cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Psychosocial Determinants of Compliance in Adolescents With Iron Deficiency

• The relationship between selected psychosocial variables and compliance was studied in 71 adolescents prescribed medication for iron deficiency. The mean compliance rate in the study group was 67%. Home pill counts were highly correlated with the other methods of measuring compliance, ie, change in serum ferritin level and urinary assay for tracer riboflavin. Statistically significant predictors of compliance included adverse side effects, initial estimate by the adolescent as to his probable level of compliance, and frequency of family reminders to take the medication. There was no significant correlation between self-esteem, locus of control, or most variables of the Health Belief Model and the level of patient compliance. Our findings suggest that home pill counts are an accurate method of assessing compliance and that instituting family reminders may be helpful in those adolescents who are potentially noncompliant. ( AJDC 1989;143:55-58)
Atmospheric radioactivity and variations in the solar neutrino flux

Measurements1 of the flux of neutrinos emitted as by-products of hydrogen fusion reactions in the Sun's core bear on questions ranging from stellar evolution theories2,3 to the question of the neutrino mass. Attention has been devoted recently to possible time variations in the neutrino flux data, and some investigators have found an inverse correlation with the 11-year sunspot cycle4–7, although there is still some debate about the statistical significance of this correlation8. The neutrino luminosity of the Sun is not expected to vary on timescales less than one million years, so alternative sources of neutrinos have been invoked to explain the temporal variations. Galactic cosmic rays have been considered to be a likely candidate, as their intensity at the Earth's orbit varies inversely with the activity of the Sun. Here we present a calculation of the inventory of positron emitters in the Earth's atmosphere that results from hadronic cascades initiated by galactic cosmic rays, and the variation of this source of low-energy neutrinos with the 11-year solar cycle. Our results rule out the possibility that cosmogenic neutrino emitters are responsible for an apparent solar-cycle dependence in Davis's solar neutrino experiment1. As atmospheric secondary-particle decay was previously eliminated as a significant neutrino source9, any such variations, if corroborated over the next sunspot cycle, would appear to be caused by phenomena outside the Earth's atmosphere, most likely in the Sun itself.
GeoTNavi - smart navigation using geo-temporal traffic information

We introduce a software system GeoTNavi that utilises geo-temporal traffic information in suggesting an optimal route for drivers. GeoTNavi aids the driver in two phases. In the first phase, historical traffic information is studied to reveal patterns on any segment of the highway at a specific day and time. This information is utilised to suggest an optimal route for the driver. In the second phase, the real time traffic information will be used to adjust the optimal route along the way. State-of-the-art data warehousing and data mining techniques are applied to ensure efficiency of the system.
Comparison of the crystal and solution structures of two RNA oligonucleotides

Until recently, there were no examples of RNAs whose structures had been determined by both NMR and x-ray crystallography, and thus there was no experimental basis for assessing the accuracy of RNA solution structures. A comparison of the solution and the crystal structures of two RNAs is presented, which demonstrates that NMR can produce solution structures that resemble crystal structures and thus validates the application to RNA of a methodology developed initially for the determination of protein conformations. Models for RNA solution structures are appreciably affected by the parameters used for their refinement that describe intramolecular interactions. For the RNAs of interest here, the more realistic those parameters, the greater the similarity between solution structures and crystal structures.
Expression of the intracisternal A particle endogenous retrovirus genes over the lifetime of mouse and Syrian hamster

Abstract Transcription of intracisternal A particle genes in several tissues has been examined throughout the lifespan of inbred C57BL/6J and outbred wild-type mice and golden Syrian hamster. In both rodent species, expression of the genes occurs at all ages and in all tissues. Also, in both species, RNA transcripts of heterogeneous lengths are found that correspond in size not only to the proviral genes previously characterized but also to genes larger than those reported. In hamster, the size heterogeneity is more extensive than in the mouse, where discrete size transcripts are detectable over the heterogeneous signal. Transcription of these genes throughout the lifespan is not peculiar to the hamster or inbred laboratory mouse strain (C57BL/6J) but also occurs in many tissues of outbred wild-type Mus musculus at each age examined. Lifelong transcription of intracisternal A particle retrovirus genes raises the suggestion that retrovirus proteins and cDNA are continuosly produced and could facilitate cumulative genomic rearrangements. This could lead to improper gene regulation and thus contribute to the age-dependent increase of cancer and more generally to the aging process itself.
Relative blister rust resistance of white pines

The frequency of six mechanisms of resistance to white pine blister rust is presented for 18 white pine species. The mechanisms are: prevention of needle lesions, reduced frequency of such lesions, premature shedding of infected needles, a fungicidal reaction in the short shoot, reactions that eliminate established bark infections, and the ability of a seedling to remain alive when infected. The importance of these mechanisms in selecting for resistance in the very susceptible North American white pines is discussed.
Metamaterials on paper as a sensing platform.

There is increasing interest in the development of cost-effective, practical, portable, and disposable diagnostic devices suited to on-site detection and analysis applications, which hold great promise for global health care,[1,2] environmental monitoring,[3] water and food safety,[4] as well as medical and threat reductions.[5] Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices, which scale single or multiple lab processes down to chip format (millimeters to a few square centimeters in size), facilitated by micro- and nanoscale technologies have attracted significant attention because of their small sample volume requirements and excellent portability.[6] Various LOC devices have been designed and fabricated in the past two decades, most of which involve a lithography-based patterning process on a solid or elastomeric substrate, such as glass or plastic, for a variety of functionalities that include sample preparation,[7] microfluidic mixing,[8] biochemical reactions,[9] and analysis.[10]
Marcy : A chipping variety with resistance to common scab and the golden nematode

‘Marcy’ is a white-skinned, white-fleshed potato cultivar notable for its high yield, good chip color, and resistance to common scab and race Ro1 of the golden cyst nematode. It was selected from a cross made at Cornell University in 1990 between ‘Atlantic’ and Q155-3. Full-season marketable yields of Marcy have averaged 15% to 20% greater than Atlantic in 83 trials across New York, Maine, and Pennsylvania. Specific gravity of Marcy has averaged 0.008 less than Atlantic. Chip color out of 7 C storage in New York has been similar to ‘Pike’, but not as light as ‘Snowden’. Marcy tubers have an attractive oval shape, shallow eyes, and highly textured skin. Marcy was jointly released by the New York and Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Stations in 2002.
Great Rehabilitation Nurses Combine Art and Science to Create Magic

I believe that rehabilitation nurses have the potential to create and experience “magic” every day in their practice. Some nurses might be offended by the word “magic” because they associate magic with being dark, secretive, or perhaps evil. The magic to which I am referring encompasses the captivating, powerful, moving, and cherished moments that nurses create and experience.
Evaluation of respiratory effects of thermal decomposition products following single and repeated exposures of guinea pigs.

Groups of guinea pigs were exposed to the thermal decomposition products (TDP) released from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene-polyethylene copolymer (CP), polypropylene homopolymer (HP), or plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In single 50-min exposures to the TDP, guinea pigs exhibited sensory irritation, coughing, and airways constriction. Significant decreases in respiratory frequency (f) occurred during TDP exposure which were magnified during CO2 challenge conducted immediately post-exposure. For each resin, it was possible to demonstrate a linear relationship between the logarithm of heated mass and the percent decrease in f during CO2 challenge. From these relationships, the mass of each resin producing a 50% decrease in f during CO2 challenge (RD50 mass) was obtained. RD50 masses of 2744, 25.2, 16.0, and 6.7 g were obtained for ABS, CP, HP, and PVC, respectively. Thus, the relative potency of their TDP was PVC>CP ≈HP≫ ABS. Using the RD50 mass of each resin, guinea pigs were exposed to TDP for 50 min/day on 5 consecutive days. These repeated exposures also resulted in sensory irritation, coughing, and airways constriction. However, deaths occurred during exposures, and there was evidence of cumulative respiratory effects, and slower recoveries among survivors. Data obtained in guinea pigs were compared to a previous study with mice exposed to the TDP of the same four resins (Schaper et al. 1994). On the basis of heated mass, mice were 20–500 times more sensitive to the acute respiratory effects of TDP than guinea pigs. Thus, the exposure limits of 0.63, 0.11, 0.08, and 0.35 mg/m3 proposed by Schaper et al. (1994) on the basis of particulates released from ABS, CP, HP and PVC should prevent not only irritation, but also possible coughing, and airways constriction in workers.
Vegetative characteristics of recently reforested bottomlands in the Lower Cache River Watershed, Illinois, U.S.A

Interest in restoring native ecosystems is resulting in conversion of marginal agricultural lands to bottomland hardwood-dominated forests in the midwestern and midsouthern United States. Growing stock for these efforts typically consists of planted oak (Quercus spp.) and volunteer vegetation. Reports of mixed reforestation success and the lack of post-establishment tree growth data prompted this evaluation of vegetation characteristics of 5- to 7-year-old operational restorations in the Lower Cache River Watershed in southernmost Illinois, U.S.A. Fraxinus pennsylvanica (green ash), Acer negundo (box-elder), and Liquidambar styraciflua (sweetgum) together comprised 77% of all tree stems observed. Full stocking of overstory tree species can be expected to produce a closed canopy stand within 160 m of a forested edge, due primarily to the abundance of rapidly growing volunteer-origin trees. Planted oaks contributed minimally to total tree stocking but were present in sufficient numbers to eventually improve wildlife habitat, and therefore satisfied restoration objectives. Oak height was 23% greater when in the presence of a non-oak tree species. Herbaceous cover was dominated by Solidago gigantea (late goldenrod) and Juncus spp. (rushes). Solidago gigantea was associated with poor growth and low density of non-oak stems, whereas Juncus dudleyi (Dudley's rush) was associated with taller non-oak stems. These results suggest that the presence of volunteer-origin trees is crucial for the creation of full stand stocking that will result in rapid development of a closed canopy forest. Improved success of future reforestation efforts will require more intensive methods to establish adequate stocking beyond 160 m of a forest edge. Methods described here could be adapted for agricultural field to forest restorations in other regions to predict critical distances from volunteer seed sources within which supplemental planting would be unnecessary to meet tree stocking objectives.
The fine structure of ascospore wall formation in Sordaria fimicola.

The fine structure of ascopore wall development in the pyrenomycete Sordaria fimicola has been studied in asci fixed in either glutaraldehyde-OsO4 or KMnO4. Three distinct wall layers are deposited between the outer spore investing membrane and the inner spore plasma membrane which initially delimit each of the eight ascopores. Primary wall deposition occurs initially, followed by the deposition of secondary wall material to the outside of the primary wall. The tertiary wall is initiated as an electron dense layer along the interface between the primary and secondary walls. Pigment accumulates in this region. Increase in overall thickness of the ascospore wall occurs mainly in the secondary and tertiary layers, the former becoming fibrous and gelationous, and the latter multilayered, at maturity.
Radio detections of neutral hydrogen at redshift Z=3.4.

We have used the Very Large Array to search for ``21-cm'' narrow-band signals from neutral hydrogen at redshift Z=3.4. We detect absorption at Z=3.3968\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0004 against a radio source that has been previously identified with a ``normal'' galaxy at Z=3.395\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.005. We detect emission at Z=3.3970\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0003 separated from the absorption by 33' (7--24 Mpc, depending on the cosmological model). This narrow-band emission signal is due to about 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{14}$ ${\mathit{M}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\bigodot}}}$ of neutral hydrogen as expected from a protocluster of galaxies. We identify it as the first example of a Zel'dovich ``pancake.''
Relative attractiveness of colour traps to pear psylla in relation to seasonal changes in pear phenology.

Monitoring of pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola (Forster), Hemiptera: Psyllidae) prior to spring bud break could aid in predicting the size of subsequent spring populations and lead to improved proactive management decisions. Yellow traps are commonly used to monitor hemipteran pests including pear psylla, but very little is known regarding seasonal changes in attractiveness of yellow traps or relative attractiveness of colours other than yellow. This study presents seasonal colour-trap preferences of pear psyllas based on pear (Pyrus communis L., Rosaceae) phenological stages in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States of America. Black, blue, brown, clear (colourless), green, orange, red, white, and yellow traps were assayed against wild adult psylla populations over a 2-year period. Pear psyllas had a strong preference for yellow and orange when green leaves were present; however, we found no statistically significant difference between traps of different colours prior to spring bud break. Significantly more female psyllas were caught overall, but there was no gender-based colour bias. None of our colour traps caught significantly fewer psyllas than did clear (background hue) traps, suggesting that no traps were repellent.
Compact A6 magnetron with permanent magnet

A compact A6 magnetron [1] with permanent magnets was simulated in both FEM and in particle-in-cell, demonstrating a uniform magnetic field that exceeded 0.5 T in the electron interaction space and almost complete elimination of upstream and downstream leakage currents.
Assessment of ammonia emissions from swine facilities in the U.S.-Application of knowledge from experimental research

Abstract Ammonia (NH3) emitted from animal agriculture is the most important gaseous pollutant in agro-systems. Experimental research, as compared with indirect estimation and hypothetical calculation, on NH3 from agriculture is critical for emission assessment, regulation, and abatement. Research involving field-scale monitoring of NH3 emissions from U.S. swine facilities has greatly expanded in the past 15 years. However, published NH3 calculation tools, including emission factors, and U.S. EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) inventories in this field were largely based on non-U.S. research. While seasonal and diurnal variations of NH3 concentrations and emissions are acknowledged, most field studies, which these tools depended on, produced data that only represented a fraction of the overall picture of NH3 emissions because of technological and financial limitations. Different methodologies and technologies have been used in NH3 emission investigations but not compared systematically. Methodology, equipment, and software used in sampling and measurement, and methodology and software used in data processing and emission rate calculation can introduce variations into the results. Because of the lack of standardized methods and procedures, it is difficult to identify and quantify measurement and calculation errors. Although a few comprehensive field studies have been conducted that were long enough to cover seasonal and even annual variations, and continuous enough to cover diurnal and dynamic emission variations, there is a considerable delay of in-depth interpretation and publication of data following comprehensive monitoring projects in the U.S. There is also a lag of adopting/updating the latest NH3 emission factors from comprehensive field studies in country-wide NH3 emission inventories. In addition, there have been discrepancies between data obtained from research and data published by governmental and other agencies. Future development in this field will require that methodologies and criteria be made to weigh data from different projects to develop emission factors, more emphasis be put on application of comprehensive research results, more intensive and extensive field monitoring be conducted, standards and protocols for monitoring and data calculation be developed, and more investment be made on post-measurement data processing/analyzing/interpretation and development of advanced computer software.
VI.—Descriptions and Records of Bees.—CLXXXIV

(1942). VI.—Descriptions and Records of Bees.—CLXXXIV. Annals and Magazine of Natural History: Vol. 9, No. 49, pp. 56-60.
Electronic properties, structure and temperature-dependent composition of nickel deposited on rutile titanium dioxide (110) surfaces

Abstract Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and low energy electron diffraction (LEED) have been used to study electronic properties and the surface structure of the TiO2(rutile)(110) surface and the Ni/TiO2(110) interface. A sputter-cleaned TiO2(110) surface shows a (1 × 1) LEED pattern after annealing at 400°C for 15 min and a (1 × 2) pattern after an extended annealing at 615°C. AES showed that the O (510 eV) Ti (380 eV ) peak ratio change was within 5% for these two surfaces. From the binding energy shift of the Ni 2p 3 2 peak and the kinetic energy shift of the Ni L3M2,3M2,3 Auger peak as a function of Ni coverage, we measure a relaxation shift of 0.7 eV and a chemical shift of 0.75 eV of the Ni 2p 3 2 peak for bulk Ni relative to half a monolayer of deposited Ni on the TiO2(110)−(1 × 1) surface. These indicated that Ni atoms at the Ni/TiO2(110)−(1 × 1) interface are negatively charged and the amount of charge transferred is estimated to be 0.13 e − Ni atom. On the TiO2(110)−(1 × 2) surface, the amount of charge transfer is roughly 0.07 e − Ni atom. Such a variation in the charge state of Ni may affect the CO chemisorption and hence its methanation activity. Nickel deposited on the TiO2(110) surface diffuses into bulk TiO2 at 300°C or higher. Annealing at 300°C for 5 min results in a (1 × 2) LEED pattern, indicating long range ordering of the Ni overlay er on the TiO2(110) surface.
Error propagation in decomposition of Mueller matrices

A decomposition for Mueller matrices into three physically descriptive components was recently developed by Shih-Yau Lu. The effect of experimental error on this decomposition was studied. Both analytical and numerical methods were employed. Symbolic expression of the component matrices in terms of the original Mueller matrix elements shows how errors in the original matrix propagate through the decomposition. Complete symbolic decomposition was given for non-depolarizing Mueller matrices and their associated physical parameters; however, the depolarizing case produced unmanageably large expressions, so approximations were used. For the numerical results, Mathcad was used to randomly generate Mueller matrices, incorporate matrices is proportional to the original error within the measured Mueller matrix, and that the proportional constant increases with each subsequent step in the decomposition. In addition, Cloude's method for eliminating 'noise' in a Mueller matrix was employed, and its effect on error distribution was analyzed.
Bayesian learning in repeated games of incomplete information

In Nachbar [20] and, more definitively, Nachbar [22], I argued that, for a large class of discounted infinitely repeated games of complete information (i.e. stage game payoff functions are common knowledge), it is impossible to construct a Bayesian learning theory in which player beliefs are simultaneously weakly cautious, symmetric, and consistent. The present paper establishes a similar impossibility theorem for repeated games of incomplete information, that is, for repeated games in which stage game payoff functions are private information.
Incidental mandibular lesion in a patient with head and neck cancer.

Aman in his early 80swith a 45-pack-year history of smoking presentedwith a 2-month history of an enlarging skin lesion on the left side of his neck that was not painful but frequently drained scant yellow fluid. The patient reported that while shaving, he frequently shaved off the top portion of the lesion. This was excised under local anesthesia, and pathologic findings showed poorly differentiated cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with positive margins. Computed tomographic (CT) imaging of the neck was performed that showed no lymphadenopathy concerning for metastasis. There was, however, an incidental finding of a circumscribed left mandibular lingual wall defect with thinning of the buccal cortical bone and a small amount of soft tissue and fat within the cavity (Figure, A-C). This was located in the posterior mandible and inferior to the inferior alveolar canal. The patient did not have any symptoms related to this lesion. What is your diagnosis? A B
The Mechanism for Unimolecular Decomposition of RDX (1,3,5-Trinitro-1,3,5-triazine), an ab Initio Study

Gas phase hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) is a relatively stable molecule which releases a large amount of energy upon decomposition. Although gas-phase unimolecular decomposition experiments suggest at least two major pathways, there is no mechanistic understanding of the reactions involving RDX or other energetic molecules (such as HMX and TATB), used in applications ranging from automobile air bags to rocket propellants. For the unimolecular decomposition of RDX, we find three pathways: (i) concerted decomposition of the ring to form three CH2NNO2 (M = 74) molecules, and (ii) homolytic cleavage of an NN bond to form NO2 (M = 46) plus RDR (M = 176), which subsequently decomposes to form various products. Experimental studies suggest that the concerted pathway is dominant while theoretical calculations have suggested that the homolytic pathway might require significantly less energy. We report here a third pathway: (iii) successive HONO elimination to form 3 HONO (M = 47) plus stable 1,3,...
Withdrawal of life-sustaining low-burden care

A 90-year-old diabetic man with unreconstructable peripheral vascular disease, end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, relentless ischemic rest pain, and severe disability returns to your clinic asking you to deactivate his implanted pacemaker. To do so would likely precipitate his demise, and you ask him if he is aware of this. He tells you that he is and that he has been considering this request since he last saw you 3 months ago. Relief of his chronic pain would require bilateral hip-disarticulating amputations, procedures with a prohibitively high operative mortality rate, particularly with his age and comorbidities. He has been evaluated by a psychiatrist and found to be mentally competent. His treatment by a pain specialist, who used his full armamentarium of high-dose narcotics, electronic devices, nerve blocks, and psychological techniques, has been unsuccessful. You do not reside in Oregon. What is your most ethical course of action?
Nanosphere Lithography: Effect of the External Dielectric Medium on the Surface Plasmon Resonance Spectrum of a Periodic Array of Silver Nanoparticles

In this paper we examine the effect of solvent on the optical extinction spectrum of periodic arrays of surface-confined silver nanoparticles fabricated by nanosphere lithography (NSL). By use of NSL, it is possible to systematically vary the out-of-plane height of the nanoparticles, and by thermal annealing, we can control the nanoparticle shape. We have studied four separate samples of nanoparticle arrays; three samples have nanoparticles that are truncated tetrahedral in shape but that differ in out-of-plane height and one sample has nanoparticles that are oblate ellipsoidal in shape. By performing UV−vis extinction spectroscopy measurements at 12 μm spatial resolution, we show that the defect sites that occur as a byproduct of the NSL fabrication process play a negligible role in the macroscale extinction spectrum. We find that the extinction spectrum of the nanoparticles that are oblate ellipsoidal in shape is least sensitive to the surrounding dielectric medium, and the extinction spectrum of the na...
An energy management strategy for a hydraulic hybrid vehicle

In this study we present a procedure for the design and implementation of a control strategy to optimize energy use within a light weight hydraulic hybrid passenger vehicle. The hydraulic hybrid utilizes a high pressure accumulator for energy storage which has superior power density than conventional battery technology. This makes fluid power attractive for urban driving applications in which there are frequent starts and stops and large startup power demands. The proposed design method improves the powertrain's operational efficiency by finding the best balance between optimizing individual component efficiencies. The optimization problem was implemented using the model predictive control framework because it requires no future information about the drive cycle in its design. Hardware-in-the-loop experiments using an electro-hydraulic powertrain testbed were then used to validate the dynamic model and control performance.
Constraining Forces and the Work Performance of Finance Company Cashiers

A field study was performed examining the influence of situational constraints on the job performance of 368 finance company cashiers. Increasing levels of contextual constraint (as rated by a cashier's immediate supervisor) were negatively related to supervisory performance ratings, self-appraisals, and objective performance criteria. No differences were in evidence in the degree ofperformance variation found in high and low constraining task environments. Constraints were also found to be weakly related to ancillary measures of cashier work load.
Effects of somatostatin antiserum on growth hormone levels in rats with periventricular lesions in the anterior hypothalamus.

To determine whether residual inhibitory control of growth hormone (GH) secretion in rats with lesions of the periventricular nucleus (PVN) and depleted median eminence content of somatostatin (SRIF) is due to SRIF, PVN-lesioned rats were treated with SRIF antiserum. Such treatment, in contrast to normal sheep serum, caused increased (P < 0.0001) plasma GH in lesioned and control groups. These results indicate that biologically important amounts of SRIF are available in the PVN-lesioned rat.
A coherent transition model for photodesorption from metals: NH3/Cu

A new time‐dependent quantum mechanical scheme is proposed to study the uv photodesorption dynamics of ammonia from Cu(111). The desorption is considered here as the result of substrate‐mediated electronic excitation and subsequent de‐excitation. The transition from a short‐lived excited electronic state to the ground state is described in a coherent manner. The dynamics of the system is represented by nuclear wave packets on two quasicoupled potential energy surfaces with two degrees of freedom (the desorption and N–H3 inversion modes). The desorbed molecules are found to have significant vibrational excitation and their translational energy distributions are highly structured due to the dominance of a predesorption mechanism. The desorption yield and the isotope effect are found to depend sensitively on the excited state lifetime. The results are compared with previous wave packet models and with experiments.
Two transformations of series that commute with compositional inversion

Abstract It is shown that the compositional inverse of either of two transformations of a given series can be determined from the compositional inverse of the series. Specifically, if t · f ( t ) and t · g ( t ) are compositional inverses, then so are t · f k ( t ) and t · g k ∗ (t) , where f k ( t ) is the k th Euler transformation of f ( t ) and g k ∗ (t) = g(t) (1 − kt · g(t)) .
Reconstruction of Cellular Biological Structures from Optical Microscopy Data

Developments in optical microscopy imaging have generated large high-resolution data sets that have spurred medical researchers to conduct investigations into mechanisms of disease, including cancer at cellular and subcellular levels. The work reported here demonstrates that a suitable methodology can be conceived that isolates modality-dependent effects from the larger segmentation task and that 3D reconstructions can be cognizant of shapes as evident in the available 2D planar images. In the current realization, a method based on active geodesic contours is first deployed to counter the ambiguity that exists in separating overlapping cells on the image plane. Later, another segmentation effort based on a variant of Voronoi tessellations improves the delineation of the cell boundaries using a Bayesian formulation. In the next stage, the cells are interpolated across the third dimension thereby mitigating the poor structural correlation that exists in that dimension. We deploy our methods on three separate data sets obtained from light, confocal, and phase-contrast microscopy and validate the results appropriately.
Moraxella catarrhalis Bacterium without Endotoxin, a Potential Vaccine Candidate

Lipooligosaccharide (LOS) is a major surface component of Moraxella catarrhalis and a possible virulence factor in the pathogenesis of human infections caused by this organism. The presence of LOS on the bacterium is an obstacle to the development of vaccines derived from whole cells or outer membrane components of the bacterium. An lpxA gene encoding UDP-N-acetylglucosamine acyltransferase responsible for the first step of lipid A biosynthesis was identified by the construction and characterization of an isogenic M. catarrhalis lpxA mutant in strain O35E. The resulting mutant was viable despite the complete loss of LOS. The mutant strain showed significantly decreased toxicity by the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay, reduced resistance to normal human serum, reduced adherence to human epithelial cells, and enhanced clearance in lungs and nasopharynx in a mouse aerosol challenge model. Importantly, the mutant elicited high levels of antibodies with bactericidal activity and provided protection against a challenge with the wild-type strain. These data suggest that the null LOS mutant is attenuated and may be a potential vaccine candidate against M. catarrhalis.
Analog automatic test plan generator-Integrating with modular analog IC design environment

Analog automatic test plan generation (AATPG) was considered to be a difficult task until recently. We have developed a method to automate the test plan generation for analog ICs, which are designed using a modular design concept similar to that of digital ICs. However, it is still not clear exactly how this method can be put in the design and manufacturing process. Overall the automated test program generation process requires intricate knowledge of the design database of the chip, and the destination automatic test equipment (ATE), on which online testing of the ICs is to be performed. At the same time, it should be noted that consideration needs to be given to intermediate stages of extracting information from the design database, selection of appropriate method for test plan generation, test method specifications, test plan format, test plan to test program translator, optimization of the overall test plan and corresponding tester specific test program, deletion and addition of the tests, simulation of the entire test environment including device under test (DUT), extracting information of non-testable areas and, design alteration for higher test coverage. The article addresses the issues involved in each stage of the automatic test program generation process and explains how exactly it needs to be integrated with the design, manufacturing and testing process of analog ICs designed using newly emerging top-down modular design approach. >
Independent effects of leaf growth and light on the development of the plastid and its DNA content in Zea species.

In maize (Zea mays L.), chloroplast development progresses from the basal meristem to the mature leaf tip, and light is required for maturation to photosynthetic competence. During chloroplast greening, it was found that chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) is extensively degraded, falling to undetectable levels in many individual chloroplasts for three maize cultivars, as well as Zea mexicana (the ancestor of cultivated maize) and the perennial species Zea diploperennis .I n dark-grown maize seedlings, the proplastid-to-etioplast transition is characterized by plastid enlargement, cpDNA replication, and the retention of high levels of cpDNA. When dark-grown seedlings are transferred to white light, the DNA content per plastid increases slightly during the first 4 h of illumination and then declines rapidly to a minimum at 24 h during the etioplast-to-chloroplast transition. Plastid autofluorescence (from chlorophyll) continues to increase as cpDNA declines, whereas plastid size remains constant. It is concluded that the increase in cpDNA that accompanies plastid enlargement is a consequence of cell and leaf growth, rather than illumination, whereas light stimulates photosynthetic capacity and cpDNA instability. When cpDNA from total tissue was monitored by blot hybridization and real-time quantitative PCR, no decline following transfer from dark to light was observed. The lack of agreement between DNA per plastid and cpDNA per cell may be attributed to nupts (nuclear sequences of plastid origin).
Gamma-Radiation-Induced Photodarkening in Unpumped Optical Fibers Doped With Rare-Earth Constituents

Fibers doped with rare-earth constituents such as Er3+ and Yb3+ are exceedingly important to designers of fiber-optical systems due to their ability to amplify signals in the near infra-red, low-absorption regions of conventional silicate fibers. Extending the range of operating conditions for these systems to include adverse radiation environments requires a detailed study of the behavior of the fiber when subjected to relevant radiation fluxes of various cumulative doses and dose rates. Of particular interest in many applications is the effect of gamma radiation, which is known to degrade optical signal transmittance by creating absorption centers in the material. A study of radiation-induced photodarkening effect in unpumped Er3+, Yb3+, and Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped fibers under Co60 gamma-irradiation is the focus of this paper. Specifically, the temporal evolution of the fiber transmittance in the near infra-red region from ~1.0 μm-1.6 μm was investigated, subjected to a multitude of exposure conditions spanning different dose-rates and total accumulated doses. The Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped fiber was found to be the most radiation resistant, while the Er3+ doped fiber was found to be the most radiation sensitive in this wavelength region. Dose rate and compositional dependencies were also observed in all fibers.
Irinotecan for colorectal cancer: a small step forward

See pages 1407, 1413 The two clinical trials of irinotecan for the treatment of patients with advanced colorectal cancer described in today’s Lancet clearly indicate some degree of activity of this topoisomerase I inhibitor in patients who had not responded to regimens containing fluorouracil. The prospective nature of the study, the randomisation, and careful statistical analysis contribute to the credibility of the major conclusion: irinotecan given as “second-line” chemotherapy can prolong survival and may improve quality of life. However, the title of David Cunningham and colleagues’ paper intimates that irinotecan was being compared with symptomatic and supportive care alone. In fact, 31% of patients assigned to supportive care received treatment with various chemotherapy regimens, and 21% of patients assigned irinotecan subsequently received other drugs. This additional chemotherapy apparently did not influence the results of the survival analyses (D Cunningham, personal communication), but may have affected comparisons of quality of life. To put the results of these trials into clinical perspective, the size of the survival benefit must be scrutinised. The median survival was improved by only 2·3 months in one study and 2·7 months in the other. Whereas the 1-year survivals in patients treated with irinotecan were improved by 13% and 22·4%, readers would be interested in the 95% CIs around these point estimates so that they could better assess the true differences, which could be much smaller than suggested. A graphical depiction of the Cunningham data using a time axis of years (rather than months) illustrates more vividly the limited impact of irinotecan treatment on survival of patients (figure). Both papers suggest that irinotecan should now be considered a “standard” or “reference” as second-line chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. In view of the small benefit, the side-effects and cost of irinotecan must be judiciously weighed against the benefit. Severe diarrhoea is the dose-limiting toxic effect, but it has usually been manageable with prompt administration of high doses of loperamide at the first sign of loose stools. In
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation of pituitary gonadotrope cells produces an increase in intracellular calcium

Conadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates pituitary gonadotrope cells to release luteinizing hormone (LH). Previous studies have indicated a role for Ca+2 in this process; however, the present study provides the first measurements of an increased intracellular Ca+S concentration. Pituitary cell cultures enriched for gonadotropes were loaded with quin 2, a fluorescent Ca+��sensitive molecule. Subsequent addition of GnRH to these cells produced a rapid (within 10 sec) increase in fluorescence (indicating an increase in intracellular free Ca+2). In contrast, two GnRH analogs, des’ GnRH (a very low-affinity binder to the GnRH receptor) and AcID-pCIPhe” I DTrp’ DLys’ DAla’#{176} -GnRH (a pure GnRH antagonist) produced no such Ca+2 change, thus showing a correlation between increased intracellular Ca’�’ and LH release. A functional relationship between increased Ca+a and LH release was suggested by experiments in which LH release was inhibited from cells loaded with high levels of intracellular quin 2 (in order to chelate intracellular Ca�’). Since this inhibition was completely reversed by addition of the Ca’’ ionophore A23 187, quin 2 was not toxic at the concentrations used and apparently inhibited LH release by buffering intracellular Ca+2. The results presented here are consistent with the hypothesis that GnRH-stimulated LH release is mediated by increased intracellular Ca+2 and support the notion that the rate-limiting step in GnRH-stimulated LH release is distal to Ca+S mobilization.
Employing proxies to improve parallel discrete event simulation performance

Proxies are caches of information maintained by one simulation object about other simulation objects. Though proxies can require significant overhead to maintain consistency, their judicious use can improve parallel performance by increasing speedup. This paper discusses three cases where careful use of proxies has improved speedup in a parallel discrete event simulator implemented using threaded worker pools.
The response of the high-latitude ionosphere to IMF variations

The convection of plasma in the high-latitude ionosphere is strongly a2ected by the interplanetary magnetic 3eld (IMF) carried by the solar wind. From numerous statistical studies, it is known that the plasma circulation conforms to patterns that are characteristic of particular IMF states. Following a change in the IMF, the convection responds by recon3guring into a pattern that is more consistent with the new IMF. Some early studies reported that the convection 3rst begins to change near noon while on the dawn and dusk 5anks and on the nightside it remains relatively una2ected for tens of minutes. Work by Ridley et al. (J. Geophys. Res. 103 (1998) 4023– 4039) and Ruohoniemi and Greenwald (Geophys. Res. Lett. 25 (1998) 2913–2916) that was based on measurements with more global sets of instruments challenged this view. A debate ensued as to the true nature of the convection response. We follow the arguments of Lockwood and Cowley (J. Geophys. Res. 104 (1999) 4387– 4391) and Ridley et al. (J. Geophys. Res. 104 (1999) 4393– 4396) by reviewing recent results on the timing of the onset of the convection response to the changed IMF. We discuss the timing problem from the perspectives of observations and modeling. In our view, the onset of the ionospheric response to changed IMF is globally simultaneous on time scales of a few minutes. A physical basis for the rapid communication of e2ects in the dayside convection to the nightside has been demonstrated in magnetohydrodynamic simulations. We also o2er some cautionary notes on the timing of convection changes and the use of global assimilative techniques to study local behavior. c � 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Ligand Transformations and Efficient Proton/Water Reduction with Cobalt Catalysts Based on Pentadentate Pyridine‐Rich Environments

A series of cobalt complexes with pentadentate pyridine-rich ligands is studied. An initial Co(II) amine complex 1 is prone to aerial oxidation yielding a Co(III) imine complex 2 that is further converted into an amide complex 4 in presence of adventitious water. Introduction of an N-methyl protecting group to the ligand inhibits this oxidation and gives rise to the Co(II) species 5. Both the Co(III) 4 and Co(II) 5 show electrocatalytic H2 generation in weakly acidic media as well as in water. Mechanisms of catalysis seem to involve the protonation of a Co(II)-H species generated in situ.
Proposed Methods to Reduce Transient Sheath Voltage Rise in Gas Insulated Substations

Gas insulated substation systems (GIS) are vulnerable to surges which inevitably cause transient sheath voltage rise (TSVR). This paper discusses a mathematical model to simulate short gas-insulated transmission line subjected to internal breakdown during disconnect switch operations and subsequent, restriking of the gap. A formula for the transmitted coefficient of a containment wave guide (CWG) has been developed. A study to investigate the effects of system materials and CWG on TSVR is here presented. It is shown that a combination of CWG and high permeability and resistivLty system material has a, considerable effect in decreasing and damping TSVR. This has important safety and measurement implications.
'Top down' protein characterization via tandem mass spectrometry.

Technological and scientific advances over the past decade have enabled protein identification and characterization strategies to be developed that are based on subjecting intact protein ions and large protein fragments directly to tandem mass spectrometry. These approaches are referred to collectively as 'top down' to contrast them with 'bottom up' approaches whereby protein identification is based on mass spectrometric analysis of peptides derived from proteolytic digestion, usually with trypsin. A key step in enabling top down approaches has been the ability to assign tandem mass spectrometer product ion identities, which can be done either via high resolving power or through product ion charge state manipulation. The ability to determine product ion charge states has permitted studies of the reactions, including dissociation, ion-molecule reactions, ion-electron reactions and ion-ion reactions of high-mass, multiply charged protein ions. Electrospray ionization combined with high magnetic field strength Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance has proven to be particularly powerful for detailed protein characterization owing to its high mass resolution and mass accuracy and its ability to effect electron capture-induced dissociation. Other types of tandem mass spectrometers are also beginning to find increasing use in top down protein identification/characterization studies. Charge state manipulation via ion-ion reactions in electrodynamic ion traps, for example, enables top down strategies to be considered using instruments with relatively modest mass resolution capabilities. Precursor ion charge state manipulation techniques have also recently been demonstrated to be capable of concentrating and charge-state purifying proteins in the gas phase. Advances in technologies applied to the structural analysis of whole protein ions and in understanding their reactions, such as those described here, are providing new options for the study of complex protein mixtures.
STUDIES ON SEEDS : IV. Lipid Composition of Bean Cotyledon Vesicles

Lipid content has been determined for two types of lipid-rich vesicles isolated from bush bean cotyledon at 24 hr of germination. The larger, nonassociating vesicles are four to six times richer in triglyceride than the smaller vesicles which associate strongly among themselves, as well as with smooth membranes in the cell. The larger vesicles contain about 640 µmoles of phospholipid per gram of protein, while the smaller vesicles have only one-half to two-thirds as much phospholipid per gram of protein. The ratio of individual phospholipids in both kinds of vesicles is close to 20% phosphatidylethanolamine, 60% phosphatidylcholine, and 20% phosphatidylinositol. The fatty acid composition of all phospholipids is similar, and quite different from that of triglyceride, which contains twice as much linolenic acid and less than one-fourth as much palmitic acid. Pea cotyledon has quantitatively the same lipid content as bean cotyledon.
Fabrication and characterization of carbonized and activated cotton nonwovens

A needle-punched cotton nonwoven was produced as a precursor for making activated carbon material. Carbonization and activation of the cotton nonwoven was carried out in a high temperature clean room oven. Microporous properties of the nonwoven in terms of surface area, micropore volume, micropore size, and adsorption isotherms were characterized using a micropore physisorption analyzer. Influence of carbonization temperature and difference between the N2 and CO2 adsorptions was analyzed. Tensile strength of the cotton nonwoven before and after the carbonization and activation was evaluated. Microporous structure of the carbonized and activated cotton nonwoven was examined using an scanning electron microscopy technique. The study exhibited that the carbonized and activated cotton nonwoven was a special type of renewable and biodegradable material featuring lightweight, high microporosity, and high performance of chemical adsorption and separation.