cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lepisosteiform fish (Holostei) ganoid scales from the middle jurassic deposits of Ukraine

Gars (Lepisosteiformes) flourished in epicontinental seas throughout the world during the second half of Mesozoic and early Cenozoic. Cretaceous and Paleogene remains of these fishes are common in Europe while their Jurassic fossils are still relatively scarce. Here we re-describe in detail a series of ganoid scales from the latest Middle Jurassic (Callovian) deposits of Pekari (Cherkasy Region, Ukraine). These fossils were identified by Professor O. S. Rogovich in 1861 as those that belong to Lepidotus mantellii and L. fittoni. The referral of these scales to a certain species should be considered with caution because the described material lacks characters sufficient for identification it even to the genus or family. We consider to identify these fossils as Lepisosteiformes gen. et sp. indet. An overview of currently known Jurassic occurrences of lepisosteiform fishes is also presented in the paper. Lepisosteiformes, museum collection, morphology, Callovian, Europe.
RETROPHARYNGEAL INTERNAL CAROTID ARTERY: A REVIEW OF 3 CASES

Introduction: The internal carotid artery (ICA) can take multiple pathways as it extends from the carotid bifurcation to the skull base. An aberration of its normal pathway may place the ICA in a retropharyngeal position in close proximity to the posterior pharyngeal wall.1-3 Radiographic classification is based on its proximity to the pharynx and/or pathway.1,4,5 We present a series of 3 cases of retropharyngeal ICAs with the goal of reporting and classifying these variations. Case Presentation Case 1: Retropharyngeal right ICA. Minimum distance to the pharyngeal wall was approximately 4.9 mm (high risk of vascular injury) with a tortuous pathway. Case 2: Bilateral retropharyngeal ICA. ICAs were in contact with the posterior pharyngeal wall (very high risk of vascular injury). The left had a kinking pathway, and the right was tortuous. Case 3: Bilateral retropharyngeal ICA. Minimum distances of the right and left ICAs to the posterior pharyngeal wall were approximately 3.5 mm and 3.3 mm, respectively (high risk of vascular injury). The right had a kinking pathway and the left was tortuous. Discussion Closeness of the vessel to the retropharyngeal wall increases the risk of surgical and nonsurgical complications.1,6 It is worth noting that the position of the artery is not constant and can change in position over time.7 It is important for oral and maxillofacial radiologists to have knowledge of the anatomy and variations of the ICA. This enables clinicians to take necessary precautions to reduce complications if performing any procedure in the region.
DATA: Geographic potential of the world's largest hornet, Vespa mandarinia Smith (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), worldwide and particularly in North America

ABSTRACT The Asian giant hornet (AGH, Vespa mandarinia) is the world’s largest hornet, occurring naturally in the Indomalayan region, where it is a voracious predator of pollinating insects including honey bees. In September 2019, a nest of Asian giant hornets was detected outside of Vancouver, British Columbia and in May 2020 an individual was detected nearby in Washington state, indicating that the AGH successfully overwintered in North America. Because hornets tend to spread rapidly and become pests, reliable estimates of the potential invasive range of V. mandarinia in North America are needed to assess likely human and economic impacts, and to guide future eradication attempts. Here, we assess climatic suitability for AGH in North America, and suggest that, without control, this species could establish populations across the Pacific Northwest and much of eastern North America. Predicted suitable areas for AGH in North America overlap broadly with areas where honey production is highest, as well as with species-rich areas for native bumble bees and stingless bees of the genus Melipona in Mexico, highlighting the economic and environmental necessity of controlling this nascent invasion.
Two-dimensional closest pair problem: A closer look

Abstract In this paper, we take a closer look at a well-known divide-and-conquer algorithm for finding the closest pair of a set of points in the plane under the Euclidean distance. Particularly, we argue that it is sufficient, and sometimes necessary, to check only the next three points following the current point associated with the y -sorted array in the combine phase of the algorithm. We present experimental results comparing the resulting improved version of the divide-and-conquer algorithm to other known variants in the literature for the planar closest-pair problem.
Comparing the performance of a deep convolutional neural network with orthopedic surgeons on the identification of total hip prosthesis design from plain radiographs.

Purpose A crucial step in the preoperative planning for a revision total hip replacement (THR) surgery is the accurate identification of the failed implant design, especially if one or more well-fixed/functioning components are to be retained. Manual identification of the implant design from preoperative radiographic images can be time-consuming and inaccurate, which can ultimately lead to increased operating room time, more complex surgery, and increased healthcare costs. Method In this study, we present a novel approach to identifying THR femoral implants' design from plain radiographs using a convolutional neural network (CNN). We evaluated a total of 402 radiographs of nine different THR implant designs including, Accolade II (130 radiographs), Corail (89 radiographs), M/L Taper (31 radiographs), Summit (31 radiographs), Anthology (26 radiographs), Versys (26 radiographs), S-ROM (24 radiographs), Taperloc Standard Offset (24 radiographs), and Taperloc High Offset (21 radiographs). We implemented a transfer learning approach and adopted a DenseNet-201 CNN architecture by replacing the final classifier with nine fully connected neurons. Furthermore, we used saliency maps to explain the CNN decision-making process by visualizing the most important pixels in a given radiograph on the CNN's outcome. We also compared the CNN's performance with three board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons. Results The CNN achieved the same or higher performance than at least one of the surgeons in identifying eight out of nine THR implant designs and underperformed all of the surgeons in identifying one THR implant design (Anthology). Overall, the CNN achieved a lower cohen's kappa (0.78) than surgeon 1 (1.00), the same cohen's kappa as surgeon 2 (0.78), and a slightly higher cohen's kappa than surgeon 3 (0.76) in identifying all the nine THR implant designs. Furthermore, the saliency maps showed that the CNN generally focused on each implant's unique design features to make a decision. Regarding the time spent performing the implant identification, the CNN accomplished this task in ~0.06 seconds per radiograph. The surgeon's identification time varied based on the method they utilized. When using their personal experience to identify the THR implant design, they spent negligible time. However, the identification time increased to an average of 8.4 minutes (standard deviation 6.1 minutes) per radiograph when they used another identification method (online search, consulting with the orthopaedic company representative, and using image atlas), which occurred in about 17% of cases in the test subset (40 radiographs). Conclusions CNNs such as the one developed in this study can be used to automatically identify the design of a failed THR femoral implant pre-operatively in just a fraction of a second, saving time and in some cases improving identification accuracy.
Constellation Nets for Few-Shot Learning

The success of deep convolutional neural networks builds on top of the learning of effective convolution operations, capturing a hierarchy of structured features via filtering, activation, and pooling. However, the explicit structured features, e.g. object parts, are not expressive in the existing CNN frameworks. In this paper, we tackle the few-shot learning problem and make an effort to enhance structured features by expanding CNNs with a constellation model, which performs cell feature clustering and encoding with a dense part representation; the relationships among the cell features are further modeled by an attention mechanism. With the additional constellation branch to increase the awareness of object parts, our method is able to attain the advantages of the CNNs while making the overall internal representations more robust in the few-shot learning setting. Our approach attains a significant improvement over the existing methods in few-shot learning on the CIFAR-FS, FC100, and mini-ImageNet benchmarks.
A Simplified Theory of Oscillating Aerofoils in Transonic Flow: Review and Extension *

A simplified theory of the dynamic motion of aerofoils of finite thickness in transonic flow is presented which excludes the effect of shock waves on the aerofoil itself and, thus, is restricted to free stream Mach numbers equal to unity or above. Numerical examples are analyzed for two-dimensional steady and unsteady (including transient) aerofoil motion and three-dimensional steady and unsteady flow over delta wings. The effects of flow separation and improvements in Bernoulli's equation and the surface boundary condition are briefly discussed.
Estimated Cancer Risks Associated with Nitrosamine Contamination in Commonly Used Medications.

Many nitrosamines are potent carcinogens, with more than 30 listed under California’s Proposition 65. Recently, nitrosamine contamination of commonly used drugs for treatment of hypertension, heartburn, and type 2 diabetes has prompted numerous Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalls in the US. These contaminants include the carcinogens NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine) and NDEA (N-nitrosodiethylamine) and the animal tumorigen NMBA (N-nitroso-N-methyl-4-aminobutyric acid). NMBA and NDEA are metabolically and/or structurally related to NDMA, an N-nitrosomethyl-n-alkylamine (NMA), and 12 other carcinogenic NMAs. These nitrosamines exhibit common genotoxic and tumorigenic activities, with shared target tumor sites amongst chemicals and within a given laboratory animal species. We use the drug valsartan as a case study to estimate the additional cancer risks associated with NDMA and NDEA contamination, based on nitrosamine levels reported by the US FDA, cancer potencies developed by California’s Proposition 65 program and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and specific exposure scenarios. These estimates suggest that nitrosamine contamination in drugs that are used long-term can increase cancer risks and pose a serious concern to public health.
Drugs, Electrolytes, Pacemakers, and Technical Errors

Digitalis compounds have three basic effects on the myocardium. The common theme underlying both desired (therapeutic) and unwanted (toxic) effects of digitalis is the increased availability of calcium within most (probably all) body cells.
Informational and Energetic Masking Effects in Multitalker Speech Perception

Abstract : When a speech signal is obscured by a second simultaneous competing speech signal, two types of masking contribute to overall performance. Traditional "energetic" masking occurs when both utterances contain energy in the same critical bands at the same time and portions of one or both of the speech signals are rendered inaudible at the periphery. Higher-level "informational masking" occurs when the signal and masker are both audible but the listener is unable to disentangle the elements of the target signal from a similar-sounding distracter. Because "informational masking" is restricted to cases where the masking signal is similar to the target signal, it has a much greater impact on performance when a speech signal is masked by speech than it does when a speech signal is masked by noise. Furthermore, its effects depend specifically on the characteristics of the target and masking speech signals. This brief chapter outlines the results of some recent experiments we have conducted in our laboratory that have examined the role that informational masking plays in speech perception and attempted to isolate the effects that informational and/or energetic masking have on multitalker listening.
Language Rights in Canada: Seeking Equilibrium between Ideals and Implementation

Language rights have emerged as an issue within the study of general human rights among modern normative theorists, but the complexity of the relationship between languages and societies makes them extraordinarily complex. Against this background, this paper will address efforts to reach a workable equilibrium between the ideals and implementation of language rights in Canada, treating language rights as a problem in policy implementation. Our research draws on extensive administrative reports and evaluations, media coverage, and the limited existing academic literature on the subject, as well as qualitative interviews with administrative officials. Canada’s language policies are wide-ranging and complex -- covering issues such as preservation and development of minority language communities, societal respect for languages, and language rights in courts and in the work place. Our paper will focus primarily on the two official languages, English and French, and the effort to implement official languages policy at the federal level in the areas of service to the public and language of work following the enactment of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982 and passage of the revised and expanded Official Languages Act in 1988.While the concept of official languages has extensive historical roots, it has been elevated from the realm of political strategy to that of an individual right. An institutional framework and a committed bureaucracy are in place to implement the official languages policy, represented in responsibilities assigned to the Commissioner of Official Languages, the Treasury Board Secretariat, and Canadian Heritage, headed by the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. Although polling data and anecdotal evidence suggests a broad acceptance of language rights by Canadians and by the federal public service, support for language rights has also been described as fragile and in constant need of refurbishing. The Commissioner of Official Languages recently expressed concern that support for the official languages policy had begun to plateau, and our research suggests that a fragile equilibrium may be emerging between the policy and its idealized goals on one hand and practical constraints posed by countervailing social and political interests as well as technical issues in implementation. At the same time, Canadian society is showing signs of generally embracing official bilingualism in practice.
The Impact of Imperfect Information on the Transactions of Contaminated Properties

The well documented existence of hundreds of thousands of contaminated properties is a major environmental problem in the United States. Recently, there has been a lot of discussion in the academic literature and political arena about the benefits of the redevelopment of contaminated sites. Given that there may be positive net benefits, why is it that these sites have not been clean up and redeveloped? The focus of this paper is analyzing how incomplete information can deter the transactions of contaminated sites. First, a model of contaminated property transactions is developed. Second, the concept of incomplete information is defined and applied to this model. It is then shown how incomplete information can deter socially optimal transactions of contaminated properties. Third, a framework for empirically estimating the impact of incomplete information on property transactions is developed. Fourth, a framework for measuring the associated welfare loss from the reduced rate of property transactions is established. Fifth, recommendations about how to proceed in this relatively new area of research are provided, particularly with respect to estimating the empirical model.
Establishing an Effective Framework for Physical Activity Counseling in Primary Care Settings

This article examines the role of the primary care physician in providing physical activity counseling and proposes a framework for maximizing the effectiveness of this activity. Many studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of physical activity counseling in the primary care setting. Unfortunately, the results of most of these studies have not been encouraging as there has not been compelling evidence that brief physical activity counseling for the general population results in long-term changes in physical activity behaviors. In contrast, the evidence of health improvements in patients who are successful in achieving levels of physical activity consistent with the Surgeon General's recommendations is compelling and should serve as the source of motivation as we seek more effective paradigms for physical activity counseling. The PACE (Patient-Centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise and Nutrition) Program is presented as an evidenced-based and effective framework for effective physical activity counseling. By adopting a patient-centered approach to counseling and by tailoring the message to the readiness of the patient to take action, it is possible to engage in physical activity counseling in a cost- and time-effective manner. This article provides specific counseling strategies for addressing patients at various stages of readiness to engage in behavior change regarding physical activity.
Keep the Leverage Ratio for Large Banks to Limit the Competitive Effects of Implementing Basel II Capital Requirements

In October 2005, the agencies that supervise U.S. depository institutions proposed changes in the Basel I capital requirements that will apply to the banks that will not be subject to the new Basel II capital requirements. An objective of the U.S. bank supervisors for proposing changes in Basel I capital requirements is to mitigate any competitive inequalities created by implementing Basel II capital requirements. This paper explains why the proposed changes in Basel I capital requirements would not mitigate such competitive inequalities for many of the banks that will continue to be subject to the Basel I capital requirements. In addition, this paper argues that an important means of limiting competitive effects from implementing Basel II capital requirements is to maintain the leverage ratio as one of the capital requirements for the banks that adopt Basel II capital requirements.
An Integration of Model Checking with Automated Proof Checking

Although automated proof checking tools for general-purpose logics have been successfully employed in the verification of digital systems, there are inherent limits to the efficient automation of expressive logics. If the expressiveness is constrained, there are useful logic fragments for which efficient decision procedures can be found. The model checking paradigm yields an important class of decision procedures for establishing temporal properties of finite-state systems. Model checking is remarkably effective for automatically verifying finite automata with relatively small state spaces, but is inadequate when the state spaces are either too large or unbounded. For this reason, it is useful to integrate the complementary technologies of model checking and proof checking. Such an integration has to be carried out in a delicate manner in order to be more than just the sum of the techniques. We describe an approach for such an integration where a BDD-based model checker for the propositional mu-calculus has been used as a decision procedure within the framework of the PVS proof checker. We argue that our approach fits in nicely with the design philosophy of PVS of providing highly effective mechanical reasoning capability by using efficient decision procedures as the workhorses of an interactive proof checker.
Comparison of two AMC's on a high-permittivity substrate

Two types of artificial magnetic conductors (AMC's), mushroom and uniplanar compact electromagnetic band gap (UC-EBG), were designed and simulated using FEKO and HFSS. Designs were determined for reflection with zero phase change at 8.425, 5.5, and 2.4 GHz. The resulting geometries and band gap characteristics are compared.
The Zeeman effect or linear birefringence? — VLA polarimetric spectral line observations of H 2 O masers

We present line profiles of the four Stokes parameters of H2O masers at 22 GHz observed with the VLA in full polarimetric spectral line mode. With careful calibration, the instrumental effects such as linear leakage and the difference of antenna gain between RCP and LCP, can be minimized. Our measurements show a few percent linear polarization. Weak circular polarization was detected at a level of 0.1 percent of the peak intensity. A large uncertainty in the measurements of weak circular polarization is caused by telescope pointing errors. The observed polarization of H2O masers can be interpreted as either the Zeeman effect or linear birefringence.
Ribonucleic acid and protein synthesis in Rhizophlyctis rosea zoospores.

LeJohn, Herbert B. (Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind.), and James S. Lovett. Ribonucleic acid and protein synthesis in Rhizophlyctis rosea zoospores. J. Bacteriol. 91:709–717. 1966.—The uniflagellate zoospores of Rhizophlyctis rosea display active motility and a high endogenous respiratory metabolism, but neither growth nor net ribonucleic acid (RNA) or protein synthesis can be measured by ordinary procedures. Nevertheless, synthesis can be detected with isotopic precursors. Uracil-C14 is incorporated slowly into both the soluble and ribosomal RNA. Analysis of zoospore extracts (on diethylaminoethyl cellulose columns or sucrose gradients) after various periods of labeling suggested that most of the uracil incorporation represents slow synthesis of ribosomal precursor RNA and, ultimately, ribosomes. Actinomycin D caused an 80% inhibition of uracil incorporation. The most rapidly labeled RNA was susceptible to extensive degradation in cells treated with actinomycin, but the percentage of stable RNA increased with the time of incorporation before addition of the antibiotic. Neither the effects of actinomycin nor the results of chase experiments have established unequivocally the existence of turnover or the presence of a short-lived “messenger” fraction in motile spores. Both leucine and methionine were slowly incorporated into a spectrum of cellular proteins. The methyl group of C14-methylmethionine also served as a methyl donor for the methylation of soluble RNA but not of ribosomal RNA. The observations that some of the newly synthesized RNA and protein occur in the intact 82S ribosomes and that actinomycin inhibits the low level of protein synthesis provide some indirect evidence for a very low rate of “messenger” synthesis and turnover in zoospores.
Lovell and Winter's Pediatric Orthopaedics. 6th ed. Atlas of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery. 4th ed.

Raymond T. Morrissy and Stuart L. Weinstein, editors. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2006. 2,682 pages (two-volume text plus atlas). $399.00. Five years after the publication of the fifth edition of Lovell and Winter's Pediatric Orthopaedics, Morrissy and Weinstein have again combined to produce the sixth edition of this essential textbook of pediatric orthopaedics and its companion atlas, the fourth edition of the Atlas of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery. Fifty individuals are credited with contributing to the newest version of the two-volume Lovell and Winter's Pediatric Orthopaedics, including seventeen new authors or coauthors. Nine of the thirty-four chapters have new authors, and almost all of those chapters have been improved and updated in keeping with the fresh approach that new authors should be expected to bring to their respective topics. An excellent, entirely new chapter, “Evaluation of the Medical Literature,” has been added, while “Normal Gait” has been dropped. The subject of congenital scoliosis has been separated from that of idiopathic scoliosis and now has its own …
Polybutadiene-modified clay and its nanocomposites

Abstract A butadiene-modified clay was prepared by ionic exchange between sodium montmorillonite and a butadiene surfactant; the butadiene surfactant was obtained from the reaction of vinylbenzyl chloride grafted polybutadiene with a tertiary amine. Nanocomposites of polystyrene, high impact polystyrene, acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer, poly(methyl methacrylate), polypropylene and polyethylene were prepared by melt blending this modified clay with the virgin polymers. The nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, cone calorimetry and the evaluation of mechanical properties. A morphological study of PBD-modified clay–polymer nanocomposites shows that all the composites are immiscible micro-composites. The consistency of the result from XRD and TEM with that of cone calorimetry indicates that the cone calorimeter must also be considered as another method to examine the bulk sample and infer if good dispersion of the clay in the polymer has been achieved. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites prepared from different methods show that the mechanical properties are, in general, predictable based on the type of dispersion.
Chemical mixtures in untreated water from public-supply wells in the U.S. — Occurrence, composition, and potential toxicity

Chemical mixtures are prevalent in groundwater used for public water supply, but little is known about their potential health effects. As part of a large-scale ambient groundwater study, we evaluated chemical mixtures across multiple chemical classes, and included more chemical contaminants than in previous studies of mixtures in public-supply wells. We (1) assessed the occurrence of chemical mixtures in untreated source-water samples from public-supply wells, (2) determined the composition of the most frequently occurring mixtures, and (3) characterized the potential toxicity of mixtures using a new screening approach. The U.S. Geological Survey collected one untreated water sample from each of 383 public wells distributed across 35 states, and analyzed the samples for as many as 91 chemical contaminants. Concentrations of mixture components were compared to individual human-health benchmarks; the potential toxicity of mixtures was characterized by addition of benchmark-normalized component concentrations. Most samples (84%) contained mixtures of two or more contaminants, each at concentrations greater than one-tenth of individual benchmarks. The chemical mixtures that most frequently occurred and had the greatest potential toxicity primarily were composed of trace elements (including arsenic, strontium, or uranium), radon, or nitrate. Herbicides, disinfection by-products, and solvents were the most common organic contaminants in mixtures. The sum of benchmark-normalized concentrations was greater than 1 for 58% of samples, suggesting that there could be potential for mixtures toxicity in more than half of the public-well samples. Our findings can be used to help set priorities for groundwater monitoring and suggest future research directions for drinking-water treatment studies and for toxicity assessments of chemical mixtures in water resources.
A semantic approach to monitor business process

Finding an effective method for managing and evaluating the performance of business processes is a key element for e-business success.
Assessing the Communication Issues Involved in Implemening High-Level Behaviors in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are used in many applications, both military and civilian. There is a push by researchers to implement coordinated behaviors in groups of autonomous UAVs. Such coordinated behavior requires a reliable degree of communication between cooperating aircraft. Therefore, this research examines one such group behavior, namely formation flight, from a network standpoint. A mobility model is described that represents stressful flying conditions, and a series of simulations are run to explore the network constraints that are placed on a formation of flying autonomous UAVs. The results of these simulations are useful for UAV operators to know the limits of the formation from a wireless network standpoint. Furthermore, these simulations provide a starting point for further research into protocols that can yield improved results.
Neogene forests from the Appalachians of Tennessee, USA: Geochemical evidence from fossil mammal teeth

Abstract Neogene land-mammal localities are very rare in the northeastern U.S.; therefore, the late Miocene/early Pliocene Gray Fossil Site in eastern Tennessee can clarify paleoecological dynamics during a time of dramatic global change. In particular, the identification of ancient forests and past climate regimes will better our understanding of the environmental context of mammalian evolution during the late Cenozoic. Stable isotope analyses of bulk and serial samples of fossil tooth enamel from all ungulates present at the Gray site elucidate paleoecological reconstructions. The herbivorous megafauna include taxa of likely North American and Eurasian ancestry including: the tapir Tapirus polkensis, rhino Teleoceras cf. T. hicksi, camel cf. Megatylopus sp., peccary Tayassuidae, and proboscidean Gomphotheriidae. The tapir, rhino, camel, and peccary yield mean stable carbon isotope (δ13C) tooth enamel values of − 13.0‰, − 13.3‰, − 13.8‰, and − 13.1‰, respectively, suggesting forest-dwelling browsers. This range of δ13C values indicates the presence of a C3 dominated ancient local flora. Because δ13C values decline with increasing canopy density, the ancient temperate forests from the Gray site were moderately dense. The lack of significant C4 plant consumption (i.e., tooth enamel δ13C values
ChelomEx: Isotope-Assisted Discovery of Metal Chelates in Complex Media Using High-Resolution LC-MS

Chelating agents can control the speciation and reactivity of trace metals in biological, environmental, and laboratory-derived media. A large number of trace metals (including Fe, Cu, Zn, Hg, and others) show characteristic isotopic fingerprints that can be exploited for the discovery of known and unknown organic metal complexes and related chelating ligands in very complex sample matrices using high-resolution liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). However, there is currently no free open-source software available for this purpose. We present a novel software tool, ChelomEx, which identifies isotope pattern-matched chromatographic features associated with metal complexes along with free ligands and other related adducts in high-resolution LC-MS data. High sensitivity and exclusion of false positives are achieved by evaluation of the chromatographic coherence of the isotope pattern within chromatographic features, which we demonstrate through the analysis of bacterial culture media. A built-in ...
Urushiol Detection using a Profluorescent Nitroxide

A method to visually detect minute amounts of urushiol, the toxic catechol from poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac, has been developed utilizing the reaction of a profluorescent nitroxide with the B-n-butylcatecholboronate ester formed in situ from urushiol and B-n-butylboronic acid. The resulting N-alkoxyamine is strongly fluorescent upon illumination with a fluorescent lamp, allowing the location of the toxic urushiol contamination to be visualized. This methodology constitutes the groundwork for the future development of a spray to detect urushiol to avoid contact dermatitis, as well as to detect catecholamines for biomedical applications.
Making Sense of Printed Symbols

Reading in the Brain The Science and Evolution of a Human Invention by Stanislas Dehaene Viking, New York, 2009. 400 pp. $27.95, C$35. ISBN 9780670021109. Dehaene discusses neurological, cognitive, evolutionary, and cultural aspects of reading.
Reward Preferences of Salespeople: How do Commissions Rate?

Compensation plans, including salary, commissions, incentives, promotion, recognition, and rewards, are critical in motivating and influencing salespeople. While commissions are often considered a key component of companies’ compensation and reward structures, past studies have overlooked commissions when studying salespeople’s relative preferences for rewards. The present study extends Chonko, Tanner, and Weeks’s (1992) research by examining salespeople’s preferences for commissions versus other rewards. The findings of this study support the importance of increases in commissions as a reward for salespeople across different industries and different demographic profiles. Higher commission rates were the most preferred reward, followed by pay raises. Promotion and recognition were the least preferred rewards. Managers can utilize the results of this study as they design compensation plans within their companies.
A Comparison of Light-Dependent RNA Metabolism in Wild-Type Euglena with that of Mutants Impaired for Chloroplast Development *

The possibility that 32PO 4 3- (32Pi) labeling of both chloroplast and non-chloroplast RNAs during light-induced chloroplast development in Euglena is due, in part, to the break-down of existing RNAs and their resynthesis into labeled RNAs has been examined by comparing the RNA content of dark-grown, non-dividing cells after completion of light-induced chloroplast development with that of identical cells maintained in darkness for the same period of time. The involvement of the photo-conversion of protochlorophyll to chlorophyll and other photoreceptor systems in the labeling of RNA during chloroplast development has been considered by comparing the labeling pattern obtained with wild-type cells with the patterns obtained with mutants of Euglena which either lack detectable amounts of protochlorophyll and chlorophyll or form only rudimentary chloroplasts upon light induction. No significant difference in RNA content between dark-grown, non-dividing cells containing fully developed chloroplasts and the same cells maintained in darkness for the development period can be detected. This observation is interpreted to mean that in non-dividing cells precursors for chloroplast-associated RNAs are derived from pools and pre-existing RNAs, including non-chloroplast RNAs, and that the matebolic entrapment of 32Pi involves a light-dependent turnover and DNA-directed RNA synthesis in wild-type cells. The RNA profiles on sucrose gradients of mutants of Euglena show no remarkable deviation from the profile established for wild-type cells. The labeling patterns obtained after 24 hours of incubation in light and in darkness differ from that obtained for wild-type cells in that all mutants show less of a light-minus-dark difference than wild-type and that mutants lacking plastid-associated DNA and detectable amounts of chlorophyll incorporate considerably more 32Pi into RNA in darkness than wild-type. One such mutant shows no significant difference in its light-dark labeling pattern. These observations indicate that cells possessing normal proplastids capable of forming functional chloroplasts regulate metabolism of RNA in darkness in a different manner than with either rudimentary chloroplasts or containing no detectable plastids structures. The possible involvement of more than one photoreceptor system in metabolic control is discussed.
Graphics Design Of A Flexible Format Dot Matrix Electronic Instrument Cluster

A flexible format dot matrix electronic instrument cluster (EIC) permits display graphics redesign without hardware changes. The main objective of this design is to illustrate the flexibility of the dot matrix format by presentation of three radically different graphics themes of the same driver information. Some existing production hardware was utilized to illustrate the feasibility of the concept and to reduce the development time. A CAE Instrumentation Simulation System provides the capability for EIC graphics design, alteration, and evaluation prior to actual implementation. The system consists of a high performance graphics workstation equipped with a software paint system and an i age digitizer. Existing automotive display graphics may be loaded into the system through a scanning CCD camera where they may then be colored, positioned, or scaled for use with new designs. A dot matrix graphics software subroutine package enables fast display updates of critical information. Two key techniques developed for the dot matrix EIC application include software double buffering of the displayed images and high
Laser-assisted scattering from a one-dimensional {delta}-function potential: An exact solution

We consider the laser-assisted scattering of an electron by an attractive one-dimensional \ensuremath{\delta}-function potential, and solve analytically a coupled-channel Lippmann-Schwinger equation for the full scattering amplitude. Energy, in multiples of the laser frequency, can be absorbed or emitted by the electron during the scattering, and the corresponding superelastic and inelastic, as well as the elastic, scattering amplitudes are all determined exactly. Stimulated recombination resonances are observed in all channels, if the laser irradiance is not too high (${\mathit{I}}_{0}$\ensuremath{\le}${10}^{16}$ W/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, for a binding energy of 0.5 a.u.) The resonance widths are a direct measure of the multiphoton ionization rates from the bound level. For stronger fields the resonances broaden and disappear into the background. For ultrastrong fields (${\mathit{I}}_{0}$g${10}^{17}$ W/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$) narrow structures reemerge just below multiphoton thresholds. An analytic continuation of the scattering amplitude into the complex energy plane is performed, and the poles of the scattering amplitude are located as a function of laser frequency and irradiance. The question of stabilization for this potential is reconsidered in the light of the present information.
Neotectonic maps to be unveiled

A new series of four neotectonic maps of the entire continent of North America will be presented in a poster session to be held on Friday morning, December 12, at the 1986 AGU Fall Meeting/ASLO Winter Meeting in San Francisco, Calif. The geothermal, stress, seismicity, and geologic (also called neotectonic (sensu stricto)) maps represent the first time that these basic data have been put together on a continental scale, according to Burt Slemmons of the Center for Neotectonic Studies at the Mackay School of Mines, University of Nevada (Reno), chairman of the session. The new maps, all in at least preliminary form, are being prepared by four groups under the Decade of North American Geology (DNAG) project of the Geological Society of America, a project undertaken to mark the society's centennial decade. Having the data gathered in such a form “will provide the basis for syntheses” that may lead to new understanding of the tectonics of the continent, Slemmons said. When the maps are published, they will be accompanied by a volume that will provide interpretation and background information.
Consumer Literacy for Credence Services: Helping the Invisible Hand

The intrinsic problem of credence services is that, by definition, even after purchase and consumption experience, the consumer is unable to assess the quality of what was bought. While economic theory defines this category of offerings, it also provides advocates with a way to adequately deal with such services. Existing literature maintains that to increase consumer literacy for credence services, consumers need access to current, unbiased, credible, self-directed information. This commentary furthers the notion that government-sponsored websites and search engines can help consumers gather necessary information to make critical decisions.
Serotonin does not mediate the adrenal catecholamine-releasing effect of acute lithium administration in rats.

Abstract The activity of central serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) systems has been reported to be affected by repeated, and to a lesser extent by acute, lithium chloride (LiCl) treatment. Because (1) acute LiCl administration increases sympathoadrenal function, and in turn plasma glucose levels, and (2) stimulation of either the 5-HT 1A , the 5-HT 1C or the 5-HT 2 receptor subtype has adrenal catecholamine-releasing and hyperglycemic effects, we have investigated the influence of prior blockade of either of these receptor subtypes on plasma catecholamine and glucose responses to acute LiCl administration in conscious, catheterized rats. Acute administration of LiCl (1–8 mEq/kg IV) triggered dose-dependent increases in plasma epinephrine (Epi), norepinephrine (NE), and glucose levels throughout the 60-min analysis. In contrast, administration of NaCl (8 mEq/kg IV) did not alter plasma Epi or NE levels, nor did it affect plasma glucose levels. Prior blockade of 5-HT 1A receptor and β-adrenoceptors by means of (−)-propranolol (5 mg/kg IV), 10 min beforehand) did not affect plasma Epi and NE responses to LiCl (4 mEq/kg), but it did prevent the hyperglycemic effect of LiCl. Plasma Epi, NE and glucose responses to LiCl remained intact in rats pretreated with the 5-HT 1C /5-HT 2 receptor antagonist LY 53857 (1 mg/kg IV), 10 min beforehand). These results strongly suggest that LiCl-induced adrenal catecholamine release (and hyperglycemia) is not mediated by increased 5-HT release.
The concentration of free calcium in plasma is set by the extracellular action of noncollagenous proteins and hydroxyapatite

The late Wm. F. Neuman frequently included the following statement in his speeches: "Plasma calcium is undersaturated in respect to itself, but supersaturated in respect to bone". As a physical chemist he knew that if plasma or extracellular fluid came in direct contact with bone surfaces plasma calcium level should fall to the saturated solubility of hydroxyapatite. How could the condition given in the quote exist? He answered this question by laboratory experiments but unfortunately died before he could explain it scientifically. In the current perspective article we feel that we cannot only explain Neuman's riddle but also use the answer to describe a revised premise for extracellular control of calcium concentrations in body fluids. The answer lies in the solubility of hydroxyapatite. A simple contact of bone mineral surface with body fluids should lead to a calcium concentration in plasma too low to support life. The evolutionary process prevented this by adding one or more noncollagenous proteins at the surface of hydroxyapatite. These proteins elevated the saturated solubility of the crystal latticework sufficiently to provide a calcium concentration that would sustain life. This report explains the solubility process in as much detail as our scientific information will permit and also includes the role of parathyroid hormone in the process. We hope that serious study of our article will permit acceptance of our premise for calcium control and induce further study that should demonstrate its importance in all aspects of bone metabolism.
Component processes in reading: shared and unique variance in serial and isolated naming speed

Reading ability is comprised of several component processes. In particular, the connection between the visual and verbal systems has been demonstrated to play an important role in the reading process. The present study provides a review of the existing literature on the visual verbal connection as measured by two tasks, rapid serial naming and isolated (or discrete-trial) naming speed, as they relate to reading ability. For each identified study, a secondary data analysis was conducted using the provided correlations between serial naming, isolated naming, and reading. The same analysis was repeated for average population-level correlations among these constructs using meta-analytic weighting techniques. Results suggested that isolated naming acts as a suppressor variable in the relation of serial naming with reading, indicating that there exists at least one cognitive component of the serial naming task that is predictive of reading but is not shared with isolated naming speed. The effect has several implications for understanding the underlying cognitive components reading ability, which are discussed.
The Structure of Scientific Theory Change: Models versus Privileged Formulations*

Two views of scientific theories dominated the philosophy of science during the twentieth century, the syntactic view of the logical empiricists and the semantic view of their successors. I show that neither view is adequate to provide a proper understanding of the connections that exist between theories at different times. I outline a new approach, a hybrid of the two, that provides the right structural connection between earlier and later theories, and that takes due account of the importance of the mathematical models of a theory (the semantic component) and of the various distinct formulations that pick out these models (the syntactic component).
Adrenal GRK2 upregulation mediates sympathetic overdrive in heart failure

Cardiac overstimulation by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is a salient characteristic of heart failure, reflected by elevated circulating levels of catecholamines. The success of beta-adrenergic receptor (betaAR) antagonists in heart failure argues for SNS hyperactivity being pathogenic; however, sympatholytic agents targeting alpha2AR-mediated catecholamine inhibition have been unsuccessful. By investigating adrenal adrenergic receptor signaling in heart failure models, we found molecular mechanisms to explain the failure of sympatholytic agents and discovered a new strategy to lower SNS activity. During heart failure, there is substantial alpha2AR dysregulation in the adrenal gland, triggered by increased expression and activity of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2). Adrenal gland-specific GRK2 inhibition reversed alpha2AR dysregulation in heart failure, resulting in lowered plasma catecholamine levels, improved cardiac betaAR signaling and function, and increased sympatholytic efficacy of a alpha2AR agonist. This is the first demonstration, to our knowledge, of a molecular mechanism for SNS hyperactivity in heart failure, and our study identifies adrenal GRK2 activity as a new sympatholytic target.
Validation of Social Self-Esteem and an Experimental Index of Delinquent Behavior

30 male adolescents were administered a checklist of their delinquent behavior and the measure of social self-esteem designed by Ziller, Hagey, Smith, and Long (1969). A Pearson correlation of —.26 was found between self-esteem and scores on the delinquent behavior checklist. At a later session 18 of the subjects were assigned a puzzle-solving task which served as a measure of cheating. A significant relation between cheating scores and self-reported delinquent behavior indicated that the puzzle-solving task may be useful for measuring level of delinquency in an experimental setting.
Centrality-based ambulance dispatching for demanding emergency situations

One category of dispatching decisions in emergency medical service involves the selection of an ambulance among idle units when a call is received (call-initiated), and another involves the selection of a call among those waiting when a unit gets freed (ambulance-initiated). This research focuses on the ambulance-initiated dispatching and aims at developing a rule that can be flexibly used in various contexts characterized by the probability of transferring the patient to hospital. The idea behind this rule is to give a higher priority to the call that is more centrally located with respect to other calls. When the centrality along with the closeness is used to prioritize calls, the units would smoothly proceed towards dense regions while efficiently exploiting calls, thereby keeping the completion rate at maximum. This centrality-based dispatching rule is tested in various scenarios and demonstrates considerable reductions in both average and variation of response time.