cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy an Underutilized Treatment for Chronic Plantar Fasciitis? Commentary on an article by Hans Gollwitzer, MD, et al.: "Clinically Relevant Effectiveness of Focused Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis. A Randomized, Controlled Multicenter Study".

In their excellent article, Gollwitzer et al. provide additional Level-I evidence that, when properly performed, extracorporeal shock wave therapy can be an effective treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis, with a low major complication rate. Two hundred and fifty patients with chronic plantar fasciitis nonresponsive to at least six months of nonoperative treatment consisting of at least two pharmacological and at least two nonpharmacological treatments were randomized to three weekly sessions of 2000 impulses of focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy or placebo, with none of the patients opting for local anesthesia. Outcome measures included three visual analog scale (VAS) scores and their sum composite score, the Roles and Maudsley score, the investigator’s global judgment of treatment effectiveness, and patient satisfaction. Treatment was considered successful if the study participant had at least 60% reduction of pain in two of three VAS scores or if the participant was able to work, was satisfied with treatment outcome, and required no concomitant therapy to control heel pain. More than 98% of the participants were available for intention-to-treat analysis at twelve weeks, with significantly higher treatment success in the extracorporeal shock wave therapy group (64.8%) compared with the placebo group (46.3%), a significantly higher Roles and Maudsley score in the extracorporeal shock wave therapy group (60.8%) compared with …
Visual attributes of a rock and their relationship to permeability: A comparison of digital image and minipermeameter data

[1] What is the relationship between the visual attributes of a rock sample and its permeability, and how might such information be used in aquifer/reservoir characterization? We investigated these questions by way of three meter-scale blocks of rock, two sandstones, and one volcanic tuff. Each rock exhibits visual and permeability patterns that differ in geometry, intensity, and scale. Using a gas minipermeameter, hundreds to thousands of permeability values were collected on grids at centimeter-scale resolution from each block face and compared to the digital visual image of the same face. We found no significant direct correlation between the permeability measurements and any objective textural measure drawn from the corresponding digital images, despite the obvious resemblance of the permeability maps and visual images. Hypothesizing that the human eye relies on spatial correlation to synthesize information, we calculated and compared semivariograms for both the maps and the images. Semivariogram shape, anisotropy ratio, and principal axes orientation were consistent for the maps and images of each rock but different between rocks. To explore this similarity further, we compared discrete features appearing in map/image pairs, using a difference of Gaussian edge filter to segment (i.e., delineate) the spatial features. The filter consistently colocated visually sharp features, such as sedimentological bounding surfaces, in both the map and the image. Additionally, cumulative distribution functions characterizing the size, shape, and orientation of the segmented features were statistically indistinguishable between a permeability map and its corresponding visual image but statistically different between rocks. These results suggest that it may not always be possible to use visual images (photographs or scans) of outcrops to directly map permeability, even with a training set of punctual permeability data. In particular, defining such relations may be difficult where the scales of analysis and/or intensity of heterogeneity are limited (e.g., within a given facies) as is the case here. Where direct mapping is not possible, these results suggest that visual images can still be used to delineate spatial permeability patterns, especially to locate boundaries where sharp permeability contrasts occur. Other surrogate measurements of permeability, in particular the various geophysical methods, may exhibit similar behavior.
Evaluating the calibration and power of three gene-based association tests of rare variants for the X chromosome.

Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified thousands of trait-associated genetic variants, there are relatively few findings on the X chromosome. For analysis of low-frequency variants (minor allele frequency <5%), investigators can use region- or gene-based tests where multiple variants are analyzed jointly to increase power. To date, there are no gene-based tests designed for association testing of low-frequency variants on the X chromosome. Here we propose three gene-based tests for the X chromosome: burden, sequence kernel association test (SKAT), and optimal unified SKAT (SKAT-O). Using simulated case-control and quantitative trait (QT) data, we evaluate the calibration and power of these tests as a function of (1) male:female sample size ratio; and (2) coding of haploid male genotypes for variants under X-inactivation. For case-control studies, all three tests are reasonably well-calibrated for all scenarios we evaluated. As expected, power for gene-based tests depends on the underlying genetic architecture of the genomic region analyzed. Studies with more (haploid) males are generally less powerful due to decreased number of chromosomes. Power generally is slightly greater when the coding scheme for male genotypes matches the true underlying model, but the power loss for misspecifying the (generally unknown) model is small. For QT studies, type I error and power results largely mirror those for binary traits. We demonstrate the use of these three gene-based tests for X-chromosome association analysis in simulated data and sequencing data from the Genetics of Type 2 Diabetes (GoT2D) study.
Reaktionen mit Diazoketonen. VI. Synthese einiger 2‐Alkylamino‐ und 2‐Arylamino‐4‐aryl‐thiazole

Phenyldiazomethylketone reagieren mit Thioharnstoff oder dessen N-substituierten Derivaten zu 2-Alkylamino- bzw. 2-Aryl-4-thiazolen, deren Bildungsmechanismus diskutiert wird. Substituenteneinflusse auf die Reaktion werden untersucht.
The impact of landownership security : theory and evidence from Thailand

This article develops a model of farmers' land acquisition and investment decisions. The model clarifies the relation between land values, landownership security, and credit markets. The risk of eviction of untitled lands and the advantages in access to credit associated with titled land are shown to account for the higher price of titled land. Furthermore, observed land prices are distorted when credit is priced below the opportunity cost of capital and the risk of eviction is positive. Therefore social benefit analysis of land titling cannot utilize land prices without correcting for these distortions. The article offers formulas for performing such corrections. Econometric estimates of the value of legal ownership in three provinces of Thailand using cross-section land price data show a statistically significant effect of ownership security on land price. The econometric estimates of ownership security are combined with the formulas generated by the model to yield estimates of the social benefit of land titling in the three provinces. The analysis implies that granting full legal ownership to squatters can be a socially beneficial policy in many provinces.
Evolution in Tungsten Lamps for Television and Film Lighting

There is a continuing shift from using “conventional” incandescent tungsten lamps toward the new “tungsten-halogen” lamps. The new lamps impose some restraints on lighting equipment designers and have some performance limitations, but they allow new directions in luminaire design and application. Tungsten-halogen lamps have the advantages of excellent maintenance of light output and color temperature during life, increased luminous efficiency and/or life, and lower cost per operating hour. The color temperature and spectral energy distribution of tungsten-halogen lamps are nearly the same as from conventional lamps, and are slightly affected by the halogen used. At least 70 different ratings and shapes of tungsten-halogen lamps are now available for television and film lighting. Some of them are in a standard glass outer bulb with a conventional lamp base, and serve as direct replacements of conventional lamps in existing lighting equipment.
Risk factors for tumor lysis syndrome in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, flavopiridol

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) has been described in over 40% of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, flavopiridol. We conducted a retrospective analysis to determine predictive factors for TLS. In 116 patients, the incidence of TLS was 46% (95% CI: 36-55%). In univariable analysis, female gender, greater number of prior therapies, Rai stages III-IV, adenopathy ≥ 10 cm, splenomegaly, del(11q), decreased albumin and increased absolute lymphocyte count, white blood cell count (WBC), β2-microglobulin, and lactate dehydrogenase were associated (P < 0.05) with TLS. In multivariable analysis, female gender, adenopathy ≥ 10 cm, elevated WBC, increased β2-microglobulin, and decreased albumin were associated with TLS (P < 0.05). With respect to patient outcomes, 49 and 44% of patients with and without TLS, respectively, responded to flavopiridol (P = 0.71). In a multivariable analysis, controlling for number of prior therapies, cytogenetics, Rai stage, age and gender, progression-free survival (PFS) was inferior in patients with TLS (P = 0.01). Female patients and patients with elevated β2-microglobulin, increased WBC, adenopathy ≥ 10 cm and decreased albumin were at highest risk and should be monitored for TLS with flavopiridol. TLS does not appear to be predictive of response or improved PFS in patients receiving flavopiridol.
Influence of Water on the Surface of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids

Vibrational spectroscopy, sum frequency generation, has been used to study the gas−liquid interface of imidazolium-based, room-temperature ionic liquids. The ionic liquids are divided into two categories on the basis of their miscibility with water, as hydrophobic (immiscible) and hydrophilic (miscible). The spectroscopy results indicate that water will reorient the cations of the hydrophobic ionic liquid, while in the hydrophilic ones they remain unaffected. Thus, under low water conditions the plane of the imidazolium ring remains parallel to the surface for both types of ionic liquid. However, at high water content the ring will reorient to along the surface normal for the hydrophobic ionic liquid but remain parallel to the surface for the hydrophilic one. This is a reversible process.
Approximate Bayesian Computation based on Progressive Correction of Gaussian Components

This paper presents the development of a new numerical algorithm for statistical inference problems that require sampling from distributions which are intractable. We propose to develop our sampling algorithm based on a class of Monte Carlo methods, Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC), which are specifically designed to deal with this type of likelihood-free inference. ABC has become a fundamental tool for the analysis of complex models when the likelihood function is computationally intractable or challenging to mathematically specify. The central theme of our approach is to enhance the current ABC algorithms by exploiting the structure of the mathematical models via derivative information. We introduce Progressive Correction of Gaussian Components (PCGC) as a computationally efficient algorithm for generating proposal distributions in our ABC sampler. We demonstrate on two examples that our new ABC algorithm has an acceptance rate that is one to two orders of magnitude better than the basic ABC rejection sampling.
Electron spin resonance of isolated coal macerals

Abstract The g-value, linewidth, lineshapes, carbon radical densities and microwave saturation response have been measured for over 50 exinite, vitrinite, and inertinite maceral samples of coals varying in rank from subbituminous type C to anthracite. The process of maceral isolation has also been examined by comparing carbon radical properties of the starting coal with those of intermediates in the separation procedure: after comminution, demineralization and centrifugation. The g-values, linewidths and lineshapes appear unaltered by the separation steps, while there is some decrease in carbon radical density upon comminution and an increase upon demineralization. Carbon radical g-values fall with increasing coal rank for both vitrinites and exinites, a change associated with loss of oxygen at higher rank. Linewidths generally increase with rank for both vitrinites and exinites, but are extremely narrow (≈1G) for some inertinites, suggesting exchange narrowing between radicals. Radical densities and the ability to absorb microwave radiation increase with coal rank for exinites and vitrinites, reflecting stronger inter-radical interactions at higher radical densities.
Evaluating Wheat Cultivars for Waterlogging Tolerance

Waterlogging is a serious environmental stress on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in the Gulf Coast region. We hypothesized that waterlogging tolerance differs in currently available lines and cultivars and that suitability of physiological parameters to distinguish yield responses could be evaluated. Three types of studies were conducted: a 2-yr greenhouse study of eight cultivars, a 4-yr irrigated field study of 20 cultivars and breeding lines, and a 3-yr field study of six cultivars under rain-excluding shelters which allowed comparison of performance under waterlogged and well-drained conditions. In the rainshelter study, waterlogging caused a 45% decrease in grain weight, resulting from a 45% decrease in number of kernels and a 5% decrease in kernel weight. Cultivars differed for grain yield under waterlogged conditions in the field (P = 0.1), and Coker 9877 and line LA 862A16-3-3-X yielded 32 and 33% above the mean, respectively. Greenhouse measures of photosynthesis under waterlogging were weakly predictive of yield (r 2 = 0.61) and correlated to measures under well-drained conditions (r 2 = 0.87). Yield was well correlated with biomass (r 2 = 0.84) and root mineral content (Fe + Mn + P) (r 2 = 0.94). Waterlogged yields x cultivar did not correlate with yield under well-drained conditions (r 2 = 0.14) and the same differential response to waterlogging was shown for biomass and root mineral content. The negative correlation between root mineral content and yield was attributed to processes involved in the formation ofa mineral plaque on the surface of the wheat roots. This emphasizes the need to explore differences in root function when selecting wheat lines for enhanced waterlogging tolerance.
Human Papillomavirus Infection and Associated Disease in Persons Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Genital infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Genital or anal infection with oncogenic types of HPV, particularly types 16 and 18, can cause precancerous lesions of the squamous epithelium. Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) increases the risk for HPV-associated genital neoplasias in both women and men. Detectable cervical and anal HPV infection is more prevalent among women and men with HIV infection than among those who are HIV-seronegative, and the magnitude of the increase in prevalence is proportionate to the severity of immunosuppression. Coinfection with HIV and HPV increases the risk for genital intraepithelial neoplasia, and the increase in this risk also reflects the severity of immunosuppression. One difficulty complicating elucidation of the association between HIV and HPV infections is that the risk factors for acquisition and transmission of the two viruses are similar. The strength of this association represents a burgeoning health problem, yet there are no treatment guidelines aimed specifically at HIV-infected individuals with HPV-associated genital neoplasias. Treatment of HPV-associated cervical disease in HIV-infected women may be further complicated by a greater risk of treatment failure and recurrence than exists among HIV-seronegative women ; it is not known whether dysplasia progresses to invasive disease more rapidly in women infected with HIV. A thorough understanding of the associations among HIV, HPV, and HPV-associated disease is essential to the development of effective strategies for intervention and prevention.
Management of Pain in the Critically Ill

Analgesia for critically ill patients can be provided most effectively by the use of modern techniques. Under standing of the anatomical pathways for nociceptive sig nal transmission allows the use...
Intracranial leiomyosarcoma in a patient with AIDS

We report an intracranial leiomyosarcoma in the pontine cistern of a 34-year-old woman infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The clinical, radiological and pathological data are reviewed. The tumor was Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive by in situ hybridization. This case emphasizes that smooth muscle neoplasms arising in the setting of immunocompromise can occur intracranially, and corroborates a hypothesis that EBV coinfection may have a role in development of these tumors.
Long-term dynamics of tropical walking sticks in response to multiple large-scale and intense disturbances

Understanding the effects of disturbance and secondary succession on spatio-temporal patterns in the abundance of species is stymied by a lack of long-term demographic data, especially in response to infrequent and high intensity disturbances, such as hurricanes. Moreover, resistance and resilience to hurricane-induced disturbance may be mediated by legacies of previous land use, although such interactive effects are poorly understood, especially in tropical environments. We address these central issues in disturbance ecology by analyzing an extensive dataset, spanning the impacts of Hurricanes Hugo and Georges, on the abundance of a Neotropical walking stick, Lamponius portoricensis, in tabonuco rainforest of Puerto Rico during the wet and dry seasons from 1991 to 2007. By synthesizing data from two proximate sites in tabonuco forest, we show that resistance to Hurricane Hugo (97% reduction in abundance) was much less than resistance to Hurricane Georges (21% reduction in abundance). Based on a powerful statistical approach (generalized linear mixed-effects models with Poisson error terms), we documented that the temporal trajectories of abundance during secondary succession (i.e., patterns of resilience) differed between hurricanes and among historical land use categories, but that the effects of hurricanes and land use histories were independent of each other. These complex results likely arise because of differences in the intensities of the two hurricanes with respect to microclimatic effects (temperature and moisture) in the forest understory, as well as to time-lags in the response of L. portoricensis to changes in the abundance and distribution of preferred food plants (Piper) in post-hurricane environments.
Interactions of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides with membranes.

Abstract Chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides quench the fluorescence of N-alkyl derivatives of carbazole. We used phospholipids with covalently attached carbazole as probes for the interactions of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides with lipid bilayers, the object being to understand better the toxicities of chlorinated hydrocarbons. Fluorescence quenching measurements revealed the lipid-water partition coefficients of the chlorinated hydrocarbons, their diffusion coefficients in the membranes, and the binding capacities of the membranes for the chlorinated hydrocarbons. Active insecticides were compared with inactive analogues to test whether activities correlated with chlorinated hydrocarbon-membrane interactions. Thus DDT and methoxychlor were compared with inactive DDE, and insecticidal γ-lindane was compared with three less active stereoisomers. The partition coefficients, diffusion coefficients and membrane saturation capacities did not correlate with insecticidal potency. The partition coefficients of these chlorinated hydrocarbons were larger in bilayers containing unsaturated fatty acyl chains as compared to bilayers containing saturated fatty acyl chains. Interestingly, neural membranes are known to contain a large percentage of unsaturated lipids. Our results indicate that the activities of chlorinated hydrocarbons are not a result of specific interactions of these compounds with the lipids of membranes. However, the neurotoxicity of chlorinated hydrocarbons may be amplified by selective partitioning in the unsaturated neural membranes.
Disaggregate-Level Assessment of Changes to Michigan’s Motorcycle Helmet Use Law: Effects on Motorcyclist Injury Outcomes

On April 13, 2012, Michigan instituted reforms to its long-standing universal helmet law (UHL) and thus became the 28th state with a partial helmet law, which requires helmet use by only a subset of the riding population. Given continuing increases in motorcycle fatalities, helmet use remains a divisive policy issue facing state governments. The existing research literature includes several before-and-after studies that evaluate the effects of changes in motorcycle helmet laws on metrics such as helmet use and statewide motorcycle fatalities. However, a comprehensive assessment of the effects of helmet use laws on the full range of crash injury outcomes is lacking. Important evidence was added to inform the continuing debate about the efficacy of UHLs. A detailed, disaggregate-level study was conducted to assess the degree of injury severity sustained by motorcyclists involved in crashes before and after Michigan's transition from a UHL to a partial helmet law. By controlling for various rider, roadway, t...
Aragonite and magnesian calcite fluxes to the deep Sargasso Sea

Aragonite and magnesium calcite fluxes were estimated from a 14-month series of sediment trap samples from depths of 500, 1500 and 3200 m in the Sargasso Sea. No significant difference with depth was observed in fluxes of either carbonate phase. At 3200 m, the mean aragonite flux was 2.8 mg m−2 day−1, or 13% of the total CaCO3 flux. At all depths pteropods were the major source of aragonite, contributing more carbonate than heteropods by a factor of 3–24. Most of the pteropod aragonite occurred in the size fraction >0.5 mm. At 3200 m, more than half of the pteropod mass flux in the size fraction >0.5 mm comprised four species: Styliola subula, Clio pyramidata, Limacina inflata and Cuvierina columnella. The mean magnesian calcite flux at 3200 m was 1.7 mg m−2 day−1, or 8% of the total CaCO3 flux. The majority of the magnesian calcite (9–12 mole % MgCO3) occurred in the finest size fraction. <37 μm. Evidence suggests that bryozoans attached to floating Sargassum are the source of this magnesian calcite. The combined fluxes of aragonite and magnesian calcite accounted for 21–25% of the mean annual CaCO3 flux to 1500 and 3200 m.
Effect of a single residual chlorine pulse upon subsequent in vitro protein synthesis by rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) liver

Intermittent chlorination, in sublethal concentrations, adversely affects aquatic organisms. Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) exposed to a single 2 h pulse of 0.22 mg l−1 total residual chlorine exhibited a statistically significant decrease in hepatic ribosomal translational ability 4 h after initial toxicant exposure, when compared to control animals. Such a decrease in protein synthesis may provide an explanation for the reduced concentration of certain plasma proteins noted in previous studies. Ribosomal efficiency did not vary at other time intervals. Analysis of variance also revealed significant differences in ribosomal translational efficiency between control and experimental specimens and between fish sampled at different time intervals. Significant differences in ribosomal activity were also noted between animals sacrificed during each of the 3 trial days. Significant group-time, time-day, and group-time-day interactions were also observed, possibly resulting from organismal stress induced by handling.
Partitioning Social Networks for Fast Retrieval of Time-Dependent Queries

Online social network (OSN) queries require retrievals of multiple small records generated by different users in the network, and the set of records to be retrieved is time dependent. Current implementation of hash-based partitioning results in accesses at a large number of servers, which significantly degrades response time. Partitioning the OSN friendship graph is difficult as its power-law degree distribution leads to many cross-partition edges. Naive replication requires extra storage that is orders of magnitude larger. In our previous work (2011), we proposed to partition not only the spatial network of social relations, but also in the time dimension so that users who have communicated in a given period are grouped together. We built an activity prediction graph (APG) to keep in one partition newly created data that are highly likely to be accessed together. In this paper, we analyze the distribution of the Facebook wall posts in the New Orleans network. We further emphasize that the objective of partitioning is to keep the two-hop neighborhood of a user in one partition, instead of the one-hop network usually considered. Two-hop neighborhoods are the basic units of retrieval in OSN and can be much larger than one-hop networks. We use a static partitioning method based on KMETIS, and a dynamic local partitioning method that maintains evenness and requires only a small amount of data movement across partitions. For evaluation, the partitioning results are tested with emulation of Facebook page downloads. We show that partitioning on twohop networks yields at lest 19% more local queries than its one-hop counterpart. The static algorithm achieves 5.6 times better data locality than hash-based partitioning and the dynamic algorithm achieves 6.4 times better locality while keeping the number of movements small. Almost all queries are kept in at most 3 partitions for both algorithms.
The Temperature Variation of the Elastic Moduli of NaCl, KCl and MgO

The principal adiabatic and isothermal elastic moduli and elastic constants of NaCl, KCl and MgO have been measured over the temperature ranges 80\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K to 270\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K (Balamuth and Rose) and 270\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K to 480\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K for NaCl; 80\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K to 280\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K for KCl; and 80\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K to 560\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K for MgO. The Debye characteristic temperatures of these substances at 80\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, calculated from the adiabatic elastic constants, are 320\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, 246\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and 946\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, respectively. The variation of the isothermal ${c}_{11}$ and ${c}_{44}$ with temperature is described very accurately by the formula: ${({c}_{\mathrm{ii}})}_{u}={({c}_{\mathrm{ii}})}_{0}\mathrm{exp}(\ensuremath{-}{A}_{\mathrm{ii}}{F}_{\mathrm{ii}}(u))$, where $u=(\frac{T}{\ensuremath{\theta}})$, $T$ is the absolute temperature and $\ensuremath{\theta}$ the characteristic temperature, ${({c}_{\mathrm{ii}})}_{0}$ denotes the value at absolute zero, ${A}_{\mathrm{ii}}$ is a constant of the material, and ${F}_{\mathrm{ii}}(u)$ is a function of $u$ which assumes the value unity when $u=1$, and which is the same for all three substances. Experimental values of ${F}_{11}(u)$ and ${F}_{44}(u)$ are given for values of $u$ between 0.1 and 1.5. The isothermal ${c}_{12}$ does not vary with temperature, over the specified ranges, by more than the error of measurement.
Multiplexing Digitized Beam Information for Accelerator Users and Operators

As the list of digitized data signals required by accelerator users and operators grows, it becomes more economical to use serial-input/ multiple-output multiplex receivers at the user/ operator control station than it is to increase the number of coaxial cables used to supply parallel data. Increasingly, on-line computers are used to operate and monitor particle accelerators and since the digitized beam data is most naturally generated sequentially, a multiplexing system becomes doubly desirable. The Central Computer Control Group of the Argonne National Laboratory Zero Gradient Synchrotron (ZGS) has designed and constructed a system using a multiplex receiver called CUPID, an acronym for Computed Pulse Information Decoder. Using two lines of serial input, CUPID generates one master scalar reset pulse and input signals for up to 31 scalars.
Motion of a vortex filament in the local induction approximation: a perturbative approach

Very recently, Shivamoggi and van Heijst (Phys Lett A 374:1742, 2010) reformulated the Da Rios-Betchov equations in the extrinsic vortex filament coordinate space and were able to find an exact solution to an approximate equation governing a localized stationary solution. The approximation in the governing equation was due to the author’s consideration of a first-order approximation of \({\frac{{\rm d}x}{{\rm d}s} = 1/ \sqrt{1+y_x^2 +z_x^2}}\) ; previously, an order-zero approximation was considered by Dmitriyev (Am J Phys 73:563, 2005). Such approximations result in exact solutions, but these solutions may break down outside of specific parameter regimes. Presently, we avoid making the simplifying assumption on \({\frac{{\rm d}x}{{\rm d}s}}\) , which results in a much more difficult governing equation to solve. However, we are able to obtain perturbation solutions, by way of the δ—expansion method, which cast light on this more general problem. We find that such solutions more readily agree with the numerical solutions, while our solutions also match those exact solutions present in the literature for certain values of the parameters (corresponding to \({y_x^2 +z_x^2 < <1 }\)).
Three Models of Temporal Summation Evaluated Using Normal-Hearing and Hearing-Impaired Subjects

Temporal summation effects were measured in normal-hearing and hearing impaired subjects using stimuli of different durations and temporal patterns. Threshold decreased with increasing stimulus dur...
The effect of intrinsic model noise upon resistivity inversion

Model uncertainty is introduced into direct-current resistivity data by adding random changes to layer thicknesses in a ten-layer model. The resulting information is then aliased by generating a sounding curve which contains less information than the ten resistivities and nine thicknesses. These sounding curves are then inverted via the Backus-Gilbert algorithm using singular value decomposition to obtain solutions in terms of simpler two-or three-layer models. Quantitative results confirm what has been known qualitatively for many years as the principle of equivalence. An interesting result is that the geometric average of a given suite of noisy models is virtually identical to the best-fit model for the average of the noisy curves. The results show that the inversion of resistivity data by nonlinear least-squares parameter fitting is stable in the sense that noise in the data inverts to the same magnitude of noise in the model.
Guiding attention in controlled real-world environments

The ability to direct a viewer's attention has important applications in computer graphics, data visualization, image analysis, and training. Existing computer-based gaze manipulation techniques, which direct a viewer's attention about a display, have been shown to be effective for spatial learning, search task completion, and medical training applications. In this work we extend the concept of gaze manipulation beyond digital imagery to include controlled, real-world environments. We address two main challenges in guiding attention to real-world objects: determining what object the viewer is currently paying attention to, and providing (projecting) a visual cue on a different part of the scene in order to draw the viewer's attention there. Our system consists of a pair of eye-tracking glasses to determine the viewer's gaze location, and a projector to create the visual cue in the physical environment. The results of a user study show that we can effectively direct the viewer's gaze in the real-world scene. Our technique has applicability in a wide range of instructional environments, including pilot training and driving simulators.
Enzyme activities related to fatty acid synthesis in developing mammalian lung.

Extract: Fatty acids are important components of pulmonary surface-active lipids and lung membranes. We have investigated fatty acid synthesis in developing rabbit lung by measuring the rate of incorporation of (14C)acetyl or (14C)malonyl-CoA into pentane-extractable fatty acids. Because the lung can incorporate exogenously supplied as well as endogenously synthesized fatty acid into phospholipid, parallel studies of hepatic fatty acid synthesis were carried out. Fatty acids can be synthesized in fetal rabbit lung by the de novo pathway and to a lesser extent by chain elongation. The activity of enzymes related to de novo fatty acid synthesis is at adult levels by 23 days of fetal life and remains fairly constant thereafter. Enzymes associated with hepatic de novo fatty acid synthesis reach very ‘high levels of activity during fetal life but this decreases by 50% after birth, in association with the onset of suckling. Activity of the enzymes of de novo pulmonary synthesis appears to be unaffected by birth and onset of nutritional intake. Pulmonary and hepatic fatty acid elongation do not appear to be major routes of fatty acid synthesis in the fetal rabbit. Microsomal elongation activity is low in the fetus and on the first day of life, adult activity being fourfold greater. Pulmonary mitochondrial elongation becomes progressively more active during fetal life, but quantitatively appears less important than de novo synthesis. Gas-liquid chromatography of the fatty acids synthesized by fatty acid synthetase in the supernatant fraction of lung homogenates revealed that the main product was palmitic acid, a major component of dipalmityl lecithin which is an important surface-active lipid. The maior products of pulmonary mitochondrial and microsomal fatty acid elongation were stearic acid and 20− and 22-carbon unsaturated fatty acids. The early maturation of the enzymes of the de novo pathway ensures a source of fatty acid for lung membrane growth and for surfactant formation when the pathways for lecithin synthesis mature. Speculation: Inasmuch as the enzymes associated with de novo fatty acid synthesis are active before the pathway for lecithin synthesis matures, fatty acid synthesis is probably not the rate-limiting factor in surfactant production in the rabbit fetus. The role of other lecithin precursors such as choline remains to be investigated. Early dietary intake does not appear to influence pulmonary fatty acid synthesis, but may play an important role in overall pulmonary lipid metabolism and the regulation of lung surface activity.
THE ANTITHETIC VIRUS THEORY OF TULIP‐BREAKING

SUMMARY The term antithetic is suggested for viruses which are usually associated and which are physiologically antagonistic. Tulip breaking results from the interaction of Tulip Virus I which inhibits flower and leaf colour and Tulip Virus II which adds flower colour but has no visible effect on chlorophyll distribution. The established commercial broken tulips contain physiologically balanced mixtures of these two viruses.
A chemical mechanism for in situ boron doping during silicon chemical vapor deposition

Abstract We present a systematic approach to formulating chemical mechanisms to chemical vapor deposition processes with the unusually large growth rate enhancement observed for in situ B doping of Si as a case study. The basic computational tools needed for mechanism development; quantum chemistry calculations, sensitivity analysis, and finite element simulations are combined to develop a mechanism for the process and to provide quantitative predictions of observed growth and dopant incorporation rates. Ab initio quantum chemistry computations of small molecules and clusters relevant to the H–B–Cl–Si system are used to determine thermodynamic and kinetics parameters. Particular emphasis is given to Cl–H exchange reactions between borane and chlorosilanes, which are shown to proceed with low reaction barriers. The reaction mechanism is incorporated into finite element simulation of reported deposition data. The developed mechanism is capable of representing quantitatively: (a) the silicon deposition from dichlorosilane; (b) etching of silicon by HCl; and (c) B-doped Si deposition in the SiC1 2 H 2 /B 2 H 6 /H 2 deposition system. The most important deposition processes are identified by sensitivity analysis, and gas-phase decomposition reactions of dichlorosilane are shown to be insignificant in the deposition process.
Identification of abscisic acid in the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum

Abstract Abscisic acid (ABA) has been isolated from commercial preparations and freeze-dried samples of the brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum . Purification by established methods yielded 0.03–0.15 μg ABA/g dry weight in lyophilize powders and 0.10–0.46 μg ABA/g dry wt in a commercial extract. These values are similar to those reported for higher plants. The presence of abscisic acid was confirmed by mass spectroscopy, providing an unambiguous identification of ABA in extracts of macroalgae.
Beta-alanine used by ebony and normal drosophila melanogaster with notes on glucose, uracil, dopa, and dopamine.

Following injection of newly formed female pupae or adult Drosophila with C14-labeled β-alanine, appreciable labeled free β-alanine was retained in the internal organs for at least 24 hr. Ebony retained most, while heterozygotes were intermediate. Part of the β-alanine-2-C-labeled portion of the molecule was bound to the internal organs, especially the ovaries and mature egg follicles. Dissected normal pupal cuticles incorporate β-alanine-1-C as directly related to the degree of tanning. KCN, ethanol, or air exclusion inhibit incorporation. Tan pigment and radioactivity are extractable from the cuticles by hydrazine-ethanol. A β-alanine precursor is uracil. Injected β-alanine immobilizes ebony, but not normal, flies (newly emerged) and inhibits glucose, but not glucose 6-phosphate metabolism. Desiccated ebony adults take up water more readily than normal adults.
Altered BMP signaling in human EA/TEF

Abstract Introduction: The organogenesis of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) remains unknown. The fistula tract appears to develop from a non-branching trifurcation of the embryonic lung bud. The non-branching growth of the fistula differs from the other lung buds and suggests a deficiency in Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling, since BMP's are critical to proper lung development and branching. Methods: With IRB approval, portions of newborn human proximal esophageal pouch and distal fistula samples were recovered at the time of surgical repair of EA/TEF. The tissues were processed for immunohistochemistry. Commercially available fetal tissues were used as controls. Results: BMP ligands (BMP2, −4, −7) and receptors (BMPRIA, BMPRIB, BMPRII) were all present in these tissues. BMP2 and BMP4 were expressed in the epithelial/sub-epithelial gland region of the proximal pouch, as well as in normal esophagus, whereas they were absent in fistula and trachea. BMP7, however, showed strong staining only in the glands of the trachea. BMPRIA was negative in the fistula, but positive in the tracheal epithelium. BMPRIB was positive in submucosal glands of the fistula and trachea. BMPRII was expressed at the base of the fistula and proximal pouch epithelium. Conclusions: Thus, the submucosa of the fistula appears to maintain a "trachea-like" BMP signaling pattern, which would explain its lack of esophageal motility and lack of lung branching.
Cardiotoxicity of Forssman antibodies in in vitro perfusion experiments.

Guinea pig heart was perfused in vitro by xenogeneic sera. Sera from both Forssman-positive and Forssman-negative animals exerted strong cardiotoxicity. The toxic effect of rabbit sera could be very significantly decreased by absorption or neutralization of the naturally occurring Forssman antibodies, pointing to the significant role played by these antibodies in the “rejection” of a Forssman-positive organ.
BIOMETRY OF CALCIUM, INORGANIC PHOSPHORUS, CHOLESTEROL, AND LIPOID PHOSPHORUS IN THE BLOOD OF RABBITS III. INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS TYPES OF LIGHT ENVIRONMENT.

Experiments are reported in which it was shown that the calcium, inorganic phosphorus, cholesterol, and lecithin in the blood of normal rabbits were influenced by 4 types of light environment. The results of the experiments seem to warrant the following conclusions: 1. Animals exposed to the ultra-violet light for a brief period each day give results which are diametrical to those obtained for animals living in total darkness. 2. The results obtained for animals exposed to the Cooper Hewitt light and for those living in the open laboratory are somewhat similar but occupy a position between those of the dark and ultra-violet groups. 3. Animals do not develop immediately the characteristic effects of a particular environmental condition, but pass through a period of accommodation which varies somewhat with different environmental conditions.
Full band structure calculation of minority carrier lifetimes in HgCdTe and thallium-based alloys

We have calculated the full band structures-based minority carrier lifetimes in small-gap semiconductor alloys. The contribution from first-order Coulomb interactions and second-order electron-electron interactions coupled through optical phonons are included. Our results agree reasonably well with experiments in Hg0.78Cd0.22Te. Similar calculations were carried out for lifetimes in In0.67Tl0.33P, In0.85Tl0.15As, and In0.92Tl0.08Sb. The minority carrier lifetimes in In0.67Tl0.33P and In0.92Tl0.08Sb are shorter than that in Hg0.78Cd0.22Te at all temperatures. However, the low-temperature minority carrier lifetime in In0.85Tl0.15 As is an order of magnitude longer than that in Hg0.78Cd0.22Te. Our calculations further suggest the possibility of increasing the lifetimes of minority carriers either by decreasing the density of states inside a critical energy and momentum region or by increasing the total hole population outside that critical region. Experimental observations that substantiate this suggestion are discussed.
Control of Respiratory Therapy in Flail Chest

Pulmonary mechanics and oxygenation were measured in 24 consecutive patients with posttraumatic flail chest requiring continuous mechanical ventilation. The mean duration of mechanical ventilation was fourteen days. Mortality was 38% for all patients, 29% if deaths from head injury are excluded. Pneumonia occurred in 4 patients (17%) and pneumothorax in 1 (4%). Vital capacity and maximal inspiratory force measurements were useful in assessing chest wall stabilization. Total lung compliance correlated negatively with fatal outcome from respiratory failure. The alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient was not useful in assessing chest wall stabilization.
48 How Close are we Towards Achieving the Breast Feeding Goals in the Healthy People 2010 Objective

BACKGROUND: Breast feeding goals for the United States are well defined. Successful long term breast feeding depends on a successful start. Healthy People 2010 breast feeding goals includes 75% of mothers initiating breast feeding. Wide differences exist in the breast feeding initiation rate amongst the various racial and ethnic groups in the US.
Negro College Students' Participation in Sit-Ins

Socioeconomic and legal changes in the position of southern Negroes have been accompanied by a changing pattern of race relations and a new attitude on the part of Negro leaders. Data from a closedanswer questionnaire administered to students in three Negro colleges in North Carolina support the hypothesis that sit-in protests are less indicative of social alienation among Negroes than of their identification with or positive reference to the white middle class. NTHEPAST six years dramatic changes have occurred in the pattern of Negro-white relations in the South. Outside the sphere of perhaps the three most significant demonstrations of the change have been the
Separation of CK isoenzymes on DEAE-sephadex A-50 at neutral pH.

Abstract The MM, MB and BB isoenzymes of human creatine kinase (CK) were separated by elution from micro-columns of DEAE-Sephadex A-50 with Tris buffer containing increasing concentrations of Nad at pH 7.0, instead of pH 8.0 as has commonly been used. Since pH 7.0 is close to the pH optimum of CK, this allowed the use of four times larger aliquots of the eluates for the estimation of CK activity and, consequently, a 4-fold increase in sensitivity. Using serum specimens from patients with acute myocardial infarction, there was a good correlation of the CK-MM ( r = 0.99) and CK-MB ( r = 0.93) activities obtained with the two buffer systems. Similarly, normal sera had CK-MB and CK-BB activities of l with both buffer systems. Comparison of the composition of serum proteins in the eluates by conventional electrophoresis revealed that although the distribution of CK isoenzymes separated by the two buffer systems was similar, the distribution of proteins at pH 7.0 showed an appreciable shift of protein from the MB to the MM eluates.
Sodium orthovanadate stimulation of DNA synthesis in Nakano mouse lens epithelial cells in serum-free medium

Quiescent cultured Nakano mouse lens cells incubated for 40 hours with sodium orthovanadate incorporated 3H-thymidine at an accelerated rate; the greatest response occurred at 20 microM vanadate, whereas by 2 microM an incorporation rate equivalent to unstimulated cells was noted. Microscopic examination of the cells revealed that those exposed to concentrations of vanadate greater than 100 microM had lysed by the end of the 40-hour incubation. Reduction in vanadate exposure time to 1 hour caused the cells to incorporate the greatest amount of 3H-thymidine at a vanadate concentration of 200 microM to 500 microM. Half-maximum incorporation of 3H-thymidine (after a 40-hour incubation) was induced by a 2-hour incubation with 20 microM vanadate. Studies with insulin showed that while 20 ng/ml insulin alone did not increase 3H-thymidine incorporation, 20 ng/ml insulin in combination with 20 microM vanadate resulted in a significant increase in 3H-thymidine uptake over cells exposed to only vanadate. Insulin alone will increase cell number and insulin with vanadate are synergistic in the stimulation of DNA synthesis, but the two together show no further increase in cell number over that produced by insulin alone. Thus, vanadate can increase progression from G1/G0 to S-phase, but cannot stimulate cells to divide. Studies designed to detect DNA damage and repair rather than S-phase DNA synthesis demonstrated that vanadate was not causing increased 3H-thymidine uptake by damaging DNA. Cell counts revealed that vanadate, while able to induce DNA synthesis, does not induce mitosis. Autoradiography and equilibrium sedimentation experiments demonstrated that gene amplification was not occurring. A known vanadate exchange inhibitor blocked the ability of vanadate to increase 3H-thymidine incorporation which is consistent with the idea that cellular internalization of vanadate is required for this effect to be seen. 86Rb+ uptake experiments demonstrate that the vanadate concentration inducing 50% inhibition of (Na+, K+)ATPase is nearly two orders of magnitude more concentrated that vanadate concentrations shown capable of inducing 3H-thymidine uptake. This strongly suggests that (Na+, K+)ATPase inhibition is not the central mechanism by which DNA synthesis is stimulated by vanadate.