cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CT-Less Attenuation Correction in Image Space Using Deep Learningfor Dedicated Cardiac SPECT: A Feasibility Study

223 Introduction: Dedicated cardiac SPECT scanners (e.g., GE Discovery NM 530c) with cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT) cameras have shown capabilities of shortened scan times or reduced radiation doses as well as improved image quality. Since most of the dedicated scanners do not have an integrated CT, image quantification with attenuation correction (AC) is challenging and artifacts are routinely encountered in daily clinical practice. In this work, we demonstrate a CT-less attenuation correction technique using deep learning (DL) for dedicated cardiac SPECT. Methods: In an IRB-approved study, 100 cardiac SPECT/CT datasets with 99mTc-Tetrofosmin using a GE Discovery NM 570c SPECT/CT scanner were retrospectively collected at the Yale New Haven Hospital. A U-Net-based network was used for generating attenuation-corrected SPECT (SPECTDL) directly from non-corrected SPECT (SPECTNC) without undergoing an additional image reconstruction step. Quality of the DL-generated images (SPECTDL) was evaluated by the normalized root mean square error (NRMSE), peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), and structural similarity index (SSIM). Statistical analyses were performed using joint and error histograms, demonstrating voxel-wise correlation between SPECTDL and SPECTCTAC (SPECT with CT-based AC). The clinical value of this DL-based CT-less AC was illustrated through comparison of polar bull’s eye plots. Results: In comparison to reference SPECTCTAC, NRMSEs were 0.232 ± 0.077 and 0.148 ± 0.095; PSNRs 31.3 ± 2.8 and 36.2 ± 4.1; SSIMs 0.984 ± 0.008 and 0.993 ± 0.006 for SPECTNC and SPECTDL, respectively. These results were consistent with the joint histograms that showed the voxel-wise correlations of 92.2% ± 3.7 (slope = 0.87; R2 = 0.81) for SPECTNC and 97.7% ± 1.8 (slope = 0.94; R2 = 0.91) for SPECTDL, which was consistent with the comparison of their error histograms. Review of polar bull’s eye plots revealed successful demonstration of reduced attenuation artifacts; however, the performance of SPECTDL was not consistent for all subjects likely because of patient-specific acquisition geometries and uptake patterns. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the feasibility of CT-less AC using deep learning for potential clinical applications in dedicated cardiac SPECT not combined with CT. Furthermore, the results showed that CT-less AC could provide similar quantification accuracy as compared to the conventional CTAC for dedicated cardiac SPECT imaging. Acknowledgements: The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health under grants R01HL135490, R01EB026331, R01HL123949, and American Heart Association award 18PRE33990138.
Coherence, Courage, and Community: Lessons Learned from Professor Teresa Amabile

Jing Zhou also blends a personal account of Teresa’s work with her professional influence. Zhou commends Amabile’s research for three main reasons: (1) creating a coherent body of work, (2) being courageous in challenging assumptions, and (3) making a positive contribution to the community. She then details how these commendable aspects of Amabile’s work have helped inspire her own research contributions, including the interactional effects of personal and situational variables on creativity, her recent work on the receiving side of creativity, and many valuable reviews of the literature on creativity in organizations.
Galaxy-lens determination of H0: the effect of the ellipse + shear modelling assumption

Galaxy lenses are frequently modeled as an elliptical mass distribution with external shear and isothermal spheres to account for secondary and line-of-sight galaxies. There is statistical evidence that some fraction of observed quads are inconsistent with these assumptions, and require a dipole-like contribution to the mass with respect to the light. Simplifying assumptions about the shape of mass distributions can lead to the incorrect recovery of parameters such as $H_0$. We create several tests of synthetic quad populations with different deviations from an elliptical shape, then fit them with an ellipse+shear model, and measure the recovered values of $H_0$. Kinematic constraints are not included. We perform two types of fittings -- one with a single point source and one with an array of sources emulating an extended source. We carry out two model-free comparisons between our mock quads and the observed population. One result of these comparisons is a statistical inconsistency not yet mentioned in the literature: the image distance ratios with respect to the lens center of observed quads appear to span a much wider range than those of synthetic or simulated quads. Bearing this discrepancy in mind, our mock populations can result in biases on $H_0$ $\sim10\%$.
Staying close to home: Ecological constraints on space use and range fidelity in a mountain ungulate.

Understanding patterns of animal space use and range fidelity has important implications for species and habitat conservation. For species that live in highly seasonal environments, such as mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus), spatial use patterns are expected to vary in relation to seasonal changes in environmental conditions and sex- or age-specific selection pressures. To address hypotheses about sex, age, and seasonality influence on space-use ecology, we collected GPS location data from 263 radio-collared mountain goats (males, n = 140; females, n = 123) in coastal Alaska during 2005-2016. Location data were analyzed to derive seasonal and sex-specific fixed-kernel home range estimates and to quantify the degree of seasonal range and utilization distribution overlap. Overall, we determined that home range size was smallest during winter, expanded coincident with the onset of green-up and parturition, and was largest during summer. Home range size of males and females did not differ significantly during winter, but females had larger home ranges than males during summer, a relationship that was switched during the mating season. Pairwise comparisons involving individual females across subsequent years indicated home ranges were significantly smaller during years when they gave birth to offspring. Mountain goats exhibited a strong degree of range fidelity, and 99% (n = 138) of individual animals returned to their previous year's seasonal range with an average annual Bhattacharyya's affinity utilization distribution overlap index of 68%. Similarity of seasonal home range utilization distributions varied in relation to sex and season in some respects. Home range overlap was highest during the summer vegetation growing season, particularly among females. These findings advance our understanding about how environmental variation and sex- and age-related reproductive constraints influence space use and range fidelity among alpine ungulates. Documentation of the high degree of range fidelity among mountain goats has important conservation implications in landscapes increasingly altered by anthropogenic activities.
Therapeutic Implications of Detecting MAPK-Activating Alterations in Cutaneous and Unknown Primary Melanomas.

Purpose: Cutaneous and unknown primary melanomas frequently harbor alterations that activate the MAPK pathway. Whether MAPK driver detection beyond BRAF V600 is clinically relevant in the checkpoint inhibitor era is unknown. Experimental Design: Patients with melanoma were prospectively offered tumor sequencing of 341–468 genes. Oncogenic alterations in 28 RTK-RAS-MAPK pathway genes were used to construct MAPK driver groups. Time to treatment failure (TTF) was determined for patients who received first-line programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) monotherapy, nivolumab plus ipilimumab, or subsequent genomically matched targeted therapies. A Cox proportional hazards model was constructed for TTF using driver group and clinical variables. Results: A total of 670 of 696 sequenced melanomas (96%) harbored an oncogenic RTK-RAS-MAPK pathway alteration; 33% had ≥1 driver. Nine driver groups varied by clinical presentation and mutational burden. TTF of PD-1 monotherapy (N = 181) varied by driver, with worse outcomes for NRAS Q61 and BRAF V600 versus NF1 or other alterations (median 4.2, 7.5, 22, and not reached; P Conclusions: Targeted capture multigene sequencing can detect oncogenic RTK-RAS-MAPK pathway alterations in almost all cutaneous and unknown primary melanomas. TTF of PD-1 monotherapy varies by mechanism of ERK activation. Oncogenic kinase fusions can be successfully targeted in immune checkpoint inhibitor–refractory melanoma.
The Relation Between Training Asymmetry and Supervisory Working Alliance: Implications for the Role of Supervisors in Implementation

Clinical supervision can effectively support the use of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) in community settings. However, implementation of multiple EBTs can lead to different training experiences f...
Geschwindigkeitsverteilung in rotationssymmetrischen Drallströmungen inkompressibler Flüssigkeiten

Supplementing an earlier publication the author investigates axially symmetric rotational flows of friction-free homogeneous incompressible fluids, which are in hydrodynamic equilibrium and in which not only the tangential velocities but also the energy content of the flowing liquid may have any distribution. The analysis is reduced to the calculation of meridional components of the local flow velocities. The experimental checks on the theory have disclosed that there is good agreement between the calculated and the measured flows.
Thematic Categorization and Analysis of Peer Reviewed Articles in the LISA Database, 2004-2005

A Review of: Gonzalez-Alcaide, Gregorio, Lourdes Castello-Cogolles, Carolina Navarro-Molina, et al. “Library and Information Science Research Areas: Analysis of Journal Articles in LISA.” Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 59.1 (2008): 150-4. Objective – To provide an updated categorization of Library and Information Science (LIS) publications and to identify trends in LIS research. Design – Bibliometric study. Setting – The Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA) database via the CSA Illumina interface. Subjects – 11,273 item records published from 2004-2005 and indexed in LISA. Methods – First, a search was set up to retrieve all records from 2004-2005, limited to peer review items (called “arbitrated works” by the authors (150)) and excluding book reviews. Second, thematic descriptor terms used for the records were identified. Frequency counts for descriptor term occurrence were compiled using Microsoft Access and Pajek software programs. From the results of this search, the top terms were analyzed using the Kamada-Kawai algorithm in order to eliminate descriptor term co-occurrence frequencies under 30. A cluster analysis was used to depict thematic foci for the remaining records, providing a co-word network that visually identified topic areas of most frequent publication. Conclusions were drawn from these findings, and recommendations for further research were provided. Main Results – The authors identified 18 “thematic research core fields” (152) clustered around three large categories, “World Wide Web”, “Education”, and “Libraries”, plus 12 additional peripheral categories, and provided a schematic of field interrelationships. Conclusion – Domains of greatest focus for research “continue to be of practical and applied nature,” (153) but include increased emphasis on the World Wide Web and communications technologies, as well as on user studies. A table of the most frequently occurring areas of research along with their top three descriptor terms is provided (Table 1, 152) (e.g., “World Wide Web” as the top area of research, with “online information retrieval” (268 occurrences), “searching” (132 occurrences), and “web sites” (115 occurrences)).
Human Genome Diversity Project (HGDP)

The Human Genome Diversity Project was proposed as a public project to collect and analyze DNA samples from diverse human populations. While never realized as an actual DNA collection, the investigation of human genetic variation largely has been taken over by more biomedically oriented initiatives. Keywords: genetic variation; diversity; indigenous people; bioethics; race; ethnicity
Spinners and chartmoves: A contingency management system for school and home

A practical child management procedure is presented which incorporates self-recording, variable schedules of reinforcement, and a practical data collection system. The proposed system has two basic components, chartmoves and spinners. The chart is generally a picture with 30 to 100 dots and functions as a data collection system and indicates when a reinforcer has been programmed. Reinforcers are set up by randomly placing large dots (reinforcer dot), which make up the picture. When a child exhibits an appropriate target behavior, he is allowed to connect two dots on the picture. Each dot is covered with a scratch off ink; if the last dot connected is large the child receives a reinforcer. Chartmoves (connection of dots) are dated and initialed by the teacher allowing a record of progress to be kept with little effort by the teacher or parent. The second component to the system is the spinner. The spinner is an unevenly divided circle (generally five sections) with each section containing a reinforcer, plu...
Case-specific protocol to reduce cerebrospinal fluid leakage after endonasal endoscopic surgery

Object Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery is expanding in acceptance, yet postoperative CSF leak rates remain a concern. This study presents the Cornell closure protocol, which has yielded significantly lower postoperative CSF leak rates compared with prior reports, as an algorithm that can be used by centers having difficulty with CSF leak. Methods A single closure algorithm for endoscopic surgery has been used since January 2010 at Weill Cornell Medical College. A prospective database noting intraoperative CSF leak, closure technique, and postoperative CSF leak was reviewed. The authors used a MEDLINE search to identify similar studies and compared CSF leak rates to those of patients treated using the Cornell algorithm. Results The retrospective study of a prospectively acquired database included 209 consecutive patients. In 84 patients (40%) there was no intraoperative CSF leak and no postoperative CSF leak. In the 125 patients (60%) with an intraoperative CSF leak, 35 of them with high-flow leaks, the...
Oxygen Depletion Variations in Planetary Nebulae and Shells Ejected from Luminous Population I Stars

Recent studies by the Peimberts have noted an anticorrelation between 0 and N abundances in the Type I He- and N-rich PN, such that N ) is approximately constant. We report observations of the spectra and composition of several “planetary nebula-like” shells surrounding more luminous population I 0- and WR-stars, which indicate that this 0-N anticorrelation extends upwards in the HR diagram to among the most luminous stars known, with 0/H values in the shells ranging down to -2 dex below Solar. We report optical and UV spectrophotometry of the shell nebulae NGC 2359, NGC 6164-5, NGC 6888, NGC 7635, AG Carinae, and the condensations around Eta Carinae, which generally support this anticorrelation trend. We also discuss variations in other elements such as He, C, S, and Ar in these shell nebulae, and compare the compositional variations to the expectations from stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis models of intermediate and massive stars.
Anomalous cosmic rays and solar modulation

We review aspects of anomalous cosmic rays (ACRs) that bear on the solar modulation of energetic particles in the heliosphere. We show that the latitudinal and radial gradients of these particles exhibit a 22-year periodicity in concert with the reversal of the Sun’s magnetic field. The power-law index of the low energy portion of the energy spectrum of ACRs at the shock in 1996 appears to be ≤ −1.3, suggesting that the strength of the solar wind termination shock at the helioequatorial plane is relatively weak, with s ≤ 2.8. The rigidity dependence of the perpendicular interplanetary mean free path in the outer heliosphere for particles with rigidities between ~ 0.2 and 0.7 GV varies approximately asR 2, whereRis particle rigidity. There is evidence that ACR oxygen is primarily multiply charged above ~ 20 MeV/nuc and primarily singly-charged below ti 16 MeV/nuc. The location of the termination shock was at ~ 65 AU in 1987 and ~ 85 AU in 1994.
A modified step test for group cardiovascular testing.

(1971). A Modified Step Test for Group Cardiovascular Testing. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 91-95.
Sonar image processing: An application of template matching through relaxation

This paper dlscusses the use of high-level templates and relaxation techniques in processing side-scan sonar images. The images examined do not have enough resolution to identify the objects individually. Distances and orientations among groups of objects are stable, however, and provide the information necessary to unambiguously identify each object. The identified targets are then used to provide navigation information for underwater vehicles. Much of the work described is an application and refinement of established techniques, most directly those of Davis. Low-level filtering, template matching, relaxation and M. search are all discussed.
Beta-blocker use is associated with lower stroke and death after carotid artery stenting.

Background Proper selection of patients for carotid artery stenting (CAS) remains controversial despite multiple controlled trials. This relates in part to differences in interpretation of the relative importance of myocardial vs stroke complications after the procedure by different specialties and a lack of granular clinical data to analyze outcomes outside the large clinical trials. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of preoperative medications, procedure parameters, and patient characteristics on outcomes of CAS performed in a multispecialty national database. Methods We analyzed all patients who underwent CAS between 2005 and 2014 in the Vascular Quality Initiative. A multivariate logistic regression model was built to assess the effects of age, gender, comorbidities, smoking, preprocedure medications, procedure details, and hypotension or hypertension that required intravenous medication on 30-day death or stroke rates. Results A total of 5263 patients underwent CAS (mean age, 70 years; 63% male). The 30-day stroke/death rate was 3.4% (1.5% minor stroke, 0.9% major stroke, and 1.2% death; 40% of patients who had major strokes died within 30 days), and the myocardial infarction rate was 0.8%. Postprocedural hypertension requiring treatment occurred in 519 cases (9.9%), and it was associated with a 3.4-fold increase in stroke/death (odds ratio, 3.39; 95% confidence interval, 2.30-5.00; P 30 days was associated with a 34% reduction in the stroke/death risk (odds ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.46-0.95; P = .025) compared with nonuse. Beta-blocker use was not associated with postprocedural hypotension. Other predictors of postoperative stroke and death included age, symptomatic status, diabetes (type 1 or type 2), and postprocedural hypotension, whereas prior carotid endarterectomy and distal embolic protection use were protective. Conclusions Postprocedural hypertension and hypotension that require treatment are both strongly associated with periprocedural stroke/death after CAS. Beta blockers significantly reduce the stroke/death risk associated with carotid stenting and should be investigated prospectively for potential use during CAS.
Pb-free ferroelectrics investigated with density functional theory: SnAl 1/2 Nb 1/2 O 3 perovskites

Interest in Pb-free ferroelectrics has intensified as the search for less toxic Pb replacements continues. Since Sn is isoelectronic with Pb, it has generated great interest. Most of this effort has focused on SnTiO${}_{3}$. Even though it shows impressive ferroelectricity in calculations, synthesis has proved elusive. We therefore use density-functional theory (DFT) to investigate $B$-site alternatives that involve smaller size to promote perovskite phase stability. In this paper, Sn(Al${}_{1/2}$Nb${}_{1/2}$)O${}_{3}$ (SAN) is investigated. We demonstrate that SAN is likely to be synthesizable, will be ferroelectric, and perhaps a good piezoelectric material as well. We discuss how cation displacements and their interactions affect the polarization of the solid solution. We also explore the electronic properties of the SAN solid solution and correlate them to the structural findings.
Quantum Chemical Calculations of Sulfate Adsorption at the Al- and Fe-(Hydr)oxide-H2O InterfaceEstimation of Gibbs Free Energies

Quantum chemical calculations were performed to estimate relative Gibbs free energies of sulfate adsorption on variably charged Al- and Fe-(hydr)oxide clusters. Inner-sphere bidentate bridging and monodentate adsorption were predicted to be exergonic on positively charged Al- and Fe-(hydr)oxides (ranging from −19 to −124 kJ mol-1). However, inner-sphere and H-bonded adsorption on neutral Al- and Fe-(hydr)oxides was predicted to be endergonic (ranging from +5 to +61 kJ mol-1). At the highest positive surface charge, bidentate bridging adsorption was most thermodynamically favorable. At intermediate positive surface charge, bidentate bridging and monodentate adsorption energies were equivalent on Al-(hydr)oxides; monodentate adsorption was more thermodynamically favorable on Fe-(hydr)oxides as compared with bidentate bridging adsorption. The predicted thermodynamic favorability of sulfate adsorption on Al- and Fe-(hydr)oxides was directly related to positive surface charge and indirectly related to the HO-/...
Syntactic locus as a determinant of judged pause duration

This study sought to determine if the syntactic location of a speech pause might affect its apparent duration. Ss listened to a continuous discourse, being required to attend to its content as well as to make judgments, now and then, as to the duration of particular pauses. For pauses all actually of the same length, it was found that those falling at a minor within-sentence break, as syntactically defined, were characteristically judged to be longer than those falling at a major within-sentence break or at a between-sentence break, with no difference between the two latter cases. These results, obtained in a perceptual task involving a minimum of extraordinary or disruptive features, are taken as evidence for the power of syntactic variables in affecting attention during listening to speech.
The influence of incisal veneering porcelain thickness of two metal ceramic crown systems on failure resistance after cyclic loading.

Statement of problem In some clinical situations, the length of either a prepared tooth or an implant abutment is shorter than ideal, and the occlusal clearance to be restored by a porcelain crown is large. Incisal thickness of the coping and the veneering porcelain should be considered to prevent mechanical failure of the crown. Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of incisal veneering porcelain thickness of metal ceramic systems on failure resistance after cyclic loading. Material and methods With a standardized technique, 60 metal ceramic anterior crowns with 2 different incisal thicknesses of porcelain veneer (2.0 and 4.0 mm) and 2 different metal alloys (Pisces Plus (B), base metal, and Leo (N), high noble metal) were fabricated to fit a custom abutment and divided into 4 groups (B20, B40, N20, N40) (n=15). The crowns were then cemented using resin cement (PANAVIA 21) and thermal cycled and mechanically cycle loaded (49-N load) for 2,000,000 cycles. The specimens were evaluated for cracks and/or bulk fracture with an optical stereomicroscope (x10) and assigned a score of success, survival, or failure. The specimens without bulk fracture after cyclic loading were loaded along the long axis of the tooth, on the incisal edge, in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1.5 mm/min until fracture. The fracture strength value (N) was recorded. The exact logistic regression and Fisher's exact test were used to study the effect of different alloys and porcelain incisal thicknesses on the success and survival rates after cycle loading. The forces at failure (fracture) of different groups were compared using the rank transform-based nonparametric 2-way ANOVA (α=.05). Results According to exact logistic regression, crowns of the high noble alloy group showed significantly higher success rates ( P =.002) than those of the base metal group after cyclic loading. The success rate of the crowns with 2 mm of incisal veneering porcelain was significantly higher ( P P =.04, Fisher's exact test). As for survival rate, the exact logistic regression indicated that neither metal type ( P =.11) nor thickness ( P =.60) had a significant effect. The 2-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of thickness ( P =.001) and no significant effect of metal type ( P =.08) on the failure load. Conclusions The high noble metal ceramic crowns demonstrated a significantly higher success rate after cyclic loading than the base metal ceramic crowns. Crowns with a porcelain incisal thickness of 2 mm showed, for both metal ceramic systems, a greater success rate than those with a 4-mm incisal thickness. (J Prosthet Dent 2010;103:275-282)
Differences between unipolar depression and bipolar II depression in women.

Abstract Background Bipolar disorder II (BPII) and unipolar depression (UD) are both characterized by episodes of major depression (MDE), however DSM-IV criteria for MDE are identical, regardless of diagnosis. As a result, misdiagnosis of BP II and UD is common, leading to inappropriate treatment. Because women are twice as likely as men to experience MDE, differentiating UD from BP II in the context of depression is especially important for women. We examined symptoms and clinical features of MDE in women with UD and BPII to compare presentations of the two disorders in women. Methods We compared characteristics of depressed women meeting DSM-IV criteria for BPII (n=48) or UD (n=48), matched on age. Results Feelings of worthlessness occurred in 98% of participants with UD versus 85% with BPII (p=0.03). Participants with UD experienced either insomnia or hypersomnia, but participants with BPII were more likely to experience both simultaneously (p=0.04). Those with UD were significantly less likely to have >5 prior mood episodes compared to those with BP II (12% versus 61%; p Limitations Small sample size and exclusion criteria (i.e., comorbid substance abuse) may limit generalizability of findings. Conclusions Among a sample of women, number of prior episodes, feelings of worthlessness, age of onset, and sleep patterns distinguished between UD and BP II depressive episodes. A better understanding of differential presentation of BP II versus UD depression in women may help guide clinicians to more accurate diagnoses and, ultimately, better treatment.
Conductance of electron tunneling through a quantum dot

Abstract A resonant tunneling mechanism of electron tunneling through a quantum dot is proposed. It is found that the conductance shows (1) an approximate periodic oscillation structure for a large occupation number of electrons in the dot and (2) a “shell” structure for a small occupation number. A pair structure reflected by the even- and odd-occupation number is revealed in peak heights and line widths as well as separations between adjacent peaks of the oscillations. These predictions are in excellent agreement with experimental measurements.
Piezo Proteins: Regulators of Mechanosensation and Other Cellular Processes

Piezo proteins have recently been identified as ion channels mediating mechanosensory transduction in mammalian cells. Characterization of these channels has yielded important insights into mechanisms of somatosensation, as well as other mechano-associated biologic processes such as sensing of shear stress, particularly in the vasculature, and regulation of urine flow and bladder distention. Other roles for Piezo proteins have emerged, some unexpected, including participation in cellular development, volume regulation, cellular migration, proliferation, and elongation. Mutations in human Piezo proteins have been associated with a variety of disorders including hereditary xerocytosis and several syndromes with muscular contracture as a prominent feature.
Whatever happened to the group in social psychology

Abstract For a decade following World War II social psychologists tended to view the individual as an element in a larger system. Research on small groups prospered, and attitudes and social perceptions were conceived to be antecedents and consequences of group activity. But by the 1960's social psychology had become much more individualistic. Interest in the group as a system had waned and research was generally focused on intraindividual events or processes that mediate responses to social situations. We now appear to be passing through a period of transition during which both the content and methodology of past research are being re-evaluated, and from which new trends are likely to emerge. Possible explanations of the changing orientation of social psychology are discussed, and predictions are advanced concerning future developments. It is suggested that social psychologists are responsive to the mood of the times, and that recent social and political unheavals presage a revival of the collectivistic approach.
EFFECTS OF D-AMPHETAMINE ON RESPONSE ACQUISITION WITH IMMEDIATE AND DELAYED REINFORCEMENT

The present study examined in 8-hour sessions the effects of d-amphetamine (1.0, 5.6, and 10 mg/kg) on the acquisition of lever-press responding in rats that were exposed to procedures in which water delivery was delayed by 0, 8, or 16 seconds relative to the response that produced it. Both nonresetting- and resetting-delay conditions were studied. Although neither shaping nor autoshaping occurred, substantial levels of operative-lever responding developed under all conditions in which responses produced water. The lowest dose (1.0 mg/kg) of d-amphetamine either had no effect on or increased operative-lever pressing, whereas higher doses typically produced an initial reduction in lever pressing. Nonetheless, overall rates of operative-lever pressing at these doses were as high as, or higher than, those observed with vehicle. Thus, response acquisition was observed under all reinforcement procedures at all drug doses. In the absence of the drug, most responding occurred on the operative lever when reinforcement was immediate. Such differential responding also developed under both nonresetting- and resetting-delay procedures when the delay was 8 seconds, but not when it was 16 seconds. d-Amphetamine did not affect the development of differential responding under any procedure. Thus, consistent with d-amphetamine's effects under repeated acquisition procedures, the drug had no detrimental effect on learning until doses that produced general behavioral disruption were administered.
Mark-recapture and mark-resight methods for estimating abundance with remote cameras: a carnivore case study.

Abundance estimation of carnivore populations is difficult and has prompted the use of non-invasive detection methods, such as remotely-triggered cameras, to collect data. To analyze photo data, studies focusing on carnivores with unique pelage patterns have utilized a mark-recapture framework and studies of carnivores without unique pelage patterns have used a mark-resight framework. We compared mark-resight and mark-recapture estimation methods to estimate bobcat (Lynx rufus) population sizes, which motivated the development of a new "hybrid" mark-resight model as an alternative to traditional methods. We deployed a sampling grid of 30 cameras throughout the urban southern California study area. Additionally, we physically captured and marked a subset of the bobcat population with GPS telemetry collars. Since we could identify individual bobcats with photos of unique pelage patterns and a subset of the population was physically marked, we were able to use traditional mark-recapture and mark-resight methods, as well as the new “hybrid” mark-resight model we developed to estimate bobcat abundance. We recorded 109 bobcat photos during 4,669 camera nights and physically marked 27 bobcats with GPS telemetry collars. Abundance estimates produced by the traditional mark-recapture, traditional mark-resight, and “hybrid” mark-resight methods were similar, however precision differed depending on the models used. Traditional mark-recapture and mark-resight estimates were relatively imprecise with percent confidence interval lengths exceeding 100% of point estimates. Hybrid mark-resight models produced better precision with percent confidence intervals not exceeding 57%. The increased precision of the hybrid mark-resight method stems from utilizing the complete encounter histories of physically marked individuals (including those never detected by a camera trap) and the encounter histories of naturally marked individuals detected at camera traps. This new estimator may be particularly useful for estimating abundance of uniquely identifiable species that are difficult to sample using camera traps alone.
Attenuation of High-Energy Transverse Phonons

The role of four-phonon processes in the decay of high-energy phonons, i.e. $\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\gg}{k}_{\mathrm{B}}T$, from the lowest (transverse) phonon branch is discussed. The effects of the quartic anharmonic interaction, as well as the cubic anharmonic interaction calculated in the second Born approximation, are included. The largest fourphonon processes are found to be $t+t\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}t+t$ and $t+l\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}t+t$. A comparison of the four-phonon decay rate with the three-phonon decay calculated by Orbach and Vredevoe shows that both processes are very small at low temperatures, whereas at intermediate temperatures the three- and four-phonon decay rates are comparable in magnitude, the four-phonon rate being proportional to ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{2}{T}^{5}$ in the high-frequency region, i.e. for $\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\gg}{k}_{\mathrm{B}}T$. A discussion of the relation between the present high-energy attenuation results ($\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\gg}{k}_{\mathrm{B}}T$) and previous results obtained for low energy ($\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\ll}{k}_{\mathrm{B}}T$) is presented.
Unusual ruthenium hydride complexes supported by the [N(2-PPh2-4-Me-C6H3)2] pincer ligand

Complexes of Ru(II) containing the pincer ligand [−N(2-PPh2-4-Me-C6H3)2] (PNPPh) were prepared. The complex (PNPPhH)RuCl2 (1) was treated with 2 equiv AgOTf to produce the triflate complex (PNPPhH)Ru(OTf)2 (2). Complex 1 was also treated with an excess of NaBH4 to give a bimetallic complex [(PNPPh)RuH3]2 (3). A number of methods, including X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and computational studies, were used to probe the structure of 3. Addition of Lewis bases to 3 resulted in octahedral complexes containing a hydride ligand trans to a dihydrogen ligand.
A different approach to immersion fixation of human dental pulp and odontoblast processes.

Abstract A low-speed diamond-edge rotary saw microtome was used to prepare freshly extracted human teeth for fixation. The teeth were sliced transversely 900 μm thick using saline as a coolant; the slices were immersed in glutaraldehyde fixative within 10 min of tooth extraction. After flat-embedding in Araldite, sections were reduced to 70 μm thickness and examined with light microscopy. Selected areas were processed for electron microscopy. In the light microscope, the entire pulp appeared to be well fixed. Electron microscopy showed that the contents of most of the tubules near the predentine were well fixed and microfilaments and microtubules were present in odontoblast processes. The quality of fixation with this method was at least as good as other methods applicable to teeth with the advantage that the integrity of the entire dental pulp was preserved.
The Development of Constant Items for Speech Discrimination Testing

Subjects were English-speaking adults with hearing impairment. Etiology of hearing loss did not enter into selection. Consonant errors were observed on speech discrimination test lists employing a ...
Yolk androgen deposition as a compensatory strategy

The deposition of androgens into the yolks of eggs can have long-lasting effects on the growth and development of young birds. It has been proposed that female birds and reptiles deposit yolk androgens according to the differential allocation hypothesis (DAH), which posits the allocation of more resources to offspring sired by more attractive, higher-quality males. We examined deposition patterns of yolk androgens in relation to mate attractiveness in the house finch Carpodacus mexicanus. Contrary to the predictions of the DAH, female house finches deposited significantly more androgens into eggs sired by less attractive males. We propose that, rather than serving as resources, androgens are used as mediators in a compensatory distribution strategy, enabling females to improve the quality of young produced with less attractive males.
Promace day 1/MOPP day 8 chemotherapy for prolymphocytic leukemia: A case report of prolonged survival

The treatment result of a case of de novo B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (B-PLL) is described. The diagnosis was established with histologic, ultrastructural and immunologic studies. The patient was treated with chemotherapy using a total of seven cycles of ProMACE Day 1/MOPP Day 8 lymphoma regimen. Complete remission was achieved after 5 cycles of chemotherapy. The patient remains disease free after a 7-year follow up. This is the first case of PLL being treated with such a regimen and the only case reported achieved such prolonged survival. Results of other treatment modalities are reviewed. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Ethylene biosynthesis in fruit tissues.

Tracer studies with avocado tissues indicate that methionine is converted to ethylene at stages of the climacteric rise and the climacteric peak, but not at the preclimacteric stage. The results suggest that the control of ethylene biosynthesis is at a step after methionine is synthesized. The endogenous content of methionine was found to be so low that methionine must be actively turned over for ethylene biosynthesis during the stages when the rate of ethylene production is high. Oxygen was found to be essential for this conversion, indicating that at least one of the steps in conversion of methionine to ethylene is oxygen-dependent. The ability of methionine and its keto analogue (α-keto-γ-methylthiobutyric acid) to serve as ethylene precursors by apple tissues was compared. Chemical and kinetic evidence support the view that methionine is a closer precursor of ethylene than its keto analogue.
Mechanical behavior of marine risers: mode of influence of principal parameters

This paper attempts to identify the principal parameters that influence the behavior of drilling and production risers and to explain how and why they do so. Clear understanding of these influences enable particular risers to be optimized rapidly without recourse to an inordinate number of computer analyses. The points of greatest concern, to the riser designer, are: stress levels in the main length of riser; angular movement at sea bed (or moment, if the connection is rigid); relative movement at riser/platform connection. The approach used in the paper has been to derive analytical expressions, for simplified riser cases. Conclusions drawn from these expressions have then been checked for validity, by using a dynamic analysis computer program to simulate a wide range of cases.
Alexander's Intelligence System

It has frequently been recognized that the collection and use of accurate military intelligence was of fundamental importance for the success of Alexander's campaigns. No intelligent strategic or tactical decision can be made by any commander without advance knowledge of an enemy's location, strength, his capabilities and weaknesses, and the geography of the projected campaign. However, an analysis of the procedures Alexander used to obtain and evaluate intelligence has never been undertaken. This neglect is probably the result of the scattered and unsatisfactory nature of the references to Alexander's intelligence procedures in our ancient sources.
Victoria blue and night blue affecting the production of respiration-deficient mutants in yeast

Abstract Victoria blue 4R, Victoria blue B and night blue are effective to induce the respiration-deficient mutation in baker's yeast. But the efficacy is rather low as compared with that of many other basic dyes. Those dyes under discussion are differentially toxic to the normal and repiration-deficient cultures, suppressing the latter at one-sixth to one-eighth times as low levels as those for the former. Very small doses of those dyes often interfere counter-actively with some other inducers, namely acriflavine, pararosanilin, pyronin B, pyronin Y and caffeine. But they sometimes act promotively when their doses are close to the threshold levels, respectively. A strikingly promotive interference appears when they are applied in combination with acridine red 3B. Some possible relationships of the molecular configurations in those dyes to the unusual effects are discussed.
Effect of the 308-nm excimer laser on tooth dentin

The use of the laser for applications in electronics, industry and medicine is growing at a rapid pace. Dental applications for lasers, developed to date, have primarily been used for surgery on soft tissues. The pulsed output of the 308 nm excimer laser and the photochemical rather than photothermal action offers the ability to cut on dental structures with minimal generation of heat. In a previous study the action of the 308 nm excimer laser on dental enamel was demonstrated. This study showed that a hole of controlled diameter and depth could be produced. The study has now been extended to determine the effect of the 308 nm excimr laser on dentin. Energy densities of 50, 70 and 90 mJ/mm' were used while exposing points on the dentin surface 500, 1000, 1500, 3000 and 4000 pulses (each 100 pulses equal to 5 seconds time). Tooth samples were rigidly fixed in position while the laser beam was transmitted to the dentin surface through a uv-grade fused silica fiber optic light guide, 600 microns in core diameter. Results showed that a symmetrical hole could be produced in the dentin surface, accurately controlling diameter and depth of penetration. Further results demonstrated that the dentin smear layer was removed and the dentinal tubules could be sealed with the 308 nm excimer laser.
One-Step Synthesis of Phosphine-Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles Using the Mild Reducing Agent 9-BBN

A simple method to synthesize phosphine-stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of narrow size dispersion using the mild reducing agent 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN) is described. The methodology produces particles 1.2−2.8 nm in size depending on the reaction conditions and the phosphine ligand used. The phosphine-stabilized AuNPs exhibit size dependent localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) behavior as measured by UV−visible spectroscopy. 31P NMR spectroscopy analysis of triphenylphosphine−AuNPs (TPP−AuNPs) shows a peak shift to 63.0 ppm compared to pure TPP at −5.4 ppm which is attributed to adsorption of TPP on the AuNP surface. Synthesis of trioctylphosphine-stabilized AuNPs demonstrates the versatility of the 9-BBN-based method. We present initial investigations of using TPP−AuNPs as precursor materials for nanoparticles functionalized with other ligands through ligand exchange reactions with dodecanethiol (DDT) and 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA).
N-Terminal Regulation of hERG1 K+ Channel Deactivation

Slow deactivation of hERG1 (Kv 11.1) potassium channels maintains IKr during final repolarization of the cardiac action potential and opposes asynchronous early depolarization. Inherited point mutations in hERG1 that accelerate deactivation of IKr cause long QT syndrome (LQTS), a disorder of ventricular repolarization that increases the risk of lethal cardiac arrhythmia.The intracellular N-terminal domain of hERG1 is known to be essential for slow deactivation. Deletion of the entire (∼350 residues) or just the initial 16 residues of the N-terminus accelerates deactivation 10-fold. The same effect is achieved by neutralization of the charged residues, Arg4 or Arg5. How many of the 4 N-termini are required to slow channel deactivation is unknown.hERG1, like other Kv channels, is a homotetramer. By repeatedly linking the C-terminal of one subunit to the N-terminal of the next subunit we constructed concatenated hERG1 tetramers. A variety of homomeric and heteromeric concatenated tetramers were characterized (i.e., WTn/R4A:R5A(4-n); where n = 1 to 4). The concatenated channel containing a single R4A/R5A subunit and 3 wild-type subunits deactivated as fast as the concatenated channel containing only R4A/R5A subunits. The LQTS-associated mutation R56Q, located in the N-terminal of hERG1 was also studied. Again, a concatenated tetramer containing a single mutant subunit deactivated as fast as channels with R56Q mutations in all four subunits. Our results show that all 4 N-termini are required to mediate slow deactivation in wild-type hERG1 channels.
Infrared transparent spinel films with p-type conductivity

Spinel oxide films containing at least two transition metal cations were found to exhibit p-type conductivity with high optical transparency from the visible to wavelengths near 15 μm. Resistivities as low as 0.003 Ω cm were measured on 100-nm thick rf sputter deposited films that contained nickel and cobalt. Optical spectra, Raman scattering and XPS measurements indicated the valency of nickel localized on octahedral sites within the spinel lattice determines these properties. A resistivity minimum was found at the composition NiCo 2 O 4 deposited from aqueous or alcoholic solutions followed by subsequent annealing at 400°C in air. Solution deposited films richer in nickel than this stoichiometry, were always found to phase separate into nickel oxide and a spinel phase with concomitant loss in conductivity. However, the phase stability region could be extended to higher nickel contents when rf-sputter deposition techniques were used. Sputter deposited spinel films having a cobalt to nickel ratio <2 were found to exhibit the highest conductivity. Results suggest that the phase stability region for these materials can be extended through appropriate choice of deposition conditions. A possible mechanism that promotes high conductivity in this system is thought to be charge transfer between the resident di- and trivalent cations that may be assisted by the magnetic nature of the oxide film.