cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
FORENSIC BIOMECHANICS -- TRANSDISCIPLINARY APPROACH IN THE COURT OF LAW

The judicial systems of the United States and Canada very frequently utilize expert witnesses in engineering as well as most disciplines of science. Only in the last three decades biomechanists have been recognized and admitted to the courts as expert witnesses to provide opinions in the forensic biomechanics field. Thanks to the efforts of a few individuals, the science of biomechanics is now well accepted by the officers of the court systems of North America. Biomechanists possess the combined knowledge of engineering mechanics, biology, human anatomy, and physiology that makes it possible for them to reconstruct and analyze accidents of all kinds. In spite of the fact that the most obvious utilization of forensic biomechanics is in the area of analyses of injury mechanisms associated with motor vehicle accidents, there are other areas such as occupational, sports and recreational, slip/trip and fall accidents, and various product liability cases where forensic biomechanics expertise is required. In this paper, one litigation case is presented with some technical details and several other cases from different areas are briefly outlined. Because of obvious reasons, cases are presented in a generic format without referring to a particular company or organization.
Degradation of superconductivity in A15 V3Si by explosive compression.

We have found that explosive compression similar to that used to create A15 ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Si seriously degrades superconductivity in A15 ${\mathrm{V}}_{3}$Si which, before compression, was typical of well-ordered material. Specifically, the midpoint of the bulk superconducting transition is depressed by 1.8 K, the bulk transition width is increased by a factor of 3, and the specific heat \ensuremath{\gamma} is decreased by more than 20% compared to the starting material. Implications of these results for the ultimate achievable transition temperature in A15 ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Si are discussed.
The effect of recovery time and test conditions on viscoelastic measures of tensile damage in cortical bone

Stiffness degradation and strength degradation are often measured to monitor and characterize the effects of damage accumulation in bone. Based on evidence that these properties could be affected by not only damage magnitude but also test conditions, the present study investigated the effect of hold condition and recovery time on measures of tensile damage. Machined human femoral cortical bone specimens were subjected to tensile tests consisting of a pre-damage diagnostic loading cycle, a damage loading cycle and post-damage cycle. Controlled variables were recovery time (1, 10, and 100 min) and hold condition (zero load or zero strain) after the damage cycle. Damage measures were calculated as the ratio of each post-damage cycle to the pre-damage value for loading modulus, secant modulus, unloading modulus, stress relaxation and strain (stress) recovery at 1 min post-diagnostic time. The damage cycle caused reductions in all measures, and some measures varied with recovery time and hold condition. Apparent modulus degradation for both hold conditions decreased with recovery time. Stress relaxation was unaffected by recovery time for both hold conditions. Zero-strain hold conditions resulted in lower values for degradation of modulus and change of relaxation. Stress or strain recovery after the damage cycle was evident through 100 min, but 90% of the recovery occurred within 10 min. The results demonstrate that choice of test conditions can influence the apparent magnitude of damage effects. They also indicate that 10 min recovery time was sufficient to stabilize most measures of the damage state.
Coordination in nurses' listening activities and communication about patient–nurse relationships†

The purpose of this analysis was to examine whether nurses' listening behavior, especially the coordination of their nonverbal involvement activities with those of their patients, communicates information about patient-nurse relationships. Participants were 126 college women who responded to a 30-item instrument measuring relational information that was communicated to them by nurses' behavior in videotaped segments of interactions between a patient/actress and 12 nurses. Participants' responses to two consecutive interaction segments were selected for this analysis. The research team coded the patient's and nurses' listening activities, and they calculated coordination and activity rates for all interaction segments. Multiple regression analysis revealed that nurses' verbal listening activities, such as reflection, their nonverbal involvement activities, and their simultaneous coordination of nonverbal involvement activities with those of the patient predicted relational information dimensions of trust/receptivity, depth/similarity/affection, composure, and non-formality. Thus, nurses' listening behavior, including coordination, may contribute to communication about patient-nurse relationships.
Hypogammaglobulinemia and fatal sepsis in an infant maintained on peritoneal dialysis

Chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) is a common form of renal replacement therapy in children. Recent studies suggest that immunological abnormalities, in particular hypogammaglobulinemia, may develop in children and infants on peritoneal dialysis. We report an infant maintained on CPD who died of gram-negative sepsis. At post-mortem examination, he was noted to have severe panhypogamma-globulinemia.
Dissolved hydrogen and nitrogen fixation in the oligotrophic North Pacific Subtropical Gyre

The production of hydrogen (H2) is an inherent component of biological dinitrogen (N2) fixation, and there have been several studies quantifying H2 production relative to N2 fixation in cultures of diazotrophs. However, conducting the relevant measurements for a field population is more complex as shown by this study of N2 fixation, H2 consumption and dissolved H2 concentrations in the oligotrophic North Pacific Ocean. Measurements of H2 oxidation revealed microbial consumption of H2 was equivalent to 1–7% of ethylene produced during the acetylene reduction assay and 11–63% of 15N2 assimilation on a molar scale. Varying abundances of Crocosphaera and Trichodesmium as revealed by nifH gene abundances broadly corresponded with diel changes observed in both N2 fixation and H2 oxidation. However, no corresponding changes were observed in the dissolved H2 concentrations which remained consistently supersaturated (147–560%) relative to atmospheric equilibrium. The results from this field study allow the efficiency of H2 cycling by natural populations of diazotrophs to be compared to cultured representatives. The findings indicate that dissolved H2 concentrations may depend not only on the community composition of diazotrophs but also upon relevant environmental parameters such as light intensity or the presence of other H2-metabolizing microorganisms.
Comparison of low-flow cardiopulmonary bypass and circulatory arrest on brain oxygen and metabolism.

Abstract Background In the neonatal brain we measured oxygen (Bo 2 ), extracellular striatal dopamine (DA), and striatal tissue levels of ortho -tyrosine ( o -tyr) during low-flow cardiopulmonary bypass (LFCPB) or deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) and the post-bypass recovery period. Methods Newborn piglets were assigned to sham (n = 6), LFCPB (n = 8), or DHCA (n = 6) groups. Animals were cooled to 18°C and underwent DHCA or LFCPB (20 mL · kg −1 · min −1 ) for 90 minutes. The Bo 2 was measured by quenching the phosphorescence, DA by microdialysis, and hydroxyl radicals by o -tyr levels. The results are presented as the mean ± SD ( p Results Baseline Bo 2 was between 45 to 60 mm Hg. At the end of LFCPB, Bo 2 was 10.5 ± 1.2 mm Hg. By 5 and 30 minutes of arrest during DHCA, Bo 2 fell to 4.2 ± 2.5 mm Hg and 1.4 ± 0.7 mm Hg, respectively. Compared with control, extracellular DA did not change during LFCPB. During DHCA extracellular levels of DA increased, by 750-fold from baseline at 45 minutes and to a maximum of 53,000-fold at 75 minutes. After 2 hours of recovery from DHCA, the o -tyr within the striatum increased about sixfold as compared with control. There was no change in o -tyr measured after LFCPB. Conclusions In DHCA, but not LFCPB, levels of DA and o -tyr increased considerably in the striatum of piglets, a finding that may indicate the exhaustion of cellular energy levels and contribute substantially to cellular injury.
Molecular diagnosis of Prader‐Willi syndrome: Comparison of cytogenetic and molecular genetic data including parent of origin dependent methylation DNA patterns

This letter to the editor discusses a recent study concerning the parent-of-origin methylation site at D15S63 and its application in molecular diagnostics confirming Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). It concludes that more research is needed to clear up questions which remain regarding the causation of PWS. 20 refs., 1 tab.
Cognitive performance and age-related changes in the hippocampal proteome

Abstract Declining cognitive performance is associated with increasing age, even in the absence of overt pathological processes. We and others have reported that declining cognitive performance is associated with age-related changes in brain glucose utilization, long-term potentiation and paired-pulse facilitation, protein expression, neurotransmitter levels, and trophic factors. However, it is unclear whether these changes are causes or symptoms of the underlying alterations in dendritic and synaptic morphology that occur with age. In this study, we examined the hippocampal proteome for age- and cognition-associated changes in behaviorally stratified young and old rats, using two-dimensional in-gel electrophoresis and MS/MS. Comparison of old cognitively intact with old cognitively impaired animals revealed additional changes that would not have been detected otherwise. Interestingly, not all age-related changes in protein expression were associated with cognitive decline, and distinct differences in protein expression were found when comparing old cognitively intact with old cognitively impaired rats. A large number of protein changes with age were related to the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathway. In total, the proteomic changes suggest that age-related alterations act synergistically with other perturbations to result in cognitive decline. This study also demonstrates the importance of examining behaviorally-defined animals in proteomic studies, as comparison of young to old animals regardless of behavioral performance would have failed to detect many cognitive impairment–specific protein expression changes evident when behavioral stratification data were used.
Lengthening Clinical Crowns

Adequate resistance and retention form is an essential ingredient of the successful restoration. Surgical and orthodontic methods to increase clinical crown length and facilitate restorative procedures are discussed.
A Coupled Atmosphere-Ocean Model in the Tropics with Different Thermocline Profiles

Abstract A coupled atmosphere-ocean model is used to investigate some important effects of a steep sloping thermocline in the, central Pacific. It is found that the coupled modes are very sensitive to the steepness of the thermocline in the central Pacific Ocean. The wave reflection and modal decomposition processes play an important role in the initial development of the unstable mode and dramatically affect the fates of the oscillation. A sensitivity test is conducted to test the role of western boundary reflection in this particular model. The insensitivity of the western boundary reflection seems to agree with the results of previous research that showed that coupled unstable modes do not necessarily depend on Rossby wave reflections.
EFFECTS OF LOW DOSE PROPHYLACTIC INDOMETHACIN (plndo) ON HEMODYNAMICS IN VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT (VLBW) INFANTS. † 1512

EFFECTS OF LOW DOSE PROPHYLACTIC INDOMETHACIN (plndo) ON HEMODYNAMICS IN VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT (VLBW) INFANTS. † 1512
Effects of stress (hypoglycaemia, endotoxin, and ether) on the peripheral circulating concentration of corticosterone in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus)

Abstract 1. 1. Plasma concentrations of corticosterone, as measured by competitive binding assay, have been determined in domestic fowl subjected to various stresses. 2. 2. The plasma corticosterone concentrations were elevated by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), ether stress, E. coli endotoxemia, and the administration of sodium dichloracetate (DCA) in both 6-week-old and adult male chickens. 3. 3. Fasting increased circulating corticosterone levels in chickens irrespective of the age of the birds (from 4 days old to adults). 4. 4. Insulin induced hypoglycemia was effective in stimulating corticosterone levels. This effect was only observed in 1-day-old to 6-week-old chicks, and not in adult cockerels.
Novelty causes elevated heart rate and immune changes in pigs exposed to handling, alleys, and ramps

Abstract The objective of the present research was to quantify the cardiovascular and physiological responses in pigs subjected to novel alleys and ramps. Ten test subject pigs were selected per treatment. The first (trained) group were trained to navigate a course including a ramp. Testing was daily for seven days. Once training was completed, the trained and control (naive) groups were exposed to a fixed course, the course and ramp (both up and down) while heart rates, time, handling difficulty, and blood were collected to determine the innate responses. Heart rates of trained pigs were reduced significantly ( P = 0.003) compared to naive pigs travelling the same course. Both handling ease and handling time were significantly improved for the trained pigs ( P = 0.03 and P = 0.01 respectively) compared to naive pigs. Blood immune measures indicated reduced stress among trained pigs who had lower neutrophil numbers ( P = 0.04) and lower total and average phagocytosis ( P = 0.001 and P = 0.02) compared with naive pigs. This study demonstrated that the exposure of pigs to a novel environment clearly causes a mild physiological response. Pigs are not inherently stressed by alleys and ramps, but rather novel experiences cause handling problems and a stress response and minimal training can reduce the stress experience for the pig.
Imaging of Bronchiectasis

Despite limitations, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) continues to be the gold standard for establishing the anatomic extent and severity of bronchiectasis. HRCT allows insight into the physiologic consequences of bronchiectasis. Recent reports show that there is good correlation between measurements of the density of airway walls and airway obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Measuring peak airway wall density may prove of value for assessing the severity of bronchiectasis as well as potentially serving as a biomarker for measuring response to therapy. The full potential of computed tomography for evaluating airways disease has yet to be fully explored.
Kuznets inverted-U hypothesis revisited: a time-series approach using US data

Kuznets' inverted-U hypothesis implies that economic growth worsens income inequality first and improves it later at a higher stage of economic development. In addition to economic growth, other factors such as population growth, resource endowment, price instability, openness, currency devaluation, etc. have been identified as determinants of income inequality. Previous research used cross-sectional data to test not only the Kuznets' hypothesis, but also empirical validity of other factors and provided mixed conclusions. In this article we use time-series data from the US and recent advances in time-series modelling to show that economic growth worsens income inequality in the short-run and improves it in the long-run.
Faunal evidence for a cool boundary current and decoupled regional climate cooling in the Permian of western Laurentia

Abstract Deglaciation following the late Paleozoic ice age was a complex climate transition marked by smaller glacial–interglacial transitions superimposed on an overall Permian warming trend. In contrast to this growing recognition of a dynamic climate system, few studies have investigated geographic variations in postglacial climate changes, which may have been as dynamic as the temporal variations. Because temperature and ocean circulation are important controls on the biogeography of marine invertebrates, many Permian taxa were characteristic of either paleotropical or high-latitude faunal realms. This study takes advantage of that temperature sensitivity, using a database of more than 5000 Permian fossil collections from northwestern Pangea to reconstruct spatial variations in Permian climate changes throughout the region. Cluster analysis demonstrates that localities in the Phosphoria basin (Nevada/Idaho/Wyoming) were taxonomically distinct from coeval faunas in Texas and occupied the transitional zone between Paleoequatorial and Boreal realms. Quantitative scoring of the faunal affinity of all taxa in 1 by 1° paleolatitudinal bins suggests that the western margin of Laurentia was affected by a persistent southward-flowing cool boundary current, and that the effects of the current became more pronounced throughout the Permian in conjunction with cooling in the Boreal ocean. The increasingly cool-water nature of Phosphoria basin faunas contrasted with warming in Texas and implies that northern and northwest Pangea were decoupled from the broader global warming trend following the late Paleozoic ice age.
The Southern Oscillation and Tree Rings: 1600–1961

Abstract Variations of the Southern Oscillation (SO) significantly influence surface climate over a large part of the globe. In the first part of this study we show that teleconnection patterns known from the instrumental record to be associated with the SO also appear to be present in both dependent and independent tree-ring reconstructions of climate during the 19th and 20th centuries. Reconstructions of surface temperature and precipitation appear to be more closely related to the SO than those of pressure. Since these dendroclimatic reconstructions appear to be responsive to climate anomalies related to the SO, it should be possible to reconstruct past values of the SO directly from tree-ring width variations. Thus, we attempted to reconstruct an index of the SO back to 1600 A.D. using tree-ring chronologies from both western North America and the Southern Hemisphere. The best estimates were derived from the western North American chronologies alone. These estimates calibrate about 50 percent of the S...
Proximate Composition of Sweet Potato Greens in Relation to Cultivar, Harvest Date, Crop Year and Processing

Two sweet potato green cultivars, ‘Jewel’ and ‘Carver’, were produced during two crop years (1981 and 1982). The influence of cultivar, harvest date, crop year and processing on the proximate nutrient content of both varieties was determined. Results showed that overall nutrient content for both varieties were similar except for fat and ash content. Protein content in blanched and canned greens showed a decrease during the second and third collection periods, and the nutrient content from year to year remained constant. These data suggest that like other traditional vegetables, sweet potato greens can be preserved by traditional methods.
Very early-age reaction kinetics and microstructural development in alkali-activated slag

Abstract The early age reaction kinetics and microstructural development in alkali-activated slag binder are discussed. In-situ isothermal calorimetry was used to characterize the reaction progression in sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate-activated slag binders cured at ambient temperature. Microstructure and strength development were monitored to correlate the heat evolution with the property development. In-situ isothermal calorimetric data for sodium hydroxide-activated systems exhibited only one major heat evolution peak with no dormant period. Sodium silicate-activated pastes exhibited multiple peaks and extended dormant periods. Microstructural evolution, monitored using BSE–SEM, showed rapid product formation on the surface of slag grains in sodium hydroxide-activated systems, forming thin reaction shells—the thickness of which was related to the activator concentration—and leading to diffusion controlled hydration at a very early stage. Sodium silicate-activated systems exhibited slow and progressive product formation, predominately nucleated from the solution. These results are supported by electron mapping and electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.
the Effect of Treatment and Mechanism of Astragaloside on Chronic Viral Myocarditis with Coxsackievirus B3 in BALB/C Mice

Objective: To Observe the effect of the treatment and mechanism of cardiac apoptosis of astragaloside on chronic viral myocarditis with CVB3 in Balb/c mice. Methods: Four-week-old Balb/c mice were randomly divided into three groups as follows: astragaloside treatment group, model of viral cardiomyopathy group, and normal control group. The model group and control group were fed with drinking water while astragaloside treatment group with drinking water containing astragaloside at concentration of 300mg/L for 3 months. Survival rates were determined, myocardial histopathology, Collagen volume fraction (CVF) and apoptosis of heart tissue, levels of Bax,Bcl-2 and CVB3-RNA levels (realtime RT-PCR) were detected on 3 months later respectively. Results: The survival rate on 3 months was significantly improved in mice treated with Astragaloside in treatment group than that of model group (p< 0.05). Astragaloside treatment also significantly attenuated histological myocardial lesion, reduced the myocardial CVF and apoptosis, decreased myocardial CVB3-RNA levels (P< 0.01 or p< 0.05, respectively). The Astragaloside significantly induced the expression levels of Bcl-2 protein (p< 0.05) and mRNA (p< 0.05), reduced the expression level of Bax protein (p< 0.05) and mRNA (0.63±0.13 vs 0.79±0.12, p< 0.05) than that in viral cardiomyopathy group.respectly. Conclusion: Astragaloside is a potent agent with a highly significant effect on chronic viral myocarditis in the Balb/c murine with CVB3. and could reduce the apoptosis of viral myocarditis. Which mechanism may be partly up-regulated expretion of Bcl-2 and down-regulated expression of gene Bax.
Projection Reconstruction Magnetic Particle Imaging

We acquire the first experimental 3-D tomographic images with magnetic particle imaging (MPI) using projection reconstruction methodology, which is similar to algorithms employed in X-ray computed tomography. The primary advantage of projection reconstruction methods is an order of magnitude increase in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) due to averaging. We first derive the point spread function, resolution, number of projections required, and the SNR gain in projection reconstruction MPI. We then design and construct the first scanner capable of gathering the necessary data for nonaliased projection reconstruction and experimentally verify our mathematical predictions. We demonstrate that filtered backprojection in MPI is experimentally feasible and illustrate the SNR and resolution improvements with projection reconstruction. Finally, we show that MPI is capable of producing three dimensional imaging volumes in both phantoms and postmortem mice.
Investigating osteogenic differentiation in multiple myeloma using a novel 3D bone marrow niche model

Clonal proliferation of plasma cells within the bone marrow (BM) affects local cells, such as mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), leading to osteolysis and fatality in multiple myeloma (MM). Consequently, there is an urgent need to find better mechanisms of inhibiting myeloma growth and osteolytic lesion development. To meet this need and accelerate clinical translation, better models of myeloma within the BM are required. Herein we have developed a clinically relevant, three-dimensional (3D) myeloma BM coculture model that mimics bone cell/cancer cell interactions within the bone microenvironment. The coculture model and clinical samples were used to investigate myeloma growth, osteogenesis inhibition, and myeloma-induced abnormalities in MM-MSCs. This platform demonstrated myeloma support of capillarylike assembly of endothelial cells and cell adhesion–mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR). Also, distinct normal donor (ND)- and MM-MSC miRNA (miR) signatures were identified and used to uncover osteogenic miRs of interest for osteoblast differentiation. More broadly, our 3D platform provides a simple, clinically relevant tool to model cancer growth within the bone—useful for investigating skeletal cancer biology, screening compounds, and exploring osteogenesis. Our identification and efficacy validation of novel bone anabolic miRs in MM opens more opportunities for novel approaches to cancer therapy via stromal miR modulation.
Heat Transfer Characteristics of Suspension Flow Inside a Microchannel

This paper presents computational results on the effect of suspended cylindrical solid particles in channel flow on the rate of heat transfer. The results provide insight into the effect of suspended solid particles on the rate of heat transfer. The computational method is based on the solution of the lattice-Boltzmann equation for the fluid flow, coupled with the energy equation for thermal transport and the Newtonian dynamics equations for direct simulation of suspended particle transport. The effects of Reynolds number, particle-to-channel size ratio and the eccentricity of the particle on heat transfer from the channel walls for single and multiparticles are presented. The multiparticle flow condition represents a case with solid particles suspended in the cooling medium, such as in micro/nanofluids, to augment heat transfer. The results provide insight into the mechanism by which suspended particles can effectively change the rate of heat transfer in a microchannel.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Solid waste as renewable source of energy: current and future possibility in Libya

Abstract Solid waste holds the greatest potential as biomass source in Libya. The rapid expansion of industry has led to increased urbanization and growing population. These factors have dramatically increased the amount of MSW (municipal solid waste) generated in Libya. However, issues related to environmentally sound MSW management—including waste decrease and clearance—have not been addressed sufficiently. This study presents an overview on solid waste that can be used as a source of bioenergy in Libya including MSW, ISW (industrial solid waste), and HSW (health care wastes) as biomass sources. The management of solid waste and valorization is based on an understanding of MSW׳s composition and physicochemical characteristics. The results show that organic matter represents 59% of waste, followed by paper–cardboard 12%, plastic 8%, miscellaneous 8%, metals 7%, glass 4%, and wood 2%. The technology of WTE (waste-to-energy) incineration, which recovers energy from discarded MSW and produces electricity and/or steam for heating, is recognized as a renewable source of energy and is playing an increasingly important role in MSW management in Libya. This paper provides an overview of this technology, including both its conversion options and its useful products (e.g., electricity, heat, greenhouse gas emissions). The WTE benefits and the major challenges in expanding WTE incineration in Libya are discussed. It also demonstrates that Libya could become an exporter of hydrogen in lieu of oil and natural gas.
Arthrodesis of the shoulder for synovial osteochondromatosis

A case of synovial osteochondromatosis (SOC) in a young deerhound's shoulder is reviewed. The age of onset and initially unaffected articular surfaces suggested primary SOC. Histological criteria for primary versus secondary osteochondromatosis are contradictory and unclear. Initial loose body removal and partial synovectomy resulted in several months of improvement but loose bodies returned. Severe degenerative changes were found one year after the initial exploratory surgery. Arthrodesis resulted in a functional, non-painful joint.
IP flow identification for IP traffic carried over switched networks

Abstract Today much of the Internet backbone traffic is carried over switched networks. Switching within these backbone networks is done primarily by using permanent virtual circuits to interconnect internal routers. To improve efficiency, schemes have been suggested that involve identifying IP data flows at the edge of the switched network, and then carrying these flows over a virtual connection through the switched network. To interface with the Internet as it is today, there must be a way to identify flows that are long enough to economically warrant setting up a switched connection. Shorter flows would still be routed on a segment by segment basis. In this paper we look at the effectiveness of several flow identification algorithms, and compare them to the effectiveness of an optimum scheme. We recommend a flow definition based on client–server connections (C–S flow) that results in the lowest SVC setup rate and allows QoS to be applied based on the application.
Simplified analysis of free-electron lasers using Madey's theorem

Spontaneous and stimulated emission calculations are made for various free-electron laser (FEL) configurations by using Madey's theorem. An analogy is provided between the FEL and a phased antenna array, and it is used to simplify the calculations. Relations for the spontaneous and stimulated emission are derived for the uniform wiggler FEL, the optical klystron, the case of N wiggler sections cascaded through dispersive sections, and for harmonics in a planar wiggler FEL.
Ultrafast Modulation of Semiconductor Lasers Through a Terahertz Field

We demonstrate, by means of numerical simulation, an interesting mechanism to modulate and switch semiconductor lasers at THz and sub-THz frequency rates. A sinusoidal terahertz field applied to a semiconductor laser heats the electron-hole plasma and consequently modifies the optical susceptibility. This allows an almost linear modulation of the output power of the semiconductor laser and leads to a faithful reproduction of the terahertz-field waveform in the emitted laser intensity.
Recovering a core from the San Andreas Fault

Geologists have extracted intact rock samples from 3.22 miles beneath the surface of the San Andreas Fault, which runs 1287 kilometers along the length of California, the U.S. National Science Foundation announced on 4 October. “To an earthquake scientist, these cores are like the Apollo moon rocks. Scientists from around the world are anxious to get their hands on them in the hope that they can help solve the mystery of how this major, active plate boundary works,” said Steve Hickman, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, Calif., who is a co-principal investigator of the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) project. SAFOD is a major research component of the NSF-funded EarthScope Program.
Observer variation and reproducibility of endoscopic ultrasonography.

To investigate interobserver variation and reproducibility of endosonographic findings, both experienced and inexperienced endosonographers evaluated depth of tumor invasion (T stage) and presence of lymph node metastasis (N stage) in 50 patients with nonobstructing esophageal carcinoma. Results were compared with the findings by surgical pathology of the resected specimens. The kappa statistic (κ) was used to assess interobserver and intraobserver agreement and consistency of accurate interpretation (reproducibility) for the two groups. Agreement between the experienced endosonographers was excellent (κ=>.75) for T1 and T4 lesions, good (κ=.61) for T3 lesions, but only poor (κ=.46) for T2 lesions. The overall agreement between the experienced endosonographers was equally good for both T and N stages. Agreement between the inexperienced endosonographers was poor for all T stages but was good for lymph node metastasis (κ=.52). For experienced endosonographers, endosonographic reproducibility of histologically confirmed T4 lesions was excellent, followed closely by T3 and T2 lesions; T1 tumors were frequently interpreted differently by the same endosonographer. Reproducibility of N stage determinations was excellent for N0 lymph nodes and good for N1 nodes. Thus, for experienced endosonographers, interobserver agreement was excellent for all T stages except T2, whereas reproducibility of determination of depth of tumor invasion was good to excellent for T2, T3, and T4 lesions but poor for T1 lesions. As yet poorly defined operator and machine-dependent factors that cause misinterpretation of T1 and T2 tumors will require additional study.
Role of Alginate O Acetylation in Resistance of Mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Opsonic Phagocytosis

Establishment and maintenance of chronic lung infections with mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) require that the bacteria avoid host defenses. Elaboration of the extracellular, O-acetylated mucoid exopolysaccharide, or alginate, is a major microbial factor in resistance to immune effectors. Here we show that O acetylation of alginate maximizes the resistance of mucoid P. aeruginosa to antibody-independent opsonic killing and is the molecular basis for the resistance of mucoid P. aeruginosa to normally nonopsonic but alginate-specific antibodies found in normal human sera and sera of infected CF patients. O acetylation of alginate appears to be critical for P. aeruginosa resistance to host immune effectors in CF patients.
Inorganic particle toughening II: toughening mechanisms of glass bead filled epoxies

Abstract Based on the previously established knowledge about the micro-mechanical deformations occurring during the fracture of glass bead filled epoxies, the major energy dissipation mechanisms are investigated. Correlation studies between the fracture toughness of composites and the size of micro-mechanical deformation zones (or areal density of deformation) are used to assess the contributions of the deformations to toughening. Among the deformations found in the fracture of glass bead filled epoxies, i.e. micro-shear banding, debonding of glass beads/diffuse matrix shear yielding, and step formation, micro-shear banding is established as the major and most effective toughening mechanism. In terms of this mechanism, the negligible effect of surface treatments of glass beads on the fracture toughness of glass bead/thermoset composites can be explained successfully. This mechanism is expected to give more detailed and fundamental understanding of inorganic particle toughening than the crack front bowing mechanism.
Optimal environmental regulation under asymmetric information

Abstract A market model of environmental regulation with interdependent production and pollution abatement costs and heterogeneous firms is developed. Firms have private information about costs which have a quadratic form. Firms pursue Bayes–Nash strategies in communication with the regulator. The full information optimum cannot be attained unless gains from trade in the product market net of external damages exceed the information rents earned by firms. Aggregate output and externality levels are lower at the regulated equilibrium than at the full information social optimum.
Quality of Life in Bed Partners of Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea or Hypopnea After Treatment With Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been shown to affect the quality of life (QOL) in patients, and QOL improves after treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). However, the effects on the bed partner of the patient with OSA have received little attention. We studied QOL in patients with OSA and their bed partners, and the effect of CPAP therapy on QOL. Design: Fifty-four patients and their bed partners who had been seen for evaluation of OSA, had undergone polysomnography, and subsequently had received treatment with CPAP. Patients and bed partners completed the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) and QOL questionnaires before and after the patients' therapy. Setting: Sleep disorders center in an academic medical center. Participants: Patients with documented OSA and regular bed partners. Interventions: Both individuals completed the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36), the ESS, and the Calgary sleep apnea quality of life index (SAQLI). At about 6 weeks after CPAP therapy, patients and their bed partners completed the same set of questionnaires again. Results: Of the 54 subjects who completed the study, the mean (± SD) apnea-hypopnea index was 48.4 ± 33.3. For the subjects, the mean ESS decreased from 12.9 ± 4.4 to 7.3 ± 4.0 (p Conclusion: OSA results in impaired QOL in both the patients and their bed partners. Treatment with CPAP improves QOL, as measured by the SF-36 and the SAQLI.
Phylogenetic analysis of Gossypium L. using restriction fragment length polymorphism of repeated sequences.

Cotton is the world’s leading textile fiber crop and is also grown as a bioenergy and food crop. Knowledge of the phylogeny of closely related species and the genome origin and evolution of polyploid species is significant for advanced genomics research and breeding. We have reconstructed the phylogeny of the cotton genus, Gossypium L., and deciphered the genome origin and evolution of its five polyploid species by restriction fragment analysis of repeated sequences. Nuclear DNA of 84 accessions representing 35 species and all eight genomes of the genus were analyzed. The phylogenetic tree of the genus was reconstructed using the parsimony method on 1033 polymorphic repeated sequence restriction fragments. The genome origin of its polyploids was determined by calculating the diploid–polyploid restriction fragment correspondence (RFC). The tree is consistent with the morphological classification, genome designation and geographic distribution of the species at subgenus, section and subsection levels. Gossypium lobatum (D7) was unambiguously shown to have the highest RFC with the D-subgenomes of all five polyploids of the genus, while the common ancestor of Gossypium herbaceum (A1) and Gossypium arboreum (A2) likely contributed to the A-subgenomes of the polyploids. These results provide a comprehensive phylogenetic tree of the cotton genus and new insights into the genome origin and evolution of its polyploid species. The results also further demonstrate a simple, rapid and inexpensive method suitable for phylogenetic analysis of closely related species, especially congeneric species, and the inference of genome origin of polyploids that constitute over 70 % of flowering plants.
Assessment of gingival margin thickness before margin placement

Matrix material can be cut and placed beneath the gingival tissue to mimic a metal collar on a metal/ceramic crown restoration. If this metal matrix causes a discoloration of the gingival tissue, it would be wise to restore the tooth by using an all-porcelain margin.
Infinite-dilution viscoelastic properties of poly(n-hexyl isocyanate).

The storage and loss shear moduli, G′ and G″, have been measured for dilute solutions of three samples of poly(n-hexyl isocyanate) with molecular weights (M) from 0.99 to 10.0×105, by use of the Birnboim—Schrag multiple-lumped resonator. The frequency range was 100 to 6000 Hz, the concentration range 0.2 to 5×10−3 g/ml, and the temperatures 0°, 10°, 25°, and 37.8°C. Two solvents were used: Tetralin, and a Tetralin—Aroclor 1254 mixture in proportions close to 1:1 by weight. The molecular weight distributions were found to be narrow from dielectric dispersion measurements. The extrapolated intrinsic moduli, [G′] and [G″], were compared with predictions of various theories. For M=0.99×105 in both solvents, the low-frequency behavior agreed with the Kirkwood—Auer theory for rigid rods, with the relaxation time predicted from molecular dimensions. Over the entire reduced frequency range, the data could be described closely by a hybrid relaxation spectrum of one terminal relaxation time separated by a gap from a sequence of times spaced as in the Zimm theory (as previously found for poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate)). For M=3.3×105, in Tetralin, the data could be described by the Zimm theory with free draining (i.e., Rouse) and finite number of submolecules N=10 or by the Harris—Hearst theory with free draining and a persistence length of 400 A. For M=3.3×105 in Tetralin—Aroclor, the molecule appeared more flexible, as shown by a fit to the Zimm theory with N=200 and the hydrodynamic interaction parameter h*=0.10. For M=10.0×105 in Tetralin, the data were described by the Harris—Hearst theory with slight hydrodynamic interaction and a persistence length of 63 A. The appearence of increased flexibility in the presence of chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent and the decrease in persistence length with increasing molecular weight are consistent with other physical measurements, especially recent experiments of Yu and Rubingh, though the dynamic measurements appear to sample molecular motions which are weighted by shorter lengths than are equilibrium measurements.
Experimental manipulations of afferent immune responses influence efferent immune responses to brain tumors

Tumors grow more readily in the brain than in the periphery, in part due to immune privilege. Differences in both afferent and efferent components of the immune response contribute to this lower level of responsiveness. On the afferent side, despite the lack of lymphatic vessels in the brain, antigens from brain arrive in lymph nodes and spleen by several routes, and the route taken may influence the type of response generated. Work with viruses and soluble antigens in mice has shown that the intracerebral location and the volume of the inoculation influence the strength of the cytotoxic T cell response. We examined whether these factors influence the T cell response against experimental brain tumors in mice. Placement of tumor cells in the cerebral ventricles instead of the parenchyma generated an immune response sufficient to increase survival time. A large volume of an intraparenchymal infusion of tumor cells caused spread of cells to the ventricles, and resulted in longer survival time relative to a small volume infusion. Infusion of the same dose of radiolabeled tumor cells in either a small volume or a large volume allowed tracking of potential tumor antigens to the periphery. Both modes of infusion resulted in similar levels of radioactivity in blood, spleen and kidney. Unexpectedly, cells infused intraparenchymally in a small volume, compared to a large volume, resulted in (1) more radioactivity in cervical lymph nodes (parotid and deep cervical lymph nodes), (2) a greater number of CD11b+/Gr1+ myeloid suppressor cells in the tumors, and (3) fewer CD8+ cells within the tumor mass. Consistent with these observations, providing a stronger afferent stimulus by giving a concurrent subcutaneous injection of the same tumor cells infused into the brain increased CD8+ T cell infiltration of the tumor in the brain. These results suggest that the immune response elicited by antigens that drain predominantly to the cervical lymph nodes may be less effective than responses elicited at other lymph nodes, perhaps due to immunosuppressive cells. Directing therapies to the optimal peripheral sites may improve immune responses against brain tumors.
HYDROXYPROLINE AS AN INHIBITOR OF AUXIN-INDUCED CELL ELONGATION.

AUXIN-INDUCED cell elongation can be inhibited by a variety of substances1. Among these inhibitors are the ammo-acid antagonists canavanine2, β-2-thienylalanine3 and ethionine4,5. This has been taken as evidence that protein synthesis is necessary for cell elongation6. Recently, Steward et al.7 have presented evidence that hydroxy-L-proline can also be an amino-acid antagonist. The growth of carrot callus explants could be blocked by this compound, and the inhibition could be completely reversed with L-proline. Since grdwth in this tissue is largely due to cell division, an investigation has been undertaken into the effects of hydroxyproline on the elongation of Avena coleoptile sections in order to assess the effect of this compound on auxin-induced cell elongation.
Moderate exercise training and low-energy diets are associated with small changes in indices of platelet aggregation and blood coagulation in overweight women

Because starvation or exhaustive exercise can significantly modify indices of platelet aggregation and blood coagulation, we investigated whether exercise training and energy restriction for weight-loss diets could also affect these indices. Ten healthy overweight women participated in an exercise program that gave an energy deficit of 15% for 98 days. Five women also ate 50% less food, giving them an overall energy deficit of 65%. Their diet contained > 100% of the recommended dietary allowance of all nutrients except energy. There were significant differences with time on the study (possibly caused by exercise training) for red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet counts as well as activated partial thromboplastin times (APTT) and platelet aggregation induced by collagen. Prothrombin time (PT) showed significant differences between groups, presumably caused by differences in energy intake. However, the changes caused by moderate exercise training and energy restriction diets are mild and probably have little physiological significance.
A New Random-Error-Correction Code

A new random-error-correction code presented here is one of the most efficient two-error-correction codes. The new code can correct 2-bit random errors within twelve (12) consecutive bits while (15,7) BCH code [1] corrects two errors within fifteen (15) bits and Hagelbarger's code [2] corrects two errors within fourteen (14) bits. Although Peterson and Weldon's double-error-correcting (12,6) code [1] and Massey's two-error-correcting convolutional code [3] also correct two errors within twelve (12) bits, both codes propagate errors. The (12,6) Viterbi code [1], [4] corrects two errors and uses a Viterbi decoder, while the new code is decodable with a one-step majority logic. Error propagation in the feedback majority logic decoder is discussed, and it is proved empirically that the new code presented here does not propagate errors.
Ultrastructural and biochemical studies of intracellular metal-binding patterns in kidney tubule cells of the scallop Placopecten magellanicus following prolonged exposure to cadmium or copper

Sea scallops Placopecten magellanicus, which had been trawl-collected in late November, 1982 off the Rhode Island, USA coast, were exposed to 20 μg of Cd or Cu per liter for a period of seven weeks in a flowing seawater system. Metal analyses of kidneys from both groups indicated uptake of both metals, although the tissue concentrations of Cd declined markedly in the Cu-treated scallops. The ultrastructural appearance of tubule cells of kidneys from Cd-exposed scallops was indistinguishable from controls. In contrast, tubule cells from scallops exposed to Cu showed marked cellular degeneration with loss of concretions. These ultrastructural changes were associated with significant reductions in renal isocitrate dehydrogenase activity in the Cu-treated scallops. Elemental analyses conducted on the kidney concretions and on the cytosolic metal-binding proteins of Cd-exposed scallops showed a 6-to 7-fold increase in Cd content of both these metalsequestering compartments, with concomitant changes in Zn, Mn, and Cu content. Loss of the concretions from Cu-treated scallops precluded analysis of this compartment, but Cu sequestration within cytosolic metal-binding proteins was associated with marked reductions of Zn and Cd from these proteins, suggesting disruption of this cellular mechanism for control of divalent metal cations. These findings support the hypothesis that toxic metal perturbation of normal homeostatic mechanisms that control divalent metal cation bioavailability is important factor in mediating cell injury from these agents.