cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MoveFeel: Expressive Dance Movement Determination Through Video Analysis

We propose MoveFeel, a movement computing framework that leverages vision-based analysis to compute meaningful metrics for assessing expressive dance movement. Our system is a multi-component workflow which extracts and collects dance movement images, processes and quantifies human pose skeletons, and computes attributes pertaining to dance movement that adhere to the movement methodologies based on "The Dynamics of Movement" by Rudolph Laban. We conduct a feasibility study to classify the expressive intentions of dance phrases encapsulated within a dance routine. We detail the interacting components of our system and discuss the interpretation and conversion of subjective dance principles into quantified metrics. MoveFeel demonstrates promise in generating metrics that can effectively distinguish dance phrases that are associated with positively or negatively expressed emotion. Our goal is to build upon these techniques and apply them to the movement arts (dance, theatre), medicine (therapy), and education.
Partition-Based Convex Relaxations for Certifying the Robustness of ReLU Neural Networks.

In this paper, we study certifying the robustness of ReLU neural networks against adversarial input perturbations. To diminish the relaxation error suffered by the popular linear programming (LP) and semidefinite programming (SDP) certification methods, we propose partitioning the input uncertainty set and solving the relaxations on each part separately. We show that this approach reduces relaxation error, and that the error is eliminated entirely upon performing an LP relaxation with an intelligently designed partition. To scale this approach to large networks, we consider courser partitions that take the same form as this motivating partition. We prove that computing such a partition that directly minimizes the LP relaxation error is NP-hard. By instead minimizing the worst-case LP relaxation error, we develop a computationally tractable scheme with a closed-form optimal two-part partition. We extend the analysis to the SDP, where the feasible set geometry is exploited to design a two-part partition that minimizes the worst-case SDP relaxation error. Experiments on IRIS classifiers demonstrate significant reduction in relaxation error, offering certificates that are otherwise void without partitioning. By independently increasing the input size and the number of layers, we empirically illustrate under which regimes the partitioned LP and SDP are best applied.
The Virtual Recruitment Onion: Peeling Back the Layers of the Interview Season During the COVID-era.

OBJECTIVE We sought to characterize General Surgery residency program directors’ (PDs) baseline perspective on how the COVID-19 mandated changes to the recruitment and interview processes impacted how the PDs evaluated and recruited the applicants. DESIGN An anonymous cross-sectional questionnaire survey. SETTING A large, mid-western academic general surgery residency program. PARTICIPANTS 47 PDs of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited General Surgery residency programs. RESULTS During the virtual-only interviews during the COVID-19 pandemic-era 2020-21 General Surgery residency application cycle, PDs shifted their focus to virtual outreach efforts and bolstered social media presences to recruit strong applicants. Also, our study found statistically significant changes to the increased value of letters of recommendation (LORs) for the PDs when assessing an applicant's commitment to surgery. These findings suggest that the necessity of adapting to the virtual-only interview format significantly altered how the PDs recruited and evaluated applicants for the General Surgery residency match. CONCLUSIONS A complete replacement of the in-person interviews with virtual-only interviews may be challenging unless buy-in exists from key stakeholders in the surgical community. Our study highlights the PDs’ hesitation in assessing candidates’ commitment to surgery from virtual interviews alone. Incorporating virtual interviews as a part of the screening process for applicants may serve as an avenue to maximize the benefits of the virtual interview format. Furthermore, COVID-19 pandemic has normalized the growing social media presence of residency programs, adding to the changing landscape of recruiting and interviewing applicants for General Surgery residency match.
Elastomer behavior. IV. The loop structure of elastomer networks

A new theoretical treatment strongly indicates that an elastomer network actually consists of a system of fused, closed, interpenetrating loops of polymer chains. This interpenetrating loop structure restricts the movement of the chains and thereby affects the stress-strain behavior of the elastomer. Methods have been developed to enable the calculation of the number of effective cross links caused by loop interpenetrations (virtual cross links). The uniaxial stress-strain behavior of an elastomer predicted using our methods can be fitted almost perfectly to published experimental data by proper selection of chain parameters. Previous theoretical treatments gave only a qualitative fit to the experimental data for the stress-strain behavior of elastomers and were not capable of predicting the correct shape of the experimental stress-strain curve. The present treatment gives a nearly perfect fit for both stress vs. strain at constant cross-link density, and stress vs. cross-link density at constant strain, and thus represents a vast improvement in the field. Aus neuen theoretischen Berechnungen folgt, das das Netzwerk eines Elastomeren aus einem System von ineinandergehakten und dadurch verbundenen Polymerkettenringen besteht. Diese zusammenhangenden Ringe behindern die Bewegungsfreiheit der Ketten und beeinflussen dadurch die Dehnungseigenschaften des Elastomeren. Methoden zur Berechnung der Zahl der wirksamen Netzpunkte, die durch das Ineinanderhaken der Ringe entstehen, wurden entwickelt. Wahrend die fruheren Theorien nur zu einer qualitativen Annaherung an die experimentellen Ergebnisse fuhrten, ergibt die hier mitgeteilte theoretische Betrachtung eine ausgezeichnete Ubereinstimmung mit der gemessenen Kraft-Dehnungs-Kurve bei konstanter Vernetzungsdichte sowie mit der Kraft-Vernetzungsdichte-Kurve bei konstanter Dehnung.
Protein synthesis in the cotyledons of Pisum sativum L. Protein factors involved in the binding of phenylalanyl-transfer ribonucleic acid to ribosomes

Abstract 1. Proteinaceous factors contained in a 0.5m-KCl extract of ribosomes from pea cotyledons form a ternary complex at 0°C with [14C]phenylalanyl-tRNA and poly(U). The complex is measured by its quantitative retention on Millipore filters. 2. Complex-assembly is optimal at 5mm-Mg2+ and is independent of GTP and ribosomes. 3. The addition of ribosomes is required to stabilize the complex at 34°C. The complex binds to a puromycin-sensitive site on the ribosome. 4. Soluble factors from the 250000g supernatant of pea cotyledon form a Millipore-retainable complex dependent on GTP and ribosomes. 5. Complex-formation by soluble factors has a Mg2+ optimum of 10–12mm and forms a puromycin-insensitive complex with ribosomes. 6. The function of the ribosomal protein factors and the supernatant fraction in initiation of protein synthesis is discussed.
Minimizing access pointers into trees and arrays

Abstract Multihead tree machines and multihead multidimensional machines are used to develop new methods for minimizing access pointers into trees and arrays. Every multihead tree machine of time complexity t(n) can be simulated on-line by a tree machine with only two access heads in time O(t(n) log t(n) log log t(n)). Every multihead e-dimensional machine of time complexity t(n) can be simulated on-line by a d-dimensional machine with two access heads in time O(t(n) 1 + 1 d − 1 de log t(n)). The simulation for trees is optimal.
Effect of feeding safflower oil on the fatty acid composition of milk.

Summary Eight Guernsey and Jersey cows received, according to a three-period switchback design: one of two rations, 15% added safflower oil or a control diet, with both rations equalized for energy and protein content. Yield of milk, milk fat, and 4% FCM, as well as fat per cent, were all significantly depressed (P
Disclosure in research ethics

The issue of disclosure of decisions made by research ethics boards (REBs) is worthy of extended debate.[1][1] The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is soliciting public comments concerning the issue of institutional review board (IRB) “shopping” in anticipation of formulating a rule to
Indwelling Umbilical Arterial Catheter: A Preferred Sampling Site for Blood Culture

Indwelling umbilical arterial catheter was evaluated prospectively as an alternative site for blood culture sampling. In 282 infants, 318 paired blood cultures were obtained from the peripheral vein and from the indwelling umbilical arterial line. Duration of umbilical catheter placement ranged from 0.5 to 196 hours; in 17% of the infants, catheters were in place for between 24 and 196 hours. In 13 blood culture pairs the same pathogens were found and had been obtained from the peripheral vein and the umbilical arterial line. Two pairs were positive for discrepant organisms. A total of 11 pairs were positive in one site only, with five positive from peripheral vein only and the other six from the umbilical arterial catheter. However, most of these single-site positive blood cultures were apparently true positives based on supporting laboratory data for infection. Contamination rates were 1.3% and 0.9% for peripheral vein and umbilical arterial catheter blood cultures, respectively. Thus, in sick neonates, the indwelling umbilical arterial line was an alternative and perhaps a preferred site for blood culture sampling.
One-leaf cuttings as a model to study second growth in the potato (Solanum tuberosum) plant.

Un protocole est developpe afin de favoriser la croissance secondaire sur des morceaux de tiges a une feuille de la pomme de terre, apres tuberisation. Ce type de protocole, utilisant des variations de photoperiode, de temperature et la decapitation ou le retrait des feuilles, est rapide et reproduit de facon comparable le phenomene physiologique survenant naturellement
ON THE BRITTLENESS OF GIBEON METEORITIC IRON

The iron-nickel alloy of the Gibeon octahedrite exhibited a transition from the normal ductile behavior to brittle behavior in tensile tests conducted below 103 °K. This result contradicts data published previously and implies that a temperature-induced transition could explain the fragmentation of a large parent metallic mass into meteorite-sized objects, since the micro-structures of existing octahedrites are consistent with brittle rather than ductile fracture events. Examination of the fractures and microstructures of the tensile specimens affirmed that the observed transition is consistent with meteoritic structures. It is concluded that the mechanical properties of Gibeon meteoritic iron are compatible with both the solid iron core and the metallic “raisin” models for the structure of the parent planet with respect to fragmentation mechanisms.
On proportionate-type NLMS algorithms for fast decay of output error at all times

Recently, we have proposed three schemes for gain allocation in proportionate-type NLMS algorithms for fast decay at all time. The gain allocation schemes are based on: (1) maximization of one-step decay of the mean square output error, (2) maximization of one-step conditional probability density for true weight values, and (3) adaptation of μ-law for compression of weight estimates using the output square error. Scheme (1) implies sorting and time consuming calculations that can restrict its ability to work in real-time. We will propose usage of computationally simplified schemes and show that the loss in performance is negligible. Scheme (3) needs calculation of a logarithmic function that we will replace by calculation of a piecewise linear function and show that there is no significant loss in performance. Schemes (1) and (2) use fast-converging biased estimates to calculate gain allocation. The performance deterioration because of the biased estimates is especially noticeable in the steady-state regime. We are going to consider combining the fast-converging biased estimates with slow-converging unbiased estimates. The combination will be related to the magnitude of the output square error. Comparison between the original and modified algorithms in sparse echo-cancellation scenarios will be presented for white input, color input, and voice inputs.
Differential response of marine diatoms to solvents.

Unicellular algae in aquatic ecosystems are subjected to a variety of pollutants from sources such as runoff from agricultural lands and industrial outfalls. Organic solvents are natural components of oil deposits and commonly find their way into surface waters as a result of discharges from refineries, waste oil, disposal, and accidental spills. Organic solvents can make their way into the environment as industrial wastes. Because of their carcinogenic potential, contamination of soil and water by solvents is cause for serious concern. Relatively few reports have been published on the comparative toxicity of solvents towards test organisms, and these dealt primarily with fish and aquatic invertebrates. However, only few data of toxicity effects of solvents on algae have been published. Phytoplankton species vary in their tolerance to trace metals. Diatoms in particular are able to detoxify trace metals by the excretion of organic compounds. A previous study reported that diatoms collected form different sites in the Gulf of Mexico varied in their physiological characteristics. Algae have been considered to be good indicator s of bioactivity of industrial wastes. Unicellular algae vary in their response to a variety of toxicants. Little is known, however, about toxicity of solvents to marine diatoms. Themore » work reported here was done to examine the effect of selected solvents on seven diatom species to determine whether they differed in their responses to these chemicals. 16 refs., 1 fig.« less
Evaluating Majority Party Leaders in Congress

Evaluations of majority party leaders come from three main sources: political scientists, media analysts, and members of Congress. Political scientists are the theoreticians. They have defined concepts and developed theories for evaluating leadership style, strategy, and strength. Journalists are the watchdogs. They regularly evaluate leader performance in response to contemporary events. Members of Congress then serve as the judges and juries. They occasionally advise leaders on tactics and strategies, and they ultimately have the ability to sanction or reward
Auxin Oxidase and Growth Control in Tissue Cultures of Ephedra.

During certain investigations of gymnosperm tissue cultures, we isolated callus cultures from the stem of an unknown species of Ephedra. The tissues had been isolated on a modified White's medium supplemented with coconut water (20 % v/v) and 2 mg/liter of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D). Sutbsequently, they were routinely maintained on this medium. In attempts to grow the tissues on a synthetic medium, we found that modified White's medium containing 2 g/liter of acid-hydrolyzed casein hydrolyzate plus 2,4-D or a-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) supported almost as much growth as the coconut water medium. Substitution of IAA, however, for either 2,4-D or NAA did not permit any growth of the tissue. Despite the paucity of references attesting to the demonstration of IAA oxidase in plant tissue cultures (see, however, refs. 8, 11, 12, 17), the simplest assumption to explain the behavior of the Ephedra tissue is that the tissue produces an IAA oxidase which destroys the IAA, but not the 2,4-D or NAA. In the present report, evidence is produced which shows that this assumption is probably a valid one.
The ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor, Sml1, is sequentially phosphorylated, ubiquitylated and degraded in response to DNA damage

Regulation of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is important for cell survival and genome integrity in the face of genotoxic stress. The Mec1/Rad53/Dun1 DNA damage response kinase cascade exhibits multifaceted controls over RNR activity including the regulation of the RNR inhibitor, Sml1. After DNA damage, Sml1 is degraded leading to the up-regulation of dNTP pools by RNR. Here, we probe the requirements for Sml1 degradation and identify several sites required for in vivo phosphorylation and degradation of Sml1 in response to DNA damage. Further, in a strain containing a mutation in Rnr1, rnr1-W688G, mutation of these sites in Sml1 causes lethality. Degradation of Sml1 is dependent on the 26S proteasome. We also show that degradation of phosphorylated Sml1 is dependent on the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, Rad6, the E3 ubiquitin ligase, Ubr2, and the E2/E3-interacting protein, Mub1, which form a complex previously only implicated in the ubiquitylation of Rpn4.
A Barotropic Model of the Interaction between the Hadley Cell and a Rossby Wave

Abstract A barotropic model is described that is designed to study the interaction of the Hadley cell with a Rossby wave forced in midlatitudes by a stationary “topographic” source. The Hadley cell is driven by a mass source/sink that is partly fixed, representing solar heating, and partly dependent on the layer thickness, representing infrared cooling. The response of the mean zonal and meridional winds to infinitesimal wave forcing is analyzed in detail; then the forcing is gradually increased to examine the departures from linearity.
Allergic contact stomatitis caused by acrylic resin

A llergic contact stomatitis caused by resins, particularly self-polymerizing resins, are rare or are rarely reported.*+ When allergic responses have been reported, the responsible agent appears to be residual monomer which is capable of producing a stomatitis and an angular cheilitis.‘, 6, 7 In a previous report of allergy to residual monomer it was suggested that the “cured” material could be treated to remove the residual monomer so that the restoration could still be used in the treatment of a sensitized patient without further adverse reacti0n.j In that report the patient had erythema multiforme, a symptom complex in which allergy is often the underlying cause. The following report concerns another patient who became sensitive to self-polymerizing resin when a permanent maxillary splint was made. The reaction was erythema multiforme, which was treated by removing the residual monomer. The diagnosis of allergy was corroborated by patch testing.
BEE: Predicting realistic worst case and stochastic eye diagrams by accounting for correlated bitstreams and coding strategies

Modern high-speed links and I/O subsystems often employ sophisticated coding strategies to boost error resilience and achieve multi-Gb/s throughput. The end-to-end analysis of such systems, which involves accurate prediction of worst-case and stochastic eye diagrams, is a challenging problem. Existing techniques such as Peak Distortion Analysis (PDA) typically predict overly pessimistic eye diagrams because they do not take into account the coding strategies employed. Monte-Carlo methods, on the other hand, often predict overly optimistic eye diagrams, and they are also very time-consuming. As an alternative, we present BEE, an accurate and efficient computational technique that applies dynamic programming algorithms to predict realistic worst-case and stochastic eye diagrams in modern high-speed links and I/O subsystems - with neither excessive pessimism nor undue optimism. BEE is able to fully and correctly take into account many features underlying modern communications systems, including arbitrary high-level transmit-side coding schemes and strategies, as well as various low-level non-idealities introduced by the underlying channel(s), such as inter-symbol interference (ISI) and crosstalk, asymmetric rise/fall times, jitter, parameter variability, etc. Furthermore, BEE accurately captures the fact that different received bits typically have widely different eye diagrams when a channel is driven by correlated bitstreams generated by coding strategies. We demonstrate BEE on links involving (7,4)-Hamming and 8b/10b SERDES encoders, featuring channels that give rise to multiple reflections, dispersion, loss, and overshoot/undershoot. BEE successfully predicts actual worst case eye openings in all these real-world systems, which can be twice as large as the eye openings predicted by overly pessimistic methods like PDA. Also, BEE can be an order of magnitude faster (and much more reliable) than Monte-Carlo based eye estimation methods.
The abundance, vertical flux, and still-water and apparent sinking rates of marine snow in a shallow coastal water column

Abstract In Cape Lookout Bight, NC, measurements were made of marine snow (e.g., aggregates >0.5 mm in diameter) abundance and size, the vertical flux of material through the water column, the vertical flux of marine snow, and the measured still-water sinking rate of marine snow. The abundance and size of marine snow was determined from photographs taken by SCUBA divers. Sampled marine snow were used to determine aggregate dry weight. Marine snow flux and measured still-water sinking rate were made using a time-lapse camera that photographed a sediment trap mounted on a drogue. Flow over the drogue mounted sediment trap was Throughout the study, marine snow was always present and usually abundant (average 125 l−1). The water-column particulate matter load ranged from 8 to 18 mg l−1. The vertical flux of particulate matter through the water column was large (average 74 g m−2 day−1). The average vertical flux was roughly equal to the sedimentation rate estimated from geochronology studies of sediment deposition in Cape Lookout Bight. More than 90% of the variation in the vertical flux of particulate matter through the water column was due to variations in the flux of marine snow. Variations in the vertical flux of marine snow were, however, not significantly correlated to the abundance of marine snow. Measured sinking rates ranged from around 10 to about 150 m day−1, increased with aggregate size, and varied little between days. The calculated apparent sinking rates of marine snow varied a great deal between days and were not similar to the measured sinking rates. The distribution and orientation of marine snow in the water column photographs appeared to delineate small (mm to cm diameter) eddies. Eddies in a random selection of water column photographs were measured. The upper limit to aggregate size appeared to have been set by the size of small turbulent eddies in the water column. The apparent sinking rate of marine snow, the total vertical flux and the flux of marine snow were all significantly correlated (r>0.97) to the ratio of aggregate dry weight and eddy diameter. The data suggest that marine snow sinking rates were modified by turbulence in the water column.
Self-assembled monolayer resists and nanoscale lithography of silicon dioxide thin films by chemically enhanced vapor etching (CEVE)

We report on the use of electron-beam exposed monolayers of undecylenic acid in the etch rate enhancement of silicon dioxide films in HF vapor for the formation of nanoscale features in the oxide. Variations of the etching characteristics with electron beam parameters are examined and the results analyzed in terms of proposed models of the etching mechanism. Apparent variations in the relative concentrations of etch initiator with the thermal history of the samples prior to etching provides support for the dominant etch initiator within this system as the carboxylic acid moiety bound at the oxide surface. Other variations in the etching characteristics are discussed in terms of differences in localized concentrations of hydrocarbon crosslinks and the effect that this has upon the etch initiation. The process has been employed in the production of features in silicon dioxide surface masks with sizes down to 50 nm.
Th isotope and U-series studies of subduction-related volcanic rocks

The activities of 6–7 radionuclides measured by alpha spectrometry are reported for 35 samples of recent volcanic rocks from 24 volcanoes in 9 arcs. These include continental margins (Cascades, Alaska, Costa Rica), island arcs (the Sunda, Banda, and Sangihe arcs of Indonesia, Marianas, Japan, Aleutians, Antilles, Tonga), and a backarc basin (Lau Basin). Enrichment of 238U over 230Th is more common (over 25 of the samples) and greater (up to 59%) in these subduction-related volcanics than in those from other tectonic environments. 230Th232Th ratios also extend to higher values, both in absolute numbers and relative to other isotope ratios. Enrichment of 210Po and 226Ra over 230Th is widespread and is more common and greater in island arcs than continental margins. The level of Po or Ra enrichment (50–300% in island arcs, 10–50% at continental margins) is similar to that in ocean island and ridge basalts and decreases with differentiation. The differences in Th-U systematics between subduction-related and other volcanic rocks are attributed to variations in the process of melt extraction, changes in bulk partition coefficients within the mantle wedge, or preferential addition of U from subducted lithosphere. Ra enrichments are attributed to partial melting processes which are similar to those at ocean ridges. Smaller excesses at continental margins are attributed either to slower ascent or to differences in the process of melt formation beneath continents.
The expanding prisoner reentry industry

The prisoner reentry industry (PRI) has become a major part of the Social Control Industrial Complex. As with the Prison Industrial Complex, the PRI is not just a collection of institutions, organizations, and interest groups (both public and private); it is also a state of mind. Developing and facilitating programs and services for the formerly incarcerated have become a huge “cash-cow,” producing profits for the PRI at the expense of the taxpayer, while doing little to link the formerly incarcerated person to the social capital and human skills necessary to become a “citizen.” Data that include the voices of the formerly incarcerated, members of their families, and criminal justice practitioners suggest that a person’s level of success during their “personal reentry experience” varies in large part, by the individual parole officer they are assigned to and the number and types of programs they are required to participate in. Furthermore, their quality of life after release and their level of success is determined in large part by the program administrators managing those “for-profit companies” and “non-profit/for-profit agencies,” that supervise parolee programs. The argument here is that there must be a better system for monitoring the activities of those organizations that are in the business of facilitating prisoner reentry-related services. A process of accountability that will ensure that organizations part of the PRI are in fact providing services in the manner that was stated and agreed upon during their request for funding. The most important tool for ending this cycle lies in creating employment opportunities for the formerly incarcerated and empowering them to access those resources afforded all citizens. Consequently, if those agencies and organizations in the business of facilitating prisoner reentry were successful at making available the services they argue they do provide, members of these organizations would work themselves out of a job; that would be a valid indicator of organizational success.
Inactivation by acivicin of rat brain CTP and GMP synthetases and depression of CTP and GTP concentrations.

Evidence was provided that injection of acivicin (25 mg/kg, i.p.) into the rat inactivated brain CTP and GMP synthetases. Under the same circumstances, CTP and GTP concentrations in the rat brain decreased following the decline in the activities of CTP and GMP synthetases. The decrease in enzymic activities and nucleotide concentrations progressed with time. The decline in CTP and GMP synthetase activities and CTP and GTP concentrations caused by acivicin occurred more slowly and to a lesser extent than in liver and hepatoma 3924A. The delay in the expression of acivicin action in the rat brain was attributed to a possible slower entrance of acivicin and the lower concentration than might have been attained in the rat brain. These considerations are based on the rapid disappearance of acivicin from rat plasma noted earlier. The decline in CTP concentration in rat brain might interfere with neuronal function. The decline in GTP concentration might be expressed through the depletion of biopterins which are generated from GTP in the brain. The possible relevance to the biochemical basis of paranoid schizophrenia which occurs reversibly after high-dose acivicin or tiazofurin treatment was discussed.
Femtosecond nanocrystallography using X-Ray Lasers for membrane protein structure determination

The invention of free electron X-ray lasers has opened a new era for membrane protein structure determination with the recent first proof-of-principle of the new concept of femtosecond nanocrystallography. Structure determination is based on thousands of diffraction snapshots that are collected on a fully hydrated stream of nanocrystals. This review provides a summary of the method and describes how femtosecond X-ray crystallography overcomes the radiation-damage problem in X-ray crystallography, avoids the need for growth and freezing of large single crystals while offering a new method for direct digital phase determination by making use of the fully coherent nature of the X-ray beam. We briefly review the possibilities for time-resolved crystallography, and the potential for making 'molecular movies' of membrane proteins at work.
The Effect of Methylprednisolone on Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction in the Newborn Late-Gestation Lamb

Methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg), which inhibits a number of mediators of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction derived from arachidonic acid, has been found to alleviate hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in adult humans and in the isolated rat lung preparation. We studied the effect of 30 mg/kg of methylprednisolone on the pulmonary vascular response to hypoxia in six late-gestation newborn lambs. During hypoxia, pulmonary vascular resistance nearly doubled compared with the baseline hyperoxic state. This was true both before and after administration of methylprednisolone. We conclude that methylprednisolone, when administered at the dosage used in previous studies of adult humans and animals, does not affect the response of the pulmonary vascular bed to hypoxia in newborn lambs.
The effects of scatter in x-ray computed tomography

The effects of detection of scattered radiation in x-ray transmission CT are studied both theoretically and experimentally. It is shown that scatter induces nonlinear errors in the measurement of attenuation values which can lead to cupping, streaks, and CT number inaccuracies. It is shown that scatter effects predominate over beam spectrum hardening effects for large body parts, and that the artifact propensity is a direct function of the scatter-to-primary ratio. The presence of scatter induced streaks were demonstrated experimentally on both a third and a fourth-generation CT scanner using an appropriate water-equivalent phantom. A simple model with constant scatter background leads to a correction algorithm which was tested on several phantoms and one human pelvis. The algorithm worked well on the smaller phantoms but was less successful for the larger objects. Nevertheless, it still gave substantial improvement in the pelvic scan. We demonstrated that, at least in the pelvis, scatter is a more significant source of error than beam hardening and that improved scatter correction algorithms are needed. The consequences for the quantitative interpretation of CT numbers for clinical diagnoses are discussed.
Segmentation and quantification for Alzheimer's disease (AD): a preliminary study

Alzheimer's is a progressive brain disease and is clinically characterized by cognitive symptoms that, in combination with behavioral disturbances, significantly interfere with activities of daily living. The purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility of developing volumetric measures of the structural damage and atrophy of brain derived from multiprotocol MR imaging. Our approach first applies intensity inhomogeneity correction and intensity standardization to PD and T2 weighted MR images to create base images for quantitative image analysis. Then, vectorial scale-based fuzzy connectedness segmentation (VSFCS) and morphological operations are applied to the base images to extract masks of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), grey matter (GM), and white matter (WM), and further to create a clean and accurate intracranial (IC) mask. After separating CSF from brain parenchyma (BP), VSFCS is applied to BP (PD and T2) images to generate pure GM and WM masks, and then subtracting these pure from the BP mask to detect AD lesions. This method was applied to a set of conventional PD and T2 weighted MR images that were obtained from 5 patients with probable AD and 5 healthy normal control subjects. The segmented images of individual brain tissue regions (CSF, GM, WM, and AD lesion) are consistent with a Neuroradiologist's examination. The quantitative analysis shows that patients with AD have more atrophy. The mean value of the volume of brain parenchyma of patients with AD is about 10% less than that of healthy controls.
Global freshening of the upper ocean layer during deglaciation

Im Rahmen eines Forschungsvorhabens fiber die Evolution der Pal/iotechnik [1] wurde ein Verfahren zur Standardisierung yon Artefakten entwickelt. Das Gewicht eines Artefakt-Typs (TG) wird fiber die jeweilige Dichte auf den Durchmesser einer volumengleichen Kugel transformiert. Solche Werte sind nach der Gleichung y = ae -bx~ normalverteilt und dadurch .den Rechnungen und Tests der mathematischen Statistik zug~nglich. An Serien mit hohen Stfickzahlen aus Olduvai, Tansania, Fundstelle BK II (oberes bed II), die nach [2] vorzugsweise ein ,,Developed Olduwan B" enthalten, konnte nach unserer Methode erstmals die Standardisierung frfiher menschlicher Artefakte exakt bestimmt werden [3]. Als Parameter dienen die aus dem Typengewicht TG transformierten Lokalisationsmage ~ und 2 des Kugeldurchmessers sowie die Dispersionsmal3e Varianz und Standardabweichung s. In Figur 1 umschliel3t der Kurvenzug A alle Grenzwerte des gesamten Artefakt-Ensembles, also Werkzeuge der verschiedenen Typen, Abschl~ge und Kernsteine einschlieBlich der benutzten Kernsteine. Alle Typen sind wenn auch verschieden hoch standardisiert. Ihre Fertigung war deutlich institutionalisiert. Die geringste Standardabweichung zeigen die Werkzeuge des
Dephosphorylation of Catalytic Subunit of cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase at Thr-197 by a Cellular Protein Phosphatase and by Purified Protein Phosphatase-2A

Thr-197 phosphate is essential for optimal activity of the catalytic (C) subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase enzyme, and, in the C subunit crystal structure, it is buried in a cationic pocket formed by the side chains of His-87, Arg-165, Lys-189, and Thr-195. Because of its apparent role in stabilizing the active conformation of C subunit and its resistance to several phosphatases, the phosphate on Thr-197 has been assumed to be metabolically stable. We now show that this phosphate can be removed from C subunit by a protein phosphatase activity extracted from S49 mouse lymphoma cells or by purified protein phosphatase-2A (PP-2A) with concomitant loss of enzymatic activity. By anion-exchange chromatography, inhibitor sensitivity, and relative activity against glycogen phosphorylase a and C subunit as substrates, the cellular phosphatase resembled a multimeric form of PP-2A. PP-1 was ineffective against native C subunit, but it was able to dephosphorylate Thr-197 in urea-treated C subunit. Accessibility of Thr-197 phosphate to the cellular phosphatase was enhanced by storage of C subunit in a phosphate-free buffer or by inclusion of modest concentrations of urea in the reactions and was reduced by salt concentrations in the physiological range and/or by amino-terminal myristoylation. It is concluded that a multimeric form of PP-2A or a closely related enzyme from cell extracts is capable of removing the Thr-197 phosphate from native C subunit in vitro and could account for significant turnover of this phosphate in intact cells.
Secondary Structures of rRNAs from All Three Domains of Life

Accurate secondary structures are important for understanding ribosomes, which are extremely large and highly complex. Using 3D structures of ribosomes as input, we have revised and corrected traditional secondary (2°) structures of rRNAs. We identify helices by specific geometric and molecular interaction criteria, not by co-variation. The structural approach allows us to incorporate non-canonical base pairs on parity with Watson-Crick base pairs. The resulting rRNA 2° structures are up-to-date and consistent with three-dimensional structures, and are information-rich. These 2° structures are relatively simple to understand and are amenable to reproduction and modification by end-users. The 2° structures made available here broadly sample the phylogenetic tree and are mapped with a variety of data related to molecular interactions and geometry, phylogeny and evolution. We have generated 2° structures for both large subunit (LSU) 23S/28S and small subunit (SSU) 16S/18S rRNAs of Escherichia coli, Thermus thermophilus, Haloarcula marismortui (LSU rRNA only), Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Drosophila melanogaster, and Homo sapiens. We provide high-resolution editable versions of the 2° structures in several file formats. For the SSU rRNA, the 2° structures use an intuitive representation of the central pseudoknot where base triples are presented as pairs of base pairs. Both LSU and SSU secondary maps are available (http://apollo.chemistry.gatech.edu/RibosomeGallery). Mapping of data onto 2° structures was performed on the RiboVision server (http://apollo.chemistry.gatech.edu/RiboVision).
Slope-derived deposits from the Cretaceous Interior Seaway, northwestern Colorado

Abstract Two types of mass-movement deposits are interbedded within the dark marine Upper Cretaceous Mancos Shale, in outcrops exposed on and near the slopes of Mount Garfield, 12 km east of Grand Junction, Colorado. These deposits are inferred to have formed at or seaward of the shallow-marine shelf edge, about 200 km from the contemporaneous shoreline. The first type is a thick (tens of meters), laterally restricted (200–400 m) deposit composed of rip-up clasts of Mancos Shale, rare sandstone and siltstone blocks, and a silty mudstone matrix. These deposits overlie abrupt, bedding-parallel basal contacts, and are interpreted to record submarine debris flows. The second type of deposit consists of landward-rotated blocks of Mancos Shale tens of meters in scale, adjacent to a listric fault scar, and overlying a similar sharp, planar base. These are interpreted as slump blocks. An associated third type of deposit consists of one or more 4- to 5-m-thick beds composed of laterally extensive, centimeter-scale, sandstone-shale laminations that are rippled and extensively burrowed and that may represent distal turbidite deposits. The mass-movement deposits are interpreted as rare examples of the sedimentary record of the offshore slope environment in the Cretaceous Interior Seaway. A twice-repeated vertical succession, with basal sandstones, intermediate mudstones, and overlying slump blocks or debris-flow deposits, records fluctuations in relative sea level, tectonism, and sedimentation rate during the Claggett transgression.
Effects of composition and density of the group on the performance, behaviour and age at puberty in swine

Abstract Two hundred and eighteen cross-bred pigs (Duroc × Hampshire × Landrace × Yorkshire) were assigned to a 3 × 2 factorial experiment; the factors being composition of the group and density. The composition of the group factor consisted of pigs not reaggregated (NR), re-aggregated below the median body weight (RBMW), and re-aggregated above the median body weight (RAMW) at the time of transfer to the finishing pens. The density factor consisted of groups of 6 or 12 pigs/pen. Two trials with 2 replications of each trial were conducted. Twenty-six gilts from Trial I were used to determine their age and ovulation rate at the pubertal oestrus. During the nursery phase, composition of the group had no effect ( P >0.05) on average daily feed intake (ADFI) or feed efficiency (F/G). Pigs in the NR and RAMW groups had a similar ( P >0.05) average daily gain (ADG), whereas, those pigs in the RBMW group gained ( P P P >0.05) ADG and poorer ( P P >0.05) on ADFI, ADG or F/G. Pigs housed in groups of 6 had a greater ( P P P P P P >0.05) by composition of the group, density or their interaction. In summary, composition and density of the group affected the performance of pigs and was correlated to some of the behavioural measurements. The most noticeable effect was that these same factors caused a delay in the onset of puberty in gilts.
Cuba: A comparison of work values on Castro's Island with those in the United States

In this empirical study of work values differences between Cuba and the United States, the data reveal findings that confirm the expectations of the conventional wisdom on individualism for a comparison between a Latin culture-communist system and an Anglo culture-capitalist system. However, the study findings for collectivism defy this conventional wisdom. Given the dearth of empirical research on Cuba for 50-plus years, this study should serve as a starting point for subsequent investigation of Cuban work values. Additionally, it should provide preliminary information on the Cuban work attitudes and behaviors for U.S. business interested in engaging in commerce in postembargo Cuba. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Characterization of Quasi-Two-Coordinate Transition Metal Dithiolates M(SAr*)2 (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn; Ar* = C6H3-2,6(C6H2-2,4,6-Pri3)2

A sequence of first row transition metal(II) dithiolates M(SAr*)2 (M = Cr(1), Mn(2), Fe(3), Co(4), Ni(5) and Zn(6); Ar* = C6H3-2,6-(C6H2-2,4,6-Pri3)2) has been synthesized and characterized. Compounds 1−5 were obtained by the reaction of two equiv of LiSAr* with a metal dihalide, whereas 6 was obtained by treatment of ZnMe2 with 2 equiv of HSAr*. They were characterized by spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, and X-ray crystallography. The dithiolates 1, 2, and 4−6 possess linear or nearly linear SMS units with further interactions between M and two ipso carbons from C6H2-2,4,6-Pri3 rings. The iron species 3, however, has a bent geometry, two different Fe−S distances, and an interaction between iron and one ipso carbon of a flanking ring. The secondary M−C interactions vary in strength in the sequence Cr2+ ≈ Fe2+ > Co2+ ≈ Ni2+ > Mn2+ ≈ Zn2+ such that the manganese and zinc compounds have essentially two coordination but the chromium and iron complexes are quasi four and three coordinate, respectively. The...
Preliminary assessment of accident-tolerant fuels on LWR performance during normal operation and under DB and BDB accident conditions

Abstract Following the severe accidents at the Japanese Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in 2011, the US Department of Energy initiated research and development on the enhancement of the accident tolerance of light water reactors by the development of fuels/cladding that, in comparison with the standard UO 2 /Zircaloy (Zr) system, can tolerate loss of active cooling in the core for a considerably longer time period while maintaining or improving the fuel performance during normal operations. Analyses are presented that illustrate the impact of these new candidate fuel/cladding materials on the fuel performance at normal operating conditions and on the reactor system under DB and BDB accident conditions.
Brain Acetylcholinesterase Activity in Botulism-Intoxicated Mallards

Brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in captive-reared mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) that died of botulism was compared with euthanized controls. AChE levels for both groups were within the range reported for normal mallards, and there was no significant difference in mean AChE activity between birds that ingested botulism toxin and died and those that did not.
Melt-spin processing of YBa2Cu3O7−x

We introduce a novel containerless melt-spin processing technique for YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7{minus}{ital x}} using prereacted oxide powders which are rapidly melted and subsequentially quenched in a controlled atmosphere. This results in flakes with typical dimensions of 3000{times}150{times}15 {mu}m{sup 3}. Powder XRD indicates that all samples contain Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}, but that the Ba--Cu--O phases present depend on the processing parameters. SEM and TEM studies show these phases are finely dispersed: the typical grain size for Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} is 1--2 {mu}m, and for the Ba--Cu--O phases it is {lt}0.5 {mu}m.
Serum Complement and Immunity in Experimental Simian Malaria. II. Preferential Activation of Early Components and Failure of Depletion of Late Components to Inhibit Protective Immunity

The role of complement in the control of parasitemia was examined. Depletion of late components (3-9) by cobra venom factor did not alter either the degree or course of parasitemia during the pre-immune or immune stages of infection. The pattern of consumption of complement components was therefore examined. Concomitant with schizont rupture there was depletion of early-acting components (C1, C4, and C2) of the clasical complement pathway. The magnitude and remporal relationships of the fall were similar for these three components. Serum levels returned to prerupture values over 36-48 hr, and then the cycle was repeated. There was no simultaneous change in the levels of C3, C3 proactivator, or C6. These results delineate a new pattern of cyclical consumption of early components of the classical complement pathway associated temporally with schizont rupture and suggest that the late-acting components are not required for protective host immunity in malaria.
Utilisation of Free Valproic Acid Determinations

with phenobarbital. Carbamazepine was given in 3 or 4 daily doses immediately after meals and blood samples were collected at 2-hour intervals during the day. Carbamazepine was analysed by EMIT® on whole plasma (total concentration) and in plasma ultrafiltrates (free concentration) obtained by using EMIT FreeLevelTM filters as recommended by the manufacturer (Syva Co., Palo Alto). At each time, a brief neurological examination aimed at documenting the presence of adverse effects was performed. Results: In all patients, both total and free carbamazepine concentrations fluctuated considerably (mean ± SD of the fluctuation around the mean of the plasma concentrations, 40 ± 15% for total and 45 ± 16% for free). Side effects (particularly nystagmus and/or diplopia) were observed in 5 patients (intermittent in 4). Side effects were apparent when total carbamazepine concentrations exceeded 9 ~g/ml but were never found at total concentrations under 8 ~g/ml.