cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Finite element stabilization matrices-a unification approach

Abstract In this paper, we show that the stabilization vector γ can be obtained naturally by taking the partial derivatives with respect to the natural coordinates. Hence, the components of the strains and stresses can be expressed in terms of a set of orthogonal coordinates. With these definitions of stresses and strains, a general form of the finite element stabilization matrices is then constructed for underintegrated, irregular shape and anisotropic elements. The explicit expressions of the stabilization matrices for the 4-, 9- and 8-node Laplace and continuum elements and the 4-node plate element are then derived from the general form. These are sufficiently general for the developments herein. The generalization of the stabilization-matrices concept to nonlinear problems which usually require the numerical integration of a fairly general class of nonlinear, finite-deformation constitutive equations is also presented. The computer implementation aspects and numerical evaluation of these stabilized elements are also considered. Numerical tests confirm the stability and accuracy characteristics of the resulting elements. In particular, the numerical experiments reported here also show that the rates of convergence in the L2-norm and in the energy norm agree well with the expected convergence rates.
Trajectory assessment and modification tools for next generation air traffic management operations

This paper reviews three Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) based high fidelity air traffic control human-in-the-loop (HITL) simulations, with a focus on the expected requirement of enhanced automated trajectory assessment and modification tools to support future air traffic flow management (ATFM) planning positions. The simulations were conducted at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center's Airspace Operations Laboratory (AOL) in 2009 and 2010. The test airspace for all three simulations assumed the mid-term NextGen En-Route high altitude environment utilizing high altitude sectors from the Kansas City and Memphis Air Route Traffic Control Centers. Trajectory assessment, modification and coordination decision support tools were developed at the AOL in order to perform future ATFM tasks. Overall tool usage results and user acceptability ratings were collected across three areas of NextGen operations to evaluate the tools. In addition to the usefulness and usability feedback, feasibility issues, benefits, and future requirements were also addressed. Overall, the tool sets were rated very useful and usable, and many elements of the tools received high scores and were used frequently and successfully. Tool utilization results in all three HITLs showed both user and system benefits including better airspace throughput, reduced controller workload, and highly effective communication protocols in both full Data Comm and mixed-equipage environments.
Prevalence of Vitamin D Insufficiency and Deficiency in Morbidly Obese Patients: A Comparison with Non-Obese Controls

Background Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients after bariatric surgery. However, obesity itself has also been associated with decreased vitamin D. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in obese persons has not previously been compared to non-obese controls when controlling for factors that could affect vitamin D status.
Concentration dependence of aggregation of polyaniline in NMP solution and properties of resulting cast films

It is shown that the degree of aggregation of emeraldine base polyaniline (EB) in NMP solution significantly increases as the polymer concentration increases. The solution properties of EB are found to have a dramatic impact on the crystallinity of the resulting cast films
Targeted sugar provision promotes parasitism of the cereal leaf beetle Oulema melanopus

1 Parasitoids may often lack access to sugar (e.g. floral nectar) in agricultural settings. Strategically timed spraying of host plants with sugar solution may provide one means of enhancing parasitism at the same time as minimizing nontarget effects (e.g. benefiting the pest itself). 2 Sucrose was sprayed in wheat fields of northern Utah (U.S.A.) to assess the effects on parasitism of the cereal leaf beetle Oulema melanopus by the larval parasitoid Tetrastichus julis. 3 Early-season sugar provisioning, when larvae of the pest were first hatching and parasitoid adults were newly emerged, did not affect the numbers of cereal leaf beetle larvae that matured in treated plots but increased parasitism rates of beetle larvae by four-fold in 2006 and by seven-fold in 2007. 4 No net influx of adult parasitoids into plots was detected after the application of sugar. Locally-emerging parasitoids may have spent less time searching for their own food needs versus hosts. A laboratory experiment also confirmed that access to sucrose significantly increased parasitoid longevity. 5 The field experimental results obtained demonstrate that applications of sugar, implemented to target a key time of the growing season when benefits are maximized for parasitoids and minimized for their hosts, can strongly promote parasitism of the cereal leaf beetle in wheat fields.
Symmetron dark energy in laboratory experiments

The symmetron scalar field is a matter-coupled dark energy candidate which effectively decouples from matter in high-density regions through a symmetry restoration. We consider a previously unexplored regime, in which the vacuum mass $\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\sim}2.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{eV}$ of the symmetron is near the dark energy scale, and the matter coupling parameter $M\ensuremath{\sim}1\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{TeV}$ is just beyond standard model energies. Such a field will give rise to a fifth force at submillimeter distances which can be probed by short-range gravity experiments. We show that a torsion pendulum experiment such as E\"ot-Wash can exclude symmetrons in this regime for all self-couplings $\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\lesssim}7.5$.
Perturbation Solutions for Steady One-Dimensional Waterhammer Waves

The steady-state form of a plane waterhammer wave is considered in order to illustrate the application of perturbation methods to fluid transients. An asymptotic solution is obtained for small Mach numbers. The jump conditions are determined and a solution for the internal, viscous structure of the wave is found.
Morning increase of onset of myocardial infarction. Implications concerning triggering events.

During the past 5 years it has been clearly established that there is a prominent morning increase in the frequency of onset of acute myocardial infarction. Similar increases have also been observed for the related conditions of sudden cardiac death, stroke and episodes of transient myocardial ischemia. The period from 6 a.m. to noon is also a time when a number of physiologic processes that could contribute to the onset of coronary thrombosis are intensified. Arterial pressure, which could lead to plaque rupture, rises; coronary tone increases; and platelet aggregability, which could contribute to a hypercoagulable state, increases. The immediate significance of these observations is the emphasis that should be placed on pharmacologic protection of patients during the morning hours. The primary longer-term significance of the recognition of the morning increase of onset of acute cardiovascular disease is the contribution it makes to the concept that onset of coronary thrombosis at any time of the day is frequently triggered by the activities of the patient. Investigation of this possibility may yield more information about the mechanism of disease onset and facilitate design of more effective preventive therapy.
Getting a Reading on Reader Response: Relationships between Imagery, Affect, and Importance Ratings, Recall, and Imagery Reports.

Abstract Data from two previous investigations (Sadoski & Goetz, 1985; Sadoski, Goetz, Olivarez, Lee, & Roberts, 1990) were reanalyzed to investigate: (1) validity of imagery ratings and reports as measures of reader response to a story, (2) similarity of final regression models for recall and imagery reports. Imagery ratings of story paragraphs were found to predict both imagery reports and recall of a second, independent group of readers, lending convergent construct validity to these measures. Hierarchical regression analyses of within‐subjects variance (cf. Anderson, Mason, & Shirey, 1984; Cohen & Cohen, 1983; Herman, Anderson, Pearson, & Nagey, 1987) ensured that rating effects could not be attributed to surface‐level text factors. Comparison of final regression models for imagery and recall revealed differences that appeared to support Paivio's (1971, 1986) dual code hypothesis.
Pharmacotherapy of malignant astrocytomas of children and adults: current strategies and future trends.

This article reviews the conceptual progression in the pharmacological therapy of malignant astrocytoma (MA) over the past decade, and its future trends. It is a selective rather than an exhaustive inventory of literature citations. The experience of the Brain Tumour Cooperative Group (BTCG) and earlier phase III trials are summarised to place subsequent phase II and I studies of single and combination agent chemotherapy in perspective. The BTCG experience of the 1970s to 1980s may be summarised to indicate that external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is therapeutic, although not curative, and not further improved upon by altering fractionation schedules, or the addition of radioenhancers. Whole brain and reduced whole brain EBRT with focal boost were comparable regimens. Nitrosourea-based, adjuvant chemotherapy provided a modest improvement in survival among adult patients, which was comparable with that of other single drugs or multidrug regimes. The multiagent schedules, however, had a correspondingly higher toxicity rate. Intra-arterial administration was associated with significant risk, which conferred no therapeutic advantage. The trend of the past decade has been towards multiagent chemotherapy although its benefit cannot be predicted from the classic prognostic factors. Published experience with investigational trials utilising myeloablative chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell haemopoietic support, drug delivery enhancement methods and radiosensitisers is critically reviewed. None of these approaches have achieved wide-spread acceptance in the treatment of adult patients with MA. Greater attention is placed on recent ‘chemoradiotherapy’trials, which attempt to integrate and maximise the cytoreductive potential of both modalities. This approach holds promise as an effective means to delay or overcome the evolution of tumour resistance, which is probably one of the dominant determinants of prognosis. However, the efficacy of this approach remains unproven. New chemotherapeutic agents as well as biological response modifiers, protein kinase inhibitors, angiogenesis inhibitors and gene therapy are also discussed; their role in the therapeutic armamentarium has not been defined.
Limiting currents in fermionic superconducting strings

Abstract It is usually assumed that the critical current in a fermionic superconducting string is of order em , where m is the in vacuo mass of the charge carrier. It is argued here that in reality the critical current is of order em 2 R , where R is the string's radius of curvature. This has some important consequences: in particular, scattering amongst the charge carriers can be shown to limit the current to less than roughly 10 9 GeV.
Temperatures of Tesla discharges from OH A → X intensity measurements

Abstract The OH A2Σ+ → X2Π system is used as a diagnostic tool for temperature measurements of Tesla discharges in Ar and He seeded with 0.5 torr H2O. From relative intensities of low-N′ lines in the 0-0 band we obtain temperatures which are independent of pressure for the range 100–650 torr and which are only a few degrees higher than the estimated wall temperatures. A check on the theoretical line strengths for OH A → X shows 1% agreement for main-branch transitions but only 5% agreement for satellite lines. Self-absorption problems are encountered and corrected for in the He discharge work; from the ≈10% magnitude of the correction, there are significant amounts (8 mtorr) of ground-state OH produced in the He Tesla discharge.
Clay Mineral Effects on the Stress-Strain Response of Soils in Direct Shear

More than one hundred sets of direct shear tests were conducted on soils composed of four reference clay minerals and various combinations of the four clay minerals of the Columbia University Clay Mineral Standards Project (A.P.I. 49) to illustrate with quantitative results the influence of clay mineralogy on the stress-strain characteristics of soils and hence the practical importance of clay mineralogy in soil mechanics. The soils tested consisted of various amounts by weight of Bedford Indiana Halloysite, Mesa Alta New Mexico Kaolinite, Santa Rita New Mexico Montmorillonite and Fithian Illinois Illite prepared with distilled water. The experimental results agree quite well with hyperbolic stress-strain relations previously developed by the author. The Hvorslev strength parameters are written as exponential functions of the clay mineral content and arc included in the hyperbolic stress-strain law. The ultimate shear strength of the soils are mathematically expressed in terms of the stress history, confinement, and mineralogy.
Attenuation of reinstatement of methamphetamine-, sucrose-, and food-seeking behavior in rats by fenobam, a metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 negative allosteric modulator.

Rationale Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly potent and addictive psychostimulant with severe detrimental effects to the health of users. Currently, METH addiction is treated with a combination of cognitive and behavioral therapies, but these traditional approaches suffer from high relapse rates. Furthermore, there are currently no pharmacological treatment interventions approved by the FDA specifically for the treatment of METH addiction.
Elective Mortgage Prepayment: Termination and Curtailment

Mortgage-prepayment risk underlies the structuring of mortgage-backed derivative securities, such as tranched real estate mortgage investment conduits. This prepayment comes either from mortgage termination or from curtailment, where the borrower retains the existing mortgage and prepays a portion. There are differences in cash flows from the two types of prepayment. In termination, the loan disappears from a pool, and the scheduled payment to investors in the pool is reduced. In curtailment, the loan survives, and the scheduled payment is unchanged but the term is reduced. There are implications for structuring mortgages and derivative securities. The prepayment decision is embedded in an in-tertemporal household utility maximization framework where choices are made between refinancing, making the regular payment, default or curtailment. Empirical results are presented for Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) pools, and an algorithm is presented that separates the termination and curtailment components, facilitating the development of derivative securities.
Simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax following high-dose chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation for mantle cell lymphoma without evidence of pulmonary disease

Simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax (SBSP) during high-dose chemotherapy has been described in patients with pulmonary involvement by malignancy, including sarcoma, trophoblastic tumor, non-seminomatous testicular cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We present a case of SBSP developing in a patient 11 days after a high-dose chemotherapy preparative regimen and stem cell transplantation without underlying pulmonary disease or evidence of lung lesions. It is important to recognize spontaneous pneumothorax as a potential complication of high-dose chemotherapy, especially in patients with known pulmonary lesions.
Examining Students’ Intended Image on Facebook: “What Were They Thinking?!”

The present article examines factors that influence why students post information on their social network profile which employers would find inappropriate. Results show that many students make a conscious attempt to portray a particular image and, as predicted, their intended image was related to whether they posted inappropriate information. Those who believed they portrayed a hardworking image were unlikely to post inappropriate information, whereas students who felt they portrayed an image that was sexually appealing, wild, or offensive were most likely to post such information. Limitations, implications for business education, and directions for future research are discussed.
Okadaic acid uncouples calcium entry from depletion of intracellular stores

Abstract The mechanism by which the depletion of intracellular Ca 2+ stores stimulates Ca 2+ influx is poorly understood. However, the coupling of depletion to influx is broken during mitosis [Preston, S.F. et. al., (1991) Cell Regul., 2, 915–925]. Thus, in interphase HeLa cells, activation of the histamine H1 receptor, or incubation with thapsigargin, which inhibits the Ca 2+ -ATPase of storage vesicles and depletes Ca 2+ stores, strongly stimulate Ca 2+ influx. In mitotic cells, however, neither histamine nor thapsigargin stimulate Ca 2+ influx. Since it has been found that okadaic acid treatment of interphase cells induces a mitotic-like state with respect to a number of other membrane processes, we have asked if okadaic acid might also uncouple Ca 2+ depletion from stimulated influx. We show that okadaic acid specifically does suppress this coupling: thapsigargin and histamine deplete stores in control and okadaic-acid-treated HeLa cells, but after treatment with okadaic acid, stimulation of Ca 2+ influx is barely detectable. This suggests that a protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation event controls the coupling of Ca 2+ stores to influx, and that there may be a physiological mechanism for control of the Ca 2+ response to hormonal signals at the level of coupling.
Bistability transition in the self-trapping of an electron in a one-dimensional molecular chain

Abstract Semi-classical approach to study the self-trapping of an electron in a linear molecular chain of finite number of sites N reveals a bistability reflecting two degenerate ground state configurations of the electron-lattice system. This bistability emerges as a result of symmetry breaking which occurs only for even N when the electron-phonon coupling exceeds a threshold. As a result, bifurcation diagrams for site displacements are obtained.
The Effect of Acetate on Euglena gracilis var. bacillaris as a Function of Environmental Conditions

SYNOPSIS. Acetate, a widely used substrate for the growth of Euglena gracilis var. bacillaris, becomes lethal to these organisms at pH's below 5.0. The kinetics, as well as the extent of acetate-induced death, depend upon both the hydrogen ion and acetate concentrations. Formic, propionic, butyric, and fluoroacetic acids also kill E. gracilis at low pH's, whereas fumaric, malic, succinic and pyruvic acids do not under these conditions. It is suggested that death is caused by a lowering of the intra-cellular pH, due to the release of hydrogen ion brought into the cell by freely penetrating undissociated acetate molecules.
Detection of Aluminum Waste Reactions and Waste Fires

AbstractAluminum production wastes (APW) placed in Subtitle D regulated landfills may react exothermically and cause uncontrolled temperature increases, large volumes of explosive and toxic gasses, increases in landfill gas pressure and flow, intense odors, undesirable changes in leachate composition, increased leachate production, and most importantly, smoldering combustion of the surrounding solid waste. The landfill liner and explosive gas extraction and leachate collection systems can be damaged by heat from the reaction and/or accompanying combustion. Slope failure also may result from increased gas and liquid pressures and the reduction of waste mass shear strength attributable to subsurface combustion compounding existing or initiating damage to engineered components. Therefore, landfills that have received APW need early detection of a potential exothermic reaction to respond promptly to prevent subsequent subsurface combustion. This paper presents techniques to quickly evaluate landfill gas and t...
PET of infant in persistent vegetative state

Abstract This is the first report of cranial positron emission tomography findings of an infant in a persistent vegetative state. Serial positron emission tomography/2-deoxy-2[ 18 F]fluoro-d-glucose studies demonstrated persistent global reduction of cerebral glucose metabolism, results similar to those found in adults in persistent vegetative states. Positron emission tomography may be useful in confirming this clinical diagnosis in infants.
Solid-phase synthesis of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazoles

A solid-phase synthesis of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazoles is described. Reaction of resin bound S-methylisothiourea 2 with carboxylic acids yielded resin-bound S-methyl-N-acylisothioureas 3, which reacted with hydrazines under mild conditions to afford the corresponding resin-bound 3-amino-1,2,4-triazoles 4 with regioselectivity. Following cleavage, the desired products 5 were obtained in good yields and purities.
Expression cloning of a human cDNA encoding folylpoly(gamma-glutamate) synthetase and determination of its primary structure.

Abstract A human cDNA for folypoly(gamma-glutamate) synthetase [FPGS; tetrahydrofolate:L-glutamate gamma-ligase (ADP forming), EC 6.3.2.17] has been cloned by functional complementation of an Escherichia coli folC mutant. The cDNA encodes a 545-residue protein of M(r) 60,128. The deduced sequence has regions that are highly homologous to peptide sequences obtained from purified pig liver FPGS and shows limited homology to the E. coli and Lactobacillus casei FPGSs. Expression of the cDNA in E. coli results in elevated expression of an enzyme with characteristics of mammalian FPGS. Expression of the cDNA in AUXB1, a mammalian cell lacking FPGS activity, overcomes the cell's requirement for thymidine and purines but does not overcome the cell's glycine auxotrophy, consistent with expression of the protein in the cytosol but not the mitochondria.
Fate and transport of elemental copper (Cu0) nanoparticles through saturated porous media in the presence of organic materials

Column experiments were performed to assess the fate and transport of nanoscale elemental copper (Cu(0)) particles in saturated quartz sands. Both effluent concentrations and retention profiles were measured over a broad range of physicochemical conditions, which included pH, ionic strength, the presence of natural organic matter (humic and fulvic acids) and an organic buffer (Trizma). At neutral pHs, Cu(0) nanoparticles were positively charged and essentially immobile in porous media. The presence of natural organic matter, trizma buffer, and high pH decreased the attachment efficiency facilitating elemental copper transport through sand columns. Experimental results suggested the presence of both favourable and unfavourable nanoparticle interactions causes significant deviation from classical colloid filtration theory.
Inhaled insulin: a clinical perspective with emphasis on EXUBERA®.

There is a Type 2 diabetes epidemic; however, unfortunately, even though insulin is an effective therapy, it is mostly used late and as a last resort. Type 1 diabetics find it difficult to administer extra insulin injections when needed owing to the inconvenience and, although most cope well, many dislike injecting themselves so frequently. The newly approved EXUBERA® inhaled insulin should help counteract the resistance of patients and physicians in instituting insulin in the Type 2 diabetic, and the Type 1 diabetic can take more than 1000 fewer injections per year, making their diabetes easier to live with. Pulmonary function tests have demonstrated clinically insignificant changes after years of monitoring. The increases of insulin antibodies found in those who use inhaled insulin have not affected diabetes control. Side effects of inhaled insulin are insignificantly different from injectable insulin except for a couple of mild coughs after an inhalation, which decrease quickly with time. The two dosag...
Microbial utilization and turnover of organic carbon in Santa Monica Basin sediments

Abstract Sediment microbial community biomass and activity in Santa Monica Basin, a nearshore basin in the California Continental Borderland, were examined in October 1985, 1986 and 1987, May 1986, April 1987 and January 1990. Millimeter-scale ATP profiles and incubation of intact cores with 3 H-adenine indicated a high-biomass interface microbial population in the low-oxygen central basin, which was absent in samples from the basin slope sediments. A majority of microbial activity and organic matter mineralization occurred in the top centimeter of sediment. Comparison of measured ATP and total organic carbon profiles suggests that the C:ATP ratio (wt:wt) ranges between 47:1 and 77:1 in central basin interfacial populations, substantially lower than reported for other aquatic environments. Carbon production estimated from DNA synthesis measurements via 3 H-adenine incorporation was compared with TCO 2 fluxes measured by in situ benthic chamber experiments. Within the uncertainty of the C:ATP ratio, an overall microbial carbon assimilation efficiency of 75–90% was indicated. The low C:ATP ratios and high carbon assimilation efficiencies significantly affect 3 H-adenine tracer-derived estimates of microbial growth and respiration and are substantially different than those often assumed in the literature. These results suggest that without independent, accurate measurements of these ratios, large uncertainties may exist in 3 H-adenine-derived microbial growth and respiration rate estimates.
Econometric analysis of farm machinery investment and simulations under alternative energy, price support, and export policies

The historical trends in structure, extent, and intensity of agricultural mechanization are analyzed in this study. The numbers of tractors, grain combines, corn pickers and picker shellers, pickup balers, and field forage harvesters peaked during the early 1960s. The decline in their numbers after the '60s is brought about mainly by the qualitative changes in those machines. The total tractor horsepower on farms also increased over the period 1963-79. Analysis of measures such as acres per horsepower, number of tractors and combines per farm, and acres per tractor and combine indicates that the intensity of machinery-use has increased over the last four decades. The productivity of machinery input in agricultural production has also increased;Based on the various investment theories, the alternative models of stock adjustment, expectations, and derived demand type are estimated for tractor and other machinery investments at the national and regional levels using 1950-77 annual data. Investment demand functions for harvesting machinery are estimated at the national level. Statistical tests for structural change in the machinery investments are performed. The demand elasticities with respect to prices, income and other economic variables are calculated. In general, the other machinery demand is the most elastic and the harvesting machinery demand is the least elastic with respect to their own prices. Harvesting machinery may have a higher priority in the annual machinery purchases of farmers and hence a lower elasticity of demand. In general, the tractor demand elasticity with respect to its own price as well as aggregate crop price is increasing from west to east;Dynamic multipliers expressing the long-lasting effects of the interest rates, price of fuel and oil, and net farm income are calculated for selected machinery investments. The impact and long-term multipliers are also presented;Finally, a block recursive simulation model of the regional farm machinery investments is developed. The relevant variables are selected from agriculture, industry, and economy in general to complete the linkages specified in the model. The regional tractor and other machinery investments and national tractor, harvesting machinery, other machinery, and all machinery investments are predicted up to 1990. The potential effects of six alternative policies of energy prices, support prices and agricultural exports on future farm machinery investments are also analyzed.
The Federal Regulatory Role in Coastal Land Management

Historically, the federal government has had a major role in regulation of coastal activities, restricted until recently, however, primarily to regulation of activities affecting navigable water bodies. On the sea coast, regulation of areas landward of such jurisdictional boundaries as “mean high tide line” was generally left to the states or their delegates.
Double-stranded RNA in hamster, chick, and mosquito cells infected with Sindbis virus.

Abstract Double-stranded RNA from Sindbis virus-infected chick, hamster, and mosquito cells was characterized in sucrose gradients. The ds RNA was identified by its resistance to RNase and by immunochemical methods using antibodies specifically reactive with multistrand polyribonucleotides. Each of the three cell types contained 20 S ds RNA. The BHK21 and chick cells contained large amounts of ds RNA with lower sedimentation constants (12 S in the former, and 15 S and 12 S in the latter case). In the mosquito cells, in contrast, only a small amount of ds RNA smaller than 20 S was found. In each case the relative amount of the smaller species increased with time after infection. An immunochemical binding assay to detect radioactively labeled ds RNA was adapted for use in these experiments.
ROLE OF PARAMETRIC RESONANCES IN GLOBAL CHAOS

The quasi-isochronous (QI) dynamical system, in the presence of synchrotron radiation damping and rf phase modulation, exhibits a sequence of period-2 bifurcations en route towards global chaos (instability) in a region of modulation tune. The critical modulation amplitude for the onset of the global chaos shows a cusp as a function of the modulation tune. This cusp is shown to arise from the transition from the 2:1 to the 1:1 parametric resonances. We have also studied the effect of the rf voltage modulation on the QI dynamical system and found that the tolerance of the rf voltage modulation is much larger than that of the rf phase modulation. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Speciation of Main-Group Metal Ions by Electrospray Mass Spectrometry. 1. Investigation of Aqueous Polyselenide Species and Effects of Cations and pH

Polyselenide anion speciation in aqueous solution has been investigated by electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS). Two methods of control over this speciation are reported: countercation substitutions and pH adjustments. The countercation has been found to affect the degree of disproportionation or comproportionation. Solutions of sodium tetraselenide displayed numerous Sen2- and HSen- species in neutral and basic soluions. In potassium solutions, the dominant species was Se42-·H2O. Solutions of cesium pentaselenide also showed preference for higher-order polyselenides. The pH dependence has been analyzed in terms of the percent Sen (n = 2−5) present. Di-, tri-, tetra-, and pentaselenide species were present over the entire pH range investigated, and trends in selenide species versus pH were developed. For example, at pH > 9, tetraselenide species were dominant.
Pregnancy Rate in Dairy Cows Inseminated on the Basis of Electronic Probe Measurements

Abstract A new vaginal probe with two pairs of parallel electrodes 90° apart was designed with a switching arrangement so that electrical resistance (ohms) of the dorsal and the ventral areas of the anterior vagina could be monitored separately during the estrous cycle. Three insemina-tors probed cows during February–April, 1977, in nine herds in stanchion barn housing. Cows not seen in estrus by 40 to 60 days after calving were probed every 3rd day. At each dairyman's option normal cows with a low probe reading were inseminated. Controls consisted of cows seen in estrus by the dairyman and reported for insemination in the routine manner. The diagnosed pregnancy rate for 86 first service controls was 49% versus 52% for 58 cows not seen in estrus, but identified by low probe readings. Cows varied in electrical resistance at breeding, but the fact that pregnancy rates were equivalent in the two groups is interpreted to mean that the probe was as effective in identifying cows suitable for insemination as was visual observation of estrus by dairymen.
Vitamin B12 deficiency in hypersecretors during long-term acid suppression with proton pump inhibitors

Summary Background Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may cause cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) malabsorption, but measuring serum B12 alone may underestimate the prevalence. However, B12 deficiency elevates methylmalonic acid and homocysteine, both additional markers of B12 deficiency. Aim To determine the true prevalence of B12 deficiency and whether acid suppression by PPI caused it. Methods Sixty-one acid hypersecretors (basal acid output >15 mmol/h), 46 with gastrinoma [Zollinger–Ellison (ZE) syndrome] and 15 without [acid hypersecretor without gastrinoma (pseudo-ZE)], were treated with lansoprazole to determine its long-term (up to 18 years) pharmacological and clinical efficacy and safety, particularly as regards malabsorption of B12. Results Of 61 patients, six (10%) had low serum B12. Additional tests uncovered B12 deficiency in 13 (31%) of 41 still-available patients, despite normal serum B12. B12 replacement reduced elevated homocysteine and methylmalonic acid, supporting the diagnosis. Also, measuring both basal and stimulated gastric secretion, we found that acid suppression was neither prolonged nor profound enough to explain the B12 deficiency. Conclusions In long-term recipients of PPIs, B12 deficiency was more frequent (29%) than detected by measuring only serum B12, and there was not enough acid suppression to explain this deficiency.
LATTICE DYNAMICS OF FCT INDIUM AND HCP MAGNESIUM

Phonon spectra of fct indium and hcp magnesium are calculated using the dynamic pseudopotential theory developed by Wang and Overhauser. Good agreement with experimental data is achieved with two adjustable pseudopotential parameters.
Commentary: Exercise and spinal manipulative therapy for chronic low back pain: time to call for a moratorium on future randomized trials?

Commentary on Bronfort G, Maiers MJ, Evans RL, et al. Supervised exercise, spinal manipulation, and home exercise for chronic low back pain: a randomized clinical trial. Spine J 2011;11:585–598 ( in this issue ).
Interactions Between Beet necrotic yellow vein virus and Beet soilborne mosaic virus in Sugar Beet

Soils naturally infested with cultures of aviruliferous Polymyxa betae and viruliferous P. betae carrying two sugar beet benyviruses, Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) and Beet soilborne mosaic virus (BSBMV), alone and in combination, were compared with noninfested soil for their effects on seedling emergence, plant fresh weight, and virus content as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Studies examined sugar beet with and without resistance to the disease rhizomania, caused by BNYVV. The Rz gene, conferring resistance to BNYVV, did not confer resistance to BSBMV. BSBMV ELISA values were significantly higher in single infections than in mixed infections with BNYVV, in both the rhizomania-resistant and -susceptible cultivars. In contrast, ELISA values of BNYVV were high (8 to 14 times the healthy mean) in single and mixed infections in the rhizomania-susceptible cultivar, but were low (approximately three times the healthy mean) in the rhizomania-resistant cultivar. Results indicate BNYVV may suppress BSBMV in mixed infections, even in rhizomania-resistant cultivars in which ELISA values for BNYVV are extremely low. Soils infested with P. betae, and with one or both viruses, showed significantly reduced fresh weight of seedlings, and aviruliferous P. betae significantly decreased sugar beet growth in assays.
Probability and the synthetic a Priori : A reply to block

Contrary to Block, the synthetic a priori has little to do with our dispute. My critique of the Austrians is not that their methods are “unscientific,” but that their most distinctive positions are false or overstated. Yet Block’s latest reply does inadvertently make Austrian economics more reasonable. If synthetic a priori claims vary in degree of probability, they can no longer be treated as scientifically superior to empirical claims. Furthermore, while empirically testing absolutely certain synthetic a priori claims is pointless, empirically testing uncertain synthetic a priori claims is not.
Race matters: perceptions of race and racism in a sickle cell center.

Background Health care disparities based on race have been reported in the management of many diseases. Our goal was to identify perceptions of race and racism among both staff and patients/families with particular attention to provider attitudes as a potential contributor to racial healthcare disparities. Procedure A confidential survey addressing issues of race and health care was given to all patients with sickle cell disease and their families upon arrival to clinic. The survey was made available online to all staff in the hematology/oncology program. Free text comments were obtained. Results We received completed surveys from 112 patients/families. Surveys were completed by 135 of 158 staff members (85% return rate). The majority (92.6%) of patients/families identified as black, while 94.1% of staff identified as white (P < 0.001). More patients/families felt that race affects the quality of health care for sickle cell patients (50% vs. 31.6%, P = 0.003). More staff perceived unequal treatment of patients, especially in the inpatient setting (20.9% vs. 10.9%, P = 0.03). Conclusions Provider attitudes contribute to continued racial health care disparities. We propose training health care providers on issues of race and racism. Training should provide critical thinking tools for improving medical providers' comfort and skills in caring for patients who are of a different race than their own. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 451–454. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Eolian sediments generated by anthropogenic disturbance of playas: human impacts on the geomorphic system and geomorphic impacts on the human system

Abstract In many of the Earth's arid and semiarid lands, saline lakes, playas, and similar landforms are disturbed as a result of human activity. Diversion and/or consumptive use of surface or groundwaters has created the effect of a climate change in numerous drainage basins, resulting in the desiccation of lakes and reactivation of eolian processes at many locations. Playas are natural sites for extensive eolian activity because of the deposition of clastic and chemical sediments in basins by surface water (via fluvial transport) and groundwater (via efflorescence). Wind erosion and deposition of playa sediments has had a major role in the development of landforms and sedimentary units in the present (lunette fields worldwide; Simpson Desert, Australia) and geological past, from the Triassic (Mercia Mudstone, England) to the Quaternary (Lahontan Basin and Cima Volcanic Field, USA). Anthropogenic disturbance or desiccation of playa systems has resulted in the eolian transport of sand (e.g. Lop Nor, China; Konya Basin, Turkey; Rajasthan, India; Kappakoola, Australia; several sites in West Africa) and/or dust (e.g. Aral Sea, Kazakhstan/Uzbekistan; Old Wives Lake, Canada; Kara Bogaz Gol, (ex-)USSR; Lake Texcoco, Mexico; Owens (dry) Lake, Mono Lake and other playas, USA). Typically, this is accomplished by abstraction of water and/or removal of vegetation from terminal lake basins. An extensive review of the literature documents many examples and/or potential examples of such phenomena in numerous nations. The reactivation of eolian processes from closed basins produces air pollution in the form of fugitive dust (naturally occurring compounds released into the atmosphere by human actions), and has significant environmental and economic impacts on human activities in the surrounding areas. Restoration or mitigation of degraded land on or surrounding playas has been accomplished at Lake Texcoco, Kara Bogaz Gol and the Konya Basin, and is being actively implemented at Mono Lake, Owens (dry) Lake and the Aral Sea.
Coordination of lipid droplet-associated proteins during the transition period of Holstein dairy cows.

Dairy cows often experience negative energy balance with the onset of lactation, and severe or prolonged negative energy balance can contribute to declines in overall fitness. Energy stores, in the form of adipose tissue triacylglycerides, are mobilized during times of energy deficit, and recent research has implicated several proteins associated with the lipid droplet as lipolytic regulators. The objective of this study was to determine if these novel proteins associated with lipolytic regulation are altered with the changing metabolic demands of lactation. Weekly blood samples were collected from 26 Holstein cows from 21 d before expected parturition through 28 d postpartum, and again at 150 d postpartum. Serum nonesterified fatty acids, glycerol, and β-hydroxybutyrate were measured. Energy balance was calculated from daily feed intake and milk yield, weekly body weight, and monthly milk component measurements. Adipose tissue biopsies were taken 21 d before expected parturition (−21 d) and at 5, 21, and 150 d postpartum. Semiquantitative Western blotting was used to measure abundance of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), phosphorylated HSL, perilipin, phosphorylated perilipin (PPLIN), adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), and comparative gene identity-58 (CGI-58). Abundance of ATGL was less at 5 and 21 d in milk (DIM) compared with −21 and 150 DIM, even though cows were in negative energy balance and experiencing increased rates of lipolysis in early lactation. In contrast, phosphorylated HSL and PPLIN increased with increasing lipolysis immediately after parturition. Additionally, PPLIN was negatively correlated with milk yield at 5, 21, and 150 d postpartum, and negatively correlated with feed intake and energy balance at 21 d postpartum. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that phosphorylation of perilipin is responsive to signals for increased triaclyglyceride mobilization. Finally, a consistent negative correlation between abundance of perilipin and CGI-58 proteins was observed throughout the transition period. These results confirm that novel lipolytic proteins in adipose tissue are regulated at the level of protein abundance and phosphorylation during the periparturient period and into mid lactation.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication Impact on Families: Trends and Future Directions.

Family issues must be considered prior to the prescription of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for children with disabilities. A review of the literature is provided regarding three emerging trends related to AAC impact, including the prescription of appropriate AAC devices, implementation of AAC across multiple contexts, and maintenance of AAC use and anticipation of transition needs. The review suggests that failure to consider family issues may contribute to increased family stress and failure of children and families to use these devices. Future directions in AAC service delivery are summarized.
Leeches run cold, then hot.

Food processing is costly, potentially limiting the energy and time devoted to other essential functions such as locomotion or reproduction. In ectotherms, post-prandial thermophily, the selection of a warm environmental temperature after feeding, may be advantageous in minimizing the duration of this elevated cost. Although present in many vertebrate taxa, this behaviour had not previously been observed in invertebrates. Sanguivorous leeches ingest large blood meals that are costly to process and limit mobility until excess fluid can actively be expelled to reduce body volume. When presented with a temperature gradient from 10°C to 30°C, leeches select a temperature that is significantly warmer (24.3 ± 0.9°C, n = 6) than their acclimation temperature (Ta, 21°C). Unfed leeches preferred temperatures that were significantly cooler than ambient (12.8 ± 0.9°C, n = 6). This behavioural strategy is consistent with minimizing the time course of elevated post-feeding energy costs and reducing energy expenditure during fasting. Our observations raise the possibility that thermoregulatory behaviour of this type is an unrecognized feature of other invertebrate taxa.
A review of surgical advancements for the correction of presbyopia

Presbyopia is the refractive disability of an aging eye in which accommodative ability is insufficient for near vision. An estimated 1.04 billion people are impacted by presbyopia. Successful management and compensation of presbyopia can substantially improve health-related quality of life. Optical methods for managing presbyopia are well established and can provide functional near- and distance-vision to improve the symptoms of presbyopia in a noninvasive manner. However, these methods have limitations and may not be appropriate for every individual. In response to this, several surgical technologies have been explored and developed to compensate for presbyopia.
'No Rights without Responsibilities': Disability Rights and Neoliberal Reform under New Labour

The New Labour government in the United Kingdom led a series of welfare reforms for people with disabilities from 1997 to 2010. These reforms were heavily influenced by neoliberalism, and emphasized that there were 'no rights without responsibilities, 'making labor market participation essential. Simultaneously, the recognition of disability rights was growing in the United Kingdom, culminating in the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009. This article explores the tension between neoliberalism and the human rights approach to disability in the context of New Labour’s welfare reforms for people with disabilities. The analysis includes the perspectives of people with disabilities and disability stakeholders who participated in focus groups or interviews in an English metropolitan region, and is framed by the principles that underpin the Convention. The article offers policy insights to ensure that the rights of people with disabilities are included in future welfare reforms. Key Words: conditionality, employment, welfare-to-work, workfare, United Kingdom
Asymmetrical hydrocephalus following ventriculitis from rupture of a thalamic abscess

Ventriculitis developed suddenly in a patient with an undiagnosed abscess and was accompanied by obtundation, fever, meningismus, and hemiplegia. Aspiration of a streptococcal thalamic abscess and high doses of intravenous penicillin produced marked improvement. Increasing dysphasia 5 weeks later was accompanied by ventricular dilatation, most marked on the left, with no evidence of recurrent abscess. The left foramen of Monro was demonstrably patent. Shunting relieved the symptoms of aphasia; they recurred with one episode of malfunction of the shunt. This case lends support to the belief that parenchymal characteristics are important in hydrocephalus and demonstrates how asymmetrical ventricular dilatation can produce focal symptoms.
When Online Communities Become Self-Aware

Evidence from a long-term participant observation suggests that a critical point in the evolution of an online community occurs when participants begin to focus less on topical content and more on one another. When content restrictions were removed from a question answering community and social technologies were introduced, the proportion of factual content on the site steadily diminished in favor of more social content: questions specifically about site users and appropriate behavior, suggesting an awareness of themselves as a community. Positive effects of self-aware behavior included increased site participation, social support and open normative debates. Negative effects included increased conflict, rogue behaviors and factionalism.