cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A case control population-based study investigating smoking as a risk factor for gastroschisis in Utah, 1997–2005†‡

BACKGROUND: Smoking in pregnancy increases the risk for many different adverse pregnancy outcomes, including birth defects. Gastroschisis, a birth defect most commonly associated with young maternal age has been associated with smoking, but findings are inconsistent. We assessed whether smoking increases the risk for gastroschisis using population-based data from Utah. METHODS: Gastroschisis cases (n = 189) were identified from the Utah Birth Defect Network and all live births without birth defects (n = 423,499) occurring in Utah from January 1, 1997 through December 31, 2005 served as controls. Exposure data were derived from birth certificates and fetal death certificates and, for terminated pregnancies, the Utah Birth Defect Network. RESULTS: Women who smoked during the first trimester of pregnancy had an increased risk of gastroschisis (OR 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.3) after adjusting for maternal age and preconception BMI. Discordance between birth certificate data and data from structured interviews increased exposure prevalence from 16.9 to 22.2% for case mothers and 7.4 to 13.2% for control mothers. Accounting for this misclassification, the crude OR decreased by 24%, 1.9 (1.3, 2.7). CONCLUSIONS: Though first trimester cigarette smoking was reported on birth certificates by more mothers of gastroschisis cases than controls, adjustment for confounders (maternal age and preconception BMI) and smoking misclassification suggests the association is weak. Despite a decrease in smoking prevalence among all women of childbearing years in Utah between 1997 and 2005, the prevalence of gastroschisis has not followed a similar trend. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A membrane-bound fluorescent probe to detect phospholipid vesicle-cell fusion.

Pyrenesulfonylphosphatidylethanolamine has been incorporated into sonicated phospholipid vesicles to provide a fluorescent signal from a membrane-bound probe whose spectrum is sensitive to the local concentration of dye molecules. When vesicle material was taken up by viable mouse splenocytes, the disappearance of the pyrene excimer fluorescence emission peak that accompanied dilution of the vesicle membrane lipid could be quantitated. One can thus measure, by a simple and rapid procedure, a new parameter which is related to the extent of vesicle-cell fusion and which is independent of the transfer of aqueous vesicle contents to the cell cytoplasm.
Ecological and Toxicological Bases of Directed Control of Arvicola terrestris (L.) and Microtus arvalis (Pallas) in Agricultural Crops 1

In order to protect crops during outbreaks of Arvicola terrestris (L.) or Microtus arvalis (Pallas), it is necessary to have formulations with acute action and high rodenticidal potential; rodenticides should be applied as baits corresponding to the hygrotrophic specialization of the species. When compared with zinc phosphide, Gliftor provides reliable control of voles in any season. The outlook of bactorodencide (bacterial preparation) applications is being determined with particular reference to their ecological effects.
The bubbly-slug transition in a boiling two-phase flow under microgravity

A theory is presented to describe, in reduced gravity flow boiling, the transition from bubbly two-phase flow to slug flow. It is shown that characteristics of the bubbly flow and the transition were controlled by the mechanism of vapor bubble growth dynamics. By considering in nucleate boiling, behavior of vapor bubbles at departure from a heated surface a condition required for transition was determined. Although required, this condition alone could not ensure coalescence of bubbles to cause the transition to slug two-phase flow. The condition leading to coalescence, therefore, was obtained by examining oscillations of vapor bubbles following their departure from the heated surface. The predicted transition conditions were compared with the prediction and test data reported for adiabatic reduced gravity two-phase flow, and good qualitative agreement was found.
Piece-Wise Linear Approximation Of An Object Boundary From Freeman Chain Code

An algorithm is described to generate a polygonal approximation to an object boundary from the Freeman chain code using digital filters. In computer vision and pattern recognition, concatenation of digital straight lines is a simple and compact representation of the boundary of well behaved planar regions. Digital straight lines have often been used as features to track and recognize shapes and objects. To abstract digital straight lines, the chain code sequence is used as the input to two digital filters with different response characteristics. The difference between the outputs of the filters is used to detect corners; noisy line segments result in reduced corner detection accuracy. The algorithm also provides an estimate of the angle between neighboring lines and a basis for estimating the length of the line segments. Moreover, an extension of this algorithm may be used to detect quadratic segments in an object boundary.
OPTIMAL PARALLEL MATCHING ON BIPARTITE PERMUTATION GRAPHS

We present a cost-optimal parallel algorithm for the maximum matching problem on bipartite permutation graphs on an EREW PRAM. Previously, Chen and Yesha have dealt with this problem. Their solution relies on Dekel and Sahni's matching algorithm for convex bipartite graphs, which runs in O(log2 n) time using O(n) processors. Given a permutation diagram, our algorithm runs in O(log n) time by using O(n/log n) processors. Our method starts with an easily understood greedy algorithm. We define a nontrivial binary operation which is associative and equivalent to the greedy algorithm. Thus parallel prefix can be applied to the problem.
Evaluating Referential Communication Games for Teaching Speaking and Listening Skills.

Recent attention to improving children's speaking and listening skills has resulted in the inclusion of oral communication in the Office of Education's definition of “basic skills.” This paper focuses on communication games and activities which can be used to teach these “informing” skills (also known as “referential communication skills"). The paper begins with a brief review of research on referential communication. A set of eight criteria are proposed for evaluating curriculum materials intended to teach speaking and listening. These criteria are applied to existing curriculum materials which make use of communication activities. In an effort to bridge the gap between research and practice, a number of communication games which have been used in referential communication research are examined. Application of the eight criteria to these research activities suggests that some of them have considerable potential as prototypes for curriculum materials. Future directions for the development of curriculum ma...
Energy requirements of CNS cells as related to their function and to their vulnerability to ischemia: a commentary based on studies on retina.

CNS tissue is well known to have large energy requirements. However, because of the difficulty of measuring rates of energy usage, relatively little is known about which cell types and which neurop...
Atomic solvation parameters applied to molecular dynamics of proteins in solution.

A solvation energy function for use in the molecular simulation of proteins is proposed. It is based on the accessible surface areas of atoms in the protein and on atomic solvation parameters derived from empirical vapor-to-water free energies of transfer of amino acid side-chain analogs. The energy function and its derivatives were added to the CHARMM molecular simulation program (Brooks, B.R., Bruccoleri, R.E., Olafson, B.D., States, D.J., Swaminathan, S., & Karplus, M., 1983, J. Comput. Chem. 4(2), 187-217). The effect of the added energy term was evaluated by 110 ps of molecular dynamics on the 26-residue protein melittin. The melittin monomer and tetramer were studied both with and without the added term. With the added energy term the monomer partially unfolded, while the secondary structure of the tetramer was preserved, in agreement with reported experiments (Brown, L.R., Lauterwein, J., & Wuethrich, K., 1980, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 622(2), 231-244; Lauterwein, J., Brown, L.R., & Wuethrich, K., 1980, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 622(2), 219-230).
Policing and traffic shaping at the user-network-interface (UNI)

A network's decision to accommodate a new ATM connection is based in part on sustained and peak cell rate and peak duration declared by the user in the connection request. As these traffic descriptors are onlyprojections of the traffic, connection admission control must be supplemented by input rate control in order to monitor and regulate theactual traffic. None of the proposed input rate control schemes enforces multiple traffic parameters. Additionally, traffic shaping at the UNI based on regulating average and peak rates may enhance statistical multiplexing performance. This paper presents a performance analysis of the two-stage entry monitor combining a sticky bufferpolicer with aspacer. To the best of our knowledge,no analysis of tandem policers has appeared before this paper. The first stage enforces the sustained rateR/T negotiated in the connection request; the spacer shapes the traffic and controls burstiness by further ensuring that cells enter the network at leastS slots apart. We derive the probability generating function for the combined queue length distribution and evaluate numerically (i) the manner in whichS and burstiness affect the cell-loss probability, and (ii) the performance penalty caused by enforcing two rates. The principal contribution of this paper is the calculation of the buffer size required to police two parameters subject to a specified cell-loss ratio. Our principal conclusion is that the increase in buffer size needed to police the peak sustained rate in addition to the sustained rate is minimal. We will also demonstrate that the leaky bucket and the single-stage sticky buffer have comparable performance, enabling us to conclude that a two-stage sticky buffer can police both peak and sustained rates for almost the same cost as a leaky bucket.
Surface Pressure Measurements on a Body Subject to Vortex Wake Interaction

Wind-tunnel experiments were conducted to examine the interaction effects between a rotor and an idealized airframe in forward flight. Mean and unsteady pressures were measured on the airframe suface for various flight speeds. Strong rotor-wake interactions with the airframe create large excursions in the mean pressure distribution. Extreme fluctuations in the unsteady component of pressure are also observed. The flowfield features that cause these effects are identified and discussed. It is essential that a comprehensive aerodynamic interaction code account for these features if accurate predictions of mean and unsteady airloads on the fuselage are to be obtained. b c Cp Cp' Cp» CT H/R P
Structure of Microporous QUI-MnGS-1 and in Situ Studies of Its Formation Using Time-Resolved Synchrotron X-ray Powder Diffraction

The structure of QUI-MnGS-1 has been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction on a ∼0.03 × 0.03 × 0.02 mm sample using synchrotron radiation. This material [(C7H13N)Mn0.25Ge1.75S4·H2O] crys...
Poly(imide siloxane) and carbon nanotube mixed matrix membranes for gas separation

Abstract Recent theoretical work by Sholl and coworkers has predicted that carbon nanotubes, if used as membranes, have the flux/selectivity properties that far exceed those of any other known inorganic or organic material. To verify this prediction, we have fabricated nano-composite membranes consisting of single-walled carbon nanotubes embedded in a poly(imide siloxane) copolymer and evaluated their transport properties. While the siloxane segment enhanced the interfacial contact, the polyimide component imparted mechanical integrity. A poly(imide siloxane) was synthesized using an aromatic dianhydride, an aromatic diamine and amine-terminated PDMS for the siloxane block. The weight percent of PDMS was determined to be 41 using 1 H-NMR. Permeability measurements of He showed drops in permeability with the addition on close-ended CNTs. This large drop in permeability of He suggests that the copolymer adhered well to the CNTs and that the prepared CNT MMMs were defect free. However, the permeability of O 2 , N 2 and CH 4 increased in proportion to the amount of open-ended CNTs in the polymer matrix. This suggests that CNTs offer an attractive additive for universally enhancing the gas permeability of polymers.
Interaction between bacteriophage λ and its Escherichia coli host

Bacteriophage λ relies to a large extent on processes requiring interactions between viral- and host-encoded proteins for its lytic growth, establishment of lysogeny, and release from the prophage state. Both biochemical and genetic studies of these interactions have yielded new information about important host and λ functions. In particular, mutations in Escherichia coli that compromise λ DNA replication, genome packaging, transcription elongation, and site-specific recombination have led to the identification of bacterial genes whose products are chaperones, transcription factors, or DNA-binding proteins.
Reaching a CNV milestone

A new study compares the copy number variants (CNVs) in 29,085 children with developmental delay to those in 19,584 healthy controls, providing a valuable compilation of such data. The phenotypic variability and wide range of penetrance for these variants present societal challenges regarding how these findings might be incorporated into newborn screening, early intervention and, perhaps, carrier testing and prenatal diagnosis.
Effects of MK-801 on rat primary afferent neurons and fibers.

Abstract Recent evidence suggests that glutamate and its N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor may participate in regulating neunte morphology and peptide expression. A previous study from this laboratory showed that treatment with the NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801, induced an apparent increase in the density of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-immunoreactive primary afferent fibers in the dorsal spinal cord of the rat. The present study was undertaken to extend this work by: 1) quantifying the MK-801-induced increase in CGRP immunostaining in the dorsal grey commissure/medial dorsal horn region and 2) examining the effect of MK-801 on the number of CGRP-immunoreactive primary afferent cell bodies in lumbar dorsal root ganglia. Following 7 days of MK-801 treatment, a significant increase ( p
Failure of the FPP inside an asymptotically isometric-free copy of c0

Abstract We produce an equivalent renorming of c 0 which fails to contain an asymptotically isometric copy of c 0 , yet all of its infinite-dimensional subspaces fail to have the fixed point property for nonexpansive mappings on closed, bounded, convex subsets.
Reaction to Sulindac

Excerpt To the editor: Since sulindac was introduced in November 1978, a number of adverse reactions have been reported, including congestive heart failure, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epiderma...
Regional differences in low SES African-American children's speech in the school setting

Comprehensive investigations of African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) have demonstrated that most features of AAVE reported in the sociolinguistic literature are consistently seen in nearly every African-American speech community in which vernacular speech has been documented. This article highlights quantitative regional differences in the speech produced by African-American children from three U.S. cities in an academic setting. In this analysis, 157 5- to 8-year-old African-American children in New Orleans, LA, Washington, DC, and Cleveland, OH imitated the sentences of a story presented in Standard American English (SAE) by teachers. The 15 sentences included many items that were possible mismatches between the child's vernacular and SAE. Afterwards, the children retold the story in their own words. Children's use of SAE and AAVE features in both tasks was analyzed. Higher rates of AAVE feature use occurred in New Orleans than in Cleveland or Washington, DC.
On positive multi-lump bound states of nonlinear Schrödinger equations under multiple well potential

In this paper, we first construct multi-lump (nonlinear) bound states of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation for sufficiently small ℏ>0, in which sense we call them “semiclassical bound states.” We assume that 1≦p<∞ forn=1,2 and 1≦p<1+4/(n−2) forn≧3, and thatV is in the class(V) a in the sense of Kato for somea. For any finite collection {x 1,...,x N} of nondegenerate critical points ofV, we construct a solution of the forme −iEt/ℏv(x) forE<a, wherev is real and it is a small perturbation of a sum of one-lump solutions concentrated nearx 1,...,x N respectively. The concentration gets stronger as ℏ→0. And we also prove these solutions are positive, and unstable with respect to perturbations of initial conditions for possibly smaller ℏ>0. Indeed, for each such collection of critical points we construct 2 N−1 distinct unstable bound states which may have nodes in general, and the above positive bound state is just one of them.
Behavioral, morphological, and physiological traits associated with migratory Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Bemisia tabaci, that were flown for varying lengths of time (1 min-2.5 h), exhibited behavioral, morphological, and physiological differences. When whiteflies that were engaging in phototactic orientation in a vertical flight chamber were presented with a visual cue simulating their host plant (550-nm narrowband interference filter), 76% landed on this cue within three presentations. Another 18% of the whiteflies displayed an intermittent attraction to the host cue, and 6% displayed a response that, historically, has been considered to be indicative of migration. These individuals failed to respond to the target until they had flown for at least 15 min. These three categories of response were observed in both sexes, in all flight-capable individuals from 1 to 5 days old and in two groups of whiteflies that were exhibiting distinct behaviors prior to our tests (i.e., they were either settled on poinsettia or engaging in phototactic orientation). There was a trend for males that engaged in long-distance flight to have smaller wing dimensions than males that engaged in shorter flights; no trend was evident in female whiteflies. High levels of vitellogenin and vitellin did not inhibit flight activity. In fact, we generally found higher levels of egg proteins in long-distance fliers and in premigratory individuals than in short-duration fliers and settled individuals.
Epidemiology of Gram Negative Bacilli (GNB) Airway Colonization in an NICU 1203

GNB airway colonization occurs in one-third of newborns who are mechanically ventilated for longer than 2 weeks. This colonization is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. To ascertain their origin and potential modes of transmission, 52 GNB isolates from 14 ventilated newborns were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). These isolates were from 41 serial tracheal cultures obtained (July-October 1997) at the NICU where pts. were located in four contiguous rooms. Routine bacteriology showed that five neonates were colonized with two different GNB and one was colonized with three. PFGE analysis revealed that one pt. acquired two strains and one subtype of Klebsiella (A1,E, E1), and another harbored multiple subtypes of Klebsiella(A,A1,A2,A3). For the remaining pts., colonizations were due to unrelated strains. Table
Networking the Global Maritime Partnership

Eight years ago, the then-U.S. Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Michael Mullen, unveiled the concept of the "Thousand-Ship Navy" as a new taxonomy for international naval cooperation. Embraced by the George W. Bush administration and renamed "The Global Maritime Partnership (GMP) Initiative" this concept was rapidly embraced by the community of nations as a way to secure the global commons. In the ensuing years this concept has become a new international norm and the sine qua non for international naval cooperation. But as international navies have gained experience operating together across a wide spectrum of operations from conflict to humanitarian efforts, they have also found that the networking challenges have been daunting and these C4ISR challenges have impeded effective maritime partnering. This paper will address the way C4ISR challenges manifest today as navies unite in a GMP. It will also describe how lessons learned from past networking and coalition efforts can inform global security efforts today. We will share the results of a beta-test among the five AUSCANNZUKUS nations that provides one example of how to address these C4ISR challenges by harmonizing international naval C4ISR acquisition efforts.
A device for releasing a piston corer and deactivating the piston

Abstract A device is described for releasing a piston corer, holding the piston cable during free fall and penetration, and deactivating the piston by dropping the piston cable. Combined in the instrument are a cocking and triggering device, a safety catch, and a closed-system timing cylinder with a needle valve that controls circulation of oil and thereby regulates the time the piston cable is held. The device eliminates the complexity, unreliability and much of the time involved in the use of previous deactivators.
Cost effective malaria risk control using remote sensing and environmental data

Malaria transmission in many part of the world specifically in Bangladesh and southern African countries is unstable and epidemic. An estimate of over a million cases is reported annually. Malaria is heterogeneous, potentially due to variations in ecological settings, socio-economic status, land cover, and agricultural practices. Malaria control only relies on treatment and supply of bed networks. Drug resistance to these diseases is widespread. Vector control is minimal. Malaria control in those countries faces many formidable challenges such as inadequate accessibility to effective treatment, lack of trained manpower, inaccessibility of endemic areas, poverty, lack of education, poor health infrastructure and low health budgets. Health facilities for malaria management are limited, surveillance is inadequate, and vector control is insufficient. Control can only be successful if the right methods are used at the right time in the right place. This paper aims to improve malaria control by developing malaria risk maps and risk models using satellite remote sensing data by identifying, assessing, and mapping determinants of malaria associated with environmental, socio-economic, malaria control, and agricultural factors.
Multiple enzyme restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for high resolution distinction of Pseudomonas (sensu stricto) 16S rRNA genes.

Abstract Members of the genus Pseudomonas (sensu stricto) are important phytopathogens and agents of human infections, while other strains and species have beneficial bioremediation and biocontrol activities. Traditionally, these important species have been difficult to differentiate phenotypically; thus, rRNA lineage analyses have often been invoked. In this report, a newly developed approach is described to rapidly detect and distinguish fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates: PCR amplification of a Pseudomonas -specific 990-bp ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) fragment [Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 64 (1998) 2545.] coupled with multiple enzyme restriction fragment length polymorphism (MERFLP) analysis using a single digestion mixture of Alu I, Hinf I, Rsa I, and Tru 9I incubated at 37°C. The method distinguished 116 published sequences and 47 reference strains of authentic Pseudomonas representing 28 nomenspecies. A total of 55% (64/116) of the sequences analyzed by MERFLP were grouped into distinct phylogenetic clusters including Pseudomonas putida , P. syringae , P. aeruginosa , P. stutzeri , and P. fluorescens. The utility of the MERFLPs was confirmed when 100% (33/33) of the above named control reference strains were correctly placed into their phylogenetic clusters. The environmental relevance of the MERFLP method was confirmed when 67% of 28 forest and agricultural soil-derived presumptive Pseudomonas environmental clones and isolates were placed into the five major pseudomonad clusters, one clone fell into the P. agarici cluster, and five clones clustered near related pseudomonads. These data demonstrated that the PCR–MERFLP protocol provides an efficient and powerful tool for distinguishing isolates and rDNA gene libraries of environmental Pseudomonas species.
Pathologic gas collections on abdominal computed tomography: Differential diagnosis and physiologic correlation

Abdominal computed tomography is often the critical step in the evaluation of patients presenting in the emergency department with abdominal pain and/or suspected intra-abdominal infection. Gas is normally found in the stomach, small bowel, colon, rectum, and occasionally the appendix. However, extraluminal gas collections can be identified on abdominal radiographs or computed tomographic examinations, and their presence often suggests specific pathology. Knowledge of different intra-abdominal pathologic gas collections and the underlying physiology contributing to each is important in understanding the clinical significance of each entity. The spectrum of intra-abdominal gas collections, as well as their clinical significance, will be described.
1408 PROSTAGLANDINS AND SYSTOLIC TIME INTERVALS (LVSTI) IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS (PDA)

1408 PROSTAGLANDINS AND SYSTOLIC TIME INTERVALS (LVSTI) IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS (PDA)
Computer approaches to protein structure. I. Analysis of atomic distances.

Abstract X-ray crystallography has yielded the detailed three-dimensional geometry for a number of proteins. In order to interpret the atomic interactions within a protein molecule, it is usually necessary to construct molecular models. Another means of acquiring information concerning molecular structure would be to recast the X-ray data into a more meaningful form. Computer programs, which convert the coordinates of the atoms into a form that facilitates the study of preferred atomic interactions, are described. In this approach the local atomic environment for each atom of the protein is calculated and printed in a manner that makes information of specific atomic interactions readily accessible.
Buprenorphine produces naltrexone reversible alterations of immune status

Substantial evidence demonstrates that administration of high efficacy mu opioid agonists such as morphine modulate the immune response in a dose-dependent and pharmacologically specific manner, indicating functional interactions between the opioid and immune systems. In contrast to the well-characterized immunomodulatory effects of high efficacy mu opioids, little is known about how these effects generalize to other clinically employed opioids and agonists of varying degrees of mu opioid receptor stimulation. Buprenorphine is a mu opioid agonist of intermediate efficacy that is used clinically for pain management and has recently been approved for the treatment of opioid dependence. Recent evidence indicates pharmacological and mechanistic differences between buprenorphine and morphine. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether buprenorphine also possesses immunomodulatory properties. The results demonstrate that buprenorphine dose-dependently suppresses splenic natural killer cell activity, lymphocyte proliferation and IFN-gamma production in rats in a naltrexone reversible manner, demonstrating pharmacological specificity of buprenorphine-induced immune alterations.
Selenium adsorption on Mg–Al and Zn–Al layered double hydroxides

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have high anion exchange capacities that enhances their potential to remove anionic contaminants from aqueous systems. In this study, different Mg–Al and Zn–Al LDHs were synthesized by a coprecipitation method, with the products evaluated for their ability to adsorb selenite (SeO32−) and selenate (SeO42−). Results indicated the adsorption isotherm for SeO32− retention by Mg–Al and Zn–Al LDHs could be fitted to a simple Langmuir equation with the affinity of SeO32− on Zn–Al LDH higher than that on Mg–Al LDH. The adsorption trends for both SeO32− and SeO42− on LDHs were similar under the experimental conditions. The SeO32− adsorption was rapid and was affected by the initial SeO32− concentration. The quasi-equilibrium for 0.063 and 0.63 cmol/l SeO32− solutions was obtained within the first 30 and 60 min of adsorption, respectively. The maximum adsorption of SeO32− on Mg–Al LDH was higher than that of Zn–Al LDH and decreased with an increase in the LDH mole ratio of Mg/Al. The high pH buffering capacities and the SeO32− adsorption for Mg–Al and Zn–Al LDHs was a function of pH. Competing anions strongly affected the adsorption behavior of SeO32− with SeO32− adsorption increasing in the order: HPO42−<SO42−<CO32−<NO3−. The release of adsorbed SeO32− depended upon the type of competing anion in the aqueous solution. For example, with CO32− the adsorbed SeO32− could be desorbed completely from Mg–Al LDH. X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that d-spacing increased when SeO42− was adsorbed, but not with SeO32− adsorption.
Integrating Web-Based Data into A Data Warehouse

Abstract Data warehousing technologies have become mature enough to efficiently store and process huge data sets, which has shifted the data warehousing challenge from increasing data processing capacity to enriching data resources in order to provide better decision-making assistance. There have been reports that some organizations intend to recruit Web data into data warehouse systems as a means of responding to the challenge of enriching data resources, because infinite information has made the Internet the largest external database to each organization. However, there is not a systematical guideline to support such an intention. To fill this void, we introduce Web integration as a strategy to merge data warehouses and the Web, with an emphasis on effectively and efficiently acquiring Web data into data warehouses. We also point out that the critical step for Web integration is to acquire genuinely valuable business data from the Web. A framework for determining the business value of Web data is offere...
Workability Behavior of Powder Metallurgy Carbide Reinforced Aluminum Composites During Hot Forging

Experimental study was conducted to assess the consequence of titanium carbide (TiC), molybdenum carbide (Mo2C), iron carbide (Fe3C), and tungsten carbide (WC) reinforcements on the composite alumi...
Structural and functional analysis of the insulin-like growth factor I receptor gene promoter

The insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-I-R) gene is expressed in most body tissues. The levels of IGF-I-R mRNA, however, are regulated by a number of physiological conditions (development, differentiation, and hormonal milieu) as well as in certain pathological states (diabetes and tumors). To understand the molecular mechanisms which control the transcription of the IGF-I-R gene, we have cloned the promoter of the rat receptor gene and have characterized its activity by transient expression assays. Different fragments of the 5'-flanking region (subcloned upstream of a luciferase reporter gene) were transfected into buffalo rat liver 3A cells (a cell line with a low number of IGF-I binding sites) and Chinese hamster ovary cells (a cell line with a higher number of cell-surface receptors). In both cell lines, most of the promoter activity was located in the proximal 416 base pairs of 5'-flanking region. However, further dissection of this proximal fragment revealed a cell type-specific pattern of p...
Diesel Engine Operation Using Ammonia as a Carbon-Free Fuel

Ammonia combustion does not produce carbon dioxide and thus can be regarded as a carbon-free fuel. Ammonia was used as a fuel in a compression-ignition engine in this study. Vapor ammonia was introduced into the engine intake port, and diesel fuel was injected directly into the cylinder to initiate combustion. This dual-fuel approach was chosen because ammonia has a high resistance to autoignition. A liquid ammonia tank was used for fuel storage and a high pressure relief valve regulated the ammonia flow rate, and ignition was controlled by diesel fuel injection. Ammonia was used as an energy replacement for diesel fuel. The results showed that the peak engine torque could be achieved by using different combinations of diesel fuel and ammonia. During testing, a maximum energy replacement of 95% was measured. It should be noted that, if more ammonia is added, a higher than rated power can be achieved depending on engine load conditions. It was also shown that CO2 emissions were reduced monotonically for the same engine torque output as the amount of the ammonia in the fuel mixture increased. Additionally, burning ammonia in engines does not necessarily increase NOx emissions despite the fuel-bound nitrogen. Lower levels of NOx emissions were obtained as long as energy substitution by ammonia did not exceed 60%. This is thought to occur because of the lower combustion temperature of ammonia.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Methyl- and dimethyl-/ethyl-nitronaphthalenes measured in ambient air in Southern California

Naphthalene and alkylnaphthalenes are abundant semi-volatile polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in ambient air as a result of emissions from combustion sources. At ambient temperatures, these PAHs can undergo atmospheric gas-phase reactions with hydroxyl (OH) radicals. We report here on environmental chamber reactions simulating ambient photooxidation of volatilized diesel fuel PAHs and demonstrate for the first time that dimethylnitronaphthalenes and/or ethylnitronaphthalenes identified as formed from the OH radical-initiated reactions of alkyl-PAHs present in diesel fuel are also present in ambient air samples collected in Southern California.
Arginine vasopressin gene expression in rats with puromycin-induced nephrotic syndrome

Abstract Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by water and sodium retention, which leads to edema formation. The nonosmotic stimulation of arginine vasopressin (AVP) release from the pituitary gland has been implicated to be one of the important factors of abnormal water retention in patients with nephrotic syndrome. It is not known, however, whether nephrotic syndrome is associated with stimulation of hypothalamic vasopressin gene expression. Puromycin aminonucleoside is known to cause altered glomerular permeability, which results in experimental nephrotic syndrome in rats. In the present study, therefore, AVP gene expression has been studied in the hypothalamus of rats with puromycin aminonucleoside-induced nephrotic syndrome (PNS). Nephrotic syndrome was induced by a single intravenous injection of puromycin aminonucleoside (50 mg/kg body weight). Nephrotic syndrome was confirmed by urinary protein excretion (control 20.8 ± 3.5 mg/24 hr v PNS273.9 ± 41.4mg/24hr; P v PNS2.96 ± 0.22g/dL; P v PNS2.13 ± 0.42pg/mL; P 2 O v PNS290.3 ± 2.5mOsm/kg H 2 O; P = NS, n=12) or serum sodium concentration (control 142.7 ± 0.7 v PNS142.1 ± 1.1; PNS, n=12). Hypothalamic AVP mRNA determined by solution hybridization was significantly increased in PNS rats (control 2,915 ± 545 pg/hypothalamus v PNS5,914 ± 1,161pg/hypothalamus; P
Ex Vivo Treatment of Murine Splenocyte-Supplemented Bone Marrow Inocula with Mafosfamide Prior to Allogeneic Transplantation in an Attempt to Prevent Lethal Graft-VERSUS-Host Disease without Compromising Engraftment

AbstractMurine splenocyte-supplemented bone marrow cell suspensions were incubated with mafosfamide, an analog of “activated” cyclophosphamide, prior to transplantation across major histocompatibility barriers into lethally-irradiated recipient mice in an attempt to reduce the incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD)-related mortality without compromising engraftment. Irradiated mice that received vehicle-treated splenocyte-supplemented bone marrow inocula developed symptoms of severe GvHD; the majority of such animals did not survive. Treatment of donor cells with 160 μM mafosfamide for 30 min resulted in a marked increase in animal survival without evidence of GvHD. Survival of bone marrow allografts was demonstrated by the persistence of donor-type mononuclear cells in the peripheral blood of surviving animals. Treatment of donor cells with a four-fold higher concentration of mafosfamide also resulted in a significant increase in survival without evidence of GvHD; however, host resistance to engra...
THERMOSTABILITY OF RED BEET PIGMENTS (BETANINE AND VULGAXANTHIN–I): INFLUENCE OF pH AND TEMPERATURE

The thermostability of red beet pigments (betanine and vulgaxanthin–I) was investigated in beet juice under atmospheric conditions at 61.5, 75.5 and 85.5°C and at pH range 4.8–6.2. The degradation of both pigments followed first-order reaction kinetics. The energies of activation were 19.2 ± 0.5 and 16.3 ± 0.6 Kcal/mole for betanine and vulgaxanthin–I respectively, and were independent of pH. Maximum thermostability was observed at pH 5.8 for both pigments. In beet juice under atmospheric conditions vulgaxanthin–I was more sensitive than betanine.
Prolonged exposure to conspecific and predator odors reduces fear reactions to these odors during subsequent prod-shock tests

In Experiment 1, four groups of male rats were given a session as an intruder in either aggressive (i.e., alpha) or nonaggressive colonies of conspecifics and later received either a 2-h exposure to the odors of the alpha colonies or an exposure-control session with the odors of a nonalpha colony. Two additional groups of rats that had been attacked and defeated by alpha residents were later given a 12-h exposure session with alpha-colony odors or nonaipha-control odors. Twenty-four h after the colony-intruder session, all subjects were given a single 6.5-mA shock from a prod with alpha-colony odors present in the bedding of the test chamber. Attacked rats that had been given exposure-control sessions showed significantly less prod burying and greater freezing than nondefeated subjects. This implies that the alpha-colony odors elicited conditioned fear. In contrast, the attacked subjects that had been given a pretest exposure session with alpha-colony odors showed significantly more prod burying and significantly less freezing. This suggests that the alpha-odor exposure resulted in the extinction of fear to these odors. Furthermore, the 12-h exposure to alpha-colony odors was found to be more effective in reducing fear-mediated responses than was the 2-h exposure. In Experiment 2, three groups of rats were exposed to a cat while they were in a protective cage; later they were given a 12-h exposure session with cat odors, a 12-h exposure-control session with no cat odors, or no exposure treatment. Compared with the two control groups, the subjects that were exposed to cat odors showed less freezing during subsequent prod-shock tests in the presence of cat odors, but they did not show prod burying. The reported changes in fear-mediated reactions to the odors of conspecifics and a predator are discussed in terms of both associative and nonassociative processes.
Comparative Efficacy and Tolerability of Nicotine Replacement Therapies

While tobacco use has declined in many industrialised nations, it remains a leading cause of preventable illness and death worldwide. Nicotine replacement therapy can play a role in assisting tobacco users to terminate their addiction. To this end, 4 different nicotine replacement therapies have been developed: (i) nicotine chewing gum (polacrilex); (ii) transdermal nicotine systems (patch); (iii) nicotine nasal spray; and (iv) nicotine inhalers. The efficacies of these therapies have been evaluated in terms of their ability to aid smoking cessation efforts and to minimise aversive withdrawal symptoms. Tolerability has been evaluated in terms of adverse effect profiles and abuse liability. While more research evaluating the nasal spray and inhalers is needed, transdermal nicotine appears to offer the best combination of efficacy, withdrawal suppression, adverse effects and abuse liability. It has proven efficacy when used in combination with different levels of behavioural therapy. Directions for future research include combination therapies, the most appropriate concentration of nicotine and treatment individualisation.
Adjustable dielectric using magnetically aligned conductive particles for microwave applications

In this work, we propose a novel approach to adjust a dielectric constant using a magnetically aligned anisotropic conductive epoxy for microwave systems. The purpose of this approach is to produce large adjustability of dielectric constants by controlling the orientation of conductive particles using a magnetic technique in a viscous medium. In the experiment, we demonstrated that the dielectric constant of the material was adjusted from 4.7 to 10.8 and the Q ranges from 34 to 182 at 300 MHz depending on the intensity of a magnetic field. Due to the simplicity of this material, this technique for adjusting dielectric constant is expected to be able to be used to implement the high-Q capacitor for integrated microwave systems.
The properties of thrombinogen.

Evidence is given which demonstrates the existence of an intermediate, designated thrombinogen, during the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. The conversion of prothrombin to thrombinogen requires thromboplastin. The conversion of thrombinogen to thrombin requires thrombin, though other tryptic enzymes can replace thrombin. The properties of thrombinogen have been studied.
Suppressing traffic flow instabilities

While many models of traffic flow predict the instabilities commonly observed-particularly at higher traffic densities-there are few suggestions for suppressing them. A method is described here for suppressing instabilities, thereby reducing gas consumption, accidents, wear and tear on vehicles and roadways as well as travel times while increasing traffic throughput. The method uses information about the following vehicle as well as the leading vehicle. Using information from both sources allows the gain of feedback to be reduced below one, thus eliminating the instability characteristic of “car following.” The needed inputs to the control system can be provided by machine vision (or radar or lidar). Previous proposals for smoothing traffic flow instabilities do not use information about the vehicles behind-“car following” cruise control methods, for example, focus only on the vehicle ahead. The method presented here is based on information flowing both downstream and upstream, in distinction to traditional approaches where information flows only upstream.
Current drag from the van der Waals interaction.

We consider the van der Waals interaction for systems carrying a nonzero current. We show that in simple cases, such as two parallel wires or sheets, the van der Waals attraction increases quadratically, with the difference between the currents in the two subsystems. This implies a nonzero current drag at zero temperature, a new effect that could be detected experimentally.
The fundamental value of information and strategy in stochastic management of distributed energy storage

Determining the value of distributed energy storage for grid operation and control requires modeling and simulation of optimal energy scheduling. This paper evaluates Stochastic Dynamic Programming (SDP) and Stochastic Game Theory (SGT) methods for scheduling energy usage in a system with storage, and quantitatively evaluates these scheduling methods for energy storage in commercial buildings. With varying probabilities of load, an optimal energy storage strategy is derived that provides a way to determine the value of load forecasting on a daily basis and evaluates this strategy in the face of energy use incentives. Theoretical results are matched with modeling and simulation.
A neurologist in Zambia.

Summary Those uninitiated to medicine in the tropics may consider neurology and neurologists superfluous in this environment. In actual fact, the high burden of neurologic disorders combined with a dearth of physician-level care providers brings such expertise into high demand. Clinical work in sub-Saharan Africa offers the neurologist an opportunity to care for a wide range of conditions, including disorders Westerners may only be familiar with via historical accounts. Physicians starved of academic exchange and paramedical-care providers who frequently function without physician-level support are equally enthusiastic for additional training in the diagnosis and treatment of the nervous system disorders which are encountered daily.
Practical issues in the application of item response theory: a demonstration using items from the pediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL) 4.0 generic core scales.

Background: Item response theory (IRT) is increasingly being applied to health-related quality of life instrument development and refinement. This article discusses results obtained using categorical confirmatory factor analysis (CCFA) to check IRT model assumptions and the application of IRT in item analysis and scale evaluation. Objectives: To demonstrate the value of CCFA and IRT in examining a health-related quality of life measure in children and adolescents. Methods: This illustration uses data from 10,241 children and their parents on items from the 4 subscales of the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales. CCFA was applied to confirm domain dimensionality and identify possible locally dependent items. IRT was used to assess the strength of the relationship between the items and the constructs of interest and the information available across the latent construct. Results: CCFA showed generally strong support for 1-factor models for each domain; however, several items exhibited evidence of local dependence. IRT revealed that the items generally exhibit favorable characteristics and are related to the same construct within a given domain. We discuss the lessons that can be learned by comparing alternate forms of the same scale, and we assess the potential impact of local dependence on the item parameter estimates. Conclusions: This article describes CCFA methods for checking IRT model assumptions and provides suggestions for using these methods in practice. It offers insight into ways information gained through IRT can be applied to evaluate items and aid in scale construction.