cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Applying Bayesian Maximum Entropy to extrapolating local‐scale water consumption in Maricopa County, Arizona

[1] Understanding water use in the context of urban growth and climate variability requires an accurate representation of regional water use. It is challenging, however, because water use data are often unavailable, and when they are available, they are geographically aggregated to protect the identity of individuals. The present paper aims to map local-scale estimates of water use in Maricopa County, Arizona, on the basis of data aggregated to census tracts and measured only in the City of Phoenix. To complete our research goals we describe two types of data uncertainty sources (i.e., extrapolation and downscaling processes) and then generate data that account for the uncertainty sources (i.e., soft data). Our results ascertain that the Bayesian Maximum Entropy (BME) mapping method of modern geostatistics is a theoretically sound approach for assimilating the soft data into mapping processes. Our results lead to increased mapping accuracy over classical geostatistics, which does not account for the soft data. The confirmed BME maps therefore provide useful knowledge on local water use variability in the whole county that is further applied to the understanding of causal factors of urban water demand.
Detection of protein conformational changes with a nanogap biosensor

We demonstrate for the first time the detection of a conformational change in protein structure using a nanogap biosensor. Understanding the relationship between protein structure and function is paramount to unlocking life's processes on a molecular scale, and it is important to develop efficient measurement tools necessary to record these relationships. We have developed a unique nanoscale electrode-based biosensor that uses dielectric spectroscopy to interrogate samples inside a nanoscale gap, and we have shown that this biosensor is sensitive enough to record the conformational changes of a well known protein.
A Review of “The Gender and Media Reader”

Routledge's Gender and Media Reader (2012) is a massive text, coming in at just over 700 pages. It is the kind of book that gives you a backache if you carry it around too long, and yet, the backac...
Lumbosacral plexopathy secondary to hyperfractionated radiation therapy: A case presentation and literature review

Damage to the lumbosacral plexus is an infrequent complication of radiation therapy to pelvic or spinal lesions. Described is a case of neurologic injury presenting in a young man treated definitively for a paraspinal soft tissue sarcoma. Neurologic symptoms and signs were limited to lower motor neuron deficits without sensory or sphincter disturbances. There remains no evidence of recurrence of the primary lesion. This is the first reported case of lumbosacral plexopathy occurring after a course of hyperfractionated radiotherapy. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc1 .
Evaluation of E-Mail Feedback on the Verbal Behaviors of Pre-Service Teachers.

The effects of e-mail feedback with written verbatim examples and frequency counts of expansions on pre-service teachers' verbal behaviors were examined in two studies. In Experiment I, e-mail feedback on the use of expansions was evaluated in a multiple baseline design across 3 undergraduate early childhood special education students. Results indicated a systematic relation between the e-mail feedback and the participant's use of expansions. Experiment II was a systematic replication of Experiment I. E-mail feedback on the use of expansions and specific praise was evaluated in a multiple baseline design across 3 student teachers. Results were similar to Experiment I. Student teachers' use of expansions displayed more variability than the practicum students. Implications for (a) the identification of effective practices for university supervisors, (b) the use of e-mail to communicate between supervisors and pre-service teachers, (c) future research on feedback, and (d) methods for conducting systematic re...
Neurologic Syndromes of the Head and Neck

Although patients with Bell palsy and trigeminal neuralgia occasionally present to primary care physicians, most of the syndromes in this article are somewhat rare in primary care practice. It is important to recognize signs and symptoms of these syndromes so that appropriate management is carried out. Patients may experience sensory and/or motor symptoms of the head and neck due to disorders of the cranial and cervical nerves. The syndromes and symptoms discussed in this article include ear pain, sinus pain, herpes zoster (HZ) oticus (Ramsay Hunt), HZ ophthalmicus, facial nerve paralysis in adults and children, superior laryngeal neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, nervus intermedius (geniculate) neuralgia, and Raeder paratrigeminal syndrome.
Dynamic scheduling of stochastic jobs on a single machine

Abstract In this paper, the problem of minimizing the expected number of tardy jobs on a single machine is investigated. Jobs having stochastic processing times and deterministic due dates arrive randomly. The objectives of this research are to evaluate the role of the variance of processing time and to develop a dynamic scheduling policy, which is simple and robust, so that it can be used in rapidly changing and uncertain manufacturing environments. A heuristic based on a myopically optimal solution is developed. The sufficient conditions for the optimality and the worst case analysis are also provided. Computational study validates its effectiveness by comparison with optimal solutions.
Pilgrim Networks of the Holy Shrine of Esquipulas, Guatemala

The Shrine of the Black Christ of Esquipulas, Guatemala, attracts over one million pilgrims annually. This research reveals major pilgrim source areas and identifies key variables associated with pilgrim movement to the shrine. Four data sets were obtained by interviewing pilgrims at the shrine. In major pilgrim source areas, religious leaders and transportation agents were visited throughout Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Over 60% of the pilgrims originate in Guatemala. An additional 20% travel from Honduras and 10% come from El Salvador. Smaller numbers journey from Mexico and the United States of America. Within Guatemala distance decay plays a role in accounting for variations in source areas especially when standardizing pilgrim numbers by total population. Other Black Christ shrines throughout Central America and Mexico have developed their own areas of influence and attract individuals who might otherwise travel to Esquipulas. As distance increases these secondary shrines gain in importance ...
Persistence of calcium elevation in the HPB-ALL human T cell line correlates with immunosuppressive properties of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The immunosuppressive synthetic methylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), has been shown to cause both an immediate and a sustained elevation of free intracellular calcium (Ca2+) in human T cells. In the present studies, a series of anthracene- and pyrene-based PAHs were tested for rapid (3 min) and sustained (4 hr) Ca2+ mobilization in the HPB-ALL human T cell line measured by flow cytometry using Fluo-3 as a Ca2+ indicator. Immunosuppressive PAHs produced a sustained Ca2+ elevation for at least 4 hr, while weakly immunosuppressive PAHs caused only a transient increase in Ca2+. The immunosuppressive PAHs, DMBA, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, and 9,10-dimethylanthracene, produced a sustained increase in intracellular Ca2+ in HPB-ALL cells. Those PAHs with moderate to minimal immunosuppressive properties (i.e., dibenz[a,c]anthracene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[e]pyrene, and anthracene) produced small and transient Ca2+ mobilization responses in HPB-ALL cells. It appeared that methylation of anthracene at the 9,10-positions increased the duration of Ca2+ mobilization, whereas the addition of a benzene group in the "a" position was associated with a transient increase in Ca2+ levels. Genistein, a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor, partially inhibited the rapid and sustained PAH-induced Ca2+ mobilization responses, while the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, staurosporine and calphostin C, had essentially no effect on PAH-induced Ca2+ elevation. It appears that the action of PAHs on PTKs is important in the rapid Ca2+ response of human T cells. However, additional biochemical mechanisms appear to be responsible for the sustained elevation of Ca2+ produced by PAHs in T cells. The results of these studies demonstrate that persistent elevation of intracellular Ca2+ by PAHs correlates with their known immunosuppressive properties.
LIBERALISM AND FEAR AS EXPLANATIONS OF PUNITIVENESS

This paper explores the relationship between liberalism, victimization experience (both direct and vicarious), fear of victimization, and attitudes towards purposes of incarceration. The study makes use of a national public opinion poll conducted for ABC News in 1982. The major findings are that both fear and liberalism contribute to punitiveness but, more importantly, individual demographic characteristics are ambiguously related to punitiveness. It appears that demographic characteristics are related to punitiveness through a complex of other attitudinal associations—in this instance, fear and liberalism. Neither direct nor vicarious victimization had a direct effect on punishment attitudes. To the extent that victimization experience affects punitiveness, the effects are indirect through fear.
Hormonal regulation of sociosexual behavior in female mammals

The role of estrogen (E) and progesterone (P) in regulating the expression of agonistic, scent marking and proceptive displays is reviewed. In the intact sexually mature female, data indicate that agonistic, scent marking and proceptive patterns of behavior fluctuate significantly prior to and during the period of mating. The propensity to display a specific pattern of behavior is dependent upon the stimulus situation. Hence, agonistic behavior may be induced by the presence of a conspecific female whereas sexual behavior and proceptive responses will be elicited by a male. Administration of E to ovariectomized animals does not appear to produce significant effects on agonistic behavior and territorial scent-marking responses albeit in a few cases E appears to reduce agonistic tendencies toward male conspecifics. Exogenous E treatment, however, does appear to induce the occurrence of proceptive forms of scent-marking behavior as well as a variety of other proceptive responses which are further increased after P treatment. Importantly, the sequential administration of E and P facilitates both proceptive and copulatory responses in several rodent species. In addition, hormone implant studies indicate that sites in the brain which are sensitive to the hormonal facilitation of sexual receptivity concurrently facilitate proceptive behavior. On the basis of the current data, ovarian hormones appear to exert their strongest effects on producing behavioral displays which attract males prior to mating, facilitating sexual receptivity, and inducing concurrently proceptive responses which further enhance copulation and reproductive success.
Modeling message dissemination in Ad Hoc Networks

Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANET), a subsection of Ad Hoc Networks, are composed by vehicles with wireless devices which can communicate to other vehicles and roadside infrastructure. One of important application is to improve traffic congestion by disseminate accident message as soon as possible. Therefore, the diffusion of an accident alert, is critical. Predicting traffic message diffusion opens an opportunity to adopt appropriate strategies to manage traffic, vacuum vehicles from disasters, or recovery from accidents. But Modeling data dissemination is challenging due to vehicles' high mobility, which results rapidly changing network topologies. This paper addresses information diffusion models in vehicular networks. We analytically investigate time-critical information diffusion as a stochastic process.
The RAS-RAL axis in cancer: evidence for mutation-specific selectivity in non-small cell lung cancer

Activating RAS mutations are common in human tumors. These mutations are often markers for resistance to therapy and subsequent poor prognosis. So far, targeting the RAF-MEK-ERK and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways downstream of RAS is the only promising approach in the treatment of cancer patients harboring RAS mutations. RAL GTPase, another downstream effector of RAS, is also considered as a therapeutic option for the treatment of RAS-mutant cancers. The RAL GTPase family comprises RALA and RALB, which can have either divergent or similar functions in different tumor models. Recent studies on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have showed that different RAS mutations selectively activate specific effector pathways. This observation requires broader validation in other tumor tissue types, but if true, will provide a new approach to the treatment of RAS-mutant cancer patients by targeting specific downstream RAS effectors according to the type of RAS mutation. It also suggests that RAL GTPase inhibition will be an important treatment strategy for tumors harboring RAS glycine to cysteine (G12C) or glycien to valine (G12V) mutations, which are commonly found in NSCLC and pancreatic cancer.
Long-term management of ventricular tachycardia by implantable automatic burst tachycardia-terminating pacemakers.

This report describes the Jong-term follow-up of two patients who received implantable automatic burst tachycardia-terminating ventricular pacemakers for the treatment of drug-refractory sustained ventricular tachycardia. After implantation, both pulse generators continued to terminate ventricular tachycardia without any major complications. In one patient, after three years, many episodes of ventricular tachycardia were slower than the tachycardia-detection criterion rate of 137 per minute; ventricular tachycardia was then terminated by chest wall stimulation that activated the burst function of the pacemaker. In this particular patient, the pulse generator was removed after four and one-half years and replaced with a DDD system because of the pacemaker syndrome and attacks of ventricular tachycardia, often at a rate of about 100/minute. In the second patient, the pacemaker continued to terminate ventricular tachycardia for over five and one-half years as determined by the repeated activation of the flag (memory) function of the pacemaker indicating detection of tachycardia by the pulse generator and resultant delivery of burst pacing.
Process Sub-politics: Placing Empirical Flesh on Whiteheadian Thought

This paper is more explorative than programmatic. It attempts to place empirical flesh on some of Alfred North Whitehead's speculative thoughts on concrete apprehensions. The challenge lies in the fact that Whitehead was vague on the subject. While Whitehead offers numerous thoughts on why we mistake the abstract for the concrete he wrote considerably less on how we can get ourselves to think more concretely. I therefore examine an empirical case and work ‘backwards’, showing its affinities with process thought. A largely invisible phenomenon within the social/political theory literature is the empirical subject of this paper: the agricultural field day (though the events examined are not of the conventional variety). The paper begins with an overview of Whitehead's critique of abstraction and the fallacy of misplaced concreteness. Attention then turns directly to the case study to empirically ground Whitehead's thoughts on doing more concrete abstractions. An earlier version of this paper was presented a...
Prenatal stress alters cytokine levels in a manner that may endanger human pregnancy.

Objective Recent data suggest that prenatal stress negatively affects pregnancy and infant outcome. Existing studies implicate dysregulation of the immune and endocrine systems in stress-related increases in premature labor and poor birth outcome, but no published studies have directly addressed the relationships among these variables during pregnancy. We sought to test the hypothesis that high levels of psychosocial stress and low levels of social support during pregnancy alter maternal cytokine profiles in a manner that contributes to poor birth outcomes. Methods Psychosocial stress and social support were measured in 24 women with overtly normal pregnancies once during each trimester of pregnancy. Levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were assessed concurrently with stress and support measurements. Results High social support was associated with low stress scores. Elevated stress scores were positively correlated with higher levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha, and with low levels of the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10. Conclusions These findings provide initial support for our hypothesis that stress-related neural immune interactions may contribute to pregnancy complications and poor outcome, but require further study to determine the mechanism and significance of these effects.
An evaluation of survey exchange rate forecasts

Abstract A non-parametric test of direction is employed to evaluate the survey forecasts provided by the Money Market Services. Empirical results suggest that the forecasts are useful for predicting the direction of exchange rate changes. The results are consistent with a weaker form of rationality than unbiasedness.
The biocultural pattern of Japanese-American fertility.

Abstract A comparison of age‐specific fertility data on second‐generation Japanese‐American women with published data on modern and premodern women in Japan and with data on modern U.S. white women shows the persistence of a fertility pattern among all Japanese groups. This pattern is significantly different from that of U.S. whites. It appears that continuity in certain family and kinship elements has played a central role in the persistence of this pattern. In addition, it is suggested that the introduction of modern contraceptive techniques may have the consequence of merely intensifying a cultural pattern of fertility, rather than changing its basic outlines.
Dollar Eurobond and U.S. Bond Pricing

This study develops equilibrium yield relationships between otherwise similar dollar denominated Eurobonds and U.S. bonds with the use of supply and demand conditions and the standard arbitrage argument. It them empirically tests the hypothesis that no yield differentials exist between similar securities in these two markets. A matched pair sample of these bonds is obtained on the basis of five criteria: (a) same parent; (b) same rating; (c) similar coupon rates; (d) similar time to maturity; and (e) yield observations from the same month. Empirical results obtained during 1975 to 1983 shows that dollar Eurobond yields do not differ from domestic bond yields for comparable securities. This implies that these two markets are either devoid of systematic and material imperfections, or if any such imperfection do exist, their pricing influence is similar in both markets. It is also observed that issue size, issuer's rating and the market's familiarity with the issuer do not uniquely influence Eurobond pricing any differently than domestic U.S. bond pricing.
Mechanisms of cardiac protection with overexpression of A1 adenosine receptors

Myocardial damage from ischemia/reperfusion injury can be minimized through endogenous protective mechanisms, including activation of A 1 adenosine receptors. Transgenic mice with cardiac-specific A 1 adenosine receptor overexpression (A 1 AR Trans) have demonstrated functional and metabolic tolerance to in vitro and in vivo myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. The purpose of this investigation is to examine the role of p38 MAP kinase in A 1 receptor-mediated cardioprotection. Activation of p38 MAPK by A 1 adenosine receptor stimulation was evaluated in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes subjected to simulated ischemia. At activation by cyclopentyladenosine decreased cell death and simultaneously enhanced p38 phosphorylation by simulated ischemia. The role of p38 MAP kinase activation in cardioprotection with A 1 adenosine receptor overexpression was evaluated in isolated perfused hearts from A 1 AR Trans mice subjected to 20 min ischemia and 30 min reperfusion. Inhibition of p38 MAPK activity with 10 μM SB-203580 prior to ischemia and during reperfusion decreased postischemic total functional recovery in A 1 AR Trans hearts from 54 ± 1 to 27 ± 7% of maximal and increased final EDP from 10 ± 3 mmHg to 34 ± 8 mmHg. A, adenosine receptor-mediated activation of p38 MAP kinase in cardiomyocytes is involved in the protection of cells from ischemic death. Tolerance to ischemic injury by A 1 receptor overexpression is dependent upon activation of p38 MAPK. These findings suggest that adenosine A 1 mediated cardioprotection in transgenic mice involves activation of the p38 MAP kinase cascade.
Iron arsenide superconductors: What is the glue?

Is superconductivity in the iron arsenides conventional? The large isotope effect on both the magnetic and superconducting transitions may indicate that magnetic fluctuations are involved in the superconducting pairing.
Postharvest loss estimation of cut rose (Rosa hybrida) flower farms: economic analysis in East Shoa Zone, Ethiopia

Despite the sector’s role of sustaining economic growth, there is considerable loss in rose cut flower production due to improper postharvest handling. This study’s survey was conducted from first week of February to last week of April, 2011 in three districts of East Shoa Zone, Ethiopia for estimating farm level postharvest loss in rose cut flower production. The postharvest loss at farm level was estimated to be 4 stems/m2. The maximum postharvest loss (31.88%) was obtained for harvesting stage, while the least loss (2.89%) for storaging stage due to use of refrigerated storage. Besides, distance of the farm from the airport, age of the flower plant, farm manager’s experience and education, access to contract input were found to be determinants of postharvest loss. To ameliorate the postharvest loss of rose cut flowers, there should be training for workers, intensification of production, improving road transport infrastructure and encouraging contract farming among producers.
Nisoxetine and amphetamine share discriminative stimulus properties in mice.

Abstract The interaction of amphetamine with noradrenergic neurons could mediate a portion of the drug's discriminative stimulus properties. To test this hypothesis, mice were trained to discriminate 1.0 or 3.2 mg/kg amphetamine, 32 mg/kg of the selective norepinephrine uptake inhibitor, nisoxetine, or 32 mg/kg nisoxetine + 1.0 mg/kg amphetamine from saline. Differential drug- or saline-appropriate responding was determined using a two photocell-beam procedure with beam interruption as the operant. Reinforcement (5-sec access to evaporated milk) was presented on a fixed-ratio 20 (FR-20) schedule. Mice trained to discriminate 1.0 mg/kg amphetamine from saline generalized to nisoxetine (32 mg/kg) alone and to doses of 0.56 mg/kg amphetamine and above but not to lower doses unless pretreated with nisoxetine (20 or 32 mg/kg). Mice trained to discriminate nisoxetine (32 mg/kg) from saline generalized to 0.56, 1.0 and 3.2 mg/kg amphetamine and generalized to all amphetamine doses when pretreated with nisoxetine (32 mg/kg). Mice trained to discriminate the drug combination from saline generalized to nisoxetine (32 mg/kg) alone, and to 3.2 mg/kg amphetamine tested alone, to 0.56 mg/kg of amphetamine or above when the lower dose of nisoxetine (20 mg/kg) was used, and to all test doses of amphetamine with nisoxetin (32 mg/kg) pretreatment. Mice trained to discriminate 3.2 mg/kg amphetamine from saline generalized to no test dose of amphetamine following either saline or nisoxetine (32 mg/kg) pretreatment. Testing with several doses of pentobarbital (1.0, 3.0, 10.0 and 18.0 mg/kg) resulted in saline-appropriate responding regardless of training group. These observations indicate that the mouse may be a useful subject for drug discrimination experiments and are consistent with the notion that the discriminative stimulus properties of a low dose of amphetamine are at least partially noradrenergically mediated.
Pyrazolopyrimidines and pyrazolotriazines with potent activity against herpesviruses

Synthesis of several pyrazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines, pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines and pyrazolo[1,5-a][1,3,5]triazines with potent activity against herpes simplex viruses is described. Synthetic approaches allowing for variation of the substitution pattern are outlined and resulting changes in antiviral activity are highlighted. Several compounds with in vitro antiviral activity similar or better than acyclovir are described.
Disclosure of Transgender Identity and Status in the Context of Friendship

This study focuses on understanding disclosure of transgender identity within the context of friendship. Participants were 536 individuals who self-identified as transgender or gender variant. Participants completed an online questionnaire regarding friendship experiences. Thematic analysis focused on understanding experiences of identity disclosure to friends. Participants reported positive and negative experiences associated with the identity disclosure process, with responses falling into five distinct categories: positive or affirming responses, negative responses, a variation of responses, an impact on the friendship status, and emotional responses from friends. Within these five theme categories, distinct subcategories were apparent including responses that reflected support, physical violence, gaining or losing friends, and friends being unsurprised or not caring about the disclosure. These findings point to the ways in which the friendship experiences for transgender individuals are complex and un...
The extraction of nickel with aliphatic oximes

Abstract U.S. Bureau of Mines researchers investigated the use of aliphatic oximes to extract nickel from acidic, nickelous-chromic-chloride solutions. Batch solvent extraction tests were conducted to characterize the nickel extraction and stripping properties of several oximes. Results indicated that the oximes selectively extracted nickel over chromium by an ion pair mechanism. Nickel was most effectively stripped from the loaded oxime extractants with dilute hydrochloric acid; however, these acidic strip solutions partially degraded the oximes to their parent aldehydes by hydrolysis. The oximes could, however, be regenerated by contacting the solvent phase with a neutralized hydroxylamine-hydrochloride solution. Decyl oxime was successfully used in a continuous counter-current solvent extraction circuit that incorporated loading, stripping, and regeneration stages. The decyl oxime degraded 12 pct per loading and stripping cycle, but was effectively regenerated prior to recycling to the head of the circuit.
Fokker-Planck equation for a single two-level atom: Applications in the bad-cavity limit

A generalized second-order Fokker-Planck equation is derived for a single two-level atom in a cavity driven by an external classical field without using system size expansion or any truncation. Effects of detuning, as well as atomic and cavity decays, are incorporated in this Fokker-Planck equation. This equation is used to study atomic inversion and the second-order intensity correlation function of light in the bad-cavity limit by adiabatically eliminating the field variables. Several novel features in atomic inversion and intensity correlations that arise due to atomic and cavity detuning are discussed. Curves are presented to illustrate the behavior.
Anteroinferior cerebellar artery aneurysms: surgical approaches and outcomes--a review of 34 cases.

Objective Anteroinferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysms are rare lesions whose treatment requires expertise in vascular, endovascular, and cranial base surgery. This article presents the largest series treated at one center. Methods We retrospectively analyzed presenting symptoms, aneurysm characteristics, surgical approaches, postoperative outcomes, and the application of endovascular techniques. Results We found 32 patients with 34 AICA aneurysms (11 men and 21 women; age range, 6-77 yr; mean age, 51 yr). Twenty-one aneurysms had ruptured; 13 were unruptured. Seven of the unruptured aneurysms presented with brainstem compression, and six were found incidentally. Surgical approaches included the retrosigmoid, far-lateral transcochlear, translabyrinthine, and orbitozygomatic. Eighteen patients (56%) had neurological complications. Thirty aneurysms were at proximal locations, and four were distal. Intraoperative hypothermic cardiac arrest was used to clip eight giant aneurysms. Follow-up was available in 56% of the patients for a mean of 41 months. The mean Glasgow Outcome Scale scores at discharge were not significantly different from the patients' status at their initial assessment. Conclusion We recommend the standard retrosigmoid approach for treating small to medium aneurysms involving the lower two-thirds of the clivus or distal AICA aneurysms. Cranial base approaches are recommended for large or giant aneurysms or for those proximal to the emergence of the AICA from the basilar trunk. Hypothermic cardiac arrest facilitates dissection of giant aneurysms. Endovascular treatment is a useful adjunct for treating residual aneurysms but did not provide definitive treatment in any of our patients.
Hydrodesulfurization of thiophene using rhodium(III) zeolites: 13X and ZSM-5

Abstract The hydrodesulfurization of thiophene using rhodium(III)-13X and -ZSM-5 zeolites has been studied in a pulsed microreader as a function of temperature. Hydrodesulfurization catalysts were prepared by sulfidation with thiophene and with H 2 S H 2 . The C4 products included butene and butane. Neither tetrahydrothiophene nor butadiene was identified in the product gas stream. Thiophene conversion over Rh(III)-ZSM-5 sulfided at 400 °C with a 10 vol% H 2 S 90 vol % H2 mixture was at least as effective as a commercial cobalt-molybdate catalyst under similar reaction conditions. The effectiveness of the Rh(III)-ZSM-5 catalyst sulfided with the H 2 S H 2 mixture at 250 °C and with thiophene at 100 °C was less than the cobalt-molybdate catalyst. The conversion percentage to C4 hydrocarbons was greater on the Rh(III)-13X than on CoMo Al 2 O 3 . Analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of the Rh-zeolite catalysts before and after use indicated that the active species is Rh(I). A mechanism for reaction on the Rh-zeolite is proposed where oxidative addition-reductive elimination reactions of Rh(I) Rh(III) are involved in the hydrodesulfurization process.
Peripheral tissue oxygenation improves during ED treatment of acute heart failure

Abstract Objective The objective of the study was to quantitatively characterize peripheral tissue microvascular oxygenation during emergency department (ED) treatment of acute heart failure (HF). Methods This prospective, observational study enrolled acutely decompensated HF patients presenting to an urban ED and stable, asymptomatic HF patients evaluated in an outpatient cardiology clinic. Stable, pre-ED treatment, and post-ED treatment microvascular oxygen extraction ratios (OER M s) were calculated, defined as SaO 2 − StO 2 /0.8*SaO 2 , where SaO 2 is pulse oximetry–derived arterial hemoglobin saturation and StO 2 is the tissue hemoglobin oxygen saturation measured with differential absorption spectroscopy. The OER M measurements were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Pulse oximetry, patient demographics, HF etiology, serum B-type natriuretic peptide, and hemoglobin were measured along with a visual analogue scale to assess patient baseline characteristics and response to ED treatment ( P Results The OER M for the stable HF group (n = 45) was 0.65 (SE = 0.07). The pre- and posttreatment OER M s for the ED HF group (n = 46) were 0.92 (SE = 0.07) and 0.75 (SE = 0.06), respectively. Whereas the pretreatment ED OER M was higher than the stable patient OER M ( P = .001), the posttreatment ED OER M was not significantly different from the stable patient measurement ( P = .271). Conclusions Oxygen extraction in acute HF is significantly increased, but approaches values found in the stable HF population after ED treatment. The OER M may deserve closer examination as a possible goal-directed variable in the treatment of acute HF.
Interaction of Parabens with Nonionic Macromolecules

Abstract Methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl parabens interacted with various nonionic macromolecules frequently found in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations. In general, the binding tendency which the parabens exhibited for the various macromolecules increased with the molecular weight of the paraben. Thus, the strongest complexing tendency was exhibited by butylparaben, followed by propylparaben > ethylparaben > methylparaben. The hydrophile-lipophile balance of the macromolecules strongly influenced the binding tendency which the parabens exhibited for them. The parabens interacted to a greater extent with polyoxyethylene ester type macromolecules such as Tween 80 and Myrj 52 than with hydrophilic macromolecules like polyethylene glycols 4000 and 6000 and polyethylene polypropylene glycol.
Aging white matter and cognition: Differential effects of regional variations in diffusion properties on memory, executive functions, and speed

Abstract Disruption of cerebral white matter has been proposed as an explanation for age-related cognitive declines. However, the role of specific regions in specific cognitive declines remains unclear. We used diffusion tensor imaging to examine the associations between regional microstructural integrity of the white matter and performance on age-sensitive cognitive tasks in a sample of healthy adults (N = 52, age 19–81 years). White matter integrity was assessed by fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in multiple regions of interest (genu and splenium of corpus callosum, internal capsule limbs, prefrontal, temporal, superior/posterior parietal, occipital white matter) and related to processing speed, working memory, inhibition, task switching, and episodic memory. We found that age and regional white matter integrity differentially influenced cognitive performance. Age-related degradation in anterior brain areas was associated with decreased processing speed and poorer working memory, whereas reduced inhibition and greater task switching costs were linked to decline in posterior areas. Poorer episodic memory was associated with age-related differences in central white matter regions. The observed multiple dissociations among specific age-sensitive cognitive skills and their putative neuroanatomical substrates support the view that age-related cognitive declines are unlikely to stem from a single cause.
Improved broadband solar irradiance from the multi-filter rotating shadowband radiometer

Abstract Approximations to total and diffuse horizontal and direct normal, broadband solar irradiance (280–4000 nm) can be obtained from the multi-filter rotating shadowband radiometer (MFRSR) using the unfiltered silicon channel of this seven-channel instrument. However, the unfiltered silicon channel only responds to wavelengths between 300 and 1100 nm and does not have a uniform spectral response. In contrast, the best, more expensive, first-class, thermopile-based radiometers respond fairly uniformly to all solar wavelengths. While the total horizontal and direct normal solar irradiance measurements made with the MFRSR unfiltered silicon channel are reasonable if carefully calibrated with a thermopile radiometer, the diffuse horizontal irradiance calibrated in this way has a large bias. These issues are common to all inexpensive, silicon-cell, solar pyranometers. In this paper we use a multivariate, linear regression technique for approximating the thermopile-measured total, diffuse, and direct broadband solar irradiances using the six, narrowband filters and the open-channel of an MFRSR. The calibration of the MFRSR for broadband solar by comparing various combinations of MFRSR channels to first-class thermopile instruments is illustrated, and methods to track the instrument response during field deployments are investigated. We also suggest an approach to calibrate the open-channel for all three components that could improve measurements that are made using typical, commercial, silicon-cell pyranometers.
Nutrition and diseases of women: cardiovascular disorders.

Studies of prevention, diagnosis, and intervention for coronary heart disease and hypertension have either been conducted largely in men, or gender differences have not always been fully sought. This has added to a general perception that coronary artery disease is basically a male affliction despite the fact that coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death among women, especially elderly women. Many risk factors among women are similar to men, i.e., high blood pressure (BP), elevated serum cholesterol levels, and cigarette smoking; however, women compared to men have greater incidence of diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, and hypertension as they become older. The risk of cardiovascular disorders can be reduced by postmenopausal estrogen replacement, exercising sufficiently, and ceasing smoking. In addition, good nutrition, taking into consideration the proper amount and forms of calories, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and macronutrients to maintain an ideal lipid profile and BP, is helpful in preventing cardiovascular perturbations.
Extracting knowledge from the World Wide Web

The World Wide Web provides a unprecedented opportunity to automatically analyze a large sample of interests and activity in the world. We discuss methods for extracting knowledge from the web by randomly sampling and analyzing hosts and pages, and by analyzing the link structure of the web and how links accumulate over time. A variety of interesting and valuable information can be extracted, such as the distribution of web pages over domains, the distribution of interest in different areas, communities related to different topics, the nature of competition in different categories of sites, and the degree of communication between different communities or countries.
Utilizing soil geochemistry, ground magnetic, and radiometric surveys to outline a blue ridge, ultramafic body in North Carolina

Abstract A soil geochemical survey for Ni plus magnetic and radiometric surveys were used to outline a small dunite body on Rich Mountain, North Carolina. The dunite body is poorly exposed and is enclosed by garnet-bearing amphibolite of the Ashe Formation. Of the geophysical techniques used, the magnetic survey gives a better definition of the known extent of the body than the radiometric survey. However, the 400-ppm Ni contour from the soil program appears to best define the dunite and suggests that it extends farther to the north and east than was indicated from geologic mapping. Though HF digestion yields higher Ni values than HNO 3 + HCl digestion, the patterns are the same. The Mn content of the soil at the Rich Mountain locality probably could also be used to outline the dunite body.
Prevalence of Obesity and Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors in South Asians

Prevalence and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) is rising among South Asians while declining throughout the western world. The increasing prevalence of CVD risk factors in South Asians, particularly obesity and diabetes, is a major cause. Studies suggest the genetic predispositions as well as environmental and lifestyle factors are equally important contributors to disease development. It is important that healthcare providers become increasingly familiar with the risk factors in South Asians and recognize the specific differences that exist compared to other populations. Scientific effort should in particular focus on identifying the underlying genetic causes and novel biomarkers for CVD. Such effort should help with development of novel therapeutics and disease control and prevention.
The effect of right terminal repeat deletion on the oncogenicity of the T-Region of pTiT37.

A modified pTiT37 plasmid was constructed by deleting a 103 base fragment between an AhaIII and a Bc/I site. This fragment, located to the right of the nopaline synthase gene contains the right terminal 25 base pair repeat sequence which defines the right limit of the T-Region. The effect of this deletion was determined on a number of host plants. In contrast to previous reports, the deletion does not destroy tumorigenicity on all plant species. It had no effect on tumorigenicity when Linum usitatissimum was used as the test species and an attenuating effect when Kalanchoe tubiflora was used. Only when Nicotiana tabacum was used did the mutant appear avirulent. We propose from these data and the phenotype of those tumours that form, that a pseudo border located in the 3′ untranslated region of the ipt locus has been used to provide the right hand limit of the T-Region in the absence of the normal border.
Force and repetition in cycling: possible implications for iliotibial band friction syndrome

This study examined force and repetition during simulated distance cycling with regard to how they may possibly influence the on-set of the overuse injury at the knee called iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITBFS). A 3D motion analysis system was used to track lower limb kinematics during cycling. Forces between the pedal and foot were collected using a pressure- instrumented insole that slipped into the shoe. Ten recreational athletes (30.6"5.5 years) with no known history of ITBFS participated in the study. Foot-pedal force, knee flexion angle and crank angle were examined as they relate to the causes of ITBFS. Specifically, foot-pedal force, repetition and impingement time were calculated and compared with the same during running. A minimum knee flexion angle of approximately 338 occurred at a crank angle of 1708. The foot-pedal force at this point was 231 N. This minimum knee flexion angle falls near the edge of the impingement zone of the iliotibial band (ITB) and the femoral epicondyle, and is the point at which ITBFS is aggravated causing pain at the knee. The foot-pedal forces during cycling are only 18% of those occurring during running while the ITB is in the impingement zone. Thus, repetition of the knee in the impingement zone during cycling appears to play a more prominent role than force in the on-set of ITBFS. The results also suggest that ITBFS may be further aggravated by improper seat position (seat too high), anatomical differences, and training errors while cycling. 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Structural and magnetic properties of self-assembled nickel nanoparticles in a yttria stabilized zirconia matrix

Abstract By controlling the early stages of thin film growth during laser ablation (i.e. Volmer–Weber type growth), we have synthesized magnetic nanocomposites consisting of nickel (Ni) nanoparticulates in multiple layers of yttria stabilized zirconia. The magnetic properties are a strong function of the nickel particle size, showing a clear transition from superparamagnetic to ferromagnetic characteristics. The coercivity at 300 K varies from 0 to nearly 4 A m − 1 (∼ 300 Oe) as the laser ablation time is increased. By applying the Scherrer formula to X-ray diffraction patterns, we estimated the average size of the Ni nanoclusters to be
Abnormal Mitochondrial Dynamics—A Novel Therapeutic Target for Alzheimer's Disease?

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that undergo continuous fission and fusion, which could affect all aspects of mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been well documented in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In the past few years, emerging evidence indicates that an imbalance of mitochondrial dynamics is involved in the pathogenesis of AD. In this review, we discuss in detail the abnormal mitochondrial dynamics in AD and how such abnormal dynamics may impact mitochondrial and neuronal function and contribute to the course of disease. Based on this discussion, we propose that mitochondrial dynamics could be a potential therapeutic target for AD.
Transition from common tobacco mosaic virus to the Nicotiana glauca form.

Abstract In two trials, local lesion and systemic hosts were inoculated with common tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), strain U1, and submitted for 5 days to 12-hr light periods at 42° to 43°, and 12 hr dark periods at 5°. In local lesion hosts a few large lesions appeared less than 24 hr after transfer to the greenhouse. Very small lesions appeared 2 or 3 days later. Serial subcultures from 11 of the large lesions to various hosts yielded aberrant isolates. Selections were made from a subinoculated tobacco plant with mixed symptoms and a mixed cytological reaction. After several transfers in Nicotiana glauca , isolates almost indistinguishable from U5, type strain of the natural form of TMV isolated from N. glauca , were obtained. They were labeled M5. In the second trial, tomato which is immune to U5, was inoculated with U1, submitted to the same temperature treatment, and returned to the greenhouse. Tissue with aberrant symptoms was subcultured, and M5 isolates were again detected. They were freed from accompanying U1 type isolates by their natural dominance in N. glauca . Amino acid analyses of proteins from U5 and an M5 from each trial showed all 3 to have the same composition. They differed by a net equivalent of 15 amino acid substitutions from common TMV. Alternative explanations of these results are outlined.
Prolonged incubation of blood and bone marrow cultures in 12B bottles processed on the BACTEC 460 TB system does not increase microbial recovery

Standard references continue to recommend testing specimens processed on the BACTEC TB System for 8 weeks, despite evidence that mycobacteria are rarely recovered beyond 5-6 weeks. To clarify this issue, we retrospectively reviewed all positive blood/bone marrow cultures processed during a 17-month period when specimens were tested for 6 weeks. We then prolonged the incubation period to 8 weeks during the subsequent 5 months. Excluding Mycobacterium genavense, only 1 of 159 mycobacterial isolates was recovered during and none were recovered beyond the 5th week of incubation and testing on the BACTEC TB System.
Methods of Discrimination Among Stochastic Models of the Negative Binomial Distribution with an Application to Medical Statistics

The Negative Binomial Distribution (NBD) can be derived from several underlying stochastic processes. For the NBD to be useful in practice as a descriptive model, it would be of interest to know which underlying process it is characterizing. In this paper, methods for discriminating among three different NBD underlying processes, proneness, linear contagion, and spells, are developed and studied. The methods are based on the characteristics of the processes and employ the theory of the bivariate NBD and waiting times. The NBD has been shown to consistently fit data on the incidence of disease. Knowledge of the underlying process generating the data is important for meaningful interpretation of such findings.
Properties of the solutions of cold ultradense configurations in the Brans-Dicke theory

We have studied the properties of cold ultrahigh-density static configurations in the Brans-Dicke theory. We used a perfect-fluid model with a simple equation of state, p = epsilonrho, for matter. An exact solution with infinite central density is obtained, and the properties of solutions with finite central density are also examined.