cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social media use in the U.S. Executive branch

Abstract In 2009, the Obama administration issued the Open Government Initiative that directed Executive agencies to improve transparency, openness in government, and public participation with government. The Obama administration views transparency and openness in government as a cost-effective and efficient process capable of improving public participation with government and public access to government information. To address the initiative in part, many agencies adopt social media as the means to disseminate information out to the public and to increase public participation with agency website content and activities. This exploratory study examines Executive agency use of social media and public participation with the media. Findings indicate that most agencies reviewed do use social media. The public does interact with the media and some agencies experience high overall participation levels; however, there are some issues with agency use of social media and public participation with the media.
Efficacy of a Light Attractant for Increasing Trap Net Catches of White Crappies

Abstract We evaluated the efficacy of trap nets fitted with a battery-operated, submersible light in the net mouth in increasing the catch rates of white crappies Pomoxis annularis by comparing the catch rate and size structure of white crappies collected by these nets with those of fish collected by standard (i.e., unlighted) trap nets in six Texas reservoirs. The catch rates of standard (mean = 16.3/net-night) and lighted trap nets (12.1/net-night) did not differ significantly. We found no significant difference in the catch of stock-size white crappies (≥130 mm total length [TL]) by standard (12.7 fish/net-night) versus lighted trap nets (9.9 fish/net-night); however, significantly fewer preferred sizes (≥250 mm TL) were taken by lighted (1.9 fish/net-night) than by standard sets (2.9 fish/net-night). The length-frequency distributions of the white crappies collected by each trap net treatment were similar and did not significantly differ in four of the five lakes tested. Our results suggest that trap ...
Amino acids in stigmas of Pennisetum americanum

Abstract Free asparagine levels in stigma extracts of male-sterile pearl millet increased 4.3-fold during development. At the latest stage of development, asparagine accounted for 74 % of the total free amino acids in the stigmas. Together, asparagine, glutamine and serine comprised 87 % of the total free amino acids. Whole, hydrolysed, non-extracted stigmas from fertile and male-sterile pearl millet showed a similar amino acid composition but both were very different than their free amino acid pools. Aspartic and glutamic acids, glycine and alanine accounted for 46 % and 50 % of the total amino acids recovered in the whole, hydrolysed fertile and male-sterile stigmas, respectively. Very low levels of asparaginase and asparagine aminotransferase were detected suggesting that asparagine was not metabolized and accumulates in the stigmas.
QUASI-LINEAR ELASTODYNAMIC EQUATIONS FOR FINITE DIFFERENCE SOLUTIONS IN DISCONTINUOUS MEDIA

The linear elastodynamic equations are ill-posed for models which contain high contrast density discontinuities. This paper presents a quasi-linear superset of the linear equations that is well-posed for this situation. The extended system contains a conservation of mass equation and a quasi-linear convective term in the momentum equation. Density, momentum, and stress are the field variables in the quasi-linear system, which is cast in a first order form. Using a Lax–Wendroff finite difference approximation, the utility of the quasi-linear system is demonstrated by modeling underwater acoustic scattering from a truncated ice sheet. The model contains air, ice, and water with a density contrast between air and ice or water of O(103). Superlinear convergence of the Lax–Wendroff scheme is demonstrated for his heterogeneous medium problem.
Determining temporal and spatial variations in ozone air quality.

Abstract Unless the change in emissions is substantial, the resulting improvement in ozone air quality can be easily masked by the meteorological variability. Therefore, the meteorological and chemical signals must be separated in examining ozone trends. In this paper, we discuss the use of the Kolmogorov-Zurbenko filter in evaluating the temporal and spatial variations in ozone air quality utilizing ozone concentration data from several monitoring locations in the northeastern United States. The results indicate a downward trend in the ozone concentrations during the period 1983- 1992 at most locations in the northeastern United States. The results also reveal that ozone is a regional-scale problem in the Northeast.
Flow-Induced Vascular Remodeling in the Rat Carotid Artery Diminishes With Age

Vascular remodeling is regulated by a combination of hemodynamic, environmental, and genetic factors and may be influenced by age. To evaluate age-dependent remodeling in rats, we developed and used a quantitative highly reproducible model of carotid flow alteration. Fourteen juvenile (99+/-3 g) and 9 adult (199+/-5 g) male inbred Fischer rats underwent ligation of the left internal and external carotid arteries under anesthesia. Left common carotid blood flow immediately decreased by approximately 93%, whereas flow in the contralateral carotid increased by approximately 46%. After 4 weeks, the left carotid outer diameter (OD) significantly decreased in both juvenile and adult rats (as measured in vivo and by histological morphometry) compared with sham-operated rats. Changes in shear stress acutely mirrored the changes in blood flow. OD increased and shear stress returned to initial values after chronic exposure to increased flow in juvenile but not adult rats. To develop a simple quantitative index of remodeling that would not require killing the animals, we measured the OD in vivo and compared the ratio of right to left OD (OD ratio [ODR]) between groups. The initial ODR for all groups was approximately 1.0. After 4 weeks of altered flow, the ODR was significantly greater in juvenile than in adult rats (1.48+/-0.05 versus 1.29+/-0.04, respectively; P=.030), indicating that juvenile rats experienced more extensive remodeling than did the adult rats. We also found that unilateral carotid ligation caused a left versus right difference in endothelial NO synthase protein levels after 4 weeks that was not present in the sham-operated animals. Thus, the model described here shows that flow-induced vascular remodeling is dependent on age and supports the hypothesis that the driving force for remodeling involves shear stress and possibly NO. Because the model is quantitative, it allows dissection of the genetic factors that regulate remodeling in inbred rat strains.
The Nonverbal Display and Judgment of Extraversion, Masculinity, Femininity, and Gender Diagnosticity: A Lens Model Analysis

Abstract Thirty-four college men and 33 women were assessed on extraversion (E), gender diagnosticity (GD), masculine instrumentality (M), and feminine expressiveness (F). Participants were videotaped as they delivered talks, and their nonverbal behavior and personality were judged from videotapes. Participants' extraversion and masculinity–femininity (M–F) were reliably and accurately judged from videotapes. Judged extraversion correlated significantly with E, and judged M–F correlated most with GD, less with M, but not with F. For women but not men, judged M–F correlated strongly ( r = .67) with judged physical attractiveness. The current research identified nonverbal cues that correlated with judged and assessed extraversion more successfully than it identified cues that correlated with GD, M, F, and judged M–F. M–F proved to be as observable a trait as extraversion, even though it was judged from different kinds of cues.
Interactions of various cations on centripetal passage of phosphorus across intact roots

Abstract The interacting effects of NB4, Mg, and K on P nutrition in intact bean plants was studied. The NH4 and Mg treatments increased lateral passage of 32P across the root to the xylem (Centripetal Passage (CP)), while K had no effect. The changes in CP were accurately reflected in accumulation of 32P in the plant top. Centripetal Passage was specifically identified as the site where NH4 and Mg interacted with P. Evidence was given to suggest that these interactions occurred during the initial step of the CP process‐transport across the plasmalemma ‐ rather than in the later stage of symplast transport and trans‐membrane efflux.
Drell-Yan process and factorization in impact parameter space

The cross section for Drell-Yan pair production in the limit of small x{sub target} is derived in the rest frame of the target hadron. Our calculation is based on the fundamental quantity {sigma}({rho}), the cross section for the scattering of a q{bar q} pair with fixed transverse separation {rho} off a hadronic target. As in deep inelastic scattering the result can be given in terms of integrals of {sigma}({rho}). This is consistent with well-known factorization theorems and also relates higher-twist terms in both processes. An analysis of the angular distribution of the produced lepton shows that additional integrals of {sigma}({rho}) can be obtained in the Drell-Yan process, which are not measurable in inclusive deep inelastic scattering. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Attachments to facilitate sterile flushing technique in patients with biliary stents.

This technical note describes the use of attachments that simplify the management of biliary drainage catheters by providing a closed system for their sterile flushing.
Epidemiology and Toxicology of Volatile Organic Chemical Contaminants in Water Absorbed Through the Skin

This paper provides a general introduction to the occurrence, epidemiology, and toxicity of some of the most common contaminants of water supplies, the volatile organic chemicals (VCs). VOCs are formed from the reaction of chlorine during disinfection with naturally occurring carbon in the form of humic acids. The VOCs may also enter water supplies as a result of manufacturing, processing, distribution, and urban and agricultural runoff. Their occurrence is summarized. No epidemiologic studies examine the health effects where skin is the sole route of exposure. However, several studies are reviewed where skin is one of the routes of exposure for VOCs. Finally, the toxicity of some of the more important VOCS is outlined, including chloroform, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride, benzene, and alkylbenzenes. Where possible, similarities in toxicity between individual members of this class of chemical contaminates are noted. There are striking similarities of toxicity of various VOCs in the liver, kidney, and hematopoietic system. These similarities should be considered as skin exposure models are being developed. 72 refs., 1 fig., 6 tabs.
Ribonucleotide reductase, a possible agent in deoxyribonucleotide pool asymmetries induced by hypoxia.

While investigating the basis for marked natural asymmetries in deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) pools in mammalian cells, we observed that culturing V79 hamster lung cells in a 2% oxygen atmosphere causes 2–3-fold expansions of the dATP, dGTP, and dTTP pools, whereas dCTP declines by a comparable amount. Others have made similar observations and have proposed that, because O2 is required for formation of the catalytically essential oxygen-bridged iron center in ribonucleotide reductase, dCTP depletion at low oxygen tension results from direct or indirect effects upon ribonucleotide reductase. We have tested the hypothesis that oxygen limitation affects ribonucleotide specificity using recombinant mouse ribonucleotide reductase and an assay that permits simultaneous monitoring of the reduction of all four nucleotide substrates. Preincubation and assay of the enzyme in an anaerobic chamber caused only partial activity loss. Accordingly, we treated the enzyme with hydroxyurea, followed by removal of the hydroxyurea and exposure to atmospheres of varying oxygen content. The activity was totally depleted by hydroxyurea treatment and nearly fully regained by exposure to air. By the criterion of activities regained at different oxygen tensions, we found CDP reduction not to be specifically sensitive to oxygen depletion; however, GDP reduction was specifically sensitive. The basis for the differential response to reactivation by O2 is not known, but it evidently does not involve varying rates of reactivation of different allosteric forms of the enzyme or altered response to allosteric effectors at reduced oxygen tension.
Sympathetic Mediation of Stress and Aggressive Competition: Plasma Catecholamines in Free-living Male Tree Lizards

Abstract MATT, K. S., M. C. MOORE, R. KNAPP AND I. T. MOORE. Sympathetic Mediation of Stress and Aggressive Competition: Plasma Catecholamines in Free-living Male Tree Lizards. PHYSIOL BEHAV 61 (5) 639–647, 1997.—The sympathetic nervous system and adrenal catecholaminergic tissue act to prepare an animal for “fight or flight” by release of catecholamines into synapses and plasma. However, few studies have measured plasma catecholamines in nonmammalian vertebrates and none have measured them in free-living animals. We report plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EPI) and dopamine (DA) in free-living tree lizards ( Urosaurus ornatus ) bled in the field: 1) immediately after capture, 2) after 10 minutes of restraint, 3) immediately after a staged territorial encounter and 4) four minutes after the end of a staged territorial encounter. Time to capture and time to bleed after capture were also recorded for each sample. Time to capture had little effect on plasma catecholamines suggesting that plasma catecholamines do not rise during the brief pursuit by the investigator necessary to capture the lizards in the field. In contrast, plasma NE and EPI increased during blood collection. However, this response was very consistent allowing comparisons to be made using analysis of covariance to control for time to bleed. Results indicate that restraint stress caused a large increase in plasma levels of NE, E and DA. Plasma levels of NE and E, but not plasma DA, were also significantly elevated both immediately and 4 minutes after aggressive encounters, although less so than following restraint stress. These studies show that stress and aggression activate the sympatho-adrenal system. This activation could be involved in behavioral changes during aggression, meeting metabolic demands of the encounter, or both.
Characterization survey of GaxIn1−xAs/InAsyP1−y double heterostructures and InAsyP1−y multilayers grown on InP

Low-bandgap, lattice-mismatched GaxIn1−xAs (GaInAs) grown using InAsyP1−y (InAsP) compositional-step grades on InP is a primary choice for lightabsorbing, active layers in high-efficiency thermophotovoltaic (TPV) devices. The GaInAs/InAsP double heterostructures (DHs) show exceptional minority carrier lifetimes of up to several microseconds. We have performed a characterization survey of 0.4–0.6-eV GaInAs/InAsP DHs using a variety of techniques, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Dislocations are rarely observed to thread into the GaInAs active layers from the InAsP buffer layers that terminate the graded regions. Nearly complete strain relaxation occurs in buried regions of the InAsP grades. The buffer-layer strain prior to deposition of the active layer is virtually independent of the net misfit. Foreknowledge of this buffer-layer strain is essential to correctly lattice match the buffer to the GaInAs active layer.
The National Cancer Data Base: A Powerful Initiative to Improve Cancer Care in the United States

The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) is a nationwide oncology outcomes database that currently collects information on approximately 70% of all new invasive cancer diagnoses in the United States each year and serves as a powerful clinical surveillance and quality improvement mechanism for cancer programs participating in the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) Commission on Cancer (CoC) approvals program.1–3 Currently, the NCDB receives over one million cancer case reports annually from more than 1,430 hospitals. The NCDB now contains data on more than 21 million cancer patients diagnosed between 1985 and 2005, and is recognized as the largest clinical registry in the world. NCDB data are used to explore trends in cancer care, to examine regional and national benchmarks, and to serve as the basis for quality improvement activities (http://www.facs.org/cancer/ncdb) The purposes of this review are: (1) to describe the NCDB and the data collected; (2) to discuss how the NCDB can be used to study clinical outcomes and the quality of cancer care in the United States; and (3) to describe the clinical care improvement tools provided by the NCDB and the CoC to participating hospitals.
The Role of Decision Influence and Team Performance in Member Self-Efficacy, Withdrawal, Satisfaction with the Leader, and Willingness to Return

This study examines team performance as a moderator of the relationship between decision influence and outcomes relevant to team effectiveness in hierarchical teams with distributed ex pertise. In this type of team staff members have unique roles and make recommendations to the team leader, who ultimately makes the team's final decisions. It is suggested that the positive rela tionship between decision influence and favorable outcomes (e.g., satisfaction) consistently described in the literature is dependent on team performance in this type of team. Specifically, team effec tiveness outcomes are proposed to be consistently more favorable in higher performing than in lower performing teams. Decision influence is proposed to relate positively to member satisfaction with the leader, willingness to return, and self-efficacy and to relate negatively to withdrawal in higher performing teams. The opposite pattern of relationships is expected in lower performing teams. A laboratory study was conducted with 228 undergradu ates performing a computer task as subordinates in 76 four-person teams with a confederate leader. The results generally support the hypotheses and illustrate a dilemma for leaders attempting to manage team effectiveness.
Theoretical and experimental study of DOA estimation using AML algorithm for an isotropic and non-isotropic 3D array

The focus of most direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation problems has been based mainly on a two-dimensional (2D) scenario where we only need to estimate the azimuth angle. But in various practical situations we have to deal with a three-dimensional scenario. The importance of being able to estimate both azimuth and elevation angles with high accuracy and low complexity is of interest. We present the theoretical and the practical issues of DOA estimation using the Approximate-Maximum-Likelihood (AML) algorithm in a 3D scenario. We show that the performance of the proposed 3D AML algorithm converges to the Cramer-Rao Bound. We use the concept of an isotropic array to reduce the complexity of the proposed algorithm by advocating a decoupled 3D version. We also explore a modified version of the decoupled 3D AML algorithm which can be used for DOA estimation with non-isotropic arrays. Various numerical results are presented. We use two acoustic arrays each consisting of 8 microphones to do some field measurements. The processing of the measured data from the acoustic arrays for different azimuth and elevation angles confirms the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Quality-of-care indicators for pelvic organ prolapse: development of an infrastructure for quality assessment

Introduction and hypothesis A paucity of data exists addressing the quality of care provided to women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). We sought to develop a means of measuring this quality through the development of quality-of-care indicators (QIs).
The Removal of Strontium from Simulated Hanford Tank Wastes Containing Complexants

Two inorganic ion-exchange materials, a sodium nonatitanate and a sodium titanosilicate, were evaluated for the removal of strontium from two simulated Hanford tank wastes, both of which contained substantial amounts of complexing agents. In simulant 101-SY, both exchangers gave distribution coefficients (K ds) < 220 mL/g at a volume-to-mass ratio of 200. However, in a second simulant, 107-AN, the titanosilicate gave a K d of 2240 mL/g while the nonatitanate gave a similar K d to the value obtained in the 101-SY simulant. The reason for the difference in behavior was determined to be the concentration of calcium in the waste simulants. A high calcium concentration (as found in 107-AN) resulted in strontium, previously chelated by EDTA and other complexants, being released into solution and absorbed by the titanosilicate. Consequently, by adding sufficient calcium to 101-SY simulant to saturate the EDTA present, it proved possible to improve the strontium K ds for the titanosilicate from 215 mL/g to in exc...
G2/M cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis by n-3 fatty acids in a pancreatic cancer model.

Background n-3 fatty acids (n-3FA) have anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects including modulation of pro-inflammatory cascade mediators and cytokine elaboration (i.e., TNF-α, IL-10 and PGE2) in many cell lines. However, mechanisms of anti-proliferative effects have not been clearly defined. Materials and methods MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells were treated either with n-3FA (treatment), media (control), or n-6FA (control) for all experiments. Cellular proliferation was evaluated with WST-1 reagent. Cells were stained with propidium iodide and analyzed by flow cytometry for cell-cycle arrest, which was further analyzed by cdc2 expression. Membrane and media lipid concentrations were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Apoptosis was evaluated by AnnexinV-FITC flow cytometry and reconfirmed by poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and Bcl-2 expression. Results Propidium iodide flow cytometry of MIA PaCa-2 dosed with n-3FA showed a decrease in cells in G1 phase (11–17%) and an increase cells in G2 phase (7–13%) from controls. cdc2 expression was also decreased at 24 h compared to controls. Annexin-V staining of n-3FA-treated cells demonstrated time-dependent increased apoptosis and PARP cleavage was present only in the n-3FA treatment group. Phospho-Bcl-2 was also decreased in the n-3FA-treated cells compared to controls. Conclusions Co-incubation of MIA PaCa-2 cells with n-3FA results in both dose- and time-dependent cell-cycle arrest. Cells also progress to cell death via apoptosis. These data support the potential applicability for n-3FA as an antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic strategy.
Evidence does not support a role for gallic acid in Phragmites australis invasion success.

Gallic acid has been reported to be responsible for the invasive success of nonnative genotypes of Phragmites australis in North America. We have been unable to confirm previous reports of persistent high concentrations of gallic acid in the rhizosphere of invasive P. australis, and of high concentrations of gallic acid and gallotannins in P. australis rhizomes. The half-life of gallic acid in nonsterile P. australis soil was measured by aqueous extraction of soils and found to be less than 1 day at added concentrations up to 10,000 μg g−1. Furthermore, extraction of P. australis soil collected in North Carolina showed no evidence of gallic acid, and extractions of both rhizomes and leaves of samples of four P. australis populations confirmed to be of invasive genotype show only trace amounts of gallic acid and/or gallotannins. The detection limits were less than 20 μg gallic acid g−1 FW in the rhizome samples tested, which is approximately 0.015 % of the minimum amount of gallic acid expected based on previous reports. While the occurrence of high concentrations of gallic acid and gallotannins in some local populations of P. australis cannot be ruled out, our results indicate that exudation of gallic acid by P. australis cannot be a primary, general explanation for the invasive success of this species in North America.
Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Teacher Autonomy Support and Amotivation in Physical Education

Using the taxonomy of amotivation as theoretical framework, this study was designed to examine gender differences in the relationship between teacher autonomy support, amotivation and intention for future physical education participation. An amotivation model addressing the relationship was hypothesized and tested. Three hundred thirty four high school students (177 boys and 157 girls) from a major Midwest metropolitan area in the United States completed questionnaires assessing their relevant psychological and behavioral constructs. Path model analyses supported the model tenability but revealed several gender-specialized characteristics. Although girls demonstrated overall higher amotivation and were more likely to be influenced by inadequate teacher autonomy support, boys showed more strength than girls in the negative impact of amotivation on the intention. It is suggested that gender plays a significant role in amotivation development in physical education. The gender differences should be identified, appreciated, and instructionally addressed to enhance students’ participation in physical education.
Green's functions for consolidation problems

Abstract Classical arguments are used to represent the solution of a certain boundary-initial value problem from consolidation theory in terms of the prescribed data and a Green's function. The results are illustrated by the solution for the Green's function of a one dimensional boundary-initial value problem.
Increased organophosphate scavenging in a butyrylcholinesterase mutant.

Abstract Nicotiana benthamiana plant lines expressing a reengineered human butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) with enhanced cocaine hydrolase activity were created. Subsequent purification and biochemical analysis revealed that compared to wild-type butyrylcholinesterase, the cocaine hydrolase displayed increased affinity to the organophosphate (OP) pesticides paraoxon (6.84 × 10−10 M vs. 1.11 × 10−8 M) and malaoxon (9.81 × 10−8 M vs. 5.99 × 10−7 M). Furthermore, the cocaine hydrolase retained identical anticholinesterase binding profiles for all other compounds tested. Thus we have demonstrated a potential large-scale production platform for a multivalent antidote for cocaine and anticholinesterase poisoning.
Thermodynamic, kinetic, and computational study of heavier chalcogen (S, Se, and Te) terminal multiple bonds to molybdenum, carbon, and phosphorus.

Enthalpies of chalcogen atom transfer to Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3, where Ar = 3,5-C6H3Me2, and to IPr (defined as bis-(2,6-isopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) have been measured by solution calorimetry leading to bond energy estimates (kcal/mol) for EMo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 (E = S, 115; Se, 87; Te, 64) and EIPr (E = S, 102; Se, 77; Te, 53). The enthalpy of S-atom transfer to PMo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 generating SPMo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 has been measured, yielding a value of only 78 kcal/mol. The kinetics of combination of Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 with SMo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 yielding (μ-S)[Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3]2 have been studied, and yield activation parameters ΔH‡ = 4.7 ± 1 kcal/mol and ΔS‡ = −33 ± 5 eu. Equilibrium studies for the same reaction yielded thermochemical parameters ΔH° = −18.6 ± 3.2 kcal/mol and ΔS° = −56.2 ± 10.5 eu. The large negative entropy of formation of (μ-S)[Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3]2 is interpreted in terms of the crowded molecular structure of this complex as revealed by X-ray crystallography. The crystal structure of Te-atom transfer agent TePCy3 i...
Exacerbation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis after withdrawal of phenytoin and carbamazepine.

Objective In vitro observations and studies in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) have shown protective effects of sodium channel blockers on central nervous system axons and improved clinical status when treatment is continued throughout the period of observation. Several clinical studies of sodium channel blockers are under way in patients with multiple sclerosis. Here we asked whether a protective effect would persist after withdrawal of a sodium channel blocker. Methods We studied a mouse model of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein–induced EAE treated with phenytoin or carbamazepine. Results Both phenytoin and carbamazepine significantly improved the clinical course of the disease. Withdrawal of phenytoin resulted in acute exacerbation, accompanied by a significantly increased inflammatory infiltrate within the central nervous system and the death of nearly 60% of EAE mice. There were no clinical worsening or deaths in control mice after withdrawal of phenytoin. Withdrawal of carbamazepine led to acute worsening of EAE symptoms, increased inflammatory infiltrate, and was associated with the death of 8% of mice. Interpretation These results, together with results showing effects of sodium channel blockers in immune cells, raise questions about the long-term effects of sodium channel blockers in neuroinflammatory disorders, and suggest that clinical studies of sodium channel blockers in these disorders should be planned carefully. Ann Neurol 2007
Assessment of strategies for identifying diagnosed cases of systemic lupus erythematosus through self-report

The objective of this work was to assess the optimal way to identify potential systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) cases in large epidemiologic studies through self-reported information about diagnosis of SLE, symptoms and medications, and to investigate the utility of a criteria checklist sent directly to participants’physicians.We used data collected in 1997 from 53322 participantsin a study of African-American women, the Black Women’s Health Study, including a lupus screening questionnaire(LSQ) and questionsabout SLE diagnosisand medications.We confirmed self-reported SLE through medical records and criteria checklists sent to participants’physicians.Among those for whom we received medical records and/or criteria checklists, we compared the predictive value and proportion of missed cases of several algorithms using combinations of self-reported SLE diagnosis, LSQ score and medication use to self-reported SLE diagnosis alone. We obtained a physician checklist or medical chart for 251 individuals who rep...
Immunohistochemical localization of transforming growth factor-alpha in human endometrium, decidua, and trophoblast

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) was localized immunohistochemically in human proliferative and secretory endometrium, decidua, and trophoblast from first, second, and third trimester pregnancies. In proliferative endometrium, TGF-alpha immunostaining was moderate to intense and localized predominantly to stromal cells, whereas glandular staining was absent to light. After ovulation, TGF-alpha staining was light within the stroma, but moderate to intense around spiral arterioles. Moderate to intense staining was also detected in glandular and surface epithelium in secretory endometrium, with no staining noted in subnuclear vacuoles. In hypersecretory endometrium, staining was predominantly epithelial. In decidua, TGF-alpha was detected in intermediate trophoblast and on the surface epithelium. In first trimester trophoblast, TGF-alpha was detected in both cytotrophoblast (CT) and syncytiotrophoblast. Cytoplasmic staining was light in CT and moderate to intense in ST, with particular staining of plasma membranes. Intense TGF-alpha staining of nuclear membranes in CT was noted. TGF-alpha staining was light to absent in second and absent in third trimester trophoblast. This study demonstrates immunoreactive TGF-alpha in tissues known to be responsive to epidermal growth factor, and also demonstrates the presence of immunoreactive TGF-alpha associated with nuclear membranes. Thus, TGF-alpha may play an autocrine/paracrine role in endometrial development and trophoblast function.
Knowledge management and economic development in developing countries: an examination of the main enablers

Knowledge Management can be defined as the efficient utilisation of the existing intangible, knowledge-related resources available in every sector of the economy to enhance the productivity of all factors of production. The developing nations, given their abundance of unutilised skilled labour and availability of capital, have been lagging behind other nations in the world in terms of utilising their existing resources to advance their economies. This paper addresses the need for developing countries to focus on the factors that systematically enable effective knowledge management. These enablers include transparency, political will, enhancement of educational institutions, a comprehensive database, and greater connections between the public and private sectors. This paper both describes these enablers, and offers recommendations on how developing countries can enhance their presence so that knowledge management can become an effective and crucial part of their overall economic development strategy.
Asp44 Stabilizes the Trp41 Gate of the M2 Proton Channel of Influenza A Virus

Channel gating and proton conductance of the influenza A virus M2 channel result from complex pH-dependent interactions involving the pore-lining residues His37, Trp41, and Asp44. Protons diffusing from the outside of the virus protonate His37, which opens the Trp41 gate and allows one or more protons to move into the virus interior. The Trp41 gate gives rise to a strong asymmetry in the conductance, favoring rapid proton flux only when the outside is at acid pH. Here, we show that the proton currents recorded for mutants of Asp44, including D44N found in the A/FPV/Rostock/34 strain, lose this asymmetry. Moreover, NMR and MD simulations show that the mutations induce a conformational change similar to that induced by protonation of His37 at low pH, and decrease the structural stability of the hydrophobic seal associated with the Trp41 gate. Thus, Asp44 is able to determine two important properties of the M2 proton channel.
Simulation of the Tropical Pacific Warm Pool with the NCAR Climate System Model

Abstract The simulation of the tropical western Pacific warm pool is explored with the NCAR Climate System Model (CSM). The simulated sea surface temperatures in the Pacific basin have biases that are similar to other coupled model simulations in this region. In particular, an excessive cold tongue of water extends across the Pacific basin, with warm water on either side of this cold tongue. The warm pool region is also too cold. This cold bias exists in spite of an overestimate in surface net energy flux into this region. To understand the source of this bias in SST, simulations from the uncoupled and fully coupled models are analyzed in terms of biases in surface energy budget. These analyses suggest that the strong constraint of little ocean heat transport out of the warm pool region forces a change in SST gradient that leads to an increase in the atmospheric zonal wind. This increase in zonal wind causes an increase in latent heat flux in the warm pool region. The increase in latent heat flux is requi...
Flutter prediction by an Euler method on non-moving Cartesian grids with gridless boundary conditions

A method is presented for the prediction of transonic flutter by the Euler equations on a stationary Cartesian mesh. Local grid refinement is established through a series of embedded meshes, and a gridless method is implemented for the treatment of surface boundary conditions. For steady flows, the gridless method applies surface boundary conditions using a weighted average of the flow properties within a cloud of nodes in the vicinity of the surface. The weighting is established with shape functions derived using a least-squares fitting of the surrounding nodal cloud. For unsteady calculations, a perturbation of the shape functions is incorporated to account for a fluctuating surface normal direction. The nature of the method provides for efficient and accurate solution of transient flow problems in which surface deflections are small (i.e. flutter calculations) without the need for a deforming mesh. Although small deviations in angle of attack are considered, the mean angle of attack can be large. Results indicate good agreement with available experimental data for unsteady flow, and with computational results addressing flutter of the Isogai wing model obtained using traditional moving mesh algorithms.
A Large Set of Designs On Vector Spaces

Abstract A t-design on a vector space V over the finite field GF(q) is a multiset B of subspaces of V over GF(q) such that for every t-dimensional supspace T of V, exactly λ many subspaces in B , counting according to multiplicity, contain T. Let our vector space be GF(qv) over GF(q). We use the nondegenerate quadratic forms to partition the subspaces of GF(qv) over GF(q) according to the action of the quadratic forms on the bases of the subspaces. This partitioning yields a family of t-designs on GF(qv) with block dimensions t and t + 1. The union of these designs is the union of an n-fold multiple of all (t + 1)-dimensional subspaces and an n/(q − 1)-fold multiple of all t-dimensional subspaces, where n is the number of nondegenerate quadratic forms in t + 1 variables over GF(q). We investigate the structure of the 1- and 2-designs in detail, showing that most of the 1-designs are near-spreads.
Modelling of Offshore Tubular Members in Non-Linear Analyses

This paper presents results of a study into calibrating beam elements properties for use in non-linear finite element analyses, such that the elements simulate the behaviour of real members. Following the API approach, it is recommended that the material strength is de-rated to achieve a well-behaved element. A large number of typical “imperfect” offshore tubular members were modelled using shell elements and analysed to determine the full range of their load-displacement behaviour. The complete practical range of combination of the slenderness and D/t (diameter to thickness) ratios were considered. Then the beam elements’ material was de-rated to achieve the same results as obtained from the shell model. The result of the study is a two-way table which gives the required de-rating as a function of the slenderness ratio and the D/t ratio.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Scalable Load Balancing Techniques for Parallel Computers

In this paper we analyze the scalability of a number of load balancing algorithms which can be applied to problems that have the following characteristics: the work done by a processor can be partitioned into independent work pieces; the work pieces are of highly variable sizes; and it is not possible (or very difficult) to estimate the size of total work at a given processor. Such problems require a load balancing scheme that distributes the work dynamically among different processors. Our goal here is to determine the most scalable load balancing schemes for different architectures such as hypercube, mesh, and network of workstations. For each of these architectures, we establish lower bounds on the scalability of any possible load balancing scheme. We present the scalability analysis of a number of load balancing schemes that have not been analyzed before. This gives us valuable insights into their relative performance for different problem and architectural characteristics. For each of these architectures, we are able to determine near optimal load balancing schemes. Results obtained from implementation of these schemes in the context of the Tautology Verification problem on the Ncube/2 (a trademark of the Ncube Corporation) multicomputer are used to validate our theoretical results for the hypercube architecture. These results also demonstrate the accuracy and viability of our framework for scalability analysis.
Effects of prostacyclin on the canine isolated basilar artery.

Abstract Prostacyclin (PGI2) produced a biphasic response in canine isolated basilar arteries. In low doses (1 × 10−8M−1 × 10−7M) PGI2 caused a slight but consistent relaxation of resting muscle tone. In low concentrations (1 × 10−8M−1 × 10−6M) PGI2 antagonized muscle contractions caused by serotonin or prostaglandin (PG) F2α. This relaxant effect with low doses of PGI2 on the isolated cerebral artery contrasts with findings obtained with other PGs and supports the hypothesis that PGI2 is a mediator of vasodilatation. However, in 1 × 10−5M concentrations PGI2 contracted the arterial muscle and did not antagonize contractions induced by serotonin or PGF2α.
SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISMS IN CHOLESTERYL ESTER TRANSFER PROTEIN (CETP) GENE ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH RECURRENT CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS OR MORTALITY IN PATIENTS WITH ESTABLISHED ATHEROSCLEROSIS: A MENDELIAN RANDOMIZATION EXPERIMENT

methods: Among TexGen registry participants (n = 3717) with established atherosclerosis (those with acute coronary syndrome [ACS] or undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG]) and available prospective follow-up; we evaluated whether CETP gene variants previously associated with reduced CETP activity and HDL-cholesterol increase (rs708272, rs12149545) are associated with a reduction in recurrent myocardial infarction [MI] (primary outcome), recurrent revascularization, or death (secondary outcomes).
Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle Mutants in Saccharomyces: Comparison of Independently Derived Mutants

A yeast mutant independently isolated as a glutamate auxotroph (glt(2-1)) was similar to the glt(1-1) mutant in exhibiting a blocked tricarboxylic acid cycle due to the lack of aconitate hydratase. The new mutant differed by exhibiting blocks in lysine and cytochrome biosynthesis which segregated together with the glutamate requirement.
Psychology of the scientist: LXIV Work-related attitudes of U.S. scientists.

It is logical to think that doing important, meaningful work contributes to job satisfaction. In contrast to all other professional workers, however, evidence from nationwide surveys shows that scientists are more likely to prefer important, meaningful work but are less satisfied in their jobs. This suggests that various factors in the work environment of U.S. scientists somehow may prevent them from achieving the satisfaction they desire in their jobs. This paper speculates about the nature of some of these factors.
Probing Förster and Dexter Energy-Transfer Mechanisms in Fluorescent Conjugated Polymer Chemosensors

Fluorescence quenching in solutions of a pendant-functionalized conjugated polymer chemosensor (ttp-PPETE) has been evaluated in the presence of a variety of transition metal cations, including Ni2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, and Cr6+. Photophysical analysis of the emission quenching revealed a static quenching mechanism that demonstrated strong positive deviations from predicted linear behavior. The enhanced emission quenching mechanism was found to correlate closely with the relative loading of the cationic analytes on the polymer chemosensor. This behavior has been attributed to rapid energy transfer along the polymer backbone. A modified Stern−Volmer static quenching model has been successfully applied that incorporates an energy-transfer term that takes into account different energy-transfer mechanisms. Both Forster and Dexter energy-transfer enhancements were observed for ttp-PPETE quenching depending upon the identity of the quencher analyte involved. Stern−Volmer constants in all cases were on the order o...
Mitral annular remodeling to treat functional mitral regurgitation: a pilot acute study in a canine model.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the injection of a nonabsorbable substance into the base of the left ventricle (LV) to treat functional mitral regurgitation (MR). METHODS Tyramine-based hyaluronan hydrogel was injected into the base of the LV of the beating heart in a canine model of rapid ventricular pacing-induced functional MR (n = 4). The severity of MR was evaluated by epicardial echocardiography before and after hydrogel injection. RESULTS The injection improved MR grade from 3.4 +/- 0.8 to 1.3 +/- 0.5 (P = .006) without inducing hemodynamic instability or any evidence of myocardial ischemia. We noted significant decreases in the septal-lateral dimension at the mitral annulus (3.4 +/- 0.4 cm to 2.9 +/- 0.3 cm; P = .039) and MR volume (20.6 +/- 7.3 mm3 to 5.2 +/- 2.2 mm3; P = .044). CONCLUSIONS A novel treatment consisting of hydrogel injection into the base of the LV between the 2 papillary muscles was found to be feasible and effective for reducing functional MR in a canine model.
Molecular orbital calculations of the active site complex of two iron ferredoxins

The results presented here are the first part of a systematic theoretical study of some of the physical and biochemical properties of two iron ferredoxins obtained by the use of an Extended Huckel Self-Consistent Charge iteration method of molecular orbital calculations. In this initial study, attention is focused on the calculation of electronic energies as a function of molecular geometry and the nature of the bonding ligands at the active site in order to determine the most stable form of the active site complex. Included in the active site complex are two iron atoms, two acid labile sulfur atoms of unknown inorganic origin and four sulfur atoms presumably from nearby cysteine residues. Fifteen chemical-conformational variations of this basic active site complex were considered. Among these conformational variations of the sulfur ligands, Fe-Fe distances, bond lengths and angles and chemical variations such as the effect of axial ligands, disulfide bonds and added protons were included. Our results indicate that that with all reasonable variations of the ligands, the preferred molecular geometry about 4-coordinated Fe is tetrahedral rather than planar. The planar conformation is somewhat stabilized by the addition of axial ligands, but is still less favorable than the tetrahedral conformation. In this model, interactions between the two iron atoms occur automatically since they are both part of the same active site complex. Hence the absence of low temperature paramagnetism in the oxidized state is readily explained. Preliminary investigations of the reduced state with one additional electron indicate that the odd electron is delocalized, as observed in both ESR and ENDOR. Its presence apparently substantially destabilizes all of the molecular orbital energies in accord with the observation that only one electron can be added to these proteins without decomposing them.