cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Meltwater and the global ocean conveyor: northern versus southern connections

Abstract The sensitivity of the ocean circulation to changes in North Atlantic surface fluxes has become a major factor in explaining climate variability. The role of the Antarctic Bottom Water in modulating this variability has received much less attention, limiting the development of a complete understanding of decadal to millennial time-scale climate change. New analyses indicate that the southern deepwater source may change dramatically (e.g., experience a decrease of as much as two thirds during last 800 years). Such change can substantially alter the ocean circulation patterns of the last millennium. Additional analyses indicate that the Southern Hemisphere led the Northern Hemisphere changes in some of the glacial cycles of Pleistocene, implying a seesaw-type oscillation of the global ocean conveyor. The potential for melting of sea ice and ice sheets in the Antarctica associated with global warming can cause a further slowdown of the southern deepwater source. These results demand an assessment of the role of the Southern Ocean in driving changes of the global ocean circulation and climate. Systematic model simulation targeting the ocean circulation response to changes in surface salinity in the high latitudes of both Northern and Southern Hemispheres demonstrate that meltwater impacts in one hemisphere may lead to a strengthening of the thermohaline conveyor driven by the source in the opposite hemisphere. This, in turn, leads to significant changes in poleward heat transport. Further, meltwater events can lead to deep-sea warming and thermal expansion of abyssal water, that in turn cause a substantial sea-level change even without a major ice sheet melting.
The effect of subsurface oxygen on the orientation of molecular oxygen on Ag(110)

Abstract The effect of subsurface oxygen on the orientation of molecular oxygen chemisorbed on Ag(110) was investigated using near-edge adsorption fine structure (NEXAFS) analysis. The OO bond is aligned parallel to the surface, along the [110] azimuth with and without subsurface oxygen. Both the σ∗ (532.6 eV) and out-of-plane π∗ (530.2 eV) resonances were observed, indicating that the out-of-plane π∗ orbital is incompletely filled in the adsorbed state.
Head and neck cancer: the importance of oxygen.

Objectives To use recently introduced polarographic technology to characterize the distribution of oxygenation in solid tumors, explore the differences between severe hypoxia and true necrosis, and evaluate the ability to predict treatment outcomes based on tumor oxygenation. Study Design Prospective, nonrandomized trial of patients with advanced head and neck cancer, conducted at an academic institution. Methods A total of 63 patients underwent polarographic oxygen measurements of their tumors. Experiment 1 was designed to determine whether a gradient of oxygenation exists within tumors by examining several series of measurements in each tumor. Experiment 2 was an analysis of the difference in data variance incurred when comparing oxygen measurements using oxygen electrodes of two different sizes. Experiment 3 compared the proportion of tumor necrosis to the proportion of very low (≤2.5 mm Hg) polarographic oxygen measurements. Experiment 4 was designed to explore the correlation between oxygenation and treatment outcomes after nonsurgical management. Results No gradient of oxygenation was found within cervical lymph node metastases from head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (P > .9). Tumor measurements achieved with larger (17 μm) electrodes displayed smaller variances than those obtained with smaller (12 μm) electrodes, although this difference failed to reach statistical significance (P = .60). There was no correlation between tumor necrosis and the proportion of very low (≤2.5 mm Hg) oxygen measurements. There was a nonsignificant trend toward poorer locoregional control and overall survival in hypoxic tumors. Conclusions Hypoxia exists within cervical lymph node metastases from head and neck squamous carcinomas, but the hypoxic regions are distributed essentially randomly. As expected, measurements of oxygen achieved with larger electrodes results in lowered variance, but with no change in overall tumor mean oxygen levels. Polarographic oxygen measurements are independent of tumor necrosis. Finally, oxygenation as an independent variable is incapable of predicting prognosis, probably reflecting the multifactorial nature of the biological behavior of head and neck cancers.
Comparing Between-Judge Disparities in Imprisonment Decisions Across Sentencing Regimes in Ohio

Empirical studies of judicial effects on the use of imprisonment have yet to estimate changes in these effects under more-structured sentencing schemes. Findings are presented from a multilevel analysis of whether the implementation of Ohio's presumptive guidelines in 1996 was effective for reducing inter-judge differences in the distribution of non-suspended prison sentences and in defendant-level effects on imprisonment. These data for seven urban courts provide a unique opportunity to estimate changes in judicial effects across sentencing regimes. Results suggest that Ohio's guidelines were successful for reducing judicial effects on sentencing based on judges' tenure on the bench, prosecutorial experience, and caseload composition.
Spectral Theory for Slowly Oscillating Potentials II. Schrödinger Operators

The absolutely continuous and singular spectrum of one-dimensional Schrodinger operators with slowly oscillating potentials and perturbed periodic potentials is studied, continuing similar investigations for Jacobi matrices from [14]. Trace class methods are used to locate the singular spectrum. The absolutely continuous spectrum is determined by iterated diagonalization of transfer matrices to prove boundedness of eigensolutions.
Characterization of 4-Aminopyridine in Overdose

We report three cases of 4-aminopyridine overdose resulting in seizure activity. All patients were on therapeutic regimens for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. All patients were responsive to intensive supportive care, although the length of toxicity was prolonged more than 24 hours in one patient. Seizure activity was responsive to benzodiazepine and phenytoin therapy.
Distinguishing the unexplainable from the merely unusual: adding explanations to outliers to discover and detect significant complex rare events

This paper discusses the key role of explanations for applications that discover and detect significant complex rare events. These events are distinguished not necessarily by outliers (i.e., unusual or rare data values), but rather by their inexplicability in terms of appropriate real-world behaviors. Outlier detection techniques are typically part of such applications and may provide useful starting points; however, they are far from sufficient for identifying events of interest and discriminating them from similar but uninteresting events to a degree necessary for operational utility. Other techniques that distinguish anomalies from outliers, and then enable anomalies to be classified as relevant or not to the particular detection problem are also necessary. We argue that explanations are the key to the effectiveness of such complex rare event detection applications, and illustrate this point with examples from several real applications.
Apolipoprotein structure and dynamics.

Purpose of review This review highlights recent advances in structural studies of exchangeable human apolipoproteins and the insights they provide into lipoprotein action in cardiovascular and amyloid diseases. Recent findings The high-resolution X-ray crystal structure of free apoA-II reveals a parallel helical array that may represent other lipid-poor apolipoproteins, and the structure in complex with detergent substantiates the belt model for the protein arrangement on lipoproteins. Nuclear magnetic resonance structures of apolipoprotein-detergent complexes show a repertoire of curved helical conformations, suggesting multiple helical arrangements on the lipid. Low-resolution spectroscopic analyses, interface studies and molecular modeling provide new insights into the 'hinge-domain' mechanism of apolipoprotein adaptation at variable lipoprotein surfaces. A kinetic mechanism for lipoprotein stabilization is proposed. Summary Cumulative evidence supports the belt model that provides a general structural basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms of functional apolipoprotein reactions, such as binding to lipoprotein receptors, lipid transporters, and the activation of lipophilic enzymes. However, the detailed protein and lipid conformations on lipoproteins and the underlying molecular interactions are unclear. New insights will hopefully emerge once the first detailed lipoprotein structure is solved.
Inverse relation between dietary fiber intake and visceral adiposity in overweight Latino youth

BACKGROUND: To date, no studies have assessed the longitudinal changes of dietary intake on metabolic risk factors in Latino youth. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the relation between changes in dietary intake, specifically sugar and fiber intakes, with changes in adiposity and risk factors for type 2 diabetes in a longitudinal analysis of overweight Latino youth. DESIGN: Overweight Latino youth (n = 85; aged 11-17 y) underwent the following measures over 2 y [mean (+/-SD) time difference was 1.5 +/- 0.5 y]: dietary intake by 2-d diet recalls, body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging, and glucose and insulin indexes by oral- and intravenous-glucose-tolerance tests. Partial correlations and repeated-measures analysis of covariance assessed the relation between changes in dietary intake with changes in adiposity and glucose and insulin indexes, independent of the following a priori covariates: sex, Tanner stage, time between visits, and baseline dietary and metabolic variables of interest. RESULTS: Increases in total dietary fiber (g/1000 kcal) and insoluble fiber (g/1000 kcal) were associated with decreases in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (r = -0.29, P = 0.02, and r = -0.27, P = 0.03, for total dietary and insoluble fiber, respectively), independent of baseline covariates and change in subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue. Participants who had decreased total dietary fiber (mean decrease of 3 g . 1000 kcal(-1) x d(-1)) had significant increases in VAT compared with participants who had increased total dietary fiber (21% compared with -4%; P = 0.02). No other changes in dietary variables were related to changes in adiposity or metabolic variables. CONCLUSION: Small reductions in dietary fiber intake over 1-2 y can have profound effects on increasing visceral adiposity in a high-risk Latino youth population.
Caring for the elderly female psychiatric patient.

With the growth of the elderly population, and the female elderly population in particular, health providers will be seeing increasing numbers of elderly women with psychiatric disorders. To properly care for this group of patients, better understanding is needed not only of group differences in this patient population but also to understand the differences in each individual, as they age, given their unique life experiences, cohort effects, medical comorbidity, social situation, and personality traits. Understandably, these characteristics will interact with psychiatric disorders in ways that may increase the challenge to correctly diagnose and treat these patients. In addition, understanding late life changes, the prevalence of various mental disorders, and the sometimes unique presentation of mental disorders in this age group are required to better diagnose and treat this population. As per the Administration on Aging (2002), the numbers of our elderly population will reach 70 million by the year 2030 and will make up 20% of the population. Women will continue to greatly outnumber men despite the fact that the male death rate from heart disease and other causes continues to decline and thus narrow this ratio. The change in death rate between women and men is one example highlighting that differences between men and women are not necessarily genetic, but may be caused by environmental or cohort effects. The latest report from the 2000 US Bureau of Census showed that in the age group of more than 65years of age, men account for 5.1% of the population, whereas women account for 7.3%. Thus this growing population of elderly women warrants more attention toward their physical and mental well being. Despite some socioeconomic advances by women in recent years, research shows women continue to be at a disadvantage, 1,2 although they still continue to be the primary caregivers as mothers, spouses, and daughters. And because of the increasing life expectancy of the oldest old, their role as caregivers to aging parents, although at high need to receive care themselves, further increases
Evaluation of Switchgrass Rhizosphere Microflora for Enhancing Seedling Yield and Nutrient Uptake

Many rhizosphere microorganisms enhance nutrient uptake and plant growth, but their effectiveness can vary with host species and with genotype within species. This study evaluated the effectiveness of rhizosphere microflora indigenous to the rhizosphere of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) for enhancing seedling yield and nutrient uptake. Switchgrass roots and rhizosphere soil were collected from native prairies and seeded stands in Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Virginia, and North Carolina. Seedlings of four switchgrass cultivars were inoculated with root fragments and rhizosphere soil from each collection, fertilized with a nutrient solution, and grown in steamed sand for 12 wk in a greenhouse. Seedlings inoculated with rhizosphere microflora produced up to 15-fold greater shoot and root yields, and recovered up to 6-fold more N and 36-fold more P than seedlings inoculated with rhizosphere bacteria only. These responses were consistent for all four switchgrass cultivars and were probably due to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Switchgrass rhizosphere populations were highly variable in their ability to recover N and P and stimulate seedling shoot and root yields. Seedlings inoculated with rhizosphere populations from seeded switchgrass stands averaged 1.5-fold greater shoot and root yields than seedlings inoculated with rhizosphere populations from native prairies. Rhizosphere populations that stimulated the greatest N uptake differed from populations that resulted in the greatest P uptake. Highly effective microbial populations appear to develop in the rhizosphere of seeded switchgrass stands.
Synthesis of a γ‐carboxyglutamic acid containing heptapeptide corresponding to bovine prothrombin residues 17–23

The vitamin K-dependent proteins involved in blood coagulation processes each contain a small cystine loop with the sequence -Gla-Cys-X-Gla-Gla-X-Cys-. A method for the synthesis of the heptapeptide derivative representing the 17–23 sequence of bovine prothrombin, Z-Gla-Cys-Leu-Gla-Gla-Pro-Cys-OBzl, has been developed. The 25 Mg2+ n.m.r. spectrum of the heptapeptide derivative has been obtained and is compared to the n.m.r. spectra obtained from the interaction of 25 Mg2+ with Z-Gla-OMe and Z-Gla-Gla-OMe.
International salesforce management: a relationship perspective

As world trade has expanded to over two trillion dollars in the past 20 years, the international environment with all its complexities has become the arena in which many sales managers must labor. However, the combination of diverse languages, dissimilar cultural heritages and remote geographic locations can create strong barriers to managing effective buyer‐seller relationships. Explores the uniqueness of international salesforce management. Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of employing international marketing intermediaries, as well as issues related to seller‐intermediary relationships. Follows with a section focusing on the company‐owned salesforce and more direct buyer‐seller relationships. Examines issues surrounding organizing the international salesforce and explores the unique aspects of managing the international salesforce in distant markets.
Ultralow interfacial tension for enhanced oil recovery at very low surfactant concentrations.

The interfacial tension (IFT) between alkanes and several individual surfactants and their mixtures has been investigated, using three kinds of alkyl hydrocarbons: decane, dodecane, and tetradecane. For individual and mixed surfactant systems, critical micelle concentrations and areas per molecule at the hydrocarbon−aqueous solution interface were calculated; for the mixed surfactant systems, , the molecular interaction parameter at the hydrocarbon−aqueous solution interface, and βM, the molecular interaction parameter in mixed micelle formation, were calculated. It was found that IFT in the 10-3 mN/m (ultralow) range can be obtained at surfactant concentrations below 0.05 wt % and even at concentrations below 0.01 wt %, when mixtures of certain surfactants are used at the proper ratio. Surfactants with branched-chain alkyl groups show a much better IFT reduction effectiveness than those with straight-chain alkyl groups. Contrary to what has been observed at the air−aqueous solution surface, mixtures of ...
Effect of Low Density Polyethylene on Polystyrene Foam

This work examines the foam density of polystyrene (PS) blended with low density polyethylene (LDPE) at various ratios, and the thermal conductivity of vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) using PS/PE with filler foam as core materials. The experimental results indicate that LDPE strongly influences the foam density of PS/PE foam and the content of open-cells in PS/PE with filler foam. A higher content of open-cells in PS/PE with filler foam can lead to a lower thermal conductivity of VIP.
The miniature pig as an experimental animal in dental research

Abstract The embryological development of the pig has long been recognized as very comparable to that found in man. That this similarity should extend beyond developmental anatomy into some phases of adult morphology and physiology is not surprising and indeed has been shown by many investigators. With miniature pigs available, the main disadBANtages of studying the pig are eliminated, namely, the rapid growth and great size achieved. With the knowledge that the miniature pig is an omnivorous animal, possesses deciduous and permanent sets of teeth, and displays both chewing and biting actions of the mandible, it would appear that this animal would be well suited to research programmes in the field of dentistry. It was the intent of this investigation to examine the miniature pig as a possible laboratory animal for different types of dental research activities. Handling and housing of miniature swine was done without difficulty, with cost and maintenance comparing favourably with that of other large laboratory animals. Blood, pure parotid and whole saliva, and tooth scrapings for bacteriological assay were easily obtainable. With the anaesthetized pig it was possible to perform routine dental procedures and operations, using standard dental equipment. Access was good and the types of procedures used in this investigation indicate that use of the pig may be a means of further developing dental research methods.
Childhood Obesity Increases Left-Ventricular Mass Irrespective of Blood Pressure Status

Adults with a left-ventricular mass index (LVMI) in grams normalized to height in meters(2.7) (LVMI g/m(2.7)) >51 g/m(2.7) are more prone to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. We delineated the odds for cardiac structural sequelae amongst apparently normal white and African-American (AA) children with varying body mass indices (BMI) and office blood pressures. A total of 2,071 children with normal echocardiograms were categorized into risk groups based on BMI and systolic blood pressures (SBPs). Predictors of cardiac sequelae examined were age, sex, race, and z-scores (z) for BMI, SBP, and diastolic blood pressure. Cardiac sequelae measures included (LVMI g/m(2.7)) >51 g/m(2.7), (LVMI) (g/m(2.7)) z, left atrial size (LA(ht)) (mm) z, and relative wall thickness z. Mean age was 14 ± 2 years with 56 % being male and 13 % being AA. Children were divided into "controls" (n = 1,059) and risk groups based on BMI and SBP. Odds ratio for LVMI (g/m(2.7)) > 51.0 g/m(2.7), varied from 5.3 up to 8.5 in children with increased BMI. Both increased BMI and SBP z were associated with increased LVMI (g/m(2.7)) z; however, BMI z had a stronger association. Increased BMI z and AA race were associated with greater LA(ht) (mm) z. AA controls had a nonsignificantly increased LVMI z and a significantly increased LA(ht) (mm) and RWT z. Being overweight or obese is associated with cardiac sequelae in children to the extent known to be associated with adverse outcomes in adults. Healthy AA children have unique cardiac structural differences.
Synthesis and In Vitro Evaluation of Potential Sustained Release Prodrugs via Targeting ASBT

The objective was to synthesize prodrugs of niacin and ketoprofen that target the human apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) and potentially allow for prolonged drug release. Each drug was conjugated to the naturally occurring bile acid chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) using lysine as a linker. Their inhibitory binding and transport properties were evaluated in stably transfected ASBT-MDCK monolayers, and the kinetic parameters K(i), K(t), normJ(max), and P(p) were characterized. Enzymatic stability of the conjugates was evaluated in Caco-2 and liver homogenate. Both conjugates were potent inhibitors of ASBT. For the niacin prodrug, substrate kinetic parameter K(t) was 8.22microM and normJ(max) was 0.0917. In 4h, 69.4% and 26.9% of niacin was released from 1microM and 5microM of the conjugate in Caco-2 homogenate, respectively. For the ketoprofen prodrug, K(t) was 50.8microM and normJ(max) was 1.58. In 4h, 5.94% and 3.73% of ketoprofen was released from 1microM and 5microM of the conjugate in Caco-2 homogenate, and 24.5% and 12.2% of ketoprofen was released in liver homogenate, respectively. In vitro results showed that these bile acid conjugates are potential prolonged release prodrugs with binding affinity for ASBT.
An end-effect model for the single-filament tensile test

The effect of cross-sectional shape on tensile strength of pitch-based carbon fibres was investigated by extensive single-filament testing. For this study, round and trilobal pitch-based carbon fibres were produced at similar processing conditions. The application of a variety of distributions, including the simple Weibull distribution, to the strength data indicated two sources of failure, one source being the accentuation of end effects at short gauge lengths. A new mixed distribution, the end-effect distribution, was proposed to account for these effects and applied to the experimental data. The end-effect model provided an excellent description of the strength distributions of all fibres studied. The end-effect distribution is not complex and is based on sound physical assumptions. It quantifies a recognized inadequacy of the test method which has not previously been accounted for, and it allows separation of end effects from the true fibre strength distribution. The results indicate that end effects can be an important concern for gauge lengths as long as 40 mm. Use of this model revealed that, in the absence of end effects, all fibres failed due to macroscopic flaws; thus, varying the fibre geometry does not result in an unusual failure mechanism. However, the tensile strengths of the non-circular fibre were found to be less dependent on fibre size. Thus, non-circular fibres can be produced at higher mass flow rates, decreasing filament breakage and increasing process conversions.
Head suspension velocity control apparatus for electromechanical recorder

A diamond stylus for electromechanically recording short wavelength video signal information in a metal disc master is supported in a cutterhead suspension apparatus. A set of parallel spring steel suspension members are used to mount a cutting stylus assembly including the diamond stylus to an electromechanical recording lathe. A cutterhead suspension velocity control apparatus couples the cutterhead suspension apparatus to the main frame of the electromechanical recording lathe. When the cutterhead suspension is lowered onto the disc master surface the velocity control apparatus controls the rate at which the cutterhead suspension descends to the disc master surface.
Transmembrane S1 mutations in CNGA3 from achromatopsia 2 patients cause loss of function and impaired cellular trafficking of the cone CNG channel.

PURPOSE. Achromatopsia 2, an inherited retinal disorder resulting in attenuation or loss of cone function, is caused by mutations in the subunit of the cone cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel gene CNGA3. Examination of mutations that cluster in the first transmembrane segment of the protein may provide insight into its role in CNG channel structure, function, biogenesis, and pathophysiology. METHODS. The human CNGA3 gene was tagged at the C terminus with green fluorescent protein. Four mutations, Y181C, N182Y, L186F, and C191Y, were expressed in human embryonic kidney cells. Protein expression was evaluated with immunoblot analysis and cellular localization was determined by immunocytochemistry. Channel function was evaluated by patch-clamp electrophysiology. RESULTS. All the mutations result in loss of channel function, as determined by the failure of cGMP to activate wild-type currents in excised patches. Full-length mutant proteins were synthesized but retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. Glycerol treatment did not rescue channel function nor did coexpression with CNGB3, a subunit of native hetero-tetrameric cone channels. A control mutant, C191S, exhibited cGMP current activation with significantly reduced cooperativity, suggesting that mutations in the first transmembrane domain alter in inter- or intrasubunit communication. CONCLUSIONS. The results implicate the first transmembrane segment in both maturation and function of CNG channels. The defects are not reversed with glycerol, a chemical chaperone that rescues channel function in some channelopathies. Molecular analysis of achromatopsia 2 mutations may be useful in evaluating potential therapeutic approaches for treatment of this channelopathy. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2005;46: 2282‐2290) DOI:10.1167/iovs.05-0179
Has SEC's Y2K policy thrown materiality out the window?

A study of 280 companies implies that ad hoc actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Year 2000 Problem (Y2K) disclosure virtually replaced the time-honored, established practice of using materiality as the basis for financial reporting. Not one company in the random sample had a material impact from fixing the Y2K “problem.” So we have to ask: Did the SEC overreact? © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Modelling plateau peoples: the early human use of the world's high plateaux

Today, humans live in large numbers at elevations above 2500 metres above sea level. However, the world's high plateaux, despite being surrounded by our ancestors in deep antiquity, remained unoccupied and little used until late in the Pleistocene, and in some reconstructions not until the Holocene. Among the causes that may help to explain the relative tardiness of the use of these plateaux are the challenges posed by their physical accessibility, their limited resource availability and limited behavioural flexibility on the part of some of our hominid ancestors.
A look at specialized middle‐level preparation

Abstract Because children at different developmental levels have common needs and interests, teachers can and should be trained to work specifically within those developmental levels. As the number of middle‐level schools and the concern over the availability and retention of teachers within those schools increase, this article offers insight as to how teacher education can develop and implement specialized programs that address the unique needs of middle‐level education within existing program contexts. This article describes a program that addresses teacher preparation concerns of practicing middle‐level teachers and administrators. The program models effective teaching practices for the age‐specific group for which the preparation was geared and incorporates collaborative arrangements between the school‐based practitioners, the university students, and instructors. The article reveals the relative ease with which such a program can be implemented within an existing two‐tier teacher preparation program ...
ZnO films deposited on GaAs substrates with a SiO 2 thin buffer layer

Sputter deposition of ZnO films on GaAs substrates has been investigated. ZnO films were radio frequency (rf)-magnetron sputter deposited on GaAs substrates with or without SiO2 thin buffer layers. Deposition parameters such as rf power, substrate-target distance, and gas composition/pressure were optimized to obtain highly c-axis oriented and highly resistive films. Deposited films were characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), capacitance, and resistivity measurements. Thermal stability of sputter-deposited ZnO films (0.5–2.0 μm thick) was tested with a post-deposition heat treatment at 430°C for 10 min, which is similar to a standard ohmic contact alloying condition for GaAs. The ZnO/SiO2/GaAs films tolerated the heat treatment well while the ZnO/GaAs films disintegrated. The resistivity (1011 Ω-cm) of the ZnO films on SiO2-buffered GaAs substrates remained high during the heat treatment. The post-deposition anneal treatment also enhances c-axis orientation of the ZnO films dramatically and relieves intrinsic stress almost completely. These improvements are attributed to a reduction of grain boundaries and voids with the anneal treatment as supported by SEM and x-ray diffraction measurement results.
Polycomb Group Protein Suppressor 2 of Zeste Is a Functional Homolog of Posterior Sex Combs

The Drosophila melanogaster Polycomb group protein Posterior Sex Combs is a component of Polycomb repressive complex 1 and is central to Polycomb group-mediated silencing. A related Polycomb group gene, Suppressor 2 of zeste, is thought to be partially redundant in function. The two proteins share a small region of homology but also contain regions of unconserved sequences. Here we report a biochemical characterization of Suppressor 2 of zeste. Like Posterior Sex Combs, Suppressor 2 of zeste binds DNA, compacts chromatin, and inhibits chromatin remodeling. Interestingly, the regions of the two proteins responsible for these activities lack sequence homology. Suppressor 2 of zeste can also replace Posterior Sex Combs in a functional complex with other Polycomb group proteins, but unlike with their biochemical activities, complex formation is mediated by the region of Suppressor 2 of zeste that is homologous to that of Posterior Sex Combs. Our results establish Suppressor 2 of zeste as a functional homolog of Posterior Sex Combs and suggest that the two proteins operate via similar molecular mechanisms.
Modelling of High-Chromia Refractory Spalling in Slagging Coal Gasifiers

The economic viability of converting coal into clean burning liquid fuels in slagging coal gasifiers is compromised by the limited service lifetime of hot-face refractories. One of the most severe refractory degradation mechanisms is spalling, which can occur by either volume-expansion phenomena (compressive stresses) or by volume-shrinkage phenomena (tensile stresses). A volume-shrinkage model is benchmarked to high-chromia refractory material properties and performance under gasifier operating conditions. The model is found to be appropriate for first-order estimates of gasifier refractory lifetime when the apparent diffusivity of volatized Cr in the refractory includes the effects of slag-filled pores and cracks.
The price-warranty contract and product attitudes

Abstract Consumers often use the price-warranty contract in evaluating products and making purchase decisions. Although there has been a general acceptance of the fact that warranty and price perceptions affect product attitudes, relatively little research has been carried out to explain how such an effect occurs. Past results have often been contradictory and have not clearly established causal relationships between these constructs. This research examines these causal relationships more closely. A model is proposed and compared with four plausible alternative models. An analysis of linear structural equations (LISREL) provides strong support for the proposed model. A major finding of this research is the lack of a causal relationship between warranty perceptions and product attitudes, as has commonly been assumed.
Women's Roles in Certain Second Testament Passages A Macrosociological View

The role of women in early Christianity remains a contested topic among Second Testament scholars. This paper creates a cross-cultural, macrosociological model of the role of women in agrarian societies against which appropriate Second Testament passages are examined. The model centers upon three aspects of the role of women growing out of the social structure of agrarian households: (1) the care of households; (2) the bearing of children; and, (3) the public and private behavioral expectations of women. Through the delegated authority of her husband a wife manages the domestic realm. A woman's "salvation" is through bearing children, many children if possible, and especially sons. A woman's place is within the private world of the household. The public realm belongs to men. The Second Testament evidence supports the model as described. Significant passages which appear to negate the model do not do so upon closer examination.
Interventional approaches to reduce sympathetic activity in resistant hypertension: to ablate or stimulate?

See related article, pp 331–338 In this issue of Hypertension , Lohmeier et al compare, in a dog model of obesity-hypertension, 2 interventional techniques currently being tested in clinical trials for the treatment of resistant hypertension.1 Sympathetic inhibition is the mechanism by which these interventions are proposed to control hypertension. That sympathetic activity plays a role in hypertension is not a new concept. From the mid 1930s until late 1950s, surgical sympathectomy was practically the only effective treatment for malignant hypertension, and, although plagued by significant side effects, it improved survival of an otherwise fatal disease. Ganglionic blockers and reserpine were the earliest antihypertensives developed, and central sympatholytics followed shortly thereafter. Drugs targeting the sympathetic nervous system, however, are no longer considered as first-line antihypertensives. Central sympatholytics are limited by their side effects, and outcome trials have shown that α- and β-blockers are inferior in lowering the incidence of heart failure and strokes, respectively, compared with other drugs. There is, therefore, a mismatch between the need to target sympathetic activation in hypertension and the limitations of available medical therapies. Novel interventional approaches are trying to fill this void. One of these approaches relates to the work by Lohmeier et al, who showed that chronic carotid sinus stimulation produced a sustained decrease in blood pressure in a dog model of obesity-induced hypertension.2 This work provided further evidence that sympathetic activation plays a role in obesity hypertension and demonstrated that the autonomic nervous system not only plays a role in transient blood pressure regulation but can also contribute to sustained elevations of blood pressure. Treatment of human hypertension with carotid sinus stimulation was attempted for a short period in the 1960s, but only recently have technological advances …
Astrocyte-derived growth factor (S100β) and motor function in rats following cardiac arrest

Following 10-min cardiac arrest and resuscitation, the central serotonergic system and motor function of rats were found to be affected and later on restored. Astrocyte-derived growth factor (S100 beta) is known to promote survival and neurite outgrowth of serotonergic neurons. In the present study, brain levels of S100 beta were investigated with quantitative immunoblot analysis at various time points following cardiac arrest. Significant reductions of S100 beta were found in the cerebral cortex (30%), midbrain (35%), and cerebellum (46%) of rats 3 days postcardiac arrest. In contrast, at 14 and > 45 days, significant increases of S100 beta were detected in the cerebral cortex (57%; 81%), midbrain (70%; 97%), and cerebellum (84%; 157%). The results indicate that reactive astrocytosis and elevated levels of S100 beta may participate in the recovery processes following hypoxic-ischemic insults to the brain.
Nuclear spin diffusion in quantum dots : Effects of inhomogeneous hyperfine interaction

We study the effect of contact hyperfine interaction on the nuclear spin diffusion coefficients in semiconductor quantum dots. The diffusion coefficients are calculated with both the method of moment and density matrix. We show that nuclear spin diffusion is strongly suppressed by the nonuniform hyperfine coupling resulting from the confined electron wave function. Our results agree with the observed suppression of nuclear spin diffusion in these structures in recent experiments, and clarify the degree of validity of the method of moment in an inhomogeneous system.
Sequential and localized grafting on aliphatic polyester diblock copolymers using alkyne deprotection and click cycloaddition

Diblock copolymers, in which both blocks are composed of aliphatic polyesters, were synthesized from two different alkyne-functionalized δ-valerolactone monomers by ring opening polymerization and subsequent click cycloaddition. Trimethylsilyl protection of the alkyne functionality of one block was instrumental to the success of the synthesis. These novel aliphatic polyester diblock copolymers were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Sequential functionalization of the diblock copolymers with hydrophobic groups on one block, and hydrophilic groups on the other block, provides access to amphiphilic structures. Micellar structures generated from these polyester amphiphiles were characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy and transition electron microscopy (TEM). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2009
Heterogeneous databases and high level abstraction

A heterogeneous database management system combines multiple dissimilar models of data within a single integrated system. The objective is to allow a user to access data independently of how it is actually organized. For example, a user may access a database as though it were stored relationally (i.e., in tables) [CODD70], even though it is actually stored as a CODASYL/DBTG or network database [CODA71]. In addition, different subpieces of the database may be organized under different data models. The heterogeneous database system must present these to the user as an integrated whole. The user's model of his data may be different from any of the models chosen to implement it.Rather than construct a new database system from scratch, we are interested in constructing a heterogeneous system out of existing systems. The key difficulties with this approach are: (1) the formulation of database design methods that are applicable to a variety of different data models, and (2) the development of techniques to translate programs and data between dissimilar data models. In this paper, we briefly describe how high level abstraction has been applied to these problems. The use of abstraction in database systems is related to the application of abstraction techniques in programming languages and artificial intelligence research.
BK viral reactivation in cardiac transplant patients: evidence for a double-hit hypothesis.

Background BK nephropathy is a significant cause of renal dysfunction in renal allograft recipients. The question of whether BK viral infection plays a role in renal dysfunction in cardiac transplantation patients remains to be answered. Methods We prospectively examined the prevalence of BK viral reactivation in the setting of cardiac transplantation and performed a cross-sectional analysis of 111 cardiac transplantation patients. We also assessed the prevalence of viremia in a cohort of 29 renal transplant recipients. Results We found urinary decoy cells in 28 cardiac transplantation patients. Of these, 14 patients had evidence of BK viral DNA in the urine. None, however, had evidence of BK viremia. Mean age, gender, levels of pre- and post-transplant serum creatinine, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and ischemic time were not significantly different between the groups. We found that 7 of 29 renal transplant recipients studied had BK viral DNA in their urine. Conclusion These findings are evidence of BK virus reactivation in the setting of cardiac transplantation at a percentage similar to that seen in renal allograft recipients. In contrast to renal allograft recipients, none had evidence of viremia. Thus, even in the setting of established BK virus reactivation, immunosuppression in combination with renal allograft dysfunction and renal ischemic injury is usually insufficient to cause BK viremia and nephropathy, and it appears that a second, organ-specific hit is necessary, such as kidney inflammation, kidney ischemia, or donor-recipient human leukocyte antigen mismatch.
Bifurcation Analyses of Steel and Concrete with Rate- Dependent Properties Part One: Model Formulation and Verification

The effects of strain rate on the mechanical properties of carbon steel and plain concrete are investigated through a rate-dependent elasto-plasticity model and rate-dependent elasto-damage model, respectively. Continuum tangent stiffness tensors are derived for both models so that bifurcation analyses can be performed to identify the onset of material failure. Three-dimensional constitutive model solvers are designed and the numerical results are compared with the experimental data to verify the proposed models.
Effects of Intensive Reading Intervention for Eighth-Grade Students With Persistently Inadequate Response to Intervention

The authors report the effects of a yearlong, very small-group, intensive reading intervention for eighth-grade students with serious reading difficulties who had demonstrated low response to intervention (RTI) in both Grades 6 and 7. At the beginning of Grade 6, a cohort of students identified as having reading difficulties were randomized to treatment or comparison conditions. Treatment group students received researcher-provided reading intervention in Grade 6, which continued in Grade 7 for those with low response to intervention; comparison students received no researcher-provided intervention. Participants in the Grade 8 study were members of the original treatment (N = 28) and comparison (N = 13) conditions who had failed to pass a state-mandated reading comprehension test in both Grades 6 and 7. In Grade 8, treatment group students received a 50-minute, daily, individualized, intensive reading intervention in groups of two to four students per teacher. The results showed that students in the treatment condition demonstrated significantly higher scores than comparison students on standardized measures of comprehension (effect size = 1.20) and word identification (effect size = 0.49), although most continued to lack grade-level proficiency in reading despite 3 years of intervention. Findings from this study provide a rationale for intensive intervention for middle school students with severe reading difficulties.
Nonresidential Father Involvement: A Test of a Mid-Range Theory

This study tested a theoretical model of postdivorce involvement of nonresidential fathers with their children. The hypotheses were (a) that postdivorce father involvement is related to father parenting role identity, role clarity, child relationship quality, and father role hierarchy ranking; and (b) that several variables serve as moderators for the relationship between father parenting role identity and father involvement. Data were collected via self-report questionnaires administered to 101 fathers. Path analytic techniques were used to assess the theoretical model. Findings supported the hypotheses related to the core constructs within the theory, but not for the moderator variables within the study. Role clarity and child relationship quality were found to have both direct and indirect effects on father involvement. Father parenting role identity had a direct effect on father involvement but also functioned as a meditating variable for constructs within the model. Significant paths were found for two variables, joint custody and satisfaction with the legal system. Father postdivorce involvement is a complex phenomenon, and forces external to fathers can contribute to levels of postdivorce involvement (e.g., legal system issues).
Micromachined acoustic-wave liquid ejector

This paper describes the design and performance of micromachined, self-focusing acoustic-wave liquid ejector (AWLE) that requires no heat, nozzle, nor acoustic lens. The AWLE has a very simple device structure and is easy to fabricate. Three versions of AWLE have been designed, fabricated, and tested for an ink-jet printing application. Also developed are computer simulation and design aids that take into account the acoustic loss in water and the two-time wave reflections at the water-air and water-transducer interfaces. The AWLE has been observed to eject water droplets of about 5 /spl mu/m in diameter with radio frequency (RF) pulses of 5 /spl mu/s pulsewidth. Overall, the AWLE has been shown to be capable of improving the printing resolution and speed of ink-jet printing significantly.
Finite element simulation of strain localization with large deformation: capturing strong discontinuity using a Petrov–Galerkin multiscale formulation

The finite element model for strain localization analysis developed in a previous work is generalized to the finite deformation regime. Strain enhancements via jumps in the displacement field are captured and condensed on the material level, leading to a formulation that does not require static condensation to be performed on the element level. A general evolution condition is first formulated laying out conditions for the continued activation of a strong discontinuity. Then, a multiscale finite element model is formulated to describe the post-bifurcation behavior, highlighting the key roles played by the continuous and conforming deformation maps on the characterization of the finite deformation kinematics of a localized element traced by a strong discontinuity. The resulting finite element equation exhibits the features of a Petrov–Galerkin formulation in which the gradient of the weighting function is evaluated over the continuous part of the deformation map, whereas the gradient of the trial function is evaluated over the conforming part of the same map. In the limit of infinitesimal deformations the formulation reduces to the standard Galerkin approximation described in a previous work. Numerical examples are presented demonstrating absolute objectivity with respect to mesh refinement and insensitivity to mesh alignment of finite element solutions. 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Reactive rules inference from dynamic dependency models

Defining dependency models is sometimes an easier, more intuitive way for ontology representation than defining reactive rules directly, as it provides a higher level of abstraction. We will shortly introduce the ADI (Active Dependency Integration) model capabilities, emphasizing new developments: 1. Support of automatic dependencies instantiation from an abstract definition that expresses a general dependency in the ontology, namely a "template". 2. Inference of rules for dynamic dependency models where dependencies and entities may be inserted deleted and updated. We use the eTrade example in order to exemplify those capabilities.