cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fifty months of memory: a longitudinal study in early childhood.

Abstract Three studies were conducted to evaluate long-term memory longitudinally. In Study 1, 10-month-olds (N = 20) were taught to operate a toy in their homes and were tested at home after four months, as were age-matched (14 months) inexperienced controls (N = 20). Experienced infants were more willing to remain in the play situation, relearned faster than controls, and one operated the toy spontaneously. In Study 2, conducted 18 months thereafter, two subgroups (N = 5) of Study 1 groups and an age-matched (32 months) control group (N = 5) were observed in a lab playroom. Only the children with experiences at both 10 months and 14 months operated the toys without being shown. Children with a single 14-month experience made equivalent numbers of toy contacts and successful responses, however, and both groups exceeded controls. In Study 3, conducted 2+ years after Study 2, 36 children played in a novel playroom. Subgroups differed in amount and timing of experience (in Studies 1 and 2); a naive age-matc...
Porphyra nereocystis: A dual-daylength seaweed

Conchospores from the perennial conchocelis phase of the annual, epiphytic, marine red alga Porphyra nereocystis Anderson, which in nature lives on the large annual kelp Nereocystis luetkeana (Mertens) Postels et Ruprecht, are released in culture only in response to a short-day photoperiod treatment followed by a long-day treatment. Each treatment requires a minimum of three to four weeks and is enhanced by lower temperature during the second photoperiod treatment. To our knowledge P. nereocystis is the first known dualdaylength seaweed and requires a short-day-longday treatment for completion of its life cycle. This stringent environmental control of its reproduction appears to be an adaptation to coordinate conchospore production with the seasonal availability of its host kelp Nereocystis.
Gallbladder compression sign: An indicator of small isoechoic hepatic tumors

A small isoechoic liver mass is difficult to detect with ultrasound. Gallbladder compression indicates the presence of the lesion. To assess the clinical significance of the gallbladder compression (GBC) sign, we report on 9 cases of small isoechoic hepatic masses (less than 3 cm in diameter) detected by the GBC sign. The final diagnoses of these small hepatic masses was 3 hepatomas, 2 hemangiomas, 2 nodular regenerations, 1 liver abscess, and 1 normal liver lobule. The gallbladder compression sign was not seen in 4992 normal volunteers. In conclusion, the GBC sign is an useful guide for the detection of a small isoechoic mass in the liver, but the nature of the mass cannot be determined. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Pulse structure of four pulsars.

The pulse structure of the four known pulsars is given. The pulse is about 38 milliseconds for the two pulsars of longest period, and within the pulsewidth three subpulses typically appear. The pulsar of next longest period typically radiates two pulses separated about 23 milliseconds in time. The one short-period pulsar emits single pulses of constant shape. The first subpulses of all pulsars have nearly the same shape. The shape of the first subpulse agrees well with the pulse shape expected from a radio-emitting sphere which is excited by a spherically expanding disturbance, and in which the radio emission, once excited, decays exponentially
Exhibitionism: Lust, Caution

AbstractThe term ‘exhibitionism’ collects together a range of concepts and issues, enabling us to go beyond readings of an individual film as an ideological text. The term highlights contextual conditions that shape films. It also shows how films as artefacts invite contestations not just among different readings but among different kinds of social practices altogether. The exhibitionism of the film Lust, Caution/Se, jie (Ang Lee, 2007) reveals one of the most significant processes of contemporary Chinese cinema: the differential remapping of practices like production, exhibition and consumption.
Tension Pneumoperitoneum Associated With a Pleural-Peritoneal Shunt

The differential diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum is broad. We report a case of tension pneumoperitoneum in a patient on mechanical ventilation with initially unrecognized pneumothorax who had an indwelling pleural-peritoneal shunt. The patient developed ventilatory and hemodynamic collapse as air was diverted from the pleural space into the peritoneal cavity. Subsequent abdominal exploration revealed the source of the intra-abdominal air. Placement of a chest thoracostomy tube and removal of the pleural-peritoneal catheter resulted in significant clinical improvement. We suggest that it is important to recognize that pleural-peritoneal catheters may cause tension pneumoperitoneum without obvious concurrent pneumothorax.
Treatment of severe systemic lupus erythematosus with high-dose chemotherapy and haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation: a phase I study

Summary Background Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who experience persistent multiorgan dysfunction, despite standard doses of intravenous cyclophosphamide, represent a subset of patients at high risk of early death. We investigated the safety and efficacy of immune suppression and autologous haemopoietic stem-cell infusion to treat such patients. Methods From 1996, we selected patients with persistent SLE despite use of cyclophosphamide. Patients underwent dose-intense immune suppression and autologous haemopoietic stem-cell (CD34) infusion. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were analysed by flow cytometry, ELISA, and T-cell-receptor spectratyping before and after transplantation. We mobilised autologous haemopoietic stem cells with 2·0 g/m 2 cyclophosphamide and 10 μg/kg granulocyte colony stimulating factor daily, enriched with CD34-positive selection, and reinfused after immunosuppression with 200 mg/kg cyclophosphamide, 1 g methylprednisolone, and 90 mg/kg equine antithymocyte globulin. Results Nine patients underwent stem-cell mobilisation but two were excluded before transplantation because of infection. The remaining seven received high-dose chemotherapy and stem-cell infusion. Median time to an absolute neutrophil count higher than 0·5×10 9 /L and non-transfused platelet count higher than 20×10 9 /L was 9 days (range 8–11) and 11 days (10–13), respectively. At a median follow-up of 25 months (12–40), all patients were free from signs of active lupus. Renal, cardiac, pulmonary, and serological markers, and T-cell phenotype and repertoire had normalised. Interpretation Patients remained free from active lupus and improved continuously after tranplantation, with no immunosuppressive medication or small residual doses of prednisone. T-cell repertoire diversity and responsiveness was restored. Durability of remission remains to be established.
Effects of timber harvest and other factors on a floodplain forest indicator species, the prothonotary warbler.

Ecosystem approaches to management require monitoring of processes and species indicative of the integrity of the system in order to understand the effects of management and other perturbations. We examined the effects of three timber harvest options (single-tree selection, patch cuts, no harvest) on the reproductive biology of a possible indicator of bottomland forest ecosystem integrity, the prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea). Timber harvests reduced the number of available nest cavities, reduced the density of breeding males on the plots, and increased the sizes of male territories. However, timber harvest had no obvious effect on nest predation or brood parasitism frequencies. Brood parasitism was instead related to distance from a nearby levee, a main source of brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) in the area. Productivity remained similar within suitable habitat regardless of treatment. Reproductive success was strongly influenced by annual variation, which we attribute to the timing and extent of annual flooding, a fundamental ecosystem process in floodplain forests. Continued anthropogenic alterations in flooding patterns may have a greater influence than current timber management on the future population levels of prothonotary warblers in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. This species, with others, could play a valuable role in an ecosystem-oriented monitoring program.
Demonstration that Drug-targeted Down-regulation of MYC in Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Is Directly Mediated through the Promoter G-quadruplex

Most transcription of the MYC proto-oncogene initiates in the near upstream promoter, within which lies the nuclease hypersensitive element (NHE) III1 region containing the CT-element. This dynamic stretch of DNA can form at least three different topologies: single-stranded DNA, double-stranded DNA, or higher order secondary structures that silence transcription. In the current report, we identify the ellipticine analog GQC-05 (NSC338258) as a high affinity, potent, and selective stabilizer of the MYC G-quadruplex (G4). In cells, GQC-05 induced cytotoxicity with corresponding decreased MYC mRNA and altered protein binding to the NHE III1 region, in agreement with a G4 stabilizing compound. We further describe a unique feature of the Burkitt's lymphoma cell line CA46 that allowed us to clearly demonstrate the mechanism and location of action of GQC-05 within this region of DNA and through the G4. Most importantly, these data present, as far as we are aware, the most direct evidence of intracellular G4-mediated control of a particular promoter.
Patterns of interaction between polyribonucleotides and individual DNA strands derived from several vertebrates, bacteria and bacteriophages.

Abstract Poly G, poly IG, ribosomal RNA and poly U exhibit species-characteristic interactions with neither, one, or both strands of denatured DNA. Only one of the two complementary strands of DNA extracted from Bacillus and Clostridium species or T-odd coliphages forms complexes with ribosomal RNA, poly G or poly IG. Using CsCl density-gradient centrifugation, preparative separation of the lighter strand (dNG′) from the denser poly IG complex (DEG) containing the complementary strand is possible with the DNA of these micro-organisms. In the case of E. coli and other Enterobacteriaceae, band separation is less pronounced, since both strands complex with poly IG, albeit to various extents. Poly G is more efficient than poly IG or ribosomal RNA in effecting fractionation of the DNA strands into two widely separated bands in the CsCl gradient. The intact complementary strands of T1 and T7 coliphage DNA are separated in the presence of poly IG, indicating that cytosine-rich sequences are prevalent on only one of the two DNA strands. With the DNA of some species there is no strand separation into two distinct bands, since poly IG either reacts with both strands to similar extents (e.g. Sarcina lutea or Micrococcus lysodeikticus DNA), or reacts hardly at all (e.g. DNA from Cytophaga johnsonii or from T-even coliphage DNA). Poly U reacts with both strands of denatured DNA extracted from most of the organisms tested, with the exception of Micrococcus lysodeikticus, Sarcina lutea and coliphages T3 and T7. Every DNA tested exhibited affinity for at least one of the ribopolymers. These results seem to indicate that the mRNA-transcribing DNA strand contains widely spaced pyrimidine-rich sequences which act as the initiation points for the polycistronic RNA messages. At neutral pH, poly C, poly A and poly I do not interact with DNA. Poly C, however, interferes with the formation of complexes between denatured DNA and poly G, poly IG or ribosomal RNA, whereas poly A prevents similar DNA interaction with poly U. Complexes between denatured DNA and polynucleotides exhibit various degrees of resistance to pancreatic and T1 RNases.
Pacemaker and ICD leads: Strategies for long-term management

Pacemaker and defibrillator therapy is on the rise as a result of expanding indications. Unfortunately, this trend is associated with an increased number of cardiac device-related complications. Lead failure, device infection and vascular complication are not uncommon and may cause significant patient morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, the considerable variability in the approach to dealing with device-related complications not infrequently leads to additional problems and complications. This review is intended to provide general guidelines and strategies for long-term management of cardiac devices. Proper implantation techniques that focus on primary prevention of complications, as well as, planning for future procedures are essential. The use of sterile techniques and implementation of peri-operative antibiotics are well supported in clinical trials. Additionally, minimizing the amount of implanted hardware and limiting the procedure length have also been shown to decrease the rates of infectious complications. Once device infection is confirmed, the primary objective, short of a few exceptions, should consist of the entire system removal via open surgery or percutaneously and antibiotic therapy before reimplantation. Vascular occlusions are not uncommon; however, in the majority of cases they are asymptomatic. Nonetheless, they pose a significant problem with device reimplantation, especially in the younger patients who will require multiple generator exchanges in the future. Site preservation should, therefore, become the primary objective. This can also be accomplished with the open surgical or percutaneous device removal. The latter is very safe and effective when performed in experienced centers. Finally, lead follow-up must be routinely conducted to identify problematic leads, prevent further reimplantations, and guide future research.
Developmental shaping of dendritic arbors in Drosophila relies on tightly regulated intra-neuronal activity of protein kinase A (PKA)

Dendrites develop morphologies characterized by multiple levels of complexity that involve neuron type specific dendritic length and particular spatial distribution. How this is developmentally regulated and in particular which signaling molecules are crucial in the process is still not understood. Using Drosophila class IV dendritic arborization (da) neurons we test in vivo the effects of cell-autonomous dose-dependent changes in the activity levels of the cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase A (PKA) on the formation of complex dendritic arbors. We find that genetic manipulations of the PKA activity levels affect profoundly the arbor complexity with strongest impact on distal branches. Both decreasing and increasing PKA activity result in a reduced complexity of the arbors, as reflected in decreased dendritic length and number of branching points, suggesting an inverted U-shape response to PKA. The phenotypes are accompanied by changes in organelle distribution: Golgi outposts and early endosomes in distal dendritic branches are reduced in PKA mutants. By using Rab5 dominant negative we find that PKA interacts genetically with the early endosomal pathway. We test if the possible relationship between PKA and organelles may be the result of phosphorylation of the microtubule motor dynein components or Rab5. We find that Drosophila cytoplasmic dynein components are direct PKA phosphorylation targets in vitro, but not in vivo, thus pointing to a different putative in vivo target. Our data argue that tightly controlled dose-dependent intra-neuronal PKA activity levels are critical in determining the dendritic arbor complexity, one of the possible ways being through the regulation of organelle distribution.
18q deletion syndrome in a child with steroid-17,20-lyase deficiency

The del (18q) syndrome is characterised by poor growth, variable mental retardation, facial dysmorphism, and abnormalities of the genitalia. In genetic males, genital abnormalities vary from testicular ectopia, and microphallus to severe hypospadias. Genetic females frequently have hypoplasia of the labia minora. We describe a child with del (18q) syndrome and severe ambiguous genitalia. Serum testosterone after 4 doses of hCG (5000 IU/m2/dose) was only 50 ng/dL (expected greater than 300 ng/dL). When testicular tissue was incubated with [1,2-3H]progesterone and 17-hydroxy-[4-14C]progesterone, there was synthesis of 17-hydroxy-[1,2-3H]progesterone but no further metabolism of 17-hydroxyprogesterone to androgens. These data suggested the presence of steroid-17,20-lyase deficiency. In order to determine if steroid-17,20-lyase deficiency was a common feature in del (18q) syndrome we examined 6 other patients (3 girls; 3 boys) with a deletion of the long arm of chromosome 18 distal to band q21. All 6 had dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels which were lower than those of age-matched controls. Four had delayed puberty. Serum testosterone levels were also low in 2 of the 3 affected boys. These results together with the findings in the index case suggest that a structural or regulatory gene for steroid-17,20-lyase may be located on the long arm of chromosome 18, distal to band q21.
Chronic oral toxicity studies of triacetyl diphenyl isatin in dogs and rats.

The results of acute and chronic toxicity studies of Triacetyl diphenyl isatin (TDI) on rats and on dogs are reorted. The data obtained indicate TDI is only slightly toxic and cannot be classizd as a high-grade irritant. In preliminary tests, human adult subjects showed increasing laxative effects with increasing doses. Relatively few undesirable side effects were reported, and those were moderate or slight in degree.
Determination of Rumen Degradability and Ruminal Effects of Three Sources of Methionine in Lactating Cows

Objectives were to quantify the ruminal effects and flows to the omasum of Met provided as 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid (HMB), the isopropyl ester of HMB (HMBi), and DL-Met. Eight ruminally cannulated cows were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design. Treatments were 1) no Met (control), 2) HMB at 0.10% of DM, 3) HMBi at 0.13% of DM, and 4) DL-Met at 0.088% of DM. Diets were identical except for type of Met supplement and were based on corn silage and alfalfa hay at 30 and 13% of dietary DM, respectively. Samples of omasal fluid were used to determine the proportion of Met supplements passing out of the reticulorumen. Dry matter intake (20.1 kg/d) was restricted during the week of sampling to a maximum of 95% of ad libitum DMI determined during the first 2 wk of the period. Milk yields (37.7 +/- 0.8 kg/d) and fat concentration (3.42 +/- 0.15%) were not significantly different for control, HMB, HMBi, and DL-Met. Milk protein concentration (2.91, 2.95, 3.02, 2.96 +/- 0.07%, respectively) was significantly increased by the HMBi treatment. Rumen volatile fatty acids profile and NH3 concentrations were similar across treatments. Apparent ruminal digestibility of organic matter and neutral detergent fiber were higher for the three diets supplemented with Met sources than for the control diet. In situ rate of digestibility of CP from alfalfa hay, TMR, and corn silage was affected by Met sources. Passage rates of small particles (0.071/h) and fluid (0.167/h) were not affected by treatments. Protozoal counts in the rumen and omasum were not significantly affected by Met sources. Proportion of omasal N from bacterial N was not different (0.54 +/- 0.03), and bacterial N flow (305 +/- 24.4 g/d) was similar across treatments. The proportion of HMB that passed into the omasum was 5.3 +/- 1.5% of the amount consumed. Only a small amount (2.3%) of HMBi was found as HMB in the omasum. These results indicate that little HMB escapes ruminal degradation through passage to the omasum and that the site of HMBi absorption must be preomasal.
Preliminary observations on the birth and development ofPropithecus verreauxi to the age of six months

In this paper, preliminary observations are presented on the ontogency of one of the Malagasy prosimians,Propithecus verreauxi. Observations were carried out in the course of an eighteen-month study of the social organization and ecology of four, free-ranging groups. Parturition is described, together with data on the development of locomotor and feeding behavior, and on the changing nature of the infant's relationship with its mother and with other members of the group. The final section compares the results of this study with those of previous studies ofP. verreauxi and other lemur species. Tentative conclusions are drawn concerning aspects of social ontogeny inP. verreauxi and areas for future research are suggested which would clarify some of the remaining problems.
Microfluidic flow transducer based on the measurement of electrical admittance.

A new flow transducer for measuring the flow rate of a conducting fluid in a microchannel is reported. In this paper, the measure of flow of such fluid under laminar flow conditions based on the change of electrical admittance is established with the aid of a pair of electrodes parallel to the line of flow in a glass–PDMS microfluidic device. This flow sensor is simple in design and can be integrated to most of the microfluidic platforms. The effect of flow rate of the electrolyte, the frequency of the applied ac voltage, the voltage applied across the detector electrodes, and the conductivity of the electrolyte are varied to optimize for high sensitivity. The optimized values are then used to demonstrate the measurements of very low flow rates (<1 nL s−1). This flow sensor can be extended towards the measurement of chemical and biochemical buffers and reagents.
The smallest basically disconnected preimage of a space

Abstract We show that for each space X , there exists a smallest basically disconnected perfect irreducible preimage Λ X . A corollary of the existence of Λ X is that each locally compact and basically disconnected space X has a smallest basically disconnected compactification.
Unsupervised semantic classification methods

A current problem in text processing is the inability to make accurate unsupervised semantic classification systems. In this research we study the unsupervised semantic classification problem using several approaches. We find that morphological and semantic hints can be translated into effective rules within semantic classification. Our results showed a 66% recall rate and a 70% precision rate. We also observed that using raw contextual words as a metric for observing similarity between concepts is minimally effective. Finally we propose further research topics that may be able to improve recall and precision rates of unsupervised semantic classification systems.
Hemlock Declines Rapidly with Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infestation : Impacts on the Carbon Cycle of Southern Appalachian Forests

The recent infestation of southern Appalachian eastern hemlock stands by hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) is expected to have dramatic and lasting effects on forest structure and function. We studied the short-term changes to the carbon cycle in a mixed stand of hemlock and hardwoods, where hemlock was declining due to either girdling or HWA infestation. We expected that hemlock would decline more rapidly from girdling than from HWA infestation. Unexpectedly, in response to both girdling and HWA infestation, hemlock basal area increment (BAI) reduced substantially compared to reference hardwoods in 3 years. This decline was concurrent with moderate increases in the BAI of co-occurring hardwoods. Although the girdling treatment resulted in an initial pulse of hemlock needle inputs, cumulative litter inputs and O horizon mass did not differ between treatments over the study period. Following girdling and HWA infestation, very fine root biomass declined by 20–40% in 2 years, which suggests hemlock root mortality in the girdling treatment, and a reduction in hemlock root production in the HWA treatment. Soil CO2 efflux (Esoil) declined by approximately 20% in 1 year after both girdling and HWA infestation, even after accounting for the intra-annual variability of soil temperature and moisture. The reduction in Esoil and the concurrent declines in BAI and standing very fine root biomass suggest rapid declines in hemlock productivity from HWA infestation. The accelerated inputs of detritus resulting from hemlock mortality are likely to influence carbon and nutrient fluxes, and dictate future patterns of species regeneration in these forest ecosystems.
Facilitating cultural diversity in college and university libraries

Abstract A survey of 200 academic library directors in areas of large ethnic minority populations revealed that 92 percent of them have appropriated financial resources to facilitate cultural diversity. Developing multicultural collections is the most common activity reported; recruiting minority librarians and providing Bl for foreign students are also high priorities.
Music, cognition, and computerized sound: an introduction to psychoacoustics

The MIT Press, Cambridge, 1999. xi+372 pp.+CD-ROM (formatted for Macintosh, for Windows 95, 98, and NT, and for Unix). Price: $60.000 hardcover.
Life after death: reverse logistics and the product life cycle

Managing the reverse flow of product is an important ability for any company, as the recent experiences of many online retailers illustrate. Reverse logistics is a growing and important area of strategic advantage for many companies. For a long time, the product life cycle has been a valuable source of insight about the changing needs of marketing and logistics over the life of a product. In this paper, we study the way that reverse logistics is impacted by changes in sales over the product’s life cycle.
Actual and insolation-weighted Northern Hemisphere snow cover and sea-ice between 1973–2002

Actual and insolation-weighted Northern Hemisphere snow cover and sea ice are binned by latitude bands for the years 1973–2002. Antarctic sea-ice is also analyzed for the years 1980–2002. The use of insolation weighting provides an improved estimate of the radiative feedbacks of snow cover and sea-ice into the atmosphere. One conclusion of our assessment is that while a decrease in both areal and insolation-weighted values have occurred, the data does not show a monotonic decrease of either Arctic sea-ice or Northern Hemisphere snow cover. If Arctic perennial sea-ice is decreasing since the total reduction in areal coverage is relatively small, a large portion of it is being replenished each year such that its radiative feedback to the atmosphere is muted. Antarctic sea-ice areal cover shows no significant long-term trend, while there is a slight decrease in the insolation-weighted values for the period 1980–2002. From the early 1990s to 2001, there was a slight increase in both values. The comparison of general circulation model simulations of changes over the last several decades to observed changes in insolation-weighted sea-ice and snow cover should be a priority research topic.
A DCT-Domain Approach to Image Change Detection and Its Application to Patient Video Monitoring

Change detection is a useful tool to identify content changes in images. Its significance is found in the applications of video surveillance, editing, coding and analysis. In this work, we present another application of change detection to patient video monitoring, based on a novel approach in the discrete cosine transform (DCT) domain. This approach is built upon a statistical test on the difference between DCT-blocks, where the noise disturbances and illumination variations are excluded from the meaningful changes. Our experimental results show that the proposed method is robust in detecting content changes and may be used to facilitate high-level segmentation tasks
Boundary integral equations for the Helmholtz equation: The third boundary value problem

In this paper we study the application of boundary integral equation methods for the solution of the third, or Robin, boundary value problem for the exterior Helmholtz equation. In contrast to earlier work, the boundary value problem is interpreted here in a weak sense which allows data to be specified in L∞ (∂D), ∂D being the boundary of the exterior domain which we assume to be Lyapunov of index 1. For this exterior boundary value problem, we employ Green's theorem to derive a pair of boundary integral equations which have a unique simultaneous solution. We then show that this solution yields a solution of the original exterior boundary value problem.
Automatic backscatter analysis of regional left ventricular systolic function using color kinesis

Assessment of regional wall motion by 2-dimensional echocardiography can be performed by either semiquantitative wall motion scoring or by quantitative analysis. The former is subjective and requires expertise. Quantitative methods are too time-consuming for routine use in a busy clinical laboratory. Color kinesis is a new algorithm utilizing acoustic backscatter analysis. It provides a color encoded map of endocardial motion in real time. In each frame a new color layer is added; the thickness of the color beam represents endocardial motion during that frame. The end-systolic image has multiple color layers, representing regional and temporal heterogeneity of segmental motion. The purpose of this study was to validate the use of color kinesis for semiquantitative analysis of regional left ventricular systolic function and quantitatively in measurement of endocardial excursion. Semiquantitative wall motion scoring was performed in 18 patients using both 2-dimensional echo and color kinesis. Scoring was identical in 74% of segments; there was 84% agreement in definition of normal vs. abnormal. There was less interobserver variability in wall motion scoring using color kinesis. Endocardial excursion was quantified in 21 patients. 70% of the imaged segments were suitable for analysis. Correlation between 2-dimensional echocardiographic measurements and color kinesis was excellent, r = 0.87. The mean difference in excursion as measured by the 2 methods was -0.05 +/- 2.0 mm. In conclusion, color kinesis is a useful method for assessing regional contraction by displaying a color map of systolic endocardial excursion. This algorithm may improve the confidence and accuracy of assessment of segmental ventricular function by echocardiographic methods.
The protection of animals against organophosphate poisoning by pretreatment with a carbamate.

The Protection of Animals Against Organophosphate Poisoning by Pretreatment with a Carbamate. Gordon, J. J., Leadbeater, L., and Maidment, M. P. (1978). Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 43 , 207–216. A number of carbamates of widely differing structure and toxicity have been tested for their ability (in conjunction with supporting treatment with atropine and an oxime, P2S) to protect guinea pigs against soman poisoning. There was no correlation between the protective activity of the carbamates and either their chemical structure or toxicity, suggesting that many factors (such as rates of absorption, distribution, metabolism, etc.) are involved in determining their protective action in addition to their ability to inhibit tissue acetylcholinesterase reversibly. The four most effective carbamates (pyridostigmine, mobam, physostigmine, and decarbofuran), which raised the LD50 of soman by a factor of about 8, were studied in more detail. The dose of carbamate was not critical, the protection being essentially constant for doses ranging from half to four times the maximum sign-free dose. The duration of the protective action of a single im injection of the carbamates was greater than 2 hr, pyridostigmine being the longest acting. Carbamate pretreatment in conjunction with therapy with atropine and P2S protected guinea pigs against poisoning by sarin, tabun, or VX. In the absence of the supporting therapy the guinea pigs were not sensitized to organophosphate poisoning by pretreatment with a carbamate. There were marked species differences in the response to the protection afforded by carbamate pretreatment against organophosphate poisoning: Guinea pigs responded better than rabbits, whereas rats were virtually unresponsive.
Linking growth strategies to long-term population dynamics in a guild of desert annuals

Summary 1 Combining long-term observational studies with comparative physiological ecology can yield a deeper understanding of the contribution of individual function to population and community dynamics. Sonoran Desert winter annuals exhibit striking year-to-year variation in population dynamics that is driven by variable precipitation, but species differ in the strength of demographic response to precipitation and hence in the degree of temporal variance in population dynamics. To understand the physiological mechanisms of differing population dynamic responses to environmental variation, we investigated interspecific differences in functional traits that mediate responsiveness to precipitation. 2 We conducted sequential harvests throughout the growing season to examine relative growth rate and biomass allocation patterns. We then related growth parameters to leaf-level carbon isotope discrimination (a time-integrated measure of water-use efficiency) and long-term demographic variation. 3 We hypothesized that water-use efficiency should trade-off with rapid growth rates. Furthermore, we hypothesized that species having efficient water use should have buffered population dynamics in dry years but sacrifice high growth and fecundity in wet years, resulting in low long-term variance in demographic success. Conversely, species with high growth capacity should be very responsive to infrequent periods of high precipitation and thus exhibit high temporal variance. 4 Species differed in seasonal relative growth rate and allocation patterns. Species with the highest relative growth rates rapidly deployed large leaf area displays following mid-season rainfall. Species with intermediate relative growth rates exhibited high biomass assimilation rates per unit leaf area. Species with low relative growth rates exhibited low leaf area ratios and low assimilation rates per unit leaf area. 5 Relative growth rate was positively related to leaf carbon isotope discrimination, consistent with a trade-off between growth rate and water-use efficiency. 6 Seasonal relative growth rate did not predict long-term demographic variance. However, leaf area plasticity in response to precipitation was positively related to long-term demographic variance. Our results illustrate how morphological and physiological traits influence demographic tracking of environmental variability and demonstrate how species differences in functional strategies determine population and community dynamics.
Distribution of selected trace elements in sediments of Pamlico river estuary, north Carolina

Sixty-eight samples of sediment collected on a variably-spaced grid pattern from Pamlico River Estuary of North Carolina were analyzed for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Ni, Pb, U, Zn, clay, and organic matter. The major objectives of the study were to determine background and anomalous levels of trace elements in the sediments, and the effects of human activities on concentration and distribution of trace elements in the sediments. Clay and organic matter are more concentrated near the center of the estuary. This causes the highest concentration of trace elements in the sediments to be located there also owing to their preferential uptake of these elements. Highest trace element concentrations were observed in clay and organic matter near industrial sites, housing developments, and tributary mouths that drain areas of human activity. The apparent increase in trace element contents of fine sediments in Pamlico River Estuary owing to human activities is 4 to 1,750 times normal background levels.
Empirical distributions of protons within nuclei

Abstract Numerical and approximate analytic forms are used to unfold the charge structure of protons from measured distributions of charge within nuclei, so as to provide standard parameter sets for nuclear reaction models that require as input the distribution of proton centers.
Photoemission studies of near-Fermi-edge behavior of high-temperature superconductors

Abstract Recent photoemission studies of high-temperature superconductors are reviewed, with emphasis on experiments probing near-Fermi-edge behavior in the normal and superconducting phases.
Optical amplification and polarization switching in a birefringent nonlinear optical medium: An analysis.

In birefringent nonlinear optical media, it is shown that phase-matched wave-mixing processes occur naturally among the extraordinary and ordinary wave components of a strong pump and a weak probe beam. The necessary and sufficient conditions that these parametric processes may lead to amplification and or polarization switching of the probe beam are quantitatively analyzed.
Interobserver Test-Retest Reliability of the Randot Preschool Stereoacuity Test

Abstract Purpose: Random dot stereoacuity can be quantified to between 40 and 800 seconds of arc in preschool children by using the Randot Preschool Stereoacuity test (Stereo Optical Co, Inc, Chicago, Ill). To incorporate this test into clinic and research settings, the reliability of its stereoacuity scores obtained by separate examiners needs to be evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate its interobserver test-retest reliability. Methods: Participants included 102 consecutive children with binocular sensory function ranging from fine to no measurable stereopsis. Clinical research participants included children with anomalous binocular vision caused by strabismus, cataracts, anisometropia, and ptosis. In a prospective study, random dot stereoacuity was measured twice under masked testing conditions by 2 examiners within a 1-hour period. Results: Interobserver test-retest reliability of the Randot Preschool Stereoacuity test is high among a population of children with diverse binocular sensory function. The correlation coefficient between individual test scores was highly significant (r = 0.97, P 99 = 1.33, P >.1). The upper and lower limits of agreement were narrow, reflecting both the large sample size and the small variation between the 2 test scores. Interobserver test-retest reliability of the Randot Preschool Stereoacuity test was nearly constant across levels of functional stereoacuity, patient categorization, and age at the time of the test. Conclusions: The high agreement between the Randot Preschool Stereoacuity test scores by 2 independent observers supports its use in clinical management and research settings for the quantitative assessment of binocular sensory vision, as well as in multicentered research studies. (J AAPOS 2000;4:354-8)
A critical evaluation of orthopedic interocclusal appliance therapy: design, theory, and overall effectiveness

Orthopedic interocclusal appliances have been evaluated in a number of research papers and clinical reports over the years. Various theories have been proposed about the method of action of the different appliances, but at present no conclusive controlled testing of these theories has occurred. Certainly, when the potential influence of the nonspecific treatment factors is considered, as well as those cognitive awareness factors common to all appliances, the use of "symptom improvement" as the definitive proof of the need for mandibular realignment or repositioning must be questioned. Specific, well-controlled research using more quantifiable measures of the treatment effect is necessary to make valid comparisons between the different therapeutic approaches. The full-arch occlusal stabilizing appliance is the design that has the most valid evidence about its effectiveness. Partial coverage interocclusal appliances have significant irreversible complications with tooth intrusion or eruption when used on an extended basis. There is little or no experimental support at present about repositioning, realignment, and pivot appliances and their effectiveness. Therefore, these appliances must be considered experimental treatments. When used to treat TM dysfunction in a program along with other methods, such as occlusal adjustments, and prosthetic care, the effectiveness of this treatment method is between 70% and 90%. As a general approach to managing TM pain and dysfunction, interocclusal appliances appear to be a highly effective, commonly used method.
An Adaptive Classified Data Aggregation Arithmetic for Wireless Sensor Networks

Energy limitation is a crucial problem in wireless sensor networks. The researches show that the energy is mainly consumed during data transmission. However, data aggregation can make an optimization of the apperceiving data to constrain the redundancy data for avoiding unnecessary energy consumption. Generally, a sensor node is combined with diversified sensors, hence, it is unreasonable to collect and transmit the sensing data in same frequency. This paper proposed a kind of adaptive classified data aggregation arithmetic which can classify the different sensing data, control the transmission according to the dynamically threshold set, and complete the data aggregation by adjusting data quantity along the transmission path. Different sets of parameters were conducted in these experiments to test the property of sensor network adopting the proposed arithmetic. The experiment results have verified the efficient energy utilization.
Use of Forest Inventories and Geographic Information Systems to Estimate Biomass Density of Tropical Forests: Application to Tropical Africa

One of the most important databases needed for estimating emissions of carbon dioxide resulting from changes in the cover, use, and management of tropical forests is the total quantity of biomass per unit area, referred to as biomass density. Forest inventories have been shown to be valuable sources of data for estimating biomass density, but inventories for the tropics are few in number and their quality is poor. This lack of reliable data has been overcome by use of a promising approach that produces geographically referenced estimates by modeling in a geographic information system (GIS). This approach has been used to produce geographically referenced, spatial distributions of potential and actual (circa 1980) aboveground biomass density of all forests types in tropical Africa. Potential and actual biomass density estimates ranged from 33 to 412 Mg ha−1 (106g ha−1) and 20 to 299 Mg ha−1, respectively, for very dry lowland to moist lowland forests and from 78 to 197 Mg ha−1 and 37 to 105 Mg ha−1, respectively, for montane-seasonal to montane-moist forests. Of the 37 countries included in this study, more than half (51%) contained forests that had less than 60% of their potential biomass. Actual biomass density for forest vegetation was lowest in Botswana, Niger, Somalia, and Zimbabwe (about 10 to 15 Mg ha−1). Highest estimates for actual biomass density were found in Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Liberia (305 to 344 Mg ha−1). Results from this research effort can contribute to reducing uncertainty in the inventory of country-level emission by providing consistent estimates of biomass density at subnational scales that can be used with other similarly scaled databases on change in land cover and use.
The straight thoracic spine in cardiac diagnosis

Abstract In the course of cardiac evaluation of 504 patients known to have heart murmurs particular attention was directed to the configuration of the thoracic spine and chest dimensions. An attempt was made to determine the influence of straight spines (absence of the normal thoracic kyphosis) on the cardiac diagnosis of each patient. A total of 250 patients had congenital heart disease (CHD) and 200 had rheumatic heart disease (RHD). 54 had innocent murmurs. Of those with CHD, 9.2 per cent were found to have straight thoracic spines, an incidence believed due to the tendency of coexistence of several anomalies. The diagnostic features of each heart lesion were not altered by the straight spine and so it may be considered an incidental and unimportant anomaly in these patients. There is no apparent association with height-weight patterns. In the patients with RHD, straight thoracic spines were encountered less frequently (2 per cent). The physical signs were unaltered in 3 patients with hemodynamically significant valvular problems, and one patient with mild mitral stenosis exhibited the murmur of “straight back syndrome”. Of 54 patients with innocent murmurs, 9 had anteroposterior chest narrowing and in 4 of these the thoracic spines were straight. The murmur was heard best in the pulmonary area and diminished with inspiration. Although chest narrowing, with or without a straight thoracic spine, is an important cause of innocent murmurs, organic heart lesions maintain their characteristic diagnostic features regardless of spine configuration.
Multidisciplinary Design Optimization with Quasiseparable Subsystems

Numerous hierarchical and nonhierarchical decomposition strategies for the optimization of large scale systems, comprised of interacting subsystems, have been proposed. With a few exceptions, all of these strategies lack a rigorous theoretical justification. This paper focuses on a class of quasiseparable optimization problems narrow enough for a rigorous decomposition theory, yet general enough to encompass many large scale engineering design problems. The subsystems for these problems involve local design variables and global system variables, but no variables from other subsystems. The objective function is a sum of a global system criterion and the subsystems' criteria. The essential idea is to give each subsystem a budget and global system variable values, and then ask the subsystems to independently maximize their constraint margins. Using these constraint margins, a system optimization then adjusts the values of the system variables and subsystem budgets. The subsystem margin problems are totally independent, always feasible, and could even be done asynchronously in a parallel computing context. An important detail is that the subsystem tasks, in practice, would be to construct response surface approximations to the constraint margin functions, and the system level optimization would use these margin surrogate functions. The purpose of the present paper is to present a decomposition strategy in a general context, provide rigorous theory justifying the decomposition, and give some simple illustrative examples.
Exploring spatial and cultural discourses in environmental justice movements: A study of two communities

Abstract Environmental justice studies have recently seen a surge in cultural narratives that document the interconnections between cultural and environmental injustices. Although these narratives offer important insights about the politics of pollution, they rarely highlight how cultural resources are adopted as protest strategies by communities engaged in collective mobilization. In this paper, we propose a conceptual approach that examines how cultural resources are adopted and transmitted as tools of protests for community mobilization. We call our framework Cultural Justice Approach. The proposed framework allows us to examine how cultural resources or tools are used for environmental mobilization. Specifically, we identify three cultural justice tools – symbologies of place, historiographies of space, and social ties and community networks and apply the framework to the study of two environmental justice movements in Land Between the Rivers, Kentucky and Santa Rita-Born in Space, New Mexico.