cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recruitment and retention of rural physicians: Issues for the 1990s

This paper briefly describes a number of structural and economic changes in the profession of medicine and in the rural medical care delivery system that have occurred since about 1970. Changes in the national physician supply; in the training, work, and practice characteristics of physicians; in the demographic characteristics of physicians; in the medical resources available in rural communities; and in federal and state support for the provision of medical services are noted. Four conceptual models that underlie physician recruitment and retention programs for small towns and rural communities are described. These include affinity models, which attempt to recruit rural persons into training or foster interest in rural practice among trainees; economic incentive models, which address reimbursement or payment mechanisms to increase economic rewards for rural practice; practice characteristics models, which address technical, collegial, referral, and other structural barriers to rural practice; and indenture models, which recruit temporary providers in exchange for scholarship support, loan forgiveness, or licensure. Examples of applications of each model are provided and the effects of changes in the medical care system on the effectiveness of each model are assessed. Finally, it is argued that elements of an optimal model for the recruitment of physicians to rural practice include the promotion of medical careers among rural high school students, the provision of financial and cultural support for their training, the development of technical and collegial support systems, and the limited use of indenture mechanisms to meet the needs of the most impoverished or isolated rural settings.
THYROGLOBULIN STUDIES III. CALORIGENIC ACTION OF THYROGLOBULIN WITH DIFFERENT THYROXINE CONTENT

IN THE FIRST of these papers (1) it was shown that a series of thyroglobulins as pure as have been prepared (judged by low phosphorus content) varied in thyroxine content from 0.0046 to 0.38%. The thyroglobulin containing 0.38% thyroxine had 0.57% total iodine, and the thyroglobulin containing 0.0046% thyroxine had 0–03% total iodine. The ratio of thyroxine-iodine to total iodine varied from 0.11 to 0.55. The largest thyroid (455 gm.) gave the lowest ratio and a group of small thyroids the largest ratio. In the second paper (2) further evidence of the purity of these thyroglobulins was the fact that the sum of the phenoliC-amino-acid groups (tyrosine, diiodotyrosine and thyroxine) was constant, and the percentages of arginine, cystine, histidine, lysine and tryptophan were constant. Amid, humin, filtrate-amino and non-amino nitrogen were also constant. One of us (J.F.McC.) made runs on these thyroglobulins in Svedberg's ultracentrifuge and found them polydisperse after being stored in the dry state.
Quantum properties that are extended in time

This paper focuses on "time-extended" properties that quantum mechanics represents as existing at a given moment, but which cannot be measured at a given moment. Several examples are presented in which the energy cannot be measured in a short time. The essence of these examples is an attempt to measure the momenta (or the energy) of an ideal quantum clock by having an interaction that lasts only a short time, where this short time is defined with respect to the internal time which is conjugate to this momenta. However, this momenta and this time cannot both be definite at once, even though quantum mechanics claims that a definite energy should be definite at a definite time. However, the momenta can be definite at a definite external parameter time, rather than this internal time. From the internal perspective, however, it is shown that the energy cannot be defined at a given internal time and therefore, this aspect of "time-extension" is completely quantum in origin, unlike the classical aspect of "energy is frequency." An additional consequence of time extended properties is that the connection between the internal time before and after the energy measurement is made uncertain. This suggests that the complementarity between energy and time is deeper than the notion that precise measurements of energy take a long time. Going beyond the "negative" statements about what cannot be measured (which characterize most of the discussions of the energy-time uncertainty relation), a positive aspect of Δ E Δ t > 1 is demonstrated in a closed system based on causality. In this example, if one were to argue that energy really existed at a definite moment in time, then causality could be called into question. The standard understanding of the relationship between energy and time is that if the energy is conserved then we can calculate what the energy is at any point in time and thus we should be able to speak about energy as actually existing at that definite moment in time. This section challenges that assertion and is motivated by the question: "is there an example in physics of a property that the formalism tells us exists at a given moment, but which cannot be checked at a given time?"
Autonomic dysfunction in end‐stage liver disease manifested as defecation syncope: Impact of orthotopic liver transplantation

Patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) may be at increased risk for syncopal episodes based on their circulatory physiological state. Although a definitive cause for this is not known, several mechanisms have been proposed. In patients with ESLD, defecation syncope may result from a failure of short-term neurocirculatory adaptation to the Valsalva maneuver in the face of a hyperdynamic circulatory state and a decreased effective intravascular volume. We describe 2 patients with ESLD who had repeated episodes of defecation syncope before orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The most effective treatment of these syncopal episodes appears to be fluid administration and the use of a pressor agent, such as dopamine, to help maintain both an effective heart rate and intravascular volume. Correction of this altered circulatory physiological state through OLT prevented further syncopal episodes in both patients. A search of the literature failed to show previous reports associating ESLD and defecation syncope. Possible mechanisms favoring this association are reviewed.
Recent progress in single-sided gamma-ray tomography

The use of scattered radiation for radiography has many potential advantages over conventional projection techniques: for high energy photons the scattering process strongly dominates all other processes. The intensity of scattered radiation is due directly to the electron density and highly insensitive to chemical composition. Finally, the use of scattered radiation allows the investigator to position the radiation source on the same side of the object as the detector. In this paper I will present some recent results of a set of measurements made with our uncollimated Compton backscattering tomography apparatus. This technique uses the Compton energy shift of scattered gamma rays to determine the scattering site. By measuring the spectrum of these scattered gamma rays it is then possible to determine the electron density of the object being investigated. I will give a brief description of the apparatus and present the results of numerous measurements made on a brass phantom with voids placed at various depths. These results imply that for this crude apparatus occlusions as small as one cubic millimeter may be located to an accuracy of about one millimeter at depths of about 15 millimeters in solid brass.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
CO2 emissions from the production and combustion of fuel ethanol from corn

Abstract Concern over the increasing concentration of CO2 in the Earth's atmosphere is causing us to re-evaluate how we use energy. In particular, we need to inquire if there are alternative energy systems which discharge less net CO2 per unit of energy service. This paper deals with the CO2 fluxes associated with the use of one biomass fuel, ethanol derived from corn. In a sustainable agricultural system, there is no net CO2 flux to the atmosphere from the corn itself but there is a net CO2 flux due to the fossil-fuel supplements currently used to produce and process corn. A comparison between ethanol from corn and gasoline from crude oil becomes very complex because of the variability of corn yield, the lack of available data on corn processing, and the complexity of treating the multiple products from corn processing. When the comparison is made on an energy content basis only, with no consideration of how the products are to be used, and at the margin of the current U.S. energy system, it appears that there is a net CO2 saving associated with ethanol from corn. This net saving in CO2 emissions may be as large as 40% or as small as 20%, depending on how one chooses to evaluate the by-product credits. This analysis also demonstrates that the frequently posed question, whether the energy inputs to ethanol exceed the energy outputs, would not be an over-riding consideration even if it were true, because most of the inputs are as coal and natural gas, whereas the output is as a high-quality liquid fuel.
Electron beam proximity printing

Abstract Electron Beam Proximity Printing has been reported on several years ago. Meanwhile an experimental tool was built in IBM Sindelfingen. This paper presents some technical details, the resulting tool capabilities and some results achieved so far.
Inelastic neutron scattering and periodic DFT studies of crystalline aromatic materials: Biphenylene – A Mills–Nixon molecule

Abstract The optimized geometry and vibrational frequencies have been determined for biphenylene using isolated molecule and periodic DFT calculations. The results correspond exceedingly well with the observed inelastic neutron scattering spectrum and the structure deduced from X-ray diffraction measurements at 130 K. The extent of agreement shows that this combination of theory and experimental methods is suitable for detection and confirmation of relatively small structural effects whose detection by diffraction studies may be compromised by crystal disorder. In the case of biphenylene this interest stems from the fact that it is the epitomical Mills–Nixon molecule.
The occipital suture and its relation to a protocular sclerite

Krafka, in his paper, “The So-called Occipital Suture in the Trichopterous Larvae and in other Orders”, has interpreted a region around the compound eye as the unfacetted portion of a protocular sclerite. This sclerite is considered to be bounded cephalad by the mandibularia or trochantin; dorsad by the fronto-genal suture to its contact with the compound eye and also by the occipital apodeme; cauda and ventrad by the “occipital suture”.
Religiosity and Social Support: Implications for the Health-Related Quality of Life of African American Hemodialysis Patients

The purpose of this study was to determine whether sociocultural differences have any effect on the health-related quality of life among African American hemodialysis patients. This study examined relationships between religiosity, social support, and the health-related quality of life of African American hemodialysis patients. Four hemodialysis units were selected for the study. The study population consisted of 176 African American hemodialysis patients who had been receiving hemodialysis treatments for at least 1 month. The religiosity variable was measured by the Measure of Religious Involvement. Social Support was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, and health-related quality of life was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study 36 Short Form Health Survey (SF-36v2). The investigators found that social support contributed to the emotional and physical health of African American hemodialysis patients in the sample, whereas religiosity was inversely related to the physical health of these patients.
Enzymatic sulfation of triglucosyl monoalkylmonoacylglycerol in rat salivary glands.

Abstract A sulfotransferase activity present in the cytosol fraction of rat submandibular and parotid salivary glands catalyzes the transfer of sulfate group from 3′-phosphoadenosine5′-phosphosulfate to C-6 of the terminal glucose residue of Glcαl→6Glcαl→6Glcαl→3-1, (3)-0-alkyl-2-0-acylglycerol to form sulfated triglucosyl glyceroglucolipid. The reaction proceeds at its optimum at pH 7.8, and requires the detergent Triton X-100, F1− and Mg2+. The enzyme does not catalyze the sulfation of glycosphingolipids. The apparent Km of the submandibular enzyme for triglucosyl glyceroglucolipid is 78.8μM, and that of parotid, 58.8μM. Analysis of the permethylated 35S-labeled enzymatic product demonstrated that the sulfate group is located at C-6 of the terminal glucose residue.
Liquid ammonia solutions. IX. An acidity scale for liquid ammonia

LIQUID AMMONIA SOLUTIONS. IX. AN ACIDITY SCALE FOR LIQUID AMMONIA J. H. Takemoto and J. J. Lagowski Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas, 78712 ~Reeeived 30 J a n ~ 1970) Since the work of Conant and Wheland (i) and McEwen (2), the subject of the acidities of weak hydrocarbon and nitrogen acids in various nonaqueous solvent systems has been an area of expanding interest (3). There have been numerous qualitative examples of the use of liquid ammonia as a reaction medium in which extremely basic species could exist (4) as well as attempts to establish relative scales of acidities involving a variety of compounds (5-8). Quantitative estimates of the extent of ionization of weak acids in ammonia have been made using potentiometric (9, I0) and spectrophotometric (ii, 12) data. The purpose of this communication is to suggest a method of linking the quantitative results recently obtained on carbon acids using spectroscopic data (ii) to the relative acidities of an extensive series of substituted anilines obtained from nmr measurements (5). As was pointed out earlier (5), the lower acidity limit of the nmr method occurs for compounds with acidities that lie between toluene and diphenylmethane. The spectroscopic method (ii) which depends upon establishing the concentrations of the weak acid, its conjugate base, and amide ion from a quantitative analysis of the spectra of mixtures of these species is not amenable to acids as strong as the anilines for which the nmr method was used. Acids which undergo partial ionization in pure liquid ammonia have been studied spectroscopically (12), however these are much more acidic than the anilines. Thus, the relative acidities of the
A New Precision Low-Level Bolometer Bridge

A low-level RF bridge has been developed for the purpose of calibrating directly the outputs of signal generators over a wide frequency band. Using standard commercial bolometers giving an input resistance of 50 ohms and an error detection scheme based on raidometer techniques, the bridge has a measured sensitivity (S/N=1) of 3.0×10-10 w. The basic bridge design is described in this paper and various applications are discussed. Although designed primarily for RF measurement, the bridge can be applied to the detection of any kind of electromagnetic radiation provided suitable bolometer elements and modulating means can be arranged.
Representation of CV-sounds in cat primary auditory cortex: intensity dependence

The level-dependent representation of simple speech sounds in cat primary auditory cortex (AI) is explored in naive cats and in animals that have been exposed to these sounds in behavioral detection and discrimination tasks. Population analyses of multiple unit responses in the form of post-stimulus time histograms (PSTHs), neurograms, and spatial distribution were made for synthetic consonant-vowel sounds across AI. The temporal profile of cortical responses was robust across neurons, characterized by brief phasic responses at the onset of consonantal burst and voicing. The spectral profile of the sounds, i.e., the formant structure, was only weakly expressed in the response magnitude across characteristic frequency. The spatial response distribution across AI was discontinuous, and consisted of several patches of activation. Intensity-dependence in the spatial activity distribution was more strongly expressed than in population PSTHs and neurograms. Differences attributable to behavioral training were observed for rate-encoding and temporal encoding of speech sounds.
Stem cell gene therapy for HIV: strategies to inhibit viral entry and replication.

Since the demonstration of a cure of an HIV+ patient with an allogeneic stem cell transplant using naturally HIV-resistant cells, significant interest in creating similar autologous products has fueled the development of a variety of “cell engineering” approaches to stem cell therapy for HIV. Among the more well-studied strategies is the inhibition of viral entry through disruption of expression of viral co-receptors or through competitive inhibitors of viral fusion with the cell membrane. Preclinical evaluation of these approaches often starts in vitro but ultimately is tested in animal models prior to clinical implementation. In this review, we trace the development of several key approaches (meganucleases, short hairpin RNA (shRNA), and fusion inhibitors) to modification of hematopoietic stem cells designed to impart resistance to HIV to their T-cell and monocytic progeny. The basic evolution of technologies through in vitro and in vivo testing is discussed as well as the pros and cons of each approach and how the addition of postentry inhibitors may enhance the overall antiviral efficacy of these approaches.
Conspicuous consumption applied to tourism destination.

ABSTRACT This empirical study applied the marketing concept of conspicuous consumption (CC) to tourism destinations. First, six conspicuous (Las Vegas, New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Washington, DC, and Boston) and inconspicuous destinations (Kansas City, Branson, St. Paul, Omaha, Fargo, and Boise) destinations were identified. In all, 17 conspicuous consumption measurement items were adapted from a previous study and were loaded onto four factors: interpersonal mediation, status demonstration, materialistic hedonism, and communication of belonging. Three out of the four factors had significant relationships with intentions to visit conspicuous destinations. Study implications and suggestions for future research are also discussed.
CREB controls hepatic lipid metabolism through nuclear hormone receptor PPAR-γ

Fasting triggers a series of hormonal cues that promote energy balance by inducing glucose output and lipid breakdown in the liver. In response to pancreatic glucagon and adrenal cortisol, the cAMP-responsive transcription factor CREB activates gluconeogenic and fatty acid oxidation programmes by stimulating expression of the nuclear hormone receptor coactivator PGC-1 (refs 2-5). In parallel, fasting also suppresses lipid storage and synthesis (lipogenic) pathways, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. Here we show that mice deficient in CREB activity have a fatty liver phenotype and display elevated expression of the nuclear hormone receptor PPAR-gamma, a key regulator of lipogenic genes. CREB inhibits hepatic PPAR-gamma expression in the fasted state by stimulating the expression of the Hairy Enhancer of Split (HES-1) gene, a transcriptional repressor that is shown here to be a mediator of fasting lipid metabolism in vivo. The coordinate induction of PGC-1 and repression of PPAR-gamma by CREB during fasting provides a molecular rationale for the antagonism between insulin and counter-regulatory hormones, and indicates a potential role for CREB antagonists as therapeutic agents in enhancing insulin sensitivity in the liver.
Anisotropy in the basal plane of hematite single crystals

Abstract A sixfold torque curve, indicative of a triaxial anisotropy, has been found in the basal plane of some natural hematite single crystals. The anisotropy constant K obtained from the torque varied from 7 ergs/cm3 to 188 ergs/cm3 over the range of samples. Associated magnetic measurements on these crystals included remanence as a function of angle, moment, coercive force, susceptibility and rotational hysteresis.
DNA vaccines encoding IL-2 linked to HPV-16 E7 antigen generate enhanced E7-specific CTL responses and antitumor activity.

DNA vaccination has emerged as a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. However, since DNA vaccines have low immunogenicity, various strategies have been developed to enhance the potency of DNA vaccines. In the current study, we aim to determine whether the potency of the DNA vaccine encoding human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) E7 antigen can be enhanced by IL-2. We have generated a DNA vaccine encoding IL-2 linked to HPV-16 E7 antigen. Our results indicate that the DNA vaccine encoding a fusion of IL-2 and E7 proteins generated the highest frequency of E7-specific CD8+ T cells. We also found that the DNA vaccine encoding a fusion of IL-2 and E7 proteins generated the strongest protective as well as therapeutic anti-tumor effect against E7-expressing tumors. In addition, it was observed that CD8+ T cells were mainly responsible for the antitumor effect generated by the DNA vaccine encoding a fusion of IL-2 and E7 proteins. Thus, we conclude that the linkage of IL-2 to HPV-16 E7 antigen significantly enhances the DNA vaccine potency against E7-expressing tumors. Our strategy may potentially be used in other antigenic systems to control infectious diseases and/or cancer.
Sliding hernia of the bladder presenting as suprapubic pain in a female

We report a case of bilateral sliding hernia of the bladder in a 64-year-old woman who presented with suprapubic pain and nocturia and was diagnosed by voiding diary and cystogram.
Factors influencing the retention and attrition of community health aides/practitioners in Alaska.

: Context: The Community Health Aide Program (CHAP) is a unique program employing local, indigenous peoples as primary care nonphysician providers in extremely remote frontier, tribal Alaskan communities. With attrition rates up to 20%, recommendations for improving retention are necessary to maintain access to health services for Alaska Natives in these communities. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors contributing to retention in Alaska's CHAP program. Methods: Key informant interviews were conducted with 41 community health aides/practitioners (CHA/Ps) in 15 villages statewide. Efforts were made to ensure the sample included a mix of villages with high retention of health aides and villages with lower retention. Geographic and ethnic diversity were also considered. Transcripts were coded using NUD*IST software, and data were analyzed for differences between high retention and low retention villages and between more experienced and less experienced CHA/Ps. Findings: Five fundamental needs of health aides were identified as crucial for retention of personnel. These needs include strong co-worker support, access to basic training, a fully staffed clinic, good community support, and supportive families. Conclusions: For 35 years, the CHAP program has worked to diminish health disparities for Alaska Natives. Though unique challenges associated with the job have factored into low retention of CHA/Ps, improved retention is possible with easier access to basic training, increased support from colleagues and community, enhanced team-building skills, and better on-call schedules.
Catholicising Fascism, Fascistising Catholicism? The Blueshirts and the Jesuits in 1930s Ireland

The Irish revolution of 1916–22, and the Civil War of 1922–23, brought into being an independent nation, the Irish Free State, that was potentially highly unstable. That the first government of the...
School psychology in Ghana

Abstract The nature of school psychology programs and practices in Ghana are described, beginning with the historical development of these practices during the period 1529–1971. Information on the years 1972–1979, based on the author's clinical experiences and research as well as a review of the relevant literature, serves as the basis for a comparative analysis of past and contemporary school psychology practices. Particular emphasis has been placed on students' mental health, the roles of pastoral (church-connected) counselors, and the nontraditional roles of classroom teachers. Discussion includes an examination of the system of school administration, professional education of teachers and psychologists, and the services they provide.
Acid catalyzed cope rearrangements of 2-acyl-1,5-dienes

Abstract The Cope rearrangement of 1,5-dienes bearing acyl substituents in the 2-position of the diene system is strongly accelerated by protic and Lewis acids.
Noninvasive Measurement of Brachial Wall Mechanics During Flow-Mediated Vasodilation Using 2D Ultrasound Strain Tensor Imaging

Atherosclerosis has become one of the contributing factors of cardiovascular diseases. Endothelial dysfunction is considered a key factor in the development of atherosclerosis [1]. Flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) measurement in brachial and other conduit arteries has become a common method to asses the endothelial function in vivo [2]. Fluid shear-stress increases due to blood flow increases, thus stimulating endothelial cell production and release of nitric oxide, a potent endogenous vasodilator. The mechanical behavior of the arterial wall during vasodilatation is considered an indication for endothelial health. In FMD measurement, the endothelium-dependent variation in arterial diameter in response to reactive ischemia-induced hyperemia is measured by comparing the luminal diameter of the brachial artery before and after the ischemia of the forearm induced by pressurizing a cuff [3]. Ultrasound imaging modalities has been widely used in the FMD analysis as a noninvasive low-cost tool, which can be used to track the arterial diameter change with time. Most of the FMD measurements in the literature are based on tracing the vessel wall boundary manually. Since this process is time consuming and may introduce human errors, automatic measurement techniques have been implemented [3,4]. These techniques utilize image processing algorithms to identify the edges of arterial walls, and then calculate the relative displacement change with time.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Brain biogenic amines: depletion by chronic dieldrin exposure☆

Abstract Chronic dietary exposure to dieldrin in mallard ducks caused an appreciable depletion of brain serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, but not of gamma-aminobutyrate. Such alterations may account for the toxic effects in animals following chronic pesticide exposure. Changes in brain biogenic amines may possibly be related to behavioral disorders following exposure to such environmental contaminants.
What Do Parents Think of Two-Way Bilingual Education? An Analysis of Responses

Three hundred sixty-six parents of children enrolled in a school-wide English-Spanish two-way bilingual program participated in this study. They were asked to answer a survey that attempted to elicit information about their degree of satisfaction with the program, as well as the reasons that led them to select it, and their perception of and support for Spanish. In their responses, the parents showed strong support for the program, valued its academic and linguistic emphasis, had positive opinions about Spanish, and created home environments that facilitated their children's development of literacy skills in this language.
THE IODIDE CONCENTRATING MECHANISM OF THE RAT THYROID AND ITS INHIBITION BY THIOCYANATE

IT IS NOW generally agreed that antithyroid drugs such as thiouracil prevent the formation of thyroid hormone. Astwood and Bissell (1944) found in rats that under the continuous influence of thiouracil the iodine content of the thyroid rapidly falls to low levels and that the thyroid gland simultaneously enlarges. Astwood (1944–45)showed that animals thus depleted of iodine are still able to concentrate rapidly considerable quantities of iodine when injected with potassium iodide. This iodine is not precipitated when the thyroid protein is denatured by heating. McGinty (1946) has noted that increasing the amount of dietary iodine raises the thyroid iodine content above the usual low levels in rats chronically treated with thiouracil.
The accommodation of relative motion along the San Andreas fault system in California

Plate motion below the seismogenic layer along the San Andreas fault system in California is assumed to form by aseismic slip along a deeper extension of the fault or may result from lateral distribution of deformation below the seismogenic layer. The shallow depth of California earthquakes, the depth of the coseismic slip during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and the presence of widely separated parallel faults indicate that relative motion is distributed below the seismogenic zone, occurring by inelastic flow rather than by aseismic slip on discrete fault planes.
Charge exchange study with the 40Ca(7Li, 7Be)40K reaction

Abstract Angular distributions have been measured for the (4 − , 3 − ) and (2 − , 5 − ) doublets at ≈ 0.0 and 0.85 MeV excitation in 40 K with the reaction 40 Ca( 7 Li, 7 Be) for 7 Be in both its ground and first excited states at E 7 Li = 35 MeV. Microscopic distorted wave approximation calculations including only a central force do not reproduce the cross sections. Inclusion of a tensor force may resolve this disagreement.
Serotonergic neurons in the alcohol preferring rats

Abstract Previously, we have shown that the serotonin (5-HT) content and fiber density in a number of terminal brain regions have been found to be decreased in the selectively bred, alcohol preferring (P) rats than in the alcohol nonpreferring (NP) rats. In this study, we further report that, compared with NP rats, there were fewer 5-HT-immunostained (5-HT-IM) neurons in the major ascending raphe nuclei of the P rats. Among the three major groups of 5-HT neurons responsible for the majority of ascending projections to forebrain, dorsal raphe (B 7 ), median raphe (B 8 ), and B 9 , there were fewer 5-HT-IM neurons in the median and dorsal raphe (not including nucleus oralis) of P rats, compared with NP rats (unpaired Student's test). No difference was observed in the B 9 group. When the animals were treated with pargyline and L-tryptophan to enhance the 5-HT in the neurons, the number of 5-HT-IM neurons increased in both lines of rats. However, the difference in the number of 5-HT neurons between the rat lines remained. The intensity of 5-HT-IM was also found to be lower in the dorsal raphe neurons of the untreated P than in the untreated NP rats. The decreased 5-HT-IM was supported by high performance liquid chromatography measurement of 5-HT content, which also indicated that 5-HT content of the dorsal raphe was lower in the P than in the NP rats. These results indicate that lower 5-HT content and fewer 5-HT-IM neurons in the raphe account for the reduced density of detectable 5-HT-IM fibers in the terminal brain regions in the P rats, and that 5-HT neuronal transmission is reduced in the alcohol preferring rats.
Vision-Based Monitoring of Locally Linear Structures Using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Inspecting and monitoring oil-gas pipelines, roads, rivers, and canals are very important in ensuring the reliability and life expectancy of these civil systems. An autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can decrease the operational costs, expedite the monitoring process, and be used in situations where a manned inspection is not possible. This paper addresses the problem of monitoring these systems using an autonomous UAV based on visual feedback. A single structure detection algorithm that can identify and localize various structures including highways, roads, and canals is presented in the paper. A fast learning algorithm that requires minimal supervision is applied to obtain detection parameters. The real time detection algorithm runs at 5 Hz or more with the onboard video collected by the UAV. Both hardware simulations and flight results of the vision-based control algorithm are presented in this paper. A fixed wing UAV equipped with a camera onboard was able to track a 700 m canal based on vision several times with an average cross-track error of around 10 m.
Planting Date and Foliar Fungicide Effects on Yield Components and Grain Traits of Winter Wheat

In the eastern Great Plains, winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) typically is planted from late September through November. However, grain yield and grain quality often are reduced by variable weather conditions in the spring and foliar disease infections. Field studies were conducted in southeastern Kansas from 1990 through 1995 on a Parsons silt loam soil (fine, mixed, thermic, Mollic Albaqualf) to evaluate effects of planting date, with and without a foliar fungicide (propiconazole: (1-{[2-(2,4-dichloro-phenly)-4-propyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl] methyl}-1H-1,2,4-triazole), on grain yield, yield components, and grain quality (test weight and protein) of hard and soft red winter wheats with different maturities and disease resistances. In 2 of 6 yr, grain yields of all cultivars planted in late September were reduced significantly by barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) infection. Intermediate planting dates in mid- to late October resulted in the best grain yield and quality in most years. Grain yields and test weights of November-planted wheats were more variable and depended on specific environmental conditions. Grain yield and test weight responses to foliar fungicide depended on severity of specific foliar diseases, cultivar disease resistance, and environmental conditions, but significant yield increase occurred 77% of the time. Planting date had no significant effect on foliar fungicide effectiveness. Foliar fungicide had no effect on grain protein, head density, or kernels per head. Results indicate that a foliar fungicide application could be beneficial in protecting grain yield and test weight potential of both hard and soft winter wheat cultivars when conditions are favorable for foliar disease epidemics in the eastern Great Plains wheat-growing region.
The role of trophoblast interferons in the maintenance of early pregnancy in ruminants.

PROBLEM: Are the effects of ruminant trophoblast interferon-tau (IFN-τ) on uterine prostaglandin (PG) secretion a specific action of this cytokine and what are the effects of IFN-τ on expression of uterine genes not generally associated with pregnancy maintenance? METHODS: The effects of IFN-τ and IFN-α on bovine uterine explant and epithelial cell production of PGF 2α and PGE 2 were determined in the presence and absence of oxytocin (OT). The effects of intrauterine administration of IFN-T were determined on uterine expression of retinol-binding protein (RBP) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) isoforms. RESULTS: IFN-τ attenuated uterine endometrial secretion of PGF 2α and PGE 2 in vitro and diminish PG stimulation by OT. IFN-τ and IFN-α were observed to be equipotent. Intrauterine infusion of IFN-τ resulted in a significant decrease in steady-state RBP mRNA levels and expression of TGF-B1,2, and 3 mRNA levels were lowest in IFN-τ treated animals. CONCLUSION: Negative regulation of gene expression may be a general strategy in IFN activity. This may explain the similar activities of IFN-τ and IFN-α on a broad variety of cell types, including ruminant uterine endometrium.
An analysis of stream‐flow data for iowa

Synopsis—Stream-flow data for 21 stations on seven major Iowa rivers tributary to the Mississippi River are summarized in this paper. The total area of the seven major basins is 35,620 square miles and is equal to 64 per cent of the area of the State. Separate drainage-areas range in size from 210 square miles to 13,900 square miles. Periods of continuous record extend from a minimum of seven years to a maximum of 33 years. Duration-curves and flood-frequency curves for each station have been analyzed with the view to generalizing the record (1) in terms of mean daily runoff which has been equalled or exceeded a given percentage of the total days of observations, and (2) in terms of greatest daily flood-flows which have been equalled or exceeded with a given average frequency during the period of record.
An improved algorithm for concurrency control in distributed database systems

Abstract Deadlock and livelock prevention is critical in concurrency control of distributed database systems. This paper presents an improved algorithm for concurrency control, which not only prevents deadlock and livelock problems but also improves system efficiency by lowering restart ratio and communication cost. The proposed algorithm is effective in environments where most transactions have one-way request (either forward waiting or backward waiting).
Assessing the impact of shift to electronic communication and information dissemination by a professional organization: An analysis of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Abstract Large, decentralized scientific and engineering organizations based in North America and Europe have identified electronic media as a strategic technology for communication and information dissemination to their members and other stakeholders. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the largest technical society in the world, recognized its increasing dependence on electronic media and commissioned a study to assess the social, organizational, and economic impacts of this shift on its members and other stakeholders. Results of the study are reported herein. The Delphi research method was chosen to gather expert opinion from 30 IEEE members and other stakeholders regarding their predictions of the range and depth of impacts, types of benefits, and undesirable effects. The purpose of this research is to provide a series of recommendations as to how scientific and technical organizations may take full advantage of electronic media technology, while taking actions to avoid the negative consequences of this technological change.
Intraoral tongue drive system demonstration

Tongue drive system (TDS) is a new wireless assistive technology (AT) that employs the power and capabilities of the human tongue, which maintains its full functionality even after severe spinal cord injuries and most neurological diseases. The TDS infers users' intentions by detecting their voluntary tongue motion, and translates them into user-defined commands. Here we present the new intraoral version of the TDS (iTDS), which has been implemented as a dental retainer.
Novel Layer-By-Layer Transitions Found in Free-Standing Liquid-Crystal Films

Abstract By utilizing our state-of-the-art ac differential freestanding film calorimetric system, three remarkable surface enhanced layer-by-layer transitions in several liquid-crystal compounds have been investigated. Each of these transitions can be well-described by the simple power-law expression: L = Lo t−ν. This demonstrates that these surface enhanced transitions occur on the smooth “substrate” with long-range interactions.
Development of a consistent multi-sensor global ocean colour time series

The advent of a new generation of space-borne ocean colour sensors brings the prospect of global ocean measurements for decades into the future. These measurements will provide the basis for characterizing variability in the structure of the ocean's phytoplanktonic communities and the response of those communities to climatic change. In addition, the measurements will allow development of the scientific basis necessary to manage the sustainable resources of marine ecosystems. These studies will require a merged, long-term, multi-satellite ocean colour time series extending beyond the operational lifetimes of individual instruments. The Sensor Intercomparison and Merger for Biological and Interdisciplinary Oceanic Studies (SIMBIOS) Project has been tasked to develop the tools required to create this time series. Among these tools are a comprehensive in situ (field collected) bio-optical dataset for validating ocean optics algorithms and associated models of oceanic properties; a programme to evaluate diffe...
Some properties of polling systems

This paper examines the properties of single server queueing systems with customers of several types, where the server rotates its effort among the customer classes and serves all the customers that have accumulated for each class before moving on to the next. The paper shows that expressions for the first two moments of the queue lengths, and for the mean waiting times, can be developed from two simple properties of the arrival and service processes. The properties, which include existing models as special cases, seem plausible descriptors of the complex arrival and service processes that arise in the transportation field.
Phase-behavior-based surfactant–contaminant separation of middle phase microemulsions

This research studied separation of contaminants solubilized in middle phase microemulsions by shifting the contaminant-rich microemulsions from Winsor type III to type I systems. Precipitation-based exchange of polyvalent cations (Al 3+ and Ca 2+) with equivalent amounts of a monovalent cation (Na +) broke the middle phase microemulsions. Most of the contaminants solubilized in the middle phase microemulsion separated as free phase contaminant due to the much lower solubilization capacity of the resulting type I system. The phase transitions between Winsor type III and type I systems were reversible with the precipitation and re-dissolution of the polyvalent cations, allowing subsequent reuse of the surfactant solution. The phase transitions brought about by deprotonation/protonation of oleic acid, an organic additive used to promote formation of middle phase microemulsions, were also studied. The neutral form of oleic acid was more effective than its dissociated anion for promoting the formation of midd...
Induction of guinea pig leukemia-like virus from cultured guinea pigs cells.

SummaryParticles resembling guinea pig leukemia virus were activated from guinea pig nonproducer cells and cultured normal guinea pig cells after chemical treatment. These particles were approximately 100 nm in the mature form, had a density of 1.16-1.17 g/ml, and contained RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity. The peak of polymerase production was observed between 6 and 8 days after 1-day bromodeoxyruidine (BrdU) treatment. Polymerase activity was reinducible and was always detectable in the BrdU-containing medium of the cultures in prolonged cultivation. The results of screening various chemicals demonstrated that thymidine analogs (BrdU and 5-iododeoxyuridine) were by far the most efficient inducers of guinea pig leukemia-like virus in the cells. Antigenic relationship to known type C viruses has been discussed.
The Induction of School Counselors: Meeting Personal and Professional Needs.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain participants’ perceptions of elements of the induction process that met novice school counselors’ personal and professional needs. Interviews of seven novice counselors and their principals over one school year were the primary data sources. Employing an abductive analysis process based on a developed typology of induction elements from the teacher induction literature, the researchers’ analysis of the data indicated that although various induction elements were discussed by participants (i.e. informal mentors, orientation, professional development, collaboration, reduced workloads, and interaction with principals), few were planned specifically for the novice counselor. Most supports for the novices were viewed with mixed results in meeting their personal and professional needs.
Energy in China: Understanding Past Trends and Future Directions

China's growing influence on world energy and global environmental issues make it an important country for study. The purpose of this paper is to identify and measure the relative importance of factors driving China's past energy trends and to explore the implications of factors that are likely to drive China's energy future. China's rank as the second largest consumer of energy and the largest producer and consumer of coal in the world has been the result of the government's past promotion of heavy industry and the country's abundance of coal resources. China's transition to a market economy — which has spurred large efficiency improvements and a shift away from heavy manufacturing sectors to service-oriented and consumer products sectors — has resulted in a dramatic fall in the country's energy intensity over time; however, rapid economic growth as a result of these reforms has led to higher energy use, swamping these energy efficiency gains. China's energy intensity is likely to continue to fall and a shift from coal to other fuels (e.g., oil) is expected with the continued growth of the consumer products, transportation, and service sectors. However, China will continue to be a dominant energy consumer with coal as its primary source. This has serious implications for a number of environmental issues, including climate change, which will require China's involvement to address.
Measuring eccentricity in binary black-hole initial data

Initial data for evolving black-hole binaries can be constructed via many techniques, and can represent a wide range of physical scenarios. However, because of the way that different schemes parametrize the physical aspects of a configuration, it is not always clear what a given set of initial data actually represents. This is especially important for quasiequilibrium data constructed using the conformal thin-sandwich approach. Most initial-data studies have focused on identifying data sets that represent binaries in quasicircular orbits. In this paper, we consider initial-data sets representing equal-mass black-hole binaries in eccentric orbits. We will show that effective-potential techniques can be used to calibrate initial data for black-hole binaries in eccentric orbits. We will also examine several different approaches, including post-Newtonian diagnostics, for measuring the eccentricity of an orbit. Finally, we propose the use of the 'Komar-mass difference' as a useful, invariant means of parametrizing the eccentricity of relativistic orbits.
Differential expression of glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in normal and malignant human breast tissues.

Abstract In the present study we have compared the levels of glutathione (GSH) S-transferase, GSH peroxidase and GSH reductase in human breast tumors and adjacent normal tissues obtained from the same individuals. We have also quantitated GST π type antigen in these samples by western blotting. GST π activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene was found to be elevated in tumors from three out of six patients (patient nos. 2, 4 and 5), whereas this activity was suppressed in tumor from patient no. 1. Results of Western blotting using antibodies raised against GST π of human placenta were in agreement with the GST activity data. GSH peroxidase activity with cumene hydroperoxide as substrate was found to be elevated in four tumor samples (patients nos. 2, 4, 5, and 6) but suppressed in tumor from patient no. 1. On the other hand, GSH reductase activity was elevated in three samples (patients nos. 2, 4 and 5) and downregulated in the remaining three samples (patients nos. 1, 3 and 6). These results indicate that GSH-related enzymes are differentially altered in human breast tumors and GST π type isoenzyme(s), unlike certain other human carcinomas such as colonic, are not uniformly elevated in human breast tumors.
Midaortic syndrome: 30 years of experience with medical, endovascular and surgical management

Background Midaortic syndrome is often associated with refractory hypertension. The aim of our study was to better understand the short- and medium-term outcomes in this patient population utilizing a multidisciplinary management approach.