cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental Analysis of Propeller-Wing Interactions for a Micro Air Vehicle

An experimental investigation into the effects of the propeller slipstream on a small, flexible-wing air vehicle with a 24 in. wingspan was conducted at typical flight speeds, resulting in Reynolds numbers based on a mean aerodynamic chord of about 1 x 105. A static test bench was used to characterize the forces and moments acting on the motor and, separately, on the airframe. The motor and propeller, of diameter D, were mounted on a torque cell that was itself affixed to an air-bearing table configured to measure thrust A model of the fuselage, capable of wing location adjustment, was affixed to a 6-degree-of-freedom balance. The resulting set of decoupled force and moment data was collected for axial wing placements ranging from 0.17 to 0.73 D and also for varied vertical wing placements. The results suggest that between 12 and 18% of propeller thrust translates into airframe drag, with the largest percentage occurring for the wing placement closest to the propeller (0.17 D). The measured reaction torque was found to be as high as 45% of the motor torque, and its dependence on wing placement was measured. Wind-tunnel data, collected using a six-component balance and a triaxial hot-wire anemometer mounted on a traversing system, yielded all three components of velocity maps for propeller-off and propeller-on conditions at typical operating airspeeds. The secondary flows generated by the propeller, propeller-wing interaction, and wing-tip vortices were captured and analyzed.
A semiparametric estimator of the Zellner production function for corn: fitting the univariate primal

Recent developments in production agriculture have resurrected interest in the primal production approach. This study develops a semi-parametric procedure for estimation of the Zellner production function for a single input.
Platform modeling for exploration and synthesis

Ever increasing complexity and heterogeneity of system platforms drive the need for a move to higher levels of abstraction accompanied by corresponding design automation tools. The basis for any automated flow are well-defined design models. In this paper, we present an overview and taxonomy of platform modeling at various levels. Experiments demonstrate the benefits of fast yet accurate intermediate models at varying levels for rapid, early design space exploration. Furthermore, paired with automatic model generation and hardware/software synthesis, an automated path from specification to implementation becomes possible.
Is There a causal Association Between Excess Mortality and Exposure to PM-10 air Pollution? Additional Analyses by Location, year, Season, and Cause of Death

AbstractWe examined the association between exposure to PM-10 air pollution and daily mortality in Utah County, Utah, for 1985–1992. We confirmed the previous finding that exposure to fine particulate air pollution (particulate diameter of <10 μm) in amounts of 50+ μg/m3 increased daily mortality by 4%. The potential importance of this observation led us to test the association more rigorously by assessing rate ratios (RR) of PM-10 for year, season, and location at time of death. For individual years there was no statistically significant association between increased mortality and exposure to PM-10 air pollution. The strongest mortality effect was seen in the spring, not the winter. The largest numeric contribution to excess mortality was from individuals age 75 + yr dying in a hospital, and the largest RR was for individuals ages 15–59 yr dying at home, primarily of cancer. These findings do not support a causal association between exposure to PM-10 air pollution and daily mortality.
Applying a Moment Approximation to a Bacterial Biofilm Individual-Based Model

We consider a 2D individual-based model of biofilm, in which bacteria can generate a polymeric substance (EPS), The coupling between polymer generation and bacteria creates a variety of biofilm structures. Then, we derive the equations of first and second moment evolution for the bacteria and EPS particle population sizes. This approximation of the dynamics is much lighter to compute than the whole IBM, hence more systematic exploration is easier particularly in case of large bacteria populations. We show that the second moment approximation predicts accurately the quantities of bacteria and polymer. Moreover, it gives relevant information about their spatial distribution.
Integrating Biological, Behavioral, and Social Levels of Analysis in Early Child Development: Progress, Problems, and Prospects

Integration of noninvasive, biological measures into behavioral research has increased, but the interpretation of biobehavioral findings in relation to developmental outcomes is rarely straightforward. This commentary highlights the need for specific, theoretically derived hypotheses, multiple measures of behavioral and biological processes, and analytical strategies aimed at explaining interindividual differences in intraindividual change. It is suggested here that the next phase of biosocial research needs to move beyond description and toward development of mid-level theories that will enable researchers to specify, test, and refine hypotheses of how biobehavioral processes interact with social-contextual factors to influence development. These mid-level biosocial models will be necessary to determine whether individual differences in children's adrenocortical activity confer risk or resilience because of early or cumulative exposure to nonparental care.
Comparison of Mayo Clinic risk score and American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association lesion classification in the prediction of adverse cardiovascular outcome following percutaneous coronary interventions

Objectives We compared American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) lesion classification with the recently proposed Mayo Clinic risk score to predict complications following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Background The ability of the ACC/AHA classification system to predict complications following PCI has been modest. With the inclusion of patient demographics, acuity of presentation, and measure of left ventricular function, models with better discriminatory accuracy are presently available. Methods The Mayo Clinic risk score is constructed by adding integer scores for the presence of eight variables. We mapped the lesion-specific risk levels to a patient level by counting the number of lesions in each class (A, B1, B2, C, and unknown). Results In 5,064 PCIs, 183 patients (4%) had the primary end point (death, Q-wave myocardial infarction, stroke, emergency coronary artery bypass graft). Of the 7,632 treated lesions, 891 (12%) were unsuccessfully treated with PCI (residual stenosis >20%). The discriminatory ability of the Mayo Clinic risk score model for prediction of the primary end point, as measured by the c-statistic, was 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74 to 0.81). The Mayo Clinic risk score offered significantly better risk stratification than the ACC/AHA lesion classification counts (95% CI for c-statistic difference: 0.05 to 0.15). Regarding angiographic success, the ACC/AHA lesion classification was a better system (95% CI for c-statistic difference: −0.08 to −0.03 favoring ACC/AHA classification), although its absolute ability was modest (c = 0.58). Conclusions Mayo Clinic risk score offers significantly better prediction for cardiovascular complications than the ACC/AHA classification. However, lesion classification by ACC/AHA classification is a better predictor for angiographic success.
High resolution DOA automotive radar with four receiving antennae

Current research activities in the automotive industry focus on the improvement of the perception capabilities of radar sensors. A radar sensor with four receiving antennae and its LFMSK transmit signal are introduced. To determine the DOA (Direction Of Arrival, azimuth angle) of the targets in the range of the radar sensor spatial samples of the antennae are chosen and processed using the high resolution frequency estimation technique MUSIC (MUltiple SIgnal Classification). Results of simulations and practical measurements are presented and compared.
Neodymium and strontium isotopic constraints on soil sources in Barbados, West Indies

Abstract Neodymium and strontium isotopic compositions and Sm Nd ratios are used to constrain the sources of silicate-rich soils developed on uplifted Pleistocene coral-reef limestones on Barbados, West Indies. The geographic and geologic setting of Barbados facilitates the application of these tracers to the evaluation of the following soil sources: (1) Pleistocene reef limestone regolith, (2) Tertiary carbonate rocks, sandstones, and mudstones that are exposed in northeastern Barbados, (3) volcanic ash erupted from the Lesser Antilles arc, (4) Saharan dust transported by trade winds, and (5) fertilizer. The soils have ϵNd values that range from −6.6 to −1.9, 87 Sr 86 Sr values of 0.70890 to 0.71067, and Sm Nd ratios of 0.223–0.260. The Pleistocene limestone component is the most significant source of Sr in the soils and a negligible source of Nd. Comparison of Sm and Nd concentrations and neodymium isotopic compositions of soil samples that are weathered to varying extents indicates that Sm and Nd are relatively unfractionated and retained in the soils during weathering. ϵNd and Sm Nd variations in the soils, therefore, primarily reflect the compositions and proportions of the silicate sources. Mass balance calculations based on Sm‐Nd systematics require that the silicate soil components contain between 30–85% volcanic ash, with the remaining silicate fraction comprised of old, continentally-derived sediment. In contrast to Sm and Nd, Sr is mobilized and removed from the soils during weathering. Strontium from volcanic and carbonate sources is preferentially removed relative to continental silicate sources. The strontium isotopic compositions of the soils, therefore, reflect the combined effects of the degree of weathering and the compositions and proportions of the soil sources. Mass balance calculations indicate that at least 35–60% of the initial Sr in the soils has been removed by weathering. These results illustrate (1) the utility of radiogenic isotopes in identifying and quantifying soil sources and weathering processes, (2) the compositional influence of numerous sources on soils, even those developed in a relatively isolated area such as Barbados, and (3) the domination of Barbados soil Sm‐Nd systematics by nonregolith eolian components.
Development of a burn prevention teaching tool for Amish children.

Although there are inherent risks for burn injury associated with the Amish lifestyle, burn prevention is not taught in Amish schools. The purpose of this study was to develop a burn prevention teaching tool for Amish children. An anonymous parental survey was designed to explore the content and acceptability of a teaching tool within an Old Order Amish community. After institutional review board approval, the Amish teacher distributed surveys to16 families of the 30 children attending the one-room school. Fourteen (88%) of the families responded to identify these burn risks in and around their homes, barns, and shops: lighters, wood and coal stoves, kerosene heaters, gasoline-powered engines, and hot liquids used for canning, butchering, mopping, washing clothes, and making lye soap. All respondents were in favor of teaching familiar safety precautions, fire escape plans, burn first aid, and emergency care to the children. There was some minor objection to more modern devices such as bath tub thermometers (25%), fire extinguishers (19%), and smoke detectors (6%). The teacher was interested in a magnetic teaching board depicting Amish children and typical objects in their home environment. Movable pieces could afford the opportunity to identify hazards and to rearrange them for a safer situation. This survey served to introduce burn prevention to one Amish community and to develop an appropriate teaching tool for the school. It is anticipated that community participation would support its acceptance and eventual utilization within this tenaciously traditional culture. Language: en
Ionotropic Glutamate Receptor Modulation of 5-HT6 and 5-HT7 mRNA Expression in Rat Brain

The novel serotonin receptor subtypes, 5-HT6 and 5-HT7, are located in limbic regions and have nanomolar affinities for atypical antipsychotics. These factors have led some to speculate about the involvement of 5-HT6 and 5-HT7 receptors in schizophrenia. However, relatively little is known about these receptor subtypes, including the regulation of their expression in limbic regions. In particular, the regulation of extracellular serotonin levels in the striatum and hippocampal formation by glutamate receptors led us to examine the effects of systemic ionotropic glutamate receptor modulator treatment on 5-HT6 and 5-HT7 receptor expression in these regions. MK-801 treatment induced a dose-dependent decrease in striatal 5-HT6 receptor mRNA levels; similarly, both aniracetam and NBQX treatments also led to decreases in striatal 5-HT6 receptor mRNA levels. Hippocampal 5-HT6 and 5-HT7 receptor expression were not dramatically affected by any of the treatments. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the regulation of striatal 5-HT6 receptor mRNA expression, and provides neurochemical anatomical evidence for the interaction of serotonergic and glutamatergic systems. Furthermore, although these two neurotransmitter systems are separately implicated in schizophrenia, the glutamatergic regulation of the expression of a receptor subtype associated with schizophrenia suggests that alterations in serotonin receptor expression in schizophrenia may result, in part, from altered glutamatergic activity.
Solubility of water in granite magmas

Geologists have been deeply concerned with the volatile constituents of magmas, for these constituents play important roles in volcanology, in ore-deposition, and in other igneous phenomena. Of these volatile constituents water is the most abundant. In this paper data are presented on the solubility of water in granite glass as a function of pressure from 500 to 4,000 bars (1,000 bars = 1 kilobar = 986.97 atmospheres = 1,019.8 kg per cm2) at 900°C and as a function of temperature from 600 to 1,200°C at 980 bars.
Redox control of electric melters with complex feed compositions I. Analytical methods and models

Abstract The redox state of glass from electric melters with complex feed compositions is determined by balance between gases above the melt, and transition metals and organic compounds in the feed. Part I discusses experimental and computational methods of relating flow rates and other melter operating conditions to the redox state of glass, and composition of the melter offgas. Computerized thermodynamic computational methods are useful in predicting the sequence and products of redox reactions and in assessing individual process variations. The melter redox state can be predicted by combining monitoring of melter operating conditions, redox measurement of fused melter feed samples, and periodic redox measurement of product. Mossbauer spectroscopy and other methods which measure Fe(II)/Fe(III) in glass, can be used to measure the melter redox state.
Altered [125I]epidermal growth factor binding and receptor distribution in psoriasis

Stimulation of growth and differentiation of human epidermis by epidermal growth factor (EGF) is mediated by its binding to specific receptors. Whether EGF receptors primarily mediate cell division or differentiation in hyper proliferative disease such as psoriasis vulgaris is unclear. To study the pathogenesis of psoriasis, 4-mm2 punch biopsy specimens of normal, uninvolved, and involved psoriatic skin were assayed for EGF receptors by autoradiographic, immunohistochemical, and biochemical methods. Using autoradiographic and immunohistochemical methods, basal keratinocytes were found to contain the greatest number of EGF binding sites and immunoreactive receptors as compared to the upper layers of the epidermis in both normal epidermis and psoriatic skin. No EGF receptor differences between normal and psoriatic epidermis were observed in this layer. In the upper layers of the epidermis, a 2-fold increase in EGF binding capacity was observed in psoriatic skin as compared with normal thin or thick skin. Biochemical methods indicated that [125I]EGF binding was increased in psoriatic epidermis as compared with similar thickness normal epidermis when measured on a protein basis. Epidermal growth factor was shown to increase phosphorylation of the EGF receptor in skin. EGF receptors retained in the nonmitotic stratum spinosum and parakeratotic stratum corneum may reflect the incomplete, abnormal differentiation that occurs in active psoriatic lesions. Alternatively, retained EGF receptors may play a direct role in inhibiting cellular differentiation in the suprabasal layers.
On the edge-thermal resistance (ICs)

Thermal characteristics of integrated circuits (ICs) have long been a major concern for both manufacturers and users of electronic products. An increase in junction temperature can adversely affect the long-term performance and operating life of an IC. Several variables affect junction temperature. The IC vendor controls some of these; the user and the environment in which the device is operated control others. With the continuing trend toward denser and more complex circuits and a growing number of pins, total power dissipation is increasing. Hence management of thermal characteristics remains a valid concern. Heat transfer processes are reviewed, and various methods available for predicting die temperature are discussed. >
High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of neutral glycosphingolipids as their per-O-benzoyl derivatives

Abstract Previous reports from this laboratory (1–4) described the perbenzoylation of neutral glycosphingolipids (GSL) 1 with benzoyl chloride in pyridine and analysis of the perbenzoylated derivatives by high performance liquid chromatography (hplc). A disadvantage of this procedure is that N-benzoylation occurs as well as the desired O-benzoylation. This does not permit recovery of the parent GSL after mild alkaline hydrolysis due to formation of a mixture of N-acylated and N-benzoylated GSLs(1). It has also been demonstrated that the benzoylation with benzoic anhydride in pyridine does not lead to the formation of N-benzoylated products. However, the anhydride reaction is sluggish and the benzoyl chloride method has been the preferred procedure. Gupta et al. (5) used N,N-dimethyl-4 amino pyridine (DMAP) as a catalyst in the acylation of phospholipids by the anhydrides of fatty acids. F. B. Jungalwala (private communication) has shown that this catalyst greatly accelerates the reaction of benzoic anhydride with sulfatides. In this communication we report the preparation and hplc analysis of per-O-benzoyl derivatives of GSLs by reaction with benzoic acid anhydride in the presence of DMAP as a catalyst. Reaction with these reagents avoids amide acylation, forms single products with satisfactory chromatographic properties and parent GSLs can be regenerated by mild alkaline hydrolysis.
Convex Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for Density Safety Constraints in Markov Chain Synthesis

This paper introduces a new approach for the synthesis of Markov chains with density safety constraints. Specific safety constraints considered are: (i) Density upper bound constraints; (ii) Bound on the rate of change of density. The proposed approach is based on a new mathematical result that formulates these constraints as linear, and hence convex, inequality constraints. The main contribution of the paper is that the new convex constraints are proved to be equivalent, necessary and sufficient, to the original constraints. This result enables the formulation of the Markov chain synthesis problem as a Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) optimization problem with additional constraints on the steady state probability distribution, ergodicity, and feasible state transitions. The LMI formulation presents a necessary and sufficient design condition for reversible Markov chains, that is, it is not conservative. When the reversibility is not required, the LMI condition is only sufficient due to the ergodicity constraint. Since LMI problems can be solved to global optimality in polynomial time by using Interior Point Method algorithms, the proposed LMI-based design approach is numerically tractable.
Recoil-proton polarization in pi p elastic scattering at 547 and 625 MeV/c.

The polarization of the recoil proton in ..pi../sup +/p and ..pi../sup -/p elastic scattering using a liquid-hydrogen target has been measured for backward angles at 547 and 625 MeV/c. The scattered pion and recoil proton were detected in coincidence using the large-acceptance spectrometer to detect and analyze the momentum of the pions and the JANUS polarimeter to identify and measure the polarization of the protons. Results from this experiment agree with other measurements of the recoil polarization, with analyzing-power data previously taken by this group, and with predictions of partial-wave analyses.
Observations on the influence of orotic acid on galactosemetabolism in congenital galactosemia

Summary Experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of orotic acid on galactose metabolism in patients with congenital galactosemia. Orotic acid was found to have no effect on the oxidation of galactose-1-C 14 by galactosemic patients or by blood cells from such patients in vitro. Orotic acid failed to protect rats from cataract formation during galactose feeding. These results suggest that caution should be used in considering orotic acid to be beneficial to galactosemic patients ingesting milk or other galactose containing foods.
PHOTOREFRACTIVE BRAGG GRATINGS IN NEMATIC LIQUID CRYSTALS ALIGNED BY A MAGNETIC FIELD

Photorefractive Bragg gratings are observed in low-molar-mass nematic liquid crystals doped with electron donor and acceptor molecules. This is accomplished by alignment of the nematic liquid crystals in a 0.3 T magnetic field, which produces thicker homeotropic aligned samples than traditional surfactant techniques. Grating fringe spacings as low as 3.7 μm are achieved with 176-μm-thick samples, producing grating Q values of 33. Up to this point, low molar mass nematic liquid crystals have exhibited photorefractive gratings with Q⩽1. Asymmetric two-beam coupling and photoconductivity experiments are performed to verify the photorefractive origin of the gratings.
The Sentient Map

The sentient map is a new paradigm for visual information retrieval. It enables the user to view data as maps, so that gestures, more specifically c-gestures, can be used for the interaction between the user and the multimedia information system. Different c-gestures are then dynamically transformed into spatial/temporal queries, or ?-queries, for multimedia information sources and databases. An e-learning environment involving many academic institutions serves as a test bed to evaluate this approach.
Development of a Web-Based Decision Support System For Crop Managers:Structural Considerations and Implementation Case

Rapid developments since the mid 1990s of the Internet and the World Wide Web have created great opportunities to develop new approaches for the transfer of technology to farmers in the form of online computer-assisted decision support systems. This paper discusses structural considerations regarding the development of Web-based decision support systems in general and describes the development and deployment of The Crop Weather Program for South Texas, a decision support system for crop managers using modern Web-based technology. The primary goal of this online system was to provide cotton growers easy access to (a) weather data collected by a network of weather stations and (b) a suite of powerful numerical simulation tools for field-specific calculations of a variety of state variables describing the crop and its environment, such as heat unit calculation, occurrence of phenological events, soil moisture content, canopy growth, and crop water use. The online tools currently available to registered users are briefly described. After more than 6 yr, the Crop Weather Program for South Texas is still growing and continues to be a robust, reliable, and easy-to-use Web-based decision support system for crop managers.
Bioreactor design for cornea tissue engineering: Material–cell interactions

Abstract Several materials were evaluated for potential use in a bioreactor system for a tissue-engineered cornea. Two types of cytotoxicity tests were performed using human corneal stromal fibroblasts: a 24 h cytotoxicity test based on the ASTM standard F813-01 and a 7 days growth inhibition test. It was determined that culture configuration, autoclaving and materials surface preparation were all important factors influencing cell viability. Poly(etheretherketone) and titanium–6Al–4V were found to be the most appropriate materials for use in a corneal bioreactor system. Furthermore, poly(oxymethylene) copolymer and poly(tetrafluoroethlylene) are not safe for use with human corneal fibroblasts after autoclaving.
Successful engraftment of NA1 positive bone marrow in a patient with the neutrophil antibody, anti-NA1

Abstract An 11-yr, 9-mo-old girl with a 5-hr history of severe aplastic anemia unresponsive to androgen or steroid therapy was treated with a bone marrow transplant from her 7-yr-old, HLA-MLC identical ABO incompatible, male sibling. Donor neutrophils were positive for the NA1 antigen. The patient's pretransplant serum contained a neutrophil specific antibody, anti-NA1, reactive against donor neutrophils, which was demonstrable by both granulocyte agglutination and granulocyte cytotoxicity assays. The transplant preparative regimen consisted of cyclosposphamide, 50 mg/kg/day for 4 days, and total lymphoid irradiation (750 rads, 26 rads/min by 4 meV linear accelerator). A two plasma volume exchange (4,800 ml) by continuous flow centrifugation with an Amino cell separator was performed one day prior to transplant because of ABO incompatibility. Following plasma exchange, anti-NA1 cytotoxic titer, 1:8 preexchange, was no longer detectable; anti-NA1 agglutinating titer had only decreased from 1:64 to 1:32. She experienced no adversed reaction to transplantation of 4.8 × 108 nucleated cells/kg. Marrow engraftment was demonstrable by Day 14 by steadily increasing leukocyte and platelet counts, red cells of donor ABO group, and bone marrow chromosomes showing a normal male, 46 XY karyotype. This case of successful bone marrow engraftment without delayed neutrophil recovery in the presence of a neutrophil specific antibody NA1 suggests that neutrophil specific antigens are not functionally present on the pluripotent stem cell. Histoincompatibility for neutrophil specific determinants need not eliminate the possibility of bone marrow transplantation for aplastic anemia between siblings identical for the major histocompatibility loci.
Evaporite Deposition in Deep Water: ABSTRACT

Reasoning by analogy with modern salinas, most geologists believe that ancient marine evaporite deposits were formed in shallow, slowly subsiding basins in regions of arid or semiarid climate. When this "Salina" model is applied to several well-studied ancient salt deposits, however, inconsistencies arise which suggest the need for an alternative hypothesis. Sedimentation rates inferred for the Zechstein salts of Germany and the Salina of Michigan appear compatible with temperate rather than arid climates. More significantly, the thickness of evaporite salts in each of these localities requires either extremely rapid subsidence of the evaporite basin or salt deposition during a period of time substantially greater than that permitted by existing stratigraphic control. In addition, the petrography and bromine content of the halite in both basins may be reconciled with the "Salina" model only with great difficulty. Most of the inconsistencies observed may be overcome by postulating salt deposition in a basin several hundred to several thousand feet deep. A "deep basin" model of evaporite deposition is developed in detail. The model is shown to be both geologically and oceanographically reasonable, and to be consistent with at least part of the depositional history of both Zechstein and Michigan evaporite basins. Direct stratigraphic evidence of deep-water evaporite deposition in the Midland basin is cited in further support of the model. The Elk Point evaporites of Alberta are examined in the light of the deep basin model, and certain implications of the model for the exploration geologist in this region are developed. End_of_Article - Last_Page 549------------
Lipids of raw and cooked ground beef and pork.

SUMMARY— Lipids extracted from raw and cooked ground beef and pork and from the drip were fractionated into phospholipids and neutral lipids. The fatty acid composition of the total extracted lipid and of the lipid fractions was determined. Phospholipid concentration was higher in cooked than in raw meat, whether expressed as percent of fat or as percent of meat. Fatty acid patterns of the lipids were similar in raw and cooked meat except that the concentration of linoleate in the phospholipid fatty acids was higher in cooked pork than in raw pork.
Nutritional consequences of wealth differentials in East African pastoralists: the case of the Datoga of northern Tanzania.

Among African pastoralists evidence that wealth is associated with other measures of household success is scant and the significance of wealth differentials for family welfare remains poorly understood. Predictions that wealth in livestock is associated with increased adequacy of household food supply and with improved child nutrition are tested with longitudinal data on herd size, household composition, food supply, and anthropometric status collected in 1992 for a sample of traditional Datoga households (n = 20) living in the Eyasi basin in northern Tanzania. Although a majority subsisted below poverty cutoffs estimated for east African pastoral populations, there was large variation among households in measures of wealth and resource availability. Individuals in relatively wealthy households did not appear to benefit either in terms of adequacy of household food supply or in terms of average growth performance of young children. Theoretical and methodological challenges in the study of the relationship between wealth and health in nomadic pastoralists are discussed.
Novel amyloid precursor protein gene mutation (codon 665Asp) in a patient with late-onset Alzheimer's disease

Amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease contain beta-amyloid, encoded by portions of exons 16 and 17 of the amyloid precursor protein. The specific association of rare amyloid precursor protein mutations with some kindreds with early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease suggests that specific abnormalities in amyloid precursor protein may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Until now, there has been no evidence suggesting that amyloid precursor protein mutations could be involved in late-onset or sporadic Alzheimer's disease. We used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, and direct DNA sequencing to analyze amyloid precursor protein exons 16 and 17 from postmortem cerebellar samples from patients with histologically confirmed Alzheimer's disease and control subjects. We found a novel point mutation, substitution of cytosine for guanine, at nucleotide 2119 (amyloid precursor protein 770 messenger RNA transcript) in a patient with late-onset Alzheimer's disease. This substitution deletes a BglII site and substitutes aspartate for glutamine at codon 665. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis showed that this mutation was absent in 40 control subjects and 127 dementia patients. Whether this mutation is a rare but normal variant or contributes to the development of Alzheimer's disease is not known. The BglII restriction fragment length polymorphism enables investigators to determine the frequency of this polymorphism in normal subjects and Alzheimer's disease patients.
Leaflet Abscission Caused by Alfalfa Blotch Leafminer (Diptera: Agromyzidae)

Leaflets mined by a single larva of Agromyza frontella (Rondani) in third-cutting alfalfa abscised an average of 12.9 days after the larva emerged from the leaflet to pupate in the soil; no leaflets remained on the plant at harvest 29 days later. In contrast, nearly one-half of the unmined control leaflets remained on the plant at harvest, and control leaflets which abscised did so an average of 4 days later than mined leaflets. Abscission of mined leaflets was detectable in first- and second- Cutting alfalfa only if harvest was delayed at least 10 days. Since harvest at full-bud stage minimized, whereas late harvest maximized, the number of leafminer larvae which matured to pupate in the soil, cultural methods can help reduce leafminer populations.
Methionine Infusion Reproduces Liver Injury of Parenteral Nutrition Cholestasis

Cholestatic jaundice is the major complication of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in infancy. We have previously shown that the TPN solution is directly toxic to the liver, and that this toxicity appears to be mediated by one or more amino acids. Elevated serum methionine levels, without corresponding increases in its metabolites, suggest that accumulation of this toxic amino acid may cause TPN cholestasis. Nine-week-old rabbits (n = 28) were divided into three groups. The FED group was fed standard rabbit chow ad libitum. The TPN group was not fed and received only i.v. TPN (including methionine 121 mg·kg-1·d-1), and lipids. The EXP group was fed chow ad libitum and received i.v. methionine (121 mg·kg-1·d-1). After 14 d, we evaluated bile flow, bromosulfophthalein excretion, serum liver enzymes, liver histology, and serum amino acid levels. Bile flow was significantly depressed in the TPN and EXP groups compared with FED controls (32.9 ± 9.4 and 45.7 ± 14.4 versus 82.9 ± 13.8). Excretion of the bilirubin analog bromosulfophthalein tended to be delayed by methionine infusion (p = 0.15). Serum liver enzymes (aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, γ-glutamyltransferase, and alkaline phosphatase) were normal in all groups. Histologic liver injury in the EXP group was similar to that caused by TPN. Balloon degeneration, and portal inflammation were seen in both groups. Homocysteine, an early metabolite of methionine, was elevated in the TPN and EXP groups compared with FED controls. Intravenous methionine is hepatotoxic. Despite full oral feeding, it produces a depression of bile flow and histologic liver injury similar to that seen with TPN. Elevated homocysteine levels suggests an enzymatic block early in the pathway of methionine metabolism. We believe that methionine may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of TPN cholestasis.
Application of Tissue Adhesives: Rapid Attainment of Proficiency

. Objective:To evaluate the 3-month cosmetic outcome following laceration repair with a new tissue adhesive, 2-octylcyanoacrylate, as a function of physician experience with this tissue adhesive. Methods:The authors prospectively enrolled consecutive patients <1 year of age with non-bite, non-crush-induced lacerations who presented <6 hours after injury and were treated with 2-octylcyanoacrylate. Structured closed-question data sheets were completed at the time of laceration repair and at 3-month follow-up. Long-term cosmetic appearance (<3 months) was assessed by patients using a 100-mm visual analog scale. The cosmetic outcomes were evaluated as a function of the physician application using ANOVA or x2 tests, as appropriate. This study had 80% power to detect a 10-mm difference between the 2-octylcyanoacrylate and suture groups (α, 0.05). Results:Seven physicians applied 2-octylcyanoacrylate to 63 patients; 61 patients received sutures. Patients were similar in the 2 groups (age, gender, race, history, and wound characteristics; p < 0.05 for all). At long-term follow-up, the cosmetic outcomes were similar in the 2-octylcyanoacrylate and suture groups according to patients (VAS 83.8 ± 19.4 mm vs 82.5 ± 17.6 mm; p = 0.72) and physicians (optimal score, 77% vs 80%; p = 0.67), and independent of physician experience with the 2-octylcyanoacrylate. One wound developed an infection and one wound necessitated reclosure due to dehiscence. Neither occurred with the first application. Conclusions:The 3-month cosmetic appearance of wounds treated with 2-octylcyanoacrylate is equivalent to that with sutures and does not improve as physicians become more experienced with use of this tissue adhesive. These data suggest that physicians can develop competence in application of tissue adhesives with a brief training period.
Lung cancer mortality: Comparing Sweden with other countries in the European Union

Aims: To describe how snus use has reduced smoking among men in Sweden, and to estimate how smoking-attributable lung cancer mortality would decline in other European Union countries if they had the smoking prevalence of Sweden. Methods: Lung cancer mortality rates (LCMRs) and numbers of deaths among men and women age 45þ years in 25 EU countries in 2002 were obtained from the World Health Organization mortality database, and the number of lung cancer deaths expected in each country at the LCMR of Sweden was calculated. LCMRs for EU countries were obtained during the period 1950– 2004, and per capita consumption of nicotine from cigarettes and snus was estimated for men in Sweden from 1931 to 2004. Results: There were 172,000 lung cancer deaths among men in the EU in 2002. If all EU countries had the LCMR of men in Sweden, there would have been 92,000 (54%) fewer deaths. In contrast, the LCMR among Swedish women was the sixth highest in the EU; at the Swedish rate, deaths among EU women would have increased by 14,500 (26%). These LCMR patterns were in place for most of the last 50 years, and LCMRs among Swedish men can be correlated with snus and cigarette consumption. Conclusions: This study shows that snus use has had a profound effect on smoking prevalence and LCMRs among Swedish men. While it cannot be proven that snus would have the same effect in other EU countries, the potential reduction in smoking-attributable deaths is considerable.
Stephen Greenblatt‘s new historicist vision

W henever friends in other academic fields ask me as a professor of literature to explain what is going on in my discipline, I am usually surprised to discover how little they really know about literary studies today. They have just managed to get a feel for deconstruction, now that the theory has filtered down to the level of the popular press. Thus they are dismayed to learn that on our finer college campuses today Jacques Derrida is already considered pass6 and something called the New Historicism (to be sure, inspired by another Frenchman, Michel Foucault) has largely taken the place of deconstruction. When my enquirers had expected me to talk about Paul de Man or Stanley Fish, they are puzzled to hear me dwell upon Stephen Greenblatt instead. Indeed, although figures like de Man and Fish are the ones usually ment ioned when journalists discuss contemporary literary study, if I were asked to name the most influential literary critic of this generation, it would be Greenblatt. 1 Greenblatt is not a theoretician by temperament; his writings tend to involve detailed analyses of specific texts, like the poems of Sir Thomas Wyatt. Thus to the general public, he does not seem to have contributed to the theoretical controversies that polarize the world of literary critics. Nevertheless, I would argue that Greenblatt has done more than anyone else to shape the way literary criticism is practiced today, and that means how literary criticism is actually written. Indeed, much of Greenblatt 's success and influence is to be traced to the fact that he is a masterful writer. His prose is graceful, fluid, and supple, and above all he knows how to construct an essay with the skill of a professional mystery writer, artfully withholding key facts until just the right moment, timing his revelations perfectly to create an almost hypnotic suspense in the unfolding of his argument. He is also, as I will try to document, extremely savvy in his rhetorical skills, making it difficult for his critics to pin him down and challenge his assertions. It is no wonder then that over the past decade Greenblatt's remarkable essays have become models for literary critics throughout the profession, although unfortunately, as might be expected, what he appears to do effortlessly, his followers tend to do mechanically.
A Case Study of Environmental Justice and Federal Tourism Sites in Southern Appalachia: A GIS Application

This article uses an environmental justice framework to determine whether inequalities exist for certain socioeconomic and racial groups with respect to the distribution of federal tourism sites in Southern Appalachia (SA). Federal tourism sites and campsites were mapped along with the census block groups (CBGs) using geographic information systems. CBGs within a 1,500-meter radius of these federal lands were identified and examined based on five socioeconomic variables (race, education, household income, occupation, and local heritage). These CBGs were then compared with the remaining CBGs in SA that were outside the 1,500-meter radius. Results show that a negative relationship exists between income and occupation and location of a number of federal tourist sites. CBGs with a low-income, blue-collar makeup were significantly more likely to be situated within the 1,500-meter radius than outside. Additional study should determine the desirability of tourism-based land use with respect to factors such as ur...
Hold Me Tight Role of the Heat Shock Protein Family of Chaperones in Cardiac Disease

During the development of cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, and ischemia reperfusion challenge, the heart accumulates misfolded proteins as a result of cellular stresses.1,–,4 Although the compensatory increases in chaperones/cochaperones work to prevent misfolding, refold denatured proteins, and/or target them for degradation, this system can become overwhelmed, leading to worsening of cardiac function. In fact, recent studies have demonstrated experimentally that increasing the burden of misfolded proteins in the heart can contribute to the development of cardiac dysfunction.5 In this review, we discuss the role of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in common cardiac diseases, including cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, and ischemia/reperfusion injury. Furthermore, we delineate the many specific mechanisms by which these chaperones, cochaperones, and heat shock factor (HSF) transcription factors have been found to be cardioprotective in experimental models. Lastly, we review recent studies involving drugs that are being developed (and currently used) to increase the expression (and presumably function) of chaperone/cochaperone systems that may be applicable to the treatment of common cardiac diseases and familial cardiac diseases with a pathogenesis that includes a major component of misfolded proteins (eg, desminopathies). There are several general families of molecular chaperones in the cytoplasm of mammalian cells, including HSP90, HSP70, chaperonin containing TCP1 (CCT; also called TCP1-ring complex [TRiC]), and small HSP (sHSP) family proteins (the Figure, A). Members of the HSP90 family of chaperones are the most abundant chaperones located in the cytosol. They form dimers consisting of HSP90α and HSP90β subunits and are inducible with stress, although they also are quite abundant without stress.8,9 HSP90 assists many proteins involved with signal transduction, including >40 kinases and many steroid hormone receptors, with a supporting role in conformational changes involved in ATP hydrolysis.10,11 The HSP70 chaperone family consists of …
Metastable ion Characteristics. XXXXIII—separation and comparison of collisional activation spectra and metastable ion spectra

Additional ion acceleration in a separate collision chamber in the field free drift region makes it possible to add extra kinetic energy to those ions undergoing decomposition in the chamber. In this way product ions formed in the collision chamber (the [collisional activation] spectrum) can be distinguished from ions formed from decompositions in the low pressure portion of the field free drift region (the [metastable ion] spectrum). This technique is used to show that often a relatively small proportion of the ions in the [pure] collisional activation spectrum arises from processes which produce the metastable ion spectrum.
Electrophysiologic demonstration of bilateral anomalous pathways in a patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (type B preexcitation)

Abstract Pre- and postoperative electrophysiologic studies are described that were suggestive of two (right- and left-sided) anomalous atrioventricular (A-V) connections in a patient with type B Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and intractable arrhythmias, who underwent epicardial mapping and successful surgical ablation of the right-sided anomalous pathway. The presence of the right-sided anomalous pathway capable of both antegrade and retrograde conduction was suggested by the following observations: (1) Type B preexcitation on the surface electrocardiogram; (2) maximal preexcitation and minimal stimulus-delta with low lateral right atrial pacing; (3) epicardial mapping of the atria and ventricles; and (4) disappearance of ventricular preexcitation after surgical ablation of the right-sided anomalous pathway. The presence of an additional left-sided anomalous pathway capable of only retrograde conduction (concealed on the surface electrocardiogram) was suggested by the following observations: (1) Left to right retrograde atrial activation sequence during reentrant tachycardia and ventricular pacing at rapid rates and with coupled ventricular pacing postoperatively; (2) spontaneous conversion of wide QRS tachycardia utilizing the anomalous pathway for antegrade conduction to narrow QRS tachycardia with significant slowing in rate; and (3) smooth antegrade A-V nodal conduction curves with echo zone postoperatively. The demonstration of bilateral anomalous pathway in patients with preexcitation has important electrophysiologic and surgical implications.
A Note on the Basic Block Diagrams of Finite Automata from the Engineering Point of View

The use of a parallel multiplier for performing high-speed binary division requires that an algorithm be devised that obtains the quotient by means of multiplications and additions. Furthermore, its hardware implementation must be as simple and as fast as possible. A suitable algorithm, which applies to a first approximation to the reciprocal of the divisor, has already been proposed[1]. A similar algorithm is presented in this paper. The comparison between the two methods for equal numbers of multiplications shows that the latter is more accurate. Conversely, a given accuracy can often be obtained with a higher speed. The generation of a piecewise-linear initial approximation is also discussed.
Vacuolar myopathy in a dog resembling human sporadic inclusion body myositis

Sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) is the most common myopathy in people over the age of 50 years. While immune-mediated inflammatory myopathies are well documented in dogs, sIBM has not been described. An 11-year-old dog with chronic and progressive neuromuscular dysfunction was evaluated for evidence of sIBM using current pathologic, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic diagnostic criteria. Vacuoles and congophilic intracellular inclusions were identified in cryostat sections of multiple muscle biopsies and immunostained with antibodies against amyloid-β peptide, amyloid-β precursor protein, and proteosome 20S of the ubiquitin–proteosome system. Cellular infiltration and increased expression of MHC Class I antigen were observed. Cytoplasmic filamentous inclusions, membranous structures, and myeloid bodies were identified ultrastructurally. These observations constitute the first evidence that both the inflammatory and degenerative features of human sIBM can occur in a non-human species.