cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Meta-analysis of trials of interventions to improve medication adherence

The effect of tools and methods designed to enhance medication adherence that have been evaluated in randomized controlled trials was studied. A literature search was performed with MEDLINE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, PsychLIT, ERIC, and EMBASE for the period from 1966 to December 2000. Only randomized, controlled trials with at least 10 subjects per intervention group were included. Of 484 articles evaluated, only 61 met the criteria for the meta-analysis. Multiple interventions or study samples were identified in 23 of the articles. Each intervention was counted as a separate study, yielding 95 cohorts totaling 18,922 subjects. Of these subjects, 9,604 (51%) received interventions and 9,318 served as controls. Cohorts reported between 1990 and 1999 accounted for 53% of the sample; 56% of all cohorts were based in physician offices and 26% involved hypertensive patients. Behavioral interventions accounted for 41 cohorts (8,885 subjects), educational interventions for 22 cohorts (6,392 subjects), and combined interventions for 32 cohorts (3,645 subjects). Homogeneity of groupings and effect sizes (ESs) were calculated for each type of intervention. Overall, the data were not homogeneous, so conclusions could not be derived from the entire body of data. The educational intervention and combined intervention cohorts were nonhomogeneous (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively); however, the behavioral intervention cohort was homogeneous (Q = 42.48, d.f. = 40, p = 0.36). The overall ES for behavioral interventions was 0.07 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.04-0.09). There were no significant differences among the behavioral interventions. Educational interventions had an overall ES of 0.11 (95% CI = 0.06-0.15); there were no significant differences among the educational interventions. The overall ES of the combined interventions was 0.08 (95% CI = 0.04-0.12). When stratifying the combined intervention group by type of behavioral intervention, mail reminders had the largest impact (ES = 0.38). Meta-analysis of studies of interventions to improve medication adherence revealed an increase in adherence of 4-11%. No single strategy appeared to be best.
Is the SMC Bound to the LMC? The Hubble Space Telescope Proper Motion of the SMC

We present a measurement of the systemic proper motion of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) made using the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). We tracked the SMC's motion relative to four background QSOs over a baseline of approximately 2 yr. The measured proper motion is μW = -1.16 ± 0.18 mas yr-1, μN = -1.17 ± 0.18 mas yr-1. This is the best measurement yet of the SMC's proper motion. We combine this new result with our prior estimate of the proper motion of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) from the same observing program to investigate the orbital evolution of both Clouds over the past 9 Gyr. The current relative velocity between the Clouds is 105 ± 42 km s-1. Our investigations of the past orbital motions of the Clouds in a simple model for the dark halo of the Milky Way imply that the Clouds could be unbound from each other. However, our data are also consistent with orbits in which the Clouds have been bound to each other for approximately a Hubble time. Smaller proper-motion errors and better understanding of the LMC and SMC masses would be required to constrain their past orbital history and their bound versus unbound nature unambiguously. The new proper-motion measurements should be sufficient to allow the construction of improved models for the origin and properties of the Magellanic Stream. In turn, this will provide new constraints on the properties of the Milky Way dark halo.
Four Centuries of Biological Invasions in Tidal Waters of the Chesapeake Bay Region

Biological invasions are prevalent in marine ecosystems throughout the world. Several studies demonstrate that the number and abundance of non-native species have increased dramatically in recent time (Cohen and Carlton 1998; Cranfield et al. 1998; Reise et al. 1999; Ruiz et al. 2000a; Hewitt et al. 2004). Although the impact of many non-native populations remains unexplored, it is also evident that some species have fundamentally altered the structure and function of marine systems (Ruiz et al. 1999; Crooks 2001; Carlton 2001). Most marine invasions are known from protected waters of bays and estuaries, instead of exposed outer coasts (Chap. 33, Preisler et al.). This results at least partly from the concentration of human activities surrounding estuaries, creating many transfer mechanisms (vectors) for the human-aided movement of organisms from other global regions. Most of the world’s trade occurs by shipping among ports, concentrated in bays and estuaries, creating opportunities for species transfers associated with ships’ hulls and ballasted materials (Carlton 1985). In addition, bays are foci for many other activities known to transfer organisms, such as aquaculture, fishing, and outdoor recreation. Estuaries also represent an intersection between marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments, and potentially can be invaded by organisms from each of these adjacent regions. Although estuaries include a diverse range of habitats and have undergone many anthropogenic changes, both potentially affecting colonization by non-native species, it appears certain that the propagule supply moved among bays is an important driver for the predominance of non-native species in more protected waters. For North America, analyses and syntheses of marine invasions now exist for several estuaries along the Pacific coast (Carlton 1979; Cohen and Carlton 1995; Cohen et al. 1998, 2001; Wasson et al. 2001; Boyd et al. 2002; Wonham and Carlton 2005). European colonization and modern human activities are relatively recent here, with the major expansion in shipping in the 1800s. In contrast, extensive colonization and shipping to eastern North America began in the 1600s, and
Familial predisposition for otitis media in Apache Indians at Canyon Day, Arizona

The familial occurrence of otitis media was studied in White Mountain Apache Indians at Canyon Day, Arizona. Of the 760 residents, 366 persons were seen during a village survey for otitis media. There were 133 first-degree relatives involving 113 first-degree relative pairs. Of these, there were 38 children involving 19 separate sibling pairs, for whom age- and sex-matched controls could be assigned. Tympanic membrane scarring was assumed to be a marker of prior otitis media. The findings suggested (P less than .01 for the nonindependent first-degree relative pairs, and P less than .05 for the independent sibling pairs) a familial predisposition. With the additional assumption that the severity of tympanic membrane scarring can be ranked, no association of severity of otitis media was apparent in the first-degree relatives.
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors as Initial Therapy for Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Accelerated Phase

Abstract Background Accelerated phase CML most frequently represents a progression state in CML. However, some patients present with AP features at the time of diagnosis. There is limited information on the outcome of these patients who received TKIs as initial therapy. Patients and Methods We analyzed the outcome of 51 consecutive patients with CML who presented with features of AP at the time of diagnosis, including blasts ≥ 15% (n = 6), basophils ≥ 20% (n = 22), platelets 9 /L (n = 3), cytogenetic clonal evolution (n = 17), or more than 1 feature (n = 3). Patients received initial therapy with imatinib (n = 30), dasatinib (n = 5), or nilotinib (n = 16). Results The rate of complete cytogenetic response for patients treated with imatinib was 80%, and with dasatinib or nilotinib was 90%. Major molecular response (MMR) (Breakpoint Cluster Region (BCR)-Abelson (ABL)/ABL ≤ 0.1%, International Scale [IS]) was achieved in 69% of patients including complete molecular response (BCR-ABL/ABL ≤ 0.0032% IS) in 49%. MMR rates for patients treated with imatinib were 63%, and with 2GTKIs, 76%. Overall survival at 36 months was 87% with imatinib and 95% with 2GTKIs. Conclusion TKIs should be considered standard initial therapy for patients with AP at the time of diagnosis.
Health Perceptions of School-Age Children

Little research has been done on how school-age children perceive health. In this article, the author describes a study focused on how school-age children perceived healthy and unhealthy children. Findings showed that school-age children perceived health from a multidimensional perspective. Some of the study findings were congruent with findings from four other studies. Implications for nursing are addressed.
Synthesis and characterization of anionic polybrominated carboranyl azides

Abstract Here we describe the azide functionalization of polybrominated derivatives of the carba-closo-dodecaborate anion. Specifically, treatment of [HCB11Br11]− and [HCB11H5Br6]− with n-BuLi, followed by subsequent reaction with tosyl azide, yields the novel carboranyl azides [N3CB11Br11]− and [N3CB11H5Br6]−. In contrast to its perchlorinated congener, the [HCB11Br11]− anion does not undergo competitive B–Br activation to produce a carborane-fused triazole; instead, it forms the azide in a perfectly selective manner. These polybrominated carboranyl azides have been characterized by IR, NMR, and HRMS. Additionally, we describe the first single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of azide derivatives of the carba-closo-dodecaborate anion, as well as a neutral isoelectronic ortho-carborane azide (1-N3-2-Ph-C2B10H10).
Frequencies and Mode Shapes for Axisymmetric Vibration of Shells

Abstract : This report treats the axisymmetric vibration of thin elastic shells. Estimates of natural frequencies and mode shapes are obtained for a general class of thin shells by applying the approximations obtained in a previous paper by one of the authors. Numerical results are obtained for ellipsoidal shells, and one new theoretical result is found. (Author)
Design of Truncated Sequential Tests for Rapidly Fading Radar Targets

Curves and equations are presented from which the exact performance of truncated sequential tests can be determined for one important case: the biased square-law detector for the detection of rapidly fading targets. The method of generating functions is used to derive probability distributions for sample size. It is shown how these probability distributions can be used to determine truncation errors and the effects of multiple-resolution elements. Sample calculations are performed to determine the effects of a particular truncation procedure.
Justice Antonin Scalia, Constitutional Discourse, and the Legalistic State:

President Ronald Reagan, Antonin Scalia has established himself as a justice inclined to support the contemporary popular definition of a conservative jurist. His opinions and voting patterns have aligned him closely with the other Reagan administration appointees to the Court and with Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Despite occasional confounding opinions or votes, he has supported contemporary conservative ideological positions on the scope of personal and minority rights, the policy-making discretion of the executive, and the rights of property owners (Baugh 1989; Brisbin 1990; Kanner 1990; King 1988; Moore & Fields 1988; Nagareda 1987; Rubin & Melone 1988; Wilson 1986: 1181-1203; Wyszynski 1989). This article examines the content of Scalia's jurisprudence through the end of the 1989 term of the Supreme Court.' Although the commentary will shed light on constitutional law and theory in the era of the Rehnquist Court and on Scalia, it is designed to encourage closer attention to the language of the law when studying American appellate courts. As illustrated by the example of Scalia, contemporary research on the appellate judicial process tends to fall into two categories. One category includes research that adopts an instrumentalist view of judicial votes and opinions as conditioned by socioeconomic or political relationships with the external world. The instrumentalist approach appears today in studies of judges that link their behavior to variables
The shape of collision broadened lines from resonance to the far wings

Abstract A line shape for collision-broadened lines applicable from the resonance region to the far wings is developed. An empirical correlation function is used to represent the known short and long time behavior of the true correlation function and to interpolate the unknown intermediate time regime. The resulting spectral shape is a simple analytic function which reduces to essentially the Van Vleck-Weisskopf equation when |ω−ω0|τ2⪡1, but which smoothly assumes an exponential behavior in the far wings where |ω−ω0|τ2⪢1. The time parameter, τ2, is a measure of the duration of collision and is related to the mean squared torque produced in bimolecular collisions. The effect of overlapping lines, also variations in the model correlation function on the line shape are considered. The theory is applied to the absorption in the high-frequency far wing of the 4.3υ band in CO2.
Assessment of CD4+ and CD8+ IFN-gamma producing cells by ELISPOT in naïve and FIV-infected cats

IFN-gamma is critical for the development of antiviral cell-mediated immunity in HIV infected humans and FIV infected cats. The ELISPOT has proven to be a technically straightforward assay to quantify the number of IFN-gamma producing cells and offers a reasonable alternative for the quantitative measurement of T-cell function in cats. We used a feline-specific ELISPOT to identify constitutive as well as Con A stimulated IFN-gamma production in T-cell subsets and determine if there were differences between purified (positively sorted) and negatively depleted populations from naive and FIV infected cats. We found no difference in the total number of PBMC constitutively producing IFN-gamma in naive and FIV+ cats. Con A exposure was associated with increased numbers of IFN-gamma producing PBMC in naive, but not FIV+, cats. Equivalent numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells constitutively expressed IFN-gamma in naive cats. However, in FIV+ cats, the number of IFN-gamma producing CD8+ T-cells was approximately two-fold over that seen for CD4+ T-cells. We found minimal differences between purified (e.g. CD4+ or CD8+) and corresponding depleted (e.g. CD8- or CD4-) populations in samples from FIV+ cats. In contrast, depleted populations from naive cats showed greater response to Con A than did purified populations. Thus, while determination of the number of IFN-gamma producing cells by feline-specific ELISPOT is a useful tool for the evaluation of the feline immune response, determination of the initial sample population and T-cell subset is critical for optimal interpretation of the IFN-gamma ELISPOT.
A mutual information extension to the matched filter

Matched filters are the optimal linear filters for signal detection under linear channel and white noise conditions. Their optimality is guaranteed in the additive white Gaussian noise channel due to the sufficiency of second-order statistics. In this paper, we introduce a nonlinear filter for signal detection based on the Cauchy-Schwartz quadratic mutual information (CS-QMI) criterion. This filter is still implementing correlation but now in a high-dimensional transformed space defined by the kernel utilized in estimating the CS-QMI. Simulations show that the nonlinear filter significantly outperforms the traditional matched filter in nonlinear channels, as expected. In the linear channel case, the proposed filter outperforms the matched filter when the received signal is corrupted by impulsive noise such as Cauchy-distributed noise, but performs at the same level in Gaussian noise. A simple nonparametric sample estimator for CS-QMI is derived for real-time implementation of the proposed filter.
Spectroscopic studies of a near-infrared absorbing pH sensitive carbocyanine dye

Near-infrared dyes can be derivatized with appropriate functional groups for use as analytical probes for numerous applications. A dye derivatized with pH-sensitive functional groups may show spectral changes when the pH of its environment is changed. These dyes are valuable to the researcher since they absorb and fluoresce at long wavelengths where interference is minimal and their absorption maxima permit the use of semiconductor lasers. In this paper we have evaluated the sensitivity to pH of a bis-carboxylic acid derivative of a near infrared dye to illustrate its potential as a probe for determining pH. The dye has an absorption maximum at 795 nm in aqueous solution, a region where several commercially available laser diodes have their output maximum. The analytical utility of near-infrared laser diodes for pH determination has also been evaluated.
Lattice repleteness and some of its applications to topology

We deal with the general concept of lattice repleteness. Specifically, we systematize the study of several important special cases of repleteness, namely, realcompactness, α-completeness, N-compactness, and Borel-completeness; we apply our general results on repleteness to specific lattices in topological spaces, in particular, to analytic spaces; we utilize the concept of Gδ-closure to obtain necessary or sufficient conditions for repleteness (this portion of our work generalizes important theorems of Mrowka on Stone-Cechcompactification, of Frolik on realcompact spaces, and of Wenjen on realcompact spaces); finally, we extend the measure representation material of Varadarajan and then we utilize the results to obtain further applications to repleteness.
Calcium oscillations in neocortical astrocytes under epileptiform conditions

Morphological and functional alterations in astrocytic glia are often found in epileptic syndromes, although the exact role of astrocytes in epilepsy is poorly understood. During calcium imaging of epileptiform events in juvenile neocortical slices we previously discovered cells with spontaneous oscillations in their intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). We have now characterized these oscillations using two in vitro models of epilepsy and find that they are produced by astrocytes. Astrocytic oscillations are widespread throughout the imaged territories, are remarkably regular and have long periods, averaging 100 s, which become shorter during development. Astrocytic oscillations are uncorrelated among themselves and with epileptiform events, are blocked by internal release antagonists and are stimulated by caffeine. Astrocytic calcium oscillations could mediate reactive astrogliosis, contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic epileptic syndromes, and be used as a diagnostic test for epileptic tissue.
Tests of a New Secondary Emission Chamber at the AGS

A secondary emission chamber (SEC) has been built using .00025? aluminum foils with a 200A vacuum-deposited silver coating. After baking the assembly, the foils were cleaned with an argon glow discharge. The chamber was then installed in a primary proton beam at the Brookhaven AGS. A difference in sensitivity of 6% was noted between the chamber's two emitter foils. After exposure to a flux of 1018-1019 protons/cm2, the sensitivity of one of the foils was found to have increased by 0.2% and the other to have decreased by 1.2%. This is substantially better than earlier designs.
Inadequacy of captopril challenge test for diagnosing renovascular hypertension in children and adolescents.

A captopril challenge test (CCT) for renovascular disease in adults was described recently. We used it in 20 consecutive, untreated hypertensive children and adolescents. All had a normal urinalysis and glomerular filtration rate and non-diagnostic renal sonograms or intravenous urograms. Plasma renin activity (PRA) was measured before and 1 h after administration of captopril (0.76±0.17 mg/kg). The CCT was positive in 10 patients. Renal arteriograms were performed in 7 patients with a positive CCT and in 2 with a negative CCT. Renovascular disease was found in 4 patients, 1 of whom had a negative CCT. The PRA response to captopril was the same in patients with true- and the false-positive tests. The predictive value of the positive test was 43%. In conclusion, we did not find the CCT, as described for adults, to be of value in children and adolescents.
Evaluation of the Effect of Crack Tip Constraint on Fatigue Crack Growth Rate in Inconel 718

The objective of this work has been to characterize the fatigue crack growth rate of Inconel 718 in the elastic and elastic-plastic regimes. The major new contribution here is to develop fatigue crack growth rate data on this alloy using shallow crack specimens subjected to cyclic loadings that involve material plasticity exceeding what is allowed by the standard Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) procedures of ASTM E 647. Compact (C(T)) and three point bend (SE(B)) specimen geometries were used in this investigation. The SE(B) specimens were used to obtain shallow crack data using crack to depth ratios (a/W) as small as 0.08 in standard bend specimens with W = 50.8 mm. Compliance methods were used to estimate the crack length during the cyclic testing. The C(T) specimens were used to investigate the effect of fully reversed loading, i.e., R = −1.0. These specimens were tested only in deep crack configurations with a/W > 0.3. Both C(T) and SE(B) specimens were used to obtain high cycle fatigue crack growth data as well as some component of the low cycle fatigue crack growth rate data. The cyclic elastic stress intensity range was used to characterize the crack growth driving “force” in the high cycle regime as defined in ASTM E 647. A cyclic J integral range, as originally utilized by Dowling and Begley [1], was used in the elastic-plastic regime. High cycle and low cycle fatigue crack growth data were successfully obtained from tests on shallow crack SE(B) specimens. High cycle fatigue crack growth was not affected by specimen geometry or by crack length ratio, even for a/W ratios as low as 0.08. The low cycle fatigue crack growth rate was similar, but not identical, to what one would get by extrapolating the high cycle fatigue crack growth rate, as proposed by Dowling and Begley [1]. Under conditions of increasing J range, the crack growth rate under elastic-plastic conditions was accelerated, while under decreasing J range conditions the crack growth rate was decelerated in comparison to the extrapolated high cycle fatigue crack growth rate measurements. The R ratio did not affect the crack growth rate for the two cases tested here, namely R = 0.1 and R = −1.0. More rapidly increasing J range conditions resulted in greater crack growth rate acceleration. In the elastic-plastic fatigue regime, shallow crack specimens demonstrated slower crack growth rates than deep crack specimens.
Developing a laboratory course using PASCAL on the Apple II

Several resources are available to the person seeking to develop a laboratory course that utilizes microprocessors. Several roles for such equipment are envisioned, and some of the issues regarding types of equipment and programming languages are addressed.
Bisindolylmaleimide IX facilitates tumor necrosis factor receptor family-mediated cell death and acts as an inhibitor of transcription.

Bisindolylmaleimides (Bis) were originally described as protein kinase C inhibitors. Several studies have shown that Bis potentiate tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family-mediated apoptosis in lymphoid and dendritic cells, but the inhibition of protein kinase C cannot account for these effects (Zhou, T., Song, L., Yang, P., Wang, Z., Lui, D., and Jope, R. S. (1999) Nat. Med. 5, 42–48). We investigated the effect of four Bis derivatives (I, II, VIII, and IX) in human prostatic carcinoma cell lines and found that Bis IX was the most potent inducer of apoptosis under simultaneous treatment with TNF-α, agonistic anti-Fas monoclonal antibody, and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). Bis IX synergistically induced caspase activity in combination with apoptosis-inducing ligands and converted the phenotype of cell lines from apoptosis-resistant to -sensitive. Bis IX induced p53 accumulation in LNCaP (lymph node carcinoma of prostate), which expresses wild-type p53 that was not accompanied by the induction of p53-responsive genes, p21/WAF1, and Mdm2. Moreover, the induction of p21/WAF1 and Mdm2 by doxorubicin was abrogated by simultaneous treatment with Bis IX. These effects apparently result from general inhibition of transcription by Bis IX. We have shown by Northern blot analysis that the transcription activity of the hygromycin gene after transient transfection of pcDNA3.1-Hygro plasmid in 293 and HeLa cells was inhibited by Bis IX in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, DNA binding activity of Bis IX was prevented by actinomycin D, suggesting that actinomycin D and Bis IX have similar mechanisms of interaction with DNA. In addition, we found that actinomycin D and Bis IX induced caspase activity to the same extent during TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. In summary, these results suggest that Bis IX potentiates TNF receptor family-mediated cell death in part as an inhibitor of transcription.
Changes in pigment levels, Rubisco and respiratory enzyme activity of Ficus benjamina during acclimation to low irradiance

The objective of the present study was to determine the influence of reduced irradiance on the activities of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco) and respiratory enzymes. Rooted cuttings of the tropical epiphyte. Ficus benjamina L., were grown in a shaded environment that excluded approximately 50% of the natural photosynthetically active irradiance (890 μmol m−2 s−1) for 4 months. Established plants were transferred and grown for 10 months under a range of irradiance levels with daily average maxima varying from a full-sun environment to 20% full sun (100%−1735; 50%−890; 40%−695; and 20%−303 μmol m−2s−1). Chlorophyll, carotenoid and soluble protein content increased in Ficus leaves as irradiance level decreased, while Rubisco increased on a fresh weight basis but decreased on a protein basis. Glycolytic enzymes, enolase and pyruvate kinase, showed higher activities in full-sun plants on a protein and fresh weight basis. However, the activity of two mitochondrial enzymes, aconitase and malate dehydrogenase, was not different under the various irradiance levels. When transferred to a very low irradiance environment (18 μmol m−2 s−1), mature leaves exhibited increased chlorophyll and carotenoid levels regardless of previous irradiance treatment. Exposure to very low irradiance resulted in a large increase in enolase and pyruvate kinase activities. Only plants grown under full sun conditions showed a decline in Rubisco activity following growth at very low irradiance. Together, these studies demonstrate the ability of mature leaves of Ficus to biochemically adjust photosynthetic and respiratory components over a wide range of irradiance.
A label-free mass spectrometry method for the quantification of protein isotypes

Successful quantitative mass spectrometry (MS) requires strategies to link the mass spectrometer response to the analyte abundance, with the response being dependent on more factors than just analyte abundance. Label-dependent strategies rely on the incorporation of an isotopically labeled internal standard into the sample. Current label-free strategies (performed without internal standards) are useful for analyzing samples that are unsuitable for isotopic labeling but are less accurate. Here we describe a label-free technique applicable to analysis of products from related genes (isotypes). This approach enables the invariant tryptic peptide sequences within the family to serve as "built-in" internal standards and the isotype-specific peptide sequences to report the amount of the various isotypes. A process of elimination segregates reliably trypsin-released standard and reporter peptides from unreliably released peptides. The specific MS response factors for these reporter and standard peptides can be determined using synthetic peptides. Analysis of HeLa tubulin digests revealed peptides from betaI-, betaII-, betaIII-, betaIVb-, and betaV-tubulin, eight of which were suitable; along with five standard peptides for quantification of the beta-tubulin isotypes. To show the utility of this method, we determined that betaI-tubulin represented 77% and betaIII-tubulin represented 3.2% of the total HeLa beta-tubulin.
The impact of nitrogen contamination and river modification on a Mississippi River floodplain lake.

Abstract Anthropogenic nitrogen contamination has increased in ecosystems around the world (frequently termed the “nitrogen cascade”). Coke production for steel manufacturing is often overlooked as a source of nitrogen to natural ecosystems. We examined sediment cores from a Horseshoe Lake, a floodplain lake located just East of St. Louis Missouri (USA) to test whether a coking plant effluent could be traced using stable isotopes of nitrogen and diatom microfossils. The distribution of δ15N values in surface sediment samples from the lake shows the highest values near the coking plant effluent. Stable isotopes of nitrogen from 4 sediment cores using a mixing model showed three sources of nitrogen since 1688 CE. The first source (active between 1688 and 1920 CE) had a calculated δ15N value ranging between − 0.4 and 1.1‰ depending on the core. After 1920 a second source with a δ15N ranging between 10.6 and 15.4‰ became active. The change in these sources coincides with the construction of a coking plant on the lake shore. A third source with a value approximately 7.0‰ was present at all times and represents background. The diatom microfossil assemblages present from 1688 CE to the late 1800s are dominated by the planktonic species Aulacoseira granulata and periphytic and benthic genera Gomphonema, Cocconeis, and Lyrella. After the late 1800s the diatom assemblages are dominated by Staurosira species indicating a shift of species from high flow riverine environments to epipelic species from a lake environment. Diatom microfossils seem to track the reduction in flooding due to leveeing of the floodplain and the isolation of the lake from the river. Our results show how stable isotopes of nitrogen can be used to track nitrogen inputs from industrial sources. Diatom changes corresponded with changes in connectivity between the Mississippi River and its floodplain.
Cytochrome oxidase subunit II sequences in Petunia mitochondria: two intron-containing genes and an intron-less pseudogene associated with cytoplasmic male sterility.

The mitochondrial genome of Petunia hybrida contains two transcribed cytochrome oxidase subunit II(coxII) genes. The coding region of both genes is split by a 1.3 kb group II intron. Unlike coxII-1, which is similar to other sequenced plant coxII genes, the coxII-2 coding region is extended by 48 codons. The cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) Petunia contains one coxII gene similar in structure and transcript pattern to the coxII-1 gene found in the fertile genome. Comparison of the sequenced coxII genes from the fertile mitochondrial genome with the coxII sequences present in the CMS-associated pcf gene from the CMS genome (Young and Hanson 1987) suggests that pcf is a processed pseudogene. A model for the generation of pcf is presented.
Detection of Salmonella enterica Isolates Producing CTX-M Cephalosporinase in U.S. Livestock Populations

We report the detection of Salmonella carrying blaCTX-M in U.S. livestock populations. We identified 12 of 2,034 (0.6%) Salmonella isolates originating from turkeys, horses, and pigs from at least 6 U.S. states, all carrying blaCTX-M-1, many on a pandemic sequence type 1 IncN plasmid.
A Note on a Method of Sampling Chicken Carcasses for Total Carcass Composition Proximate Analyses

Abstract A more efficient method of sampling ground chicken carcasses was developed. The method involved freezing the ground carcass in an aluminum freezer tray followed by boring several cores at random spacings throughout the surface of the tray. Time required for sampling each carcass was reduced with no loss in repeatability for duplicate samples.
Nanotechnology and economic resiliency

Abstract Today a country's economic viability and its citizens’ job mobility require that its workforce have a strong micro- and nanotechnology education providing a skill set covering synthesis, fabrication, and characterization. An international model is offered for creating such a skilled workforce which is based on a resource sharing approach between research universities and technical colleges. For the good of a country and its citizens, workers must have the educational background that allows them to move from job to job as sectors wax and wane. This broad twenty-first century education that is proposed provides the infrastructure that is needed to accomplish this and to thereby give a country the intellectual capital to be a competitive force on the rapidly changing world manufacturing scene.
Bow hunter’s syndrome unmasked after contralateral vertebral artery sacrifice for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Bow hunter's syndrome (BHS), or positional vertebrobasilar insufficiency, is a rare disorder characterized by positional stenosis or occlusion of the dominant vertebral artery (VA) with concordant signs and symptoms of brainstem ischemia. Many etiologies have been described, with the most common level of obstruction occurring at the craniocervical junction. The authors report acquired BHS after the patient's contralateral VA was sacrificed for ruptured aneurysm. A 44-year-old man was referred to our institution for years of continued positional tinnitus, vertigo, and nausea. This symptomatology began 5 years prior, immediately after the patient's right VA was endovascularly sacrificed to treat a ruptured VA aneurysm. From the time of treatment, right head turning caused instantaneous symptoms consistent with brainstem ischemia. Evaluations performed during the 5 year interim before referral included computed tomography angiography, MRI, and diagnostic cerebral angiography (DCA). All failed to identify a causal etiology. A diagnosis of BHS was made with dynamic DCA. With the patient's head turned to the right, angiography of the left VA demonstrated a positional block. The patient underwent left VA decompression. Intraoperative dynamic DCA was utilized to demonstrate adequacy of decompression. The patient tolerated the procedure without complication. Symptomatology immediately completely subsided and remained absent at his 3 month follow-up. An acquired BHS should be recognized as a possible complication if VA sacrifice is considered for an unclippable or uncoilable aneurysm.
Failure to phosphorylate AKT in podocytes from mice with early diabetic nephropathy promotes cell death.

Loss of podocytes by apoptosis characterizes the early stages of diabetic nephropathy. To examine its mechanism we studied glomeruli and podocytes isolated from db/db mice with early diabetic nephropathy and albuminuria. Phosphorylation of AKT (protein kinase B, a key survival protein) was found to be lower in the glomeruli of 12 week old db/db compared to db/+ mice. In vitro , insulin phosphorylated AKT solely in podocytes from db/+ mice. Serum deprivation and exposure to tumor necrosis factor-α significantly compromised cell viability in podocytes from db/db but not from db/+ mice, and this was associated with a significant decrease in AKT phosphorylation. Inhibition of AKT was necessary to achieve the same degree of cell death in db/+ podocytes. Our study shows that podocyte inability to respond to insulin and susceptibility to cell death may partially account for the decreased podocyte number seen in early diabetic nephropathy.
The dying role.

Background: Roles are relevant during the last stage of the life cycle, as at any other stage. Awareness and an understanding of the dying role have the capacity to guide the process. Lack thereof can impede good deaths and may have been in part responsible for the intense and often futile interventions provided to many dying patients in the past. Objective and design: We describe relevant aspects of role theory and recent scholarship and then examine the dying role, describing three key elements: the practical element, which involves concrete tasks of preparation; the relational element, which involves engaging with others; and the personal element, which involves tasks that foster personal growth and finishing one's life story. We also identify some barriers to and misuses of the dying role that appear to limit productive engagement with it, and offer suggestions for how clinicians can assist patients with the dying role. Results and conclusion: The described elements of the dying role, and appreciation...
Electron Super-Rich Radicals in the Gas Phase. A Neutralization−Reionization Mass Spectrometric and ab Initio/RRKM Study of Diaminohydroxymethyl and Triaminomethyl Radicals

Diaminohydroxymethyl (1) and triaminomethyl (2) radicals were generated by femtosecond collisional electron transfer to their corresponding cations (1+ and 2+, respectively) and characterized by neutralization−reionization mass spectrometry and ab initio/RRKM calculations at correlated levels of theory up to CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ. Ion 1+ was generated by gas-phase protonation of urea which was predicted to occur preferentially at the carbonyl oxygen with the 298 K proton affinity that was calculated as PA = 875 kJ mol-1. Upon formation, radical 1 gains vibrational excitation through Franck−Condon effects and rapidly dissociates by loss of a hydrogen atom, so that no survivor ions are observed after reionization. Two conformers of 1, syn-1 and anti-1, were found computationally as local energy minima that interconverted rapidly by inversion at one of the amine groups with a <7 kJ mol-1 barrier. The lowest energy dissociation of radical 1 was loss of the hydroxyl hydrogen atom from anti-1 with ETS = 65 kJ mol...
Representation theory of two families of quantum projective 3-spaces

Abstract Stephenson and Vancliff recently introduced two families of quantum projective 3-spaces (quadratic and Artin–Schelter regular algebras of global dimension 4) which have the property that the associated automorphism of the scheme of point modules is finite order, and yet the algebra is not finite over its center. This is in stark contrast to theorems of Artin, Tate, and Van den Bergh in global dimension 3. We analyze the representation theory of these algebras. We classify all of the finite-dimensional simple modules and describe some zero-dimensional elements of Proj, i.e., so called fat point modules. In particular, we observe that the shift functor on zero-dimensional elements of Proj, which is closely related to the above automorphism, actually has infinite order.
Flexible Electronic Devices From Hot Embossing Materials Transfer

The development of processing methods for flexible electronic devices is seen as an enabling technology for the creation of a new array of semiconductor products. These devices have the potential be low cost, disposable, and can be applied to deformable or non-planar surfaces. While much effort has been put into the development of amorphous silicon and organic semiconductor technology for flexible devices, semiconductor nanomaterials are of interest due to their inherently flexibility, high transport mobilities, and their unique optoelectronic and piezoelectric properties. However, the synthesis of these materials directly onto polymer substrates is not feasible due to the high temperatures or harsh chemical environments under which they are synthesized. This challenge has limited the development of flexible electronics with semiconductor nanomaterial building blocks. A number of techniques which address the manufacturing concerns include solution based processing [1,2] as well as dry transfer techniques [3–5]. In general, dry transfer printing methods carry advantages over solution based processing as the need to address substrate-fluid compatibility is mitigated.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Tyrosine phosphorylation of p125fak, p130cas, and paxillin does not require extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation in swiss 3T3 cells stimulated by bombesin or platelet-derived growth factor

The experiments presented here were designed to examine the contribution of the extracellular signal-regulated mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERKs) to the tyrosine phosphorylation of the focal adhesion proteins p125Fak, p130Cas , and paxillin induced by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and tyrosine kinase receptors in Swiss 3T3 cells. Stimulation of these cells with bombesin, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), endothelin, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) led to a marked increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of these focal adhesion proteins and in ERK activation. Exposure of the cells to two structurally unrelated mitogen-activated protein kinase or ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitors, PD98059 and U0126, completely abrogated ERK activation but did not prevent tyrosine phosphorylation of p125Fak, p130Cas, and paxillin. Furthermore, different dose-response relationships were obtained for tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins and for ERK activation in response to PDGF. Putative upstream events in the activation of focal adhesion proteins including actin cytoskeletal reorganization and myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation were also not prevented by inhibition of ERK activation. Thus, our results demonstrate that the activation of the ERK pathway is not necessary for the increase of the tyrosine phosphorylation of p125Fak, p130Cas, and paxillin induced by either GPCRs or tyrosine kinase receptors in Swiss 3T3 cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 183:208–220, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Loudness of brief tones measured by magnitude estimation and loudness matching

McFadden [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 57, 702–704 (1975)] questioned the accuracy and reliability of magnitude estimation for measuring loudness of tones that vary both in duration and level, whereas Stevens and Hall [Percept. Psychophys. 1, 319–327 (1966)] reported reasonable group data. To gain insight into this discrepancy, the present study compares loudness measures for 5- and 200-ms tones using magnitude estimation and equal-loudness matches from the same listeners. Results indicate that both procedures provide rapid and accurate assessments of group loudness functions for brief tones, but may not be reliable enough to reveal specific characteristics of loudness in individual listeners.
Computational Study of Polarizabilities and Second Hyperpolarizabilities of Inorganic Transition Metal Thiometalates and Metalates in Solution

A systematic study of nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of inorganic transition metal (TM) thiometalates and metalates is reported. Polarizabilities ( R) and second hyperpolarizabilities (A) are calculated in solution within the polarizable continuum model. It is found that NLO properties of anionic inorganic complexes can be successfully modeled in solution, when this cannot be done so in the gas phase. Solvent effects are found to significantly increase R and A. The effects are stronger on A (up to 80%) than on R (up to 40%) and stronger on TM thiometalates than on metalates. For R, solvent effects are found to be more important than electron correlation effects. For A, the two effects are similarly important. Solvent effects on R and A caused by subordinate factors other than the dominant electrostatic solute -solvent interactions were studied and assessed to be negligible. Upon solvation, large TM and ligand modification effects on R and A are found. One oxo-to-sulfido substitution results in an increase in R by 38 au and A by 10 000 au.
Disorders of the acromioclavicular joint

The acromioclavicular joint is a frequent source of shoulder pain.This article reviews acromioclavicular separations and other disorders affecting the joint and its surrounding structures.
Modelling and control of a brake system for an extended range electric vehicle equipped with axle motors

This work focuses on modelling of an electro-hydraulic brake system for an extended range electric vehicle equipped with axle motors, and proposing an optimal braking strategy which utilises a two-layer split of braking action such that the desired braking force is first distributed to the front and rear axles in order to track the ideal brake force distribution factor and, then, to the electro-hydraulic friction brakes and electric motors in order to maximise energy recuperation. With simulation results, it is shown that the proposed regenerative braking strategy achieves the dual objective of ensuring a good dynamic performance and optimal energy recovery.
Environmental Disturbance Modeling for Large Inflatable Space Structures

Abstract : Tightening space budgets and stagnating spacelift capabilities are driving the Air Force and other space agencies to focus on inflatable technology as a reliable, inexpensive means of deploying large structures in orbit. Recent improvements in rigidization techniques make the use these inflatable structures feasible for a growing number of missions. For many of these missions, the primary design requirement is dimensional accuracy of the structure. Finite element analysis offers a means of predicting structural behavior in orbit. The analysis requires knowledge of external loads. This thesis examines the environmental disturbances which act upon large, orbiting structures. Calculations are made on a base model to relate the torques generated by these disturbances to the orbital altitude. This facilitates identification of the critical loads. An environmental disturbance model is then developed in MATLAB. The model calculates the critical loads on each element of a faceted structure as it propagates through its orbit. A basic structure is defined and run through the model. Results and analysis for various orbits are presented to verify accuracy of the code and validate the derived torque-altitude relationships.
Learning by Failing to Explain: Using Partial Explanations to Learn in Incomplete or Intractable Domains

Explanation-based learning depends on having an explanation on which to base generalization. Thus, a system with an incomplete or intractable domain theory cannot use this method to learn from every precedent. However, in such cases the system need not resort to purely empirical generalization methods, because it may already know almost everything required to explain the precedent. Learning by failing to explain is a method that uses current knowledge to prune the well-understood portions of complex precedents (and rules) so that what remains may be conjectured as a new rule. This paper describes precedent analysis, partial explanation of a precedent (or rule) to isolate the new technique(s) it embodies, and rule reanalysis, which involves analyzing old rules in terms of new rules to obtain a more general set. The algorithms PA, PA-RR, and PA-RR-GW implement these ideas in the domains of digital circuit design and simplified gear design.
Parametric studies on vertical boundary location in dynamic finite element analyses

Abstract Two parametric studies are performed to achieve convergent solutions to dynamic finite element analyses of structures on semi-infinite foundations. The first study considers a linear elastic foundation, whereas the latter is about a structure on a saturated clay foundation. Plane strain conditions are assumed. Uniform horizontal earthquake accelerations are applied at the base of the structure-foundation systems. One-dimensional soil column responses are prescribed at the vertical boundaries of the two-dimensional finite element models. The sizes of the finite element analysis domains are gradually increased by changing the location of the vertical boundary and the effect of the vertical boundary location to the solution at the origin is discussed.