cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Algorithm for calculating theoretical probabilities of patterns generated by sequential inequality testing.

Abstract Temporal patterns of extracellularly monitored single neuronal impulses or ‘spike’ trains can be viewed as stochastic point processes that carry information from one neuron to another. There are indications that the dependencies among sequential spike intervals, if treated as sequential inequality patterns, encompass much more than 7 spike intervals. Hence, to fill the gap between the available knowledge and the experimental need, a limited stochastic model of inequality patterns was reviewed and its inherent symmetrics were explored. The symmetric attributes of the model, based on three through seven spike intervals, led to an algorithm which allows one to readily compute the theoretical distribution of inequality patterns of considerable complexity and length suitable for studying neuronal responses and other phenomena.
Use of skew rays in multimode fibers to generate speckle field with nonzero vorticity.

Beams at the output of an axially symmetric multimode fiber were produced with mostly positive or negative values of angular index m through skew illumination of the input end of the fiber. In this way rays with predominantly positive or negative helicity were excited inside the fiber. The output cw speckle field at the wavelength lambda = 632.8 nm contained large densities N(+) and N(-) of wave-front dislocations, or optical vortices, of both positive and negative sign. Vorticity was defined as V = N(+) - N(-) , was expressed analytically through the Wigner function of the field, and was found experimentally to be in good agreement with theory.
Evidence of PAH production under lean combustion conditions

Abstract While it is common knowledge that PAH formation can be expected at rich combustion conditions, this paper presents experimental and computational evidence that PAH formation can also be expected under lean, or cool, combustion conditions. Experimental evidence for diesel engine operation at lean conditions, as well as the literature references related to waste tire and coal combustion, are cited as supportive evidence of conclusions drawn here. A computational model based on reaction mechanisms for three surrogate fuels: C 2 H 2 , C 7 H 16 and C 14 H 28 , was validated against the available diesel engine data, and projected to both lean and rich combustion conditions. The finding was that for the adiabatic case, minimum production of PAHs occurs at equivalence of unity and increases as equivalence becomes either lean or rich; the latter observation being consistent with the common knowledge.
Effect of photoreactivating light on survival of ultraviolet-light-irradiated Streptomyces lividans 66

Biological systems can repair damage induced in their DNA by ultraviolet light (UV). Most cells contain at least three DNA repair pathways, each of which has a marked effect on UV survival. Excision repair and recombinational (postreplication) repair are light-independent whereas photoreactivation (PR), whether enzyzmatic or photochemical, is light-dependent. The specificity of photoreactivation for UV-induced DNA damage allows it to be used as a tool for examining whether premutational DNA lesions are preferred sites for photoreversal; it therefore plays an important role in mutagenesis studies. Evidence is presented here that PR occurs in a time-dependent fashion in three strains ofStreptomyces lividans 66. The effect appears to be independent of temperature and is observed only when PR treatment is given after UV irradiation. The present experiments do not discriminate between enzymatic and photochemical protection.
The Ephesian Megabyzos Priesthood and Religious Diplomacy at the End of the Classical Period

Abstract One element consistently cited as evidence that the feminine deities of the poleis of Ionia are aspects of a single Great Mother Goddess of fertility is the Ephesian Megabyzos priest, whose eunuch status is paralleled with the Greco-Roman eunuch priests of Cybele, the Galli. The practice of eunuchism is usually regarded as a pre-Greek or primitive element in Ephesian worship, dating back to the earliest phases of religious activity at the site. This contention is, however, a construction of the evidence coloured by nineteenth-century thinking about the development of religions and the nature of so-called ‘primitive’ societies. The evidence itself makes no claim for any great antiquity for this priesthood but rather suggests an institution of brief duration in the latter portion of the classical period. This article re-examines the evidence for the Megabyzos priesthood in terms of the political changes in and around the city of Ephesos in the fourth century B.C.E. and finds a context for the Megabyzos in the religious diplomacy between Ephesos and the Persian satrapal capital, Sardis, during the shift from Persian to Macedonian control.
Filled-arm Fizeau telescope

Attention is given to the design of a Mills Cross imaging interferometer in which the arms are fully filled with mirror segments of a Ritchey-Chretien primary and which has sensitivity to 27th magnitude per pixel and resolution a factor of 10 greater than Hubble. The optical design, structural configuration, thermal disturbances, and vibration, material, control, and metrology issues, as well as scientific capabilities are discussed, and technology needs are identified. The technologies under consideration are similar to those required for the development of the other imaging interferometers that have been proposed over the past decade. A comparison of the imaging capabilities of a 30-m diameter FFT, an 8-m telescope with a collecting area equal to that of the FFT, and the HST is presented.
Depletion of a Drosophila homolog of yeast Sup35p disrupts spindle assembly, chromosome segregation, and cytokinesis during male meiosis

In the course of a genetic screen for male-sterile mutations in Drosophila affecting chromosome segregation during the meiotic divisions in spermatocytes, we identified the mutation dsup35(63D). Examination of mutant testes showed that chromosome misbehavior was a consequence of major disruptions in meiotic spindle assembly. These perturbations included problems in aster formation, separation, and migration around the nuclear envelope; aberrations in spindle organization and integrity; and disappearance of the ana/telophase central spindle, which in turn disrupts cytokinesis. The dsup35(63D) mutation is caused by a P element insertion that affects, specifically in the testis, the expression of a gene (dsup35) encoding the Drosophila homolog of the yeast Sup35p and Xenopus eRF3 proteins. These proteins are involved in the termination of polypeptide synthesis on ribosomes, but previous studies have suggested that Sup35p and closely related proteins of the same family also interact directly with microtubules. An affinity-purified antibody directed against the product of the dsup35 gene was prepared; interestingly, this antibody specifically labels primary spermatocytes in one or two discrete foci of unknown structure within the nucleoplasm. We discuss how depletion of the dsup35 gene product in spermatocytes might lead to the global disruptions in meiotic spindle assembly seen in mutant spermatocytes.
Capturing additional information about the organization of entries in the lexicon from verbal fluency productions

Troyer and colleagues [Troyer, A. K., Moscovitch, M., & Winocur, G. (1997). Clustering and switching as two components of verbal fluency: evidence from younger and older healthy adults. Neuropsychology, 11(1), 138-146] developed a seminal method to measure clustering and switching behaviors during verbal fluency (VF) productions. We sought to expand the reach of their system by modifying the scoring rules. Compared to the Troyer system, our modifications yield comparable estimates of interrater reliability and similar patterns of correlation with demographic characteristics for both clustering and switching in healthy adults. However, two objective measures of word relatedness (interword interval timing and latent semantic analysis) confirm that our revisions capture additional information about the organization of entries in the lexical network.
Adsorption of polystyrene onto noble metals from theta solvents

Abstract The adsorption of polystyrene onto noble metals from 3.3% solutions in five different theta solvents was measured on six noble metals at temperatures a few degrees above the theta temperatures. The amounts adsorbed (in mg m −2 ) on any given metal were of the same order of magnitude from all five of the theta solvents, but decreased two or three orders of magnitudes with a change of noble metals, in the following order: gold⪢silver⪢palladium, silver-palladium ⪢platinum⪢iridium. The amounts adsorbed on gold from cyclohexane at 60°C decreased seven-fold with a forty-fold decrease of molecular weight, as predicted by Scheutjens and Fleer, but there was no molecular weight dependence to the weak adsorption observed on platinum and iridium. A direct method was used to determine the amount of polymer adsorbed on these metal powders. After the polymer solution and metal powder were equilibrated, the powder was washed free of excess polymer solution with fresh theta solvent and then the adsorbed polystyrene was removed from the metal by rinsing in chloroform, a very good solvent, in which the amount of polystyrene was determined by UV spectroscopy. With the high molecular weight polystyrene (1.8·10 6 ) the differences in duplicate samples were about 2%, but with the lower molecular weight polystyrene (5·10 4 ) they were about 25%. It is proposed that the high reproducibility of adsorption results observed with the high molecular weight polymer indicates negligible desorption during rinsing with the theta solvent, but that this rinsing step was less reproducible with the low molecular weight polymer.
Antineoplastic agents. 534. isolation and structure of sansevistatins 1 and 2 from the African Sansevieria ehrenbergii.

Using bioactivity-directed isolation procedures, three new spirostanol saponins designated sansevierin A (1), sansevistatin 1 (2), and sansevistatin 2 (3) were isolated (10-5 % yield) from the CH3OH−CH2Cl2 extract of Sansevieria ehrenbergii, accompanied by three known steroidal saponins (4−6). The structures were determined on the basis of chemical methods and spectroscopic analysis, especially 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Each of the saponins was evaluated against the P388 lymphocytic leukemia cell line and a panel of human cancer cell lines. Except for 1, all were found to cause inhibition of cancer cell growth. In addition, most of the saponins exhibited antimicrobial activity, particularly against the pathogenic fungi Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans.
Nonuniform Distribution and Grouping of Insulin Receptors on the Surface of Human Placental Syncytial Trophoblast

These studies were designed to investigate the cytologic localization and topographic distribution of insulin receptors in human placental villi. Biochemical studies showed placental villi to specifically bind 125I-insulin. Radioautographic studies showed the specific binding to be localized to the surface of the syncytial trophoblast. Topographic distribution of insulin binding was determined with ferritin-insulin. Initial studies using ferritin-insulin containing some oligomers of ferritin revealed the insulin receptors to be specifically associated with the glycocalyx region of the surface membranes of microvilli. No insulin receptors were detectable in association with the intermicrovillous plasma membrane even though its glycocalyx is in direct continuity with the glycocalyx of microvilli. Monomeric ferritin-insulin showed the same nonuniform distribution of the insulin receptor, which suggests that there is not complete freedom of lateral mobility of the insulin receptors in the surface membrane of this tissue. The insulin receptors were found to occur as singletons or in groups of two or more. Incubations with monomeric ferritin-insulin at 4 degrees or with tissue prefixed with formaldehyde showed that the groups of insulin receptors were naturally occurring, i.e., they are present prior to and independent of insulin binding and thus not secondary to ligand-induced aggregation. The physiologic meaning of the nonuniform distribution and the groups of insulin receptors is unclear at present.
Absorption of three slow-release nitrogen fertilizers by perennial ryegrass turf

The absorption of three new slow-release fertilizers (Coron, N-Sure and Nitrazine) by perennial ryegrass turf was compared to uptake of NO3- and urea using a nutrient solution culture system. Each source of nitrogen was supplied to turf cultures at a rate equivalent to 21 kg N ha−1 every five days during a twenty day experimental period. Nitrate and urea produced the most growth, while growth on Coron and N-Sure was reduced 30%. Growth on Nitrazine-N was further reduced to only 40% of that on NO3- and urea. Coron and N-Sure were absorbed relatively rapidly during the first 24 hour period, with cumulative absorption over the five day period amounting to approximately 80% of the total supplied. Nitrazine-N was absorbed more slowly, with only 40% of the N absorbed after five days. Perennial ryegrass was apparently capable of metabolizing both Coron and N-Sure. The slow-release N component of Nitrazine (melamine) was inhibitory to photosynthesis, and at higher solution concentrations, was toxic to the turf.
Nucleation and growth of mineralized bone matrix on silk-hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds

We describe a composite hydroxyapatite (HA)-silk fibroin scaffold designed to induce and support the formation of mineralized bone matrix by human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in the absence of osteogenic growth factors. Porous three-dimensional silk scaffolds were extensively used in our previous work for bone tissue engineering and showed excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, silk is not an osteogenic material and has a compressive stiffness significantly lower than that of native bone. In the present study, we explored the incorporation of silk sponge matrices with HA (bone mineral) micro-particles to generate highly osteogenic composite scaffolds capable of inducing the in vitro formation of tissue-engineered bone. Different amounts of HA were embedded in silk sponges at volume fractions of 0%, 1.6%, 3.1% and 4.6% to enhance the osteoconductive activity and mechanical properties of the scaffolds. The cultivation of hMSCs in the silk/HA composite scaffolds under perfusion conditions resulted in the formation of bone-like structures and an increase in the equilibrium Young's modulus (up to 4-fold or 8-fold over 5 or 10 weeks of cultivation, respectively) in a manner that correlated with the initial HA content. The enhancement in mechanical properties was associated with the development of the structural connectivity of engineered bone matrix. Collectively, the data suggest two mechanisms by which the incorporated HA enhanced the formation of tissue engineered bone: through osteoconductivity of the material leading to increased bone matrix production, and by providing nucleation sites for new mineral resulting in the connectivity of trabecular-like architecture.
Developing Successful Community Partnerships: "Teeing Up" for Change.

Building a golf driving range on an urban community college campus provides an example of entrepreneurial partnering with a private developer. This project reconnected the campus and community cultures and helped reenergize the faculty and staff.
Classification of Two-Electron Excitation Levels of Helium

Classification of the states that produce the autoionizing lines recently observed in spectra of He is considered. Properties of the states are discussed. (D.C.W.)
Vibration of symmetrically laminated rectangular plates considering deformation and rotatory inertia

An analytical study was conducted using the Galerkin technique to determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes for symmetrically laminated rectangular plates, considering the effects of shear deformation and rotatory inertia. Two different graphite-epoxy symmetric plates were used in the analysis and three different boundary conditions for each plate, simply supported, clamped, and two opposite sides clamped/two opposite sides simply supported, were considered. Convergence characteristics, comparison to classical results, and the effects of length to thickness ratios were investigated. The finding indicated that as the length to thickness ratios were reduced («//*, b/h<3Q for the first mode), shear deformation effects significantly lowered the natural frequencies. Analysis also showed that rotatory inertia effects were very small. Convergence characteristics for all three boundary conditions were very good, and excellent agreement with the classical solutions was achieved.
On Interpolation and Approximation by Functions Analytic and Bounded in a Given Region.

Introduction. Several new problems in the theory of approximation to an analytic function were suggested and discussed by Walsh in a recent paper(1). It is the purpose of the present paper to make additional contributions to the solution of these problems and to indicate the extent to which the results carry over to the theory of harmonic functions. 1. Representation of a special harmonic function. Let R be a finite sum of disjoint regions in the complex plane and let S be a closed set interior to R. When suitable restrictions are placed upon the boundaries Co and C, of S and R, respectively, there exists a function /(z) equal to zero on Co and unity on C,, continuous in the extended complex plane, harmonic except upon Co and Ci. It is convenient for the present to assume that R and S satisfy the following set of conditions: Al. The boundary of each component region T of R consists of a finite number of disjoint analytic Jordan curves. A2. For each component T, the boundary of TS consists of a finite number of analytic Jordan curves such that those constituting the boundary of each component region of T -TS are disjoint. A3. Each component T contains at least one point of S. A4. No point of TTS is separated from S by the boundary of T. Under these conditions, the function +(z) exists, is necessarily equal to zero on S and unity exterior to R. Let it(z) be a function conjugate to 4(z) in R-S. The limit of it(z), as z, remaining within a component region of R -S, approaches a curve of Co or C1, exists in the small and forms on the boundary of this component region a continuous periodic function of the arc length. Of course, if a component curve of Co or Ci is common to the boundaries of two such component regions of R-S, the limits of the function it(z) from the two sides of this curve are, in general, not equal.
Time‐lapse monitoring with multiply scattered waves

Previous formulations of coda wave interferometry make it possible to assess the average change of the medium, but they do not allow for the spatial localization of this change (Snieder et al., 2002; Snieder, 2002). We present an approach for localizing temporal changes in the medium using strongly scattered waves, and test it with numerical models for 2D scalar waves. Using an integral representation for the diffuse wavefield, we derive an expression for the mean traveltime perturbation due to a small perturbation in the slowness. We validate the theory using synthetic seismograms calculated with a finite-difference algorithm. In general, for localized slowness perturbations, the theory predicts the mean traveltime change of the diffuse wavefield in a multiplescattering medium. The technique presented here can be used in many applications such as medical imaging, non-destructive testing, and reservoir monitoring, to infer temporal changes of the multiple-scattering medium.
Performance of a standardized bronchoalveolar lavage protocol in a comprehensive cancer center: a prospective 2-year study.

BACKGROUND: Flexible bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is performed widely for the diagnosis of pulmonary infections in patients with cancer, but there is no consensus regarding the technical parameters of the lavage procedure in this setting. METHODS: The authors evaluated the mechanics (instilled and recovered volumes), diagnostic yield, and safety of a standardized BAL protocol in 284 patients with cancer who underwent bronchoscopy for the evaluation of new radiologic infiltrates. RESULTS: Physician adherence to the BAL protocol was > 90%. The most common protocol deviations were reductions in the saline volume instilled because of actual or anticipated oxyhemoglobin desaturation during the procedure. The mean volume instilled was 121.5 ± 13.9 mL, the mean volume recovered was 68.7 ± 18.1 mL, and the mean ratio of volume instilled to that recovered was 56.7% ± 14.5%. The overall diagnostic yield of BAL was 33.8% and was higher in the nonhematologic malignancy group (42.3% vs 29.4%; P = .021). The diagnostic yield in neutropenic patients was significantly higher than in non-neutropenic patients (41.5% vs 24.6%; P = .019). No major complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the diagnostic performance of a standardized BAL protocol was comparable to that of nonprotocolized BAL reported in the literature with few complications. Adherence to a standardized BAL protocol may improve clinical and laboratory comparisons between studies, potentially facilitating research into the diagnosis and management of pneumonia in patients with cancer. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
“Left main equivalent” coronary artery disease: Its clinical presentation and prognostic significance with nonsurgical therapy

The clinical characteristics and nonsurgical prognosis of 55 patients with "left main (LM) equivalent" coronary artery disease (CAD) were evaluated and defined as: (1) greater than or equal to 75% diameter reduction of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) before the takeoff of any large septal perforator or anterolateral (diagonal) branches; (2) greater than or equal to 75% diameter reduction of the left circumflex artery (LC) before the takeoff of any large marginal branch; and (3) absence of greater than or equal to 50% stenosis of the LM coronary artery. Compared with nonsurgically treated patients with greater than or equal to 75% stenosis of the LM artery, patients with LM equivalent CAD had a shorter duration of symptoms (median of 51 months vs 66 months) and more often had a Q wave on the electrocardiogram (60 vs 39%). Survival in patients with LM equivalent CAD (78% at 1 year and 55% at 5 years) was better than that in patients with LM disease with nonsurgical therapy (65% at 1 year and 40% at 5 years) (p = 0.02), although the rate of freedom from cardiovascular events was not significantly different. Compared with other nonsurgically treated patients with 2- or 3-vessel CAD involving the LAD and LC (28 and 42%, respectively, with progressive angina), patients with LM equivalent CAD had more severe anginal symptoms (55% with progressive angina) and a longer duration of symptoms (medians of 20 months in 2-vessel CAD, 36 months in 3-vessel CAD and 51 months in LM equivalent CAD).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Transdermal fentanyl: Clinical trial at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

Transdermal fentanyl is a new fentanyl delivery system recently approved by the FDA for use in patients with chronic pain. In an open-label clinical trial, 5 patients with cancer pain were switched to transdermal fentanyl patches. Patients were evaluated with visual analogue scales (VAS) for pain, mood, and pain relief. A Functional Living Index--Cancer and a symptom questionnaire were filled out 2 wk and 4 wk after initiation of transdermal fentanyl patches. After 2 wk of treatment all patients had VAS improvements in pain control. Patients experienced a decrease in constipation, improved appetite, and improved mood. One patient had drowsiness, which limited dose. The improvements in pain control allowed these patients to perform tasks that they had previously not felt well enough to do.
Visual criminology and carceral studies: Counter-images in the carceral age:

Mass incarceration maps onto global neoliberal carceral formations that, in turn, look very much like a visual iconography of social suffering. Camp or prison-like conditions define the daily life ...
Effect of Magnetic Field Gradient on Effectiveness of the Magnetic Sifter for Cell Purification

In our experiments with NCI-H1650 lung cancer cell lines labeled with magnetic nanoparticles via the Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) antigen, we demonstrate capture efficiencies above 90% even at sample flow rates of 5 ml/h through our microfabricated magnetic sifter. We also improve the elution efficiencies from between 50% and 60% to close to 90% via optimization of the permanent magnet size and position used to magnetize the sifter. We then explain our observations via the use of finite element software for magnetic field and field gradient distributions, and a particle tracing algorithm, illustrating the impact of magnetic field gradients on the performance of the magnetic sifter. The high capture and elution efficiencies observed here is especially significant for magnetic separation of biologically interesting but rare moieties such as cancer stem cells for downstream analysis.
STUDIES ON LYSOSOMES. V. THE EFFECTS OF STREPTOLYSINS AND OTHER HEMOLYTIC AGENTS ON ISOLATED LEUCOCYTE GRANULES.

Granules from rabbit peritoneal leucocytes were prepared in 0.3 M sucrose as an optically homogeneous suspension with the aid of heparin. Lysis of the granules in vitro was followed by measurement of decreases in the apparent absorbance of the suspensions at 520 mµ and was accompanied by solubilization of beta-glucuronidase from the particles. Streptolysins O and S from hemolytic streptococci lysed the granules at 20°C; the initial rate of lysis by streptolysin O was greater than that by streptolysin S. Cysteine activated, and specific antibody inhibited, streptolysin O; antimycin and bovine serum albumin inhibited streptolysin S. The granules were not lysed by any other streptococcal exotoxins. Lysis was irreversible and depended neither upon oxidative phosphorylation, nor upon intact respiration. The granules were also lysed by lysolecithin, at concentrations from 2 x 10-6 M to 1 x 10-4 M; bovine serum albumin and antimycin also inhibited this lytic agent. Such other hemolytic agents and procedures as vitamin A, non-ionic detergents, and ultraviolet irradiation also disrupted leucocyte granules. In susceptibility to lysis and other properties, the granules of white cells resembled erythrocytes. Leucocyte granules differed from mitochondria in that they did not appear to take up or extrude water reversibly; they were unaffected by thyroxine, phosphate, or metabolic substrate. The studies are compatible with the hypotheses that white cell granules are similar to lysosomes isolated from other tissues, and that they share common surface properties with erythrocytes.
Modeling of spherulitic crystallization in thermoplastic tow-placement process: spherulitic microstructure evolution

Abstract A numerical study on the evolution of spherulitic microstructures during crystallization of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic matrix, poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK), in a composite tow-placement process is presented. A model for spherulitic microstructure growth within a unit cell formed between adjacent fibers and at the interlayer surface is developed, by accounting for the spatial temperature variation and the temperature history resulting from hot gas torch heating during the process, as discussed in a previous work [Compos. Sci. Tech., in press]. Parametric studies are conducted to elucidate the effects of processing conditions, in terms of torch incidence angle, θ, torch exit diameter, D, torch distance to target, L, hot gas temperature, Tnoz, gas velocity, Unoz, line speed, V, and number of layers in tow substrate, Nlayer, on the crystalline microstructures. The range of average spherulite size corresponding to optimal processing conditions based on considerations of overall crystallinity is determined.
Gonadotrophin and prolactin secretory dynamics in girls with normal puberty, idiopathic precocious puberty and precocious puberty due to hypothalamic hamartoma.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to test the hypothesis that hypothalamic hamartoma causes precocious puberty through a different neuroendocrine mechanism than that of normal puberty or of idiopathic precocious puberty. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: We compared the pattern of gonadotrophin secretion among 4 girls with precocious puberty due to hypothalamic hamartoma, 27 girls with idiopathic precocious puberty, and 14 girls with normal puberty. All subjects were breast stage 3 or 4. Blood samples were obtained every 20 min for 4 h during the day (1.000 hours to 1400 h) and night (22.00 hours to 0200 h). MEASUREMENTS: LH, FSH, and prolactin were measured in each blood sample. Girls also underwent LHRH-stimulation with measurement of LH and FSH before and after stimulation. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in mean LH level, LH peak amplitude, or LH or FSH peak frequency during either the day or the night among the three diagnostic groups. However, the mean +/- SD LHRH-stimulated peak LH levels were greater in girls with hypothalamic hamartoma than in girls with normal puberty or with idiopathic precocious puberty (194 +/- 142 vs 85 +/- 60 or 66 +/- 54 IU/l, respectively, P < 0.05). The LHRH-stimulated peak FSH level in girls with hypothalamic hamartoma exceeded the level for the normal pubertal girls (31 +/- 19 vs 17 +/- 7 IU/l, P < 0.05), but not the level for the girls with idiopathic precocious puberty (25 + 12 IU/l). The peak LH to peak FSH ratio in the girls with hypothalamic hamartoma exceeded the ratio for the girls with idiopathic precocious puberty (7.3 +/- 3.9 vs 2.6 +/- 3.0 IU/l, P < 0.05), but not the ratio for the normal pubertal girls (5.0 + 2.9). There were no significant differences in mean prolactin level, peak amplitude or frequency, or in the ratio of mean night to mean day prolactin, among the 3 diagnostic groups. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that spontaneous gonadotrophin and prolactin secretion are similar among girls with hypothalamic hamartoma, idiopathic precocious puberty, or normal puberty. However, the increased LHRH-stimulated peak LH in the girls with hypothalamic hamartoma suggests subtle differences in neuroendocrine regulation that may underlie their more rapid pubertal maturation.
Anaerobic diagenesis within Recent, Pleistocene, and Eocene marine carbonate frameworks

Porewaters from a variety of Recent, Pleistocene, and Eocene lithified marine carbonate frameworks displayed similar chemical characteristics: highly depleted concentrations of dissolved oxygen (>20 μM), elevated levels of dissolved methane (25-5000 nM), and near-seawater sulphate levels. These porewaters also had low pH values (7·5-7·9), and contained elevated concentrations of sulphide (4–10 μM), dissolved inorganic carbon (2·05–2·46 mM), and inorganic nutrients. Hydrocarbon composition data indicate that the methane is biogenic, whereas the methane δ13C values (–47·4 ± 2·7%0) suggest that it has been subject to oxidation. The porewater dissolved inorganic carbon δ13C values varied from –0·6 to –39%0, suggesting input of carbon dioxide from organic matter oxidation. We conclude that anaerobic diagenesis involving bacterial degradation of organic matter is a common process in lithified marine carbonates and hypothesize that it may be an important factor controlling their carbonate geochemistry.
Improving Source Location Accuracy of Acoustic Emission in Complicated Structures

To determine failure locations is a practical effort in many engineering applications. A proper selection of signal wave velocity is critical for the implementation. Current practice in AE using a constant velocity model has a serious disadvantage that may introduce significant error and slow the speed of convergence, and it becomes even worse when the material is in form of complicated structure. In this paper, we proposed a variable velocity model to address this disadvantage. The variable velocity approach is validated by static tests (pencil lead break) and dynamic tests (fatigue tests) performed on a cemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) that has four material layers. Compared to the constant velocity model, the variable velocity approach reduces source location errors in both static (from 7.1 mm to 4.7 mm) and dynamic tests. The results indicated that the proposed variable velocity approach has significant advantages over the constant velocity approach when microcracks occur in a complicated structure.
National differences between ED and ambulatory visits for suicidal ideation and attempts and depression.

Abstract Background Many suicidal and depressed patients are seen in emergency departments (EDs), whereas outpatient visits for depression remain high. Study objective The primary objective of the study is to determine a relationship between the incidence of suicidal and depressed patients presenting to EDs and the incidence of depressed patients presenting to outpatient clinics. The secondary objective is to analyze trends among suicidal patients. Methods The National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey were screened to provide a sampling of ED and outpatient visits, respectively. Suicidal and depressed patients presenting to EDs were compared with depressed patients presenting to outpatient clinics. Subgroup analyses included age, sex, race/ethnicity, method of payment, regional variation, and urban verses rural distribution. Results Emergency department visits for depression (1.16% of visits in 2002) and suicide attempts (0.51% of visits in 2002) remained stable over the years. Office visits for depression decreased from 3.14% of visits in 2002 to 2.65% of visits in 2008. Non-Latino whites had a higher percentage of ED visits for depression and suicide attempt and office visits for depression than other groups. The percentage of ED visits for suicide attempt resulting in hospital admission decreased by 2.06% per year. Conclusion From 2002 to 2008, the percentage of outpatient visits for depression decreased, whereas ED visits for depression and suicide remained stable. When examined in the context of a decreasing prevalence of depression among adults, we conclude that an increasing percentage of the total patients with depression are being evaluated in the ED, vs outpatient clinics.
A rapid sperm motility bioassay procedure for quality-control testing of water and culture media

A rapid bioassay procedure is described for quality-control testing water and apparatus used in the preparation of media for gamete and embryo culture. This bioassay is based on the sensitivity of hamster epididymal spermatozoa to contaminants present in water and/or in the culture apparatus. The bioassay is usually performed using a modified Tyrode's solution as the sperm culture medium, although complex media can be used. The sensitivity of this test is greatly enhanced by the absence of protein in the medium. The bioassay has been used to detect impurities in water prepared by a standard cartridge filtration system and to verify that reverse-osmosis pretreatment of water could eliminate the problem. It has also detected toxic contaminants leached from syringe filters during medium sterilization. The bioassay is simple to perform and can be completed in 1 working day. It may be a useful alternative to the conventional mouse embryo tests that are in widespread use in human in vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratories.
Cumulative damage model for fatigue crack growth based on reaction rate theory—II

Abstract A study is continued of a macro model of fatigue crack growth (FCG) that is based upon a micro result from reaction rate theory. The previously presented deterministic (mean) model is examined further, and a probabilistic model is introduced. Analysis of FCG data for periodic tensile loads reveals that three material parameters are required. The model also explicitly contains the load and the temperature T . It is shown that T and the form of the periodic load are important quantities, of which the former has interesting implications for accelerated testing. The minimum amount of testing required for predictive purposes is also discussed.
Radiative effects of polar stratospheric clouds

Radiative transfer calculations are performed for polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) using newly acquired PSC properties and polar atmospheric data. PSC radiative effects depend strongly on upwelling thermal radiation and vary from infrared heating over warm polar surfaces, such as oceans, to cooling over cold surfaces, such as the Antarctic plateau. Heating and cooling rates of nitric acid PSCs are smaller than + or - 0.1 K/day. Rates for optically thicker ice PSCs vary from 1.0 to -0.2 K/day, those for orographically forced ice PSCs even from 3.0 to -0.5 K/day. Frequently observed optically thick cirrus decks near the tropopause provide a very cold radiative surface. These clouds not only act to prevent heating and enhance cooling in ice PSCs to -0.5 K/day and orographic ice PSCs to 2 K/day, but such cirrus cloud decks also cool the entire stratosphere by up to -0.5 K/day over warm surfaces, even in the absence of PSCs.
Experimental measures and theoretical account of hue scaling as a function of luminance

Functions relating the magnitude of chromatic response to stimulus luminance were determined at the unique green and yellow wavelengths. These measured functions were used to account for the shift from a preponderance of green at low stimulus luminances to a preponderance of yellow at higher luminances, for a stimulus wavelength of 550 nm. The two hue magnitude functions were found to have the same power-law exponents, and the hue shift was due to the difference in thresholds between the two opponent-color systems.
Vector quantization with compressed codebooks

Abstract Codebook storage is the key limitation in reducing distortion of vector quantization (VQ). We propose an effective lossless compression scheme with reduced computational requirements. Variable precision representation (VPR) for each vector y stores exp( y ), the number of leading bits which are zero in all elements, and avoids storing the zero bits. We show that storing the difference of centroid codevectors effectively removes the redundancy in the codebook. This difference is non-stationary. As the mean square error of the VQ encoder decreases, the added codevector differences become smaller and more amenable to compression. In mean-residual VQ, VPR can save more than 50% in storage, and achieve more than 75% bit reduction of entropy coding. Moreover, VPR reduces the cost of VQ. The VPR inner product module has 10% less area × time cost than the conventional inner product. The designs are verified and their speed estimated for 1.0-μ CMOS gate array technology. Using tree-structured VQ, they can encode in real-time television quality video (720 × 576 pixels × 30 frames/s).
Role of self-caught fish in total fish consumption rates for recreational fishermen: Average consumption for some species exceeds allowable intake

Studies of fish consumption focus on recreational or subsistence fishing, on awareness and adherence to advisories, consumption patterns, and contaminants in fish. Yet the general public obtains their fish from commercial sources. In this paper I examine fish consumption patterns of recreational fishermen in New Jersey to determine: 1) consumption rates for self-caught fish and for other fish, 2) meals consumed per year, 3) average meal size, and average daily intake of mercury, and 4) variations in these parameters for commonly-consumed fish, and different methods of computing intake. Over 300 people were interviewed at fishing sites and fishing clubs along the New Jersey shore. Consumption patterns of anglers varied by species of fish. From 2 to 90 % of the anglers ate the different fish species, and between 9 and 75 % gave fish away to family or friends. Self-caught fish made up 7 to 92 % of fish diets. On average, self-caught fish were eaten for only 2 to 6 months of the year, whereas other fish (commercial or restaurant) were eaten up to 10 months a year. Anglers consumed from 5 to 36 meals of different fish a year, which resulted in intake of mercury ranging from 0.01 to 0.22 ug/kg/day. Average intake of Mako shark, swordfish, and tuna (sushi, canned tuna, self-caught tuna) exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's oral, chronic reference dose for mercury of 0.1 ug/kg/day. However, computing intake using consumption for the highest month results in average mercury intake exceeding the reference dose for striped bass and bluefish as well. These data, and the variability in consumption patterns, have implications for risk assessors, risk managers, and health professionals.
Patients’ experiences from symptom onset to initial treatment for atrial fibrillation

Aims and objectives To describe patients’ experiences from symptom onset to initial treatment for atrial fibrillation. Background The estimated number of individuals with atrial fibrillation globally in 2010 was 33·5 million. World-wide, each year, new cases of atrial fibrillation approach 5 million, and prevalence will increase 2·5-fold by 2050. As a result, clinicians worldwide will treat a growing number of patients with atrial fibrillation. Early intervention to promote atrial fibrillation self-management is critical to reduce associated complications of stroke and heart failure. Greater understanding of patients’ experiences from symptom onset to initial treatment for atrial fibrillation is needed to guide development of interventions to promote early effective self-management. Design A descriptive qualitative design was used. Methods Twenty females and 21 males at an academic medical centre were interviewed using open-ended questions to explore their experiences from symptom onset to initial treatment for atrial fibrillation. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Participants’ mean age was 64·3 (SD = 10·1) years. Four themes were identified: (1) misinterpreting symptoms; (2) discovering the meaning of atrial fibrillation; (3) facing fears, uncertainty, and moving to acceptance; and (4) receiving validation and reassurance. Participants lacked knowledge of atrial fibrillation and took cues from providers’ responses to appraise symptoms and diagnosis. Fear and uncertainty were reduced when providers initiated prompt treatment and took time to explain atrial fibrillation. Patients appreciated receiving clear information about atrial fibrillation, were engaged in learning, and motivated to participate in their care. Conclusions Providers played a critical role in helping patients to develop an accurate understanding of atrial fibrillation, to cope with the new diagnosis, and motivated them to engage in effective self-management. Relevance to clinical practice Insight into participant experiences from symptom onset to initial treatment for atrial fibrillation may inform development of interventions to promote effective atrial fibrillation self-management.
Tumor vascularity in the prognostic assessment of primary cutaneous melanoma.

PURPOSE: The vascular supply of the primary tumor is recognized to play an important role in the progression of a number of solid tumors. However, the role of tumor vascularity in the prognostic assessment of melanoma remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic impact of patterns of vascularity on the outcome associated with cutaneous melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tumor vascularity was documented prospectively using routine histopathologic analysis of 417 primary cutaneous melanomas from the University of California at San Francisco Melanoma Center database. Four patterns of tumor vascularity were recorded: absent, sparse, moderate, and prominent. RESULTS: Increasing tumor vascularity significantly increased the risk of relapse and death associated with melanoma, corresponding to reduced relapse-free and overall survival. By multivariate analysis, tumor vascularity was the most important determinant of overall survival, surpassing tumor thickness. Increasing tumor vascular...
Analysis of Heterogeneous Speeding Behavior and Gasoline Prices with Hourly Washington State Data

Previous research has produced mixed results for a hypothesis that drivers reduce speeds to conserve gasoline when gasoline prices are high. An analysis that builds on 2012 research by Hendrik Wolff is replicated with an hourly data set of highway speeds from Washington State. A decline in speeds due to increasing gasoline prices is modest but statistically significant. Specifically, a $1/gallon increase in gas prices reduces the average speed by 0.27 mph and changes the average highway speed from 70.82 to 70.55 mph. The change could translate to substantial gas expenditure savings—on the order of $1 billion annually—if similar reductions were seen on all U.S. highways. Study results indicate that in terms of heterogeneity, the fastest drivers do not reduce speeds proportionately; such behavior could undermine the safety objective of a gasoline tax. The speed changes are caused mainly by the gasoline price that drivers pay at the pump. The intense public media attention given to gas prices has relatively ...
Acquisition and extinction of human avoidance behavior: attenuating effect of safety signals and associations with anxiety vulnerabilities.

While avoidance behavior is often an adaptive strategy, exaggerated avoidance can be detrimental and result in the development of psychopathologies, such as anxiety disorders. A large animal literature shows that the acquisition and extinction of avoidance behavior in rodents depends on individual differences (e.g., sex, strain) and might be modulated by the presence of environmental cues. However, there is a dearth of such reports in human literature, mainly due to the lack of adequate experimental paradigms. In the current study, we employed a computer-based task, where participants control a spaceship and attempt to gain points by shooting an enemy spaceship that appears on the screen. Warning signals predict on-screen aversive events; the participants can learn a protective response to escape or avoid these events. This task has been recently used to reveal facilitated acquisition of avoidance behavior in individuals with anxiety vulnerability, due to female sex or inhibited personality. Here, we extended the task to include an extinction phase, and tested the effect of signals that appeared during “safe” periods. Healthy young adults (n=122) were randomly assigned to a testing condition with or without such signals. Results showed that the addition of safety signals during the acquisition phase impaired acquisition (in females) and facilitated extinction of the avoidance behavior. We also replicated our recent finding of an association between female sex and longer avoidance duration and further showed that females continued to demonstrate more avoidance behavior even on extinction trials when the aversive events no longer occurred. This study is the first to show sex differences on the acquisition and extinction of human avoidance behavior and to demonstrate the role of safety signals in such behavior, highlighting the potential relevance of safety signals for cognitive therapies that focus on extinction learning to treat anxiety symptoms.
The Executive Budget in the Federal Government: The First Century and Beyond

This article reviews the history of executive budgeting in the United States a century after President William Howard Taft's Economy and Efficiency Commission proposed an executive budget. This history, the authors argue, does not suggest that giving more budget power to the president will improve budget outcomes. Instead, what is needed is more cooperation between the branches of government and a better-educated public—goals that were shared by budget reformers when the Taft report was published.