cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The major features of an infestation by the invasive weed legume gorse (Ulex europaeus) on volcanic soils in Hawaii

Gorse (Ulex europaeus) infestation occupies over 4,000 ha of agriculture and conservation lands on the southeastern slope of Mauna Kea on the Island of Hawaii. The aim of this investigation is to identify ecological features associated with this weed invasion by comparing the gorse-infested areas to the surrounding uninfested areas of this landscape. The soils within the gorse infestation are more acidic, resulting in higher levels of KCl-extractable Al and lower levels of Mehlich III-extractable Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn. Yet, gorse accumulates higher concentrations of Ca, Zn and, Cu than the kikuyu grass (Pennesitum clandestinum), which is ubiquitous throughout the site. The Ca:Al and Mg:Al molar charge ratios of the soils are lowest within the epicenter of the gorse infestation, while the molar ratios are highest in the gorse apical stem tissues. All gorse plants are nodulated and have higher nitrogen contents than the surrounding kikuyu grass. Furthermore, the δ15N of the gorse stem tissues approaches 0‰, suggesting that nitrogen is being symbiotically fixed from the atmosphere. Characterization of the Bradyrhizobium isolated from gorse nodules shows similarities and distinctions to Bradyrhizobium isolated from the endemic legume koa (Acacia koa) within the same location. Population densities of the indigenous Bradyrhizobium are higher within the gorse rhizosphere than the kikuyu grass. Soil acidification, nutrient depletion, and symbiotic nitrogen fixation distinguish gorse-infested areas from the surrounding uninfested areas. These observations suggest that gorse has a competitive advantage over kikuyu grass under conditions of soil nutrient deficiency.
Tilings and finite energy retractions of locally symmetric spaces

Let \( \Gamma \backslash \overline{X} \) be the Borel-Serre compactifiction of an arithmetic quotient \( \Gamma \backslash X \) of a symmetric space of noncompact type. We construct natural tilings \( \Gamma \backslash \overline{X} = \coprod _P \Gamma \backslash \overline{X}_P \) (depending on a parameter b) which generalize the Arthur-Langlands partition of \( \Gamma \backslash X \). This is applied to yield a natural piecewise analytic deformation retraction of \( \Gamma \backslash \overline{X} \) onto a compact submanifold with corners \( \Gamma \backslash X _0 \subset \Gamma \backslash X \). In fact, we prove that \( \Gamma \backslash X _0 \) is a realization (under a natural piecewise analytic diffeomorphism) of \( \Gamma \backslash \overline{X} \) inside the interior \( \Gamma \backslash X \). For application to the theory of harmonic maps and geometric rigidity, we prove this retraction and diffeomorphism have finite energy except for a few low ranks examples. We also use tilings to give an explicit description of a cofinal family of neighborhoods of a face of \( \Gamma \backslash \overline{X} \), and study the dependance of tilings on the parameter b and the degeneration of tilings.
Insights into the regioselectivity and RNA-binding affinity of HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein from linear-scaling quantum methods

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) nucleocapsid protein (NC) plays several important roles in the viral life-cycle and presents an attractive target for rational drug design. Here, the macromolecular reactivity of NC and its binding to RNA is characterized through determination of electrostatic and chemical descriptors derived from linear-scaling quantum calculations in solution. The computational results offer a rationale for the experimentally observed susceptibility of the Cys49 thiolate toward small-molecule electrophilic agents, and support the recently proposed stepwise protonation mechanism of the C-terminal Zn-coordination complex. The distinctive binding mode of NC to SL2 and SL3 stem–loops of the HIV-1 genomic RNA packaging signal is studied on the basis of protein side-chain contributions to the electrostatic binding energies. These results indicate the importance of several basic residues in the 310 helical region and the N-terminal zinc finger, and rationalize the presence of several evolutionarily conserved residues in NC. The combined reactivity and RNA-binding study provides new insights that may contribute toward the structure-based design of anti-HIV therapies.
A functional optimization approach to an inverse magneto-convection problem

A formulation and an FEM implementation for the solution of an ill-posed inverse/design magneto-convection problem is proposed. In particular, an incompressible, viscous, electrically conducting liquid material occupying a given domain Ω is considered. Convection is driven by buoyancy effects as well as a Lorentz force generated due to the applied magnetic field. Thermal boundary conditions are only prescribed in the part (Γ−Γh0) of the boundary Γ. In addition, the temperature distribution is also prescribed in the part ΓI of the boundary Γh1, where the heat flux is known, i.e. ΓI is a boundary with overspecified thermal boundary conditions. The inverse magneto-convection problem is posed as an optimization problem in L2(ΓI×[0,tmax]) for the calculation of the boundary heat flux qo(x,t), with (x,t)∈(Γh0×[0,tmax]). The optimization scheme minimizes the discrepancy ∥θm(x,t)−θ(x,t;qo)∥L2(ΓI×[0,tmax]) between the temperature θ(x,t;qo) calculated from the solution of a direct problem for each flux qo and the desired (or measured) temperature θm(x,t) on the boundary ΓI. The exact L2 gradient of the cost functional is obtained from appropriately defined adjoint fields. The adjoint problem is defined from the sensitivity operators obtained by linearization of the equations governing the direct problem. The standard SUPG/PSPG stabilized FEM formulation for incompressible fluid flow simulation is here extended to thermo-magnetically driven flows. The proposed FEM formulation is used for the calculation of the direct, adjoint and sensitivity thermal, fluid flow and electric potential fields. The entire optimization algorithm is solved using the conjugate gradient method. Finally, the method is demonstrated through the solution of a few inverse problems with known results. The need for regularization is identified in one of the example problems with uniformly distributed random errors in the temperature data θm(x,t) and a H1 regularized formulation is introduced to obtain stable solutions. Finally, the numerical results are elucidated and potential applications are addressed.
Improved thermal stability of polybenzoxazines by transition metals

The incorporation of various transition metal salts increases the char formation of polybenzoxazines. It is shown that the effect of the transition metal salt is not simply additive and is independent of the amine and phenol structures. While the metal salts have an insignificant effect on the polymerization, their presence in benzoxazine favors the formation of carbonyl functional groups. It is proposed that reduced flammability of polybenzoxazines is achieved through the evolution of CO2 during thermal degradation.
Tension Pneumothorax: A Teaching Model

A TPT induced in a small rabbit is an excellent teaching model for the treatment of a TPT in the small human neonate. Pediatric housestaff, neonatal nurses, and others have utilized this model to gain confidence and expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of TPT. The rabbit model is inexpensive, readily available, and recreates the clinical condition of a TPT in an educational environment.
Identification of neurogenin, a Vertebrate Neuronal Determination Gene

Several bHLH proteins are involved in vertebrate neurogenesis, but those controlling early stages of neuronal determination have not yet been identified. Here we describe a novel, NeuroD-related bHLH protein, NEUROGENIN, whose expression precedes that of NeuroD in both mouse and Xenopus. Expression of Xenopus NEUROGENIN-related-1 (X-NGNR-1) defines the three prospective territories of primary neurogenesis. Overexpression of X-NGNR-1 (or NEUROGENIN) induces ectopic neurogenesis and ectopic expression of XNeuroD mRNA. Endogenous X-ngnr-1 expression becomes restricted to subsets of cells by lateral inhibition, mediated by X-Delta-1 and X-Notch. The properties of X-NGNR-1 are thus analogous to those of the Drosophila proneural genes, suggesting that it functions as a vertebrate neuronal determination factor.
A one-dimensional hydrology/radiobrightness model for freezing/thawing soils

Soil temperature and moisture profiles play a crucial role in governing energy and moisture fluxes between bare soils and the atmosphere. These profiles also co-determine radiobrightness so that the difference between model-predicted and observed radiobrightness becomes a measure of error in a model's estimate of temperature or moisture. The authors present a physically based, coupled moisture and temperature, one-dimensional hydrology/radiobrightness (1dH/R) model for bare soil that is subject to freezing and thawing. They use this model to predict thermal, hydrologic, and radiobrightness signatures for a three-month simulation period in fall/winter on the northern Great Plains as part of an investigation of the influence of water transport on these signatures. Given a typical initial moisture content of 38%, they find that the difference in surface liquid water content between water transport and no water transport cases grows to 19% during the three-month period, and that the difference in surface ice content reaches 21% over the same period. The diurnal radiobrightness variation differs between the two cases by as much as 37 Kelvin.
Genetic Control of Mammalian Meiotic Recombination. I. Variation in Exchange Frequencies Among Males From Inbred Mouse Strains

Genetic background effects on the frequency of meiotic recombination have long been suspected in mice but never demonstrated in a systematic manner, especially in inbred strains. We used a recently described immunostaining technique to assess meiotic exchange patterns in male mice. We found that among four different inbred strains--CAST/Ei, A/J, C57BL/6, and SPRET/Ei--the mean number of meiotic exchanges per cell and, thus, the recombination rates in these genetic backgrounds were significantly different. These frequencies ranged from a low of 21.5 exchanges in CAST/Ei to a high of 24.9 in SPRET/Ei. We also found that, as expected, these crossover events were nonrandomly distributed and displayed positive interference. However, we found no evidence for significant differences in the patterns of crossover positioning between strains with different exchange frequencies. From our observations of >10,000 autosomal synaptonemal complexes, we conclude that achiasmate bivalents arise in the male mouse at a frequency of 0.1%. Thus, special mechanisms that segregate achiasmate chromosomes are unlikely to be an important component of mammalian male meiosis.
InP Optoelectronic Mixers

AbstractInP optoelectronic switches are shown to offer potential performance advantages over conventional diode bridges as electronic mixers. Devices with micrometer-geometry inter- digitated-finger structures have been fabricated and tested. The geometry of such struc­ tures can be chosen to optimize mixer performance over a wide range of frequencies. Mixer operation has been demonstrated at 100 MHz and calculations indicate good performance into the GHz range with existing InP technology and GaAs diode laser sources.IntroductionThe use of InP optoelectronic switches as electronic mixers will be discussed in this paper. These devices offer several potential performance advantages over conventional diode mixers, including such important features as isolation of local oscillator and signal, simplicity of construction, and linearity from low frequencies into the GHz range. The paper will include a brief review of the properties InP optoelectronic switches, discussion of the properties switches as electronic mixers, a presentation status of our work on these devices, and finally some speculation about future performance.Review of InP optoelectronic switchA sketch of an InP optoelectronic switch studied previously1 is shown in Figure 1. This device consisted of a high-resistivity Fe-doped InP substrate on which was evaporated a gold layer that was subsequently patterned into the microstrip configuration shown with a small (3-Min) gap between the two parts of the microstrip. In the off-state, the resistance between the two microstrip parts exceeds 100 M^ with a parallel capacitance of approximate­ ly 0.01 pF. In the on-state, when laser light is focussed in the gap region, resistances of less than 100 - have been achieved in response to doubled mode-locked NdrYAG laser radiation. The response times of these devices have been evaluated by applying a DC voltage to one side of the switch, a 50-^-input-impedance sampling oscilloscope to the other side, and illuminating the gap region with pulses of laser light. In Figure 2 response of a device to light pulses from a doubled mode-locked NdrYAG laser is shown. As may be seen, both the rise and fall times are approximately 200 psec. In other experi­ ments, response times as short 50 psec have been measured, suggesting performance capa­ bilities in excess of 1 GHz. These switches have been used as analog samplers and fast detectors, as discussed in another session of this meeting.2
Do young children use objects as symbols

Much of young children's symbolic play is heavily scaffolded by adult symbolic action models, which children may imitate, and by adult verbal scripts. The current studies attempted to evaluate 18-35-month-old children's symbolic skills in the absence of such scaffolding. In a study of symbol comprehension, children were tested for their ability to comprehend an adult's use of either a replica object or an associated gesture to communicate which object in an array she wanted. In a study of symbol production, children were given some objects that afforded symbolic manipulations, but without adult symbolic action models or verbal scripts. The results of the two studies converged to suggest that children below 2 years of age have symbolic skills with gestures, but not with objects. It was also found that while children at 26 months were able to use an object as a symbol for another object, they had difficulties when the symbol had another conventional use (e.g. a drinking cup used as a hat). The findings are discussed in terms of DeLoache's dual representation model, and a modification of that model is proposed.
Severe acute asthma

Asthma is common among women of reproductive age and affects between 4% and 8% of pregnant women. Pregnancy outcomes are correlated to the degree of asthma severity and control. Approximately one-third of pregnant women with asthma remain stable, a third will have improvement of their asthma, and a third will have worsening of the disease. Pregnant women with severe asthma are at markedly increased risk of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, preeclampsia, low-birth weight infants, and preterm delivery. A severe asthma exacerbation in a pregnant woman may be clinically daunting, however immediate intervention with appropriate supplemental oxygenation, medical therapy, and intubation if necessary can be life-saving. A focus on maternal well-being and pulmonary function in a pregnant asthmatic is essential to ensure optimal outcomes for both mother and her fetus. This article will provide an overview of asthma management, particularly in the acute care setting.
PREX: PeroxiRedoxin classification indEX, a database of subfamily assignments across the diverse peroxiredoxin family

PREX (http://www.csb.wfu.edu/prex/) is a database of currently 3516 peroxiredoxin (Prx or PRDX) protein sequences unambiguously classified into one of six distinct subfamilies. Peroxiredoxins are a diverse and ubiquitous family of highly expressed, cysteine-dependent peroxidases that are important for antioxidant defense and for the regulation of cell signaling pathways in eukaryotes. Subfamily members were identified using the Deacon Active Site Profiler (DASP) bioinformatics tool to focus in on functionally relevant sequence fragments surrounding key residues required for protein activity. Searches of this database can be conducted by protein annotation, accession number, PDB ID, organism name or protein sequence. Output includes the subfamily to which each classified Prx belongs, accession and GI numbers, genus and species and the functional site signature used for classification. The query sequence is also presented aligned with a select group of Prxs for manual evaluation and interpretation by the user. A synopsis of the characteristics of members of each subfamily is also provided along with pertinent references.
A HEURISTIC ALGORITHM FOR THE MULTI-VEHICLE ADVANCE REQUEST DIAL-A-RIDE PROBLEM WITH TIME WINDOWS

In this paper we describe a heuristic algorithm, Advanced Dial-A-Ride with Time Windows (ADARTW), for the advance-request version of the multi-vehicle, many-to-many Dial-A-Ride Problem (DARP) with service quality constraints. DARP is concerned with developing a set of routes for a fleet of vehicles carrying customers between specified origins and destinations. “Many-to-many” means that each customer can have a distinct origin and destination, while “advance-request” means that all the requests are received well before the time of vehicle dispatching. Finally, “service quality constraints” guarantee that (1) customers’ ride times will not exceed a prespecified maximum and (2) the time of pick-up or delivery of customers will not deviate from the most-desired pick-up or delivery time of these customers by more than pre-specified amounts (“the time windows”). The algorithmic approach to be described is interesting for two reasons. First, it addresses what is probably the most applicable and realistic version of the real-world problem in a way that avoids excessive abstraction and simplification and emphasizes flexibility and convenience to the algorithm’s user. Second, it can generate at low computation cost what are apparently high-quality solutions to much larger problems (e.g. 2500 customers and 30 simultaneously active vehicles) than have hitherto been attempted. Many North American systems serving elderly and handicapped passengers require reservations a day in advance, while in other cases return trips may be scheduled as immediate requests. This second scenario can also be handled with an extension of the algorithm presented in this paper. The DARP was first examined by Wilson et al. (1971, 1976, 1977) in connection with the development of real-time algorithms for the Dial-A-Ride systems of Haddonfield, NJ, and Rochester, NY. ADARTW derives some of its fundamental concepts (building tours through sequential insertion of customers, general form of the objective function) from that work. A paper by Roy et al. (1983) which appeared as this paper was being completed also uses similar concepts and solves essentially the same version of DARP. Hung et al. (1982) have been tackling the same problem but have adopted an entirely different approach involving processing (scheduling and routing) one vehicle at a time rather than all vehicles simultaneously, as is done by ADARTW. Psaraftis (1983a) has developed a dynamic programming algorithm for solving the single-vehicle DARP optimally for a small number of customers in the presence of time windows, and Solomon (1983) has recently published an excellent review of the vehicle routing problem (not DARP) with time-window constraints. Descriptions of several versions of DARP without time-window constraints can be found
Hypotheses verification of a novel multi-scale fatigue damage prognosis model

In this paper, a new formulation at the small time scale is proposed for multi-scale fatigue crack growth analysis and an in-situ SEM testing methodology is used to verify the basic hypotheses of the model. 12Very high resolution imaging analysis is performed to quantify the crack tip deformation behaviour and crack growth kinetics. In the in-situ SEM testing, the crack closure phenomenon is observed during the crack growth process. It is also observed that crack growth is not uniformly distributed within a loading cycle and only happens during a small portion of loading path. Based on the experimental measurement, the new prognosis model is developed and shows a good agreement with coupon level fatigue crack growth testing data under both constant loading and simple variable loading.
A Comparison of Free-Flowing, Segregating and Non-Free-Flowing, Cohesive Mixing Systems in Assessing the Performance of a Modified V-Shaped Solids Mixer

AbstractThe performance of a modified V-shaped solids mixer, i.e., uneven leg or offset angle, has been reassessed by using a binary cohesive mixture, made up of 1% sodium salicylate and 99% microcry stalline cellulose, as the mixing system. The performance of the mixer was defined in terms of relative standard deviation from the measured mean. The results generated from the present study were compared with the previously published data generated by using a free-flow mixing system. It appears in the present study that the free-flowing, segregating materials may be used as a mixing model to predict the trend of the performance of a modified V-shaped blender for the non-free-flowing, cohesive materials. However, in the equilibrium state, the non-free-flowing, cohesive mixture has much better quality of the mix than that of the free-flowing, segregating system in terms of the scale and intensity of segregation.
High-Speed Photography of Energetic Materials and Components with a Copper Vapor Laser

The evaluation of the properties of energetic materials, such as burn rate and ignition energy, is of primary importance in understanding their reactions and the functioning of devices containing them. One method for recording such information is high-speed photography at rates of up to 20,000 images per second. When a copper vapor laser is synchronized with the camera, laser-illuminated images can be recorded that detail the performance of a material and/or component in a manner never before possible. The laser can also be used for ignition of the energetic material, thus eliminating the need for bridgewires or electric squibs that can interfere with photography. Details of such ignitions are readily observable, and the burn rate of a material can be determined directly from the film. There are indications that information useful for the modeling of pyrotechnic reactions will become available as well. Recent results from high-speed photography of several pyrotechnic materials and devices will be presented. 9 figs.
Measurement of intervertebral disc pressure with T1ρ MRI

The aim of this study is to demonstrate T1ρ MRI's capability for measuring intervertebral disc osmotic pressure. Self-coregistered sodium and T1ρ-weighted MR images were acquired on ex vivo bovine intervertebral discs (N = 12) on a 3 T clinical MRI scanner. The sodium MR images were used to calculate effective nucleus pulposus fixed-charge-density (mean = 138.2 ± 27.6 mM) and subsequently osmotic pressure (mean = 0.53 ± 0.18 atm), whereas the T1ρ-weighted images were used to compute T1ρ relaxation maps. A significant linear correlation (R = 0.56, P < 0.01) between nucleus pulposus fixed-charge-density and T1ρ relaxation time constant was observed. More importantly, a significant power correlation (R = 0.72, P < 0.01) between nucleus pulposus osmotic pressure as predicted by sodium MRI and T1ρ relaxation time constant was also observed. The current clinical method for assessing disc pressure is discography, which is an invasive procedure that has been shown to have negative effects on disc biomechanical and biochemical properties. In contrast, T1ρ MRI is noninvasive and can be easily implemented in a clinical setting due to its superior signal-to-noise ratio compared with sodium MRI. Therefore, T1ρ MRI may serve as a noninvasive clinical tool for the longitudinal evaluation of disc osmotic pressure. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Effects of Spatial Dispersion on Power Flow Along a Printed-Circuit Tensor Impedance Surface

In this communication, expressions for the group velocity and the direction of power flow along an idealized tensor impedance boundary condition (TIBC) and a printed-circuit tensor impedance surface (PCTIS), are found. A PCTIS consists of a patterned metallic cladding over a grounded dielectric substrate. The patterned metallic cladding is modeled by a tensor impedance sheet. Expressions for the surface impedance of a TIBC and a PCTIS are reviewed. From these expressions, the group velocity and direction of power flow are derived as a function of transverse wave vector. A PCTIS exhibits spatial dispersion due to the electrical thickness of its substrate while a TIBC does not. As a result of this spatial dispersion, a PCTIS can have the same surface impedance as a TIBC for a given transverse wave vector, but a different direction of power flow. The expressions for direction of power flow along a TIBC and a PCTIS are verified with a full-wave electromagnetic solver.
Systems management for organizational support

This paper discusses the role of systems management at the process level for support of contemporary organizations in the development of high quality products and services, especially through integrated use of information technology and systems engineering. >
The primordial pool of follicles and nest breakdown in mammalian ovaries

The creation of the pool of follicles available for selection and ovulation is a multi-faceted, tightly regulated process that spans the period from embryonic development through to the first reproductive cycle of the organism. In mice, this development can occur in mere weeks, but in humans, it is sustained for years. Embryonic germ cell development involves the migration of primordial germs cells to the genital ridge, and the mitotic division of germ cell nuclei without complete cytokinesis to form a multi-nucleated syncytia, or germ cell nest. Through combined actions of germ cell apoptosis and somatic cell migration, the germ cell nuclei are packaged, with surrounding granulosa cells, into primordial follicles to form the initial follicle pool. Though often dismissed as quiescent and possibly uninteresting, this initial follicle pool is actually quite dynamic. In a very strictly controlled mechanism, a large portion of the initial primordial follicles formed is lost by atresia before cycling even begins. Remaining follicles can undergo alternate fates of continued dormancy or selection leading to follicular growth and differentiation. Together, the processes involved in the fate decisions of atresia, sustained dormancy, or activation carve out the follicle pool of puberty, the pool of available oocytes from which all future reproductive cycles of the female can choose. The formation of the initial and pubertal follicle pools can be predictably affected by exogenous treatment with hormones or molecules such as activin, demonstrating the ways the ovary controls the quality and quantity of germ cells maintained. Here, we review the biological processes involved in the formation of the initial follicle pool and the follicle pool of puberty, address the alternate models for regulating germ cell number and outline how the ovary quality-controls the germ cells produced.
Exchange rate overshooting in Turkey

Abstract Exchange rate overshooting is said to be a short-run phenomenon. However, when a currency like Turkish lira depreciates from 13 to almost 400 000 lira per dollar over three decades, one wonders whether it has overshot its long-run value as well. In this paper we employ a relatively new method of error-correction modeling to show how one could test for overshooting in the short-run as well as in the long-run.
A 22 GHz MIC active receiver/radiometer

A 22 GHz microwave integrated circuit active receiver is built and tested at 22 GHz. The receiver consists of a planar antenna coupled to a 6-stage MESFET amplifier and followed by a planar band-pass filter and a planar Schottky-diode detector. The active receiver can be used as a simple 22 GHz planar radiometer for the water-vapor line. The measured performance shows a peak gain centered at 22.5 GHz with a 3-dB bandwidth of 1.8 GHz. >
Dark Matter Distributions of the Milky Way Satellites and Implications for Indirect Detection

We review recent progress in understanding the mass distributions of the Milky Way dwarf satellite population, with a specific focus on the implications for gamma-ray fluxes from dark matter. We outline a method that self-consitently predicts the gamma-ray fluxes from the satellites using line-of-sight velocities, the Constrained Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (CMSSM), and a model for the boost from substructure in the dark matter halos. Combining all of these ingredients, and accounting for the reduced astrophysical backgrounds relative to the Galactic center, the dwarf satellites make strong candidates for indirect detection with Fermi/GLAST and future Air Cerenkov Telescopes.
Regaining Functional Independence in the Acute Care Setting Following Hip Fracture

Background and Purpose. Factors that predict functional recovery in the first few days following hip fracture and that may facilitate discharge to the home directly from the acute care setting have not been identified. This study investigated the attainment of key functional milestones by patients and discharge status from an acute care hospital following hip fracture. Subjects. Subjects were 162 community-based individuals (59 men, 103 women) aged 60 years or older who were admitted to an acute care hospital following unilateral hip fracture. Methods. Data on personal, medical, surgical, hospital course, and acute rehabilitation factors as well as functional status and placement at the time of discharge were collected. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated to determine predictors of independence in seven types of transfers and ambulation activities and discharge directly to the home. Results. Subjects who ambulated independently prior to fracture, stayed longer in the acute care setting, and received physical therapy on average more than once a day had improved odds of regaining independence in bed mobility, transfers, and ambulation. Subjects who regained independence and received physical therapy on average more than once a day had improved odds of discharge directly to the home from the acute care setting. Increasing age and postoperative complications reduced the odds of discharge directly home. Conclusion and Discussion. A substantial proportion of patients with hip fracture achieve independence in bed mobility and transfers and in ambulation with a walker during the early postoperative phase, although few progress to a higher level during a short-term stay in the acute care setting. Frequency of physical therapy, among other factors, appears to improve the odds of regaining functional independence and discharge directly to the home from the acute care setting.
Assimilation of SSM/I-Derived Surface Rainfall and Total Precipitable Water for Improving the GEOS Analysis for Climate Studies

This article describes a variational framework for assimilating the SSM/I-derived surface rain rate and total precipitable water (TPW) and examines their impact on the analysis produced by the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) Data Assimilation System (DAS). The SSM/I observations consist of tropical rain rates retrieved using the Goddard Profiling Algorithm and tropical TPW estimates produced by Wentz. In a series of assimilation experiments for December 1992, results show that the SSM/I-derived rain rate, despite current uncertainty in its intensity, is better than the model-generated precipitation. Assimilating rainfall data improves cloud distributions and the cloudy-sky radiation, while assimilating TPW data reduces a moisture bias in the lower troposphere to improve the clear-sky radiation. Together, the two data types reduce the monthly mean spatial bias by 46% and the error standard deviation by 26% in the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) averaged over the Tropics, as compared with the NOAA OLR observation product. The improved cloud distribution, in turn, improves the solar radiation at the surface. There is also evidence that the latent heating change associated with the improved precipitation improves the large-scale circulation in the Tropics. This is inferred from a comparison of the clear-sky brightness temperatures for TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder channel 12 computed from the GEOS analyses with the observed values, suggesting that rainfall assimilation reduces a prevailing moist bias in the upper-tropospheric humidity in the GEOS system through enhanced subsidence between the major convective centers. This work shows that assimilation of satellite-derived precipitation and TPW can reduce state-dependent systematic errors in the OLR, clouds, surface radiation, and the large-scale circulation in the assimilated dataset. The improved analysis also leads to better short-range forecasts, but the impact is modest compared with improvements in the time-averaged signals in the analysis. The study shows that, in the presence of biases and other errors of the forecast model, it is possible to improve the time-averaged ‘‘climate content’’ in the data without comparable improvements in forecast. The full impact of these data types on the analysis cannot be measured solely in terms of forecast skills.
Randomized clinical trial to evaluate the pathogenicity of Bibersteinia trehalosi in respiratory disease among calves

Background: Bibersteinia trehalosi causes respiratory disease in ruminants particularly in wild and domestic sheep. Recently, there has been an increased number of B. trehalosi isolates obtained from diagnostic samples from bovine respiratory disease cases. This study evaluated the role of B. trehalosi in bovine respiratory disease using an intra-tracheal inoculation model in calves. Thirty six cross bred 2–3 month old dairy calves were inoculated intra-tracheally with either leukotoxin negative B. trehalosi ,l eukotoxin positiveB. trehalosi isolate, Mannheimia haemolytica, a combination of leukotoxin negative B. trehalosi and M. haemolytica or negative control. Calves were euthanized and necropsy performed on day 10 of study. Results: B. trehalosi inoculated calves did not have increased lung involvement compared to control calves. Additionally, B. trehalosi was only cultured once from the lungs of inoculated calves at necropsy. Conclusions: Based on these findings B. trehalosi may not be a primary pathogen of respiratory disease in cattle. Culture of B. trehalosi from diagnostic submissions should not be immediately identified as a primary cause of respiratory disease.
H2O2-mediated permeability II: importance of tyrosine phosphatase and kinase activity

We previously reported that exposure of endothelial cells to H2O2results in a loss of cell-cell apposition and increased endothelial solute permeability. The purpose of this study was to determine ...
The Special Theory of Relativity

The reconstruction of classical physics in previous chapters unveiled a conceptual relation between Galilean spacetime and Newtonian mass. Once the Galilean geometry of PUMs was assumed, the basic structure of Galilean spacetime was derived. The parameter μ 0, which was later used to reconstruct mass, was derived from an implicit spacetime symmetry. The full meaning of mass was captured when the reconstruction introduced the “classical” Criterion of Isolation and the Rule of Composition governing motions.
Deterministic simulation of thermal neutron radiography and tomography

Abstract In recent years, thermal neutron radiography and tomography have gained much attention as one of the nondestructive testing methods. However, the application of thermal neutron radiography and tomography is hindered by their technical complexity, radiation shielding, and time-consuming data collection processes. Monte Carlo simulations have been developed in the past to improve the neutron imaging facility’s ability. In this paper, a new deterministic simulation approach has been proposed and demonstrated to simulate neutron radiographs numerically using a ray tracing algorithm. This approach has made the simulation of neutron radiographs much faster than by previously used stochastic methods (i.e., Monte Carlo methods). The major problem with neutron radiography and tomography simulation is finding a suitable scatter model. In this paper, an analytic scatter model has been proposed that is validated by a Monte Carlo simulation.
Demographic perspectives of female genital mutilation

Purpose – This publication aims to document the most relevant features of the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in 23 African and six Arab countries. The purpose of this paper is to provide a simple presentation of current levels; the main differences, according to background characteristics; and observed trends in the last 10-15 years. Considering past, current and future demographic dynamics helps identify possible scenarios for elimination. Design/methodology/approach – Data on FGM have been collected through Demographic Health Surveys since 1990, with about 50 surveys conducted in 23 countries with FGM concentrations, and through Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys since 2000, with about 31 surveys conducted in 18 countries with prevalent FGM. Reliable data on the practice are now available for all African countries where the practice is concentrated, plus Iraq and Yemen. Statistical information is currently not available for countries where FGM has been newly identified, such as India and In...
Amorphous or Crystalline? A Comparison of Particle Engineering Methods and Selection

This review is intended to provide a critical account of the current goals and technologies of particle engineering regarding the production of crystalline and amorphous particles. The technologies discussed here cover traditional crystallization technologies, supercritical fluid technologies, spray drying, controlled solvent crystallization, and sonocrystallization. Also recent advancements in particle engineering including spray freezing into liquid, thin-film freeze-drying, PRINT technology are presented. The paper also examines the merits and limitations of these technologies with respect to their methods of characterization. Additionally a section discussing the utility of creating amorphous and crystalline formulation approaches in regards to bioavailability and utility in formulation is presented.
Snail-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of MCF-7 breast cancer cells: systems analysis of molecular changes and their effect on radiation and drug sensitivity

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been associated with the acquisition of metastatic potential and the resistance of cancer cells to therapeutic treatments. MCF-7 breast cancer cells engineered to constitutively express the zinc-finger transcriptional repressor gene Snail (MCF-7-Snail cells) have been previously shown to display morphological and molecular changes characteristic of EMT. We report here the results of a comprehensive systems level molecular analysis of changes in global patterns of gene expression and levels of glutathione and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in MCF-7-Snail cells and the consequence of these changes on the sensitivity of cells to radiation treatment and therapeutic drugs. Snail-induced changes in global patterns of gene expression were identified by microarray profiling using the Affymetrix platform (U133 Plus 2.0). The resulting data were processed and analyzed by a variety of system level analytical methods. Levels of ROS and glutathione (GSH) were determined by fluorescent and luminescence assays, and nuclear levels of NF-κB protein were determined by an ELISA based method. The sensitivity of cells to ionizing radiation and anticancer drugs was determined using a resazurin-based cell cytotoxicity assay. Constitutive ectopic expression of Snail in epithelial-like, luminal A-type MCF-7 cells induced significant changes in the expression of >7600 genes including gene and miRNA regulators of EMT. Mesenchymal-like MCF-7-Snail cells acquired molecular profiles characteristic of triple-negative, claudin-low breast cancer cells, and displayed increased sensitivity to radiation treatment, and increased, decreased or no change in sensitivity to a variety of anticancer drugs. Elevated ROS levels in MCF-7-Snail cells were unexpectedly not positively correlated with NF-κB activity. Ectopic expression of Snail in MCF-7 cells resulted in morphological and molecular changes previously associated with EMT. The results underscore the complexity and cell-type dependent nature of the EMT process and indicate that EMT is not necessarily predictive of decreased resistance to radiation and drug-based therapies.
Sample Size Required for Various Methods of Assessing Bone Status in Commercial Leghorn Hens

A study was conducted to determine the appropriate sample size required for various methods used to assess tibial bone status in commercial Leghorn hens. The methods used were in vivo bone mineral content (BMC), in vivo bone density (BD), in vitro BMC, in vitro BD, tibia bone breaking strength (TBS), and percentage bone ash (BA). Dietary total P levels of .4, .45, .5, .55, and .7% were used as treatment source of variation. Twenty hens were sampled randomly to represent each dietary treatment. The CV for each bone status comparison method was estimated and was used in a procedure to estimate the sample size requirement for detecting a difference of delta between treatments. The sample size required to detect the difference between treatment means varied depending on 1) the method used to compare bone status 2) the difference between the treatment means to be detected as significant (delta); and 3) the level of significance (alpha) assumed. The sample size required for various methods are tabulated at .01, .05, and .1 level of significance and for 2.5, 5,7.5, 10, 15, and 20% delta. To detect an actual difference of 5% from the mean to be significant, at the .05 level of significance, a sample size of 44, 22, 31, 23, 47, and 85 hens per treatment would be necessary for in vivo BMC, in vivo BD, in vitro BMC, in vitro BD, TBS, and BA methods, respectively. The estimated sample size values would help researchers in designing experiments that involve bone status comparison of commercial Leghorn hens.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance of Tc 99 in Tc Metal and Tc 99 and V 51 in Tc-V Alloys

The nuclear magnetic resonance of ${\mathrm{Tc}}^{99}$ has been observed in Tc metal and its Knight shift measured relative to a solution of CsTc${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$. The ${\mathrm{Tc}}^{99}$ and ${\mathrm{V}}^{51}$ resonances have been studied in 50-50 at.% TcV and Tc${\mathrm{V}}_{3}$ alloys as a function of field and temperature. The ${\mathrm{Tc}}^{99}$ resonance curves in TcV and Tc${\mathrm{V}}_{3}$ have a Lorentzian shape while ${\mathrm{V}}^{51}$ is Gaussian in TcV and Lorentzian in Tc${\mathrm{V}}_{3}$. Probable causes for the shape changes and excess widths encountered are discussed.
Who is my neighbor?: Humanity and proximity

What is the scope of morality? To whom are we obligated? Whom are we morally required to help? Whom may we not harm? Whom commands our respect and from whom are we forbidden to withhold our assistance? Do moral concerns and requirements diminish over distance, so that our duties are stronger to those who are near to us, and weaken to vanishing point as possible beneficiaries of our actions and inactions are found further and further away? And what does "distance" mean in these cir cumstances? When is a person near to me? When is a person far away? Is it a matter of who they are, and of their relation to me (affection, blood, fellow-citizenship)? Or is it sheer geography? If it is geography, does a person count as near or far in virtue of where they live or in virtue of where (right now) they happen to be? For classic treatment of moral distance, we may turn to a very familiar story.1 It relates a conversation between Jesus of Nazareth and a lawyer:
Electroantennograms of male and female caribbean fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) elicited by chemicals produced by males

Male-produced chemicals were tested on antennae of the Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew), using the electroantennogram technique. ( S,S )-(−)-epianastrephin elicited responses 2- to 3-fold greater than any of the other chemicals. ( S,S )-(−)-anastrephin elicited greater responses than either ( R,R )-(+)-anastrephin or ( R,R )-(+)-epianastrephin when tested alone, but responses to these three chemicals were nearly equivalent when tested in combinations with each other and other chemicals. (Z,Z)-3,6-nonadienol elicited greater responses than (Z)-3-nonenol in combinations with anastrephin and epianastrephin. Male antennae responded more strongly to ( S,S )-(−)-epianastrephin than female antennae; otherwise, male and female antennae responded equivalently to six chemicals and combinations of the six chemicals. Combinations of the chemicals produced responses that were equal generally to the sum of the responses to the individual chemicals.
139 MUSCLE FIBER REGENERATION IMPAIRED IN DYSTROPHIN/GUANIDINOACETATE METHYLTRANSFERASE-DEFICIENT MICE COMPARED WITH MDX MICE.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by mutations in a gene located on the X chromosome, which codes for the dystrophin protein. These mutations result in loss of functional dystrophin protein, making the muscle fragile and susceptible to damage. The mdx mouse is a well-studied model of human DMD because it also lacks dystrophin protein. However, the mdx phenotype is benign compared with that of human boys. In an attempt to better characterize and understand human DMD, this lab has generated a mouse model believed to be more representative of the human DMD phenotype. A putative modifier gene coding for guanidinoacetate methyltransferase or GAMT (a key enzyme involved in creatine synthesis), which is up-regulated in mdx mice and down-regulated in boys with DMD, may be important in the generation of the human phenotype. The mouse generated by this lab, the double null (dn) mouse, is lacking dystrophin and GAMT and is more crippled than the mdx mouse. Pathologically, the appearance of dn muscles is more similar to human DMD muscles as well. With immunofluorescent and histologic techniques, we find that the dn mouse has these three characteristics, all suggesting less successful regeneration: (1) the dn has 62% central nucs versus 70% in mdx, (2) the dn mouse has no embryonic myosin heavy chain (MHC) fibers versus 6% in mdx, and (3) the dn mouse has smaller fibers cross-sectional areas 3,000 square microns/fiber versus 3,500 in mdx. It seems that although its degeneration pattern is similar to that of the mdx mouse, because of its dystrophin and GAMT null state, the dn mouse is not able to regenerate muscle fibers as well as the mdx mouse. Acknowledgments: NIH NIAMS, Sharp Family Foundation, The Young Fund.
Strategic Thinking on Promoting the Cooperation of the Industrial Technology Innovation Alliance between Fujian and Taiwan

Development and cooperation situations for industrial technology innovation alliance between Fujian and Taiwan were introduced.The feasibility of promoting the industrial technology alliance between Fujian and Taiwan was analyzed,which included the long cooperation history,the complementary effect,and the necessity for leaping development between both sides.This report then provides strategic thoughts on promoting industrial technology innovation alliance between Fujian and Taiwan,such as strengthening the policy guarantee and enlarging the leading enterprise scale.
Prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus and the factors that affect it.

The prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus has improved over the past four decades. Articles published in the past year continue to demonstrate this improved survival, both overall and in patients with renal disease. Several factors may be associated with improved survival, including earlier diag