cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Positive Signs in Organic Neurological Diseases. (P3.9-073)

Objective: We aimed to identify the risk factors and prevalence of positive signs on Neurological exam in patients with neurological diseases. Background: Non-specific neurological signs and symptoms are reported in patients with organic neurological diseases. The prevalence and risk factors for these findings are not fully studied. Design/Methods: We carried a prospective uncontrolled observational study to investigate the presence of 7 signs (Hoovers sign, give away weakness, Non-pyramidal weakness, Absent pronator drift, Arm drop test, Midline splitting of sensory loss, Splitting of vibration sensation) in adults with organic neurological disease who were admitted to our tertiary care hospital, enrolled patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of these signs. Results: 190 patients were enrolled between August 2014 and August 2015, 19 percent of these patients exhibit at least one positive sign, univariate analysis revealed that: young age, female gender, anxiety, history of childhood abuse, presence of sensory deficits on examination with the lack of imaging correlation with symptoms were identified as risk factors for these positive signs. Among patients positive for functional signs: Midline splitting of vibration was the most frequent sign observed, epilepsy and vascular disease patients reported the highest frequency of neurological diagnoses included in this study. While patients with epilepsy predominantly had a normal neurological examination or hemi sensory loss with positive signs, patients with stroke had baseline motor with/or without sensory deficits with positive signs. Conclusions: Non-specific positive signs are common in patients with organic neurological diseases, anxiety or sensory deficits rise among other risk factors, failure to recognize and differentiate these signs and symptoms from organic counter component of the disease could lead to misdiagnosis from functional overlay. Larger studies are required to determine the impact of positive signs in organic diseases with long-term outcomes. Disclosure: Dr. Aboud has nothing to disclose. Dr. Al-Salaimeh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hinduja has nothing to disclose.
Modeling approaches for cross-sectional integrative data analysis: Evaluations and recommendations.

Integrative data analysis (IDA) jointly models participant-level data from multiple studies. In psychology, IDA has been conducted using different fixed-effects and multilevel modeling (MLM) approaches. However, evaluations regarding the performance of these models in an IDA context are limited. The goal of this article is to evaluate three fixed-effects models (aggregated vs. disaggregated vs. study-specific coefficients regressions) and two MLMs (fixed-slope vs. random-slopes MLM) for cross-sectional IDA. Using a simulation study with study sample sizes and numbers of studies consistent with applied IDA (e.g., two to 35 studies), we evaluated estimation bias and type I error rates for participant-level and study-level effects and variance components for these models; for the MLMs, we evaluated different estimation methods (i.e., constrained vs. unconstrained variance estimation and five degrees of freedom methods). Disaggregated and study-specific coefficients regressions and both MLMs yielded fixed effects estimates with ignorable bias, but only the random-slopes MLM fully modeled between-study heterogeneity and, consequently, provided well-controlled type I error rates for testing both fixed effects. Overall, we found that MLMs could be feasible under IDA conditions with three to six studies and well-chosen estimation methods. A real-data IDA example is used to illustrate and compare the application of the five models. We hope our results will help researchers choose appropriate modeling methods when conducting IDA. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Inequality, networks, and the financing of Classic Maya political power

Abstract Inequality is present to some degree in all human societies. In prehispanic Mesoamerica, wealth inequality has been linked to forms of governance, where Classic Maya (250–800 CE) centers exhibit greater wealth inequality then other regions in Mesoamerica. However, how does wealth inequality vary in the Classic Maya world and, specifically, in a region on the margins of the central Maya Lowlands? Here, we examine the mechanisms that differentially drove wealth inequality at eight Classic Maya centers in a single sub-region, southern Belize, linking access to trade and the monopolization of resources with greater degrees of wealth inequality using Least Cost Path analyses and the Gini coefficient. We compare house sizes to calculate the Gini coefficient, multiproxy chronology data to determine occupational history of each center, and network analyses to model movement and transactional relationships in the region. In southern Belize, the foundation date and longevity of each center did not correlate with wealth inequality, likely because when these regional centers were established during the Classic period principals and subaltern alike were already enmeshed in the political economy and social organization of the Classic Maya. Rather, principals were supported through the fiscal financing of external resources through exclusionary exchange networks with some centers exhibiting and maintaining greater degrees of wealth inequality compared to others. Nonetheless, in the peripheral region of southern Belize high degrees of inequality, akin to those in the central Peten, were sustained. This study elucidates the ties between transactional networks, monopolization of resources, and inequities in wealth.
Maroon nation: a history of revolutionary Haiti: by Johnhenry Gonzalez, New Haven, CT, Yale University Press, 2019, xii, 302 pp., $40.00 (hardback), ISBN: 9780300230086

The notion of the maroon nation takes its place alongside Jean Casimir’s influential concept of the counter-plantation in Johnhenry Gonzalez’s highly innovative historiography of revolutionary Hait...
Three-dimensional structure of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase. Mechanistic implications.

Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH) comprise a diverse set of enzymes which catalyze the NAD(P)+ dependent oxidation of aldehydes. Crystal structures for representatives of three of the basic classes of ALDH isoenzymes now exist. The dimeric Class 3 structure being first presented at the 1996 meeting (Liu, et al. 1997a) and the tetrameric Class 1 and 2 structures are presented at this meeting. However, each of these structures represent enzymes which catalyze essentially identical chemical reactions. The basic mechanism involves the nucleophilic attack of an active site thiolate toward the aldehydic carbonyl carbon, resulting in a covalently bound thio-hemiacetal. Following hydride transfer to the coenzyme the thio-hemiacetal collapses to yield an acylated enzyme intermediate. For most of the ALDH family members, and especially for those enzymes whose 3-D structures are known, the acyl-enzyme intermediate is hydrolyzed by an activated water molecule to generate the corresponding acid product. However, several family members transfer the acyl-enzyme intermediate to another acceptor, such as to coenzyme-A in methyl-malonyl semialdehyde dehydrogenase. Thus, only the initial chemical event, namely the attack of the of the aldehyde by the active site cysteine residue, is a common reaction in all members of the aldehyde dehydrogenase gene family and that the subsequent deacylation reaction may utilize uniquely different catalytic residues. Therefore, lack of residue reaction in all members of the gene family may not necessarily eliminate that residue from catalytic involvement within certain subsets of enzymes that catalyze the same reaction chemistry.
Murder in the City : Embedded, Intractable and Treatment Resistant?

This study investigates the prevalence of homicide as an urban phenomenon. It analyzes data available for the City of Chicago, Illinois. In the year 2003, Chicago led the nation in homicides. Police there attribute it to a deadly combination of street gangs, guns, and drugs. Such an approach is far too simplistic. An effort is made with this study to identify determinants of patterns of murders that persisted for more than a decade in Chicago, despite the decrease in violent crime across the nation and eventually Chicago. African American males were an exceedingly disproportional number of the victims and the offenders. This study finds two distinct types of homicide patterns, one involving recidivism in the criminal justice system and the other no prior exposure.
A Proof of Looijenga's Conjecture via Integral-Affine Geometry

A cusp singularity is an elliptic surface singularity whose minimal resolution is a cycle of smooth rational curves meeting transversely. Cusp singularities come in naturally dual pairs. In 1981, Looijenga proved that whenever a cusp singularity is smoothable, the minimal resolution of the dual cusp is an anticanonical divisor of some smooth rational surface. He conjectured the converse. Recent work of Gross, Hacking, and Keel has proven Looijenga's conjecture using methods from mirror symmetry. This paper provides an alternative proof of Looijenga's conjecture based on a combinatorial criterion for smoothability given by Friedman and Miranda in 1983.
Abstract P5-01-07: Fidelity of FDG-PET in breast cancer: Reproducibility at multiple sites

Introduction Breast cancer is a common, treatable malignancy, with frequent metastasis to bone. Patients with bone-dominant disease are often excluded from clinical trials due to a lack of RECIST "measurable" disease. FDG-PET can help quantitatively measure multiple tumor sites, and assay disease activity in bone. However, the reproducibility of FDG-PET at multiple sites is unproven. We sought to pilot alignment of clinical protocols prior to imaging, phantom testing and then repeat patient scans, in patients undergoing clinical FDG-PET to test the fidelity of quantitative FDG-PET imaging. Methods After determination and alignment of clinical protocols, and serial successful phantom imaging, ten female patients with metastatic breast cancer underwent paired FDG-PET/CT test-retest studies with no more than 15 days between scans and without interim change in treatment. Seven patients were studied in the same scanner and 3 patients were studied in 2 different scanners in our clinical network. Each PET/CT scanner’s quantitative performance was monitored with NIST-traceable reference sources to ensure proper calibration. Images were interpreted and SUV metrics were estimated at a central lab. Linear mixed models with a random intercept were fitted to compare test-retest differences in multiple lesions per patient. Results SUVmax was assessed in a total of 68 lesions (52 bone, 16 other sites). Average SUVmax ranged from 2.3 to 18.2 (mean±SD = 5.7±2.6) per patient. The median SUVmax difference was 0.25 (5%) for 35 lesions imaged twice in the same scanner, and was 0.01 (0.2%) for 33 lesions imaged in two different scanners. In a linear mixed-effects model with random patient effects, there was no difference in average percentage SUV difference for the same scanner versus different scanners (p=0.70). In the same model, the absolute percentage difference in SUVmax for bone lesions was estimated as 6 percentage points lower than for other sites (p=0.002, 95% confidence interval 2%-10%). Conclusions If PET/CT systems are carefully calibrated, and imaging protocols are consistent, then variability associated with FDG SUVmax between scans is similar to prior test-retest studies. Bone lesions appear to have tighter reproducibility than soft tissue lesions. Clinical trials that utilize quantitative PET/CT imaging throughout a network of calibrated PET/CT scanners could increase patient recruitment and improve confidence in trial results. Accrual is ongoing and results will be updated. Research support Supported by NIH grant U01-CA148131 and NCI-SAIC Contract 24XS036-004. Citation Format: Hannah M Linden, Jennifer Specht, Lanell Peterson, Brenda Kurland, Andrew Shields, Darrin Byrd, Alena Novakova, Rebecca Christofel, Mark Muzi, David Mankoff, Kinahan Paul. Fidelity of FDG-PET in breast cancer: Reproducibility at multiple sites [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-01-07.
African American men significantly underestimate their risk of having prostate cancer at the time of biopsy.

Background Guidelines for prostate cancer (PCa) screening recommend physicians to have an informational discussion with patients. At the time of biopsy, patients should be informed of their heightened PCa risk, particularly African Americans (AA) who have significantly higher diagnostic and mortality risk. We tested predictors of patients' estimation of their likelihood of having PCa at the time of biopsy. Methods A convenience sample of AA (n = 207) and white (n = 271) biopsy patients was surveyed at the time of prostate biopsy. Participants gave likelihood estimations of having PCa and data on their socio-demographics, health, clinical status, and general and PCa-specific anxiety. Binary logistic regressions tested for predictors of the patients' estimations and biopsy results. Results Fifty-one percent of AA men answered that they had a ‘0%’ likelihood of having PCa versus 19% of whites, whereas 57% of AA men had abnormal biopsies compared with 42% of whites. In logistic regressions, predictors of patient answers of 0% chance of PCa were AA ethnicity (OR = 4.50; p < 0.001), lower cancer-specific anxiety (OR = 0.93; p < 0.01), less education (OR = 2.38; p < 0.05), and less urinary disturbance (OR = 0.70; p < .05). In a second regression, AA patients trended towards higher positive biopsy rates (OR = 1.43; p = 0.17). Conclusions At biopsy, AA more often estimated their likelihood of PCa as 0%, despite higher risks. Reasons for these low estimates and their potential contribution to poor treatment outcomes of AA patients require further investigation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ictal magnetoencephalography in temporal and extratemporal lobe epilepsy.

Summary: Purpose: We evaluated visual patterns and source localization of ictal magnetoencephalography (MEG) in patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and extratemporal epilepsy (ETE). Methods: We performed spike and seizure recording simultaneously with EEG and MEG on two patients with TLE and five patients with ETE. Scalp EEG was recorded from 21 channels (10-20 international system), whereas MEG was recorded from two 37-channel sensors. We compared ictal EEG and MEG onset, frequency, and evolution and performed MEG dipole source localization of interictal spikes and early ictal discharges and co-registered dipoles to brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We correlated dipole characteristics with intracranial EEG, surgical resection, and outcome. Results: Ictal MEG lateralized seizure onset in both TLE patients and demonstrated ictal onset, frequency, and evolution in accordance with EEG. Ictal MEG source analysis revealed tangential vertical dipoles in the anterolateral angle in one patient, and anterior dipoles with anteroposterior orientation in the other. Intracranial EEG revealed regional entorhinal seizure onset in the first patient. Both patients became seizure free after temporal lobectomy. In ETE, ictal MEG demonstrated visual patterns similar to ictal EEG and had concordant localization with interictal MEG in all five patients. Two patients underwent surgery. Ictal MEG localization was concordant with intracranial EEG in both cases. One patient had successful outcome after surgery. The second patient did not improve after limited resection and multiple subpial transections. Conclusions: Ictal MEG can demonstrate ictal onset frequency and evolution and provide useful localizing information before epilepsy surgery.
Prevalence of proteinuria/microalbuminuria in an elderly urban, biethnic community.

Introduction. The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalences of urinary abnormalities, notably proteinuria and microalbuminuria, in a randomly selected, biethnic population of Hispanic and nonHispanic white males and females and to determine the effects of diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease on these prevalence rates. Methods. A survey of health and health related issues was conducted on 883 volunteers, mean age 74.1 years, selected randomly from the Medicare rolls of Bernallilo County (Albuquerque), New Mexico. The sample consisted of nearly equal numbers of Hispanic and nonHispanic white males and females. A dipstick urinalysis and test for microalbuminuria was performed on a clean void, untimed urine sample as a part of a 4-hour interview/examination. Results. Of the 696 participants with complete databases, 10.5% had 1+ or greater proteinuria (30 mg/dL or more) by convential urinalysis dipstick and 19.8% had microalbuminuria (50 mg/L or more) by Micral Chemstrip® methodology. Participants with diabetes mellitus (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.54, Confidence Interval (CI) 1.71–3.76, p < 0.001), and/or hypertension (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.46–3.01, p < 0.001) were more likely to have microalbuminuria than participants without either of these conditions. After adjusting for the presence of diabetes and hypertension, there was a trend toward an increased prevalence of coronary heart disease (OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.84–1.81 p = 0.28) in those with microalbuminuria, but this did not reach levels of statistical significance. Conclusions. Hispanics, even after adjusting for a higher prevalence of diabetes, and for small differences in prevalences of hypertension and coronary heart disease, had more microalbuminuria than nonHispanic whites, and males had more microalbuminuria than females.
Richard Arena, Agnès Festré, and Nathalie Lazaric (eds.), Handbook of Knowledge and Economics

Handbook of Knowledge and Economics, edited by Richard Arena, Agns Festr, and Nathalie Lazaric, is reviewed
Recent advances in FRC physics

Field-reversed configurations (FRC) are plasma confinement systems with no toroidal magnets and little toroidal field. The typical plasma shape is sausage-like. FRCs have natural attributes that render them ideal for magnetic fusion: geometric simplicity (singly-connected plasma); magnetic simplicity (high-/spl beta/, poloidal field only); simple heat exhaust handling (natural divertor); and advanced fusion fuels potential (low synchrotron loss). This paper reviews progress in FRC research since about 1988. These recent results have been favorable, raising hopes for the ultimate development of the FRC into a practical fusion system. Notable recent advances include: the operation of the largest FRC facility ever built, forming stable, long-lived plasmas with confinement times approaching a millisecond; the development of a theory that quantitatively explains the global stability of experiments to date; and the demonstration of the true thermal isolation of FRCs from cold wall surfaces. Important current frontiers are the possibility that the FRC may have a robust minimum energy state, and the application of rotating magnetic fields for current drive.
Cesium and oxygen coadsorption on LaB6 single crystal surfaces: II. Thermal desorption of cesium from LaB6 (100)

Abstract Thermal desorption of neutral Cs from LaB6 (100) with and without preadsorbed oxygen occurs from discrete binding states at high Cs coverage and a continuum of states at low coverage. The two discrete binding states have activation energies of 1.2 and 1.5 eV on clean LaB6(100) which shift to 1.4 and 1.7 eV with oxygen preadsorption and are independent of Cs coverage. The terminal coverage Cs desorption energy increases from 2.3 to 3.0 eV as a result of an oxygen underlayer, consistent with the formation of Cs-O bonds between the two chemisorbed layers. The adsorption of Cs on either surface is apparently limited to a single layer at room temperature. Cs ion desorption is observed from the oxygen covered surface at low (θCs ⩽ 0.08) coverage with an evaporation energy of 2.5 eV. All Cs desorption reactions occurring on these surfaces are shown to be first-order processes.
The what, why, and how of born-open data

Although many researchers agree that scientific data should be open to scrutiny to ferret out poor analyses and outright fraud, most raw data sets are not available on demand. There are many reasons researchers do not open their data, and one is technical. It is often time consuming to prepare and archive data. In response, my laboratory has automated the process such that our data are archived the night they are created without any human approval or action. All data are versioned, logged, time stamped, and uploaded including aborted runs and data from pilot subjects. The archive is GitHub, github.com, the world's largest collection of open-source materials. Data archived in this manner are called born open. In this paper, I discuss the benefits of born-open data and provide a brief technical overview of the process. I also address some of the common concerns about opening data before publication.
Acute non-traumatic maternal illnesses in pregnancy: imaging approaches

The imaging methods used to obtain diagnostic information for pregnant patients presenting with acute non-traumatic maternal illnesses have been reviewed. Conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, uterus, adnexae, central nervous system and chest have been investigated via a variety of imaging methods, which include ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), intravenous pyelography (IVP), angiography and fluoroscopy. The method of choice, application, and safety to the mother and fetus are considered for investigation of each condition.
A Boussinesq model for simulating wave and current interaction

A new formulation of a pair of Boussinesq equations for three-dimensional nonlinear dispersive shallow-water waves is presented. This set of model equations permits spatial and temporal variations of the bottom topography and the presence of uniform currents. The newly derived equations are used to simulate the propagation of cnoidal waves and their interactions with a uniform current in a wave channel. The modified Euler's predictor-corrector algorithm for time advancing and a central difference representation for the space derivatives are applied to the computation of the basic equations. A set of open boundary conditions is developed to effectively transmit the cnoidal waves out of the computational domain. It is found that, as expected, the wave length decreases with an opposing current and increases with a following current. The wave height increases in magnitude with an opposing current and decreases with a following current. The Mach reflection due to oblique cnoidal waves propagating into an open channel with an opposing current is also investigated. Due to the opposing current, the wave patterns are compressed into smaller saddle-like regions in comparison with the Mach reflection without current effect.
Electrical conducting properties of proton-conducting terbium-doped strontium cerate membrane

Abstract The electrical conduction behavior of SrCe0.95Tb0.05O3−δ (SCTb) was investigated in different gases at high temperatures. In air, oxygen or nitrogen SCTb shows small electronic-hole conduction below 800°C and oxygen ionic conduction over 800°C with activation energy about 30 kJ/mol and 164–181 kJ/mol respectively. SCTb becomes a protonic conductor in hydrogen or methane in 500–900°C, with the proton conductivity in the range of 10−3–10−2 S/cm, two to three orders of magnitude higher than electronic or oxygen ionic conductivity of SCTb in air or oxygen. The activation energy for protonic conduction in SCTb is 49 kJ/mol in methane and 54 kJ/mol in hydrogen. The electrical conductivity of SCTb in water vapor-saturated nitrogen, air or oxygen is higher than in corresponding gas without water vapor. Presence of water vapor does not affect the electrical conduction of SCTb in hydrogen or methane. Gas permeation measurements show that SCTb membrane is impermeable to hydrogen when the membrane is exposed to hydrogen or methane upstream and nitrogen or oxygen downstream. These results confirm that SCTb is a pure protonic conductor with very low electronic and oxygen ionic conductivity. SCTb will find applications as a high temperature electrolyte in fuel cells or hydrogen sensors.
Calcium transport mechanisms in muskrat and rat hearts

Abstract Mammalian hearts experience calcium overload during extreme and prolonged hypoxia and the calcium overload may lead to enzyme activation and cell death. Several calcium transport systems were examined in muskrat hearts and compared to those found in rat hearts to determine if there is a species difference that might be related to the muskrats’ superior ability to survive hypoxia. Radiolabeled nitredendipine binding was determined in rat and muskrat hearts to estimate the density of voltage gated calcium channels in surface membranes. There were no species differences. Calcium release channel density in the sarcoplasmic reticulum was estimated by the determination of radiolabeled ryanodine binding in muskrat and rat heart SR membranes. No differences were revealed between species. The SR uptake of calcium was measured in SR membranes from the hearts of the two species. No differences were found in the B max values, however, the muskrat SR membranes did have a slightly lower K m value. There were large species differences in Na + /Ca 2+ exchange in SL membranes with the muskrat heart having approximately 3.5 times the transport capacity of rat SL membranes. During hypoxic conditions in which there is extensive ATP depletion leading to [Na + ] i accumulation and discharge of cellular membrane potential, the Na + /Ca 2+ exchanger may operate in the reverse mode and import calcium into the cell and accelerate hypoxic damage. Prior to reaching this state a robust Na + /Ca 2+ exchange would facilitate the maintenance of normal diastolic calcium levels and calcium cycling. Muskrats hearts are hypoxia tolerant by virtue of their ability to reduce metabolic demand and generate ATP anaerobically thus, maintaining a favorable ATP balance. Therefore, the relative overexpression of Na + /Ca 2+ exchangers in muskrat hearts may be beneficial in the preservation of contractile function and calcium homeostasis in this freshwater diving mammal.
Wholly owned foreign subsidiary relation-based strategies in volatile environments

Abstract Drawing from dynamic capability, institutional, nonmarket strategy, and social-network literatures, we detail wholly owned subsidiary (WOFSs) relation-based strategies (RBSs). We explain how deploying RBSs with key nonmarket and market actors will create competitive advantages for WOFSs operating in volatile emerging market environments. We posit that dynamic capabilities will drive the deployment of RBSs by WOFSs, and argue that the positive relationship between dynamic capabilities and RBS deployment will strengthen as perceived institutional uncertainty increases. We further suggest that the greater the strength and frequency of RBS deployment, the more likely that a WOFS will establish a combination of nonmarket-based and market-based embedded assets. Also, our theory proposes that greater integration of nonmarket-based and market-based assets will enhance WOFS financial performance outcomes. Implications for future research are discussed.
Rigidity−Stability Relationship in Interlocked Model Complexes Containing Phenylene-Ethynylene-Based Disubstituted Naphthalene and Benzene

Structural rigidity has been found to be advantageous for molecules if they are to find applications in functioning molecular devices. In the search for an understanding of the relationship between the rigidity and complex stability in mechanically interlocked compounds, the binding abilities of two π-electron-rich model compounds (2 and 4), where rigidity is introduced in the form of phenylacetylene units, toward the π-electron deficient tetracationic cyclophane, cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) (CBPQT^(4+)), were investigated. 1,4-Bis(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)-2,5-bis(2-phenylethynyl)benzene 2 and 1,5-bis(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)- 2,6-bis(2-phenylethynyl)naphthalene 4 were synthesized, respectively, from the appropriate precursor dibromides 1 and 3 of benzene and naphthalene carrying two methoxyethoxyethoxy side chains. The rigid nature of the compounds 2 and 4 is reflected in the reduced stabilities of their 1:1 complexes with CBPQT^(4+). Binding constants for both 2 (100 M^(-1)) and 4 (140 M^(-1)) toward CBPQT^(4+) were obtained by isothermal titration microcalorimetry (ITC) in MeCN at 25 °C. Compounds 1-4 were characterized in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. The stabilization within and beyond these molecules is achieved by a combination of intra- and intermolecular [C-H· · · O], [C-H· · ·π], and [π-π] stacking interactions. The diethyleneglycol chains present in compounds 1-4 are folded as a consequence of both intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The preorganized structures in both precursors 1 and 3 are repeated in both model compounds 2 and 4. In the structures of compounds 2 and 4, the geometry of the rigid backbone is differentsthe two terminal phenyl groups are twisted with respect to the central benzenoid ring in compound 2 and roughly perpendicular to the plane central naphthalene core in compound 4. To understand the significantly decreased stabilities of these complexes toward rigid guest molecules, relative to more flexible systems, we performed density functional theory (DFT) calculations using the newly developed M06-suite of density functionals. We conclude that the reduced binding abilities are a consequence of electronic and not steric factors, originating from the extended delocalization of the aromatic system.
Soil Water Depletion and Recharge under Ten Crop Species and Applications to the Principles of Dynamic Cropping Systems

Dynamic cropping systems principles require that farmers consider climatic, market, and ecological factors on an annual basis in making crop choices. Our objectives were to determine variability of seasonal soil water depletion (SWD) and spring soil water recharge (SWR) among crops and to apply results to dynamic cropping systems practice. A 10-species crop sequence project was conducted under notillage on silt loam Haplustoll soils in North Dakota. Mid-May to midSeptember SWD and following April SWR were determined from 2002 to 2005 by neutron moisture meter to the 1.8-m depth. Crops studied and average SWD amounts (cm) were: sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), 13.5; corn (Zea mays L.), 12.6; sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], 11.0; spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), 10.6; canola (Brassica napus L.), 10.0; millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), 9.6; buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), 9.4; chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), 8.5; lentil (Lens culinaris Medik), 8.1; and dry pea (Pisum sativum L.), 5.0, with highest and lowest being 29 and 11% of average May soil water, 46 cm. Because the period of the experiment was relatively dry, recharge was less than depletion. Spring soil water was 10 cm greater following pea than following sunflower. Ranking of crops for water storage roughly followed reverse SWD rank, with several exceptions, notably wheat, which had greater water from snow capture. Lower soil water following crops such as sunflower and corn was linked to negative crop sequential effects in this project. Choosing to seed a lower water-using crop in the spring after the occurrence of below-average SWR on land that had a higher water-using crop the previous season illustrates an application of information reported here along with the principles of dynamic cropping systems.
Nonlinear Truck Ride Analysis

The nonlinear vibratory motions of a three-axle semitrailer truck were investigated via the use of a digital computer. The nonlinear equations of motion are presented and a method of numerical integration is discussed. The analysis allows any shape of suspension force-deflection curve (including wheel hop, suspension stops, and dry friction damping) and a similar liberality of shock absorber force-velocity characteristics. An experimental vibration study, performed on a model truck, is described and the results compare favorably with the calculated results of the numerical integration.
Supersonic Jet Studies on the Photophysics of Substituted Benzenes and Naphthalenes

Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) studies of seven substituted benzene and naphthalene derivatives seeded in a supersonic jet are reported. Dual fluorescence has been observed in aniline, 4-aminobenzonitrile, 1-aminonaphthalene, and 1-cyano-4-aminonaphthalene. The dual fluorescence is comprised of sharp features from a locally excited state and an unstructured, red-shifted background from a state that may be a mixed La/CT state. In aniline and 4-aminobenzonitrile the unstructured background is absent when low vibronic levels are excited but appears when higher levels are excited. In 1-aminonaphthalene and 1-cyano-4-aminonaphthalene, the background is observable upon excitation of all vibronic levels including the zero-point level. In all of the molecules, the intensity of the background increases with respect to that of the sharp component as the excitation energy is increased. The background becomes the only observable feature in the spectra at high excess energy. The broadening and red shift of the band ...
Phase II trial of fludarabine phosphate (F-Ara-AMP) in patients with advanced head and neck cancer

Thirteen patients with advanced head and neck cancer were entered into a phase II study of fludarabine phosphate. Fludarabine phosphate was given by continuous infusion for 5 days, at a starting dose of 20 mg/m2 per day for patients previously treated with one regimen and 25 mg/m2 per day for previously untreated patients; therapy was repeated every 3–4 weeks. Of the 13 patients, 3 had undergone one prior regimen and 10 patients were previously untreated by chemotherapy. No responses were observed. Myelosuppression was the most common toxicity observed. Four patients developed mild nausea, vomiting and seven developed bleeding stomatitis that resolved in one week. In addition, four patients developed headaches which resolved spontaneously. No renal, hepatic, or neurotoxicity was observed. Our study demonstrates that in previously treated and untreated patients, fludarabine phosphate given on this schedule has little activity in patients with advanced head and neck cancer.
Rotational Line Strengths and Self-Pressure-Broadening Coefficients for the 1.27-microm, a (1)D(g)-X (3)?(g)(-), v = 0-0 Band of O(2).

We measured at 296 K the rotational line strengths and pressure-broadening coefficients for the 1.27-μm, a1Δg–X3Σg-, v = 0–0 band of O2 with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer using an optical path length of 84 m, a spectral resolution of 0.01 cm-1, and sample pressures between 13 and 104 kPa. The integrated band strength is 7.79(17) × 10-6 m-2 Pa-1 [7.89(17) × 10-5 cm-2 atm-1], and the Einstein A coefficient for spontaneous emission is 2.237(51) × 10-4 s-1, which corresponds to an upper-state 1/e lifetime of 1.24(3) h. The pressure-broadening coefficients decrease with increasing N and range from 19 to 38 MHz/kPa (FWHM). The mean value for the transitions studied is 30.3(21) MHz/kPa [0.1024(71) cm-1/atm] (FWHM). The Einstein A coefficient determined here is in good agreement with the widely accepted value of 2.58 × 10-4 s-1 initially obtained by Badger et al. [J. Chem. Phys.43, 4345 (1965)] more than 30 years ago. The standard uncertainties given above are one standard deviation.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification for the detection of porcine parvovirus

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification method was developed and evaluated to detect porcine parvovirus (PPV). A pair of 20-base primers and an oligonucleotide probe were derived from the DNA sequences common to two isolates of PPV, NADL-8 and NADL-2. The primers flanked 118-bp nucleotides within the region coding for the major structural protein VP2. After DNA amplification of PPV replicative form (RF), a 158-bp fragment was detected in agarose gels. This amplified fragment was shown to be specific for PPV DNA after Southern transfer and hybridization to a 20-base internal probe. The amplified fragment also contained a single EcoRI cleavage site. Various conditions, such as number of cycles and annealing temperature, were examined to optimize the conditions for detecting viral DNAs from infected cell cultures and swine fetal tissues. Four different isolates of PPV, NADL-8, NADL-2, KBSH and Kresse, and two other viruses, canine parvovirus (CPV) and pseudorabies virus (PRV), were included to determine specificity of amplification. Slot blot hybridization with a radiolabeled probe was used to evaluate the sensitivity of PCR amplification. The optimized protocol was specific for PPV detecting equally all four strains of PPV, but failing to amplify CPV or PRV sequences. The PCR method could detect at least 100 fg of viral replicative form (RF) DNA or the equivalent of 1 PFU of infectious virus. The applications of this method include routine detection of PPV in clinical samples and as a contaminant in mammalian cell lines.
Luteotropic actions of placental lactogens at midpregnancy in the mouse

In this study the luteotropic activity of mouse placental lactogen I (mPL-I) at midpregnancy was assessed using in vivo and in vitro methodologies. Ovaries from 10-day pregnant mice were enzymatically dispersed and plated on fibronectin-coated wells in serum-free medium. The percentage of ovarian cells that stained for the presence of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was 24.4 +/- 2.7% at the time of plating and remained constant (26.1 +/- 5.0%) after a 20-h attachment period. Two types of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-staining cells, with distinct differences in size and morphology, were present in the culture. Large luteal cells (26-45 microns) were characterized by a small round nucleus and spherical shape with abundant cytoplasm. In contrast, small luteal cells (< 20 microns) were stellate, with little cytoplasm and a large oval nucleus. Basal progesterone secretion was maintained without a change in cellular DNA content and cell number for 168 h of culture. Treatment of ovarian cells with mPL-I (0.05-10 micrograms/ml) caused a dose-dependent increase in the progesterone concentration in the medium. The magnitude and time course of mPL-I-stimulated progesterone accumulation in culture were dependent on the time after plating that mPL-I treatment was initiated. The effects of mPL-II and mouse PRL (mPRL) on progesterone production were similar to those of mPL-I. The ability of sera from 10-, 14-, and 17-day pregnant mice to maintain progesterone production in bromocryptine-treated hysterectomized mice was also examined. Mice were hysterectomized on day 9 of pregnancy, and serum progesterone, mPL-I, mPL-II, and mPRL concentrations were measured 72 h later. Twice daily injections of 0.5 ml day 10 pregnancy serum maintained the circulating progesterone concentration at values not different from those present at the time of hysterectomy. In contrast, serum progesterone concentrations were not maintained in mice treated with serum of 14- or 17-day pregnant mice or with saline. Depletion of mPL-I from day 10 pregnancy serum by affinity chromatography on an anti-mPL-I column removed all luteotropic activity, as determined by the inability of this modified serum to maintain the serum progesterone concentration in bromocryptine-treated hysterectomized mice. A similar pool of day 10 pregnancy serum chromatographed on a nonspecific IgG control column did maintain progesterone production, but at somewhat lower concentrations than those present at the time of surgery. These studies offer direct evidence that mPL-I and mPL-II are luteotropic and support progesterone production at midpregnancy in the mouse.
Fall and Winter Thermal Structure of Lake Superior

Temperature surveys were made along the normal upbound (westward) and down-bound (eastward) shipping lanes across Lake Superior to document fall and winter thermal structure of that lake. This work was done as part of the Congressionally-funded Demonstration Program to Extend the Navigation Season on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway. Surveys were made aboard ore carriers using a portable bathythermograph (BT) system and expendable BT probes. Surveys usually took 2 to 4 days to complete. Twenty-one surveys were made during the winters of 1973 to 1976 and 25 surveys were made during the falls of 1976 to 1979. Mean seasonal temperature trends identified from these data include: (1) approximately exponential increase in fall mixed layer depth through early to mid-November, (2) maximum value of average mixed layer and upper 25-m layer temperatures between the end of August and mid-September, (3) maximum value of average water column temperature in late September, (4) isothermal conditions between mid-November and mid-December, (5) completion of fall overturn in December and winter restratification in December or January depending primarily upon winds, (6) average winter [January to March] monthly mixed layer depth between 60 m and 100 m and, (7) minimum value of average water column temperature in late March. Midlake and nearshore thermal regimes were identified. These thermal regimes show agreement in trend with lake bathymetry, wind fetch, and lake circulation patterns. Deeper areas with longer wind fetch in both thermal regimes have the deepest mixed layers during winter. Areas having the combination of greater depth and larger wind fetch, midlake areas in most cases, also tend to have higher column temperatures and ice cover of short duration in winter and lower column temperatures in summer relative to adjacent areas.
Cystic hygroma/lymphangioma: a rational approach to management.

Objective To outline a rational approach to the management of cystic hygroma based on the authors' experience, the natural history of the disease, and the results of surgical treatment. Study design and methods A retrospective review of all patients with the diagnosis of lymphangioma or cystic hygroma from 1958 to 2000 was performed. Results Seventy-four patients were identified with 46 cases confined to the cervicofacial region. Surgical excision was performed on 60 of the 74 cases involving all regions of the body and 34 of the 46 patients with head and neck lesions. The location of the malformation is the most important determinate for surgical success. While surgical excision was the main treatment modality, 11 of 12 untreated patients were noted to improve, with 8 patients showing complete resolution. Conclusions In the treatment of lymphangiomas, the physician should be experienced in the management of such lesions, be aware of spontaneous resolution, and recognize the limitations and potential harm of surgery in certain instances.
Application of alkali metal molybdenum bronzes as Na+-ion selective sensors up to 70°C

Abstract Single crystals of the alkali metal bronzes Na0.9Mo6O17, (Li0.5Na0.5)0.9Mo6O17, Li0.9Mo6O17 and Li0.33MoO3 were tested as Na+-ion sensors. It is shown that single crystals of Na0.9Mo6O17 fabricated into electrodes by direct solid-state contact can perform as Na+-selective electrodes at temperatures from ambient to 70°C. These sensors respond rapidly and linearly to changing Na+ concentration in the range 0.1–1 M and exhibit good stability versus time and temperature. The (Li0.5Na0.5)0.9Mo6O17 crystal was insensitive to changing Na+ concentration while the Li0.9Mo6O17 and Li0.33MoO3 showed nonlinear behavior.
Completing a new official history: significance of White-Deer Plain

Post-Mao China witnesses the rise of the province in the Chinese political and economic system. Echoing the Central’s cultural nationalism, the province has used cultural materials, especially historical resources, to create its own identity for distinctiveness. This paper examines the regional consciousness of Chen Zhongshi, a writer from central Shaanxi. His two novellas of the mid-1980s clearly demonstrate the cultural difference between central and northern Shaanxi. Chen views his discerned Confucian tradition in central Shaanxi differently in his most well-known novel, White-Deer Plain, which shows his regional consciousness and, on larger scales, provincialism and nationalism. These works raise a question on the relationship between his culturalist stance and the official ideology. His new viewpoint has acquired him much more than those writings deserve. The long acceptance process of the novel reflects and also articulates a new national context; it also shows the negotiations among state agencies on China’s transition.
AAEM case report 33: Costoclavicular mass syndrome

A true costoclavicular mass syndrome associated with a brachial plexopathy is rare. We report the occurrence of a severe brachial plexopathy as a late complication of a displaced midclavicular fracture. An exuberant callus associated with the clavicular fracture acted as a mass lesion to compress the brachial plexus within the costoclavicular space (i.e., between the clavicle and the first rib). The clinical features and the electrodiagnostic findings in this patient were crucial in suggesting the diagnosis, which was subsequently confirmed by radiographic studies and surgical exploration. Surgical excision of the hyperabundant callus and freeing of the entrapped brachial plexus resulted in marked improvement of the patient's neurological symptoms. Recognition of this uncommon complication of a clavicular fracture is important for the timely diagnosis of this treatable problem.
Absolute Determination of the Ohm

THE recent great advances in methods of calculating coefficients of mutual and self-induction, due to Prof. Jones and his colleagues in the work, has suggested that a method, which occurred to me some years ago, for the absolute determination of resistance might now be employed with, I think, some advantages over even the Lorentz method. It is as follows:—Take an earth inductor coil, fixed so that it can revolve continuously, thus giving a pure sine voltage, due to cutting the lines of the earth's magnetic field. Take the coils made by the Committee for the determination of the ampere, as described by Prof. Ayrton, and use the two outside coils as the primary and the inside coil as the secondary of a transformer. Pass the current from the earth inductor through one set of coils of a Kelvin balance, and thence through the primary of the transformer. Then through the (non-inductive or easily calculated inductive) resistance required to be measured, thence back to the earth inductor. Connect the secondary of the transformer to the other set of coils of the Kelvin balance, and speed up the earth inductor till the Kelvin balance arm becomes horizontal, and the pull on the two sets of coils is equal. Then take out the resistance we are measuring, and speed up the inductor till the Kelvin balance comes to zero again.
2D wavelet feature detection for defining curved boundaries in Landsat images

Multiscale feature detection will be extended over a large region of Landsat images to define boundaries between homogeneous regions formed by individual crops. It is expected that it will be possible to define a grid between homogeneous regions defined by both man-made boundaries (2-D edges) and river beds (2-D curves) which define the availability of water. This approach might be usefully applied to remote sensing images based on other wavelengths (i.e. IR or laser remote sensing).
Central and peripheral adrenergic blocking actions of LSD and BOL.

Abstract Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and its 2-bromo derivative BOL effectively antagonized the elevations in cyclic AMP produced by addition of norepinephrine to rat brain slices in vitro. LSD and BOL also exhibited antiadrenergic actions in dog isolated arteries (alpha receptors) and in rabbit isolated heart (beta receptors).