cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gryziński Electron-Impact Ionization Cross-Section Computations for the Alkali Metals

The absolute cross sections for ionization by electron impact have been calculated by classical theory for the alkaline metals. The results are in agreement with earlier experimental measurements.
A review and synthesis of demand management, capacity management and performance in health‐care services

Responses to demand uncertainty in the field of health-care services is a very timely research issue because of ongoing changes in demand patterns that are driven by demographics and recent changes in the delivery of these services. Despite its importance to researchers, the literature on demand management, capacity management and performance in health care has not been extensively reviewed. The present paper addresses this need by analyzing and synthesizing 463 articles published between 1986 and 2006. The key contributions of this work are the analysis and synthesis of research on demand management, capacity management and performance, along with an agenda to guide future research in this important area.
Phosphorylation of the α4 subunit of human α4β2 nicotinic receptors: role of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC)

Abstract This study determined whether the α4 subunit of human α4β2 neuronal nicotinic receptors is phosphorylated in situ by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) or protein kinase C (PKC). To accomplish this, human cloned epithelial cells stably transfected with the human α4β2 nicotinic receptor (SH-EP1-hα4β2) were incubated with 32P-orthophosphate to label endogenous ATP stores, and the phosphorylation of α4 subunits was determined in the absence or presence of PKA or PKC activation. Autoradiographs and immunoblots indicated that α4 subunits immunoprecipitated from a membrane preparation of SH-EP1-hα4β2 cells exhibited a single 32P-labeled band corresponding to the α4 subunit protein; no signals were associated with untransfected SH-EP1 cells. The α4 subunits from SH-EP1-hα4β2 cells incubated in the absence of the activators exhibited a basal level of phosphorylation that was decreased in the presence of the PKA inhibitor H-89 (5 μM), but unaltered in the presence of the PKC inhibitor Ro-31-8220 (0.1 μM). Activation of PKA by forskolin (10 μM), dibutyryl-cAMP (1 mM), or Sp-8-Br-cAMP (1 mM) enhanced phosphorylation nearly threefold; the inactive isomer, Rp-8-Br-cAMP (1 mM) had no effect. In addition, the forskolin effect was totally blocked by the PKA inhibitor H-89 (5 μM). Activation of PKC by the phorbol esters PDBu (200 nM) or PMA (200 nM) increased α4 subunit phosphorylation approximately twofold, and the PDBu effect was blocked by the selective PKC inhibitor Ro-31-8220 (0.1 μM). These findings indicate that the α4 subunit of human α4β2 nicotinic receptors is phosphorylated in situ by PKA and PKC.
Effects of Mixing and Thermal Processing on Shelf‐Stable Sectioned and Formed Beef

Sectioned and formed roast beef, vacuum mixed and heat processed in either retortable pouches or cans, had a lower cook yield than its nonvacuum mixed counterpart. Vacuum mixing had no significant influence on increasing particle-to-particle cohesion (binding strength). Sectioned and formed roast beef cooked in retortable pouches at 121°C (Fo= 6.0) had a higher cook yield and binding strength than product processed at 110°C (Fo= 6.0). Processing the canned product at 121°C (Fo= 6.0) as opposed to 110°C (Fo= 6.0) resulted in no improvement of cook yield or binding strength. Overall, product processed in retortable pouches had a higher binding strength, but a lower cook yield than product processed in cans.
Finite domain simulations with adaptive boundaries: accurate potentials and nonequilibrium movesets.

We extend the theory of hybrid explicit/implicit solvent models to include an explicit domain that grows and shrinks in response to a solute's evolving configuration. The goal of this model is to provide an appropriate but not excessive amount of solvent detail, and the inclusion of an adjustable boundary provides a significant computational advantage for solutes that explore a range of configurations. In addition to the theoretical development, a successful implementation of this method requires (1) an efficient moveset that propagates the boundary as a new coordinate of the system, and (2) an accurate continuum solvent model with parameters that are transferable to an explicit domain of any size. We address these challenges and develop boundary updates using Monte Carlo moves biased by nonequilibrium paths. We obtain the desired level of accuracy using a “decoupling interface” that we have previously shown to remove boundary artifacts common to hybrid solvent models. Using an uncharged, coarse-grained solvent model, we then study the efficiency of nonequilibrium paths that a simulation takes by quantifying the dissipation. In the spirit of optimization, we study this quantity over a range of simulation parameters.
Neutrophil chemotaxis in a patient with neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease and Muckle-Wells syndrome

Background Neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID)/chronic infantile neurologic, cutaneous, and articular syndrome is an autoinflammatory disease characterized by urticarial rash, arthropathy, and central nervous system inflammation. Objective To describe a 13-year-old girl with overlapping symptoms of NOMID and Muckle-Wells syndrome who has a mutation in cryopyrin (NALP3). Methods We examined neutrophil migration using transwell assay and time-lapse videomicroscopy. We also examined p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in patient and control neutrophils using Western blot analysis. Results Neutrophil defects in chemotactic migration were found to a variety of chemoattractants, including interleukin 8, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, complement C5a, and leukotriene B 4 . Her neutrophils exhibited elevated basal and stimulated p38 MAPK activation in response to interleukin 8, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, complement C5a, and leukotriene B 4 . Conclusions This study is the first, to our knowledge, to demonstrate defects in neutrophil chemotaxis and p38 MAPK signaling in a patient with NOMID and Muckle-Wells syndrome and a cryopyrin mutation.
Effects of acid concentration on intramolecular charge transfer reaction of 4-(azetidinyl) benzonitrile in solution

Effects of acid concentration on excited state intramolecular charge transfer reaction of 4-(azetidinyl) benzonitrile (P4C) in aprotic (acetonitrile and ethyl acetate) and protic (ethanol) solvents have been studied by means of steady state absorption and fluorescence, and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. While absorption and fluorescence bands of P4C have been found to be shifted towards higher energy with increasing acid concentration in acetonitrile and ethyl acetate, no significant dependence has been observed in ethanolic solutions. Reaction rate becomes increasingly slower with acid concentration in acetonitrile and ethyl acetate. In contrast, acid in ethanolic solutions does not produce such an effect on reaction rate. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations have been performed to understand the observed spectroscopic results.
Marker Items for a Single-Factor Scale for Appraisal of Teaching in Architecture Courses.

The School of Architecture's faculty posed the methodological problem: to construct a brief scale to evaluate instruction. Guidelines were: (a) brevity, i.e., 10 items or fewer, (b ) high reliability, (c) minimum word redundancy ("single psychological elements"), and (d ) applicability to different levels . of technical and artistic instruction. Subjects were 3227 students enrolled in 196 courses offered over seven consecutive semesters (Fall 1978 through Fall 1981). The architecture evaluation scale had 28 5-point ratings (scaled "strongly disagree" vs "strongly agree") applicable to design theory and studio experiences. Scores were intercorrelated and yielded a positive R matrix; average r = .43 (9 < .001) for 378 r-pairs. A single eigenvalue was greater than 1.0; matrix was factored for one iterative principal axis component without rotation. The 28 items ranged in loading from .86 to .27, and the factor mas labeled, "Instructor/Course Impact." The first 10 ordered item markers and loadings were: (a) all things considered, the instructor did a good job (.86); (b ) all things considered, the course was worthwhile ( .82 ) ; ( c ) instructor created a desire to learn through interesting and challenging development of subject or project (.79); ( d ) instructor prepared and organized the course effectively (.79); (e) instructor presented class material clearly and concisely (.77) ; ( f ) instructor presented the course with enthusiasm (.74) ; (g ) instructor used class time effectively and constructively ( .73 ) ; ( h ) instructor demonstrated genuine interest in students and their progress (.72); ( i ) instructor was innovative; open to new ideas, techniques and approaches (.71); and ( j ) instructor has good rapport with students; easy to talk to (.69). Average correlation between items and corrected split-half reliability were computed for scales of different lengths: 2 items (.72, .84); 4 items (.67, .89) ; 6 items (.66, .91) ; 8 items (.64, .92) ; 10 items (.60, 9 4 ) . Adding items to the single-factor scale was associated with a decrease in the average r between items and an incredse in S-B reliability. A minimum required reliability of .90 suggests that the scale have at least six items ( 2 ) . During the 198283 academic year, the School of Architecture will use these marker items and expand the evaluation of design studio experiences ( 1 ) .
Glioma stem cell invasion through regulation of the interconnected ERK, integrin α6 and N-cadherin signaling pathway

The recent characterization of glioma stem cells (GSCs) prompts a necessary examination of the signaling pathways that facilitate invasiveness. Molecular crosstalk between expression mechanisms has been identified in a range of cancers, including glioblastoma multiforme. However, hardly any literature exists that addresses whether cancer stem cells utilize these same interconnected pathways. Protein factors commonly implicated in malignant tumors include extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), N-cadherin, and integrin α6. Although studies have reported the molecular crosstalk involved among these proteins, the present study illustrates the importance of the ERK transduction pathway in N-cadherin and integrin α6 regulated invasion in GSCs. Conversely, the data also suggests that GSCs rely on N-cadherin and integrin α6 interaction to regulate ERK signaling. Moreover, confocal visualization revealed the co-localization of N-cadherin and integrin α6 in GSCs and clinical surgical biopsies extracted from glioma patients. Interestingly, ERK knockdown reduced this co-localization. Upon co-culturing GSCs with human umbilical cord blood stem cells (hUCBSCs), we observed a subsequent decrease in pERK, N-cadherin and integrin α6 expression. In addition, co-culturing hUCBSCs with GSCs decreased co-localization of N-cadherin and integrin α6 in GSCs. Our results demonstrate the dynamic interplay among ERK, N-cadherin and integrin α6 in GSC invasion and also reveal the therapeutic potential of hUCBSCs in treating the molecular crosstalk observed in GSC-regulated invasion.
Successful dilatation of a stenotic Blalock-Taussig anastomosis by percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty

Abstract In recent years, the technique of percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty has been applied to patients with congenital heart disease. Lesions that have been successfully treated by this technique include pulmonary valvular stenosis, 1,2 aortic valvular stenosis, 3 coarctation of the aorta 4,5 and restenosis of coarctation of the aorta after previous surgical repair. 6 We describe the successful use of this procedure in dilating a severely stenotic Blalock-Taussig (B-T) systemic-to-pulmonary artery (PA) anastomosis in a patient whose complex cyanotic heart malformation was not amenable to surgical correction.
Life expectancy of children in vegetative and minimally conscious states

We determined estimates of survival in children, 3-15 years of age, in the vegetative state (VS) (n = 564), immobile minimally conscious state (MCS) (n = 705), and mobile MCS (n = 3,806). Data were extracted from the annual Client Development Evaluation Reports of the California Department of Developmental Services between 1988 and 1997 using the operational definitions for these three states on the basis of 15 descriptive behavioral categories. Patients were also categorized according to the following four etiologies: acquired (traumatic and nontraumatic) brain injury; perinatal/genetic; degenerative; and unknown/undetermined. The percentage of patients surviving 8 years was 63%, 65%, and 81%, for the VS, immobile MCS, and mobile MCS, respectively. Children in the VS and MCSs with acquired brain injury had lower mortality rates and those with degenerative diseases the highest mortality rates. We observed little difference in survival between patients in the VS and immobile MCS, suggesting that the presence of consciousness is not a critical variable in determining life expectancy. Furthermore, survival was much greater for patients in the mobile MCS than for those in the immobile MCS, suggesting that mobility is more important in predicting survival than the level of consciousness.
Probabilistic modeling of EV charging and its impact on distribution transformer loss of life

The effect of uncontrolled electric vehicle (EV) charging on the distribution side is considerable and has the potential to affect the life of distribution components. This especially has significant impact on secondary-distribution transformers in residential zones. With smart grid implementation, assessment for reliability of feeder-level components becomes more crucial. This work analyzes the distribution-level secondary transformer loss of life as the result of EV charging. Different charging patterns are developed using a probabilistic model for vehicle arrival time and charge left at arrival. A number of different scenarios, such as residential loading, weather patterns, and geographical locations, are considered in analyzing the effects.
Cyclic-hardening behavior of polycrystalline Cu-16at.%Al alloy

Abstract The cyclic-hardening behavior of polycrystalline Cu-16at.%Al alloy has been investigated with special reference to the back-stress and friction stress behavior and discussed in relation to the behavior of single crystals. The friction stress in the polycrystalline anlloy measured by thge Cottrell method (42 MPa) at the start of cycling is larger than that predicted (36.7 MPa) from the friction stress of single crystals by using the Taylor factor (3.06). This difference is explained in terms of the difference of initial dislocation densities in the two types of material. The cyclic hardening of this alloy is mainly caused by an increase of back stress. However, unlike alloy single crystals which do not undergo saturation, the back stress in polycrystals gradually saturates with cycles, and such behavior produces overall saturation. This saturation in the peak stresses of polycrystalline Cu-16at.%Al alloy seems to be caused by the saturation of hardening in the later stages of cyclic deformation, not by the “recovery” of dislocations induced by secondary slip as in copper. The different role of secondary slip in Cu-1615.%Al alloy in comparison to that in copper is discussed.
A Missing Link: K-4 Biological Evolution Content Standards

The National Science Education Standards (NSES) is one of the most influential documents in US science education. The NSES has been utilized by local schools and districts, state departments of education, and national curriculum groups to form the backbone for curriculum frameworks, programs, and assessment systems to guide science education. The NSES provides national biological evolution content standards for fifth grade through high school but not for kindergarten through fourth grade. This article presents K-4 biological evolution content standards that can be used in conjunction with the current NSES K-4 life science and earth science content standards, brief examples of integration activities using the K-4 biological evolution content standards, and supplemental teacher information for the K-4 biological evolution content standards. The biological evolution content standards and the additional materials can guide teachers when teaching biological evolution to K-4th grade students.
Metabolic alteration in leukaemia induced by a virus.

RECENT publications1,2 reporting the induction of leukaemia in mice by cell-free extracts have reawakened general interest in the role of viruses as oncogenic agents and, as a corollary, in the metabolic alterations induced by these agents. It has been shown in this laboratory that alterations in host cell metabolism induced by virus can be detected very soon after infection3. The current investigation was undertaken to see if analogous effects could be observed in vivo using one of the viruses inducing tumours. The agent investigated here was that described by Friend2 as producing a Leukaemia in mice, characterized by splenomegaly and an accumulation in the spleen of stem cells. The basic experiments were performed as follows: 150 mice were infected i.v. with 0.2 ml. of a cell-free filtrate from spleens of mice carrying the infection. 150 control mice received the same amount of cell-free filtrate prepared from normal spleen. Beginning the day after inoculation of the virus, and at the intervals thereafter indicated in Fig. 1, six infected and six control mice were selected at random and given intraperitoneal injection of 5 µc. of phosphorus-32. 3 hr. later the spleens of these animals were removed, weighed, dried in pre-weighed planchets, reweighed, the radioactivity determined, and expressed as c.p.m./mgm. dry tissue. The averaged wet-weights of the spleens from a typical experiment as well as the averaged c.p.m./mgm. dry spleen are given in Fig. 1. As part of the same experiment, on the fifth day some of the control and the infected mice received 300 r. of total body X-irradiation. The results for weight and radioactivity of the spleens of these mice examined on subsequent days are also included in Fig. 1.
Nonlinear Analysis of Rotor-Bearing Systems Using Component Mode Synthesis

The method of component mode synthesis is developed to determine the forced response of nonlinear, multishaft, rotor-bearing systems. The formulation allows for simulation of system response due to blade loss, distributed unbalance, base shock, maneuver loads, and specified fixed frame forces. The motion of each rotating component of the system is described by superposing constraint modes associated with boundary coordinates and constrained precessional modes associated with internal coordinates. The precessional modes are truncated for each component and the reduced component equations are assembled with the nonlinear supports and interconnections to form a set of nonlinear system equations of reduced order. These equations are then numerically integrated to obtain the system response. A computer program, which is presently restricted to single shaft systems, has been written and results are presented for transient system response associated with blade loss dynamics with squeeze film dampers, and with interference rubs.
Effect of varying counterions on the sensitivity of electrohydrodynamic and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry

The abundance of ion pairs (CA+) relative to that of doubly charged ions (C2+) in electrohydrodynamic (EH) mass spectra of a series of anions with a common dication in glycerol was found to increase in the order acetate < nitrite < chloride < bromide ≈ nitrate < iodide < perchlorate. Correlation with enthalpies of hydration for the anions suggests that this trend reflects the solution chemistry of ion association. These spectra also reveal that solvation rather than interactions with the extracting field is more important in determining the overall EH mass spectrometric sensitivity to doubly charged ions. Therefore, the use of anions that promote more extensive ion pairing enhances the overall sensitivity to multiply charged ions that otherwise interact strongly with the solvent, but reduces sensitivity to singly charged ions. These observations hold in fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, surviving the invasive effects of the primary beam.
Staining techniques of the neuroendocrine tissues of decapod crustacea

The tissue components of the secretory system of Hemigrapsis nudus and Petrolisthes cinctipes are briefly described and the application of Gomori's aldehyd fuchsin technique is discussed. The processing involves mordanting, tissue oxidation and bleaching, proir to the staining of the neurosecretory substances with paraldehyde fuchsin, the nuclei with haematoxylin and the cytoplasma with light green and orange G. The staining effects of this technique are examined in relation to the results of other dyes. For gross studies, bulk staining in life methylene blue and staining of fixed material by Ehrlich's haematoxylin seem to be the most appropriate.
Monte Carlo assessment of CT dose equilibration in PMMA and water cylinders with diameters from 6 to 55 cm.

Purpose: In multidetector CT, the dose integralDI L of single scan dose profile over the integration interval (−L/2, L/2) can predict the accumulated dose D L (0) at the center of the scan range (−L/2, L/2) for a helical scan of pitch = 1. Both DI L and D L (0) increase with Luntil the limiting levels (DI ∞ and D eq) are reached. The D L (0) equilibration is related to the DI L equilibration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the DI L /DI ∞ growth curve, and its variations with factors such as phantom diameter, phantom axis (center or periphery), material (PMMA or water), tube voltage, and bowtie filter (head or body). Methods: A Geant4-based Monte Carlo program was used to simulate single axial scans on a clinical CT scanner, and to compute axial dose profiles in the cylinders of 90 cm in length, and 6–50 cm (PMMA) and 6–55 cm (water) in diameters.DI L /DI ∞ ratios were calculated over a range of integration lengths, and were fitted to a mathematical model: f(L) = 1 − α × exp[ − (L/d) n ], where α, d, and n were fitting parameters. The minimum length required for DI L to approach within 2% of DI ∞ was referred to as the equilibrium length L eq. It could be directly derived from data, and was also calculated from the fits. Results: TheL eq results of the above two approaches were consistent (deviation: 1.4% on average, and 3.6% maximum). When the other conditions (such as tube voltage, bowtie filter, and phantom material) were the same, DI ∞ increased with the reduced phantom diameters. The center/periphery DI ∞ ratio was greater than 1 for small phantoms, and increased with larger phantoms until their diameters were above about 16 cm. Dose to water was substantially higher than that to PMMA, especially at the centers of large phantoms. As phantom diameter increased, α, n, and L eq increased on the central axis, and initially increased and then saturated [α ≈ 0.555 (PMMA and water), n ≈ 0.81 (PMMA) and 0.80 (water), and L eq ≈ 29 cm (PMMA) and 30 cm (water)] on the peripheral axis. Bowtie filter and tube voltage affected dose, but had small effects on α, n, and L eq. L eq was almost constant on the central or peripheral phantom axis for beam widths from 0.1 to 40 mm. Conclusions: The mathematical model can represent theDI L /DI ∞ curve from a single axial CT scan. Generally, n ≠ 1. The equilibrium dose, α, n, and L eq exhibit strong dependencies on phantom diameter and location in the phantom. On the other hand, α, n, and L eq have relatively weak dependencies on material (PMMA or water), tube voltage (80–140 kVp), and bowtie filter, and L eq is also insensitive to beam width (⩽4 cm). A weak dependency of the DI L /DI ∞ curve on CT scanner using 80–140 kVp and beam width up to 4 cm is consistent with the results of this study and previous publications. The dose equilibration data provided in this paper can be useful for CT dose evaluation. A framework is presented for assessing dose at any point in infinitely long PMMA and water cylinders undergoing multidetector CT examinations.
The demand for energy for irrigation in the USA

There seems to be some question concerning the relationship between irrigation and the price of energy. Did changes in the price of energy actually impact irrigation in the USA? Additionally, the substitution between alternative types of energy seems to be a possibility for irrigation. Whether in fact it occurred is another matter. In this study, an appropriate model is developed and estimated to address the issues. The specific energy types considered include motor gasoline, diesel fuel, liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas and electrical energy. The results for 1978 and for 1980 clearly indicate that energy use for irrigation is responsive to the price of energy. Additionally, some substitution between energy types took place during this period. Finally, when the question of the stability of the demand for the various energy types is addressed, the suggestion is that the demand for the energy types considered was stable for the 1978 and 1980 periods.
Mechanisms of liver regeneration and their clinical implications

During the last few years there have been major advances in the understanding of the mechanisms of liver regeneration. These advances derived to a great extent from the increased use of transgenic and knockout mice. In parallel with the experimental work, human partial liver transplantation from cadavers and living donors continues to increase, stimulating hepatologists and surgeons to learn more about the mechanisms that regulate and promote regeneration. Thus, knowledge generated from laboratory work in rodents can be applied to clinical problems, while data on human transplantation can also guide the design of experimental work. In this review, we discuss a few selected aspects of liver regeneration that are of interest in both the laboratory and the clinic.
Three-Membered Ring Systems

Abstract This report provides an overview of synthetically valuable and intriguing methods that pertain to the reactions and synthesis of three-membered heterocycles, principally epoxides and aziridines.
MAGIC AND SPACE

ABSTRACT Magic can be thought of as a systematic but unusual approach to the significance of physical space for human action. It assumes physical space itself has significance in that shapes affect behavior and that actions occur through empty space at-a-distance. In the late Middle Ages and Renaissance such concepts were elaborated in a complex magical system that mirrored the world view of the age and influenced Western intellectual development. Understanding the role of space in Western magic adds another dimension to the way men view the connections between physical space and human behavior, and sharpens contemporary issues about concepts of space in social science.
Staple line ulcers: A cause of chronic GI bleeding following STEP procedure

Intestinal failure (IF) results from a critical reduction in the functional intestinal mass resulting in dependence on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for growth and survival. Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is the most common cause of intestinal failure in pediatrics. Following resection, the small bowel undergoes adaptation, a process wherein the bowel elongates and dilates in order to increase intestinal absorptive capacity. Small bowel dilatation can lead to dysmotility and small bowel bacterial overgrowth which may further enhance feeding intolerance. Bowel lengthening procedures are beneficial when there is significant dilatation of the small bowel and subsequent inability to advance enteral feeds. We describe a patient with intestine failure and short bowel syndrome due to gastroschisis who, presented with anemia and occult gastrointestinal bleeding, following Serial Transverse Enteroplasty procedure (STEP). Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) revealed multiple ulcerations at surgical staple sites throughout the distal 2/3 of the remaining small intestine which were the likely source of intestinal blood loss.
Vitamin D and molecular actions on the immune system: modulation of innate and autoimmunity

Vitamin D has received increased attention recently for its pleiotropic actions on many chronic diseases. The importance of vitamin D on the regulation of cells of the immune system has gained increased appreciation over the past decade with the discovery of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and key vitamin D metabolizing enzymes expressed by cells of the immune system. Animal studies, early epidemiologic and clinical studies have supported a potential role for vitamin D in maintaining immune system balance. The hormonal form of vitamin D up-regulates anti-microbial peptides, namely cathelicidin, to enhance clearance of bacteria at various barrier sites and in immune cells. Vitamin D modulates the adaptive immune system by direct effects on T cell activation and on the phenotype and function of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), particularly of DCs. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the molecular and clinical evidence for vitamin D as a modulator of the innate and adaptive immune system.
Oxygenation of Biochar for Enhanced Cation Exchange Capacity

This chapter reports a technological concept for producing a partially oxygenated biochar material that possesses enhanced cation-exchanging property by reaction of a biochar source with one or more oxygenating compounds in such a manner that the biochar material homogeneously acquires oxygen-containing cation-exchanging groups. This concept is based on our recent experimental finding that the O:C atomic ratio in biochar material correlates with its cation-exchange capacity. The technology is directed at biochar compositions and soil formulations containing the partially oxygenated biochar materials for soil amendment and carbon sequestration.
Nutritional and Developmental Roles of Insulin-like Growth Factors in Poultry

Insulin-like growth factor-I and -II are important multifunctional polypeptides that interact with membrane-bound receptors as well as soluble binding proteins. The biological actions of these hormones are multifaceted and dependent to a large extent on binding protein interactions. Some unique differences in insulin-like growth factor physiology and biochemistry are evident between mammalian and avian species. These include amino acid compositional and significant receptor differences as well as binding protein status. The biological response to both growth factors is different in birds. A greater proportion of the insulin-like growth factors exists in plasma as free peptide compared with the situation in mammals. This review is a brief summary of our knowledge of insulin-like growth factor physiology in domestic fowl.
Design of a modular acoustic velocity sensor

Transducer support geometry and sensor mounting in a mooring are as important as travel time measurement electronics in the design of an acoustic current meter. The transducers obstruct the flow and create potential flow distortion and velocity defects in their wakes. The area of the supporting structure for the transducers is greater than the transducers themselves and these structures can vibrate as well as shed wake and distort the flow. Finally, the mounting frame that supports the current meter in the mooring will distort the flow and transmit mooring vibrations to the, velocity sensor. The hydrodynamics of the velocity sensor are critical to the design of a current meter. Prototypes must be tank tested in linear, oscillatory, and turbulent flow in parallel with testing for electronic sensitivity linearity speed, drift, noise, and power consumption. These elements will be stressed in the design cycle for a new velocity sensor, MAVS. >
Multi-objective optimization of regenerative damping systems in vibrating structures

A regenerative force actuation (RFA) network consists of multiple electromechanical forcing devices distributed throughout a vibrating structural system, with a forcing capability which is constrained by the requirement that the total network must always dissipate energy. Both viscous damping systems and RFA networks can be modeled as imposing supplemental velocity-proportional damping on structures, but for these two cases the damping matrix is subject to different algebraic constraints. This paper presents an analysis of the degree to which the increased versatility in the damping capabilities of RFA networks may be exploited to improve upon the optimal dynamic performance achievable with linear viscous dampers. The analysis is conducted in the context of a nonconvex, multi-objective H2 optimal control problem, in which the supplemental damping matrix is treated as a control gain to be optimized. The structural system is excited in stationary stochastic response, and "performance" is defined as the maximum variance over a set of normalized drift and acceleration quantities. Numerical examples are given which compare the optimal performances attainable with viscous and regenerative damping, for a civil engineering application.
Labor Force Transitions among Older African American and White Men

Using a life-course/opportunity-cost framework we study racial differences in labor force behavior among African American and white men aged 55 to 69 [in the United States]. A multifaceted measure of labor force behavior is examined within a longitudinal framework. We perform the analyses with a merged sample of the 1984 and 1985 Survey of Income and Program Participation and we find that the most stable status is not working followed by full-time part-time and unemployed statuses. Results from multivariate logistic regression change models show race-specific effects of age health and not-working status on several labor force status and attrition contrasts. Researchers have much to gain by continuing to consider racial differences in late-life labor force behavior and by focusing on contemporaneous and lagged measures of life-course variables. (EXCERPT)
Antiferromagnetic metal spintronics

In this brief review, we explain the theoretical basis for the notion that spin-transfer torques (STTs) and giant-magnetoresistance effects can, in principle, occur in circuits containing only normal and antiferromagnetic (AFM) materials, and for the notion that antiferromagnets can play a role in STT phenomena in circuits containing both ferromagnetic and AFM elements. We review the experimental literature that provides partial evidence for these AFM spintronic effects but demonstrates that, like exchange-bias effects, they are sensitive to details of interface structure that are not always under experimental control. Finally, we speculate briefly on some strategies that might advance progress.
The J. D. mutation in familial hypercholesterolemia: Amino acid substitution in cytoplasmic domain impedes internalization of LDL receptors

Abstract Genomic DNA encompassing the terminal exons of the gene for the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor was isolated from J. D., a patient with familial hypercholesterolemia whose receptor fails to cluster in coated pits. The DNA sequence revealed a substitution of a cysteine codon for a tyrosine codon at residue 807 in the cytoplasmic domain of the receptor. We reproduced this substitution through oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis of the normal human receptor cDNA. Upon transfection into receptor-deficient hamster cells, the cDNA specified a receptor that bound LDL normally, but entered the cell slowly. Electron microscopy showed that this receptor was distributed diffusely over the cell surface, whereas the receptor produced by the normal cDNA was concentrated in coated pits. These results support the hypothesis that cytoplasmic domains direct receptors to coated pits, thereby determining the high rate of receptor internalization in animal cells.
Impact of hepatitis C status on 20-year mortality of patients with substance use disorders.

The magnitude of the effect of hepatitis C viral infection on survival is still not fully understood. The objective of this study was to determine whether the presence of hepatitis C viral antibodies in 1991 was associated with increased mortality 20 years later within a cohort of patients with substance use disorders. Secondary objectives were to determine other factors that were associated with increased mortality in the cohort. A subset of a 1991 study cohort of patients who had presented for detoxification was reexamined 20 years later. The Social Security Death Index was queried to identify which of the original patients had died. Attributes of survivors and non-survivors were compared, with special attention to their hepatitis C status in 1991. The original study and this analysis were conducted in the chemical detoxification unit at Johns Hopkins Bayview (previously Francis Scott Key Hospital), an academic urban hospital. All participants met the criteria for alcohol or opioid dependence at the time of admission in 1991. The primary study outcome was 20-year mortality after initial admission in 1991, with a planned analysis of hepatitis C status. Twenty years after admission, 362 patients survived and 82 had died. Of the 284 patients who were hepatitis C positive, 228 survived (80 %). Of the 160 patients who were hepatitis C negative, 134 survived (84 %). This absolute risk increase of 4 % was not statistically significant (p = 0.37). Factors associated with increased mortality included male sex, white race, older age, and reported use of alcohol, cocaine, and illicit methadone. Binary logistic regression including hepatitis C status and these other variables yielded an adjusted odds ratio of 0.87 (95 % CI 0.49–1.55); (p = 0.64) for hepatitis C positive 20-year survival. Hepatitis C positivity was not associated with a statistically significant difference in 20-year survival. The effect of the virus on mortality, if present, is small, relative to the effect of substance use disorders alone.
Eddy-Driven Buoyancy Gradients on Eastern Boundaries and Their Role in the Thermocline

Abstract It is demonstrated that eddy fluxes of buoyancy at the eastern and western boundaries maintain alongshore buoyancy gradients along the coast. Eddy fluxes arise near the eastern and western boundaries because on both coasts buoyancy gradients normal to the boundary are strong. The eddy fluxes are accompanied by mean vertical flows that take place in narrow boundary layers next to the coast where the geostrophic constraint is broken. These ageostrophic cells have a velocity component normal to the coast that balances the geostrophic mean velocity. It is shown that the dynamics in these thin ageostrophic boundary layers can be replaced by effective boundary conditions for the interior flow, relating the eddy flux of buoyancy at the seaward edge of the boundary layers to the buoyancy gradient along the coast. These effective boundary conditions are applied to a model of the thermocline linearized around a mean stratification and a state of rest. The linear model parameterizes the eddy fluxes of buoya...
Real-time spatio-temporal analytics using Microsoft StreamInsight

Microsoft StreamInsight (StreamInsight, for brevity) is a platform for developing and deploying streaming applications that run continuous queries over high-rate streaming events. StreamInsight adopts a temporal stream model to handle imperfections in event delivery and define consistency guarantees on the output. This demo highlights the ability of StreamInsight to monitor, analyze and correlate spatio-temporal stream data that is generated by moving objects. The demo scenario is based on the Microsoft Shuttle Service where GPS readings are generated and streamed by shuttles as they move around the Microsoft main campus in Redmond, WA. The demo presents a set of relational continuous queries as well as various real-time analytics that help improve the efficiency of the shuttle service in terms of the average wait time per passenger and the average daily mileage per shuttle.
Telling the Truth in Difficult Times: Malaysian Anthropologists and Orang Asli

Tradisi lisan masyarakat semai. Juli Edo. Monograf Fakulti Sains Kemasyarakatan dan Kemanusiaan, 16. Bangi: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. 1990. 136 pp. Indigenous Minorities of Peninsular Malaysia: Selected Issues and Ethnographies. Razha Rashid. ed. Kuala Lumpur: Intersocietal and Scientific Sdn. Bhd. (INAS), 1995. 183 pp. Pathway to Dependence: Commodity Relations and the Dissolution of Semai Society. Colin Nicholas. Monash Papers on Southeast Asia, 33. Clayton, Australia: Centre of Southeast Asian Studies, Monash University, 1994. 130 pp. Regional Development in Rural Malaysia and the "Tribal Question." Zawawi Ibrahim. Hull, Canada: University of Hull Centre for South-East Asian Studies, 1995. 60 pp. Kami bukan anti-pembangunan! (Bicara Orang Asli menuju wawasan 2020). Zawawi Ibrahim. ed. Bangi: Jabatan Antropologi dan Sociology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 1996. 145 pp.
Dysregulation of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c in livers of morbidly obese women is associated with altered suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 and signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 signaling.

We compared hepatic expression of genes that regulate lipid biosynthesis and metabolic signaling in liver biopsy specimens from women who were undergoing gastric bypass surgery (GBP) for morbid obesity (MO) to that in women undergoing ventral hernia repair who had experienced massive weight loss (MWL) following prior GBP. Comprehensive metabolic profiles of MO (22 subjects) and MWL (9 subjects) were also compared. Analyses of gene expression in liver biopsies from MO and MWL were accomplished by Affymetrix microarray, real-time PCR and Western blotting techniques. Following GBP, MWL subjects had lost on average 102 pounds as compared to MO subjects. This was accompanied by effective reversal of the dyslipidemia and insulin resistance that was present in MO. As compared with MWL, livers of MO subjects exhibited increased expression of Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein (SREBP-1c) and its downstream lipogenic targets, fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA-carboxylase-1 (ACC-1). Livers of MO subjects also exhibited enhanced expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling -3 (SOCS-3) protein and attenuated Janus kinase signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling. Consistent with these findings, we found that the human SREBP-1c promoter was positively regulated by insulin and negatively regulated by STAT3. These data support the hypothesis that SOCS-3 mediated attenuation of the STAT signaling pathway and resulting enhanced expression of SREBP-1c, a key regulator of de novo lipid biosynthesis, are mechanistically related to the development of hepatic insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in morbidly obese women.
The major veins of mesomorphic leaves revisited: tests for conductive overload in Acer saccharum (Aceraceae) and Quercus rubra (Fagaceae)

Many leaves survive the severing of their major veins in apparently excellent health. According to the classical explanation, the leaf minor veins provide ‘‘conductive overload,’’ an excess of parallel conductive paths, rendering the major veins hydraulically dispensable. Whether such an excess of conductive paths exists has important implications for vascular design and for leaf response to vascular damage. We subjected leaves of Acer saccharum and Quercus rubra to cutting treatments that disrupted the major vein system and determined leaf survival, stomatal conductance (g), quantum yield of photosystem II (FPSII), and leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf). For A. saccharum, the cuts led to the death of distal lamina. For Q. rubra, however, the treated leaves typically remained apparently healthy. Despite their appearance, the treated Q. rubra leaves had a strongly reduced Kleaf, relative to control leaves, and g and FPSII were reduced distal to the cuts, respectively, by 75‐97% and 48‐76%. Gas exchange proximal to the cuts was unaffected, indicating the independence of lamina regions and their local stomata. Analogous results were obtained with excised Q. rubra leaves. These studies demonstrate an indispensable, vital role of the major veins in conducting water throughout the lamina.
QUO VADIS: QoS-aware underwater optimization framework for inter-vehicle communication using acoustic directional transducers

Underwater acoustic communications consume a significant amount of energy due to the high transmission power (10–50 W) and long data packet transmission times (0.1–1 s). Mobile Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) can conserve energy by waiting for the ‘best’ network topology configuration, e.g., a favorable alignment, before starting to communicate. Due to the frequency-selective underwater acoustic ambient noise and high medium power absorption — which increases exponentially with distance — a shorter distance between AUVs translates into a lower transmission loss and a higher available bandwidth. By leveraging the predictability of AUV trajectories, a novel solution is proposed that optimizes communications by delaying packet transmissions in order to wait for a favorable network topology (thus trading end-to-end delay for energy and/or throughput). In addition, the solution proposed — which is implemented and compared with other solutions using an emulator that integrates underwater acoustic WHOI Micro-Modems — exploits the frequency-dependent radiation pattern of underwater acoustic transducers to reduce communication energy consumption by adjusting the transducer directivity on-the-fly.
Combining several ordinal measures in clinical studies

In medical research, it is rare that a single variable is sufficient to represent all relevant aspects of epidemiological risk, genomic activity, adverse events, or clinical response. Since biological systems tend to be neither linear, nor hierarchical in nature, the assumptions of traditional multivariate statistical methods based on the linear model can often not be justified on theoretical grounds. Establishing concept validity through empirical validation is not only problematic, but also time consuming. This paper proposes the use of u-statistics for scoring multivariate ordinal data and a family of simple non-parametric tests for analysis. The scoring method is demonstrated to be applicable to scoring clinical response profiles in the treatment of psoriasis and then to identifying genomic pathways that best correlate with these profiles.
Visual electromagnetics for Mathcad(R): a computer-assisted learning tool for undergraduate electromagnetics education

Computer computation and visualization can be powerful tools for teaching undergraduate electromagnetics. Towards this end, the electronic book: Visual electromagnetics for Mathcad(R) (Visual EM(R)) has been written to capitalize on the extraordinary performance of current mathematics software and personal computers. Here we discuss the motivation for developing such an electronic book and give an overview of its content, layout and capabilities.