cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Silicic acid ionization and calculation of silica solubility at elevated temperature and pH application to geothermal fluid processing and reinjection

Abstract Utilization of geothermal liquids is often complicated by the deposition in process equipment of dissolved salts and minerals, particularly amorphous silica. Herein we compute the solubility of silica as a function of temperature and pH in vapor saturated liquid water to 300°C and pH 12. Ionization of dissolved silica (silicic acid) at alkaline pH enhances the solubility. The ionization of silicic acid is commonly expressed: (A) H 4 SiO 4 = H 3 SiO 4 − + H + , for which reaction the enthalpy of ionization L A is highly temperature dependent and changes sign along the vapor saturated curve of liquid water. We advocate the alternative neutralization reaction (B) H 4 SiO 4 + OH − = H 3 SiO 4 − + H 2 O , which results in a linear relationship between log K B and T −1 . The equilibrium constant for this reaction in vapor saturated liquid water from 0 to 300°C is given by log k B = 1479/ T − 0·6496 based on selected literature data. An iterative algorithm is developed to compute solubility of silica polymorphs as a function of temperature and pH in circumstances where literature data are lacking, using the neutralization reaction and neutral-pH solubility data. Conditions are specified under which certain approximations which greatly simplify the computational problem are valid. The mean ionic activity coefficient for H 3 SiO 4 − in saturated silica solutions is estimated and shows excellent agreement with the Debye - Huckel theory for conditions where the latter is valid. Determination of this activity coefficient allows prediction of molal solubility from true thermodynamic equilibrium constants for the several participating reactions by combining our equation (7) and Table 1. This bypasses use of the more cumbersome molal concentration products. The results of computation compare favorably with the few data available in the literature. Application of these results to the problems of scaling control in process equipment and to reinjection of processed geothermal fluids suggests that alkalization receive consideration as a chemical control on scaling. This procedure would simultaneously facilitate fluid reinjection, and may be a superior alternative to currently proposed acidification procedures for some cases.
Rethinking our approach to allergic rhinitis management

Objective This article reviews the recommendations by the World Health Organization's new guidelines, “Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma” (ARIA), and the paradigm for treating allergic rhinitis based on disease classification. After reading this article, readers should understand the ARIA guidelines and the salient issues involving the challenges inherent in the management of allergic rhinitis. Data Sources Relevant and appropriately controlled clinical studies and results of patient surveys were used. Only literature in the English language was reviewed. Study Selection Material was taken from academic/scholarly journals, published abstracts, and presentations at a major congress. Results The ARIA guidelines' new classification categorizes patients' allergic rhinitis as either intermittent or persistent with gradations from mild to moderate-severe. These guidelines propose a stepwise approach to management guided by symptom severity and evaluation of treatment response, with the underlying concept for treatment being to select therapies that address individual patients' symptoms. Although few data were available at the time of their inception, the guidelines recognize that antileukotriene medications may play an important role in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Results of recent clinical trials support the use of antileukotriene medications in allergic rhinitis, alone or concomitantly with an antihistamine. Conclusions Targeting specific and multiple mechanisms of allergic rhinitis and individualizing all available and effective treatments to each patient, with specific medications for specific symptoms, will be of particular benefit to patients with allergic rhinitis.
Injection-level optimisation for digital television transmitter identification systems using Kasami sequences

The transmitter identification (TxID) of digital television (DTV) systems becomes crucial nowadays. TxID (or transmitter fingerprinting) technique is used to detect, diagnose and classify the operating status of any radio transmitter of interest. The TxID system is specified in Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC) A/110 standard where pseudorandom sequences are proposed to be embedded into the DTV signals before transmission. The buried ratio or injection level of injected Kasami sequences in DTV-TxID systems will both affect the identification correctness and the DTV reception quality. In this study, the authors investigate the important unsolved optimisation problem for injection level. The authors present the new analysis here for the realistic scenario consisting of multiple transmitters and receivers over the additive white Gaussian noise channel. The signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratios for the TxID signal detection and the subject TV signal reception are both considered as two essential measures for single-frequency networks. Besides, the authors design a novel efficient injection-level optimisation scheme for TxID simply based on the given information including the signal-to-noise ratio at the receiver and the locations of the transmitters and the receiver(s).
Transituational control of avoidance responding by Pavlovian CSs

After dogs learned Sidman avoidance in a shuttlebox, they received differential Pavlovian conditioning in a different room, strapped to a harness. Shock was paired with one tonal stimulus (CS+) but not with the second (CS−). A control group received both tones but no shock. Pavlovian CSs were later introduced while Ss were performing the avoidance response in the shuttlebox. While CS+ increased avoidance responding, neither CS− nor tones in the control group significantly inhibited avoidance behavior.
A Comparison between a Part-Task Cognitive Training Group and a Part-Task Skill Development Group on Aircraft Performance

Twelve non instrument rated private pilots were randomly assigned to one of two part-task training groups: a cognitive training group and a skill development group. After taking a 20-minute pretest...
Determination of phosphate in biological materials and reaction mixtures by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Abstract Extraction of phosphomolybdic acid by 2-octanol, and subsequent determination of the molybdenum concentration by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, provides a rapid, sensitive, indirect method of inorganic phosphate determination. As little as 3–4 mμmoles of phosphate can be determined accurately with a standard air-acetylene burner. Procedures are described for the determination of inorganic phosphate in blood, serum, bone, other biological tissues, and enzyme-containing reaction mixtures.
Interpreting soil ciliate biodiversity

The results of soil ciliate frequency studies of 47 field studies, from 12 ecosystem types, were combined with recent concepts and observations to assess the importance of soil ciliate biodiversity in ecosystem functioning. A few species typically furnish most of the individuals; increases in biodiversity, produced by less common species, alters soil ciliate communities. Soil ciliates were grouped according to position on the r/K continuum, with polyhymenophoran species as K, and colpodids as r organisms; and according to degree of soil affinity. Grasslands and hardwood forests were characterized by large numbers of K and intermediate species, whereas pine forests and more stressed ecosystems (e.g., arable lands, deserts) had more colpodid and fewer total species. Within these systems, certain species may become prominent, or be absent, suggesting that many soil ciliates exhibit widely overlapping niches, and that while a soil might function with a few species, high diversity allows systems to respond to changing seasons and climate.
Effect of clinical factors on length of stay after coronary artery bypass surgery: results of the cooperative cardiovascular project.

Abstract Background Rising health care costs have prompted careful review of comparative hospital resource use. Length of stay after bypass surgery has received particular attention. However, many providers assert that these variations are caused by differences in the clinical mix of patients treated. Our goals were to identify the major clinical predictors of postoperative length of stay (PLOS) after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), document variations in PLOS among 28 hospitals, and assess the degree to which patient characteristics account for hospital variations in PLOS. Methods Detailed clinical data on 3605 Medicare patients undergoing CABG in 28 Alabama and Iowa hospitals were analyzed by stepwise linear regression to identify significant clinical predictors of PLOS. Analysis of variance was used to compare hospitals' PLOS while controlling for significant patient risk factors. Results The mean age was 72.1 years, 34.7% were female, and the inhospital mortality rate was 5.6%. The median and mean PLOS were 8 and 11.1 days, respectively. Significant predictors of longer PLOS included increasing age, female sex, history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cerebrovascular disease, or mitral valve disease, elevated admission blood urea nitrogen, and preoperative placement of an intraaortic balloon pump. Hospitals varied significantly ( P = .0001) in their unadjusted PLOS. These hospital-level variations persisted despite adjustment for both preoperative patient characteristics ( P = .0001) and postoperative complications and death ( P = .0001). Conclusions This study found significant between-hospital variations in PLOS that were not explained by patient factors. This finding suggests the potential for increased efficiency in the care of patients undergoing CABG at many institutions. Further research is needed to determine the practice patterns contributing to variations in length of stay after bypass surgery. (Am Heart J 1999;138:69-77.)
Mycoplasma meningitis resulting in increased production of cerebrospinal fluid: case report and review of the literature

Purpose We report a case of increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production in a child with concomitant mycoplasma meningitis.
Altered brain and pituitary androgen metabolism by prenatal, perinatal or pre- and postnatal finasteride, flutamide or dihydrotestosterone treatment in juvenile male rats

Abstract Lephart Edwin D. and Douglas A. Husmann: Altered brain and pituitary androgen metabolism by prenatal, perinatal or pre- and postnatal finasteride, flutamide or dihydrotestosterone treatment in juvenile male rats. Prog. Neuro-Psychopharmacol. & Biol. Psychiat. 1993, 17(6): 991–1003. 1. 1. The authors investigated the administration of finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor; flutamide, an androgen receptor blocker and; exogenous dihydrotestosterone (DHT) during intervals covering different portions of the “critical period” of neural development (i.e. prenatal, perinatal or pre- and postnatal development) to determine the long-term effects of these agents on altering androgen metabolism in hypothalamic and pituitary tissue of juvenile (30 day-old) male rats. 2. 2. The efficacy of the treatments and hypothalamic-pituitary axis function was monitored by measuring luteinizing hormone levels by radioimmunoassay. 5α-Reductase and aromatase activity was determined in hypothalamic and pituitary tissue. 3. 3. Significant alterations in pituitary 5α-reductase activity was detected in DHT-treated animals, whereas, hypothalamic 5α-reductase activity was significantly decreased by finasteride treatment and significantly increased by DHT treatment. Hypothalamic aromatase activity was significantly decreased in flutamide-treated animals. 4. 4. These results suggest that: a) prenatal exposure to exogenous DHT stimulates hypothalamic (but inhibits pituitary) 5α-reductase activity long-term and b) basal 5α-reductase activity levels can be inhibited by finasteride treatment in hypothalamic but not in pituitary tissue, suggesting that a different regulatory mechanism exists for 5α-reductase in hypothalamic verses pituitary tissue.
Effect of Perezia pyraustae on oxygen consumption by the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis

Abstract Standard Warburg manometric techniques were used to determine the oxygen consumption by European corn borers, Ostrinia nubilalis , infected with Perezia pyraustae and by borers not infected with the protozoan. The curve of oxygen consumption for disease-free corn borers resembled that reported for other Lepidoptera; diseased corn borers had a slightly higher rate of consumption throughout the life cycle.
SOLID DISTRIBUTION IN BUBBLE COLUMN WITH LIQUID MIXTURES

Comparaison de la retenue de gaz obtenue avec un liquide et avec un melange de deux liquides, en utilisant deux types de distributeurs de gaz, un plateau perfore et une plaque frittee. Comparaison des valeurs experimentales du coefficient de dispersion axiale, des vitesses de glissement et des nombres de Peclet des particules, avec les correlations de la litterature: dans les melanges de liquides, ces parametres sont tres differents de ceux que l'on calcule avec les correlations
Hydroxyl-substituted sulfonylureas as potent inhibitors of specific [3H]glyburide binding to rat brain synaptosomes

Abstract We are seeking to discover potent CNS-active sulfonylureas with structural features that allow for the formation of several types of prodrugs. We report herein the syntheses of compounds comprising an initial series of hydroxyl-substituted analogues of the potent ATP-sensitive potassium channel blockers glyburide (glibenclamide) and gliquidone. Somewhat unexpectedly, several of the compounds were found to be comparably potent to glyburide as inhibitors of specific [ 3 H]glyburide binding in rat brain preparations.
Development of a collaborative drug therapy management protocol for extended-release intramuscular naltrexone

The Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs (CDAP) at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) focuses on research and clinical services for substance use disorders. CDAP is comprised of both inpatient and outpatient services. Outpatient services include an intensive program with daily group meetings and an individualized treatment program where patients are able to take part in one-on-one counseling. Approximately 1200 outpatients are seen in the CDAP clinics annually, 300 of which are in the intensive outpatient program. The patients seen in CDAP have a range of substance use disorders which include alcohol and opioid dependence, among others. Given the patient population, there is a significant demand for extended-release intramuscular naltrexone (ERIN), but the CDAP clinics are neither staffed nor structured for medication administration or storage. A previously established pharmacist-run clinic exists at MUSC for the purpose of administering long-acting injectable antipsychotics and monitoring the patients who receive them. An explanation of the financial impact of the antipsychotic injection clinic to our institution is described by Phan and Vandenberg. With the increasing patient and physician demand, a protocol was developed to allow pharmacists to administer ERIN in the pharmacist-run clinic.
Re-establishment of electrophysiologically functional entorhinal cortical input to the dentate gyrus deafferented by ipsilateral entorhinal lesions: Innervation by the contralaeral entorhinal cortex

We have unilaterally ablated the entorhinal cortex of the developing rat, thereby removing the major synaptic input to the ipsilateral dentate gyrus. We have then examined the efferent projections of the remaining contralateral entorhinal cortex to determine if these might reoccupy the synaptic territory vacated by the ipsilateral entorhinal fibers. By placing lesions in the remaining contralateral entorhinal cortex, and tracing the resulting degeneration products, we show that the contralateral entorhinal projection is reorganized, establishing an anomalous terminal projection to the dentate gyrus deafferented by the initial lesion. The result is a contralateral entorhinal innervation of the dentate gyrus which normally receives only ipsilateral entorhinal afferents. In addition, we investigate the functional capacity of these anomalous contralateral projections. We show that stimulation of the entorhinal cortex in the normal animal never results in short latency activation of the granule cells contralateral to the stimulating electrode, whereas in the lesioned animals, the contralateral entorhinal stimulation results in a short latency, apparently monosynaptic, evoked potential in the dentate gyrus which had been deprived of its ipsilateral entorhinal innervation. Furthermore, this stimulation results in the discharge of cells in the granule cell layer. Therefore, following unilateral entorhinal lesion, the remaining contralateral entorhinal cortex extends its efferent projection to establish electrophysiologically functional synapses with the granule cells deafferented by the initial lesions.
Pregnancy and interferon tau regulate RSAD2 and IFIH1 expression in the ovine uterus

Radical S-adenosyl methionine domain containing 2 (RSAD2) encodes a cytoplasmic antiviral protein induced by interferons (IFN). Interferon-induced with helicase C domain 1 (IFIH1) is a RNA helicase involved in innate immune defense against viruses, growth suppression, and apoptosis. Interferon tau (IFNT), a Type I IFN produced by the peri-implantation ruminant conceptus, acts on the uterine endometrium to signal pregnancy recognition and promote receptivity to implantation. Transcriptional profiling identified RSAD2 and IFIH1 as IFNT regulated genes in the ovine uterine endometrium. This study tested the hypothesis that RSAD2 and IFIH1 were induced in the endometrium in a cell type-specific manner by IFNT from the conceptus during early pregnancy. Endometrial RSAD2 and IFIH1 mRNA increased between days 12 and 16 of pregnancy, but not of the estrous cycle. In pregnant ewes, RSAD2 and IFIH1 mRNAs increased in endometrial glands, and stroma and immune cells, but not in the luminal epithelium. Neither gene was expressed in the trophectoderm of day 18 or 20 conceptuses. Progesterone (P4) treatment of ovariectomized ewes did not induce expression RSAD2 or IFIH1 mRNA in the endometrium; however, intrauterine injections of IFNT induced expression of RSAD2 and IFIH1 mRNA in endometria of ewes treated with P4, as well as in ewes treated with P4 and the progesterone receptor antagonist, ZK 136,317. These results indicate that conceptus IFNT induces both RSAD2 and IFIH1 in a P4-independent manner in the ovine uterine endometrium. These two IFNT-stimulated genes are proposed to have biological roles in the establishment of uterine receptivity to the conceptus during implantation through induction of an antiviral state and modulation of local immune cells in the endometrium.
Stability of cytadherence-related proteins P140/P110 in mycoplasma genitalium requires MG218 and unidentified factors

Abstract Background Tip-mediated cytadherence in Mycoplasma genitalium requires the structural and functional stability of the P140 adhesin, its operon-related protein P110, and the high molecular weight protein MG218 (190-kDa). Disruption mutants of mg218 unable to express MG218 exhibit both a non-cytadhering phenotype and P140/P110 instability, while disruption mutants that synthesize a truncated MG218 (160 kDa) retain the stability of P140/P110 and are >95% cytadhering. However, the origin of the MG218 truncated protein in these mutants is unclear. Therefore, we attempted to identify the origin of the truncated MG218 protein and to evaluate whether this truncated protein possessed the C-terminal part of MG218. In addition, we used spontaneous mutants lacking P140 to assess the role of MG218 in the stability of P140/P110. Methods RNA from M. genitalium mutant producing truncated MG218 was subjected to primer extension analysis to identify the origin of expression of truncated MG218. Extracts of this mutant were examined for the presence of the C-terminal region of MG218 by immunoblot. In addition, pulse-chase analysis was performed to assess the role of MG218 in the stability of P140/P110 in spontaneous p140 mutants. Results Primer extension analysis identified a transcriptional start point adjacent to the gentamycin-resistance gene in disrupted mg218 mutants. Antibodies directed against the C-terminal region (amino acids 1651–1666) of MG218 bound to truncated MG218 protein from mutants. Spontaneous p140 mutants subjected to pulse chase analysis indicated that solely class I mutants exhibited instability of P140/P110 in the presence of intact MG218. Conclusions Expression of truncated MG218 in M. genitalium mg218 mutants appears to be due to the presence of a putative promoter upstream to the point of mg218 disruption; this truncated protein possesses the C-terminal region of MG218. However, pulse chase results from spontaneously arising, non-cytadhering P140-deficient M. genitalium mutants suggest that the stability of P140 and P110 requires not only MG218 but also additional factors.
Models of accepting an early retirement incentive

The presence of special early retirement incentives has changed the work environment for older workers. It is of interest to know how existing models of the timing of the pension acceptance decision function in an incentive environment. Furthermore, it is of interest to note the similarities or differences between males and females with regard to retirement behaviors. In this study, a basic utility maximization model, an expanded model, and an interactive model are applied to the acceptance of an early retirement pension incentive; probabilities of acceptance range from .18 to .39. Acceptance behavior without the incentive is simulated, with probabilities of acceptance ranging from .11 to .33. Addition of a set of socioeconomic and psychological variables and a vector of interactive variables is found to improve the basic model.
Use of an agonistic analog of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (nafarelin) to treat leiomyomas: assessment by magnetic resonance imaging.

The purposes of this study were to investigate the effect of a superactive agonistic analog of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, nafarelin, on uterine leiomyomas and to assess the use of magnetic resonance imaging in monitoring uterine and myoma size. Eleven women with uterine leiomyomas were treated with 800 μg of nafarelin per day for 6 months. Serum gonadotropin and estradiol concentrations were suppressed during treatment. The mean ± SEM serum luteinizing hormone level decreased from 11.1 ± 1.4 to 5.6 ± 0.42 mlU/ml and follicle-stimulating hormone from 9.5 ± 0.66 to 7.5 ± 0.72 mlU/ml by 3 months of treatment (p < 0.01). The estradiol level decreased from a pretreatment follicular phase mean ± SEM of 43 ± 8.3 to 19.8 ± 3.1 (p < 0.05) and 14.8 ± 2.2 pg/ml (p < 0.01) at 3 and 6 months of treatment, respectively. Mean pretreatment androgen levels (testosterone, androstenodione, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) were low in these women and did not change significantly during treatment. Ten women had magnetic resonance imaging, which provided excellent resolution of individual uterine myomas. As assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, the largest myoma decreased in size in nine of 10 women; the mean decrease was 46% ± 9%. Uterine volume decreased in all 10 patients; the mean decrease was 57% ± 7%. In several women myomas reenlarged after discontinuance of nafarelin treatment. Posttreatment myomectomy was carried out in four women; there was minimal blood loss and no surgical complications. These data indicate that suppression of ovarian estrogen production with nafarelin is associated with a decrease in uterine myoma size in many women but that myomas may regrow with reinstitution of ovarian function. Magnetic resonance imaging is an excellent method by which to monitor treatment as changes in the size of the uterus, as well as individual myomas, can be assessed. The optimal use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs may be in perimenopausal women or as presurgical treatment to decrease uterine and myoma size to facilitate myomectomy.
Investigation of Remote-Phosphor White Light-Emitting Diodes with Multi-Phosphor Layers

To understand how multiple phosphors in a mixture or stacked layers affect the performance of the remote-phosphor "scattered photon extraction (SPE)" white light-emitting diode (LED), a laboratory study was conducted with commercial yellow [quantum efficiency (QE)=0.91] and red (QE=0.59) phosphors in equal amounts. The highest light output was obtained when the longer-wavelength red phosphor was placed as the second layer. Experiments showed that when using two phosphors in an SPE package, several factors influence the performance: mixture or stacked layers; specific layer order; phosphor densities; phosphor external QE; overall spectral power distribution (SPD); phosphor excitation and emission spectra and efficiencies.
The measurement of administrative effectiveness of the academic department head

A total of 103 academic department heads in four universities rated a set of 15 administrative activities as to their importance. Faculty members in these departments (totalN=1,333) used the same set of activities to rate both the importance they should be given by the department head and the effectiveness with which the head performed each set during the previous 12 months. Tests of reliability revealed that faculty ratings of both importance and performance were made with reasonable internal consistency. Three tests of construct validity showed that each of the three types of ratings were made with at least minimal validity. A principal components analysis of faculty ratings of performance suggested that the department head has three major types of responsibility: personnel management; departmental planning and development; and building the department's reputation.
New methodology in infant operant kicking procedures: computerized stimulus control and computerized measurement of kicking

Abstract Numerous developmental issues have been assessed using a mobile reinforcement procedure (leg kicks=operant response, movement of a 3D mobile=reinforcer). The current study addressed issues of stimulus control in the mobile procedure through implementation of computerized measurement of leg kicks and computerized control over auditory/visual reinforcers. Experiment 1 demonstrated that the computerized apparatus provides a sensitive measure of learning and memory. Experiment 2 examined the efficacy of single and multiple modality reinforcement in learning/retention of operant kicking and revealed successful acquisition with single modality reinforcement. These results suggest that the mobile procedure could be expanded to address other types of developmental questions (i.e. perception, cognition, intersensory integration) and could be modified to allow replacement of the 3D mobile with images displayed on a computer monitor, thereby extending the utility of the procedure to studies requiring precise psychophysical control over visual stimuli (i.e. object identification and categorization).
The location of the major protein in Caenorhabditis elegans sperm and spermatocytes.

Abstract Using an affinity-purified antibody to the major sperm protein (MSP) in Caenorhabditis elegans sperm we have shown by immunofluorescence that the MSP is localized in the fibrous bodies of spermatocytes and early spermatids, in the cytoplasm of late spermatids, and in the pseudopods of spermatozoa. The MSP can also form crystalline inclusions in mutant and wild-type sperm. The function of this protein is still unknown, but its ability to form filaments and its localization in the pseudopod, together with the lack of actin in these sperm suggest that the MSP may be required for amoeboid motility.
Quality of Service guarantees and fault-tolerant TCP services in mobile wireless optical networks

In this paper we address the problem for communications Quality of Service (QoS) in wireless networks of Mobile Optical Free-space networks. We propose an architecture for end-to-end statistical delay guarantees. A delay model using the concept of virtual traffic accommodates variations in link capacity variations as well as transient outages. The QoS architecture uses an admission control technique that limits link utilisation for real-time traffic flows in order to reduce queuing delay. Admission control uses a 2-phase commit protocol for handling QoS negotiation and adaptation. We also present a mechanism for deploying QoS-enabled dependable TCP services in this network. The primary-backup TCP replication mechanism is supported by the routing infrastructure and improves server deployment transparency compared to previous work. We illustrate application performance improvement with simulation results.
Assessment of a CAD scheme in selecting the optimal focused microscopic scanning images of the metaphase chromosomes

Visually searching for analyzable metaphase chromosome cells under microscopes is a routine and timeconsuming task in genetic laboratories to diagnose cancer and genetic disorders. To improve detection efficiency, consistency, and accuracy, we developed an automated microscopic image scanning system using a 100X oil immersion objective lens to acquire images that has sufficient spatial resolution allowing clinicians to do diagnosis. Due to the highresolution, the field of image depth is very limited and multiple scans up to seven layers are required. Thus, a metaphase cell can spread over multiple images at different focal levels. Among them only one or two are adequate for the diagnosis and the others are typically fuzzy images. In this study, we developed and tested a computer-aided detection (CAD) scheme to automatically select one image with the sharpest image quality and discard all of the other fuzzy images based on the computed sharpness index. From three scanned bone marrow specimen slides, the on-line and offline metaphase finding modules automatically selected 100 chromosome cells with 534 images. These images were selected to build a testing dataset. For each cell, the CAD scheme selects one image with the maximum sharpness index. Three observers also independently visually selected one best image for diagnosis from each cell. The agreement rate between CAD and visually selected images ranges from 89% to 96%, which is also very comparable to the agreement rate between the two observers. This experiment demonstrated the feasibility of applying a CAD scheme to select the images with sharpest high-resolution metaphase chromosome cell and potentially improve diagnostic efficiency and accuracy in the future clinical practice.
Physiological and Behavioral Effects of Zinc and Temperature on Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Pacific salmon species including the U.S. federally endangered coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and the U.S. federally threatened steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) have declined at an alarming rate in the last 40 years. Two of the main causes for the decline in coastal coho populations include increases in temperature and contaminant loads in coastal watersheds. Zinc, in particular, is one of the most common contaminants in aquatic systems. Using an experimental mesocosm design, we examined physiological, biochemical, and behavioral responses of coho salmon to excess dietary zinc and increased temperatures, with the ultimate goal of relating results to wild populations of coho salmon and steelhead in the Navarro River, California. Fish were obtained from a hatchery and divided into four treatments: low water temperature-no dietary zinc, high temperature-no zinc, low temperature-zinc, and high temperature-zinc. Each treatment had four replicate tanks. Zinc concentrations in liver increased during exposure to a high zinc diet. Iron concentrations in liver increased during simultaneous exposure to high zinc diet and increased temperature, and growth was reduced in this experimental treatment. Expression of hsp-70 was not significantly different between treatments, but showed decreasing trends with high dietary zinc and high temperature. Feeding rate increased with exposure to a high zinc diet. Comparison with steelhead trout samples from the Navarro River, California, showed levels of zinc, iron, and hsp-70 greater than those found in the experimental Coho salmon. All comparisons between the hatchery coho salmon and wild steelhead should be viewed with caution due to the differences between species, the laboratory and natural environment, and the genetic differences between wild and hatchery fish.
Mortgage Banking Cost Structure: Resolving an Enigma

Abstract Mortgage banks have become a dominant player in mortgage markets and yet very little is known about their cost structure. This paper presents the first empirical analysis of the cost structure of the mortgage banking industry. Using a sample of mortgage banks originating and servicing loans between 1990–1992, a stochastic cost frontier model was estimated. Estimates of ray- and expansion-path scale economy show evidence of substantial scale economies in the industry which are not exhausted even at the largest output sizes. Further, significant inefficiencies over time were found and the results suggest that they changed with market conditions such as periods of refinancings.
Bilateral dissecting aneurysms of the internal carotid arteries.

We present clinical and pathologic data on a 14-year-old boy with bilateral dissecting aneurysms of the internal carotid and middle cerebral arteries. The case is unusual in that bilateral dissecting aneurysms of the intracranial vessels have not been described, and because the internal elastic lamina was focally absent in both intracranial and somatic arteries. This abnormality of the elastica has been described in association with internal carotid occlusion and telangiectasia of the basal ganglia, the moya-moya syndrome. The relation between dissecting carotid aneurysms and moya-moya is discussed.
Fed-batch fermentation of glucose to acetate by an improved strain of Clostridium thermoaceticum

The fed-batch approach to the production of acetate from glucose by an improved strain ofClostridium thermoaceticum resulted in better performance than the batch fermentation, especially in media containing an excess (3X) of nutrients and trace salts. At pH 6.6, 46 g/l acetic acid was produced in 192 hours with 93% substrate utilization. In contrast, batch fermentation under similar conditions resulted in a maximum of 35 g/l acetic acid with less than 82% substrate utilization.
Combined oestrogen and progestin has equivocal effect on gynaecological cancers

Abstract Question Does oestrogen plus progestin affect the rate of gynaecologic cancers in healthy post-menopausal women? Study design Double blind randomised controlled trial. Main results There were no significant differences in the incidence of ovarian or endometrial cancers between groups (see Table 1). The distribution of class and grade of disease and its severity at diagnosis did not differ between groups. More women in the hormone group required unplanned biopsies (33% vs. 6%, p Table 1 Number of cases and deaths due to ovarian and endometrial cancer. Hormone group ( n=8506 ) Placebo group ( n=8102 ) Hazard ratio, hormone group vs. placebo (95% CI) Cases ovarian cancer, n 20 12 1.58 (0.77 to 3.24) Deaths due to ovarian cancer, n 9 3 2.70 (0.73 to 10.00) Cases endometrial cancer, n 27 31 0.81 (0.48 to 1.36) Deaths due to endometrial cancer, n 0 1 Not stated Authors’ conclusions Rates of ovarian and endometrial cancers were low in both groups, suggesting that these results need not unduly influence women when considering treatment for menopausal symptoms. Combined oestrogen plus progestin may slightly alter the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer, and needs confirmation.
Vascular endothelial dysfunction is associated with reversible myocardial perfusion defects in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease.

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate whether endothelial dysfunction contributes to abnormal myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) observed in patients without obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). It is unclear whether reversible MPI defects detected in the absence of obstructive CAD represent underlying vascular pathology or are false-positive MPI results. Recent evidence suggests that coronary endothelial dysfunction might play a role in the pathogenesis of these defects.
Metallosis: CT findings in a Total Hip Arthroplasty

We report a case of a 50-year-old man with extensive metallosis 20 years after right total hip arthroplasty. CT demonstrated osteolysis and radiodense debris surrounding the right hip joint. Although the radiographic appearance of metallosis has been well documented in the literature, the CT appearance of metallosis after total hip arthroplasty has been only sparsely described.
Age differences in learning and the question of preexperimental interference

Although previous research has revealed a consistent finding of an interaction between age and incongruent information, the exact cause of this age difference in relation to preexperimental interference has not been identified due to methodological oversights in the existing literature. That is, it is unclear whether the cause of the age difference in learning is the incongruity of the new information with prior knowledge or simply the amount of new information that is presented. To overcome previous problems, this study separated the effects of congruity and amount of new information. The participants consisted of 50 older and 50 younger adults who possessed varied levels of familiarity with a standard keyboard as determined by a pretest. Participants were then presented with a new keyboard format (Dvorak) and performed three typing trials. The results revealed a significant main effect for age, such that the older participants performed worse than the younger participants on the new keyboard. However, t...
Estimating bioenergetics model parameters for fish with incomplete recapture histories

Traditional methods for modeling growth of free-ranging fish are often limited by missing recapture observations that prevent individual growth estimates for a given time interval. Our purpose is t...
Focal Defects in Single-Celled Tubes Mutant for Cerebral Cavernous Malformation 3, GCKIII, or NSF2

Summary Tubes of differing cellular architecture connect into networks. In the Drosophila tracheal system, two tube types connect within single cells (terminal cells); however, the genes that mediate this interconnection are unknown. Here we characterize two genes that are essential for this process: lotus , required for maintaining a connection between the tubes, and wheezy , required to prevent local tube dilation. We find that lotus encodes N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor 2 (NSF2), whereas wheezy encodes Germinal center kinase III (GCKIII). GCKIIIs are effectors of Cerebral cavernous malformation 3 (CCM3), a protein mutated in vascular disease. Depletion of Ccm3 by RNA interference phenocopies wheezy ; thus, CCM3 and GCKIII, which prevent capillary dilation in humans, prevent tube dilation in Drosophila trachea. Ectopic junctional and apical proteins are present in wheezy terminal cells, and we show that tube dilation is suppressed by reduction of NSF2, of the apical determinant Crumbs, or of septate junction protein Varicose.
Constructing the city of Tel Aviv: urban space, physical culture and the natural and built environment

This article investigates the intersection of space, culture and the moving body in Tel Aviv during the British Mandate of Palestine. Established in 1909 as a garden suburb of Jaffa, by the 1920s Tel Aviv had become the dynamic cultural and economic center of the Jewish community in Palestine. The culture of Tel Aviv was highly influenced by its natural setting but, as the ‘first Hebrew city’, it was also impacted by the processes of urbanization. Through analysis of a variety of developments in the physical culture arena, this article uncovers how the burgeoning metropolis both drew from and shaped the physical environment.
Safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment of basilar tip aneurysms by coiling with and without stent assistance: A review of 235 cases

Background Endovascular therapy is now the preferred treatment option for basilar tip aneurysms (BTAs). Objective To compare the safety and efficacy of common endovascular techniques in the treatment of BTAs. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of 235 patients with BTAs treated with endovascular means in our institution between 2004 and 2011. Categorization was based on the presence and type of stent assistance (none, single, and Y stenting). The rates of perioperative complications, recanalization, rehemorrhage, and retreatment were analyzed. Results A total of 147 patients were treated with coil embolization and 88 patients with stent-assisted coiling (72 single stents, 16 Y stents). Thromboembolic complications occurred in 6.8% of patients in both groups. There was no associated mortality. Angiographic follow-up (mean, 23.5 months) was available in 172 patients (77.1%). Stented patients had significantly lower recanalization (17.2% vs 38.9%; P=.003) and retreatment (7.8% vs 27.8%; P=.002) rates compared with nonstented patients. Four rehemorrhages (2.7%) occurred in the coiled group, whereas none were noted in the stented group (P=.3). In paired comparisons, lower recanalization (8.3% vs 19.2%; P=.21) and retreatment (0% vs 9.6%; P=.19) rates were seen in the Y-stent group compared with the single-stent group. Thromboembolic complications occurred in 6.9% and 6.2% of patients in the single-stent and Y-stent groups, respectively (P=.91). In multivariate analysis, larger aneurysms, nonstented aneurysms, incomplete initial occlusion, and subarachnoid hemorrhage were predictors of aneurysm recanalization. Conclusion Stent-assisted coiling has significantly lower recurrence, retreatment, and rehemorrhage rates than coiling alone for the treatment of BTAs. Y stenting has the highest efficacy with low complication rates.
Who Is the True Inventor

The question "who is the true inventor," is often asked about many modern inventions. In an attempt to establish a criterion for ascertaining the true role of different contributors to human progress, we must make it clear to ourselves as to what factors are usually involved in making great inventions and discoveries. It seems that a satisfactory answer to this query can be found by postulating the following working hypothesis. Imagine that all kinds of general ideas, when time is ripe, are found, so to say, "floating in the air." How they get there is immaterial to the present thesis. As general progress marches on, humanity reaches different levels of intellectual and spiritual maturity, at which it becomes capable of assimilating certain ideas heretofore unrevealed to it, or revealed and long forgotten. In this general evolutionary movement a few individuals, pioneers of the spirit, become attuned earlier than others to some of these ideas, more readily respond to them and perceive their manifestation in observable phenomena, while other people pass them by without noticing them. History shows that, in addition to some other necessary qualities, the condition without which the matter cannot be, for such an ability to perceive and to discover seems to be a spirit full of interest and devotion to the subject and the absence of prejudices. These people become channels through which humanity as a whole receives new ideas. They are those who are born great. It is argued that the outlined hypothesis and its inferences, once accepted, can help one more easily to untangle the existing ambiguities, discrepancies, and outright errors in historical information as often given in textbooks on science, historical essays and in so-called historical movies.
Impact of dimming white LEDs: chromaticity shifts due to different dimming methods

The goal of this study was to characterize the chromaticity shift that mixed-color and phosphor-converted white LED systems undergo when dimmed. As light-emitting diodes continue to rapidly evolve as a viable light source for lighting applications, their color shift while being dimmed should meet the current requirements of traditional lighting sources. Currently, LED system manufacturers commonly recommend pulse-width-modulation or PWM dimming schemes for operation of LED systems. PWM has the ability to achieve lower intensity levels and more linear control of light intensity compared to continuous current dimming methods. However, little data has been published on the effect dimming has on chromaticity shift of white LED lighting systems. The primary objective of this study was to quantify chromaticity shifts in mixed-color and phosphor-converted white LED systems due to continuous current dimming and pulse-width-modulation dimming schemes. In this study, the light output of the LED system was reduced from 100% to 3% by means of continuous current reduction or PWM methods using a PC white LED system and a mixed-color RGB LED system. Experimental results from this study showed that the PC white LED system exhibited very little chromaticity shift (less than a 4-step MacAdam ellipse) when the light level was changed from 100% to 3% using both dimming schemes. Compared to PC white LEDs, the mixed-color RGB LED system tested in this study showed very large chromaticity shifts in a similar dimming range using both dimming schemes. If a mixed-color RGB system is required, then some active feedback system control must be incorporated to obtain non-perceivable chromaticity shift. In this regard the chromaticity shift caused by the PWM method is easier to correct than the chromaticity shift caused by the continuous current dimming method.
A 36-year-old woman recuperating from a stroke

DR Delbanco: Mrs X is a 36-year-old left-handed woman recuperating from left hemiparesis that occurred in late December 1996. Married and the mother of 4 children, Mrs X has a large, caring extended family. Prior to the stroke, she worked in a warehouse in a job requiring physical labor. She is enrolled in a commercial managed care program. At the time of her stroke, she did not have a primary physician. Prior to her stroke, the patient had been in good health. She has never smoked and had 4 uneventful pregnancies and deliveries. There was no prior history of hyperlipidemia, hypertension, rheumatic fever, or known rheumatic heart disease. There was no family history of vascular disease or stroke. The week before the stroke, Mrs X had symptoms of a mild upper respiratory tract infection. While shopping, she suddenly slumped to the ground, unable to move her left side. At a
Reconstruction of the cranial base following tumour resection

Twenty-four patients have undergone resection of tumours involving the cranial base by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a neurosurgeon, ENT surgeon and plastic surgeon. The resultant defects of the cranial base have been reconstructed using local fascial flaps, transposition of local muscle flaps and microsurgical transfer of free muscle flaps. Indications for reconstruction have included obliteration of paranasal sinuses, coverage of tenuous dural repairs or dural grafts and separation of the nasopharynx from the dura of the frontal and temporal lobes and posterior fossa to prevent CSF leakage and meningitis.