cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
H3K9 methyltransferases and demethylases control lung tumor-propagating cells and lung cancer progression.

Epigenetic regulators are attractive anticancer targets, but the promise of therapeutic strategies inhibiting some of these factors has not been proven in vivo or taken into account tumor cell heterogeneity. Here we show that the histone methyltransferase G9a, reported to be a therapeutic target in many cancers, is a suppressor of aggressive lung tumor-propagating cells (TPCs). Inhibition of G9a drives lung adenocarcinoma cells towards the TPC phenotype by de-repressing genes which regulate the extracellular matrix. Depletion of G9a during tumorigenesis enriches tumors in TPCs and accelerates disease progression metastasis. Depleting histone demethylases represses G9a-regulated genes and TPC phenotypes. Demethylase inhibition impairs lung adenocarcinoma progression in vivo. Therefore, inhibition of G9a is dangerous in certain cancer contexts, and targeting the histone demethylases is a more suitable approach for lung cancer treatment. Understanding cellular context and specific tumor populations is critical when targeting epigenetic regulators in cancer for future therapeutic development. The effects of epigenetic regulators on different tumor cell populations can affect their potential as anticancer targets. In this study, the authors demonstrate that the histone methyltransferase G9a is a suppressor of lung tumor-propagating cells and tumor progression, acting through chromatin modification with MMP10 as one of its targets for metastasis regulation.
10T and 8T Full Adders Based on Ambipolar XOR Gates with SB-FinFETs

We introduce novel ten (10T) and eight (8T) transistor full-adder logic gates based on recently proposed gate workfunction engineering (WFE) approach. When applied to sub-10 nm Schottky-barrier (SB) independent-gate FinFETs, WFE leads to hitherto unexplored 4T and 3T XOR implementations that operate with either only one or no inverted input, respectively. The novel 4T and 3T XOR gates eliminate the need for inverted inputs provided that ambipolar I-V characteristics is shifted by the associated gate work-function in the right direction, where another conduction channel exists. Following the logic verification of the novel 4T and 3T XOR gates via TCAD simulations, we then continue to show how these novel gates can be put to use in building ultra-compact 10T and 8T full-adder circuits, which would normally require up to 20 FinFETs in conventional CMOS architecture. Simulated power-delay products of the novel full-adders show significant (∼5×) improvement in dynamic performance attributed largely to the 50% reduction in total area as well as parasitics, at the expense of loss in noise margins. Besides the full-adders explored, the presented WFE approach could in general provide area and performance gains also for other logic building blocks that can be redesigned using SB-FinFETs.
Abstract 5095: Statistical modeling of transcriptional regulatory states in single-cell RNA-Seq data of tumor and infiltrated immune cells

Single-cell RNA-seq of tumor tissue has greatly strengthened our understanding of tumor development as well as the heterogeneous tissue micro-environment. Many models are dedicated to detect deferentially expressed genes among single cells of different conditions, or to discover (novel) sub-cell types via various clustering methods. However, current statistical models often neglect the zero/low expressions, and use one single modality to fit the rest of the non-zero ones. We believe that zero and low expressions are observed partly due to limited experimental resolution; on the other hand, occasionally, low expressions are falsely observed as non-zero due to the existence of incompletely degraded mRNA. In addition, the severe heterogeneity and fast dynamics of single cells makes it invalid to fit their expressions in one single modality. Here, we propose a left truncated mixture Gaussian (LTMG) distribution to uncover the multimodality in single cells’ gene expression while properly handling the zero and low expressions. LTMG is motivated by the kinetic relationships among the mRNA abundance, transcriptional regulatory signals (TRSs), and mRNA metabolism in a cell. Specifically, observations of a gene’s expression are fitted as mixture Gaussian distributions which assumes zero and low expressions as left censored data. By treating each mixing component as one state of the transcriptional regulators, we combined our LTMG model and our in-house bi-clustering algorithm to infer modules of genes co-regulated by certain (unknown) transcriptional regulatory signal, which is only shared by a subset of all the single cells. Application of the method to three high quality single-cell RNA-seq data sets of T cells extracted from liver, colon and lung cancer micro-environments, identified varied transcriptional regulations specific to subclasses of T cells. Citation Format: Changlin Wan, Wennan Chang, Xiaoyu Lu, Yifan Sun, Kaman So, Sha Cao, Xiongbin Lu, Chi Zhang. Statistical modeling of transcriptional regulatory states in single-cell RNA-Seq data of tumor and infiltrated immune cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5095.
A mother’s legacy: the strength of maternal effects in animal populations

Although mothers influence the traits of their offspring in many ways beyond the transmission of genes, it remains unclear how important such 'maternal effects' are to phenotypic differences among individuals. Synthesizing estimates derived from detailed pedigrees, we evaluated the amount of phenotypic variation determined by maternal effects in animal populations. Maternal effects account for half as much phenotypic variation within populations as do additive genetic effects. Maternal effects most greatly affect morphology and phenology but, surprisingly, are not stronger in species with prolonged maternal care than in species without. While maternal effects influence juvenile traits more than adult traits on average, they do not decline across ontogeny for behaviour or physiology, and they do not weaken across the life cycle in species without maternal care. These findings underscore maternal effects as an important source of phenotypic variation and emphasise their potential to affect many ecological and evolutionary processes.
Persistence of Select Introduced Entomopathogenic Nematodes in the US Southwest as Potential Biological Control for Whitefringed Beetle1 in Alfalfa

Early stand decrease in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) throughout New Mexico is increasingly being attributed to root systems damaged by larvae of whitefringed beetle, Naupactus leucoloma Dejean. Entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser, Steinernema feltiae Filipjev, and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar) effectively control other species that inflict similar damage to alfalfa and other crops, but it is not known if they occur naturally or can persist if released in irrigated semiarid lands. Persistent strains of entomopathogenic nematodes were released in May 2017 by the New Mexico State University Rex E. Kirksey Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari into an irrigated alfalfa field not known to be infested with whitefringed beetle. Treatments were mixtures of nematode species Steinernema carpocapsae (NY 001) + S. feltiae (NY 04) or S. feltiae (NY 04) + Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Oswego) in a randomized complete block design with four replications near nontreated check plots. Twenty soil cores were collected per plot in autumn 2017 and 2018 to bioassay for establishment of entomopathogenic nematodes. After inoculation, S. carpocapsae was not found in any sample either year, while H. bacteriophora was found only in 4% of samples from S. feltiae + H. bacteriophora plots in 2017. Similar percentages of S. feltiae were found each year (∼20% of cores in S. feltiae + S. carpocapsae and S. feltiae + H. bacteriophora plots). No entomopathogenic nematode was detected in nontreated check plots, suggesting lack of native entomopathogenic nematodes and lack of spread from treated plots. The multiyear persistence of S. feltiae ‘NY 04' and perhaps H. bacteriophora ‘Oswego’ in the arid Southwestern US was not reported previously. Because entomopathogenic nematodes can control whitefringed beetle and a plethora of other crop pests with similar larval root-feeding behavior on many economic crops, establishing locally adapted sources of entomopathogenic nematodes for widespread distribution would be appropriate.
Determination of trichlorobenzene in workplace air by solvent desorption gas chromatography

Objective: To develop a solvent desorption-gas chromatography method for determination of trichlorobenzene in workplace air. Methods: Trichlorobenzene in workplace air were captured by Sampling tube consisting of glass fiber filter and solvent desorption activated carbon and desorbed with carbon disulfide, separated through capillary chromatographic column, and then analyzed by gas chromatography-electron capture detector. Results: The linear ranges of 1, 2, 3-trichlorobenzene, 1, 2, 4-trichlorobenzene and 1, 3, 5-trichlorobenzene were 12.20-1220.00, 16.60-1660.00 and 14.80-1480.00 μg/L, respectively, and the related coefficients were between 0.99946 to 0.99948. The relative standard deviations (RSD) within the groups of 1, 2, 3-trichlorobenzene, 1, 2, 4-trichlorobenzene and 1, 3, 5-trichlorobenzene were 1.96%-2.68%, 1.73%-2.82% and 1.81%-2.56%, respectively, and the RSD between the groups were 3.27%-4.25%, 2.85%-4.83% and 3.46%-4.43%, respectively. The average recovery efficiencies were 92.4%, 92.0% and 93.6%, respectively. The minimum quantification concentrations were 0.81, 1.53 and 1.18 μg/m(3), respectively (3 ml desorption solution, 15.00 L sample) . The samples could be stored at room temperature for at least 5 days. Conclusion: This method could be used for monitoring of 1, 2, 3-trichlorobenzene, 1, 2, 4-trichlorobenzene and 1, 3, 5-trichlorobenzene in workplace air.
Robust Wheel Wear Monitoring System for Cylindrical Traverse Grinding

Although many advanced signal processing techniques and novel machine learning algorithms have been applied to the monitoring of grinding processes in the literature, most of these techniques and algorithms are only effective under specific conditions and are unusable under other grinding conditions, such as varying wheel types or workpiece materials. This article proposes a robust grinding wheel wear monitoring system to eliminate these restrictions. Physical information generated during the grinding process is collected by a power sensor, accelerometers, and acoustic emission sensors. After the signals are preprocessed, features are extracted via different signal processing techniques, and a novel normalization scheme is applied to make these features independent of the wheel type, workpiece material, and grinding parameters. The features that are most related to wheel wear are selected according to the statistical criterion. An interval type-2 fuzzy basis function network is adopted to develop a wheel wear monitoring model, which is capable of predicting wheel wear under various grinding conditions and generating upper and lower prediction bounds according to the fluctuation of features. Based on the wheel wear model, a robust monitoring scheme to schedule timely wheel dressing and ensure workpiece surface finish could be established.
Features, Predictors, and Treatment of Breast Cancer–Related Lymphedema

Breast cancer–related lymphedema (BCRL) is a common sequelae among breast cancer survivors. This review provides updated information on recent studies to prevent, diagnose, and actively treat women with BCRL. In total, 63 articles were identified from 2015 and 2020 that assessed incidence, risk factors, surveillance, measurement and definition, treatment, and awareness of BCRL. Depending on the approach and timing of assessment, BCRL incidence rates ranged from 9.1 to 39%. Modified radical mastectomy, number of positive lymph nodes, and postoperative complications were linked to BCRL risk, in addition to chemotherapy, radiation, axillary lymph node dissection, advanced cancer stage, and higher body mass index. Early detection showed favorable BCRL outcomes (e.g., severity, symptoms). Exercise, self-management, complete decongestive therapy, bandaging, and surgery had positive effects on BCRL outcomes. Numerous gaps exist within BCRL literature, such as the value of self-reported surveillance options to identify BCRL early, measurement strategies, and definitions of BCRL. In terms of policies, efforts are needed to educate providers, patients, payers, and legislators about the need for consensus to reduce the burden of BCRL in women being treated for breast cancer.
Discovering the atmospheres of hot Jupiters

Hot Jupiters are an extraordinary class of exoplanets, orbiting their host stars with periods of hours to a few days. Some of these objects have day-side temperatures approaching photospheric temperatures of late K-type stars. I will give an overview of how we characterize the atmospheres of these fascinating objects and some the more recent exciting results to come from ground and space-based telescopes, as well as what the future holds for detailed characterization of short-period exoplanet atmospheres.
Excess Medical Care Spending: The Categories, Magnitude, and Opportunity Costs of Wasteful Spending in the United States

Landmark reports from reputable sources have concluded that the United States wastes hundreds of billions of dollars every year on medical care that does not improve health outcomes. While there is...
Performance-Based Approach for Deciding the Age of New Concrete for Thin Epoxy Overlay Application:

A thin epoxy overlay application is a capital preventive maintenance activity. Epoxy overlays reduce the rate of chloride ion ingress and extend bridge deck service life. Highway agency policies an...
Spinal Cord Stimulation for Neurogenic Claudication Associated with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Background There is a debate on the long-term outcomes of surgical decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) as compared to conservative treatment, with even more limited outcomes in repeat surgeries. Hence, other less invasive treatment modalities, such as neuromodulation with a modern spinal cord stimulator (SCS), could be considered in the spectrum of management options for symptoms of neurogenic claudication (NC) related to LSS as an alternative to surgery. Objective Assessing the outcomes and efficacy of SCS in neurogenic claudication in patients with or without a prior lumbar surgery. Study design This is a retrospective study of a prospectively collected database. Setting The research was conducted at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), an academic medical center, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Methods This study reviewed all patients who had undergone SCS therapy for symptoms consistent with NC between 2013 through 2020. The data were collected from MCW. Only patients with at least one year of follow-up were included in outcome assessment. Results One hundred and eighteen patients with primary symptoms of NC underwent an SCS trial with an 86% pass-rate. A total of 69 of the 93 patients who underwent permanent SCS implantation had at least one year of follow-up. All patients reported initial improvement after permanent implantation. At one-year follow-up, 55 (80%) patients had sustained improvement of their pain levels and claudication symptoms, of whom 52 (75%) continued to experience benefit for an average of at least 27 months. For patients with no prior surgical decompression, 86% continued to experience sustained benefit at the latest follow-up. Limitations This study has several limitations. It is of a retrospective nature that includes selection and recall biases. It is a single-center study that limits its generalizability. More limitations are discussed in the main article. Conclusions With modern SCS techniques, the majority of patients can achieve sustained improvement of symptoms of NC of at least a 2-year duration regardless of previous history of lumbar decompressive surgery. SCS can be considered as part of the conservative treatment options before committing to surgical decompression.
Restructuring Schools for Improving Teaching

This chapter focuses on the complicated relationship between school restructuring and the improvement of classroom teaching. The analysis examines the causal mechanisms linking restructuring and classroom change, reviews empirical research on the impact of restructuring of teaching, and concludes with an assessment of the potential for improving instruction.
Lepus alleni alleni (Antelope jack rabbit)

The specimens were collected in Tucson area, by Mr. David Hinds, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA. Muscle tissues were used to initiate cell cultures for karyological studies.
Evidence for active vertical migration by two dinoflagellates experiencing iron, nitrogen, and phosphorus limitation

Vertical migration and subsequent assimilation of iron (Fe) and nitrate at depth by the dinoflagellates Akashiwo sanguinea and Prorocentrum micans were investigated using laboratory vertically stratified water columns. Active migration was observed in four separate experiments with varying degrees of nitrogen (N), phosphorus, and Fe stress. Stable isotopes of Fe (57Fe-FeCl3) and N (15N-NaNO3) were assimilated from the bottom 0.4 m of the column during migration, with significant enrichment of particulate samples collected from the surface compared to the initial A. sanguinea culture or natural water from Monterey Bay containing P. micans. In all four experiments, there was significant drawdown of nitrate from the column, with depth-integrated drawdown of greater than 50 mmol m−2 in the P. micans experiment over 72 h. These experiments provide evidence for dinoflagellate assimilation of N and Fe at depth. Harmful algal blooms of vertically migrating dinoflagellates such as A. sanguinea and P. micans are often associated with macro- and micronutrient depletion in surface waters; assimilation of iron as well as macronutrients at depth could be an important ecological advantage in environments where light and nutrients are spatially separated.
Turkey Farms, Patronage, and Obama Administration Appointments

In this paper we use new data on over 1,000 persons appointed to positions in the first six months of the Obama presidency to expand our understanding of presidential appointments and modern patronage practices. We use systematically collected appointee biographical data to determine which agencies receive appointees with fewer qualifications and more extensive campaign experience or political connections. We finds that presidents tend to place patronage appointees in those agencies that are less central to the president’s agenda, with the same political ideology as the president, and where appointees are least able to hurt agency performance. We conclude that the controversial role of patronage in the modern presidency embodies the deeper conflict that emerges from a need for both presidential accountability and broader government performance.
The Law and Science of Video Game Violence: What Was Lost in Translation?

There are a variety of challenges to making good use of scientific evidence in the courts, including the challenge of translating scientific evidence into something understandable, accurate, and as complete as necessary for the courts to render a sensible decision. This paper examines the use of scientific evidence in the set of cases involving legislative restrictions on minors’ access to violent video games, an issue that eventually reached the Supreme Court in Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association (2011). Although some of the typical problems associated with scientific evidence were not present in these cases, the courts, on the whole, still did a mediocre job of assessing the evidence. The video game violence cases reinforce the conclusion that the translation of scientific evidence is a significant challenge for the courts, though the higher quality analysis by the one judge who presided over a trial suggests that courts may better understand scientific evidence when they rely less on lawyers to translate it.
High Intensity Free Electron Lasers for Inertial Confinement Fusion

The Free Electron Laser (FEL) is evaluated as an Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) laser driver. Cost and efficiency estimates are given for a 3 MJ, 250 nm system.
Activity of Genital Tract Secretions and Synthetic Antimicrobial Peptides against Group B Streptococcus.

Problem Genital tract secretions inhibit Escherichia coli (E. coli) through antimicrobial peptides (AMP) secreted by the host and vaginal microbiota. However, there are limited data against group B Streptococcus (GBS). Method of Study Group B Streptococcus were incubated with cervico-vaginal lavage (CVL) samples from healthy non-pregnant women (n = 12) or synthetic AMP and monitored for bacterial growth using a turbidimetric approach. E. coli inhibitory activity was determined by a colony-forming unit assay. Results None of the CVL samples inhibited GBS. The human neutrophil peptide-1 and human defensin 5 inhibited GBS growth by ≥80% at concentrations ≥20 μg/mL and ≥50 μg/mL, respectively, while human beta-defensin 2 and LL-37 did not inhibit at highest concentration tested (100 μg/mL). In contrast, all AMP inhibited E. coli. Conclusions Antimicrobial peptides may protect against E. coli colonization but have more limited activity against GBS. Future studies will focus on augmenting host defense with specific AMP to prevent genitourinary infection with these pathogenic organisms.
Power Ahead: Meeting Ethiopia's Energy Needs Under a Changing Climate

Ethiopia is powering ahead with an ambitious energy development strategy, highly reliant on abundant hydropower potential. A changing climate, including uncertain water supply, however, may pose a salient challenge to meeting expected targets. Bridging the modeling gaps between climate, energy, and economics, and effectively transforming climate changes into economic measures, is an emerging inter-disciplinary field as nations attempt to position themselves for an uncertain future. Such a framework is adopted here to assess energy production and adaptation costs for four climate change scenarios over 2010–49. Scenarios that favor a drying trend country-wide may lead to losses of 130–200 terawatt hours over the 40-year period, translating to adaptation costs of US$2–4 billion, compared to a no climate change scenario. Even given these potential losses, energy development utilizing hydropower appears economically reasonable from this deterministic, sector-independent evaluation. This development is desperately needed, independent of future climate change trends, with the hope of appreciably reducing vulnerability to variability.
Biological correlates of attachment bond disruption in humans and nonhuman primates.

Abstract o 1. Separations or disruptions in attachment bonds occur frequently in the social lives of humans and have been linked to the development of psychopathology. 2. Separation of social nonhuman primates has been proposed as a model to study the psychological and biological effects of separation in humans. 3. This paper reviews the biological alterations that occur in nonhuman primates undergoing separation and compares these with changes associated with separation in humans. 4. The data reviewed demonstrate that separation in humans and nonhuman primates can be an event with profound behavioral and physiological sequelae.
AIDS Prevention Programs for Intravenous Drug Users: diversity and evolution

Recent studies show AIDS risk reduction among intravenous drug users in response to a wide variety of prevention programs. These prevention programs have ranged from simple education to the provision of drug abuse treatment. Case studies of three programs that have been in operation for relatively long times—in Amsterdam, New Jersey and New York—show evolutionary changes. The programs have to respond to the needs of their clientele as well as concerns of the political environment. The changes are often in directions radically different from the original expectations of the program designers. A unifying theme in these changes is that programs providing treatment to reduce drug injection and programs providing means for ‘safer’ injection should be seen as complementary rather than contradictory.
Chicken heart H4 lactate dehydrogenase: N-terminal and C-terminal residues☆

Abstract N-Terminal analysis of chicken heart H 4 lactate dehydrogenase demonstrated the absence of a free amino acid or pyrrolidone carboxylic acid residue at the amino terminus of the protein. Quantitative determination of bound acetyl groups gave a value of 4.9 mole/mole of protein (mol wt of 135,000). The N-terminal peptide, characterized as N -acetyl-alanylthreonine, was isolated from pronase digests of the protein, and quantitative recovery experiments indicate that nearly all acetyl residues are found at the amino termini of the protein. The presence of leucinc as the C-terminal amino acid was confirmed using a tritium exchange method.
Nitrate-nitrogen content of potatoes as affected by sludge-amended soil

The effect of sludge-amended soil on the nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) content of Katahdin potatoes was investigated in each of two years. In both years the nitrate-nitrogen content of potatoes grown on sludge-amended soil was significantly higher than that of controls.
Polymer-Supported N-Derivatized, O-Linked Hydroxylamine for Concurrent Solid-Phase Synthesis of Diverse N-Alkyl and N−H Hydroxamates

We describe parallel/combinatorial, solid-phase, supported synthesis of diverse hydroxamates using a common intermediate, an N-derivatized, O-linked hydroxylamine. The method allows the concurrent synthesis of both N-alkyl and N−H hydroxamates and is compatible with a wide range of chemical transformations. The synthesis of NH hydroxamates includes protection of the nitrogen with a 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl group at the stage of polymer-supported benzyloxyamine. The protecting group eliminates side reactions caused by the presence of a free hydroxamate NH group and is simultaneously removed during cleavage of target compounds from the solid support. The chemical route has been thoroughly tested on model compounds with several linkers, and a high yield and purity synthesis of more than 50 hydroxamates, designed to inhibit cell proliferation of breast cancer cell lines, is described.
Resolution Rates of Low Grade Vesicoureteral Reflux Stratified by Patient Age at Presentation

ABSTRACTPurpose: Most children with grades I to III primary vesicoureteral reflux are monitored for years on antibiotic prophylaxis until reflux resolves. While the overall resolution rate of these grades is known, the rates for various patient ages at presentation are unknown. Therefore, we examined resolution rates of these grades for different ages at presentation.Materials and Methods: From 1985 through 1990, 168 boys (245 ureters) and 433 girls (590 ureters) with all grades of reflux were enrolled in the study and monitored through the end of 1993. Urine cultures were obtained every 4 months and contrast voiding cystourethrography was repeated every 18 months. Age at presentation was stratified into groups younger than 1, 1 to 3, 4 to 6, 7 to 9, and 10 years and older. Resolution rates were then calculated for grades I to III reflux for each age at presentation. Time to resolution was also evaluated for each age and grade.Results: There were no significant differences between rates of resolution at d...
Investigation of a spontaneous abortion cluster: lessons learned.

An investigation of a reported spontaneous abortion excess in an office environment was undertaken employing a multidisciplinary approach, including (1) an epidemiologic/ validation step; (2) an industrial hygiene survey, including electromagnetic field measurements and indoor air quality determinations; and (3) a risk perception/risk communication component. This approach was needed because there are numerous chemical and physical agents and psychosocial stressors that may potentially impact the reproductive status of female office workers. Although video display terminals (VDTs) are typically the focus of spontaneous abortion (SAB) investigations, one cannot ignore other stressors in the environment. Magnetic field exposures within a payroll area were determined using a hand-held survey meter and data logging dosimeter. On average, the full shift time-weighted average exposures of workers to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields in the payroll office area ranged from 1.0 to 5.6 mG. Influencing the investigation's protocol design were the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC's) recent Guidelines for Investigating Clusters of Health Events. Although these guidelines grew primarily out of cancer cluster investigations, we applied them in this instance and found them to be generalizable to reproductive hazards investigations. A spontaneous abortion excess was validated over a 2-year period among 26 women with 32 reproductive events, with rates 1.5–2.5 times the expected, depending on comparison figures used. Lessons learned in the investigation, including the applicability of the CDC's Cluster Investigation Protocol and the enormous importance of risk perception and risk communication, are described. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Extra-pair courtship behaviour of male budgerigars and the effect of an audience

Abstract Male budgerigars, Melopsittacus undulatus , socially monogamous birds, actively pursue extra-pair copulations while breeding in captive flocks. Males are more likely to pursue extra-pair copulations when their mates are inside nestboxes, an apparent audience effect. In this study, it was further confirmed that males are significantly more likely to engage in extra-pair activity when their mates are not able to observe their behaviour, and the evidence suggests that a male's frequency of extra-pair activity is negatively related to his mate's reproductive success, as measured by nestling weight and number of fledglings. A second experiment was designed to separate an audience effect phenomenon from alternative explanations such as time conflicts with mate guarding. Males were given the opportunity to court an extra-pair female both when their mates were present as a potential audience and with no audience present. In both conditions, mates were isolated from both the flock and the test male, removing the need and the opportunity to guard. Males were still significantly more likely to court extra-pair females when their mates could not see them, supporting the audience effect interpretation. It is suggested that female budgerigars may use mate fidelity in assessing male parental qualities. If so, males that court extra-pair females only when their mates cannot observe may avoid weakening an existing pair bond.
Pyrolysis of oil sand from the Whiterocks deposit in a rotary kiln

Abstract A rotary kiln reactor was evaluated for thermal recovery of oil from Utah oil sands. A series of continuous-flow pyrolysis experiments was conducted. Process variables investigated included temperature (748–848 K), solids retention time (10–27 min) and sweep gas flow rate (1.27–2.83 m s 3 h −1 ). The results indicated that the pyrolysis temperature and the solids retention time were the two most important variables affecting the liquid and gas yields. The liquid yield (C 5 + ]) decreased and the gas yield (C 1 –C 4 ) increased with increasing temperature. The liquid yield increased with decreasing solids retention time, while the gas yield decreased. No significant effect of the sweep gas flow rate on the product distribution and yields was observed. The quality of the bitumen-derived liquids was significantly better than that of the bitumen. A preliminary process kinetics model which conforms to the observed trends was proposed.
Wigner Distribution for 2D Motion Estimation from Noisy Images

Abstract The Wigner distribution has been extensively used for speech processing. However, its use for image processing is new. Past attempts at using the Wigner distribution for motion detection have led to complex and often impractical algorithms. This paper takes a new look at the use of the Wigner distribution, develops necessary theory for its use, presents a new technique for reducing the undesirable cross-term effects, and shows practical applications. Our results are based on 125,000 simulations in a 64 × 64 size frame. The results show that even with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 5 dB, one can detect rectangular objects of at least 6 pixels in length and width, to within 0.5 pixel location accuracy. The misdetection rate is near zero and the average false detection rate is one false object per frame in a 5-dB SNR environment. This false detection rate is reduced to zero by using the pseudopeak elimination technique developed here. The method is then applied to an image sequence obtained from a real dynamic scene of a 747 airplane taking off. Using the new method, the 747 take-off speed was was predicted to be 142 knots, which is well within the typical range of 140 to 150 knots. Another sequence consisting of cars in motion also gives good results. The results presented here clearly show the successful application of the method to real life situations.
Search for a second state in Ne20 near 4.97 MeV

Abstract We have searched for a state in Ne20 which would form a doublet with the known 2− state at 4.97 MeV. Such a state is desired so that the observed stellar neon may be produced in the helium-burning stage of stellar evolution. Alpha spectra from the Na23(p, α)Ne20 reaction were analysed by a broad-range magnetic spectrograph but failed to show any evidence that the 4.97 MeV state is a doublet. The data place limitations on the relative energy and intensity of a second state near 4.97 MeV. Qualitatively, the spectra would be difficult to reconcile with a doublet separation greater than 15 keV. It is concluded that it is improbable that the 4.97 MeV state is a doublet; alternative modes of producing neon in ordinary states are mentioned.
A new product growth model with a dynamic market potential

Abstract Traditional new product diffusion models have assumed a constant market potential over the planning horizon for forecasting product adoptions. This assumption is conceptually unsound and is likely to yield either theoretically unacceptable parameter estimates of the model or poor demand forecasts. This paper presents a dynamic growth model which relaxes this assumption. Model illustrations, limitations and further extensions are included.
CHEMICAL REACTIONS INVOLVED IN THE CATALYTIC HYDROGENATION OF OILS. II. IDENTIFICATION OF SOME VOLATILE BY-PRODUCTS.

Gas chromatography of the volatile by-products produced during the catalytic hydrogenation of an autoxidized soybean oil with a peroxide number of 11.2 meq/kg yielded approx 41 peaks. Twenty-one of the gas chromatographic fractions were collected and rechromatographed, and their chemical identity studied with micro-iR and mass spectrophotometry. These volatile by-products, according to peak area of gas chromatogram, showed a predominance of hydrocarbons and alcohols. The fractions which have been identified aren-octane,n-nonane,n-decane,n-heptadecane,n-hexanol,n-heptanol,n-decanol,n-hexanal,n-decanal and 3-nonanone. Among the gas chromatographic fractions collected,n-decanol has an odor most reminiscent of that of catalytic hydrogenation.
Ranking suitable sites for irrigation with reclaimed water in the Nabeul-Hammamet region (Tunisia) using GIS and AHP-multicriteria decision analysis

Abstract The present study describes an innovative methodology to rank suitable sites for irrigation with TWW using fuzzy-AHP based on GIS where the Nabeul-Hammamet aquifer catchment (Tunisia) is selected as the target area. The model is relatively simple and is extendable worldwide. Several influential parameters are identified considering simultaneously technical, social, economical and environmental aspects. They are grouped in five main criteria, namely land suitability for irrigation, resources conflicts, cost effectiveness, social acceptance and environmental impact. Each criterion is subdivided into several sub-criteria. A pair-wise matrix is used to compare these criteria and sub-criteria and to rank them according to their relative importance for site evaluation. Using GIS, geographical layers are obtained for the sub-criteria, leading to mapping and ranking the suitable sites for TWW irrigation. The results show that the total suitable area covers 11,426 ha which represents 31% of the total Nabeul-Hammamet aquifer watershed. This constitutes quite a large zone that can absorb the entire volume of available treated wastewater, thereby increasing the region's agricultural production. The best sites to receive the surplus amount of TWW, produced by the treatment plants of the region, are located near these plants and inside agricultural lands. In addition, all these sites are located around the districts already irrigated by TWW, which underlines the role these districts may play in encouraging neighbouring farmers to change their attitude towards TWW and to accept it as an alternative resource for irrigation.
Amelioration of relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis with altered myelin basic protein peptides involves different cellular mechanisms

T-cells specific for a region of human myelin basic protein, amino acids 87-99 (hMBP87-99), have been implicated in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Administration of soluble altered peptide ligand (APL), made by substituting native residues with alanine at either positions 91(91K > A or A91) or 97 (97R > A or A97) in the hMBP87-99 peptide, blocked the development of chronic relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (R-EAE), in the SJL mouse. The non-encephalitogenic APL A91, appears to induce cytokine shifts from Th1 to Th2 in the target T-cells, whereas the encephalitogenic superagonist APL A97 causes deletion of the MBP87-99 responsive cells. Thus, single amino acid changes at different positions in the same peptide epitope can lead to APL capable of controlling auto-immune disease by different mechanisms.
Sensitive fluorographic detection of 3H and 14C on chromatograms using methyl anthranilate as a scintillant

Abstract Methyl anthranilate is a simple, sensitive, and inexpensive liquid scintillant for fluorographic detection of weak β-emitting isotopes on chromatograms. Detection of tritium is enhanced 1000-fold compared to autoradiography in a 24-h exposure. Since methyl anthranilate is a viscous liquid, it is easily applied as an even coating which subsequently solidifies at the low temperature (−80°C) used for fluorography. Of several liquid scintillants tested, methyl anthranilate was most effective, followed by 9-ethyl fluorene, methyl salicylate, and 1-methyl naphthalene. The efficiency of 1-methyl naphthalene could be raised to the level of methyl anthranilate by the addition of a small amount (0.5%) of 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO).
Cognitive Function After Carotid Artery Revascularization

Clinical investigations designed to contrast the efficacy of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) versus best medical therapy and CEA versus carotid artery stenting (CAS) in patients with carotid artery stenosis have been based on the traditional endpoints of stroke, myocardial infarction, and death. Cognitive function is being increasingly recognized as an important outcome measure that affects patient well-being and functional status. However, it has not been evaluated systematically in the context of carotid revascularization. A decline in cognitive function could occur from microembolic ischemia during surgical dissection (CEA) or intravascular instrumentation (CAS). It could also occur from hypoperfusion during clamping (CEA) or balloon dilation (CAS). Conversely, restoring perfusion could improve cognitive dysfunction that might have occurred from a state of chronic hypoperfusion. It is still unclear whether these complex interactions ultimately result in a net improvement or a deterioration of cognitive function. Furthermore, it is not known whether the 2 methods of carotid revascularization have a differential effect on cognitive outcomes. It is becoming increasingly clear, though, that there is a positive relationship between improvement in cognition and improvement in functional outcome of patients. Vascular surgeons will be well served to remain informed and even actively engaged in the development of this field if they wish to continue providing the high-quality, well-informed care they have traditionally offered to patients with carotid stenosis.
Limiting emissions of the greenhouse gas, CO2

While considerable global warming uncertainties remain, limiting the emission of the greenhouse gas, CO2 at minimum cost is a growing social concern. An approach suggested is to genearte electricity by processes that facilitate capture of the CO2, and then to compress and inject it into suitable underground formations. By using formations containing uneconomical deposits of energy sources such as oil, gas, Fe+ +, coal, etc., underground bioconversion of the CO2 to recoverable fuel forms may prove possible.
Maslov theory for surface wave propagation on a laterally heterogeneous earth

SUMMARY The usual JWKB ray-theoretical description of Love and Rayleigh surface wave propagation on a smooth, laterally heterogeneous earth model breaks down in the vicinity of caustics, near the source and its antipode. In this paper we use Maslov theory to obtain a representation of the wavefield that is valid everywhere, even in the presence of caustics. The surface wave trajectories lie on a 3-D manifold in 4-D phase space (θ, φ, kθ, kφ), where θ is the colatitude, φ is the longitude, and kθ and kφ are the covariant components of the wave vector. There are no caustics in phase space; it is only when the rays are projected onto configuration space (θ, φ), the mixed spaces (kθ, φ) and (θ, kφ), or momentum space (kθ, kφ), that caustics occur. The essential strategy is to employ a mixed-space or momentum-space representation in the vicinity of configuration-space caustics, where the (θ, φ) representation fails. By this means we obtain a uniformly valid Green's tensor and an explicit asymptotic expression for the surface wave response to a moment tensor source.
Quantitative descriptors of corneal topography that influence soft toric contact lens fitting.

Purpose. Empirical soft toric contact lens fitting based on manifest refraction and keratometry often presents unanticipated fitting and power errors upon initial lens dispensing. However, corneal topography may provide features that influence soft toric lens performance, flexure, and back vertex power in situ, which may assist in improved fitting guidelines. In this study, quantitative topographic descriptors were generated and analyzed as potential variables in predicting soft toric fitting success. Methods. One hundred five eyes of 54 patients were empirically fit with back surface toric, prism ballasted, soft contact lenses after videokeratography was performed with the EyeSys 2000 (v. 4.0) or Humphrey Atlas (v. A6) instrument. Custom software was written to generate 54 separate quantitative descriptors of shape and astigmatism from the raw data files. A logistic regression was used to determine which variables significantly contributed to a successful or failed fit. Results. Two types of empirical fitting failures were identified: loose fit (n = 15) and power errors (n = 17). The following variables were associated with a fitting failure: flat simulated keratometry (SimKf2b) within the central 3 mm zone, steep simulated keratometry (SimKs2b) within the central 3 mm zone, a difference between central and peripheral flat meridian axis (DIFFAXIS), and a difference between central and peripheral astigmatism (DIFFASTIG). For fitting failures caused by power errors, a larger steep SimKs2b (p < 0.01) and smaller DIFFAXIS (p < 0.05) were associated with a failed fit. For failures caused by physical fit of a selected base curve, a smaller DIFFAXIS (p < 0.05), larger steep SimKs2b (p < 0.05), and larger DIFFASTIG (p < 0.01) were associated with a failed fit. Conclusions. Novel quantitative descriptors of corneal shape and toricity derived from topography are associated with empirical soft toric contact lens fitting failures. Future algorithms or recommendations for improved soft toric lens selection may be derived from such indices to develop a predictive model for successful soft toric lens fitting using corneal topography data.
ISO 9001 standard and software quality improvement

The quality framework necessary to achieve compliance with the ISO 9000 series of standards is to say the least abstract. It is this very generality which allows ISO 9000 to play the role of the universal quality standard. Aims to help practitioners relate their software process to this framework. Discusses the rationale for, as well as ideas and examples of, software and information system development practices that fit the requirement of ISO 9001 standard and ISO 9000‐3 accompanying the guidelines. Reviews related approaches to software process improvement, defines generic requirements for a quality software process and a template for the context of a software quality improvement programme as a software quality manual.
Do We Need a Meta-Analysis Update on Antipsychotic Treatment of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia?

Whether we need another meta-analysis of clinical trials of antipsychotic treatment of patients with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) depends on how we define meta analysis and our expectations for the results of such an analysis.
Is secretin enterogastrone

On a pretendu que la secretine est 1'« enterogastrone» liberee quand le pH du duodenum est 3 ou moins. Nous croyons que ce n'est pas possible parce que la secretine fait augmenter la pepsine tandis que si le pH d'une poche de duodenum est plus bas que 3, la secretion de l'acide et de la pepsine gastriques diminuent.
Interaction of Citric Acid with Hydroxyapatite: Surface Exchange of Ions and Precipitation of Calcium Citrate

The use of citric acid is efficacious and distinctive in the demineralization of dentinal root surfaces for periodontal regeneration and in the etching and conditioning of enamel or dentin for bonding restorative resins. To decipher the role of citric acid in these applications, it is important that one have a basic understanding of its interaction with synthetic hydroxyapatite. The uptake or removal of citrate ions from aqueous solutions of citric acid (4 to 100 mmol/L, 10 mL) by hydroxyapatite (1 g) was studied at 22 degrees C after a given reaction period (from 3 hr to 11 days) by immediate spectrophotometric monitoring of the concentrations of the filtrates (214 nm). The concentrations of calcium, phosphate, and hydrogen ions were also determined in the same solutions. The interaction: (i) is a time-independent ionic-exchange process with the substrate when the initial acid concentrations are dilute (4 to 12.5 mmol/L), and (ii) is a reactive process that is time-dependent for higher acid concentrations. The exchange process shows an adsorption of about one citrate ion per (100) face of the unit cell of hydroxyapatite for a maximally exchanged surface. The curves representing the reactive process may be quantitatively or qualitatively explained on the basis of the supersaturation of the solutions with respect to calcium citrate and its slow precipitation. The physico-chemical analysis of the needle-shaped birefringent crystals of the precipitate from the supersaturated solutions confirms the precipitate to be Ca3(citrate)2.4H2O.