cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glycomics analysis of resting and activated human platelets (789.1)

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of death in developed countries and their prevalence rate is rapidly growing in developing countries. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified associations between ABO blood group status and HLBS (heart, lung, blood, and sleep) disorders. ABO glycans are expressed on glycoproteins and glycosphingolipids (GSLs) of cells and tissues relevant to HLBS disorders,including endothelial cells and platelets. Several major HLBS disorders, particularly acute myocardial infarction and acute lung injury, are characterized by endothelium dysfunction and platelet-driven thrombosis. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the disposition of ABO glycan expression by endothelial cells and platelets is essential for elucidating the mechanisms by which these glycans influence risk for cardiovascular disease. Toward this end, we have undertaken the structural characterization of GSL, and N- and O-linked glycoprotein glycans in resting and activated platelets...
A molecular phylogenetic study of Cucujidae s.l. (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea)

Of all the superfamilies within the megadiverse order Coleoptera (Insecta), Cucujoidea (Cucujiformia) is arguably the most problematic taxonomically. The families comprising Cucujidae s.l. (Silvanidae, Laemophloeidae, Passandridae and Cucujidae s.s. represent a large portion of cucujoid diversity. Herein we present the results of a rigorous molecular phylogenetic analysis of Cucujidae s.l. using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian analyses of seven genes. Representatives of over half of the families of Cucujoidea (excluding the cerylonid series), as well as a broad sampling of Silvanidae and Laemophloeidae, were analysed. The monophyly of Cucujidae s.l. is rejected but a subgrouping of taxa that may form the core of a natural cucujoid lineage is recovered. This clade consists of two large monophyletic groups including several families each. Relationships among these smaller cucujoid groups are discussed, including several novel phylogenetic hypotheses, whereas morphological characters considered significant for classification in Cucujidae s.l. are evaluated in light of these phylogenetic hypotheses. Silvaninae, Telephanini, Brontini and Brontinae are recovered as monophyletic in the Bayesian analysis, but the former two are recovered as paraphyletic in the maximum-likelihood analysis. Our results support the placement of Psammoecus Latreille within Telephanini and also recover a paraphyletic Telephanus Erichson. Silvaninae is divided into three lineages, each representing a potential tribal lineage. Laemophloeidae is rendered paraphyletic in all analyses by Propalticidae and the latter is herein formally transferred to Laemophloeidae stat.n. Several suprageneric laemophloeid clades are recovered and discussed as potential higher-level groups. Laemophloeus Dejean is not recovered as monophyletic.
Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM affects colonic mucosal opioid receptor expression in patients with functional abdominal pain ‐ a randomised clinical study

Background In a recent double-blinded clinical trial the probiotic combination of L-NCFM and B-LBi07 reduced bloating symptoms in patients with functional bowel disorder; an effect more evident in those who reported abdominal pain. In mice, L-NCFM but not B-LBi07 induced colonic MOR and CB2 expression and reduced visceral sensitivity.
How should resources be reallocated between physicians and nurses in Africa and Latin America

Abstract This paper examines ways in which health resources could be reallocated between physicians, nurses and other medical inputs in Africa and Latin America, according to their cost-effectiveness. An underlying question concerns whether countries in Africa and Latin America with decreasing health budgets in the 1980s should reduce the number of highly trained and more expensive workers, i.e. physicians, and redirect resources to less trained and less expensive workers, i.e. nurses. This paper designs a methodology for quantifying the cost-effectiveness of physicians, nurses and government health expenditure in relation to improvements in the population's health status. Direct estimation of the professionals' effectiveness is unsuitable in this 45-country study. Instead, for measuring the unobserved effectiveness of health providers and health expenditures, infant mortality rate has been chosen as the indicator. Infant mortality is an accepted indicator of the health status in a given population. From another viewpoint, neonatal health is dependent on contact with health care services; this means that inappropriate care may increase the likelihood of infant mortality. Therefore, at the same time infant mortality is an indicator of the effectiveness of services. We used a general linear model as a way of estimating the relationship between infant mortality, health manpower and health expenditures. Forty-five countries were examined over three years and 135 observations were included in the final sample. Three scenarios were estimated: (1) African and Latin American countries, or low and middle-income countries, (2) only middle-income and (3) only low-income countries. From the regression model the marginal productivity for each kind of professional was calculated, and then the optimal mix of manpower physicians and nurses was estimated according to low and middle-income country budget constraints. Some countries were selected for illustrating how they differed from the optimal mix. For example, in countries such as Tanzania, where there is close to an optimal mix of personnel, population health status may not be improved with reallocation of resources, but only with new additional resources. The results suggest differences between low-income and middle-income countries. Physicians in low-income countries, primarily African countries, save about three times the number of lives as do nurses, while their salaries are twice as high as nurses' salaries. This finding suggests that investing in physician training can make a significant contribution to primary health care in African countries. However, in middle-income countries, since the impact of nurses and physicians on infant mortality is proportional to their salaries, a health delivery system could be nurse-based or physician-based according to each country's preferences.
Using microbial genomics to evaluate the effectiveness of silver to prevent biofilm formation.

Increasingly, monovalent silver cations are being considered as an alternative biocide in water distribution systems. The objective of this study was to understand how bacteria respond when challenged with silver. The approach used included cultivation of Escherichia coli in planktonic and sessile phases, exposing biomass to a solution of silver nitrate and evaluating genetic responses using commercial Affymetrix microarrays. Experimental results showed that lower pH enhanced silver toxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Sessile biomass demonstrated resistance to silver, and the microarray results indicated that the genetic mechanism for silver resistance was similar to the mechanism for copper resistance including upregulation of efflux pumps as well as upregulation of metal oxidoreductases. The gene, copA , a P-type ATPase efflux flux, was upregulated in response to silver exposure, and the gene of CusCFBA, a Cu(I) efflux pump, was also upregulated. The gene of CueO, a robust cuprous oxidase, was also upregulated and may have reduced silver toxicity through oxidation of silver ions. This study is significant because it provides baseline data to understand the genetic response of bacteria to silver biocides.
On the structure of mare basalt lava flows from textural analysis of the LaPaz Icefield and Northwest Africa 032 lunar meteorites

Quantitative textural data for Northwest Africa (NWA) 032 and the LaPaz (LAP) mare basalt meteorites (LAP 02205, LAP 02224, LAP 02226, and LAP 02436) provide constraints on their crystallization and mineral growth histories. In conjunction with whole-rock and mineral chemistry, textural analysis provides powerful evidence for meteorite pairing. Petrographic observations and crystal size distribution (CSD) measurements of NWA 032 indicate a mixed population of slowly cooled phenocrysts and faster cooled matrix. LaPaz basalt crystal populations are consistent with a single phase of nucleation and growth. Spatial distribution patterns (SDP) of minerals in the meteorites highlight the importance of clumping and formation of clustered crystal frameworks in their melts, succeeded by continued nucleation and growth of crystals. This process resulted in increasingly poor sorting, during competition for growth, as the melt crystallized. Based on CSD and SDP data, we suggest a potential lava flow geometry model to explain the different crystal populations for NWA 032 and the LaPaz basalts. This model involves crystallization of early formed phenocrysts at hypabyssal depths in the lunar crust, followed by eruption and flow differentiation on the lunar surface. Lava flow differentiation would allow for formation of a cumulate base and facilitate variable cooling within the stratigraphy, explaining the varied textures and modal mineralogies of mare basalt meteorites. The model may also provide insight into the relative relationships of some Apollo mare basalt suites, shallow-level crystal fractionation processes, and the nature of mare basalt volcanism over lunar history.
Quel est le profil d’un asthme sévère chez l’enfant ?

Resume L’asthme severe est estime toucher 9,6 % des patients asthmatiques. Si l’asthme severe reste minoritaire chez les enfants asthmatiques, cette forme clinique represente 80 % des depenses de sante. Les recommandations internationales evaluent la severite de l’asthme en quatre stades (intermittent, persistant leger, modere et severe) en fonction des symptomes diurnes et nocturnes, de la frequence des exacerbations qui affectent l’activite, du volume expiratoire maximale par seconde (VEMS) avant la mise sous traitement. Cette classification parait insuffisante pour evaluer la gravite de l’asthme de l’enfant car elles ne prennent pas en compte les traitements de fond, notamment par les corticoides inhales, les exacerbations aigues graves, l’atteinte des voies aeriennes inferieures, l’existence d’un terrain atopique, la gravite de l’asthme liee a l’âge et au sexe. Rappelons enfin que dans la demarche du diagnostique d’un asthme severe chez un enfant, il faut d’abord eliminer les faux asthmes (par une enquete etiologique systematique), faire la distinction entre la severite et le non controle de l’asthme en rapport avec des comorbidites non prises en compte, un environnement inadequat, une mauvaise adhesion au traitement de fond.
Long-term changes in Type A behavior: a 27-year follow-up of the Western Collaborative Group Study.

This study examined the long-term stability of Type A behavior pattern in the Western Collaborative Group Study for 1180 surviving participants in a 27-year follow-up examination during 1986–1987. Subjects were readministered the Structured Interview (SI), originally developed for this study and first administered at intake in 1960–1961. Subjects were also given the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS) and were asked to evaluate their behaviors currently and in the past using two short descriptions of Type A and Type B behaviors. Analyses of changes in global SI ratings, JAS score, and self-ratings showed no relationships between self-perceived changes reported in questionnaires and observed changes when assessed by the SI. Using the SI ratings, 61% of subjects retained their initial classification and 39% of subjects were rated differently, with a higher percentage of those originally typed B being rerated as A than A being rerated as B. Type B subjects rerated as A were significantly younger, retired earlier, reported better health, and were less likely to have been in a managerial or professional position than the subjects who changed from A to B.
Langevin simulation of thermally activated magnetization reversal in nanoscale pillars

Numerical solutions of the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert micromagnetic model incorporating thermal fluctuations and dipole-dipole interactions (calculated by the fast multipole method) are presented for systems composed of nanoscale iron pillars of dimension 9nm x 9nm x 150nm. Hysteresis loops generated under sinusoidally varying fields are obtained, while the coercive field is estimated to be 1979{+-}14 Oe using linear field sweeps at T=0 K. Thermal effects are essential to the relaxation of magnetization trapped in a metastable orientation, such as happens after a rapid reversal of an external magnetic field less than the coercive value. The distribution of switching times is compared to a simple analytic theory that describes reversal with nucleation at the ends of the nanomagnets. Results are also presented for arrays of nanomagnets oriented perpendicular to a flat substrate. Even at a separation of 300 nm, where the field from neighboring pillars is only {approx}1 Oe, the interactions have a significant effect on the switching of the magnets.
THE NATURE OF DAMPED Lyα SYSTEMS AND THEIR HOSTS IN THE STANDARD COLD DARK MATTER UNIVERSE

Using adaptive mesh refinement cosmological hydrodynamic simulations with a physically motivated supernova feedback prescription, we show that the standard cold dark matter model can account for extant observed properties of damped Ly{alpha} systems (DLAs). With detailed examination of DLAs identified for each redshift snapshot through ray tracing through the simulation volumes containing thousands of galaxies, we find the following: (1) While DLA hosts roughly trace the overall population of galaxies at all redshifts, they are always gas-rich and have tendencies of being slightly smaller and bluer. (2) The history of DLA evolution is cosmological in nature and reflects primarily the evolution of the underlying cosmic density, galaxy size, and galaxy interactions. With higher density and more interactions at high redshift the size of DLAs is a larger fraction of their virial radius. (3) The variety of DLAs at high redshift is richer with a large contribution coming from galactic aqueducts, created through close galaxy interactions. The portion of gaseous disks of galaxies where most stars reside makes a relatively small contribution to DLA incidence at z = 3-4. (4) The majority of DLAs arise in halos of mass M{sub h} = 10{sup 10}-10{sup 12} M{sub Sun} at z = 1.6-4,more » as these galaxies dominate the overall population of galaxies then. At z = 3-4, 20%-30% of DLA hosts are Lyman break galaxies (LBGs), 10%-20% are due to galaxies more massive than LBGs, and 50%-70% are from smaller galaxies. (5) Galactic winds play an indispensable role in shaping the kinematic properties of DLAs. Specifically, the high velocity width DLAs are a mixture of those arising in high-mass, high velocity dispersion halos and those arising in smaller mass systems where cold gas clouds are entrained to high velocities by galactic winds. (6) In agreement with observations, we see a weak but noticeable evolution in DLA metallicity. The metallicity distribution centers at [Z/H] = -1.5 to -1 and spans more than three decades at z = 3-4, with the peak moving to [Z/H] = -0.75 at z = 1.6 and [Z/H] = -0.5 by z = 0. (7) The star formation rate of DLA hosts is concentrated in the range 0.3-30 M{sub Sun} yr{sup -1} at z = 3-4, gradually shifting lower to peak at {approx}0.5-1 M{sub Sun} yr{sup -1} by z = 0. (8) We predict that only 20%-30% of DLAs are within 100 kpc of L* galaxies at z = 3-4, increasing to 30%-50% at z = 1.6.« less
Inhibition of HSV-transformed murine cells by nucleoside analogs, 2′-NDG and 2′-nor-cGMP: Mechanisms of inhibition and reversal by exogenous Nucleosides

Abstract A murine cell line transformed with HSV TK (LH-1) exhibits a greatly enhanced cytotoxicity to the nucleoside analog 9-[(2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethoxy) methyl]guanine (2′-NDG) as compared to the parental LM cell line ( I 50 LH-1 = 0.4 μ M , I 50 LM = 44.4 μ M ). Toxicity of 2′-NDG for LH-1 and LM is reversed only by the addition of 100 μ M thymidine (dThd), indicating that 2′-NDG is a substrate for the viral and cellular TK. In LM(TK − ) cells-murine cells expressing no TK activity, 2′-NDG cytotoxicity is partially reversed only with dGuo. A cyclic phosphate derivative of 2′-NDG, 2′-norcGMP, contains a phosphodiester bond, is also taken up by cells, and does not depend on viral TK for activation. LH-1 cells and LM(TK − ) cells are inhibited by similar concentrations of this analog (5.1 and 4.1 μ M , respectively). In all three cell lines (LM, LH-1, LM(TK-)), the toxicity of 2′-nor-cGMP is significantly reversed with dGuo or cyclic dGMP. This pattern of reversal differs significantly from that observed with 2′-NDG, suggesting that 2′-nor-cGMP is metabolized as a guanosine analog, similar to acyclovir, in LM and LM(TK − ) cells. These results indicate that a cyclic monophosphate analog of 2′-NDG can be activated independently of viral TK expression and that cellular metabolic pathways resulting in elevated dGTP concentrations are important for reversal of toxicity induced by guanosine-like nucleoside analogs.
Market orientation, marketing capabilities, and firm performance

Drawing on traditional resource-based theory and its recent dynamic capabilities theory extensions, we examine both the possession of a market orientation and the marketing capabilities through which resources are deployed into the marketplace as drivers of firm performance in a cross-industry sample. Our findings indicate that market orientation and marketing capabilities are complementary assets that contribute to superior firm performance. We also find that market orientation has a direct effect on firms' return on assets (ROA), and that marketing capabilities directly impact both ROA and perceived firm performance. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of gene knockouts in cultured cells to study apoptosis.

Abstract The avian DT40 cell system represents a novel method to generate loss of function mutations in vertebrate cells. These chicken B lymphoma cells undergo homologous recombination at very high frequencies and can thus be used to “knock out” genes believed to function in apoptotic processes. The knockout cells can then be used to determine how the cell death process is modulated after induction of apoptosis and to order components in cell death pathways. The system can be further modified, using tetracycline-responsive promoters, to allow expression of wild-type cDNAs to rescue “knockout cells” if the gene of interest is essential. Alternatively, cDNA expression constructs containing mutations or deletions in the cDNA encoding the absent protein can be used to delineate functional domains. cDNA expression libraries or known proteins believed to function downstream of the target in a signal transduction pathway could also be transfected into the knockout cell line, and the resultant cells could be assayed for complementation and/or rescue of the apoptotic alteration/defect. Finally, the system has recently been adapted to allow disruption of human genes in DT40/human hybrid cell lines thereby potentially extending this system for use in studying human genes.
Observed tidal braking in the earth/moon/sun system

The low degree and order terms in the spherical harmonic model of the tidal potential were observed through the perturbations which are induced on near-earth satellite orbital motions. Evaluations of tracking observations from 17 satellites and a GEM-T1 geopotential model were used in the tidal recovery which was made in the presence of over 600 long-wavelength coefficients from 32 major and minor tides. Wahr's earth tidal model was used as a basis for the recovery of the ocean tidal terms. Using this tidal model, the secular change in the moon's mean motion due to tidal dissipation was found to be -25.27 + or - 0.61 arcsec/century squared. The estimation of lunar acceleration agreed with that observed from lunar laser ranging techniques (-24.9 + or - 1.0 arcsec/century squared), with the corresponding tidal braking of earth's rotation being -5.98 + or - 0.22 x 10 to the minus 22 rad/second squared. If the nontidal braking of the earth due to the observed secular change in the earth's second zonal harmonic is considered, satellite techniques yield a total value of the secular change of the earth's rotation rate of -4.69 + or - 0.36 x 10 to the minus 22 rad/second squared.
Antithrombin III deficiency as a reflection of dynamic protein metabolism in patients undergoing vascular reconstruction.

Abstract Antithrombin III (AT-III) deficiency has been associated with increased risk of venous and arterial thromboses and arterial graft failure. Deficiency of this circulating glycoprotein may be congenital; however, acquired deficiencies may develop in protein-losing or protein-wasting states. In the present study, AT-III levels of 108 patients undergoing vascular surgical procedures were determined preoperatively and at intervals (third, fifth, and seventh days) postoperatively. The mean AT-III level was then compared to the patient's protein status. The effect of reduced AT-III activity on early graft failure was also noted. A low preoperative AT-III level ( 3.0 gm/dl or transferrin levels >180 mg/dl, reduced AT-III activity was present in only 10 (12%). In contrast, when serum albumin levels were
Cartilaginous neoplasms of soft tissue and joints

Abstract Cartilaginous neoplasms of soft tissue and synovium are relatively uncommon. The vast majority is benign and the neoplastic matrix is usually hyaline in type. The heterogeneity in their histologic features, especially the degree of cellularity and cytological atypia may pose challenges in diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry and molecular analyses are helpful in only specific circumstances stressing the importance of accurate histologic interpretation.
Are killer whales the culprits

In 2003, Alan M. Springer and colleagues published a paper [1] that initiated an ongoing vigorous scientific discussion. They presented an hypothesis for the existence of top-down control of ecosystem structure in the northern North Pacific, suggesting that mid-20th century industrial whaling removed the principal prey source of mammal-eating killer whales, which switched to feeding on smaller marine mammals, resulting in sequential, drastic declines in populations of harbor seals, northern fur seals, Steller sea lions and sea otters.
Long, Saturated Chains: Tasty Domains for Kinases of Insulin Resistance

The mechanistic basis of how cells respond to increased fatty acids (FAs) is murky but potentially involves receptor-mediated activation or inhibition by different FA classes. Holzer et al. (2011) recently propose in Cell that expansion of intracellular membrane microdomains induced by saturated FA recruit and activate c-Src for JNK activation.
Pulmonary complications of babesiosis : case report and literature review

Reported here is a rare case of babesiosis with pulmonary complications followed by a review of the literature. Babesiosis presents clinically as a malaria-like illness with fever, chills, headache, fatigue with lymphopenia, atypical lymphocytes, mildly or transiently elevated serum transaminases, thrombocytopenia, and increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. The diagnosis of babesiosis is based on identification of Babesia spp. on a peripheral blood smear. Babesiosis is usually mild in normal hosts, but it may be severe or even fatal in asplenic patients. Pulmonary manifestations are rare in babesiosis, but non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema (NCPE) is the most frequent manifestation. NCPE in babesiosis does not appear to be related to the degree of parasitemia or splenic function and its onset may be early or late. NCPE usually resolves rapidly with supportive treatment; it is rarely fatal. Clinicians should suspect NCPE in patients with babesiosis who acutely develop shortness of breath and have chest radiograph findings compatible with acute pulmonary edema without cardiomegaly or pleural effusions.
High Pressure Phase Diagram of an Aqueous PEO-PPO-PEO Triblock Copolymer System via Probe Diffusion Measurements

Phase diagrams of soft fragile materials are typically determined via static structural methods, such as small angle neutron scattering (SANS; Mortensen, K.; Pedersen, J. S. Macromolecules 1993, 26 (4), 805−812), small-angle X-ray scattering (Lodge, T. P.; Pudil, B.; Hanley, K. J. Macromolecules 2002, 35 (12), 4707−4717), or light scattering (Brown, W.; Schillen, K.; Almgren, M.; Hvidt, S.; Bahadur, P. J. Phys. Chem. 1991, 95 (4), 1850−1858). Dynamical methods, such as rheometry, can also be employed since the relaxation spectrum varies greatly from one phase to another. Unfortunately, mechanically disturbing these systems can alter the underlying fragile structures, precluding quiescent state determination. Here, a method for determining soft matter phase diagrams utilizing high-frequency tracer microrheology measurements is demonstrated for an aqueous PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymer system over a full range of temperatures and hydrostatic pressures. Since the tracer particle thermal motion reflects the u...
Spurious T3 Thyrotoxicosis Unmasking Multiple Myeloma

Objective. To document a case of spurious T3 thyrotoxicosis in a 54-year-old woman. Methods. We present the diagnostic approach of a patient with euthyroid hypertri-iodothyronemia. Results. A 54-year-old, clinically euthyroid woman without personal or family history of thyroid disease referred to endocrinology for possible T3 thyrotoxicosis, after thyroid function tests revealed total T3 > 800 ng/dL (reference range 60–181), normal TSH, and T4. The laboratory data were not compatible with the clinical picture, so thyroid binding globulin abnormalities were suspected. Additional laboratory studies confirmed the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Conclusion. Monoclonal gammopathy is characterized by the presence of a monoclonal immunoglobulin in the serum or urine, occurring in multiple myeloma, and can cause assay interference and spurious results. We identify a newly recognized cause of euthyroid hypertri-iodothyronemia, due to binding of T3 to monoclonal immunoglobulins in the setting of multiple myeloma. Our case is the only one to date suggesting that monoclonal immunoglobulins from multiple myeloma may exhibit binding to T3 only.
The Epigenetic Landscape of Plants

In plants, DNA methylation, histone modifications, and RNA interference play critically important roles in regulating chromatin structure, thereby profoundly affecting transcription and other molecular events. Recent advances in microarray and high-throughput sequencing technologies have enabled genome-wide studies of these pathways in great detail. The vast amounts of "epigenomic" data generated so far have provided new insights into the mechanisms and functions of these pathways and have broadened our understanding of the structure and organization of plant chromatin as a whole.
Scale and harmonic-type signals

We show that signals which are harmonically related to a fundamental frequency which has a finite bandwidth is modeled by the sum of scaled functions. We present a method to study such signals and give an example which illustrates the method.
STABILIZATION OF LOCAL MOMENTS IN GAPLESS FERMI SYSTEMS

Renormalization-group methods are applied to the Anderson model for a localized level coupled to a Fermi system in which the density of states varies like ${|\ensuremath{\epsilon}|}^{r}$ near the Fermi energy ($\ensuremath{\epsilon}=0$). This model with $r=1 or 2$ may describe magnetic impurities in unconventional superconductors and certain semiconductors. The pseudogap suppresses mixed valence in favor of local-moment behavior. However, it also reduces the exchange coupling on entry to the local-moment regime, thereby narrowing the range of parameters within which the impurity spin becomes Kondo screened.
An empirical study of automatic restructuring of nonnumerical programs for parallel processors

The feasibility of automatic restructuring of nonnumerical programs for parallel processing is studied through experiments using Parafrase, an automatic restructurer at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Parallel processing speedup results due to automatic restructuring for several basic nonnumerical problems are presented. The loops encountered are classified at a low level. On the basis of the speedup results and the analyses of the loop types, the difficulty and the effectiveness of automatic restructuring are discussed. The experiments suggest that automatic restructuring can be a useful tool for exploiting parallelism in the sequential form of nonnumerical programs.
Theoretical prediction for D*-->D decays.

We have predicted that {ital B}({ital D}{sup *+}{r arrow}{ital D}{sup +}{gamma}) is between 0.4% and 2% using data from the similar decays of {ital D}{sup *0} and {ital K}{sup *} mesons. Our calculation is based on an effective field theory with expansions in the external momentum and heavy-quark mass. We also have calculated the {ital D}{sup *0} branching fractions and found reasonable agreement between theory and experiment. Our calculation suggests that nonleading terms in the quark-mass expansion may still be quite important for both {ital s} and {ital c} quarks.
Improving solid freeform fabrication by laser-based additive manufacturing:

Solid freeform fabrication (SFF) methods for metal part building, such as three-dimensional laser cladding, are generally less stable and less repeatable than other rapid prototyping methods. A large number of parameters govern the three-dimensional laser cladding process. These parameters are sensitive to the environmental variations, and they also inuence each other. This paper introduces the research work in Research Center for Advanced Manufacturing (RCAM) to improve the performance of its developed three-dimensional laser cladding process: laser-based additive manufacturing (LBAM). Metal powder delivery real-time sensing is studied to achieve a further controllable powder delivery that is the key technology to build a composite material or alloy with a functionally gradient distribution. An opto-electronic sensor is designed to sense the powder delivery rate in real time. The experimental results show that the sensor's output voltage has a good linear relationship with the powder delivery rate. A closed-loop control system is also built for heat input control in the LBAM process, based on infrared image sensing. A camera with a high frame rate (up to 800frame/s) is installed coaxially to the top of the laser±nozzle set-up. A full view of the infrared images of the molten pool can be acquired with a short nozzle±substrate distance in diVerent scanning directions, eliminating the image noise from the metal powder. The closed-loop control results show a great improvement in the geometrical accuracy of the built feature.
Prediction of development of geomagnetic storms using the solar wind-magnetosphere energy coupling function ϵ

Abstract It is shown that by monitoring time variations of the solar wind-magnetosphere energy coupling function ϵ ( t ) upstream of the solar wind, one should be able to predict fairly accurately the growth and decay of individual magnetospheric substorms and storms.
Biology and Structure of Phytomonas staheli sp. n., a Trypanosomatid Located in Sieve Tubes of Coconut and Oil Palms

SYNOPSIS. Phytomonas staheli sp. n. is described from the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) and the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) of Surinam, South America. The phytomonad is the probable cause of “Hartrot” in the coconut palm and “Marchitez sopresiva” in oil palms. Parasites are confined to the sieve tubes in palms. Some success was obtained at cultivation of the organism from Elaeis.
Factors which comprise salary

A linear causal model is postulated and path analysis procedures are used to examine the direct, indirect, and total influence of 39 variables (grouped into eight general measures) on the salaries of 24.461 faculty members associated with virtually every discipline and type of postsecondary institution in the academic community. The results show wide variation in the relative influence of characteristics of postsecondary institutions and the personal and professional characteristics of faculty members on faculty salaries. The implications of these findings are discussed and specific guidelines are provided to assist those interested in examining the external and internal consistency of the faculty salary structures of their respective institutions.
Simulation of Transient Two-Phase Flow in Pipelines

Presentation d'un modele simulant l'ecoulement diphasique transitoire d'un gaz ou d'un liquide dans un pipeline. Il est base sur les lois de conservation de la masse et des quantites de mouvement lineaires. La validite du modele est determinee a partir de tests realises sur une canalisation de gaz humide
Performance innovation in the IBM zEnterprise 196 processor

The IBM zEnterprise® 196 achieves substantial performance gains over prior designs across the full spectrum of workloads being run on today's enterprise information technology systems, ranging from large data-intensive transaction processing workloads to central processing unit-intensive business applications. Each of these required innovations in the design of the hardware, software, and instruction-set architecture (ISA) with performance gains coming from several sources: the out-of-order microprocessor core design, the multilevel cache structure, new ISA facilities, and additional ISA extensions to enable efficient scaling of large multiprocessor operating system images. These enhancements were achieved through collaborative development among hardware, software, compiler, architecture, and performance analysis teams. This paper describes the performance contributions from these sources, with particular focus on the new architectural facilities.
Structures and electrochromic properties of Ta0.1W0.9Ox thin films deposited by pulsed laser ablation

Abstract Thin films of Ta0.1W0.9Ox were deposited on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates by reactive pulsed laser ablation in O2 ambient gas at substrate temperatures of 20, 200, 400, and 600 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that Ta0.1W0.9Ox films crystallized mainly to a tetragonal phase at a substrate temperature of 600 °C, while films deposited at lower substrate temperatures were amorphous. Lattice constants of polycrystalline Ta0.1W0.9Ox film deposited in 5.32 Pa O2 are almost the same as those of stoichiometry Ta0.1W0.9O2.95 material, which indicates a truly congruent ablation has been achieved by the laser ablation technique. Films deposited in lower O2 pressures have poor crystallinity and may contain a lot of defects (oxygen vacancies). For all the temperatures investigated, Ta0.1W0.9Ox films appear almost colorless when deposited in 5.32 Pa O2, while films have colors of light blue, blue and black when deposited in 2.66, 1.33 and 0.13 Pa O2, respectively. Optical transmittance for as-deposited Ta0.1W0.9Ox films and the films subjected to H+ intercalation/deintercalation in 0.1 M H3PO4 electrolyte was also measured. H+ ion insertion under an applied electrical potential causes the colors of the Ta0.1W0.9Ox films change from almost colorless (5.32 Pa film) or light blue (2.66 Pa film) to deep blue, while the color contrast between as-deposited and H+ intercalated films is not so significant for the 1.33 and 0.13 Pa films. The H+ ion insertion and extraction processes are fully reversible for the amorphous films, while the optical transmittance of polycrystalline films after the H+ ion extraction process is still low and does not recover to that of as-deposited state.
Morphometric variations of five tidal marsh halophytes along environmental gradients

Morphological characteristics of Deschampsia cespitosa, Grindelia integrifolia, Distichlis spicata, Jaumea carnosa, and Salicornia virginica varied significantly along transects between the upper and lower portions of an Oregon salt marsh. Plant height, height of the flowering shoot, leaf number and width, internode length, branching, and stem diameter varied with position in the marsh. Anatomical differences in stem structure were also obvious. Lignification of vascular bundles of D. spicata, the amount of secondary xylem in G. integrifolia, and vascular bundle size in J. carnosa were greatest in the upper marsh zone. The quantity of aerenchymatous tissue in S. virginica was greatest at the lower, wetter end of the transect. Reproductive effort was greatest at the upper distributional limit of G. integrifolia and D. spicata while greatest in J. carnosa at its lower limit. Soil moisture and soil chemical data were collected to relate morphometric variation to environmental parameters. Differences in plant structure may have application as an aid in determining wetland boundaries. PLANTS may vary plastically in morphology and anatomy in changing environments even when their genetic constitution is constant. The present report demonstrates intraspecific variation in the structure of five salt marsh plant species within distances of only a few meters. Finding such large structural diffierences within these distances reflects the steep environmen
Late Cretaceous trench-slope basins of central California

The Cambria slab of the central California coast consists of about 4,000 m of massive, thick-bedded, unmetamorphosed Upper Cretaceous sandstone characteristic of deposition within channel facies of a submarine fan system. Sedimentary petrology indicates a provenance of uplifted sedimentary-metasedimentary and plutonic terranes. In addition, a glaucophane schist clast and large red and green chert clasts suggest partial derivation from local Franciscan assemblage sources. A trench-slope basin model best characterizes the sedimentary and tectonic environment of the Cambria and related slabs. Deposition occurred on an unstable accretionary basement, followed by tectonic incorporation of blocks of the Cambria slab into the Franciscan melange.
Models to conceptualize risk factors for bulimia nervosa.

Dspecific NERVOSA is a disorder identified by specific symptom constellations that most likely emerge from a complex integration of physiological, psychological, and environmental influences. In the search for risk factors from these influences for bulimia nervosa, the authors of the 3 articles about bulimia nervosa published in this issue have implicitly conceptualized a model of the development of bulimia nervosa. This model, which was initially proposed by Lucas1and later expanded by Ploog2and by myself,3proposes that bulimia nervosa develops after the stress of dieting. This dieting experience is influenced by antecedent conditions that include genetic and physiological vulnerability, psychological predispositions that are often affected by the family, and societal influences. It is notable to remember that the salient feature of bulimia nervosa is disturbed eating behavior. See also pages 509, 521, and 529 Many years of comprehensive studies of the eating behaviors of animals have
Interaction of interannual and diurnal variations over equatorial Africa

[1] This paper shows evidence of interannual variation of the local diurnal variability over equatorial Africa. The dry season of December–February over the equatorial African region of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) typically experiences wetter (drier) than normal seasonal anomalies during warm (cold) El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events. This study finds that from the additive influence or phase locking of the seasonal cycle, the interannual signal from ENSO, and the local diurnal cycle, there is a tendency for local amplification of the remote ENSO signal over this region of equatorial Africa. This additive influence of the three temporal scales over the equatorial African region is established from the analysis of a multidecadal coupled ocean-atmosphere model integration that simulates the observed seasonal cycle and its interannual variations over equatorial Africa reasonably well.
States and Localities: A Comment on Robert Nisbet's Communitarianism

Robert Nisbet, like important communitarians writing today, failed to consider the role of states in maintaining vigorous associational life at the local level. This omission is puzzling at first but is in fact a straightforward reflection of identifiable philosophical commitments and intellectual instincts. The omission is important to Nisbet's thinking in part because without intermediate structures between the national government and localities, it is unlikely that local communities can perform the significant functions that Nisbet envisioned. The failure to take full account of federalism also helps to explain why, despite Nisbet's dire descriptions and predictions, the United States maintains significant associational life even in the face of a nationalized political community. Copyright 2004, Oxford University Press.
1.55-μm optical phase-locked loop operation with large loop delays and monolithically integrated p-i-n/HBT photoreceivers

The optical phase-locked loop (OPLL) provides a method of generating channel offsets for use in dense wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) systems. The development of monolithically integrated OPLLs will make their widespread application more feasible. Typical approaches to making hybrid OPLLs use either very narrow linewidth lasers or reduce the loop delay as much as possible. The use of semiconductor lasers with their moderately large linewidths has encouraged the development of very compact but inflexible loop designs. Previous designs using semiconductor lasers have avoided the use of fiber couplers to minimize loop delay. A hybrid, fiber-based system allows design, layout, and testing flexibility which is necessary in a test bed for the development of components for an integrated OPLL. In spite of the large loop delay that comes from using fiber components, we demonstrate that phase- locking can be achieved using semiconductor lasers of moderate linewidths and fiber components. We achieved a very wide hold-in range of 1.558 GHz and possible locking frequencies ranging from 100 to 20.75 GHz, both of which are among the best reported values. As the first step towards integration, a monolithically integrated p-i-n/HBT photoreceiver was successfully employed in the test bed.
The effects of nonreinforcement on subsequent running behavior under continuous reinforcement

Contrary to Goodrich’s results, the partial reinforcement acquisition effect was obtained in the goal box as well as the alley. These results suggest that Goodrich’s findings were due to a confounding variable, namely, the presence or absence of discriminative stimuli. Although not statistically significant, differences between means of groups of rats that did or did not receive nonreinforced trials prior to acquisition suggest that the partial reinforcement acquisition effect may be obtained in the absence of “frustration.”
Negotiating well-being in Central Asia

‘But I don't want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin.’ ‘In fact,’ said Mustapha Mond, ‘you're claiming the right to be unhappy.’ ‘Al...
Health, social comparisons, and psychological well-being: Their cross-time relationships

The purposes of this short-term longitudinal study were to investigate (a) stability and change in social comparisons across time; (b) the relationship between physical health and the use of social comparisons across time; (c) whether psychological well-being is best predicted by prior or concurrent social comparisons; and (d) the moderating effects of social comparisons. Community-dwelling elderly women (N=149) completed self-report instruments designed to measure social comparisons, psychological well-being, and physical health at two times, 2 years apart. Worse health at Time 1 predicted more frequent and less positive social comparisons at Time 2. Concurrent, but not prior, social comparisons contributed to a number of domains of psychological well-being. Further, the effects of prior health status on subsequent psychological functioning (Time 2) were moderated by social comparison processes. Women in poorest health who engaged in positive social comparisons showed less depression and anxiety and more positive relations with others at Time 2. Little support was found for the influence of prior psychological functioning on subsequent physical health.
Soliton wall superlattice in the quasi-one-dimensional conductor (Per)2Pt(mnt)2

We suggest a model to explain the appearance of a high resistance high magnetic field charge-density-wave (CDW) phase, discovered by Graf et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 076406 (2004)10.1103/PhysRevLett.93.076406] in (Per)(2)Pt(mnt)(2), where Per is perylene and mnt is maleonitriledithiolate molecules. In particular, we show that the Pauli spin-splitting effects improve the nesting properties of a realistic quasi-one-dimensional electron spectrum and, therefore, a high resistance Peierls CDW phase is stabilized in high magnetic fields. In low and very high magnetic fields, a periodic soliton wall superlattice (SWS) phase is found to be a ground state. We suggest experimental studies of the predicted phase transitions between the Peierls and SWS CDW phases in (Per)(2)Pt(mnt)(2) to discover a unique SWS phase.
Is Radiation All Bad? The Search for Adaptation

I want to thank you all tonight for the honor you have bestowed on me in allowing me to address you. I am indeed proud of being named this year's Failla lecturer, and thus being able to join the select group of people you have asked to help keep Dr. Failla's memory alive. Our society had its first annual meeting in 1953. Because I joined in time for the 1954 meeting, this makes me one of the oldest members, or perhaps a better phrase is "longest term" members. But as I enter what L. H. Smith has called that period of life between passion and pension, I can think back and be thankful that I am one of the remaining recipients of this honor who actually has had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Failla. When I was a young man, he was one of the giants of the field, and certainly one of the giants of the society-a man whom I'll always remember seeing huddled at these meetings with my old boss, Dr. Alexander Hollaender. Dr. Failla was a man with a wonderful sense of humor and fun. I recall one conversation I had with him in which I mentioned the case of the radium dial painters who used to tip their brushes with their tongues and thus ingested large amounts of radium, and in many cases developed bone cancers. I pointed out that I had heard that one woman, in particular, was somewhat wild, and used to paint her teeth with radium so that they would glow in the dark while she was on a date. Dr. Failla then replied, with a twinkle in his eye, that he personally had worked on the dial painter case, knew about the particular person, and that she really was wild in that her teeth weren't all that she painted. But that is not why we have this lectureship to honor his memory. Dr. Failla was a great scientist who pioneered our field, was the prime mover in founding our society, and furthermore was the person with the vision to make it a multidisciplinary society, which was a great innovation at the time. He made the famous gavel that we have and that is supposedly passed on from president to president. It is made, of course, of four different substances to represent the four different disciplines of our society. I would also point out that Dr. Failla, with great perspicacity, never quite trusted us, for after the ceremonial presentation of the gavel to the incoming president, he himself would always take the gavel back to keep it safe for another year. But it was even before I joined the society that I first was exposed to the area in which I have spent my life working, and which, with some presumption, I think is still pertinent to what goes on in radiation biology. I am speaking of the area of radiation-induced genetic damage and repair, and particularly of that damage manifested as aberrant chromo-