cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biodistribution of orally administered 99mTc-heparin to assess eosinophilic esophagitis associated inflammation

Abstract Here we explore the biodistribution of 99mTc-heparin, an orally administered radiopharmaceutical candidate expected to identify localized inflammation in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Heparin binds to eosinophil granule proteins in inflamed regions of gastrointestinal (GI) organs, and 99mTc signals their location. This article evaluates the biodistribution of this conjugate first within the esophagus by modeling the reactive transport of 99mTc-heparin based on the kinetics of 99mTc-heparin binding to non-human primate esophagi and second in the remainder of the body by measuring organ specific uptake using single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography imaging. Results show that binding and dissociation rate constants remain similar, and that optimal imaging occurs after drinking of the agent is complete. We also find that 99mTc-heparin remains within the GI tract simply transporting through the gut and out. These findings provide a new avenue to clinically explore the utility of 99mTc-heparin to detect eosinophil associated inflammation in the GI tract.
Ab initio molecular dynamics simulation of Nd3+ incorporation in calcite

Abstract Trivalent rare-earth elements (REEs) readily incorporate in Ca-bearing minerals such as calcite (CaCO3), a phenomenon with important implications for the use of REEs as biogeochemical tracers as well as for environmental remediation. Despite substantial efforts, determining the incorporation modes of trivalent REEs in calcite has remained challenging due to their presence in multiple coordination environments. This is particularly problematic for the interpretation of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. In this work, ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations of Nd3+ incorporated in calcite were performed to resolve its incorporation modes. Nd3+ and Ca2+ have very similar ionic radii but the additional positive charge requires a charge compensation scheme (CCS). Five CCSs were considered in AIMD simulations, and the resulting atomic trajectories were then used to compute EXAFS spectra for direct fitting to a published experimental spectrum. The results of the fits indicated that Nd3+ incorporates at the Ca2+ site in calcite in a mixture of six- and seven-fold coordination environments and through three main incorporation modes: associated with a protonated nearest-neighbor Ca2+ vacancy, incorporated as NdOH2+, and charge compensated by a remote species (on the spatial scale probed by EXAFS). The incorporation of Nd3+ in calcite via multiple modes was consistent with previous work, but the AIMD-EXAFS approach allowed for resolving the nature, proportion, and structure of the different coordination environments.
The Rebound Effect and the Proposed Rollback of U.S. Fuel Economy Standards

AbstractThe Trump administration’s August 2018 proposed rollback of the 2020–2026 fuel economy standards has been the subject of great controversy in the policy community. The justification for the...
Intolerance of uncertainty, depression and the error-related negativity.

Abstract Prior work has yielded contradictory findings regarding the association between depression and the error-related negativity (ERN), an event-related potential thought to reflect individual variation in sensitivity to internal threat (i.e., errors), and the error positivity (Pe), which is thought to reflect more elaborative, conscious processing of errors. One possibility is that variation in transdiagnostic dimensional constructs related to threat processing might help explain inconsistencies in the relationship between depression and the ERN and Pe. Here, we used a large, unselected sample (N = 100) to determine whether variation in intolerance of uncertainty (IU), a transdiagnostic trait dimension that is implicated in both depression and anxiety, might moderate associations between depressive symptomatology and error processing. Results showed that greater levels of depressive symptomatology were associated with larger ΔERNs (error minus correct trials) when IU was low, but were unrelated to ΔERN when IU was high; main effects of depression and IU on ΔERN were not observed. The Pe was not associated with IU or depression. Additionally, IU, but not depression, was associated with faster response times on error and correct trials. Overall, results suggest that error processing may differ for individuals with elevated depression with versus without elevated IU. Moreover, prior failures to observe associations between depression and the ERN might stem from failure to account for related transdiagnostic constructs.
Impact of numerical variation, allele burden, mutation length and co-occurring mutations on the efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in newly diagnosed FLT3- mutant acute myeloid leukemia

FLT3-ITD mutations in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are associated with worse overall survival (OS). FLT3-ITD diversity can further influence clinical outcomes. Addition of FLT3 inhibitors to standard chemotherapy has improved OS. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic impact of FLT3 diversity and identify predictors of efficacy of FLT3 inhibitors. We reviewed prospectively collected data from 395 patients with newly diagnosed FLT3-ITD mutant AML. 156 (39%) patients received FLT3 inhibitors combined with either high or low intensity chemotherapy. There was no statistically significant difference in clinical outcomes among patients treated with FLT3 inhibitors based on FLT3 numerical variation (p = 0.85), mutation length (p = 0.67). Overall, the addition of FLT3 inhibitor to intensive chemotherapy was associated with an improved OS (HR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.24–0.5, p = 0.0005), but not in combination with lower intensity chemotherapy (HR = 0.98, 95%CI: 0.7–1.36, p = 0.85). A differential effect of FLT3 inhibitor on OS was more pronounced in younger patients with FLT3 allelic ratio ≥0.5 (HR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.25–0.66, p < 0.001), single ITD mutation (HR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.34–0.88, p = 0.01), diploid cytogenetics (HR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.35–0.76, p = 0.001), NPM1 co-mutation (HR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.19–0.67, p = 0.001). Our analysis identifies predictors of survival among diverse FLT3 related variables in patients treated with FLT3 inhibitor.
Upper Endoscopy in Sleeve Gastrectomy

For the patient undergoing sleeve gastrectomy, upper endoscopy serves as an important tool during each of the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative settings. In addition to its applications for workup and operative planning, endoscopic modalities allow for the early recognition and treatment of common postoperative complications following this procedure. In this chapter, we explore the various diagnostic and therapeutic roles of endoscopy during sleeve gastrectomy.
Concussion History and Neuromechanical Responsiveness Asymmetry

Context Detection of subtle changes in brain sensorimotor processes may enable clinicians to identify athletes who would derive the greatest benefit from interventions designed to reduce the risk for future injury and progressive neurologic or musculoskeletal dysfunction. Objective To develop a generalizable statistical model for identifying athletes who possess subtle alterations in sensorimotor processes that may be due to previous concussion. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Residential Olympic Training Center sports medicine clinic. Patients or other participants A primary cohort of 35 elite athletes and a secondary cohort of 40 elite athletes who performed identical tests the preceding year. Intervention(s) Two upper extremity tests of visual-motor reaction time and 2 tests of whole-body reactive agility were administered. The whole-body tests required lateral or diagonal responses to virtual-reality targets, which provided measures of reaction time, speed, acceleration, and deceleration. Main outcome measure(s) Sport-related concussion history, which was reported by 54% (n = 19) of the athletes in the primary cohort and 45% (n = 18) of the athletes in the secondary cohort. Results Univariable analyses identified 12 strong predictors of sport-related concussion history, which we combined to create a composite metric with maximum predictive value. Composite lateral asymmetry for whole-body reactive movements and persisting effects of previous musculoskeletal injury yielded a logistic regression model with exceptionally good discrimination (area under the curve = 0.845) and calibration (predicted-observed probabilities within 7 subgroups: r = 0.959, P = .001). Application of the derived model to compatible data acquired from another cohort of elite athletes demonstrated very good discrimination (area under the curve = 0.772) and calibration (within 8 subgroups: r = 0.849, P = .008). Conclusions Asymmetry in whole-body reactive movement capabilities may be a manifestation of a subtle abnormality in the functional connectivity of brain networks that might be relevant to previously reported associations between sport-related concussion history and musculoskeletal injury occurrence.
Towards development of a novel universal medical diagnostic method: Raman spectroscopy and machine learning

Many problems exist within the myriad of currently employed screening and diagnostic methods. Further, an incredibly wide variety of procedures are used to identify an even greater number of diseases which exist in the world. There is a definite unmet clinical need to improve diagnostic capabilities of these procedures, including improving test sensitivity and specificity, objectivity and definitiveness, and reducing cost and invasiveness of the test, with an interest in replacing multiple diagnostic methods with one powerful tool. There has been a recent surge in the literature which focuses on utilizing Raman spectroscopy in combination with machine learning analyses to improve diagnostic measures for identifying an assortment of diseases, including cancers, viral and bacterial infections, neurodegenerative and autoimmune disorders, and more. This review highlights the work accomplished since 2018 which focuses on using Raman spectroscopy and machine learning to address the need for better screening and medical diagnostics in all areas of disease. A critical evaluation considers both the benefits and obstacles of utilizing the method for universal diagnostics. It is clear based on the evidence provided herein Raman spectroscopy in combination with machine learning provides the first glimmer of hope for the development of an accurate, inexpensive, fast, and non-invasive method for universal medical diagnostics.
BEE: a tool for structuring and analyzing bug reports

This paper introduces BEE, a tool that automatically analyzes user-written bug reports and provides feedback to reporters and developers about the system’s observed behavior (OB), expected behavior (EB), and the steps to reproduce the bug (S2R). BEE employs machine learning to (i) detect if an issue describes a bug, an enhancement, or a question; (ii) identify the structure of bug descriptions by automatically labeling the sentences that correspond to the OB, EB, or S2R; and (iii) detect when bug reports fail to provide these elements. BEE is integrated with GitHub and offers a public web API that researchers can use to investigate bug management tasks based on bug reports. We evaluated BEE’s underlying models on more than 5k existing bug reports and found they can correctly detect OB, EB, and S2R sentences as well as missing information in bug reports. BEE is an open-source project that can be found at https://git.io/JfFnN. A screencast showing the full capabilities of BEE can be found at https://youtu.be/8pC48f_hClw.
Which seismic attributes are best for subtle fault detection

AbstractSubtle fault detection plays a vital role in reservoir development studies because faults may form baffles or conduits that significantly control how a petroleum reservoir is swept. Small-t...
Post-covid-19 fatigue: Potential contributing factors

Much of the spotlight for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is on the acute symptoms and recovery. However, many recovered patients face persistent physical, cognitive, and psychological symptoms well past the acute phase. Of these symptoms, fatigue is one of the most persistent and debilitating. In this “perspective article,” we define fatigue as the decrease in physical and/or mental performance that results from changes in central, psychological, and/or peripheral factors due to the COVID-19 disease and propose a model to explain potential factors contributing to post-COVID-19 fatigue. According to our model, fatigue is dependent on conditional and physiological factors. Conditional dependency comprises the task, environment, and physical and mental capacity of individuals, while physiological factors include central, psychological, and peripheral aspects. This model provides a framework for clinicians and researchers. However, future research is needed to validate our proposed model and elucidate all mechanisms of fatigue due to COVID-19.
Bullying in physical education of children and youth with visual impairments: A systematic review:

Bullying is prevalent in youth but occurs at a higher rate of incidence in children with visual impairments in comparison to children without disabilities. The purpose of this study was to conduct ...
Female representation among notable people born in 1700–2000

Abstract Using Wikipedia personal entries, we analyze female representation among notable people born in 1700–2000 in thirty countries that currently account for 75% of the world population. Female representation has improved over the last three hundred years but is far from reaching parity with men. In terms of years of birth, female representation was stagnant at 7% in 1700–1810, increased at modest rates in 1810–1935 to reach 14%, and grew faster in 1925–2000 to attain 30%. Female representation differs across sectors of notability. It is higher in entertainment and lower in sports. Growth in the relative importance of entertainment has favored female representation, while growth in sports has disfavored it. Analyses by country show gains in female representation are generalized, although at different paces.
Alcohol Use Cravings as a Mediator Between Associated Risk Factors on Increased Alcohol Use among Youth Adults in New York During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The sudden increase in alcohol use in the young-adult population during the COVID-19 pandemic may be partially explained by social isolation and stress due to restricted stay-at-home orders. The go...
Local control rates of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) to the bone using stereotactic body radiation therapy: Is RCC truly radioresistant?

Abstract Purpose We report the radiographic and clinical response rate of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) compared with conventional fractionated external beam radiation therapy (CF-EBRT) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) bone lesions treated at our institution. Methods and materials Forty-six consecutive patients were included in the study, with 95 total lesions treated (50 SBRT, 45 CF-EBRT). We included patients who had histologic confirmation of primary RCC and radiographic evidence of metastatic bone lesions. The most common SBRT regimen used was 27 Gy in 3 fractions. Results Median follow-up was 10 months (range, 1-64 months). Median time to symptom control between SBRT and CF-EBRT were 2 (range, 0-6 weeks) and 4 weeks (range, 0-7 weeks), respectively. Symptom control rates with SBRT and CF-EBRT were significantly different ( P = .020) with control rates at 10, 12, and 24 months of 74.9% versus 44.1%, 74.9% versus 39.9%, and 74.9% versus 35.7%, respectively. The median time to radiographic failure and unadjusted pain progression was 7 months in both groups. When controlling for gross tumor volume, dose per fraction, smoking, and the use of systemic therapy, biologically effective dose ≥80 Gy was significant for clinical response (hazard ratio [HR], 0.204; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.043-0.963; P = .046) and radiographic (HR, 0.075; 95% CI, 0.013-0.430; P = .004). When controlling for gross tumor volume and total dose, biologically effective dose ≥80 Gy was again predictive of clinical local control (HR, 0.140; 95% CI, 0.025-0.787; P = .026). Toxicity rates were low and equivalent in both groups, with no grade 4 or 5 toxicity reported. Conclusions SBRT is both safe and effective for treating RCC bone metastases, with rapid improvement in symptoms after treatment and more durable clinical and radiographic response rate. Future prospective trials are needed to further define efficacy and toxicity of treatment, especially in the setting of targeted agents.
Expanding Taiwanese Industrial Robot Penetration in Europe and the US

Most of Taiwanese robot manufacturers contract sales and after sales service to their European or American distributors, thus isolating them from the end-user market and increasing the difficulty of responding quickly and accurately to end-user requirements, and indirectly restricting opportunities to discover niche markets. Taiwan enjoys significant market share in Europe and the Americas for Cartesian Coordinate and single-axle robots, but still faces strong competition from Japanese and German products. In the low-end market, Taiwan is challenged on price by companies from mainland China. To address these issues, this research recommends robot manufacturers businesses base product development more closely on market demand and adopt a product differentiation strategy to develop products with potential for niche markets. First, businesses should survey demand in European and American end-user markets to obtain guidance for the development of robotic products that better fit the actual needs of European and American end-users and to gain insight into potential niche market for Taiwanese products. Developing products in response to market demand means more than producing single models but also the systemic integration of processing, production efficiency, product yield rates and system responsiveness. By developing a satisfactory production system, Taiwanese industrial robotics manufacturers can enhance their visibility and create new business opportunities.
Object Placement Using Performance Surfaces

Heterogeneous parallel clusters of workstations are being used to solve many important computational problems. Scheduling parallel applications on the best collection of machines in a heterogeneous computing environment is a complex problem. Performance prediction is vital to good application performance in this environment since utilization of an ill-suited machine can slow the computation down significantly. This paper addresses the problem of network performance prediction. A new methodology for characterizing network links and application's need for network resources is developed which makes use of Performance Surfaces [3]. This Performance Surface abstraction is used to schedule a parallel application on resources where it will run most efficiently.
Regulation of actin polymerization by tropomodulin-3 controls megakaryocyte actin organization and platelet biogenesis

The actin cytoskeleton is important for platelet biogenesis. Tropomodulin-3 (Tmod3), the only Tmod isoform detected in platelets and megakaryocytes (MKs), caps actin filament (F-actin) pointed ends and binds tropomyosins (TMs), regulating actin polymerization and stability. To determine the function of Tmod3 in platelet biogenesis, we studied Tmod3(-/-) embryos, which are embryonic lethal by E18.5. Tmod3(-/-) embryos often show hemorrhaging at E14.5 with fewer and larger platelets, indicating impaired platelet biogenesis. MK numbers are moderately increased in Tmod3(-/-) fetal livers, with only a slight increase in the 8N population, suggesting that MK differentiation is not significantly affected. However, Tmod3(-/-) MKs fail to develop a normal demarcation membrane system (DMS), and cytoplasmic organelle distribution is abnormal. Moreover, cultured Tmod3(-/-) MKs exhibit impaired proplatelet formation with a wide range of proplatelet bud sizes, including abnormally large proplatelet buds containing incorrect numbers of von Willebrand factor-positive granules. Tmod3(-/-) MKs exhibit F-actin disturbances, and Tmod3(-/-) MKs spreading on collagen fail to polymerize F-actin into actomyosin contractile bundles. Tmod3 associates with TM4 and the F-actin cytoskeleton in wild-type MKs, and confocal microscopy reveals that Tmod3, TM4, and F-actin partially colocalize near the membrane of proplatelet buds. In contrast, the abnormally large proplatelets from Tmod3(-/-) MKs show increased F-actin and redistribution of F-actin and TM4 from the cortex to the cytoplasm, but normal microtubule coil organization. We conclude that F-actin capping by Tmod3 regulates F-actin organization in mouse fetal liver-derived MKs, thereby controlling MK cytoplasmic morphogenesis, including DMS formation and organelle distribution, as well as proplatelet formation and sizing.
Denotational semantics for natural language question-answering programs

Scott-Strachey style denotational semantics is proposed as a suitable means of communicating the specification of "natural" language question answerers to computer programmers and software engineers. The method is exemplified by a simple question answerer communicating with a small data base. This example is partly based on treatment of fragments of English by Montague. Emphasis is placed on the semantic interpretation of questions. The "meaning" of a question is taken as a function from the set of universes to a set of possible answers.
Buck/half-bridge input-series two-stage converter

This study presents a concept of connecting two-stage DC-DC converters in an input-series connection. An application example is discussed in detail where the first stage utilises two series connected buck converters that have reduced voltage stress. A single second stage is a half-bridge converter and is able to regulate the charge balance of the first stage. The benefits of the topology include: reduced primary switch voltage stress, simple self-driven synchronous rectification for wide input voltage range, self-voltage balancing on intermediate bus capacitors and simple housekeeping power supply. Further, the topology exhibits an unusual ripple match concept that can be utilised to suppress the current ripple of the second stage. Based on the detailed analysis, prototypes with 500-700 V input and 5 V/30 A output are built. Experimental results verify the principle and performance of the new topology.
Power Dissipation and Electrical Breakdown in Black Phosphorus

We report operating temperatures and heating coefficients measured in a multilayer black phosphorus device as a function of injected electrical power. By combining micro-Raman spectroscopy and electrical transport measurements, we have observed a linear temperature increase up to 600 K at a power dissipation rate of 0.896 K μm3/mW. By further increasing the bias voltage, we determined the threshold power and temperature for electrical breakdown and analyzed the fracture in the black phosphorus layer that caused the device failure by means of scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The results will benefit the research and development of electronics and optoelectronics based on novel two-dimensional materials.
Use of gas chromatography for detecting ornithine and lysine decarboxylase activity in bacteria.

A gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) procedure for the detection of L-ornithine and L-lysine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.17 and EC 4.1.1.18, respectively) activities of bacteria was developed and evaluated against Moller's method, a conventional biochemical test. Cultures were incubated for 2 to 4 h in a simple growth medium and tested by GLC for putrescine and cadaverine, the direct decarboxylation products of ornithine and lysine, respectively. Results obtained with various Enterobacteriaceae, pseudomonads, and vibrios showed that the GLC procedure was superior to the conventional test; clear, well-defined results were obtained within 3 to 5 h, even with cultures which gave weak, delayed, or variable reactions by Moller's method. This GLC procedure for the determination of decarboxylase reactions would be useful in microbiological laboratories for culture identification and for various other enzymatic studies.
Polarization mode dispersion measurements on single-mode optical fiber

As field applications for optical fiber are extended to longer distances, higher digital data rates, and analog applications for video transport, the need for tighter distortion limits is increasing. While designing systems to operate closer to the zero dispersion wavelength will help to minimize the impact of chromatic dispersion, a secondary dispersion effect, polarization mode dispersion, becomes the next limiting factor. Polarization mode dispersion arises from the fact that, even in today's fibers which have excellent geometry and low internal stress, a small level of birefringence exists. This birefringence causes temporal distortion of the signal due to slightly different propagation velocities of the two orthogonal polarizations which constitute the "single-mode". >
Poetics of progressive feeling: The visceral aesthetics of Mulk Raj Anand

Mulk Raj Anand is perhaps best known for his pioneering roles in the development of the Indian English novel, and as a founding member of the Marxist anti-colonial movement, the All-India Progressive Writers’ Association, in the 1930s. Via an examination of an obscure and largely forgotten experimental Anand short story, Lament on a Death of A Master of Arts, this article revisits his most famous novel, Untouchable, through an emphasis on the poetics of touch and sensation. It argues that there lies, latent in Anand’s realist engagements with the emergent national consciousness, a particular aesthetic investment in the visceral sensibilities of the colonized subject. Foregrounding his participation in the Progressive Writers’ movement, it contends that the question of what would define realist literature as “progressive” for Anand and the Progressive Writers in a decolonizing India brings to light the group’s dynamic aesthetic grapplings with revolutionary feelings and the revolution of feeling.
Marine record of Holocene climate, ocean, and cryosphere interactions: Herbert Sound, James Ross Island, Antarctica

Abstract The sediment record offshore James Ross Island, northeast Antarctic Peninsula presents an unparalleled opportunity to directly compare marine and terrestrial climate records spanning the Holocene in maritime Antarctica. An 11 m drill core was collected between Herbert Sound and Croft Bay as part of the SHALDRIL NBP-0502 initiative and produced the southernmost sediment record from the eastern side of the AP. Thirty-eight radiocarbon ages are used to construct an age model of centennial-scale resolution. Multi-proxy records, including magnetic susceptibility, pebble content, particle size, total organic carbon, and diatom assemblages, were interrogated in the context of nearby Holocene-age ice core, lake, and drift records from James Ross Island. Differences in the timing and expression of Holocene events reflect marine controls on tidewater glaciers, such as water mass configurations and sea ice. Glacial behavior mimics ice core paleotemperatures during the Holocene, with the exception of distinct ocean warming events. Herbert Sound was fully occupied by grounded ice during the Last Glacial Maximum, and experienced rapid lift-off, followed by a floating ice phase. The canopy of floating ice receded by 10 ± 2.4 cal kyr BP, presumably in response to Early Holocene warming. Herbert Sound and Croft Bay fully deglaciated by 7.2 cal kyr BP, when the Mid Holocene Hypsithermal commenced and the sound became open and productive. An extreme peak in productivity ∼6.1 cal kyr BP indicates an oceanic warming event that is not reflected in atmospheric temperature or lacustrine sediment records. Increase in sea ice cover and ice rafting mark the onset of the Neoglacial ∼2.5 cal kyr BP, when pronounced atmospheric cooling is documented in the James Ross Island ice core. Our comparison facilitates more holistic understanding of atmosphere-ocean-cryosphere interactions that may aid predictions of glacial response to future warming and sea-level scenarios.
Long-term rice rotation, tillage, and fertility effects on near-surface chemical properties in a silt-loam soil

A majority of the rice (Oryza sativa L.) produced in the United States occurs on alluvial soils in the lower Mississippi River Valley, lower coastal plains of Louisiana and Texas, and in the Sacramento River Valley of California. Rice is a staple grain of global importance, so ensuring the sustainability of rice production systems is vital to feeding the world’s population and protecting economic livelihoods. Therefore, a study was conducted at the Rice Research and Extension Center near Stuttgart, Arkansas to evaluate the long-term effects of rice-based crop rotations [with corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)], tillage (conventional and no-tillage), and soil fertility treatments (optimal and sub-optimal) after 11 years (1999–2010) on soil organic matter (SOM) content, soil pH, and Mehlich-3 extractable nutrient contents in the top 10 cm of a Dewitt silt loam (fine, smectitic, thermic, Typic Albaqualf). Results revealed increases in SOM (9–14 %) and extractable Mn (68–220 %), Fe (82 %), and Na (37–76 %) contents in most tillage–fertility–rotation treatments over time. Soil P (fourfold to eightfold) and K (twofold to threefold) contents increased in rotations with wheat and soil pH (9 %) increased under sub-optimal fertility. In contrast, extractable Ca (22 %), S (30 %), and Cu (27 %) contents decreased over time in all treatment combinations and Zn (twofold) contents decreased under continuous rice. Understanding the decadal effects field management practices have on soil chemical properties will provide insight into the longer-term economic and environmental sustainability of rice-based cropping systems.
Effects of pharmacologic agents on the reversed passive Arthus reaction in the rat

Abstract The Arthus reaction has many of the cardinal features of immune complex disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, i.e. immune complex formation, complemet fixation and neutrophil mediation. In an attempt to determine the usefulness of this experimental model in the search for new anti-arthritic drugs, the effects of drugs currently used for the treatment of rheumatologic diseases as well as various classes of pharmacologic agents on the RPA reaction in the rat were determined and compared with their effects on the carrageenan-induced edema and the passive anaphylaxis (PCA). Non-steriod anti-inflammatory drugs, i.e., indomethacin, phenylbutazone, sodium salicylate, sudoxicam; steriod, e .g. dexamethasone; and slow-acting antiarthritic agents, i.e. chloroquine, cyclophosphamine, myochrysine and D-penicillamine are either inactive or moderately active at extremely high doses. Antihistamine and antioseroyonin agents, i.e. mepyramine, methysergide and cyproheptadine that suppress the PCA reaction as well as agents that block release of mediators, i.e. disodium cromoglycate and diethylcarbamazine failed to influence the RPA reaction. Other pharmacologic agents includings MAO inhibitors, sedatives anticholinergics, fibrinolytic inhibitors, trypsin inhibitors, also showed no effect ont he RPA reaction. Of all compounds tested, colchicine is most potent in suppressing the RPA reaction. It is concluded that the RPA reaction in the rat appears to be a useful model in uncovering anti-inflammatory agents that act modulating functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
Radiative flux measurements in the troposphere.

A new airborne radiometric system with a time resolution as high as 60 msec has been designed for measuring radiative fluxes in the atmosphere. To verify the instrument performance, the solar constant at the top of the atmosphere has been calculated using the radiative flux densities measured in the troposphere, and the result obtained has been found to agree with the standard value to within 4%. Total heating rates of 0.175 and 0.377 K/h have been determined for hazy and foggy atmospheres, respectively, and aerosol heating rates of 0.065 and 0.235 K/h have been deduced from the total heating rates.
Follicular dendritic cell networks of primary follicles and germinal centers: phenotype and function

Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) were identified decades ago by their ability to retain immune complexes and more recent findings indicate that they are a source of B cell attractants and trophic factors. New imaging studies have shown that B cells closely associate with their dendritic processes during migration. Here we will review the properties of these specialized follicular stromal cells and provide an update on the requirements for their maturation into phenotypically distinct cells within germinal center light and dark zones. We will then discuss current understanding of how they help support the B cell immune response.
Conformal multilayer hyperthermia applicators for superficial cancer treatment in veterinary patients

New compact conformal antennas with modified ground plane operating at 434 MHz have been investigated for hyperthermia treatment in veterinary patients. The antennas are designed to be mounted on the surface of an animal's skin. Using flexible silicone layers and thin substrates helps them to easily conform to curved body surfaces. The slotted ground plane improves the uniformity of the field distribution; patches are placed in the slot to enhance the power concentration on the superficial cancerous tissue region. The designed antennas show more energy focusing in the tissue.
Obstacle Avoidance for Kinematically Redundant Manipulators in Dynamically Varying Environments

The vast majority of work to date concerned with obstacle avoidance for manipulators has dealt with task descriptions in the form ofpick-and-place movements. The added flexibil ity in motion control for manipulators possessing redundant degrees offreedom permits the consideration of obstacle avoidance in the context of a specified end-effector trajectory as the task description. Such a task definition is a more accurate model for such tasks as spray painting or arc weld ing. The approach presented here is to determine the re quired joint angle rates for the manipulator under the con straints of multiple goals, the primary goal described by the specified end-effector trajectory and secondary goals describ ing the obstacle avoidance criteria. The decomposition of the solution into a particular and a homogeneous component effectively illustrates the priority of the multiple goals that is exact end-effector control with redundant degrees of freedom maximizing the distance to obstacles. An efficient numerical ...
Enumeration of Viable Listeria monocytogenes Cells by Real-Time PCR with Propidium Monoazide and Ethidium Monoazide in the Presence of Dead Cells

Propidium monoazide (PMA) and ethidium monoazide were used for enumeration of viable Listeria monocytogenes cells in the presence of dead cells. PMA had no antimicrobial effect on L. monocytogenes. Viable cell counts were linearly related to real-time PCR threshold cycle values for PMA-treated cells from planktonic and biofilm sources over a 4-log range.
Micro Vibration Measurement Sensor Based on the Tunneling Effect

Scanning tunneling microscopy is one of the surface measurement instruments in micro and nano field, and the Z-direction resolution is 0.01nm. So it is easily affected by the external factor in the course of measurement. The influence of vibration has already become one of main obstacles for improving the nano measuring accuracy. In this article, micro vibration measurement based on the tunneling effect is referred. A new sensor design of double displacement stages is brought to study the micro vibration, and both stages have the nano level displacement and resolution. Using this sensor, the tunneling effect is realized and the micro vibration is measured. The experiment results show this design has stable performance, and the results can be used to be a reference for the compensation of scanning tunneling microscopy.
Stress states and growth behavior of bridged cracks at creep regime

Abstract In this study growth behavior of bridged cracks, resulting from the growth of pre-nucleated creep cavities with diffusional and dislocation-assisted mechanisms, is investigated numerically. The elements bridging the crack are assumed to be elastic; the bridging behavior ranges from full development of the bridging zones to failure of the bridging elements during the course of crack growth. The results indicate that the bridging traction significantly relaxes even with the overall creep deformation alone. The rate of this relaxation is not influenced by the rate of crack growth. However, the rate of change in the bridging zone length or the density of the bridging elements in the bridging zone strongly affects both the maximum value and the distribution of the traction in the bridging zone. A much weaker stress singularity than the ones described by K or C* was found ahead of the bridged cracks in the creep regime. In this weak singularity region the cavities, located at increasing distance from the crack tip, grow at similar high rates to each other.
Statistical models for LWIR hyperspectral backgrounds and their applications in chemical agent detection

Remote detection of chemical vapors in the atmosphere has a wide range of civilian and military applications. In the past few years there has been significant interest in the detection of effluent plumes using hyperspectral imaging spectroscopy in the 8-13mm atmospheric window. A major obstacle in the full exploitation of this technology is the fact that everything in the infrared is a source of radiation. As a result, the emission from the gases of interest is always mixed with emission by the more abundant atmospheric constituents and by other objects in the sensor field of view. The radiance fluctuations in this background emission constitute an additional source of interference which is much stronger than the detector noise. In this paper we develop and evaluate parametric models for the statistical characterization of LWIR hyperspectral backgrounds. We consider models based on the theory of elliptically contoured distributions. Both models can handle heavy tails, which is a key stastical feature of hyperspectral imaging backgrounds. The paper provides a concise description of the underlying models, the algorithms used to estimate their parameters from the background spectral measurements, and the use of the developed models in the design and evaluation of chemical warfare agent detection algorithms.
Surgical aspects of dialysis in newborns and infants weighing less than ten kilograms

Abstract Purpose: Renal failure occurs in children with moderate frequency. Surgical aspects of establishing and maintaining dialysis access in small infants are exceptionally challenging. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the authors' experience with dialysis access for infants less than 10 kg, particularly with respect to the surgical care required. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted between 1991 and 1999 of all pediatric dialysis patients weighing 10 kg or less (n = 29). Age at start of dialysis, duration of dialysis, modes of dialysis, and complications specific to peritoneal (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) were examined. Results: The mean age at start of dialysis was 10.4 months and continued for an average duration of 16.3 months. Seventy-two percent of all patients required both modes of dialysis. HD and PD duration averaged 7.8 and 10.5 months, respectively. Catheter durability was 3.1 and 4.5 months per catheter for HD and PD, respectively. There was no significant difference in complications when comparing HD and PD. Patients who weighed 5 to 10 kg had significantly longer PD catheter durability than patients 0 to 5 kg ( P =.001). Forty-one percent of patients terminated dialysis after transplantation, whereas 24% died awaiting transplantation. Conclusion: Despite a large number of operations required, infants less than 10 kg can be bridged successfully, by surgical intervention and subsequent dialysis, to transplantation. J Pediatr Surg 35:1543-1548. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Vascular access in the neonate following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Abstract An infant maintained on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has unlimited vascular access. When the infant is returned to conventional ventilator therapy, the need for vascular access persists for days to weeks. Providing alternative central veneous access may be problematic, particularly while the infant is still heparinized during the first 12 hours after decannulation. In this study, secondary central venous catheters. (CVC) were placed, at the time of decannulation, into the internal jugular vein from which the venous bypass cannula is removed. Fiftyfour of 90 infants supported with ECMO had secondary CVCs placed (60%) and vascular access maintained for 2 to 122 days (mean, 17.5 days). Four catheters were removed for culture-proved line sepsis (7.4%). Neck wounds were reexplored for bleeding, while on bypass, in 2 of 4 patients in the sepsis group. There were no deaths related to catheter sepsis. Catheter-related septic infants had been on bypass for 50 to 88 hours (mean, 72.7 hours) as compared with 11 to 312 hours (mean, 104 hours) for the entire ECMO group, P = NS. This experience (942 catheterdays) suggests that secondary CVC placement into the vein used for bypass is safe with infectious complications comparable to catheters placed through primary wounds. Infants requiring neck explorations for bleeding while on bypass are not candidates for secondary CVC placement.
Distribution and function of β-adrenoceptors in different chambers of the canine heart

1 An improved binding assay involving (-)-[(3)H]-dihydroalprenolol (DHA) and KCl-washed cardiac membranes was developed to study beta-adrenoceptors in the canine heart quantitatively.2 Receptor numbers varied from 3.8 to 7.1 pmol/g fresh tissue, showing a steady increase from left atrium --> right atrium --> right ventricle --> interventricular septum --> left ventricle. With one minor exception, the same pattern was found for adenylate cyclase activity and Na(+), K(+)-activated ATPase activity.3 The binding of DHA was inhibited in the expected manner by beta-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists, and was stereospecific, in confirmation of previous studies. Dissociation constants determined from Scatchard analyses included DHA: 2.5 nM; (-)adrenaline: 230 nM; (-)noradrenaline: 1167 nM. Kinetic analyses of the binding of DHA yielded a K(D) of about 4 nM.4 The distribution of beta-receptors is closely related to that of blood flow and the arrival plus retention of a circulating catecholamine, but is markedly different from that of endogenous noradrenaline, and thus adrenergic nerve terminals. Most receptors thus appear not at synapses but diffusely localized where they can react with circulating adrenaline.5 Evidence is discussed that beta-receptors at synapses respond primarily to neural noradrenaline, less to circulating adrenaline, and hardly at all to circulating noradrenaline; responses mediate increased cardiac output during exercise. In contrast most cardiac beta-receptors appear to respond only to adrenaline, and to be used, except at times of severe circulatory stress, during psychological stress.
Efficient LL(1) error correction and recovery using only insertions

An LL(1)-based error-corrector which operates by insertion-only is studied. The corrector is able to correct and parse any input string. It is efficient (linear in space and time requirements) and chooses least-cost insertions (as defined by the user) in correcting syntax errors. Moreover, the error-corrector can be generated automatically from the grammar and a table of terminal symbol insertion costs. This method is also very well suited for use as an automatic error-recovery technique in LL(1) parsers. The class of LL(1) grammars correctable by this method contains (with minor modifications) grammars used to specify most common programming languages. Preliminary results suggest that this method can be used to advantage in LL(1)-driven compilers.
Location Choice and Commuting Behavior in Cities with Decentralized Employment

This paper explores residential and job location patterns and commuting behavior in a monocentric urban model with decentralized employment. We show that, in some cases, identical households choose different residential rings depending on their workers’ job locations. This means that high-income households whose workers work near the central business district (CBD) may choose residential locations near the CBD rather than in the suburbs if their workers have CBD job locations. In this case there will be a nonmonotonic relationship in the city between income level and residential distance from the CBD. Identical workers also are shown to choose different residential locations depending on their job locations. Wage gradients for workers as a function of job location are derived. The model also suggests that the skill composition of a firm’s workforce affects its incentive to move to the suburbs. Implications of the model for commuting patterns are explored. 0 1988 Academic
Discovery of Chlamydopsinae (Insecta, Coleoptera, Histeridae) in Vanuatu with the description of eight new species from Espiritu Santo Island

Tishechkin A. K. 2009. — Discovery of Chlamydopsinae (Insecta, Coleoptera, Histeridae) in Vanuatu with the description of eight new species from Espiritu Santo Island. Zoosystema 30 (3): 661-690.
WIN-WIN POLICY ANALYSIS: BASIC CONCEPTS

Win-win policy refers to public policy that is capable of achieving both conservative and liberal goals simultaneously. Examples could be given from any field of public policy, such as economic, so...
An intelligent data acquisition system for simultaneous screening of microsomal stability and metabolite profiling by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

This paper describes the development of a mass spectrometer-based, intelligent, programmable, sample-selection data acquisition system with two unique features. One is that the system allows automatic determination of the mass to charge ratio (m/z) of an unknown compound and the utilization of the molecular ion information to perform selective ion monitoring (SIM) experiments for quantitation. The other is its decision-making capability to select intelligently different samples and perform different experiments during data acquisition. These features were demonstrated by the application of the system to simultaneous screening for the microsomal stability and metabolite profiling of adatanserin. In this application, the data acquisition system continuously calculated the peak areas of adatanserin from SIM analyses of a batch of microsomal incubates stopped at various time points. Once the peak area of adatanserin had dropped to an arbitrarily predefined 60% of the initial value, the system made a decision to perform metabolite profiling of the sample. This decision initiated a series of automated operations, such as selecting a sample for re-analysis, changing the data acquisition time and liquid chromatographic gradient and switching the SIM mode to the data-dependent product ion scanning mode. The completed analysis of the batch of samples provided information both on the microsomal stability and on the metabolic profile of adatanserin. This simultaneous approach to investigating microsomal stability and metabolite profiling significantly increases the throughput for drug discovery support.