cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linear time algorithms for computing the most reliable source on an unreliable tree network

Given a tree network with n vertices where each edge has an operational probability, we are interested in finding a vertex on the tree whose expected number of reachable vertices is maximum. This problem was studied in Networks 27 (1996) 219-237, where an O(n 3 ) time algorithm and an O(n 2 ) time algorithm were proposed. In this paper, we present an O(n) time algorithm for the same problem, improving the previously best algorithm by a factor of O(n). We also study a max-min version of the problem and propose an O(n) time algorithm for this problem as well. Examples are provided to illustrate the algorithms.
Laminar free convection from a vertical cone with uniform surface heat flux

The laminar free convection flow from a right circular cone with prescribed uniform wall flux condition is studied. The governing boundary-layer equations are analyzed by the technique of similarity transformation. Numerical solutions to the transformed equations are given for Prandtl numbers 0.72, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 100. Expressions for both wall temperature distribution and wall skin friction distribution at Prandtl number tending to infinity are also presented.
DNA Binding Specificities and Pairing Rules of the Ah Receptor, ARNT, and SIM Proteins

The Ah receptor (AHR), the Ah receptor nuclear translocator protein (ARNT), and single-minded protein (SIM) are members of the basic helix-loop-helix-PAS (bHLH-PAS) family of regulatory proteins. In this study, we examine the DNA half-site recognition and pairing rules for these proteins using oligonucleotide selection-amplification and coprecipitation protocols. Oligonucleotide selection-amplification revealed that a variety of bHLH-PAS protein combinations could interact, with each generating a unique DNA binding specificity. To validate the selection-amplification protocol, we demonstrated the preference of the AHR•ARNT complex for the sequence commonly found in dioxin-responsive enhancers in vivo (TNGCGTG). We then demonstrated that the ARNT protein is capable of forming a homodimer with a binding preference for the palindromic E-box sequence, CACGTG. Further examination indicated that ARNT may have a relaxed partner specificity, since it was also capable of forming a heterodimer with SIM and recognizing the sequence GT(G/A)CGTG. Coprecipitation experiments using various PAS proteins and ARNT were consistent with the idea that the ARNT protein has a broad range of interactions among the bHLH-PAS proteins, while the other members appear more restricted in their interactions. Comparison of this in vitro data with sites known to be bound in vivo suggests that the high affinity half-site recognition sequences for the AHR, SIM, and ARNT are T(C/T)GC, GT(G/A)C (5′-half-sites), and GTG (3′-half-sites), respectively.
Growth improvement and characterization of AgGaxIn1−xSe2 chalcopyrite crystals using the horizontal Bridgman technique

Abstract AgGaxIn1−xSe2 single crystals with x=0.4 have been grown by the horizontal Bridgman technique for nonlinear optical application requires phase matching. High purity polycrystalline synthesis of AgGaxIn1−xSe2 was carried out at 850 °C, which is a relatively lower temperature compared to those in earlier reports, thus reducing secondary phase formation. An average Ga:In ratio of 62:38 (±3%) was measured using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). As grown, a single crystal shows very high IR transmission of ∼65% in the spectral range of 4000–600 cm−1. There was no significant change in its IR transmission after annealing it at 500 °C for 20 days in vacuum in the presence of AgGaxIn1−xSe2 powder. This indicates a low concentration of defects in the crystal. The results demonstrate that the improved new synthesis method for crystal growth was promising and that the quality of the crystal was good.
Magnetic and chemical variations of Mesozoic diabase dikes from eastern North America: Evidence for a hotspot in the Carolinas?

Tholeiitic diabase dikes of Late Triassic and Early Jurassic age occur in swarms throughout the Appalachians. The intrusions exhibit regional variations in magnetic and chemical parameters. Aeromagnetic and ground-magnetic anomalies are highest over dikes in the Carolinas. High amplitude is due primarily to a stronger magnetization (the induced component dominates and is nearly constant within individual intrusions). Effects of host-rock magnetization, thermoremanence, and dike width, attitude, and orientation are insignificant. Chemically the Carolinas dikes are characterized by higher mean values for total iron and relatively low TiO 2 content. The magnetic and chemical patterns are reminiscent of those found for tholeiitic complexes over oceanic hotspots (Galapagos, Iceland), and suggest that the Carolinas may have been the site of such a feature in Late Triassic—Early Jurassic time. Crustal arching, rifting, and volcanism probably originated in the Carolinas. Tectonic-volcanic activity gradually migrated northeast (and possibly southwest) along the Appalachian axis with enlargement of the crustal bulge. In Jurassic time, spreading began farther east; the crustal stress configuration changed, and the tectonic pattern was dominated by the formation of new sets of tensional fractures and sinistral strike slip along pre-existing faults.
Radiographic tips on predicting inferior alveolar nerve exposure

Original Article Sedaghatfar M, August MA, Dodson TB. Panoramic radiographic findings as predictors of inferior alveolar nerve exposure following third molar extraction. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2005;63(1):3-7. Level of Evidence 3 Source of Funding Not reported Type of Study/Design Cross-sectional study
Edittor's Choice Mentoring: The Association of California Community Colleges Project

The author describes a mentoring program developed by the Association of California Community Colleges to provide one-year mentoring experiences between veteran administrators and administrative staff who aspire to leadership positions. Sample program forms illustrate the program's administration, and the author discusses the results of an assessment effort directed at former participants.
Flow cytometry is a promising and rapid method for differentiating between freely suspended Escherichia coli and E. coli attached to clay particles.

Aim A standard procedure does not exist to distinguish between attached and unattached micro-organisms. In this study, we compared two methods to quantify between Escherichia coli attached to clay particles and E. coli freely suspended in solution: flow cytometry (attachment assay and viability assay) and settling (or centrifugation followed by settling). Methods and Results Methods were tested using three environmental strains collected from swine facilities (A, B and C) and one purchased modified pathogenic strain (ATCC 43888); four clay particles: Hectorite, Kaolinite, Ca-Montmorillonite, Montmorillonite K-10; and a range of surface area ratios (particle surface area to E. coli surface area). When comparing the two methods, the per cent attached obtained from the flow cytometry was lower, but not significantly different from the per cent attached obtained from the settling method for all conditions except when the particle was Hectorite or Montmorillonite K-10; when the strain was C; and when the surface area ratio was below 100. Differences between the methods are likely because traditional culture-based methods cannot detect the viable but nonculturable (VBNC) population, whereas flow cytometry can detect the fraction of VBNC with intact membranes. Conclusion Our results indicate that flow cytometry is a rapid and culture-independent method for differentiating between attached and unattached micro-organisms. Significance and Impact of the Study Flow cytometry is useful for laboratory-based studies of micro-organism–particle interactions.
When Communicating with Diverse Audiences, Use Velcro to Make Science Stick

Many people use Velcro, that two-layer fabric with tiny loops on one side and hooks on the other, for everything from fastening shoes to bundling computer cords, but few would think of using it as a tool for communication. I have found, however, two distinct but related rhetorical uses for it. First, Velcro can be used as an analogy for how people learn, a useful insight for anyone whose goal is to teach or inform. Second, VELCRO can also be used as a mnemonic device for remembering six strategies that improve both written and oral communication. Together, these uses of VELCRO help address the challenges that scientists face when communicating about science with diverse audiences, including those we address in classrooms, scientific meetings, or public venues, and those we target in scientific, interdisciplinary, or popular writing.
Assessing the psychology major: A national survey of undergraduate programs

A representative sample of 305 four-year postsecondary schools, ranging from regional colleges to national universities, was surveyed to determine the extent of assessment of the psychology major. We found that only a minority of psychology departments are doing such assessment. Regional schools seem more often engaged in assessment than national schools. Assessment strategies usually mean exit exam scores and sometimes exit interviews or senior theses. References are provided to assist departments planning assessment programs.
Use of serum from irradiated rabbits and guinea pigs as complement in bactericidal reactions.

The preparation of serum for use in complement fixation studies is simplified by the in vivo radioinduced inactivation of normal antibodies in the blood of donor animals. Normal bactericidins for Bacillus subtiles disappeared from the sera of rabbits and guinea pigs following exposure to doses of x radiation ranging from 200 to 1000 r. The optimum time for bleeding seemed to depend on the size of the animal. Results are presented for bactericidal tests with a normal mouse serum pool in the presence of complements from several sources. A more sensitive reaction was obtained with serum from irradiated animals. (C.H.)
Geographical approaches to crop conservation: The partitioning of genetic diversity in andean potatoes

The geographical concepts of spatial scale and the human-geographic region offer significant contributions to the conservation of crop genetic resources. They are used in the present study to examine the partitioning of genetic diversity along two axes: geographical location and landrace population. Locations in the study consist of three micro-regions within the highland Paucartambo region of southern Peru. Six widely distributed landraces of the potato species Solatium stenotomum Juz. et Buk. and S. tuberosum subsp. andigena (Juz. et Buk.) Hawkes are evaluated. Electrophoretic analysis of isozyme loci demonstrates that the majority of allelic variation is contained within the geographical and landrace populations. Geographically, greater than 99% of total variation is found within single micro-regions. Taxonomically, approximately 75% of variation occurs within individual landraces. The weak geographical partitioning of allelic variation is due in part to formerly high rates of seed-tuber exchange. The weak-moderate taxonomic partitioning of variation is attributed to common parentage and shared introgression. Unique genotypes are microgeographically concentrated. Findings recommend that conservation strategies focus on intensive sampling or preservation in micro-regional areas due to the concentration of unique genotypes. Evaluation of the spatial patterning of diversity and recognition of the taxonomic specificity of results (not necessarily applicable even to related potato landraces) rely on biogeographical and human-geographic concepts.
Desorption of hydrogen from iron—Influence of the activity coefficient of adsorbed hydrogen

Abstract Within the framework of absolute reaction rate theory as applied to surface reactions, the chemical activities of the adsorbed species can be formulated in terms of thermodynamic activity coefficients. This leads directly to the prediction that the Arrhenius parameters of activation energy and preexponential factor also depend on the thermodynamic activity coefficients of the adsorbed species. This development also produces a simple algebraic relationship between activation energy and preexponential factor which not only provides a thermodynamic rationale for the compensation effect but also permits calculation of thermodynamic activity coefficients from experimentally observed compensatory behavior of the Arrhenius kinetic parameters. The development is carried out for the case of desorption of hydrogen from iron, which involves the chemical combination of adsorbed hydrogen atoms to hydrogen molecules as the rate-limiting step. Activity coefficients and entropies of activation are also thereby computed from measured rates of desorption of hydrogen from assiduously cleaned iron wire which provides a homogeneous, smooth surface. In this case, the compensation effect involves variation of activation energy and preexponential factor depending on surface coverage, and this information is used to compute the thermodynamic activity coefficient of adsorbed hydrogen atoms as a function of surface coverage. The results can be interpreted as a departure from two-dimensional, adsorbed-phase, ideal-gas behavior as surface coverage increases. The results also demonstrate that the intrinsic relationship between activation energy and preexponential factor can be explained in terms of variation of thermodynamic activity coefficients of adsorbed reactants.
Optical properties of {delta}-doped ZnSe:Te grown by molecular beam epitaxy: The role of tellurium

We have studied the optical properties of the {delta}-doped ZnSe:Te system using photoluminescence (PL) and x-ray and Raman scattering. Two different types of sample were investigated, (1) with a single {delta} layer and (2) with three adjacent {delta} layers separated by undoped layers. All of these samples are of reasonable crystalline quality and have the symmetry of the host ZnSe lattice as determined by x-ray and Raman scattering. The PL from each sample is very similar to the PL from bulk Zn-Se-Te solutions at low Te concentrations. The PL from the single-{delta}-doped material shows emission relatively close to the band edge which we attribute partly to Te{sub 2} clusters (nearest-neighbor pairs) and partly to non-nearest pairs. This PL changes with storage time, from which we conclude that the nearest-neighbor pairs are more stable than non-nearest-neighbor pairs. The triple-{delta}-doped material also shows a deeper PL feature, with a peak at about 2.48 eV, which we attribute to Te{sub n{>=}3} clusters as well as to corresponding non-nearest-neighbors pairs.
Inequalities for the number of linear extensions

Lete(P) denote the number of linear extensions of a partial orderP. Interpreting the diagram ofP as a network, ande(P) as the value of a flow, we prove some upper and lower bounds fore(P). One of the consequences is the following. If the incomparability graph ofP can be covered by the incomparability graphs of ordersP1,P2,...,Pk thene(P) ≤e(P1)e(P2)...e(Pk).
Dorsal spinal nerve root regeneration verified by injection of leucine-3H into the dorsal root ganglion

Abstract Small volumes of leucine- 3 H containing 35 μc were injected into the right L7 dorsal root ganglion of adult cats. In one group the animals were intact and in three other groups, axon continuity was interrupted by either of three methods: crushing, freezing −20 C, or surgical transection. In the case of the last group, the severed stumps of the nerve roots were approximated with a single sling stitch and shielded with Silastic. Dorsal root ganglion injection in the cats under-going dorsal spinal root axon regeneration was deferred until the end of the third postoperative month. Autoradiograms of the dorsal spinal nerve roots, sciatic nerves, and spinal cords revealed radioactive particles within axons in these structures in all four groups of animals. Subdural injection of 10 μc of leucine- 3 H did not lead to intraspinal or intraneural deposition of radioactivity. The animals in all groups were killed at varied intervals to gauge the rate of axoplasmic flow in the peripheral structures as well as the spinal cord. In the intact animals the rate of axoplasmic flow in the sciatic nerve, dorsal spinal nerve root, and spinal cord was approximately 14 mm/day. In the dorsal spinal cords of the animals operated upon, the rate of flow was retarded and in the sciatic nerve it was accelerated.
The Effects of Deregulation on Rural Communities

After nearly a century of using rules and regulations in an attempt to bring order to an unstable economy, state and federal governments have changed their views and are now gambling that freeing some industries from their enormous burdens of restrictions and sanctions will lower commodity prices, stimulate economic growth, and allow the orderly flow of resources to their highest and best use. Economists do not agree on the eventual outcome of this era of deregulation, but the few who have studied the process and the intermediate steps that it provides are finding that some parts of the economy may be more seriously affected than others. It is not altogether clear that rural areas will be among the more or among the less seriously affected (Shaffer). This uncertainty coupled with the prospect that rural areas might be severely affected mitigates in favor of close examination in order to identify possible sources of policy-engendered inefficiencies or instabilities. An examination of this kind is not entirely easy. Only a few economists have conducted comprehensive empirical studies of the effects of deregulation, fewer still the effects as they impinge on rural communities. To be sure, the Staggers Act has brought forth large volumes of inquiry; and a number of scholars, perhaps spurred by the credit crisis in agriculture, have examined the effects of lessening state and federal control over rural financial institutions. Additionally, congressional hearings on the effects of deregulation seem to be heavily weighted toward transportation and banking and are most often anecdotal or episodic rather than analytical in nature. There is little systematic work on the deregulation of telecommunications, natural gas, or worker safety, each an area that has been the subject of great change in the extent of market regulation in the past few months or years. Because this paper must depend on concepts and on the work of others for its conclusions, it begins with a review of the ways in which the state and federal governments began to intrude into the workings of the markets for nonagricultural goods and services that are important in rural areas.' It continues with specific reference to transportation, financial intermediaries, and telecommunications. The final section is devoted to a synthesis and some speculations as to whether or not regulation or deregulation really matters to participants in the economies of rural areas.
Maker Fringe Measurements of Non-Poled Ionic Self-Assembled Thin Films

Maker fringe patterns of polymeric thin films containing an organic ionic pyrylium salt dye are presented. Waveguides were fabricated by spin-coating a monomeric chromophore and by the ionic self assembled monolayer (ISAM) technique using a polymer. Poling was not required for either technique as the material was naturally self-aligning. The ISAM technique is shown to produce optically robust nonlinear optical waveguides with flexible design parameters. Furthermore, the pyrylium salt dye exhibits low absorption in the neighborhood of 450 nm, thus providing a blue window for frequency conversion applications by anomalous dispersion phase- matching.
Predictors of Atrial Fibrillation Termination and Clinical Success of Catheter Ablation of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

The termination of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) during catheter ablation has been associated in some, but not all, studies with reduced arrhythmia during clinical follow-up. We sought to determine the rate of persistent AF termination achievable with a stepwise ablation strategy, the predictors of AF termination, and the clinical outcomes associated with termination and nontermination. A total of 143 consecutive patients (age 62 ± 9 years, AF duration 5.7 ± 5.2 years) with persistent and longstanding persistent AF resistant to antiarrhythmic medication who presented in AF for catheter ablation were studied. Ablation was done with a stepwise approach, including pulmonary vein isolation, followed by complex fractionated atrial electrogram ablation and ablation of resultant atrial tachycardias. Clinical follow-up was then performed after a 2-month blanking period to assess arrhythmia recurrence, defined as AF or atrial tachycardia lasting ≥30 seconds. AF termination by ablation was achieved in 95 (66%) of the 143 patients. Multivariate predictors of AF termination included longer baseline AF cycle length (p
The contribution of rib fractures to chronic pain and disability

Abstract Background The contribution of rib fractures to chronic pain and disability is not well described. Methods Two hundred three patients with rib fractures were followed for 6 months. Chronic pain was assessed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire Pain Rating Index and Present Pain Intensity (PPI) scales. Disability was defined as a decrease in work or functional status. Results The prevalence of chronic pain was 22% and disability was 53%. Acute PPI predicted chronic pain. Associated injuries, bilateral rib fractures, injury severity score, and number of rib fractures were not predictive of chronic pain. No acute injury characteristics were predictive of disability. Among 89 patients with isolated rib fractures, the prevalence of chronic pain was 28% and of disability was 40%. No injury characteristics predicted chronic pain. Bilateral rib fractures and acute PPI predicted disability. Conclusion The contribution of rib fractures to chronic pain and disability is significant but unpredictable with conventional injury descriptors.
Wideband absorbers in the visible spectrum based on optimizing quasicrystal nanosphere arrays

Optical properties of aperiodic aggregates of gold nanospheres are studied. The optical response of these arrays can be explained in terms of the grating response of the array (photonic resonance) and the plasmonic response of the spheres (plasmonic resonance). In particular the couplings between the photonic and plasmonic modes are studied. In periodic arrays this coupling leads to the formation of a so called photonic-plasmonic hybrid mode. Due to the inherent narrow bandwidth of the photonic resonance in periodic arrays the hybrid mode has a narrow bandwidth. Quasicrystalline structures in essence possess several periodicities which in some cases can lead to the formation of multiple hybrid modes with wider bandwidths. Finally, it will be shown that the optical resonances of the aperiodic aggregates can be further improved by optimally placing perturbing spheres within the prototiles that comprise the aperiodic arrays.
Remote transformation and local 3D reconstruction and visualization of biomedical data sets in Java3D

Advanced medical imaging technologies have enabled biologists and other researchers in biomedicine, biochemistry and bio-informatics to gain better insight in complex, large-scale data sets. These datasets, which occupy large amounts of space, can no longer be stored on local hard drives. San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) maintains a large data repository, called High Performance Storage System (HPSS), where large-scale biomedical data sets can be stored. These data sets must be transmitted over an open or closed network (Internet or Intranet) within a reasonable amount of time to make them accessible in an interactive fashion to the researchers all over the world. Our approach deals with extracting, compressing and transmitting these data sets using the Haar wavelets, over a low- to medium-bandwidth network. These compressed data sets are then transformed and reconstructed into a 3-D volume on the client side using texture mapping in Java3D. These data sets are handled using the Scalable Visualization Toolkits provided by the NPACI (National Partnership for Advanced Computational Infrastructure). Sub-volumes of the data sets are extracted to provide a detailed view of a particular region of interest (ROI). This application is being ported to C++ platform to obtain higher rendering speed and better performance but lacks platform independency.
Human immunoglobulin E and immunoglobulin G antibody responses to the "minor" ragweed allergen Ra3: correlation with skin tests and comparison with other allergens.

Abstract We report here the use of an antigen-binding assay to measure serum IgE and IgG binding activity (BA) for the "minor" ragweed antigen, Ra3. These studies were carried out in ragweed-allergic individuals, many of whom had been skin tested with Ra3 as well as with the "major" ragweed allergen, antigen E (AgE). IgE BA for Ra3 showed a weak quantitative correlation with skin-test sensitivity to Ra3. More strikingly, there was a threshold of skin sensitivity ( −3 μg/ml) above which serum IgE BA was likely to be detectable. Serum IgG BA for Ra3 measured in parallel with IgE BA was found in all sera that showed detectable IgE BA for Ra3. By contrast, 1113 ragweed-allergic individuals who were skin-test negative for Ra3 showed no detectable IgG BA for Ra3. These results support the view that the known genetic controls over Ra3 sensitivity control IgG antibody as well as IgE antibody responses. Individuals receiving injections of ragweed extract showed increases in IgG BA for Ra3 following therapy. Among nine persons who had no IgG BA for Ra3 before treatment, four out of nine developed a low degree of IgG BA for Ra3. However, the patients who developed IgG BA did not develop detectable IgE BA for Ra3.
Metallorganic Cheamcal Vapor Deposition (Mocvd) of Titanium-Based Ferroelectric Thin Films

Using hot-walled metallorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), thin fihns of lead zirconate titanate (PZT), lead titanate (PbTiO3 or PT) and bismuth titanate (Bi4Ti3O12 or BiT) were successfully prepared. For each material, titanium ethoxide (Ti(C2H5O)4) was used as the precursor for the titanium source, while lead bis-tetramethylheptadione (Pb(thd)2), zirconium tetrakistetramethylheptadione (Zr(thd)4) and triphenyl bismuth (Bi(C6H5)3) were used as sources for lead, zirconium and bismuth, respectively. Dense, specular and highly transparent films were obtained for all three materials. Deposition conditions are given for each of the materials as well as the properties of the resulting films as determined by XRD, SEM and UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometry. Ferroelectric properties are also given for the PZT and BiT films; for PZT (%Zr = 41; %Ti = 9) annealed at 600 °C, the spontaneous polarization, Ps, was 23 μC/cm2 and the coercive field, Ec, was 65 kV/cm; for BiT annealed at 550 °C, the spontaneous polarization, Ps, was 27 μC/cm2 and the coercive field, Ec, was 240 kV/cm.
A Bayesian analysis of serial dilutions offers a worse positive bias than the MPN and proposes an inappropriate interval estimate

Abstract The recent article ‘Estimating bacterial density from tube dilution data by a Bayesian method', by Roussanov et al. (Food Microbiology, 1996 13, 1431–1437), inappropriately treats the likelihood function over a scalar (not logarithmic) axis as a Bayesian probability distribution over a universe of possible concentrations of microbes. The authors recommend that the mean of that distribution serve as a point estimate, but they derive an interval estimate that is inconsistent with the use of the mean for the point estimate. Using the uniform prior distribution is unsatisfactory on Bayesian terms. Using the interval estimate is inappropriate. The point estimate derived from the scalar mean is much more positively biased than the MPN.
The Power of the Press: The Effects of Press Frames in Political Campaign News On Media Perceptions

This article discusses how the behaviors, roles, and standards of mainstream journalism are framed in political campaign news and empirically examines applicability and accessibility effects of so-called press frames on individuals' media perceptions, specifically on news information quality and negative aspects of content (cf. Kosicki & McLeod, 1990). Following previous work, we posited that journalists frame the press in three ways, called conduit, strategy, and accountability. Participants in a between-subjects experiment were exposed to a political campaign story about an exemplar “character issue” containing these frames. Regarding applicability effects, exposure to each press frame differentially prompted individuals to think frame-relevant propositions were salient in the story. Further, participants exposed to the strategy press frame interpreted the press as being significantly more negative than individuals exposed to the conduit or accountability frame; participants exposed to the accountabilit...
GRP78 Upregulation by Atheroprone Shear Stress Via p38-, α2β1-Dependent Mechanism in Endothelial Cells

Objective— The initiation of atherosclerosis is in part dependent on the hemodynamic shear stress environment promoting a proinflammatory phenotype of the endothelium. Previous studies demonstrated increased expression of ER stress protein and unfolded protein response (UPR) regulator, GRP78, within all vascular cells in atherosclerotic lesions and its regulation in the endothelium by several atherosclerotic stressors; however, regulation of GRP78 by shear stress directly has not been established. Method and Results— Using an in vitro model to simulate human arterial shear stress waveforms, atheroprone or atheroprotective flow was applied to human endothelial cells. GRP78 was found to be significantly upregulated (3-fold) in a sustained manner under atheroprone, but not atheroprotective flow up to 24 hours. This response was dependent on both sustained activation of p38, as well integrin α2β1. Increased GRP78 correlated with the activation of the ER stress sensing element (ERSE1) promoter by atheroprone f...
What's Good for the Heart Is Good for the Shoulder? Commentary on an article by Chang-Meen Sung, MD, et al.: "Are Serum Lipids Involved in Primary Frozen Shoulder? A Case-Control Study".

There are countless jokes told about the supposed lack of general medical knowledge held by the typical orthopaedic surgeon. Perhaps studies such as this may slowly erode that source of humor. One would have to be isolated from all lay press to be ignorant of the association between hyperlipidemia and heart disease. Less known is the correlation with orthopaedic conditions, specifically problems of the shoulder. For instance, the data on the relationship between hypercholesterolemia and rotator cuff tear have been mixed, with some studies1 recognizing a connection and others2 failing to demonstrate a link. In an animal model, hypercholesterolemia has been shown to negatively affect the mechanical properties of the rotator cuff tendon3. Similarly, there has been some controversy with regard to the relationship between hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia with frozen shoulder; some studies have suggested a strong association4 but others have not found any significant relationship5. Some of these differences may lie in which lipoproteins were measured and by what testing technique. Alternatively, the different conclusions may simply reflect differences in the patient populations. In their study, Dr. Sung and colleagues observed patients …
Potential for industrial products from the halophilic Archaea

The halophilic Archaea are a group of microorganisms that have not been extensively considered for biotechnological applications. This review describes some of the enzymes and products and the potential applications of this unique group of microorganisms to various industrial processes. Specifically, the characteristics of the glycosyl hydrolases, lipases and esterases, proteases, biopolymers and surfactants, as well as some miscellaneous other activities will be described.
Preparation and characterization of single crystals in the apatite system Ca10(PO4)6(Cl, OH)2

Abstract Single crystals in the chlor-hydroxyapatite series have been grown hydrothermally by the controlled hydrolysis and subsequent transport of chlorapatite powder. The crystals were characterized by chemical analysis and X-ray diffraction.
Investigating the Nature of Variable Class I and Flat-Spectrum Protostars Using 2-4 μm Spectroscopy

In this study I present new K- and L'-band infrared photometry and 2-4 ?m spectra of 10 Class I and flat-spectrum stars forming within the Taurus dark cloud complex. Nine sources have H2 v = 0-1 S(1) emission, and some show multiple H2 emission features in their K-band spectra. Photospheric absorptions characteristic of low-mass stars are detected in five of the targets, and these stars are fit with models to determine spectral type, infrared accretion excess veiling (rK and r) and dust temperatures, estimates of visual extinction, and characteristics of the 3 ?m water ice absorption. On average, the models find high extinction values, infrared accretion excess emission with blackbody temperatures in the 900-1050 K range, and 3 ?m absorption profiles best fit by water frozen onto cold grains rather than thermally processed ice. Five techniques are used to estimate the extinction toward the stellar photospheres; most give vastly different results. Analysis of emission-line ratios suggests that the effect of infrared scattered light toward some protostars should not be neglected. For stars that exhibit Br? in emission, accretion luminosities are estimated using relations between Lacc and Br? luminosity. The young stars in this sample are preferentially chosen as variables, but they do not have the accretion-dominated luminosities necessary to put them in their main stage of mass-building. The characteristics of the 2-4 ?m spectra are placed in the context of existing multiwavelength data, and five of the stars are categorized as reddened Class II stars or stars in transition between Class I and Class II, rather than protostars embedded within massive remnant envelopes.
The effects of barbituric acid and 5-nitro barbituric acid on glycemic responses and in vitro insulin release in mice.

Abstract The effects of barbituric acid (BA) and 5-nitro BA on carbohydrate metabolism were assessed in mice. The administration of either BA or the 5-nitro analog elicited an initial hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, and a decrease in responsiveness to tolbutamide. Although the glycemic responses produced by 5-nitro BA administration appeared greater than those elicited by the parent compound, these effects were abolished when the analog was administered to either fasted or adrenalectomized mice. In addition, 5-nitro BA did not inhibit d -glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in vitro . In contrast, BA attenuated both d -glucose- and tolbutamide-induced insulin release from isolated pancreatic islets. A competition for pancreatic β cell binding sites is offered as the possible mechanism of antagonism between BA and the sulfonylurea. The results indicate that while BA exerts its effects on carbohydrate metabolism directly on the pancreas, the effects of the 5-nitro analog appear to be mediated through stress-related factors. Because of its specificity for the insulin-secreting pancreatic β cells, structure-activity relationship studies with BA are likely to augment the development of a compound which will find clinical utility in the management of hyperinsulinism.
Patterns of diffractive production

Diffractive production is discussed in the context of two-component models. After defining the class of models considered, and dis cussing their general properties, integral equations are developed for the generating functions of diffractive processes. Single and double diffraction and two fireball productions are considered. The behavior of the partial cross sections for n- particle production in all three cases is investigated and a successful fit to recent data is obtained. (auth)
Effects of aerobic training on exercise tolerance and echocardiographic dimensions in untrained postmenopausal women

Abstract The cardiovascular effects of physical training were evaluated in a controlled trial involving 32 healthy, untrained, postmenopausal women. The subjects were randomly assigned to an aerobic exercise training program or a control group. The exercise group participated in at least three 40-minute supervised sessions per week for 8 months. Twenty-five subjects completed the study: eight in the control group and 17 in the training group. The training group had a significant increase over the training period in maximal oxygen consumption (27.3 ± 4.6 mg/kg/min vs 30.8 ± 5.4 ml/kg/min, p p p p p
Stem Cell Banking for Regenerative and Personalized Medicine

Regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and gene therapy offer the opportunity to treat and cure many of today's intractable afflictions. These approaches to personalized medicine often utilize stem cells to accomplish these goals. However, stem cells can be negatively affected by donor variables such as age and health status at the time of collection, compromising their efficacy. Stem cell banking offers the opportunity to cryogenically preserve stem cells at their most potent state for later use in these applications. Practical stem cell sources include bone marrow, umbilical cord blood and tissue, and adipose tissue. Each of these sources contains stem cells that can be obtained from most individuals, without too much difficulty and in an economical fashion. This review will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each stem cell source, factors to be considered when contemplating banking each stem cell source, the methodology required to bank each stem cell source, and finally, current and future clinical uses of each stem cell source.
Dairy heifer and bermudagrass pasture responses to rotational and continuous stocking.

Abstract During 1990 and 1991, pastures of ‘Callie' bermudagrass [ Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] located near Gainesville, FL, (29° 60' N latitude) were used to determine the effects of three grazing methods on performance of 250-kg Holstein heifers ( Bos taurus ) and forage nutritive value and botanical composition. The grazing methods were rotational stocking (15 paddocks) with short grazing periods (1.5 to 2.5 d/paddock), rotational stocking (three paddocks) with long grazing periods (10 to 14 d/ paddock), and continuous stocking. Average daily gain across years did not differ among methods (.50±.04kg), partially because average in vitro digestible OM concentration of herbage varied little (558±12 g/kg of OM). Across years, rotational stocking with short grazing periods had a greater average stocking rate (3520kg of liveweight/ha per d) than did rotational stocking with long grazing periods (2980kg/ha per d), but no differences occurred in heifer gain among the three grazing methods (697±30kg/ha). Under the conditions of our 2-yr study, effect of grazing method on heifer performance was slight, but the potential for long-term differences exists because ‘Callie' stand longevity is greater under rotational stocking.
Periodic motion along solar filaments

We present observations of four filaments that exhibit large-amplitude periodic mass motion. Observations are obtained using the high resolution (2″) and high cadence (1 min) Hα telescope system at the Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO). The motions found in these events are along the axis of the filaments, and are associated with the activity of a nearby flare or filament. The most characteristic properties of these motions are long period (≥ q80 min), large distance (≥ q 4 × 104 km) of mass transport at much higher velocity (≥ q 30 km s−1) than ever detected from filament motions. The velocity, period, dimension and damping timescale measured for these motions are presented, and discussed to identify the most plausible restoring force and damping mechanism.
Surface-emitting semiconductor laser spectroscopy and microscopy for characterizing normal and sickled red blood cells

We have developed a new intracavity laser technique that uses living or fixed cells at integral components of a laser. The cells are placed on an AlGaAs/GaAs surface-emitting semiconductor wafer and covered with a glass dielectric mirror to form a laser resonator. In this arrangement, the cells serve as optical waveguides (or lens elements) to confine (or focus) light generated in the resonator by the semiconductor. Because of the high transparency, the cells aid the lasing process to generate laser light. This ultra sensitive laser provides a novel imaging/spectroscopic technique for histologic examination which we demonstrate with normal and sickled human red blood cells. Extremely high contrast microscopic images of the cells are observed near 830-850 nm. These images correspond to electromagnetic modes of cell structures and are sensitive to shape of the cell. Using a high resolution spectrometer, we resolve the light emitted from these images into very narrow spectral peaks associated with the lasing modes. Analysis of the spectra reveals that the distribution of peaks is quite different for normal and sickled red blood cells. This technique, in a more developed form, may be useful for the rapid analysis of these and other kinds of normal and abnormal cells.
The Jews in the Medieval Polish Economy: Some Thoughts on the Historiography of the Twentieth Century

This essay was runner-up in the 2007 History Compass Graduate Essay Prize, Europe Section. The historiography of medieval Jewry has often by-passed the place of Jews in Poland, leaving that region for early modern scholars to tackle. Yet Poland had a significant Jewish population by the thirteenth century, though ascertaining its origins has been an issue of considerable debate among scholars and one heavily influenced by modern prejudices. As the scholarship has pulled itself from the anti-Semitic morass of the early twentieth century, gradually greater weight has been given to the place of Jews in Polish communities apart from the stereotyped role of moneychanger and royal financer. Yet East and West have still to come together to provide a better nuanced understanding of both the Jews in Europe and the growth of cities and communes along the eastern border of the Latin West.
On Female Presences and Absences in Heavenly Places

James (Oceania 1991) criticizes some of my interpretive proposals on the political ideology of ancient Tonga, claiming that my emphasis on predominantly male relationships in the titular system reduces ‘Polynesian truths’ to ‘Freudian dogma‘. James sees Tonga as a ‘markedly bilateral’ rather than ‘patrilineal’ society, manifesting symptoms of Malinowski's ‘matrilineal complex’, particularly an incestuous fixation on the sister rather than the mother, correlated with the importance of the brother/sister relationship in social structure, and the alleged transmission of rank through females only. James attempts to find evidence for her claims in the origin myth of the titular system. I show that — contrary to her interpretation — no brother/sister incest can be found in this myth, where, moreover, the female presence is subdued and desexualized. My rejoinder raises issues of general anthropological interest in the realms of symbolism, gender, the analysis of political myth, and of the interrelationship of psychological and cultural processes.
Thermodynamics of thallium alkanoates VI. Thallium(I) n-heptanoate revisited

Abstract The heat capacity of thallium(I) n -heptanoate has been remeasured on a new sample on which the preparative procedures were modified to eliminate the 1-1 (salt+acid) complex (soap) in a previously studied sample. The sub-ambient heat capacity of a new highly pure thallium(I) n -heptanoate is characterized by one set of transitions between 262 and 272 K and another transition at 301 K. The lowest transition temperature at 262.1 K has a maximum of C p , m ≈ 559 R . Next, a bifurcated pair (at 268.6 and 271.4K) have C p , m ≈ 300 R , and the highest transition (at 301.0 K) has a maximum C p , m ≈ 1697 R . The corresponding values of Δ trs S m o for the two sets are about 2.24 R and 1.10 R . At 298.15 K the values of Δ 0 T S m o , Δ 0 T H m o , and Φ m o ( T ) are 39.79 R , 5979 R ·K, and 19.74 R . Smoothed thermodynamic functions at selected temperatures are tabulated through melting.
An efficient method for supercontinuum generation in dispersion-tailored Lead-silicate fiber taper

Abstract In this paper we theoretically study the broadband mid-IR supercontinuum generation (SCG) in a lead-silicate microstructured fiber (the glass for simulation is SF57). The total dispersion of the fiber can be tailored by changing the core diameter of the fiber so that dispersion profiles with two zero dispersion wavelengths (ZDWs) can be obtained. Numerical simulations of the SCG process in a 4 cm long SF57 fiber/fiber taper seeded by femto-second pulses at telecommunications wavelength of 1.55 µm are presented. The results show that a fiber taper features a continuous shift of the longer zero dispersion wavelength. This extends the generated continuum to a longer wavelength region compared to fibers with fixed ZDWs. The phase-matching condition (PMC) is continuously modified in the fiber taper and the bandwidth of the generated dispersive waves (DWs) is significantly broadened.
A variational multiscale method for inelasticity: Application to superelasticity in shape memory alloys

This paper presents a variational multiscale method for developing stabilized finite element formulations for small strain inelasticity. The multiscale method arises from a decomposition of the displacement field into coarse (resolved) and fine (unresolved) scales. The resulting finite element formulation allows arbitrary combinations of interpolation functions for the displacement and the pressure fields, and thus yields a family of stable and convergent elements. Specifically, equal order interpolations that are easy to implement but violate the celebrated Babuska–Brezzi condition, become stable and convergent. An important feature of the present method is that it does not lock in the incompressible limit. A nonlinear constitutive model for the superelastic behavior of shape memory alloys is integrated in the multiscale formulation. Numerical tests of the performance of the elements are presented and representative simulations of the superelastic behavior of shape memory alloys are shown. � 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Temporary and permanent government spending in a small open economy

Abstract This paper studies a dynamic optimizing small open economy model that emphasizes the supply-side responses of labor and capital to changes in fiscal policy. The model used generates results that are consistent with a number of empirical regularities in small open economies. Furthermore, temporary fiscal shocks are shown to have permanent positive effects on output and negative effects on consumption and welfare. The strength of these effects are shown to depend on intertemporal elasticities of substitution and the persistence of policies.