cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mineral Resources Development Strategy in China--Macro-Management

This paper offers an in-depth examination of the strategy trend of development and macro-management of mineral resources in China should be dynamic management of reserves: moderate development of resources, strategic resource reserves, overall value increase of mining area, dividing-area management of mineral resources, regulation and optimization of mining structure and layout, paid use of mineral resources, effective compensation for the ecological environment of mining area (or mine), management of mine safety and sustainable utilization of land in mining area etc. The paper analyzes and discusses all the eleven aspects above.
Experimental characterization of hybrid composite-to-metal bolted joints under flexural loading

Abstract Presented is an investigation of the structural performance of hybrid composite-to-metal bolted joints loaded in flexure. The main goal was to develop a watertight, hybrid connection to resist bending loads. The effect of bolt type, doubler plate geometry and foam inserts was studied. Fourteen different joint configurations were tested including standard bolted joints and bolted joints with doubler plates. The performance of connections loaded cyclically in flexure was assessed by comparing: (1) the initial damage and failure loads; (2) the types of failure modes; and (3) the joint initial rotational stiffness. Instability in the hysteresis loops, where the load drops in subsequent cycles, is used as an indication of damage. A joint using a short doubler plate, a foam insert, and a single row of bolts, was found to be at least 33% stronger and 29% stiffer when compared to a standard bolted joint with two rows of the same diameter bolts. Use of doubler plates and foam inserts in a bolted joint resulted in higher strength and stiffness and can effectively mitigate joint opening, which improves the ability to seal the joint and maintain watertight integrity.
Insect ecdysis inhibitors from the east african medicinal plant Ajuga remota (Labiatae).

(1981). Insect Ecdysis Inhibitors from the East African Medicinal Plant Ajuga remota (Labiatae) Agricultural and Biological Chemistry: Vol. 45, No. 8, pp. 1925-1927.
Corticosteroidogenesis in vitro by the head kidney of Tilapia mossambica (Cichlidae, Teleostei).

Either minced or homogenized preparations of head kidney tissue from Tilapia mossambica were incubated with different radioactive precursors. From acetate–l–14C only a small yield of progesterone was obtained. Cholesterol–4–14C was actively metabolized into four major unidentified compounds, observed also after incubation with Tilapia spleen, but its contribution to corticosteroidogeneis could not be demonstrated. Conversely, rat adrenal tissue promptly converted cholesterol–4–14C into progesterone, corticosterone, and 11–dehydrocorticosterone. With minced head kidney, progesterone–4–14C gave rise to 17α–hydroxyprogesterone, 11–deoxycortisol, cortisol, cortisone, 11–deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, 11– dehydrocorticosterone, 11β–hydroxyprogesterone, and 21–deoxycortisol. Homogenization caused a greater accumulation of those metabolites proximal to progesterone and a reduction in the total steroid profile. Aldosterone formation did not occur from progesterone–4–14C or from corticosterone–4– 14C. The la...
Potential air quality benefits of methanol as a vehicle fuel

Abstract Air pollution regulation in industrial cities limits economic growth. Cleaner vehicles can reduce this effect by reducing pollution. The air quality and consequent economic benefits of methanol are assessed. Air pollution is a pervasive by-product of industrial development. Substitution of cleaner fuels for the current generation of fossil fuels can reduce the need for and economic cost of traditional add-on pollution controls. I will assess the potential of methanol to reduce vehicle emissions, and consequently to reduce regulatory pressure on industry and economic growth. The impact of releasing capital investment from pollution control to other productive uses and preserving existing manufacturing jobs are two of the economic benefits addressed.
Establishing Maternal and Child Health Data Collection Priorities for State and Local Oral Health Programs

Objective: This paper identifies specific data items for use by state and local agencies in a maternal and child oral health needs assessment model. Methods: A modified Delphi approach was used to develop consensus on items for inclusion in the data set and their relative importance. Initially, 31 data items were chosen from several national sources. All state dental directors, along with other selected administrators and advisory committee members for this process, were asked to categorize each of the data items as core (essential), important but optional, or of lesser importance. Short comments about each data item were accepted, as were additions to the list of data items. Two rounds of comments were held. Results: Eleven data items/types of information were selected as core items to be included in all needs assessments. All but one of these items were determined by the scores of the respondents. The advisory committee strongly recommended that at least one core item relate to the public's perception of oral health. Some differences in perceived importance of several items existed among the state dental directors, local dental directors, and the advisory committee. Twenty-one items were identified as being important, but optional, and seven were considered less than important and not included in the model data set. Conclusions: A modified Delphi approach facilitated the development of core and optional data items for a model oral health needs assessment. This model has potential for a common reporting mechanism so that states and local dental programs can share data.
Application of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy to the study of SOFC electrode surfaces

SERS provided by sputtered silver was employed to detect trace amounts of chemical species on SOFC electrodes. Considerable enhancement of Raman signal and lowered detection threshold were shown for coked nickel surfaces, CeO2 coatings, and cathode materials (LSM and LSCF), suggesting a viable approach to probing electrode degradation and surface catalytic mechanism.
Segmenting words from natural speech: subsegmental variation in segmental cues*

Most computational models of word segmentation are trained and tested on transcripts of speech, rather than the speech itself, and assume that speech is converted into a sequence of symbols prior to word segmentation. We present a way of representing speech corpora that avoids this assumption, and preserves acoustic variation present in speech. We use this new representation to re-evaluate a key computational model of word segmentation. One finding is that high levels of phonetic variability degrade the model's performance. While robustness to phonetic variability may be intrinsically valuable, this finding needs to be complemented by parallel studies of the actual abilities of children to segment phonetically variable speech.
Splitting of wheelrunning rhythms by castrated or steroid treated male and female hamsters.

Abstract Male and female hamsters, with or without gonadal hormones, were housed in constant light (LL) while wheel running rhythms were recorded. Estradiol benzoate (EB) in Silastic capsules reduced rhythm desynchronies, such as splitting, in ovariectomized animals compared to blank implanted controls. In males, there were no significant effects of testosterone or EB in Silastic implants, castration or sham operation on incidence of rhythm desynchronies. Males generated split rhythms which differed from females in clarity and the angle at which the limbs of the splitting rhythms diverged. Other differences were (a) greater activity onset variability for castrated females with relatively little onset variability for other groups and (b) more running time by EB treated males than any other group. Splitting for all animals occurred with an average latency in LL of 55±3 days; the period stabilized in 12±1 days and was 0.2 hr shorter in length. The two limbs of the split rhythm were a mean 181±5° apart. Induction of splitting by LL is critically discussed with special reference to the two oscillator model of hamster activity and existing evidence for more than two oscillations in wheelrunning activity.
Does midtrimester Nugent score or high vaginal pH predict gestational age at delivery in women at risk for recurrent preterm birth

Objective To estimate whether bacterial vaginosis, as defined by either Nugent score or vaginal pH, predicts gestational age at delivery in women at risk for recurrent preterm birth. Study Design Planned secondary analysis of a randomized cerclage trial in women with prior spontaneous preterm birth 17 0/7 -33 6/7 weeks. Vaginal Gram stain and pH were collected at the initial study visit. Women not assigned to cerclage, either because they did not experience cervical shortening Results Seven hundred eighty-six women had complete delivery gestational age, Gram stain, and pH results. The diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis by either Nugent score ≥ 7 or by pH ≥ 5 was not associated with earlier birth. Conclusion The presence of bacterial vaginosis at 16-21 6/7 weeks does not predict gestational age at birth in women at risk for recurrent preterm birth.
An exact penalty algorithm for recourse-constrained stochastic linear programs

This paper presents an algorithm for solving stochastic linear programs in which a recourse problem that appears in the constraint set. This algorithm, which is based on a stochastic decomposition (SD) algorithm of Higle and Sen, involves the use of an exact penalty function in the master program. Results from applications to several problems are reported.
Histoenzymatic and morphometric changes occurring in nerve cells of gyrus cinguli following treatment of young rats with vincristine

Summary The effect of treatment with vincristine on nerve cells of gyrus cinguli was studied. Wistar rats aged 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days were given single intraperitoneal injections of vincristine (0.01 mg/kg body weight). All experimental animals were decapitated at the age of 29 days and their brains subjected to histoenzymatic and morphometric examination. The control group consisted of untreated rats aged 29 days. The activity of phosphatases and esterases of the cingulum was evaluated histochemically and the morphometric parameters of pyramidal cells in this region were determined by means of a computer microscope “Morphoquant” (VEB Carl Zeiss JENA). The results of this study have shown that administration of therapeutic doses of vincristine to young rats brings about a drop of the neuronal AChE and NsE activity, contrary, to this, TPPase and acP activities of the pyramidal cells are enhanced by this treatment. Morphometric determinations have revealed elongation of the neuronal perikaryons along with an increase of indices of the cytoplasmatic area and volume of pyramidal cells. The observed alterations are considered to reflect degenerative processes of moderate intensity.
Second law analysis in assessing constant power input systems

A criterion for comparing the relative performance of various heat transfer augmentation methods used in constant power input systems is introduced. The analysis is based on the principle of minimizing the rate of total entropy generation. The heat transfer load (HTL), a parameter determined by the operating requirements of the heat dissipating process that indicates the difficulty of the heat transfer duty to be performed, is defined in the present study. By comparing the irreversibility distribution ratio ({phi}) of various configurations at a given heat transfer load, the most energy efficient system can be selected. The data for three different types of fin configurations used in two constant power input applications (electronic equipment and internal turbine blade cooling) are utilized in demonstrating the technique. The results indicate which specific fin geometry of the particular configuration type analyzed will transfer the dissipated heat at the specified base surface temperature while requiring the least pumping power. Although the {phi} versus HTL criterion is applied to only fins in this study, the method can be extended to many other applications such as jet impingement cooling or mass transfer.
Some Comments On A Recent Tour Of The Ussr

(1957). Some Comments On A Recent Tour Of The Ussr. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 10-11.
Management of bilateral mandibular angle fractures with combined rigid and nonrigid fixation

Purpose There is very limited evaluation of the management of fractures of the bilateral mandibular angles. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, etiology, and outcomes of bilateral mandibular angle fractures treated with the transoral application of rigid fixation on one side and nonrigid fixation on the other. Patients and Methods Patients 18 years of age or older with isolated, noncomminuted fractures through the right and left mandibular angles and treated solely with 2.0-mm miniplates through intraoral incisions (and trocar) were collected from 2 sources. Patients treated at Allegheny General Hospital (Pittsburgh, PA) were prospectively collected from August 1, 2006 through December 31, 2012. Patients treated at Parkland Memorial Hospital (Dallas, TX) and University Hospital in San Antonio (San Antonio, TX) from January 1, 1992 through December 31, 2012 were retrospectively added to the sample. Data collected included age, gender, race, cause of fracture, presence or absence of mandibular third molars, occlusal relation documented at last visit, and occurrence and management of complications. Standard descriptive statistics were used and the relation between initial displacement and adequacy of reduction was evaluated with the Fisher exact test. Results Of 1,565 patients with 2,195 mandibular fractures, 33 (2.1%) presented with bilateral mandibular angle fractures. The average age of the cohort was 25.2 ± 1.8 years (range, 18 to 48 yr). The mechanisms of injury were assaults (30 of 33, 90.9%), motor vehicle collisions (2 of 33, 6%), and a fall (1 of 33, 3%). Twenty-seven patients (81.8%) had at least 1 mandibular third molar at the time of injury. Three patients (9.1%) had minor postoperative wound problems, with 1 incident (3.0%) of malocclusion. There was no statistically significant relation between the initial displacement and the adequacy of reduction. Conclusions Bilateral mandibular angle fractures are a rare traumatic event that may be successfully treated with transoral rigid and nonrigid fixation with 2.0-mm miniplates.
Improving Hypertension Control in a Population of Low-Income Frail Older Adults An Evaluation of the Just for Us Model

We evaluated hypertension management among enrollees in Just for Us (JFU)—an approach to providing coordinated, in-home care to medically fragile, low-income older or disabled adults living independently. The sample was 264 JFU patients who enrolled between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2004, lived in a JFU building, and had blood pressure (BP) recorded 1 year from baseline. BP change was analyzed with paired t tests, and control status change with McNemar’s. Characteristics associated with change were explored with ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. For the 225 individuals with hypertension at baseline, average systolic pressure dropped 7.73 mmHg (p < .001) and diastolic 4.41 mmHg (p < .001). In the same group, 57.4% of those not in control at baseline were in control 1 year later; 19.7% of those in control at baseline moved out of control (p < .001). BP declined across subgroups and was greater for African Americans, the predominant racial group. Additional evaluation of such models is warranted.
Massive and acute hemoperitoneum due to rupture of the uterine artery by erosion from an endometriotic lesion.

Abstract Objective: To report a case of acute hemoperitoneum due to erosion of the uterine artery by an endometriotic lesion of the left ovary. Design: Case report and review of literature. Setting: University medical center. Patient(s): A 39-year-old nulliparous woman with stage 3 endometriosis. Intervention(s): Operative laparoscopy followed by laparotomy, oophorectomy, and ligation of the bleeding uterine artery. Result(s): Patient is fully recovered and is attempting to conceive. Conclusion(s): An endometriotic lesion eroded the wall of the uterine artery, causing massive, acute hemoperitoneum. Such an event may be overlooked during laparotomy and attributed to the trauma of surgery.
Comparative national policies on care and support of older persons

Abstract. This symposium focused on four developed nations: the US, Australia, Canada and Germany. Activities in each country were analysed along the following lines: What is the official policy with regard to income guarantees (national pension programs), medical care and/or medical insurance, long-term care and housing? How well are the policy goals expressed in legislation being met? What is the extent of variation in services across the country? What factors are associated with high and low levels of service? To what extent are these services viewed as universal entitlements vs. linked to welfare status? How are economic and demographic forecasts affecting discussions about the future of these programs?
Signaling Mechanisms in Cortical Axon Growth, Guidance, and Branching

Precise wiring of cortical circuits during development depends upon axon extension, guidance and branching to appropriate targets. Motile growth cones at axon tips navigate through the nervous system by responding to molecular cues, which modulate signaling pathways within axonal growth cones. Intracellular calcium signaling has emerged as a major transducer of guidance cues but exactly how calcium signaling pathways modify the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton to evoke growth cone behaviors and axon branching is still mysterious. Axons must often pause in their outgrowth while their branches extend into targets. Some evidence suggests a competition between growth of axons and branches but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Since it is difficult to study growing axons deep within the mammalian brain, much of what we know about signaling pathways and cytoskeletal dynamics has come from studies of axonal growth cones, in many cases from non-mammalian species, growing in tissue culture. Consequently it is not well understood how guidance cues relevant to mammalian neural development in vivo signal to the growth cone cytoskeleton during axon outgrowth and guidance. In this review we describe our recent work in dissociated cultures of developing rodent sensorimotor cortex in the context of the current literature on molecular guidance cues, calcium signaling pathways and cytoskeletal dynamics that regulate growth cone behaviors. A major challenge is to relate findings in tissue culture to mechanisms of cortical development in vivo. Toward this goal, we describe our recent work in cortical slices, which preserve the complex cellular and molecular environment of the mammalian brain but allow direct visualization of growth cone behaviors and calcium signaling. Findings from this work suggest that mechanisms regulating axon growth and guidance in dissociated culture neurons also underlie development of cortical connectivity in vivo.
Iron deficiency diminishes gallbladder neuronal nitric oxide synthase.

Background. Iron deficiency has been demonstrated in the prairie dog to result in cholesterol crystal formation and altered biliary motility. Gallbladder filling and emptying are influenced by both inhibitory and excitatory stimuli, with nitric oxide (NO) playing a key role in normal relaxation. Iron is a cofactor for nitric oxide synthase. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that iron deficiency would result in diminished levels of gallbladder neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) but would not influence the gallbladder's response to excitatory stimuli. Materials and methods. Twenty adult female prairie dogs were fed either an iron-supplemented (Fe+) (200 ppm) control diet (n = 10) or an iron-deficient (Fe−) (8 ppm) diet (n = 10) for 8 weeks. Fasting gallbladder volume was measured. Gallbladder muscle strips were harvested for response to excitatory stimuli and measurement of nNOS protein levels by Western blotting. Muscle strip response to a spectrum of doses of cholecystokinin, acetylcholine, and electrical field stimuli was determined, and the areas under the response curves were calculated. Results. Gallbladder volume increased in the iron-deficient prairie dogs compared with the iron-supplemented group (1.45 ± 0.27 mL vs 0.80 ± 0.13 mL, P < 0.05). Iron deficiency diminished the ratio of gallbladder nNOS to β-actin protein levels (0.05 ± 0.01 vs 3.48 ± 1.02, P < 0.05) but resulted in a normal response to excitatory stimuli. Conclusions. We conclude that diminished gallbladder neuronal nitric oxide synthase contributes to the gallbladder stasis that occurs with iron deficiency. This phenomenon may contribute to the increased incidence of gallstones in premenopausal women.
Extended experience with digital radiography and viewing in an ICU environment

After several years of continual operation, the utility of digital viewing stations was investigated by distributing questionnaires to past and present users. The results of the questionnaire indicated that the respondents preferred using the workstations over handling film. For evaluation of line placements, chest tubes and pleural effusions, softcopy display was preferred over hardcopy. However, for analysis of air space disease and pneumothorax, images displayed on the workstation were not perceived to be as useful as standard hardcopy.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Calcium-Modulated Chloride Pathways Contribute to Chloride Flux in Murine Cystic Fibrosis-Affected Macrophages

Cystic fibrosis (CF), a common lethal inherited disorder defined by ion transport abnormalities, chronic infection, and robust inflammation, is the result of mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, a cAMP-activated chloride (Cl-) channel. Macrophages are reported to have impaired activity in CF. Previous studies suggest that Cl- transport is important for macrophage function; therefore, impaired Cl- secretion may underlie CF macrophage dysfunction. To determine whether alterations in Cl- transport exist in CF macrophages, Cl- efflux was measured using N-[ethoxycarbonylmethyl]- 6-methoxy-quinolinium bromide (MQAE), a fluorescent indicator dye. The contribution of CFTR was assessed by calculating Cl- flux in the presence and absence of cftr(inh)-172. The contribution of calcium (Ca(2+))-modulated Cl- pathways was assessed by examining Cl- flux with varied extracellular Ca(2+) concentrations or after treatment with carbachol or thapsigargin, agents that increase intracellular Ca(2+) levels. Our data demonstrate that CFTR contributed to Cl- efflux only in WT macrophages, while Ca(2+)-mediated pathways contributed to Cl- transport in CF and WT macrophages. Furthermore, CF macrophages demonstrated augmented Cl- efflux with increases in extracellular Ca(2+). Taken together, this suggests that Ca(2+)-mediated Cl- pathways are enhanced in CF macrophages compared with WT macrophages.
Extensive‐stage small‐cell lung cancer

Extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) continues to be a difficult management issue. While response rates to therapy are relatively high, durable responses are rare, and long-term survival rates are dismal. Although many attempts have been made to develop new therapies, cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy remains the mainstay in the management of these patients. In this review we highlight recent developments in the treatment and management of this malignancy, and discuss future prospects in treatment. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 21:164–175, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Nutritional biochemistry of calcium and phosphorus

Abstract The increased longevity of Western populations, especially of women, has forced a reexamination of the nutritional biochemistry of Ca and P, especially how these nutrients relate to bone mass over the increasingly extended period of late adulthood. The current epidemic of hip fractures in northern Europe and probably in North America, 57,58 with an impending rise in the early twenty-first century, impels us to: (1) optimize nutritional intakes of both Ca and P throughout life; (2) to reduce, perhaps, animal protein in the diet to promote the attainment of adult peak bone mass prior to the menopause; and (3) to maintain as much of that peak bone mass as possible in the face of the postmenopausal phase of ovarian cessation, and the inexorable bone loss related to the loss of estrogen production, and the inactivity and loss of skeletal muscle function of both superannuated men and women. 44
Differential responses of pulmonary endothelial phenotypes to cyclical stretch.

Abstract Endothelial phenotypes derived from different pulmonary vascular segments have markedly different permeability response to inflammatory agonists, but their responses to mechanical strain have not been characterized. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of cyclical stretch on cell shape, cell membrane wounding, and junctional β-catenin in rat pulmonary artery (RPAEC) and microvascular (RPMVEC) endothelial cell monolayers. After 24 h of 24% uniaxial strain at 40 cycles/min, RPAEC but not RPMVEC reoriented transverse to the axis of strain. Total β-catenin increased in RPAEC but decreased in RPMVEC. Transient plasma membrane wounding was produced by cyclical biaxial strain of 34% or by scratching of monolayers with a needle and was indicated by retention of lysine fixable fluorescent 70 kDa dextran. Junctional β-catenin was quantified by fluorescence intensity and image analysis. β-catenin fluorescence was significantly lower in wounded cells than in adjacent uninjured cells in both phenotypes, and the decrease was significantly greater in RPAEC compared to RPMVEC in both scratched (57% vs. 30%) and stretched (55% vs. 37%) cells. Using immunoprecipitation, VE-cadherin-associated β-catenin decreased significantly in RPAEC (61%) but E-cadherin-associated β-catenin was not significantly decreased in RPMVEC after 34% biaxial cyclical strain. These data suggest that RPAEC more readily remodel cell–cell adhesions during cyclical stretch than RPMVEC and that a reduced intercellular adhesion adjacent to wounded cells could serve as transvascular leak sites in both phenotypes.
Evaluation of a Nonlocal Quasi-Phase Observation Operator in Assimilation of CHAMP Radio Occultation Refractivity with WRF

Abstract A nonlocal quasi-phase radio occultation (RO) observation operator is evaluated in the assimilation of Challenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) radio occultation refractivity using a Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) ensemble data assimilation system at 50-km resolution. The nonlocal operator calculates the quasi phase through integration of the model refractivity along the observed ray paths. As a comparison, a local refractivity operator that calculates the model refractivity at the observed ray perigee points is also evaluated. The assimilation is done over North America during January 2003 in two different situations: in conjunction with dense, high-quality radiosonde observations and with only satellite cloud drift wind observations. Analyses of temperature and water vapor with the RO refractivity assimilated using the local and nonlocal operator are verified against nearby withheld radiosonde observations. The bias and RMS errors of the analyses of water vapor and temperature using th...
Phosphorylation-State-Dependent Regulation of NMDA Receptor Short-Term Plasticity Modifies Hippocampal Dendritic Ca2+ Transients

N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated currents are enhanced by phosphorylation. We have investigated effects of phosphorylation-dependent short-term plasticity of NMDA receptor-mediated exc...
Graduate Education and the Academic Job Market.

This article reviews actual and projected college enrollments, and demand for faculty, during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Although new PhDs were finding satisfying employment in government, business and industry, many graduate programs in sociology were slow to expand their academically-oriented curricula to include a concern with sociological practice when the academic job market contracted in the late 1970s. This suggests that departments may quickly reestablish narrowly focused curricula once the academic market expands again in the late 1990s. As a result, the multiple career options currently available to graduate students again may be replaced by an exclusive focus on research careers in academia.
Peptide-mediated immunosuppression

New insights into the mechanisms of allorecognition and the interactions of the TCR with the MHC molecule-peptide complex on antigen presenting cells have focused attention on developing novel biological strategies to modify the alloimmune response. Peptides derived from various regions of MHC class I and II molecules and structure-based peptides have demonstrated immunomodulatory effects both in vitro and in vivo. Their binding sites and mechanisms of action are under active investigation. Trials in human transplant recipients, with an MHC class I peptide have already begun.
Removal of tropomyosin overlap and the co-operative response to increasing calcium concentrations of the acto-subfragment-1 ATPase☆

Abstract The co-operative response of regulated actomyosin ATPase to increasing concentrations of calcium has been attributed to nearest-neighbor interactions, presumably between troponin-tropomyosin complexes. The degree of co-operativity was not decreased after the carboxy-terminal 11 amino acid residues had been removed from tropomyosin by carboxypeptidase A. This indicates that the interactions between neighboring troponintropomyosin complexes do not occur through the overlapping tropomyosin ends.
On Flag Vectors, the Dowling Lattice, and Braid Arrangements

We study complex hyperplane arrangements whose intersection lattices, known as the Dowling lattices, are a natural generalization of the partition lattice. We give a combinatorial description of the Dowling lattice via enriched partitions to obtain an explicit EL-labeling and then find a recursion for the flag h-vector in terms of weighted derivations. When the hyperplane arrangements are real they correspond to the braid arrangements An and Bn. By applying a result due to Billera and the authors, we obtain a recursive formula for the cd-index of the lattice of regions of the braid arrangements An and Bn.
Xylanase and acetyl xylan esterase activities of XynA, a key subunit of the Clostridium cellulovorans cellulosome for xylan degradation.

The Clostridium cellulovorans xynA gene encodes the cellulosomal endo-1,4-β-xylanase XynA, which consists of a family 11 glycoside hydrolase catalytic domain (CD), a dockerin domain, and a NodB domain. The recombinant acetyl xylan esterase (rNodB) encoded by the NodB domain exhibited broad substrate specificity and released acetate not only from acetylated xylan but also from other acetylated substrates. rNodB acted synergistically with the xylanase CD of XynA for hydrolysis of acetylated xylan. Immunological analyses revealed that XynA corresponds to a major xylanase in the cellulosomal fraction. These results indicate that XynA is a key enzymatic subunit for xylan degradation in C. cellulovorans.
Ozone generation by indoor, electrostatic air cleaners

ABSTRACT This experimental study extends prior studies to consider the influences of discharge polarity, current, relative humidity, air temperature, and wire diameter and material on ozone generation rate in two-stage, wire-plate indoor air cleaners. Promising methods of decreasing the quantity of ozone released into living and work spaces are identified. Use of positive corona discharge is imperative since ozone generation rates are nearly an order of magnitude higher with negative discharge. For a specific precipitator design, the most important parameter in predicting ozone generation rate is current level. Changes in temperature and relative humidity of the inlet air stream over the range of ambient conditions expected in typical homes have less impact. In the commercial air cleaner studied, a 40% reduction in current from 1.08 to 0.60 mA, reduces ozone generation rate by nearly 50% from 0.005 to 0.0025 mg s−1. This reduction in current reduces particle collection efficiency by 20%. An increase in re...
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Public and Private Medical Care Expenditures among Aged Medicare Beneficiaries

This study examines the current allocation of medical care expenditures among non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic seniors who are Medicare beneficiaries. Analyses of both "need-based" and "demand-based" perspectives found that white, black, and Hispanic seniors in similar health had similar total annual expenditures for medical care. The groups did, however, differ substantially in the distribution of expenditures between public and private sources of payment. Notably, racial and ethnic differences in public and private expenditures all but vanished when socioeconomic variables and health insurance coverage were included in the analyses. The findings suggest that public sources of payment for medical care services, especially public supplementary coverage have helped to eliminate racial and ethnic gaps in expenditures.
Principal Component Analysis of Optical Emission Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry: Application to Reactive Ion Etch Process Parameter Estimation Using Neural Networks

We report on a simple technique that characterizes the effect of process parameters (i.e., pressure, RF power, and gas mixture) on the optical emission and mass spectra of CHFJO2 plasma. This technique is sensitive to changes in chamber contamination levels (e.g., formation of Teflon-like thin-film), and appears to be a promising tool for real-time monitoring and control of reactive ion etching. Through principal component analysis, we observe that 99% of the variance in the more than 1100 optical and mass spectra channels are accounted for by the first four principal components of each sensor. Projection of the mass spectrum on its principal components suggests a strong linear relationship with respect to chamber pressure. This representation also shows that the effect of changes in thin-film levels, gas mixture, and RF power on the mass spectrum is complicated, but predictable. To model the nonlinear relationship between these process parameters and the principal component projections, a feedforward, multi-layered neural network is trained and is shown to be able to predict all process parameters from either the mass or the optical spectrum. The projections of the optical emission spectrum on its principal components suggest that optical emission spectroscopy is much more sensitive to changes in RF power than the mass spectrum, as measured by the residual gas analyzer. Model performance can be significantly improved if both the optical and mass spectrum projections are used (so called sensor fusion). Our analysis indicates that accurate estimates of process parameters and chamber conditions can be made with relatively simple neural network models which fuse the principal components of the measured optical emission and mass spectra. In the reactive ion etching (RIE) process, plasma characteristics depend on many parameters; some of these parameter values are set by the tool operator, e.g., chamber pressure, RF power, and gas flow, while others are internal to the condition of the chamber, e.g., thin-film thickness on the chamber walls, or the amount of material etched. Plasma characteristics can be observed using in situ measurements, e.g., via optical emission spectroscopy (OES) or residual gas analysis (RGA). How these measurements can be used to estimate the process parameters is the question
Analysis of Coherent Multistate Systems

The structure and reliability of homogeneous s-coherent multistate systems is studied. Homogeneous systems have two properties: 1) their components can be rearranged internally in any arbitrary way without affecting the mapping of the component states onto the system state; 2) all components, all subsystems composed of them, and the system have the same set of states. Because of the s-coherence and homogeneity properties, mapping of the component states onto the system state, as well as calculating probabilities of system states from those of the component states, become very simple. In homogeneous systems, states can be ranked according to their relative dominance, and the state ranking completely determines the structure of such a system. Any homogeneous s-coherent system belongs to one of four categories which differ in whether the identity property is satisfied or not, or on details of the state ranking. As an application, the high pressure injection system of a pressurized water reactor is modeled as a multistate system composed of homogeneous s-coherent multistate subsystems.
Testing the Value-Pragmatics Hypothesis in Unethical Compliance.

We test conformity-related values applying the value-pragmatics hypothesis by evaluating how personal values related to compliance moderate the relationships between situational factors and unethical decisions. We examine the direct and indirect effects of the values of traditionalism, conformity, and stimulation, as they combine with the situational factors of rewards and punishments in the person–situation interaction model. We find strong support for the value-pragmatics view of ethical decision making and further build support for the person–situation interaction model.
Malnutrition and Behavior: the Performance Versus Learning Problem Revisited

At 100 days of age rats, whose dams suffered severe zinc deficiency and/or undernutrition throughout lactation, were tested in two learning tasks. One test was an original discrimination learning task and the other test was a more difficult reverse discrimination learning task. In the reverse learning test, performance differed significantly between rehabilitated malnourished rats and normal rats. Difference in motivation, and not learning ability, was the explanation for the differences in performance between the malnourished and normal rats.
Pyrimidine base and nucleoside metabolism in Pseudomonas cepacia

Pyrimidine base and nucleoside metabolismin Pseudomonas cepacia was investigated. It was found that this pseudominad utilized uracila, cytosine or cytidine as a sole nitrogen source while prymidine bases and nucelosides supported little bacterial growth as sole carbon sources. Low nuceloside hydrolase and cytosine deminase activitiers were detected in P. cepacia. Synthesis of both enzymes appeared to be subject to repression by ammonium ions but repression of cytosine deaminase synthesis was more severe. Synthesis of nuceloside hydrolase or cytosine deminase was induced if the cells were grown on the substrate cytidine or cytosine, respectively, as a sole nitrogen source.
Integrating research into clinical practice: development of an echocardiography research unit.

Introducing a research program into an echocardiography clinical practice can pose many challenges. Some initial factors to consider are the possible effects on the current clinical schedule and the equipment and personnel resources required to support the research projects. More importantly, how can an organization successfully complete reliable and accurate research projects? Here, we describe our experience with establishing an echocardiography research center within our clinical echocardiography practice. In addition, we identify key staff roles, highlight our current research practice methods, and suggest essential components that may prove advantageous when incorporating echocardiography research into a clinical practice. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 26, July 2009)
Identification of putative retinoic acid target genes downstream of mesenchymal Tbx1 during inner ear development

Background: The T-box transcription factor Tbx1 is expressed in the otic vesicle and surrounding mesoderm of the periotic mesenchyme (POM) during inner ear development. Mesenchymal Tbx1 is essential for inner ear development, with conditional mutants displaying defects in both the auditory and vestibular systems. We have previously reported that mesodermal Tbx1 loss of function mutants (Mest-KO) have reduced expression of retinoic acid (RA) metabolic genes, Cyp26a1 and Cyp26c1, in the POM, consistent with other studies showing an increase in mesodermal RA reporter expression in Tbx1−/− embryos. However, putative RA effector genes whose expression is altered downstream of increased otic mesenchymal-epithelial RA signaling have remained elusive. Results: Here we report the identification of 18 retinoic acid responsive genes altered in Mest-KO conditional mutants by microarray gene profiling. Nine were chosen for biological validation including quantitative RT-PCR and in situ hybridization (Otor, Mia, Col2a1, Clu, Adm, Myt1, Dlx3, Itgb3, and Itga2b). Conclusion: Here study provides a series of newly identified RA effector genes for inner ear development downstream of mesenchymal Tbx1 that may contribute to the inner ear phenotype observed in Tbx1 loss of function mouse models. Developmental Dynamics 241:563–573, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical utility of pelvic pain mapping.

Abstract Study Objective To survey physicians' opinions concerning the impact of pelvic pain mapping on clinical management and surgical decisions. Design Opinions of physicians based on clinical experience (Canadian Task Force classification III). Setting Evening meetings appended to two national meetings. Measurements and Main Results After viewing videotaped interviews, physical examinations, standard laparoscopy, and pelvic pain mapping at laparoscopy in two patients, practicing gynecologists completed questionnaires recording their opinions about the utility of pelvic pain mapping. A second group of gynecologists viewed only one tape. The first group considered pain mapping to be moderately or extremely useful (patient 1, 57.9%; patient 2, 73.7%). Mapping data either made surgeons change the surgical procedure they would have chosen or further clarified the diagnosis (patient 1, 68.4%; patient 2, 84.2%). Of the second group of 67 surgeons, 73% thought that mapping results would have made them change their surgical approach. Conclusion In appropriate cases, pelvic pain mapping during microlaparoscopy under conscious sedation can provide information that may influence surgical decisions as well as general clinical management.
Respiratory and Cardiovascular Responses in the Hyperthermic Domestic Cock

Abstract INTRODUCTION ALTHOUGH panting in birds has been studied for a long time from a stand-point of transpiration of water in hyperthermia (Soum, 1896; Kayser, 1930), Saalfeld (1936) was the first to examine systematically hyperthermic polypnea in the pigeon. He described an area of the anterior hypothalmus as containing a “panting center” and an area of the medulla oblongata which contained a respiratory center. Randall and Hiestand (1939) found that reflex panting does not exist in birds although reflex interruption of panting was possible. Although panting dogs are hyperventilated (Richet, 1898) and can demonstrate a 50–60 percent reduction in arterial carbon dioxide concentrations (Anrep and Hammouda, 1932), Saalfeld (1936) postulated that, despite the very high respiratory rates in the hyperthermic pigeon, tidal volume is so reduced that parabronchial ventilation is within a normal range and that no disturbance of acid-base balance results. Salt and Zeuthen (1960) concluded that there was…
Association of tibia lead and blood lead with end-stage renal disease: a pilot study of African-Americans.

The association between body lead burden and kidney disease remains controversial. Fifty-five African–American end-stage renal disease (ESRD) cases and 53 age- and sex-matched African–American controls without known renal disease were recruited from Tulane University-affiliated dialysis clinics and out-patient clinics, respectively. Blood lead was measured via atomic absorption spectrophotometry and tibia lead (a measure of body lead) was measured via 109 Cd-based K shell X-ray fluorescence. Median blood lead levels were significantly higher among ESRD cases (6mg/dL) compared to their control counterparts (3mg/dL; Po0.001). Although no participants had overt lead poisoning (blood lead X25mg/dL), seven cases but no controls had blood lead levels above 10mg/dL (P ¼ 0.006). The median tibia lead level was 17 micrograms of lead per gram of bone mineral (mg/g) and 13mg/g among ESRD cases and their control counterparts, respectively (P ¼ 0.134). Four ESRD cases (7%), but no controls, had a tibia lead level above 40mg/g (P ¼ 0.115) while a similar proportion of cases and controls had tibia lead between 20 and 39mg/g (33% and 32%, respectively; P ¼ 0.726). After adjustment for potential confounders, the odds ratios of ESRD associated with a tibia lead X20mg/g and each fourfold higher tibia lead (e.g., 5–20mg/g) were 1.55 (95% CI: 0.55, 4.41) and 1.88 (95% CI: 0.53, 6.68), respectively. These findings support the need for prospective cohort studies of body lead burden and renal disease progression.
“Formal” Versus “Empirical” Approaches to Quantum–Classical Reduction

I distinguish two types of reduction within the context of quantum-classical relations, which I designate “formal” and “empirical”. Formal reduction holds or fails to hold solely by virtue of the mathematical relationship between two theories; it is therefore a two-place, a priori relation between theories. Empirical reduction requires one theory to encompass the range of physical behaviors that are well-modeled in another theory; in a certain sense, it is a three-place, a posteriori relation connecting the theories and the domain of physical reality that both serve to describe. Focusing on the relationship between classical and quantum mechanics, I argue that while certain formal results concerning singular $$\hbar \rightarrow 0$$ limits have been taken to preclude the possibility of reduction between these theories, such results at most provide support for the claim that singular limits block reduction in the formal sense; little if any reason has been given for thinking that they block reduction in the empirical sense. I then briefly outline a strategy for empirical reduction that is suggested by work on decoherence theory, arguing that this sort of account remains a fully viable route to the empirical reduction of classical to quantum mechanics and is unaffected by such singular limits.
The Structure of Inequality and the Politics of Redistribution

Against the current consensus among comparative political economists, we argue that inequality matters for redistributive politics in advanced capitalist societies, but it is the structure of inequality, not the level of inequality, that matters. Our theory posits that middle-income voters will be inclined to ally with low-income voters and support redistributive policies when the distance between the middle and the poor is small relative to the distance between the middle and the rich. We test this proposition with data from 15 to 18 advanced democracies and find that both redistribution and nonelderly social spending increase as the dispersion of earnings in the upper half of the distribution increases relative to the dispersion of earnings in the lower half of the distribution. In addition, we present survey evidence on preferences for redistribution among middle-income voters that is consistent with our theory and regression results indicating that the left parties are more likely to participate in government when the structure of inequality is characterized by skew.