cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The 57Fe Mössbauer parameters of pyrite and marcasite with different provenances

Eighteen pyrite and twelve marcasite samples which have different provenances have been investigated to determine the systematics of the influence of mineralogical and geological factors on the 57Fe Mossbauer spectra at 298 K. The following results have been obtained: there is no ambiguity in distinguishing single phase pyrite from single phase marcasite by means of 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy at 298 K. At 298 K the average electric quadrupole splitting, 〈ΔEQ〉, and average isomer shift, 〈δ〉, with respect to Fe metal, are 0.6110 ± 0.0030 mm s−1 and 0.313 ± 0.008 mm s−1, respectively, for the 18 pyrites; 〈ΔEQ〉 = 0.5030 ± 0.0070 mm s−1 and 〈δ〉 = 0.2770 ± 0.0020 mm s−1 for the 12 marcasites. At 77 K, ΔEQ is 0.624 mm s−1 for pyrite and 0.508 mm s−1 for marcasite. In distinguishing pyrites from marcasites, spectra obtained at 77 K are not warranted. The Mossbauer parameters of pyrite and marcasite exhibit appreciable variations, which bear no simple relationship to the geological environment in which they occur but appear to be selectively influenced by impurities, especially arsenic, in the pyrite lattice. Quantitative and qualitative determinations of pyrite/marcasite mechanical mixtures are straightforward at 298 K and 77 K but do require least-squares computer fittings and are limited to accuracies ranging from ±5 to ±15 per cent by uncertainties in the parameter values of the pure phases. The methodology and results of this investigation are directly applicable to coals for which the presence and relative amounts of pyrite and marcasite could be of considerable genetic significance.
Glucose and Insulin Levels are Increased in Obese and Overweight Mothers’ Breast-Milk

Objective: To analyze the relationships between mothers’ pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and levels of glucose and insulin in breast-milk. Methods: Participants were 32 breast-feeding mothers who were assigned to either normal weight (group 1: n = 21, BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2) or overweight/obese (group 2: n = 11, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) based on their pre-pregnancy BMI. Breast-milk samples were collected at six weeks postpartum. Glucose and insulin concentrations were measured in the breast-milk samples. To control for any extreme dietary influences on breast-milk glucose concentrations, mothers completed 24-hour food recalls. Results: Mean milk-glucose values of groups 1 and 2 were 32.6 ± 21.8 mg/dL and 51.9 ± 20.5 mg/dL respectively. Milk-borne insulin values were 4.5 ± 7.6 uIU/mL and 30.1 ± 56.3 μ IU/mL, respectively. Independent-samples t tests found that glucose levels of group 2 were greater than those of group 1, t(30) = 2.43, p = 0.02; and milk-borne insulin was greater in group 2 than in group 1, t(30) = 2.075, p = 0.05. Mothers’ pre-pregnancy BMI was found correlated with both breast-milk glucose (r = 0.483, p = 0.005) and insulin (r = 0.565, p = 0.001). Conclusion: This study found that in comparison with normal weight mothers, over-weight/ obese mothers have higher concentrations of glucose and insulin in their breast-milk. Further studies are needed to explain the underlying mechanisms, and possible consequences of infant exposure to higher levels of glucose and insulin in breast-milk.
A wave equation proof of Gabor's beam expansion theorem

Abstract Gabor's expansion theorem stating that a beam of light has only a finite number of degrees of freedom is re-examined as a boundary value problem for Helmholtz's equation with a compact source. The far-field behavior of the wavefunction is interpreted as a linear superposition of angular functions. The number of such independent functions is equal to the product of the spatial extent of the source and the spatial bandwidth of the source when the size of the source is large compared to the wavelength of the radiation. When the size of the source is small, then the number of independent angular functions is independent of the spatial bandwidth of the source and depends only on the size of the source.
The Organization of Refuse Disposal and Ceramic Production within Contemporary Mexican Houselots

Ethnoarcheological investigations have indicated that refuse is differentially treated within domestic compounds. One contributing factor appears to be the amount of area available for activities within the houselot. This possibility is discussed using two sets of data: the system of houselot refuse disposal and the organization of household-level ceramic production. Houselot maintenance, as reflected in the composition and distribution of refuse items found across the patio, varies as a function of effective patio area. The use of kilns versus open firing in these households is also sensitive to available area within the residential compound. The findings underscore the important relationship between spatial constraints and the organization of waste management and craft production within the domestic setting.
Effects of olfactory bulb ablation on visual discrimination

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess the possible role of olfactory cues in a situation designed to test visual discrimination. Three groups of rats were tested on visual discrimination problems where the relevance of olfactory cues was varied. Animals tested under conditions where both visual and olfactory cues led to the same response displayed learning set formation similar to that reported by other investigators. Normal animals tested under conditions where visual and olfactory cues led to conflicting responses also gave evidence of learning set formation; however, their performance was consistently poorer than that of the group where both cues led to the same response. Animals who had had their olfactory bulbs ablated show no evidence of learning set formation.
Brainstem maturation after antenatal steroids exposure in premature infants as evaluated by auditory brainstem-evoked response.

Brainstem Maturation after Antenatal Steroids Exposure in Premature Infants as Evaluated by Auditory Brainstem-Evoked Response
Effects of Different Treatment Lengths in Cognitive Behavioral Interventions with Aggressive Boys

This study found that length of treatment had a significant effect on the outcome of cognitive behavioral treatment of aggressive boys. Using a quasi-experimental design, a longer eighteen session intervention produced more significant changes in classroom behavior than did a twelve session intervention.
Experiment and Modeling of Conversion of Substrate-Waveguided Modes to Surface-Emitted Light by Substrate Patterning

To predict the optical power that could be harvested from light emission that is waveguided in the substrate of organic light emitting devices (OLEDs), a quantitative quantum mechanical model of the light emitted into the waveguided modes has been developed. The model was used to compute the exact distribution of energy in external, substrate and ITO/organic modes as a function of the distance of the emission zone from the cathode. The results are compared to the classical ray optics model and to experiments in two-layer OLED devices. Classical ray optics is found to substantially over-predict the light in waveguided modes.
Comparison of treadmill exercise testing and psychologic stress testing soon after myocardial infarction.

Are physical or psychologic stressors more useful for evaluating psychologic stress in patients with coronary heart disease? To evaluate this question, patients underwent physical and psychologic testing 7 weeks after myocardial infarction. The psychologic stress test consisted of an open-ended interview, a videotape depicting stressful scenes and a puzzle task. In 20 men whose mean age ± standard deviation was 52 ± 1 years, the interview produced the following peak heart rate and systolic blood pressure responses: 83 ± 18 beats/min and 140 ± 13 mm Hg, which were 8 and 10 percent, respectively, above values at rest (P < 0.05). Symptom-limited treadmill exercise testing in 10 of these patients elicited maximal heart rate and systolic blood pressure values of 152 ± 24 beats/min and 172 ± 32 mm Hg, respectively; ischemic S-T segment depression or angina pectoris occurred in 6 of the 10 patients, whereas none had demonstrated ischemia with psychologic testing. A second consecutive series of 20 patients demonstrated cardiovascular responses to physical and psychologic stress similar to those of the first series. Again, ischemic abnormalities were absent during psychologic stress, whereas exercise-induced ischemic abnormalities were noted in 3 of 20 patients. Ischemic abnormalities are unlikely to appear during psychologic stress testing in patients with a high heart rate and systolic blood pressure threshold for ischemic abnormalities during exercise testing. Standard methods of physical exercise testing are superior to currently available psychologic stress tests for evaluating the cardiovascular response to most commonly encountered psychologic stressors.
Predicting the effects of cerebral palsy severity on self-care, mobility, and social function

In this retrospective, longitudinal cohort study, the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory was used to predict the effects of cerebral palsy (CP) on self-care, mobility, and social function for 2,768 children, adolescents, and young adults with CP. Multiple linear regression was used to predict functional performance and level of caregiver assistance and found that CP severity, as measured by the Gross Motor Function Classification System and the Manual Ability Classification System, had the strongest effect. More severe levels of gross motor and fine motor dysfunction resulted in lower levels of self-care, mobility, and social function and increased levels of caregiver assistance. This study provides critical evidence regarding the importance of CP severity as a predictor of self-care, mobility, and social function that can be tested in future research to improve therapy treatment planning, caregiver education, and clinical resource utilization.
Cultivar maturity and response of soybean to shade stress during seed filling

Abstract Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) cultivars with long and short growth cycles frequently exhibit similar yield potentials in nonstress environments. The objective of this experiment was to determine if cultivars with long growth cycles and large maximum vegetative masses were more resistant to stress during seed-filling. Early (Hardin and Kasota, maturity group I) and late (Essex and Hutchinson, maturity group V) cultivars were grown in the field at Lexington, Kentucky (38°N), in 0.38 m rows with irrigation in 1993 to 1995. Average yield of the nonstressed late cultivars was only 6% greater than the early cultivars. Late cultivars had a longer total growth cycle (49 d longer), and their vegetative mass at the beginning of growth stage R6, early in the seed-filling period, was nearly double that of early cultivars. The larger vegetative mass contained more N and starch. Shade cloth placed over the plots at the beginning of growth stage R6 reduced yield (23–26%), seed number (8–16%) and seed size (9–21%). The yield reduction was similar for early and late cultivars. Shade stress did not accelerate leaf senescence, as seen in the decline in leaf N and chlorophyll levels, and had no effect on the timing of physiological maturity. The N and starch levels in leaves ready to abscise from the plant were not affected by cultivar maturity or shade treatment. The large quantity of potentially mobilizable N and starch in the vegetative plant of the late cultivars did not reduce the effect of stress during seed filling on yield.
Responses of three wheat cultivars to simulated acid rain

Abstract Seedlings of three wheat (Tritium aestivum L.) cultivars (Arthur 71, Abc and Oasis) were exposed to simulated rain acidified to pH 5.6, 4.3, 4.0, 3.3, 3.0, or 2.3 with sulfuric and nitric acids. The parameters measured included foliage weight, tiller number, and the number of leaves with more than 10% necrosis per pot. The results showed that acid rain at average ambient levels (pH 4.3 or 4.0) caused reduced growth of Arthur 71 and Abe and had no effect on Oasis. At levels of acidity (pH 2.3) higher than those normally encountered in rain, all three cultivars exhibited enhanced growth. Tillering increased with rain acidity for Abe, but was relatively constant for both Arthur 71 and Oasis. The number of leaves with more than 10% tip necrosis increased with rain acidity for each cultivar. These results showed that differences in cultivar sensitivity may be important efforts to assess the impact of acid rain on crop productivity.
Changes in neuronal cell bodies in N. laminaris during deafferentation-induced dendritic atrophy

N. laminaris dendrites begin to atrophy almost immediately after they are deafferented. Accompanying this rapid change in shape is a loss of microtubules and neurofilaments at the base of the dendrite, and a decrease in the density of the dendritic cytoplasm. However, degenerative changes in the dendritic plasma membrane were not evident until 2 days after deafferentation. Thus it was unknown what happened to the volume and membrane lost from the atrophying dendrites before this time. The soma was investigated in this study as a possible recipient of the volume of the atrophying dendrite. Soma size increased significantly by 2 hours after deafferentation and continued to increase for 1–8 days after deafferentation. The nucleus, which is normally concentric with the soma, moved continuously to the dorsal pole of the soma, toward the innervated side of the cell. The cytoplasm on the ventral side of the soma showed a decrease in density and loss of cytoskeleton similar to what was found in the initial portion of the ventral primary dendrites in the accompanying paper. These changes are interpreted as indicative of a rapid resorption of the ventral dendrite back into the soma following deafferentation.
Dynamic deformation of volcanic ejecta from the Toba caldera: Possible relevance to Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary phenomena

Plagioclase and biotite phenocrysts in ignimbrites erupted from the Toba caldera, Sumatra, show microstructures and textures indicative of shock stress levels higher than 10 GPa. Strong dynamic deformation has resulted in intense kinking in biotite and, with increasing shock intensity, the development of plagioclase of planar features, shock mosaicism, incipient recrystallization, and possible partial melting. Microstructures in quartz indicative of strong shock deformation are rare, however, and many shock lamellae, if formed, may have healed during post-shock residence in the hot ignimbrite; they might be preserved in ash falls. Peak shock stresses from explosive silicic volcanism and other endogenous processes may be high and if so would obviate the need for extraterrestrial impacts to produce all dynamically deformed structures, possibly including shock features observed near the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary. 38 references, 3 figures.
The HeI Photoelectron Spectrum of Hexafluoroacetoneimine

The HeI photoelectron spectrum of hexafluoroacetoneimine has been determined and compared with that of hexafluoroacetone. CNDO/2 calculations have been used to assign the bands. Calculated π ionization energies were done for isobutene, hexafluorisobutene, acetone, hexafluoroacetone, acetoneimine, and hexafluoroacetoneimine and compared with experimental values.
Biometrics via Oculomotor Plant Characteristics: Impact of Parameters in Oculomotor Plant Model

This article proposes and evaluates a novel biometric approach utilizing the internal, nonvisible, anatomical structure of the human eye. The proposed method estimates the anatomical properties of the human oculomotor plant from the measurable properties of human eye movements, utilizing a two-dimensional linear homeomorphic model of the oculomotor plant. The derived properties are evaluated within a biometric framework to determine their efficacy in both verification and identification scenarios. The results suggest that the physical properties derived from the oculomotor plant model are capable of achieving 20.3p equal error rate and 65.7p rank-1 identification rate on high-resolution equipment involving 32 subjects, with biometric samples taken over four recording sessions; or 22.2p equal error rate and 12.6p rank-1 identification rate on low-resolution equipment involving 172 subjects, with biometric samples taken over two recording sessions.
Transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation does not alter regional arm adiposity and muscularity.

The present study evaluated the effects of an electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) training protocol claimed to elicit site-specific fat reduction and muscle hypertrophy. The protocol includes 6 weeks (3 sessions/week, 10 contractions/session) of high frequency (2500 Hz) transcutaneous EMS training on upper arm muscle and fat tissue. Two groups of 10 subjects were stimulated either on the dominant biceps brachii (B) or triceps brachii (T). The non-dominant arm served as a control. Post-training measures of upper arm fat and muscle tissue evaluated with girths, skinfolds, and ultrasound measures of fat did not change following EMS training of the treatment and control arms (p > 0.05). Upper arm x-ray measurements to estimate total upper arm volume, muscle plus bone volume, and fat volume also did not change significantly for groups B and T following training (p > 0.05). The results thus indicate no selective upper arm muscle hypertrophy or site-specific fat reduction with high frequency EMS training of healthy muscle. Am. J Hum. Biol. 10:317-326, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Perceptions of Terminated Ministers Scale—Revised

The Perceptions of Terminated Ministers Scale—Revised (PTM-R), a 15-item measure of perceptions of termination appropriate to members of clergy, was developed for use among researchers studying how clergypersons perceive the effects of forced termination events. To examine the reliability and validity of the measure, three samples of clergy were assessed using the PTM and PTM-R. The three samples used Barfoot et al.’s (2005) working definition of forced pastoral exits. Their definition does not distinguish between being fired or forced to resign. Each participant was asked to specify whether they were fired or forced to resign. Recently, Tanner et al. (2012) offered a new definition of forced termination: “Forced termination is the result of a process of involuntary removal of paid and non-paid clergy-persons that results from a period of traumatic and demeaning psychological and emotional abuse” (p. 14). Data analysis among all three samples supports the reliability and validity of the scale and commends it for further use among clergy who have experienced forced termination.
Vitamin D intakes of adults differ by income, gender and race/ethnicity in the U.S.A., 2007 to 2010

OBJECTIVE: To determine if dietary, supplemental and total vitamin D intakes in the USA are influenced by income, race/ethnicity or gender. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. US vitamin D intakes were estimated by poverty income ratio (PIR), race/ethnicity and gender using 24 h dietary intake recalls and dietary supplement use questionnaires. Statistical analyses of weighted data were performed using SAS (version 9.2) to estimate means and their standard errors. Race and ethnic intake differences controlling for PIR, gender and age were assessed by ANCOVA. SUBJECTS: Adults aged ≥19 years. SETTING: The 2007-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, USA. RESULTS: Total (dietary and supplement) vitamin D intake was greater in the high (10.0 (se 0.30) μg/d) v. the medium (7.9 (se 0.3) μg/d) or the low (8.0 (se 0.3) μg/d) PIR categories. Total vitamin D intake of non-Hispanic Whites (10.6 (se 0.4) μg/d) was greater than that of Hispanics (8.1 (se 0.3) μg/d) and non-Hispanic Blacks (7.1 (se 0.3) μg/d). Supplemental vitamin D intake was greater by females (5.3 (se 0.2) μg/d) than by males (3.3 (se 0.2) μg/d). Participants with high income were more likely to be vitamin D supplement users (33.0%) than those with medium (22.5%) or low (17.6%) income. High-income non-Hispanic Whites had the lowest percentage (57%) not meeting the Estimated Average Requirement for vitamin D. Fortified milk and milk products provided 43.7% of the dietary vitamin D intake. CONCLUSIONS: Public health efforts should expand the number of vitamin D-fortified foods and encourage the consumption of foods high in vitamin D and use of supplements.
A method for assessing the reusability of object-oriented code using a validated set of automated measurements

A method for judging the reusability of C++ code components and for assessing indirect quality attributes from the direct attributes measured by an automated tool was demonstrated. The method consisted of two phases. The first phase identified and analytically validated a set of measurements for assessing direct quality attributes based on measurement theory. An automated tool was used to compute actual measures for a repository of C++ classes. A taxonomy relating reuse, indirect quality attributes, and measurements identified and validated during the first part of this research was defined. The second phase consisted of identifying and validating a set of measurements for assessing indirect quality attributes. A case study of the feasibility of applying direct measurements to assess the indirect quality attributes was conducted. The comparison and analysis of indirect quality attributes measured by human analysis with direct quality attributes measured by the automated tool provided empirical evidence that the two sets of quality attributes, direct and indirect, do correlate.
Differential impacts of age of acquisition on letter and semantic fluency in Alzheimer's disease patients and healthy older adults

The degree to which the typical age of acquisition (AoA) of words and word frequency have separable influences on verbal production tasks has been strongly debated. To examine the overlap between these factors in verbal fluency tasks, the performance of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients (N = 34) and normal elderly controls (N = 36) was compared on semantic (e.g., vegetables) and letter (e.g., words that begin with F) fluency tasks. These comparisons revealed that words generated for the semantic fluency task had an earlier AoA while words generated for the letter fluency task had a higher word frequency. Differences in AoA between AD patients and controls were larger for semantic than letter fluency. These results suggest that AoA has an effect on verbal production that is independent of word frequency and that AoA has a semantic locus.
Experimental investigation of the stability and evaporation of sulfate and chloride brines on Mars

Abstract We have investigated the evaporation of concentrated magnesium and ferrous sulfate, and magnesium and ferric chloride brines as possible sources for liquid water on the surface of Mars, with special emphasis on the effect of freezing and crystallization of solutions. Experimental evaporation rates range from 0.04 mm h− 1 for 25 wt.% MgSO4 at 271.9 K, to 0.19 mm h− 1 for 18 wt.% FeSO4 at 270.5 K. For chloride solutions, evaporation rates range from 0.09 mm h− 1 for 40 wt.% FeCl3 at 261.34 K, to 0.43 mm h− 1 for 20 wt.% MgCl2 at 267.2 K. These evaporation rates are significantly lower than for pure water, i.e. 1.35 mm h− 1 at 273 K. Using the Pitzer ion interaction model, we show that the decrease in evaporation rate is due to lower water activity in concentrated solutions, down to 0.91 for saturated MgSO4 and 0.97 for saturated FeSO4, at their eutectic temperatures. For saturated MgCl2 and FeCl3, the calculated water activities are 0.57 and 0.60 at their respective eutectic temperatures. In addition, we show that the water activity drops significantly when salts are crystallizing, down to 0.17 and 0.21 for MgSO4 and FeSO4, respectively. Our experiments and calculations show that the water activity and evaporation rate are dependent on the hydration state of the precipitating salt, which is in turn controlled by the temperature and the relative humidity. Low-hydration state salts precipitate at lower humidity, with lower evaporation rates. Our study suggests that martian brines could remain stable for longer periods of time, at low temperatures and low humidity, than previously thought. Brines formed from these salts would be a more stable source of water on Mars, thus beneficial for any putative martian life, past and/or present.
Genome organization of retmvinsg. III. Restriction endonuclease cleavage maps of mouse sarcoma virus doub-tranded DNA synthesized in vitro

Genome length complementary DNA (cDNA) transcripts were synthesized in vitro by using purified virions of a cloned isolate of mouse sarcoma virus (MSV Clone 124). The cDNA transcripts were converted to double-stranded form by utilizing DNase-digested calf thymus DNA primers and E. coli DNA polymerase I. Restriction endonucleases Sal I, Hind III, Hpa I, Bgl II and Xba I were found to cleave the MSV double-stranded DNA once to generate two fragments, whereas restriction endonucleases Bgl I and Hae II cleaved twice to generate three fragments. Restriction endonucleases E. coli RI and Bam HI did not cleave MSV double-stranded DNA. The order of the restriction fragments was determined in relation to the 5' and 3' ends of the genomic RNA.
Local cloning of entangled states

We investigate the conditions under which a set $\mathcal{S}$ of pure bipartite quantum states on a $D\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}D$ system can be locally cloned deterministically by separable operations, when at least one of the states is full Schmidt rank. We allow for the possibility of cloning using a resource state that is less than maximally entangled. Our results include that: (i) all states in $\mathcal{S}$ must be full Schmidt rank and equally entangled under the $G$-concurrence measure, and (ii) the set $\mathcal{S}$ can be extended to a larger clonable set generated by a finite group $G$ of order $|G|=N$, the number of states in the larger set. It is then shown that any local cloning apparatus is capable of cloning a number of states that divides $D$ exactly. We provide a complete solution for two central problems in local cloning, giving necessary and sufficient conditions for (i) when a set of maximally entangled states can be locally cloned, valid for all $D$; and (ii) local cloning of entangled qubit states with nonvanishing entanglement. In both of these cases, we show that a maximally entangled resource is necessary and sufficient, and the states must be related to each other by local unitary ``shift'' operations. These shifts are determined by the group structure, so need not be simple cyclic permutations. Assuming this shifted form and partially entangled states, then in $D=3$ we show that a maximally entangled resource is again necessary and sufficient, while for higher-dimensional systems, we find that the resource state must be strictly more entangled than the states in $\mathcal{S}$. All of our necessary conditions for separable operations are also necessary conditions for local operations and classical communication (LOCC), since the latter is a proper subset of the former. In fact, all our results hold for LOCC, as our sufficient conditions are demonstrated for LOCC, directly.
Assessment of avascular renal masses.

A case of an asymptomatic renal mass is presented as a diagnostic dilemma. Even with highly sophisticated radiographic evaluation, diagnosis was not apparent until surgical exploration.
Switching fault-tolerant control of a flexible air-breathing hypersonic vehicle

In this paper, we will apply a switching fault-tolerant control approach to an air-breathing hypersonic vehicle subject to time-varying actuator and sensor faults. The faults under consideration include loss of effectiveness of the actuators and sensors. Possible fault scenarios are categorized into different fault cases based on the fault type and its location. For each case, a parameter-dependent (or constant gain) fault-tolerant control controller is designed to stabilize the faulty system with an optimal controlled performance. The synthesis condition of each local fault-tolerant control law is formulated in terms of linear matrix inequalities. To achieve both local optimal performance and switching stability, Youla parameterization of each individual local fault-tolerant control controller is performed and the result is applied to the closed-loop system. The quadratic stability of a fast switching closed-loop system is guaranteed by a common Lyapunov function. Simulation results based on the non-line...
Endoderm Differentiationin VitroIdentifies a Transitional Period for Endoderm Ontogeny in the Sea Urchin Embryo

Abstract The vegetal plate of the sea urchin embryo is specified during early cleavage divisions of the embryo as shown by the classical experiments of Horstadius (reviewed in “Experimental Embryology of Echinoderms,” 1973, Clarendon, Oxford). Not until gastrulation, though, do the cells within this territory differentiate into their characteristic cell types. Vegetal plate descendents comprise the coelomic epithelium, circumesophageal muscle, basal cells, pigment cells, and endodermal epithelium. We report here that cells of the endodermal lineage acquire the ability to differentiate autonomously several hours prior to gastrulation, between the late blastula and early mesenchyme blastula stages. Cells dissociated from whole embryos after the late blastula stage have the ability to differentiate in vitro, independent of cell contacts and of the embryonic environment. In contrast, preendoderm cells removed from the embryo prior to the late blastula stage show no ability to differentiate when cultured in vitro even though cells of other lineages, e.g., ectoderm and skeletogenic mesenchyme, show morphological and molecular differentiation in these same cultures. We have used the expression of the endoderm-specific gene products Endo 1 and LvN1.2, detected by RNase protection assays and by in situ immunolabeling, to quantify endoderm differentiation independent of embryonic or cellular morphology. These studies define a transitional period in the ontogeny of the endoderm, from cells reliant on interactions to promote fate specification and organization of territories to later events involved in morphogenesis that result from cell-type-specific gene expression.
Organization and development of brain stem auditory nuclei in the chick: Ontogeny of postsynaptic responses

The onset of responsiveness to eighth nerve stimulation was examined in n. magnocellularis and n. laminaris, (second- and third-order neurons) of the chick brainstem auditory system. Extracellular microelectrode mapping techniques were used to examine postsynaptic responses in in vitro brainstem preparations. Two specific questions were addressed. First, what is the earliest time at which postsynaptic action potentials can be evoked in n. magnocellularis and n. laminaris by eighth nerve stimulation? Second, does responsiveness to eighth nerve stimulation develop along a spatial gradient in n. magnocellularis and, if so, how does this gradient compare with other developmental events observed in the chick auditory system? Postsynaptic responses in n. magnocellularis were first recorded at 11 days of incubation. Nucleus laminaris responses to direct stimulation of n. magnocellularis were also first recorded at 11 days, although n. laminaris responses to eight nerve stimulation were not seen until 12 days of incubation. A gradient of response development within n. magnocellularis was indicated by mapping of responsive sites on days 11-13. At 11 days, responses to eighth nerve stimulation were restricted to the most anteromedial portion of n. magnocellularis. Between 11 and 13 days, cells in increasingly more posterolateral portions of n. magnocellularis became responsive. This anteromedial-to-posterolateral gradient in n. magnocellularis is correlated with the basal-to-apical gradient of morphogenesis observed in the basilar papilla and morphogenetic gradients previously observed in n. magnocellularis and n. laminaris.
Nitrous oxide flux and nitrogen transformations across a landscape gradient in Amazonia

Nitrous oxide flux and nitrogen turnover were measured in three types of Amazonian forest ecosystems within Reserva Florestal Ducke near Manaus, Brazil. Nitrogen mineralization and nitrate production measured during 10-day laboratory incubations were 3-4 times higher in clay soils associated with 'terra firme' forests on ridge-top and slope positions than in 'campinarana' forests on bottomland sand soils. In contrast, nitrous oxide fluxes did not differ significantly among sites, but were highly variable in space and time. The observed frequency distribution of flux was positively skewed, with a mean overall sites and all sampling times of 1.3 ng N2O-N/sq cm per hr. Overall, the flux estimates were comparable to or greater than those of temperature forests, but less than others reported for Amazoonia. Results from a field fertilization experiment suggest that most nitrous oxide flux was associated with denitrification of soil nitrate.
First, Do No Harm: A Hippocratic Oath for Software Developers?: What’s wrong with taking our profession a little more seriously?

When asked about the Hippocratic Oath, most people are likely to recall the phrase, “First, do no harm.” It’s a logical response, as even those unfamiliar with the oath could figure out that avoiding additional injury in the course of treatment is critical. In fact, it’s natural to strive in any endeavor not to break something further in the course of repair. In software engineering, as in medicine, doing no harm starts with a deep understanding of the tools and techniques available. Using this theme and some medical metaphors, I offer some observations on the practice of software engineering. Whatever we do, first, do no harm. After all, we do not want critics 100 years from now ridiculing practices that we now believe to be legitimate, especially if the only reason we adopt them is faith and not deep understanding.
Progesterone blunts vascular endothelial cell secretion of endothelin-1 in response to placental ischemia.

Objective Preeclampsia (PE) is associated with hypertension and elevated endothelin (ET-1), an indicator of endothelial cell activation and dysfunction. Reduction of uteroplacental perfusion (RUPP) in the pregnant rat model of PE is characterized by elevated mean arterial pressure, inflammatory cytokines, and activation of the ET-1 system. We aim to determine whether 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC) or progesterone suppresses these pathways. Study Design Plasma progesterone was purified from normal pregnant (NP) and PE patients and measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were exposed to the sera with or without progesterone added and ET-1 was measured. Pregnant rats underwent the RUPP procedure with or without intraperitoneal 17-OHPC. Mean arterial pressure was compared in RUPP vs NP rats. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were exposed to NP or RUPP sera, with and without progesterone and ET-1 measured. Results Progesterone was significantly decreased in PE women compared with NP women. In response to human sera, ET-1 was elevated in PE women compared to NP women, and decreased with addition of progesterone. Mean arterial pressure was significantly elevated in RUPP vs NP rats but was attenuated by 17-OHPC. ET-1 secretion was stimulated significantly by RUPP compared to NP rat sera, but attenuated by progesterone. Conclusion Circulating progesterone is significantly lower in PE women compared to controls. 17-OHPC attenuates hypertension in response to placental ischemia in RUPP rats. Progesterone blunts vascular ET-1 stimulated at cellular level by sera from PE women or RUPP rats. Decreased circulating progesterone is associated with stimulation of ET-1. 17-OHPC supplementation blunts hypertension and progesterone blunts endothelial cell ET-1 secretion in response to placental ischemia.
A Robust Test for Multi‐Sample Location Problems with Unequal Group Variances and Nonnormality

A robust test (to be referred to as M* test) is proposed for testing equality of several group means without assuming normality and equality of variances. This test statistic is obtained by combining Tiku's MML robust procedure with the James statistic. Monte Carlo simulation studies indicate that the M* test is more powerful than the Welch test, the James test, and the tests based on Huber's M-estimators over a wide range of nonnormal universes. It is also more powerful than the Brown and Forsythe test under most of nonnormal distributions and has substantially the same power as the Brown and Forsythe test under normal distribution. Comparing with Tan-Tabatabai test, M* is almost as powerful as Tan-Tabatabai test.
The First Human Monoclonal Antibody to Oxidized LDL

Largely as a result of the seminal observations of Steinberg and colleagues1 on oxidized lipoproteins and the work of Witztum and his colleagues on the immunological response to these modified lipoproteins, there has been much recent interest in the significance and role of antibodies to oxidized LDL (oxLDL) in the plasma of humans and animals with evolving atherosclerosis. This interest has focused on the value of these antibodies for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis and, more important, in its pathogenesis. This story is now greatly advanced by the article from Witztum and colleagues (Shaw et al2) in this issue of the Journal, in which they report on the isolation and characterization of the first human monoclonal antibody that recognizes epitopes of oxLDL. These authors started with RNA extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a patient with coronary artery disease that were expressing high titers of antibody to malondialdehyde LDL (MDA-LDL). They used this RNA to prepare cDNA, from which they generated 2 phage (filamentous) display libraries expressing the variable chains of heavy and light immunoglobulins with both the k and l light-chain families. These libraries were screened against MDA-LDL through several rounds. Three specific IgG antibodies were isolated that bind MDA-LDL. One of these antibodies, 1K 17, was characterized in some detail with respect to its immunological and biological properties. This antibody bound to the lipid and protein moieties of oxLDL but not to native LDL. 1K 17 also recognized apoptotic cells. It inhibited the uptake of both oxLDL and apoptotic cells by macrophages in culture. It was used to immunostain human and …
Effectiveness of stages of change and adinazolam SR in panic disorder: A neural network analysis

We ascertained the relationship of stages of change (SOC) and adinazolam SR on panic disorder in a randomized double-blind study. Outpatients (n = 133) with panic disorder and agoraphobia were assessed for readiness to change and then were randomly assigned to adinazolam SR or to placebo in a 4-week double-blind trial. The active drug was significantly more effective than the placebo. After 4 weeks, patients on the drug treatment had significantly lower anxiety on two of the measures. Two neural networks were trained with gender, history of depression, agoraphobia, readiness to change, and five anxiety measures at baseline data as inputs, and the five anxiety measures 4 weeks later as outputs. The five anxiety measures were the Clinical Anxiety Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, the number of panic attacks, the Clinical Global Impression Scale, and the Phobia Severity Scale. The networks were validated and sensitivity analyses showed that, in agreement with the stages of change model, patients with low predisposition to change (Precontemplators) changed more slowly than those in Contemplation or Action stages of change.
Heat stroke activates a stress-induced cytokine response in skeletal muscle

Heat stroke (HS) induces a rapid elevation in a number of circulating cytokines. This is often attributed to the stimulatory effects of endotoxin, released from damaged intestine, on immune cells. ...
Spontaneous Tumor Incidence in RasH2 Mice: Review of Internal Data and Published Literature

Alternate transgenic mouse models are accepted as replacements for the standard carcinogenicity mouse bioassay by regulatory agencies with a companion 2-year rat bioassay. The slower rate of industry acceptance of these shorter transgenic mouse cancer bioassays has been due to lack of historical data and diagnostic criteria, and the use of nonstandardized terminologies in published data. To address these issues, especially that of generating a large historical database, a retrospective analysis of the spontaneous tumor incidences in rasH2 mice from internally sponsored 6-month carcinogenicity studies was compared to the published literature. Incidences of common spontaneous tumors (incidences > 1%) observed in these studies were lung bronchiolo-alveolar adenomas (mean 3.9-9.9%; range 0-18%), lung bronchiolo-alveolar adenocarcinomas (mean 1.4-2.4%; range 0-5%), splenic hemangiosarcomas (mean 3.0-3.9%; range 0-17%), cutaneous squamous cell papillomas (mean 1.1-1.2%; range 0-4%), Harderian gland adenoma (mean 0.8-1.2%; range 0-4%), and hepatocellular adenomas (mean 1.8%; 0-9% in males only). The remarkable similarity in the tumor incidences in multiple rasH2 studies over a decade and the observed stability of the inserted human gene are important indicators of the minimal drift in this model. Overall, the historical control data for spontaneous neoplasms should assist in the interpretation of future rasH2 mouse studies.
Differences in the Success of NFL Coaches by Race, 1990-2002: Evidence of Last Hire, First Fire

Although there have been numerous analyses of racial discrimination in professional sports, none have analyzed football coaching. Analyses of the regular season win records, and of making the playo...
Layered explanations of software: a methodology for program comprehension

In dealing with the legacy systems, one often encounters poorly documented and heavily maintained software. Lack of understandability of these systems complicates the task of software maintenance, making it time consuming and limiting the possibilities of the evolution of the system. We present a methodology that helps the programmers to understand programs. Our approach is compatible with the "top-down theory" of software understanding, where the programmer creates a chain of hypotheses and subsidiary hypotheses, concerning the properties of the code. Then he/she looks for evidence (beacons) in the code. Our approach shortens the process of hypotheses creation and verification, and allows recording of successful hypotheses for the future maintenance. All information needed for understanding is recorded in layers of annotations. An experiment was conducted to investigate how the proposed methodology helps in program understanding. A tool supporting the methodology, is presented. >
Pore Structure, Permeability, and Chloride Diffusion in Fly Ash-and Slag-Containing Pastes and Mortars

The transport of ions through cement pastes and mortars with variable contents of fly ashes and granulated blast-furnace slag from different sources and with variable composition has been investigated. The research included the determination of chloride diffusion rate and chloride permeability in relation to microstructure development. The median pore size generally was much diminished in mature blended material compared with Portland cement (PC) pastes and mortars. It appears that, at the same age, a finer microstructure is generally developed in blended specimens compared to PC specimens. Also, it was found that the microstructure approaches a limiting value at longer ages of hydration. That limiting value may be reached at earlier ages with the blends. The chloride diffusion rates and permeabilities in the blends were significantly lower than PC mixes. A comparison between the blends containing fly ashes and those containing slag was made.
Galeazzi’s modified technique for recurrent patella dislocation in skeletally immature patients

Background A large number of surgical techniques have been proposed for the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation in adolescents, one of the most famous being Galeazzi’s semitendinosus tenodesis as modified by Baker. The aim of this study was to verify the mid-term results of this technique, the effectiveness of restoring the patellofemoral congruency, by both static and dynamic computed tomography (CT), and to determine whether the preoperative type of patellofemoral relationship affects the results.
Detection of Immunoglobulin G against E7 of Human Papillomavirus in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Background. A significant number of non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) have human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA integrated in their genome. This study sought to further establish HPV’s possible etiologic link to NSCLC by evaluating an immune response to HPV’s oncogene, E7, in patients with NSCLC. Patients and Methods. Antibodies (IgG) in serum against E7 for HPV 16 and 18 in 100 patients with NSCLC were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. Sixteen NSCLC patients were found to have a high titration of IgG for HPV oncogenic E7 protein. 23.5% of adenocarcinomas (AC,) and 15.4% of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) were positive for IgG against HPV E7. HPV-18 (11%) had a slightly higher frequency than HPV-16 (6%). Of the six positive cases for HPV-16, 3 were AC, 2 SCC, and 1 NOS (not otherwise specified). For the 11 HPV-18 positives, 7 were AC, and 4 SCC. The one case with IgG against HPV 16 and 18 was AC. One case had high cross-reactive levels against E7 of HPV 16 and 18. Two (28%) of 7 patients who reported never smoking were positive for HPV, and 12 (13.6%) of 88 smokers were HPV positive. Conclusions. The study detected high levels of IgG against E7 in 16% of NSCLC patients. This adds evidence to a potential role of HPV in the pathogenesis of NSCLC.
Curvature gradient attributes for improved fault characterization

Curvature gradient is a third order surface property which has been shown to improve surface and fault characterization. Previous applications have been restricted to gradients calculated in the same direction as curvature and for cases of zero dip. We demonstrate the value that can be gained by considering the full 3D tensor for variation in curvature including computation of volumetric curvature gradient in arbitrary directions relative to the curvature directions.
Pathologic Findings and Long-Term Sequelae in Legionnaires' Disease

A recently recognized sporadic case of Legionnaires' disease occurring in North Carolina is described. Diagnosis was made by special serologic studies performed at the Center for Disease Control, Atlanta. The light-microscopic and electron-microscopic findings are described. Organisms consistent with the etiologic agents of Legionnaires' disease were seen by electron microscopic examination. An eight-month follow-up in this case still showed the presence of some radiologic abnormalities of the pulmonary parynchema, as well as abnormal data on tests of pulmonary function.
Jacobi-like forms, pseudodifferential operators, and group cohomology

Pseudodifferential operators are formal Laurent series in the formal inverse ∂−1 of the derivative operator ∂ whose coefficients are holomorphic functions on the Poincare upper half-plane. Given a discrete subgroup Γ of SL(2,ℝ), automorphic pseudodifferential operators for Γ are pseudodifferential operators that are Γ-invariant, and they are closely linked to Jacobi-like forms and modular forms for Γ. We construct linear maps from the space of automorphic pseudodifferential operators and from the space of Jacobi-like forms for Γ to the cohomology space of the group Γ, and prove that these maps are compatible with the respective Hecke operator actions.