cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interannual Variability of the Southern Hemisphere 500 mb Flow: Regional Characteristics

Abstract Studies of the interannual variability of the 500 mb flow in the Southern Hemisphere for 1972–78 have revealed 1) a quasi-biennial fluctuation in the zonal mean geopotential height and westerly wind fields where there is a systematic poleward progression of anomalies, and 2) a longer period fluctuation, primarily in Wave 1, which has been identified with the Southern Oscillation. These phenomena are further studied regionally by considering four 90° sectors. Results show the dominant contributions to the fluctuations in the zonal mean fields come from the Australasian and South Pacific sectors. Only in the Australasian region is the quasi-biennial poleward progression of anomalies strongly evident. The South Pacific is dominated by lower frequency fluctuations associated with the Southern Oscillation. However, the sequences in all four sectors are correlated with those in the zonal mean fields. When the flow is stronger than normal in mid-latitudes it tends to be weaker than normal in low and hig...
Short‐Term Compatibility Of Furosemide With Crystalloid Solutions

Parenteral veterinary furosemide is a 50-mg/mL solution with a pH of 8.0-9.3. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a commonly used veterinary formulation of 50 mg/mL of furosemide solution could be diluted in vitro without precipitation. Furosemide 50 mg/mL was diluted to concentrations of 10 and 5 mg/mL with 5% dextrose in water (D5W), 0.9% saline, lactated Ringer solution (LRS), and sterile water. Acidic sterile water and basic sterile water solutions were made by the addition of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide, respectively, for use as controls to assess the effect of pH extremes for each concentration. After furosemide dilution, the final pH of each sample was measured, and samples were grossly and microscopically examined for clarity and crystal formation immediately and 1, 3, 5, and 8 hours after dilution. Gross precipitation and microscopic crystals were immediately observed in the acidic controls. Solutions of 5 mg/mL in LRS and 0.9% saline became slightly cloudy immediately, but no crystals were observed microscopically for 8 hours. Solutions of 10 mg/mL in D5W, 0.9% saline, LRS, and sterile water and solutions of 5 mg/mL in D5W and sterile water and the basic control were grossly clear, and no microscopic crystals were observed for 8 hours. On the basis of the results obtained in this in vitro investigation, this veterinary formulation of furosemide 50 mg/mL can be diluted without precipitation to a concentration of 10 mg/mL with D5W, 0.9% saline, LRS, or sterile water and to 5 mg/mL with D5W or sterile water and held for 8 hours.
Infrared optical properties of orthorhombic sulfur

Because of recent developments in planetary astronomy, there has been a resurgence of interest in the optical and thermodynamic properties of elemental sulfur. An encounter between the space probe Galileo and the Jovian moons, particularly Io, is expected to contribute further to this interest. A thorough investigation of the optical properties of orthorhombic sulfur from 2 to 56 microm (5000-180 cm(-1)) is presented. Since less care was taken in many past studies of this element than was warranted, a critical review of some of the relevant literature is included. The near-normal specular reflectance of the (111) face of an orthorhombic sulfur crystal has been measured in both polarized and unpolarized radiation at room temperature. The reflectance of a cryptocrystalline melt freeze has also been obtained. Associated optical constants are determined from a Kramers-Kronig phase shift analysis of the reflectance data. The average reflectance and absolute refractive index n were found to vary with polarization from 0.100 to 0.125 and from 1.92 to 2.09, respectively. Between eight and eleven mostly weak absorption bands of the cyclo-S(8) molecule were discernible, but the attenuation index k remains small throughout most of the region studied. The crystal spectra were found to be quite sensitive to polarization in the neighborhood of the v(4) fundamental. Extrapolation of n to other temperatures and to the liquid phase through the use of the Lorentz-Lorenz relation is discussed.
A multidimensional assessment of the validity of the Personal Orientation Inventory.

The present study investigated the validity of a global measure of self-actualization derived from the POI. The POI Inner-directed scale was related to numerous objective indices of self-actualizing characteristics (e.g., self-esteem, rigidity, empathy). Bivariate and multivariate correlational techniques presented a consistent picture of the self-actualizing dimensions tapped by the POI Id scale (e.g., self-esteem) as well as the self-actualizing characteristics unrelated to Id scale scores (e.g., machiavellianism). The results help to clarify the specific nature of the attributes measured by the Id scale, partially supporting its construct validity as an omnibus measure of actualizing tendencies. Finally, a new, face-valid measure of self-actualization is introduced which proved as valid as the POI as an index of self-actualization, with a considerable gain in parsimony.
Butyrate inhibits the retinoic acid-induced differentiation of F9 teratocarcinoma stem cells.

Abstract F9 mouse teratocarcinoma stem cells differentiate into parietal endoderm cells in the presence of retinoic acid, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, and theophylline (RACT). When F9 cells are exposed to 2–5 m M sodium butyrate plus RACT, they fail to differentiate. Differentiation is assessed by induction of laminin and collagen IV mRNA, the synthesis of laminin, collagen IV and plasminogen activator proteins, and alterations in cell morphology. Butyrate inhibits differentiation only when added within 8 hr after retinoic acid addition. Thus an early event in retinoid action on F9 cells is butyrate-sensitive. The population doubling time and cell cycle distribution of F9 cells are not altered within the first 24 hr after butyrate addition, suggesting that butyrate does not inhibit differentiation by inhibition of growth or normal cycling. However, butyrate does inhibit histone deacetylation in F9 cells, and this could be the mechanism by which butyrate inhibits differentiation.
Temperatures of hibernacula and changes in body composition of arctic ground squirrels over winter

Soil temperatures near hibernacula of free-living arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) were recorded over 3 winters (October-April 1993-1996) at Toolik Lake, Alaska. Means and minima of soil temperature at 20 burrows averaged -8.9 and -18.8°C, respectively. Soil temperatures were 5 months, which represented the duration of winter that hibernating arctic ground squirrels were actively thermogenic. Individual burrows did not differ significantly in mean soil temperature over 3 years, but significant differences in mean and minimum soil temperatures were observed among burrows. Sites of burrows with shrubby vegetation accumulated more snow and had significantly higher soil temperatures over winter than windswept sites in non-shrubby vegetation. Female ground squirrels hibernated in burrows that had significantly higher mean and minimum soil temperatures than burrows of males, and adults hibernated in burrows with significantly higher soil temperatures than burrows of juveniles. Although ground squirrels occupying colder burrows were predicted to lose more body mass during hibernation than those in warmer burrows, changes in body, fat, and lean masses over winter were not correlated with soil temperature for any sex or age. Relationships between change in body composition of hibernating arctic ground squirrels and temperatures of their hibernacula may be confounded by use of food caches, differing thermal conductance of nests, or differences in individual's energetics of hibernating not related to the gradient between body and soil temperatures.
Effects of Chironomus tentans larval growth retardation on adult emergence and ovipositing success: implications for interpreting freshwater sediment bioassays

A laboratory study was conducted with Chironomus tentans to assess the significance of growth retardation of third-to fourth-instar larvae over a 10-d test period on long-term survival, adult emergence, and ovipositing success. Data were intended to provide interpretive guidance for the commonly used growth endpoint in 10-d sediment bioassays with C. tentans. Larval growth was controlled by using six feeding levels ranging from 0.2 to 5.9 mg dry weight Tetrafin® fish food per day. Mean 10-d survival was ≥88% at all feeding levels, but larval growth decreased significantly (p<0.05) with each decrease in feeding level. Cumulative successful emergence of adult C. tentans decreased significantly with decreasing larval growth. Mean times to emergence always increased with decreasing growth rates and effects were generally more pronounced for females than males. At the lowest 10-d mean growth where successful emergence occurred (0.27 mg), the times to emergence doubled relative to the times observed at the highest 10-d mean growth (1.03 mg). Ten-day larval growth retardation was strongly correlated with reduction in adult emergence success (r 2 = 0.96). Growth retardations ≥64% resulted in 86–100% reductions in adult emergence. Growth retardation in the range of 35 to 50% equated with comparable percent reductions in adult emergence success. Although fewer females successfully emerged at 10-d growths of 0.37 and 0.74 mg relative to the highest 10-d growth (1.03 mg), ovipositing success of these females did not appear to be adversely affected by either their slower growth rates or their lower mean dry weights (0.62 and 0.99 mg, respectively). Growth of second generation larvae did not appear to be affected by maternal growth rate, but rather appeared to be solely correlated with their own feeding level.
Signal molecules in systemic plant resistance to pathogens and pests

Alexander J. Enyedi, Nasser Yaipani, Paul Silverman, and iiya Raskin AgBiotech Center Cook College Rutgers University New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903-0231 introduction Vertebrate animals possess an inducible antigen-anti- body immune system that acts as a defense against dis- ease. it is a lesser known fact that plants can also be immunized against disease-causing pathogens or feeding pests (Kuc, 1982). This phenomenon is the result of the development of systemic acquired resistance (SAR), a term coined by Ross (1981 b) to describe an increase in resistance to subsequent pathogen attack in inoculated and uninoculated parts of the plant. SAR in plants was documented almost 60 years ago (Chester, 1933) and fur- ther characterized in 1952 for Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus L.) infected by a carnation mosaic virus (Gilpa- trick and Weintraub, 1952). in this review, we extend the definition of SAR to include any form of resistance that develops after localized attack by viral, bacterial, or fungai pathogens or by invertebrate pests. SAR to pathogens usually develops after the appear- ance of a necrotic lesion around the inoculation site. This localized ceil suicide is called the hypersensitive response (HR). While the HR effectively traps pathogens in and around lesions, it makes the whole plant more resistant to a wide range of disease-causing microorganisms (Mad- amanchi and Kuc, 1991; White and Antoniw, 1991). For example, SAR induced by necrotizing viruses develops in uninfected tissues two to three days after inoculation, lasts for several weeks, and may provide protection against pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and other viruses. increased resistance to insect feeding was also observed in plants previously damaged by chewing pests or mechanical wounding. Although not as extensively documented as SAR to pathogens, SAR to pests was shown in some cases to be an effective deterrent to continued herbivory (re- viewed in Tailamy and Raupp, 1991). SAR provides the third and final line of plant defense against pathogens and pests. The first line consists of genetically inherited resistance mechanisms that make plants constitutiveiy resistant to the majority of pathogenic organisms and pests present in the environment. The sec- ond line of defense is activated in the immediate vicinity of the infected or wounded sites in an attempt to prevent the spread of the pathogen throughout the plant or to deter insect feeding. These local resistance responses develop more rapidly than SAR and involve ceil wall and cuticle strengthening, synthesis of toxins (phytoaiexins), antifeed- ants, and the production of defense-related proteins, which include the pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins de- scribed below. In addition to long-distance signal moie-
Does Forensic DNA Help to Solve Crime? The Benefit of Sophisticated Answers to Naive Questions

Forensic science has played an increasingly important role in the investigation of crimes. We argue in this paper that, in addition to bench science, field experimentation involving forensic methods is critical to properly assess the relative utility of various methods of solving crimes. We illustrate this point by summarizing the findings from a recent Campbell Collaboration systematic review of field studies of the effectiveness of DNA testing. Our search identified five studies, including one randomized-controlled-trial of the value of DNA testing in burglary cases. The findings generally support the value of DNA testing for police investigations, particularly for high volume crimes such as burglary, although most of the empirical evidence is methodologically weak. Additional work is clearly needed, not only with respect to DNA testing but other forensic methods as well.
Salmonella bareilly meningitis in a child successfully treated with intravenous aureomycin

Summary A case of meningitis in a 4-year-old child caused by S. bareilly is reported. The source of the infection could not be determined. It is felt that the excellent response of the patient was attributable to the use of intravenous aureomycin.
Fibonacci–Pell hybridities

We develop a recurrence satisfied by the Fibonacci and Pell families. We then use it to find explicit formulae and generating functions for the hybrids F n P n , L n P n , F n Q n and L n Q n , where F n , L n , P n and Q n denote the nth Fibonacci, Lucas, Pell and Pell–Lucas numbers, respectively. The recurrence enables us to find such relations for and .
Palladium-mediated soluble precursor route into poly(arylethynylenes) and poly(arylethylenes)

Soluble precursor polymers 8 and 14 were successfully synthesized via the palladium-mediated condensation of 4,4‘-(1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)biphenyl (7) with the bis(p-bromophenyl)norbornadiene monomer 5 and the bis(p-bromophenyl)norbornene monomer 13, respectively. The number-averaged molecular weights of these materials were determined by GPC−LS to be 34 000 for 8 and 75 000 for 14. Thermolysis of 8 by a retro-Diels−Alder reaction began at 260 °C and appeared (by GC−MS analysis of the volatile byproducts) to yield a conjugated polymer with both alkyne and cyclopentadiene functionalities in the polymer backbone; however, TGA analysis indicated that the transformation was accompanied by some decomposition. The analogous thermolysis of 14 to yield the polymer with a double bond in the backbone began at 230 °C and appeared to proceed without the concomitant decomposition.
Prediction of liquid-liquid equilibria in ternary mixtures from binary data

Abstract Liquid-liquid equilibria in type-I and type-II ternary mixtures are predicted from binary data alone by two methods: (1) Statistical Associating Fluid Theory (SAFT) which models molecular association based on the first-order perturbation theory developed by Wertheim; (2) a hybrid model in which a modified form of the Panagiotopoulos-Reid mixing rule is applied to the physical contribution terms of SAFT. The proposed mixing rule reduces to the original Panagiotopoulos-Reid mixing rule for binary mixtures while simultaneously satisfying the invariant condition when a component is divided into sub-components and hence is consistent for application to multicomponent systems. Although the Panagiotopoulos-Reid mixing rule provides accurate representation of phase equilibria in type-II ternary systems, the prediction of ternary phase behavior in type-I systems is not satisfactory. The association model, however, predicts phase behavior in both type-I and type-II ternary mixtures quite accurately. The significance of inclusion of hydrogen bond acceptor groups on aromatic rings, due to the presence of π-electrons, is elucidated in the representation of phase equilibria in binary and ternary mixtures.
Geographical invariance in population genetics

Abstract Various quantities of evolutionary interest are shown to be independent of geographical structure. A diploid, monoecious population is subdivided into a finite number of panmictic colonies that exchange migrants. The migration pattern is fixed and ergodic, but otherwise arbitrary. Generations are discrete and non-overlapping; the analysis is restricted to a single locus. Previous results are generalized in the neutral multiallelic case. With selection, it is assumed that there are only two alleles, dominance is absent, selection has the same intensity in all demes, migration does not change the subpopulation numbers, and all evolutionary forces are weak. A diffusion approximation is established for the gene frequencies, and the invariance of the fixation probability and of the moments of the conditional and unconditional total heterozygosities before absorption is demonstrated by a martingale argument.
The effect transport and space allowance on the physiology of breeding age gilts

Abstract Long duration transport of pigs is an important welfare issue world-wide. Current transportation legislation in the United States dictates that animals cannot be transported over 28 h without being rested and given food and water; however there is limited information available on the acute physiological effects of long distance transport on pigs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 6, 12, 18, 24, or 30 h transport period on the physiology of breeding age gilts. Eight weight matched gilts were allocated to one of 15 treatment groups. Treatments included: Gilts that remained in their home pen for 6, 12, 18, 24, or 30 h (CON); Gilts that were transported for 6, 12, 18, 24, or 30 h at the transport quality assurance guidelines specified space allowance (TQA); or Gilts that were transported for 6, 12, 18, 24, or 30 h at the TQA specified space allowance plus 20% extra space (TQA+). Every 6 h, pigs in one pair of compartments (TQA and TQA+) were removed from the trailer (after a 6, 12, 18, 24, or 30 h transport period). Blood samples and body weights were collected from gilts and their respective controls before and after transport. The granulocyte to lymphocyte ratio was greater ( P P P P P P
ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE FIVE-FACTOR PERSONALITY MODEL TO PERSONALITY DISORDERS: FOUR RESERVATIONS

McCrae and Costa since 1986 have proferred a five-factor personality model as a lingua franca among different psychometric test users, and they suggest that their operationalization of the five-factor model, the NEO Personality Inventory, may also be useful in the clinical assessment of the abnormal personality. The present study examined the inventory and its relationship to the 11 personality disorders of Axis II of DSM-III-R in a sample of 180 adults. Correlational multivariate analyses appear to indicate a limited usefulness of the five-factor model in the understanding of personality disorders, and four major objections are offered. Further research with clinical samples, other models of personality, and other measures of personality disorders are encouraged.
Buckling and postbuckling of composite panels with cutouts subjected to combined loads

Abstract A detailed study is made of the buckling and postbuckling responses of composite panels with central circular cutouts subjected to various combinations of mechanical and thermal loads. The panels are discretized by using a two-field degenerate solid element with each of the displacement components having a linear variation through the thickness of the panel. The fundamental unknowns consist of the average mechanical strains through the thickness, and the displacement components. The effects of geometric nonlinearities and laminated anisotropic material behavior are included. The stability boundary, postbuckling response and the hierarchical sensitivity coefficients are evaluated. The hierarchical sensitivity coefficients measure the sensitivity of the buckling and postbuckling responses to variations in the panel stiffnesses, and the material properties of both the individual layers and the constituents (fibers and matrix). Extensive numerical results are presented for composite panels with central circular cutouts subjected to combined edge shortening, edge shear and temperature change. The results show the effects of variations in the hole diameter; the aspect ratio of the panel; the laminate stacking sequence and the fiber orientation on the stability boundary, postbuckling response and sensitivity coefficients.
Expansion of Genetic Services Utilizing a General Genetic Counseling Clinic

We established a general genetic counseling clinic (GCC) to help reduce long wait times for new patient appointments and to enhance services for a subset of patients. Genetic counselors, who are licensed in Tennessee, were the primary providers and MD geneticists served as medical advisors. This article describes the clinic referral sources, reasons for referral and patient dispositions following their GCC visit(s). We obtained patients by triaging referrals made to our medical genetics division. Over 24 months, our GCC provided timely visits for 321 patients, allowing the MD geneticists to focus on patients needing a clinical exam and/or complex medical management. Following their GCC visit(s), over 80 % of patients did not need additional appointments with an MD geneticist. The GCC allowed the genetic counselor to spend more time with patients than is possible in our traditional medical genetics clinic. Patient satisfaction surveys (n = 30) were very positive overall concerning the care provided. Added benefits for the genetic counselors were increased professional responsibility, autonomy and visibility as health care providers. We conclude that genetic counselors are accepted as health care providers by patients and referring providers for a subset of clinical genetics cases. A GCC can expand genetic services, complement more traditional genetic clinic models and utilize the strengths of the genetic counselor health care provider.
Generalized renormalization scheme in the Ginzburg-Landau-Wilson model.

For the {ital n}-vector model of the general type a renormalization-group (RG) scheme in momentum space is developed. Using this scheme we obtain a generalized {ital exact} equation of the renormalization group. The main idea of this approach is not to allow the zero-order critical Hamiltonian to move away from the critical surface under the influence of the RG transformation. The equation found differs from the known ones in that all redundant operators are excluded. On the basis of the developed approach we argue that critical exponents are functionals of some function introducing the cutoff into the phase-transition theory.
Thermal shock tests on beryllia

Abstract The thermal shock resistance of beryllia was investigated by quenching thin disc specimens into liquid media. Specimens were quenched into water at 25° C, liquid metal over the temperature range from 140° N to 500° C, and molten salt over the range from 160° N to 630° C. Data were obtained on the relative shock resistance of hot-pressed Pechiney and cold pressed and sintered Brush UOX materials. An attempt was made to determine the surface heat-transfer coefficient for the quench media in order to be able to assess the thermal stresses corresponding to the failure conditions. The thermal stresses calculated by this technique were generally from 60 to 70 % of the expected values. There was some evidence, based on mechanical tests, that the cold pressed and sintered specimens had low strength near the circumference. In this case there was fairly good agreement between the mechanical strength and the thermal stress data.
Influence of residual stresses, interface roughness, and fiber coatings on interfacial properties in ceramic composites

Fiber pushout tests are performed on zircon-matrix composites especially fabricated with a variety of silicon carbide reinforcing fibers and fiber coatings in order to create samples with different interfacial properties, surface roughness, and possibly in different states of residual stress to demonstrate their role on the interfacial and mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced composites. The data obtained from fiber pushout tests are analyzed using linear, shear-lag, and progressive debonding models to extract important interfacial properties, residual stresses, and surface roughness. The nature and magnitude of residual stresses in composites are independently characterized by measuring the coefficient of thermal expansion of the fiber, the matrix, and the composite for comparison with similar values measured using the fiber pushout tests. These results are then compared for self-consistency among different ways of analyzing data and with independently measured and calculated values. The results have shown that independent and complementary methods of data acquisition and analysis are required to fully understand interfacial properties in ceramic composites. In particular, independent measures of the coefficient of thermal expansion, residual stresses, and surface roughness are required to confidently interpret interfacial properties obtained by different analytical approaches and then relate them to the overall mechanical response of composites. It is also shown that composites with optimum mechanical response can be created by suitably engineering the interface using multiple fiber coatings.
HOXB7 Promotes Malignant Progression by Activating the TGFβ Signaling Pathway

Overexpression of HOXB7 in breast cancer cells induces an epithelial-mesenchymal transition and promotes tumor progression and lung metastasis. However, the underlying mechanisms for HOXB7-induced aggressive phenotypes in breast cancer remain largely unknown. Here, we report that phosphorylation of SMAD3 was detected in a higher percentage in primary mammary tumor tissues from double-transgenic MMTV-Hoxb7/Her2 mice than tumors from single-transgenic Her2/neu mice, suggesting activation of TGFβ/SMAD3 signaling by HOXB7 in breast tumor tissues. As predicted, TGFβ2 was high in four MMTV-Hoxb7/Her2 transgenic mouse tumor cell lines and two breast cancer cell lines transfected with HOXB7, whereas TGFβ2 was low in HOXB7-depleted cells. HOXB7 directly bound to and activated the TGFβ2 promoter in luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Increased migration and invasion as a result of HOXB7 overexpression in breast cancer cells were reversed by knockdown of TGFβ2 or pharmacologic inhibition of TGFβ signaling. Furthermore, knockdown of TGFβ2 in HOXB7-overexpressing MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells dramatically inhibited metastasis to the lung. Interestingly, HOXB7 overexpression also induced tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) recruitment and acquisition of an M2 tumor-promoting phenotype. TGFβ2 mediated HOXB7-induced activation of macrophages, suggesting that TAMs may contribute to HOXB7-promoted tumor metastasis. Providing clinical relevance to these findings, by real-time PCR analysis, there was a strong correlation between HOXB7 and TGFβ2 expression in primary breast carcinomas. Taken together, our results suggest that HOXB7 promotes tumor progression in a cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous manner through activation of the TGFβ signaling pathway.
Theoretical perspectives for explaining infant mortality in the third world.

Infant mortality in Third World countries is still a major health problem; overall, there has been progress over the past three decade, but it is unevenly distributed. Some Third World countries have achieved significant declines in infant mortality, while others have not. The expectation – rising from the historical experience of industrialized countries – that infant mortality will decline concurrently with the process of economic development has not, in general, been borne out. This paper applies a “political economy of health” perspective to infant mortality and seeks to account for discrepancies between economic progress and progress against infant mortality. It traces out a four-fold comparison – between countries with high/low economic development and countries with high/low infant mortality – for testing hypotheses in the political economy of health.
Wound Healing Characteristics of ICAM-1 Null Mice Devoid of All Isoforms of ICAM-1

Background Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) permits leukocyte-endothelial adhesion and transmigration during inflammation. Membrane-bound ICAM-1 knockout mice have been used to understand this molecule’s role in wound-healing, but expressed spliced isoforms of ICAM-1 that may have impacted results. We aimed to characterize wound-healing in an ICAM-1 null model devoid of all ICAM-1 isoforms. Methods Full-thickness 8-mm wounds were created on C57/BL6 wild-type ( n = 24) and ICAM-1 null ( n = 24) mice. Wound area was calculated using daily photographs. Histologic samples were harvested on postoperative Days 1, 3, 7, and 14. Wound margins were evaluated for mRNA expression of 13 inflammatory cytokines. A separate group of wild-type and ICAM-1 null mice ( n = 24) received full-thickness incisions with tensiometry measured at Day 14. Separately, complete blood counts were measured in unwounded wild-type ( n = 4) and ICAM-1 null mice ( n = 4). Results Wound-closure was significantly delayed in ICAM-1 null mice through Day 7 by gross and histologic measurement. mRNA expression of VEGF-A was increased in ICAM-1 null mice on Day 3, although no increase in VEGF-A was observed in the wound bed by immunohistochemistry. ICAM-1 null wounds demonstrated higher stiffness by tensiometry on Day 14 compared to the wild-type (1880 ± 926 kPa versus 478 ± 117 kPa; P versus 5720 cells/μL, P versus 630 cells/μL, P versus 4,740 cells/μL, P Conclusions ICAM-1 null mice demonstrate delayed wound-healing and decreased wound elasticity compared to wild-type controls. This lag, however, was less than observed in earlier membrane-bound ICAM-1 knockouts, suggesting that other ICAM-1 isoforms may promote delayed wound-healing.
Electromagnetic scattering from a two-state phase switched screen using a control impedance

Much research has been conducted lately in order to understand the electromagnetic scattering characteristics of phase switched screens (PSS). Motivation arose from an interest in exploiting the capabilities of structures with variable impedances that might be used as tunable or reconfigurable radar absorbers. Further encouragement was provided by the advent of seemingly practical dynamically adaptive radar absorbing materials. Such devices have been shown, both analytically and empirically, to exhibit interesting and desirable scattering properties. Perhaps most notable of these is the versatility in terms of adjustable or increased bandwidth over purely passive conventions. The paper presents a method for deriving control impedance values to produce a desired time-averaged scattered electric field for a two-state system. The problem is characterized by normal incidence energy impingement upon a planar interface, and the system is characterized by an equivalent linear network, two load impedance values and a duty cycle. Given parameters for one of the two states, a desired outcome can be realized by varying either the duty cycle or second impedance condition or both, and selecting the most practical values.
Breaking the Capability Trap

What can be done to break the capability trap? Two radically different approaches will be discussed in this chapter. First, an internal and community centric approach driven by innovative ways of financing and no or little reliance on donor funding. Second, based on changes in structural design, monitoring, and implementation of donor or top-down aid. In both the approaches, communities need to be at the center of capacity development efforts. Many country governments are now realizing this and are focusing their efforts on involving communities earlier on in their disaster risk management programs. At the same time, local government agencies such as municipalities and development authorities need to be empowered to lead the disaster risk management agenda. Higher level governments and/or donors can facilitate this change by providing technical, financial, and decision-making power to lower levels of governments. The critical roles of local government officers and community leaders—the change agents—need to be supported by rewarding them for their innovative practices and dedication. The chapter starts by discussing the implications of the Gujarat study on literature and practice. A review of international cases is presented to understand how disaster risk management system has evolved across countries. This is followed by a set of recommendations for practitioners and researchers.
Dealing With Dependence (Part I): Understanding the Effects of Clustered Data

This article provides a conceptual introduction to the issues surrounding the analysis of clustered (nested) data. We define the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the design effect, and we explain their effect on the standard error. When the ICC is greater than 0, then the design effect is greater than 1. In such a scenario, the standard error produced under the assumption of independence is underestimated. This increases the Type I error rate. We provide a short illustration of the effect of non-independence on the standard error. We show that after accounting for the design effect, our decision about the statistical significance of the test statistic changes. When we fail to account for the clustered nature of the data, we conclude that the difference between the two groups is statistically significant. However, once we adjust the standard error for the design effect, the difference is no longer statistically significant.
Antibodies to capsular polysaccharides are not protective against experimental Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis

The protective efficacy of antibodies to the Staphylococcus aureus capsular polysaccharide was examined in a rat model of catheter-induced endocarditis. Capsular antibodies were induced either by active immunization with killed S. aureus or by passive immunization with hyperimmune rabbit antiserum to S. aureus. Control rats were injected with phosphate-buffered saline or passively immunized with normal rabbit serum or rabbit antiserum to a nonencapsulated strain. Animals with indwelling catheters were challenged intravenously with 5 x 10(4) to 4 x 10(6) CFU of the homologous S. aureus strain (capsular serotype 5 strain Reynolds or serotype 1 strain SA1 mucoid). Both immunized and control rats developed S. aureus endocarditis. The numbers of S. aureus cells recovered from the blood and aortic valve vegetations of immunized rats were similar to those of control rats, indicating that capsule-specific antibodies were not protective. To determine whether the presence of an indwelling catheter interfered with antibody-mediated protection against S. aureus endocarditis, catheters were removed 2 h after insertion in additional groups of rats. An inoculum of 10(8) CFU of strain Reynolds was needed to provoke endocarditis in rats catheterized for 2 h, compared with 5 x 10(4) CFU for rats with indwelling catheters. Passively transferred capsular antibodies were not protective since both immunized and nonimmunized animals developed endocarditis, and quantitative cultures of blood and valvular vegetations revealed no differences between immunized and control animals. The findings of this study indicate that antibodies to the capsular polysaccharide are not protective in the rat model of experimental S. aureus endocarditis.
New 3D bismuth-oxo coordination polymers containing terephthalate-based ligands: observation of Bi2O2-layer and Bi4O3-chain motifs

Two new 3D framework materials containing Bi2O2 layers and Bi4O3 chains have been obtained hydrothermally via the reactions between bismuth nitrate with terephthalic acid (TA) and bismuth nitrate with nitro-terephthalic acid (NO2TA), respectively. The Bi2O2 layers are connected into a 3D structure via bridging TA ligands to form Bi2O2(TA) (1), while the novel Bi4O3 chains are connected into a 3D framework via linking NO2TA ligands to form Bi4O3(NO2TA)3(H2O)·(H2O)0.68 (2). Compound 1 exhibits photoluminescence that is red-shifted compared to that of the TA ligand, while the photoluminescence is quenched in both compound 2 and the NO2TA ligand.
Mycobacterium avium infection of the skin resembling lepromatous leprosy.

SUMMARY A patient on systemic steroid therapy developed a cutaneous papule which histologically resembled lepromatous leprosy. Cultures of this lesion grew Mycobacterium avium. Since there was no evidence of disseminated infection the lesion was excised and the patient continues to do well.
The Dilemmas of the Pious Biographer: Missionary Islam and the Oceanic Hagiography

As Islam was transformed into a missionary religion in the modern sense around the turn of the twentieth century, three questions were faced by almost all writers called on to publicise the deeds of the new breed of mobile Muslim pietists: How can a biographer turn the often tedious chores of the missionary into exciting reading? How can the humdrum tasks of founding mosques and schools be turned into the narrative trappings of a Muslim hero? And how can a modern Muslim be portrayed as a saint without recourse to "superstitious" miracle stories? The essay addresses these questions through an examination of an Urdu biography written to publicise the deeds of an Indian Muslim missionary to South Africa. In view of the revival of interest in biography, through inspecting one such missionary organisation's understanding of the life of its founder, the essay explores the necessary compromises involved in writing a life at any given moment in history.
Fault tolerant practices on network processors for dependable network processing

In this paper, we study how to provide dependable network processing through multi-core based network processors (NPs). We present the performance analysis results of an NP based network system and motivate our research. We propose to use the redundant cores available in an NP to handle faults. We outline a fault-tolerant (FT) task model specifically for NP based applications and describe our implementation taking advantage of hardware features of an Intel IXP2xxx NP. A set of experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of a FT-enabled NP system. The experiment results show that our fault- tolerant design can effectively improve the schedulability of the system.
Achieving frequency-agile radio

This paper describes techniques to achieve high bandwidth systems for a frequency-agile radio. A bottom-up approach has been followed where the tunability and bandwidth of the basic building blocks are enhanced, and then these improved elements are introduced into higher-level blocks in order to achieve large bandwidths. The approach has been used to improve the tunability and bandwidth of an active inductor by enhancing the tuning range of a tunable active resistor. This highly tunable active inductor is then used in a VCO that achieves more than 100% of frequency tuning range. All circuits have been fabricated in 0.18 /spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS process.
Quality of Life of Cutaneous Disease in the Ectodermal Dysplasias

The ectodermal dysplasias are a complex, heritable group of syndromes that affect derivatives of ectoderm. The dermatologist plays an important role in ectodermal dysplasias as the visible defects of skin, hair, and nails are often recognized first. Our objective was to examine how quality of life relates to the degree of skin involvement in ectodermal dysplasias. Subjects (n = 42) with ectodermal dysplasias were surveyed at national and regional conferences hosted by National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias on July 26 to 28, 2007 and November 17, 2007. Severity of hypohidrosis, alopecia, and fingernail involvement were measured using validated Likert scales. The quality of life was measured using the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index in children, and the Skindex-29 and RAND Short Form-36 in adults. The severity for all subjects (n = 42) was greatest for hypohidrosis, which clinically translated into "little ability to sweat." We found that the greatest impact on quality of life was related to the actual symptoms of ectodermal dysplasias, which is not surprising as almost all participants reported skin involvement (93%), most likely related to hypohidrosis, atopic dermatitis, skin erosions and infections. The symptoms of ectodermal dysplasias may also be related to the nail involvement, as manifested by dystrophic or fragmented nails. Alopecia did not play a significant role in the quality of life burden. The challenge of providing proper skin care emphasizes the benefit of dermatologic involvement, and the need for increased recognition and enhanced awareness of the cutaneous burden in ectodermal dysplasias.
Signed directed acyclic graphs for causal inference

Formal rules governing signed edges on causal directed acyclic graphs are described in this paper and it is shown how these rules can be useful in reasoning about causality. Specifically, the notions of a monotonic effect, a weak monotonic effect and a signed edge are introduced. Results are developed relating these monotonic effects and signed edges to the sign of the causal effect of an intervention in the presence of intermediate variables. The incorporation of signed edges into the directed acyclic graph causal framework furthermore allows for the development of rules governing the relationship between monotonic effects and the sign of the covariance between two variables. It is shown that when certain assumptions about monotonic effects can be made then these results can be used to draw conclusions about the presence of causal effects even when data is missing on confounding variables.
A severe defect in CRAC Ca2+ channel activation and altered K+ channel gating in T cells from immunodeficient patients.

Engagement of the TCR triggers sustained Ca 2 + entry through Ca 2 + release-activated Ca 2 + (CRAC) channels, which helps drive gene expression underlying the T cell response to pathogens. The identity and activation mechanism of CRAC channels at a molecular level are unknown. We have analyzed ion channel expression and function in T cells from SCID patients which display 1–2% of the normal level of Ca 2 + influx and severely impaired T cell activation. The lack of Ca 2 + influx is not due to deficient regulation of Ca 2 + stores or expression of several genes implicated in controlling Ca 2 + entry in lymphocytes ( kcna3/ Kv1.3, kcnn4 /IKCa1, trpc1 , trpc3 , trpv6 , stim1 ). Instead, electrophysiologic measurements show that the influx defect is due to a nearly complete absence of functional CRAC channels. The lack of CRAC channel activity is correlated with diminished voltage sensitivity and slowed activation kinetics of the voltage-dependent Kv1.3 channel. These results demonstrate that CRAC channels provide the major, if not sole, pathway for Ca 2 + entry activated by the TCR in human T cells. They also offer evidence for a functional link between CRAC and Kv1.3 channels, and establish a model system for molecular genetic studies of the CRAC channel.
Ceftolozane-Tazobactam Activity against Phylogenetically Diverse Clostridium difficile Strains

Ceftolozane-tazobactam (C/T) is approved for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal and urinary tract infections and has varied activity against anaerobic bacteria. Here, we evaluate the activity of C/T against a phylogenetically diverse collection of Clostridium difficile isolates and report uniformly high MICs (≥256 μg/ml) to C/T.
Housing Price Inflation, Family Growth, and the Move from Rented to Owner Occupied Housing

This paper uses data from Annual Housing Surveys to investigate the relationship between growth in family size and the move from rented to owner occupied housing in the mid and late 1970s. A series of studies conducted in the 1950s and 1960s established that growth in the size of the family triggered moves from rented to owner occupied housing. Changes in house price inflation during the 1970s may have altered the social and economic conditions associated with a move from rented to owner occupied housing. Log-linear analyses of data from the 1974 and 1978 Annual Housing Surveys indicate that, while growth in the size of a renter's family continued to predict the purchase of owner occupied housing in 1978, the composition of the purchasing group changed significantly between 1974 and 1978, with childless couples increasing and households with children decreasing. The declines in the latter group occurred primarily among poorer households. The implications of these changes for the life cycle - housing cycle...
Survey of Western U.S. electric utility resource plans

We review long-term electric utility plans representing ~;;90percent of generation within the Western United States and Canadian provinces. We address: what utility planners assume about future growth of electricity demand and supply; what types of risk they consider in their long-term resource planning; and the consistency in which they report resource planning-related data. The region is anticipated to grow by 2percent annually through 2020?before Demand Side Management. About two-thirds of the utilities that provided an annual energy forecast also reported energy efficiency savings projections; in aggregate, they anticipate an average 6.4percent reduction in energy and 8.6percent reduction in peak demand by 2020. New natural gas-fired and renewable generation will replace retiring coal plants. Although some utilities anticipate new coal-fired plants, most are planning for steady growth in renewable generation over the next two decades. Most planned solar capacity will come online before 2020, with most wind expansion after 2020. Fuel mix is expected to remain ~;;55percent of total generation. Planners consider a wide range of risks but focus on future demand, fuel prices, and the possibility of GHG regulations. Data collection and reporting inconsistencies within and across electric utility resource plans lead to recommendations on policies to address this issue.
High voltage 4H-SiC Schottky barrier diodes

Characteristics of 4H-SiC Schottky barrier diodes with breakdown voltages up to 1000 V are reported for the first time. The diodes showed excellent forward I-V characteristics, with a forward voltage drop of 1.06 V at an on-state current density of 100 A/cm/sup 2/. The specific on-resistance for these diodes was found to be low (2/spl times/10/sup -3/ /spl Omega/-cm/sup 2/ at room temperature) and showed a T/sup 1.6/ variation with temperature. Titanium Schottky barrier height was determined to be 0.99 eV independent of the temperature. The breakdown voltage of the diodes was found to decrease with temperature.
Combinatorial selection of a RNA thioaptamer that binds to Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus capsid protein

A phosphorothioate RNA aptamer (thioaptamer) targeting the capsid protein of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) was isolated by in vitro combinatorial selection. The selected thioaptamer had a strong binding affinity (∼7 nM) and high specificity for the target protein. For the binding to the protein, the overall tertiary structure of the thioaptamer is required. We introduce two theoretical methods to examine the effect of phosphorothioate modification on the enhancement of binding affinity and one experimental method to examine the nature of the multiple bands of thioaptamer in a native gel.