cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Naturally Arising Strains of Polyomaviruses with Severely Attenuated MicroRNA Expression

Several different polyomaviruses (PyVs) encode microRNAs (miRNAs) that regulate viral as well as host gene expression. However, the functions of polyomaviral miRNAs, particularly during in vivo infection, remain poorly understood. Here we identify rare naturally arising PyVs that are severely attenuated or null for miRNA expression. We identify hypomorphic or null strains for miRNA expression from rhesus macaque simian virus 40 (SV40) and human JC virus. These strains were isolated from immunocompromised hosts and derive from insertions or deletions in the viral DNA that preserve the amino acid reading frame of opposing-strand large T antigen gene. Characterization of the SV40 miRNA hypomorph, K661, shows that it is inhibited at the early miRNA biogenesis step of Drosha-mediated processing. Despite having a nonrearranged enhancer, which a previous study has shown renders some PyVs more susceptible to the autoregulatory activities of the miRNA, restoring miRNA expression to K661 has little effect on virus growth in either immortalized or primary monkey kidney cells. Thus, in addition to any effect of accompanying genomic elements, these results suggest that the cellular context also determines susceptibility to PyV miRNA-mediated effects. Combined, these results demonstrate that polyomaviruses lacking miRNAs can arise infrequently and that the functional importance of polyomaviral miRNAs is context dependent, consistent with an activity connected to the immune status of the host. IMPORTANCE Diverse virus families encode miRNAs, yet much remains unknown about viral miRNA function and contribution to the infectious cycle. Polyomaviruses (PyVs) are small DNA viruses, long known to be important as etiological agents of rare diseases and valuable models of DNA virus infection. Here, in immunosuppressed hosts, we uncover rare naturally arising variants of different PyVs that have lost the ability to express miRNAs. This represents some of the only known natural viruses to have lost miRNA expression. By probing the biogenesis pathways of these variants, we uncover that miRNA expression is lost via small insertions or deletions that render the transcripts resistant to early steps of miRNA biogenesis while preserving the reading frame of the opposing T antigen transcripts. Overall, our study informs how miRNA genes evolve/devolve in viruses and suggests that miRNA function is exquisitely dependent not only on viral genomic context but also on the cellular and host environment.
MRI High-Intensity Signals in Late-Life Depression and Alzheimer's Disease: A Comparison of Subjects Without Major Vascular Risk Factors

The authors examined periventricular white matter, deep white matter, and subcortical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) high-intensity signals in subjects with late-life depression, probable Alzheimer's disease (DAT), and healthy, age-matched controls. All subjects were healthy and free of major vascular risk factors, including hypertension. MRIs were performed using a 1.5-tesla GE Signa scanner. T2 and proton-density-weighted images were analyzed by a neuroradiologist blind to the clinical status of all subjects. There were no statistically significant differences on any of the MRI indices between the groups studied. These data demonstrate that late-life depression, like DAT, in the absence of major vascular risk factors, is not associated with a significant increase in MRI high-intensity signals when compared to healthy, control subjects.
Neuronal specificity and its development in the Drosophila wing disc and its derivatives

The imaginal wing disc of flies gives rise to the adult wing blade and dorsal thorax (notum). A great deal has been learned in recent years about the process of neurogenesis in this disc; a number of genes that play crucial roles in the formation of sensory mother cells and in the differentiation of the sensory organs have been identified and their roles defined. Given this extensive background of developmental genetics, it has seemed profitable to summarize what is known about the end-products of neural development, the adult sensory organs. Discussed are their physiological function and role in behavior, the pathways followed by their axons in the CNS, and both genes and epigenetic processes that might play some role in the later stages of neural development and in adult function. The highly individual characteristics of certain of the sensory organs is emphasized, both in the context of their adult roles and as a challenge for future studies in developmental genetics. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Diffraction of SH-waves on interface cracks under the action of concentrated forces

In the mathematically rigorous statement, we solve the problem of diffraction of elastic SH-waves on a finite (semiinfinite) crack located on the plane boundary of two perfectly joined materials. As a sounding field, we consider the field of a point source. The problem is reduced to the Wiener – Hopf functional equation, which is solved by the method of factorization. An approximate solution of this equation is obtained. We numerically study the distribution of the field in the radiation zone and the distinctive features of its formation depending on the location of the source of radiation.
X-ray emission from the historical supernovae in the spiral galaxy NGC 6946: SN 1980K and SN 1968D recovered ?

This paper describes a study of the Roentgen Satellite (ROSAT) Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC) observation of the spiral galaxy NGC 6946 to search for x-ray emission from the six historical supernovae that have occurred in that galaxy. At the age of these supernovae, all could be emitting x rays due to circumstellar interactions. Supernova (SN) 1980K may be present based upon the hardness ratio and the coincidence of an x-ray source with the optical position. Its luminosity agrees with a recent prediction by Chevalier & Fransson. The situation for SN 1968D, apparently recovered in Very Large Array (VLA) data, is less clear due to source confusion, but suggests SN 1968D has not been recovered. Only upper limits are available for the remaining four supernovae that have occurred in this galaxy.
Study of static cushioning properties and construction of a database for static cushioning properties

The rapid advance of computerization in industrial package design has led to a strong tendency toward CAD/CAM systems using personal computers for quick design and trial manufacturing. New tools based on a database of the cushioning properties of packaging materials will be needed for the design of package cushioning. Using a compression testing machine with computer control, an attempt has been made to construct such a database with registered characteristics for 47 samples of foamed polyethylene, foamed polypropylene and foamed polyethylene-polystyrene. This database offers the following functions and is recorded on floppy disk: (i) calculation of static cushioning properties (value); (ii) print-out of the computed results; (iii) drawing characteristic figures for designing package cushioning; (iv) indicating optimum value of static cushioning properties; (v) additional registration of new samples.
Processing of submicron grain 304 stainless steel

A novel thermomechanical processing technique for the synthesis of bulk submicron grain (grain size approximate to 200 nm) 304 stainless steel is reported. This ingot-metallurgical technique requires a total deformation of only 95%, and the key steps to this processing technique involve (i) formation of ultrafine dislocation cell structure, and (ii) the conversion of dislocation cells into grains with medium to high misorientation by grain boundary sliding.
Active substrate coupling noise reduction method for ICs

An innovative active noise reduction method for mixed-signal design is presented. This active method which uses a negative feedback technique can reduce the substrate coupling noise by up to 83%. Test results from the MOSIS 1.2 /spl mu/m CMOS process and SPICE simulation are reported.
Complete High Dimensional Inverse Characterization of Fractal Surfaces

The present paper describes a methodology for the inverse identification of the complete set of parameters associated with the Weirstrass-Mandelbrot (W-M) function that can describe any rough surface known by its profilometric or topographic data. Our effort is motivated by the need to determine the mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of contact surfaces between deformable materials that conduct electricity and heat and require an analytical representation of the surfaces involved. Our method involves utilizing a refactoring of the W-M function that permits defining the characterization problem as a high dimensional singular value decomposition problem for the determination of the so-called phases of the function. Coupled with this process is a second level exhaustive search that enables the determination of the density of the frequencies involved in defining the trigonometric functions involved in the definition of the W-M function. Our approach proves that this is the only additional parameter that needs to be determined for full characterization of the W-M function as the rest can be selected arbitrarily. Numerical applications of the proposed method on both synthetic and actual elevation data, validate the efficiency and the accuracy of the proposed approach. This approach constitutes a radical departure from the traditional fractal dimension characterization studies and opens the road for a very large number of applications.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Promotion of hepatocarcinogenesis by phenobarbital in c-myc/TGF-alpha transgenic mice.

Previous work has shown that phenobarbital (PB) can promote cell survival in double transgenic c-myc/transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha mice. This was achieved through a suppression of cell death brought about, at least in part, by a general increase in the level of bcl-2 protein and a decrease in TGF-beta1 in treated versus untreated animals. No changes were found in TGF-beta type II receptor or in bcl-X(L) protein levels. In the present work, we followed these animals for up to 31 wk of age (28 wk of treatment), by which time numerous tumors could be observed. A PB-dependent decrease in tumor latency and a significant increase in multiplicity were seen. No statistically significant changes in the phenotype of foci, nodules, or neoplasms were observed after PB administration, and no effect on median tumor size was detected. Levels of the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 did not correlate with tumor formation in PB-treated animals. However, in untreated mice, bcl-2 was higher in tumors than in surrounding tissue in all tumors examined. We believe that the PB-dependent modification of tumorigenesis in the livers of c-myc/TGF-alpha mice was predominantly a result of the ability of this drug to block cell death during the early stages of tumor development. The effect of PB was exerted apparently by a pathway similar to, but separate from, that of TGF-alpha. However, these pathways appear to converge downstream, having common effectors in the form of bcl-2 family proteins. Mol. Carcinog. 28:168-173, 2000.
Thermoelectric power generation for hybrid-electric vehicle auxiliary power

The plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle (PHEV) concept allows for a moderate driving range in electric mode but uses an onboard range extender to capitalize on the high energy density of fuels using a combustion-based generator, typically using an internal combustion engine. An alternative being developed here is a combustion-based thermoelectric generator in order to develop systems technologies which capitalize on the high power density and inherent benefits of solid-state thermoelectric power generation. This thermoelectric power unit may find application in many military, industrial, and consumer applications including range extension for PHEVs. In this research, a baseline prototype was constructed using a novel multi-fuel atomizer with diesel fuel, a conventional thermoelectric heat exchange configuration, and a commercially available bismuth telluride module (maximum 225°C). This prototype successfully demonstrated the viability of diesel fuel for thermoelectric power generation, provided a baseline performance for evaluating future improvements, provided the mechanism to develop simulation and analysis tools and methods, and highlighted areas requiring development. The improvements in heat transfer efficiency using catalytic combustion were evaluated, the system was redesigned to operate at temperatures around 500 °C, and the performance of advanced high temperature thermoelectric modules was examined.
Effect of inhaled furosemide on the bronchial response to methacholine and cold-air hyperventilation challenges

Inhaled furosemide has been recently demonstrated to inhibit the bronchoconstrictive effects of exercise, ultrasonically nebulized distilled water, and antigen challenge. The presumed mechanism of action of these challenges is through mast cell degranulation. We report on the effect of inhaled furosemide on cold-air hyperventilation challenge (CAHC) and methacholine challenge. We studied 10 subjects with mild to moderate asthma in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Inhaled furosemide did not affect FEV1 in the hour after inhalation, and there was no significant difference between placebo or furosemide on the dose of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1. Our results demonstrated inhaled furosemide significantly attenuated the bronchoconstrictive effect at 6 and 9 minutes after CAHC (p less than 0.05 and 0.029, respectively) when furosemide was compared to placebo and approached significance at 12 and 15 minutes after CAHC (p = 0.052 and 0.56, respectively). Inhaled furosemide attenuates CAHC but does not effect methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction.
Stem cells: A designer's guide to pluripotency

Pluripotent stem cells, which give rise to almost all cell types, can be engineered from mature cells. A thorough analysis of the process has led to the characterization of a new type of pluripotent cell. See Articles p.192 & p.198 The investigators of the Project Grandiose consortium report their effort to characterize the protein, DNA and RNA changes associated with transcription-factor-mediated reprogramming to pluripotency in two papers in this issue of Nature and three papers published concurrently in Nature Communications. In the first of the Nature papers, Andras Nagy and colleagues report that when mouse embryonic fibroblasts are made to express high levels of reprogramming factors, they reach an alternative pluripotent stable state termed F-class (from the 'fuzzy' appearance of the cell colonies in culture). The second paper presents an extensive analysis of transcriptomic, epigenomic and proteomic datasets describing the routes to pluripotency. They describe the existence of several paths towards induced pluripotency, characterized by distinct epigenetic events. In a News & Views article, Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte discusses the results from all five papers in the context of other recent work and speculates on the likelihood of alternative states of pluripotency.
Alterations of plasma HDL lipids and apolipoproteins in female rats treated with ethynyl estradiol.

Abstract Female Sprague-Dawley rats (160–200 g body weight) were injected subcutaneously daily for 14 days with 1,5, 15, 50 or 100 μg ethynyl estradiol in sesame oil/kg body weight, or with oil alone. Food consumption was restricted to 15 g/day, and animals were fasted overnight before exsanguination. Concentrations of plasma cholesteryl ester decreased with increasing dosage of ethynyl estradiol, as a result of decreases in HDL cholesteryl ester. Concentrations of plasma unesterified cholesterol were not altered by treatment; the tendency for a decrement in the HDL cholesterol was not statistically significant. Plasma and HDL phospholipid also tended to decrease with increasing dose of ethynyl estradiol. Plasma levels of apolipoprotein A-I increased on treatment with 5 μg ethynyl estradiol/kg but were diminished at a dose of 50 μg ethynyl estradiol/kg. The ultracentrifugally isolated high density lipoproteins were delipidated and the distribution of apolipoproteins was characterized by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. The proportion of apolipoprotein E in HDL was depressed, while apolipoprotein A-I was increased and apolipoprotein C unchanged by treatment with ethynyl estradiol. Clearly, the alterations in plasma HDL lipid levels resulting from treatment with ethynyl estradiol were accompanied by distinct changes in composition of the apolipoproteins of HDL, and a biphasic response dependent on dose of the drug. A possible mechanism for the diminution in the proportion of HDL apolipoprotein E may be the enhanced removal of the apolipoprotein E-rich (HDL1) subfraction of the HDL from the circulation on treatment with ethynyl estradiol.
Bright field and dark field STEM‐IN‐SEM imaging of polymer systems

The microstructural analysis of polymer systems (e.g., polymers and their composites) has largely been conducted by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). However, hard materials (e.g., metals and ceramics) are better suited for TEM imaging because such materials can withstand the high energy electron beam generated in TEM instruments. Recently, scanning TEM in scanning electron microscopy (STEM-IN-SEM) has emerged as a viable alternative to TEM imaging of polymer systems. STEM-IN-SEM uses a versatile and user-friendly SEM instrument for examining the microstructure of polymer systems. In this study, we outline our method for STEM-IN-SEM imaging and apply it to the imaging of various commercial and model polymer systems. Imaging results are evaluated on the basis of measured signal intensity, which compare favorably to microstructural analysis using more costly TEM and STEM instruments. Furthermore, these comparable signal intensities are achieved through STEM-IN-SEM imaging with specimens that are three times thicker than those required for conventional TEM imaging. In this respect, as compared to TEM, STEM-IN-SEM offers faster specimen preparation times coupled with easier usability and lower maintenance costs, which are all attractive attributes for efficient quality control measures in industry. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40851.
Interpretation and Correlations of Clay Swelling Measurements

Analytical models for interpretation and correlation of the effects of clay swelling on the permeability and porosity of clayey porous rocks are developed and verified by experimental data. The parameters of the models, including the swelling rate constants, and terminal porosity and permeability that will be attained at saturation, are determined by correlating the experimental data with these models. This study reveals that swelling of clayey rocks is essentially controlled by absorption of water by a water-exposed surface hindered diffusion process and the swelling-dependent properties of clayey rocks vary proportionally with their values relative to their saturation limits and the water absorption rate. These models lead to proper means of correlating and representing clayey rock properties, and enhanced understanding of the relevant processes.
One relator groups are semistable at infinity

IN THIS paper, we show that all finitely generated one relator groups satisfy a homotopy property. For a connected CW-complex Y proper rays r, s: [0, cc) -+ Y converge to the same end of Y if for any compact set C E Y there is an integer N such that r([N, ~0)) and s([N, co)) are contained in the same component of Y C. The space Y is semistable at infinity if any two proper rays converging to the same end of Y are properly homotopic. A finitely presented group G is semistable at infinity if for some (equivalently any) finite complex X with n,(X) = G the universal cover of X is semistable at infinity. Our main result is
Electronic and structural properties of Lu under pressure: Relation to structural phases of the rare-earth metals.

Ground-state electronic and structural properties of Lu under pressure are investigated with use of the self-consistent all-electron total-energy linear muffin-tin orbital band-structure method within a local-density-functional approximation. Pressure-induced structural transitions are found to occur in the following sequence: hcp--(Sm-type)--dhcp--fcc, which is the same as that observed in the crystal structures of the trivalent rare-earth metals with decreasing atomic number. This structural transition is correlated with the increase in the number of d electrons under pressure.
Agonistic and Antagonistic Effects of Clomiphene Citrate and Its Isomers

The agonistic and antagonistic properties of clomiphene citrate (CL) and its isomers were examined in the rat uterus. Immature rats (21 days old) were injected with various doses of estradiol benzoate (EB), CL, zuclomiphene (ZUC, cia isomer), and enclomiphene (ENC, trans isomer), and uterine weight or epithelial cell height was measured. EB treatment produced a typical doseresponse curve for uterine weight with a steep slope, while the curves resulting from treatment with CL, ZUC, or ENC were attenuated with a very shallow slope. These differences in shapes of the dose-response curves render the determination of relative potency estimates inaccurate and misleading. In contrast, the shapes of the dose-response curves for epithelial cell hypertrophy were similarforallfour compounds. EB was more potent than any form of clomiphene;however,the maximum extent of cellular hypertrophy was not as great. The half maximal dose for each compound was EB, 0.35 ± 0.04 Mg; ENC, 25.0 ± 2.0 Mg; CL, 35.0 ± 3.1 Mg; and ZUC, 65.0 ± 7.1 ug. The ability of these drugs to antagonize the action of EB was examined by injecting EB plus CL, ZUC, or ENC and measuring the uterine weight or epithelial cell hypertrophy 72 h later. All three forms of the drug were antagonistic to EB-induced uterine weight gain over the same dose ranges in which they were agonistic by themselves. No antagonistic effects were observed on estradiol stimulation of epithelial cell hypertrophy. These data show that CL and its isomers are fully capable of stimulating epithelial cell hypertrophy in the rat uterus, and thus, valid relative potency estimates can be obtained with this response. This is not true when uterine weight gain is used because differential cell stimulation is not taken into account. In addition, CL and its isomers are agonistic and antagonistic over the same dose ranges when uterine weight gain is used; however, no antagonism of estrogen-stimulated cellular hypertrophy is measured. Therefore, broad generalizations concerning the estrogenicity or antiestrogenicity of these compounds are not warranted and can be made only when specific endpoints are evaluated.
Techniques and best practices in multiattribute display

AbstractAll color monitors display images by mixing red, green, and blue (RGB) components. These RGB components can be defined mathematically in terms of hue, lightness, and saturation (HLS) components. A fourth alpha-blending (also called opacity) component provides a means to corender multiple images. Most, but not all, modern commercial interpretation workstation software vendors provide multiattribute display tools using an opacity model. A smaller subset of vendors provide tools to interactively display two or three attributes using HLS, CMY, and RGB color models. I evaluated a technique (or trick) to simulate the HLS color model using monochromatic color bars and only opacity. This same trick only approximates true color blending of RGB or CMY components. There are three basic objectives in choosing which attributes to display together. The first objective is to understand the correlation of one attribute to another, and most commonly, of a given attribute to the original seismic amplitude data. The...
Two Alternative, Convenient Routes to Bis(diphenylacetylene)platinum(0)

Two new synthetic routes are presented that allow the convenient preparation and isolation of bis(diphenylacetylene)platinum(0) under ambient conditions. The first procedure is based on a ligand exchange reaction between Ph−C⋮C−Ph and tris(styrene)platinum(0). The second framework relies on the reduction of cis-[PtCl2(PhCHCH2)2] with triphenylsilane in the presence of diphenylacetylene.
Epidemiology of low cholesterol levels in older adults. The Cardiovascular Health Study.

BACKGROUND Low cholesterol levels have been associated with increased mortality from stroke, cancer, and other noncardiovascular diseases, but the reasons for this association remain unclear. One explanation is that persons with low cholesterol levels have early or occult disease that eventually leads to their deaths. METHODS AND RESULTS This possibility was explored in 2,091 men and 2,714 women 65-100 years old in the Cardiovascular Health Study, a multicenter observational study of risk factors for heart disease and stroke in older adults. Cholesterol levels < or = 160 mg/dL were present in 11.6% of men and 3.7% of women and increased in prevalence with age. After adjustment for age, total cholesterol levels in this range were associated with a twofold increased prevalence of treated diabetes in men and women and with a twofold increased prevalence of cancer diagnosed in the preceding 5 years in women only. Low cholesterol was also associated with lower levels of hemoglobin, albumin, and factor VII, suggesting a link with hepatic synthetic function. On multivariate analysis, factors most strongly associated with low cholesterol levels in men and women were decreased factor VII levels, decreased albumin, and diabetes. CONCLUSIONS Cross-sectional associations with low cholesterol levels differ by sex and suggest poorer health by some measures. The observed relations with treated diabetes and impaired hepatic synthetic function should be examined for risk of mortality in longitudinal data from this and other observational studies.
Persistence of effect after digitalization by combined use of digitalis and ouabain

Abstract 1. 1. Digitalization with ouabain, digitalis alone, and with the two in combination was carried out twenty-one, sixteen, and twenty times, respectively, in twelve patients with chronic auricular fibrillation. 2. 2. The persistence of the effect upon the ventricular rate and control of the congestive heart failure were shortest after digitalization with ouabain alone, longer with ouabain and digitalis combined, and longest with digitalis alone. 3. 3. The digitalis action was shortest by any method of digitalization in the patients who had severe congestive heart failure. 4. 4. The relationship between the rapid ventricular rate of auricular fibrillation and congestive heart failure is discussed.
Longitudinal Description of the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended for Individuals in the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems National Database: A National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Study

Abstract Objective To comprehensively describe the temporal patterns of global outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems National Database (TBIMS NDB). Design Longitudinal prospective cohort study. Setting TBI Model Systems centers. Participants Patients (N=3870) ≥16 years of age with moderate or severe TBI enrolled in the TBIMS NDB. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measure Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E). Results The trajectory of the GOS-E scores is best described with a model of quadratic change, in which scores initially increase and peak approximately 10 years after the first GOS-E assessment, and then decrease. Change occurs most rapidly in the initial and final years of the timeline. There was significant variability in each growth parameter ( P Conclusions Individual growth curve analysis is a statistically rigorous approach to describe temporal change with respect to the GOS-E at the individual level for participants within the TBIMS NDB. Results indicated that, for individuals in the TBIMS NDB as a group, functional status as measured by the GOS-E initially improves, plateaus, and then begins to decline. Factors such as age at first GOS-E assessment, race, FIM score at rehabilitation admission, and rehabilitation length of stay were found to influence baseline GOS-E scores, as well as the rate and extent of both improvement and decline over time. Additional research may be required to determine the generalizability of these findings and the usefulness of this tool for clinical applications.
The reaction of carbon radicals with sulfur. A convenient synthesis of thiols from carboxylic acids

Abstract A new synthesis of thiols in high yield utilizing carbon radicals and elemental sulfur is demonstrated. The procedure is applicable to 1°, 2° and 3° carboxylic acids.
Role of Topology, Nonadditivity, and Water-Mediated Interactions in Predicting the Structures of α/β Proteins

The folding of alpha/beta proteins involves most of the commonly known structural and dynamic complexities of the protein energy landscapes. Thus, the interplay among different structural components, taking into account the cooperative interactions, is important in determining the success of protein structure prediction. In this work we present further developments of our knowledge-based force field for alpha/beta proteins, introducing more realistic modeling of many-body interactions governing the folding of beta-sheets. The model's innovations highlight both specific topological characteristics of secondary structures and the generic nonadditive interactions that are mediated by water. We also investigate how a coarse biasing of the protein morphology can be used to understand the role of heterogeneity in protein collapse. Analysis of the simulation results for three test alpha/beta proteins indicates that the addition of the topological and many-body ingredients to the model helps to greatly reduce the roughness in the energy landscape. Consequently, high quality candidate structures for alpha/beta proteins can be generated from simulated annealing runs, using very modest amounts of computer time.
Phase-Field Models of Gravity-Driven Unsaturated Flow in Porous Media

Existing continuum models of multiphase flow in porous media are unable to explain why preferential flow (fingering) occurs during infiltration into homogeneous, dry soil. We identify a relevant pattern-forming mechanism in the dynamics of the wetting front, and present a macroscopic model that reproduces the experimentally observed features of fingered flows. The proposed model reveals a scaling between local and nonlocal interface phenomena in imbibition, and does not introduce new independent parameters. The predictions based on this model are consistent with experiments and theories of scaling in porous media.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Pregnancy-associated injury hospitalizations: maternal and fetal outcomes

Background. Although injury is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among reproductive-aged women, relatively little research has focused on pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence rate, causes, and outcomes of pregnancy-associated injury hospital- izations in Washington. Methods. A retrospective cohort design was used to evaluate women hospitalized for injury during pregnancy in Washington State from 1989 to 1997. Pregnant women hospitalized for injury were identified by linking Wash- ington state files containing birth and fetal death certificate data with hospital discharge data from all Washington state civilian hospitals, with injury defined as any ICD-9 injury diagnosis or external causation codes except poisonings and medical mis- adventures. These women were compared with a randomly chosen group of delivering women not experiencing an injury hospitalization during pregnancy. Pregnancy outcomes were evaluated using relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results. The overall incidence of pregnancy- associated injury hospitalizations was 243.4/100 000 live births. Motor vehicle crashes (30.4%), falls (27.3%), and assaults (8.2%) were the most common causes of injuries. Pregnant women hos- pitalized for injury were at increased risk of placental abruption (RR 3.3, 95%CI 2.5-4.3), cesarean delivery (RR 1.2, 95%CI 1.1-1.3), and death (RR = 11.5, 95%CI 1.9-68.7) compared with non-injured pregnant women. Their infants were at increased risk of low birth weight (
Variational methods in the hydrodynamic theory of liquid He 4

This paper presents a derivation of the dissipationless two-fluid equations of motion for liquid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ based on a variational procedure that is closely related to one formulated originally by Zilsel. The Lagrangian that appears in this treatment has been derived before by applying statistical-mechanical methods to an elementary-excitation description of the flowing liquid; the main steps are recounted here. An important new development is that for uniform flow, the Lagrangian is shown to be a Legendre transform of the internal energy. It is a particular thermodynamic potential for which the primary, independent variables are clearly exhibited. Identification of these variables makes it possible to avoid certain steps in Zilsel's procedure which have been criticized by several workers, while one arrives at the same equations of motion. Furthermore, it is shown, by example, that the Lagrangian density postulated by Zilsel is exactly the same as that assumed by Lhuillier, Francois, and Karatchentzeff (LFK), but that terms have been grouped differently in the two treatments. This should eliminate apprehension expressed by LFK about the reliability of Zilsel's Lagrangian. The results derived here also bring new unity to the work of Zilsel and its extension by Jackson, and certain work of Khalatnikov and its extensions by LFK and by Geurst. Finally, a discussion is given of a proposal made by Lin for modifying Zilsel's variational treatment of liquid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$.
Bombardment of 14N by 6Li ions

Abstract Thick adenine (C 6 H 6 N 6 ) targets have been used to investigate the reaction of 6 Li ions with 14 N. Relative angular distributions at bombarding energies of 5.3, 5.64 and 6.0 MeV have been determined for protons, deuterons and alphas leading to the lower states in 19 F, 18 F and 16 O, respectively. A yield curve was obtained between 4.1 and 6.3 MeV to compare the cross sections at the various energies.
Dynamic polarized infrared studies of stress relaxation and creep in polypropylene

A new technique was developed to study the molecular mechanics of highly oriented polypropylene during stress relaxation and creep. The polarized infrared spectrum was recorded while the polymer was under load. Stress relaxation effects were investigated during the two-stage process of fast decay followed by a slower “dynamic equilibrium” decay by examining the stress-sensitive 975-cm−1 band and the orientation-sensitive 899-cm−1 band. In the fast decay region, the aligned chains became more highly overstressed and the nonaligned chains quickly relieved themselves of their initial overstress. These findings suggest an exchange of stress from nonaligned to aligned chain segments, without much orientation change. Also, a rupture of very highly overstressed aligned chains is though to occur. In the slow decay region, the aligned overstressed chains showed a relief of stress accompanied by some disorientation or helix distortion. Creep, however, appeared to occur via a process which involved all chains regardless of alignment. It was found that the number of highly stressed bonds increased with time at the expense of the intermediately stressed bonds. Very little change in overall orientation was noted, which probably explains the observed crazing and void formation.
Microbial degradation of toxic, environmental pollutants: Ecological and evolutionary considerations

Microorganisms are the major scavengers in nature, responsible for recycling most natural waste materials into harmless compounds. When faced with an increasing array of synthetic compounds, such as various chlorinated compounds manufactured by the chemical industry for use as herbicides/pesticides, industrial solvents, refrigerants, etc., the microorganisms attempt to evolve new genes, particularly for simple lowly chlorinated compounds, encoding enzymes that use the chlorinated compounds as their primary substrates. An understanding of how new biodegradative genes evolve in nature is therefore of the utmost importance to enhance the rate and the range of biodegradative processes. The various parameters that influence both natural as well as selective evolutionary processes are discussed.
Recombination of Random Chain Scissions of Polyisobutylene in n -Alkane Solutions

Random chain scission constants have been determined for the photolysis of polyisobutylene in n-alkane solutions. These rate constants are diffusion controlled since they are due to chain radicals escaping from medium cages. Plots of these rate constants vs. 1/η (where η is the solvent viscosity) and plots of the rate constants vs. Mn−3/2 and Mn−1/2, respectively, give straight lines. Discussion shows that the case of translational diffusion for kexp as a function of 1/η and 1/Mn1/2 is the one which gives the most reasonable results. About 103 scissions are mended for each permanent chain scission undergone by the polymer. It is suggested that about 24 A separation of radicals (i.e., 4 times the radius of one solvent molecule) by translational diffusion are sufficient for effecting a permanent chain scission. A translation of ca. 370 A, as required by the case where kexp is a function of Mn−3/2, seems to be unrealistic.
The AIMS tool: its potentials, applications, and issues

The AIMS Tool, manufactured by the Zeiss of Jena, Germany, is a unique combination of sophisticated optics and ingenious software designed to simulate the image of mask pattern as it would be created by a stepper on its wafer plane. This paper reviews some of the machine' capabilities and potentials, and shows its role in complementing the state of the art metrology tools. Most importantly, the paper explores ways of enhancing the productivity and utilization of the tool by strong participation of the newly formed AIMS Tool User's Group.
Electronic structure of alumina and ruby.

We report fully self-consistent local-density calculations of the energy eigenvalue spectrum, charge density, and density of states of Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ and Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/:Cr/sup 3+/ using the linear combination of atomic orbitals--molecular orbital embedded-cluster discrete variational method. A variety of different clusters of formula Al/sub m/O/sub n/ were treated to verify the essential independence of results on cluster size and geometry, which are in reasonable agreement with experiment and the first-principles band structure of Batra, but not in agreement with later semiempirical models. Upon substituting Cr for Al to form ruby, substantial lattice relaxation is required to produce the nearly cubic environment seen in the optical spectra. By deforming near-neighbor positions to obtain a match with experiment we obtain an estimate of the local geometry. Interaction with neighboring Al/sup 3+/ ions is included for the first time in modeling the impurity-host interaction.
Ecosystem Valuation under Uncertainty and Irreversibility

The valuation of ecosystems has attracted much interest from economists (for example, Freeman 1993; Bingham and others 1995; Norton 1995; Suter 1995; Faber and others 1996; Acutt and Mason 1998). Clearly, ecosystems are valuable: they directly or indirectly support human life. Yet, while human activities historically have led to economic development, they also have created environmental problems and threatened the health of ecosystems. These negative impacts include species extinction, exhaustible resource depletion, global warming, ozone layer destruction, acid rain, water and air pollution, soil erosion, and deforestation. Ecosystem functions are quite complex and often poorly understood. Although progress has been made in understanding ecosystem dynamics, great uncertainties concerning their long-term evolution remain. This uncertainty makes it difficult to decide the best way to manage ecosystems. Lack of consensus on environmental decisions among citizens (for example, conservationists vs business firms) and scientific disciplines (for example, ecologists vs economists), as well as experts, is common. Imprecise knowledge about ecosystems contributes to this situation because different individuals often have different information about the state of the environment. Without common information, it is difficult for different parties to agree on particular environmental decisions. This disagreement creates significant challenges for environmental management. In this article, I focus on the effects of uncertainty and irreversibility, and their role in natural resource valuation. I examine the interactions between uncertainty and ecosystem dynamics and discuss their implications for environmental management.
New Large Leptictid Insectivore from the Late Paleogene of South Dakota, USA

From a skull and mandible, we describe a new genus and species of a primitive insectivore (Mammalia: Insectivora: Leptictida: Leptictidae). Its large body size and higher-crowned teeth indicate a different feeding ecology from other leptictid insectivores. With evidence of some heavy, flat wear on the molariform teeth, its shift in diet was likely to greater herbivory. Unlike the narrow snout of Blacktops, this new leptictid retains a broad snout, suggesting that small vertebrates were still important dietary components. The specimen was collected from the floodplain deposits of the lower or middle White River Group of South Dakota, which represent the latest Eocene to earliest Oligocene (Chadronian and Orellan North American Land Mammal “Ages”).
Trinexapac-Ethyl Application Regimens Influence Growth, Quality, and Performance of Bermuda Grass and Creeping Bentgrass Putting Greens

Dwarf bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon x C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy) and creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) are planted for golf greens in the U.S. transition zone, but management regimes, such as the use of a plant growth regulator (PGR), often vary for long-term culture of the two species. The objective of this experiment was to investigate application regimens of the PGR trinexapac-ethyl (TE), on growth, quality, and performance of creeping bentgrass and bermudagrass putting greens in Clemson, SC. 'L-93' creeping bentgrass and 'TifEagle' bermudagrass putting greens, established in summer 2002 and mowed at 3.2 mm, received TE over 12 wk in three regimens: 0.017 kg ha 1 wk -1 , 0.033 kg ha) -1 2 wk -1 (biweekly), or 0.05 kg ha -1 3 wk -1 (triweekly) from May to August 2003 and 2004. Creeping bentgrass was not discolored from TE, but unacceptable bermudagrass discoloration (>20%) occurred on one, two, and six dates for weekly, biweekly, and triweekly regimens, respectively. All TE regimens reduced bermudagrass clippings approximately 50% from nontreated bermudagrass across all dates, while creeping bentgrass clipping reductions, approximately 20 to 35% from nontreated grass, were inconsistent. The root masses of both species treated with TE regimens were similar to nontreated turf. Bermudagrass aerification recovery was reduced on two, two, and four dates after weekly, biweekly, and triweekly TE regimens, respectively. All TE regimens increased morning and evening bermudagrass golf ball roll distance approximately 25 cm from morning distances of nontreated turf.
FINE STRUCTURE OF THE SYNAPTIC DISCS SEPARATED FROM THE GOLDFISH MEDULLA OBLONGATA

Synaptic discs are structures localized in the club ending synapses on the Mauthner cell lateral dendrite of the goldfish medulla oblongata. The synaptic discs present a hexagonal array of particles ∼8.5 nm center-to-center when observed in en face view. This lattice covers the entire surface Divalent cations are important in the stabilization of this particular hexagonal array of particles When a synaptic disc-rich fraction is treated with chelating agents (EDTA or EGTA), definite changes occur in the hexagonal lattice. First, the synaptic membranes show zones without particles interspersed with zones covered with the hexagonal array of particles Second, the synaptic discs break down and a new structure characterized by two parallel dense bands (7 nm each), separated by a 4 nm gap, is observed. The negative stain fills the gap region showing striations spaced ∼10 nm center-to-center crossing the gap, but it does not penetrate the dense bands This "double band" structure is interpreted as an edge on view of a fragment of the synaptic membrane complex. Further treatment of this fraction with a chelating agent plus 0.3% deoxycholate produces an increase in the number of double band structures. However, EDTA plus Triton X-100 (a treatment known to produce solubilization of membrane proteins) never shows such double band structure An ordered material was observed associated with the cytoplasmic leaflets of the double bands This material consists of rows of beads ∼4 nm in diameter and spaced at intervals of ∼7 nm. Each of these beads is joined to the band by a thin stalk.
Non-mean-field theory of anomalously large double layer capacitance

Mean-field theories claim that the capacitance of the double layer formed at a metal/ionic conductor interface cannot be larger than that of the Helmholtz capacitor, whose width is equal to the radius of an ion. However, in some experiments the apparent width of the double layer capacitor is substantially smaller. We propose an alternate non-mean-field theory of the ionic double layer to explain such large capacitance values. Our theory allows for the binding of discrete ions to their image charges in the metal, which results in the formation of interface dipoles. We focus primarily on the case where only small cations are mobile and other ions form an oppositely charged background. In this case, at small temperature and zero applied voltage dipoles form a correlated liquid on both contacts. We show that at small voltages the capacitance of the double layer is determined by the transfer of dipoles from one electrode to the other and is therefore limited only by the weak dipole-dipole repulsion between bound ions so that the capacitance is very large. At large voltages the depletion of bound ions from one of the capacitor electrodes triggers a collapse of the capacitance to the much smaller mean-field value, as seen in experimental data. We test our analytical predictions with a Monte Carlo simulation and find good agreement. We further argue that our "one-component plasma" model should work well for strongly asymmetric ion liquids. We believe that this work also suggests an improved theory of pseudocapacitance.
Traumatic superior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula and aortic pseudoaneurysm 20 years after repair

A case of traumatic superior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula (SMAVF) and aortic pseudoaneurysm successfully treated by a unique combination of operative and endovascular techniques with a 20-year follow-up is reviewed. After 20 years, the patient presented with an aortoenteric fistula, which was managed with a cryopreserved aortic interposition graft. In this report, we review the evolution of the treatment for traumatic SMAVF and aortic pseudoaneurysm and the current management of aortoenteric fistula.
Microsystems enabled photovoltaics: 14.9% efficient 14 μm thick crystalline silicon solar cell

Abstract Crystalline silicon solar cells 10–15 times thinner than traditional commercial c-Si cells with 14.9% efficiency are presented with modeling, fabrication, and testing details. These cells are 14 μm thick, 250 μm wide, and have achieved 14.9% solar conversion efficiency under AM 1.5 spectrum. First, modeling results illustrate the importance of high-quality passivation to achieve high efficiency in thin silicon, back contacted solar cells. Then, the methodology used to fabricate these ultra thin devices by means of established microsystems processing technologies is presented. Finally, the optimization procedure to achieve high efficiency as well as the results of the experiments carried out with alumina and nitride layers as passivation coatings are discussed.