cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Durable Powers as an Alternative to Guardianship: Lessons We Have Learned

Over thirty years of experience with the durable power of attorney has demonstrated both the advantages of durable powers as an alternative to guardianship and the concomitant risks. This Article reflects on the lessons learned from durable power of attorney use, including the key policy tensions that arise when legislatures attempt to balance the interests of the principal, the agent, and those who deal with the agent. It analyzes how planning strategies and legislative reform can enhance the usefulness of durable powers while at the same time they can provide a measure of protection for all who are affected by the power of attorney relationship. The discussion includes an overview of state legislative trends as well as the new Uniform Power of Attorney Act.
Imatinib Escalation or Sunitinib Treatment After First-line Imatinib in Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Patients

Aim Imatinib mesylate (IM) is effective in metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) patients; however, disease progression eventually occurs due to IM resistance or intolerance. Treatment options include IM escalation or a direct shift to sunitinib, but comparison of these strategies is required. Patients and methods This study included 91 out of 214 metastatic GIST patients treated with IM, who experienced progression or intolerance between August 2001 and December 2012 at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Treatment efficacy and safety profiles were retrospectively compared between groups of patients who either received escalated IM or were directly switched to sunitinib. Results There were no significant differences in age, gender, second-line treatment causes or gene mutations in the IM escalation group (N=63) versus the sunitinib group (N=28). The 2 groups had similar progression-free survival (PFS, p=0.316) and overall survival (OS, p=0.599). Patients without primary KIT exon 9 mutations and who treated with sunitinib had significantly better PFS (14.3 vs. 6.2 months, p=0.037) and a trend toward better OS (not reached vs. 16.4 months, p=0.161) compared to the IM-escalation group. Patients in both groups with responses and stable disease (SD), and IM escalation patients who underwent surgery and who had KIT exon 9 mutations, had favorable PFS. The most common non-hematological adverse events were edema in the IM escalation group and hand-foot syndrome and hypertension in the sunitinib group. Conclusion Comparable results were achieved by IM escalation and sunitinib treatment. Physicians should consider kinase mutations and specific adverse effects when choosing between these treatments.
Occupational therapists' critical value in work rehabilitation and ergonomics.

Work Rehabilitation and Ergonomics, proactive and reactive, are practices that touch the lives of most employees and employers. Effective, evidence-based services are essential to successful outcomes. With the average age of most workforces now in the mid 40’s, the complications of personal medical conditions affect worker production quality, quantity and job satisfaction. The aging of the “baby boom” generation and the anticipated effects on medical costs and work practices is of great interest to employees, employers, and the professional community including those who provide services in rehabilitation and ergonomics. While many professional disciplines provide services in those areas, occupational therapists offer a uniquely valuable holistic approach to the clients with whom they work. This paper will offer a review of the expertise of those trained as occupational therapists, the evolution of the profession’s approach to work rehabilitation and ergonomics from WWI to the present, and will offer insight into the current state of best practices within this focus. To demonstrate this evolving practice, the authors will review the practice of OT work rehabilitation and ergonomics at the University of Michigan from the early 1900s to present day. It is important to first consider how Occupational Therapy has been defined. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), it is
Characterization of a major DNA-binding domain in the herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA-binding protein (ICP8)

We have studied the major DNA-binding protein (ICP8) from herpes simplex virus type 1 to identify its DNA-binding site. Since we obtained our protein from a cell line carrying multiple chromosomally located copies of the ICP8 gene, we first analyzed this protein to assess its similarity to the corresponding viral protein. Our protein resembled the viral protein by molecular weight, response to antibody, preference for binding single-stranded DNA, and ability to lower the melting temperature of poly(dA-dT). To define the DNA-binding domain, we subjected the protein to limited trypsin digestion and separated the peptide products on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. These fragments were then transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane, renatured in situ, and tested for their ability to bind DNA. From this assay, we identified four fragments which both bound DNA and exhibited the expected binding preference for single-stranded DNA. The sequence of the smallest of these fragments was determined and corresponds to a polypeptide spanning residues 300 to 849 in the intact protein. This peptide contains several regions which may be important for DNA binding based on sequence similarities in single-stranded DNA-binding proteins from other herpesviruses and, in one case, on a conserved sequence found in more distant procaryotic and eucaryotic proteins.
Using acoustics to resolve place controversies in deg xinag fricatives

A study was conducted using acoustics to resolve place controversies in Deg Xinag fricatives, particularly to investigate the identity of the prefixal fricative ('x'). A series of two-factor repeated measure analyses of variance and Bonferroni-Dunn post-hoc tests were conducted to examine the effects of fricative Place and vowel Rounding on each measure. Place had a significant effect for center of gravity, while Rounding of the vowel did not. Place and Rounding had significant effects on standard deviation, while they also had significant effects on kurtosis. The significant differences between prefixal and the glottal and uvular fricatives in stems for the measures were analyzed in terms of center of gravity, standard deviation, kurtosis, skew, lowest peak, and intensity. The study has also shown that since there is no contrast between prefixal, there may be a decreased functional load on 'x'-, thereby increasing its variability and reduction.
Relative Productivities and Pressure Transient Modeling of Horizontal Wells with Multiple Fractures

An analytical model has been developed to describe the inflow performance and transient pressure behavior of a horizontal well with multiple hydraulic fractures. The model has been used to compare the relative productivities of multiple fractures, the objective being to determine the conditions under which multiple fracture provide significant improvement over a single fracture. The approach used was to approximate the series of fractures as fully penetrating, uniform flux, vertical fractures in a box-shaped reservoir of closed boundaries. Interference between the multiple fractures was accounted for by the superposition of influence functions. The effect of wellbore storage and skin was incorporated by numerically converting the solution into the Laplace space.
The major powers and the two Koreas: an uneasy transition

Abstract The potential for major change on the Korean peninsula has seldom seemed greater than at present. Barring a severe peninsular or regional crisis, America's preoccupations with military conflicts in the Greater Middle East and itsown internal economic upheaval—both taking place amidst the transition to a new presidency—are likely to crowd out U.S. attention to Northeast Asia. The United States and other powers have substantial incentives to maintain and (if possible) to enhance peninsular stability, but there is little clarity on how to achieve such stability, given the uncertainties related to the political leadership in North Korea, the problematic prospects for nuclear diplomacy, policy immobilism in South Korea, weak leadership and stark political divisions in Japan, and China and Russia both seeking to enhance their regional influence. The Six-Party Talks best capture this indeterminacy, enabling initial but very incomplete steps toward denuclearization in North Korea, without a shared vision...
Detection of halogenated biphenyls from sunlight photolysis of chlorinated herbicides in aqueous solution

A survey study was conducted to determine the generality of chlorinated biphenyl formation from the photolysis of chlorine-containing herbicides in aqueous solution. Seven herbicides from the phenylurea, anilide and carbamate classes were examined. In this study, the photoreaction under investigation proceeded via the coupling of two herbicide molecules to yield a chlorinated biphenyl with concomitant loss of hydrogen chloride. In preliminary studies using ultraviolet lamps, 4-chlorophenyl methylcarbamate (PPG-124) gave a chlorinated biphenyl with only one carbamate side chain, and chlorpropham gave no chlorinated biphenyl, but rather a hydroxylated biphenyl. Employing ultraviolet lamps or natural sunlight, photolyses of monuron, diuron, linuron, metobromuron and propanil produced halogenated biphenyls according to the photocoupling reaction under investigation. All yields of chlorinated biphenyls from sunlight photolysis were approximately 1% or lower.
The structural basis for mapping behavior onto the ventral striatum and its subdivisions

The striatum can be divided into dorsal (caudate-putamen) and ventral parts. In the ventral division, the nucleus accumbens, which subserves adaptive and goal-directed behaviors, is further subdivided into shell and core. Accumbal neurons show different types of experience-dependent plasticity: those in the core seem to discriminate the motivational value of conditioned stimuli, features that rely on the integration of information and enhanced synaptic plasticity at the many spines on these cells, whereas shell neurons seem to be involved with the release of predetermined behavior patterns in relation to unconditioned stimuli, and the behavioral consequences of repeated administration of addictive drugs. In the core, the principal neurons are medium sized and densely spiny, but in the medial shell, these same neurons are much smaller and their dendrites, significantly less spiny, suggesting that morphological differences could mediate unique neuroadaptations associated with each region. This review is focused on evaluating the structural differences in nucleus accumbens core and shell neurons and discusses how such different morphologies could underlie distinguishable behavioral processes.
Scaling error of quantum efficiency measurements for heavily shunted cells in reliability research

In photovoltaic (PV) cell and module reliability and durability research, it is of great importance to acquire an accurate quantum efficiency (QE) data of shunted cells which may be obtained after certain accelerated stress tests such as potential induced degradation (PID). The challenge in measuring accurate quantum efficiency of shunted cells stems from the interplay between the poor shunt resistance and the inherent impedance imposed by the traditional QE test equipment. Unless this test equipment related impedance is very, very low, the scaling error of the measured QE would be significant. A new very low impedance method which minimizes, but not totally eliminates, those erroneous drops in the QE system has been utilized to address the scaling error of the QE data of solar cells that have very low shunt resistances. This paper presents the challenges in measuring accurate QE of heavily shunted cells without measurement artifacts and the QE results obtained with and without the newly utilized low input impedance method.
Nonlinear cycle dynamics in lean spark ignition combustion

The goal of this study was to experimentally investigate the onset of lean combustion instability in spark ignition engines. New data analysis techniques from nonlinear dynamics and chaos theory were employed to reveal previously unrecognized patterns in cycle-resolved measurements of combustion heat release. The results indicated a transition from stochastic behavior to noisy nonlinear determinism as equivalence ratio was decreased from stoichiometric to very lean conditions. The transition to nonlinear deterministic behavior appeared to occur via a period-doubling bifurcation sequence. Experimentally observed patterns were compared with patterns predicted by a recently proposed engine model. The comparison supported the hypothesis that the combustion instability develops as a noisy period-doubling bifurcation. Experimental results from a single-cylinder research engine and a production eight-cylinder engine showed similar trends in cycle dynamics under lean conditions. The similar behavior of these very different engines suggests that the basic phenomena involved may be common in spark ignition engines. The observation of nonlinear determinism under lean conditions may have important implications for engine diagnostics and control because cyclic dispersion under very lean conditions is not a purely random process.
Probing Enzyme-Substrate Complex Structural Dynamics during Intramembrane Proteolysis

Understanding how intramembrane proteolysis is carried out and controlled is important for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is its implied importance in Alzheimer's disease onset/progression. One of the most challenging questions in this field lies in identifying how substrates, single transmembrane helical domains (or type-I,II,III membrane proteins), are recognized by the intramembrane-cleaving protease (I-CLiP) complexes in the absence of discernible sequence motifs. Until this is understood, how cleavage sites are defined by the substrate-enzyme interaction will remain a mystery. Of course, this is the big question, as diseases like Alzheimer's are referred to be resultant from “mis-cleavage”, which is manifested by promiscuity of cleavage site choice by the enzyme. One hypothesis for substrate recognition/cleavage site choice that has gained broader acceptance is that specific substrate structural perturbations during enzyme-substrate interactions differentiate cleaved from non-cleaved single span helical domains. Here we present our findings demonstrating the structural dependence of substrate sequences to potentially helix breaking residue content during their interactions with various I-CLiPs. Interestingly, using a combination of isotopic labeling/exchange coupled to UV-resonance Raman we are able to characterize subtle structural perturbations during the protein-protein interactions within a membrane as well as define the types and extent of non α-helical structures explored by the bound substrate.
Regulation of macrophage function in inflammation and atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis can be considered as both a chronic inflammatory disease and a lipid metabolism disorder. Innate immunity pathways have long been suspected to contribute to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. This suggests that crosstalk between lipid metabolism and innate immunity pathways plays an important role for the development and/or the prevention of atherosclerosis. However, it is not fully defined how innate immunity affects lipid metabolism. Macrophages play a central role in atherogenesis through the accumulation of cholesterol and the production of inflammatory mediators and cytokines. Liver X receptors (LXRs) exert an important atheroprotective effect in the macrophage. In addition to regulating cholesterol metabolism, LXRs are also negative regulators of macrophage inflammatory gene responses. In this review, we will discuss the roles of LXRs in the macrophage as key factors that link innate immunity and lipid metabolism.
A Simulation of Various Variable Hacker Populations

Abstract—The interaction between an information system, its users, and a variable population of attackers is simulated. The attacker population grows according to one or more growth processes reflecting different attacker motivations. Passive defense proves efficacious against only some attacker types.
Rotation invariant detection in a noisy environment using a wavelet-based joint transform correlator

Wavelet based Joint transform correlator (JTC) for rotation invariant automatic target detection is proposed in this paper. Wavelet features of a set of rotationally distorted training images are first extracted at different levels of resolution. A simple composite filter formulation is then employed to construct the reference image of the JTC. Simulation results are presented showing the improved rotation-invariant detection performance of the proposed technique.
Electro- and magneto-rheology

Electro- and magneto-rheological (ER and MR) fluids share many characteristics and potential applications in stress transfer and damping devices. Recent advances include improved understanding of the underlying physical mechanisms, particularly with regard to nonlinear conduction in ER fluids and magnetic saturation in MR fluids, and the development of more effective fluids. Although both technologies have advanced in recent years, commercial applications have been realized only for MR fluids.
Cerebral salt wasting and elevated brain natriuretic peptide levels after traumatic brain injury: 2 case reports.

Abstract Background Historically, hyponatremia in patients with varying brain diseases was termed cerebral salt wasting . Hyponatremia secondary to CSW was reported to be a distinct entity from SIADH, with the distinguishing feature of decreased extracellular fluid volume. Brain natriuretic peptide, a peptide with natriuretic, vasorelaxant, and aldosterone-inhibiting properties, was recently implicated in aneurysmal SAH patients with CSW. Here, we describe 2 cases of CSW in TBI patients with elevated BNP levels. This phenomenon has not been previously described. Case Description Two patients with TBI and hyponatremia were subject to analysis. Central lines were placed to assess volume status. Levels of BNP were measured at the onset of hypertonic saline infusion. Electrocardiogram and cardiac enzyme studies were performed to assess cardiac function. Serial imaging was performed to assess the extent of brain injury. Conclusions These patients with TBI had findings consistent with CSW with elevated BNP levels in the setting of normal cardiac function. In both cases, a high BNP level was observed after declining plasma Na levels despite aggressive hypertonic saline infusion. High BNP levels may be associated with CSW. Further studies are necessary to establish a causative role for BNP in TBI-induced CSW.
Testing the Focal Point Theory of Legal Compliance: The Effect of Third‐Party Expression in an Experimental Hawk/Dove Game

Economic theories of legal compliance emphasize legal sanctions, whereas psychological and sociological theories stress the perceived legitimacy of law. Without disputing the importance of either mechanism, we test a third way that law affects behavior, an expressive theory that claims law influences behavior by creating a focal point around which individuals coordinate. We investigated how various forms of third-party “cheap talk” influence the behavior of subjects in a Hawk/Dove or Chicken game. Despite the players’ conflicting interests, we found that messages highlighting an equilibrium tend to produce that outcome. Most striking, this result emerged even when the message was selected by an overtly random, mechanical process. We obtained a similar result when the message was delivered by a third-party subject; the latter effect was significantly stronger than the former only when the subject speaker was selected by a merit-based process. These results suggest that, in certain circumstances, law generates compliance not only by sanctions and legitimacy, but also by facilitating coordination around a focal outcome.
Structure of imidazole methemoglobin.

Abstract Crystals of horse methemoglobin shatter when soaked in crystallization buffer containing high concentrations of imidazole. By using less than saturating concentrations of imidazole, a stable imidazole derivative of crystalline methemoglobin was prepared and analyzed by X-ray difference Fourier techniques. Both subunits of imidazole methemoglobin show extensive, but different, changes in tertiary structure. Many of the tertiary structural changes observed in the transition from deoxyhemoglobin to methemoglobin are amplified in the transition from methemoglobin to imidazole methemoglobin. Unlike all other ligands that have been examined, imidazole only partially enters the ligand pocket and does not occupy the usual ligand site distal to pyrrole II. The position of the imidazole is on a possible pathway for entrance of smaller diatomic ligands from the solvent into the heme pocket. The extent of imidazole binding of the α-hemes and β-hemes is about 25% and 45%, respectively. An explanation for this difference in occupancy is suggested, involving steric interaction of the distal histidine and phenylalanine CD4 in each subunit. This structural hypothesis may have implications for the kinetics of ligand binding.
Pyloroplasty with Fundoplication in the Treatment of Combined Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Bloating

Although gastroparesis does not influence gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or antireflux surgery, many patients with GERD will also suffer from gastroparesis-related bloating as a distinct symptom different from GERD-related symptoms. The purpose of this study was to assess whether a pyloroplasty with a fundoplication will improve bloating symptoms in these patients. A prospectively gathered database of all patients undergoing antireflux surgery was reviewed. All patients underwent history, physical examination, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, esophageal manometry, 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring, and, selectively, contrast upper gastrointestinal radiography. Patients with symptoms of bloating also underwent gastric emptying scintigraphy. All patients completed the GERD-Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) symptom severity questionnaire. One of the items of this instrument relates to bloating. The item is scored from 0 (asymptomatic) to 5 (incapacitating) based on descriptive anchors. Patients with symptomatic GERD and objective findings by physiologic testing were offered antireflux surgery. Those with delayed gastric emptying (defined as T1/2 > 120 minutes) were also offered a pyloroplasty. Operations performed included a laparoscopic or open Nissen or Toupet fundoplication with a Heineke–Mickulicz pyloroplasty. Postoperatively, patients completed the GERD-HRQL and had a gastric emptying scintigraphy performed. Three-hundred and sixty-nine patients underwent antireflux surgery; of these, 35 patients also had a pyloroplasty. Twenty-eight (80%) of these patients reported significant symptomatic improvement. The median preoperative bloating score improved from 4 to 1 postoperatively (P < 0.05), and the median gastric emptying scintigraphy T1/2 improved from 244 to 112 minutes (P < 0.05). Although gastroparesis may not contribute to symptoms of GERD, it can contribute to symptoms of bloating. Bloating symptoms improved in 80% of patients with the addition of a pyloroplasty. Therefore, addition of pyloroplasty to a fundoplication in patients with gastroparesis-related bloating can improve bloating symptoms.
Insecticidal activity of the crystalline parasporal inclusions and other components of the Bacillus sphaericus 1593 spore complex

Abstract Bacillus sphaericus 1593 spore complexes were disrupted by French pressure cell. Fractions recovered from centrifugation of these complexes on 10–50% NaBr gradients were assayed against mosquito larvae and examined using the electron microscope. Crystalline parasporal inclusions were concentrated in the fraction of highest insecticidal activity. The fractions containing sporangium, exosporium, and spores also were insecticidal at a lower level. These results indicate that the crystals are the major source of insecticidal toxin in strains of B sphaericus which produce them.
Application of a Dichotomic Basis Method to Performance Optimization of Supersonic Aircraft

9Yoon, S., Howe, R. M., and Greenwood, D. T., “Stability and Accuracy Analysis of Baumgarte’s Constraint Stabilization Method,” Journal of Mechanical Design, Vol. 117, No. 3, 1995, pp. 446–453. 10Lin, S. T., and Hong, M. C., “Stabilization Method for the Numerical Integration of Multibody Mechanical System,” Journal of Mechanical Design, Vol. 120, No. 4, 1998, pp. 565–572. 11Haug, E. J., Computer Aided Kinematics and Dynamics of Mechanical System, Vol I: Basic Methods, Allyn and Bacon, Boston, 1989, Chap. 6.
Ambulatory Monitoring of Arterial Oxygen Saturation

We have developed a method of recording oxygen saturation over time using ambulatory equipment. A pulse oximeter was modified to be powered by battery, and values for oxygen saturation were recorded by an analog recorder. The unit is compact and functions for 30 hours between battery changes. The mean difference between oxygen saturation reported by the pulse oximeter and an IL 282 CO-oximeter was -1.12 percent, with a range of difference +/- 2.75 percent, indicating 95 percent confidence limits 5.5 percent either side of the mean. Continuous ambulatory recordings were obtained in 16 male subjects; six were healthy nonsnorers, five were healthy snorers, and five had sleep apnea. Of the average recording time, 19 +/- 5 hours, records contained 89 +/- 7 percent usable data. We conclude that ambulatory pulse oximetry is a feasible means of unsupervised long-term monitoring of oxygenation during daily activities.
Spatial factors in masking with black or white targets

Two masking experiments were carried out. In the first, duration thresholds were measured for a 10 min black test disc paired with a larger concentric black mask, ranging in size from 15 min to 2 deg. The stimuli were tachistoscopically presented centrally, or at 2 deg or 6 deg in the left binocular field. As mask diameter increased, test threshold decreased in a negatively accelerated function, which approached an asymptote below the unmasked condition. All functions are similar with systematic upward shifts for more peripheral stimulation. In Experiment 2, threshold luminance was adjusted for a 1 deg, 5-msec test flash paired with a 250-mseC., 34-mL mask, ranging from 1 deg to 6.2 deg in diameter. Stimuli were presented in Maxwellian view at 7.2 deg in the right eye nasal field. Results were similar to Experiment 1, except that the asymptote is significantly above the control condition. Both experimental results support a border inhibition hypothesis.
MICA, a new polymorphic HLA-related antigen, is expressed mainly by keratinocytes, endothelial cells, and monocytes.

MICA is a new polymorphic gene in the HLA region expressed in epithelial cell lines and gastrointestinal epithelium. Little is yet known about the MICA protein, and the pattern of its expression by freshly isolated cells has not been established. In the present experiments, we used antibodies raised in rabbits against α1 and α2 domain-peptides to study the expression of MICA. By western blot and immunoprecipitation, we detected a band of 62 000 M r in various cell lines (THP-1, U937, HeLa, A431, Raji, MOLT-4, and HUV-EC-C) and in freshly isolated keratinocytes, endothelial cells, and monocytes but not in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and CD19+ cells (B lymphocytes). It was not possible to up-regulate the expression of MICA in different cells by stimulation with γ-interferon, but the expression of MICA was induced in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated T cells. We confirmed that MICA is expressed at the cell surface by flow cytometry. Results of immunoprecipitation studies of β2-microglobulin (β2m)- or MICA-depleted, metabolically labeled HeLa cells indicated that MICA was not associated with β2m. Although the function of MICA is still unknown, its restricted pattern of tissue expression, the fact that it is expressed on the cell surface, and its polymorphic nature suggest that this new molecule, encoded close to HLA class I, may play a role in the interaction between epithelial cells and cells of the immune system.
Serum Leptin Levels in Treatment-Naive Patients with Clinically Isolated Syndrome or Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Several studies have investigated leptin levels in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) with somewhat conflicting results. They have all focused on patients with established relapsing-remitting (RR) MS but have not specifically looked at patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of MS, in the early stages of disease. In this study, serum leptin levels were measured in 89 treatment-naive patients with CIS (53 patients) or RRMS (36 patients) and 73 controls searching for differences between the groups and for associations with several disease parameters. The expected significant sexual dimorphism in leptin levels (higher levels in females) was observed in both MS patients and controls. Increased leptin levels were found in female patients with RRMS compared to female controls () and female CIS patients (). Female CIS patients had comparable levels to controls. Leptin levels correlated positively to disease duration, but not to EDSS, in female patients with RRMS. The results of the present study do not indicate involvement of leptin in the early stages of MS. Normal leptin levels in patients with CIS suggest that leptin does not have a pathogenic role. The ratio leptin/BMI increases during disease course in female MS patients in a time-dependent and disability-independent manner.
Effect of tillage timing on herbicide toxicity to field bindweed

When can tillage be resumed after herbicide treatment of field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.) without reducing control ? This question was answered with experiments on a clay loam soil in the semi-arid southern Great Plains in mid-summers of 1979, 1985, and 1986 when field bindweed vigor was visually rated as good, fair, or poor, respectively. Plant vigor was controlled by availability of soil water. Highest control, about 95%, of field bindweed 9 mo after application of 2,4-D, glyphosate, and dicamba was aehieved when vigor was good. Control with picloram + 2,4-D was not affected by plant vigor. When field bindweed growth was rated as good, control with dicamba, glyphosate, and a mixture of 2,4-D and picloram was not reduced when sweep tillage was delayed for 1 day after treatment (DAT). To achieve maximum control with 2,4-D, tillage had to be delayed 7 DAT. When plant vigor was fair, control was not reduced with picloram + 2,4-D when tillage was delayed 2 DAT. Glyphosate and dicamba gave maximum control after 3 DAT delay, and 2,4-D required a 7 DAT delay for maximum effectiveness. With poor plant vigor, picloram + 2,4-D, a herbicide combination that persisted in the soil, gave best control when tillage was delayed 2 DAT. Dicamba, a less persistent herbicide, required a 7 DAT delay for maximum controL Control was not better than zero 9 mo after treatment with glyphosate or 2,4-D when plants had poor vigor.
The Sandvik peridotite, Gurskøy, Norway: Three billion years of mantle evolution in the Baltica lithosphere

Abstract The Sandvik ultramafic body, Island of Gurskoy, Western Gneiss Region, Norway, is a mantle fragment that contains polymetamorphic mineral assemblages and affords a unique view into the response of subcontinental lithospheric mantle to repeated orogenic/magmatic events. The Sandvik peridotite body and nearby outcrops record four paragenetic stages: 1) pre-exsolution porphyroclasts of ol + grt + opx (high-Ca ) + cpx (low-Ca), which equilibrated at 1100–1200 °C and 6.5–7.0 GPa; 2) kelyphite containing ol + grt + spl +opx (low-Ca) + am (high-Al), as well as exsolved pyroxene containing opx + cpx + spl in equilibrium with matrix olivine, at 725 °C and 1.5 GPa; 3) granoblastic matrix of ol + spl + opx (low-Ca) + am (high-Al), at 700 °C and 1.0 GPa. A nearby outcrop contains a fourth assemblage consisting of ol + chl + opx + am. Lu–Hf and Re–Os model ages of garnet peridotite indicate melt depletion at 3.3 Ga [Beyer, E.E., Brueckner, H.K., Griffin, W.L., O'Reilly, S.Y., Graham, S., 2004. Archean mantle fragments in Proterozoic crust, Western Gneiss Region, Norway. Geology 32, 609–612.; Lapen, T.J., Medaris, L.G. Jr., Johnson, C.M., and Beard, B.L., 2005. Archean to Middle Proterozoic evolution of Baltica subcontinental lithosphere: evidence from combined Sm–Nd and Lu–Hf isotope analyses of the Sandvik ultramafic body, Norway. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 150, 131–145.], marking the time of separation from the convecting mantle. Lu–Hf whole rock and mineral isochron ages of constituent garnet peridotite and garnet pyroxenite layers in the Sandvik body reflect cooling and emplacement at ~ 1.25 Ga and ~ 1.18 Ga, respectively, whereas Sm–Nd whole rock and mineral ages of the garnet pyroxenite layers and the garnet peridotite are consistent with metasomatic alteration at ~ 1.15 Ga [Lapen, T.J., Medaris, L.G. Jr., Johnson, C.M., and Beard, B.L., 2005. Archean to Middle Proterozoic evolution of Baltica subcontinental lithosphere: evidence from combined Sm–Nd and Lu–Hf isotope analyses of the Sandvik ultramafic body, Norway. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 150, 131–145.]. The isochron ages likely record lithospheric modification associated with the 1.25–1.00 Ga Sveconorwegian orogeny and represent the youngest age of the Stage 1 mineral assemblage equilibration. A 606 ± 39 Ma Sm–Nd isochron age of the Stage 2 kelyphite assemblage is consistent with partial re-equilibration of the porphyroclastic assemblage during continental rifting associated with opening of the Iapetus Ocean between Baltica and Laurentia at ~ 600 Ma, or extension between Baltica and Siberia that may have been associated with opening of the AEgir Sea. The age of kelyphite, therefore, places the Sandvik peridotite in the uppermost mantle prior to Silurian shortening between the Baltic and Laurentian continents.
Intravenous gammaglobulin and thalidomide may be an effective therapeutic combination in refractory scleromyxedema: case report and discussion of the literature.

Objectives Scleromyxedema, a rare systemic disease of unknown etiology, presents with progressive dermal mucin deposition, causing skin thickening and a variety of gastrointestinal, neurologic, pulmonary, cardiac, and renal complications. Scleromyxedema is notoriously difficult to treat. Our objective was to suggest a new treatment option and to propose a novel tool, musculoskeletal ultrasound, for diagnosis and disease monitoring. Methods We present a patient with a severe scleromyxedema with cutaneous, gastrointestinal, hematologic, and neurologic manifestations. Having failed multiple therapeutic attempts, he responded to treatment with intravenous gammaglobulin (IVIG) and oral thalidomide. Using high-frequency (13 Hz) ultrasound and electronic calipers, we obtained 3 measurements of skin thickness before and after treatment to demonstrate response to treatment. A focused review of the published literature on scleromyxedema, with an emphasis on treatment, was conducted and the results were reviewed in this article. Results Following treatment with IVIG, the patient showed dramatic improvement in his clinical symptoms and remained in remission through combination IVIG infusions (2 g/kg) and oral thalidomide (150 mg/d). Literature review revealed the absence of any controlled studies for the treatment of scleromyxedema. Various agents have been proposed in case reports and small series with variable success. Emerging data on the use of IVIG or thalidomide alone have been encouraging. Conclusion IVIG and thalidomide in combination may be an effective novel treatment of scleromyxedema. Additionally, skin ultrasonography, a noninvasive test, may become a useful diagnostic and disease activity monitoring tool.
CLOSED-LOOP CONTROL OF A SEEDED CONTINUOUS EMULSION POLYMERIZATION REACTOR SYSTEM

A reactor configuration for continuous emulsion polymerization is proposed consisting of a plug flow reactor followed by a train of CSTR's. Monomer conversion is controlled by manipulating the quantity of water and monomer which are allowed to bypass the plug flow reactor and enter the first CSTR directly. A multivariate pole-placement adaptive controller is used to implement the controls. Simulation results indicate good control of both conversion and particle size. Open-loop experimental results indicate the effectiveness of the plug flow reactor for eliminating the oscillations sometimes found in CSTR emulsion polymerization.
Physics-based graphical keyboard design

Built upon the Fitts' law and digraph model developed by MacKenzie and colleague [2, 3], we introduce two physics-based methods to graphical keyboard design. One method uses physical simulation of digraph springs and the other uses the Metropolis method. Both methods produced keyboard layouts comparable to or better than existing best designs by manual trial and error methods. We also corrected an error in previous predictions and concluded that the upper bound performance of a graphical keyboard should be at 40 to 44 wpm. The effect of varying key size and the use of multiple space keys are discussed.
Copper(II) complexes of symmetric and asymmetric bis(imine) ligands: Tuning the Cu(I)/Cu(II) redox couple

Abstract Two new pyridylbis(imine) ligands 2-((2-methyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-3-(pyridin-2-ylmethyleneamino)propylimino)methyl)phenol, HL2, and 2-methyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-N1,N3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)propane-1,3-diamine, L3, were synthesized via the Schiff base condensation of 2-methyl-2-pyridin-2-yl-propane-1,3-diamine and either 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde or 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde. Complexation of Cu(II) ions by HL2 and L3 yielded [Cu(HL2)]2(ClO4)4 (2), and [Cu(L3)](ClO4)2 (3), respectively. The structures and electrochemistry of 2 and 3 were compared to our previously synthesized Cu(II) complex of the ligand 2,2’-(2-methyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)propane-1,3-diyl)bis(azan-1-yl-1-ylidene)bis(methan-1-yl-1-ylidene)diphenol (H2L1), which coordinates to Cu(II) as a dianion to form [Cu(L1)(CH3OH)] (1). Whereas (L1)2− and L3 form mononuclear complexes with Cu(II) ions, the asymmetric ligand HL2 produces copper dimers in the solid state with the phenolate O atoms bridging between copper ions. Solution magnetic moment measurements and ESI–MS suggest that all three species exist as monomers in solution, although small amounts of dimeric 2 were detected in solution by ESI–MS and EPR spectroscopy. Complexes of all three ligands show similar EPR properties with typical axial spectra. Cyclic voltammetry reveals that the Cu(I)/Cu(II) redox couples of 2 and 3 are shifted to more positive potentials than that of 1, with 3 having the most positive one-electron reduction potential: E1/2(1) = −1.489 V; E1/2(2) = −1.099 V; E1/2(3) = −0.438 V, all versus Fc/Fc+.
Cytoplasmic location of undermethylated messenger RNA in Novikoff cells

Novikoff cells in culture were labeled with L-[methyl-3H]methionine and [U-14C]uridine in the presence of (a) TubHcy2, (b) AdoHcy, (c) homocysteine, (d) tubercidin, or (e) without any additions. Only in cultures labeled in the presence of TubHcy were undermethylated cap structures observed to represent a significant portion of [3H]methyl radioactivity. Novikoff cells in culture were then simultaneously labeled with L-[methyl-3H]methionine and [32P]orthophosphate in the presence or absence of TubHcy. Total cytoplasmic, polysomal and monosomal poly(A)-containing RNAs were analyzed. Both monosomal and polysomal mRNA fractions from TubHcy-treated cells contain partially methylated cap structures, suggesting that 2'-O-methylation of the nucleoside adjacent to the pyrophosphate linkage in caps is not required for transport, ribosomal binding or translation. Comparison of nuclear and cytoplasmic cap structures from normal and inhibited cultures indicate that an altered mRNA population is generated in the presence of TubHcy.
Effects of metal impurities on the optical properties of polyethylene in the warm dense-matter regime

For the warm dense-matter regime, we have examined the effects on the equation of state, conductivity, and optical properties of the introduction of a metal impurity (Al) into a poorly conducting mixture $({\text{CH}}_{2})$ by means of quantum molecular-dynamics simulations employing temperature-dependent density-functional theory for temperatures between 1 and 4 eV and densities from ambient solid to a few times compressed. The properties such as dc conductivity and Rosseland mean opacity exhibit significant departures from the pure ${\text{CH}}_{2}$ results only for metal concentrations above about 50%. The system is representative of a wide range of environments that include planetary interiors, inertial confinement fusion capsules, and laser-produced plasmas.
Simulated, simulated annealing

SYNOPTIC ABSTRACTThe principal shortcoming of simulated annealing (SA) is that it takes too much computer time. We present a few “swindling” ideas for speeding up SA by simulating its action on a problem. The increase in speed is attained at the cost of decreasing generality — the methods all require the use of problem-specific information. We illustrate the ideas with examples, and discuss our computational experience. We conclude with remarks on the usefulness of simulated annealing.
Structured model for Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A structured, nonsegragated model of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been constructed. The model predicts batch growth of the yeast on a variety of nitrogen sources and at variable dissolved oxygen concentrations, and the slowing of growth through the combined effects of nutrient exhaustion and product inhibition in the later stages of the fermentation. The model has been designed to be readily amenable to the addition of aspects of yeast physiology not currently included.
Speed of sound in liquid R134a

Abstract The speed of sound for liquid R134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) has been measured along isotherms at temperatures from close to the triplee point to above the critical temperature (180–380 K) at pressures from near saturation to 70 MPa. The measurements were made by using a pulse-echo-overlap technique at 3 MHz. A rational approximant fits the data with a standard deviation of 0.45 m s −1 . Because the speed of sound depends on the molar volume and the adiabatic compressibility, these data may be used with density and heat capacity data to construct accurate thermodynamic property tables.
Prevention of Hertzian cracks in the handling of semiconductor ingots

Abstract Brittle contact damage can be conveniently divided into two types: blunt indenter (Hertzian) cracking and sharp indenter cracking. Hertzian fracture is familiar to most people in the form of the small cone crack that appears when a pebble hits a glass window. The purpose of the present paper is to describe the occurrence and prevention of such cracking in silicon crystals. A review is given of Hertzian fracture, its study on silicon, and features that allow one to recognize its occurrence. The important influences of impact loading, tangential force, and surface damage are described. Two places in silicon slice manufacturing where Hertzian damage to crystal ingots may be a substantial problem are described. These problems will likely also occur in the manufacture of gallium arsenide and mercury cadmium telluride.
Hereditary encephalomyelopathy and polyneuropathy in an Alaskan husky

An Alaskan husky puppy was examined for a neurologic disease which began at six weeks of age with generalised paresis that progressed resulting in recumbency by 18 weeks. Thoracic limbs primarily exhibited lower motor neuron signs that included distal muscle atrophy and persistent elbow and carpal flexion that resisted manual extension. Pelvic limb signs primarily exhibited upper motor neuron and general proprioceptive deficits, but also included lower motor neuron signs. Abnormal vocalisation suggested a laryngeal paresis. Histopathologic lesions included a diffuse axonopathy and secondary demyelination in the nerves of the limbs and larynx and a similar bilaterally symmetrical degeneration in the spinal cord white matter suggestive of a dying back axonopathy. In addition, a degenerative process was present in nuclei in the brain stem and cerebellum. Recognition of this disease through clinical and pathologic examination in other related Alaskan Huskies suggested an autosomal recessive inherited disorder.
Improving the performance of content-based image retrieval systems

Our world is dominated by visual information and a tremendous amount of such information is being added day-by-day. It would be impossible to cope with this explosion of visual data, unless they are organized such that we can retrieve them efficiently and effectively. At the core of content-based image retrieval (CBIR) is the requirement that database elements must be indexed to facilitate retrieval in an efficient manner. Most existing image retrieval systems are text-based, but images frequently have little or no accompanying textual information. Problems with text-based access to images have prompted increasing interest in the development of image-based solutions. On the other hand, CBIR relies on the characterization of primitive features such as color, shape, and texture that can be automatically extracted from images themselves. Hence, the field of CBIR focuses on intuitive and efficient methods for retrieving images from a database based solely on the content contained in the images. This paper introduces a novel clustering methodology based on the gradient of images coupled with information theory (entropy) derived from statistical mechanics of "spin-up" and "spin-down" states to improve the speed of retrieval and improve the accuracy of retrieval in comparison to the traditional color histogram L1-norm retrieval methodology. By expanding the interpretation of color in images to include a gradient-based description in conjunction with information theory, a new indexing method for content-based retrieval of images from an image database is developed for the reduction of false positives in the retrieval process.