cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimating soil mass fractal dimensions from water retention curves

The drying branch of the water retention curve is widely used for modeling hydrologic processes and contaminant transport in porous media. A prefractal model is presented for this function based on the capillary equation and a randomized Menger sponge algorithm with upper and lower scaling limits. The upper limit is the air entry value (Ψ0) and the lower limit is the tension at dryness (Ψj). Between these two limits the theoretical curve is concave when plotted as relative saturation (S) vs. the log of tension (Ψ). The mass fractal dimension (D) controls the degree of curvature, with decreasing concavity as D→3. The theoretical equation was fitted to water retention data for six soils from Campbell and Shiozawa [Campbell, G.S., Shiozawa, S., 1992. Prediction of hydraulic properties of soils using particle size distribution and bulk density data. International Workshop on Indirect Methods for Estimating the Hydraulic properties of Unsaturated Soils. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA, pp. 317–328]. These data consisted of between 31 and 39 paired measurements of S and Ψ for each soil, with Ψ ranging from 3.1×100 to 3.3×105 kPa. All of the fits were excellent with adjusted R2 values ≥0.96. The resulting estimates of D were all significantly less than three at P<0.05. The lowest value of D was 2.60 for a sandy loam soil, and the highest was 2.90 for a silty clay soil. Refitting the same data, but over a restricted subset of Ψ's≤1.5×103 kPa, produced errors in the estimation of D. Two of the estimates of D were significantly greater than three at P<0.05. To estimate D accurately, water retention data covering the entire tension range from saturation to sero water content are required. In the absence of such data, it is possible to obtain physically reasonable estimates of D by setting Ψj=106 kPa, the approximate tension at oven dryness, and fitting the proposed equation as a two parameter model.
Endoscopic-Assisted Clipping of Cerebral Aneurysms

Summary Our experience suggests that, with current technology, it is possible to visualize, dissect, and clip cerebral aneurysm using only the endoscope for visualization. Each of the endoscopes requires little or no brain retraction and could be introduced through a bur hole. The penscope would need the largest opening (1.0×1.5 cm), because work is done alongside the scope. However, it overcomes the inherent problem of bur hole surgery for aneurysms: what to do in case of a rupture. Working through a slightly larger opening allows the introduction of other instruments outside of and parallel to the penscope, such as suction and aneurysm clips. The penscope is, therefore, most currently suited for aneurysm surgery.
Enhancement of the Stark effect in coupled quantum wells for optical switching devices

Significant enhancement of the Stark effect on the electronic state and the optical dipole moments of coupled quantum wells is shown theoretically. The multiband effective mass theory (k-p), which takes into account coupling between heavy- and light-hole states of the coupled quantum wells is used. Mixing of states in the coupled quantum wells leads to the splitting of subband energy levels. An applied electric field causes repulsion between the split levels as well as the spin-splitting of the valence-subband structure. Comparison with the single quantum well shows that the optical dipole moment is substantially more reduced for the coupled quantum wells at the same electric field because of enhanced charge separation in this structure. A variational method is used to solve the exciton problem in coupled quantum wells. Calculated exciton peak positions versus electric field show very good agreement with recent experiments. Calculated exciton absorption spectra for the ground state show the quenching of the exciton peak at F=30 kV/cm at 5 K. These results may have interesting applications to low-voltage optoelectronic switching devices based on the quantum-confined Stark effect. >
Intrathecal morphine inhibits substance P release from mammalian spinal cord in vivo

The central terminals of small diameter primary sensory neurones associated with the transmission of noxious cutaneous stimuli are located predominantly in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord1–3. Some of these neurones synthesize substance P (ref. 4) and transport this peptide to their central and peripheral terminals5–7. Substance P is released from the dorsal horn in vitro following potassium depolarization8,9; from spinal cord after electrical stimulation of dorsal roots10 and from dissociated sensory neurones grown in culture11. The iontophoretic application of substance P produces a long-lasting excitation of dorsal horn neurones that are also excited by noxious cutaneous stimuli12–14. One population of opiate receptors in the dorsal horn seems to be located on primary afferent terminals15–16; the release of substance P from primary sensory neurones is inhibited by opiates in vitro8,11. At present, however, there is no direct evidence that substance P is released from sensory neurones, in vivo, following activation of nociceptive afferents. We report here that substance P-like immunoreactivity is released from the mammalian spinal cord, in vivo, following chemical stimulation of sensory neurones with capsaicin and by the activation of high threshold peripheral afferents. Furthermore, release of substance P evoked by high intensity stimuli is completely inhibited by intrathecal morphine.
RNA probes of steric effects in active sites: high flexibility of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

As part of viral replication, the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-RT) makes a DNA copy of the RNA genome of the virus. It is a mutagenic polymerase, which leads to the rapid development of resistance in patients being treated with antiviral drugs. To study the mechanism by which this enzyme makes frequent errors, we have developed and used a set of variably sized nonpolar uridine analogues (rH, rF, rL, rB) in RNAs to probe its functional steric flexibility in nucleotide incorporation. Our kinetics studies show that the enzyme pairs all the analogues selectively with adenine, with a preference for dichloro analogues. However, unlike high-fidelity replicative DNA polymerases, this reverse transcriptase shows little sensitivity to size increases beyond the optimum, which gives evidence for unusually high steric flexibility. This suggests that at least part of the mutagenic behavior of the HIV-1 virus is caused by active site flexibility in its replicating enzyme.
The Impact of Family Functioning on Caregiver Burden among Caregivers of Veterans with Congestive Heart Failure

A cross-sectional study of 76 family caregivers of older veterans with congestive heart failure utilized the McMaster model of family functioning to examine the impact of family functioning variables (problem solving, communication, roles, affective responsiveness, and affective involvement) on caregiver burden dimensions (relationship burden, objective burden, stress burden, and uplifts). Regression analyses indicated that the five dimensions of family functioning were significantly related (p < 0.01) to relationship burden (R 2 = .27) and uplifts (R 2 = .29). More specifically, increased relationship burden was associated with problems in family roles, and increased uplifts was related to higher levels of affective responsiveness.
Antidepressant medication in the treatment of agoraphobia: A critical review

Abstract The present article critically examines research on the use of antidepressants in treating agoraphobia. A number of studies have shown certain classes of antidepressant medication, namely tricyclic antidepressants and MAO inhibitors, to have beneficial effects on certain aspects of the agoraphobic syndrome. However, these studies must be interpreted with caution in light of two major methodological shortcomings, i.e. sole reliance on paper and pencil outcome indices and the confounding of the pharmacological effects of the drug with exposure to feared situations. Recent research, aimed at correcting for these methodological problems, seriously question the efficacy of antidepressant pharmacotherapy by itself as a treatment for agoraphobia. Moreover, it is argued that the disadvantages of drug treatments namely agoraphobics' reluctance to take medication, physical side effects and relapse upon withdrawal of the medication, caution against their routine use in clinical practice.
Suppressed dissociation of H(2)(+) vibrational states by reduced dipole coupling.

The suppression of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{+}$ strong-field dissociation has intrigued experimentalists and theorists since the early days of laser-molecular science. We unravel a vibrational suppression effect due to weak dipole-matrix element coupling strengths of certain vibrational states, dependent on the laser frequency---a form of Cooper minima. This effect is demonstrated by our full-dimensional calculations on ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{+}$ dissociation and persists for a broad range of laser conditions including both weak and strong-field dissociation. Using a crossed-beams coincidence, three-dimensional momentum-imaging technique, the vibrational suppression effect is clearly observed for ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{HD}}^{+}$ at 790 and 395 nm, in good agreement with our theory.
Economic evaluation of small wind generation ownership under different electricity pricing scenarios

With the Smart Grid trend setting in, demand response plays an important role for both the consumer and the utility. Demand Response is the consumers' response to the changes in the price of electricity. Dynamic pricing schemes including Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) and Time of Use (TOU) provide options for consumers to influence their electricity bill. Such pricing options may also make owning a small wind generator more viable. The customer will have a choice of deferring loads during peak hours to a later time as well as use their own generation to meet the load demand. Excess generation can be sold back to the utility. Economical evaluation of owning these generators is the focus of this research. A comparison of the Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) and Time of Use (TOU) schemes with the fixed existing rate is shown. The results suggest that the consumer will not see significant changes in their energy bill with the CPP or TOU pricing schemes in effect but implementation of these pricing schemes would help utilities reduce peak demand. This research will also help utilities decide upon electricity rates be applied as well as help consumers decide upon the best pricing scheme to opt for.
Prediction of static performance for single expansion ramp nozzles

A multiblock three-dimensional Navier-Stokes method was utilized in a two-dimensional fully implicit mode to calculate the flowfield of a single expansion ramp nozzle configuration. The code has been shown previously to be fairly accurate in predicting three-dimensional nozzle flowfields and internal performance for several axisymmetric and nonaxisymmetric geometries. A two-dimensional implementation of the method was used to reduce the resources required to obtain preliminary performance parameters of nozzle concepts. A two-dimensional description of a single-expansion ramp nozzle configuration was analyzed to verify the applicability of the Navier-Stokes code and nozzle performance package to this class of nozzles. Internal static pressure distributions, discharge coefficient and thrust ratio quantities were calculated for a range of operating conditions. Comparisons of predicted performance parameters with experimental data were within 0.5 percent for mass flow, and typically within l.5 percent for thrust ratio.
STABILIZATION OF ZEOLITIC HYDROCRACKING CATALYST

Abstract The stability of a palladium-containing hydrocracking catalyst is improved by the ion exchange addition of zinc. The zinc appears to be uniformly distributed near the cracking sites where it effectively hydrogenates the coke precursors to minimize coking and maintain catalyst activity. To be effective, the zinc ion exchange should be conducted at low pH to prevent zinc precipitation, and the catalyst should be reduced with H2 prior to use. Incorporation of zinc has no effect on the initial activity of the hydrocracking catalyst
The effect of in vitro modeling conditions on the surface reactions of bioactive glass

Using one parametric variation in solution composition, this paper documents that the surface reactions on bioactive glass (BG) 45S5 are exquisitely dependent upon the modeling conditions. The solutions used were 0.05M tris hydroxymethyl aminomethane/HCl (tris buffer), tris buffer complemented with plasma electrolyte and/or serum, and serum. The reacted surfaces were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA), and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS). Post-immersion solutions were analyzed for changes in Ca and PO4 concentrations. After a short immersion (3 h), a crystalline, carbonated hydroxyapatite (c-HA) layer formed only in tris. Reaction surfaces of different structure, morphology, and composition were observed after various short and longer term immersions in all other solutions. They comprised two layers with the layer in contact with the bulk consisting mainly of Si; the outer layer, composed of Si, Ca, and P, was amorphous, and had a Ca/P ratio of about 1. Serum proteins adsorbed on the BG surfaces at the early stages of the solution-mediated BG reactions. Formation of a crystalline c-HA layer was delayed up to three or more days in solution with plasma ions. In the presence of serum, only amorphous surfaces composed of Si, Ca, and P were observed for any time up to seven days of immersion. The present data suggest that serum proteins adsorb in tandem with the occurrence of solution-mediated reactions leading to formation of a silica-gel. Amorphous Ca-P phases accumulate in the Si-rich matrix. Furthermore, the present data, in conjunction with the data published before,1 suggest that physicochemical and cell-mediated reactions occur in parallel to form the glass-tissue interfacial layer. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 37, 363–375, 1997.
Assay for mercurial preservatives in biological products by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry

The cold-vapor method of flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry was applied to the rapid, accurate and precise assay for mercurial preservatives in vaccines and other biological products through the quantitation of mercury. Sample dilution or a microliter sample size permitted the use of an uncomplicated cold concentrated sulfuric acid-potassium permanganate digestion procedure. This digestion procedure freed the mercury from the organic material in the organomercury preservative compounds and from the sample matrices which ranged in complexity from diluents with preservatives to toxoids, influenza virus vaccines and globulins. Microgram amounts of mercury were detected in some rubber components of final container closure-systems in contact with liquid products containing mercurial preservatives.
Inhibition of Corrosion-Related Reduction Processes via Chromium Monolayer Formation

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was examined on copper, platinum, and glassy carbon electrodes, with regard to its inhibition by exposure of the electrode to chromate ion (Cr VI ) in NaCI solution. All three electrode materials exhibited a mass transport limited current for the ORR at sufficiently negative potentials, but this current was strongly inhibited in the presence of Cr VI . Inhibition persisted in Cr VI -free solution after the electrode was rinsed thoroughly, indicating that Cr VI formed an irreversibly adsorbed inhibiting layer. A reduction peak observed in Cr VI solution had an area of 1.1-2.5 mC/cm 2 , and the area varied little with Cr VI concentration, electrode material, and potential in the range of +0.2 to -0.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl. This reduction peak is attributed to Cr III formation, and corresponds to formation of approximately a monolayer of Cr III oxyhydroxide. Once formed, this Cr III monolayer inhibits both O 2 reduction and further reduction of Cr VI . The onset of monolayer formation at about + 0.25 V vs. Ag/AgCl is the same as the potential of the onset of ORR inhibition in dilute Cr VI . The monolayer also decreases the electron transfer rate to ferrocene and Ru(NH 3 ) +3 6 , which are known to be outer sphere redox systems that do not require adsorption to the electrode surface. The results indicate that the adsorbed Cr III film formed by Cr VI reduction is a powerful inhibitor of oxygen reduction, due both to occupation of active chemisorption sites and to inhibition of electron transfer. In the context of corrosion protection, Cr VI acts as a site-directed irreversible inhibitor which migrates to active sites for the ORR, then is reduced to Cr III , and forms a permanent inhibiting monolayer.
An Internet measure of the value of citations

A new method for computing the value of citations is introduced and compared with the PageRank algorithm for author ranking. In our proposed approach, the value of each publication is expressed in CENTs (sCientific currENcy Tokens). The publication's value is then divided by the number of citations made by that publication to yield a value for each citation. As citations are the acknowledgements of the work by authors other than oneself (indicating that it has been useful), self-citations count as zero in acknowledged citation value. Circular citations, a generalized type of self-citation, are considered to have a reduced acknowledged citation value. Finally, we propose a modification of the h-index to define it as the largest integer such that the i-th publication (on the list of publications sorted by their value in CENTs) is worth more than i CENTs. This new index, termed the i-index or i^2 in short, appears to be a more precise measure of the impact of publications and their authors' productivity than the h-index.
Effect of Whey Pretreatment on Composition and Functional Properties of Whey Protein Concentrate

The effect of pretreatment upon the composition and physicochemical and functional properties of whey, ultrafiltration (UF) retentate and freeze-dried and spray-dried whey protein concentrates (WPC) was investigated. Pretreatment was by cooling cheese whey to 0-5°C, adding calcium chloride, adjusting to pH 7.3, warming to 50°C, and removing the insoluble precipitate that formed by centrifugation or decantation. UF permeation flux rate of pretreated whey was about double that for control whey. Pretreated whey was essentially turbidity free, contained 85% less milkfat, 37% more calcium and 40% less phosphorus than whey. Pretreated whey WPC proteins were slightly more soluble at pH 3, but less functional for emulsification than whey WPC proteins. Neither whey WPC proteins nor pretreated whey WPC proteins was functional for foaming at 6% protein concentration.
Pilot clinical studies on the effect of topical citric acid application on healing after replaced periodontal flap surgery

The effect of citric acid conditioning of the root surfaces during periodontal surgery was studied in 12 patients with residual pockets ≥ 5 mm two months following oral hygiene instruction and initial root planing. Full thickness, replaced flap procedure (“modified Widman”) was performed with or without topical citric acid application using a split mouth approach. Six months post-operatively, improvement of the periodontal conditions was observed as evidenced from reduction of probing pocket depth, gain of probing attachment level and gingival recession. A mean probing attachment level gain for pooled acid treated surfaces of 2.1 mm was obtained as compared to 1.5 mm for the non-acid treated control surfaces. Our previous dog and human studies have demonstrated new connective attachment after acid conditioning of root surfaces as contrasted to readaplation of a junctional epithelium in the non-acid treated controls. However, the results of the present study indicate that from a clinical standpoint, the use of citric acid application might only provide a small improvement in probing attachment levels.
Photo-patterning of Porous Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering

Abstract Since pore size and geometry strongly impact cell behavior and in vivo reaction, the ability to create scaffolds with a wide range of pore geometries that can be tailored to suit a particular cell type addresses a key need in tissue engineering. In this contribution, we describe a novel and simple technique to design porous, degradable poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogel scaffolds with well-defined architectures using a unique photolithography process and optimized polymer chemistry. A sphere-template was used to produce a highly uniform, monodisperse porous structure. To create a patterned and porous hydrogel scaffold, a photomask and initiating light were employed. Open, vertical channels ranging in size from 360±25 to 730±70 μm were patterned into ∼700 μm thick hydrogels with pore diameters of 62±8 or 147±15 μm. Collagen type I was immobilized onto the scaffolds to facilitate cell adhesion. To assess the potential of these novel scaffolds for tissue engineering, a skeletal myoblast cell line (C2C12) was seeded onto scaffolds with 147 μm pores and 730 μm diameter channels, and analyzed by histology and digital volumetric imaging. Cell elongation, cell spreading and fibrillar formation were observed on these novel scaffolds. In summary, 3D architectures can be patterned into porous hydrogels in one step to create a wide range of tissue engineering scaffolds that may be tailored for specific applications.
Effect of Varying Doses of Progesterone on Implantation in the Ovariectomized Hamster.

SummaryNo delay in implantation was obtained in hamsters castrated on the second day of pregnancy and given daily doses of progesterone (2-.25 mg). Percentage of implantation obtained decreases as the dose level is lowered to .125 mg daily. At .0625 mg nidation may occur, but, in the majority of cases it either fails or resorption subsequently occurs. Nidation does not take place when .0312 mg is given.
Astrophysical gamma-ray production by inverse Compton interactions of relativistic electrons. III - Cutoff effect for inverse Compton spectra applied to the case of the hard X-ray and gamma-ray emission of NGC 4151

The recently reported spectral features of NGC 4151 in the hard X-ray and ..gamma..-ray energy range are analyzed. A two-component emission model is suggested in which the ultraviolet and soft X-ray photons (E<20 keV) are scattered by relativistic electrons via the inverse Compton process into the hard X-ray and ..gamma..-ray regime. It is shown that the rather flat, hard X-ray spectrum can be explained if a low-energy cutoff in the relativistic electron distribution is postulated. The concept of a low-energy cutoff in the electron distribution is not inconsistent with the observed overall continuum emission of NGC 4151.
Sleep Loss and Partner Violence Victimization

Intimate partner violence victimization has been associated with serious health problems among women, including many disorders that involve sleep disturbances. However, there has been only limited examination of sleep duration among women with victimization experiences. A total of 756 women with a domestic violence order (DVO) against a male intimate partner were interviewed about their health, mental health, substance use, and partner violence victimization. Face-to-face interviews were conducted from February 2001 to November 2003 for data collection in three rural and one urban county representing different jurisdictional settings. Because the current analyses focused on understanding intimate partner victimization in the past year and associations with sleep disturbance, 147 participants were excluded for reporting a relationship with the DVO partner for less than 6 months in the past year. The final sample for this article was 609. The women reported an average of a little above 5.5 hours of sleep pe...
The albedos of Pluto and Charon - Wavelength dependence

The March 3, 1987 occultation of Charon by Pluto was monitored simultaneously with three telescopes. Each site covered a distinct wavelength interval with the total range spanning 0.44-2.4 microns. Observing the same event ensures an identical sun-Pluto-earth geometry for all three sites, and minimizes the assumptions which must be made to combine results. This spectrophotometry is used to derive the individual geometric albedos of Pluto and Charon over a factor of at least 5 in wavelength. Combining the results with those of Binzel (1988) improved (B - V) color estimates (on the 'Johnson Pluto' system) are obtained for the components of the system at rotational phase 0.75: (Pluto + Charon) = 0.843 +/- 0.006; Pluto alone = 0.866 +/- 0.007; and Charon alone = 0.702 +/- 0.010.
The relationship between reports of pain-related social interactions and expressions of pain and affective distress

Results from previous studies have suggested that patients' perceptions of the positive versus negative quality of responses from others to their pain may differentially predict pain and depressive symptom severity. In the present study, 126 chronic pain patients completed the West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory that yielded ratings of the perceived frequency of Solicitous, Distracting, and Negative responses of significant others to pain and the Pain Behavior Check List from which the frequencies of four categories of pain behaviors were derived. Regression analyses revealed that the significant other response scales contributed incrementally to the prediction of total reported pain behaviors over and above the contribution of demographic and pain-relevant variables. The Solicitous and Distracting response scales contributed uniquely and positively to the prediction of reported frequencies of Distorted Ambulation, Facial/Audible Expressions of pain, and Seeking Help, whereas the Negative response scale was uniquely and positively predictive of reported frequency of expressions of Affective Distress.
A study of heart block in man using His bundle recordings.

The technique of recording His bundle electrograms in man by a tripolar electrode catheter was applied in a study of patients with first, second, and third-degree heart block. In all patients with first-degree heart block (congenital, acquired, or induced by atrial pacing), the delay in A-V conduction occurred proximal to the His bundle as evidenced by a prolonged P-H interval. The enhancement of A-V conduction (shortening the P-H interval) due to isoproterenol was qualitatively similar in the three forms of first-degree block. In cases of Wenckebach phenomenon the P-H interval progressively increased until a dropped beat occurred. The nonconducted P wave was not followed by a His deflection, indicating block proximal to the His bundle. Cases of 2:1 and 3:1 block occurring proximal to the His bundle were also studied. The usefulness of His-bundle recordings in the diagnosis of cases of complete and incomplete bilateral bundle-branch block is also demonstrated.
Sacrospinous colpopexy as prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of vaginal vault prolapse after hysterectomy

SummaryTo evaluate the effectiveness of fixing the vaginal vault to the strong and immobile sacrospinous ligament when combined with traditional repairs of procidentia and vaginal vault prolapse, 20 patients with genital prolapse who needed vaginal hysterectomy and repair, or repair of vault prolapse, were studied.Intra-operative and postoperative complications were minimal. Vaginal axis and depth were restored. Vaginal function was maintained. Discomfort was relieved. Dyspareunia did not occur. Incidence of recurrent prolapse or vaginal laxity was low when assessed after one year. All patients were satisfied.Sacrospinous colpopexy should be added to traditional repairs to treat procidentia and with vault prolapse repairs to prevent recurrent vaginal vault prolapse.
RNA secondary structure prediction using dynamic programming algorithm — A review and proposed work

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) plays a fundamental and important role in cellular life forms and their function is directly related to their structure. RNA secondary structure prediction is a significant area of study for many scientists seeking insights into potential drug interactions or innovative new treatment methodologies. Predicting structure can overcome many issues related with physical structure determination and their study yields information useful in prediction of the full three dimensional structures and also in the interpretation of the biochemical abilities of the molecules. Therefore, predicting the secondary structure of RNA is very important for understanding their function. Furthermore, secondary structures are discrete and thus, well suited for computational methods. In this paper, we present a review on RNA secondary structure prediction using Dynamic Programming (DP) algorithm. An analysis of DP algorithm from previous work is discussed. We will present our proposed work for RNA secondary structure prediction using DP algorithm and special-purposed hardware of multicore and Graphical Processing Unit (GPU). We proposed to implement the DP algorithm approach on a hybrid of multicore and GPU platform to speed up the computational process of RNA secondary structure prediction.
S-Curve at the Commodity Level: Evidence from US-India Trade

The short-run response of the trade balance to changes in the terms of trade or the real exchange rate comes under the heading of the “J-Curve” or the “S-Curve.” While the J-Curve is mostly investigated through regression analysis, the S-Curve is based on the cross-correlation function between the terms of trade and the trade balance. Previous research has shown that in a country where support for any of the two curves is weak, disaggregation of the trade data helps discover more evidence of either curve. This article adds to the literature by considering the experience of India. We demonstrate that once the trade data between India and the United States is disaggregated by commodity, there is evidence of the S-curve in most industries that trade between the two countries. Out of total of 27 industries that constitute about 70% of trade, there are 15 that support the S-Curve.
Effects of exercise on transmitral gradient and pulmonary artery pressure in patients with mitral stenosis or a prosthetic mitral valve: a Doppler echocardiographic study.

Abstract Doppler echocardiography was used to determine changes in transmitral gradient and pulmonary artery pressure after exercise in 12 patients with mitral stenosis and 11 patients with a prosthetic mitral valve. The mean transmitral gradient in the mitral stenosis group was 9 ± 7 mm Hg at rest and increased to 17 ± 8 mm Hg after exercise. In patients with a prosthetic mitral valve, exercise resulted in an increase in mean transmitral gradient from 5 ± 2 to 8 ± 3 mm Hp. Calculated pulmonary artery systolic pressure increased with exercise from 41 ± 19 to 70 ± 32 mm Hg in the mitral stenosis group and from 28 ± 8 to 39 ± 15 mm Hg in patients with a prosthetic valve. Exercise Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of changes in transmitral gradient and pulmonary artery systolic pressure was found to be technically simple and an important addition to the noninvasive evaluation of patients with mitral valve disease.
Structural determinants of opioid activity in derivatives of 14-aminomorphinones: effect of substitution in the aromatic ring of cinnamoylaminomorphinones and codeinones.

In recent years there has been substantial interest in the 14-aminodihydromorphinone derivatives methoclocinnamox (MC-CAM) and clocinnamox (C-CAM). To investigate the importance of the cinnamoyl ring substituent, a series of analogues have been prepared with chloro, methyl, and nitro substituents in the 2‘ and 4‘ positions. Despite some discrepancies between the in vitro and in vivo data, a clear SAR could be observed where the 2‘-chloro and 2‘-methyl ligands consistently displayed higher efficacy than their 4‘-substituted analogues. The new series also followed the well-established SAR that 17-methyl ligands have greater efficacy at the μ opioid receptor than their 17-cyclopropylmethyl counterparts.
Comparative study of diet and disease prevalence in Greek Chians part I rural and urban residents of Chios

The study investigates changes in dietary patterns associated with increased urbanization and economic affluence in rural and urban Greeks from the eastern Mediterranean island of Chios. Interview data on food consumption patterns and disease prevalence were obtained from representatives of the poor rural north (n = 77), the prosperous rural south (n = 96), and the urban island capital (n = 183). Food consumption data were analyzed as monthly frequencies of 38 food items and categories using factor analysis and discriminate analysis. Dietary parameters that distinguished between poor rural and prosperous rural Chians and prosperous rural and urban Chians were dissimilar: poor rural Chian men differed from their prosperous rural and urban counterparts by less frequent use of meat, while urban Chian men and women differed from their rural counterparts primarily by substituting other vegetable oils for olive oil. After controlling for age, body mass, physical activity, and socio‐economic status, urban Chian ...
Comparison of Extracting Magnesium by Aluminothermic Reduction and Pidgeon Process

The reduction ratio was compared between the Pidgeon process and the aluminothermic reduction process with CA2, CA, C12A7 as the main production in the residue. The results of XRD show that the main phase in the reduction residue is CA2, CA, C12A7 and Ca2SiO4, respectively. Consideration of the efficiency of extracting magnesium, the aluminothermic reduction process which is CA2 as the main phase in the reduction residue, is the best one.
Systematic study of ignition delay for jet fuels and diesel fuel in a heavy-duty diesel engine

Abstract Measurements of ignition delay (ID) for five fuels: jet-A, three blends of Sasol IPK and jet-A, and a #2 diesel fuel, were performed in a 2.44 L heavy-duty single-cylinder diesel engine. A single injection of fuel was used at 5 crank angle degrees before top-dead center (TDC). The in-cylinder conditions at the start of injection were systematically varied over a range of in-cylinder densities from 15 to 40 kg/m 3 in 5 kg/m 3 increments. For each density, average in-cylinder temperature was varied over as large of a range as possible by heating the intake air. The range of obtainable temperatures was density dependent, but for each density the temperature was varied from approximately 900–1100 K. In-cylinder pressure measurements were performed allowing for ID determination. Methods for in-cylinder temperature determination and ID measurement criteria were tested and compared. The results indicate that the fuel volatility and properties influencing spray breakup have minimal impact on the ignition process. Ignition delay results show good agreement with previous measurements by other investigators performed in a constant volume combustion chamber.
New therapeutic agents for the treatment of bone diseases.

Bisphosphonates have demonstrated important clinical benefits for patients with malignant bone disease, metabolic bone diseases, such as Paget’s disease, and postmenopausal osteoporosis. The introduction of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates with high affinity for hydroxyapatite in bone represents an important advancement. These agents are now a standard of care for osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, osteogenesis imperfecta, primary bone lesions from multiple myeloma and bone metastases from breast cancer. Moreover, the recent clinical development of zoledronic acid (4 mg by 15-minute intravenous infusion) has expanded the benefits of bisphosphonate therapy to patients with bone metastases from any solid tumour. Bisphosphonates are also being investigated at present for the prevention of bone loss resulting from cancer therapy. In addition, a variety of novel biologic agents, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK) ligand antibodies, osteoprotegerin and cathepsin K inhibitors are being investigated at...
Thyroid disease and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM): is there a connection?

Objective: The primary objective of this study is to assess for differences in incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) for patients with thyroid hypofunction versus patients with thyroid h...
Ideas Ahead of Their Time: Digital Time Stamping

Should we be looking for older ideas that might now be ready for exploitation? The "discovery" that Bitcoin's blockchain had other applications is amusing because other applications predate Bitcoin. The secrecy around security research might mean that suggestions about security are more likely to be unknown and ignored.
Teaching Disciplinary Literacy to Adolescents: Rethinking Content- Area Literacy

In this article, Timothy and Cynthia Shanahan argue that “disciplinary literacy” — advanced literacy instruction embedded within content-area classes such as math, science, and social studies — should be a focus of middle and secondary school settings. Moving beyond the oft-cited “every teacher a teacher of reading” philosophy that has historically frustrated secondary content-area teachers, the Shanahans present data collected during the first two years of a study on disciplinary literacy that reveal how content experts and secondary content teachers read disciplinary texts, make use of comprehension strategies, and subsequently teach those strategies to adolescent readers. Preliminary findings suggest that experts from math, chemistry, and history read their respective texts quite differently; consequently, both the content-area experts and secondary teachers in this study recommend different comprehension strategies for work with adolescents. This study not only has implications for which comprehension strategies might best fit particular disciplinary reading tasks, but also suggests how students may be best prepared for the reading, writing, and thinking required by advanced disciplinary coursework. Reading is commonly viewed as a basic set of skills, widely adaptable and applicable to all kinds of texts and reading situations. Accordingly, in the 1990s, most states took on the challenge of improving young children’s reading skills, assuming that once the basics of literacy were accomplished, students would be well equipped for literacy-related tasks later in life (Blair, 1999). The idea that basic reading skills automatically evolve into more advanced reading skills, and that these basic skills are highly generalizable and adaptable, is partially correct: The basic perceptual and decoding skills that are connected with early
HES Presidential Address Hayek: Right for the Wrong Reasons?

The controversial question of whether the millennium began on January 1, 2000 or on January 1, 2001 weighed heavily on my mind as I composed my talk. The dilemma is, I should think, evident: Should a historian of thought want to give the last address of the old millennium, or the first address of the new one? I couldn't make up my mind about this, so I decided to consult my friends, particularly those whom I felt had given the question their considered attention. I asked David Colander, and he assured me that my preferences didn't matter, since he in fact had certainly given the final presidential address of the last millennium when he spoke in Greensboro the previous June. I then asked John Davis, and he assured me that my preferences didn't matter since he, in fact, was certainly going to give the first one of the new millennium, in 2001. Now being not nearly so stupid as I look, it occurred to me that if I listened to both of these individuals, there was a chance that I was going to give neither the last address of the old nor the first address of the new millennium. Feeling that this was, to put it mildly, an unacceptable outcome, I decided to disregard the ill-considered advice of my so-called friends and take firm control of the situation. Ladies and gentleman, I am very proud to be before you here today, delivering both the last presidential address of the old millennium and the first of the new one.
Mechanisms of nickel toxicity in microorganisms

Nickel has long been known to be an important human toxicant, including having the ability to form carcinomas, but until recently nickel was believed to be an issue only to microorganisms living in nickel-rich serpentine soils or areas contaminated by industrial pollution. This assumption was overturned by the discovery of a nickel defense system (RcnR/RcnA) found in microorganisms that live in a wide range of environmental niches, suggesting that nickel homeostasis is a general biological concern. To date, the mechanisms of nickel toxicity in microorganisms and higher eukaryotes are poorly understood. In this review, we summarize nickel homeostasis processes used by microorganisms and highlight in vivo and in vitro effects of exposure to elevated concentrations of nickel. On the basis of this evidence we propose four mechanisms of nickel toxicity: (1) nickel replaces the essential metal of metalloproteins, (2) nickel binds to catalytic residues of non-metalloenzymes; (3) nickel binds outside the catalytic site of an enzyme to inhibit allosterically and (4) nickel indirectly causes oxidative stress.
Neuropil threads of Alzheimer's disease show a marked alteration of the normal cytoskeleton

Abnormal neurites, neuropil threads, are a widespread and characteristic lesion of Alzheimer's disease likely to play a major role in the cognitive impairment of this disease. Contrary to normal neurites, neuropil threads contain straight and paired helical filaments that contain the microtubule-associated protein tau and ubiquitin. It is not known whether these abnormal filaments are added to or replace the normal cytoskeleton. In this study, we examined the fine structure of neuropil threads and carried out a morphometric analysis of the neurofilaments and abnormal filaments contained in the neuropil threads by using an antiserum to tau and colloidal gold immuno-electron microscopy. Almost 70% of the neuropil threads contained straight or paired helical filaments with no neurofilaments. The total number of filaments in each neuropil thread remained essentially unchanged either when straight or paired helical filaments were present alone or when they coexisted either together or with neurofilaments. When the three types of filaments were expressed as a proportion of the total, a linear inverse correlation was found between neurofilaments and straight filaments as well as between straight and paired helical filaments. Approximately 10% of the neuropil threads were found to be myelinated axons. It is concluded that straight filaments are likely to replace neurofilaments, that they in turn might be replaced by paired helical filaments, and that this process occurs in axons as well as dendrites.
Faster, Better: Shear-Wave Velocity to 100 Meters Depth From Refraction Microtremor Arrays

Current techniques of estimating shallow shear velocities for assessment of earthquake site response are too costly for use at most construction sites. They require large sources to be effective in noisy urban settings or specialized independent recorders laid out in an extensive array. This work shows that microtremor noise recordings made on 200-m-long lines of seismic refraction equipment can estimate shear velocity with 20% accuracy, often to 100-m depths. The combination of commonly available equipment, simple recording with no source, a wavefield transformation data processing technique, and an interactive Rayleigh-wave dispersion modeling tool exploits the most effective aspects of the microtremor, spectral analysis of surface wave (SASW) and multichannel analysis of surface wave (MASW) techniques. The slowness-frequency wavefield transformation is particularly effective in allowing accurate picking of Rayleigh-wave phase-velocity dispersion curves despite the presence of waves propagating across the linear array at high apparent velocities, higher-mode Rayleigh waves, body waves, air waves, and incoherent noise. Two locations illustrate the application of this technique in detail: coincident with a large accelerometer microtremor array in Reno, Nevada; and atop a borehole logged for shear velocity in Newhall, California. Refraction equipment could duplicate microtremor results above 3 Hz but could not estimate velocities deeper than 100 m. Refraction microtremor cannot duplicate the detail in the velocity profile yielded by a suspension logger but can match the average velocity of 10- to 20-m depth intervals and suggest structure below the 100-m logged depth of the hole. Eight additional examples from southern California and New Zealand demonstrate that the refraction microtremor technique quickly produces good results from a wide range of hard and soft sites.
Economic threshold for soybean aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), reached damaging levels in 2003 and 2005 in soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, in most northern U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and it has become one of the most important pests of soybean throughout the North Central region. A common experimental protocol was adopted by participants in six states who provided data from 19 yield-loss experiments conducted over a 3-yr period. Population doubling times for field populations of soybean aphid averaged 6.8 d ± 0.8 d (mean ± SEM). The average economic threshold (ET) over all control costs, market values, and yield was 273 ± 38 (mean ± 95% confidence interval [CI], range 111–567) aphids per plant. This ET provides a 7-d lead time before aphid populations are expected to exceed the economic injury level (EIL) of 674 ± 95 (mean ± 95% CI, range 275–1,399) aphids per plant. Peak aphid density in 18 of the 19 location-years occurred during soybean growth stages R3 (beginning pod formation) to R5 (full size pod) with a single data set having aphid populations peaking at R6 (full size green seed). The ET developed here is strongly supported through soybean growth stage R5. Setting an ET at lower aphid densities increases the risk to producers by treating an aphid population that is growing too slowly to exceed the EIL in 7 d, eliminates generalist predators, and exposes a larger portion of the soybean aphid population to selection by insecticides, which could lead to development of insecticide resistance.
Magic Paper: Sketch-Understanding Research

Sketches are hand-drawn informal figures often created as a way of thinking about or working through a problem. Sketch-understanding systems let users interact with computers by drawing naturally, offering a freedom not available with traditional CAD systems.