cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of chemical and cytologic analysis of amniotic fluid in determination of fetal maturity.

Abstract Concentrations of bilirubin and creatinine and cytologic characteristics of amniotic fluid were studied in 109 women beginning as early as 20 weeks' gestation. The results suggest that when conventional criteria cannot be relied upon to determine duration of pregnancy, amniotic fluid analyses can be helpful. Two or more weekly or biweekly samples after the expected thirty-fourth or thirty-fifth week should demonstrate a creatinine level of at least 1.5 mg. per cent and bilirubin ΔO.D. at the 450 wavelength of less than 0.010. When clumps of orange-staining bodies are found after staining with Nile blue sulfate, the pregnancy very likely has achieved 38 weeks.
Performance of a Propagation Delay Tolerant ALOHA Protocol for Underwater Wireless Networks

Underwater wireless networks have recently gained a great deal of attention as a topic of research. Although there have been several recent studies on the performance of medium access control (MAC) protocols for such networks, they are mainly based on simulations, which can be insufficient for understanding the fundamental behavior of systems. In this work we show a way to analyze mathematically the performance of an underwater MAC protocol. We particularly analyze a propagation delay tolerant ALOHA (PDT-ALOHA) protocol proposed recently [1]. In this scheme, guard bands are introduced at each time slot to reduce collisions between senders with different distances to the receiver, which have a great impact on acoustic transmissions. We prove several interesting properties concerning the performance of this protocol. We also show that the maximum throughput decreases as the maximum propagation delay increases, identifying which protocol parameter values realize the maximum throughput approximately. Although it turns out that exact expression for the maximum throughput of PDT-ALOHA can be quite complicated, we propose a useful simple expression which is shown numerically to be a very good approximation. Our result can be interpreted to mean that the throughput of PDT-ALOHA protocol can be 17-100% higher than the conventional slotted ALOHA, with proper protocol parameter values
Meta-analysis of the studies of bleeding complications of platelets pathogen-reduced with the Intercept system.

Background The eligibility criteria of a previously reported meta-analysis (Transfusion 2011;51:1058–1071) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of pathogen reduction of platelets in patients with hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia were modified to examine the impact on the findings of: (1) inclusion of a (previously excluded) RCT; (2) restriction of eligibility to RCTs of the Intercept (amotosalen-HCl/ultraviolet-A-light) system; and (3) differences in the methods used to assess bleeding complications. Materials and Methods Five RCTs comparing the risk of all, clinically significant (grades 2 through 4) and/or severe (grades 3 and 4) bleeding complications between recipients of platelets treated with Intercept vs. standard unmanipulated platelets were included. Odds ratios (ORs) of bleeding complications of similar severity recorded during similar periods of observation were calculated across all studies and across homogeneous subsets of studies by random-effects methods. Results Treatment with Intercept increased all bleeding complications when four RCTs meeting the eligibility criteria of the previous meta-analysis were integrated, but not across all the five currently available studies [summary OR = 1·24; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0·79–1·93]. Clinically significant bleeding complications increased when the results of the SPRINT RCT were based on the expanded safety analysis (summary OR = 1·52; 95% CI, 1·09–2·12) – but not the initial report (summary OR = 1·30; 95% CI, 0·54–3·14) – of that study. Conclusions Treatment with Intercept may increase the risk of all and clinically significant (albeit not severe) bleeding complications in RCTs maintaining a platelet count of ≥10 × 109 or ≥20 × 109/l through increased platelet transfusions.
How the study of Helicobacter infection can contribute to the understanding of carcinoma development

The inflammatory environment dramatically impacts the formation of cancer at many levels, acting on the stem cell to foster the initiation of cancer all the way through its contribution to metastatic disease. Using Helicobacter-induced gastric cancer as an example, it can be seen that, early on, chronic inflammation exhausts tissue stem cells, forcing the remaining stem cells to work overtime and calling in replacement cells from marrow sources. Marrow-derived stromal cells orchestrate growth and remodelling through secreted factors and cell-cell communication. Once cancer is present, the inflammatory environment is responsible for the continued growth signals to the cancer stem cells and to the stromal cells which become a vital part of the cancer niche as well as the pre-metastatic niche which will effectively lure cancer cells into peripheral organs for distant growth. This understanding of the inflammatory environment and its many effects on cancer throughout its natural history provides intervention targets directed at the unique aspects of cancer behaviour.
A resource management framework for QOS provisioning in W-CDMA systems

A resource management framework, called dynamic resource scheduling (DRS), is presented and evaluated for W-CDMA systems. Dynamic resource scheduling provides QoS provisioning through optimal power assignment and code hopping by its adaptability according to the instantaneous traffic load and interference conditions. In this paper, error and bandwidth QoS parameters are considered; power is treated as the common resource. DRS is observed from the power control point of view, and the uplink channel performance is evaluated. Initial results show that DRS provides higher capacity and throughput, more stable QoS maintenance and lower power usage as compared to existing schemes. The DRS framework efficiently serves different traffic classes with CBR, VBR, ABR and UBR characteristics.
Host selection behavior of Campoletis sonorensis: A model system☆☆☆

Abstract Plants play a role in the host selection strategy of Campoletis sonorensis , an ichneumonid parasitoid that attacks the larval stages of a number of plant-feeding lepidoptera. We examine the early host selection behavior of C. sonorensis in response to plants and the herbivores that serve as hosts. We bring together some new data and organize the published information to provide an overview of the host selection behavior of Campoletis . We also compare the results of our studies utilizing C. sonorensis , a generalist, to published data concerning two specialists, Microplitis croceipes , a braconid with the same host system, and Diadromus pulchellus , an ichneumonid specializing in both the plant and the hosts it attacks.
Exposure and effects of chemical contaminants on tree swallows nesting along the Housatonic River, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, USA, 1998–2000

Hatching success of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) was assessed for three years in relation to chemical contamination along the Housatonic River, Berkshire County (MA, USA), in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Nest boxes were erected at five sites along the Housatonic River and its tributaries and at one reference location. Concentrations of total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were some of the highest ever reported in bird eggs. Mean concentrations at sites along the Housatonic River ranged between 32 and 101 microg/g wet weight. A significant negative relationship was observed between concentrations of total PCBs in clutches and hatching success. A significant negative relationship was also observed between hatching success and the sum of the total dioxins and furans and the associated toxic equivalents (TEQs) for dioxins and furans. In a combined model with PCB TEQs and dioxin/furan TEQs, PCB TEQs were not significantly correlated to hatching success, whereas dioxin/furan TEQs were. Contamination of tree swallows was from local food sources. Accumulation rates of total PCBs in 12-d-old nestlings averaged between 34 and 76 microg/d at the sites along the main stem of the Housatonic River compared to <1 microg/d at the reference location.
Effects of temperature on lactose hydrolysis by immobilized β-galactosidase in plug-flow reactor

The hydrolysis of lactose using immobilized beta-galactosidase (from Aspergillus niger) on phenol-formaldehyde resin was studied at temperatures between 8 and 60 degrees C and initial lactose concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 20.0%. A model involving enzyme-galactose complex similar to Michaelis-Menten kinetics with competitive product (galactose) inhibition is suitable to describe the lactose hydrolysis reaction. A small degree of lack of fit between the model and the data was found to be due to the formation of oligosaccharides. Thermal deactivation of lactase follows first-order reaction mechanism. The effect of temperature on the reaction and the deactivation rate constants follows the Arrhenius relationship. The Oligosaccharide formation was not significantly affected by the temperature when the initial lactose concentration was 5%. A design equation for the plug-flow immobilized lactase reactor was developed from the reaction and the deactivation kinetics and was used to find the optimal operating temperature. The optimal temperature was found to be dependent on the operating time but not on the lactose concentration or the conversion. The optimal operating temperature is 60 degrees C when operating time is short but is close to 35 degrees C for a long operating time. A preliminary economic analysis indicates that the optimal operating temperature is 43, 38.5, and 33 degrees C when the operating time is 300 days, 1000 days, and infinity, respectively.
Clinical disorders of brain plasticity

Clinical disorders of brain plasticity are common in the practice of child neurology. Children have an enhanced capacity for brain plasticity compared to adults as demonstrated by their superior ability to learn a second language or their capacity to recover from brain injuries or radical surgery such as hemispherectomy for epilepsy. Basic mechanisms that support plasticity during development include persistence of neurogenesis in some parts of the brain, elimination of neurons through apoptosis or programmed cell death, postnatal proliferation and pruning of synapses, and activity-dependent refinement of neuronal connections. Brain plasticity in children can be divided into four types: adaptive plasticity that enhances skill development or recovery from brain injury; impaired plasticity associated with cognitive impairment; excessive plasticity leading to maladaptive brain circuits; and plasticity that becomes the brain's 'Achilles' Heel' because makes it vulnerable to injury. A broad group of pediatric neurologic disorders can be understood in terms of their impact on fundamental mechanisms for brain plasticity. These include neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, Fragile X syndrome, other inherited forms of mental retardation, cretinism, Coffin-Lowry syndrome, lead poisoning, Rett syndrome, epilepsy, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and cerebral palsy.
Thermal conductivity of additively colored MgO

The thermal conductivity of MgO additively colored in magnesium vapor has been measured in the temperature range 1–55 K. These measurements have been compared to the pure crystal thermal conductivity data. There is a “dip” in the thermal conductivity vs. temperature curve of the additively colored specimen near 20 K, where the thermal conductivity is depressed to one-fifth of the pure crystal value. The “dip” is attributed to resonant phonon scattering associated with quasilocalized modes of theF center. After UV irradiation, resulting in partialF →F+ conversion, the thermal conductivity “dip” was found to be much weaker. The increase in thermal conductivity of the bleached sample is attributed to a relaxation of neighboring ions due to the different charge state of the defect. A successful fit to the thermal conductivity data has been made using the Debye model of solids and a defect scattering rate consisting of a resonance expression plus Rayleigh scattering term. A good fit can be made to the data of the bleached specimen by varying only the parameter associated with concentration ofF centers.
Ultrasonic attenuation estimation of the pregnant cervix: a preliminary report

Objective Estimates of ultrasonic attenuation (the loss of energy as an ultrasonic wave propagates through tissue) have been used to evaluate the structure and function of tissues in health and disease. The purpose of this research was to develop a method to estimate ultrasonic cervical attenuation during human pregnancy using a clinical ultrasound system. Methods Forty women underwent a cervical scan once during pregnancy with the Zonare® z.one clinical ultrasound system using a 4–9-MHz endovaginal transducer. This ultrasound system provides access to radiofrequency (RF) image data for processing and analysis. In addition, a scan of a tissue-mimicking phantom with a known attenuation coefficient was acquired and used as a reference. The same settings and transducer used in the clinical scan were used in the reference scan. Digital data of the beam-formed image were saved in Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format on a flash drive and converted to RF data on a personal computer using a Matlab® program supplied by Zonare. Attenuation estimates were obtained using an algorithm that was independently validated using tissue-mimicking ultrasonic phantoms. Results RF data were acquired and analyzed to estimate attenuation of the human pregnant cervix. Regression analysis revealed that attenuation was: a predictor of the interval from ultrasound examination to delivery (β = 0.43, P = 0.01); not a predictor of gestational age at time of examination (β = − 0.23, P = 0.15); and not a predictor of cervical length (β = 0.077, P = 0.65). Conclusions Ultrasonic attenuation estimates have the potential to be an early and objective non-invasive method to detect interval between examination and delivery. We hypothesize that a larger sample size and a longitudinal study design will be needed to detect gestational age-associated changes in cervical attenuation. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radiocarbon studies of organic compound classes in plankton and sediment of the northeastern Pacific Ocean

Radiocarbon (Δ14C) and stable carbon isotopes (δ13C) were measured in total hydrolyzable amino acid (THAA), total carbohydrate (TCHO), total lipid, and acid-insoluble organic fractions that had been separated from phytoplankton, zooplankton, sediment floc, and sediment samples from an abyssal site in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. THAA, TCHO, and lipid fractions accounted for 91-99% of the total organic carbon (TOC) in phytoplankton and zooplankton, 57% of TOC in sediment floc, and 18-38% of TOC in sediment. Based on concentration profiles in sediment, first-order degradation rate constants below the bioturbation zone were calculated using a 'multi-G' model considering both labile and refractory organic fractions. The calculated rate constants were in the order THAA≃TCHO>TOC≃TN>lipid, indicating the relative reactivities of these compound classes in the sediment during early diagensis. Bioturbation affected the distribution of these compound classes in the top few centimeters of the sediment. The Δ14C values of all organic fractions decreased in the order plantkon in surface water to sediment floc to sediments at 4100 m depth. Distinct differences of Δ14C exist among THAA, TCHO, and lipid fractions in sediment floc and sediments. The lipid fraction exhibited lower Δ14C signatures than THAA and TCHO fractions. Differential decomposition of organic matter and sorption and/or biological incorporation of 'old' DOC into sediment appear to be the major processes that likely control the observed Δ14C signatures and abundances. δ13C values of the organic compound classes in sediment are similar to their values in plankton indicating that organic matter input to sediment in the northeastern Pacific is mainly from marine sources. Also, distinct δ13C signatures were found in each of the four organic fractions.
Stochastic optimization of flexibility in retrofit design of linear systems

Abstract In this paper the problem of obtaining the degree of flexibility that maximizes the total profit in an existing process flowsheet is addressed. Assuming a linear model for the process and given probability distribution functions for the uncertain parameters, the curve relating the expected revenue to the flexibility index is generated. An efficient stochastic optimization method is developed for this purpose that is coupled with a parametric analysis. This then allows determination the level of flexibility in a retrofit where the proper trade-off is established between investment cost and expected revenue. Two examples are presented to illustrate the proposed procedure.
Lymphoseek: A Molecular Imaging Agent for Melanoma Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping

Background Lymphoseek is a molecular imaging agent specifically designed for sentinel lymph node mapping. We conducted a phase I clinical trial in which Lymphoseek was compared with filtered [99mTc]sulfur colloid (fTcSC) for melanoma sentinel lymph node detection.
Cultivating the creative class: And what about nanaimo?

Despite widespread adoption of creative class economic development strategies, one of its basic tenets—the connection between community tolerance (running through talented individuals and high-tech...
Utilization of Contract Options in Teaching Educational Psychology

How contracts are used to enrich and internalize the basic principles of the course rather than merely to make grading more comfortable.
Reappearance of a Blalock anastomotic murmur after treatment for bacterial endocarditis.

S I N c E 1944, surgical creation of a subclavian to pulmonary artery anastomosis (Blalock operation) has been performed for tetralogy of Fallot and other cyanotic congenital heart conditions? Complications of such an operation have included operative death, progressive cardiac enlargement and failure, bacterial endocarditis, and late closure of the anastomosisY Loss of patency after an initial successful anastomosis usually is related to endothelization or thrombosis of the anastomotic site..A less commonly suspected cause of obstruction is bacterial endarteritis. This report describes the loss of a "Blalock" anastomotic murmur in a 15-year-old boy 12 years after cardiovascular operation. After diagnosis and therapy of bacterial endocarditis, the anastomotic murmur again became easily audible with concomitant evidence of increased pulmonary blood flow.
The pharmacokinetics of mirtazapine in cats with chronic kidney disease and in age-matched control cats.

Background: Cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often experience inappetence, and may beneﬁt from administra-tion of mirtazapine, an appetite stimulant. The pharmacokinetics of mirtazapine in CKD cats is unknown.Hypothesis: CKD delays the clearance/bioavailability (CL/F) of mirtazapine.Animals: Six CKD cats and 6 age-matched controls (AMC) were enrolled. Two CKD cats each from InternationalRenal Interest Society (IRIS) stage II, III and IV were included.Methods: Blood samples were collected before and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 8, 24, and 48 hours after a single PO dose of1.88 mg of mirtazapine. Mirtazapine concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem massspectrometry. Non-compartmental pharmacokinetic modeling was performed.Results: Mean age was 11 years (CKD cats) and 10.8 years (AMC cats). Mean serum creatinine concentration ± stan-dard deviation (SD) was 3.8 ± 1.6 mg/dL (CKD) and 1.3 ± 0.4 mg/dL (AMC). Mean half-life ± SD was 15.2 ± 4.2 hours(CKD) and 12.1 ± 1.1 hours (AMC). Mean area under the curve (AUC) ± SD was 770.6 ± 225.5 ng/mL†hr (CKD) and555.5 ± 175.4 ng/mL†hr (AMC). Mean CL/F ± SD was 0.6 ± 0.1 L/hr/kg (CKD) and 0.8 ± 0.16 L/hr/kg (AMC). AMann-Whitney test indicated statistically signiﬁcant diﬀerences in AUC (P = 0.01) and CL/F (P = 0.04) between groups.Calculated accumulation factor for 48-hour dosing in CKD cats was 1.15.Conclusion: CKD may delay the CL/F of mirtazapine. A single low dose of mirtazapine resulted in a half-life compati-ble with a 48-hour dosing interval in CKD cats.Key words: Appetite; Feline; Nutrition; Renal.
Functional Characterization of Liver Enhancers That Regulate Drug-Associated Transporters

Little is known about how genetic variations in enhancers influence drug response. In this study, we investigated whether nucleotide variations in enhancers that regulate drug transporters can alter their expression levels. Using comparative genomics and liver-specific transcription factor binding site (TFBS) analyses, we identified evolutionary conserved regions (ECRs) surrounding nine liver membrane transporters that interact with commonly used pharmaceuticals. The top 50 ECRs were screened for enhancer activity in vivo, of which five--located around ABCB11, SLC10A1, SLCO1B1, SLCO1A2, and SLC47A1--exhibited significant enhancer activity. Common variants identified in a large ethnically diverse cohort (n = 272) were assayed for differential enhancer activity, and three variants were found to have significant effects on reporter activity as compared with the reference allele. In addition, one variant was associated with reduced SLCO1A2 mRNA expression levels in human liver tissues, and another was associated with increased methotrexate (MTX) clearance in patients. This work provides a general model for the rapid characterization of liver enhancers and identifies associations between enhancer variants and drug response.
Effect of steam on high temperature oxidation behaviour of alumina-forming alloys

AbstractAlternative light water reactor fuel cladding materials are being investigated to replace Zircaloy for enhanced accident tolerance, which involves oxidation resistance to steam environments at ≧1200°C for short times. As chromia-forming alloys and Ni-containing alloys are both undesirable for this application, the focus has been on FeCrAl, although NiAl was used to evaluate the effect of steam oxidation at 1600°C for this study. For commercial and model FeCrAlY alloys, a critical Cr–Al composition was identified for 1 bar isothermal steam (100% H2O) oxidation resistance at 1200°C, which differed for exposures in Ar–50%H2O at the same temperature. Alloys with lower Cr and Al contents were not able to form a protective alumina scale under these conditions. To simulate the accident scenario, exposures were also conducted in steam with the temperature rising 5°C min−1 to 1500°C for the most oxidation resistant alloys. Using thermogravimetry, the maximum use temperature for candidate alloys was determi...
MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA IN PULMONARY ATRESIA WITH INTACT VENTRICULAR SEPTUM

Children dying after operation for pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum (PA-IVS) may have evidence of myocardial ischemia. The etiology of ischemia in these patients is unknown. We assessed the relationship between myocardial ischemia and the presence of right ventricular to coronary artery fistulae in necropsy specimens from 17 patients (pts) with PA-IVS. Age at death was from 1 day to 16 years (mean 17 months). Six of 17 pts (35%) had right ventricular to coronary artery fistulae, 5 of whom had coronary dysplasia. Three pts had segmental or complete absence of a coronary artery. Histologic evidence of M.I. was present in 4/6 pts, 2 of whom had RV outflow reconstruction. Six of 11 pts without right ventricular to coronary artery fistulae had myocardial ischemia. Of these, 4 had right ventricular outflow reconstruction and 2 had shunt operations. Death occurred from 1 to 8 days (mean 3 days) postoperatively. Pts with PA-IVS may have myocardial ischemia with or without either right ventricular to coronary artery fistulae or coronary dysplasia. Myocardial ischemia may follow right ventricular outflow reconstruction or shunt operations. Thus, myocardial ischemia occurs commonly with PA-IVS and does not always relate to coronary abnormalities or right ventricular outflow reconstruction. Myocardial ischemia may be due to poor subendocardial perfusion of a small chambered, yet hypertrophic and hypertensive ventricle.
Noun Imagery and Retroactive Inhibition in Free Recall

-Two experiments were conducted investigating retroactive inhibition in free recall as a function of rated imagery level (high or low). In Exp. I there was significant retroactive inhibition in all experimental conditions relative to single-list controls and more interference when two lists of the same imagery level were learned than when the lists were different in imagery. In Exp. I1 all subjects learned a mixed List 1 containing nouns, half of high and half of low imagery. List 2 were nouns of high, mixed, or low imagery. The effect of type of List 2 was not significant, but the interaction of List 1 imagery and type of List 2 did reach significance. The amount of retroactive inhibition at each level of imagery was related to the number of List 2 words at the same level. Thus, the similarity effect is not dependent on the similarity of Lists 1 and 2 as wholes, as the response-set interpretation of retroactive inhibition suggests, but seems to be due to more specific interference among items similar in imagery.
A new (ΔK+Kmax)0.5 driving force parameter for crack growth in aluminum alloys

Abstract In this paper, a new mechanical driving force parameter for long- and short-crack growth rate correlation is proposed. This new parameter, (ΔK+Kmax)0.5, does not utilize disputable crack closure data, instead it is calculated as a geometric mean of the positive part of the applied stress intensity factor (SIF) range, ΔK+, and the corresponding maximum value of the SIF, Kmax. The proposed parameter correlates fairly well the R-ratio effects on the threshold condition and fatigue crack growth rate at the low and intermediate stress intensities for six aluminum alloys investigated.
Ohmic Potential Drop in Flow‐Through and Flow‐By Porous Electrodes

The limiting current analysis has been applied to the flow‐through and planar flow‐by porous electrodes using a recently developed low flow rate mass transfer coefficient correlation. At the limiting current, the maximum ohmic drop in the solution is developed. The flow‐through electrode analysis is identical to that first given by Bennion and Newman. In the flow‐by electrode, the two‐dimensional structure of the potential field is taken into account. It is shown that given a maximum solution ohmic potential drop and reactant conversion, a flow‐by electrode with an aspect ratio is superior to a flow‐through electrode in that the maximum processing rate will always be higher for the range of parameters presented in this work. If the aspect ratio (length‐to‐width) of the flow‐by electrode is large, it is reasonable to assume that the potential field is governed by a one‐dimensional Laplace equation. This simplifying assumption has been examined and shown to overestimate the maximum ohmic potential drop. Given the two constraints mentioned above, a flow‐by electrode will have an optimum aspect ratio which is determined by an economic balance between greater current‐volume of the bed as increases vs. greater pumping and separator (if required) costs which also increase with .
The effects of temperature and glucose on protein biosynthesis by immature (round) spermatids from rat testes

A method is described for the preparation of highly purified fractions (greater than 80% pure) of immature spermatids (round, steps 1--8) from rat testes by centrifugal elutriation in sufficient yields for biochemical studies when four rat testes are used. Electron microscopy established the identity of the cells and demonstrated that the cell membrane is intact. Some cells develop nuclear and cytoplasmic vacuoles during the 2 h required for preparation. Immature spermatids prepared by this method use glucose with an increase in oxygen consumption, lactate production, and protein synthesis over control levels (no glucose). The testicular cell suspension from which spermatids are separated, like whole testis and spermatids themselves, show higher incorporation of amino acids into TCA-precipitable material at 34 degrees C than at 38 degrees C and in the presence of glucose. A subcellular system prepared from immature spermatids with excess ATP shows greater incorporation of amino acids into TCA-precipitable material at 34 degrees C than at 38 degrees C. This difference does not result from increased breakdown of protein. It is concluded that body temperature (38 degrees C) inhibits some aspect(s) of protein synthesis in addition to previously reported effects on amino acid transport and production of ATP (Means and Hall. 1969. Endocrinology. 84:285--297.).
Carbon K-edge spectra of carbonate minerals

Carbon K-edge X-ray spectroscopy has been applied to the study of a wide range of organic samples, from polymers and coals to interstellar dust particles. Identification of carbonaceous materials within these samples is accomplished by the pattern of resonances in the 280-320 eV energy region. Carbonate minerals are often encountered in the study of natural samples, and have been identified by a distinctive resonance at 290.3 eV. Here C K-edge and Ca L-edge spectra from a range of carbonate minerals are presented. Although all carbonates exhibit a sharp 290 eV resonance, both the precise position of this resonance and the positions of other resonances vary among minerals. The relative strengths of the different carbonate resonances also vary with crystal orientation to the linearly polarized X-ray beam. Intriguingly, several carbonate minerals also exhibit a strong 288.6 eV resonance, consistent with the position of a carbonyl resonance rather than carbonate. Calcite and aragonite, although indistinguishable spectrally at the C K-edge, exhibited significantly different spectra at the Ca L-edge. The distinctive spectral fingerprints of carbonates provide an identification tool, allowing for the examination of such processes as carbon sequestration in minerals, Mn substitution in marine calcium carbonates (dolomitization) and serpentinization of basalts.
VORTEX: video retrieval and tracking from compressed multimedia databases--template matching from MPEG-2 video compression standard

In this paper, a novel visual search engine for video retrieval and tracking from compressed multimedia databases is proposed. Our approach exploits the structure of video compression standards in order to perform object matching directly on the compressed video data. This is achieved by utilizing motion compensation--a critical prediction filter embedded in video compression standards--to estimate and interpolate the desired method for template matching. Motion analysis is used to implement fast tracking of objects of interest on the compressed video data. Being presented with a query in the form of template images of objects, the system operates on the compressed video in order to find the images or video sequences where those objects are presented and their positions in the image. This in turn enables the retrieval and display of the query-relevant sequences.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Nitrogen excess in North American ecosystems: Predisposing factors, ecosystem responses, and management strategies

Most forests in North America remain nitrogen limited, although recent studies have identified forested areas that exhibit symptoms of N excess, analogous to overfertilization of arable land. Nitrogen excess in watersheds is detrimental because of disruptions in plant/soil nutrient relations, increased soil acidification and aluminum mobility, increased emissions of nitrogenous greenhouse gases from soil, reduced methane consumption in soil, decreased water quality, toxic effects on freshwater biota, and eutrophication of coastal marine waters. Elevated nitrate (NO3−) loss to groundwater or surface waters is the primary symptom of N excess. Additional symptoms include increasing N concentrations and higher N:nutrient ratios in foliage (i.e., N:Mg, N:P), foliar accumulation of amino acids or NO3−, and low soil C:N ratios. Recent nitrogen-fertilization studies in New England and Europe provide preliminary evidence that some forests receiving chronic N inputs may decline in productivity and experience greate...
Interpersonal psychotherapy for chronic depression

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a time-limited, manualized, life-event-based treatment of demonstrated efficacy for acute major depression. This article describes its adaptation and application to chronic forms of unipolar depression. The interpersonal difficulties of chronically depressed patients present a potentially good fit for a therapy that builds interpersonal functioning, but the chronicity of illness and paucity of life events of dysthymic patients complicate the use of IPT. Recent outcome research is reviewed. A case example illustrates the clinical approach and potential benefits. Based on a limited number of studies, the benefits of acute IPT for chronic depression appear non-specific and modest.
Constraints on small graphitic helices

A model for small helical carbon tubules is presented. A heptagon-pentagon defect in a perfect fullerene tubule, which is made up entirely of hexagons formed by nearest-neighbor carbon-carbon bonds, bends the tubule at a 30\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} angle, which is the angle between the axes of the two halves. The tubule circumferences should roughly match. Pentagons and heptagons should be isolated and separated as far as possible. These effects would favor long-range order along the helix, given a driving force for curling during the formation process.
Action of papaverine and ionophore A23187 on neurulation

MICROFILAMENTS, which are thought to be activated by Ca2+, are functionally related to the apical constriction of neural plate cells during neural tube morphogenesis. Papaverine interferes with Ca2+ flux and inhibits neurulation, disrupting microfilament structure, while ionophore A23187 which induces Ca2+ flux counteracts this inhibition restoring microfilaments and promoting formation of neural ridges and folds in 10 min. We conclude that microfilament-generated morphogenetic movement may be regulated, in part, by Ca2+ availability.
Hierarchical A Posteriori Error Estimators for Mortar Finite Element Methods with Lagrange Multipliers

Hierarchical a posteriori error estimators are introduced and analyzed for mortar finite element methods. A weak continuity condition at the interfaces is enforced by means of Lagrange multipliers. The two proposed error estimators are based on a defect correction in higher-order finite element spaces and an adequate hierarchical two-level splitting. The first provides upper and lower bounds for the discrete energy norm of the mortar finite element solution whereas the second also estimates the error for the Lagrange multiplier. It is shown that an appropriate measure for the nonconformity of the mortar finite element solution is the weighted L2-norm of the jumps across the interfaces.
Extracellular serotonin is decreased in the nucleus accumbens during withdrawal from cocaine self-administration.

Abstract Many of the withdrawal symptoms reported by human cocaine users are thought to be correlated with serotonergic dysfunction. To explore the neurochemical basis for this hypothesis, we used in vivo microdialysis to monitor extracellular serotonin (5-HT) in the nucleus accumbens of the rat both during and for several hours after unlimited-access intravenous cocaine self-administration. Self-administration of cocaine produced an increase of approx. 340% of baseline in the dialysate concentration of 5-HT that persisted for the entire 12 h session. During the first 6 h after self-administration, dialysate 5-HT levels were significantly decreased to 41% of pre-session levels and 25% of the levels in drug-naive control animals. The effects of cocaine exposure on basal extracellular 5-HT concentrations were also examined using a quantitative microdialysis method (Difference Method). Rats withdrawing from extended-access cocaine self-administration displayed significantly lower extracellular 5-HT levels (0.6 ± 0.3 nM) than either drug-naive control animals (2.0 ± 0.5 nM) or animals which received daily 3-h self-administration training sessions only (limited-access; 1.4 ± 0.2 nM). Together these results indicate that extracellular 5-HT is significantly decreased in the nucleus accumbens during withdrawal from cocaine self-administration. The severity of this decrease is contingent on the length of time cocaine is self-administered.
The growth of manganese layers on Si(1 0 0) at room temperature: A photoelectron spectroscopy study

Abstract The combination of spin-and charge based electronics in future devices requires the magnetic doping of group IV semiconductors, and the formation of ferromagnetic contacts. The doping of Mn with Si is one of the material systems which is discussed in this context. The present study focuses on the growth of Mn on a Si(100)(2x1) surface, and the evolution of the surface was observed as a function of Mn coverage with synchrotron-based photoelectron spectroscopy. The reaction of Mn with the Si(100) surface at room temperature leads the formation of silicide at the boundary between the Si substrate and the Mn-overlayer, presumably with MnSi stoichiometry. The residual sub-oxide reacts with the Mn and therefore incorporates a few percent of Mn-O-Si at the interface. The analysis of the sub-oxide composition indicates that the Si+1 component is the most reactive oxidation state. The overlayer is dominated by Mn, either as Mn-metal or as a Mn-rich silicide phase, and the metallic layer introduces a band bending in Si. As a consequence of our observations, including information from a recent STM study, the formation of ferromagnetic contacts which require ideally a flat and compositionally homogenous overlayer, cannot be achieved through room temperature deposition of Mn on the Si(100) (2x1) surface. The influence of residual oxides and surface defects on the growth process will be further investigated.
Potentially curable lung cancer patients not offered operation.

Background Recent reports have noted the decreased resection rate in early stage lung cancer. Our surgical population includes 25% second surgical opinion (SSO) patients not offered surgical intervention after initial evaluation at other institutions. This study assesses the reasons those patients were initially rejected for operation at other institutions and determines the outcome of operative intervention. Methods This report is an analysis of 103 consecutive patients undergoing lung operation for cancer by a single surgeon from June 2006 through June 2008. This included 26 patients (25%) in the SSO group and 77 patients (75%) seen initially at our cancer center (control). Results Reasons for initial rejection in the SSO group were the following: (1) anatomically unresectable (14 patients); (2) radiologic contraindication (11 patients); (3) multiple lesions (6 patients); (4) inadequate pulmonary reserve (5 patients); (5) significant medical comorbidities (2 patients); (6) advanced age (2 patients); (7) patient misunderstandings (2 patients); (8) prior high dose radiation (1 patient); (9) negative diagnostic study (1 patient) and negative exploratory thoracotomy (1 patient). Age and comorbidities were similar for both groups. The planned resection was completed in 25 of 26 patients. Two SSO patients (8%) and nine control patients (11%) had positive N2 nodes. Length of stay was identical and the single death was in a control patient. Conclusions An SSO after initial rejection for resection of lung cancer is highly desirable. The short-term outcomes in these SSO patients screened at a multidisciplinary lung cancer center are comparable with patients offered resection after initial evaluation at a large multidisciplinary cancer center.
A Meta‐Analysis of Environmentally Sustainable Supply Chain Management Practices and Firm Performance

Studies linking environmental sustainability to firm performance have been increasing as more companies are contemplating the implementation of sustainable practices internally and in coordination with other firms along their supply chains. However, findings from these studies have found positive and negative associations, leaving practitioners perplexed as to what actions would be beneficial to pursue. With hypotheses grounded in the natural resource–based view of the firm, the current study examines over 20 years of research on environmental supply chain practices using a meta-analysis to determine whether the overall effect of these specific practices on firm performance is, in fact, positive. The results show that the link between environmental supply chain practices and market-based, operational-based and accounting-based forms of firm performance is positive and significant, providing support for the business case that sustainable supply chain management results in increased firm performance. Different operationalizations of supply chain practices — upstream, design, production and downstream — along with industry, sample region, firm size and time are examined as moderators of this relationship with nuanced results that help to extend the discipline's understanding of the relationship between environmentally sustainable supply chain management and firm performance.
DEVONIAN TRILOBITES FROM THE FALKLAND ISLANDS

Abstract: New trilobite material is described from the Fox Bay Formation (Lower Devonian; Pragian) of the Falkland Islands (South Atlantic). The fossils were collected from many localities in both East and West Falkland and represent the first significant collection of trilobites from East Falkland. The trilobites belong to three higher taxa: Proetida (the first proetid record in these islands); Homalonotidae, Burmeisteria Salter, 1865; and Calmoniidae, including Bainella Rennie, 1930 and Metacryphaeus Reed, 1907. All of the forms except proetids have now been found in both East and West Falkland.
Protonated Sites on Sulfate-Promoted Zirconium Oxide Catalysts: A Fourier Transform-IR, Thermal Analysis, and Solid State1H NMR Study

Abstract A series of sulfate-promoted ZrO2solid acid catalysts samples were prepared, each sample differing only in the pH of the sulfuric acid soaking step of the synthesis procedure. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and thermal weight-loss measurements (as measured by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA)) indicate that the pH of the sulfuric acid soaking solution influences the number of surface proton sites. The activity of sulfate-promoted ZrO2in catalyzing the isomerization of n-butane to iso-butane at 220°C and the surface area of the calcined catalyst are also found to depend on the soaking solution pH, with maximum surface areas and activities observed between pH 6 and pH 9. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts measured using combined rotation and multiple pulse spectroscopy indicate that the sulfating step produces proton species that are more acidic than proton sites on the nonsulfated support. The proton NMR spectra of these samples consist of at least two overlapped, but distinct, resonances that can be separated on the basis of a large disparity in spin-lattice (T1) relaxation times. By comparing the experimental spectra with a series of simulated spectra, the long T1component has been assigned to a discrete three- or four-proton site that includes one water molecule, and the short T1component to an ill-defined cluster of protons. Variable-temperature NMR lineshape data also suggest that the protons are in rapid motion on the sulfate-promoted zirconium oxide surface.
Magnetic resonance angiography in the diagnosis of deep cerebral venous thrombosis.

Given the nonspecific and conflicting "indirect" signs and rare occurrence of the true "direct" signs on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), conventional angiography has been the "gold standard" in the diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis. Visualization of the deep venous system by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) suggests this modality may accurately demonstrate thrombosis at this level. We present a 34-year-old Down syndrome patient with deep cerebral venous thrombosis demonstrated by MRA who was initially misdiagnosed as a bithalamic glioma due to the similarity in the imaging characteristics of the two conditions. No direct evidence of venous thrombosis was present on CT or MRI. MRA was the sole noninvasive imaging modality to "directly" demonstrate venous thrombosis and is suggested in the evaluation of unexplained or atypical cerebral events that may represent deep cerebral venous thrombosis.
Using the Porter model to analyze the US elderberry industry

Elderberry, a perennial shrub native to North America with a variety of uses and benefits, is neither well known nor widely utilized as a specialty crop in the US. Up-to-date information is lacking with regard to the elderberry market or market potential. This research identifies the market participants along the value chain, the current status of the industry, direction, future trends, and elderberry market limitations as well as risks and potential opportunities for elderberry producers and processors. A combination of quantitative (mail survey) and qualitative (phone interview) methods have been used. The theoretical model used for the survey and interview development and analysis is based on the Porter Five Forces Model (PFFM) which describes the competitive forces that coordinate and control the market. The PFFM has been used previously to shed light on the chestnut and shiitake mushroom specialty crop markets. Seventy-four mail survey responses and 20 follow-up phone interviews provided information on the market participants, challenges, opportunities and competitive forces in the elderberry industry. Results show a nascent industry with mostly small scale participants poised for growth. Demand trends are favorable and prices are good across the value chain. Challenges include a limited domestic supply of fruit, few regionally adapted varieties suitable for commercial production, and high labor costs. Additionally, the absence of existing mechanical harvesting equipment limits future production potential and industry growth. Respondents identified low levels of competition within the industry at the present time. Based on identified market size and demand, opportunities exist to increase the domestic elderberry industry across the value chain.
Null test optics for the MMT and Magellan 6.5-m f/1.25 primary mirrors

The instruments used to interferometrically measure the optical surfaces of the 6.5-m f/1.25 primary mirrors for the MMT conversion and Magellan Telescopes must compensate over 800 micrometers surface departure from the best fitting sphere. The errors in the optical test must not contribute more than 0.04 arc seconds FWHM to the final image and the conic constant must be held to 0.01%. This paper presents the design, analysis, fabrication, and certification of the instruments used to measure these giant mirrors to such high accuracy.
Generic periodic solutions of functional differential equations

Abstract Consider the class of retarded functional differential equations x(t) = f(x t ) , (∗) where xt(θ) = x(t + θ), −1 ⩽ θ ⩽ 0, so xt ϵ C = C([−1, 0], Rn), and f∈ =C r (C,R n ) . Let 2 ⩽ r ⩽ ∞ and give X the appropriate (Whitney) topology. Then the set of f∈ such that all fixed points and all periodic solutions of (∗) are hyperbolic is residual in .