cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Compost Input Effect on Dryland Wheat and Forage Yields and Soil Quality

Abstract In the U.S.A., organic agricultural systems rely on organic amendments to achieve the crop fertility requirements, and weed control must be achieved without synthetic herbicides. Our objective was to determine the crop yield and soil quality effects of a transition from grass to dryland organic agriculture in the Central Great Plains of North America. This study evaluated three biennial beef feedlot compost (BFC) applications in 2010–2015: none added (control), 22.9 T ha −1 , and 108.7 T ha −1 on two dryland organic cropping systems: A wheat (Triticum aestivum)-fallow (WF) rotation harvested for grain, and a triticale (Triticosecale)/pea (Pisum sativum)-fallow (T/P-F) rotation harvested for forage. The T/P-F biomass responded positively to the 108.7 T ha −1 BFC treatment, but not the 22.9 T ha −1 . The WF biomass was not affected by BFC addition, but BFC increased biomass N content. Beef feedlot compost input did not increase WF grain yields, but had a positive effect on WF grain zinc content. Soil total C and N increased with the 108.7 T ha −1 BFC addition after three applications, but not with the 22.9 T ha −1 rate. Soil enzyme activities associated with N and C cycling responded positively to the 108.7 T ha −1 BFC treatment. Saturated salts were high in the soil receiving 108.7 T ha −1 of BFC, but the increase was not enough to affect crop yields. These results show that BFC is effective in enhancing forage yields, wheat grain quality, soil C, and N, as well as specific microbial enzymes important for nutrient cycling. However, the large rates of BFC necessary to elicit these positive responses did not increase grain yields, and resulted in an excessive buildup of soil P.
A Low-Profile Flow Sensing System for Monitoring of Cerebrospinal Fluid with a New Ventriculoamniotic Shunt

Fetal hydrocephalus is a condition involvingexcessive accumulation of intraventricular cerebrospinal fluidwith ventricular dilation. It often leads to malformation ordevastating neurological consequences of developing fetalbrains. Recent advances in fetal imaging have triggered thedevelopment of a ventriculoamniotic shunt. However, there arestill concerns about shunt clogging or obstruction with theexisting devices. Here, we introduce a low-profile, ventriculoamniotic shunt device, integrated with a microflowsensor to relieve abnormal high intracranial pressure, whileenabling real-time monitoring of the fluid dynamics. The shuntprototype is manufactured by using a low-profile flexiblecomposite tubing and superelastic nitinol anchors. The flexibleand stretchable microflow sensor is uniquely designed andfabricated by using two metallic nanomembranes encapsulatedby biocompatible silicone elastomer. Flow monitoringperformance of the sensor is demonstrated in vitro using acustom-built flow circulation model with a peristaltic pump. The highly sensitive, microflow sensor measures variousincoming fluid velocity from 0.037 to 0.3 m/s, corresponding tothe capacitance changed from 0.49 pF to 1.43 pF. Collectively, we demonstrate the feasibility of a microflow sensor for directintegration with the ventriculoamniotic shunt device for thetreatment of aqueductal stenosis.
Teleconnection between low flows and large-scale climate indices in Texas River basins

Understanding low flow variability is critical for assessing water quality and health of riverine ecosystems in a river basin. Low flows are dependent on human water abstraction as well as the climate variability. This paper investigates the changing nature of low flows and their association with large-scale climate variability for different watersheds in the State of Texas, USA. For this purpose, we employed trend, wavelet analysis and linear as well as nonlinear correlations to identify important changes in low flow characteristics for three stream-gauging stations selected from different (i.e. Brazos, Colorado and Trinity) river basins located in Texas for the time period of 1916–1959 and 1960–2003. We also investigated the teleconnections between low flow variables and the large-scale climate indices (NINO 3.4, SOI and PDO) using cross wavelet analysis as well as their linear and non-linear correlation relationship. Our results indicated that the low flow magnitudes have shown considerable different characteristics for selected river basins during two separate time periods (1916–1959 and 1960–2003). Based on cross wavelet analysis, we identified that the low flows in selected stations of Colorado and Trinity River basins are likely to be influenced by all three large-scale climate indices. In addition to that, we identified that low flows are more nonlinearly associated with climate indices. Among the selected River basins, the stronger association between low flows and large scale climate indices are observed for Trinity River basin. The results from this study can help in better understanding of low flow hydrology and their potential relationship with large scale indices.
Corporate association strategies and consumer responses: The relative effectiveness of CA versus CSR communication strategy by industry type

AbstractGiven the importance of communication in the realm of corporate associations, this study analyzes the roles that communication strategies play in the formation of corporate associations. The study examines (1) whether particular types of associations (corporate ability or corporate social responsibility associations) can be developed through CA- or CSR-based communication strategies, and (2) the relative effectiveness of these two association types at amplifying favorable consumer responses across three different industries (consumable goods, durable goods, and stigmatized goods). An experiment was conducted to test the proposed model with six Fortune 500 companies. The results demonstrate that communication strategies can effectively facilitate a particular type of association. Differing levels of association effectiveness were found within each industry. For the consumable goods industry, CA associations are found to be more effective than CSR associations. For the durable goods industry, CSR as...
Tracking of Hazardous Substance Spills to Inland Streams

Abstract Dangers to the biosphere occur from the consumption of waters that have become polluted by accidental discharges of hazardous substances into an aquatic environment. Prompt mitigation of spills and expeditious notification of downstream users is necessary to avoid excessive adverse environmental impacts. Arrival time of the leading edge of a pollutant plume at a sensitive area must be determined rapidly. It is imperative that every aspect of the plume's progress downstream be known and to determine rates of travel and dispersion. Downstream observers and authorities responsible for water intakes and sensitive environments must be identified and notified. Speed is necessary in order to lessen the impact of an environmental insult. River miles to the mouth of a stream have proven to be the most useful data for tracking contaminant plumes. Distances to the nearest habitation and community, receiving and tributary streams, flow measurement and water intakes, and potential observers can then be determined from the relationship of river miles to these sensitive environments. Aids have been developed and incorporated into a handbook to facilitate manipulation of the data base for the Illinois River, which include tables, charts, maps, and diagrams.
Linear Feature Transform and Enhancement of Classification on Deep Neural Network

A weighted and convex regularized nuclear norm model is introduced to construct a rank constrained linear transform on feature vectors of deep neural networks. The feature vectors of each class are modeled by a subspace, and the linear transform aims to enlarge the pairwise angles of the subspaces. The weight and convex regularization resolve the rank degeneracy of the linear transform. The model is computed by a difference of convex function algorithm whose descent and convergence properties are analyzed. Numerical experiments are carried out in convolutional neural networks on CAFFE platform for 10 class handwritten digit images (MNIST) and small object color images (CIFAR-10) in the public domain. The transformed feature vectors improve the accuracy of the network in the regime of low dimensional features subsequent to dimensional reduction via principal component analysis. The feature transform is independent of the network structure, and can be applied to reduce complexity of the final fully-connected layer without retraining the feature extraction layers of the network.
A Literature Review of Organizational Behavior Management Interventions in Human Service Settings from 1990 to 2016

ABSTRACTWe reviewed the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA), Journal of Organizational Behavior Management (JOBM), and Behavior Analysis in Practice (BAP) from 1990 to 2016, to identify art...
Surface Carbohydrate Alterations of Mutant Mammalian Cells Selected for Resistance to Plant Lectins

In recent years it has become possible to select mutants of mammalian cells which exhibit structural alterations in the carbohydrate moieties of cell surface glycoproteins and glycolipids. The selective agents which have enabled the isolation of these mutants are the cytotoxic plant lectins. These include the phytohemagglutinin from Phaseolus vulgaris (PHA), agglutinins from wheat germ (WGA), concanavalin A from jack beans (Con A), toxin from Ricinus communis (RIC), and agglutinins from Lens culinaris (LCA).
Jet breakup and spray formation in a diesel engine

The breakup of injected fuel into spray is of key interest to the design of a fuel efficient, nonpolluting diesel engine. We report preliminary progress on the numerical simulation of diesel fuel injection spray with the front tracking code FronTier. Our simulation design is set to match experiments at ANL, and our present agreement is semi-quantitative. Future efforts will include mesh refinement studies, which will better model the turbulent flow.
General Approach: Pre-pregnancy Assessment of the Rheumatic Disease Patient

Pregnancy in rheumatic disease patients is increasingly common: more effective therapies, recognition of pregnancy risk factors, and improved obstetric care provide many patients the option of pursuing pregnancy. Optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes relies on identifying patients without serious end-organ damage for whom pregnancy is feasible, planning for pregnancy during a period of well-controlled disease, and ensuring that medications are both effective and compatible with pregnancy. For any rheumatic disease patient, pre-pregnancy assessment of risk for maternal and obstetric complications is critical, as is effective counseling of both the patient and her partner regarding risk and prognosis. Rheumatic disease patients benefit from coordinated rheumatology and obstetric care that is individualized to the patient’s diagnosis and particular clinical situation: pregnancy outcome is optimized when the rheumatologist, obstetrician, other involved specialists and patient establish a plan of care early and communicate frequently.
Disorders of memory and plasticity in psychiatric disease

Plasticity is found throughout the nervous system and is thought to underlie key aspects of development, learning and memory, and repair. Neuropiastic processes include synaptic plasticity, cellular growth and remodeling, and neurogenesis. Dysregulation of these processes can contribute to a variety of neuropsychiatric diseases. In this review we explore three different ways in which dysregulation of neuropiastic and mnemonic processes can contribute to psychiatric illness. First, impairment of the mechanisms of plasticity can lead to cognitive deficits; this is most obvious in dementia and amnesia, but is also seen in more subtle forms in other conditions. We explore the relationship between stress, major depression, and impaired neuroplasticity in some detail. Second, enhanced memories can be pathogenic; we explore the example of post-traumatic stress disorder, in which intrusive trauma associated memories, accompanied by hyperactivity of the normal fear learning circuitry, are core aspects of the pathology. Third, impaired modulation of the relationship between parallel memory systems can contribute to maladaptive patterns of behavior; we explore the bias towards inflexible, habit-like behavior patterns in drug addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Together, these examples illustrate how different abnormalities in the mechanisms of neuroplasticity and memory formation can contribute to various forms of psychopathology. It is hoped that a growing understanding of these relationships, and of the fundamental mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity in the normal brain, will pave the way for new understandings of the mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disease and the development of novel treatment strategies.
Resonances and Threshold Effects

Much of the energy-dependent structure observed in low-energy electron scattering arises from resonances and threshold effects. Resonances are due to nearly bound states of the (N + 1)-electron system of target atom and external electron. In a time-dependent formalism, such a state decays with a finite lifetime if it interacts with states in an electron scattering continuum. The uncertainty principle implies a corresponding energy width. Cross sections in the interacting continuum are modified within the energy range defined by the resonance energy and width.
In Situ Particle Formation/Reaction Mechanisms

A significant fraction of the atmospheric particulate matter is not emitted directly as particles, but it is formed in-situ by gas-to-particle conversion. This section provides an overview of the fundamental and applied aspects of the processes leading either to the formation of new particles or to the transfer of material from the gas phase onto preexisting aerosols. The thermodynamic principles that govern the partitioning of species between the gas and aerosol phases are discussed first. An overview of the gas-phase reaction pathways leading to the formation of the main gaseous aerosol precursors (H2SO4, HNO3, NH3 and condensible organic gases) is presented next. The basic theory for the formation of new particles either from a single vapor or from two gaseous species is presented including brief discussion of the observed discrepancies with laboratory results. The next paragraph is a basic treatment of the mass transport of material from the gas to the particulate phase, with emphasis on the interaction of the gas molecules with the particle surface. The framework established in the above paragraphs is then used for the discussion of inorganic and organic aerosol formation mechanisms and the discussion of the gas-aerosol phase equilibrium assumption.
The Mitochondrial Genome

Abstract Human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a tiny, 16.6-kb, circular genome present in the mitochondria of essentially all cells. It encodes 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, and 13 polypeptides that are all subunits of complexes of the respiratory chain/oxidative phosphorylation system that drives oxidative energy metabolism. We describe here the characteristics of this semiautonomous genome, including fundamental concepts arising from the fact that mtDNAs are maternally inherited, are present in multiple copies in each cell, and have unique modes of replication, transcription, and translation. These concepts, which distinguish mitochondrial genetics (which is population genetics) from Mendelian genetics, are highly relevant to the etiology and pathogenesis of mitochondrial respiratory chain disorders.
Gas permeation and selectivity characteristics of PSf based nanocomposite membranes

Abstract This study highlights successful development and evaluates the characteristics of graphene-derived nanohybrids (SGO and RSGO) incorporated MMM systems. Pristine GO and modified SiO2 (mSiO2) based membranes have also been prepared to assay the established synergistic effect on the performance. FTIR and WCA studies were carried out to endorse the insertion of different nanofillers into the virgin PSf matrix. SEM with EDS and AFM were accomplished to substantiate the distribution and dispersion pattern of the fillers within the base matrix. From the mechanical analysis, 46% improved tensile strength was perceived for the hybrid MMM system containing SGO. Finally, the dexterity was documented by analyzing the permeation behavior of the prepared membranes towards the selected O2/N2 gas pair. The hybrid PSf/SGO system displayed 605% and 801% higher permeabilities for O2 as compared to the parent counterparts: (PSf/mSiO2, PSf/GO), respectively. Meanwhile, PSf/RSGO membrane exhibited a slightly reduced performance than the former hybrid system.
Anomalous intracellular transport phases depend on cytoskeletal network features

Intracellular transport in eukaryotic cells consists of phases of passive, diffusion-based transport and active, motor-driven transport along filaments that make up the cell's cytoskeleton. The interplay between superdiffusive transport along cytoskeletal filaments and the anomalous nature of subdiffusion in the bulk can lead to novel effects in transport behavior at the cellular scale. Here we develop a computational model of the process with cargo being ballistically transported along explicitly modeled cytoskeletal filament networks and passively transported in the cytoplasm by a subdiffusive continuous-time random walk (CTRW). We show that, over a physiologically relevant range of filament lengths and numbers, the network introduces a filament-length sensitive superdiffusive phase at early times which crosses over to a phase where the CTRW is dominant and produces subdiffusion at late times. We apply our approach to the problem of insulin secretion from cells and show that the superdiffusive phase introduced by the filament network manifests as a peak in the secretion at early times followed by an extended sustained release phase that is dominated by the CTRW process at late times. Our results are consistent with in vivo observations of insulin transport in healthy cells and shed light on the potential for the cell to tune functionally important transport phases by altering its cytoskeletal network.
Investigating Student Understanding of London Dispersion Forces: A Longitudinal Study

London dispersion forces (LDFs) are the most fundamental of the noncovalent interactions in that they are interactions that act between all molecular species and require only that students can use the “electron cloud” model of atomic structure. In this longitudinal study we investigate how students respond to prompts, designed to elicit causal mechanistic reasoning about the origins of LDFs, using a modified coding scheme from a previous study. We find that including explicit scaffolding improves students’ representations of the mechanism compared to student responses to an unscaffolded prompt. When, on a later administration of a similar prompt, the scaffolding is removed, the sophistication of the students’ representations decreases, but does not decline to the level of students who had never been exposed to a scaffolded prompt. We also explore the connection between student drawing and writing and find that there is a significant association between the reasoning level of the drawing and the written explanation. Finally, we show that there appears to be no significant difference between performance on ungraded (formative) and graded (summative) items that are administered in the second semester when LDFs are not explicitly covered. That is, students respond to ungraded homework activities similarly to examinations at time points where LDFs are not explicitly discussed in the course.
Bidirectional Exchange of Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are a relatively minor component of the atmosphere and yet are widely recognized to have important roles in air quality and climate. With the exception of methane, an important greenhouse gas, atmospheric VOC are primarily of interest because of their impact on other atmospheric constituents, including oxidants and aerosol.
Neuropathic Pain: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Complex regional pain syndrome type I and II (formerly known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy and causalgia, respectively) is a debilitating disease with a multifactorial pathogenesis. With decades of clinical experience and research it has undergone changes in taxonomy, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, and management options. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a succinct review of pertinent historic and current views of CRPS.
Percutaneous Extra-Anatomic Double-Barrel Bypass for Salvage of Hemodialysis Access and Treatment of Venous Occlusive Disease

A woman with an upper extremity brachioaxillary arteriovenous dialysis graft presented with a 9-month history of profound ipsilateral arm swelling and numbness secondary to chronic axillosubclavian vein occlusion. Previous endovascular and open venous recanalization attempts were unsuccessful. A totally percutaneous extra-anatomic venous bi-bypass was created to salvage the dialysis access circuit and reconstruct the deep venous system. Using overlapping Viabahn stent-grafts, two parallel bypasses were created from the arteriovenous graft and brachial vein, respectively, to the brachiocephalic vein. The hemodialysis graft regained function. Upper extremity symptoms resolved within 48 h. This is the first reported percutaneous double-barrel technique of extra-anatomic venous bypass creation for simultaneous management of a failed dialysis access and chronic venous occlusive disease.
South Sudan's Public Sector and the Corruption: The Urgent Need for Reform

Despite so many polices that have been adopted by multiple international and regional organizations to address and limit the negative consequences of corruption across the world, corruption is still maintaining its position as a global threat to development and prosperity. As fighting corruption is one of the key elements for achieving rule of law, many countries, especially in Africa have engaged in adoption of possible polices, enactment of laws and regulations in order to address corruption. Yet, what have been achieved in this context is very insignificant comparing with the expectations. This is not applicable to the all countries, especially in East Africa. There are some countries that have taken committed efforts — either solely or by the help of international and regional actors — to fight corruption, through designated rule of law reform and the associated reform. South Sudan, the youngest nation in the world has plunged into unrepresented corruption in East Africa, perhaps in the world, since its secession from Sudan in July 2011. An estimated amount of $ 4 billion dollars of public fund have been systematically stolen over the last 15 years by the government officials, and deposited in foreign accounts outside the country (BBC, 2012). Empirical result of this chronic disease has shown that the intended development projects have not been attained as well as life expectancy of many South Sudanese people after the independence. This research paper intends to shed light on the systemic corruption in South Sudan’s public sector, people involved, causes, consequences, and role played by the Anti-Corruption Commission in South Sudan. The research highlights a comparative analysis between South Sudan and Rwanda and the possible reform that should be adopted in fighting and combating corruption, especially with the internal agencies, and how government of the Republic of South Sudan should express its willingness to contribute in this endemic corruption that has crippled development of the country for so many years. The paper concludes with the available opportunities on the ground as well as the constraints.
Low-income homeownership: Benefits, barriers and predictors for families in rural areas

The present study examined homeownership among rural, low-income families. Previous literature was examined to understand the financial, psychological and social benefits of and barriers to homeownership among this population. Although most lowincome families appear to prefer to own their homes, limitations can prevent them from buying their ‘dream home’ and risks can diminish the positive effects of homeownership. Recent public policy has attempted to extend opportunities for homeownership to households heretofore under served. Attaining and sustaining homeownership among low-income families has become an important area of research. In addition to a review of previous literature, this research examined the role of family socio-demographic, economic, housing and housing market characteristics and health characteristics in predicting tenure status among low-income, rural families. Quantitative data were utilized from a multi-state longitudinal study of the effects of welfare reform on rural low-income families, North Central Regional research project #NC1011. Logistical binomial regression analyses revealed that for low-income families in rural areas seven variables were significantly related to tenure status; e.g. participant education level, partner status, Latino, family monthly income, family food security score, utility costs and county housing wage. A second analysis revealed that those with partners had five significant variables; education level, monthly income, food security score, monthly utilities, and county housing wage. Taken together, the review of literature demonstrates the importance of homeownership while the analyses contribute to understanding low-income households’ tenure status.
Prüfmaschinen und Einrichtungen für stoßartige Beanspruchung

Die Werkstoffprufung bei schlagartiger Beanspruchung soll ein Urteil daruber gewinnen lassen, wie sich der Werkstoff verhalt, wenn die Verformungen mit hoher Formanderungsgeschwindigkeit vor sich gehen. Nach der Art der Beanspruchung kann man im wesentlichen 4 Versuchsanordnungen unterscheiden, namlich: 1. Stauchversuche, bei denen der Versuchskorper schlagartig auf Druck beansprucht wird. 2. Schlagzerreisversuche, bei denen der Probestab durch eine in Richtung seiner Langsachse wirkende Zugkraft beansprucht wird, die wahrend sehr kurzer Zeitdauer wirkt. 3. Schlagbiegeversuche, die bei der „Kerbschlagprobe“ besonders ausgedehnte Verwendung gefunden haben. 4. Drehschlagversuche, bei denen der Probestab durch ein um seine Langsachse schlagartig wirkendes Drehmoment beansprucht wird.
On Otitis Media, Child Development, and Tympanostomy Tubes: New Answers or Old Questions?

Few, if any, treatment decisions in pediatric practice are made more often, and entail more uncertainties, than decisions about tympanostomy tube placement for otitis media with effusion ("secretory," "serous," or "nonsuppurative" otitis media).1 The main concerns are usually not about symptoms, which are generally subtle or inapparent, but rather about postulated long-term effects, namely, middle ear damage2,3 or impaired speech, language, or intellectual development.4-7 These concerns must, on the other hand, be weighed against the lability of secretory otitis media and its tendency to eventually resolve spontaneously8-11; the cost, risks, and sequelae of tube placement4,5,7,12; and the absence, after all, of convincing evidence linking otitis media early in life to either otologic or developmental difficulties later in life.5,7,13-15 The August 1984 issue of Pediatrics contains two new offerings on the subject,16,17 different vantage points and with opposite thrusts. Teele et al,16 on the basis of a study of speech and language development in relation to prior middle ear disease, suggested that "intervention to rid the ears of effusion may need to be considered earlier than is being practiced." Stickler,17 on the other hand, citing earlier studies of tube placement results, proposed declaring "a moratorium on tube placements until solid data supporting the procedure have been reported." It seems important to review each of these articles critically, not only because of the importance of the child health issues involved, but also because of the potential of both articles for influencing—one way or the other—clinicians9 decisions about tube placement. TEELE ET AL STUDY
Comment on 'Current Budget of the Atmospheric Electric Global Circuit'

In this paper, three major issues relevant to Kasemir's new model will be addressed. The first concerns Kasemir's assertion that there are significant differences between the potentials associated with the new model and the conventional model. A recalculation of these potentials reveals that both models provide equivalent results for the potential difference between the Earth and ionosphere. The second issue to be addressed is Kasemir's assertion that discrepancies in the electric potentials associated with both models can be attributed to modeling the Earth as a sphere, instead of as a planar surface. A simple analytical comparison will demonstrate that differences in the equations for the potentials of the atmosphere derived with a spherical and a planar Earth are negligible for applications to global current flow. Finally, the third issue to be discussed is Kasemir's claim that numerous aspects of the conventional model are incorrect, including the role of the ionosphere in global current flow as well as the significance of cloud-to-ground lightning in supplying charge to the global circuit. In order to refute these misconceptions, it will be shown that these aspects related to the flow of charge in the atmosphere are accurately described by the conventional model of the global circuit.
Recognizing forbidden pleasures

Literary translation is a site of both literary production and ethical engagement. Translators of queer-authored texts ought to recognize how, and to what ends, their subjects use eroticism and desire. English-language translators have had varied successes in such recognition of how twentieth-century Spanish poet Luis Cernuda himself constructs the social, ethical and poetic importance of desire and passion. Depending on his translators' apparatuses and the language they use to render his verse, Cernuda's framing of the tension between reality and desire assumes different ethical resonances immediately after the 1969 Stonewall riots and during the early years of the HIV/AIDS crisis.
A Note: A Charismatic Art: The Balance of Ingratiation and Outrage in Contemporary Fashion

(1997). A Note: A Charismatic Art: The Balance of Ingratiation and Outrage in Contemporary Fashion. Fashion Theory: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 91-104.
Links between cofinite prime ideals in quantum function algebras

We describe the skew primitive elements in a multiparameter enveloping algebraU=U q,p −1 (g) and the links between cofinite maximal ideals in the corresponding quantum function algebra ℂ q [G]. These results are applied to determine the coradical filtration forU, and to obtain a moduli space for multiparameter Drinfeld doubles.
Low frequency of primary lipid screening among Medicare patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Although patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are most often cared for by both primary care providers (PCPs) and rheumatologists, preventive screening remains suboptimal (1, 2), and the mortality gap between RA patients and peers has widened (3, 4). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for patients with RA. These patients experience a 10-year risk of CVD events that is 50–60% higher than age-matched peers (5, 6). Reductions in cardiovascular mortality seen in the general population in recent decades (7) have not been seen among patients with RA (3–5), and cardiovascular risk has not equilibrated even with aggressive RA treatments (8). Consequently, adequate screening for traditional CVD risk factors is strongly indicated for RA patients. Primary preventive screening is key to identify modifiable traditional CVD risk factors. To date primary preventive lipid screening performance has not been systematically examined in a national RA sample. Compounding the challenge, no widely known RA-specific CVD preventive guidelines exist despite increased CVD risk in RA. The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) has issued recommendations for an annual CVD risk review (9). For all adults, the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommends lipid screening in those with CVD risk factors “more frequently than every 5 years” (10). Prior reports suggest that RA patients frequently experience unidentified and uncontrolled traditional modifiable CVD risk factors including hyperlipidemia and hypertension (11–13). Though not studied specifically in RA, according to the recent JUPITER trial, C-reactive protein elevations may also merit consideration of lipid-lowering therapy (14, 15). RA patients see multiple physicians annually, with rheumatology visits often outnumbering primary care encounters (16). The influence of multisource care and competing comorbidities raise questions of whether the process of care can be optimized to improve primary preventive screening for patients with RA and other chronic conditions (17). Older adults, in particular, are receiving aggressive RA treatment (18) but are at greatest absolute risk for coronary events. They may also be most vulnerable to lapsed prevention due to competing comorbidities and multisource care. As a result, older RA patients represent a key target population for CVD risk factor modification. In this study we investigated the impact of rheumatology and primary care outpatient visit patterns upon primary preventive lipid screening among a group of older adults with RA. We specifically examined whether individual likelihood of lipid screening differed by types of providers seen each year and relative proportions of visits to primary care and rheumatology. Reflecting the more conservative NCEP recommendation versus EULAR recommendations, we examined lipid screening over a three-year window.
Chloride-induced Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of chemically skinned rabbit psoas fibers and isolated vesicles of terminal cisternae.

There is increasing evidence that Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of mammalian skeletal muscle is regulated or modified by several factors including ionic composition of the myoplasm. We have studied the effect of Cl− on the release of Ca2+ from the SR of rabbit skeletal muscle in both skinned psoas fibers and in isolated terminal cisternae vesicles. Ca2+ release from the SR in skinned fibers was inferred from increases in isometric tension and the amount of release was assessed by integrating the area under each tension transient. Ca2+ release from isolated SR was measured by rapid filtration of vesicles passively loaded with 45Ca2+. Ca2+ release from SR was stimulated in both preparations by exposure to a solution containing 191 mm choline-Cl, following pre-equilibration in Ca2+-loading solution that had propionate as the major anion. Controls using saponin (50 μg/ml), indicated that the release of Ca2+ was due to direct action of Cl− on the SR rather than via depolarization of T-tubules. Procaine (10 mm) totally blocked Cl−- and caffeine-elicited tension transients recorded using loading and release solutions having ([Na+] + [K+]) × [Cl−] product of 6487.69 mm2 and 12361.52 mm2, respectively, and blocked 60% of Ca2+ release in isolated SR vesicles. Surprisingly, procaine had only a minor effect on tension transients elicited by Cl− and caffeine together. The data from both preparations suggests that Cl− induces a relatively small amount of Ca2+ release from the SR by activating receptors other than RYR-1. In addition, Cl− may increase the Ca2+ sensitivity of RYR-1, which would then allow the small initial release of Ca2+ to facilitate further release of Ca2+ from the SR by Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release.
Humid tropical expansive soils of Trinidad: Their geotechnical properties and areal distribution

Abstract Expansive soils occur in abundance in the central and southern regions of Trinidad and contribute to extensive landsliding, and building and pavement damage. Since there is little documentation available in this country on these soils, this study is undertaken to develop the necessary data to cope up with the deleterious nature of these soils. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples are obtained from a large number of sites covering both regions, and tested for grain size, classification, suction and potential swell measurements. Based on the results of these tests a modified plasticity chart and a multi-parameter criteria are presented to identify the expansive soils according to the degree of their expansivity. The results have shown that these soils exist in an overconsolidated state and theirin situ water contents are high and are generally at plastic limit. As a result their potential swelling capability is apparently somewhat restrained. Further, a hazard map is presented showing areas of potential danger from expansive soils to light engineering structures.
Metabolic capabilities of Escherichia coli: I. synthesis of biosynthetic precursors and cofactors.

Metabolism of living cells converts substrates into metabolic energy, redox potential and metabolic end products that are essential to maintain cellular function. The flux distribution among the various biochemical pathways is determined by the kinetic properties of enzymes which are subject to strict regulatory control. Simulation of metabolic behavior therefore requires the complete knowledge of biochemical pathways, enzyme kinetics as well as their regulation. Unfortunately, complete kinetic and regulatory information is not available for microbial cells, thus preventing accurate dynamic simulation of their metabolic behavior. However, it is possible to define wider limits on metabolic behavior based solely on flux balances of biochemical pathways. We present here comprehensive information about the catabolic pathways of the bacterium Escherichia coli. Using this biochemical database, we formulate a stoichiometric model of the bacterial network of fueling reactions. After logical structural reduction, the network consists of 53 metabolic fluxes and 30 metabolites. The solution space of this under-determined system of equations presents the bounds of metabolic flux distribution that the bacterial cell can achieve. We use specific objective functions and linear optimization to investigate the capability of E. coli catabolism to maximally produce the 12 biosynthetic precursors and three key cofactors within this solution space. For the three cofactors, the maximum yields are calculated to be 18.67 ATP, 11.6 NADH and 11 NADPH per glucose molecule, respectively. The yields of NADH and NADPH are less than 12 owing to the energy costs of importing glucose. These constraints are made explicit by the interpretation of shadow prices. The optimal yields of the 12 biosynthetic precursors are computed. Four of the 12 precursors (3-phosphoglycerate, phosphoenolpyruvate, pyruvate and oxaloacetate) can be made by E. coli with complete carbon conversion. Conversely, none of the sugar monophosphates can be made with 100% carbon conversion and analysis of the shadow prices reveals that this conversion is constrained by the energy cost of importing glucose. Three of the 12 precursors (acetyl-coA, α-ketoglutarate, and succinyl-coA) cannot be made with full carbon conversion owing to stoichiometric constraints; there is no route to these compounds without carrying out a decarboxylation reaction. Metabolite flux balances and linear optimization have thus been used to determine the catabolic capabilities of E. coli .
Multiple-quantum NMR study of clustering in hydrogenated amorphous silicon.

Multiple-quantum nuclear-magnetic-resonance techniques are used to study the distribution of hydrogen in hydrogenated amorphous silicon. Using the fact that multiple-quantum excitation is limited by the size of the dipolar-coupled spin system, we show that the predominant bonding environment for hydrogen is a cluster of four to seven atoms. For device quality films, the concentration of these cluster defects increases with increasing hydrogen content. At very high hydrogen content, the clusters are replaced with a continuous network of silicon-hydrogen bonds.
The Grandparent Strengths and Needs Inventory: Development and Factorial Validation

Responses for 2,012 Grandparent Strengths and Needs Inventories (GSNI) by grandparents, parents, and grandchildren were factor analyzed to determine if the underlying structure of the instrument fit the hypothesized dimensions suggested by the position of 60 items on six subscales. Two extraction methods, principal components and principal factors analyses, produced 10 factors with prerotation eigenvalues greater than 1.0. A principal component solution set at six factors yielded the "best fit," accounting for 49.2% of the variance. The pattern of item-to-factor correlation suggested that the 60 items tended to fit the hypothesized pattern of subscales. Empirical evidence supported the presence of six dimensions: (a) satisfaction, (b) success, (c) teaching, (d) difficulty, (e) frustration, and (f) information needs as constructs comprising the six subscales of the GSNI.
An analysis of indicators for the detection of effects of marine reserve protection on fish communities

Abstract We investigated the effects of marine reserve protection on fish and benthic communities at Glover's Reef Marine Reserve, Belize, using a broad suite of indicators. Responses of fish species to protection were highly variable, and therefore indicators calculated at the fish community level were ambiguous. According to 11 of 13 community-level indicators, sites located within the no-take zone fared more poorly over time than did sites in the surrounding fished area. However, we were able to detect positive reserve effects using a newly-proposed pair of indicators, which take into account spatial distribution of different species at the time of the no-take zone implementation. These indicators showed that species subject to low fishing pressure increased inside and to a lesser extent outside the no-take zone, while species subject to higher levels of fishing pressure increased in the no-take zone but decreased in the fished area. Indicators of changes in the fish community were not correlated with those related to the benthic community, and we suggest that indicators be carefully selected to match management objectives. We also find that positive reserve effects based on present-day data (e.g., higher abundances of commercial species inside the no-take zone versus outside) were often not associated with increases in fish densities over time, and suggest caution when interpreting abundance patterns in the absence of historical data. We recommend that similar studies be carried out at a variety of reserve sites, to test our proposed indicators and increase our understanding of community-level responses to fisheries closures.
Design of a 2 × 2 fault-tolerant switching element

This paper describes the architecture of a 2 × 2 fault-tolerant switching element which can be used to modularly construct interconnection networks for multi-processing and local computer networking. The switching element uses distributed control and circuit switching. Its good gate-to-pin ratio can facilitate VLSI implementation.
Hard Day's Work: A Boon for Performance but a Bane for Satisfaction?

This article discusses the connections between job performance, effort and job satisfaction. In a 2006 “Journal of Marketing” article, Markus Christen and David Soberman of INSEAD and Ganesh Iyler of the University of California at Berkeley argue the need to consider job characteristics, effort and compensation to better understand the connections between firm performance, job satisfaction and job performance. They review the connections in view of agency theory and conclude that job satisfaction and job performance are weakly connected.
On the factorization and fitting of molecular scattering information

The reported analysis is based on the factored IOS T-matrix. It is shown that line shape measurements may be used over a range of temperatures to evaluate inelastic scattering cross sections. Basic factorization or parameterization relations are derived by considering the wavefunction equations. The parameterization of cross sections is considered, taking into account the differential scattering amplitude and cross section, integral cross sections, phenomenological cross sections for general relaxation processes, and viscosity and diffusion cross sections. Thermal averages and rates are discussed, giving attention to integral cross sections and rates, and general phenomenological cross sections. The results of computational studies are also presented.
Immunological detection of high molecular weight proteins by gel and blot overlay

Abstract The sensitivity and specificity of the gel overlay and western blot methods of immunodetection are compared for spectrins, typical high molecular weight proteins. The gel overlay method is more sensitive and specific for the immunodetection of brain spectrin( 240 235 ) and rbc spectrin. As the western blot technique will remain the method of choice for many applications because of its relative speed, we discuss methods for optimizing its sensitivity and selectivity.
The Business Case for Preconception Care: Methods and Issues

Only a limited number of economic evaluations have addressed the costs and benefits of preconception care. In order to persuade health care providers, payers, or purchasers to become actively involved in promoting preconception care, it is important to demonstrate the value of doing so through development of a “business case”. Perceived benefits in terms of organizational reputation and market share can be influential in forming a business case. In addition, it is standard to include an economic analysis of financial costs and benefits from the perspective of the provider practice, payer, or purchaser in a business case. The methods, data needs, and other issues involved with preparing an economic analysis of the likely financial return on investment in preconception care are presented here. This is accompanied by a review or case study of economic evaluations of preconception care for women with recognized diabetes. Although the data are not sufficient to draw firm conclusions, there are indications that such care may yield positive financial benefits to health care organizations through reduction in maternal and infant hospitalizations. More work is needed to establish how costs and economic benefits are distributed among different types of organizations. Also, the optimum methods of delivering preconception care for women with diabetes need to be evaluated. Similar assessments should also be conducted for other forms of preconception care, including comprehensive care.
Sharp effective Nullstellensatz

The usual proofs of this result, however, give no information about the g1's; for instance they give no bound on their degrees. This question was first considered by G. Hermann [H]. She used elimination theory to get a bound on the degree of the gi's which was doubly exponential in the number of variables. Her results were later improved in [MW] and in [Th]. All these produce bounds that are doubly exponential in the number of variables. A major breakthrough was achieved by Brownawell [B1] who proved the following result: