cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pressure drop from flow of cryogens in corrugated bellows

Abstract The pressure drop experienced by cryogenic fluids flowing through corrugated bellows is investigated up to Re = 4 × 10 6 . The measured pressure drop is seen to increase approximately as the square of the velocity. Comparison of N 2 gas, LN 2 and He II pressure drop results indicates that there is no fundamental difference between the behaviour of classical fluids and turbulent He II in bellows systems. The present results are analysed with only limited success in terms of existing correlations for pressure drop in bellows. One finding is that the classical friction factor appears to increase slightly with Reynolds number, which is consistent with the behaviour of the drag coefficient measured in similar geometrical configurations.
A versatile synthesis of β-amino acids using the nicholas reaction. II. Formal total synthesis of thienamycin.

Abstract Homochiral acetylenic acid 26 , prepared using the Schreiber modification of the Nicholas reaction, has been converted to β-amino acid derivative 28 by a two step sequence involving Curtius rearrangement fallowed by oxidative clevage of the acetylenic bond. Amino acid derivative 28 was then converted to thienamycin (β12) precursor 30 by cyclization with DCC followed by epmerization.
Heavy ion reactions as probes for spin strength

Abstract Heavy ion charge-exchange reactions have great potential for probing spin-transfer strength in nuclei, provided beams of sufficient energy are used so that the reactions might be expected to be simple (one-step) in nature. Tests of reaction mechanisms have been carried out for two of the most favorable reactions, ( 6 Li, 6 He) and ( 12 C, 12 N). We have shown that the first reaction is mainly one-step in nature at 25 MeV/nucleon and above and have established a calibration curve relating cross sections to Gamow-Teller matrix elements. We have also shown that the second reaction is likely to be mainly one-step above about 50 MeV/nucleon. A ( 12 C, 12 N) measurement on Fe targets was done recently, with the aim of determining astrophysically interesting Gamow-Teller strengths in Fe nuclei.
The Near Infra-Red Spectrum of the Peptide Group

The assignments of high-frequency absorption bands in the spectra of compounds containing the peptide ($\chembond{1,0} $NH$\chembond{1,0} $CO$\chembond{1,0} $) group have been critically reviewed in the light of new data on N-monosubstituted amides. Evidence based on hydrogen bonding studies, substitution of deuterium for hydrogen on the peptide NH, and dichroism in oriented proteins has confirmed the previous association of several high-frequency bands with peptide group oscillations. A new assignment for a peptide band near 4600 cm$^{-1}$ is suggested in order to explain its dichroism. The analytical use of a band at 5130 cm$^{-1}$ due to H$_{2}$O associated with compounds containing the peptide group has been established.
Tracing the origins and propagation of pre-tropical storm Debby (2006) mesoscale convective systems using pattern recognition and image fusion

This study is focused on developing pattern recognition and image fusion techniques to trace the origins and propagation of the pre-tropical storm (pre-TS) Debby (2006) mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) and African easterly waves (AEWs) using satellite imagery. These MCSs could be generating over mountains in North Africa and going through complicated splitting and merging processes. Therefore, an objectively analyzed MCS movement is essential. This study presents a technique which traces extracted features to find the origin of TS Debby. This technique produces a fused image with the most relevant information from water vapor and infrared satellite images, segments the cloud top height satellite images by clustering clouds, and tracks clouds to determine the origin of TS Debby (2006). The presented technique could be applied to other AEWs and MCSs which lead to tropical cyclogenesis to improve the numerical weather prediction over data sparse areas, such as over eastern and central North Africa.
Threshold photodetachment of H

The electron affinities of atomic hydrogen and deuterium have been determined by tunable-laser threshold-photodetachment spectroscopy: the electron affinities of H (F=0) and D (F=1/2) are 6082.99\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.15 and 6086.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.6 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$, respectively. The value for H is a 20-fold improvement over previous experimental determinations.
Remote sensing of US cornbelt areas sensitive to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation

A 16-year time-series (1982-1997) of monthly maximum Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values derived from coarse-scale Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) satellite images was investigated for its application in identifying agricultural regions sensitive to El Ni@o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) impacts. Cumulative NDVI values over the growing season were used to test the temporal and spatial sensitivity of rainfed agricultural regions in the US cornbelt to ENSO climate teleconnections. The correlation (R) between NDVI anomalies and yield anomalies aggregated to the Agricultural Statistics Division (ASD) level was 0.59 (significant at the 99% level). Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) from the NINO3 region (between +5.0° and m 5.0° latitude and 90.0° and 180.0° west longitude in the Pacific Ocean), an indicator of the ENSO phenomenon, were significantly but weakly correlated with growing season NDVI anomalies, precipitation anomalies, and yield anomalies. Two classification schemes for...
Auxotrophic markers and the cytogenetics of Filobasidiella neoformans.

In the sexual phase of Cryptococcus neoformans four post-meiotic nuclei give rise to the nuclei of four long chains of basidiospores. If there is a fixed relationship between one post-meiotic nucleus and one chain the result should be genetic homogeneity within single chains; random composition of chains would represent the opposite case. We tested for homogeneity in single chains from crosses of niacin-auxotrophs to the wild type by dissecting single chains of basidiospores from mature fruiting bodies. Out of 14 chains, 11 were homogeneous; the probability of obtaining this result by random processes was <0.01. These results suggest that mitotic products of a particular post-meiotic nucleus may be channeled into a particular basidiospore chain.
Intrathecal administration of liposomal neostigmine prolongs analgesia in mice

Background: There is substantial evidence that cholinomimetic drugs increase pain threshold. However, the profound side effects of these agents have limited their clinical use either as analgesics or as analgesic adjuncts. A delivery system that would assure a slow and sustained drug release may be of value in ameliorating the problem of untoward effects. Methods: The acetylcholinesterase inhibitor neostigmine was encapsulated into multilamellar lipid vesicles composed of phosphocholine and cholesterol. Three doses of plain or liposomal neostigmine were administered by the intrathecal route to mice (n=8–10/group), and analgesic duration was quantified by tail flick test. The doses were chosen based on preliminary experiments, which showed the maximum tolerated intrathecal doses of plain and liposomal neostigmine formulation were 0.625 μg and 80 μg, respectively. Two other doses for each formulation were then derived by 1:1 serial dilutions. Results were compared using survival analysis. Results: The median antinociceptive duration for plain neostigmine was 0.33, 0.99 and 1.0 h for the 0.115, 0.312 and 0.625 μg doses, respectively. For the liposomal formulation, the median antinociceptive duration was 1.0, 1.5 and 6.0 h for the 20, 40 and 80 μg doses, respectively. Conclusions: Liposomal neostigmine provides prolonged spinal antinociception, and permits the safe administration of a relatively large dose, because drug is gradually released from the liposomal depot. This technology holds promise for the development of a clinically useful neostigmine formulation to provide spinal analgesia.
A laboratory study on CO2 emission from asphalt binder and its reduction with the use of warm mix asphalt

Oxidation of hydrocarbon in asphalt binder leads to the production of carbon dioxide (CO2) during the production of hot mix asphalt. The objective of this laboratory study was to investigate the effects of the asphalt additive Sasobit®, asphalt content and mixing/placement temperature on CO2 emissions from binder with laboratory measurements. The isolated effects of Sasobit on asphalt absorption into the aggregate were also looked at. Temperature was found to be the only statistically significant factor on emissions. This would suggest that warm mix asphalt technology, which employs the use of Sasobit in asphalt mixtures, is a very effective way of lowering the industry's CO2 emission impact, both directly and by the use of less energy for heating. This work predicts that greater than 30% reduction of CO2 emissions is possible with typically used levels of Sasobit.
Left Ventricular Noncompaction: Travelling the Road from Diagnosis to Outcomes

During my training as a pediatric cardiologist, I recall standing at the bedside of an ill newborn as an echocardiogram was being performed. My attending physician pointed out the findings of a rare entity that he termed ‘‘spongy myocardium.’’ He had seen it only several times in his career, and surely this was my first encounter with the diagnosis. This condition was first described in 1966 in a publication in which dense trabeculations (termed ‘‘persistenz myokardialer Venensinusoide’’) were seen at cardiac catheterization on left ventriculography, with clefts extending deep into the myocardium. Since then, we have come to recognize spongy myocardium by a variety of names, which have included ‘‘immature myocardium,’’ ‘‘hypertrabeculation of the myocardium,’’ and ‘‘myocardial spongiosum.’’ In 1990, Chin et al coined the term ‘‘noncompaction of the left ventricle,’’ and this has now become the accepted nomenclature for this condition. The diagnosis of left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) has gained wider acceptance as a discrete entity since its inclusion as a separate class of cardiomyopathies by the American Heart Association in the 2006 scientific statement by Maron et al. In fact, population surveys suggest that LVNC may constitute as many as 10% of all cardiomyopathic patients. And so the question arises: are we seeing a new condition, or is this a newfound recognition of a disease that has always been present? This question has been posed numerous times over the past decade. Paul Lurie tabulated the growth in interest that has developed over the past several decades. His review of the literature found scant references (<5 per year) between 1990 and 1999, with an exponential increase in publication number beginning in 2000. Lurie’s interest in myocardial development was prescient: he wrote in the 1968 edition of Moss and Adams’s textbook Heart Disease in Infants, Children and Adolescents,
Structurally similar Drosophila alpha-tubulins are functionally distinct in vivo.

Abstract We used transgenic analysis in Drosophila to compare the ability of two structurally similar alpha-tubulin isoforms to support microtubule assembly in vivo. Our data revealed that even closely related alpha-tubulin isoforms have different functional capacities. Thus, in multicellular organisms, even small changes in tubulin structure may have important consequences for regulation of the microtubule cytoskeleton. In spermatogenesis, all microtubule functions in the postmitotic male germ cells are carried out by a single tubulin heterodimer composed of the major Drosophila alpha-84B tubulin isoform and the testis-specific beta 2-tubulin isoform. We tested the ability of the developmentally regulated alpha 85E-tubulin isoform to replace alpha 84B in spermatogenesis. Even though it is 98% similar in sequence, alpha 85E is not functionally equivalent to alpha 84B. alpha 85E can support some functional microtubules in the male germ cells, but alpha 85E causes dominant male sterility if it makes up more than one-half of the total alpha-tubulin pool in the spermatids. alpha 85E does not disrupt meiotic spindle or cytoplasmic microtubules but causes defects in morphogenesis of the two classes of singlet microtubules in the sperm tail axoneme, the central pair and the accessory microtubules. Axonemal defects caused by alpha 85E are precisely reciprocal to dominant defects in doublet microtubules we observed in a previous study of ectopic germ-line expression of the developmentally regulated beta 3-tubulin isoform. These data demonstrate that the doublet and singlet axoneme microtubules have different requirements for alpha- and beta-tubulin structure. In their normal sites of expression, alpha 85E and beta 3 are coexpressed during differentiation of several somatic cell types, suggesting that alpha 85E and beta 3 might form a specialized heterodimer. Our tests of different alpha-beta pairs in spermatogenesis did not support this model. We conclude that if alpha 85E and beta 3 have specialized properties required for their normal functions, they act independently to modulate the properties of microtubules into which they are incorporated.
Chromaffin granule membrane-F-actin interactions are calcium sensitive.

Exocytosis of neurotransmitters, hormones and other secretory products from many cell types is initiated by a rise in the intracellular free calcium ion concentration1. By analogy with excitation–contraction coupling in muscle2, calcium-triggered acto–myosin interactions have been postulated to push or pull the secretory granule to the plasma membrane1,3–6. Indeed, there have been several reports of actin interacting with membranes of secretory vesicles from the adrenal medulla (chromaffin granules)7–12. Using sedimentation techniques and a novel application13,14 of falling ball viscometry15,16 to measure actin binding to membranes, we show here that purified chromaffin granule membranes bind and cause large increases in the viscosity of F-actin. The actin-binding activity of the membranes is trypsin sensitive and thermolabile and interactions between membranes and actin are reversibly inhibited by raising the free calcium ion concentration, [Ca2+]free, above 10−7 M. We propose that regulation of actin–chromaffin granule membrane interactions may be critical for organelle movement to the plasma membrane during calcium-mediated exocytosis in the chromaffin cell.
A mathematical model of coagulation

Abstract A simplified mathematical model of floc growth in a stirred suspension is developed with the aid of the Smoluchowski equation for orthokinetic coagulation. Particles are assumed to be spherical and to conjoin into spheres of proportionate volume upon contact. Particle growth is restricted to different maximum sizes or multiple volumes, larger particles breaking up into smaller ones which are returned to the system. A smooth growth pattern asymptotically approaching a steady-state mean size results when a model parameter of gross contact opportunity is less than 0.04 in magnitude; as it approaches 0.10, the growth pattern becomes oscillatory. Oscillatory growth was observed also experimentally when a controlled shear gradient was imposed on a suspension of iron flocs.
ZCS $LCC$ -Compensated Resonant Inverter for Inductive-Power-Transfer Application

Inductive power transfer (IPT) is commonly used to transmit power from an extended loop (track) to a number of galvanically isolated movable pick-ups. To maximize the power transfer and minimize converter requirements, various compensation circuits have been proposed for both the track (primary) and the pick-up (secondary). This paper investigates the suitability of the LCC series-parallel compensation for IPT primary design. A new compensation-circuit design procedure is proposed that considers high-order current harmonics and results in inverter zero-current switching. The proposed compensation is compared with the classical compensation designed for zero phase angle between the inverter voltage and current fundamental components. Expressions for the bifurcation boundary, voltampere rating of reactive-compensation elements, and the current at the moment of switching are derived and analyzed. Analytical results are verified both via PSpice simulations and experimentally using a 1-hp MOSFET-based prototype.
Forgetting Trauma Stimuli

Previous work reported in this journal suggested that the cognitive capacities of high dissociators are impaired under conditions of focused (selective) attention, but not under conditions of divided attention, compared with the cognitive capacities of low dissociators. Using a directed-forgetting paradigm, the current study demonstrated that under divided-attention demands, high dissociators have impaired memory for words associated with trauma (e.g., incest) but not for neutral words, as compared with low dissociators. In addition, high dissociators reported significantly more trauma history and significantly more betrayal trauma (abuse by a caregiver) than low dissociators. These results are consistent with the proposal that dissociation may aid individuals with histories of betrayal traumas to keep threatening information out of awareness.
Enzymatic tools for engineering natural product glycosylation.

Glycosylated natural products have served as reliable platforms for the development of many existing front-line drugs. In an effort to explore the contribution of the sugar constituents of these compounds, research groups have focused upon the development of chemical and enzymatic tools to diversify natural product glycosylation. Among the complementary routes available, in vivo pathway engineering, also referred to as ‘combinatorial biosynthesis’, is an emerging method that relies upon the co-expression of sugar biosynthetic gene cassettes and glycosyltransferases in a host organism to generate novel glycosylated natural products. An overview of recent progress in combinatorial biosynthesis is highlighted in this review, emphasizing the elucidation of nucleotide-sugar biosynthetic pathways and recent developments on glycosyltransferases.
Patellar dislocation in Rubinstein‐Taybi syndrome

This report describes 11 patients with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTS) and patellar dislocation. The age at diagnosis of patellar dislocation ranged from birth to 16 years. Ten patients had chronic dislocations and 8 of 11 had bilateral patellar dislocations. Eight patients required surgical stabilization of the patella; most achieved a good outcome with surgical repair. All families reported that the patellar dislocations impaired developmental skills which improved after surgery. Seven of the 11 patients were described as having other joint abnormalities including congenital dislocations and laxity of the joints. Patients with RTS should undergo regular thorough joint examinations, including the knees, because abnormalities may result in delay of attainment of motor skills.
Caloric Expenditure Assessment among Older Adults: Criterion validity of a novel accelerometry device

Criterion validity of a novel accelerometry device that measures caloric expenditure (Fitbit) was evaluated against a self-report estimation of caloric expenditure (Community Healthy Activities Mod...
Association of Serotonin Transporter Promoter Polymorphism (5HTTLPR) with Microscopic Colitis and Ulcerative Colitis: Time to Be AsSERTive?

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) is a bioamine neurotransmitter classically recognized for its importance in central nervous system (CNS) functions. Nevertheless, most of the body’s serotonin is peripherally located, with over 95 % of the body’s 5-HT produced in the intestine, where it modulates motility and secretion [1]. Intestinal 5-HT has also been demonstrated to play a major role in enteric nervous system development, intestinal epithelial homeostasis, and the modulation of intestinal inflammation [2–5]. Despite the recognition that intestinal inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis (UC) can have strong genetic components [6], genetic polymorphisms linked with serotonin have not been associated with these disease states. In this issue of Digestive Diseases and Sciences, Sikander et al. [7] conducted the first prospective case– control study to demonstrate that there may be a potential association between polymorphisms in the 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) gene-linked polymorphic region (5HTTLPR) of the serotonin transporter (SERT) gene promoter and the intestinal inflammatory diseases UC and microscopic colitis (MC). In the intestine, 5-HT is produced by two different isoforms of the same biosynthetic enzyme, tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH). The vast majority (90 %) of 5-HT is produced by TPH1 in the enterochromaffin (EC) cells (and mast cells in rodents). The remainder is synthesized by TPH2 in enteric neurons [8]. TPH2 is also located in the neurons of the CNS. Under normal conditions, SERT terminates the action of released intestinal 5-HT via uptake into mucosal enterocytes and serotonergic neurons. The remaining 5-HT diffuses into the systemic circulation
The effects of oral BCAAs and leucine supplementation combined with an acute lower-body resistance exercise on mTOR and 4E-BP1 activation in humans: preliminary findings

Methods 30 fasted, recreationally trained males (22.5 yrs; 83.1 kg; 178.4 cm) consumed 120 mg/kg/bw of BCAA, 60 mg/kg/ bw of leucine, or a placebo. The supplements were consumed in three equal doses at 30 minutes before RE, immediately prior to RE, and immediately post RE. The participants completed 4 sets of both leg press and knee extension at 80% of their 1 RM to failure (~8–12 reps). Rest periods of 2.5 minutes were given between both sets and exercises. Percutaneous muscle biopsies of the vastus lateralis were obtained at: baseline, and 30 minutes, 2 hours, and 6 hours post RE. The phosphorylated states of both mTOR and 4E-BP1 were assessed through the use of an ELISA with a primary antibody specific to phosphorylated mTOR [pS2448] and a phosphoELISA kit for phosphorylated 4E-BP1 [pT46], respectively. Other serum and muscle variables were analyzed as part of a greater, overall study, but only the phosphorylated mTOR and 4E-BP1 are reported in this abstract. Delta values of mTOR and 4EBP1 were analyzed using a 3 (group) × 4 (time) repeated measures MANOVA. Separate ANOVAs for each criterion variable were utilized as follow-up tests. Significant main effects were determined Bonferroni post-hoc tests. Significant interactions discovered in the ANOVAs were assessed by independent samples T-tests. SPSS version 15.0 was utilized throughout this analysis.
Effects of Pimobendan on Exercise Tolerance and Quality of Life in Patients with Heart Failure

There has been an intensive search for safe and clinically effective inotropic agents for use as adjunctive therapy in patients with advanced heart failure. Pimobendan is a benzimidazole-pyridazinone derivative with calcium-sensitizing properties that increases myocardial contractile force without increasing intracellular calcium. This review summarizes the data from five controlled, randomized prospective trials of pimobendan that demonstrate significant improvements in exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with heart failure. The clinical benefits of pimobendan found in these trials contrast with the adverse experience noted previously with milrinone and enoximone. This may be related to the different mechanism of action of pimobendan or to a study design that permitted examination of a lower dosage. These cumulative data suggest that pimobendan may have a useful adjunctive role in heart failure and that further assessment of its effects on overall mortality is needed.
Vertical Confinement of Injected Steam in the Vadose Zone Using Cold Air Injection

Steam flooding is used for removal of volatile organic contaminants (VOCs) from concentrated source zones. The application of steam flooding to shallow vadose zone sites can be problematic if the steam or contaminants vent to the ground surface. Cold air injection holds promise as a technique for controlling the vertical movement of the injected steam. A series of two-dimensional numerical simulations using a radially symmetric grid show the sensitivity of this process to geological and operational parameters. Air control of vertical steam movement appears to be a useful technique, using approximately equal air and steam volumetric flow rates. Air injection is shown to be more effective than a low-permeability cap at the ground surface for keeping high temperatures away from the surface. The most effective design appears to be a combination of a low-permeability surface cap and air injection above the steam injector. The cap mainly serves to direct the air flow, preventing it from exiting at the ground surface near the air injection point.
Marine Turtles as Sentinels of Ecosystem Health: Is Fibropapillomatosis an Indicator?

Marine turtle fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a disease primarily affecting green turtles (Chelonia mydas) that is characterized by multiple cutaneous masses. In addition, the condition has been confirmed in other species of sea turtles. The disease has a worldwide, circumtropical distribution and has been observed in all major oceans. Although reported since the late 1930s in Florida, it was not until the late 1980s that it reached epizootic proportions in several sea turtle populations. Long-term studies have shown that pelagic turtles recruiting to near shore environments are free of the disease. After exposure to these benthic ecosystems, FP manifests itself with primary growths in the corner of the eyes spreading to other epithelial tissue. One or more herpesviruses, a papillomavirus, and a retrovirus have been found associated with tumors using electron microscopy and molecular techniques; however, the primary etiological agent remains to be isolated and characterized. Field observations support that the prevalence of the disease is associated with heavily polluted coastal areas, areas of high human density, agricultural runoff, and/or biotoxin-producing algae. Marine turtles can serve as excellent sentinels of ecosystem health in these benthic environments. FP can possibly be used as an indicator but correlations with physical and chemical characteristics of water and other factors need to be made. Further research in identifying the etiologic agent and its association with other environmental variables can provide sufficient parameters to measure the health of coastal marine ecosystems, which serve not only as ecotourism spots but also as primary feeding areas for sea turtles.
STUDIES ON THE PNEUMOCOCCUS : III. DISSOLUTION OF PNEUMOCOCCI IN PNEUMONIC CELLULAR MATERIAL AT VARYING HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATIONS. RESISTANCE OF CERTAIN OTHER ORGANISMS TO DISSOLUTION.

Pneumococci of Types I, II, and III undergo dissolution when mixed with cellular material from the pneumonic lung at a pH of 6.95 and 5.5, but not at a pH of 4.5. An enzyme derived from the bacteria themselves or from the cellular material may be the cause of the dissolution. Streptococcus hœmolyticus and Streptococcus viridans do not undergo dissolution under similar experimental conditions.
CENTRAL AMERICAN ADOLESCENT ACCULTURATION AND PARENTAL DISTRESS: RELATIONSHIP TO RATINGS OF ADOLESCENT BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS

This study examined the relationship of acculturation and Central American adolescents' behavioral problems as reported by their parents. Cross-sectional survey data regarding demography, acculturation, and psychosocial functioning was examined among 112 urban adolescent immigrants, aged 12 to 17 years. Analysis indicated that, when parents and adolescents differed in acculturation, parents most frequently rated their adolescent with internalizing symptoms at a clinically elevated level. Parents' education and distress predicted parents' reports of adolescents' psychosocial problems beyond demographic factors, respondents' characteristics, and parents' and adolescents' acculturation. Higher relative acculturation among adolescents, but not parents, was the most robust predictor of parental distress scores, indicating that parental distress mediates the relationship between high relative acculturation of the adolescents and their psychosocial problems as reported by parents. Implications for research and clinicians conducting mental health interventions with Central American populations are briefly discussed.
Decadal-scale changes of nitrate in ground water of the United States, 1988-2004.

This study evaluated decadal-scale changes of nitrate concentrations in ground water samples collected by the USGS National Water-Quality Assessment Program from 495 wells in 24 well networks across the USA in predominantly agricultural areas. Each well network was sampled once during 1988-1995 and resampled once during 2000-2004. Statistical tests of decadal-scale changes of nitrate concentrations in water from all 495 wells combined indicate there is a significant increase in nitrate concentrations in the data set as a whole. Eight out of the 24 well networks, or about 33%, had significant changes of nitrate concentrations. Of the eight well networks with significant decadal-scale changes of nitrate, all except one, the Willamette Valley of Oregon, had increasing nitrate concentrations. Median nitrate concentrations of three of those eight well networks increased above the USEPA maximum contaminant level of 10 mg L -1 . Nitrate in water from wells with reduced conditions had significantly smaller decadal-scale changes in nitrate concentrations than oxidized and mixed waters. A subset of wells had data on ground water recharge date; nitrate concentrations increased in response to the increase of N fertilizer use since about 1950. Determining ground water recharge dates is an important component of a ground water trends investigation because recharge dates provide a link between changes in ground water quality and changes in land-use practices.
Phase transitions in thin films of symmetric binary polymer mixtures

We report lattice and off-lattice computer simulation studies on the phase coexistence of symmetric polymer blends confined between two hard walls to which neither component is preferred energetically. We find that the phase diagrams for thin films are always ‘inside’ those for thicker films. While one reason for this is the loss of neighbours due to the presence of the wall, another important factor is the somewhat surprising surface segregation of the minority blend component.
Inequality and Police Use of Deadly Force: An Empirical Assessment of a Conflict Hypothesis

Conflict theorists assume that force or its threat is the fundamental element that holds unequal societies together. Because conflict theorists also hold that the state's monopoly of violence is controlled by those who benefit from inequality, it follows that the control agents of the state should be more likely to use extreme force when economic inequality is most pronounced. This hypothesis was tested with data on the number of killings committed by policemen in the American states. After controlling for six additional explanations, we found that the police were most likely to use deadly force in the most unequal states. The amount of violent crimes and riots and the percentage change in population also predicted these lethal events. But the major implication of our findings is that a hypothesis derived from confict theory does predict the amount of police-caused homicides.
Political freedom and the response to economic incentives: labor migration in Africa, 1972-1987.

Abstract Policy reforms in developing countries often address in isolation either an economic or a political problem. This study examines the interaction between political institutions and responses of labor migration to economic incentives. Migration data from thirty two African countries were used to quantify the statistical relationships between political institutions and labor migration out of agriculture. Regression results indicate that the presence of political freedoms and civil liberties increases the responsiveness of labor migration to economic incentives.
Speech emotion detection using time dependent self organizing maps

We propose a framework for speech emotion detection that maps acoustic features into high level descriptors that integrates time context. Our framework uses three different algorithms to integrate the temporal context. The first method is based on temporal averaging of the original features. The second algorithm derives the descriptors by clustering the data using self-organizing maps (SOMs) and computing the temporal average of the activity distribution of the original features on the map. The third algorithm uses multi resolution window analysis and SOMs to compute a 2-D map of emotions and derives high level trajectories representing the behavior of the original features on the map. Using a standard emotional database and K-nearest neighbors classifier, we show that the proposed framework is efficient for analysis, visualization and classification of emotions.
Fission product release from trace irradiated UO2+X

Fission-product release experiments were performed on trace-irradiated specimens of LWR fuel. The behavior of Te, I, Ru, Mo and Xe were followed in stoichiometric and pre-oxidized fuel. Maintenance of the desired O/U ratio was accomplished using an in situ microbalance during annealing. Fractional releases were determined from the intensities of characteristic gamma rays of the five fission product elements. Release fractions increased linearly with the square root of anneal time and decreased slightly as the specimen thickness was increased. No theoretical model could account for the effects of these two observations simultaneously. Comparison of the appropriately time- and size-scaled release data showed modest effects of oxidation on release kinetics, with Mo and Ru being most affected. Arrhenius plots exhibited breaks in linearity in the oxidized specimens, and the activation energies of the high-temperature portions were larger than commonly observed. Release during experiments in which oxidation (by steam) took place during annealing showed practically no dependence on temperature and were systematically higher than the release fractions measured during comparable constant-stoichiometry tests.
H2Se DOPING OF MOCVD GROWN GaAs AND GaAlAs

In the growth of epitaxial layers of GaAs and GaAlAs by the MOCVD process a superlinear relationship between the n-type doping and the H2Se mole fraction in the gas phase has been found. This superlinear effect has been observed both with atmospheric and reduced pressure depositions. The anomalous doping effect is compared to H2S doping where a linear doping relationship has been observed. The dopant incorporation mechanism for sulphur and selenium are different and the possible growth mechanisms are discussed.
On solid-phase antibody assays

There is considerable evidence that pre-operative and post-operative anti-human leukocyte antigen (anti-HLA) antibodies are deleterious in thoracic transplantation. While debate continues in heart and lung transplantation on the role of and the diagnosis and treatment of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), central to the discussion is our ability to detect anti-HLA antibodies. This perspective outlines the concerns elicited by new technology for detection of anti-HLA antibodies using solid-phase assays, and highlights the need for functional assays to further understand the clinical significance of these antibodies.
The immunoglobulins derived from a VH-CH recombinant rabbit and its normal relatives. II. Chemical studies of allotype related differences in Fd and Fc fragments.

Abstract We report initial chemical characterization of the IgG produced by two groups of rabbits; normal 1,14/1,14 progeny derived from the sire of a recombinant rabbit, and 2,14/2,14 progeny representing a recombinant type of γ heavy chain. The A14 and A15 allotypes correlate with a threonine-alanine interchange at position 309 in the constant region of the γ chain. We confirmed that the ‘recombinant’ IgG with serologically detectable A 14 did indeed have threonine at position 309. To compare the a2 IgG with the original a1, we determined the amino acid compositions of the Fd fragments obtained from the two types. Although Fd fragments from a1 and a2 homozygotes have similar compositions, the abundances of some amino acids are significantly different. The chemical compositions of the a1 and a2 Fd fragments supported the serological assignment of a2 to the recombinant γ chain.
Atomistic Simulations of Steps in Bimetallic Interfaces as Barriers to Interface Slip Transmission

Atomistic models of coherent interfaces in the CuNi system with and without (111)-steps were used to study slip transmission across interfaces in CuNi metallic bilayers. The lattice mismatch of the CuNi system results in large coherency stresses at the interface. The (111)-steps afford a larger barrier to slip than the flat, coherent interface. The coherent flat interface dislocation barrier is largely due to the large compressive stresses in the Cu layer that must be overcome by applied tensile stresses. Additional Koehler forces are present as the dislocation in the elastically softer Cu approaches the stiffer Ni layer. The step, however, possesses a small residual edge dislocation with a Burgers vector equal to the difference of bCu and bNi times the height of the (111)-step in (111)-layers. We find that these steps are potent slip barriers, which suggests that homogeneous slip is preferred in such systems.
The International Conference on Computer Aided Design (ICCAD) Previews Novel Program, External Workshops will Collocate with ICCAD on 10–13 November in San Jose

External Workshops will Collocate with International Conference on Computer Aided Design on 10-13 November , 2008 in San Jose The International Conference on Computer-Aided Design (ICCAD) 2008 will offer 122 outstanding papers split into 40 sessions over three days in San Jose from 10-13 November, plus four half-day tutorials, three embedded tutorials, and two special designer sessions providing additional perspectives. ICCAD will also open its doors to new external workshops which will be collocated with the conference.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Antireflux Surgery—What Is the Proper Preoperative Work-up?

Background Many surgeons feel comfortable performing antireflux surgery (ARS) on the basis of symptomatic evaluation, endoscopy, and barium esophagography. While esophageal manometry is often obtained to assess esophageal peristalsis, pH monitoring is rarely considered necessary to confirm the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Phase relations in the Barium Titanate—Titanium Oxide System

Phase relations in the BaTiO3—TiO2 system were studied at temperatures above 1300°C in air. Quenching experiments were performed with high-purity reagents, and a new equilibrium phase diagram was constructed. Results include redetermination of the liquidus boundaries, the eutectic temperature, the melting or decomposition temperatures of the stable compounds in the system, the cubic—hexagonal transition in BaTiO3, and the solid solubility of TiO2 in BaTiO3.
Heterogeneity of drug receptors in different segments of rabbit thoracic aorta.

Abstract The present experiments demonstrate that heterogeneity of drug receptors, which subserve contraction, exist within different segments of a single arterial blood vessel. There appears to be an absolute, progressive loss in most drug receptors (or reactive smooth muscle cells) proceeding down the rabbit thoracic aorta from the aortic arch to diaphragm. The loss of contractile response to certain vasoactive drug stimuli parallels the loss in reactivity to catecholamines; in other cases there is no parellelism to catecholamine reactivity. Statistical analysis of the data presented suggests that the magnitudes of some drug-induced contractile responses appear to be dependent on the absolute mass of smooth muscle cells rather than the numbers of receptors per cell. In addition, a progressive segmental increase in calcium content was found proceeding down the rabbit thoracic aorta.
Modifications of Series Expansions for General End Conditions and Corner Singularities on the Semi-Infinite Strip

The solutions of strips with mixed lateral edges are used as the expansion sets of the end displacement and stress, and an end stiffness matrix is formed. The present end stiffness matrix approach is effective due to the asymptotic behavior of the stiffness matrix. Also presented is a technique for handling the corner singularities, which is based on the asymptotic analysis of the expansion coefficients of the end stresses
Generalized anxiety disorder: an evolving concept at the border of anxiety and depression

This talk will give an overview and history of GAD, describing its current definition and epidemiology. It will go on to review recent treatment studies. It emphasizes comorbidity and discusses the clinical and construct similarities between GAD and depression – particularly the chronic sub-types. from International Society on Brain and Behaviour: 2nd International Congress on Brain and Behaviour Thessaloniki, Greece. 17–20 November 2005
Effect of diet on condition indices in black-tailed jackrabbits.

Changes in blood, urine and physical condition indices in 23 adult male black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus) with ad libitum feeding and 25% feed restriction were measured over a 2 wk period from 30 May to 12 June 1988. Feed restricted jackrabbits had (1) lower posttrial body weights and kidney fat indices, (2) higher femur marrow fat, serum bilirubin and cortisol concentrations, and adrenal cortex width, and (3) depressed immune function. No single index alone could best measure the nutritional status of these jackrabbits.
PTSD and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, edited by J. J. Vasterling, R. A. Bryant, and T. M. Keane

This comprehensive volume about posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is timely given the considerable attention in the literature subsequent to the recent war...
Selective reduction of fibrotic markers in repairing corneas of mice deficient in Smad3

The cytokine transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a key mediator of fibrosis in all organs. Expression of fibrotic markers in repairing cutaneous wounds is reduced in mice lacking Smad3, a downstream cytoplasmic mediator of TGF-beta signaling (Ashcroft et al., 1999, Nat Cell Biol 1(5):260-266). This is correlated with a reduction in inflammation, and thus in the blood elements thought to be a significant source of TGF-beta at the wound site, the principle form being TGF-beta1. Since the major cellular source of TGF-beta in corneal wounds is the epithelium, and the principal isoform is TGF-beta2, we investigated whether Smad3 deficiency has similar anti-fibrotic effects on corneal repair. In contrast to the situation of cutaneous repair, expression of the fibrotic marker, fibronectin, was equivalent in corneal repair tissue of Smad3-/- mice as compared to their +/- littermates, even though expression of a second fibrotic marker not previously examined in cutaneous wounds, alpha-smooth muscle (sm) actin, was reduced. Also unlike in cutaneous wounds, the inflammatory response was unaffected. These differences between corneal and cutaneous repair correlated with the lack of apparent change in the levels of corneal TGF-beta2. There was a significant reduction of alpha-sm actin expression in stromal cell cultures established from Smad3-/- mice as compared to their +/- littermates, but the rate of cell proliferation stimulated by TGF-beta, as well as expression of fibronectin, was unaffected. Therefore, a deficiency in Smad3 has different effects on corneal and cutaneous repair, probably due to the difference in cellular source and principal isoform of the TGF-beta involved.
Business: Earning Your Trophy: Considerations for Interviewing the Millennial Applicant

Hiring and working alongside the millennial worker has been a popular topic in recent press. Millennials are those who were born between the years of 1980 and 2000 and who are typically “new” to th...
Enrollment in YFV Vaccine Trial: An Evaluation of Recruitment Outcomes Associated with a Randomized Controlled Double-Blind Trial of a Live Attenuated Yellow Fever Vaccine

This investigation evaluated several factors associated with diverse participant enrollment of a clinical trial assessing safety, immunogenicity, and comparative viremia associated with administration of 17-D live, attenuated yellow fever vaccine given alone or in combination with human immune globulin. We obtained baseline participant information (e.g., sociodemographic, medical) and followed recruitment outcomes from 2005 to 2007. Of 355 potential Yellow Fever vaccine study participants, 231 cases were analyzed. Strong interest in study participation was observed among racial and ethnically diverse persons with 36.34% eligible following initial study screening, resulting in 18.75% enrollment. The percentage of white participants increased from 63.66% (prescreened sample) to 81.25% (enrollment group). The regression model was significant with white race as a predictor of enrollment (OR=2.744, 95% CI=1.415-5.320, p=0.003).In addition, persons were more likely to enroll via direct outreach and referral mechanisms compared to mass advertising (OR=2.433, 95% CI=1.102-5.369). The findings indicate that racially diverse populations can be recruited to vaccine clinical trials, yet actual enrollment may not reflect that diversity.
Regulation of angiogenesis and invasion by human Pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) through increased expression and secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2)

Pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) is a novel oncogene that is expressed at higher level in most of the tumors analyzed to date compared to normal tissues. Existence of a relationship between PTTG levels and tumor angiogenesis and metastasis has been reported. However, the mechanisms by which PTTG achieve these functions remain unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effect of overexpression of PTTG on secretion and expression of metastasis-related metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in HEK293 cells, cell migration, invasion and tubule formation. Transient or stable transfection of HEK293 cells with PTTG cDNA showed a significant increase in secretion and expression of MMP-2 measured by zymography, reverse transcriptase (RT/PCR), ELISA, and MMP-2 gene promoter activity. Furthermore, in our studies, we showed that tumor developed in nude mice on injection of HEK293 cells that constitutively express PTTG expressed high levels of both MMP-2 mRNA and protein, and MMP-2 activity. Conditioned medium collected from the HEK293 cells overexpressing PTTG showed a significant increase in cell migration, invasion and tubule formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Pretreatment of conditioned medium with MMP-2-specific antibody significantly decreased these effects, suggesting that PTTG may contribute to tumor angiogenesis and metastasis via activation of proteolysis and increase in invasion through modulation of MMP-2 activity and expression. Our results provide novel information that PTTG contributes to cell migration, invasion and angiogenesis by induction of MMP-2 secretion and expression. Furthermore, we showed that tumors developed in nude mice on injection of HEK293 cells that constitutively express PTTG induce expression of MMP-2 and significantly increase its functional activity, suggesting a relationship between PTTG levels and MMP-2 which may play a critical role in regulation of tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. Blocking of function of PTTG or down regulation of its expression in tumors may result in suppression of tumor growth and metastasis, through the down regulation of MMP-2 expression and activity. To our knowledge, this study is the first study demonstrating the modulation of MMP-2 expression and biological activity by PTTG.