cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A quantitative assessment of the addition of MRI to CT-based, 3-D treatment planning of brain tumors

Quantitative 3-D volumetric comparisons were made of composite CT-MRI macroscopic and microscopic tumor and target volumes to their independently defined constituents. Volumetric comparisons were also made between volumes derived from coronal and axial MRI data sets, and between CT and MRI volumes redefined at a repeat session in comparison to their original definitions. The degree of 3-D dose coverage obtained from use of CT data only or MRI data only in terms of coverage of composite CT-MRI volumes was also analyzed. On average, MRI defined larger volumes as well as a greater share of composite CT-MRI volumes. On average, increases in block margin on the order of 0.5 cm would have ensured coverage of volumes derived from use of both imaging modalities had only MRI data been used. However, the degree of inter-observer variation in volume definition is on the order of the magnitude of differences in volume definition seen between the modalities, and the question of which imaging modality best describes tumor volumes remains unanswered until detailed histologic studies are performed. Given that tumor volumes independently apparent on CT and MRI have equal validity, composite CT-MRI input should be considered for planning to ensure precise dose coverage for conformal treatments.
Automated Servo Controlled Calorimetry

There will be four calorimeters in the system. Two calorimeters will be for large sizes and two for small sizes. The four calorimeters will be servo controlled using a DEC Micro-11 computer with a National Instruments IEEE-488 interface buss. Indicator lights will identify runs in progress and switches will record calorimeter lid openings. The data will be available on the console print out as well as being sent to the ICC computer. System accuracy from 2 to 12 watts will be 0.2 per cent.
Enticing the New Lad: Masculinity as a Product of Consumption in Tobacco Industry-Developed Lifestyle Magazines.

We demonstrate how an industry promoted and defined masculinity as a product of consumption. We analyze previously-secret tobacco industry documents and the content of two tobacco industry—produced magazines, Unlimited (from Philip Morris, makers of Marlboro) and Real Edge (from Brown & Williamson, makers of Lucky Strike), which were distributed to millions of young adult men from the late 1990s and early 2000s to promote their tobacco brands. We find that Unlimited and Real Edge exhibited similar themes previously reported to typify ‘‘new lad’’ magazines, but with risky behaviors in the forefront. We build upon the existing masculinity literature by providing insight into how corporations study and interpret cultural constructions of masculinity, and then use masculinity as both a vehicle and a product of consumption.
Places as Recovery Machines: Vulnerability and Neighborhood Change After Major Hurricanes

This study advances a conceptual framework for understanding the transformation of places into recovery machines after major hurricanes. This framework contends that in the years following such disasters, pro-growth coalitions take advantage of new sources of material and symbolic capital to promote further demographic growth. It also contends that the spatial nature of this growth varies significantly as a result of social inequalities among residential subpopulations, contributing to uneven transformation of local neighborhoods across affected regions. To test hypotheses derived from this framework, we combine innovative Geographic Information Systems data from "billion dollar" storms of the early 1990s with demographic data from local census tracts. Results support the recovery machine framework and imply that post-disaster resilience may contribute to the creation of larger, more segregated versions of affected regions that await exposure with the next major disaster.
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of segmentation in annelids

Abstract The annelids are a diverse phylum of metamerically segmented animals. They are of special interest embryologically because of their highly stereotyped pattern of development, much of which is shared by other spiralian phyla. They are also of interest phylogenetically for what they can tell us about the evolution of segmentation, and the relationships of coelomate protostomes in general. In this paper we review the embryology of the different annelid groups, showing considerable conservation of the basic character of segmentation, with modifications associated with evolving life history strategies. We also describe the current knowledge of molecular mechanisms of segmentation in annelids. The most is known at a cellular and molecular level about the phylogenetically derived leeches, while information is just emerging on the more basal annelids, the polychaetes and oligochaetes. This review is intended to provide a framework for comparison of the different annelid groups, and to suggest avenues for future research that might help to illuminate the evolution of annelid developmental patterns.
Infant formula safety.

In the April 12th issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on a fatal case of meningitis in an intensive care nursery in Tennessee.1 The infecting organism was Enterobacter sakazakii , an unusual but often fatal, invasive pathogen. In the fatal Tennessee case, the infection was traced to contaminated powdered infant formula. Other infants in the same nursery were screened for E sakazakii . Of 49 screened infants, 10 events were discovered (1 proven infection, 2 assumed infections, and 7 colonizations). E sakazakii has been reported to cause or be associated with bacteremia,2,3 necrotizing enterocolitis,4 meningitis,5,6 and colonization.7 There are also reports of E sakazakii contaminating infant formula8–10; however, this report detailed for the first time a direct link to an unopened product. The manufacturer voluntarily recalled the contaminated batch of powdered formula identified as the source. The editorial comment after the report, pointed out that powdered infant formula is not sterile. The CDC concluded its report with the following recommendations for the use of powdered infant formula in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU): 1) use alternatives to powdered formula whenever possible, 2) use aseptic technique in the preparation of infant formula, 3) refrigerate prepared formula and discard any reconstituted formula stored for longer than 24 hours, 4) limit ambient temperature “hang time” to no >4 hours, and 5) have …
DNA and RNA can be equally efficient catalysts for carbon-carbon bond formation.

We report the in vitro selection of deoxyribozymes that catalyze the Diels−Alder reaction between anthracene and maleimide substrates. Previous work showed that ribozymes can catalyze this reaction with substantial rate enhancement. We viewed the direct comparison of DNA and RNA enzymes as an opportunity to test the relative catalytic efficiencies of DNA and RNA. Many new deoxyribozymes were identified; one of these, DAB22, can catalyze the in trans reaction of untethered anthracene and maleimide substrates with rate constant and rate enhancement values comparable to those of the analogous ribozyme (e.g., kobs 3 min-1 and rate enhancement > 4 × 105 for the deoxyribozyme). These findings provide evidence that DNA enzymes can catalyze carbon−carbon bond formation as efficiently as the best known RNA enzymes, despite the absence of 2‘-hydroxyl groups in DNA.
FUSE Observational Evidence of the Boundary Layer of MV Lyrae in the High State

We carry out a spectral analysis of the archival FUSE spectrum of the VY Scl novalike cataclysmic variable MV Lyrae obtained in the high state. We find that standard disk models fail to fit the flux in the shorter wavelengths of FUSE (λ < 950 A). An improved fit is obtained by including a modeling of the boundary layer at the inner edge of the disk. The result of the modeling shows that in the high state the disk has a moderate accretion rate ≈2×10-9 M⊙ yr-1, a low inclination, a boundary layer with a temperature of ~100,000 K, and size ~0.20 Rwd, and the white dwarf is possibly heated up to a temperature T ≈ 50,000 K or higher.
Selective Participation, Effectiveness, and Prison College Programs

Abstract College programs have been increasingly offered in American prisons since the 1950s. Although these programs appear to be an effective rehabilitative alternative, evaluations of prison college programs have been limited. An important methodological concern in studies of correctional programs is selective participation, and this suggests that effectiveness is not the only issue. This study addresses two questions: “what is the relationship between college programs in prisons and societal adjustment?” and “which offenders participate in college programs?” The post-release success of 526 offenders enrolled in college, vocational, secondary, and elementary programs while incarcerated in three Wisconsin prisons between 1980 and 1985 was examined. A composite index of parole adjustment, providing a comprehensive indicator of societal adjustment, was used rather than relying on recidivism as the sole dependent measure. While the results were mixed, college program participants were found to have better ...
Andromaque's choice

The pivotal moment in Racine's Andromaque occurs when Andromaque announces her ‘innocent stratageme’ calculated to save her honour and Astyanax. Although her choice of self over son reveals her priorities, this is not the conclusion of the vast majority of critics who, for over 200 years, have made Andromaque the object of a form of cultural protectionism. It is time to put an end to an ill-conceived myth that has become tradition: the moral perfection of the title character. This myth impoverishes the complexity of Racine's first great female figure, and by extension, the truth of his vision of humanity in his ‘tradition-breaking’ tragedy.
Conservation genetics and evolutionary history of Gleditsia caspica: Inferences from allozyme diversity in populations from Azerbaijan

Gleditsia caspica is an endemic treespecies found in the endangered lowlandHyrcanian forests near the Caspian Sea insoutheastern Azerbaijan and northwestern Iran. Phylogenetic analyses show that G.caspica is a derivative of G. japonica,a widely distributed species of eastern Asia. Using allozyme markers to investigate geneticdiversity within two populations fromAzerbaijan, we discovered that a populationfrom a protected nature reserve was composedlargely of first-generation hybrids betweenG. caspica and G. triacanthos,which is native to eastern North America but isplanted as an ornamental shade tree inAzerbaijan. Hybrids exhibited higher levels ofself-fertilization and lower seed productionthan either parental species. In the secondpopulation, composed of pure G. caspica,11 of 31 loci scored were polymorphic, theaverage number of alleles per locus was 1.39,and gene diversity was 0.105. All diversityestimates were substantially lower than thosewe obtained from a small sample of G.japonica from South Korea and than estimatesfrom more extensive samples of South KoreanG. japonica and North American G.triacanthos published by other workers. Weconclude that (i) in addition to ongoingthreats from habitat conversion andfragmentation, G. caspica may also bethreatened in Azerbaijan by hybridization withG. triacanthos; and (ii) low variabilityin G. caspica populations is most likelynot a consequence of recent habitat loss andreductions in population size, but insteadreflects a long history of range contractionand endemism following isolation from G.japonica during the Pliocene or Pleistocene.
A parallel genetic algorithm for the set partitioning problem

In this dissertation we report on our efforts to develop a parallel genetic algorithm and apply it to the solution of the set partitioning problem--a difficult combinatorial optimization problem used by many airlines as a mathematical model for flight crew scheduling. We developed a distributed steady-state genetic algorithm in conjunction with a specialized local search heuristic for solving the set partitioning problem. The genetic algorithm is based on an island model where multiple independent subpopulations each run a steady-state genetic algorithm on their own subpopulation and occasionally fit strings migrate between the subpopulations. Tests on forty real-world set partitioning problems were carried out on up to 128 nodes of an IBM SP1 parallel computer. We found that performance, as measured by the quality of the solution found and the iteration on which it was found, improved as additional subpopulations were added to the computation. With larger numbers of subpopulations the genetic algorithm was regularly able to find the optimal solution to problems having up to a few thousand integer variables. In two cases, high-quality integer feasible solutions were found for problems with 36,699 and 43,749 integer variables, respectively. A notable limitation we found was the difficulty solving problems with many constraints.
Adolescent Girls' Alcohol Use as a Risk Factor for Relationship Violence

This research examined the relation between female adolescents' general alcohol use and their experience of relationship violence. This relation was examined both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, controlling for the proximal (i.e., situational) effects of alcohol use. One hundred and six female high school students reported on their experiences of physical violence and sexual coercion by boyfriends, general patterns of alcohol use, victimization experiences while drinking, and hypothesized covariates including demographic and relationship variables and illicit drug use. Variables were assessed at 2 time points 4 months apart. Results indicated that general alcohol use was related to victimization both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, but different findings emerged for different forms of victimization (physical-only victimization vs. both physical and sexual victimization).
Double-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with liquid jets of different thicknesses

Double-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of magnesium in water has been performed with different jet thicknesses. A Meinhard nebulizer has been used to create a jet of 0.3-mm diameter, whereas a homemade liquid jet injector produced a thicker jet of 1.0-mm diameter. The relationship of line intensity to delay time between the two laser pulses for these two jets is compared and discussed. The limits of detection in these two jets are also determined and compared. The line intensity observed from the double-pulse measurement is correlated with the measured electron density calculated with the Hα line. Also, the behavior of plasma density relative to time delay between the lasers is described.
Single-Payer Health Care Reform: Combining Increased Access and Cost Containment

(1994). Single-Payer Health Care Reform: Combining Increased Access and Cost Containment. Cancer Investigation: Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 238-241.
Demonstrating "Data Near Here": Scientific Data Search

Prior work proposed "Data Near Here" (DNH), a data search engine for scientific archives that is modeled on Internet search engines. DNH performs a periodic, asynchronous scan of each dataset in an archive, extracting lightweight features that are combined to form a dataset summary. During a search, DNH assesses the similarity of the search terms to the summary features and returns to the user, at interactive timescales, a ranked list of datasets for further exploration and analysis. We will demonstrate the search capabilities and ancillary metadata-browsing features for an archive of observational oceanographic data. While comparing search terms to complete datasets might seem ideal, interactive search speed would be impossible with archives of realistic size. We include an analysis showing that our summary-based approach gives a reasonable approximation of such a "complete dataset" similarity measure.
Coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV)-A59 causes a persistent, productive infection in primary glial cell cultures.

MHV-A59 causes a chronic demyelinating disease in mice which is accompanied by persistence of viral genome in white matter. As part of the investigation into the mechanism of viral persistence, infection of glial cells, probable targets for chronic infection, was studied by the use of mixed glial, enriched oligodendrocyte and enriched astrocyte cultures. Following MHV-A59 infection in vitro, approximately 10% of oligodendrocytes and 30% of astrocytes expressed viral antigens in the absence of overt cytopathic effect. All cultures released infectious virus for the lifetime of the cultures, for at least 45 days in the case of mixed glial cultures. Cultures derived from previously infected mice were similar to those infected in vitro with respect to percentage of cells expressing viral antigen and levels of infectious virus produced. These results show (1) that glial cells are early sites of infection in vivo as well as sites of infection in in vitro cultures, and (2) that glial cells support a non-lytic but productive infection in vitro and thus may contribute to viral persistence in vivo.
EFFECT OF IN VITRO CULTIVATION AND MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIAE INFECTION ON INTRACELLULAR CYCLIC AMP LEVELS IN HAMSTER TRACHEAL ORGAN CULTURES

Exogenous cyclic AMP and dibutyryl cyclic AMP decreased the relative ciliary activity values of tracheal organ cultures. In contrast, theophylline and cholera toxin were not ciliostatic. The use of a radioimmunoassay for cyclic AMP indicated that all of the tested substances increased intracellular cyclic AMP levels to some extent (from 3-fold for cholera toxin to almost 40-fold for dibutyryl cyclic AMP). Physical inactivation of explants by either freeze-thaw or heat destroyed all ciliary activity and greatly decreased intracellular cyclic AMP levels. Cyclic AMP levels of explants remained relatively constant during in vitro cultivation. Three strains of Mycoplasma pneumoniae were found to contain extremely low amounts of cyclic AMP. Infection of tracheal explants produced a significant decrease in relative ciliary activity, but only a slight decline in organ-culture cyclic AMP levels.
Highly anisotropic Bose-Einstein condensates: Crossover to lower dimensionality

We develop a simple analytical model based on a variational method to explain the properties of trapped cylindrically symmetric Bose-Einstein condensates of varying degrees of anisotropy, well into the regimes of effective one dimension and effective two dimensions. Our results are accurate in regimes where the Thomas-Fermi approximation breaks down and they are shown to be in agreement with recent experimental data. We also present analytic expressions for various ground-state properties and quasiparticle excitations valid for highly anisotropic condensates.
Chlorpromazine, administered in vivo and in vitro, inhibits the efflux of bile acids in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes

Although it has been speculated that chlorpromazine may alter the transhepatic movement of bile acids from plasma to bile, the effect of chlorpromazine on various determinants of bile acid transport in isolated rat hepatocytes remains incompletely defined. In particular, there is little information about the effect of chlorpromazine on the release of bile acids from freshly isolated hepatocytes. Therefore, we examined the effect of chlorpromazine, administered in vivo and in vitro, on the efflux rate of radiolabeled bile acids in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. In an isolated haptocyte system, it is not possible to distinguish the sinusoidal plasma membrane function of efflux (back diffusion) from the canalicular plasma membrane function of excretion. Therefore, efflux, as used in this manuscript, reflects both back diffusion and excretion. In vitro, chlorpromazine produced a rapid dose dependent significant (P<0.05) decrease of the bile acid efflux rate in freshly isolated hepatocytes. This decrease in bile acid efflux was observed at chlorpromazine concenetrations which did not alter hepatocyte plasma membrane permeability (viability), as measured by intracellular potassium content, release of lactate dehydrogenase, and trypan blue exclusion. Moreover, in freshly isolated hepatocytes from chlorpromazine pretreated rats, a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the bile acid efflux rate was also observed, and this decrease in efflux was similar in magnitude to the decrease in bile acid efflux observed following exposure of freshly isolated hepatocytes to chlorpromazine in vitro. Our experimental findings indicate that chlorpromazine does alter the efflux of bile acids by the isolated hepatocyte, and this observed alteration of hepatocyte bile acid release may have a pathophysiologic role in the develorpment of chlopromazine-induced bile secretory failute in the intact liver. (author).
Enhanced light-extraction from InGaN quantum wells using refractive-index-matched TiO 2

Enhancement of the overall luminescence efficiency in InGaN quantum wells by increasing the light-extraction efficiency is demonstrated by lateral patterning of refractive-index- matched TiO2 films on InGaN quantum well samples.
Parasitic mites of Surinam XX: Pterodex carolliae Gen. Non., Spec. Nov. (Demodiciade) from the fruit bat, Carollia Perspiciallata

ABSTRACT A new genus? Pterodex, is erected and its type species? P. carolliae, described. Pterodex, of all known demodicid genera, is most closely allied to Demodex. Gross evidences of P. carolliae infestations are noted as sluggish host movement from roost, weak flight and whitish areas of skin of the elbows. Histologic details show the mites burrow body-sized pits in the epidermis and beneath abnormally multilayered keratin. Although mites, all stages, are rarely touching the dermis, moderate to intense, abnormal and unexplained, leucocyte infiltration is found in the dermis below and beyond the sites of infestation.
Taming and promoting charisma to change organizations

Abstract Taking a sociological perspective on the accumulated literature on charisma reveals how theories and ways of operationalizing charisma depart from Weber's original conception. These departures tend to blur the distinctiveness of the charismatic form of leadership by ignoring or downplaying integral aspects of charisma, especially the precipitating crisis, the radical vision, and subsequent systemic change.
Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Coronary Heart Disease: Reconciling Divergent Findings from Observational Studies and Clinical Trials

Randomized clinical trials of menopausal hormone therapy have shown increased risks of coronary heart disease in the first few years after randomization, and neutral or increased risk over the full trial period. These results diverge substantially from the protective associations of menopausal hormone use with coronary heart disease found in observational studies. In common with many other studies, conventional analyses in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study cohort of estrogen plus progestin users showed an association with reduced risk of coronary heart disease even after adjustment for potential confounders. However, upon allowing risk to vary by time since initiation, the hazard ratios did not differ significantly from those observed in the clinical trial. In analyses combining clinical trial and observational data the hazard ratios were 1.58 (1.12, 2.24) within the first 2 years after initiation, 1.19 (0.87, 1.63) between 2 and 5 years, and 0.63 (0.59, 1.26) after 5 years. Similar analyses for estrogen alone also reconciled trial and observational data. These findings were confirmed in novel re-analyses of the Nurses’ Health Study when investigators for the first time included outcomes occurring in the interval between the biennial study cycles. The key towards understanding the underestimation of coronary heart disease in observational studies of menopausal hormone therapy appears to lie in the time-dependent nature of coronary heart disease risk rather than differences in study populations. Observational studies typically do not capture early events in current users and the data mostly reflect the experience of long-term users who have survived the early risk, while clinical trials by design capture early events very efficiently and mainly reflect short-term use.
Processor affinity and MPI performance on SMP-CMP clusters

Clusters of Symmetric MultiProcessing (SMP) nodes with multi-core Chip-Multiprocessors (CMP), also known as SMP-CMP clusters, are becoming ubiquitous today. For Message Passing interface (MPI) programs, such clusters have a multi-layer hierarchical communication structure: the performance of intra-node communication is usually higher than that of inter-node communication; and the performance of intra-node communication is not uniform with communications between cores within a chip offering higher performance than communications between cores in different chips. As a result, the mapping from Message Passing Interface (MPI) processes to cores within each compute node, that is, processor affinity, may significantly affect the performance of intra-node communication, which in turn may impact the overall performance of MPI applications. In this work, we study the impacts of processor affinity on MPI performance in SMP-CMP clusters through extensive benchmarking and identify the conditions when processor affinity is (or is not) a major factor that affects performance.
Molting in Salmonella Enteritidis-Challenged Laying Hens Fed Alfalfa Crumbles. IV. Immune and Stress Protein Response

Immunological responses of molting hens either infected or not infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis were compared in 2 trials with Single Comb White Leghorn hens >50 wk old. The hens were placed into 6 treatment groups with 12 hens per group: nonmolted Salmonella Enteritidis positive (FF+), non-molted Salmonella Enteritidis negative (FF-), feed withdrawal Salmonella Enteritidis positive (FW+), FW Salmonella Enteritidis negative (FW-), alfalfa Salmonella Enteritidis positive (ALC+), and ALC Salmonella Enteritidis negative (ALC-). Each hen in the Salmonella Enteritidis-positive groups was challenged on d 4 of the study with 1 mL of 10(6)-cfu Salmonella Enteritidis, and diets were administered for 12 d. Blood samples were collected on d 2, 5, 9, and 12, and blood smears were enumerated for heterophil to lymphocyte (H:L) ratios. Serum samples were also analyzed for alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP) levels and antibody level. On d 12, hens were euthanized and bile samples from the gall bladder and sections of the ileum and the ceca were collected, and an ELISA was used to determine the intestinal, serum, and bile antibody responses. The FW+ hens produced more (P <or= 0.05) cecal IgA than hens in all the other treatments except the FW-hens in trial 2. Bile IgA production in all Salmonella Enteritidis-positive groups was higher (P <or= 0.05) than in the Salmonella Enteritidis-negative groups, with the exception of the ALC- hens. In trial 1 on d 5, FW+ hens produced less (P <or= 0.05) serum IgG than ALC-, FF-, and FW- hens but not FF+ and ALC+ hens, whereas in trial 2, only FW- hens had lower IgG levels than FW+ hens. On d 9, FW groups exhibited increases in the H:L ratios, but on d 12, these declined to levels more similar to the other treatments. The FW hen groups yielded generally higher AGP levels compared with the other treatments on d 9 and 12 in both trials. The ALC molt diets appeared to reduce stress and inflammation, based on the H:L ratios and AGP levels in the serum, when compared with FW-molted hens.
The prescribed roles of police in a free society: Analyzing state legal codes

We examine all 50 states' legal codes to determine the roles and tasks that state legislatures require of police. We find that law enforcement is most prevalent, followed by peacekeeping and service roles. We make suggestions for remedying the lack of the service role in state legislative definitions of police.
“Fear Won't Do It” Promoting Positive Engagement With Climate Change Through Visual and Iconic Representations

Fear-inducing representations of climate change are widely employed in the public domain. However, there is a lack of clarity in the literature about the impacts that fearful messages in climate change communications have on people's senses of engagement with the issue and associated implications for public engagement strategies. Some literature suggests that using fearful representations of climate change may be counterproductive. The authors explore this assertion in the context of two empirical studies that investigated the role of visual, and iconic, representations of climate change for public engagement respectively. Results demonstrate that although such representations have much potential for attracting people's attention to climate change, fear is generally an ineffective tool for motivating genuine personal engagement. Nonthreatening imagery and icons that link to individuals' everyday emotions and concerns in the context of this macro-environmental issue tend to be the most engaging. Recommenda...
Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs): the devil is in the details.

Infectious disease clinicians traditionally have had the leadership role in recommending appropriate and optimal antibiotic use of antibiotics in hospitals. This judicious and optimized use of antimicrobial agents is the central principle of antimicrobial stewardship. In addition to increased awareness among infectious disease experts, antimicrobial stewardship has become a national priority. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) promoted antimicrobial stewardship by creating incentives to encourage new anti-infective research. The Infectious Diseases of Society of America (IDSA) launched the campaign “Bad Bugs, No Drugs” to plead for the development of new systemic antibiotics.1 While efforts at stewardship are important in their own right, the relative paucity of new agents and the spread of multi-drug resistant organisms have further emphasized the need for antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) in order to preserve the antimicrobial agents that are currently available.
Distribution and degradation of dinitroaniline herbicides in an aquatic ecosystem

Abstract The accumulation potential of six, structurally related, dinitroaniline herbicides was investigated in an aquatic ecosystem. The herbicides investigated were trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine), profluralin [N-(cyclopropylmethyl)-α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N-propyl-p-toluidine], dinitramine [N3,N3-diethyl-2,4-dinitro-6-(trifluoromethyl)-m-phenylenediamine], chlornidine [N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine], fluchloralin [N-(2-chloroethyl)-2,6-dinitro-N-propyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)aniline], and butralin [4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-N-(1-methylpropyl)-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine]. The herbicide (0.1 mg) plus 1 μCi of 14C-labeled herbicide was adsorbed on 100 g of soil (1 ppm), added to individual aquariums, and flooded with 4 liters of water. Algae, snails, and daphnia were added, and 14C in water was monitored for 30 days. Fish were added on Day 30, and all components were harvested 3 days later. Bioaccumulation ratios (concentration in organism/concentration in water) for fish depended on the amount of their exposure to sunlight: Aquariums held in the dark had higher ratios for fish (235–755) than did those exposed to sunlight (32–83). Bioaccumulation ratios in the dark for fish based on 14C from bound soil residues of butralin and profluralin were 76 and 119, respectively. Direct repeated applications of profluralin (without soil) at 4-day intervals resulted in a rapid increase, then a decrease in bioaccumulation ratios for Gambusia, but a continuous increase for catfish.
Estuarine macrobenthos in Calcasieu Lake, Louisiana: Community and trophic structure

Macrobenthic assemblages in Calcasieu Lake estuary (Louisiana) were sampled at 11 sites from October 1983 through November 1985. The sites were numerically dominated by subsurface-deposit feeders, consisting mostly of polychaetes. Greater densities of macrofauna were collected at the northern (upper) stations of the lake than were collected in West Cove or the southern stations. Abundances of polychaetes, oligochaetes, and amphipods at the upper lake stations accounted for most of the differences among stations. The numerical dominance by detritivores (97% of the fauna) and lack of strong sediment or salinity gradients across the estuary, resulted in an absence of temporal pattern in trophic structure of the macrofauna.
A rapid method for the detection of antibodies to cell surface antigens: a solid phase radioimmunoassay using cell membranes.

Abstract Cell membranes isolated from murine lymphocytes or ascites tumors bind tightly to the surface of flexible plastic microtiter plates in the absence of additional proteins. This allows the detection of membrane associated molecules by specific antibodies and thus forms the basis for a rapid and sensitive radioimmunoassay for antibodies to membrane-bound components. The assay compares favorably with a variety of methods currently used to detect antibodies to cell surface antigens. The assay detects a variety of well characterized murine cell surface antigens (H-2, T-A, T-200, Thy-1.2, Ig). The level of antibody binding to membranes on plates correlates well with antigen density on intact cells. A modification of the assay involving competition between cross-reacting antibodies allows detection and resolution of closely spaced antigenic determinants.
Direct Compare of Information Coded With Error-Correcting Codes

There are situations in a computing system where incoming information needs to be compared with a piece of stored data to locate the matching entry, e.g., cache tag array lookup and translation look-aside buffer matching. If the stored data is protected with error-correcting codes (ECC) for reliability reason, the previous solution is to access the stored information, decode and correct if necessary before it is used to compare with the incoming data. The decoding and correcting step increases the total access time, which is often critical. In this paper, we propose a method to improve the compare latency for information encoded with ECC. We use the cache tag array look-up as an example, and results show that 30% gate count reduction and 12% latency reduction are achieved.
Generation of NNBN via Photolysis of B(N3)3 in Low-Temperature Argon Matrices: IR Spectra and ab Initio Calculations

B(N3)3 was isolated in a low-temperature argon matrix and its FTIR spectrum measured. The spectrum was consistent with the known gas-phase spectrum, and splitting due to the natural abundances of 10B and 11B was observed. Upon UV photolysis, new peaks at 2100, 1861, and 1803 cm-1 assigned to the linear molecule NNBN appeared as the B(N3)3 peaks decayed. Geometry optimizations and calculations of the ground-state frequencies for 10B and 11B isotopomers B(N3)3 [MP2/6-31G(d)] and NNBN [CCSD(T)/6-311G*] are reported, and the frequencies are compared to those observed in the IR spectra. The photolytic decomposition mechanism of B(N3)3 is discussed.
Acute effects of turpentine vapor on rats and mice.

Abstract The LC 50 of turpentine vapor for rats for intervals of 1–6 hours of exposure ranged from about 20 mg/l to about 12 mg/l. A 2-hour LC 50 for mice was determined as 29 mg/l. A simple, small, inexpensive, and reliable inhalation system was used, which allowed the measurement of various parameters during exposure. An exponential equation is proposed which fits these data. Exposure to vapor caused an increase in respiratory rate, a decrease in tidal volume, and no change in minute volume in rats. No evidence was found of pulmonary lesions induced by turpentine. Tissue distribution of turpentine in rats following exposure to the vapor showed that brain and spleen had the highest concentrations immediately after exposure, as well as 60 minutes after exposure.
Cytokines induce selective granulocyte chemotactic responses

Neutrophils, eosinophils and cytokines are important in allergic airway inflammatory responses. However, it is unclear how cytokines selectively influence neutrophils versus eosinophils to migrate to an inflammatory site. The cytokines, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-5, IL-8, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), are released subsequent to allergic reactions and affect both neutrophil and eosinophil functions. We studied whether these cytokines differed in capacity to induce human neutrophil versus eosinophil migration through naked filters and human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) and human pulmonary type II-like epithelial (A549) cell monolayers grown on filters. Dose-response experiments using all barriers were performed for each granulocyte and cytokine. TGF-β1 did not induce granulocyte migration. IL-5 induced eosinophil migration only through naked filters. IL-1α stimulated neutrophil migration through cellular barriers, but not through naked filters. TNF-α and GMCSF induced neutrophil and eosinophil migration through filters, but only neutrophil migration through cellular monolayers. Only IL-8 induced significant neutrophil and eosinophil migration; however, there were clear-cut differences between the neutrophilotactic and eosinophilotactic responses through all barriers emploved. Thus, our data show that these cytokines induce distinct chemotactic responses for neutrophils versus eosinophils. Moreover, by using relevant cellular barriers versus naked filters, our data better examines the capability of these cytokines to induce selective granulocyte migration to an inflammatory site in lung diseases such as asthma.
Coronary echocardiography in 406 patients with d-loop transposition of the great arteries.

Abstract Objectives. The reliability of two-dimensional echocardiography for determining the proximal coronary artery anatomy in d-loop transposition of the great arteries was investigated in 406 infants who underwent surgical repair at one institution. Background. The origin and proximal course of the main coronary arteries can affect the surgical results of the arterial switch operation. Preoperative determination of the coronary artery anatomy appears to be advantageous for the surgeon. Methods. All infants with d-loop transposition who underwent a two-dimensional echocardiogram and primary surgical repair at our institution between 1987 and 1992 were identified, and the echocardiographic, operative and, when available, autopsy reports were reviewed for coronary artery anatomy, presence of a ventricular septal defect and the spatial relation between the arterial roots. The two-dimensional echocardiographic findings were compared with surgical or autopsy findings. The relation between proximal coronary artery anatomy and 1) a ventricular Septal defect, and 2) the spatial orientation of the arterial roots was investigated. Twenty-seven infants diagnosed wills an intramural coronary artery were not included because they are the subjects of another report. Results. Excluding intramural coronary artery patterns, 10 different types of coronary artery anatomy were seen in these 406 patients. The coronary arteries were imaged adequately in 387 (95%) of the 406 patients. The coronary artery anatomy was determined correctly by two-dimensional echocardiography in 369 (95.4%) of the 387 patients, with 18 errors in diagnosis. During the most recent 2.5 years, 193 (98.5%) of 196 patients were diagnosed correctly, with three diagnostic errors. Patients with a ventricular septal defect or side-by-side great arteries are more likely to have an unusual coronary pattern. Conclusions. Echocardiography appears to be highly reliable for determining proximal coronary artery anatomy in d-loop transposition of the great arteries. An unusual coronary artery pattern is more likely in patients with side-by-side great arteries or posterior aorta or a ventricular septal defect, or both.
IMAGE-PROCESSING PROJECTS FOR AN ALGORITHMS COURSE

Courses on algorithm analysis often include little programming, and do not emphasize application of advanced techniques to practical problems. On the other hand, students usually prefer hands-on learning, and may lack motivation to study theory. We augmented an algorithms course with a series of programming tasks, which involved application of the course material to image processing. These tasks motivated the students, and led to better understanding and retention of theoretical material. They also enabled the students to learn the basics of representing and manipulating images, along with the algorithm theory.
Modelling fluctuations the ecology of experimental animals

Abstract Although many classical studies of natural ecosystems consider the effect of a variety of environmental variables on data interpretation, that broad, systematic approach has not yet filtered down to more controlled biological studies. Laboratory and field experiments are often designed and analyzed under a restrictively simple definition of the environment. We present a case study of a clinical experiment where the variability observed in the results could be explained only after considering a broader, more complex definition of the environment. As part of a larger experiment examining the effect of 60Co radiation on canine cell‐mediated immunity, whole blood lymphocyte stimulation tests were done with blood collected monthly from seven dogs exposed to two different levels of 60Co irradiation and from four control dogs, for a period of three years, from 1977 to 1980, under semi‐controlled experimental conditions. Preliminary analysis of these 407 observations showed concurrent fluctuations in imm...
A prospective randomized study of salinesolution amnioinfusion

We performed a prospective randomized study of saline solution amnioinfusion in four types of pregnancy complications: postterm pregnancy, variable decelerations in labor, preterm labor, and oligohydramnios-suspected growth retardation. A total of 100 patients were randomized, 43 to undergo amnioinfusion and 57 to be in a control group. Patients undergoing amnioinfusion had a significantly decreased incidence of postpartum endometritis (2.4% vs 19%, p = 0.01) and a lower incidence of cesarean delivery that was due to fetal distress in labor (4.7% vs 16%, p = 0.07). The use of amnioinfusion also made a significant contribution to the four-quadrant ultrasonographic estimate of amniotic fluid volume (14.7 vs 9.8 cm, p less than 0.001). All other maternal and neonatal outcome parameters were similar between the two groups. We conclude that saline solution amnioinfusion in labor may be a beneficial procedure but that further studies are needed.
Psychogenic Obesity in Children. I

Summary 40 obese children, 15 boys and 25 girls, 4–14 years of age, were examined with a view to psychogenic factors. The children had been admitted to the Pediatric Department, University Clinic at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen and to the Dronning Louise's Children's Hospital, Copenhagen. Psychogenic factors were ascertained in 16 children, 9 boys and 7 girls. In 13 of these children, 8 boys and 5 girls, the obesity had developed after the first three years of life. In the remaining 24 children, 6 boys and 18 girls, psychogenic factors were questionable or non-existing. In 13 of these children, 1 boy and 12 girls, the obesity had begun during the first three years of life. A nonrejecting maternal overprotection was disclosed in 20 cases. Varying degrees of emotional disturbances or difficulties of adjustment were recorded in 26 cases.
It's a balloon. It's a bridge. No, it's NanoDays!

Success would require an enormous effort to get the word out and rally people around a set of difficult and abstract-seeming concepts.
The legitimation of local knowledges: introducing the postmodern into laboratory science

The idea that science simply mirrors nature has been challenged by postmodernism that has considered the way it contructs the world, our bodies and identities. But such criticisms, apart from the odd exception, have been directed at science in general with little insight or attention to actual empirical procedures that take place in laboratories, for example. This article investigates the idea that Enlightenment is not redundant, and that in fact laboratory procedures are not so different to those used in the humanities. The article shows that scientific procedure shares much with the way narratologists might analyse story. It likens representations of cancer development and cell cycles to the narratological models used by Barthes and Greimas. Science does not so much make nature reveal its secrets but offers an epistemological opportunity for examination, expression and ultimately creativity.
Volume and surface area measurement of viable chondrocytes in situ using geometric modelling of serial confocal sections

This study describes a technique for noninvasive determination of the surface area and volume of chondrocytes using the confocal scanning laser microscope, and the fundamental limitations associated with its application. Using geometric modelling principles, an isointensity surface contour was formed from a series of optical sections recorded with the confocal microscope. Using a combined surface- and volume-based algorithm, the surface area, volume and other morphometric descriptions were calculated from a polygonal description of the cell surface. The high image contrast required for repeatable identification of the cell border was achieved through the use of a fluorescent dye, which was excluded from cells by an intact membrane. Calibration results indicated that the theoretical modelling algorithm is relatively precise when applied to simulated convex (ellipsoidal) cells, with overall errors of less than 0.5% in surface area and volume measurements. When applied to low-noise, high-contrast volume data recorded on the confocal microscope, typical coefficients of variation of 2-4% were determined for length measurements, 2-5% for volume measurements and 3-6% for surface area measurements either for latex microspheres or for chondrocytes. While the precision of the method is comparable to standard histological techniques, its accuracy is difficult to assess, as systematic errors are unpredictable and may be introduced from several sources.
Ectopic expression of systemic RNA interference defective protein (SID-1) in embryonic stem cells: Implications for high-throughput gene screening

Ectopic expression of systemic RNA interference defective protein (SID-1) in embryonic stem cells: Implications for high-throughput gene screening
Null spaces of correlation matrices

Abstract Let R be the real numbers and R n the vector space of all column vectors of length n . Let C n be the convex set of all real correlation matrices of size n . If V is a subspace of R n of dimension k , we consider the face F V of C n consisting of all A∈ C n such that V⊂ N (A) , i.e., AV= 0 . If F V is nonempty, we say that V is realizable. We give complete geometric descriptions of F V in the cases k =1, n =4, and k =2, n =5. For k =2, n =5, we provide a simple algebraic method for describing F V .
A series of peroxomanganese(III) complexes supported by tetradentate aminopyridyl ligands: detailed spectroscopic and computational studies.

A set of four [MnII(L7py2R)]2+ complexes, supported by the tetradentate 1,4-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-diazepane ligand and derivatives with pyridine substituents in the 5 (R = Br) and 6 positions (R = Me and MeO), are reported. X-ray crystal structures of these complexes all show the L7py2R ligands bound to give a trans complex. Treatment of these MnII precursors with either H2O2/Et3N or KO2 in MeCN at −40 °C results in the formation of peroxomanganese complexes [MnIII(O2)(L7py2R)]+ differing only in the identity of the pyridine ring substituent. The electronic structures of two of these complexes, [MnIII(O2)(L7py2H)]+ and [MnIII(O2)(L7py2Me)]+, were examined in detail using electronic absorption, low-temperature magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and variable-temperature variable-field (VTVH) MCD spectroscopies to determine ground-state zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters and electronic transition energies, intensities, and polarizations. DFT and TD-DFT computations were used to validate the structures o...