cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Climatology of Weather Systems

Embedded within the quasi-permanent large-scale circulation components discussed in Chapter 6 are transient disturbances in which intense weather tends to be concentrated. The purpose of the present chapter is to review the large-scale environmental setting, and the regional and seasonal characteristics of prominent synoptic weather systems. Atmospheric disturbances are individuals rather than identical replicas of each other. Synoptic models are meant to recognize the traits common to a family of individuals, to bring some order into the diversity, and to serve in the practical tasks of weather analysis and forecasting. Where diversity prevails over commonality the design of a synoptic model may be difficult and not helpful. For the midlatitudes, the Norwegian cyclone model continues to provide a successful frame of reference, work throughout the better part of this century notwithstanding. For the tropics, the development of synoptic models (see reviews by Forsdyke, 1960; La Seur, 1964; Johnson, 1964; Riehl, 1954, pp. 210–234, 281–357, 1979, pp. 315–496; Ramage, 1971, pp. 38–85, 91–100) begins only in the 1940’s, except for the Tropical Cyclone. Moreover, synthesis is rendered difficult by the great diversity of tropical weather phenomena. Nevertheless, models have been proposed for various weather systems in low latitudes. Of these concepts some, such as the Tropical Storm (Section 7.2), are widely accepted; others as the Subtropical Cyclone (Section 7.7) and the Central American Temporales (Section 7.8) have provoked no major objections; while Waves in the Easterlies (Section 7.5) and Squall Lines (Section 7.4) are at the focus of ongoing research.
Multiple advanced battery systems for electric vehicles

Summary form only given. Eagle-Picher Industries (EPI) has adopted a broad-based approach to the electric vehicle (EV) market by the parallel development of multiple battery systems. Nickel-iron (NiFe), nickel-cadmium (NiCd) and valve regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries are being manufactured for a variety of applications, including EVs. Silver-zinc (AgZn) batteries are being produced for both military/aerospace applications and for high performance EVs such as solar/electric race vehicles. The nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel-hydrogen (NiH/sub 2/) battery systems are being manufactured for aerospace applications and are under development for near-term EV use. Nickel-zinc (NiZn) batteries have been produced in large volumes for military/aerospace applications and have been in limited use for EVs, such as the EPI electric boat which set the international water speed record. Silver-metal hydride (AgMH) batteries are also under development and may provide significant performance benefits for high performance electric race vehicles. Sodium-sulfur (NaS) batteries are in the final stages of development for aerospace applications and are also being considered for EV applications. Aerospace NaS cells have demonstrated over 150 Whr/kg, which exceeds the USABC mid-term goals. >
Education for Knowledge Management

There are two key problems in designing curriculum for knowledge management (KM). The first is that what the business community means by KM is in many cases not what the academic community understands the term to mean. Second, professional schools while providing the educational background needed for subsequent more senior positions, tend to educate for the skills needed for entry level positions, whereas KM jobs are senior level jobs that require a deep understanding of the organizational context and culture.
Commentary on Liquid Simulations and Industrial Applications

Molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations have proven to be invaluable tools in the study of liquids. Statistical mechanics tells us what to calculate to obtain liquid state properties (equation of state, specific heat, and transport coefficients for example) from a model of the interaction between molecules. Simulations are the tools needed to make those calculations for physically realistic models. While the impact of simulations on the investigation of fluid properties and structure cannot be overstated, there has been very little success in the use of these methods to predict liquid properties outside the range where model potentials have been fit to some property. One result of this is that industrial modelers, who are called upon to estimate properties for various compositions, temperatures, and pressures of liquids, have not found simulation methods to be of much value for their work. Some of the reasons for the lack of use of molecular level simulations in the industrial sector will be examined here. These reasons point to opportunities and challenges for research that could lead to industrially useful molecular simulation methods and practices.
On Using the Equivalent Conductivity to Characterize Solute Spreading in Environments with Low-Permeability Lenses

[1] Solute transport through highly heterogeneous geologic environments with connected pathways through high-conductivity material and lenses of low permeability often is not described well by a macroscopic advection-dispersion equation. An upscaled advection-dispersion model with a uniform velocity and dispersion coefficient does not predict the significant plume asymmetry and extended tailing often observed over finite distances in such environments. We investigate the hydrogeologic conditions under which an upscaled model must incorporate another mechanism to describe the extended tailing arising from slow advection through and diffusion into and out of low-permeability inclusions. We use high-resolution simulations to determine ground truth transport results for 84 hydrogeologic scenarios comprising distinct low-permeability lenses set into an otherwise homogeneous background. We compare the ability of two one-dimensional, fitted, upscaled models to reproduce the arrival time curves from the fully resolved simulations. The first model uses a macrodispersion coefficient to describe the spreading due to the low-permeability inclusions. The second model accounts for the effect of the geologic heterogeneity with a nonequilibrium mass transfer component. When the equivalent conductivity of a domain is less than or equal to the geometric mean conductivity, a macroscopic advection-dispersion model matches the results well. When the equivalent conductivity is greater than the geometric mean, however, another model may be needed to describe the solute tailing.
Selective protection of gray and white matter during spinal cord ischemic injury

Abstract Background . Ischemic injury in the gray matter is associated with excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters (EAA) release, and in the white matter is associated with intracellular sodium accumulation. We investigated the protective effect during spinal ischemia of the EAA antagonist, 2-carboxypiperazinyl-propylphosphonic acid (CPP), and the sodium channel blocker (2,6-dimethylphenylcarbamoylmethyl) triethylammonium bromide (QX). Methods . Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized in four groups, received intrathecally 10 μL of saline, CPP, QX, or QX/CPP, and underwent balloon occlusion of the aorta. Proximal pressure was lowered by exsanguination. In the acute protocol, 28 rats were used to calculate the length of occlusion, resulting in paraplegia in 50% of animals (P 50 ). In the chronic study, 60 rats underwent 11′ occlusion. The chronic animals were scored daily for 28 days and submitted to cord histology. Results . The P 50 of QX (11′22″) and QX/CPP (11′54″) were longer than saline (10′39″), suggesting a beneficial effect. Neurologic scores of all treatment groups ( p = 0.0001) and histologic scores of CPP ( p = 0.003) and QX/CPP ( p = 0.002) were better than saline. Conclusions . Protection of spinal cord during ischemia can be achieved with intrathecal administration of selective agents directed to the gray and white matter.
Exploring risks and benefits of the birth control pill.

An activity designed to assist students in comparing the known and suspected risks and benefits involved in taking oral contraceptives (OCs) is presented. It has been used in a college-level health issues class and probably could be used at the secondary level. The activity could function as a catalyst to a discussion of the research findings on OCs or it could follow such a discussion and be used as a type of evaluation. Each student is given a handout containing profiles of 3 women who are trying to decide whether or not to take OCs. The student must evaluate each characteristic in the profile provided here and indicate whether it is a risk or a benefit for the woman in question. The reason(s) for their decision must be listed. After the students have had time to list their individual responses ideas can be shared during a class discussion. At this time the group will most likely discover that certain factors represent both a risk and a benefit. Following the discussion of risks and benefits the class may try to reach a consensus and recommend a decision for each women. The students should be encouraged to explain why certain factors carry more weight than others when making a final decision.
Titania Supported Bimetallic Transition Metal Oxides for Low-Temperature SCR of NO with NH3

High surface area titania supported Mn-Cu and Mn-Cr bimetallic oxides were prepared by wet impregnation method using their nitrate salts. The catalytic activity of these materials was evaluated for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH 3 in the presence of excess oxygen at low temperatures (373-523 K). The surface and bulk properties of the catalysts were examined using X-ray diffraction, BET-surface area, FT-IR, temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies revealed the formation of definite crystalline compounds MnCrO 3 and CrMn 1.5 O 4 for Mn-Cr/TiO 2 samples and Cu 1.4 Mn 1.6 O 4 and Cu 1.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 for Mn-Cu/TiO 2 samples. The specific surface areas of the prepared catalysts were significantly lower than the pure TiO 2 support. The FT-IR studies indicate that the acidic strength of these catalysts was higher than the corresponding single oxide catalysts. TPR studies suggest that the shift in the reduction peak position toward higher temperatures in bimetallic oxides is probably due to the formation of binary or ternary metal oxide phases, as observed from XRD study. The XPS peak intensities and the corresponding binding energies indicate that the surface concentration of Mn is lower than either Cu or Cr at equal metal loadings. A slight shift of the Mn 2p XPS line toward higher binding energies (642.1 eV) was observed in the case of Mn-Cu/TiO 2 and Mn-Cr/TiO 2 catalysts. This is due to the formation of stoichiometric mixed oxide phases between promoted metal oxides, which was observed in the XRD study. The core level binding energy values indicate that the manganese is present as Mn(IV) in both the catalysts. The activity results of these catalysts were compared with their corresponding single oxide catalysts.
Sec24p and Iss1p Function Interchangeably in Transport Vesicle Formation from the Endoplasmic Reticulum in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Sec23p/Sec24p complex functions as a component of the COPII coat in vesicle transport from the endoplasmic reticulum. Here we characterize Saccharomyces cerevisiae SEC24, which encodes a protein of 926 amino acids (YIL109C), and a close homologue, ISS1 (YNL049C), which is 55% identical to SEC24. SEC24 is essential for vesicular transport in vivo because depletion of Sec24p is lethal, causing exaggeration of the endoplasmic reticulum and a block in the maturation of carboxypeptidase Y. Overproduction of Sec24p suppressed the temperature sensitivity of sec23-2, and overproduction of both Sec24p and Sec23p suppressed the temperature sensitivity of sec16-2. SEC24 gene disruption could be complemented by overexpression of ISS1, indicating functional redundancy between the two homologous proteins. Deletion of ISS1 had no significant effect on growth or secretion; however, iss1Delta mutants were found to be synthetically lethal with mutations in the v-SNARE genes SEC22 and BET1. Moreover, overexpression of ISS1 could suppress mutations in SEC22. These genetic interactions suggest that Iss1p may be specialized for the packaging or the function of COPII v-SNAREs. Iss1p tagged with His(6) at its C terminus copurified with Sec23p. Pure Sec23p/Iss1p could replace Sec23p/Sec24p in the packaging of a soluble cargo molecule (alpha-factor) and v-SNAREs (Sec22p and Bet1p) into COPII vesicles. Abundant proteins in the purified vesicles produced with Sec23p/Iss1p were indistinguishable from those in the regular COPII vesicles produced with Sec23p/Sec24p.
Syntactic translations and provably recursive functions

Syntactic translations of classical logic C into intuitionistic logic I are well known (see [Kol25], [Gli29], [God32], [Kre58b], [M063], [Cel69] and [Lei71]). Harvey Friedman [Fri78] used a translation of a similar nature, from I into itself, to reprove a theorem of Kreisel [Kre58a] that various theories based on I are closed under Markov's rule: if ¬¬∃x.α is a theorem, where x is a numeric variable and α is a primitive recursive relation, then ∃x.α is a theorem. Composing this with Godel's translation from classical to intuitionistic theories, it follows that the functions provably recursive in the classical version of the theories considered are provably recursive already in their intuitionistic version. This conservation result is important in that it guarantees that no information about the convergence of recursive functions is lost when proofs are restricted to constructive logic, thus removing a potential objection to the use of constructive logic in reasoning about programs (see [C078] for example). Conversely, no objection can be raised by intuitionists to proofs of formulas that use classical reasoning, because such proofs can be converted to constructive proofs (this has been exploited extensively; see [Smo82]).Proofs of closure under Markov's rule had required, until Friedman's proof, a relatively sophisticated mathematical apparatus. The chief method used Godel's “Dialectica” interpretation (see [Tro73, §3]). Other proofs used cut-elimination, provable reflection for subsystems [Gir73], and Kripke models [Smo73]. Moreover, adapting these proofs to new theories had required that the underlying meta-mathematical techniques be adapted first, not always a trivial step.
Toward a multi-country model of exchange rate determination

Abstract This paper constructs a simple model of bilateral exchange rate determination in a three-country trading world. The results of the investigation indicate that exchange rate overshooting need not necessarily occur, although there is a presumption in favor of this result based on reasonable parameter values and provided that money demand functions do not exhibit great cross-country variation. The paper also reveals that increasing the number of countries is likely to diminish this presumption. It can be seen that the dynamic implications of such a disturbance are far more complex than in a one-country model.
A “Saw-Tooth” Pattern in Parkinson's Disease

A patient with severe Parkinson's disease had a maximum inspiratory and expiratory flow-volume loop showing a "saw-tooth" pattern. It is concluded that this sign is not specific for the sleep apnea syndrome.
Microdissection, Microchip Arrays, and Molecular Analysis of Tumor Cells (Primary and Metastases)

Advances in biotechnology and bioinformatics are offering promise for new breakthroughs in gene discovery and elucidation of gene function. At present, many candidate genes related to cancer pathogenesis have been identified in several types of human cancer, yet frequently their function remains elusive. This is particularly true as it relates to the progression of human cancer. This landscape could change dramatically, however, as technological innovations and improvements continue to revolutionize these fields. High-throughput molecular approaches are emerging, which may become accurate, automated, and cost-effective. For example, DNA arrays on microchips are under development with numerous applications, including the ability to screen genes rapidly for mutations and to study patterns of gene expression on a large scale. Automated systems for microdissection and sequencing are also in their implementation stages. Commensurate with their integration and evolution, these information and technological tools have the potential to offer a more comprehensive understanding of multiple genetic and cellular alterations occurring during cancer initiation, development, and progression. Ultimately, this fundamental knowledge can provide strategies for intervention, prevention, and early diagnosis.
Globalization And Monetary-policy Independence In India

Globalization of the early 1990s is thought to have caused the loss of monetary-policy independence in India. I find that India's monetary-policy independence is anchored in the exchange-rate regime along with its state of foreign-exchange reserves, and not necessarily in globalization per se. India significantly followed US interest rates even in the absence of globalization in the 1960s when the country faced foreign-exchange constraints and maintained a fixed exchange rate. From the mid 1970s to the early 1990s, India exercised monetary-policy independence under a floating exchange-rate regime. The loss of monetary-policy independence since the early 1990s is not attributable to globalization per se, but mainly to the stable exchange-rate policy of India, which heavily resembles the policy of the 1960s.
Freezing of Xylem Sap Without Cavitation

Freezing of stem sections and entire twigs of hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) has been demonstrated to occur without increasing the resistance to the movement of water through the frozen part after rewarming. This was interpreted to mean that freezing did not produce cavitation in the xylem sap even though A) the sap was unquestionably frozen; B) it contained dissolved gases; and C) it was under tension before freezing and after. Freezing stem sections of some other evergreen gymnosperms during the summer again produced no evidence for cavitation of the xylem sap. On the other hand, freezing stem sections of some angiosperms invariably increased the resistance to sap flow leading to wilting and death in a few hours when the sap tension was at normal daytime values at the time of freezing. These results were interpreted to mean that the bordered pits on the tracheids of gymnosperms function to isolate the freezing sap in each tracheid so that the expansion of water upon freezing not only eliminates any existing tension but also develops positive pressure in the sap. Dissolved gases frozen out of solution may then be redissolved under this positive pressure as melting occurs. As the bubbles are reduced in size by this ice pressure developed in an isolated tracheid, further pressure is applied by the surface tension of the water against air. If the bubbles are redissolved or are reduced to sufficient small size by the time the tension returns to the sap as the last ice crystals melt, then the internal pressure from surface tension in any existing small bubbles may exceed the hydrostatic tension of the melted sap and the bubbles cannot expand and will continue to dissolve.
Doing research on effective cross‐cultural teaching: The teacher tale

(1983). Doing research on effective cross‐cultural teaching: The teacher tale. Peabody Journal of Education: Vol. 61, The transcultural education of American Indian and Alaska native children: Teachers and students in transaction, pp. 86-108.
Biopty gun testis needle biopsy: a preliminary clinical experience

OBJECTIVE To assess the reliability, safety and patient satisfaction of transcutaneous Biopty (Bard Urological, Covington, GA, USA) gun testis biopsies. PATIENTS AND METHODS Nineteen young men who were referred for evaluation of azoospermia were included in the study. The procedure was performed in an outpatient setting, under local anaesthesia and without sedation. Two passes of the Biopty gun spring-loaded needle were performed unilaterally in each patient. RESULTS An average of 38.9 seminiferous tubules were evaluable per patient. The procedure was extremely well-tolerated by all patients and most felt that the procedure was no more distressing than simple phlebotomy. CONCLUSION Transcutaneous testis needle biopsy performed with the Biopty gun is safe, rapid and cost-effective. This technique may represent a viable alternative to the open method of testis biopsy.
Theoretical study of enantiodifferentiation in solid state cyclodextrins

A molecular mechanics investigation of R- vs. S-phenylethanol, R- vs. S-mandelic acid, R- vs. S-flurbiprofen, and R- vs. S-fenoprofen in their cyclodextrin crystal environments was undertaken. It was found that the dominant force responsible for guesthost complexation is the short-range London force; the enantiodiscriminating forces tend to be very small and are generally, but not always, dominated by long-range electrostatic contributions. Derivatized cyclodextrins are generally more enantiodiscriminating than native cyclodextrins, perhaps due to exterior rather than interior guest-host binding. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Fatal susceptibility of a free-swimming paramecium to peroxidizing rat liver microsomes

Abstract The free-swimming protozoan Paramecium multimicronucleatum is immobilized and killed when incubated at 37.5°C in the presence of peroxidizing rat liver microsomes oxidizing NADPH. If NADPH is omitted, lipid peroxidation does not occur, and the paramecia are minimally affected. Malonic dialdehyde is not the active agent, and NADPH alone is inert. The toxic activity is present in nonperoxidizing filtrates obtained from prior incubations of peroxidizing microsomes. The activity is not present in the filtrate if lipid peroxidation did not occur prior to filtration. The fact that toxic activity survives filtration and appears only when lipid peroxidation has occurred strongly implies that it is derived from the peroxidizing lipids and that it is not a free radical.
Standardized Tests and Other Criteria in Admissions Decisions: A Classroom Activity.

This exercise aims to provide a hands-on, role-playing activity that requires students to evaluate the strengths and limitations of standardized tests in making admission decisions. Small groups pretend to be an admissions committee and review fictitious student applications containing both standardized test scores and other information admissions committees typically request. The class discusses problems each committee encountered, how much importance to place on the different components of an application packet, and their beliefs about the utility of various admissions criteria. Data indicate that perceptions regarding standardized tests were significantly altered and that students self-reported the activity encouraged both learning and critical thinking.
Locating faulty code by multiple points slicing

Dynamic slicing has long been considered as a useful tool for debugging programs as it effectively identifies a reduced fault candidate set which captures the faulty code in the program. Traditionally, a backward dynamic slice is computed starting from an incorrect value observed by the programmer during a failed program run. This incorrect value is either an incorrect output value or an incorrect address whose dereferencing causes the program to crash. Recently we proposed two additional types of dynamic slices, a forward dynamic slice of a minimal failure inducing input difference and a bidirectional dynamic slice of a critical predicate. We have built a dynamic slicing tool that computes dynamic slices by instrumenting program binaries and executing them to build dynamic dependence graphs. In this paper, through experiments, we demonstrate that supporting three different types of dynamic slices has the following advantages. First, we observe that for each type of dynamic slice there are distinct situations in which it is not applicable. Therefore, we should support multiple types of slices to handle a wide range of situations. Second, supporting multiple types of dynamic slices enables us to compute a multiple points dynamic slice which is the intersection of different type of available slices. Our experiments show that multiple points dynamic slices are significantly smaller than any of the three kinds of individual dynamic slices. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Actions Taken to Reduce Sodium Intake Among Adults With Self-Reported Hypertension: HealthStyles Survey, 2005 and 2008

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2010;12:793-799. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Consuming high amounts of dietary sodium is associated with hypertension. The authors analyzed the HealthStyles 2005 and 2008 survey for behaviors to lower blood pressure related to dietary sodium, including the reduction of sodium intake and reading food labels for sodium content among hypertensives. All estimates were based on self-reported data. The relative percent change (RPC) in the prevalence of these behaviors between 2005 and 2008 was assessed. During the 3-year period, there were increases in the prevalence of reducing dietary sodium (RPC=17.2%, 56.6% in 2008 vs 48.3% in 2005; P<.05) and reading food labels for sodium content (RPC=7.9%, 53.0% vs 49.1%; P<.05). In 2005, the proportion of hypertensive adults who reported reducing dietary sodium was higher for persons 65 years and older, for blacks, for those with income <$25,000, and for those with more than a high school education compared with those in their comparison groups. In 2008, those aged 65 years and older had the highest percentage, while Hispanics and blacks had essentially the same percentage for reducing sodium. Based on 2005 and 2008 HealthStyles surveys, about half of hypertensive patients reported reducing their intake of sodium and reading food labels for salt. Health care providers should emphasize the importance of knowing the daily recommended limit for dietary sodium to help adults lower this intake.
Instrumental advances in Raman optical activity

1. W. Hug, Applied Spectrosc., 35, 115 (1981) 2. L. A. Barron and J. Vrbancich, J. Raman Spectrosc., 15, 47 (1984)
Opto-mechanical design considerations for the Linac Coherent Light Source x-ray mirror system

ABSTRACT The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is an X-ray Fr ee Electron Laser (FEL) currently under construction at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. Co herent X-rays present interesting cha llenges for the opto-mechanical system that delivers the beam to experiments. One challenge is to limit the effect mirror reflections have on the beam intensity profile at the experiment stations. This imposes stringent requirements on mirror surface figure. A second challenge is that the distance from the mirrors to experiments is much greater than for prior generation x-ray sources. This imposes stringent requirements on mirror pointing resolution and stability. Pointing resolution must be within 100 nano-radians for the furthest experiments, and must be stable throughout the experiment duration. This paper describes the opto-mechanical system being designed for LCLS, and how it rises to these challenges. The design approach and supporting analysis are described, along with experimental results from prototypes. Keywords: X-ray FEL, opto-mechanical, mirror figure, pointing resolution, pointing stability
James Gimzewski discusses the potential of nanobiotechnology

Abstract James Gimzewski, California NanoSystems Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 607 Charles E. Young Drive East, Box 951569, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. Tel.: 1 310 794 7514; fax: +1-310-206-4038; e-mail: gim@chem.ucla.edu
Why Medicine Cannot be a Science

My thesis is that, although medicine is scientific, it is not and can not become a science. After rejecting as flawed an argument attempting to show that medicine is already is science. I argue that a comparison of such basic, defining features as internal aims, criteria of success, and principles regulating the enterprises demonstrate that medicine and science are inherently different. I then argue that while it may be possible to reduce the cognitive content of medicine to biology, medicine itself cannot be reduced, for as an enterprise it possesses features that make it an inappropriate subject of reduction. I conclude by indicating four results that emerge from recognizing that medicine and science are basically distinct.
Hypoxic ischemic brain injury following in hospital cardiac arrest – Lessons from autopsy

Hypoxic ischemic brain injury (HIBI) is the most decisive factor in determining the outcome following a cardiac arrest. After an arrest, neuronal death may be early or delayed. The aim of our study is to determine the prevalence and predictors of HIBI on autopsy following an in hospital cardiac arrest. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who sustained an in hospital cardiorespiratory arrest and underwent autopsy following in hospital mortality at our tertiary care medical center from January 2004-June 2012. These patients were identified from the autopsy registry maintained by the Department of Pathology and were classified into two groups based on the presence or absence of HIBI on autopsy. We compared the baseline demographics, risk factors, total duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, number of resuscitative events and survival time between both groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of hypoxic ischemic injury following cardiac arrest. Out of 71 patients identified during this study period, 21% had evidence of HIBI on autopsy. On univariate analysis, predictors of HIBI were prolonged hospital stay, prolonged survival time following an arrest and a slight increased trend following multiple resuscitative events. On multivariate analysis, prolonged survival time was the only significant predictor of HIBI. Similar to other prognostication cardiac arrest studies, there were minimal predictors of early neuronal injury even on autopsy.
Membrane characteristics of human articular cartilage

Abstract The permeability, expressed as A/Δx, of human articular cartilage was determined using a two-chamber diffusion cell for a series of solutes and were found to decrease in the following order H3HO > Na+ > urea > Cl− > proline > SO42− > glucose > sucrose > proteins. The pressure filtration coefficient, Lp, was measured as 3 · 10−12 cm5 · dyne−1 · s−1. The apparent pore radius was determined as 17 A.
Including students with disabilities in urban public schools: community psychology theory and research.

Since prior to Swampscott, community psychologists have been concerned about the oppressed—those who have not received their fair share of society's resources (Sarason, 1974). These include women, ...
Public Health Emergency Preparedness at the Local Level: Results of a National Survey

Since 9/11, the United States has invested over U.S.$7 billion in the state and local public health infrastructure to enhance its ability to respond to public health emergencies. Despite the magnitude of this investment, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recently concluded that “it is difficult to measure objectively the progress that has been made and the preparedness gaps” that remain (Institute of Medicine 2008). Despite the development of several instruments intended to measure local public health capacity in general and emergency preparedness (EP) in particular (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2002; Levi, Vinter, and Segal 2007; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2008;), there are still minimal nationally representative data on local public health emergency preparedness (PHEP). To address this gap, we analyzed the data from a national survey of local health departments (LHDs) conducted in 2005 by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Intended to provide information about general public health services, the survey also included a set of variables related to PHEP. We used these variables to study the relationship between specific elements of public health infrastructure and LHDs' PHEP. The literature on public health performance shows that LHDs' characteristics, such as the size of the population served, the organizational structure of the LHD, and the interaction between LHDs and communities' partners, are factors associated with performance outcomes (Erwin 2008). In particular, there is some evidence demonstrating the association between the existence of a board of health (BOH) and public health performance (Mays et al. 2006; Bhandari et al. 2008;). Similarly, there is evidence of the association between performance and the degree of interaction between the LHD and communities' partners (Lovelace 2000; Erwin 2008;). This knowledge, coupled with data availability, provided the basis for our selection of the following potential predictors of preparedness outcomes: the size of the population served, the presence of a BOH, and the LHD's participation in organizing coalitions.
Effect of Gonadal Steroids on Bone and Other Physiological Parameters of Male Broiler Chickens

Abstract Comparative studies of the effects of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, cholesterol, and megestrol on juvenile chickens were carried out to determine their effects on bone and other physiological parameters. The chickens were implanted at 6 wk of age with ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers containing steroids equivalent to a weekly dose of 10 mg/kg body weight for 3 consecutive wk. Estradiol caused a gain in body weight and relative liver weight but suppressed the growth of comb and testis. It also increased several serum variables, including triglycerides, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus, and iron, and reduced testosterone levels. Testosterone produced an increase in comb weight and decreased both testicular and bursal weights. Growths of testis and comb were suppressed in progesterone-implanted chickens, as was the level of serum testosterone. Megestrol stimulated liver growth and increased serum testosterone levels. The lengths, relative weights, diaphyseal diameters, and ash percentages of both femur and tibia did not change significantly due to any treatment except that estradiol reduced tibial weight. Both progesterone and megestrol increased fibular growth plate alkaline and tartarate-resistant acid phosphatase activities. Other steroids did not affect these or the levels of calcium and of phosphorus of the fibular growth plate. Only testosterone caused a marked increase in the breaking strengths of both femur and tibia in all three parameters, i.e., load at yield, Young's modulus, and stress at yield responses. These findings suggest that the effects of steroids on bone in juvenile chickens may be limited.
The relationship between legal abortion and marriage

A study using the abortion-birth ratios for residents of each U.S. state for the second half of 1970 and for all of 1971 was done to determine if legal abortions reduced marriages. Data showed that trends were consistent with the hypothesis that a relationship exists between l egalized abortion-birth ratios and trends in crude marriage rates among states between 1967 and 1971 with reduction in crude marriage rates in the states with the relatively high abortion-birth ratios. Change in po licy on induced abortions may be responsible for the increased trend in the U.S. crude marriage rate from 1959-1970 and for its levelling off in 1971 and 1972. Analysis of data also suggested that there is a relation ship between less restrictive abortion policies and a decline in crude marriage rates. An estimation of the number of marriages postponed for at least one year following legal abortion indicated that about 1 abortion in 10 delays a marriage when all the decline in marriage rates were caused by increased abortions and when no legal abortions were subs titutes for illegal abortions. Results were obtained employing general measures for variables but stronger relationships might be produced if more refined measures which consider race age parity and marital status were introduced.
Rocking and pacifiers: Two comforting interventions for heelstick pain

The effects of behavioral interventions in reducing the stress of infant pain are not well documented. Two comfort interventions, rocking and pacifiers, were compared with routine care administered to 60 newborn infants randomly assigned to the three conditions following a neonatal screening heelstick. Heart rate, state of arousal, and crying were recorded continuously. Both pacifiers and rocking reduced crying, but pacifiers predominantly produced sleep states and rocking predominantly produced alert states. Pacifiers reduced heart rate levels significantly more than did rocking. Thus, newborns clearly benefit from both comforting methods. Several mechanisms are proposed to account for these findings.
A simplified approach to predict part temperature and minimum “safe” cycle time

The largest component of the injection molding cycle is the cooling time. Thus it is highly desirable, to be able to predict what its minimum acceptable value can be. This is becoming even more important with increased competition from regions where the labor cost is low. In an injection molding operation, the mold thermal state changes from its initial value until a quasi steady state is reached. The minimum required cooling time increases with continuous molding until a steady state value is achieved. Improving the mold thermal design will decrease the cooling time thus reducing total cycle time. The overall goal of this work is to develop a simple reliable method to predict a minimum safe cycle time for steady production. In this article, we discuss software capable of simulating the thermal state of the part and mold for multiple injection molding cycles while balancing simulation time with results accuracy. Three case studies are presented, one done in our labs and two on-site at an automotive manufacturing facility. The three case studies are used to evaluate the ability of the software to predict part surface temperature for continuous molding. We also discuss how this software can be used as the basis to establish the minimum safe cycle time. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
A series formula for inversion of the V-line Radon transform in a disc

The paper presents an exact formula for a Fourier series reconstruction of a function from its V-line Radon transform in a disc. This transform (often also called broken-ray Radon transform) appears in mathematical models of several imaging modalities, e.g. single-scattering optical tomography and @c-ray emission tomography. Our inversion formula relaxes the support restriction on the image function required in the previously discovered inversion technique (Ambartsoumian, 2012) [8], and uses data from only half of the set of broken rays required before. The general strategy of the current approach was outlined in (Ambartsoumian, 2012) [8].
Predictions of forces acting upon the lumbar spine under isometric and isokinetic conditions: A model-experiment comparison

The biomechanical analysis technique of Schultz and Andersson (1981) was used to predict sagittally symmetric activity of the trunk under motion conditions. These biomechanical predictions were compared with the results of experimental exertions of 20 male and female subjects performing both isometric and isokinetic back extention activities. The results indicate differences in behavior of the internal trunk structures under motion conditions compared with quasi-static model predictions. The behavior of the model components are scrutinized and means to embellish the model to account for muscle state and trunk velocity are discussed. These findings have implications for ergonomic designs, manual materials handling, standard setting and clinical evaluation.
Recrystallization and Texture Development in Hot Rolled 1050 Aluminum

The evolution of texture as a function of recrystallization has been characterized for hotrolled AA1050. Samples prepared from hot rolled sheet were annealed isothermally for sufficient time to allow complete recrystallization. The microstructural variation and texture evolution in the samples was observed by automatic indexing of Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) patterns in a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The spatial orientation variation within the deformed microstructure of nucleation, growth and orientations of recrystallized grains was examined. The orientation spread within grains was found to be a useful quantity for partitioning recrystallized and unrecrystallized regions. Also the effect of deformation texture on the evolution and growth of various recrystallization texture components was analyzed. The analysis is aimed at obtaining a correlation between the deformation microstructure, texture development and recrystallization kinetics in the hot-rolled condition. Preliminary results suggest only a weak correlation between the rate of recrystallization and the deformation texture component.
Factors influencing bacterial attachment to the ruminal epithelium in vitro.

Some factors influencing bacterial attachment to the rumen epithelium were studied in vitro using mixed rumen bacteria (upper- or lower-layer bacteria formed at bacterial sediment by centrifugation), isolated from steers fed a roughage diet, and rumen epithelial cells collected from beef cattle given low-concentrate (50%; LC) and high-concentrate (90%; HC) diets. Optimal incubation conditions for bacterial attachment to rumen epithelial cells were 39°C for 30 min. The bacteria isolated from the upper layer had a higher attaching activity to the LC epithelial cells than those of the lower layer. A higher degree of bacterial attachment was observed using the rumen epithelium from steers fed the LC diet rather than the HC diet (p<0.01). Ethylenediamine dihydroiodide (EDDI) added at 10 through 40 μg I/ml increased bacterial attachment to the HC epithelial cells. Ammonia at 50 through 100 μg/ml positively affected bacterial attachment to both LC and HC epithelial cells. Bacterial attachment to the HC epithelial cells was enhanced (p<0.01) by the addition of a reducing agent (L-cysteine·HCl) but no increase was noted with LC cells. L-orD-lactate, volatile and unsaturated fatty acids markedly decreased bacterial attachment to rumen epithelial cells.
Translocation and Accumulation of Translocate in the Sugar Beet Petiole

Accumulation of translocate during steady-state labeling of photosynthate was measured in the source leaf petioles of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. monogerm hybrid). During an 8-hr period, 2.7% of the translocate or 0.38 μg carbon/min was accumulated per cm petiole. Material was stored mainly as sucrose and as compounds insoluble in 80% ethanol. The minimum peak velocity of translocation approached an average of 54 cm/hr as the specific activity of the 14CO2 pulse was progressively increased. The ratio of cross sectional area required for translocation to actual sieve tube area in the petiole was 1.2. A regression analysis of translocation rate versus sieve tube cross sectional area yielded a coefficient of 0.76. The specific mass transfer rate in the petiole was 1.4 g/hr cm2 phloem or 4.8 g/hr cm2 sieve tube. Histoautoradiographic studies indicated that translocation occurs through the area of phloem occupied by sieve tubes and companion cells while storage occurs in these cells plus cambium and phloem parenchyma cells. The ability of the petiole to act as a sink for translocate is consistent with the concept that storage along path tissue serves to buffer sucrose concentration in the translocate during periods of fluctuating assimilation.
Insulin‐sensitizing antihyperglycaemic medications are associated with better outcome in patients with diabetes undergoing cardiac stress testing

Background: There are several treatment modalities available for diabetes; however, the effects of the different medications on coronary artery disease are less understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation of insulin-sensitizing therapy with the outcome of stress myocardial perfusion testing and to compare it with conventional therapy. Methods: Of 417 patients referred to stress testing for evaluation of chest pain, 222 were identified as being treated with conventional therapy only (insulin and insulin secretagogues) and 195 as being treated with insulin sensitizers (metformin and thiazolidinediones (TZD)). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to correct for confounding factors and to determine the independent relation between treatment type and stress-test outcome. Results: Ischaemia, infarction and the composite outcome were less frequent in the insulin-sensitizer group than in the conventional therapy group (odds ratio (OR) = 0.39, P = 0.025; OR = 0.32, P = 0.021 and OR = 0.38, P = 0.009, respectively). The subgroup analysis showed that treatment with metformin (n = 125) compared with conventional therapy was associated with less infarction or the composite outcome of ischaemia and/or ischaemia (OR = 0.18 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.05–0.66), P = 0.010; OR = 0.34 (95%CI: 0.15–0.80), P = 0.014, respectively). Treatment with TZD (n = 43) was associated with a trend to less frequent ischaemia (OR = 0.18 (95%CI: 0.03–1.01), P = 0.051). Conclusion: The addition of insulin-sensitizing medications to the conventional diabetes therapy or their sole use was associated with decreased coronary artery disease or its severity in patients with diabetes as determined by stress myocardial perfusion study. Randomized prospective trials will be necessary to prove this benefit.
The Discrimination between Magnesium and Manganese by Serum Proteins

Magnesium and manganese have proved physically and functionally interchangeable in many isolated biological systems investigated in vitro. This lack of discrimination contrasts sharply with the high biological specificity exhibited by intact mammals under a large variety of conditions. The dichotomy between intact animals and their isolated systems might be due at least partially to presence vs. absence of an intact circulation. Hence the capability of mammalian plasma to discriminate between the alkaline earth and the transition metal was investigated by means of equilibrium dialysis, exchange, ultrafiltration, ultracentrifugation, and zone electrophoresis. The states of the respective elements are thus contrasted as follows: (a) Magnesium is partially bound, manganese totally. (b) Magnesium is nonselectively bound by serum proteins, manganese selectively by a β1-globulin. (c) Under conditions approaching physiological, the two metals do not interchange. This is interpreted as indicating that the plasma proteins contribute to biological specificity by discriminating between a trace metal and a macronutrient.
Cross-Section Reconstruction with a Fan-Beam Scanning Geometry

A simple approach for cross-section reconstruction with a fan-beam scanning geometry is discussed. The scanner and the radiation beams are set up in such a way that the projection data can be rearranged and considered as if they were generated from the conventional parallel-beam configuration. The convolution algorithm is used for the cross-section reconstruction of synthetic patterns. Combarisons are made between the fan-beam and parallel-beam geometries.