cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Controls of biomass partitioning between roots and shoots: Atmospheric CO2 enrichment and the acquisition and allocation of carbon and nitrogen in wild radish.

The effects of CO2 enrichment on plant growth, carbon and nitrogen acquisition and resource allocation were investigated in order to examine several hypotheses about the mechanisms that govern dry matter partitioning between shoots and roots. Wild radish plants (Raphanus sativus × raphanistrum) were grown for 25 d under three different atmospheric CO2 concentrations (200 ppm, 330 ppm and 600 ppm) with a stable hydroponic 150 μmol 1−1 nitrate supply. Radish biomass accumulation, photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, nitrogen per unit leaf area, and starch and soluble sugar levels in leaves increased with increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration, whereas specific leaf area and nitrogen concentration of leaves significantly decreased. Despite substantial changes in radish growth, resource acquisition and resource partitioning, the rate at which leaves accumulated starch over the course of the light period and the partitioning of biomass between roots and shoots were not affected by CO2 treatment. This phenomenon was consistent with the hypothesis that root/shoot partitioning is related to the daily rate of starch accumulation by leaves during the photoperiod, but is inconsistent with hypotheses suggesting that root/shoot partitioning is controlled by some aspect of plant C/N balance.
Cycling of dissolved and particulate nitrogen and carbon in the Framvaren Fjord, Norway : stable isotopic variations

Abstract The reaction pathways of nitrogen and carbon in the Framvaren Fjord (Norway) were studied through stable isotope analysis ( δ 15 N and δ 13 C ) of dissolved inorganic and particulate organic matter (POM). The variations in the isotopic compositions of the various C and N pools within the water column were use to evaluate the historical deposition of material to the sediments. The high δ 15 N -NH 4 + at the O 2 /H 2 S interface, as a consequence of microbial uptake between 19 and 25 m, results in extremely depleted δ 15 N -particulate nitrogen (PN) of approximately 1‰ within the particulate maximum at approximately 19 m. The carbon isotopic distribution of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) within the interface suggests that the distinct microbial flora ( Chromatium sp. and Chlorobium sp.) fractionate inorganic carbon to different degrees. The extremely light δ 13 C -POC within the interface (−31‰) appears to be a result of carbon uptake by Chromatium sp. while δ 13 C -POC of −12‰ is more indicative of Chlorobium sp. Nitrogen isotopic mass balance calculations suggested that approximately 75% of the material sinking to the sediments was derived from the dense particulate maximum between 19 and 25 m. The sediment distribution of nitrogen isotopes varied from 2‰ at the surface to approximately 6‰ at 30 cm. The nitrogen isotopic variations with depth may be an indicator of the depth or position of the O 2 /H 2 S interface in the fjord. Low sediment δ 15 N indicated that the interface was within the photic zone of the water column, while more enriched values suggested that the interface was lower in the water column potentially allowing for less fractionation during biological incorporation of dissolved inorganic nitrogen. Results indicate that the dense layers of photo-autotrophic bacteria in the upper water column impart unique carbon and nitrogen isotopic signals that help follow processes within the water column and deposition to the sediments.
Helicobacter pylori effects on gastritis, gastrin and enterochromaffin-like cells in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and non-Zollinger-Ellison syndrome acid hypersecretors treated long-term with lansoprazole.

Background: Helicobacter pylori is said to cause atrophy of the gastric corpus and enterochromaffin-like cell proliferation in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients treated long-term with a proton pump inhibitor. Aims: To determine the effect of H. pylori infection on gastritis, enterochromaffin-like cell density and hyperplasia, mucosal atrophy and serum gastrin in patients with gastric hypersecretion (basal acid output gt; 15 mmol/h) with either hypergastrinemia (Zollinger–Ellison syndrome) or normal gastrin (non-Zollinger–Ellison syndrome) before and during long-term treatment with lansoprazole. Methods: Lansoprazole was individually titrated to reduce basal acid output to < 5 mmol/h (< 1 mmol/h in post-surgical Zollinger–Ellison syndrome). Gastric corpus biopsies were obtained every 6 months before treatment and up to 8 years later. Results: H. pylori was present in corpus biopsies in ≈ 50%, causing active gastritis which resolved rapidly in 15 subjects after elimination of H. pylori. Patchy mild/moderate corpus atrophy was present at entry in two and at the end in four out of 60 patients, one being H. pylori-positive. Intestinal metaplasia (< 10%) was seen in six isolated biopsies (1% of total). H. pylori did not affect serum gastrin, enterochromaffin-like cell density or hyperplasia. Enterochromaffin-like cell density was twice as high in Zollinger–Ellison syndrome as in non-Zollinger–Ellison syndrome patients (241 vs. 126 cells/mm2, P < 0.001). Enterochromaffin-like cells remained normal in the non-Zollinger–Ellison syndrome hypersecretors regardless of H. pylori status. Conclusion: Corpus enterochromaffin-like cell increases were related to serum gastrin elevation, but neither H. pylori nor long-term treatment with lansoprazole alone or together had any effect on enterochromaffin-like cell density or hyperplasia. Corpus acute gastritis resulted from H. pylori infection, but did not result in mucosal atrophy despite long-term proton pump inhibitor treatment and promptly resolved with loss of H. pylori.
Increased Myogenic Tone and Diminished Responsiveness to ATP-Sensitive K+ Channel Openers in Cerebral Arteries From Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus has profound adverse effects on vascular and, in particular, endothelial function. Although pressure-induced constriction ("myogenic tone") is a major contributor to the regulation of blood flow, little is known about the effects of diabetes on this response. Diabetes has been shown to diminish the dilation of cerebral arteries to synthetic ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel openers. In this study, we explored the effects of diabetes induced in rats by streptozotocin on cerebral artery (250 to 300 microns) myogenic tone and on vasodilations to the synthetic KATP channel openers pinacidil and levcromakalim. Elevation of intravascular pressure caused a graded membrane potential depolarization and constriction, which was greater in arteries from diabetic rats compared with normal rats (at 60 mm Hg, 5 mV more depolarized and 22 microns more constricted). Pressurized arteries (at 60 mm Hg) from diabetic rats were 5- to 15-fold less sensitive to pinacidil and levcromakalim than were control arteries (EC50 values for pinacidil and levcromakalim were 1.4 and 0.6 mumol/L, respectively, in diabetic animals and 0.3 and 0.04, respectively, in control animals; P < .05). Removal of the endothelium or addition of a NO synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine (LNNA), in control arteries decreased the sensitivity to KATP channel openers and depolarized and constricted control arteries to levels similar to those observed in arteries from diabetic animals. Sodium nitroprusside caused a membrane potential hyperpolarization and enhanced the response to pinacidil in arteries from diabetic animals. Removal of the endothelium or LNNA had little effect on the apparent KATP channel opener sensitivity, the membrane potential, and pressure-induced constrictions of arteries from diabetic animals. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that this type of diabetes leads to a decrease in tonic NO release from the endothelium, which in turn causes membrane potential depolarization and vasoconstriction, resulting in a diminished response to KATP channel openers.
Visual cortical cells: how critical is focus?

Nachweis, dass rezeptive Kortexfelder der Kaninchen (70% der visuellen Zellen) auf Lichtstimuli bzw. Scharfe-Unscharfe-Anderung mit Amplitudenabfall reagieren.
Transport-diffusion interfaces in radiative transfer

Abstract For radiative transfer problems involving both optically thick and thin regions, it is suggested that a coupled diffusion-transport treatment has certain advantages in numerical treatments. The well known Marshak (Milne) boundary treatment is extended in a straight-forward way to give the connecting conditions at the diffusion-transport interface. It is found that these conditions give a diffusion radiative flux from a blackbody in excess of the physical blackbody limit. The Marshak conditions are modified to correct this discrepancy and the resulting diffusion description is found to be quite accurate for grey, as well as black, bodies. A previously suggested diffusion-transport interface treatment, due to Brockway, is discussed and shown to be a certain finite difference analogue of the unmodified Marshak treatment. The modification needed to give the correct black-body limit is applied to the Brockway formulation. The previously suggested interpretation of the Brockway equations in terms of probabilities leads to conceptual difficulties, and it is shown that such an interpretation is not needed to successfully apply these interface conditions.
Root Pressure Exudation from Apical Root Segments

THE question of why some plants exhibit copious exudation and others show little or none has remained unanswered. Very few comparative investigations of variations in root pressure among species, however, have been carried out. Reports of root pressure exudation have been based on independent observations of a wide range of materials, from cut stumps of large trees1,2 to small root segments raised in sterile culture3. Assumptions about the variable root pressure exudation among species have been based on data obtained using such a wide range of plant materials and techniques. An example is the long held assumption that conifers rarely, if ever, develop root pressure. Yet, when excised apical segments of actively growing conifers roots were observed, exudation was always present4. Similarly, it was observed that fully suberized roots would exhibit significant amounts of exudation when individual roots were studied under controlled conditions4,5. In fact, suberized roots showed higher rates of exudation than non-suberized roots from the same plant. For a study of comparisons of root pressure exudation among species, it seems, therefore, that similar techniques and plant tissues must be used.
Role of the Pomeron in tensor-meson dominance

We include the Pomeron contribution in the tensor-meson dominance relations and find that (i) the previous discrepancies are resolved, (ii) the mass radii satisfy the Gell-Mann\char22{}Okubo type relations, and (iii) some bounds on the Pomeron slope and the tensor $\frac{F}{D}$ ratio, consistent with experiments, are obtained.
Mechanical Interactions of Phenocrysts and Flow Differentiation of Igneous Dikes and Sills

When a magma containing phenocrysts in concentrations greater than about 8 percent intrudes rock to form a dike or sill, mechanical interactions between the phenocrysts create a grain dispersive pressure. To maintain a balance in the dispersive pressure, the phenocryst concentration must decrease toward the walls of the intrusion because of the increase in the velocity gradient and the fluid viscosity. This mechanism offers an explanation for the observed rapid, but gradational, increases in content from phenocryst-poor margins to a phenocryst-rich center, especially in picritic dikes and sills. Using semi-empirical equations for the dispersive pressure, I found that a plug flow velocity profile yields a phenocryst distribution very similar to those observed in the field. If the phenocryst interactions are sufficiently intense, then the grain dispersive pressure would be also dependent upon the size of the phenocrysts. This dependence would cause the larger phenocrysts to migrate preferentially to the center of the intrusion and the smaller phenocrysts to the walls, giving a size variation as well as a concentration variation. It is uncertain whether the interactions are sufficiently intense to give size sorting by this mechanism. At the phenocryst concentrations normally encountered, a review of experimental studies indicates that the Magnus-effect and similar single particle forces are small in magnitude in comparison to the forces of grain interaction. They would have only a modifying effect on the phenocryst distribution produced by the grain dispersive pressure. Modifications of the phenocryst distribution produced by gravity during and after intrusion are examined. During intrusion, gravity settling of the phenocrysts would be balanced by a gradient of the grain dispersive pressure, causing the phenocryst distribution to be asymmetrical with respect to the center of the intrusion. Phenocryst interactions during gravity settling following intrusion, in which the faster settling larger grains capture smaller grains within their boundary layers, may be responsible for sharp discontinuities observed in the distributions of phenocrysts.
Tensor viscosity method for convection in numerical fluid dynamics

Abstract A new method, called the tensor viscosity method, is described for differencing the convective terms in multidimensional numerical fluid dynamics. The method is the proper generalization to two or three dimensions of interpolated donor cell differencing in one dimension, and is designed to achieve numerical stability with minimal numerical damping. It is a single-step method that is distinguished by simplicity and ease of implementation, even in the case of an arbitrary non-rectangular mesh. It should therefore be useful in finite-element as well as finite-difference formulations.
Health-related quality of life across pediatric chronic conditions.

Objective To compare health-related quality of life (HRQOL) across 8 pediatric chronic conditions, including 5 understudied populations, and examine convergence between youth self-report and parent-proxy report. Study design Secondary data from 589 patients and their caregivers were collected across the following conditions: obesity, eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder, inflammatory bowel disease, epilepsy, type 1 diabetes, sickle cell disease, post–renal transplantation, and cystic fibrosis. Youth and caregivers completed age-appropriate self-report and/or parent-proxy report generic HRQOL measures. Results Youth diagnosed with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder and obesity had lower HRQOL than other pediatric conditions by parent report. Caregivers reported lower HRQOL by proxy report than youth self-reported across most subscales. Conclusions Use of brief, easily administered, and reliable assessments of psychosocial functioning, such as HRQOL, may provide clinicians additional opportunities for intervention or services targeting improved HRQOL relative to the needs of each population.
SANS and TEM of ferritic–martensitic steel T91 irradiated in FFTF up to 184 dpa at 413 °C

Abstract Ferritic–martensitic steel T91 was previously irradiated in the Materials Open Test Assembly (MOTA) program of the Fast Flux Test Reactor Facility (FFTF) at 413 °C up to 184 dpa. The microstructure was analyzed by small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Both SANS and TEM revealed a large fraction of voids with an average size of 29–32 nm leading to a calculated void swelling of 1.2–1.6% based on the volume fraction of the voids in the sample. SANS gave no indication of second phase particles having formed under irradiation in the material. Using TEM, one zone was found where a few G-phase particles were analyzed. Quantities were however too low to state reliable particle densities. No alpha prime (α′) or Laves phase were observed in any of the investigated zones.
High-performance porous electrodes for pseudosupercapacitors based on graphene-beaded carbon nanofibers surface-coated with nanostructured conducting polymers

Abstract This paper reports the fabrication and electrochemical properties of novel high-performance pseudosupercapacitor electrodes made of graphene-beaded carbon nanofibers (G/CNFs) surface-coated with nanostructured conducting polymers. The G/CNFs were produced by electrospinning the precursor graphene-beaded polymer nanofibers, followed by controlled pyrolysis. In situ polymerization in aqueous solution was utilized to coat an ultrathin layer of thorn-like polyaniline (PANI) nanorods onto the G/CNFs to form ternary PANI-coated G/CNFs (PANI-G/CNFs). The highly porous network morphology of PANI-G/CNFs exhibited a very large specific surface area, low internal resistance, and fast redox rate. Electrochemical characterization indicated that the PANI-G/CNF based pseudosupercapacitors carried a high value of specific capacitance up to 637 F g −1 at a current density of 0.15 A g −1 and still maintained the high value of specific capacitance of 478 F g −1 (only 25% decrease) even at a high current density of 6 A g −1 . The pseudosupercapacitor showed a very good cycling stability of 87% after 1000 charge/discharge cycles at a very high current density of 15 A g −1 . The experimental results indicated that the novel hierarchical, porous PANI-G/CNFs are a promising electrode material for use in high-performance energy storage devices.
From the National Institutes of Health.

Speed Urged for Thrombolytic Therapy in Acute Myocardial Infarction : Treatment of all eligible patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with thrombolytic drugs within 30 minutes of arrival at a hospital should be a goal for all emergency departments, according to the first published recommendations ( Ann Emerg Med . 1994;23:311-329) of the National Heart Attack Alert Program (NHAAP) Coordinating Committee. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) established the committee, which includes representatives from 39 scientific, professional, governmental, and voluntary organizations, to assist the NHAAP in achieving its goal of reducing AMI morbidity and mortality, including AMI-related sudden death. The new report—prepared by an NHAAP working group cochaired by Costas Lambrew, MD, Maine Medical Center, Portland, and Mark Smith, MD, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC—lays out the scientific rationale for this recommendation and proposes specific measures emergency departments should take to minimize time to reperfusion and thus maximize myocardial
3-(4-Phenoxyphenyl)pyrazoles: A Novel Class of Sodium Channel Blockers

A series of 3-(4-phenoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazoles were synthesized and characterized as potent state-dependent sodium channel blockers. A limited SAR study was carried out to delineate the chemical requirements for potency. The results indicate that the distal phenyl group is critical for activity but will tolerate lipophilic (+π) electronegative (+σ) substituents at the ortho and/or para position. Substitution at the pyrazole nitrogen with a H-bond donor improves potency. Compound 18 showed robust activity in the rat Chung neuropathy paradigm.
DNA diversity among isolates of Campylobacter jejuni detected by PCR-based RAPD fingerprinting

A PCR-based randomly amplified polymorphic DNA method was used to amplify Campylobacter jejuni DNA using a single oligonucleotide primer derived from either a homologous source or from Mycoplasma gallisepticum. The method was able to detect the heterogeneity of amplified DNA from human, chicken and turkey sources and can be used as a tool to study the epidemiology of Campylobacter jejuni infection.
Reproductive-Age Women Are Overrepresented Among Perpetrators of Husband Killing

When a woman kills her husband, it is almost always an unplanned action of self-defense against a battering husband or a last-ditch attempt to survive a batterer's tyranny. Younger, reproductive-age women are battered and killed by husbands at higher rates than are older, postreproductive-age women. Because husband killing occurs in the context of self-defense or as a last-ditch effort to survive, reproductive-age women should kill their husbands at higher rates than do postreproductive-age women. I used a sample of 8,077 husband killings to test this hypothesis. Results support the hypothesis and document that (1) the highest rates of husband killing are for the youngest women, (2) the youngest husbands are at greatest risk of being killed by their wives, (3) women married to older men kill their husbands at higher rates than do women married to same-age men and women married to younger men, and (4) reproductive-age women kill their husbands at higher rates than do postreproductive-age women across two groups: women married to younger men and women married to older men. Discussion suggests directions for future work that can improve the identification of women at greatest risk for husband killing. Aggr. Behav. 26:309–317, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Test chip experimental results on high-level structural test

Using complex (high-level) gates, such as multiplexers, full adders, etc., for automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) has several advantages. It makes ATPG faster and potentially reduces the size of the test set that needs to be applied. A variety of other techniques are used to reduce the size of test sets for digital chips. They typically rely on preserving the single-stuck-fault coverage of the test set. This article presents data obtained from applying a variety of test sets on the ELF35 test chip and recording the test escapes. The data presented show the test quality effect of using complex gates as fault sites. The article also shows the impact of test compaction and reduced fault coverage on the test quality.
Characterizing Aged Textile Fibers by Fourier Transform Infrared Photoacoustic Spectroscopy: Part I: Comparison of Artificial and Natural Ageing in Cotton'

Photoacoustic Fourier transform infrared Spectroscopy has been used to characterize naturally and artificially aged fibers of cotton. Naturally aged cotton fibers from ar cheological sites in the southwest United States exhibited a family of pronounced absorption bands in the C=O stretch region of the infrared spectrum (1600-1750 cm-1) not found in fibers from new cotton cloth. New cotton fibers artificially aged at > 160°C in air exhibited strikingly similar spectral features, along with a severe loss of fiber tensile strength. Cotton artificially aged at 190°C in a nitrogen atmosphere exhibited a similar loss in fiber tensile strength, but without developing new C=O bands. This suggests that the decrease in cotton fiber tensile strength may occur via several mechanisms, or may be only coincidentally associated with the developement of C=O absorption bands. Nevertheless, photoacoustic spectroscopy may be used as a rapid, sensitive, and nondestructive method to predict the extent of oxidative deg radation...
State-space approach to non-linear model reference adaptive control

A new method is developed for tracking in non-linear delay-differential systems when the exact knowledge of the system parameters are not known. The method is based on securing the stability in the state spaces of plant and reference models. The results obtained are quite general in nature and can be applied to many physical systems.
Predictors of Consistent Condom Use Among Young African American Women

The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive value of selected factors to the consistent use of condoms among high-risk young African American women. A clinic-based, prospective, study of 242 young, African-American women (ages 15–21) was conducted. In multivariate analysis, consistent condom use was predicted by having greater perceptions of condom negotiation self-efficacy, lower fear of negotiating condom use, and having communicated with sex partners (during the recall period) about condom use. Relational variables were predictive of consistent condom use among young African American women. STD/HIV preventive interventions should target these factors, perhaps in dyad-level interventions.
False Path Aware Timing Yield Estimation under Variability

Effects of fluctuations in circuit timing due to process and environmental variations are becoming increasingly important as we move into sub-45nm technology. Since the delay of each gate is dependent on its input vectors, the timing yield, the probability that the circuit meets the given timing constraint, varies with different primary input patterns. Traditional timing yield estimation approaches assumed worst case delay models for each gate over all its input vectors, which results in much pessimism. To overcome the aforementioned problems, this paper proposes a Monte Carlo based approach which can obtain a much tighter lower bound on the circuit timing yield compared to the existing timing yield estimation techniques. Specifically, our approach builds multiple input-vector-dependent variation-aware delay models for each logic gate, and considers the impact of false paths, both static and dynamic false paths, which are carefully selected from the likely timing-critical paths under variability. We demonstrate gradual improvement in the estimated timing yield in the simulation results, and show that the timing yield computed using traditional worst-case delay models is highly pessimistic.
Singlet Oxygen Production upon Two‐Photon Excitation of TiO2 in Chloroform

Singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) signals observed upon illumination at 532 nm are a consequence of TiO 2 excitation in a two-photon process, and at 355 nm in a one-photon pathway. After corrections for light reflectance, the relative quantum yields of 1 0 2 production are 0.23 ± 0.01 and 0.22 ± 0.02 for 532 and 355 nm excitation, respectively. Total quenching rate constants of 1 O 2 removal by TiO 2 particles are near the diffusion-controlled rate limit. By employing 1 O 2 , as a probe, we have established an efficient and simple method to elucidate the nature of TiO 2 photoexcitation.
Hmong Women: Characteristics and Birth Outcomes, 1990

Current demographic characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of immigrant Hmong women in a small town in southeastern United States were documented in a retrospective study. Interviews and review of existing records were used to determine prenatal practices and perceived problems. Sixteen health professionals and two women from the community were interviewed, and the labor and delivery records from 1985 to 1990 were reviewed for parity, child spacing, and health status of the women and newborns. The greatest concerns voiced by health caregivers were multiparity and the need for contraceptive compliance. Seventy-eight full-term infants were born to 64 women in five years, with 2 stillbirths. No eclampsia, diabetes, or Rh incompatibilities were noted. Evidence is limited that birth frequency or outcome for Hmong women is a problem. Their perinatal difficulties were thought to be sociocultural rather than medical. Further study of the effects of acculturation on maternal family position, perinatal risks, and birth outcomes is imperative as lifestyle and environment change for these immigrant women.
Latent Extinction and Invasion Risk of Crayfishes in the Southeastern United States

Crayfishes are both a highly imperiled invertebrate group as well as one that has produced many invasive species, which have negatively affected freshwater ecosystems throughout the world. We performed a trait analysis for 77 crayfishes from the southeastern United States in an attempt to understand which biological and ecological traits make these species prone to imperilment or invasion, and to predict which species may face extinction or become invasive in the future. We evaluated biological and ecological traits with principal coordinate analysis and classification trees. Invasive and imperiled crayfishes occupied dif- ferent positions in multivariate trait space, although crayfishes invasive at different scales (extraregional vs. extralimital) were also distinct. Extraregional crayfishes (large, high fecundity, habitat generalists) were most distinct from imperiled crayfishes (small, low fecundity, habitat specialists), thus supporting the "two sides of the same coin" hypothesis. Correct classification rates for assignment of crayfishes as invasive or imperiled were high (70-80%), even when excluding the highly predictive but potentially confounding trait of range size (75-90%). We identified a number of species that, although not currently listed as imperiled or found outside their native range, possess many of the life-history and ecological traits characteristic of currently invasive or imperiled taxa. Such species exhibit a high latent risk of extinction or invasion and consequently should be the focus of proactive conservation or management strategies. Our results illustrate the utility of trait-based approaches for taxonomic groups such as invertebrates, for which detailed species-specific data are rare and conservation resources are chronically limited.
Antimicrobial films for food applications: a quantitative analysis of their effectiveness

A tremendous effort has been made over the last decade to develop and test films with antimicrobial properties to improve food safety and shelf life. This review catalogues and analyses the outcome of these research efforts. The bacteriocin nisin was the antimicrobial most commonly incorporated into films, followed by food-grade acids and salts, chitosan, plant extracts, and the enzymes lysozyme and lactoperoxidase. The methodologies for measuring antimicrobial activity of both edible and inedible films varied considerably among the studies. Results, defined as the difference in the log10 colony-forming unit (CFU) of a test organism exposed to a control film and the log10 CFU of the organism exposed to the antimicrobial film, ranged from 0 to 9 for many of the antimicrobials tested. Even for antimicrobials such as nisin, chitosan or antimicrobial acids with a ‘long’ history of studying their incorporation into antimicrobial films, the majority of results centred around 2 log10 reductions. The results suggest that antimicrobial films still face limitations and are perhaps still best viewed as part of a hurdle strategy to provide safe foods. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regulation of the L-type Calcium Channel by α5β1 Integrin Requires Signaling between Focal Adhesion Proteins *

The L-type calcium channel is the major calcium influx pathway in vascular smooth muscle and is regulated by integrin ligands, suggesting an important link between extracellular matrix and vascular tone regulation in tissue injury and remodeling. We examined the role of integrin-linked tyrosine kinases and focal adhesion proteins in regulation of L-type calcium current in single vascular myocytes. Soluble tyrosine kinase inhibitors blocked the increase in current produced by α5 integrin antibody or fibronectin, whereas tyrosine phosphatase inhibition enhanced the effect. Cell dialysis with an antibody to focal adhesion kinase or with FRNK, the C-terminal noncatalytic domain of focal adhesion kinase, produced moderate (24 or 18%, respectively) inhibition of basal current but much greater inhibition (63 or 68%, respectively) of integrin-enhanced current. A c-Src antibody and peptide inhibitors of the Src homology-2 domain or a putative Src tyrosine phosphorylation site on the channel produced similar inhibition. Antibodies to the cytoskeletal proteins paxillin and vinculin, but not α-actinin, inhibited integrin-dependent current by 65–80%. Therefore, α5β1integrin appears to regulate a tyrosine phosphorylation cascade involving Src and various focal adhesion proteins that control the function of the L-type calcium channel. This interaction may represent a novel mechanism for control of calcium influx in vascular smooth muscle and other cell types.
State-of-charge indicators [batteries]

Summary form only given. Prediction of the capacity remaining in used batteries is important information to the user. Each year millions of dollars are spent on batteries for use in portable electronics equipment. In order to maintain readiness, users currently replace batteries on a conservative schedule. This practice results in the waste of millions of dollars in battery energy every year-approximately 40 percent of available battery capacity. For many battery systems there is no convenient method of determining the available capacity remaining in partially used batteries; hence, users do not take full advantage of all the available battery energy. Knowledge of capacity remaining in used batteries results in their better utilization. It is a well documented and accepted that the available capacity in a battery is a function of the conditions that the battery has been subjected. Capacity remaining is a complex function of current drain, temperature and time. A continuous internal means of determining remaining capacity is desirable. These internal methods require extensive calibration and in many cases are difficult to implement. The pursuit of a universal state-of-charge indicator has been elusive due to the variation in behavior of battery systems. Reliable methods of predicting remaining capacity has been actively sought. This presentation describes different methods of determining battery state-of-charge and the application of these methods to different battery systems. >
Romiplostim Management of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

ObjectiveTo review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of romiplostim, the first drug approved for use in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).Data SourcesArticles were identified through searches of MEDLINE (1966–January 2009) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970–January 2009) using the key words romiplostim and AMG 531. Searches were limited to articles published in English. The manufacturer was contacted for additional data.Study Selection And Data ExtractionClinical trials and pharmacokinetic data were selected for review.Data SynthesisRomiplostim is a second-generation thrombopoietic receptor agonist that exerts its therapeutic effect by stimulating megakaryopoiesis. Subcutaneous therapy results in a dose-dependent increase in platelets; however, interindividual variability exists. Time to peak concentration is approximately 14 hours, and the elimination half-life is approximately 3.5 days (range 1–34). Romiplostim undergoes endothelial recirculation an...
A Reservation-based Smart Parking System

Finding a parking space in most metropolitan areas, especially during the rush hours, is difficult for drivers. The difficulty arises from not knowing where the available spaces may be at that time; even if known, many vehicles may pursue very limited parking spaces to cause serious traffic congestion. In this paper, we design and implement a prototype of Reservation-based Smart Parking System (RSPS) that allows drivers to effectively find and reserve the vacant parking spaces. By periodically learning the parking status from the sensor networks deployed in parking lots, the reservation service is affected by the change of physical parking status. The drivers are allowed to access this cyber-physical system with their personal communication devices. Furthermore, we study state-of-the-art parking policies in smart parking systems and compare their performance. The experiment results show that the proposed reservation-based parking policy has the potential to simplify the operations of parking systems, as well as alleviate traffic congestion caused by parking searching.
THE FUNCTIONAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 10-HZ SYMPATHETIC RHYTHM: A HYPOTHESIS

This paper reviews work from our laboratory on the 10-Hz rhythm in sympathetic nerve discharge of the cat and offers a hypothesis on its functional significance. The rhythm is ubiquitous to the discharges of sympathetic nerves with different cardiovascular targets and arises from a system of coupled nonlinear brain stem oscillators, each of which has a selective relationship with a different portion of the spinal sympathetic outflow. The 10-Hz rhythmic discharges of sets of sympathetic nerves are differentially related and the pattern of relationships in one experiment can be the reverse of that in the next. We hypothesize that nonuniform and dynamic coupling of the central circuits controlling different sympathetic nerves is the basis for the formulation of complex cardiovascular response patterns that include differential changes in regional blood flows.
Seroepidemiological study of influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus following the 2009–2010 wave in Shandong Province, China

AbstractIntroduction: The aims of this study were to understand the geographic extent, risk factors, and attack rate of influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus (pH1N1) infection in Shandong Province China and to elucidate influencing factors. Methods: In January and March 2010, a cross-sectional seroprevalence survey of pH1N1 was carried out. Serum samples from 9022 participants in the survey were subjected to the hemagglutination inhibition assay. Results: Among the 9022 participants, the overall rate of seropositivity against pH1N1 was 22.6%. The weighted rate, adjusted for gender, age, and region, was estimated to be 18.7%. Among 8340 subjects who did not report previous vaccination, the rate was 16.7%, as compared to 50.9% among 682 subjects reporting previous vaccination (p < 0.001). Within the unvaccinated population, the rate of seropositivity among 16–24 and 6–15 y-old subjects was 31.8% and 29.9%, respectively, as compared to 9.6% among subjects aged ≥ 60 y (p < 0.001) and 23% in the 0–5 y age group (p < ...
Birefringence-Induced Trains of High-Rate Pulses in a Mode-Locked Fiber Laser

The output of a mode-locked erbium-doped ring fiber laser incorporating a section of a polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber is investigated in both numerical simulations and experiments. With proper inline polarization control, the laser can be set to emit a train of pulses, separated by the differential group delay of the PM section. Repetition rates as high as 500 GHz are experimentally observed. The results provide an added insight into the role of birefringence in mode-locked lasers based on nonlinear polarization rotation.
“911” among West African immigrants in New York City: A qualitative study of parents’ disciplinary practices and their perceptions of child welfare authorities

Abstract Immigrant parents' perceptions of child protective services may have important implications for their engagement in public institutions that are central to their children's well being. The current study examined West African immigrants' perceptions of child welfare authorities and the role of disciplining and monitoring in these communities' meaning making. A multiethnic group of 59 West African immigrants (32 parents and 27 adolescent children) living in the United States were interviewed in 18 focus groups and eight individual interviews between December 2009 and July 2010. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach; strategies for rigor included triangulation (multiple interview formats, varied composition of groups, multiple coders for each transcript), verification (follow-up interviewing, feedback to community-based organizations), and auditability. Primary among parents' concerns were “911” (used to refer to the police and child protective authorities), the loss of collective child monitoring networks, and threats to their children posed by “American” values and neighborhood violence. Children were concerned with parents' close monitoring that resulted in boredom and a sense that parents did not recognize them for adhering to their families' values. Feedback from CBOs suggested that parents got their information about child protective policies from children but that although misinformed they were accurate in their negative assessment of contact. Not unlike in other urban populations, West African immigrants' disciplinary tactics are instrumental, oriented toward protecting their children from the multiple dangers perceived in their surroundings, but may also put them at risk for contact with child protective services. Results suggest that “911” results from a “loss spiral” ( Hobfoll, 1989 ) that begins as West Africans resettle without collective child monitoring networks, leading to increased concern for their children's safety, and interacting with a school-home disciplinary mismatch that may increase the likelihood of contact with child protection.
A decision framework for the adaptive management of an exploited species with implications for marine reserves.

Marine reserves have both conservation and fishery benefits. Nevertheless, there are no general criteria about when and where to establish new reserves, how to evaluate their efficacy, and how to conduct adaptive management to achieve conservation goals. We applied a decision-theory framework to optimally allocate conservation resources between improving data on population status and establishing a reserve for species conservation. Our goal was to maximize reserve benefits given the constraints of a population growth rate that would permit sustainability of resources. We illustrate our decision framework with a retrospective analysis of a 7-year time series on abundance of the leopard grouper (Mycteroperca rosacea) in the Sea of CortMexico. We used the lower bound of the distribution of the population growth rate (λ) as a decision rule for determining how many years of monitoring are needed to detect reserve effects. We determined the minimum time frame needed to estimate λ based on a stated level of risk tolerance for four sites. As expected, the coefficient of variation for the λ declined with the number of years of data. This increased precision with additional years of data resulted from the high degree of annual variability in the system. Where populations were slow to respond to reserves, more data were needed to detect a positive λ value. For the leopard grouper case study, confidence in the estimate of λ increased with the number of years of data. Our decision framework may be used to identify the minimum number of years of data needed before a management decision about reserve establishment could be made that is reasonably likely to meet its management objectives.
Influenza infection and vaccination in pregnant women

Evidence from previous influenza pandemics, epidemic seasonal influenza and, most recently, pandemic influenza A (H1N1) demonstrates that pregnant women and their offspring are at an increased risk for influenza-related complications. Influenza infections in pregnancy have been associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, including preterm labor and delivery, respiratory hospitalization, pneumonia, adult respiratory distress syndrome, overwhelming sepsis and death. The influenza vaccine has been repeatedly demonstrated to be both safe and effective in pregnant women and the potential for passive transfer of protective antibodies to the neonate adds to the cumulative benefits of maternal influenza immunization. Despite the potential benefit of this vaccine during pregnancy, low vaccination rates in both the USA and in other industrialized countries have been disconcerting.
Broken conformal symmetry

Single-particle distributions in inclusive hadronic reactions at high energies and large momentum transfers are investigated in the framework of broken conformal invariance. As a consequence of conformal invariance, the cross-sections are shown to exhibit a partonlike structure. The cross-sections obey simple scaling laws; presently available experimental data on the reaction pp→π0X support this conclusion. We predict that the inclusive production rate of «heavy» particles (K, η) relative to pions is a slowly increasing function of the energy. The dependence of the cross-section on the momentum transfers is evaluated within the framework of a simple model; the predicted distributions are in good agreement with the data.
The Step Transition Doctrine: What Factors Will Affect The Courts Decision?

Logit analysis was used to evaluate the factors considered by the Tax Court in deciding step transaction doctrine cases. Using a sample of 117 Tax Court cases, a logit model was estimated based upon eight variables. The existence of a preconceived plan and the economic interdependence of the steps were identified as the variables mostly likely to affect the decision of the Tax Court.
Latest advances in confocal microscopy of skin cancers toward guiding patient care: a Mohs surgeon's review and perspective (Conference Presentation)

Latest advances in confocal microscopy of skin cancers toward guiding patient care: a Mohs surgeon’s review and perspective About 350 publications worldwide have reported the ability of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) imaging to detect melanocytic skin lesions in vivo with specificity of 84-88% and sensitivity of 71-92%, and non-melanocytic skin lesions with specificity of 85-97% and sensitivity 100-92%. Lentigo maligna melanoma can be detected with sensitivity of 93% and specificity 82%. While the sensitivity is comparable to that of dermoscopy, the specificity is 2X superior, especially for lightly- and non-pigmented lesions. Dermoscopy combined with RCM imaging is proving to be both highly sensitive and highly specific. Recent studies have reported that the ratio of equivocal (i.e., would have been biopsied) lesions to detected melanomas dropped by ~2X when guided by dermoscopy and RCM imaging, compared to that with dermoscopy alone. Dermoscopy combined with RCM imaging is now being implemented to guide noninvasive diagnosis (to rule out malignancy and biopsy) and to also guide treatment, with promising initial impact: thus far, about 3,000 patients have been saved from biopsies of benign lesions. These are currently under follow-up monitoring. With fluorescence confocal microscopy (FCM) mosaicing, residual basal cell carcinomas can be detected in Mohs surgically excised fresh tissue ex vivo, with sensitivity of 94-97% and specificity 89-94%. FCM mosaicing is now being implemented for guiding Mohs surgery. To date, about 600 Mohs procedures have been performed, guided with mosaicing, and with pathology being performed in parallel to confirm the final outcome. These latest advances demonstrate the promising ability of RCM and FCM to guide patient care.
Application Research on the Mobile Power Supply System for Energy Storage

The development of modern society for the power quality and reliability requirements of power supply system increase greatly,the traditional mobile power supply system has the disadvantages of high pollution,start slow.This paper will construct research platform with the Fe-Li battery,two stage energy conversion device of DC/DC converter and power conversion system(PCS) inverter,focuses on master-slave control strategy of two DC/DC converters of mobile power supply system,grid-connected control and off-grid control strategy and experimental verification.
Disinfection Situation of Tableware in Hexi District of Tianjin during 2008-2010

[Objective]To understand the disinfection situation of tableware in catering trade in Hexi district of Tianjin. [Methods]The coliform group in tableware was tested and evaluated according to the Hygienic standard for disinfection of dinner and drinking set(GB 14934-94).The test results from 2008 and 2010 were summarized,and the main factors influencing disinfection effect of tableware in 2010 were analyzed. [Results]The total qualified rate was 70.68%.From 2008 to 2010,the qualified rate was 51.80%,67.60% and 78.75% respectively,which showed a rising trend year by year.The qualified rate of schools and kindergartens canteens was high(85.74%),and that of collective eatery was the lowest(64.56%).There were significant differences in qualified rates among different types of catering enterprises,and different types of tableware. [Conclusion]It is necessary to carry out the comprehensive measures which included strengthening supervision,improving health system and enhancing workers' awareness,so as to further improve the disinfection quality of tableware.