cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Visual Function in Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium Maculopathy

Purpose Individuals with pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) maculopathy commonly report symptoms of prolonged dark adaptation and difficulty reading. We hypothesize that PPS maculopathy causes degradation of visual function not fully captured with visual acuity testing. Methods Subjects with PPS maculopathy underwent multimodal evaluation of retinal structure and function. Structural changes were graded as moderate or advanced. Patient-reported visual function was assessed with the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire 39 (NEI-VFQ-39) and Low Luminance Questionnaire (LLQ). Objective functional evaluations included Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity, mesopic microperimetry, and dark adaptometry. Functional testing results were correlated with structural disease category. Results Thirteen patients (26 eyes), median age 62 years (range, 37-76), completed the study. Median ETDRS letter score was 82 (Snellen equivalent 20/25). Median NEI-VFQ-39 and LLQ composite scores were 65 (range, 33-88) and 41 (range, 20-92), respectively. Median contrast sensitivity was 1.65 (range, 0.15-1.95), and median mesopic microperimetry average thresholds and percent reduced thresholds were 26 decibels (range, 0.4-28.6) and 21.6% (range, 0-100%), respectively. Median rod intercept time was 14.1 minutes (range, 4.4-20.0). Eyes with advanced disease based on retinal structure had significantly worse retinal function for several testing modalities. Conclusions PPS maculopathy causes considerable visual function degradation that is not fully captured with BCVA testing. There was good correlation between other measures of visual function and disease severity. These findings deepen our concern regarding this patient safety issue.
Family Health Strategy, Primary Health Care, and Social Inequalities in Mortality Among Older Adults in Bagé, Southern Brazil.

Objectives. To investigate the role of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in reducing social inequalities in mortality over a 9-year follow-up period.Methods. We carried out a population-based cohort...
Characteristics of Business – Farms and Veterinary Practices:

Veterinarians and farm managers are facing challenging and exciting, albeit difficult, circumstances. Both businesses, like essentially all others, are operating in an environment characterized by increasing competitive pressures, faster technological change, and greater pressure to consider societal concerns. In this discussion we discuss six characteristics of businesses succeeding in the next generation.
Global Tax Governance or National Tax Discrimination: The Case of the EU vs. Apple

The EC’s recent actions regarding US multinational corporations raises important questions about the structure of global tax governance systems intended to protect markets where globalization implies the erosion of national boundaries. With the globalization of tax transactions and increasing interdependence among nations, there is a growing conflict between the traditional notion of state sovereignty and tax sovereignty, which disrupts coherence of the state.
THE REALITY OF WHEAT PRODUCTION IN EGYPT UNDER GLOBAL ECONOMIC CHANGES AND THE POLICIES OF INDICATIVE PRICES

The study problem can be presented as the lack of quantitative andqualitative motivation to producers of wheat in Egypt which can be expressedin the failure to allocate sufficient funds to support the prices of inputs andprice fluctuation, Moreover, external variables, in the first half of 2008,affected global food prices, Therefore, the main objective of this research is toidentify the most important economic variables affecting both sides of theproduction and consumption of wheat and how to reduce the size of the gap during the period (2000-2014), In addition to examining the impact of thepolicies on economic variables associated with its production.The results of the study showed:-There is a general trend of increasing in the gap of wheat; it was around331,97 thousand tons per year, the equivalent of 5,26% of the annual average.-The quantity wheat gap affected morally by each State's ability to import, andpopulation, and the world price, and farm price, productivity, and time.-The average proportion of dependence on the abroad during the study periodwas about 44,22% indicating that Egypt is in a hazardous food dependencywhere dependency rate protect about 30%.-The impact of increasing the farm price of wheat during the study period(2000-2014) led to increased turnout of farmers increase the areas planted withwheat as a cash crop.- It is also clear that about 85,03% of changes in monetary value of wheatduring the study period due to the change in area harvested, productivity andfarm price, and about 14,97% from changes in the value of crop output due toother factors.- Method of setting prices for wheat crop insurance on the basis of worldprices considered as the best one between the other methods studied, followed by determination of the price according to production costs of the crop withthe average 50%.
Morphological changes in chronic subdural hematomas following upfront middle meningeal artery embolization: sequence, timing, and association with outcomes

OBJECTIVE Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) is an increasingly utilized approach for the treatment of chronic subdural hematomas (CSDHs). The course of morphological progression of CSDHs following MMAE is poorly understood. Herein, the authors aimed to describe these morphological changes and assess their prognostic significance for the outcomes on follow-up. METHODS A single-institution retrospective cohort study of CSDH cases treated by upfront MMAE, without prior or adjunctive surgical evacuation, was performed. Clinical outcomes, complications, and the need for rescue surgery on follow-up were recorded. Hematomas were categorized into 6 morphological subtypes. All baseline and follow-up head CT scans were assessed for CSDH structural appearance, density, and loculation. Changes in CSDH size were quantified via 3D reconstruction for volumetric measurement. RESULTS Overall, 52 CSDHs in 45 patients treated with upfront MMAE were identified. Hematomas were followed for a mean of 92.9 days. Volume decreased by ≥ 50% in 79.6% of the CSDHs. The overall rescue surgery rate was 9.6%. A sequence of morphological changes after MMAE was identified. Hematomas that diverged from this sequence (5.4%) all progressed toward treatment failure and required rescue surgery. The CSDHs were categorized into early, intermediate, and late stages based on the baseline morphological appearance. Progression from early to intermediate and then to late stage took 12.7 and 30.0 days, respectively, on average. The volume of early/intermediate- and late-stage hematomas decreased by ≥ 50%, a mean of 78.2 and 47.6 days after MMAE, respectively. Early- and intermediate-stage hematomas showed a trend toward more favorable outcomes compared with late-stage hematomas. The density of homogeneous hypodense hematomas (HSDHs) transiently increased immediately after MMAE (p < 0.001). A marked decrease in density and volume 1 to 3 weeks after MMAE in HSDHs was detected, the lack of which indicated an eventual need for rescue surgery. In HSDHs, a baseline mean density of < 20 HU, and a lower density than baseline by 1 month post-MMAE were predictors of favorable outcomes. The baseline hematoma volume, axial thickness, midline shift, and loculation were not correlated with MMAE outcomes. Loculated, trabecular, and laminar hematomas, which are known to have unfavorable surgical outcomes, had MMAE outcomes similar to those of other "surgical" hematomas. CONCLUSIONS The current study was the first to describe the nature, sequence, and timing of morphological changes of CSDHs after MMAE treatment and has identified structural features that can predict treatment outcomes.
Dural carotid-cavernous fistula presenting with confusion and expressive aphasia

We report a patient who presented with confusion and expressive aphasia at the onset of a cortical venous reflux (CVR) related to a known dural carotid-cavernous fistula (DCCF). CVR and venous congestion are rare findings in a DCCF, however, it is important to recognize these findings early to reduce the associated risks of venous hemorrhage and infarction. To our knowledge, no previous report has described an association of expressive aphasia with CVR from a DCCF. This patient highlights the potential for venous congestion secondary to CVR from a DCCF presenting with a constellation of symptoms, including confusion and expressive aphasia with corresponding MRI findings. Clinicians should consider a DCCF in the differential diagnosis of this clinical presentation, with corroborative imaging findings.
A Single Cylinder Engine Study of Lean Supercharged Operation for Spark Ignition Engines

A comprehensive test program was conducted using a single cylinder CFR engine to evaluate lean supercharged operation (LSO) of the spark ignition engine for improved efficiency. The intake manifold pressure and temperature and the exhaust pressure were controlled to simulate the addition of a turbocharger to the engine. Results of the experimental work indicated that LSO has the potential of improved engine efficiency and NOx emissions comparable to, or lower than, the naturally aspirated engine. For equal power output from the engine, efficiency increases of 14% were accompanied by reductions in Brake Specific NOx (BSNOx) emissions of approximately 76%. For a case of equal BSNOx emissions, an efficiency improvement of 6.4 points (over 40%) was observed. For operation at realistic lean supercharged conditions, the hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions were not significantly different than those for the naturally aspirated engine. Exhaust energy estimates for the lean supercharged conditions tested indicated that sufficient exhaust energy is available to power a typical automotive type turbocharger.
Variations in the responses of C57BL and a mice to sheep red blood cells: II. Analysis of plaque-forming cells

Abstract The number of direct and indirect plaque-forming cells (PFC) and the serum hemolytic activity was determined for A/He, C57BL/6J, and B6AF1 mice responding to multiple injections of sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Although the kinetics of the primary response differed, all mice had high numbers of both direct and indirect PFC and low-titered 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) sensitive serum antibody. Following multiple SRBC injections, the A/He spleens contained predominantly IgG producing PFC. Their serum antibody activity was resistant to 2-ME signifying the presence of IgG. The serum activity of both the C57BL/6J and B6AF1 mice was sensitive to 2-ME (IgM antibody) over the course of immunization, and although there was a definite IgM PFC memory response, the presence of 7S memory PFC was questionable. The results are discussed in terms of the maturation of the antibody response to SRBC and of the question of the postulated IgM and IgG switch.
CHRONIC GRANULOCYTIC LEUKEMIA COMPLICATED BY ULCERATIVE COLITIS: ELEVATED LEUKOCYTE ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE AND POSSIBLE MODIFIER GENE DELETION.

myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia.13 There are also a number of other conditions in which LAP may be abnormal, one of the more notable, from a theoretical standpoint, being the elevation lately demonstrated in mongolism.47 Although the significance of such deviations remains obscure recent cytogenetic findings have fostered considerable speculation about the control of LAP production. In this regard the small acrocentric chromosome 21 has occupied a central position following the discoveries of its triplication (trisomy) in mongolism8 and diminution (Philadelphia or Ph’ chromosome) in chronic granulocytic leukemia.9 From correlations between these and the respective LAP abnormalities has emerged the hypothesis4’5 that the phosphatase deficiency in chronic granulocytic leukemia may be the result of loss (presumably by deletion) from chromosome 21 of a segment containing the gene(s) responsible for LAP synthesis. Conversely, in mongolism the heightened LAP activity could be attributable to the supernumerary chromosome 21 and a surfeit of functioning genes. However, a simple gene-dose interpretation of this nature cannot easily be reconciled with some pertinent facts, as has been ably underscored by King and her co-workers.#{176} In the following report of chronic granulocytic leukemia in a boy with concurrent ulcerative colitis, LAP was greatly elevated in spite of the presence in his bone marrow of the typical minute Ph1 chromosome. Only after the colitis entered a quiescent phase did the initial enzyme activity decline to the low levels compatible with chronic granulocytic leukemia. This lability of LAP offers additional evidence against the view that loss of a structural gene from chromosome 21 is the basis for the diminished alkaline phosphatase
A Queuing Network Model for Eye Movement.

Eye movement is a basic human behavior that offers a valuable means to explore human cognitive processes. This article introduces two modeling studies of eye movement. First, random menu search was modeled using a queueing network approach and second, a reinforcement learning algorithm was used to generate various eye movement patterns. Random menu search is a task component involved in many human-machine interfaces and has been modeled with several cognitive models including ACT-R and EPIC. Based upon review of empirical data in menu search, and strengths and limitations of existing models, this article proposes a queueing network model, which has been successfully applied in some other task domains (e.g., response time, driver performance). The queueing network model for random menu search was implemented and evaluated through model simulation. In contrast to existing models that rely on four task-specific strategies to account for data, the queueing network model accounted for the same data using only one strategy already employed in cognitive modeling. To extend this parsimonious, “minimal task strategy” modeling approach, QLearning, one of the reinforcement learning methods, was adopted to generate different patterns in eye movement. The same strategy from random menu search was used to generate eye movement, and the simulated eye movements were qualitatively compared to the human eye movement.
Actinide Structural Chemistry

This chapter focuses on the solid state structural chemistry of actinide materials as determined by single–crystal X–ray diffraction, single–crystal neutron diffraction, powder X–ray diffraction, and powder neutron diffraction techniques. Since Burns’ chapter, Structural Chemistry, was published in the 1986 edition of this work, significant improvements in crystallographic technology and instrumentation have advanced the field of solid state chemistry. Some of the most dramatic changes have been in computer technology and software, making the data collection, reduction, and refinement processes highly automated and simplified. As a consequence, X–ray diffractometers have become nearly ubiquitous in research departments globally and neutron–scattering resources have become more advanced and accessible, resulting in the elucidation and publication of a greater number of additional actinide structures since the last edition; these structures are the focus for this chapter.
SU-E-T-357: Electronic Compensation Technique to Deliver Total Body Dose

Purpose: Total body irradiation (TBI) uses large parallel-opposed radiation fields to suppress the patient’s immune system and eradicate the residual cancer cells in preparation of recipient for bone marrow transplant. The manual placement of lead compensators has conventionally been used to compensate for the varying thickness through the entire body in large-field TBI. The goal of this study is to pursue utilizing the modern electronic compensation technique to more accurately and efficiently deliver dose to patients in need of TBI. Methods: Treatment plans utilizing electronic compensation to deliver a total body dose were created retrospectively for patients for whom CT data had been previously acquired. Each treatment plan includes two, specifically weighted, pair of opposed fields. One pair of open, large fields (collimator=45°), to encompass the patient’s entire anatomy, and one pair of smaller fields (collimator=0°) focused only on the thicker midsection of the patient. The optimal fluence for each one of the smaller fields was calculated at a patient specific penetration depth. Irregular surface compensators provide a more uniform dose distribution within the smaller opposed fields. Results: Dose-volume histograms (DVH) were calculated for the evaluating the electronic compensation technique. In one case, the maximum body doses calculated from the DVH were reduced from the non-compensated 195.8% to 165.3% in the electronically compensated plans, indicating a more uniform dose with the region of electronic compensation. The mean body doses calculated from the DVH were also reduced from the non-compensated 120.6% to 112.7% in the electronically compensated plans, indicating a more accurate delivery of the prescription dose. All calculated monitor units were well within clinically acceptable limits. Conclusion: Electronic compensation technique for TBI will not substantially increase the beam on time while it can significantly reduce the compensator setup time and the potential risk of errors in manually placing lead compensators.
Specifying security constraints with relaxation lattices

A description is given of the relaxation lattice approach to specifying graceful degradation for a large class of systems. The method is applied to the security domain by identifying degraded systems behaviors with those that can result from security violations such as a user of one security class obtaining access rights associated with those of a higher class. The method can be used in two ways: (1) as a descriptive technique for specifying the behavior of existing systems in which breaches of security may inadvertently or unavoidably occur; and (2) as a formal design technique for specifying a range of behaviors, from ideal to undesired, of systems to be implemented. >
Examination of Methicillin-Resistant and Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Mutants with Low-Level Fluoroquinolone Resistance

For Staphylococcus aureus, stepwise mutations result in high-level quinolone resistance. Methicillin-resistant and -susceptible quinolone-resistant, first-step mutants generated in vitro were obtained and found to be no different than those recovered from murine abscesses. Approximately 10% of all first-step mutants were resistant to ethidium bromide, and selected strains had mutations that mapped to flqB. NorA-mediated resistance among first-step mutants may be more prevalent than previously reported.
Sins of the Sons of Samuelson: Vision, pedagogy, and the zig-zag windings of complex dynamics

Abstract The standard economics text is centered on a vision of a naturally self-regulated, dynamically stable system with a unique global attractor. This paper discusses how we got there and how recent developments in the study of dynamical systems allow us to go beyond that. It traces the evolution of the teaching of economics from Alfred Marshall, who built his supply-and-demand framework within a complexity vision of the economy. It suggests that that complexity vision was lost as economists formalized the supply–demand framework and extended it to the entire economy. This paper argues that the current textbook presentation of economics should not and cannot serve as the only intellectual frame we provide to our students.
Picosecond Single-Shot X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy for Warm and Dense Matter

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is a versatile technique for studying the electronic structure and/or the local geometry of matter, and time-resolved XAS has been developed into a powerful tool for studying the dynamics of materials [1, 2]. The temporal resolution of this technique is usually determined by the X-ray pulse duration in pump and probe geometries. Although this technique has been developed in the synchrotron environment and takes advantage of existing X-ray beamlines, the study of ultrafast dynamics on time scales on the order of a picosecond or faster is limited because typical pulse durations from third-generation light sources is on the order of tens of picoseconds. In addition, XAS typically requires the integration of a large number of X-ray pulses to get quality data. These features make it difficult to apply this technique to research areas in which samples undergo irreversible processes.
Properties of electrodeposited nickel-cobalt (22–50%) alloys☆

Abstract Electrodeposited nickel-cobalt (EDNiCo) alloys ranging from 22 to 50% cobalt were produced and tested for strength as a function of thermal treatment and cobalt content. The electrolytes used were nickel and cobalt sulfamates with a total metal content of 75 g 1 −1 . Cobalt content was varied from 6 to 11% in the electrolyte. Cobalt was supplied by continuously metering in cobalt sulfamate solution. All alloys with cobalt content between 22 and 50% demonstrated yield strengths greater than 60 hbar in both the as-deposited condition and after stress relief at 345°C for 1 h. Highest as-deposited strength was exhibited by the EDNi43Co at 166 hbar (245 × 10 3 lb in −2 ) ultimate tensile strength and 117 hbar (170 × 10 3 lb in − ) yield strength. The EDNi50Co was slightly lower at 161 hbar ultimate tensile strength. Stress relief of the EDNi43Co alloy at 455°C produced a strong material with very good ductility (elongation 25%, reduction of area 50%). A similar treatment of the EDNi50Co at 455°C resulted in a strength about 50% greater than that of EDNi in a hydrogen environment.
Arthrodesis of the diabetic neuropathic ankle joint

At the authors' institution from 1964 to 1984, ankle arthrodesis was performed in 13 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus who had a history of ankle sprain or fracture. Nine patients were diagnosed by clinical exam as having a peripheral neuropathy; nine patients had roentgenographic evidence of neuropathic arthropathy prior to surgery. Follow-up study with examination and roentgenograms averaged 42 months. Clinical and roentgenographic union was achieved in seven ankles at an average of 16 weeks. Two patients developed a nonunion, three had an amputation, and one died at two months postoperatively. Thirteen complications occurred in eight of the 13 patients (62%). Twenty reoperations, excluding pin removal, were performed in eight patients (62%). A satisfactory result was achieved in only 50% overall and in only 38% of patients with roentgenographic changes of neuropathic arthropathy. Neuropathic arthropathy contributes to the inordinate complication and failure rates. Ankle arthrodesis should be considered with caution in the diabetic patient.
Formation of polymer nanocomposites with various organoclays

The role of the type of organic modifier used with montmorillonite (MMT) on the formation of polymer/clay nanocomposites in the melt compounding process was investigated. Various organoclays including primary [12-aminolauric acid (12ALA)], secondary [dioctylamine (DOA)], tertiary [trioctylamine (TOA)], and two commercial quaternary (Cloisite 30B and 20A) MMTs were melt compounded with carefully selected polymers including polypropylene, polystyrene, styrene–acrylonitrile copolymer, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinylidene fluoride), and acrylonitrile–butadiene copolymer (NBR). X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy characterizations confirmed that the two quaternary ammonium organoclay (Cloisite 30B and 20A) have superior compatibility compared to the primary (12ALA), secondary (DOA), and tertiary (TOA) ammonium organoclay. DOA and TOA can form polymer/clay nanocomposites only with the most polar polymer (NBR). Cloisite Na+ and 12ALA can not form nanocomposite with any polymers. The large organic surface area of the quaternary ammonium organoclay could be the reason of the best compatibility with polar polymers. It is estimated that long alkyl ammonium chains of organic modifier can spread over the clay surface more effectively than short alkyl chains. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1888–1896, 2005
Comparison between average-atom and detailed-configuration-type calculations of the photoionization cross section of hot and dense aluminum plasmas

Photoionization cross sections in hot and dense aluminum plasmas have been obtained within the framework of a detailed-configuration (DC) model and two versions of the average-atom (AA) model: In the first the same non--local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) population distribution was used as that for the DC one (non-LTE-AA), whereas in the second an atom with LTE occupation numbers was used [Thomas-Fermi type (TF)-AA]. Even using the same non-LTE occupation numbers, significant differences were found in the photoionization cross sections as calculated by means of the non-LTE-AA and the DC models particularly near the edge regions. These differences include mainly the relative shift of the edges and their splitting which leads to a larger tip-to-dip ratio near the edge in the AA than that in the DC model, as well as a structured edge region in the DC model relative to the simple sharp edge in the AA model. Far from the edges in the high-photon-energy region, there are only minor differences in the predictions of the two models. The comparison between the non-LTE-AA and the TF-AA models reveals huge quantitative differences in low-density plasmas where a coronal equilibrium prevails; these originate from the different occupation numbers used in the two models. Such differences become smaller in a high-density plasma where the non-LTE-AA model has, practically, an LTE population similar to that of the TF-AA model.
Recognition and recall of dichotically presented verbal stimuli by right- and left-handed persons

Abstract Twelve left-handed and twelve right-handed subjects performed dichotic listening tasks using three different types of verbal materials as stimuli; meaningful words, function words, and nonsense words. Of the three types of verbal stimuli, the function words were most successfully repeated following dichotic presentation, and the nonsense words were least successfully repeated. When the mean scores at the left ear were compared with those at the right ear, higher mean scores were consistently obtained at the right ear by both of the handedness groups on all three types of verbal stimuli. Furthermore, it was found that the absolute difference scores between the two ears for the left-handed subjects tended to be smaller than those for the right-handed subjects. These latter results may be interpreted as supporting the theory of greater hemispheric equi-potentiality for left-handed subjects than for right-handed subjects.
Simultaneous vs staged treatment of urolithiasis in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.

AIM: To assess the outcomes of men treated for urolithiasis at the time of radical prostatectomy. METHODS: From 1991 to 2010, 22 patients were retrospectively identified who were treated simultaneously (n = 10) at radical prostatectomy, or (n = 12) within 120 d prior to prostatectomy, for urolithiasis. Clinical characteristics were reviewed including: type of prostatectomy and stone surgery, location and amount of stone burden, perioperative change in hemoglobin and creatinine, stent frequency, total hospital d, stone-free rates, additional stone procedures and complications. Long-term functional outcomes including stress urinary incontinence and bladder neck contracture were reported. Differences between cohorts (simultaneous vs staged treatment) were assessed. RESULTS: Among men undergoing radical prostatectomy, primary stone procedures included 12 ureteroscopy, 6 shock wave lithotripsy, 2 open nephrolithotomy and 2 percutaneous nephrolithotomy. In staged shock wave lithotripsy there were 4 complications and 3 additional procedures vs 1 (P = 0.5) and 0 (P = 0.2) in the simultaneous cohort. Meanwhile in staged ureteroscopy there were 5 complications and 1 additional procedure vs 1 (P = 0.2) and 1 (P = 0.9) in the simultaneous cohort. Additional procedures for residual stones was greater among patients with asymptomatic upper tract calculi 3 (60%) relative to patients with symptomatic stones 2 (13%; P = 0.02). Likewise, patients with proximal or multiple calculi had a greater total hospital days 5.5 vs 4.1 (P = 0.04), additional procedures 6 vs 0 (P = 0.04) and lower stone-free rates 39% vs 89% (P = 0.02) relative to men with distal stones. Finally, there was no difference in the incidence of bladder neck contracture (P = 0.4) or stress urinary incontinence (P = 0.7) between cohorts. CONCLUSION: Ureteroscopic treatment of symptomatic distal urolithiasis at radical prostatectomy appears to be safe and efficacious with a low rate of adverse postoperative outcomes.
SEARCH FOR THE p$sub 1$ over $sub 2$ ISOMERIC STATE IN Tc$sup 101$ AND IDENTIFICATION OF ENERGY LEVELS

Careful half-life measurements by various methods give 14.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1 min for ${\mathrm{Mo}}^{101}$ and 14.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1 min for ${\mathrm{Tc}}^{101}$. Measurements of the $\ensuremath{\beta}$ and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ energies give substantially the same values as previous workers report. Spin and parity assignments have been made to all levels observed. A search was made for the possible existence of isomeric ${p}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ ${\mathrm{Tc}}^{101m}$, with no evidence for measurable half-life. The evidence is that this state lies above the $\frac{7}{2}+$ state, and decays to it by an $E3$ transition with short half-life rather than by $M4$ transition to the ${g}_{\frac{9}{2}}$ state.
A Statistical Framework for Robust Fusion of Depth Information

We describe a simple statistical framework intended as a model of how depth estimates derived from consistent depth cues are combined in biological vision. We assume that the rule of combination is linear, and that the weights assigned to estimates in the linear combination are variable. These weight values corresponding to different depth cues are determined by ancillary measures, information concerning the likely validity of different depth cues in a particular scene. The parameters of the framework may be estimated psychophysically by procedures described. The conditions under which the framework may be regarded as normative are discussed.
Union authorization card signatures and union certification election vote

One stage of the union organizing process involves the legal requirement that at least 30% of the employees in a potential bargaining unit express a desire for union representation by signing union authorization cards. Beyond the necessary legal requirement, do the data generated by card signing provide a potentially valuable source of information that may be useful to the union organizer in formulating campaign tactics? In addition, do authorization cards provide a sufficiently valid basis for establishing bargaining unit recognition as is the case in Canada? In order to explore these possibilities, the relationship between card signing behavior and certification vote in six union representation elections is examined. Although card signing and vote for certification are significantly related, overall results indicate that relying on union authorization card data as an indicator of vote at the individual level is questionable.
The ETS genes on chromosome 21 are distal to the breakpoint of the acute myelogenous leukemia translocation (8;21).

Abstract The definition of the genetic linkage map of human chromosomes may be helpful in the analysis of cancer-specific chromosome abnormalities. In the translocation (8;21)(q22;q22), a nonrandom cytogenetic abnormality of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), we previously observed the transposition of the ETS2 gene located at the 21q22 region from chromosome 21 to chromosome 8. However, no ETS2 rearrangements were detected in the DNA of t(8;21)-positive AML cells. Genetic linkage analysis has allowed us to locate the ETS2 gene relative to other loci and to establish that the breakpoint is at an approximate genetic distance of 17 cM from ETS2. When the information from the linkage map is combined with that from molecular studies, it is apparent that (a) the t(8;21) breakpoint does not affect the ETS2 gene structure or the structure of the other four loci proximal to ETS2: D21S55, D21S57, D21S17, and ERG, an ETS-related gene; and (b) the actual DNA sequence involved in the t(8;21) must reside in a 3-cM genetic region between the D21S58 and the D21S55/D21S57 loci, and remains to be identified.
In vivo 31P MRS evaluation of ganciclovir toxicity in C6 gliomas stably expressing the herpes simplex thymidine kinase gene

Phosphorus MRS was evaluated as a monitor of tumour therapeutic response to the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase suicide gene therapy paradigm. In vivo 31 P spectra were obtained from subcutaneous rat C6 gliomas constitutively expressing the HSVtk gene post treatment with ganciclovir (GCV, 15 mglkg i.p., twice-daily). Significant regression (p<0.I) of tumour volume was observed 10 days after beginning GCV administration. However, no changes in tumour pH or energy metabolites from pre-treatment values were observed. High-resolution 31 P spectra of tumour extracts revealed a statistically significant reduction in the phosphocholine to phosphoethanolamine ratio six days post-GCV administration. These results indicate that the HSVtk/GCVinduced killing of tumours is not associated with corresponding changes in 31 P MRS-observable energy metabolites and pH. The observed reduction in the PE/PC ratio may provide a non-invasive in vivo indicator of therapeutic efficacy.
EFFECTS OF NOREPINEPHRINE AND NOREPINEPHRINE AGONISTS AND ANTAGONISTS ON THE MELANOPHORES OF THE FIDDLER CRAB UCA PUGILATOR

Norepinephrine produces dose-related pigment dispersion in the melanophores of intact and eyestalkless fiddler crabs, Uca pugilator, but has no effect on the melanophores in isolated legs. 2. The effects of agonists and antagonists of norepinephrine on the rates of melanin dis- persion and concentration were determined. 3. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that norepinephrine exerted its effect by acting on the central nervous system to trigger the release of melanin-dispersing hormone. Migration of the pigment in the chromatophores of the fiddler crab Uca pugi- lator is hormonally regulated (Carlson, 1935; Sandeen, 1950; Brown, 1950; Fin- german, 1956a). A series of experiments performed with this crab has revealed that release of red pigment-dispersing hormone is triggered by 5-hydroxytrypt- amine (=serotonin) (Rao and Fingerman, 1970b) whereas release of red pigment- concentrating hormone is triggered by dopamine (Fingerman and Fingerman, 1977). However, no one has as yet identified a neurotransmitter substance which appears to be involved in triggering release of melanin-dispersing hormone (MDH), melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), white pigment-dispersing hor- mone, or white pigment-concentrating hormone in any species of fiddler crab. Abramowitz and Abramowitz (1938) tested both acetylcholine and epinephrine on melanophores of Uca pugilator, and reported that they had no effect in either producing dispersion or aggregation of the pigment in these cells. Although Bau- chau and Mengeot (1966) found that 5-hydroxytryptamine will produce dispersion of the pigment in the melanophores of the shore crab Carcinus maenas, Rao and Fingerman (1970a) observed that this compound has no such effect on the me- lanophores of Uca pugilator. Presented below are the results of a series of ex- periments which led to identification of norepinephrine as a neurotransmitter substance that appears to be involved in triggering release of MDH in Uca pu- gilator. Experiments were also performed to identify a neurotransmitter sub- stance that might be involved in release of white pigment-dispersing hormone, but these were unsuccessful.
Surface Occurence of Cretaceous Beds in the Southeastern States: ABSTRACT

The Cretaceous sedimentary rocks of the eastern Gulf region crop out in a crescentic band around the southwestern end of the plunging Appalachian Highlands in a belt 500 miles long and up to 75 miles wide. Their maximum thickness at the outcrop is estimated to be about 2,100 feet. The oldest beds of the eastern Gulf Coastal Plain, the Vick formation, crop out in a small area in central Alabama. The age of the Vick is uncertain, being post-Paleozoic and pre-Tuscaloosa. It is probably Jurassic or Lower Cretaceous. Above the Vick formation the Upper Cretaceous formations can be correlated fairly closely with the Texas section, the sequence being divisible into several groups of related formations. The formations equivalent to the Woodbine of Texas include the Cottondale, Eoline, and possibly the Coker formation, the three lower formations of the Tuscaloosa group. These crop out in an arc extending from Marion County in northwestern Alabama to the Coosa River Valley in east-central Alabama. The formations equivalent to the Eagle Ford formation are the Gordo formation at the top of the Tuscaloosa group and the McShan formation, formerly considered the lower part of the Eutaw formation. These extend from the Tennesee River Valley on the north into Georgia on the east. The Austin equivalents include the restricted Eutaw formation and the basal formations of the Selma group, the Mooreville chalk and its sandy equivalents, the lower part of the Coffee sand in northeastern Mississippi and southern Tennessee and the Blufftown formation in eastern Alabama and western Georgia. End_Page 1963------------------------------ Above the beds of Austin age the Cretaceous sequence in the eastern Gulf region may be divided most naturally into two sequences: the lower correlated with Taylor marl and the lower part of the Navarro group and the upper correlated with the upper part of the Navarro. The lower of these two sequences consists of the Demopolis chalk, its sandy northern partial equivalent of the Coffee sand, and its eastern equivalent, the Cusseta sand, and the Ripley formation, which overlies all three units. This stratigraphic sequence extends from southern Illinois to west-central Georgia. The upper beds of the Cretaceous include the Prairie Bluff chalk and its two sandy equivalents, the Owl Creek formation on the north and the Providence sand on the east. These formations extend from southern Tennessee as far at least as central Georgia, broken in west-central Alabama by overlap by the overlying Midway beds. Near the ends of the crescentic belt the sequence of deposition is broken by extensive overlaps. As may be expected, internal, progressive overlap is common in all the formations, but extensive overlap indicating crustal warping is especially notable at the base of each of the larger groups discussed. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1964------------
Too good to treat? Outcomes in patients not receiving thrombolysis due to mild deficits or rapidly improving symptoms

IntroductionAmong ischemic stroke patients arriving within the treatment window, rapidly improving symptoms or having a mild deficit (i.e. too good to treat) is a common reason for exclusion. Sever...
ARpm: An Augmented Reality Interface for Polygonal Modeling

We present a prototype system called ARpm, (augmented reality for polygonal modeling). Created as a front-end to a commercially available 3D animation program (3D Studio Max), it does not require it's modification through inaccessible software code. Users look through a head mounted display (HMD) and the object being modeled appears as a 3D augmentation in the real world. This object can be manipulated using a tangible interface of marker panels that correspond to the modeling tools in 3D Studio Max, and a wireless pointer device. Unlike virtual reality which brings the user into the virtual world, this system places the 3D model in the user's world while allowing the use of a large range of complex 3D polygonal modeling tools provided by 3D Studio Max.
Cadmium concentrations in the testes, sperm, and spermatids of mice subjected to long-term cadmium chloride exposure.

Background: Exposures to cadmium have been reported to reduce male fertility and there are several hypotheses that suggest how reduced male fertility may result from incorporation of cadmium into sperm chromatin The purpose of this study was to determine whether mice subjected to long-term intraperitoneal cadmium exposure incorporated cadmium into their sperm chromatin. Methods: Male mice were exposed to 0.1 mg/kg body weight cadmium in the form of CdCl2 via intraperitoneal injection once per week for 4, 10, 26, and 52 weeks and then sacrificed. The cadmium contents of the liver, testes, pooled sperm, and pooled spermatids from dosed and control animals were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Cadmium and zinc contents in individual sperm and spermatid heads were determined by particle-induced x-ray emission. Results: Atomic absorption spectroscopy revealed that although cadmium accumulated in the liver and testes, cadmium was not detected in pooled sperm or spermatid samples down to minimum detectable limits of 0.02 μg/g dry weight. Particle-induced x-ray emission analyses did not show the presence of cadmium in any sperm or spermatid head down to minimum detectable limits of 15 μg/g dry weight. Particle-induced x-ray emission analyses also demonstrated that phosphorus, sulfur, and zinc concentrations in individual sperm and spermatid heads were not altered by exposure to CdCl2. Conclusions: Because cadmium was not incorporated into sperm chromatin at levels above 0.02 μg/g dry weight, the data cast doubt on hypotheses that suggest that reduced male fertility may result from incorporation of cadmium into sperm chromatin. Cytometry 35:30–36, 1999. Published 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The toxic constituent of Indigofera endecaphylla

Abstract Further proof is offered that the toxic constituent of creeping indigo is β-nitropropionic acid. This compound was synthesized and compared with the isolated material. Both compounds were toxic in the chick test, both had the same melting point, and both gave the same infrared absorption spectra. A sensitive chemical test for the quantitative analysis of this compound in plant material is discussed. This test is sufficiently sensitive so that individual plants may be tested for the presence of this toxic compound. A survey of the nitrogen compounds in creeping indigo revealed a high nitrite concentration. Nitrites were shown to be relatively toxic in the chick test and so may add to the toxicity of creeping indigo.
Asymptotic Rayleigh instantaneous unit hydrograph

The instantaneous unit hydrograph for a channel network under general linear routing and conditioned on the network magnitude,N, tends asymptotically, asN grows large, to a Rayleigh probability density function. This behavior is identical to that of the width function of the network, and is proven under the assumption that the network link configuration is topologically random and the link hydraulic and geometric properties are independent and identically distributed random variables. The asymptotic distribution depends only on a scale factor, $$\xi \sqrt n$$ , where ξ is a mean link wave travel time.
The importance of acute luminal diameter in determining restenosis after coronary atherectomy or stenting.

BACKGROUNDWe evaluated native coronary arteries treated by directional coronary atherectomy or balloon-expandable stent placement in an effort to derive a quantitative geometric model relating the luminal diameter immediately after intervention to that present 6 months later. The minimal luminal diameter of each lesion was measured before and immediately after intervention in 102 single Palmaz-Schatz stents and 134 directional atherectomies, 192 (81%) of which had repeat angiographic measurement of minimal luminal diameter 6 months after the intervention. The immediate enlargement in luminal diameter produced by the intervention (acute gain) and the subsequent reduction in luminal diameter from the time of intervention to 6 months of follow-up (late loss) were calculated.METHODS AND RESULTSLuminal diameter increased from 0.69 +/- 0.40 mm to 3.11 +/- 0.64 mm (acute gain, 2.41 +/- 0.64 mm) after intervention, providing an immediate postprocedure residual stenosis of 1 +/- 14% relative to a reference diamete...
A Comparison of Sampling Methods for Leafhopper Vectors of X-disease in California Cherry Orchards

The relative abundance and activity of leafhoppers in 9 California cherry orchards was estimated by using sweep net, D-vac® suction collector, sticky traps, and knockdown onto a ground cloth with pyrethrin mist. Sweep net and D-vac samples from ground cover vegetation were very similar in the relative proportions of most commonly collected leafhopper species. Yellow sticky traps hung in cherry trees at ca. 1.8 m above ground level captured most of the same species as ground vegetation samples but in markedly different relative abundance. Trap height strongly influenced the numbers of different leafhopper species captured in both yellow and in wire mesh sticky traps. There were few significant differences in the numbers of most species of leafhoppers captured in orchards with cover crops compared to orchards in which weeds were controlled. Colladonus montanus (Van Duzee) was the most abundant known vector of the X-disease agent in all sample methods. The proportion of C. montanus trapped on sticky boards relative to other leafhoppers increased with trap height, suggesting significant activity in cherry foliage compared to other vector species. Direct sampling of cherry foliage with sweep net or pyrethrin knockdown produced extremely low numbers of leafhoppers.
Behavioural and electrophysiological measures of auditory attention in right hemisphere brain damage

Background: The right hemisphere (RH) has been found to play a major role in attention. However, most research has focused on the RH's role in visual attention associated with arousal, orienting, vigilance, and sustained and selective attention, and especially on the subsequent visuospatial deficits observed after RH brain damage. The RH's contribution to auditory attention and processing as well as the auditory abilities of the RH after brain damage has been explored to a lesser degree. Investigations using psychoacoustics and electrophysiology to examine the auditory processing abilities of non‐brain‐damaged and aphasic adults have been numerous and have revealed the influence of several variables on their findings including age, lesion site, lesion size, type of stimuli, etc. Investigations using these approaches to examine the auditory attention abilities of individuals with RH brain damage have been minimal. Furthermore, it is unclear whether both testing methods are examining similar components of a...