cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ap-let neurons—a peptidergic circuit potentially controlling ecdysial behavior in Drosophila☆

Here we describe a novel set of peptidergic neurons conserved throughout all developmental stages in the Drosophila central nervous system (CNS). We show that a small complement of 28 apterous-expressing cells (Ap-let neurons) in the ventral nerve cord (VNC) of Drosophila larvae co-express numerous gene products. The products include the neuroendocrine-specific bHLH regulator called Dimmed (Dimm), four neuropeptide biosynthetic enzymes (PC2, Fur1, PAL2, and PHM), and a specific dopamine receptor subtype (dDA1). For the PC2, Fur1, and PAL2 enzymes, and for the dDA1 receptor, this neuronal pattern represents the vast majority of their total expression in the VNC. In addition, while Dimm and PHM are present in the peritracheal Inka cells in larvae, pupae, and adults, Ap, PC2, Fur1, PAL2, and dDA1 are not. PC2, PAL2, and DA1 receptor expression were all controlled by both dimm and ap. Previous genetic analysis of animals deficient in PC2 revealed an abnormal larval ecdysis phenotype. Together, these data support the hypothesis that the small cohort of Ap-let interneurons regulates larval ecdysis behavior by secretion of an unidentified amidated peptide(s). This hypothesis further predicts that the production of the Ap-let neuropeptide(s) is dependent on each of four specific enzymes, and that a certain aspect(s) of its production and/or release is regulated by dopamine input.
The nutrition of Monosporium apiospermum.

The disease of man known as maduromycosis, Madura foot, or mycetoma, is due to any one of a number of organisms included among both the actinomycetes and the filamentous fungi. Within the continental United States, the most frequent etiologic agent is Monosporium apiospermum. Boyd and Crutchfield (1921) isolated from a case of maduro? mycosis an ascomycetous fungus which was described by Shear (1922) as Allescheria Boydii. In a Canadian strain of M. apio? spermum, Emmons (1944) demonstrated the production of perithe? cia and ascospores similar to those of A. Boydii, thus proving that Monosporium apiospermum is the conidial stage of Allescheria Boydii. The name M. apiospermum is commonly retained, however, for those isolates in which the production of the Allescheria stage has not been observed. Little information is available concerning the physiology of this pathogen. Boyd and Crutchfield (1921) noted that it could readily be grown in liquid media, and that a number of carbohydrates, including mannitol, galactose, xylose, rhamnose, mannose, lactose, sucrose, maltose and dextrose, were not fermentatively attacked. Benham and Georg (1948) have recently investigated the conditions necessary for the production of the perithecial stage in culture, concluding that media rich in organic nitrogen are favorable for formation of conidia but adversely afTect perithecial production. These workers cultivated M. apiospermum upon a synthetic medium of dextrose agar containing 0.2 per cent asparagine as the only nitrogen source. Thus, the fungus is autotrophic insofar as its requirement for growth factors (vitamins, amino acids, purines and pyrimidines) is concerned.
Integration of Purkinje cell inhibition by cerebellar nucleo-olivary neurons.

Neurons in the cerebellar cortex, cerebellar nuclei, and inferior olive (IO) form a trisynaptic loop critical for motor learning. IO neurons excite Purkinje cells via climbing fibers and depress their parallel fiber inputs. Purkinje cells inhibit diverse cells in the cerebellar nuclei, including small GABAergic nucleo-olivary neurons that project to the IO. To investigate how these neurons integrate synaptic signals from Purkinje cells, we retrogradely labeled nucleo-olivary cells in the contralateral interpositus and lateral nuclei with cholera toxin subunit B-Alexa Fluor 488 and recorded their electrophysiological properties in cerebellar slices from weanling mice. Nucleo-olivary cells fired action potentials over a relatively narrow dynamic range (maximal rate, ∼70 spikes/s), unlike large cells that project to premotor areas (maximal rate, ∼400 spikes/s). GABAA receptor-mediated IPSCs evoked by electrical or optogenetic stimulation of Purkinje cells were more than 10-fold slower in nucleo-olivary cells (decay time, ∼25 ms) than in large cells (∼2 ms), and repetitive stimulation at 20–150 Hz evoked greatly summating IPSCs. Nucleo-olivary firing rates varied inversely with IPSP frequency, and the timing of Purkinje IPSPs and nucleo-olivary spikes was uncorrelated. These attributes contrast with large cells, whose brief IPSCs and rapid firing rates can permit well timed postinhibitory spiking. Thus, the intrinsic and synaptic properties of these two projection neurons from the cerebellar nuclei tailor them for differential integration and transmission of their Purkinje cell input.
Puerto Rico in the Post War: Liberalized Development Banking and the Fall of the “Fifth Tiger”

Abstract This paper analyzes the long-term effects of a liberalized regime of development banking on the growth and investment trajectory of a newly industrializing country using Puerto Rico as a case study. The paper analyzes conflicts between domestic business and the state over the form of state involvement in development during the critical juncture of the 1940s; the leading role of domestic business in the push to liberalize the developmental state project; and the effects this liberalization had on development banking, and on Puerto Rico’s long-term growth trajectory.
Screening for Open Neural Tube Defects

Biochemical prenatal screening was initiated with the use of maternal serum alpha fetoprotein to screen for open neural tube defects. Screening now includes multiple marker and sequential screening protocols involving serum and ultrasound markers to screen for aneuploidy. Recently cell-free DNA screening for aneuploidy has been initiated, but does not screen for neural tube defects. Although ultrasound is highly effective in identifying neural tube defects in high-risk populations, in decentralized health systems maternal serum screening still plays a significant role. Abnormal maternal serum alpha fetoprotein alone or in combination with other markers may indicate adverse pregnancy outcome in the absence of open neural tube defects.
“All the world's a stage…” acting and the art of political leadership

Abstract This essay argues that political leaders, in common with talented actors, develop skills to win over audiences. Citizens dislike fakery yet they insist their political leaders project warmth, strength, likeability and relaxed sincerity. Political leaders and actors learn how to connect with their respective audiences. Politics is full of stage-managed events, yet we rightly want much more than just acting from political leaders.
Evolution of the Iceland hotspot

Mantle geochemical enrichment beneath the Iceland–Faeroes hotspot has been episodic, suggesting that blobs rather than a continuous plume may be rising in the region. Recurring rift propagation southward from central Iceland causing progressive melting of the lower crust followed by the upper mantle, best explains the geochemical variations found along the south-west and south-east neovolcanic zones and their degree of thermal maturity.
Dyadic Processes and International Crises

This study reports the results of a project to construct dyadic-level data from the International Crisis Behavior (ICB) project data collection. The project defines coding rules used in identifying crisis dyads and applies them to identify 766 crisis dyads for the period from 1918 to 1994. This research makes it possible to perform a careful comparison of crisis dyads to dyads involved in militarized interstate disputes (MIDs). The comparison indicates that conflicts that qualify as both a MID and a crisis are significantly more severe than conflicts that do not pass both thresholds. The study offers a robustness analysis of Russett and Oneal's Triangulating Peace (2001) and finds that two of the three Kantian variables theorized to inhibit conflict involvement maintain a relationship similar to the onset of international crises as they do for MIDs. The analysis indicates that economic interdependence is a somewhat weaker inhibitor of crises than MIDs.
Theoretical Half-Lives of Forbidden β-Transitions

Fermi's theory of $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay is extended to the "nth forbidden" approximation. Precise formulas for the distribution in energy of the emitted $\ensuremath{\beta}$-rays are derived for arbitrarily charged nuclei, according to the five possible invariant forms of interaction, the so-called scalar, polar vector, tensor, axial vector, and pseudo-scalar interactions, respectively. The nuclear matrix elements of the transitions, made up of the components of certain irreducible tensors, are constructed. The selection rules appropriate to these matrix elements are given in Table II. The magnitudes of the nuclear matrix elements are estimated by a simple averaging process depending only on the directional properties of the tensors from which they are constructed and the order of magnitude of the tensor components. Theoretical half-lives of the "forbidden" $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decays of RaE, ${\mathrm{P}}^{32}$, ${\mathrm{K}}^{40}$, and ${\mathrm{Rb}}^{87}$ are calculated by numerical integration of the energy dependent electron emission probabilities. Upon comparing with the experimental determinations of the half-lives, the most satisfactory agreement seems to be obtained with the tensor form of interaction. The evidence in favor of Gamow-Teller selection rules is somewhat inconclusive for the case of the ${\mathrm{K}}^{40}$ decay because of the uncertainty of the experimental determination of the maximum electron energy.
Binary Representations of Regular Graphs

For any 2-distance set 𝑋 in the n-dimensional binary Hamming space 𝐻𝑛, let Γ𝑋 be the graph with 𝑋 as the vertex set and with two vertices adjacent if and only if the distance between them is the smaller of the two nonzero distances in 𝑋. The binary spherical representation number of a graph Γ, or bsr(Γ), is the least n such that Γ is isomorphic to Γ𝑋, where 𝑋 is a 2-distance set lying on a sphere in 𝐻𝑛. It is shown that if Γ is a connected regular graph, then bsr(Γ)≥𝑏−𝑚, where b is the order of Γ and m is the multiplicity of the least eigenvalue of Γ, and the case of equality is characterized. In particular, if Γ is a connected strongly regular graph, then bsr(Γ)=𝑏−𝑚 if and only if Γ is the block graph of a quasisymmetric 2-design. It is also shown that if a connected regular graph is cospectral with a line graph and has the same binary spherical representation number as this line graph, then it is a line graph.
Influence of the Tool Pin and Shoulder on Microstructure and Natural Aging Kinetics in a Friction-Stir-Processed 6061–T6 Aluminum Alloy

The influence of the stirring pin and pressing tool shoulder on the microstructural softening during friction-stir processing (FSP) and subsequent natural aging behavior was investigated for a 6061-T6 aluminum alloy. The evolution of hardness profiles in various characteristic regions of the FSP plates was investigated as a function of time from 4 to 5760 hours after the FSP through the thickness of the plates and correlated to the microstructure and residual strain profiles measured by a neutron-diffraction technique. The results show that the microstructural softening and the natural aging observed in the dynamic recrystallized zone and thermomechanically affected zone are mainly caused by the frictional heating from the tool shoulder, resulting in dissolution and reprecipitation of strengthening precipitates. On the other hand, the softening in the heat-affected zone is due to the dissolution/growth of the precipitates and is not followed by the natural aging under the current processing condition. The kinetics of the natural aging behavior is also discussed.
Roles of tumor necrosis factor-α receptor subtypes in the pathogenesis of the tristetraprolin-deficiency syndrome

Tristetraprolin (TTP) is a member of the CCCH tandem zinc-finger class of proteins. It can bind to and destabilize mRNAs encoding tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Conversely, mice deficient in TTP develop a complex syndrome characterized by cachexia, myeloid hyperplasia, and joint and skin inflammation. Studies using anti-TNF-alpha neutralizing antibodies demonstrated that this syndrome, at least in part, is a consequence of the excess production of TNF-alpha in the absence of TTP. To evaluate the role played by each TNF-alpha receptor in the pathogenesis of this syndrome, mice were generated that were deficient in TTP and either or both of the known TNF-alpha receptors (TNFRs), type 1 (TNFR1) and type 2 (TNFR2). Mice deficient in TTP and TNFR1, or in TTP and both receptors, were protected from developing the TNF-alpha-induced cachexia and inflammation. In contrast, mice deficient in TNFR2 were more severely affected than mice deficient in TTP alone, suggesting that TNFR2 might play a protective role in the development of the syndrome. In cultured cells derived from these mice, apparent cooperation between the TNFRs was required to achieve normal TNF-alpha-induced expression of TTP, TNF-alpha, and GM-CSF mRNAs. Finally, the results showed that TNFR1 plays an important role in mediating TNF-alpha-induced changes in TNF-alpha and GM-CSF mRNA stability.
Iterative Method to Detect Atrial Activations and Measure Cycle Length From Electrograms During Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) electrograms are characterized by varying morphologies, amplitudes, and cycle lengths (CLs), presenting a challenge for automated detection of individual activations and the activation rate. In this study, we evaluate an algorithm to detect activations and measure CLs from AF electrograms. This algorithm iteratively adjusts the detection threshold level until the mean CL converges with the median CL to detect all individual activations. A total of 291 AF electrogram recordings from 13 patients (11 male, 58 ± 10 years old) undergoing AF ablation were obtained. Using manual markings by two independent reviewers as the standard, we compared the cycle length iteration algorithm with a fixed threshold algorithm and dominant frequency (DF) for the estimation of CL. At segment lengths of 10 s, when comparing the algorithm detected to the manually detected activation, the undersensing, oversensing, and total discrepancy rates were 2.4%, 4.6%, and 7.0%, respectively, and with absolute differences in mean and median CLs were 7.9 ± 9.6 ms and 5.6 ± 6.8 ms, respectively. These results outperformed DF and fixed threshold-based measurements. This robust method can be used for CL measurements in either real-time and offline settings and may be useful in the mapping of AF.
Economic analysis of environmental policy: concerns regarding the use and role of the social discount rate

The analysis of environmental policy and/or regulation involves determining and assessing the impact of costs and benefits which may accrue over many years. There are a number of intertemporal issues related to such decisions including whether and how to state future costs and benefits in today's terms through a technique known as discounting. In practice, economic analysis of environmental issues generally involves discounting future costs and benefits at a rate known as the social discount rate. This paper examines the decision to discount future benefits and/or costs and highlights the rationale for the technique. The more controversial and problematic aspects of this procedure are analyzed so that those assessing environmental investments may make more informed decisions.
Motif Participation by Genes in E. coli Transcriptional Networks

Motifs are patterns of recurring connections among the genes of genetic networks that occur more frequently than would be expected from randomized networks with the same degree sequence. Although the abundance of certain three-node motifs, such as the feed-forward loop, is positively correlated with a networks’ ability to tolerate moderate disruptions to gene expression, little is known regarding the connectivity of individual genes participating in multiple motifs. Using the transcriptional network of the bacterium Escherichia coli, we investigate this feature by reconstructing the distribution of genes participating in feed-forward loop motifs from its largest connected network component. We contrast these motif participation distributions with those obtained from model networks built using the preferential attachment mechanism employed by many biological and man-made networks. We report that, although some of these model networks support a motif participation distribution that appears qualitatively similar to that obtained from the bacterium Escherichia coli, the probability for a node to support a feed-forward loop motif may instead be strongly influenced by only a few master transcriptional regulators within the network. From these analyses we conclude that such master regulators may be a crucial ingredient to describe coupling among feed-forward loop motifs in transcriptional regulatory networks.
Distribution of the average power of a normal time series

The distribution of the sum of the squares of N correlated and normally distributed elements of a time series can be computed by numerical quadrature of a Laplace inversion integral involving the moment generating function (m.g.f.) of the sum. A method is presented for computing that m.g.f. for a stationary autoregressive moving-average (ARMA) process whose spectral density is a known rational function with $2n$ poles. It requires evaluating determinants of $2n \times 2n$ and $(2n + 1) \times (2n + 1)$ matrices, which may be much smaller than the $N \times N$ covariance matrix of the time series. A second method is described that is based on the Kalman equations and applies to time series, possibly nonstationary, generated by a discrete-time linear system driven by normal random noise. A third method, utilizing the Levinson algorithm, applies when the time series is merely stationary.
Further examination of the effects of ultrasonic activation of gas bodies in Elodea leaves

Abstract The effects of 5.25 MHz ultrasound on the intracellular organization of Elodea anacharis leaf cells were examined. Two types of disrupted cells, in which the cytoplasm and vacuolar contents were mixed, could be discerned; type I cells which take up vital stain immediately and type II cells in which organelles are displaced by centrifugation. The second type apparently involves a less severe, but still lethal, form of damage and leads to stain uptake (an indication of cell death) within 2 hr. Both focused and unfocused exposures began to cause these effects at a spatial-peak intensity of about 0.35 W/cm2 as the ultrasonic power was raised, bu the broader beam affected many more cells. Young, mature and old leaves were affected equally by the ultrasound, but young leaves had a much higher proportion of type II disrupted cells 10 min after exposure than did old leaves.
Infection Structures from Rust Urediospores: Effect of RNA and Protein Synthesis Inhibitors

Urediospores of Puccinia graminis tritici, floated on buffer, produce infection structures when subjected briefly to 30°C soon after germination. Inhibitors of RNA synthesis interfere with the difierentiation of infection structures if present during this heat treatment. Inhibitors of protein synthesis prevent differentiation if present following heat treatment. Apparently infection structure formation is accompanied by synthesis of RNA, and the completion of infection structure development requires protein synthesis.
Prevalence and experience of chronic pain in suburban drug injectors

Aims To explore the relationship between chronic pain and characteristics, behaviors, and psychological status of suburban Connecticut injection drug users.
ELECTRON CYCLOTRON DRIFT INSTABILITY.

Electron cyclotron waves are shown to grow unstably in the presence of small relative drifts of a warm ion distribution perpendicular to the $B$ field. Numerical simulations show that this instability causes anomalous diffusion of plasma across the magnetic field and heating of the electron thermal spread to values much greater than the relative ion-electron drift velocity.
Induced Rh magnetic moments in Fe-Rh and Co-Rh alloys using x-ray magnetic circular dichroism.

The induced magnetic moment of Rh atoms in ${\mathrm{Co}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Rh}}_{100\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$ alloys (x=77,49) is investigated by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) at the Rh ${\mathit{M}}_{2,3}$ absorption edge. By comparing with the XMCD signal observed in an ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{77}$${\mathrm{Rh}}_{23}$ alloy where the Rh magnetic moment is known, the value of the Rh magnetic moment in Co alloys can be determined (0.6${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}_{\mathit{B}}$ for x=77 and 0.1${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}_{\mathit{B}}$ for x=51). We find that the Rh moment is about 1/3 the Fe or Co moment for the alloys studied. Analogous measurements of XMCD from a ${\mathrm{Co}}_{71}$${\mathrm{Ru}}_{29}$ alloy show Ru behavior very different from that of Rh, with an induced Ru moment 1/14 the Co moment.
Technology Infusion in Service Encounters

Service encounters are critical in all industries, including those that have not been traditionally defined as service industries. The increasing deployment of technology is altering the essence of service encounters formerly anchored in a “low-tech, high-touch” paradigm. This article explores the changing nature of service, with an emphasis on how encounters can be improved through the effective use of technology. The authors examine the ability of technology to effectively (1) customize service offerings, (2) recover from service failure, and (3) spontaneously delight customers. The infusion of technology is examined as an enabler of both employees and customers in efforts to achieve these three goals. Although the infusion of technology can lead to negative outcomes and may not be embraced by all customers, the focus of this article is on the benefits of thoughtfully managed and effectively implemented technology applications. Past research and industry examples are featured and future research directions and managerial implications are highlighted.
A second comment on the histogram method in photon correlation spectroscopy applied in dilute polymer solutions

Abstract The histogram method approximates the linewidth distribution function and permits us to obtain an estimate of the molecular weight distribution function by making only one measurement of the time correlation function of a polymer solution of known molecular weight at one concentration and one scattering angle. Caroline has corrected a conceptual error on the collective coefficient k D . However, it is incorrect to assume that an incorrect estimate of kD invalidates all our conclusions because the changes introduced by our erroneous computation of kD is smaller than the difference predicted by the theoretical descriptions of Yamakawa, lmai and of Pyun and Fixman.
Protection from coronary air embolism by a perfluorocarbon emulsion (FC-43).

The protective effects of a perfluorocarbon emulsion (FC-43) against the physiological sequelae of selective coronary air embolism (CAE) were examined in dogs. Animals were randomly assigned to two groups: group 1 received 20 mL/kg of 6% hetastarch in 0.9 normal saline solution with 280 mg/L of CaCl 2 : group 2 received 20 mL/kg of FC-43 (Oxypherol, Alpha Therapeutic Corp. Los Angeles). Infusion time for both groups was 30 minutes. Following a ten-minute stabilization period, a 0.02-mL/kg bolus of air was injected into the left anterior descending coronary artery distal to the first branch. Surface and epicardial ECGs, systemic BP, pulmonary artery pressure, central venous pressure, left ventricular pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), dP/dt max , and V max were recorded continuously. Cardiac output (by thermodilution technique), myocardial creatine phosphokinase levels and the lactic acid concentration were measured. The study revealed a significantly lower systemic mean arterial pressure (MAP), LVEDP, left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI), and right ventricular stroke work index (RVSWI) in the group receiving the FC-43 prior to receiving CAE. Possible causes of the differences are a species-specific direct vasodilating effect of FC-43 or histamine release. Following CAE, myocardial function as measured by dP/dt max , V max , and MAP was lower in group 1 during the first five minutes following CAE. ECG tracings showed all of the ten group 1 dogs had ST-T changes (>2 mm), and six of the ten had ventricular dysrhythmias or conduction defects. Only one of the group 2 dogs showed ST-T wave changes ( P = .0006, Fisher's exact test), and none had dysrhythmias ( P = .005, Fisher's exact test). Three animals expired within five minutes of CAE in group 1, whereas none was lost in group 2 ( P = .005, Fisher's exact test). Thus, FC-43 pretreatment altered the sequelae of CAE in pentobarbital-anesthetized, oxygen-ventilated dogs.
Laser Raman spectroscopy as a technique for identification of seafloor hydrothermal and cold seep minerals

Abstract In situ sensors capable of real-time measurements and analyses in the deep ocean are necessary to fulfill the potential created by the development of autonomous, deep-sea platforms such as autonomous and remotely operated vehicles, and cabled observatories. Laser Raman spectroscopy (a type of vibrational spectroscopy) is an optical technique that is capable of in situ molecular identification of minerals in the deep ocean. The goals of this work are to determine the characteristic spectral bands and relative Raman scattering strength of hydrothermally- and cold seep-relevant minerals, and to determine how the quality of the spectra are affected by changes in excitation wavelength and sampling optics. The information learned from this work will lead to the development of new, smaller sea-going Raman instruments that are optimized to analyze minerals in the deep ocean. Many minerals of interest at seafloor hydrothermal and cold seep sites are Raman active, such as elemental sulfur, carbonates, sulfates and sulfides. Elemental S 8 sulfur is a strong Raman scatterer with dominant bands at ∼ 219 and 472 Δcm − 1 . The Raman spectra of carbonates (such as the polymorphs calcite and aragonite) are dominated by vibrations within the carbonate ion with a primary band at ∼ 1085 Δcm − 1 . The positions of minor Raman bands differentiate these polymorphs. Likewise, the Raman spectra of sulfates (such as anhydrite, gypsum and barite) are dominated by the vibration of the sulfate ion with a primary band around 1000 Δcm − 1 (∼ 1017 for anhydrite, ∼ 1008 for gypsum, and ∼ 988 for barite). Sulfides (pyrite, marcasite, chalcopyrite, isocubanite, sphalerite, and wurtzite) are weaker Raman scatters than carbonate and sulfate minerals. They have distinctive Raman bands in the ∼ 300–500 Δcm − 1 region. Raman spectra from these mineral species are very consistent in band position and normalized band intensity. High quality Raman spectra are obtained from all of these minerals using both green and red excitation lasers, and using a variety of sampling optics. The highest quality spectra (highest signal-to-noise) were obtained using green excitation (532 nm Nd:YAG laser) and a sampling optic with a short depth of focus (and thus high power density). Significant fluorescence was not observed for the minerals analyzed using green excitation. Spectra were also collected from pieces of active and inactive hydrothermal chimneys, recovered from the Kilo Moana vent field in 2005 and 11°N on the East Pacific Rise in 1988, respectively. Profiles of sample J2-137-1-r1-a show the transition from the chalcopyrite-rich “inner” wall to the sphalerite-dominated “outer” wall, and indicate the presence of minor amounts of anhydrite. Spectra collected from sample A2003-7-1a5 identify Cu–S tarnishes present on the surface of the sample.
Scatter reduction in mammography using statistical estimation techniques

Previously, we have shown the effectiveness of using Bayesian image estimation (BIE) to reduce scatter and increase the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) in digital chest radiography. Here, we investigate the use of BIE to reduce scatter and increase CNR on digital mammographic data. Calibrated photostimulable phosphor digital images were obtained of the American College of Radiologists (ACR) mammographic phantom at several different exposures. An iterative Bayesian estimation algorithm was used to process this data. Residual scatter fractions (RSF) and CNR were computed. Resolution was visually inspected. These results were compared to those of a mammogram acquired at standard clinical imaging parameters using an anti-scatter grid for scatter reduction. On average, at all exposure levels. BIE reduced scatter fractions from 57% to 6%, while a grid only reduced RSF to 31%. At similar exposure levels, BIE processing improved CNR to 21.6, while a grid produced images with a CNR of 15.8. At an exposure level of 37% less than the standard exposure, BIE improved CNR to 18.9. A visual assessment of resolution using the objects in the phantom showed no reduction of resolution. In some images, phantom masses appeared more readily apparent. BIE processing of mammographic data can reduce scatter and increase image CNR. This type of image processing may potentially allow for decreased radiation dose to the patient with no loss of image quality. BIE as a method for scatter compensation in mammography is very promising. This preliminary work shows improvement in CNR to values greater than that of a standard grid.
Multimodal Support for Interruption Management: Models, Empirical Findings, and Design Recommendations

Interactive media-based services and applications have become ubiquitous and compete for our attention in our everyday lives. Similarly, operators in many data-rich event-driven workplaces, such as aviation, medicine, and process control, experience considerable attentional demands, as they assume new responsibilities and interact with a growing number of automated systems. These trends have led to an increased risk of frequent and sometimes untimely interruptions. Supporting the effective management of these interruptions is critical to avoid performance breakdowns on both the ongoing and the interrupting tasks. One promising means of achieving this goal is the introduction of multimodal interfaces that distribute information across sensory channels to ensure the reliable and timely detection, accurate interpretation, and appropriate handling of interrupting tasks and signals. This paper will provide a brief overview of well-known models of interruption management (IM), present related empirical findings on multimodal information processing, and discuss their implications for the design of multimodal interfaces that support interruption handling.
Fibrosin, a novel fibrogenic protein: discovery, cloning and implications for fibrotic disorders.

Tissue fibrosis accounts for considerable chronic morbidity in certain connective tissue diseases. Knowledge of the pathobiology of this complication, particularly the identification of fibrogenic pro
Decay properties of 154 Tm and observation of fine structure in its α-particle spectrum

Decay properties of the high- and low-spin isomers of ${}^{154}\mathrm{Tm}$ were investigated following the on-line mass separation of $A=154$ nuclides produced in ${}^{64}\mathrm{Zn}$ irradiations of ${}^{92}\mathrm{Mo}$ and ${}^{94}\mathrm{Mo}.$ The \ensuremath{\alpha}-decay branching ratio of the high-spin isomer was determined and two \ensuremath{\gamma} rays were added to its $({\ensuremath{\beta}}^{+}+\mathrm{EC})$ decay. In addition, fine-structure peaks were observed in the \ensuremath{\alpha} spectra of both isomers.
The chemotherapy of ovarian carcinoma

Ovarian carcinoma is the fifth most frequent cause of death from cancer among women and approximately 14,000 new cases are diagnosed each year of which 10,400 will eventually be fatal (46). Although the mortali ty rate has leveled off somewhat in the past decade, the death rate from this disease has tripled in the past 40 years and more than 1 out of every 100 women in the United States will eventually die of ovarian carcinoma. Although surgery and radiotherapy play major roles in the management of many patients with this illness, approximately 60% of patients initially present with advanced disease (F IGO stages I I I and IV) outside the confines of the truepelvis. Evenafter resection of what appears to be localized disease, 20-50 ~o of women will develop recurrent disease requiring further therapy (2, 40). Thus, for most patients with ovarian carcinoma, some kind of systemic therapy will be required either for pr imary or adjuvant management of advanced disease or for subsequent management of recurrent disease. As a consequence, considerable interest in the use of chemotherapy in this illness has developed over the past decade. This review represents an at tempt to collect the available information on the use of single agents and combination chemotherapy in ovarian carcinoma, and to highlight additional chemotherapeutic agents of potential interest. Finally, a series of studies is proposed which may serve to optimize existing therapy in ovarian carcinoma and provide the basic information required to initiate combined modality studies in a systematic way, comparing newer modalities to optimal existing therapy within each stage.
Clinical evaluation of the Makari Intradermal Test in patients with cancer of the colon and rectum.

A clinical study to evaluate the Makari Intradermal Test (MIT) involved 180 patients seen with sympotoms suggestive of malignant disease, 85 of whom were subsequently shown to have carcinoma of the large bowel, and 66 asymptomatic volunteers. The prognostic value of initial and serial studies relative to patient-survival rate and the efficacy of serial studies in detecting disease in long-term follow-up of patients with resected malignant lesions were evaluated. On the basis of this study, the MIT appears to merit further investigation, not as a definitive diagnostic procedure, but as a survey for identifying patients with early malignancy or individuals at high risk to malignant epigenesis.
Testing against ordered alternatives for multivariate censored survival data

In clinical trials where the treatment groups correspond to increasing dosages of a substance and the outcome is the possibly right-censored time to a certain event, it is desirable to test for increases or decreases in survival times with increasing dose. Furthermore, it may be of interest to study several endpoints simultaneously. Two asymptotically distribution-free tests are considered: one to test the alternative hypothesis that the survival times are stochastically increasing with increasing dose and another to test the alternative that the survival times are stochastically ordered (either increasing or decreasing) with increasing dose. An important special case concerns the general problem of testing for ordered alternatives with incomplete multivariate (repeated measures) data.
Hemispheric Asymmetry as a Model for Hypnotic Phenomena: A Review and Analysis

Abstract The literature related to hemispheric lateralization is reviewed as it pertains to hypnotic phenomena and specific neurophysiologic structures and functions. In particular the hypnotherapeutic work of Milton H. Erickson is analyzed from a neurolinguistic and neurophysiological perspective. Conclusions are offered in light of research evidence, clinical observations, and practice.
An analysis of the in vivo interactions between chemical convulsants and anticonvulsants

The interactions between pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), picrotoxin (PIC), or bicuculline (BIC) and diazepam, phenobarbital, or valproate were subjected to Schild plot analysis. Log dose-probit response curves for minimal clonic seizures were determined for three chemical convulsants in the absence and in the presence of various concentrations of three anticonvulsants. The calculated median convulsant doses were subjected to Schild plot analysis and the pA2 values determined. A comparison of the pA2 values for the various convulsant/anticonvulsant combinations suggested the following conclusions: (i) the sequence of events leading to minimal clonic seizures evoked by PTZ or PIC involves a common receptor, (ii) BIC acts through a different receptor, and (iii) Schild plot analysis of the antagonism between convulsant and anticonvulsant is in agreement with their antagonism in vitro studies. Thus, Schild plot analysis can be useful in the evaluation of anticonvulsant activity in vivo and may offer some insight into the potential clinical usefulness of anticonvulsant substances.
Hemodialysis membrane biocompatibility: the case of erythropoietin.

Protein adsorption occurs upon blood exposure to hemodialysis membranes. While adsorption of certain proteins may be beneficial, adsorption of others may be undesirable. In the present study, we inves
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy with High Temperature Flames

An account is given of the history of the development of high temperature flames for the atomic absorption measurement of metals forming refractory oxides. The principles governing the design of premix burners for such flames, and the relative merits of different types of nebulizer burner systems are described. After a brief account of the structure and emission characteristics of the premixed oxygen–acetylene and nitrous oxide–acetylene flames, the scope and limitations of the latter flame in chemical analysis are discussed.
Critical Care Issues in Management of High-Grade Lymphoma

Lymphoma presents itself from slow growing and asymptomatic to aggressive and destructive. Suspicion of aggressive lymphoma warrants prompt diagnostic evaluation because the tumor can be extremely fast growing and can cause significant sequelae including but not limited to tissue damage, immune suppression, organ failure, compromised circulation, and death. The standard evaluation includes laboratory assay, infectious disease panel, radiographic imaging with computed tomography, bone marrow biopsy, and tissue diagnosis. Two cases studies are presented describing the range of different acute issues that may arise with aggressive lymphomas including tumor lysis, HIV, small bowel obstruction, superior vena cava compression, aggressive disease transformation, and acute renal injury.
DNA Rotation during Viral Packaging Reveals Motor Mechanism and Genome Organization

Herpesviruses, adenoviruses and some bacteriophages package their genomes into pre-formed capsids. Bacteriophage φ29 compacts its genome via a homo-pentameric-ring ATPase that translocates the DNA in 10-bp bursts comprised of four substeps. The details of the organization of the packaged DNA and motor mechanism remain unsolved. Using an optical tweezers rotor-bead method, we find that the DNA outside the capsid rotates in the left-handed sense during packaging, thereby forming within the capsid a right-handed supercoil. Moreover, the motor rotates the molecule by −1.5°/bp even if the capsid has been ruptured and the DNA is not confined. We propose that through this rotation the motor ensures that one of the subunits makes a regulatory DNA phosphate contact every 10 basepairs. This contact assigns that subunit a non-translocating role, thus breaking the motor's pentameric symmetry to generate only four substeps in each cycle. Our experiment demonstrates the potential of full three-dimensional tracking of the DNA provide unprecedented insight into the details of enzymatic function.
Effect of Various Gonadotropins upon Spermatogenesis and Urinary Androgens in the Human1

THE PURPOSE in this clinical investigation was to II study and to compare the effects of the administration of various gonadotropins upon human spermatogenesis and urinary androgen excretion. The materials used in the survey consisted of chorionic gonadotropin, to be designated as APL, pregnant mare serum derivative (PMS), and anterior pituitary extract (AP), which contains primarily the gonadotropic element, as stated by the manufacturer. The subjects comprised 14 male patients, for whom repeated examinations of semen and repeated assays of urinary androgens, either one or both, were done during the period of investigation. The presenting symptoms and final diagnoses varied in these cases, and will be discussed subsequently. Since gonadotropic response in the human so often differs from that found in animal experimentation, and because the effects in animals are generally well known, we shall confine our review of the literature to a partial survey of reported clinical findings.
A convenient synthetic route to 2-deoxy-L-ribose and 2-deoxy-D-xylose.

Abstract 2-Deoxy- l -ribose (2-deoxy- l -erythro-pentose) and 2-deoxy- d -xylose (2-deoxy- d -threo-pentose) were synthesized from 2-deoxy- d -galactose (2-deoxy- d -lyxo-hexose) and 2-deoxy- d -glucose (2-deoxy- d -arabino-hexose), respectively. Conversion of the 2-deoxy- d -hexoses to the methyl 2-deoxy- d -hexofuranosides, followed by periodate oxidation, reduction with borohydride, and mild acid hydrolysis, gave 2-deoxy- l -ribose and 2-deoxy- d -xylose in 55 and 44% yield, respectively. 2-Deoxy- l -ribose was identified by paper chromatography, GLC, and as its “anilide.” 2-Deoxy- d -xylose was identified by paper chromatography. This procedure provides a rapid and convenient method for obtaining these unusual sugars, and may be extended to the synthesis of other 2-deoxy-pentoses.
Mercury concentrations in coastal California precipitation: Evidence of local and trans-Pacific fluxes of mercury to North America

[i] Because of mercury's (Hg) relatively high vapor pressure and long (0.5-2 years) atmospheric residence, there is the potential for long-range transport of contaminant Hg. Many studies have focused on that transport and deposition in central and eastern North America, Europe, and the Arctic, but there has been little research on the cycling of Hg in the western coast of North America. That deficiency is addressed in this preliminary study, which indicates there is long-range transport of Hg across the North Pacific. This transport is evidenced by the elevated (relative to equatorial and theoretical baseline) Hg concentrations in rainwater collected on the coast of California, as well as by the positive correlation between North Pacific storm tracks and Hg concentrations, with maximum concentrations associated with storms from 20°-40° latitude. Those tracks trace air masses containing industrial emissions with peak O 3 concentrations moving eastward off the Asian continent. The Asian fluxes appear to enhance Hg concentrations both directly, through the emission of particle-bound Hg and reactive Hg 2+ , and indirectly, by increasing the rate of oxidation of Hg° in the atmosphere. Superimposed on the trans-Pacific background of industrial Hg is a local signal, with elevated concentrations at the urban site relative to the more pristine coastal site in California. This secondary enrichment is tentatively attributed to elevated local emissions of redox species, including O 3 and its precursors, which increase oxidation rates of Hg° in the atmosphere and Hg concentrations in precipitation.
A Community Stakeholder Analysis of Drug Resistance Strategies of Rural Native Hawaiian Youth

This study examines and validates the drug resistance strategies identified by rural Hawaiian youth from prior research with a sample of community stakeholders on the Island of Hawai‘i. One hundred thirty-eight stakeholders with a vested interest in reducing youth substance use (i.e., teachers, principals, social service agency providers, and older youth) completed a web-based survey comprised of 15 drug-related problem situations and 413 responses developed by Hawaiian youth. The findings corroborated the youth-focused findings from prior research. Differences in the endorsement of different strategies were examined based on gender, ethnicity, and age of the stakeholders. Implications for culturally grounded drug prevention in rural Hawaiian communities are discussed.
Irreducible divisor graphs for numerical monoids

The factorization of an element x from a numerical monoid can be represented visually as an irreducible divisor graph G.x/. The vertices of G.x/ are the monoid generators that appear in some representation of x, with two vertices adjacent if they both appear in the same representation. In this paper, we determine precisely when irreducible divisor graphs of elements in monoids of the form NDhn; nC 1;:::; nC ti where 0 t < n are complete, connected, or have a maximum number of vertices. Finally, we give examples of irreducible divisor graphs that are isomorphic to each of the 31 mutually nonisomorphic connected graphs on at most five vertices.
Refractive Index and Birefringence of 2H Silicon Carbide

Measurement of the refractive indices of 2H SiC over the wavelength range from 435.8 to 650.9 nm by the method of minimum deviation. A curve fit of the experimental data to the Cauchy dispersion equation yielded, for the ordinary index, n sub zero = 2.5513 + 25,850/lambda squared + 8.928 x 10 to the 8th power/lambda to the 4th power and, for the extraordinary index, n sub e = 2.6161 + 28,230/lambda squared + 11.490 x 10 to the 8th power/lambda to the 4th power when lambda is expressed in nm. The estimated error (standard deviation) in these values is plus or minus 0.0006 for n sub zero and plus or minus 0.0009 for n sub e. The birefringence calculated from these expressions is about 20% less than previously published values.
The effective mass and the g-factor of the strongly correlated 2D electron fluid. Evidence for a coupled-valley state in the Si system

The effective mass m*, and the Lande g-factor of the uniform 2D electron system (2DES) are calculated as a function of the spin polarization ζ, and the density parameter rs, using a non-perturbative analytic approach. Our theory is in good accord with the susceptibility data for the simple 2DES, and in excellent agreement with the two-valley Si-2DES data of Shashkin et al. While g* is enhanced in GaAs, m* is enhanced in Si. The two-valley susceptibility is treated within a coupled-mode (coupled-valley) approach. The coupled-valley model is confirmed by comparison with the Quantum Monte Carlo results for a 4-component 2DES.
A family of steady, translating vortex pairs with distributed vorticity

An efficient relaxation method is developed for computing the properties of a family of vortex pairs with distributed vorticity, propagating without change of shape through a homogeneous, inviscid fluid. The numerical results indicate that a steady state exists even when the gap between vortices is arbitrarily small, and that as the gap closes the steady state approaches a limiting vortex pair with a cusp on the axis of symmetry. Comparison is made with an approximate theory due to Saffman, and agreement is found to be good until the vortices are almost touching. The energy of members of the family is computed, and possible means of experimental production are discussed.
Genetic therapies and xenotransplantation

There is an acute shortage of human organs available for transplantation. Transplanting animal organs or tissues is a potential solution and could also provide a novel means of gene delivery. Xenotransplantation faces many challenges, including the immune response of the recipient against the transplant, the physiological limitations of the transplant and the possibility of introducing infectious organisms into the recipient. A number of medical centres around the world are addressing these issues. Much of this research focuses on the application of genetic therapies because of the unique opportunity this represents for genetic engineering to be used at the source of organ tissue, rather than to the recipient.