cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plagioclase buoyancy in oceanic basalts: Chemical effects

Abstract Certain petrological features of oceanic volcanic and plutonic rocks are not completely consistent with previously proposed models of crystal fractionation or magma mixing. For example, Sr is often higher in the differentiated basalts of a suite of aphyric rocks than in the relatively primitive basalts even though the differentiated basalts have apparently been produced by crystallization of large amounts of plagioclase with olivine and clinopyroxene. Additionally, oceanic basalts and gabbroic rocks often contain plagioclase crystals in excess of the appropriate cotectic proportions. Certain differentiated oceanic basaltic glasses and aphyric rocks crystallize plagioclase as the liquidus mineral, which would seem inconsistent with the strongly cotectic nature of the olivine + plagioclase + liquid surface. It is proposed here that plagioclase in mid-ocean ridge magma chambers separates from the basaltic liquid that it crystallizes in at a slower rate than does co-crystallizing olivine or pyroxene. Magma mixing in which a portion of the plagioclase remains suspended in the liquid during crystallization results in much more complex liquid lines of descent in mixed magmas and appears to resolve the apparent discrepancies noted above.
Women in the Japanese Labour Market

Culture and traditions represent strong subjective criteria that determine the role of women in society. A conservative value system tends to restrict their active participation in the labour market and confine their efforts to more traditional household chores and family responsibilities.
Prophylactic antibiotics for the prevention of early infection in multiple myeloma

Purpose Patients with multiple myeloma are at increased risk for bacterial infection. During the first 2 months of initial chemotherapy the rate of infection is twice that experienced during the remainder of the disease course. As many as one-third of these early infections are fatal, and many more prevent adequate administration of chemotherapy. This study was designed to determine whether the morbidity and mortality of early infection can be prevented by prophylactic administration of trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). Patients and methods Eligible patients about to begin chemotherapy for multiple myeloma were randomly assigned to prophylaxis for 2 months or to no prophylaxis (control). Antibiotic prophylaxis consisted of TMP-SMX 160/800 mg orally every 12 hours administered for the first 2 months of initial chemotherapy. All patients were observed for infection for 3 months after the start of chemotherapy. Results Of 57 patients entered into the study, 54 were evaluable, representing 13.1 patient years of observation. The 28 TMP-SMX patients and 26 control patients were comparable in terms of chemotherapy regimen, age, gender, stage, and bone marrow function. Bacterial infection during the 3-month study period occurred in 11 control patients but in only 2 patients assigned TMP-SMX (P = 0.004). Eight severe infections occurred in controls compared with 1 in a TMP-SMX patient (P = 0.010) leading to 4 and 1 infection deaths, respectively (P = not significant). Severe infections included 5 pneumonias (3 with sepsis), 2 urinary tract infections with complicating pneumonia or sepsis, 1 diverticulitis with perforation, and 1 staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. None of the 4 nonbacterial infections was severe. The rate of bacterial infection was 2.43 per patientyear for controls and 0.29 per patient-year for the TMP-SMX group (P = 0.001). Toxicity (skin rash 6 patients, nausea 1 patient) was not lifethreatening but required discontinuation of TMPSMX in 25% of patients. conclusion: Administering TMP-SMX for the first 2 months of initial chemotherapy is effective, inexpensive prophylaxis for early bacterial infection in multiple myeloma.
Development and Validation of a Rating Scale for Wind Jazz Improvisation Performance.

The purpose of this study was to construct and validate a rating scale for collegiate wind jazz improvisation performance. The 14-item Wind Jazz Improvisation Evaluation Scale (WJIES) was construct...
Temperature programmed desorption from LiAlO2 treated with H2

Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) measurements have been made of H2O and H2 desorption from LiAlO2 treated at 923 K with He-H2 mixtures containing 990, 495, and 247 vppm H2. Desorptions were into sweep gases of pure He and into He-H2 mixtures. The H2O and H2 desorption peaks were shown to be the sums of first order subpeaks which had reproducible desorption activation energy and pre-exponential terms. For H2O desorption, the activation energies were 96, 117, and 134 kJ/mol (23, 28, and 32 kcal/mol). (Earlier work had identified an additional peak with an activation energy of 75 kJ/mol (18 kcal/mol.) Enhancement of desorption of H2O by H2 in the sweep gas was confirmed. The enhancement results not from modifying the activation energies and pre-exponential terms for the various sites but from changes in the populations of sites participating in the desorption process so that sites with lower activation energies are increasingly involved. For those runs with He as the sweep gas, desorption of H2 could be observed. The subpeaks involved had activation energies within approximately 4 kJ/mol (1 kcal/mol) higher than the analogous peaks for H2O desorption.
MODFLOW-NWT: Robust Handling of Dry Cells Using a Newton Formulation of MODFLOW-2005

Introduction The first versions of the widely used groundwater flow model MODFLOW (McDonald and Harbaugh 1988) had a sure but inflexible way of handling unconfined finite-difference aquifer cells where the water table dropped below the bottom of the cell—these “dry cells” were turned inactive for the remainder of the simulation. Problems with this formulation were easily seen, including the potential for inadvertent loss of simulated recharge in the model (Doherty 2001; Painter et al. 2008), and rippling of dry cells through the solution that unacceptably changed the groundwater flow system (Juckem et al. 2006). Moreover, solving problems of the natural world often required the ability to reactivate dry cells when the water table rose above the cell bottom. This seemingly simple desire resulted in a two-decade attempt to include the simulation flexibility while avoiding numerical instability. Early attempts at “re-wetting” dry cells in MODFLOW, such as BCF2 (McDonald et al. 1992) were found to work for some, but not all, MODFLOW models. Re-wetting of dry cells was often numerically unstable and prevented model convergence (Doherty 2001; Painter et al. 2008). When BCF2 did have a stable solution, the resulting runtimes were appreciably longer, the effort to select suitable BCF2 settings was often large, and the solution did not robustly handle input perturbations of parameter estimation (Doherty 2001). Moreover, BCF2 settings that worked in one model did not necessarily translate well to another. Various “home-brewed” alternative versions of MODFLOW were also developed during this time that added a small amount of water to each dry
Simple cellular method for the exact solution of the one-electron Schrödinger equation.

We present a simple cellular method for the exact solution of the single-particle Schr\"odinger equation of a complex system. It uses basis functions which are locally exact solutions within each potential cell. The wave-function expansion coefficients are determined by the boundary conditions between the neighboring cells, which can be specified on spheres instead of the cell boundaries. The method can yield an exact first-principles tight-binding theory with only nearest-neighbor couplings. Tests of the method using the two-dimensional empty lattice and the hydrogen molecule ion indicate that it converges rapidly and yields accurate results.
Os, Nd, O and S isotope constraints on country rock contamination in the conduit-related Eagle Cu–Ni–(PGE) deposit, Midcontinent Rift System, Upper Michigan

Abstract The Eagle Cu–Ni–(PGE) deposit is hosted by mafic to ultramafic intrusive rocks associated with the Marquette–Baraga dike swarm in northern Michigan. Sulfide mineralization formed in a conduit system during early stages in the development of the ∼1.1 Ga Midcontinent Rift System. The conduit environment represents a prime location for melt–rock interaction. In order to better assess the extent of country rock contamination in the Eagle system, a combined trace element, Nd, Os, O and S isotope study of country rocks, sulfide-bearing igneous rocks and massive sulfide was undertaken. Both the Eagle and the weakly mineralized East Eagle intrusion show trace element patterns that are similar to those of picritic basalts that formed during early stages of rift development. The trace element, Os, Nd, and O isotopic values of the igneous rocks are consistent with γ Os (1100) and e Nd (1100) values for the magmas are +34 and −2. δ 18 O values of pyroxene in feldspathic pyroxenite range from 6.5‰ to 6.6‰ and provide the only indication that bulk contamination may locally have exceeded 20%. Sulfur isotopic values of disseminated and massive sulfide in the Eagle intrusion range from 0.3‰ to 4.6‰. The δ 34 S values are much lower than those that characterize most of the country rocks, but could still be indicative of a contribution of S from country rocks of up to ∼50%. Δ 33 S values of the disseminated and massive sulfides range from −0.10‰ to 0.09‰ indicating a source in Paleoproterozoic country rocks. Semi-massive sulfide in the Eagle deposit has δ 34 S values between 2.2‰ and 5.3‰, and Δ 33 S values show a broad range between −0.86‰ and 0.86‰ indicating a major contribution from an Archean source. Isotopic data from the Eagle deposit strongly indicate that multiple sources of sulfur were involved in the generation of the Ni–Cu–(PGE) mineralization, and magmas which traversed variable paths through the mantle and crust were focused and utilized the same conduit at the level of the Eagle deposit. Our results emphasize the fact that the sulfur isotopic values of immediate country rocks may not be appropriate as end-member values for mixing calculations; sulfur derivation from deeper in the conduit system may have involved rocks with very different sulfur isotope ratios. In addition, sulfur isotopic exchange reactions between passing magma and accumulated crystals or sulfide liquid in the conduit may have led to decreased sulfur isotope variability and δ 34 S values near those of mantle sulfur.
ZrW2O8-containing composites with near-zero coefficient of thermal expansion fabricated by various methods: Comparison and optimization

Abstract Various fabrication methods for producing ZrW 2 O 8 -containing composites were developed and evaluated. By adjusting the ratio among the components, those composites attained nearly zero thermal expansion. The resulting samples were measured for the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and Young’s modulus using a Thermomechanical Analyzer (TMA). The microstructure, final density, mechanical strength, and ability to maintain their shape in the sintering process were investigated and compared among the sintered samples fabricated by various methods. One of the fabrication methods, the in-situ reaction of ZrO 2 , Al 2 O 3 and WO 3 with mass ratio 2.61:0.03:1, offers the best attainable final density without any geometric distortion from sintering. The zero CTE of these composites allows them to be utilized as the ceramic substrate of optical fiber Bragg gratings and some components in microelectronics to eliminate thermal stresses due to the thermal gradient or transient temperature change.
Characterization of thyroid hormone response elements in the gene for chicken malic enzyme. Factors that influence triiodothyronine responsiveness

Transcription of the gene for malic enzyme in chick embryo hepatocytes is stimulated about 30-fold by triiodothyronine (T3). T3 responsiveness is mediated by seven direct repeat hexamers that resemble T3 response elements (T3REs); these elements are located far upstream in the 5′-flanking DNA (Hodnett, D. W., Fantozzzi, D. A., Thurmond, D. C., Klautky, S. A., MacPhee, K. G., Estrem, S. T., Xu, G., and Goodridge, A. G. (1996) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 334, 309–324). In transiently transfected hepatocytes, single copies of six of these elements conferred varying degrees of T3 responsiveness to linked reporter genes. In gel electrophoretic mobility shift analyses, the T3REs bound retinoid X receptor (RXR)-T3 receptor (TR) heterodimers and non-RXR/TR factors present in nuclear extracts prepared from hepatocytes. Binding of the non-RXR/TR factors was specific to individual T3REs and was unaffected by antibodies to TR or RXR. Mutagenesis of binding sites for proteins specific for T3REs 2–5 altered binding of the proteins and T3 responsiveness. These factors appear to bind to and alter function of T3REs without binding directly to TR, differentiating their actions from other TR cofactors; they were tentatively characterized as co-repressors, inhibitors, and activators of T3RE function. Together with RXR and TR, they modulate T3 responsiveness of the gene for chicken malic enzyme.
Crack propagation in biaxially oriented polypropylene at low temperature

The crack growth behavior of polypropylene biaxially oriented by cross-rolling was studied at low temperature. Single edge notch testing produced a stable tearing type of crack growth in both 50% and 80% biaxially oriented polypropylene at −40°C, in contrast to the brittle fracture of unoriented polypropylene. The crack growth in the two oriented materials began slowly and accelerated to a constant rate that was higher in the 80% oriented material than in the 50% oriented material. The main difference between the crack growth behavior of the two was the longer period of initial slow growth in the case of 80% orientation. This period of slow growth corresponded to crack growth through the notch tip damage zone. Residual strength diagrams were used to present the crack growth data obtained when the stress state was intermediate between plane stress and plane strain. Fractography revealed large differences among the fracture surfaces of the three materials with the unoriented polypropylene showing a grainy appearance from the brittle fracture. The two oriented materials showed considerable ductility. The 50% oriented material showed many voids in the fracture surface, indicating that voiding during the fracture process contributed significantly to the toughness improvement. The 80% oriented polypropylene showed delamination crazing on the fracture surface with layered material and fibrils bridging the crazes.
Protection of A 2,6-Dialkylaniline: Synthesis of 4-Dimethylmethoxysilyl-2,6-Diethylaniline

Abstract The synthesis of 4-dimethylmethoxysilyl-2,6-diethylani-line (1) from 2,6-diethylaniline (2) is described. An intermediate in the process, disilazane 5 appears to be the first 2,6-dialkylaniline to be protected with 1,1,5,5-tetramethyl-1,4-dichlorodisilethylene (4).
Multicenter Evaluation of the Clinical Outcomes of Daptomycin with and without Concomitant β-Lactams in Patients with Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia and Mild to Moderate Renal Impairment

Patients with underlying renal disease may be vulnerable to vancomycin-mediated nephrotoxicity and Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia treatment failure. In light of recent data demonstrating the successful use of β-lactam plus daptomycin in very difficult cases of S. aureus bacteremia, we examined safety and clinical outcomes for patients who received daptomycin with or without concomitant β-lactams. We identified 106 patients who received daptomycin for S. aureus bacteremia, had mild or moderate renal insufficiency according to FDA criteria, and enrolled in the Cubicin Outcomes Registry and Experience (CORE), a multicenter registry, from 2005 to 2009. Daptomycin treatment success was 81%. Overall treatment efficacy was slightly enhanced with the addition of a β-lactam (87% versus 78%; P = 0.336), but this trend was most pronounced for bacteremia associated with endocarditis or bone/joint infection or bacteremia from an unknown source (90% versus 57%; P = 0.061). Factors associated with reduced daptomycin efficacy (by logistic regression) were an unknown source of bacteremia (odds ratio [OR] = 7.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.55 to 37.2), moderate renal impairment (OR = 9.11; 95% CI = 1.46 to 56.8), and prior vancomycin failure (OR = 11.2; 95% CI = 1.95 to 64.5). Two patients experienced an increase in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) that resolved after stopping daptomycin. No patients developed worsening renal insufficiency related to daptomycin. In conclusion, daptomycin appeared to be effective and well tolerated in patients with S. aureus bacteremia and mild to moderate renal insufficiency. Daptomycin treatment efficacy might be enhanced with β-lactam combination therapy in primary endovascular and bone/joint infections. Additional studies will be necessary to confirm these findings.
Interaction of SK-human plasmin, SK-dog plasmin complexes with α2 antiplasmin and α2macroglobulin

In patients treated with streptokinase there is a rapid and significant decrease in the level of fibrinogen in the circulation. In dogs given streptokinase there is no such change in circulating fibrinogen. To find an explanation for this species difference in response to streptokinase, the inhibition of SK-human plasmin and SK-dog plasmin by soybean trypsin inhibitor, alpha 2-antiplasmin and alpha2-macroglobulin were compared in this study. Soybean trypsin inhibitor completely blocked the hydrolysis of S-2251 substrate (D-val-L-leu-lys-p-nitroanilide) by SK-dog plasmin and had no effect on SK-human plasmin. Alpha 2-Antiplasmin, the physiologically important regulator of fibrinolysis, inhibited S-2251 hydrolysis by SK-dog plasmin but not the activity of SK-human plasmin. alpha 2-Macroglobulin showed 100% inhibition of proteolytic activity and 50% inhibition of S-2251 activity of SK-dog plasmin, and had no effect on SK-human plasmin. Studies with fresh human and dog plasma also showed that the SK-dog plasmin is rapidly inactivated by the alpha 2-antiplasmin present in the plasma. The inactivation of SK-dog plasmin and not SK-human plasmin by plasma inhibitors explains the differences in the response of dog and humans to the administration of streptokinase.
Tolerant Response of Streptococcus sanguis to Beta-Lactams and Other Cell Wall Inhibitors

In contrast to group A streptococci or Streptococcus pneumoniae, cells of Streptococcus sanguis (group H) do not exhibit the irreversible effects of penicillin treatment, such as loss of viability or lysis. On the other hand, the same bacteria show typical effects of penicillin, such as morphological alterations, reduction in the rate of cell wall synthesis, and secretion of murein and lipoteichoic acid polymers into the medium. A novel effect of cell wall inhibitors was also noted: treatment with beta-lactams or with fosfomycin, d-cycloserine, or beta-halogeno-d-alanine caused the release of substantial amounts of glycerol lipids into the growth medium. The antibiotic “tolerance” of S. sanguis is interpreted in terms of the hypothesis that the activity of bacterial murein hydrolases is essential for the irreversible effects of cell wall inhibitors.
Stratospheric spectroscopy with the far-infrared spectrometer (FIRS-2) - Overview and recent results

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's program of balloon-borne stratospheric spectroscopic measurements is described, including instrumentation, recent scientific results, and future plans. The design and operation of the FIRS-2 far-infrared spectrometer is discussed. The current status of our efforts to recover mixing-ratio profiles with about 1 percent precision is presented. Representative recent results are shown giving mixing-ratio profiles from 20 to 50 km, selected from the suite HOCl, HCl, HF, NO2, N2O, HNO3, OH, HO2, H2O2, H2O (and isotopes), O2 (and isotopes), O3 (and isotopes), and CO2 (and isotopes). The utility of O2 and CO2 spectral lines for information on view angle or temperature and pressure is discussed. Future plans are mentioned, including the use of FIRS-2 on a balloon platform for UARS correlative measurements, the use of FIRS-2 on the NASA DC-8 platform for polar measurements, and the potential benefits of a FIRS instrument on a Shuttle platform.
Tumor vessel development and maturation impose limits on the effectiveness of anti-vascular therapy

The effect of anti-vascular agents on the growth of experimental tumors is well studied. Their impact on tumor vasculature, the primary therapeutic target of these agents, is not as well characterized, even though this primarily determines treatment outcome. Hypothesizing that the response of vessels to therapy is influenced by their stage of maturation, we studied vascular development and the vascular effects of therapy in several transplanted murine tumor models. Based on size, perfusion, endothelial cell (EC) proliferation, and the presence of pericytes, tumor vessels segregated into three categories. Least mature were highly proliferative, nonperfused EC sprouts emanating from functional vessels. Intermediate were small, perfused vessels which, like the angiogenic sprouts, were not covered by pericytes. Most mature were larger vessels, which were predominantly pericyte-covered with quiescent ECs and few associated sprouts. Thus, a developmental order, similar to that described during physiological neovascularization, was evident among vessels in growing tumors. This order markedly influenced tumor vessel response to anti-vascular therapy with recombinant interleukin-12. Therapy reduced tumor vessel density, which was attributable to a decrease in angiogenic sprouts and induction of EC apoptosis in pericyte-negative vessels. Although the great majority of vessels in growing tumors lacked pericyte coverage, selective loss of less mature vessels with therapy significantly increased the fraction of pericyte-positive vessels after therapy. These data indicate that the therapeutic susceptibility of tumor vasculature to recombinant murine IL-12 and, potentially, other anti-vascular agents is limited by its level of maturation. An implication is that tumor susceptibility is similarly limited, making pericyte coverage of tumor vasculature a potential indicator of tumor responsiveness.
Mechanotransduction in the Immune System

Regulation of the immune system has been heavily investigated from a biological perspective due to the biological nature of inflammatory stimulants and pathogens. However, more studies have shown that biophysical cues generated by normal physiological events or diseases regulate the immune system. In fact, a new paradigm is emerging in which data shows that normal physiological mechanical stimuli suppress inflammation whereas pathophysiological mechanical stimuli trigger inflammation. In this review, evidence supporting this paradigm is provided. Specifically, physiological and pathophysiological mechanical stimuli are described, the effects of mechanical stimuli on innate and adaptive immune system function are discussed, and the mechanotransduction pathways that regulate white blood cell behavior are explained. By understanding both the biological and physical stimulants that regulate the immune system, novel and more effective drugs can be developed that reduce inflammation.
Präparative Kosmetik in der Sicht des Dermatologen

Beziehungen zwischen Fortschritten der modernen Chemie und praparativer Kosmetik werden aufgezeigt, so z. B. im Hinblick auf neuartige Losungsmittel, Stabilisatoren und Emulgatoren. Auf den Einsatz von Vitamin- und Hormonpraparaten sowie die Desodorierung, den Lichtschutz und die Pigment-Regulierung wird eingegangen. Preparatory Cosmetics from the Viewpoint of the Dermatologist Relationships between progress of modern chemistry and preparatory cosmetics are shown, e. g. with regard to new solvents, stabilizing and emulsifying agents. Application of vitamine and hormone preparations are discussed as well as desodorization, protection against light and pigment regulation.
Hydrogen permeation and diffusion in inconel 718 and incoloy 903

Hydrogen permeation and diffusion have been measured in two high strength superalloys, Inconel 718 and Incoloy 903. Measurements were made over the temperature range of 150 to 500°C, with applied hydrogen pressures of 1 to 3 atm. The permeabilityp and dif-fusivityD values were used to derive the hydrogen solubility S in these materials. For Inconel 718 the results depend to some extent on the heat treatment of the alloy. For this alloy in the solution treated condition, the results for φ andD are: D.1.07xl0-2exp(-11,900/RT) cm2/s For Incoloy 903, the results are: φ = 9.50x10-3 exp (-13,710/RT) cm3(NTP)/cm-s-atm1/ RT cm-s-atm1/2D = 2.46 x 10-2(-12,590/RT) cm2/s where the activation energies are in cal/mole. The measured diffusivities and permeabilities are very similar for the two alloys.
The effect of salinity on the solubility of argon in seawater

Abstract New argon solubility measurements, made by two independent methods, confirm the use of the Setchenow relation in representing the salting-out of argon in seawater. No substantiation was found for the unusual salinity dependence implied by the argon solubility data of Murray and Riley (1970).
Canine detection odor signatures for explosives

Dogs are capable of detecting and discriminating a number of compounds constituting a complex odor. However, they use only a few of these to recognize a substance. The focus of this research is to determine the compounds dogs learn to use in recognizing explosives. This is accomplished by training dogs under behavioral laboratory conditions to respond differentially on separate levers to 1) blank air, 2) a target odor, such as an explosive, and 3) all other odors (non-target odors). Vapor samples are generated by a serial dilution vapor generator whose operation and output is characterized by GC/MS. Once dogs learn this three-lever discrimination, testing sessions are conducted containing a number of probe trials in which vapor from constituent compounds of the target is presented. Which lever the dogs respond to on these probe trials indicates whether they can smell the compound at all (blank lever) or whether it smells like toe target odor (e.g., the explosive) or like something else. This method was conducted using TNT, C-4, and commercial dynamite. The data show the dogs' reactions to each of the constituent compounds tested for each explosive. Analysis of these data reveal the canine detection odor signature for these explosives.
The vertical filamentary structures of quiescent prominences

We present a simple magnetostatic theory of the thin vertical filaments that make up the quiescent prominence plasma as revealed by fine spatial resolution Hα photographs. A class of exact equilibrium solutions is obtained describing a horizontal row of long vertical filaments whose weights are supported by bowed magnetic field lines. A free function is available to generate different assortments of filament sizes and spacings, as well as different density and temperature variations. The classic Kippenhahn-Schluter solution for a long sheet without filamentary structures is a particular member of this class of solutions. The role of the magnetic field in supporting and thermally shielding the filament plasma is illustrated. It is found that the filament can have a sharp transition perpendicular to the local field, whereas the transition in the direction of the local field is necessarily diffuse. A consequence of the filamentary structure is that its support by the Lorentz force requires the electric current to have a component along the magnetic field. This electric current flowing into the rarefied region around the prominence can contain substantial energy stored in the form of force-free magnetic fields. This novel feature has implications for the heating and the disruption of prominences.
Quantitative Trait Loci Contributing Resistance to Aflatoxin Accumulation in the Maize Inbred Mp313E

Aflatoxin is a carcinogenic and toxic compound produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus (Link:fr) that can be found at detrimentally high concentrations in maize (Zea mays L.) grain. Screening has led to the discovery of sources of resistance to aflatoxin accumulation in maize, but associated poor agronomic characteristics and complex inheritance have limited transfer of resistance to elite inbreds. A set of 210 F 2:3 families derived from a cross between inbred lines Mp313E (resistant) and B73 (susceptible) was evaluated in replicated trials in four environments for resistance to aflatoxin accumulation. Families were also genotyped using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to develop a genetic map for quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis. Composite interval mapping (CIM) was used to identify 2, 3, 5, and 3 QTL within the tests at Stoneville (2000) and Mississippi State (2000, 2001, 2002), respectively. The QTL were primarily additive in nature, with Mp313E contributing to reduced aflatoxin concentration in all but one case. Two QTL regions were significant in at least three environments. The afl3 locus, represented by marker bnlg371, was located on chromosome two and accounted for 7 to 18% of variation in aflatoxin levels depending on environment. The afl5 locus, represented by marker bnlg2291, was located on chromosome four, with explained variance ranging from 8 to 18%. This QTL has been noted in earlier studies whereas afl3 is new. Identified QTL confirm important regions influencing aflatoxin accumulation previously identified and present new ones of equal effect.
LANGUAGE INDICES IN THE MEASUREMENT OF COGNITIVE COMPLEXITY: IS COMPLEXITY LOQUACITY?

Within an accepted measurement system of the construct termed cognitive complexity, an analysis of the relationship between cognitive complexity scores and such indices of verbal complexity as number of tokens, type-token ratio, and noun-verb/adjective-adverb ratio was conducted. Writing samples used to measure cognitive complexity were obtained and analyzed for verbal complexity. Results indicate that number of tokens account for 33 percent of the variance in cognitive complexity followed by noun-verb/adjective-ad verb ratio (8 percent) and the type-token ratio (1 percent). Results are discussed relative to the potential for loquacity to impact the measurement of cognitive complexity.
Dendritic cell control of immune responses.

Dendritic cells (DC) are among the first cells to encounter pathogens and damage in peripheral tissues and, upon activation, DC migrate to lymph nodes where they activate and educate T cells to initiate and shape the immune response. DC present pathogen-derived antigen to T cells and drive T cell differentiation into particular effector cells through the expression and secretion of co-stimulatory molecules and cytokines respectively. The study of DC biology has included the identification of multiple DC subsets in tissues and lymphoid organs, the differentiation and plasticity of DC subsets, the functional consequences of DC interaction with pathogen, control of DC migratory properties and the impact of DC on T cell activation and differentiation. In recent years sophisticated systems biology approaches have been developed to deepen our understanding of DC function. These studies have identified differences between DC subsets located in various tissues and critical factors that drive the outcome of the interaction between DC and T cells. DC are currently being used in in various clinical therapeutic settings, including as vaccines for cancer and autoimmune disease. A clear understanding of DC factors that contribute to specific immune responses is vital to the success of DC based therapies. This research topic will give a comprehensive overview of current issues in DC biology and provides an update on the clinical uses of DC in the therapy of autoimmunity and cancer.
The Pollen Tube Pathway in Tasmannia insipida (Winteraceae): Homology of the Male Gametophyte Conduction Tissue in Angiosperms

: The pathway of the pollen tube in Tasmannia insipida (Winteraceae), an archaic angiosperm, is described. Visual observations and measurements of percentage sugar content from stigmatic exudate and the calyptra droplet were made. The droplet that forms on the calyptra of unopened flowers was artificially pollinated, but no pollen tubes appeared to grow through it to the gynoecium of female flowers. Calyptra droplets occur on both female and male (having reduced female structures) flowers of this dioecious plant. It is considered unlikely that a drop pollination mechanism, analogous to that found in some gymnosperms, is at work in T. insipida, and it is proposed that one possible droplet function is as a “reward” to potential pollinators in advance of flower opening. Pollen tubes were observed to grow almost exclusively along epidermal cells. Early thoughts on angiosperm transmission tissue are re-examined and built upon. It is proposed that the male gametophyte conduction tissue in angiosperms is homologous with epidermal tissue, and that pollen tube passage occurred originally solely along the surface of specialized epidermal cells, or possibly for short distances along unspecialized regions covered with exudate derived from these cells. Some earlier attempts to explain transmitting tissue homology and evolution are discussed.
BENZIMIDAZOLE DERIVATIVES: NEW ENHANCERS OF INFLUENZA VIRUS MULTIPLICATION

The enhancing activity of 5-methyl-2-D-ribobenzimidazole on influenza B (Lee) virus yield in chorioallantoic membranes from 10-day old embryonated eggs was compared with that of eight other polyhydroxyalkyl-benzimidazoles. No marked differences in activity were noted with the following six derivatives: 5,6-dimethyl-2-D-ribo; 2-D-gluco; 5-methyl-2-D-gluco; 5,6-dimethyl-2-D-gluco; 5-methyl-2-D-galacto; and 5-methyl-2-L-rhamno. None caused morphological damage to the membranes at a concentration of 3.5 mM. The solubility of the 5-methyl-2-D-arabo and 5-methyl-2-D-manno derivatives was too low to permit quantitative comparisons, but both were active and nontoxic at a concentration of 1.75 mM. 5-Hydroxy-1-methylbenzimidazole and 5-methoxy-1-methylbenzimidazole are more active than 5-methyl-2-D-ribobenzimidazole both with respect to specific activity and maximal enhancement at the highest tolerated dose. The hydroxyl substituent is superior to the methoxyl grouping. Substitution at position 5 is superior to substitution at position 6 with respect to the tolerated dose level and therefore the maximal effect obtainable, but the 6-hydroxy-1-methyl derivative showed the highest specific activity. 5-Methoxy-1-methylbenzimidazole increases the yield to a comparable extent as measured by infectivity and hemagglutination titrations. The responses of membranes from individual chicken embryos to the enhancing action of 5-methoxy-1-methylbenzimidazole and 5-methyl-2-D-ribobenzimidazole are similar. 5-Methoxy-1-methylbenzimidazole restores the capacity of membranes from older chicken embryos to produce a large amount of virus after a small inoculum. This derivative increases the yield of virus in membranes treated before infection only. Maximal enhancement is obtained with prolonged treatment, starting before, and continuing after infection. 5-Methoxy-1-methyl-benzimidazole increases the yield of virus from COFAL-negative embryos in which the control yield is very low. Combined treatment with moderate doses of 5-methoxy-1-methylbenzimidazole and 5-methyl-2-D-ribobenzimidazole gives an additive effect.
Successful Operative Repair of Acyanotic Tetralogy of Fallot in a 61-Year-Old Man

Abstract A case of acyanotic tetralogy of Fallot—classic tetralogy anatomically with a predominant left-to-right shunt—that was repaired operatively in a 61-year-old man is reported. This represents, to our knowledge, the oldest reported patient with a tetralogy malformation to receive successful corrective surgery. The patient's relatively mild pulmonic obstruction was probably the most significant factor in his long survival. Paradoxical embolization and progressive severe congestive heart failure were the main indications for operation.
Experiences with recombinant computing: Exploring ad hoc interoperability in evolving digital networks

This article describes an infrastructure that supports the creation of interoperable systems while requiring only limited prior agreements about the specific forms of communication between these systems. Conceptually, our approach uses a set of “meta-interfaces”—agreements on how to exchange new behaviors necessary to achieve compatibility at runtime, rather than requiring that communication specifics be built in at development time—to allow devices on the network to interact with one another. While this approach to interoperability can remove many of the system-imposed constraints that prevent fluid, ad hoc use of devices now, it imposes its own limitations on the user experience of systems that use it. Most importantly, since devices may be expected to work with peers about which they have no detailed semantic knowledge, it is impossible to achieve the sort of tight semantic integration that can be obtained using other approaches today, despite the fact that these other approaches limit interoperability. Instead, under our model, users must be tasked with performing the sense-making and semantic arbitration necessary to determine how any set of devices will be used together. This article describes the motivation and details of our infrastructure, its implications on the user experience, and our experience in creating, deploying, and using applications built with it over a period of several years.
Globally optimal surface segmentation using regional properties of segmented objects

Efficient segmentation of globally optimal surfaces in volumetric images is a central problem in many medical image analysis applications. Intra-class variance has been successfully utilized, for instance, in the Chan-Vese model especially for images without prominent edges. In this paper, we study the optimization problem of detecting a region (volume) between two coupled smooth surfaces by minimizing the intra-class variance using an efficient polynomial-time algorithm. Our algorithm is based on the shape probing technique in computational geometry and computes a sequence of minimum-cost closed sets in a derived parametric graph. The method has been validated on computer-synthetic volumetric images and in X-ray CT-scanned datasets of plexiglas tubes of known sizes. Its applicability to clinical data sets was demonstrated in human CT image data. The achieved results were highly accurate with mean signed surface positioning errors of the inner and outer walls of the tubes of +0.013 mm and 0.012 mm, respectively, given a voxel size of 0.39 times 0.39 times 0.6 mm3. Comparing with the original Chan-Vese method [8], our algorithm expressed higher robustness. With its polynomialtime efficiency, our algorithm is ready to be extended to higher-dimensional image segmentation. In addition, the developed technique is of its own interest. We expect that it can shed some light on solving other important optimization problems arising in computer vision. To the best of our knowledge, the shape probing technique is for the first time introduced into the field of computer vision.
Medicare postacute care payment reforms have potential to improve efficiency of care, but may need changes to cut costs.

The Affordable Care Act mandates changes in payment policies for Medicare postacute care services intended to contain spending in the long run and help ensure the program’s financial sustainability. In addition to reducing annual payment increases to providers under the existing prospective payment systems, the act calls for demonstration projects of bundled payment, accountable care organizations, and other strategies to promote care coordination and reduce spending. Experience with the adoption of Medicare prospective payment systems in postacute care settings approximately a decade ago suggests that current reforms could, but need not necessarily, produce such undesirable effects as decreased access for less profitable patients, poorer patient outcomes, and only short-lived curbs on spending. Policy makers will need to be vigilant in monitoring the impact of the Affordable Care Act reforms and be prepared to amend policies as necessary to ensure that the reforms exert persistent controls on spending wi...
Self-selecting reliable paths for wireless sensor network routing

Routing protocols for wireless sensor networks face two challenges. One is an efficient bandwidth usage which requires minimum delay between transfers of packets. Establishing permanent routes from the source to destination addresses this challenge since the received packet can be immediately transmitted to the next node. However, any disruption on the established path either causes packet loss, lowering the delivery rate, or invokes a costly process of creating an alternative path. The second challenge is the ability to tolerate permanent and transient failures of nodes and links, especially since such failures are frequent in sensor networks. Protocols that chose the forwarding node at each hop of a packet are resilient to such failures, but incur the delay caused by selection of the forwarding node at each hop of the multi-hop path. This paper presents a novel wireless sensor routing protocol, self-selecting reliable path routing (SRP) for wireless sensor network (WSN) routing, that addresses both challenges at once. This protocol evolved from the self-selecting routing (SSR) protocol which is essentially memory-less. In the first generation of SSR protocols each packet selects the forwarding node at each hop on its path from the source to destination. The protocol takes advantage of broadcast communication commonly used in WSNs as a communication primitive. It also uses a prioritized transmission back-off delay to uniquely identify the neighbor of the forwarder that will forward the packet. As a result, the protocol is resistant to node or link failures as long as an alternative path exists from the current forwarder to the destination. The second generation of SSR protocols, called self-healing routing (SHR) added the route repair procedure, invoked when no neighbor of the forwarder closer to the destination is alive. In a series of transmissions, a packet trapped at the current forwarder by failures of its neighbors is capable of backing-off towards the source to find an alternative route, if such exists, to the destination. The main contribution of this paper is the third generation of SSR protocols, termed self-selecting reliable path routing, SRP. It preserves SHRs dynamic path selection in face of failure. Yet it also enables packets to follow established paths without selection delay if failures do not occur. The important change in the protocol is to make it memorize the successfully traversed path and attempt to reuse it for subsequent packets flowing to the same destination. The interesting behavior of SRP arising from this property is that if a path from the source to destination exists on which no transient failures occur, SRP would converge its routing to such a reliable path. In the paper, we describe novel elements of the SRP protocol that resulted in the desired properties. Using simulation, we compare SRP protocol with the representatives of the two other approaches: AODV as the route-based protocol, and GRAB and SHR as the hop-selection protocols.
Association of consultation between generalists and cardiologists with quality and outcomes of heart failure care

Abstract Background The appropriate roles for generalists and cardiologists in the care of patients with heart failure (HF) are unknown. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to determine whether consultation between generalists and cardiologists was associated with better quality and outcomes of HF care. Methods We studied left ventricular function evaluation (LVFE) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) use and 90-day readmission and 90-day mortality rates in patients with HF who were hospitalized. Patient care was categorized into cardiologist (solo), generalist (solo), or consultative cares. The processes and outcomes of care were compared by care category using logistic regression analyses fit with generalized linear mixed models to adjust for hospital-related clustering. Results Of the 1075 patients studied, 13% received cardiologist care, 55% received generalist care, and 32% received consultative care. More patients who received consultative care (75%) received LVFE than patients who received generalist care (36%) and cardiologist care (53%; P P Conclusion Collaboration between generalists and cardiologists, rather than solo care by either, was associated with better HF processes and outcomes of care.
Reduced vasodilator function following acute resistance exercise in obese women.

Obesity contributes to stress induced impairments in endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV), a precursor to atherosclerosis. Since obesity is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, we sought to determine if a single bout of strenuous weight lifting (SWL) reduces EDV among sedentary obese adults. Participants included 9 obese (OB) (BMI 30.0-40.0 kg/m2) and 8 lean (LN) (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2) sedentary young women. All participants underwent a single bout of SWL using a progressive leg-press protocol. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) (an index of EDV) was determined using ultrasonography before and after SWL. Sublingual nitroglycerin (NTG) was used to determine brachial artery endothelium-independent vasodilation following SWL. Brachial artery FMD was significantly reduced in OB and LN women (LN: 6.4 ± 1.6%, p = 0.22) after SWL. There was no difference in the magnitude of change pre- and post-SWL between groups (OB: -2.4 ± 0.6% and LN: -2.2 ± 1.6%, p = 0.84). Dilation to NTG was lower in OB (21.6 ± 1.3%) compared to LN women (27.6 ± 2.1%, p = 0.02) and associated with body weight (r = -0.70, p = 0.01). These data suggest that endothelium-dependent vasodilation is reduced in woman after acute resistance exercise. Dilations to NTG were lower in obese compared to lean woman and associated with body weight suggesting that changes in sensitivity of blood vessels to NO occurs during obesity. These findings may be important for understanding vascular risk following acute exercise in obesity.
Impact of economics on compiler optimization

Compile-time program optimizations are similar to poetry: more are written than are actually published in commercial compilers. Hard economic reality is that many interesting optimizations have too narrow an audience to justify their cost in a general-purpose compiler, and custom compilers are too expensive to write. An alternative is to allow programmers to define their own compile-time optimizations. This has already happened accidentally for C++, albeit imperfectly, in the form of template metaprogramming. This paper surveys the problems, the accidental success, and what directions future research might take to circumvent current economic limitations of monolithic compilers.
Foreign Direct Investment In Transition Economies: An Institutional Approach

Foreign direct investment (FDI 1 thereafter) is very important for economic growth in transition economies. They have major impact in economic development as a source of physical capital, diffusion of technology, improvements in management and marketing techniques, and enhancing institutional setting of these economies toward market oriented. In this paper, an institutional approach to FDI inflow is investigated to identify relevant factors that have shaped and influenced transition economies. The role of institutions in the inflow of FDI in transition economies is estimated empirically by using Seemingly Unrelated Regression Estimation (SURE) technique.