cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of Computed Tomography in the Radiological Evaluation of Painful Radiculopathy after Negative Myelography: Foraminal Neural Entrapment

Thirty-five patients with an unremarkable or a negative water-soluble contrast myelogram and a diagnosis of foraminal neural entrapment made or more firmly established by computed tomography (CT) were detected in evaluating 950 patients presenting for myelography. The CT criterion of foraminal neural entrapment was the presence of a mass displacing epidural fat and encroaching on the neural intervertebral foramen or lateral recess so as to compromise an emerging nerve root. The entrapment (confirmed operatively) was due to a laterally prolapsed disc (16 cases), superior articular hypertrophy (4 cases), lateral recess stenosis (3 cases), posterolateral vertebral bone lipping (2 cases), tumors (6 cases), postoperative scarring (2 cases), spondylolisthesis (1 case), and synovial cysts that encroached on the neural foramina (1 case). CT is an important additional investigation in patients with a painful radiculopathy and a negative or equivocal water-soluble contrast myelogram.
Effects of Prey Movement and Prey Odor on Feeding in Garter Snakes

and Summary The role of prey movement in feeding behavior was investigated in 10 garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) repeatedly presented with paired stationary and continuously rotating sections of earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris). Additionally, prey odor intensity and source were varied and the performance of a tongueless snake was compared to normal animals. Experiment 1 showed that garter snakes will selectively attack rotating over nonmoving sections of earthworm across a wide range of speeds (1–2048 rpm) with an optimum between 16 and 256 rpm. However, blocking the odor from the sections and presentation of speeds greater than 500 rpm decreased response to moving sections. Experiment 2 showed that at 22–32 rpm moving sections were selected over stationary sections when odor from both was blocked. Experiment 3 assessed the effects of varying ambient odor conditions upon selection of artificial moving and stationary prey. Ambient earthworm odor resulted in a sustained high rate of tongue-flicking while, with no odor present, snakes showed a gradually increasing rate of tongue-flicking that declined within a few minutes. Experiments 4 and 5 studied the effects of tongue removal upon the selection of moving and nonmoving prey. Gross changes in the feeding sequence were noted. A long-term tongue-less adult fed by opening her mouth and thrashing about her cage when presented with earthworm odor and only preferred moving prey at 32 rpm; a control showed the normal stalk-and-strike sequence. The tongueless snake was less attracted to the moving earthworm at a distance than were normal snakes and the use of vision seemed less integrated rather than compensably improved. The results are discussed in reference to the critical flicker-fusion frequency, klepto-parasitism, and escape tactics of prey.
Radio Prototype: Edward R. Murrow and Fred Friendly's Hear It Now

Edward R. Murrow and Fred Friendly's See It Now has long been celebrated as a pioneering television newsmagazine. The radio series that was its prototype has received comparatively little attention...
Establishing a clinical program for human immunodeficiency virus 1-seropositive men to father seronegative children by means of in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Objective: We assessed the safety and efficacy of providing assisted reproduction to men who are seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Study design: HIV-1–serodiscordant couples underwent in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI). Patients were screened for HIV-1 3 and 6 months after embryo transfer to determine safety. Infants and mothers were tested at delivery and at 3 months after delivery. Clinical outcomes were compared with those of matched control couples who had undergone IVF-ICSI to measure efficacy. Results: There were no seroconversions in women (n = 34) or offspring (n = 25) after 55 embryo transfers. Treatment efficacy was similar to that for control couples: retrieved eggs (15.8 ± 1.3 vs 12.3 ± 0.8); fertilization rate (64.9% vs 68.0%); embryos cryopreserved (1.1 ± 0.3 vs 0.3 ± 0.1, P < .05); clinical pregnancies per embryo transfer (45.5% vs 35.4%); ongoing or delivered pregnancies per embryo transfer (30.9% vs 25.0%). Conclusion: Although findings are preliminary, IVF-ICSI provides HIV-1–serodiscordant couples with a reasonably safe means of having children because their assisted reproduction performance is similar to that of conventional patients. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186:627-33.)
Use of Large Retention Index Database for Filtering of GC–MS False Positive Identifications of Compounds

The use of the large retention index database for identification and filtering of false positive hits in GC–MS analysis of the ylang-ylang essential oil is illustrated. Differences between experimental retention indices and database values of retention indices of candidate compounds provide additional constraints on the list of candidates for a target compound. Over 100 components of ylang-ylang essential oil (total grade) were identified. The main components, with concentrations more than 4 %, are β-caryophyllene, germacrene D, benzyl benzoate, linalool, geranyl acetate, α-(E,E)-farnesene and isobornyl acetate.
Stabilization of the Rotary Inverted Pendulum Using Aggregate Modeling

Using the method of aggregate modeling, the paper derives an approximation of the rotary pendulum's Euler-Lagrange dynamics within a specified operating region. Based on the resulting aggregate model, the authors cast the system's stabilization as a feasibility problem associated with linear matrix inequalities. Furthermore, the authors test the resulting stabilizing controller on the actual rotary pendulum and verify the expected results experimentally.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
An analysis of service delivery models for learning disability programs in the U.S., 1984-1985 school year.

A survey of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs indicates that the Models of Service used in remediating the problems of learning-disabled (LD) students are in need of standardized definitions. Models were ranked for their effectiveness by state or territory LD Supervisors. The results of the ranking, from “excellent” to “poor,” were as follows: LD resource, Consulting Teacher, self-contained, modified self-contained, itinerant resource, noncategorical, and, ranked least effective, cross-categorical (except when used with preschool classes). Consulting Teachers apparently are used effectively in several different kinds of situations: teaching only LD students, either in the regular classroom or a separate room; providing demonstration teaching in a regular education classroom; team-teaching with a regular education teacher; providing only consultation to regular education teachers; assisting with students in the regular classroom who need help but have not been identified as LD; assisting LD students in transition back into regular education.
Material response of a semicrystalline thermoplastic polymer and composite in relation to process cooling history

A model capable of predicting the process-induced macroscopic in-plane material response of semicrystalline thermoplastic matrices and their composites was developed. Thi sinvestigation focused on the material response of a single layer or ply of neat PEEK matrix and its carbon fiber composite (APC-2) when subjected to various processing histories. Specifically, the response of the material moduli and processing strains as a function of temperature and the degree of crystallinity were studied. The kinetic-viscoelastic response of the matrix was determined from a modified form of the Standard Linear Solid model. A constitutive relation was proposed to quantify resign shrinkage as a function of thermal history, which incorporated crystallization. For a specific process history, the effective composite mechanical properties were determined from micromechanics models. Both neat and composite processing strains were evaluated to show the effect of fibers on the matrix dominated response (90° direction). In addition, comparisons of model moduli predictions with experimental measurements were performed. This study demonstrated that an increase in the degree of crystallinity results in an asymmetric shift of the modulus in the glass transition region to higher temperatures. Also, strains due to crystallization were predicted to be much smaller in comparison to the strains resulting from thermal contraction of the PEEK matrix.
Construction of two-dimensional multiwavelets on a triangulation

ABSTRACT A family of continuous, compactly supported, bivariate multi-scaling functions have recently been constructedby Donovan, Geronimo, and Hardin using seif-affine fractal surfaces. In this paper we describe a construction of associated multiwavelets that uses the symmetry properties of the multi-scaling functions. Illustrations of a particular set of scaling functions and wavelets are provided. 1 Introduction Multiwavelets are constructed from multiresolution analyses generated by r > 1 scaling functions . Incontrast,(uni)wavelets are generated by a single scaling function. We note that we index a multiresolution analysis (Vp) in descending order: C Vic V0 C V1c Suppose {1, 2, ., q} are scaling functions that generate a multiresolution analysis in L2R2. Then ther-vector = (q5', c52,. . . , clr)T is called a scaling vector. T is refinable, i.e., it satisfies a dilation equation of the form c(Nx—n) nEZ2 for some sequence of r x r matrices c. Let W be the orthogonal complement of V in V,2_1, so that
Occurrence of motile, pigmented streptococci in lepidopterous and hymenopterous larvae

Abstract Forty isolates of motile, yellow-pigmented streptococci isolated from the gypsy moth, Porthetria dispar (Linnaeus), the red-headed pine sawfly, Neodiprion lecontei (Fitch), and Attera punctella Cramer were subjected to cultural, biochemical, and serological tests. Results show that all isolates are pigmented, motile variants of Streptococcus faecalis Andrewes & Horder and belong to Lancefield group D. This is the first recovery of such variants reported from insects.
N-Methyl-2-(methylamino)troponiminate Complexes of Tin(II), Gallium(III), and Indium(III). Syntheses of [(Me)2ATI]2GaI and [(Me)2ATI]2InCl Using the Tin(II) Reagent [(Me)2ATI]2Sn

The N-methyl-2-(methylamino)troponimine [(Me)2ATI]H reacts with bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amido]tin(II) to yield [(Me)2ATI]2Sn in excellent yield. The treatment of [(Me)2ATI]2Sn with GaI and InCl led to the bis(ligand)gallium(III) and -indium(III) compounds [(Me)2ATI]2GaI and [(Me)2ATI]2InCl. These metal complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. All three metal adducts show fluxional behavior in solution at room temperature. [(Me)2ATI]2Sn exhibits a pseudo trigonal bipyramidal structure in the solid state. The gallium and indium atoms in [(Me)2ATI]2GaI and [(Me)2ATI]2InCl adopt trigonal bipyramidal geometry around the metal center with the halide occupying an equatorial site. A convenient, high-yield route to [(Me)2ATI]H is also reported. Crystal data with Mo Kα (λ = 0.710 73 A) at 183 K: [(Me)2ATI]2Sn, C18H22N4Sn, a = 8.4347(11) A, b = 10.5564(13) A, c = 11.5527(11) A, α = 66.931(8)°, β = 73.579(9)°, γ = 67.437(7)°, V = 863.3(2) A3, triclini...
A kinetic analysis of crystallization of a milk fat model system

Abstract Crystallization behavior of milk fat, pure triacylglycerol (TAG) fraction of milk fat and three blends of 30, 40 and 50% of high-melting fraction (MDP=47.5°C) in low-melting fraction (MDP=16.5°C) of milk fat were studied by turbidimetry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Nucleation behavior was similar for these systems. In all cases, curves of log of induction time vs. temperature were continuous, which means that when samples were crystallized from the melt, only one polymorphic form was obtained at all temperatures. X-ray patterns verified formation of the β′ form. The calculated activation free energies of nucleation were quite low, but close to the ones published for other fats systems, such as hydrogenated sunflower oil. Only a low supercooling was needed to start crystallization. When isothermal crystallization was studied by NMR, the same behavior was also found for all samples. For low supercooling (crystallization temperatures above 25°C), curves had sigmoidal shapes with a period of induction of crystallization at the beginning. For high supercooling (temperature below 25°C), no induction times were observed as crystallization occurred rapidly. An intermediate plateau in SFC was clearly visible in all curves. The step in this plateau decreased steadily both in rate and height as Tc was increased. The curves were interpreted with the Avrami kinetic model, and parameters Kn and n were calculated. In all cases, the best fit was obtained by setting n to 3. Kn was, on average, 10 times lower above 25°C.
A Hyphomycetous Synanamorph of Eutypa Armeniacae in Artificial Culture

(1993). A Hyphomycetous Synanamorph of Eutypa Armeniacae in Artificial Culture. Mycologia: Vol. 85, No. 6, pp. 941-944.
NUTRIENT AND LIGHT LIMITATION OF ALGAE IN TWO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STREAMS

Nutrient-diffusing subsrates were used to investigate nutrient limitation of attached algal assemblages in a shaded stream and an unshaded stream in northern California. Water from both streams contained low levels of nitrogen (< 14 μg.L−1) and very low N:P ratios (< 2). After 31 days of colonization and growth, attached algal biomass on nitrate-diffusing substrates was significantly greater than on control substrates in the unshaded stream. Nitrate-diffusing substrates also supported larger numbers of grazing insects in the unshaded stream. The prostrate diatoms Achnanthes lanceolata Breb. and Coconeis placentula Ehr. displayed the most consistent positive responses to nitrate enrichment. Nutrient enrichment did not increase the accrual of algal biomass in the shaded stream, but algal biomass was significantly greater at sites located under openings in the tree canopy, implicating light as a limiting factor in this stream. Several Navicula and Nitzschia species, and one unidentified Gomphonema species, were positively associated with higher light levels in the shaded stream. Shade appears to be the primary factor limiting algal growth in small northern California streams, but when its effect is reduced by logging, the inherently low levels of nitrogen in these streams can become limiting.
Weighted least squares estimation of the linear probability model, revisited

Abstract Efficient GLS estimation of the linear probability model is hindered in practice by the possibility that predicted probabilities may yield some negative point variance estimates. This note proposes an alternative estimator may sometimes yield efficiency gains over OLS and will in general be efficient relative to alternative estimators that have been proposed.
Development of an Integrated Genomic Classifier for a Novel Agent in Colorectal Cancer: Approach to Individualized Therapy in Early Development

Background: A plethora of agents is in early stages of development for colorectal cancer (CRC), including those that target the insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGFIR) pathway. In the current environment of numerous cancer targets, it is imperative that patient selection strategies be developed with the intent of preliminary testing in the latter stages of phase I trials. The goal of this study was to develop and characterize predictive biomarkers for an IGFIR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, OSI-906, that could be applied in CRC-specific studies of this agent. Methods: Twenty-seven CRC cell lines were exposed to OSI-906 and classified according to IC 50 value as sensitive (≤1.5 μmol/L) or resistant (>5 μmol/L). Cell lines were subjected to immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry for effector proteins, IGFIR copy number by fluorescence in situ hybridization, KRAS/BRAF/phosphoinositide 3-kinase mutation status, and baseline gene array analysis. The most sensitive and resistant cell lines were used for gene array and pathway analyses, along with shRNA knockdown of highly ranked genes. The resulting integrated genomic classifier was then tested against eight human CRC explants in vivo . Results: Baseline gene array data from cell lines and xenografts were used to develop a k -top scoring pair ( k -TSP) classifier, which, in combination with IGFIR fluorescence in situ hybridization and KRAS mutational status, was able to predict with 100% accuracy a test set of patient-derived CRC xenografts. Conclusions: These results indicate that an integrated approach to the development of individualized therapy is feasible and should be applied early in the development of novel agents, ideally in conjunction with late-stage phase I trials. Clin Cancer Res; 16(12); 3193–204. ©2010 AACR.
Atmospheric dynamics: The age of stratospheric air

Climate models predict that increasing greenhouse gas levels will invigorate the circulation in the upper atmosphere. But a close look at observations of the age of stratospheric air over 30 years reveals no acceleration in the circulation.
Complex ovarian cysts in postmenopausal women are not associated with ovarian cancer risk factors

Abstract PURPOSE: We assessed whether ovarian abnormalities detected on ultrasound in postmenopausal women are precursors to ovarian cancer. METHODS: We compared the transvaginal ultrasound findings from the initial examination of twenty thousand postmenopausal women enrolled to date in an ongoing randomized trial of cancer screening to data on the established risk factors for ovarian cancer obtained from self-administered questionnaires. We distinguished cysts with the suspicious characteristics of a septum, solid component, irregular or thick wall (“complex cysts”) from simple sonolucent cysts with none of those features. RESULTS: High parity, protective for cancer, was negatively associated with complex cysts (Odds Ratio [“OR”] for five or more births versus no births = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.53–0.97), but long-term oral contraceptive use was not (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.76–1.20). A family history of ovarian cancer or multiple breast cancers, a strong risk factor for cancer, was not associated with complex cysts (OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.68–1.44). Other abnormalities found on ultrasound (including simple cysts, bilateral cysts, or all abnormalities combined) also did not share the established risk factors for ovarian malignancy. We formed no combination of features of abnormalities (septum, echogenicity, size, or papillary projection) with the cancer risk factor profile. CONCLUSIONS: Although a very small proportion of the clinically silent ovarian abnormalities found on ultrasound are found to be ovarian cancers, the remaining complex cysts and other clinically suspicious abnormalities do not appear to be the immediate precursors of ovarian cancer.
G3(MP2) Calculations of Enthalpies of Hydrogenation, Isomerization, and Formation of [3]-Radialene and Related Compounds

We have carried out a G3(MP2) investigation of the enthalpies of formation, isomerization, and hydrogenation (ΔfH298, ΔisomH298, and ΔhydH298), in the gaseous state, of 30 hydrocarbons related, directly or indirectly, to [3]-radialene (tris(methylidine)cyclopropane). The thermochemistry of [3]-radialene and many of the other molecules presented here is dominated by molecular strain. We have discussed the use and limitations of several methods of obtaining an estimate of strain energy (enthalpy). Despite its extraordinarily high ΔfH298, [3]-radialene (an isomer of benzene) appears to be slightly stabilized by its radial methylene groups, in opposition to the large destabilization brought about by ring strain. Exocyclic conjugative stabilization may be present in an amount less than 5 kcal mol-1, but it is difficult to quantify because there is no rigorous way of separating enthalpic effects due to strain from those due to electron conjugation in these calculations.
Dinitrogen Cleavage by a Three-Coordinate Molybdenum(III) Complex

Cleavage of the relatively inert dinitrogen (N(2)) molecule, with its extremely strong N identical withN triple bond, has represented a major challenge to the development of N(2) chemistry. This report describes the reductive cleavage of N(2) to two nitrido (N(3-)) ligands in its reaction with Mo(NRAr)(3), where R is C(CD(3))(2)CH(3) and Ar is 3,5-C(6)H(3)(CH(3))(2'), a synthetic three-coordinate molybdenum(III) complex of known structure. The formation of an intermediate complex was observed spectroscopically, and its conversion (with N identical withN bond cleavage) to the nitrido molybdenum(VI) product N identical withMo(NRAr)(3) followed first-order kinetics at 30 degrees C. It is proposed that the cleavage reaction proceeds by way of an intermediate complex in which N(2) bridges two molybdenum centers.
Patterns of Flow of Technical Information—A Design Problem for the Textile Industry1

The role of an industry information storage and retrieval (ISR) system for published material is related to the total-information flow network. Suggestions are made for reorganization of literature and conferences to serve major user needs in groupings, form of presentation, and timing. Consolidation around natural cores of basic technology is recommended for internal efficiency and to facilitate linkages with discipline and allied networks. Divisional information centers integrated by computer- based systems, and inclusion of unpublished material in the ISR data banks, are proposed.
A phase II study of subcutaneous recombinant human lnterleukjn-4 in metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Background. A study was conducted to assess the response rate for and toxicity of recombinant human interleukin-4 (IL-4) administered subcutaneously to outpatients with metastutic renal cell cancer. Methods. Human recombinant IL-4 provided by Schering-Plough Research Corporation was administered subcutaneously to 19 patients at a dose of 1 μg/kg three times per week. Eligibility included Cancer and Leukemia Group B performance status of 2 or better, adequate hematologic (leukocyte count ≤2500/μl platelets ≤75,000/μl), renal (creatinine ≤2.0 mg/dl), and hepatic (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase ≤3 times the upper limit of normal) function. Exclusion criteria included prior immunotherapy, clinically significant diabetes, pulmonary disease, and history of congestive heart failure or an ejection fraction of less than 40%. Soluble CD23 was measured in prospectively collected serum via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Results. There was one minor response among 18 evaluable patients and median survival was only 35 weeks. Toxicities included fever, fatigue, myalgias, arthralgias, nausea, and anorexia. One patient each experienced a 14% asymptomatic decrease in the cardiac ejection fraction, a gastrointestinal bleed, and oral angioedema. Ten patients noted increased pain in tumor bearing areas, especially in areas of bony disease. Two patients with pre-existing vertebral disease experienced symptoms of cord compression. In 12 patients for whom complete data were available there was a mean increase in soluble CD23 of 2.6 ng/ml (P = 0.002) 1—2 weeks after therapy initiation. Conclusions. At this modest dose and schedule, IL-4 was tolerated in most patients. There was minimal biologic and clinical activity. Further development of IL-4 as a therapeutic agent in metastatic renal cell cancer at this dose and schedule is not supported by this study. Cancer 1995; 76:1629–33.
A Novel Detector for Gas Chromatography Based on UV Laser-Produced Microplasmas

The use of UV laser-produced microplasmas for the detection of analyte molecules in the effluent gases of a gas chromatograph is described. The microplasmas are formed when a carbon-containing analyte is present in the carrier gas flow but not in the carrier gas alone. The microplasmas are produced by using the 193-nm output of the ArF excimer laser, with only modest pulse energies (10 mJ) required. Three means for detecting the presence of the microplasmas have been effected and are compared: optogalvanic (plasma electron) detection, photoacoustic (blast wave) detection, and photometric (plasma emission) detection, particularly of electronically excited carbon atoms at 248 nm. The relative responses of these three techniques have been determined for microliter injection of acetylene into the helium flow. Present limits for acetylene with the use of the optogalvanic, photoacoustic, and photometric techniques are 500, 500, and 10 ng, respectively. Optimization of these techniques is expected to improve the detection limits by 2-4 orders of magnitude. The virtues of this detector include the fact that it requires no flame and that it is sensitive to carbon-containing species such as CO and CO2.
Picosecond photochemistry in molecular clusters

Rates of chemical reactions in molecular clusters were measured by picosecond spectroscopy in a molecular beam mass spectrometer. We report on two classes of reactions. First, we consider acid-base proton transfer from an aromatic species to a basic solvent cluster . The chemistry involving the aromatic acids aniline cation and S phenol depended strongly on the solvent type and solvent cluster size. For example phenol*(NH3)n exhibited proton transfer for n 5. The rate constant for dissociation was ka (60 10 ps)' for n = 5 - 7. A geminate recombination rate of k_a (350 lOOps)1 occurs for n = 5. No proton transfer occurred in (CH3OH) solvent cluster up to n = 11. In another class of reactions, free radical chemistry in clusters was initiated by A state excitation in (CH3I) clusters. Extensive demethylation and formation of 12 and I2(CH3I)_2 fragments occured on the order of 10 ps. A mechanism is proposed for a chain of reactions driven in part by the energy of intracluster recombination of two CH3 radicals and the elimination of ethane.
Heterogeneous response of cerebral blood flow to hypotension demonstrated by laser speckle imaging flowmetry in rats.

Abstract The response of cerebral blood flow (CBF) to mild hypotension shows great variability. CBF changes in different cortical regions at a mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) of 70 mmHg (near the lower limit of CBF-pressure autoregulation) were analyzed using laser speckle imaging flowmetry (LSIF). We hypothesize that variations in CBF autoregulation might be due to differences between regions within the cortex of each animal, regional heterogeneity, as opposed to differences between animals. Different responses of local CBF to hypotension in each rat were demonstrated as %CBF 70 , the ratio of CBF at a MABP of 70 mmHg to CBF at a MABP of 100 mmHg. Regional heterogeneity ranged from 12 to 51%, expressed as the coefficient of variation of %CBF 70 . At the same time LSIF revealed distinctly different patterns of CBF-pressure autoregulation between animals. Between-animal heterogeneity represents a continuous distribution, spread between animals with predominantly decreased CBF (%CBF 70 70 > 115%, rat #2). There are approximately equal contributions to the heterogeneity of %CBF 70 from within-animal (57 ± 5%, percent variance ± standard error) and between-animal (43 ± 26%) variations. Within-animal variations could be due to heterogeneity of vascular anatomy, while the diversity of vascular control mechanisms might contribute to between-animal variations.
Determination of alpha-tocopherol in tissues and plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract A rapid and sensitive method was developed for the quantitative determination of α-tocopherol in tissues and plasma of rats and mice. Tissue and plasma were extracted in acetone and chromatographed on a reverse-phase C18 column with 2% water in methanol. Fluorescence and ultraviolet detection were used for tissue and plasma α-tocopherol levels, respectively. Extraction of tissues and plasma was found to be more complete in acetone than in other solvent systems analyzed. The average recovery of α-tocopherol added to tissue samples was 97%. As little as 0.1 g of tissue or 0.1 ml plasma can be accurately used for analysis. The method is sensitive to 0.05 μg α-tocopherol/g tissue.
Interactions of massless monopole clouds

Some spontaneously broken gauge theories with unbroken non-Abelian gauge groups contain massless magnetic monopoles that are realized classically as clouds of non-Abelian field surrounding one or more massive monopoles. We use moduli space methods to investigate the properties of these massless monopole clouds. We show that the natural metric on the Nahm data for a class of $\mathrm{SU}(2M+2)$ solutions with $2M$ massive and $M(2M\ensuremath{-}1)$ massless monopoles can be obtained from that for a simpler class of $\mathrm{SU}(M+1)$ solutions. For the $M=1$ case, we show that the Nahm data metric is isomorphic to the metric for the moduli of the BPS solutions, thus verifying a previously conjectured result. For $M=2$ we use our results and the moduli space approximation to obtain an effective Lagrangian for an axially symmetric class of solutions. Using this Lagrangian, we study the interactions between the two types of clouds that appear. We show that, although the static spacetime field configurations suggest that the clouds might be rather diffuse, in scattering processes they behave as if they were relatively thin hard shells.
Oxidation-Sulfidation of an Fe-25Cr-10Al alloy in H2-H2O-H2S gas mixtures☆

Abstract The “kinetic boundary” for the oxidation of an Fe-25Cr-10Al alloy (where the composition is in approximate weight per cent) in H 2 -H 2 O-H 2 S gas mixtures at 900°C has been measured. The kinetic boundary occurs at much lower P H2O / P H2S ratios in the gas phase than for an Fe-25Cr binary alloy ( P H2O / P H2S reduced from about 50 to about 7). The shift in the boundary is attributed to an enrichment of sulfide nuclei, formed in the early stages of reaction, with aluminum, at the expense of iron. This enhances the overgrowth of metastable sulfide nuclei with oxide at a given P H2O / P H2S ratio.
Thoracoscopic resection of mediastinal masses in infants and children: An evaluation of technique and results

Abstract Background: Thoracoscopy has been accepted as a technique in pediatric surgery for diagnosis of thoracic pathology, but there has been little experience using it as a therapeutic modality as well. The purpose of this report is to describe and critically evaluate a 7-year experience with thoracoscopic diagnosis and resection of mediastinal masses in infants and children. Methods: From February 1993 to June 2000, 39 patients presented with mediastinal masses and no tissue diagnosis. Age ranged from 5 months to 18 years old and weight from 3.6 to 110 kg. Twelve children had anterior mediastinal masses, 27 posterior. The patients were positioned in a modified prone or supine position, and single lung ventilation was performed on the contralateral side. Three or 4 valved trocars were utilized with 3 and 5 mm instrumentation. Results: A total of 38 of 39 procedures were completed successfully endoscopically. The procedure in 1 patient with a sarcoma was converted to thoracotomy because of extensive disease. Operating times ranged from 20 to 185 minutes. Diagnosis was obtained in all cases, and complete excision was performed in 33. All children were extubated in the operating room; 8 chest tubes were placed but removed within 24 hours. Hospital stay ranged from 12 hours to 4 days. Pathology included 12 foregut duplications, 7 ganglioneuromas, 6 neuroblastomas, 6 lymphomas, 3 teratomas, 2 sarcomas, and 3 other lesions. Conclusion: Thoracoscopy is a safe and effective method to evaluate, biopsy, and in most cases resect lesions of the anterior and posterior mediastinum in infants and children. J Pediatr Surg 36:1165-1167. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Distribution of scientific experts as recognized by peer consensus

Abstract Peer review plays an important role in maintaining the quality of science. Selection of peers is at the heart of the process by which science advances. Editors and others responsible for selecting a group of peers often rely on their position in a network by which experts in a field are linked to one another by bonds of common interest and recognized expertise. In this paper, we report one aspect of a study aimed at characterizing the structure of this network: the asymmetry of the fraction of experts receiving varying numbers of nominations as experts by peers. The distribution of such nominations is very skew, and we have found that a law of cumulative advantage provides the best theoretical approximation for the distribution of nominations, expecially when the overall pool of data is broken down into well-defined specialties.
Effects of phencyclidine on prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle response in the macaque

Rationale: Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response (ASR) provides an index of neurophysiological dysfunction in schizophrenia and a method for analyzing underlying neurochemical mechanisms. In rodents, phencyclidine (PCP) and other N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists induce schizophrenia-like PPI deficits. Similar effects have recently been observed in a New World monkey species, Cebus apella. Objectives: The present study evaluates the degree to which similar effects are observed in an Old World monkey, M. fascicularis. Methods: An initial study evaluated effects of interstimulus interval on PPI amplitude and latency. A subsequent study evaluated effects of PCP (0.25 mg/kg IM) on PPI of the ASR. Results: Prepulses reduced both the amplitude and latency of the ASR. PCP treatment prevented both effects without affecting amplitude or latency of the ASR itself. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that both amplitude reduction and latency facilitation are observed during PPI in the monkey and are disrupted by PCP.
MAGNETIC PHASE TRANSITIONS IN Ce(Fe1–xCox)2 SYSTEM

Re-entrant magnetic phase transitions in Ce(Fe1–xMx)2 systems (where M=Al, Ru, Co, etc.) are being investigated by various research groups. It has been observed that the system goes from a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic state followed by an almost complete loss of magnetization as the temperature is lowered. We have done systematic experimental measurements of magnetization, ac susceptibility, electrical resistivity, and thermal expansion on the Ce(Fe1–xCox)2 system. It is found that as the temperature is decreased, the system goes from para- to ferro- to antiferro-magnetic phase. The ferro- to antiferro-magnetic phase transition is a first order transition. Our experimental results are consistent with the magnetic phase diagram predictions by Moriya and Usami's theory of strongly interacting itinerant electron systems.
An unusual determinant of chirality. Unique solution chemistry and novel NMR spectroscopic changes in fluxional Re(V)=O complexes with rearranging meso N2S2 ligands

The nature of metal species in aqueous solution is often ambiguous since the two processes, OH- coordination and ligand deprotonation, have the same pH profile. This problem plagues the assessment ...
The ringing instability in particle-in-cell calculations of low-speed flow

Abstract The cause of the ringing instability in particle-in-cell (PIC) fluid calculations is identified, and its properties are studied. The ringing instability is caused by aliasing, just as is the finite grid instability previously identified in PIC plasma simulation, and results in large amplitude fluctuations in the particle density. The instability occurs when the flow speed drops below a critical value, which is lower with higher order interpolation and zero with Gaussian interpolation. The instability growth rate is only weakly dependent on the number of particles per cell, but appears to be suppressed by implicit differencing in time.
P704P, P712P, and P775P: A genomic cluster of prostate-specific genes.

BACKGROUND Discovery of prostate cancer- and tissue-specific genes will lead to an increased understanding of the molecular events associated with the malignant transformation and tumorigenesis of prostate cells. Such understanding will likely result in the development of promising new markers for screening, diagnosis, and prognosis, as well as potential therapeutic approaches for combating this disease. METHODS A PCR-based subtraction method was combined with a high-throughput microarray screening approach to identify prostate tissue- and/or cancer-specific genes. Northern blot and quantitative real-time PCR were used to confirm prostate specificity. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to determine gene localization and to identify the open reading frame of novel genes. RESULTS Three novel cDNA clones, P704P, P712P, and P775P, were identified and characterized to be specific for normal and malignant prostate tissues. Furthermore, P712P mRNA expression was found to be androgen responsive in LNCaP cells. Sequences for all three cDNAs were localized to an 80 kb genomic region on chromosome 22. Attempts to identify full-length transcripts did not reveal any apparent open reading frames, indicating that P704P, P712P, and P775P may belong to a novel class of transcripts with specific patterns of gene expression that do not code for translated proteins. CONCLUSIONS A genomic cluster of prostate-specific genes with no apparent open reading frame has been discovered using a high-throughput approach combining subtraction with microarray. This may represent an important genomic region having possible connections to prostate biology with potential applications in prostate diagnostics and therapy. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Voting Preferences and the Environment in the American Electorate

Despite evidence of a growing environmental consensus in the United States, students of electoral politics have long debated the political significance of environmentalism by noting the near absence of this issue from national political campaigns. Unfortunately, with only limited survey data available in the past, the few studies to address environmental voting did more to report a deficiency than to explain why it should be the case. In this study I use 1996 National Election Study (NES) data to examine the impact of environmental concern on attitudes toward American political parties and their candidates. Data results on issue positions and proximities confirm that while environmental issues represent a strength of the Democratic ticket, those issues seldom shape individual vote preferences for three reasons: (1) low issue salience; (2) small perceived differences between candidates on matters of environmental policy; and (3) the tendency of environmental concern to cut across traditional (and more powe...
An apertureless near-field scanning optical microscope for imaging surface plasmons in the mid-wave infrared

An apertureless near-field scanning optical microscope (a-NSOM) setup is described. Special consideration is given to important system components. Surface plasmons are defined, as is their relationship to a- NSOM and their interaction with the scanning probe tip. We used this set-up to measure a metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) antenna integrated with a quantum cascade laser (QCL). The former is introduced and described. The role of the atomic force microscope (AFM) in the experiment is laid out and explained. Finally, the lock-in amplifier is explained. Next, the system setup is introduced and explained from the point of view of the light path taken by light generated in the laser. Finally, results are given for the MDM single nanorod antenna and the coupled MDM nanorod antenna. Simulation, topography, and NSOM images are shown. Lastly, several experimental issues are discussed as well as other types of NSOM.
Ready or Not: The Academic College Readiness of Southeast Asian Americans

The educational experiences of Southeast Asian Americans, particularly Cambodian Americans, Hmong Americans, Laotian Americans, and Vietnamese Americans, are characterized by numerous challenges, which can be attributed to their migration history, socioeconomic status, and English proficiency. By the end of 11th grade, a high percentage of Southeast Asian American students are not college ready. The educational challenges of Southeast Asian Americans have been overshadowed by the model minority stereotype. Educational policies targeting issues affecting the education of Southeast Asian Americans and teacher preparations that focus on getting Southeast Asian American students to be college ready could help change the educational story of this population.
Local News Anchors' Contributions to Newscasts:

No social scientist has paused to discover exactly what, if anything, local television news anchors contribute to the newscast beyond their obvious on-air performance, and the assertion that has categorized anchors as gatherers in the research literature hasn't been tested. With clear consonance, however, these researchers found that local television news anchors regularly complete news gatherer, news manager, and news performer tasks; they cross work roles to participate in multiple activities in the news process. Although this study doesn't answer why anchors complete some tasks, the results of this study do call into question the usefulness of the work roles typology of gatherer and manager, and the relationship of work roles to the news-factory analogy. Because anchors cross work roles and work under conflicting sets of norms—journalism and business or entertainment—there are implications for the understanding of the role anchors play in balancing those norms in the final on-air product. A survey of 8...
Characterization Of Gated Microchannel Plate X-Ray Imaging Systems

Gated X-ray microchannel plate detectors and images have become very useful and reliable diagnostics on Nova. We have now better characterized these stripline instruments with respect to gain, temporal and spatial resolution. Pulse shapers (2 kV - 100 ps) and improvements in pulse propagation allow us to gate x-ray events at 100 ps. We describe new ideas in diagnostics and new methods of improving temporal resolution (<100 ps).
Graphical analysis of reversible radioligand binding from time-activity measurements applied to [N-11C-methyl]-(-)-cocaine PET studies in human subjects

A graphical method of analysis applicable to ligands that bind reversibly to receptors or enzymes requiring the simultaneous measurement of plasma and tissue radioactivities for multiple times after the injection of a radiolabeled tracer is presented. It is shown that there is a time t after which a plot of integral of t0ROI(t')dt'/ROI(t) versus integral of t0Cp(t')dt'/ROI(t) (where ROI and Cp are functions of time describing the variation of tissue radioactivity and plasma radioactivity, respectively) is linear with a slope that corresponds to the steady-state space of the ligand plus the plasma volume,.Vp. For a two-compartment model, the slope is given by lambda + Vp, where lambda is the partition coefficient and the intercept is -1/[kappa 2(1 + Vp/lambda)]. For a three-compartment model, the slope is lambda(1 + Bmax/Kd) + Vp and the intercept is -[1 + Bmax/Kd)/k2 + [koff(1 + Kd/Bmax)]-1) [1 + Vp/lambda(1 + Bmax/Kd)]-1 (where Bmax represents the concentration of ligand binding sites and Kd the equilibrium dissociation constant of the ligand-binding site complex, koff (k4) the ligand-binding site dissociation constant, and k2 is the transfer constant from tissue to plasma). This graphical method provides the ratio Bmax/Kd from the slope for comparison with in vitro measures of the same parameter. It also provides an easy, rapid method for comparison of the reproducibility of repeated measures in a single subject, for longitudinal or drug intervention protocols, or for comparing experimental results between subjects. Although the linearity of this plot holds when ROI/Cp is constant, it can be shown that, for many systems, linearity is effectively reached some time before this. This analysis has been applied to data from [N-methyl-11C]-(-)-cocaine ([11C]cocaine) studies in normal human volunteers and the results are compared to the standard nonlinear least-squares analysis. The calculated value of Bmax/Kd for the high-affinity binding site for cocaine is 0.62 +/- 0.20, in agreement with literature values.
Office productivity: contributions of the workstation

Abstract To determine if there was an economic justification for purchasing new, task-oriented and ergonomically-suitable workstations for an office in which automation was being introduced, a study was designed which examined the effect of a more comfortable and functional office setting on employee satisfaction and productivity. This study was conducted at a United States Government installation. Through task analysis questionnaires and interviews, workstation and layout requirements were defined for an organization of procurement agents and support staff. These personnel were to receive computers at their workstations-one terminal for every two people. Designs for typical workstations were created as well as a layout for two typical workgroups of 17 employees. The workstations and layout were implemented using two different types of furniture: one work group received Systems Furniture, while the other received additional pieces of their existing Conventional Furniture (Improved-Conventional). Four work...
A solution with multiple robots and Kinect systems to implement the parallel coverage problem

The coverage problem has been traditionally solved for a given number of robots with randomly generated positions. However, our recent work presented a solution to the parallel coverage problem that optimizes the number of robots starting at the same location. The motivations are: (i) the number of involved robots affects the total coverage cost, and (ii) it requires extra effort to place them at real-world locations. In this work we present a control algorithm for multiple robots with Kinect systems to implement the solution to the parallel coverage problem. Our algorithm utilizes a multi-robot formation. Robots need to localize themselves to know where they are within a map. To localize the robots and to reduce inter-communication, we introduce a technique to place only certain robots in a team. This work also presents an algorithm on how to manage dynamic changes of a group of formations in order to solve the coverage problem. This paper demonstrates the mission, which is to visit every desired position to cover an indoor environment, with a team of real robots and the Kinect system.
Dual regulatory role of human cytomegalovirus immediate-early protein in IL1B transcription is dependent upon Spi-1/PU.1

Activation of IL1B gene transcription has been shown to play a crucial role in human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. We previously reported that HCMV immediate-early (IE) proteins vigorously transactivate IL1B expression without the need for a normally essential upstream enhancer. This activation appears to depend upon protein–protein tethering between IE2, which provides a transcription activation domain (TAD), and the DNA-binding domain of the transcription factor Spi-1. We now show a distinct mechanism by which IE1 and IE2 mediate both weak Spi-1-independent and vigorous Spi-1-dependent IL1B transcription from the −59 to +12 IL1B core promoter. These results demonstrate that in contrast to non-viral, enhancer-mediated, transactivation of IL1B, the IE mechanism is not absolutely dependent upon Spi-1. However, Spi-1 is required for vigorous transcription. Additionally, we have discovered that IE1, which cooperates with IE2 to transactivate IL1B, has minimal activity in the absence of IE2 and Spi-1. Furthermore, IE1 is a dual-acting factor, which can either activate or repress IL1B, depending on the presence of both IE2 and the Spi-1 TADs. Therefore, the relative expression of IE1 and IE2, which varies during HCMV infection, may provide a molecular mechanism by which IL1B can be repressed, thus, avoiding clearance by the host.
Catalyzed CO Oxidation at 70 K on an Extended Au/Ni Surface Alloy

A Au/Ni(111) surface alloy catalyzes the oxidation of CO at low temperature by at least three distinct mechanisms. At the lowest temperature of 70 K, molecularly adsorbed O2, spectroscopically char...