cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduction in Narcotic Use After Lumbar Decompression and Fusion in Patients With Symptomatic Lumbar Stenosis or Spondylolisthesis

Study Design:Retrospective cohort study.Objectives:The purpose of this study is to assess change in opioid use before and after lumbar decompression and fusion surgery for patients with symptomatic...
Nitrogen dry deposition to Lake Superior and Lake Michigan

Abstract Nitrate (NO3−) levels in Lake Superior have increased from historic levels of about 5 μM to its current concentration of about 25 μM. The atmosphere makes a substantial contribution to the nitrogen budgets for Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. This study provides a more well-defined estimate of nitrogen dry deposition rates derived from the measurement of over-water concentrations, and in situ meteorological measurements, which were input into the Resistance Model. We obtained a nitrogen dry deposition rate of [(3.41 ± 2.26) × 107 kg N/yr; (5.90 ± 3.91) kg N/ha/yr] over Lake Michigan, and [(1.54 ± 1.06) × 107 kg N/yr; (1.87 ± 1.27) kg N/ha/yr] over Lake Superior. Nitric acid (HNO3), which originates from the combustion of fossil fuels, contributes 84% of the total nitrogen dry deposition to Lake Michigan; and 66% to Lake Superior. Ammonia (NH3), which originates from agricultural activities and gasoline combustion, is the second highest contributor of nitrogen dry deposition to both lakes: contributing 13% to Lake Michigan and 32% to Lake Superior. The nitrogen dry deposition is approximately 68% of the nitrogen wet deposition over Lake Superior, and approximately 80% of wet deposition over Lake Michigan. The over-water dry deposition velocity of HNO3 and NH3 were also evaluated. We obtained morning deposition velocities of 0.099 cm/s for NH3 and 0.095 cm/s for HNO3; and afternoon values of 0.137 cm/s for NH3 and 0.132 cm/s for HNO3. Another key finding is that the atmospheric concentrations of nitrogen compounds near Lake Michigan and Lake Superior have decreased since 2003.
A K-8 Debugging Learning Trajectory Derived from Research Literature

Curriculum development is dependent on the following question: What are the learning goals for a specific topic, and what are reasonable ways to organize and order those goals? Learning trajectories (LTs) for computational thinking (CT) topics will help to guide emerging curriculum development efforts for computer science in elementary school. This study describes the development of an LT for Debugging. We conducted a rigorous analysis of scholarly research on K-8 computer science education to extract what concepts in debugging students should and are capable of learning. The concepts were organized into the LT presented within. In this paper, we describe the three dimensions of debugging that emerged during the creation of the trajectory: (1) strategies for finding and fixing errors, (2) types of errors, and (3) the role of errors in problem solving. In doing so, we go beyond identification of specific debugging strategies to further articulate knowledge that would help students understand when to use those techniques and why they are successful. Finally, we illustrate how the Debugging LT has guided our efforts to develop an integrated mathematics and CT curriculum for grades 3-5.
Enhanced thermoelectric performance in single-crystal-like semiconducting flexible GaAs films

With the advancement of nano-technology and push toward flexible electronics, the opportunity to generate electricity using solid-state devices has ushered tremendous research interest in improving the thermoelectric (TE) properties of flexible semiconducting materials. The majority of research done so far was focused on finding suitable doping schemes for all-organic flexible substrates or mixing organic and inorganic components to obtain flexible substrates with an optimized thermoelectric performance. Unfortunately, their performance is limited by their low power factor (PF) values and often suffers from degradation issues due to the organic component that limits them to low temperature applications. Here, through coupled microstructural and thermoelectric analysis, we show how to overcome these limitations by introducing a new inorganic GaAs flexible substrate with enhanced TE performance. We show that these flexible thin films are single-crystal-like biaxially textured with low angle grain boundary misalignment; and charge transport is dominated by multi- valley electron conduction. This results in a PF ∼1300 µW/mK2, the highest value for non-toxic inorganic flexible thin films and an estimated 3-fold enhancement in the figure of merit compared with bulk GaAs. We present the temperature-dependent experimental PF, mobility, and carrier concentration data coupled with the theoretical models to elucidate the charge transport characteristics of this new class of films. Moreover, these unique charge transport characteristics are material growth dependent, and thus, such novel thermoelectric properties are expected in different material systems.
Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Utilization.

Abstract Background The decision to utilize HEMS is a complex process that involves many considerations. Professional associations and agencies have published guidelines to assist providers with decision making for the utilization of helicopter transport. Study Objective Determine if requests for HEMS align with recently published utilization guidelines. Study Design A retrospective chart review was performed during a six-month period. Reviewers versed in Wisconsin HEMS Utilization, NAEMSP, and CAMTS guidelines determined if transport criteria were met. Charts were categorized according to whether or not criteria for each set of recommendations were followed. Results 514 charts were reviewed; 439 consisted of completed patient transports. CAMTS, NAEMSP, and WI HEMS guidelines satisfied 85.4%, 83.4%, and 53.1% of requests, respectively. Statistically significant differences existed when comparing rates meeting criteria between WI HEMS and CAMTS and between WI HEMS and NAEMSP guidelines (p-value Conclusion Significant difference between Wisconsin HEMS utilization versus NAEMSP guidelines, and between Wisconsin HEMS utilization and CAMTS guidelines in all subgroups except STEMI patients exist. No statistically significant difference existed between NAEMSP and CAMTS guidelines.
Crystallization of a potassium ion channel and X-ray and neutron data collection

The mechanism by which potassium ions are transported through ion channels is currently being investigated by several groups using many different techniques. Clarification of the location of water molecules during transport is central to understanding how these integral membrane proteins function. Neutrons have a unique sensitivity to both hydrogen and potassium, rendering neutron crystallography capable of distinguishing waters from K+ ions. Here, the collection of a complete neutron data set from a potassium ion channel to a resolution of 3.55 A using the Macromolecular Neutron Diffractometer (MaNDi) is reported. A room-temperature X-ray data set was also collected from the same crystal to a resolution of 2.50 A. Upon further refinement, these results will help to further clarify the ion/water population within the selectivity filter of potassium ion channels.
LACK of ASSOCIATION BETWEEN Race and Probability of TRANSPLANT AMONG PATIENTS Referred for Hematopoietic CELL TRANSPLANTATION (HCT) for MULTIPLE Myeloma

Abstract Abstract 3129 Background: As documented in recently published large database reviews, race appears to be a barrier to the access to HCT. Hypotheses as to why this may be the case include (but are not limited to): 1. patient preference; 2. delayed time to referral from community physicians to transplant centers; 3. delays in transplant once evaluated by a transplant center; 4. Possible increased prevalence of comorbidities among racial minorities referred for transplant. We attempt to address some of these issues by reviewing our 20-year experience with transplantation for multiple myeloma. Methods: We queried our core clinical database for potential associations between race and the following parameters: 1. Median interval between date of diagnosis and date of referral; 2. Median interval between date of initial visit and date of transplant 3. Probability of actually receiving a transplant following formal evaluation by a transplant physician by race; 4. Type of transplant recommended 5. Reasons for not receiving a transplant. Results: Between January 1990 and June 2011, 441 patients with multiple myeloma were referred to our center for consideration of HCT, of whom 293 (66%) were Caucasian, 94 (21%) were African American (AA), 27 (6%) were of unknown race, and 27 (6%) were of other races. The median interval from diagnosis to referral for transplant for AA patients was 145 days, versus 137 days for Caucasian patients (p=0.32). Fifty-three of the 94 AA patients (56%), versus 157 of the 293 Caucasian patients (54%) have received at least one transplant to date (p=0.72). The median interval between the date of the initial visit to our transplant center and the occurrence of an initial transplant was 120 days for AA, versus 150 days for Caucasians (p=0.39). The probability of being transplanted on an allogeneic or hybrid (auto-allo) initial transplant protocol was 0% for AA making it to transplant vs 6% for Caucasions making it to transplant (p=0.07). Reasons for not receiving a transplant are indicated in Table 1 (global p-value = 0.94). Conclusions: African American and Caucasian patients with myeloma have similar intervals from diagnosis to referral, similar intervals from referral to transplant, and are equally likely to actually receive a transplant once referral to the transplant center took place. Therefore, the reported barrier to transplantation for myeloma patients appears to be prior to referral to the transplant center. Reasons for not Receiving a Transplant African American Caucasian Total number of refusals 41 136 Deemed medically ineligible 6 18 Insurance denial 0 1 Patient decision 9 32 Progression of disease 5 26 Transplanted elsewhere 3 13 Still on active candidate list 16 41 Misc 2 5 Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Index Informativeness: An Empirical Study on Indonesia Stock Exchange

This study aims to determine the market's reaction to the announcement of company list change’s at LQ45 Index, Jakarta Islamic Index (JII), and SRI-KEHATI Index. Sample of this research is company stocks that include in or exclude from LQ45 Index, JII, and SRI-KEHATI Index during the period 2009 to 2018. The results showed that in general in the sample group of companies included in the Index, no significant market reaction was found. For the sample group of companies excluded from the Index, significant negative market reactions were found from all the Index. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in market reaction was found, both in the sample group included and in the sample group excluded from the Index. Significant different market reaction were only found in the LQ45 Index and JII.
Jump and Landing Biomechanical Variables and Methods: A Literature Review

Noncontact lower extremity injuries are commonly related to jumping and landing activities. This review presents an overview of relevant biomechanical variables that can be modified in training to improve jumping performance, landing mechanics, and consequently, reduce injury risks. Relevant studies from the last 2 decades in the Compendex, Pubmed, and Scopus databases were considered for this review. Studies related to jumping and landing kinetics, kinematics, injuries, performance, and/or simulation were included. The use of experimental methods as the drop jump landing and jumping countermovement are widely used to measure biomechanical variables. At the same time, there has been a continuous development of simulation models that could present results without the need for testing on human subjects, with the final objective of exploring the limits of an athlete's performance without increasing the risk of any injury. The most common injuries occur in the knee and ankle ligaments and are directly related to joint angles and moments (i.e., torque or joint loading) at the hip, ankle, and knee joints. Jumping and landing biomechanics are considerably different between male and female subjects for different experimental methods and in both cases, these kinematics factors can be improved over shorter- or longer-time training to develop a better landing strategy.
Gendered transitions: Women’s experiences of experiential education:

This qualitative case study explores the transformative impact of an off-campus US-based experiential education program on female students. Founded by a group of Christian colleges, this program of...
Dynamic Self-Reinforcement of Gene Expression Determines Acquisition and Retention of Cellular Mechanical Memory

Abstract Mechanotransduction describes activation of gene expression by changes in the cell’s physical microenvironment. Recent experiments show that mechanotransduction can lead to long-term “mechanical memory”, where cells cultured on stiff substrates for sufficient time (priming phase) maintain altered phenotype after switching to soft substrates (dissipation phase), as compared to unprimed controls. The timescale of memory acquisition and retention is orders of magnitude larger than the timescale of mechanosensitive cellular signaling, and memory retention time changes continuously with priming time. We develop a model that captures these features by accounting for positive reinforcement in mechanical signaling. The sensitivity of reinforcement represents the dynamic transcriptional state of the cell composed of protein lifetimes and 3D chromatin organization. Our model provides a single framework connecting microenvironment mechanical history to cellular outcomes ranging from no memory to terminal differentiation. Predicting cellular memory of environmental changes can help engineer cellular dynamics through changes in culture environments.
Doubly-fed Solid State Auto-Transformer (SSAT) concept for Multi-pulse Rectifiers

System size and power quality are of great concern in multi-pulse rectifiers (MPRs), especially in space critical applications. Total harmonic distortion (THD) can be reduced by phase shifting the input voltage of MPR. But low frequency transformers used for phase-shifting are bulky. While autotransformers are used in several systems when isolation is not required, they themselves can be large in high power applications. Converting the input voltage into medium frequency (MF) or high frequency (HF) and using MF/HF transformers can significantly increase the power density. However, such a MF/HF ‘solid state auto-transformer’ (SSAT) has been difficult to realize. This paper presents a new doubly-fed SSAT concept for MPRs, where half of the power passes through a diode bridge directly and the other half flows through an SST to create the phase-shift (e.g. 30° for 12-pulse rectifier) with the original voltage before passing through the diode bridge. Simulation and preliminary experimental results based on a 12-pulse rectifier topology are provided in this paper as proof of the concept. Moreover, the proposed approach is compared with relevant MPR concepts from the literature with respect to size, efficiency, and cost.
Limnology of the Jackson Hole Area

During the course of the summer lakes were visited on 26 occasions. Because of difficulties in obtaining reagents for chemical analyses the planned work on the kinetics of nutrient uptake, a basis for evaluating Swan Lake as a chemostat, went for the most part undone. However, three experiments were performed as best possible, and the samples and data are being processed. Project Number 165.
The Informalization Of Lusaka’s Economy: Regime Change, Ultra Modern Markets, And Street Vending, 1972-2004

The ?war? between street vendors and local authority in Lusaka has continued on and off since the 1970s, if not earlier. This chapter sketches the broader context that has both prompted the recurrence of confrontations on the street and changed them. It relates these processes to redevelopment of some of Lusaka?s large markets. Poverty Strategy Reduction Program (PSRP) stresses that poverty reduction take place in a democratic society with open markets and a competitive business environment. Structural adjustment programs (SAP) and recent neo-liberal reforms have important ramifications across urban space, affecting the livelihoods of different population segments in unlike ways, sharpening social and spatial inequalities, and extending them in new ways. Globally promoted development policy since 1991 has encouraged foreign investment which in Lusaka largely has been directed toward retail. In popular representations in Zambia, 'freeing the market' comes close to mean opening it to external rather than local participation. Keywords: democratic society; Lusaka?s economy; poverty strategy reduction program (PSRP); structural adjustment programs (SAP); ultra modern markets
Neutronics Studies of the Gas-Carried Lithium Oxide Cooling-Breeding Fusion Reactor Blanket and Shield

The use of Li/sub 2/O pellets suspended in a stream of helium gas flowing through a fusion reactor blanket can serve the dual functions of tritium breeding and cooling. The neutronics properties, such as tritium breeding ratio and total nuclear heating, have been studied as functions of the enrichment of /sup 6/Li, the breeding and graphite zone thickness, and solid concentration in the suspension. The performance of the shield and the thermal reaction of the magnet in case of loss of coolant accident (LOCA) was also investigated. The radioactivity and afterheat in such blankets after shutdown were calculated.
Tracing the Origins of Salmonella Outbreaks

Salmonellosis is a serious illness transmitted by various serotypes of the Salmonella bacteria that are present as contaminants in chicken carcasses, eggs, and egg products. In a Perspective, BA¤umler and colleagues put forward the hypothesis that the increased incidence of food-borne Salmonella since the late 1960s is due to the emergence of one particular serotype, S. enteritidis, as a major poultry-associated pathogen. Through retrospective analysis of epidemiological data on the prevalence of Salmonella pathogens in humans and poultry, the authors propose that the culling of poultry infected with two related Salmonella serotypes (that carry a common antigen, O9) depleted flock immunity, enabling S. enteritidis to fill the niche left behind by the elimination of the avian pathogens.
Machine Learning Benchmarks and Random Forest Regression

Breiman (2001a,b) has recently developed an ensemble classification and regression approach that displayed outstanding performance with regard prediction error on a suite of benchmark datasets. As the base constituents of the ensemble are tree-structured predictors, and since each of these is constructed using an injection of randomness, the method is called ‘random forests’. That the exceptional performance is attained with seemingly only a single tuning parameter, to which sensitivity is minimal, makes the methodology all the more remarkable. The individual trees comprising the forest are all grown to maximal depth. While this helps with regard bias, there is the familiar tradeoff with variance. However, these variability concerns were potentially obscured because of an interesting feature of those benchmarking datasets extracted from the UCI machine learning repository for testing: all these datasets are hard to overfit using tree-structured methods. This raises issues about the scope of the repository. With this as motivation, and coupled with experience from boosting methods, we revisit the formulation of random forests and investigate prediction performance on real-world and simulated datasets for which maximally sized trees do overfit. These explorations reveal that gains can be realized by additional tuning to regulate tree size via limiting the number of splits and/or the size of nodes for which splitting is allowed. Nonetheless, even in these settings, good performance for random forests can be attained by using larger (than default) primary tuning parameter values.
The Art of Do Ho Suh: Traversing Two Cultures

Do Ho grew up in Korea as son of Se Ok Suh, a prominent South Korean ink painter, and completed a BFA and MFA in oriental painting at Seoul National University. After completing the mandatory military service in Korea, he came to the United States to fulfill his educational and professional dream as an artist. He earned a second BFA in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA in sculpture from Yale University. He currently lives and works in New York City and Seoul, traversing the lines of dual cultural and ethnic identities. His works of art represent ambivalence toward his life experiences with Confucian collectivism in Korea and individual egalitarianism in the United States.
Prenatal diagnosis of fetal cutaneous hemangioma: case report and review of the literature.

Hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors that represent the most common of all congenital anomalies. They usually involve the skin and subcutaneous tissues, but they also may involve skeletal muscle, heart, liver, bone, or central nervous system. Approximately three quarters of all hemangiomas are present at birth, with 60% of them occurring in the head and neck region
Straight Mutants of Spirillum volutans Can Swim

Nonhelical mutant cells of Spirillum volutans ATCC 19554 can swim as fast as the helical cells. Consequently, a helical cell shape is not required for motility of this species, and the function of the polar flagellar fascicles is not merely to cause rotation, and therefore translocation, of the corkscrew-shaped cell. Images
Patterns of substance use across the first year of college and associated risk factors

Starting college is a major life transition. This study aims to characterize patterns of substance use across a variety of substances across the first year of college and identify associated factors. We used data from the first cohort (N=2056, 1240 females) of the "Spit for Science" sample, a study of incoming freshmen at a large urban university. Latent transition analysis was applied to alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other illicit drug uses measured at the beginning of the fall semester and midway through the spring semester. Covariates across multiple domains - including personality, drinking motivations and expectancy, high school delinquency, peer deviance, stressful events, and symptoms of depression and anxiety - were included to predict the patterns of substance use and transitions between patterns across the first year. At both the fall and spring semesters, we identified three subgroups of participants with patterns of substance use characterized as: 1) use of all four substances; 2) alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use; and 3) overall low substance use. Patterns of substance use were highly stable across the first year of college: most students maintained their class membership from fall to spring, with just 7% of participants in the initial low substance users transitioning to spring alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis users. Most of the included covariates were predictive of the initial pattern of use, but covariates related to experiences across the first year of college were more predictive of the transition from the low to alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis user groups. Our results suggest that while there is an overall increase in alcohol use across all students, college students largely maintain their patterns of substance use across the first year. Risk factors experienced during the first year may be effective targets for preventing increases in substance use.
Quake hazard bill put off

The House version of an earthquake hazard reduction bill passed by the Senate in the aftermath of the October 17 northern California earthquake will not be voted on until after Congress reconvenes in January. The proposed legislation (H.R. 3533) would revamp the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program, a federally coordinated effort to learn more about earthquakes and how to prepare for them. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, National Science Foundation, and National Institute of Standards and Technology together spent $66 million in 1989 on NEHRP activities, which include modification of buildings and roads, monitoring seismic activity, and earthquake education.
Maternal IQ, Child IQ, behavior and achievement in urban 5–7 year olds

In one study of children in 27 families with maternal retardation, those children with higher IQ were more likely to have multiple behavior problems than those with lower IQ. If true, this result would affect clinical practice, but it has not been replicated. Since the setting of the initial observation is similar to the setting of childhood lead poisoning, we attempted a replication using data from the Treatment of Lead-exposed Children (TLC) study, in which 780 children aged 12–33 months with blood lead level 20–44 μg/dL were randomized to either succimer treatment or placebo and then followed up to 5 years. Of 656 mothers of TLC children with IQ measured, 113 demonstrated mental retardation (IQ < 70). Whether maternal IQ was less than 70 or over 70, children with IQ over 85 were rated more favorably on cognitive tests and behavioral questionnaires than children with IQ less than 85; these measures included Conners’ Parent Rating Scale-Revised at age 5, the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment at ages 5 and 7, and the Behavioral Assessment System for Children at age 7. Among children of mothers with IQ <70, those with IQ over 85 did not show more severe clinical behavioral problems, nor were they more likely to show multiple behavior problems. Children with higher IQ have fewer behavior problems, irrespective of the mother’s IQ. In the special setting of mothers with IQ < 70, children with higher IQ are not at greater risk of behavior problems.
Irritant contact dermatitis secondary to fiberglass: an unusual presentation

37-year-old white man presented with a 4-day history of an intensely pruritic eruption on both forearms. The symptoms began immediately after crawling over fiberglass insulation in his attic. The patient had been wearing long pants and a short-sleeved shirt, exposing his forearms to the insulation. By the third day, pustules had begun to form on both arms. Physical examination revealed multiple erythematous pustules on both forearms Scrapings from a pustule dissolved in 10% potassium hydroxide revealed numerous rectangular refractile crystals which were easily visualized under polarized light ( Fig. 2). A Gram stain of a pustule revealed numerous neutrophils and Gram-positive cocci in clusters. The patient was diagnosed with fiberglass dermatitis with secondary infection and was treated with a 14-day course of cephalexin, 250 mg per os four times a day. Figure 2. Refractile crystal under polarized light
Improving the valve-regulated lead–acid battery

Abstract This paper outlines some of the improvements in the performance of valve-regulated lead–acid (VRLA) batteries that have been accomplished during the course of the 1990s and considers further advancements which might be achievable. Attention is focused on those aspects of the battery that have been changed in order to convert the original, flooded (vented) design into a valve-regulated unit. Refinements of the components which were modified during the course of the flooded-valve-regulated conversion could be a productive endeavour as research workers strive to raise the life of the VRLA battery to match, and exceed, that of its flooded predecessor.
Medical evaluation referral patterns for sexual abuse victims

It has been recommended that all children suspected of being sexually abused should have medical evaluations. To better understand practices and perceptions of child sexual abuse medical evaluations, a survey was conducted of 579 professionals attending educational programs on child sexual abuse; 85.8% (N = 497) responded. Half (50%) of the respondents reported no previous training in child sexual abuse. Of the 336 nonphysician professionals, 194 (57.7%) were in positions where they make referrals of the victims, and 69% of these did not refer all of the children they saw for medical evaluations. The first referral choice for medical evaluation was most often to the victim's primary physician (57%). For those professionals who did not refer all alleged victims for medical evaluation, neither the victims' age, gender, nor accessibility to care were generally considered relevant in determining the decision to refer. However, the type of abuse and presence of physical and psychological symptoms were considered relevant in making the decision. The majority indicated that the findings of the medical exam were very useful in substantiating or refuting the allegation of abuse. Further training for both medical and nonmedical professionals is needed to increase awareness of the need for and implications of the medical evaluation if children are to receive comprehensive assessments. Physicians may play an active role in this process through education of professionals and provision of care.
Paenibacillus associated with milky disease in Central and South American scarabs.

Thirty-one isolates of bacteria causing milky disease in scarab larvae collected in Central and South America were identified as Paenibacillus popilliae or Paenibacillus lentimorbus by use of DNA similarity analysis. The isolates were more similar to each other than to the North American isolates that are the type strains of the species. All of the bacteria of both species produced parasporal bodies, a characteristic previously believed to be unique to P. popilliae. Screening of the bacteria using PCR with parasporal protein primers revealed differences among the parasporal protein genes of P. popilliae isolates and between the parasporal genes of P. popilliae and P. lentimorbus. In contrast to P. popilliae from North America, none of the isolates from Central and South America was resistant to vancomycin, an indication of an interesting geographic distribution of the resistance genes.
Brief Therapy: An Adolescent Invention

Solution-focused, brief art therapy treatment with adolescents is the theme of this paper. Long before the formula for brief therapy was created, adolescent youths demanded short-term exposure to t...
Adsorption kinetics for the case of setp and S‐shape isotherms

The kinetics of diffusion in a spherical pellet saturated by a sorbate in the presence of an inert component are considered for the case of a step isotherm. A new convective flux inside the pores due to sorption effect has been taken into consideration, and an analytical expression for sorption kinetics is obtained. The convective flux may result in considerable increase in the sorption rate. It is also found that the formula obtained also gives a satisfactory description of sorption kinetics for the case of an S-shaped isotherm. Most notably the step isotherm describes the behavior of the systems: hydrogen and a hydride-forming metal (intermetallic compound) which have recently been increasingly used in the hydrogen energy technologies because of their ability to absorb hydrogen and its isotopes quickly, reversibly, selectively and copiously.
Structure and regulation of the rat 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor

Abstract Complementary DNA clones encoding the entire rat 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor were isolated, and the total 423-amino acid sequence was deduced. The amino acid sequence of the rat receptor is similar but not identical to the reported human receptor sequence. The cysteine-rich DNA-binding domain is completely conserved and the steroid-binding domain is greater than 93% conserved between rat and human. The cDNA was used as a probe in blot analysis of polyadenylylated RNA to show that the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor mRNA is a single 4.4-kilobase mRNA that is expressed in intestine and kidney, slightly expressed in heart, and not detectable in liver and spleen. The receptor mRNA concentration is markedly increased during development of the rat intestine between day 14 and day 21, in accord with previous results obtained by measurement of receptor concentration by ligand binding or immunoblotting.
Survival and Fate of Salmonella enterica serovar Montevideo in Adult Horn Flies (Diptera: Muscidae)

ABSTRACT Contamination of cattle peripheral lymph nodes with Salmonella enterica is proposed to occur via a transdermal route of entry. If so, bacteria may be introduced to cattle by biting arthropods. Biting flies, such as horn flies (Haematobia irritans irritans (L.)) (Diptera: Muscidae), are intriguing candidates for transmitting Salmonella to cattle because they provide a route of entry when they breach the skin barrier during blood feeding. Using a green fluorescent protein-expressing strain of Salmonella Montevideo (S. Montevideo-GFP), the current study demonstrated that horn fly grooming subsequent to tactile exposure to the bacteria resulted in acquisition of the bacteria on mouthparts as well as microbial ingestion. Consumption of a bloodmeal containing ≈102, ≈104, or ≈106 S. Montevideo-GFP resulted in horn fly colonization for up to 72 h postingestion (PI). Epifluorescent microscopy indicated that the bacteria were not localized to the crop but were observed within the endoperitrophic space, sug...
α-Naphthylamine and β-Naphthylamine in Cigarette Smoke

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL data suggest an association between cigarette smoking and urinary bladder cancer in men1–3. In mice experimental application of cigarette smoke has led only to inflammation and hyperplasia of the bladder mucosa, but not to histologically proven bladder tumours4. Recently, however, tumours were reported in the renal pelvis of mice painted with “refined cigarette tar”5. These observations suggest the need for investigations of bladder carcinogens in cigarette smoke. Two earlier attempts failed to prove the presence of some of the known experimental bladder carcinogens in the group of aromatic amines6,7. Recently, naphthylamines were found to be formed on pyrolysis from amino-acids8. This communication describes the identification and quantitative determination of α and β-naphthylamine in cigarette smoke.
Induction of stromelysin-1 and collagenase synthesis in fibrochondrocytes by tumor necrosis factor-α

Stromelysin-1 and collagenase mRNA levels were assayed in fibrochondrocytes by Northern blot analysis at 0, 2, 4, 8 and 24 h after stimulation with tissue necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Peak collagenase mRNA levels occurred 24 h after stimulation and were increased nine-fold over the level at time 0. Stromelysin-1 mRNA levels peaked 8 h after stimulation, with a five-fold increase over the level at time 0. A TNF-alpha dose-related response to both collagenase and stromelysin-1 mRNA accumulation was also demonstrated. Confirmation of the presence of secreted metallo-proteinases in the conditioned media was established by immunoprecipitation of stromelysin-1 and Western blotting of collagenase. Both enzymes were secreted in latent forms. Consistent with stromelysin-1 activity, substrate gels demonstrated a doublet of caseinase activity with molecular masses at 57 kDa and 59 kDa in TNF-alpha stimulated samples. Collagenase assays of conditioned media also demonstrated a significant increase in collagenase activity after stimulation by TNF-alpha. While epidermal growth factor had a minimal effect on stromelysin-1 and collagenase expression, transforming growth factor-beta, and insulin-like growth factor-1 did not induce either enzyme activity.
On maximum achievable speeds for field solvers

Purpose – Prompted by the empirical evidence that achievable flow solver speeds for large problems are limited by what appears to be a time of the order of O(0.1) sec/timestep regardless of the number of cores used, the purpose of this paper is to identify why this phenomenon occurs. Design/methodology/approach – A series of timing studies, as well as in-depth analysis of memory and inter-processors transfer requirements were carried out for a typical field solver. The results were analyzed and compared to the expected performance. Findings – The analysis shows that at present flow speeds per core are already limited by the achievable transfer rate to RAM. For smaller domains/larger number of processors, the limiting speed of CFD solvers is given by the MPI communication network. Research limitations/implications – This implies that at present, there is a “limiting useful size” for domains, and that there is a lower limit for the time it takes to update a flowfield. Practical implications – For practical ...
Statistical mechanics of nonlinear wave equations. 3. Metric transitivity for hyperbolic sine-gordon

McKean and Vaninsky proved that the canonical measuree−Hd∞Q d∞P based upon the Hamiltonian\(H = \smallint [\tfrac{1}{2}P^2 + \tfrac{1}{2}(Q')^2 + F(Q)]dx\) of the wave equation ∂2Q/∂t2 - ∂2Q/∂x2 +f(Q) = 0 with restoring forcef(Q)=F'(Q) is preserved by the associated flow ofQ andP =Q⋅, and they conjectured that metric transitivity prevails,always on the whole line, and likewise on the circleunless f(Q)=Q orf(Q)=shQ. Here, the metric transitivity is proved for the whole line in the second case. The proof employs the beautiful “d'Alembert formula” of Krichever.
New Techniques in Mass Analysis

The availability of separated isotopes to physicists, biologists, and chemists has presented new problems in the field of tracer techniques. Until recently mass spectrographic and radioactive tracer methods have been used almost uniquely and with considerable success in such isotopic evaluation problems. However, it is recognized that many other physical methods lend themselves to the analysis of isotopes in samples. This paper will discuss several recent applications of tools of physicists other than mass spectrographs and radioactive tracer methods. By way of summary, these fields are: optical spectroscopy, nuclear resonance spectroscopy, and microwave spectroscopy. The methods might well be called spectro-isotopic procedures in that they are based on the characteristic electromagnetic spectra of isotopes (see Table I).
Corrigendum to “Development and characterization of 5 canine B-cell lymphoma cell lines” [Leuk. Res. 36(5) (2011) 601–606]

The authors recently published an article entitled “Development and characterization of 5 canine B-cell lymphoma cell lines.” Leuk Res. 012 May;36(5):601–6. Epub 2011 Dec 1. As a result of the publication, we have fulfilled several requests to distribute cell lines to other esearchers. Through this additional testing, it came to our attention that the current supply of cell lines may have been contaminated y human tissue. We repeated the test result, and additionally performed chromosomal analysis to confirm that this was the case. The istorical cell line reserves that we have maintained are unfortunately also contaminated with human tissue, and we do not currently ave stock of uncontaminated canine cell lines. The oldest reserves we hold were frozen within several months of the experiments we erformed for the data in the paper. For this reason, we cannot with absolute certainty know that the results reported are only those of anine lymphoma cells. Evidence to support the initial culture of canine cell lines is the presence of 2 isoforms of P21 protein (figure 4) hich are seen in canine samples and not human samples (Zhang et al. Mol Cancer Res 2009;7(1). January 2009). We sincerely regret that the material was contaminated, however wish to be proactive in correcting any consequences of this finding. e will cease to provide further samples to other researchers due to the contamination issue. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Stages and determinants of fertilizer use in semiarid African agriculture: the Niger experience

Fertilization is a stepwise decision in Niger. Survey data from a representative sample of 100 households were utilized with individual and joint estimation to evaluate the determinants of fertilizer use at its three different stages: manure alone and two different types of inorganic fertilizer application. The fertilizer price relative to the millet price was always a highly significant determinant of fertilizer adoption. Farmers' experience in seeing the results of fertilization in the field was a principal factor influencing the use of manure and of the micro-fertilization. Other studies in semiarid regions have emphasized risk, liquidity, or fertilizer responsiveness under harsh conditions but the shift to the micro doses of inorganic fertilizer was statistically associated here with the demonstration trials and the price ratios (fertilizer/millet). A variable reflecting the millet price recovery approximately 6 months after harvest was the most important factor in the decision to raise further inorganic fertilizer use with side dressing. Policy implications were focused on the importance of demonstration trials and improvements in the economic conditions (millet–fertilizer price ratios).
Lung Cancer Staging: Proteomics

The results of ACOSOG Z4031 may provide landmark information for the use of proteomic profiling to diagnose lung cancer noninvasively and to provide more accurate predictions of survival. Although the technological developments allowing generalized use of proteomic and genomic analyses are relatively recent, major progress in understanding the molecular basis of lung cancer has been made. Predicting survival is only the first step in the use of proteomics. If a reliable protein profile can be identified that is associated with poor prognosis, these proteins can then be identified and become therapeutic targets. It is not difficult to envision a day when a simple blood test will diagnose a lung cancer, perhaps even before it is clinically apparent, and, at the same time, identify the chemotherapeutic agents to which the tumor is sensitive, allowing individually directed treatment.
Experiments in Temperature and Precipitation Forecasting for Illinois

Abstract Six years of daily temperature and precipitation forecasting are studied for Urbana, Illinois. Minimum temperature forecast skills, measured against a climatological control, are 57%, 48%, 34% and 20% for the respective forecast ranges of one, two, three, and four days. Maximum temperature skills are comparable. Precipitation probability skills of 29%, 19%, 6% and −2% are found for the same respective forecast ranges. However, our skill in predicting precipitation amount, given that a measurable quantity occurs, is only 17% at the first day range and negligible thereafter. An examination of objective National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts shows this guidance to be slightly less skillful than our consensus in forecasting temperature and precipitation. Some temporal improvement is found in both the consensus and guidance temperature forecasts, but none can be found in the more difficult problem of forecasting precipitation. Significant warm and dry biases are frequently found in both our consensu...
Supporting self-evaluation in local government via Knowledge Discovery and Data mining

Abstract The business sector has already recognized the importance of information flow for good management, with many businesses adopting new technology in data mining and data warehousing for intelligent operation based on free flow of information. Free flow of information in government agencies is just as important. For example, in child welfare, entities that fund social services programs have increasingly demanded improved outcomes for clients in return for continued financial support. To this end, most child welfare agencies are paying more attention to the outcomes of children in their care. In North Carolina, many county departments of social services have successfully adopted the self-evaluation model to monitor the effects of their programs on the outcomes of children. Such efforts in self-evaluation require good information flow from state division of social services to county departments of social services. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive KDD (Knowledge Discovery and Data mining) information system that could upgrade information flow in government agencies. We present the key elements of the information system and demonstrate how such a system could be successfully implemented via a case study in North Carolina. The next generation infrastructure in digital government must incorporate such information system to enable effective information flow in government agencies without compromising individual privacy.
Three-Dimensional Structure of the Human Plasmin α2-Macroglobulin Complex

Abstract The three-dimensional reconstructions of the human plasmin α 2 -macroglobulin binary complex were computed from electron microscopy images of stain and frozen-hydrated specimens. The structures show excellent agreement and reveal a molecule with approximate dimensions of 170 (length) × 140 (width) × 140 A (depth). The asymmetric plasmin structure imparts significant asymmetry to the plasmin α 2 -macroglobulin complex not seen in the structures resulting from the reaction of α 2 -macroglobulin with methylamine or chymotrypsin. The structure shows, when combined with other studies, that the C-terminal catalytic domain of the rod-shaped plasmin molecule is entrapped inside of the α 2 -macroglobulin cavity, whereas its N-terminal kringle domains protrude outside one end between the two arm-like features of the transformed α 2 -macroglobulin structure. This arrangement ensures that the catalytic site of plasmin is prevented from degrading plasma proteins. The internalized C-terminal portion of the plasmin structure resides primarily on the major axis of α 2 -macroglobulin, suggesting that after the initial cleavage of the two bait domains and the thiol esters, the rod-shaped plasmin molecule enters the α 2 -macroglobulin cavity through the large openings afforded by the half-transformed structure. This mode of entrapment requires the untwisting and the separation of the two strands that constitute the α 2 -macroglobulin structure.
The effects of composition and order on the superconducting properties of the A-15 phase of Nb-Pt☆

Abstract The effect of composition and order on the superconducting transition temperature, T c , and lattice parameter, a o , of the A-15 phase of Nb-Pt is reported. T c is found to be sharply peaked at the stoichiometric composition, falling off roughly linearly with an average slope of about 1.5 K per at.% on both sides of stoichiometry. The observed lattice parameters for the A-15 phase field can be explained on the basis of a modified Geller model in which the effective radius of a Nb atom depends upon whether it occupies a Nb or Pt site.
A METHOD FOR THE DETECTION AND QUANTIFICATION OF IMPAIRED SODIUM EXCRETION. RESULTS OF AN ORAL SODIUM TOLERANCE TEST IN NORMAL SUBJECTS AND IN PATIENTS WITH HEART DISEASE.

An oral sodium tolerance test was devised to detect and quantify impaired Na excretion in patients with heart failure. Following a 4-day period during which daily Na intake was limited to 10 mEq., 80 mEq. of Na were administered daily for 4 days and 150 mEq. for another 4 days. The total urinary Na excretion during the 8-day test period was determined. Thirteen normal subjects excreted between 550 and 734 mEq. of Na. Of 41 patients with heart disease, 31 excreted subnormal amounts of Na, between 10 and 550 mEq. and only 10 excreted normal quantities. An alternate plan, in which 320 mEq. of Na was administered in 8 days, was also utilized in patients in whom the standard 920-mEq. Na load was considered inadvisable. There was no correlation between the impairment of Na excretion, as estimated by the Na tolerance test, and the etiology of the heart disease, the glomerular filtration rate, or any hemodynamic variable. Patients with marked functional disability excreted less Na than those with few symptoms, and the patients with the most severe impairment of Na excretion all had a history of edema. Striking improvement in Na tolerance followed corrective cardiac operations. The Na tolerance test was found of particular usefulness in the evaluation of patients in whom clinical examination and hemodynamic studies gave no conclusive evidence as to the presence or absence of congestive heart failure.