cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An analysis of clear sky and contextual biases using an operational over ocean MODIS aerosol product

[1] Clear sky and other cloud-related contextual biases are critical yet unsolved mysteries for aerosol related climatological studies using satellite observations. For the first time, we simulated contextual biases over ocean using 2-years of Navy Aerosol Analysis and Prediction System (NAAPS) products that include the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aerosol optical depth (AOD) assimilation. We compared model-derived AOD in regions with and without observations, and found that sampling results in negligible seasonal globally averaged AOD bias (<5%). Biases are more pronounced in regions with frequent overcast skies and high aerosol loadings, such as Southeast Asia, and mid-latitude South America. This suggests that contextual biases may develop from transport covariance and other observing biases. Lastly, we found that over remote oceans, under cloud decks, a slight increase aerosol optical depth values could exist, comparing with cloud free regions. But this is still small relative to cloud artifacts in the retrieval.
Preingestive Detection of Tannins by Choristoneura fumiferana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

ABSTRACT The spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is considered the most important pest threatening coniferous forests of eastern North America. Its major hosts are balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.)], white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss], red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.), and black spruce [Picea mariana (Mill.) Britton, Sterns and Poggenb.], all of which contain antiherbivore defensive compounds, including tannins. Tannins are known to act as feeding deterrents, digestibility reducers, and toxins in numerous insects and specifically to reduce growth and survival in the spruce budworm. Using two-choice feeding assays, we show that tannic acid deters spruce budworm feeding, whereas tannins extracted from white spruce and containing 97.8% condensed tannins stimulate it. Moreover, a dose-response relationship was demonstrated for both types of tannin. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a phagostimulatory role of condensed tannins in any insect. Tannic aci...
How are failure modes, defect types and test methods changing for 32nm/28nm technologies and beyond?

A key issue is how advanced technologies are changing the way we do Testing and the Test Industry in general. There are many reports that the failure mechanisms are changing — and therefore Test much change also in response. For example, it has been reported that systematic feature-driven failures are more prevalent than physical spot defectswhich have historically been targeted during Testing. Advanced technologies are expected to drive Testing to fundamental changes in the Test process. For example, Test will assume more responsibility over time in “product personalization” — customizing each chip based on repair/redundant elements, power/performance tuning and new types of fee-dforward data. (e.g., inline test results, optical inspection data) “Adaptive Testing” will enable automated data-driven methods to optimize Quality/Reliability/Yield Loss/Test Time trad-e offs in real-time during production Testing. There are also emerging changes due to the foundry / fables semiconductor model where Testing requirements may be jointly defined among foundries, IP providers, the chip design/integrator and manufacturing test engineerin. g Clearly, there must be more data shared across companies in the End-to-End supply chain … how will this change testing? In this panel, a set of industry experts will describe their experience with advanced technoloyg nodes (32nm/28nm) and how Testing is changing for these nodes. The discussion will range from specific examples of new failures modes … to changes in Test to detect these failure modes … to broader Test process changes. The panel will also address questions like the following: · What are 1–2 examples of new failure mechanisms that you found at 32nm/28nm ? · How did you change testing because of these new defect types/failure mechanisms ? · What new method of “statistical testing” (Adaptive Testing) have you recently started using ? · 3DIC testing — is it really different ? If so, why ? · Product personalization — is this becoming more prevalent ? If so, what are the new drivers & methods ? · Power/performance optimization — is this driving major changes to the Testing process ? If so, what changes ? · Reliability defect screening — are high voltage & high temperature accelerating still effective & required ? · How should the Test industry change to drive improvements to the End-to-End Test process ? · e.g., more rapid, more detailed, real-time cross-company data sharing?
Benz[A]Anthracene is a Potent Liver Tumorigen in the Neonatal B6C3F1 Mouse

Abstract Benz[a]anthracene (BA) has been reported to be a noncarcinogen or a borderline weak carcinogen in several chronic bioassay systems. For comparison, we determined its tumorigenicity in the neonatal male B6C3F1 mouse. Mice were administered i.p. injections (1600 nmol total dose per mouse) within 24 hrs of birth and at 8 and 15 days of age. BA induced hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas in 75 and 25% of the mice, respectively, while the solvent control (DMSO) induced 8 and 4%, respectively. Analysis by RT-PCR indicated that 86% (12/14) of BA-induced liver tumors had activated ras protooncogenes, 11 with a pattern of GGC→CGC at K-ras codon 13. Our results clearly demonstrate that BA is a potent tumorigen in the neonatal B6C3F1 mouse and induces a unique type of K-ras-oncogene activation.
Depressant effect of acetate in isolated cardiac tissue.

Because acetate may have cardiodepressant properties in vitro, but previous studies have not separated out effects of acetate from possible effects of osmolality, sodium concentration, or calcium complexing, the effects of isosmotic acetate substitution (at a constant calcium concentration) on contractility were studied in isolated rat atrial tissue and in an isolated perfused non-working whole heart preparation. In spontaneously contracting right atrial tissue acetate induced dose dependent inhibition of isometric tension in the clinically important dose range of 4 to 16 mmol.litre-1. Bath acetate concentrations of 4, 16, or 64 mmol.litre-1 reduced peak tension (mean(SEM] to 78(2.7)%, 56(2.5)%, or 61(4.6)% respectively of control values. Because the calcium concentrations of the acetate baths were set equal to that of the control bath, calcium complexing by acetate could not have accounted for acetate's cardiodepressant effect. The inhibitory action was demonstrable with both isosmotic and hyperosmotic acetate solutions. Acetate had no effect on the spontaneous rate of atrial contraction. Inhibition of contractility (+dP/dt) by acetate in the whole heart preparation was also demonstrable at bath acetate concentrations of 8 and 16 mmol.litre-1. The results suggest that acetate has a myocardial depressant effect in vitro at concentrations achievable in the plasma during haemodialysis. The myocardial depressant action is not dependent on calcium complexing or on changes in bath osmolality or sodium concentration.
Optical processing for self-cohering of phased-array imaging signals

We describe three real-time optical processing systems, for imaging radar, that form the array phase function and produce the radar image from the incoming signals. The first is an implementation of the Steinberg algorithm where we have modified the data format by frequency multiplexing the range information to allow for the data from all range bins to be present simultaneously. The second implementation uses this same input format, but provides hysteresis on the point scatterer used to calibrate the array. This allows for moving radar arrays where the point used to calibrate the array may be time varying. Finally we describe a self oscillating phase conjugate resonator, with a coherent optical to RF converter inside the cavity. This is a hybrid optical-microwave oscillator that adapts to the incoming signal.
Physical properties of human interferon prepared in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract A system for production of human Interferon by Newcastle disease virus infection of human neonate foreskin fibroblasts is presented. Sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation showed a molecular weight of 26,000 for this material. It is stable over a pH range of 2–10, trypsin susceptible, relatively heat labile (compared to other vertebrate interferons), and stable for at least nine months when stored at 4 ° in solutions containing bovine serum albumin. It could be chromatographed on XE-64 ion exchange resin with approximately tenfold purification. The electrophoretic behavior of this material on polyacrylamide gel indicated that it, like chick and mouse interferons, has an isoelectric point near neutrality. Interferon induced in vivo with the Edmonston measles vaccine was found to have an elution profile on XE-64 identical to that of interferon induced in tissue culture.
Natural decrease of population: The current and prospective status of an emergent American phenomenon

In the early 1950’s, more deaths than births began to occur in a few counties of the United States. The phenomenon has since spread, especially in the 1960’s. In 1966 it occurred in 271 counties, and had affected a total of 324 counties since 1950. Natural decrease had earlier been present in some areas of the United States during the 1930’s. At that time, it was primarily associated with population of low intrinsic fertility. Its occurrence since 1950, however, has not been related to inadequate childbearing rates, but rather to the development of distorted age structures. In most eases, the distortion is the product of prolonged and heavy outmigration of young adults to the extent that the number of couples of childbearing age remaining in an area is insufficient to produce births in excess of the number of deaths occurring to the larger older population. In a minority of cases, the excess of deaths has resulted from large in-migration of older people into retirement areas. The occurrence of natural decrease has been most heavily concentrated in the central part of the country, especially in marginal Corn Belt areas of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa. It has also been common in central Texas. The counties affected are typically rural and agricultural, with a high median age, a history of population decline, and average population fertility. They had a total 1960 population of 4,003,000 persons. It is projected that an excess of deaths over births will have affected 520 or more counties by 1970, or about a sixth of all counties in the Nation. Given the increasing extent of the condition, research appraising its social and economic consequences for an area is urged.
Age-Dependent Changes in Na Current Magnitude and TTX- Sensitivity in the Canine Sinoatrial Node

In rabbit, sodium current (INa) contributes to newborn sinoatrial node (SAN) automaticity but is absent in adult SAN, where heart rate is slower. In contrast, heart rate is high and INa is functional in adult mouse SAN. Given the slower heart rates of large mammals, we asked if INa is functionally active in SAN of newborn or adult canine heart. SAN cells were isolated from newborn (6–10 days), young (40–43 days) and adult mongrels. INa was observed in >80% of cells from each age. However, current density was markedly greater in newborn, decreasing with age. At all ages, INa was sensitive to nanomolar tetrodotoxin (TTX); 100 nmol/L inhibited INa by 46.7%, 59.9% and 90.7% in newborn, young and adult cells, respectively. While high TTX sensitivity suggested the presence of non-cardiac isofoms, steady-state inactivation was relatively negative (midpoints −89.7±0.7 mV, −95.1±1.2 mV and −93.4±1.9 mV from newborn to adult). Consequently, INa should be unavailable at physiological potentials under normal conditions, and 100 nmol/L TTX did not change cycle length or action potential parameters of spontaneous adult SAN cells. However, computer modeling predicts the large newborn INa protects against excess rate slowing from strong vagal stimulation. The results show that canine SAN cells have TTX–sensitive INa which decreases with post-natal age. The current does not contribute to normal automaticity in isolated adult cells but can be recruited to sustain excitability if nodal cells are hyperpolarized. This is particularly relevant in newborn, where INa is large and parasympathetic/sympathetic balance favors vagal tone.
Magnetic enhancement of superconductivity from electron spin domains

Since the discovery of superconductivity, there has been a drive to understand the mechanisms by which it occurs. The BCS (Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer) model successfully treats the electrons in conventional superconductors as pairs coupled by phonons (vibrational modes of oscillation) moving through the material, but there is as yet no accepted model for high-transition-temperature, organic or 'heavy fermion' superconductivity. Experiments that reveal unusual properties of those superconductors could therefore point the way to a deeper understanding of the underlying physics. In particular, the response of a material to a magnetic field can be revealing, because this usually reduces or quenches superconductivity. Here we report measurements of the heat capacity and magnetization that show that, for particular orientations of an external magnetic field, superconductivity in the heavy-fermion material CeCoIn(5) is enhanced through the magnetic moments (spins) of individual electrons. This enhancement occurs by fundamentally altering how the superconducting state forms, resulting in regions of superconductivity alternating with walls of spin-polarized unpaired electrons; this configuration lowers the free energy and allows superconductivity to remain stable. The large magnetic susceptibility of this material leads to an unusually strong coupling of the field to the electron spins, which dominates over the coupling to the electron orbits.
First-Year College Students’ Conflict with Religion and Science

This study took place during a First Year Seminar course where 20 incoming college freshmen studied the central topic of the nature of science within the context of biological evolution. The instructor researched students’ understandings in the nature of science as they progressed through the course by examining a variety of qualitative and quantitative data including class writings, pre- and post-test selected items from the VOSTS (Views on Science-Technology-Society), and interviews. The intended outcomes of the course were to reduce the number of student misconceptions in the nature of science and to ease student apprehension when learning about evolution. Data were analyzed to determine whether students were moving toward a more generally accepted idea of the nature of science or toward another type of misconception.
Retention under changed-reward conditions of persistence learned by infant rats.

Two experiments were performed to determine whether or not persistence acquired under reinforcement conditions of infancy can be retained and transferred to adult reinforcing conditions. In Experiment I 2 groups of rats 14–15 days of age were trained in a runway under a partial (PRF) or continuous (CRF) schedule of milk-suckling reinforcement. A 3rd group was trained under continuous nonreinforcement (NRF) conditions. The PRF and CRF groups acquired the approach response about equally, and the NRF showed a very small increase in speed. In immediate extinction, the PRF group was more resistant to extinction than its CRF counterpart. For the NRF group “extinction” produced a continuation of the low-level “acquisition” performance. Experiment II showed that persistence acquired at 14–15 days with milk-suckling reinforcement can be sustained through a 2-week retention period including a phase of CRF food-pellet reward.
Erythropoietin: Emerging Role of Erythropoietin in Neonatal Neuroprotection

Abstract Background In the last two decades, there has been considerable evolution in understanding the role of erythropoietin in neuroprotection. Erythropoietin has both paracrine and autocrine functions in the brain. Erythropoietin binding results in neurogenesis, oligodendrogenesis, and angiogenesis. Erythropoietin and its receptor are upregulated by exposure to hypoxia and proinflammatory cytokines after brain injury. While erythropoietin aids in recovery of locally injured neuronal cells, it provides negative feedback to glial cells in the penumbra, thereby limiting extension of injury. This forms the rationale for use of recombinant erythropoietin and erythropoietin mimetics in neonatal and adult injury models of stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, intracerebral hemorrhage, and neonatal hypoxic ischemia. Method Review of published literature (Pubmed, Medline, and Google scholar). Results Preclinical neuroprotective data are reviewed, and the rationale for proceeding to clinical trials is discussed. Results from phase I/II trials are presented, as are updates on ongoing and upcoming clinical trials of erythropoietin neuroprotection in neonatal populations. Conclusions The scientific rationale and preclinical data for erythropoietin neuroprotection are promising. Phase II and III clinical trials are currently in process to determine the safety and efficacy of neuroprotective dosing of erythropoietin for extreme prematurity and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in neonates.
Motivated Shifting of Justice Standards

Three studies test whether group members strategically shift the standard of judgment they use to decide whether a particular ingroup action was unjust. In Study 1, individuals who were highly identified with their ingroup set higher confirmatory injustice standards than low identifiers—they needed more evidence to conclude that their group acted unjustly. This led to reductions in judgments of harm and diminished collective guilt. In Study 2, group identification was experimentally manipulated and the results of Study 1 were replicated. In Study 3, stronger support is provided for the motivational nature of this process. Specifically, the motivation to shift the standard upward was decreased by providing group members with an opportunity to self-affirm at the group level. Participants who self-affirmed set lower confirmatory standards of injustice, rated the harm as more severe, and experienced greater collective guilt than, those not self-affirming. Implications of this quantitative standard shifting ar...
Cultural Attunement and Personality Assessment

The limitations of traditional, descriptive assessment are noted. A contextual explanatory model is suggested. Emphasis is given to the need for multidimensional personality assessment that will effectively evaluate multicultural and multiethnic populations.
Structural, Construction, and Procedural Failures Associated with Long-Term Pyritic Soil Expansion at a Private Elementary School in Pennsylvania

This paper examines the background, history, and results of multiple investigations associated with pyrite-based expansive soils spanning almost 40 years in conjunction with a private elementary school located in western Pennsylvania. The school was initially designed in 1960. Original construction was completed in September 1961 and the first signs of distress, which were primarily related to slab heave, were reported in early 1962. One wing of the school, a 1965 classroom addition (1965 addition) with different structural and foundation systems, did not experience any expansive soil-related damages and served as a valuable comparison throughout multiple subsequent investigations. Pyritic soil material in the subgrade in conjunction with oxygen-rich groundwater was determined to be the cause of soil movement and building distress. Expansive soil-related problems at the school continued for decades despite an investigation, civil court action, and judgment in the late 1960s followed by a remediation progr...
What About Men

In a Time of Fallen Heroes: The Recreation of Masculinity, William Betcher and William Pollack. New York: Atheneum Press, 1993. 288 pp., $22.50. ISBN: 0-689-12177-6 (paper edition in 1995).
Specific grinding energy as an in-process control variable for ductile-regime grinding

Abstract This article addresses the problem of monitoring the material removal regime (ductile versus brittle) that occurs during the grinding of brittle materials. Often a ductile grinding regime is desired, but currently there is no way to measure the grinding ductility “in process.” A model is developed to describe the dependence of the specific grinding energy on the material removal regime. It is found that the specific grinding energy will remain relatively constant for ductile-regime grinding but will decrease in a power-law relationship with an increasing material removal rate for brittle-regime grinding. Experimental confirmation of the proposed model is presented. The potential for using measurements of specific grinding energy to control the grinding ductility is established, and the benefits of such a closed-loop feedback system in ductile-regime grinding are explained.
The changing spectrum of treatment for variceal bleeding.

Objective The objective of this study was to assess the impact of endoscopic therapy, liver transplantation, and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) on patient selection and outcome of surgical treatment for this complication of portal hypertension, as reflected in a single surgeon's 18-year experience with operations for variceal hemorrhage. Background Data Definitive treatment of patients who bleed from portal hypertension has been progressively altered during the past 2 decades during which endoscopic therapy, liver transplantation, and TIPS have successively become available as alternative treatment options to operative portosystemic shunts and devascularization procedures. Methods Two hundred sixty-three consecutive patients who were surgically treated for portal hypertensive bleeding between 1978 and 1996 were reviewed retrospectively. Four Eras separated by the dates when endoscopic therapy (January 1981), liver transplantation (July 1985), and TIPS (January 1993) became available in our institution were analyzed. Throughout all four Eras, a selective operative approach, using the distal splenorenal shunt (DSRS), nonselective shunts, and esophagogastric devascularization, was taken. The most common indications for nonselective shunts and esophagogastric devascularization were medically intractable ascites and splanchnic venous thrombosis, respectively. Most other patients received a DSRS. Results The risk status (Child's class) of patients undergoing surgery progressively improved (p = 0.001) throughout the 4 Eras, whereas the need for emergency surgery declined (p = 0.002). The percentage of nonselective shunts performed decreased because better options to manage acute bleeding episodes (sclerotherapy, TIPS) and advanced liver disease complicated by ascites (liver transplantation, TIPS) became available (p = 0.009). In all Eras, the operative mortality rate was directly related to Child's class (A, 2.7%; B, 7.5%; and C, 26.1%) (p = 0.001). As more good-risk patients underwent operations for variceal bleeding, the incidence of postoperative encephalopathy decreased (p = 0.015), and long-term survival improved (p = 0.012), especially since liver transplantation became available to salvage patients who developed hepatic failure after a prior surgical procedure. There were no differences between Eras with respect to rebleeding or shunt occlusion. Distal splenorenal shunts (p = 0.004) and nonselective shunts (p = 0.001) were more protective against rebleeding than was esophagogastric devascularization. Conclusions The sequential introduction of endoscopic therapy, liver transplantation, and TIPS has resulted in better selection and improved results with respect to quality and length of survival for patients treated surgically for variceal bleeding. Despite these innovations, portosystemic shunts and esophagogastric devascularization remain important and effective options for selected patients with bleeding secondary to portal hypertension.
Thymic cyst presented as a painless cervical mass in a child

An 11-year old boy presented with a painless mass in the left side of the posterior cervical triangle and reported dyspnoea during physical exercise. Total surgical resection and histological examination of the mass confirmed the diagnosis of a cervical thymic cyst. With just few reported cases, cervical thymic cysts represent a rare entity. They usually present as painless masses. The clinical symptoms, differential diagnosis and therapeutic approach are discussed herein.
Effects of atrazine on embryos, larvae, and adults of anuran amphibians

We examined the effects of atrazine (0-20 mg/L) on embryos, larvae, and adult anuran amphibian species in the laboratory. Atrazine treatments did not affect hatchability of embryos or 96-h posthatch mortality of larvae of Rana pipiens, Rana sylvatica, or Bufo americanus. Furthermore, atrazine had no effect on swimming speed (measured for R. pipiens only). However, there was a dose-dependent increase in deformed larvae of all three species with increasing atrazine concentration. In adult R. pipiens, atrazine increased buccal and thoracic ventilation, indicating respiratory distress. However, because atrazine had no affect on hemoglobin, this respiratory distress was probably not indicative of reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Frogs exposed to the highest atrazine concentration stopped eating immediately after treatment began and did not eat during the 14-d experiment. However, no decreases in mass were measured even for frogs that were not eating, probably because of compensatory fluid gain from edema. Atrazine concentrations found to be deleterious to amphibian embryos and adults are considerably higher than concentrations currently found in surface waters in North America. Therefore, direct toxicity of atrazine is probably not a significant factor in recent amphibian declines.
Prenatal alcohol exposure delays acquisition and use of skilled reaching movements in juvenile rats.

ARTICLE I NFO Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has been previously reported to result in behavioral and cognitive deficits that continue into adulthood. These deficits are often manifested by poor performance on higher-order cognitive motor tasks, difficulties in maintaining postural balance, slower reaction times, and deficits in fine motor performance. The central causes of these cognitive and motor deficits have been studied in human and animal models.Ratshavebeenshowntobecapableofperformingskilledreachingandgraspingmovementswiththeir forepaws that exhibit many components of skilled reaching also found in human and non-human primates. Whether PAE affects skilled reaching movements in rats is unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effect of PAE on skilled reaching and grasping behavior in rats. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were intragastricallygavaged daily with alcohol at a dose of 6 g/kg body weight fromgestation dayone (G1) through G20 that yielded average blood alcohol levels between 265 and 343 mg/dL. Non-alcohol groups, pairfed (n=4) andchowfed(n=9),servedasnutritionally-matchedandnormalcontrols,respectivelytothealcoholtreatment group (n=12). At 7 weeks of age, all rats were deprived of food for one day. The next day, rats were individually placed in test cages where food could only be accessed by reaching through a grid and grasping small food pellets (20 mg) on atray.All ratswerenaive tothetask.Themajor findings inthis studyare:a)PAEsignificantly increased the average number of minutes to make a successful skilled reach (Alc mean±SEM=97.3±16.9 min vs. non-Alc 52.3±9.6 min), b) once a successful skilled reach was learned, non-alcohol control rats were no better than Alc ratsin using the skilled reachtoacquirefood, c) no significant differencesbetween groupswere observed in the amount of food consumption or changes in body weight during test sessions. These findings provide an important first step intothe role that PAE plays for the learning of newskills and will lead to studies of central mechanisms underlying more complex skilled reaching behaviors.
Colored brackets and 2-manifolds

Abstract Frequently, although a set of matrix differential operators will not be closed under, say, a Lie bracket, it might be closed under more general Lie Γ -graded brackets. Some of these operator products are defined using commutation factors for Γ . The classification of commutation factors, and hence Lie Γ -graded brackets, is one of the stepping stones in an attempt to classify algebras of matrix differential operators, generalizing a question outline in [Am. J. Math. 114 (6) (1992) 1163]. Many examples of Lie super algebras of matrix differential operators exist, but there is still a question of what other possible algebra products may close a space of matrix differential operators. Studying Lie color algebras and Lie color superalgebras represents an attempt in this direction. It is a curious fact that commutation factors for groups of the form ( Z /2 Z ) n coincide with homeomorphism-equivalence classes of connected compact 2-manifolds, so this coincidence is also given in Section 4 of this paper.
Effect of length of sampling schedule and washout interval on magnitude of drug carryover from period 1 to period 2 in two-period, two-treatment bioequivalence studies and its attendant effects on determination of bioequivalence.

The relationships between post-dosing blood sampling schedules and length of washout interval on the percent of drug carryover into period 2, in a two-treatment, two-period, crossover bioequivalence study was investigated. Observed simulations were done using a two-compartment model with a beta half-life of 100 h, sampling to 200 and 300 h, followed by 1 to 4 washout half-lives. These data were compared with simulations with sampling for 200 and 300 h and no carryover between periods (i.e. true data) and used to establish the per cent carryover. Pseudo-observed concentration period 2 data were also generated for an experimental amiodarone bioequivalence study by adding either 5%, 10% or 50% of the period 2 Cmax value to the observed concentrations of selected subjects (i.e. those with longest half-lives) to give a pseudo-plasma concentration profile. Further investigation via simulation was done by including or excluding subjects with time 0 concentrations of 1%–10% of period 2 Cmax. The simulated data indicated that up to a 3% carryover of AUC into the second period of a bioequivalence study had no effect on the power of the 90% CI for AUC and Cmax. For amiodarone, second period pre-dose drug concentrations equal to as much as 50% of the observed period 2 Cmax value had less effect on the 90% CI (i.e. compared with the true data) for AUC and Cmax than did subject deletion. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phospholipids in the Uredospores of Uromyces phaseoli: I. Identification and Localization.

Utilizing paper, thin layer and gas chromatography, the phospholipids of dormant and germinating spores have been isolated and identified. The identifications were based upon agreements of retardation factor values between the unknowns and reference compounds and their derivatives. Quantitative analysis of components, color reactions and specific labeling experiments were also used to support certain identifications. At least three, and usually more, criteria were used for each phospholipid that was definitively identified.The major phospholipids of Uromyces phaseoli are phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Diphosphatidylglycerol, or cardiolipin, phosphatidylinositol, and another phosphoinositide were present as minor components. In germinating spores, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidic acid were detected in trace amounts. The presence of these common intermediates in the biosynthesis of phospholipids indicates that phospholipid synthesis is active during the germination process. Except for the absence of phosphatidylglycerol, the types of phospholipids present are similar to the host plant. Germ tube wall preparations were found to contain phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in about the same proportion as that observed in resting spores, while the proportion of diphosphatidylglycerol was about three times higher. An unidentified phosphorous-containing lipid was also a significant component of the total phospholipids extracted from germ tube walls.
Insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: neonicotinoid binding site specificity is usually but not always conserved with varied substituents and species.

The diversity of neonicotinoid insecticides acting as insect nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor (nAChR) agonists is illustrated by imidacloprid (IMI) with chloropyridinylmethyl (CPM) and N-nitroimine substituents, dinotefuran (DIN) with tetrahydrofurylmethyl (TFM) and N-nitroimine moieties, and acetamiprid (ACE) with CPM and N-cyanoimine groups. These three neonicotinoids are used here as radioligands to test the hypothesis that they all bind to the same site in the same way in both fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) and a leafhopper pest (Homalodisca coagulata): that is, neonicotinoid binding site specificity is conserved in the insect nAChRs. Multiple approaches show that [3H]IMI and [3H]ACE interact with an identical site in both species. However, although [3H]DIN binds with high affinity in both insects, its pharmacological profile in Homalodisca is surprisingly unique, with high sensitivity to some TFM-containing compounds and ACh. The TFM moiety of DIN may bind in a different orientation com...
Prothrombin, thrombin and prothrombin fragments in plasma of normal individuals and of patients with laboratory evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation

Abstract With specific immunoassays for prothrombin, thrombin-anti-thrombin-III complex and for prethrombin-1 antigen, we measured the levels of these proteins in the plasma of normal individuals and patients suspected of having chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The normal level of prothrombin in plasma was found to be 110–212 mg/liter, and of thrombin-anti-thrombin-III complex and prethrombin-1 antigen approximately 1 μg/ml. In patients with suspected DIC, prothrombin levels, as measured by immunoassay and two-stage clotting assay, were decreased in 14 of 19 studied. Levels of thrombin-anti-thrombin-III complex were normal in all the patients and those of prethrombin-1 elevated in only two of 19. The lack of elevation of these products is probably due to the small amount of prothrombin activated in these patients. Decreased synthesis may account for the low levels of prothrombin observed in some. Measurement of the level of these products of prothrombin is therefore not useful in the diagnosis and management of patients with DIC.
One-dimensional temperature profile prediction in multi-layered rigid pavement systems using a separation of variables method

This paper presents an analytical solution for prediction of the one-dimensional (1D) time-dependent temperature profile in a multi-layered rigid pavement system. Temperature at any depth in a rigid pavement system can be estimated by using the proposed solution with limited input data, such as pavement layer thicknesses, material thermal properties, measured air temperatures and solar radiation intensities. This temperature prediction problem is modelled as a boundary value problem governed by the classic heat conduction equations, and the air temperatures and solar radiation intensities are considered in the surface boundary condition. Interpolatory trigonometric polynomials, based on the discrete least squares approximation method, are used to fit the measured air temperatures and solar radiation intensities during the time period of interest. The solution technique employs the complex variable approach along with the separation of variables method. A FORTRAN program was coded to implement the proposed...
Accuracy of administrative diagnostic data for pathologically confirmed cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in Massachusetts, 2000-2008.

Background Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a transmissible disorder that is monitored by public health authorities at the state and national levels in the United States. Little is known about the current accuracy and concurrence of CJD diagnoses across national and state sources of surveillance data. Methods Using multiple sources, including the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center (NPDPSC) registry, we sought to identify all deceased Massachusetts patients with pathologically diagnosed CJD between 2000 and 2008. Pathologically verified CJD cases were then matched to their respective records in the Massachusetts hospital discharge and death certificate datasets. Using these data, we also aimed to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of death certificate diagnoses. Results Death certificate and hospital discharge dataset diagnoses of CJD combined accounted for 80% (35 of 44) of pathologically confirmed cases. The estimated sensitivity and specificity for death certificate diagnoses alone were 71% (27 of 38) and 75% (9 of 12), respectively. Conclusions Death certificate diagnoses were less sensitive for pathologically confirmed CJD than reported previously. Increasing reliance on autopsy over biopsy and an expanding spectrum of health care delivery may be responsible for this discrepancy. The findings reported here underscore the value of using multiple mechanisms in national CJD surveillance.
Transcriptional Analysis of Biofilm Formation Processes in the Anaerobic, Hyperthermophilic Bacterium Thermotoga maritima

Thermotoga maritima, a fermentative, anaerobic, hyperthermophilic bacterium, was found to attach to bioreactor glass walls, nylon mesh, and polycarbonate filters during chemostat cultivation on maltose-based media at 80°C. A whole-genome cDNA microarray was used to examine differential expression patterns between biofilm and planktonic populations. Mixed-model statistical analysis revealed differential expression (twofold or more) of 114 open reading frames in sessile cells (6% of the genome), over a third of which were initially annotated as hypothetical proteins in the T. maritima genome. Among the previously annotated genes in the T. maritima genome, which showed expression changes during biofilm growth, were several that corresponded to biofilm formation genes identified in mesophilic bacteria (i.e., Pseudomonas species, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus epidermidis). Most notably, T. maritima biofilm-bound cells exhibited increased transcription of genes involved in iron and sulfur transport, as well as in biosynthesis of cysteine, thiamine, NAD, and isoprenoid side chains of quinones. These findings were all consistent with the up-regulation of iron-sulfur cluster assembly and repair functions in biofilm cells. Significant up-regulation of several β-specific glycosidases was also noted in biofilm cells, despite the fact that maltose was the primary carbon source fed to the chemostat. The reasons for increased β-glycosidase levels are unclear but are likely related to the processing of biofilm-based polysaccharides. In addition to revealing insights into the phenotype of sessile T. maritima communities, the methodology developed here can be extended to study other anaerobic biofilm formation processes as well as to examine aspects of microbial ecology in hydrothermal environments.
The International Medical Graduate in US Academic General Surgery

Objectives To identify graduates of medical schools outside of the United States who are on academic general surgical faculties in the United States and to determine their contribution to surgery in the United States. Design A questionnaire was sent to the departments of general surgery of 128 medical schools and clinics with independent surgical training programs. Setting All the departments of surgery affiliated with medical schools and clinics in the United States. Participants All department chairpersons of the general surgical services in the United States. Main Outcome Measure To identify graduates of foreign medical schools who had their training in the United States, their area of expertise, and their present positions. Results One hundred twenty-two (95.3%) of the 128 medical schools and clinics replied to the questionnaire. Of the 122, 108 (88.5%) had at least 1 international medical graduate (IMG) on their faculty; 572 IMGs were identified on the surgical faculty, of which 538 were men and 34 were women. These individuals represent 72 countries or colonies and most continents and regions of the world. Fourteen are or have been department chairpersons. Asia, with 172 medical graduates, contributed the highest number of graduates, followed by North, Central, and South America, with 136 total, and Europe, with 123. India, followed by Canada, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the People's Republic of China, accounts for a large number of the individuals. The states with the most IMGs were California, 78; New York, 75; and Illinois, 42. Conclusions International medical graduates account for 10% of the academic surgical faculty in the United States. These graduates come from all countries and regions of the world. International medical graduates occupy faculty positions commensurate with experience. Fourteen are or have been department chairpersons. Since 1960, there has been an increasing number of appointments of IMGs to faculty of the departments of surgery. The results of this survey suggest that the experience of the IMG in US surgery has been quite favorable.
Impact of predation and food utilization on reproduction ofDiplonychus indicus andRanatra filiformis

Impact of predation and food utilization on reproduction of the water bugs —Diplonychus indicus andRanatra filiformis was studied. InDiplonychus indicus, the food quality affects the rate of predation as well as food utilization. Allometric growth of various body parts and the longevity of each nymphal instar of the bug showed distinct variation, when exposed to individual prey item vizCulex, Anopheles andAedes larvae and fish fingerlings. InRanatra filiformis, a distinct pattern of oviposition in relation to the increased rate of predation onCulex larvae was observed. The significance of such variations in reproductive activities of these water bugs was discussed.
Effect of CALIPSO cloud-aerosol discrimination (CAD) confidence levels on observations of aerosol properties near clouds

CALIPSO aerosol backscatter enhancement in the transition zone between clouds and clear sky areas is revisited with particular attention to effects of data selection based on the confidence level of cloud-aerosol discrimination (CAD). The results show that backscatter behavior in the transition zone strongly depends on the CAD confidence level. Higher confidence level data has a flatter backscatter far away from clouds and a much sharper increase near clouds (within 4 km), thus a smaller transition zone. For high confidence level data it is shown that the overall backscatter enhancement is more pronounced for small clear-air segments and horizontally larger clouds. The results suggest that data selection based on CAD reduces the possible effects of cloud contamination when studying aerosol properties in the vicinity of clouds.
Interspecialty and intraspecialty differences in the management of thyroid nodular disease and cancer.

Introduction. The management of thyroid cancer includes multiple medical specialties. Physicians from different specialties may vary in opinion regarding the optimal investigation and treatment of patients. Little data exist evaluating the differences within or between various specialties treating thyroid disease. This study aims to examine responses from a variety of specialty physicians closely involved in the medical or surgical management of thyroid disease to provide evidence as to whether any difference exists. Methods. A cross-sectional survey of attendees at the 5th Biennial Course on the Management of Thyroid Nodular Disease and Cancer was conducted using an anonymous electronic touch pad system. Touch pads were given to 213 attendees who were asked to respond to 44 questions. This study analyzes the responses obtained from 19 selected questions (43%) and compares the results between endocrinologists (n = 48), general surgeons (n = 41), otolaryngologists (n = 61), and pathologists (n = 20). Results. Responses were obtained from 69% of endocrinologists, 68% of general surgeons, 72% of otolaryngologists, and 65% of pathologists. Statistically significant interspecialty differences were observed in 12 (63%) of 19 questions. Each question and a summary of responses from all touch pads were recorded. Conclusions. Significant differences in the attitudes toward, and presumably the practice of, managing thyroid nodular disease and cancer exist between specialties. An understanding of these differences is helpful when working as a multidisciplinary team to optimize patient care. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck27: XXX–XXX, 2005
Fibrillation potential amplitude and muscle atrophy following peripheral nerve injury.

Maximum peak-to-peak fibrillation potential amplitude was measured in 69 subjects between 7 days and 10,5 years post complete or partial peripheral nerve injury.Fibrillation potential amplitude are also reported following nerve section in experimental animals.The correlation with muscle fiber atrophy is studied.
The effects of constrained left versus right monocular viewing on the autonomic nervous system

Asymmetrical activation of right and left hemispheres differentially influences the autonomic nervous system. Additionally, each hemisphere primarily receives retinocollicular projections from the contralateral eye. To learn if asymmetrical hemispheric activation induced by monocular viewing would influence relative pupillary size and respiratory hippus variability (RHV), a measure of parasympathetic activity, healthy participants had their left, right or neither eye patched. Pupillary sizes were then recorded with infrared pupillography. Pupillary dilation was significantly greater with left than right eye viewing. RHV, however, was not different between eye viewing conditions. These differences in pupil dilatation may have been caused by relatively greater activation of the right hemispheric-mediated sympathetic activity induced by left monocular viewing or relatively greater deactivation of the left hemispheric-mediated parasympathetic activity induced by right eye patching. The absence of an asymmetry in RHV, however, suggests that hemispheric asymmetry of sympathetic activation was primarily responsible for this ocular asymmetry of pupil dilation.
Derivation of a parallel string matching algorithm

We derive an efficient parallel algorithm to find all occurrences of a pattern string in a subject string in O(log n) time, where n is the length of the subject string. The number of processors employed is of the order of the product of the two string lengths. The theory of powerlists [J. Kornerup, PhD Thesis, 1997; J. Misra, ACM Trans. Programming Languages Systems 16 (6) (1994) 1737-1740] is central to the development of the algorithm and its algebraic manipulations.