cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glucocorticoids Inhibit Cell Cycle Progression in Differentiating Osteoblasts via Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β

Differentiating osteoblasts in culture undergo a commitment stage, during which cobblestone-like cells grow to high density past confluency. In contrast to earlier proliferative stages, the cell cycle during this commitment stage is inhibited by glucocorticoids (GC). Chronic GC treatment also impedes mineral deposition if steroid administration commences early enough during commitment. This study defines a role for glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) and its target, c-Myc, in the GC-sensitive osteoblast persistent cell cycle. c-Myc levels decreased as cells reached confluence, but then increased during growth to high density. GC administration at this stage resulted in down-regulation of c-Myc. This was accompanied by GC-mediated attenuation of GSK3β Ser9 inhibitory phosphorylation and increased GSK3β kinase activity. Down-regulation of c-Myc was attributable to enhanced Thr58 phosphorylation, leading to accelerated degradation. In contrast, GC did not inhibit the c-Myc synthesis rate or the level of β-catenin, a transcriptional coactivator of c-myc. The attenuated cell cycle and the reduced c-Myc level were returned to control levels by specific inhibition of GSK3β using lithium chloride. These results suggest that tonal GSK3β repression at the cobblestone stage of osteoblast differentiation permits osteoblast growth to high density. GC interfere with this growth-permissive axis by GSK3β activation, resulting in c-Myc down-regulation and impediment of the G1/S cell cycle transition.
Viscous flow in a curved tube filled with a porous medium

Viscous flow in a tube is basic in fluid mechanics. However, there are cases where the tube is filled with a porous medium, such as those in filters, catalytic reactors or matrix-filled biological pores. In these cases the appropriate governing equation is the DarcyBrinkman equation, where both the resistance of the matrix and the bounding walls are taken into account [1, 2]. There are many articles on the flow in a straight tube filled with a porous medium, notably Refs. [3– 10]. This paper considers the flow in a curved tube filled with a porous medium. Previous literature include the works of Avramenko and Kuznetsov [11, 12] who solved analytically for the flow in a curved channel and a curved rectangular tube. Full numerical solution was also done for a helically coiled tube [13]. We shall introduce a Ritz method to treat the flow through a porous medium in a general curved tube, then apply the method to a curved tube of elliptic cross section. The Ritz method and its convergence have been known in elasticity (e.g. [14]), but its applications
Time-Averaged Probabilistic Model for Irregular Wave Runup on Permeable Slopes

A time-averaged probabilistic model is developed to predict irregular wave runup statistics on permeable slopes such as cobble beaches and revetments. The cross-shore variations of the mean and standard deviation of the free surface elevation and horizontal fluid velocities above and inside a porous layer are predicted using the time-averaged continuity, momentum, and energy equations. The mean and standard deviation of the shoreline elevation measured by a runup wire are estimated from the predicted mean and standard deviation of the free surface elevation. The wave runup height above the mean water level, including wave setup, is assumed to be given by the Rayleigh distribution. The wave reflection coefficient is estimated from the wave energy flux remaining at the still water shoreline. This computationally efficient model is shown to be in fair agreement with 57 small-scale tests conducted on 1/5 and 1/2 permeable slopes situated inside surf zones on impermeable gentle slopes.
Mood Propensity as a Constituent of Happiness: A Rejoinder to Hill

In an earlier paper I defended an emotional state theory of happiness. In a basic form, emotional state theories identify happiness with a person’s moods and emotions. To this formulation I added a second component, “mood propensity”: roughly, an individual’s disposition to experience moods, which can vary with the circumstances. Scott Hill argues that this view is vulnerable to a serious counterexample and that my intuitive arguments for it are unconvincing. This paper extends my earlier defense of mood propensity as an aspect of happiness, in the process replying to Hill’s objections. I argue that the intuitive considerations favoring my view are not weakened by the points Hill raises. Moreover, the inclusion of dispositional elements in a theory of happiness is actually quite common, and there are good substantive, and not just intuitive, reasons for incorporating mood propensity in the account. In particular, it seems to be required by the guiding conception of happiness as a matter of a person’s overall emotional condition.
Formulation and evaluation of a finite element model for the biphasic model of hydrated soft tissues

Abstract A finite element formulation of the linear biphasic model for articular cartilage and other hydrated soft tissues consisting of an incompressible, inviscid fluid phase and an incompressible solid phase is presented. The Galerkin weighted residual method is applied to the momentum equation and mechanical boundary conditions of both the solid phase and the fluid phase, and the continuity equation for the intrinsically incompressible binary mixture is introduced via penalty method. The resulting weak form is expressed in terms of the solid phase displacements and fluid phase velocities, which are interpolated for each element in terms of unknown nodal values, producing a system of first order differential equations which are solved using a standard numerical finite difference technique. In the limiting case of steady permeation (no solid displacement) the penalty method is shown to produce L 2 convergence of both the pressure field and the fluid velocity field. In contrast, it is known that the limiting case of an incompressible solid (no fluid flow) yields H 1 convergence of the solid phase displacement. An axisymmetric element of quadrilateral cross-section is developed and applied to the mechanical test problems of a cylindrical specimen of soft tissue in confined and perfectly lubricated unconfined compression, for which independent analytical solutions are available. The effects of mesh size and mesh distortion, solution parameters such as penalty number and time step size, and platen-specimen friction for the unconfined compression problem are evaluated.
Groundwater water treatment for iron and manganese reduction and fish rearing studies applied to the design of the Ruth Burnett Sport Fish Hatchery, Fairbanks, Alaska

Abstract Studies at the Fairbanks Experimental Fish Hatchery (FEFH) were conducted to investigate the operational characteristics of media filtration groundwater treatment for iron and manganese reduction, water reuse and recirculation technologies for fish rearing, and conditions of fish gill tissue during rearing. Results were used to aid in the design and planned operation of the Ruth Burnett Sport Fish Hatchery (RBSFH), currently under construction in Fairbanks, Alaska. Under a two-stage filtration scenario, with hydraulic loading rates of 0.39 and 0.43 cm/s for Stages 1 and 2, respectively, manganese dioxide media filtration typically removed dissolved iron from 5 to 6.5 mg/L down to 0.1 mg/L or less, and allowed for suitable fish rearing and health (based on gill condition) in treated groundwater. Poor water quality from filter equipment malfunction or improper operation typically manifested tissue damage (epithelial lifting, hypertrophy, degeneration, and in some cases iron adhesion) observed in fish gills. Design refinements from initial use, including changes in hydraulic loading rates and transition from single-stage to two-stage filtration, were required for long-term use of media filtration and were included in the design of the future hatchery. Dissolved manganese removal from groundwater (from 0.7 to
Characterization and CO Oxidation Activity of Cu/Cr/Al2O3 Catalysts

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) have been used to characterize a series of Cu/Cr/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalysts prepared by stepwise incipient wetness impregnation of first chromium followed by copper (designated CuCry). The copper loading was held constant at 8 wt% CuO, and chromium loadings were varied from 0 to 20 wt% Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The information obtained from surface and bulk characterization has been correlated with the CO oxidation activity of the catalysts. XPS and XRD results of analogous Cry indicated that the Cr dispersion decreased and the concentration of Cr{sup 3+} species increased with increasing Cr content. The decrease in Cu dispersion of CuCry with increasing Cr content has been attributed to the formation of large crystalline CuO and CuCr{sub 2}O{sub 4}. Copper addition decreased the Cr dispersion by reacting selectively with a dispersed Cr{sup 3+} species to form CuCr{sub 2}O{sub 4} species. However, the Cu addition did not affect the Cr oxidation state distribution compared to that of Cry. For low Cr loading CuCry catalysts (Cr/Al {le} 0.027), the CO oxidation activity increased with increasing Cr content due to the formation of crystalline CuO on the Cr-modified alumina. This has been attributed to the inhibitionmore » of Cu ion diffusion into alumina lattice vacancies by highly dispersed chromium species. The CuCry catalyst of Cr/Al = 0.054 showed the highest CO oxidation activity due to the formation of CuCr{sub 2}O{sub 4} which was more active than the CuO phase. For Cr-rich catalysts (Cr/Al {ge} 0.080), the decrease in CO oxidation activity has been ascribed to the encapsulation of the active site with Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} species.« less
Recovery recapitulates ontogeny

Several studies support the hypothesis that after stroke, specific features of brain function revert to those seen at an early stage of development, with the subsequent process of recovery recapitulating ontogeny in many ways. Many clinical characteristics of stroke recovery resemble normal development, particularly in the motor system. Consistent with this, brain-mapping studies after an ischemic insult suggest re-emergence of childhood organizational patterns: recovery being associated with a return to adult patterns. Experimental animal studies demonstrate increased levels of developmental proteins, particularly in the area surrounding an infarct, suggesting an active process of reconditioning in response to cerebral ischemia. Understanding the patterns of similarity between normal development and stroke recovery might be of value in its treatment.
Unimaginable images: seeing is believing.

Lewis Thomas, in his essay On Matters of Doubt wrote: “What we have been learning in our time is that we really do not understand this place or how it works, and we comprehend ourselves least of all. And the more we learn, the more we are—or ought to be—dumbfounded.”1For centuries, physicians have tried to explain those phenomena that confronted them every day, knowing that each mystery unlocked often led to more questions. Sometimes we put labels on things we observed but did not completely understand. “the battered child syndrome,” “sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS),” and apparent life-threatening events (ALTEs) are examples of labels we affixed to tragic situations that confronted us often. Physician and societal recognition of these syndromes has expanded rapidly over the last several decades. Billions of dollars have been spent on building an investigative child protection system to deal with battered children, and millions more were contributed to research on SIDS and ALTE as well as support for families whose children died of SIDS. It is not difficult to imagine, given the random nature of ALTE, that a parent or other caretaker might, by chance, walk in to an infant's room just as (or after) the precipitating event occurred. Given the trusting nature of most health professionals, it is also not difficult …
The omentum in facial reconstruction

THREE times a year on average, we are called upon to treat patients with gunshot injuries to the mid and lower face which involve loss of much facial soft tissue, intra-oral lining and intervening bone; in addition, there are often cornminuted fractures of the bones adjacent to the open wound. Primary treatment has usually consisted only of debridement, stabilisation of the fractures and perhaps dressing the wounds with skin grafts. Later the oral lining and the skin defect have been reconstructed with local tissues and/or skin flaps. Still later, efforts have been made to reconstruct the missing skeleton with bone grafts but exposure of the remaining facial skeleton is difficult and the graft bed is often fibrotic. Although many of these patients have had 30 to 35 operations, the results are disappointing. In searching for a better solution to the problem we considered the case of a sculptor patching a damaged clay model. First he would build an armature into the damaged area and upon this replace the missing clay. Finally a glaze would be applied to protect the reconstruction. By analogy, in a complex facial reconstruction, the armature could be bone grafts to simulate the facial skeleton, the clay could be the vascular omentum and the outer protective layer could be a skin graft. In the rather meagre literature on reconstruction of the maxilla, there is one article of note. Obwegeser (1973) describes an ingenious reconstruction of the maxilla using a lattice of split rib grafts fixed to the remaining stable points. The bone bending forceps of Tessier are essential to bend the ribs to the proper cont0ur.l During the past 3 years, we have used the omentum as a pedicled flap for chest wall reconstruction in 12 patients with radiation necrosis (Jurkiewicz, 1977x as pioneered by Kiricuta (1963) and DuPont and Menard (1972). We had no significant complications and were impressed with the ease with which skin grafts took upon the omentum. More recently, our colleague, Dr P. G. Arnold (Arnold et al., 1976) impressed us with the use of the omentum as a “vascular putty” to cover a Silastic gel prosthesis in reconstructing a breast; even though the reconstruction was covered with a skin graft, the contour of the reconstructed breast more nearly corresponded to that of the normal breast than any other reconstruction we have seen. Alday and Goldsmith (1972) and Das (1976) have defined the vascular anatomy of the omentum and its variations. There are usually 3 main omental vessels which arise from the gastro-epiploic arcade. In 1972, McLean and Buncke first reported the free transfer of the omentum by microvascular anastomosis to repair a scalp defect. The gastro-epiploic vessels are 1.5 to 3.0 mm in diameter and their anastomosis to similar sized vessels is relatively easy. Friendly collaboration and support from surgical colleagues, operating room staff and anaesthetist is essential; in the case to be described the anaesthetic time was 144 hours !
Characterizations of certain classes of infinite-dimensional metric spaces

Abstract We characterize two classes of metric spaces as images under a closed, finite-to-one mapping of a zero-dimensional metric space. In the case of locally finite-dimensional spaces the mapping must be of strong local order, and for strongly countable-dimensional spaces the mapping must have weak local order. The results are analogues to characterizations by K. Morita (of finite-dimensional spaces) and J. Nagata (of countable-dimensional spaces).
Programmable matter with self-reconfiguring robots

Programmable matter aims to bring machines and materials closer together. We wish to create smart materials whose properties can be programmed, or, alternatively, machines that look and feel more like materials. Programmable matter will be achieved when we will have the ability to create objects whose physical properties, for example shape, stiffness, optical characteristics, acoustic characteristics, and viscosity can be programmed. We are working toward creating materials with embedded sensing, actuation, communication, computation, and connection, which we call SAC3 materials. We are developing two concepts: smart SAC3 sheets that self-fold into origami shapes, and smart SAC3 pebbles that self-sculpt into desired objects. This work is at the intersection of theory, algorithms, device design, and control.This talk will survey the history of programmable matter. We start by discussing robotic self-reconfiguration whose aim is to create modular robots capable of changing shape: hundreds of small modules autonomously organize and reorganize as geometric structures to best fit the terrain on which the robot has to move, the shape of the object the robot has to manipulate, or the sensing needs of the given task. Self-reconfiguration leads to versatile robots that can support multiple modalities of locomotion, manipulation, and perception.We will discuss a spectrum of mechanical and computational capabilities for such systems and detail some recent self-reconfiguring robots. We then discuss programmable matter by smart sheets and smart pebbles. Finally, we discuss the theoretical and systems challenges for realizing the full potential of programmable matter.
Mouse vomeronasal organ: Effects on chemosignal production and maternal behavior

Adult male mice excrete a urinary chemosignal that accelerates puberty in females, whereas group-housed female mice excrete a urinary chemosignal that delays puberty in young females. We found that: (1) the excretion of the puberty-acceleration chemosignal by males persisted in the absence of the vomeronasal organs and (2) the puberty-delay chemosignal was not present in the urine of group-housed females whose vomeronasal organs had been surgically removed (VNX), but was present in the urine of group-housed females subjected to sham surgery (SHAM). These results suggest that in males, vomeronasal chemoreception does not affect the excretion of the puberty-acceleration chemosignal, but that in females, the vomeronasal organ receives chemosignals that influence the excretion of the puberty-delay chemosignal. Additionally, we found no difference between SHAM and VNX females in rates of conception, litter size, pup growth, pup recognition, or maternal behavior, indicating that normal maternal processes are expressed in the absence of an intact accessory olfactory system.
Functional characterization of full-length TLR3, IRAK-4, and TRAF6 in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Recently, the zebrafish, Danio rerio, has been recognized as a useful model for infectious disease and immunity. The Toll-like receptor (TLR) family is an evolutionarily conserved component of the innate immune system that responds to specific pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) during an infection. This study reports the identification and characterization of a full-length orthologue of mammalian TLR3, and the key TLR pathway signaling molecules IRAK-4 and TRAF6 in the zebrafish. Sequence analysis of zebrafish TLR3 (zfTLR3), IRAK-4 (zfIRAK-4), and TRAF6 (zfTRAF6) revealed conserved domains shared with insect and mammalian genes. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that all three genes are expressed in a variety of adult tissues and during embryonic development. In in situ hybridization, we showed that zfTLR3, zfIRAK-4, and zfTRAF6 are present in distinct regions of the developing brain at 22 hpf and that zfTRAF6 was observed in the developing medial neural tube. Overexpression of zfIRAK-4, zfTRAF6, or a mutant zfTLR3 construct was able to stimulate NF-κB activation in ZFL cells as measured by a cotransfected NF-κB-luciferase reporter plasmid. Messenger RNA expression profiles of each gene in zebrafish embryos and adults were examined by quantitative real-time PCR following infection with snakehead rhabdovirus (SHRV) or Edwardsiella tarda. Following exposure to SHRV, only zfTLR3 and zfTRAF6 mRNA transcripts were upregulated. Interestingly, exposure of fish to E. tarda resulted in an unexpected increase in mRNA expression of zfTLR3, as well as the anticipated upregulation of zfIRAK-4 and zfTRAF6 mRNA transcripts. These results demonstrate that zebrafish possess conserved TLR-signaling pathways, further emphasizing the utility of the zebrafish as a model for vertebrate immunology.
Acquiring Knowledge From the Media in the Internet Age

Democratic foundations rest on public support and a reasonably broad distribution of knowledge. The media have traditionally been assigned responsibility for providing much of that knowledge, but they do not inform all citizens equally; and communication scholars have, thus, studied the threat represented by the knowledge gap phenomenon. This study examines several factors on which the knowledge gap perspective is based in the online environment, including knowledge about international affairs, the local community, and the Internet. Results confirm gaps in all 3 knowledge types by education and income groups, including positive relationships between several media use and knowledge measures.
Stoniness and rockiness of a forested Appalachian catchment

Abstract The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the distribution of surface and subsurface stoniness and rockiness and to describe and compare this parameter to the distributions of the following parameters: A- and B-horizon thickness, azimuth, inclination, and relative height for a watershed in north central West Virginia. The parameters were evaluated on 724 square 0.39 ha plots encompassing the total area of the catchment. Surface stoniness and rockiness was found to be lowest on thicker soils, northeast aspects, and small relative heights. There was no relationship found between surface and subsurface stones and rocks. To accurately hypothesize on the biophysical relationships between stoniness and rockiness and plant productivity, further research is recommended on different watersheds and in areas of soil moisture and temperature, and microclimatic relationships as related to stones and rocks.
Anesthesia, the aging brain, and the surgical patient

ORRY to bring you disquieting news but we're not getting any younger. According to the recent US census, there were 4.2 million Americans age 85 or older in 2000, an increase of 30% since 1990, and those 75 to 84 numbered 12.4 million (vs 10 million in 1990). The trends in Canada are no different. Many of these people will require anesthesia and surgery. Therefore, inasmuch as the brain is the main target organ for anesthetic and adjuvant drugs, age-associated changes in the brain have important anesthetic implications for this patient population.
Examining masculinity norms, problem drinking, and athletic involvement as predictors of sexual aggression in college men

Male sexual aggression toward women is a serious social problem, particularly on college campuses. In this study, college men's sexually aggressive behavior and rape myth acceptance were examined using conformity to 11 masculine norms and 2 variables previously linked to sexual aggression: problem drinking and athletic involvement. Results indicated that men who use alcohol problematically and conform to specific masculine norms (i.e., having power over women, being a playboy, disdaining gay men, being dominant, being violent, and taking risks) tended to endorse rape myths and report sexually aggressive behavior. Additionally, men who reported higher levels of problematic alcohol use and risk taking were more likely to report sexually aggressive behavior without endorsing rape myths. Implications and recommendations are discussed.
A multisubunit complex containing the SWI1/ADR6, SWI2/SNF2, SWI3, SNF5, and SNF6 gene products isolated from yeast.

Abstract A complex containing the products of the SWI1/ADR6, SWI2/SNF2, SWI3, SNF5, and SNF6 genes and four additional polypeptides has been purified from extracts of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Physical association of these proteins was demonstrated by copurification and coimmunoprecipitation. A potent DNA-dependent ATPase copurified with the complex, and this activity was evidently associated with SWI2/SNF2.
An empirical application of transaction-costs theory to organizational design characteristics.

Abstract The environmental uncertainty component of transaction-costs theory was used to predict the organizational structural characteristics of size (number of employees) and horizontal differentiation (number of vice presidents) using financial and management information from the COMPACT DISCLOSURE data base (which contains the most recent annual and periodic reports for more than 12,000 public companies). Organizations were categorized as low- or high-uncertainty industries according to Dess and Beard's (1984) Dynamism Scale, and net sales volume was controlled. As predicted, high-uncertainty companies had significantly higher horizontal differentiation than low-uncertainty firms, a finding that supports the transaction-costs expectation that organizations may require more departments or personnel to cope with increasing uncertainty. Surprisingly, low-uncertainty firms were found to have significantly more employees than high-uncertainty organizations, which is the opposite of what transaction-costs t...
Metabolic cost of sodium transport in toad urinary bladder

The metabolic cost of active sodium transport was determined in toad bladder at different gradients of transepithelial potential, Δψ, by continuous and simultaneous measurements of CO2 production and of transepithelial electric current. Amiloride was used to block active sodium transport in order to assess the nontransport-linked, basal, production of CO2 and the passive permeability of the tissue. From these determinations active sodium transport,JNa, and suprabasal CO2 production,\(J_{CO_2 }^{sb}\), were calculated. Since large transients inJNa and\(J_{CO_2 }^{sb}\) frequently accompanied any abrupt change in Δψ, steady state conditions were carefully defined.
Study of rigid-rotor exact exchange electron - scattering using the first-order non-degenerate adiabatic theory

We have applied the first-order non-degenerate adiabatic (FONDA) theory to electron - scattering with exchange treated rigorously. The pure rotational body-frame and the laboratory-frame FONDA cross sections are calculated and compared with our body-frame fixed-nuclei (BF-FN) and adiabatic-nuclei (AN) results, respectively. For consistency, all the scattering calculations performed are based on identical potential models and values of input-scattering parameters. These comparisons reveal significant differences between the pure rotational FONDA and BF-FN and AN results near threshold energy range. For instance, the laboratory-frame FONDA (LF-FONDA) and AN cross sections differ by 54, and 117% for to j = 2 and to j = 4 excitations, respectively at 0.01 eV. The body-frame FONDA (BF-FONDA) and BF-FN results are also different by 53, 81, 10 and 96% at 0.0027 eV in the , , and symmetries, respectively. These differences stem from the breakdown of the target-state degeneracy assumption near threshold energy range. We also compare our cross sections for the - system with previously published results. We conclude that stable rotational excitation cross sections require significantly higher values of convergence parameters than previously used.
Terminating markov renewal processes

Several kinds of terminating Markov Renewal Processes are defined. Of interest in these processes are the time T until termination and the number of transitions NT until termination. For several kinds of terminating processes, the distribution and moments of T and NT are obtained along with their covariance. The distributions of associated cumulative processes are also considered. A Markov Renewal model is compared with results of Markov Chains used to model epidemics, and other examples are examined in compartmental modeling and competing risks.
Influence of Substrate Stiffness and Thickness on Cell Traction Forces

It is known that various cell types can sense and respond to the mechanical properties of their microenvironment. Specifically, cells have been known to spread more when cultured on stiff substrates [1-3] and are able to match their internal stiffness to that of the substrate [2, 3]. Recent works have reported on dynamics of cellular properties such as cell shape, cell spread area, and focal adhesion area, as functions of environmental properties such as substrate stiffness, thickness, and chemistry. Building on earlier models [4, 5, 6], we present mathematical models that enable us to replicate some aspects of experimentally reported time-dependent cell behavior. Our models investigate the adaptation of internal cell stiffness through increase in number of focal adhesion complexes and temporal build-up of traction force. Our models crucially invoke the ability of some cell types to adapt their internal stiffness and show that substrate stiffness and thickness can strongly assist in rapid build-up of traction forces and formation of multiple cooperative focal adhesion complexes. Further using our models we generate some mechanistic insights into why certain cell types under the influence of specific substrate properties exhibit the kind of dynamics that has been experimentally reported. We attempt to establish correlation between the mechanistic models presented here and an earlier heuristic model that we have developed [6].Reference:1. R. J. Pelham, Jr., and Y. L. Wang, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 94, 13661 (1997).2. J. Solon et al, Biophys. J., 93, 4453 (2007).3. S. Tee et al, Biophys. J., 100, L25 (2011).4. U. S. Schwarz et al, Biosystems, 83, 225 (2006).5. J. M. Maloney et al, Phys. Rev. E, 78, 041923 (2008).6. S. Raghavan, A. R. Rammohan, and M. Hervy, Open J. Biophys, 3, (2013).
Coronary Artery Spasm Following Coronary Artery Revascularization

Coronary artery spasm is a well-documented phenomenon in patients undergoing medial treatment. We describe coronary artery spasm occurring in the immediate postoperative period following coronary artery bypass operation. The spasm occurred in a vessel that was not operated on and that had no apparent lesion. The diagnosis of spasm was made by coronary angiography immediately after operation. Complications associated with this spasm are discussed. Emphasis is placed on early postoperative angiography for patients whose condition is inexplicably unstable after operation.
Dietary carbohydrates: Role in feeding behaviour and growth of the Southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella

Abstract The effect of carbohydrates on feeding behaviour and growth and development of the southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella, was examined. A feeding behavioural biossay based on establishment of first stage larvae on test or control stations within 24 hr was employed. A nutritional bioassay evaluated larval growth rates and metamorphic success of larvae reared on test or control diets. The principal results showed that glucose, fructose, sucrose, and dextrins were feeding stimulants and permitted optimum growth and development. A dietary supplement of amylopectin allowed reasonably good growth while amylose was not a utilizable carbohydrate. The pentoses, arabinose, ribose, and xylose, as well as galactose, mannose, and sorbose, were found to inhibit larval growth. Since of all these sugars only xylose acted as a feeding deterrent it was proposed that at high concentrations they or metabolic derivatives were toxic. The results are discussed in relation to those obtained with several other insect species.
What Caused the Great Depression in the United States

Friedman and Schwartz have argued that the Great Depression was primarily caused by mistakes in monetary policy. This paper presents evidence supporting this view. Four percent money growth over the period 1929–1941 is found to prevent the Great Depression completely. Indeed, had such a policy been followed, real income would have grown nearly as rapidly in the 1930s as it grew in the 1920s.
Learning words from context and dictionaries: An experimental comparison

This research investigates the independent and interactive effects of contextual and definitional information on vocabulary learning. German students of English received either a text with unfamiliar English words or their monolingual English dictionary entries. A third group of subjects were given both text and dictionary entries. Subjects used each target word in an English sentence and then translated their sentences into German. The translations showed whether students had understood the meaning of a target word and permitted the specification of comprehension strategies. Subjects who had received text and dictionary entries tended to favor the dictionary and thus performed no better than students in the other experimental groups. Subjects learning words from context replaced unfamiliar words with familiar words conforming to contextual constraints. Subjects in the dictionary group commonly substituted a relevant part of the definition for the headword. Lexical errors occurred for different reasons: substitutions in the dictionary condition were unconstrained by context; substitutions in the text condition were not sufficiently constrained by context. The study shows that information about the contexts in which words are used is crucial for acquiring an adequate understanding of word meanings.1
Structure and luminescence of Gd2GeO5 and Dy2GeO5

Abstract The two rare earth germanates in the title represent new and different structure types, with Gd being in 7 and 8 coordination, and Dy being 6- and 7-coordinated to oxygen. Ge is tetrahedral in either case. Ge2GeO5 is monoclinic, space group P2 1 c with a = 9.323(2), b = 7.090(1), c = 6.838(1) A , β = 105.40(1)°. The final R value is 0.047. Dy2GeO5 is also monoclinic, space group I2/a with a = 10.483(1), b = 6.829(1), c = 12.885(1) A , β = 101.72(1)° and a final R of 0.027. The structure of these two compounds as well as some UV and X-ray excited luminescent properties are described.
Treatment of Arthritis Associated With Legg–Calve–Perthes Disease With Modular Total Hip Arthroplasty

Legg-Calve-Perthes (LCP) disease can result in morphological deformities and associated adult hip arthritis. Thirty-five consecutive total hip arthroplasties (THA) were performed in 28 patients with a history of LCP using a non-cemented modular femoral component. There was one revision for late hematogenous infection and no evidence of prosthesis failure. Harris hip scores, on average, improved from 49.8 (26-73) to 93.9 (82-100) (P<0.05) after a minimum of 2 years follow-up (average, 8.2 years, range 2-14 years). Clinically, patients demonstrated diminished or no limping (94%, 33/35) and improved leg length equality post-operatively (100%, 35/35). This style of stem accommodated metaphyseal/diaphyseal size mismatch in 80% (28/35), allowed for abnormal anteversion in 71% (25/35), and resulted in radiographic improvements in trochanteric height (P<0.05), body weight lever arm (P<0.05), and leg length (P<0.05).
Threonine phosphorylation times bacterial secretion.

Bacterial protein secretion is an important process necessary for adhesion, motility, communication, nutrient acquisition, and virulence. Secretion is energy intensive and time sensitive, so it needs to be tightly regulated. Recent work indicates that threonine phosphorylation can provide this control.
Coil reduction in parallel excitation with large array

Parallel excitation using coil array has been introduced in MRI as an effective method to design multi-dimensional spatially selective RF pulses. Generally, all transmit coil elements are used simultaneously in parallel excitation. In case of large array, RF pulse design requires significant computation time and memory size. In this paper, a method using reduced number of coils for parallel excitation is proposed to take advantage of localized coil transmit sensitivity in large array. Specifically, a subset of coils in the large array can be selected based on coil sensitivity coverage and desired excitation pattern. Simulation results with both spiral and EPI k-space trajectories show that proposed method is effective in achieving high excitation resolution at different acceleration factors while the computation time and memory requirement are greatly reduced.
AN ADAPTIVE DIFFERENCING SCHEME FOR FLOW AND HEAT TRANSFER PROBLEMS

A solution-adaptive differencing scheme is presented for equidistributing a measure of the solution error in flow and heat transfer problems. The first step in the algorithm is to compute an error estimate based on a preliminary first-order upwind solution φ0 Grid points with error estimates higher than a prespecified value are flagged. In each flagged region, a third-order-accurate solution ( φ1) is obtained with boundary conditions based on φ0. A multigrid-type calculation is then performed, to the desired level of accuracy, between the outer grid and the flagged inner regions. Results with the adaptive differencing algorithm indicate that significant improvements are obtained.
Aging Progressively Impairs Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation in Forearm Resistance Vessels of Humans

Studies in experimental models suggest that endothelium-derived nitric oxide is reduced with aging, and this circumstance may be relevant to atherogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine whether increasing age resulted in altered endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the forearm resistance vessels of healthy humans. Forearm blood flow was measured in 119 healthy subjects, aged 19 to 69 years, by venous occlusion plethysmography. Brachial artery infusions of methacholine chloride (0.03 to 10.0 microgram/min) were used to assess endothelium-dependent vasodilation and of sodium nitroprusside (0.03 to 10.0 microgram/min) to assess endothelium-independent vasodilation. The slope of the dose-blood flow response relation was calculated in each subject for each drug. Univariate and multiple stepwise regression analyses were used to relate vascular reactivity to selected variables, including age, lipids, and blood pressure. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation was progressively impaired with increasing age, assessed as a reduction in slope from 2.25 +/- 0.16 to 0.34 +/- 0.11 (mL/100 mL tissue per minute)/(microgram/min) (P <.001). The decline in endothelium-dependent vasodilation was already evident by the fourth decade (age 30 to 39 years). Endothelium-independent vasodilation did not change with age. Age, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were univariate predictors of endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Age remained the most significant predictor of endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses by multiple stepwise regression analysis. From these observations, it can be concluded that endothelium-dependent vasodilation declines steadily with increasing age in healthy human subjects. Age is a strong univariate and multivariate predictor of endothelium-dependent vasodilation. This finding may be a marker for more widespread endothelial dysfunction.
Evaluation of Transdermal Penetration Enhancers Using A Novel Skin Alternative

A novel alternative to animal skin models was developed in order to aid in the screening of transdermal penetration enhancers. The skin alternative consists of a dermal layer containing human fibroblasts dispersed in a collagen matrix and an epidermal layer of differentiated and stratified human keratinocytes. Skin alternatives were placed in modified Franz diffusion cells (receptor volume 12 mL, donor area 3.14 cm2, n = 5) and enhancer solution (0.4 M in propylene glycol (PG)) was applied. Following 1 h of pretreatment, 10μLof saturated hydrocortisone (He) solution in PG was applied, and the cells were occluded with Parafilm. Samples were removed from the receptor compartment over 24 h, replaced with fresh receptor solution, and analyzed for steroid content using HPLC. Skin HC content was also determined. Receptor concentration at 24 h (Q24) for full-thickness skin alternative (control) was 28.6 ± 13.7 μΜ and permeability (P) was 8.3 x 10− 4 ± 5.5 × 10− 4 cm h− 1. Azone (1) produced a Q24 of 105.0 ± 36.1 μΜ and a P of 11.3 × 10− 4 ± 1.8 × 10− 4 cm h− 1, while the novel penetration enhancer 1-dodecyl-2-pyrrolidinone (2) produced a Q24 of 164.8 ± 61.2 μΜ and a P of 33.3 × 10− 4 ± 6.6 × 10− 4 cm h− 1. Compound 3 produced the highest values for all permeability parameters tested with a Pof 48.0 ± 36.8 cm h− 1 and a Q24 of 186.1 ± 45.1 μΜ. When compared to the control, compound 1 gave an enhancement ratio (ER) of 3.7 for Q24 and 1.4 for P. Compound 2 gives an ER 5.8 for Q24 and 4.0 for P. These enhancement ratios are similar to those found using HC and human skin.
From Terso into Ultras: the 2011 Egyptian revolution and the radicalization of the soccer’s Ultra-Fans

Ultra-Fans have become a major aspect of global soccer fans’ culture. They have helped change the culture of the game and transform it from a cultural practice of the elite that was almost exclusively practiced in elite educational institutions during the second half of the nineteenth century into a distinct mass game by the first quarter of the twentieth century. Throughout the history of the game in Egypt, the Ultra-Fans’ culture has often been shaped and transformed in relation to the socio-economic and political conditions that have affected the nation in general and the lower classes in particular. Starting from the early 2000s, young fans of the popular Egyptian soccer clubs started forming their own Ultras groups. Most popular among these Ultras groups are the Ahlawi Ultras and the White Knights Ultras of the rival Carian clubs of the Ahli and the Zamalik respectively, the Yellow Dragon Ultras of the Isma’ili Club of the city of the Isma‘iliah, the Green Eagles Ultras of the Massri Club of the city...
Optimization of online disk scheduling algorithms

Disk scheduling policies have a significant effect on disk performance. SPTF is one of the well-known policies that can increase disk performance near to optimality [1]. One of the drawbacks of the regular implementation of SPTF is its high computational cost. "The computational cost [of SPTF] (as indicated crudely by our simulation times) is very high" [2]. This paper shows that computational cost of SPTF is not the characteristic of SPTF, but it is a matter of implementation. The experience shows that this approach can improve the efficiency over 80% compared to naive implementation. Finally, an algorithm for efficient implementation of lookahead algorithms is introduced.
Unauthorized Mexican Immigration, Day Labour and other Lower-wage Informal Employment in California

Marcelli E. A. (2004) Unauthorized Mexican immigration, day labour and other lower-wage informal employment in California, Reg. Studies 38, 1–13. Consistent with the marginalization but not the globalization hypothesis, this paper finds that the level of lower-wage informal employment in California during the 1990s fell from 17% to 14% of the labour force; informal workers were more likely to be male, younger, non-white, foreign-born, and employed in the Personal Service and Agriculture sectors; and a Californian was more likely to work informally if residing in a relatively less populous, lower-income region with a relatively high rate of home ownership. Although welfare use had a positive effect on the probability of working informally in 1990, thereafter it did not.
A NOTE ON WAGE INCENTIVE PLANS

SUMMARY The paper considers the optimal strategies which are associated with various types of incentive payment systems. The effects of these strategies on production fluctuation are considered and ideas presented for minimizing or taking advantage of their impact.
Two intelligent materials, both of which are self-forming and self-repairing; one also self-senses and recycles

Two self-forming and repair polymer cementitious composites were developed over a decade apart by the author. Both relied on a nature based paradigm as a model for building, in particular bone formation, repair, and degradation. For the first composite, the proposed material accreted from the ocean, made from a fluids based chemistry, that of seawater. The land based system was not built in-situ but relied on a man made supply of materials which were self-forming, self-repairing and dissolving. But in both cases a fluid based chemistry was necessary for self-building, repair and recycling of a bone-like composite material.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A multiple classifier approach for multisensor data fusion

In many applications of pattern recognition and automated identification, it is not uncommon for data obtained from different sensors monitoring a physical phenomenon to provide complimentary information. In such applications, data fusion-a suitable combination of the complimentary information-can offer more insight into the phenomenon than any of the individual data sources. We have previously introduced Learn/sup ++/, an ensemble based approach, as an effective automated classification algorithm that is capable of learning incrementally. Recognizing the conceptual similarity between data fusion and incremental learning, our approach is then to employ an ensemble of classifiers generated by using all of the data sources available, and strategically combine their outputs. We have observed that the prediction ability of such a system was significantly and consistently better than that of a decision based on a single data source across several benchmark and real world databases.
Resonant meshes for IR windows

Quite often, the strongest motivation for the selection of an IR window is its transparency in the particular region of the spectrum in which a sensor behind it views the outside world. Generally, the requirement for high transmission in the sensor passband overshadows considerations about absorption in other parts of the spectrum. The existence of high-power radiation sources at wavelengths outside the window passband makes the window highly susceptible to damage. The application of IR-resonant meshes is being investigated as a means of reducing this susceptibility without intolerably degrading passband transmission.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Focal Plane Signal Processing Requirements For Scanned Charge-Injection Device (CID) Arrays

The major requirements in focal plane signal processing for scanned CID's are the low noise detection of signal charge, the enhancement of signal to noise ratio, the rejection of background signal and the low noise multiplexing of data onto a few signal lines. For implementation on the focal plane, these functions must be designed to operate at cryogenic temperatures, where bipolar and JFET technologies are inappropriate for reasons of low gain or high noise. It is proposed that a combination of linear MOS and Charge Coupled Device technology is the most appropriate for implementing scanned CID systems and in this paper the design and evaluation of these circuit functions are discussed. The implementation of an optimum design for a low noise MOS preamplifier is first considered followed by a discussion of the design aspects of a time delay and integrate device. The novel implementation of a high pass filter in conjunction with a low noise multiplexer completes the focal plane design. Experimental results obtained from a number of fabricated devices will be presented to illustrate the relative maturity of the design approach.
Electric Energy Used by Major Cooking Appliances

Energy consumption and time were compared for cooking one week's meals for a four- member family with a conventional range, a smooth-top range with thermostatically con trolled surface units (Smooth-top T), a smooth-top range with nonthermostatically controlled surface units (Smooth-top N), and a countertop microwave oven in conjunction with each range. Procedures were developed within parameters of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers Standard Menu for Range Energy Testing. The microwave oven in conjunction with the conventional range used the least energy and time. Of the ranges, the conventional and Smooth-top T were similar in energy consumption. Although cooking on Smooth-top T was slower than the microwave or the conventional, cook ing on Smooth-top N was the most energy—and time—consuming.