cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New record of climate history in central Asia

The climate in Central Asia, currently a semiarid region, has varied over the past 500,000 years. An accurate record of the past climate can help scientists understand current climate and better predict how the climate may change in the future. Previous studies with paleoclimate records, such as lake sediments and ice cores, show changes in moisture in the region, but climate history in Central Asia is debated, as some of those records are not high resolution or not well dated. Cheng et al. describe a new high-resolution, well-dated record of oxygen isotopes in stalagmites from the Kesang cave in western China. The researchers dated the stalagmites using radioactive thorium dating and then looked at the oxygen isotope record, which provides information on past atmospheric circulation and precipitation.
Multi-frame image fusion using the expectation-maximization algorithm

A multi-frame image fusion scheme is proposed to fuse visual and thermal images for night vision applications. While many previous image fusion approaches perform the fusion on a frame-by-frame basis, this method considers optimum use of neighboring frames to incorporate temporal as well as sensor fusion. This fusion scheme is based on a statistical image formation model. The multiple sensor image frames are described as the true scene corrupted by additive non-Gaussian distortion. The expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm is used to estimate the parameters in the model and to produce the final fused result. The experimental results showed that the EM-based multi-frame image fusion scheme has significant advantage in terms of sensor noise reduction.
Terahertz absorption spectrum of triacetone triperoxide (TATP)

We report here, for the first time, the terahertz absorption spectrum of triacetone triperoxide (TATP). The experimental spectra are coupled with solid-state density functional theory, and preliminary assignments are provided to gain physical insight into the experimental spectrum. The calculated absorption coefficients are in excellent agreement with experiment.
Alice, middle schoolers & the imaginary worlds camps

Research indicates that (i) many women who take CS1 feel less experienced than (and therefore at a disadvantage to) their male counterparts at computer programming, and that (ii) by the time they reach high school, many young women view computing as "geeky" and "for nerds." This paper describes our Imaginary Worlds Camps -- a summer program in which we use Carnegie Mellon's Alice software to address these problems before students reach high school. The preliminary results are quite encouraging.
Sex bias in the boardroom

The article reports on a study by Diana Bilimoria of Case Western Reserve University and Sandy Kristin Piderit of the University of Michigan which focused on the composition of board committees and possible sex bias. The researchers examined five characteristics for selecting committee members such as whether the director had insider or outsider status and if there were business or nonbusiness interlocks. They found that male directors were favored for membership on three committees that related to corporate governance and female directors were favored only for the public affairs committee.
Thermodynamics of H in disordered Pd-Ag alloys from calorimetric and equilibrium pressure-composition-temperature measurements.

In this research, the thermodynamics of H2 solution and hydride formation in a series of disordered Pd−Ag alloys has been determined using both reaction calorimetry and equilibrium PH2−composition−T data. Trends of ΔHH and ΔSH with both H and Ag concentration have been determined. For the Pd0.76Ag0.24 alloy, which does not form a hydride phase, ΔHH and ΔSH both exhibit minima with H/(Pd0.76Ag0.24) followed by a linear increase of the former. A linear increase of ΔHH is found for all of the alloys in the high H content region beyond the two-phase region or, if, there is no two-phase region, in the high H content region. ΔHH° at infinite dilution of H decreases with atom fraction Ag, XAg, up to about 0.40 and then increases. Enthalpies for hydride formation/decomposition, 1/2H2(g) + dilute ↔ hydride, have been determined calorimetrically for alloys which form two phases (303 K). The enthalpies for hydride formation become more exothermic with XAg while the corresponding entropy magnitudes are nearly constan...
RBS/ERD simulation problems: Stopping powers, nuclear reactions and detector resolution

Abstract A new program has been developed for the graphical analysis of data from Rutherford Back scattering (RBS) and Elastic Recoil Detection (ERD) material analysis experiments. The program can evaluate experiments using any incident ion, at any energy, for any planar target. It incorporates the full stopping power database of the SRIM/TRIM ion beam programs. All scattered ions and recoiling target atoms are followed out of the target and through any filtering absorbers (ERD absorber foils and foils on detector windows). Straggling is included using any of five optional straggling theories. Commonly used nuclear reaction cross-sections are automatically incorporated. By comparison with experimental data, weaknesses in the theoretical basis of RBS/ERD simulations become apparent. These will be discussed with emphasis on stopping powers, detector resolution, target setup and nuclear reaction cross-sections. The complete RBS/ERD software package can be downloaded from the web site: http://www.research.ibm.com/ionbeams. This package includes an installation manual and a full tutorial.
A schlieren study of combustion in a rapid compression machine simulating the spark ignition engine

A rapid compression machine in a configuration to simulate a spark ignition engine with a simple cylindrical combustion chamber was operated to generate high-speed schlieren movies of combustion of a propane-air mixture over a range of flow conditions. These included the flows produced by the piston alone, and by intake processes with both shrouded and nonshrouded valves. Hot-wire anemometer measurements of turbulence were made at several locations in the chamber and for two wire orientations in order to examine homogeneity and isotropy. The behavior of these flows is discussed. Burning velocity was calculated from the flame propagation velocity observed from the film and pressure records of combustion following the method of Fiock and King. For combustion with no intake generated flow, a “roll-up vortex” along the cylinder walls was observed which appeared to have only a minor influence on the flame. The burning velocity for flames produced with swirl using the shrouded valve, correlates to the intensity of turbulence according to the relations observed by Abdel-Gayed and Bradley 2 where the ratio of turbulent to laminar flame speed and the ratio of turbulent intensity to laminar flame speed are the correlation parameters. Burning velocity for combustion with the nonshrouded valve showed poorer correlation which was attributed to the problem of interpreting the hot-wire signal when no well-defined mean flow exists. The results suggest that a deficiency in the heat release for the first part of the flame travel yields a propagation velocity lower than would be expected for the extent of the observed flame. The source of this deficiency appears to be one or more of the following: o a. Incomplete reaction in the flame front. b. Finite flame thickness c. Deviations from spherical propagation as the flame and expansion flows interact with the chamber walls.
Adjustable grazing incidence x-ray optics based on thin PZT films

The direct deposition of piezoelectric thin films on thin substrates offers an appealing technology for the realization of lightweight adjustable mirrors capable of sub-arcsecond resolution. This solution will make it possible to realize X-ray telescopes with both large effective area and exceptional angular resolution and, in particular, it will enable the realization of the adjustable optics for the proposed mission Square Meter Arcsecond Resolution X-ray Telescope (SMART-X). In the past years we demonstrated for the first time the possibility of depositing a working piezoelectric thin film (1-5 um) made of lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) on glass. Here we review the recent progress in film deposition and influence function characterization and comparison with finite element models. The suitability of the deposited films is analyzed and some constrains on the piezoelectric film performances are derived. The future steps in the development of the technology are described.
Some Ion Exchange Properties of a Myelin Extract from Bovine Optic Nerve.

SummaryThe water content of pellets of a myelin extract of bovine optic nerve decreased with increasing salt concentration of the medium in which they were spun down. This water content was always less when Ca was the medium cation than when either equiequivalent Na or K was present. The pellet water cation concentration was always greater than that of the medium for the above 3 cation species. It is concluded that the extracted material carried a net negative charge. Extract Ca could not be completely exchanged by Li; Na, K, Rb, Cs, or Mg. At higher salt concentrations the ease of exchange of Ca by monovalent cations was in the same sequence as their hydrated diameters, the smallest counterions exchanging most readily.
Combinatorial Aspects of Interval Orders and Interval Graphs

Abstract We survey recent research on combinatorial properties of interval orders and interval graphs. Topics include: optimization with an uncooperative partner, ramsey trails, sorting with partial information, tree width and graph decompositions, combinatorial extremal problems, shift graphs, Dedekind's enumeration problem, and dynamic storage allocation. We relate these themes to the classical applications of interval orders as models of imprecise data.
Lactate dehydrogenase and pyruvate kinase in rat heart during sideropenic anemia

Abstract Lactate dehydrogenase isozyme pattern and activity and pyruvate kinase activity were studied in animals with severe sideropenic anemia. This condition was induced by feeding rats a diet of non-fat dry milk-sucrose from the time of weaning. Anemia was indicated by the lowering of blood hemoglobin levels to 25 and 20% of normal in two groups after 30 and 85 days, respectively. In both anemic groups there was accompanying cardiac enlargement and retardation of body weight gain. Statistically significant increases in cardiac lactate dehydrogenase (25–33%) and pyruvate kinase (25%) activity were observed in both groups relative to controls. An alteration of the normal myocardial lactate dehydrogenase isozyme pattern in the direction of increased lactate dehydrogenase-5 took place in both groups of anemic rats. This resulted from a dramatic increase in the M-lactate dehydrogenase subunit contribution (45–54%) to total lactate dehydrogenase activity.
A Puzzle About Ineffable Propositions

I will argue for localism about credal assignments: the view that credal assignments are well-defined only relative to suitably constrained sets of possibilities. I will motivate the position by suggesting that it is the best way of addressing a puzzle devised by Roger White.
A comparison of heat production and cavitational intensity in several ultrasonic cell disruptors

High power ultrasonic equipment is now commonplace in biological, chemical and pharmaceutical laboratories. These devices are being used for a variety of purposes including emulsification, dispersion, extraction and cell disruption. The average researcher has little basis for comparing the relative energy output of various ultrasonic probes at different power settings and he has neither the interest nor the time to determine their relative heat production. This research was designed to prepare a series of relative power indices and temperature profiles for several ultrasonic cell disruptors. Even though there are variations among equipment bearing the same model number it was considered worthwhile to make available relative cavitational and temperature data.
Viral genomics and bioinformatics.

From the recognition by Ivanovski in 1892 that tobacco mosaic disease is caused and transmitted by fine pore filtrates [1], viruses have been isolated, characterized, identified and studied from animals, plants, protists, bacteria and even other viruses [2,3]. As human and global public health pathogens that can be highly contagious and have devastating morbidity and mortality consequences, viruses are the focus of much research. The difficult challenge has been to define and study a miniscule “being” with the appropriate tools. In the past, these tools often provided only low-resolution views. A first approach to studying an unknown virus is to know exactly its identity, and to place it into context of other related and non-related viruses. For human and public health, this is important as the identity may provide a course of action to limit the effects of the pathogen. [...]
Substrate specificity of phosphorylase kinase: effects of heparin and calcium.

Abstract Phosphorylase b and two peptides with sequences homologous to phosphorylation site 2 (syntide 2) and site 3 (syntide 3) of glycogen synthase were compared as substrates for purified muscle phosphorylase kinase. The substrate specificity of phosphorylase kinase varied according to whether heparin (at pH 6.5) or Ca2+ (at pH 8.2) was used as a stimulator of its activity. Phosphorylase b was preferentially phosphorylated in the presence of Ca2+; the rate of syntide 2 phosphorylation was the same for both stimulators; and the phosphorylation of syntide 3 was completely dependent on the presence of heparin. A kinetic analysis confirmed this stimulator-dependent substrate specificity since both the Vmax and Km for these substrates were affected diversely by heparin and Ca2+. Heparin stimulated phosphorylase kinase maximally at pH 6.5, whereas the effect of Ca2+ was optimal at a pH above 8. However, the stimulator-related substrate specificity could not be explained by the different pH values at which the effects of the stimulators were assessed. Nor did substrate-directed effects by heparin or Ca2+ apparently play a role. No indications were found for a stimulator-dependent specificity in the phosphorylation of sites in protein substrates of phosphorylase kinase (phosphorylase b, the α-and β-subunits of phosphorylase kinase, or glycogen synthase). The diverse substrate specificity of the calcium- and heparin-dependent activities of phosphorylase kinase could be explained in two ways: either by the existence of separate calcium- and heparinstimulated catalytic sites, or by just one catalytic site with two active conformations. The second possibility is favored by the observation that both calcium and heparin stimulated the isolated γ-subunit (γ · calmodulin complex) of phosphorylase kinase.
Does therapeutic touch ease the discomfort or distress of patients undergoing stereotactic core breast biopsy? A randomized clinical trial.

Objective. To determine whether therapeutic touch administered at the time of stereotactic core biopsy of suspicious breast lesions results in a reduction in anxiety and pain. Design. Randomized, patient-blinded, controlled trial of either Krieger–Kunz therapeutic touch administered by a trained practitioner or a sham intervention mimicking therapeutic touch delivered during core biopsy. Setting. Stereotactic breast biopsy unit of a comprehensive breast center. Patients. Women with mammographically detected, nonpalpable breast lesions requiring biopsy. Outcome Measures. Changes in pain and anxiety measured by visual analog scales immediately before and after stereotactic core biopsy. Results. A total of 82 patients were accrued: 42 received actual therapeutic touch and 40 sham therapeutic touch. No significant differences were found between the arms for age, ethnicity, educational background, or other demographic data. The sham arm had a preponderance of left breast biopsies (48% vs 58%; P = 0.07) and received a slightly higher volume of epinephrine-containing local anesthetic (6.5 ± 6.1 vs 4.5 ± 4.5 mL; P = 0.09). Therapeutic touch patients were more likely to have an upper breast lesion location (57% vs 53%; P = 0.022). No significant differences between the arms were seen regarding postbiopsy pain ( P = 0.95), anxiety ( P = 0.66), fearfulness, or physiological parameters. Similarly, no differences were seen between the arms when change in parameters from prebiopsy to postbiopsy was considered for any of the psychological or physiological variables measured. These findings persisted when confounding variables were controlled for. Conclusions. Women undergoing stereotactic core breast biopsy received no significant benefit from therapeutic touch administered during the procedure. Therapeutic touch cannot be routinely recommended for patients in this setting.
Potentiation of ara-C-induced apoptosis by the protein kinase C activator bryostatin 1 in human leukemia cells (HL-60) involves a process dependent upon c-Myc

Abstract The role of the nuclear phosphoprotein c-Myc has been examined with respect to the regulation of 1-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C)-induced apoptosis in human leukemia cells exposed to bryostatin 1 and other pharmacologic protein kinase C (PKC) activators. Pretreatment of HL-60 cells for 24 hr with 10 nM bryostatin 1 significantly potentiated the ability of ara-C (10 μM; 6 hr) to induce apoptosis without reducing the expression of c-Myc protein. In contrast, equivalent exposure to the stage 2 tumor-promoting PKC activator mezerein (10 nM) in conjunction with ara-C reduced c-Myc levels by 87% and failed to potentiate apoptosis. Co-administration of bryostatin 1 with mezerein before ara-C prevented down-regulation of c-Myc and augmented cell death, whereas co-treatment with the calcium ionophore A23187 (250 nM) and bryostatin 1 reduced c-Myc levels by 80% and abrogated the increase in ara-C-induced apoptosis. When cells were exposed for 24 hr to a c- Myc antisense oligonucleotide (AS-ODN;10 μM) but not to a scrambled sequence ODN (SS-ODN) prior to ara-C, c-Myc expression was reduced by 81%, and apoptosis and cell viability were unperturbed. However, AS-ODN (but not SS-ODN) reduced c-Myc protein in cells pre-exposed to bryostatin 1 by 74% and abrogated potentiation of ara-C-induced apoptosis. The actions of c- Myc AS-ODN did not stem from proximal G 1 arrest/differentiation or biochemical events, since they were not associated with a reduction in the S-phase cell fraction, p21( WAF1 CIP1 ) induction, pRb hypophosphorylation, or alterations in ara-C metabolism. Together, these findings indicate that HL-60 cell apoptosis proceeds by both c-Myc-dependent and -independent pathways, and that only the former are involved in the potentiation of ara-C-mediated cell death by bryostatin 1.
Two-temperature interpretation of dissociation rate data for N2 and O2

The existing experimental data on dissociation of nitrogen and oxygen obtained using shock-tubes during the 1960's and 1970's are reinterpreted using the two-temperature thermo-chemical model developed recently in order to determine the rate coefficients consistent with the model. In this model, the vibrational-electronic temperature is calculated by integrating a separate conservation equation accounting for the suppression of vibrational energy during dissociation due to preferential removal of high vibrational states. The rate coefficient is assumed to be a function of the geometrically-averaged temperature between the translational-rotational temperature and the vibrational-electronic temperature. By comparing the computed overall and species densities with the experimental data, the rate coefficient values most consistent with the model, and their ranges of uncertainty, are deduced for dissociation of N2 through collisions with N2 or N, and for O2 through collisions with O2, O or N2. It is seen that a single set of such rate coefficients fit all existing experimental data closely. According to the two-temperature model, density and species density are insensitive to the rate coefficients, and so the rate coefficients so determined are uncertain to within a factor of at least 1.5.
Stalking the Materials Genome: A Data-Driven Approach to the Virtual Design of Nanostructured Polymers.

Accelerated insertion of nanocomposites into advanced applications is predicated on the ability to perform a priori property predictions on the resulting materials. In this paper, a paradigm for the virtual design of spherical nanoparticle-filled polymers is demonstrated. A key component of this “Materials Genomics” approach is the development and use of Materials Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship (MQSPR) models trained on atomic-level features of nanofiller and polymer constituents and used to predict the polar and dispersive components of their surface energies. Surface energy differences are then correlated with the nanofiller dispersion morphology and filler/matrix interface properties and integrated into a numerical analysis approach that allows the prediction of thermomechanical properties of the spherical nanofilled polymer composites. Systematic experimental studies of silica nanoparticles modified with three different surface chemistries in polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) and poly(2-vinyl pyridine) (P2VP) are used to validate the models. While demonstrated here as effective for the prediction of meso-scale morphologies and macro-scale properties under quasi-equilibrium processing conditions, the protocol has far ranging implications for Virtual Design.
A field experiment to test whether organic acids buffer acid deposition

THE role of organic acids in surface-water acidification is a matter of recent controversy1–8. It has been suggested1,4–6 that lakes and streams in the northeastern United States and southern Scandinavia that have high mineral acidity resulting from acid deposition had, before acid deposition, high concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and were acidified by natural organic acids. The suggestion is that deposition of strong mineral acids has been buffered by concurrent losses in organic acids and DOC4–6, resulting in little or no overall change in pH. Despite considerable debate6–8 and comparative analyses of lake chemistry2,7, this hypothesis has never been tested experimentally in the field. Here we present results from an experimental acidification of a brown-water stream that tests two of the major elements of the hypothesis. We find that DOC concentrations are not reduced by acidification, and that the organic acid–base system has only a very limited capacity to buffer inputs of strong mineral acids. In addition, mineral acids mobilize toxic forms of aluminium.
HOW THE UNITED STATES FINANCED WORLD WAR I

s of Doctoral Dissertations 511 of the Treasury on the banking system, and (3) an excessive amount of short-term debt. The insistance of the Treasury on low-interest rates caused the war bonds to sell below par in the market during most of the war period, forcing the Treasury to rely more and more on the banking system for purchases of new issues. As the war progressed a larger share of the debt was composed of shorter-term issues. In 1920 only 66.9 per cent of the debt was in maturities of five or more years as against 86.2 per cent in 1917. The interest rates on the war bonds rose from 3 1 per cent on the first issue to 44 per cent on the Victory issue but always below the market rate. Because of this some tax exemption features were contained in all the issues, contrary to the Treasury's original intention. So far as prices, productivity, and production were concerned, the economic impact of World War I was experienced in two stages. Starting from a period when there were unemployed resources in July, 1914, these resources were almost fully utilized by April, 1917, so that after the entry of the United States into the war it became necessary to shift resources from civilian to war production. With no increase in productivity and production, and with an increasing ratio of war production to civilian production, the war burden was borne almost completely by a sacrifice of consumption by the civilian population. Up to the entry of the United States into the war there was a relatively greater increase in production than in prices, but after April, 1917, there was little increase in production and a large rise in prices. The problem of war finance seems to involve a dual inconsistency. The Treasury, through taxes or borrowing, must get the funds from those who have them-the upper income groups and the banking system. At the same time the program should make the shift of resources from non-war to war production as painless as possible by keeping a tight control over the money supply and of consumption. This involves a transfer of purchasing power from the lower income groups to the government. Economic policy dictates a greater emphasis on the latter policy, but expediency dictates the former, and war finance has been, in this respect, a victory of expediency over economics. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.35 on Thu, 01 Sep 2016 05:04:23 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms
Independent contributions of hypothermia and acidosis to coagulopathy in swine.

Abstract : Background: Clinical coagulopathy occurs frequently in the presence of acidosis and hypothermia. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative contributions of acidosis and hypothermia to coagulopathy, as measured by current standard bedside and clinical laboratory analyses (i.e., bleeding time and pro- thrombin time). In addition, we investigated possible mechanisms of these effects using a modified prothrombin time test, thromboelastography, and thrombin kinetics analyses. An improved understanding of coagulopathy should facilitate hemorrhage control. Methods: Twenty-four pigs were randomly allocated into normal (pH, 7.4; 39 C), acidotic (pH, 7.1; 39 C), hypothermic (pH, 7.4; 32 Degrees C), and acidotic and hypothermic (pH, 7.1; 32 Degrees C) combined groups. Acidosis was induced by the infusion of 0.2N hydrochloric acid in lactated Ringer s solution. Hypothermia was induced by using a blanket with circulating water at 4 Degrees C. Development of a clinical coagulopathy was defined as a significant increase in splenic bleeding time. Measurements were compared before (pre) and 10 minutes after (post) the target condition was achieved. Results: Acidosis, hypothermia, or both caused the development of coagulopathy, as indicated by 47%, 57%, and 72% increases in splenic bleeding time (p less than 0.05, pre vs. post). Plasma fibrinogen concentration was decreased by 18% and 17% in the acidotic and combined groups, respectively, but not in the hypothermic group. Hypothermia caused a delay in the onset of thrombin generation, whereas acidosis primarily caused a decrease in thrombin generation rates. At 4 minutes quench time, thrombin generation in the acidotic, hypothermic, and combined groups were 47.0%, 12.5%, and 5.7%, respectively, of the value in the control group. There were no changes in serum tumor necrosis factor- and interleukin-6 in any group during the study.
Sonography in transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis

Real-time ultrasound examination of the kidneys was performed in 11 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the renal collecting system. Each sonogram revealed a zone in the renal sinus which was less echogenic than the normal sinus and which corresponded to the extent of the tumor. Although the specificity and sensitivity of this finding are not yet known, this appearance should suggest the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma.
Protective Effects of Captopril in Rats with Spontaneous Glomerulosclerosis Treated with Growth Hormone 1674

Protective Effects of Captopril in Rats with Spontaneous Glomerulosclerosis Treated with Growth Hormone 1674
Psoriatic Arthritis: A Review

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a seronegative inflammatory spondyloarthropathy occurring in individuals with psoriasis. Psoriasis precedes joint disease in approximately 80% of PsA cases. The clinica...
Anglo- and Hispanic-Americans' Performance on the Family Attitude Scale and its Implications for Improving Measurements of Acculturation:

The present study examined whether the Family Attitude Scale, which measures family and socialization values, can be used to measure Hispanic-Americans' acculturation. This goal was in response to the criticism that many popular acculturation measures rely excessively on language preference and generation status from which one's acculturation is inferred instead of being assessed more specifically. Analysis indicated that 62 Anglo-Americans responded significantly differently than 61 Hispanic-Americans on four of the eight Family Attitude subscales but that the latter group's scores on the popularly used Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican-Americans did not significantly correlate with their Family Attitude Scale scores. Implications for improving acculturation measures are discussed.
Distributed source-destination synchronization using inband clock distribution

This paper presents a new distributed methodology for source destination synchronization for interactive teleconferencing. The method is based on a reference clock, which is synthesized from a distributed global clock. The global clock is generated by periodically exchanging inband synchronization signals with neighboring nodes. The timing jitter achieved with this method can be arbitrarily close to the jitter obtained by the centralized synchronous methods which usually use an out-of-band, hard-wired reference clock. The global clock synchronization algorithm, used in this work, guarantees frequency locking of all the network nodes to the slowest clock in the system. As a result, the slowest clock can be used as an implicit reference clock for source-destination synchronization protocols, such as synchronous frequency encoding technique (SFET) and synchronous residual time stamp (SRTS). This inband synchronization method does not require the explicit knowledge of which clock is actually the slowest in the system. Therefore, if the slowest clock fails, then another clock on a different node will be the slowest, and the nodes will use it as a reference clock for the source-destination synchronization protocol. The existing out-of-band reference clock techniques do not have this strong fault tolerant property.
Imaging of traumatic diaphragmatic injuries

Traumatic diaphragmatic injury (TDI) occurs in approximately 6% of patients after major blunt trauma to the abdomen. Detection of such injuries is often problematic because of nonspecific clinical signs and the presence of additional intra-abdominal injuries. As the use of nonsurgical management to treat solid organ injuries increases, helical computed tomography (CT) must play a much greater role in the detection of intra-abdominal injuries. Therefore, it is crucial that diaphragmatic injuries are not overlooked, as fewer will be diagnosed at exploratory laparotomy. This article reviews the recent advances in helical CT that are helpful in diagnosing TDI and addresses the selected application of magnetic resonance imaging.
Studies in the asthmatic state: I. The stimulus

C LINICAL observation of bronchial asthma emphasizes t,he great variety of influences which seem to bring on attacks. Before the relationship of protein sensitization and allergy to asthma was studied, major importance was attributed Do respiratory infection, disturbances in the nose, psychic and emotional disturbances, atmospheric and barometric conditions, and reflex stimulation from disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract and uterus. Since the introduction of the idea of allergy and protein sensitization, an at,tempt has been made to fit all bronchial asthma into an hypothesis whose major premise is that bronchial asthma is primarily a disease of allergy and that all other manifestations of the asthmatic state are secondary to this phenomenon. Thus, Cooke’ states that although almost all cases of bronchial asthma give as the apparent reason for their attacks a large and heterogeneous group of causes, he believes that t,hey act only in those individuals in whom bronchospasm has become a habit as a result of some previously manifested allergic reaction. He believes that a hereditary disposition toward allergy exists and that the basis is a constitutional factor. Alexander,2 on the ot.her hand, stresses the fact that only in recent years has bronchial asthma come to be looked upon as something more than an effect resulting from a single process, be that infection, psychic disturbances, nasal irritation, allergy, or mechanical irritation of the bronchi. He believes t,hat a broader concept,ion of the disease, although as yet imperfectly understood, is leading to a more exact understanding of the reactions involved and thereby offers a wider outlook for rational therapeutic measures. The present study is concerned with the question of the st,imulus to the asthmatic state. It will seek to evaluate the role of allergic and other classes of stimuli in the disease entity known as chronic bronchial asthma. As a result of the clinical study of ast,hmatics it will be shown that whereas the quantity and quality of stimuli vary widely, the end-reaction may be the same. It will also be indicated that the ultimate basis of the asthmatic state lies in neurophysiologic relationships, particularly those involving excitation of the vagus nerve and its reflex paths.
Generalized transforms for multiple valued circuits and their fault detection

Simple transforms for obtaining canonical representation of multiple-valued (MV) functions in polarity k, k in (0, 1,. . ., p/sup n/-1), are presented, where p and n denote the radix and the number of variables of a function. The coefficients in a canonical representation are called spectral coefficients. Various relationships between the functional values of a function and its spectral coefficients are given. Fault detection in an arbitrary MV network is considered using test patterns and spectral techniques. Upper bounds on the number of test patterns for detection of stuck-at and bridging faults at the input lines are shown to be pn and n-1, respectively. Fault detection by spectral techniques is done based on the number of spectral coefficients affected by a fault, and hence it is independent of the technology used for construction of networks and the type of fault. Test set generation for detection of any fault in (E), where (E) denotes all faults in the network, is given. An upper bound on the number of test patterns required to detect all faults in (E) is obtained. >
Cytotoxicity Inhibition Assay: Cryopreservation and Standardization: Brief Communication

The cytotoxicity inhibition assay is an extremely useful tool for examination of the specificity of cell-mediated cytotoxicity. With this demonstration of cryopreservation of the attacker, target, and inhibitor cells, a powerful new tool is available for the standardization of this assay to better examine the specificity of cytotoxicity assays. Not only can cryopreservation be used to standardize the assay within a single laboratory, but also reagents may now be exchanged between laboratories to better understand the differences in cell-mediated cytotoxicity as observed by different investigators.
Effects of cytokine treatment on angiotensin II type 1A receptor transcription and splicing in rat cardiac fibroblasts.

Angiotensin II (ANG II) plays important roles in cardiac extracellular matrix remodeling via its type 1A (AT1A) receptor. The cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were shown...
Ultrafast Phase Transition via Catastrophic Phonon Collapse Driven by Plasmonic Hot-Electron Injection

Ultrafast photoinduced phase transitions could revolutionize data-storage and telecommunications technologies by modulating signals in integrated nanocircuits at terahertz speeds. In quantum phase-changing materials (PCMs), microscopic charge, lattice, and orbital degrees of freedom interact cooperatively to modify macroscopic electrical and optical properties. Although these interactions are well documented for bulk single crystals and thin films, little is known about the ultrafast dynamics of nanostructured PCMs when interfaced to another class of materials as in this case to active plasmonic elements. Here, we demonstrate how a mesh of gold nanoparticles, acting as a plasmonic photocathode, induces an ultrafast phase transition in nanostructured vanadium dioxide (VO2) when illuminated by a spectrally resonant femtosecond laser pulse. Hot electrons created by optical excitation of the surface-plasmon resonance in the gold nanomesh are injected ballistically across the Au/VO2 interface to induce a subpi...
Comparison of four models to rank failure likelihood of individual pipes

The use of statistical methods to discern patterns of historical breakage rates and use them to predict water main breaks has been widely documented. Particularly challenging is the prediction of breaks in individual pipes, due to the natural variations that exist in all the factors that affect their deterioration and subsequent failure. This paper describes alternative models developed into operational tools that can assist network owners and planners to identify individual mains for renewal in their water distribution networks. Four models were developed and compared: a heuristic model, a naive Bayesian classification model, a model based on logistic regression and finally a probabilistic model based on the non-homogeneous Poisson process (NHPP). These models rank individual water mains in terms of their anticipated breakage frequency, while considering both static (e.g. pipe material, diameter, vintage, surrounding soil, etc.) and dynamic (e.g. climate, operations, cathodic protection, etc.) effects influencing pipe deterioration rates.
FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS AND TREATMENT OF CIGARETTE PICA

A series of analyses was conducted to assess and treat the pica of cigarette butts by a young man with mental retardation and autism. First, we demonstrated that pica was maintained in a condition with no social consequences when the available cigarettes contained nicotine but not when the cigarettes contained herbs without nicotine. Second, a choice assessment (Fisher et al., 1992) confirmed that tobacco was preferred over the other components of the cigarette (e.g., paper, filter, etc.). Third, an analogue functional analysis (Iwata, Dorsey, Slifer, Bauman & Richman, 1982/1994) demonstrated that cigarette pica was maintained independent of social consequences. Fourth, a treatment designed to interrupt the hypothesized response-reinforcer relationship reduced consumption of cigarettes to zero. Finally, because cigarette pica occurred primarily when the individual was alone or under minimal supervision, a procedure based on stimulus control was developed to improve the effectiveness of the intervention in these situations.
Estimation of interplate coupling in the Nankai trough, Japan using GPS data from 1996 to 2006

We used three-component surface velocities in southwest Japan to estimate plate coupling on the subducting plate interface at the Nankai trough. We analyzed continuous GPS data from the Japanese GEONET network from 1996 to 2006 using a consistent analysis strategy that generates bias-fixed solutions for the entire network. We applied systematic time-series analysis methods to estimate common mode error, which improved position solutions for the entire network. To allow for differences in regional deformation sources, we modelled the plate coupling on the plate interface beneath Shikoku island to Kii Peninsula and the Tokai-Suruga trough separately. The results show strong coupling at a depth of ~10–30 km off Shikoku and Kii Peninsula. The spatial variation in plate coupling coincides well with the coseismic rupture zones of the past large earthquakes. Maximum slip deficit rates of ~2–3 cm yr^(−1) at the depth of ~5–25 km are found beneath the Tokai area, consistent with results from other studies. The downdip limits of the highly coupled areas and transition zones beneath Shikoku and the Kii Peninsula correspond approximately to estimates of the 450 °C isotherms. Good correlation is observed between the lateral variations of the slip deficit distribution, low frequency earthquakes, and coseismic slip. This correlation suggests that temperature, and possibly fluid variations, contribute to such correlation in space. The interplate slip deficit derived from the GPS velocities over the 10 yr of observations is generally compatible with the results over shorter time spans, suggesting that plate coupling in SW Japan does not change significantly over the period of these GPS measurements.
Entrainment and mixing of water droplets across a shearless turbulent interface with and without gravitational effects

We describe experiments of the entrainment and mixing of water (sub-Kolmogorov scale) droplets across a turbulent―non-turbulent interface (TNI) as well a turbulent― turbulent interface (TTI) in shearless grid turbulence, over a time scale in which evaporation is insignificant. The flow is produced by means of a splitter plate with an active grid and water sprays on one side and screens or an active grid on the other side. The Taylor microscale Re λ on the turbulent side is 275 and the average dissipation scale Stokes number, St η ≈ 0.2, and based on the integral scale, St l ≈ 0.003. By changing the orientation of the grid system, gravitational effects may be excluded or included. We show that in the absence of gravity, for the Stokes number range studied (0.06 ≤ St η ≤ 1.33), the droplet distribution does not change across the interface. With gravity, the larger drops are selectively mixed and this is more pronounced for the TNI than for the TTI. The particle concentration distribution is an error function for the TTI but departs significantly for the TNI due to the intermittency in the flow. In terms of particle concentration, the entrainment is most efficient for the TTI with gravity. The results are related to droplet entrainment in clouds.
Virulence Phenotypes of Puccinia triticina in the South Atlantic States in 1999.

Kolmer, J. A. 2002. Virulence phenotypes of Puccinia triticina in the South Atlantic states in 1999. Plant Dis. 86:288-291. Collections of Puccinia triticina were made from rust-infected wheat leaves in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia in 1999 to examine if these states can be considered as a single epidemiological unit for virulence phenotypes of the wheat leaf rust pathogen. Singleuredinial isolates derived from the leaf rust collections were processed for identification of virulence phenotypes on seedling plants in greenhouse tests. Twenty-one virulence phenotypes from 253 isolates were described based on infection type to 16 Thatcher wheat lines near-isogenic for leaf rust resistance genes. Virulence phenotype MBRK (virulent to leaf rust resistance genes Lr1, Lr3, Lr3ka, Lr11, Lr30, Lr10, Lr14a, and Lr18) was the most common phenotype in the region, at 38.7% of all isolates. Phenotype TLGF (virulent to Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr3, Lr9, Lr11, Lr14a, and Lr18) was the second most common phenotype overall, at 33.8% of isolates. Twenty-nine isolates selected on the basis of seedling virulence phenotypes also were tested for virulence to adult wheat plants with the resistance genes Lr12, Lr13, Lr22b, and Lr34. In all, 23 isolates were avirulent to Lr12 and 26 isolates were virulent to Lr13. All isolates had fewer and smaller uredinia on the Thatcher line with Lr34 compared with Thatcher. The widespread occurrence of the predominant P. triticina virulence phenotypes throughout the region indicated that the South Atlantic states should be considered as a single epidemiological area for wheat leaf rust. Some virulence phenotypes which occurred at lower frequencies were found primarily in the Coastal Plain and mountains of North Carolina or in breeding plots in southern Georgia. Localized populations of P. triticina may develop in the South Atlantic region due to overwintering of leaf rust infections or specific selection by leaf rust resistance genes in wheat cultivars.
Chronic upregulation of activated microglia immunoreactive for galectin-3/Mac-2 and nerve growth factor following diffuse axonal injury

Diffuse axonal injury in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be associated with morbidity ranging from cognitive difficulties to coma. Magnetic resonance imaging scans now allow early detection of axonal injury following TBI, and have linked cognitive disability in these patients to white matter signal changes. However, little is known about the pathophysiology of this white matter injury, and the role of microglial activation in this process. It is increasingly recognized that microglia constitute a heterogeneous population with diverse roles following injury. In the present studies, we tested the hypothesis that following diffuse axonal injury involving the corpus callosum, there is upregulation of a subpopulation of microglia that express the lectin galectin-3/Mac-2 and are involved in myelin phagocytosis. Adult mice were subject to midline closed skull injury or sham operation and were sacrificed 1, 8, 14 or 28 days later. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence techniques were used to analyze patterns of labelling within the corpus callosum qualitatively and quantitatively. Activated microglia immunoreactive for galectin-3/Mac-2 were most abundant 1 day following injury. Their levels were attenuated at later time points after TBI but still were significantly elevated compared to sham animals. Furthermore, the majority of galectin-3/Mac-2+ microglia were immunoreactive for nerve growth factor in both sham and injured animals. Our results suggest that galectin-3/Mac-2+ microglia play an important role in the pathogenesis of diffuse axonal injury both acutely and chronically and that they mediate their effects, at least in part by releasing nerve growth factor.
Airway stenting: Applications and practice management considerations.

Abstract Background:Airway stenting is a procedure that is performed increasingly often, and the availability of metallic stents placed by flexible bronchoscopy may have contributed to the increased usage. These procedures have an impact on the required physician skill set and practice management. We review the indications for airway stenting, and how the requirement of combined therapies and technical aspects of central airway stenting pertain to practice management. Procedure:We compared several reimbursement scenarios for managing stent placement using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services relative value units (RVUs) and average reimbursement amounts. We also compared the reimbursement to other commonly performed activities performed by pulmonary and critical care physicians. An analysis of Medicare facility outpatient and inpatient payment for procedures using silicone and metallic stents was also conducted. Results:Professional reimbursement is identical regardless of stent type, method of insertion, and anesthesia administered. The net facility reimbursement largely depends on stent costs. The RVUs alone are a poor comparator for the reimbursement of therapeutic bronchoscopy because of Correct Coding Initiatives edits. Considering the time necessary for performing advanced therapeutic bronchoscopy, the professional fees are not attractive. The net facility reimbursement largely depends on stent costs. Conclusion:The placement of airway stents is not reimbursed at competitive rates and may even lead to a net loss for the facility. The practice management benefits of central airway therapy are probably best obtained by a multidisciplinary airway team with an established cost center structure.