cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing the natural recovery of a lake contaminated with Hg using estimated recovery rates determined by sediment chronologies.

Abstract Deer Lake is an impoundment located near Ishpeming, Michigan, USA. Iron mining assay laboratories located in Ishpeming disposed of Hg salts to the city sewer whose outfall was located along an inlet to Deer Lake. An effort to remediate the system in the mid 1980s which consisted of drawing down water in the impoundment in order to volatize Hg from the sediments did not result in recovery of the system. Since the mid 1990s, the remediation strategy has been to allow the continual burial of the contaminated sediments, i.e., natural recovery. The goal of this study was to assess the effectiveness of this strategy. This was accomplished by investigating the state of the system in terms of its recovery and estimating the time frame for recovery. Sediment cores were collected in 2000 to determine historical trends in accumulation rates and concentrations of Hg and other metals. Sedimentation rates and sediment ages were estimated using 210 Pb. Event-based dating (e.g., peak of 137 Cs in 1963) was used to supplement 210 Pb data due to non-monotonic features in the 210 Pb profile and activities that were not at supported levels at the base of the core. Selected results are that: (1) drawdown significantly influenced sedimentation patterns causing slopes for 210 Pb profiles that reflected the influx of older sediment, (2) periods of Fe production correlate to Hg loading indicating the point source for contamination, a relationship not previously identified, (3) Hg:Al ratios indicate a recent change to a watershed pathway for Hg loading and (4) Hg concentrations had decreased from their peak, remain elevated, and were increasing after 1997. The cause of the recent Hg concentrations may be related to influx of contaminated watershed soils or sediments. Estimating the time frame for recovery is challenging in this system because the process of natural recovery seems to have been arrested and deeper, uncontaminated sediments, were not recovered as a basis for reference. However, a recovery to background conditions is likely not achievable since rates of Hg loading to nearby lakes and the current rate of atmospheric deposition are greater than an estimate of background conditions for Deer Lake. Assuming recovery continued after 2000, estimates of the time required for recovery varied based on the system state used to define it (e.g., recent rates of wet Hg deposition or Hg surface concentrations/fluxes from similar systems), but were less than 12 a. However, the recent increasing values of recovery indicators (e.g., Hg concentrations) suggests that these estimates are conservative and will be longer if recovery remains arrested, which may in part be due to the legacy of Hg contamination on the landscape. This study shows that estimates of recovery of highly disturbed lake systems can be made in the absence of within lake reference conditions by using comparisons to reference systems and challenges of estimating ages from atypical 210 Pb activity profiles can be overcome in part using event-based dating techniques.
Image Wavelet Coding Systems

This monograph describes current-day wavelet transform image coding systems. As in the first part, steps of the algorithms are explained thoroughly and set apart. An image coding system consists of several stages: transformation, quantization, set partition or adaptive entropy coding or both, decoding including rate control, inverse transformation, de-quantization, and optional processing (see Figure 1.6). Wavelet transform systems can provide many desirable properties besides high efficiency, such as scalability in quality, scalability in resolution, and region-of-interest access to the coded bitstream. These properties are built into the JPEG2000 standard, so its coding will be fully described. Since JPEG2000 codes subblocks of subbands, other methods, such as SBHP (Subband Block Hierarchical Partitioning) [3] and EZBC (Embedded Zero Block Coder) [8], that code subbands or its subblocks independently are also described. The emphasis in this part is the use of the basic algorithms presented in the previous part in ways that achieve these desirable bitstream properties. In this vein, we describe a modification of the tree-based coding in SPIHT (Set Partitioning In Hierarchical Trees) [15], whose output bitstream can be decoded partially corresponding to a designated region of interest and is simultaneously quality and resolution scalable. This monograph is extracted and adapted from the forthcoming textbook entitled Digital Signal Compression: Principles and Practice by William A. Pearlman and Amir Said, Cambridge University Press, 2009.
Toughening of polystyrene and poly (phenylene oxide) matrices with elastomeric styrene-based block copolymers : role of molecular architecture

The effects of the molecular architecture of elastomeric styrene-based block copolymers on efficiency of toughening a brittle (polystyrene) and a ductile [a miscible blend of 80% phenylene oxide copolymer and 20% polystyrene (80PEC)] polymer were explored experimentally. Toughening appears to be mainly controlled by the blend morphology, which is determined by the rheological characteristics of the block copolymer relative to that of the matrix. The formation of dispersed particles during melt blending in a Brabender Plasticorder is strongly influenced by the ratio of the matrix and block copolymer viscosities (estimated here by Brabender torque). The size of the dispersed particles was found to be proportional to the 1.77 power of the torque ratio when this ratio is greater than unity. Thus, to a first approximation the effect of block copolymer architecture on toughening efficiency is related to how this structure affects the rheological behavior of the copolymer. Excellent toughness of polystyrene was achieved when the particle size was larger than 1–2 μm. The 80PEC resin is best toughened by block copolymers that form a cocontinuous phase morphology. The extent of toughening of this matrix appears to be a strong function of the styrene block molecular weight, whereas this structural feature seems to have no significant effect in toughening polystyrene.
Cerebrospinal fluid cleaved-tau protein and 9-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid concentrations in pediatric patients with hydrocephalus.

Objective: To ascertain if cerebrospinal fluid cleaved-tau protein and 9-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid, reflecting potential biomarkers of overall neuronal injury and lipid peroxidation, respectively, are elevated in hydrocephalus patients compared with controls, and if cleaved-tau and 9-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid levels correlate with each other. Design: Prospective clinical observational study. Setting: Tertiary-care children’s hospital. Patients: Children younger than or equal to 18 yrs who underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement or revision surgery for intrinsic hydrocephalus. Measurements and Main Results: During the study period 12 patients with intrinsic hydrocephalus required ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement or revision. Cerebrospinal fluid cleaved-tau levels were significantly elevated in patients with hydrocephalus (44.7 ± 9.6 ng/mL, n = 11) compared with control patients (0.0 ± 0.0 ng/mL, n = 9; p 0.10). There was no significant relationship between 9-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid levels and signs of elevated intracranial pressure, nor was there a correlation between 9-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid levels and cleaved-tau levels. Conclusion: Children with hydrocephalus who have clinical signs of increased intracranial pressure and require ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement or revision exhibit markedly elevated cerebrospinal fluid cleaved-tau levels, suggesting evidence of axonal damage. However, this axonal injury does not seem to be associated with significant lipid peroxidation, at least as assessed by quantifying cerebrospinal fluid 9-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid at a single, concurrent time point. The significant relationship between age and cerebrospinal fluid cleaved-tau levels suggest that brain injury associated with hydrocephalus may be more pronounced in older children.
The expert witness: Real issues and suggestions

Abstract Medical malpractice lawsuits, generally require expert testimony. Defendants and plaintiffs deserve expert testimony that is exacting, accurate, and consistent. A study of four frequently testifying experts was undertaken with review of depositions, reports, and trial transcripts of those experts. Contradictions in claimed medical principles from one case to the next were found and examples were cited for each expert. The review suggested that expert testimony regarding the standard of care may be neither reliable nor accurate for the purposes of judging physician conduct is lawsuits. Presently, no peer review or sanction process has been implemented to ensure accuracy and reliability of expert testimony used in medical malpractice lawsuits. We recommend changes that would include independent court-appointed experts, central filing of opinion letters by experts with authoritative text citations, and a sanction process by courts and/or authorized boards for testimony that is deemed inaccurate, false, or contradictory to the standard of care.
Comparative ultrastructure of oral epithelium in fish and amphibia.

Abstract The palatal epithelium and adjacent lamina propria of two species of fish and two species of amphibia were examined with the electron microscope. Corydoras posessed an orthogonal orientation of collagen fibres in the lamina propria. An unusual cell was described in the lamina profria of Bufo which contained large rhomboidal masses in the cytoplasm, possibly representing stored material. All four species studied contained abundant tonofilaments in the oral epithelium although they were not grouped to form tonofibrils as one sees in human oral mucosa. All species contained demosomes connecting the epithelial cells, and a basement lamina separating the basal cells from the lamina propria. Individual mucous cells were frequently observed in the epithelium. Dense granules, usually about 0.13 microns in diameter and of unknown composition were present in the palatal epithelium of Amphiuma. Specialized cells containing large amounts of arganualr endoplasmic reticulum oriented into a lattice-work of hollow tubes were visualized in the oral epithelium of Corydoras. The outer-most cells of the Corydoras palatal epithelium appeared to undergo a dehydration and compacting of cytoplasmic components which suggested a primative type of keratinization.
Molecular analyses of genetically stable mutants of the maize Adh1 gene

10 genetically stable mutants of the alcohol dehydrogenase-1 gene in maize were examined for ADH1-mRNA size and abundance, large changes in genomic restriction fragments, and intragenic recombination levels. Eight of the mutants were induced with ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), four of which are CRM−; the other two mutants followed treatment with ionizing radiation. In general, EMS and ionizing radiation induce “point” lesions in Adh1 that, with few exceptions, do not alter the abundance or size of ADH1-RNA, or alter the gross genomic restriction map. One EMS mutant produced both normalsized and larger than normal ADH1-mRNA. The larger ADH1-mRNA appears to result from improper termination. Another mutant behaved as expected of an intragenic deletion in recombination tests but we found no abnormalities by restriction site mapping.
Functionalism and mental boundaries

Advocates of extended mind often appeal to the theory of mind known as ''functionalism'' in support of the idea that the realization of mental properties can extend beyond the brain. In this paper I argue that functionalism is largely silent with respect to the extent of a realization. This is because functionalism describes only those functional relationships that define a mental state: functionalism does not have the means by which to distinguish the realization of a mental state from causal influences on the realization. Because functionalism does not dictate the boundaries of the mind's realization, the case for extended mind must draw on non-functionalist considerations.
Fabrication of tapered SU-8 structure and effect of sidewall angle for a variable focus microlens using EWOD

Electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) is a promising technology for variable focus liquid microlens. When an electrical field is applied across a liquid droplet and a dielectric layer, the contact angle of the liquid can be tuned with different applied voltages. Therefore, the focal length of a microlens would vary by simply applying an electrical field without any moving mechanical components. In this paper, SU-8 is employed as dielectric layer and structural material in the design of a variable focus liquid microlens using EWOD. A tapered SU-8 structure is created by UV overexposure to confine the droplet and provide the droplet-centering mechanism. The angle of the sidewall is controlled by the width of the exposed area. Contact angle variation of water droplets on SU-8 is measured and favorably compared with the Lippmann–Young equation. The working microlens is demonstrated using images of numbers and laser beam focusing. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The onset of tense marking in children at risk for specific language impairment.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate measures reflecting the onset of tense marking for children between the ages of 2;0 (years;months) and 3;0. Method: The validity of 4 ...
A systematic review of the use and effectiveness of the Objective Structured Teaching Encounter

Background: The Objective Structured Teaching Encounter (OSTE) has been proposed as a means of promoting and assessing the teaching skills of medical faculty.Aims: To describe the uses of the OSTE and the evidence supporting its effectiveness.Method: MEDLINE (January 1966 through February 2010) was searched for English-language studies detailing the use of an OSTE for any educational purpose. Reference lists from relevant review articles and identified studies were also searched. Of the 354 papers initially identified, 22 were included in the review.Results: The OSTE has been used to assess and improve teaching performance and to assess the impact of other means of faculty development. Although qualitative results have been generally positive, there is little quantitative data to support using the OSTE as a means of improving teaching performance. There is moderate evidence suggesting the OSTE is a reliable and valid means of assessing teaching, although few ratings instruments have been adequately studie...
Cord blood versus age 5 mononuclear cell proliferation on IgE and asthma

Background: Fetal immune responses following exposure of mothers to allergens during pregnancy may influence the subsequent risk of childhood asthma. However, the association of allergen-induced cord blood mononuclear cell (CBMC) proliferation and cytokine production with later allergic immune responses and asthma has been controversial. Our objective was to compare indoor allergen-induced CBMC with age 5 peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation and determine which may be associated with age 5 allergic immune responses and asthma in an inner city cohort. Methods: As part of an ongoing cohort study of the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health (CCCEH), CBMCs and age 5 PBMCs were cultured with cockroach, mouse, and dust mite protein extracts. CBMC proliferation and cytokine (IL-5 and IFN-g) responses, and age 5 PBMC proliferation responses, were compared to anti-cockroach, anti-mouse, and anti-dust mite IgE levels, wheeze, cough, eczema and asthma. Results: Correlations between CBMC and age 5 PBMC proliferation in response to cockroach, mouse, and dust mite antigens were nonsignificant. Cockroach-, mouse-, and dust mite-induced CBMC proliferation and cytokine responses were not associated with allergen-specific IgE at ages 2, 3, and 5, or with asthma and eczema at age 5. However, after adjusting for potential confounders, age 5 cockroach-induced PBMC proliferation was associated with anti-cockroach IgE, total IgE, and asthma (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In contrast to allergen-induced CBMC proliferation, age 5 cockroach-induced PBMC proliferation was associated with age 5 specific and total IgE, and asthma, in an inner-city cohort where cockroach allergens are prevalent and exposure can be high.
Kinesin 5–independent poleward flux of kinetochore microtubules in PtK1 cells

Forces in the spindle that align and segregate chromosomes produce a steady poleward flux of kinetochore microtubules (MTs [kMTs]) in higher eukaryotes. In several nonmammalian systems, flux is driven by the tetrameric kinesin Eg5 (kinesin 5), which slides antiparallel MTs toward their minus ends. However, we find that the inhibition of kinesin 5 in mammalian cultured cells (PtK1) results in only minor reduction in the rate of kMT flux from ∼0.7 to ∼0.5 μm/min, the same rate measured in monopolar spindles that lack antiparallel MTs. These data reveal that the majority of poleward flux of kMTs in these cells is not driven by Eg5. Instead, we favor a polar “pulling-in” mechanism in which a depolymerase localized at kinetochore fiber minus ends makes a major contribution to poleward flux. One candidate, Kif2a (kinesin 13), was detected at minus ends of fluxing kinetochore fibers. Kif2a remains associated with the ends of K fibers upon disruption of the spindle by dynein/dynactin inhibition, and these K fibers flux.
The Effect of Related and Unrelated Details on the Recall of Major Ideas in Prose

A series of three experiments was conducted to examine the effect of related and unrelated details on the recall of major ideas in text. Experiment 1 varied the number of related and unrelated details supporting major ideas within paragraphs and found recall determined by the number of related and unrelated details. Experiment 2 was designed to determine if directions given readers that required them to process unrelated details would influence recall. The results suggested that the number of related and unrelated details had an effect on the recall of major ideas similar to that seen in Experiment 1. Experiment 3 was constructed such that readers were required to carefully process unrelated details in a categorizing task. The results supported those of Experiments 1 and 2. Recent examinations of the effect of details on the recall of major ideas in
METHOD FOR STUDYING PERCEPTION OF RISK

Eight specially constructed scenarios were given to 28 masters and senior students in management. Their perceptions of the riskiness of each scenario were recorded. An analysis of variance indicated a significant interaction among three factors; the decision environment, the decision maker's cognitive style, and the risk-information contained in the situation. The decision environment is the setting in which the decision is made. In this study the setting is operationalized by the Gorry and Scott-Morton (2) Decision Framework. Cognitive style is the way a decision maker prefers to perceive and evaluate information. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator was used to measure cognitive style. Risk-information comes from those numerical sources used to evaluate risk, in this study standard deviation and skewness. This research suggests that any method for studying risk perception must include situational and individual factors as well as the traditional risk measures.
Nonlinear Longitudinal Mode Instability in Liquid Propellant Rocket Engine Preburners

Nonlinear pressure oscillations have been observed in liquid propellant rocket instability preburner devices. Unlike the familiar transverse mode instabilities that characterize primary combustion chambers, these oscillations appear as longitudinal gas motions with frequencies that are typical of the chamber axial acoustic modes. In several respects, the phenomenon is similar to longitudinal mode combustion instability appearing in low-smoke solid propellant motors. An important feature is evidence of steep-fronted wave motions with very high amplitude. Clearly, gas motions of this type threaten the mechanical integrity of associated engine components and create unacceptably high vibration levels. This paper focuses on development of the analytical tools needed to predict, diagnose, and correct instabilities of this type. For this purpose, mechanisms that lead to steep-fronted, high-amplitude pressure waves are described in detail. It is shown that such gas motions are the outcome of the natural steepening process in which initially low amplitude standing acoustic waves grow into shock-like disturbances. The energy source that promotes this behavior is a combination of unsteady combustion energy release and interactions with the quasi-steady mean chamber flow. Since shock waves characterize the gas motions, detonation-like mechanisms may well control the unsteady combustion processes. When the energy gains exceed the losses (represented mainly by nozzle and viscous damping), the waves can rapidly grow to a finite amplitude limit cycle. Analytical tools are described that allow the prediction of the limit cycle amplitude and show the dependence of this wave amplitude on the system geometry and other design parameters. This information can be used to guide corrective procedures that mitigate or eliminate the oscillations.
A microfabricated array of multiple thin film metal oxide sensors for multicomponent gas and vapor quantification

The authors report on an integrated array consisting of eight thin film metal oxide sensors for analyzing mixtures of gases and vapors. The sensors were fabricated into a 3.1 mm*2.9 mm silicon chip in an eleven-mask process sequence. The sensing elements were constituted using single layers and bilayers of reactively sputtered thin films of SnO/sub 2/, ZnO, TiO/sub 2/ and WO/sub 3/ with and without Pd catalyst. Elevated sensor temperature was achieved through on-chip boron-diffused heating elements. The array was characterized with mixtures of methanol and acetone. The sensor response spectra were processed by an artificial neural network for calibration of the sensor array and prediction of the vapor concentrations. The results show that the concentrations of acetone and methanol corresponding to the sensor responses can be quantitatively discriminated at a low cost of precision. >
IN-SEASON VARIATIONS IN TRANSMISSION OF CHERRY X-PHYTOPLASMA AND IMPLICATION IN CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS

SUMMARY Different aged shoots of X-disease cherry trees (Prunus avium cv Bing) collected in spring (June) or summer (August) were assayed using fruit spurs or bud chips from current, 1-, 2- and 3-year old shoots. Ten to 20 single t-grafts were made onto indicator trees of Bing scions on mahaleb (P. mahaleb) rootstocks. Spring collections, irrespective of shoot age, produced transmission rates of 10%. In contrast, over half of the indicators were infected with summer collections, which when t-bud propagated onto mazzard (P. avium) seedlings resulted in 90% diseased progeny trees. Results showed that biologic assays for cherry X-phytoplasma were optimized using summer collections. Besides cherry sources, index-transmissions and propagations of scion buds from X- and peach yellow leaf roll- (PYLR) peach trees produced high rates of transmission (both diseases) and high numbers of diseased progeny (PYLR).
Increased dietary sodium inhibits baroreflex-induced bradycardia during acute sodium loading

The present study investigated the effects of increased dietary sodium on the modification of cardiac baroreflex responses induced by acute sodium loading. Changes in blood pressure and heart rate ...
Crowding Stress and Human Behavior

A model of crowding highlighting the importance of perceived control and group orientation is discussed. The literature on crowding in residential and laboratory settings is reviewed. Control and group orientation are shown to mediate reactions to high density environments, both in residential and laboratory settings. Needed future directions in research on crowding are discussed. These include intensive case studies focusing on the processes used to cope with crowding, paying greater attention to the role of group phenomena, and studying the effects of crowding in classroom settings.
Identifying alemtuzumab as an anti-myeloid cell antiangiogenic therapy for the treatment of ovarian cancer

Background Murine studies suggest that myeloid cells such as vascular leukocytes (VLC) and Tie2+ monocytes play a critical role in tumor angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. Myeloid cells are a primary cause of resistance to anti-VEGF therapy. The elimination of these cells from the tumor microenvironment significantly restricts tumor growth in both spontaneous and xenograft murine tumor models. Thus animal studies indicate that myeloid cells are potential therapeutic targets for solid tumor therapy. Abundant VLC and Tie2+ monocytes have been reported in human cancer. Unfortunately, the importance of VLC in human cancer growth remains untested as there are no confirmed therapeutics to target human VLC.
CB2 cannabinoid receptor agonists attenuate TNF-α-induced human vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration

Background and purpose: Vascular smooth muscle proliferation and migration triggered by inflammatory stimuli are involved in the development and progression of atherosclerosis and restenosis. Cannabinoids may modulate cell proliferation in various cell types through cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptors. Here, we investigated the effects of CB2 receptor agonists on TNF-α-induced proliferation, migration and signal transduction in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs). Experimental approach: HCASMCs were stimulated with TNF-α. Smooth muscle proliferation was determined by the extent of BrdU incorporation and the migration was assayed by modified Boyden chamber. CB2 and/or CB1 receptor expressions were determined by immunofluorescence staining, western blotting, RT-PCR, real-time PCR and flow cytometry. Key results: Low levels of CB2 and CB1 receptors were detectable in HCASMCs compared to the high levels of CB2 receptors expressed in THP-1 monocytes. TNF-α triggered up to ∼80% increase (depending on the method used) in CB2 receptor mRNA and/or protein expression in HCASMCs, and induced Ras, p38 MAPK, ERK 1/2, SAPK/JNK and Akt activation, while increasing proliferation and migration. The CB2 agonists, JWH-133 and HU-308, dose-dependently attenuated these effects of TNF-α. Conclusions and implications: Since the above-mentioned TNF-α-induced phenotypic changes are critical in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and restenosis, our findings suggest that CB2 agonists may offer a novel approach in the treatment of these pathologies by decreasing vascular smooth muscle proliferation and migration. British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 153, 347–357; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707569; published online 12 November 2007
A program for successful integration of international medical graduates (IMGs) into U.S. surgical residency training.

Objective U.S. surgery residency programs have traditionally attracted international medical graduates (IMGs). However, the qualifications and performance of IMGs are variable and difficult to predict. Poor performance negatively affects patient care, the residency program, and the IMGs. We sought to identify causes of poor performance and to develop a program to identify those with chances to succeed. Design Longitudinal study. Retrospective analysis. Description of a new program. Setting University of Washington, a tertiary care teaching hospital. Participants Performance of former IMG residents was reviewed to define the most common reasons for failure. In August 2002, we developed an IMG Certificate Program that enrolls IMGs into a formal 8-week clinical experience with duties, responsibilities, and evaluations similar to fourth-year medical students. A final global score is given for potential for success as a resident in our program. Results Poor performance in past IMG residents could be attributed to: credential problems and poor performance. Performance problems were further subdivided to include knowledge issues and personal/cultural issues. Since August 2002, our Certificate Program enrolled 15 IMGs. Fourteen graduated, and 10 were offered preliminary spots in our program: 4 are successful interns, 1 returned to Italy, and 5 will start in 2004. One entered the 2004 match in Anesthesiology, and 1 was counseled to not be a candidate for a U.S. program. Three had above average performance and were felt to be better suited to a smaller program (1-2 hospitals). The mean "potential for success" global score was 3.9 (all grads), 4.6 (current interns), 1.0 (nongraduate), and 3.0 for the above average performers better suited to a smaller U.S. program. Conclusions We developed a program that provides IMGs an 8-week clinical experience in a busy U.S. training program; it provides them with enough experience to successfully integrate into a U.S. residency and identifies those with better chances to succeed. Wide application of this program and exchange of information among program directors may facilitate recruitment and the successful completion of training of IMGs and provide the number of residents needed to fill critical positions in the United States.
Possible catecholaminergic-opioidergic control of blood pressure during muscular contraction.

The effects of an alpha2 adrenoceptor blocker, yohimbine, and an alpha1 adrenoceptor blocker, phenoxybenzamine, and the central alpha2 adrenoceptor agonist, clonidine, on changes in arterial blood pressure and heart rate were studied during fatiguing muscular contractions to determine whether an adrenergic-opioidergic system might be involved in the mediation of cardiovascular function. Fatiguing contractions of the gastrocnemius and plantaris muscles of cats caused an increase in mean arterial blood pressure to 150-170 mmHg from resting values of 110-120 mmHg. Injection of clonidine into the cerebral aqueduct eliminated the increase in blood pressure; this effect was dose dependent. Naloxone antagonised the effects of the highest dose of clonidine (5 μg). Injections of yohimbine (1 μg) into the cerebral aqueduct had no significant effect on this pressor response. Yohimbine (1 μg) effectively counteracted the antipressor effects of clonidine when the two drugs were injected together until higher doses of clonidine (2-5 μg) were used. Phenoxybenzamine had no effect on the pressor response itself but unlike yohimbine was able to attenuate the effects of clonidine only when injected together. These data suggest that activation of muscle ergoreceptor afferent nerve fibres (group III and IV fibres) during muscular contractions may cause an increase in arterial blood pressure by interfering with an inhibitory adrenergic-endorphinergic pathway in the medullary region of the brainstem.
Integrated Crop–Livestock Systems in the Southeastern USA

Opportunities to integrate crops and livestock are abundant throughout the southeastern USA due to a mild climate and a rich natural resource base that can produce different crops throughout the year. Although not currently common, integration of forage and grazing animals with cropping systems could benefit both production and environmental goals. This report summarizes research from some of the key components that could produce viable integrated crop– livestock production systems: sod-based crop rotation, cover cropping, intercropping, and conservation tillage. Sod-based crop rotations have been effective in breaking pest cycles and restoring soil organic matter, which critically controls a wide diversity of key soil and plant properties and processes. Cover cropping by itself has many agronomic benefits, but its adoption appears to be limited, because of cost without immediate economic benefit. Grazing of cover crops could provide an immediate economic benefit to producers, especially with the development of conservation tillage technologies to avoid deterioration of soil and water quality. The potential for advancement of integrated crop–livestock systems is exemplified in a few current research projects in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions. With greater integration of crops and livestock, new management guidelines and experiences will be needed, but the quantity and quality of production and economic return could increase, while at the same time placing less degrading pressure on soil and water resources. NTEGRATION OF CROPS AND LIVESTOCK was a common approach to agricultural production throughout the world before modern industrialization in the 20th century. Huge technological advances in plant genetics, machinery, and synthetic chemicals improved agricultural production manyfold, and eventually shifted diverse agricultural enterprises into specialized production facilities. Today, agriculture is faced with challenges and opportunities, not necessarily unique from the past, but melded with a diverse range of societal and ecological concerns about how the world and its people can be sustained. A growing awareness is emerging that the stability and resiliency of agricultural landscapes appear to be impaired by enterprise specialization, concentration of operations, and expansion of scale, which have spatially and temporally compartmentalized and disrupted energy and nutrient cycles in a manner far removed from natural ecosystem cycling (Gates, 2003). Greater integration of crop and livestock enterprises may impart major benefits to the environment and to development of a sustainable agricultural production system by: (i) more efficiently utilizing natural resources, (ii) exploiting natural pest control processes, (iii) reducing nutrient
Efficient second-order adaptation for large vocabulary distributed speech recognition

This paper describes practical implementation details for a second-order approximation to the parallel model combination (PMC) algorithm with application to large vocabulary distributed speech recognition. The proposed method is capable of simultaneously adapting to noise and channel changes. A more accurate method for computing the derivatives based on numeric integration PMC is introduced. The proposed second-order adaptation algorithm requires only twice the memory and computation of standard Jacobian Adaptation (JA). This represents a 382-fold reduction in memory and a 29-fold reduction in computation. Moreover, the proposed algorithm produces models that are much closer to the PMC-derived models than standard JA.
Studies on the cross resistance of folylpolyglutamate synthetase-deficient, methotrexate-resistant CCRF-CEM human leukemia sublines.

CCRF-CEM human leukemia cell lines resistant to “intermittent”, but not continuous, exposure to methotrexate (MTX) as a result of defective MTX polyglutamate synthesis were recently described1. This defective synthesis was traced to decreased folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS) activity; the FPGS level was inversely related to the degree of resistance2. The responses of CCRF-CEM sublines, which exhibit this new MTX resistance phenotype, to selected currently used and experimental anticancer agents and regimens were explored with particular regard to identifying cross-resistance and collateral sensitivity.
Review: Ancient Building Technology. Volume 3: Construction by G. R. H. Wright; Constructing the Ancient World: Architectural Techniques of the Greeks and Romans by Carmelo G. Malacrino, Jay Hyams

G. R. H. Wright . Ancient Building Technology. Volume 3: Construction . Leiden: Koninklijke Brill NV, 2009, 325 pp., 415 b/w illus. $272, ISBN 9004177451 Carmelo G. Malacrino, trans. Jay Hyams . Constructing the Ancient World: Architectural Techniques of the Greeks and Romans . Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum, 2010, 216 pp., 200 color illus. $50, ISBN 9781606060162 These two books devoted to the ancient art of building differ in aim and scope. G. R. H. Wright's book follows upon his two earlier volumes, focusing respectively on the historical context and building materials in the ancient world.1 Wright presents this third volume as a compendium of research on ancient construction, intended as a reference for specialists, particularly during fieldwork. Although Carmelo Malacrino's book also addresses scholars, it seeks a wider audience of nonspecialists, and will appeal to classical archaeologists, historians of art and architecture, and the general public with an interest in antiquity. While narrower in terms of the technical specialization of its intended audience, Wright's book features greater breadth in its balance of classical and nonclassical material. Including extensive treatment of the architecture of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Anatolia, the Levant, and Iran, it stretches chronologically from the Neolithic period to the Sassanians. Unlike Malacrino's book, which makes for a pleasant cover-to-cover read in addition to serving as a reference, Wright aims to facilitate reference by repeating information throughout chapters that are organized according to phases or techniques of construction, as well as by providing sections treating cultures and periods not covered by Malacrino. Both books are informative on a wide range of topics related to ancient construction, but because Wright had written an earlier volume devoted entirely to materials, his present book is not afforded the opportunity to give the kind of expansive treatment of the nature and production of building materials offered by Malacrino. The latter provides a whole chapter covering the full array of building stones used in Greek and Roman construction, including the different volcanic stones, limestones, and marbles presented in their historical and geographic contexts. Welcome information includes the varying prices of marble and colored stones during the Imperial era, as well as …
Taxonomic and Bionomic Notes on Some Panamanian Chiggers (Acarina, Trombiculinae)

In a previous paper the author has given an account of the life history of Eutrombicula batatas (Linnaeus). The number and general structure of the stages of the species discussed herein are, so far as known the same of those of E. batatas .
The Consequences of School Environment and Locus of Control on Adulthood Deviant Behavior

ABSTRACTWe examine the long-term effect of school environment on individual deviant behavior. Specifically, we contrast the effects of school deviance and students’ perception of school deviance on personal deviance later in life. Using longitudinal data from four waves of more than 3,100 participants in the Kaplan Longitudinal and Multigenerational Study, we are able to show that school deviance in 7th grade has only a short-term effect on individual deviance. However, when students perceive a lack of deviance in their school at 7th grade, it decreased their personal deviance in their mid-forties if they were both deviant in 7th grade and reported an external locus of control.
ITERATIVE CORRECTION METHOD FOR COLLOCATION SOLUTIONS OF THE SECOND KIND NON-SMOOTH FREDHOLM EQUATIONS

in this paper, we present a kind of iterative correction method for a kind of the second kind non-smooth Fredholm integral equations so that we can raise the convergent order of the collocation approximations some times with less additional computations and apply the method to the approximations of both boundary integral equations of polygonal domains on the plane and the differential equations respectively to show that. This is not only a high order method but also an adaptive one.
Relation between the expression of COX-2, bFGF and the clinical pathologic parameter in breast cancer

[Objective] To study the significance of the expression of COX-2 and bFGF in breast cancer. [Methods] Immunohistochemical method (S-P) was used to study the expression of COX-2 and bFGF in 60 breast cancer tissues. [Results] The expressions of COX-2 and bFGF in TNMⅠ~Ⅱ breast cancer were (1.03±1.28), (1.08±1.21), but those in the TNMⅢ~Ⅳ were (3.09±1.70) and (3.00±1.91). The expressions of COX-2 and bFGF in TNMⅢ~Ⅳ breast cancer were higher than those in the TNMⅠ~Ⅱ (P 0.01). The expressions of COX-2 and bFGF in the breast cancer with lymph node metastasis were (2.76±1.66) and (2.82±1.57), but those in the breast cancer without lymph node metastasis were (0.67±1.07), (0.59±1.12). The expressions of COX-2 and bFGF in the breast cancer with lymph node metastasis were higher than those in the breast cancer without lymph node metastasis (P 0.01). [Conclusion] The overexpression of COX-2 and bFGF in breast cancer might be related to the prognosis of breast cancer.
Epitaxial Relationships in Urolithiasis: The Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate—Hydroxyapatite System

Chemical kinetic data, complemented with scanning electron-microscope observations of the crystalline phase, show that seed crystals of hydroxyapatite have the ability to induce the growth of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals epitaxially from a metastable supersaturated solution of calcium oxalate. The rate of growth of calcium oxalate crystals is dependent on the surface area of the seed material and follows a second-order rate law. It is suggested that there may be a causal relationship between the occurrence of apatite crystals in the urinary tract and the formation of both 'pure' and mixed urinary stones containing calcium oxalate. Under similar experimental conditions, however, seed crystals of calcium oxalate monohydrate appeared unable to induce epitaxially the growth of calcium phosphate crystals from a supersaturated calcium phosphate solution, indicating the absence of an epitaxial relationship between calcium oxalate monohydrate and the initially precipitating calcium phosphate phase(s).
The Americanization of three African musical instruments

This article describes three instruments often made and used in the United States by myself, my friends and students. These have ultimately been inspired by African instruments. Although in each instance I have developed the local variant and introduced it to others, many people have built these, and presumably have taught others to make and use them. Thus all three are now a minor part of amateur music-making in several localities in the United States
Pediatric Brain Tumors: Conformal Radiation Therapy Perspective

Childhood cancer is the most common cause of disease related death among children ages 0 to 19 years.It has not been defined as a public health problem because fewer than 12,500 cases are diagnosed each year. CNS tumors represent 21% of childhood cancers or about 2700 cases per year [1]. This rare group of tumors is composed of astrocytoma, 56% (n = 1510); embryonal tumors including medulloblastoma, supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor, and pineoblastoma, 20% (n = 550); ependymoma, 7% (n = 190); craniopharyngioma, 3% (n = 100); germ cell tumors, 3% (n = 100); and tumors involving the spinal cord, pituitary, and choroid plexus, 11% (n = 300) (Fig. 31-1). Open image in new window Figure 31-1 Estimated incidence of pediatric CNS tumors in the United States.
The State of Pregnancy Alters the Mean Number of Platelet Dense Granules

Abstract 4672 Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and is estimated to occur in 1–10% of all childbirths. Postpartum hemorrhage is defined as a blood loss of >500 ml for vaginal delivery or >1000 ml for cesarean delivery. The etiology of PPH is attributed most often to uterine atony (80%); the etiology of atony is unknown. Studies of rat and human myometrial tissues suggest that an increase of 5-HT2 receptors late in pregnancy might trigger parturition by increasing uterine contractility when presented with 5-HT released by mast cells and platelets. Furthermore, the up-regulated receptors may serve to maintain uterine tone postpartum. The most common cited risk factors for PPH include PPH in a previous pregnancy, chorioamnionitis, use of magnesium sulfate, labor induction and augmentation, increased birth weight, and retention of the placenta. The obstetrics literature discounts bleeding disorders as significant risk factors for PPH for the immediate postpartum period although acknowledging that if diagnosed, such disorders should be considered during management of pregnancy. In essence, bleeding disorders are thought to be rare causes of PPH. A few case reports in the literature suggest that platelet storage pool deficiency (SPD) may be a contributing factor for development of PPH. We report the first investigation of the platelet dense granule storage pool during pregnancy. Our hypotheses include that platelet (PLT) delta (δ) granule storage pool deficiency (δSPD) may be a risk factor for the development of PPH. As the PLT dense (δ) granules (DG) store the majority of 5HT excluding the central nervous system, δSPD would intuitively present less 5-HT at parturition potentially resulting in atony. Our IRB approved study is recruiting women during prenatal check-ups. To assess for potential bleeding tendencies, we are utilizing a modified Vincenza bleeding checklist (Tosetto, et al., 2007), a pictorial blood loss assessment (Jannsen, et al, 1995), and a blood sample for PLT whole mounts and biochemical assays. To date, a total of 32 women have been enrolled in the study having an average age of 24.2 ± 4. Bleeding scores average 0.24 ± 0.21 (normal Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Perceptions vs Reality

In this chapter, Lewis discusses conclusions to the study’s research questions: (1) The research participants prefer to teach in communities similar to their own school experiences; (2) the majority of the research participants believe students from high poverty urban schools can achieve at the same level as students in middle and upper class schools, but are uncertain of the value of informal knowledge that children bring to the classroom; and (3) the research participants recognize effective teaching strategies and best practices in classroom instruction.
Short Distance Standoff Raman Detection of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Adulterated with Canola and Grapeseed Oils.

A short distance standoff Raman technique is demonstrated for detecting economically motivated adulteration (EMA) in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Using a portable Raman spectrometer operating with a 785 nm laser and a 2-in. refracting telescope, adulteration of olive oil with grapeseed oil and canola oil is detected between 1% and 100% at a minimum concentration of 2.5% from a distance of 15 cm and at a minimum concentration of 5% from a distance of 1 m. The technique involves correlating the intensity ratios of prominent Raman bands of edible oils at 1254, 1657, and 1441 cm–1 to the degree of adulteration. As a novel variation in the data analysis technique, integrated intensities over a spectral range of 100 cm–1 around the Raman line were used, making it possible to increase the sensitivity of the technique. The technique is demonstrated by detecting adulteration of EVOO with grapeseed and canola oils at 0–100%. Due to the potential of this technique for making measurements from a convenient distance...
Three-dimensional attenuation structure in and around the New Madrid seismic zone

Abstract Digital seismograms from the Central Mississippi Valley seismic network have been used to study the three-dimensional attenuation structure of the New Madrid seismic zone and its surroundings. Attenuation time ( t * ) values were calculated for each of 252 seismograms using a spectral decay technique assuming that their values are independent of frequency. The observed t * values were inverted using a stochastic least-squares inversion scheme to determine a three-dimensional image of the attenuation structure of the upper crust. Homogeneous and heterogeneous starting models of the upper crust produce similar images of that structure. The resulting models include a substantial increase of attenuation within and close to the zones that contain the most active faults of the New Madrid seismic zone. This region was previously found (Al-Shukri and Mitchell, 1988) to be characterized by lower velocities than surrounding regions. The reduced velocities and increased attenuation values in the active portion of the New Madrid seismic zone are explained as being caused by fluid-filled cracks in the upper crust. The presence or absence of fluid-filled cracks may govern whether or not faults in this region are active or inactive.