cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone enhances the superoxide anion production of rabbit peritoneal macrophages stimulated with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and opsonized zymosan.

Effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on the superoxide anion (O2−) production, which is essential for effective microbicidal and cytotoxic activity in macrophages (Mφs), were investigated. TRH by itself failed to induce the O2− production of rabbit peritoneal Mφs elicited with thioglycollate medium. However, Mφs preincubated with TRH showed the significant enhancements of O2− production following stimulation with the chemotactic peptide, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), at TRH concentrations from 10−7 to 10−4 M with a peak enhancement at 10−5 M. O2− generations of Mφs stimulated with opsonized zymosan (OZ) were also enhanced at TRH concentrations from 10−10 to 10−5 M with a peak enhancement at 10−7 M. Maximal enhancements of O2− production were obtained with 10 min preincubation with TRH both for FMLP and OZ stimulations. TRH had no effect on O2− production when stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Thyrotropin did not augment the O2− production induced with either FMLP or OZ. These results indicate that TRH has the priming effect on FMLP- and OZ-induced O2− production of rabbit peritoneal Mφs, although the mechanism remains to be clarified.
Potassium Channels in Cardiac Cells Activated by Arachidonic Acid and Phospholipids

Two types of potassium-selective channels activated by intracellular arachidonic acid or phosphatidylcholine have been found in neonatal rat atrial cells. In inside-out patches, arachidonic acid and phosphatidylcholine each opened outwardly rectifying potassium-selective channels with conductances of 160 picosiemens (IK.AA) and 68 picosiemens (IK.PC), respectively. These potassium channels were not sensitive to internally applied adenosine triphosphate (ATP), magnesium, or calcium. Lowering the intracellular pH from 7.2 to 6.8 or 6.4 reversibly increased IK.AA channel activity three- or tenfold, respectively. A number of fatty acid derivatives were tested for their ability to activate IK.AA. These potassium-selective channels may help explain the increase in potassium conductance observed in ischemic cells and raise the possibility that fatty acid derivatives act as second messengers.
The interaction of religion and family members' influence on food decisions

Abstract While it is well understood how religious observance directly impacts diet through strict rules, indirect effects are more ambiguous. Using a survey of Israeli families containing information on family members’ likes and dislikes, we assess how religious observance alters the influence of each family member on the types of foods purchased. We find that orthodox beliefs tend to favor the husband and younger children, while more secular beliefs tend to favor the wife and older children. This study shows that integrating religiosity and gender refines the targeting of the marketing campaigns for meat.
Sublattice-induced symmetry breaking and band-gap formation in graphene

A reduction of symmetry from C6v to C3v leads to the opening of a band gap in the otherwise gapless semiconductor graphene. Simple models provide a fairly complete picture of this mechanism for opening a band gap and in fact can be discussed in terms of the tight-binding approximation, accurately resolving the wave-vector space to a very high accuracy. This picture is consistent with experiments that yield a band gap due to A and B graphene-site symmetry breaking due to substrate interactions.
The impact of the MJO on clusters of wintertime circulation anomalies over the North American region

Recent studies have shown that the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) impacts the leading modes of intraseasonal variability in the northern hemisphere extratropics, providing a possible source of predictive skill over North America at intraseasonal timescales. We find that a k-means cluster analysis of mid-level geopotential height anomalies over the North American region identifies several wintertime cluster patterns whose probabilities are strongly modulated during and after MJO events, particularly during certain phases of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). We use a simple new optimization method for determining the number of clusters, k, and show that it results in a set of clusters which are robust to changes in the domain or time period examined. Several of the resulting cluster patterns resemble linear combinations of the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and the Pacific/North American (PNA) teleconnection pattern, but show even stronger responses to the MJO and ENSO than clusters based on the AO and PNA alone. A cluster resembling the positive (negative) PNA has elevated probabilities approximately 8–14 days following phase 6 (phase 3) of the MJO, while a negative AO-like cluster has elevated probabilities 10–20 days following phase 7 of the MJO. The observed relationships are relatively well reproduced in the 11-year daily reforecast dataset from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2). This study statistically links MJO activity in the tropics to common intraseasonal circulation anomalies over the North American sector, establishing a framework that may be useful for improving extended range forecasts over this region.
An old-fashioned connectionist approach to a Cajun chord change problem

In this paper, the problem of changing chords when playing Cajun music is introduced. A number of connectionist network simulations are then described, in which the networks attempted to learn to predict chord changes correctly in a particular Cajun song, ‘Bayou Pompon’. In the various sets of simulations, the amount of information provided to the network was varied. While the network had difficulty in solving the problem with six one-eighths of a bar of melody information, performance radically improved when the network was provided with seven one-eighths of a bar of melody information. A post-training analysis of a trained network revealed a ‘rule’ for solving the problem. In addition to providing useful insight for scholars interested in traditional Cajun music, the results described here also illustrate how a traditional connectionist network, trained with the familiar backpropagation learning algorithm, can be used to generate a theory of the task.
Recent progress in tunable nonlinear optical devices for infrared spectroscopy

A laser source based on difference-frequency generation (DFG) in AgGaS2 has been developed for high resolution IR kinetic spectroscopy (IRKS) of free radicals. Continuously tunable radiation has been generated between 4 and 9 μm (2500–1100 cm−1) by mixing two cw single-mode dye/Ti:Al2O3 lasers in a 90° type I phasematching configuration. Spectra of the free radicals HOCO, DOCO and HCCN were obtained by using this source. Concurrently, the suitability of III–V single-mode cw diode lasers for DFG of tunable IR radiation has been explored by mixing two laser diodes (808 and 690 nm) in AgGaS2 (IR power generated ≈ 3 nW). Techniques to increase the IR DFG power level such as the use of high-power optical semiconductor amplifiers or an external build-up cavity for the nonlinear crystal have been investigated. As much as 50 μW of cw IR radiation, tunable near 4.3 μm have been generated by mixing a high-power tapered semiconductor amplifier at 858 nm and a Ti:Al2O3 laser in AgGaS2. Recent progress in generating cw IR radiation near 3.2 μm by mixing an extended-cavity diode laser near 795 nm and a compact diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser in AgGaS2 with an external enhancement cavity is also described.
Procedures for the preparation of silanols

Abstract Two procedures are described for the preparation of silanols and silanediols from the corresponding chlorosilanes. The first procedure, a two-phase hydrolysis-extraction process, is particularly convenient and suited to the preparation of a wide range of mono-silanols. Hydrolysis of dichlorosilanes by this procedure gives varied results depending on the structure of the dichlorosilane and specific reaction conditions. The second procedure, a modification of a published procedure, is especially beneficial for the preparation of silanols and silanediols prone to undergo self-condensation.
Why is Re-Re bond formation/cleavage in [Re(bpy)(CO)3] 2 different from that in [Re(CO)5]2? Experimental and theoretical studies on the dimers and fragments

The Re(NN)(CO)3(THF) (NN = bpy = 2,2‘-bipyridine or dmb = 4,4‘-dimethyl-2,2‘-bipyridine) radical, produced by homolysis of [Re(NN)(CO)3]2 in THF solution by visible irradiation, dimerizes with rate constants kd = 20 ± 3 and 11 ± 4 M-1 s-1 for NN = dmb and bpy, respectively. The dimerization processes are strikingly slow compared to those of typical metal radicals including Re(CO)5 (kd ≈ 109 M-1 s-1). In order to explain such slow reactions, we have performed B3LYP hybrid DFT and fully ab initio RHF and MP2 calculations on several conformations of [Re(bpy)(CO)3]2 (cis, trans, skewed cis, skewed trans) and [Re(CO)5]2 (staggered) and on their constituent monomer radicals and anions. The calculations show that the most stable geometry of [Re(bpy)(CO)3]2 is skewed cis, and the experimental infrared spectrum and photochemical properties of the [Re(bpy)(CO)3]2 dimer are best described by the calculated properties of the skewed cis conformer in which there is no low-lying unoccupied orbital that is predominantly ...
Government Budgets and Public Services: Some Criteria for Determining the Sources and Levels of Public Goods, including Transport Services

Instances of non-optimal consumption of public goods and services can easily arise if individual demand curves are not identical. It does not follow, however, that the best solution to the problem of too little consumption is an increase in government expenditure. Special user charges and voluntary contributions of time, goods, and money on the part of persons that value public goods more highly than the general population have long been important ways of supplementing government spending for social goods. The work trip appears to be a good example of a service area where existing cost structures and pricing methods may be biased against the voluntary associations which are needed to make the United States less dependent on foreign oil. This bias could be corrected by using an income-tax-surcharge to help finance the fixed costs associated with mass transit and other types of work trip pooling arrangements.
Multivariate analysis of variance with additional data from an unknown subset of the populations

In this paper we consider the problem of testing the means of k multivariate normal populations with additional data from an unknown subset of the k populations. The purpose of this research is to offer test procedures utilizing all the available data for the multivariate analysis of variance problem because the additional data may contain valuable information about the parameters of the k populations. The standard procedure uses only the data from identified populations. We provide a test using all available data based upon Hotelling' s generalized T2statistic. The power of this test is computed using Betz's approximation of Hotelling' s generalized T2statistic by an F-distribution. A comparison of the power of the test and the standard test procedure is also given.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations for Cyanobiphenyl Liquid Crystals

Abstract A new approach has been used to perform detailed molecular dynamics simulations for several cyanobiphenyl liquid crystals. The molecular potential is obtained by considering the phenyl rings in the liquid crystal molecules as enlarged spherical extended atoms. This method allows more rapid simulations than those using full atom-atom potentials, without losing any structural or orientational information. To investigate the nematic properties of the cyanobiphenyl liquid crystals, we calculated the order parameters for the principle molecular axes, C-H bonds in the alkyl chains, and C-C bonds of the alkyl chains of four cyanobiphenyls, and compared the results with available experimental data. Diffusion coefficients in directions both parallel and perpendicular to the director have also been calculated. To study the conformational equilibria of the model systems, we have also calculated dihedral distribution functions for several of the relevant torsional angles.
Intuition in family therapy: A short manual on post-modern witchcraft

Intuition is an important part of a mature clinician's work. Yet, it is a component of clinical work which is looked upon with suspicion, due in part to the Middle-Age's association between intuition and the work of witches. This paper describes a tenuous link between intuition, witches, and Carl Whitaker. Patterns for including intuition in family therapy are discussed.
FREE SPEECH: THE PHILOSOPHICAL POLES

(1972). FREE SPEECH: THE PHILOSOPHICAL POLES. Free Speech Yearbook: Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 40-48.
The case for aggressive management in traumatic high-grade cervical dislocations.

raumatic cervical high-grade spondylolisthesis is a devastating injury, and spondyloptosis represents the most T extreme form in this spectrum. Although most patients have sustained a complete or near complete spinal cord injury, there are now many case reports in the literature with neurologically intact or incomplete patients with spondyloptosis (1-3, 5-7). This situation has been possible because of posterior element fractures that allow expansion of the spinal canal as well as advances in the emergency medical transport system. At the present time, there is no consensus on the management of cervical spondyloptosis owing to the rarity of published cases on the topic. A previous review by Dahdaleh et al. (2) found only 8 reported cases of spondylolisthesis in the English literature before 2011.
VOID FRACTION IN BUBBLY, SLUG AND CHURN FLOW IN VERTICAL TWO-PHASE UP-FLOW

This paper presents a flow pattern approach to estimating void fraction during vertical upward recurrent two-phase flow recognizing the four major flow regimes—bubbly, slug, churn and annular. Expressions for void fraction in bubbly, slug and churn flow regimes are derived from the relationship between the phase velocities. Recirculation effect in large diameter pipes during bubbly flow and modifications to account for this effect are established. The differences in the predictive procedure for bubbly-slug flow transition between large and small diameter pipes are pointed out. The similarities between slug and churn flow and the modifications needed for void fraction prediction during churn flow are demonstrated. The predictions of the proposed model for flow pattern transition and void fraction are compared with experimental data gathered for this work as well as from independent sources. Good agreement between the data and the predictions of the model is noted.
A Monolithic Class B Driver Designed for Automotive Radio Applications

The automotive radio industry is constantly working to develop radios that are more reliable, less costly to build, and physically smaller, while at the same time giving performance comparable with existing radios.
Three-dimensional finite inextensional deformation of a beam

Abstract The inextensional, spacial deformation of a slender beam subjected to end loads and/or distributed loads can be characterized by a system of 12 coupled, non-linear ordinary differential equations, resulting in a complicated two-point boundary value problem. However, by an iterative shooting method, this problem is converted to an initial value problem, and a variety of existing computer programs can then be used to integrate the 12 equations. Two numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the method. Example 1 considers the finite deformation of a cantilever beam subjected to a concentrated end load. Example 2 considers the same beam subjected to a distributed load. A connection (and numerical check) is established with the corresponding linearized problems. In addition, each solution of the non-linear problem provides a quantitative assessment of the important effect of load misalignment.
Ozone formation during sulfur dioxide irradiation

Previously reported experimental results relating to the hypothesis that lowering of SO/sub 2/ concentrations in the atmosphere could lead to an increase in photochemically produced oxidant, chiefly O/sub 3/, are cited. Experiments carried out with sunlight irradiation of air-filled and air plus SO/sub 2/-filled Tedlar bags are described. In all cases, in the presence of SO/sub 2/, a higher O/sub 3/ value was obtained. Due to the low quantum yield reported for SO/sub 2/ photooxidation, the O/sub 3/ concentration due to the presence of SO/sub 2/ in the air cannot be calculated; however, it is reasonably concluded that O/sub 3/ formation in the atmosphere is not inhibited by the presence of SO/sub 2/ and that it may in fact occur as a consequence of SO/sub 2/ oxidation. (BLM)
Using the L number to predict the efficacy of moisture barrier properties of edible food coating materials

The L number, a dimensionless number that describes the ratio of the moisture permeance of a food substance to that of a coating material, was used to predict the effectiveness of available edible coating materials to prevent moisture migration from or into coated foods. A computer model was developed using the finite difference method to simulate moisture migration through coated food materials. the results indicated that when the L number is smaller than 0.04, the main resistance to moisture transfer for a coated food material is the diffusion of moisture within the food material itself. On the other hand, if the L number is larger than 4, the main resistance to moisture transfer is the permeance of the coating material. the application of this approach to predict the effectiveness of different coating materials for various dried foods is presented.
Genetic Variations in NALP1 Are Associated with Generalized Vitiligo in a Romanian Population

Generalized vitiligo is a common, multifactorial, polygenic disease in which autoimmune loss of melanocytes results in depigmented spots of skin, overlying hair, and mucous membranes. In Caucasian families from the United States of America and United Kingdom, susceptibility to generalized vitiligo and associated autoimmune diseases is genetically associated with variants of NALP1, encoding NACHT leucine-rich repeat protein 1. Here, we describe a population-based case–control association analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distributed through the NALP1 region in Caucasian generalized vitiligo patients and controls from Romania. This study confirms genetic association of generalized vitiligo with variation in NALP1, which contains at least two independent risk signals, one tagged by SNP rs6502867 and another tagged by SNPs rs2670660 and rs8182352. Individuals carrying high-risk alleles of both rs6502867 and rs2670660 had an odds ratio of 4.20 compared with individuals carrying a high-risk allele from only one signal. These findings support the involvement of NALP1 in predisposition to generalized vitiligo.
Haematological and immunological changes in channel catfish stressed by handling and transport

Handling of fishes in the field or in the laboratory is frequently characterized by increased susceptibility to disease thought to be mediated by immunologic suppression. In order to ascertain if such immunologic suppression occurs after stress, we developed a laboratory model for the induction of acute handling and transport stress that could reproducibly effect both haematological and immunological changes in channel catfish. Eighteen hours after the induction of stress there was a marked lymphopenia which appeared to be the result of a reduction in the number of both T and B lymphocytes in the circulation. There was also the expected neutrophilia with increases of up to 30% of the circulating leucocytes. Studies on the in vitro immunological function of the remaining circulating lymphocytes demonstrated that cells from stressed fish could no longer respond to the mitogens LPS and ConA, nor could they undergo primary anti-hapten antibody responses to either T-dependent or T-independent antigens. These losses of in vitro function could not be attributed to the presence of stress-induced suppressor cells or to a loss or diminution of accessory cell function.
The SPA Cuisine Project

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME : To integrate spa style cuisine into food systems management curricula for Nutrition/Dietetics students. As the nation's interest in total wellness continues to increase, so does the demand for management skilled in the preparation and service of attractive, healthful and tasty cuisine for school-lunch programs, college and university dining services, health-care facilities, and community nutrition settings. In order to meet this burgeoning need, a performance-based course has been developed which is modeled on the tenets of nutritional (spa) cuisine as taught by the Culinary Institute of America; this course is designed to meet selected knowledge and performance standards of the ADA-COA in addition to stated course and departmental competency guidelines. The goal of the learning experience is for the dietetic technician student to turn their theoretical food systems preparation knowledge into a workable action model, and to apply spa standards of food preparation in a practical performance-based setting. Specifically, this involves the design, implementation, and outcomes assessment of a theme dinner which is then served to customers from the community and campus. The students are responsible for choosing, costing out, testing, computer analyzing, and modifying as needed a theme-appropriate menu, developing a marketing and fiscal management plan, and creating dining room ambiance appropriate to their theme in addition to meeting the stated performance standard for food procurement, production, and quality front of the house service. Graduates of the program have indicated that this was an excellent chance for them to take ownership of a major event, and garnered them real life management experience which has translated into increased confidence and marketability in the career area of food systems management.
Trace Chemical Characterization Using Monochromatic X-ray Undulator Radiation

An efficient Johansson-type X-ray fluorescence spectrometer has been developed for advanced X-ray spectroscopic analysis with third-generation synchrotron radiation. Kalpha and Kbeta X-ray fluorescence spectra for trace metals have been collected by a Ge(220) analyzing crystal with a Rowland radius of 150 mm, under monochromatic X-ray excitation at the undulator beamline at the SPring-8. The energy resolution is approximately 10 eV for most of the K lines for 3d transition metals. In light of the greatly improved efficiency, as well as the excellent signal-to-background ratio, the relative and absolute detection limits achieved are 1 ppm and 1.2 ng of copper in a carbon matrix, respectively. The energy resolution of the present spectrometer permits the observation of some chemical effects in Kbeta spectra. It has been demonstrated that the changes in Kbeta5 and Kbeta'' intensity for iron and cobalt compounds can be used for the analysis of chemical states. Resonant X-ray fluorescent spectra are another important application of monochromatic excitation. In view of trace chemical characterization, the present spectrometer can be a good alternative to a conventional Si(Li) detector system when combined with highly brilliant X-rays.
Cryotherapy for postoperative pain relief following knee arthroplasty

Ninety consecutive patients undergoing primary knee arthroplasty received local cryotherapy 72 hours after surgery for pain relief. Thermal-pad circulating temperatures were randomly assigned to 50 degrees, 60 degrees, or 70 degrees F (room temperature). Pain relief was monitored using patient-controlled analgesia machines. The amount of morphine received and number of attempts per hour were statistically analyzed with relation to temperature group, age, sex, weight, side, and diagnosis. The amount of morphine injected was positively correlated to the number of attempts per hour and moderately correlated to body weight. There was no correlation between thermal-pad temperature or any other parameter and the amount of morphine injected after surgery.
Drawbacks of GENEHUNTER for larger pedigrees: application to panic disorder

Large pedigrees can pose a problem for GENEHUNTER linkage analysis software. Differences in two-point and multipoint lodscores were observed when comparing GENEHUNTER to other linkage software. Careful consideration must be given when selecting linkage analysis programs. Am. J. Med. Genet. (Neuropsychiatr. Genet.) 96:781-783, 2000.
Transnasal placement of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with a pediatric endoscope in oropharyngeal obstruction.

Transnasal placement of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with a pediatric endoscope in oropharyngeal obstruction
Correlation of Alfvén wave Poynting flux in the plasma sheet at 4-7 Re with ionospheric electron energy flux

[1] A comparison of Poynting flux in the plasma sheet at geocentric distances of 4–7 RE to the energy flux of magnetically conjugate precipitating electrons at 100-km altitude is presented. We have investigated 40 plasma sheet crossings by the Polar satellite, including both cases with large in situ values of Poynting flux (∼1 ergs cm−2 s−1) and cases with low values (≤0.1 ergs cm−2 s−1). The values correspond to ∼125 and ∼12 ergs cm−2 s−1, respectively, when mapped along converging magnetic field lines to 100 km. The north-south component of the electric field and the east-west component of the magnetic field were the primary source of the Poynting flux. On the basis of the phase relationship and ratio of E and B, the majority of Poynting flux events were identified as Alfven waves. The Poynting flux measured at high altitudes by Polar was correlated with the intensity of the conjugate auroral emission in the ultraviolet frequency range, which can be used to estimate energy deposition due to precipitating electron beams. The electron energy flux during times of intense Poynting flux in the plasma sheet exceeded 20 ergs cm−2 s−1. In the absence of strong Poynting flux in the plasma sheet, electron precipitation was small (≤5 ergs cm−2 s−1). The mapped Poynting flux was in almost all events larger by a factor of 1–10 than the ionospheric electron energy flux. These results show that Alfvenic Poynting flux in the midtail region is associated with and capable of powering localized regions of magnetically conjugate auroral emissions. Furthermore, the large Poynting flux events observed at the outer edge of the plasma sheet were conjugate to the poleward border of the active auroral regions, giving further evidence that at least some of the discrete aurora connects to the plasma sheet boundary layer.
The Stability Impact Study for Blasting near Underground Caverns

Nowadays, the safety effection study of the surface explosion operations on underground cavern safety become more and more important along with engineering construction's development. In this paper, effection of open stope surface explosive operations on underlying gap cavern as an example on studying the effection of blasting shock on underground cavern stability with the method of field monitoring and numerical simulation.When the explosion source and seismic gap are almost in the same level, the longitudinal wave leads the role of damage effect. The most dangerous part of the mined-out area is the spandrel. The collapse models of mined-out area manifest are as follows, cracks appear on 45. Inclined top of surface in mined-out area, the spandrels appear broken, surface cracks expand further, broken parts of spandrel are aggravated, arch waist are in jog and the side collapse inward in the end.
Rotator cuff tears in children and adolescents: experience at a large pediatric hospital

Prior literature, limited to small case series and case reports, suggests that rotator cuff tears are rare in adolescents. However, we have identified rotator cuff tears in numerous children and adolescents who have undergone shoulder MRI evaluation. The purpose of this study is to describe the prevalence and characteristics of rotator cuff tears in children and adolescents referred for MRI evaluation of the shoulder at a large pediatric hospital and to correlate the presence of rotator cuff tears with concurrent labral pathology, skeletal maturity and patient activity and outcomes. We reviewed reports from 455 consecutive non-contrast MRI and magnetic resonance arthrogram examinations of the shoulder performed during a 2-year period, and following exclusions we yielded 205 examinations in 201 patients (ages 8–18 years; 75 girls, 126 boys). Rotator cuff tears were classified by tendon involved, tear thickness (partial or full), surface and location of tear (when partial) and presence of delamination. We recorded concurrent labral pathology when present. Physeal patency of the proximal humerus was considered open, closing or closed. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate for a relationship between rotator cuff tears and degree of physeal patency. We obtained patient activity at the time of injury, surgical reports and outcomes from clinical records when available. Twenty-five (12.2%) rotator cuff tears were identified in 17 boys and 7 girls (ages 10–18 years; one patient had bilateral tears). The supraspinatus tendon was most frequently involved (56%). There were 2 full-thickness and 23 partial-thickness tears with articular-side partial-thickness tears most frequent (78%). Insertional partial-thickness tears were more common (78%) than critical zone tears (22%) and 10 (43%) partial-thickness tears were delamination tears. Nine (36%) patients with rotator cuff tears had concurrent labral pathology. There was no statistically significant relationship between rotator cuff tears and physeal patency (P > 0.05). Most patients were athletes (76%). Five tears were confirmed at surgery. Poor clinical follow-up limited evaluation of patient outcomes. Rotator cuff tears can be identified during MRI examination of symptomatic child and adolescent shoulders and often consist of tear patterns associated with repetitive microtrauma in overhead athletic activities or with single traumatic events. Rotator cuff tears are seen throughout the range of skeletal maturity, often coexist with labral tears and typically are found in athletes.
TREK-2, a new member of the mechanosensitive tandem-pore K+ channel family.

Abstract Recently, several mammalian K+channel subunits (TWIK, TREK-1, TRAAK, and TASK) possessing four transmembrane segments and two pore-forming domains have been identified. We report the cloning of a new member of this tandem-pore K+ channel from a rat cerebellum cDNA library. It is a 538-amino acid protein and shares 65% amino acid sequence identity with TREK-1. Therefore, the new clone was named TREK-2. Unlike TREK-1, whose mRNA has been reported to be expressed in many different tissues, TREK-2 mRNA is expressed mainly in the cerebellum, spleen, and testis as judged by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot analysis. Expression of TREK-2 in COS-7 cells induced a time-independent and non-inactivating K+-selective current. TREK-2 was partially blocked (36%) by 2 mmBa2+. In symmetrical 150 mm KCl, the single-channel conductances were 110 picosiemens at −40 mV and 68 picosiemens at +40 mV, and the mean open time was 0.9 ms at −40 mV. TREK-2 was activated by membrane stretch or acidic pH. At −40 mm Hg pressure, channel activity increased 10-fold above the basal level. TREK-2 was also activated by arachidonic acid and other naturally occurring unsaturated free fatty acids. These results show that TREK-2 is a new member of the tandem-pore K+ channel family and belongs to the class of mechanosensitive and fatty acid-stimulated K+ channels.
Optimizing Army Sustainability at Fort Bragg: A Case Study Connecting Life-Cycle Cost Analysis with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings

Abstract:In 2006, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations and Environment announced the Army's desire to transition to the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings rating scheme in an effort to institutionalize sustainable practices across all Army facilities. This article describes an engineering management tool developed for project managers at Fort Bragg's Directorate of Housing and Public Works used to determine the most cost-effective route to building certification and to support the Army goal of sustainability. The results expose practicing engineering managers to a significant issue concerning Army sustainability, where numerous engineering management methods are employed for more effective decision-making. Future research is needed to convert retrofit project life-cycle costs from specific location sources to national values.
The ESR spectrum of matrix-isolated CCl3 radicals

Abstract The ESR spectrum of CCl3 radicals has been observed in argon and xenon matrices at ∼ 15 K. The radicals produced by pyrolysis of Hg(CCl3)2 gave the same i.r. spectrum as those prepared by reaction of Li atoms with CCl4 in agreement with previous studies. By reaction of Li atoms with 13C enriched CCl4 we were able to obtain the spectrum of 13CCl3. The spectra are characteristic for a randomly oriented sample and the g values of h.f.s. constants are determined. Assuming the geometry of the radical is reflected in the extent of s-p hybridization one calculates that the molecule is pyramidal with an angle θ=15·5°±2° between a CCl bond and a plane perpendicular to the threefold symmetry axis. This corresponds to a ClCCl angle of 113°±2°.
Temporal and Spatial Variability in Culturable Pathogenic Vibrio spp. in Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

We investigated the abundance, distribution, and virulence gene content of Vibrio cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus in the waters of southern Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana on four occasions from October 2005 to September 2006, using selective cultivation and molecular assays. The three targeted pathogenic vibrios were generally below the detection level in January 2006, when the water was cold (13°C), and most abundant in September 2006, when the lake water was warmest (30°C). The maximum values for these species were higher than reported previously for the lake by severalfold to orders of magnitude. The only variable consistently correlated with total vibrio abundance within a single sampling was distance from shore (P = 0.000). Multiple linear regression of the entire data set revealed that distance from shore, temperature, and turbidity together explained 82.1% of the variability in total vibrio CFU. The log-transformed mean abundance of V. vulnificus CFU in the lake was significantly correlated with temperature (P = 0.014), but not salinity (P = 0.625). Virulence-associated genes of V. cholerae (ctx) and V. parahaemolyticus (trh and tdh) were not detected in any isolates of these species (n = 128 and n = 20, respectively). In contrast, 16S rRNA typing of V. vulnificus (n = 298) revealed the presence of both environmental (type A) and clinical (type B) strains. The percentage of the B-type V. vulnificus was significantly higher in the lake in October 2005 (35.8% of the total) than at other sampling times (P ≤ 0.004), consistent with the view that these strains represent distinct ecotypes.
Work in progress - getting off the high horse, student over confidence with computational tools

Michigan Technological University is one of the nationpsilas largest engineering schools (900+ first year students) and houses a large common first year engineering curriculum. The goal of this curriculum is to introduce many of the fundamental components of engineering. One of these goals is the use of modern computational and programming tools to solve engineering problems. This paper focuses on the studentspsila confidence with the use of computational tools. On the first day of class in the Fall of 2007, students were surveyed on their proficiency with the use of spreadsheets. Students self reported levels of proficiency from expert to no experience. Students were then asked a simple question regarding a spreadsheet cell equation. Only twenty percent of the students selected the correct answer, even though eighty percent ranked themselves as either: familiar, proficient, or expert spreadsheet users. Even more troubling is the fact that only one third of the self reported expert users selected the correct answer. A gender bias was noted, women under estimated their skills, while the opposite occurred for men. This study is significant because it lays the groundwork for creating an assessment plan to identify the preparedness of incoming students and skill at the end of the course.
Endoscopic forehead lift in patients with male pattern baldness

Abstract Purpose The presence of male pattern baldness poses a significant challenge when attempting to optimize treatment of the upper third of the face. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate and discuss results of the endoscopic forehead lift in patients with male pattern baldness. Materials and methods This was a retrospective case series done in an academic medical center. Eleven patients with male pattern baldness (Norwood class IV–VII) underwent endoscopic forehead lift for forehead creases and brow ptosis. Results All patients achieved smoothing of the forehead and elevation of the brow with no scalp anesthesia at 1 month postoperatively. All patients were pleased with the healing of their incisions in midline, paramedian, and temporal regions. Alloplastic fixation devices used were visible postoperatively in 2 patients initially. Conclusions The endoscopic forehead lift is a suitable approach for treating the upper third of the face in the presence of male pattern baldness. The use of alloplastic fixation devices may be used in this patient population, but other fixation methods should be considered.
Time Variability of the Ca II K Emission Line of Giants

This paper reports the results of a program to search for evidence of time variability in the profile of the central emission component of the Ca ii K line of a sample of Population I field giant stars. High resolution spectra of this line have been obtained using echelle and coude spectrographs on the 82-inch (2.1-m) and 107-inch (2.7-m) telescopes of McDonald Observatory. Data are drawn from previous papers of Smith & Shetrone and combined with new observations obtained during the period 2004-2007 to give multiple observations for a sample of 31 evolved giant stars extending over the period 1998-2007. The asymmetry of the Ca ii K2 emission profile has been quantified by the parameter V/R, which is defined to be the ratio of the intensity in the violet emission peak to the intensity in the red emission peak. Among the giants in our sample with 0.85 1.3 this range broadens to 0.7 1.3. By contrast, some of the giants in our sample showed no evidence of variability in their emission asymmetry. Most of the giants in our sample that show V/R 1.3. Nonetheless, some of the stars of such color do show blue-dominant asymmetry. Furthermore, some giants of this color are clearly variable in their emission asymmetry and are seen to change from blue-dominant emission profiles (V/R > 1.0) to red-dominant (V/R -0.1. Among giants with 0.8 < (B - V) < 1.2 the mean values of V/R found in our sample range from 1.05 to 1.20, whereas the individual V/R values at any given time shower a broader scatter from ~0.97 to 1.27. Among such stars there is also evidence of time variability, although in most cases it does not include a transition to a red-dominant V/R value of <1.0.
The importance of combining disorder with order for Li-ion insertion into cryogenically prepared nanoscopic ruthenia

Cryogenically prepared RuO2 (cryo-RuO2), a material known for its ability to “self-wire” into continuous, nanoscopic electronic pathways, is proposed as an electrode for Li-ion microbatteries with three-dimensionally interpenetrated components. We determined processing guidelines that optimize Li-ion uptake in cryo-RuO2 powders by varying the solid-state structure of cryo-RuO2 with thermal processing at 50–250 °C in flowing O2(g) or Ar(g). The highly disordered structure of as-prepared cryo-RuO2 is transformed to rutile RuO2 at 200 °C in O2(g), resulting in a 60% loss of Li-ion capacity (as-prepared: 214 mA h g−1; rutile: 84 mA h g−1). In contrast, thermal processing in Ar(g) preserves structural disorder in the cryo-RuO2, even up to 250 °C. The highest Li-ion capacity occurs for the treatment that mixes order (crystallinity) with disorder: >250 mA h g−1 for cryo-RuO2 heated in oxygen to 50 °C. This study provides processing guidelines to achieve fabrication of 3-D microbattery architectures containing a nanoscopic RuO2 electrode component.
Hierarchical clustering of distributed object-oriented software systems: a generic solution for software-hardware mismatch problem

During the software lifecycle, the software structure is subject to many changes in order to fulfill the customer's requirements. In Distributed Object Oriented systems, software engineers face many challenges to solve the softwarehardware mismatch problem in which the software structure does not match the customer's underlying hardware. A major design problem of Object Oriented software systems is the efficient distribution of software classes among the different nodes in the system while maintaining two features: lowcoupling and high software quality. In this paper, we present a new methodology for efficiently restructuring Distributed Object Oriented software systems to improve the overall system performance and to solve the software� hardware mismatch problem. Our method has two main phases. In the first phase, we use the hierarchical clustering method to restructure the target software application. As a result, all the possible clustering solutions that could be applied to the target software application are generated. In the second phase, we decide on the bestfit clustering solution according to the customer hardware organization.
Teaching letter sounds to kindergarten English language learners using incremental rehearsal.

Abstract Proficiency in letter–sound correspondence is important for decoding connected text. This study examined the effects of an evidence-based intervention, incremental rehearsal (IR), on the letter–sound expression of three kindergarten English language learners (ELLs) performing below the district benchmark for letter–sound fluency. Participants were native speakers of Hmong, Spanish, and Polish. A multiple-baseline design across sets of unknown letter sounds was used to evaluate the effects of IR on letter–sound expression. Visual analysis of the data showed an increase in level and trend when IR was introduced in each phase. Percentage of all non-overlapping data (PAND) ranged from 95% to 100%. All participants exceeded expected growth and reached the spring district benchmark for letter–sound fluency. Results suggest that IR is a promising intervention for increasing letter–sound expression for ELLs who evidence delays in acquiring letter sounds.
Examining Applicants’ Attributions for Withdrawal From a Selection Procedure

This study applied the attribution framework described by Weiner (1986) to understand the psychological reasons applicants withdrew from a police officer selection process, as well as the consequences of their attributions for withdrawal. Individuals (n= 196) who withdrew from the selection process were contacted and were asked to indicate their primary reason for withdrawal; and then rated this reason on locus, stability, and controllability dimensions. They also reported future application expectancies. Results indicate minority and female applicants appeared to indicate different reasons for withdrawing than did White and male applicants. Finally, race and controllability interacted in the prediction of reapplication expectancies, such that the relationship between expectancies and controllability was negative for White applicants and positive for minority applicants.
Role-based ad hoc teamwork

An ad hoc team setting is one in which teammates must work together to obtain a common goal, but without any prior agreement regarding how to work together. In this paper we present a role-based approach for ad hoc teamwork, in which each teammate is inferred to be following a specialized role that accomplishes a specific task or exhibits a particular behavior. In such cases, the role an ad hoc agent should select depends both on its own capabilities and on the roles currently selected by the other team members. We formally define methods for evaluating the influence of the ad hoc agent's role selection on the team's utility, leading to an efficient calculation of the role that yields maximal team utility. In simple teamwork settings, we demonstrate that the optimal role assignment can be easily determined. However, in complex environments, where it is not trivial to determine the optimal role assignment, we examine empirically the best suited method for role assignment. Finally, we show that the methods we describe have a predictive nature. As such, once an appropriate assignment method is determined for a domain, it can be used successfully in new tasks that the team has not encountered before and for which only limited prior experience is available.
Sequential confidence intervals for the number of cells in a multinomial population

A two-sided sequential confidence interval is suggested for the number of equally probable cells in a given multinomial population with prescribed width and confidence coefficient. We establish large-sample properties of the fixed-width confidence interval procedure using a normal approximation, and some comparisons are made. In addition, a simulation study is carried out in order to investigate the finite sample behaviour of the suggested sequential interval estimation procedure.
Spatial behavior of UWB channel pertinent to indoor geolocation

This paper describes the results of frequency-domain dynamic channel sounding in a typical office environment for studying the spatio-temporal channel behavior pertinent to indoor geolocation. It consists of detailed characterization of complex frequency responses of ultra-wideband (UWB) signals having a nominal center frequency of 5.5GHz and bandwidth of 5GHz. The effects of distance, threshold for picking paths, bandwidth, and occurrence of none-line-of-sight (NLOS) on multipath parameters such as number of multipath-components (MPCs) and path persistency are presented. Furthermore, a novel model for the dynamic behavior of number of MPCs is proposed.