cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Snowpack-atmosphere gas exchanges of carbon dioxide, ozone, and nitrogen oxides at a hardwood forest site in northern Michigan

Snowpack-atmosphere gas exchanges of CO2, O 3, and NOx (NO + NO2) were investigated at the University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS), a mid-latitude, low elevation hardwood forest site, during the 2007-2008 winter season. An automated trace gas sampling system was used to determine trace gas con- centrations in the snowpack at multiple depths continuously throughout the snow-covered period from two adjacent plots. One natural plot and one with the soil covered by a Tedlar sheet were setup for investigating whether the primary source of measured trace gases was biogenic (i.e., from the soil) or non-biogenic (i.e., from the snowpack). The results were compared with the "White on Green" study conducted at the Niwot Ridge (NWT) Long Term Ecological Research site in Colorado. The average winter CO2 flux ± s.e. from the soil at UMBS was 0.54 ± 0.037 µmol m -2 s -1 using the gradient diffusion method and 0.71 ± 0.012 µmol m -2 s -1 using the eddy covariance method, and in a similar range as found for NWT. Observed snowpack- O3 exchange was also similar to NWT. However, nitrogen oxides (NOx) fluxes from snow at UMBS were 10 times smaller than those at NWT, and fluxes were bi-directional with the direction of the flux dependent on NOx concentrations in ambient air. The compensation point for the change in the direction of NOx flux was estimated to be 0.92 nmol mol -1 . NO x in snow also showed diurnal dependency on incident radiation. These NOx dynamics in the snow at UMBS were notably different compared to NWT, and primarily determined by snow-atmosphere interactions rather than by soil NOx emissions.
Programmed ventricular stimulation: not dead.

> How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and how hard it is to undo that work again! > > —Mark Twain, Mark Twain in Eruption 1 Medicine, like most other human endeavors, goes through fads. These fads are often initiated by persuasive, well-meaning people who have an incomplete grasp of fundamental pathophysiology. Because ideas underlying fads may sound plausible, the fad is perpetuated and accepted as gospel until a randomized, controlled trial or other well-designed study proves the concept faulty. One example of this phenomenon is seen in the evolution of efforts to prevent sudden cardiac death (SCD) in survivors of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Widespread study of SCD was aided by the development of technology permitting real-time ECG monitoring, resulting in proliferation of the cardiac care unit in the 1960s and 1970s. Patients who developed primary ventricular fibrillation with acute MI in the cardiac care unit were often observed to exhibit progressively frequent and “complex” ventricular ectopy in the minutes leading up to ventricular fibrillation. At the same time, randomized trials demonstrated that antiarrhythmic agents such as lidocaine, procainamide, and quinidine could reduce the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation in this setting. These observations then gave rise to the following assumptions: (1) SCD late after MI is due exclusively to ventricular fibrillation; (2) the presence of frequent ventricular ectopy and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) 2 to 4 weeks after the onset of acute infarction identifies patients at risk of SCD; and (3) suppression of ventricular ectopy by antiarrhythmic drugs prevents postinfarction SCD.2 As a result, it became common for physicians to perform a 24-hour ambulatory monitor in patients with recent MI and then to prescribe long-term antiarrhythmic drugs in patients with complex ectopy. This continued for 20 years until the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST) proved that this …
REDEFINING THE THRESHOLD TO CHELATE FOR ELEVATED VENOUS LEAD LEVELS (VLL).† 529

Background.. The VLL threshold to chelate without a CaNa2EDTA challenge test (CT) is based on a study of children with erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) levels ≥35 μg/dL. Such children are more likely to have a positive CT. Thus, this may have decreased the CDC-defined chelation threshold.
The Additive Property in Long Line Optimization

Abstract In this paper, we study an additive property in long line optimization. The property is that the effect of a set of local bottlenecks on the optimal buffer distribution (in which profit is maximized subject to a production rate constraint) is approximately the same as the sum of the effects of each local bottleneck by itself. A similar property is observed with a mixture of bottlenecks and anti-bottlenecks. Both heuristic explanations and numerical experiments are provided to demonstrate the property. Finally, some limitations about the additive property are also examined.
In vitro repression of n- -acetyl-L-ornithinase synthesis in Escherichia coli.

Development of a system for in vitro synthesis of N-α-acetyl-L-ornithinase of E. coli has made it possible to detect the argR gene product, i.e., the arginine repressor, in cell extracts.
Analysis of variability and correlation in long-term economic growth rates

Quantifying the uncertainty in future climate change is an important input into policy decisions. Two important sources of uncertainty are economic growth and technological change, which in turn contribute to uncertainty in future emissions. In this paper, we focus on uncertainty in one type of technical change: productivity growth. Estimates of uncertainty in future growth must necessarily include expert judgment, since the future will not necessarily look like the past. But previous uncertainty studies have taken expert judgments based on annual national growth rates, and applied them to models with regional aggregations and multi-year time steps, and often have made crude assumptions about the correlation between regions. This paper analyzes data on the variability and covariability of historical economic productivity growth rates, and investigates the effect of spatial and temporal aggregation on variance. The results are intended to inform participants in expert elicitation exercises on future economic growth uncertainty.
Dynamic Modeling of Hydraulic Shovel Excavators for Geomaterials

The hydraulic shovel excavator has found significant applications in surface mining, construction, and geotechnical operations due to its flexibility and mobility. The key to high availability and utilization of this shovel is adequate understanding of machine dynamics and machine-formation interactions among other technical, operating, safety, and economic factors. These shovels are capital intensive, complex in design and operation within severely constrained environments. Detailed dynamic modeling and analysis are required to understand their effective utilization for achieving efficient operating performance and economic useful lives. Previous attempts at solving these problems are limited because they do not provide knowledge on the resistive forces and moments for efficient excavation. In this paper, the Newton-Euler techniques are used to develop hydraulic shovel dynamic models with numerical examples. Detailed analysis of the results shows that: (1) the kinematics of the stick-bucket joint (joint ...
DeltaNp63alpha-Mediated Induction of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Cell Growth and Chemoresistance

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly resistant to current chemotherapy regimens, in part due to alterations in the p53 tumor suppressor pathway. p53 homolog p63 is a transcription factor essential for the development and differentiation of epithelial surfaces. However its function in cancer is controversial and its role in PDAC is not known. We discovered that ΔNp63α was the predominantly expressed p63 variant in pancreatic cancer cell lines. ΔNp63α protein and mRNA levels were high in T3M4, BxPC3 and COLO-357 pancreatic cancer cells and low in ASPC-1 and PANC-1 cells. Overexpression of ΔNp63α in PANC-1 cells and shRNA-mediated knockdown in T3M4 cells indicated that ΔNp63α promoted anchorage-dependent and -independent growth, motility and invasion, and enhanced resistance to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathways contribute to the biological aggressiveness of PDAC, and we found that the motogenic effects of ΔNp63α were augmented in presence of EGF. Ectopic expression of ΔNp63α resulted in upregulation of EGFR and β1-integrin in PANC-1 cells. Conversely, ΔNp63α knockdown had an opposite effect in T3M4 cells. ΔNp63α potentiated EGF-mediated activation of ERK, Akt and JNK signaling. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and functional reporter assays demonstrated that ΔNp63α activated EGFR transcription. 14-3-3σ transcription was also positively regulated by ΔNp63α and we have previously shown that 14-3-3σ contributes to chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer cell lines. Conversely, shRNA-mediated knockdown of 14-3-3σ led to abrogation of the ΔNp63α effects on cell proliferation and invasion. Thus, p53 homolog ΔNp63α enhances the oncogenic potential of pancreatic cancer cells through trans-activation of EGFR and 14-3-3σ.
Evaluation of methods for verifying the performance of color‐measuring instruments. Part II: Inter‐instrument reproducibility

Part I described an experiment in which the repeatability of a number of common, commercially available spectrocolorimeters was compared using ASTM procedures. ASTM E2214-02 Standard Practice for Specifying and Verifying the Performance of Color-Measuring Instruments is intended to standardize the terminology and procedures used to evaluate color measuring instruments. In this article, we develop reproducibility results from a medium-term study of 10 commercial spectrocolorimeters. The comparisons are presented so as to contrast between the traditional color difference based specifications found in the historical literature and in manufacturer's literature and the more complex multidimensional methods specified in E2214. Instrument to instrument contrasts are reported as well as tests of agreement across a set of instruments as a whole. The results confirm common understandings. Hemispherical diffuse instruments exhibit a higher level of inter-instrument agreement than do bidirectional (45:0) instruments. The results also provide support for a surprising conclusion about the statistical significance of the minor differences in both inter-instrument agreement and inter-model agreement for a single manufacturer. Some speculations on the impact of these conclusions to the development of future comparisons of spectrocolorimeters are given. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 32, 176–294, 2007
Disomic Inheritance, Suppressed Recombination, and Allelic Interactions Govern Apospory in Buffelgrass as Revealed by Genome Mapping

Molecular tools have not identified the gene(s) governing apomixis nor have they been used to successfully transfer the trait to important, sexually reproducing food crops. Several molecular studies addressing apomixis in grasses have used interspecific and intergeneric hybrids. The failure to recover specific P 1 genotypes from these wide crosses can be caused by unfavorable interactions between the gametes, zygote, embryo, endosperm, ana/ or maternal tissue. These interactions can eliminate recombinant genotypes with valuable information towards linkage analyses of the trait. Buffelgrass [Pennisetum ciliare (L.) Link syn. Cenchrus ciliaris L.], a polymorphic species with interfertile apomictic and sexual genotypes, offers an opportunity to genetically map apomixis by means of intraspecific hybrids with euploid genomes. This study reports a linkage map of the apospory region in buffelgrass. Apospory, classified by progeny testing and cytologically observing megagametophytes, mapped to a single locus in the apomictic parent's genome. Two buffelgrass cDNAs (pPAP3A07 and pPAP8C08) and three previously reported apospory markers (UGT197, QH8, and OPC4) were tightly linked (1.4 centimorgans, cM) to the trait. As a tetraploid species (2n = 4x = 36), four copies of each chromosome are expected in buffelgrass. A single homolog and two homeologs were identified for the chromosome carrying apospory, indicating the formation of two bivalents during meiosis and the disomic inheritance of apospory in buffelgrass. Allelic bridges between the parents revealed suppressed recombination in the apospory linkage group. Segregation distortion between a marker on the sexual parent's homolog to the apospory linkage group and a marker on a separate maternal linkage group suggested specific allelic combinations in female gametes affect offspring survival in buffelgrass.
Description and Analysis of the Ocean Component of NOAA’s Operational Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting Model (HWRF)

AbstractThe Princeton Ocean Model for Tropical Cyclones (POM-TC), a version of the three-dimensional primitive equation numerical ocean model known as the Princeton Ocean Model, was the ocean component of NOAA’s operational Hurricane Weather Research and Forecast Model (HWRF) from 2007 to 2013. The coupled HWRF–POM-TC system facilitates accurate tropical cyclone intensity forecasts through proper simulation of the evolving SST field under simulated tropical cyclones. In this study, the 2013 operational version of HWRF is used to analyze the POM-TC ocean temperature response in retrospective HWRF–POM-TC forecasts of Atlantic Hurricanes Earl (2010), Igor (2010), Irene (2011), Isaac (2012), and Leslie (2012) against remotely sensed and in situ SST and subsurface ocean temperature observations. The model generally underestimates the hurricane-induced upper-ocean cooling, particularly far from the storm track, as well as the upwelling and downwelling oscillation in the cold wake, compared with observations. No...
Catheter survival and comparison of catheter exchange methods in children on hemodialysis

This retrospective study was done to compare the infection-free and overall survival of first and subsequent tunneled cuffed hemodialysis catheters in children. Subsequent catheters were exchanged by two different methods (a) removal and replacement (RR mean age 13.9 +/- 4.6 years) undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in a pediatric unit over a period of 60 months. From a total of 175 catheters (57 first catheters, 81 WGE, 37 R&R) and 38,888 catheter days, 74/175 (42%) catheters were exchanged because of catheter-related bacteremia (CRB) and 43/175 (25%) for malfunction or cuff extrusion. One-year survival rates for first and consecutive catheters was 26% and 21%, respectively. The overall survival of first catheters, and those exchanged by WGE and R&R for both infectious and non-infectious reasons, was not statistically different. However, infection-free survival of first catheters was significantly prolonged in comparison with that of subsequent catheters (P 10 years. There was a significant association between gram-negative and polymicrobial CRB and requirement for R&R (P < 0.02). Our findings suggest that WGE is safe in a clinically stable child if the tunnel and the exit site are not infected and has the potential benefit of preserving the vascular access site. The shorter infection-free survival in subsequent catheters suggests a cumulative disadvantage with prolonged catheter use.
Exploring the transitional impacts of a 2D to 3D design environment for the development of torque converters

This paper presents the internal process changes required for the transition from a 2D to a 3D design environment for the development of torque converters at LuK, Inc. Recently, since American automotive customers have demanded that suppliers provide torque converter designs and assembly models using all 3D design packages, the change of the design environment to a 3D one is mandated. For this reason, the work described in this paper is concerned with how to examine each area of LuK’s product development cycle and develop a flowchart detailing the steps involved in taking a product from a customer request through the design, demonstrate and launch phases of the product. The case study conducted in the work can be used as a guideline for establishing the influences of a product development cycle due to a CAD environment upgrading and/or a new adaptation which is deemed inevitable in the long run. In light of this study, the impacts to the R&D process can be dealt with way in advance to reduce or eliminate the potential drawbacks due to the mandated transition of design/manufacturing environments.
REM sleep deprivation increases preference for novelty in rats.

As a further test of the hypothesis that REM deprivation decreases fear, the behavior of 40 male rats was measured in a Y-maze adapted to test for preference for novelty. Prior to this test, the animals were exposed for 4 days to one of four treatments, i.e., either a dry environment control, a wet environment control, a 2-day REM deprivation period or a 4-day REM deprivation period. During the test both number of grid crossing in the novel and non-novel arms of the Y-maze and three indices of emotionality were recorded. The results were congruent with data we had reported earlier and offered convincing evidence in support of the hypothesis.
Moral Development Among Court-Ordered Batterers: Evaluating the Impact of Treatment

Objective: This study evaluated the impact of a standard cognitive-behavioral group treatment program on altering levels of moral reasoning among court-ordered batterers. Method: The study employed a nonequivalent control group design in examining the moral reasoning level of 32 adult men, 84% African American, court ordered into a standard group treatment program for domestic violence offenders. Results: Analysis of the pretest data indicated that the entire sample of batterers was employing a level of moral reasoning two standard deviations lower than adults in general. In addition, analysis of the posttest data demonstrated that there was no significant increase in moral reasoning at the conclusion of the treatment program. These findings indicated that the current treatment program was ineffective in influencing moral reasoning. Conclusion: Implications of the findings for providing a culturally relevant theoretical framework to approach intervention with court-ordered batterers are explored and discu...
A performance management framework to provide bounded packet delay and variance in packet switched networks

Abstract In this paper, we present a framework, called hierarchical Network Management System (NMS), to facilitate dynamic control of the performance of various services in a packet switched network. In the NMS model, the scheme for maintaining the performance levels of offered services involves a three layered approach. We are particularly interested in the packet voice service which requires bounding both the delay and its variance by some a priori chosen threshold levels. We have implemented a network model to demonstrate the feasibility of achieving the desired performance levels in packet voice service via Source Rate Adaption (SRA).
Activation of the medial septal area attenuates LTP of the lateral perforant path and enhances heterosynaptic LTD of the medial perforant path in aged rats

Age-related memory impairments may be due to dysfunction of the septohippocampal system. The medial septal area (MSA) provides the major cholinergic projection to the hippocampus and is critical for memory. Knowledge of the neurobiological mechanisms by which the cholinergic system can attenuate age-related memory loss can facilitate the development of effective cognitive enhancers. At present, one of the best neurobiological models of memory formation is long-term potentiation/long-term depression (LTP/LTD). In previous studies, intraseptal infusion of the muscarinic agonist oxotremorine, which excites MSA neurons, improved memory in aged rats. The present study examined LTP and LTD in aged Fisher 344 rats following intraseptal infusion of oxotremorine. LTP and LTD were assessed using the slope of the EPSP recorded from the hilar region of the dentate gyrus. Induction of LTP was blocked in the lateral perforant path, but not in the medial perforant path, following intraseptal infusions of oxotremorine. The generation and amplitude of heterosynaptic LTD was enhanced in the medial perforant path, but not in the lateral perforant path. The results provide evidence that pharmacological activation of the MSA can modulate LTP and LTD in the hippocampus of aged rats. The implications of these results with respect to memory and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus are discussed.
Gender and generosity: does women's representation affect development cooperation?

Does women's representation influence foreign (aid) policy? And, if so, is this best explained as a function of women's unique values or attributable to the impact of greater gender equality? Building on previous work, we investigate whether women's greater presence in political life – evidence of greater gender equality – is associated with greater generosity, or whether women's values and (some) women's ability to influence policy as ministers affect aid's generosity. We find that women's representation in the parliament and in the cabinet is positively associated with a donor state's generosity, but that female ministers of foreign policy-related ministries do not influence the state's generosity. These findings suggest that gender equality is a more promising explanation for the generosity of states' foreign aid than women's values.
A new expanded point information content design approach for 3D live-cell microscopy at video rates

Through a combination of optical design and algorithm development, a new expanded point information content (EPIC) microscope has been developed that is capable of extending the depth of field while simultaneously super locating the depth position of complex biological objects to within an accuracy of 75 nm. The data is then combined to form 3D animations of live-cell biological specimens. This is accomplished without the need to acquire multi-focal image stacks and is thus well suited for high-speed imaging.
LIMITED WATER-TO-AIR BACTERIAL TRANSFER FROM A RESIDENTIAL EVAPORATIVE AIR COOLER

The sump of an evaporative air cooler (EAC) artificially was contaminated with ~ 106 colony-forming units (CFU) mL ~ ofMicrococcus luteus, a pigmented, gram-positive, coccoid bacterium. Air in the room served by the EAC was sampled during EAC operation to detect water-to-air transfer of the test bacterium. Median indoor air concentrations of the tracer bacterium were 2.4 and 1.2 CFU m "3 at the low and high EAC fan speeds (respective air flow rates and air velocities through the EAC pads, 23 and 44 m 3 min ~ and 0.47 and 0.89 m s ~ ), for an estimated source strength, or transfer rate, of approximately 55 CFU min "l. The rate at which tracer bacteria circulated through the EAC pads during these tests was 9 x 109 CFU min l. Tracer bacteria were detected indoors during operation of a highly contaminated EAC, but the relative tracer transfer rate and resultant air concentration were low. Proper EAC operation and maintenance likely would ensure minimal human exposure to potentially harmful microorganisms and other materials that could multiply or collect in EAC sump waters and be transferred to indoor air as a result of sump water dripping or splashing.
Discourse Markers in Adult-Controlled Therapy: Implications for Child Centered Intervention

Broadly considered, ethnographers of communication are interested in cultural descriptions of patterned uses of language and speech in groups, institutions, communities, or societies (Sherzer, 1977...
Identifying Psychosocial Obstacles to Breastfeeding Success

Breastfeeding is an intimate process that requires psychosocial adjustment as well as technical skill. This article reviews research on the relationships of personality, family and social environments, attitudes, and emotional states to breastfeeding outcomes. Risk factors for breastfeeding difficulties are discussed, alternative feeding plans are outlined, and interventions to address psychosocial needs are described.
Evaluation of cerebellar size in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Evidence from animal and human research suggests that the cerebellum may play a role in cognition. This includes domains of executive function that are normally attributed to the prefrontal cortex and are typically deficient in individuals with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). To investigate cerebellar structure in ADHD, magnetic resonance imaging morphometry was used to measure the area of the cerebellar vermis in 12 males with ADHD and 23 male controls matched for age and Wechsler Full-Scale IQ. Analyses were conducted to evaluate group differences, as well as differences between matched pairs of subjects with ADHD and those without ADHD. All measurements were corrected for overall brain size. Both analyses revealed that the size of the posterior vermis was significantly decreased in males with ADHD (P < .05 in both analyses), and that within the posterior vermis, the inferior posterior lobe (lobules VIII-X) was involved in this reduction (P < .05 for group analysis, P < .005 for matched pair analysis), while the superior posterior lobe (lobules VI/VII) was not involved in the reduction. The finding of abnormal inferior posterior vermal size suggests that dysfunction within this region of the cerebellum may underlie clinical deficits seen in individuals with ADHD.
Heterogeneity of hereditary and acquired factor X deficiencies by combined immunochemical and functional analyses.

Summary Limited information is available regarding molecular abnormalities associated with derived factor X deficiencies. In order to assess the types of molecular aberrations that may occur in this group of haemostatic diseases we have analysed plasmas of 33 individuals from 28 kindred exhibiting factor X deficiency. These included those of hereditary type, transiently acquired deficiency as well as factor X deficiency associated with amyloidosis. Plasmas were analysed by one-stage assays for factor X activation by the extrinsic coagulation pathway, intrinsic coagulation pathway and Russell's viper venom. Selected plasmas were analysed in two-stage assays. Normal factor X concentration by specific radioimmunoassay was 6.38 ± 1.29 μg/ml. Factor X associated with factor X deficiency were grouped by their specific activities measured for the three activation pathways and antigen concentration. The results suggest that a broad spectrum of molecular aberrations exist in the factor X deficiency states. The most common group of factor X deficiency was associated with abnormal activation of factor X by all three pathways. Variants of factor X associated with primary amyloidosis and transient acquired deficiency appeared to be abnormal molecules and not just reduced factor X concentration. Hereditary abnormal factor X molecules include the spectrum of potential defective molecules. The relationship of factor X structure to function and the heterogeneity of these defective molecules is discussed.
Factors Limiting Convective Cloud-Top Height at the ARM Nauru Island Climate Research Facility

Cumulus congestus clouds, with moderate shortwave albedos and cloud-top temperatures near freezing, occur fairly often in the Tropics. These clouds may play an important role in the evolution of the Madden– Julian oscillation and the regulation of relative humidity in the midtroposphere. Despite this importance they are not necessarily simulated very well in global climate models. Surface remote sensing observations and soundings from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) climate research facility at Nauru Island are coupled with a simple parcel model in order to address the following questions about these cloud types: 1) Which environmental factors play a role in determining the depth of tropical convective clouds? 2) What environmental parameters are related to entrainment rate in cumulus congestus clouds? The results presented herein suggest that at Nauru Island a drying of the midtroposphere is more likely to be responsible for limiting congestus cloud-top heights than is a stabilizing of the freezing level. It is also found that low-level CAPE and the RH profile account for the largest portion of the variance in cumulus congestus entrainment rates, consistent with the idea that entrainment rate depends on the buoyant production of turbulent kinetic energy. If the analysis is limited to cases where there is a sounding during the hour preceding the cumulus congestus observations, it is found that the low-level CAPE accounts for 85% of the total variance in entrainment rate.
Benefits of Fragmentation in a Traditional Society: A Case from the Swiss Alps

Fragmentation of land and buildings was common in the Alps due to the nature of the interplay between economy and ecology. A fragmented holding allowed a farmer to spread his agricultural labor evenly throughout the season, while at the same time protecting him against the everpresent dangers of avalanche and flooding. Following the second world war, with a shift from agriculture to industry as the basis of the rural alpine economy, fragmentation came to be more of a nuisance than a necessity. Finally, with the introduction of tourism, new uses for land, particularly for house sites, rendered fragmentation totally useless. Yet the practice continues, deeply ingrained in the conservative rural tradition.
The Center of Some Quantum Projective Planes

The homogeneous coordinate ring of a quantum projective plane is a 3-dimensional Artin–Schelter regular algebra with the same Hilbert series as the polynomial ring in three variables; such an algebraAis a graded noncommutative analogue of the polynomial ring in three variables. WhenAis a finite module over its centerZ(A), we define the schemeS = Proj(Z(A)) and the sheaf A of OS-algebras by A(S(f)) = A[f − 1]0. The center Z of A is defined by Z(S(f)) = Z(A[f − 1]0) and following Grothendieck we may define the scheme Spec(Z). The algebrasAfall into several families, and for many of these it has been shown that Spec(Z) ≅ P2whenAis finite over its center. This paper shows that Spec(Z) ≅ P2for two more families.
Electrically small, ferrite-loaded loop antennas

Approximate formulas have been developed for the impedance, efficiency, and Q of electrically small, ferrite-loaded loop antennas. The formulas are based on an assumed knowledge of these parameters for the antenna without ferrite loading. One set of formulas is based on an assumed internal magnetic field, i.e., the field in the ferrite. It is primarily applicable to ellipsoidal-shaped cores. Another set of formulas is based on assumed internal and external fields. It is primarily applicable to rod-shaped cores. The formulas are derived by using the reaction concept, which makes the result relatively insensitive to the assumed distribution. The results are used to evaluate the effect of ferrite size and shape. The results of a variety of measurements are given for comparison.
Large Bowel Cancer following Gastric Surgery for Benign Disease: A Cohort Study

Early studies suggested that gastric surgery for benign ulcer disease was associated with a subsequent increase in the risk of large bowel cancer. Dietary fats, altered bacterial flora, and secondary bile acids are considered to play a major role in the disease etiology. Gastric surgery is known to alter bile salt metabolism as well as bacterial flora in the colon. This cohort study was designed to investigate the risk of large bowel cancer following gastric surgery for benign ulcer disease and to identify potential patient and treatment characteristics that may be associated with this risk. A cohort of 15,983 males was selected from Department of Veterans Affairs hospital admissions in 1970 and 1971. The exposed group (n = 7,609) included all males treated with gastric surgery (resection or vagotomy and drainage) for benign ulcer disease. The unexposed group (n = 8,374) was a random sample of all other male patients from the same time period and database. All subjects were followed through 1989 to identify vital status and cause of death. Deaths were identifiable by computerized linkage of the subjects' social security numbers with the Department of Veterans Affairs Beneficiary Identification Record Locator System and the National Death Index. The cause of death was documented by two certified nosologists from the death certificates of 99% of the deceased patients. Statistical analyses included estimations of risk based on standardized mortality ratios and standardized risk ratios. In this selected cohort, no increase in large bowel cancer risk was detected (risk ratio = 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.62-1.05). The type of surgical procedure, ulcer diagnosis, age at the time of surgery, and length of follow-up did not alter the risk estimates. Unlike the previously identified increase in gastric cancer risk following ulcer surgery, no elevation in the risk of large bowel cancer following such surgery was detected in this study. Factors that may alter gastric surgery sequelae and resultant site-specific cancer risks deserve further investigations.
Electrical analysis of Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells for electrical power generation on-board commercial airplanes

Fuel cells have been considered for all types of trasnport including automobiles, buses, submarines, motorcycles and airplanes due to their high efficiency and their environmentally friendly nature. In most transportation applications, fuel cells are used to augment the existing electrical system and not as a stand-alone power source. The addition of a fuel cell to any type of transport, however, will have an influence on the dynamic behavior of the electrical system within the transport and may even cause instability in a previously stable system. This paper analyzes the consequences of integrating a Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell to the existing electrical generation and distribution system of a Boeing 787-8 aircraft through modeling and simulation tools. Physical testing, although beneficial and critical, is expensive and time consuming. The modeling approach in the initial scoping stage provides an early indicator of the feasibility of fuel cell use on an airplane in addition to possible challenges that should be addressed with hardware testing. Simulation results are presented using MATLAB, Simulink, and SimPowerSystems environments.
Mitigating the Impact of Variability on Chip-Multiprocessor Power and Performance

Chip-multiprocessors (CMPs) have emerged as a popular means of exploiting growing transistor budgets. However, the same technology scaling that increases the number of transistors on a single die also creates greater variability in their key power- and performance-determining characteristics. As the number of cores and amount of memory per die increase, individual core and cache tiles will become small enough that traditional sources of intra-die power and performance variations will result in tile-to-tile (T2T) variations. We start from low-level models of the phenomena involved and create models for how systematic within-die process variations, random within-die process variations, and thermal variations manifest themselves as T2T variations. Current commercial CMP designs are partitioned into fine-grained frequency islands (FIs) to allow per-core control of clock frequencies. We use our models to evaluate leveraging this partitioning to address T2T variations. Exploiting the FI partitioning improves performance by an average of 8.4% relative to the fully-synchronous baseline when both process and thermal variability are addressed simultaneously, highlighting the importance of an integrated approach. The FI design can also achieve performance 7.1% higher than the baseline at fixed power or draw 24.2% less power at equal performance.
Coronary artery calcification, atherogenic lipid changes, and increased erythrocyte volume in black injection drug users infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 treated with protease inhibitors

Abstract Background Protease inhibitors (PIs) may be associated with accelerated atherosclerosis in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We assessed the effects of HIV PIs on subclinical atherosclerosis. Methods The lipid profiles, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, coronary artery calcification (CAC) scores, and blood cell morphologic changes were quantified in 98 black adult participants, aged 25 to 45 years, with HIV-1 infection in Baltimore, Md. Fifty-five participants (56.1%) were taking PIs; 43 participants (43.9%) were not. The Student t and χ 2 tests were used as a means of detecting the between-group differences. Results Participants in both the PI and non-PI groups were similar in age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure, heart rate, and red and white blood cell counts. Compared with the non-PI group, the PI group had significantly higher serum total cholesterol (4.8 ± 1.0 vs 3.8 ± 0.7 mmol/L, P P 3 , P =.048). The CAC scores in the PI group were also higher than those in the non-PI group (11.0 ± 28.6 [n = 43] vs 1.7 ± 5.8, P =.043). CAC scores were marginally associated with log-transformed duration of the PI therapy ( P =.055). Serum CRP levels remained unchanged (5.5 ± 13.6 mg/L [n = 45] vs 3.9 ± 5.5 mg/L, P =.467). Serum total cholesterol level, LDL cholesterol level, red blood cell mean corpuscular volume, and CAC scores were indicated by means of regression analyses to be associated with log-transformed duration of the PI therapy. Conclusions The use of PIs is associated with coronary artery calcification, atherogenic lipid changes, and increased erythrocyte volume in individuals infected with HIV-1. (Am Heart J 2002;144:642-8.)
Neutrophils contribute to muscle injury and impair its resolution after lengthening contractions in mice.

We tested the hypotheses that: (1) neutrophil accumulation after contraction-induced muscle injury is dependent on the β2 integrin CD18, (2) neutrophils contribute to muscle injury and oxidative damage after contraction-induced muscle injury, and (3) neutrophils aid the resolution of contraction-induced muscle injury. These hypotheses were tested by exposing extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of mice deficient in CD18 (CD18−/−; Itgb2tm1Bay) and of wild type mice (C57BL/6) to in situ lengthening contractions and by quantifying markers of muscle inflammation, injury, oxidative damage and regeneration/repair. Neutrophil concentrations were significantly elevated in wild type mice at 6 h and 3 days post-lengthening contractions; however, neutrophils remained at control levels at these time points in CD18−/− mice. These data indicate that CD18 is required for neutrophil accumulation after contraction-induced muscle injury. Histological and functional (isometric force deficit) signs of muscle injury and total carbonyl content, a marker of oxidative damage, were significantly higher in wild type relative to CD18−/− mice 3 days after lengthening contractions. These data show that neutrophils exacerbate contraction-induced muscle injury. After statistically controlling for differences in the force deficit at 3 days, wild type mice also demonstrated a higher force deficit at 7 days, a lower percentage of myofibres expressing embryonic myosin heavy chain at 3 and 7 days, and a smaller cross sectional area of central nucleated myofibres at 14 days relative to CD18−/− mice. These observations suggest that neutrophils impair the restoration of muscle structure and function after injury. In conclusion, neutrophil accumulation after contraction-induced muscle injury is dependent on CD18. Furthermore, neutrophils appear to contribute to muscle injury and impair some of the events associated with the resolution of contraction-induced muscle injury.
Performance of a DC GaAs photocathode gun for the Jefferson lab FEL

Abstract The performance of the 320 kV DC photocathode gun has met the design specifications for the 1 kW IR Demo FEL at Jefferson Lab. This gun has shown the ability to deliver high average current beam with outstanding lifetimes. The GaAs photocathode has delivered 135 pC per bunch, at a bunch repetition rate of 37.425 MHz, corresponding to 5 mA average CW current. In a recent cathode lifetime measurement, 20 h of CW beam was delivered with an average current of 3.1 mA and 211 C of total charge from a 0.283 cm2 illuminated spot. The cathode showed a 1/e lifetime of 58 h and a 1/e extracted charge lifetime of 618 C. We have achieved quantum efficiencies of 5% from a GaAs wafer that has been in service for 13 months delivering in excess 2400 C with only three activation cycles.
Insulators and imprinting from flies to mammals

The nuclear factor CTCF has been shown to be necessary for the maintenance of genetic imprinting at the mammalian H19/Igf2 locus. MacDonald and colleagues now report in BMC Biology that the mechanisms responsible for maintaining the imprinted state in Drosophila may be evolutionarily conserved and that CTCF may also play a critical role in this process.
A nuclear magnetic resonance-based functional assay for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide synthetase

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide synthetase (NadE) is an essential enzyme for bacterial pathogens and is thus a promising antibacterial target. It catalyzes the conversion of nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Changes in chemical shifts that occur in the nicotinic acid ring as it is converted to nicotinamide can be used for monitoring the reaction. A robust nuclear magnetic resonance–based activity assay was developed using robotically controlled reaction initiation and quenching. The single-enzyme assay has less potential for false positives compared to a coupled activity assay and is especially well suited to the high concentration of compounds in fragment screens. The assay has been used to screen fragment libraries for NadE inhibitors. (Journal of Biomolecular Screening 2007:457-463)
Levels of Cheating under Conditions of Informative Appeal to Honesty, Public Affirmation of Value, and Threats of Punishment.

AbstractAs a means of delineating conditions conducive to minimal classroom cheating, 135 boys and girls in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades were given an opportunity to cheat on a “General Achievement Test” under Control, Informative Appeal to Honesty, Public Affirmation of Value (not cheating), and two Threat of Punishment conditions. A majority cheated in the first two conditions, but a significant decrease from the Informative Appeal level occurred in all the last three conditions; and among these three, there was no difference. In view of other studies and developmental theory, Public Affirmation of belief in not cheating is posited as the preferable classroom method of minimizing cheating. Methodological procedures for follow-up studies are proposed, with special emphasis on the necessity of ascertaining the experimental variables’ personal meanings to the subjects.
The synergistic activity of alphavbeta3 integrin and PDGF receptor increases cell migration

Integrins and growth factor receptors act synergistically to modulate cellular functions. The alphavbeta3 integrin and the platelet-derived growth factor receptor have both been shown to play a positive role in cell migration. We show here that a platelet derived growth factor-BB gradient stimulated migration of rat microvascular endothelial cells on vitronectin (9.2-fold increase compared to resting cells) in a alphavbeta3 and RGD-dependent manner. In contrast, this response was not observed on a beta1 integrin ligand, laminin; background levels of migration, in response to a platelet derived growth factor-BB gradient, were observed on this substrate or on bovine serum albumin (2.4- or 2.0-fold, respectively). Comparable results were obtained using NIH-3T3 cells. Platelet derived growth factor-BB did not change the cells' ability to adhere to vitronectin, nor did it stimulate a further increase in proliferation on vitronectin versus laminin. In addition, platelet derived growth factor-BB stimulation of NIH-3T3 cells did not alter the ability of alphavbeta3 to bind RGD immobilized on Sepharose. The alphavbeta3 integrin and the platelet derived growth factor receptor-beta associate in both microvascular endothelial cells and NIH-3T3 cells, since they coprecipitated using two different antibodies to either alphavbeta3 or to the platelet derived growth factor receptor-beta. In contrast, beta1 integrins did not coprecipitate with the platelet derived growth factor receptor-beta. These results point to a novel pathway, mediated by the synergistic activity of alphavbeta3 and the platelet derived growth factor receptor-beta, that regulates cell migration and, therefore, might play a role during neovessel formation and tissue infiltration.
Solution conformation of a bulged adenosine base in an RNA duplex by relaxation matrix refinement.

Abstract Bulges are common structural motifs in RNA secondary structure and are thought to play important roles in RNA-protein and RNA-drug interactions. Adenosine bases are the most commonly occurring unpaired base in double helical RNA secondary structures. The solution conformation and dynamics of a 25-nucleotide RNA duplex containing an unpaired adenosine, r(GGCAGAGUGCCGC): r(GCGGCACCUGCC) have been studied by NMR spectroscopy and MORASS iterative relaxation matrix structural refinement. The results show that the bulged adenosine residue stacks into the RNA duplex with little perturbation around the bulged region. Most of the bases in the RNA duplex adopt C3′-endo conformation, exhibiting the N-type sugar pucker as found in the A form helices. The sugars of the bulged residue and the 5′ flanking residue to it are found to exhibit C2′-endo conformation. None of the residues are in syn conformation.
Frequency tunable terahertz metamaterials

We present a hybrid metamaterial semiconductor device capable of 20% tunability of the center resonance frequency via photoexcitation of the semiconductor regions, thereby addressing the metamaterials drawback of narrow bandwidth operation.
A real-time traffic and weather reporting system for motorists

It is estimated that the economic cost of traffic congestion costs our nation $63 billion in 2002. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has employed several strategies in an effort to mitigate traffic congestion in urban areas. According to the FHWA, the key to any traffic mitigation strategy is providing traveler's specific location, and current traffic information in real time. We have developed a novel traffic and weather communication system that can be used by travelers to send and receive location specific traffic and weather information in real time. Our system uses wired and wireless ad hoc networks and personal data assistants (PDA).
Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate (PIP2) Stimulates Epithelial Sodium Channel Activity in A6 Cells

Abstract Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) is a membrane lipid found in all eukaryotic cells, which regulates many important cellular processes, including ion channel activity. In this study, we used inside-out patch clamp technique, immunoprecipitation, and Western blot analysis to investigate the effect of PIP2 on epithelial sodium channel activity in A6 cells. A6 cells were cultured in media supplemented with 1.5 μm aldosterone. Single sodium channel activity in excised, inside-out patches was increased by perfusion of the bath solution with 30 μm PIP2 plus 100 μm GTP (NP o = 1.34 ± 0.14) compared with the paired control (NP o = 0.09 ± 0.02). However, neither 30 μmPIP2 (NP o = 0.11 ± 0.02) nor 100 μm GTP (NP o = 0.10 ± 0.02) alone stimulated the sodium channels. The PIP2-stimulated channel activity was abolished by application of 10 nm G protein βγ subunits (NP o = 0.14 ± 0.05). However, 10 nm Gαi-3 + 30 μmPIP2 increased both NP o andP o. The stimulating effect of 10 nmGαi-3 + 30 μm PIP2 is similar to that of 30 μm PIP2 plus 100 μm GTP. Immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis show that both Giα-3 and PIP2 bind β and γ epithelial Na+ channels (ENaC), but not α ENaC. These results indicate that PIP2 increases ENaC activity by direct interaction with β or γ xENaC in the presence of Gαi-3.