cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of environment, history and vegetative interactions on stand dynamics in a Connecticut forest1

Abstract Goslee, S. C. (Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708), W. A. Niering (Department of Botany, Connecticut College, New London, CT 06320), D. L. Urban and N. L. Christensen (Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708). Influence of environment, history and vegetative interactions on stand dynamics in a Connecticut forest. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 132: 471–482. 2005.—We examined the changing influence of environmental factors and land use history on the composition of the canopy tree, shrub, herb and tree seedling strata of a Connecticut forest over 45 years. The many herb and shrub species initially found in post-agricultural areas of this site declined or disappeared as the forest canopy closed. Tsuga canadensis ([L.] Carriere) increased in importance in the forest canopy until the introduction of the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand). Shade-intolerant understory species are now increasing in ab...
The American Academy of Pediatrics' Medical Home Definition: Health Implications of Medical Homelessness. † 537

The American Academy of Pediatrics' Medical Home Definition: Health Implications of Medical Homelessness. † 537
Nonlinear Adaptive Control of an Aeroelastic Two-Dimensional Lifting Surface

Adaptive control of a nonlinear two-dimensional wing-flap system operating in an incompressible flowfield is studied. An output feedback control law is implemented, and its performance toward suppressing flutter and limit cycle oscillations, as well as reducing the vibrational level in the subcritical flight speed range, is demonstrated. The control law proposed here is applicable to minimum phase systems, and conditions for stability of the zero dynamics are provided. The control objective is to design a control strategy to drive the pitch angle to a setpoint while adaptively compensating for uncertainties in all of the aeroelastic model parameters. It is shown that all of the states of the closed-loop system are asymptotically stable. Furthermore, an extension is presented to include flap actuator dynamics. Simulations have been presented to validate the efficacy of the proposed strategy. Pertinent conclusions have been outlined.
DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE (DHT) INHIBITS SYNTHESIS OF SATURATED PHOSPHATIDYLCHONE

Male newborns are at a 2-fold greater risk of Respiratory Distress Syndrome than females. This risk is associated with delayed production of saturated phosphatidylcholine (SPC) in male human, rabbit, and rat fetuses. DHT administration to rabbit fetuses inhibits the production of SPC in an organ-specific manner and the anti-androgen Flutamide negates the native sex difference in SPC production. In the present study DHT was administered to pregnant rabbit does at 1 mg/kg from day 12 to day 27 of gestation daily and the fetuses were sacrificed on day 28. The fetal lungs were incubated with 3H-choline chloride (10μci) for 1 hour and subsequently analyzed for radiolabelled PC and SPC content. Male and female control lungs synthesized comparable amounts of both PC and SPC. DHT had no measurable effect on either PC or SPC synthesis by female lungs, or on PC synthesis by male lungs. However, DHT did have a significant inhibitory effect on SPC synthesis by male lungs. These data suggest that DHT inhibits the synthesis of pulmonary surfactant in a sex-specific fashion under these experimental conditions. The mechanism underlying this inhibition is currently under investigation. (Supported by NIH Grant #HL28315-02).
On dynamic problems of continuous distribution of dislocations

Abstract A velocity tensor and a density tensor of a continuous distribution of dislocations are derived by considering the dynamic behavior of dislocations. The stress and displacement fields are discussed by the use of Green's functions. Application of the theory is demonstrated by an example where the number of positive dislocations is equal to the number of negative dislocations everywhere, but the velocities of the two sets are in the opposite direction.
Polymerase gene products of hepatitis B viruses are required for genomic RNA packaging as well as for reverse transcription

All reactions involving reverse transcription of RNA are segregated from the cytosol within a subviral particle or capsid composed of the major capsid protein, the polymerase and the RNA template. A key step in the formation of these particles is the selective encapsidation of the RNA template. Although an important general feature of the reverse transcription pathway, encapsidation has been carefully studied only for retroviruses. We have now examined the encapsidation reaction in a family of enveloped DNA viruses that replicate by reverse transcription--the hepatitis B viruses (hepadnaviruses). Our results indicate that the hepadnaviral polymerase (P) gene product is required for RNA packaging, and that the encapsidation function of the enzyme can be separated from its DNA polymerase activity. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a role for polymerase gene products in this step of the reverse transcription pathway.
Deformation analysis of notched components and assessment of approximate methods

T Finite element modelling was conducted on notched members subjected to proportional and non-proportional loading. A recently developed cyclic plasticity model capable of accurately describing cyclic material behaviour was implemented into a finite element code. A plate with a central hole and a shaft with a circumference groove were studied. Approximate methods for the notched problems were critically evaluated using the finite element results.
Diabetes in the Emergency Department and Hospital: Acute Care of Diabetes Patients

Diabetes is a common condition, afflicting more than 20 % of the American population over the age of 60 years. Patients with diabetes, particularly those with lower socioeconomic status or limited access to primary care, frequently seek care in hospital emergency departments. Emergency medicine physicians and hospitalists should coordinate care to improve glycemic control while maintaining safety. This may help to overcome clinical inertia and improve long term clinical outcomes for patients who seek acute medical care for diabetes.
ARTEMISTM Core Simulator: Latest Developments

AREVA has developed a new coupled neutronics/thermal-hydraulics code system, ARCADIA®. It makes use of modern computing resources to enable more realistic reactor analysis as improved understanding of nuclear reactor behavior is the basis for efficient margin management, i.e. optimization of safety and performance. One of the principal components of this new system is the core simulator, ARTEMIS™. The purpose of this paper is to recall its features, present the latest developments and give a summary of the validation tests.
Automated Approach for Developing Integrated Model-Based Project Histories to Support Estimation of Activity Production Rates

AbstractCurrently, historical production information for an activity and the corresponding contextual information depicting the conditions under which a production rate is achieved are stored in multiple dispersed data sources, if they are stored. This results in extra time and effort spent in searching, gathering, and integrating information while estimating the activity production rates in new bids. Because estimators work on tight schedules to deliver bids, this may impede estimators from being able to use the neutral and objective data related to past performances. This paper describes a general algorithm developed for data storage, an approach that facilitates the storage of activity-specific production and contextual information in an integrated fashion within project models. This approach employs both an as-planned and an as-built project model as inputs, integrates these models by performing automated mappings between them, and augments this integrated model with activity-specific production and c...
Immunochemical comparisons of ribulosebisphosphate carboxylases using antisera to tobacco and spinach enzymes

Abstract Ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase molecules from over 50 species of angiosperms and gymnosperms have been compared by quantitative microcomplement fixation, using antisera prepared against tobacco and spinach enzymes. There were close antigenic similarities between tobacco enzyme, enzymes from other members of the Solanaceae, and enzymes from members of the Nolanaceae, Cuscutaceae, and Convolvulaceae. There were relatively close similarities between spinach enzyme and enzymes from two other members of the Chenopodiaceae. There were relatively great differences between tobacco enzyme, spinach enzyme, and most other enzymes tested. The enzymes from most of the angiosperms tested were as different from tobacco enzyme and almost as different from spinach enzyme as were the enzymes from the gymnosperms.
Interaction between excitation and inhibition affects frequency tuning curve, response size and latency of neurons in the auditory cortex of the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus

Neurons in the auditory cortex (AC) receive convergent excitatory and inhibitory inputs from the lower auditory nuclei. Interaction between these two opposing inputs shapes different response properties of AC neurons. In this study, we examined how this interaction might affect the frequency tuning curves (FTCs), number of impulses and latency of AC neurons in the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus, using a probe (excitatory tone) and a masker (inhibitory tone) under different stimulation conditions. Excitatory FTCs of AC neurons were either V-shaped, closed (i.e. upper threshold) or double-peaked. Inhibitory FTCs were obtained either at both flanks or only at the low or high flank of excitatory FTCs. Application of bicuculline, an antagonist for gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptors, produced expansion of excitatory FTCs into predrug inhibitory FTCs. Inhibition of probe-elicited responses occurred when a masker was presented at certain intertone intervals. Maximal inhibition typically took place when a masker was presented within 4 ms prior to the probe. During maximal inhibition, a neuron had the minimal number of impulses and the longest response latency. Inhibition became stronger with increasing masker intensity but became weaker with increasing intertone interval. Biological significance of these data is discussed.
The Importance of Mimic Pattern and Position in an Artificial Mimicry Situation by

"Batesian" mimicry was studied in a laboratory situation using caged starlings as the predator and painted mealworms as the artificial prey. Various mimic patterns bearing imperfect resemblances to the model, with the patterns on segments of the mimic different from those of the model, were offered to the birds to test whether the birds responded differently to the various combinations of patterns and positions. The experimental procedure consisted of offering each bird 50 models, 50 mimics, and 100 edibles over ten-day period. Models were all painted with a uniform green pattern and dipped in quinine dihydrochloride. Mimics were painted green with one of eight patterns (seven imperfect, and one perfect imitation) and dipped into distilled water. Edibles were painted with colorless paint and dipped into distilled water. Each mealworm was presented singly, and the bird responded by pecking, eating or not touching the worm. The mimics were eaten significantly less than the edibles, and the birds were able to generalize from the model to the mimics. Even the least perfect mimic escaped some predation. The time required to eat mimics was significantly greater than the time required to eat edibles. The birds could discriminate between some patterns and positions which were eaten less often than were others. Three pattern groups (APBFC, DE, and G) resulted. Position was also shown to be important. The results of this study support the micromutational theory of evolution.
Uptake and metabolism of iproplatin in murine L1210 cells

Iproplatin is structurally unique among the platinum (Pt) agents in the clinic because it is a quadrivalent complex. On the basis of the redox parameters for the Pt(IV) and Pt(II) oxidation states in a chloride system, it has been suggested that Pt(IV) complexes will be reduced to Pt(II) complexes in a biological environment [7]. To test this hypothesis, uptake and metabolism studies of [14C]-iproplatin were carried out in L1210 cells. The L1210 cells raised in DBA2/J mice were incubated in vitro with 50 and 100 μM [14C]-iproplatin at 37°C in Hanks' balanced salt solution, and total uptake and radioactivity associated with acid-insoluble fractions were measured for up to 3 h. Under these conditions, the uptake of iproplatin was linear with time and increased with increasing concentrations of iproplatin in the medium. At all times measured, >35% of radioactivity was associated with the acid-insoluble fraction, suggesting binding to macromolecules. The [14C]-labelled compounds in neutralized acid extracts of cells were separated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Three labelled compounds were detected; based on chromatographic elution times, they appeared to be iproplatin,cis-dichloro-bis-isopropylamine platinum(II) (CIP), the reduction product of iproplatin, and a third compound more polar than iproplatin and CIP. The finding of free CIP and the macromolecular binding of radioactivity in the cells suggests that iproplatin is reduced intracellularly.
The Effect of D-Defect in Silicon Single Crystal on Oxygen Precipitation

We investigated the effect of D-defect in CZ silicon single crystals on the oxygen precipitation by two-step thermal treatments consisting of the first annealing in nitrogen ambient at 1073K and the second annealing in dry oxygen ambient at 1273K. The density of D-defect was measured by counting ‘flow patterns’ using an optical microscope after preferential etching in Secco's solution for 30 minutes. It was found that the amount of oxygen precipitation along the growth axis was not affected by D-defect. The predominant factor of the oxygen precipitation after the two-step thermal process is the nuclei of oxygen precipitation generated around 723K during CZ crystal growth.
Multi-boson simulation of the Schrödinger functional

Abstract We discuss the choice of parameters and report some results for unquenched simulations of the Schrodinger functional with a non-hermitean variant of Luscher's multi-boson algorithm.
Site-specific incorporation of uranyl carbonate species at the calcite surface

Abstract Spatially resolved luminescence spectra from U(VI) co-precipitated at the (1014) growth surface of synthetic calcite single crystals confirm heterogeneous incorporation corresponding to the distribution of structurally non-equivalent steps composing the vicinal surfaces of spiral growth hillocks. Spectral structure from U(VI) luminescence at the “–” vicinal regions and featureless, weak luminescence at the “+” vicinal regions are consistent with previously reported observations of enrichment at the former sites during calcite growth. Luminescence spectra differ between the non-equivalent regions of the crystal, with the spectral features from the “–” vicinal region corresponding to those observed in bulk calcite samples. Subtle spectral shifts are observed from U(VI) co-precipitated with microcrystalline calcite synthesized by a different method, and all of the U(VI)-calcite sample spectra differ significantly from that of U(VI) co-precipitated with aragonite. The step-selective incorporation of U(VI) can be explained by a proposed model in which the allowed orientation for adsorption of the dominant calcium uranyl triscarbonate species is controlled by the atomic arrangement at step edges. Differences in the tilt angles of carbonate groups between non-equivalent growth steps favor adsorption of the calcium uranyl triscarbonate species at “–” steps, as observed in experiments.
Soil‐plant manganese relationships with emphasis on soybeans

Abstract Manganese deficiency of soybeans is very prevalent in the United States. This deficiency occurs most frequently on poorly‐drained, sandy‐textured soils with water pH levels of approximately 6.0 or above. Yield increases of as high as 2,520 kg of soybean seed/ha have been obtained from correction of Mn deficiency. Manganese deficiency of soybeans can be corrected by band, broadcast or foliar application of Mn. Foliar application of Mn generally is the most convenient and economical method for alleviating Mn deficiency in soybeans. This review covers soil‐plant relationships of importance in diagnosis and correction of Mn deficiency in soybeans.
Pyrimidine catabolism in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract Pyrimidine catabolism in Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated. It was found that the pyrimidine bases uracil and thymidine as well as their respective reductive catabolic products could be utilized as sole sources of nitrogen. Reductive degradation of the pyrimidine bases was noted. The reductive catabolic pathway enzymes dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, dihydropyrimidinase and N -carbamoyl- β -alanine amidohydrolase were all detected in minimal medium grown cells. Induction of pyrimidine catabolism by uracil was observed in this pseudomonad. Pyrimidine degradation in P. aeruginosa was not subject to catabolite repression.
On the relationship between substance use and personality traits: Abstainers are not maladjusted

Two studies were conducted to test the relationship between substance use and personality. Participants in Study 1 (N=118) completed measures of the Big Five and additional personality inventories and were classified as alcohol and drug abstainers, moderate users, or heavy users based on self-reports of substance use. In Study 2, observer ratings of personality (N=172) were gathered in addition to self-reports (N=545). Across both studies and self and observer ratings, heavy users consistently scored lower than the other groups on measures of conscientiousness, impulse control, and agreeableness. Abstainers scored lower than moderate and heavy users on extraversion. Contrary to some previous research (e.g., Shedler & Block, 1990), moderate users were not more emotionally stable than abstainers.
Markets or Oligopolies of Violence? The Case of Sudan

Sudan's postcolonial history has been riddled with destabilizing violence. Different intellectual metaphors have been used to help analyze the conundrum. Two of the emerging metaphors have their roots in economics, namely the discourses on “markets of violence” and “oligopolies of violence.” Is contemporary Sudan either a market of violence or an oligopoly of violence? I argue in this paper that the “markets” and “oligopolies” of violence debate are both analytically useful and could be harmonized to help elucidate the issue of political violence in postcolonial Sudan. The empirical features of the two paradigms are not mutually exclusive, albeit the metaphor of oligopolies of violence seems to represent a qualitative improvement on the markets of violence framework with regard to understanding Sudanese political history. More significantly, the paper argues that the empirical foundation for embedded political violence in postcolonial Sudan could be found in the construction and nature of the colonial sta...
The Wilson-Fowler spline is a v -spline

Abstract The Wilson-Fowler spline (WF-spline) was introduced in the early 1960's as a means for passing a curvature-continuous curve through a planar set of points. In this paper it is shown that (i) the WF-spline is a s-spline and (ii) every s-spline is a ν-spline, whence (iii) the WF-spline is a ν-spline. Explicit formulas are given for the conversion of a WF-spline to ν-spline representation.
AN INTEGRATED MODEL FOR CZOCHRALSKI MELT GROWTH OF OPTICAL CRYSTALS

This article presents the phenomena of melt flow, heat transfer, and solidification in Czochralski (CZ) melt growth processes of optical crystals, with emphasis on the effect of internal radiative heat transfer on the temperature distributions in oxide melt and crystal, melt convection, and melt-crystal interface shape. An integrated numerical model has been developed for simulating the physical phenomena in generic CZ furnaces, which includes the models for electromagnetic induction in crucible, surface exchange radiation in furnace, internal radiation in semi-transparent oxide melt and crystal, Marangoni convection in the melt, and solidification. Each developed model compares well with available analytical solutions. Numerical simulations were carried out for the prediction of fluid flow and heat transfer in furnaces. The simulation results show that the variation in optical properties of melt and crystal strongly impact their temperature distributions. It also affects the melt flow profile and intensity. The interface shape becomes more deeply convex toward the melt, as the optical thickness of the melt increases. However, the optical thickness of the crystal exhibits a minor impact on the interface shape. The results also show that the natural convection is dominated in the melt and the Marangoni flow enforces the natural convection.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Representations of central extensions of differentiably simple Lie superalgebras

LetS be a simple Lie algebra of characteristic 0 and Λ(n) be the Grassmann superalgebra inn indeterminates. We can form the Lie superalgebraS ⊗ Λ(n). The purpose of this paper is to classify all finite dimensional irreducible representations of all central extensions ofS ⊗ Λ(n). We will also give a character formula for these representations.
The Troubled Dream of Nature as a Moral Guide

Organization. Not only is illness Can Nature a part of our human nature, so too the correlation between Serve as a happiness and good health is more tenuous than the modern Moral Guide? mind has been willing to see. A greater attention to nature will help inoculate us against that silliest of all modern views: that our deepest values and institutions are nothing more than social constructs, dissoluble at will. It will help us locate the limits to human plasticity and medical progress. It will underscore the hard-won wisdom that more choice and more autonomy over against the power of nature do not necessarily increase the chances of gaining happiness. That is surely as helpful a point of departure as choosing between the fraternal twins of utilitarianism and deontology. m
Composite stent-grafts are not associated with increased endoleak or reintervention rates after endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair.

Background Although present-generation endografts have expanded the indications for endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair, arterial anatomy frequently dictates the use of a combination of commercially available endografts and components for successful aneurysm repair. This study sought to determine whether there was an increase in endoleak or secondary intervention rates in individuals treated with composite endografts compared with noncomposite, or standard, endografts. Methods From 1999 to 2009, 421 endovascular abdominal aneurysm repairs were performed at a single institution. A total of 384 patients met criteria for inclusion, with at least one follow-up imaging study. Patients were then identified as having had a composite endograft, defined as any combination of two or more different commercially available endograft or stent components, versus a standard endograft. Primary outcomes measured were freedom from endoleak and secondary intervention. Results During the study period, 60 composite endograftings and 324 standard endograftings were performed. The groups were well matched for demographics, including age, gender, comorbidities, emergent need for procedure, and 30-day mortality (1.64% vs. 1.54%, nonsignificant). Median follow-up was 16.3 months (range, 19 days to 8.5 years) and 10.2 months (range, 4 days to 8.7 years) for composite and standard endografts, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups in either endoleak or secondary intervention rates. Median time to endoleak detection was 2.0 months (range, 2 days to 3.9 years) for composite endografts and 2.8 months (range, 2 days to 6.9 years) for standard endografts. Median time to secondary intervention was 7.0 months (range, 4 days to 6.9 years) for composite endografts and 6.7 months (range, 1 day to 6.7 years) for standard endografts. Conclusions Composite endografts, namely, the combination of different commercially available endografts or stents used for the treatment of aortic aneurysms, are not associated with increased mortality, endoleak, or secondary intervention rates compared with noncomposite endografts.
A compartmental model for oxygen-carbon dioxide coupled transport in the microcirculation

We present a multicompartmental model for an oxygen-carbon dioxide transport system. The compartmental equations and their lumped parameters are derived through space averaging of the corresponding distributed model. The model can predict compartmental distributions of oxygen and carbon dioxide partial pressures, oxygen-hemoglobin saturation, and pH. Other unique features include the effects of the radial distribution of partial pressures and the difference in metabolic rates between vessel wall and tissue. A model for the cat brain, based on this formulation, is compared with results of experiments and with two types of earlier models: one without space averaging and one without carbon dioxide transport. The results suggest that space averaging the convective terms significantly affects the behavior of the model. This is consistent with conclusions from our earlier oxygen-only model. Our observations also demonstrate, however, significant differences between the results from the oxygen-carbon dioxide model and the oxygen-only model. For instance, at low blood flow rates or at low level of oxygen input, predicted oxygen partial pressures can differ by as much as 30% between the two models. Results obtained from the present model are supported by available experimental findings.
Soil microbial biomass and selected soil enzyme activities: Effect of fertilization and cropping practices

Selected microbiological properties of soils receiving different fertilizer management regimes were studied from adjoining wheat farms in the highly productive Palouse region of eastern Washington. Since 1909, the only N input to the soil of Farm Management System 1 has been through leguminous green manure crops consisting most recently of Austrian winter peas (Pisum sativum ssp. arvense L., Poir), plus native soil fertility for N and all other plant nutrients. The soil of Farm Management System 2 received regular applications of anhydrous ammonia, P and S at recommended rates for the last 30 yr. There were no differences in numbers of soil microorganisms as determined by plate counts; however, soil from management system 1 had significantly higher levels of urease, phosphatase and dehydrogenase at all three samplings and significantly higher soil microbial biomass at the first two samplings. The data indicate that management system 1 soil had a larger and more active soil microflora.
Anarchy of effects? Exploring attention to online advertising and multiple outcomes

This research examines the relationship between attention to online advertising and brand attitude, aided recall, and purchase intention. Results indicate that attention to an ad is affected by ad type (pictorial vs. text) and the interaction between ad location (left vs. right) and page (image-oriented vs. textual), suggesting a range of factors that impact attention. Furthermore, under the online conditions of this study, attention is positively related to aided recall and to purchase intention, but negatively associated with brand attitude. Re-sults are interpreted in the framework of dual attitude theory (Wilson, Lindsey, & Schooler, 2000) and other effects models. Although a clear “hierarchy of effects” appears to be elusive, the results suggest that marketers must fully evaluate advertising goals prior to creative development. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of the effectiveness of eletriptan, sumatriptan and Cafergot® in reducing the time loss associated with migraine attacks

AbstractThis study compared the effectiveness of different treatments for migraine in reducing the time loss caused by attacks. Two dosage strengths of eletriptan (40 mg and 80 mg) were compared with Cafergot® (2 mg ergotamine tartrate plus 200 mg caffeine) and with sumatriptan (50 mg and 100 mg) and placebo. Total Time Loss and Work Time Loss (including reduced effectiveness whilst continuing to work during attacks as well as absenteeism) were determined from patient questionnaires. Eletriptan at doses of 40 or 80 mg led to a statistically significant reduction in Total Time Loss compared with placebo. There was also a statistically significant reduction for both eletriptan doses compared with Cafergot®. For Work Time Loss, both doses of eletriptan were superior to placebo and the 80 mg dose of eletriptan was superior to Cafergot®. The differences in Total and Work Time Loss between eletriptan and sumatriptan were not statistically significant.Cafergot®is a registered trademark of Alliance Pharmaceutical...
Characterization of residual strain in SiC films deposited using 1,3-disilabutane for MEMS application

The residual strain of amorphous and polycrystalline SiC films deposited using a single precursor 1,3-disilabutane is characterized as a function of deposition temperature ranging from 700 to 850°C. SiC microstrain gauges and cantilever beam arrays fabricated by micromachining are employed to characterize directly the average residual strain and strain gradient. The residual strain of SiC films changes from compressive to tensile as the deposition temperature increases. The strain gradient is also found to depend on the deposition temperature, and can be adjusted between positive and negative values to fabricate flat, curling-up, and curling-down micromechanical structures.
Lipopolysaccharide Transiently Activates THP-1 Cell Adhesion

Lipopolysaccharide stimulation of adherent THP-1 cells induces morphological changes that are associated with the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. We hypothesized that LPS would also increase THP-1 cell adhesion and sought to determine the signaling mechanisms regulating this response. We show that LPS significantly increases THP-1 cell attachment after 1 h, supporting the idea that LPS can stimulate integrin function. By 4 h however, the number of adherent cells returned to control levels. Importantly, detached cells were determined to be viable by propidium iodide staining, indicating that the increase in cell adhesion was transient. LPS-induced adhesion to fibrinogen- but not fibronectin-coated wells was also transient, suggesting that adhesion reflected β2 integrin activation. This idea was supported by the fact that LPS-induced adhesion could be blocked by a function-blocking anti-β2 integrin antibody. Interestingly, the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitor, phenylarsine oxide, prevented cell detachment. Taken together, these data suggest that LPS-mediated integrin activation is transient and can be regulated by PTP-mediated signaling events.
Comparison of Paper-Pencil and Online Performances of Students with Learning Disabilities

Literature in the United States provides many examples of no difference in student achievement when measured against the mode of test administration i.e., paper–pencil and online versions of the test. However, most of these researches centre on ‘regular’ students who do not require differential teaching methods or different evaluation processes and techniques. This research provides evidence that students who have learning disabilities, like their counterparts in the regular educational programme, do not lag behind in computer adaptation and use. The study, using differential item functioning analysis with an ‘external’ variable and an analysis of covariance, shows that items and tests can be created to have no practical differences in the mode of administration for this special group of students, and as such, is in keeping with the trend for using online testing with its many advantages (cost savings, flexibility in administration, etc.) in lieu of the paper and pencil version of the test.
Factors relating to pregnant Adolescent's decisions to complete a smoking cessation intervention

Adolescence is a time when young people are confronted with critical health-related decision-making responsibilities. Choices associated with smoking behavior and cessation represent one specific family of relevant adolescent decision tasks. This study examined differences between pregnant girls who decided to complete a smoking cessation intervention and those who decided not to complete the program. The comparison was made across variables representing intrapersonal, familial, and peer domains. The sample consisted of 53 pregnant teenagers. Measures included a demographic questionnaire, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and selected items from a smoking history questionnaire and the Health Behavior Questionnaire: High School Form. Significant group differences were found for age ( P =.01), race ( P =.05), duration of smoking ( P =.02), type of smoker ( P =.01), and parents' approval of teenage smoking ( P =.01). A trend in differences between the two groups was evident for religious attitudes ( P =.09).
Hamiltonian decompositions of Cayley graphs on Abelian groups

Abstract Alspach has conjectured that any 2k-regular connected Cayley graph cay(A,S) on a finite abelian group A can be decomposed into k hamiltonian cycles. In this paper, the conjecture is shown to be true if S={s1,s2,s3} is a minimal generating set of A with |A| odd, or S={s1,s2,…,sk} is a generating set of A such that gcd(ord(si),ord(sj))= 1 for i≠j.
VEGF-A164/165 and PlGF: Roles in Angiogenesis and Arteriogenesis

Angiogenic cytokines such as vascular endothelial growth factor-A(164/165) (VEGF-A(164/165)) and placenta growth factor (PlGF) are being considered for therapeutic relief of coronary heart disease and other forms of tissue ischemia caused by atherosclerosis. Before proceeding further with clinical testing, it is important to determine what types of new blood vessels these cytokines actually induce and whether they could provide a useful new blood supply to ischemic tissues. In mice, VEGF-A(164/165) induced a transient angiogenic response (mother vessels, glomeruloid bodies, daughter capillaries), and stable arteriovenous malformations, arteriogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis; whereas PlGF only induced the formation of large, stable blood vessels. The large, long-lasting blood vessels induced by VEGF-A(164/165) and PlGF could provide an improved blood supply if positioned proximal to ischemic tissue, but VEGF-A(164/165)'s angiogenic response--which is short lived and accompanied by vascular hyperpermeability, edema, and fibrosis--would seem to offer little therapeutic benefit.
Analyzing user interaction with the ViewFinder video retrieval system

This study investigates interactive video retrieval. The basis for this study is that user- and search task-centric research in video information retrieval can assist efforts for developing effective user interfaces and help complement the existing corpus of video retrieval research by providing evidence for the benefits of evaluating systems using such an approach. Accordingly, the results were collected and analyzed from the perspective of certain users and search tasks (i.e., information needs). The methodology of this study employed specially designed interactive search experiments to examine a number of different factors in a video retrieval context, including those that correspond to search tasks of a particular domain, interface features and functions, system effectiveness, and user interactions. The results indicated that the use and effectiveness of certain interface features and functions were dependent on the type of search task, while others were more consistent across the full experiment. Also included is a review of prior research pertaining to visual search tasks, systems development, and user interaction. ViewFinder, the prototype system used to carry out the interactive search experiments of this study, is fully described. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Airborne particulates and asthma: a Maine case study.

Maine currently has the second fastest growing asthma rate in the nation- 9.4% of the adult population has asthma and one out of eight children is affected. The factors behind this increase are poo...
Chemotherapeutic potential of diazeniumdiolate-based aspirin prodrugs in breast cancer

Diazeniumdiolate-based aspirin prodrugs have previously been shown to retain the anti-inflammatory properties of aspirin while protecting against the common side effect of stomach ulceration. Initial analysis of two new prodrugs of aspirin that also release either nitroxyl (HNO) or nitric oxide (NO) demonstrated increased cytotoxicity toward human lung carcinoma cells compared to either aspirin or the parent nitrogen oxide donor. In addition, cytotoxicity was significantly lower in endothelial cells, suggesting cancer-specific sensitivity. To assess the chemotherapeutic potential of these new prodrugs in treatment of breast cancer, we studied their effect both in cultured cells and in a nude mouse model. Both prodrugs reduced growth of breast adenocarcinoma cells more effectively than the parent compounds while not being appreciably cytotoxic in a related nontumorigenic cell line (MCF-10A). The HNO donor also was more cytotoxic than the related NO donor. The basis for the observed specificity was investigated in terms of impact on metabolism, DNA damage and repair, apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastasis. The results suggest a significant pharmacological potential for treatment of breast cancer.
Basal inotropic state in rats with renal hypertension: influence of coronary flow and perfusion pressure

Cardiac performance in renal hypertensive animals has been variously reported as normal, increased, or decreased. Because of the many factors that can alter cardiac function in vivo ventricular contractility was investigated in isolated, paced, isovolumic heart preparations (modified Langendorff). Twenty one hypertensive rats (2 kidney, 1 clip Goldblatt) and 21 matched sham operated controls, were studied. Mean(SD) blood pressure and left ventricular weight were significantly higher in the study rats (228(5) vs 125(2) mmHg and 4.16(0.12) vs 2.35(0.04) mg·kg−1respectively). In the first experiment performed at 50 mmHg perfusion pressure left ventricular +dP/dt and myocardial flow rate were lower in 12 study rats (mean(SD) 1782(79) vs 2270(105) mmHg·s−1, 5.8(0.4) vs 14.0(1.0) ml·g−1 LV weight·min−1, respectively) than in the controls. In a second experiment performed at 80 mmHg perfusion pressure (nine study hearts and seven controls) the increased myocardial flow rate resulted in a higher left ventricular +dP/dt in both groups, but the study hearts still had a lower mean(SD) myocardial flow rate than the controls (12.5(0.9) vs 19.8(2.2) ml·g−1 LV weight·min−1; the difference in left ventricular +dP/dt became non-significant (2646(186) vs 2951(136) mmHg·s−1). Similarly, at equal myocardial flow rates (study hearts at 80 mmHg perfusion pressure and controls at 50 mmHg perfusion pressure) ventricular performance was similar in the two groups (mean(SD) left ventricular +dP/dt 2270(105) in controls vs 2646(186) mmHg·s−1 in study hearts). In addition, beta blockade by propranolol (10−7 mol·litre−1) did not affect the results obtained in non-blocked preparations as regards either left ventricular +dP/dt or myocardial flow rate. These results indicate that coronary perfusion pressure significantly influences ventricular contractility and that left ventricular performance in hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy depends on a balance between left ventricular mass, perfusion pressure, and myocardial flow rate.
Scalar integral diffraction methods: unification, accuracy, and comparison with a rigorous boundary element method with application to diffractive cylindrical lenses

Various integral diffraction methods are systematically unified into a single framework, clearly illustrating the interconnections among the numerous scalar and rigorous formulations. This hierarchical depiction of the integral methods makes clear the specific approximations inherent in each integral method. The scalar methods are compared in detail with a rigorous open-region formulation of the boundary element method (BEM). The rigorous BEM provides a reference method for accurately determining the diffracted fields for both TE and TM incidence. The rigorous BEM and the various scalar methods are then applied to the case of focusing of normally incident plane waves by diffractive cylindrical lenses with f-numbers ranging from f/2 to f/0.5. From the diffracted-field calculations, a number of performance metrics are determined including focal spot size, diffraction efficiency, reflected and transmitted powers, and focal-plane sidelobe power. The quantitative evaluation of the performance of the scalar methods with these metrics allows the establishment, for the first time, of the region of validity of the various scalar methods for this application. As expected, the accuracy of the scalar methods decreases as the f-number of the diffractive lenses is reduced. Additionally, some metrics, particularly the focal-plane sidelobe power, appear to be particularly sensitive to the approximations in the scalar methods, and as a result their accuracy is significantly degraded.
Maternal phenylketonuria--the Irish experience.

The outcome of 48 pregnancies in 18 women with elevated phenylalanine was studied. The women were divided into two groups, diet and non-diet. All the women on diet had severe hyperphenylalaninaemia and only six were on the amino acid mixture at conception. In the non-diet group four women had concentrations of less than 1000 μmol/L and five had severe hyperphenylalaninaemia. Three deaths and one stillbirth occurred in the non-diet group. Microcephaly occurred in 24 children; 11 in the diet group and 13 in the non-diet group. There were five miscarriages in the non-diet group and one in the diet group. Diet is beneficial when started early but planned pregnancies, good motivation and compliance were difficult to achieve in this group of women despite every reasonable effort by the PKU clinic.
Multiple-scattering lidar from both sides of the clouds : Addressing internal structure

[1] Multiple-scattering (a.k.a. "off-beam") lidar is an emerging technology in cloud remote sensing. It delivers, as in classic lidar ceilometry, cloud base altitude but also the cloud's physical thickness H as well as its optical depth τ (averaged over horizontal scales on the order of H). The value of τ in fact must lie beyond the range accessible by standard (i.e., single-scattering/on-beam) lidar profiling, namely, up to 3-4. A refined diffusion-theoretical model is presented here for signals from multiple-scattering lidar and applied, on the one hand, to retrieval algorithm development and, on the other hand, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimation. SNRs are computed for LANL's ground-based Wide-Angle Imaging Lidar (WAIL) system and NASA's space-based Lidar-In-space Technology Experiment (LITE). The refinements are threefold and all about internal structure. First, the laser source is modeled as a collimated anisotropic exponentially distributed internal source rather than an isotropic point source at the cloud boundary; this opens the possibility of using δ-Eddington rescaling to capture the forward peaked phase function more effectively within the diffusion framework. Second, stratification of the scattering coefficient is modeled as an increasing function of distance to cloud base; this strongly differentiates the signals when observed from above or from below. Finally, Cairns' rescaling is applied to this conservative scattering problem to account for the systematic effects of random (turbulence-driven) internal variability at scales up to a few mean free paths.
Reconstruction algorithm for improved ultrasound image quality

A new algorithm is proposed for reconstructing raw RF data into ultrasound images. Previous delay-and-sum beamforming reconstruction algorithms are essentially one- dimensional, because a sum is performed across all receiving elements. In contrast, the present approach is two-dimensional, potentially allowing any time point from any receiving element to contribute to any pixel location. Computer-intensive matrix inversions are performed once, in advance, to create a reconstruction matrix that can be reused indefinitely for a given probe and imaging geometry. Individual images are generated through a single matrix multiplication with the raw RF data, without any need for separate envelope detection or gridding steps. Raw RF data sets were acquired using a commercially available digital ultrasound engine for three imaging geometries: a 64-element array with a rectangular field-of-view (FOV), the same probe with a sector-shaped FOV, and a 128-element array with rectangular FOV. The acquired data were reconstructed using our proposed method and a delay-and-sum beamforming algorithm for comparison purposes. Point spread function (PSF) measurements from metal wires in a water bath showed that the proposed method was able to reduce the size of the PSF and its spatial integral by about 20 to 38%. Images from a commercially available quality-assurance phantom had greater spatial resolution and contrast when reconstructed with the proposed approach.
Improved Method of Recombinant AAV2 Delivery for Systemic Targeted Gene Therapy

A major hurdle in most current gene therapy modalities is the ability to transduce target tissues at very high efficiencies that ultimately lead to therapeutic levels of transgene expression. We have developed a novel method of recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (rAAV) delivery that results in increased vector transduction efficiencies using microspheres reversibly conjugated to rAAV vectors. We hypothesize that conjugation to microspheres should result in a higher effective concentration of vector as well as longer relative exposure time of vector to target cells as it moves through the tissue vasculature. In vitro experiments demonstrate that the same level of transduction seen with free vector can be achieved using 1% of vector when conjugated to microspheres. In addition, using magnetic microspheres, the region of infection can be targeted. In vivo, we demonstrate that microsphere-mediated delivery of rAAV vector results in higher transduction efficiencies than delivery with free vector alone when administered either intramuscularly or intravenously. Furthermore, we demonstrate targeting of transgene expression to specific tissues by retention of microsphere-bound vector in the capillary bed. These studies demonstrate a novel method to deliver rAAV vectors more effectively that could prove to be a successful alternative mode of virus-mediated human gene therapy.
Escherichia coli single-strand binding protein stabilizes specific denatured sites in superhelical DNA

Escherichia coli single-strand binding protein relaxes supercoiled DNA molecules containing the Drosophila melanogaster histone gene repeat unit, by stabilizing denaturation bubbles that map near the boundaries of the genes, at sites that in native chromatin have been shown to be hypersensitive to nucleases. A similar process may contribute to the propagation of such hypersensitive sites after their induction on the activation of gene expression.
Thermomagnetic Torque in Nh3

A study of the thermomagnetic torque (Scott effect) in N${\mathrm{H}}_{3}$ is reported. The small positive Scott torque is measured as a function of magnetic field for absolute pressures of 0.028, 0.043, 0.048, 0.057, and 0.078 Torr. At maximum torque, the magnetic field ${H}_{0}$ for each pressure $P$ is given by ${H}_{0}=b(P+a)$, where $a=\ensuremath{-}4.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ Torr and $b=3.18\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{3}$ Oe/Torr.