cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Hypothermic Anoxic Cardioplegia on Myocardial Contractility

Abstract A study was undertaken to ascertain the protective effect of topical hypothermia on the anoxic heart. The presence or absence of myocardial damage was judged by myocardial contractility. The papillary muscle of an excised rabbit heart was detached from the mitral annulus and interposed between a fixed point and a force/displacement transducer. The maximal net developed tension (T Nmax ) of the papillary muscle with normothermic coronary perfusion was used as an index of myocardial contractility. With each temperature drop of 10°GC, the anoxia time that resulted in the same recovery level of T Nmax was prolonged by a factor of 2.8. A nomogram was constructed correlating percent of myocardial recovery seen with different degrees of myocardial hypothermia during various anoxic periods. Optimum protection was noted at a myocardial temperature of 18°GC.
Probing the effect of atomic substitution in the superconductor Y-Ba-Cu-O by X-ray absorption

Abstract X-ray absorption techniques are employed to investigate the local structure around Ag and Fe impurity atoms in chemically-doped high-Tc superconductor Y-Ba-Cu-O. Changes in these spectra with dopant content are correlated with the variation of valence state and location of the substituted atoms in the host material.
cAMP-mediated differential regulation of lignin peroxidase and manganese-dependent peroxidase production in the white-rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

Abstract Lignin peroxidases (LIPs) and manganese-dependent peroxidases (MNPs) are major components of the lignin-degrading enzyme system of Phanerochaete chrysosporium and typically appear during secondary metabolism. The involvement of cAMP in the regulation of production of LIPs and MNPs was investigated in this study. Production of LIPs and MNPs was preceded by a sharp rise in intracellular cAMP concentration. Addition of atropine, theophylline, or histamine to cultures resulted in a drop in intracellular cAMP concentration and a concomitant inhibition of production of LIPs only or of both LIPs and MNPs, depending on the concentration of the inhibitor added. These results were independently confirmed by fast protein liquid chromatographic profiles of the LIPs and MNPs in the extracellular fluid of the inhibitor-treated and untreated control cultures. LIP production was generally more sensitive to the inhibitors than MNP production. Northern blot analyses showed that the inhibitors affect the production of LIPs and MNPs at the level of transcription. Furthermore, LIP and MNP gene expression appears to be differentially regulated depending on the intracellular concentration of cAMP. These results show that cAMP plays a key role in the regulation of production of LIPs and MNPs in P. chrysosporium.
Fixed points for generalized nonexpansive mappings in R-trees

We prove the existence of a fixed point for multivalued generalized nonexpansive mappings in an R-tree. In the case where these mappings commute with a quasi-nonexpansive mapping, we also prove existence of a common fixed point.
Coke Formation in the Combustion of Isolated Heavy Oil Droplets

Abstract The combustion and coking of isolated, free and suspended droplets of a residual oil have been studied. The combustion history of the free and suspended droplets was found to be characterized by qualitatively similar phenomena. The coke particle was seen to form within the final 9 percent of the droplet burning period and the mass of the coke particle was about 3 percent of the mass of the initial residual oil droplet. Changing the temperature history of a droplet by varying the initial droplet size between 260 and 570 microns or by diluting the residual oil with a more volatile No. 2 fuel oil did not affect the mass fraction of the residual oil in the initial droplet which was converted to coke. The contribution to the coke particle from both the asphaltene and maltenc (residual oil from which the asphaltenes have been removed) components of the oil was found to be significant, and therefore fuel asphaltene content alone will not provide a satisfactory basis for determining the relative coking t...
RF MEMS miniature-switched capacitors with pull-down and pull-up electrodes for high power applications

This paper presents miniature RF MEMS switched capacitors with pull-down and pull-up electrodes for increased capacitance ratio and power handling. A 2×2 switch array has three operation states: up-state, down-state and up-up state (switch attached to the pull-up electrode), with capacitances of 115 fF, 370 fF and 64 fF, respectively. The pull-up electrode increases the capacitance ratio from 3.2 (standard operation with no pull-up electrode) to 5.8. The pull-up electrode also solves the problem of RF self actuation and the 2×2 switch was tested up to 4 W at 5 GHz (pull-up electrode engaged) with no change in the measured S-parameters.
Valvetrain Friction and Wear Performance with Fresh and Used Low-Phosphorous Engine Oils

Continued legislative pressure to reduce automotive exhaust emissions requires an automotive catalyst to operate at its peak efficiency up to 120,000 miles. Catalyst life is shortened by the poisoning of active sites by glazing caused by the deposition of phosphorous. The primary source of phosphorous is zinc dialkyldithiophosphate, an antiwear and antioxidant additive in engine oil. Therefore, the reduction of the phosphorous level in engine oils raises concern for increased wear of engine components. In an engine equipped with a direct acting mechanical bucket-type valvetrain, high contact stress coupled with sliding action at the cam and tappet contact makes it particularly vulnerable to wear. Motored single cam lobe valvetrain experiments were conducted to evaluate the wear protection capability of several 0.05 wt% P containing engine oils while the oil is fresh. The wear protection capability of vehicle drain samples was also evaluated to ensure adequate protection up to the point of oil change. It w...
Growth-related changes in specific mRNAs of cultured mouse cells.

Abstract A cDNA plasmid library has been constructed from the poly(A)+ RNA present in BALB/c3T3 cells after serum stimulation. Of 3,500 clones tested, approximately 0.5% contained inserts corresponding to mRNAs present at higher levels in serum-stimulated BALB/c 3T3 cell cultures than in quiescent cultures. Most of these RNA species increased 2- to 5-fold, and the kinetics of increase for various RNAs differed. One clone (28H6) hybridized to a 1-kilobase RNA species that is present at barely detectable levels in resting cells but is increased at least 15- to 20-fold after serum stimulation, reaching a maximal level coincident with the onset of DNA synthesis. This RNA was at a high level in proliferating cells but decreased rapidly as cells reached confluence. 28H6 RNA was also increased in resting cells infected with simian virus 40 or stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor.
Explicit and implicit pipelining for wireless medium access control

In wireless networks, multiple stations contend for access to the shared channel. In the cases of collisions, the associated collision cost is much higher than wired networks since stations cannot detect the collision without explicit feedback from the receiver. For this reason, more efficient contention resolution algorithms are desired for wireless networks to reduce the collision probability among backlogged stations. With distributed multiple access control, each station usually goes through a contention resolution stage before initiating its transmission. As contention resolution stage consumes channel bandwidth without producing any goodput, ideally, we desire it to be as short as possible while reducing the possibility of collisions to as small as possible. However, in general, it is difficult to achieve an optimum tradeoff between these two desired features. In this paper, we propose to use pipelining techniques to resolve such conflicts and improve the performance of multiple access control in terms of channel utilization. We discuss several pipelining MAC schemes and present their advantages and disadvantages accordingly.
A PROJECTION OPERATOR APPROACH TO THE OPTIMIZATION OF TRAJECTORY FUNCTIONALS

Abstract We develop a Newton method for the optimization of trajectory functionals. Through the use of a trajectory tracking nonlinear projection operator, the dynamically constrained optimization problem is converted into an unconstrained problem, making many aspects of the algorithm rather transparent. Examples: first and second order optimality conditions, search direction and step length calculations, update rule—all developed from an unconstrained point of view. Quasi-Newton methods are easily developed as well, allowing straightforward globalization of the Newton method. As all operations are set in an appropriate Banach space, properties such as solution regularity are retained so that implementation decisions (level of discretation, etc.) are based on approximating the solution rather than the problem. Convergence in Banach space is shown to be quadratic as is usual for Newton methods.
Disposition of inorganic mercury following biliary obstruction and chemically induced glutathione depletion: dispositional changes one hour after the intravenous administration of mercuric chloride.

Influences of biliary obstruction and systemic depletion of glutathione (GSH) on the disposition of a low nontoxic iv dose of inorganic mercury were evaluated in rats in the present study. Specifically, the disposition of mercury in the kidneys, liver, small and large intestines, and blood was assessed 1 h after the injection of 0.5 μmol/kg mercuric chloride in control rats and rats pretreated with acivicin, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), or diethylmaleate (DEM) that did or did not undergo acute biliary ligation prior to the injection of mercury. Among the groups that did not undergo biliary ligation, the pretreatments used to alter GSH status systemically had varying effects on the disposition of inorganic mercury in the kidneys, liver, intestines, and blood. Biliary ligation caused the net renal accumulation of mercury to decrease under all pretreatment conditions. By contrast, biliary ligation caused significant increases in the hepatic burden of mercury in all pretreatment groups except the acivicin-pretreated group. Blood levels of mercury also increased as a result of biliary ligation, regardless of the type of pretreatment used. Evidence for a secretory-like movement of mercury into the lumen of the intestines is also provided in the animals that underwent biliary ligation. The present findings indicate that biliary ligation combined with methods used to alter GSH status systemically have additive effects with respect to causing reductions in the net renal accumulation of mercury. In addition, the findings indicate that at least some fraction of the renal accumulation of inorganic mercury is linked mechanistically to the hepatobiliary system.
Crystal Structures of C4-Dicarboxylate Ligand Complexes with Sensor Domains of Histidine Kinases DcuS and DctB

Two-component signaling systems allow bacteria to adapt to changing environments. Typically, a chemical or other stimulus is detected by the periplasmic sensor domain of a transmembrane histidine kinase sensor, which in turn relays a signal through a phosphotransfer cascade to the cognate cytoplasmic response regulator. Such systems lead ultimately to changes in gene expression or cell motility. Mechanisms of ligand binding and signal transduction through the cell membrane in histidine kinases are not fully understood. In an effort to further understand such processes, we have solved the crystal structures of the periplasmic sensor domains of Escherichia coli DcuS and of Vibrio cholerae DctB in complex with the respective cognate ligands, malate and succinate. Both proteins are involved in the regulation of the transport and metabolism of C4-dicarboxylates, but they are not highly related by sequence similarity. Our work reveals that despite disparate sizes, both structures contain a similar characteristic α/β PDC (PhoQ-DcuS-CitA) sensor-domain fold and display similar modes of ligand binding, suggesting similar mechanisms of function.
Brood reduction in temperate and sub-tropical ospreys.

In an effort to understand patterns and causes of nestling loss in Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), I studied brood reduction in three eastern U.S. Osprey colonies during 1978 and 1979. The colonies, located in Florida Bay (1) and on coastal Long Island, N.Y. (2), differed in the average daily amount of food delivered to nestlings; Florida nests received 43% and 11% less fish per day than nests in the two N.Y. colonies, largely because latitude and season restricted day length and thus foraging time for the winter-breeding Florida Ospreys. Increased distance from stable food sources accounted for the lower rate of feeding at one of the N.Y. colonies. Variation in clutch size in the three colonies reflected differences in latitude more than in food availability; average clutch sizes in Long Island were larger than Florida clutches by 0.5 of an egg, but were similar to each other and to those in other northeastern U.S. Osprey populations.Increased nestling loss coincided with reduced food delivery rates and, in food stressed colonies, this loss was 2-3 times greater than any recorded for Ospreys. Starvation was the primary cause of nestling death, with mortality concentrated on third chicks, which hatched on average 3.9 d later and from eggs 5.6% smaller than chicks hatching first. Sibling aggression accounted for the preferential feeding of older nestmates,but only in colonies or nests where food was limited. Aggressive chicks nearly always stopped fighting after being fed. This behavior provided a reversible mechanism for controling brood reduction that was based on nutrition. Growth rates of young measured during the first half of the growth period were more variable between colonies than within nests. This is interpreted as reflecting both the differences in colony food delivery rates as well as the evolutionary pressures of sibling competition to equalize the growth of nestmates.
Feedback regulation of TSH secretion in rats with hypothalamic lesions.

Regulation of the pituitary-thyroid axis was studied in rats with bilateral lesions in the paraventricular area of the hypothalamus. Following lesions, there was a persistent (up to 2 months) fall in levels of plasma protein-bound iodine and free thyroxine and pituitary TSH concentrations. Plasma TSH was 28.5 ±3.6 mU/100 ml in intact animals; after lesions values fell below the limit of immunoassay (<10 mU/ 100 ml) in 7 of 9 animals. Following thyroidectomy, plasma TSH levels in hypothalamiclesioned rats increased more slowly than did controls. At 10 days after thyroidectomy plasma TSH levels in hypothalamic-lesioned rats were not detectably increased, while normals were significantly elevated. Forty days after thyroidectomy, rats with lesions had elevated TSH levels, but the response was significantly less than normal. To evaluate effects of hypothalamic lesions on pituitary sensitivity to feedback inhibition, thyroidectomized animals were treated for 9 days with graded doses of T4. Plasma free T4 concen...
Emerging Understanding of Patterning in 4-Year-Olds

Young children have an impressive amount of mathematics knowledge, but past psychological research has focused primarily on their number knowledge. Preschoolers also spontaneously engage in a form of early algebraic thinking—patterning. In the current study, we assessed 4-year-old children's knowledge of repeating patterns on two occasions (N = 66). Children could duplicate and extend patterns, and some showed a deeper understanding of patterns by abstracting patterns (i.e., creating the same kind of pattern using new materials). A small proportion of the children had explicit knowledge of pattern units. Error analyses indicated that some pattern knowledge was apparent before children were successful on items. Overall, findings indicate that young children are developing an understanding of repeating patterns before school entry.
Making Things Happen: A Theory of Causal Explanation

Woodward's long awaited book is an attempt to construct a comprehensive account of causation explanation that applies to a wide variety of causal and explanatory claims in different areas of science and everyday life. The book engages some of the relevant literature from other disciplines, as Woodward weaves together examples, counterexamples, criticisms, defenses, objections, and replies into a convincing defense of the core of his theory, which is that we can analyze causation by appeal to the notion of manipulation.
Lingering Questions on Choledochal Cysts

Soares and colleagues1 are to be commended for assembling a large, multicenter analysis of children and adults with resectedcholedochalcysts (CCs).Althoughthestudyprovidesuseful information, it has several limitations including the retrospective design, the long time span reviewed, and the fact that most patients analyzed had symptomatic disease. As is the case inmost surgical series, the risk of associated cancer maybe overstated since the true denominator of patientswith asymptomaticdisease isunknown.Furthermore,althoughsurgical intervention in symptomatic patients is straightforward, treatment recommendations for the asymptomatic patient are more controversial. The series presented by Soares et al1 offers little guidance for this more vexing clinical problem. Guidelines for treatmentof asymptomaticpatients are important, especiallywith the significant surgicalmorbidity and mortality found in the series. The major morbidity rate was greater than 50%;nearly one-third of thepatients required readmission, oftenundergoingmultiple biliaryprocedures, and the 30-daymortality rate was 5.6%. This is a high price to pay for a prophylactic operation in an asymptomatic patient, especially if the risk of subsequent cancer is not known. Hence, if one is considering surgery in an asymptomatic patient, riskbenefit analysis is paramount. Fortunately, most singlecenter series andhigh-volume centers show2-4 lowermorbidity andmortality rates than those reported by Soares et al.1 Themost striking findingof this study is that recurrentCCs willbemalignant in3.0%ofpatientswhohaveundergoneresection.Wehavenotroutinelyperformedpostoperativesurveillance imaging in theabsenceof symptomsorabnormal liver function test results,butSoaresetal1 suggest thatperhapsweshould.Are somepatientsathigherrisk?Itwouldcertainlybehelpfultoidentifyasubgroupinwhichthisextensivesurveillanceiswarranted. Unfortunately, this retrospectivestudyoffersus littleguidance, butwe look forward to futurework in this endeavor.
Pericytic tumor with Gli oncogene and beta-Actin translocation [t(7;12)]

Background Pericytic tumor with a t(7;12) translocation is a recently described spindle cell neoplasm that affects a wide age range and has an oral cavity predilection (Am J Pathol 2004, in press). Case report A 10-year-old male presented with a 5.5-cm right tongue mass that occupied over 50% of the tongue volume. Following biopsy, the patient underwent chemotherapy to reduce the tumor volume and allow for excision. The patient was without recurrence 32 months following definitive resection. Pathology The tumor was multilobulated with an infiltrative growth pattern and comprised spindle cells arranged around small thin-walled vessels. Mitotic rate was relatively low (1/10 HPFs and Gli oncogene and beta-Actin . Conclusion This unique spindle cell neoplasm possesses pericytic differentiation based upon histopathologic, immunocytochemical and ultrastructural evaluation, and will most likely be classified as a separate entity within the WHO myopericytic neoplasm category. This unique pericytic tumor has a tumor-defining reciprocal translocation and lacks aggressive features.
Growth mode and phase transitions of multilayer nitrogen on graphite

The nitrogen-on-graphite growth process above the monolayer was studied by ac heat-capacity technique. The evolution of the heat-capacity peaks due to the orientational-ordering transitions as a function of coverage indicates regions of coexistence of the single and bilayer films and of the bilayer and trilayer films. Between regions of coexistence pure bilayer and trilayer films are found. The data also show clear evidence that near 30 K, only a maximum of three layers can form on the graphite surface when the bulk clusters start to grow. In addition, a sharp heat-capacity peak at 23.4 K was found for coverages above two layers. This peak is related to structural transition in the three-layer system and is probably a layering transition from a two-layer--plus--bulk system for T23.4 K to a three-layer--plus--bulk system for Tg23.4 K.
DNA packing in single crystals inferred from freeze-fracture-etch replicas.

Freeze-fracture-etch replicas of individual crystals of low molecular weight DNA grown from aqueous alcohol solution have been examined in the electron microscope. DNA crystals, like single, solution-grown crystals of other polymers, are thin, broad hexagonal plates with the DnA helix axes nearly perpendicular to the broad faces. Hexagonal spiral patterns are frequently seen on the faces, indicating the initiation of growth at a spiral dislocation. Since the distribution of crystal thicknesses closely corresponds to the distribution of contour lengths of the DNA preparation, it is inferred that the DNA molecules are fully extended rather than folded in the crystals. Uniformity of thickness within each crystal implies selection according to molecular weight during crystallization. High magnification examination of properly oriented fractures, together with digital averaging of two-dimensional densitometry of the electron micrographs, permits quantitative interpretation of the width and spacing of shadows cast by the edges of crystal planes. The shadows can be identified with planes consisting of single layers of helices. The intervals between shadows correspond to hexagonal packing, and the inter-helix spacing inferred from the electron micrograph measurements agrees well with an independent determination by X-ray diffraction at a similar temperature.
Reflection second-harmonic generation from GaAs/AlAs and GaAs/AlGaAs multilayers

We have observed first-, second- and third-order quasi- phase-matched second-harmonic generation in the reflection geometry from GaAs/AlAs multilayers. We have measured phase- matching curves and identified all the peaks. The linewidth for the first order is limited only by wave-vector mismatch. We have demonstrated two-order-of-magnitude enhancement solely using quasi-phase-matched multilayers. We have also achieved cavity-enhanced quasi-phase-matched second-order and non-phase-matched second-harmonic generation from GaAs/Al0.8Ga0.2As multilayers. We have determined the element of the second-order susceptibility tensor used for quasi-phase matching. We have measured the conversion efficiencies and discussed possibilities for further enhancements.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Structural and Electrochemical Characterization of Immobilized Polymerized Electroactive Vesicles

Immobilized polymerized electroactive vesicles (IPEVs) are biocapsules capable of storing charge in confined environments and of chemisorbing on conductive metal surfaces. Methods to immobilize stable electroactive vesicles and the means to measure their electroactivity at nanocoulomb levels are demonstrated. Charge transport between the electrode surface and the vesicle interior is tuned by adjusting the concentration of a membrane-soluble electron mediator. IPEVs serve as a model for developing biomimetic systems intended for charge storage and electron coupling applications.
Atherosclerosis and Transit of HDL Through the Lymphatic Vasculature

Key components of atherosclerotic plaque known to drive disease progression are macrophages and cholesterol. It has been widely understood, and bolstered by recent evidence, that the efflux of cholesterol from macrophage foam cells quells disease progression or even to promote regression. Following macrophage cholesterol efflux, cholesterol loaded onto HDL must be removed from the plaque environment. Here, we focus on recent evidence that the lymphatic vasculature is critical for the removal of cholesterol, likely as a component of HDL, from tissues including skin and the artery wall. We discuss the possibility that progression of atherosclerosis might in part be linked to sluggish removal of cholesterol from the plaque.
Noise into signal—seismic processing alchemy?

Our classic reference, Pitfalls in Seismic Interpretation by Paul Tucker and Howard Yorston, warns that “processing is perhaps the most dangerous (pitfall).” Early in my own career, individuals warned me about “overprocessed” data. I did understand how peas could be overcooked (burned). I did not understand how it would be possible to overdo application of truly astonishing processing algorithms such as the tremendous power of stack in revealing signal where none was apparent in the original shots. Far from worrying about overdoing a good thing, I yearned for the day when we could increase the fold‐of‐stack to bring out even more signal. Today, years later, we have become accustomed to processing miracles.
The Mark Coventry Award: Custom Cutting Guides Do Not Improve Total Knee Arthroplasty Clinical Outcomes at 2 Years Followup

Custom cutting guides (CCGs; sometimes called patient-specific instrumentation [PSI]) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) use preoperative three-dimensional imaging to fabricate cutting blocks specific to a patient’s native anatomy. The purposes of this study were to determine if CCGs (1) improve clinical outcomes as measured by UCLA activity, SF-12, and Oxford knee scores; and (2) coronal mechanical alignment versus standard alignment guides. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing primary TKA using the same cruciate-retaining, cemented TKA system between January 2009 and April 2012. Patients were included if they were candidates for a unilateral, cruciate-retaining TKA and met other prespecified criteria; patients were allowed to self-select either an MRI-based CCG procedure or standard TKA. Ninety-seven of 120 (80.8%) patients in the standard and 104 of 124 (83.9%, p = 0.5) in the CCG cohort with a minimum of 1-year followup were available for analysis. The first 95 patients in the standard (mean followup, 3 years; range, 1–4 years) and CCG (mean followup, 2 years; range, 1–4 years) cohorts were compared. The alignment goal for all TKAs was a hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle of 0°. UCLA, SF-12, and Oxford knee scores were collected preoperatively and at each patient’s most recent followup visit. Postoperative, rotationally controlled coronal scout CT scans were used to measure HKA alignment. Independent-sample t-tests and chi-square tests were used for comparisons with a p value ≤ 0.05 considered significant. At the most recent followup, no differences were present between the two cohorts for range of motion (114° ± 14° in CCG versus 115° ± 15° in standard, p = 0.7), UCLA (6 ± 2 in CCG versus 6 ± 2 in standard, p = 0.7), SF-12 physical (44 ± 12 in CCG versus 41 ± 12 in standard, p = 0.07), or Oxford knee scores (39 ± 9 in CCG versus 37 ± 10 in standard, p = 0.1). No differences were present for the incremental improvement in the UCLA (1 ± 4 in CCG versus 1 ± 3 in standard, p = 0.5), SF-12 physical (12 ± 20 in CCG versus 11 ± 21, p = 0.8), or Oxford knee scores (16 ± 9 in CCG versus 19 ± 10 in standard, p = 0.1) from preoperatively to postoperatively. There was no difference in the percentage of outliers for alignment (23% in standard versus 31% in CCG with HKA outside of 0° ± 3°; p = 0.2) between the two cohorts. At a mean followup of greater than 2 years, CCGs fail to demonstrate any advantages in validated knee outcome measure scores or coronal alignment as measured by CT scan versus the use of standard instrumentation in TKA. The clinical benefit of CCGs must be proven before continued implementation of this technology. Level III, retrospective controlled study.
Cutting hyperplanes for divide-and-conquer

Givenn hyperplanes inEd, a (1/r)-cutting is a collection of simplices with disjoint interiors, which together coverEd and such that the interior of each simplex intersects at mostn/r hyperplanes. We present a deterministic algorithm for computing a (1/r)-cutting ofO(rd) size inO(nrd?1) time. If we require the incidences between the hyperplanes and the simplices of the cutting to be provided, then the algorithm is optimal. Our method is based on a hierarchical construction of cuttings, which also provides a simple optimal data structure for locating a point in an arrangement of hyperplanes. We mention several other applications of our result, e.g., counting segment intersections, Hopcroft's line/point incidence problem, linear programming in fixed dimension.
Stability Boundaries of Liquid-Propelled Space Vehicles with Sloshing

Stability boundaries of space vehicles due to liquid propellant sloshing, sloshing mass, sloshing frequency, and tank location
Reliability of the Higgins-Wertman Test of Visual Closure

Sumnzary.-The purpose of this study was to determine the alternate form reliability of the Higgins-Werunan Test of Visual Closure. Alternate forms were given 1 wk. apart to 25 boys and 25 girls. 5 boys and 5 girls were randomly selected from each of 5 first grade classes in a school located in a low socio-economic census tracr. Significant reliability coefficients, ranging from .61 to .80, were found for alternate forms. Aspects of reading achievement correlated significantly with final closure.
Role of Solids Retention Time on Complete Nitrification: Mechanistic Understanding and Modeling

AbstractEffects of solids retention time (SRT) on both steps of the nitrification process (e.g., ammonia oxidation and nitrite oxidation) and the nitrifier community in a complete-mix activated sludge process were studied. At a SRT less than or equal to 20 days, the effluent ammonia concentration was lower than the effluent nitrite concentration. At the 40-day SRT, however, the effluent nitrite concentration became equal to or less than the effluent ammonia concentration. Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (QPCR) assays indicated that increasing SRT significantly increased nitrite-oxidizing bacteria/ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (NOB/AOB) ratio. Further investigation indicated that Nitrosomonas europaea/eutropha were the dominant AOB for ammonia oxidation under all SRTs. However, for nitrite oxidation, Nitrobacter-like NOB played the key role at low SRTs, while Nitrospira-like NOB played the key role at high SRTs. Modeling results indicated that, for AOB and NOB, the values of maximum specific growth rat...
A molting rhythm for serum proteins of the cockroach, Blatta orientalis

Abstract 1. 1. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) in 4% gels of Blatta orientalis larval hemolymph revealed 4 major proteins. 2. 2. Maximum incorporation of [14C]-leucine into total hemolymph protein occurs within 24 hr and is followed by negligible turnover in the next 24 hr. 3. 3. Quantitative PAGE was used to monitor concentration changes during the molting cycle in synchronously molting cultures. 4. 4. All 4 proteins show the same temporal rhythm of variation but different amplitudes. 5. 5. The widely differing concentrations achieved are accounted for by different rates of synthesis.
The expression of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase during differentiation-linked DNA replication reveals that it is a component of the multiprotein DNA replication complex.

3T3-L1 preadipocytes have been shown to exhibit a transient increase in poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein and activity, as well as an association of PARP with DNA polymerase α, within 12−24 h of exposure to inducers of differentiation, whereas 3T3-L1 cells expressing PARP antisense RNA showed no increase in PARP and are unable to complete the round of DNA replication required for differentiation into adipocytes. The role of PARP in differentiation-linked DNA replication has now been further clarified at both the cellular and enzymological levels. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that control 3T3-L1 cells progressed through one round of DNA replication prior to the onset of terminal differentiation, whereas cells expressing PARP antisense RNA were blocked at the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. Confocal microscope image analysis of control S phase cells demonstrated that PARP was localized within distinct intranuclear granular foci associated with DNA replication centers. On the basis of these resu...
Comparison of a Small-Mesh Seine and a Backpack Electroshocker for Evaluating Fish Populations in a North-Central Alabama Stream

Abstract A comparison of the sampling effectiveness of a backpack electroshocker and small-mesh seine was conducted on the upper Cahaba River in the Valley and Ridge physiographic province of north-central Alabama. Each of 15 sites was sampled once during fall 1995 (20 September–23 October), spring 1996 (2 May–20 June), and fall 1996 (20 September–16 October). Sampling was conducted with both gears on the same day, and the same amount of sampling time was allocated to each gear. Samples were segregated into seven groups (Cyprinidae, Catostomidae, Percidae, Centrarchidae [further subdivided into sunfish-crappie and bass categories], and other families as a group), and comparisons of the percent relative abundance (PRA) of groups were made between gears at each sampling station. The PRAs of the groups differed significantly between gears at all 15 stations. Cyprinid PRAs were consistently higher in seine collections, whereas percids, sunfish-crappie, and bass PRAs were higher in electroshocker collections. ...
National and international emission regulations in Europe for passenger cars

Abstract This presentation deals with the investigation into the development of rulemaking on gaseous emissions in Europe since its beginning. Particular attention has been paid to the aspect of international harmonization of emission regulations throughout Europe. From a critical investigation with regard to the current situation in western Europe, it occurs that the initial goal aiming for at least europeanwide harmonization of emission regulations has failed. More than ever before, automobile manufacturers are confronted with the problem of steadily increasing demand for development and certifications due to divergent regulations.
Caroli disease and the central dot sign.

A 12-month-old boy presented with fever, Klebsiellabacteremia, emesis, and abdominal pain. US demonstratedmultiple intrahepatic cysts containing fibrovascular bundles,known as the central dot sign (Fig. 1). Subsequent percuta-neous transhepatic cholangiography showed segmentalsaccular biliary ductal dilation (Fig. 2).Caroli disease is a rare congenital cystic dilatation of theintrahepatic bile ducts. This predisposes to biliary stasis andconsequent lithiasis, cholangitis, abscesses, and septicemia.Additionally, children face increased risk of hepatic fibrosis(termedCarolisyndrome),renaldisease,cholangiocarcinoma,and amyloidosis [2]. The central dot sign on US and CT isindicative of Caroli disease, but can also be seen inperibiliary cysts, obstructive jaundice, and periportal lym-phedema [1]. Cholangiography is the most sensitive radio-graphic study, because communication between bile ductsand cystic loculations is important to differentiate frommultiple liver cysts [2]; the role of magnetic resonancecholangiopancreatography for Caroli disease in children hasnot been systematically studied. Treatment can be achievedby partial hepatectomy in localized disease; however, diffuseliver involvement necessitates eventual transplant.References
Quality improvement and hospital financial performance

Summary The objective of this study was to examine the association between the scope and intensity of Quality improvement (QI) implementation in hospitals and organizational performance. A sample of 1,784 community hospitals was used to assess relationships between QI implementation approach and two hospital-level performance indicators: cash flow and cost per case. Two-stage instrumental variables estimation, in which predicted values (instruments) of eight QI intensity and scope variables plus control (exogenous) variables were used to estimate hospital-level performance indicators. Our results suggest that QI has a measurable impact on global measures of organizational performance and that both control and leaning approaches to QI matter in these settings. Hospitals that implement QI effectively can reasonably expect to improve their financial and cost performance, or at least not place the hospital at risk for investing in quality improvement. These outcomes are specific to QI strategies that emphasize both control and learning. Copyright # 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CAD education to the year 2000

Abstract This address relates motivation and the scope of CAD activities to a dynamic coexistence with the information processing revolution. Observations are made that should help CAD educators use their knowledge of economic, political and social forces to discuss pedagogy in a meaningful way, realizing that the ultimate goal is to contribute to the betterment of mankind.
A small perturbation approximation for stochastic dynamic weather prediction

The stochastic dynamic method for optimum weather forecasting and forecast variance estimation suffers from computational complexity sufficient to obviate its utility as an operational tool. The present paper suggests the use of a linear approximation for a perturbed set of stochastic dynamic equations aimed at reducing computation time. The linearization is based upon an assumption of small departures of the stochastic dynamic solution from the usual deterministic forecast. The resultant linear scheme was tested by evaluating its predictions for a simple mathematical model of the atmosphere, that described by Lorentz's “minimum hydrodynamic equations”. The linearization was found to be as effective as was the standard non-linear stochastic dynamics method, which approximates the exact stochastic dynamic solution by ignoring third-order moments. The problem of developing efficient numerical algorithms that take advantage of the simplification attendant upon linearization is not taken up in this paper, but will be reported upon as the work is pursued. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1978.tb00856.x
Hormone signaling in evolution and development: a non‐model system approachs

Cooption and modularity are informative concepts in evolutionary developmental biology. Genes function within complex networks that act as modules in development. These modules can then be coopted in various functional and evolutionary contexts. Hormonal signaling, the main focus of this review, has a modular character. By regulating the activities of genes, proteins and other cellular molecules, a hormonal signal can have major effects on physiological and ontogenetic processes within and across tissues over a wide spatial and temporal scale. Because of this property, we argue that hormones are frequently involved in the coordination of life history transitions (LHTs) and their evolution (LHE). Finally, we promote the usefulness of a comparative, non-model system approach towards understanding how hormones function and guide development and evolution, highlighting thyroid hormone function in echinoids as an example.
Health Promotion Interventions for Low-Income Californians Through Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans, 2012.

Introduction Prevention is the most cost-effective approach to promote population health, yet little is known about the delivery of health promotion interventions in the nation’s largest Medicaid program, Medi-Cal. The purpose of this study was to inventory health promotion interventions delivered through Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans; identify attributes of the interventions that plans judged to have the greatest impact on their members; and determine the extent to which the plans refer members to community assistance programs and sponsor health-promoting community activities.
Thermal Analysis of Some Organo Bromides as Potential Flame Retardants for Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate

A technique capable of simultaneously monitoring bromide ions and an asso ciated weight loss of organic bromides when heated with an infrared heater chosen to reflect conditions similar to those encountered in the burning pro cess is described. The technique has been applied to a range of aliphatic and aromatic bromine compounds in order to evaluate their potential as candidate gas-phase combustion inhibitors for poly/ethylene terephthalate).
Doppler-offset waveforms for MIMO radar

In a Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) radar, independent waveforms are transmitted from different locations, with the resulting reflections processed to form a “virtual antenna array” that is larger than the physical aperture of the radar. This paper examines the design of Doppler-offset waveforms for use in adaptive MIMO GMTI radar systems. Such waveforms provide good adaptive cancellation performance, but are also subject to strong range and Doppler ambiguities. We analyze these ambiguities, and show how they relate to array topology and waveform design. Then, we describe a new waveform approach, called “Dithered DDMA,” which enables high performance clutter cancellation over large range-Doppler regions without introducing ambiguous ranges or blind speeds, and without increasing the computational load on the MIMO processor.
Pleural Empyema due to Group D Salmonella

Non-typhi Salmonella normally presents as a bacteremia, enterocolitis, and endovascular infection but rarely manifests as pleuropulmonary disease. We present a case of a 66-year-old female with underlying pulmonary pathology, secondary to an extensive smoking history, who presented with a left-sided pleural effusion. The causative agent was identified as being group D Salmonella. Decortication of the lung was performed and the patient was discharged on antibiotics with resolution of her symptoms. This case helps to support the inclusion of Salmonella group D as a possible etiological agent of infection in the differential causes of exudative pleural effusions.
Reactive robot navigation using optimal timing control

In this paper a solution is presented for the problem of avoiding obstacles while progressing towards a goal for a single robot. In particular, an optimal solution is obtained by allowing the robot to switch between a fixed number of behaviors and optimizing over what behaviors to use and when to switch between them. We moreover show that the structure of the switch law only depends on the distance between the obstacle and the goal. Hence, once initial simulations are done, the structure of the guard is known to the robot and, given that the robot knows the distance between the obstacle and the goal, it knows when to switch to obtain the optimal solution. Therefore the solution lends itself to real-time implementations. The feasibility of the approach is verified in real robotics experiments.
Comparative aspects of poliovirus replication

To the extent that parallel experiments with picornaviruses and RNA bacteriophages can be compared, the results suggest that their mechanisms of RNA replication are basically similar, despite fundamental differences between the two groups of viruses with respect to the control of the expression of genetic information. The significance of the extracted multi-stranded replicative forms of viral RNA is discussed and it is concluded that, if not identical to the corresponding, intracellular forms, the extracted structures are meaningful derivatives of specific native forms.
Extreme temperature and precipitation events over Italy: assessment of high-resolution simulations with COSMO-CLM and future scenarios

This study presents a detailed analysis of the present and expected future extreme climate conditions over Italy through the use of some extreme indicators. Climate data for this analysis were provided by the regional climate model COSMO-CLM, using different grid spacing to ascertain the real importance of using higher resolution climate data, especially over such a complex topography as Italy. Four simulations were carried out at spatial resolutions of 0.125° and 0.0715°, driven by ERA-Interim Reanalysis and the CMCC-CM global model. We investigated the ability of the model to represent realistically the climatology of a subset of climate indicators defined by the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI) for precipitation and temperature. Several high-resolution observational data sets available over some Italian regions were therefore used in order to offset the limited number of observations available over Italy in the E-OBS data set and its coarse grid. We found that the increase in resolution could have interesting benefits in representing such extreme indices, especially in the more orographically complex areas. Finally, we investigated future climate changes regarding extreme weather events expected under anthropogenic climate change scenarios, employing the IPCC RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 greenhouse gas concentrations, showing that such events are expected to increase over Italy.
State estimation over packet dropping networks using multiple description coding

For state estimation over a communication network, efficiency and reliability of the network are critical issues. The presence of packet dropping and communication delay can greatly impair our ability to measure and predict the state of a dynamic process. In this paper, multiple description (MD) codes, a type of network source codes, are used to compensate for this effect on Kalman filtering. We consider two packet dropping models: in one model, packet dropping occurs according to an independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) Bernoulli random process and in the other model, packet dropping is bursty and occurs according to a Markov chain. We show that MD codes greatly improve the statistical stability and performance of Kalman filter over a large set of packet loss scenarios in both cases. Our conclusions are verified by simulation results.
Time delay estimation using integrated polyspectrum

The problem of estimating the difference in arrival times of a non-Gaussian signal at two spatially separated sensors is considered. The signal is assumed to be corrupted by spatially correlated Gaussian (or a class of non-Gaussian) noise of unknown cross-correlation. The authors present two new frequency-domain approaches for differential time-delay estimation using bispectrum or integrated bispectrum of the measurements. The approaches are asymptotically maximum-likelihood, hence, are optimal unlike the existing frequency-domain (bispectrum-based) approaches. Unlike the existing time-domain approaches, the input does not need to be a linear process. >
Lee-wave clouds and denitrification of the polar stratosphere

We present a hypothesis that the known formation of nitric acid hydrates in lee-wave ice clouds produces a “standing crop” of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) particles, and that growth and sedimentation of these particles efficiently denitrifies the polar stratosphere. Simulations using a simple two-dimensional model illustrate that the large NAT number concentrations produced in lee waves (>0.1 cm^(−3)) lead to low gas-phase HNO_3 concentration in the cloud layer, limiting subsequent particle growth. Provided the NAT existence temperature is not exceeded, these particles slowly sediment out of the cloud layer, at which point further growth is initiated. As a result of the long residence time and vertical wind shear, NAT particles produced in geographically selective regions over a short duration can cause extensive denitrification throughout the lower stratosphere. Our model illustrates that a single hypothetical lee-wave nucleation event [10 hours, 1000 km width (along a longitude) × 100 m altitude] is sufficient to produce significant denitrification (∼25%) vortex-wide.