cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 161: National Trends in Use of Radial Access for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in China: 2001-2011

Background: The use of radial access for percutaneous coronary intervention (r-PCI) is associated with reduced risk of bleeding complications and higher patient satisfaction. However, the use of r-PCI differs greatly by country and is unknown in China. We examined trends in the adoption of r-PCI in China over the past decade and identified factors associated with its use. Methods: We used a two-stage random sampling strategy to create a nationally representative sample of 5,462 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in China in 2001 (n=402; 24 sites), 2006 (n=1,390; 44 sites), and 2011 (n=3,670; 54 sites). We calculated the weighted proportion of patients receiving r-PCI in each time period and conducted multivariable analysis to identify the patient and hospital characteristics associated with not receiving r-PCI in 2011. Results: Among 5,462 patients who underwent PCI, the use of r-PCI increased markedly over time (2001: 3.4% [95% CI 0.0%-8.5%]; 2006: 36.5% [95% CI 34.2%-38.9%], 2011: 74.7% [95% CI 73.9-75.6]; P for trend <0.001). Increases in r-PCI use were widespread, including high-risk subgroups such as the elderly, women, and patients with acute coronary syndromes (Figure). In multivariable analysis of 3,670 patients undergoing PCI in 2011, cardiogenic shock and emergency PCI were strongly associated with failure to use r-PCI in 2011. Conclusion: Over a recent ten-year period, radial access became the predominant strategy for PCI in China, even among high-risk patients. This study demonstrates the responsiveness of the interventional cardiology community to emerging evidence. A deeper understanding of the factors facilitating r-PCI adoption in China may help increase its usage in countries in which r-PCI use remains low. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Middle school students' perceived access to cigarettes in Virginia.

OBJECTIVE To examine correlates of perceived access to cigarettes at home, school, and the store among youth. METHODS Virginia middle school youth were surveyed before beginning tobacco prevention programs. Multivariate analyses examined household smoking, peer smoking, and perceived community tobacco use for their relationship to perceived access at home, school, and the store. RESULTS Perceived access at home was associated with parent, sibling, and friend smoking. Perceived access at school and stores was associated with perceived peer and community smoking. CONCLUSIONS Youth tobacco prevention programs should target the commercial and social sources of tobacco access to reduce experimentation, adoption, and addiction among youth.
Lithofacies and Transport of Clastic Sediments in Karstic Aquifers

Karst aquifers demand continuous transport of clastic sediments if the conduit system is to remain open. Sediments are injected into the aquifer by sinking surface streams and through sinkholes, vertical shafts, open fractures, and other pathways from the land surface of sufficient aperture to permit gravity- and inwash-driven transport. Much transport of clastic sediments tends to be episodic with sediment loads held in storage until moved by infrequent flood events. Although the overall mix of clastic material depends on material available in the source area, distinctly different facies are recognizable depending on the flow dynamics within the conduit system. The facies are most clearly recognized when the source areas provide a wide variety of particle sizes from clays to boulders. In order of decreasing stream power, one can distinguish (i) diamicton facies: masses of unsorted, unstratified clays through boulders carried as a slurry during high energy flood events, (ii) thalweg facies: coarse gravel to cobble size material, well winnowed, forming armoring on underground streams that moves only during flood flow, (iii) channel facies: usually well sorted and often well stratified silt though gravel carried as bedload at intermediate stream powers, (iv) slackwater facies: mostly clay and silt carried as suspended load and deposited from floodwaters backfilled into the conduit system, (v) backswamp facies: mostly clay derived from the insoluble residue of the limestone, deposited under phreatic conditions with little lateral transport.
Theory of Distributions: A general definition of multiplication and convolution for distributions

Introduction The definitions of multiplication and convolution which we have used so far, while adequate for many purposes, are subject to severe limitations. Basically they are unsymmetrical. Thus, for multiplication, we have defined the product g T only for certain C ∞ functions g , although we allow complete freedom for the distribution T . Similarly for the convolution S * T , we required T to have compact support, while allowing complete freedom for S . For many purposes in analysis, one needs symmetrical definitions. Thus the product of two continuous functions g ( x ) h ( x ) is well defined, whether the first function g is C ∞ or not. In a sense, the ‘good’ qualities of h (being continuous, rather than a general distribution) balance the ‘bad’ qualities of g (not being C ∞ ). The point is that such a simple and important case as this – the product of two continuous functions – is not defined within the traditional theory of distributions. There are two ways out of this difficulty. The first (and by far the most often practiced) is simply to acknowledge that distribution theory is a partial theory – sometimes useful and sometimes awkward. Accordingly, if one wants to multiply two continuous functions g and h , one passes out of distribution theory into classical analysis, multiplies g and h in the standard way within classical analysis, and then passes back into distribution theory. This works perfectly well, but from the viewpoint of distribution theory it seems slightly unfortunate. The second approach is to expand the distribution-theoretic definitions of multiplication and convolution to cover the cases routinely encountered in analysis. That is what we will do in this chapter. Here we state a few cautions.
Detection of independently moving objects in non-planar scenes via multi-frame monocular epipolar constraint

In this paper we present a novel approach for detection of independently moving foreground objects in non-planar scenes captured by a moving camera. We avoid the traditional assumptions that the stationary background of the scene is planar, or that it can be approximated by dominant single or multiple planes, or that the camera used to capture the video is orthographic. Instead we utilize a multiframe monocular epipolar constraint of camera motion derived for monocular moving cameras defined by an evolving epipolar plane between the moving camera center and 3D scene points. This constraint is parameterized as a polynomial function of time, and unlike repeated computations of inter-frame fundamental matrix, requires the estimation of fewer unknowns, and provides a more consistent separation between moving and static objects for different levels of noise. This constraint allows us to segment out moving objects in a general 3D scene where other approaches fail because their initial assumptions do not hold, and provides a natural way of fusing temporal information across multiple frames. We use a combination of optical flow and particle advection to capture all motion in the video across a number of frames, in the form of particle trajectories. We then apply the derived multi-frame epipolar constraint to these trajectories to determine which trajectories violate it, thus segmenting out the independently moving objects. We show superior results on a number of moving camera sequences observing non-planar scenes, where other methods fail.
Serum and red blood cell folate concentrations, race, and education: findings from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Background: Little is known about the relations between race or ethnicity. educational attainment, and serum and red blood cell folate concentrations. Objective: We examined the relation between educational attainment and serum and red blood cell folate concentrations in 8457 white, African American, and Mexican American men and women aged ≥17 y. Design: We performed a cross-sectional analysis using data from Phase I of the third National health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1991 ). Results: White men had significantly higher adjusted serum and red blood cell folate concentrations (16.9 and 502.6 nmol/L, respectively) than did African American men (15.6 and 423.3 nmol/L, respectively) or Mexican American men 16.0 and 457.0 nmol/L, respectively); white women had significantly higher concentrations (18.4 and 515.9 nmol/L, respectively) than did African American women (16.3 and 415.4 nmol/L, respectively) or Mexican American women (15.9 and 455.7 nmol/L, respectively). For the entire sample, rank correlation coefficients between educational attainment and serum and red blood cell folate were 0. I 1 and 0.12, respectively, and were larger in white participants than in other participants. No significant linear trends between adjusted serum or red blood cell folate and educational attainment were found. Among participants with > 12 y of education, the mean adjusted concentrations of serum folate were 15% and 18% lower and those of red blood cell were 18% and 22% lower in African American men and women than in white men and women, respectively. Conclusions: African Americans and Mexican Americans could benefit most from public health programs to boost folate intakes by encouraging increased intake of folate-rich foods and vitamin supplements.
Keeping a ‘vigilant critique’: unpacking critical praxis as teacher educators

The practice of a critical pedagogy was the impetus for our involvement in an urban in‐district master’s program with a mission that included developing a ‘critical praxis’ for all participants. Early on we were challenged to rethink our stance as ‘critical educators’ when teachers resisted what we intended to be ‘empowering’ course practices, assigning readings written by teacher researchers. This resistance required us to question whether our pedagogy was honoring their experiences as well as inviting the collaborative generation of knowledge that we professed to encourage. Drawing our methodology from Freire’s notion of ‘generative words’ and Bakhtin’s notion of ‘writing the self into the text’, we analyzed artifacts collected from our teaching over several cycles using critical discourse analysis. Our analysis reminds us to remain ‘vigilant’. That is, not to ignore difference but to look carefully for often hidden opportunities offered for deeper learning when multiple perspectives come into contact.
INFANTS OF ADOLESCENTS: PREDICTING DEVELOPMENT AT FOUR YEARS FROM PERINATAL HEALTH STATUS, EARLY INTERACTION, AND SOCIAL RISK

This study examined 6-48 month development in infants born to 31 low SES young adolescents (YA; 14-17 yrs.), 18 older adolescents (OA; 18-19 yrs.), 15 adults (LA; 20-38 years), and 25 higher SES adults (HA). Perinatal risk (Hobel) was assessed, the Bayley administered at 6 & 24 months, and Kent language, cognitive, social, gross and fine motor subscales calculated; the McCarthy was administered at 48 mos. Mother-infant interaction during unstructured play was videotaped and coded using Beckwith's measures and the Toddler GLOS at 6 & 24 months, respectively. An index of social risk at 6 mos. was derived from demographic interviews. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated (p's <0.05) that at each age, higher scores on the Bayley cognitive and language subscales & the McCarthy were associated with lower social & perinatal risk, with more focilitative interaction patterns & maternal vocalizations. Infants of YAs had lower scores on many subscales. During interaction, adolescents were more aversive at 6 months, and more controlling and less responsive at 24 months. The data suggest the early and persistent influences of adolescent motherhood which are exacerbated by social and perinatal risk on developmental outcomes for infants.
Steroids and hematopoiesis II. The effect of steroids on in vitro erythroid colony growth: Evidence for different target cells for different classes of steroids

Androgenic steroids and their non-androgenic 5beta-H metabolites enhance the number of colonies of hemoglobin synthesizing cells grown from rat bone marrow in response to a standard (0.25 unit/ml) concentration of erythropoietin. The target cells for two steroids were found to be different. Cells influenced by the androgen, fluoxymesterone (fluoxy), resembled cells responding to erythropoietin in their cycle characteristics, as measured by tritiated thymidine suicide, and in their physical characteristics, as determined by velocity sedimentation gradient separation. Cells responding to etiocholanolone (etio) had a much lower tritiated thymidine suicide rate and different sedimentation velocities. Preincubation of marrow cells with etio for two hours was sufficient to enhance erythroid colony growth by 84%, whereas a similar incubation with fluoxy produced no increment. These studies demonstrate that different classes of steroids may influence in vitro erythropoiesis by acting on distinct populations of marrow cells. Fluoxymesterone appears to act through cells already committed to respond to erythropoietin, while etiocholanolone appears to act on a separate, perhaps more primitive population of marrow cells.
Mushroom Bodies, Ca2+ Oscillations, and the Memory Gene amnesiac

The memory of odors in Drosophila is mediated by mushroom body neurons. Memory is formed, in part, by a modulation of the physiology of these neurons brought about by neuropeptides that are encoded by the amnesiac gene and released from peptidergic neurons that innervate mushroom body neurons. Slow and spontaneous oscillations of calcium levels are elevated in the mushroom body neurons of amnesiac mutants and may contribute to memory consolidation.
THE HISTORY OF THE BELL CURVE: SORTING AND THE IDEA OF NORMAL

Bell-curve thinking, as a model of distribution of success and failure in society, enjoys a peren- nial (ahistorical, objective, and law-like) status in education. As such it provides a rationale for sorting (tracking or streaming) practices in education, which has led many educators to criticize both bell-curve thinking and associated sorting practices. In this essay, Lynn Fendler and Irfan Muzaffar argue that the existing critiques of bell-curve thinking ring true for people who believe that the purpose of schooling is to promote a more equitable redistribution of resources in society; however, these arguments do not criticize the law-like character assumed for a bell curve as a representation of social reality. To extend these critiques, Fendler and Muzaffar focus on the history of the bell curve, from a representation of bino- mial probability, to a bearer of real things in nature, and finally to a set of expectations about how people should behave. They ultimately argue that the acceptance of bell-curve thinking in education is part of a recursive project of governance and normalization.
A 12-Channel Semiconductor Counter System for the NBS Electron Scattering Spectrometer

A 12-channel array of lithium-drifted silicon detectors for detecting high energy electrons in the focal plane of a magnetic spectrometer is described. The detectors are movable along the focal plane and are backed up by two large stationary plastic scintillators. The scintillators are placed one behind the other, such that a count is recorded when a triple coincidence occurs between both scintillators and a single semiconductor detector. The system has a momentum resolution of 0.036 percent, determined by the detector size and the spectrometer momentum dispersion. Discriminator curves have been obtained which show sufficiently flat plateaus to afford stable counting conditions for electron momentum greater than 20 MeV/C. Detector efficiency measurements have also been made which show that the relative efficiencies of the detectors are stable and known to less than two percent of their values. An electron scattering experiment is now in progress using these detectors.
Palliative Procedures in Tetralogy of Fallot with Absent Pulmonary Valve: A New Approach

Abstract A 6-week-old infant was seen with severe congestive heart failure and respiratory distress. Cardiac catheterization revealed tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve. Ligation of the main pulmonary artery and construction of an aortopulmonary shunt was performed. Relief of the pulmonary insufficiency corrected the cardiac failure and eased the respiratory distress, which was caused by tracheobronchial compression by markedly dilated pulmonary arteries. A Blalock-Taussig shunt was done when the patient was 24 months old, and the child remains well.
A Peer Advisory Consumer Program for the Elderly

A demonstration project using a volunteer peer advisory approach to consumer education for the elderly was developed. The authors describe program successes and failures, with emphasis on personnel selection, timetable for development, publicity, acceptance, and value of a peer advisory approach. Enthusiastic involvement by individuals trained indicates the possibility of using a peer advisory system for employing lifetime consumer experiences of the elderly, of providing avenues for continued societal involvement, and of extending needed consumer information to other elderly individuals.
Open Notebook Science – Falcipain-2 Preliminary Results

This talk was presented by Jean-Claude Bradley at the American Chemical Society meeting in Philadelphia on August 20, 2008. An introduction to Open Notebook Science is presented followed by an illustration of how ONS can be used in drug discovery. New data relating to the anti-malarial activity of Ugi products on 2 falcipain-2 docking sites is detailed. The docking calculations were provided by Rajarshi Guha and the enzyme and in vitro assays on Plasmodium falciparum were provided by Phil Rosenthal and Jiri Gut. Most of the syntheses were carried out by Khalid Mirza in the Bradley group.Screencast available at: "http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3251406956070376532&hl=en":http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3251406956070376532&hl=en
Co-feeding and co-firing biomass with non-hazardous waste and natural gas

Abstract Previously we developed the concept of co-firing non-hazardous waste (NHW) with cellulosic biomass (CB) and natural gas (NG) in a modular waste to energy system as a source of energy which is economically competitive with natural gas even during periods of low oil prices. The practical pursuit of this NHW-CB-NG co-combustion concept in a region which can provide a variety of lowcost wood waste or cultivated biomass requires a versatile biomass feeding system, which needs minimal CB preprocessing. In this report we describe a multichannel biomass feeding system developed for co-feeding a variety of CB types with NHW and NG. We also tabulate the properties of natural gas and cultivated biomass types used in our co-firing experiments. Finally, we briefly describe how NHW-CB-NG co-firing can help reduce our balance of payments deficit and serve as a greenhouse mitigation measure.
Land surface heterogeneity on surface energy and water fluxes

We studied the importance of land surface heterogeneity on climate models using the MOSIAC Land-Surface Model (LSM). Preliminary analysis of results indicated there were errors in surface heat fluxes for certain geographical regions with contrasting cover such as forests, grasses, and crops when using only one cover class per grid. For spatially varying areas, two to four classes per grid typically captured most of the variation in surface energy and water fluxes. A Minimum Percent Cutoff approach to select the number of classes per grid (or tiles) was found the most efficient in terms of computer time and accuracy. In a comparison between 1/8 degree versus 1-degree grid resolutions, the finer resolution land cover data were more important than finer resolution atmospheric forcing data (e.g. precipitation and radiation) on latent heat flux estimation.
VERTICAL GAZE PARALYSIS AND THE ROSTRAL INTERSTITIAL NUCLEUS OF THE MEDIAL LONGITUDINAL FASCICULUS

The rostral interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus in known to participate in the generation of fast vertical eye movements in the monkey. A cell group homologous to this nucleus has been identified in the human brain. In man the nucleus lies dorsomedial to the anterior pole of the red nucleus, rostral to the interstitial nucleus of Cajal, and lateral to the nucleus of Darkschewitsch. Reconstructions of lesions in patients with different types of vertical gaze paralysis show that destruction of the rostral interstitial nucleus of the MLF bilaterally leads to an impairment of fast vertical eye movements. We propose that the nucleus participates in the production of vertical saccades and quick phases of nystagmus in man. Preservation of its integrity is not necessary for the production of vestibular compensatory eye movements in the vertical plane.
Comparison of KWW and power law analyses of an ion-conducting glass

Abstract Measurements of the electrical impedance of LiPO3 glass at frequencies between 1 Hz and 106 Hz were analyzed using two popular procedures: (1) fitting the conductivity and permittivity to power laws in frequency, and (2) fitting the electrical modulus to a stretched exponential. The parameter, β, which expresses the non-exponential nature of the relaxation of electrical perturbations, is substantially different for these two procedures. The value obtained from the frequency dependence of the conductivity via the coupling model, βn, is similar to that seen for mechanical and nuclear magnetic resonance relaxations, suggesting that it may be more physically meaningful, whereas that from the electrical modulus, βm, is significantly larger. This dissimilarity is surprising since others often use these two βs interchangeably when testing theoretical predictions. This result will significantly after previous conclusions drawn from such tests.
Box splines revisited: Convergence and acceleration methods for the subdivision and the cascade algorithms

A general convergence analysis of the cascade algorithm, for the determination of a refinable function from its mask, is applied to box splines in which case certain difficulties adherent to the general case can be resolved completely and even elegantly. In the process, the understanding of the convergence of the adjoint process, subdivision, is also enhanced.
Surface characteristics of biomaterials used for space maintenance in a mandibular defect: a pilot animal study.

Purpose The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of implant porosity on wound healing between solid and porous implants placed within a bony mandibular defect with intraoral exposure. Materials and Methods Solid poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) implants similar to those used currently in clinical space maintenance applications in maxillofacial surgery were compared with poly(propylene fumarate) implants that contained a porous outer surface surrounding a solid core. A 10-mm diameter nonhealing bicortical defect with open communication into the oral cavity was created in the molar mandibular region of 12 adult male New Zealand white rabbits. Of the 12 rabbits, 6 received the hybrid poly(propylene fumarate) implants and 6 received the solid PMMA implants. At 12 weeks, the rabbit mandibles were harvested and sent for histologic staining and sectioning. Results Gross inspection and histologic examination showed all 6 poly(propylene fumarate) implants to be intact within the defect site at the termination of the study period, with 3 of the 6 specimens exhibiting a continuous circumferential soft tissue margin. In contrast, 5 of the 6 PMMA-implanted specimens were exposed intraorally with an incomplete cuff of soft tissue around the implant. One of the PMMA-implanted specimens exhibited complete extrusion and subsequent loss of the implant. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the occurrence of oral cavity wound healing between the 2 groups (P = .09). Conclusions Although statistically significant differences between the 2 groups were not seen, our results have indicated that advantages might exist to using porous implants for space maintenance. Additional study is needed to evaluate these findings.
Leed and heed studies of the interaction of oxygen with single crystal surfaces of copper

Abstract LEED and HEED techniques have been used to study the interaction of oxygen with single crystal surfaces of copper. Special structures due to the adsorption of oxygen are reported for the (100), (110) and (111) surfaces as observed by LEED. The same structures have in some cases been observed by HEED, as have some additional structures not observed by LEED.
The significance of epithelial rests of Malassez in the periodontal ligament.

Abstract Introduction The purpose of this review was to describe the function of epithelial rests of Malassez (ERMs) in a variety of physiologic and pathologic conditions. Methods The authors performed a PubMed search on the term “epithelial rests” alone or in combination with “Malassez.” Relevant articles were categorized into primary subtopics and related to current and historic literature. Results The review was divided into 7 subtopics. Those sections discuss possible roles for ERM in a variety of physiologic and pathologic processes. Conclusions ERMs have a fundamental role in root development, protect against root resorption, and are involved in reparative and regenerative functions of the pulp and periodontal tissues including apexogenesis and periodontal healing. They also appear to be involved in pathologic processes such as the development of oral cysts and tumors.
Associations between neighborhood resources and physical activity in inner-city minority children.

Abstract Objective The role of neighborhood physical activity resources on childhood physical activity level is increasingly examined in pediatric obesity research. We describe how availability of physical activity resources varies by individual and block characteristics and then examine its associations with physical activity levels of Latino and black children in East Harlem, New York City. Methods Physical activity resource availability by individual and block characteristics were assessed in 324 children. Availability was measured against 4 physical activity measures: average weekly hours of outdoor unscheduled physical activity, average weekly metabolic hours of scheduled physical activity, daily hours of sedentary behavior, and daily steps. Results Physical activity resource availability differed by race/ethnicity, caregiver education, and income. Presence of one or more playgrounds on a child's block was positively associated with outdoor unscheduled physical activity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11–3.43). Presence of an after-school program on a child's block was associated with increased hours of scheduled physical activity (OR = 3.25, 95% CI 1.41–7.50) and decreased sedentary behavior (OR = 3.24, 95% CI 1.30–8.07). The more resources a child had available, the greater the level of outdoor unscheduled physical activity ( P for linear trend = .026). Conclusions Neighborhood physical activity resource availability differs by demographic factors, potentially placing certain groups at risk for low physical activity level. Availability of select physical activity resources was associated with reported physical activity levels of East Harlem children but not with objective measures of physical activity.
The prognostic significance of subsyndromal symptoms emerging after remission of late-life depression.

BACKGROUND Attainment of remission is viewed as the optimal outcome of acute antidepressant treatment. However, some patients experience subsyndromal symptoms after they achieve remission. This study examines the prognostic significance of subsyndromal symptoms occurring during the first 6 months after remission of late-life depression. METHOD Older (age 60-89 years) in-patients and out-patients with unipolar major depression were followed until remission (asymptomatic or almost asymptomatic for 3 consecutive weeks). Two hundred and forty-two achieved remission after uncontrolled antidepressant treatment. This analysis focused on remitted patients who had follow-up data over a 2.5-year period (n = 185). RESULTS Approximately 18% of patients relapsed. Of the remainder (n = 152), 42.8% had subsyndromal depressive symptoms during the 6 months following remission. Cox's proportional survival analysis demonstrated that longer duration of subsyndromal symptoms [number of weeks with the Longitudinal Follow-up Examination (LIFE) Psychiatric Status Rating Scale (PSR) score of 3 or 4] in the first 6 months after remission was significantly associated with shorter time to recurrence and higher recurrence rate [hazard ratio (HR) 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-1.24]. Based on our analysis, patients with 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of subsyndromal symptoms in the first 6 months after remission have estimated recurrence rates of 28, 45, 66 and 86% respectively during the ensuing 2 years. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the clinical importance of subsyndromal symptoms occurring after remission in late-life depression. They also argue that studies of geriatric depression may complement the definition of remission with information on subsyndromal symptoms occurring after the initial asymptomatic period.
Variation of interface compositions during diffusion controlled precipitate growth in ternary systems

Isothermal diffusion controlled phase growth in ternary systems has been modeled using the Crank-Nicolson finite difference equations. Local equilibrium at phase boundaries and one dimensional growth are assumed. The model includes a method of determining phase growth velocity and interface compositions consistent with the diffusion rates of both elements. It also considers the effects of finite or overlapping diffusion fields (impingement). The growth of phosphide, (FeNi)3P, in α ferrite in the Fe−Ni−P system was chosen for the simulation. Interface compositions are predicted to change with time, controlled by the necessity to balance the two solute (Ni and P) fluxes which cause the precipitate to grow. Diffusion controls the growth process although during initial growth interface structure may be important. The ratio of the major ternary coefficientsD PP Fe /D NiNi Fe controls the amount of shift of the precipitate interface composition from the tie line through the bulk composition. During the major period of growth the Ni interface compositions in phosphide and α remain constant and a square root of time,t 1/2, dependence for growth is predicted. The practical, effect of impingement is to decrease phase growth and to allow the interface compositions to shift towards the tie line through the bulk composition.
Optimization of Pt–Ir on carbon fiber paper for the electro-oxidation of ammonia in alkaline media

Abstract Plating bath concentrations of Pt(IV) and Ir(III) have been optimized as well as the total catalytic loading of bimetallic Pt–Ir alloy for the electro-oxidation of ammonia in alkaline media at standard conditions. This was accomplished using cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and statistical optimization tools. Concentrations of Pt(IV) and Ir(III) of the plating bath strongly influence electrode surface atomic compositions of the Pt–Ir alloy directly affecting the electro-oxidation behavior of ammonia. Several anode materials were studied using cyclic voltammetry, which demonstrated that Pt–Ir was the most active catalyst for the electro-oxidation of ammonia. Criteria for optimization were minimizing the climatic oxidation overpotential for ammonia and maximizing the exchange current density. Optimized bath composition was found to be 8.844 ± 0.001 g L−1 Pt(IV) and 4.112 ± 0.001 g L−1 Ir(III) based on electrochemical techniques. Physical characterization of the electrodes by SEM indicates that the plating bath concentrations of Pt and Ir influence the growth and deposition behavior of the alloy.
Accuracy of the pseudo steady state approximation for moving boundary diffusion problems

Abstract The problem of heterogeneous solid-fluid chemical reactions with a moving boundary is commonly treated by means of the pseudo steady state approximation. A better approximation to the exact solution has been derived in order to estimate the accuracy of the pseudo steady state method. It is found that for solid-gas systems the pseudo steady state approximation is valid but for solid-liquid systems it may be in error.
Review and Model-Based Analysis of Factors Influencing Soil Carbon Sequestration Beneath Switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum )

A multi-compartment model was developed to summarize existing data and predict soil carbon sequestration beneath switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the southeastern USA. Soil carbon sequestration is an important part of sustainable switchgrass production for bioenergy because soil organic matter promotes water retention, nutrient supply, and soil properties that minimize erosion. A literature review was undertaken for the purpose of model parameterization. A sensitivity analysis of the model indicated that predictions of soil carbon sequestration were affected most by changes in aboveground biomass production, the ratio of belowground-to-aboveground biomass production, and mean annual temperature. Simulations indicated that the annual rate of soil carbon sequestration approached steady state after a decade of switchgrass growth while predicted mineral soil carbon stocks were still increasing. A model-based experiment was performed to predict rates of soil carbon sequestration at different levels of nitrogen fertilization and initial soil carbon stocks (to a 30-cm depth). At a mean annual temperature of 13°C, the predicted rate of soil carbon sequestration varied from −28 to 114 g C m−2 year−1 (after 30 years) and was greater than zero in 11 of 12 simulations that varied initial surface soil carbon stocks from 1 to 5 kg C m−2 and nitrogen fertilization from 0 to 18 g N m−2 year−1. The modeling indicated that more research is needed on the process of biomass allocation and on nitrogen loss from mature plantations, respectively, to improve our understanding of carbon and nitrogen dynamics in switchgrass agriculture.
Polarized secretion of beta-amyloid precursor protein and amyloid beta-peptide in MDCK cells.

Abstract The beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta APP) is a widely expressed integral membrane protein that is proteolytically processed to yield several secreted derivatives, including soluble APP (APPs), the 4-kDa amyloid beta-peptide (A beta), and a related 3-kDa peptide (p3). To understand beta APP trafficking and processing, we analyzed the sorting of beta APP in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, an epithelial cell known to possess physiologically distinct apical and basolateral plasma membranes. Processing of beta APP resulted in highly polarized secretion of APPs. More than 90% of APPs was detected in the basolateral compartment, and less than 10% was found in the apical compartment. This was associated with a preferential localization of beta APP on the basolateral cell surface. Activation of protein kinase C, which is known to enhance the secretion of APPs, did not change the polarity of APPs release but significantly increased the amount secreted. A beta and p3 peptides were also secreted predominantly basolaterally. In addition, MDCK cells secreted a truncated form of A beta beginning at Arg-5. These data show that the proteolytic processing products of beta APP undergo polarized secretion. Moreover, the results suggest that the amyloidogenic A beta peptide is generated following the polarized sorting of beta APP. The polarized basolateral secretion of A beta in these epithelial cells provides a potential mechanism for the accumulation of A beta in the abluminal basement membrane of brain microvessels during Alzheimer disease.
DNA binding and photocleavage in vitro by new dirhodium(II) dppz complexes: correlation to cytotoxicity and photocytotoxicity.

Two new dirhodium(II) complexes possessing the intercalating dppz ligand (dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2‘,3‘-c]phenazine), cis-[Rh2(μ-O2CCH3)2(dppz)(η1-O2CCH3)(CH3OH)]+ (1) and cis-[Rh2(μ-O2CCH3)2(dppz)2]2+ (2), were synthesized and characterized as potential agents for photochemotherapy. Various techniques show that 1 binds to DNA through intercalation, although some aggregation of the complex on the DNA surface is also present. In contrast, 2 does not intercalate between the DNA bases; however, strong hypochromic behavior is observed in the presence of DNA, which can be attributed to intermolecular π-stacking of 2 enhanced by the polyanion. The apparent DNA binding constants determined using optical titrations are compared to those from dialysis experiments. Both complexes photocleave pUC18 plasmid in vitro under irradiation with visible light (λirr ≥ 395 nm, 15 min), resulting in the nicked, circular form. Greater photocleavage is observed for 1 relative to 2, which may be due to the ability of 1 to intercala...
The Dynamic Response of Graphite Fiber-Epoxy Laminates at High Shear Strain Rates:

The split Hopkinson bar was used to determine the stress, strain and strain rate response of woven graphite-epoxy laminates during high shear strain rate deformation. The specimens were oriented and tested in both interlaminar shear and in transverse shear at strain rates ranging from 6000 to 18000 sec-1. The results show that the strain rate effect in interlaminar shear is small. The fracture surface is characterized primarily by interfacial failure between the fibers and the matrix. In transverse shear, however, the strain rate effect is significant due to the greater role played by the resin matrix in the deformation process. In both cases, at the high strain rates imposed in this investigation, sparks were produced by the specimens during deformation. These are believed to be caused by the combustion of fragments resulting from the high rate deformation.
Molecular complexes and their spectra. VI. Some problems and new developments

Although the charge-transfer theory probably affords a correct general account of major aspects of the structure and spectra of molecular complexes, its application to the detailed structures of particular types of complex presents a variety of problems whose definitive solution will require much new experimental and theoretical research, but should then yield many interesting conclusions. The effects of London dispersion forces and classical electrostatic forces as well as charge-transfer forces must always be taken into account. Orientation isomerism, acceptation cross-sections of acceptor molecules, paraffin-halogen interactions and their contact charge-transfer spectra, intensity problems, the blue shift of the iodine visible band in the spectra of iodine complexes, and complexes with two charge-transfer spectra, are discussed below.
On the Effect of Prestin on the Electrical Breakdown of Cell Membranes

Abstract The voltage-dependent activity of prestin, the outer hair cell (OHC) motor protein essential for its electromotility, enhances the mammalian inner ear's auditory sensitivity. We investigated the effect of prestin's activity on the plasma membrane's (PM) susceptibility to electroporation (EP) via cell-attached patch-clamping. Guinea pig OHCs, TSA201 cells, and prestin-transfected TSA cells were subjected to incremental 50 μ s and/or 50ms voltage pulse trains, or ramps, at rates from 10V/s to 1kV/s, to a maximum transmembrane potential of ±1000mV. EP was determined by an increase in capacitance to whole-cell levels. OHCs were probed at the prestin-rich lateral PM or prestin-devoid basal portion; TSA cells were patched at random points. OHCs were consistently electroporated with 50ms pulses, with significant resistance to depolarizing pulses. Although EP rarely occurred with 50 μ s pulses, prior stimulation with this protocol had a significant effect on the sensitivity to EP with 50ms pulses, regardless of polarity or PM domain. Consistent with these results, resistance to EP with depolarizing 10-V/s ramps was also found. Our findings with TSA cells were comparable, showing resistance to EP with both depolarizing 50-ms pulses and 10V/s ramps. We conclude prestin significantly affects susceptibility to EP, possibly via known biophysical influences on specific membrane capacitance and/or membrane stiffness.
Waveform design by Task-Specific Information

We propose a new waveform design metric called Task-Specific Information (TSI). As its name suggests, TSI is an information-theoretic metric formulated for a specific task or set of tasks. For example, in this paper we consider the problem of correctly classifying a linear system from a set of known alternatives. The TSI metric directly quantifies information about the hypotheses while previous information-based approaches quantify mutual information related to potential system realizations. Thus the TSI framework is a more direct measure of task-related performance. In addition, for the problem statement considered in this paper it is possible to find a globally optimum solution through gradient-based search techniques. We compare the performance of TSI and conventional waveform designs.
Botulinum toxin a injection of the obturator internus muscle for chronic perineal pain.

Abstract Chronic perineal pain is often a difficult condition to manage. Current treatments include pudendal nerve injections and pudendal nerve release surgery. The obturator internus muscle has a close relationship to the pudendal nerve and might be a potential target for therapeutic intervention. Perspective A case is presented of refractory perineal pain that was successfully treated by injecting the obturator internus muscle with botulinum toxin A.
A simple, predictive, structure‐based skin permeability model

By an extension of our simple, molecular size-based model recently developed to describe octanol-water partition coefficients, we were able to obtain an entirely structure-based model that seems well suited to describe human skin permeability data. The corresponding equations not only eliminate the physicochemical interrelatedness of the parameters of the original Potts & Guy approach that was obtained from similar considerations, but also maintain its elegant simplicity and are consistent with a basic physicochemical model of the related phenomena. As the new model is structure based and fully computerized, it allows direct estimation of skin permeability for any molecule of known structure without the need to obtain octanol-water partition coefficients or other experimental data.
Langerhans cell-containing epidermal cells are not cytotoxic in antibody-dependent- and mitogen-induced-cellular cytotoxicity.

Abstract Langerhans cells (LC) constitute a small (2–6 %) subpopulation of mammalian epidermal cells (EC) and are the only EC that bear Fc-IgG receptors and that share several other cell-surface characteristics and functional capabilities with cells of the monocyte-macrophage series. Since Fc-IgG receptor-positive macrophages are potent effector cells in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), we determined whether LC-containing EC populations are also able to mediate ADCC. In the ADCC assay employed, BALB/c LC-containing EC at different effector/target cell ratios consistently failed to lyse bovine red blood cell (BRBC) targets which were either trinitrophenyl(TNP)-modified or not modified and reacted with an appropriate antibody: a purified rabbit IgG anti-BRBC, or a mouse or rabbit anti-TNP antiserum. In addition, LCcontaining EC did not mediate mitogen-induced cellular cytotoxicity using purified phytohemagglutinin. BALB/c spleen cells, used as a positive control, gave substantial specific release in all experiments performed.
Generalized transitive tournaments and doubly stochastic matrices

Abstract We show that a doubly stochastic matrix is a convex combination of nonidentity permutation matrices if and only if it can be written as the sum of a nonnegative matrix and a convex combination of cycle matrices. We use this result to give a shorter proof of the theorem of Cruse which asserts that a doubly stochastic matrix is a convex combination of nonidentity permutation matrices if and only if its inner product with each generalized transitive tournament matrix is at least 1. The generalized transitive tournaments of order n form a convex polytope T n which contains the convex hull T n * (also called the linear ordering polytope) of the transitive tournaments. Each transitive tournament matrix of order n is an extreme point of T n , but for n ⩾ 6 there are other extreme points. With each generalized tournament matrix T of order n we associate a graph whose edges correspond to the nonintegral entries of T . We investigate which graphs can arise from generalized transitive tournaments and which can arise from extreme generalized transitive tournaments. We briefly discuss a generalization of the linear ordering polytope to arbitrary posets.
Social and River Networks for the Trees: Wounaan's Riverine Rhizomic Cosmos and Arboreal Conservation

The effects of environmental conservation and development are of significant anthropological interest. Recent focus on the politics of knowledge and translation has shown the importance of cosmology in conservation encounters. I examine how Wounaan indigenous peoples and extralocal conservation practitioners "translate" eastern Panama based on their own cosmologies. 1 Specifically, I explore how Wounaan's social and river-networked rhizomic cosmos is overlooked in the practice of forest-focused conservation. This results from Panama's environmental history, in which actors simplified early representations of a complex landscape to one characterized by forests, as well as a Western bias toward forests with scant attention paid to cosmology. Finally, I note how Wounaan negotiate this cultural disconnect by emphasizing their ties to forests. In so doing, they buttress the arboreal bias, in turn reinforcing power relations, but also giving themselves political leverage in conservation activities. These results inform recent discussion about politics and scientific praxis in conservation.
Intraoperative color-flow Doppler imaging of AVM's and aneurysms.

✓ The use of intraoperative color-flow Doppler sonography to image cerebral and spinal arteriovenous malformations (AVM's) and a giant aneurysm is reported in 10 patients. The technique is a useful adjunct in localizing vascular lesions, identifying feeding or draining vessels, and confirming intraoperative surgical excision of AVM's or ligation of giant aneurysms. Imaging of lesions deeper than 4 to 5 cm is, however, limited with the equipment design now commercially available.
CONTAINMENT AND COLLECTION DEVICES FOR OIL SLICKS

The main engineering features of physical and pneumatic booms operating as oil containment devices in the open sea are discussed. The oil containing capacity of a pneumatic boom is limited by the power available to compress the air. It is suggested that the containment capacity of physical booms is limited by the effective depth of the boom. The results of preliminary experiments are used to establish these ideas. A brief review of the main types of collection systems in use is given.