cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the human 5-HT2A receptor gene promoter

The regulation of 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR) expression has been implicated in a variety of pathological processes and has been shown to be extremely complicated and controversial. In order to understand the mechanisms of regulation of this receptor, it is important to characterize its promoter. In this report, the 5' end of the human 5-HT2AR gene was cloned and characterized. Anchored PCR mapped multiple transcription initiation sites at nucleotides -1157, -1137, -1127, and -496. Transfection of chimeric growth hormone plasmids containing various DNA fragments into 5-HT2AR-positive human cell lines (SHSY-5Y, neuroblastoma; HeLa, cervix carcinoma) showed that the 0.74 kb HaeIII/PvuII fragment, which encompasses the initiation sites between -1157 and -1127 and 5' of the downstream initiation site (at -496), exhibited significant promoter activity. This promoter activity was not affected by the sequence upstream of the 0.74 kb fragment. The sequence downstream (the 0.45 kb PvuII/SmaI fragment) strongly repressed this promoter activity, suggesting the presence of a silencer. Sequence analysis combined with gel retardation and Dnase 1 footprinting assay identified multiple cis and trans elements for this fragment, including Sp1, PEA3, cyclic AMP response element (CRE)-like sequence, and E-boxes. Two novel transcription factors have been detected by gel retardation and DNase 1 footprinting assay; one of them may be specific for human. The transcription factors and promoter activities were low in the negative cell line NCI-H460 (human lung large cell carcinoma). Interestingly, the 0.39 kb fragment, isolated from the 3' end of the 0.74 kb fragment, exhibited the highest promoter activity. The possibility that this 0.39 kb fragment may be an alternative promoter is discussed. These new data are essential for further study of the regulation of 5-HT2AR gene expression.
A convective-like energy-stable open boundary condition for simulations of incompressible flows

We present a new energy-stable open boundary condition, and an associated numerical algorithm, for simulating incompressible flows with outflow/open boundaries. This open boundary condition ensures the energy stability of the system, even when strong vortices or backflows occur at the outflow boundary. Under certain situations it can be reduced to a form that can be analogized to the usual convective boundary condition. One prominent feature of this boundary condition is that it provides a control over the velocity on the outflow/open boundary. This is not available with the other energy-stable open boundary conditions from previous works. Our numerical algorithm treats the proposed open boundary condition based on a rotational velocity-correction type strategy. It gives rise to a Robin-type condition for the discrete pressure and a Robin-type condition for the discrete velocity on the outflow/open boundary, respectively at the pressure and the velocity sub-steps. We present extensive numerical experiments on a canonical wake flow and a jet flow in open domain to test the effectiveness and performance of the method developed herein. Simulation results are compared with the experimental data as well as with other previous simulations to demonstrate the accuracy of the current method. Long-time simulations are performed for a range of Reynolds numbers, at which strong vortices and backflows occur at the outflow/open boundaries. The results show that our method is effective in overcoming the backflow instability, and that it allows for the vortices to discharge from the domain in a fairly natural fashion even at high Reynolds numbers.
Gender differences in cerebral blood flow velocity and autoregulation between the anterior and posterior circulations in healthy children

There is little information on gender differences in cerebral autoregulation. The purpose of this study was to compare autoregulation of the anterior and posterior circulations using the tilt test method in healthy boys and girls who were 10-16 y of age. Transcranial Doppler was used to measure middle cerebral artery and basilar artery flow velocities (Vmca and Vbas). Cerebral autoregulation (ARI) of the middle cerebral (ARImca) and basilar arteries (ARIbas) was examined using the tilt test method. An ARI <0.4 indicates impaired autoregulation. Among the 13 boys and 13 girls, Vmca and Vbas were higher in girls. All children demonstrated intact autoregulation, but boys had higher ARImca than girls, whereas girls had higher ARIbas than boys. Girls demonstrated greater autoregulation in the basilar artery, whereas boys demonstrated greater autoregulation in the middle cerebral artery. Girls had higher flow velocities in both vessels. This study provides normative data on cerebral autoregulation of the posterior circulation in healthy, awake boys and girls.
(Na++K+)-stimulated ATPase of human kidney, normal and adenocarcinoma. Phosphorylation and inhibition by antitumor proteins

Abstract (Na++K+)-ATPase was purified from human kidney of normal and tumor tissue with specific activities of 100.0 and 16.6 μmol Pi/mg/h, respectively. The antitumor proteins, macromomycin, largomycin, and NSC 327459 (50 μg/ml each) caused 70 to 90% inhibition of (Na++K+)-ATPase from tumor tissue, whereas auromomycin had no effect. (Na++K+)-ATPase from both sources could be phosphorylated by rabbit muscle protein kinase; there was 3 to 6-fold stimulation of phosphorylation by cyclic AMP. Phosphorylation resulted in 70 to 80% decrease in (Na++K+)-ATPase activity, and caused the normal enzyme to become sensitive to inhibition by macromomycin.
LC and LC-MS Separation of Peptides on Macrocyclic Glycopeptide Stationary Phases: Diastereomeric Series and Large Peptides

Previous work on the LC separation of peptides had shown that macrocyclic glycopeptide stationary phases to be selective for peptides of five to thirteen amino acids in length. In this work, the selectivity of the teicoplanin stationary phase is compared to that of a C18 stationary phase for seven diastereomeric enkephalin peptides. The teicoplanin stationary phase separated all seven diastereomeric enkephalin peptides in a single chromatographic run. The insertion of d-amino acids into the primary enkephalin sequence produced areas of hydrophobicity that influenced retention order on the C18 stationary phase. However, analogous trends are not observed on the teicoplanin stationary phase, which is more polar and structurally diverse. Optimization of the mobile phase and the use of a step-gradient for the enkephalin separation on the teicoplanin stationary phase is discussed. Also, the selectivity of macrocyclic glycopeptide stationary phases for peptides of 14, 28, 30, and 36 amino acids also is investigated and compared to separation on a C18 stationary phase. A method for eluting peptides with multiple basic amino acids, which tend to be strongly retained on the macrocyclic glycopeptide stationary phases, is presented.
Inference with Imputed Conditional Means

Abstract In this article we present analytic techniques for inference from a dataset in which missing values have been replaced by predictive means derived from an imputation model. The derivations are based on asymptotic expansions of point estimators and their associated variance estimators, and the resulting formulas can be thought of as first-order approximations to standard multiple-imputation procedures with an infinite number of imputations for the missing values. Our method, where applicable, may require substantially less computational effort than creating and managing a multiply imputed database; moreover, the resulting inferences can be more precise than those derived from multiple imputation, because they do not rely on simulation. Our techniques use components of the standard complete-data analysis, along with two summary measures from the fitted imputation model. If the imputation and analysis phases are carried out by the same person or organization, then the method provides a quick assessm...
The Isotope Effect in Superconductivity

The isotope effect in superconductors is usually summarized by giving the observed values of $p$ in the equation ${M}^{p}{T}_{c}=\mathrm{constant}$, where $M$ is the isotopic mass and ${T}_{c}$ the superconducting transition temperature. Fr\"ohlich predicted the value $p=\frac{1}{2}$, but the measurements in some instances show deviations from this prediction. An explanation of the deviation of $p$ from \textonehalf{} is offered based on an analog of Wien's displacement law applicable to the vibration spectrum of real crystal lattices. The departure of $p$ from the value \textonehalf{} is attributed to the departure of the frequency spectrum from a simple power law. For many superconducting elements, $p$ may be estimated from specific heat data, when such data are available to the desired degree of accuracy. A value of $p$ is calculated for Sn which is in good agreement with some of the experiments. The large value 0.73 observed for Pb is shown to be reasonable. The values of $p$ for the other superconducting elements are discussed. It is concluded that the observed deviations of $p$ from \textonehalf{} are not necessarily in conflict with the theories of Fr\"ohlich and Bardeen.
A semi-analytical load distribution model for side-fit involute splines

Abstract A semi-analytical load distribution model for side-fit involute splines has been proposed by extending the formulations of elastic bodies in contact. The spline compliances considered in the model consist of tooth bending and shear, tooth base flexibility, tooth contact, and torsional deformations. This model allows input of arbitrary loading components and arbitrary initial separations. With this, load distribution characteristics of splines under various combined loading conditions can be determined. In addition, the effects of design variations and manufacturing errors can also be quantified. Aside from the versatility of the model in terms of its capabilities, a new multi-step discretization solution scheme is devised to reduce computational effort thus qualifying the semi-analytical model as a design tool. Numerical results for an example spline under various loading conditions including: (i) pure torsion, (ii) combined torsion and radial loads, and (iii) combined torsion, radial loads and tilting moments, are presented and compared to those predicted by a deformable-body model for the verification of the results.
A Soluble Problem in Energy Bands

The problem of an electron moving in a periodic simple cubic potential of the form $cosx+cosy+cosz$ is investigated, with particular attention to the nature of the wave functions, Wannier functions, degeneracy of overlapping bands, etc. It is well known that this problem is separable, leading to Mathieu's equation for the functions of $x$, $y$, and $z$. This equation can be solved, making use of the Fourier expansion of the wave function (the momentum eigenfunction). Solutions are set up, for a number of interatomic distances. The momentum eigenfunctions are similar to Hermite functions for the tightly-bound levels but very different for free-electron-like levels. Those for the levels near the top of the potential barrier, corresponding to the valence and conduction bands of a real crystal, are very complicated; we illustrate their properties by means of a test of the completeness relation for orthogonal functions. It is proved that the Wannier function is the Fourier transform of the momentum eigenfunction, and special cases are discussed. The effect of various perturbations on the one-dimensional problem is considered. It is shown that the usual assumption made in band theory, connecting the width of the gap introduced by a perturbation with the matrix component of the perturbative potential, is not generally justified. The case of a perturbation of double periodicity is taken up, and it is shown that this results in a spreading out of the Wannier function, which sometimes has large contributions on many atoms. In the two- and three-dimensional cases, the interesting feature is the degeneracy between overlapping bands, for example, between the different components of a $p$ or a $d$ band. These are discussed in detail. For the unperturbed Mathieu case, the energy surfaces cut without interaction, but almost any reasonable perturbation will cause them to interact, resulting in perturbed bands of great complication, which will not cut each other, though they may adhere at certain points of crystal symmetry, as can also be proved by group theory. The Wannier functions in these cases become combinations of the Wannier functions of the unperturbed problem, located on many different atoms, and possessing the rotational symmetry of the crystal, which the unperturbed Wannier functions do not have. The type of perturbation is also taken up which would convert the simple cubic potential of the unperturbed problem into a face-centered or body-centered structure.
The influence of working memory and phonological processing on English language learner children's bilingual reading and language acquisition.

In this study, we explored whether the contribution of working memory (WM) to children's (N = 471) 2nd language (L2) reading and language acquisition was best accounted for by processing efficiency at a phonological level and/or by executive processes independent of phonological processing. Elementary school children (Grades 1, 2, & 3) whose 1st language (L1) was Spanish were administered a battery of cognitive (short-term memory [STM], working memory [WM], rapid naming, and random letter and number generation), vocabulary, and reading measures in both Spanish and English. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that in addition to phonological processing, naming speed, and inattention, both WM and STM contributed significant variance to L2 reading and language acquisition. Regression modeling showed no significant cross-language effects when L1 measures were entered into the analysis. The results showed that both STM and WM contributed unique variance to L2 reading and language acquisition beyond the contribution of L1 phonological processing skills.
Neural programming of mesenteric and renal arteries

There is evidence for developmental origins of vascular dysfunction yet little understanding of maturation of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) of regional circulations. We measured maturational changes in expression of myosin phosphatase (MP) and the broader VSM gene program in relation to mesenteric small resistance artery (SRA) function. We then tested the role of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in programming of SRAs and used genetically engineered mice to define the role of MP isoforms in the functional maturation of the mesenteric circulation. Maturation of rat mesenteric SRAs as measured by qPCR and immunoblotting begins after the second postnatal week and is not complete until maturity. It is characterized by induction of markers of VSM differentiation (smMHC, γ-, α-actin), CPI-17, an inhibitory subunit of MP and a key target of α-adrenergic vasoconstriction, α1-adrenergic, purinergic X1, and neuropeptide Y1 receptors of sympathetic signaling. Functional correlates include maturational increases in α-adrenergic-mediated force and calcium sensitization of force production (MP inhibition) measured in first-order mesenteric arteries ex vivo. The MP regulatory subunit Mypt1 E24+/LZ- isoform is specifically upregulated in SRAs during maturation. Conditional deletion of mouse Mypt1 E24 demonstrates that splicing of E24 causes the maturational reduction in sensitivity to cGMP-mediated vasorelaxation (MP activation). Neonatal chemical sympathectomy (6-hydroxydopamine) suppresses maturation of SRAs with minimal effect on a conduit artery. Mechanical denervation of the mature rat renal artery causes a reversion to the immature gene program. We conclude that the SNS captures control of the mesenteric circulation by programming maturation of the SRA smooth muscle.
Pantothenic acid and adrenocortical hormone secretion.

A TTENTION was first drawn to the relationship between panthothenic JLJL. acid and the adrenal cortex by the experiments of Daft and Morgan 1, 2), in which it was demonstrated that adrenal hypertrophy, hemorrhage, and necrosis were prominent manifestations of pantothenic acid deficiency in animals. These observations were confirmed and extended by Deane and McKibbin (3) who found, using histochemical techniques, that the adrenal cortex of pantothenate-deficient animals has a reduced content of lipids, sudanophilic material, and ketosteroid. In addition to structural alterations, recent studies by Winters (4, 5, 6), Hurley and Mackenzie (7), and Duram (8) suggest that there is also functional impairment of the adrenal cortex in pantothenate-deficient rats. Although these investigations have indicated that there is diminished secretion of steroid hormones by the adrenals of deficient animals, cortical hormone production was measured indirectly.
Safety and efficacy of locoregional therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with indwelling TIPS

Purpose Locoregional therapy has traditionally been considered contraindicated in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had previously undergone TIPS. This study compared safety of and imaging response to ablation, arterial embolization, and radioembolization in patients with both TIPS and HCC. Materials and Methods The electronic medical record was reviewed to identify 47 patients who had both indwelling TIPS and a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma over a 5-year period. 22/47 (47%) patients underwent locoregional therapy. 16/22 (73%) had Hepatitis C as etiology of their liver disease. 16/22 (73%) had undergone TIPS for variceal hemorrhage. 15/22 (68%) had Child B and 7/22 (32%) had Child C cirrhosis. 10/22 (45%) were ECOG 0. For ablations, median tumor number was 1 and median tumor size was 27 mm. For arterial embolizations, median tumor number was 2 and median tumor size was 24 mm. For radioembolization, median tumor number was 5 and median tumor size was 35 mm. Follow-up imaging response and toxicity were categorized for each procedure to account for multiple interventions. Results 27 ablations (14 RFA, 12 PEI, 1 irreversible electroporation) were performed in 13 patients; 16 arterial embolizations (10 chemo and 6 bland) were performed in 9 patients; 7 Y90 radioembolizations were performed in 5 patients. Post-embolization syndrome occurred more frequently in patients undergoing arterial embolization than radioembolization (44% vs. 14%). Significant hepatic dysfunction occurred more frequently in the chemoembolization group than the radioembolization group (38% vs. 14%). Classification of patients as having complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), or progressive disease (PD) at follow-up is summarized in the Table based on EASL imaging criteria. Conclusion Ablation appears to be safe and efficacious for HCC in patients with TIPS. Radioembolization is associated with decreased toxicity and superior imaging response compared to arterial embolization.
Social validity of changes in informativeness and efficiency of aphasic discourse following Linguistic specific treatment (LST)

This study presents the results of an analysis of pragmatic aspects of language samples obtained from five agrammatic aphasic individuals prior to and following Linguistic Specific Treatment (LST). Clinically and statistically significant positive changes in informativeness and efficiency were documented in posttreatment samples. Analysis of communicative competence (i.e., naive listeners' ratings of pre- and posttreatment audiotaped samples), was undertaken to examine the social validity of quantified changes. Mean ratings across listeners were computed to evaluate their subjective perceptions of general communicative constructs. Results indicated that objectively measured changes in pragmatic aspects were perceptible to naive listeners, however, to varying degrees across participants and constructs.
Erdős-Ko-Rado theorems for chordal graphs and trees

One of the more recent generalizations of the Erdos-Ko-Rado theorem, formulated by Holroyd, Spencer and Talbot, defines the Erdos-Ko-Rado property for graphs in the following manner: for a graph G, vertex v@?G and some integer r>=1 denote the family of independent r-sets of V(G) by J^(^r^)(G) and the subfamily {A@?J^(^r^)(G):v@?A} by J"v^(^r^)(G), called a star. Then G is said to be r-EKR if no intersecting subfamily of J^(^r^)(G) is larger than the largest star in J^(^r^)(G). In this paper, we prove that if G is a disjoint union of chordal graphs, including at least one singleton, then G is r-EKR if r=<@m(G)2, where @m(G) is the minimum size of a maximal independent set. We also prove Erdos-Ko-Rado results for chains of complete graphs, which are special chordal graphs obtained by blowing up edges of a path into complete graphs, as well as prove preliminary results for trees.
Should age and time be eliminated from cardiovascular risk prediction models? Rationale for the creation of a new national risk detection program.

A primary goal of coronary prediction models is to identify high-risk individuals who will benefit from aggressive lifestyle changes such as dietary prudence, smoking cessation, and regular exercise. In prediction algorithms like those derived from the Framingham Heart Study,1,2 however, risk calculation is highly dependent on aging and is presented to patients as an anticipated risk over the coming 10 years. Patients with calculated 10-year Framingham risk scores (FRS) 20% are at higher risk. See p 542 Although epidemiologically sound, this approach to risk classification has limitations in clinical practice. Consider a 30-year-old woman who is overweight, rarely exercises, smokes 2 packs of cigarettes daily, has stage II hypertension (systolic blood pressure >160 mm Hg) and severe hyperlipidemia (LDL cholesterol of 190 mg/dL and HDL cholesterol of 35 mg/dL). All physicians would recognize that this individual has very high lifetime vascular risk and would benefit greatly from immediate lifestyle interventions. Clinical application of the FRS typically does not, however, involve a calculation of lifetime risk but focuses instead on 10-year risk. Using the original Framingham Risk tables based on LDL and HDL cholesterol measures,1 the calculated FRS for this patient is zero, conferring a 10-year risk of coronary heart disease of 2%, a very low risk category (Table 1, left). If no preventive effort is initiated and her current health habits continue for another 30 …
Clinical usefulness of Artronix brain scanner multiplanar coronal and sagittal brain images.

The Artronix 1100 head scanner is a promising unit which allows reconstitution of the images in coronal and sagittal planes from the axial slice. The clinical usefulness of coronal and sagittal images thus obtained is illustrated and discussed.
Widespread tropical atmospheric drying from 1979 to 1995

A daily gridded data base of tropical precipitable water (PW) from 1979–95 shows 3% average drying from 1979–87 to 1989–95. Spatial patterns of the change are consistent with strengthening of the thermally direct overturning circulation. Moistening in most of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ), and the Americas is more than offset by drying in oceanic subtropical highs and desert land areas.
The variation of carrier gas viscosities with temperature

After describing simplified equations exspressing the temparature dependency of the viscosity of carrier gases (helium, nitrogen and hydrogen ) relative to a base value, absolute relationships based on the kinetic theory of gases are discussed. Comparative data obtained using various calculation methods are given and are compared to measured values. Based on the kinetic relationshipsm, of viscosity. Finally, the influence of pressure on the viscosity is also briefly discussed. As a supplement, Viscosity data are tabulated for the three gases in the range of 0°C to 400°C in increments of 2 K, calculated using the kinetic relationships.
Theory of Superconducting Semiconductors and Semimetals

A Green's-function method is used to derive a superconducting energy-gap equation without the assumption that the Fermi energy is much larger than phonon energies. This equation is then approximated using two separate methods. The first method applies when the screened electron-phonon interaction is almost independent of wave vector and the Fermi energy is of the order of, or larger than, phonon energies. The gap equation obtained in this way takes account of the variation in the density of electron states with energy. The second approximation method applies when the screened electron-phonon interaction depends strongly on wavelength or when the Fermi energy is small compared to phonon energies. In this case, the gap equation takes account of the wave-vector dependence of the interaction, the wave-vector and frequency dependence of the electronic screening, the energy dependence of the density of states, and the wave-vector dependence of the superconducting energy gap. In addition, the effects of the retardation of the electron-electron interaction are included.
Genre variation and minority ethnic identity: exploring the ‘personal profile’ in Indian American community publications:

Indian Americans, along with other Asian American groups, are victims of the ‘model minority’ stereotype in American public discourse. This article explores the relationship between this stereotype and the nature of personal profiles published in the Indian American community. To explore the relationship systematically, I employed a controlled comparison between profiles in Indian American publications and a ‘control’ minority whose various identities are less directly implicated in this stereotype. A corpus study was undertaken involving the coding and analysis of 135 profiles, divided between Indian American and African American community publications. The African American publications, including Caribbean and Continental African Americans, functioned as controls because of the low or irrelevant standing of Americans of African descent on this stereotype. Results show that profiles from the Indian American publications reinforce the high standing of Indian Americans on the stereotype, in contrast to tho...
On the existence of subexponential parameterized algorithms

The existence of subexponential-time parameterized algorithms is examined for various parameterized problems solvable in time O(2o(k)p(n)). It is shown that for each t ≥ 1, there are parameterized problems in FPT for which the existence of O(2o(k)p(n))-time parameterized algorithms implies the collapse of W[t] to FPT. Evidence is demonstrated that Max-SNP-hard optimization problems do not admit subexponential-time parameterized algorithms. In particular, it is shown that each Max-SNP-complete problem is solvable in time O(2o(k)p(n)) if and only if 3-SAT ∈ DTIME(2o(n)). These results are also applied to show evidence for the non-existence of O(2o(√k)p(n))-time parameterized algorithms for a number of other important problems such as Dominating Set, Vertex Cover, and Independent Set on planar graph instances.
Elevated extracellular potassium is associated with a reduced extracellular space in rat neural lobe in vitro.

Increased neural activity of neurosecretory cells is accompanied by large increases in extracellular K+. The possibility that elevations of this ion might involve fluid redistribution and thus affect the size of the extracellular space and the relationship between pituicytes and axons in the rat neural lobe was explored using rapid freezing and freeze-substitution. Neural lobes were incubated for 15 min before freezing either in a normal medium or one containing a 10 mM increase in KCl (high KCl), a 10 mM increase in KCl balanced by an equimolar reduction in NaCl (high KCl-low NaCl), or only a 10 mM reduction in NaCl (low NaCl). A quantitative assessment of the region of good fixation was made to determine the relative fractions occupied by axons, pituicytes and the extracellular space near the neurohaemal contact zone. In addition, the percentage of basal lamina contacted by pituicytes and axons was calculated, as was the degree of enclosure of axons by pituicytes.
Human electrocortical dynamics of spatial navigation in a predefined square spiral

Low frequency neural oscillations in animals have been shown to play an important role in spatial navigation. However, such studies in humans have remained largely unexplored. We recorded electroencephalogy (EEG) and full body movement as subjects (n=4) walked at two different speeds (slow and fast) in a 4m×4m square spiral track. We then projected subjects' moment-to-moment EEG onto their spatial paths, separately for each outward and inward traversal of the track. Analysis of the EEG dynamics over space showed that the Hilbert envelope (power) of delta/low theta (2-5 Hz) oscillations over midline posterior, parietal cortex (electrode Pz) was locked in space to the relative position of the subject along each arm of the square spiral. There was a change in the envelope from the first third to the last third of each path, irrespective of path size, orientation or direction. The degree of spatial locking was modulated by walking speed, being much greater for fast than for slow speeds. However, the envelope activity itself was not a simple consequence of speed variation within a condition, since projecting moment-to-moment speed on each path produced a very different pattern than did projecting delta/low theta power. These results serve as novel evidence of neural oscillations, as detectable by EEG, in modulating spatial navigation of freely moving humans in open space.
Dynamic consolidation/hot isostatic pressing of SiC

Shock consolidation is a method that presents a bright potential but has been limited by inevitable cracking of compacts, especially for ceramics. In an effort to eliminate cracking while retaining the unique features of shock consolidation, three novel approaches have been implemented: (1) the use of local shock-induced reactions to increase the temperature of particle surfaces and to provide a bonding phase (reaction products); (2) shock densification at a low pressure (just above the threshold for pore collapse) followed by hot isostatic pressing; (3) shock consolidation of pre-heated specimens. These techniques were applied to silicon carbide. Reduction of cracking was observed with interparticle melting and reactions. Microstructural results, mechanical properties and advantages and limitations of these approaches are discussed. It is shown that shock consolidation of ceramics is inherently limited because shock-induced cracks are introduced into the process, damaging the particles. A criterion for the plastic deformation versus fracture of ceramic powders under shock consolidation is proposed.
Elevated Airborne Exposures of Teenagers to Manganese, Chromium, and Iron from Steel Dust and New York City’s Subway System

There is increasing interest in potential health effects of airborne exposures to hazardous air pollutants at relatively low levels. This study focuses on sources, levels, and exposure pathways of manganese, chromium, and iron among inner-city high school students in New York City (NYC) and the contribution of subways. Samples of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were collected during winter and summer over 48 h periods in a variety of settings including inside homes, outdoors, and personal samples (i.e., sampling packs carried by subjects). PM2.5 samples were also collected in the NYC subway system. For NYC, personal samples had significantly higher concentrations of iron, manganese, and chromium than did home indoor and ambient samples. The ratios and strong correlations between pairs of elements suggested steel dust as the source of these metals for a large subset of the personal samples. Time-activity data suggested NYC subways as a likely source of these elevated personal metals. In duplicate PM2.5 samples that integrated 8 h of underground subway exposure, iron, manganese, and chromium levels (>2 orders of magnitude above ambient levels) and their ratios were consistent with the elevated personal exposures. Steel dust in the NYC subway system was the dominant source of airborne exposures to iron, manganese, and chromium for many young people enrolled in this study, with the same results expected for other NYC subway riders who do not have occupational exposures to these metals. However, there are currently no known health effects at the exposure levels observed in this study.
STRATEGIES FOR PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP IN THE POST‐COLD WAR ERA

This article first addresses factors which determine presidential opportunities for shaping domestic policy and emerging change in the post-Cold War era. Recent changes are seen as providing significant constraints, but also a greater degree of opportunity than is sometimes acknowledged. The scope of those opportunities is then examined by assessing key leadership strategies. While recognizing continuing constraints on direct bargaining roles and significant limitations with the fast start strategy, the discussions points to important opportunities with strategies which include a full mobilization of administration potentials for influence, top-level negotiation, third-year shifts, uses of the bully pulpit to modify attitudes and behavior, and administrative actions. The conclusions emphasize that while opportunity levels will continue to have a strong impact on presidential accomplishments, differences in presidential choices of strategies will also contribute to future domestic policy outcomes.
Design, Simulation and Preliminary Results of an All Electric Net-Zero Energy Solar Home

This paper describes the mechanical systems, the DC-coupled electrical system, the simulation approach and the preliminary results of the University of Illinois entry in the 2007 Department of Energy Solar Decathlon competition. The competition showcased twenty net-zero energy solar powered houses. The University of Illinois entry was the only one that featured an all-electric design. No solar thermal collectors were used; space and water heating was accomplished primarily through heat pumps. Each of three house modules is sensibly conditioned with autonomous, custom mini-split heat pumps using all radiant and natural convection heat exchange for the interior side. Simulation methods are described and assumptions of wall and window properties, mechanical system performance and electrical system performance are disclosed. Details are provided on the theoretical analysis of internal heat transfer and the basic design of the custom mechanical system. The electrical system topology and equipment choices are presented and initial performance results are shown. Additionally, preliminary analysis is carried out on the data taken during the Solar Decathlon competition and on the observations of post-competition winter performance. The success in being awarded comfort conditioning points during the competition is discussed along with drawbacks not represented in the competition results.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Wordsworth, Sentimentalism, and the Defiance of Sympathy

Romanticism’s varied inheritance from eighteenth‐century philosophy is a recurrent topic in criticism because of the complex nature of both the concepts at stake and the responses of nineteenth‐century authors to a tradition in which they were deeply immersed. This essay explores the conceptual role of disappointment in one well‐known Wordsworthian encounter with a needy stranger, “The Discharged Soldier” episode from Book 4 of The Prelude. My aim is to place this encounter within the context of influential eighteenth‐ century theories of moral sentiment, showing how they illuminate tensions between perceptual uncertainty and affective confidence lurking in the works of authors often cited simply as background sources.
An examination of the Dirty Dozen measure of psychopathy: a cautionary tale about the costs of brief measures.

Given substantial interest in the traits conceived of as part of the Dark Triadpsychopathy, narcissism,and Machiavellianismassessment of these traits is of great importance. The Dirty Dozen (DD; Jonason& Webster, 2010) is a brief measure of the Dark Triad constructs that uses 4 items to assess each of theseconstructs. In the present study, the authors examined the adequacy of the DDs Psychopathy scale bycomparing it with established measures of psychopathy in a sample of undergraduates (Sample 1: N 789) and male prisoners (Sample 2: N 75). DDs Psychopathy subscale manifested significantcorrelations with established measures, but the correlations were smaller than those evinced by theexisting scales. The results also demonstrated that there is important variance related to interpersonalantagonism and disinhibition that is not assessed by the DD. The authors suggest that caution should beused in relying on the DD as a measure of psychopathy.Keywords: psychopathy, brief measures, construct validity, assessment
Management of inflammatory arthritis around the elbow

There are multiple causes of elbow swelling, with RA being the most common. Crystalline disease such as gout is also frequently seen. Oral medication or intra-articular steroid injection can be extremely effective in controlling symptoms. Synovectomy in conjunction with radial head excision continues to have a role. Fascial arthroplasty can be beneficial in younger patients in isolated disease. In more advanced cases, total elbow arthroplasty is an attractive alternative.
A similarity solution for laminar thermal boundary layer over a flat plate with a convective surface boundary condition

Abstract This paper considers the classical problem of hydrodynamic and thermal boundary layers over a flat plate in a uniform stream of fluid. It is well known that similarity solutions of the energy equation are possible for the boundary conditions of constant surface temperature and constant heat flux. However, no such solution has been attempted for the convective surface boundary condition. The paper demonstrates that a similarity solution is possible if the convective heat transfer associated with the hot fluid on the lower surface of the plate is proportional to x−1/2. Numerical solutions of the resulting similarity energy equation are provided for representative Prandtl numbers of 0.1, 0.72, and 10 and a range of values of the parameter characterizing the hot fluid convection process. For the case of constant heat transfer coefficient, the same data provide local similarity solutions.
Sequential team form and its simplification using graphical models

In this paper a sequential team form for dynamic teams is defined. A team form captures the properties of teams that only depend on the independence relation between the system variables but do not depend on the exact functional form of these relationships or on the state space of the variables. A notion of simplifying team forms is presented. We represent team forms using a directed acyclic factor graph and present a graphical model algorithm to simplify the team form.
The Use of a Compression Device as an Alternative to Hand-Sewn and Stapled Colorectal Anastomoses: Is Three a Crowd?

Background The NiTi CAR™ 27 is a newer device that uses compression to create an anastomosis. An analysis of this device in the creation of colorectal anastomoses in humans has yet to be reported in the USA.
4-(2′-Carboxyphenyl)-4-oxobutyrate: An obligatory intermediate in lawsone biosynthesis

Abstract 4-(2′-Carboxyphenyl)-4-oxobutyric acid ( 6 ) has been detected in cuttings of Impatiens balsamina . It is labelled under conditions where activity from U- 14 C-glutamate is incorporated effectively into lawsone ( 1 ). 3-(2′-Carboxyphenyl)-3-oxopropionic acid ( 7 ) has also been encountered in the cuttings.
Endoscopic Collection of Neoplastic Cells and Tubercle Bacilli from the Bronchi (Description of a New Irrigation-suction Collector and the Anatomical, Physiological, and Pathological Factors Involved)

1)The endoscopic approach to the positive diagnosis of pulmonary neoplasms and tuberculosis is discussed and compared to standard methods. 2)The anatomical, physiological, and pathological mechanisms concerned in the recovery of neoplastic cells and tubercle bacilli are described. 3)A new irrigation-suction cell and tubercle bacillus collector which permits collection from lower subdivisions of the bronchi is described in detail. 4)The apparatus described permits either selective or seriatim irrigation and suction of the lobar bronchi or of the approachable segmental bronchi making possible diagnoses in a more limited anatomical area.
Risk factors for frailty in a large prevalent cohort of hemodialysis patients.

Abstract Background Although individuals with kidney disease, including those dependent on dialysis, often present clinically with signs and symptoms consistent with frailty, there is limited information about sociodemographic and clinical risk factors that may be associated. Methods Seven hundred forty-five patients undergoing hemodialysis-between 2009 and 2011 in 7 Atlanta dialysis clinics and 7 San Francisco bay area dialysis clinics were assessed using the validated Fried frailty index (recent unintentional weight loss, reported exhaustion, low grip strength, slow walk speed, low physical activity) that defines frailty as the presence of 3 or more criteria. Study coordinators interviewed participants; measured grip strength, walk speed, and body composition; and reviewed records for clinical and laboratory parameters. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association of patient characteristics with frailty. Results in adjusted analyses, peripheral vascular disease and cardiac diseases, including dysrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, pericarditis, and cardiac arrest, were associated with higher odds for frailty, whereas black race and higher serum albumin concentration were associated with lower odds for frailty. Conclusions in multivariable analyses, the risk for frailty in patients undergoing hemodialysis, as assessed by the presence of 3 or more criteria that comprise the Fried frailty index, was increased in association with peripheral vascular disease and cardiac conditions, such as dysrhythmia and atrial fibrillation, and was decreased for those with higher serum albumin concentration and for blacks compared with whites. Among patients who met the Fried definition of frailty, 78% scored as frail on walk speed and 56% scored as frail on grip strength, the 2 physical performance measures.
Synthesis and structural characterization of the N2G-mitomycin C-N2G interstrand cross-link in a model synthetic 23 base pair oligonucleotide DNA duplex.

Mitomycin C (MMC) is a genotoxic cancer chemotherapeutic agent that reacts principally at the N2 position of guanine to form one of two predominant monoadducts, or a G-G interstrand cross-link at CpG sites, or a G-G intrastrand cross-link at GpG sites. Previous studies of MMC adduction have principally used very short duplex oligonucleotides (5−15 bp) or very long native duplex DNAs. We examined the formation and structural features of the MMC CpG interstrand cross-link on a model 23 bp synthetic oligonucleotide duplex having the (upper strand) sequence 5‘-ATAAATACGTATTTATTTATAAA-3‘. MMC was reacted with the duplex oligonucleotide in the presence of sodium dithionite at ratios of 6 mM dithionite:1.5 mM MMC:0.03 mM duplex. The yield of cross-link in the reaction was determined to be approximately 4.8% by denaturing gel electrophoresis, which represented approximately 75% of the total bound MMC. The cross-linked DNA was isolated to greater than 97% purity in a single step by high temperature size exclusion ...
Functional Status After Colon Cancer Surgery in Elderly Nursing Home Residents

DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Nursing homes in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Six thousand eight hundred twenty-two nursing home residents aged 65 and older who underwent surgery for colon cancer in the United States between 1999 and 2005. MEASUREMENTS: Changes in functional status were assessed before and after surgery using the Minimum Data Set Activity of Daily Living (MDS-ADL) summary scale, a 28-point scale in which score increases as functional dependence increases. Regression techniques were used to identify patient characteristics associated with mortality and functional decline 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: On average, residents who underwent colectomy had a 3.9-point worsening in MDS-ADL score at 1 year. One year after surgery, rates of mortality and sustained functional decline were 53% and 24%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, older age (80 vs 65–69, adjusted relative risk (ARR) = 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.15–2.04, P < .001), readmission after surgical hospitalization (ARR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.03–1.29, P = .02), surgical complications (ARR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.02–1.21, P = .01), and functional decline before surgery (ARR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.11–1.32, P < .001) were associated with functional decline at 1 year. CONCLUSION: Mortality and sustained functional decline are common after colon cancer surgery in nursing home residents. Initiatives aimed at improving surgical outcomes are needed in this vulnerable population. JA m Geriatr Soc 60:967–973, 2012.
CHANGES IN MALARIA INCIDENCE AFTER MASS DRUG ADMINISTRATION IN NICARAGUA

Mass drug administration (MDA) in 1981 reduced the incidence rates of both Plasmodium vivax and P falciparum infection in Nicaragua. Impact on P vivax cases lasted for four months and on P falciparum for seven. Subtherapeutic primaquine doses, the shorter extrinsic cycle of P vivax in the insect vector, and the timing of MDA at a high-transmission period of the year may explain the limited effects of the campaign. Positive results of the anti-malaria campaign included improvements in case-finding and routine surveillance, the apparent prevention of at least 9200 malaria cases, the training of some 70 000 antimalaria volunteers, and the participation of about 70% of the population in anti-malarial activities.
“In the west, they laughed at him:” The mocking realists of the Babylonian Talmud

In the present article I examine the rhetorical function of the phrase “in the west [the Land of Israel], they laughed at him/it” found in dialectical halakhic contexts in the Babylonian Talmud. I argue that the literary motif of “mocking westerners” allows Babylonian rabbinic authors/redactors to voice reservations about the nominalist or anti-realist orientation of some rabbinic legal interpretation as seen in the use of legal fictions, contrary-to-fact presumptions and judgments, a high degree of intentionalism, and acontextual interpretive techniques. The ability of Babylonian rabbinic authors/redactors to depict the rabbis’ nominalist approach as the object of mockery by various external and, in this case, internal others indicates a high degree of rabbinic self-awareness regarding legal interpretative assumptions and methods. The paper concludes by suggesting that rabbinic nominalism flows from a distinctive and somewhat scandalous rabbinic understanding of divine law—one that self-consciously rejects an ideal of divine law that assumes its truth and verisimilitude.