cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploration of ‘Hot-Spots’ of Methane and Nitrous Oxide Emission from the Agriculture Fields of Assam, India

Background: Agricultural soils contribute towards the emission of CH4 (mainly from paddy fields) and N2O (from N-fertilizer application), the two important greenhouse gases causing global warming. Most studies had developed the inventories of CH4 and N2O emission at the country level (larger scale) for India, but not many studies are available at the local scale (e.g. district level) on these greenhouse gases (GHGs). Assam is an important state in the North Eastern region of India. In addition to being the regional economic hub for the entire region, agriculture is the major contributor to the state’s gross domestic product. In Assam about three-fourths of the area is under paddy cultivation and rice is the staple food. With this background, a district wise inventory of CH4 and N2O emission in the North Eastern state of Assam, India was carried out using different emission factors, viz., IPCC, Indian factors and others, to highlight the discrepancies that arose in the emission estimation of these important GHGs while used at the smaller scale i.e. district level. This study emphasizes the need for better methodologies at the local level for GHGs inventories. This study also reiterates the fact that no emission factor is universally applicable across all regions. The GHGs like CH4 and N2O are highly site and crop specific and the factors required for their inventory are driven by cultural practices, agronomic management, soil resources and socio-economic drivers. Material and methods: In this study, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodology was used for the estimation of CH4 and N2O emission. In case of N2O emission, both direct and indirect emission from agricultural soil was estimated for the various districts of Assam. Results: The CH4 (base year 2000-2001) and N2O (base year 2001-2002) emission was estimated to be 121 Gg and 1.36 Gg from rice paddy and agricultural fields of Assam state respectively. Conclusions: This study is the first report on the estimation of the GHG emission at the district level from the entire state of Assam, agriculturally one very important state of North Eastern India. This state is also considered as remote due to its geographical location. The study clearly elucidates that there is large variation in the emission inventory of CH4 and N2O at the district level (local scale) when different emission factors are used. This calls for detailed and comprehensive data collection and mapping at the micro level for accurate inventory of greenhouse gases in future from agriculture fields.
Body Image After Mastectomy Scale: A New Measure of Body Image Behaviors and Beliefs in Women Following Mastectomy

Background: Body image distress is frequently reported by women after mastectomy and is associated with negative health outcomes, such as reduced quality of life, elevated depression and anxiety symptoms, and impaired sexual functioning. To reduce body image distress after mastectomy, we must first understand the factors that contribute to its development and maintenance. We therefore developed a new measure, the Body Image after Mastectomy Scale (BIMS), to comprehensively assess maladaptive appearance-related beliefs and behaviors (e.g., avoidance and rituals) that may trigger and maintain body image distress after mastectomy. Materials and Methods: Forty-seven female patients undergoing mastectomy with breast reconstruction completed the BIMS and other measures 3 months after breast reconstruction. Results: Evaluation of the BIMS' initial psychometric properties showed that the overall scale has good internal consistency and strong construct validity. Domain-specific subscales ranged in reliability from good to poor. Conclusions: The BIMS can be used clinically to identify cognitive and behavioral psychotherapy targets to reduce body image distress resulting from mastectomy. It can also be used in research to identify factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of body image distress after mastectomy. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03428399.
Donnelly Ridge Site and the Definition of an Early Core and Blade Tradition in Central Alaska

Excavations carried out at the site of Donnelly Ridge in central Alaska have led to the delineation of an early core and blade culture which includes the Campus site and two sites previously excavated on the Teklanika River to the west. Sites of the Denali complex are linked by distinctive microblade cores, core tablets and microblades derived from the latter, large blades, biconvex bifacial knives, certain end-scraper forms, a distinctive burin type, and other traits. The clearest affiliations of the Denali complex are with a series of late Upper Palaeolithic sites west of Lake Baikal, but relationships may be seen with sites in Hokkaido and Kamchatka as well. The bearers of this culture probably entered Alaska prior to the final submergence of the Bering land bridge.
Pixellated readout IC: Analysis for single photon infrared detector for fast time of arrival applications

The nano-injection sensor is a new approach towards high-sensitivity short-wave infrared photon imagers. It resolves the conflict of requiring a large area for high quantum efficiency and small area for high fidelity by using a relatively large micron-scale absorbing volume, and nano-scale sensing elements, which regulates the electron flow and amplifies the signal. The front-end electronics for the Single Photon Imaging nano-injection detector consists of an ROIC with 32 × 32 pixel array with a pixel size of 100μm × 100μm. Each pixel consists of a charge sensitive preamplifier with leakage current compensation circuit, a shaping amplifier, an AC-coupled comparator with a 7bit trimming DAC for offset cancellation, a 10-bit counter for photon counting, and a 10-bit shift register for data readout. The ROIC provides dead-time less, continuous readout with 32 parallel LVDS outputs to achieve full frame readout within 5 μs. Simulation results of the ROIC are presented in this work.
Identification of pulmonary vein potentials by differential site atrial pacing in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: enhanced detection by pulmonary vein pacing.

Introduction: Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation may cure paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF); however, identification of PV potentials may be difficult in sinus rhythm. Studies have suggested that atrial pacing may improve the identification of PV potentials. Methods and Results: In 25 consecutive patients who underwent PV isolation for PAF, the results of pacing from the distal PV, distal and proximal coronary sinus, and high right atrium compared to sinus rhythm were analyzed to determine the most effective pacing site for identification of PV potentials. The percentage of confirmed PV potentials and the longest interval between atrial and PV potentials in each PV were compared during differential site pacing and sinus rhythm. PV potentials were confirmed in 63 (82%) of 77 PVs that could be mapped during the complete pacing protocol and during sinus rhythm. Distal PV pacing identified significantly more PV potentials (left upper pulmonary vein [LUPV] 100%, left lower pulmonary vein [LLPV] 84%, right upper pulmonary vein [RUPV] 80%, right lower pulmonary vein [RLPV] 53%) compared to other pacing sites and sinus rhythm. Among atrial pacing sites, those ipsilateral to the PV being mapped were the most effective for identifying PV potentials. The intervals between atrial and PV potentials were significantly longer during distal PV pacing than pacing at other sites (LUPV 81.6 ± 26.2 ms, LLPV 61.4 ± 26.1 ms, RUPV 59.7 ± 33.2 ms, RLPV 39.7 ± 26.7 ms). Conclusion: (1) Distal PV pacing was most effective for identifying PV potentials. (2) The interval between atrial and PV potentials was longest during distal PV pacing. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. 1311-1318, December 2003)
Qualitative FDG PET Image Assessment Using Automated Three-Segment MR Attenuation Correction Versus CT Attenuation Correction in a Tertiary Pediatric Hospital: A Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the diagnostic quality of 18F-FDG PET images generated using MR attenuation correction (MRAC) compared with those images generated using CT attenuation correction (CTAC) in a pediatric population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Forty-two patients (mean age, 12.8 years; percentage who were male, 57%) who were referred for 62 indicated whole-body PET/CT studies were prospectively recruited to undergo PET/MRI examinations during the same clinic visit in which PET/CT was performed. MRAC was performed using an automatic three-segment model. Three nuclear radiologists scored the diagnostic quality of the PET images generated by MRAC and CTAC using a Likert scale (range of scores, 1–5). Images graded with a score of 1–3 were considered clinically unacceptable, whereas images with a score of 4–5 were considered clinically acceptable. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare differences in the grading of PET/MRI and PET/CT images. The Fisher exact t...
QUIKSIM - a block structured simulation language written in SIMSCRIPT

Users of simulation languages have historically had to choose between one of two types of language. On the one hand, they could choose a block type language such as GPSS. Languages of this type have the advantage that the learning and programming of the language is both quick and relatively easy. Also, since the number of de-bugging runs is usually small, turn around time is likely to be quite rapid. However, the block structuring of the language may also create some difficulties. The fixed nature of the blocks, both as to the types of blocks available in the language and the manner in which the blocks simulate a particular activity, may render the language unsuitable for the simulation of certain types of systems. In addition, the need to pre-allocate much of the available memory space of the computer may make the use of a block structured language impossible on a small computer.The alternative to a block structured language is an algebraic language, such as SIMSCRIPT or FORTRAN.It would be desirable to have a language which combines the advantages of both types of language without some of the disadvantages. QUIKSIM represents an attempt to produce such a language.
Magnetic Determination of the Electronic State of Cu and Exchange Interactions in the $\alpha $ - and $\beta $ -Phases of Molecular Semiconductor Copper Phthalocyanine (C 32 H 16 N 8 Cu)

Using the analysis of the magnetization data in the $\alpha $ - and $\beta $ -phases of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) samples, the electronic state of Cu and exchange interactions are reported. After verifying the crystal structure of the powder samples using X-ray diffraction, the temperature dependence (2–250 K) of the magnetization $M$ of both samples was measured in magnetic field $H=1$ kOe and isothermally at 2 and 5 K in $H$ up to 90 kOe. The data were analyzed first using the modified Curie-Weiss law, $\chi = \chi _{o}+ C/(T+\theta )$ , showing good fit for $T >4$ K and yielding $\theta =2.3$ K (0.2 K) for $\alpha $ -CuPc ( $\beta $ -CuPc) and spin $S=1/2$ characteristic of Cu2+. The data were next fitted to the Bonner-Fisher model for $S=1/2$ antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chain showing an excellent fit to all the $M$ versus $T$ data and yielding the Cu2+–Cu2+ exchange constant $J/k_{B}=3.4$ K (0.4 K) for the $\alpha $ -CuPc ( $\beta $ -CuPc). The isothermal data of $M$ versus $H$ are analyzed taking exchange coupling into account. The large difference in the magnitudes of $J/k_{B}$ for the two phases is discussed in terms of the differences in their crystal structures.
DNA-binding mechanism of the monomeric orphan nuclear receptor NGFI-B

The 2.7 A X-ray crystal structure of the DNA-binding domain (DBD) of the orphan nuclear receptor, nerve growth factor-induced-B (NGFI-B), complexed to its high-affinity DNA target, represents the first structure analysis of a nuclear receptor DBD bound as a monomer to DNA. The structure of the core DBD and its interactions with the major groove of the DNA are similar to previously crystallographically solved DBD-DNA complexes in this superfamily; however, residues C-terminal to this core form a separate and unique substructure that interacts extensively and in a sequence-specific way with the minor groove of its DNA target, in particular with the characteristic 3 A-T base-pair identity element that extends 5' to the usual nuclear receptor half-site (AGGTCA).
Differential effects of fasting and dehydration in the pathogenesis of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Glycemia varies widely in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), with plasma glucose concentrations between 10 to 50 mmol/L commonly encountered. The mechanism of this glycemic variability is uncertain. Our study examined the differential effects of fasting and dehydration on hyperglycemia induced by withdrawal of insulin in type 1 diabetes. To evaluate the respective roles of dehydration and fasting in the pathogenesis of DKA, 25 subjects with type 1 diabetes were studied during 5 hours of insulin withdrawal before (control) and after either 32 hours of fasting (n = 10) or dehydration of 4.1% +/- 2.0% of baseline body weight (n = 15). Samples were obtained every 30 minutes during insulin withdrawal for substrate and counterregulatory hormone levels and rates of glucose production and disposal. Fasting resulted in reduced plasma glucose concentrations compared with the control study, while dehydration resulted in increased plasma glucose concentrations compared with the control study (P < .001). Glucose production and disposal were decreased during the fasting study and increased during the dehydration study compared with the control study. Glucagon concentrations and rates of development of ketosis and metabolic acidosis were increased during both fasting and dehydration compared with control. These data suggest that fasting and dehydration have differential effects on glycemia during insulin deficiency, with dehydration favoring the development of hyperglycemia and fasting resulting in reduced glucose concentrations. This finding is probably attributable to the differing effect of these conditions on endogenous glucose production, as well as to differences in substrate availability and counterregulatory hormone concentrations. The severity of pre-existing fasting and dehydration likely explains much of the variability in plasma glucose concentrations observed in DKA.
Clinical color match of porcelain visual shade-matching systems.

Background: Accuracy of the total color replication process has not been clinically evaluated for various porcelain visual shade-matching systems. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the final color replication process of three porcelain visual shade-matching systems. Subjects' natural dentition was compared with labora- tory-fabricated individualized porcelain shade tabs. Materials and Methods: Shade matches of 10 subjects' incisors were obtained using three different porcelain visual shade-matching systems. Commercial laboratories fabricated one corresponding individualized porcelain shade tab for each incisor per visual shade-matching system selection. Color-match evaluations of the fabricated individualized porcelain shade tabs to the correspond- ing teeth were completed by prosthodontists' consensus and by subjects' self-evaluation using the US Public Health Service criteria. Statistical analysis was carried out on the combined evaluations with logistic regression and the Generalized Estimating Equation for repeated measures. Results: The Vitapan 3D Master/Omega 900 system (Vident Inc., Brea, CA, USA) was signifi- cantly more likely than the Vita Lumin Vacuum/VMK 68 system (Vident Inc.) to obtain a clini- cally acceptable color match (odds ratio (OR) = 6.31; 95% CI = 1.24-32.07). The likelihood of obtaining a clinically acceptable color match through subjects' self-evaluation was found to be sig- nificantly higher compared with prosthodontists' consensus (OR = 2.75; 95% CI = 1.27-5.94). Conclusions: Within the limits of this preliminary study, significant differences in clinical accept- ability were seen between the color matches of the fabricated individualized porcelain shade tabs from different systems and subjects' central incisors. Subjects' range of acceptability was much broader compared with that of the prosthodontists in assessing the color match of the fabricated porcelain shade tabs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The use of certain porcelain visual shade-matching systems may result in a clinically acceptable color match of the final restoration more readily than the use of other systems. Color-match evalu- ation of final restorations should be accomplished through a consensus between prosthodontists and patients, given the difference in thresholds of acceptability.
A tool for tracking floodplain age land surface patterns on a large meandering river with applications for ecological planning and restoration design

Abstract An alluvial river channel typically meanders by eroding its outer banks and depositing sediments on the inside of bends, producing new land surfaces. Over time the landscape pattern created by these processes is important to the understanding of riparian plant ecology and the spatial structure of riparian forest development for restoration planning and design as well as other purposes. The middle sector of the Sacramento River is an actively meandering channel that deposits sediments in discrete new areas from fluvial geomorphic events creating a land age gradient. Newly formed land undergoes a primary succession by woody species such as willow and cottonwood communities that provide habitat for important conservation target species in California. Conservation and restoration of primary and secondary successional processes is an important management goal on the Sacramento River. The objectives of this paper were: (1) to develop and codify new methods to track the surficial chronological patterns of floodplain land age in a meandering river system, and (2) to analyze land production and the spatial distributions of gravel bars, riparian vegetation communities, and forest structure in relation to the land age gradient. Results from the ecological analysis indicate 71% of extant riparian vegetation was located within the 101-year meander zone; willow (18%) and cottonwood (31–43%) had the highest proportional canopy cover on lands aged 1–9 and 10–44 years, respectively. Potential applications of this approach for conservation and restoration planning and design of alluvial river floodplains are discussed.
Polymer concrete in hazardous waste management: Applications

Abstract There is no universal waste treatment or immobilization process that will handle all the variation of waste produced, which is estimated to be between 27 to 60 million tons per year nation wide and 7 million in the gulf coast region. The key preventive measures for minimizing the hazardous waste problem are waste control, reduction, reuse, stabilization, solidification and encapsulation. In this regard developing and/or modifying additives for solidification and materials for encapsulation to meet the current demands in hazardous waste disposal has drawn tremendous interest. Polymer concrete (PC) with its rapid-setting, high-strength, low permeability and high corrosive resistance appears to be a potential material for use in hazardous waste management and recent applications have shown promising results. PC is a composite material formed by combining mineral aggregates such as sand and gravel with a polymerizing monomer. Compared to polymers, PC systems will be cost effective, since only 20 to 25% (by volume) of polymer is used in the PC composite. The objectives of this study are to select and characterize PC systems in solidification and encapsulation processes by bench-scale process development. Several polymers will be selected but special consideration will be given to polybutadiene, polyvinyl chloride and polyester. Optimum PC systems based on low permeability, high mechanical strength and high corrosive resistance will be developed. Two hazardous waste materials will be selected for the preliminary study with one inorganic waste and the other organic waste that are not easily treatable by other methods. The selected PC systems will be used for solidification and/or encapsulation of the inorganic and organic wastes. The treated waste will be investigated for leachate and mechanical properties.
Variations in Per Cent of Protein, Milk Fat, and Solids-not-fat between Milkings and during the Milking Process

Summary A total of 1,290 individual evening and morning milk samples in 11 herds of three breeds was tested for protein, solids-not-fat, and milk fat. Morning sample means were lower than evening samples for all components, milk fat 0.73% lower, solids-not-fat 0.11%, and protein 0.03%; whereas, milk weights were 4.21 lb higher. These differences and those between herds, herds by time of day and breed were all statistically highly significant. The differences between milking intervals of 12-12 and 10-14 hr were highly significant for milk fat and significantly different for solids-not-fat. Ten cows of each of four breeds were sampled at four stages of the milking process in the evening and morning. Protein and solids-not-fat percentages tended to drop as the milking process progressed, but the milk fat percentage increased markedly. The differences for solids-not-fat and fat were highly significant. Aliquot samples of evening and morning milk are not needed for protein testing, but they would be needed for solids-not-fat testing based on the milk fat test.
Body mass index predicts risk for complications from transtemporal cerebellopontine angle surgery.

ObjectivesTo determine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and risk for specific complications from transtemporal cerebellopontine angle (CPA) surgery for nonmalignant disease.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingTertiary-care academic hospital.Subjects and MethodsRetrospective review of 134 consecutive patients undergoing transtemporal cerebellopontine angle surgery for nonmalignant disease from 2009 to 2011. Data were collected regarding demographics, body mass index, intraoperative details, hospital stay, and complications including cerebrospinal fluid leak, wound complications, and brachial plexopathy.ResultsOne hundred thirty-four patients were analyzed with a mean preoperative body mass index of 28.58. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant difference in body mass index between patients with a postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak and those without (P = .04), as well as a similar significant difference between those experiencing postoperative brachial plexopathy and ...
IEEE 802.15.4 PHY analysis: Power spectrum and error performance

We study physical layer aspects of IEEE 802.15.4, especially focusing on the power spectrum and theoretical performance analysis of optimal receivers. We present the first formal analysis of the power spectrum of IEEE 802.15.4. We find that the power spectrum is similar to the MSK signal modulated by a 2 MHz chip sequence. Next, we analyze the error performance of coherent and noncoherent receivers using the actual signal set in the presence of AWGN and under known signal parameters. Finally, we discuss the realization of noncoherent receiver that can be implemented in DSP. Both analytical and simulation results are presented.
A Drosophila melanogaster gene encodes a protein homologous to the mouse t complex polypeptide 1

Abstract We have isolated and sequenced a cDNA from Drosophila melanogaster that is homologous to the mouse Tcp-1 gene encoding the t complex polypeptide 1, TCP-1. The Drosophila gene maps by in situ hybridization to bands 94B 1–2 of the polytene chromosomes. It shares 66% nucleotide sequence identity with the mouse gene. The predicted Drosophila protein consists of 557 amino acids and shares 72% identity with the mouse polypeptide. The TCP-1 polypeptide appears to be highly conserved in evolution from mammals to simple eukaryotes because the Drosophila gene probe also detects related sequences in DNA from the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae . The presence of TCP-1-related polypeptides in organisms such as Drosophila and yeast should facilitate biochemical and genetic analysis of its function.
Asymptotic uniqueness for elastic tube flows satisfying a windkessel condition

Abstract An improvement is presented of a theorem in [1] on mean square asymptotic uniqueness for viscous flow of an incompressible fluid in an elastic tube. As previously, radial velocity components are ignored and no initial velocity profile is specified. Axial symmetry is dropped, however, and a “windkessel condition for uniqueness” is introduced to replace the former “normality relations”. The windkessel condition is x 2 x 1 ⇒ ∫ A(x 2 ,t) (u 2 ) x dA⩽ ∫ A(x 1 ,t) (u 2 ) x dA where u is the difference of any two regular flows and A(x,t) is the cross section of the tube at position x. It has a heuristic relation to a condition that the capacity of the tube to absorb changes in square magnitude of the velocity does not increase as the flow proceeds down the tube, and it replaces any necessity to impose artificial boundary conditions at the ends of a tube section. It is found that the mean square difference between any two regular solutions decays exponentially with time, and a relation between a bound for the decay rate and the radius (and the kinematic viscosity coefficient) is studied. The derivation of this decay rate utilizes a well-known variational principle for eigenvalues. All conditions specified are intended to have direct relevance to blood flow in short, relatively straight sections of the trunk of the aorta.
Influence of hibernation on survival time and weight loss of x-irradiated ground squirrels.

SummaryThe LD50 of x-ray for non-hibernating ground squirrels (Citellus tride-cemlineatus) is approximately 700 r. Non-hibernating animals given 800 r of x-ray exhibited over 80% mortality within 10 days. Ground squirrels irradiated while in hibernation and maintained in the hibernating state following irradiation exhibited no mortality within 30 days following exposure to x-ray, but when these animals were returned to the homeothermic state either at 2 weeks or at 4 weeks after irradiation, death ensued within 10 days. Animals which were maintained in hibernation following lethal doses of x-ray eventually succumbed, although survival was greatly prolonged. Thus, while hibernation markedly increased the survival time in this species following lethal doses of x-ray, it did not alter the ultimate mortality.
Intraseasonal Atmospheric Variability in the Extratropics and Its Relation to the Onset of Tropical Pacific Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies

Abstract Previous research has shown that seasonal-mean boreal winter variations in the subtropical/extratropical sea level pressure and wind stress fields over the central North Pacific are significantly related to the state of the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) 12–15 months later. Results presented in this note indicate that boreal winter ENSO events are also preceded by increased intraseasonal variance in the antecedent boreal winter atmospheric circulation patterns over the extratropical central North Pacific as well. Low (high) surface pressure anomalies associated with intraseasonal variability in this region are related to intraseasonal wind stress anomalies that represent a weakening (strengthening) of the trade winds over both the north and south subtropical/tropical Pacific. There is also a concurrent increase (decrease) in the central and eastern subtropical North Pacific sea surface temperatures that projects onto the seasonal-mean SST anomalies that precede mature ENSO events by 9–12 mon...
Changes in ribosomal proteins associated with mutants in a locus that affects Escherichia coli ribosomes.

Abstract The ribosomal proteins from four strains of Escherichia coli , containing mutations in a locus that affect 50 s ribosomes (the lir locus), were compared to the parental wild-type strain by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels at pH 4.5. Two differences were found. (1) One band in the electrophoretic pattern obtained with 50 s ribosomal proteins prepared from the mutant strains migrated faster than the corresponding band in patterns obtained with wild-type 50 s ribosomal proteins. This band may possibly be the protein coded by the lir gene. (2) Two slow-moving bands absent in electrophoretic patterns of wild-type 50 s ribosomal proteins were observed in electropherograms of the 50 s ribosomal proteins of all four mutant strains. These bands contain relatively acidic proteins which may be related to normal 50s ribosomal proteins. We suggest that these proteins are weakly associated with ribosomal components in wild-type E. coli but become more strongly associated with them as a result of the lir mutation, and are therefore found in the 50 s ribosomal proteins isolated from lir mutants.
Does Rydberg state manipulation equal quantum computation

Ahn et al . ([1][1]), in describing the experimental search of a database realized with Rydberg atoms, left the misleading impression that the search constituted quantum computation. Their atomic system, in the words of the accompanying Perspective, “can implement [quantum] algorithms” ([2][2])
An extended interpersonal influence model of organizational buyer behavior

Abstract Traditional views of buyer-seller dyads in organizational buyer behavior (OBB) research often focus on the dyad as a unit. This article considers the purchasing member of the dyad in the dual role of information source and decision influencer embedded in the buying center. The sales representative then is seen to approach the buying center through this liaison, who in many respects performs selling functions within the purchasing organization. A model operationalizing this approach and specific implications for further research are presented.
The changing comparative advantage of Japan and the United States

Abstract This paper examines the changing comparative advantage of Japan and the United States in manufactured goods. The structure of comparative advantage across 167 manufactured product categories in the two countries is estimated econometrically as a function of interindustry differences in factor intensities. During the period 1967–1983 Japan's pattern of specialization in manufactures is found to have changed dramatically with Japan shifting from specialization in unskilled labor intensive goods to human capital and research and development intensive products. The United States maintained its specialization in physical capital, human capital, and research and development intensive goods. Finally, changes in the pattern of trade in high technology products in each of the two countries are analyzed, and the implications of these results for future patterns of specialization are indicated.
Shape-specific Nucleotide Binding of Single-stranded RNA by the GLD-1 STAR Domain

Proteins containing the STAR RNA-binding domain fulfill vital roles in RNA biogenesis, yet a detailed understanding of STAR domain RNA binding specificity is lacking. In Caenorhabditis elegans , the STAR protein GLD-1 directly binds the 28 nucleotide recognition element TGE within the 3′ untranslated region of tra-2 mRNA. The GLD-1:TGE interaction promotes translational silencing of tra-2 mRNA, marking a pivotal event in the spermatogenesis to oogenesis switch in C. elegans hermaphrodites. By measuring the binding affinities of both GLD-1 and TGE mutants, we have explored the molecular determinants of STAR domain specificity. Site-directed GLD-1 mutants were guided by sequence homology with human splicing factor 1 (SF1), for which an RNA:protein complex structure is available in the work done by Liu et al . The RNA binding affinity of 11 mutant GLD-1 proteins was measured, and their binding specificity was assessed with a series of TGE RNAs containing natural or modified nucleotides. This combinatorial analysis of both RNA and protein mutants revealed a diverse array of specificities of individual nucleotide-binding pockets along the interface. At nucleotide position 18, adenosine appears to be specified by the overall shape of a pocket lined with aliphatic side-chains. At position 19, the high preference for cytidine is dependent on both the length of an amino acid side-chain and the identity of terminal functional groups. The nucleotide 21 binding pocket exhibits low discrimination for cytidine, and accommodates most nucleobases. The highly hydrophobic binding interface and apparent small number of hydrogen bonding read-out interactions at these positions is consistent with our finding that few amino acids seem to function individually in establishing binding specificity. Rather, specificity is conferred by the shape of the nucleotide-binding pocket. Our data provide the first detailed, quantitative analysis of the STAR domain, and highlight features of STAR:RNA recognition that are distinct among single-stranded RNA-binding proteins.
Hyperketonemia (acetoacetate) increases the oxidizability of LDL + VLDL in Type-I diabetic patients.

Abstract The reason for the disproportionately higher level of vascular disease in patients with diabetes is not known. Oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins has been implicated in impaired cholesterol uptake and its deposition in the arterial wall and atherosclerosis. The present study has examined the effects of hyperketonemia, glycemic control and duration of diabetes on the in vitro oxidative susceptibility to Cu ++ of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) + very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) from 34 Type-I diabetic patients without any clinical sign of vascular disease and 22 age-matched normal individuals. LDL + VLDL was isolated from plasma using a micro-affinity column. LDL + VLDL isolated from diabetic patients and age-matched normal individuals was treated with 25 mM CuCl2 for 1.5, 3 and 5 h. The ketone bodies acetoacetate (AA) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), as well as glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1 ), were measured in the blood by standard methods. There was no difference in the in vitro oxidative susceptibility of LDL + VLDL at all time periods between Type-I diabetics ( n = 34) and age-matched normal individuals ( n = 22). However, among diabetics, when patients were separated into normoketonemic (NK) and hyperketonemic (HK) groups, in vitro oxidation of LDL + VLDL at 1.5 h from hyperketonemic diabetics was a 69% greater ( p p r = 0.38, p r = 0.20, p > .26), HbA 1 ( r = 0, p > .99), glucose ( r = 0.06, p > .75) or duration of diabetes ( r = 0.15, p > .40) in diabetic patients. In vitro incubation of normal plasma with AA resulted in an increase in the Cu ++ induced lipid peroxidation of LDL + VLDL. This study suggests that frequent episodes of ketosis and elevated levels of AA constitute a risk factor for the oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins and development of vascular disease in diabetic patients.
Interannual variability in copepod community composition at a coastal station in the northern California Current: a multivariate approach

Abstract We sampled a single station in the coastal zone off Newport OR ( 9 km from shore; 60 m water depth) on 206 occasions during 12 years: 1969–1973, 1983 and 1996–2001. We used cluster analysis, ordinations, and indicator species analysis (ISA) to describe temporal variations in copepod community composition. Copepod community structure during summer was distinctly different from winter. Cluster analysis showed that the transition between winter and summer communities occurred early March/April in the 1970s, late (May/June) in the late 1990s, but in (March/April) since spring 2000. Seven copepod assemblages were identified: four were found during the summer upwelling season, two during large El Nino events, and one during winter. Interannual variations in the composition of the summer assemblages was seen: most sampling dates from the summers of 1970, 1973, 2000 and 2001 clustered into one group, and dates from 1971, 1972, and 1999 clustered into a second group. The 1983 and 1998 El Nino events clustered together, but subdivided into “early El Nino” and “late El Nino” communities. The summer of 1969 corresponded with a weak El Nino event but clustered differently from both the other El Nino events and other summer clusters. Samples collected during the 1972 El Nino event clustered with “normal” summers. Non-metric multidimensional ordination analysis showed that two axes accounted for 87% of the variability in community composition; Axis 1 was associated with the influence of El Nino events and seasonal downwelling, and Axis 2 was associated with upwelling-induced productivity. ISA showed Centropages abdominalis, Acartia longiremis, and Microcalanus pusillus as indicators of upwelling; Corycaeus anglicus, Calanus pacificus, and Ctenocalanus vanus as good indicators of El Nino; and Ctenocalanus vanus, Clausocalanus, and Calocalanus styliremis as good indicators of winter conditions.
Proliferative Activity of Adrenal Glands with Adrenocortical Cytomegaly Measured by MIB-1 Labeling Index

To investigate the proliferative activity of cytomegalic cells in the fetal adrenal cortex, we studied adrenal glands with cytomegaly by immunohistochemistry using the nuclear proliferation marker MIB-1. The percentage of positively stained nuclei was quantified using the SAMBA 4000 image analysis system. Only one case showed occasional positively stained cytomegalic cell nuclei. The permanent cortices showed proliferative activity that decreased with increasing gestational age. No proliferative activity was seen in normal fetal cortices except in one case that received corticosteroid therapy and had a maternal history of diabetes. The near absence of proliferative activity of the cytomegalic cells supports the previously proposed theory of cellular exhaustion following hyperactivity. The high proliferative activity in the fetal cortex of the infant receiving corticosteroid therapy may provide insight into the stimulus causing the hypermetabolic state.
Statistical power problems with moderated multiple regression in management research.

Abstract Due to the increasing importance of moderating (i.e., interaction) effects, the use of moderated multiple regression (MMR) has become pervasive in numerous management specialties such as organizational behavior, human resources management, and strategy, to name a few. Despite its popularity, recent research on the MMR approach to moderator variable detection has identified several factors that reduce statistical power below acceptable levels and, consequently, lead researchers to erroneously dismiss theoretical models that include moderated relationships. The present article (1) briefly describes MMR, (2) reviews factors that affect the statistical power of hypothesis tests conducted using this technique, (3) proposes solutions to low power situations, and (4) discusses areas and problems related to MMR that are in need of further investigation. If we want to know how well we are doing in the biological, psychological, and social sciences, an index that will serve us well is how far we have advanced in our understanding of the moderator variables of our field -Hall & Rosenthal, 1991, p. 447.
Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate: An industrial plasticizer induces hypolipidemia and enhances hepatic catalase and carnitine acetyltransferase activities in rats and mice

Abstract Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DOP), a plasticizer, when administered to rats and mice at a dietary concentration of 0.5 percent, 2 percent or 4 percent, caused a substantial reduction in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The hypocholesterolemic and hypotriglyceridemic effects were more pronounced in rats fed DOP at 2 and 4 percent level than in mice. The hypolipidemic effect of this compound is associated with marked hepatomegaly in both species. The liver cells of both rats and mice fed this plasticizer for 1–4 weeks, revealed a considerable increase in peroxisome population. The elevations of hepatic catalase and carnitine acetyltransferase activities appeared to parallel the peroxisome proliferation induced by this compound. The hypolipidemic and peroxisome proliferative effects of this compound strongly suggest that all peroxisome proliferators possess hypolipidemic properties.
A Test Theory Model for Ordinal Measurements.

A model is proposed for the description of ordinal test scores based on the definition of true score as expected rank. Derivations from the model are compared with results from clasiscal test theory as developed by Lord and Novick, in particular with respect to parallel tests and composites. An unbiased estimator of population true score from sample data is derived and its variance is shown to decrease with increasing sample size. Population reliability is shown to be analytically related to expected sample reliability, and methods of reliability estimation are discussed.
Annular Pulse Shaping Technique for Large-Diameter Kolsky Bar Experiments on Concrete

The goal of this study is to design a novel annular pulse shaping technique for large-diameter Kolsky bars for investigating the dynamic compressive response of concretes. The purpose of implementing an annular pulse shaper design is to alleviate inertia-induced stresses in the pulse shaper material that would otherwise superpose unwanted oscillations on the incident wave. This newly developed pulse shaping technique led to well-controlled testing conditions enabling dynamic stress equilibrium, uniform deformation, and constant strain-rate in the testing of a chosen concrete material. The observed dynamic deformation rate of the concrete is highly consistent (8 % variation) with the stress in the specimen well equilibrated confirming the validity of this new technique. Experimental results at both quasi-static (10−4 s−1) and dynamic (100 s−1, 240 s−1) strain rates showed that the failure strength of this concrete is rate-sensitive.
Insulin resistance syndrome and glucose dysregulation in the elderly

The incidence of insulin resistance in the geriatric population is growing as this population grows. The management of hyperglycemia and its associated risk factors depends on an expanding understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and progression of disease and of the currently available and future therapeutics, which are continually evolving. There is a major need for studies in the long-term care setting to determine the appropriate standard of care in prevention and treatment of metabolic dysregulation.
An Analysis of Risk Factors for Short-Term Complication Rates and Increased Length of Stay Following Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is an increasingly popular procedure, with excellent long-term outcomes. However, there are only a limited number of reports reporting its short-term morbidity and mortality. We sought to analyze the reported 30-day morbidity, mortality, and risk factors for complications and prolonged length of stay (>4 days) following UKA. Utilizing the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database, including patients (n = 2316) from 2005–2012, we correlated the reported 30-day complications and prolonged length of stay with patient demographics and risk factors. The overall rate of complications was low (3.2%). The distribution of complications demonstrated 0.5% major systemic, 1.4% minor systemic, 0.7% major local, and 0.9% minor local complications, with a 2.1% readmission rate. Multivariate regression demonstrated increased BMI and a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as independent risk factors for complications. Furthermore, multivariate regression demonstrated increased BMI, ASA ≥ 3, history of COPD, recent operation, and postoperative transfusion as independent risk factors for prolonged length of hospitalization. Utilizing the NSQIP, we present one of the largest studies to date evaluating complications following UKA. Our multivariate model demonstrated obesity and COPD to be the risk factors for complications while obesity, ASA ≥ 3, COPD, recent operation, and blood transfusion to be the risk factors for prolonged length of stay.
What Is the Moral Authority of Family Members to Act as Surrogates for Incompetent Patients

Policy and practice regarding the proper role of family members in acting as surrogate decision makers for incompetent patients often suffer from an incomplete understanding of the diverse grounds of families' moral authority to act as surrogates. The different, sometimes conflicting, grounds of family surrogacy are explored: (1) its establishment by democratic decision processes; (2) the self-determination of the incompetent patient; (3) the fact that a family member usually acts according to the patient's wishes and interest; (4) the reality that family members are usually most affected by the patient's decisions; (5) consideration of these effects; (6) a recognition that the family is a moral unit, responsible for its members. Each of these grounds must be considered when selecting a surrogate or deciding on the proper scope of the surrogate's decision-making authority.
A Mammal That Is Not an Animal? Naming and the Animal Concept in English and Indonesian Speakers

AbstractThe present study examined whether English and Indonesian naming practices are predictive of children’s and adults’ conceptions of animal, specifically, the hierarchical relationships between human, mammal and animal. At age 6, English speakers were almost two times more likely than Indonesian speakers to agree that mammals are animals. At age 9, English speakers were three times more likely than Indonesian speakers to agree that humans are mammals. As adults, Indonesian (but not English) speakers continued to deny that humans are animals. That is, the Indonesian naming practice that leads speakers to deny that humans are animals appears related to a delay in Indonesian-speaking children’s acceptance that mammals are animals and humans are mammals. We conclude that this delay may stem from a conflict between categorical knowledge and well-established naming practices.
Design and evaluation of a simple, inexpensive, ultralight wheelchair

For the past several years, there has been a documented need for wheelchairs in developing and third world countries. Two of the primary obstacles to the introduction of wheelchairs in these countries have been the complexity of the manufacturing process as well as the high cost of their production. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the design of a simple, inexpensive and ultralight wheelchair frame fabricated with PVC pipe that can be easily produced in third world countries. The cost of the materials for the frame is under $30 and fabrication time is less than 4 hours. The PVC frame has undergone rigorous testing and has passed a substantial portion of the Department of Veterans Affarirs standards.