cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unobstructed and Obstructed Turbulent Flow in Gravel Bed Rivers

An acoustic Doppler velocimeter was used to characterize turbulence in two gravel bed rivers. Data were collected in unobstructed flow and compared to recent investigations. Additional data collected in the wake of emergent boulders indicate that mean flow velocity, turbulent kinetic energy, gradients in the streamwise velocity, and Reynolds stress downstream from large rocks deviate from unobstructed flow results, but similar turbulence patterns are found behind each boulder. Results of this study are discussed with regard to natural channel design and fish habitat.
A comparison of the relationship between depression, perceived disability, and physical performance in persons with chronic pain

This study examined the relationships between self-report of depressive symptoms, perceived disability, and physical performance among 267 persons with chronic pain. Prior research has reported a relationship between depression and disability using self-report measures. However, self-report instruments may be prone to biases associated with depression as depressed persons with pain may have an exaggerated negative view of their level of function. In addition, we examined whether the relationship between depression and functional activity was mediated by physiologic effort (as measured by heart rate). The results indicated that self-report of depressive symptoms (using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D)) was significantly correlated with self-report of disability on the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS) and physical performance on the Progressive Isoinertial Lifting Evaluation (PILE). Regression analyses revealed that depression assessed by the CES-D significantly contributed to the prediction of QBPDS scores and PILE performance even when controlling for age, gender, site of pain, and pain intensity. The magnitude of the relationships between depression and self-report and functional activity were similar, suggesting that a self-report bias associated with depression is not responsible for an observed relationship between depression and disability. Physiologic effort partially mediated the relationship between depression and physical performance. The findings further highlight the importance of depression in the experience of chronic pain.
Transmission of the Lactic Dehydrogenase Agent in Normal and Partially Edentulous Mice

IN our laboratory the transmission rate of the lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) agent from infected to uninfected adult CAF–1 male mice housed together for more than a month was very low1,2. Other laboratories, however, have reported high3 or variable4 rates of transmission. The work recorded here was undertaken to investigate the factors which might be responsible for these differences.
Mueller matrix imaging of targets under an air-sea interface

The Mueller matrix imaging method is a powerful tool for target detection. In this study, the effect of the air-sea interface on the detection of underwater objects is studied. A backward Monte Carlo code has been developed to study this effect. The main result is that the reflection of the diffuse sky light by the interface reduces the Mueller image contrast. If the air-sea interface is ruffled by wind, the distinction between different regions of the underwater target is smoothed out. The effect of the finite size of an active light source is also studied. The image contrast is found to be relatively insensitive to the size of the light source. The volume scattering function plays an important role on the underwater object detection. Generally, a smaller asymmetry parameter decreases the contrast of the polarimetry images.
Localization and tracking for emerging wireless systems [Message from the Editor-In-Chief]

Localization and tracking have played an important role in many telecommunications systems such as cellular systems, guidance systems in military applications, disaster rescue and recovery, and commodity tracking. They are also indispensable for implementing emergency response systems mandated by the FCC and location services over popular cellular systems we enjoy in our daily life. Although GPS systems have enabled some functionality in localization, tracking, and navigation, the localization accuracy may not be enough for many applications under certain scenarios such as indoors, underground, and underwater. Tremendous progress has been made in the last few years to improve localization accuracy by using various kinds of technologies. This timely special issue offers us updates along this direction.
Similarity functions D for water vapor in the unstable atmospheric boundary layer

An analysis was performed of experimental data obtained at fixed ship stations during AMTEX 1974 and 1975. This allowed the calculation of the bulk transfer relationships for water vapor and sensible heat in the atmospheric boundary layer for different interpretations of the thickness scale of the boundary layer. It was found that scaling based on the observed thickness, which herein was taken as the height of the lowest value in the potential temperature profile under unstable conditions, produces least scatter in the calculations. The results obtained for the similarity function c(Μi) of the bulk heat transfer coefficient are in good agreement with the results of previous studies. As observed earlier (Brutsaert and Mawdsley, 1976; Mawdsley and Brutsaert, 1977), under unstable conditions the similarity functions D(Μ) of the bulk water vapor transfer coefficient are smaller than the corresponding C(Μ) functions for sensible heat. In the case of inversion height scaling, the results can be represented by d(Μi) = 0.65 c(Μi).
The Nuclear IκB Protein IκBζ Specifically Binds NF-κB p50 Homodimers and Forms a Ternary Complex on κB DNA

Abstract Although they share sequence homology to classical cytoplasmic IκB inhibitors of transcription factor NF-κB, the proteins IκBζ, Bcl-3, and IκBNS function in the nucleus as factors that influence NF-κB-dependent gene expression profiles. Through the use of purified recombinant proteins and by comparison with the classical IκB protein IκBα, we have discovered mechanistic details of the interaction between IκBζ and functional NF-κB dimers. Whereas IκBα and other classical IκB proteins bind tightly to NF-κB dimers that possess the p65 subunit, IκBζ binds preferentially to NF-κB p50 homodimers. This altered specificity is particularly interesting in light of the fact that both NF-κB subunits exhibit high sequence and structural homology, while the IκBα and IκBζ proteins are also conserved in primary amino acid sequence. We further show that IκBζ is capable of forming a stable ternary complex with the NF-κB p50 homodimer and κB DNA. Again, this is a stark contrast from IκBα, which inhibits NF-κB p65 homodimer binding to NF-κB target DNA sequences. Removal of the DNA sequences flanking the NF-κB binding site does not directly affect the interaction of p50 and IκBζ. Rather, we have discovered that the carboxy-terminal glycine-rich region of the NF-κB p50 homodimer is involved in mediating high-affinity binding of IκBζ and NF-κB p50. We conclude that the NF-κB p50 homodimer functions as a legitimate activator of gene expression through formation of a ternary complex between itself, IκBζ, and DNA. The requirement for formation of this complex could explain why the nuclear IκB protein IκBζ is absolutely required for expression of the pluripotent pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 in peritoneal macrophages.
Identification and detection of simple 3D objects with severely blurred vision.

PURPOSE. Detecting and recognizing three-dimensional (3D) objects is an important component of the visual accessibility of public spaces for people with impaired vision. The present study investigated the impact of environmental factors and object properties on the recognition of objects by subjects who viewed physical objects with severely reduced acuity. METHODS. The experiment was conducted in an indoor testing space. We examined detection and identification of simple convex objects by normally sighted subjects wearing diffusing goggles that reduced effective acuity to 20/900. We used psychophysical methods to examine the effect on performance of important environmental variables: viewing distance (from 10‐24 feet, or 3.05‐7.32 m) and illumination (overhead fluorescent and artificial window), and object variables: shape (boxes and cylinders), size (heights from 2‐6 feet, or 0.61‐1.83 m), and color (gray and white). RESULTS. Object identification was significantly affected by distance, color, height, and shape, as well as interactions between illumination, color, and shape. A stepwise regression analysis showed that 64% of the variability in identification could be explained by object contrast values (58%) and object visual angle (6%). CONCLUSIONS. When acuity is severely limited, illumination, distance, color, height, and shape influence the identification and detection of simple 3D objects. These effects can be explained in large part by the impact of these variables on object contrast and visual angle. Basic design principles for improving object visibility are discussed. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53:7997‐8005) DOI:10.1167/iovs.12-10013
A GRAMMAR LESSON WITH REVIEW AND DRILL

Author's summary.— This article describes a technique for a grammar development lesson with review and drill, and demonstrates this technique by wenn and als as temporal conjunctions with a review and drill of conjunctions in general.
Predictors of nodal metastasis in salivary gland cancer.

Objectives This study was conducted to determine clinical and histologic factors that would predict nodal metastasis in patients with major salivary gland cancer. Methods A retrospective study of 40 patients who underwent surgery, including neck dissection, for major salivary gland cancer between 1975 and 1997 was performed. Patient charts were reviewed, and clinical and pathologic data were extracted along with outcome. Predictive factors were identified and survival curves were obtained. Results Neck dissections were performed in 40 patients, which revealed histologic evidence of tumor in lymph nodes in 15 cases. Histologically proven metastasis was found in 16% of specimens from elective and 73% of specimens from therapeutic neck dissection. Five-year overall and locoregional disease-free survival rates for histologically positive and negative groups were 40% versus 63% (P < 0.05) and 67% versus 69% (P = 0.59), respectively. Univariate analysis of the factors revealed that clinical evidence of nodal metastasis (P < 0.001) and high-grade cancer (P < 0.033) predicted histologic nodal involvement. Multivariate analysis revealed that only a positive neck examination was a significant predictive factor (OR = 31, 95%CI = 2.99–312). Conclusions Our results suggest that clinical neck examination is a reliable predictor of regional metastasis in patients with major salivary gland cancer. In view of the low frequency of occult metastases, routine elective treatment of the neck is not recommended. J. Surg. Oncol. 2002;80:186–189. © 2002 Wiley–Liss, Inc.
Early Developmental Antecedents to High School Seniors' Self-Reported Delinquency: A Prospective Study with Partial Replication

Approximately one hundred cases from the St. Louis Baby Study are employed to model the relationship of early data to adolescents' self-reported delinquency. Four predictor sets of Somatic, Developmental, Family, and Maternal variables are employed. The criterion is the self-report of delinquent behavior developed by Elliot and Ageton (1980). The writer's TSAR technique for connecting time specific variables in a regression model is employed.
Individual Variability in Responses to Nicotine

Individual variability in acute responses to nicotine, which may be defined as variable magnitude of effects following controlled dosing, is generally attributed to stable characteristics of tobacco users such as genetic/constitutional factors or to chronic behavioral factors (e.g., long-term use of other drugs). Often overlooked, however, is that such variability may also be due to the transient influence of the situational factors in which people consume nicotine, such as acute stress or physical activity. Results of selected studies from the author's laboratory provide examples of each of these sources of variability in nicotine responding on subjective, behavioral, and physiological measures. All studies used a nasal spray method of nicotine dosing or controlled smoking (paced puffing) to control acute nicotine exposure, an essential methodological feature of any research on individual differences in acute responses to nicotine. As an example of genetic/constitutional factors, gender differences in nicotine responding have begun to receive some attention, with few differences emerging. However, females may be more responsive than males to nonnicotine stimuli associated with smoking (e.g., sight and taste of smoke). In terms of chronic behavioral factors, long-term use of nicotine produces attenuation of most subjective and some behavioral effects of nicotine, reflecting chronic tolerance, and the possibility that chronic use of other drugs may alter responses to nicotine (i.e., cross-tolerance or cross-sensitization) deserves greater study. Of particular emphasis in this review is the modulating influence of acute situational factors on nicotine responding. Human studies have shown that magnitude of nicotine's subjective effects may depend on the predrug subjective state, level of physical activity vs. rest, and concurrent acute intake of other drugs, among other situational factors. Proper consideration of these situational factors may reveal the greatest source of individual variability in responding to nicotine and clarify the impact of more stable genetic/constitutional or chronic environmental factors.
Incorporating Gender Specific Approaches for Incarcerated Female Adolescents: Multilevel Risk Model for Practice

The rise in female delinquency has resulted in large numbers of girls being incarcerated in Youth Development Centers (YDC). However, there are few gender specific treatment programs for incarcerated female adolescent offenders, particularly for those with a history of substance dependency. In this article, we present a Multi-level Risk Model (MRM) for the assessment of adolescent female offenders and illustrate how components of effective gender-specific programming are germane for incarcerated teen girls with substance abuse and co-morbid mental health disorders. Application of this model to the HEART (Holistic Enrichment for At-Risk Teens) is presented. Implications for clinical, organizational, and research issues are discussed.
Nutrient Acquisition and Population Growth of a Mixotrophic Alga in Axenic and Bacterized Cultures.

Axenic growth of a mixotrophic alga, Ochromonas sp., was compared in several inorganic and organic media, and in the presence of live bacteria under nutrient-replete and low-nutrient conditions. Axenic growth in the light was negligible in inorganic media with or without the addition of glucose. Addition of vitamins increased growth rate, but average cell size declined, resulting in no net increase in biomass. Supplementing axenic cultures with a more complex organic substrate resulted in moderate growth and higher maximal abundance (and biomass) than in the inorganic media with added vitamins. The absence of light did not greatly affect population growth rate in the presence of complex dissolved organic compounds, although cell size was significantly greater in the light than in the dark. The highest growth rates for the alga (up to 2.6 d?1) were measured in treatments containing live bacteria. Increases in cell number of Ochromonas sp. in the presence of bacterial prey were similar in the light and dark, although chloroplast and cell sizes differed. Bacterial abundance was reduced and dissolved phosphorus and ammonia were rapidly released in bacterized cultures in the light and dark, indicating high rates of bacterial ingestion and suggesting an inability of the alga to store or utilize N and P in excess of the quantities required for heterotrophic growth. Low-nutrient conditions in the presence of bacteria were promoted by adding glucose to stimulate bacterial growth and the uptake of N and P released by algal phagotrophy. Subsequent decreases in dissolved N and P following the addition of glucose corresponded to a second period of rapid growth of the alga in both light and dark. This result, combined with evidence for slow axenic growth of this strain, indicated that nutrient acquisition for this species in the presence of bacteria was accomplished primarily via ingestion of bacteria.
Development of Hypoglycemia is Associated With Death During Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Abstract A significant fraction of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning victims die before discovery or rescue. Although survivors usually show normal or elevated blood glucose, data from an animal model now suggest an association between low blood glucose and death during CO poisoning. Hypoglycemia observed during the later stages of CO poisoning in the rat was intensified by increased CO concentration (2,400 ppm, 2,700 ppm, 3,000 ppm) and by the infusion or injection of normal saline, both in survivors and in nonsurvivors, but glucose lowering was especially marked in the latter group. Mortality rate was similarly increased by these two conditions. Based on the change in blood glucose concentration early in CO poisoning, it should be possible to identify survivors and nonsurvivors. Survivors showed a hyperglycemic “rebound” 2 hours after CO. Nonsurvivors tended to maintain a higher body temperature and heart rate, and a relatively smaller decrease in blood pressure during CO exposure, presumably due to a higher metabolic rate. This is possibly a major factor responsible for the rapid lowering of blood glucose concentration. Concurrent administration of ethanol to two to four times the legal intoxication blood level in humans did not alter the severity of CO-induced hypoglycemia in either survivors or nonsurvivors, but did increase survival and exacerbated “rebound” hyperglycemia in survivors. Blood ethanol concentration is elevated by CO poisoning in a dose-dependent manner. The likely mechanisms) underlying CO-induced hypoglycemia, the complicating effect of concurrent ETOH intoxication, and their clinical relevance are discussed.
Heat capacities of NaNO3 and KNO3 from 350 to 800 K

Abstract The heat capacities of NaNO3 and KNO3 were determined from 350 to 800 K by differential scanning calorimetry. Solid-solid transitions and melting were observed at 550 and 583 K for NaNO3 and 406 and 612 K for KNO3, respectively. The entropies associated with the solid-solid transitions were measured to be (8.43± 0.25) J K−1 mole−1 for NaNO3 and (13.8±0.4) J K−1 mole−1 for KNO3. At 298.15 K the values of C0P S0P, {H0(T)-H0(0)}/T and -{G0(T)-H0(0)}/T, respectively, are 91.94, 116.3, 57.73, and 58.55 J K−1 mole−1 for NaNO3 and 95.39, 133.0, 62.93, and 70.02 J K−1 mole−1 for KNO3. Values for S0T, {H0(T)-H0(0)}/T, and -{G0(T)-H0(0)}/T were calculated and tabulated from 15 to 800 K for NaNO3 and KNO3.
Strategies for Enhancing Food Intake Among the Eldelry in Long-Term Care Facilities

Abstract The extent of use and perceived effectiveness of food intake enhancement strategies were studied using a mailed survey instrument. Operational obstacles to the use of strategies and training used to prepare staff in using feeding strategies were also studied. A total of 311 questionnaires listing seventeen strategies for enhancing food intake among the elderly were mailed to two target populations: (I) Directors of Nursing Service (DONs) and (2) Consultant Registered Dietitians (RDs) in the Pacific region. DONs most frequently use improving the dining room environment, optimal positioning of resident and providing liquid supplements to enhance intake among the elderly in long-term care. Registered Dietitians more frequently use offering snacks, adding nutrients to food and the use of liquid supplements for enhancing intake and less often focus on strategies related to actual feeding. The results revealed that the frequency of use of feeding strategies does not necessarily mean that they are perceived to be effective DONs and RDs frequently use or recommend most strategies, but doubt the effectiveness of many. Significant differences in the use and perceived effectiveness of strategies between DONs and RDs were also found. DONs more frequently use liquid supplements, specialized feeding utensils, and simple verbal prompts to eat (p
Prioritizing proposed transportation improvements: Methods, evaluation, and research needs

Since the costs of proposed transportation projects typically exceed available funding, the process by which projects are selected and prioritized for development is scrutinized by a wide variety of stakeholders. The U.S. Congress and state legislatures are increasingly involved in selecting projects, and thus some projects do not evolve from the transportation planning process. Oversight panels, special interest groups, and the public are applying pressure to clarify the process by which proposed projects are prioritized and to minimize the impact of politics. A rational tool that lays out a clear procedure can assist decision makers in selecting and prioritizing potential improvements, make the process more transparent, and strengthen the link between planning and programming. Several such tools have been proposed, and many state and local transportation agencies are using some of them. These instruments vary widely in objectivity, the factors considered in evaluating potential transportation improvements, and output formats. The role they play in programming decisions also varies, but their use makes available more information to interested parties, including those vested with the authority to make decisions about transportation programming.
Lifting All Boats? Finance Litigation, Education Resources, and Student Needs in the Post-Rose Era

Abstract Rose v. Council for Better Education (1989) is often considered a transition point in education finance litigation, heralding an era of increasing concern for measurable adequacy of education across a broad spectrum of student needs. Prior research suggests that post-Rose lawsuits had less effect on the distribution of school spending than older litigation. This article suggests that this focus on the raw resource distribution masks the important effect of contemporary lawsuits in redistributing money to districts with greater student needs. My findings suggest that a successful lawsuit does raise revenues to a variety of districts but provides more money to those districts with higher plausible indications of student needs.
Expression, purification, mass spectrometry, crystallization and multiwavelength anomalous diffraction of selenomethionyl PvuII DNA methyltransferase (cytosine-N4-specific)

The type II DNA-methyltransferase (cytosine N4-specific) M.PvuII was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, starting from the internal translation initiator at Met14. Selenomethionine was efficiently incorporated into this short form of M.PvuII by a strain prototrophic for methionine. Both native and selenomethionyl M.PvuII were purified to apparent homogeneity by a two-column chromatography procedure. The yield of purified protein was approximately 1.8 mg/g bacterial paste. Mass spectrometry analysis of selenomethionyl M.PvuII revealed three major forms that probably differ in the degree of selenomethionine incorporation and the extent of selenomethionine oxidation. Amino acid sequencing and mass spectrometry analysis of selenomethionine-containing peptides suggests that Met30, Met51, and Met261 were only partially replaced by selenomethionine. Furthermore, amino acid 261 may be preferentially oxidized in both native and selenomethionyl form. Selenomethionyl and native M.PvuII were crystallized separately as binary complexes of the methyl donor S-adenosyl-L-methionine in the monoclinic space group P2(1). Two complexes were present per asymmetric unit. Six out of nine selenium positions (per molecule), including the three that were found to be partially substituted, were identified crystallographically.
Evidence and Implications of Inhomogeneity in Tectorial Membrane Elasticity

The motion of the tectorial membrane (TM) with respect to the reticular lamina subserves auditory function by bending the outer hair cell bundles and inducing fluid flows that shear the inner hair bundles in response to sound energy. Little is currently known about its intrinsic elasticity or about the relation between the mechanical properties and function of the membrane. Here we subdivide the TM into three longitudinal regions and five radial zones and map the shear modulus of the TM using atomic force microscopy, and present evidence that the TM elasticity varies radially, after the distribution of type A collagen fibrils. This is seen most dramatically as a decrease in shear modulus in the neighborhood of the sensory hair cells; we argue that this inhomogeneity of properties not only protects the hair bundles but also increases the energy efficiency of the vibrational shearing during sound transduction.
Synthesis of Dicarboxylate “C‐Clamp” 1,2‐Diethynylarene Compounds as Potential Transition‐Metal Ion Hosts

We report an efficient convergent synthesis of a new type of C-clamp ligand with a 1,2-diethynylarene scaffold involving a chelate host capable of binding a guest molecule in its endo-dicarboxylate pocket. The chemistry involves a combination of palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira, Heck, and Suzuki cross-coupling reactions. The compounds 2,3-bis[2-(2′-carboxybiphenyl-4-yl)ethynyl]triptycene and 4,5-bis[2-(2′-carboxybiphenyl-4-yl)ethynyl]veratrole and their 2′-carboxy-m-terphenyl-4-yl analogues were designed as dinucleating ligands to assemble carboxylate-bridged transition-metal complexes with a windmill geometry. The X-ray crystal structure of one such C-clamp compound containing co-crystallized water molecules reveals strong hydrogen bonds of the aqua guest to the endo-oriented carboxylic acid entities of the C-clamp host. In addition, two syn-N-donor ligands were prepared as a synthetic scaffold to mimic the geometric arrangement of N-donor atoms in carboxylate-bridged dinuclear proteins. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Effects of plumbous ion on guanine metabolism.

Abstract The enzyme guanine aminohydrolase (guanase) is inhibited by low levels of Pb 2+ . The inhibition is noncompetitive and the K i is 3.0 × 10 -6 M. The only other heavy metals that are inhibitory at low concentrations are Ag + , which is 36% more, and Hg 2+ , which is about 50% less inhibitory than Pb 2+ . The inhibition of guanase by Ph 2+ and Hg 2+ is synergistic and the inhibition of the enzyme was readily reversed by EDTA. The relationship of these studies with guanase and to the etiology and treatment of saturnine gout, which appears in humans suffering from lead poisoning, is discussed.
Notch tensile testing as a measure of the toughness of aluminum alloys

Abstract In the development of high strength aluminum alloys, sharp focus has been placed on toughness as well as on strength, stiffness, fatigue behavior, corrosion etc. In this paper the tension properties (the ultimate tensile strength σ UTS , the yield strength σ YS and the elongation) of various rapidly solidified and ingot-based aluminum alloys were examined and correlated with their notched tensile properties. Compiled data have shown that a linear relationship exists between the yield strength σ YS and the notch yield ration σ NTS / σ YS (where σ NTS is the notch tensile strength); there is a poorer correlation between the ductility and the notch yield ratio. On the basis of linear elastic fracture mechanics, the linear relationship is extended to relate σ YS with K Ic . Under a given set of processing parameters, the extended equation K Ic = f( σ YS ) could be utilized to indicate whether the toughness of an alloy (taking into account the related processing stepps) in any way encourages or discourages further development. Overall results indicate that rapidly solidified alloys are no better than ingot metallurgy alloys in terms of toughness and raise the question of why this should be so. One probable reason may be the presence of excess oxides in the form of stringers in the inadequately worked rapidly solidified and powder metallurgy alloys.
A new function generator

In analog computing technology as well as in the laboratory study of control instrumentation or simulation systems, it is frequently desirable to be able to provide a given arbitrary periodic function as a forcing function. However, no device will reproduce exactly every arbitrary function which might be required. For this reason, considerable effort has been applied toward the development of devices which will reproduce an approximation to a wide variety of functions. The term, ?function generator? has been given to devices of this type.
On determining the structure of a non-linear system

Abstract A method is presented for constructing a model of a non-linear system from the input-output data. The structure of the system is assembled from a library of nonlinear terms that are possible suspects for inclusion in the model. While each possible model structure is represented by a node in a tree, it is shown that searching the tree for the optimal n-term model structure can be done in n stages using an algorithm based on conjugate direction ideas. The essential feature of the technique is that it generates a sequence of projection matrices such that the original vector-valued functions become conjugate directions. This leaves the original non-linear terms intact and allows the structure for the optimal n-term model to be assembled in n selections from the library. Examples are presented from regression analysis and non-linear dynamic systems.
Measured energy savings from the application of reflective roofs in two small non-residential buildings

Energy use and environmental parameters were monitored in two small (14.9 m{sup 2}) non-residential buildings during the summer of 2000. The buildings were initially monitored for about 1 1/2 months to establish a base condition. The roofs of the buildings were then painted with a white coating and the monitoring was continued. The original solar reflectivities of the roofs were about 26%; after the application of roof coatings the reflectivities increased to about 72%. The monitored electricity savings were about 0.5kWh per day (33 Wh/m2 per day). The estimated annual savings are about 125kWh per year (8.4 kWh/m2); at a cost of $0.1/kWh, savings are about $0.86/m2 per year. Obviously, it costs significantly more than this amount to coat the roofs with reflective coating, particularly because of the remote locations of these buildings. However, since the prefabricated roofs are already painted green at the factory, painting them a white (reflective) color would bring no additional cost. Hence, a reflective roof saves energy at no incremental cost.
Kinked crack in anisotropic bodies

Abstract Solutions are presented for a crack kinking out of the crack plane in a generally anisotropic elastic body under two-dimensional deformation. Based on Stroh formalism, a system of singular integral equations governing the kinking crack with small kink length is given in a simple, straightforward form. The explicit expressions of the stress intensity factors, T-stresses, and energy release rates at the kinked crack tip are presented in terms of some nondimensional coefficients together with the stress intensity factors, T-stresses, and the coefficients of the third term acting on the main crack tip prior to crack kinking. The nondimensional coefficients depend on kink angle and material constants, but not on kink length. The energy release rate ratio which may characterize the competition along different crack growth directions is provided. The role of T-stresses and the third-term applied at the main crack field are determined which can be significant in the kinking and the stability of the kinked crack. Based on the energy release rate fracture criterion, the stability condition of the kinked crack is derived. The influences of anisotropy and loading mixity on the implications of crack kinking behavior is also given. The results for monoclinic materials with symmetry plane at x3=0 are derived from general results. Numerical results for the stress intensity factors, T-stresses at the kinked acrack tip and the energy release rate ratio for some special cases are provided. The dimensionless coefficients for crack kinking of orthotropic materials at the right angle to the main crack plane are tabulated.
Guanidino N-Substituted and N,N-Disubstituted Derivatives of the κ-Opioid Antagonist GNTI

Derivatives of the highly selective κ-opioid receptor antagonist GNTI (2a) have been prepared. Binding and functional studies conducted on cloned human opioid receptors expressed in Chinese hamster ovarian (CHO) cells suggested that adding a benzyl or a substituted benzyl group to the guanidino moiety led, in general, to a retention of high κ-affinity and antagonist potency. Disubstitution of the guanidino moiety led to reduced κ-selectivity.
Neuromuscular rehabilitation and electrodiagnosis. 2. localized peripheral neuropathy

This self-directed learning module highlights advances in diagnosis and treatment of focal injuries to peripheral and cranial nerves. It is part of the chapter on neuromuscular rehabilitation and electrodiagnosis in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Nerve conduction and electromyographic techniques are employed as extensions of the physician's senses in clinical examination and diagnosis. The findings are used to plan treatment, and to predict and measure outcomes. Electrodiagnosis and medical and surgical treatments of nerve injuries are discussed in light of the managed-care utilization review of services.
Interaction of the maize and Arabidopsis kinase interaction domains with a subset of receptor‐like protein kinases: implications for transmembrane signaling in plants

Summary The kinase interaction (KI) domain of kinase-associated protein phosphatase (KAPP) interacts with the phosphorylated form of an Arabidopsis thaliana receptor-like protein kinase (RLK). The KI domain may recruit KAPP into an RLK-initiated signaling complex. To examine additional roles that this domain may play in plant signal transduction, a search was conducted for other KI domain-containing proteins. One gene was isolated which encodes a KI domain, the maize homolog of KAPP. To test whether the maize KI domain associates with other maize proteins, it was used as a probe in a protein–protein interaction cloning strategy. A new maize RLK, KI domain interacting kinase 1 (KIK1), was identified by its interaction with the maize KI domain. The maize KI domain and the KIK1 kinase domain association required phosphorylation of the kinase. This work establishes that the KI domain phosphorylation-dependent signaling mechanism is present in both monocots and dicots. Additionally, it was determined that both the maize and Arabidopsis KI domains interact with several but not all of the active RLKs assayed. These multiple associations imply that KAPP may function in a number of RLK-initiated signaling pathways.
Stability and permanence in gender- and stage-structured models for the boreal toad.

The boreal toad Bufo boreas boreas, once common in the western USA, is listed as an endangered species in Colorado and New Mexico, and protected in Wyoming. Populations have dramatically declined due to the presence of the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). A gender- and stage-structured model for the boreal toad is formulated which depends on its life cycle and breeding strategies. In addition, an epizootic model for the spread of Bd is formulated. Analysis of these models provides two thresholds. The first threshold, the basic reproduction number for the population, ℛ0, determines whether the population persists and the second threshold, the basic reproduction number for the fungal disease, ℛF, determines whether the disease persists. If ℛ0>1 and ℛF<1, then the population becomes disease-free. However, if both thresholds are greater than one, the population levels are severely reduced by the fungal pathogen.
The effect of gamma irradiation and forward bias on the 76 K electroluminescence spectrum of GaP:Zn,O

Both the effects of gamma irradiation and high-current forward bias on the low temperature electroluminescence (EL) spectra of GaP:Zn,O light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been studied by measuring constant current (1 mA) 76 K EL spectra below 1000 nm. The LEDs were divided into two sets: a control set which was subjected only to forward bias, and a set exposed to gamma irradiation and forward bias. The EL spectra reveal the growth of sharp, bound exciton emission bands (Z lines) in the range 580 nm to 620 nm following extended high current bias at 300 K of irradiated LEDs and, more weakly, in control LEDs which show pre-bias evidence of these lines. The emergence of these lines is tenatively associated with the recombination-enhanced motion of a defect, possibly the Zn interstitial, which can be introduced by irradiation and is sometimes present in unirradiated LEDs.
Effect of 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on intestine and bone in glucocorticoid-treated patients.

SUMMARY The effect of lα-hydroxyvitamin D3 (lα-OHD3) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25–(OH)2D3) on the intestinal calcium absorption was studied in twenty patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with prednisone at daily doses of 5–15mg for 1/2–20 years. The fractional calcium absorption, measured before and after the treatment with the vitamin D compounds, increased in nineteen of the twenty patients. This was, however, accompanied by marked rises in the urinary calcium excretion. There was no correlation between the fractional calcium absorption and the duration of the prednisone treatment or the doses given.
Combination Therapies in the CNS: Engineering the Environment

The inhibitory extracellular environment that develops in response to traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury hinders axon growth thereby limiting restoration of function. Several strategies have been developed to engineer a more permissive central nervous system (CNS) environment to promote regeneration and functional recovery. The multi-faced inhibitory nature of the CNS lesion suggests that therapies used in combination may be more effective. In this mini-review we summarize the most recent attempts to engineer the CNS extracellular environment after injury using combinatorial strategies. The advantages and limits of various combination therapies utilizing neurotrophin delivery, cell transplantation, and biomaterial scaffolds are discussed. Treatments that reduce the inhibition by chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, myelin-associated inhibitors, and other barriers to axon regeneration are also reviewed. Based on the current state of the field, future directions are suggested for research on combination therapies in the CNS.
Impact of signaling on QoS traffic classes in UMTS

Among the factors, which can affect the quality of service of the four different levels of the traffic classes differentiated by their sensitivity to the delay tolerance, signaling ranks on the top. There is significant signaling messaging activity in UMTS among core network elements, and between SGSN and UTRAN that needs to be characterized so that its impact on the application architecture could be determined, and appropriate hardware and service software architectures to support signaling could be developed. Signaling affects mobility management, session management, call setup, and teardown times, etc. thus affecting the QoS of applications. In this paper we first examine the resulting signaling load on a core and a radio access networks for a given traffic penetration in the packet domain by considering a signaling procedure `Attach' and then analytically compute the throughput and the latencies for other basic signaling procedures such as Detach, and the PDP context activation in addition to attach by considering a platform which can act as a signaling server for the RNC, the SGSN, and the GGSN.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Clinical significance of increased tricuspid valve incompetence following implantation of ventricular leads

Purpose Cardiac rhythm management devices (CRMD) require a ventricular lead to be placed across the tricuspid valve. Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is an under-recognized clinical complication of lead implantation and its clinical significance is unknown. We studied the incidence of hospitalizations for congestive heart failure (CHF) exacerbation among patients with worsening TR after ventricular lead implantation.
Morphea of the breast—an uncommon cause of breast erythema

BACKGROUND: Breast-associated morphea (BAM) can mimic benign and malignant inflammatory breast disorders. The aim of the current study was to document our experience with this rare sclerosing dermatologic disorder. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective study at a single institution of all patients who had pathological diagnosis of morphea between January 1995 and October 2007. RESULTS: We identified 15 patients with pathological evidence of morphea involving the breast. Two thirds of these patients were initially misdiagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer or breast infections. While 2 patients had previous exposure to external beam radiation, the remaining patients had no identifiable predisposing risk factors. BAM resulted in limited morbidity and did not result in significant disfiguration. Treatment included topical steroids, topical calcineurin inhibitor, and surgical excision. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience with BAM emphasizes the benefit of early tissue biopsy in patients with unexplained breast erythema to confirm a clinical diagnosis and thus guide subsequent therapeutic interventions.
Developing engineering students' language and cultural skills for academic and professional success

This paper describes work in progress to develop and evaluate a three-week program focusing on academic language and culture for international students beginning a two-year program of study in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. We provide a rationale and theoretical background for the program, describe the curriculum, and summarize the evaluation data collected to date. We propose that the increasingly international student body can provide a useful context for preparing all students with global competence for practicing engineering.
Agricultural applications of a low-cost infrared thermometer

Plant canopy temperature is used in many studies of plant/environment interactions and non-contact measurement is often made with radiometric surface thermometers commonly referred to as infrared thermometers. Industrial-quality infrared thermocouples are widely available and often used in agricultural research. While research on canopy temperature has provided management tools for production agriculture, the high cost of the industrial-quality infrared thermocouples has limited their adoption and use in production agriculture settings. Our objective was to evaluate a low-cost consumer-quality infrared thermocouple as a component of a wireless thermal monitoring system designed for use in a production agriculture setting. The performances of industrial-quality and low-cost consumer-quality sensors were compared under controlled constant temperature and under field conditions using both grass and cotton canopies. Results demonstrate that under controlled constant-temperature the two types of infrared thermocouples were ''significantly the same'' at 10^oC, 20^oC and 30^oC and ''significantly not the same'' at 40^oC and 50^oC. Across the temperature range tested, the consumer-quality infrared thermocouples temperature reading was closer to the thermocouple reading than the industrial-quality infrared thermocouples. A field comparison of industrial-quality and consumer-quality infrared thermocouple sensors monitoring a grass canopy and a cotton canopy indicated that the two types of sensors were similar over a 13-35^oC range. The measurement of temperature made with two types of sensors would not differ significantly. Based on these results we conclude that the lower-cost consumer-quality infrared thermometers are suitable for use in production agricultural applications.
Automating Codes Conformance

AbstractThe ancient methodology of trial-and-error has come a long way over the past hundreds of years, as the construction industry continues to pursue tools that improve design before construction commences. Merging BIM with SmartCodes is a vital step in that evolution. SmartCodes is a new initiative of the International Code Council (ICC) that seeks to automate code compliance check, which takes the building plan as represented by a BIM model and instantly checks for code compliance via model-checking software. The goal is to be able to create a review checklist of building elements to look for, and to inspect the building components that do not comply with code provisions to determine why they do not comply. The introduction of SmartCodes will greatly enhance the traditional design practice by simplifying the access to code provisions and complaints checks. Converting Code and Standards from a flat, rigid format into a dynamic, computable format plays a key role in this process. By breaking through th...
Synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes in vibrationally non-equilibrium carbon monoxide

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are synthesized in a gas-phase non-equilibrium plasma process.The carbon producing CO disproportionation reaction is driven very efficiently in a flow reactor, in which extreme disequilibrium between the vibrational and translational mode of the carbon monoxide gas is maintained even at low translational temperatures by using a powerful and efficient carbon monoxide gas laser.In the presence of metal catalysts, the vibrationally excited CO reacts to form CO2 and structured carbon molecules, notably SWNTs.The individual tubes form ropes or flat ribbons and these are aligned parallel to each other into larger structures of SWNT material without any post-synthesis treatment. 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
A comparison of prospective and retrospective assessment of functional outcome after rotator cuff repair.

Prospective outcome studies are generally considered to be better than retrospective studies. The purpose of this study was to assess correlations between prospective and retrospective outcome assessment after rotator cuff repair. One-hundred and twelve patients (118 shoulders) with chronic rotator cuff tears were evaluated at a mean of 54 months (34-85) after rotator cuff repair, using several outcome measures including a retrospective assessment of improvement. The retrospective assessment of post-operative pain, function, and quality of life had fair correlations with the prospectively determined improvement ( R = .23-.25, P