cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Numerical modelling of fluid flow in microscopic images of granular materials

A program for the simulation of two-dimensional (2-D) fluid flow at the microstructural level of a saturated anisotropic granular medium is presented. The program provides a numerical solution to the complete set of Navier–Stokes equations without a priori assumptions on the viscous or convection components. This is especially suited for the simulation of the flow of fluids with different density and viscosity values and for a wide range of granular material porosity. The analytical solution for fluid flow in a simple microstructure of porous medium is used to verify the computer program. Subsequently, the flow field is computed within microscopic images of granular material that differ in porosity, particle size and particle shape. The computed flow fields are shown to follow certain paths depending on air void size and connectivity. The permeability tensor coefficients are derived from the flow fields, and their values are shown to compare well with laboratory experimental data on glass beads, Ottawa sand and silica sands. The directional distribution of permeability is expressed in a functional form and its anisotropy is quantified. Permeability anisotropy is found to be more pronounced in the silica sand medium that consists of elongated particles. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Loss of P2Y2 Receptor Gene Expression on Nucleotide Regulation of Murine Epithelial Cl−Transport

Extracellular nucleotides are believed to be important regulators of ion transport in epithelial tissues as a result of their ability to activate cell surface receptors. Although numerous receptors that bind nucleotides have been identified, the complexity of this receptor family, combined with the lack of pharmacological agents specific for these receptors, has made the assignment of particular receptors and ligands to physiological responses difficult. Because ATP and UTP appear equipotent and equieffective in regulating ion transport in many epithelia, we tested the hypothesis that the P2Y(2) receptor (P2Y(2)-R) subtype mediates these responses in mouse epithelia, with gene targeting techniques. Mice with the P2Y(2)-R locus targeted and inactivated (P2Y(2)-R(-/-)) were generated, airways (trachea), gallbladder, and intestines (jejunum) excised, and Cl(-) secretory responses to luminal nucleotide additions measured in Ussing chambers. Comparison of P2Y(2)-R(+/+) with P2Y(2)-R(-/-) mice revealed that P2Y(2)-R mediated most (>85-95%) nucleotide-stimulated Cl(-) secretion in trachea, about 50% of nucleotide responses in the gallbladder, and none of the responses in the jejunum. Dose-effect relationships for nucleotides in tissues from P2Y(2)-R(-/-) mice suggest that the P2Y(6)-R regulates ion transport in gallbladder and to a lesser extent trachea, whereas P2Y(4) and/or unidentified receptor(s) regulate ion transport in jejunum. We conclude that the P2Y(2) receptor is the dominant P2Y purinoceptor that regulates airway epithelial ion transport, whereas other P2Y receptor subtypes are relatively more important in other nonrespiratory epithelia.
Water intensity of transportation.

As the need for alternative transportation fuels increases, it is important to understand the many effects of introducing fuels based upon feedstocks other than petroleum. Water intensity in “gallons of water per mile traveled” is one method to measure these effects on the consumer level. In this paper we investigate the water intensity for light duty vehicle (LDV) travel using selected fuels based upon petroleum, natural gas, unconventional fossil fuels, hydrogen, electricity, and two biofuels (ethanol from corn and biodiesel from soy). Fuels more directly derived from fossil fuels are less water intensive than those derived either indirectly from fossil fuels (e.g., through electricity generation) or directly from biomass. The lowest water consumptive (<0.15 gal H2O/mile) and withdrawal (<1 gal H2O/mile) rates are for LDVs using conventional petroleum-based gasoline and diesel, nonirrigated biofuels, hydrogen derived from methane or electrolysis via nonthermal renewable electricity, and electricity deri...
Systematics and evolution in Sesamum L. (Pedaliaceae), part 1: Evidence regarding the origin of sesame and its closest relatives

Recent molecular studies demonstrate that Sesamum sect. Sesamum, defining the largest genus of Pedaliaceae, holds two subspecies: the oilseed crop Sesamum indicum, and the crop’s progenitor Sesamum indicum subsp. malabaricum, and fail to support the idea that cultivated sesame originated from the African Sesamum latifolium. Therefore, in this updated classification, Sesamum sect. Sesamum is re-circumscribed to contain the Asian progenitor species of sesame. As a result, these data do not support the current infrageneric classification system; instead, these molecular results offer alternative implications with regard to the evolution of the genus and provide a basis for developing an updated taxonomy that is consistent with underlying phylogenetic relationships. Each clade is recognized as a section, thereby retaining valuable information on evolutionary relationships while minimizing nomenclatural changes. These analyses also reveal that section Sesamum is sister to Sesamum sect. Chamaesesamum. That sect...
Towards power efficient consolidation and distribution of virtual machines

The need for power conservation in today's world is continually growing in importance due to increasing energy costs and the desire to conserve natural resources. Energy conservation extends into computer systems because of these systems' performance demands, energy costs, and the growth of environmental awareness.Meanwhile, computer virtualization is growing in popularity in today's computer systems because it allows for the consolidation of multiple servers onto one larger server. Data centers and computational clusters use virtualization because of the many benefits it offers over the use of traditional stand-alone servers such as ease of management, enhanced security, and reduced costs.Virtual machines can be consolidated to obtain maximum power efficiency by taking into account the attributes of applications running in virtual machines. The contribution of this paper is the study of the relationship between applications running in virtual machines, and the effect they have on power consumption. Optimal power efficiency is obtained when virtual machines are consolidated so that all the resources for a given host are fully utilized. This will be used in the goal of building an energy efficient system model and load-balancing algorithm for use in data centers and computational clusters.
Improved detection limits for trace elements on aerosol filters using Compton suppression counting and epithermal irradiation techniques

Aerosol samples were collected on Whatman 41 filters at two sites near Lake Huron and one site near Lake Ontario. These samples were then analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (NAA) at the University of Illinois. The detection limits for certain trace elements were enhanced by irradiation with both thermal and epithermal neutrons and also by counting with Compton suppression techniques. The sample was divided in half to allow for four irradiations. Short-lived thermal NAA resulted in the determination of Al, Br, Ca, Cl, Cu, K, Mn, Na, Ti, and V. A short epithermal irradiation was used to determine Cu, I, In, Si, Sn and U. A one and one-half hour epithermal irradiation was utilized for the determination of As, Au, Br, Sm, Sb, and W. The elements Cr, Cs, Fe, Hf, Ni, Sc, Se, Th. Zn, and several rare earths were determined with a long thermal irradiation. Utilizing a Compton suppression gamma-ray counting system reduced the background and enhanced the detection of several isotopes which primarily emit only a single gamma-ray upon decay. Counting was simultaneously performed with a normal counting mode so that the detection of isotopes with multiple decay gamma-rays was not impaired.
Rock Glacier Mapping: A Method Utilizing Enhanced TM Data and GIS Modeling Techniques

Abstract Rock glaciers, an important component to alpine systems, have been identified as an indicator of permafrost distribution as well as a resource for humans, serving as backdrops for residential areas, dam abutments, and a water source for urban areas. As a result, mapping is imperative; however, a simple method for rock glacier detection has not been developed. Traditionally, rock glaciers have been mapped using field techniques or aerial photography. Spaceborne Landsat MSS data has proven to be ineffective for identifying rock glaciers. The purpose of this research is to establish a modeling procedure to identify rock glaciers of the Blanca Massif of Colorado utilizing Landsat TM data, image enhancements, and ancillary DEM data. I used a topographic normalizing function to reduce shadows, band ratios and principal components to emphasize rock glaciers, edge enhancements to detect all distinct rock glacier borders, and a 1:24,000 DEM to restrict the study area to criteria common to all rock glacier...
Mechanics of Metal Matrix Laminates

The mechanics of fracture and fatigue crack propagation of ARALL Laminates and Discontinuously Reinforced SiC Aluminum (DRA) laminates is studied. In these two, supposedly different, material systems the fracture and fatigue performance is closely related to their capability to delaminate. The delamination shape, length, rate of growth, effect on fatigue and fracture toughness are analyzed in the both lamination systems. The similarities between these two lamination systems fatigue and fracture failure modes are determined and summarized. Design for compression is also mantioned.
Transient oxidation in Fe-Cr-Ni alloys: A Raman-scattering study

Using Raman scattering we have investigated the oxidation, in air, of the Fe-Cr-Ni stainless steels Fe-25Cr-20Ni, Fe-25Cr-20Ni-3Zr, and Fe-24Cr-3Zr (wt.%) as a function of temperature in the range 300 to 1000°C. The Raman technique is very sensitive to, and provides a clear identification of, the oxides Fe2O3 and Cr2O3. However, the technique is insensitive to NiO, FeO, and does not give a clear identification of spinels. The Fe−Cr−Ni alloys form chromia scales at temperatures greater than ∼800°C. At lower oxidation temperatures, transient phases are observed. With a 1-h heat treatment at 300°C, we observe the formation of an unidentified scale; we speculate that it is either amorphous or consists of disordered spinel(s). Near 400°C we begin to observe hematite (Fe2O3). The intensity of the Fe2O3 signal increases with temperature to ∼600°C and then decreases, being largely replaced by the signal from Cr2O3. The thickness of the Cr2O3 scale increases with temperature up to ∼1000°C above which spallation becomes apparent. Spinel phases also apparently persist in the scale to 1000°C.
Sampling and analysis of iodine in the industrial atmosphere

In responding to a request for technical assistance, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health developed a method for sampling and analysis of iodine. Atmospheric iodine was collected on a solid sorbent tube and analyzed by ion chromatography. Overall recovery of iodine from the impregnated charcoal was 101% with 9.6% relative standard deviation. Iodine concentrations in field samples collected at a graphic plate processing plant ranged from 0.002 ppm to 0.15 ppm.
Pre-distribution scheme for data sharing in mobile cloud computing

The combination of Mobile computing and Cloud computing gave rise to a new computing paradigm called Mobile Cloud Computing (MCC) that gives the flexibility to access information and computing resources anywhere anytime. In many applications, mobile nodes capture images/video clips and exchange with other mobile peers (on demand) and use local access points for efficient smooth distribution of information in the wireless network. In such a situation, a three-way data management and dissemination technique is helpful because it provides both data management and distribution at different levels of granularity. The main motivation of this paper is that we seek a balance between accessing information from a remote cloud server, at the cost of increasing latency, and accessing data from other mobile hosts, at a cost of power, bandwidth and increased traffic. To manage this balance, we propose a layered architecture supported by mobile hosts, access points and cloud together for efficiency. The MCC architecture described in this paper also provides fault tolerance in case one of the mobile nodes fails or gets disconnected. In this paper, we discuss a layered architecture for MCC and present a data pre-distribution scheme for efficient sharing of data among potential users in MCC environment. We also propose update propagation and cache replacement policies in MCC. In addition, we also report complexity analysis for cache accesses by mobile nodes using the proposed architecture in terms of communication messages.
13-cis-retinoic acid and hepatic steatosis in rats

Abstract The effect of administration of 13-cis-retinoic acid (100 mg/kg diet) on lipid metabolism was examined in male rats fed either a 20% casein + 0.3% methionine diet, a 20% casein diet, a 10% casein + 0.3% methionine diet, or a 10% casein + 0.6% methionine diet for 10 days. Hepatic triglyceride concentrations of rats fed either 10% casein diet were 3-fold greater than animals receiving diets containing 20% casein. The addition of 13-cis-retinoic acid to the diet further increased the total hepatic lipid (43–56%) and triglyceride (~2-fold) concentrations in rats fed the 10% casein diets. 13-cis-Retinoic acid supplementation did not alter the total liver lipid or triglyceride concentrations in rats fed either of the 20% casein diets. Thus, under specific dietary conditions, the administration of 13-cis-retinoic acid resulted in a marked accumulation of hepatic lipids which did not appear to be related to the total methionine content of the diet nor to the hepatic concentrations of S-adenosylmethionine and glutathione. In addition, all four groups of 13-cis-retinoic acid-fed rats exhibited elevations in the concentration of serum triglycerides, and 10–20% reductions in serum cholesterol concentrations.
The effects of acute and chronic ammonia exposure during early life stages of the gulf toadfish, Opsanus beta.

Abstract The gulf toadfish ( Opsanus beta ) is unusual among teleosts in that it is facultatively ureotelic and adults and juveniles have a particularly high tolerance to environmental ammonia. Male toadfish brood their offspring in confined nests. It has been hypothesized that the potential accumulation of ammonia in nests from the male and the offspring, coupled with suspected low ammonia tolerance in offspring would provide the selective pressure necessary for excretion of the less toxic urea by adult toadfish. This study examines this so-called ‘nest-fouling’ hypothesis through acute and chronic ammonia toxicity testing on early life stages of O. beta. In addition, nitrogen elimination was examined among embryos, yolk-sac larvae and juveniles where we found an ontogenic shift from ammonotely to ureotely with advancing life history stages. The acute ammonia 96 h LC 50 values for embryos and larvae were 63.6 and 5.45 mmol-N l −1 total ammonia ( T Amm ), respectively. Thus, these early life stages are more tolerant to ammonia than either juveniles or adults and LC 50 values are at least 2 orders of magnitude greater than concentrations naturally occurring at nest sites. Furthermore, 40 days exposures at mean and maximum NH 3 concentrations normally found within nests revealed no observable detrimental effects. In fact, growth in terms of wet or dry weight was greatest at the maximum NH 3 concentration. We therefore conclude that the nest-fouling hypothesis is not a viable explanation for ureotely in the gulf toadfish.
Algorithmic extremal problems in combinatorial optimization

Abstract An efficient approximation algorithm generator for the generalized maximum ψ-satisfiability problem is presented which produces an efficient approximation algorithm ψ-MAXMEAN∗ for each finite set ψ of relations. The algorithms ψ-MAXMEAN∗ are shown to be best-possible in the class of polynomial algorithms (if P ≠ NP), in both absolute and relative terms. The algorithms are of wide applicability, because of the central position of the generalized maximum satisfiability problem among the class of combinatorial optimization problems.
Regulation of Nasal Airway Homeostasis and Inflammation in Mice by SHP-1 and Th2/Th1 Signaling Pathways

Allergic rhinitis is a chronic inflammatory disease orchestrated by Th2 lymphocytes. Src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP)-1 is known to be a negative regulator in the IL-4α/STAT-6 signaling pathway of the lung. However, the role of SHP-1 enzyme and its functional relationship with Th2 and Th1 cytokines are not known in the nasal airway. In this study, we aimed to study the nasal inflammation as a result of SHP-1 deficiency in viable motheaten (mev) mice and to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved. Cytology, histology, and expression of cytokines and chemokines were analyzed to define the nature of the nasal inflammation. Targeted gene depletion of Th1 (IFN-γ) and Th2 (IL-4 and IL-13) cytokines was used to identify the critical pathways involved. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were studied to demonstrate the clearance mechanism of recruited inflammatory cells into the nasal airway. We showed here that mev mice had a spontaneous allergic rhinitis-like inflammation with eosinophilia, mucus metaplasia, up-regulation of Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13), chemokines (eotaxin), and MMPs. All of these inflammatory mediators were clearly counter-regulated by Th2 and Th1 cytokines. Deletion of IFN-γ gene induced a strong Th2-skewed inflammation with transepithelial migration of the inflammatory cells. These findings suggest that SHP-1 enzyme and Th2/Th1 paradigm may play a critical role in the maintenance of nasal immune homeostasis and in the regulation of allergic rhinitis.
Raw vegetable food containing high cyclo (his-pro) improved insulin sensitivity and body weight control

Cyclo (his-pro), controlled-energy diet, soy protein hydrolysate (SPH), and raw vegetable food (RVF) are known to improve insulin sensitivity and body weight (BW) control. Enhancement of high cyclo (his-pro) content in SPH (HCS) was performed by refluxing SPH with 1 N KH2CO3 dissolved in 70% ethanol for 2 weeks at room temperature. Using this material, we examined the effects of HCS plus RVF on glucose metabolism and BW control in genetically diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (G-K) and insulin-resistant aged overweight Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rats. Thirty 7-week-old G-K rats and 18 16- to 18-month-old S-D rats were divided into 3 groups and treated with normal chow (NC), RVF diet, or HCS diet for 8 weeks. Raw vegetable food diet was made of 1:3 RVF and 2:3 NC; HCS diet was made of 1:27 portion HCS, 8:27 RVF, and 2:3 NC. Oral glucose tolerance significantly improved in both RVF- (P < .01) and HCS-treated (P < .001) G-K rats and worsened in NC-fed rats compared with the baseline values. Similarly, oral glucose tolerance also improved in aged overweight S-D rats when treated with RVF (P < .05) and with HCS (P < .01), compared with the baseline values. Although HCS diet treatment very significantly lowered fed plasma insulin levels compared with NC diet treatment in G-K rats (P < .01), RVF diet treatment alone did not decrease plasma insulin levels. In contrast, there was no change of insulin levels in overweight aged S-D rats after either RVF or HCS diet treatment. Postfeeding glucose levels in G-K rats fed RVF or HCS significantly fell, compared with the rats fed NC (P < .05). Interestingly, fasting blood glucose levels in RVF- or HCS-fed rats were very significantly lower than in NC-fed rats (P < .001). There was no change of blood glucose levels in S-D rats due to treatments with different diet. In G-K rats, food intake did not decrease during the first 3 weeks but fell very significantly from the fifth to eighth weeks with RVF (P < .01) and HCS (P < .001) treatments in G-K rats. However, food intake reduction in aged S-D rats was shown only for the HCS-treated rat group (P < .05). Water intake slightly decreased in G-K rats with either RVF or HCS treatment (P < .05) but very significantly decreased in S-D rats with HCS treatment (P < .01). Body weight gain in young G-K rats and BW in aged S-D rats significantly decreased only when rats were treated with HCS diet (P < .05). These data suggest that regular consumption of HCS diet helps to control blood glucose metabolism in diabetic G-K rats and BW control in aged obese S-D rats.
Review essay / jury wisdom

Norman J. Finkel, Commonsense Justice: Jurors’ Notions of the Law Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1995, 390pp.
Imagining Prehistory: Pictorial Reconstructions of the Way We Were

Earlier members of the human lineage are all extinct and so are their behavior and adaptations. The fossil bones, teeth, and archaeological traces of these testaments to our biological history are usually discovered in a fragmentary and broken state, many times out of their original depositional setting, thus offering few clues as to the original environment in which these creatures lived, foraged for food, competed with other animals for resources, and died. In spite of the incomplete nature of these finds, the discovery and analysis of the fossil evidence that documents these earlier phases of human evolution have become one of the central foci of popular science. Each new discovery is often accorded above the fold treatment on the front page of the New York Times and mention on national radio and TV news programs. Recent years have also witnessed the production of numerous television programs and films examining one or another aspect of human evolution, many times with scenes of elaborately
U.S. Labor 2006: Strategic Developments Across the Divide

The AFL-CIO and Change to Win have learned to co-exist without debilitating acrimony. The AFL-CIO has established Industry Coordinating Committees to facilitate cooperative bargaining and organizing ventures. On the political front, the AFL-CIO took the lead in labor’s 2006 electoral operations and conducted an extensive, efficient, and unified campaign. Change to Win unions worked together to build strategies for a growth agenda. The success of UNITE-HERE’s Hotel Workers Rising Campaign indicates the potential of this approach. Difficult challenges remain, but the strategic developments show signs of life and offer hope that labor may find a path to the future.
Load, Speed and Inflation Pressure Effects on Rolling Loss Distribution in Automobile Tires

Abstract The effect of tire load, speed, and cold inflation pressure on the rolling loss contribution of any tire region is determined by numerical calculations involving both laboratory measurements and thermal modeling techniques. Laboratory measurements include tire surface temperature distributions obtained from an infrared camera system; thermal modeling is based on finite‐difference procedures. Results are presented in two formats: (1) plots of rolling loss distributions from bead to bead and (2) contributions of tread, shoulder, sidewall, and bead regions. The first format is a direct result of the thermal model; the second is derived from multiple‐regression operations. Both formats are given as functions of load, cold inflation pressure, and speed. Beahvior in the tread region is shown to be unique.
Dissociation of charge movement from calcium release and calcium current in skeletal myotubes by gabapentin

The skeletal muscle L-type calcium channel or dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) plays an integral role in excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling. Its activation initiates three sequential events: char...
Cretaceous climate: A comparison of atmospheric simulations with the geologic record

Abstract Atmospheric simulations using realistic Cretaceous geography (100 million years ago) suggest that paleography is an important factor governing the nature of the circulation. The simulated Cretaceous atmospheric circulations are markedly different both from the present-day atmospheric circulation and from the classical hypotheses of a weaker circulation and poleward displacement of circulation features (e.g. the subtropical high). Therefore, they pose specific questions which can be tested against the geologic record. Aspects of the Cretaceous simulations are verified in comparisons with the geologic record. The simulations serve to guide areas of future paleoclimatic research and to formulate better the nature of the problem of warm, equable climates.
Centrosome/Spindle Pole–associated Protein Regulates Cytokinesis via Promoting the Recruitment of MyoGEF to the Central Spindle

Cooperative communications between the central spindle and the contractile ring are critical for the spatial and temporal regulation of cytokinesis. Here we report that MyoGEF, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that localizes to the central spindle and cleavage furrow, interacts with centrosome/spindle pole-associated protein (CSPP), which is concentrated at the spindle pole and central spindle during mitosis and cytokinesis. Both in vitro and in vivo pulldown assays show that MyoGEF interacts with CSPP. The C-terminus of MyoGEF and N-terminus of CSPP are required for their interaction. Immunofluorescence analysis indicates that MyoGEF and CSPP colocalize at the central spindle. Depletion of CSPP or MyoGEF by RNA-interference (RNAi) not only causes defects in mitosis and cytokinesis, such as metaphase arrest and furrow regression, but also mislocalization of nonmuscle myosin II with a phosphorylated myosin regulatory light chain (p-MRLC). Importantly, CSPP depletion by RNAi interferes with MyoGEF localization at the central spindle. Finally, MyoGEF interacts with ECT2, and RNAi-mediated depletion of MyoGEF leads to mislocalization of ECT2 and RhoA during cytokinesis. Therefore, we propose that CSPP interacts with and recruits MyoGEF to the central spindle, where MyoGEF contributes to the spatiotemporal regulation of cytokinesis.
Estimates for nonsingular mixed character sums

a nontrivial multiplicative character of k. We extend χ to k by defining χ(0) = 0. We wish to consider character sums over An, n ≥ 1, of the following form. We are given a polynomial f (x) := f (x1, . . . , xn) in k[x1, . . . ,Xn] of degree d ≥ 1, and we are given a second polynomial g(X) := g(x1, . . . , xn) in k[x1, . . . , xn] of degree e ≥ 1. We are interested in understanding when the sum ∑ x∈kn ψ(f (x))χ(g(x))
Fueling the flames of the green‐eyed monster: The role of ruminative thought in reaction to romantic jealousy

This study examines factors predicted to influence individuals’ responses to romantic jealousy. Participants completed scales measuring relationship‐specific linking (i.e., believing that a specific relationship is essential to one's happiness), relationship‐specific rumination, possessiveness, trust, and communicative responses to jealousy. Contrary to expectations, relationship‐specific linking and relationship‐specific rumination were not correlated. Relationship‐specific linking was weakly associated with possessiveness, compensatory restoration, negative affect expression, and violence toward objects, but not associated any of the other variables. As predicted, relationship‐specific rumination was negatively associated with trust, and positively associated with possessiveness, surveillance/restriction, manipulation, relationship threat, rival contact, compensatory restoration, negative affect expression, signs of possession, derogation of competitors, distributive communication, violent communication...
The Eurozone’s Equilibrium Real Exchange Rates

The equilibrium real exchange rate is the one of the key concepts in the macroeconomic and policy analysis. The im-portance of this concept yet increases in a currency union. In general, the real exchange rate misalignments are per-ceived to be the causes of the loss of a competitiveness, growth slowdowns and currency crises in cases of overvalua-tion, overheating and inflation in cases of undervaluation, sectoral misallocations of resources and global economic imbalances. In a case of a currency union the divergent dynamics of real effective exchange rates in the individual countries—both the actual and an equilibrium—will exacerbate both economic and political tensions (in addition to above mentioned problems) and may lead to the collapse of not only the monetary union per se but the underlying integration processes as well. This paper employs the estimation of the BEER (behavioral equilibrium exchange rate) for the seven Eurozone countries: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal and Ireland for the 1999:1-2011:3 period. The purpose is to compare the performance of the Eurozone “powerhouses” (Germany and France) with the countries on the Mediterranean littoral plus Ireland (so called “troubled periphery”). Those estimates are then used to calculate the degree of Euro’s misalignment and the magnitude, persistence and the direction of dynamic tendencies within the Eurozone itself.
The G2019S Pathogenic Mutation Disrupts Sensitivity of Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 to Manganese Kinase Inhibition

Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase-2 (LRRK2) are the most common cause of late-onset Parkinson disease. Previously, we showed that the G2019S pathogenic mutation can cause a dramatic increase (approximately 10-fold) in kinase activity, far above other published studies. A notable experimental difference was the use of Mn-ATP as a substrate. Therefore, the effects of metal cation-ATP cofactors on LRRK2 kinase activity were investigated. It is shown, using several divalent metal cations, that only Mg(2+) or Mn(2+) can support LRRK2 kinase activity. However, for wild-type, I2020T, and R1441C LRRK2, Mn(2+) was significantly less effective at supporting kinase activity. In sharp contrast, both Mn(2+) and Mg(2+) were effective at supporting the activity of G2019S LRRK2. These divergent effects associated with divalent cation usage and the G2019S mutation were predominantly because of differences in catalytic rates. However, LRRK2 was shown to have much lower (approximately 40-fold) ATP K(m) for Mn-ATP compared with Mg-ATP. Consequently, sub-stoichiometric concentrations of Mn(2+) can act to inhibit the kinase activity of wild-type, but not G2019S LRRK2 in the presence of Mg(2+) . From these findings, a new model is proposed for a possible function of LRRK2 and the consequence of the G2019S LRRK2 pathogenic mutation.
Mutational analysis of hepatitis B surface antigen particle assembly and secretion.

Abstract Cells infected with hepatitis B virus produce both virions and 20-nm subviral (surface antigen or HBsAg) particles; the latter are composed of viral envelope proteins and host-derived lipid. Although hepatitis B virus encodes three envelope proteins (L, M, and S), all of the information required to produce an HBsAg particle resides within the S protein. This polypeptide spans the bilayer at least twice and contains three hydrophobic regions, two of which are known to harbor topogenic signal sequences that direct this transmembrane orientation. We have examined the effects of mutations in these and other regions of the S protein on particle assembly and export. Lesions in the N terminal signal sequence (signal I) can still insert into the endoplasmic reticulum bilayer but do not participate in any of the subsequent steps in assembly. Deletion of the major internal signal (signal II) completely destabilizes the chain. Deletion of the C-terminal hydrophobic domain results in a stable, glycosylated, but nonsecreted chain. However, when coexpressed with wild-type S protein this mutant polypeptide can be incorporated into particles and secreted, indicating that the chain is still competent for some of the distal steps in particle assembly. The correct transmembrane disposition of the N terminus of the molecule is important for particle formation: addition of a heterologous (globin) domain to this region impairs secretion, but the defect can be corrected by provision of an N-terminal signal sequence that restores the proper topology of this region. The resulting chimeric chain is assembled into subviral particles that are secreted with normal efficiency.
Limitations of electroencephalographic monitoring in the detection of cerebral ischemia accompanying carotid endarterectomy

Abstract An analysis was undertaken of 458 consecutive carotid endarterectomies performed over 6 years with the patient under general anesthesia and with electroencephalographic monitoring. Seventy patients (15%) had electroencephalographic changes suggestive of ischemia with carotid clamping and had shunts placed. Ischemic encephalographic changes occurred in 26% of patients with an occluded contralateral carotid artery, 21% of patients with a prior stroke history, and 12% of patients with no stroke history and a patent contralateral carotid artery. Nineteen strokes (4.1%), nine transient deficits (2.0%), and one death (0.2%) occurred in the 458 endarterectomies in this experience. Ten of the 19 strokes and five of nine transient deficits were immediately apparent when patients awoke from anesthesia. Five of 10 patients with immediate strokes and all five patients with immediate transient deficits had no ischemic electroencephalographic changes during the procedure. Two other patients with immediate strokes initially had ischemic electroencephalographic changes after carotid clamping that reversed with increased blood pressure or shunting. Therefore 7 of 10 patients with immediate strokes and all 5 patients with immediate transient deficits had electroencephalographs unchanged from baseline at completion of the procedure, and thus deficits not manifest by operative electroencephalographic changes developed. Our data do not support the tenet that electroencephalographic monitoring will always predict neurologic deficits accompanying carotid endarterectomy. (J VASC SURG 1991;13:439-43.)
Recovery in fault-tolerant distributed microcontrollers

The paper describes the use of fault tolerance in a microcontroller node to be used in a network of embedded processors. It is primarily motivated by long-life space applications where radiation-induced transient errors will be a frequent occurrence, and a few chip failures may be expected before a mission is completed. A testbed has been constructed, and a real time executive has been developed and tested in it. Preliminary fault-insertion testing has been started. Due to interconnection constraints for latchup circumvention and other reasons, we have chosen a design that is not Byzantine resilient. Even though inconsistent signaling may occur occasionally, multiple recovery actions must converge to a successful testing and restart of the system to regain correct functionality.
Transfer of a passive additive in a turbulent boundary layer at very large Reynolds numbers

We formulate the mass transfer problem for a passive additive in a turbulent boundary layer based on the recently proposed model of the turbulent boundary layer at very large Reynolds numbers. The solutions of three basic problems are obtained. These solutions are self-similar asymptotics describing the mass exchange at its initial stages. The solutions obtained can be used for the construction (in particular, the numerical construction) of the solution to the more general problems of passive admixture transfer in the developed turbulent wall-bounded shear flows.
Parent–Child Cultural Value Gaps and Depressive Symptoms Among Mexican American Youth

Cultural value gaps between Mexican American parents and their children are hypothesized to place youth at risk for poor mental health outcomes. While most studies examine these gaps on broad measures of acculturation, the present study examined value gaps in affiliative obedience, a cultural value that has at its core the belief that respect and deference must be shown to parents and adults. The present study hypothesized that adolescents would exhibit greater depressive symptoms when youth demonstrated lower levels of affiliative obedience than their mothers. Moreover, we examined whether gender, nativity status, and age predicted cultural value gaps and moderated the relationship between gaps and depressive symptoms. These questions were evaluated in a school-based sample of 159 Mexican American families whose children were either US born (n = 82) or foreign-born (n = 77). Twenty-five percent of the sample demonstrated a cultural value gap where youth endorsed lower levels of affiliative obedience than their parents, and this group reported the greatest depressive symptoms. Age moderated this relationship, and the greatest association between cultural value gaps and depression was found among the older group of early adolescents.
Legitimate Peripheral Participation and Language Learning: Two Quichua Learners in a Transnational Community

Using data from a multisited ethnography of Ecuadorian transnational musicians, I applied Lave and Wenger's (1991) concept of legitimate peripheral participation and Jacoby and Ochs's (1995) notion of co-construction to examine two musicians’ attempts to learn Quichua, an Ecuadorian indigenous language. Through an analysis aided by constructivist grounded theory (Charmaz, 2006), I found that co-constructed notions of language beliefs, ethnic identity, and community perspectives led to perceptions of these individuals as legitimate or nonlegitimate learners of Quichua. These co-constructions played a role in a successful acquisition of Quichua for one individual, for whom Quichua was a heritage language, and a failure to succeed by the other. The results of this article enrich discussions on maintenance of threatened languages and add to the ongoing debate in second language acquisition on the importance of cognitive/individual versus social/external factors in language learning.
Leaf structure (specific leaf area) modulates photosynthesis–nitrogen relations: evidence from within and across species and functional groups

1. Net photosynthetic capacity (Amax, defined as light-saturated net photosynthesis under near optimal ambient environmental conditions) of mature leaves often depends on the level of leaf nitrogen (N), but an assortment of relationships between these variables has been observed in studies of diverse plant species. Variation in leaf structure has been identified as an important factor associated with differences between the area- and mass-based expressions of the Amax–N relationship. In this paper we test the hypothesis that leaf structure, quantified using a measure of leaf area displayed per unit dry mass invested [specific leaf area (SLA)], is more than just a conversion factor, but itself can influence Amax–N relationships. We test this using several kinds of comparisons, based on field data for 107 species from sites representing six biomes and on literature data for 162 species from an equally diverse set of biomes. 2. Species and genera with thicker and/or denser leaves (lower SLA) consistently have flatter slopes of the Amax–N (mass-based) relationship than those with higher SLA. These and all other contrasts usually applied as well using area-based expressions, although such relationships were less consistent and weaker overall. A steeper slope indicates greater incremental change in Amax per unit variation in N. 3. Functional groups (e.g. needle-leafed evergreen trees, broad-leafed trees or shrubs, forbs) show the same patterns: groups with lower SLA have lower Amax–N slopes. Functional groups differ in mean leaf traits as well as in Amax–N relationships. Forbs have the highest SLA and mass-based N and Amax, followed by deciduous species (whether needle-leafed or broad-leafed, shrub or tree), with lowest values in evergreen species (again regardless of leaf type or functional group). 4. Interspecific variation in mass-based Amax is highly significantly related to the combination of leaf N and SLA (r2 = 0·86). At any value of leaf N, Amax increases with increasing SLA and at any value of SLA, Amax increases with increasing leaf N. Because this relationship, between Amax and the combination of N and SLA, is similar in two independent data sets, and as well, across broad taxonomic and geographic gradients, we hypothesize that it is universal in nature. Therefore, for broad interspecific contrasts among dicotyledons in any biome, we can reasonably well predict Amax based on the combination of SLA and leaf N. These findings have important implications for convergent evolution of leaf adaptation and great potential utility in models of global vegetation functioning.
Temporal Lobe Metabolic Differences in Medication-Free Outpatients with Schizophrenia via the PET-600

Regional cerebral glucose metabolic rates (rCMRglc) were compared in 18 unmedicated outpatients with schizophrenia and 11 normal controls using high resolution positron emission tomography (PET) and the tracer [F-18]-2-fluoro-2D-deoxyglucose (FDG). From previous work we expected to see abnormal hippocampal rCMRglc in the patients, but no striatal abnormalities. Trial-by-trial Stroop cognitive task, which has been shown to activate the anterior cingulate, was performed within a day of the PET study. As our patients performed abnormally on the Stroop we tested for a correlation between the anterior cingulate rCMRglc and Stroop performance. We found no whole slice cortical average glucose metabolic abnormalities. As predicted we found abnormally decreased left hippocampal rCMRglc in the patients. No striatal or cingulate rCMRglc abnormalities were noted in patients, but they demonstrated a highly positive correlation between anterior and cingulate rCMRglc and Stroop facilitation. Patients with higher Stroop interference had more prominent hippocampal metabolic decreases. These localized temporal lobe abnormalities could account for some of the patient's positive symptoms and are consistent with recent findings in the literature. © American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
A Writer’s Attic

This chapter presents a miscellany of facts about writing: America’s first and oldest medical journal; the most remarkable feat of medical writing in more or less modern times; and the change in focus in medical journals. The chapter describes “authorisms,” neosyndromes, and classic gaffes in the medical literature. There is advice about what to think about when invited to edit a clinical reference book. There are also tales of retracted scientific articles and fake medical journals, and advice for aspiring medical writers, including books and websites to consult.
Abstract 39: Timing Of Infection And Risk Of Arterial Ischemic Stroke In Children

Background. Minor acute infections have been associated with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in both adults and children, and exposure to multiple infections over time is thought to contribute to atherosclerosis in adults. Our goal was to examine the association between infection and stroke, and assess whether timing or burden of infection is a stronger predictor of childhood AIS. Methods. We performed a case-control study nested in a cohort of 2.5 million children ( Results. We identified 126 cases (median age 10.5 years) and 378 controls. Infectious visits within the prior 2 years were documented in 79% of cases and 62% of controls. A striking disparity in number of cases and controls with an infectious visit was observed in the first 2 days prior to stroke: 29% of cases vs. 1% of controls (p Conclusions. The risk of stroke is substantially elevated among children in the week after a visit for infection. The risk was greatest in the first 2 days after infection but remained elevated for the first month, even after adjustment for the presence of chronic disease. After the first month, infectious burden was not significantly different between cases and controls, and does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of childhood AIS.
Limits of acyclic voting

Abstract Assuming three or more alternatives, there is no systematic rule for aggregating individual preferences that satisfies acyclicity and the standard independence and Pareto axioms, that avoids making some voter a weak dictator, and that is minimally responsive to changes in voter preferences. The latter axiom requires that a preference reversal in the same direction by roughly one third of all voters is sufficient to break social indifference. This result substantially strengthens classical acyclicity theorems of Mas-Colell and Sonnenschein (1972) and Schwartz (1986) . When the set of alternatives is large, cycles become intuitively easier to construct, the acyclicity axiom has greater bite, and the responsiveness threshold can be increased to two less than the number of individuals, which yields the weakest logically possible responsiveness axiom.
A Descriptive Study of the “Lift-Assist” Call

AbstractIntroduction. Responses for “lift assists” (LAs) are common in many emergency medical services (EMS) systems, and result when a person dials 9-1-1 because of an inability to get up, is subsequently determined to be uninjured, and is not transported for further medical attention. Although LAs often involve recurrent calls and are generally not reimbursable, little is known of their operational effects on EMS systems. We hypothesized that LAs present an opportunity for earlier treatment of subtle-onset medical conditions and injury prevention interventions in a population at high risk for falls. Objectives. To quantify LA calls in one community, describe EMS returns to the same address within 30 days following an index LA call, and characterize utilization of EMS by LA patients. Methods. Data from the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system of a suburban fire-based EMS system were retrospectively reviewed. All LAs from 2004 to 2009 were identified using “exit codes” transmitted by paramedics after each...
Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Agents in Biologic-Naive Patients With Crohn's Disease.

Background & Aims Inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF agents) are the most effective therapy for Crohn's disease (CD). We evaluated the real-world comparative effectiveness and safety of different anti-TNF agents (infliximab, adalimumab, and certolizumab pegol) in biologic-naive patients with CD in a retrospective, propensity-matched cohort study using a national administrative claims database (Optum Labs Data Warehouse). Methods We identified 3205 biologic-naive patients with CD (mean age, 41 ± 15 years; 45% male; median follow-up period after anti-TNF therapy, 19 months; 44.5% on infliximab and 38.9% on adalimumab) who received their first prescription for an anti-TNF agent (infliximab, adalimumab, or certolizumab pegol) after a 12-month period without any anti-TNF treatment (baseline), and with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months after their initial anti-TNF prescription, between 2006 and 2014. The primary outcomes were all-cause and CD-related hospitalization, abdominal surgery, corticosteroid use, and serious infections. We performed a propensity-matched, Cox proportional hazards analysis, accounting for baseline demographics, health care use, comorbidities, and use of CD-related medication. Results Compared with adalimumab-treated patients, infliximab-treated patients had a lower risk of CD-related hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66–0.98), abdominal surgery (aHR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.58–0.99), and corticosteroid use (aHR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.75–0.96). Compared with certolizumab pegol–treated patients, infliximab-treated patients had a lower risk of all-cause hospitalization (aHR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.52–0.95) and CD-related hospitalization (aHR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.39–0.90). Adalimumab-treated patients had outcomes comparable with those of certolizumab pegol–treated patients. All agents had comparable risk of serious infections. Conclusions In a retrospective analysis of a large cohort of biologic-naive patients with CD, we found infliximab to be superior to adalimumab and certolizumab pegol for patient-relevant outcomes, without increased risk of serious infections.