cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A tribute to the late Dr. Ryo Shimazu : a chronic bowel allograft model in the rat

A chronic model of bowel allotransplantation is described. End-to-end microvascular anastomosis between superior mesenteric vessels was utilized. The recipient splenic vein was preserved to avoid postoperative pancreatitis. Euro-Collins solution was used to flush the vasculature in the lumen of the transplant. Low-dose cyclosporine was used for immunosuppression. With experience, 89% long-term survival was achieved.
A Comparison Between Numerically Modelled and Experimentally Measured Loss Mechanisms in Wave Rotors

A numerical model has been developed which is capable of predicting the performance of a wave rotor (pressure exchanger) of specified geometry over a wide range of operating conditions. The model can account for the major loss mechanisms of leakage from the tube ends, fluid viscosity, heat transfer to the tube walls, finite tube opening time, shock waves, and non-uniform port flows. It is a one dimensional flow model which follows a single tube as it rotates past the various stationary ports. Since the model is relatively simple (i.e. one dimensional) it uses little computer time. This makes it suitable for design as well as analytical purposes. This paper will present a brief description of the model then discuss a comparison between the model predictions and several wave rotor experiments.
Interactions of putatively irreversible antagonists with β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors

Three compounds that have been suggested to irreversibly inactivate beta-adrenergic receptors were studied: NHNPNBE [N-(2-hydroxy-3-[1-napthoxy]-propyl)-N-bromoacetylethylenediami ne], BAAM (bromoacetylalprenololmenthane), and Ro 3-7894 [1-(5-chloracetylaminobenzfuran-2-yl)-2-isopropylaminoethanol++ +]. Membranes of rat cerebral cortex were used as a source of predominantly beta 1-adrenergic receptors and membranes of rat cerebellum were used as a source of predominantly beta 2-adrenergic receptors. Beta-Adrenergic receptor binding sites were studied by Scatchard analysis of saturation isotherms of specific [125I]-pindolol ([125I]PIN) binding. NHNPNBE added to the incubation medium competitively inhibited specific [125I]PIN binding in both cerebellum and cerebral cortex with KI values of 1-2 microM in each tissue. After washout of membranes pretreated with NHNPNBE for 30 min at 37 degrees, no loss of specific [125I]PIN binding sites was observed in either cerebellum or cortex except at very high concentrations (30-100 microM). Ro 3-7894 caused a simple competitive inhibition of specific [125I]PIN binding in rat cerebellar membranes with a KI of approximately 14 microM, an effect which was reversed completely by washing. In cerebral cortex, Ro 3-7894 added to the incubation medium apparently decreased the density of [125I]PIN binding sites with an IC50 around 1 microM. This effect was reversed after washing the membranes twice. However, in the presence of Ro 3-7894 some Scatchard plots showed a slight curvature. Further saturation of the [125I]PIN binding sites in cerebral cortex showed that the inhibition by Ro 3-7894 was competitive but with a high- and low-affinity component, consistent with Ro 3-7894 being a beta 1-selective competitive antagonist. Ro 3-7894 was also beta 1-selective in other tissues. BAAM added to the incubation medium competitively inhibited specific [125I]PIN binding in both cerebellum and cortex with KI values of 0.006 to 0.03 microM, but was about 5-fold more potent in cerebellum. After treatment of membranes with higher concentrations of BAAM for 30 min at 37 degrees and washing twice, there was a dose-dependent decrease in the density of specific [125I]PIN binding sites with IC50 values of approximately 0.3 microM in both tissues. Similar effects were observed in rat heart. These data suggest that NHNPNBE is a simple competitive antagonist at both beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors except at very high concentrations. Ro 3-7894 is a beta 1-selective competitive antagonist with no apparent irreversible effects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Notch Signaling and Bone Remodeling

Notch signaling plays context-dependent roles in the development and maintenance of many cell types and tissues in mammals. In the skeleton, both osteoblasts and osteoclasts require Notch signaling for proper differentiation and function, and the specific roles of Notch are dependent on the differentiation status of the cell. The recent discovery of activating NOTCH2 mutations as the cause of Hajdu-Cheney syndrome has highlighted the significance of Notch signaling in human bone physiology.
On the Space Protected by Lightning-Conductors

THE very interesting article by Mr. W. H. Preece on the “Space Protected by a Lightning-Conductor” (Phil. Mag. 5th series, vol. x. p. 427 et seq., December, 1880) revives this important practical question. The old rule, first enunciated by M. Charles, which makes the radius of the protected circular area around the base of the rod equal to twice its vertical height, has never been satisfactorily verified either on theoretical or experimental grounds. This rule was adopted in the Report of the Commission of the French Academy of Sciences drawn up by M. Gay-Lussac in 1823 (Ann. de Chim. et de Phys. 2nd series, t. 26, p. 258), and also in two other reports drawn up by M. Pouillet, one in 1854 (Comptes rendus, t. 39, p. 1142), and the other in 1867 (Comptes rendus, t. 64, p. 102). But still more recently the Committee appointed by the Prefet de la Seine to superintend the construction of lightning-conductors in the City of Paris, in their Report in February, 1876, reduced the radius of the protected area to 1.45 times the height of the rod. I am ignorant on what grounds the Commission adopted this precise number.
Processing and Properties of Blackglas™–Nextel™ 312 (BN) Composites Incorporating Fillers

Blackglas™–Nextel™ 312 (BN) composites with and without filler materials have been processed and characterized. SiC as inactive filler, and Ti and TiB2 as active fillers, were incorporated into the Blackglas resin, and the resulting slurries were painted on Nextel fabrics. The painted fabrics were laminated at 150°C and then pyrolyzed at 1000°C under nitrogen to fabricate ceramic–ceramic composites. The pyrolyzed composites were infiltrated with the resin up to five times to minimize the porosity and microcracks formed upon pyrolysis. Dimensional changes, open porosity, and densities of the composites were monitored throughout the process. The flexural strengths of the unfilled and filled composites after 2, 3, 4, and 5 infiltration cycles were measured by four-point bending. It was found that the addition of filler materials eliminated the delamination problem at a low number of infiltration cycles; however, the strengths of the filled composites did not reach the level of the unfilled composite. Much higher moduli were obtained for the filled composites because of the higher modulus of the filler materials relative to Blackglas.
Promotive Peer Contexts of Academic and Social Adjustment Among Rural African American Early Adolescent Boys

This study investigated the social network system of African American early adolescents (N = 237) in rural, low-wealth schools, specifically in terms of networks with norms strongly favoring effort and achievement. Networks with norms favoring effort and achievement were more likely to be central to the social system at the end of the school year. Subsequent analyses focused on boys (n = 103) and the effects of affiliation in networks with norms that strongly favored effort and achievement. Twenty-four percent of boys sustained membership in these networks and experienced greater school valuing and likeability, but reduced admiration among peers, net of scores at the beginning of the school year. The results of the study stand to inform both an understanding of positive peer group affiliations of minority boys and intervention work with this population by clarifying developmental mechanisms that contribute to positive school adaptation among rural African American boys.
The impact of industrialization on meal patterns in Vienna, Austria

In Vienna, the number of socially recognized mealtimes has declined from five at the turn of the century to three today. This paper analyzes the forces which have resulted in this decline. Meal patterns are viewed as non‐arbitrary reflections of time allocations in industrializing societies in which work time organization is the single dominant feature. Work organization is linked to mealtimes through the daily schedules of household members. The changes in meal patterns are accompanied by shifts in shopping patterns and food preparation time. The paper suggests that the component of diets in industrial societies derived from social eating patterns is a direct result of the ideologies surrounding the management of work time.
Surface plasmon resonance imaging measurements of DNA hybridization adsorption and streptavidin/DNA multilayer formation at chemically modified gold surfaces

A combination of scanning and imaging surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments is used to characterize DNA hybridization adsorption at gold surfaces and the subsequent immobilization of streptavidin. Single-stranded oligonucleotides are immobilized at gold surfaces, and the hybridization of biotinylated complements from solution is monitored with SPR. The subsequent attachment of streptavidin to the biotinylated complements provides a method of enhancing the SPR imaging signal produced as a result of the hybridization and leads to a 4-fold improvement in the hybridization detection limit of the SPR imaging apparatus. In situ scanning SPR experiments are used to measure a 60 ± 20% hybridization efficiency between immobilized single-stranded DNA and biotinylated complements. From the information provided by both the in situ imaging and scanning SPR experiments, an absolute surface coverage of immobilized single-stranded DNA is estimated to be ∼3 × 1012 molecules/cm2. The SPR signal resulting from hybridi...
Real-Time Holography With Microwaves And Millimeter Waves

A new approach to real-time, long-wavelength holography is described. The method utilizes one wavelength for formation and another for reconstruction. The reconstruction is done with a millimeter wave lens illuminated by an antenna array operating at the shorter wave-lengths. The amplitude distribution from the array is a replica of the sampled microwave hologram. PIN-diode modulators control the reconstruction array. Experimental verification is given.
Evaluating Hedge Fund Performance: Traditional Versus Conditional Approaches

The search for methodologies that accurately measure performance and performance persistence continues to evolve. This is especially true for investment strategies such as hedge funds, which have been shown, in several instances, to not be normally distributed. In this article, we evaluate performance of hedge funds using conditional approaches and GMM. Unlike the Sharpe ratio or Jensen9s alpha, our results would still be valid even if hedge funds were not normally distributed. We use the CISDM hedge fund database for this study. We create three portfolios to measure performance: an Active portfolio (which consists of funds in the active database), a Dead portfolio (which consists of funds in the defunct database), and an All portfolio (which consists of funds in both the active and defunct databases). We find that while the Active portfolios show evidence of positive risk-adjusted returns in most cases, the Dead portfolios do not and only some of the All portfolios show evidence of positive risk-adjusted returns. The results are similar irrespective of whether we use Jensen9s alpha or conditional approaches. Our results point to two conclusions: one, the explanatory variables used in this study may not be able to capture the type of trading strategies followed by hedge fund strategies and, two, the estimated alphas are good estimates of the true alphas which are mostly due to managers9 skills and hence cannot be explained by naive static or dynamic trading strategies. In our analysis of market timing models, we show that hedge fund managers in general lack market timing ability and fund level analysis is required to determine the few that do have market timing ability. The results also suggest that hedge fund returns have option-like properties and future research should include option-based factors in performance evaluation.
Preventing cardiovascular disease in older adults: the role of fiber

The role of dietary fiber in the prevention of cardiovascular disease has received increasing attention as supportive data have accumulated. Recent studies have found a consistently protective effect of diets that are high in fiber on cardiovascular disease outcomes, prompting many leading organizations to recommend increased fiber in the daily diet. However, the biologic mechanisms underlying how fiber influences the cardiovascular system have yet to be fully elucidated. Epidemiologic evidence demonstrating that high fiber diets (>20–30 g/day) are beneficial, coupled with new evidence of a possible metabolic effect on inflammatory markers, insulin resistance and lipids, suggest that there may be several important mediators in the association between dietary fiber and cardiovascular disease. Further research is needed regarding the optimal intake amount of fiber and which sources of fiber are most beneficial in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in older adults.
Perception of apparent motion by commissurotomy patients.

When two spatially separated light spots are flashed in rapid succession, the spot will appear to move between the two locations—an illusion called apparent motion1,2. We have presented this display to callosum-sectioned human patients and found that they could correctly report the temporal order of a simple apparent motion sequence presented across the vertical meridian. Hence, the forebrain commissures are not required for this function.
Building Materials that Self Repair

Materials containing various types of hollow porous fibers filled with a chemical that is released into the matrix at appropriate times are designed to address some issues of material performance, namely cracking and corrosion. The sensing of the cracking or corrosion of a settable material by a chemical or physical sensor starts the activation of a process. It is a distributed system in which sensing and repair occur when and where they are needed
The Three-Parameter Lognormal Distribution and Bayesian Analysis of a Point-Source Epidemic

Abstract Some unusual features of the likelihood function of the three-parameter lognormal distribution ln(t – γ)∼N(μ, σ2) are explored. In particular, it is shown that there exist paths along which the likelihood function of any sample t 1, …, tn tends to ∞ as (γ, μ, σ2) approaches (t (1), – ∞, + ∞), where t (1) is the smallest of the ti , and hence that in a meaningful sense this is the maximum-likelihood estimate. Estimation is then considered from a Bayesian point of view, and some natural posterior distributions are explored. A statistical model for a point-source epidemic is presented, and the theory developed is used in estimating the time of onset and other parameters.
Mineralization of dentin, bone and tendon in vitro.

Bovine dentin, bone, and tendon slices, and rat bone, readily mineralize to variable degrees after demineralization by (EDTA) at pH 7.4, but they fail to mineralize after demineralzation with acetic acid (HAc) at pH 3.0. The demineralized dentin, but neither bone nor tendon, contained organically bound phosphate. The EDTA-demineralized dentin contained less phosphate than HAc-demineralized dentin. HAc-demineralized rat dentin contained high levels of phosphate. Since the EDTA- and HAc-demineralized rat dentin contained widely different levels of phosphate, yet both mineralized, it was concluded that phosphoprotein had little effect on nucleation. The reason why HAc-demineralized tissues other than rat dentin failed to nucleate and mineralize was not clarified.
Educating Marketing Students in the Art of Business Etiquette

Business etiquette skills are necessary to complete the education of marketing students. This article describes why business etiquette is important and provides examples of what business etiquette skills should be taught. Finally, methods for presenting business etiquette in a senior marketing management course are described.
SEXUAL EXPERIENCE INCREASES OXYTOCIN RECEPTOR GENE EXPRESSION AND PROTEIN IN THE MEDIAL PREOPTIC AREA OF THE MALE RAT

Oxytocin (OT) promotes social and reproductive behaviors in mammals, and OT deficits may be linked to disordered social behaviors like autism and severe anxiety. Male rat sexual behavior is an excellent model for OT regulation of behavior, as its pattern and neural substrates are well characterized. We previously reported that OT microinjected into the medial preoptic area (MPOA), a major integrative site for male sexual behavior, facilitates copulation in sexually experienced male rats, whereas intra-MPOA injection of an OT antagonist (OTA) inhibits copulation. In the present studies, copulation on the day of sacrifice stimulated OTR mRNA expression in the MPOA, irrespective of previous sexual experience, with the highest levels observed in first-time copulators. In addition, sexually experienced males had higher levels of OTR protein in the MPOA than sexually naive males and first-time copulators. Finally, intra-MPOA injection of OT facilitated mating in sexually naive males. Others have reported a positive correlation between OT mRNA levels and male sexual behavior. Our studies show that OT in the MPOA facilitates mating in both sexually naive and experienced males, some of the behavioral effects of OT are mediated by the OTR, and sexual experience is associated with increased OTR expression in the MPOA. Taken together, these data suggest a reciprocal interaction between central OT and behavior, in which OT facilitates copulation and copulation stimulates the OT/OTR system in the brain.
Detachment and Killing of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Biofilms by Dispersin B and SDS

The periodontopathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans forms tenacious biofilms on abiotic surfaces in vitro. The objective of the present study was to measure the susceptibility of A. actinomycetemcomitans biofilms to detachment and killing by the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). We found that biofilms formed by a wild-type strain were resistant to detachment by SDS. In contrast, biofilms formed by an isogenic mutant strain that was deficient in the production of PGA (poly-N-acetyl-glucosamine), a biofilm matrix polysaccharide, were sensitive to detachment by SDS. Pre-treatment of wild-type biofilms with dispersin B, a PGA-degrading enzyme, rendered them sensitive to detachment by SDS and resulted in a > 99% increase in SDS-mediated cell killing. We concluded that PGA protects A. actinomycetemcomitans cells from detachment and killing by SDS. Dispersin B and SDS may be useful agents for treating chronic infections caused by A. actinomycetemcomitans and other PGA-producing bacteria.
Classification and recognition with direct segment models

Segment based direct models have recently been used to improve the output of existing state-of-the-art speech recognizers. To date, however, they have relied on an existing HMM system to provide segment boundaries. This paper takes initial steps at using these models on their own, first by developing a segment-based maximum entropy phone classifier, and then by utilizing the features in a segmental conditional random field for recognition. To produce a feature representation that is independent of segment length, we utilize a set of ngram features based on vector-quantized representations of the acoustic input. We find that the models are able to integrate information at different granularities and from different streams. Contextual information from around the segment boundaries is particularly important. We obtain competitive results for TIMIT phone classification, and present initial recognition results.
Characterization of the time-dependent reliability fallout as a function of yield for a 130nm SRAM device and application to optimize production burn-in

A model is presented to optimize burn-in time based on product yield. A relationship between yield and reliability is developed and demonstrated with tests on a 130nm SRAM test device. Voltage and thermal acceleration are added to this model to appropriately scale predictions to product use conditions. High-voltage test screening is found to have a similar effect as burn-in in reducing infant mortality and thus can also be incorporated into this model. A conditional reliability model is needed to model the effects of both burn-in and high-voltage screening; these effects cannot be modeled as if they simply reduce the defectivity of the population. This approach can be used to predict the amount of high-voltage test screening and burn-in needed in order to qualify a production device built with the same technology.
Overlapped decoding for a class of quasi-cyclic LDPC codes

In low-density parity-check (LDPC) code decoding with the iterative sum-product algorithm (SPA), due to the randomness of the parity-check matrix, H, the overlapping of the check node processing unit (CNU) and variable node processing unit (VNU) in the same clock cycle is difficult. The paper demonstrates that overlapped decoding can be exploited as long as the LDPC matrix is composed of identity matrices and their cyclic-shifted matrices, i.e., the parity-check matrix, H, belongs to a class of quasi-cyclic LDPC codes. It is shown that the number of clock cycles required for decoding can be reduced by 50% when overlapped decoding is applied to a (3,6)-regular LDPC code decoder.
Roost Tree Use by Sympatric Rafinesque's Big-Eared Bats (Corynorhinus Rafinesquii) and Southeastern Myotis (Myotis Austroriparius)

ABSTRACT Rafinesque's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) and southeastern myotis (Myotis austroriparius) are uncommon throughout their range and are listed (informally) by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as species of management concern. Much of the decline in numbers of these species can be linked to a loss of bottomland hardwood forests throughout their range, resulting in a loss of natural roost structures in many areas. We characterized day roosts of both species and determined differences in characteristics of roost trees in western Tennessee. Radio transmitters were attached to adult females of both species to aid in locating new roosts. Thirty-one roost trees were identified, with most (93.5%) being large hollow water tupelos (Nyssa aquatica). Only two roost trees were used by both species during the survey period and no simultaneous roosting was documented. Roost trees in our study typically had triangular-shaped basal openings and large diameters (129.2 ± 7.3 cm). A significant differen...
Quantification of pollutants emitted from very large wildland fires in Southern California, USA

This study investigates the efficacy of the first order fire effects model (FOFEM) implemented in a geographic information system for wildland fire emissions estimation. The objective of the study was to quantify the source and composition of smoke and emissions from wildland fires that burned 235,267 ha in Southern California, USA, in October 2003. From inputs of vegetation, fuel model data, weather condition data, and fire perimeters, the model produces estimates of ten pollutant species (10 and 2.5mm particulates, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, non-methane hydrocarbons, ammonia, nitrous oxide, oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide) from ten fuel categories (duff, litter, woody debris in three size classes, herbs, shrubs, tree regeneration, live branch-wood and live foliage). From the Southern California fires, the model estimated over 5 million metric tons (megagrams) of total pollutant emissions over several days. These emissions include over 457,000 tons of carbon monoxide, over 6 million tons (approximately 6 Tg) of carbon dioxide, and over 46,000 tons of particulates. Fuels that contributed the most mass to the fire emissions were predominantly shrubs and duff. r 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Timing of Oviposition by Female Barking Treefrogs (Hyla gratiosa)

The external stimuli that trigger ovulation and oviposition in anuran amphibians are poorly understood. We determined experimentally when during the mating process female Barking Treefrogs (Hyla gratiosa) become irrevocably committed to oviposition. We captured females at different points during the mating process, held them overnight without mates, and determined the following morning whether females had oviposited. Females arriving at the chorus and captured before entering amplexus did not oviposit, whereas 22% of females captured immediately after entering amplexus did. Ninety percent of females allowed to remain in amplexus for 1 h oviposited, and all females allowed to remain in amplexus for 1.5 h oviposited. Females that remained in amplexus for 1 h released significantly fewer eggs than did females that remained in amplexus for 1.5 h. These results indicate that amplexus, or a cue correlated with amplexus, triggers oviposition and that the number of eggs ovipositied increases with time spent in amplexus.
Soil respiration response to experimental disturbances over 3 years

Soil respiration is a major pathway for carbon cycling in terrestrial ecosystems yet little is known about its response to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. This study examined soil respiration response to prescribed burning and thinning treatments in an old-growth, mixedconifer forest on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Experimental treatments were applied in 2001 using a full factorial design consisting of two levels of burning and three levels of thinning, and included: unburned–unthinned (UN), unburned–overstory thinned (US), unburned–understory thinned (UC), burned–unthinned (BN), burned–understory thinned (BC), and burned–overstory thinned (BS). We measured soil respiration rate (SRR), soil moisture (MS), soil temperature (TS), and litter depth (LD) for three replicates of each of three dominant patch types (closed canopy, open canopy, and ceanothus shrub) within each of the six treatments (n = 54). The same sampling points were measured from May to August in 2000 (pre-treatment) and in 2002, 2003, and 2004 (post-treatment). Within our sampling period there was as much as 37% variation (p = 0.0005) between years in the undisturbed patches, which appeared to be driven by changes in precipitation. SRR also varied by year in all treated plots (US: p = 0.0516; UC: p = 0.0006; BN: p = 0.0158; and BC: p = 0.0040), with the exception of BS (p = 0.3344). SRR response to disturbance varied with patch type, year, and treatment type. In most cases, burning and the combination of burning and thinning had less of an effect on mean SRR than thinning alone. Ceanothus patches appear to have recovered fastest, while treatment effects remained 3 years after thinning in closed canopy (p = 0.0483 and 0.0333 in UC and US, respectively) and open canopy patches (p = 0.0191 in US). Open canopy patches showed no response to any treatment aside from US. Both UC and US increased SRR in closed canopy and ceanothus patches, and US decreased SRR in open canopy patches. BS increased SRR in 2004 in closed canopy patches (p = 0.0108), but no significant changes occurred in any patch type in response to BN or BC treatments. Across all treatments, the relationship of SRR with temperature, moisture, and litter depth changed in post-disturbance years. The results of this study can be used to help understand how management of Sierran mixed-conifer forests affects soil carbon sequestration. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Vehicle Model Year and Crash Outcomes: A CIREN Study

Objective: To quantify the effect of model year (MY) on the occurrence of severe injuries and death after involvement in motor vehicle crashes. Methods: Cases involving adult front seat occupants of vehicles MY ≥ 1994 equipped with frontal airbags were selected from the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN) database. Cases were grouped by MY: 1994–1997, 1998–2004, and 2005–2007 (MY groups [MYG] 1, 2, and 3, respectively. MYGs were compared in relation to mortality, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and the occurrence of Abbreviated Injury Severity score (AIS) 3+ and AIS4+ injuries to each body region using Mantel Haenszel chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and Bonferroni corrected t test. To adjust for confounders, multiple logistic regression models were built to explore the association of MYG with death. Covariates included age, BMI, delta v, principal direction of force (PDOF), restraint use, and vehicle type. Results: A total of 1888 cases was distributed within MYG1 (34%), MYG2 (62%), and MYG (34...
Well-Posedness of Singularly Pertubed Nash Games

Abstract This paper discusses linear-quadratic infinite-time nonzero-sum closed-loop Nash games for systems with fast and slow modes. It is shown via example that the usual order reduction processes utilizing control ideas of singular perturbation analysis leads to an ill-posed reduced order problem. A modification of the performance indices is presented which leads to a well-posed problem, when the usual order reduction method is used. Finally, a hierarchical reduction procedure is proposed which leads to well-posed fast and slow game problems even when the performance indices are not modified.
Connecting here and there: A model of long‐distance relationship maintenance

This study examines a model of long-distance relationship maintenance. The model captures the relational cognition and communication partners enact before, during, and after periods of separation to sustain relational quality. Phase 1 of this study, through inductive analysis, identified 178 forms of maintenance. Phases 2 and 3 employed factor analysis and produced support for a 10-factor model. Subsequent tests assessed how these factors predicted intimacy, satisfaction, and stress for long-distance dating partners. Although several of the factors were significant predictors, the effects were not uniform. The strength and directionality of effects depended on the interactional style of partners' maintenance (i.e., intrapersonal, dyadic, or network) and the time of its enactment (i.e., before, during, or after periods of separation).
The two-dimensional jet

Consider the two-dimensional steady flow of an incompressible inviscid fluid under no body forces between two infinite horizontal planes. When an aperture is made in the lower plane, the fluid will issue as a jet bounded by free streamlines along which the pressure is constant. At infinity the flow in the jet will be uniform and parallel.
The effects of landscape cover on surface soils in a low density residential neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland

Previous studies at the scale of a city have shown that surface soil nutrients, pH, and soil organic matter (SOM) can vary by land cover, land use, and management. This study was conducted in Baltimore County, Maryland, to quantify the differences in characteristics of soil in a residential neighborhood and adjacent forest patch sampling at a fine scale. The first objective was to compare soil characteristics in a residential neighborhood among ecotope types of forest, lawn, and planting beds that were underlain by the same parent material and thus only differed in plant cover. Another objective was to examine differences in soil properties of lawn soils that differed in age by 10 years. The final objective was to quantify the variation of these residential and forest soils. Composite soil samples from the surface to a depth of 5 cm were taken from planting beds and lawns from 50 residences and an adjacent forest patch. Results showed that the forest soil had 30 % more SOM and was more acidic than lawn soil. Conversely, Mg, P, K, and Ca were 47 to 67 % lower in forest compared to lawn soils even though both soils developed from similar parent materials. For the residential lawns, the older development had significantly higher concentration of soil P. There was also a difference between front and back lawns where front lawns had 26 and 10 % higher concentrations of Ca and Mg, respectively, and a higher pH than the back lawns. Finally, the variation of soil characteristics of all areas sampled, from lowest to highest was pH < SOM < K < Mg < Ca < P. Results of this study suggest that anthropogenic factors appear to overwhelm natural soil forming factors in suburban residential areas in the Baltimore metropolitan area and these differences appear to increase with time.
What We Talk About When We Talk About Matriarchy

Is post-recession America experiencing a shifting landscape between men and women? This question has been raised in recent research studies and books that compare labor market trends for men and women and, more specifically, gender differences apparent in the impact of the economic downturn. While in recent decades women have made significant advancements in a number of domains, including education and the labor market, the recession has ushered in a public debate about whether those trends have accelerated to the point that women are not just doing better but are surpassing and dominating men. The word matriarchy has been and remains a socially constructed term. Its use in public discourse reflects anxieties surrounding female independence and their transgression of conventional and gendered social roles. Looking back at previous "matriarchies," however, we see that the economic opportunity (or lack thereof) of men figures into patterns of family union and stability. Even today, as social mores have loosened and public acceptance of nontraditional family forms has increased, the tendency to see the gains of women as a net loss to men persists (and vice versa). Instead, more attention ought to be paid to how government rules and regulations unduly constrain the capacity of families to adapt flexibly to economic hardship, particularly families at the lower end of the income ladder. Lacking access to a fully adequate social welfare system, such families need at their disposal a full range of options when jobs are scarce, including the matriarchy option.
Renal Sonography in the Intensive Care Unit When Is It Necessary

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of renal sonography performed in intensive care units on patients with the diagnosis of acute or acute-on-chronic renal failure. Methods We reviewed all renal sonograms performed in our institution during 1 year on critically ill patients for evaluation of renal failure. Renal failure was defined as a serum creatinine level greater than 1.5 mg/dL or an increase of greater than 20% from the baseline creatinine level. Exclusion criteria included patient age younger than 18 years and signs or symptoms of obstructive uropathy. Using the electronic medical record, we recorded patient age, sex, blood urea nitrogen level, serum creatinine level, blood urea nitrogen-creatinine ratio, and clinical indication for intensive care unit admission. Sonographic reports were reviewed for the presence or absence of hydronephrosis. The total cost of these examinations was estimated with the use of Medicare reimbursement rates for 2000. Results One hundred five renal sonographic examinations were performed on 104 patients meeting all inclusion criteria. Only 1 study had positive results for hydronephrosis, which was graded as mild. Incidental findings not immediately affecting patient care and including ascites and simple renal cysts were identified in 91 patients. The estimated total cost of the examinations was $13,350.75. Conclusions In critically ill patients with acute renal failure and no physical findings suggesting obstructive uropathy, renal sonography to evaluate for hydronephrosis is probably not indicated. This holds true regardless of patient age, sex, medical or surgical disposition, and blood urea nitrogen-creatinine ratio.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, Verification, and Certification of Climate Change Mitigation Projects

Monitoring and evaluation of climate change mitigation projects is needed to accurately determine the net greenhouse gas (GHG), and other, benefits and costs, and to ensure that the global climate is protected and that country obligations are met. One of the objectives of this chapter is to examine the Activities Implemented Jointly (AIJ) Pilot experience in monitoring and evaluation, in order to assist the development of modalities for monitoring, evaluation, reporting, verification, and certification (MERVC) for Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) and joint implementation (JI) projects. Another objective of this chapter is to provide guidance on how one should go about monitoring, evaluating, reporting, verifying, and certifying climate change mitigation projects based on a review of the literature and our previous work on developing MERVC guidelines for energy-efficiency and land-use change and forestry (LUCF) projects.
The two sides of Magna Carta: How good government sometimes wins out over public choice

Abstract This article examines two rival interpretations of Magna Carta. It rejects the view that Magna Carta is largely a special interest deal between the King and the Barons, and defends the proposition that by and large it works as a public-regarding document that did much to cure the defects of the feudal and judicial systems that had evolved under King John. A clause-by-clause analysis of the document, dealing with such matters as tenurial succession, marriage, courts and judicial procedures, debtor and creditor arrangements, and property rights and liberties shows that Magna Carta exhibited a high degree of technical excellence. By constantly referring back to ancient customs, Magna Carta introduced sensible reforms, some of which were peculiar to the feudal system, but others of which carry over to similar problems today. The durability of the Magna Carta is justified by its political and legal achievements.
Value added by the axiomatic usability method for evaluating consumer electronics

In this paper we demonstrate how to use the axiomatic evaluation method to evaluate usability of consumer electronic products. The axiomatic evaluation method examines three domains of a product: customer, functional, and control domains. This method collects not only usability problems reported by the users, but also usability problems found through the mapping matrix between the three domains. To determine how well this new usability evaluation method works, an experiment was conducted to compare the axiomatic evaluation method with a think-aloud method. 60 participants were randomly assigned to use one method or the other to evaluate three popular consumer electronic devices. Number of usability problems discovered and completion time were collected and analyzed. Results showed that the axiomatic evaluation method performed better than the think-aloud method at finding usability problems for the mobile phone and about user expectation and control.
Response to "Malnutrition and dietary protein: Evidence from China and from international comparisons".

The opportunity to comment on the paper by Jamison and his colleagues [1] is most welcome. My perspective and biases on the issues they discuss are based largely on work in pediatrics and community health in Turkey Colombia and Thailand during a period of 17 years. In addition I was privileged to visit China in 1973 as a member of the Early Childhood Development Delegation one of the earliest US delegations to visit China when I was able to pay particular attention to growth in children under five years of age [2-4]. Nutrition growth and mortality in young children have been major concerns throughout my career. Dr. Jamison has studied health issues having to do with China for many years and this is an interesting contribution. There is no need here to repeat the study design but the three populations from which data were used for the study must be mentioned. They include: Data from a sample of urban adults aged 18 to 25 years from 13 provinces of China in 1979: information on average heights and weights for men and women and on average income and availability of energy and protein; Data from a sample of adult men and women from 64 rural counties: information on heights and weights plus data on income energy availability and protein share from 26 provinces around 1983; Data from 41 populations of men and 33 populations of women in 40 and 32 countries respectively: information on average heights as well as income energy protein share and ethnic group around 1960. (excerpt)
Comparison of three transport systems for recovery of aerobes and anaerobes from wounds.

A clinical evaluation of three commercially available transport systems (Anaerobic Specimen Collector, Becton-Dickenson; Anaswab, Scott Laboratories; and Trans- Cul, Wampole) was done, using as subjects 75 patients suspected of having infections. Holding times were purposely varied and ranged from 30 min to 48 hours. Totals of 22 aerobic species and 15 anaerobic species were isolated. There was essentially no difference among the three systems in the recoveries of aerobic or anaerobic organisms. Discrepancies appeared to be related to the order of collection and amount of clinical material available for culture. Time delay from collection to plating did not affect the recovery of aerobes or anaerobes. The three systems performed equally in the recovery of clinically significant pathogens from purulent clinical material.
Purity and yield of β-lactoglobulin isolated by an N-retinyl-celite bioaffinity column

A bioaffinity column of all-trans-retinal immobilized on Celite was capable of isolating high-purity (94.5%) β-lactoglobulin from bovine acid whey. Conditions for producing a potentially hypoallergenic reduced β-lactoglobulin whey were investigated. Reapplication of pH 5.1 eluate to the column resulted in a final purity of 87% α-lactalbumin. The purity of β-lactoglobulin was slightly lower upon elution with buffers containing <0.4 M sodium phosphate, whereas the yield from desorbing buffers <0.1 M decreased to approximately 40% of that obtained with 0.4 M sodium phosphate. Desorption with low phosphate concentration was improved when pH was increased, suggesting that desorption involves titration of a protophilic group on β-lactoglobulin. These findings suggest that the retinal matrix shows promise in its application for creating hypoallergenic products and the isolation of high-purity β-lactoglobulin with useful functional properties. Keywords: β-Lactoglobulin; α-lactalbumin; bioselective adsorption; N-r...
Concurrent myotomy and tunneling after establishment of a half tunnel instead of myotomy after establishment of a full tunnel: a more efficient method of peroral endoscopic myotomy.

Background and study aims: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a time-consuming and challenging procedure. Traditionally, the myotomy is done after the submucosal tunnel has been completed. Starting the myotomy earlier, after submucosal tunneling is half completed (concurrent myotomy and tunneling), may be more efficient. This study aims to assess if the method of concurrent myotomy and tunneling may decrease the procedural time and be efficacious. Patients and methods: This is a retrospective case series of patients who underwent modified POEM (concurrent myotomy and tunneling) or traditional POEM at a tertiary care medical center. Modified POEM or traditional POEM was performed at the discretion of the endoscopist in patients presenting with achalasia. The total procedural duration, myotomy duration, myotomy length, and time per unit length of myotomy were recorded for both modified and traditional POEM. Results: Modified POEM was performed in 6 patients whose mean age (± standard deviation [SD]) was 58 ± 13.3 years. Of these, 5 patients had type II achalasia and 1 patient had esophageal dysmotility. The mean Eckardt score (± SD) before the procedure was 8.8 ± 1.3. The modified technique was performed in 47 ± 8 minutes, with 6 ± 1 minutes required per centimeter of myotomy and 3 ± 1 minutes required per centimeter of submucosal space. The Eckardt score was 3 ± 1.1 at 1 month and 3 ± 2.5 at 3 months. The procedure time for modified POEM was significantly shorter than that for traditional POEM. Conclusions: Modified POEM with short submucosal tunneling may be more efficient than traditional POEM with long submucosal tunneling, and outcomes may be equivalent over short-term follow-up. Long-term data and randomized controlled studies are needed to compare the clinical efficacy of modified POEM with that of the traditional method.
Characteristics and CLOU Performance of a Novel SiO2-Supported Oxygen Carrier Prepared from CuO and β-SiC

An effective copper-based oxygen carrier for use in chemical looping with oxygen uncoupling (CLOU) has been developed, and its physical and reactive properties have been evaluated. The preparation method involves coating β-SiC support material with CuO and then baking the coated material at 980 °C which causes the β-SiC to convert to SiO2, thus enveloping the CuO. Variations of the preparation technique, including different forms of SiC, methods of CuO addition, and the order of CuO addition and baking, were tested. It was determined that preparation by rotary evaporation CuO deposition and final sintering produced superior carrier particles. Loadings as high as 60 wt % CuO were achieved. The carrier particles fluidized well, and for loadings to 40 wt % CuO, no agglomeration was observed at temperatures as high as 1000 °C. The particles retained reactivity over many oxidation and reduction cycles. The coat-then-bake preparation method using β-SiC is a viable candidate to be used as oxygen carrying materia...
Detachment, hope, and spiritual understanding: a comment on Bernie S. Siegel's prescriptions for living.

My long experience in medicine has shown me that doctors generally do not know how to talk to patients, especially in situations involving serious illness. The broad accusations that doctors are impersonal, callous, cold, distant, noncaring are the most obvious signs of the problem. Today the situation has been intensified by the threat of lawsuits for malpractice and negligence. There is always the invisible third party sitting in the office – the attorney, and once doctors are made to be self-conscious by this invisible presence, they become afraid of saying the “wrong” thing. The results are locutions even more than usually mechanical and insensitive to the patient’s needs. In the following comments, I want to offer an approach for remedying this problem – an approach that I view as a guide for healing – and I take as my point of departure Dr Bernie Siegel’s discussion of “detached concern” and “false hope” in the Summer 1999 Advances. In his comments (excerpted from his recent book Prescriptions for Living), Siegel defends himself and his message of “love, peace and healing” against critics who say that the proper stance of a doctor is one of “detached concern” – Siegel says it should be one of caring – and who assert that Siegel gives his patients “false hope” when he emphasizes the positive. Siegel says he always tells them the truth of their situation and still gives them hope. “You can give hope and teach survival behavior in the face of uncertainty,” he writes. “No one will ever criticize you and say, ‘You gave me hope, made