cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NCEP Forecasts of the El Niño of 1997–98 and Its U.S. Impacts

Abstract The strong El Nino of 1997-98 provided a unique opportunity for National Weather Service, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, Climate Prediction Center (CPC) forecasters to apply several years of accumulated new knowledge of the U.S. impacts of El Nino to their long-lead seasonal forecasts with more clarity and confidence than ever previously. This paper examines the performance of CPC's official forecasts, and its individual component forecast tools, during this event. Heavy winter precipitation across California and the southern plains-Gulf coast region was accurately forecast with at least six months of lead time. Dryness was also correctly forecast in Montana and in the southwestern Ohio Valley. The warmth across the northern half of the country was correctly forecast, but extended farther south and east than predicted. As the winter approached, forecaster confidence in the forecast pattern increased, and the probability anomalies that were assigned reached unprecedented levels in ...
The NRL Cyclotron Data Acquisition and Processing System

In order to make effective use of the NRL Isochronous Cyclotron we are designing an efficient multipurpose data collection and data handling facility. The central part of this system is a small general purpose computer with all digital data collection devices (examples are: timers, scalers, frequency meters, and digital voltmeters) feeding directly into the computer, thus eliminating a vast amount of time-consuming and error-causing paper work. The computer will also be used for multi-parameter and single-parameter multichannel analysis with ADC's feeding the computer memory directly. For rapid display of data, and any desired graphical display, a computer controlled CRT display will be used. A light pen will be used to select and modify information in the computer memory. The standard input-output equipment will consist of a typewriter, paper tape read/punch unit, two magnetic tape units, a graph plotter, and a fast on-line printer. The on-line time will be time shared between the (random) data collection and data processing and/or display. To make such concurrent operations possible a priority interrupt system will be used, with a higher priority system taking over computer control from a lower priority operation.
Possible effects of thermal degradation of organic matter on carbonate paragenesis and fluorite precipitation in Mississippi Valley-type deposits

Heating of organic matter to progressively higher temperatures causes a sequence of chemical changes in which carbonate minerals are first dissolved, then precipitated, and then again dissolved. The initial carbonate dissolution is related to the production of organic acids. As heating continues, organic acids begin to decompose to carbon dioxide and methane. This addition of carbon dioxide to a solution with an organic-acid pH buffer causes carbonates to precipitate. Eventually, a temperature is reached at which any remaining organic acids quickly decompose. Addition of carbon dioxide to a solution in which carbonate species rather than organic acids now control the pH lowers the pH and causes renewed carbonate dissolution. The similarity of this sequence to the carbonate paragenesis of Mississippi Valley-type deposits suggests that the carbonate paragenesis in these deposits may be related to the thermal alteration of organic matter. By competing with fluoride for magnesium, bicarbonate ions from decarboxylation off organic matter and dissolution of carbonates may break the MgF + complex, form the MgHCO3 + complex, and thereby liberate fluoride to trigger the precipitation of fluorite.
Computational Exploration of Structural Hypotheses for an Additional Sequence in a Mammalian Mitochondrial Protein

Background: Proteins involved in mammalian mitochondrial translation, when compared to analogous bacterial proteins, frequently have additional sequence regions whose structural or functional roles are not always clear. For example, an additional short insert sequence in the bovine mitochondrial initiation factor 2 (IF2mt) seems sufficient to fulfill the added role of eubacterial initiation factor IF1. Prior to our recent cryo-EM study that showed IF2mt to structurally occupy both the IF1 and IF2 binding sites, the spatial separation of these sites, and the short length of the insert sequence, posed ambiguity in whether it could perform the role of IF1 through occupation of the IF1 binding site on the ribosome. Results: The present study probes how well computational structure prediction methods can a priori address hypothesized roles of such additional sequences by creating quasi-atomic models of IF2mt using bacterial IF2 cryo-EM densities (that lack the insert sequences). How such initial IF2mt predictions differ from the observed IF2mt cryo-EM map and how they can be suitably improved using further sequence analysis and flexible fitting are analyzed. Conclusions: By hypothesizing that the insert sequence occupies the IF1 binding site, continuous IF2mt models that occupy both the IF2 and IF1 binding sites can be predicted computationally. These models can be improved by flexible fitting into the IF2mt cryo-EM map to get reasonable quasi-atomic IF2mt models, but the exact orientation of the insert structure may not be reproduced. Specific eukaryotic insert sequence conservation characteristics can be used to predict alternate IF2mt models that have minor secondary structure rearrangements but fewer unusually extended linker regions. Computational structure prediction methods can thus be combined with medium-resolution cryo-EM maps to explore structure-function hypotheses for additional sequence regions and to guide further biochemical experiments, especially in mammalian systems where high-resolution structures are difficult to determine.
Annexin-I regulation in response to suckling and rat mammary cell differentiation.

Expression of annexin-I was investigated in the rat mammary gland during pregnancy, lactation, and involution. Both the mRNA and protein were very abundant in the mature virgin gland, but declined significantly by midpregnancy. In the lactating gland, little or no annexin-I was detected. After weaning, mRNA and protein levels increased dramatically, corresponding to glandular involution. We also show that premature removal of the suckling stimulus caused a rapid increase in mRNA expression, but that translation of message was delayed, possibly until the gland was irreversibly committed to involution. Since high levels of annexin-I are associated with the quiescent epithelial cell, annexin-I may play an important role in blocking differentiation of the mammary gland. (Endocrinology 128: 1574–1579,1991)
THE REDISTRIBUTION OF CARDIAC OUTPUT DURING CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE IN NEWBORN ANIMALS

The two purposes of this study were to assess the efficacy of a new technique to produce a controlled state of congestive heart failure (CHF) in newborn animals, and to assess alterations in organ flow during CHF. One to 10 day old Spanish goats were studied during general endotracheal anesthesia (Ethrane and N2O). Flows were measured using the radioactive microsphere technique. CHF was produced with a continuous infusion of sodium citrate (C) into the left atrium. Phenylephrine (P) was used to maintain arterial pressure as cardiac output (CO) fell after addition of C. Hemodynamic changes in this experimental preparation simulate a cardiomyopathy. Flow measurements during C + P infusions compared to control or P periods reflected a sparing of brain flow until total CO fell to extremely low levels. Control flow =0.61 ml/min · gm−1 ± 0.14 SE. Brain flow during C + P = 0.48 ml/min · gm−1 ± 0.16 (NS) with normal pressure and mild drop in CO. Myocardial flow increased signficantly (p< 0.01) during P infusion and with P + C flow was maintained until CO fell; then subendocardial perfusion was most reduced. Renal flow was the first to fall as CO dropped, followed by skin and skeletal muscle flows. Small bowel perfusion increased with P but fell as CO was reduced by C. During shock systemic arterio-venous shunting occurred, suggested by a rise in the percentage of recirculating microspheres.
Does the language of instruction in primary school affect later labour market outcomes? Evidence from South Africa

This paper uses a change in the language of instruction in South African schools in 1955 to examine the effect of mother-tongue instead of English or Afrikaans instruction on long-term educational and economic outcomes. Using the 1980 South African census, a difference-in-difference framework allows me to estimate the effect of increasing mother-tongue instruction for black students from four to six years. I find positive effects on wages which I interpret as evidence of increases in human capital; these effects might have been larger in the absence of labour market discrimination against blacks under apartheid. I find positive effects on the ability to read and write, on educational attainment, and on the ability to speak English in predominantly English areas. I examine heterogeneous effects by region. This paper informs knowledge about the long-term effects of one aspect of a major apartheid education policy, the Bantu Education Act.
Truman's Court: A Study in Judicial Restraint

Judicial Restraint versus Judicial Activism The Truman Legacy Burton's Tenure on the Court Vinson's Tenure on the Court Clark's Tenure on the Court Minton's Tenure on the Court Bibliography Index
The structural and magnetic properties of Ni2Mn1−xBxGa Heusler alloys

Abstract The influence of the substitution of manganese by boron on the crystal structure and magnetic properties of Ni 2 Mn 1− x B x Ga Heusler alloys with 0⩽ x ⩽0.5 has been investigated using X-ray diffraction, thermal expansion, resistivity, and magnetization measurements. The samples with concentrations x 1 crystal structure at room temperature. Crystal cell parameters of the alloys decreased from 5.830 to 5.825 A with increasing boron concentration ( x ) from 0 to 0.25. The alloys were ferromagnetically ordered at 5 K and the saturation magnetization decreased with increasing boron concentration. The ferromagnetic ordering and structural transition temperatures for 0⩽ x ⩽0.3 have been observed and the phase ( x − T ) diagram of the Ni 2 Mn 1− x B x Ga system was constructed. The phase ( x − T ) diagram indicates that the ground state of Ni 2 Mn 1− x B x Ga alloys belongs to ferromagnetic martensitic, premartensitic, and austenitic phases in x ⩽0.12, 0.12 x ⩽0.18, and 0.18 x ⩽0.3, respectively. The relative influence of cell parameters and electron concentrations on the phase diagram is discussed.
Independent origin of multiple foci of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia: comparison with matched foci of prostate carcinoma

BACKGROUND Prostate carcinoma usually is heterogeneous and multifocal, with diverse clinical and morphologic manifestations. Understanding of the molecular basis for this heterogeneity is limited, particularly for the putative precursor, high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). In this study, the authors attempted to determine the genetic relation between multiple foci of PIN and matched foci of carcinoma, and whether they are independent in origin. METHODS The distribution and prevalence of allelic imbalance at 6 microsatellite polymorphic markers on chromosomes 7q, 8p, 8q, and 18q were examined in 84 microscopically excised PIN foci (mean, 1.6 foci/case) and 95 foci of prostate carcinoma (mean, 1.8 foci/case) from 52 completely embedded, mapped whole mount prostates. RESULTS PIN contained a lower overall proportion of allelic imbalance than matched prostate carcinoma foci for the 6 polymorphic microsatellite markers (65% vs. 82%), but this difference was not significant. The rate of allelic imbalance in PIN was similar to that in prostate carcinoma at 5 of 6 loci studied; the exception, D18S34 (18q12.2-12.3), had a significantly lower rate of allelic imbalance in PIN than in prostate carcinoma (19% vs. 52%), suggesting that genetic alterations in this chromosomal region may be important in carcinogenesis. Of 22 cases with allelic imbalance in at least 1 focus of PIN and 1 focus of prostate carcinoma, 21 informative cases (95%) showed a similar pattern of allelic imbalance at ≥ 1 markers in the matched PIN and prostate carcinoma foci. Significant genetic heterogeneity was observed in both PIN and prostate carcinoma. Allelic imbalance was observed in at least 1 focus in 11 of 25 cases with multiple foci of PIN (44%) and 20 of 25 cases with multiple foci of prostate carcinoma (80%). There was no significant correlation between allelic imbalance and pathologic stage or tumor grade. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that multiple foci of PIN arise independently within the same prostate. This observation suggests that a field effect underlies prostatic neoplasia. Multiple foci of prostate carcinoma also often arise independently, lending additional support for this hypothesis. The strong genetic similarities between PIN and prostate carcinoma strongly suggest that evolution and clonal expansion of PIN may account for the multifocal etiology of carcinomas. Cancer 1998;83:1995-2002. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Ventricular pressure-flow dynamics in tetralogy of Fallot.

The present study was conducted to determine the instantaneous pressure-flow relationships across the ventricular septal defect in tetralogy of Fallot. Simultaneous right and left ventricular pressures and the pressure gradient were recorded with matched catheter systems. Biplane cineangiocardiography was used to evaluate the timing of the bi-directional shunts during various phases of the cardiac cycle. The instantaneous pressure differences between the two ventricles and the direction of the pressure gradient correlated well with the timing of the shunt across the defect. In 27 patients with moderate tetralogy of Fallot, a consistent pattern of bidirectional shunting was shown. The right-to-left shunt occurred at two places and two sites during the cardiac cycle; namely, during early ventricular ejection into the aorta, and during isovolumic ventricular relaxation directly across the ventricular defect into the left ventricle. Left-to-right gradients and shunting across the defect were found to occur du...
Non-extremal rotating black holes in five-dimensional gauged supergravity

Abstract Supersymmetric black holes in five-dimensional gauged supergravity must necessarily be rotating, and so in order to study the passage to black holes away from supersymmetry, it is of great interest to obtain non-extremal black holes that again have non-zero rotation. In this Letter we find a simple framework for describing non-extremal rotating black holes in five-dimensional gauged supergravities. Using this framework, we are able to construct a new solution, describing the general single-charge solution of N = 2 gauged supergravity, with arbitrary values for the two rotation parameters. Previously-obtained solutions with two or three equal charges also assume a much simpler form in the new framework, as also does the general solution with three unequal charges in ungauged N = 2 supergravity. We discuss the thermodynamics and BPS limit of the new single-charge solutions, and we discuss the separability of the Hamilton–Jacobi and Klein–Gordan equations in these backgrounds.
Wideband diode-based reconfigurable matching network operating at 36 dBm input power

This paper presents wideband reconfigurable matching networks operating at high power in the GSM850 and GSM900 bands to counteract the detuning of mobile handset antennas caused by user interaction. High breakdown voltage varactor diodes are used as tuning elements. Single-diode, shunt-series diode, and two-diode topologies are investigated for power handling, and the effect of input power on matching network transducer gain, G T , is studied. Results show that a shunt-series diode topology can handle input powers of up to 36 dBm while maintaining G T degradation of less than 0∶1 dB.
Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial DNA Injury in Patients With Unilateral Peripheral Arterial Disease

Background —Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have exercise limitation due to claudication-limited pain and metabolic alterations in skeletal muscle. PAD is also associated with oxidative stress, which is a known cause of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) injury. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that PAD is associated with mtDNA injury, as reflected by an increased frequency of a specific 4977–base pair (bp) mtDNA deletion mutation. Methods and Results —The deletion frequency was quantified in gastrocnemius muscle of 8 patients with unilateral PAD and 10 age-matched control subjects with the use of polymerase chain reaction methodologies. Muscle from the hemodynamically unaffected (less affected) PAD limb showed an 8-fold increased deletion frequency and the hemodynamically affected (worse affected) PAD limb had a 17-fold increased deletion frequency compared with muscle from control subjects. The frequency of the 4977-bp deletion in the worse-affected limb was positively correlated with the age of the patients but not the claudication-limited exercise performance of the patients. Total mtDNA content, citrate synthase activity, and cytochrome c oxidase activity were not different in the muscle from the 3 limb populations. However, the ratio of citrate synthase to cytochrome c oxidase was higher in the worse- versus less-affected limbs of PAD patients. Conclusions —The present study demonstrates a large increase in the frequency of the mtDNA 4977-bp deletion in patients with PAD but in a distribution not limited to the hemodynamically affected limb.
The effect of preoperative adriamycin and dihydroxyanthracenedione on wound healing

Preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is being used with increasing frequency in advanced head and neck cancer; however, the effects of chemotherapy on wound healing have not been fully elucidated. To evaluate the effect of preoperative chemotherapy, experimental animals were given chemotherapeutic drugs, wounded, and the subequent wound breaking strength determined. Rats received a single dose of intravenous tumoricidal drugs (adriamycin or dihydroxyanthracenedione) either one week before or simultaneously with wounding. Wound breaking strength of treated animals and control animals receiving no chemotherapy was measured one and two weeks after wounding. All wounds, regardless of treatment, were stronger at two weeks than at one week after wounding. Wound breaking strength was reduced at both times when chemotherapy was administered one week before wounding. Wound breaking strength in animals that were simultaneously wounded and received chemotherapy was similar to controls. Both adriamycin and dihydroxyanthracenedione have a deleterious effect on one parameter of wound healing — wound breaking strength — when administered one week before wounding.
Nadir prostate-specific antigen as a predictor of progression to androgen-independent prostate cancer

Abstract Objectives. To determine the value of the before and after treatment level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to predict the time to androgen-independent progression (AIP) in patients with advanced prostate cancer who received androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) at the time of recurrence or progression. Methods. The records of 153 patients with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer who were treated with ADT were retrospectively reviewed. Fifty-six percent of the patients were initially treated with ADT. In the remainder, ADT was started at progression and/or failure. AIP was defined as two consecutive elevations of serum PSA above the nadir value by any threshold. Kaplan-Meier and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to determine the potential predictors of AIP. Results. The median duration of the PSA response was 24 months. The most important predictors of the time to AIP were the initial Gleason grade and the nadir PSA level after the initiation of ADT. The odds ratio of having a response greater than 24 months was 15-times higher in patients achieving an undetectable serum PSA level versus those who did not. For each point increase in the Gleason sum, patients had a five times higher chance of progressing to AIP in 24 months or less. Conclusions. The ability to achieve an undetectable nadir PSA level and the initial Gleason grade are significant predictors of the time to AIP in men treated with ADT for metastatic and advanced prostate cancer.
Increased serum conjugated dienes in elderly diabetic patients.

To determine if lipid peroxidation by-products are increased in the serum of elderly diabetic patients, serum concentrations of conjugated dienes were measured in 45 Type 2 diabetic men over the age of 60 years, and the results were compared to those of 24 age-matched healthy men. Patients with diabetic complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, coronary or cerebrovascular disease, (n = 22) had significantly increased serum levels of conjugated dienes (0.4951 +/- 0.065 O.D./mL) compared to healthy controls (0.2368 +/- 0.028 O.D./mL) (P less than 0.01). The level of conjugated dienes in diabetic patients without complications (0.3854 +/- 0.0316 O.D./mL) was intermediate between the level found in control subjects and the level in patients with diabetic complications. The serum levels of conjugated dienes correlated best with serum triglyceride concentration (r = 0.51) and to a lesser extent with serum glucose concentration (r = 0.36). It is concluded that elderly patients with diabetes, especially those with complications, have increased serum levels of lipid peroxidation by-products. This can not be totally attributed to alterations in serum cholesterol, phospholipid, or triglyceride levels.
Retrospective study of selegiline-antidepressant drug interactions and a review of the literature

Selegiline is a selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. It is estimated that approximately one-half of Parkinsonian patients will develop depression requiring antidepressant drug treatment. Recently, selegiline's package insert was revised to reflect the potential risk of adverse effects when it is used in combination with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants. The objective of our study is to assess the safety of combining selegiline with antidepressants. A retrospective chart review was performed on all 28 patients with Parkinson's disease receiving selegiline and antidepressants concurrently to identify possible drug interactions. Compliance was assessed according to prescription refill records. Suspected adverse reactions with combination therapy were documented. There was a total of 40 selegiline-antidepressant drug combinations involving tricyclic antidepressants (n = 25), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (n = 7), trazodone (n = 5), and bupropion (n = 3). One patient receiving fluoxetine developed a reaction consistent with the serotonin syndrome; however, it was never documented as such. No other selegiline drug interactions were found. Adverse effects noted were typical of antidepressant monotherapy. Although no selegiline drug interactions were documented in our study, the concurrent administration of selegiline and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors should be avoided because of literature-reported interactions. We believe that bupropion, tricyclic antidepressants, and trazodone are reasonable choices in combination with selegiline, although tricyclic antidepressants and trazodone may be reserved as second-line treatments.
A practical and theoretical guide to measurement invariance in aging research

We describe mathematical and statistical models for factor invariance. We demonstrate that factor invariance is a condition of measurement invariance. In any study of change (as over age) measurement invariance is necessary for valid inference and interpretation. Two important forms of factorial invariance are distinguished: "configural" and "metric". Tests for factorial invariance and the range of tests from strong to weak are illustrated with multiple group factor and structural equation modeling analyses (with programs such as LISREL, COSAN, and RAM). The tests are for models of the organization and age changes of intellectual abilities. The models are derived from current theory of fluid (Gf) and crystallized (Gc) abilities. The models are made manifest with measurements of the WAIS-R in the standardization sample. Although this is a methodological paper, the key issues and major principles and conclusions are presented in basic English, devoid of technical details and obscure notation. Conceptual principles of multivariate methods of data analysis are presented in terms of substantive issues of importance for the science of the psychology of aging.
Sex Roles is 35

Sex Roles: A Journal of Research began publishing in 1975. It is the oldest of the journals publishing social science and psychological research focusing on gender. It seems appropriate that we note the long history of the journal as we reach our 35th year of publication. During this year, we will be publishing a number of special articles and sections to mark this anniversary. These will be designated as “Anniversary” contributions. Many of these will review the history of research on the major topics we address in Sex Roles. One section will focus on teaching. We hope you will enjoy reading these anniversary papers published throughout 2010. Sex Roles was founded by Phyllis A. Katz. As a professor at the Graduate Center at the City University of New York in the early 1970s, Phyllis kept hearing about colleagues who were not able to publish their research on a topic that had recently become of interest—differences in women and men or boys and girls, and the effects of gender on behavior. At that time, the term “gender” was not widely used, and it was referred to as “sex” or “sex differences.” As Katz (1975) explained in her first issue:
Project ExCEL: Web-based Scanning Electron Microscopy for K-12 Education

Project ExCEL (Extended Classroom for Enhanced Learning) brings the capabilities of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) into classrooms. University and industry personnel, working together, have developed a web-based interface to allow schools to control a modern SEM. The interface allows a user control of the operating parameters of the microscope, stage movement, and chemical analysis. Such total control is not available on any other system. Since Iowa State University (ISU) pioneered the idea of remote SEM for education, researchers have learned that providing teachers access to sophisticated equipment does not ensure that it will be used. Teachers are busy, and structured curriculums are not conducive for incorporating the SEM into classes. A lack of teacher knowledge of SEMs also discourages their use. To overcome these problems, College of Engineering and College of Education faculty are working together to train future teachers in the SEM. The web-based SEM is being used in education courses, and selected students (who receive additional training) prepare lesson plans and present their work to the class. In-service teachers receive instruction in the web-based SEM through workshops. By using this integrated approach, all science teachers in Iowa will eventually gain the confidence to use the SEM in their classrooms.
Arterial stiffness: determinants and relationship to the metabolic syndrome.

This study aimed to investigate independent determinants of arterial stiffness and evaluate the association of arterial stiffness with the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS). Demographic characteristics, hemodynamic parameters, and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors were assessed in Greek food industry employees with no history of diabetes or CV disease in order to isolate multiple correlates of arterial stiffness as assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV). Subsequently, logistic regression analysis was performed using as end point the presence of MS, defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program. Data from 424 participants (mean age 45.3 ∓15.5 years, 298 [70.3%] males, average PWV 8.5 ∓3.6 m/s) were analyzed. PWV was higher in men (8.8 ∓3.1 m/s) compared to women (7.7 ∓2.9 m/s, p<0.01). Age, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate were isolated as multivariate determinants of PWV (adjusted R2 0.511 [p<0.0001] in men and 0.538 [p<0.0001] in women). The overall prevalence of the MS was 14.6%...
Relation Between Refractive Index and Elastic Moduli of a Borosilicate Glass After Heat‐Treatment

Several specimens of a borosilicate glass were subjected to a series of different annealing schedules and the refractive indices and elastic moduli were measured and compared after each heat-treatment. The elastic moduli were determined by a dynamic resonance method at frequencies both within and slightly above the sonic range. The refractive indices were measured on the Grauer refractometer. A linear relation was found to exist between these two properties for specimens with different heat-treatments. A linear relation has already been established between refractive index and density by several investigators. This indicates that a single fictive temperature (τ) scale can be used to characterize the condition of a glass with respect to three properties: index of refraction, density, and elastic moduli.
Adenosine deaminase complexing proteins of the rabbit

Abstract 1. 1. Complexing proteins isolated from the soluble and particulate fractions of rabbit kidney homogenates are structurally similar to complexing protein from human kidney. 2. 2. The distribution of soluble and particulate complexing protein in other rabbit tissues is also similar to humans. 3. 3. As in human kidney, complexing protein is localized in the glomeruli and proximal tubules of rabbit kidney. 4. 4. The rabbit appears to be an appropriate animal model for the study of the adenosine deaminase complexing proteins in humans.
Modified solar insolation as an agronomic factor in terraced environments

Author(s): Evans, TP; Winterhalder, B | Abstract: We present a model that calculates incident solar radiation falling on terraced and unterraced fields in steep slope environments. The results are presented as a function of altitude, latitude, slope aspect, slope angle, and season. The net solar benefit or cost from slope leveling (terracing) differs significantly according to these situational factors. For instance, terracing will confer a net direct solar radiation benefit of 15 per cent on south-facing 30-degree slopes at the Equator for a typical growing season; it will reduce net annual direct solar receipt by 21 per cent on south-facing 30-degree slopes at 45° N latitude. Modified solar radiation must be considered as potentially important in the historical origins, functioning and abandonment of terracing. It should be a component in agronomic evaluation of modern terrace construction, restoration, or maintenance. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.
THE SEEKING OF STRATEGY WHERE IT IS NOT: TOWARDS A THEORY OF STRATEGY ABSENCE: A REPLY TO BAUERSCHMIDT

In this issue Bauerschmidt critiques a recent Strategic Management Journal paper dealing with the absence of strategy. In this paper (Inkpen and Choudhury, 1995), we argued that strategy absence should be viewed as a legitimate phenomenon of interest. Bauerschmidt maintained that we failed to instill a new strategy paradigm and challenged our arguments as a rhetorical ploy. Unfortunately, Bauerschmidt misinterpreted our intended message. Although we challenged the conventional wisdom that every firm must have an articulated strategy, instilling a new paradigm was not our objective. Our main argument was that the concept of absence may help strategy researchers better understand existing paradigms.
The impact of vitrification on immature oocyte cell cycle and cytoskeletal integrity in a rat model

Purpose To test the effects of varying vitrification protocols on the cell cycle status and chromosomal integrity in cumulus-enclosed GV stage rat oocytes.
Copper-modified Activated Carbons as Adsorbents of NO under Ambient Conditions

Activated carbon was impregnated with a copper salt and the surface of the resulting material then reduced either with hydrazine hydrate or by heat treatment under nitrogen at 925 °C. The adsorption of NO was carried out under dynamic conditions at ambient temperature on the samples obtained. To derive the mechanism of adsorption, the initial material and that exposed to NO were characterized using nitrogen adsorption, thermal analysis and potentiometric titration. The introduction of copper and reduction treatment had very positive effects on the amounts of NO retained on the surface. It is suggested that both copper particles and oxygen-containing groups on the carbon surface contribute to the reactive adsorption. Two different mechanisms are proposed to describe NO adsorption depending on the oxidation state of the copper particles. In the absence of reducing treatment, it is believed that NO is oxidized to NO2 by copper oxide particles. This NO2 either reacts with the carbon surface to oxidize it and ...
The beta-secretase, BACE: a prime drug target for Alzheimer's disease.

Evidence suggests that the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) is central to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Amyloid plaques, primarily composed of Aβ, progressively develop in the brains of AD patients, and mutations in three genes (APP, PS1, and PS2) cause early onset familial AD (FAD) by directly increasing synthesis of the toxic, plaque-promoting Aβ42 peptide. Given the strong association between Aβ and AD, therapeutic strategies to lower the concentration of Aβ in the brain should prove beneficial for the treatment of AD. One such strategy would involve inhibiting the enzymes that generate Aβ. Aβ is a product of catabolism of the large TypeI membrane protein, amyloid precursor protein (APP). Two proteases, called β- and γ-secretase, mediate the endoproteolysis of APP to liberate the Aβ peptide. For over a decade, the molecular identities of these proteases were unknown. Recently, the γ-secretase has been tentatively identified as the presenilin proteins, PS1 and PS2, and the identity of the β-secretase has been shown to be the novel transmembrane aspartic protease, β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1; also called Asp2 and memapsin2). BACE2, a novel protease homologous to BACE1, was also identified, and together the two enzymes define a new family of transmembrane aspartic proteases. BACE1 exhibits all the properties of the β-secretase, and as the key rate-limiting enzyme that initiates the formation of Aβ, BACE1 is an attractive drug target for AD. Here, I review the identification and initial characterization of BACE1 and BACE2, and summarize our current understanding of BACE1 post-translational processing and intracellular trafficking. In addition, I discuss recent studies of BACE1 knockout mice and the BACE1 X-ray structure, and relate implications for BACE1 drug development.
Trust of nurse practitioners and physicians among African Americans with hypertension.

PURPOSE: To examine correlates of low-income African Americans' level of trust in healthcare providers. Specific aims were to (a) describe the levels and correlations of trust, mistrust, and satisfaction; (b) compare trust scores by provider type (nurse practitioner [NP] and medical doctor) and clinic type (nurse-managed clinic [NMC] and joint-managed clinic [JMC]); and (c) examine the relationship of patient and provider demographic factors (e.g., race concordance) with trust in the provider. DATA SOURCES: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 145 low-income African Americans (51% women, 49% men; mean age = 49.4 years). All participants were enrolled in a larger study that examined the effect of psychosocial variables on hypertension outcomes. Participants completed three questionnaires: Trust in Provider Scale, Cultural Mistrust Inventory, and the Michigan Academic Consortium Patient Satisfaction tool. Chart audits were performed to collect clinical data. CONCLUSIONS: Trust and satisfaction were moderately high, M = 3.9 (0.56), M = 4.1 (0.57), respectively, on the 5-point scales, and cultural mistrust was in the moderate range, M = 3.9 (0.79), on a 7-point scale. No significant differences in mistrust, t(142) =-1.43, p = .155, or satisfaction, t(142) = 0.716, p = .475, were noted by provider type. Trust was significantly higher for patients seen by NPs, t(142) = 2.57, p = .011. Additionally, patients seen in the NMC reported significantly higher levels of trust than those seen in the JMC, t(143) = 3.62, p < .001. Race concordance between provider and patient did not change these findings. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Low-income African American patients have experienced unequal and discriminatory treatment, which can result in a cultural mistrust of providers; yet, providers in this study were able to engender high trust and satisfaction among these respondents. Still, the sociocultural effects of race concordance require further exploration to better understand the impact on trust in the patient-provider relationship. Finally, the high levels of trust in the NMC may offer a promising solution to the health disparities of African Americans; yet, more research is needed.
Functional Imaging in Fetal Echocardiography: A Review of Conventional and Novel Approaches

Advances in fetal cardiac imaging have resulted in changes in the practice of fetal cardiology, and in improved neonatal outcomes for these patients. As the anatomic diagnostic accuracy of fetal cardiology has improved, cardiologists have sought new challenges in fetal imaging, and with new emphasis on improved front line detection, treatment/intervention during fetal life, and assessment of fetal ventricular function and cardiovascular performance. The evolution of noninvasive assessment of fetal cardiac function is related to technologic advances in ultrasound imaging. This article reviews conventional methods of the assessment of cardiac function, as well as some promising directions for future evaluation with emphasis on future applications of 3D echocardiography and 3D speckle tracking echocardiography.
Perovskite oxides: New candidate materials for low work function electron emitters

Perovskite oxides are promising materials for a new class of electron emitting materials because they possess intrinsically low work functions without the need for an additional surface dipole coating. Density Functional Theory (DFT) was used to examine a series of LaBO 3 (B=transition metal) perovskites, and it was found that LaVO 3 exhibited the lowest work function of 1.52 eV.
3419 Endoscopic treatment options for the management of simple bile leaks: a cost-minimization analysis.

Background: Biliary sphincterotomy (BES), internal biliary stent (IS), and nasobiliary drainage (NBT) are all effective for the management of simple (cystic duct remnant / duct of Luschka) post-op bile leaks. Tradeoffs exist, however, with regard to complications, treatment days, and costs. Aim: To compare the medical costs and treatment days for 3 endoscopic approaches to simple bile leaks: (1) BES alone ; (2) IS alone; and (3) NBT alone. Methods: A decision model was designed using DATA Version 3.5 (TreeAgeTM Software, Inc) to compare the 3 treatments. All 3 treatment arms considered pancreatitis as a potential complication. The BES arm also considered bleeding and perforation risks. In the IS arm, a follow-up uncomplicated ERCP was assumed for stent removal and cholangiogram. In the NBT arm patients were to be hospitalized for tube suction until follow-up cholangiogram showed closure of the leak. Proximal stent migration and sedation risk were deleted from the model due to their negligible effects on results. Probabilities and hospitalization days were derived from literature review. Medical costs were estimated from Medicare UC fees per CPT/procedure code plus facility fees. A `treatment day' was defined as either a hospitalization or outpatient care day. Sensitivity analysis was used to assess the impact of parameter uncertainty on results. Threshold analysis was used to estimate parameter values beyond which the optimal strategy changed. Results: BES was the least costly strategy, and required the fewest treatment days. The estimated medical costs (and treatment days) of the BES, IS, and NBT arms were $4545 (3.2), $6400 (4.1), and $6107 (5.1) respectively. BES remained the optimal strategy in one-way sensitivity analyses varying probabilities and hospital days through their literature-derived ranges. The cost of the NBT strategy approached that of BES ($4807 vs. $4545) if NBT drainage did not prolong hospitalization. The IS strategy was cheaper (and required fewer treatment days) than BES when the risk of significant BES-bleeding was >53% (>25%). The IS strategy was cheapest if the cost of stent removal was
High temperature performance evaluation of bio-oil modified asphalt binders using the DSR and MSCR tests

highlights � The high temperature performance of bio-oil modified asphalt were investigated. � DSR test and MSCR test were utilized to characterize the high temperature performance. � Three types of waste wood resourced bio-oils were used to modify asphalt. � The effect of bio-oils on asphalt high temperature performance were evaluated. � The results from the DSR test and MSCR test were compared. article i nfo Article history: abstract The high temperature performance of bio-oil modified asphalt binders were evaluated using dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) and multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) tests. Three types of bio-oils generated from waste woods were investigated: untreated bio-oil (UTB), treated bio-oil (TB) and polymer modified bio-oil (PMB). The control asphalt binder (PG58-28) was blended with 5% and 10% bio-oils to prepare bio-oil modified asphalt binders. Dynamic shear modulus (|G ⁄ |) and phase angle (d) as well as high tem- perature stability index (|G ⁄ |/sind) were evaluated through the DSR test, while non-recoverable creep compliance (Jnr) and percent recovery were investigated using the MSCR test. Both the DSR and MSCR test results showed that the addition of the bio-oils improved the high temperature stability of asphalt binder with respect to higher |G ⁄ |, lower d, lower Jnr and higher percent recovery. In detail, with the increase of bio-oil percentage, asphalt high temperature performance was improved. The statistical analysis showed that such improvement was statistically significant. In terms of the comparison among the three types of bio-oils, it was found that results from the DSR and MSCR tests were slightly different. In the DSR test, the UTB modified binders showed slightly weaker high temperature stability than the TB and PMB modified binders, which was mainly due to the high moisture content in the UTB. Whereas in the MSCR test, the PMB modified binder showed slightly weaker high temperature stability than the UTB and TB modified binders, which was attributed to the low fraction of polymer (only 0.4% by weight) in the PMB modified binder. The slight inconsistency between the DSR and MSCR test was likely due to different loading mag- nitude and loading mode of the two tests. The study also suggests that it is preferable to conduct both the DSR and MSCR tests to obtain a comprehensive understanding of asphalt high temperature performance. 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A Puzzle about Properties

The paper argues that the assumption that there are property designators, together with two theoretically innocent claims, leads to a puzzle, whose solution requires us to reject the position that all (canonical) property designators are rigid. But if we deny that all (canonical) property designators are rigid, then the natural next step is to reject an abundant conception of properties and with it the suggestion that properties are the semantic values of predicates.
Kinetic theory of flux-driven ripening

of the phase undergoing ripening remains constant while the total surface area of the phase decreases. We present here the ripening behavior in an open system in which the total surface area of the phase undergoing ripening remains constant while the total volume of the phase is growing. We define the latter growth to be flux-driven ripening. We compare these two types of ripening, one within a closed system and the other within an open system, in terms of the particles’ size distribution function, the scaling behavior of the distribution, and the rate of growth of the mean particle size.
Optical flow in the presence of spatially-varying motion blur

This paper extends the classical warping-based optical flow method to achieve accurate flow in the presence of spatially-varying motion blur. Our idea is to parameterize the appearance of each frame as a function of both the pixel motion and the motion-induced blur. We search for the flows that best match two consecutive frames, which amounts to finding the derivative of a blurred frame with respect to both the motion and the blur, where the blur itself is a function of the motion. We propose an efficient technique to calculate the derivatives using prefiltering. Our technique avoids performing spatially-varying filtering (which can be computationally expensive) during the optimization iterations. In the end, our derivative calculation technique can be easily incorporated with classical flow code to handle video with non-uniform motion blur with little performance penalty. Our method is evaluated on both synthetic and real videos and outperforms conventional flow methods in the presence of motion blur.
Independent modal-space control and estimation with distributed piezoelectric actuators and sensors

Thanks to the recent advances in control of structures by distributed piezoelectric elements, the concept of independent control and sensing of the structural modes has reemerged in the published literature. In particular, to this end, piezoelectric orthogonal actuators and sensors have been introduced. On the other hand, Independent Modal-Space Control (IMSC) of distributed-parameter-system (DPS) is a well-known approach advocated by the author and his associates throughout the past two decades. In the 1980's it has been shown by its proponents that the IMSC method ultimately represents a globally optimal distributed-control and distributed-sensing approach to structural control. Piezoelectric elements are not exception to the general theoretical concepts of distributed-control and sensing of DPS's via the IMSC method. By a constructive theoretical approach, it is shown in this paper that the recent results characterized by the phrases `independent modal control' and `orthogonal actuators and sensors' constitute precise piezoelectric realizations of the IMSC method of the author and his past associates, almost two decades after its introduction.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The management of propoxyphene poisoning.

Summary The treatment of propoxyphene intoxication is reviewed in connection with a case presentation. The use of the narcotic antagonist naloxone to combat respiratory depression, the management of seizures, and some of the considerations governing the induction of emesis are discussed.