cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Muon and hydrogen bonding, and magnetic resonance in pure and doped 519-01519-01519-01

Results of three magnetic resonance studies on pure and doped YBa2Cu3O7 (Y1237) are compared. The muon and the proton, in low concentrations, behave similarly in these cuprates; both magnetic probes bond to oxygens just below the BaO planes. Phase changes from superconducting to magnetic behavior of H-doped Y1237 correspond to similar transitions observed for either 0 depletion or (Pr,Y) mixing. Chemical phase-separation effects are unlikely to be responsible for the simultaneous observation of superconductivity and magnetism. The similarity of the physical effects caused by H doping, O depletion, or (Pr, Y) mixing in the 1/2/3 cuprates points toward a plausible magnetic origin of CuO-based superconductivity.
Support Effects for Pt and Rh-Based Catalysts for Partial Oxidation of n-Tetradecane

Catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) of liquid fuels is an attractive option for producing a hydrogen-rich gas stream for fuel cell applications. However, the high sulfur content along with aromatic compounds present in liquid fuels may deactivate reforming catalysts. Deactivation of these catalysts by carbon deposition and sulfur poisoning is a key technical challenge. The relationship between catalyst supports and deactivation have been studied here for three catalysts (Rh/Ce0.5 Zr0.5 O2 , Pt/Ce0.5 Zr0.5 O2 , and Pt/Al2 O3 ) in a fixed bed catalytic reactor using a mixture of n-tetradecane, 1-methylnaphthalene, and dibenzothiophene to simulate logistic fuels. Carbon production during CPOX reforming was directly related to olefin formation. Olefins, which are known coke precursors, were observed on the Pt catalysts during CPOX of n-tetradecane with no sulfur (particularly from Pt/Al2 O3 ), but not on Rh/Ce0.5 Zr0.5 O2 . For the Rh/Ce0.5 Zr0.5 O2 , yields of H2 and CO dropped to a stationary level after the introduction of sulfur-containing feed (1000 ppm sulfur) or aromatic-containing feed (5 wt%), however, the catalyst activity was restored after removing the sulfur or aromatics from the feed. For the Pt catalysts, H2 and CO yields dropped continuously over time in the presence of sulfur or aromatics in feed. The superior performance of Rh/Ce0.5 Zr0.5 O2 can be attributed to the higher oxygen-ion conductivity of the Ce0.5 Zr0.5 O2 support as well as the activity of the Rh sites.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Problems Posed by an Expanding Technical Literature

A quantitative estimate is made of the magnitude of the world's electronics and electrical engineering journal literature problem. By the use of a number of basic sources of information, a composite picture is established to show total volume, linguistic and national origins, degree of coverage by the abstracting and indexing services, and the availability of special information centers. Some criticism is directed at the electrical engineering professional societies for not taking more positive action on this problem of concern to their entire membership. The paper concludes with suggestions for coping with this general problem.
Replenishing Marine Populations

A recent note in the Random Samples section (“Payoffs seen from Keys fishing ban” 12 Mar. p. [1631][1]) describing preliminary findings of studies within no-take zones of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary concludes that “[i]t is still too early, however, to measure a hoped-for benefit
Modeling ordered subcarrier SNR in MIMO-OFDM wireless links

Abstract Recent research has shown that the detected bit error-rate of coded and bit-interleaved multiple-input, multiple-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) links is characterized by the ordered post-processing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In this paper, we show that the per-stream ordered SNR converges asymptotically (with delay spread) to the inverse, marginal cumulative distribution function (CDF) of post-processing SNR. We derive a new approximation of the post-processing SNR inverse marginal CDF through an approximation of the marginal CDF for ordered eigenvalues in Wishart random matrices. By evaluating the independence of subcarriers in terms of the power delay profile, we show that the inverse marginal CDF is also an important characterization of post-processing SNR in practice. We exploit this structure to improve principal component regression algorithms that empirically infer a low-dimension basis for ordered SNR. Numerical simulations show high accuracy of this basis with just three dimensions for arbitrary power delay profiles. The consequences of this work include high-resolution limited channel feedback, simpler channel models for system simulation and algorithm design, as well as the reduction of dimension in link quality metrics for link adaptation. Simulations demonstrate the application to link adaptation in IEEE 802.11n with constellations that may be adapted per spatial stream.
Isotopic methods for probing organization of cellular metabolism

These examples serve to illustrate that it is now possible to investigate metabolism in intact tissues using a variety of biophysical methods. While we have concentrated on NMR methods, reflecting our own interests in using 13C as a metabolic tracer, GC-mass spectroscopy can often provide similar metabolic information and has the advantage of increased sensitivity over NMR. Combining either or both of these technologies with cleaver 'chemical biopsy' methods offers new opportunities to examine what may seem to be old metabolic questions in a much more relevant environment, the native state.
Understanding the time delay between HIV infection and AIDS from a model of HIV's impact on the T-helper cell density

The HIV incubation distribution curve leading to AIDS is derived from the hematic T-Helper cell density distribution for the seronegative population. After the HIV acute infection stage, the T-Helper cell density distribution curve is shown to begin uniformly translating towards zero density at the constant rate of 70.9 T-Cells/@mL per year leading to AIDS. The future values of the HIV incubation period curve can now be credibly calculated, and it is projected that 90% of infecteds will develop AIDS 18 years after infection. HIV is postulated to lower the hematic T-Helper cell density equilibrium set-point to zero, causing the immune system to collapse.
cis-Expression QTL Analysis of Established Colorectal Cancer Risk Variants in Colon Tumors and Adjacent Normal Tissue

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified 19 risk variants associated with colorectal cancer. As most of these risk variants reside outside the coding regions of genes, we conducted cis-expression quantitative trait loci (cis-eQTL) analyses to investigate possible regulatory functions on the expression of neighboring genes. Forty microsatellite stable and CpG island methylator phenotype-negative colorectal tumors and paired adjacent normal colon tissues were used for genome-wide SNP and gene expression profiling. We found that three risk variants (rs10795668, rs4444235 and rs9929218, using near perfect proxies rs706771, rs11623717 and rs2059252, respectively) were significantly associated (FDR q-value ≤0.05) with expression levels of nearby genes (<2 Mb up- or down-stream). We observed an association between the low colorectal cancer risk allele (A) for rs10795668 at 10p14 and increased expression of ATP5C1 (q = 0.024) and between the colorectal cancer high risk allele (C) for rs4444235 at 14q22.2 and increased expression of DLGAP5 (q = 0.041), both in tumor samples. The colorectal cancer low risk allele (A) for rs9929218 at 16q22.1 was associated with a significant decrease in expression of both NOL3 (q = 0.017) and DDX28 (q = 0.046) in the adjacent normal colon tissue samples. Of the four genes, DLGAP5 and NOL3 have been previously reported to play a role in colon carcinogenesis and ATP5C1 and DDX28 are mitochondrial proteins involved in cellular metabolism and division, respectively. The combination of GWAS findings, prior functional studies, and the cis-eQTL analyses described here suggest putative functional activities for three of the colorectal cancer GWAS identified risk loci as regulating the expression of neighboring genes.
Natural, potential and actual vegetation in North America

The potential natural vegetation (PNV) concept has parallel applications in Europe and North America. Paleoecological studies in parts of North America provide records of vegetation patterns and dynamics under little or no human disturbance. Something resembling PNV emerges at millennial temporal scales and at regional to subcontinental spatial scales. However, at finer spatial and temporal scales, actual vegetation often displays properties of inertia, contingency and hysteresis, most frequently because of climatic variability across multiple timescales and the episodic nature of disturbance and establishment. Thus, in the absence of human disturbance, the actual vegetation that develops at a site may not resemble a particular PNV ideal, but could instead represent one of any number of potential outcomes constrained by historically contingent processes. PNV may best be viewed as an artificial construct, with utility in some settings. Its utility may diminish and even be detrimental in a rapidly changing environment.
APPLICATIONS OF ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

A growing literature within the field of chemical engineering describing the use of artificial neural networks (ANN) has evolved for a diverse range of engineering applications such as fault detection, signal processing, process modeling, and control. Because ANN are nets of basis functions, they can provide good empirical models of complex nonlinear processes useful for a wide variety of purposes. This article describes certain types of neural networks that have proved to be effective in practical applications, mentions the advantages and disadvantages of using them, and presents four detailed chemical engineering applications. In the competitive field of modeling, ANN have secured a niche that now, after one decade, seems secure.
Necrotizing soft tissue infection from decubitus ulcer after spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: A case of necrotizing soft tissue infection in a patient with spinal cord injury with extension of infection into the spinal canal and spinal cord is presented. OBJECTIVE: To review the history, risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and morbidity and mortality regarding necrotizing soft tissue infection as they relate to spinal cord injury. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Necrotizing soft tissue infection related to decubitus ulcers is rare. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this disease related to a sacral decubitus ulcer with extension of the necrotizing infection into the spinal canal. METHODS: The clinical, radiographic, and pathologic features associated with necrotizing soft tissue infection are presented. The patient presented with a late-stage necrotizing soft tissue infection requiring extensive de-bridement of necrotic tissue, which the patient underwent on admission. RESULTS: The patent died of refractory septic shock and multiple-organ failure after surgery. CONCLUSION: Necrotizing soft tissue infections from decubitus ulcers are rare and unpredictable, and ultimately have a progressively aggressive course. The case reported herein is the first report of necrotizing soft tissue infection from a decubitus ulcer in a patient with spinal cord injury with extension into the spinal canal and spinal cord.
Progression of prostate cancer: Multiple pathways to androgen independence

Prostate cancer remains one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and a leading cause of cancer death in men. Initially, prostate tumors respond to hormonal therapies, but androgen-independent tumors refractory to these therapies emerge. Identifying the mechanisms responsible for the emergence of androgen independence has been the subject of multiple studies. This article reviews the multiple pathways that have been shown to promote androgen independence, including a recently described mechanism that involves androgen receptor proteolysis to a constitutively active ligand-independent isoform. Identifying the underlying mechanisms of androgen independence is crucial in the design of appropriate therapies for hormonally refractive neoplasms.
Variably protease-sensitive prionopathy: a novel disease of the prion protein.

Variably protease-sensitive prionopathy (VPSPr) is a novel disease involving the prion protein (PrP) that has clinical similarities with non-Alzheimer’s dementias especially frontotemporal dementia, diffuse Lewis body disease, and normal pressure hydrocephalus. VPSPr can be distinguished from sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (sCJD) especially for the characteristics of the abnormal PrP. Furthermore, although VPSPr like sCJD affects patients with the three PrP genotypes as determined by the common methionine/valine polymorphism, the allelic prevalence is very different in the two diseases. These findings suggest that VPSPr is basically different from classical prion diseases such as sCJD being perhaps more akin to other neurodegenerative dementias.
Future applications of Case-Based teaching in population-based prevention

The Case-Based Series in Population-Oriented Prevention (C-POP) introduced in this supplement to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine provides a set of tools to integrate clinical- and community-based prevention into interactive teaching cases. These cases, which address recommended core competencies in prevention education, have been taught to both medical students and preventive medicine residents. Initial experience with the cases indicates that this method is a promising tool to enhance prevention education in medical schools and primary care residencies. Because prevention education is essential in other fields, such as public health and nursing, extension of this approach to other professional schools is possible. Such extension is feasible because the cases are designed to be adaptable for different levels of education, flexible to be tailored to local situations, and expandable to accommodate changes in the field. In addition, the cases can be made accessible to all educators through a national library and in interactive web-based format. This article describes how the C-POP series can be used to strengthen prevention education for a wide audience of physician and nonphysician learners.
Phototunable Temperature-Responsive Molecular Brushes Prepared by ATRP

Molecular brushes with trans-4-methacryloyloxyazobenzene (MOAB) and 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) units in the side chains were successfully synthesized by grafting from a poly(2-(2-bromopropionyloxy)ethyl methacrylate) (pBPEM) macroinitiator using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and the DP of the side chains containing different distributions of DMAEMA and MOAB were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The number-average molecular weight (Mn) of the brushes ranged from 4.7 × 105 to 1.1 × 106 depending on molecular architecture. The molecular weight distribution of the brushes was narrow (Mw/Mn = 1.23−1.36). UV−vis spectra of the brush copolymers in either chloroform or aqueous solution showed reversible isomerization of azobenzene units in the side chains upon irradiation with UV (365 nm) or visible light (442 nm). The transmission spectra of the aqueous solutions of the brush copolymers at ...
Identified neurons in visual cortex

Although the different types of neurons in the visual cortex are known from Golgi impregnated material examined under the light microscope, it is often difficult to recognize the profiles of these neurons, and impossible to establish their inter-connections. Consequently techniques have been developed to first identify neurons under the light microscope and then examine those same neurons in the electron microscope. Use of these combined techniques has revealed some of the neuronal circuits that exist in the visual cortex and has established the neurotransmitters used by some of the neurons.
Assembly of dental units by soldering

T echniques for assembling dental splints and bridges require that the individual units be maintained in exact relationships during the manipulations necessary for joining them with solder. Some elements in these techniques can cause crown misalignment. I f the retainers of the completed assembly are even slightly malpositioned, the prosthesis cannot be correctly seated and failure of the appliance can be predicted. The first purpose of this study was to simulate in the laborato’ry a clinical technique for bridge assembly and to measure the influence each of the following procedures had upon changes in crown position: ( 1) transfer of the crowns from the model by an impression plaster index, (2) investment of the crowns in the soldering refractory material, and (3) connection of the crowns with solder. Also of interest were the effects upon the assembly of: (a) varying the symmetry or configuration of the soldering investment, (b) modifying the manner of heat application to the crowns and soldering investment, and (c) omitting or providing a solder space between the crowns. The second purpose of the study was to develop a test method suitable for measuring the minute changes that occur. A commercial optical comparator was selected for the primary measuring instrument. It was necessary to design accessories and develop a system for its use.
A new phylogenetic marker, apolipoprotein B, provides compelling evidence for eutherian relationships.

Abstract Higher-level relationships within, and the root of Placentalia, remain contentious issues. Resolution of the placental tree is important to the choice of mammalian genome projects and model organisms, as well as for understanding the biogeography of the eutherian radiation. We present phylogenetic analyses of 63 species representing all extant eutherian mammal orders for a new molecular phylogenetic marker, a 1.3 kb portion of exon 26 of the apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene. In addition, we analyzed a multigene concatenation that included APOB sequences and a previously published data set ( Murphy et al., 2001b ) of three mitochondrial and 19 nuclear genes, resulting in an alignment of over 17 kb for 42 placentals and two marsupials. Due to computational difficulties, previous maximum likelihood analyses of large, multigene concatenations for placental mammals have used quartet puzzling, less complex models of sequence evolution, or phylogenetic constraints to approximate a full maximum likelihood bootstrap. Here, we utilize a Unix load sharing facility to perform maximum likelihood bootstrap analyses for both the APOB and concatenated data sets with a GTR + Γ + I model of sequence evolution, tree-bisection and reconnection branch-swapping, and no phylogenetic constraints. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of both data sets provide support for the superordinal clades Boreoeutheria, Euarchontoglires, Laurasiatheria, Xenarthra, Afrotheria, and Ostentoria (pangolins + carnivores), as well as for the monophyly of the orders Eulipotyphla, Primates, and Rodentia, all of which have recently been questioned. Both data sets recovered an association of Hippopotamidae and Cetacea within Cetartiodactyla, as well as hedgehog and shrew within Eulipotyphla. APOB showed strong support for an association of tarsier and Anthropoidea within Primates. Parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses with both data sets placed Afrotheria at the base of the placental radiation. Statistical tests that employed APOB to examine a priori hypotheses for the root of the placental tree rejected rooting on myomorphs and hedgehog, but did not discriminate between rooting at the base of Afrotheria, at the base of Xenarthra, or between Atlantogenata (Xenarthra + Afrotheria) and Boreoeutheria. An orthologous deletion of 363 bp in the aligned APOB sequences proved phylogenetically informative for the grouping of the order Carnivora with the order Pholidota into the superordinal clade Ostentoria. A smaller deletion of 237–246 bp was diagnostic of the superordinal clade Afrotheria.
Literacy and Voting Behavior: A Bivariate Probit Model with Sample Selection

Abstract A bivariate probit regression with sample selection was used to explore the contribution of selected demographic and sociopolitical variables on registering to vote and on voting. The database for this study was a subset of the respondents to the Young Adult Literacy Survey (YALS), administered in 1985 on a stratified national sample of 21- through 25-year-olds. Separate probit regressions showed that all selected independent variables were significant predictors for both registration and voting. However, the model implied by separate probit regressions fails to take into account that only those who actually register to vote can vote. When a more appropriate model, bivariate probit regression with sample selection, was applied to these data only amount of hard news read and years of education were significant predictors of voting, given registration. For registration, these variables, plus ethnicity/race, television viewing, and degree to which one keeps up with governmental affairs were all significant predictors. We argue that a bivariate probit model with sample selection is an appropriate and essential approach for modeling voting behavior. We then conclude that increased education as well as increased attention to hard news reading within school and adult education curricula could lead to increased propensities to vote. The limitations of the present research as well as suggestions for improving the database required for voting studies are also given.
MT1-MMP–Dependent Remodeling of Cardiac Extracellular Matrix Structure and Function Following Myocardial Infarction

The myocardial extracellular matrix (ECM), an interwoven meshwork of proteins, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans that is dominated by polymeric fibrils of type I collagen, serves as the mechanical scaffold on which myocytes are arrayed for coordinated and synergistic force transduction. Following ischemic injury, cardiac ECM remodeling is initiated via localized proteolysis, the bulk of which has been assigned to matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family members. Nevertheless, the key effector(s) of myocardial type I collagenolysis both in vitro and in vivo have remained unidentified. In this study, using cardiac explants from mice deficient in each of the major type I collagenolytic MMPs, including MMP-13, MMP-8, MMP-2, MMP-9, or MT1-MMP, we identify the membrane-anchored MMP, MT1-MMP, as the dominant collagenase that is operative within myocardial tissues in vitro. Extending these observations to an in vivo setting, mice heterozygous for an MT1-MMP–null allele display a distinct survival advantage and retain myocardial function relative to wild-type littermates in an experimental model of myocardial infarction, effects associated with preservation of the myocardial type I collagen network as a consequence of the decreased collagenolytic potential of cardiac fibroblasts. This study identifies MT1-MMP as a key MMP responsible for effecting postinfarction cardiac ECM remodeling and cardiac dysfunction.
Hypertension, Volume and Vasoconstriction: Studies on the Renal Blood Supply in SHR, WKY, and DOCA-Salt Rat Models

The concept of volume and vasoconstriction as polar elements in a model of the pathogenesis of hypertension has proven to be very useful. Many lines of investigation also suggest that the kidney must be involved in sustaining hypertension, whatever the primary pathogenetic mechanism. There are few studies, however, to link the status of renal perfusion and function to models of vasoconstriction and volume. We assessed the renal vascular (electromagnetic flowmeter) and depressor responses to two classes of agent, manidipine (a calcium antagonist) and enalaprilat (an ACE inhibitor), in rats with two models of hypertension. The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) in comparison to its genetic mate, the normotensive WKY, was studied as a model in which vasoconstriction dominates pathogenesis. DOCA-salt hypertension was induced in rats as a model of volume-dependent hypertension. In SHR and WKY, enalaprilat and manidipine induced similar depressor responses and similar renal vasodilatation: internal evidence suggested that enalaprilat acted primarily by reducing angiotensin II (All) formation. The similarity of the response to manidipine may reflect its ability to block renal vasoconstriction induced by All. In the DOCA-salt model, on the other hand, manidipine was much more effective both as a depressor agent and as a renal vasodilator than enalaprilat. Indeed, the renal vasodilatation induced by manidipine in the DOCA-salt model exceeded substantially the vasodilatation induced by either class of agent in SHR. The results are consistent with an action of manidipine in the volume-dependent model that reverses the action of an agent that leads to increased vascular smooth muscle intracellular calcium -perhaps the digitalis-like factor. We conclude that quantitatively important renal vascular changes occur in both models of volume and vasoconstriction, and that the model determines the renal response to calcium antagonists and ACE inhibitors. (Hypertens Res 1992; 15: 3-11)
Hydrodynamic activation and sorting of white blood cells in a microfabricated lattice

We demonstrate a novel hydrodynamic shear activation of leucocyte adhesion, using physiological flow conditions and a microfabricated array of channels with length scales similar to those of human capillaries. Vital chromosome stains and cell specific fluorochrome labeled antibodies reveal that the eventual adhesion of the leukocytes to the silicon array displays a strong dependence on cell type and nuclear morphology, with granulocytes activating more rapidly with distance and penetrating a smaller distance than lymphocytes. Further, the granulocytes interact with the lymphocytes in a self-exclusionary manner under shearing flow with the eventual separation of the two cell types in the array. Such arrays of microfabricated obstacles thus have an interesting potential for sorting white blood cells by type from a 10 microliter drop of whole blood.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Body weight and regulatory deficits following unilateral nigrostriatal lesions

Abstract Unilateral nigrostriatal lesions were performed in rats by punctate injection of 6-hydroxydopamine. Lesioned animals exhibited anorexia and weight loss for 7–11 days after surgery. These animals then displayed normal rate of weight gain. However there was a chronic depression of body weight in the lesioned animals relative to sham controls, evident for over two months after 6-hydroxydopamine administration. Unilateral nigrostriatal damage also produced major deficits in the animals' water intake in tests of prandial drinking, response to water deprivation, and response to osmotic challenge. The relationship of nigrostriatal damage to the “lateral hypothalamic syndrome” and the role of dopaminergic neurons in regulation and ingestive behaviors are discussed.
Intricacies of interactions, dynamics and solvent effects in enzyme catalysis: a computational perspective on cyclophilin A

The essential role of enzymes in biological processes has continually ignited sparks of interest in their mechanism of action. Fully understanding the mechanism of enzymes has broad implications in...
Energies of doubly excited two-electron atoms from interdimensional degeneracies

For a two-electron atom, many D=3 states have the same energies as D=5 states of lower angular momentum. Thus the energies of $^{3}$${\mathit{P}}^{\mathit{e}}$, $^{1}$${\mathit{P}}^{\mathit{e}}$, $^{3}$${\mathit{D}}^{\mathit{o}}$, and $^{1}$${\mathit{D}}^{\mathit{o}}$ states for D=3 are respectively identical to those for $^{1}$${\mathit{S}}^{\mathit{e}}$, $^{3}$${\mathit{S}}^{\mathit{e}}$, $^{1}$${\mathit{P}}^{\mathit{o}}$, and $^{3}$${\mathit{P}}^{\mathit{o}}$ states at D=5. We exploit these interdimensional degeneracies to obtain accurate energies for doubly excited 2pnp ${\mathit{P}}^{\mathit{e}}$ states of helium at D=3, with n=2--6, by calculating energy eigenvalues for the singly excited 1s(n-1)s ${\mathit{S}}^{\mathit{e}}$ states at D=5. We also illustrate how some qualitative aspects of double-excitation spectra can be elucidated in terms of interdimensional degeneracies.
Cooling Rate Determination in Additively Manufactured Aluminum Alloy 2219

Metallic additive manufacturing processes generally utilize a conduction mode, welding-type approach to create beads of deposited material that can be arranged into a three-dimensional structure. As with welding, the cooling rates in the molten pool are relatively rapid compared to traditional casting techniques. Determination of the cooling rate in the molten pool is critical for predicting the solidified microstructure and resultant properties. In this experiment, wire-fed electron beam additive manufacturing was used to melt aluminum alloy 2219 under different thermal boundary conditions. The dendrite arm spacing was measured in the remelted material, and this information was used to estimate cooling rates in the molten pool based on established empirical relationships. The results showed that the thermal boundary conditions have a significant effect on the resulting cooling rate in the molten pool. When thermal conduction is limited due to a small thermal sink, the dendrite arm spacing varies between 15 and 35 µm. When thermal conduction is active, the dendrite arm spacing varies between 6 and 12 µm. This range of dendrite arm spacing implies cooling rates ranging from 5 to 350 K/s. Cooling rates can vary greatly as thermal conditions change during deposition. A cooling rate at the higher end of the range could lead to significant deviation from microstructural equilibrium during solidification.
Evaluation of Soil Moisture in the NCEP-NCAR and NCEP-DOE Global Reanalyses

Abstract This study compares soil moisture analyses from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) global reanalysis (R-1) and the later NCEP– Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP) global reanalysis (R-2). The R-1 soil moisture is strongly controlled by nudging it to a prescribed climatology, whereas the R-2 soil moisture is adjusted according to differences between model-generated and observed precipitation. While mean soil moisture fields from R-1 and R-2 show many geographic similarities, there are some major differences. This study uses in situ observations from the Global Soil Moisture Data Bank to evaluate the two global reanalysis products. In general, R-2 does a better job of simulating interannual variations, the mean seasonal cycle, and the persistence of soil moisture, when compared to observations. However, the R-2 reanalysis does not necessarily represent observed soil moisture characteristics w...
PPAR Action in Human Placental Development and Pregnancy and Its Complications

During pregnancy crucial anatomic, physiologic, and metabolic changes challenge the mother and the fetus. The placenta is a remarkable organ that allows the mother and the fetus to adapt to the new metabolic, immunologic, and angiogenic environment imposed by gestation. One of the physiologic systems that appears to have evolved to sustain this metabolic regulation is mediated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). In clinical pregnancy-specific disorders, including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and intrauterine growth restriction, aberrant regulation of components of the PPAR system parallels dysregulation of metabolism, inflammation and angiogenesis. This review summarizes current knowledge on the role of PPARs in regulating human trophoblast invasion, early placental development, and also in the physiology of clinical pregnancy and its complications. As increasingly indicated in the literature, pregnancy disorders, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, represent potential targets for treatment with PPAR ligands. With the advent of more specific PPAR agonists that exhibit efficacy in ameliorating metabolic, inflammatory, and angiogenic disturbances, further studies of their application in pregnancy-related diseases are warranted.
Detection of pulpal circulation in vitro by pulse oximetry

Evaluation of pulse oximetry as a potential method of determining pulp vitality was the subject of this research. An in vitro model of pulpal circulation was fabricated to test the design for a dental pulse oximetry sensor. Blood samples equilibrated with hypoxic gas mixtures were circulated through the model by a peristaltic pump. A pulse was simulated by introduction of gas bubbles into the blood circulation. Pulse oximeter readings for saturation were recorded and compared with blood gas analysis results. Statistical analysis revealed no difference between pulse oximetry and blood gas analysis with a highly significant correlation coefficient. Clinical evaluation of this application is currently in progress.
A Study of Egocentrism and Popularity

The primary purpose of this research was to investigate egocentrism and the relationship between egocentrism and popularity in grades 1 through 5. More than 200 students participated in the study. Teachers’ ability to rate students’ popularity was studied, and sex differences for egocentrism scores were also examined. Egocentrism was measured by a test based on work done by Jean Piaget, and popularity was defined by a teacher’s rating scale and by a sociometric instrument completed by students. The results showed: (1) egocentrism decreasing with age; (2) a strong relationship between egocentrism and popularity at grade 5; (3) teachers’ ratings of popularity and sociometric scores as highly related; and (4) males less egocentric than females at every grade level.
QURSED: querying and reporting semistructured data

QURSED enables the development of web-based query forms and reports (QFRs) that query and report semistructured XML data, i.e., data that are characterized by nesting, irregularities and structural variance. The query aspects of a QFR are captured by its query set specification, which formally encodes multiple parameterized condition fragments and can describe large numbers of queries. The run-time component of QURSED produces XQuery-compliant queries by synthesizing fragments from the query set specification that have been activated during the interaction of the end-user with the QFR. The design-time component of QURSED, called QURSED Editor, semi-automates the development of the query set specification and its association with the visual components of the QFR by translating visual actions into appropriate query set specifications. We describe QURSED and illustrate how it accommodates the intricacies that the semistructured nature of the underlying database introduces. We specifically focus on the formal model of the query set specification, its generation via the QURSED Editor and its coupling with the visual aspects of the web-based form and report.
Thermoelastic waves and thermal shock

Abstract The field equations governing the small displacements of a thermoelastic solid are derived and the properties of plane thermoelastic waves are investigated. Thermal shock solutions are developed using the thermoelastic wave solutions. In addition, the problem of thermal shock in an infinite cylinder is investigated.
SPHINX: Detecting Security Attacks in Software-Defined Networks.

Software-defined networks (SDNs) allow greater control over network entities by centralizing the control plane, but place great burden on the administrator to manually ensure security and correct functioning of the entire network. We list several attacks on SDN controllers that violate network topology and data plane forwarding, and can be mounted by compromised network entities, such as end hosts and soft switches. We further demonstrate their feasibility on four popular SDN controllers. We propose SPHINX to detect both known and potentially unknown attacks on network topology and data plane forwarding originating within an SDN. SPHINX leverages the novel abstraction of flow graphs, which closely approximate the actual network operations, to enable incremental validation of all network updates and constraints. SPHINX dynamically learns new network behavior and raises alerts when it detects suspicious changes to existing network control plane behavior. Our evaluation shows that SPHINX is capable of detecting attacks in SDNs in realtime with low performance overheads, and requires no changes to the controllers for deployment.
Assessment of in-stream phosphorus dynamics in agricultural drainage ditches.

Abstract The intensive agricultural systems in the Midwestern United States can enrich surface waters with nutrients. Agricultural drainage ditches serve as the first and second order streams throughout much of this region, as well as other highly productive agricultural areas in humid regions throughout the world. This project was conducted to evaluate in-stream processing of soluble P (SP) in agricultural drainage ditches. Soluble P injection studies were conducted at seven sites along three drainage ditches (298 to 4300 ha drainage area), and one site on a third-order stream that receives the discharge from the agricultural ditches (19,000 ha drainage area) by increasing the SP concentration in the ditch water by approximately 0.25 mg L − 1 . Sediments collected from smaller watersheds contained greater amounts of Mehlich 3 and exchangeable P (ExP), silt and clay size particles, and organic matter. Phosphorus uptake lengths ( S net ) ranged from 40 to 1900 m, and SP uptake rates ( U ) ranged from 0.4 to 52 mg m − 2 h − 1 . Phosphorus S net was correlated with ditch geomorphological (i.e. width) and sediment properties (i.e. organic matter, ExP, and equilibrium P concentration; r 2 = 1.00, P r 2 = 0.92, P r 2 = 1.00, P
Choice, Knowledge, and Utilization of a Practice Theory: A National Study of Occupational Therapists Who Use the Model of Human Occupation

Objective. To identify how therapists choose and use the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO). Method. A systematic random sample of 1,000 occupational therapists was surveyed as to whether they used MOHO in their practice. Those who were using MOHO were then sent a detailed questionnaire; 259 therapists responded to the survey questionnaire, forming a response rate of 60.2 percent. Results. A total of 80.7% of therapists indicated that they had used MOHO in their practice. A number of factors influenced therapists' choice to use MOHO. The most frequently cited factors were therapists' judgment that MOHO fit their own practice philosophy and their clients' needs. Most therapists used multiple means of learning about MOHO, and the number of means they used was related to both self-reported levels of knowledge and utilization of this model. Many therapists are also actively engaged in sharing their knowledge and utilization of this model. Conclusion. Multiple factors contribute to therapists' choice and use of MOHO. Therapists actively make a decision to use MOHO in practice and put forth substantial efforts to learn and share their knowledge of MOHO.
Risk analysis of seasonal agricultural drought on low pacific islands

Abstract This paper presents a methodology for risk analysis of seasonal agricultural drought on low Pacific islands. Results are presented for a pilot study of low islands in the Cook Islands group. Drought is defined in terms of the number of consecutive days during which the actual evapotranspiration to potential evapotranspiration ratio (AE/PE) remains below a threshold value. A water balance model is used to estimate the AE/PE time series. Drought hazard is determined on the basis of the AE/PE time series as the return period of a particular drought magnitude (AE/PE threshold) and duration (number of consecutive days below AE/PE threshold). Drought hazard is determined for each of six two-month seasons. This study provides a method of quantitative drought hazard assessment for application in agricultural development planning.
Discrimination in the employment of women in the computer industry

It has been more than ten years since the passage of the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which were intended to end employment and wage discrimination against women. Thus it seems an appropriate time for the computer industry to examine its own employment practices with respect to women.
The value of environmental status signaling

How much are consumers willing to pay to signal their environmental consciousness? We identify the signaling value of an environmental public good by focusing on hybrid cars and exploiting the physical uniqueness of the Toyota Prius relative to hybrids that look identical to their non-hybrid counterparts. We deploy a quasi-experimental hedonic model to estimate this willingness to pay. We find that, controlling for observable and unobservable factors, the Prius commands an environmental signaling value of $587 or 4.5% of its value. Our research provides lessons for economists and policymakers, and contributes to the literature on identifying signaling values.
Kant on Moral Freedom and Moral Slavery

Kant's account of the freedom gained through virtue builds on the Socratic tradition. On the Socratic view, when morality is our end, nothing can hinder us from attaining satisfaction: we are self-sufficient and free since moral goodness is (as Kant says) ‘created by us, hence is in our power’. But when our end is the fulfilment of sensible desires, our satisfaction requires luck as well as the cooperation of others. For Kant, this means that happiness requires that we get other people to work for our ends; and this requires, in turn, that we gain control over the things other people value so as to have influence over them. If this plan for happiness is not subordinated to morality, then what is most valuable to us will be precisely what others value. This is the root of the ‘passions’ that make us evil and make us slaves whose satisfaction depends on others. But, significantly, this dependence is a moral slavery and hence does not signal a loss, or even diminishment of the kind of freedom required for moral responsibility.
Calcification. XII. Cation-Linked Inhibition by Fluoride and Cyanide Ions in β-Glycerophosphate Medium.∗

Summary1. The influence of several ions on in vitro calcification in β-glycerophosphate medium has been compared to their effects in inorganic phosphate solution at two phosphate levels which yield comparable degrees of calcification, viz., 10/5/0-10/0/5.5 and 10/8/0-10/0/10. Cyanide ion did not interfere in the absence of magnesium. When magnesium was present there was a partial block of calcification at the lower organic phosphate level equivalent to that obtained in the corresponding inorganic solution. At the higher phosphorus levels, 10/8/0-10/0/10, virtually no inhibition by the magnesium-cyanide couple was evident. 2. Calcification in the dilute glycerophosphate solution (10/0/5.5) was blocked by fluoride in the presence of magnesium. In the absence of magnesium, inhibition by 10−4 molar fluoride was noted during the first few hours, but not evident on prolonged incubation. Mineral deposition with l0−3 molar fluoride in the absence of magnesium exceeded that obtained with the fluoride-free control....
Investigation of stainless steel pickling liquor as a precursor for high Capacity battery electrode materials

Stainless steel and battery manufacturing industries can be united for mutual economic and environmental benefits by utilizing stainless steel pickling liquor waste product as a precursor for high energy iron fluoride based positive electrode materials in batteries. This study analyzes the feasibility, environmental, and economic cost of the ferric fluoride (FeF3) synthesis approach through the use of recycled pickling liquor from the stainless steel fabrication industry. This new synthesis method is determined as more environmentally friendly than the current methods of disposing spent stainless steel pickling liquor and producing ferric fluoride separately. X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated the synthesis occurs in two steps: the conversion of spent pickling liquor to produce the crystallohydrate β-FeF3·3H2O followed by its dehydration into anhydrous FeF3. Materials obtained from pickling solutions were found electrochemically active with improved cycling stability and similar capacity compared to commercial FeF3. Pickling solutions synthesized with nickel and chromium to better replicate stainless steel industry spent pickling waste showed improved electrochemical performance.
Gender differences in walking and running on level and inclined surfaces.

Background. Gender differences in kinematics during running have been speculated to be a contributing factor to the lower extremity injury rate disparity between men and women. Specifically, increased non-sagittal motion of the pelvis and hip has been implicated; however it is not known if this difference exists under a variety of locomotion conditions. The purpose of this study was to characterize gender differences in gait kinematics and muscle activities as a function of speed and surface incline and to determine if lower extremity anthropometrics contribute to these differences. Methods. Whole body kinematics of 34 healthy volunteers were recorded along with electromyography of muscles on the right lower limb while each subject walked at 1.2, 1.5, and 1.8 m/s and ran at 1.8, 2.7, and 3.6 m/s with surface inclinations of 0%, 10%, and 15% grade. Joint angles and muscle activities were compared between genders across each speed–incline condition. Pelvis and lower extremity segment lengths were also measured and compared. Findings. Females displayed greater peak hip internal rotation and adduction, as well as gluteus maximus activity for all conditions. Significant interactions (speed-gender, incline-gender) were present for the gluteus medius and vastus lateralis. Hip adduction during walking was moderately correlated to the ratio of bi-trochanteric width to leg length. Interpretation. Our findings indicate females display greater non-sagittal motion. Future studies are needed to better define the relationship of these differences to injury risk. 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
New Optimization Model and Algorithm for Sibling Reconstruction from Genetic Markers

With improved tools for collecting genetic data from natural and experimental populations, new opportunities arise to study fundamental biological processes, including behavior, mating systems, adaptive trait evolution, and dispersal patterns. Full use of the newly available genetic data often depends upon reconstructing genealogical relationships of individual organisms, such as sibling reconstruction. This paper presents a new optimization framework for sibling reconstruction from single generation microsatellite genetic data. Our framework is based on assumptions of parsimony and combinatorial concepts of Mendel's inheritance rules. Here, we develop a novel optimization model for sibling reconstruction as a large-scale mixed-integer program (MIP), shown to be a generalization of the set covering problem. We propose a new heuristic approach to efficiently solve this large-scale optimization problem. We test our approach on real biological data as presented in other studies as well as simulated data, and compare our results with other state-of-the-art sibling reconstruction methods. The empirical results show that our approaches are very efficient and outperform other methods while providing the most accurate solutions for two benchmark data sets. The results suggest that our framework can be used as an analytical and computational tool for biologists to better study ecological and evolutionary processes involving knowledge of familial relationships in a wide variety of biological systems.