cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cover Crop Management and Nitrogen Rate in Relation to Growth and Yield of No-Till Corn

On a etudie les effets de plusieurs cultures derobees (seigle, trefle et vesce) en conjonction avec la date de semis du mais et avec les taux de fertilisation azotee, sur la production de matiere seche, le rendement en grain et le prelevement d'azote par le mais, dans un systeme de production sans labour
Minding the Brain

IT A JLaving done some reading in the literature over the past 12 years, I would like to report: neuroscience research hasn't proven very much yet about reading instruction. (Brain research on reading processes and development is more promising, though findings even there are far from definitive.) But brain research has proven fascinating to many educators nonetheless, and increasingly it has been making appearances, often trivial but occasionally profound, in the literature related to literacy instruction and development. We might expect to see continuing interest in the future. Yet, across the wider literacy community, it is those involved with adolescent literacy who seem least prepared to make sensible use of insights from brain research or to address in an informed manner the practical and theoretical challenges it might pose. We do not seem much interested. I find this unfortunate.
On the directional decoupling characteristics of active stiffeners for shape control of two-dimensional structures

A substantial amount of research exists concerning shape control of two-dimensional optical mirror structures with attached piezoelectric ceramic sheet actuators. Researchers have investigated the optimal placement, size, and electrode pattern of the piezoceramic actuators for maximizing the system performance. In many situations, the performance could be further improved with tailoring of the actuator configuration. For example, it was found that to avoid 'exciting' higher order deformation modes (the wrinkling effect) in two-dimensional structures, the ideal actuator would be one that is directionally decoupled, i.e., only actuates in one direction when controlling certain deformation modes of interest. The active stiffener (AS) concept has been proposed to realize such an effect, where a stiffener is inserted between a host structure and the piezoelectric ceramic actuator patch. The objective of the research presented in this paper is to develop a local analysis of the AS actuator to gain good insight into its characteristics and determine parameters that can best achieve the decoupling actions. Using a three-dimensional finite element model, analyses of a single active stiffener attached to rigid and flexible host structures are presented. The effects of various material and system parameters on the bending moments applied to the host structure are illustrated. It is shown that, with proper design, the active stiffener can significantly reduce the bending moment (active authority) in a selected direction while maintaining sufficient authority in the orthogonal direction. The results of this investigation should provide valuable guidelines for the design of effective AS actuators.
Transformation Induced Plasticity Behaviors of TRIP Steels with Different Heat Treatment Processes

Two-stage heat treatment process which has guiding significance for continuous annealing TRIP steel producing was applied in this research. Different matrixes such as polygonal ferrite matrix, bainite ferrite matrix and annealed martenite matrix were obtained through different heat treatment processes. Compared the transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) behaviors of three different tested samples，and the corresponding process for required product properties can be chosen. It was found that the needle-like retained austenite obtained in AMT steel was isolated from other microstructures while the retained austenite in the other two samples appeared to be equiaxed or network structure. The elongation, yield ratio and stability of retained austenite in AMT steel were all higher than that in PFT or BFT steels. BFT steel possesses highest tensile strength and lowest elongation while the yield ratio, RA content and carbon concentration in RA were all lowest for PFT steel.
Medical Missionaries and Modernizing Emirs in Colonial Hausaland: Leprosy Control and Native Authority in the 1930s

This article argues that emirs modernized and enhanced their authority through cooperation with Christian missions in the anti-leprosy campaign in colonial Hausaland in the 1930s. New documentary and oral sources detail how Native Administrations and Sudan Interior Mission workers together established leprosaria that were important beyond religious interaction. Emirs translated Islamic ideals of charity into governmental responsibility for medical welfare. The leprosy scheme brought together the elite and non-elite in ways that would previously have been unimaginable and took emirs' power to new reaches in an era of expanding native authority in Nigeria and throughout much of British Africa.
Communications: Single-sideband transmission for land mobile radio: From seven to ten times as many channels could be made available in existing VHF and UHF bands

It is suggested that from seven to ten times as many channels could be made available in existing VHF and UHF bands. FM, AM, and SSB modulation techniques combined with syllabic amplitude and frequency compandors are compared. In the 15- to 30-dB signal-to-noise ratios-the amplitude-compandored SSB system and the amplitude- and frequency-compandored SSB system provide the same or better quality reception than FM systems that have comparable transmitter power. Three to five channels of the narrow-band system can be used between the channels of the 25-kHz spaced FM channels without unacceptable interference on either system. Ten narrow-band channels can operate in the 25-kHz bandwidth if there are no FM channels present.
Infection d’un stentgraft aortique à fixation supra-rénale

Nous rapportons le cas d’un homme âge admis avec des douleurs abdominales et la fievre 5 mois apres la reparation endovasculaire d’un anevrysme de l’aorte de l’aorte abdominale suspect d’etre inflammatoire. Un stentgraft infecte avec fixation supra-renale etait explante apres revascularisation extra-anatomique. Apres une hospitalisation prolongee, il sortait sous antibiotiques et allait bien lors du suivi. Bien que l’explantation d’une prothese infectee apres reparation endovasculaire d’un anevrysme de l’aorte ait ete deja rapportee, notre cas nous a incites a une revue de la litterature pour evaluer le mode de presentation, les facteurs predictifs, et les decisions therapeutiques associees a une morbidite et une mortalite reduites.
Role of the [2Fe-2S] cluster in recombinant Escherichia coli biotin synthase.

Biotin synthase (BioB) converts dethiobiotin into biotin by inserting a sulfur atom between C6 and C9 of dethiobiotin in an S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-dependent reaction. The as-purified recombinant BioB from Escherichia coli is a homodimeric molecule containing one [2Fe-2S](2+) cluster per monomer. It is inactive in vitro without the addition of exogenous Fe. Anaerobic reconstitution of the as-purified [2Fe-2S]-containing BioB with Fe(2+) and S(2)(-) produces a form of BioB that contains approximately one [2Fe-2S](2+) and one [4Fe-4S](2+) cluster per monomer ([2Fe-2S]/[4Fe-4S] BioB). In the absence of added Fe, the [2Fe-2S]/[4Fe-4S] BioB is active and can produce up to approximately 0.7 equiv of biotin per monomer. To better define the roles of the Fe-S clusters in the BioB reaction, Mossbauer and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy have been used to monitor the states of the Fe-S clusters during the conversion of dethiobiotin to biotin. The results show that the [4Fe-4S](2+) cluster is stable during the reaction and present in the SAM-bound form, supporting the current consensus that the functional role of the [4Fe-4S] cluster is to bind SAM and facilitate the reductive cleavage of SAM to generate the catalytically essential 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical. The results also demonstrate that approximately (2)/(3) of the [2Fe-2S] clusters are degraded by the end of the turnover experiment (24 h at 25 degrees C). A transient species with spectroscopic properties consistent with a [2Fe-2S](+) cluster is observed during turnover, suggesting that the degradation of the [2Fe-2S](2+) cluster is initiated by reduction of the cluster. This observed degradation of the [2Fe-2S] cluster during biotin formation is consistent with the proposed sacrificial S-donating function of the [2Fe-2S] cluster put forth by Jarrett and co-workers (Ugulava et al. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 8352-8358). Interestingly, degradation of the [2Fe-2S](2+) cluster was found not to parallel biotin formation. The initial decay rate of the [2Fe-2S](2+) cluster is about 1 order of magnitude faster than the initial formation rate of biotin, indicating that if the [2Fe-2S] cluster is the immediate S donor for biotin synthesis, insertion of S into dethiobiotin would not be the rate-limiting step. Alternatively, the [2Fe-2S] cluster may not be the immediate S donor. Instead, degradation of the [2Fe-2S] cluster may generate a protein-bound polysulfide or persulfide that serves as the immediate S donor for biotin production.
Assessing hemoglobin concentration using spectroscopic optical coherence tomography for feasibility of tissue diagnostics

Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and oxygen saturation levels are important biomarkers for various diseases, including cancer. Here, we investigate the ability to measure these parameters for tissue using spectroscopic optical coherence tomography (SOCT). A parallel frequency domain OCT system is used with detection spanning the visible region of the spectrum (450 nm to 700 nm). Oxygenated and deoxygenated Hb absorbing phantoms are analyzed. The results show that Hb concentrations as low as 1.2 g/L at 1 mm can be retrieved indicating that both normal and cancerous tissue measurements may be obtained. However, measurement of oxygen saturation levels may not be achieved with this approach.
ALPHA-LACTALBUMIN (LA) STIMULATES MILK BETA-1,4-GALACTOSYLTRANSFERASE I (BETA 4GAL-T1) TO TRANSFER GLUCOSE FROM UDP-GLUCOSE TO N-ACETYLGLUCOSAMINE. CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF BETA 4GAL-T1 X LA COMPLEX WITH UDP-GLC.

β-1,4-Galactosyltransferase 1 (Gal-T1) transfers galactose (Gal) from UDP-Gal toN-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), which constitutes its normal galactosyltransferase (Gal-T) activity. In the presence of α-lactalbumin (LA), it transfers Gal to Glc, which is its lactose synthase (LS) activity. It also transfers glucose (Glc) from UDP-Glc to GlcNAc, constituting the glucosyltransferase (Glc-T) activity, albeit at an efficiency of only 0.3–0.4% of Gal-T activity. In the present study, we show that LA increases this activity almost 30-fold. It also enhances the Glc-T activity toward various N-acyl substituted glucosamine acceptors. Steady state kinetic studies of Glc-T reaction show that the Km for the donor and acceptor substrates are high in the absence of LA. In the presence of LA, the Km for the acceptor substrate is reduced 30-fold, whereas for UDP-Glc it is reduced only 5-fold. In order to understand this property, we have determined the crystal structures of the Gal-T1·LA complex with UDP-Glc·Mn2+ and withN-butanoyl-glucosamine (N-butanoyl-GlcN), a preferred sugar acceptor in the Glc-T activity. The crystal structures reveal that although the binding of UDP-Glc is quite similar to UDP-Gal, there are few significant differences observed in the hydrogen bonding interactions between UDP-Glc and Gal-T1. Based on the present kinetic and crystal structural studies, a possible explanation for the role of LA in the Glc-T activity has been proposed.
Correlation Between Plasma and Liver Concentrations of Vitamins A and E in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

This study was designed to determine if the low plasma concentrations of vitamins A and E often seen in children with CF are a reflection of tissue depletion or of a defect in transport mechanisms. Ten patients with CF, ranging in age from 9 to 23 years, were studied. Plasma concentrations of vitamins A and E and carotene were measured in 7 of the 10 patients during the 18 months prior to death. At autopsy all 10 subjects had repeat measurements of these parameters plus an assessment of liver concentrations of vitamin A and α-tocopherol. All patients had received regular supplementation with vitamin A at twice the recommended daily allowance for several years; however, plasma levels of this vitamin were consistently below normal and carotene values were remarkably low in all subjects. Nine of the 10 CF patients had normal or increased vitamin A concentrations in the liver. Eight of the 10 patients received no supplemental vitamin E and had plasma vitamin E levels than 0.4 mg/100 ml and liver concentrations of α-tocopherol less than half that of the control group. This study has shown that the low plasma concentrations of vitamin E do correlate with decreased liver stores of α-tocopherol. (Supported by grants from the National Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation and the Nutrition Foundation.)
Rectifier Harmonics in Power Systems

The effect of rectifier harmonic currents on power systems is described. Rectifiers and inverters require nonsinusoidal waves of current. These current waves are made up of a number of sine waves which are harmonics of the fundamental wave. These harmonic currents can excite resonant circuits causing them to ``ring'' and produce large oscillating currents. Criteria as to possible problem areas are discussed and illustrated with case studies. Examples of application of filters to ``trap'' these harmonic currents are included.
THE ROLE OF CLASMATOCYTES AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS IN NON-SPECIFIC LOCAL CUTANEOUS IMMUNITY TO STAPHYLOCOCCUS.

1. Plain broth is just as effective as specific broth filtrate if used as a skin compress for the protection of guinea pigs against a subcutaneous injection of Staphylococcus aureus. 2. Plain broth compresses applied for 48 hours previous to bacterial injection sometimes prevent the death of the animal and practically always alter the inflammatory reactions. 3. This protection is not specific and is localized to the area "compressed." 4. The protection lasts at least 24 hours after removal of the compress. 5. Broth compresses applied to the abdominal wall of a guinea pig for 48 hours produced definite histological changes, especially in the subcutis, i.e., edema, proliferation of clasmatocytes, thickening of the epidermis together with a moderate exudation of polymorphonuclears and small mononuclear cells. 6. The histological response to the subcutaneous injection of staphylococci was different in the control and the broth-prepared animal. 7. In the broth-prepared animal, there was an increase in clasmatocytes and fibroblasts with a dense exudation of polymorphonuclears, which latter, in the main, did not degenerate. The clasmatocytes phagocyted bacteria early and later engulfed the polymorphonuclears, while the fibroblasts rapidly walled off the lesion. The result was a localized abscess which either came to the surface and ruptured or was absorbed and organized.
Birdsong for neurobiologists

Song is a stereotyped behavior, yet its development depends on sensory feedback and learning. Early bird fanciers recognized that young birds must have a good tutor to become a good singer. They also knew that birds could be bred for more elaborate songs, as exemplified by different breeds of canaries selected for different ways of singing. Thus, variations in song between individuals and between species contain both heritable and experiential components. The study of the experiential component has shown that the nature and timing of auditory experience play an important role in shaping the outcome of song development. The ability of a bird to modify song in adulthood has drawn special attention because it implies neural plasticity in the adult brain. The discovery of the brain areas for the control of song has brought birdsong from the purely behavioral level of analysis to the interface between behavior and neurobiology. The song control system shows al I of the developmental events that attract much current research, such as neuronal growth, death, and migration, the specificity of neuronal connections, and the waiting compartment. Furthermore, sex steroids control some of these ontogenetic events as well as the expression of song and its neural substrates in adulthood. The main aim of this article is to review current research dealing with these topics.
3-Acetyl-7-(diethyl­amino)coumarin

The title compound, C15H17NO3, is nearly planar with a dihedral angle of 1.55 (10)° between the lactone and benzene rings. The mol­ecules form chains through weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and the chains are dimerized by type-II carbon­yl–carbonyl inter­actions.
Gamma-emitting radionuclide measurements at the US Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory, Denver, Colorado

Abstract Like sediment samples from Scofield Resevior in Utah were analyzed for 210 Pb by the gamma-ray spectrometric method. The top 10 cm of surface sediment yielded excess 210 Pb activity (excluding in situ 226 Ra supported 210 Pb) of 1.05 pCi/g dry weight and decreased to 0.25 pCi/g at a depth of 25 cm. Based on these data, sedimentation rate was approximately 0.49 cm/y for a total of 30 cm of lake sediment and a lake history of approximately 60 y. An alternative method of 210 Pb measurements using wet chemical procedures followed by beta counting gave equivalent results.
i-MMOLE: Instructional Framework for Creating Virtual World Lessons

Today virtual world instruction faces many of the same educational challenges faced by Web-based instruction during its infancy. There is a lot of jargon and visions of the future being bandied about, but as Hirumi et al. note in the May/June and July/August 2010 issues of TechTrends there little understanding of how to apply pedagogical practices in video game settings. i-MMOLE is a research-based instructional design framework created specifically for designing instruction that incorporates virtual world environments. To date, i-MMOLE has been utilized by university students in the creation of more than 300 lesson plans across multiple disciplines and age groups. This article describes the underlying foundation of this framework and how to utilize i-MMOLE in the creation of one’s own virtual world based instruction.
1003-2 Left and Right Atrial Systolic Function After the Maze Procedure: A Long-term Echo-Doppler Follow-up Study

The Maze procedure for atrial arrhythmias is designed to eliminate atrial fibrillation, and preserve atrial function. Initial data after short-term follow-up indicates that 60% patients show restoration of atrial systolic function. The long-term evaluation by echo-Doppler of left and right atrial function has not been well studied. We performed pulsed Doppler and two dimensional echocardiographyon 19 patients (16 males, mean age 54 years) who underwent the Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation and who had a follow-up study greater than 3 months (mean duration = 17 months) after the procedure. Measurements included the peak left ventricular (LV) inflow and right ventricular (RV) inflow A-wave velocity, maximum (Max) and minimum (Min) off-line digitized left atrial (LA) and right atrial (RA) areas and fractional area change (FAC). Left Atrium Right Atrium Pre Post Pre Post Max (cm 2 ) 26.1 23.1 20.8 21.7 Min (cm 2 ) 19.6 18.1 16.0 17.6 FAC (%) 27.0 22.0 23. 20.0 Twelve patients (63%) had evidence of LA function, while 16 patients (84%) had evidence of RA function. The LV inflow A-wave velocity (33 ± 9 cm/s) and the RV inflow A-wave velocity (35 ± 12 cm/s) did not differ significantly; however, the LA inflow A-wave was significantly lower than agematched controls (59 ± 14, p l 0.001). Both the mean LA FAC and the RA FAC tended to decrease at follow-up (p = 0.13). Conclusions 1) In long-term follow-up of 17 months after the Maze procedure, left atrial systolic function is preserved in 63% of patients, while the right atrial systolic function is preserved in 86% of patients. 21 LA peak A-wave velocity post Maze is considerably less than that shown in agematched controls. These findings suggest that the Maze procedure is only partially successful in achieving its goals of preserving atrial function.
High Velocity Oblique Impact and Coefficient of Restitution for Head Disk Interface Operational Shock

With the increased use of hard disk drives (HDDs) in mobile and consumer applications combined with the requirement of higher areal density, there is enhanced focus on reducing head disk spacing, and consequently there is higher susceptibility of slider/disk impact damage during HDD operation. To investigate this impact process, a dynamic elastic-plastic finite element model of a sphere (representing a slider corner) obliquely impacting a thin-film disk was created to study the effect of the slider corner radius and the impact velocity on critical contact parameters. To characterize the energy losses due to the operational shock impact damage, the coefficient of restitution for oblique elastic-plastic impact was studied using the finite element model. A modification to an existing physics-based elastic-plastic oblique impact coefficient of restitution model was proposed to accurately predict the energy losses for a rigid sphere impacting a half-space. The analytical model results compared favorably to the finite element results for the range from low impact angles (primarily normal impacts) to high impact angles (primarily tangential impacts).
Intracranial pressure (ICP) level estimation using textural features of brain CT images

In this study, an optimal feature vector has been extracted from brain computed tomography (CT) images of patients with traumatic brain injury to classify the images into two groups of mild/severe cases. A fully anisotropic Morlet wavelet transform is performed on brain CT images, and the energy of coefficients is extracted as our proposed textural features. Next, genetic algorithms with two fitness functions of (1) K-nearest neighbour and (2) support vector machine classification errors are employed to choose the optimal feature vector. The proposed features and classification algorithm are shown to have reliable performance achieving a good classification accuracy rate of 86.5%.
Structural and spectral response of Aequorea victoria green fluorescent proteins to chromophore fluorination

Global replacements of tyrosine by 2- and 3-fluorotyrosine in “enhanced green” and “enhanced yellow” mutants of Aequorea victoria green fluorescent proteins (avGFPs) provided protein variants with novel biophysical properties. While crystallographic and modeled structures of these proteins are indistinguishable from those of their native counterparts (i.e., they are perfectly isomorphous), there are considerable differences in their spectroscopic properties. The fluorine being an integral part of the avGFP chromophore induces changes in the titration curves, variations in the intensity of the absorbance and fluorescence, and spectral shifts in the emission maxima. Furthermore, targeted fluorination in close proximity to the fluorinated chromophore yielded additional variants with considerably enhanced spectral changes. These unique spectral properties are intrinsic features of the fluorinated avGFPs, in the context of the rigid chromophore−microenvironment interactions. The availability of the isomorpohou...
Chromosome aberrations in mouse bone marrow cells following treatment in vivo with vinblastine and colcemid

The present study was undertaken to determine if chemicals that are capable of inducing mitotic arrest and aneuploidy can also induce chromosomal breakage. Two chemicals, vinblastine and Colcemid, were selected to be studied. Their potentially clastogenic effects were investigated in mouse bone marrow cells in vivo. Two doses of vinblastine, 10(-5) M (9 mg/kg) and 10(-6) M (0.9 mg/kg), and one dose of Colcemid 10(-4) M (37 mg/kg), were administered to mice as single intraperitoneal injections. Bone marrow preparations were made at multiple time periods after injections, ie, 17, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr. Both these agents, at the concentrations tested, induced mitotic arrest of bone marrow cells within 5 hr after injection. In recovering bone marrow cell populations, 2-3 days after drug administration, significantly elevated levels of chromosomal breakage (mainly the chromatid type) were observed. Vinblastine was found to be much more potent than Colcemid. Since both of these agents affect mainly microtubules, their actions to cause chromosomal breakage are likely to be indirect. Several possible clastogenic mechanisms such as interference with DNA synthesis, active metabolites, and cytoplasmic endonucleases are discussed.
The Molecular Spectrum of Carbon Dioxide

THE value of the specific heat of carbon dioxide indicates a triangular molecule. Bjerrum (Deutsch. Phys. Ges., 16, 737, 1914) has made a study of this molecule and has decided that the atomic nuclei lie at the corners of an isosceles triangle the apex angle of which is either 145° or 40°.6. Dennison (Phil. Mag. (7), 1, 195, 1926) decides in favour of the former angle. Such a model, according to these authors, should be characterised by three fundamental vibrational frequencies. Each tries to associate the three well-known bands of absorption at 14.66µ, 4.25µ and 2.73µ with these predicted frequencies. The model does not anticipate a fourth weak band which I found at 2.02µ (Phys. Rev., 26, 469, 1925), especially since this is not harmonic with any of the other three.
The Quality of the Intimate Relationships of Male Vietnam Veterans: Problems Associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

This study examined the quality of the intimate relationships of male Vietnam veterans. Heterosexual couples in which the veteran had posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; n = 26) were compared to couples in which the veteran did not have PTSD (n = 24). Over 70% of the PTSD veterans and their partners reported clinically significant levels of relationship distress compared to only about 30% of the non-PTSD couples. Relationship difficulties appeared to encompass a wide range of areas, with PTSD veterans and their partners reporting that they had more problems in their relationships, more difficulties with intimacy, and had taken more steps toward separation and divorce than the non-PTSD veterans and their partners. The degree of relationship distress was correlated with the severity of veterans' PTSD symptoms, particularly symptoms of emotional numbing. Research and clinical implications of the results are discussed.
A method for third ventricular cannulation of small passerine birds

Abstract This paper describes a method for chronically cannulating the third ventricle of the white-crowned sparrow, a small passerine bird, without damaging the midsagittal sinus. The method is reliable and chronic over at least 1 month. The technique was verified by assessing the effects of angiotensin II (ANG II) on inducing drinking behavior. All birds rapidly recovered from the surgery and tolerated repeated injections spaced over 1 month. Animals were injected with saline or 0.01, 0.5, 1.0, and 10.0 μg of ANG II, respectively. The intermediate dose of 1.0 μg was maximally effective and caused a significant increase of water intake over the test hour. Lower and higher doses were less effective. This method for cannulating the third ventricle of small passerine birds should prove beneficial in future neurobiological applications.
Sensitivity Analysis for Computer Model Projections of Hurricane Losses

Projecting losses associated with hurricanes is a complex and difficult undertaking that is fraught with uncertainties. Hurricane Charley, which struck southwest Florida on August 13, 2004, illustrates the uncertainty of forecasting damages from these storms. Due to shifts in the track and the rapid intensification of the storm, real-time estimates grew from 2 billion dollars to 3 billion dollars in losses late on the 12th to a peak of 50 billion dollars for a brief time as the storm appeared to be headed for the Tampa Bay area. The storm struck the resort areas of Charlotte Harbor and moved across the densely populated central part of the state, with early poststorm estimates in the 28 dollars to 31 billion dollars range, and final estimates converging at 15 billion dollars as the actual intensity at landfall became apparent. The Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology (FCHLPM) has a great appreciation for the role of computer models in projecting losses from hurricanes. The FCHLPM contracts with a professional team to perform onsite (confidential) audits of computer models developed by several different companies in the United States that seek to have their models approved for use in insurance rate filings in Florida. The team's members represent the fields of actuarial science, computer science, meteorology, statistics, and wind and structural engineering. An important part of the auditing process requires uncertainty and sensitivity analyses to be performed with the applicant's proprietary model. To influence future such analyses, an uncertainty and sensitivity analysis has been completed for loss projections arising from use of a sophisticated computer model based on the Holland wind field. Sensitivity analyses presented in this article utilize standardized regression coefficients to quantify the contribution of the computer input variables to the magnitude of the wind speed.
TRANSCOBALAMIN-II VARIANTS, DECREASED VITAMIN B12 AVAILABILITY AND INCREASED RISK OF FRAILTY

Objective This project was designed to follow-up prior evidence that demonstrated a significant association between vitamin B12 transport and metabolism and the frailty syndrome in community-dwelling older women. The cross-sectional relationship between genetic variants within six candidate genes along this pathway with serum methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels and frailty was evaluated in this same population of older women.
Informing abortion counseling: An examination of evidence-based practices used in emotional care for other stigmatized and sensitive health issues

Objective: Emotional care is an important component of abortion services. Evidence-based counseling for other stigmatized and sensitive health issues may be informative for the improvement of abortion counseling. Methods: We searched the literature for practices used in emotional care for stigmatized and sensitive health issues. We made analytic choices for the selection of articles using the ‘‘constant comparative method,’’ a grounded theory technique. We selected practices that were effective in supporting coping and improving psychosocial adjustment. Findings were synthesized and analyzed to draw evidencebased implications for abortion counseling. Results: We uncovered nine practices used in emotional care for stigmatized and sensitive health issues that have been shown to support coping or improve psychological adjustment. The techniques and interventions identified were: self-awareness assessments, peer counseling, decision aids, encouraging active client participation, supporting decision satisfaction, support groups, Internet-based support, ongoing telephone counseling, and public artistic expression. Conclusion: A variety of patient-centered, evidence-based interventions used for other health issues are applicable in emotional care for abortion. Evaluation of these practices in the abortion counseling setting can determine their appropriateness and effectiveness. Practice implications: Abortion care providers may be able to integrate additional patient-centered practices to support coping or improve psychological adjustment after abortion.
Self-Lubricating Cold-Sprayed Coatings Utilizing Microscale Nickel-Encapsulated Hexagonal Boron Nitride

It is often beneficial to modify surfaces to gain desirable properties such as improved wear and friction resistance. Self-lubricating coatings can improve the performance of contacting surfaces and extend component lifetimes by reducing the coefficient of friction and/or improving resistance to specific wear modes. With these goals in mind, self-lubricating coatings of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) particles in a deposited nickel matrix were investigated and optimized for friction and wear. These self-lubricating coatings were created via high-velocity particle consolidation or cold spray using micrometer-sized hBN powder encapsulated by nickel and nickel phosphorous alloys. Relatively thick nickel encapsulation via electrolesss Ni plating was required to aid in coating bonding/formation by “tricking” the hBN into acting as monolithic Ni during deposition. Once deposited on aluminum substrates, the coatings were analyzed and found to exhibit enhanced mechanical and tribological properties such as high bo...
Performance evaluation of a distributed multimedia database system over a broadband network

A timed Petri-net model of a distributed multimedia database architecture is presented. The model handles both static and dynamic media that cannot be achieved by static approach. Preliminary simulation results show that the model can be used to analyze the transient response and access time of a server as seen by a client workstation over a broadband network. >
Computer mediated work: the interplay between technology and structured jobs

On etudie, les chemins l'organisation de traitement de forme de systemes d'application et le contenu d'un travail structure. Un modele centre sur l'information necessaire aux travailleurs pour l'execution de tâche est utilise comme la base d'un test empirique utilisant un echantillon de 620 reclamations-types dans l'administration de la Securite Sociale
Intra-atomic correlation effects in charge transfer

Abstract In this paper, we discuss the effects of intra-atomic correlation on charge-transfer processes in atom-surface scattering. Intra-atomic correlation effects can conveniently be described using projection operators and a non-equilibrium Green's function technique. In the low velocity regime, it can be proved that the populations of the atomic states can be calculated directly from the solution of a system of coupled master equations. We apply this formalism to some typical atom-surface scattering situations and show that proper account of intra-atomic correlation effects must be taken for an accurate description of the charge-transfer process.
Electron microscopic investigation of the surface membrane structures of the fat-cell and of their changes during depletion of the cell

The main purpose of this paper was to investigate with the electron microscope the structural relationship between the fat cell and the surrounding connective tissue under various functional conditions and thereby to solve questions not decided in the past which concern the “membrane” of the fat-cell. Outside the well defined plasma membrane two layers were observed, one of lesser electron density next to the plasma membrane and another denser line which separates the former from the connective tissue ground substance. Fundamentally this three-layered “surface membrane complex” (Robertson) is the same as described by numerous authors in other cells bordering on connective tissue. However, the changes occurring in the surface membrane complex during depletion of fat cells are of special interest. The numerous long processes formed by the cell during the loss of fat in starvation are retracted in extreme depletion. At this time a pericellular space opens between the outer lamella and the plasma membrane. While the less dense material apparently becomes liquified the outer lamella of the surface membrane complex remains in contact with the connective tissue ground substance. These observations made it possible to interpret the surface membrane structures of the fat-cell as consisting, beside the plasma membrane, of a material derived from the ground substance, which is analogous to Robertson's “gap substance” at the surface of the Schwann cell, and of a “limiting membrane” toward the ground substance. The nature and possible derivation of the extracellular layers are discussed and the general functional significance of the surface membrane complex is emphasized. These considerations support the repeatedly raised objection against the use of the histological term basement membrane for the submicroscopic structures. During the depletion of the fat cell intensive micropinocytosis occurs regularly in the plasma membrane. It is suggested that the pinching off of numerous pockets may effect the elimination of membrane material in conjunction with the decrease in the surface area which has been found to take place in extreme depletion of the fat cell.
CRITICALITY ESTIMATES FOR SPHERES AND SLABS.

mass of a reactor is reduced to determining the spectral radius of a linear integral operator T. The operator T is obtained by a transformation from the steady-state transport equation to an integral equation for the neutron flux. At one point in this transformation, T is represented as an integral of a one- parameter family of compact sell-adjoint operators whose spectral resolution is known. This is used to obtain upper-bound estimates on the spectral radius of T, i.e., lower-bound estimates for the critical mass. This is done for spheres and slabs under the assumption of monoenergetic neutrons and isotropy of the collision-fission process. A numerical example is given for a bare slab as evidence of the accuracy of the bounds. (T.R.H.)
Decision criteria for predicting adherence for psychiatric emergency room patients with referral appointments

Abstract This paper describes and evaluates a method of predicting referral appointment-keeping behavior for psychiatric emergency room patients. Studies have shown that referral systems which provide appointments and reminders achieve higher appointment adherence. However, studies have not been conducted of those experiencing a good referral system to predict adherence behavior and indicate further areas for improvement. Discriminant analysis is applied to patient's psychiatric signs and symptoms for selecting variables that predict referral appointment keeping behavior. All patients seen during a 6 week period were selected from a 1,000 bed hospital's Psychiatric Emergency Room. The data were collected during the patient's visit to the psychiatric emergency room and prior to aftercare treatment. The subset of non-psychotic patients requiring outpatient psychiatric care was the focus of this analysis. The model indicates that patient's adherence with referral appointment can be predicted with 76% accuracy using the best three discriminating variables. This prediction per cent increases to 97% with all contributing variables. The non-adherers are identified with 66% and 100% accuracy, respectively. Distressingly, “Suicidal Behavior” and “Potentially Harming Others” relates to non-adherence. If the non-compliant emergency patient, especially those dangerous to themselves and others, can be identified in advance, the care systems can be changed to increase the number of patients following referral recommendations. This reduces both initial treatment cost and avoids cost resulting from more severe illnesses arising for lack of initial treatment.
The induction of macrophage gene expression by LPS predominantly utilizes Myd88-independent signaling cascades

Myeloid differentiation protein-88 (MyD88) is a signal adaptor protein required for cytokine production following engagement of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) by their cognate ligands. Activation of bo...
The floor effect: Impoverished spatial memory for elevator buttons

People typically remember objects to which they have frequently been exposed, suggesting that memory is a by-product of perception. However, prior research has shown that people have exceptionally poor memory for the features of some objects (e.g., coins) to which they have been exposed over the course of many years. Here, we examined how people remember the spatial layout of the buttons on a frequently used elevator panel, to determine whether physical interaction (rather than simple exposure) would ensure the incidental encoding of spatial information. Participants who worked in an eight-story office building displayed very poor recall for the elevator panel but above-chance performance on a recognition test. Performance was related to how often and how recently the person had used the elevator. In contrast to their poor memory for the spatial layout of the elevator buttons, most people readily recalled small distinctive graffiti on the elevator walls. In a more implicit test, the majority were able to locate their office floor and the eighth floor button when asked to point toward these buttons when in the actual elevator, with the button labels covered. However, identification was very poor for other floors (including the first floor), suggesting that even frequent interaction with information does not always lead to accurate spatial memory. These findings have implications for understanding the complex relationships among attention, expertise, and memory.
Changes in glutamate receptor subunit composition in hippocampus and cortex in patients with refractory epilepsy

An assessment of glutamate receptor subunit profiles was made in hippocampus and temporal lobe cortex of patients with refractory epilepsy. Molecular biological analyses using reverse transcription reaction (RT) followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed changes in the distribution profile of the transcripts of AMPA/KA glutamate receptor subunits in hippocampal and cortical tissue from patients with refractory epilepsy when compared to similar tissue from six human and four non-human primate samples with no history of seizures or seizure medication. A severe mean decrease (38% of control) in mRNA for the GluR1 subunit was found in 400 mm cross-sections of hippocampus from patients with epilepsy. Less severe but significant reductions in that GluR1 subunit expression (54% of control) were exhibited in samples of excised temporal pole cortex from the same subjects. Message for the GluR4 subunit was also significantly decreased in hippocampus (68% of control), but in contrast to GluR1, GluR4 mRNA level was not decreased in temporal cortex. Levels of GluR2 mRNA were not significantly changed in epileptic hippocampal and cortical tissue relative to control samples. Protein levels of the GluR1 and GluR4 subunits quantified by Western blot analysis were also reduced in hippocampal and cortical tissue from epilepsy patients. Two other kainate subunit transcripts, GluR6 and KA1 also showed significant changes compared to non-epileptic tissue (136% and 71% of control, respectively). Results are discussed in terms of possible mechanisms by which protracted seizures could produce selective loss of certain AMPA/KA subunits.
Sleep deprivation does not affect spatial memory in rats

The effect of sleep deprivation on working memory for spatial information was evaluated. Rats were trained on a win-shift strategy in an eight-arm maze until they exhibited accurate retention when an 8-h delay was imposed between the fourth and fifth choices. Then the effects on spatial memory of depriving the rats of sleep throughout the retention interval were compared with the influence of a stress control (swimming for 1 h during the retention interval) or no treatment, using a counterbalanced within-subjects design. Although sleep deprivation produced a marginally significant impairment in spatial memory at a 4-h delay, in two replications at an 8-h delay interval there was no suggestion of an effect of sleep deprivation. Thus, spatial memory in the radial maze remains intact after brief periods of sleep deprivation. The present findings are consistent with other recent studies, all of which demonstrate the remarkable resistance to disruption by retroactive treatments of the rat’s spatial memory system.
Role of brainstem GABAergic signaling in central cannabinoid receptor evoked sympathoexcitation and pressor responses in conscious rats.

The mechanisms implicated in the sympathoexcitation and pressor the response elicited by central CB1R activation are not fully understood. Further, the few reported mechanistic studies on this endeavor were conducted in anesthetized rats. Therefore, it was important to identify the dose-related cardiovascular responses elicited by central administration of the cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) agonist WIN55,212-2 in conscious rats. The second and main objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that brainstem GABAergic transmission is implicated in the CB1R-evoked sympathoexcitation/pressor response. In conscious rats, intracisternal (i.c) WIN55,212-2 (3, 10, 30 μg/rat) elicited dose-dependent increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and plasma norepinephrine (NE; index of sympathoexcitation), and reduced heart rate (HR). Subsequent neurochemical studies showed that i.c WIN55,212-2 (15 μg/rat) significantly increased the number and percentage of neurons that exhibited dual immunostaining for tyrosine hydroxylase (catecholaminergic neurons) and c-Fos (marker of neuronal activity) within the rostral ventrolateral medulla, which suggests enhanced central sympathetic tone. These neurochemical responses along with the increases in MAP and plasma NE were drastically attenuated by prior: (i) blockade of central CB1R by i.c AM251 (30 μg/rat) or (ii) activation of central GABAAR by i.c muscimol (0.1 μg/rat). Collectively, these neurochemical and cardiovascular findings are the first to suggest a pivotal role for the inhibition of brainstem GABAergic transmission in the central CB1R-evoked sympathoexcitation/pressor responses in conscious rats.
Electrophoresis of glutamic acid decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.15) from mouse brain in sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gels.

Electrophoretically and ultracentrifugally homogeneous glutamic acid decarboxylase purified from mouse brain showed multiple protein bands after electrophoresis in SDS polyacrylamide gel. The positions and intensities of the multiple bands were constant despite different treatments of the enzyme with various concentrations of SDS, β-mercaptoethanol, and urea at different temperatures. The major band had an apparent molecular weight of approximately 60,000 daltons and there were three minor bands of molecular weights, about 120,000, 90,000, and 75,000 daltons, respectively. The molecular weights of almost all bands were approximately integral multiples of 15,000. The possible subunit structure of this enzyme has been discussed in the light of the latter data and data previously reported from ultracentrifugation and gel filtration studies. We suggest that this enzyme may be a hexamer consisting of 15,000-dalton sub-units and that dissociation of these sub-units in SDS is accompanied by reassociation into a variety of aggregates, the probability of whose formation is determined by structural features that are more important than the differences encountered under the environmental conditions employed in these studies.