cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Causes of Long-Term Drought in the U.S. Great Plains

The U.S. Great Plains experienced a number of multiyear droughts during the last century, most notably the droughts of the 1930s and 1950s. This study examines the causes of such droughts using ensembles of longterm (1930‐2000) simulations carried out with the NASA Seasonal-to-Interannual Prediction Project (NSIPP1) atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) forced with observed sea surface temperatures (SSTs). The results show that the model produces long-term (multiyear) variations in precipitation in the Great Plains region (308‐508N, 958‐1058W) that are similar to those observed. A correlative analysis suggests that the ensemble-mean low-frequency (time scales longer than about 6 yr) rainfall variations in the Great Plains are linked to a pan-Pacific pattern of SST variability that is the leading empirical orthogonal function (EOF) in the low-frequency SST data. The link between the SST and the Great Plains precipitation is confirmed in idealized AGCM simulations, in which the model is forced by the two polarities of the pan-Pacific SST pattern. The idealized simulations further show that it is primarily the tropical part of the SST anomalies that influences the Great Plains. As such, the Great Plains tend to have above-normal precipitation when the tropical Pacific SSTs are above normal, while there is a tendency for drought when the tropical SSTs are cold. The upper-tropospheric response to the pan-Pacific SST EOF shows a global-scale pattern with a strong wave response in the Pacific and a substantial zonally symmetric component in which U.S. Great Plains pluvial (drought) conditions are associated with reduced (enhanced) heights throughout the extratropics. The potential predictability of rainfall in the Great Plains associated with SSTs is rather modest, with about one-third of the total low-frequency rainfall variance being forced by SST anomalies. Further idealized experiments with climatological SST suggest that the remaining low-frequency variance in the Great Plains precipitation is the result of interactions with soil moisture. In particular, simulations with soil moisture feedback show a fivefold increase in the variance in annual Great Plains precipitation compared with simulations in which the soil feedback is excluded. In addition to increasing variance, the interactions with the soil introduce a year-toyear memory in the hydrological cycle. The impact of soil memory is consistent with a red noise process, in which the deep soil is forced by white noise and damped with a time scale of about 1.5 yr. As such, the role of low-frequency SST variability is to introduce a bias to the net forcing on the soil moisture that drives the random process preferentially to either wet or dry conditions.
Helping intelligence analysts make connections

Discovering latent connections between seemingly unconnected documents and constructing "stories" from scattered pieces of evidence are staple tasks in intelligence analysis. We have worked with government intelligence analysts to understand the strategies they use to make connections. Beyond techniques like clustering that aim to provide an initial broad summary of large document collections, an important goal of analysts in this domain is to assimilate and synthesize fine grained information from a smaller set of foraged documents. Further, analysts' domain expertise is crucial because it provides rich contextual background for making connections and thus the goal of KDD is to augment human discovery capabilities, not supplant it. We describe a visual analytics system we have built-- Analyst's Workspace (AW)--that integrates browsing tools with a storytelling algorithm in a large screen display environment. AW helps analysts systematically construct stories of desired fidelity from document collections and helps marshall evidence as longer stories are constructed.
Why Are (Only) Some Infarcted Hearts Arrhythmogenic

In this issue of the Journal , Haqqani et al. ([1][1]) provide valuable insight as to why some patients who survive a large myocardial infarction (MI) are prone to ventricular tachycardia (VT), yet other survivors of a similar infarct are seemingly immune. They compare 17 patients presenting with
Lewis Base Polymers for Modifying Sorption and Regeneration Abilities of Amine-Based Carbon Dioxide Capture Materials

In this work, we investigate the effects of modifiers on the carbon dioxide (CO2) capture/release abilities of silica-supported amine-based polymers. The primary amine-based polymers consisted of branched poly(ethylene amine) (PEI) and Jeffamine T-403, having aliphatic and ether-based backbones, respectively. These polymers were dispersed on nanosilica, and their CO2 capture/release abilities were determined with and without the addition of the Lewis basic polymer modifiers, poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The greatest effect for increasing the CO2 capture capacity was observed for PEG additives while other modifiers lowered the capture capacity. However, PVAc and PMMA were found to significantly influence the kinetics of absorption and desorption. For absorption, modifiers improve mass transfer and offer better coverage of the silica surface so more amine groups are available at the surface of the sorbent for CO2 binding. Most markedly, while...
A new dimorphic fungus, Oidiodendron kalrai: morphological and biochemical characteristics.

The morphological and biochemical characteristics of new dimorphic fungus, Oidiodendron kalrai, are described. In filamentous form at room temperature, the growth consisted of chains of oval to rou...
Some thoughts on the past, present and future of American Jewry

Jewry in America is exceptional among the world’s Jewrys, much as the United States is an exceptional country. Jews won acceptance as fully equal citizens here earlier than elsewhere. They have been exceptionally successful in intellectual, business and political endeavors. The dominant ethos of American culture has been congruent with Jewish values. However, success here and in Israel seemingly undermines the conditions for survival, encourages intermarriage and cultural assimilation.
Primary Osteogenic Sarcoma of the Kidney

We report a case of primary osteogenic sarcoma of the kidney. To our knowledge only 7 such cases have been described previously.
The Immune Cytopenias

Abnormal destruction of red or white blood cells or platelets may be mediated by immune mechanisms. This immune-mediated destruction is often idiopathic, is sometimes associated with systemic disease, and may be related to drug use.
A comparison of optical time slotted networks

To harness the enormous bandwidth potential of a fiber, Time Division Multiplexing over wavelength channels has been proposed. In one type of time slotted optical network called as Time Wavelength Switched Network (TWSN), the Time Wavelength-Space Routers (TWSRs) are configured to switch time slots within a time frame. Another kind of time slotted network is the Time Domain Wavelength Interleaved Network (TWIN), which eliminates time switching within the network by using passive Wavelength Selective Switches(WSSs) in the core and an intelligent edge utilizing a fast tunable laser to emulate fast switching. In this paper, we provide an integer linear program to solve the scheduling problem for a static traffic matrix (of connections) for the TWIN network, and also present a heuristic algorithm. We then compare the performances of the two networks under dynamic traffic and investigate the benefits of having a fast reconfigurable switch as opposed to WSSs.
The effect of pressure, volume, and temperature on the dielectric constant of simple organic liquids

In the past, most dielectric studies of liquids have been made only as a function of temperature. While there have been some results published on the effect of pressure on the dielectric constant of liquids,1,2 they have been of low accuracy. Therefore, a program of measurements has been undertaken for the precise measurement of the dielectric properties of liquids over a wide range of pressure and temperature.
Multivariate Analyses of Phytoplankton Pigment Fluorescence from a Freshwater River Network

Monitoring phytoplankton classes in river networks is critical to understanding phytoplankton dynamics and to predicting the ecosystem response to changing land-use and seasons. Applicability of phytoplankton fluorescence as a quick and effective ecological monitoring approach is relatively unexplored in freshwater ecosystems. We used multivariate analyses of fluorescence from pigment extracted in 90% acetone to assess the variability in phytoplankton classes, herbivory, and organic matter quality in a freshwater river network. A total of four models developed by the parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) of fluorescence excitation and emission matrices identified six components: Model 1 (pheophytin-A and chlorophyll-A), Model 2 (chlorophyll-B and chlorophyll-C), Model 3 (pheophytin-B), and Model 4 (pheophytin-C). Redundancy analyses revealed that in the summer, urban and agricultural streams were abundant in chlorophylls, fresh organic matter, and organic nitrogen, whereas in winter, streams were high in pha...
Organ Dysfunction and Failure Following Brain Death Do Not Preclude Successful Donation

Organ dysfunction is common after neurologic determination of death (NDD) but before organ collection. Reliable markers for graft success following transplant of these organs would be useful. We sought to determine the relationship between the donor after neurologic determination of death (DNDD) pathophysiology and successful organ donation. Donor information was obtained through the local organ procurement organization. Donor demographics and clinical data points for cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, hepatic, hematological and neuroendocrine systems were reviewed 12 h before and 12 h after neurologic determination of death was declared. The worst values were utilized for analysis and generation of the organ-specific Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores. SOFA scores were calculated and used to quantify the degree of organ dysfunction. The NDD non-donors for a specific organ were used as a comparison control group. The control group refers to DNDD patients whose specific organs were not transplanted. Lack of use was mostly due to discard by the transplant team as a result of unsuitability of the organ caused by deterioration or possible donor-specific pathology. One hundred and five organ donors were analyzed. Mean age was 35.0 (± 13.6), 78.1% male, median GCS 3, interquartile range (IQR) 3–4 and median injury severity score 32 (IQR 25–43). Of the successful donors, organ-specific severe dysfunction (SOFA 3 or 4) occurred in 96, 27.5 and 3.3% of cardiac, lung and liver donors, respectively. There was no significant difference between the levels of organ dysfunction in donors versus non-donors except lung donors, in which the median lowest partial pressure of arterial oxygen-to-fraction of inspired oxygen (P/F) ratio in the non-donor was 194 (IQR 121.8–308.3) compared to the median lowest P/F ratio in the donor which was 287 (IQR 180–383.5), p = 0.02. In the recipients, graft failure 6 months after transplantation was reported in one kidney recipient (0.74%) (peak donor creatinine = 1 mg/dL) and in five pancreas recipients (11.4%). The median peak glucose of the pancreas donors in failed recipients was 178 mg/dL (IQR 157–213), whereas in the functioning recipients, the median glucose of their donors was not different (185 mg/dL, IQR 157–216), p = 0.394. Current measures of organ failure and dysfunction do not predict the success of organ donation. Successful donor management in the face of severe organ dysfunction and failure can result in lives saved.
Predictors of neck reoperation (NRO) in 35,538 Californians with differentiated thyroid cancer.

6093Background: Our prior work documented variation in initial management patterns and survival for subgroups of patients (pts) with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in California. Therefore, we...
The Role of Investor Gut Feel in Managing Complexity and Extreme Risk

Securing financial resources from investors is a key challenge for many early-stage entrepreneurial ventures. Given the inherent uncertainty surrounding a decision to invest in these ventures, prio...
Sensorimotor adaptation of voice fundamental frequency in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE This study examined adaptive responses to auditory perturbation of fundamental frequency (fo) in speakers with Parkinson's disease (PD) and control speakers. METHOD Sixteen speakers with PD and nineteen control speakers produced sustained vowels while they received perturbed auditory feedback (i.e., fo shifted upward or downward). Speakers' pitch acuity was quantified using a just-noticeable-difference (JND) paradigm. Twelve listeners provided estimates of the speech intelligibility for speakers with PD. RESULTS Fifteen responses from each speaker group for each shift direction were included in analyses. While control speakers generally showed consistent adaptive responses opposing the perturbation, speakers with PD showed no compensation on average, with individual PD speakers showing highly variable responses. In the PD group, the degree of compensation was not significantly correlated with age, disease progression, pitch acuity, or intelligibility. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate reduced adaptation to sustained fo perturbation and higher variability in PD compared to control participants. No significant differences were seen in pitch acuity between groups, suggesting that the fo adaptation deficit in PD is not the result of purely perceptual mechanisms. SIGNIFICANCE These results suggest there is an impairment in vocal motor control in PD. Building on these results, contributions can be made to developing targeted voice treatments for PD.
Die lokale Selbstverwaltung als Wurzel der Demokratie

Die gewaltsamen Umwalzungen unserer Zeit haben das Interesse am engeren ortlichen Gemeinwesen, der Gemeinde, neu aufleben lassen. Welche Bedeutung die Gemeinde fur das Funktionieren des Verfassungsstaates besitzt, ist allgemein bekannt. Erstaunlich ist jedoch, wie widerstandsfahig sie sich gegenuber den Druckmitteln des totalitaren Staates erwiesen hat. Als die deutschen Armeen Frankreich besiegt und der franzosische Faschismus die Regierung der Dritten Republik beseitigt hatte, fand die freiheitliche franzosische Lebensart eine gewisse Zuflucht in den Dorfern und kleinen Stadten, wo das enge Zusammenleben es den Menschen moglich machte, Freund und Feind zu kennen und voneinander zu unterscheiden. Ahnlich verhielt es sich, als die siegreichen Armeen der westlichen Alliierten den Staat und die Partei Hitlers vollig zerstort hatten. In den Gemeinden fanden sie eine altere und bessere deutsche Tradition am Leben, wenn auch schwer mitgenommen und so konnten die zum Teil etwas linkischen „Reformen“ der Besatzungsmachte an dieser Grundtatsache nichts andern. Die Gemeindeverwaltung zeigte sich gegen die Katastrophen besser gefeit als die umfassenderen, weiter gespannten Gebilde.
Cost-effectiveness of health coaching and financial incentives to promote physical activity after total knee replacement.

Summary Objective We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of Telephonic Health Coaching and Financial Incentives (THC + FI) to promote physical activity in total knee replacement recipients. Design We used the Osteoarthritis Policy Model, a computer simulation of knee osteoarthritis, to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of THC + FI compared to usual care. We derived transition probabilities, utilities, and costs from trial data. We conducted lifetime analyses from the healthcare perspective and discounted all cost-effectiveness outcomes by 3% annually. The primary outcome was the Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER), defined as the ratio of the differences in costs and Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) between strategies. We considered ICERs Results THC + FI had an ICER of $57,200/QALY in the base case and an ICER below $100,000/QALY in most deterministic sensitivity analyses. THC + FI cost-effectiveness depended on assumptions about long-term efficacy; when efficacy was limited to 1 year or to 9 months, the ICER was $93,300/QALY or $121,800/QALY, respectively. In the PSA, THC + FI had an ICER below $100,000/QALY in 70% of iterations. Conclusions Based on currently available information, THC + FI might be a cost-effective alternative to usual care. However, the uncertainty surrounding this choice is considerable, and further research to reduce this uncertainty may be economically justified.
Schwannoma gene therapy by adeno-associated virus delivery of the pore-forming protein Gasdermin-D

Schwannomas are peripheral nerve sheath tumors associated with three genetically distinct disease entities, namely sporadic schwannoma, neurofibromatosis type-2, and schwannomatosis. Schwannomas are associated with severe disability and in cases lead to death. The primary treatment is operative resection that itself can cause neurologic damage and is at times contra-indicated due to tumor location. Given their homogenous Schwann-lineage cellular composition, schwannomas are appealing targets for gene therapy. In the present study, we have generated an adeno-associated serotype 1 virus (AAV1)-based vector delivering N-terminal of the pyroptotic gene Gasdermin-D; (GSDMDNterm) under the control of the Schwann-cell specific promoter, P0. we have demonstrated that AAV1-P0-GSDMDNterm injection into intra-sciatic schwannomas reduces the growth of these tumors and resolves tumor-associated pain without causing neurologic damage. This AAV1-P0-GSDMDNterm vector holds promise for clinical treatment of schwannomas via direct intra-tumoral injection.
Phylogenetic spread of sequence data affects fitness of consensus enzymes: Insights from triosephosphate isomerase

The concept of consensus in multiple sequence alignments (MSAs) has been used to design and engineer proteins previously with some success. However, consensus design implicitly assumes that all amino acid positions function independently, whereas in reality, the amino acids in a protein interact with each other and work cooperatively to produce the optimum structure required for its function. Correlation analysis is a tool that can capture the effect of such interactions. In a previously published study, we made consensus variants of the triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) protein using MSAs that included sequences form both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. These variants were not completely native-like and were also surprisingly different from each other in terms of oligomeric state, structural dynamics, and activity. Extensive correlation analysis of the TIM database has revealed some clues about factors leading to the unusual behavior of the previously constructed consensus proteins. Among other things, we have found that the more ill-behaved consensus mutant had more broken correlations than the better-behaved consensus variant. Moreover, we report three correlation and phylogeny-based consensus variants of TIM. These variants were more native-like than the previous consensus mutants and considerably more stable than a wild-type TIM from a mesophilic organism. This study highlights the importance of choosing the appropriate diversity of MSA for consensus analysis and provides information that can be used to engineer stable enzymes.
Impact of Operating Conditions on Measured and Predicted Concentration Polarization in Membrane Distillation

Concentration polarization (CP) occurs in almost all membrane-based separation processes. In this study, the concentration profile of the dissolved salt has been accurately characterized using a previously developed laser-based spectrophotometric method which had a spatial resolution of 4.5 μm. The objective of the current work was to probe the concentration profile of the solute and analyze the impact of operating parameters, such as feed concentration, hydrodynamic conditions, and feed temperature, on the solute concentration profile in the boundary layer. This study also examined the validity of the conventional approach, where semi-empirical models are used to estimate the boundary layer thickness (BLT) and concentration polarization coefficient (CPC)-based on experimental results. Nusselt correlations were developed specifically for the membrane cell and validated through experimental observations at the operating conditions used in this study. A key finding of this study is that the conventional approach of estimating the effect of CP severely underpredicts the BLT and CPC. The results of this study highlight the need to develop new methods to estimate the BLT and CPC as the conventional approach of using semi-empirical Nusselt and Sherwood correlations does not agree with experimental observations obtained for a membrane distillation system employed in this study.
Treatment of persistent penile erection and priapism using terbutaline.

AbstractThe recent finding of terbutaline as the treatment of choice to manage intraoperative penile tumescence with the patient under anesthesia (general and regional) has prompted us to use this β-2 agonist (5mg. orally) for persistent penile erection and priapism resulting from injection of pharmacological agents, such as phentolamine, phenoxybenzamine and papavarine, into the penis for erectile impotence. The drug also has been used successfully (0.25 to 0.5mg. intravenously or subcutaneously) to treat priapism developing despite a cavernosum-spongiosum shunt procedure. This and other pure β2 agonists will have an important role in the treatment of undesirable and painful penile erection, alone or in association with other invasive and noninvasive intenvention.
Analytical-experimental correlation of polyaxial states of stress in Thornel-epoxy laminates: Predicted and observed biaxial stress-strain response and strength of [O2/±45] s Thornel-epoxy composites are compared

The observed strength and stress-strain response of [O2/±45]s Thornel-epoxy laminates under varying biaxial-stress ratios are compared with those predicted numerically. Both flat and ring-type off-axis composite specimens are employed by which to generate experimentally the biaxial data. While the numerical predictions tend to overestimate the observed laminate strengths, the several predicted stress-strain curves agree well with each other and with experiment. The off-axis ring specimens produced significantly higher strengths than did the corresponding flat specimens.
Modeling the thermal behavior of an acoustically driven gas bubble

Numerical simulation of an acoustically driven gas bubble is usually achieved by solving a Rayleigh-Plesset-type equation, in which the time-dependent pressure of the gas inside the bubble needs to be appropriately modeled. This is done in most existing methods by assuming a polytropic relation between the gas pressure and the bubble volume, which sometimes oversimplifies the thermal interaction between the bubble and the ambient liquid. In this paper, a model is developed aiming to perform an accurate and efficient calculation of the pressure variation in the bubble. The approach is different from that in the recent paper by the author and his collaborator which used a combination of an integral and a collocation method to solve the energy equation in the gas [Zhou and Prosperetti (2020). J. Fluid Mech. 901, R3]. The starting point of the proposed method in this paper is the gas continuity equation which is manipulated to lead to three ordinary differential equations. In this way, the thermal behavior of an oscillating gas bubble is captured at a modest coding and computational cost.
Weight Bias During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This review explores potential sources of weight bias and stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic, including “quarantine-15” messages and discussion of obesity in media and public health campaigns. We examine evidence of the effects of weight bias on well-being during the pandemic and highlight unanswered questions to be addressed in future research. Studies that have investigated weight change during stay-at-home orders have yielded mixed findings and relied predominantly on self-reported retrospective recall, thus providing weak evidence of a widespread “quarantine-15” effect. No studies to date have evaluated the effects on weight stigma and health of obesity-focused COVID-19 media and public health messages. Individuals with a history of experiencing weight bias may be more vulnerable to binge eating and psychological distress during the pandemic. Weight bias and stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic, and their effects on health and well-being, warrant greater investigation and consideration in public health efforts.
Bounce-Flash Lidar

We demonstrate a new lidar imaging method called bounce-flash lidar, in which the time-of-flight and intensity of two-bounce returns are used to estimate the depth and reflectance of points which are not illuminated directly.
Evaluating Electrophoretically Deposited Cu-Mn-O Spinel Coatings on Stainless Steel Substrates Used in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Interconnects

Interconnects in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) oxidize under SOFC operating conditions, leading to formation of Cr-rich oxides. This leads to the formation of chromium-containing vapor-phase species that poisons the SOFC cathodes and lead to long-term degradation in device performance. This necessitates the use of protective coatings on SOFC interconnects. Coatings of three Cu-Mn-O spinel compositions, Cu1.3Mn1.7O4, Cu1.2Mn1.8O4, and CuMn1.8O4, were deposited on Crofer 22 APU substrates by electrophoretic deposition (EPD). The effects of the different deposition parameters and the subsequent thermo-mechanical processing steps in the EPD deposition process were studied. The phase stability and the electrical conductivity of the three materials were measured. Finally, thermogravimetric measurements under oxidizing conditions were carried out to study the effectiveness of the coatings as diffusion barriers. The diffusion coefficients of chromium in the three coatings were calculated from the chromium concentration profile.
Electric vehicle traction motors - The development of an advanced motor concept

An axial-field permanent magnet traction motor is described, similar to several advanced motors that are being developed in the United States. This type of machine has several advantages over conventional dc motors, particularly in the electric vehicle application. The rapidly changing cost of magnetic materials, particularly cobalt, makes it important to study the utilization of permanent magnet materials in such machines. The impact of different magnets on machine design is evaluated, and the advantages of using iron powder composites in the armature are assessed.
The Dominican Americans

The Dominican Americans. Silvio Torres-Saillant and Ramona Hernandez. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, 1998. 208 pp. (Cloth US$39.95)
Existing Self-Employment: An Analysis of Asian Immigrant-Owned Small Businesses

Part of the uniqueness of the immigrant Asian business community in the U.S. lies in the fact that many among the highly educated pursue self-employment in small-scale, low-yielding retail and personal service fields. This study analyzes owner departure for a nationwide sample of small businesses owned by Asian Indian and Filipino immigrants and a comparison group of Asian nonimmigrant firm owners. Controlling for firm and owner traits, highly educated Asian immigrant owners are more likely than others to exit self-employment over the 1987--1991 period; exit from traditional fields (retail and personal services) is pronounced. These exit patterns do not typify the comparison group. Findings are consistent with the hypothesis that self-employment is often a form of underemployment among Asian immigrants.
THE PLUTONIUM STORY

LESL--13492 DE82 004551 THE PLUTONIUM STORY Glenn T. Seaborg Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory University of California Berkeley, C 94720 A This work was supported by the Director, Office of Energy Research, Division of Nuclear Physics of the Office of High Energy and Nuclear Physics of the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract W-74G5-ENG-48.
The Use of Endobronchial Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Subacute Pulmonary Histoplasmosis

Objective. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) utility in diagnosis in malignant and granulomatous mediastinal disease has been well demonstrated. We propose to examine the role of EBUS transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in the diagnosis of subacute pulmonary histoplasmosis (SPH) with mediastinal lymphadenopathy in an area where histoplasmosis is endemic. Methods. A retrospective review was performed in a single academic institution between 2009 and 2012 of patients referred for EBUS-TBNA who had radiographic imaging and clinical symptomatology suspicious for SPH. Seven patients were reviewed. TBNA results showing granulomatous disease with areas of necrosis in the appropriate clinical setting were considered to be adequate for the diagnosis of SPH when alternative diagnosis was excluded. Patients underwent further clinical follow-up of 12 months to determine the final diagnosis. Results. All seven patients were felt to have SPH diagnosis reached by a combination of clinical presentation, EBUS-TBNA results, fungal serologies, and antigen testing. None of the patients needed further invasive procedures. Conclusions. EBUS-TBNA is a minimally invasive tool that can be used to support a diagnosis of SPH in patients with a high degree of clinical suspicion. EBUS-TBNA should be considered as an adjunctive diagnostic procedure for patients with SPH in an appropriate clinical setting.
Water Use by Grazed and Ungrazed Pigeon Pea is Similar

Water use by the warm-season annual pulse pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp] must be described for this legume to be effectively used as grazed summer forage in the southern Great Plains (SGP). A study was conducted in central Oklahoma during 2008 to 2010 to quantify soil water content, water use, and water-use efficiency (WUE) in six grazed 0.41 ha paddocks planted to two short-duration cultivars (GA-2, MN-8). Exclosures (9 m−2) were established to measure biomass, and crossbred stocker cattle (n = 3) grazed the paddocks during August through October. Total water content in the upper 57.5 cm of soil was quantified by neutron density gauge at planting, flowering, and end of growing season (EOS), to calculate water use and WUE in producing aboveground biomass. Grazing main and interaction effects were not significant on available soil water (0.13 < p < 0.50), or water use (0.10 < p < 0.62). Cultivar × year × time of season interactions on water use were significant (p ≤ 0.02), due to 49% greater water use by MN-8 in 2008 (wettest year). Lowest water use within years occurred at flowering and the lowest overall occurred in 2009 (driest year). Year and time of season main effects on WUE were significant (p < 0.01); WUE in 2009 and 2010 (8.1 and 9.4 kg mm−1, respectively) differed from 2008 (4.7 kg mm−1), and was lower at flowering than EOS (5.9 vs. 9.1 kg mm−1). Results showed conditions during growing seasons had greater effects on water use by short-duration pigeon pea than grazing or cultivar planted.
Hybrid-Computer Techniques for Measuring Statistics from Quantized Data:

Digital data processing necessarily involves quantization (roundoff) of input data. The statistical theory of amplitude quantization indicates that the effects of quantization on statistics are often negligible or can be approximately predicted and corrected, even with surprisingly coarse quantization. This tutorial paper reviews contributions to the theory made in England, the Netherlands, and Russia, as well as B. Widrow's original work in this country. Applications to remarkably inexpensive hybrid analog-digital averaging computers and correlators are also discussed. The theory can pay very handsome practical dividends: in many applications, 2- to 4-bit analog-to-digital converters and data-transmission channels can yield averages, mean squares, and correlation functions with 10- to 20-bit accuracy, and one-bit (polarity-coincidence) correlators are often practical.
Effects of land disposal of municipal sewage sludge on fate of nitrates in soil, streambed sediment, and water quality

Abstract This study was undertaken to determine the effects of sewage-sludge disposal at the Lowry sewage-sludge-disposal area, near Denver, Colorado, on ground- and surface-water quality, to determine the fate of nitrates from sludge leachate, and to determine the source areas of leachate and the potential for additional leaching from the disposal area. Sewage-sludge disposal began in 1969. Two methods were used to apply the sludge: burial and plowing. Also, the sludge was applied both in liquid and cake forms. Data in this report represent the chemical composition of soil and streambed sediment from seven soil- and four streambed-sampling sites in 1986, chemical and bacterial composition of ground water from 28 wells from 1981 to 1987, and surface-water runoff from seven water-sampling sites from 1984 to 1987. Ground water samples were obtained from alluvial and bedrock aquifers. Samples of soil, streambed sediment, ground water and surface water were obtained for onsite measurement and chemical analysis. Measurements included determination of nitrogen compounds and major cations and anions, fecal-coliform and -streptococcus bacteria, specific conductance, and pH. Thirteen wells in the alluvial aquifer in Region 3 of the study area contain water that was probably affected by sewage-sludge leachate. The plots of concentration of nitrate with time show seasonal trends and trends caused by precipitation. In addition to yearly fluctuation, there were noticeable increases in ground-water concentrations of nitrate that coincided with increased precipitation. After 3 years of annual ground-water-quality monitoring and 4 years of a quarterly sampling program, it has been determined that leachate from the sewage-sludge-disposal area caused increased nitrite plus nitrate (as nitrogen) concentration in the alluvial ground water at the site. Soil analyses from the disposal area indicate that organic nitrogen was the dominant form of nitrogen in the soil. As a result of investigations at the research site, it has been determined that a potentially large source of contamination exists in the soils of the study area owing to increased concentrations of nitrogen, sodium, calcium, magnesium, sulfate, bicarbonate, and chloride because of sewage disposal. Continued monitoring of surface and ground water for nitrogen and the other ions previously mentioned is required to assess long-term effects of municipal sludge disposal on water quality.
A bronchodilator action of glucagon

Abstract We evaluated the effect of glucagon on eight patients with asthma. After withholding bronchodilators for 12 hours, patients received either 2 units of intravenous glucagon or 2 ml of saline after a double-blind crossover protocol. Glucagon significantly improved the FEV 1 (17.5% ± 5.5 SEM) and the peak expiratory flow rate (14.2% ± 4.9), compared to placebo (−2.4% ± 2.9, p p
Metal–Organic Frameworks for Light Harvesting and Photocatalysis

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a new class of crystalline molecular solids built from linking organic ligands with metal or metal-cluster connecting points, have recently emerged as a versatile platform for developing single-site solid catalysts. MOFs have been used to drive a range of reactions, including Lewis acid/base catalyzed reactions, redox reactions, asymmetric reactions, and photocatalysis. MOF catalysts are easily separated from the reaction mixtures for reuse, and yet their molecular nature introduces unprecedented chemical diversity and tunability to drive a large scope of catalytic reactions. This Perspective aims to summarize recent progress on light harvesting and photocatalysis with MOFs. The charge-separated excited states of the chromophoric building blocks created upon photon excitation can migrate over long distances to be harvested as redox equivalents at the MOF/liquid interfaces via electron transfer reactions or can directly activate the substrates that have diffused into the MO...
The Genuineness of the Vita Æduuardi Regis

THE Vita Eduuardi Regis Qui apud Westmonasterium Requiescit our earliest detailed account of King Edward Ethelredsson, later surnamed the Confessor was dedicated by its anonymous author to Edward's widow, the Lady Edith Godwinesdaughter. The writer speaks of his patroness as still very much alive: 'While she lives, giver of this promise and ignorant of false speech, certainly we live; that is enough.' 'By the dutifulness of your pen you will surely please her.' Consequently unless the work is a particularly clever and sustained imposture, it must have been completed before Edith's death, December 19, 1075.1 In 1858 the text was printed for the Rolls Series from the apparently unique but imperfect copy in British Museum Ms. Harley 526;2 it has been accepted as genuine not only by its editor, H. R. Luard, but by Freeman,3 Oman,4 Armitage Robinson,5 Chambers,8 and other scholars.7 In 1923, however, Marc Bloch, in the preface to his edition of the Vita Beati ac Gloriosi Regis Anglorum Eadwardi written by Osbert of Clare about 1138,8 endeavored to prove that the earlier piece, which had served as one of Osbert's principal sources, was really a forgery of the reign of Henry I. Bloch's theory has been accepted, with more or less hesitation, by Powicke,9 Darlington,'0 and Stenton."1 Dom Wilmart speaks of Bloch's discussion as 'une etude attentive,"2 but seems to have rejected its conclusions. At least in
Interpretation of teasing during early adolescence

Research has suggested that teasing, especially about physical appearance, is a common experience with negative consequences for adolescents. This study aimed to examine the cognitive processes of adolescents exposed to teasing. Students from two middle schools were assigned randomly to view videotaped vignettes of appearance-related teasing, competency teasing, or a control situation and completed questionnaires to assess their cognitive reactions and memories of the teasing. Results indicated that adolescent girls recalled appearance-related teasing more readily than competency teasing, adolescent girls with high body dissatisfaction recalled fewer positive appearance words, and participants exposed to competency teasing were more likely to recall competency words. The findings indicated that cognitive processes may be important in the study of adolescents' interpretation of teasing and for clinical treatment of adolescents who are teased.
Microstructures of Bimetallic Clusters: Bond Order Metal Simulator for Disordered Alloys

Abstract Experimental bulk mixing data on disordered bimetallics of Ni, Cu, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ir, Pt, and Au are used to parametrize the recently developed \underline{b}ond \underline{o}rder metal \underline{s}imulator (BOS-mixing) model, including a full error analysis. This model characterizes the variation of metal–metal bond strength with number and type of atomic neighbors. The model is shown to accurately fit experimental mixing energy curves as a function of composition irrespective of whether the curves are symmetric or asymmetric around the 50% value. As an illustration of the utility of the BOS-mixing model, we predict the microstructures of bimetallic clusters with 201 atoms (or 61% dispersion) and a composition of 50%–50%. The examples demonstrate how differences in surface energy, mixing energy, and mixing entropy either compete or cooperate in determining the microstructure of small bimetallic clusters.
Spectral sensitivity for extrafoveal discomfort glare

Previously published evidence suggests that the discomfort glare response to bright lights has greater short-wavelength spectral sensitivity than implied by the photopic luminous efficiency function, V(λ). The present paper summarizes a series of experiments to characterize spectral sensitivity for discomfort glare from nearly monochromatic light sources presented in the near extrafovea (5° and 10° off-axis). The results are consistent with increased participation in the discomfort glare response from short-wavelength cones and greater short-wavelength sensitivity as eccentricity increases. From the results an empirical family of luminous efficiency functions, V DG(λ), for discomfort glare, is derived. Such data could have implications for specifications of roadway lighting, vehicle headlamps or other light sources that might contribute to discomfort glare.
3D modeling of time reversal microwave imaging in nondestructive evaluation

This paper presents a feasibility study of imaging discontinuities in dielectric materials using principles of time reversal with microwaves. The principle is demonstrated by modeling the propagation of forward and time reversed electromagnetic waves using 3D finite difference time domain techniques. Simulations results validating this approach will be presented. Initial results clearly demonstrate the capability of this approach to image locations of discontinuities in materials.
Myosin phosphatase isoform switching in vascular smooth muscle development

Abstract We are using the myosin phosphatase targeting subunit (MYPT1) as a model gene to study smooth muscle phenotypic diversity. Myosin phosphatase (MP) is the primary effector of smooth muscle relaxation, and MYPT1 is a key target of signals that regulate smooth muscle tone. In a model of portal hypertension we previously showed dynamic changes in the expression of MYPT1 isoforms in the portal vein and upstream mesenteric artery. We hypothesized that this represents a reversion to the fetal phenotype characteristic of muscle hypertrophy. Here we studied MP during vascular smooth muscle phenotypic specification. Between postnatal days 6 and 12 the expression of MYPT1 increased approximately twofold in portal vein with a similar increase in MP activity. MYPT1 switched from C-terminal leucine zipper (LZ) positive to LZ negative splice variant isoforms. This was concordant with a switch from sensitive (10 −7 M) to resistant to cGMP-mediated vascular relaxation. This is consistent with the model in which the MYPT1 C-terminal LZ is required for cGMP-dependent activation of MP. Concordant changes in the expression of other contractile proteins were consistent with a switch from a slow-tonic to a fast-phasic contractile phenotype. In contrast aortic smooth muscle throughout development expressed the MYPT1 LZ positive isoform and relaxed to cGMP. We propose that MP isoform switching during neonatal vascular smooth muscle phenotypic specification may determine changing vascular responses to NO/cGMP signaling in the transition from the fetal to the adult circulation.
NMR spectral studies. XIV. Carbon‐13 nuclear magnetic resonance studies on β‐lactams

Carbon-13 NMR spectra of a variety of mono- and bicyclic β-lactams have been measured and the chemical shifts of the ring carbon atoms have been assigned unambiguously. Effects of substituents on the chemical shifts of these carbons are also discussed.
Solar-powered, modular, emergency/disaster response housing

This paper discusses the use of solar-powered modular housing for nationwide disaster relief. Auburn University has performed a design study that demonstrates its feasibility for a stand-alone power system on 398 ft2 “Katrina Cottages”. As a result of Hurricane Katrina, the concept of a “Katrina Cottage” to house residents temporarily was funded. They are equipped with energy star appliances and quality insulation to minimize heating and cooling requirements. The Park Model 1A comfortably houses up to four people and can be installed anywhere in less than one day with no special site preparation or licensing. Modeling done using PV Design Pro-S and -G and DoE's Energy 10 shows a solid business model and payback time for inclusion of solar power systems on the Park Model 1A Katrina Cottage. This paper discusses energy payback time, stand-alone operation, system effectiveness, and economic viability of the Model 1A equipped with a 2 kW photovoltaic power system and a 32 ft2 solar hot water heating system.
Elevated risk of stroke among patients with end-stage renal disease

Elevated risk of stroke among patients with end-stage renal disease. Background Although end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has been associated with accelerated vascular disease of the cerebral circulation, there are no prior studies that have estimated the risk of hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke among the United States dialysis population relative to the general population. Methods We performed a population-based cohort study to compare rates of hospitalized ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke among incident dialysis patients in the United States Renal System database and non-ESRD subjects from the general population identified in the National Hospital Discharge Survey. Results After adjustment for age, gender, and race, estimated rates of hospitalized stroke were markedly higher for dialysis patients compared to the general population. The age-adjusted relative risk (RR) of stroke among dialysis patients compared to the general population was 6.1 [95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) 5.1, 7.1] for Caucasian males, 4.4 (95% CI 3.3, 5.5) for African American males, 9.7 (95%CI 8.2, 11.2) for Caucasians females and 6.2 (95%CI 4.8, 7.6) for African American females. When considered as separate outcomes, hospitalization rates for hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke were both markedly elevated for subjects treated with dialysis (ischemic, RR=4.3 to 10.1; hemorrhagic, RR=4.1 to 6.7). Conclusion Incident dialysis patients are at markedly higher risk for hospitalized stroke when compared to the general population. Although prior public health initiatives have focused primarily on cardiac disease among patients treated with dialysis, our data suggest that new initiatives are needed to control the high risk of stroke in this population.
Tetracysteine-based fluorescent tags to study protein localization and trafficking in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes.

Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria parasites remodel host erythrocytes by placing membranous structures in the host cell cytoplasm and inserting proteins into the surrounding erythrocyte membranes. Dynamic imaging techniques with high spatial and temporal resolutions are required to study the trafficking pathways of proteins and the time courses of their delivery to the host erythrocyte membrane. Methodology and Findings Using a tetracysteine (TC) motif tag and TC-binding biarsenical fluorophores (BAFs) including fluorescein arsenical hairpin (FlAsH) and resorufin arsenical hairpin (ReAsH), we detected knob-associated histidine-rich protein (KAHRP) constructs in Pf-parasitized erythrocytes and compared their fluorescence signals to those of GFP (green fluorescent protein)-tagged KAHRP. Rigorous treatment with BAL (2, 3 dimercaptopropanol; British anti-Lewisite) was required to reduce high background due to nonspecific BAF interactions with endogenous cysteine-rich proteins. After this background reduction, similar patterns of fluorescence were obtained from the TC- and GFP-tagged proteins. The fluorescence from FlAsH and ReAsH-labeled protein bleached at faster rates than the fluorescence from GFP-labeled protein.
Atherosclerotic heart disease and the environment.

Environmental factors associated with an increase in manifest coronary artery disease are temperature extremes, noise, soft water, exposure to sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide, and constraints imposed by the living habits of the community concerned. The important constraints are the relative nonavailability of high-protein foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol, the general acceptance of cigarette smoking as permissable behavior, the lack of emphasis on preventive medicine and limitations on physical exercise.