cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
WEED SEED BANK DYNAMICS : IMPLICATIONS TO WEED MANAGEMENT

Summary Weeds continue to have major impacts on crop production in spite of efforts to eliminate them. Most weed species rely on seed for regeneration and persistence. The species composition and density of weed seed in the soil vary greatly and are closely linked to the cropping history of the land. Altering tillage practices changes patterns of soil disturbance and weed seed depth in the soil, which plays a role in weed species shifts. Crop rotation and weed control practices also impact the weed seed bank in the soil. Information on the weed seed bank should be a useful tool for integrated weed management. Decision aid models are being developed that use information on the composition of the weed seed bank to estimate weed populations, crop yield loss, and to recommend weed control tactics. Understanding weed seed bank dynamics can also be used to guide management practices. Improving and applying our understanding of weed seed and seed bank dynamics is essential to developing improved weed management ...
Tort Recovery for Loss of a Chance

"Loss of a chance" is a novel theory of causation commonly used by courts in the United States in medical misdiagnosis cases. Yet, the theory has a vastly broader potential application than this. In fact, it could be applied in virtually every case of questionable causation. While this Article asserts that the doctrine could legitimately be expanded and applied in a variety of additional situations, the Article cautions that it would be unwise to apply the doctrine so broadly that it routinely supplants traditional causation rules. The Article searches for a principled basis for limiting the theory within proper bounds by comparing the differing applications of the loss of a chance doctrine in British Commonwealth cases and United States cases. The Article concludes that current rationales for the doctrine do not provide an adequate limiting principle, but that a case by case policy analysis can appropriately limit the theory.
Domus Ecclesiae: Rethinking a Category of Ante-Pacem Christian Space

Historians of religion, art, and archaeology often invoke the term domus ecclesiae (olkos τγs ekkλγσias) as a technical category to denote a house or building that had been materially adapted for Christian ritual during the ante-pacem period. Most employ the term in the belief that it is genuinely pre-Constantinian, and that Christians in this period described their cult spaces as renovated houses. This essay demonstrates the inaccuracy of both assumptions, and shows that the first attested literary use of the term dates no earlier than 313 CE, when Eusebius of Caesarea (d. 339) used it in his writings to designate a church building without any indication of its architectural form or history. Following a discussion of the term's modern history and an analysis of the ancient literary evidence, the essay concludes with a brief look at the material evidence for domus ecclesiae, which, with one exception (the complex at DuraEuropos), also dates to the post-Constantinian period.
Urban land-use models: The determinants of adoption and use

This paper delineates the conditions under which computerized land-use models have been adopted and used in the activities of a number of regional planning agencies. Our discussion is based on intensive case studies of planning agencies and the group includes both model adopters and nonadopters.
Environmental Perceptions and Social Relations in the Mapimí Biosphere Reserve

Las Reservas de la Biosfera fueron desarrolladas, en parte, para integrar los objetivos de conservacion con los de desarrollo regional y de esta forma incluir areas protegidas dentro del manejo de recursos de areas inhabitadas. La Reserva de la Biosfera de Mapimi en Durango, Mexico, constituye un ejemplo de las dificultades enfrentadas por los responsables de manejar las areas protegidas en la implentacion del concepto de reserva de la biosfera, especialmente cuando grupos de interes en el lugar perciben el mismo ambiente en forma diferente. La Reserva sostiene un programa de investigacion a largo plazo sobre la ecologia del Desierto de Chihuahua y ha sido exitoso en proteger Chihuahuense una especie de tortuga en peligro de extincion, con la cooperacion de los residentes locales. Sin embargo, formas de coexistencia entre la tenencia de la tierra y el manejo de recursos naturales, incluyendo el pastoreo extensivo de ganado, impiden la proteccion total de la zona central de la reserva, y la falta de coneccion entre investigacion basica y aplicada ha impedido que los encargados del manejo de la reserva y los investigadores desarrollen buenas relaciones publicas que permitan la realizacion de un plan de conservacion regional.
Simple Groups and Strong Interaction Symmetries

A survey is presented of studies on symmetries in strong interactions of elementary particles, under the supposition that elementary particles may be thought of as linear representations of Lie groups. The Lie algebras of simple groups are reviewed, and attention is devoted to representation, composition and decomposition, and tensor analysis of Lie algebras and simple Lie groups. Illustrative applications of the Lie representations to several elementary particle schemes are outlined. (T.F.H.)
New strategy needed in earthquake, volcano monitoring

Recent advances in space geodesy provide unprecedented opportunities for measuring and understanding processes related to earthquake occurrence and volcanic eruptions in the United States and elsewhere. The Global Positioning System (GPS) uses Earth-orbiting satellites to obtain relative movements of ground points accurate to a few millimeters, either through periodically repeated surveys or by continuous measurements at permanent sites [Segall and Davis, 1997]. Satellite interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) uses repeat-pass radar backscatter images of Earth's surface to obtain complete spatial mappings of surface deformation over 100 km × 100 km scenes to centimeter precision [Massonnet and Feigl, 1998]. During the past 5 years GPS and InSAR increasingly have been applied to local studies of active fault zones and volcanic systems, imaging the sources of deformation buried in Earth's crust and quantifying the hazards they pose to society. The potential now exists to deploy these tools to map and monitor all of the actively deforming western United States, and a new scientific initiative with these goals is under active discussion [Silver et al, 1998].
β-chemokine function in experimental lung ischemia-reperfusion injury

Abstract Background Although chemokines are functionally important in models of ischemia-reperfusion injury, little is known about their role in lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI). This study examined the role of the β-chemokines, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and regulated upon activation normal T cells expressed and secreted (RANTES) in LIRI. Methods Left lungs of Long-Evans rats underwent normothermic ischemia for 90 minutes and reperfusion for up to 4 hours. Treated animals received anti–MIP-1α, anti–MCP-1, or anti-RANTES antibodies before reperfusion. Changes in lung vascular permeability were measured with iodine 125–labeled bovine serum albumin. Neutrophil accumulation in the lung parenchyma was determined by myeloperoxidase activity, and bronchoalveolar lavage was performed to measure leukocyte cell counts. Western blots, Northern blots, and ribonuclease protection assays assessed β-chemokine messenger RNA and protein levels. Results Animals receiving anti–MIP-1α demonstrated reduced vascular permeability compared with controls ( p p p p Conclusions MIP-1α is functionally significant in the development of LIRI. It likely exerts its effects in part by mediating the expression of proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines and influencing tissue neutrophil recruitment. MCP-1 and RANTES seem to play relatively minor roles in the development of direct LIRI.
Improved syntheses of precursors for PET radioligands [18F]XTRA and [18F]AZAN

Improved syntheses of 7-methyl-2-exo-[3′-(2-bromopyridin-3-yl)-5′-pyridinyl]-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes (3) and 7-methyl-2-exo-[3’-(6-bromopyridin-2-yl)-5′-pyridinyl]-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes (4), precursors for PET radioligands [18F]XTRA (1) and [18F]AZAN (2), involving a key Stille coupling step followed by deprotection of Boc group and N-methylation are described. The new synthetic procedures provided the title compounds in more than 40% overall yields.
Suicidal ideation in psoriasis

BACKGROUND. Psoriasis has been associated with depressive disease and case reports of completed suicide. METHODS. 217 consenting psoriasis patients completed the Carroll Rating Scale for Depression (CRSD), a 52-item self-rated scale, with four of the items directly addressing wishes to be dead and suicidal ideation. The patients also self-rated the severity of their psoriasis. RESULTS. 9.7% of patients reported a wish to be dead, and 5.5% reported active suicidal ideation at the time of the study. The death wish and suicidal ideation were associated with higher depression scores (P Language: en
Self-consistent treatment of quantum transport in 10 nm FinFET using Contact Block Reduction (CBR) method

A fully quantum mechanical approach must be utilized to investigate the characteristics of nanoscale semiconductor devices and capture the essential physics with high accuracy. In this work a very efficient quantum mechanical transport simulator based on Contact Block Reduction (CBR) method is used to analyze the behavior of 10 nm FinFET device in the quasi-ballistic regime of operation. Simulation results depict the transformation of multiple channels into a single merged channel across the fin as the fin width is reduced gradually. Also we observe that short channel effects can be minimized by reducing the fin thickness, which is evident from the device transfer characteristics for different fin thickness presented in this paper. A comparison of simulation results with the available experimental data is presented. An optimized 10 nm gate length FinFET structure is suggested.
An empirical analysis of herd behavior in global stock markets

Abstract This paper examines herding behavior in global markets. By applying daily data for 18 countries from May 25, 1988, through April 24, 2009, we find evidence of herding in advanced stock markets (except the US) and in Asian markets. No evidence of herding is found in Latin American markets. Evidence suggests that stock return dispersions in the US play a significant role in explaining the non-US market’s herding activity. With the exceptions of the US and Latin American markets, herding is present in both up and down markets, although herding asymmetry is more profound in Asian markets during rising markets. Evidence suggests that crisis triggers herding activity in the crisis country of origin and then produces a contagion effect, which spreads the crisis to neighboring countries. During crisis periods, we find supportive evidence for herding formation in the US and Latin American markets.
Decay of 85Sr

Abstract A study of the decay of 85 Sr has confirmed the presence of a weak transition with an energy of 868 keV in 85 Rb. The intensity of the de-excitation γ-ray has been found to be (1.154 ± 0.063) × 10 −4 relative to that of the 514 keV γ-ray.
Imaging Metastasis Using an Integrin-Targeting Chain-Shaped Nanoparticle

While the enhanced permeability and retention effect may promote the preferential accumulation of nanoparticles into well-vascularized primary tumors, it is ineffective in the case of metastases hidden within a large population of normal cells. Due to their small size, high dispersion to organs, and low vascularization, metastatic tumors are less accessible to targeted nanoparticles. To tackle these challenges, we designed a nanoparticle for vascular targeting based on an α(v)β(3) integrin-targeted nanochain particle composed of four iron oxide nanospheres chemically linked in a linear assembly. The chain-shaped nanoparticles enabled enhanced "sensing" of the tumor-associated remodeling of the vascular bed, offering increased likelihood of specific recognition of metastatic tumors. Compared to spherical nanoparticles, the chain-shaped nanoparticles resulted in superior targeting of α(v)β(3) integrin due to geometrically enhanced multivalent docking. We performed multimodal in vivo imaging (fluorescence molecular tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) in a non-invasive and quantitative manner, which showed that the nanoparticles targeted metastases in the liver and lungs with high specificity in a highly aggressive breast tumor model in mice.
A Social Trap Analysis of the Management of Diversity

Social trap theory is the basis for an analysis of how management initiatives influence diversity-related outcomes within work organizations. Social traps are situations where decision problems involve conflicts between individual or near-term outcomes and collective or long-term consequences. The management of diversity is conceptualized in terms of the social traps created by workplace diversity issues. A social trap model is proposed that (a) identifies the defining attributes of social traps in diversity contexts, (b) links human resource initiatives with a taxonomy of social trap solutions, (c) explores the efficacy of these solutions for altering the dynamics of social traps, and (d) examines the influence of changes in trap dynamics on an organization's diversity climate. We discuss the contribution and implications of a social trap approach to diversity and outline a research agenda for the model.
Programs in aid of the poor

The revised and updated seventh edition of this text for students, scholars and policymakers takes into account the broad changes in federal assistance programmes since 1991. It reviews the erosion of entitlement programmes to families with dependent children, single-parent households, youth, veterans and the elderly. It looks particularly at the impact of the 1996 welfare reform which dramatically reconfigured the aid landscape. Following an examination of the characteristics of the American poor, the book analyzes four strategies of assistance programmes: income maintenance programmes directed mainly at the poor who are outside the workforce; programmes supplying goods and services; programmes designed to prevent the spread of poverty to new generations; and programmes to aid the working poor. The concluding chapter explores feasible approaches to the alleviation of poverty.
Estimation of the size of molluscan larval settlement using the death assemblage

Abstract The death assemblage is an important source of information about temporal variability in community composition. The living community and the short-term death assemblage have been studied at a sandy-bottom station in the Laguna Madre, Texas. Abundance peaks of living species are usually followed by long-term abundance increases of the same species in the death assemblage. This phenomenon provides a tool for investigating between-sampling-occasion events in the preservable component of the living community. Given a six-week sampling regimen, approximately 90% of all individuals settle, live and die during the period between consecutive sampling occasions and are not collected alive. Thus, larval settlements are consistently underestimated by about 90% from data on the living community. Comparisons of year-to-year variability in settlement and survivorship of settled individuals in the youngest age classes may be considerably in error. Better estimations of actual settlement and survivorship can be made from the death assemblage provided that the rate of taphonomic loss can be quantified. The rate of taphonomic loss can be expressed as the species' half-life, the time required for the destruction of 50% of the individuals that were added to the death assemblage following settlement. Half-lives for the smallest size classes in the death assemblage at this site are about 100 days.
Synthesis and in vivo evaluation of [O‐methyl‐11C] 2‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐N‐(4‐methylbenzyl)‐N‐(1‐methyl‐ piperidin‐4‐yl)acetamide as an imaging probe for 5‐HT2A receptors

2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-N-(4-methylbenzyl)-N-(1-methylpiperidin-4-yl)acetamide (AC90179, 4), a highly potent and selective competitive 5-HT2A antagonist, was labeled by [11C]-methylation of the corresponding desmethyl analogue 5 with [11C]methyl triflate. The precursor molecule 5 for radiolabeling was synthesized from p-tolylmethylamine in three steps with 46% overall yield. [11C]AC90179 was synthesized in 30 min (30 ± 5% yield, EOS) with a specific activity of 4500 ± 500 Ci/mmol and >99% chemical and radiochemical purities. Positron emission tomography studies in anesthetized baboon revealed that [11C]4 Penetrates the blood–brain barrier (BBB) with a rapid influx and efflux of the tracer in all brain regions. Due to lack of tracer retention or specific binding, [11C]4 cannot be used as PET ligand for imaging 5-HT2A receptors. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
AN IMPROVED FEATURE VOCABULARY BASED METHOD FOR IMAGE CATEGORIZATION

The bags of feature and feature vocabulary based approaches have been presented for image categorization due to their simplicity and competitive performance. Some modified versions have been subsequently proposed, incorporating the methods such as adapted vocabularies, fast indexing, and Gaussian mixture models. In this paper, we propose an improvement of replacing the Harris-affine detection method by a random sampling procedure together with an increased number of sample points. Experimental results show that this new method improves categorization accuracy on a five-category problem using the Caltech-4 dataset. It is concluded that random sampling produces higher attainable point density and better categorization performance.
MULTIPLE FORMS OF ENZYMES IN A CELLULAR SLIME MOLD DURING MORPHOGENESIS.

Abstract Electrophoretic patterns of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and nonspecific esterase were investigated in the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum by means of starch gel electrophoresis and biochemical techniques. Acid phosphatase was shown to be present in all stages of the life cycle of the slime mold and was separated into five individual bands by the methods of zone electrophoresis employed. Alkaline phosphatase was shown to exist in two forms in this organism, and nonspecific esterase was present in ten distinct forms. The greatest number of enzymatic forms as well as the maximum staining by each group of enzymes was invariably detected during the migrating pseudoplasmodium and culmination stages. In contrast, minimal activity was present in the mature spores. It is suggested that differentiation of this slime mold is accompanied by synthesis of additional enzymatic forms at certain periods during development.
Acute myocardial infarction in hemoglobin SC disease

Although there are reports of myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with sickle cell diseases, an antemortem diagnosis of acute MI in a patient with compound heterozygous hemoglobin SC disease has not been reported. Herein, we present a patient with hemoglobin SC who suffered an acute MI. She had typical chest pain for myocardial ischemia, associated with ST elevations on the electrocardiogram (EKG) and elevations of cardiac injury markers diagnostic of infarction. The patient was treated with conventional therapies for acute coronary syndrome and also emergent red blood cell exchange. Interestingly, coronary angiography was completely normal in this patient. Potential mechanisms and management for acute MI in patients with sickle cell disease are discussed.
Microscopic superconducting parameters of Nb 3 Al: Importance of the band density of states

Critical-field measurements are carried out in low fields on a series of $A15$ Nb-Al as-deposited films where structural disorder, as characterized by the residual resistivity $\ensuremath{\rho}({T}_{c})$, is introduced by varying the composition in the $A15$ phase. Analysis of the critical-field slopes near ${T}_{c}$ gives relatively low electronic densities of states at Fermi level ${N}^{b}(0)$ in agreement with heat-capacity results. The ${N}^{b}(0)$'s remain nearly constant over the resistivity range varied. Lacking data in the low resistivity range, our results neither support nor disagree with the resistive lifetime-broadening model of the density of states. Nonetheless, the data unambiguously demonstrate that the conventional model, in which a peak in the band density of states at the Fermi level plays the essential role, is not sufficient to explain the observed systematics in high-${T}_{c}$ ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Al. More specifically, changes in $\frac{〈{I}^{2}〉}{〈{\ensuremath{\omega}}^{2}〉}$ with disorder are found to be responsible for the observed changes in ${T}_{c}$, where the increase of $〈{\ensuremath{\omega}}^{2}〉$ with disorder has been shown earlier in the tunneling studies. Further consideration of similar data for the other superconductors ${\mathrm{V}}_{3}$Si, ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Sn, and ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Ge suggests that important variations in $\frac{〈{I}^{2}〉}{〈{\ensuremath{\omega}}^{2}〉}$ may be a general feature of the high-${T}_{c}$ $A15$ superconductors. $\frac{〈{I}^{2}〉}{〈{\ensuremath{\omega}}^{2}〉}$ increases as one progresses from ${\mathrm{V}}_{3}$Si through ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Sn and ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Al to ${\mathrm{Nb}}_{3}$Ge in correlation with the relative instability of the $A15$ phase in these materials.
Increasing Volume of Non-Neoplastic Parenchyma in Partial Nephrectomy Specimens Is Associated With Chronic Kidney Disease Upstaging

Abstract Introduction We examined the effect of non-neoplastic parenchymal volumes (NNPVs) in partial nephrectomy (PN) surgical specimens on long-term postoperative renal function. PN for renal cortical neoplasms has demonstrated superior long-term renal function outcomes compared with radical nephrectomy. Minimizing the distance between the surgical margin and tumor will reduce the NNPV removed. The role of NNPV on postoperative outcomes has been preliminarily investigated, with varying results. Thus, we sought to determine the association between the NNPV removed and postoperative chronic kidney disease (CKD) staging. Materials and Methods Our institutional database was queried for patients who had undergone PN from 1990 to 2012. The demographic and pathologic data were collected. The ellipsoid formula was used to calculate the surgical specimen and tumor volumes, which were then subtracted from each other to determine the NNPV. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of postoperative CKD upstaging according to the eGFR. Results A total of 584 patients meeting the inclusion criteria had undergone PN. On binary logistic regression analysis, controlling for age, tumor volume, surgical modality, and preoperative CKD stage, an increasing NNPV in the surgical specimen was independently associated with postoperative CKD upstaging (odds ratio, 1.004; P = .007). Conclusion An increasing NNPV removed during PN correlated with CKD upstaging using the eGFR; therefore, additional emphasis should be placed on healthy parenchymal preservation, with long-term follow-up to ensure adequate oncologic outcomes.
VLA source counts at 6-cm wavelength

Radio sources can have such high luminosities that they are detectable at great distances. They may therefore be important tracers of the structure and evolution of the early Universe. They apparently evolve in time; compared with the present epoch, strong radio sources are orders of magnitude more common at redshifts z greater than unity1,2. Direct measurements of the number of radio sources observed as a function of their flux places constraints on both their evolutionary behaviour and on the cosmological models. To extend the present source counts to lower flux limits, the Very Large Array (VLA) of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory was employed. Thirteen widely separated fields at high galactic latitude were mapped at the VLA at 6 cm. The fields are 12.8 arc min square, and the 5σ noise levels extend below 1 mJy. The resulting differential source counts were ΔN/ΔN0 (0.5 mJy <S < 3.0 mJy) = 0.0384 and ΔN/ΔN0 (3.0 mJy < S < 10.0 mJy) = 0.178. These results confirm the deviation at low flux levels from the uniform N = 60 S−1.5 Ω distribution.
Characterization of a 56-kb plasmid ofErwinia amylovora Ea322: Its noninvolvement in pathogenicity

Abstract A plasmid fromErwinia amylovora strain Ea322, pCPP60, was studied for its involvement in the phytopathogenicity of this strain. Eviction through incompatibility and curing with acridine orange did not affect the pathogenic capability of Ea322. The plasmid was characterized as self-transmissible with a narrow host range. Hybridization of its origin of replication with plasmids of different incompatibility groups revealed affiliation with IncF. The exact subgroup was not determined, although it does not belong to IncFI, IncFII, IncFIV, or IncFV. A sequence of 800 bp, required for conjugation incis, was cloned in pUC9. A “miniplasmid” containing the origin of replication in a 1.2-kb sequence was constructed. Its high copy number was in contrast with the stringently controlled copy number of the native plasmid of one to three copies per Chromosome equivalent.
Paraneoplastic encephalomyelopathies: pathology and mechanisms

The last three decades have seen major advances in the understanding of paraneoplastic and idiopathic autoimmune disorders affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Neural-specific autoantibodies and their target antigens have been discovered, immunopathology and neuroimaging patterns recognized and pathogenic mechanisms elucidated. Disorders accompanied by autoantibody markers of neural peptide-specific cytotoxic effector T cells [such as anti-neuronal nuclear antibody type 1 (ANNA-1, aka anti-Hu), Purkinje cell antibody type 1 (PCA-1, aka anti-Yo) and CRMP-5 IgG] are generally poorly responsive to immunotherapy. Disorders accompanied by neural plasma membrane-reactive autoantibodies [the effectors of synaptic disorders, which include antibodies targeting voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC) complex proteins, NMDA and GABA-B receptors] generally respond well to early immunotherapy. Here we describe in detail the neuropathological findings and pathophysiology of paraneoplastic CNS disorders with reference to antigen-specific serology and neurological and oncological contexts.
Chemical Etiology of Nucleic Acid Structure: The Pentulofuranosyl Oligonucleotide Systems: The (1′→3′)-β-L-Ribulo, (4′→3′)-α-L-Xylulo, and (1′→3′)-α-L-Xylulo Nucleic Acids

Under potentially prebiotic scenarios, ribose (pentose), the component of RNA is formed in meager amounts, as opposed to ribulose and xylulose (pentuloses). Consequently, replacement of ribose in RNA, with pentulose sugars, gives rise to prospective oligonucleotide candidates that are potentially prebiotic structural variants of RNA that could be formed by the same type of chemical pathways that gave rise to RNA from ribose. The potentially natural alternative (1′→3′)-ribulo oligonucleotides and (4′→3′)- and (1′→3′)-xylulo oligonucleotides consisting of adenine and thymine were synthesized and found to exhibit no self-pairing or cross-pairing with RNA. This signifies that even though pentulose sugars may have been abundant in a prebiotic scenario, the pentulose nucleic acids (NAs), if and when formed, would not have been competitors of RNA, or interfered with the emergence of RNA as a functional informational system. The reason for the lack of base pairing in pentulose NA highlights the contrasting and central role played by the furanosyl ring in RNA and pentulose NA, enabling and optimizing the base pairing in RNA, while impeding it in pentulose NA.
The Unusual Characteristics of the Aerobic Oxidation of 3,4‐Dimethoxytoluene with Metal/Bromide Catalysts

DMtoluene (3,4-dimethoxytoluene; DM=3,4-dimethoxy), a model compound for lignin oxidation, can be autoxidized in acetic acid using a Co/Mn/Br catalyst to its benzaldehyde in 51 mol % yield, and to its acid in 85–92 mol % yield. This synthesis is unusual because a number of unprecedented phenomena occur. 1) The rate of molecular oxygen reacting with the substrate is bi-phasic, i.e., two maximum in the rate of reaction are observed. 2) In the first phase, all of the 3,4-dimethoxytoluene is converted to intermediates, but very little to the carboxylic acid. 3) During the second maximum of activity, virtually all the intermediates are converted to the carboxylic acid with 95–100% mass accountability. 4) The rate of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide formation is considerably higher during the second phase during which 5) 9–12% of methyl 3,4-dimethoxybenzoate (the methyl ester of the benzoic acid) is formed. Mechanisms are suggested for these unusual phenomena.
Dr. George Cheyne, Chevalier Ramsay, and Hume's Letter to a Physician

The publication of a new intellectual biography of George Cheyne1 provides a "propitious" occasion for "a thoroughly skeptical review"2 of the question which has long exercised Hume scholars, whether Cheyne was the intended recipient of David Hume's fascinating pie-Treatise Letter to a Physician,3 the letter which describes his own hypochondriacal physical and mental symptoms and gives an account of his early philosophical development.4 Hume's nineteenth-century biographer, John Hill Burton, argued that Hume was probably writing to Cheyne,5 while Ernest Mossner claimed to definitively refute that hypothesis in an article entitled "Hume's Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot," published in 1944.6 Anita Guerrini's intellectual biography does not discuss Cheyne as a possible recipient of Hume's letter, but she does present a well-rounded picture of this interesting eighteenth-century physician from which we can judge his appropriateness as its addressee. In the following discussion I will make use of the biographical material found in this new biography of Cheyne, as well as other sources, to show that Mossner's arguments are less than definitive, and that it would be wrong to dismiss the possibility that the letter was sent to George Cheyne.7 This is a possibility that, for reasons that I will make clear, makes good biographical and philosophical sense. At the same time, it is important to keep a proper suspense of judgment as Burton did, for the evidence that the letter was either intended for or actually sent to Cheyne is not definitive.
Dual kVp material decomposition using flat-panel detectors

In addition to a conventional Computed Tomography (CT) image, dual energy (dual kVp) imaging can be used to generate an image of the same anatomy that represents the equivalent density of a particular material, for example, calcium, iodine, water, etc. This image can be used to improve the differentiation of materials as well as improve the accuracy of absolute density measurements in a cross-sectional image. It is important to understand the certainty of the estimation of the density of the material. Both simulations and measurements are used to quantify these errors. Data are acquired using a flat-panel based volumetric CT system, by taking two scans and adjusting the maximum energy of the source spectrum (kVp). Physics based simulations are used to compare with the measurements. After validating the simulation algorithms, the accuracy of the dual kVp method is determined using the simulations in a perturbation study.
The changing histopathology of lung cancer. A review of 1682 cases

We have reviewed the histopathology of lung cancer patients seen over the past 13 years at RPMI. Assessment of this data indicates that adenocarcinoma is becoming progressively more prevalent as related to the other forms of lung cancer. Factors which in part may account for this increased prevalence are: 1) changes in criteria for reading histopathology of lung cancer, particularly since 1967; 2) the increased incidence of lung cancer among the female population who have a propensity for adenocarcinoma; and 3) occupational and environmental factors. In 1974 adenocarcinoma for the first time became the most prevalent type of lung cancer at RPMI. Whatever the reason, if our data are truly representative of a national trend, adenocarcinoma will soon become the most prevalent type of lung cancer in the United States. This fact may result in an increasing death rate since the present 18-month survival rate for adenocarcinoma is substantially less than for squamous cell carcinoma, which has in the past been the prevalent form of the disease. As the smoking habits of women more closely approximate those of men, we expect that the incidence and mortality of lung cancer will prove to be quite similar in both sexes.
First detailed report of brood parasitoidism in the invasive population of the paper wasp Polistes dominulus (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) in North America

The European paper wasp Polistesdominulus (Christ) is a model system in the fields of behavioral ecology, ecological immunology, and invasion biology. Since its introduction to the US in 1978, its invasion success has been attributed, in part, to a lack of parasites or parasitoids infecting this population. This is despite the number of parasites which infest the native population and the generalist polistine parasites and parasitoids documented in sympatric North American species. Multiple studies have cited low parasite pressure as evidence that the invasive population of P.dominulus is benefiting from a post-invasion release from enemies. Here, we present the first well documented case of parasitoidism of the invasive population of P.dominulus in North America.
Selective Estrogen Receptor (ER) Modulators Differentially Regulate Phospholipase D Catalytic Activity in ER-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Recent successes in the pharmacotherapeutic treatment of breast cancer are associated with the use of selective estrogen receptor modulators. Two commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals in this class, tamoxifen and raloxifene, have been shown to have effects through estrogen receptor (ER)-independent mechanisms. Hyperactivation of phospholipase D (PLD) in certain tumor-derived cell lines have been reported, and recent findings suggest a role for PLD in transformation and metastasis. In the present study, we compare the effects of tamoxifen and raloxifene on PLD in the ER-positive mammary epithelial cell line MCF-12A, and the ER-negative, highly tumorigenic mammary carcinoma cell line MDA-MB-231. Our data demonstrate that tamoxifen and raloxifene have differential effects on PLD catalytic activity. Tamoxifen stimulates PLD in both ER-positive and -negative cells in vivo, whereas raloxifene inhibits PLD activity in these same cell types. In addition, we show that the active metabolite 4-OH-tamoxifen can be used to pharmacologically discriminate the two isoforms of PLD, through a stimulatory effect on PLD1 and an inhibitory effect on PLD2. Using recombinant PLD1, we show stimulation by tamoxifen requires a factor present in Sf21 insect cells that is not required for inhibition of PLD1 by raloxifene. Furthermore, tamoxifen stimulation and raloxifene inhibition of PLD activities are independent of the amino-terminal portion of PLD1 (amino acids 1-324). Knowledge of the mechanisms of action of these drugs on PLD may provide insights into the pharmacological action of these drugs and the role of PLD in some cancers.
Precise mask-to-wafer gap sensing established in the EPB-lithography tool

Abstract A mask-to-wafer gap measurement technique has been implemented in the Electron Beam Proximity Printing (EBP) 0.5 /um lithography system. This technique does not use additional (optical) systems but the wide, parallel EBP-system e-beam, which performs scanning inclinations about a periodic chip-registration pattern in the mask, so that the image of that mask pattern is scanned across the wafer surface. The strong scattering/reflection of electrons from the e-beam, that occurs when the image overlaps a corresponding etch-pattern on the wafer surface, is detected and allows to monitor the image excursions in the wafer plane as a function of e-beam inclination. This in turn yields a measure for the mask to wafer gap. The accuracy of our gap sensing technique was found to be ± 1 %.
Sensitivity enhancement and contrasting information provided by free radicals in oriented-sample NMR of bicelle-reconstituted membrane proteins.

Abstract Elucidating structure and topology of membrane proteins (MPs) is essential for unveiling functionality of these important biological constituents. Oriented-sample solid-state NMR (OS-NMR) is capable of providing such information on MPs under nearly physiological conditions. However, two dimensional OS-NMR experiments can take several days to complete due to long longitudinal relaxation times combined with the large number of scans to achieve sufficient signal sensitivity in biological samples. Here, free radicals 5-DOXYL stearic acid, TEMPOL, and CAT-1 were added to uniformly 15N-labeled Pf1 coat protein reconstituted in DMPC/DHPC bicelles, and their effect on the longitudinal relaxation times (T1Z) was investigated. The dramatically shortened T1Z’s allowed for the signal gain per unit time to be used for either: (i) up to a threefold reduction of the total experimental time at 99% magnetization recovery or (ii) obtaining up to 74% signal enhancement between the control and radical samples during constant experimental time at “optimal” relaxation delays. In addition, through OS-NMR and high-field EPR studies, free radicals were able to provide positional constraints in the bicelle system, which provide a description of the location of each residue in Pf1 coat protein within the bicellar membranes. This information can be useful in the determination of oligomerization states and immersion depths of larger membrane proteins.
Exchange splitting of ferromagnetic nickel within the local potential approximation

Abstract It is shown that the first higher-order correction to the local spin-polarized potential, as derived from electron gas considerations, does not resolve the discrepancy concerning the exchange splitting of ferromagnetic nickel's band structure.
Assessing a conceptual framework of health-related quality of life in a HIV/AIDS population

With the recognition of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) as an important outcome in the course of HIV-disease, it is important to gain a better understanding of the complex relationships among the various factors that influence it. This study assesses a conceptual framework of HRQOL, consisting of disease status, socio-economic status (SES), behavioral variables, symptom status, role-specific functional status and HRQOL, among a multiethnic, economically disadvantaged population of individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Self-report data were collected from 348 patients receiving care at a large HIV/AIDS care center, serving residents of a large metropolitan area. The relationships between the study variables were examined using structural equation modeling. Results indicated that the hypothesized framework provided a well-fitted solution to the data, χ2(44df)=57.62], p = 0.08 and root mean square error of approximation=0.03, 90% confidence interval 0.01; 0.05. This framework suggests that health-related variables fall along a continuum, beginning with disease status and ending in generic HRQOL. In addition, the framework suggests that behavioral factors (i.e., smoking status, alcohol consumption, and illicit drug use) and SES exert significant effects along this continuum and should be carefully considered when analyzing and interpreting HRQOL data.
Intelligence and Physical Fitness as Predictors of Success in Early Infantry Training

The purpose of this research was to assess how well success in early combat training was predicted by scores on a test of general intelligence (the General Technical composite of the Armed Services...
A Stochastic Approach to Quasi-Everywhere Boundary Convergence of Harmonic Functions

Given a Dirichlet form E(·, ·) on the unit sphere S in Rn (n ⩾ 2) associated to a continuous, symmetric convolution semigroup of measures on a group G of isometries on S and given a (G-invariant) Markov process Xt on the open unit ball B, it is shown that for any real function u ϵ L2(S) with E(u,u)<∞ the Xt-harmonic extension u has limit u(θ) along a.a. paths Xt conditioned to exit from B at θ, for quasi-all θ ϵ S, where u is a quasi-continuous version of u. This extends in several ways classical results due to Beurling and Broman about the existence of radial limits quasi-everywhere for a harmonic function in the open unit disc in the plane with a finite Dirichlet integral.
Clinically evident venous thromboembolic events in children with brain tumors

We evaluated the incidence and significance of central venous access device dysfunction and symptomatic major thrombosis in 253 pediatric patients with brain tumors. Central venous access device dysfunction was a common complication (28.4%) and was associated with major thrombosis development and a reduced overall survival rate. Major thrombosis was relatively uncommon (2.8%).
The origin and rarity of botanical carnivory

Most plants are strict producers: they create the biomass consumed by animals and other heterotrophs to sustain life. Occasionally, the tables are turned and the plant becomes predator and the animal prey. Botanical carnivores remind us that some vascular plants have evolved remarkable mechanisms for acquiring key nutrients. Likewise, they demonstrate the parallels between disparate life forms and show how evolution has rearranged existing characters into novel combinations to achieve new functions. But despite its obvious advantages and substantial geological history, botanical carnivory remains a minor nutritional mode, apparently because prey use is usually not the most economical way for plants to secure nutrients.
A nitric oxide increase observed following the July 1982 solar proton event

Following the solar proton event (SPE) of July 13, 1982, an increase in the strength of nitric oxide Gamma bands was observed in spectral scans of the atmospheric albedo made by the solar backscattered ultraviolet instrument on Nimbus 7. Analysis of the (10), (01), and (02) Gamma band strengths allow an estimate to be made of the cumulative amount of nitric oxide above an altitude of 50 km. An increase in nitric oxide in southern hemisphere high latitudes following the SPE amounting to about 5 x 10 to the 14th molecules per sq cm above an altitude of approximately 50 km is observed. The observed increase persists until the middle of September. A similar increase is not observed in the northern hemisphere, indicating that under summer conditions the mesospheric/thermospheric NO distribution returns to normal within a few days after the end of an SPE.
Improving Your Key Business Processes

Discusses how Unisys Ltd in the UK and other leading companies are finding that performance measuring and improving key business processes form a vital part of a company‐wide improvement strategy. Using examples from Unisys, shows how cross‐functional methods of process improvement are being deployed to this end. Discusses the key business processes, breaking these down further into delivery and support processes. Looks at how to exploit the challenges and opportunities to be found in the 1990s and how to structure measuring, improving, planning and controlling the key business processes as part of a company‐wide strategy.
Image quality, surface statistics, and all that

This paper describes and illustrates simple expressions for determining the effects of conventional and fractal surface errors on the performance of a simple imaging system, and conversely, of specifying surface-finish parameters in terms of system performance requirements.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Review and comparison of equations relating bulk lifetime and surface recombination velocity to effective lifetime measured under flash lamp illumination

Abstract Photoconductance measurements are frequently used to determine the minority-carrier effective lifetime ( τ eff ), from which the bulk lifetime ( τ b ) and surface recombination velocity ( S ) must be extracted. The exact solution to the continuity equation is used to determine the conditions of validity for three approximate equations relating τ eff to τ b and S : the steady-state approximation, the transient approximation, and the widely used simple equation (1/ τ eff =1/ τ b +2 S / W ). We show that only the steady-state approximation matches the exact solution over the entire range of τ eff , when the lamp time constant is 2.3 ms. When τ eff >20 μs , all the equations give approximately the same result. However, when τ eff
The Somatic Reproductive Tissues of C. elegans Promote Longevity through Steroid Hormone Signaling

In Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster, removing the germline precursor cells increases lifespan. In worms, and possibly also in flies, this lifespan extension requires the presence of somatic reproductive tissues. How the somatic gonad signals other tissues to increase lifespan is not known. The lifespan increase triggered by loss of the germ cells is known to require sterol hormone signaling, as reducing the activity of the nuclear hormone receptor DAF-12, or genes required for synthesis of the DAF-12 ligand dafachronic acid, prevents germline loss from extending lifespan. In addition to sterol signaling, the FOXO transcription factor DAF-16 is required to extend lifespan in animals that lack germ cells. DAF-12/NHR is known to assist with the nuclear accumulation of DAF-16/FOXO in these animals, yet we find that loss of DAF-12/NHR has little or no effect on the expression of at least some DAF-16/FOXO target genes. In this study, we show that the DAF-12-sterol signaling pathway has a second function to activate a distinct set of genes and extend lifespan in response to the somatic reproductive tissues. When germline-deficient animals lacking somatic reproductive tissues are given dafachronic acid, their expression of DAF-12/NHR-dependent target genes is restored and their lifespan is increased. Together, our findings indicate that in C. elegans lacking germ cells, the somatic reproductive tissues promote longevity via steroid hormone signaling to DAF-12.
The influence of cortisone on renal function and electrolyte excretion in the adrenalectomized dog.

ONE OF the most important renal deficits, which has been accepted as a constant finding in adrenal insufficiency, is the inability of the kidney to limit sodium excretion when normal or subnormal quantities of salt are ingested (Loeb, 1941; Roemmelt et al., 1949). In addition to the renal wastage of sodium, there is frequently a decreased rate of glomerular filtration and a depression of the renal plasma flow which accompanies adrenal insufficiency (Guadino et al. 1949, Harrison et al., 1939, White et al., 1947). As a result of such renal functional deficits, there results a decrease in plasma sodium and an elevation of plasma potassium levels as well as a progressive depletion of extracellular fluid volume (Loeb, 1941; Smith, 1951). It is generally accepted that the administration of desoxycorticosterone, either to adrenalectomized animals or to patients with Addison’s disease, corrects the renal deficit in sodium excretion as well as the abnormal plasma levels of sodium and potassium
Solving the mystery of mercury arc rectifiers

The three factors most important in mercury arc rectifiers are vapor pressure, arc-drop, and geometry of the anode housing. Investigations of such factors described in this article, have increased the capacity of rectifiers considerably and made it possible to eliminate several undesirable features of their operation.