cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scaling of peak moment arms of elbow muscles with upper extremity bone dimensions.

It is often assumed that moment arms scale with size and can be normalized by body segment lengths or limb circumferences. However, quantitative scaling relationships between moment arms and anthropometric dimensions are generally not available. We hypothesized that peak moment arms of the elbowflexor and extensor muscles scale w ith the shorter distance ( Ds) between the elbowflexion axis and a muscle’s origin and insertion. To test this hypothesis, we estimated moment arms of six muscles that cross the elbow, digitized muscle attachment sites and bone surface geometry, and estimated the location of the elbow flexion axis in 10 upper extremity cadaveric specimens which ranged in size from a 5 0 0 00 female to a 6 0 4 00 male. Ds accurately reflected the differences in peak moment arms across different muscles, explaining 93–99% of the variation in peaks between muscles in the same specimen. Ds also explained between 55% and 88% of the interspecimen variation in peak moment arms for brachioradialis, biceps, and ECRL. Triceps peak moment arm was significantly correlated to the anterior–posterior dimension of the ulna measured at the olecranon (r 2 ¼ 0:61; p ¼ 0:008). Radius length provides a good measure of the interspecimen variation in peaks for brachioradialis, biceps, and ECRL. However, bone lengths were not significantly correlated to triceps moment arm or anterior–posterior bone dimensions. This work advances our understanding of the variability and scaling dimensions for elbow muscle moment arms across subjects of different sizes. r 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
United States coronary mortality trends and community services associated with occupational structure, among blacks and whites, 1984-1998.

Abstract This paper examines the association between US county occupational structure, services availability, prevalence of risk factors, and coronary mortality rates by sex and race, for 1984–1998. The 3137 US counties were classified into five occupational structure categories; counties with the lowest percentages of the labor force in managerial, professional, and technical occupations were classified in category I (5–16%), counties with the highest percentages were in category V (32–59%). Directly age-adjusted coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality rates, for aged 35–64 years, (from vital statistics and Census data), per-capita services (County Business Patterns), and the prevalence of CHD risk factors (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Surveys data) were calculated for each occupational structure category. CHD mortality rates and the prevalence of risk factors were inversely monotonically associated with occupational structure categories for white men and women but not among black men and women. Numbers of producer services for banking, business credit, overall business services and personnel/employment services were 2–12 times greater in category V versus I counties. Consumer services such as fruit/vegetable markets, fitness facilities, doctor offices and social services were 1.6–3 times greater in category V versus I counties. Residential racial segregation scores remained high in most areas despite declines during 1980–1990; occupational segregation by race and gender were shown indicating continued institutional racism. An ecological model for conceptualizing communities and health and the overall influence of state and national occupational structure is discussed; intervention strategies such as decreased wage disparities and ‘living wage’ standards and development is discussed.
Recovery from acute silver toxicity by bush beans grown in solution culture

Abstract Bush bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Improved Tendergreen) that had been severely damaged by application of silver nitrate to nutrient solution, recovered at least partially after the Ag had been removed from the nutrient solution. A transition period of about 2 weeks was necessary before plants were growing normally. Silver, which usually accumulates in roots rather than in shoots, was detectable in slight amounts in stems of recovered plants and remained in or on roots even when no longer toxic.
Influence of tryptophan residues on melittin's hemolytic activity

Abstract Earlier studies of melittin have shown that the Trp residue at position 19 is significantly involved in its hemolytic activity. Tryptophan residues have also been reported to play a specific and important role in a number of other biological interactions. In the present study, we investigated what effect the introduction of a second Trp residue would have on melittin's hemolytic activity. This was accomplished through the synthesis and analysis of a complete set of 25 single-position, synthetic Trp substitution analogs. Significant increases in activity were observed upon substituting Trp at a single residue at either extreme of melittin's two α-helices, or in its ‘hinge’ region. Decreases in activity were found upon replacing any of melittin's Leu residues with Trp. The changes in activity of all of the analogs relative to melittin were found to be correlated to their behavior during RP-HPLC, as was their variation in percent helicity in the presence of liposomes.
Diagnostic heterogeneity and the DST in consecutive psychiatric admissions

There is uncertainty about the clinical usefulness of the dexamethasone suppression test (DST). It is also unclear whether there are advantages to a 1-mg or 2-mg DST. Eighty-three consecutive psychiatric inpatients were randomly given a 1-mg or 2-mg DST within the first week of admission. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic confidence are reported for this group, and also in combination with those for 119 semi-consecutive psychiatric admissions. Although rates of nonsuppression were consistently higher in patients with affective disorders than in patients with other diagnoses, the diagnostic confidence of the DST for major depression in a diverse and unselected patient population was not greater than the prevalence of the disorder. The DST does not appear to be useful for clinical diagnostic decision-making. Nonetheless, the DST may still be an important biological marker in neuroendocrine psychiatric research.
Chorda Tympani Responses in Two Inbred Strains of Mice With Different Taste Preferences

Behavioral studies suggest that there are significant differences in the taste systems of the inbred mouse (Mus musculus) strains: C57BL/6J (B6) and DBA/2J (D2). In an attempt to understand the biological basis of the behavioral differences, we recorded whole-nerve chorda tympani responses to taste solutions and compared the results to intake of similar solutions in nondeprived mice. Stimuli included a test series composed of 0.1 M sodium chloride, 0.3 M sucrose, 10 mM sodium saccharin, 3 mM hydrochloric acid, and 3 mM quinine hydrochloride, as well as concentration series for the same substances. Neural activity of the chorda tympani that was evoked by sucrose, saccharin, or NaCl was greater in B6 than D2 mice; and neural threshold for sucrose was lower in B6 mice, but neural thresholds for HCl and quinine were lower in D2 mice. B6 mice drank more sucrose and saccharin but less quinine than D2 mice; thus, sucrose and saccharin preference were positively correlated, but NaCl and quinine aversiveness were negatively correlated with the chorda tympani results. Nonetheless, genes involved in the structuring of taste receptors and/or the chordae tympani, which transduce taste stimuli having diverse perceptual qualities, differ for the two mouse strains.
Predictive condition-based maintenance for continuously deteriorating systems

This paper addresses a predictive condition-based maintenance approach based on monitoring, modeling, and predicting a system's deterioration. The system's deterioration is considered as a stochastic dynamic process with continuous degrading. Structural time series, coupled with state-space modeling and Kalman filtering methods, is adopted for recursively modeling and forecasting the deterioration state at a future time. The probability of a failure is then predicted based on the forecasted deterioration state and a threshold of a failure. Finally, maintenance decisions are made according to the predicted failure probabilities, associated preventive and corrective maintenance cost, and the profit loss due to system performance deterioration. The approach can be applied on-line to provide economic and preventive maintenance solutions in order to maximize the profit of the ownership of a system. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Satellite radar remote sensing of seasonal growing seasons for boreal and subalpine evergreen forests.

Abstract We evaluated whether satellite radar remote sensing of landscape seasonal freeze–thaw cycles provides an effective measure of active growing season timing and duration for boreal and subalpine evergreen forests. Landscape daily radar backscatter measurements from the SeaWinds scatterometer on-board the QuikSCAT satellite were evaluated across a regional network of North American coniferous forest sites for 2000 and 2001. Radar remote sensing measurements of the initiation and length of the growing season corresponded closely with both site measurements and ecosystem process model (BIOME-BGC) simulations of these parameters because of the sensitivity of the Ku-band scatterometer to snow cover freeze–thaw dynamics and associated linkages between growing season initiation and the timing of seasonal snowmelt. In contrast, remote sensing estimates of the timing of growing season termination were either weakly or not significantly associated with site measurements and model simulation results, due to the relative importance of light availability and other environmental controls on stand phenology in the fall. Regional patterns of estimated annual net primary production (NPP) and component photosynthetic and autotrophic respiration rates for the evergreen forest sites also corresponded favorably with remote sensing estimates of the seasonal timing of spring thaw and associated growing season length, indicating the importance of these parameters in determining spatial and temporal patterns of NPP and the potential utility of satellite radar remote sensing for regional monitoring of the terrestrial biosphere.
Water balance in the arborescent palm, Sabal palmetto. I. Stem structure, tissue water release properties and leaf epidermal conductance

The functional importance of water storage in the arborescent palm, Sabal palmetto, was investigated by observing aboveground water content, pressure-volume curve parameters of leaf and stem tissue and leaf epidermal conductance rates. The ratio of the amount of water stored within the stem to the leaf area (kg m−2) increased linearly with plant height. Pressure-volume curves for leaf and stem parenchyma differed markedly; leaves lost turgor at 0.90 relative water content and –3.81 MPa, while the turgor loss point for stem parenchyma occurred at 0–64 relative water content and −0.96 MPa. Specific capacitance (change in relative water content per change in tissue water potential) of stem parenchyma tissue was 84 times higher than that of leaves, while the bulk modulus of elasticity was 346 times lower. Leaf epidermal conductance rates were extremely low (0.32–0.56 mmol m−2 s−1) suggesting that S. palmetto are able to strongly restrict foliar water loss rates. Structurally, stems of S. palmetto appear to be well suited to act as a water storage reservoir, and coupled with the ability to restrict water loss from leaf surfaces, may play an important role in tree survival during periods of low water availability.
Aging and the neurocytoskeleton.

Abstract It has been often demonstrated that during senescenee some neurons undergo atrophic changes while others add new processe and terminals. Because microtubules form a substantial component of the dendritic and axonal cytoskeleton, we have studied the amount of tubulin and acetylated α-tubulin in three young (6 months) and three old (24 months) rats (Fischer 344). We have used sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) extracts of brain homogenates and Triton solubilized fractionated brain homogenates. With the first method we did not detect any aged-related differences in total brain protein, total tubulin, or in relative amounts of acetylated α-tubulin. With the second method, we have observed a small systematic increase in relative amount of acetylated α-tubulin in the Ca 2+ /cold insoluble fraction. These results are similar to those reported in the literature, and they indicate a possible alteration in the cytoskeletal dynamics.
Mechanistic Studies of Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Hydrosilation and Dehydrogenative Silation Reactions

The cationic Pd(II) complexes, [(phen)Pd(CH3)(L)]+[BAr‘4]- phen = 1,10−phenanthroline; L = Et2O, Me3SiC⋮CSiMe3; Ar‘ = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3) catalyze the hydrosilation and dehydrogenative silation of olefins. Hydrosilation of ethylene, tert-butylethylene, 1-hexene, and cyclohexene by HSiR3 (R = CH2CH3, C6H5) occurs in the presence of 1 mol % [(phen)Pd(CH3)(L)]+[BAr‘4]-. The reaction of tert-butylethylene with HSi(i-Pr)3 in the presence of [(phen)Pd(CH3)(L)]+[BAr‘4]- yields neohexane and t-BuCHCHSi(i-Pr)3. Low-temperature NMR experiments revealed that the catalyst resting state for the silations of ethylene and alkyl-substituted olefins is [(phen)Pd(SiR3)(η2-H2CCHR‘)]+[BAr‘4]-. Evidence for rapid, reversible silyl migration at −70 °C was observed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Deuterium labeling studies show that the intermediate Pd(II) alkyl complexes can isomerize via a series of β-hydride eliminations followed by reinsertions of olefin prior to reaction with DSiEt3. Styrene undergoes both hydrosilation and dehydrogen...
Teaching Critical Thinking: Using experience to promote learning in middle school and college students

This article shows that an awareness of students' use of their own experiences and a consistent promotion of critical literacy skills throughout a child's, adolescent's, and adult's life strengthens awareness of the social, political, economic, and cultural implications of education. The article expands on John Dewey's (1938) theory of experience as the means and goal of education to show that middle school and college graduate students use their different levels of both personal and academic experience to respond to and interpret similar issues in the same text. Specifically, the authors discuss their use of Roald Dahl's (1983) The Witches to show how teachers might approach a children's book as the backdrop for teaching different age groups an increased awareness of gender issues, the effects of stereotyping, and the influence of popular culture on students' lives. They argue that educators need to use creative teaching strategies to provide opportunities for students at all educational levels to expand...
Three-stage approach to optimal low-thrust Earth-moon trajectories

Minimum-fuel, planar trajectories from a circular low Earth parking orbit to a circular low lunar parking orbit with a fixed thrust-coast-thrust engine sequence are computed for a low-thrust spacecraft. The problem is studied in the context of the classical restricted three-body problem. Since a low-thrust trajectory is a long-duration transfer with slowly developing spirals about Earth and the moon, the minimum-fuel Earth-moon trajectory is obtained by formulating and successively solving a hierarchy of three subproblems. This three-stage approach presents a systematic and effective method for solving the complex and numerically sensitive minimum-fuel, lowthrust, trajectory problem. The first subproblem is to obtain several optimal continuous-thrust Earth-escape and moon-capture trajectories. The second subproblem is to compute a suboptimal, all-coasting, translunar trajectory between boundary conditions provided by the first subproblem. Finally, the complete minimum-fuel trajectory problem is solved using a "hybrid" direct/indirect method. The hybrid method utilizes the costate time histories to parameterize the thrust steering history. Numerical results are presented for the optimal Earth-moon trajectories.
Broad distribution and high proportion of protein synthesis active marine bacteria revealed by click chemistry at the single cell level

Marine bacterial and archaeal communities control global biogeochemical cycles through nutrient acquisition processes that are ultimately dictated by the metabolic requirements of individual cells. Currently lacking, however, is a sensitive, quick, and quantitative measurement of activity in these single cells. We tested the applicability of copper (I)-catalyzed cycloaddition, or “click”, chemistry to observe and estimate single-cell protein synthesis activity in natural assemblages and isolates of heterotrophic marine bacteria. Incorporation rates of the non-canonical methionine bioortholog L-homopropargylglycine (HPG) were quantified within individual cells by measuring fluorescence of alkyne-conjugated Alexa Fluor® 488 using epifluorescence microscopy. The method’s high sensitivity, along with a conversion factor derived from two Alteromonas spp. Isolates, revealed a broad range of cell-specific protein synthesis within natural microbial populations. Comparison with 35S-methionine microautoradiography showed that a large fraction of the natural marine bacterial assemblage (15-100%), previously considered inactive by autoradiography, were actively synthesizing protein. Data pooled from a large number of samples showed that cell-specific activity scaled logarithmically with cell volume. Assemblage activity distributions of each sample were fit to power-law functions, providing an illustrative and quantitative comparison of assemblages that demonstrate individual protein synthesis rates were commonly partitioned between cells in low- and high-metabolic states in our samples. The HPG method offers a simple potential approach to link individual cell physiology to the ecology and biogeochemistry of bacterial (micro)environments in the ocean.
Optimal use of MDIs.

1986;89;469 Chest Michael T. Newhouse and M. Dolovich Optimal Use of MDIs http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/89/3/469.2.citation can be found online on the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services ) ISSN:0012-3692 http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/site/misc/reprints.xhtml ( without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. reserved. No part of this article or PDF may be reproduced or distributed Chest Physicians, 3300 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. All rights of been published monthly since 1935. Copyright1986by the American College is the official journal of the American College of Chest Physicians. It has Chest
Facial asymmetry detection in patients with body dysmorphic disorder.

Abstract Cognitive-behavioral models of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) propose that individuals with BDD may possess a better or more developed sense of aestheticality than do individuals without BDD. Evidence for this proposition, however, is limited. One perceptual process that could contribute to heightened aestheticality is the ability to detect differences in symmetry. In this experiment we tested whether individuals with BDD ( n = 20), relative to individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD; n = 20) and healthy controls ( n = 20), show an enhanced ability to detect differences in the symmetry of others’ faces, symmetry of dot arrays, and/or show a greater preference for symmetrical faces. Individuals with BDD were not significantly more accurate in detecting differences in facial symmetry or dot arrays relative to individuals with OCD and healthy controls. Individuals with OCD took longer to make facial symmetry judgments than did individuals in the other two groups. All participants, regardless of diagnostic group, preferred more symmetrical faces than nonsymmetrical ones. Taken together, our results do not support a heightened perceptual ability or evaluative preference for symmetry among individuals with BDD.
On the role of coherence in abductive explanation

Abduction is an important inference process underlying much of human intelligent activities, including text understanding, plan recognition, disease diagnosis, and physical device diagnosis. In this paper, we describe some problems encountered using abduction to understand text, and present some solutions to overcome these problems. The solutions we propose center around the use of a different criterion, called explanatory coherence, as the primary measure to evaluate the quality of an explanation. In addition, explanatory coherence plays an important role in the construction of explanations, both in determining the appropriate level of specificity of a preferred explanation, and in guiding the heuristic search to efficiently compute explanations of sufficiently high quality.
A family of strain-variant surface lipoproteins of Mycoplasma fermentans.

Abstract The wall-less procaryote Mycoplasma fermentans is currently being examined as an agent potentially associated with human disease, including infectious processes affecting immunocompromised individuals. To delineate and understand the interactions of M. fermentans with its host, specific membrane surface components were characterized as markers for detecting the organism and for assessing heterogeneity in antigenic surface architecture within this mycoplasma species. Detergent phase fractionation of metabolically labeled organisms of type strain PG18 identified a family of prominent integral membrane proteins; several of these labeled with 35S-cysteine and 3H-palmitate, which are characteristics of procaryotic lipoproteins. Specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies raised to strain PG18 components further distinguished seven of these membrane proteins, which were localized on the organism's surface by monitoring their selective susceptibility during trypsin treatment of intact cells. With these antibodies, Western immunoblot profiles of surface membrane antigens expressed on strain PG18 were compared with those expressed on the recently identified Incognitus strain of M. fermentans, as well as with several other human and animal mycoplasma species. While the antibodies were specific for M. fermentans, marked differences were observed between the strains in the size of one surface lipoprotein and in the apparent levels of several antigens expressed in the cultured populations analyzed. Some monoclonal antibodies to strain PG18 and a previously described monoclonal antibody to strain Incognitus showed apparent selectivity for the strain used for immunization. Monoclonal antibodies developed here recognize stable epitopes defining a family of surface lipoproteins and provide critical tools to determine the basis of surface variation in this mycoplasma species and to assess the location and antigenic phenotypes of organisms in the human host.
The history of reliability prediction

Reliability predictions have been used successfully as a reliability engineering tool for 5 decades. It is only one element of a well-structured reliability program and, to be effective, must be complemented by other elements. This paper reviews the history of reliability predictions as they have been used as a reliability engineering tool and discusses the current status of several issues relating to reliability prediction-including the reasons for performing predictions, methodologies currently in use, causes of electronic-system failure, comparison of traditional prediction methodologies and improvement in the reliability of electronic components. There is, and has been, controversy regarding the appropriate approaches to be used in predicting the reliability of electronic systems. Because of this, a discussion is included that compares traditional approaches with physics-of-failure and summarizes several efforts underway within the industry to improve the manner in which predictions are performed.
How to charge for network services – flat-rate or usage-based?

Abstract Currently, the Internet service provider market offers two different types of pricing plans. In the USA, the predominant pricing plan is a flat-rate plan. In Europe and Asia, the predominant one is a per-minute pricing plan. Enrolled in such a pricing plan, users have to pay for the connect time to the Internet. Although Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have competed heavily for users in these last few years, they only have focused on trying to offer the lowest price within such pricing plans. A potentially more profitable and sustainable method of doing business would be for ISPs to differentiate themselves by offering more customized pricing plans for certain user groups. An important question then is whether a pricing plan exists that is attractive to users, but also allows ISPs to build a sustainable business. Based on empirical results of the INternet Demand EXperiment (INDEX) project, we discuss a pricing plan for Internet access that appears to be appreciated by Internet users as well as by ISPs. This pricing plan combines the advantages of flat-rate pricing and usage-based pricing. Users will benefit by receiving unlimited access to a basic service with the choice of higher quality of service (QoS) whenever they demand. From the ISPs' perspective, such a pricing plan will help any ISP to focus on certain user groups and to reduce peak network load.
Vision‐based Localization and Robot‐centric Mapping in Riverine Environments

This paper presents a vision-based localization and mapping algorithm developed for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can operate in a riverine environment. Our algorithm estimates the three-dimensional positions of point features along a river and the pose of the UAV. By detecting features surrounding a river and the corresponding reflections on the water's surface, we can exploit multiple-view geometry to enhance the observability of the estimation system. We use a robot-centric mapping framework to further improve the observability of the estimation system while reducing the computational burden. We analyze the performance of the proposed algorithm with numerical simulations and demonstrate its effectiveness through experiments with data from Crystal Lake Park in Urbana, Illinois. We also draw a comparison to existing approaches. Our experimental platform is equipped with a lightweight monocular camera, an inertial measurement unit, a magnetometer, an altimeter, and an onboard computer. To our knowledge, this is the first result that exploits the reflections of features in a riverine environment for localization and mapping.
The impact of 'messy' data on group decision-making

The author presents results from research examining the impact of the integration of external data of varying degrees of messiness in conjunction with use of an established group decision-support system. Messiness in this sense refers to the degree that the data comes from a large number of fragmented sources of varying degrees of objectivity across a broad spectrum of formats and contexts in environments with difficult and complex data interrelations. External data of varying degrees of messiness were provided in conjunction with the group's efforts to identify and assign priorities to key issues of a complex problem involving metropolitan land use and transportation planning. Research data were recorded on strategies of use and impact on decision-making as a function of external data messiness. >
A parameter-based process for selecting high impedance fault detection techniques using decision making under incomplete knowledge

Using varying environmental parameters and nonadapting detection techniques, the authors propose a generic method for choosing the fault detection technique or techniques which are most appropriate for a given set of conditions. This result is achieved using a decision-making method under incomplete knowledge. The performance of each detection technique is derived under various conditions and environments with this method. The method is not yet complete because the performance outcome of all techniques is not fully defined. However, it provides a head start when attempting to optimize detection given consideration of a wide variety of techniques, parameters, and environmental parameters. >
Monte Carlo extrinsic estimators of manifold-valued parameters

Monte Carlo (MC) methods have become an important tool for inferences in non-Gaussian and non-Euclidean settings. We study their use in those signal/image processing scenarios where the parameter spaces are certain Riemannian manifolds (finite-dimensional Lie groups and their quotient sets). We investigate the estimation of means and variances of the manifold-valued parameters, using two popular sampling methods: independent and importance sampling. Using Euclidean embeddings, we specify a notion of extrinsic means, employ Monte Carlo methods to estimate these means, and utilize large-sample asymptotics to approximate the estimator covariances. Experimental results are presented for target pose estimation (orthogonal groups) and signal subspace estimation (Grassmann manifolds). Asymptotic covariances are utilized to construct confidence regions, to compare estimators, and to determine the sample size for MC sampling.
Adapting spatial constraints of composite multimedia objects to achieve universal access

A composite multimedia object (cmo) is comprised of different media components such as text, video, audio and image, with a variety of constraints that must be adhered to. The constraints are 1) rendering constraints that comprise the temporal and spatial constraints between different components, and 2) behavioral constraints that include the security and fidelity constraints on each component. Different users have different 3Cs, which are: capabilities (e.g., monitor size), characteristics (e.g., age) and credentials (e.g., subscription to service). The focus of this paper is on addressing the problems of (1) specifying a consistent cmo that "automatically" adapts its spatial constraints to different user's devices. (2) Identifying the conflicts that might occur between the temporal and spatial constraints when having different monitor resolution that displays the cmo by means of reachability analysis of colored time Petri net (3) Resolving the identified conflicts automatically to render a cmo that is error-free when rendered at different user devices.
Current Pharmacotherapy for COPD

In this chapter, we are reviewing the current pharmacotherapy available for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Both short-acting and long-acting bronchodilators have been used for many years for the treatment of COPD. Use of long-acting beta-agonists/long-acting muscarinic agents alone or together, often with inhaled corticosteroids, is commonplace in COPD. Long-acting anticholinergics are more effective in COPD because they improve the airflow and reduce air trapping at the same time. Oral methylxanthines, the precursors of phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) inhibitors, also have a therapeutic role and are widely used in developing nations. PDE4 inhibitors (roflumilast being the only currently available agent) have a role limited to the severe and very severe patient with frequent exacerbations. Recent evidence suggests that maintenance antibiotic therapy may be additive to the effect of bronchodilators in reducing exacerbation frequency. The choice of agents may be based primarily on individual response, cost, side-effect profile, and availability.
Escalating worldwide use of urea - a global change contributing to coastal eutrophication

While the global increase in the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers has been well recognized, another change in fertilizer usage has simultaneously occurred: a shift toward urea-based products. Worldwide use of urea has increased more than 100-fold in the past 4 decades and now constitutes >50% of global nitrogenous fertilizer usage. Global urea usage extends beyond agricultural applications; urea is also used extensively in animal feeds and in manufacturing processes. This change has occurred to satisfy the world's need for food and more efficient agriculture. Long thought to be retained in soils, new data are suggestive of significant overland transport of urea to sensitive coastal waters. Urea concentrations in coastal and estuarine waters can be substantially elevated and can represent a large fraction of the total dissolved organic nitrogen pool. Urea is used as a nitrogen substrate by many coastal phytoplankton and is increasingly found to be important in the nitrogenous nutrition of some harmful algal bloom (HAB) species. The global increase from 1970 to 2000 in documented incidences of paralytic shellfish poisoning, caused by several HAB species, is similar to the global increase in urea use over the same 3 decades. The trend toward global urea use is expected to continue, with the potential for increasing pollution of sensitive coastal waters around the world.
Role of the nucleophosmin (NPM) portion of the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma-associated NPM-anaplastic lymphoma kinase fusion protein in oncogenesis

The NPM-ALK fusion gene, formed by the t(2;5)(p23;q35) translocation in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, encodes a 75-kDa hybrid protein that contains the amino-terminal 117 amino acid residues of the nucleolar phosphoprotein nucleophosmin (NPM) joined to the entire cytoplasmic portion of the receptor tyrosine kinase ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase). Here, we demonstrate the transforming ability of NPM-ALK and show that oncogenesis by the chimeric protein requires the activation of its kinase function as a result of oligomerization mediated by the NPM segment. Sedimentation gradient experiments revealed that NPM-ALK forms in vivo multimeric complexes of approximately 200 kDa or greater that also contain normal NPM. Cell fractionation studies of the t(2;5) translocation-containing lymphoma cell line SUP-M2 showed NPM-ALK to be localized within both the cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments. Immunostaining performed with both polyclonal and monoclonal anti-ALK antibodies confirmed the dual location of the oncoprotein and also indicated that NPM-ALK is abundant within both the nucleoplasm and the nucleolus. An intact NPM segment is absolutely required for NPM-ALK-mediated oncogenesis, as indicated by our observation that three different NPM-ALK mutant proteins lacking nonoverlapping portions of the NPM segment were each unable to form complexes, lacked kinase activity in vivo, and failed to transform cells. However, NPM could be functionally replaced in the fusion protein with the portion of the unrelated translocated promoter region (TPR) protein that activates the TPR-MET fusion kinase by mediating dimerization through its leucine zipper motif. This engineered TPR-ALK hybrid protein, which transformed cells almost as efficiently as NPM-ALK, was localized solely within the cytoplasm of cells. These data indicate that the nuclear and nucleolar localization of NPM-ALK, which probably occur because of transport via the shuttling activity of NPM, is not required for oncogenesis. Further, the activation of the truncated ALK protein by a completely heterologous oligomerization domain suggests that the functionally important role of the NPM segment of NPM-ALK in transformation is restricted to the formation of kinase-active oligomers and does not involve the alteration of normal NPM functions.
Estudio de flujos verticales de carbono y nitrógeno en ambientes acuáticos controlados en la bahía de Knebel, Dinamarca utilizando isótopos estables de nitrógeno y carbono (15N y 13C)

RESUMEN En este estudio se utilizaron isotopos estables como trazadores para caracterizar y cuantificar el flujo vertical de carbonoy nitrogeno. Los experimentos se llevaron a cabo en la bahia de Knebel, Dinamarca (56o 08’ N, 10o 11’ E), en dosambientes acuaticos controlados tipo mesocosmos. La adicion de nutrientes inorganicos estimulo el afloramiento delflagelado no-toxico Prorocentrum minimum, determinando un comportamiento similar en las mediciones de clorofilaa (Clo-a), nitrogeno organico particulado (NOP) y carbono organico particulado (COP) en ambos mesocosmos. Bajocondiciones no limitantes de nutrientes inorganicos existio una baja discriminacion isotopica resultando en bajosvalores de δ 13 C en el COP en suspension y sedimentado. El desfase entre los maximos de NOP, Clo-a y COP asi comola rapida asimilacion del nitrato adicionado en menos de tres dias y una razon C/N variable indican que P. minimumposee una gran habilidad para asimilar nitrogeno inorganico. La razon C/N alcanzo un minimo al inicio del experimento,para luego aumentar una vez agotado el nitrato de la columna de agua. El nitrogeno nuevo sedimentado alcanzo un 10a 11 % del total originalmente adicionado a la columna de agua en la forma de nitrato, sin que se observara unasedimentacion masiva de P. minimum durante los dias de duracion de este experimento.Palabras clave: isotopos estables, sedimentacion, tramas troficas, Prorocentrum minimum.
Improved pitch detection algorithm for noisy speech

We propose a new, robust pitch detection algorithm for speech degraded by additive noise. Our algorithm exploits the high correlation between adjacent pitch periods that does not exist for the segment as a whole and performs well in the vicinity of voiced/unvoiced regions where the local SNR is low. The algorithm works as follows. We first determine an estimate of the pitch period near the short time peak energy where the local SNR is highest. We then adaptively estimate the local pitch period from the peak towards the transition region by using pitch synchronous cross-correlation with an updated waveform. The performance of this new algorithm is compared to the SIFT and CEPSTRUM algorithms.
The RNA Modification Database: 1999 update

The RNA Modification Database (http://medlib.med.utah.edu/RNAmods/) provides a comprehensive listing of naturally modified nucleosides in RNA. Each file includes: chemical structure; common name and symbol; type(s) of RNA in which found and corresponding phylogenetic distribution; Chemical s registry number and index name; and initial literature citations for structure characterization and chemical synthesis. New features include capability to search database files by name or substructural features, modifications in tmRNA, and links to related data and sites.
Effectiveness of couples treatment for spouse abuse.

Despite its controversy, carefully conceptualized and delivered couples treatment appears to be at least as effective as traditional treatment for domestic violence, and preliminary data suggests that it does not place women at greater risk for injury. However, the body of research on which these conclusions rest is sparse. Only six experimental studies have been done, each using different eligibility criteria, outcome measures, and treatment approaches. Thus, further study of this modality is warranted. Marriage and family therapists have an important part to play in continuing to develop and test innovative ways of helping couples end violence and improve their relationships--an endeavor that promises to improve the quality of the partners' lives as well as those of their children. Language: en
General stimulation of muscle protein synthesis by branched chain amino acids in vitro.

SummaryThe effect of branched chain amino acids on precursor incorporation into soluble and myofibrillar protein fractions of muscle was examined with a double-label technique, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. Rat hemidiaphragms were incubated in medium containing [14C]-tyrosine or [3H]tyrosine with or without 0.5 mM leucine, isoleucine and valine. Branched chain amino acids stimulated synthesis of soluble and myofibrillar protein fractions equally, approximately 60%, p < .001. They promoted tyrosine incorporation into individual proteins of both fractions without preferential stimulation of the synthesis of particular proteins. The lack of selectivity of the stimulatory effect is compatible with an effect on translation.
Early Detection of Renal Damage and Disease in Dogs and Cats

Renal damage and disease can be caused by acute or chronic insults to the kidney. Acute renal damage often results from ischemic or toxic insults and usually affects the tubular portion of the nephron. In contrast, chronic renal disease can be caused by diseases and/or disorders that affect any portion of the nephron, including its blood supply and supporting interstitium. Early detection of acute renal disease facilitates appropriate intervention that can arrest or at least attenuate tubular cell damage and the development of established acute renal failure. Similarly,early detection of chronic renal disease, before the onset of renal azotemia and chronic renal failure, should facilitate appropriate intervention that stabilizes renal function or at least slows its progressive decline.
SST Control by Subsurface Mixing During Indian Ocean Monsoons

Abstract : We seek to understand the detailed evolution of heat and freshwater distributions in the Bay of Bengal, given large-scale gradients associated with forcing (e.g., large source of freshwater input, heat fluxes, and wind forcing) and small-scale mixing processes. Since sea surface temperature variations are broad spatially and vary over long time scales, we are using extended time series at a variety of locations to directly measure and assess SST modification by turbulent mixing over the broad expanse of international waters in the Bay of Bengal on diurnal to seasonal time scales.
Nonlinear Elastic Analysis of the Adhesive Strength between Rubber-Like Materials and Rigid Surfaces

Abstract A nonlinear elastic finite element analysis of the adhesive strength between rubber-like materials and rigid surfaces has been conducted based on fracture mechanics principles. The finite element model is an elastomer half sphere adhering to a rigid flat surface. An analytical solution for the system was first developed by Johnson, Kendall and Roberts (JKR) in 1971, which agrees well with experimental data for small contact area. The objective of this paper is to elucidate the relationship between the adhesive fracture energy, tensile loads and debonding process of the system when the contact area is large. A general analysis procedure for nonconforming adhesion-contact problem has been established in this study, which allows us to determine the adhesive fracture energy from measurements of the final pull-off force Pc or the zero-load contact radius α0. Our results agree well with JKR's prediction when the zero-load contact radius is less than 25% of the radius of the sphere. However, as the cont...
The vapor pressure and vaporization enthalpy of R-(+)-menthofuran, a hepatotoxin metabolically derived from the abortifacient terpene, (R)-(+)-pulegone by correlation gas chromatography

Abstract The vapor pressure as a function of temperature and its vaporization enthalpy at T = 298.15 K of R-(+)-menthofuran, a substance metabolically derived from R-(+)-pulegone that is both a flavoring agent at low concentrations and a hepatotoxin at larger ones, is evaluated by correlation-gas chromatography. A vapor pressure p/Pa = (36 ± 12) has been evaluated at T = 298.15 K, and a normal boiling temperature of Tb/K = 482.4 K is predicted. A boiling temperature of Tb/K = 374.3 compares with the literature value of Tb/K = 371.2 at reduced pressure, p/kPa = 2.93. The vaporization enthalpy of (56.5 ± 3.0) kJ·mol−1 compares to an estimated value of (57.8 ± 2.9) kJ·mol−1.
Algebra performance and motivation differences for students with learning disabilities and students of varying achievement levels

Abstract Prior research has documented differences in both performance and motivation between students with learning disabilities (LD) and non-learning disabled (non-LD) students. However, few studies have conducted a finer grained analysis comparing students with LD with nondisabled students of varying achievement levels. The present study examines differences between LD, low-achieving, average-achieving, and high-achieving adolescents on algebra performance and readiness, motivational constructs (competence expectancy, interest, and goal orientation in mathematics), and the discrepancy between students' competence and their perceptions of their own competence. Results indicate that while students with LD may demonstrate lower algebra readiness and algebra achievement and more inaccurate judgments of their own competence compared with the whole non-LD sample, critical differences in performance and motivation were most evident between high-achieving and low-achieving students, not students with learning disabilities.
Differential Effects of Agroecosystem Structure on Dynamics of Three Soybean Herbivores

The population dynamics of three soybean herbivores, Heliothis zea (Boddie), Epilachna varivestis Mulsant, and Popillia japonica Newman, are discussed with relation to agroecosystem structure. Specific effects examined include climatic variations, spatial structure, temporal structure, cultural practices, and socio-economic changes. A discussion of the need for more comprehensive modeling efforts is also included.
The Gross Domestic Product and Health Care Spending

Data from the past 60 years for the U.S. economy as a whole and for health care expenditures reveal a robust relationship between the two. It seems premature to dismiss the sluggish economy as the major explanation for the recent slowdown in health care spending.
Orbit-spin coupling and the interannual variability of global-scale dust storm occurrence on Mars

Abstract A new physical hypothesis predicts that a weak coupling of the orbital and rotational motions of extended bodies may give rise to a modulation of circulatory flows within their atmospheres. Driven cycles of intensification and relaxation of large-scale circulatory flows are predicted, with the phasing of these changes linked directly to the rate of change of the orbital angular momentum, dL/dt, with respect to inertial frames. We test the hypothesis that global-scale dust storms (GDS) on Mars may occur when periods of circulatory intensification (associated with positive and negative extrema of the dL/dt waveform) coincide with the southern summer dust storm season on Mars. The orbit-spin coupling hypothesis additionally predicts that the intervening ‘transitional’ periods, which are characterized by the disappearance and subsequent sign change of dL/dt, may be unfavorable for the occurrence of GDS, when they occur during the southern summer dust storm season. These hypotheses are strongly supported by comparisons between calculated dynamical time series of dL/dt and historic observations. All of the nine known global-scale dust storms on Mars took place during Mars years when circulatory intensification during the dust storm season is ‘retrodicted’ under the orbit-spin coupling hypothesis. None of the historic global-scale dust storms of our catalog occurred during transitional intervals. Orbit-spin coupling appears to play an important role in the excitation of the interannual variability of the atmospheric circulation of Mars.
Chemical Constituents from the Roots of Ligularia fischeri Turcz.

Eleven compounds were isolated from the ethanol extracts of the roots of Ligularia fischeri Turcz.They were identified by chemical and spectral methods as protocatechualdehyde(1),7-hydroxy-chrome(2),caffeic acid(3),ferulic acid(4),1,5-dicaffeyol-quinic acid(5),angelic acid(6),β-sitosterol(7),daucosterol (8),petasin(9),isopetasin(10),and pentatriacontane(11).Among them,phenol constituents 1-5,sesquiterpens 9-10 and lipid 11 were isolated from this plant for the first time.
A Clinicopathologic Study of Head and Neck Rhabdomyosarcomas showing FOXO1 fusion-positive Alveolar and MYOD1-Mutant Sclerosing are Associated with Unfavorable Outcome

Background Based on their distinctive histologic and genetic features, the latest WHO classification of soft tissue tumors includes four pathologic variants of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS): embryonal (ERMS), alveolar (ARMS), spindle cell-sclerosing (SRMS-ScRMS) and pleomorphic RMS. The aim of this study focused on a detailed clinicopathologic and survival analysis of head and neck RMS (HNRMS) using the latest pathologic and molecular criteria reflecting this new subclassification in a large cohort.