cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of parameter lumping and geometric simplification in modelling runoff and erosion in the shrublands of southeast Arizona

There have been many studies of hydrologic processes and scale. However, some researchers have found that predictions from hydrologic models may not be improved by attempting to incorporate the understanding of these processes into hydrologic models. This paper quantifies the effect of simplifying watershed geometry and averaging the parameter values on simulations generated using the KINEROS2 model. Furthermore, it examines how these changes in model input effect model output. The model was applied on a small semiarid rangeland watershed in which runoff is generated by the infiltration excess mechanism. The study concludes that averaging input parameter values has little effect on runoff volume and peak in simulating runoff. However, geometric simplification does have an effect on runoff peak and volume, but it is not statistically significant. In contrast, both averaging input parameter values and geometric simplification have an effect on model-predicted sediment yield.
Canonical Precedence Schemes

A general theory of canonical precedence analysis is defined and studied. The familiar types of precedence analysis such as operator precedence or simple precedence occur as special cases of this theory. Among the theoretical results obtained are a characterization of the structure of precedence relations and the relation of canonical precedence schemes to operator sets.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENDOGENOUS HYPERPROLACTINAEMIA AND PLASMA ALDOSTERONE

It has been suggested that prolactin is a regulator of aldosterone secretion. In order to test this hypothesis, we measured prolactin, thyrotrophin and aldosterone by radioimmunoassay and plasma renin activity by the radioimmunoassay of angiotensin I in eight normal women before and after the intravenous injection of 200 microgram of thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH). Prolactin increased from 4.1 +/- 1.1 ng/ml (mean +/- SE) to a peak of 27.4 +/- 3.8 (P less than 0.005) at 15 min following TRH. Plasma renin activity was not different from control levels (1.0 +/- 0.2 ng/ml/h) during the first hour following the administration of TRH, nor did the plasma aldosterone concentration differ significantly from the control levels (39 +/- 7 pg/ml) during this period. However, with upright posture, an increase in aldosterone (from 31 +/- 3 pg/ml at 1 h to 68 +/- 9 at 2 h, P less than 0.005) and in plasma renin activity (from 0.9 +/- 0.2 ng/ml/h at 1 h to 2.0 +/- 0.5 at 2 h, P less than 0.05) was noted, demonstrating a normal capacity to secrete aldosterone in these subjects. Similarly, no change in aldosterone was seen in nine patients with primary hypothyroidism given TRH, despite the fact that the increase in prolactin was greater than normal. Chronic hyperprolactinaemia was not associated with hyperaldosteronism in six patients with pituitary tumour. These data demonstrate that acutely or chronically elevated serum prolactin levels do not result in increased plasma aldosterone levels in humans.
An evolutionary-guided iterative refinement approach for protein multimers

Protein complexes play a central role in many cellular processes and the detection of protein complexes and their structures is crucial for understanding the role of protein complexes in the basic biology of organisms. Computational docking methods use structural and geometric search techniques and physico-chemical filters to model complex binding and rank computed structures according to energetic criteria using scoring functions. The results generated by such computational methods are expected to be low-energy structures that are similar to the native complex structures. Unfortunately, computational docking methods are often inaccurate [1] and need to be further refined in order to obtain native-like structures.
PREDICTING GLOBAL INTERNET GROWTH USING AUGMENTED DIFFUSION, FUZZY REGRESSION AND NEURAL NETWORK MODELS

Quantitative models explaining and forecasting the growth of new technology like the Internet in global business operation appear infrequently in the literature. This paper introduces two artificial intelligence (AI) models such as the neural network and fuzzy regression along with an augmented diffusion model to study and predict the Internet growth in several OECD nations. First, a linear version of an augmented diffusion model is designed. An augmented diffusion model is constructed by including an economic indicator, gross domestic product per capita, into the model. In the next step, two soft AI models are calibrated from the augmented diffusion model. Performance measures of predictions from these models on new samples show that these soft models provide improved forecast accuracy over the augmented diffusion model. The results confirm the major contribution of this research in predicting global Internet growth.
Ligand-induced conformational changes of rat brain hexokinase: their role in determining the substrate specificity for hexoses and inhibitory effectiveness of hexose 6-phosphates.

Abstract The effectiveness of Glc, mannose, 2-deoxyglucose, fructose, galactose, arabinose, and N-acetylglucosamine at protecting rat brain hexokinase (ATP: d -hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1) from inactivation by chymotrypsin, glutaraldehyde, heat, and Ellman's reagent have been compared. The relative effectiveness at protecting against these inactivating agents decreases in the order Glc > mannose > 2-deoxyglucose > fructose, galactose, and arabinose, the last three providing no significant protection at all. The nonphosphorylatable substrate analog, N-acetylglucosamine, provides substantial protection against heat inactivation, but is ineffective against inactivation by the other agents. Similar inactivation studies were conducted using several hexose 6-phosphates. Glc-6-P and 1,5-anhydroglucitol-6-P provided substantial protection while 2-deoxyglucose-6-P, fructose-6-P, mannose-6-P, and galactose-6-P were all relatively ineffective at protecting hexokinase activity. The protective effect of these ligands is taken as an indication of ligand-induced conformational changes in brain hexokinase. The results are interpreted in terms of, and considered to support, a recently proposed model (J. E. Wilson, 1978 , Arch. Biochem. Biophys.185, 88–99) in which the suitability of a carbohydrate as a substrate depends directly on its ability to induce specific conformational changes prerequisite for subsequent catalytic events while the inhibitory effectiveness of a hexose 6-phosphate is likewise related to its ability to evoke appropriate conformational change in the enzyme. Synergistic interactions between hexose and hexose-6-P binding sites, first reported for Glc and Glc-6-P by Ellison et al. (1975 , J. Biol. Chem.250, 1864–1871), have been confirmed. Thus, although fructose and galactose were themselves quite ineffective at providing protection against inactivation of hexokinase by chymotrypsin or glutaraldehyde, they greatly increased the protection afforded by suboptimal (with respect to degree of protection in the absence of added hexose) levels of Glc-6-P. Conversely, the 6-phosphates of fructose, galactose, mannose, and 2-deoxyglucose, which were themselves ineffective at protecting the enzyme activity, markedly enhanced the protection provided by suboptimal levels of Glc or mannose. Based on the relationship between this enhancement of Glc-dependent protection and the hexose-6-P concentration, the dissociation constants for the complexes of hexokinase with 2-deoxyglucose-6-P and mannose-6-P were estimated to be ⪖0.5 m m .
Interaction of Tricyclic Antipsychotic and Antidepressant Drugs with 1-Anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonic Acid

The binding of l-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonic acid to selected tricyclic antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. The acid exhibited an increase in fluorescence intensity accompanied by a hypsochromic shift of the emission λmax in the presence of these drugs. These fluorescence characteristics, in addition to those of acid-drug complexes after addition of potassium chloride or urea, suggested that binding was hydrophobic. The spectra also provided evidence regarding the importance of certain structural features of drugs in determining the nature of binding.
A METALLOGRAPHIC AND QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE INFLUENCE OF STACKING FAULT ENERGY ON SHOCK- HARDENING IN Cu AND Cu-Al ALLOYS

Abstract This paper deals with the mechanical behavior of Cu and solid–solution Cu–Al alloys that were shock-deformed to 10 and 35 GPa. All the shock-deformed materials showed shock-strengthening that was greater at higher shock pressure and decreased with decreasing stacking fault energy (SFE) at both shock pressures. In the literature, shock-strengthening has been qualitatively ascribed to a greater dislocation density and the formation of deformation twins without addressing the question as to why shock-strengthening is lower in low SFE materials. This question is addressed in the present work by quantifying the twin contribution to the total post-shock strength. The twin contribution was found to increase with decreasing SFE suggesting that the contribution of dislocations concurrently decreases. The stored energy of as-shock-deformed materials was measured and found to decrease with decreasing SFE implying a lower net stored dislocation density in the lower SFE alloys. It is suggested that a lower net stored dislocation density in low SFE alloys results in the observed lower shock strengthening.
Citation analysis cross-field normalization: A new paradigm

A new paradigm for comparing quality of published papers across different disciplines has been proposed. This method uses a figure of merit of the ratio of actual citations received to the potential maximum number of citations that could have been received. It is analogous to approaches used to compare performance in physical systems, and appears intrinsically more useful than present approaches.
A remark on the Sobolev regularity of classical solutions to uniformly parabolic equations

We prove that C2+α,1+α/2 (Q) solutions of problem (1.6) below are in a subspace Hcm+2(Q) of Hm+2,(m+2)/2(Q) for all m ∈ ℕ, if f and the coefficients are in Hcm(Q)∪Cα,α/2 (Q). We apply this result to obtain global existence of Sobolev solutions to the quasilinear problem (1.26) below.
Identification and quantification of trehalose in vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi by in vivo13C NMR and HPLC analyses*

summary Natural abundance in vivo13C NMR spectra were obtained from spores of three species of VA mycorrhizal fungi: Glomus intraradix Schenck & Smith, Glomus etunicatum Becker & Gerdemann and Gigaspora margarita Becker & Hall. The presence of trehalose was established in the spectra of Gl. etunicatum and Gi. margarita. HPLC analyses supported these observations and indicated that Gl. intraradix spores also contained small amounts of trehalose, not readily detectable by 13C NMR. Trehalose constituted between 0.06% and 1.6 %(w/w) of the spore dry weight, depending on the species. Only trace amounts of other sugars, including glycerol, were detected. An in vivo NMR time course experiment indicated that trehalose was readily utilized during spore germination.
Identification of a metabolite of atrazine, N-ethyl-6-methoxy-N′-(1-methylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine, upon incubation with rat liver microsomes

Abstract Atrazine is an herbicide which has shown potential antimalarial effects both in vitro and in vivo in rats. In order to study the metabolism of atrazine in rat livers, we developed a sensitive LC/MS/MS method for the identification of atrazine and several of its metabolites. Using this method, we identified one previously unreported metabolite with a mass of 211 Da in addition to two known metabolites. This new metabolite was confirmed to be N -ethyl-6-methoxy- N ′-(1-methylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine, also known as atraton, by comparison of the LC/MS/MS mass spectra and the retention time to those of a commercial standard.
Cardiotoxic Effects in Rats and Rabbits Treated with Terbutaline Alone and in Combination with Aminophylline

Studies were conducted to determine the myocardial effects of a selective beta-adrenoceptor agonist, terbutaline, administered alone and in combination with aminophylline in the 4-to 5-month-old, 500-600 g (heavy) rat and the rabbit, using electrocardiographic and histopathological methods. Terbutaline given at high (5.0 mg/kg) and low (0.1 mg/kg) doses was not arrhythmogenic in the heavy rat; however, dose-dependent myocardial lesions were observed. Terbutaline given at the same doses to heavy rats pretreated with aminophylline was arrhythmogenic and produced severe cardiac lesions. Rats administered aminophylline at a dose of 18.75 mg/kg had plasma theophylline levels of 15-22 μg/ml; these concentrations are similar to the recommended human therapeutic levels, i.e., 10-20 μg/ml. The administration of terbutaline in conjunction with aminophylline did not seem to affect the plasma levels of theophylline. No arrythmias were detected in rabbits given terbutaline alone or in combination with aminophylline an...
Statistical approach to prognostics

Prognostics, which refers to the inference of an expected time-to-failure for a mechanical system, is made difficult by the need to track and predict the trajectories of real-valued system parameters over essentially unbounded domains, and by the need to prescribe a subset of these domains in which an alarm should be raised. In this paper we propose a novel technique whereby these problems are avoided: instead of physical system or sensor parameters, sensor-level test-failure probability vectors (bounded within the unit hypercube) are tracked; and via a close relationship with the TEAMS suite of modeling tools, the terminal states for all such vectors can be enumerated. To perform the tracking, a Kalman filter with associated interacting multiple model switching between failure regimes is proposed, and simulation results indicate that performance is promising.
Parametric reduced models for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation

Reduced models for the (defocusing) nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation are developed. In particular, we develop reduced models that only involve the low-frequency modes given noisy observations of these modes. The ansatz of the reduced parametric models are obtained by employing a rational approximation and a colored-noise approximation, respectively, on the memory terms and the random noise of a generalized Langevin equation that is derived from the standard Mori-Zwanzig formalism. The parameters in the resulting reduced models are inferred from noisy observations with a recently developed ensemble Kalman filter-based parametrization method. The forecasting skill across different temperature regimes are verified by comparing the moments up to order four, a two-time correlation function statistics, and marginal densities of the coarse-grained variables.
Simulator sickness and HMD configurations

The helmet-mounted display (HMD), often used in non-vehicle- based virtual environments (VEs), can be configured as either a stereoscopic or bi-ocular display. As a stereoscopic display the computer modeling the VE calculates two different views for each eye, based upon the views each eye normally receives due to their separation in the head. On the other hand, the same view can be presented to each eye, resulting in a bi- ocular display. The normally linked processes of accommodation and vergence must be decoupled when viewing through an HMD. This way of perceiving may lead to physiological problems. For example, a common problem with virtual environments (VE) is simulator sickness. Its symptoms are similar to those experienced in motion sickness, and include problems with eyestrain, disorientation, and nausea. A study was conducted in which both relative differences in simulator sickness and performance were examined for walking, tracking, distance estimation, and micromanipulation tasks. Using the self-report simulator sickness questionnaire (SSQ), data revealed that the stereoscopic condition was more nauseogenic. In addition, post-experimental disorientation, oculomotor discomfort and total severity measures correlated significantly with completion time on a task that required more near-far focal transitions within a short period of time than any other task.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Objectively measured intensity of physical activity and adiposity in middle-aged women.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between objectively measured physical activity (ACT), particularly intensity of physical activity (iACT), and body fat percentage (BF%) in 278 middle-aged women. Secondary purposes were to ascertain the association between physical activity duration (dACT) and BF% and the extent to which potentially confounding factors, including total ACT, energy intake, body weight, and season of assessment, influenced the relationship between iACT and BF%. Research Methods and Procedures: A cross-sectional design was used. Subjects were apparently healthy, 35 to 45 years old, premenopausal, nonsmokers, with BMIs < 30 kg/m2. Approximately 90 percent were white, 81% were married, and 37% were college graduates. ACT was assessed using Computer Science and Application accelerometers worn for 7 consecutive days. The accelerometers recorded movement continuously, and activity counts were collapsed into 10-minute epochs. Intensity was indexed using seven activity count cut-off points, and duration was based on the number of 10-minute epochs at each intensity level. BF% was assessed using multiple measurements in the Bod Pod. Energy intake was measured using 7-day weighed diet records during the same week subjects wore the accelerometers. Results: BF% was strongly and inversely associated with iACT and dACT. Controlling for energy intake and body weight strengthened the relationships among iACT, dACT, and BF%. Control of total ACT weakened the association. Discussion: Engaging in higher intensity and/or longer duration ACT is associated with lower BF% compared with lower intensity and/or shorter durations of activity.
Mortality trends in carcinoma of the cervix uteri.

REVIEW of the cancer deaths among 1202 staged cases of carcinoma of the cervix treated at the Radiation Therapy Center of the University of Michigan from 1941 through 1964 indicates that each clinical stage is endowed with its own singular mortality trend. The cancer mortality trend of each stage is in our experience independent of the 5-yr survival rate. Improved survival obtained through the use of more effective therapeutic methods has not altered the mortality trend of each stage. We have also obtained evidence that when the logarithm of survival time of the patients destined to die of cancer is plotted against time the line of regression is straight. These observations are based on examination of the following case material.
Effect of intravenous sedation on the outcome of transvaginal oocyte retrieval: a comparative study of propofol- and methohexital-based techniques

Abstract This study retrospectively compares patients who underwent outpatient transvaginal follicle aspiration with either a propofol- or methohexital-based intravenous sedation technique. Data collected from patient charts (n = 212) over a 46-month period were analyzed to determine the effects of each sedation technique on procedure and recovery times, number of retrieved ova, as well as rates of nausea, fertilization, cleavage, pregnancy, and delivery. All patients were included in the study, regardless of age or diagnosis. procedure time was lower in the propofol group (51 t 18 min) than in the methohexital group (61 I 20 min) (p > 0.01). Patients in the methohexital group (139 2 51 min) spent more time in the recovery room than did those in the propofol group (71 ? 34 min) (p > 0.01). The nausea rates were significantly lower in the propofol group compared with the methohexital group (1.9% vs. 14.4%, respectively) (p > 0.02). Fertilization rate in the propofol group was 77.7% and was 62.9% in the methohexital group (p > 0.01). The numbers of retrieved ova and the cleavage rates were similar in both groups. The rate of pregnancy in patients sedated with propofol (46.1%) was higher than the methohexital group (26.9%) (p > 0.02). Delivery rate was 38.5% in the propofol group and 20.6% in the methohexital group (p > 0.02). In summary, propofol intravenous sedation for transvaginal follicle aspiration was associ- ated with an improved outcome. Pregnancy and delivery rates were higher while nausea, an unpleasant side effect, was sharply reduced.
MANAGING PORTFOLIOS OF PROJECTS UNDER UNCERTAINTY

Managers of projects and multi-project programs often face considerable uncertainty in the duration and outcomes of specific tasks, as well as in the overall level of resources required by tasks. They must decide, in these uncertain conditions, how to allocate and manage scarce resources across many projects that have competing needs. This paper develops a nonlinear mixed-integer programming model for optimizing the resource allocations to individual tasks to minimize the completion times of a collection of projects. The model contains a very flexible representation of the effects of changing resource allocations on the probability distribution of task duration, so it can accommodate a wide variety of practical situations. A heuristic solution procedure is proposed that works quite effectively. An illustration involving a collection of bridge construction projects is provided.
The role of long-term potentiation in persistent epileptiform burst-induced hyperexcitability following GABAA receptor blockade.

Abstract Persistent hyperexcitability follows synchronized bursting induced in the CA3 region of hippocampal slices by perfusion with high concentrations (2 000 IU/ml) of the GABA A antagonist, penicillin. This hyperexcitable state is characterized by: i) slow recovery from bursting following penicillin washout; ii) persistent “post-burst” field potential oscillations and iii) increased probability of spontaneous bursting with ordinarily sub-convulsant doses of GABA A antagonists. An N -methyl- d -aspartate-independent type of long-term potentiation of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA)/kainate excitatory postsynaptic potentials occurred following bursting. However, similar increases in excitatory postsynaptic potential magnitude also occurred after a subconvulsant dose of penicillin (500 IU/ml) which did not produce the other features of persistent hyperexcitability. Furthermore, long-term potentiation either increased or remained stable after bursting stopped, whereas, post-burst oscillations gradually diminished with time. Low doses of the AMPA/kainate antagonist, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, which restored the potentiated excitatory postsynaptic potentials to control levels, reduced but did not eliminate the post-burst oscillation. Tetanus-induced long-term potentiation did not reproduce the hyperexcitable state seen after bursting. These findings indicate that the epileptiform bursting caused by blocking GABA A -mediated inhibition induces long-term potentiation which is partially responsible for persistent burst-induced hyperexcitability but is not sufficient to entirely explain it. The hippocampus which is critical for normal memory is also frequently the generator of intractable epileptic seizures. Seizure-like discharges in the hippocampus induced long-lasting increases in synaptic efficacy similar to those thought to underlie normal memory. This form of long-term potentiation contributed to the network oscillations characteristic of the hyperexcitable state persisting after epileptiform activity but was not sufficient to entirely explain them. Epileptic seizures may engage normal memory mechanisms which increase neuronal excitability and predispose the hippocampal network to further seizures. This may, in part, account for the propensity for hippocampal seizure foci to become intractable.
Pediatric Oncology Group Utilization of Immunologic Markers in the Designation of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Subgroups: Influence on Treatment Response

The clinical application of blast cell immunophenotype testing is important in childhood ALL for the following reasons. (1) Knowledge of the immunologic group is important in predicting prognosis. Prognostic grouping may prove to be accomplished best by using a combination of traditional risk factors and immunologic phenotyping. However, definition of traditional risk factors may vary within the immunologic groups of ALL. (2) In assessing the relative effectiveness of different treatment regimens for children with ALL it is important to make comparisons among patients within the same major immunologic groups of ALL. (3) Identification of specific immunologic groups of patients within ALL may help in designing therapy for each group. The POG has already made preliminary attempts in this direction for T-ALL and B-ALL. However, leukemia species-specific therapy is still only a long-range goal. Laboratory research must endeavor to identify additional biologic characteristics peculiar to each major immunologic group of ALL. These characteristics may dictate therapeutic maneuvers in the future.
The role of odor in the maintenance of flavor aversion.

Abstract Maintenance of toxicosis-induced flavor aversion in the hooded rat requires continuing identification of the conditioning stimulus with a minimum of ingestion. Odor can act as a critical cue in such identification, allowing the rat to avoid the conditioning stimulus altogether, even when this stimulus is restricted to solutions that are typically judged to be non-olfactory (NaCl and sucrose) and which must be selected from among other such solutions in the test situation. Availability of such odor cues allowed rats to maintain their aversion more than twice as long as either bulbectomized rats, or rats in which testing occurred in the continuous presence of masking odors.
Autoreactive CD1b-restricted T cells: a new innate-like T-cell population that contributes to immunity against infection

Group 1 CD1 (CD1a, -b, and -c) presents self and foreign lipid antigens to multiple T-cell subsets in humans. However, in the absence of a suitable animal model, the specific functions and developmental requirements of these T cells remain unknown. To study group 1 CD1-restricted T cells in vivo, we generated double transgenic mice (HJ1Tg/hCD1Tg) that express group 1 CD1 molecules in a similar pattern to that observed in humans (hCD1Tg) as well as a TCR derived from a CD1b-autoreactive T-cell line (HJ1Tg). Using this model, we found that similar to CD1d-restricted NKT cells, HJ1 T cells exhibit an activated phenotype (CD44hiCD69+CD122+) and a subset of HJ1 T cells expresses NK1.1 and is selected by CD1b-expressing hematopoietic cells. HJ1 T cells secrete proinflammatory cytokines in response to stimulation with CD1b-expressing dendritic cells derived from humans as well as hCD1Tg mice, suggesting that they recognize species conserved self-lipid antigen(s). Importantly, this basal autoreactivity is enhanced by TLR-mediated signaling and HJ1 T cells can be activated and confer protection against Listeria infection. Taken together, our data indicate that CD1b-autoreactive T cells, unlike mycobacterial lipid antigen-specific T cells, are innate-like T cells that may contribute to early anti-microbial host defense.
SU-E-T-153: Establish a Comprehensive Patient-Specific Plan QA Database for Instituitional Quality Control Program

Purpose: Since the publication of TG-119, several new treatment techniques requiring new QA devices have been implemented in the clinic. To monitor and analyze our institutional QA performance, we have created a comprehensive QA database using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap). The database will also assist us in creating IMRT QA Analysis practice guidelines. Methods: Since Oct. 2013, 336 patient plan QA results were entered into the database. Plan parameters such as plan ID, treatment site, technique, energy, optimization constraints, modulation factor, leaf speed, leaf opening.etc were automatically extracted from the Varian Eclipse database to allow us to refine our evaluation and analysis method. Specific QA device, LINAC-related information, and measurement and analysis results were manually entered by the QA team. IMRT plans were measured using MapCHECK2 while RapidArc plans were measured using ArcCHECK. Distance-To-Agreement 3%/3mm without global maximum normalization was used. Results: The data indicates that different treatment techniques might benefit from a different site-specific action level(AL) depending on the complexity of the plan and optimization parameter used (e.g., breast IMRT QA= 97.8% and pelvis IMRT QA=93.1%). Different QA devices may also benefit from a different AL (MapCHECK2 = 94.1% while ArcCHECK = 83.0%). The relationship between the parameters and passing rate suggests that the complexity of each plan, characterized by leaf travel, leaf opening and modulation factor, affect the passing rate significantly. The database is reviewed regularly, and any abnormal point of the QA result or a trend of lower QA passing rate on a specific LINAC is further investigated. Conclusion: Establishing a comprehensive QA database provides an overview of the quality assurance program. It not only helps in answering the question “what is a reasonable and achievable standard for each institution”, but also saves time in monitoring and investigating the daily machine and QA performance.
Cumulus Parameterization in a Case Study of a Monsoon Depression

Abstract The Arakawa-Shubert cumulus parameterization scheme is applied in a semi-prognostic case study of a monsoon depression when it was forming over the Bay of Bengal. The cloud-work function quasi-equilibrium is found to hold even in this disturbed situation. Reasonable rates of precipitation and cumulus heating are obtained. Difficulties in the computational aspects of including the scheme in the large-scale numerical model are discussed.
Oligomerization of vinyl monomers. XXI. Characterization of model carbanions of living poly(2‐vinylpyridine) in THF by 7Li‐NMR and conductance: Evidence for the occurrence and nature of triple ion formation

The formation of triple anions is demonstrated by 7Li-NMR in THF solutions of 1-lithio-1-(2-pyridyl)ethane, 1-lithio-1(3-methyl-2-pyridyl)ethane, and 1-lithio-1,3-di(2-pyridyl) butane. Good agreement with conductance data was demonstrated in the case of 1. Triple anion formation in the case of 2 was found to be about twice as high as in 1 possibly as a result of the greater charge density on the carbanion in the case of 2.
Synthesis of 5‐ethynylorotic acid

Condensation of 2,4-dimethoxy-5-iodo-6-carbomethoxypyrimidine (10) with copper (I) 3-tetrahydropyranyloxyprop-1-ynide (4) afforded 2,4-dimethoxy-5-(3′-tetrahydropyranyloxyprop-1′-yn)-6-carbomethoxypyrimidine (11), which was hydrolyzed to produce 2,4-dimethoxy-5-(3′-hydroxyprop-1′-yn)-6-carbomethoxypyrimidine (12). Oxidation of 12 with dimethyl sulfoxide-oxalyl chloride reagent gave the acetylenic aldehyde (13), which on treatment with sodium methoxide in dry tetrahydrofuran yielded 2,4-dimethoxy-5-ethynyl-6-carbomethoxypyrimidine (14). The trimethylsilyl derivative (15) was deprotected by sequential treatment with iodotrimethylsilane and aqueous sodium hydroxide, leading to the formation of 5-ethynylorotic acid (1).
Optimal nonlinear filtering for track-before-detect in IR image sequences

The 3D matched filter proposed by Reed et al. and its generalizations provide a powerful processing technique for detecting moving low observable targets. This technique is a centerpiece of various track-before-detect (TBD) systems. However, the 3D matched filter was designed for constant velocity targets and its applicability to more complicated patterns of target dynamics is not obvious. In this paper the 3D matched filter and BAVF are extended to the case of switching multiple models of target dynamics. We demonstrate that the 3D matched filtering can be cast into a general framework of optimal spatio-temporal nonlinear filtering for hidden Markov models. A robust and computationally efficient Bayesian algorithm for detection and tracking of low observable agile targets in IR Search and Track (IRST) systems is presented. The proposed algorithm is fully sequential. It facilitates optimal fusion of sensor measurements and prior information regarding possible threats. The algorithm is implemented as a TBD subsystem for IRST, however the general methodology is equally applicable for other imaging sensors.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Pre‐television stereotypes: Mexicans in U.S. newsreels, 1919–1932

This study explored images of Mexicans and dominant symbols in early U.S. newsreels, whether they changed throughout the 1920s, and whether they reflected the era's film stereotypes. Dominant images were dignitaries, doers, beauties, bystanders, and clerics. Symbols of modernity and class outweighed traditional images. Negative symbols like dirt or weapons were not prevalent. After 1924, symbols of literacy, diplomacy, and construction were more visible. The study provides an historical context for Latino television news images today. In addition, it reflects mass media's role in reinforcing modernity and spectatorship‐allowing power of the gaze comparisons between modern and postmodern eras.
Some strategies for improving specificity and sensitivity in the analysis of anti-cancer drugs.

Abstract Some approaches are discussed for introducing specificity and sensitivity into analytical methods for anti-tumour agents which include a liquid chromatographic step. Various modes of HPLC have been exploited to monitor these drugs specifically and at therapeutically low levels. The use of column switching technology and chemical derivatization techniques to enhance both specificity and sensitivity are discussed. Multiple columns (linked through switching valves) containing packings exhibiting different affinities for the analytes cisplatin and riboxamide provide (a) a high degree of selectivity with convenient analysis times, (b) the opportunity for preconcentration of analytes, (c) improved longevity of analytical columns, (d) a solution to the ‘general elution problem’, and (e) allow direct application of biological fluid to the HPLC system. The use of chemical derivatization techniques (pre- and post-column) to achieve improved sensitivity and altered chromatographic and chemical properties of these and other anti-tumour agents (galactitol, tamoxifen, emetine) is also described. The high chemical reactivity of many anti-tumour agents often requires their rapid derivatization after a biological sample is drawn to prevent chemical degradation in the sample vial. The use of chemical and photochemical derivatization techniques combined with spectrophotometric, fluorometric and voltammetric detectors illustrates the power and utility of derivatization technology in trace drug analysis.
In search of Trigeminal Pentafluorosulfanyl (SF5) carbon derivatives

Abstract In the course of our studies to synthesize as yet unknown perfluorocarbon compounds containing three SF5, RfSF4, or SF5 and RfSF4 groups, all attached to the same carbon atom, we have investigated the fluorination behavior of promising starting materials using different fluorination techniques like elemental as well as electrochemical methods. H2C(SCH3)2 (1) HC(SCH3)3 (2) HC(SH)3 (3) HC(SAc)3 (4) Hexathiaadamantane (5) Trimethylhexathiaadamantane (6) In compounds 26, the tertiary carbon-sulfur structure is already present and has to survive the fluorination processes without complete degradation by cleavage of one of the carbon-sulfur bonds. Meanwhile, in compound 1 such a tertiary structure has to be formed during the fluorination via the cleavage of a CS bond at one molecule, followed by the formation of a third CS bond at the starting CS geminal structure of another molecule. Such a “cleavage — new bond formation” phenomenon is a well-known experimental observation, especially during the electrochemical fluorination process. The results of the fluorinations of compounds 16 will be discussed in detail.
Differential Susceptibility of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase to Inhibition by RNA Aptamers in Enzymatic Reactions Monitoring Specific Steps during Genome Replication

Nucleic acid aptamers to HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) are potent inhibitors of DNA polymerase function in vitro, and they have been shown to inhibit viral replication when expressed in cultured T-lymphoid lines. We monitored RT inhibition by five RNA pseudoknot RNA aptamers in a series of biochemical assays designed to mimic discrete steps of viral reverse transcription. Our results demonstrate potent aptamer inhibition (IC50 values in the low nanomolar range) of all RT functions assayed, including RNA- and DNA-primed DNA polymerization, strand displacement synthesis, and polymerase-independent RNase H activity. Additionally, we observe differences in the time dependence of aptamer inhibition. Polymerase-independent RNase H activity is the most resistant to long term aptamer suppression, and RNA-dependent DNA polymerization is the most susceptible. Finally, when DNA polymerization was monitored in the presence of an RNA aptamer in combination with each of four different small molecule inhibitors, significant synergy was observed between the aptamer and the two nucleoside analog RT inhibitors (azidothymidine triphosphate or ddCTP), whereas two non-nucleoside analog RT inhibitors showed either weak synergy (efavirenz) or antagonism (nevirapine). Together, these results support a model wherein aptamers suppress viral replication by cumulative inhibition of RT at every stage of genome replication.
Effect of Ethephon on the Water Status of a Drought-resistant and a Drought-sensitive Cultivar of Winter Wheat

Summary Stomatal resistance, water potential, and osmotic potential were measured on leaves of a drought-resistant and a drought-sensitive cultivar of winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) sprayed with ethephon to determine the effect of ethephon on the water status of the wheat. Plants were grown in soil, which was watered or allowed to dry. Both with ample and limited water supply, ethephon increased the stomatal resistance of the two cultivars. Under watered and water-stressed conditions, water and osmotic potentials of the drought-resistant plants with ethephon were lower than water and osmotic potentials of the drought-resistant plants without ethephon. Ethephon did not affect the water and osmotic potentials of the drought-sensitive plants. Even though ethephon closed stomata, it did not increase resistance to drought, because all plants sprayed with ethephon and exposed to drought died. Without ethephon, only the drought-sensitive cultivar died; the drought-resistant cultivar survived. Death of the ethephon-treated plants under drought appeared to be related to the low osmotic potential of the plants.
Systematic review and metaanalysis of middle meatal packing after endoscopic sinus surgery.

Objective The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate synechiae formation in patients who underwent packing in the middle meatus at the completion of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) or recurrent acute rhinosinusitis. Data sources PubMed and Ovid. Review methods Prospective randomized controlled studies of ESS with the placement of middle meatal packing were reviewed and included for analysis. Metaanalysis of the pooled data was performed. Results Eighteen prospective, randomized, controlled trials met inclusion criteria, resulting in a total of 925 subjects. Although there was a trend toward decreased risk of synechiae formation in the patients who underwent placement of middle meatal packing postoperatively (RR = 0.544), this did not achieve statistical significance on metaanalysis (p = 0.052). Conclusions This systematic review and metaanalysis suggests that use of middle meatal packing does not significantly reduce the risk of synechiae formation after ESS. There was, however, significant heterogeneity of the data analyzed, and the difference between groups was just short of statistical significance in our metaanalysis. Additional prospective randomized studies on this topic will further elucidate the utility of middle meatal packing.
The cell wall-associated inulinase of Kluyveromyces fragilis.

The yeast Kluyveromyces fragilis (ATCC 12424) was grown on a 2% inulin-1% yeast extract medium for 36 h and subsequently fixed with 0.5% glutaraldehyde. The glutaraldehyde treatment did not affect the β-fructofuranosidase (inulinase, EC 3.2.1.7) activity of the cells but it did make the cells resistant to chemical and physical treatments that normally release β-fructofuranosidase from untreated cells. The enzyme in the treated cells exhibited Km values for sucrose and raffinose identical to those obtained for the free enzyme. The cell wall of the treated cells exhibited the same diffusion properties for sucrose, raffinose, and inulin as those observed for untreated cells. The β-fructofuranosidase was not bound covalently to the cell by the glutaraldehyde treatment. The results support the permeability barrier model for the enzyme retention in the yeast cell wall.
Gender Stratification and Publication in American Science: Turning the Tools of Science Inward

Gender stratification continues to pervade the American workplace, and academic science as a vocation is hardly exempt. In this article, I review prior work on why and how gender inequality affects scientific careers. I focus specifically on scientific publication, an important determinant of scientific success. The research indicates that processes of gender stratification operate through formal and informal relationships contributing to the inequality we continue to find in academic science. Following Bourdieu (2004), I argue that sociology's unique reflexivity – that is, our ability to turn the tools of science inward – offers an important vantage point and contribution to our understanding of stratification in science specifically, in workplaces more generally, and in society at large.
Complications from arteriovenous malformation radiosurgery: Multivariate analysis and risk modeling

Purpose/Objective: To assess the relationships of radiosurgery treatment parameters to the development of complications from radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations (AVM). Methods and Materials: We evaluated follow-up imaging and clinical data in 307 AVM patients who received gamma knife radiosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh between 1987 and 1993. All patients had regular clinical or imaging follow up for a minimum of 2 years (range: 24-96 months, median = 44 months). Results: Post-radiosurgical imaging (PRI) changes developed in 30.5% of patients with regular follow-up magnetic resonance imaging, and were symptomatic in 10.7% of all patients at 7 years. PRI changes resolved within 3 years developed significantly less often (p = 0.0274) in patients with symptoms (52.8%) compared to asymptomatic patients (94.8% ). The 7-year actuarial rate for developing persistent symptomatic PRI changes was 5.05%. Multivariate logistic regression modeling found that the 12 Gy volume was the only independent variable that correlated significantly with PRI changes (p < 0.0001) while symptomatic PRI changes were correlated with both 12 Gy volume (p = 0.0013) and AVM location (p = 0.0066). Conclusion: Complications from AVM radiosurgery can be predicted with a statistical model relating the risks of developing symptomatic post-radiosurgical imaging changes to 12 Gy treatment volume and location.
The Availability and Consistency of Dengue Surveillance Data Provided Online by the World Health Organization

© 2015 Ruberto et al. Background: The use of high quality disease surveillance data has become increasingly important for public health action against new threats. In response, countries have developed a wide range of disease surveillance systems enabled by technological advancements. The heterogeneity and complexity of country data systems have caused a growing need for international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) to coordinate the standardization, integration, and dissemination of country disease data at the global level for research and policy. The availability and consistency of currently available disease surveillance data at the global level are unclear. We investigated this for dengue surveillance data provided online by the WHO. Methods and Findings: We extracted all dengue surveillance data provided online by WHO Headquarters and Regional Offices (RO’s). We assessed the availability and consistency of these data by comparing indicators within and between sources. We also assessed the consistency of dengue data provided online by two example countries (Brazil and Indonesia). Data were available from WHO for 100 countries since 1955 representing a total of 23 million dengue cases and 82 thousand deaths ever reported to WHO. The availability of data on DengueNet and some RO’s declined dramatically after 2005. Consistency was lacking between sources (84% across all indicators representing a discrepancy of almost half a million cases). Within sources, data at high spatial resolution were often incomplete. Conclusions: The decline of publicly available, integrated dengue surveillance data at the global level will limit opportunities for research, policy, and advocacy. A new financial and operational framework will be necessary for innovation and for the continued availability of integrated country disease data at the global level.
Immunotherapy in recurrent coccidioidomycosis

Abstract A 47-yr-old white woman developed several reactivations of pulmonary foci progressing to cavitation due to Coccidioides immitis . This sequence occurred in the presence of unreactivity to intradermal coccidioidin and unresponsiveness of the patient's lymphocytes in vitro to this antigen. This immunological defect was specific for C. immitis , as the patient was otherwise immunologically normal by several criteria including intradermal testing with other antigens and a normal response of her lymphocytes in vitro to phytohemagglutinin. Immunologic reconstitution was attempted several times with whole leukocytes and with leukocyte extracts (transfer factor). Conversion to intradermal reactivity to coccidioidal antigens was achieved with transfer factor, though the persistence of intradermal reactivity could only be demonstrated with spherulin, a new C, immitis skin-test antigen, and specific lymphocyte reactivity in vitro could not be shown. The patient's disease stabilized for several months, but the overall therapeutic effect of these immunological interventions is not yet certain.