cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Localism and All-Sports Radio

All-sports radio became a natural byproduct of the informational radio trend of the 1980s. It originated in New York and other large markets. Although it originated as a large market format, today there are dozens of sports radio stations on the air in markets large and small, with many major markets supporting more than one sports radio station. This article analyzes all-sports radio in a medium market, Peoria, Illinois, the 150th largest market in America. National sports networks provide an essential connection to big league sports in Peoria, but coverage of local sports is valuable in establishing a brand identity.
Effects of early stress on brain structure and function: implications for understanding the relationship between child maltreatment and depression.

Child abuse is associated with markedly elevated rates of major depression (MDD) in child, adolescentt, and adult cohorts. This article reviews preclinical (e.g., animal) studies of the effects of early stress and studies of the neurobiological correlates of MDD in adults and children, and it highlights differences in the neurobiological correlates of MDD and stress at various developmental stages. The preclinical studies demonstrate that stress early in life can alter the development multiple neurotransmitter systems and promote structural and functional alterations in brain regions similar to those seen in adults with depression. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest, however, that long-term neurobiological changes associated with early stress can be modified by familial/genetic factors, the quality of the subsequent caregiving environment, and pharmacological interventions. Little is known about how developmental factors interact with experiences of early stress and these other modifying factors. Moreover, in cases of child maltreatment, the effects of early abuse are often exacerbated by failures in the child protection system and repeat out-of-home placements. Given the number of factors that impact on the long-term outcome of maltreated children, multidisciplinary research efforts are recommended to address this problem-with foci that span from neurobiology to social policy.
Nonlocal contour dynamics model for chemical front motion.

Pattern formation exhibited by a two-dimensional reaction-diffusion system in the fast inhibitor limit is considered from the point of view of interface motion. A dissipative nonlocal equation of motion for the boundary between high and low concentrations of the slow species is derived heuristically. Under these dynamics, a compact domain of high concentration may develop into a space-filling labyrinthine structure in which nearby fronts repel. Similar patterns have been observed recently by Lee, McCormick, Ouyang, and Swinney in a reacting chemical system.
Psychophysical thresholds and digital camera sensitivity: the thousand-photon limit

ABSTRACT In many imaging applications, there is a tradeoff between sensor spatial resolution and dynamic range. Increasing sampling density by reducing pixel size decreases the number of photons each pixel can capture before saturation. Hence, imagers with small pixels operate at levels where photon noise limits image quality. To understand the impact of these noise sources on image quality we conducted a series of psychophysical experiments. The data revealed two general principles. First, the luminance amplitude of the noise standard deviation predicts threshold, independent of color. Second, this threshold is 3-5% of the mean background luminance across a wide range of background luminance levels (ranging from 8 cd/m 2 to 5594 cd/m 2 ). The relatively constant noise threshold across a wide range of conditions has specific implications for the imaging sensor design and image process pipeline. An ideal image capture device, limited only by photon noise, must capture at least 1000 photons/pixel (1/sqrt(10
Motor unit territories in the human perioral musculature.

The perioral region was divided into four quadrants, and electromyograms (EMGs) were recorded from each area. The coherence function (i.e., the squared cross correlation between two signals compute...
Recovery rate of adrenal function after surgery in patients with acromegaly is higher than in those with non-functioning pituitary tumors: a large single center study

To compare hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis integrity at diagnosis and recovery after transsphenoidal surgery (TSS), in acromegaly patients, compared with tumor size matched non-functioning adenoma (NFA) patients. A retrospective 7-year evaluation of acromegaly patients, who underwent TSS with 52 weeks follow-up at a single institution, was undertaken. 50 acromegaly with complete follow-up data at all points and 50 NFA patients were matched for tumor size; HPA axis was similarly assessed pre-operatively and at 6, 12 and 52 weeks post-operatively. Recovery of HPA axis and gender specific prevalence of adrenal insufficiency (AI), were analyzed in both groups. We also studied AI in acromegaly patients requiring medical therapy post-operatively vs those in remission after surgery. AI remained less prevalent in acromegaly vs NFA (acromegaly, p = 0.01; NFA, p = 0.15) at 52 weeks after surgery, although the prevalence of AI decreased in both groups from baseline by 52 weeks. Additionally, recovery from baseline AI was significantly greater by 52 weeks in acromegaly patients over NFA patients (p = 0.001). Recovery of HPA axis in acromegaly patients remained significant (p = 0.03) despite the need for medical therapy. AI at baseline was proportionately more prevalent in acromegalic males at baseline (p = 0.002) but no gender difference was apparent at 52 weeks (p = 0.35). Conversely, in NFA patients, no gender difference was apparent pre-operatively (p = 0.49), but AI was more prevalent in males at 52 weeks (p = 0.001). In the longest comparative study to date using a standard assessment modality, HPA axis recovery was more frequent in acromegaly compared to NFA patients, independent of tumor size, cavernous sinus invasion (CSI), and body mass index (BMI). HPA axis integrity must be carefully and periodically monitored in acromegaly patients during short- and long-term follow-up to prevent overtreatment with glucocorticoids.
Spatially composition-graded solar cells for spectrum-splitting photovoltaic systems

Multiple solar cells for spectrum-splitting PV systems are fabricated using spatially composition-graded absorber materials, such as CdSSe, grown in a single inexpensive CVD growth, integrating the fabrication processes of the subcells and potentially reducing costs.
Observations of energetic helium ions in the earth's radiation belts during a sequence of geomagnetic storms

Every year a significant number of magnetic storms disturb the earth's magnetosphere and the trapped particle populations. In this paper, we present observations of energetic (MeV) helium ions made with Explorer 45 during a sequence of magnetic storms during June through December of 1972. The first of these storms started on June 17 and had a Dst index excursion to approx.190 gamma, and the MeV helium ions were perturbed primarily beyond 3 earth radii in the equatorial radiation belts with a typical flux increase of an order of magnitude at L = 4. The second storm period took place during August and was associated with very major solar flare activity. Although the Dst extremum was at best 35 gamma less than the June storm, this period can be characterized as irregular (or multi-storm) with strong compression of the magnetosphere and very large (order of magnitude) MeV helium ion flux enhancements down to Lapprox.2. Following this injection the trapped helium ion fluxes showed positive spectral slope with the peak beyond 3.15 MeV at L = 2.5; and at the lowest observable L shells (Lapprox.2--3) little flux decay (tau>100 days) was seen during the rest of the year. Any effects of twomore » subsequent major magnetic storms in September and November were essentially undetectable in the prolonged after-effect of the August solar flare associated MeV helium ion injection. The helium ion radial profile of the phase space density showed a significant negative slope during this period, and we infer that radial diffusion constitutes a significant loss of helium ions on L shells above Lapprox. =4 during the aftermath of the August 1972 magnetic storm(s).« less
The impact of the alliance on the partners: A look at cause–brand alliances

Partnering charitable causes with brands has become a common practice for many marketing programs; it is referred to strategically as cause-related marketing. Although there is the perception that both partners benefit from the alliance, research has focused primarily on the benefits to the brand. Using Attitude Accessibility, Congruity, and Information Integration Theories, this study empirically tests a model to evaluate the impact of cause–brand alliances on subsequent attitudes toward both partners. The results of the study (n = 463) support the assumption that attitudes toward both the cause and the brand can be enhanced as a consequence of an alliance if perceptions of the alliance are favorable. Furthermore, the cause appears to benefit from the alliance to a greater extent than the brand. The study supports the notions that the fit between partners plays a pivotal role in consumer acceptance of the alliance as plausible and that familiarity with the cause moderates the effectiveness of the alliance. These results represent a necessary step in developing a theoretical model to explain the effects of a cause–brand alliance on both partners. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Production of electrically conductive networks in immiscible polymer blends by chaotic mixing

A minor polymer was deformed into lamellar and fibrillar morphological forms in a chaotic mixer, which rendered the resultant immiscible blend electrically conductive along the flow direction. This was demonstrated using a blend consisting of 10 wt% polypropylene (PP), polyamide 6 (PA6), and 1 wt% conductive carbon black (CB) particles. It was found that PP-phase containing CB particles deformed into lamellar and fibrillar morphological forms produced continuous networks in the flow direction, and provided conductivity by double percolation. Breakup of PP fibrils into droplets destroyed the continuous conductive networks, although conductivity was sustained purportedly due to migration of CB particles from the bulk to the surface of closely spaced PP droplets. This was augmented by the formation of much smaller PP droplets in the presence of CB particles. On continued mixing, the blend eventually turned into insulator as CB particles migrated from the polymer–polymer interfaces to PA6 phase. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:19–28, 2006. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers
A determination of the shear strength parameters of a fine-grained cemented alluvium in the US Desert Southwest

Abstract Laboratory determination of shear strength parameters for alluvial soils in the US Desert Southwest is imprecise at best. These soils contain varying amounts of carbonate cementation and it is extremely difficult to acquire undisturbed samples using conventional soil sampling techniques. Furthermore, even when samples can be retrieved, they are usually not representative of the in situ soil which can demonstrate a wide range of cementation. Therefore, the results of laboratory strength testing may not be representative of the actual in situ behaviour. For these reasons, a simple field test is developed which may be used in conjunction with conventional laboratory testing and analytical procedures to estimate the in situ strength properties of such alluvial deposits. The in situ testing involves a series of plate load tests performed at the crest of freshly cut slopes. A steel plate of known dimensions is loaded by an 89 kN (10 tons) hydraulic jack until the slope fails. The counter weight of a power shovel is used as a reaction support. The failure load and slip surface geometry are measured and recorded. A two-dimensional slope stability procedure (Bishop’s Modified Method) is used to back calculate the value of cohesion associated with failure of the field slopes. The analytical procedure developed by Hovland is used to account for the three-dimensional ‘end effects’ present in the field load tests and to correct the value of cohesion obtained from the Bishop solution. The values of c and φ obtained in this way are used to evaluate the stability of the trench slopes at the State of Arizona’s site for the US Department of Energy’s proposed Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) Project. The determination of a realistic factor of safety during construction is critical to the economical use of open-cut construction techniques for approximately 50 per cent of the 83.7 km (52 miles) circumference of the proposed SSC ring.
Synthesizing active filters

The primary purpose of this article is to present a unified, comprehensive survey of accomplishments in the field of network synthesis for linear, lumped, and finite networks from 1965 through early 1968.* Because of the large number of contributions made during this period, only a sampling of the many significant works is presented here, with much of the material in the form of results. It is the author's hope that the extensive list of references included will be useful in providing the additional information necessary.
The Enchanted Screen: the unknown history of fairy-tale films

The Enchanted Screen: the unknown history of fairy-tale films JACK ZIPES New York, Routledge, 2011 xiii+435 pp., illus., bibliography, filmography, index, $49.95 (paper) As Zipes notes in the prefa...
QUANTITATIVE ELECTROSPRAY MASS SPECTROMETRY FOR THE RAPID ASSAY OF ENZYME INHIBITORS

Abstract Background : Combinatorial chemistry has become an important method for identifying effective ligand-receptor binding, new catalysts and enzyme inhibitors. In order to distinguish the most active component of a library or to obtain structure-activity relationships of compounds in a library, an efficient quantitative assay is crucial. Electrospray mass spectrometry has become an indispensable tool for qualitatively screening combinatorial libraries and its use for quantitative analysis has recently been demonstrated. Results : This paper describes the use of quantitative electrospray mass spectrometry for screening libraries of inhibitors of enzymatic reactions, specifically the enzymatic glycosylation by β-1,4-galactosyltransferase, which catalyzes the transfer of galactose from uridine-5′-diphosphogalactose to the 4-position of N -acetylglucosamine βOBn (Bn: benzene) to form N -acetyllactosamine βOBn. Our mass spectrometric screening approach showed that both nucleoside diphosphates and triphosphates inhibited galactosyltransferase while none of the nucleoside monophosphates, including uridine-5′-monophosp hate, showed any inhibition. Additional libraries were generated in which the concentrations of the inhibitors were varied and, using mass spectrometry, uridine-5′-diphosphate-2-deoxy-2-fluorogalactose was identified as the best inhibitor. Conclusions : This report introduces quantitative electrospray mass spectrometry as a rapid, sensitive and accurate quantitative assaying tool for inhibitor libraries that does not require a chromophore or radiolabeling. A viable alternative to existing analytical techniques is thus provided. The new technique will greatly facilitate the discovery of novel inhibitors against galactosyltransferase, an enzyme for which there are few potent inhibitors.
Mesoscale variability in the metabolic balance of the Sargasso Sea

Net community production (NCP) experiments based on in vitro changes in dissolved oxygen were carried out in three mesoscale eddies investigated in the Sargasso Sea in the summer of 2004. NCP estimates ranged from negative to positive values, and the age and type of the sampled eddy were important factors responsible for this variability. Positive rates occurred in younger cyclones and in areas of eddy-eddy interactions, whereas negative NCP rates were observed in anticyclones and older cyclone features that were decaying. This information was combined with a nine-year data set from the BATS program and satellite altimeter data to assess the role of mesoscale eddies in the metabolic balance of the Sargasso Sea. Indirect NCP estimates (NCPe) were obtained by calculating the difference between 14C phytoplankton production and bacterial carbon demand rates. The results showed highly variable NCPe rates that spanned the range of direct NCP observations. The metabolic balance of the photic layer in the ocean is determined by net community production (NCP), the difference between gross primary production (GPP) and total respiration (R). An excess of production over respiration, referred to as net autotrophic metabolic balance, implies a net synthesis of organic carbon that can be exported either vertically to the deep ocean, laterally to other regions, or to higher trophic levels. A negative balance, referred to as net heterotrophic balance, represents a net demand for allochthonous supplies of organic carbon or the consumption of dissolved organic matter produced elsewhere. Thus, the determination of NCP constitutes an important step in understanding carbon budgets and global change predictions. The Winkler technique has been used for over 70 years to estimate plankton photosynthesis and respiration rates based on in vitro changes in dissolved oxygen. However, when compared with the method to measure phytoplankton carbon incorporation rates based on 14C uptake, this technique is a laborious and time-consuming procedure
Can you handle the truth (and know it when you see it)? Understanding sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and ROC curves

The interpretation of diagnostic and screening tests requires a basic knowledge of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. This article provides an overview of these measures of test performance, a brief description of receiver operating characteristic curves, and relevant illustrations from the medical literature.
Autowaves and spatio-temporal chaos in CNNs. II. A tutorial

For part I, see ibid., vol. 42, no. 10, pp. 638-49 (Oct. 1995). In this paper, we reproduce and discuss some of the spatio-temporal phenomena, recently simulated in discrete CNNs of dimension one, two, and three. We show how target, or concentric waves, can be generated in both excitable and fluctuating 2-D media, and how several types of scroll waves can be simulated in 3-D arrays. The basic property of autowaves exhibited in interactions-mutual annihilation-is demonstrated through examples. Also included is a discussion of the coexistence of low- and high-dimensional attractors in a CNN ring. Chua's circuit is used as the basic cell in the CNN arrays. Parameter values and initial conditions for the corresponding simulations are given so they can be reproduced with different simulators. >
Case Reports of Heart Failure after Therapy with a Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonist

Background Etanercept and infliximab are U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists. Objective To describe adverse event reports of heart failure after TNF antagonist therapy. Design Case series. Setting The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's MedWatch program. Patients 47 patients who developed new or worsening heart failure during TNF antagonist therapy. Measurements Clinical and laboratory reports. Results After TNF antagonist therapy, 38 patients developed new-onset heart failure and 9 patients experienced heart failure exacerbation. Of the 38 patients with new-onset heart failure, 19 (50%) had no identifiable risk factors. Ten patients younger than 50 years of age developed new-onset heart failure after receiving TNF antagonists. After TNF antagonist therapy was discontinued and heart failure therapy was started in these 10 patients, 3 had complete resolution of heart failure, 6 improved, and 1 died. Conclusion In a fraction of patients, TNF antagonists might induce new-onset heart failure or exacerbate existing disease.
Cation exchange properties of acid forest soils of the northeastern USA

Negative correlations between soil pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC) or base saturation in soils of the northeastern USA and Scandinavia have raised questions regarding the nature of cation exchange in acid forest soils. Using data from three small-catchment studies and an extensive regional survey of soils in the northeastern USA, I examined relationships among total carbon, effective CEC (CEC e ), soil pH s (in 0.01 M CaCl 2 ) and base saturation. Organic matter is the predominant source of soil surface charge in these coarse-grained, glacially derived soils. Correlation coefficients (r) between total carbon and CEC e ranged from 0.43 to 0.74 in organic horizons and from 0.46 to 0.83 in mineral horizons. In all cases, the intercepts of functional relations between CEC e and total C were near zero. In O horizons, the CEC e per unit mass of organic carbon (CEC e :C) was positively correlated with pH s in three of the four data sets, consistent with the weak-acid behaviour of the organic matter. However, CEC e :C was negatively correlated with pH s in mineral soils in two data sets, and uncorrelated in the other two. The CEC e in mineral soils represents the portion of total CEC not occupied by organically bound Al. The negative correlations between CEC e :C and pH s can therefore be explained by increased Al binding at higher pH s . Aluminium behaves like a base cation in these soils. When Al was considered a base cation, the relation between base saturation and pH s could be effectively modelled by the extended Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. When modelled without Al as a base cation, however, there were no consistent relationships between pH s and base saturation across sites or soil horizons. Because of the non-acidic behaviour of Al, it is difficult to predict the effect of ongoing reductions in acid deposition on the base status of soils in the northeastern USA.
Marchiafava–Bignami Disease Presenting as Acute Dysarthria and Ataxia

Dear editor, This is a case of a 68-year-old right-handed man admitted to the hospital with 2 days of acute onset of slurred speech and unsteady gait. He denied any other neurological complaints. His past medical history was significant for alcohol dependence with daily alcohol use and 1 day a week of binge drinking for >10 years. He denied any history of alcohol-related seizures, DTs, psychiatric diagnosis or alcohol-related legal or interpersonal problems. The patient was oriented, able to name, read, repeat and follow commands. There was impaired short-term memory. He had severe dysarthria. Cranial nerves were intact. There was decreased vibration at toes with hyporreflexia at ankles; the remaining reflexes and motor exam were normal. There was dysmetria in all limbs and a wide-based ataxic gait. The differential diagnosis was a vascular event, alcohol-related cerebellar degeneration, Wernicke's encephalopathy, Marchiafava–Bignami disease, paraneoplastic cerebellar …
Toward a study of bidding processes : part IV, games with unknown costs

This paper represents a continuation of three previous papers [1-.3] in the study of competitive bidding processes. It treats the case where a bidder's knowledge of his competitor's cost i s given by a probability distribution over a certain interval. The results obtained extend the work of Vickrey [4] to the case where the cost intervals a r e not necessarily symmetric.
Invasive bladder cancer: treatment strategies using transurethral surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy with selection for bladder conservation

Purpose Combined modality therapy has become the standard oncologic approach to achieve organ preservation in many malignancies. Methods and materials Although radical cystectomy has been considered as standard treatment for invasive bladder carcinoma in the United States, good results have been recently reported from several centers using multimodality treatment, particularly in patients with clinical T2 and T3a disease who do not have a ureter obstructed by tumor. Results The components of the combined treatment are usually transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) followed by concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Following an induction course of therapy a histologic response is evaluated by cystoscopy and rebiopsy. Clinical "complete responders" (tumor site rebiopsy negative and urine cytology with no tumor cells present) continue with a consolidation course of concurrent chemotherapy and radiation. Those patients not achieving a clinical complete response are recommended to have an immediate cystectomy. Individually the local monotherapies of radiation, TURBT, or multidrug chemotherapy each achieve a local control rate of the primary tumor of from 20 to 40%. When these are combined, clinical complete response rates of from 65 to 80% can be achieved. Seventy-five to 85% of the clinical complete responders will remain with bladders free of recurrence of an invasive tumor. Conclusions Bladder conservation trials using combined modality treatment approaches with selection for organ conservation by response of the tumor to initial treatment report overall 5-year survival rates of approximately 50%, and a 40-45% 5-year survival rate with the bladder intact. These modern multimodality bladder conservation approaches offer survival rates similar to radical cystectomy for patients of similar clinical stage and age. Bladder-conserving therapy should be offered to patients with invasive bladder carcinoma as a realistic alternative to radical cystectomy by experienced multimodality teams of urologic oncologists.
Synchrotron X-Ray Diffraction Study of the Surface Layer in Poled Ceramic BaTiO3#

Both unpoled and poled BaTiO{sub 3} were studied by laboratory and synchrotron x-ray sources. The shorter-wavelength synchrotron radiation was used to probe deeper below the surface. Diffraction patterns revealed a distinctive surface layer of the same tetragonal structure as the main BaTiO{sub 3} fraction. A sin{sup 2}{Psi} analysis of peak shift confirmed that no measurable change of elastic strain occurs upon poling, indicating that poling may induce excessive strain that was relieved by microcracking or that a majority of domains reverse orientation. However, domain switching and possible microcracking may induced inhomogeneous strain (microstrain) and alter domain-size distribution. Line-broadening analysis showed large anisotropy of both coherently diffracting domain size and microstrain. The poled specimen shows a larger microstrain and smaller average domain size, which indicates possible effects of microcracking and additional defects created during poling.
Selective Social Learning of Plant Edibility in 6- and 18-Month-Old Infants

Recent research underscores the importance of social learning to the development of food preferences. Here, we explore whether social information about edibility—an adult placing something in his or her mouth—can be selectively tied to certain types of entities. Given that humans have relied on gathered plant resources across evolutionary time, and given the costs of trial-and-error learning, we predicted that human infants may possess selective social learning strategies that rapidly identify edible plants. Evidence from studies with 6- and 18-month-olds demonstrated that infants selectively identify plants, over artifacts, as food sources after seeing the same food-relevant social information applied to both object types. These findings are the first evidence for content-specific social learning mechanisms that facilitate the identification of edible plant resources. Evolved learning mechanisms such as these have enabled humans to survive and thrive in varied and changing environments.
Biochemical Indicators for the Bioavailability of Organic Carbon in Ground Water

The bioavailability of total organic carbon (TOC) was examined in ground water from two hydrologically distinct aquifers using biochemical indicators widely employed in chemical oceanography. Concentrations of total hydrolyzable neutral sugars (THNS), total hydrolyzable amino acids (THAA), and carbon-normalized percentages of TOC present as THNS and THAA (referred to as ‘‘yields’’) were assessed as indicators of bioavailability. A shallow coastal plain aquifer in Kings Bay, Georgia, was characterized by relatively high concentrations (425 to 1492 lM; 5.1 to 17.9 mg/L) of TOC but relatively low THNS and THAA yields (~0.2%–1.0%). These low yields are consistent with the highly biodegraded nature of TOC mobilized from relatively ancient (Pleistocene) sediments overlying the aquifer. In contrast, a shallow fractured rock aquifer in West Trenton, New Jersey, exhibited lower TOC concentrations (47 to 325 lM; 0.6 to 3.9 mg/L) but higher THNS and THAA yields (~1% to 4%). These higher yields were consistent with the younger, and thus more bioavailable, TOC being mobilized from modern soils overlying the aquifer. Consistent with these apparent differences in TOC bioavailability, no significant correlation between TOC and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), a product of organic carbon mineralization, was observed at Kings Bay, whereas a strong correlation was observed at West Trenton. In contrast to TOC, THNS and THAA concentrations were observed to correlate with DIC at the Kings Bay site. These observations suggest that biochemical indicators such as THNS and THAA may provide information concerning the bioavailability of organic carbon present in ground water that is not available from TOC measurements alone.
Cyclazocine in a Multi- Modality Treatment Program: Comparative Results*

Of 186 narcotics addicts admitted to a hospital ward for withdrawal, 33 volunteered for treatment with cyclazocine. Twenty months later 33% (11) of the patients given cyclazocine were in an abstinence-aftercare treatment, as compared to 8.5% of those not receiving the drug. When all treatment modalities are considered (abstinence-aftercare, therapeutic communities, and methadone maintenance) 57.5% (19) of patients given cyclazocine remained in some form of treatment as compared to 32% of those who did not take cyclazocine.Patient acceptance of cyclazocine was high in spite of frequent side effects. Tolerance developed rapidly and there was no evidence of serious toxicity. Tentatively, cyclazocine appears useful in the treatment of narcotics addicts voluntarily seeking abstinence.
Ribosomal ITS1 polymorphisms in Ceratitis capitata and Ceratitis rosa (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Abstract Ribosomal ITS1 DNA sequences have been characterized in Ceratitis capitata (Weidemann), the Mediterranean fruit fly, and Ceratitis rosa (Karsch), the Natal fruit fly. In C. capitata the ITS1 region is 831 bp in size (on average). Relatively little variation in the makeup of the ITS1 DNA sequences was detected in individuals sampled from numerous worldwide populations of C. capitata. In C. rosa, however, a substantial difference in the size of the ITS1 region was observed in individuals from a collection made in Kenya compared with individuals from South Africa. In the C. rosa flies from South Africa, this region was ≈930 bp in size, compared with a size of 717 bp in the C. rosa Kenya flies. This difference appears to be due primarily to a single insertion or deletion event. Using polymerase chain reaction, these size polymorphisms are easily detectable and can be used for making species identification and/or population origin determinations using material from any stage of the life cycle. Despite...
Desktop workload study with implications for desktop cloud resource optimization

Desktop cloud is a new delivery model in which end users connect to virtual desktops running in remote data centers. This paradigm offers multiple benefits both in terms of manageability as well as efficiency improvements. However, realizing this potential requires better understanding of desktop workload and its implications for desktop consolidation. We analyze CPU and memory usage on a sample of 35 desktops using a fine-grained 10 second averaging interval. Results provide insights into achievable efficiency improvements from desktop consolidation as well as detailed autocorrelation and variability behavior as a function of number of aggregated desktops. We also propose an interactivity classification method leading to functional form suitable for estimating residual durations of interactivity states. This finding can be leveraged in on-line proactive management algorithms for desktop cloud optimization.
Supra-subduction and abyssal mantle peridotites of the Coast Range ophiolite, California

The Coast Range ophiolite (CRO) of California is one of the most extensive tracts of oceanic crust preserved in the North American Cordillera, but its origin has long remained controversial. We present here new data on mineral compositions in mantle peridotites that underlie crustal sections of the ophiolite, and show that these are dominantly refractory harzburgites related to high apparent melting in a supra-subduction zone (SSZ) setting. Abyssal peridotite (characterized by high-Al spinels and relatively high Ti, Na, Nd, Sm, Lu, and Hf in pyroxene) occurs at one location where it is associated with SSZ mantle peridotite and volcanic rocks with both oceanic and arc-like geochemistry. SSZ mantle peridotites (characterized by intermediate-Cr/Al or high-Cr spinels, and by extremely low Ti, Na, Nd, Sm, Lu, and Hf in pyroxenes) are associated with crustal sections containing arc-related volcanic rocks, including boninites. This convergence between conclusions based on crustal lithologies and their underlying mantle sections confirms previous proposals that link the CRO to SSZ processes, and seriously undermines hypotheses that invoke formation of the ophiolite at a mid-ocean ridge spreading center.
Environmental Modification of Habitat Selection in Adult Damselflies

The adult habitat preferences of four damselfly species were analysed to determine whether their choices could be modified by environmental conditions at the site of adult emergence. Four species occurring in southwestern New Mexico were studies. Hetaerina americana, Hyponeura lugens, and Ischnura demorsa prefer lotic waters while I. damula favors lentic conditions. Last instar larvae of each species were transferred from their favored habitat so upon emergence the adult would be initially confronted with an environment unlike that preferred by the species. Such larvae composed the experimental group for each species. Control groups provided observations on habitat preference from individuals known to have emerged from the favored habitats. Chi—square analysis indicates a significant modification of behavior occurred in all four experimental groups. Heritability of habitat selection is not sufficiently understood for use in evolutionary studies. See full-text article at JSTOR
West Nile 25A virus infection of B-cell-deficient (μMT) mice: characterization of neuroinvasiveness and pseudoreversion of the viral envelope protein

The attenuated West Nile virus 25A strain (WN25A) was investigated for its neuroinvasive properties in B-cell-deficient (microMT) mice. After peripheral inoculation, WN25A caused fatal encephalitis in the majority of 6-8-week-old mice, characterized by a systemic infection with viraemia, moderate virus burdens in peripheral tissues and a high titre of brain-associated virus. Mice generally succumbed to infection within a few weeks of infection. However, others survived for as long as 10 weeks, and some for even longer. Normal age-matched C57BL/6 mice showed no signs of illness after inoculation with WN25A virus. Nucleotide sequencing of WN25A viruses recovered from the brains of B-cell-deficient mice revealed that the conserved N-linked glycosylation site in the viral envelope protein was abolished by substitution of a serine residue at position 155. This was found to be a pseudoreversion relative to the wild-type WN-Israel strain, based on virulence testing of one such brain-associated virus in both B-cell-deficient and normal C57BL/6 mice. This study provides further characterization of the mouse virulence properties of the attenuated WN25A virus in the context of B-cell deficiency. Replication in these mice does not involve rapid neuroadaptation or reversion of WN25A virus to a neuroinvasive phenotype. Molecular modelling studies suggest a difference in local structure of the E protein associated with either an asparagine or serine residue at position 155 compared with the tyrosine found in the virulent parental WN-Israel virus.
The use of transcranial Doppler ultrasound in confirming brain death in the setting of skull defects and extraventricular drains.

Background Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) has been used as a confirmatory test for the diagnosis of brain death (BD), but may be inaccurate in patients with a skull defect or extraventricular drain (EVD).
Electrical Response of Planar Lipid Bilayers to Ultrasound

Recent results in vitro and in vivo demonstrate that application of low-frequency ultrasound to neurons leads to activation of voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav channels), thereby increasing the rate of action potential firing. These results suggest that modulation of brain activity by transcranial ultrasound may facilitate radical new approaches to behavioral neuroscience and treatment of neurological disorders. However, it is unclear what the mechanistic basis of this effect is, or even whether it represents a direct action of ultrasound on Nav channels. To help answer these questions, and to better understand the interactions of ultrasound with membrane proteins in general, we have studied the electrical response of planar lipid bilayers under voltage-clamp to ultrasound (1 MHz). The response to sufficiently long ultrasound pulses consists of distinct dynamic “on” and “off” components with no apparent steady-state effects. The on and off responses are exponentially decaying sinusoidal current oscillations about the baseline level, and are identical except for the polarity of the current. For bilayers made of POPE and POPG (3:1 by weight), the frequency and decay constant of the on and off responses are approximately 1070 Hz and 610 s−1. The current oscillation is dependent on the lipid composition of the bilayer, with bilayers made from cholesterol having higher frequency and larger decay constants. The electrical response is probably a capacitive current (under voltage-clamp, IC = V(dC/dt)) due to distortions of bilayer structure by ultrasonic radiation force. We hypothesize that ultrasound-induced changes in bilayer structure may alter the activity of membrane proteins by changing the contribution of protein/bilayer hydrophobic mismatch to the free energy difference between protein conformations. This mechanism could underlie the activation of neuronal Nav channels by ultrasound. The effects of ultrasound on hydrophobic mismatch can be investigated using gramicidin channels.
Some Observations on Normal Erythrocyte Development in the Chick Embryo

Abstract ALTHOUGH studies on the development of the red and white blood cells of the chick embryo date as far back as 1886 (Boccardi) and 1895 (Engel), there are still gaps in our understanding. In part this is due to confusion about nomenclature. Sometimes, in the absence of color photomicrographs, it is impossible to be certain whether a given term always refers to the same cell. This confusion has been largely eliminated by the U. S. Department of Agriculture Monograph #25 by Lucas and Jamroz (1961) with its profusion of color plates. All who work in this field owe them a considerable debt. However, information is still lacking on certain aspects of the chick embryo red cells, particularly with reference to the measurements of volume and hemoglobin content of individual cells. The only studies on these lines are those reported by O’Connor (1951 O’Connor (1952), who used methodology quite different from ours.
Intercomputer Communications in Real Time Control Systems

Considerations of bandwidth, noise, distance, response time, data and system integrity, maintenance, interfacing, software control, data organization, cost, and development time complicate the implementation of intercomputer links in real time control and data acquisition systems. This paper tells how to do it. The NAL link provides an example.
Reflex testing of male urine specimens misses few positive cultures may reduce unnecessary testing of normal specimens.

Objectives To determine the predictive values of leukocyte count for the presence of a positive urine culture in ambulatory male urology patients. Many institutions have adopted a practice of “reflex testing” urine samples, in which urine culture is only performed if a threshold number of leukocytes (WBCs [white blood cells]) is present. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of all male patients who presented to our tertiary-care urology clinic in 2006. Only those with both a urinalysis and urine culture performed were included in this study. A urine culture was considered positive if at least 10 000 colonies of a uropathogen were present. Data were tabulated and analyzed using SPSS V15.0 software. Results Of 874 patients, 176 (20%) urine cultures were positive. WBCs were present at a concentration of at least 5/hpf (high power field) in 367 (42%) of all specimens and in 163 of 176 (93%) positive specimens, but were present at lower concentrations in 13 specimens with positive cultures. The presence of >5 WBC/hpf had a positive predictive value of 47%, and a negative predictive value of 97% for positive culture. Conclusions Reflex urine testing, in which cultures are done on urine specimens with >5 WBC/hpf, would have missed 7% of positive urine cultures, while avoiding 69% of all cultures. Reflex testing may be appropriate in most ambulatory urology patients.
A simple and inexpensive method to control oxygen concentrations within physiological and neoplastic ranges

Traditional methods for regulating oxygen concentration ([O2]) in in vitro experiments over the range found in normal and tumor tissues require the use of expensive equipment to generate controlled gas atmospheres or the purchase of a range of gas cylinders with certified O2 percentages. Here we describe a simple and inexpensive enzymatic method for generating low, precise steady-state [O2] levels that are stable for several hours. This method is particularly applicable to the in vitro study of some classes of hypoxia-targeted antitumor prodrugs and bioreductively activated agents.
Functional and corrective claw trimming.

The biomechanics of weight bearing in dairy cows, combined with modem feeding practices and housing systems common to intensive dairy production, often lead to claw hom overgrowth and overburdening of the lateral claw of rear and medial claw of front feet. If not corrected, overburdening predisposes to claw disorders, particularly sole ulcers and white-line disease. The purpose of functional trimming is to correct claw horn overgrowth, thereby reestablishing appropriate distribution of the cow's body weight within and between the claws of each foot. The objectives of claw trimming are to correct lesions of the claw capsule by adjusting weight bearing and to remove loose and damaged claw horn tissue. Properly applied, the principles of functional and corrective trimming are effective measures for treatment, control, and prevention of lameness disorders.
Capillary plexuses are vulnerable to neutrophil extracellular traps

Capillary plexuses are commonly regarded as reliable networks for blood flow and robust oxygen delivery to hypoxia sensitive tissues. They have high levels of redundancy to assure adequate blood supply when one or more of the capillaries in the network are blocked by a clot. However, despite having extensive capillary plexuses, many vital organs are often subject to secondary organ injury in patients with severe inflammation. Recent studies have suggested that neutrophils play a role in this pathology, even though their precise contribution remains elusive. Here we investigate the effect of chromatin fibres released from overly-activated neutrophils (neutrophil extracellular traps, NETs) on the flow of blood through microfluidic networks of channels replicating geometrical features of capillary plexuses. In an in vitro setting, we show that NETs can decouple the traffic of red blood cells from that of plasma in microfluidic networks. The effect is astonishingly disproportionate, with NETs from less than 200 neutrophils resulting in more than half of a 0.6 mm(2) microfluidic network to become void of red blood cell traffic. Importantly, the NETs are able to perturb the blood flow in capillary networks despite the presence of anti-coagulants. If verified to occur in vivo, this finding could represent a novel mechanism for tissue hypoxia and secondary organ injury during severe inflammation in patients already receiving antithrombotic and anticoagulant therapies.
The afterlife of earthen-core buildings: A taphonomic study of threatened and effaced architecture in Central Belize

Buried architecture poses an interpretive challenge to field archaeologists the world over. The depositional sequence of the site must be reconstructed through excavation and stratigraphic analysis, and the various phases of construction and use that occurred in the past must be inferred. Effaced earthen-core architecture (e.g., architecture that was once faced with a masonry outer layer that is no longer present) constitutes a heightened challenge in this regard, as events and layers are not always clearly distinguishable, an interpretive difficulty that can be compounded when such architecture is threatened and decay accelerated by modern-day land use activities such as bulldozing and plowing. The case study presented here focuses on an ancient Maya E-Group architectural configuration—a triangular arrangement of structures that served to commemorate astronomical events, among other functions—that is being degraded through repetitive plowing. The significance of this site in regard to Maya archaeology is...
Yellow Fever: A Medically Neglected Disease. Report on a Seminar

In 1984 the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) sponsored an international seminar on the treatment and laboratory diagnosis of yellow fever. The meeting, held April 2-6 in Brasilia, was attended by 37 participants representing Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, the United States, PAHO, and the World Health Organization. The objectives of the seminar were to review the current status of the disease, with emphasis on diagnosis and on the care and management of patients, and to formulate recommendations for improvements in diagnosis and management and for future research. A unique aspect of the seminar and one that distinguished it from previous, epidemiologically oriented meetings on yellow fever was the emphasis on clinical medicine and the participation of individuals representing academic medicine in relevant specialties such as hepatology, hematology, cardiology, and nephrology.
Probabilistic Collocation Method in Solving Eulerian Model for Air Traffic Flow Management.

The modified version of Lighthill-Whitham- Richards Partial Differential Equation (LWR-PDE) model is one widely applied Eulerian model to describe the aggregate air-traffic flow of network in the National Air-traffic System (NAS). This model has the advantages of studying groups of aircraft in airways and accurately predicting the airspace parameter both downstream and at future times. To address the problem of costly computation, we introduce the Probabilistic Collocation Method (PCM) to provide a simple and efficient numerical solution to LWR-PDE. Compared with ordinary numerical methods, PCM can save up to 80% of computation time to achieve a solution with same accuracy. This method is validated against data simulated using NASA featured Future Air-traffic Control and Emulation Tool (FACET). PCM provides predictions that are both temporally and spatially convincing. The use of "box" prediction prevents the diffusion problem in numerical solution and gives 80% of prediction accuracy with only a 45nm "box" length. In the process of prediction, sample-moment-based PCM is performed to further simplify the procedure. The numerical result can be used as one control parameter for air-traffic controllers to generate aggregate control strategies to avoid severe traffic conditions.