cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stoichiometrically coupled carbon and nitrogen cycling in the MIcrobial-MIneral Carbon Stabilization model (MIMICS-CN)

Abstract. Explicit consideration of microbial physiology in soil biogeochemical models that represent coupled carbon-nitrogen dynamics presents opportunities to deepen understanding of ecosystem responses to environmental change. The MIcrobial-MIneral Carbon Stabilization (MIMICS) model explicitly represents microbial physiology and physicochemical stabilization of soil carbon (C) on regional and global scales. Here we present a new version of MIMICS with coupled C and nitrogen (N) cycling through litter, microbial, and soil organic matter (SOM) pools. The model was parameterized and validated against C and N data from the Long-Term Inter-site Decomposition Experiment Team (LIDET; 6 litter types, 10 years of observations, 13 sites across North America). The model simulates C and N losses from litterbags in the LIDET study with reasonable accuracy (C: R2 = 0.63, N: R2 = 0.29) results that are comparable with simulations from the DAYCENT model that implicitly represents microbial activity (C: R2 = 0.67, N: R2 = 0.30). Subsequently, we evaluated equilibrium values of stocks (total soil C and N, microbial biomass C and N, inorganic N) and microbial process rates (soil heterotrophic respiration, N mineralization) simulated by MIMICS-CN across the 13 simulated LIDET sites against published observations from other continent-wide datasets. We found that MIMICS-CN produces equilibrium values in line with measured values, showing that the model generates plausible estimates of ecosystem soil biogeochemical dynamics across continental-scale gradients. MIMICS-CN provides a platform for coupling C and N projections in a microbial-explicit model but experiments still need to identify the physiological and stoichiometric characteristics of soil microbes, especially under environmental change scenarios.
Literature review and methodological considerations for understanding circulating risk biomarkers following trauma exposure

Exposure to traumatic events is common. While many individuals recover following trauma exposure, a substantial subset develop adverse posttraumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae (APNS) such as posttraumatic stress, major depression, and regional or widespread chronic musculoskeletal pain. APNS cause substantial burden to the individual and to society, causing functional impairment and physical disability, risk for suicide, lost workdays, and increased health care costs. Contemporary treatment is limited by an inability to identify individuals at high risk of APNS in the immediate aftermath of trauma, and an inability to identify optimal treatments for individual patients. Our purpose is to provide a comprehensive review describing candidate blood-based biomarkers that may help to identify those at high risk of APNS and/or guide individual intervention decision-making. Such blood-based biomarkers include circulating biological factors such as hormones, proteins, immune molecules, neuropeptides, neurotransmitters, mRNA, and noncoding RNA expression signatures, while we do not review genetic and epigenetic biomarkers due to other recent reviews of this topic. The current state of the literature on circulating risk biomarkers of APNS is summarized, and key considerations and challenges for their discovery and translation are discussed. We also describe the AURORA study, a specific example of current scientific efforts to identify such circulating risk biomarkers and the largest study to date focused on identifying risk and prognostic factors in the aftermath of trauma exposure.
In-situ Thermal Monitoring of Printed Components During Rapid Prototyping by Fused Deposition Modeling

Full-field-of-view thermography is necessary to effectively monitor and control thermally driven 3D printing processes, such as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). The accuracy of thermographic measurements with Infrared (IR) imagers is influenced by the exact knowledge of the emissivity and absorptivity of a given material which varies depending on temperature and color. However, these material properties for ABS, one of the most widely used polymers, still need further investigation. In this paper, we present our efforts to estimate the emissivity of three differently colored ABS polymers between 40 °C and 200 °C. This range of temperatures is critical to the bond formation and welding of the polymer, which eventually defines the mechanical strength of the printed components. Using a calibrated IR imager and thermocouples, we measured the emissivity of different ABS polymeric rings at various temperatures. These measurements are based on the comparison between equivalent emissive power at measured temperatures and the measured emissions from a calibrated blackbody. This allows for the determination of subtle changes in emissivity of the ABS polymer. The estimated emissivity is mapped to correct the full-field temperature readout of the IR imager in-situ and help to accurately monitor the thermal flow. Verification was carried out based on numerical simulations to investigate several slender square blocks (e.g., 3, 7, 11 mm). The emissivity obtained by this method shows improvements in measuring accuracy. Further, our study shows that the emissivity decreases from 0.92 to 0.79 with a slower rate around the glass transition points. This 14% drop in emissivity corresponds to a difference of 36 °C at the readout temperature of 240 °C. Our results also indicate that the emissive heat flux of ABS is dependent on color. The experimentally estimated emissivity can be used in other IR cameras to correctly evaluate the temperature and monitor the thermal flow in real-time. This enables better optimization of the printing parameters to improve the bonding and strength of printed components.
High elevation insect communities face shifting ecological and evolutionary landscapes

Climate change is proceeding rapidly in high mountain regions worldwide. Rising temperatures will impact insect physiology and associated fitness and will shift populations in space and time, thereby altering community interactions and composition. Shifts in space are expected as insects move upslope to escape warming temperatures and shifts in time will occur with changes in phenology of resident high-elevation insects. Clearly, spatiotemporal shifts will not affect all species equally. Terrestrial insects may have more opportunities than aquatic insects to exploit microhabitats, potentially buffering them from warming. Such responses of insects to warming may also fuel evolutionary change, including hitchhiking of maladaptive alleles and genetic rescue. Together, these considerations suggest a striking restructuring of high-elevation insect communities that remains largely unstudied.
Geographic proximity, long-term institutional ownership, and corporate social responsibility

Building on the premises that institutional ownerships vary in their impact on corporate social responsibility (CSR) decisions and that geographic proximity facilitates the valuation of benefits from CSR, we hypothesize that local long-term institutional ownership is a driver for corporate social performance, in particular positive CSR (CSR strengths). Using a panel data of S&P 500 firms over a 15-year window, we show that long-term institutional ownership that varies in geographic proximity to the focal firm does have a heterogeneous impact on CSR. Whereas both local and non-local long-term institutional ownership has a similar negative effect on CSR concerns, only local long-term institutional ownership has a positive effect on CSR strengths. The positive relation between local long-term institutional ownership and CSR is stronger in firms that are more involved in dealing with soft information which is difficult to quantify from a distance, such as those with high levels of research and development and intangible assets.
Solid Cylinder Torsion for Large Shear Deformation and Failure of Engineering Materials

Using a thin-walled tube torsion test to characterize a material’s shear response is a well-known technique; however, the thin walled specimen tends to buckle before reaching large shear deformation and failure. An alternative technique is the surface stress method (Nadai 1950; Wu et al. J Test Eval 20:396–402, 1992), which derives a shear stress-strain curve from the torque-angular displacement relationship of a solid cylindrical bar. The solid bar torsion test uniquely stabilizes the deformation which allows us to control and explore very large shear deformation up to failure. However, this method has rarely been considered in the literature, possibly due to the complexity of the analysis and experimental issues such as twist measurement and specimen uniformity. In this investigation, we develop a method to measure the large angular displacement in the solid bar torsion experiments to study the large shear deformation of two common engineering materials, Al6061-T6 and SS304L, which have distinctive hardening behaviors. Modern stereo-DIC methods were applied to make deformation measurements. The large angular displacement of the specimen posed challenges for the DIC analysis. An analysis method using multiple reference configurations and transformation of deformation gradient is developed to make the large shear deformation measurement successful. We successfully applied the solid bar torsion experiment and the new analysis method to measure the large shear deformation of Al6061-T6 and SS304L till specimen failure. The engineering shear strains at failure are on the order of 2–3 for Al6061-T6 and 3–4 for SS304L. Shear stress-strain curves of Al6061-T6 and SS304L are also obtained. Solid bar torsion experiments coupled with 3D-DIC technique and the new analysis method of deformation gradient transformation enable measurement of very large shear deformation up to specimen failure.
Normalized Stability: A Cross-Level Design Metric for Early Termination in Stochastic Computing

Stochastic computing is a statistical computing scheme that represents data as serial bit streams to greatly reduce hardware complexity. The key trade-off is that processing more bits in the streams yields higher computation accuracy at the cost of more latency and energy consumption. To maximize efficiency, it is desirable to account for the error tolerance of applications and terminate stochastic computations early when the result is acceptably accurate. Currently, the stochastic computing community lacks a standard means of measuring a circuit’s potential for early termination and predicting at what cycle it would be safe to terminate. To fill this gap, we propose normalized stability, a metric that measures how fast a bit stream converges under a given accuracy budget. Our unit-level experiments show that normalized stability accurately reflects and contrasts the early-termination capabilities of varying stochastic computing units. Furthermore, our application-level experiments on low-density parity-check decoding, machine learning and image processing show that normalized stability can reduce the design space and predict the timing to terminate early.
Fulminant Eosinophilic Myocarditis and VT Storm

Abstract Eosinophilic myocarditis is a rare and frequently fatal disease that is often undiagnosed until autopsy. We report a case of eosinophilic myocarditis with an unusual initial presentation o...
Infections in Older Adults

Infections in elderly patients can prove diagnostically challenging. Age-related factors affecting the immune system in older individuals contribute to nonspecific presentations. Other age-related factors and chronic conditions have symptoms that may or may not point to an infectious diagnosis. Delay in administration of antimicrobials can lead to poor outcomes; however, unnecessary administration of antimicrobials can lead to increased morbidity and contribute to the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms. Careful clinical assessment and consideration of patient history and risk factors is crucial. When necessary, antimicrobials should be chosen that are appropriate for the diagnosis and deescalated as soon as possible.
Secretory function of autophagy in innate immune cells

Eukaryotic cells utilize two main secretory pathways to transport proteins to the extracellular space. Proteins with a leader signal sequence often undergo co-translational transport into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and then to the Golgi apparatus before they reach their destination. This pathway is called the conventional secretory pathway. Proteins without signal peptides can bypass this ER-Golgi system and are secreted by a variety of mechanisms collectively called the unconventional secretory pathway. The molecular mechanisms of unconventional secretion are emerging. Autophagy is a conserved bulk degradation mechanism that regulates many intracellular functions. Recent evidence implicates autophagy in the secretory pathway. This review focuses on potential secretory roles of autophagy and how they could modulate the functions of innate immune cells that secrete a wide range of mediators in response to environmental and biological stimuli. We provide a brief overview of the secretory pathways, enumerate the potential mechanistic themes by which autophagy interacts with these pathways and describe their relevance in the context of innate immune cell function.
Expression of the GABAA receptor delta subunit is selectively modulated by depolarization in cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons.

The levels of several GABAA receptor subunit mRNAs increase as cerebellar granule neurons migrate to their adult positions and receive excitatory mossy fiber input. Despite the temporal similarity of these increases in transcript expression in vivo , studies in cultured granule neurons demonstrated that the subunit mRNAs are differentially regulated. To address the possibility that neuronal activity regulates transcript expression, GABAA receptor subunit mRNA levels were assessed in cultured granule neurons grown in chemically defined, serum-free medium containing either nondepolarizing (5 mM) or depolarizing (25 mm) KCl concentrations. Whereas the δ subunit mRNA was almost undetectable in cultures maintained in nondepolarizing medium, an eightfold increase occurred between days 2 and 4 in cultures grown in depolarizing medium. Furthermore, δ subunit transcript expression was reduced by 76 ± 6% when neurons in depolarizing medium were switched into nondepolarizing medium. The importance of depolarization in the initiation and maintenance of subunit transcript expression in granule neurons was selective for the GABAA receptor δ subunit. These changes in transcript expression involved calcium entry through L-type calcium channels. Nifedipine treatment (1 μm) both reduced intracellular calcium and decreased δ subunit mRNA expression by 79 ± 4%. Furthermore, inhibition of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases (CaM kinases) by KN-62 (1 μm) also reduced δ subunit transcript expression. These studies demonstrate that KCl-induced depolarization, a condition that mimics the effects of neuronal activity, selectively modulates GABAA receptor δ subunit mRNA expression through a pathway involving calcium entry and activation of a CaM kinase.
Tracking global bicycle ownership patterns

Abstract Over the past four decades, bicycle ownership has been documented in various countries but not globally analyzed. This paper presents an effort to fill this gap by tracking household bicycle possession. First, we gather survey data from 150 countries and extract percentage household bicycle ownership values. Performing cluster analysis, we determined four groups with the weighted mean percentage ownership ranging from 20% to 81%. Generally, bicycle ownership was highest in Northern Europe and lowest in West, Central and North Africa, and Central Asia. We determine worldwide household ownership patterns and demonstrate a basis for understanding the global impact of cycling as a sustainable transit mode. Furthermore, we find a lower-bound estimate of the number of bicycles available to the world׳s households. We establish that at the global level 42% of households own at least one bicycle, and thus there are at least 580 million bicycles in private household ownership. Our data are publicly available and amenable for future analyses.
The Relative Incidence of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Men and Women at the United States Naval Academy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury in female versus male midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy. From 1991 to 1997, we recorded the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injury during intercollegiate athletics, intramural athletics, and military training. The subjects were male and female varsity athletes, coed intramural athletes, and participants in military training consisting of the obstacle course and instructional wrestling. All patient data were collected at the time of injury. Records filed at the intramural sports office, along with a questionnaire completed by coaches and trainers, were used to estimate midshipmen exposures. Results showed that in intercollegiate soccer, basketball, and rugby, women had a relative injury risk of 3.96 compared with men. In coed soccer, basketball, softball, and volleyball, the women's relative injury risk was 1.40 compared with men. In military training, women had a relative injury risk of 9.74 compared with men. In comparing overall annual anterior cruciate ligament injury rates among midshipmen, we found that women had a relative injury risk of 2.44 compared with men. We concluded that female midshipmen have an increased relative risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury as compared with men in intercollegiate athletics, basic military training, and throughout their service academy career. This increase was not statistically significant at the intramural level of athletics.
Oxygen and pH regulation of protein synthesis in mitochondria from Artemia franciscana embryos.

To identify factors responsible for the down-regulation of mitochondrial biosynthetic processes during anoxia in encysted Artemia franciscana embryos, the effects of oxygen limitation and pH on protein synthesis were investigated in isolated mitochondria. At the optimal pH of 7.5, exposure of mitochondria to anoxia decreases the protein synthesis rate by 79%. Rates were suppressed by a further 10% at pH 6.8, the intracellular pH (pHi) measured under anoxia in vivo. Matrix pH, measured under identical conditions, was 8.43 +/- 0.01 at an extra-mitochondrial pH of 7.9 (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 3), 8.05 +/- 0.01 at pH 7.5, and 7.10 +/- 0.01 at pH 6.8. The matrix pH did not vary (P > or = 0.20) as a function of oxygen availability during the 1 h assays. Intramitochondrial purine nucleotides varied little as a function of pH. In contrast, after 1 h of protein synthesis under anoxia, ATP levels decreased by up to 40%, whereas AMP, ADP and GDP concentrations increased, and GTP and GMP concentrations remained relatively constant. The addition of 1 mM ATP at the onset of anoxia maintained the ATP/ADP ratio at the aerobic value, but did not stabilized the GTP/GDP ratio or rescue rates of protein synthesis. Thus, at present, we cannot eliminate the possibility that the decrease in the GTP/GDP ratio during anoxia may contribute to the suppression of protein synthesis. The effect of anoxia was reversible; the rate of protein synthesis upon reoxygenation after a 30 min bout of anoxia was comparable (P = 0.14) with the pre-anoxic rate (193 +/- 17 and 174 +/- 6 pmol of leucine per mg of protein respectively, mean +/- S.E.M., n = 3). The array of mitochondrial translation products did not differ qualitatively as a function of either oxygen availability or pH. Finally, similar pH profiles for protein synthesis were obtained with either [3H]leucine or [3H]histidine (known to use different transporters). Consequently, it is improbable that the pH-sensitivity of protein synthesis can be explained by a specific protein effect on the import of the radiolabelled amino acid used. In summary, both oxygen limitation and acidic pH suppress rates of mitochondrial protein synthesis and are likely to contribute to the arrest of mitochondrial anabolic processes during anoxia-induced quiescence in A. franciscana embryos.
Defeat, National Humiliation, and the Revenge Motif in International Politics

The complex relationships between national defeat, and the resultant humiliation and compulsion to revenge, constitute a critical understudied area of international relations. Recent historical illustrations abound: Russian after the Cold War, the Arabs, France after several defeats, Germany after World War I, Argentina, etc. The salience of this factor may also call for critical adjustments to realist and rational choice theories hinged on assumptions of rational behavior. There is no existing relevant scholarship directly on this subject. But there are some strands of the literature which, in combination, may form the basis for future research: general works on revenge, territorial irredentism, and military defeat; psychological studies of shame and “narcissistic rage;” and applications of concepts in the clinical psychology of individuals as possibly applied to nation-state aggregates.
Effects of In and Sb doping in LPE growth thermodynamics and in GaAs layer qualities

We have experimentally determined the distribution coefficients of In and Sb in liquid phase epitaxially (LPE) grown GaAs at several different temperatures and found them to be consistent with the values calculated from the pseudobinary phase diagram of the ternary system at a dilute In or Sb concentration. Both In and Sb are found to be effective in reducing the dislocation densities in the LPE grown GaAs epi-layers. Studies of the phase diagram and the surface morphology indicate that Sb is more effective than In. Based on the results from the surface morphology, x-ray broadening and etch pit density (EPD) data, the optimal Sb concentration was 2–3 × 1019 cm−3.
Exploring a Recognition-Induced Recognition Decrement

Four experiments were performed to explore a recognition decrement that is associated with the recognition of a word from a short list. The stimulus material for demonstrating the phenomenon was a list of words of different syntactic types. A word from the list was recognized less well following a decision that a word of the same type had occurred in the list than following a decision that such a word had not occurred in the list. A recognition decrement did not occur for a word of a given type following a positive recognition decision to a word of a different type. A recognition decrement did not occur when the list consisted exclusively of nouns. It was concluded that the phenomenon may reflect a criterion shift but, probably, does not reflect a list strength effect, suppression, or familiarity attribution consequent to a perceived discrepancy between actual and expected fluency.
The anomaly of oxygen diffusion in aqueous xanthan solutions

A membrane-covered polarographic oxygen electrode was used to measure oxygen diffusion coefficients in aqueous polyelectrolyte solutions of xanthan gum, sodium alginate, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). In sodium alginate solutions, dilute xanthan solutions, and solutions containing more than 0.3 wt % CMC, oxygen diffusion coefficients decrease with increasing polymer concentrations. Interestingly, in dilute CMC solutions and concentrate xanthan solutions containing more than 0.5 wt % xanthan gum, oxygen diffusion coefficients increase with increasing polymer concentrations, and values exceeding that in pure water are generally observed.
Tillage and Crop Rotation Phase Effects on Soil Physical Properties in the West-Central Great Plains

Efficient water use is the primary determinant ofprofitability in dryland crop production of the western Great Plains. For a sustainable increase in precipitation use efficiency (PUE) from that typical of the traditional winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)—fallow rotation with conventional stubble-mulch (sweep) tillage (CT) to occur, decreased use of fallow and tillage is required. Our objective was to quantify the effect of tillage intensity (no-till [NT], reduced tillage [RT], and CT) and phase of the winter wheat-grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]—fallow rotation on selected soil properties that influence PUE, with emphasis on infiltration and the association between water-stable aggregates (WSA) and infiltration rate. Soil water content at -1.5 MPa matric potential, concentration of WSA ≥0.5 mm, mean weight diameter of WSA, and ponded steady-state infiltration rate were significantly greater with NT than RT or CT (infiltration rates: NT, 30.6; RT, 15.3; and CT, 11.4 mm h -1 ). Infiltration rate was significantly greater in the wheat phase (25.8 mm h -1 ) than in the sorghum (15.4 mm h -1 ) or fallow (16.2 mm h -1 ) phases. The significantly better conditions of aggregate stability and water infiltration with NT management and the lack of development of poor infiltration properties during the wheat season that would need to be alleviated by tillage after harvest reinforce the appropriateness of NT management in crop production systems of the region.
Crohn’s Disease of the Esophagus: Clinical Features and Outcomes

Objectives Crohn's disease of the esophagus is rare. We sought to determine the clinical features and outcome of patients with esophageal Crohn's disease seen at our institution. Methods Patients with esophageal Crohn's disease evaluated at Mayo Clinic Rochester between 1976 and 1998 were identified. Results Twenty patients (0.2%) with esophageal involvement were identified. Median age at diagnosis was 31 years (range, 7–77 years). Eleven patients (55%) were female. Extraesophageal Crohn's disease preceded or was found at the same time as the diagnosis of esophageal Crohn's in all cases. Sixteen patients (80%) had symptoms referable to the esophagus. Endoscopic findings included ulcers in 17 (85%), erythema or erosions in 8 (40%), and strictures in 4 patients (20%). One patient had a fistula. The most common histological findings were active chronic inflammation (75%) and ulcer (30%). No granulomata were identified. Approximately one-half of our patients improved with first-line therapy. Eleven patients (55%) received immune modifier therapy. Six showed significant improvement on azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, or cyclosporine. Esophageal dilatation was required in six patients, and three patients required surgery. Conclusion Esophageal Crohn's disease may be underdiagnosed. Patients with Crohn's disease complaining of esophageal symptoms should undergo upper endoscopy with biopsies, and the diagnosis of esophageal Crohn's disease should be entertained if aphthous or deep ulcers or strictures are present. Immune modifier therapy should be considered for steroid-dependent and steroid-resistant cases.
Smart rapid diagnostics test reader running on a cell-phone for real-time mapping of epidemics

Rapid diagnostics tests (e.g., immuno-chromatographic assays and other lateral-flow tests) offer significant advantages over conventional approaches (i.e., clinical examination and advanced medical tests) for the surveillance of infectious diseases especially in the remote parts of the world. In order to provide an integrated platform for automated digital reading and real-time mapping of rapid diagnostics tests (RDTs), we developed a universal RDT reader running on a cell-phone that can automatically digitize and evaluate various diagnostics test results. A custom-developed cell-phone application automatically processes raw transmission and reflection RDT images that are digitally acquired using a compact and cost-effective hardware attachment to generate semi-quantitative test evaluation reports. The same cell-phone application also connects this RDT reader to a central database/server that stores and displays RDT evaluation reports, mapping infectious diseases in real-time. Powered by the cell-phone battery or two AAA batteries, RDT reader attachment utilizes simple off-the-shelf components (e.g., multiple diffused light-emitting diode (LED) arrays and a plano-convex lens) and can be customized to fit on different cell-phone devices (i.e., iPhone and Android phones) without any major changes on its design. Providing spatio-temporal statistics for the prevalence of various infectious diseases, this integrated RDT reader platform can be especially useful to support epidemiological studies to fight against global health related problems. Here, we review our recent progress on this cellphone based RDT reader platform and discuss its potential use toward real-time mapping of various diseases globally.
Considerateness of Fifth-Grade Social Studies Texts

Abstract This article describes an investigation which examined the “considerateness” of five recently published fifth-grade social studies textbooks using the following selected elements of considerateness: (1) “readability” level; (2) placement of relevant pictures/illustrations; (3) use of subtitles; and (4) use of words and phrases to connect ideas within and between sentences. The results revealed that the publishers of the analyzed social texts made extensive use of relevant pictures/illustrations and subtitles; however, they rarely used words which connected ideas between and within sentences, and readability level determinations were considered appropriate for these fifth-grade texts in only 8 of 25 analyses. We determined that these textbooks were considerate of the reader when dealing with factors other than those related to connected discourse. Subtitles and graphic aids were numerous, compensating for inconsiderate text. The discussion concludes with an examination of the implications for writ...
Formulating Propellants for Fully Case-Bonded End-Burning Motors

Low modulus solid propellants family for low thrust-to-mass ratio fully case bonded end-burning motors, using polymer network theory for binder formulation
Levels of Linkage: Across-Agreement versus Within-Agreement Explanations of Consensus Formation among States

Decisions in international institutions such as the European Union (EU) are often made by consensus, even when it is not required. Tit-for-tat exchanges provide an explanation for this phenomenon, as such exchanges can help to build up support for agreements states might otherwise not have had an incentive to support. Tit-for-tat exchanges are typically analyzed as trades of support across agreements. However, we argue that the priority of negotiators to further their national and bureaucratic interests makes exchanges across micro-level issues within a single proposal for agreement more prevalent than exchanges across agreements. Using both qualitative and quantitative analyses, we show that such within-agreement, rather than cross-agreement, linkages are related to an increased likelihood of consensus across an array of different EU agreements. To understand consensus in international institutions, more broadly, it is therefore necessary to look at the substantive issues at stake within each agreement.
Regional and systemic hemodynamic responses following the creation of a murine arteriovenous fistula

The study of hemodynamic alterations following the creation of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is relevant to vascular adaptive responses and hemodialysis access dysfunction. This study examined suc...
Sizing excess flow valves

To prevent the catastrophic release of LPG into the atmosphere, The National Fire Protection Association recommends the installation of safety devices such as reverse flow check valves and excess flow valves [1].
Prospects for mathematical crystallography

The potential of mathematical crystallography as an emerging field is examined from a sociological point of view. Mathematical crystallography is unusual as an emerging field as it is also an old field, albeit scattered, with evidence of continued substantial activity. But its situation is similar to that of an emerging field, so we analyse it as such. Comparisons with past emergent efforts suggest that a new field can grow if given an economic demand for its product and a receptive environment. Developing a field entails developing a sense of identity, developing infrastructure and recruiting practitioners.
A Comparative Analysis of Sport Participation Motivations of NCAA Division I Student-Athletes: An International Focus

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to (a) examine the sport participation motivations of current NCAA Division I international student-athletes to participate in their college sport and (b) to compare the sport participation motivations of international student-athletes competing in the NCAA Division I with the sport participation motivations of domestic NCAA Division I student-athletes. The theoretical framework for this study is self-determination theory, which is a method for understanding human motivation that focuses on the direction of motivation and factors that influence behavior (). The continuum of motivation ranges from amotivation to extrinsic motivation to intrinsic motivation. A total of 486 student-athletes completed the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS) originally developed by Briere, Vallerand, Blais, and . Results did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference between intrinsic motivation (F = 0·90; p = 0·34) for domestic (M = 5·37; SD = 1·18) and international (M = 5·49; SD = ...
Optimal management of international reserves

Abstract This paper develops a continuous time stochastic framework for determining optimal management policy for international reserves. By applying basic ideas of inventory management theory, the analysis integrates and extends the work of Miller and Orr, Heller, Hamada and Ueda, and Frenkel and Jovanovic. The optimal solution is obtained by minimizing total cost which is composed of transfer cost and interest cost. This solution is shown to be superior to the one obtained by Frenkel and Jovanovic in the sense of cost minimization.
A facile method of nickel electroless deposition on various neutral hydrophobic polymer surfaces

Abstract In this work, a facile “dip & rinse” method for nickel (Ni) electroless deposition on hydrophobic polymer surfaces is reported. The hydrophobic interactions between poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and polymer substrates in an aqueous condition help eliminate the need for toxic and/or harsh surface treatment steps for catalyst adsorption/immobilization. Various hydrophobic polymer surfaces with different geometries and dimensions (i.e., thin sheets and pellets), including low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) thin sheets, as well as polyethylene (PE) pellets were tested. In all experiments, Ni was successfully deposited onto these hydrophobic polymer surfaces. Studies showed that, without the PAH, Ni coating was not able to form on any of these surfaces. Kinetic studies on polymer thin sheets examples showed that, with 2 h of deposition, an approximately 2 μm thickness was achieved. Finally, a prove-of-concept study showed that Ni coated polymer thin sheets can be further electroplated with heterogeneous metal (Cu). An approximately 15 μm thickness was gained in 1 h of electrodeposition.
A model and a solution approach for the machine loading and tool allocation problem in a flexible manufacturing system

SUMMARY We consider the problem of planning machine loading and tool allocation in a flexible manufacturing system. The probSSSSSSSlem is modelled as a discrete generalized network with simple side constraints. An algorithm is described to yield a solution to this problem. An important aspect of the modelling process presented here is its ease of application to other planning problems in flexible manufacturing systems.
Initial Strategy of Revascularization Versus Optimal Medical Therapy for Improving Outcomes in Ischemic Heart Disease: A Review of the Literature

Defining optimal management of patients with stable coronary artery disease continues to be a central area of debate. While it has been established that all patients with coronary artery disease should at least be managed with optimal medical therapy, many patients with stable coronary artery disease continue to be treated with revascularization, whether by percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting. What remains unclear is whether revascularization further improves outcomes when added to medical therapy. We start by reviewing trials that define optimal medical therapy. We then review results of randomized trials comparing both revascularization strategies with optimal medical therapy and assess the strengths and limitations of each. Next, we briefly describe the ongoing ISCHEMIA (International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness with Medical and Invasive Approaches) trial, which will seek to determine optimal management for patients with stable ischemic heart disease in a population of patients at a uniformly higher risk prior to diagnostic cardiac catheterization. We conclude that revascularization and medical therapy should be used as complementary strategies. Available data have shown some benefits of revascularization in addition to medical therapy, but further trials are needed to better define the optimal population and magnitude and cost effectiveness of adding revascularization to optimal medical therapy.
Having My Say

This article is the written version of the Don Johnston, Inc./AbleNet Distinguished Lecture that was presented by the author at the biennial meeting of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) in Washington, DC, August 2000. The author reviews relevant historical and philosophical positions that have influenced the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and challenges practitioners to emphasize language development for communicative competence. He also urges practitioners to continue to advance the cause of literacy instruction and development for AAC users, regardless of their apparent ability.
Bosentan ® inhibits tumor vascularization and bone metastasis in an immunocompetent skin-fold chamber model of breast carcinoma cell metastasis

Angiogenic factors including endothelin-1 (ET-1) play a key role in the progression of breast metastases to bone. We investigated the impact of ET-1 on the development of bone metastases in an immunocompetent murine skin-fold chamber model. Murine mammary carcinoma 4T1 was injected in a skin-fold chamber implanted on CB6 mice along with bone explants. Furthermore, mice were treated with or without a dual selective antagonist of both ET-1 receptors. The progression of the vascularization within the chamber was monitored over time by intravital microscopy (IVM). The tumor growth and the development of bone metastases were assessed by cytokeratin-19 gene expression and histological studies. Results indicate that this new model associated with IVM allows for the continuous monitoring of the change in vascularization associated with the development of bone metastases. Additionally, treatment with an antagonist of both ET-1 receptors was associated with the presence of significantly less vessels near the tumor mass compared to control mice. These changes were correlated with smaller tumor masses and reduced bone invasion (P < 0.05). Thus, in an immunocompetent murine model of breast carcinoma metastases to bone, our data support the hypothesis that vascularization plays a role in tumor development and progression and that ET-1 specifically modulates the angiogenesis associated with breast metastases to the bone.
Perceptions of the Effectiveness of the Criminal Justice System The Female Victim's Perspective

Female rape victims, assault victims, and appropriately matched non-victimized controls completed a questionnaire at several time periods during a one-year interval. The questionnaires assessed the...
Abstract 2219: Identification of oncogenes in mutant Rpa1 associated tumorigenesis

Genetic instability is a hallmark of human cancers. However, the precise molecular mechanism and its role in cancer remain elusive. We have demonstrated that a missense mutation in Rpa1 causes defective DNA repair, genetic instability and predisposes mice to cancer, thereby providing one of the first evidence showing a replication associated protein is essential in maintaining genome stability and suppressing tumorigenesis. In humans, loss of the chromosomal locus containing RPA1 and genetic polymorphisms in RPA1 have been found in a wide range of cancers. Hence, a better understanding about the role of Rpa1 mutation in genetic instability and cancer should have critical clinical implications. The studies from our lab and others established the association between mutant Rpa1 and tumors. However, it remains unknown which target is most related to cancer development associated with mutant Rpa1. To search for the candidate target genes, we applied whole genome array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) in the tumors developed in Rpa1 mutant mice. This genome-wide chromosome copy number analysis uncovered multiple chromosomal aberrations involving multiple genetic loci along the chromosomes in Rpa1 mutant tumor cells. Moreover, chromosomal profiling analysis revealed unique pattern of chromosomal changes in Rpa1 mutant lymphomas, which is distinct from lymphomas developed in other knockout mouse models carrying mutations in different tumor suppressors. Furthermore, we analyzed all the currently known tumor related genes and found 10 oncogenes to be involved in the chromosomal gains in Rpa1 mutant tumors including c-Myc on chromosome 15 which appears to be the most recurrent. We confirmed overexpression of c-Myc in Rpa1 mutant tumors while the other candidate oncogenes showed variable expression among different tumors. These results strongly suggest an important role of c-Myc in mutant Rpa1 mediated tumorigenesis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2219.
Extension of localized freeze injury in barley by acute post-thaw bacterial disease

Abstract A distinctive pattern of injury restricted to the roots and lower crown occurred in barley plants frozen at high water content (4). Degenerative changes progressed toward the crown meristems during the recovery period. Excising the injured root tissues before they deteriorated improved recovery (6). Incubated freeze-injured tissues were bioassayed to detect agents that inhibit growth or lyse cells with the following results. 1. 1. Agents inhibitory to the growth of plant cells and to B. subtilis developed in freeze-injured roots within a few hours of postfreezing incubation. Maximum activity occurred within 1 day and persisted for 4 days of incubation. 2. 2. Freeze-injured tissue from plants grown, frozen, and incubated aseptically did not develop lytic or inhibitory activity nor did freeze-injured roots of normal plants have lytic or inhibitory agents when assayed immediately after thawing. 3. 3. Development of lytic and inhibitory activity correlated with increase of bacterial population in the incubated tissue. 4. 4. The principle bacteria were Pseudomonads. 5. 5. Attempts to isolate a toxic substance were not successful. However, it was possible to destroy the toxin by treatment with heat or KOH without killing the bacteria, which when reassayed on B.s./PDA were still toxin producers. 6. 6. Chemical disinfectants applied at the time of thawing improved recovery. Post-thaw tissue degeneration can be restricted to localized freeze injuries by control of disease microorganisms. Freeze-injured tissues stimulate proliferation of latent bacteria present in the healthy root tissue. As infection spreads, bacteria lyse healthy cells surrounding the primary freeze injury. Plant recovery is impaired when noninjured meristem essential for recovery becomes infected.
Measurement of Length: The Need for a Better Approach to Teaching

Three hundred and eighty-three children in grades 1–5 were individually interviewed to find out at when they construct unit iteration out of transitive reasoning as described by Piaget, Inhelder, and Szeminska (1960). The results indicated that most children (72%) construct transitive reasoning by second grade and that most (76%) construct unit iteration out of transitive reasoning by fourth grade. The article explains why traditional instruction produces the poor results revealed by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. It also suggests a better approach to the teaching of measurement that presents problems and encourages children to modify their ways of thinking.
The separation of gibberellin A and gibberellic acid on buffered partition columns.

Summary The crude mixture of gibberellins produced in the pilot plant by the fungus Fusarium moniliforme (Gibberella fujikuroi)NRRL 2284 was shown to be separable, by means of buffer partition chromatography, into a gibberellin ([α]D + 36°) of composition C19H24O6, and gibberellic acid (C19H22O6).
Dislocation theory based short crack model and its application for aircraft aluminum alloys

This paper presents a study on dislocation theory based short/small crack modeling, and its application for short crack growth life analysis on 2024-T351 aluminum specimens. The dislocation theory was applied to determine the crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) of a microstructurally short crack by taking into account the effects of microstructural features, such as grain size, orientation, and grain boundary. The CTOD was then used as the parameter for calculating the short crack growth rate. In this work, an existing CTOD model was modified for estimating the short crack life of 2024-T351 single edge notch tension (SENT) specimens, which were tested in an Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development (AGARD) program [Newman JC, Edward PR. Short-crack growth behavior in an aluminum alloy: an AGARD cooperative test programme. AGARD-R-732, NATO, Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development; 1988]. The analytical results matched the test results reasonably well.
Ambulatory evaluation and safety considerations

Abstract The past few years have witnessed tremendous growth in the number and complexity of ambulatory surgical procedures. Despite these advances, postoperative pain remains a significant limiting factor to further expansion of outpatient surgery. Regional anesthesia techniques, including continuous peripheral nerve blockade, are ideal techniques for major outpatient surgery. A detailed infrastructure must be in place to facilitate the optimal and safe use of these techniques in the outpatient setting. This review discusses important factors to develop an appropriate ambulatory infrastructure for a continuous catheter program with a special focus on patient safety.
Review of corrosion and corrosion control of magnesium alloys and composites

Some physical properties of magnesium are reviewed. A discussion of the corrosion mechanisms at work on magnesium under various environmental conditions follows. The role of base metal impurities is investigated. The strengths and limitations of the more traditional corrosion protection methods are discussed. Several modern non-paint surface treatments and still largely experimental corrosion resistant surface modification techniques are assessed. Magnesium based composites are of special interest, in particular the magnesium-graphite fiber composite system. The latter has been identified as unique for certain space satellite applications by virtue of its very favorable physical properties. Its principal drawback, susceptibility to severe corrosion in most environments, is discussed. Some consideration is devoted to preserving the desirable properties of Gr-Mg composites while incorporating interface modification or substitute reinforcement materials. Finally, recommendations are made for successfulab initio design of corrosion protection into magnesium based components in light or recent research developments.