cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development and Application of an Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian Solver for Turbomachinery Aeromechanics

This paper describes the development and application of turbomachinery aeromechanics arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian 3-D, an arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian finite-element-coupled fluid―structure interaction solver, to axial and radial flow turbomachinery aeromechanics issues. The incorporation of turbomachinery-specific algorithms enables the analysis of crack generation in the inlet guide vanes of a modern transonic compressor due to resonant vibrations generated by the potential/shock field of the downstream rotor. The capability to model turbulent wake forcing functions makes possible predictions of the resonant vibratory stress resulting from the subsonic rotor wakes interacting with the downstream stators. The modification of outflow boundary conditions to model incoming acoustic waves allows the unsteady aerodynamic response of a high-speed centrifugal compressor impeller to the potential field/shock excitation generated by the downstream radial-vaned diffuser to be simulated. Finally, the impeller blade aerodynamic damping is calculated to quantify the effect of blade-motion-induced aerodynamics at the exducer. The results make a case that, with increasing computing capacity, coupled fluid―structure interaction methods can become the approach of choice for high cycle fatigue design predictions.
Agricultural Insurance in Developed Countries: Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going?

Agricultural insurance in developed countries originates in named peril products that were originally offered by private companies approximately two hundred years ago, first in Europe and then in the United States. Today, many agricultural insurance products are offered, most of them heavily subsidized by governments. In the context of developed economies, this article examines the evolution of agricultural insurance products, the economics of the demand and supply sides of agricultural insurance markets, and the economic welfare, political economy, and trade relation implications of private and public agricultural insurance in developed countries.
Preproenkephalin mRNA expression in rat dorsal striatum induced by selective activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype-5.

Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1 and mGluR5 subtypes) are positively coupled to phosphoinositide hydrolysis through G-proteins and are densely expressed in medium-sized projection neurons of striatum. Selective activation of Group I mGluRs upregulates preproenkephalin (PPE) mRNA expression in the rat dorsal striatum. This study investigated the role of one subtype of Group I receptors, mGluR5, in the regulation of PPE mRNA expression in the rat dorsal striatum using quantitative in situ hybridization. Unilateral injection of the mGluR5 selective agonist (RS)-2-Chloro-5-hydroxyphenylglycine (CHPG) into the dorsal striatum (caudoputamen) of chronically cannulated rats at doses of 50 and 200 nmol elevated basal levels of PPE mRNA in the injected dorsal striatum. The induction of PPE mRNA was evident at 1 h, remained at 3 h, and returned to normal level 6 h after CHPG injection. Pretreatment with an mGluR5 selective antagonist 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl) pyridine hydrochloride (MPEP) at a dose of 10 mg/kg (i.p.) blocked CHPG-stimulated PPE expression. MPEP also attenuated PPE expression induced by dopamine D2 receptor blockade with eticlopride (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.). Administration of MPEP alone had no significant effects on basal levels of PPE mRNA in the striatum. The results from the present study demonstrate that glutamatergic tone on mGluR5 possesses the ability to positively regulate PPE gene expression in striatal neurons in vivo. Moreover, activation of mGluR5 participates in the mediation of D2 antagonist-induced PPE expression. Synapse 47:255–261, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Modulators of intracellular calcium

The importance of calcium in excitation-contraction coupling in both cardiac and vascular smooth muscle has resulted in an intense research interest into the intracellular regulation of this ion. Selective foci for the modulation of intracellular calcium include the interaction of calcium with the contractile protein apparatus, sites of calcium release and sequestration, and pathways for the extrusion of calcium into the extracellular space. Research efforts directed towards elucidating these phenomena have met with varied degrees of success. The presence of different calcium regulatory systems for contractile protein function, i.e., troponin in cardiac and calmodulin-myosin light chain kinase in vascular, provides an attractive rationale for the design of selective compounds. The inherent difficulty in studying intracellular release and sequestration presently presently precludes examining the physiological implications of specific inhibition of these phenomena. However, the apparent absence of a sodium-dependent calcium extrusion pathway in vascular tissue may lead to the design of novel cardiotonics. It is anticipated that further clarification of the similarities and differences in the calcium cycle between these tissues will result in the development of tissue-selective therapeutic agents.
High-grade atrioventricular block during dipyridamole stress testing

Dipyridamole stress testing may be used in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease and risk assessment of patients who are unable to exercise. Although dipyridamole perfusion imaging has a good safety record, serious side-effects may rarely occur. We present a case in which dipyridamole induced high-grade atrioventricular (AV) block that responded promptly to intravenous aminophylline but not to atropine.
Learning motion discrimination with suppressed MT

We studied perceptual learning in motion discrimination when the brain's middle temporal area (MT/V5) was functionally suppressed. This was achieved by using the "paired-dots" motion stimulus where the two dots in a pair always move in counter-phase over a short distance [J. Neurosci. 14 (1994) 7357]. The motion directional signal of the stimulus is therefore always 0 on average. As a result, this stimulus activates MT in Rhesus monkeys no more than flicker noise does [J. Neurosci. 14 (1994) 7367]. We added a new manipulation to eliminate the Glass pattern in the original stimulus that would have otherwise provided a static orientation cue. Two such new motion stimuli were presented sequentially, in a 2AFC task. Subjects decided if the global motion-axis of the stimuli changed clockwise or counter-clockwise. When the task difficulty was set at 60% correct, none of the subjects could learn with feedback, even though their performance was well above chance. However, when the task difficulty was set instead at 70% correct, a new group of subjects was able to learn. Hence, learning motion discrimination was possible when MT was presumably eliminated.
Dermatoses among poultry workers: "chicken poison disease"

To investigate the causes of skin eruptions affecting poultry workers, we reviewed our medical records and surveyed a southcentral Pennsylvania poultry processing plant. Examination of the records of routine patch test clinic patients seen from January, 1981, to July, 1982, revealed three poultry workers with allergic contact dermatitis and one with irritant contact dermatitis. We then examined one hundred fifty workers at a poultry processing plant, noting the presence of occupational dermatoses, with special interest in the occurrence of contact dermatitis. We found thirteen dermatoses in nine workers. These included Candida infections, irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, abrasions and cuts, warts, and dyshidrotic eczema.
Towards a two-dimensional separation of concerns (poster session)

As the size and requirements of software systems increase, their design has reached a complexity that requires software engineers to revisit the principle of separation of concerns [5]. Traditional software organization has been performed along some form of functional decomposition. Different paradigms and languages support the implementation, and composition of sub-parts into whole systems through the availability of some modular unit of functionality (component). In essence, traditional software decomposition and current programming languages have been mutually supportive [4]. At the same time, separation of concerns can only be beneficial if the different concerns can be effectively composed to produce the overall system. The OOP paradigm seems to work well only if the problem to be solved can be described with relatively simple interfaces among objects. Unfortunately, this is not the case when we move from sequential programming to concurrent programming where the component interaction violates simple object interfaces. One of the reasons behind this is the inherent structure of today's software systems that conceptually does not lead itself to a safe decomposition. As a result, the benefits associated with OOP no longer hold. Component interactions limit reuse and make it difficult to validate the design and correctness of software systems. Reengineering of these systems is needed in order to meet future changes in requirements. This component interaction is based on a number of properties that affect the semantics or the performance of the system and do not localize well in one modular unit, but tend to cut-across groups of components resulting in a “code tangling” [4]. Example cross-cutting properties (or aspects) include synchronization, scheduling, and fault tolerance. This code tangling destroys modularity, making the source code difficult to develop and difficult to understand. It also limits reuse, making the source code difficult to evolve. It further makes programs more error prone. In essence, it destroys the quality of the software. In [1] the authors refer to these phenomena as “composition anomalies”. This composition anomaly requires a shift in the methodologies used to separate concerns. In conjunction with modular composition, adaptability and reuse remain major issues to be considered while building complex software systems. Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP) [4] is an emerging methodology that addresses components and aspects at the analysis and design phase of the software life-cycle, using mechanisms to compose them at the implementation level with a growing number of different technologies.
ADDENDUM TO “CATALOGUE OF THE DIATOM GENERA”

This addendum to “Catalogue of the diatom genera” (Fourtanier & Kociolek, Diatom Research, 14, 1–190, 1999) includes nomenclatural information for 93 generic names, most of which were published in the last 6 years. The data for each name include authorship, place of publication with pages on which the protologue appears, date of publication, generitype, nomenclatural status and systematic position of the genus.
Effects of Culture Fluids and Preinduction of Chitinase Production on Biocontrol of Bipolaris Leaf Spot by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia C3

Abstract Control of leaf spot, caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana, on tall fescue and perennial ryegrass by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia C3 was enhanced in growth chamber and field experiments by application of bacterial cells in culture fluids as compared to phosphate buffer. C3 population levels on leaves were up to 0.8 log units higher when applied with culture fluid than with phosphate buffer. Although fluids alone were inhibitory to conidial germination and leaf spot development, there was a synergistic effect when combined with C3 cells. Fluids from broth cultures with chitin as the carbon source were more inhibitory than those containing glucose, and the suppressiveness of a culture fluid was related to the age of the culture from which it was collected. Both of these effects were associated with the production of high levels of chitinase (EC 3.2.1.14), protease (EC 3.4.21-24), β-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.58), and lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) in the fluid. Culture fluids had a durable protective effect, inhibiting disease development even when applied 9 days before inoculation, and had a therapeutic effect if applied within 3 days after inoculation. When chitin was applied with C3 cells preinduced or noninduced for chitinase production (i.e., grown on chitin-containing or chitin-lacking media, respectively) biocontrol efficacy was significantly increased over either cell type without chitin, but the addition of chitin did not always increase colonization by C3. In general, preinduced cells were more effective than noninduced cells. The most effective field treatment was the combination of chitin with induced cells in culture fluid.
Synthesis and thermal characterization of polybenzoxazines based on acetylene-functional monomers

Abstract The high thermal stability of this class of polybenzoxazines is a combined result of polymerization of acetylene terminal functional group and oxazine ring-opening polymerization. The high char yield achieved for this class of materials is in the range of 71–81% by weight at 800°C in a nitrogen atmosphere and 30% by weight at 700°C in air as it is determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Temperature at 10% weight loss (T10%) is in the range of 520–600°C. The polymerization and post-cure reactions of these benzoxazines are studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The char formation of the blend of an acetylene-functional benzoxazine with an analogous benzoxazine without acetylene group is also studied by TGA.
Growth conditions, compact perturbations and operator subdecomposability, with applications to generalized Cesàro operators

Abstract We adapt recent results of Albrecht and Ricker to obtain conditions under which growth constraints on the left resolvent of a Banach space operator are preserved under suitable perturbations. As an application, we establish Bishop's property ( β ) for certain generalized Cesaro operators on the classical Hardy spaces H p , 1 p ∞ . Our methods also apply to unilateral weighted shifts whose weight sequence converges sufficiently rapidly as well as to perturbations of restrictions of a class of generalized scalar operators.
Effect of superconducting electrons on the energy splitting of tunneling systems.

We consider the effect of superconducting electrons on the magnitude of the energy splitting of a tunneling system. A specific example is a hydrogen atom tunneling in niobium. We find that in this case the splitting is roughly 20% smaller in the normal state than in the superconducting state. This difference in the splitting should be observable in neutron scattering and ultrasonic measurements.
Options and Considerations for Adaptive Laboratory Experiments

Motivated by laboratory experiments that fail to reach significance, we developed a small sample size approach to designing a subsequent experiment that controls overall type I error and achieves sufficient conditional power. We focus on experiments with leukemia cells, and use a specific example in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia to discuss unanticipated patient variance and difficult to predict interaction effect sizes. We emphasize the importance of achieving significance in the first run of an experiment, which results in simplifying the multiple considerations usually associated with interim analysis and decision making in adaptive clinical trials. Within the context of combination testing for an adaptive laboratory experiment, we show that a range of reasonable options for the futility cut-off, effect size estimation, and significance level for the first run provide similar power and expected overall sample size. We contrast this approach to a naive procedure in which a second unplanned experiment is run based on non-significance in the first experiment, and data are combined as if they were obtained from one run.
Pseudopotential local-spin-density calculations for Si 2

Pseudopotential local-spin-density calculations of the bond lengths, vibrational energies, and dissociation energies for the $^{3}\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{g}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, $^{3}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{u}$, and two $^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{g}^{+}$ states of the silicon dimer have been performed. The bond lengths are within 1% and the vibrational frequencies are within 5% of experimental values. The dissociation energy of the ground state is larger than experiment by \ensuremath{\sim}1.25 eV. These results are near the limits of accuracy of the local-spin-density approximation.
Zinc Homeostasis in Breast-Fed Infants

The needs for dietary zinc are adequately met by most fully breast-fed infants despite relatively low zinc intakes in relation to estimated requirements. The objective of this study was to use stable isotope techniques to evaluate how zinc retention is achieved in normal fully breast-fed infants. Nine male infants, aged 2-5 mo, were fed expressed human milk labeled with70 Zn over a 24-h period. Complete fecal collections were obtained for 8 d. On d 4-7, a metabolic period was initiated which included test weighing and milk sampling, to measure zinc intake, and daily urine collections. Isotopic enrichment of fecal and urine samples was determined by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. Results included a mean (±SD) dietary zinc intake of 17.8 ± 6.6 μmol/d; fractional absorption of 0.54 ± 0.075; and total absorbed zinc of 9.5 ± 3.5 μmol/d. Mean endogenous fecal zinc, determined on seven infants by isotope dilution, was 4.7 ± 2.3μmol/d, which resulted in a mean net absorption of 4.8 ± 3.4μmol/d. The results of the study indicated that, for fully breast-fed infants, it is the combination of a relatively high fractional absorption and efficient conservation of intestinal endogenous zinc that results in zinc retention adequate to meet the demands of growth in the face of modest intake.
Persistence of carbendazim in field‐grown soybeans following application of thiophanate‐methyl fungicide

Carbendazim was quantified spectrophotometrically in leaves, petioles, stems and pods from upper and lower halves of entire soybean plants following one or two foliar applications of thiophanate-methyl fungicide (1.1 kg ha−1 a.i.). Following the first application, the highest carbendazim concentrations occurred 1-4 days post-application and declined thereafter to undetectable (⩽0.12 mg kg−1) or barely detectable levels by day 26. The highest concentrations were in the leaves where carbendazim levels exceeded 3.5 mg kg−1 on day 4 and remained above 1.0 mg kg−1 until day 19. Concentrations in petioles and upper pods were initially in excess of 1.0 mg kg−1 and remained above 0.5 mg kg−1 for 12 days. In lower pods and in stems, concentrations were very low and often not detectable. Typically, concentrations were higher in samples from the upper half of the plant than in those from the lower half. A second application on day 18 resulted in carbendazim concentrations similar to those immediately after the first application; however, concentrations declined rapidly coincidentally with a period of rain. This decline may have been facilitated by poor fungicide uptake due to senescence of the plants.
Parameterizing subgrid-scale eddy effects using energetically consistent backscatter

Abstract In the near future we expect the resolution of many IPCC-class ocean models to enter the “eddy-permitting” regime. At this resolution models can produce reasonable eddy-like disturbances, but can still not properly resolve geostrophic eddies at all relevant scales. Adequate parameterizations representing sub-grid eddy effects are thus necessary. Most eddy-permitting models presently employ some kind of hyper-viscosity, which is shown to cause a significant amount of energy dissipation. However, comparison to higher resolution simulations shows that only enstrophy, but almost no energy, should be dissipated below the grid-scale. As a result of the artificial energy sink associated with viscous parameterizations, the eddy fields in eddy permitting models are generally not energetic enough. To overcome this problem, we propose a class of sub-grid parameterizations which dissipate enstrophy but little or no energy. The idea is to combine a standard hyperviscous closure with some mechanism to return dissipated energy to the resolved flow. Enstrophy dissipation remains ensured because the energy is returned at larger scales. Two simple ways to return the energy are proposed: one using a stochastic excitation and one using a negative Laplacian viscosity. Both approaches are tested in an idealized two-layer quasi-geostrophic model. Either approach is shown to greatly improve the solutions in simulations with typical eddy-permitting resolutions. The adaptation of the proposed parameterization for use in realistic ocean models is discussed.
The use of rectal thiopental for pre-anaesthetic hypnosis (cases 1947-1961).

Since 1947 rectal thiopental 2 per cent in a dosage of 10 mg. per pound of body weight has been used at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Victoria to achieve preanaesthetic hypnosis in more than 10,153 paediatric cases. We have found this method to be safe, reliable, and relatively easy to institute on the paediatric ward. It confers psychological advantages upon patient, anaesthetist, attending staff on the ward and in the operating room, and upon parents. Mortality has been nil, and morbidity, if any, has not been of measurable qlinical significance in this series.
Electron pairing correlations in a Kondo metal

Abstract Using part of the s-d exchange interaction in a reduced hamiltonian, we construct a variational ground state based on electron-hole pairing. The model is motivated by and compared with de Haas-van Alphen data on Cu : Cr.
A cross-national comparison of contraception and abortion laws

Although there have been a number of descriptive studies of the population policies of nations throughout the world, no systematic study that employs standardized population policy measures has been carried out. Employing recent United Nations data this study develops a contraceptive policy measure related to the sale and distribution of pills, condoms and IUDs throughout the world. United Nations data is also employed to differentiate abortion policies throughout the world. Dividing the nations of the world into developed, developing and underdeveloped nations, the previously mentioned measures are related to the socioeconomic, political, demographic and medical characteristics of the nations. The contraceptive policy measures are found to be significantly linked with infant mortality rates, while the abortion policy measures are found to be linked with the religious and political characteristics of the nations. Comparing these two policy measures for a subset of the nations, it is found that different factors are predictive of these two policy measures. The paper concludes by arguing that population researchers should see these two population control measures as involving two different types of population control.
Experimental characterization of the radar backscatter response of natural surfaces at 222 GHz

This paper examines recently measured polarimetric radar backscatter data of different types of bare and vegetation-covered surfaces at 222 GHz. Bare surfaces, such as asphalt, dirt, and concrete, are electrically rough with aggregate sizes comparable to the wavelength. This results in substantial volume and surface scattering. The data show strong angular dependence of the backscatter response from bare surfaces and significant depolarization between −8 dB and −4 dB. The data for vegetation-covered surfaces show weak dependence on incidence angle with appreciable depolarization between −12 dB and −6 dB.
Temporal form of shock is a determinant of magnitude of interference with escape-avoidance learning produced by exposure to inescapable shock

The influence of differing temporal forms of inescapable shock on movement during shock and subsequent interference with escape-avoidance learning in the rat was examined using procedures patterned after those of Overmier and Seligman (1967). Results indicated that a series of inescapable shocks of an intermittent nature produced sustained movement during shock and no subsequent interference, whereas comparable exposure to a series of noninterrupted shocks resulted in immobility during shock and marked interference. Several interpretations of these findings were discussed and their implications for theoretical conceptions of the interference phenomenon were explored.
EEG correlates of behavior in the cat. I. Pattern discrimination and its alteration by atropine and LSD-25.

Abstract 1. 1. Electrophysiological changes associated with the acquisition and retention of two visual pattern tasks in cats were found principally in the visual system (lateral geniculate and the visual area of the lateral gyrus), the midbrain reticular formation and the anterior ventral nucleus of the thalamus. 2. 2. A comparison of EEG correlates of acquisition of the two behaviors failed to reveal consistent differences. Instead, a parallel, gradual development of evoked responses during initial training occurred. During overtraining, in the single pattern there was a diminution of evoked activity; however, this was not marked in the two pattern situation. 3. 3. Atropine sulfate was found to increase latency or abolish response in a single pattern discrimination task. In a two pattern discrimination task, atropine increased response latency, caused errors of commission, and finally blocked responding in a dose related sequence. The drug effects were related to central rather than peripheral action as demonstrated by the lack of effect of atropine methylnitrate under the same conditions. The behavioral deficits were accompanied by slow waves and high voltage bursts in the spontaneous EEG from neocortical, hippocampal and subcortical areas, while the evoked responses to the conditioning stimulus during the trials were delayed in onset and increased in amplitude in the visual system as compared to the pre-drug trials. 4. 4. The effects of LSD-25 were characterized by errors of commission in both behavioral tasks. The behavioral alterations were associated with rhythmic slow wave bursts in the spontaneous EEG from neocortical and subcortical areas, and the evoked responses to the conditioning stimulus during correct trials were increased in the visual system. 5. 5. Differences in evoked responses between correct and incorrect trials were striking in the single but not in the two pattern task, but error trials were not different under either drug from controls.
Effects of elasticity on the nonlinear collective dynamics of self-propelled particles

Abstract Some rodlike self-propelled particles form collective structures because of hydrodynamic interactions characterized by large-scale self-driven flows. Using a continuum fluid dynamics approach, the effects of elasticity on the pseudo-steady state dynamics of the collective patterns are studied. The Oldroyd-B and Jeffery constitutive models are used to represent the suspending fluid as examples of non shear-thinning viscoelastic fluids. A coupling between the fluid and particle dynamics leads to self-driven structures that are shorter and evolve irregularly in comparison with the long periodic correlated structures in Newtonian fluids. Inspired by turbulent drag reduction by polymers, a mechanism has been suggested for how elasticity restricts the formation of the self-driven collective structures. Viscoelasticity forces the system to transition from an “active” state to a “suppressed” state.
Use of a Functional Aviation Display Under Varying Workload Conditions

Twenty pilots performed flight maneuvers on a flight simulator over three levels of workload with either a conventional or alternative display that incorporates functional information. Pilots' performance with the functional display (OZ) showed greater control of power and position, as well as improved performance on a secondary task. The role of increased workload with functional displays and the potential of functional information in future aviation displays are discussed. Language: en
GPS measurements of crustal deformation associated with the 22 April 1991, Valle de la Estrella, Costa Rica Earthquake

Results are presented for analysis of Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements made at sites in Costa Rica in February and July 1991. Significant horizontal and vertical displacements relative to February positions were observed. Differences were found in GPS derived vertical and horizontal displacements as compared to other types of geodetic measurements of uplift in the coastal regions. A slip dislocation model which fits the GPS measured displacement was computed. Differences between these data sets and their associated models were investigated in light of unmodeled slip heterogeneity on the fault and post-seismic displacements.
Calcium-Permeable AMPA Receptor Dynamics Mediate Fear Memory Erasure

Traumatic fear memories can be inhibited by behavioral therapy for humans, or by extinction training in rodent models, but are prone to recur. Under some conditions, however, these treatments generate a permanent effect on behavior, which suggests that emotional memory erasure has occurred. The neural basis for such disparate outcomes is unknown. We found that a central component of extinction-induced erasure is the synaptic removal of calcium-permeable α-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate receptors (AMPARs) in the lateral amygdala. A transient up-regulation of this form of plasticity, which involves phosphorylation of the glutamate receptor 1 subunit of the AMPA receptor, defines a temporal window in which fear memory can be degraded by behavioral experience. These results reveal a molecular mechanism for fear erasure and the relative instability of recent memory.
Top Performing Banks: Size Effect and Economic Cycles

In this study, the authors investigate ex-post, long-term, riskadjusted performance associated with the release of the 2002 and 2005 ABA Top Performing Banks survey as well as an alternative “re-ranked” sample list that includes a size criterion. The 2002 and 2005 survey years serve as benchmarks for the resiliency of sample firms based on pivotal economic shifts within the banking industry taking place in the corresponding post-survey periods. The results indicate that the long-term stock return performance of the survey sample outperforms both the S&P 500 Index and the matched sample in “good” years and either underperforms or shows no difference in performance during “bad” years. The alternative re-ranked sample exhibits superior long-term stock return performance in both good and bad economic times when measured against the S&P 500. The authors conclude that size does impact performance resiliency based on changing economic conditions in the banking industry.
General circulation model simulations of winter and summer sea-level pressures over north America

Temporal variability of synoptic-scale circulation is a dominant factor in regional temporal climate variations. In the midlatitudes, temporal variability of synoptic-scale circulation has been found to be related to temporal variations in regional air temperature and precipitation. General circulation model (GCM) simulations of long-term changes in synoptic-scale circulation may be useful in assessing the effects of climate change on regional air temperature and precipitation. Atmospheric pressure is an important component of synoptic-scale circulation. In this paper, observed sea-level pressures were used to evaluate winter and summer sea-level pressures over North America simulated by the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) and the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) general circulation models. The objective of the study is to determine how similar the spatial and temporal distributions of GCM-simulated daily sea-level pressures over North America are to observed distributions. Overall, both models are better at reproducing observed within-season variance of winter and summer sea-level pressures than they are at simulating the magnitude of mean winter and summer sea-level pressures. Results indicate that winter sea-level pressures are better simulated by the GISS model than by the GFDL model. The GFDL model simulates anomalously high winter sea-level pressures over north-eastern North America. In summer, the GISS model underestimates sea-level pressures, whereas the GFDL model overestimates sea-level pressures over most of North America. Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests indicate that much of the error in model simulations can be attributed to differences between simulated and observed means. Comparisons of spatial correlation matrices of observed and simulated sea-level pressures indicate that GCMs simulate spatial variability of sea-level pressures that is similar to observed. These results suggest that GCMs are able to simulate major components of synoptic-scale circulation over North America, especially for winter.
Effect of serum albumin on vascular smooth muscle metabolism.

Abstract In studies on metabolism of vascular smooth muscle, it was observed that incubation of intact porcine carotid artery strips with 3% bovine or porcine serum albumin had profound effects on the oxidation of substrates and O 2 consumption. Arteries incubated over 180 min with charcoal-treated and dialyzed albumin demonstrated time-dependent stimulation of glucose oxidation (145%; P n =6) and O 2 consumption (116%; P n =6). These results were not mimicked by incubation with 3% solutions of ovalbumin or porcine skin gelatin. However, the oxidation of the medium chain fatty acid octanoate was inhibited in the presence of albumin over a broad range of octanoate concentrations (0.5–5.0 mM). Short chain fatty acid oxidation (acetate, 5 mM), in contrast, was not inhibited by albumin. Wash-out of albumin only partially reversed the stimulation of O 2 consumption and incubation of arteries with a polyanionic compound, polyethylene sulfonate (5 mg/ml), blunted the stimulatory effect of albumin on O 2 consumption. Albumin also produced anaplerosis of the Krebs cycle, and an increase in the content of glutamate and alanine ( P n =8). The metabolic effects of albumin were associated with time-dependent uptake of albumin (30.9±1.5 nmol/g per 210 min; P n =15). ATP-dependent proteolysis of the albumin taken up was also observed. These results demonstrate novel and important intracellular effects of serum albumin on energy metabolism of vascular smooth muscle.
A Class of Augmented Filled Functions

The filled function method is an effective approach to find the global minimizer. Two of the recently proposed filled functions are H(X) and L2(X). Although their numerical behavior is acceptable, they are not defined everywhere. This paper proposes a class of augmented filled functions with improved analyticity. Issues covered in the presented work include: theoretical properties, convergence analysis, geometric interpretation, algorithms, and numerical experiments. The overall performance of the new approach is comparable to the recently proposed ones.
Hydrogen storage in metal–organic frameworks

For any potential hydrogen-storage system, raw uptake capacity must be balanced with the kinetics and thermodynamics of uptake and release. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) provide unique systems with large overall pore volumes and surface areas, adjustable pore sizes, and tunable framework–adsorbate interaction by ligand functionalization and metal choice. These remarkable materials can potentially fill the niche between other physisorbents such as activated carbon, which have similar uptake at low temperatures but low affinity for hydrogen at ambient temperature, and chemical sorbents such as hydrides, which have high hydrogen uptakes but undesirable release kinetics and thermodynamics.
The idiographic nature of human personality: Examples of the idiographic self-concept.

Arguments are made for the practical and theoretical merits of idiographic approaches to personality. In addition, it is argued that idiographic approaches to personality afford levels of prediction that cannot be provided by nomothetic analyses, and 2 studies of the role of self-investment in interpersonal perception are presented in support of this position. Finally, in contrast to previous arguments for idiographic approaches, it is suggested that idiographic approaches to personality can provide special insight into universal patterns of human personality.
Historical Perspectives: Monitoring the Newborn for Apnea

Among the factors considered “standard operating procedure” in neonatal intensive care units today, the presence of monitors is key. Bedside monitoring almost defines neonatal intensive care. It is difficult to recall that it is less than 40 years ago that cardiopulmonary monitors were introduced into routine intensive care. Prior to their introduction, the bedside nurse was responsible for taking vital signs at intervals dictated by the severity of illness of the baby. This month’s contribution comes from Dr Joe Daily, who describes the early attempts to incorporate electronic monitoring into the care of premature (preterm) infants who had apnea. The technique involved the use of transthoracic impedance, which can detect both respiration and heart rate activity. At the time it was introduced, the application of electrodes to the chest seemed rather “invasive,” and subsequent attempts were made to use other types of monitoring devices that did not require attachment to the baby’s chest. As indicated by Dr Daily, our major concern at the time was the detection of apnea, and air mattresses were used in some nurseries for a while because they could detect breathing movements. However, other types of motion artifact (particularly seizure activity) could trigger the sensors for breathing and produce “false-negatives.” Not long after the apnea monitor was introduced, it became evident that monitoring of heart rate could provide additional useful information. Consequently, cardiopulmonary monitoring became the norm, to be followed by blood pressure monitoring (see NeoReviews , May 2003), transcutaneous blood gas monitoring (see NeoReviews , September 2003), and oxygen saturation monitoring. In providing this recollection, Dr Daily was quick to point out to me that many people, over a long period of time, were involved in the evolution of the technology that led to the first apnea monitors used at Stanford.
Progress in the development of an electronic nose using arrays of chemically sensitive carbon black-polymer resistors

Response data were collected for a carbon black-polymer composite electronic nose array during exposure to homologous series of alkanes and alcohols. At a fixed partial pressure of odorant in the vapor phase, the mean response intensity of the electronic nose signals varied significantly for members of each series of odorants. However, the mean response intensity of the electronic nose detectors, and the response intensity of the most strongly-driven set of electronic nose detectors, was essentially constant for members of a chemically homologous odorant series when the concentration of each odorant in the gas phase was maintained at a constant fraction of the odorant's vapor pressure. Because the thermodynamic activity of an odorant at equilibrium in a sorbent phase is equal to the partial pressure of the odorant in the gas phase divided by the vapor pressure of the odorant, and because the activity coefficients are similar within these homologous series of odorants for sorption of the vapors into specific polymer films, the data imply that the trends in detector response can be understood based on the thermodynamic tendency to establish a relatively constant concentration of sorbed odorant into each of the polymeric films of the electronic nose at a constant fraction of the odorant's vapor pressure. This phenomenon provides a natural mechanism for enhanced sensitivity to low vapor pressure compounds, like TNT, in the presence of high vapor pressure analytes, such as diesel fuel. In a related study to evaluate the target recognition properties of the electronic nose, a statistical metric based on the magnitudes and standard deviations along Euclidean projections of clustered array response data, was utilized to facilitate an evaluation of the performance of detector arrays in various vapor classification tasks. This approach allowed quantification of the ability of a fourteen-element array of carbon black-insulating polymer composite chemiresistors to distinguish between members of a set of nineteen solvent vapors, some of which vary widely in chemical properties (e.g. methanol and benzene) and others of which are very similar (e.g. n-pentane and n-heptane). The data also facilitated evaluation of questions such as array performance as a function of the number of detectors in the system.
PDTC prevents reactivation of latent cytomegalovirus both in vivo and in vitro

Abstract Reactivation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) from latency results in significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Drug-related toxicity and viral gene mutations leading to resistant virus highlight the need for alternative therapies ideally aimed at the initial steps of the reactivation process. Immediate Early (IE) gene expression is an important first step in CMV reactivation. Our laboratory has focused on the molecular mechanisms of the initial events that trigger reactivation from latency. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) is an antioxidant that has been reported to inhibit NFκB in several in vitro systems. We have previously shown using a transgenic in vivo system that PDTC inhibits TNF-induced expression of Human CMV Immediate Early (IE) promoter transgene expression. Our aim was to fully characterize the kinetics of gene expression of an in vitro model of Murine CMV reactivation that would lend itself to experimental manipulation, and to determine if PDTC could inhibit reactivation in such a model. Methods: Spleen explants from latent Balb/c mice were cultured, and harvested at various time points. For PDTC studies, spleens were divided into 2 halves [1/2 with no drug (control), and the other 1 2 with PDTC]. 3 groups were studied with concentrations 20 μM, 50 μM, and 100 μM. Spleens were harvested at day 16. RT-PCR and Southern Blot for expression of IE-1, IE-3, E-1 (Early), gB (Late) and β-actin gene expression were performed. Infectious virus was assessed by plaque assays. Results: IE-1 and IE-3 gene expression was detected between days 8 and 10. E-1 was detected at days 12 to 14, and gB at day 16. Infectious virus was recovered at day 17. PDTC inhibited reactivation, and this inhibition was concentration dependent, occurring in the presence of 100 μM PDTC, and not at lower concentrations. IE, E and Late gene expression was absent and no infectious virus was recovered. Conclusions: PDTC prevents reactivation of MCMV in an in vitro model of latency. These data are consistent with our previous data utilizing transgenic mice and suggest that TNF induced NFκB activation may play an essential role in CMV reactivation from latency. Finally, these data support the use of this in vitro model as a relevant tool to study the molecular mechanisms of viral reactivation.
Education for population health

Abstract I want a new drug One with no doubt One that won’t make me talk too much Or make my face break out (Huey Lewis and the News, 1984)
Puberty in girls of the 21st century

Several studies have noted contemporary girls are undergoing pubertal maturation at younger ages. During this same time period many Western nations have experienced an obesity epidemic, prompting investigators and public health officials to consider the association of these 2 events, and if other exposures might impact this relationship. There are several potential mechanisms that could impact the relationship of pubertal timing in girls with greater body mass, including direct effects of obesity on pubertal timing as well underlying exposures that impact body mass as well as timing of pubertal maturation. These underlying conditions include chemical compounds that could impact synthesis or action of sex hormones, called endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDs). We examine the decline in the age of breast development and potential genetic and environmental influences, the obesity epidemic in the US and other nations, and potential mechanisms to explain the relationship between greater body mass index with earlier puberty in girls.
42.2: Stress Induced Substrate Mura in Curved LCD

Curving flat substrates creates retardance proportional to the square of the thickness, approximately three times the typical max value of flat substrates. These stress patterns have distinctive interactions with dark state VA and IPS LC modes. Curved substrate stress-birefringence can create unique circular polarized edge mura through liquid crystal and substrate interactions.
The Cdc42p GTPase is targeted to the site of cell division in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Summary The Rho-family GTPase Cdc42p regulates many aspects of cell polarity and growth in eukaryotic cells, including the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. To further examine Cdc42p function in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, a functional green fluorescent protein (GFP)-Cdc42p fusion protein was generated. GFP-Cdc42p was observed at the medial region of the cell at the cell-division site early in cytokinesis and remained there through cell separation, and was also localized to the periphery of the cell and to internal membranes. Unexpectedly, treatment with the actin-depolymerizing drug latrunculin-A disrupted the medial region targeting pattern, and cells deficient in the actin-binding proteins tropomyosin and profilin also did not exhibit medial GFP-Cdc42p staining. In addition, medial GFP-Cdc42p localization was eliminated in a number of cytokinesis mutants, including strains defective in assembling the medial actinomyosin ring, medial ring contraction, and septum assembly. GFP-Cdc42p targeting was less affected in mutants that formed misplaced or multiple septa. These results suggest that the localization of Cdc42p at the cell-division site was dependent upon the actin cytoskeleton and that Cdc42p may function in the interdependent processes of cytokinesis and septation.
Modeling Neuronal Interactivity using Dynamic Bayesian Networks

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) has enabled scientists to look into the active brain. However, interactivity between functional brain regions, is still little studied. In this paper, we contribute a novel framework for modeling the interactions between multiple active brain regions, using Dynamic Bayesian Networks (DBNs) as generative models for brain activation patterns. This framework is applied to modeling of neuronal circuits associated with reward. The novelty of our framework from a Machine Learning perspective lies in the use of DBNs to reveal the brain connectivity and interactivity. Such interactivity models which are derived from fMRI data are then validated through a group classification task. We employ and compare four different types of DBNs: Parallel Hidden Markov Models, Coupled Hidden Markov Models, Fully-linked Hidden Markov Models and Dynamically Multi-Linked HMMs (DML-HMM). Moreover, we propose and compare two schemes of learning DML-HMMs. Experimental results show that by using DBNs, group classification can be performed even if the DBNs are constructed from as few as 5 brain regions. We also demonstrate that, by using the proposed learning algorithms, different DBN structures characterize drug addicted subjects vs. control subjects. This finding provides an independent test for the effect of psychopathology on brain function. In general, we demonstrate that incorporation of computer science principles into functional neuroimaging clinical studies provides a novel approach for probing human brain function.