase densification. Also, a working range for these ceramics coating densification is predicted by varying the laser beam power, spot size and scanning velocity. The heat-affected layer in ZrO2 compact is found to be confined within a depth of 50 μm from the surface and it is fully densified for grains of initial radius 5 μm. A simple expression for temperature distribution is presented, which is found to provide sufficiently accurate estimates within a limited region around the laser spot.
Gravitational Instability of a Turbulent Medium

CHANDRASEKHAR has derived in a very elegant manner1, from his theory of density fluctuations in an isotropic homogeneous turbulence field2, the generalization to a turbulent medium of Jeans's criterion for the stability against inhomogeneity of an infinite quiescent homogeneous medium. The expression which he obtains may be written: where λ is the critical length for stability, c is the speed of sound in the medium, θ the temperature, m the mass of a gas molecule, and ū2 the mean square velocity of the turbulence field.
Mineral physics: The spin deep within

The electronic configuration of iron impurities in lower-mantle minerals influences their physical properties, but it is not well constrained. New studies suggest that ferrous iron in silicate phases exists mainly in an intermediate spin state.
Reliability Analysis of Repairable Systems With Dependent Component Failures Under Partially Perfect Repair

Existing reliability models for repairable systems with a single component can be well applied for a range of repair actions from perfect repair to minimal repair. Establishing reliability models for multi-component repairable systems, however, is still a challenge problem when considering the dependency of component failures. This paper focuses on a special repair assumption, called partially perfect repair, for repairable systems with dependent component failures, where only the failed component is repaired to as good as new condition. A parametric reliability model is proposed to capture the statistical dependency among different component failures, in which the joint distribution of the latent component failure time is established using copula functions. The model parameters are estimated by using the maximum likelihood method, and the maximum likelihood function is calculated based on the conditional probability. Based on the proposed reliability model, statistical hypothesis testing procedures are developed to determine the dependency of component failures. The developed methods are illustrated with an application in a cylinder head assembling cell that consists of multiple stations.
The phlebectomy probe: a new and useful instrument for ambulatory phlebectomy.

Background. Tethering of varicose veins by periadventitial connective tissue can limit the length of vein segment that can be avulsed during ambulatory phlebectomy. A thin, malleable blunt probe is described which can dissect connective tissue adhesions surrounding varicose veins. This probe can be used as an endoluminal probe to localize elusive veins. Objective. We describe the use of a new type of phlebectomy probe for periadventitial dissection and endoluminal probing during ambulatory phlebectomy. Methods. The techniques of periadventitial dissection and endoluminal probing are reviewed. Results. The phlebectomy probe seems to permit extraction of longer segments of varicose veins after releasing periadventitial adhesions. Endoluminal probing can assist in difficult localization of venous segments. Conclusion. The phlebectomy probe can be helpful for releasing periadventitial adhesions that tether varicose veins. Its application is simple and can result in increased length of avulsed varicose vein segments, thereby reducing the number of incisions needed.
Inspection Contrasting Self-Pacing and Machine Pacing:

Fifteen students worked for two hours inspecting pennies. Each subject performed under 90, 100, 110, 120, and 130% (of self-paced) and self-paced, in random order. As pacing rate increased the percentage of hits increased but the hit rate increased only1 10% while pacing increased 44%. Thus, faster pacing does increase production but at the expense of quality. Judged difficulty from 90% of self paced to 130% increased from “fairly easy” to “very hard.”
Simulation and Experimental Study of Multiple-Fibers Per Voxel Detection by ICA in DTI Tractography

The estimate of the eigen vector within a voxel for DTI tractography becomes incorrect when conventional single rank-2 tensor modeling is used in voxels likely to contain two or more intersecting fibers. This paper investigates the applicability of Independent Component Analysis (ICA) to estimate individual tensors when two or three intersecting fibers are present within a voxel. After establishing non-gaussianity of the Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) signals, a Monte Carlo simulation study was conducted to show the accuracy of recovering the orientations of two or three tensors (fibers) mixed within a voxel as a function of the crossing angles and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Results suggest reasonable recovery of crossing angles above 20 deg at the typical SNR encountered in clinical 3T scanners for 25-gradient directions DTI data acquired in less than 8 min. Preliminary results of human brain tractography incorporating two or three ICA components in voxels likely to contain fiber-crossing show continuity in regions where single tensor tractography shows gaps attributed to fiber-crossing.
Searching API usage examples in code repositories with sourcerer API search

We present Sourcerer API Search (SAS), a search interface to find API usage examples in large code repositories. SAS facilitates finding API usage examples by providing three unique features: (i) code snippets view for each result that shows the portions of code where APIs are used; (ii) Tag-cloud view of popular words to facilitate query reformulation, and (iii) filtering results using APIs to narrow search results. Furthermore, SAS uses a code index where each code entity is indexed with terms not only found in the entity but also in other entities having similar API usage. These features make SAS a novel search interface to find API usage examples in code repositories.
Implantation of Ferumoxides Labeled Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Cartilage Defects

The field of tissue engineering integrates the principles of engineering, cell biology and medicine towards the regeneration of specific cells and functional tissue. Matrix associated stem cell implants (MASI) aim to regenerate cartilage defects due to arthritic or traumatic joint injuries. Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to differentiate into cells of the chondrogenic lineage and have shown promising results for cell-based articular cartilage repair technologies. Autologous MSCs can be isolated from a variety of tissues, can be expanded in cell cultures without losing their differentiation potential, and have demonstrated chondrogenic differentiation in vitro and in vivo1, 2. In order to provide local retention and viability of transplanted MSCs in cartilage defects, a scaffold is needed, which also supports subsequent differentiation and proliferation. The architecture of the scaffold guides tissue formation and permits the extracellular matrix, produced by the stem cells, to expand. Previous investigations have shown that a 2% agarose scaffold may support the development of stable hyaline cartilage and does not induce immune responses3. Long term retention of transplanted stem cells in MASI is critical for cartilage regeneration. Labeling of MSCs with iron oxide nanoparticles allows for long-term in vivo tracking with non-invasive MR imaging techniques4. This presentation will demonstrate techniques for labeling MSCs with iron oxide nanoparticles, the generation of cell-agarose constructs and implantation of these constructs into cartilage defects. The labeled constructs can be tracked non-invasively with MR-Imaging.
The structure of disfluency behaviors in the speech of adult stutterers.

Throughout the stuttering literature numerous references to a twofold classification of disfluency types are found. However, no rigorous empirical test of that dichotomous classification has been r...
A new γ‐interferon‐inducible promoter and splice variants of an anti‐angiogenic human tRNA synthetase

Two forms of human tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS) are produced in vivo through alternative mRNA splicing. The two forms, full-length TrpRS and mini TrpRS, are catalytically active, but are distinguished by the striking anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic activity specific to mini TrpRS. Here we describe two new splice variants of human TrpRS mRNA. Their production was strongly regulated by gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma), an anti-proliferative cytokine known to stimulate the expression of other anti-angiogenic factors. A new IFN-gamma-sensitive promoter was demonstrated to drive production of these splice variants. In human endothelial cells, both the newly discovered and a previously reported promoter were shown to respond specifically to IFN-gamma and not to other cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta, interleukin-4 or erythropoietin. In addition, both promoters were stimulated by the 'downstream' interferon regulatory factor 1 that, in turn, is known to be regulated by the 'upstream' signal transducer and activator of transcription 1alpha subunit. Thus, the tandem promoters provide a dual system to regulate expression and alternative splicing of human TrpRS in vivo.
Domestic Violence in an Inner-City ED ☆ ☆☆ ★

Abstract Study objective: To determine the prevalence of domestic violence (DV) for male and female ED patients and to determine the demographics of DV. Methods: The study design was a descriptive written survey of adults. We used the Index of Spouse Abuse (ISA), a previously validated survey tool. The study was set in an inner-city ED with approximately 75,000 patients annually, most of them indigent. Patients 18 years or older who were able to give consent were included. Patients were excluded if they had a language barrier, were a prisoner, or had never had a partner. All patients presenting during 31 randomly selected 4-hour shifts during July 1995 were considered for the study. DV was defined as either physical or nonphysical on the basis of ISA scoring. The prevalence was determined for present (in the preceding year) and past (more than 1 year ago) abuse. Four violence parameters were calculated for patients who had a partner at the time of presentation: present physical, present nonphysical, past physical, and past nonphysical. Only the "past" parameters were calculated for patients who had had a partner in the past but had no partner at the time of presentation. We used the χ 2 test to determine individually significant predictors of the four parameters. Logistic-regression models were constructed to determine the significant predictors of DV. Associations among the present physical, present nonphysical, past physical, and past nonphysical abuse categories were determined with McNemar's test. Results: We enrolled 516 patients, 233 men and 283 women. On the basis of ISA scoring, 14% of men and 22% of women had experienced past nonphysical violence ( P =.02, men versus women), and 28% of men and 33% of women had experienced past physical violence ( P =.35). Of the 157 men and 207 women with partners at the time of presentation, 11% of men and 15% of women reported present nonphysical violence ( P =.20), and 20% of men and 19% of women reported physical violence ( P =.71). Using logistic-regression models, we determined that women experienced significantly more past and present nonphysical violence but not physical violence than men. For all four parameters, the victim's suicidal ideation and alcohol use were independently associated with DV. The victim's family history was strongly associated with past abuse. Using McNemar's test, we found that physical and nonphysical abuse were correlated in the past and present. Conclusion: Using a validated scale, we found that the prevalences of physical DV for men and women are high and that they are not statistically different in this population. Using χ 2 testing, we found that women had experienced significantly more past nonphysical violence than men; using logistic regression we found that they experienced significantly more nonphysical violence (both past and present) than men. DV was frequently associated with suicidal ideation, alcohol use, and family history of violence. [Ernst AA, Nick TG, Weiss SJ, Houry D, Mills T: Domestic violence in an inner-city ED. Ann Emerg Med August 1997;30:190-197.]
P1–25: CW microwave radiation source from Micro-Hollow Cathode plasma Discharge

A continuous-wave microwave radiation source is under investigation using Micro-Hollow Cathode Discharge (MHCD) technology. Arrays of grooves, 50 microns in diameter and ∼3 mm long have been fabricated to contain the plasma discharge. Argon discharge in the resonance cavity has been observed at atmospheric pressure. The turn-on voltage was observed to be 400V (383µA). Lowering the voltage to 310V (∼100µA) extinguished the plasma. Increasing the applied voltage to 400V (430µA), a broad-spectrum radiation with center frequency at 131MHz was measured.
Solvent friction changes the folding pathway of the tryptophan zipper TZ2.

Because the rate of a diffusional process such as protein folding is controlled by friction encountered along the reaction pathway, the speed of folding is readily tunable through adjustment of solvent viscosity. The precise relationship between solvent viscosity and the rate of diffusion is complex and even conformation-dependent, however, because both solvent friction and protein internal friction contribute to the total reaction friction. The heterogeneity of the reaction friction along the folding pathway may have subtle consequences. For proteins that fold on a multidimensional free-energy surface, an increase in solvent friction may drive a qualitative change in folding trajectory. Our time-resolved experiments on the rapidly and heterogeneously folding β-hairpin TZ2 show a shift in the folding pathway as viscosity increases, even though the energetics of folding is unaltered. We also observe a nonlinear or saturating behavior of the folding relaxation time with rising solvent viscosity, potentially an experimental signature of the shifting pathway for unfolding. Our results show that manipulations of solvent viscosity in folding experiments and simulations may have subtle and unexpected consequences on the folding dynamics being studied.
Melphalan-mediated potentiation of antitumor immune responsiveness of immunosuppressed spleen cells from mice bearing a large MOPC-315 tumor

Administration of a low dose of l-PAM (0.75 mg/kg) to mice bearing a large SC MOPC-315 tumor and extensive metastases led to the development of augmented antitumor immune potential in their hitherto immunosuppressed spleen cells. Such drug-induced potentiation of antitumor immune responsiveness appeared by day 2 after chemotherapy, and it could not be further enhanced but was actually reduced by depletion of glass-adherent cells, a procedure which is effective in depleting the cells known to have inhibitory activity (i.e., macrophages and metastatic tumor cells). To establish that l-PAM can lead to selective in situ abrogation of the inhibitory effectiveness of the splenic macrophages and metastatic tumor cells, we demonstrated that incubation of immunosuppressed tumor-bearer spleen cells with a low concentration of l-PAM in vitro also resulted in augmented antitumor immune potential that could not be further augmented by depletion of glass-adherent cells. l-PAM-mediated enhancement of the antitumor immune potential of immunosuppressed tumor bearer spleen cells was due at least in part to the effects of the drug on the splenic metastatic tumor cells. Isolated tumor cells treated with a low concentration of l-PAM were not only devoid of inhibitory activity for the primary in vitro antitumor immune response by normal spleen cells, but actually manifested a strong immunostimulatory capacity. Thus, l-PAM given at a low dose enhances the development of potent antitumor immunity which brings about the eradication of a large tumorigenic load that remains after the drug has been cleared from the circulation.
Arthroscopic treatment of anterior shoulder instability

Arthroscopic suture anchor repair of anterior instability of the shoulder in the absence of significant bone deficiency can give a very low recurrence rate (4% in the author's series). Significant bone lesions (inverted-pear glenoid or engaging Hill-Sachs) create challenging instability configurations that are not amenable to arthroscopic repair because of high recurrence rates (67% in the author's series). In properly selected patients, arthroscopic suture anchor repair will give results equal to the "gold standard" open Bankart repair.
Effects of fertilizers on virulence of Steinernema carpocapsae

Abstract The effects of three fertilizers (fresh cow manure, composted manure, and urea) were determined on the virulence of Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) against the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.). Nitrogen levels were standardized among fertilizer treatments at two levels (280 and 560 kg ha−1). Urea and fresh manure decreased nematode virulence in laboratory experiments. In field experiments, however, only the fresh manure treatment reduced nematode virulence. In both laboratory and field experiments, composted manure did not affect nematode virulence. Fertilizer effects on virulence of S. carpocapsae were more rapid in a soil with reduced organic matter than in a soil with higher levels of organic matter. Factors causing reduced nematode virulence are discussed.
Visiting Patterns and Effects of Density at a Visitors' Center

Abstract The hypothesis that length of stay at a visitors' center would inversely correlate at a significant level to density was tested and accepted. Seven days of unobtrusive observations were conducted from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during a two-week period in July 1983. A significant negative correlation was found between the daily number of users and the average duration of visit. Visitors arriving in a half-hour time slot with fifty-nine or fewer individuals remained 29 percent longer than those arriving with sixty-five or more. Visitors during the daily peak volume time of 11:30 to 2:30 remained about twenty minutes while those at the lowest volume time stayed thirty-one minutes. Managerial implications are discussed.
Tris(1-4-η4-anthracene)niobate(1−), the first polyaromatic hydrocarbon complex of niobium

The first tris(arene)niobium complex, [Nb(1-4-η4-anthracene)3]−, has been obtained by the sodium or potassium anthracene reduction of NbCl4(THF)2, structurally characterized by X-ray analysis and shown to undergo facile anthracene displacement reactions in the presence of excess CO, PF3, 1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene and P(OMe)3.
Impact of the Doping Method on Conductivity and Thermopower in Semiconducting Polythiophenes

The development of organic semiconductors for use in thermoelectrics requires the optimization of both their thermopower and electrical conductivity. Here two fundamentally different doping mechanisms are used to investigate the thermoelectric properties of known high hole mobility polymers: poly 3-hexylthiophene (P3HT), poly(2,5-bis(3-tetradecylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) (PBTTT-C14), and poly(2,5-bis(thiphen-2-yl)-(3,7-diheptadecantyltetrathienoacene)) (P2TDC17-FT4). The small molecule tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ) is known to effectively dope these polymers, and the thermoelectric properties are studied as a function of the ratio of dopant to polymer repeat unit. Higher electrical conductivity and values of the thermoelectric power factor are achieved by doping with vapor-deposited fluoroalkyl trichlorosilanes. The combination of these data reveals a striking relationship between thermopower and conductivity in thiophene-based polymers over a large range of electrical conductivity that is independent of the means of electrical doping. This relationship is not predicted by commonly used transport models for semiconducting polymers and is demonstrated to hold for other semiconducting polymers as well.
Computer-Mediated Word-of-Mouth Communication on RateMyProfessors.com: Expectancy Effects on Student Cognitive and Behavioral Learning

The purpose of this study was to experimentally test the influence of expectancies formed through computer-mediated word-of-mouth communication (WOM) on student learning. Increasingly, students rely on computer-mediated WOM through sites such as RateMyProfessors.com to aid in the process of information-gathering and course selection. It was hypothesized that students who received positive computer-mediated WOM about a course would demonstrate greater levels of cognitive and behavioral learning than would students who received no information or negative computer-mediated WOM. Results demonstrated the predicted effects for cognitive and behavioral learning. It was further hypothesized that observed expectancy effects would be mediated by affect toward learning. Results supported a partial mediational role for affect in the context of positive expectancies, but not negative expectancies. Results were discussed in terms of the role of computer-mediated WOM in generating expectations, the expectations-affect-behavior hypothesis, and the influence of student expectations on learning outcomes.
Localization of soluble major histocompatibility class II-peptide complexes on T cell surface.

Affinity purified major histocompatibility (MHC)-peptide complexes are heterodimeric cell surface glycoproteins and are known to recognize antigen-specific CD4+ T cell receptors (TCRs). In general, the affinity of MHC-peptide complexes to TCRs are considered very low with a KD of 5 × 10-5 M and, therefore, stabilization of these complexes on T cell surface was not reported earlier. This could be due to (1) incomplete occupancy of MHC molecules with antigenic peptides, (2) variability of the binding constant of peptides to MHC molecules, (3) presence of endogenously bound peptides in MHC preparations, or (4) a combination of these. Using well-characterized HLA-DR2 complex loaded with a high affinity immunodominant epitope analog from human myelin basic protein (MBP), which shows release of γ-IFN by specific stimulation of transformed human T cell clone (SS8T). The present report demonstrates a method for the localization of bound MHC class II-peptide complexes on T cell surface by backscatter electron imaging using in-lens Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The localization is specific to the complex recognized by the TCR on MHC class II (DR2) and MBP peptide restricted human T cells. Microsc. Res. Tech. 50:419–424, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Frequency of critical stenosis in primary arteriovenous fistulae before hemodialysis access: should duplex ultrasound surveillance be the standard of care?

Objective Increasing use of primary arteriovenous fistulae (pAVFs) is a desired goal in hemodialysis patients (National Kidney Foundation /Dialysis Outcome Quality Initiative guidelines). However, in many instances, pAVFs fail to adequately mature due to ill-defined mechanisms. We therefore investigated pAVFs with color duplex ultrasound (CDU) surveillance 4 to 12 weeks postoperatively to identify hemodynamically significant abnormalities that may contribute to pAVF failure. Methods From March 2001 to October 2003, 54 upper extremity pAVFs were subjected to CDU assessment before access. A peak systolic velocity ratio (SVR) of ≥2:1 was used to detect ≥50% stenosis involving arterial inflow and venous outflow, whereas an SVR of ≥3:1 was used to detect ≥50% anastomotic stenosis. CDU findings were compared with preoperative vein mapping and postoperative fistulography when available. Results Of 54 pAVFs, there were 23 brachiocephalic, 14 radiocephalic, and 17 basilic vein transpositions. By CDU surveillance, 11 (20%) were occluded and 14 (26%) were negative. Twenty-nine (54%) pAVFs had 38 hemodynamically significant CDU abnormalities. These included 16 (42%) venous outflow, 13 (34%) anastomotic, and 2 (5%) inflow stenoses. In seven (18%), branch steal with reduced flow was found. In 35 of 54 (65%) pAVFs, preoperative vein mapping was available and demonstrated adequate vein size (≥3 mm) and outflow in 86% of cases. Twenty-one fistulograms (38%) were available for verifying the CDU abnormalities. In each fistulogram, the arterial inflow, anastomosis, and venous outflow were compared with the CDU findings (63 segments). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CDU in detecting pAVF stenoses ≥50% were 93%, 94%, was 97%, respectively. Conclusions Before initiation of hemodialysis, an unexpectedly high prevalence of critical stenoses was found in patent pAVFs using CDU surveillance. These de novo stenoses appear to develop rapidly after arterialization of the upper extremity superficial veins and can be reliably detected by CDU surveillance. Turbulent flow conditions in pAVFs may play a role in inducing progressive vein wall and valve leaflet intimal thickening, although stenoses may be due to venous abnormalities that predate AVF placement. Routine CDU surveillance of pAVFs should be considered to identify and correct flow-limiting stenoses that may compromise pAVF long-term patency and use.
Diabetes meanings among those without diabetes: explanatory models of immigrant Latinos in rural North Carolina.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing in the United States, particularly among minority individuals. Primary prevention programs for diabetes must be designed to address the beliefs of the populations they target. Little research has investigated the beliefs of those who do not have diabetes. This analysis uses in-depth interviews collected from Latino immigrants, not diagnosed with diabetes, living in a rural US community. Structured by the explanatory models [EM] of Illness framework, this analysis delineates the EMs of diabetes in this community. A significant number of the participants had little knowledge and few beliefs about diabetes. The EMs of those with knowledge of diabetes were varied, but several beliefs were widely held:(a) diabetes is a serious disease that is based on heredity or is inherent in all persons, (b) diabetes can result from several factors, including strong emotions and lifestyle characteristics (an unhealthy diet, not taking care of oneself), (c) beliefs about strong emotion and the importance of blood are related to diabetes causes, symptoms and treatment, and (d) a major and undesirable outcome of diabetes is weight loss. These results provide information for the design of health programs for the prevention of type 2 diabetes.