cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incidence of occult rectal prolapse in patients with clinical rectoceles and defecatory dysfunction.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of occult rectal prolapse (rectal intussusception) by defecating proctography in patients with clinical rectoceles and defecatory dysfunction. Study Design: Patients who were seen from September 2000 through August 2001 with defecatory dysfunction and clinical rectoceles underwent single contrast defecating proctography. Radiologists who specialized in gastrointestinal fluoroscopy interpreted the results, which were retrieved from a computerized database. Study Design: Sixty patients who met the inclusion criteria were evaluated. Twenty patients (33%) had intussusception; 58 patients (97%) had rectocele; 1 patient (1.7%) had sigmoidocele, and 6 patients (10%) had anismus (paradoxic contraction of the puborectalis). Results: All but 1 case of intussusception was associated with a rectocele radiographically. Anismus was associated with rectoceles radiographically, except in 1 patient for whom it was the sole finding. Conclusion: The data suggest a 33% incidence of occult rectal prolapse in patients with clinical rectoceles and defecatory dysfunction. This is highly clinically significant because one third of patients who are examined for defecatory dysfunction and rectocele may require sigmoid resection rectopexy along with other reconstructive procedures to restore pelvic floor function and prevent symptomatic recurrence. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:1494-1500.)
One-dimensional fluid simulations of a helium - xenon filled ac colour plasma flat panel display pixel

One-dimensional (1D) fluid simulations are used to model a helium-xenon filled ac plasma display pixel. The model includes four levels for helium atomic states, seven levels for xenon atomic states and a xenon dimer state. The model also includes VUV emission including photon trapping due to collisional broadening from the resonant atomic xenon at wavelengths of 129 nm and 147 nm and from non-resonant emission by the xenon dimer molecule peaked at 173 nm. Simulations are performed for a gap width (d) of 100 microns at a pressure (P) of 400 Torr using varying xenon concentrations. At low xenon concentrations, emission is primarily in the 147 nm wavelength but shifts toward the xenon dimer above about 20% xenon in the mixture. At 2% xenon, the calculated VUV emission is about 85% from the resonant atomic xenon state at 147 nm, about 13% from the dimer and about 2% from the resonant 129 nm line. Emission from the 129 nm line is insignificant due to collisional quenching of the xenon states. The discharge efficiency, defined as the VUV photons/watt dissipated, increases with xenon content with an optimum at about 30% xenon. For opposed electrode geometry, as the xenon concentration is increased from 2% to X% xenon, the simulations show that the applied voltages scale approximately as . At a fixed Pd, a higher pressure yields more VUV emission than using a larger gap width.
A Social Psychological Analysis of Sexual Harassment: The Person/Situation Interaction

Abstract A social psychological framework for the scientific study of sexual harassment is described. In this framework, the sexual harassment of women is conceptualized as a behavior that some men perform some of the time. Thus, the framework implies that both situational factors and person (or individual difference) factors contribute to sexual harassment. Evidence for this framework is reviewed. Studies of situational factors demonstrate that local norms importantly influence the incidence of sexual harassment. Studies of person factors demonstrate that men who possess a proclivity to sexually harass cognitively link social dominance and sexuality. Finally, research is reviewed demonstrating that sexual harassment behavior can be studied in laboratory conditions where person and situational factors are systematically combined. The implications of this framework for interventions are discussed.
sam∗: A semantic association model for corporate and scientific-statistical databases☆

Abstract This paper describes a semantic Association Model called sam ∗ which is designed for modeling not only scientific-statistical databases but also business-oriented databases. The model uses “concepts” and “associations” of these concepts to model the real-world information of a database management environment. Seven general association types are defined and distinguished on the basis of their structural properties, operational characteristics and semantic constraints. They are the basic constructs for an explicit and direct modeling of complex semantic relationships in databases. The model is characterized by 1. (1) its expressive power offered by the seven modeling constructs and the recursive use and nested structuring of these constructs, 2. (2) its recognition of complex data types such as text, ordered set, matrix, time series, vector, set and time as primitive data types which can be directly manipulated by the user using a DML, (3) its support of “principle of relativism” by allowing concepts to be multiply labeled to explicitly specify the conflicting views of these concepts and (4) the distinction it makes between attributes which characterize objects and attributes which statistically summarize a set of objects, together with its support of statistical operations. A network structure and a tabular structure called generalized relation or G -relation are proposed for representing the conceptual and implementation designs of databases respectively. A number of restructuring operations and algebraic operations are also defined for processing G-relations.
Synthesis and characterization of a multiblock copolymer of poly(N‐isovaleryl ethyleneimine) and poly(ethylene glycol)

Block copolymers of poly(N-isovaleryl ethyleneimine) (PiVEI) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were synthesized by coupling previously prepared blocks of PEG ditosylate with the dianion of the dihydroxy PiVEI. On the average four blocks coupled together to form the final block polymer. The PiVEI blocks crystallized with the same melting points as in the homopolymer. This restricted the mobility of the PEG blocks and they did not crystallize unless cooled well below room temperature. The mechanical properties of cast films were quite good with a tensile strength of 77 kg/cm2 and an elongation of 120%. The swelling of unoriented and oriented films with water was studied. The unoriented polymer absorbed about its own volume of water, even though PEG comprised only 40% of the total polymer.
Stable isotope chemistry, population histories and Late Prehistoric subsistence change in the Aleutian Islands

Aleut population history has been a topic of debate since the earliest archaeological investigations in the region. In this paper, we use stable isotope chemistry to evaluate the hypothesis that two distinct groups of people, Paleo- and Neo-Aleut, occupied the eastern Aleutians after 1000 BP. This study focuses on 80 sets of directly dated eastern Aleutian burial assemblages from Chaluka midden, Shiprock Island and Kagamil Island. We use a linear mixing model informed by isotopic analysis of two large Aleut faunal assemblages to address temporal and spatial variation in human carbon and nitrogen stable isotope data from these sites. The patterning we report addresses both Aleut demographic and economic prehistory, illustrating a transition in both at ca. 1000 BP. Our results suggests that the Chaluka diet, dominated by Paleo-Aleut inhumations, differed in both trophic level and foraging location from the other two sites for much of the past 4000 years. Trends in our data also suggest that individuals from Shiprock and Kagamil burial caves, primarily Neo-Aleuts, had enough access to higher trophic level foods to differentiate their bone chemistries from those buried in Chaluka midden. These trends in diet, recently reported genetic differences, as well as the introduction of novel mortuary practices at ca. 1000 BP, suggest that Neo-Aleuts do represent a population new to the eastern Aleutians.
Testicular germ-cell tumors in childhood and adolescence

Testicular germ-cell tumors are relatively rare in childhood and adolescence, accounting for only 3.9% of all neoplasms. However, they have become a model for curable cancer. Furthermore, most of them have accurate serum markers [beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein], which provide in clinical stage I disease after semicastration a “wait and see” program. MAHO 82, 88, and 92 were cooperative studies on the treatment of testicular germ-cell tumors in childhood and adolescence. Between 1982 and 1993, 137 patients were registered. In all, 76 patients suffered from yolk-sac tumors (YST); 30, from differentiated teratomas (TD); 29, from malignant teratomas of either intermediate (MTI), undifferentiated (MTU), or trophoblastic type (MTT); and 2, from seminomas. All patients received semicastration. Chemotherapy was given to 53 patients on the basis of disease stage and histology. Standard therapy consisted of four courses of vinblastine, bleomycin and cisplatin. However, if viable tumor was suspected after two courses, delayed laparotomy was performed (seven patients). If there was then complete tumor regression, standard therapy was continued (four patients). If there was an incomplete tumor response, the patients received as salvage therapy three courses of etoposide (VP-16), ifosfamide, and cisplatin (three patients). Among the patients with YST, 73 had stage I disease and 3, higher-stage disease; 1 of these died due to tumor progression. In all, 56 patients were followed according to the “wait and see” policy; 9 of these needed a delayed standard chemotherapy. The rate of no evidence of disease (NED) was 98%. Among the patients with TD, 30 had stage I disease. The NED rate was 100%. Among the patients with malignant teratomas (MTI, MTU, and MTT), 13 had stage I disease. The NED rate was 100%. Ten patients had stage II disease and received chemotherapy. The NED value was 100%. Six patients had stage III disease; three died. Altogether, 26 of 29 patients survived disease-free. In summary, the probability for the disease-free survival of all 137 patients suffering from testicular germ-cell tumors is 97% after a median observation period of 60 months.
The continuing emergency care clinic: improving patient compliance with follow-up care.

Traditionally, emergency patients have been noted for high rates of noncompliance with appointments in outpatient clinics for follow-up care. A study of cases referred for follow-up care at the outpatient clinic of The Medical College of Pennsylvania showed that less than 20% of the patients kept their appointments. To cope with this problem, a Continuing Emergency Care (CEC) clinic was established on the assumption that a change in structural environment could change non-compliance behavior patterns. The clinic is a small unit near the emergency department, separate from the larger hospital outpatient clinic area. Patient compliance data were collected on each case referred to the CEC clinic during a three-month period. Findings showed a threefold increase in appointment compliance over the previous study in which referrals were made to the hospital clinics.
Applied Africana Studies

The current intellectual and political climate dictates a need for an empirically driven trajectory for the discipline of African American studies. An African-centered worldview in concert with a t...
New strip drawing experiments using transparent sapphire dies

Experimental results are presented for carefully controlled plane-strain strip drawing experiments. Transparent aluminum oxide (sapphire) dies have been used to make direct observations of the die-work interface in strip drawing, including the distortion of scribed lines which were used for estimating velocity profiles at the interface. Such profiles can be used as input to theoretical models (Appleby et al., 1984), thus permitting the calculation of interface friction rather than requiring its assumption. Experiments were conducted with tungsten carbide, as well as sapphire, dies in which process parameters such as reduction, speed, die angle, lubricant, and back tension were varied, and die separating forces and drawing loads were measured. In general the frictiot~ was lower for the sapphire dies, but the variation with process parameters was similar. For one experiment, residual stresses in the product strip were measured. The results are believed to be documented in sufficient detail to be of general use in evaluating theoretical models. Theoretical methods have found increasing application in metal forming analyses (2). Computer programs have been developed to address problems involving large plastic strains; the goals are to predict working forces, local stress distributions in the deformation zone, and residual stress and strain distributions in the formed product. Experimental data for the quantitative evaluation of these programs have, however, been so far lacking. The strip drawing experiments recorded here provide the opportunity to evaluate many of the forming parameters, under carefully controlled plane-strain conditions. An important aim of the work has been to gather a reference collection of experimental data covering parameters such as die angle, reduction, speed, back tension, and interface friction variations. Two die materials and two lubricants have been used. Then, elsewhere (1), these experimental data have been compared with the results from FIPDEF, a finite element elasto-plastic code. Quantitative predictions with process models depend on a knowledge of the properties of the material being worked and on the exact specification of boundary conditions. This paper emphasizes the boundary conditions in particular. A novel aspect ofthe experiments has been the use of transparent aluminum oxide (sapphire) dies in order that interface displacements be observed directly and relative velocities determined. The opportunity to directly observe and photograph the interface has also provided additional information on tribological features between strip and die. The principal intent of the velocity measurements, however, was to provide boundary condition information at the tool interface which could be used directly in models in place of assumed coefficients of friction. Residual stress measurements have also been carried out in some detail for one experiment, and a large number of
Comparative morphology and evolution of the female reproductive tract in macroglossine bats (mammalia, chiroptera).

Comparative morphological analysis of the female reproductive tract in macroglossine bats was undertaken to test the hypothesis that nectarivory arose at least twice within Old World fruit bats. Given that features of the female reproductive tract are not directly involved in adaptations for feeding, this data set should provide a test of the monophyly of macroglossine bats. A cladistic analysis of variation in the structure of the ovaries, oviducts, uterus, and external genitalia supports the hypothesis that Megaloglossus has developed a nectar-feeding habit independent of other macroglossine genera. Most of the variation in female reproductive organs among pteropodids is found in the development of derived external and internal features of the uterus. Fusion of uterine cornua, expansion of the common uterine body, and elaboration of the cervical region are found in a group which includes species of Pteropus, Dobsonia, Nyctimene, and the macroglossines (excluding Megaloglossus). Results of this study are concordant with independent data sets, thus providing a phylogenetic framework to evaluate critically structural and functional design in the evolution of pteropodid feeding mechanisms.
Urethral closure pressures among primiparous women with and without levator ani muscle defects.

Introduction and hypothesis Vaginal birth is an established risk factor for levator ani (LA) defects and incontinence. We hypothesized an association between urethral pressure profiles and LA defects.
Semiconductor laser phase-noise cancellation using an electrical feed-forward scheme

We demonstrate the reduction of semiconductor laser phase noise by using an electrical feed-forward scheme. We have carried out proof-of-concept experiments on a commercially available distributed-feedback laser emitting at the 1550 nm communication band. The preliminary results show more than 20 times reduction in the phase-noise power spectrum. The feed-forward scheme does not have the limited bandwidth, stability, and speed issues that are common in feedback systems. Moreover, in the absence of electronic noise, feed-forward can completely cancel the close-in phase noise. In this scheme, the ultimate achievable phase noise will be limited by the electronics noise. Using the proposed feed-forward approach, the linewidth of semiconductor lasers can be reduced by 3-4 orders of magnitude in a monolithic approach using today's low-noise scaled transistors with terahertz gain-bandwidth product.
The vibrational spectrum and torsion of phenol

Abstract The complete vibrational assignment is presented for phenol-d5, and previous assignments for the normal and -d1 isotopes are slightly amended. The substituent couples the a1 and b2 displacements of the phenyl ring in such a way that the in-plane fundamentals all appear in the spectrum as essentially A-type bands. The torsional infrared frequencies, together with the subtorsional splittings derived from microwaves, lead to an estimate of the twofold barrier hindering internal rotation, V2 = 1215 cm−1. Inconsistencies between the various isotopes indicate that the uncertainty in V2 may be about 50 cm−1. The moment of inertia for internal rotation of the hydroxyl group shows that the oxygen and hydrogen nuclei lie on opposite sides of the torsional axis, the CO bond being inclined to the axis at about 5°. The off-axis displacement of the oxygen nucleus is calculated to be ∼0.12 A.
School Bonding, Peer Associations, and Self-Views The Influences of Gender and Grandparent Attachment on Adolescents in Mainland China

This study assesses the effects of attachment to paternal grandparents on Chinese adolescent adjustment in the domains of school bonding, peer associations, and self-views, and whether such effects may differ for adolescent boys and girls. Drawing on survey responses of 2,117 middle school students from Fuzhou City, China, regression analyses yield results quite consistent with the hypotheses. Chinese adolescents who indicate that they are close to their paternal grandparents tend to report higher levels of bonding to school, association with achievement-oriented peers, and more positive self-evaluation, and these effects are independent of adolescent closeness with their parents and other putative common correlates. Furthermore, attachment to paternal grandparents exerts stronger effects on adolescent boys than girls, especially in the domains of school bonding and peer associations. These results are discussed in light of attachment theory, grandparent support in Chinese setting, and policy implications.
Selective Modal Analysis With Applications to Electric Power Systems, Part II: The Dynamic Stability Problem

Selective Modal Analysis (or SMA) is a physically motivated framework for understanding, simplifying and analyzing complicated linear time-invariant (or LTI) models of dynamic systems [1,2,3]. SMA allows one to focus on any prespecified dynamic pattern of intrest in the model. In particular, One can efficiently and accurately compute the eigene values and eigenvectors of the natural modes of interest and their sensitivities, and also determine physically meaningful reduced order models containing these natural modes. SMA is particularly suitable for dealing with composite models, i.e. models consisting of several dynamic subsystems interrelated by static constraints. An introduction to the basic concepts of SMA pertinent to the applications being considered here is presented in the companion paper [3]. This paper concerns the application of SMA to the Dynamic Stability problem in electric power systems; it is shown how SMA is well suited to meet the demanding requirements of Dynamic Stability analysis. This is illustrated in [3] with examples, including a 60-machine model of a dynamic instability occurrence in an actual power system.
Laser harmonic frequency mixing of two different far infrared laser lines up to 118μ

HCN laser harmonic frequency mixing with two different far IR laser lines with microwave intermediate frequencies, discussing mixing SNR magnitudes
Resolution of Pneumocystis murina infection following withdrawal of corticosteroid induced immunosuppression.

Abstract The host response during resolution of Pneumocystis murina infection following withdrawal of Dexamethasone (Dex) induced immunosuppression was analyzed. Mice were inoculated with P. murina and treated with Dex for 4 weeks. Treatment was stopped and mice were sacrificed at d1, d7, and d14. Control mice were treated in the same manner, but were inoculated with nonviable P. murina. P. murina was actively cleared from the lungs following withdrawal of Dex treatment. No P. murina was detected in control mice. Significantly more neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages, and eosinophils were recovered from the lungs of mice that had been infected with P. murina than from control mice at d7, but only neutrophils remained significantly elevated at d14. Significantly more CD4+ and CD8+T cells were purified from the lungs of mice that had been infected with P. murina mice at d7 and d14. Cytokine levels were measured in lung lavage fluid by ELISA. TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1, and IL-6 levels were higher in mice that had been inoculated with P. murina at all three time points. TNF-α and IL-1 levels did not change significantly following withdrawal of Dex treatment. Low levels of IL 6 were detected at d1, but increased significantly by d7 and d14. IFN-γ levels peaked at d14. Chemokine message levels were measured in lung tissue by ribonuclease protection assay. MIP-1β and IP-10 message increased between d1 and d7 and then decreased by d14. RANTES message levels increased from d1 to d7 and remained elevated at d14. Withdrawal of Dex induced immunosuppression from P. murina infected mice resulted in activation of many arms of the host response that lead to resolution of the infection.
Beneficial effect of continuation of propranolol through coronary bypass surgery

The safety and beneficial effect of continuation of propranolol (Pr) through coronary bypass surgery (CBS) was studied in two groups of patients. In the control group (50 patients) Pr was discontinued 24 h before CBS without reinstitution afterwards. In the propranolol group the drug was maintained up to 4 to 10 h before surgery and was restarted within 24 h afterwards. The incidence of subendocardial myocardial infarction was significantly lower in the Pr group (1 out of 30 vs 10 out of 50, p less than 0.05) while the incidence of transmural infarction was the same in both groups (3 out of 30, 10%, vs 5 out of 50, 10%). The incidence of supraventricular tachycardias during the first three postoperative days was significantly lower in the propranolol group compared to control (5% vs 30%, p less than 0.01). The 24 h urinary epinephrine and norepinephrine excretion was significantly greater than normal the day before surgery (136 +/- 12 vs 39 +/- 4 micrograms/24 h, p less than 0.01), and was still high two weeks after surgery (115.1 +/- 14 micrograms/24 h). There were no complications related to propranolol. The left ventricular function as measured from the systolic time intervals was the same pre- and postoperatively in both groups. The results of this study show that administration of propranolol up to 4 h before coronary bypass and reinstitution immediately afterwards is safe and beneficial.
Efficient isolation of live microglia with preserved phenotypes from adult mouse brain

Background Microglial activation plays a key role in the neuroinflammation associated with virtually all CNS disorders, although their role in normal CNS physiology is becoming increasingly appreciated. Neuroinflammation is often assessed by analyzing pro-inflammatory mediators in CNS tissue homogenates, under the assumption that microglia are the main source of these molecules. However, other cell types in the CNS can also synthesize inflammatory molecules. Hence, to enable direct analysis of microglial activities ex vivo, an efficient, reliable, and reproducible method of microglial isolation is needed.
Surface plasmon resonance detection using antibody-linked magnetic nanoparticles for analyte capture, purification, concentration, and signal amplification.

Rapid, sensitive, and accurate detection of analytes present in low concentrations in complex matrixes is a critical challenge. One issue that affects many biosensor protocols is the number and nature of the interferences present in complex matrixes such as plasma, urine, stool, and environmental samples, resulting in loss of sensitivity and specificity. We have developed a method for rapid purification, concentration, and detection of target analytes from complex matrixes using antibody-coated superparamagnetic nanobeads (immunomagnetic beads, or IMBs). The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detection signal from staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) was dramatically increased when the IMBs were used as detection amplifiers. When SEB detection included a 10-fold concentration/purification IMB protocol, a substantial increase in detection sensitivity was observed. This procedure was used to successfully purify and concentrate SEB from serum and stool samples, then amplify the SPR detection signal. SEB at a conc...
The Activist Role of the Black Church: A Theoretical Analysis and an Empirical Investigation of One Contemporary Activist Black Church

Various writers who have directed their attention to the study of the historical origins of the African-Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC), which began in 1816 under the leadership of Richard Allen, generally place their analyses within the context of the economic, political, and social climate during the early 19th century (George, 1973; Lincoln, 1974; Mukenge, 1983; Wilmore, 1972). The conclusion reached by these writers can be summarized by referring to Mukenge's (1983, p. 33) argument that the AMEC emerged as a movement responding to deprivations caused by the structural blockages of legitimate expectations in the Black population. Mukenge explains that although the ideological climate provided the framework for the freeman's claims to equality, there was a blatant contradiction between these ideal values and the real status of Black Americans. These contradictions, according to some writers, still exist in contemporary society. Studies indicate that in spite of all the social and legal changes that have occurred as a result of the civil rights movement, African Americans still represent a seriously disadvantaged group. This position is succinctly articulated by Jaynes and Williams in their statement that "the status of Black Americans today can be characterized as a glass that is half full-if measured by progress since 1939-or a glass that is half empty-if measured
Bio-inspired microvascular exchangers employing circular packing – synthetic rete mirabile

Natural systems employ microvascular exchangers with circular packing for both heat and mass transfer that closely conform to the compact, packing of circles of two diameter. Mathematical descriptions of these systems exist, but have rarely been studied in three dimensions for their exchange properties. We focus on four close packed patterns: “Hexagonal” “Dodecagonal”, “Squarer”, and “Double Squarer”. While two of these patterns have natural analogs, the others are abiological. We compare computationally and experimentally the mass and heat transfer characteristics of these various patterns. Intriguingly the “Double Squarer” pattern, had the highest transfer rates within our fabrication constraints.
Bibliometric Indicators of the Scholarly Productivity of Researchers and Scientists in Kuwait as Documented by Citation to Their Published Works

The study uses the bibliometric method of research to examine the productivity of academic scientists and re searchers in Kuwait. The Institute for Scientific Information's Arts and Humanities Index, Social Science Index, and Science Citation Index are surveyed to gather the data by department and year from 1986 through 1995. Analysis of Kuwaiti cited papers show the majority of journals (35%) which cited Kuwaiti institutions are published in the U.S. Analysis of the papers published in 1994 revealed that Kuwaiti's participation in the international scientific literature is higher than those of their colleagues from Morocco or Egypt. The data is discussed in light of theories of bibliometrics and the Bradford Law of Scattering.
Solvent Structure and Hammerhead Ribozyme Catalysis

Although the hammerhead ribozyme is regarded as a prototype for understanding RNA catalysis, the mechanistic roles of associated metal ions and water molecules in the cleavage reaction remain controversial. We have investigated the catalytic potential of observed divalent metal ions and water molecules bound to a 2 A structure of the full-length hammerhead ribozyme by using X-ray crystallography in combination with molecular dynamics simulations. A single Mn(2+) is observed to bind directly to the A9 phosphate in the active site, accompanying a hydrogen-bond network involving a well-ordered water molecule spanning N1 of G12 (the general base) and 2'-O of G8 (previously implicated in general acid catalysis) that we propose, based on molecular dynamics calculations, facilitates proton transfer in the cleavage reaction. Phosphate-bridging metal interactions and other mechanistic hypotheses are also tested with this approach.
Tensile properties of the medial collateral ligament as a function of age

The biomechanical properties of the rabbit medial collateral ligament (MCL) as a function of maturation and age were investigated. Femur-MCL-tibia (F-M-T) preparations were obtained from rabbits of different age groups (open or closed epiphysis). Parallel increases in the animal body weight and ligament cross-sectional area were recorded with age. Cyclic and tensile failure tests were performed to obtain the structural properties of the F-M-T complex and the mechanical properties of the MCL substance. There were significant increases in the load at failure, energy-absorbing capability of the bone-ligament junction, and in the tensile strength of the ligament substance as a result of maturation and subsequent aging. Increases in the area of hysteresis obtained during cyclic loading-unloading were also documented. At the closing of the epiphysis, the mode of failure of the F-M-T structure progressed from tibial avulsion to failure in the midsubstance of the ligament. An asynchronous rate of maturation was observed between the structural properties of the bone-ligament complex and the mechanical properties of the ligament substance.
Speedup using Flowpaths for a Finite Difference Solution of a 3D Parabolic PDE

Partial differential equations (PDEs) are used to model physical phenomena and then appropriate convergent numerical algorithms are employed to solve them and create computer simulations. In many important applications, such as weather prediction and contaminant transport processes, simulation outputs are required in real time or even faster, yet the spatial component of the problem is very large, thereby increasing the computational time. In addition, often times numerical scientists work in groups to create a large-scale code, but they work individually on PCs to test components of the code, so that speedup of the computational algorithms on PCs is desirable. There is a benefit to creating and using custom hardware to perform the numerical calculations faster than commodity hardware. This work uses a high-level programming language (Java) to behaviorally describe, and then implement, a finite difference solution of a parabolic PDE as a custom hardware circuit targeted to an FPGA. The results show that the circuits can perform the calculations 1 to 2 orders of magnitude faster than commodity hardware.
A Critical Discourse Analysis of Modals in Nigerian Political Manifestos

This paper critically analyses the ideological uses of modals by Nigerian politicians especially in their electioneering campaign manifestoes designed to elicit favourable political support from the electorate. Methodologically, the data were collected from political manifestoes of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP) and Barr. Rotimi Akeredolu of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) used during their campaigns for the 2012 gubernatorial election in Ondo State. Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), the study pinpoints the ideological underpinnings of the modals used by the politicians. The study reveals that modals such as 'will', 'shall', 'must', 'can', etc. are used by the politicians in both manifestoes for persuasion, obligation, to make promises, demonstrate political will/commitment, and solicit public support and manipulation. Significantly, this paper provides critical insight to the peculiar uses of modals in political contexts and avers that modals are not just linguistic elements, but most importantly, ideological tools. /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;}
JunD mediates androgen-induced oxidative stress in androgen dependent LNCaP human prostate cancer cells.

BACKGROUND. Numerous and compelling evidence shows that high level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a key role in prostate cancer occurrence, recurrence and progression. The molecular mechanism of ROS overproduction in the prostate gland, however, remains mostly unknown. Unique AP-1 transcription factor JunD has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation, promote differentiation and mediate stress responses in a variety of eukaryotic cells. We previously reported that androgen–androgen receptor induced ROS production in androgen-dependent LNCaP human prostate cancer cells is associated with increased JunD level/AP-1 transcriptional activity. METHODS. LNCaP cells constitutively overexpressing a functionally inactive form of JunD (JunDDTA) or stably transfected with JunD siRNA (siJunD) to suppress JunD protein expression were established. Overexpression of JunD in LNCaP cells using transient transfection method was applied to assess the induction of ROS production in LNCaP cells. DCF assay was used to measure the ROS concentrations in the transfected as well as nontransfected control cells. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were used to confirm silencing or overexpression of JunD in the transfected cells. RESULTS. In the absence of androgen, LNCaP cells transiently transfected with a JunD overexpressing vector have relatively enhanced cellular ROS levels as compared to LNCaP cells transfected with a vector control. LNCaP cells that fail to express functional JunD (JunDDTA or siJunD) do not exhibit any increase in ROS production in response to androgen. CONCLUSION. Based on these data, we conclude that JunD is an essential mediator of the androgen-induced increase in ROS levels in LNCaP cells. Prostate 68: 924–934, 2008. # 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Regional Science Publication Patterns in the 1990s

This article examines the publication patterns in five core regional science journals during the 1990s. Attention is paid to the thematic distribution of articles for each journal and across journals. The journals are also compared with respect to citation counts, areas of concentration, and authorship patterns. The impact of each article is examined through an analysis of citations over the decade. Productivity of individual scholars is measured using article counts, page counts, and citation indices.
Neutron pairing states in doubly even nuclei

Abstract Neutron J = 0 states in even-N nuclei are calculated with a pairing force, using the boson expansion method. All regions of isotopes which are close to a fairly good shell-closure are covered, and a comparison is made between calculated and experimental two-nucleon transfer cross sections. In general we find a remarkably good agreement, even for the ground state mass systematics, suggesting that for the isotopes under consideration the simple pairing intersection is the dominant producer of ground state correlations. A lack of agreement with experiments in certain regions is proposed to be connected with couplings to definite other degrees of freedom under the influence of predominantly particle-hole interactions.
The Cracking of Ti-6Al-4V Alloys Under Sustained Load in Ambient Air

This study reveals that degradation in load-carrying capacity owing to sustained-load cracking (SLC) can occur in alloys of the Ti-6Al-4V family. Each of eight alloys tested with fatigue-precracked specimens in ambient room air exhibited the phenomenon, with degradations ranging from 11 to 35 percent. The degree of susceptibility to SLC was seen to be dependent upon crack orientation in rolled plate materials. The threshold stress-intensity factor below which SLC failures will not occur in these alloys, KIt , appears to represent a more conservative fracture-safe design parameter than the plane-strain fracture toughness KIc , which cannot account for time-delayed failures owing to SLC.
Effect of iron(III), humic acids and anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate on biodegradation of cyclic nitramines by Clostridium sp. EDB2.

Aims: To determine the biodegradation of cyclic nitramines by an anaerobic marine bacterium, Clostridium sp. EDB2, in the presence of Fe(III), humic acids (HA) and anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS). Methods and Results: An obligate anaerobic bacterium, Clostridium sp. EDB2, degraded RDX and HMX, and produced similar product distribution including nitrite, methylenedinitramine, nitrous oxide, ammonium, formaldehyde, formic acid and carbon dioxide. Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) mass balance for RDX products were 87% and 82%, respectively, and for HMX were 88% and 74%, respectively. Bacterial growth and biodegradation of RDX and HMX were stimulated in the presence of Fe(III), HA and AQDS suggesting that strain EDB2 utilized Fe(III), HA and AQDS as redox mediators to transfer electrons to cyclic nitramines. Conclusions: Strain EDB2 demonstrated a multidimensional approach to degrade RDX and HMX: first, direct degradation of the chemicals; second, indirect degradation by reducing Fe(III) to produce reactive-Fe(II); third, indirect degradation by reducing HA and AQDS which act as electron shuttles to transfer electrons to the cyclic nitramines. Significance and Impact of the Study: The present study could be helpful in determining the fate of cyclic nitramine energetic chemicals in the environments rich in Fe(III) and HA.
Soil fertility management and insect pests: harmonizing soil and plant health in agroecosystems

Cultural methods such as crop fertilization can affect susceptibility of plants to insect pests by altering plant tissue nutrient levels. Research shows that the ability of a crop plant to resist or tolerate insect pests and diseases is tied to optimal physical, chemical and mainly biological properties of soils. Soils with high organic matter and active soil biology generally exhibit good soil fertility. Crops grown in such soils generally exhibit lower abundance of several insect herbivores, reductions that may be attributed to a lower nitrogen content in organically farmed crops. On the other hand, farming practices, such as excessive use of inorganic fertilizers, can cause nutrient imbalances and lower pest resistance. More studies comparing pest populations on plants treated with synthetic versus organic fertilizers are needed. Understanding the underlying effects of why organic fertilization appears to improve plant health may lead us to new and better integrated pest management and integrated soil fertility management designs. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Transient performance and asymptotic tracking with filtering robust adaptive control

This paper presents an adaptive control design method for a class of multi-input multi-output uncertain nonlinear systems. It is shown that the proposed controller has guaranteed transient and steady state performance in the presence of parametric and non-parametric uncertainties and bounded disturbances. The approach guarantees arbitrary close tracking of the states and state derivatives of a given reference model both in transient and steady state, when no a prior knowledge is assumed on the bounds of nonlinearities and disturbances. Moreover, the resulting adaptive control signal arbitrary closely tracks the ideal (no uncertainties) control signal both in transient and steady state. Theoretical developments are illustrated via simulation results.
A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF TACROLIMUS AND PREDNISONE VERSUS TACROLIMUS, PREDNISONE AND MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL IN PRIMARY ADULT LIVER TRANSPLANTATION: A SINGLE CENTER REPORT

Background.Tacrolimus (TAC) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) are currently approved immunosuppressants for prevention of rejection in liver transplantation (LTx). They have different modes of action and toxicity profiles, but the efficacy and safety of MMF in primary liver transplantation with TAC ha
Constraint-following Servo Control Design for Mechanical Systems:

A mechanical system is required to obey a set of constraints. The tools to accomplish this performance requirement are a set of servo controls1 that is, the servo controls are to generate the appropriate constraint force. In this article, the servo control design problem for constraint-following is thoroughly discussed. The problem is formulated as an algebraic setting in which a second order constraint is adopted. The control is a solution to the problem, whose projection to a subspace is used to ensure conformation to the constraint. The complete solution to this problem is provided in analytical form. It is shown that the environmentally constrained system simply adopts the minimum form of the complete solution. The setting presented here helps to broaden the scope of traditional Lagrangian mechanics.
Direct measurements of the atmospheric conduction current

A new method of measuring the atmospheric conduction current above the ground has been employed to obtain data for 12 weeks during the first half of 1974. The instrument consists of a split aluminum sphere suspended by insulated wires to a wooden frame. The measuring electronics and the transmitter are enclosed within the spherical structure. The interaction of the instrument with its atmospheric electrical environment is analyzed, and it is shown that in steady state conditions, predictable differences in the instrumentally measured currents and the atmospheric conduction current will be less than 5% and in the nonsteady state situations the difference is less than 20%. Diurnal variations, a probable winter-summer variation, sunrise, and fog effects were observed for the data obtained during fair-weather conditions. Disturbed weather data are interpreted for the effects of low clouds on the atmospheric current. The charge concentrations within overcast clouds sufficient to produce the observed reversed atmospheric currents are estimated to be small (around ±5 ×10 −12 C/m3) in relation to values in thunderclouds (around ± 10−10 C/m3).
Thermal Dependence of the Apparent Kmof Glutathione Reductase from Three Wetland Grasses and Maize

The thermal dependence of enzyme kinetic parameters has been presented as an indicator of species’ thermal optima and tolerance limits. Previous studies suggest the relationship between temperature and the apparent Michaelis–Menten constant (Km) of an enzyme system can be used to predict whole plant success at specific temperatures. The apparent Kmfor glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2; GR) (oxidized glutathione as substrate) extracted from leaves of American sloughgrass (Beckmannia syzigachne Steud.), tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia caespitosa L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae Schreb. ‘Titan’), and maize (Zea mays L.), was determined over a range of temperatures (1–40 °C). For all species, minimum apparent Kmfor GR was observed at 1 °C, and Kmvalues increased as temperature increased. The apparent Kmvalues differed among all species at the lower temperatures (1–15 °C), but were similar at higher temperatures. The enzyme from tufted hairgrass had the lowest apparent Kmat low temperatures (<15 °C), followed in increasing order by American sloughgrass, tall fescue and maize. Our experimental system failed to reproduce thermal kinetic window profiles similar to those reported elsewhere. With respect to the enzyme systems reported here, results suggest that these cool-season grasses can be ranked as more to less eurythermic within the temperature range from 1 to 15 °C.
The Origin of the Pacific Equatorial 13°C Water

Abstract Examination of the vertical distributions of temperature, salinity, oxygen, and nutrient salts in the thermostad of the Equatorial 13°C Water in the eastern Pacific Ocean indicates that local vertical mixing is unimportant in creating the thermostad and the characteristics of the 13°C Water. Maps are presented that show the oceanwide distributions of depth, geostrophic flow, salinity, oxygen, phosphate, silica and nitrate on the 160 cL t−1 isanosteric surface, which nearly coincides with the core of the 13°C Water. The maps suggest that the original characteristics of the 13°C Water are acquired in the surface and thermocline layers to the northeast of New Zealand and in the Tasman Sea by winter convection and vertical mixing. The acquired characteristics are advected to the thermostad in the eastern Pacific via a long route. Starting from the source region, the flow is first eastward in high latitudes and then returns westward in low latitudes around the anticyclonic subtropical gyre of the Sout...
Detection of Copy Number Imbalance in Canine Urothelial Carcinoma With Droplet Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is the most common neoplasm of the canine urinary tract. Clinical presentation of UC is shared with several other, more common urinary tract disorders, and this often delays diagnosis of the UC. Definitive diagnosis of UC requires histopathologic examination of a biopsy specimen, but the cost and invasiveness for these diagnostic tests often result in most diagnoses being made on the basis of clinical findings, diagnostic imaging, and cytologic examination of urine sediment. Regardless of the diagnostic process used, most UCs currently are not diagnosed until they are at an advanced clinical stage and so are associated with poor prognosis. Improved methods for earlier and less invasive detection are needed. In a previous study, the authors demonstrated the presence of highly recurrent DNA copy number aberrations (CNAs) in canine UC and hypothesized that detection of these CNAs in tumor cells can be used as a molecular diagnostic for UC. In this study, a multiplexed droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) assay was detected to detect and quantify CNAs of specific regions of canine chromosomes 8, 13, 19, and 36. The assay was effective at differentiating 31 neoplastic and 25 nonneoplastic bladder tissues based on copy number, with 100% sensitivity and specificity in tissue samples. CNAs were also detected by ddPCR in 67% (12 of 18) of urine DNA specimens derived from UC patients. The findings show that ddPCR is a useful molecular technique to detect CNAs and may be used as a noninvasive molecular diagnostic test for canine UC.