cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Evolution of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as MRI Contrast Agents

While the use of iron oxide nanoparticles as magnetic resonance contrast agents for clinical imaging is established, they are more recently experiencing renewed interest as alternatives to gadolinium-based contrast agents. Ultra-small iron oxide nanoparticles have unique pharmacokinetics, metabolic and imaging properties. These properties have led to improved techniques for imaging a variety of vascular, oncologic and inflammatory conditions with iron oxide nanoparticles. Current research efforts are aimed at harnessing the characteristics of these nanoparticles to advance magnetic resonance imaging techniques and explore new therapeutic potentials. While there are some limitations to the use of iron oxide nanoparticles, including allergies to parenteral iron and iron storage disorders, the practicable applications for these agents will continue to expand. The purpose of this review is to provide a brief overview of the history and synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles, their current applications in clinical imaging and their prospective clinical applications.
On the eruptive origins of lunar localized pyroclastic deposits

Abstract Localized pyroclastic deposits (LPDs) are low-albedo accumulates of pyroclastic material with distinct positive topographic signatures that are found dominantly along highland-mare boundaries. Previous workers hypothesized that LPDs represent products of a lunar equivalent of Vulcanian-style eruptions, based in part on the observation that some of the deposits in Alphonsus Crater have large vent volumes in comparison with their deposit volumes, indicating a low proportion of juvenile material in the deposits. The objective of this study is to better understand eruption mechanisms by determining how the proportion of juvenile material, as calculated using deposit and vent volumes, varies among LPDs in Alphonsus Crater and elsewhere on the Moon using contemporary data and methods. Deposit and vent volumes for 23 LPDs from eleven sites were calculated by differencing current and modeled pre-eruption surfaces using digital terrain models (DTMs) derived from Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera Narrow Angle Camera (LROC NAC). Results show that LPDs have a wide range of juvenile proportions, many of which are more juvenile-rich than previously thought. Additionally, there is a positive relationship between juvenile material proportion and deposit volume and thickness, and a positive relationship between juvenile volume and dispersal area. LPDs also bear a broad range of thinning profiles which span a range of multiple eruption types on Earth. These findings, along with previous studies employing spectroscopic analysis of these deposits, indicate there is greater diversity among LPDs in composition and morphometry than previously understood, and that previously published simplified Vulcanian models may apply only to the deposits containing the least amount of juvenile material, with all others perhaps requiring a combination of multiple eruptive mechanisms. Furthermore, dynamic model results suggest that the most widespread lunar deposits in this study were formed by magma containing 2000–5000 ppm of dissolved volatiles, consistent with recent estimates via melt inclusion analysis, but contrary to long-held ideas that the Moon was largely degassed during its formation.
Multidimensional brand equity and asymmetric risk

Abstract The authors investigate the extent to which central customer-based brand equity dimensions (Differentiation, Relevance, Esteem, Knowledge, and Energy) influence a firm’s systematic risk (i.e., beta) during both market upturns and downturns. The results demonstrate that aggregating upside and downside beta or different dimensions of brand equity masks the true associations which can be seen only in the disaggregate analyses. The authors find that Relevance and Knowledge play roles as stabilizers, showing negative relationships with both upside gains and downside risk, while Esteem plays the role of protector, showing a negative relationship with only downside losses and not influencing upside gains; Energy acts as a booster, being positively associated with a firm’s potential gains in a period of market growth without increasing the firm’s expected losses during a bad market. The positive relationship of Energy with aggregate risk could be misleading as it hides the beneficial effect of Energy as a booster. The authors also find that Relevance is the most important consideration when people make choices in bad market situations, while Energy becomes the most crucial deciding factor in good market situations. Taking advantage of the multidimensional constructs of brand equity while allowing for the asymmetrical characteristics of risk enables managers to capture the differential role of each brand equity dimension in influencing firm risks, which leads to more sophisticated strategic decisions regarding risk management. In addition to general brand strategy, the authors provide tailored brand strategies to firms from different industries or with different financial characteristics.
COVID-19 in Children: Clinical Manifestations and Pharmacologic Interventions Including Vaccine Trials.

Children usually present with milder symptoms of COVID-19 as compared with adults. Supportive care alone is appropriate for most children with COVID-19. Antiviral therapy may be required for those with severe or critical diseases. Currently there has been a rapid development of vaccines globally to prevent COVID-19 and several vaccines are being evaluated in children and adolescents. Currently, only the Pfizer-BioNTech messenger RNA vaccine is approved for emergency authorization use in the pediatric population ages 16 years and older.
Mark I. Wallace, When God Was a Bird: Christianity, Animism, and the Re-Enchantment of the World

Mark I. Wallace, When God Was a Bird: Christianity, Animism, and the Re-Enchantment of the World (New York: Fordham University Press, 2019), 224 pp., $29.95 (pbk), ISBN: 9780823281312.
A 3D Slab-Based Methodology to predict end of life for concrete pavements

Observation of fatigue cracking in concrete pavement slabs can be an indication that the life of the pavement is coming to an end. Alternatively, cracked slabs can be due to uneven foundation suppo...
Preventing opioid use disorder and misuse in asymptomatic primary care patients: A call for relevant primary prevention intervention research.

To contribute to the national effort to combat the opioid crisis, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a scoping review to describe the state of evidence for the primary prevention of opioid misuse or use disorder in persons not yet prescribed opioids or not yet misusing opioids. Patnode CD et al., 2021 As found by the scoping review, sparse direct evidence focusing on primary care-relevant prevention interventions exists. The purpose of the current commentary is to describe the relevant research needed to effectively inform primary care providers and patients about how to reduce the risk for future opioid use disorder and opioid misuse and improve health outcomes in those not yet exposed to or misusing opioid medications.
Bacteriophage HK97 Capsid Assembly and Maturation

The Escherichia coli phage HK97 has provided a productive experimental system for investigating how virus capsids are assembled from their protein components and how the assembled capsids mature to their final form. Aspects of the process for which the HK97 system has been particularly informative include assembly of the icosahedral capsid shell from the component proteins, structure of the capsid subunits and of the entire capsid as it progresses through its maturation, and the mechanism of the covalent cross-linking that links the subunits together into viral chain mail. The structural dynamics of the maturation as well as the energetics that drives maturation forward are beginning to be understood.
Nerve Conduction Studies of the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve. Implications in the Diagnosis of Meralgia Paresthetica

The diagnosis of meralgia paresthetica, while based on clinical suspicion, can be confirmed via electrophysiological testing. Previous testing of the sensory conduction of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve placed the stimulating electrode one centimeter medial to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). This position is both uncomfortable for the patient and difficult for the operator to perform. The following article suggests an alternate position for the stimulating electrode, four centimeters distal to the ASIS. Twenty subjects served as their own controls and both the old technique and the new technique were performed. Using the old technique, the response rate was 35% (7 out of 20 subjects). Using the new technique, the response rate was 90% (18 out of 20 subjects). These results indicate a significantly higher response rate when the only variable altered is the electrode placement. This simple change in technique requires no more effort, cost, or training on the part of the operator yet produces a much higher percentage of responses.
Conservation Laws in the Monopole - Fermion System

It is shown that the monopole induced baryon number non-conservation is a necessary consequence of the exact conservation laws of the full four dimensional fermion-gauge field-Higgs system and properties of the J = 0 partial wave fermions.
The relative impact of trade liberalization ondeveloping countries

Resumen en: This paper sets out to initiate reflection upon the real costs of trade agreements. The authors believe that it is necessary to deflate grossly exaggera...
The Influence of Pre-Existing Audience Mood and Message Relevance on the Effectiveness of Health Psas: Differential Effects by Message Type

Most health communication research is grounded in theories of rational human behavior, which emphasize the role of cognition in health-related decision making. The role of affect—particularly pre-exposure mood—as a determinant of responses to health campaigns is underexplored. Using experimental data, the present study describes variations in attitudinal and behavioral responses to health communication as a function of preexisting mood (positive/negative), message relevance (high/low), and health message type (prevention/detection). Data show that message relevance moderated the effects of health message type under positive, but not under negative, mood.
Reconstructing Cepheid Light Curve with Fourier Techniques II: Catalogue of the Fourier Parameters for OGLE LMC Fundamental Mode Cepheids

In this paper we present a catalogue of the Fourier parameters for the light curves of Large Magellanic Cloud fundamental mode Cepheids in the OGLE database. These Fourier parameters are obtained with a simulated annealing method. The photometric data are mainly fit with 4th to 8th-order Fourier expansion, though some of the long period Cepheids require up to a 12th-order fit to the data.
A lightweight scheme for securely and reliably locating SIP users

Voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) is a fast growing technology believed to be the future replacement for traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN) networks. VOIP offers many benefits over PSTW, but there are still lots of issues when it comes to service reliability and security. One of the problems faced is how to locate communicating parties on the Internet in a secure and reliable manner. The security mechanisms included in RFC 3261 session initiation protocol (SIP) are either weak or expensive to deploy. In this paper, we propose a light weight scheme that can protect the integrity of SIP contact addresses. This scheme also achieves high availability of SIP services through replication. End user public key distributed in this scheme can also be used for end-to-end user authentication and media session key exchange.
Psychopathy Checklist–Revised Use and Reporting Practices in Sexually Violent Predator Evaluations:

We surveyed evaluators who conduct sexually violent predator evaluations ( N = 95) regarding the frequency with which they use the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), their rationale for use, and scoring practices. Findings suggest that evaluators use the PCL-R in sexually violent predator cases because of its perceived versatility, providing information about both mental disorder and risk. Several findings suggested gaps between research and routine practice. For example, relatively few evaluators reported providing the factor and facet scores that may be the strongest predictors of future offending, and many assessed the combination of PCL-R scores and sexual deviance using deviance measures (e.g., paraphilia diagnoses) that have not been examined in available studies. There was evidence of adversarial allegiance in PCL-R score interpretation, as well as a "bias blind spot" in PCL-R and other risk measure (Static-99R) scoring; evaluators tended to acknowledge the possibility of bias in other evaluators but not in themselves. Findings suggest the need for evaluators to carefully consider the extent to which their practices are consistent with emerging research and to be attuned to the possibility that working in adversarial settings may influence their scoring and interpretation practices.
The Properties of Extragalactic X-ray Sources from Visible Light Observations

We describe the optical properties of the radio galaxy NGC 5128, the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151 and the QSO 3C 273 all of which appear to be point sources of X-rays. We emphasize how the X-ray observations, particularly the low energy absorption cutoff, may help us to understand the detailed structure and source of energy in these diverse objects.
Thrombospondin mediates calcium mobilization in fibroblasts via its Arg-Gly-Asp and carboxyl-terminal domains.

Abstract Thrombospondin is a matrix glycoprotein found in various cells that can modulate cell attachment, migration, and proliferation. We now show that intact soluble thrombospondin causes a transient [Ca2+]i increase in IMR-90 fibroblasts. This [Ca2+]i increase is mediated partly by the RGD-containing domain of thrombospondin that binds to the integrin αvβ3 as demonstrated by inhibitor studies using anti-αvβ3 antibody and RGD-containing peptides. A non-RGD and non-αvβ3 component of this [Ca2+]i increase is mediated by the carboxyl-terminal domain of thrombospondin through an unidentified receptor on fibroblasts as shown by the antibody to the carboxyl-terminal of thrombospondin, C6.7. In addition, the carboxyl-terminal derived peptide, RFYVVMWK, also triggers [Ca2+]i increase in ∼35% of fibroblasts. Both EGTA and Ni2+ block the entire [Ca2+]i increase indicating that this is due to an influx of extracellular Ca2+. B6H12, an antibody to the integrin-associated protein, blocks this [Ca2+]iincrease by 50%, suggesting that some of the Ca2+ might be entering through an integrin-associated calcium channel. The current findings demonstrate that multiple domains on thrombospondin can trigger signal transduction events by increasing [Ca2+]i through their interactions with different cell receptors.
Clinican Volume and Outcomes for Carotid Artery Stenting (CAS): Is There Any Substitute for Experience with CAS?

Objectives: Prior studies demonstrated improved clinical outcomes for surgeonswith a high volume experience with certain open vascular operations. It is not known whether a high volume experience with carotid artery stenting (CAS) improves clinical outcomes.Moreover, it is not knownwhether experience with other endovascular procedures, including percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), is an adequate substitute for experience with CAS. Our objective was to assess the impact of increasing clinician volume of CAS, aortic endografting (EVAR/TEVAR), and PCI on the outcomes for CAS. Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was analyzed to identify patients undergoing CAS for the years 2005-2009. Clinicians were stratified into tertiles of low-, medium-, and high-volume groups based on annual volume of CAS, EVAR/TEVAR, and PCI. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between clinician volume and a composite outcome of in-hospital stroke and death rate after CAS. Results: Between 2005 and 2009, 83,072 elective CAS procedures were performed nationwide with crude in-hospital stroke and death rates of 1.94% and 1.12%, respectively. The median number of CAS procedures performed annually was seven per clinician (interquartile range, 2-17). Stroke and death rates for CAS decreased with increasing volume of CAS performed by a clinician (Table). Similar patterns were noted between clinicians’ volume of EVAR/TEVAR and PCI and outcomes for CAS (Table). After adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics, however, clinician volume was not a significant predictor of outcomes for CAS, while symptomatic status was the dominant predictor of stroke and death after CAS (OR, 20.4; 95% CI, 15.327.3; P < .0001). For asymptomatic patients, clinician volume of CAS remained an independent predictor of stroke and death after CAS (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.64-0.96, per 10 CAS cases; P 1⁄4 .02), whereas clinician volume of EVAR/TEVAR and PCI were not significant predictors of outcome for CAS. Conclusions: When treating asymptomatic carotid stenosis, the stroke and death rate for CAS is 21% lower for every 10 CAS procedures performed by a clinician. Clinicians with wire and catheter skills should be advised that there is no substitute for experience with CAS to optimize outcomes of CAS performed in asymptomatic patients.
Connotative meanings of color names and color hues.

The study was designed to investigate the connotative meanings of color signs and corresponding color significates among young adult Ss. Semantic differential ratings of 10 color names and 10 corresponding color hues revealed highly similar meanings along Evaluation, Potency, and Activity dimensions. It was concluded that color names and hues are virtually equivalent in terms of the connotative meanings which they evoke.
Recurrent Infection with Herpes Simplex Virus after Marrow Transplantation: Role of the Specific Immune Response and Acyclovir Treatment

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) reactivation is common after marrow transplantation, with some patients developing frequent and severe recurrences. Sixty patients were studied to determine both the effect of the specific lymphocyte response to HSV on subsequent recurrences and the effect of acyclovir treatment on restoration of this response. Patients with a positive response after the first HSV recurrence had fewer second recurrences (13 of 28 vs. 18 of 19; P less than .01) and at a longer interval when they did recur (42 vs. 27 days; P less than .0001). Conversely, patients treated with acyclovir had more frequent second recurrences than did those not treated (18 of 21 vs. 13 of 26; P less than .05) and they were at a shorter interval when they did recur (27 vs. 36 days; P = .001). Treated patients also had lower specific lymphocyte responses to HSV. These data confirm the importance of the specific immune response to HSV in the determination of the course of HSV infection after marrow transplant.
Reduction of an hexamethylphosphoramide degradation product: a diazabutadiene.

Alkali metal over-reduction of an electron acceptor in the presence of a hydrogen atom donor, in hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA), results in a radical that is not simply the anion radical of the acc...
The Kindleberger‐Aliber‐Minsky paradigm and the global subprime mortgage meltdown

Purpose – This paper sets out to analyze the current global financial crisis that originated in the US subprime mortgage market through the lens of the Kindleberger‐Aliber‐Minsky (KAM) paradigm as set forth in Kindleberger and Aliber's Manias, Panics and Crashes, to first examine the bubble's origins in the displacement caused by the internet collapse, the subsequent US recession, and the aggressive lowering of US interest rates. It shows how these events, combined with other technological and regulatory factors, resulted in a US housing bubble fueled by the aggressive securitization of mortgages by many large financial institutions, a reduction in their credit standards, and a lack of regulatory oversight. In this way it assesses the prime players in the process in terms of motivation and performance.Design/methodology/approach – The paper explores how the process peaked and began to unravel as cash flows at the base of the financial pyramid built through securitization slowed. Once the supporting cash f...
Publication Patterns of Science, Technology, and Medical Librarians: Review of the 2008–2012 Published Research

This article reviews science librarianship research from 2008–2012 by using the following four Library and Information Science (LIS) journals: Health Information & Libraries Journal, Issues in Science & Technology Librarianship, Journal of the Medical Library Association, and Science & Technology Libraries. The texts of 574 articles were analyzed and classified as research versus non-research. Articles, such as news, commentary, book reviews, editorials, meeting announcements and opinion pieces were excluded from the analysis. 311 (54.18 percent) research articles were examined in order to collect data on numerous variables including but not limited to authorship, affiliation, topic, type of research, data collection, data and analysis techniques.
Conditioned responses in a methadone population. A comparison of laboratory, clinic, and natural settings.

Abstract The incidence of conditioned high, craving, and withdrawal in methadone-maintained patients was compared across three settings: 1) an artificial laboratory setting, 2) clinic extinction sessions, and 3) in self-reports from the natural home environment. A significant proportion of methadone patients showed increased craving and withdrawal in response to drug-related stimuli, even in the artificial laboratory setting. As stimulus opportunities became more varied (clinic extinction sessions) and closer to those in the patient's own home environment, the proportion of patients experiencing subjective craving and withdrawal increased. These results are discussed in terms of the nature of, and inter-relationships among, the conditioned responses found in opiate abusers and the potential role of these responses in relapse to drug use in the abstinent patient.
A Flow Cell for Mode-Specific, Integrated Optical Waveguide Spectroscopy in Aqueous Superstrates:

Integrated optical waveguide (IOW) spectroscopy has attracted considerable interest as a technique for investigating physical and chemical processes at interfaces. The advantages of IO waveguides for interfacial studies include the extremely high irradiance that can be generated in the guide (usually achieved by efficient prism coupling); the higher reflection density in comparison to that for conventional internal reflection spectroscopies; and the discrete electric field distributions of resonant modes that are both spatially inhomogeneous and easily calculated. Swalen and co-workers exploited these features in studies of IO waveguide-excited Raman scattering from Langmuir-Blodgett (L-B) layers deposited on waveguide surfaces. Their reports yielded information on molecular adhesion mechanisms and surface orientation of the L-B structures, thus establishing IOW spectroscopy as a technique for studying interfacial chemistry of monolayer samples.
Embarrassingly parallel mesh refinement by edge subdivision

We have previously proposed a new technique for the communication-free adaptive refinement of tetrahedral meshes that works for all configurations. Implementations of the scheme must deal with all possible geometric configurations, which results in a large number of cases that in turn result in practical programming issues. In this article, we address this issue with a Python script that generates C++ code using the symmetric group $${\mathfrak{S}}_{4}$$ acting over canonical topological and geometric configurations. We then analyze the performance of the technique by characterizing (a) mesh quality, (b) execution time and parallel speedup, and (c) traits of the algorithm that could affect quality or execution time differently for different meshes and different mesh refinement strategies. This article also details the method used to debug the many subdivision templates that the algorithm relies upon. Mesh quality is on par with other similar refinement schemes, and we suggest a more elaborate technique that may substantially improve mesh quality. We show that throughput on modern hardware can exceed 600,000 output tetrahedra per second per processor, and that the method is embarrassingly parallel—assuming the application has partitioned the input properly.
Domain formation in the plasma membrane: roles of nonequilibrium lipid transport and membrane proteins

Compositional lipid domains ("lipid rafts") in plasma membranes are believed to be important components of many cellular processes. The mechanisms by which cells regulate the sizes and lifetimes of these spatially extended domains are poorly understood at the moment. Here we show that the competition between phase separation in an immiscible lipid system and active cellular lipid transport processes naturally leads to the formation of such domains. Furthermore, we demonstrate that local interactions with immobile membrane proteins can spatially localize the rafts and lead to further clustering.
The import of infancy for individual, family, and societal development: commentary on the special section: does infancy matter?

Abstract Across their life spans humans actualize a rich potential for cognitive and behavioral plasticity, a set of developmental changes that require regulation of organism-context relations on the part of both the individual and society. An individual’s action on the context must be started in infancy and maintained in subsequent periods of life for adaptive functioning to occur across ontogeny. The process of the individual acting as an agent of his or her own development is continuous, although the particular ways in which such control is manifested will change in developmentally appropriate ways. As demonstrated by the papers in this special issue, the significance of infancy for the rest of the life-span rests on an integration of this continuity and discontinuity within the person-context developmental system.
Risk perceptions starting to shift? U.S. citizens are forming opinions about nanotechnology.

This article presents early results from an opinion formation study based on a 76-member panel of U.S. citizens, with comparison data from a group of 177 nanotechnology experts. While initially similar to the expert group in terms of their perceptions of the risks, benefits, and need for regulation characterizing several forms of nanotechnology, the first follow-up survey indicates that the panel is beginning to diverge from the experts, particularly with respect to perceptions of the levels of various “societal” risks that nanotechnology might present. The data suggest that responding to public concerns may involve more than attention to physical risks in areas such as health and environment; concerns about other forms of risk actually appear more salient.
Effects of unilateral sympathectomy on the contralateral pupil of the cat.

Unilateral transections of sympathetic rami T1, T2, and T3 were performed on two groups of cats. This surgical procedure abolished the pupillary preganglionic nerve supply and produced a constriction of the ipsilateral pupil. Both groups of cats were maintained in dimly lighted cages. The pupils of one group (N = 9) were photographed in ambient illumination of 0, 1, 10, 40, and 300 foot-candles at 1 week and at 2 weeks after surgery. The other group (N = 17) was photographed daily (except weekends) for 2 weeks postoperatively. In both groups, after surgery, the pupil on the unoperated side (i.e., with intact sympathetic nerve supply) was significantly larger than it had been preoperatively. We interpret this phenomenon as an example of the consensual reflex. The ipsilateral decrease in retinal stimulation (due to the pupillary constriction) produced a consensual dilation of the contralateral pupil. The sympathectomized pupil became small after surgery and did not change in size during the first 2 postoperative weeks, but the contralateral pupil returned to its normal preoperative size. The return to normal size occurred sooner in those cats exposed daily to bright lights during photography than in those which were so exposed only once a week. We interpret this difference between the two groups as an example of learning in the autonomic nervous system, the reinforcement being the improvement in visual acuity when the dilated pupil returns to normal size.
Productive Efficiency and the Adaptations of Small-Scale Farmers

This paper reports on a survey, conducted in five western states of the United States, of 221 small-scale farmers. Despite the current productive dominance of large farms, an argument can be made that small-scale farming is desirable both for social and ecological reasons. Discussion focuses on the tradition-oriented goals and values of small-scale farmers, special problems associated with smallness of scale, diverse sources of income, cost minimization and risk reduction strategies, and determinants of financial viability. Results indicate that there are economic penalties attached to heavy investments of time and resources by respondents who attempt to make a living primarily by farming. In most cases nonfarm sources of income are necessary to offset insufficient farm income and provide the bulk of the support for the household. It is concluded that institutional change should be directed toward increasing the financial rewards for farming on a small scale, rather than encouraging farmers to incur the r...
Is electron equivalence between substrate and product preferable to C-mol equivalence in representations of microbial anabolism applicable to "origin of life" environmental conditions.

Abstract This research compares two techniques for constructing sets of equations representing the growth of a microorganism on a given substrate. Each anabolic equation represents a defined initial and a final state. The initial state comprises all necessary mineral nutrients and one organic source of carbon and energy. The final state comprises the microbial cells that have grown, and any additional organic or inorganic products of the growth process. The cells are represented by a unit-carbon formula of the form CHhOoNnPpSs, where the subscripts represent the proportions of the respective elements relative to carbon, which has a unit value. Vitamins, trace elements, and substances that are not covalently bound within the cells are not included in these equations. One technique for constructing growth-process equations is to assume that all available electrons in the cells or other products can only have come from the anabolic substrate. In addition, the quantity of electrons in the products and that in the quantity of the carbon and energy source that forms them are made equivalent. A second technique assumes that all the carbon in the cells or other products can only have come from the anabolic substrate. Here, the quantity of carbon in the products and that in the carbon and energy source that forms them is made equivalent. No O2 is included in any anabolic equation constructed by the first technique. Instead, CO2 is either produced or consumed, depending on the degree of reduction of the substrate relative to the product. Using the second technique, O2 is either produced or consumed in any equation, depending on the degree of reduction of the substrate relative to the product. This latter could not occur in an anoxic, “origin of life” environment.
Controlled trial of continuous negative external pressure in the treatment of severe respiratory distress syndrome.

A sequential controlled trial of continuous negative pressure versus oxygen in treatment of severe respiratory distress syndrome (Pa O 2 O 2 70 per cent or greater) was performed. CNP was applied by means of a newly designed, inexpensive plastic chamber. Twenty-nine infants with RDS who weighed >1,000 Gm. and who had no congenital malformations were studied; there were 14 in the oxygen-treated control group and 15 in the CNP-treated group. Following the study, seven additional infants were treated with CNP. Birth weights, sex, gestational ages, ages, and blood gases at the time of admission to the study were similar. Study failure was defined as a Pa O 2
Molecular systematics of New World suboscine birds.

Phylogenetic relationships among New World suboscine birds were studied using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences. New World suboscines were shown to constitute two distinct lineages, one apparently consisting of the single species Sapayoa aenigma, the other made up of the remaining 1000+ species of New World suboscines. With the exception of Sapayoa, monophyly of New World suboscines was strongly corroborated, and monophyly within New World suboscines of a tyrannoid clade and a furnarioid clade was likewise strongly supported. Relationships among families and subfamilies within these clades, however, differed in several respects from current classifications of suboscines. Noteworthy results included: (1) monophyly of the tyrant-flycatchers (traditional family Tyrannidae), but only if the tityrines (see below) are excluded; (2) monophyly of the pipromorphine flycatchers (Pipromorphinae of Sibley and Ahlquist, 1990) as one of two primary divisions of a monophyletic restricted Tyrannidae; (3) monophyly of the tityrines, consisting of the genus Tityra plus all sampled species of the Schiffornis group (Prum and Lanyon, 1989), as sister group to the manakins (traditional family Pipridae); (4) paraphyly of the ovenbirds (traditional family Furnariidae), if woodcreepers (traditional family Dendrocolaptidae) are excluded; and (5) polyphyly of the antbirds (traditional family Formicariidae) and paraphyly of the ground antbirds (Formicariidae sensu stricto). Genus Melanopareia (the crescent-chests), although clearly furnarioid, was found to be distant from other furnarioids and of uncertain affinities within the Furnarii. Likewise, the species Oxyruncus cristatus (the Sharpbill), although clearly tyrannoid, was distantly related to other tyrannoids and of uncertain affinities within the Tyranni. Results of this study provide support for some of the more novel features of the suboscine phylogeny of Sibley and Ahlquist (1985, 1990), but also reveal key differences, especially regarding relationships among suboscine families and subfamilies. The results of this study have potentially important implications for the reconstruction of character evolution in the suboscines, especially because the behavioral evolution of many suboscine groups (e.g., Furnariidae) is of great interest.
Comparison of Two Inoculation Methods for Evaluating Maize for Resistance to Aspergillus flavus Infection and Aflatoxin Accumulation

Aflatoxin, the most potent carcinogen found in nature, is produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus and occurs naturally in maize, Zea mays L. Growing maize hybrids with genetic resistance to aflatoxin contamination are generally considered a highly desirable way to reduce losses to aflatoxin. Developing resistant hybrids requires reliable inoculation methods for screening maize germplasm for resistance to A. flavus infection and aflatoxin accumulation. The side-needle technique is a widely used inoculation technique: an A. flavus conidial suspension is injected underneath the husks into the side of the ear. This wounds the ear and limits expression of resistance associated with husk coverage, pericarp thickness, and seed coat integrity. In this investigation, the side-needle technique was compared with a second inoculation method that involved dispensing wheat kernels infected with A. flavus into plant whorls at 35 and 49 days after planting. Results showed that although the side-needle technique produced higher levels of aflatoxin accumulation, differences in A. flavus biomass produced by the two inoculation techniques were not significant. Both inoculation techniques were effective in differentiating resistant and susceptible single cross hybrids irrespective of the use of A. flavus infection or aflatoxin accumulation as a basis to define resistance.
Diagnostic hardware/software system for environment controllers

A system consisting of a commercial environment controller attached to a personal computer programmed to execute a dynamic simulation model for broiler house thermal response was designed. The building model updates interior environment from solution of first order heat and moisture balances. Feedback of predicted interior temperature is provided to the controller; heating and ventilation equipment assigned in the model affect heat and moisture balances and hence the system response. An object oriented design approach was utilized and described. Governing equations for the building and controller temperature circuit dynamic response were solved in real time with a series of simulations to assess the response of the interior environment to different controller settings. Assessments of controller stage differential, building minimum ventilation rate and system sampling time are provided for a simulated broiler house. The combination of an environment controller and a building thermal model such as that presented here can be used to evaluate environment controllers and building heating and ventilating design, as well as for training purposes.
A particulate isotopic standard of plutonium in an aluminosilicate matrix

Plutonium isotopic microstandard particles have been produced for mass spectrometer calibration. The particles may also be useful as an elemental standard for calibration of electron and ion microprobe instruments. The standard consists of spherical, micrometer-size aluminosilicate particles loaded with plutonium of known isotopic distribution. The morphology, elemental composition, and plutonium isotopic composition of the particles have been characterized.
The Role of Arousal in Commitment: An Explanation for the Number of Counterarguments

This article identifies arousal as the motivating variable that helps high commitment consumers generate more counterarguments resulting in resistance to attitude change. Two studies examine the role of arousal on high and low commitment participants. In the first study, arousal is externally manipulated, and the effects of increased arousal are examined for high and low commitment participants. In study 2, the effect of sufficient versus insufficient elaboration on a message is examined in the context of arousal reduction. The relationship between the two types of arousal—tense and energy—is also examined.
Hydrogeologic investigations of contaminant movement in karst aquifers in the vicinity of a train derailment near Lewisburg, Tennessee

A train derailment near Lewisburg, Tennessee, in October 1990 prompted two series of groundwater investigations. The first was to determine the subsurface flow route of chloroform and styrene that sank into the underlying karst aquifer. The second was to determine the source of contamination for two nearby residential wells which were found to be contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE). Water-sample analysis and a dye trace performed at the time of the train derailment indicated groundwater flow to Wilson Spring. A dam was constructed to contain the entire discharge from the spring so that it could be treated before being discharged into Big Rock Creek. Three springs and three water wells were contaminated with chloroform and styrene. Dye traces were performed to determine groundwater flow directions in the vicinities of the TCE-contaminated wells and in the vicinities of potential sources. At the train derailment, the chloroform and styrene sank into the Upper Ridley Karst Aquifer and pooled on top of the Lower Ridley Confining Layer. An exploratory well revealed a layer of chloroform (a Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid DNAPL) on the bottom, a layer of groundwater in the middle, and a layer of styrene (a Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid LNAPL) on top. Groundwater with relatively low levels of chloroform and styrene in solution was carried by a small cave stream southeast along the strike to Wilson Spring. Chloroform product moved by gravity southwest down-dip along weathered bedding planes. Treatment of contaminated groundwater from Wilson Spring and recovery wells at the spill site has occurred continuously since October, 1990.
Functional correlates of the dogfish rectal gland during in vitro perfusion

1. 1. The composition of glandular fluid from the in vitro preparation is similar to that found in free swimming fish. 2. 2. There is an inverse correlation between the concentration gradients for sodium and urea which suggest that passive function predominates when the sodium gradient is low and GF/P Na ⩾ 1· can be used as an index of active secretion. 3. 3. Although the rectal gland contains a high concentration of carbonic anhydrase, a potent inhibitor of this enzyme, ethoxzolamide, did not reduce the rate of NaCl secretion. 4. 4. Acidosis, caused by an increase in pCO2, reduced the rate of glandular secretion and this effect was reversible. 5. 5. The addition of sodium thiocyanate (10 mM) to the perfusate solution caused a 36 per cent fall in flow rate and a 64 per cent reduction in sodium and chloride secretion.
A Simple Multiattribute Utility Procedure for Evaluation

The general problem of how to determine the worth or utility of alternatives that vary on many dimensions is of great practical importance. Although the number and types of situations that require such evaluations are large, the most usual way of performing such tasks has been unaided “intuition” (or, clinical judgment); i.e., the decision maker somehow does a mental trade-off analysis between the various attributes and alternatives in order to come to an evaluation/ decision. The cognitive difficulties of performing such a feat are formidable. For example, consider a situation with ten alternatives, each varying on six attributes. The intuitive decision maker has the task of locating ten alternatives in a six dimensional indifference space and picking the one with the highest utility. In such complex situations, an accumulating body of psychological research on the decision process has shown that people will reduce task complexity by using various heuristics (e.g., Tversky, 1969; 1972; Payne, 1976). While these heuristics have the advantage of allowing a decision maker to perform a complex task, they may lead to non-optimal behavior (e.g., consistent intransitivities). Furthermore, the literature on clinical judgment (Meehl, 1954; Sawyer, 1966) has also shown that experts have great difficulty in intuitively combining information in appropriate ways.
Growth Dynamic Factors Controlling Soybean Yield Stability across Plant Populations

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] optimizes yield over a broad range of plant populations because of its ability to increase yield per plant at sparse plant populations. Greater understanding of this response would aid research efforts aimed at achieving optimal plant population (minimal plant population required for best yield). The objective of this study was to determine the growth dynamic factors responsible for yield compensation across a range of plant populations. Soybean cultivar Delta Pine 415 (Maturity Group V) was planted at an optimal date during 1994 and 1995 at low (70 000 plants ha -1 ), medium (164 000 plants ha -1 , mediumlhigh (189 000 plants ha -1 ), and high (234 000 plants ha -1 ) plant populations on a Commerce silt loam soil (fine-silty, mixed, nonacid, thermic Aeric, Fluvaquents) near Baton Rouge, LA. Increasing plant population by 234% from low to high treatments resulted in only a 9% yield increase. This yield stability resulted from equilibration of crop growth rate and total dry matter per square meter across populations by R1 and significantly greater (P < 0.05) dry matter partitioning into branch dry matter per square meter (14.8% in the low population and 9.9% in the high population). Consequently, similar branch dry matter per square meter and pod number per square meter occurred across populations. Equilibration of crop growth rate and total dry matter per square meter by R1 across populations was aided by greater light interception efficiency and net assimilation rate in the low vs. higher populations during the vegetative and early reproductive periods. In conclusion, similar yields may result as plant population declines through maintenance of crop growth rate during the early reproductive period and greater dry matter partitioning into branch dry matter per square meter.
Clonality studies in giant cell tumor of bone

Abstract Genetic studies including chromosome analysis, telomere reduction and telomere activity, DNA microsatellites and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) studies have been performed on giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone however whether this primary skeletal neoplasm represents a monoclonal or polyclonal proliferation is unknown. Utilizing a new assay to study the polymorphic human androgen receptor locus (HUMARA), the ratio of maternal inactive X-chromosome to the paternal inactive X (Lyon hypothesis) is determined via a methylation – specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to detect X-chromosome polymorphisms. Characterization of the genetic tumorigenesis of this unpredictable neoplasm may lend insight into its biological behavior and offer improvements in therapeutic intervention, as new information emerges regarding osteoclastic bone resorption. Seventeen female patients with giant cell tumor of bone had their DNA harvested and their X-chromosome inactivation pattern and polymorphisms determined and compared to control. A polyclonal proliferation pattern was identified in all informative samples studied.
Lung Volume Reduction Surgery: Answering the Crucial Questions

Emphysema and other forms of COPD are not only common, but also have a poor prognosis. Mortality with severe COPD may be as high as 60% at 5 years and is associated with a significant degree of disability and cost to the health-care system. Building on Dr. Otto Brantigan's experience in the 1950s, when multiple-wedge resections of emphysematous lung were performed to decrease lung volume, thereby improving airflow and reducing hyperinflation, recent investigators, utilizing improved surgical and anesthetic technique, have redeveloped a surgical approach to the treatment of emphysema. The operations used to treat emphysema include excision of large bullae (bullectomy) and resection of diffusely emphysematous lung and are variously known as lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS), pneumectomy, and reduction pneumoplasty. These operations aim for a 20 to 30% reduction in lung volume and may be performed by stapler or laser resection, or both. The mechanisms of benefit have been attributed to enhanced elastic recoil, correction of ventilation perfusion mismatch, improved efficiency of respiratory musculature, and improved right ventricular filling. Questions that remain to be answered include duration of benefits, safety, and cost of LVRS. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Health Care Financing Administration have responded to the demand for more access to and information about LVRS by organizing both a national registry and controlled clinical trial of these procedures over a 7-year period. This multicenter trial intends to enroll patients with end-stage emphysema to compare methods of bilateral LVRS to maximal medical therapy.