cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Who is interpreting nuclear cardiology studies in the United States, and what are the requirements for privileges? A national survey of institutional policies from 80 major medical centers.

Abstract Background. This survey was conducted to determine the guidelines used by major medical centers in the United States for obtaining hospital privileges to interpret nuclear cardiology studies. The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) have established guidelines to help maintain an adequate level of proficiency in the practice of nuclear cardiology. These guidelines were published only recently, and many hospitals have adopted different processes to obtain these privileges. It is likely that a marked difference among institutions exists. Methods and Results. The survey was conducted predominantly by mailings with additional telephone communications if more information was needed. Chiefs of cardiovascular medicine sections were contacted to provide information concerning the policy of granting nuclear cardiology privileges at his or her institution. The responses were tabulated in four categories and the responders were asked to comment on whether they agreed or disagreed with their own university's policy. Of 80 responses (68%) from 121 institutions, cardiologists were involved in reading these studies in 62 (78%) and radiologists were the sole interpreters in 18 (22%). ACC or ASNC guidelines were strictly followed at 48 sites (60%). Eight (10%) and 6 (8%) of these institutions mandated a minimum requirement of, respectively, 12 and 6 months of additional training in nuclear cardiology. Ten (13 %) of the cardiologists surveyed disagreed with their own institution's policies, primarily noting that the ACC and ASNC guidelines were more appropriate. Conclusion. The recently established ACC/ASNC guidelines clearly have had an impact on the practice of attaining privileges in nuclear cardiology and are the most commonly quoted criteria used by institutions in the United States to assess competence in nuclear cardiology.
The soft metal ion binding sites in the Staphylococcus aureus pI258 CadC Cd(II)Pb(II)/Zn(II)-responsive repressor are formed between subunits of the homodimer

Abstract The Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pI258 CadC is a homodimeric repressor that binds Cd(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) and regulates expression of the cadAC operon. CadC binds two Cd(II) ions per dimer, with a tetrathiolate binding site composed of residues Cys7, Cys11, Cys58, and Cys60. It is not known whether each site consists of residues from a single monomer or from residues contributed by both subunits. To examine whether Cys7 and Cys11 are spatially proximate to Cys58 and Cys60 of the same subunit or of the other subunit, homodimers with the same cysteine mutation in each subunit and heterodimers containing different cysteine mutations in the two subunits were reacted with 4,6-bis(bromomethyl)-3,7-dimethyl-1,5-diazabicyclo[3.3.0]octa-3,6-diene-2,8-dione, which cross-links thiol groups that are within 3–6 A of each other. Cys7 or Cys11 cross-linked only with Cys58 or Cys60 on the other subunit. The data demonstrate that Cys7 and Cys11 from one monomer are within 3–6 A of either Cys58 or Cys60 in the other monomer. The results of this study strongly indicate that each of the two Cd(II) binding sites in the CadC homodimer is composed of Cys7 and Cys11 from one monomer and Cys58 and Cys60 from the other monomer.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction for the treatment of adolescent psychiatric outpatients: A randomized clinical trial.

Research has shown that mindfulness-based treatment interventions may be effective for a range of mental and physical health disorders in adult populations, but little is known about the effectiveness of such interventions for treating adolescent conditions. The present randomized clinical trial was designed to assess the effect of the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program for adolescents age 14 to 18 years with heterogeneous diagnoses in an outpatient psychiatric facility (intent-to-treat N 102). Relative to treatment-as-usual control participants, those receiving MBSR self-reported reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and somatic distress, and increased self-esteem and sleep quality. Of clinical significance, the MBSR group showed a higher percentage of diagnostic improvement over the 5-month study period and significant increases in global assessment of functioning scores relative to controls, as
Influence of oxygen growth pressure on laser ablated Cr-doped In2O3 thin films

Abstract We present a systematic investigation of the effects of oxygen growth pressure on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of In 2 O 3 :Cr thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition. X-ray diffraction analysis showed increases in lattice constant from 10.103 A to 10.337 A, and in particle size from 13.9 nm to 35.5 nm as the oxygen growth pressure increased from 7.5 × 10 −6 Torr to 7.5 × 10 −3 Torr, respectively. The observed shift in the X-ray diffraction peaks to lower angles was assumed to be caused by the reduction in the lattice defect density, precisely oxygen vacancies. The optical transparency increased with partial oxygen pressure ( P O 2 ) , and an average transmittance of ∼85% was obtained at 7.5 × 10 −3 Torr. The films are highly conducting with resistivity as low as 2 × 10 −4 Ω cm and mobility as high as 133 cm/V s. Temperature dependent resistivity measurements in the 45 T 7.5 × 10 − 6 ≤ P O 2 ≤ 7.5 × 10 − 4 Torr exhibit negative temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) below approximately T = 60 K, T = 120 K, T = 160 K; then positive TCR in the temperature intervals 60 T T T P O 2 of 7.5 × 10 −3 Torr displayed typical semiconducting behavior with negative TCR in the whole temperature region.
Charge-Resistance Approach to Benchmarking Performance of Beyond-CMOS Information Processing Devices

Multiple beyond-CMOS information processing devices are presently under active research and require methods of benchmarking them. A new approach for calculating the performance metric, energy-delay product, of such devices is proposed. The approach involves estimating the device properties of resistance and switching charge, rather than dynamic evolution characteristics, such as switching energy and time. The application of this approach to a wide class of charge-based and noncharge-based devices is discussed. The approach suggests pathways for improving the performance of `beyond-CMOS' devices and a new realistic limit for energy-delay product in terms of the Planck's constant.
Nanofiber Microenvironment Effectively Restores Angiogenic Potential of Diabetic Endothelial Cells

Objective: The effect of chronic hyperglycemic exposure on endothelial cell (EC) phenotype, impaired wound neovascularization, and healing is not completely understood. The hypotheses are: 1) chronic exposure to diabetic conditions in vivo impairs the angiogenic potential of ECs and 2) this deficiency can be improved by an extracellular microenvironment of angiogenic peptide nanofibers. Approach: Angiogenic potential of microvascular ECs isolated from diabetic (db/db) and wild type (wt) mice was assessed by quantifying migration, proliferation, apoptosis, capillary morphogenesis, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression for cell cultures on Matrigel (Millipore, Billerica, MA) or nanofibers under normoglycemic conditions. The in vivo effects of nanofiber treatment on wound vascularization were determined using two mouse models of diabetic wound healing. Results: Diabetic ECs showed significant impairments in migration, VEGF expression, and capillary morphogenesis. The nanofiber microenviron...
Growth and stomatal behavior of hydroponically cultured potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) at elevated and super-elevated CO2

Summary Potato cultivars Denali and Norland were grown in a controlled environment under low irradiance and CO2 partial pressures of 50, 100, 500, and 1000 Pa. The highest CO2 partial pressures, 500 and 1000 Pa, reduced tuber yield when compared to 100 Pa CO2. Upper canopy stomatal conductance was greatest at the higher CO2 partial pressures (500 and 1000 Pa) for both cultivars, and conductance of Denali was consistently higher than Norland. Stomatal conductance tended to decline sooner with plant age at 50 and 100 Pa CO2 than at 500 and 1000 Pa. Water uptake was also greatest at the higher CO2 partial pressures, which resulted in lowest water-use efficiencies at 500 and 1000 Pa. These observations suggest that stomatal function under very high CO2 partial pressures (500–1000 Pa) does not follow known patterns observed at moderate partial pressures (50–100 Pa). Although there is little concern about CO2 partial pressures reaching extreme levels in the natural environment, this information should be useful for controlled environments or space life support systems (e.g. space vehicles or habitats), where CO2 partial pressures of 500–1000 Pa are common.
Pol Arized-Light Techniques For Generating Electrical Signals Of Controllable Waveform

Examples are shown of the different electrical signal waveforms generated by linear photodetection of the light flux transmitted by an optical train of polarizing elements subjected to periodic azimuth or retardation modulation. A basic train is assumed that consists of parallel or orthogonal input and output linear polarizers sandwitching two linear retarders of variable azimuth or retardance. Provision is made for adding other optical elements to the train.© (1984) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Use of Shadows for Studying the Three-Dimensional Structure of Insect Swarms

A photographic technique is described for determining the three-dimensional position of swarming midges. The procedure is applied to the midge, Anarete pritchardi Kim, which swarms in the daytime, preferably under clear skies 3–5 cm above a white surface or a swarm marker. The midges cast their shadows on the marker, and the shadow combined with midge's real image on film can be used to estimate the height of the flying insect.
Assessing the Feasibility of Side Yard Programs as a Solution to Land Vacancy in U.S. Shrinking Cities

Scholars have recommended various strategies to combat land vacancy in shrinking cities. Side yard programs, in which adjacent homeowners purchase vacant lots, represent one such solution. We use t...
Quantitative study of the dispersion degree in carbon nanofiber/polymer and carbon nanotube/polymer nanocomposites

Abstract Quantitative measurements of the filler dispersion degree of carbon nanofiber (CNF) and nanotube (CNT) reinforced polymer nanocomposites have been made by transmission electron microscopy. Samples were prepared by either high-shear mixing or twin-screw extrusion processing. It was found that the filler dispersion degree was largely influenced by the filler size. As the filler dimension became smaller, the dispersion parameter D 0.1 largely decreased as quantified, which demonstrated the challenges associated with improving the dispersion of smaller fillers. This work provided a method to quantitatively compare the dispersion degrees of CNF/CNT polymer nanocomposites.
An Embedded Vision Engine (EVE) for automotive vision processing

This paper introduces Embedded Vision Engine (EVE) - a fully programmable, specialized vector processor architecture aimed at solving challenging Computer Vision applications encountered in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The paper outlines the complexity of automotive vision applications, establishes why specialized architecture (like EVE) is needed and outlines the EVE architecture, its components and programming model. We present comparative benchmarks and provide an overview of many carefully crafted features of EVE for power management, inter processor communication, functional safety and software debug that helps in building a scalable, area-power efficient System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions for the cost, power and safety sensitive automotive vision space.
Osmium tetroxide versus glutaraldehyde fixation in adrenomedullary tissue.

Osmium tetroxide and glutaraldehyde fixation of adrenomedullary tissue presents evidence that these two fixatives preserve the tissue in quite different manners. Not only is the type of fixative of importance, but also the osmolarity of the fixatives is a prime factor in producing an accurate pictorial account of catecholamines.
Exposure-response modeling using latent variables for the efficacy of a JAK3 inhibitor administered to rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Currently, no general methods have been developed to relate pharmacologically based models, such as indirect response models, to discrete or ordered categorical data. We propose the use of an unobservable latent variable (LV), through which indirect response models can be linked with drug exposure. The resulting indirect latent variable response model (ILVRM) is demonstrated using a case study of a JAK3 inhibitor, which was administered to patients in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) study. The clinical endpoint for signs and symptoms in RA is the American College of Rheumatology response criterion of 20%—a binary response variable. In this case study, four exposure-response models, which have different pharmacological interpretations, were constructed and fitted using the ILVRM method. Specifically, two indirect response models, an effect compartment model, and a model which assumes instantaneous (direct) drug action were assessed and compared for their ability to predict the response data. In general, different model interpretations can influence drug inference, such as time to drug effect onset, as well as affect extrapolations of responses to untested experimental conditions, and the underlying pharmacology that operates to generate key response features does not change because the response was measured discretely. Consideration of these model interpretations can impact future study designs and ultimately provide greater insight into drug development strategies.
Comparative vasoactive therapy for heart failure

Dopamine and dobutamine increase myocardial contractility by beta-adrenergic stimulation. Both agents provide significant support for decompensating congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. At the same time, both agents can have significant adverse effects. In 1981, it was reported that amrinone, a bipyridine derivative, produced hemodynamic changes similar to those of dobutamine. To confirm these results, the hemodynamic and clinical effects of amrinone were compared with those of dopamine and dobutamine in 15 consecutive patients with CHF. Although each drug improved maximal cardiac index to a similar extent, dopamine did not decrease pulmonary artery wedge pressure and caused a greater increase in heart rate. Dobutamine and amrinone conferred similar hemodynamic benefits: cardiac index improved from 2.4 +/- 0.2 to 3.4 +/- 0.2 liters/min/m2 with dobutamine and from 2.1 +/- 0.2 to 3.2 +/- 0.2 liters/min/m2 with amrinone. Pulmonary artery wedge pressure decreased similarly: from 19 +/- 2 to 13 +/- 1 mm Hg with dobutamine and from 18 +/- 2 to 12 +/- 1 mm Hg with amrinone. Dobutamine and amrinone produced similar modest decreases in mean arterial pressure and increments in heart rate. Dopamine was poorly tolerated; 5 patients developed such severe adverse reactions that this drug was discontinued prematurely. Dobutamine and amrinone were much better tolerated. Although amrinone caused asymptomatic tachycardia (heart rate increase greater than 20% over baseline) in 4 patients, no patient developed an adverse reaction warranting its premature termination.
An Investigation into the Efficacy of Keystroke Analysis for Perimeter Defense and Facility Access

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of static keystroke analysis as a complimentary and transparent security solution in the context of perimeter defense and facility access. A biometric keypad prototype was developed to evaluate the classification accuracy using temporal keystroke characteristics and feature points extracted from pressure sensors embedded within the keypad. A novel method is proposed to improve keystroke classification accuracy by analyzing 3 pressure related characteristics: amplitude or peak, peak area, and peak sharpness.
Piezooptic behavior of certain fluids.

In this paper we present an analysis of pressure-volume data for certain optical fluids, which characterizes them by two parameters: their bulk moduli and the pressure derivative of their bulk moduli, both evaluated at zero pressure. We then relate their refractive-index changes to density and pressure using this analysis and the Lorentz-Lorenz equation with a density-dependent polarizability. An example of the use of such fluids in a fiber-optic pressure gauge being developed at Sandia is also discussed.
Mislocalization of BRCA1-complex due to ABRAXAS Arg361Gln mutation

ABRAXAS is an integral member of BRCA1-complex, which helps in its recruitment to the DNA damage site. It interacts with BRCA1 via its C-terminal phospho-peptide binding motif while the N-terminal ...
Overexpression of Smad2 in Tgf-β3-null mutant mice rescues cleft palate

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta3 is an important contributor to the regulation of medial edge epithelium (MEE) disappearance during palatal fusion. SMAD2 phosphorylation in the MEE has been shown to be directly regulated by TGF-beta3. No phospho-SMAD2 was identified in the MEE in Tgf-beta3-null mutant mice (Tgf-beta3-/-), which was correlated with the persistence of the MEE and failure of palatal fusion. In the present study, the cleft palate phenotype in Tgf-beta3-/- mice was rescued by overexpression of a Smad2 transgene in Keratin 14-synthesizing MEE cells following mating Tgf-beta3 heterozygous mice with Keratin 14 promoter directed Smad2 transgenic mice (K14-Smad2). Success of the rescue could be attributed to the elevated phospho-SMAD2 level in the MEE, demonstrated by two indirect evidences. The rescued palatal fusion in Tgf-beta3-/-/K14-Smad2 mice, however, never proceeded to the junction of primary and secondary palates and the most posterior border of the soft palate, despite phospho-SMAD2 expression in these regions at the same level as in the middle portion of the secondary palate. The K14-Smad2 transgene was unable to restore all the functional outcomes of TGF-beta3. This may indicate an anterior-posterior patterning in the palatal shelves with respect to TGF-beta3 signaling and the mechanism of secondary palatal fusion.
The Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles: An historical overview

(1998). The Inter‐American convention for the protection and conservation of sea turtles: An historical overview. Journal of International Wildlife Law & Policy: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 169-178.
Meta-analysis of Vascular and Neoplastic Events Associated with Tamoxifen

OBJECTIVE: Tamoxifen reduces the risk of developing breast cancer but also affects the risks of certain vascular and neoplastic events. Our purpose was to estimate the effects of tamoxifen on potentially life-threatening vascular and neoplastic outcomes. DESIGN: Random effects meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials. PATIENTS: Participants in all trials in which a treatment arm that included tamoxifen was compared to a similar control arm. Breast cancer risk reduction and treatment trials were included. INTERVENTIONS: Tamoxifen at variable dose and duration. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-two trials (52,929 patients) reported one or more outcomes of interest. Tamoxifen was associated with significantly increased risks of endometrial cancer (relative risk [RR] 2.70; 95% CI, 1.94 to 3.75), gastrointestinal cancers (RR 1.31; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.69), strokes (RR 1.49; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.90), and pulmonary emboli (RR 1.88; 95% CI, 1.77 to 3.01). Tamoxifen had no effect on secondary malignancies other than endometrial and gastrointestinal cancers (RR 0.96; 95% CI, 0.81 to 1.13). In contrast, tamoxifen significantly decreased myocardial infarction deaths (RR 0.62; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.93) and was associated with a statistically insignificant decrease in myocardial infarction incidence (RR 0.90; 95% CI, 0.66 to 1.23). Postmenopausal women had greater risk increases for neoplastic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis of randomized trials found tamoxifen use to be significantly associated with several neoplastic and vascular outcomes. Consideration of tamoxifen use requires balance of potential benefits and risks.
Empirical evaluation of decision support systems: Needs, definitions, potential methods, and an example pertaining to waterfowl management

Abstract Decision support systems are often not empirically evaluated, especially the underlying modelling components. This can be attributed to such systems necessarily being designed to handle complex and poorly structured problems and decision making. Nonetheless, evaluation is critical and should be focused on empirical testing whenever possible. Verification and validation, in combination, comprise such evaluation. Verification is ensuring that the system is internally complete, coherent, and logical from a modelling and programming perspective. Validation is examining whether the system is realistic and useful to the user or decision maker, and should answer the question: “Was the system successful at addressing its intended purpose?” A rich literature exists on verification and validation of expert systems and other artificial intelligence methods; however, no single evaluation methodology has emerged as preeminent. At least five approaches to validation are feasible. First, under some conditions, decision support system performance can be tested against a preselected gold standard. Second, real-time and historic data sets can be used for comparison with simulated output. Third, panels of experts can be judiciously used, but often are not an option in some ecological domains. Fourth, sensitivity analysis of system outputs in relation to inputs can be informative. Fifth, when validation of a complete system is impossible, examining major components can be substituted, recognizing the potential pitfalls. I provide an example of evaluation of a decision support system for trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) management that I developed using interacting intelligent agents, expert systems, and a queuing system. Predicted swan distributions over a 13-year period were assessed against observed numbers. Population survey numbers and banding (ringing) studies may provide long term data useful in empirical evaluation of decision support.
CAMP-dissociation kinetics in hormone-dependent and -independent rat mammary tumor cytosols.

Cytosols from 7,12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene-induced rat mammary tumors which exhibit different hormone-responsiveness were compared with respect to their cAMP-dissociation kinetics. At 22°C, pH 4.5, 1 μM cAMP, hormone-dependent mammary tumors exhibited monophasic dissociation rates with a rate constant of k-1 = 0.06 min−1. In contrast, hormone-independent mammary tumors exhibited biphasic dissociation curves with rate constants of k-1 = 0.47 and k-2 = 0.06 min−1. The binding of cAMP was completely reversible; radiolabeled ligand was completely dissociated by 1 mM nonradioactive cAMP; the binding protein could be reassociated to its original binding level after dextran-coated charcoal adsorption. The mammary cytosols exhibited specific binding for cAMP which could be displaced partially by cGMP but not by ATP, ADP, AMP, or adenosine. Receptor inactivation during the course of incubation was negligible. Both mammary tissue cytosols exhibited similar association rates at 22°C, pH 4.5, 1 μM cAMP (k+1 = 5–7...
Differences in ratings of children's adjustment by married mothers experiencing low marital conflict, married mothers experiencing high marital conflict, and divorced single mothers : a nationwide study

Abstract This study examined differences in the ratings of adjustment of 1- to 18-year-old children provided by three groups of mothers: those experiencing low marital conflict, those experiencing high marital conflict, and those separated/divorced and single (ns = 204, 184, and 619, respectively). Data were derived from the National Survey of Households and Families. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that with controls for children's age and children's sex, married mothers experiencing low marital conflict rated their child more favorably than did the other two groups of mothers. When the marital status effect was significant, it accounted for only an additional 1 to 3 % of the variance in mothers' ratings. Furthermore, it persisted with controls for both mothers' depression and socioeconomic variables. Marital status effects did not interact either with children's sex or with children's age.
An Analysis of State Image Change Over a Twelve-Year Period (1971-1983

State image, or perceptions nonresidents hold about the attributes of certain activities and attractions present within a state, changes slowly. Advertising, media accounts, conversations with acquaintances are all accepted as change agents. This report analyzes changes in the state of Utah's image between 1971 and 1983 by repeating a 1971 study on Utah's image; identical questions were utilized in a study completed in 1983 to elicit responses used to determine image change. Results indicated that for every activity and attraction analyzed, in no case was image change negative and in many cases it was positive. Factors causing the change were most likely a mix of organic and induced influences; state advertising based on the 1971 study findings was viewed as greatly contributing to the change. Indications are that successfully changing state image will result in that state becoming a more desirable destination for nonresidents.
Two-photon excitation of alloxazines and isoalloxazines

Abstract The two-photon excitation of alloxazine and lumichrome in glacial acetic acid by means of a pulsed ruby laser leads to emission which is different from that produced by normal one-photon excitation. The effect is proposed to be due to disturbance of an equilibrium between alloxazine and iso alloxazine structures in their normal singlet excited states by decay of the different excited state which is initially populated with two-photon excitation. A CNDO/2 CI calculation for alloxazine is used to tentatively identify the two-photon excited state.
Termination of an Equatorial Jet in a Gulf

Abstract Motivated by the observed branching of the Equatorial Undercurrent in the Gulf of Guinea, an idealized model is developed here to examine the termination of an equatorial jet in a gulf. Similarity solutions are, found that can satisfy the boundary conditions along an idealized gulf coast and hence represent realistic flow fields. It is found that friction tends to retard the northern branch, resulting in a southward flow at the equator, and that as the incident jet intensifies, the cross-equatorial flow is increasingly prohibited, resulting in a greater return flow within the gulf.
Altering DNA-binding specificity of GAL4 requires sequences adjacent to the zinc finger

MANY eukaryotic proteins involved in transcriptional regulation contain within their DNA-binding domains a polypeptide loop (the zinc finger) which interacts with DNA1,2. In proteins possessing multiple zinc fingers, including TFIIIA3, Spl4,5, SWI56 and oestrogen/glucocorticoid receptors7, the region containing the zinc fingers confers DNA-binding specificity. By contrast, our results demonstrate that all but one of the 28 amino acids encompassing the single zinc-finger region of GAL4, the yeast transcriptional activator, can be replaced with the analogous zinc-finger region from another yeast-activator protein, PPR1, without changing the DNA-binding specificity of GAL4. A 14-amino-acid region adjacent to the zinc finger is necessary for determining specific recognition of DNA sequences.
Finest Filamentary Structures of the Corona in the Slow and Fast Solar Wind

Recent progress in our understanding of electron density fluctuations observed by radio occultation measurements has demonstrated that a break in the vicinity of 1 Hz in the temporal frequency spectrum of the density fluctuations provides a measure of the size of the finest filamentary structures in the solar corona. Breaks in frequency have been inferred from the density spectra deduced by Coles et al. from 1979-1980 Voyager phase scintillation and spectral broadening measurements. These results show that the finest filamentary structures are found in the extensions or stalks of coronal streamers—the likely sources of the slow solar wind—and are over a factor of 3 smaller than those in the fast wind emanating from coronal holes. The inferred sizes of the finest filamentary structures are approximately 6 km in the slow wind at 8 R☉ and 22 km in the fast wind at 9.1 R☉.
Recent changes in spring snowmelt timing in the Yukon River basin detected by passive microwave satellite data

Abstract. Spring melt is a significant feature of high latitude snowmelt dominated drainage basins influencing hydrological and ecological processes such as snowmelt runoff and green-up. Melt duration, defined as the transition period from snowmelt onset until the end of the melt refreeze, is characterized by high diurnal amplitude variations (DAV) where the snowpack is melting during the day and refreezing at night, after which the snowpack melts constantly until depletion. Determining trends for this critical period is necessary for understanding how the Arctic is changing with rising temperatures and provides a baseline from which to assess future change. To study this dynamic period, brightness temperature (Tb) data from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) 37 V-GHz frequency from 1988 to 2010 were used to assess snowmelt timing trends for the Yukon River basin, Alaska/Canada. Annual Tb and DAV for 1434 Equal-Area Scalable Earth (EASE)-Grid pixels (25 km resolution) were processed to determine melt onset and melt refreeze dates from Tb and DAV thresholds previously established in the region. Temporal and spatial trends in the timing of melt onset and melt refreeze, and the duration of melt were analyzed for the 13 sub-basins of the Yukon River basin with three different time interval approaches. Results show a lengthening of the melt period for the majority of the sub-basins with a significant trend toward later end of melt refreeze after which the snowpack melts day and night leading to snow clearance, peak discharge, and green-up. Earlier melt onset trends were also found in the higher elevations and northernmost sub-basins (Porcupine, Chandalar, and Koyukuk rivers). Latitude and elevation displayed the dominant controls on melt timing variability and spring solar flux was highly correlated with melt timing in middle (∼600–1600 m) elevations.
Changes in the predictive ability of earnings around earnings restatements

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether earnings restatements have a larger effect on the earnings quality (proxied by persistence) of restating firms relative to similar non‐restating firms and if restated earnings are more persistent than the originally reported earnings.Design/methodology/approach – Cross‐sectional earnings persistence models are used to analyze how earnings persistence changes around restatements for both the originally reported earnings and the new restated earnings numbers. The study looks at restatements from 1997 through 2006.Findings – The findings show that restating firms exhibit a larger increase in earnings persistence from the two‐year period before to the two‐year period after the restatements. Results also show that the restated portion of earnings is incrementally persistent relative to the originally reported earnings and the incremental persistence, although mitigated, is still significant after the passage of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act. In addition, t...
Randomised treatment trial of bacterial vaginosis to prevent post-abortion complication.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of metronidazole to reduce post-abortion complications among women with bacterial vaginosis. Design A randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Setting An American outpatient abortion facility between April 1999 and June 2000. Sample Women presenting for surgical abortion were screened for bacterial vaginosis using a pH and amines card test. Methods Women positive for elevated pH and amines on a self-collected vaginal discharge sample were randomised to 1000 mg oral metronidazole before abortion followed by 500 mg twice daily or placebo. All randomised women were also dispensed 100 mg doxycycline to take twice daily for seven days. Main outcome measures Data were collected by phone, daily diary or visit and scored from 0 to 7 for post-abortion complications. Intention-to-treat analyses were completed prior to unblinding. Results Of 1764 women screened by card test, 638 (36%) were positive. Of these, 393 were randomised. Follow up data were available for 253 (64%) of these women. A complication score of 3 or more occurred in 21% of women assigned to metronidazole, compared with 19% in those assigned placebo (RR 1.1, 95% CI 0.7–1.9). Among 153 women with Gram stain confirmation for bacterial vaginosis, there was a similar lack of benefit with treatment (RR 1.6, 95% CI 0.9–3.0). No individual symptom or sign was statistically different between groups even for second trimester procedures. Conclusion Among women undergoing abortion and diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis, oral metronidazole, in conjunction with doxycycline, did not reduce post-abortion complications.
Overview of Electromagnetic Interference

The problem of, testing for, and solutions to electromagnetic interference are introduced and analyzed. The industry direction is looked at for explanation of techniques and ideas. These topics were gathered through research. The principal results are that electromagnetic interference is growing because of technological advances in electronic devices and communication demands. The solutions to this problem are effective and need to be implemented in order to reduce the occurrence of electromagnetic interference.
Indoor airborne infection

Airborne infection from person to person is an indoor phenomenon. The infectious organisms are atomized by coughing, sneezing, singing, and even talking. The smallest droplets evaporate to droplet nuclei and disperse rapidly and randomly throughout the air of enclosed spaces. Droplet nuclei have negligible settling velocity and travel wherever the air goes. Outdoors, dilution is so rapid that the chance of inhaling an infectious droplet nucleus is minimal. Measles and other childhood contagions, the common respiratory virus infections, pulmonary tuberculosis, and Legionnaires' Disease are typically air-borne indoors. In analyzing a measles outbreak, the probability that a susceptible person would breathe a randomly distributed quantum of airborne infection during one generation of an outbreak was expressed mathematically. Estimates of the rate of production of infectious droplet nuclei ranged between 93 and 8 per min, and the concentration in the air produced by the index case was about 1 quantum per 5 m3 of air. Infectious airborne particles are thus few and far between. Control of indoor airborne infection can be approached through immunization, therapeutic medication, and air disinfection with ultraviolet radiation.
Magnetohydrodynamics flow in a tube with centrally placed electrodes

We look at the problem of unsteady magnetohydrodynamic flow of an electrically conducting, laminar, incompressible, Newtonian, viscous fluid through a tube exposed to screen electrodes placed centrally in the flow field and at the two ends of the tube. The governing differential equations which comprise such effects as the electric field, the magnetic and flow fields are non-dimensionalized and solved numerically. The rotational electromagnetic forces arising from the combined influences of both the magnetic and the flow fields, are not balanced by the fluids pressure gradient forces and impact on the hydrodynamics of the fluid flow significantly. Graphical representation of numerical results for the steady state flow and electromagnetic fields are discussed. For cases involving no net flow through the tube, symmetric flow is observed for the symmetrical geometric configuration. This is however not the case for through flow, where the flow decelerates as it moves towards the centrally placed electrodes. A comprehensive parametric study is conducted to show the influence of certain dimensionless variables on the flow and magnetic fields, and in all cases they help to confirm both the numerical formulation and the overriding physics.
A comparison of fatigue crack growth in resin composite, dentin and the interface

Abstract Objectives The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the fatigue crack growth properties of the dentin/resin adhesive interface. Methods Compact tension (CT) specimens were prepared from coronal dentin, resin composite, and dentin bonded to resin composite using Optibond Solo Plus adhesive. All specimens were then subjected to cyclic Mode I loading while fully hydrated at a stress ratio of R = 0.1 and frequency of 5 Hz. Steady state fatigue crack growth was modeled using the Paris Law in terms of the exponent ( m ) and coefficient ( C ). Results The average fatigue crack growth rates in the resin composite ranged from 1.6E−06 to 3.8E–05 mm/cycle with growth occurring over a stress intensity range from 0.40 to 0.77 MPa m 1/2 ; the average growth exponent was 6.9 ± 3.1. Average fatigue crack growth rates for the dentin/resin interface specimens ranged from 5.5E−07 to 6.4E−03 mm/cycle with growth occurring over a stress intensity range from 0.37 to 0.64 MPa m 1/2 . The Paris Law exponent for these specimens ranged from 16 ≤ m ≤ 25. Fatigue crack growth at the interface occurred primarily in the adhesive resin and at the adhesive–dentin interface. In addition, many of the dentin/resin specimens underwent unstable fracture at a comparatively low stress intensity range without undergoing cyclic crack growth. Significance The dentin/resin adhesive interface proved to be significantly more sensitive to fatigue crack growth than either dentin or resin composite. Variation in the cyclic crack growth responses of the dentin/resin interface specimens suggests that the interface, and particularly the adhesive resin, exhibits lower resistance to crack initiation and growth in comparison to dentin.
Comprehensive reading instruction for students with intellectual disabilities: Findings from the first three years of a longitudinal study

This longitudinal experimental study investigated the reading progress of students with IQs ranging from 40 to 69 (i.e., range for students with mild or moderate mental retardation or intellectual disabilities [ID]) across at least two academic years, as well as the effectiveness of a comprehensive reading intervention for these students across the same period of time. Participants were 59 elementary students who were randomly placed into treatment and contrast groups. Students in the treatment condition received daily, comprehensive reading instruction in small groups of 1–4 students for 40–50 minutes per session across two or three academic years. Measures of phonemic awareness, phonics, word recognition, comprehension, and oral language were included. Findings indicate that students with IQs in the ID range made significant progress on multiple standardized measures of reading. Furthermore, significant differences between the treatment group and contrast group were found on several measures, including progress-monitoring measures of phoneme segmentation, phonics, and oral reading fluency. Results demonstrate that, on average, students with ID, even those with IQs in the moderate range, learn basic reading skills given consistent, explicit, and comprehensive reading instruction across an extended period of time. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Determination of Nitrogen by Microdiffusion in Mason Jars: II. Inorganic Nitrogen-15 in Soil Extracts

Abstract Simple microdiffusion methods were evaluated for N‐isotope analysis of NH4 +, NO3 ‐, and NO2 ‐ in soil extracts. In these methods, the soil extract is treated with MgO or MgO and Devarda's alloy in a 473‐mL (1‐pint) wide‐mouth Mason jar, the NH3 liberated being collected in a Petri dish containing 3 mL of boric acid‐indicator solution, or in an acidified glass‐fiber disk, suspended from the Mason‐jar lid. To avoid cross‐contamination error from retention of 15N, the lid was immersed in 0.05 M KOH for at least 24 h before reuse. Serious error occurred when NO3 ‐‐N was diffused following NH4 +‐N; therefore, separate diffusions should be performed for NH4 +‐N and (NH4 + + NO3‐)‐N or (NH4 + + NO3‐ + NO2‐)‐N. In studies to evaluate the latter approach using labeled soil extracts, analyses for 15N were within 2% of the corresponding values calculated by isotope‐dilution equations. No interference by alkali‐labile organic N was observed in diffusion of 15N‐labeled extracts from soil receiving various tr...
343 Extreme Prematurity, Fetal Growth Restriction, and Non-Immune Erythroblastosis

Background: Fetal monitoring may prolong pregnancies with fetal growth restriction [FGR]. Infants with extreme prematurity and FGR may have elevated nucleated red blood cells [NRBC] and negative tests for isoimmunization [termed non-immune erythroblastosis or NIE]. Objective: This study correlated the magnitude of NIE in infants <29 wk of gestation with jaundice at <24 h of age, low platelet counts, intracranial hemorrhage [ICH], hypoglycemia, blood potassium at <72 h of age, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension, delayed passage of meconium, feeding intolerance, and necrotizing enterocolitis [NEC]. Design/Methods: A case-control, retrospective study examined admissions to a University NICU. Multivariate analysis determined differences between groups. The Holm sequential Bonferroni approach controlled for type I error across tests. Results: There were 18 cases with FGR. The FGR + NIE group had a lower birth weight (P<.001) and elevated NRBC counts (P<.001) compared to gestational age matched controls. FGR compared to control had a higher occurrence of feeding intolerance [P = .007], ICH [P = .02], and NEC [P = .07]. Odds ratios were 3.4, 4.0, 7.0, and 8.1 for intestinal perforation, NEC, feeding intolerance, and ICH, respectively, in the extremely preterm infants with FGR + NIE v. control. Conclusions: Extremely preterm infants with FGR and NIE have an increased prevalence of certain neonatal complications compared to normally grown, yet extremely preterm infants without NIE. NIE is a marker for identifying risks of certain conditions in extremely preterm and growth restricted infants.
PHOTOINHIBITION OF STIMULABLE BIOLUMINESCENCE IN MARINE DINOFLAGELLATES

— Different genera of bioluminescent photosynthetic dinoflagellates exhibit different mechanisms for the inhibition of stimulable bioluminescence during daylight. These are (a) reduction in bioluminescence capacity, (b) increased refractoriness to mechanical stimulation, and (c) inhibition of transmission of signals from mechanical receptor sites to bioluminescence emission sites. The increase in stimulable bioluminescence that in nature mirrors the decrease in sunlight intensity prior to sunset is dependent upon the logarithm of the ambient irradiation intensity. Photoinhibition of bioluminescence in all species examined except Gonyaulax polyedra is the result of absorption of light in the blue region of the spectrum.
Philadelphia: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Physics

I present a guide to some of the locations and figures associated with the history of physics in Philadelphia, from colonial times to the present, including a walking tour and additional excursions. Highlights include sites related to Benjamin Franklin, discussions of the lives and work of important physicists at the University of Pennsylvania, a sketch of the early history of the Bartol Research Foundation, and a description of some of the laboratories and observatories in the Philadelphia area.
Exact time-dependent invariants for n -dimensional systems

Abstract We derive several new invariants for mechanical systems possessing several degrees of freedom. Included among these invariants, as special cases, are invariants that have been used in quantum treatments of these systems.
Pseudomyxoma peritonei: inflammatory responses in the peritoneal microenvironment.

Background Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), a peritoneal mucinous neoplasm of appendiceal origin, is associated with inflammation and fibrosis, which is central to its biology. The significance of the microenvironment in PMP has not been well characterized.
On nonlinear least-squares filtering

This paper considers the problem of sequential estimation of the state of a non-linear process from noisy measurement data. In a previous paper [1] the problem was concerned with measurements which are linear combinations of the state variables. In this paper a different approach to the problem is used which results in filter equations for processes whose measurements are nonlinear combinations of the process state.
Regulation of metallothionein-3 mRNA by thyroid hormone in developing rat brain and primary cultures of rat astrocytes and neurons.

Abstract Metallothionein-3 (MT-3) is a brain specific member of the MT family. Unlike other members of this family, MT-3 has been shown to act as a neuronal growth inhibitory factor. MT-3 mRNA abundance increases throughout the developmental period, reaching adult levels by postnatal day 21. The role of thyroid hormone in the developmental regulation of MT-3 mRNA was tested because thyroid hormone is known to regulate brain gene expression. Furthermore, gestational hypothyroidism results in developmental brain abnormalities. Hypothyroidism was induced in pregnant dams by the administration of PTU from gestational day 7, resulting in a 4- to 6-fold increase in pup MT-3 mRNA abundance on the day of birth (day 0) and on postnatal day 3. Normal pups did not reach this level of brain MT-3 mRNA until postnatal day 21. Administration of thyroxine (T4, 2 μg/g) to pups on postnatal day 1 or day 20 resulted in a decrease in MT-3 mRNA abundance on postnatal day 21, regardless of when the injection was given. Furthermore, addition of T4 to primary cultures of brain (olfactory bulb) astrocytes and neurons from 4-day-old rats resulted in a significant decrease in MT-3 mRNA in 24 h. Given the neuronal growth inhibitory function of MT-3, these data suggest that MT-3 may play a role in the CNS-related consequences of hypo- and hyperthyroidism during development.