cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Constraints on hydrodynamical subgrid models from quasar absorption line studies of the simulated circumgalactic medium

Cosmological hydrodynamical simulations of galaxy evolution are increasingly able to produce realistic galaxies, but the largest hurdle remaining is in constructing subgrid models that accurately describe the behavior of stellar feedback. As an alternate way to test and calibrate such models, we propose to focus on the circumgalactic medium. To do so, we generate a suite of adaptive-mesh refinement (AMR) simulations for a Milky-Way-massed galaxy run to z=0, systematically varying the feedback implementation. We then post-process the simulation data to compute the absorbing column density for a wide range of common atomic absorbers throughout the galactic halo, including H I, Mg II, Si II, Si III, Si IV, C IV, N V, O VI, and O VII. The radial profiles of these atomic column densities are compared against several quasar absorption line studies, to determine if one feedback prescription is favored. We find that although our models match some of the observations (specifically those ions with lower ionization strengths), it is particularly difficult to match O VI observations. There is some indication that the models with increased feedback intensity are better matches. We demonstrate that sufficient metals exist in these halos to reproduce the observed column density distribution in principle, but the simulated circumgalactic medium lacks significant multiphase substructure and is generally too hot. Furthermore, we demonstrate the failings of inflow-only models (without energetic feedback) at populating the CGM with adequate metals to match observations even in the presence of multiphase structure. Additionally, we briefly investigate the evolution of the CGM from z=3 to present. Overall, we find that quasar absorption line observations of the gas around galaxies provide a new and important constraint on feedback models.
Direct Activation of Epac by Sulfonylurea Is Isoform Selective

Commonly used as a treatment for Type II diabetes, sulfonylureas (SUs) stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells by binding to sulfonylurea receptors. Recently, SUs have been shown to also activate exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 2 (Epac2), however, little is known about this molecular action. Using biosensor imaging and biochemical analysis, we show that SUs activate Epac2 and the downstream signaling via direct binding to Epac2. We further identify R447 of Epac2 to be critically involved in SU binding. This distinct binding site from cAMP points to a new mode of allosteric activation of Epac2. We also show that SUs selectively activate Epac2 isoform, but not the closely related Epac1, further establishing SUs as a new class of isoform-selective enzyme activators.
Embryology of the nervous system in the grasshopper, Melanoplus differentialis (Acrididae; Orthoptera)

The development of the nervous system is traced by stages and, in general, is found similar to that already described for other insects. Terms such as ganglionic gangliomeres, medullary masses, optic nerve, etc., are shown to have no significance. The intraganglionic thickening of Viallanes is shown to be a misnomer. A chronological table of the developmental processes is appended.
A quantum-mechanical study of metal binding sites in zinc finger structures

Abstract Density functional theory (DFT) methods were used to calculate geometric and electronic properties for the metal binding sites belonging to three distinct zinc finger families, as well as for that of a binuclear M2Cys6 sequence. DFT-derived structural parameters such as bond distances and angles for ZnII and CdII binding sites were in agreement with experimental values obtained from EXAFS, X-ray crystallography, and multidimensional NMR spectroscopy for related systems. Calculations of the electronic properties of these peptides indicate that the chelating residues alone are responsible for the majority of the free energy of metal binding, with only a small contribution attributable to neighboring residues. Our calculations also predict that the binding affinity for a given metal ion increases with the number of thiolate ligands, and is consistent with experimental observations of the relative metal ion affinities for peptides from different zinc finger families. For all zinc finger families, calculated ionization potentials for CdII-bound peptides were larger than those for the ZnII-bound species, leading to the prediction of faster redox reaction rates for the latter. We discuss the implications of these results for the structure and function of zinc fingers, as well as for the design of compounds affecting their chemical integrity.
Development of scaling parameters to describe CO2–rock interactions within Weyburn-Midale carbonate flow units

Abstract The purpose of this research was to calibrate relationships between porosity, permeability, and carbonate rate laws for two distinct carbonate rock types from the Weyburn-Midale field against experimental and characterization measurements. Subcores from the Midale Marly dolostone and Vuggy limestone reservoir flow units were reacted with brines equilibrated with pCO2 = 3 MPa at 60 °C and simulated from the micron to centimeter scale using 3D reactive transport models. Our results indicate that laboratory-derived dissolution rate equations, rate constants, activation energies, and thermodynamic solubility constants can be used to describe the observed calcite and dolomite dissolution, but rate constants may need to be adjusted to account for order of magnitude uncertainties in the initial effective surface area measurements. Successful modeling required empirically estimating the effective grid permeability for heterogeneous samples in which much of the porosity is below the resolution of the 3D imaging of the cores. Porosity and permeability relationships were also dependent on sample pore structure and its heterogeneity. These correlations were fitted by a power law with exponent n equal to 3 and 8 for the more homogeneous Marly dolostone and the highly heterogeneous Vuggy limestone, respectively.
Return to Athletic Activity After Plate Fixation of Displaced Midshaft Clavicle Fractures

Background Recent data support primary plate fixation of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. The safety and efficacy of this practice have not been well documented in athletes. Hypothesis Plate fixation of clavicle fractures in athletes is a safe and effective procedure, resulting in a reliable and timely return to play. Study design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods A total of 29 patients with displaced midshaft clavicle fractures from athletic activity were treated with plate fixation between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2008, including 1 patient treated for each clavicle for separate injuries. All 29 patients were contacted for follow-up. At a mean follow-up of 21 months, patients completed a questionnaire focused on the time to return to athletics and treatment course. Patients also completed the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire. Radiographs were reviewed to identify fracture comminution, displacement, shortening, and angulation; radiographic union time; and malunion. Results All of the patients (30/30 cases) returned to sports after open reduction internal fixation of their fracture. The mean time to return to play was 83 days with a range of 13 to 277 days. Seven (23%) of the cases returned to athletics at ≤6 weeks after surgery, and a total of 20 patients (67%) returned at ≤12 weeks after surgery. All patients (100%) were satisfied with their treatment. The QuickDASH scores revealed almost perfect recovery (mean score, 0.8 of 100). Four minor complications were identified. No patient had a refracture, plate fracture, loss of fixation, nonunion, malunion, or deep wound infection. Conclusion Plate fixation of displaced clavicle fractures in athletes is a safe procedure, resulting in a high satisfaction rating and minimal disability to the upper extremity. An early return (
Epic (Mis)takes: Nation, religion and gender on television 1

(1997). Epic (Mis)takes: Nation, religion and gender on television. Quarterly Review of Film and Video: Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 59-75.
Polymer-supported oligosaccharide synthesis by a loading–release–reloading strategy

Abstract A new synthetic strategy for solid-supported oligosaccharide synthesis has been developed whereby a synthetic intermediate can be released from the solid support, purified and reloaded for further synthesis. Key to the success of this approach is the polymeric support polystyrylboronic acid, which allows saccharides to be loaded by heating in pyridine and released by treatment with a mixture of acetone and water.
A physical model for the passage of ions through an ion-specific channel— II. The potassium-like channel

Abstract The potassium-like channel is idealized as a pore containing several electrostatic binding sites (traps) through which ions pass in an in-file step-by-step manner. This model is then treated by the techniques of statistical physics, and an explicit current-voltage relation is obtained for the case of deep traps. Since this relation differs significantly from that expected for a sodium-like channel [17], it is hypothesized that predicting accurately the current-voltage or voltage-concentration behavior of a biological membrane may be more complex than has hitherto been realized.
Optical Trapping for the Manipulation of Colloidal Particles

The simultaneous positioning of multiple colloidal particles using optical tweezers is described here. It is illustrated that novel structures of very specific design can be constructed on a microscopic scale (see Figure) and that the structure can be locked in by photopolymerization of the surrounding solvent. Such artificially created surfaces may find applications as lithographic masks or diffraction gratings.
Specific intracellular hyaluronic acid binding to isolated rat hepatocytes is membrane-associated

Abstract Intact isolated rat hepatocytes show a small amount of specific 125 I-labeled hyaluronic acid (HA) binding. However, in the presence of digitonin, a very large increase in the specific binding of 125 I-HA is observed. Chondroitin sulfate, heparin and dextran sulfate were as effective as unlabeled HA in competing for 125 I-HA binding to permeabilized hepatocytes, indicating that the binding sites may have a general specificity for glycosaminoglycans. After rat hepatocytes had been homogenized in a hypotonic buffer, more than 98% of the 125 I-HA binding activity could be pelleted by centrifugation at 100 000 × g for 1 h. Mild alkaline treatment of hepatocyte membranes did not release 125 I-HA binding activity, suggesting that the HA binding site is an integral membrane molecule. Furthermore, trypsin treatment of deoxycholate-extracted membranes destroyed the binding activity, as assessed by a dot-blot assay. This suggests that a protein component in the membrane is necessary for 125 I-HA binding activity. Rat fibrinogen could be a possible candidate for the HA binding activity because HA binds specifically to human fibrinogen (LeBoeuf et al. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 12 586). Also, fibrinogen can be found in a quasi-crystalline form in rat hepatocytes and could be pelleted with the membranes. Rat fibrinogen was not responsible for the 125 I-HA binding activity, since (1) purified rat fibrinogen did not bind to 125 I-HA, and (2) immunoprecipitation of rat fibrinogen from hepatocyte extracts did not decrease the 125 I-HA binding of these extracts. We conclude that the internal HA binding sites are membrane- or cytoskeleton-associated proteins and are neither cytosolic proteins nor fibrinogen.
The prognostic significance of flow cytometric DNA analysis

The clinical course of patients with thymoma varies widely despite its histologically benign appearance. Treatment decisions are based on local invasion and the extent of resection. Because some patients have more aggressive tumors, the prognostic significance of flow cytometric (FCM) analysis of nuclear DNA content was examined. Adequate tissue from paraffin-embedded blocks was available for 25 patients. Using FCM, the percentage of cells in S-phase (%S) and the ploidy, based on the DNA index (DI), were determined. The mean patient age was 52 years, with a female-to-male ratio of 1.3:1 and a median follow-up of 64 months. Seventeen patients underwent total tumor resections, and 12 also received radiation therapy. Eight patients underwent subtotal resections, with five receiving radiation therapy (with or without chemotherapy) and three receiving chemotherapy alone. Based on invasion and intrathoracic dissemination, the tumors were classified into four stages. The mean %S was 5.6. There was no relationship observed between %S and patient outcome. The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 85% for the 16 patients with diploid (DI = 1) tumors and 33% for the 9 patients with aneuploid (DI more than 1) tumors (P less than 0.002). Similar significant differences were observed by stage and extent of surgery. For those who had total resection (n = 17), the disease-free survival rate was 89% when DI equaled 1 and 50% when DI was more than 1 (P = 0.01). Although the numbers studied were small, when stage, histologic findings, and type of surgery were subdivided by DI, a higher incidence of relapse was associated consistently with aneuploidy. The DI appears to be a useful prognostic parameter for identifying patients at high risk of relapse.
Impact speed and a pedestrian's risk of severe injury or death

This study estimates the risk of severe injury or death for pedestrians struck by vehicles using data from a study of crashes that occurred in the United States in years 1994-1998 and involved a pedestrian struck by a forward-moving car, light truck, van, or sport utility vehicle. The data were weighted to correct for oversampling of pedestrians who were severely injured or killed. Logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounding related to pedestrian and vehicle characteristics. Risks were standardized to represent the average risk for a pedestrian struck by a car or light truck in the United States in years 2007-2009. Results show that the average risk of a struck pedestrian sustaining an injury of Abbreviated Injury Scale 4 or greater severity reaches 10% at an impact speed of 17.1miles per hour (mph), 25% at 24.9mph, 50% at 33.0mph, 75% at 40.8mph, and 90% at 48.1mph. The average risk of death reaches 10% at an impact speed of 24.1mph, 25% at 32.5mph, 50% at 40.6mph, 75% at 48.0mph, and 90% at 54.6mph. Risks varied by age. For example, the average risk of death for a 70-year-old pedestrian struck at any given speed was similar to the average risk of death for a 30-year-old pedestrian struck at a speed 11.8mph faster.
Parallel implementation of an adaptive and parameter-free N-body integrator

Abstract Previously, Pruett et al. (2003) [3] described an N -body integrator of arbitrarily high order M with an asymptotic operation count of O ( M 2 N 2 ) . The algorithm's structure lends itself readily to data parallelization, which we document and demonstrate here in the integration of point-mass systems subject to Newtonian gravitation. High order is shown to benefit parallel efficiency. The resulting N -body integrator is robust, parameter-free, highly accurate, and adaptive in both time-step and order. Moreover, it exhibits linear speedup on distributed parallel processors, provided that each processor is assigned at least a handful of bodies. Program summary Program title: PNB.f90 Catalogue identifier: AEIK_v1_0 Program summary URL: http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEIK_v1_0.html Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions: Standard CPC license, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.html No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 3052 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 68 600 Distribution format: tar.gz Programming language: Fortran 90 and OpenMPI Computer: All shared or distributed memory parallel processors Operating system: Unix/Linux Has the code been vectorized or parallelized?: The code has been parallelized but has not been explicitly vectorized. RAM: Dependent upon N Classification: 4.3, 4.12, 6.5 Nature of problem: High accuracy numerical evaluation of trajectories of N point masses each subject to Newtonian gravitation. Solution method: Parallel and adaptive extrapolation in time via power series of arbitrary degree. Running time: 5.1 s for the demo program supplied with the package.
Social Information Behavior and the Democratic Process: Information Poverty, Normative Behavior, and Electronic Government in the United States

Electronic government (e-government) is the provision of government information and services through the Internet to citizens and businesses and among government agencies. This electronic manifestation of government offers new levels of access to government information and services. However, if e-government usage is limited in certain segments of society, it is not achieving its egalitarian potential. Understanding reasons why people do not use e-government will facilitate the development of a more inclusive e-government that better fulfills its potential to deliver information to all citizens and increase participation in the democratic process. Two phenomena of information behavior, information poverty and normative behavior, may help explain why certain groups do not use e-government information. This article offers suggestions on how these concepts of information behavior can contribute to the e-government research agenda.
Dynamics of Aqueous Solutions of Ions and Neutral Solutes at Infinite Dilution at a Supercritical Temperature of 683 K

We discuss the structure of alkali metal ions, halide ions, and uncharged solutes at infinite dilution in supercritical water solutions, at solvent densities of 0.35, 0.20, and 0.997 g cm-3 at a temperature of 683 K using the SPC/E model for water. This model has critical constants (Tc = 640 K, ρc = 0.29 g cm-3) which compare well with the corresponding values (Tc = 647 K, ρc = 0.322 g cm-3) for real water. The solute−water pair correlation functions are qualitatively different for the charged and uncharged solutes at 683 K at both 0.35 and 0.20 g cm-3 solvent densities, with water expelled from the immediate vicinity of the uncharged solute but retained and compressed in the neighborhood of a small ion. Increasing the solvent density to 0.997 g cm-3 at 683 K leads to dramatic changes in the solvent structure around an uncharged solute, with the formation of hydrogen-bonded cages analogous to those observed at room temperature (298 K) at the same solvent density. The primary hydration numbers of the ions ...
Role of oxygen gradients in shaping redox relationships between the human intestine and its microbiota

The unique anatomy and physiology of the intestine in conjunction with its microbial content create the steepest oxygen gradients in the body, which plunge to near anoxia at the luminal midpoint. Far from static, intestinal oxygen gradients ebb and flow with every meal. This in turn governs the redox effectors nitric oxide, hydrogen sulfide, and reactive oxygen species of both host and bacterial origin. This review illustrates how the intestine and microbes utilize oxygen gradients as a backdrop for mechanistically shaping redox relationships and a functional coexistence.
Geometric problems on two-dimensional array processors

Parallel algorithms for solving geometric problems on two array processor models—the mesh-connected computer (MCC) and a two-dimensional systolic array—are presented. We illustrate a recursive divide- and-conquer paradigm for MCC algorithms by presenting a time-optimal solution for the problem of finding thenearest neighbors of a set of planar points represented by their Cartesian coordinates. The algorithm executes on a√n×√n MCC, and requires an optimalO(√n) time. An algorithm for constructing theconvex hull of a set of planar points and anupdate algorithm for thedisk placement problem on ann 2/3×n 2/3 two-dimensional systolic array are presented. Both these algorithms requireO(n 2/3) time steps. The advantage of the systolic solutions lies in their suitability for direct hardware implementation.
Memory T Cells in the Chronic Inflammatory Microenvironment of Nasal Polyposis are Hyporesponsive to Signaling Through the T Cell Receptor

A majority of T cells from chronic inflammatory tissues derived from patients with nasal polyposis were found to express an effector memory phenotype. We report here that these memory T cells failed to activate NF-κB in response to TCR stimulation but responded normally when the proximal TCR signaling molecules were bypassed with PMA and ionomycin. The dysfunction of these cells was associated with a decrease in the phosphorylation of several TCR proximal signaling molecules including ZAP70, Lck and SLP-76. In addition to the disruption in the TCR signaling pathway, the nasal polyp-associated T cells were shown to have a defect in their ability to translocate LAMP-1 to the cell surface. The results presented here establish that the phenotype and anergy of the T cells in the nasal polyp are similar to those which is seen in memory T cells derived from human tumors and other sites of chronic inflammation.
Biomimetic Surfaces via Dextran Immobilization: Grafting Density and Surface Properties

Biomimetic surfaces were prepared by chemisorption of oxidized dextran (Mw =110 kDa) onto SiO2 substrates that were previously modified with aminopropyl-tri-ethoxy silane (APTES). The kinetics of dextran oxidation by sodium metaperiodate (NaIO4) were quantified by 1H NMR and pH measurements. The extent of oxidation was then used to control the morphology of the biomimetic surface. Oxidation times of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 24 hours resulted in θ1h>θ2,4h>θ0.5h)
A survey of internal auditors to establish the scope of the common body of knowledge study in 2006

Purpose – To present the results of a survey of internal auditors worldwide to determine the scope of the topics to be included in The IIA's Global Common Body of Knowledge Study (CBOK) 2006.Design/methodology/approach – The researchers developed a prescope questionnaire and surveyed a small sample of experienced internal auditors worldwide. All three CBOK 2006 teams (Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe/Africa) participated in data gathering from internal auditors in their regions. The questionnaire contained topics that were adapted from The IIA Practice Standards, past CBOKs ands other relevant prior research. The questionnaire also provided space for inclusion of “Other” topics by respondents.Findings – The respondents agreed with the inclusion of a majority of the topics listed in the prescope questionnaire in the global CBOK 2006 survey. Many “Other” topical areas were also suggested for inclusion.Originality/value – The survey results are providing invaluable information to the researchers in their ef...
Z-Radio, Boston: Teen Journalism, Political Engagement, and Democratizing the Airwaves

This article analyzes a youth organization's struggle to start a low-watt community radio station. The project was envisioned as a way to encourage at-risk youth to become media producers and gain technical and communication skills. It was also seen as a medium through which to communicate about important social and political issues affecting the station's predominantly low-income and minority constituency—concerns not prominently covered in the commercial media. Like hundreds of US urban communities excluded from operating low power FM stations under current FCC regulations, this group initiated a 100 milliwatt AM station with hopes of eventually becoming a 100 watt FM station if FCC regulations were to change. Funding, organizational, logistical, and regulatory issues are discussed, along with obstacles and successes of this initiative and the potential for such programs to engage youth in larger issues of democracy and non-commercial expression.
Effective sample sizes for confidence intervals for survival probabilities

We examine various methods to estimate the effective sample size for construction of confidence intervals for survival probabilities. We compare the effective sample sizes of Cutler and Ederer and Peto et al., as well as a modified Cutler-Ederer effective sample size. We investigate the use of these effective sample sizes in the common situation of many censored observations that intervene between the time point of interest and the last death before this time. We note that there is no a priori reason to treat upper and lower confidence intervals in a symmetric fashion since censored survival data are by nature asymmetric. We recommend the use of the Cutler-Ederer effective sample size in construction of upper confidence intervals and the Peto effective sample size in construction of lower confidence intervals. Two examples with real data demonstrate the differences between confidence intervals formed with different effective sample sizes. This study also illustrates the need for caution in the application of simulation studies to real problems.
Bias‐free Teaching as a Topic in a Course for International Teaching Assistants

0 ESL professionals working with international teaching assistants (ITAs) can help shape the future of science and technology in the United States. Three interrelated trends lead to this conclusion. The first trend is the increasing shortage of scientists and engineers in the United States (Malcom, 1990; "Shortage," 1990). This trend is accompanied by the second, an increasing shortage of faculty in the scientific and technological fields (Mooney, 1989). The third trend is the increasing recognition, based on a growing body of research, that many potential scientists and engineers are discouraged from pursuing careers in these areas by the behaviors--probably mostly unconscious-of science and engineering faculty (Malcom, 1990). The unconscious discriminatory behavior begins early and lasts beyond graduate school: As Shirley M. Malcom (1990) of the American Association for the Advancement of Science writes, "there exists a vast and strangely invisible talent pool that remains virtually untapped." This pool consists of minorities, girls and women, and the handicapped, who, according to her, have received education in science that has been "most dismal" (p. 112). ESL professionals working with ITAs may have a significant impact on the training of future scientists and technicians in the United States because the shortage of science, mathematics, and engineering faculty is predicted to lead to a greater proportion of foreign-born faculty being hired (Mooney, 1989). Many of these faculty will have been teaching assistants in U.S. universities, as is clear from the sheer numbers of foreign students earning PhDs in science and engineering-in 1988 about 50% of the recipients of PhDs in engineering were non-U.S. citizens (Watkins, 1990). How can ESL teachers make a difference? We can help by introducing into our ITA training programs lessons and activities designed to
Oxygen- and carbon-isotope analyses of the articulate brachiopod Laqueus californianus: a recorder of environmental changes in the subeuphotic zone

This study is the first systematic attempt to use oxygen and carbon isotopes in modern brachiopods to investigate seasonality and growth rates. A comparison of oxygen-isotope analyses of shells of living specimens ofLaqueus californianus dredged from 80 and 130 m off Santa Catalina Island, California, to available hydrographie data indicates that this articulate brachiopod secretes its shell in or close to oxygen isotopic equilibrium with ambient seawater. Periodic oxygen-isotope depletions appear to result from El Nino events. Unexpectedly low δ13C values associated with the 1983 El Nino may be explained by increased bacterial activity or organic loading into the Southern California Bight associated with these warm-water pulses. Growth rates determined from annual cycles in δ18O records are variable, but generally average between 2 and 3 mm yr−1 for mature individuals. Because of the longevity ofL. californianus,18O profiles provide high-resolution seasonal temperature records spanning one to two decades. Our data suggest that oxygen isotopes in brachiopod shells can be utilized as monitors of environmental change in the subeuphotic zone.
Parameter Identification in a Nonlinear Reactor System

Identification of plant parameters in a nonlinear space-dependent reactor system based on simulated measurements has been accomplished. The quasilinearization iterative technique provides the computational capability for solving the nonlinear equations in the identification process. Examples of the identification of feedback temperature coefficients in one and two neutron energy group nonlinear models with linear temperature feedback are presented.
Comparative Study on Electric Vehicle Charging Standards at Home and Abroad

Charging infrastructure is the fundamental conditions of electric vehicles(EV)’s application and dissemination, and advanced charging standards can guide and regulate the harmonious development of EV and infrastructure. In this paper, plenty of and latest EV charging standards were collected at home and abroad, which were compared in different classifications, then the standards differences were analyzed in term of relative merits to provide reference for the future development of EV charging standards in China.
A comparison of two nonoperative methods of idiopathic clubfoot correction: the Ponseti method and the French functional (physiotherapy) method. Surgical technique.

ABSTRACT FROM THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE BACKGROUND: In the treatment of idiopathic clubfeet, the Ponseti method and the French functional method have been successful in reducing the need for surgery. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare the results of these two methods at one institution. METHODS: Patients under three months of age with previously untreated idiopathic clubfeet were enrolled. All feet were rated for severity prior to treatment. After both techniques had been described to them, the parents selected the treatment method. Outcomes at a minimum of two years were classified as good (a plantigrade foot with, or without, a heel-cord tenotomy), fair (a plantigrade foot that had or needed to have limited posterior release or tibialis anterior transfer), or poor (a need for a complete posteromedial surgical release). Two hundred and sixty-seven feet in 176 patients treated with the Ponseti method and 119 feet in eighty patients treated with the French functional method met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: The patients were followed for an average of 4.3 years. Both groups had similar severity scores before treatment. The initial correction rates were 94.4% for the Ponseti method and 95% for the French functional method. Relapses occurred in 37% of the feet that had initially been successfully treated with the Ponseti method. One-third of the relapsed feet were salvaged with further nonoperative treatment, but the remainder required operative intervention. Relapses occurred in 29% of the feet that had been successfully treated with the French functional method, and all required operative intervention. At the time of the latest follow-up, the outcomes for the feet treated with the Ponseti method were good for 72%, fair for 12%, and poor for 16%. The outcomes for the feet treated with the French functional method were good for 67%, fair for 17%, and poor for 16%. CONCLUSIONS: Nonoperative correction of an idiopathic clubfoot deformity can be maintained over time in most patients. Although there was a trend showing improved results with use of the Ponseti method, the difference was not significant. In our experience, parents select the Ponseti method twice as often as they select the French functional method. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. ORIGINAL ABSTRACT CITATION: “A Comparison of Two Nonoperative Methods of Idiopathic Clubfoot
Short-term modulation at synapses between neurons in laminae II–V of the rodent spinal dorsal horn

Unitary excitatory (EPSP) and inhibitory (IPSP) postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) were evoked between neurons in Rexed's laminae (L)II–V of spinal slices from young hamsters (7–24 days old) at 27°C us...
An exponential lower bound for the pure literal rule

A pure literal is a literal in a logic formula (usually in Conjunctive Normal Form) that occurs only positively or only negatively. The Davis-Putnam Procedure [l] was developed to find one solution to a logic formula, and it contains several techniques for speeding up the typical solution time. One of these techniques is the pure literal rule: a variable that occurs only positively or only negatively (a pure literal) needs to have only one value considered, the value that makes all of its clauses true. To facilitate average time analysis, Goldberg [2] developed a simplified algorithm which consisted of just splitting (trying each value for a variable, simplifying the resulting subproblems, and considering each subproblem recursively) and the pure literal rule. The running time for this Pure Literal Rule Algorithm gives an upper bound for the running time of the full Davis-Putnam Procedure. The Pure Literal Rule Algorithm takes polynomial average time for some random sets of problems [2,3]. A detailed upper bound analysis [7] showed that there was an extensive region where the average time is polynomial. This paper has the first lower bound analysis for this algorithm. We show that there is also an extensive region where the average time for this algorithm is exponential. In many cases, the current lower bound is much lower than the best upper bound [7]. (We are writing up an improved analysis which shows that true behavior of the algorithm is close to the upper bound in [7] when the average clause length is not too large.)
Spatial variation and low diversity in the major histocompatibility complex in walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)

Increased global temperature and associated changes to Arctic habitats will likely result in the northward advance of species, including an influx of pathogens novel to the Arctic. How species respond to these immunological challenges will depend in part on the adaptive potential of their immune response system. We compared levels of genetic diversity at a gene associated with adaptive immune response [Class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC), DQB exon 2] between populations of walrus (Odobenus rosmarus), a sea ice-dependent Arctic species. Walrus was represented by only five MHC DQB alleles, with frequency differences observed between Pacific and Atlantic populations. MHC DQB alleles appear to be under balancing selection, and most (80 %; n = 4/5) of the alleles were observed in walruses from both oceans, suggesting broad scale differences in the frequency of exposure and diversity of pathogens may be influencing levels of heterozygosity at DQB in walruses. Limited genetic diversity at MHC, however, suggests that walrus may have a reduced capacity to respond to novel immunological challenges associated with shifts in ecological communities and environmental stressors predicted for changing climates. This is particularly pertinent for walrus, since reductions in summer sea ice may facilitate both northward expansion of marine species and associated pathogens from more temperate regions, and exchange of marine mammals and associated pathogens through the recently opened Northwest Passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in the Canadian high Arctic.
A Solid Acid Catalyst at the Threshold of Superacid Strength: NMR, Calorimetry, and Density Functional Theory Studies of Silica-Supported Aluminum Chloride

Solid state NMR, calorimetry, and density functional theory (DFT) all provide a consistent interpretation of the acidity of the solid acid catalyst (SG)nAlCl2, which is prepared by reacting aluminum chloride with conditioned silica gel. These studies firmly establish that the acid sites are Bronsted in nature and that their strength is significantly greater than those in zeolites. Proton NMR results, including experiments exploiting 1H−27Al dipolar couplings, demonstrate that the Bronsted acid sites have an isotropic 1H chemical shift of 5.7 ppm and a concentration of 0.58 mmol/g. The strongest sites on this solid acid, present at 0.03 mmol/g, have −ΔHav values of 52 kcal/mol for reaction with pyridine. A value of 44 kcal/mol is maintained for incremental addition of pyridine up to 0.1 mmol/g. In comparison, −ΔHav for the strongest sites in zeolite HZSM-5 is only 42 kcal/mol. 15N magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR studies of adsorbed pyridine and 31P MAS NMR of trimethylphosphine confirm the Bronsted nature o...
Potential for Mechanised Logging Systems in the Republic of South Africa

SYNOPSIS Company crew harvesting operations on Mondi Paper Company Ltd land in the highveld region, Transvaal, RSA, were studied from June to September 1990. Time studies were conducted to estimate production rates on the three operational phases: felling, skidding, and stacking. Production and cost estimates were used with the Auburn Harvesting Analyzer to simulate a harvesting system similar to the system observed in the RSA. Similar analyses were conducted for mechanised systems similar to those used in the south-eastern USA (SEUSA) to evaluate the potential for such systems in stands common to the RSA. Tree-length systems common to the SEUSA appear to have the potential to operate in the RSA at costs of up to 14% less per cubic metre than current RSA systems. Such a system could be less sensitive to increases in labor wages since it is 140% more productive per man hour. Wages for the SEUSA-style mechanised system could be 115%higher than current wages and still produce wood at a cost competitive with ...
Hydrogen trapping in work-hardened alloys

Abstract The ingress of hydrogen in two work-hardened nickel-base alloys (Inconel 625 and Hastelloy C-276) exposed to an acetate electrolyte (1 mol L −1 HAc/1 mol L −1 NaAc where Ac = acetate) was studied using a potentiostatic pulse technique. The data were shown to fit a diffusion/trapping model under interface control, and values were determined for the irreversible trapping constants ( k ) and the flux of hydrogen into the alloys. The density of irreversible trap defects in Inconel 625 was calculated from k and found to be in excellent agreement with concentration of NbTi(C) particles. Hastelloy C-276 was characterized by two trapping constants; one is associated with quasi-irreversible traps that saturate, leaving only irreversible traps. The density of irreversible traps was shown to agree with the concentration of phosphorus segregated at grain boundaries. The irreversible trapping constants for these alloys are consistent with their relative susceptibilities to hydrogen embrittlement.
Eligibility Determination Using a Curriculum-Based Assessment: A Further Examination

This study examined the accuracy of a curriculum-based assessment for use during the eligibility process for Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) services. The study extended a previous investigation in which performance scores of children without disabilities on the Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System (AEPS) were used to set cutoff scores at 6-month age intervals. These cutoff scores were then tested for service eligibility classification accuracy. The present study specifies and examines cutoff scores at more specific age intervals and performance domains. Present study findings largely replicated results of the original study. The AEPS cutoff scores were found to accurately classify most eligible children but did overidentify some ineligible children. The data from these two studies suggest that, to the extent allowed by state criteria, early intervention/early childhood special education personnel may be able to use the AEPS test as a valid assessment tool while qu...
Disclosure of psychosocial stressors affecting diabetes care among uninsured young adults with Type 1 diabetes.

Aims To determine the disclosure rates of psychosocial issues affecting routine diabetes care. Methods A total of 20 young adults were interviewed regarding the impact of psychosocial stressors on their diabetes care. The interviewer, endocrinologist and case manager reported the prevalence rates of psychosocial stressors. Disclosure rates were compared to determine the prevalence of psychosocial issues and the different patterns of disclosure. Results Participants reported a high number of psychosocial stressors, which were associated with poorer glycaemic control (r = 0.60, P = 0.005). Approximately half of all disclosed stressors (50.9%) were identified in routine care; other stressors were identified only through intensive case management and/or in-depth interviews. Conclusions Identifying psychosocial stressors in routine care, and providing referrals to psychological or social services, is a significant unmet need and may improve glycaemic control among certain populations with diabetes. Systematic mechanisms of capturing this information, such as by screening surveys, should be considered.
Service life of crosslinked polyethylene as high voltage cable insulation

This paper provides a summary of four EPRI-sponsored contracts that studied the physico-chemical characteristics and thermal and electrical behavior of unaged and service-aged crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE)—insulated cables, and sections of the insulation obtained from this extruded cable. It has been demonstrated that volatile components generated primarily from the peroxideinduced crosslinking process can be defined and quantitatively measured. The morphology of the aged and unaged XLPE extruded insulation can be defined, and the thermal behavior on a micro (morphology changes) and macro (cable aging) level compared. Changes in microvoid level due to melting and recrystallization during cable operation appear to correlate with the limited amount of ac breakdown strength data obtained, and thermal overload of the cable conductor causes complete melting (and recrystallization on cooling) reducing the microvoid level. A single thermal overload alters the morphology but many thermal overloads are required to drive off the volatiles.
Locus of Control of Disadvantaged High School Dropouts: Preliminary Data.

Normative data were collected on 197 disadvantaged high school dropouts on the dimension of internal-external control. Findings indicate that this group appears to be external but not markedly so, and a short-term intervention program designed to improve academic and vocational skills did not appear to affect locus of control of 33 subjects.
Calculated response and wall correction factors for ionization chambers exposed to 60Co gamma rays

The response and wall correction factors for various ionization chambers in a cobalt-60 gamma-ray field have been calculated using a Monte Carlo photon-electron transport code. Among the chamber parameters studied are chamber wall material and its thickness, central electrode material and its dimensions, and the shape and size of the sensitive volume. The calculations show that the response and wall correction factors are sensitive to the shape and volume of the ionization chamber, but relatively independent of the choice of material for the chamber wall and electrode when these are compared on the basis of electron density. Data are presented for cylindrical, plane-parallel, and spherical ionization chambers constructed from carbon, magnesium, aluminum, water, Lucite, polystyrene, and ICRU muscle, as well as for a number of commerically available ionization chambers.
Chemical Stimulation of the Arabidopsis thaliana Root using Multi-Laminar Flow on a Microfluidic Chip

In this article, we developed a “plant on a chip” microfluidic platform that can control the local chemical environment around live roots of Arabidopsis thaliana with high spatial resolution using multi-laminar flow. We characterized the flow profile around the Arabidopsis root, and verified that the shear forces within the device (∼10 dyne cm−2) did not impede growth of the roots. Our platform was able to deliver stimuli to the root at a spatial resolution of 10–800 µm. Further, the platform was validated by exposing desired regions of the root with a synthetic auxin derivative, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and its inhibitor N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA). The response to the stimuli was observed using a DR5::GFP Arabidopsis line, where GFP expression is coupled to the auxin response regulator DR5. GFP expression in the root matched the position of the flow-focused stream containing 2,4-D. When the regions around the 2,4-D stimulus were exposed to the auxin transport inhibitor NPA, the active and passive transport mechanisms of auxin could be differentiated, as NPA blocks active cell-to-cell transport of auxin. Finally, we demonstrated that local 2,4-D stimulation in a ∼10 µm root segment enhanced morphological changes such as epidermal hair growth. These experiments were proof-of-concept and agreed with the results expected based on known root biology, demonstrating that this “root on a chip” platform can be used to test how root development is affected by any chemical component of interest, including nitrogen, phosphate, salts, and other plant hormones.
The Effect of Grain Component of the Diet on the Response of Turkey Poults to Vitamin D3 and Penicillin

Abstract Three experiments were conducted with turkey poults to study the effects of the grain component of the diet (corn or rye), added fat, penicillin or extra vitamin D on growth and bone ash. In the first trial, where rye replaced corn in the diet, growth was depressed and the poults were rachitic before two weeks of age. Adding fat or penicillin to the rye containing diets significantly improved growth and increased bone ash. In the second trial, adding extra vitamin D3 or penicillin to a diet with rye increased both growth and bone ash. Diets containing either corn or rye were used in the third trial and the results again showed that extra vitamin D or penicillin markedly improved growth and bone ash when added to the diets with rye but did not significantly increase growth of poults on the diets with corn. Bone ash of turkeys fed the corn diets was significantly increased by a combination of extra vitamin D3 and penicillin.
A test of Przibram's Rule

Przibram's Rule states that the ratio of the mean weights in successive instars of hemimetabolous insects is 2.09. Faber (1994) described a two-stage approach to testing Przibram's Rule when the instars of the measured individuals are unknown. In the first stage, individuals are assigned to one of the instars on the basis of their weights. In the second stage, a test of the null hypothesis that the means of logarithmic weight in the two groups differ by the logarithm of 2.09 is performed. This approach suffers from two problems. First, errors in assigning individuals to instars will exaggerate the difference between instars. Secondly, the validity of the test in the second stage is based on the implicit assumption that the variance of logarithmic weight in the two groups is equal. This note describes a test of Przibram's Rule that avoids these problems.