cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sea-level fall below the shelf edge, without basin-floor fans

A fall of sea level to below the shelf edge (formation of type 1 sequence boundary) increases greatly the likelihood of sand delivery into deep-water basin-floor areas, although an unusually high sediment supply can bring significant volumes of sediment to the shelf edge at any time. An Eocene (Ypresian) data set from seismic- scale, mountainside outcrops of shelf-slope clinoforms illustrates that a fall of sea level below the shelf edge produces significant sand accretion on the shelf margin, but brings no sand out onto the basin floor. Fall and subsequent rise of relative sea level are documented by the style and topographic position of successive shelf edge-to-slope clinoforms, each representing a shelf-edge delta with its greatly extended slope apron of turbidite lobes, sheets, and chutes. A downslope shift of clinothems at the shelf edge and a headward cannibalization of the oldest perched-slope deltas are the criteria for recognition of (1) the time interval of sea-level fall and (2) the position of sea level below the shelf edge. The lowest sea level is recorded by the most basinward clinothem set with a high density of erosive turbidite chutes at its upper surface (the sequence boundary). Wave-eroded terraces at its updip (near shelf edge) end identify the shoreline position at lowest sea level. Aggradation and landward stepping of clinothems reflect subsequent rise of relative sea level. The fall-to-rise configuration and, especially, the occurrence of peak erosion at the time of lowest sea level are compelling evidence for placing the type 1 sequence boundary at the fall-to-rise turnaround and not along the surface onto which the clinothems downlap. The excellent exposure downdip as well as along strike of the clinoform complex demonstrates the absence of sand accumulation beyond the base of slope. The slope turbidites were produced from dilute, nonignitive flows, and caused significant shelf-margin accretion. The data show that such slopes can be extremely sand prone, and that sea-level fall below the shelf edge does not necessarily result in basin-floor sand deposits beyond the base of slope, particularly where canyons have not been eroded into the slope.
Conduction-band dispersion, critical points, and unoccupied surface states on GaAs(110): A high-resolution angle-resolved inverse photoemission study

We report the first angle-resolved, high-resolution inverse photoemission study of the cleaved (110) surface of GaAs. The dispersion of the lowest conduction bands along the \ensuremath{\Gamma}-K-X main symmetry direction has been measured using inverse photoemission spectroscopy with tunable electron energy for initial energies between 10 and 30 eV. The photon spectra can be explained by direct optical interband transitions if bulk umklapp processes are taken into account. The ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{15}$ critical point is found at 4.8 eV above the valence-band maximum. The maximum of the ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{1}$${X}_{1}$ band is seen at 3.5 eV and the saddle of the ${\ensuremath{\Sigma}}_{1}$ band from ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{15}$ to ${X}_{5}$ has been measured at 6.2 eV. In the center of the surface Brillouin zone at \ensuremath{\Gamma}\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{} a surface resonance is located at 2.1 eV above the valence-band maximum in the conduction band. The surface state shows noticeable downward dispersion with ${k}_{?}$ of -0.4 eV in the direction toward X\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{} and little dispersion of -0.1 eV toward X\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}'.
Nanotechnology Based Cancer Therapies

By all accounts cancer remains the leading cause of death for humans of age less than 85 years old. This is partly because of the fact that there has been success in addressing other competing diseases such as cardiovascular leading to an overall drop in the rate of such disease where as after four decades of research success in cancer therapy remains limited. This places a greater demand on developing new therapies to treat cancer. With recent advances in nanotechnology field as applied in medicine there are new opportunities to detect, more effectively target and treat cancer and monitor the therapy while minimizing the damage to normal tissues and cells.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Emerging national research needs for agricultural air quality

Over the next 50 years, the Earth's human population is predicted to increase from the current 6.1 billion to more than 9 billion, creating a parallel increase in demand for agricultural commodities. Satisfying the demand for food is already driving changes in crop and livestock production methods that may have profound environmental effects. Increased consumption of animal protein in developed and developing countries, for example, has resulted in concentrated production of poultry and livestock, which has led to concentrated emissions of pollutants from these production facilities and has created regulatory concerns for agriculture. Development of land for nonagricultural uses has placed more pressure on marginal agricultural lands and has caused environmental degradation including the emission of trace gases (e.g., carbon,sulfur, and nitrogen species) into the atmosphere.
The Adams e-homomorphism and non-stable homotopy groups

WE USE the homomorphism e : n,+,(S) -+ Q/Z of Adams ([l], IV; see also [6], [7]) to study homotopy groups of general spaces X, obtaining under suitable conditions the existence of rather large cyclic subgroups of n”+,(X). The conditions apply to Lie groups and homogeneous spaces, Thorn complexes, the spaces G,/O, where G, is the H-space of homotopy equivalences of Sq-‘, etc., in non-stable dimensions. Briefly, the idea is this: let e: rr”+,(S”) + Q/Z be defined by means of the Chern character; let f: S” + X be a map satisfying two conditions, first f * : g*(X) + I? *(S”) is surjective, second H”+‘(X; Q) c decomposable elements and r # n; then the kernel off, : n,+,(S”) + n,+,(X) is contained in the kernel of e Furthermore e in the stable range r < n 1 has been determined by Adams, and finally. one has to study the K-theory of X and find maps f: S” + X satisfying the two conditions. Some results of Toda on non-stable homotopy groups of classical groups [9] are generalized by our results.
Precise Relative Location of 25-ton Chemical Explosions at Balapan Using IMS Stations

Wetest how well low-magnitude(m bLg 1.8 to 2.6), 25-ton chemical explosions at Balapan, Kazakhstan, can be located using IMS stations and standard earth models, relying on precisely determined relative arrival times of nearly similar, regional and teleseismic waveforms. Three 1997 Balapan explosions were recorded by a number of currently reporting and surrogate IMS stations. Three regional stations and two teleseismic arrays yielded consistent waveforms appropriate for relative picking. Master-event locations based on the AK135 model and ground-truth information from the first, shallowest and best-recorded explosion, fell under 1 km from known locations, for depths constrained to that of the master event. The resulting 90% confidence ellipses covered 12-13 km2and contained the true locations; however, results for depth constrained to true depth were slightly less satisfactory. From predictions based on ground truth, we found a Pgcoda phase at Makanchi, Kazakhstan to be misidentified and poorly modeled. After accounting for this, 90% ellipses shrank to 2-3 km2and true-depth mislocation vectors became more consistent with confidence-ellipse orientations. These results suggest that a high level of precision could be provided by a tripartite array of calibration shots in cases where models are poorly known. We hope that the successful relocation of these small Balapan shots will support the role of calibration explosions in verification monitoring and special event studies, including on-site inspection.
Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty in the phakic eye.

PURPOSE To evaluate the visual acuity, graft clarity, refractive outcome, and crystalline lens clarity in phakic patients undergoing Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). METHODS Six eyes of 4 consecutive patients with clear crystalline lenses and corneal edema because of either Fuchs dystrophy (4 eyes) or amantadine-induced corneal endothelial toxicity (2 eyes) were included in this study. All patients underwent simple DSAEK using a 4.2-mm temporal clear corneal incision. The 8.5-mm donor lenticule was folded and inserted into the anterior chamber using an Utrata forceps. A 10-minute air bubble tamponade was used. RESULTS Best-corrected spectacle visual acuity, refractive error, graft status, and crystalline lens clarity were measured at a minimum of 6 months postoperatively. All grafts for Fuchs dystrophy remained clear, whereas 2 grafts failed because of continued amantadine corneal toxicity. Excluding the failed grafts, the average preoperative best-corrected spectacle visual acuity was 20/47 compared with 20/28 postoperatively (P = 0.0024). There were no intraoperative complications, and no eyes developed pupillary block glaucoma or cataracts during an average follow-up interval of 9.1 months (6-14 months). CONCLUSION DSAEK may be safely performed in the phakic eye.
Improved standardization methods for clinical measurements of BUA and SOS

BACKGROUND: Although calcaneal broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) are good predictors of osteoporotic fracture risk, BUA and SOS measurements exhibit substantial inter‐system variability. PURPOSE: 1) Compare phase insensitive (PI) detection, which suppresses phase cancellation, and conventional phase sensitive (PS) detection for measurement of BUA. 2) Test a new compensation formula for reducing variability in SOS measurements. METHODS: Data from 73 women were acquired using a GE Lunar Achilles Insight bone sonometer. Radio frequency data were processed off‐line using both PI and PS algorithms. RESULTS: BUA measurements (mean ± sd) were 81.4 ± 21.4 dB/MHz (PS) and 67.2 ± 9.7 dB/MHz (PI). Compensation of SOS measurements reduced 1) average transit‐time‐marker‐related SOS variability by 75% in 73 women and 2) bandwidth‐related SOS variability by 80% in a bone‐mimicking phantom. CONCLUSION: These new methods will enable a substantial improvement in consistency in bone sonometry. The mention of commercial products, their sources, or their use in connection with material reported herein is not to be construed as either an actual or implied endorsement of such products by the Department of Health and Human Services.
A Jacobi algorithm and metric theory for greatest common divisors

Greatest common divisor algorithms are used to provide a natural motivation for considering a class of Jacobi-Perron algorithms which includes the original Jacobi algorithm. This work proves convergence and establishes metric properties for one of these algorithms. The proofs generalize to the larger class of algorithms. Full connections with the calculation of greatest common divisors will be treated elsewhere.
What you cannot see can help you: The effect of exposure to unreportable stimuli on approach behavior

Abstract We examined effects of exposure to unreportable images of spiders on approach towards a tarantula. Pretests revealed awareness of the stimuli was at chance. Participants high or low (top and bottom 15%) on fear of spiders were randomly assigned to receive computer-generated exposure to unreportable pictures of spiders or outdoor scenes. They then engaged in a Behavioral Approach Task (BAT) with a live tarantula. Non-fearful participants completed more BAT items than spider-fearful individuals. Additionally, as predicted, a significant interaction (F(1, 48) = 5.12, p
Iconography of the West Autoethnographic Representations of the West(erns)

This is the introduction to the Special Issue, “Iconography of the West: Autoethnographic Representations of the West(erns)” that engages a writing of variable images invoked in the reference to th...
Seasonal Dynamics of Periphyton in a Large Tropical Lake

Tropical aquatic systems are generally assumed to have little seasonality in productivity patterns. However, this study indicated that there was substantial seasonal variation in epilithic productivity and biomass in tropical Lake Tanganyika, due primarily to seasonal patterns in lake hydrodynamics that influence nutrient availability. Although they support much of the lake’s biological diversity, epilithic algae made a minor contribution to the total energy budget in Lake Tanganyika. A comparison among large, oligotrophic lakes revealed no significant latitudinal trends in periphyton productivity or biomass. However, Lake Tanganyika has relatively low benthic algal biomass and is therefore more efficient at photosynthesis than the temperate lakes. The influence of wave action and consumer density and diversity may be important in moderating productivity of the epilithic community.
A growing concern? Examining the influence of lawn size on residential water use in suburban Boston, MA, USA

Abstract In the US, households devote a considerable share of their annual water use to outdoor purposes. Existing literature suggests that residential lawns are a major driver of this outdoor use, especially in suburban settings. Yet this has not been tested using a broad-scope, fine-scale, and spatially explicit dataset. This paper presents a spatially explicit analysis of the relationship between household lawns and water use in suburban Boston for the year 2005, and extrapolates this relationship to the year 2030 under different scenarios of (sub)urban growth. We examine this relationship by employing two novel datasets: a 0.5 m resolution land cover classification of the town of Ipswich, MA and a town-wide household-scale monthly water billing dataset. Two scenarios of (sub)urban development in 2030 are explored, representing current trends and smart growth assumptions, using the land change model GEOMOD. Expected total annual residential water use is calculated for each scenario by extrapolating the relationship between household characteristics and water use from 2005 to 2030. We find that lawn cover, living unit density, and the number of bathrooms can explain 90% of the variation in annual residential water use. We estimate that Ipswich, MA could save 46 million liters of residential water use (a reduction of 5%) by pursuing a smart growth strategy. These modest savings are notable as they are achieved strictly through a densification approach to development i.e., the scenario includes no demand side management.
Cascara sagrada-induced intrahepatic cholestasis causing portal hypertension: case report and review of herbal hepatotoxicity

Herbal medicines are gaining widespread popularity. Much of the public believes that botanical herbs are both harmless and useful for the treatment of a variety of symptoms. This belief stands in contrast with the fact that many herbal therapies have been shown to be toxic. In the present case report, cascara sagrada (CS) has been associated with the development of cholestatic hepatitis, complicated by portal hypertension. CS is a mixture of ingredients, among which is anthracene glycoside--an herbal agent that previously has been associated with chronic hepatitis. The liver injury in the case herein reported is believed to be related to either anthracene glycoside or one of the other constituents of CS.
Does the route of feeding modify the inflammatory response

OBJECTIVE: The authors compared the responses to endotoxin in enterally and parenterally fed human volunteers. BACKGROUND: Recent investigations have reported that the response to endotoxin in humans is greater in individuals who receive parenteral nutrition rather than enteral feeding. It was proposed that this difference was related to gut barrier dysfunction during intravenous nutrition. To evaluate this hypothesis, the authors analyzed the responses of human subjects to an intravenously administered bolus of endotoxin after enteral or parenteral nutrition. METHODS: Fifteen randomly selected healthy volunteers were studied during two separate investigations; ten studies were performed in ten subjects who received enteral nutrition, and nine studies were carried out in five additional subjects who received parenteral nutrition. After 2 days of enteral feedings or 7 days of parenteral feedings, endotoxin was administered by intravenous injection; temperature, symptom score, and duration then were measured serially. Blood samples were obtained for leukocyte and platelet count, and plasma concentrations of corticotrophin, cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin-6. Mononuclear cell response to phytohemagglutinin was determined at 0, 4, and 24 hours. RESULTS: In the parenteral group, a diminished response was observed in platelet count and plasma interleukin-6 levels compared with volunteers who received enteral nutrition. The duration of symptoms tended to be reduced in the parenterally fed group, although this did not achieve significance. Other responses were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The responses to endotoxin in human subjects who received parenteral nutrition were similar compared with subjects who received enteral nutrition, although platelet count and plasma interleukin-6 concentration were diminished.
Applying Automatic Fare Collection System to Estimate a Transit Passenger Trip Origin-Destination Matrix

Automatic fare collection system (AFCS) has been widely used for public transport all over the world. However, the Origin-Destination (OD) matrix of each passenger, the most important information, cannot be collected from AFCS since only boarding information is recorded at each bus stop and alighting one is lost. This study develops passenger trajectories estimation to calculate OD matrix by using pre-processed smart card data from AFCS in one city. The results of a rigorous validation with on/off data from a real-world bus route reveal that the proposed model is quite effective and reliable on estimating the OD matrix for identification of the underlying demand pattern of a transit route. The results have shown that the OD estimation from the proposed algorithm match more than 75% with the actual OD pairs. During the peak hours, the matching rate can go up to 85%.
Stream detection for LiDAR digital elevation models from a forested area

Airborne Laser Swath Mapping instrument technology and subsequent algorithm advances have made it possible over the last few years to map the Earth's surface and land cover at unprecedented resolution. The ability of Airborne Laser Swath Mapping technology to densely sample ground elevations beneath forest canopies is particularly important because forested watersheds have traditionally been difficult to study with remote sensing techniques. The extraction of stream networks from digital elevation models (DEMs) plays a fundamental role in modelling local and spatially distributed hydrological processes. Our approach, based on an encoding of mathematical morphological operators, is shown to systematically and accurately extract stream channel locations, forms and incipient incisions in a forested watershed. The accuracy of the method is verified using a set of error measures over simulated terrain and also over real terrain where the site was manually surveyed.
Measurement of respiratory inertance in anesthetized subjects

Abstract A new method for measurement of total respiratory inertance from flow and volume tracings during passive exhalation is presented. Values obtained for total respiratory inertance in five subjects during general anesthesia with neuromuscular paralysis were from 0.022 to 0.044 cm H2O/liter/sec2. These values decreased to the range 0.018 to 0.035 cm H2O/liter/sec2 when corrected for the difference in density between anesthetic gases respired in the present study and air but were still appreciably greater than values for total respiratory inertance reported by previous investigators using a different method for measurement of inertance. Because of the requirement for completely passive exhalation, the new method is probably only applicable in anesthetized or otherwise apneic subjects.
Cross-sensitization between cocaine and GBR 12909, a dopamine uptake inhibitor

Abstract In the present experiment, rats which had received repeated injections of 20 mg/kg GBR 12909, a selective dopamine uptake inhibitor, were subjected to challenge doses of GBR 12909 and cocaine which were near or below the threshold for locomotor activation in drug-naive animals. The behavior measured was general motor activity, monitored in photocell testing cages. Results verify earlier findings which showed that rats treated chronically with GBR 12909 display a potentiated locomotor response to low doses of the drug (behavioral sensitization). In addition, it was found that GBR 12909 sensitized rats show a potentiated locomotor response to 5 mg/kg cocaine (cross-sensitization). These results are discussed with regard to various mechanisms which may underlie the sensitization phenomena observed, including possible neurochemical changes at the presynaptic level.
Duboscquella cachoni N. Sp., a Parasitic Dinoflagellate Lethal to Its Tintinnine Host Eutintinnus pectinis1

The parasitic dinoflagellate Duboscquella cachoni n. sp. is described from infestations of the tintinnine ciliate Eutintinnus pectinis collected from the Chesapeake Bay, a major North American estuary located on the east coast of the United States. Examination of parasite life history, morphology, and developmental processes reveals that D. cachoni differs from other members of the genus by the structure of the trophont, the pattern of sporogenesis, and spore morphology. Sporogenesis results in the production of either biflagellated macrospores, microspores with a single flagellum, or a cyst-like stage. The number of spores formed per infestation and their survival outside the host vary with spore type. Infested ciliates are apparently unable to reproduce, and infestations are always fatal to E. pectinis. Aspects of parasite biology and observations of a natural host-parasite assemblage suggest that D. cachoni may have a significant impact on its host's population dynamics.
Fast methods for extraction and sparsification of substrate coupling

The sudden increase in systems-on-a-chip designs has renewed interest in techniques for analyzing and eliminating substrate coupling problems. Previous work on the substrate coupling analysis has focused primarily on faster techniques for extracting coupling resistances, but has offered little help for reducing the resulting network whose number of resistors grows quadratically with the number of contacts. In this paper we show that an approach inspired by wavelets can be used in two ways. First, the wavelet method can be used to accurately sparsify the dense contact conductance matrix. In addition, we show that the method can be used to compute the sparse representation directly. Computational results are presented that show that for a problems with a few thousand contacts, the method can be almost ten times faster at constructing the matrix.
Surface-roughness considerations for atmospheric correction of ocean color sensors. I: The Rayleigh-scattering component

The first step in the coastal zone color scanner (CZCS) atmospheric-correction algorithm is the computation of the Rayleigh-scattering contribution, Lr(r), to the radiance leaving the top of the atmosphere over the ocean. In the present algorithm Lr(r), is computed by assuming that the ocean surface is flat. Computations of the radiance leaving a Rayleigh-scattering atmosphere overlying a rough Fresnel-reflecting ocean are presented to assess the radiance error caused by the flat-ocean assumption. The surface-roughness model is described in detail for both scalar and vector (including polarization) radiative transfer theory. The computations utilizing the vector theory show that the magnitude of the error significantly depends on the assumptions made in regard to the shadowing of one wave by another. In the case of the coastal zone color scanner bands, we show that for moderate solar zenith angles the error is generally below the 1 digital count level, except near the edge of the scan for high wind speeds. For larger solar zenith angles, the error is generally larger and can exceed 1 digital count at some wavelengths over the entire scan, even for light winds. The error in Lr(r) caused by ignoring surface roughness is shown to be the same order of magnitude as that caused by uncertainties of +/- 15 mb in the surface atmospheric pressure or of +/- 50 Dobson units in the ozone concentration. For future sensors, which will have greater radiometric sensitivity, the error caused by the flat-ocean assumption in the computation of Lr(r) could be as much as an order of magnitude larger than the noise-equivalent spectral radiance in certain situations.
A retrospective view on: The role of concepts in program comprehension: (MIP award)

This retrospective briefly recapitulates highlights of the original paper that was published at IWPC 2002. Then it overviews research directions of the last 10 years: research in tools and techniques of concept location a that aim to support software developer, research of integrated model of software change, creation of software engineering course that emphasizes the role of software developer in iterative and agile software processes, and further basic research into the role and properties of concepts.
DNA methylation program during development.

DNA methylation is a key epigenetic mark when occurring in the promoter and enhancer regions regulates the accessibility of the binding protein and gene transcription. DNA methylation is inheritable and can be de novosynthesized, erased and reinstated, making it arguably one of the most dynamic upstream regulators for gene expression and the most influential pacer for development. Recent progress has demonstrated that two forms of cytosine methylation and two pathways for demethylation constitute ample complexity for an instructional program for orchestrated gene expression and development. The forum of the current discussion and review are whether there is such a program, if so what the DNA methylation program entails, and what environment can change the DNA methylation program. The translational implication of the DNA methylation program is also proposed.
Diversion et création d’échanges commerciaux dans le cadre du système canadien de préférences tarifaires

This paper explores in quantitative terms the potential effects on trade flows as a result of Canadian tariff preferences in favor of the developing countries instituted in 1974. The paper develops a model of trade creation and trade diversion due to preferences based on imperfect substitution, within each product category, between preference-granting, preference-receiving and non-preferred countries. This model depart from the usual assumption of the customs union theory that countries trade in perfect substitutes. The model is then applied to the 1978 trade date under BTN chapters 25 - 99 on a 4-digit classification. One major conclusion of the paper is that the assumption of perfect substitution tends to overstate the magnitude of trade creation and trade diversion, while the method based on less than perfect substitutability seems to offer more realistic estimates of the actual impact of trade preferences.
Selecting the Right Peer Schools for AACSB Accreditation - A Data Mining Application

For a business school, the selection of its peer schools is an important component of its International Association for Management Education (AACSB) (re)accreditation process. A school typically compares itself with other institutions having similar structural and identity-based attributes. The identification of peer schools is critical and can have a significant impact on a business school's accreditation efforts. For many schools the selection of comparable peer schools is a judgmental process. This study offers an alternative means for selection; a quantitative technique called Kohonen's self-organizing map (SOM) network for clustering. SOM as a software agent uses visualization to present information to the school in choosing its peer schools.
CLATHRIN, ADAPTORS AND EPS15 IN ENDOSOMES CONTAINING ACTIVATED EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTORS

Activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by EGF results in binding of clathrin adaptor protein complex AP-2 to the receptor cytoplasmic tail. The transient interaction with AP-2 is thought to be responsible for the selective recruitment of the EGFR into coated pits during endocytosis. In this study we found that EGF-induced EGFR/AP-2 association, measured by co-immunoprecipitation, persists after receptor internalization. Double-label immunofluorescence of EGF-treated A-431 and COS-1 cells revealed the presence of AP-2, clathrin and eps15, another component of the plasma membrane coated pits, in the large perinuclear endosomes loaded with EGFRs. By optical sectioning and image deconvolution, the immunoreactivities were seen to be distributed within vesicular and tubular elements of these endosomes. In addition, these compartments contained the transferrin receptors and a EEA.1 protein, markers of early endosomes. Furthermore, Golgi clathrin adaptor complex AP-1 was found in EGFR-containing endosomes and EGFR immunoprecipitates in A-431 cells. The direct interaction of the EGFR with micro1 as well as micro2 subunits of AP-1 and AP-2, correspondingly, was shown using the yeast two-hybrid assay. Brefeldin A, a drug that releases AP-1 from the trans-Golgi membranes, had no effect on AP-1 association with endosomes and its co-precipitation with EGFR. Taken together, the data suggest that endosomal EGFR-AP complexes make up a significant portion of the total amount of these complexes detectable by co-immunoprecipitation. It can be proposed that APs are capable of binding to the endosomal membrane via a mechanism that requires AP interaction with the intracellular tails of multimeric receptors like activated EGFR, which in turn allows recruitment of clathrin and eps15. The hypothesis that the competition between adaptor complexes for binding to the receptor tails in endosomes may regulate of the sorting of receptors is discussed.
Landmark identification accuracy in xeroradiographic cephalometry.

Abstract Identification accuracy of fourteen cephalometric landmarks was compared between xeroradiographic cephalograms and conventional cephalograms. Four landmarks—point A, upper incisor tip, infradentale, and menton—were more accurately determined on the xeroradiograph, while two landmarks—point B and condylion—were more accurately determined on the conventional cephalogram. Although not conclusively demonstrated in this study, the xeroradiograph does appear to offer more clarity and detail than the conventional cephalogram. Further investigation of this new diagnostic medium will be necessary before its true significance to dentistry can be evaluated.
Safety of <7500 RE (<25000 IU) vitamin A daily in adults with retinitis pigmentosa

BACKGROUND Vitamin A supplementation is being used successfully to treat some forms of cancer and the degenerative eye disease retinitis pigmentosa. The daily biological need for vitamin A is estimated to be 800 retinol equivalents (RE)/d (2667 IU/d) for adult women and 1000 RE/d (3300 IU/d) for adult men; doses > or = 7500 RE (> or = 25000 IU)/d are considered potentially toxic over the long term. OBJECTIVE We assessed the safety in adults of long-term vitamin A supplementation with doses above the daily biological need but <7500 RE (<25000 IU)/d. DESIGN Adults aged 18-54 y with retinitis pigmentosa but in generally good health (n = 146) were supplemented with 4500 RE (15000 IU) vitamin A/d for < or = 12 y (group A) and compared with a similar group (n = 149) that received 23 RE (75 IU)/d (trace group). Mean total consumption of vitamin A in group A was 5583 RE (18609 IU)/d (range: 4911-7296 RE/d, or 16369-24318 IU/d) and that in the trace group was 1053 RE (3511 IU)/d (range: 401-3192 RE/d, or 1338-10638 IU/d). RESULTS Patients in group A showed an 8% increase in mean serum retinol concentration at 5 y and an 18% increase at 12 y (P < 0.001); no retinol value exceeded the upper normal limit (3.49 micromol/L, or 100 microg/dL). Mean serum retinyl esters were elevated approximately 1.7-fold at 5 y and remained relatively stable thereafter. No clinical symptoms or signs of liver toxicity attributable to vitamin A excess were detected. CONCLUSIONS Prolonged daily consumption of <7500 RE (<25000 IU) vitamin A/d can be considered safe in this age group.
THE BAZHENOVO FORMATION OF THE MIDDLE OB' REGION

The cherty-clay rocks of the Bazhenovo formation offer prospects for finding a new type of petroleum deposit, as indicated by the flows of oil recovered from it in western Siberia. Jurassic Neocomian bituminous sediments occur in an area of more than one million km/sup 2/ on the West Siberian platform. In the Middle Ob' region, they have been assigned to the Bazhenovo formation. The Bazhenovo lies 2.5-3 km beneath the surface, its average thickness is 30 m, and the formation temperature is 80-100/sup 0/C. Over the greater part of the area, the Bazhenovo is overlain and underlain by argillaceous units, which are fluid-impervious units of the third class, that is, they are virtually impervious to oil. They isolate the Bazhenovo from permeable sandy beds and make it a closed system with anomalously high formation pressures. The paper describes the texture of the rocks, lithology, forms of organic matter, geochemistry, physical properties, and overall geology. 8 references, 5 tables.
The Clustering of Organizational Innovation: Developing Governance Models for Vertical Integration

This case explores a cluster of firms that emerged sharing a particular ownership structure. Typically, clusters are thought of as interrelated firms that produce similar products and services. However, we document the emergence and evolution of a cluster of entrepreneurial ventures that developed using a unique governance structure. We explore the deviant case of Renville, MN because of its notable success in developing a series of entrepreneurial ventures that provided producers with the opportunity to vertically integrate.
Nation Building and Women: The Effect of Intervention on Women’s Agency

Regardless of the primary motive, international military intervention aimed at nation building is partly intended to establish democratic societies. And scholars have demonstrated that intervention does have a positive impact on democratization. With democratization generally follows greater support for human rights. Feminist scholars, however, have questioned definitions of democracy in which at minimal, women’s political rights are absent. This brings into question the impact of intervention on the status of women. Particularly in both Iraq and Afghanistan women’s rights have become prominent in the post-invasion American political rhetoric. Since intervention seems to be associated with the spread of democratic principles, we seek to discover whether intervention actually moves societies toward gender equality. We examine all six cases of completed military intervention aimed at nation building in sovereign states during the post Cold War period. Three of the cases—El Salvador, Mozambique, Namibia—evidence democratic change; whereas, the remaining three states—Cambodia, Haiti, Somalia—remain undemocratized. We test the extent to which intervention has or has not improved women’s equality and find no dramatic effect, either positive or negative, of intervention on the status of women in any of the six states.
Involvement of FtsE ATPase and FtsX Extracellular Loops 1 and 2 in FtsEX-PcsB Complex Function in Cell Division of Streptococcus pneumoniae D39

ABSTRACT The FtsEX protein complex has recently been proposed to play a major role in coordinating peptidoglycan (PG) remodeling by hydrolases with the division of bacterial cells. According to this model, cytoplasmic FtsE ATPase interacts with the FtsZ divisome and FtsX integral membrane protein and powers allosteric activation of an extracellular hydrolase interacting with FtsX. In the major human respiratory pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), a large extracellular-loop domain of FtsX (ECL1 FtsX ) is thought to interact with the coiled-coil domain of the PcsB protein, which likely functions as a PG amidase or endopeptidase required for normal cell division. This paper provides evidence for two key tenets of this model. First, we show that FtsE protein is essential, that depletion of FtsE phenocopies cell defects caused by depletion of FtsX or PcsB, and that changes of conserved amino acids in the FtsE ATPase active site are not tolerated. Second, we show that temperature-sensitive (Ts) pcsB mutations resulting in amino acid changes in the PcsB coiled-coil domain (CC PcsB ) are suppressed by ftsX mutations resulting in amino acid changes in the distal part of ECL1 FtsX or in a second, small extracellular-loop domain (ECL2 FtsX ). Some FtsX suppressors are allele specific for changes in CC PcsB , and no FtsX suppressors were found for amino acid changes in the catalytic PcsB CHAP domain (CHAP PcsB ). These results strongly support roles for both ECL1 FtsX and ECL2 FtsX in signal transduction to the coiled-coil domain of PcsB. Finally, we found that pcsB CC (Ts) mutants (Ts mutants carrying mutations in the region of pcsB corresponding to the coiled-coil domain) unexpectedly exhibit delayed stationary-phase autolysis at a permissive growth temperature. IMPORTANCE Little is known about how FtsX interacts with cognate PG hydrolases in any bacterium, besides that ECL1 FtsX domains somehow interact with coiled-coil domains. This work used powerful genetic approaches to implicate a specific region of pneumococcal ECL1 FtsX and the small ECL2 FtsX in the interaction with CC PcsB . These findings identify amino acids important for in vivo signal transduction between FtsX and PcsB for the first time. This paper also supports the central hypothesis that signal transduction between pneumococcal FtsX and PcsB is linked to ATP hydrolysis by essential FtsE, which couples PG hydrolysis to cell division. The classical genetic approaches used here can be applied to dissect interactions of other integral membrane proteins involved in PG biosynthesis. Finally, delayed autolysis of the pcsB CC (Ts) mutants suggests that the FtsEX-PcsB PG hydrolase may generate a signal in the PG necessary for activation of the major LytA autolysin as pneumococcal cells enter stationary phase.
WAR AND FOREIGN DEBT SETTLEMENT IN EARLY REPUBLICAN SPANISH AMERICA

Upon gaining independence, most Spanish American countries had accumulated a substantial external debt, and by 1829 each defaulted. It took decades for these countries to settle their debts and even longer for them to access new loans. We argue that a major factor influencing the pattern of debt service was the incidence of war. War created incentives for governments to channel scarce resources to «emergency» spending and domestic debt service, rather than to the repayment of the foreign debt. Interestingly, we detect an asymmetry between countries long in good standing with creditors and those that had only recently settled. Countries that had established a longer record of continuous debt service were far less likely to default in times of war. We also find that international wars were responsible for the largest effects.
Evidence for the role of angiotensin II biosynthesis in the rat internal anal sphincter tone.

Abstract Background & Aims: The internal anal sphincter tone is important for anorectal continence. This study examined the role of angiotensin II as a neurohumoral signal for the myogenic tone in the internal anal sphincter. Methods: We determined the effect of angiotensin I, II, III, and IV and angiotensin-(1–7) on the basal tone of the rat internal anal sphincter smooth muscle before and after selective receptor antagonists and biosynthesis inhibitors. Selective pharmacological tools used were losartan (for the AT 1 receptor), PD123,319 (for AT 2 ), A-779 [for angiotensin-(1–7)], captopril (for angiotensin-converting enzyme), and amastatin (for aminopeptidases A and N). Angiotensins were measured by using high-performance liquid chromatography/UV. Western blot studies were used to determine AT 1 and AT 2 receptors, ACE, and aminopeptidases A and N. Results: Angiotensin I, II, and III produced concentration-dependent contraction in the internal anal sphincter mediated by AT 1 receptors. However, in the higher concentrations (from 100 nM to 10 μM), angiotensin II showed an inhibitory effect via AT 2 receptors. Captopril (1 μM) inhibited the biosynthesis of angiotensin II in the internal anal sphincter, antagonized the contractile effects of angiotensin I, and, importantly, caused a decrease in the basal tone. Amastatin inhibited the effects of angiotensin II while augmenting those of angiotensin III. In contrast, angiotensin-(1–7) and angiotensin IV had only minor effects in the internal anal sphincter. Angiotensin I, II, and III; angiotensin-converting enzyme; aminopeptidase A and aminopeptidase N; AT 1 ; and AT 2 receptors were shown to be present in the internal anal sphincter. Conclusions: Locally produced angiotensin II may partially regulate basal tone in the internal anal sphincter.
Edge Effects in Pressurized Membranes

Developing membrane structures for space-based applications is an effort to reduce launch mass and stowed volume. Accurate modeling of the shape after deployment is very important to the high-precision inflatable structures for space applications. This paper presents a numerical study of the inflation of an initially plane membrane with circular boundary. The simulations were conducted using the nonlinear FEM code ABAQUS. Two types of boundary conditions are imposed. The conditions are either prescribed boundary movements during the inflation or prescribed spring constants for the springs that are attached to the rim of the membrane. Zero tensile stress is considered as the condition on the verge of forming wrinkles. When a compression zone appears, wrinkles are formed. Numerical results show that there is a limited amount of inward movement at the edge before the formation of wrinkles. The numerical results are also compared with an analytical solution.
Final design of a 24 MW radially-cooled insert for a 45 T hybrid system

For the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory the Francis Bitter National Magnet Laboratory has designed and is fabricating a 24 MW radially-cooled insert magnet. It is to add 31 teslas or more to the 14 T of the 616 mm bore superconducting magnet of Hybrid V, a system to generate at least 45 T in a 32 mm bore. The insert embodies many innovations for the sake of housing component commonality, unobstructed access for users quick installation, efficiency, longevity and burnout isolation, while coping with power densities up to 7 W/mm/sup 3/, heat flux densities to 9 W/mm/sup 2/, water pressures to 40 bars, and fault loads to 3.5 MN. The upper surface of the housing is free of all electrical and hydraulic clutter. The compact coil package plugs in from above. Its three coils are electrically and hydraulically in series-parallel, with inward flow through the outer two coils. High water pressure and short passages give water velocities up to 40 m/s, despite depths of only 0.10 to 0.15 mm, thus achieving outstanding cooling efficiency and a peak temperature of only 68/spl deg/C. Conductors, with strengths to match local stresses, are trio thicknesses of copper, three of Be-Cu and two of 24% Ag-Cu. All have excellent combinations of strength and electrical conductivity.
Frailty in Older Mexican-American and European-American Adults: Is There an Ethnic Disparity?

Because conventional frailty screening criteria have been standardized in predominantly European-American (EA) cohorts, applying them to ethnically diverse populations may result in inaccurate estimation of frailty prevalence in ethnic minorities. The objective of this study was to determine whether use of ethnic-specific criteria (EC) to characterize frailty in a bi-ethnic cohort results in significant differences in frailty prevalence when compared with the prevalence obtained using conventional criteria (CC). Data were from a random sample of community-dwelling Mexican Americans (MAs) (n=394) and EAs (n=355) aged 65 to 80 who participated in the baseline examination of the San Antonio Longitudinal Study of Aging. Frailty was defined as three or more of five characteristics: slow walking speed, weak grip strength, low energy expenditure, self-reported exhaustion, and weight loss. For CC, walking speed was standardized to height and sex, grip strength was standardized to body mass index and sex, and energy expenditure was standardized to sex using the pooled sample. For EC, these criteria were applied within each ethnic group. Frailty prevalence in MAs and EAs was compared using chi-square statistic. Using CC, a higher proportion of MAs than EAs were frail (11.3% vs 7.0%, P=.045). Using EC, there was no difference in frailty prevalence between MAs and EAs (9.9% in both ethnic groups). The application of conventional frailty screening criteria in a bi-ethnic cohort results in a higher prevalence of frailty in MAs than in EAs. In determining whether there are ethnic disparities in frailty, future studies should carefully consider whether CC or EC should be applied.
The full-length isoform of the mouse pleckstrin homology domain-interacting protein (PHIP) is required for postnatal growth

PHIP was isolated as an insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) interacting protein. To date, the physiological roles of PHIP remain unknown. Here we show that mice lacking PHIP1, the full-length isoform of PHIP, are born at normal size but suffer a 40% growth deficit by weaning. PHIP1 mutant mice develop hypoglycemia and have an average lifespan of 4-5 weeks. PHIP1-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) grow markedly slower than wild-type MEFs, but exhibit normal AKT phosphorylation and an increased cell proliferation in response to IGF-1 treatment. Together these results suggest that PHIP1 regulates postnatal growth in an IGF-1/AKT pathway-independent manner.
Preverbal children with autism understand the intentions of others.

There is a ‘theory of mind’ theory of autism. Meltzoff has recently developed a procedure that gives a nonverbal assessment of ‘theory of mind’. A group of children with autism and a matched control group of normally developing infants were given three of Meltzoff’s tasks and three conventional, gestural imitation tasks. The children with autism showed the expected deficits on gestural imitation, but were significantly better than the normally developing infants on the Meltzoff tasks. The implications of these results for a number of theoretical issues are discussed.
Differences in Body Size and Water Balance Strategies between North Carolina and Florida Populations of the Sand Fiddler Crab, Uca Pugilator

Abstract Sand fiddler crabs, Uca pugilator, from North Carolina (NC) are two-times smaller than ones from Florida (FL). A water balance study was conducted to examine this size difference in relation to possible changes in habitat suitability. Like most crabs, U. pugilator are classified as hydrophilic, which is consistent with their preference for humid environments. In contrast to the North Carolina population, U. pugilator-FL loses water less rapidly and has higher percentage body water content, a water balance strategy that emphasizes retention. Conversely, the amount of body water required is less for U. pugilator-NC, enabling it to maintain water balance despite having a higher water loss rate. Both tolerated only about 1/4 loss of body water before succumbing to desiccation. Neither experienced a critical transition temperature, CTT. We concluded that water balance profiles of these two populations are complementary, representing trade-offs that permit survival in a moisture-rich habitat. Lower bod...