cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EXTRATROPICAL CYCLOGENESIS IN THE PACIFIC COASTAL REGION OF ASIA

Abstract A total of 222 extratropical cyclones originating in the Pacific coastal region of Asia in the months October through April from 1932 to 1937 are summarized according to the following characteristics: geographical and monthly frequency; relation of frequency to topography; 24-hour displacement; and relation of displacement to topography. Some of the characteristics of Asiatic cyclones are compared with the characteristics of cyclones forming along the North American east coast.
The British General Election of 1931.

The main feature of the coup which the most principled, if not the most typical, British newspaper has called “the shortest, strangest, and most fraudulent election campaign of our time” are well known. Recapitulation has its uses, however, even if lack of space, not to mention more fatal inadequacies, must confine it to the narrowest of backgrounds and to statistics that lie near the surface of politics.
KI-solutions for single edge notch specimens under fixed end displacements

The K I solution for a finite length single-edge notch specimen loaded under fixed-end displacements is derived using a crack compliance analysis. Numerical and experimental checks of the K I solution are provided. Good agreement between the experimental and numerical solutions is observed. The applicability of conventional fracture mechanics to correlate crack growth data generated under displacement control is discussed
English in Engineering Education

AMAN is able to convey his thoughts to another person only as perfectly as his own means of expression and the other's understanding of it will permit. Most people in our country are limited to the use of just one tool for this purpose — the English language. How great a part it plays in our lives! How great, then, should be its development! Yet engineers are notoriously weak in their mastery of it.
Comparison of Mixing Approaches in the Synthesis and Deposition of Ceria Nanoparticles

Nanoparticle deposition techniques hold the promise of simplifying thin film deposition while enabling enhanced performance through the control of film density, porosity and composition. In this paper, ceria nanoparticles are deposited from solution to a film via spin coating. A comparison is made between the nanoparticle shape and film morphology produced by depositing from different mixing approaches. In this paper, different mixing approaches were carried out by using traditional batch precipitation reactor and continuous microchannel reactor (T-mixer). Preliminary results show different particle shape and film morphology as a function of precursor concentration. Advantages of the microchannel approach include better control of nanoparticle shape and more uniform film with less agglomeration.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Output regulation of nonaffine nonlinear systems using singular perturbation theory

A control synthesis method for output regulation based on singular perturbation theory combined with inverting design is considered for a class of nonaffine nonlinear systems. The resulting control signal is defined as a solution to “fast” dynamics which inverts a series error model, whose state is exponentially stable. It is shown that, under sufficient conditions being consistent with the assumptions of singular perturbation theory, this problem is solvable with (ɛ) tracking error if and only if a set of first-order nonlinear partial differential equations are solvable. The control law can be easily constructed and the simulations show the feasibility and effectiveness of the controller.
Computed tomography and ultrasonography of the hemophilic pseudotumor and their use in surgical planning

Twenty-one hemophilic pseudotumors in 17 patients were evaluated radiologically to facilitate surgical planning. Plain radiography, angiography, intravenous urography, computerized tomography (CT), and ultrasonography (U/S) were the modalities used. CT proved to be the most efficient method in the detection of bone destruction and soft tissue lesions including additional daughter cysts. The combination of CT, intravenous urography, and angiography were used in pelvic pseudotumors, and that of CT and angiography for extremity pseudotumors, to determine the proper surgical approaches to the lesions. As a non-ionizing technique, U/S was usually preferable in visualizing soft tissue masses and, in sequential studies, to evaluate progress or recurrence of the lesion.
High-order finite difference schemes for differential equations containing higher derivatives

In this paper, we evaluate the high-order finite difference schemes (both explicit and compact tridiagonal types) in conjunction with high-order low-pass filter for problems involving the fourth and fifth derivatives. Unconditional stability is proved. Extensive numerical experiments are carried out for two examples solved previously by local discontinuous Galerkin methods. The filtering is found necessary for achieving high accuracy over long time simulation when solving the fifth-order problem on finer meshes. Our numerical results show that very high accuracy can be obtained very efficiently by the high-order difference schemes coupling with the low-pass filter.
Trends in the management of open fractures. A critical analysis.

Antibiotics should be administered to a patient with an open fracture as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection.A patient with an open fracture should be taken to the operating room on an urgent basis, with the stability of the patient, the preparation of the operating room, and the availa
Coastal wetland subsidence arising from local hydrologic manipulations

Twenty-three estimates of soil subsidence rates arising under the influence of local hydrologic changes from flap-gates, weirs, dikes, and culverts in tidal wetlands were compared to 75 examples of subsidence in drained agricultural wetlands. The induced subsidence rates from these hydrologic modifications in tidal wetlands can continue for more than 100 years, and range between 1.67 to 0.10 cm yr−1 within 1 to 155 years after the hydrologic modifications commence. These subsidence rates are lower than in freshwater wetlands drained for agricultural purposes, decline with age, and are significant in comparison to the rates of global sea level rise or the average soil accretion rates. The elevation change resulting from local hydrologic manipulations is significant with respect to the narrow range of flood tolerances of salt marsh plants, especially in microtidal environments.
Where to Begin

Ifwhat goes on in human societies are viewed as "institutionalfacts" rather than "brutefacts, " then basic issues are raised with regard to the meaning of federalism. Institutional facts are constituted by reference to rules and rule-ordered arrangements. Such arrangements turn upon design concepts and theirplace in the constitution oforder in human societies. Constituting societies through patterns of covenantal relationships implies that federal societies cannot be understood by placing primary reliance on forms of government. The question "where to begin?" raises basic ontological and epistemological problems bearing on the place of language and culture in the constitution of covenanting societies.
Development of Process for Wafer Scale Encapsulation of Devices With Very Wide Trenches

A Wafer scale encapsulation process has been developed for devices that require wide gaps. In this experiment, we focus on devices that have gaps or trenches 10-20μm wide. This process can also be applied to larger gaps of the order of 50-100μm. The chief focus of the process development is to achieve a wafer scale encapsulation technique, which can avoid deposition of very thick LPVCD oxide. Once the processing and encapsulation is carried out, SEM images are taken to ensure that the device is completely released and no sacrificial material is left behind.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Doppler echocardiographic findings in adults with severe symptomatic valvular aortic stenosis

Baseline echocardiographic data in 680 adults (mean age 78 years) undergoing balloon aortic valvuloplasty at 24 medical centers were analyzed to describe the degree of outflow obstruction in patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis. Maximal aortic jet velocity ranged from 2.3 to 6.6 m/s (mean 4.4 +/- 0.8) and continuity equation valve area ranged from 0.1 to 1.4 cm2 (mean 0.6 +/- 0.2). Of note, 36% had a jet velocity less than or equal to 4.0 m/s but only 3% had a valve area greater than 1.0 cm2 due to a high prevalence of impaired systolic function (54%). Outflow tract diameter was poorly correlated with body surface area (p = 0.26), although the group mean diameter was smaller in women than in men (1.9 +/- 0.2 vs 2.1 +/- 0.3 cm, p = 0.0001). Mean pressure gradient was related closely to maximal gradient (r = 0.92) and to maximal jet velocity (mean delta P = 2.4 V2 + 0.75 mm Hg). Simpler measures of aortic stenosis severity were correlated with Doppler and invasive valve area as follows: maximal jet velocity (r = -0.36 and -0.32), mean gradient (r = -0.33 and -0.29), outflow tract to jet velocity ratio (r = 0.67 and 0.40), and the fractional shortening velocity ratio (r = 0.29 and 0.22). This study demonstrates marked variability in stenosis severity in symptomatic adults referred for balloon aortic valvuloplasty. The absence of a predictable relation between outflow tract diameter and body size emphasizes the importance of this measurement in each patient if definition of valve area is needed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
β-Adrenergic Receptor Stimulated Ncx1 Upregulation is Mediated via a CaMKII/AP-1 Signaling Pathway in Adult Cardiomyocytes

Abstract The Na + –Ca 2+ exchanger gene ( Ncx1 ) is upregulated in hypertrophy and is often found elevated in end-stage heart failure. Studies have shown that the change in its expression contributes to contractile dysfunction. β-Adrenergic receptor (β-AR) signaling plays an important role in the regulation of calcium homeostasis in the cardiomyocyte, but chronic activation in periods of cardiac stress contributes to heart failure by mechanisms which include Ncx1 upregulation. Here, using a Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKIIδ c ) null mouse, we demonstrate that β-AR-stimulated Ncx1 upregulation is dependent on CaMKII. β-AR-stimulated Ncx1 expression is mediated by activator protein 1 (AP-1) factors and is independent of cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) activation. The MAP kinases (ERK1/2, JNK and p38) are not required for AP-1 factor activation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrates that β-AR stimulation activates the ordered recruitment of JunB homodimers, which then are replaced by c-Jun homodimers binding to the proximal AP-1 elements of the endogenous Ncx1 promoter. In conclusion, this work has provided insight into the intracellular signaling pathways and transcription factors regulating Ncx1 gene expression in a chronically β-AR-stimulated heart.
Communicative Competence and Beliefs about Language among Graduate Teaching Assistants in French

States rely on graduate Teaching Assistants (TAs) to provide elementary language instruction. As teachers just beginning their careers, and thus subject to much training and supervision, they are more likely to be exposed to modern approaches to language teaching than are more established teachers. Today the approaches most widely promoted are proficiency-oriented and communication-based, referred to here as "communicative."
Obtaining and Providing Health Information in the Community Pharmacy Setting

Community pharmacists are a valuable information resource for patients and other healthcare providers. The advent of new information technology, most notably the Internet, coupled with the rapid availability of new healthcare information, has fueled this demand. Pharmacy students must receive training that enables them to meet this need. Community advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) provide an excellent opportunity for students to develop and master drug information skills in a real-world setting. Preceptors must ensure that students are familiar with drug information resources and can efficiently identify the most useful resource for a given topic. Students must also be trained to assess the quality of resources and use this information to effectively respond to drug or health information inquiries. This article will discuss key aspects of providing drug information in the community pharmacy setting and can serve as a guide and resource for APPE preceptors.
Swallowing, urine flow, and amniotic fluid volume responses to prolonged hypoxia in the ovine fetus.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Four days of hypoxia produce an extensive fetal polyuria with little change in amniotic fluid volume in the ovine fetus. We hypothesized that fetal swallowing and intramembranous absorption would increase with prolonged hypoxia to offset the polyuria. STUDY DESIGN: After a 24-hour normoxic period, nine ovine fetuses were subjected to 4 days of hypoxia induced by lowering maternal inspired oxygen content. Seven fetuses were monitored for 5 days as normoxic time controls. Measurements included fetal swallowed volume by a computerized system with Transonic flow probes, urine production by gravity drainage, and amniotic fluid volume by an indicator dilution technique. Data were averaged over 12-hour intervals, and a three-factor repeated-measures analysis of variance was used for statistical testing. RESULTS: During days 2 to 5, arterial oxygen tension was 20.7±1.1 (SE) mm Hg in the normoxic and 13.9±0.8 mm Hg in the hypoxic fetuses ( P P P =.62). Amniotic fluid volume increased in the hypoxic fetuses relative to that in the normoxic fetuses (520±338 mL vs −226±136 mL, P P CONCLUSIONS: The current study supports the concept that prolonged hypoxia produces a progressive fetal polyuria with relatively small changes in amniotic fluid volume. Concomitantly, hypoxia does not induce prolonged changes in fetal swallowing; rather, intramembranous absorption greatly increases, thereby preventing severe polyhydramnios.
Advancing the Science and Practice of Pain Medicine: AAPM 29th Annual Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, FL, April 11–14

Next month will mark the Academy's 29th Annual Meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, providing an excellent opportunity for you to join your colleagues and convene to address pressing concerns of pain medicine physicians, as well as primary care physicians. Attendees will look to better assess and diagnose patients with acute and chronic pain disorders, develop patient treatment plans, improve treatment of patients with addictions and psychological disorders, and enhance the scientific rigor and quality of their practice. Besides providing an ideal networking venue, the meeting cuts a clear educational path for clinicians and academicians to learn the latest trends and evidence-based research. Meeting sessions will delineate knowledge and present a balance of complex issues and straightforward clinical information to use in practice. In today's environment, it is imperative that we maintain a strong stance as pain experts to the medical community, fully understand a growing array of pain therapies and treatments, and be grounded in pain science. The goal of this meeting is to share information on the latest science and advancements in the treatment of pain so that we practice in an evidence-based fashion. To help achieve that, our educational sessions take a biopsychosocial approach, rather than one that is purely biomedical to pain medicine. Large issues such …
The effect of buyer's gender, risk‐proneness, and time remaining in an internet auction on the decision to bid or buy‐it‐now

Purpose – This paper aims to study how buyers' gender and risk proclivity, and the time remaining in an internet auction, influence whether buyers buy at fixed prices or bid.Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on a simulated internet auction. Participants choose between bidding in an auction and buying at a fixed price. Data are analyzed using a logistic regression model. The results from the laboratory study are validated with data from eBay.com.Findings – Female participants’ odds of choosing the buy‐it‐now (BIN) option are higher than their odds of bidding in an auction (BID) when less time is remaining in an auction. Contrarily, for males, when less time is remaining, BID is preferred over BIN. Unexpectedly, when substantial time is remaining, males have greater odds of choosing BIN over BID except when they are high risk‐seekers. Simulation results correspond closely with eBay data.Practical implications – The paper shows that not only do gender differences manifest themselves in ways th...
Pyrethroid insecticides derived from substituted biphenyl‐3‐ylmethanols

The synthesis of a series of mono- and disubstituted biphenyl-3-ylmethyl esters of 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid is described. The bioactivity of these compounds against Spodoptera eridania, Epilachna varivestis, Oncopeltus fasciatus, Acrythosiphon pisum and Tetranychus urticae is presented and discussed. Substitution of fluorine, chlorine and methyl groups in the 2-position of the biphenyl ring generally led to an increase in activity over the unsubstituted parent biphenyl ester. In addition, pyrethroid esters derived from these 2-substituted biphenyl-3-ylmethanols appeared to have a broader spectrum of activity than ‘classical’ pyrethroids. For example, the (1RS)-cis-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2, 2-dimethylcyclopro-panecarboxylic acid ester of 2-methylbiphenyl-3-ylmethanol was acaricidal, while maintaining a level of activity against other insects that was equal to or greater than cis-permethiin. Biological data on other esters of this novel alcohol are also presented.
Increased initial cement-bone interlock correlates with reduced total knee arthroplasty micro-motion following in vivo service.

Abstract Aseptic loosening of cemented tibial components in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been related to inadequate cement penetration into the trabecular bone bed during implantation. Recent postmortem retrieval work has also shown there is loss of interlock between cement and bone by resorption of trabeculae at the interface. The goal of this study was to determine if TKAs with more initial interlock between cement and bone would maintain more interlock with in vivo service (in the face of resorbing trabeculae) and have less micro-motion at the cement–bone interface. The initial (created at surgery) and current (after in vivo service) cement–bone interlock morphologies of sagittal implant sections from postmortem retrieved tibial tray constructs were measured. The implant sections were then functionally loaded in compression and the micro-motion across the cement–bone interface was quantified. Implant sections with less initial interdigitation between cement and bone and more time in service had less current cement–bone interdigitation (r2=0.86, p=0.0002). Implant sections with greater initial interdigitation also had less micro-motion after in vivo service (r2=0.36, p=0.0062). This work provides direct evidence that greater initial interlock between cement and bone in tibial components of TKA results in more stable constructs with less micro-motion with in vivo service.
Convexity properties of solutions to some classical variational problems

(1982). Convexity properties of solutions to some classical variational problems. Communications in Partial Differential Equations: Vol. 7, No. 11, pp. 1337-1379.
Reliability of attachment loss measurements in a longitudinal clinical trial.

In order to appropriately carry out a longitudinal assessment of periodontal attachment loss in individuals with untreated periodontitis, reliable criteria for determining "real" changes in attachment level (AL) are required. In the present study, 25 subjects were to be examined every 2 months for up to 2 years to determine changes in AL and to relate clinical and laboratory criteria to such changes. Trained examiners for the study underwent calibration trials to determine inter-examiner and intra-examiner reliability both before the study and at intervals during the study. It was found that AL measurements were in agreement within 2 mm more than 95% of the time. The calibration trials provided an estimate of the error in attachment loss measurements, since no "real" attachment loss had occurred. From estimates of measurement error, the probability of false positive changes were determined. It was found that acceptable false positive rates (less than 5%) could be achieved if 2 examiners each detected 3 mm change at a given site or if 2 examiners each detected 2 mm change at a site and verified that this change persisted at a subsequent examination. The results of the longitudinal trial were then compared to the probability estimates calculated from the calibration trials. It was found that probabilities of AL changes detected during the longitudinal trial for less stringent conditions than described above (e.g., single examiner, 2 examiners unconfirmed) were similar to to previously estimated false positive rates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Attempted dose intensified cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for treatment of malignant astrocytoma

Patients with malignant astrocytoma continue to respond poorly to chemotherapy and have a dismal prognosis. Cyclophosphamide (CTX) and etoposide demonstrate activity against malignant astrocytoma at standard dosages, with bone marrow suppression as the limiting toxicity. In order to allow dose intensification, minimize leukopenia, and improve efficacy granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was used in combination with CTX and etoposide. The protocol consisted of CTX (2 mg/m2/d, days 1, 2), etoposide (200–300 mg/m2/d, days 1–3), and G-CSF (5–10 μg/d subcutaneously, days 4–18), every 4 weeks. Nine evaluable patients (7 glioblastoma multiforme, 2 anaplastic astrocytoma) were treated, ranging in age from 26–67 (mean 41). One of 9 patients responded (11%) with a partial response (13+ months), 3 had stable disease (33%; 8, 5, 2.5 months), and 5 had progressive disease (3, 2.5, 2, 1.5, 1 months). The median time to progression for responders was 6.5 months, while overall it was 2.5 months. Overall median survival was only 7.0 months. Toxicity was frequent and severe, typically delaying treatment cycles. The most common complications were severe myeolosuppression (9), sepsis (8), rash (6), urinary infection (5), and anorexia (5). Treatment delays caused by infections and other complications occurred often, abrogating the intended dose intensification. The received dose intensity (DI) for CTX was 400–425 mg/m2/week (relative DI 0.41), while for etoposide it was 75 mg/m2/ week (relative DI 0.42). In summary, as used in this protocol, dose intensive chemotherapy with CTX, etoposide, and G-CSF does not improve efficacy over standard regimens and results in excessive toxicity.
Developmental arrest of endoparasitoid wasp larvae (Nemeritis canescens grav.) caused by an ectoparasitoid wasp (Bracon hebetor say)

The effect of Bracon hebetor-induced host paralysis on the development of Nemeritis canescens was examined. These two wasp species were found to often coexist at the same location and can utilize the same host species. N. canescens females were allowed to oviposit into Anagasta kuehniella larvae. The parasitized host caterpillars were then exposed to B. hebetor females which paralyzed the caterpillars with a venom. Subsequent to host paralysis and removal of the B. hebetor females, host caterpillars were dissected daily to determine the developmental stage of the endoparasitoid N. canescens larvae. Virtually complete inhibition of development occurred when host paralysis was induced within 12 hours of N. canescens oviposition although larval movement and morphology were normal. Developmental inhibition also took place when host paralysis was induced 1 week after oviposition but it required a few days to become evident. The possible mechanisms of developmental arrest are discussed.
Single side strapping: a new approach to fine tuning the anion recognition properties of calix[4]pyrroles.

Three calix[4]pyrroles bearing m-orcinol-derived diether straps of different lengths on one side of the tetrapyrrolic core have been synthesized and characterized. Structural information for an analogous diester bridged strapped system reported previously (Yoon, D. W.; Hwang, H.; Lee, C. H. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl. 2002, 41, 1757−1759) is also provided as are bromide and chloride anion affinities for all four systems determined by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) in acetonitrile. Although both sets of the strapped calix[4]pyrroles displayed enhanced affinities for chloride and bromide anion, differences were seen among the various receptors that support the conclusion that the anion binding ability of calixpyrrole-type systems can be effectively tuned by modifying the length and nature of the bridging straps. In the specific case of the diether systems, the largest chloride affinity was seen with the shortest strap, whereas the largest affinity for bromide anion was recorded in the case of the l...
Hybrid digital analog pulse-time techniques for flight control system computers

The application of hybrid digital analog pulse-time circuit techniques is presented in two specific examples for flight control system computers. These new circuit techniques make it practical to replace the electromechanical components, such as a-c servomotors, tachometers, synchros, and potentiometers, now used in flight control systems, with completely solidstate circuitry. This will result in increased reliability for flight control systems.
Craniometric variation and homogeneity in prehistoric/protohistoric Rapa Nui (Easter Island) regional populations.

Discrete cranial morphological traits of prehistoric/protohistoric Rapa Nui (Easter Island) inhabitants have been examined and have illustrated distinct regional or tribal differences; however, craniometric traits have not been as extensively evaluated to determine if similar regional population differences exist. This study examines the range of variability of Rapa Nui craniometrics and utilizes population genetic techniques to evaluate the level of homogeneity/heterogeneity within the island populations. The data consist of 50 cranio-facial measurements of Rapanui (Easter Islanders) skeletal material from the Late Prehistoric (1680–1722) and Protohistoric (1722–1868) periods. The sample was divided into five tribal regions: North, Northeast, South, Southwest, and West. General linear models (GLM) statistical analyses revealed one variable significant for males and 10 for females across tribal regions, totaling 11 regionally significant variables. Discriminant function analyses utilizing crossvalidation provided classification error rates of 55.8% males and 59.0% for females when utilizing those eleven significant variables. Minimum FST values for males (0.06378) and females (0.09409) were calculated from unbiased Mahalanobis D2 values. These values indicate that males have greater between-group homogeneity than females. The determinant ratio for the Northeast tribal region was the only significant ratio, yet all but one of the regional determinant ratios displayed a pattern of greater male than female mobility. These results indicate that significant craniometric differences between the tribal regions did not exist in prehistoric/protohistoric Rapa Nui populations, supporting the findings of previous research which has documented the homogeneity of the craniometrics of those tribal populations. The calculated minimum FST values indicate the existence of different levels of heterogeneity between the male and female Rapa Nui regional populations resulting from differential levels of migration and gene flow. This variation reflects the establishment in prehistoric times of extensive tribal marriage tumus, and the existence of lineage endogamy/restricted exogamy, not the widespread practice of strict tribal endogamy. Am J Phys Anthropol 110:407–419, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Is there a catecholamine-serotonin interaction in the control of locomotor activity?

Previous studies have reported that rats given either midbrain raphe lesions or the serotonin synthesis inhibitor, p-chlorophenylalanine, show an increase above controls in their locomotor response to various doses of (+)-amphetamine. These data have been taken to be indicative of a catecholamine-serotonin interaction. The present data demonstrate that this increased response to amphetamine was obtained following lesions specific to the median raphe nucleus, whereas lesions of the dorsal raphe nucleus were without effect. These results also question the validity and generality of the catecholamine-serotonin interaction hypothesis by demonstrating: (1) that when the data are plotted as a per cent of baseline activity, the interaction disappears; and (2) that a very similar effects is observed when amphetamine injections are replaced by scopolamine injections.
Calorimetric heating-rate probe for maximum- response-time interval

Calorimetric probe with maximum interval of linear temperature-time response for high heating rate environments
On the correlation of mechanical and physical properties of 6061-T6 and 7249-T76 aluminum alloys

Abstract Al 6061-T6 was exposed to 75 heat treatments and Al 7249-76 was exposed to 90 heat treatments. The solution treatments, cooling rates and age hardening treatments were varied to simulate pitfalls that heat treaters may encounter. The physical and mechanical properties of thermally treated alloys were correlated and discussed.
Factors Associated With Sustained Virological Response in Liver Transplant Recipients With Recurrent Hepatitis C

Abstract Background Antiviral therapy has achieved sustained virological response (SVR) in less than one third of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) patients with recurrent hepatitis C. Aim The aim of this study was to identify predictors of SVR in OLT patients treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PEG+RBV) for recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV). Methods We analyzed data from our transplantation database for 62 subjects treated with PEG+RBV between August 2001 and September 2008. After univariate examination for factors known to be associated with SVR, significant associations (P Results On univariate analysis, longer duration of therapy, low pretreatment HCV RNA ( Conclusions Covariates associated with SVR among OLT patients with recurrent HCV were similar to the pretransplantation group. Potentially modifiable risk factors, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome, were not significant predictors of treatment response. Patient survival was associated with SVR, highlighting the impact of successful HCV therapy on long-term post-OLT outcomes.
A comparison of the effects of n-perfluorohexane on the fluorescence and photoionization quantum yields of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD)

Abstract Both the fluorescence intensity and the photoionization current from TMPD in tetramethylsilane and in isooctane have been studied as a function of the concentration, c q , of n -perfluorohexane at excitation energies ≈ 1.2 eV above the photoionization threshold and at appliedfield strengths from 2 to 6KV/cm. Over the range of c q from 0.04 to 0.2 mole dm −3 , both processes are quenched to almost exactly the same extent suggesting that they proceed via a common, metastable precursor. The functional dependence of the quenching efficiency on c q is observed to be of the Stern-Volmer form and, therefore, quite distinctly different from that which would be predicted were this precursor a geminate ion-pair. Rather, all of the evidence is consistent with an interaction of perfluorohexane with some relatively long-lived, coherently excited state of TMPD that is initially generated at the photoionization threshold and which decays either to the emitting state of TMPD or to a geminate ion-pair. Possible reasons for the absence of any observable effect of the action of the quencher on the ion-pair are discussed. To explain the disparity between these results and those obtained via the action of scavengers in radiation-chemical systems, it is suggested that for ionization processes initiated at much higher excitation energies, a geminate ion-pair may be directly produced without passing through a metastable, neutral, excited state.
Aberrant spermatogenesis in hybrid progeny of sub-species of the boll weevil Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Abstract Reproductive isolation occurs between the boll weevil ( Anthonomus grandis grandis ) and the thruberia weevil ( Anthonomus grandis thurberiae ). The F 1 hybrid males from crosses of some populations are unable to produce sperm which are capable of moving to the spermatheca of the female to which they are mated. Electron micrographs reveal a disrupted pattern of spermatogenesis which probably results in structurally abnormal sperm.
Block of Tat-Mediated Transactivation of Tumor Necrosis Factor β Gene Expression by Polymeric-TAR Decoys

Abstract The tat gene product (Tat) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is an early regulatory protein which transactivates HIV-1 gene expression by interacting with the trans -activation response element (TAR) present in the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR). In HIV-1-infected cells Tat can also activate the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Recent results indicate that essential for this effect is the interaction of Tat with a TAR-like structure present in the TNFβ messenger RNA leader region that closely resembles the TAR of the HIV-LTR. Here we show that because of this similarity of mechanisms, the expression of an RNA species encoding polymeric-TAR sequences and known to inhibit Tat-mediated HIV-1 gene expression also blocks TNF gene expression in response to Tat, but not TNF promoter activation induced by human T cell leukemia/lymphotropic virus type I Tax protein. Since TNF is increased in HIV-1-infected individuals and can activate HIV-1 gene expression or rescue Tat-defective HIV-1 proviruses, activation of TNF by Tat may be part of a complex pathway in which HIV-1 uses its own expression to increase infectivity and to induce disease. This study shows a dual role for the polymeric-TAR construct in inhibiting HIV-1 replication and strengthens the potential use of this protective gene in gene therapy for AIDS.
What is ‘research’ for teacher-researchers?

Abstract Numerous scholars have promoted ‘practitioner research’ or ‘teacher-research’ as a way of facilitating professional development for pre-service and in-service teachers, promoting change and reform in K-12 settings, and giving voice to teachers' personal and professional knowledge. In this article, the authors consider what ‘research’ is for teacher-researchers. They argue that the ways in which definitions of research are interpreted by different stakeholders – in policy documents, and university and school board review procedures – may exclude practitioners from the production of research-based knowledge and hinder teacher-research collaborations among university educators and K-12 teachers. They view this exclusion as part of the larger ‘knowledge’ critique of teacher-research. In this article, the authors first review contrasting definitions of ‘research,’ before exploring how interpretations of research definitions proved problematic within the context of their teacher-research group. They pr...
Surface-effect induced magnetization enhancement in a highly-correlated metal: An exact solution of a periodic-cluster hubbard model

Abstract An exact solution of an eight-site Hubbard model with periodic boundary conditions, a {001} thin film with face-centered-cubic structure, is presented for the case of a highly-correlated metal. The purpose is to study the electronic and magnetic properties in the presence of surfaces and interfaces. The many-body spectrum and the spin polarization of the system are calculated and discussed.
Acute interstitial pneumonia

The idiopathic interstitial pneumonias have unknown etiology and are characterized by diffuse parenchymal lung involvement and the potential to develop pulmonary fibrosis. Most portend a reduction in life expectancy due, in part, to the absence of effective therapies. The symptoms of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia develop insidiously. In contradistinction, acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP, also known as acute interstitial pneumonitis) is unique in that it has a very rapid to fulminant onset, leading to early hospitalization and a high initial case fatality ratio but, potentially, a more favorable long-term prognosis for survivors. Despite its contemporary description nearly 20 years ago, knowledge of this disease has increased little. This review focuses on AIP and its current place among the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias.
Image Signal Processing In Sub-Pixel Accuracy Star Trackers

Recent star tracker developments at JPL which utilize microprocessor-controlled large area imaging CCD arrays have included several novel techniques for maximizing the efficiency with which information can be extracted as well as corrected for electronic and opto/ mechanical distortions. Scanning algorithms which maximize the rate of obtaining target information, coupled with autonomous control of CCD and signal chain parameters, result from efficient task allocations between electronic hardware elements and operating software. Trade-offs between optical system and image processing software complexity allow sub-pixel star and image tracking using badly aberrated point spread functions by means of power series correction equations which define ideal image centroids from the aberrated image centroids. Star trackers employing these techniques currently under development at JPL are described.
Determination of mycotoxins in milk-based products and infant formula using stable isotope dilution assay and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

A stable isotope dilution assay and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of 12 mycotoxins, aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, and M1, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins B1, B2, and B3, ochratoxin A, T-2 toxin, and zearalenone, in milk-based infant formula and foods. Samples were fortified with 12 13C uniformly labeled mycotoxins ([13C]-mycotoxins) that correspond to the 12 target mycotoxins and prepared by dilution and filtration, followed by LC-MS/MS analysis. Quantitation was achieved using the relative response factors of [13C]-mycotoxins and target mycotoxins. The average recoveries in fortified milk, milk-based infant formula, milk powder, and baby yogurt of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 (2, 10, and 50 μg/kg), aflatoxin M1 (0.5, 2.5, and 12.5 μg/kg), deoxynivalenol, fumonisins B1, B2, and B3 (40, 200, and 1000 μg/kg), ochratoxin A, T-2 toxin, and zearalenone (20, 100, and 500 μg/kg), range from 89 to 126% with RSDs of <20%. The individual ...
Measurement of Ionic Diffusion in Lithium Fluoride by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Techniques

Rates of diffusion of 7Li and 19F were investigated in doped crystals of lithium fluoride using the technique of motional narrowing of nuclear magnetic resonance lines. Major doping elements were divalent Mg and Mn ions, present in amounts between 3 and 240 × 10−6 cation site fraction. Extrinsic vacancies introduced by this doping increased Li ion diffusion and caused 7Li motional narrowing to begin at lower temperatures for greater impurity contents.
Canopy uptake of atmospheric N deposition at a conifer forest: Part II- response of chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange parameters

Spruce foliage was sprayed with NH 4 + NO 3 - and control solutions to investigate the effect of canopy nitrogen (N) uptake on chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange at a Rocky Mountain subalpine forest (Niwot Forest) at the Niwot Ridge Long-Term Ecological Research site. N-treated branches received NH 4 + NO 3 - in an ion-matrix solution that was representative of mean precipitation ion concentrations. Branches were sprayed with NH 4 + NO 3 - to increase the wet N deposition to experimental branches 60% above ambient. Control branches received only the ion-matrix solution (no N), while background branches received only natural precipitation. N content of N-treated new growth and old growth shoots was 2 and 8% greater, respectively, than the background and control shoots' N content. N-treatment enhanced photosynthetic efficiency (F v ′/F m ′) of old growth spruce shoots (≥1 yr old); N-treated shoots' F v ′/F m ′ was 11–12% greater than control and background shoots' F v ′/F m ′ ( p 0.05). Both inorganic N assimilation and the incorporation of applied N into the photosynthetic apparatus likely account for the above results of this conifer study. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0889.2007.00265.x
Structural relationships between environmental attitudes, recreation motivations, and environmentally responsible behaviors

Abstract This study examines the relationship between environmental attitudes, outdoor recreation motivations, and environmentally responsible behaviors. Little has been reported about whether motivation can serve as a mediator to better understand environmental attitude–behavior relationships. On-site responses collected from Florida National Scenic Trail hikers were utilized in a structural equation model. Structural model results indicated significant relationships between attitudes, motivations, and behaviors. Environmental attitudes influenced motivations and environmental behaviors, and motivations were significantly related to environmental behaviors. Further analyses found that motivation served as a partial mediator of the attitude–behavior linkage. These results suggest that environmental attitudes and motivations substantially shape environmentally responsible behaviors. Managerial implications are discussed, including maintaining natural aspects of environments and increasing awareness about natural environments through educational programs. Further studies utilizing participants in other outdoor recreation activities at various settings are recommended. Management implications Publically owned natural areas depend on public support for political buttressing and financial resources to sustain and increase public services. Environmental attitudes are nurtured in those settings through the fulfillment of motivations and benefits sought that drive visitors׳ participation in nature-based recreation. Well-managed natural environments help foster pro-environment attitudes and environmentally responsible behaviors. Those who hold strong environmental attitudes tend to behave in more environmentally responsible ways, including political and educational actions. Natural environments that provide opportunities to recreate generate support for those areas. This means that public land managers shape more than just the immediate experiences visitors attain in an area. It follows that strategies initiated by managers of increasing awareness about and appreciation for their natural areas through outlets such as mass media, internet, and on-site interpretive programs can influence pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors.
An Experimental Algorithm for N-Dimensional Adaptive Quadrature

A working experimental program for n-dimensional adaptive quadrature is discussed. The program uses the simplex rather than the cube as the basic ''cell.'' Symmetric interpolatory quadratures of variable order are derived during execution and used as basic integrators. Integrand values are stored into a table by means of a double hashing technique for efficient retrieval. Iterated calls are allowed with the dimension of the region factored arbitrarily. Restarting the calculation for greater precision costs no more than if the user had requested the higher accuracy in the first place. 2 figures.
Lipid composition of selected tissues of the hardshell clam, Mercenaria mercenaria.

Abstract 1. 1. The total lipids and lipid classes from six tissues of Mercenaria mercenaria were determined. 2. 2. Polar lipids accounted for the largest fraction of lipids. The highest concentration of polar lipids was found in the gill. 3. 3. Free sterols were found only in trace amounts in the gill but were found in much higher quantities (up to 22.6%) in other tissues. 4. 4. The largest stores of triacylglycerols were in the digestive tract-gonads and adductor muscle.
Describing the Relationship between Cat Bites and Human Depression Using Data from an Electronic Health Record

Data mining approaches have been increasingly applied to the electronic health record and have led to the discovery of numerous clinical associations. Recent data mining studies have suggested a potential association between cat bites and human depression. To explore this possible association in more detail we first used administrative diagnosis codes to identify patients with either depression or bites, drawn from a population of 1.3 million patients. We then conducted a manual chart review in the electronic health record of all patients with a code for a bite to accurately determine which were from cats or dogs. Overall there were 750 patients with cat bites, 1,108 with dog bites, and approximately 117,000 patients with depression. Depression was found in 41.3% of patients with cat bites and 28.7% of those with dog bites. Furthermore, 85.5% of those with both cat bites and depression were women, compared to 64.5% of those with dog bites and depression. The probability of a woman being diagnosed with depression at some point in her life if she presented to our health system with a cat bite was 47.0%, compared to 24.2% of men presenting with a similar bite. The high proportion of depression in patients who had cat bites, especially among women, suggests that screening for depression could be appropriate in patients who present to a clinical provider with a cat bite. Additionally, while no causative link is known to explain this association, there is growing evidence to suggest that the relationship between cats and human mental illness, such as depression, warrants further investigation.
Site and mechanism of morphine tolerance in the gastrointestinal tract

Opioid-induced constipation is a major clinical problem. The effects of morphine, and other narcotics, on the gastrointestinal tract persist over long-term use thus limiting the clinical benefit of these excellent pain relievers. The effects of opioids in the gut, including morphine, are largely mediated by the μ-opioid receptors at the soma and nerve terminals of enteric neurons. Recent studies demonstrate that regional differences exist in both acute and chronic morphine along the gastrointestinal tract. While tolerance develops to the analgesic effects and upper gastrointestinal motility upon repeated morphine administration, tolerance does not develop in the colon with chronic opioids resulting in persistent constipation. Here, we review the mechanisms by which tolerance develops in the small but not the large intestine. The regional differences lie in the signaling and regulation of the μ-opioid receptor in the various segments of the gastrointestinal tract. The differential role of β-arrestin2 in tolerance development between central and enteric neurons defines the potential for therapeutic approaches in developing ligands with analgesic properties and minimal constipating effects.