cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Induced mediating states in verbal conditioning

Summary The effects of instructions and reinforcement on mediating cognitive states and on performance in verbal conditioning were investigated. College students served as Ss. The experimental Ss were systematically reinforced with “Mmm-hmm” for saying plural nouns. Control Ss received random reinforcement. Half of the experimental Ss were informed about the reinforcement and half were not. The Ss' awareness of correct or correlated hypotheses and their motivational states were assessed in an intensive postconditioning interview. It was found that Ss informed about the reinforcement showed significant performance gains whereas non-informed and control Ss did not. When mediating states were taken into account, only Ss with correct or correlated hypotheses who desired to receive reinforcement and tried to get it showed conditioning. The findings were interpreted within the framework of cognitive learning theory.
Nf1 Mutation Expands an EGFR-Dependent Peripheral Nerve Progenitor that Confers Neurofibroma Tumorigenic Potential

Defining growth factor requirements for progenitors facilitates their characterization and amplification. We characterize a peripheral nervous system embryonic dorsal root ganglion progenitor population using in vitro clonal sphere-formation assays. Cells differentiate into glial cells, smooth muscle/fibroblast (SM/Fb)-like cells, and neurons. Genetic and pharmacologic tools revealed that sphere formation requires signaling from the EGFR tyrosine kinase. Nf1 loss of function amplifies this progenitor pool, which becomes hypersensitive to growth factors and confers tumorigenesis. DhhCre;Nf1(fl/fl) mouse neurofibromas contain a progenitor population with similar growth requirements, potential, and marker expression. In humans, NF1 mutation predisposes to benign neurofibromas, incurable peripheral nerve tumors. Prospective identification of human EGFR(+);P75(+) neurofibroma cells enriched EGF-dependent sphere-forming cells. Neurofibroma spheres contain glial-like progenitors that differentiate into neurons and SM/Fb-like cells in vitro and form benign neurofibroma-like lesions in nude mice. We suggest that expansion of an EGFR-expressing early glial progenitor contributes to neurofibroma formation.
An Asymptotic Confidence Region for the ED 100p From the Logistic Response Surface for a Combination of Agents

When viewed in light of the simplicity of the solution in a single variable, it is not surprising that the estimation of the ED10op in combinations has received little attention in the statistical literature. As a result of the increasing interest in the effects of combinations of agents either as the result of treatment or environmental exposure, however, consideration of the estimation of the ED1oop in combinations is warranted. [Skarin, Canellos, Rosenthal, Case, Maclntyre, Pinkus, Moloney, and Frei (1983) reported on the use of a combination of six drugs in the treatment of lymphoma, and Lang, Kurzepa, Cole, and Loper (1980) indicated that several known or suspected carcinogens were identified among the many compounds present in drinking water.] Confidence bands on the logistic response curve were considered by Hauck (1983) and Brand, Pinnock, and Jackson (1973). One of the advantages claimed by Hauck is that his method is not restricted to a single explanatory variable, as is the approach taken by Brand et al. In their paper, however, Brand et al. discussed placing confidence bands about points on the inverse response curve, for example, the ED1oop, a topic not discussed by Hauck. It is the purpose of this article to develop and illustrate a method for estimating a large sample confidence region about the ED1oOP from the logistic curve in the case of multiple explanatory variables. 2. BACKGROUND
Safety and efficacy of upper airway stimulation in treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

Introduction Moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with significant health risks. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can mitigate these risks, although effectiveness is frequently compromised by inadequate adherence to treatment. We hypothesized that electrical stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve would restore upper airway patency and provide an alternative treatment option for OSA. The primary aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of upper airway stimulation for treatment of OSA. Materials and methods The design was a prospective, multicenter trial with randomized therapy withdrawal arm. The study enrolled participants with moderate to severe OSA who had failed or had not tolerated CPAP. All qualified participants underwent a screening polysomnographic (PSG) study, surgical consultation and drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE). Participants without complete concentric collapse at the retropalatal airway received an implanted neurostimulator (Upper Airway Stimulation system, Inspire Medical Systems, Minnesota). All implanted participants were followed for 12months to collect adverse events. Therapy efficacy was evaluated by PSG and quality of life measures Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ) at 12months compared with baseline. The therapy withdrawal effect was evaluated by randomizing half of consecutive therapy responders at 12months to oneweek of therapy suspension versus therapy maintenance followed by a PSG. Results 126 participants (21 females) received an implanted system. Average age was 54.5 ± 10.2yrs and BMI was 28.4 ± 2.6kg/m 2 . At 12months, there was a significant reduction in the Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) from a median of 29.3 (IQR of 14.9) at baseline to 9.0 (IQR of 18.2) and the Oxygen Desaturation Index from a median of 25.4 (IQR of 17.1) to 7.4 (IQR of 17.0). The ESS and FOSQ also showed significant improvement from pre-implant to 12months. The therapeutic effect of stimulation was also confirmed at 12months with a significant increase in AHI in the therapy withdrawal arm vs. no change in the therapy maintenance arm. Conclusion Upper airway stimulation is effective for the treatment of moderate to severe OSA with clinically and statistically significant improvement in objective and subjective measurements of OSA severity. Acknowledgements Funding source: Inspire Medical Systems, Minnesota; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01161420.
Shadowing of Nonpolluted Locations by Urban Pollution

Areas of high concentrations of particulates in the urban atmosphere are hypothesized to strongly influence the solar receipt in nearby nonpolluted regions. Reductions of solar radiation in nonpolluted areas by upsun high aerosol regions are computed using a three-dimensional multi-scattering radiation model for specified solar-elevation classes. Numerical simulations from this model indicate that reductions exceeding 10 percent can occur several kilometers downsun of even moderately polluted regions in the early morning (i.e., periods of low solar-elevation angle). Although the reductions in global radiation are quite pronounced in the early day, they are generally overwhelmed in the daily total because of the relatively small amount of radiation associated with low-elevation angles. A series of simulations for three representative latitudes (33°N, 43°N and 53°N) demonstrate that the areal extent of the shadowing is highly dependent on latitude. Reductions in solar radiation exceeding 3 percent occur 15 km down range of the center of pollution for high-latitude (53°N) locations during early-morning, low-elevation angle periods. Such excessive solar attenuation in nonpolluted regions may affect the site selection of solar power facilities, the planning and siting of parks, golf courses and other recreational activities, the migration and tourism trends in areas experiencing seasonal population changes (i.e., the sunbelt states), and the temperature regime of the region.
Thermal properties of U–Mo alloys irradiated to moderate burnup and power

A variety of physical and thermal property measurements as a function of temperature and fission density were performed on irradiated U–Mo alloy monolithic fuel samples with a Zr diffusion barrier and clad in aluminum alloy 6061. The U–Mo alloy density, thermal diffusivity, and thermal conductivity are strongly influenced by increasing burnup, mainly as the result of irradiation induced recrystallization and fission gas bubble formation and coalescence. U–Mo chemistry, specifically Mo content, and specific heat capacity was not as sensitive to increasing burnup. Measurements indicated that thermal conductivity of the U–Mo alloy decreased approximately 30% for a fission density of 3.30 � 10 21 fissions cm � 3
Changes in the synthesis of minor cartilage collagens after growth of chick chondrocytes in 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine or to senescence.

Abstract Analyses were made of the minor collagens synthesized by cultures of chondrocytes derived from 14-day chick embryo sterna. Comparisons were made between control cultures, cultures grown for 9 days in 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and clones of chondrocytes grown to senescence. Separation of minor collagens from interstitial collagens was achieved by differential salt precipitation in the presence of carrier collagens in acid conditions. The precipitate at 0.9 M NaCl 0.5 M acetic acid from control cultures was shown by CNBr peptide analysis to contain only the α1(II) chain of type II collagen, whereas after BrdU treatment or growth to senescence synthesis of only α 1(I) and α2(I) chains occurred. The synthesis of type III collagen was not detected. Analysis of the precipitate at 2.0 M NaCl, 0.5 M HAc from control cultures demonstrated the synthesis of 1α, 2α and 3α chains together with the synthesis of short chain (SC) collagen of Mr 43 000 after pepsin digestion. After BrdU treatment or growth to senescence a chains were isolated which possessed the migration positions on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), or the elution positions on CM-cellulose chromatography, of the α1(V) and α2(V) chains of type V collagen. In addition, for BrdU-treated but not for control cultures, intracellular immunofluorescent staining was observed with a monoclonal antibody which specifically recognizes an epitope present in the triple helix of type V collagen. Synthesis of short chain (SC) collagen was not detected after BrdU treatment or growth to senescence. These results suggest that chick chondrocytes grown in conditions known to cause switching of collagen synthesis from type II to type I collagen also undergo a switch from the synthesis of 1α, 2α and 3α chains to the synthesis of the α1(V) and α2(V) chains of type V collagen. It appears that there are several cartilage-specific collagens which together undergo a regulatory control to the synthesis of collagens typical of other connective tissues.
Item Sequence and Student Performance on Multiple-Choice Exams: Further Evidence

Evidence from microeconomics principles classes suggests that students' test scores may be influenced by the order in which content is presented in questions.
Spectral subgraph detection with corrupt observations

Recent work on signal detection in graph-based data focuses on classical detection when the signal and noise are both in the form of discrete entities and their relationships. In practice, the relationships of interest may not be directly observable, or may be observed through a noisy mechanism. The effects of imperfect observations add another layer of difficulty to the detection problem, beyond the effects of typical random fluctuations in the background graph. This paper analyzes the impact on detection performance of several error and corruption mechanisms for graph data. In relatively simple scenarios, the change in signal and noise power is analyzed, and this is demonstrated empirically in more complicated models. It is shown that, with enough side information, it is possible to fully recover performance equivalent to working with uncorrupted data using a Bayesian approach, and a simpler cost-optimization approach is shown to provide a substantial benefit as well.
Cellulose Graft Copolymers

Abstract Graft copolymerization reactions of fibrous cellulose with vinyl monomers were initiated at free radical sites formed on the cellulose molecule by interaction with high-energy radiation, by reaction with Ce4+ ions in acidic solution, or by H abstraction by ·OH radicals fromed by reaction of Fe2+ ions with HLOz in aqueous solution. The effects of experimental conditions on the nature, half-lives, location of these free radical sites on the cellulose molecule, and on the copolymerization reactions were studied by the use of electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The molecular weights of the grafted polymers varied over a range from about 3 × 104 to 1 × 106. The distributions of the grafted polymers within the fibrous cellulosic structure were determined. Some of the changes in physical properties of the cellulose graft copolymers, as compared with cellulose, were decreased permanent set, development of thermoplasticity, decreased stiffness, increased rot resistance, and increased abrasion resistance.
Everything is illuminated: What big data can tell us about teacher commentary

Abstract What happens to writing instructors’ feedback when they use a common rubric and an online tool to respond to student papers in a first-year composition course at a large state university in the United States? To investigate this question, we analyze the 118,611 comments instructors made when responding to 17,433 student essays. Using concordance software to quantify teachers’ use of rubric terms, we found instructors were primarily concerned with global, substantive, higher-order concerns—such as responding to students’ rhetorical situations, use of reason, and organization—rather than lower-order concerns about grammar or formatting. Given past research has determined teachers overemphasize lower-order concerns such as grammar, mechanics, and punctuation ( Connors and Lunsford, 1988 , Lunsford and Lunsford, 2008 , Moxley and Joseph, 1989 , Moxley and Joseph, 1992 , Schwartz, 1984 , Sommers, 1982 , Stern and Solomon, 2006 ), these results may suggest the possibility of a generational shift when it comes to response to student writing. Aggregating teacher commentary, student work, and peer review responses via digital tools and employing concordance software to identify big-data patterns illuminates a new assessment practice for Writing Program Administrators—the practice of Deep Assessment.
Bimetallic (Ni-Fe) anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells with gadolinia-doped ceria electrolyte

Abstract Anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) comprising nickel + iron anode support and gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) of composition Gd0.1Ce0.9O2−δ thin film electrolyte were fabricated, and their performance was evaluated. The ratio of Fe2O3 to NiO in the anode support was 3 to 7 on a molar basis. Fe2O3 and NiO powders were mixed in the desired proportions and discs were die-pressed. All other layers were sequentially applied on the anode support. The cell structure consisted of five distinct layers: anode support – Ni + Fe; anode functional layer – Ni + GDC; electrolyte – GDC; cathode functional layer – LSC (La0.6Sr0.4CoO3−δ) + GDC; and cathode current collector – LSC. Cells with three different variations of the electrolyte were made: (1) thin GDC electrolyte (∼15 μm); (2) thick GDC electrolyte (∼25 μm); and (3) tri-layer GDC/thin yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)/GDC electrolyte (∼25 μm). Cells were tested with hydrogen as fuel and air as oxidant up to 650 °C. The maximum open circuit voltage measured at 650 °C was ∼0.83 V and maximum power density measured was ∼0.68 W cm−2. The present work shows that cells with Fe + Ni containing anode support can be successfully made.
Inhibition of the Hill reaction by fatty acids and metal chelating agents

Abstract 1. 1. Fatty acids of a chain length of 12 carbon atoms or more are potent inhibitors of the Hill reaction. The inhibition appears irreversible, and evidence is presented which shows the fatty acids to be firmly bound to the chloroplast structure. The site of inhibition appears to be the light reaction rather than the dark reaction which would be limiting at high light intensity. 2. 2. At high concentrations these fatty acids shift the red peak of the chlorophyll spectrum, suggesting a rupture of the chlorophyll-protein association. 3. 3. Certain metal chelators are found to inhibit the Hill reaction, and this inhibition is facilitated by disruption of the chloroplast structure or by prolonged preincubation with inhibitor. Inhibition is easily reversed on dialysis or by washing, but no evidence could be obtained that an external supply of metal is needed for reactivation.
Trellis coded modulation based distributed channel coding

A novel technique is described for distributed channel coding in wireless communication networks. The protocol is based on a block fading model of the multi-user uplink channel and on adapting multidimensional trellis coded modulation techniques to a coding theorem derived for the block fading channel. The coded modulation (CM) protocol is designed to optimise code performance, especially at high spectral efficiencies. The CM protocol is very simple to implement at the cooperating users. Complexity is completely transferred to the destination. The latency of the protocol is only one symbol. The CM protocol achieves full diversity order equal to the number of cooperating users and maximises coding gains by designing the code for the specific modulation used. We derive analytical results and present simulation results showing the benefits of CM protocol over other comparable schemes.
Direct calculation of the equilibrium value of the energy of activation for dissociation of molecular hydrogen by argon and evidence for the important contribution of collisional dissociation from low vibrational quantum numbers and high rotational quantum numbers at shock tube temperatures

A quasi-classical trajectory study was made of the relative contribution to the dissociation rate of collisions with various initial vibrational quantum numbers of para-H/sub 2/ dilute in Ar under conditions of local equilibrium of reactants at 4500/sup 0/K. Large contributions are found from low vibrational quantum numbers. Since vibrational nonequilibrium effects will tend to decrease the relative contribution of high vibrational collisions, this implies even larger contributions from low-vibrational collisions for a rotationally equilibrated, vibrationally nonequilibrated steady state. E/sub a/ at equilibrium was calculated at 6 kcal mol/sup -1/ below D/sub 0/. (JSR)
Effects of High Humidity on Translocation of Foliar-Applied Labeled Compounds in Plants Part: I.

Very little is known about the effects of humidity and water balance on absorption and translocation of foliar-applied materials. Palmquist (11) reported that when a scraped leaf of a water-stressed plant was immersed in fluorescein solution, the solution moved rapidly through and out of the leaf via the xylem. Colwell (5) found that when a solution containing p32 was applied in small amounts covering 10 to 15 % of the leaf area, phosphorus was not moved out of the treated leaf in the xylem. When, however, a larger volume of the same solution was applied which covered 40 to 60 % of the leaf area, phosphorus moved out of the treated leaf via xylem of the ringed petiole. Went and Carter (14) found that uptake of sucrose by tomato leaves was indepenc1ent of humidity levels. Other workers reported that high humidity increased the absorption of foliarapplied urea, 2,4-D, and maleic hydrazide (Volk & McAuliff, 13; Zukel et al., 16; Pallas, 10). It has been reported also that plants might absorb water from humid air through the leaves by a reversal of the normal transpiration stream, a process termed "negative transpiration" (Stone et al., 12; Breazeale et al., 2, 3). Preliminary experiments on translocation of foliarapplied, C14-labeled 2,4-D, amino-triazole and urea, indicated that translocation of these compounds was greatly increased under high humidity conditions. A more detailed investigation was, therefore, desired.
Fine structure of new connective tissue attachment following acid treatment of experimental furcation pockets in dogs

Periodontal furcation pockets were created in mandibular premolar teeth of three beagles and subsequently treated by reconstructive procedures including flap surgery, root planing and application of citric acid. Block biopsies removed after 1, 2, 3 and 6 weeks showed new attachment of connective tissue to the periodontally involved root surface. This was established by progressive interdigitation of new collagen fibrils and the acid-exposed fibrils of the dentin matrix along the root planed surface as well as within the orifice of dentinal tubules. The results supplement those of a previous study (Ririe, Crigger & Selvig 1980) and show that attachment of soft connective tissue to a root planed and acid-conditioned dentin surface can be achieved by the same mechanism irrespective of whether the root surface has been surgically denuded or has been exposed to the environment of an experimental periodontal pocket.
Dependence of elastic constants of an anisotropic porous material upon porosity and fabric

The elastic properties of an anisotropic porous material can be represented as functions of the material's solid volume fraction (or porosity) and the principal diameters of the material's fabric ellipsoid. The fabric ellipsoid is a measure of the anisotropy of the microstructure of a material. The definitions and measurement techniques for fabric ellipsoids in granular materials, foams, cancellous bone, and rocks are discussed. The principal results presented in this work are algebraic expressions for the dependence of the orthotropic elastic constants upon both solid volume fraction and the fabric ellipsoid.
A Mechanism for Stochastic Decision Making by Bacteria

What mechanism underlies the induction of the lac operon? Expression from the lac operon is an all-or-none phenomenon. Recent work by Choi et al. combines single-molecule imaging of gene expression with single-cell induction measurements to develop a stochastic model describing the critical role of single lac-repressor molecules in induction.
GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors during primary percutaneous coronary intervention for STEMI: New trial and registry data

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with adjunctive glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor therapy administered in the cardiac catheterization laboratory is the optimal reperfusion strategy for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Most available data regarding these agents are from trials comparing abciximab to placebo alone. Noninferiority trials comparing small-molecule GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors, such as tirofiban and eptifibatide with abciximab, have used markers for myocardial reperfusion as primary end points but are underpowered to detect significant differences in hard clinical outcomes. Such a trial would need to enroll a very large number of patients and thus make it practically impossible to perform. Registry data reveal that most patients undergoing primary PCI are treated with small-molecule GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors in clinical practice, and no observed difference is observed in safety and efficacy when compared with patients treated with abciximab therapy.
GE's Crotonville: A Staging Ground for Corporate Revolution

Dadically altering the genetic code of a large, successful corporation requires revolutionary action. Since 1981 John F. Welch, CEO of General Electric, has been struggling to break the company's old genetic code. This code was built around a core set of principles based on growth in sales greater than GNP, with many SBUs (strategic business units), relying on financial savvy, meticulous staff work, and a domestically focused company. The new genetic code is to build shareholder value in a slow-growth environment through operating competitive advantage with transformational leadership at all levels of the organization. After five years of this effort -which included downsizing GE by over 100,000 employees, divesting $6 billion and acquiring $13 billion in businesses (RCA being the largest), doubling investment in plant equipment and RD that is, creatively destroy and remake an organization around new visions, supported by revamping the social architecture of the organization. This is needed at all levels of GE and is a continuous process.
CHEM study achievement among groups classified by cognitive preference scores

Surprisingly those with a cognitive preference for applications do quite well on CHEM Study tests.
Computerized method for detection of vertebral fractures on lateral chest radiographs based on morphometric data

Vertebral fractures are the most common osteoporosis-related fractures. It is important to detect vertebral fractures, because they are associated with increased risk of subsequent fractures, and because pharmacologic therapy can reduce the risk of subsequent fractures. Although vertebral fractures are often not clinically recognized, they can be visualized on lateral chest radiographs taken for other purposes. However, only 15-60% of vertebral fractures found on lateral chest radiographs are mentioned in radiology reports. The purpose of this study was to develop a computerized method for detection of vertebral fractures on lateral chest radiographs in order to assist radiologists' image interpretation. Our computerized method is based on the automated identification of upper and lower vertebral edges. In order to develop the scheme, radiologists provided morphometric data for each identifiable vertebra, which consisted of six points for each vertebra, for 25 normals and 20 cases with severe fractures. Anatomical information was obtained from morphometric data of normal cases in terms of vertebral heights, heights of vertebral disk spaces, and vertebral centerline. Computerized detection of vertebral fractures was based on the reduction in the heights of fractured vertebrae compared to adjacent vertebrae and normal reference data. Vertebral heights from morphometric data on normal cases were used as reference. On 138 chest radiographs (20 with fractures) the sensitivity of our method for detection of fracture cases was 95% (19/20) with 0.93 (110/118) false-positives per image. In conclusion, the computerized method would be useful for detection of potentially overlooked vertebral fractures on lateral chest radiographs.
Tracking Deformable Templates Using a Shortest Path Algorithm

This paper proposes a new technique to track deformable templates. We extend the typical graph algorithms that have been used for active contour recovery to incorporate shape information. The advantage of graph algorithms is that they are guaranteed to find the global minimum of the energy function. The difficulty with their traditional use for active contours is that they consider only two pixels at a time when recovering the contour, making it impossible to enforce shape constraints. We define the deformable template as a polygonal contour, demonstrate the proper mapping between the image, the contour, and a graph, and show how to apply Dijkstra's algorithm to track contours in image sequences. Examples are shown for deforming contours, articulated objects, and smooth contours being tracked in simple and complicated backgrounds. We also provide an analysis of the computational requirements.
Solubility and volumetric behavior of methane and carbon dioxide plus C7+ pseudocomponents of an oil

Abstract Hong, S.-P., Green, K.A. and Luks, K.D., 1994. Solubility and volumetric behavior of methane and carbon dioxide plus C 7+ pseudocomponents of an oil. Fluid Phase Equilibria , 95: 267-280. Liquid-vapor (1g) phase equilibria for the binary mixtures methane + five Prudhoe Bay oil cuts and CO 2 + five Prudhoe Bay oil cuts were studied at 360.93 K to pressures of 80 bar, using a stoichiometric (visual cell) technique. Liquid phase composition and molar volume data are reported. The liquid phase composition data are correlated using the Soave-Redlich-Kwong and Peng-Robinson equations of state, with the objective of identifying whether useful patterns exist in the gas + oil cut binary interaction parameters.
Three studies of the listening of children

EXPERIMENTS in listening, though numerous, have been so inconclusive regarding many aspects of this fundamental skill that the need for further research is great. The broad purpose of the present investigations was to move forward on the basis of earlier studies in ways that the introductions to the three divisions of this paper make specific. The topics for the three studies are respectively (1) relationships between listening ability and the radio and television habits of children, (2) relationships among listening ability, the number of children in the family, and the position of the child among siblings, and (3) relationships among listening, reading, intelligence, and scholastic achievement. The subjects—fourth, fifth, and sixth grade school children— were the same for all three experiments.
AN EXPERIMENTAL DRY CAUSTIC PEELER FOR CLING PEACHES AND OTHER FRUITS

SUMMARY– An experimental cling peach peeler was developed for continuous removal of alkaline peel as a solid rather than the dilute slurry of common industrial practice. The peeler consists of rows of soft rubber disks rotated in such a manner that peel material is gently wiped from the surface of fruit and flung into collectors. Cling peach halves were successfully peeled in a number of tests, with peeling losses comparable to those normally obtained commercially. Both mature and immature Bartlett pears were also successfully peeled. Dewaxing of immature pears with isopropy1 alcohol was necessary to obtain adequate peeling. In single tests, whole apricots and freestone peaches were also successfully peeled.
DNA extraction procedures meaningfully influence qPCR-based mtDNA copy number determination

Quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) is commonly used to determine cell mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number. This technique involves obtaining the ratio of an unknown variable (number of copies of an mtDNA gene) to a known parameter (number of copies of a nuclear DNA gene) within a genomic DNA sample. We considered the possibility that mtDNA:nuclear DNA (nDNA) ratio determinations could vary depending on the method of genomic DNA extraction used, and that these differences could substantively impact mtDNA copy number determination via qPCR. To test this we measured mtDNA:nDNA ratios in genomic DNA samples prepared using organic solvent (phenol-chloroform-isoamyl alcohol) extraction and two different silica-based column methods, and found mtDNA:nDNA ratio estimates were not uniform. We further evaluated whether different genomic DNA preparation methods could influence outcomes of experiments that use mtDNA:nDNA ratios as endpoints, and found the method of genomic DNA extraction can indeed alter experimental outcomes. We conclude genomic DNA sample preparation can meaningfully influence mtDNA copy number determination by qPCR.
ACCUMULATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF METHOPRENE IN RESISTANT CULEX PIPIENS PIPIENS LARVAE

Cuilex pipiens pipiens larvae experimentally selected for methoprene resistance accumulated only three-quarters as much radioactivity from 14C-methoprene as a susceptible laboratory strain. Larvae of the methoprene-resistant strain eliminated 14C radioactivity at a faster rate, and much less radioactivity reached tissues other than the gut, than in normal larvae. They also were slower than the normal in resuming their mouthbrush activity after transfer to a new site, a behavioural characteristic shown whether or not the water contained methoprene. The character of reduced accumulation occurred early in the development of resistance and remained at the same level when resistance became intensified due to the added mechanism of increased detoxication. ZUSAMENFASSUNG AUFNAHME UND VERTEILUNG VON METHOPRENE IN RESISTENTEN CULEX PIPIENS PIPIENS-LARVEN Die Aufnahme von (5-14C)-Methopren (Altosid®) durch resistente und sensible Larven von Culex pipiens wurde mit der Flussig-Szintillations-Zahlung verglichen. In 6 Stunden absorbierten resistente Larven 25% weniger Radioaktivitat als sensible Larven. Resistente Larven, die nach der Exposition an einen neuen Ort verbracht wurden, nahmen ihre “Mundbursten” Aktivitat langsamer wieder auf. Diese charakteristische Verhaltensweise wurde durch die Anwesenheit von Methopren im Wasser nicht beeinflusst, was im Zusammenhang mit der Methoprenaufnahme und der Methoprenresistenz diskutiert wird. Verringerte Methoprenaufnahme erschien schon fruh in der Resistenzbildung und blieb auf demselben Niveau, wahrend die Resistenz durch zusatzliche Entgiftungsmechanismen intensiver wurde.
Complex earthquake rupture and local tsunamis

[1] In contrast to far-field tsunami amplitudes that are fairly well predicted by the seismic moment of subduction zone earthquakes, there exists significant variation in the scaling of local tsunami amplitude with respect to seismic moment. From a global catalog of tsunami runup observations this variability is greatest for the most frequently occurring tsunamigenic subduction zone earthquakes in the magnitude range of 7 < Mw < 8.5. Variability in local tsunami runup scaling can be ascribed to tsunami source parameters that are independent of seismic moment: variations in the water depth in the source region, the combination of higher slip and lower shear modulus at shallow depth, and rupture complexity in the form of heterogeneous slip distribution patterns. The focus of this study is on the effect that rupture complexity has on the local tsunami wave field. A wide range of slip distribution patterns are generated using a stochastic, self-affine source model that is consistent with the falloff of far-field seismic displacement spectra at high frequencies. The synthetic slip distributions generated by the stochastic source model are discretized and the vertical displacement fields from point source elastic dislocation expressions are superimposed to compute the coseismic vertical displacement field. For shallow subduction zone earthquakes it is demonstrated that self-affine irregularities of the slip distribution result in significant variations in local tsunami amplitude. The effects of rupture complexity are less pronounced for earthquakes at greater depth or along faults with steep dip angles. For a test region along the Pacific coast of central Mexico, peak nearshore tsunami amplitude is calculated for a large number (N = 100) of synthetic slip distribution patterns, all with identical seismic moment (Mw = 8.1). Analysis of the results indicates that for earthquakes of a fixed location, geometry, and seismic moment, peak nearshore tsunami amplitude can vary by a factor of 3 or more. These results indicate that there is substantially more variation in the local tsunami wave field derived from the inherent complexity subduction zone earthquakes than predicted by a simple elastic dislocation model. Probabilistic methods that take into account variability in earthquake rupture processes are likely to yield more accurate assessments of tsunami hazards.
Induced magnetic field gradients and forces in the human head in MRI.

Purpose: To map the induced magnetic field gradients and estimate the magnetic force in the human head during magnetic resonance imaging at 4 Tesla (T). Materials and Methods: The magnetic field distribution in the human head was measured using two gradient-echo experiments with different echo times. The phase of the complex image ratio removed the wrapping artifact, characteristic of phase images, and was used to map the magnetic field distribution and calculate the accurate maps of the magnetic field gradients in the human head. Results: The time-independent gradient fields induced by air/tissue interfaces in the head can be 50 times larger than those resulting from the magnetic field inhomogeneity of the MRI magnet. However, the associated magnetic force in the brain is by far smaller than the gravitational force. Conclusion: The induced gradient fields increase the magnetic force on tissues. However, even for tissue components with large magnetic susceptibility such as iron-containing proteins, this force is negligible compared with the gravitational force. Therefore, this study suggests that static and uniform magnetic fields do not have a significant risk for the tissues in the head.
Electrogenerated chemiluminescence: an oxidative-reductive mechanism between quinolone antibiotics and tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II).

Abstract The cyclic voltammetry and electrogenerated chemiluminescent (ECL) reactions of a series of quinolone and fluoroquinolone antibiotics were investigated in a flow injection analysis (FIA) system. 7-Piperazinyl fluoroquinolone antibiotics were found to participate as a coreactant in an oxidative-reductive ECL mechanism with tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy) 3 2+ ) as the luminescent reagent. The reaction mechanism was investigated in order to understand and optimize the processes leading to light emission. The optimal conditions included a solution pH ∼7 at a flow rate of 3.0 mL min −1 with no added organic modifier and application of 1.2 V vs. a Pt quasi-reference electrode (QRE). Fluoroquinolones containing a tertiary distal nitrogen on the piperazine ring, such as enrofloxacin and ofloxacin, reacted to produce more intense ECL than those with a secondary nitrogen, such as ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin. The method linear range, precision, detection limits, and sensitivity for the detection of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were compared to that of tripropylamine. The method was applied to the determination of the ciprofloxacin content in a pharmaceutical preparation. The assay is discussed in terms of its analytical figures of merit, ease of use, speed, accuracy and application to pharmaceutical samples.
Feulgen-negative nuclear division in Habrobracon eggs after lethal exposure to x-rays or nitrogen mustard.

THE females of the parasitic wasp Habrobracon juglandis (Ashmead) when well fed will store eggs in the first meiotic metaphase (metaphase-1) and retain them until the female is placed with the host1. The unfertilized eggs develop into viable haploid males. When the untreated egg is oviposited, meiosis proceeds and the pronucleus is formed 30 min. after oviposition at 30° C. The nuclei divide synchronously at the rate of approximately one division every 15 min. At the ninth or tenth cleavage stage (2½–3 hr. after oviposition) most of the nuclei migrate to the egg periphery. After two or three more divisions, cell membranes slowly form between the nuclei, and tissue differentiation begins. The embryo hatches about thirty hours after oviposition and feeds on the paralysed host.
Simplified Beta-Approximations to the Kruskal-Wallis H Test

Abstract A Beta-approximation, commonly used to approximate permutation test distributions in the analysis of variance, is proposed for the null distribution of the Kruskal-Wallis H-statistic for one-way analysis of variance of ranks. The approximation seems slightly simpler and better than the Beta-approximation given by Kruskal and Wallis, particularly in bringing the H-test into closer relation to ordinary analysis of variance tests. Simple conditions on the group sizes allow further substantial simplifications in the approximations. Numerical comparisons for very small samples illustrate the various approximations.
Depth profile analysis of the chemical and morphological changes in CO2-laser-irradiated dental enamel

Previous studies have shown that IR irradiation of dental enamel at specific wavelengths results in chemical changes in the mineral phase that reduce the progression of sub- surface caries-like lesions. The inhibition of lesion progression has been correlated to the decomposition of carbonate in the irradiated enamel mineral. The present study investigated loss of the carbonate component as a function of depth with 1 micrometers resolution by measuring the strength of the spectrum in the region of the carbonate absorption bands near 1400 cm -1 . Bovine enamel samples were laser treated at λ=9.6 μm with a pulse duration of either 2 μs or 100 μs and at λ=10.6 μm with a pluse duration of 2 μs. The depth of treatment was compared with numerical simulation of the temperature rise in enamel due to laser heating. The temperature rise needed to initiate carbonate loss was 400° C, but complete carbonate loss did not occur until surface temperatures were reached which exceeded the melting temperature (800-1200 °C). The depth of the treatment varied depending upon the absorption coefficient, pulse duration, and fluence of the laser irradiation.
Agents of Change: Mixed-Race Households and the Dynamics of Neighborhood Segregation in the United States

This article explores the effects of mixed-race household formation on trends in neighborhood-scale racial segregation. Census data show that these effects are nontrivial in relation to the magnitude of decadal changes in residential segregation. An agent-based model illustrates the potential long-run impacts of rising numbers of mixed-race households on measures of neighborhood-scale segregation. It reveals that high rates of mixed-race household formation will reduce residential segregation considerably. This occurs even when preferences for own-group neighbors are high enough to maintain racial separation in residential space in a Schelling-type model. We uncover a disturbing trend, however; levels of neighborhood-scale segregation of single-race households can remain persistently high even while a growing number of mixed-race households drives down the overall rate of residential segregation. Thus, the article's main conclusion is that parsing neighborhood segregation levels by household type—single v...
TURBULENCE MODELLING FOR DEEP OCEAN RADIONUCLIDE DISPOSAL

In this study the adequacy of the κ-e turbulence model and the feasibility of the three-dimensional hydrodynamic-transport models TEMPEST and FLESCOT for deep ocean radionuclide disposal assessment were evaluated qualitatively. TEMPEST and FLESCOT were applied to a hypothetical, two-dimensional, deep ocean case with and without stratifications. TEMPEST with the κ-e model was applied to obtain quasi-steady state eddy viscosity distributions.
RECONSTRUCTED TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION ON A MILLENNIAL TIMESCALE FROM TREE-RINGS IN THE SOUTHERN COLORADO PLATEAU, U.S.A.

Two independent calibrated and verified climate reconstructions from ecologically contrasting tree-ring sites in the southern Colorado Plateau, U.S.A. reveal decadal-scale climatic trends during the past two millennia. Combining precisely dated annual mean-maximum temperature and October through July precipitation reconstructions yields an unparalleled record of climatic variability. The approach allows for the identification of thirty extreme wet periods and thirty-five extreme dry periods in the 1,425-year precipitation reconstruction and 30 extreme cool periods and 26 extreme warm periods in 2,262-year temperature reconstruction. In addition, the reconstructions were integrated to identify intervals when conditions were extreme in both climatic variables (cool/dry, cool/wet, warm/dry, warm/wet). Noteworthy in the reconstructions are the post-1976 warm/wet period, unprecedented in the 1,425-year record both in amplitude and duration, anomalous and prolonged late 20th century warmth, that while never exceeded, was nearly equaled in magnitude for brief intervals in the past, and substantial decadal-scale variability within the Medieval Warm Period and Little Ice Age intervals.
Lung Transplantation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined as a progressive respiratory disease characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible (1,2). This definition includes several distinct pathophysiologic conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Chronic bronchitis is defined clinically by the presence of a daily, productive cough for more than three months with a duration of more than two successive years; emphysema is pathologically defined by an enlargement of air spaces (3,4); abnormalities of small airways are frequently seen (5,6). Importantly, most patients have features of all three of these pathologic conditions (4). Lung transplantation represents one of the many therapeutic options for patients with severe COPD. Given the potential toxicity of this therapeutic intervention, an accurate assessment of prognosis is important as is maximization of more conservative therapy. This chapter presents a detailed description of prognostic factors in COPD and the latest concepts regarding PART III: CLINICAL ASPECTS
Limits of phase and amplitude sensitivity in the torus semicircularis of Eigenmannia.

1. Eigenmannia can detect modulations in the time disparity of signals received by different regions of the body surface as small as several hundred nanoseconds. This study presents recordings of single units in the torus semicircularis that are sensitive to time disparities (differential-phase) between a sinusoidal signal received by the head region and a similar signal received by the body surface caudal to the fish's pectoral fins. 2. The sensitivity of units to differential phase, measured by the change in spike rate per unit change in time disparity, was greatest when small phase modulations, rather than stationary phase differences, were presented. Thresholds of differentialphase coders ranged from 6.5 μs to several hundred microseconds, with approxiamtely 20% of the units having thresholds in the 5–10 μs range. For most cells, sensitivity to small modulations of differential-phase was relatively unaffected by time disparity ‘offsets’ within a range of several hundred microseconds. A threshold of 5–10 μs is still an order of magnitude higher than that measured in the Jamming Avoidance Response (JAR). 3. Neurons that were sensitive to amplitude modulations (AMs) had thresholds as low as 0.05%. This value is comparable to that observed at the behavioral level.
Adaptation of a Weighted Regression Approach to Evaluate Water Quality Trends in an Estuary

To improve the description of long-term changes in water quality, a weighted regression approach developed to describe trends in pollutant transport in rivers was adapted to analyze a long-term water quality dataset from Tampa Bay, Florida. The weighted regression approach allows for changes in the relationships between water quality and explanatory variables by using dynamic model parameters and can more clearly resolve the effects of both natural and anthropogenic drivers of ecosystem response. The model resolved changes in chlorophyll-a (chl-a) from 1974 to 2012 at seasonal and multi-annual time scales while considering variation associated with changes in freshwater influence. Separate models were developed for each of the four Bay segments to evaluate spatial differences in patterns of long-term change. Observed trends reflected the known decrease in nitrogen loading to Tampa Bay since the 1970s. Although median chl-a has remained constant in recent decades, model predictions indicated that variation has increased for upper Bay segments and that low biomass events in the lower Bay occur less often. Dynamic relationships between chl-a and freshwater inputs were observed from the model predictions and suggested changes in drivers of primary production across the time series. Results from our analyses have allowed additional insight into water quality changes in Tampa Bay that has not been possible with traditional modeling approaches. The approach could easily be applied to other systems with long-term datasets.