cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigations on myelinogenesis in vitro: Regulation of 5′‐nucleotidase activity by thyroid hormone in cultures of dissociated cells from embryonic mouse brain

The developmental pattern of the myelin-associated 5'-nucleotidase and its regulation by L-3,3',5,-triiodothyronine (T3) have been demonstrated in a culture system of cells dissociated from embryonic mouse brain. Hypothyroid calf serum containing low levels of T3 (31 ng/100 ml), and thyroxine, T4 (less than 1 microgram/ml), was used in the culture medium in place of normal calf serum (T3, 103 ng/100ml; T4, 5.7 micrograms/ml) to render the cultures responsive to exogenously added T3. By means of T3 supplementation, the lower levels of enzyme activity observed in the cultures grown in the presence of hypothyroid calf-serum containing medium could be restored to a considerable extent although not completely to normal values. Half-maximal stimulatory effect was obtained at 3.9 X 10(-8)M T3 concentration. Among the various substrates tested, 5'-AMP, 5'-UMP and 5'-CMP were equally good, while 5'-GMP yielded approximately half the activity.
A charged particle spectrometer for space experimentation

Abstract This article presents the design and some test results for a near-earth, satelliteborne solid state detector spectrometer intended to provide useful data on the directionality, spectral intensity, and time fluctuations of the natural and artificial trapped radiation belts, solar flare proton- and alpha emissions, and primary cosmic ray protons and alphas. The objectives of the intended experiment translate into requirements of instrument performance which are concerned with the identification of the particle types in the environment and the simultaneous measurement of the spectral intensity of each, with sufficient directional, time, and energy resolution to allow the data to be related to current models of trapped belt structure and flare proton propagation. The significant performance characteristics of the electronic modules under pulser excitation are described, and the response of the solid state detectors to electrons and protons of various energies is displayed. Particular attention is given to the particle mass and energy resolution achievable with the chosen technique over a wide energy range characteristic of space radiation.
Isothermal decomposition of urea nitrate

Abstract The kinetics of isothermal decomposition of urea nitrate, an organic secondary explosive with monoclinic structure and chemical formula CO(NH 2 ) 2 · HNO 3 , which melts with decomposition at 152°C, was studied in open air in the temperature range 106-150°C, using a gravimetric method. Gas chromatographic analysis of product gases indicate CO 2 , N 2 O and traces of water vapor as product gases. A pasty amorphous product on the basis of wet chemical and infrared analysis was found to be cyanourea. The weight loss-time curve exhibited an acceleratory region extending almost to the end of the main reaction (35% decomposition) and followed a three-dimensional nucleation model obeying the relation x 1/3 = K(t—t 0 where α = fraction of sample reacted at time t , K = reaction rate constant, and t 0 = induction time. On the basis of this model, an enthalpy of activation of 27.6 ± 1.2 kcal/mole was calculated at 95% confidence range. The rate of decomposition was slightly accelerated in He atmosphere and slightly retarded in N 2 O and CO 2 atmospheres, while water vapor drastically reduced the rate. The reaction 3CO(NH 2 ) 2 · HNO 3 → CNNHCONH 2 (cyanourea) + 6H 2 O+3N 2 O+CO 2 is presented as the most likely one for decomposition of urea nitrate in open air.
Individual differences in the reinforcing and subjective effects of amphetamine and diazepam

This study explored the relation between the reinforcing properties of different drugs and their subjective effects. Preference for a drug (amphetamine or diazepam) over placebo was measured in a choice procedure, and mood changes after drug administration were monitored by self-report questionnaires. Individual differences in behavioral drug preferences were then examined for their relationships to subjective drug responses as well as other subject variables. In Part I, the subjective effects of amphetamine were compared in those subjects who consistently preferred (i.e. chose) amphetamine over placebo, and those who preferred placebo over amphetamine. The two subject groups showed markedly different subjective responses to the stimulant drug: the choosers reported increased positive mood and euphoria, whereas the non-choosers reported only increased anxiety and depression. In Part II, the subjective effects of diazepam in consistent choosers of diazepam were compared to the subjective effects in consistent non-choosers of the drug. The non-choosers showed appreciable subjective effects, which were predominantly sedative in quality. In contrast to the results with amphetamine, the choosers showed negligible subjective drug effects. These results underline the importance of considering more than one response measure when attempting to characterize the reinforcing effects of drugs.
Variability in laboratory immune parameters is associated with stress hormone receptor polymorphisms.

Objectives: Interpretation of laboratory immune data in healthy human subjects is often challenging due to wide inter-subject variability. Since endocrine and immune mediators have
Effect of γ radiation on selected pharmaceuticals

Aqueous solutions of chlorobutanol, theophylline, and sodium carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC) were irradiated with γ radiation from a 60 Co source. Solutions were irradiated in glass and polyethylene containers. Chlorobutanol solutions were analyzed for appearance, pH changes, chlorobutanol degradation, and production of chlorine, acetone, and hydrogen peroxide. Theophylline solutions were analyzed for appearance, pH changes, theophylline degradation, and production of hydrogen peroxide. CMC solutions were analyzed for viscosity changes. All systems showed pronounced changes, even at low radiation levels.
Structural and Electrochemical Characterization of 1,3-bis(4- Methylphenyl)Imidazolium Chloride

The structure of 1,3-bis(4-methylphenyl)imidazolium chloride was determined and compared to its related imidazole-based carbene. The important structural difference is the greater N2−C2−N3 angle in the salt (109.6°) than in the carbene (101.2°). An electrochemical investigation of the salt revealed a single reduction at −2.32 V in the forward scan and two oxidations at −0.89 and −0.54 V following scan reversal.
Amyand's hernia presenting as chronic scrotal sinus

A rare case of Amyand's hernia in an infant who presented with chronic discharging scrotal sinus is reported.
Learning Disabilities and Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis:

This article presents the results of a meta-analysis of the empirical literature on anxious symptomatology among school-aged students with learning disabilities (LD) in comparison to their non-LD peers. Fifty-eight studies met inclusion criteria. Results indicate that students with LD had higher mean scores on measures of anxiety than did non-LD students. The overall effect size was statistically significant and medium in magnitude (d = .61) although substantial heterogeneity of results was found. Moderator effects were examined for informant type, gender, grade, publication status, and identification source. Informant type (i.e., self-, parent, or teacher report) explained a significant amount of variability in the sample of studies, and identification source (i.e., school identified or special school and clinic/hospital identified) approached statistical significance. Implications for assessment and intervention are discussed.
System identification of point-process neural systems using Probability Based Volterra kernels

Abstract Background Neural information processing involves a series of nonlinear dynamical input/output transformations between the spike trains of neurons/neuronal ensembles. Understanding and quantifying these transformations is critical both for understanding neural physiology such as short-term potentiation and for developing cognitive neural prosthetics. New method A novel method for estimating Volterra kernels for systems with point-process inputs and outputs is developed based on elementary probability theory. These Probability Based Volterra (PBV) kernels essentially describe the probability of an output spike given q input spikes at various lags t1, t2, …, tq. Results The PBV kernels are used to estimate both synthetic systems where ground truth is available and data from the CA3 and CA1 regions rodent hippocampus. The PBV kernels give excellent predictive results in both cases. Furthermore, they are shown to be quite robust to noise and to have good convergence and overfitting properties. Through a slight modification, the PBV kernels are shown to also deal well with correlated point-process inputs. Comparison with existing methods The PBV kernels were compared with kernels estimated through least squares estimation (LSE) and through the Laguerre expansion technique (LET). The LSE kernels were shown to fair very poorly with real data due to the large amount of input noise. Although the LET kernels gave the best predictive results in all cases, they require prior parameter estimation. It was shown how the PBV and LET methods can be combined synergistically to maximize performance. Conclusions The PBV kernels provide a novel and intuitive method of characterizing point-process input–output nonlinear systems.
Psychopolitical Dimensions of the Middle East Conflict Policy Implications

On the basis of in-depth interviews with Arab and Israeli elites, this study delineates political styles and strategies of conflict on both sides of the Middle East dispute, with the aim of understanding their interaction effects. Three conflict orientations emerged for both Arabs and Israelis. Among Arabs, two are straight-forward: total rejection of Israel and unambiguous acceptance. All the acceptors are peripheral in their Arab identity or unusual in their contact with Israel. Through analysis of latent as well as manifest attitudes, a third, more intriguing orientation of “latent acceptance but manifest rejection” also emerges. Among Israelis, the three orientations consist of annexationism (of the occupied territories), hard bargaining, and conciliation. Although there is potential convergence between the crucial Arab “latents” and the important Israeli “hard bargainers,” their political styles and conflict strategies serve to lock the proponents of these orientations into highly competitive, intrac...
Transient Oxidation of a γ-Ni–28Cr–11Al Alloy

γ-NiCrAl alloys with relatively low Al contents tend to form a layered oxide scale during the early stages of oxidation, rather than an exclusive α-Al2O3 scale, the so-called “thermally grown oxide” (TGO). A layered oxide scale was established on a model γ-Ni–28Cr–11Al (at.%) alloy after isothermal oxidation for several minutes at 1100°C. The layered scale consisted of an NiO layer at the oxide/gas interface, an inner Cr2O3 layer, and an α-Al2O3 layer at the oxide/alloy interface. The evolution of such an NiO/Cr2O3/Al2O3 layered structure on this alloy differs from that proposed in earlier work. During heating, a Cr2O3 outer layer and a discontinuous inner layer of Al2O3 initially formed, with metallic Ni particles dispersed between the two layers. A rapid transformation occurred in the scale shortly after the sample reached maximum temperature (1100°C), when two (possibly coupled) phenomena occurred: (i) the inner transition alumina transformed to α-Al2O3, and (ii) Ni particles oxidized to form the outer NiO layer. Subsequently, NiO reacted with Cr2O3 and Al2O3 to form spinel. Continued growth of the oxide scale and development of the TGO was dominated by growth of the inner α-Al2O3 layer.
Impact of Ethanol Content on Full-Load Combustion Behavior and Engine Control Unit Response for a Direct-Injection, Spark-Ignition Engine

With its high octane number and potentially favorable greenhouse gas and energy balance characteristics, ethanol offers potential to replace portions of gasoline as a transportation fuel. System optimization to utilize the increased knock resistance and evaporative cooling effect of ethanol can increase the performance and efficiency of spark-ignition engines. Though basic engine emissions and performance effects of ethanol fuel blends have been widely reported, limited studies have examined the details of combustion behavior and the interplay between fuel ethanol content and the behavior of the engine control system. This paper quantifies the response of a production engine control unit to ethanol fuel blends, along with the subsequent combustion behavior and resulting engine performance at high-load operating conditions. Steady-state testing is conducted on a modern direct-injection, spark-ignition, four-cylinder engine using a base engine calibration at full-load (wide-open throttle) conditions across a range of engine speeds from 1500 to 4000 rpm. Test fuels include gasoline, neat ethanol, and an intermediate blend of gasoline and ethanol. A combination of low-speed engine measurements and crank angle based cylinder pressure measurements are used to demonstrate the impact of increasing fuel ethanol content on engine control parameters. Ethanol’s increased knock resistance, demonstrated by its higher octane number, compared to gasoline makes combustion less susceptible to knock as ethanol fraction in the fuel increases. Accordingly, less spark retard is required to avoid knock at high engine load, translating to higher fuel conversion efficiency and increased specific power output. This effect is explored within the framework of a production engine calibration which uses active knock-avoidance feedback control. The relative contribution between a more aggressive engine calibration and increased fuel-evaporation charge-cooling to the increased efficiency and power resulting from increasing fuel ethanol percentage is also characterized.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Chronic Eosinophilic Pneumonia and Idiopathic Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia: Comparison of Eosinophil Number and Degranulation by Immunofluorescence Staining for Eosinophil-Derived Major Basic Protein

Objective To undertake additional assessment of the possible overlap between bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP). Design We retrospectively reviewed open-lung biopsy specimens from six patients with CEP, five patients with idiopathic BOOP, and four patients with secondary BOOP, encountered during the 5-year period 1986 through 1991, for the presence of eosinophils and extent of eosinophil degranulation. Material and methods Using previously described immunofluorescence methods for detection of intact eosinophils and extracellular deposition of eosinophil-derived major basic protein, we counted the number of eosinophils per x160 microscopic field and evaluated the extent of eosinophil degranulation semiquantitatively. Results The median numbers of eosinophils were 221 (range, 26 to 343) in cases of CEP, 7 (range, 1 to 65) in cases of idiopathic BOOP, and 7.5 (range, 1 to 39) in cases of secondary BOOP. More eosinophils were found in CEP than in idiopathic BOOP or all cases of idiopathic and secondary BOOP. We found no differences in the extent of eosinophil degranulation among the three groups, although a tendency for more degranulation was noted in cases of CEP. Conclusion Even though clinical and histologic overlap may exist between CEP and idiopathic BOOP, the exact relationship and the role of the eosinophil in idiopathic BOOP remain to be determined.
Water-in-carbon dioxide microemulsions with methylated branched hydrocarbon surfactants

Nonionic methylated branched hydrocarbon surfactants, poly(ethylene glycol) 2,6,8-trimethyl-4-nonyl ethers, form water-in-carbon dioxide (W/C) microemulsions. A concentration of 1.0 wt % of the octa(ethylene glycol) 2,6,8-trimethyl-4-nonyl ether (5b-C12E8) stabilized up to 1.1 wt % of water (corrected molar water/surfactant ratio, ≈ 28) from 35 to 65 °C and above 240 bar. Methylation and branching of surfactant tails enhance the formation of stable W/C microemulsions as they (1) raise surfactant solubility in CO2 by weakening interactions between tails and lower surfactant solubility in water by inhibiting micellization, (2) shift the curvature toward bending about water, and (3) reduce overlap between surfactant tails and weaken interdroplet interactions. The hydrodynamic radii of microemulsion droplets measured by dynamic light scattering (1.6−3.0 nm) increases with a decrease in temperature, at constant CO2 density, due to stronger interactions between the headgroups and water. The W/C microemulsions s...
School psychology's significant discrepancy: Historical perspectives on personnel shortages.

Accurately describing personnel shortages is difficult in the absence of reliable sources and with problems defining terms. Despite periods when employment opportunities were limited, it appears there has never been a time when the supply of school psychologists was sufficient to meet the demand. Recent personnel shortages follow a period of several decades in which the overall growth of the field surged upward. Among the factors to explain recent shortages is an inverse relationship between professional regulation and the supply of future school psychologists in training. The shortage is predicted to continue indefinitely. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 419–430, 2004.
Experimental behavior of steel beam to CFT column connections

Abstract Available literature has indicated that the through beam connection detail is an ideal rigid connection for attaching steel beams to concrete filled tube (CFT) columns. In this research program, a combination of analytical and experimental studies was conducted to comprehend the behavior of this detail and develop the accompanying design provisions. The experimental research program is presented in this paper. Seven two-thirds scale connection specimens were tested. Each test specimen consisted of a CFT column and a steel beam passed through the column to represent an interior joint in a building. The specimens were designed such that possible failure modes and the connection strength could be identified. Based on test results, possible modes of failure for a beam–column subassembly are identified as column failure, beam failure, and joint shear failure. The joint shear strength is determined based on the results of two test specimens that failed by joint shear. The experimental results presented in this paper provided the basis for the development of the design model, which is described in another paper.
The Gas?Galaxy Connection at z abs = 0.35: O VI and H I Absorption toward J 0943+0531

We present observations of H I and O VI absorption systems proximate to a galaxy at z gal = 0.3529. The absorption was detected serendipitously in Cosmic Origins Spectrograph observations of the low-z QSO J 0943 + 0531 (z qso = 0.564). The data show two separate clouds along the sightline at an impact parameter of 95 kpc from the galaxy. The first is likely low-metallicity gas falling onto the galaxy. This assessment is based on the high velocity offset of the cloud from the galaxy (Δv = 365 km s–1) and the weak metal line absorption, combined with photoionization modeling. The second cloud, with only a modest velocity separation from the galaxy (Δv = 85 km s–1), exhibits very strong O VI absorption qualitatively similar to O VI absorption seen in the Milky Way halo. Collisional ionization equilibrium models are ruled out by the metal line column density ratios. Photoionization modeling implies a length scale for the O VI cloud of ~0.1-1.2 Mpc, which indicates the absorbing gas most likely resides within the local filamentary structure. This system emphasizes that kinematic association alone is not sufficient to establish a physical connection to galaxies, even at small impact parameters and velocity separations. Observations such as these, connecting galaxies with their gaseous environments, are becoming increasingly important for understanding of galaxy evolution and provide constraints for cosmological simulations.
Exports, growth and causality in developing countries

Abstract Previous empirical studies have interpreted results in regressions of output variables on export variables as providing support for an export promotion development strategy. Such an interpretation is questionable since these regressions provide no means of determining the direction of causality. This paper performs causality tests between exports and growth for 37 developing countries. The results cast considerable doubt on the validity of the export promotion hypothesis.
THE RELATION OF ANGIOTONIN AND L-NOREPINEPHRINE TO ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION AS DETERMINED BY THE REACTION OF THE NAILFOLD CAPILLARY BED

Further evidence has been obtained that L-norepinephrine infusions markedly decreases cutaneous capillary blood flow in the nailfold. Sustained ischemia of the capillary bed occurred prior to the attainment of hypertensive diastolic arterial blood pressure levels. Corroborative evidence of this nailfold capillary ischemia was obtained from the capillary reactive hyperemia that followed the abrupt discontinuance of the L-norepinephrine infusions. The infusion of angiotonin into persons with normal blood pressure did not induce sustained ischemia of the nailfold capillary vessels, even after definite hypertensive diastolic arterial blood pressure levels were attained. Corroboration of the adequacy of nailfold capillary blood flow was obtained by noting the absence of capillary reactive hyperemia following the abrupt cessation of the angiotonin infusions. The nailfold capillary bed in persons with angiotonin-induced hypertension could not be distinguished from that of persons with essential hypertension by direct microscopic examination. During the infusion of angiotonin into subjects with normal cardiovascular systems, the reactivity of the nailfold capillary bed to circulating L-norepinephrine was significantly increased, approaching the levels found in persons with essential hypertension. From the standpoint of its effects upon the nailfold capillary bed, angiotonin, unlike L-norepinephrine, is one substance which possesses the properties required of the hypothetical humoral pressor substance of essential hypertension.
Military optical memory storage

It is pointed out that, in the 1980s, many companies erroneously believed that it was possible to modify a commercial optical drive and media design for use in the military environment. Honeywell has successfully developed a militarized 300-Mbyte write-once read-many (WORM) optical drive, took it into full production, and is applying this flight-proven knowledge to rewritable magnetooptic (MO) technology. The authors describe the lessons learned and how those lessons apply to current and future military optical drive developments. >
Facing puberty: associations between pubertal development and neural responses to affective facial displays

Adolescence is marked by profound psychosocial and physiological changes. Although investigations into the interactions between these forces have begun to shed light on the neural correlates of affective processing during the transition to adolescence, relatively little is known about the relationship between pubertal development and emotion perception at the neural level. In the current longitudinal study, 45 neurotypical participants were shown affective facial displays while undergoing fMRI, at ages 10 and 13. Neural responses to emotional expressions at both time points were then correlated with a self-report measure of pubertal development, revealing positive associations with activity in amygdala, thalamus and visual cortical areas at age 10 that increased in magnitude and extent by age 13. At the latter time point, pubertal development was additionally correlated with enhanced responses to faces in temporal pole, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) and dorsomedial PFC. Longitudinal comparisons revealed that the relationships between pubertal development and activity in the amygdala, hippocampus and temporal pole were significantly stronger during early adolescence than late childhood. These results suggest that pubertal development per se is linked to neural processing of socioemotional stimuli, particularly with respect to the integration of complex perceptual input and higher order cortical processing of affective content.
British Thoracic Society Paediatric Pneumonia Audit: a review of 3 years of data

The British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines for the management of community-acquired pneumonia in children are used as the audit standard for the annual BTS Paediatric Pneumonia Audit. This report examines 3 years of data from this national audit, highlighting trends in clinical practice and the impact of the 2011 revisions to the BTS guidelines. The findings suggest an over-reliance on investigations to diagnose pneumonia and underuse of oral antibiotics, particularly amoxicillin. There is inappropriate use of chest physiotherapy, outpatient appointments and repeat chest x-rays. Increasing adherence to the BTS guidelines would improve care and also preserve valuable secondary care resources.
RENAL MEDULLARY RIM SIGN: ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF RENAL DISEASE

An echogenic line in the outer zone of the renal medulla, paralleling the corticomedullary junction is described as the renal medullary rim sign. This renal ultrasonographic change is demonstrated in 4 dogs and 2 cats with a range of renal diseases. The renal medullary rim sign provides additional ultrasonographic criteria indicating primary renal disease in some patients. However the renal medullary rim sign may prove to be a poor correlate for prognosis across the range of differentials present in these clinical patients.
In Vitro Transposition System for Efficient Generation of Random Mutants of Campylobacter jejuni

Campylobacter jejuni is the most common cause of food-borne illnesses in the United States. Despite the fact that the entire nucleotide sequence of its genome has recently become available, its mechanisms of pathogenicity are poorly understood. This is in part due to the lack of an efficient mutagenesis system. Here we describe an in vitro transposon mutagenesis system based on the Staphylococcus aureus transposable element Tn552 that allows the efficient generation of insertion mutants of C. jejuni. Insertions occur randomly and throughout the entire bacterial genome. We have tested this system in the isolation of nonmotile mutants of C. jejuni. Demonstrating the utility of the system, six nonmotile mutants from a total of nine exhibited insertions in genes known to be associated with motility. An additional mutant had an inactivating insertion in sigma 54, implicating this transcription factor in flagellum regulation. The availability of this efficient system will greatly facilitate the study of the mechanisms of pathogenesis of this important pathogen.
I’m Dreaming of Walt Whitman

I’m dreaming of Walt Whitman. May he ever rest In peace at Camden, where the purple lilacs bloom Amid the joyful thrushes, singing from their nest, A song of spring eternal vanquishing the gloom. For when a grieving nation faced its darkest hour, He took a mighty pen and, banishing despair, Composed a masterwork, whose majesty and power Regenerated hope and patience to forbear. And so I dream of such a grand poetic feat— Of conquering the darkness with a noble verse, Of writing with my trembling hand ‘til I defeat The depredation of this parkinsonian curse. For though my movements are restricted and congealed, I live!—And that is ample reason to rejoice; Yet, my barbaric yawp will always be concealed Within the murmur of an evanescing voice.
The crisis (collapse) of Italy's public enterprise system: A revised property rights perspective

Abstract The aim of this article is to analyze the relationship between Italy's mixed property ownership structure and the crisis of state‐owned enterprises. It does this by examining how the principal‐agent relationship was shaped by the Italian party system and its fragmenting effect on other Italian institutions. I argue that Italian political parties shaped the principal‐agent dynamic of state‐owned enterprises in ways that undermined their economic performance. They did this by assigning multiple and contradictory objectives to the agents (managers) and by using public enterprises as a resource in their drive to achieve power in the late 1940s, and then to consolidate their hold on it. Efforts to reform the system failed because they did not alter the property structure of public enterprises or the coalition of interests (parties, regional groups and labor unions) which had gained a direct stake in using state‐owned property for political and social purposes.
Status of yellowstone cutthroat trout in Idaho

Abstract In this study, we electrofished 961 study sites to estimate the abundance of trout (in streams only) throughout the upper Snake River basin in Idaho (and portions of adjacent states) to determine the current status of Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvierii and other nonnative salmonids and to assess introgressive hybridization between Yellowstone cutthroat trout and rainbow trout O. mykiss. Yellowstone cutthroat trout were the most widely distributed species of trout, followed by brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis, rainbow trout and rainbow trout × Yellowstone cutthroat trout hybrids, and brown trout Salmo trutta. Of the 457 sites that contained Yellowstone cutthroat trout, less than half also contained nonnative salmonids and only 88 contained rainbow trout and hybrids. In the 11 geographic management units (GMUs) for which sample size permitted abundance estimates, the number of 100-mm and larger trout was estimated to be about 2.2 ± 1.2 million (mean ± confidence interval); ...
Mechanical property distributions in the cancellous bone of the human proximal femur

Proximal femurs obtained at routine autopsy were sectioned into large numbers of 5 mm cubic specimens, in order to obtain detailed quantitative information about the spatial and directional variations of the material properties of the cancellous bone. Low strain rate compression tests were performed, evaluating the apparent elastic modulus and yield strength, in three perpendicular testing directions, for each cube. A computer contouring program was used to assemble the experimental data into smoothed distribution plots across sections of interest.The results revealed stiffness and strength elevations/reductions which clearly correspond to roentgenographic features. Especially prominent stiffness elevations (160 to 400 percent above the overall cancellous bone average) were found in the regions traversed by the primary trabeculation system, although the modulus of the bone samples was substantially reduced when measured in directions other than those of habitual weight-bearing. Similar but less pronounced...
The Outlook for Protein Engineering in Crop Improvement

In the early 1800s the population of the world was estimated to be around 1 billion. It grew to 2 billion in the 1920s and to 6 billion at the close of the last millennium. We are currently adding approximately 80 million more per year and, at this rate, the global population will increase from the
Multi-Site Retrieval of Declustered Data

Declustering techniques reduce query response times through parallel I/O by distributing data among multiple devices. Recently, replication based approaches were proposed to further reduce the response time. All of the replication based schemes assume that replication is done at a single site. In this paper, we consider replicated data stored at multiple sites. We formulate multi-site retrieval problem as a maximum flow problem and solve it using maximum flow techniques. We propose a low complexity online algorithm for the problem. We investigate the proposed scheme using various replication schemes, query types and query loads. Proposed scheme can easily be extended to nonuniform data and to any number of sites. Experimental results show that replication using orthogonal allocation performs the best under various settings.
Reimbursement for clinical services provided by pharmacists: what are we doing wrong?

Perhaps the most telling measure of pharmacy’s professional inertia is the fact that nearly every-one reading this will have heard the phrase “Pharmacy is at a crossroads.” After a little more dithering and a few more years of introspective analysis, the crossroads will no longer be an issue.
Spectrum demand for air/ground air traffic management communications

The Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) of the MITRE Corporation, in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has been studying the future capacity and spectrum requirements for air/ground aeronautical mobile communications. A VDL Mode 2 protocol model has been developed to estimate the number of aircraft a ground station can support with varying traffic loads. This capacity, in conjunction with the expected aircraft density, determines the number of frequency channels and ground radio sites that will be needed to support various levels of future data communications services. From this analysis, the timeliness of the need for 8.33 kHz channelization for voice services, particularly with respect to the impacts of creation of a data communications subband within the VHF frequency band, is inferrred. This paper contains the details of the study and describes the ability of the FAA's current and planned communications infrastructure to meet the requirements of performance-based air traffic management and NextGen communications using the aeronautical VHF spectrum.
A novel approach to shared-spectrum multistatic radar

In recent years the electromagnetic spectrum has become increasingly crowded due to the demand for higher bandwidths by both the radar and communications communities. One proposed solution to this issue is shared-spectrum multistatic radar, analogous to code-division multiple access (CDMA) communications. The recently proposed multistatic adaptive pulse compression (MAPC) algorithm has been shown to successfully suppress both range sidelobes and interference from multiple radars operating in the same spectrum, thus enabling shared-spectrum multistatic radar. In this paper, we present a method to increase the overall information capacity of the MAPC algorithm by performing joint adaptive pulse compression in conjunction with adaptive beamforming. The addition of an adaptive beamforming stage to the MAPC algorithm enables further mutual interference suppression and therefore better estimation performance such that the number of multistatic radars simultaneously operating in the same spectrum may be increased for the same mean-square estimation error. Analysis of the performance of the adaptive beamforming MAPC algorithm in the presence of Doppler mismatch is presented.
New Cost-Effective Treatment Strategies for Acute Emergency Situations

In an era of ever-increasing healthcare costs, new treatments must not only improve outcomes and quality of care but also be cost-effective. This is most challenging for emergency and critical care. Bigger and better has been the mantra of Western medical care for decades, leading to costlier but not necessarily better care. Recent advances focused on new implementation processes for evidence-based best practices such as checklists and bundles have transformed medical care. We outline recent advances in medical practice that have positively affected both the quality of care and its cost-effectiveness. Future medical care must be smarter and more effective if we are to meet the increasing demands of an aging patient population in the context of ever more limited resources.
Dietary Protein and Phosphorus: Effect on Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism in Bone, Blood and Muscle of the Rat

Four- or 12-week-old rats were fed diets containing either 25 or 45% casein and either 0.35 or 0.8% phosphorus (P) for 7 weeks. Calcium (Ca) level of each diet was 0.9%. In the young, fast-growing rat (expt 1), plasma P was increased (P < 0.01) when 0.8%, rather than 0.35%, P was fed. In the more mature rats (expt 2), increased dietary P depressed Ca in plasma but elevated P; high protein intake ele vated whole-blood Ca, but depressed plasma P. Dietary treatment had little effect on muscle of mature rats, but wet weight and total P content of muscle were higher in young rats fed 0.8%, rather than 0.35%, P. Femur dry weight and P concentration were greater when 0.8%, rather than 0.35%, P was fed to young rats; dietary P did not affect any other parameter of bone (expt 1, 2). Excessive protein intake elevated femur P concentration in young rats, but depressed length and strength of femurs in mature rats. Some parameters of bone, blood and muscle can be influenced by dietary levels of protein and P. The response, however, is dependent on the physical maturity of the rat when dietary treatment begins. J. Nutr. 113: 2185-2195, 1983.
Research on naltrexone in the criminal justice system

Many parolees and probationers are opioid abusers, and substance abuse is a leading factor for the revocation of probation, parole, and other alternatives to incarceration. The opioid antagonist naltrexone would appear to be an excellent treatment for opioid abuse and dependence in this population and the authors sought to systematically review this literature. Using the PubMed database, the authors identified large bodies of criminal justice (CJS) and naltrexone literature. The search terms used in both searches were crosschecked to identify all articles that involved research on naltrexone in the CJS. Only two articles were identified. The lack of research on naltrexone in the criminal justice system highlights the need for more research on naltrexone in our overburdened CJS.
SAGA binds TBP via its Spt8 subunit in competition with DNA: implications for TBP recruitment

In yeast, the multisubunit SAGA (Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase) complex acts as a coactivator to recruit the TATA-binding protein (TBP) to the TATA box, a critical step in eukaryotic gene regulation. However, it is unclear which SAGA subunits are responsible for SAGA's direct interactions with TBP and precisely how SAGA recruits TBP to the promoter. We have used chemical crosslinking to identify Spt8 and Ada1 as potential SAGA subunits that interact with TBP, and we find that both Spt8 and SAGA bind directly to TBP monomer in competition with TBP dimer. We further find that Spt8 and SAGA compete with DNA to bind TBP rather than forming a triple complex. Our results suggest a handoff model for SAGA recruitment of TBP: instead of binding together with TBP at the TATA box, activator-recruited SAGA transfers TBP to the TATA box. This simple model can explain SAGA's observed ability to both activate and repress transcription.
Potential costs of breast augmentation mammaplasty.

Summary Background Augmentation mammaplasty is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by plastic surgeons. The aim of this study was to estimate the cost of the initial procedure and its subsequent complications, as well as project the cost of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-recommended surveillance imaging. Methods The potential costs to the individual patient and society were calculated. Local plastic surgeons provided billing data for the initial primary silicone augmentation and reoperative procedures. Complication rates used for the cost analysis were obtained from the Allergen Core study on silicone implants. Imaging surveillance costs were considered in the estimations. Results The average baseline initial cost of silicone augmentation mammaplasty was calculated at $6335. The average total cost of primary breast augmentation over the first decade for an individual patient, including complications requiring reoperation and other ancillary costs, was calculated at $8226. Each decade thereafter cost an additional $1891. Costs may exceed $15,000 over an averaged lifetime, and the recommended implant surveillance could cost an additional $33,750. Discussion The potential cost of a breast augmentation, which includes the costs of complications and imaging, is significantly higher than the initial cost of the procedure. Level of evidence Level III, economic and decision analysis study.
Illegitimacy in early adolescence: A study of fertility by parity

Abstract The subject of repeated out-of-wedlock pregnancies among adolescents has commanded increasing attention in recent years. A study of 15-year-old girls in Baltimore City was conducted and supported the hypothesis that the incidence of pregnancy and delivery is considerably higher among parous than among nulliparous adolescents. This finding, which holds true for racial and socioeconomic subpopulations, has implications for assigning priorities for preventive intervention.
Environmental and genealogical effects on emergence of cranial morphometric variability in reintroduced American martens

Exposure of individuals to novel environmental conditions generally favors locally adapted phenotypes and can influence the likelihood of successful dispersal or the success of translocation efforts. We used geometric morphometrics to characterize American marten ( Martes americana ) skull morphology for descendants of animals reintroduced to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA (~44,000 km2) from genetically distinct source populations. Using univariate and multivariate analyses, we quantified associations between interindividual variation in skull shape and size, genealogical relationships, past introduction history, local harvest density of competitors, and contemporary landscape features we hypothesized would be related to diet. Effects of other sources of variation including shared ancestry (source population, geographic distance, and coancestry among descendants), sex, and age were also evaluated. Descendant skull shape was related to progenitor source population, sex, and age. In contrast to strong associations between spatial genetic structure based on neutral molecular markers and measures of landscape effects on dispersal, variation in skull shape among descendants was not associated with geographic distance or landscape features. Our study addressed a critical issue regarding a widely used conservation prescription. Specifically, when individuals are transplanted to reestablish extirpated species, do their descendants retain the features of the source population(s), or do they adapt to local conditions? Marten skull shape following reintroduction events is most likely determined by a combination of differences in morphology of source populations and geographic variation in habitat, rather than being influenced by a single factor.
‘My Holocaust experience was great!’: Entitlements for participation in museum media

This interdisciplinary study brings together research on audiences’ participation in the media, and an up-close exploration of communicative entitlement of and for such participation. Viewing visit...
Finite-Difference Micromagnetic Solvers With the Object-Oriented Micromagnetic Framework on Graphics Processing Units

A micromagnetic solver using the finite-difference method on a graphics processing unit (GPU) and its integration with the object-oriented micromagnetic framework (OOMMF) are presented. Two approaches for computing the magnetostatic field accelerated by the fast Fourier transform are implemented. The first approach, referred to as the tensor approach, is based on the tensor spatial convolution to directly compute the magnetostatic field from magnetic moments. The second approach, referred to as the scalar potential approach, uses differential operator evaluation through finite differences (divergence for magnetic charge and gradient for magnetostatic field) and spatial convolution for magnetic scalar potential. Comparisons of implementation details, speed, memory consumption, and accuracy are provided. The GPU implementation of OOMMF shows up to $32\times $ GPU–CPU speedup.
Predictive Maintenance Management Using Sensor-Based Degradation Models

This paper presents a sensory-updated degradation-based predictive maintenance policy (herein referred to as the SUDM policy). The proposed maintenance policy utilizes contemporary degradation models that combine component-specific real-time degradation signals, acquired during operation, with degradation and reliability characteristics of the component's population to predict and update the residual life distribution (RLD). By capturing the latest degradation state of the component being monitored, the updating process provides a more accurate of the remaining life. With the aid of a stopping rule, maintenance routines are scheduled based on the most recently updated RLD. The performance of the proposed maintenance policy is evaluated using a simulation model of a simple manufacturing cell. Frequency of unexpected failures and overall maintenance costs are computed and compared with two other benchmark maintenance policies: a reliability-based and a conventional degradation-based maintenance policy (without any sensor-based updating).
Mitigation of Earthquake-Induced Soil Liquefaction via Microbial Denitrification: A Two-Stage Process

Microbial denitrification, or dissimilatory reduction of nitrate, offers the potential of a sustainable and cost-effective method for mitigation of earthquakeinduced liquefaction. Carbonate precipitation via microbial denitrification is a slow process and may take years to precipitate enough carbonate to provide the desired degree of mitigation. Fortunately, large amounts of nitrogen gas are generated immediately upon the onset of denitrification. As desaturation by biogas generation is in itself a liquefaction mitigation mechanism, liquefaction mitigation via microbial denitrification may be viewed as a two-phase process: an initial phase wherein desaturation via biogas generation provides mitigation and a second phase in which sufficient carbonate precipitation has occurred to provide mitigation via particle cementation and/or an increase in dilatancy. Microbial denitrification is suitable for remediation under and around existing facilities because it is non-disruptive. An advantage of microbial denitrification compared to hydrolysis of urea (ureolysis), another technique for microbial precipitation of carbonate, is that its primary byproducts are benign (non-toxic). Another advantage of microbial denitrification is that denitrifying bacteria are ubiquitous in the subsurface. Laboratory test data demonstrates the ability of microbial denitrification to both desaturate the soil and induce carbonate precipitation, leading to an increase in strength and dilatancy, substantiating the concept of microbial denitrification as a two-phase process for mitigation of earthquake-induced liquefaction.
An Iterative Optimization Based Method for Aiming Guidance in Air Combat Interception

To solve the problem of fighter's autonomous attack with air-to-air missile in air combat,an Iterative Optimization Aiming Guidance(IOAG) method was proposed.Firstly,the problems in autonomous interception attack were analyzed.Then,the basic idea about IOAG was introduced and the equations of aiming error were deduced.And subsequently,the model of IOAG was established and the process of IOAG was designed.Finally,simulation was made for comparing it with the method of proportional navigation control,and the robustness experiment was performed.The results show that the method of IOAG is very effective for the problems of autonomous interception attack.