cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clay Mineral Investigation of Sediments in the Northern Gulf of Mexico1

Clay mineral studies of recent sediments from a diversity of environments in the vicinity of Rockport, Texas, have been made as part of American Petroleum Institute Project 51.
Reply: Calcium, dairy, and prostate cancer

Sir, We agree with Dr. Heaney that it is unclear whether there is any association between intakes of dairy products and/or calcium and prostate cancer risk. We had conducted our study, investigating the possibility that higher intakes of dairy products and/or calcium may be associated with increased risk, because calcium suppresses 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D], which inhibits the proliferation of prostate cancer cells and promotes their differentiation (Koh et al, 2006). We respectfully disagree with Dr. Heaney's statement that serum 1,25(OH)2D is unrelated to prostate cancer risk. The data are presently not clear: some studies have shown strong (Corder et al, 1993) or weak inverse associations (Gann et al, 1996), while others have observed U-shaped (i.e., increased prostate cancer risk with both low and high levels of 1,25(OH)2D) (Tuohimaa et al, 2004) or null associations (Nomura et al, 1998). Additionally, two other studies have reported inverse associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] (Ahonen et al, 2000) or predicted serum 25(OH)D levels and prostate cancer risk (Giovannucci et al, 2006). Thus, it is biologically plausible – although not proven – for high intakes of dairy products and/or calcium to be related to increased prostate cancer risk. While our study and others (Severi et al, 2006) did not observe any association, other large, well-conducted studies have reported that high intakes are indeed predictive of increased prostate cancer risk (Giovannucci et al, 1998; Chan et al, 2001). Further studies are needed to clarify the association.
Acoustic Analogy and Alternative Theories for Jet Noise Prediction

Several methods for the prediction of jet noise are described. All but one of the noise prediction schemes are based on Lighthill's or Lilley's acoustic analogy, whereas the other is the jet noise generation model recently proposed by Tam and Auriault. In all of the approaches, some assumptions must be made concerning the statistical properties of the turbulent sources. In each case the characteristic scales of the turbulence are obtained from a solution of the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equation using a kappa-sigma turbulence model. It is shown that, for the same level of empiricism, Tam and Auriault's model yields better agreement with experimental noise measurements than the acoustic analogy. It is then shown that this result is not because of some fundamental flaw in the acoustic analogy approach, but instead is associated with the assumptions made in the approximation of the turbulent source statistics. If consistent assumptions are made, both the acoustic analogy and Tam and Auriault's model yield identical noise predictions. In conclusion, a proposal is presented for an acoustic analogy that provides a clearer identification of the equivalent source mechanisms, as is a discussion of noise prediction issues that remain to be resolved.
Similarity measures for image databases

Similarity between images is used for storage and retrieval in image databases. In the literature, several similarity measures have been proposed that may be broadly categorized as: (1) metric based, (2) set-theoretic based, and (3) decision-theoretic based measures. In each category, measured based on crisp logic as well as fuzzy logic are available. In some applications such as image databases, measures based on fuzzy logic would appear to be naturally better suited, although so far no comprehensive experimental study has been undertaken. In this paper, we report results of some of the experiments designed to compare various similarity measures for application to image databases. We are currently working with texture images and intend to work with face images in the near future. As a first step for comparison, the similarity matrices for each of the similarity measures are computed over a set of selected textures and are presented as visual images. Comparative analysis of these images reveals the relative characteristics of each of these measures. Further experiments are needed to study their sensitivity to small changes in images such as illumination, magnification, orientation, etc. We describe these experiments (sensitivity analysis, transition analysis, etc.) that are currently in progress. The results from these experiments offer assistance in choosing the appropriate measure for applications to image databases.
Gamma-X band mixing in GaAs/AlAs superlattice

GaAs/AlAs superlattices (SLs) were grown by MOCVD. The temperature dependence of photoluminescence was measured. The type II-transition dominated PL spectrum was achieved by controlling the layers thickness of GaAs and AlAs at low temperature. Such SLs with long carrier lifetime is very attractive for low crosstalk semiconductor optical amplifier applications.
Inconsistent M-estimators: nonlinear regression with multiplicative error

Abstract Conditions are given which ensure the nonexistence of a sequence of strongly consistent M-estimators in a general parameter estimation problem. An example is given of a nonlinear regression model used in software engineering and having the property that every sequence of least squares estimators fails to be strongly consistent.
Motion of multiple junctions: a level set approach

Abstract A coupled level set method for the motion of multiple junctions is proposed. The new method extends the "Hamilton-Jacobi" level set formulation of Osher and Sethian. It retains the feature of tracking fronts by following level sets and allows the specification of arbitrary velocities on each front. The diffusion equation is shown to generate curvature dependent motion and this is used to develop an algorithm to move multiple junctions with curvature-dependent speed. Systems of reaction diffusion equations are shown to possess inherent properties which prohibit efficient numerical solutions when applied to curvature-dependent motion.
Fault traces Australian quakes

Surface rupture caused by earthquakes is extremely rare in stable continental environments such as the Northern Territory of Australia. However, the Tennant Creek earthquakes of January 22, 1988, rank among the largest known onshore Australian earthquakes, whose surface damage can be seen by these photographs and the cover photograph. The top picture shows the main surface scarp of the Tennant Creek earthquakes. The view is east, and the throw of nearly 1 m (ruler in center of photograph is 30 cm) is south-over-north. Elsewhere on the rupture the scarp took on a more ridgelike morphology, often accompanied by extensive Assuring.
Silicon diode detectors used in radiological physics measurements. Part II. Measurement of dosimetry data for high-energy photons

Initial calibration of a linear accelerator requires physics instruments to measure accurately central axis depth‐dose and off‐axis data, both in and out of the beam. These data for an 8‐MeV unit were first measured using film, a Farmer 0.6‐cm3ion chamber, a 0.3‐cm3ion chamber, and a 0.1‐cm3silicon diode. Both small probes and film gave a high response compared to the Farmer probe, which has a uniform energy response. Measurements with the diode interfaced to an X–Y recorder required only a fraction of the time required with the chambers, minimizing error due to change in machine output, and permitted resolution of isodose lines in the penumbra. However, corrections required at points in depth due to nonuniform energy response of the unshielded diode were laborious. Construction of a partially shielded diode which duplicates the response of the Farmer probe eliminated the necessity for corrections, permitting rapid accumulation of a wide range of depth‐dose and off‐axis data.
Impact of surgeon and hospital ovarian cancer surgical case volume on in-hospital mortality and related short-term outcomes

Abstract Objective To evaluate the impact of surgeon and hospital case volume, and other related variables, on short-term outcomes after surgery for ovarian cancer. Methods The Maryland Health Service Cost Review Commission database was accessed for ovarian cancer surgical cases including both oophorectomy and any staging/cytoreductive surgical procedure from 2001 to 2008. Multivariate logistic regression analyses and multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate for significant associations between surgeon and hospital case volume, as well as other independent variables, and the risk of in-hospital death, extent of surgery, length of hospital stay, and hospital-related cost of care. Results Overall, 1894 primary ovarian cancer operations were performed by 352 surgeons at 43 hospitals. After controlling for the effects of all variables, the only independently significant factors associated with the risk of in-hospital death were surgery by a high-volume surgeon and an APR-DRG mortality risk score of 4. Ovarian cancer surgery performed by a high-volume surgeon was associated with a 69% reduction in the risk of in-hospital death. Surgery at a high-volume hospital was an independent positive predictor of a cytoreductive procedure. A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between surgery at a high-volume hospital and both length of hospital stay and hospital-related cost. Conclusions After controlling for other factors, ovarian cancer surgery performed by a high-volume surgeon is associated with a 69% reduction in the risk of in-hospital death, while high-volume hospital care is associated with increased likelihood of cytoreduction, shorter length of stay, and lower hospital-related cost of care.
Sun/dust correlations and volcanic interference

[1] We examine the relationship between the GISP2 dust profile, a proxy for the Northern Hemisphere atmospheric dust load, and the Wolf sunspot number, a proxy for solar activity. The two records are positively correlated, but the phase of the relationship is disturbed by the effects of explosive volcanism. Similar correlation failures have already been noted for many other climatic indicators. Our work suggests that a large fraction of the correlation failures may be attributed to explosive volcanic activity.
Production and purification of recombinant DP1B silk-like protein in plants

Spider dragline silk of Nephila clavipes consists of two highly repetitive proteins, spidroin 1 and spidroin 2. To develop a plant platform for production of recombinant silk-like protein, two plant-optimized DP1B genes were synthesized to mimic spidroin 1. DP1B-8P encodes for a 64 kD DP1B silk-like protein and DP1B-16P for a 127 kD DP1B silk-like protein. Both genes have been introduced into Arabidopsis for leaf-based production driven by the 35S promoter and for seed-specific production driven by the β-conglycinin α’ subunit promoter, respectively. They have also been expressed in somatic soybean embryos under the control of the β-conglycinin α’ subunit promoter. The results demonstrate the synthesis and accumulation of DP1B silk-like protein in leaves and seeds of Arabidopsis, as well as in somatic soybean embryos. They suggest that seeds are the more preferred tissue for DP1B production since they offer higher production yield and quality. In addition, a simplified protocol for purifying DP1B from plant tissue is discussed.
Properties of BiSrCaCuO films prepared by rf triode sputtering

Abstract Films of BiSrCaCuO have been deposited on MgO, ZrO 2 , Si, SiO 2 , and sapphire by rf triode sputtering from a single target made by hot-pressing an unreacted powder mixture of Bi 2 O 3 , SrCO 3 , CaO, and CuO. After a two-step post-growth anneal, films of Bi 4 Sr 3 Ca 3 Cu 4 O 16 on (100) MgO are highly oriented with the c-axis perpendicular to the substrate. These films attain zero resistance at 83K and have critical current densities of 2×10 5 A/cm 2 at 65K.
A Knitting Expedition: Immigration to Europe

The Logics and Politics of Post-WWII Migration to Western Europe. By Anthony M. Messina Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007. 304 pp., $80.00 cloth (ISBN-13: 978-0521821346). Because migration studies are not the exclusive domain of any single academic discipline, the field is marked by fragmentation. At the most basic level, it encompasses the factors influencing individuals to immigrate or emigrate (Kritz, Leam Lim, and Zlotnik 1992; Massey, Arango, Hugo, Kouaouci, Pellegrino, and Edward Taylor 2005), the communities and identities established by immigrants (Ireland 1994), their reception by native-born communities (Soysal 1994; Schain, Zolberg, and Hossay 2002), and states’ policies to regulate migratory flows (Cornelius, Tsuda, Martin, and Hollifield 2004) and to integrate recent migrants (Brubaker 1992; Bloemraad 2005). Within each of these broad categorizations are studies specific to locality, state, or region (Portes and Rumbaut 1996; Jones-Correa 1998) and to particular immigrant groups (Levitt 2000; Ostergaard-Nielsen 2000). With relatively few attempts thus far to integrate the findings of these various themes, regions, and issue areas (see Brettell and Hollifield 2000; Castles and Miller 2003), most scholars have been reluctant to assert broad generalizability to their findings. Anthony Messina's most recent book does an admirable job of sorting through this diverse and far-flung literature, adding a few well-chosen case studies, and stitching many disparate pieces into a coherent whole. Messina's book focuses exclusively on the postwar European experience, a defensible bracketing of the topic area, as it is the portion of the migration literature that best lends itself to aggregation. He sets out to address two …
The relationship between mechanical properties and ballistic penetration depth in a viscoelastic gel

The fundamental material response of a viscoelastic material when impacted by a ballistic projectile has important implication for the defense, law enforcement, and medical communities particularly for the evaluation of protective systems. In this paper, we systematically vary the modulus and toughness of a synthetic polymer gel to determine their respective influence on the velocity-dependent penetration of a spherical projectile. The polymer gels were characterized using tensile, compression, and rheological testing taking special care to address the unique challenges associated with obtaining high fidelity mechanical data on highly conformal materials. The depth of penetration data was accurately described using the elastic Froude number for viscoelastic gels ranging in Young's modulus from ~60 to 630 kPa. The minimum velocity of penetration was determined to scale with the gel toughness divided by the gel modulus, a qualitative estimate for the zone of deformation size scale upon impact. We anticipate that this work will provide insight into the critical material factors that control ballistic penetration behavior in soft materials and aid in the design and development of new ballistic testing media.
Tunneling spectroscopy of the (110) surface of direct-gap III-V semiconductors.

Results of tunneling spectroscopy measurements of the (110) cleaved surface of GaAs, InP, GaSb, InAs, and InSb are presented. These materials form the family of direct-gap III-V binary semiconductors. Spectroscopic measurements are performed in ultrahigh vacuum, using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). Techniques based on variable tip-sample separation are used to obtain high dynamic range (six orders of magnitude) in the measured current and conductance. Detailed spectra are obtained for all the materials, revealing the conduction- and valence-band edges, onset of the higher lying conduction band at the L point in the Brillouin zone, and various features associated with surface states. The precision and accuracy in determining energetic locations of spectral features are discussed. In particular, limitations in the accuracy due to tip-induced band bending is considered.
Application and limitation of axiomatic design complexity in quality engineering

Purpose – Complexity is an important element in axiomatic design theory. The current method for calculating complexity for a system following normal distribution is unbounded and approximate. The purpose of this paper is to present a detailed bounded solution for complexity using design and system ranges on a single function requirement. Design/methodology/approach – This paper discusses the complexity measure for a system following a uniform distribution. The complexities of two types of systems, a system performing with a uniform distribution and a system performing on target according to a normal distribution are then considered and compared. The research proposes a complexity measure for a system performing within specification limits with a uniform distribution. In addition, a new concept of relative complexity is proposed. Findings – A bounded solution for complexity for a normal distribution based on the existing assumptions was given which includes bias in addition to variance. The bounded solution was then compared to the existing approximate solution from the variance as well as bias standpoint. It was found that bias has an inappropriately reverse relationship with the bounded solution of complexity. Therefore, complexity cannot be used to approximate the system improvement when the improvement is based on a reduction in bias. Originality/value – The current method for calculating complexity for a system following normal distribution is unbounded and approximate. This paper proposed a complexity measure for a system performing within specification limits with a uniform distribution.
Assessing the Effect of Family-Centered Out-of-Home Care on Reunification Outcomes:

Objective: To assess the effect of Missouri’s Family-Centered Out-of-Home Care model on reunification, placement recidivism, and time in out-of-home care. Method: This study used a nonequivalent control group design. The sample included 374 families whose children were in foster care from 1994 to 1996 in the 11 pilot and 6 comparison counties. Results: Evaluative findings were mixed. Pilot county children spent somewhat fewer days in out-of-home care, whereas comparison counties reunified more children and experienced less placement recidivism. However, FCOHC was more successful with children who remained in care longer than 7 days. Conclusions: In spite of its rather limited results, the model shows promise of providing services that will decrease time in out-of-home care.
Anchored homogeneous catalysts: high turnover number applications

Abstract We have recently described a novel catalyst system comprised of a homogeneous complex anchored to a solid support using a heteropoly acid as the anchoring agent. This type of arrangement is particularly effective for anchoring enantioselective homogeneous catalysts since the catalytic species is attached to the support through the metal atom of the complex so no modification of the chiral ligand is needed. In the interest of obtaining as much information as possible in a reasonable time, almost all of the previously reported work involved reactions with substrate:catalyst ratios near 100 recognizing, though, that reactions with such low S:C ratios are not indicative of commercially important processes. We report here a number of dimethyl itaconate hydrogenations over the anchored complexes, Rh(DuPhos), Rh(Skewphos) and Rh(BoPhoz), which have been run as multiple batch processes using the same catalyst. The turnover numbers (TONs) in these reactions ranged from 1000 to 150 000. Analyses of many of these reaction mixtures showed that the amount of Rh was present at less than 1 ppm levels, frequently much less.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Open Reading Frame (ORF) 3b, ORF 6, and Nucleocapsid Proteins Function as Interferon Antagonists

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is highly pathogenic in humans, with a death rate near 10%. This high pathogenicity suggests that SARS-CoV has developed mechanisms to overcome the host innate immune response. It has now been determined that SARS-CoV open reading frame (ORF) 3b, ORF 6, and N proteins antagonize interferon, a key component of the innate immune response. All three proteins inhibit the expression of beta interferon (IFN-beta), and further examination revealed that these SARS-CoV proteins inhibit a key protein necessary for the expression of IFN-beta, IRF-3. N protein dramatically inhibited expression from an NF-kappaB-responsive promoter. All three proteins were able to inhibit expression from an interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE) promoter after infection with Sendai virus, while only ORF 3b and ORF 6 proteins were able to inhibit expression from the ISRE promoter after treatment with interferon. This indicates that N protein inhibits only the synthesis of interferon, while ORF 3b and ORF 6 proteins inhibit both interferon synthesis and signaling. ORF 6 protein, but not ORF 3b or N protein, inhibited nuclear translocation but not phosphorylation of STAT1. Thus, it appears that these three interferon antagonists of SARS-CoV inhibit the interferon response by different mechanisms.
The changed nature of scut: an absence at the bedside.

The starting of IVs, the drawing of blood cultures, the examination of clinical specimens, and the transporting of patients are no longer done by the housestaff. Then, seemingly so long ago, we tho...
CT colonography: Advanced computer-aided detection scheme utilizing MTANNs for detection of “missed” polyps in a multicenter clinical trial

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop an advanced computer-aided detection CAD scheme utilizing massive-training artificial neural networks MTANNs to allow detection of “difficult” polyps in CT colonography CTC and to evaluate its performance on false-negative FN CTC cases that radiologists “missed” in a multicenter clinical trial. Methods: The authors developed an advanced CAD scheme consisting of an initial polyp-detection scheme for identification of polyp candidates and a mixture of expert MTANNs for substantial reduction in false positives FPs while maintaining sensitivity. The initial polyp-detection scheme consisted of 1 colon segmentation based on anatomy-based extraction and colon-based analysis and 2 detection of polyp candidates based on a morphologic analysis on the segmented colon. The mixture of expert MTANNs consisted of 1 supervised enhancement of polyps and suppression of various types of nonpolyps, 2 a scoring scheme for converting output voxels into a score for each polyp candidate, and 3 combining scores from multiple MTANNs by the use of a mixing artificial neural network. For testing the advanced CAD scheme, they created a database containing 24 FN cases with 23 polyps range of 6‐15 mm; average of 8 mm and a mass 35 mm, which were “missed” by radiologists in CTC in the original trial in which 15 institutions participated. Results: The initial polyp-detection scheme detected 63% 15/24 of the missed polyps with 21.0 505/24 FPs per patient. The MTANNs removed 76% of the FPs with loss of one true positive; thus, the performance of the advanced CAD scheme was improved to a sensitivity of 58% 14/24 with 8.6 207/24 FPs per patient, whereas a conventional CAD scheme yielded a sensitivity of 25% at the same FP rate the difference was statistically significant. Conclusions: With the advanced MTANN CAD scheme, 58% of the polyps missed by radiologists in the original trial were detected and with a reasonable number of FPs. The results suggest that the use of an advanced MTANN CAD scheme may potentially enhance the detection of “difficult” polyps. © 2010 American Association of Physicists in Medicine. DOI: 10.1118/1.3263615
Isolation of islets from neonatal pig pancreatic tissue

Pancreatic islet transplantation shows promise as a future method for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. However, as with reports of whole organ transplants in man, there are likely to be too few human donor organs. One potential approach to try and circumvent this problem is to seek alternative sources of pancreatic tissue. We have studied and developed a technique for isolating functional islets from one-day-old piglets with this in mind. Twelve pancreata, mean weight 1.27±0.36 g, were retrieved aseptically. The islets were isolated using a collagenase digestion procedure. An average of 116,000±45,000 islets/g tissue were isolated from each pancreas. After 24–48 h of culturing, a membrane-boundary was formed around the islets. Dithizone (DTZ) staining revealed greater than 50% of the presumed islets contained at least 5–6 red stained cells (i.e. insulin-containing cells). The insulin content of islet-like structures containing 50%, 10%, and 0% of DTZ stained cells was measured and revealed 32.1, 10.8 and 2.9 µIU, respectively, of immuno-reactive-insulin. In static-perfusion assays, a biphasic insulin secretion was observed in response to increased glucose stimuli. Preliminary studies showed that these islets were able to reverse the hyperglycemic condition of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The present study indicates that one-day-old piglet islets can be utilized as the source of functioning islet cells. Isolation of these cells is reproducible and there appears to be no advantage technically and economically in using fetal pig pancreatic tissue rather than tissue from neonatal piglets for the purpose of obtaining pancreatic islets.
Enhancing the Impact of Parent Training Through Narrative Restructuring

ABSTRACT New analyses of archival data from a parent training study are presented for ten troubled mother-child dyads. All the mothers participated in verbal discourse sessions with their clinicians during the same weeks in which they participated in clinic-based parent training. The discourse was guided by clinicians to focus mothers on their narratives of parenting problems; five mothers were prompted to restructure their stories in order to improve story coherence, while the other five were simply prompted to continue their stories. All stories were rated for clarity and credibility and mother-child interactions were measured in the dyads' home settings. Results show that the restructuring process led these mothers to tell more credible stories than did the control group mothers. Home observations also showed that the former group followed the parent training protocol, while the latter group did not. In addition, correlations between mothers' narrative credibility scores and home indices of mother-chil...
[2-Methylazeteochlorinato]Ni(II): a pyrrole ring-contracted chlorin analogue

Abstract The formal replacement of one of the pyrrole rings in [meso-tetraphenylporphyrinato]Ni(II) (5Ni) by an azete moiety is reported. Thus, reaction of known chlorophin monoaldehyde 7Ni (made in three steps from 5Ni) with methyl-Grignard, followed by an acid-catalyzed ring-closure reaction, generates the title compound [meso-tetraphenyl-2-methylazeteochlorinato]Ni(II) (10Ni) in a rational and scalable process in good yields. The UV–vis spectroscopic properties of this chromophore are, as expected for this chlorin analogue, red-shifted when compared to the corresponding [porphyrinato]Ni(II) (5Ni) complex. A much improved synthesis of the starting material 7Ni by Vilsmeier–Haack formylation of [meso-tetraphenylchlorophinato]Ni(II) (8Ni) is also reported.
Complications of Incisional Hernia Repair

Complications after open or laparoscopic approaches to ventral or incisional hernia repair with mesh span a wide range of severity. Intraoperative injuries to the bowel are rare but may necessitate a change in the operative plan. Postoperative complications are comprised of those common to all general surgery, for example, thromboembolism and superficial surgical site infection, and are typically managed no differently. Unique to recovery from hernia surgery however can be increased pain after mesh placement, seroma related to large dissection planes, infections of the mesh, as well as pulmonary insufficiency due to changes or loss in abdominal domain. Laparoscopic approaches to ventral or incisional hernia have dramatically affected the morbidity of surgery but may introduce complications unique to that approach. More serious long-term complications include chronic pain, chronic mesh infections, as well as the rare, but highly morbid, enterocutaneous fistula involving mesh. Complications such as these, likely require revisional surgery for resolution. Finally, hernia recurrence remains a low, but reliable risk, and although newer techniques continue to evolve and promise better results, the perfect approach to hernia surgery has yet to be defined. Time and experience will continue to shape our attempts at better hernia surgery.
The effect of pressure on the dissociation constant of hydrofluoric acid and the association constant of the NaF ion pair at 25°C

The effect of pressure on the dissociation constant of hydrofluoric acid was determined by using the indicator technique at 25°C at an ionic strength of 0.1m over a pressure range of 1 to 2000 atm. A value of 3.14 for pK a * at I =0 was obtained by extrapolation to zero ionic strength at 1 atm. The pressure dependence yielded a partial molar volume change of −9.6 cm3-mol−1 and a compressibility change of — 35×10−3 cm3-mol−1 −atm−1 for the dissociation. The dependence of ionic strength on the association constant K A * of NaF was studied at 25°C and 1 atm. Extrapolation to I=0 yielded a pK A * of −0.78. The pressure dependence of K A * gave a change of volume of 3.26 cm3-mol−1 and a change in compressibility of 6×10−3 cm3-mol−1-atm−1 for the formation of the ion pair.
Prevalence and development of storage fungi in peanut Arachis hypogaea seed.

A batch of peanutArachis hypogaea seed were divided into 4 2-kilogram portions and stored 6 months at 22–28° C. One portion was stored with the moisture content slowly increasing from 4 to 28 %; the other portions were maintained at approximately 4.5, 8.9 and 11.5 %. After 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 months storage, 100 seed of each treatment were cultured on malt-10 % NaCl agar and the fungi isolated identified. The storage fungi present after intervals of storage were compared with those initially present. In seed stored at 4.4 % moisture,Aspergillus species remained about the same andPenicillium decreased. At 8.9 % moistureA. flavus, A. repens andPenicillium were reduced, andA. amstelodami andA. ruber increased. At 11.5 % moisture, 100% of the seed yieldedA. ruber after 4 months storage and the other storage fungi decreased to 0–2 %. The moisture content of seed stored at 99 % R. H. increased slowly to 28 % and resulted in monthly changes in the dominant fungi. Under such a circumstance with competition between these storage fungi,A. ruber grew best at 12–15 %,A. repens at 18.5 %,A. flavus andPenicillium at 20 %, andA. amstelodami between 20–28 %.Fusarium increased very rapidly as moisture content increased above 18 %.
Laminar mixed convection flow and heat transfer characteristics in a lid driven cavity with a circular cylinder

Abstract Mixed convection flow and heat transfer characteristics in a lid-driven cavity with a circular body inside are studied numerically using a finite element formulation based on the Galerkin method of weighted residuals. Comparisons of streamlines, isotherms and average Nusselt number are presented to show the impact of the Richardson number, non-dimensional radius of the cylinder, and the location of the cylinder on the transport phenomena within the cavity. The results of this investigation show that the presence of the cylinder results in an increase in the average Nusselt number compared with a case with no cylinder. This result is observed for both, an adiabatic and isothermal, boundary condition imposed on the cylinder. The average Nusselt number increases with an increase in the Richardson number for all non-dimensional radius of the cylinder studied in this work. Moreover, the optimal heat transfer results are obtained when placing the cylinder near the bottom wall for various Richardson numbers. For dominant natural convection ( Ri ⩾ 2.5), the average Nusselt number increases with an increase in the non-dimensional radius for 0.05 r o / H Ri . For dominant mixed convection, the average Nusselt number increases with an increase in the radius of the cylinder for various Richardson numbers.
The Infrared Dispersion of Carbon Dioxide

The term in the dispersion equation of carbon dioxide corresponding to the bending vibration ($\ensuremath{\lambda}=14.91$\ensuremath{\mu}) has been calculated from the assumption that this dispersion is due to interaction of the electric vector of the light wave and permanent dipole moments associated with the carbon-oxygen valence bonds. The calculation indicates a magnitude of 1.17\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}$ e.s.u. for these dipoles, which is shown to be in agreement with the value to be expected from the measured moment of acetone.
Risks of blood transfusion: Challenges for the 21st century

INCE the discovery of the ABO blood group system in 1901, numerous scientific advances have transformed blood transfusion from an often fatal procedure to one that is safe, effective, and an essential part of medical and surgical therapy. Even the disaster of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic ultimately has had a positive effect on blood safety. Various approaches are now used to further reduce risk to patients, including improved infectious disease testing, autologous donation, perioperative blood-saving techniques, hematopoietic growth factors, and, most importantly, well-researched blood usage guidelines. 1 However, there are still risks associated with transfusion. Anesthesiologists, who administer approximately half of all blood products in North American hospitals, must address these risks and concerns frequently in patient care. 2 Patients remain very anxious about infectious disease risks. To put this in perspective, the patient's risks from transfusion are negligible in comparison to the risk of death from a complication of the underlying disease. However, as the physician obtains informed consent, the risks of both transfusing and of withholding transfusion need to be discussed. ~ The physician performing the transfusion is also responsible for recognizing transfusion complications when they occur. This can be a challenge in the anesthetized or critically ill patient, in whom the usual signs and symptoms may be absent or obscured. Most adverse reactions are of little clinical consequence; others, however, are life-threatening, requiring prompt diagnosis and intervention. To facilitate prompt diagnosis and treatment, we discuss immediate, delayed, and infectious risks of transfusions.
Electrodeposition of platinum-iridium alloy nanowires for hermetic packaging of microelectronics

An electrodeposition technique was applied for fabrication of dense platinum-iridium alloy nanowires as interconnect structures in hermetic microelectronic packaging to be used in implantable devices. Vertically aligned arrays of platinum-iridium alloy nanowires with controllable length and a diameter of about 200 nm were fabricated using a cyclic potential technique from a novel electrodeposition bath in nanoporous aluminum oxide templates. Ti/Au thin films were sputter deposited on one side of the alumina membranes to form a base material for electrodeposition. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) were used to characterize the morphology and the chemical composition of the nanowires, respectively. SEM micrographs revealed that the electrodeposited nanowires have dense and compact structures. EDS analysis showed a 60∶40% platinum-iridium nanowire composition. Deposition rates were estimated by determining nanowire length as a function of deposition time. High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) images revealed that the nanowires have a nanocrystalline structure with grain sizes ranging from 3 nm to 5 nm. Helium leak tests performed using a helium leak detector showed leak rates as low as 1 × 10−11 mbar L s−1 indicating that dense nanowires were electrodeposited inside the nanoporous membranes. Comparison of electrical measurements on platinum and platinum-iridium nanowires revealed that platinum-iridium nanowires have improved electrical conductivity.
A case history in the transformation of rural Europe: Fuenterrabía

Davydd J. Greenwood. Unrewarding Wealth: The Commercialization and Collapse of Agriculture in a Spanish Basque Town. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976. x + 223 pp. Tables, figures, epilogue, notes, references, appendix, and index. $16.95.
Hepatic and renal tolerability of long-term naproxen treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract Clinical and laboratory assessments of hepatic and renal function in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who received naproxen for up to 6 months during two randomized, double-blind studies comparing naproxen 375 mg twice daily (n = 286) with naproxen 750 mg twice daily (n = 300) were analyzed. Patient groups were segregated by dosage, duration of treatment, and age at entry ( v ≥ 65 years), and laboratory measurements of SGOT, SGPT, serum creatinine (S cr ), and BUN were examined. Records of individual patients with clinically meaningful abnormalities in laboratory tests or adverse events of hepatic or renal origin were examined in detail. Over the duration of these studies, there were no clinically meaningful changes in mean laboratory values or differences in occurrences of abnormal values among the different patient groups. In both dosage groups, pretreatment incidences of clinically meaningful abnormalities in laboratory tests were similar to those in serial observations during treatment. Six patients who received naproxen 375 mg twice daily and four patients who received naproxen 750 mg twice daily had a hepatic or renal clinical event or distinctly abnormal laboratory value, but only three of these withdrew because of these problems. Occasional transient abnormalities of conventional laboratory tests of hepatic and renal function occurred in some patients during naproxen treatment. Such abnormalities called for careful patient monitoring but generally did not warrant immediate drug withdrawal.
Freeze-fracture quantitative comparison of rabbit corneal epithelial and endothelial membranes

The Intramembrane structure of epithelial apical, lateral and basal membranes was compared with that of the endothelium in normal rabbit corneas. The cytoplasmic membrane leaflet (P-face) of apical epithelial membrane displays randomly scattered Intramembrane particles over the apical microvilli. Apical endothelial P-face membranes, by comparison, are covered by densely-packed particles. The lateral membranes of superficial epithelial cells display delicate tight junctions, punctate particle aggregates characteristic of desmosomes, and small gap junctions. Background Intramembrane particles are randomly distributed and not densely packed. Large gap Junctions and fewer desmosomes are present on deeper epithelial cells, Including basal cells. By comparison, the endothelial lateral membranes display densely-packed, background particles and numerous triangular-shaped, gap Junctional particle aggregates bordered by strands of particles resembling tight Junctions. At the apical border, long anastomosing tight j...
Grounded Practice: Exploring Criticalities in a Job Reeducation Setting:

It can be difficult to think of teaching critically as a social responsibility within settings that do not appear closely related to larger social values, practices, and problems. The author uses an interpretive ethnographic method to study criticality in the classroom within a job reeducation program designed to prepare laid-off factory workers for employment in clerical positions. The theoretical framework introduces the idea of multiple criticalities in contexts examined at the intersection of biography and culture—that is, working with the individual and social simultaneously and seeing them in relationship. The author examines ways criticalities were fostered, forms they took, and pedagogies that reflected classroom practices. Finally, some of the problems and contradictions of teaching for criticality in this context are examined.
Two-stage robotic crystal mounting of protein crystals for X-ray data collection

We present a new microrobotic system for a crystallographic task called protein crystal mounting, which is the transfer of a crystal from its growth solution onto a tool designed to hold it for X-ray data collection. The system operates autonomously using feedback from a camera looking at the workspace through a microscope. Visual tracking is employed to monitor the location of the selected crystal and control a range of actuators for successful extraction. The task is performed in two stages: First, the crystal is taken from its drop into a pipette and is transported into a cryoprotecting liquid. Second, while in the cryoprotector, it is transferred from the pipette onto a tool to be used for data collection. Key features of this approach are the increased robustness of the system and the avoidance of the damaging effect of direct exposure of the crystal to room conditions. This work is part of a larger effort we have directed at the automation of the high-throughput crystallographic pipeline.
Shallow seismic surveys and ice thickness estimates of the Mullins Valley debris-covered glacier, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

Several debris-covered glaciers occupy tributaries of upper Beacon Valley, Antarctica. Understanding their flow dynamics and ice thickness is important for palaeoclimate studies and for understanding the origins of ancient ice elsewhere in the McMurdo Dry Valleys region. We present the results of several shallow seismic surveys in Mullins Valley, where the largest of these debris-covered glaciers is located. Our results suggest that beneath a thin sublimation till and near-surface horizon of dirty glacier ice, lies relatively pure glacier ice (P-wave velocity ~3700–3800 m s-1), with total thickness estimates of ~90–95 m towards the valley head, and ~40–65 m near the entrance to Beacon Valley, ~2.5 km downglacier. P-wave velocities decrease downvalley, suggesting that the material properties of the ice change with increasing distance from the ice-accumulation zone. These new data are used to calibrate an ice thickness profile for the active portion of the Mullins Valley debris-covered glacier (upper ~3.5 km) and to shed light on the origin and spatial distribution of enclosed debris.
Differences in nuclear pore density among human choroidal melanoma cell types.

Two cases of mixed cell type choroidal melanoma were examined by means of conventional and freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Data on average nuclear pore density were readily collected from freeze-fracture replicas of spindle A, spindle B, and epithelioid cells. Highly significant (p < 0.001) differences in pore densities were found among the three cell types. Pore density was lowest in spindle A cells, intermediate in spindle B cells, and highest in epithelioid cells. The possible relationship between nuclear pore density and nucleolar activity as well as the potential usefulness of this new finding as a prognostic indicator in cases of choroidal melanoma are discussed.
Why Polyhedra Matter in Non-Linear Equation Solving

We give an elementary introduction to some recent polyhedral techniques for understanding and solving systems of multivariate polynomial equations. We provide numerous concrete examples and illustrations, and assume no background in algebraic geometry or convex geometry. Highlights include the following: (1) A completely self-contained proof of an extension of Bernstein's Theo- rem. Our extension relates volumes of polytopes with the number of connected components of the complex zero set of a polynomial system, and allows any number of polynomials and/or variables. (2) A near optimal complexity bound for computing mixed area — a quan- tity intimately related to counting complex roots in the plane
The Putin Factor: Personalism, Protest, and Regime Stability in Russia

Vladimir Putin remains central to regime stability in the Russian Federation. However, the role that Mr. Putin's personalist appeal—rooted in both charismatic and noncharismatic linkages—plays in maintaining regime support is undertheorized. I argue that personalism is a powerful political resource in electoral authoritarian regimes because it provides a positive logic for skeptical voters to support the leader. Personalist linkages obscure the role that electoral bias plays in shaping electoral outcomes, diminishing the impulse for mass postelection protest. When the effectiveness of personalism declines, discontented citizens are more likely to protest biased elections. This article shows that Mr. Putin's appeal as a sound steward of the economy declined by 2012 but that other sources of issue satisfaction continued to shape some respondents' trust in the president.
Auxin Biosynthesis and Its Role in Plant Development

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), the main auxin in higher plants, has profound effects on plant growth and development. Both plants and some plant pathogens can produce IAA to modulate plant growth. Although the genes and biochemical reactions for auxin biosynthesis in some plant pathogens are well understood, elucidation of the mechanisms by which plants produce auxin has proven to be difficult. So far, no single complete pathway of de novo auxin biosynthesis in plants has been firmly established. However, recent studies have led to the discoveries of several genes in tryptophan-dependent auxin biosynthesis pathways. Recent findings have also determined that local auxin biosynthesis plays essential roles in many developmental processes including gametogenesis, embryogenesis, seedling growth, vascular patterning, and flower development. In this review, I summarize the recent advances in dissecting auxin biosynthetic pathways and how the understanding of auxin biosynthesis provides a crucial angle for analyzing the mechanisms of plant development.
The Normal Emittance of Circular Cylindrical Cavities

Analytical results, applicable both monochromatically and totally, are obtained for the normal emittance of diffusely emitting and reflecting cylindrical cavities. The analysis takes account of the size and location of the receiver which senses the radiant energy streaming from the cavity opening as well as of the cavity geometrical and surface emittance parameters. It is found that the distance of the receiver from the cavity can have an important effect on the normal emittance results, but that the size of the receiver is of secondary importance. The normal emittance exceeds the hemispherical emittance for cavities having a depth-to-radius ratio greater than unity.
Performance enhancement of iterative learning control system using disturbance observer

Iterative learning control (ILC) has been widely used in industrial applications. However, there are two critical assumptions that limit the use of ILC: a) no non-repetitive disturbance is present; and b) the trajectory needs to be the same every iteration. This paper proposes a control scheme based on the combination of ILC and disturbance observer (DOB) to relax these assumptions. First, the use of DOB attenuates the effects of non-repetitive disturbance on ILC systems. Second, the proposed control scheme can decouple tracking error into two parts: tracking error due to disturbances and tracking error due to a trajectory. The decoupled tracking error then is utilized to properly initialize the ILC for a new trajectory so as to speed up the convergence rate. Simulation results and experimental results of a prototype wafer scanner system demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Computational structure of generative phonology and its relation to language comprehension.

We analyze the computational complexity of phonological models as they have developed over the past twenty years. The major results are that generation and recognition are undecidable for segmental models, and that recognition is NP-hard for that portion of segmental phonology subsumed by modern autosegmental models. Formal restrictions are evaluated.