cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tectonic tremor as friction-induced inertial vibration

Abstract Slow slip events are often accompanied by tremor but how tremor is generated is yet elusive. In this study, we test the possibility that it is an inertial vibration. In the case of a single-degree-of-freedom spring and slider system with mass per unit area M, governed by rate-and-state friction with effective normal stress σ ′ , excitation of inertial vibrations emerges when normal stress ( σ ′ ) is low, and loading rate ( V l ) is high. Accordingly, tremor can be excited in a low effective normal stress ( σ ′ ) zone, for example, in a zone of high pore pressure, when the loading rate ( V l ) is temporally increased, as can happen during a slow slip event. A high loading rate helps to sustain the vibration, but a long-lasting attenuating tremor can still be excited even with a moderate velocity perturbation as long as the normal stress is sufficiently small. We use numerical simulations to verify that this hypothesis holds for a one-dimensional fault. The dominant frequency of the tremor is close to the fundamental frequency of resonance of the frictionless shear crack at a low sliding rate. Higher frequency modes are excited at higher sliding velocity. We show simulations of spontaneous slow slip events associated with tremor radiated from inertial vibration of a fault patch with locally low effective normal stress. This model provides a possible explanation for tectonic tremor associated with slow slip events.
Commuting Times and Land Use Regulations

Abstract Land use regulations are one of the primary ways in which state and local governments influence the urban landscape, affecting where people live, how much they commute and the impact they have on the environment. Using a new, novel data on the stringency of land use regulation in the U.S. over the past decades, we study the effect of local regulation on the individual commuting times. Paired with demographic data from the U.S. Census, we examine whether land use policies disproportionately affect particular socioeconomic or demographic groups and find a positive relationship between land use regulation and commuting time. In addition, we show that this relationship increases disproportionately for workers with a Bachelor's degree or more, and that these impacts could be mitigated by the establishment of a public transit system.
La encrucijada del sindicalismo latinoamericano

In closed economies with highly interventionist states, the Latin American unions develop poolitical strategies. These strategies become less effective in open economies with shrinking public sectors, although, at the time of economic liberalization, the political influence of labor unions could still affect the agenda of market reforms. Such influence, depended on partisan loyalties between unions and politica parties, leadership competition within the union movement, and union fragmentation. Simultaneously, democratization reduced the influence of labor mobilization because elections became the principal mean to express citizen preferences. Despite t his context, labor unions have been slow to innovate their strategies. When strategic innovation appeared, though, it took one of three formas: new alliances, organizational autonomy, or industrial participation.
Tarsal Coalitions in the Adult Population: Does Treatment Differ from the Adolescent?

There is a paucity of information on adult coalitions without large, well-designed outcome studies. Current recommendations are thus similar to those for adolescents. Based on the available literature, current recommendations include an initial trial of adequate nonoperative treatment in symptomatic coalitions. Unlike adolescent coalitions, nonoperative treatment may be even more effective in the adult patient as many are asymptomatic or discovered after injury. If nonoperative treatment fails, then surgical intervention is considered and tailored to the location of the coalition, existing advanced arthrosis, and any existing deformity. Similar to the adolescent, surgical treatment for adult calcaneonavicular coalitions typically involves an attempt at resection with some type of interposition. Resection can be attempted for talocalcaneal coalitions that do not present with advanced arthrosis or significant hindfoot malalignment. For those patients with advanced arthrosis, more than 50% involvement of the joint hindfoot malalignment, subtalar or triple arthrodesis is recommended. The decision between resection and arthrodesis is controversial in the adolescent population. With few outcome studies in adults, it is even more difficult to make definitive treatment recommendations; however, the indications for resection are likely even more limited. It is likely that the adult subtalar coalition that becomes symptomatic and fails nonoperative treatment will require arthrodesis for full pain relief and improvement in objective outcome measures, such as the AOFAS hindfoot score. Our treatment algorithm focuses first on a trial of nonoperative treatment of at least 3 months regardless of coalition location. After failed nonoperative treatment, calcaneonavicular coalitions are in most cases treated with excision and interpositional fat graft. For talocalcaneal coalitions, resection is offered to patients with neutral hindfoot alignment, some preservation of subtalar joint motion and no adjacent joint arthrosis. The patients are advised that the outcome after resection of talocalcaneal coalitions is less predictable than resection of calcaneonavicular coalitions. Those patients with absent subtalar motion and relatively normal hindfoot alignment are candidates for in situ fusion of the subtalar joint. For those patients with greater than 15° of valgus hindfoot malalignment on a weight-bearing hindfoot alignment view or adjacent joint arthrosis, a triple arthrodesis is recommended with or without medial displacement osteotomy of the calcaneus. Adjacent joint arthrosis may be determined by radiographs, CT scan, or preoperative MRI.
Four-Hour Urease Test for Distinguishing Between Klebsiella and Enterobacter

Infections with Klebsiella and Enterobacter have increased among hospitalized patients. To study such infections, relatively simple but precise methods are needed for clinical laboratories to identify the two genera accurately. Moreover, a rapid identification is essential for assisting with the therapy of the patients. For this purpose, a new 4-hr urease test was developed so that colonies could be tested directly from blood-agar plates which have been inoculated with clinical material and allowed to incubate overnight. This 4-hr test was positive with 98.5% of 202 Klebsiella species and negative with 80 Enterobacter species. As a single criterion for distinguishing between the two major genera, the new 4-hr urease test was just as accurate as a motility test (99% of the 282 isolates were accurately identified with either). The 4-hr urease test represents a simple, rapid, and reliable technique which is ideally suited for use in clinical microbiology laboratories.
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) bind the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, triggering the opening of a cation channel. AChRs are part of a gene superfamily of transmitter gated ion channels that include receptors for glycine and γ-amino butyric acid which have anion channels. Muscarinic AChRs are part of a gene superfamily of metabotropic G protein-linked receptors. AChRs are formed from five homologous subunits arranged like barrel staves to form the channel. Subtypes of AChRs are defined by their subunit composition. Studies of AChR subunits in knockout and transgenic mice reveal much about the normal physiological roles of AChR subtypes and their roles in disease. AChRs are the targets of nicotine in addiction to tobacco, of auto-antibodies and disease-causing mutations. They are also the targets of drug development for treatment of addiction and diseases of mood, cognition and neurodegeneration. Key Concepts: Nicotinic AChRs are the archetype for a superfamily of receptors which includes receptors for GABA and glycine. AChR are formed by five homologous subunits organised around a central cation channel. AChR subtypes are defined by their subunit composition. AChRs serve many roles in excitatory intercellular signalling: as pre-, post- and extra-synaptic neurotransmitter receptors and as autocrine AChRs in nonneuronal tissues. Nicotine acting on AChRs causes addiction to tobacco. AChRs are involved in several diseases and are the targets of drug development for treatment of addiction, alcoholism, depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases and others. The effects of nicotine and agonist drugs are complex because they can act on many AChR subtypes causing activation, desensitisation and upregulation. Antibody-mediated autoimmune responses to α1* AChRs cause myasthenia gravis and to α3* AChRs cause autonomic neuropathy. These diseases are models for the pathological mechanisms of autoantibodies to other receptors. Mutations in α1* AChRs cause congenital myasthenic syndromes, and mutations in α4β2* AChRs cause autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy. Keywords: tobacco; myasthenia gravis; neuromuscular transmission; electric organs; nicotine
Cutting edge: depletion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells is necessary, but not sufficient, for induction of organ-specific autoimmune disease.

Thymectomy of BALB/c mice on day 3 of life results in the development of autoimmune gastritis (AIG) due to the absence of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. However, depletion of CD4+CD25+ T cells by treatment with anti-CD25 rarely resulted in AIG. Depletion was efficient, as transfer of splenocytes from depleted mice induced AIG in nu/nu mice. One explanation for this result is that CD4+CD25− T cells upon transfer to nude recipients undergo lymphopenia-induced proliferation, providing a signal for T cell activation. Cotransfer of CD25+ T cells did not inhibit initial proliferation but did suppress AIG. Surprisingly, immunization with the AIG target Ag, H/K ATPase, in IFA failed to induce disease in normal animals but induced severe AIG in CD25-depleted mice. These results demonstrate that second signals (nonspecific proliferation, TCR activation, or inflammation) are needed for induction of autoimmunity in the absence of CD25+ regulatory T cells.
Student Financial Aid in the United States

At first glance, the United States appears to have overcome price as a barrier for access to postsecondary education. In 2008-09, all student aid programs (federal, state, and institutional) totalled more than $168 billion with an average award of $10,185 (College Board, 2009b). Despite this remarkable investment, however, access to higher education and college completion rates still vary widely among different groups. In the U.S., about 34 of every 100 white students obtain a bachelor’s degree by age 25–29, compared to only 17 of 100 African Americans and 11 of 100 Latina/os.
Lack of association between HLA antigen DR3 and (alpha)1-antitrypsin deficiency in liver transplant recipients

The relationship between α1-antitrypsin deficiency (α-ATD) and the HLA antigen system was studied in 32 liver transplant recipients. Despite previous reports of an association of HLA antigen DR3 with homozygosity for α-AT ZZ, no such association was seen in this population of α-ATD homozygous ZZ patients with advanced hepatic disease. Thus, the reported association of HLA class II antigens and homozygosity for the Z allele for α-AT may be an artifact of either a small study population or geographic inbreeding and a coincidental association of certain HLA antigens with the presence of homozygosity for the Z allele of α-AT.
Generalized Partially Linear Models for Incomplete Longitudinal Data In the Presence of Population‐Level Information

In observational studies, interest often lies in estimation of the population-level relationship between the explanatory variables and dependent variables, and the estimation is often done using longitudinal data. Longitudinal data often feature sampling error and bias due to non-random drop-out. However, inclusion of population-level information can increase estimation efficiency. In this paper we consider a generalized partially linear model for incomplete longitudinal data in the presence of the population-level information. A pseudo-empirical likelihood-based method is introduced to incorporate population-level information, and non-random drop-out bias is corrected by using a weighted generalized estimating equations method. A three-step estimation procedure is proposed, which makes the computation easier. Several methods that are often used in practice are compared in simulation studies, which demonstrate that our proposed method can correct the non-random drop-out bias and increase the estimation efficiency, especially for small sample size or when the missing proportion is high. We apply this method to an Alzheimer's disease study.
Learning Design through the Lens of Service: A Qualitative Study

Twenty-four senior-level capstone engineering design projects were completed at a large, public, primarily undergraduate university involving 85 students (70 male and 15 female). All projects involved the design of equipment to facilitate physical activity for people with disabilities. The effects on: i) learning design, ii) attitude towards people with disabilities, iii) motivation to complete team design projects and iv) interdisciplinary collaboration were analyzed through 24 one-hour focus groups. We explored the student experience using a constructivist approach and grounded theory. Four major themes (with associated sub-themes) emerged from our data analysis: learning design (project management, iterative design process, and user-centered design), motivation to complete design (engineering, disabilities, user), perceptions of people with disabilities (previous experience, changed attitudes and beliefs), and multidisciplinary collaboration (etiquette presentation, communication between disciplines, defining roles and expectations). Students completing these projects were shown to appreciate user-centered design, exhibit greater motivation when able to meet and develop a relationship with their client in person, discuss altruistic factors regarding their capstone experience, and were able to develop strong multidisciplinary skills.
Penile Fracture Seems More Likely During Sex Under Stressful Situations

ABSTRACT Introduction The unusual event of penile fracture occurs when there is a disruption of the tunica albuginea surrounding engorged erectile tissue during aggressive sexual behavior. There is often an audible crack and rapid detumescence with subcutaneous hemorrhage that follows. Aims Medical literature has described the etiology and treatment of penile fracture. We report the remarkably unusual social situations of a series of patients who sustained this unique injury. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of 16 patients whose injury was severe enough to require surgical repair at the University of Maryland between 2007 and 2011. Particular attention was paid to the intake interview in the emergency department and the postoperative chart notes by the attending urologist to ascertain out‐of‐the‐ordinary social situations in which the injury was sustained. Main Outcome Measures The occurrence of penile fracture is sufficiently rare that the author was able to interact personally with most of the patients. The patients were remarkably forthcoming with the personal social dynamics of the sexual encounter. Results Half of these penile fracture patients sustained the injury during an extramarital affair. Only three patients sustained the injury in a bedroom; the remainder was in out‐of‐the‐ordinary locations for sexual intercourse, e.g., cars, elevator, the workplace, and public restrooms. Conclusions Penile fracture patients appear to be a unique population of men who are having sexual intercourse under stressful situations. Extramarital affairs and out‐of‐the‐ordinary locations appear common in patients sustaining this relatively rare injury. Kramer AC. Penile fracture seems more likely during sex under stressful situations. J Sex Med **;**:**–**.
INFRASTRUCTURE COLLISION-AVOIDANCE CONCEPT FOR STRAIGHT-CROSSING-PATH CRASHES AT SIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS

Concepts to improve intersection safety with infrastructure-only and infrastructure-vehicle-cooperative collision-avoidance systems were assessed. These systems address straight-crossing-path crashes at signalized intersections. System components include sensors, processors, driver information devices, roadside-to-vehicle communication systems, and on-vehicle systems. The deployment model to realize infrastructure vehicle cooperation assumes the introduction of infrastructure-only systems that service all drivers with warnings provided by roadside information devices. These systems would be followed by the addition of roadside-to-vehicle communication systems that service drivers of intelligent vehicles through in-vehicle warnings. These concepts can be used to avoid a crash when a vehicle violates the signal. Equations of motion illustrate how a simple algorithm can be used to identify potential violators by using speed at a measurement point on the approach to an intersection. The example suggests that most potential signal violators can be warned in time to stop before they collide with a vehicle from the cross street. Analysis also indicates that when warnings of the possible signal violation are conveyed to drivers on the cross street, many of these drivers can also stop before colliding with the signal violator. In the example, 88% of the relevant straight-crossing-path crashes were addressed by providing timely warnings to either the violators or the other drivers. Deployment costs and benefits were estimated to demonstrate the potential value of infrastructure intersection collision-avoidance systems.
Prostate cancer disease-free survival after radical retropubic prostatectomy in patients older than 70 years compared to younger cohorts

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the feasibility of radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) as an option for treating men older than 70 years with organ confined prostate cancer and to compare biochemical progression-free survival with younger cohorts. Materials and Methods A total of 689 consecutive patients who were treated with RRP from 1994 to 2002 for clinically localized prostate cancer were categorized into 3 different age groups: younger than 50 years (n = 49), 50–70 years (n = 601), and older than 70 years (n = 39). Patients older than 70 years were healthy individuals for their age. Preoperative and postoperative cancer-specific characteristics were compared among these 3 groups. Results There was no statistical significant difference among the 3 age strata in terms of clinical parameters (prostate-specific antigen, Gleason score, clinical stage, percent and number of positive biopsy cores) and pathologic findings (surgical margin, lymph node status, extracapsular extension, lymphovascular invasion, and pathologic Gleason score). The rate of seminal vesicle invasion and prostate volume increased with advancing age (P = 0.034 and P Conclusions RRP could be considered a standard treatment option in men older than 70 years with localized prostate cancer. Further studies are necessary to assess the survival benefit and health-related quality of life after radical prostatectomy versus watchful waiting in patients older than 70 years.
The Impact Of Co-morbid Disease on Cancer Control and Survival Following Radical Cystectomy

ABSTRACTPurpose: We clarified the impact of concurrent medical disease on tumor control and survival following radical cystectomy.Materials and Methods: A total of 106 consecutive patients with clinically localized (cT2 or less) disease underwent radical cystectomy at the University of Michigan between 1997 and 1998. The Charlson Index, a validated risk adjustment index, was used to assess preoperative co-morbidity. The 3 primary end points were pathological stage, disease specific survival and overall survival. Logistic regression models were used to determine the relationship between Charlson Index and pathological stage, while Cox regression models were used for the 2 survival end points.Results: Of our study population 24% had a Charlson Index score of 2 or greater. Myocardial infarction, nonurothelial solid malignancies and cerebrovascular disease were the most common co-morbid conditions at 14%, 12% and 10%, respectively. On bivariate analysis the Charlson Index was significantly associated with dec...
Whither the Community? Lessons Madagascar Can Learn from Israel's Water Policy

Madagascar wrote a fundamentally new Water Code in 1998. It focused on maximizing the number of people with access to clean water through a process of decentralized water management and cost recovery. This paper is concerned with the policy problem this presents at the community level—is Malagasy water law the best possible for the country? Combining community-level focus group studies and policy analysis, this study examines Malagasy water policy shifts focusing on localization of water governance to parallel localization efforts in Israel. This study concludes that Madagascar’s water policy is flawed. Using a case study from the arid south this study explores the impact of these alternatives to ineffective state-centric policies. Comparing to Israel’s policy process this study finds that the Malagasy policy process has not been a process at all, the institutions are not in place, and the requisite levels of investment are not forthcoming. Rather than empowering communities as stewards of their own resources, community level management has been undermining effective governance by allowing the state to recede, and minimizing economic resources, while ignoring local capacity, local will, and increasing local water poverty.
Discussion of the case of Otmar presented by Dr. Gion Condrau

I want to thank Dr. Condrau for his very interesting narrative of an apparently paradoxical therapeutic process. This patient, Otmar, achieved sufficient release from his severe neurotic imprisonment to gain relief from a crippling physical symptom and to develop sufficient freedom in matters of love and sexuality to be able both to marry an apparently loving woman and, later, to father children. Otmar made this progress in spite of presenting massive resistance, from beginning to end, to the kind of give-and-take between analyst and patient that we think of as necessary for analytic work. In this discussion, I shall attempt to make some sense of this apparent paradox from what l would loosely term my own interpersonal-object-relational perspective, a perspective which I have found applicable to a large number of treatment situations involving borderline and narcissistic patients. Although I have had to fill some gaps in Dr. Condrau's narrative to develop a more complete understanding of how he might have facilitated his patient's therapeutic progress, I have been mindful of the danger of unwittingly reshaping his narrative to create a new narrative that might better conform to whatever preformed concepts of theory and practice with which I might have approached this task. I hope I have been reasonably successful in evading this pitfall. From an interpersonal-object-relational perspective, I would understand that to the extent that the emotional growth achieved by Otmar is enduring it would signify that his treatment had a profoundly mutative effect on the pathological internal self-and-object-world with which he entered treatment. As a result of his unfortunate experience growing up with such unstable caregivers as his psychotically controlling and abusive father and his weak abandoning
Divalent ion block of inward rectifier current in human capillary endothelial cells and effects on resting membrane potential

1. Cultured human capillary endothelial cells (HCEC) contain a large inward rectifier current, IK(IR), that can be abolished by removing external K+ or by adding 50 microM Ba2+. 2. We show that IK(IR) is responsible for maintaining the hyperpolarized potential (-60.6 +/- 0.5 mV, n = 83) of HCEC. Blocking IK(IR) with 50 microM Ba2+ shifts the zero current level and depolarizes HCEC by 36.5 +/- 1.3 mV (n = 4). 3. Increasing external Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o) from 0.5 to 7 mM reduces the magnitude of IK(IR) by 36.5 +/- 2.3 % (n = 5) and depolarizes the cells by 10.33 +/- 2.4 mV (n = 3), whereas decreasing [Ca2+]o from 1.8 to 0.5 mM increases the amplitude of IK(IR) by 6.9 +/- 1.9 % (n = 4). The relationship between [Ca2+]o and the percentage block of IK(IR) gives a Kd value of 5.4 +/- 0.6 mM at -120 mV. 4. IK(IR) is also blocked by other divalent ions, with Ba2+ >> Sr2+ > Mg2+ > Mn2+ = Ca2+, and the block of peak current at -120 mV being 85.3 +/- 3.2 % (n = 5) for 50 microM Ba2+, 62.9 +/- 2.2 % (n = 5) for 5 mM Sr2+, 40.7 +/- 2.5 % (n = 9) for 5 mM Mg2+, 33.4 +/- 2.1 % (n = 5) for 5 mM Mn2+ and 32.9 +/- 2.1 % (n = 5) for 5 mM Ca2+. 5. The voltage dependence of Sr2+ block of peak IK(IR) occurred with a Kd value of 1.0 +/- 0.09 mM for -140 mV, 1.9 +/- 0.16 mM for -130 mV, 3.1 +/- 0.28 mM for -120 mV, 4.6 +/- 0.34 mM for -110 mV and 6.4 +/- 0.5 mM for -100 mV (n = 5), with a calculated electrical distance (delta) of 0.44 from the outside.
Binary string dynamics

In this paper we investigate the dynamical properties of binary cosmic strings. We find extrinsic curvature dependence of the string action and show that kinks on binary strings are eroded while cusps can play a major role in their evolution. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
The complexity of logical theories

In this paper we introduce a method of encoding the computation of an alternating TM into a logical theory. The efficiency of the embedding we give together with the decision procedures, using Ehrenfencht games, which have been developed over the past few years, yield precise lower bounds for many decidable theories. In this paper we apply our technique explicitly to the theory of reals with addition; however, it should be clear that the techniques apply directly to other theories as well.We also outline the proof of a general theorem, motivated by a comment of A.R. Meyer and discovered independently by A.R. Meyer and L. Stockmeyer, which allows us to obtain a recent result of Bruss and Meyer directly from our precise characterization of R.A.
Presence of Diosgenin in Tissue Cultures of Dioscorea composita Hemsl. and Related Species

Four species of Dioscorea were grown as callus and suspension tissue cultures on revised Murashige and Skoog's tobacco medium and contained diosgenin.
A phase II study of peptichemio in advanced breast cancer

A phase II trial of Peptichemio (PTC) was conducted on 56 patients with advanced breast cancer that had been resistant to treatment with cyclophosphamide. The overall response rate was 32%, with one complete remission, seven partial remissions, and ten instances of improved disease status. Soft tissue and bone lesions were the primary sites of response. The median duration of response was 11 weeks, with a range of 6--30 weeks. Major toxicities were myelosuppression, affecting predominantly the platelets, and sclerosing phlebitis. Myelosuppression was cumulative and thrombocytopenic bleeding was a likely contributing factor in the death of 2 patients. This trial showed that PTC is another alkylating agent with definite activity in the treatment of breast cancer. More importantly, it showed that cross-resistance with cyclophosphamide does not exist, at least in breast carcinoma.
Keratoconus and Acute Hydrops in Mentally Retarded Patients with Congenital Rubella Syndrome

Four patients with the congenital rubella syndrome had keratoconus and evidence of acute or previous corneal hydrops. All four of the patients vigorously rubbed and poked their eyes. The keratoconus and acute corneal hydrops in these patients probably resulted from chronic traumatizing mannerisms common in other patients with mental retardation and are not specific for the congenital rubella syndrome.
A battery of potential alternatives to the Draize test: Uridine uptake inhibition, morphological cytotoxicity, macrophage chemotaxis and exfoliative cytology

Four assays that may serve as components of a battery of alternatives to the conventional Draize test were described. The exfoliative cytology assay is a refinement of the Draize test that may provide a more sensitive and more objective end-point. The macrophage migration assay addresses the inflammatory aspects of the physiological response to irritation. The uridine uptake inhibition assay uses a quantitative, reversible end-point to detect the short-term action of agents on cell membranes and cell phosphorylative potential. Finally, the cytological assay serves as a rapid, easily performed general indicator of cytotoxic action. The two latter assays have been demonstrated to correlate very well with Draize test results and with each other for a wide range of test agents.
Experimental demonstration of noncontact pulse wave velocity monitoring using multiple Doppler radar sensors

In this paper, two Doppler radars are used to monitor the pulse movements at the heart and the calf in order to measure the pulse wave velocity (PWV) wirelessly. Both simulation and experiment have been performed to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed noncontact PWV monitoring. A three-stage calibration procedure, including DC offset calibration, circuit delay calibration and antenna radiation pattern calibration, has been developed for reliable long-term PWV monitoring. The measurement results have been verified by wired contact measurement with pulse transducers.
Analysis of sugarbeet petioles for phosphorus

Abstract The influence of method of drying on concentrations of total P, extractable phosphate and two N fractions in petioles from recently matured sugarbeet leaves was studied. Method of drying had no or small effects on total P, total N and nitrate‐N. However, method of drying had a marked effect on the value of extractable phosphate. Concentrations of phosphate‐P extractable with water and 2% acetic acid were least with freeze‐dried material and increased as temperature of oven drying was varied from 70 to 100°C. Extractable phosphate‐P in tissue dried by a particular method was lower when acetic acid was the extractant. Quantity of extract‐able phosphate‐P in oven‐dried material was not influenced by substitution of ascorbic acid for stannous chloride and elimination of the H2O2 oxidation step in the analytical procedure. Leaf position greatly affected concentrations of total P and acetic‐acid soluble phosphate‐P. Both parameters at a given sampling date decreased with increasing age of leaf.
Relation between the structural asymmetry of coronary branch vessels and the angle at their origin

The relationship between the geometry of branch points on the left anterior descending coronary artery, and the morphometry of the proximal portions of the daughter vessels, was examined. The geometry at 23 branch points on 15 human hearts was derived from multiplane contrast angiograms, and the morphometry at 29 sites along the daughter vessels was obtained from transverse sections using computerized techniques. The angle of the branch at which the daughter originated was positively correlated with the maximum thicknesses of the intima and media, and with their circumferential asymmetry. The results suggest that large branch angles may favor eccentric intimal thickening, a phenomenon which may predispose to lipid accumulation and atherosclerosis.
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF VINOXY RADICAL CH2CHO

Ab initio multiconfiguration Hartree–Fock (MCHF) wave functions have been used to describe the electronic structure of vinoxy radical CH2CHO. The energy difference between the ground 2A\ state and the first excited 2A\ state is found to be 3.22 eV using a double zeta quality basis set, in good agreement with the observed transition at 3.57 eV. In addition, the calculations predict a near infrared electronic transition.
Cyclophosphamide: a novel treatment of gastric antral vascular ectasia associated with systemic sclerosis?

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is associated with widespread microangiopathy. Prominent clinical manifestations include nailfold capillary alterations, obliterative small vessel vascular changes in the pulmonary, renal, and myocardial circulations, and cutaneous telangiectasia [1]. The pathogenesis of vascular damage in SSc is poorly understood, effective treatments are lacking, and the process is associated with tremendous morbidity and mortality. A wide spectrum of gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations occurs in SSc, with some form of GI involvement seen in almost 90% of patients [2]. In 1996, gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) was first recognized as a complication of SSc when Watson et al. [3] described five patients with SSc who had severe transfusion-dependent anemia secondary to recurrent GI bleeding. On careful evaluation, these patients were found to have GAVE (also called “watermelon stomach”). Subsequent studies have indicated that GAVE is not uncommon in SSc, with some estimates ranging as high as 5.7 % of SSc patients developing this complication [4]. As the term “watermelon stomach” suggests, GAVE is characterized by hyperemic antral stripes seen on gastroscopy. Histopathologic examination of the lesional mucosa characteristically shows dilated capillaries, focal thrombi, and hyperplasia of the lamina propria [5]. These lesions can—and often do—bleed, leading to chronic GI bleeding and anemia. The cause of GAVE remains unclear. It has been suggested that when associated with SSc, GAVE is a manifestation of SSc microangiopathy and accompanying vascular changes are caused by activation of inflammatory cells, leading to endothelial cell damage, cytokine release, and further vascular damage [3]. Interestingly, all but one of the five SSc patients originally described by Watson et al. [1] had cutaneous telangiectasias, suggesting that antral lesions are another representation of the systemic vascular phenomena seen in SSc [3]. Because it is associated with recurrent GI bleeding, GAVE remains a significant problem in SSc. Current treatments include endoscopic laser therapy with yttrium-aluminumgarnet or argon plasma coagulation, as well as iron supplementation, proton pump inhibitors, and supportive blood transfusions.
Clinically documented hemorrhage in cerebral arteriovenous malformations: MR characteristics.

This study assessed the ability of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to identify vascular characteristics of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) which are predictive of hemorrhage. The study also evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of spin-echo (SE) and gradient-recalled-echo (GRE) imaging in the detection of prior clinical hemorrhage on the basis of location of the hemorrhage (parenchymal, intraventricular, or subarachnoid). Fifty patients with high-flow AVMs were evaluated. Twenty-four (48%) patients had prior clinical hemorrhage documented at computed tomography or MR imaging at the time of bleeding. Central venous drainage (P less than .001), central AVM location (P less than .001), and peri- or intraventricular AVM location (P less than .01) correlated positively with prior clinical hemorrhage. Intranidus aneurysms and angiomatous change could not be detected with MR. Nineteen of the 24 patients with prior hemorrhage underwent both SE and GRE imaging. Hypointensity, indicating the presence of iron from prior hemorrhage, was demonstrated in 14 of 19 T2-weighted SE images (sensitivity, 74%) and in 18 of 19 GRE images (sensitivity, 95%). No patient without a prior episode of clinical bleeding demonstrated evidence of iron deposition at MR imaging (specificity, 100%).
Design of single-feed multi-beam transmitarray antennas

The feasibility of designing single-feed transmitarray antennas with simultaneous multiple beams is investigated in this paper. Different far-field pattern masks and fitness functions are studied for multi-beam designs, and phase synthesis is achieved using the particle swarm optimization technique. A quad-layer configuration using double-square rings is selected for the transmitarray elements, and several designs of quad-beam transmitarray antenna are studied. A Ku-band symmetric quad-beam antenna with 50° elevation separation between the beams is demonstrated.
Meeting report: the use of newborn blood spots in environmental research: opportunities and challenges.

IntroductionDried blood spots (DBS) are routinely collected from newborns in the United States using a heel stick. The DBS are screened for inborn errors of metabolism and other disorders. More sta...
Coarse Atrial Fibrillation in Congenital Heart Disease

Four cases of congenital heart disease that showed coarse atrial fibrillatory waves in V1 and evidence of right atrial or biatrial enlargement were discussed. It is suggested that the coarse f waves may be due to distention of the atria.
Solid Rocket Motor Internal Ballistics Simulation Using Three-Dimensional Grain Burnback

Internal ballistics simulations of solid rocket motors have been conducted with the propellant grain's 3-D burning surface geometry described by a new minimum distance function approach and the internal flowfield represented by 1-D, time-dependent, single-phase compressible flow equations. The combustion model includes erosive burning and unsteady, dynamic burning corresponding to transient energy storage in the heated surface layer of the propellant. The integrated internal ballistics code (Rocballist) is used to investigate the role of these two burning rate augmenting mechanisms in solid rocket motor performance. Two tactical motors are used as test cases. Results indicate that dynamic burning can be the dominant factor in producing a short-duration ignition pressure spike in low-L* motors, particularly if the L/D ratio is not too large and the port cross section is nonrestrictive (e.g., center perforated grain). However, when L/D is large and the port cross section is noncircular in the aft section (aft fins/slots), erosive burning can take over in dominating the burning rate to the extent that an otherwise progressive pressure-time trace becomes regressive/neutral. That is, erosive burning can effectively prolong the initial pressure spike in some star-aft motors. The results also show that with sufficiently accurate models of dynamic burning and erosive burning, it is reasonable to expect reliable internal ballistics predictions with suitable simplified flowfield models, thereby realizing significant reductions in computation time compared with 3-D, multiphase reacting flow simulations.
Chemical proteomics reveals a second family of cyclic-di-AMP hydrolases

Cyclic-di-AMP is a relative newcomer to the large family of nucleotide-based signaling molecules, which notably includes cyclic-AMP, cyclic-di-GMP, and ppGpp(p) (1). Cyclic-di-AMP was first implicated as a possible signaling molecule when it was unexpectedly found bound to the active site of the Bacillus subtilis DisA protein, the prototype for a diverse family of diadenyl cyclases (DAC) (2). Shortly thereafter, cyclic-di-AMP was detected in bacterial cells and shown, in the case of Listeria monocytogenes, to trigger the innate immune response in infected cells (3). To date, all identified cyclic-di-AMP synthases have a DAC domain homologous to that found within DisA (1). Signaling, of course, requires mechanisms for both synthesis and degradation of the signal. The best characterized cyclic-di-AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) is the B. subtilis GdpP(YybT) protein, which contains an active site structure with DHH-DHHA1 domains (4). All previously characterized cyclic-di-AMP PDEs have a similar catalytic region, although the overall protein architecture varies. In PNAS, Huynh et al. now provide evidence for a new class of cyclic-di-AMP–specific PDE, which functions—together with a GdpP ortholog (PdeA)—to degrade cyclic-di-AMP in L. monocytogenes (5). This enzyme was previously defined as a metal-dependent hydrolase that affected ppGpp levels and was therefore designated PgpH (6). Huynh et al. (5) demonstrate that L. monocytogenes PgpH is the primary cyclic-di-AMP hydrolase during growth in broth, whereas PdeA is the dominant activity during intracellular growth in mammalian cells.
Incidence and Prognostic Significance of Thrombocytopenia Developed During Acute Coronary Syndrome in Contemporary Clinical Practice

Background— Prior studies examining thrombocytopenia among patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) evaluated highly selected patients in a clinical trial setting using varying definitions of thrombocytopenia. The incidence, severity, and prognostic significance of acquired thrombocytopenia during ACS in community practice have not been well defined. Methods and Results— We examined 36 182 patients with non–ST-segment elevation ACS enrolled at 379 US hospitals participating in the Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes With Early Implementation of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines (CRUSADE) quality improvement initiative between June 2004 and December 2006. Patients with baseline platelet counts <150×109/L were excluded. Overall, 4697 patients (13%) developed new thrombocytopenia, defined as nadir platelet count <150×109/L (referenced lower limit of normal), during their ACS hospitalization. Risks of in-hospital mortal...
Action of calcium channel and beta-adrenergic blocking agents in bilayer lipid membranes.

Abstract The action of beta-adrenergic blockers (propranolol, exprenolol, metoprolol, sotalol, atenolol, timolol) and calcium-channel blockers (verapamil, diatiazem) on the electrical properties and fluidity of bilayer lipid membranes (BLM and liposomes) has been investigated. When antibiotic ionophore substances were used as a probe, the electrical measurements showed that many of the drugs inhibited the cation transport across the membrane facilitated by the mobile carrier valinomycin, while having no significant effect on the cation transport through channels formed by gramicidin. The ability of the drugs to decrease the carrier-dependent membrane conductance was correlated to their partition into the lipid bilayer and the magnitude of transmembrane potential induced by them. In the TEMPO ESR spectral measurements, a number of beta-adrenergic and calcium blockers showed the fluidizing effect on liposomes composed of different lipids. The drug concentration required for a detectable change in TEMPO spectra parameter (f) was rather high (0.01 M verapamil), and the variation of pH from 6.5 to 3.0 did not affect the fluidizing effect of the drugs.
Performance evaluation of FPGA based embedded ARM processor for ultrasonic imaging

This study evaluates the performance of an FPGA based embedded ARM processor system to implement signal processing for ultrasonic imaging and nondestructive testing applications. FPGA based embedded processors possess many advantages including a reduced overall development time, increased performance, and the ability to perform hardware-software (HW/SW) co-design. This study examines the execution performance of split spectrum processing, chirplet signal decomposition, Wigner-Ville distributions and short time Fourier transform implementations, on two embedded processing platforms: a Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA with embedded MicroBlaze processor and a Xilinx Zynq FPGA with embedded ARM processor. Overall, the Xilinx Zynq FPGA significantly outperforms the Virtex-5 based system in software applications.
The separation of some bile acids by glass-paper chromatography.

A rapid, sensitive method for the chromatographic separation of bile acids and some of their ketonic oxidation products is described. The separation of some cis-trans isomers of hyocholic acid was accomplished. The method has not been found useful for the separation of certain position isomers of bile acids.
Second-harmonic generation by a nonlinear line source in a step index fiber

Using Hertz potentials it is possible to analyze the problem where a dominant HE 11 fundamental excites a nonlinear line of material on the axis of a fiber. For a nonlinear line with a specified crystal symmetry of \bar{4}3 m, it is shown that a second-harmonic field may be generated, but only in a TM om mode; this then indicates that harmonic generation and mode conversion act as simultaneous processes. Phase matching constraints are discussed and it is shown that the field buildup properties are analogous to those found in rectangular geometries.
Contaminants in Long Island Sound: Data Synthesis and Analysis

We synthesized existing data on chemical contaminants in Long Island Sound (LIS) from published reports and unpublished databases. We found several cases of systematic differences between data sources, which complicated the tasks of understanding the health of LIS and of identifying trends over time. Of the three media examined—water, sediment, and biota—sediment (especially in western LIS) most often exhibited pollutant concentrations that were high relative to guidelines and to other estuaries. These high sediment concentrations did not appear to be efficiently transmitted to biota. With the exception of Cd, median pollutant levels in embayment sediments were not higher than in open-water sediments, but the highest levels found in embayments were much higher than at open-water sites, especially for Ag and Hg. Trends over time in contaminant levels were mixed. We identify the most problematic contaminants in LIS and recommend adding Ag to the LIS Study’s List of Contaminants of Concern.
Induced Modules and Extensions of Representations

Let G be a connected affine algebraic group over an algebraically closed field k, and let B be a Borel subgroup of G. If V is a rational B-module we can ask for conditions under which V extends to G, that is, under which the action of B extends to a rational action of G on V. Since G/B is a complete variety, we have MtnlG_--__ M for any rational G-module M, cf. (1.3); so if any extension of V exists, it must be unique. The main result of this paper is that V is extendible to G if and only if it is extendible to every minimal parabolic subgroup P>B. Here "minimal" means that P properly contains B and that no other closed subgroup of P does so; equivalently, P has semisimple rank one. We also show that if P contains a Levi complement L, then V extends to P iff VILnn extends to L; so, for reductive G, the extendibility of V reduces to an SL 2 question. We obtain the main result as a corollary to a general theorem on induced modules. For any parabolic subgroup P >B, and any rational B-module V, let VIe denote the corresponding module induced from B to P. If P~ . . . . . P, is any sequence of such P's, we let VI e' ..... e. denote the P.-module vlv'lnlV2"-I r" obtained by successively inducing to P~_ 1, restricting to B, and inducing to P~. We prove the B-module structure of V[ e ...... e. depends only on the set-theoretic product P~ ... P., and that VI v' ..... e . _ VIG as P.-modules in case this product is G. At the same time we prove a "factorization" theorem for the affine coodinate ring R(G) of G. Let Px . . . . . P. be parabolic subgroups containing B such that G = P1... P.. Then we have R(G)~-R(P,)@n R(P,_ O@B"" @B R(PO, where in general for a right B-module M and a left B-module N, we denote by M@BN the set of fixed points of B in M @ N relative to the action b. (m@ n)= m b -1@ b n. The above results are in turn derived from simple considerations involving the Demazure desingularization of Schubert varieties [9], and are inspired by Kempf [12] and by Andersen's efforts [1] toward a reorganization of Kempfs work. A simplified version of Andersen's main reduction is given in the appendix.