cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sediment resuspension in the Lake Erie nearshore

Abstract A decline in water quality in Lake Erie during the last decade, despite increased efforts to limit nutrient loading, may be better understood by examining internal processes in the lake. We employed 7 Be, 210 Pb and 137 Cs measurements of suspended matter in tributaries, in the lake water column, in atmospheric precipitation, in sediment traps and in bottom sediments collected in June and August/September 2011 to estimate the fraction of the suspended matter that is resuspended from the bottom. Mass balances on 7 Be and 210 Pb using sediment trap material indicated that at the nearshore site ~ 83–94% of suspended matter in the water column was resuspended bottom sediment, while, offshore, resuspended sediment made up only ~ 62–75%. A mass balance using the 7 Be/ 210 Pb ratio for each sediment source indicated that resuspension of bottom sediment accounted for 52–97% of the suspended material in the nearshore and from 53 to 86% of the suspended matter in the offshore and was greater after the fall overturn. The amount of nutrients delivered to the water column by resuspension indicates that the resuspension loading of particle-bound P to the lake is about the same as the tributary loading, although the resuspended P is likely to be significantly less bioavailable.
Acute morphine dependence: effects observed in shock and light discrimination tasks.

Alterations in shock discrimination accuracy in the rat, indicative of hyperalgesia, have been noted 1–3 days following a single injection of morphine. To establish the extent to which these “withdrawal-like” effects were specific to the shock discrimination paradigm, rats were trained in two separate discrimination tasks. The discriminative stimuli (SD's) for correct lever presses were mild electric shocks of different intensities in one task and were short duration lights over the levers in the other. After achieving comparable accuracy levels in the two tasks, the animals were injected SC with 30 mg/kg morphine sulfate and performance levels assessed 1, 2, 3, and 7 days later. Shock discrimination accuracy was significantly enhanced on post-morphine day 2, while accuracy in the light position task was not significantly affected on any of the post-morphine test days. The results indicated that increased pain sensitivity, as well as other signs of dependence, can occur following acute exposure to morphine.
Decomposition Pathways of Some 3,6-Substituted s-Tetrazines

The thermal and electron-impact (EI) stabilities of eight 3,6-disubstituted-1,2,4,5-tetrazines were examined. Major EI peaks were also investigated by tandem mass techniques to construct fragmentation pathways. Tetrazine ring structures were not maintained under electron impact ionization nor under conditions of thermal decomposition. Under electron impact, the tetrazines examined shared the same initial fragmentation pathways: elimination of two of the nitrogen atoms as N2 from the tetrazine ring and cleavage of the remaining N−N bond. This pathway was also applicable to thermal decomposition; however, the main route involved dissociation of the substituent group, in some cases assisted by proton transfer.
Augmentative Releases of Aphytis melinus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) To Suppress California Red Scale (Homoptera: Diaspididae) in Southern California Lemon Orchards

Releases of Aphytis melinus DeBach, timed in the spring to coincide with the presence of virgin adult female California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell), reduced the percentage of infested fruits at season’s end in two sets of southern California lemon orchards when compared with those in nonrelease orchards. The percentage of infested fruit, however, did not differ with the level of release (i.e., 49,420, 98,840, 197,680 per hectare). Aphytis releases did not reduce scale densities on twigs or the number of male scales caught in traps baited with California red scale pheromone. These results are consistent with the known preference by Aphytis for the larger female scales that occur on leaves and fruits over the smaller male and female scales on twigs and branches. Male scales are attacked less frequently than female scales because male scales are much smaller. This preference for the larger female scales probably explains the similarity in the number of males trapped among treatments. Releases of A. melinus in late winter and the spring, when the virgin female scales are most abundant, are an effective tactic for controlling California red scale on fruit in southern California and one that is economically competitive with traditional pesticide treatments but without disruptive side effects.
Quadrupole mass filters with varying mathieu parameter

Abstract Quadrupole mass filters may have a q value (the Mathieu parameter) that varies as ions pass through owing to either non-parallel rods or to very rapid mass scanning either by voltage or by frequency variation. The acceptance of a mass filter of finite length is calculated under these conditions. Assuming full utilization of the available acceptance, peak shapes and peak positions are calculated. They are both functions of the rate of change of q . Varying q can lead to peak tailing. The orientation of the acceptance area in the phase plane varies for operating points near the stability boundary when there is a transition from stable to unstable conditions as the ions pass through the quadrupole. This could result in peak shape irregularities depending upon the matching of the ion source emittance to the analyser acceptance.
The Jonglei Canal: Illusion or Reality?

(1988). The Jonglei Canal: Illusion or Reality? Water International: Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 144-153.
Impact of flowering buckwheat on Lepidopteran cabbage pests and their parasitoids at two spatial scales

Abstract We assessed the potential of annual buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum Moench, to lead to improved parasitism of lepidopteran cabbage pests over four years. Pest, parasitism, and hyperparasitism rates were monitored in replicated cabbage plots (12 × 20 m) with or without 3 m wide buckwheat borders from 2000 to 2003. Floral borders did not significantly increase egg, larval, or pupal densities of cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), imported cabbageworm, Pieris rapae (L.), or diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.). Buckwheat increased parasitism rates by Voria ruralis (Fallen) on T. ni larvae and Cotesia rubecula (Marshall) on P. rapae larvae over four years. Parasitism by Diadegma insulare (Cresson) on P. xylostella larvae was higher in buckwheat than control plots in the first year, and parasitism by Euplectrus plathypenae (Howard) on T. ni larvae was lower in buckwheat than control plots in the second year. The hyperparasitoid Conura side (Walker) attacked D. insulare all four years, but buckwheat did not affect hyperparasitism rates. The effect of spatial scale on pest densities and parasitism in 2001 was evaluated by comparing plots separated at least 67 m (nearby) versus 800 m apart (isolated). T. ni pupae and P. rapae eggs and pupae were more abundant in plots in closer proximity, whereas P. xylostella densities did not vary by the spatial separation of plots. Tachinids and Pteromalus puparum (L.) attacked more P. rapae in nearby plots. E. plathypenae responded to the treatment × scale interaction, parasitizing more in control than buckwheat when plots were isolated but not when plots were nearby.
The presence of two local myocardial sheet populations confirmed by diffusion tensor MRI and histological validation.

Purpose To establish the correspondence between the two histologically observable and diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTMRI) measurements of myolaminae orientation for the first time and show that single myolaminar orientations observed in local histology may result from histological artifact.
The total synthesis of -dihydrocallitrisin

Abstract Bromodiene 2 is converted to dl -dihydrocallitrisin ( 1 ), a sesquiterpene lactone recently isolated from the heartwood of Callitris columellaris .
On the Mas-Colell–Richard Equilibrium Theorem

Abstract A. Mas-Colell and S. F. Richard (J. Econ. Theory53(1991), 1–11) published a remarkable infinite dimensional equilibrium existence theorem for exchange economies that encompasses all the currently available important equilibrium results as corollaries. To prove this theorem, the authors utilized in an ingenious way the lattice structure of Riesz spaces. However, in two critical steps during the proof of the theorem, there is an “obvious” claim used by the authors which may fail to be true. In this note, we present an example where this “obvious” conclusion is false. We also indicate how one can correct the proof of this truly outstanding equilibrium existence theorem.Journal of Economic LiteratureClassification Numbers: D51, D60.
Rapid computed tomography technique to measure ventricular volumes in the child with suspected ventriculoperitoneal shunt failure I. Validation of technique with a dynamic phantom.

Objectives Assessment of ventricular volume change is critical and can be difficult in the child with suspected shunt failure. Objective techniques described to measure ventricular volumes have used limited anatomic sampling or have been computationally intensive. Phantoms used to evaluate these techniques have used static volumes. The purpose of this study was to construct a computed tomography (CT) phantom to simulate changing ventricular volumes and to evaluate a new program to measure volumes. Methods The phantom is 5 Foley catheters embedded in gelatin. The balloons were filled and then scanned at 15-mL increments from 0-300 mL. The program measures the voxels of specified density within a larger volume created by applying a region of interest to a stacked volume. Calculated volumes and percent changes were compared with actual volumes and percent changes. Results Calculated volumes were consistently 7%-9% (mean: -7.8%) less than actual injected volumes across the entire 0- to 300-mL range. For true changes between -50% and +50%, all calculated changes were within +/-2.5% points of true percent change; for true changes between +50% and +100%, all calculated changes were within +/-5% points of true percent change. Conclusions A dynamic CT phantom simulating changing ventricular volumes can be constructed from readily available materials. A new volumetric program accurately measures ventricular volumes and percent change from baseline across a wide range of volumes.
Estimating probability of non‐response to treatment using mixture distributions

Repeat measurements of patient characteristics are often used to assess response to treatment. In this paper we discuss a normal mixture model for the observed change in the characteristic of interest in treated patients. The methods described can be used to estimate the overall proportion of non-response to treatment and also the probability that a patient has not responded to treatment given his or her observed change. The model parameters are estimated using maximum likelihood, and the delta method is used to construct a pointwise confidence band for the conditional probability that a patient is a non-responder to treatment. The work was initially motivated by analysis issues in the Fracture Intervention Trial (FIT), a randomized trial of the osteoporosis drug alendronate, and the method is illustrated with data from that study. We also evaluate key aspects of the estimation procedure with two simulation studies. In the first, the data generation model is the assumed normal mixture model, and in the second, the data are generated according to a shifted and scaled central t-distribution model suggested by the FIT data.
Design of a spherical parallel kinematic machine for ankle rehabilitation

Abstract Existing ankle rehabilitation robots have the limitations of insufficient motion ranges and coupled translations. An improved spherical robot has been proposed to overcome these limitations. The forward and inverse kinematic problems of this new machine are formulated and solved; the dexterity of the workspace is evaluated and the workspace has been optimized with the consideration of the motion ranges of passive joints. The operation of machine has been simulated; it will be further expanded as a control program to run the rehabilitation robot.
Cutting balloon angioplasty for children with small-vessel pulmonary artery stenoses.

Patients with complex congenital heart disease may have pulmonary artery stenoses that are either congenital or associated with scarring following surgical procedures. This study evaluates cutting balloon angioplasty for small-vessel pulmonary artery stenoses resistant to standard balloon angioplasty. Between October 1998 and December 1999, patients were enrolled in an FDA-approved compassionate-use protocol. During four catheterizations, there were seven lesions found resistant to standard balloon angioplasty (mean lesion diameter was unchanged: 1.8 mm +/- 0.8 mm to 1.9 +/- 0.8 mm). A cutting balloon was inflated twice in each of these lesions. Standard balloon angioplasty was then repeated. Final mean lesion diameter was increased significantly (1.9 mm +/- 0.8 mm to 3.8 +/- 1.3 mm; P <or= 0.01). Follow-up catheterizations performed a median of 14 months later showed only slight decrease in mean lesion diameter (3.2 +/- 1.2 mm), still significantly greater than initial mean lesion diameter (P < 0.03). In conclusion, cutting balloon angioplasty for pulmonary artery stenoses resistant to standard balloon angioplasty improves the immediate and intermediate term results of angioplasty for these lesions.
A history of medical genetics in pediatrics

Medical genetics emerged from a basic science only one half century ago. Scientists and physicians housed in a variety of basic science and clinical departments have accomplished many of the major advances in the study of genetic diseases in children. A scientific approach to human genetics emerged in 1948 with the establishment of the American Society of Human Genetics. Even before the use of modern laboratory techniques, Pediatric departments spearheaded the clinical description of simple genetic disorders, syndromes, and major malformations. The burgeoning of medical genetics as a specialty and its tremendous growth in departments of pediatrics was stimulated by major technological advances, such as the ability to visualize human chromosomes, the development of methods to study biochemical variations in blood and urine, cell culture, somatic cell hybridization, and molecular technology, all of which allowed for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of genetic disorders in children. Many pediatricians sought training in genetics, and training programs in medical genetics flourished in departments of pediatrics. The explosion of knowledge concerning the metabolic and molecular causes of genetic disease and understanding of their pathogenesis has led to a variety of specific diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic approaches for alleviating the symptoms or preventing the complications of many of these disorders. Medical genetics is now recognized as a distinct medical specialty with its own American Board of Medical Specialties approved board (American Board of Medical Genetics) and clinical specialty college (American College of Medical Genetics).
Targeted Remodeling of Human β-Globin Promoter Chromatin Structure Produces Increased Expression and Decreased Silencing

The chromatin structure of the human beta-globin gene locus assumes a transcriptionally-active conformation in erythroid cells. One feature of this chromatin reorganization is the formation of DNase 1 hypersensitive sites in the regions of active globin gene promoters. This reorganization requires the globin locus control region and is associated with normal expression of the beta-like globin genes. To determine whether it is possible to artificially enhance the opening of the chromatin structure of a minimal beta-globin promoter, we placed a 101bp, erythroid-specific DNase 1 hypersensitive site-forming element (HSFE) immediately upstream of the beta-globin promoter and gene. This element includes binding sites for NF-E2, AP-1, GATA-1 and Sp-1. Constructs were stably transfected into murine erythroleukemia cells and promoter chromatin structure and gene expression were analyzed. The HSFE induced an area of enhanced DNase 1 hypersensitivity extending from the transcriptional start site to -300bp of the artificial promoter and significantly increased the proportion of beta-globin promoters in an open chromatin configuration. This remodeling of promoter chromatin structure resulted in 3-fold increases in beta-globin gene transcription and induction, and inhibited long-term beta-globin gene silencing. These results indicate that a relatively small cis-acting element is able to enhance remodeling of promoter chromatin structure resulting in increased beta-globin gene expression.
Seven samurai to protect “our” food: the reform of the food safety regulatory system in Japan after the BSE crisis of 2001

Using the case of food safety governance reform in Japan between 2001 and 2003, this paper examines the relationship between science and trust. The paper explains how the discovery of the first BSE positive cow and consequent food safety scandals in 2001 politicized the role of science in protecting the safety of the food supply. The analysis of the Parliamentary debate focuses on the contestation among legislators and other participants over three dimensions of risk science, including “knowledge,” “objects,” and “beneficiaries.” The metaphor of “seven samurai” and the relationally situated roles of “samurai,” “bandits,” and “beneficiaries” are used to show that in the process of policy making certain moral and ethical expectations on a new expert institution for food safety were contested and negotiated to frame responsibilities and commitments of social actors for creating the food system based on trust.
Demonstration of an area of slow conduction in atrial flutter

Abstract Ten patients with chronic atrial flutter were studied prospectively using electrophysiologic mapping and pacing techniques to assess the mechanism of atrial flutter and the presence of an area of slow conduction in the atria. Electrograms recorded from ≥30 right atrial sites for each patient during atrial flutter demonstrated that right atrial free wall activation was craniocaudal and that the interatrial septum activation was caudocranial, consistent with a reentrant circuit involving the right atrium. In six patients, slow conduction occurred during atrial flutter in the inferior right atrium and was spatially associated with fractionated electrographic recordings. In the other four patients, a “missing” interval of electrical activity occurred in the inferior right atrium for an average of 40% of the atrial flutter cycle. Transient entrainment criteria were demonstrated in each patient during rapid high right atrial pacing. The mean activation time from the high right atrial pacing site to the coronary sinus (inferior left atrial) recording site was long (228 ms) and consistent with activation through an area of slow conduction. During rapid pacing of atrial flutter from the coronary sinus site, no transient entrainment criteria could be demonstrated. The mean activation time from the coronary sinus pacing site to the high right atrial recording site was relatively short (134 ms) and consistent with orthodromic activation of the high right atrium not through an area of slow conduction. High right atrial pacing during sinus rhythm at rates similar to atrial flutter demonstrated a short activation time to the coronary sinus and low right atrial sites (mean 169 and 88 ms, respectively), indicating activation that did not traverse an area of slow conduction. Coronary sinus pacing during sinus rhythm demonstrated the same phenomena. Low right atrial electrograms recorded during sinus rhythm and during rapid pacing of sinus rhythm were not fractionated, although they were during atrial flutter. Thus, atrial mapping and pacing data were complementary, indicating that human atrial flutter in the patients studied was generated by a reentrant circuit in the right atrium, with an area of slow conduction in the low right atrium present only during atrial flutter.
Health- and vegetative-based effect screening values for ethylene.

Abstract Ethylene (ET) is ubiquitous in the environment and is produced both naturally and due to anthropogenic sources. Interestingly, the majority of ambient ET contribution is from natural sources and anthropogenic sources contribute only a minor portion. While microbes and plants naturally produce a large amount of ET, mammals are reported to produce only a small amount of ET endogenously. Anthropogenic sources of ET include the combustion of gas, fuel, coal and biomass. ET is also widely used as an intermediate to make other chemicals and products and is also used for controlled ripening of fruits and vegetables. Although, a review of human and laboratory animal studies indicate ET to be relatively non-toxic, there is concern about the potential toxicity of ET because ET is metabolically converted to ethylene oxide (EtO). EtO has been classified to be carcinogenic to human by the inhalation route by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) cancer. ET, however, has been classified as a Group 3 chemical which indicates it is not classified as a human carcinogen by IARC. Several studies have reported ET to cause adverse effects to plant species (vegetation effects) at concentrations that are not adverse to humans. Therefore, the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) conducted detailed health and welfare (odor and vegetation) based assessments of ET to develop both health and vegetative based toxicity factors in 2008 in accordance with TCEQ guidelines. The health assessment based on well-conducted animal toxicity studies resulted in identification of higher points of departures and subsequently higher effect screening levels (ESLs) that were more than a magnitude higher than the threshold adverse effect level for vegetative effects for ET. Further, based on a weight-of-evidence evaluation of potential mutagenic and carcinogenic mode-of-actions for ET it appears the metabolic conversion of ET to EtO is of insufficient magnitude to cause concern of potential cancer risk. Therefore, the short-term ESL for air permit reviews and air monitoring evaluations is the vegetation-based ESL of 1200 ppb as it is more than a magnitude lower than the health-based acute ESL of 150,000 ppb. Similar to the acute derivation, the chronic evaluation resulted in the derivation of a chronic vegetation based ESL of 30 ppb that was much lower than the chronic ESL of 1600 ppb. In summary, the TCEQ’s acute and chronic ESLs for vegetation will protect the general public from short-term and long-term adverse health and welfare effects. The general public includes children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing health conditions.
Oviposition Behavior of the Wheat Stem Sawfly When Encountering Plants Infested With Cryptic Conspecifics

Insect herbivores typically oviposit on the most suitable hosts, but choices can be modulated by detection of potential competition among conspecifics, especially when eggs are deposited cryptically. Larvae of the wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus Norton, developing within an already infested stem, experience elevated risk when only one will survive because of cannibalism. To increase our understanding of host selection when the choices made by females can lead to severe intraspecific competition, females were presented with either uninfested wheat plants or with plants previously exposed to other females in laboratory choice tests. The oviposition behavior of this insect was described by recording the behavioral sequences that lead to and follow the insertion of the ovipositor in both previously infested and uninfested stems. No significant differences were found in frequencies of specific behaviors or behavioral transitions associated with oviposition. In choice tests, there was no difference in the numbers of eggs laid in infested and uninfested plants. Taller plants received more eggs, irrespective of infestation. Females neither preferred nor avoided previously infested hosts. Other characteristics of the host, such as stem height, may be more important in determining suitability for oviposition. These findings support the use of management tactics relying on the manipulation of oviposition behavior, such as trap cropping. Given that there is no evidence for response to previously infested hosts, the infested plants in a trap crop would remain as suitable as they were when uninfested, which could also lead to an increase in mortality caused by intraspecific competition.
Asymptotic joint normality of an increasing number of multivariate order statistics and associated cell frequencies

Take n independent identically distributed (IID) observations from a continuous r-variate population, and choose some order statistics from each of the r variates. These order statistics are used to construct a grid in r-dimensional space. Under certain conditions, it is shown that as n increases we can choose an increasing number of order statistics in such a way that the asymptotic joint distribution of the chosen order statistics and of the frequencies of sample points falling in the cells of the grid can be assumed to be a normal distribution. An application to testing independence of random variables is given.
Integrating logistical and processing functions through mathematical modelling: A case study

Abstract The application of mathematical models to problems having spatial and scheduling components is discussed. A simple heuristic strategy for using such models for management policy development is presented. A case application of mathematical modelling of the linkage between a transport subsystem (spatial component) and processing facility (scheduling component) in the field of retail banking is described. The model and a general, heuristic solution strategy are implemented within a decision support system to facilitate the routing and scheduling of document couriers. Results from the case application are reported.
Use of goniometry to predict inadequate flexion-extension roentgenograms : A preliminary study

Background: Flexion-extension roentgenograms (FER) of the cervical spine are often inadequate because of limited range of motion (ROM). The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of goniometry to predict a patient's ability to achieve sufficient ROM to obtain adequate FER. Methods: We evaluated 65 consecutive blunt trauma patients undergoing evaluation by FER in the emergency department. Patients were evaluated by goniometry before performing FER. Adequate ROM was defined as flexion and extension of >30 degrees from neutral. Results: Seventy-five percent of patients had adequate FER. All of these patients were predicted to have sufficient ROM by goniometry. Goniometry predicted limited ROM in 69% of patients who had inadequate FER. The positive predicative value of goniometry in predicting inadequate FER was 100%. The incidence of cervical spine injuries was 44% in patients with inadequate ROM by goniometry and 23.0% in patients with inadequate FER (versus 7.69% in patients with adequate FER). Conclusion: Goniometry accurately predicted those patients who were unable to achieve sufficient ROM for adequate FER. Patients with inadequate FER were at a higher risk for cervical spine injury compared with patients with adequate FER (23.0 versus 7.69%). Early identification of these patients will help limit the number of inadequate studies obtained and expedite evaluation of high-risk patients.
Issues in a down economy: blue oceans and new product development

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a conceptual strategy approach that can be applied to product development.Design/methodology/approach – The case describes an approach to avoid dangerous competition and find new uncluttered market space. The methodology is illustrated by a new start up.Findings – The paper provides an application of the blue ocean strategy approach to developing new products. Using the approach, companies can restructure their product and service offerings to serve new customers and escape from their industry competitors. Their results offer implications for new product development and management teams as well as senior management.Research limitations/implications – As in all case studies, the specific conditions found in one organization may not be found more generally in others. Readers are cautioned that the conclusions drawn in the case may have limited applicability.Practical implications – The case depicts the process that firm can use to innovate.Originality/value...
An analysis of ultrashort pulse laser micromachining parameters for the optimization of shallow hole drilling

Using a factorial design of experiments approach with ANOVA, laser drilling experiments were performed on the semiconductor mercury-cadmium-telluride (HgCdTe). A commercial CPA femtosecond laser system operating at 775nm was used for the experiments. The test variables include laser parameters such as pulse length, fluence, beam shaping using apertures, assist gas, vacuum, and others. The response variable examined for optimization include hole size, hole depth, and melt effects. The analysis yielded an empirical formula for predicting laser drilling effects.
Spectrophotometric determination of boron in siliceous materials with azomethine h

Abstract A rapid and simple colorimetric method is described for the determination of minor levels of boron in siliceous materials with azomethine H. The reaction is carried out in aqueous medium. Samples are decomposed by alkaline fusion and taken up in dilute acid, and interferences are masked with an EDTA–NTA solution. After pH adjustment, the boron is reacted with azomethine H and the absorbance of the colored product is measured at 415 nm. The precision and accuracy are about ±3% relative as indicated by analysis of National Bureau of Standards No. 92 low-boron glass. The procedure has been applied to a wide variety of glasses and glass-ceramics and compared with other accepted methods.
Evidence for a 39-d period in Cyg X - 1

THE detection of a 39-d period in Cyg X – 1 (HDE226868), as seen in the ultraviolet (ultraviolet-filter) polarisation1, would have at least one interesting interpretation, that of a third-body orbital period (M. Milgrom and J. Shaham, personal communication). We report here the result of long-term monitoring of the optical polarisation of Cyg X – 12, which has been in progress since 1974 at Pine Mountain Observatory, Oregon. Up to early August 1977, over 225 nights of ultraviolet-filter data were obtained. Power spectra of the ultraviolet-filter polarisation computed in March 1977 suggested a peak at the approximate period 39 d, common to the separate power spectra of our two instrumental Stokes parameters2 Q and U. The amplitude of the feature corresponds to a peak-to-peak polarisation variation of about 0.25%. The Q and U variations proved to be coherent with each other and to be of a rectilinear type, describable as a simple variation along a certain rotated Stokes parameter Q0, defined approximately by Q0=p cos[2(θ − 117°)]. The normalised conjugate parameter U0=p sin[2(θ − 117°)] shows no significant variation at the 39-d period.
Epidermal growth factor and gonadotropin‐releasing hormone inhibit cyclic AMP–dependent luteinizing hormone receptor formation in ovarian granulosa cells

The induction of luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors was studied in granulosa cells prepared from the ovaries of hypophysectomized diethylstilbestrol-treated immature rats. Incubation of granulosa cells for 48 h with increasing concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or choleragen caused parallel rises in cAMP levels and LH receptors. These observations, with the finding that 8-Bromo-cAMP also induced LH receptor formation, indicate that hormonal stimulation of LH binding sites is mediated by cAMP. Peptide hormones that inhibited FSH-stimulated cAMP production, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), also prevented LH receptor formation. GnRHa and EGF had negligible effects on FSH-stimulated cAMP production from 0 to 24 h of culture, but reduced cAMP accumulation by 80% and 90%, respectively, from 24 to 48 h when the majority of LH receptors appeared. FSH-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity, as measured by the conversion of (3H)-ATP to (3H)-cAMP, was inhibited by GnRHa and EGF at 48 h of culture. EGF and GnRHa also reversed the inhibition of ectophosphodiesterase activity caused by FSH in granulosa cells between 48 and 72 h of culture. Both EGF and GnRHa inhibited induction of LH receptors by 8-Bromo-cAMP, suggesting that their effects are also on cAMP action. Addition of GnRHa, but not EGF, between 36 and 48 h of culture completely prevented further increases in LH receptors induced by 8-Bromo-cAMP, indicating that the inhibitory action of GnRHa can be initiated at later times during granulosa cell differentiation, whereas full expression of EGF action requires a longer period. These results demonstrate that EGF and GnRH inhibit FSH-induced LH receptor formation in the granulosa cell by reducing hormone-dependent cAMP production and also by impairing the ability of cAMP to stimulate LH receptor formation.
Probing the gamma-scintillation process in semiconductor nanomaterials using ultrafast transient cathodoluminescence

Energy-resolving gamma-ray detectors are of particular interest for the detection of illicit radioactive materials at border crossings and other portals because they offer fast, contactless screening that can discriminate between dangerous and benign materials. Among detector classes, scintillators offer an intriguing balance between cost and performance, but current technologies rely on single-crystal materials that are not scalable to portal-relevant detector sizes. Thus, there is a recognized need for novel, processible, high-performance scintillating materials or composites. Composites based on semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) are of interest because of their potentially high gamma-stopping power, high emission quantum yields, and low-cost solution synthesis and processing. Yet the performance of these and other granular nanomaterials has not met expectations. We suggest that this is due to the general lack of insight into the gamma-to-photons transduction process within these inherently more complex materials, which reduces the development and refinement of candidates to simple trial-and-error. Here, we describe the development of ultrafast transient cathodoluminescence as a unique spectroscopic tool for probing the population of excited states formed within a material during scintillation, and thus determining the major sources of energy loss. Our analysis shows that in the case of CdSe/ZnS core/shell QDs, any efficiency loss due to previously blamed factors of low-stopping power and high reabsorptive losses are likely dwarfed by the losses attributable to efficient, non-radiative Auger recombination. We examine how we reached this conclusion, and how this insight defines the characteristics needed in the next generation of scintillating QD composites.
Controlled opening method for clustered parachutes

This paper presents a method for achieving simultaneous opening of clustered parachutes. The method involves connecting and partially reefing the parachutes in a cluster during the initial stage of the opening so that they open together as a single parachute; they are then disconnected and disreefed at almost full inflation, thereby controlling and opening the parachute simultaneously. This method, called the controlled opening method, was tested with clusters of 64-ft-diam G-12 cargo parachutes, 100-ft-diam G-ll cargo parachutes, and 28-ft-diam C-9 personnel parachutes. Their openings were significantly improved when compared to the openings of these clusters without using the controlled opening method. LUSTERED parachutes offer several advantages over a single large parachute. The important ones are shorter opening time and distance, easier fabrication and ground re- covery, and more stable descent. The major difficulty of clus- tered parachutes is that parachutes in a cluster generally open randomly and unevenly; the random opening results in a large variation in opening times and an uneven distribution of open- ing forces among the parachutes. Consequently, the lead- opening parachutes are often damaged, resulting in an un- satisfactory airdrop operation. In view of the importance of uniform opening of clustered parachutes, some fundamental studies of flowfields and open- ing of clustered parachutes were conducted by Braun and Walcott,1 Heinrich and Noreen,2 Heinrich et al., 3 Wolf and Spahr,4 and Nicuum and Kovacevic.5 Current techniques for improved cluster opening are generally those used for con- trolling the opening of a single parachute. They include reef- ing the canopy skirt, adding a secondary chute at the skirt, introducing a pull-down centerline, and applying tension force at the apex by a drogue chute. These techniques generally modify the opening of a single parachute, but they do not necessarily improve the opening of a cluster as a whole. This is evidenced by the current problems in opening 100-ft-diam standard U.S. Army G-ll cargo parachute clusters6 and the great difficulties in opening 137-ft-diam developmental cargo parachute clusters.7-8 Most recently, Johnson9 developed a central reefing/disreefing system that addressed the opening of a cluster as a whole. His system improved the opening of a cluster of three 52.5-ft-diam parachutes. This paper presents a method for improved opening of clustered parachutes. The method was tested extensively with clusters of various size and number of parachutes. Test results demonstrated that the method improves their opening significantly.
ORL emergencies boot camp: using simulation to onboard residents.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Incoming otolaryngology residents are expected to triage and manage airway, bleeding, and other emergencies with little prior experience. Simulation-based education has become increasingly important as it provides tools to develop psychomotor skills and judgment early in residency, using realistic experiences while eliminating patient risk. We hypothesize that a Boot Camp course emphasizing basic otolaryngology management will increase participants' confidence and be perceived as useful in developing their knowledge, technical skills, self-confidence, and improving clinical performance, both immediately and 6 months following the course. Study Design: Survey. Methods: A 1-day Boot Camp was developed consisting of six technical skills stations (mask ventilation, intubation, flexible laryngoscopy, microlaryngoscopy/bronchoscopy, epistaxis control, and cricothyroidotomy); a session involving telephone inquiry triage, and two complex airway scenarios addressing medical management and emphasizing team leadership. Residents completed questionnaires before, immediately, and 6 months following course completion. Results: Thirty residents enrolled, 27 participated in the course, and 24 completed all three surveys. Previous experiences and confidence levels were variable; 26 of 30 (87%) identified emergency airway management as a concern before attending the course. A Fisher's exact test demonstrated improved confidence (P < .05) for every skill. An overwhelming majority of participants agreed or strongly agreed the intervention was useful in developing their knowledge, technical skills, self-confidence, and improving clinical performance. Conclusions: An intensive, simulation-based Boot Camp addressing airway, bleeding, and other otolaryngology emergencies was successful in improving junior otolaryngology residents' confidence and was perceived as useful in developing knowledge, technical skills, self-confidence, and improving clinical performance.
Interlaboratory calibration results from chlorinated hydrocarbon analyses in marine sediments

Abstract The reliability of chlorinated hydrocarbon measurements in natural marine sediments is assessed statistically for the various sample treatments and quantitation techniques used by ten laboratories. For polychlorinated biphenyls, a standard deviation within ±25% of the mean can be expected. Methodology and spectral analysis are the major factors responsible for the variability. Extraction from dry sediment gives the greatest recovery, and measurement of chlorobiphenyl concentrations by homologs alleviates the effect of internal component changes.
Plasma oxytocin explains individual differences in neural substrates of social perception

The neuropeptide oxytocin plays a critical role in social cognition and behavior. A number of studies using intranasal administration have demonstrated that oxytocin improves social perception. However, little is known about the relationship between individual differences in endogenous levels of oxytocin and social cognition. In the current study, we assessed the relationship between endogenous oxytocin and brain activity during an animacy perception paradigm. Thirty-seven male participants underwent scanning and provided a blood sample for oxytocin analysis. In line with previous research, perception of animacy was associated with activations in superior temporal sulcus, inferior frontal gyrus, and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Notably, participants’ levels of plasma oxytocin robustly predicted activation in areas critical for social cognitive processes, such that higher oxytocin levels were related to increased activity in dorsal mPFC, ventral mPFC, dorsolateral PFC, superior temporal gyrus, and temporoparietal junction, suggesting differential processing of social stimuli. Together these results show that stable variations in endogenous oxytocin levels explain individual differences in social perception.
Enzyme kinetics in mammalian cells. II. Simultaneous determination of rate constants for the first three steps of galactose metabolism in red cells.

The method for simultaneous measurement of the first two sequential enzymes of galactose metabolism of red cells has been extended to include the third step of the chain, epimerization of uridine diphosphogalactose to uridine diphosphoglucose. The method is rapid and precise and is applicable to a variety of genetic-biochemical problems.
Fairness enhancement using transmission scheduling in multi-hop wireless mesh networks

A wireless mesh network (WMN) is a peer-to-peer multi-hop wireless network in which nodes cooperate with one another to route packets to the gateway. In multi-hop wireless networks, flows spanning multiple hops experience more contentions in order to access the medium compared to those closer to their destination. Thus, nodes with longer distance to the gateway suffer from bandwidth starvation. In this paper, we propose a transmission scheduler algorithm that achieves better fairness and maximizes bandwidth use. Our algorithm assigns each node a weight based on its location in the WMN and on its aggregated traffic load. The weight is later used to compute each node transmission time. We show that the algorithm improves considerably the throughput of each node in the network and the overall network throughput. In addition, it enhances bandwidth fairness among nodes, and decreases the end-to-end average delay. The results are evaluated by means of simulations.
Evolution of a Polyphenism by Genetic Accommodation

Polyphenisms are adaptations in which a genome is associated with discrete alternative phenotypes in different environments. Little is known about the mechanism by which polyphenisms originate. We show that a mutation in the juvenile hormone-regulatory pathway in Manduca sexta enables heat stress to reveal a hidden reaction norm of larval coloration. Selection for increased color change in response to heat stress resulted in the evolution of a larval color polyphenism and a corresponding change in hormonal titers through genetic accommodation. Evidently, mechanisms that regulate developmental hormones can mask genetic variation and act as evolutionary capacitors, facilitating the origin of novel adaptive phenotypes.
The Effect of Impact Fees on the Price of New Single-family Housing:

This paper provides new evidence on the effects of impact fees on housing prices, using an inventory of single-family housing sale transactions in the 38 cities and towns within King County, Washington, for the period 1991-2000. Although the effect of impact fees on housing prices has been examined previously, earlier studies have been limited by methodological deficiencies. This paper examines the effect of impact fees on new housing and their differential effect on housing price based on the quality of housing, and finds that the effect of impact fees on the price of new housing is quite significant and elastic, raising new home prices by about 166 per cent of the amount of the fee. The increase is 358 per cent for the higher-quality homes and is statistically insignificant for the lower-quality homes.
Corn Residue Removal Effects on Soybean Yield and Nitrogen Dynamics in the Upper Mississippi River Basin

Considerations for using corn (Zea mays L.) residues for biofuel should include impacts on the subsequent soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] crop. We used the Agricultural Policy Environmental Extender (APEX) model to study the effects of: four rates of corn residue removals, 0%, 40%, 60%, and 80%, across site-specific conditions of two land types, highly erodible land (HEL) and non-HEL; three soil textural classes, clayey, loamy, and sandy; and the four soil hydrologic groups, A, B, C, and D, on soybean yield and nitrogen (N) dynamics, for 3703 farm fields within the Upper Mississippi River Basin. Overall, residue removal reduced soybean yield, N fixation, uptake, losses, and soil storage by 8%, 6%, 7%, and 5%, respectively. There is a positive tradeoff of residue removal, that is, it reduces the pool of nutrients available for loss, which resulted in a 9% decline in N losses when compared to no residue removal. Corn residue removal-induced reduction in soil organic N storage could affect the magnitude of ...
An Improved Thermal Conductivity Polyurethane Composite for a Space Borne 20KV Power Supply

This effort was designed to find a way to reduce the temperature rise of critical components of a 20KV high voltage power supply (HVPS) by improving the thermal conductivity between the component heat sources and a heatsink external to the encapsulated modules. Three strategies were evaluated by developing complete procedures, preparing samples, and performing tests. The three strategies were: 1) improve the thermal conductivity of the polyurethane encapsulant through the addition of thermally conductive powder while minimizing impact on other characteristics of the encapsulant. 2) Improve the thermal conductivity of the polyurethane encapsulated assembly by the addition of a slab of thermally conductive, electrically insulating material, which is to act as a heat spreader. 3) Employ a more thermally conductive substrate (Al 2O3) with the existing encapsulation scheme. The materials were chosen based on the following criteria: high dielectric breakdown strength; high thermal conductivity, ease of manufacturing, high compliance, and other standard space qualified materials properties (low out-gassing, etc.). An optimized cure was determined by a statistical design of experiments for both filled and unfilled materials. The materials were characterized for the desired properties and a complete process was developed and tested
The Use of the Feulgen Technic with Certain Plant Materials

The Feulgen technic as modified by Heitz promises to become an extremely useful tool in the solution of certain cytological problems. A procedure is outlined for using this technic with root tip smears, and smears of plant microspores. The chief improvement suggested over previous methods is that the material be mounted in euparal, after immersion in 95% alcohol. The technic is of value in the study of chromosome fragmentation, chromatid coiling, centromeres, etc., in both somatic tissue and in microspores.