cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic measurement of pressure in esophageal varices: Variations and complexities

An endoscopic pressure sensor has been evaluated in the measurement of oesophageal variceal pressure and its response to drug ingestion. The variceal pressure showed a highly significant correlation with the splenic pulp pressure (r = 0.97) in six patients with liver disease of diverse aetiology and with hepatic venous wedge pressure (r = 0.92) in eight alcoholic cirrhotic men. Intraduodenal infusion of isosorbide dinitrate in the cirrhotics produced no change in wedge pressure or endoscopic variceal pressure despite profound falls in arterial systolic pressure. Thus isosorbide dinitrate appears to be of no value in treating portal hypertension. This study establishes the endoscopic pressure sensor as a valuable tool in screening drugs in this condition.
Meson Mass Spectrum and the Algebraic Aspects of Chiral Symmetry

The algebraic formalism of chiral $\mathrm{SU}(2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{SU}(2)$ recently constructed by Weinberg is applied to the spectrum of nonstrange mesons. A mass formula valid under general conditions is derived. It is shown that some semiquantitative features of the formalism are in good agreement, both with existing data, and with current ideas about mass spectra such as rising Regge trajectories, meson towers, and the Veneziano representation. An attempt to fit known mesons into a coherent supermultiplet structure is described. Some arguments are given as to why this will probably not be possible without further assumptions. It is argued that if the theory is to be useful, it must be cast into a stronger form in which $\mathrm{SU}(2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{SU}(2)$ is an approximate symmetry of the spectrum.
What You Know or Who You Know? Occupation-specific work experience and job matching through social networks

Abstract While work experience is generally seen as an indicator of human capital, it may also reflect the accumulation of social capital. This study examines how work experience facilitates informal access to employment—that is, being matched with a new employer through an informal search or informal recruitment through the non-search process (without engaging in a job search). Results from fixed effects regression on panel data from the NLSY show that experience is related to informal entry into new jobs, though in a very specific way. The odds of being informally recruited into a new job improve as work experience in related occupations rises, but this relationship holds only among men. These findings highlight the social benefits of occupation-specific work experience that accrue to men but not to women, suggesting an alternative explanation for the gender disparity in wage returns to experience.
The irrelevance and (new) relevance of religion in Australian elections

This article assesses religion and voting in Australia since 1987 and examines how Tony Abbott's status as Liberal leader corresponded with changes in leader evaluations and voting, and with significant changes in Australian parties and the electorate. Religious attendance became associated more strongly with Liberal voting in 2010. Catholics voted Liberal significantly more from 2010, in significantly higher numbers they viewed the Liberal leader more positively in 2013, and they viewed the Labor leader significantly less so. Evaluations of Abbott were structured by attitudes about abortion and same-sex marriage, whereas evaluations of Kevin Rudd were not. The article discusses how these results are not unique to Australia, but fit patterns observed with centre-right parties in other western democracies.本文考察了1987年以来的宗教和投票，并研究了托尼·阿伯特作为自由党党首如何应对在党首评价及投票方面的变化，以及澳大利亚政党和选举上的重大变化。宗教的参与和2010年的自由党投票关系密切。而自2010年起，天主教徒明显地更多投自由党的票；2013年更多天主教徒对自由党领导人做正面评价；他们对工党领导人评价就要低得多。对阿伯特的评价主要取决于堕胎和同性结婚问题，而对陆克文的评价则不是这样。本文讨论了为什么这...
The Mediterranean salinity crisis: Alternative hypotheses

Many ancient salt deposits share characteristics quite different from those observed in salts deposited in Recent coastal salinas and sabkahs: their vast areal extent (up to 5 million km2) and great thickness of contained salt (exceeding 2,000 meters in some cases) in particular. They may exhibit features developed in littoral and supra-tidal saline environments which have been cited as evidence of a shallow origin for the saline giants: laterally-persistent, thin (annual?) laminae, poikiolitic and displacive (nodular) gypsum and anhydrite, chevron crystals, “satin-spar” veinlets, desiccation polygons. However, conditions which aresufficient may not benecessary for the development of a sedimentary feature; to be rigorously interpreted the conditions must be both. Other features of the saline giants suggest a depositional environment unlike any known today. The salts appear to have accumulated very rapidly (1 mm to 1 decimeter/year) in sediment-starved rift or intra-cratonal basins several hundred meters deep. Water depth, at least during part of the depositional phase, approximated the depth of the basin, and surface water was of normal salinity or brackish during intervals. Basin margins are typically ornamented by bioherms and thin platform sediments, stratigraphically high above time-equivalent salts of the basin center.
Nonlinear 0-1 programming. II: Dominance relations and algorithms

A nonlinear 0–1 program can be restated as a multilinear 0–1 program, which in turn is known to be equivalent to a linear 0–1 program with generalized covering (g.c.) inequalities. In a companion paper [6] we have defined a family of linear inequalities that contains more compact (smaller cardinality) linearizations of a multilinear 0–1 program than the one based on the g.c. inequalities. In this paper we analyze the dominance relations between inequalities of the above family. In particular, we give a criterion that can be checked in linear time, for deciding whether a g.c. inequality can be strengthened by extending the cover from which it was derived. We then describe a class of algorithms based on these results and discuss our computational experience. We conclude that the g.c. inequalities can be strengthened most of the time to an extent that increases with problem density. In particular, the algorithm using the strengthening procedure outperforms the one using only g.c. inequalities whenever the number of nonlinear terms per constraint exceeds about 12–15, and the difference in their performance grows with the number of such terms.
Standards for quantitative energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis of biological cryosections: validation and application to studies of myocardium.

SUMMARY The preparation of a comprehensive set of gelatin-glycerol-salt standards for quantitation of diffusible ions in ultrathin cryosectioned tissue is described. This set of standards serves two basic functions. The first is to calibrate the X-ray analytical system so that peak-to-continuum ratios obtained from test specimens may be converted to elemental concentrations. The second is to provide a known set of elemental concentrations which can be used to check the performance of the preparative and analytical steps involved in thin section biological X-ray microanalysis. The application of these standards and techniques for cryoultramicrotomy and analysis of myocardial tissue also is described.
Serum and Urine Markers of Bone Metabolism During the Year After Hip Fracture

OBJECTIVE: As part of a larger study to describe indices of recovery during the year after hip fracture, the current prospective study investigated longitudinal changes in serum and urine markers of bone metabolism for the year after hip fracture and related them to bone mineral density (BMD). DESIGN: A representative subset of participants provided serum and urine samples and had bone density measured at 3, 10, 60, 180, and 365 days postfracture. SETTING: Two Baltimore hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: The subjects were 205 community-dwelling, white women age 65 and older with fresh proximal femur fractures. MEASUREMENTS: Samples were assayed for specific bone-related proteins and bone turnover markers, including serum osteocalcin (OC), procollagen type 1 carboxy-terminal extension peptide (PICP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) cross-links. Selected hormonal regulators of bone metabolism, including parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin (CT), 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 (1,25 (OH)2D), and estrone (E1) were measured from serum samples. Repeated measures analyses were used to evaluate postfracture changes in each of the markers. RESULTS: BAP, OC, and PICP were most active during the early postfracture period (3–60 days). BAP and OC remained elevated at 365 days compared with 3 days. DPD rose 48% from 3 days to 60 days, but this difference was not statistically significant. PTH and 1,25 (OH)2D increased steadily and significantly from 3 to 365 days. E1 was highest at baseline and decreased at each time point, whereas CT showed no significant changes. When subjects were stratified into high-, medium-, and low-BMD groups based on their measurement at 3 days, both osteoclastic and osteoblastic markers in the low-BMD group displayed exaggerated and different patterns over time compared with the other groups. CONCLUSION: Currently, the standard treatment of care for hip fractures still results in high morbidity and mortality and failure to regain prefracture quality of life. Gaining an understanding of bone cell activity in these patients after hip fracture, derived by measuring markers longitudinally during recovery, provides a baseline by which to measure the effectiveness of new interventions to improve recovery from hip fracture.
Phylogenetic Relationships of Esocoid Fishes (Teleostei) Based on Partial Cytochrome b and 16S Mitochondrial DNA Sequences

Abstract The phylogenetic systematics of esocoid fishes are examined using comparisons of partial DNA sequences of the mitochondrial genes coding for the transmembrane protein cytochrome b and the 16S RNA ribosomal subunit. Nucleotide sequences from all species of umbrids, three species of esocids, and salmonid, osmerid, cypriniform, and neoteleostean outgroups were compared to determine patterns of molecular evolution and uncover evidence of phylogenetic relationships. Multiple sequence alignments for each of the two DNA regions examined were used to characterize the amount and type of change shown by the data. The sequences were analyzed under different models of molecular evolution using maximum-parsimony and maximum-likelihood optimality criteria of phylogenetic reconstruction. The phylogenetic analyses revealed previously undiscovered affinities between species of umbrids and esocids that imply the paraphyly of the Umbridae as currently defined. The following set of esocoid interrelationships is prop...
Decreased bone density in inflammatory bowel disease is related to corticosteroid use and not disease diagnosis

Although corticosteroid therapy is associated with the development of osteopenia, it is unclear whether the cause of osteopenia in inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) is related to corticosteroid therapy or other disease-related variables. Patients with Crohn's disease (a diffuse gastrointestinal disease) could have greater osteopenia than patients with ulcerative colitis because of small bowel disease and secondary malabsorption of calcium and vitamin D. A cross-sectional analysis of consecutive patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis was undertaken. Bone density was determined by measurements of the L2-L4 spine, the total hip, and Ward's triangle using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). A number of clinical parameters were recorded prior to bone density evaluation and analyzed by univariate and subsequently multivariate analysis to determine possible predictors of osteopenia. Of the 26 patients with Crohn's disease, diminished bone density (a Z score of at least -1) was found at the hip in 64% and at the spine in 44%; and of the 23 patients with ulcerative colitis diminished bone density was found at the hip in 43% and at the spine in 48%. Among all the variables tested, only corticosteroid use was a statistically significant predictor of diminished bone density (p = 0.025 for the spine and hip and p = 0.005 for Ward's triangle). Disease diagnosis (Crohn's disease compared with ulcerative colitis) did not predict or correlate with diminished bone density. No obvious associations were seen between the measurements of any serum hormones or biochemistries and bone density, although the patients using corticosteroids had lower serum calcium levels than the nonusers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Inverse Diffraction and a New Reciprocity Theorem

A solution is obtained to the inverse diffraction problem for a monochromatic scalar wave field propagated into the half space z>0. It is shown how to determine the field distribution throughout the region 0≤z 0. The solution takes a particularly simple form when the spatial-frequency spectrum of the distribution in the plane z=z1 (or in any other plane z=const>0) is bandlimited to a circle whose radius is equal to the wavenumber of the field. In this case, the solution to the inverse diffraction problem may be expressed in a form strictly similar to that for the direct-propagation problem (exterior boundary-value problem), given by Rayleigh’s diffraction formula of the first kind. A comparison of these two solutions leads to the formulation of a new reciprocity theorem, valid for a wide class of wave fields.
Blood Pressure and Cognitive Outcome

Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and “mixed” dementia, increases with age, yet its causes, particularly of Alzheimer’s disease, are not well understood. Hypertension is an important risk factor for arteriosclerosis, particularly in the brain and kidney, and cardiovascular events, including stroke, which are risk factors for vascular dementia. Several excellent reviews have summarized the strong, consistent evidence that elevated mid-life blood pressure and hypertension are associated with higher risk of dementia and cognitive decline. However, several questions remain, including whether the relationship of blood pressure to cognitive outcomes changes with age, and whether antihypertensive medication use delays or prevents cognitive decline and dementia. The purpose of this article is to provide an update based on review of recent scientific reports and to highlight factors that might explain existing results and future research directions.
Magic rectangles and modular magic rectangles

Abstract Magic rectangles are m × n matrices with entries 1, …, mn, all row sums being equal and all column sums being equal. Sun established necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of magic (m, n) rectangles. We introduce modular magic rectangles, variants of magic rectangles, and study two classes of modular magic rectangles: Pseudomagic and complete magic rectangles. We construct classes of pseudomagic, modular magic rectangles that are not magic rectangles, and classes of complete, modular magic rectangles. This suggests the problem of determining the spectra of pseudomagic, modular magic rectangles that are not magic rectangles; complete, modular magic rectangles; and complete, magic rectangles.
Three-dimensional local grid refinement for block-centered finite-difference groundwater models using iteratively coupled shared nodes: A new method of interpolation and analysis of errors

Abstract This paper describes work that extends to three dimensions the two-dimensional local-grid refinement method for block-centered finite-difference groundwater models of Mehl and Hill [Development and evaluation of a local grid refinement method for block-centered finite-difference groundwater models using shared nodes. Adv Water Resour 2002;25(5):497–511]. In this approach, the (parent) finite-difference grid is discretized more finely within a (child) sub-region. The grid refinement method sequentially solves each grid and uses specified flux (parent) and specified head (child) boundary conditions to couple the grids. Iteration achieves convergence between heads and fluxes of both grids. Of most concern is how to interpolate heads onto the boundary of the child grid such that the physics of the parent-grid flow is retained in three dimensions. We develop a new two-step, “cage-shell” interpolation method based on the solution of the flow equation on the boundary of the child between nodes shared with the parent grid. Error analysis using a test case indicates that the shared-node local grid refinement method with cage-shell boundary head interpolation is accurate and robust, and the resulting code is used to investigate three-dimensional local grid refinement of stream-aquifer interactions. Results reveal that (1) the parent and child grids interact to shift the true head and flux solution to a different solution where the heads and fluxes of both grids are in equilibrium, (2) the locally refined model provided a solution for both heads and fluxes in the region of the refinement that was more accurate than a model without refinement only if iterations are performed so that both heads and fluxes are in equilibrium, and (3) the accuracy of the coupling is limited by the parent-grid size—a coarse parent grid limits correct representation of the hydraulics in the feedback from the child grid.
The origin and migration of primordial germ cells in the mouse

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the founders of the gametes. They migrate from their origin to combine with the somatic component of the gonad. Progenitors in mice have been recognized in the proximal epiblast. When and how these cells are allocated to the germ line has not been elucidated fully. Numerous growth factors have been described which affect PGC survival, proliferation and directional control during their migration. The extracellular matrix also may play a role in PGC migration, particularly fibronectin and laminin. Once they have arrived at the gonad, PGCs aggregate with one another. The molecules governing this PGC-PGC interaction have yet to be identified.
Equine Behavior Problems in Relation to Humane Care

AbstractThere are a variety of equine behavior problems presented to the Animal Behavior Clinic of the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine. Of those that can be easily classified, 18% involve aggression, 8% involve stable vices, and 4% involve trailer problems.The purpose of this study is to relate behavior problems to humane care of horses. Stable vices in particular can be predicted, prevented, and cured by a consideration of the behavior of horses in a natural environment. Horses on pasture or in the wild spend 60% of their time grazing. The typical modern equine diet of high concentrates and limited roughage does not take into consideration the horse's requirement for roughage. If this is considered, wood-chewing and coprophagia can be treated by increasing the roughage in the diet.Another approach to prevention of stable vices and humane management of horses is to evaluate the animals' environmental preferences. When given a choice, horses spend only 10% to 720% of their time in stalls. The...
Cadmium accumulation and subcellular distribution in relation to cadmium chloride induced cytotoxicity in vitro

Abstract A bovine kidney cell culture system was used to assess what relationship cadmium (Cd) uptake and subcellular distribution had to cadmium chloride induced cytotoxicity. Twenty-four hour incubation with 0.1–10 μM Cd elicited 0–90% cytotoxicity. Fifty percent cytotoxicity was estimated to result from 0.8 μM Cd. A concentration-related Cd accumulation paralleled the cytotoxicity profile. The time-course for Cd accumulation was linear for the first 6 h of exposure and plateaued by 18 h post-exposure. When the degree of cytotoxicity was compared with the cellular Cd burden at 24 h post-treatment a least-squares linear regression analysis (r = 0.93) indicated a direct relationship. Subcellular distribution studies indicated greater than 90% Cd recovery from the soluble supernatant (105 000 g) at all levels of cytotoxicity studied. Metallothionein sequestered less than 25% of the cellular Cd. As a result of the correlation of the degree of cytotoxicity with the cellular Cd burden and the independence of subcellular distribution from cytotoxicity, a cumulative mechanism of toxicity for Cd in MDBK cells was suggested.
Induction of antigen spread after sipuleucel-T treatment and its association with improved clinical outcome

Meeting abstracts An effective cancer immunotherapy that triggers immune-mediated lysis of tumor cells, may lead to the priming of T or B lymphocytes against tumor antigens distinct from the initial target/s of the therapy. This is referred to as antigen or epitope spread. Evidence of antigen
Enhancement of cardiac function by cyclocreatine in models of cardiopulmonary bypass

Abstract This study tests the hypothesis that the administration of cyclocreatine prior to global ischemia enhances recovery of cardiac function during reperfusion. Two models were used. First, in a Langendorff-working heart model of normothermic cardioplegic arrest, rats ( n = 6 per group) were injected intravenously with saline or cyclocreatine (600, 300, or 150 mg/kg). After 30 min or 2 h, hearts were excised and perfused in the Langendorff mode for 5 min and then in the working heart mode for 20 min. Normothermic arrest was induced by infusing warm St. Thomas solution once: then hearts were kept at 37°C for 40 min. Following arrest, hearts were reperfused in the Langendorff mode for 15 min and then in the working mode for 30 min. Cyclocreatine consistently produced significantly better recovery of aortic flow and cardiac output compared to that of saline hearts. Second, in an intact canine model of cold cardioplegic arrest, adult mongrel dogs ( n = 3 to 6 per group) underwent aortic cross-clamping for 1 h, followed by reperfusion on bypass for 45 min and off bypass for 4 h. Dogs were injected intravenously with saline or cyclocreatine (500 mg/kg) for 1 h before experiment. Post-bypass segmental contractility and cardiac output were significantly better in cyclocreatine hearts compared to that of controls. In a limited study, after a 3 h aortic cross-clamp time, cyclocreatine hearts achieved 91% baseline function while control hearts failed after 2 h. Results of this study suggest that cyclocreatine, without inotropic or chronotropic effect, protects the heart from global ischemic injury.
Presence of DNA in Rous sarcoma virus.

DNA has been isolated from the virion of Rous sarcoma virus. It consists of two components which seem to correspond to the two species of DNA synthesized in vitro by the recently identified virion RNA-dependent DNA polymerase.
2,5‐Dimethylthiophene coordination to three metal centers in the complexes (η4, S‐μ3‐2,5‐Me2T)(IrCp*) [M(CO)2Cp]2 where MMo or W

The 2,5-dimethylthiophene (2,5-Me2T) ligand in the isomers Cp*Ir(η4-2,5-Me2T) (1) and Cp*Ir(C,S-2,5-Me2T) (2) is activated to react with the dimers Cp(CO)2MM(CO)2Cp[MMo (3), W (4)] to give complexes (5,6) in which the thiophene is coordinated to three metals. Oxidation of 5 with Cp2Fe+ removes the Mo dimer to give Cp*Ir(η5-2,5-Me2T)2+. Reaction of 5 with CO displaces the Mo as [CpMo(CO)3]2 to give Cp*Ir(CO)(C,S-2,5-Me2T) (7). Ultraviolet photolysis of 1 provides a convenient route to the ring-opened isomer 2. Despite the remarkable nature of the thiophene coordination in 5 and 6, its reactivity does not suggest new pathways that would lead to the hydrodesulfurization of thiophenes.
AXONAL TRANSPORT MAINTAINS TASTE RESPONSES

taste buds -- gerbil -- trophic dependency -- glossopharyngeal nerve SUMMARY Transection of the gerbil's IXth nerve causes gustatory action potentials to decline in 1-6 h; the rate of decline is a linear function of the length of the nerve stump remaining attached to the tongue 18. To test the implication that taste discharge mechanisms depend upon axonal transport in the IXth nerve, we injected 40 nl of [ZH]leucine into the petrosal ganglion of one IXth nerve of the gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus. Subsequent liquid scintillation counting of the petrosal ganglion, IXth nerve segments, and representative areas of the tongue indicated that labeled materials were transported down the IXth nerve primarily to the vallate and ipsilateral foliate taste papillae of the tongue. A significant impairment of axonal transport and a substantial decline in summated IXth nerve taste responses occurred within 2-3 h after colchicine was applied to the IXth nerve trunk between the tongue and the petrosal ganglion. Similarly, cooling the IXth nerve with a 3-10 °C thermocouple junction or metal probe impaired axonal transport and caused a taste response decline. Since impulse mechanisms of the nerve trunk continued to function distal to these sites of treatment, we concluded that the maintenance of taste discharges at the level of the taste bud depends upon unimpeded axonal transport.
Improved color image calibration

The technique for calibrating color imagery which has been employed by the Tank-Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) includes measurement of red, green, and blue color panels using a colorimeter during the approximate time that the calibration image is captured. This method has the advantage that the luminance and chromaticity coordinates of the color panels are recorded in real time. However, the disadvantage is the amount of time it takes to measure each individual panel. Outside of a laboratory, the environment cannot be controlled, so the light level and correlated color temperature from the source may shift during the calibration period. A new technique using a spectroradiometer has been developed whereby the spectral reflectance of the color panels are measured beforehand and only the light level and spectral content from the source is monitored during the calibration period. This drastically reduces the time required for calibration, thus rendering insignificant any temporal changes in the light level or correlated color temperature of the panels. The actual luminance and chromaticity of the color panels can be calculated subsequently.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Influence of local-scale and landscape-scale habitat characteristics on California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) abundance and survival

For many marine systems, little is known about the effects of habitat structure on ecological processes that dictate population dynamics. This study focused on the effects of habitat structure on behaviour, abundance, and survival of California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus Randall) in the Point Loma kelp forest, San Diego, California. Habitat characteristics were quantified in 400-m2 landscapes to determine the role of shelter and understorey kelp characteristics at local (shelter) scales and landscape scales on lobster habitat use. A tethering experiment determined the effects of the presence of understorey kelp on lobster survival. At the shelter scale, lobsters preferred permanent shelters to ephemeral shelters, but did not respond to shelter size. At the landscape scale, lobster density increased with Pterygophora californica (stipitate kelp) density and decreased with Laminaria farlowii (prostrate kelp) density, but lobster density did not vary with shelter density or dispersion. Lobster size increased with P. californica density in two of three surveys, while lobster size did not vary with L. farlowii density. Lobster relative survival was higher in the presence of understorey kelp than when kelp was absent. We conclude that lobsters respond to habitat characteristics at local and landscape scales, and that understorey kelp has strong effects on lobster habitat use and survival.
Endorsement of Professional Multicultural Rehabilitation Competencies and Standards A Call to Action

This article proposes specific multicultural rehabilitation competencies and standards that define a professional culturally competent rehabilitation counselor. Cross-cultural skills are based on three characteristics across three dimensions: beliefs and attitudes, knowledge, and skills. Explanatory statements operationalizing each competency area are offered. In reinforcing the need and rationale for a multicultural perspective in rehabilitation counseling and rehabilitation education programs, the authors urgently appeal to the leadership of professional rehabilitation organizations to infuse multiculturalism throughout their organizations. Specific recommendations toward endorsement of the proposed competencies are set forth.
Distribution of Viruses Infecting Cucurbit Crops and Isolation of Potential New Virus-Like Sequences from Weeds in Oklahoma

Ali, A., Mohammad, O., and Khattab, A. 2012. Distribution of viruses infecting cucurbit crops and isolation of potential new virus-like sequences from weeds in Oklahoma. Plant Dis. 96:243-248. Field surveys were conducted from 2008 to 2010 to detect and determine the incidence of viruses in the major cucurbit-growing areas of Oklahoma. In total, 1,049 symptomatic leaf samples (890 from cucurbits, 109 from weed species, and 50 from crop plants [agricultural crops]) were collected from 90 fields in four counties (Atoka, Blaine, Jefferson, and Tulsa) of Oklahoma. Samples were tested against seven viruses, including Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV), Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV), Papaya ringspot virus-watermelon strain (PRSV-W, formerly known as Watermelon mosaic virus-1), Squash mosaic virus (SqMV), Watermelon mosaic virus-2 (WMV-2), and Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), using dot-immunobinding assay (DIBA). Results showed the highest incidence for PRSV (51%), followed by WMV-2 (14%) and ZYMV (10%) among the collected samples. SqMV, MNSV, and CMV were detected in 3.8, 3.3, and 1.1% of the samples, respectively. None of the samples collected during surveys reacted positively against the antiserum of CGMMV. Mixed virus infections were common involving two (5.18%) or three (4.61%) viruses in various combinations. New weed host species were found to be infected with PRSV when confirmed by both DIBA and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Some weed species contained possible new viruses when analyzed by random RT-PCR, followed by cloning, sequencing, and BLAST analysis with sequences in GenBank. Cucurbits (cucumber, cantaloupe, pumpkin, watermelon, and zucchini squash) are economically important cash crops worldwide, including the United States. Virus diseases are a major constraint in commercial cucurbit production (21,27), causing sporadic epidemics. More than 39 different viruses have been reported to cause cucurbit diseases and many are responsible for economic losses in the quality and quantity of cucurbit crops (15,18,27). In the United States, cucurbit crops are grown in several states and are commonly infected by a number of viruses. Several of these viruses, particularly the Potyvirus spp. Papaya ringspot virus-watermelon strain (PRSV-W, formerly known as Watermelon mosaic virus-1) (29), Watermelon mosaic virus-2 (WMV-2) (30), Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) (19,20), and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) (9), are the most frequently encountered and economically important (24,27). These viruses have been shown to infect cucurbit crops in major cucurbit-growing areas of California and Connecticut (25,28), Florida (1,31), Hawaii (35), Illinois (14),
Geochemical analysis of silicate rocks and soils by XRF using pressed powders and a two-stage calibration procedure

Abstract A two-stage calibration procedure has been developed for major-element analyses of silicate rocks and soils using XRF and pressed powders. The first step involves fitting the composition-intensity data matrix of the standards to the Lucas-Tooth-Pyne (LTP) model using stepwise regression. Compositions of the standards are then regressed stepwise against the composition predicted by the LTP regression using a linear model of the form Ci = f(C'1,C'2,…,C'i,…,C'n) where the primes denote the compositions predicted by the LTP model. The second-stage regression significantly improved the correlation coefficient (R2) of the calibrations for SiO2, Al2O3 and Na2O over those produced by the LTP model alone. The procedure has been used to analyze 185 sample unknowns covering a wide range of composition (granite, diabase, sericite, biotites and soils developed thereon including laterites). Of these 95% had sum of constituents between 98.75% and 101.25%. Eight of these samples have been analyzed by independent methods. In general the agreement between pairs of analyses are very good. Thus, the calibration procedure appears to produce analyses over a wide range of compositions that are sufficiently accurate for routine work. Although the procedure requires a large number of standards (∼ 50), once the initial investment has been made the calibration can be upgraded and its range of application expanded as new standards become available.
Direct thrombin inhibitors' potential efficacy in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with no available disease-modifying drugs. However, it has been postulated that neurovascular damage is a primary occurrence in this disease. Neurovascular damage is the result of the presence of cardiovascular risk factor generating hypoxia, oxidative stress, and metabolic changes that activate the endothelial cells of the brain microvasculature in order to respond to the stress by the development of angiogenesis. This endothelial activation could lead to a secretion of many proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors, such as thrombin. Heparin and related oligosaccharides have been shown to be efficient in the improvement of symptoms of AD. Their efficacy may be limited by their nonselective inhibitory effect of thrombin’s activity. Direct thrombin inhibitors, such as dabigatran, might be efficient in the treatment of patients with AD because of their high selectivity for thrombin’s activity inhibition while having a safer side effects profile tha...
Culture or fluency?: unpacking interactions between culture and communication medium

In this paper we describe two studies intended to replicate earlier work comparing American and Chinese communication in a negotiation task using several different media. In the earlier studies, the participants all spoke in English, raising the question of whether differences in fluency rather than differences in cultural background explained the results. We replicated the earlier studies using materials translated into Chinese, a native Chinese-speaking experimenter, and native Chinese participants. Counts of Chinese characters in each media show nearly the identical pattern found in the earlier studies, suggesting that cultural differences in communication styles, rather than fluency, account for the earlier findings. We describe implications of this work for tools to support intercultural communication.
System design of the SEAC and DYSEAC

In the course of developing the system plans for the DYSEAC and the SEAC, certain standard methods and procedures were evolved for producing a large-scale digital computer design. These standard procedures cover, first, the development of system specifications, second, the development of functional plans, and finally the development of wiring plans. The later stages of these procedures are reducible to sequences of simple steps, capable of being systematically formulated in explicit terms. The similarity between these procedures and many of the data-processing procedures commonly being executed by present-day computers suggests that, with further development of these design techniques, the wiring plans for new computer systems might well be produced by existing digital machines.
Ex vivo expanded hematopoietic stem cells overcome the MHC barrier in allogeneic transplantation

The lack of understanding of the interplay between hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and the immune system has severely hampered the stem cell research and practice of transplantation. Major problems for allogeneic transplantation include low levels of donor engraftment and high risks of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Transplantation of purified allogeneic HSCs diminishes the risk of GVHD but results in decreased engraftment. Here we show that ex vivo expanded mouse HSCs efficiently overcame the major histocompatibility complex barrier and repopulated allogeneic-recipient mice. An 8-day expansion culture led to a 40-fold increase of the allograft ability of HSCs. Both increased numbers of HSCs and culture-induced elevation of expression of the immune inhibitor CD274 (B7-H1 or PD-L1) on the surface of HSCs contributed to the enhancement. Our study indicates the great potential of utilizing ex vivo expanded HSCs for allogeneic transplantation and suggests that the immune privilege of HSCs can be modulated.
Interference between Cabibbo allowed and doubly forbidden transitions in D → KS,L + π′s decays

Both Cabibbo allowed and doubly forbidden transitions contribute coherently to D → KS,L + π′s decays. This leads to several intriguing and even quantitatively significant consequences, among them (i) A difference between Γ(D+ → KSπ+) and Γ(D+ → KLπ+) and between Γ(D0 → KSπ0) and Γ(D0 → KLπ0) of roughly 10%; similarly Γ(D+ → [KSπ0]K∗π+) ≠ 14Γ(D+ → [K−π+]K∗π+), and more generally Γ(D → K0 + π′s) ≠ 2Γ(D → KS + π′s). (ii) A change in the relative phase between the isospin 32 and 12 amplitudes as extracted from the observed branching ratios for D+ → KSπ+, D0 → KSπ0, K−π+. (iii) If New Physics intervenes to provide the required weak phase, then CP asymmetries of up to a few per cent can arise in D+ → KSπ+ vs. D− → KSπ−, D0 → KSπ0 vs. D0 → KSπ0, D+ → [KSπ0]K∗π+ vs. D− → [KSπ0]K∗π−, etc.; an asymmetry of the same size, but opposite in sign occurs when the KS is replaced by a KL in the final state.
Women's Experience in Holistic Chemical Dependency Treatment: An Exploratory Qualitative Study

Research suggests that gender-specific treatment for women with chemical dependency issues might be more effective than dual-gender programs. Several authors have posited that this might be due to the fact that women in treatment have differing sets of presenting problems than men. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to investigate women's experiences in a single-gender, holistically focused chemical dependency treatment program. Results based on focus group interviews with 23 women suggest that the variables of empowerment, holistic services, children in treatment, domestic violence services, cohesion, and staff characteristics have distinct effects on women's experiences in chemical dependency treatment. Questions for further study are offered.
Bill Pak, Neurobiology, ninaE, and Me

I did not start out to work in neurogenetics. I am only doing what I do now because of Bill Pak's influence in pushing me in that direction, for which I am forever grateful! Here's my recollection ...
Flow Cell CCC/FT-IR Spectrometry

Abstract The development of flow cell LC/FT-IR spectrometry has been plagued by the fact that liquid chromatographic mobile phases absorb infrared radiation. This problem is exacerbated by low solute-to-solvent ratios in the eluates. High speed countercurrent chromatography (CCC) is used in this study to obtain high solute-to-solvent ratios that alleviate some of the problems of infrared absorption of the mobile phase. The high solute-to-solvent ratios allow the use of a simple flow cell interface which makes complex solvent removal procedures unnecessary. CCC/FT-IR (Countercurrent chromatography/Fourier transform infrared) spectrometry is useful for applications where the analyst is not limited by sample size, and high sample loadings are possible. CCC/FT-IR spectrometry is particularly useful to users of countercurrent chromatography to obtain useful structural information of mixture components with an FT-IR spectrometer.
Numerical Investigation of Supersonic Injection Using a Reynolds-Stress Turbulence Model

Thefull,three-dimensionalFavre-averaged Navier -Stokesequations,coupledwiththesecond-orderZhang etal. (Zhang, H., So, R., Gatski, T., and Speziale, C., " A Near-Wall Second-Order Closure for Compressible Turbulent Flows,"Near-WallTurbulentFlows ,editedbyR. So,C.Speziale, andB.Launder,Elsevier,NewYork,1993,pp.209 - 218) Reynolds-stress turbulence and K-≤ models, were used to numerically simulate a 25-deg, Mach 1.8 injection into a Mach3.0 crosse ow.Detailed comparisonswith experimental data wereperformed.Analysis of theReynolds- stress turbulence model simulation results revealed physically consistent and accurate predictions for mean e ow and turbulent quantities, whereas the simulations with the K-≤ model resulted in nonphysical and inconsistent turbulence predictions. Analysis of the three-dimensional e owe eld simulation with the Reynolds-stress turbulence model shows that the shock structure downstream of the oblique barrel shock wasa mirrored image of theleeward side of the oblique barrel shock. Furthermore, the downstream location where vortical motion was initiated in the jet plume was caused by the recompression shock-induced vortices. These vortices were generated through the combined effects of the ine ow air upwash behind the plume and the mirrored oblique barrel shock.
Building an intranet digital mammography case library

To practice mammography diagnosis effectively, radiologists expect convenient access to well-organized and authoritative mammography related information, especially when there is case in question. The purpose of this study is to build infrastructural diagnosis support by incorporating various clinical information into a digital mammography case library, and allow user to search the library based on mammographic findings. The digital mammography case library has a three- tier architecture: (1) Back-end mammography databases integrate multimedia clinical information from various operational systems, including RIS and PACS. Cases are stored in a finding index database powered by an object-relational database with finding-coded reports, which are modeled around the ACR BI-RADS (American College of Radiology, Breast Imaging Report and Data System) standard. (2) The middle-end application controllers process application logic, such as user authorization, HTTP request handling, database connection and dynamic HTML page generation. (3) Web-based user interface is developed for authorized Intranet personnel to formulate query based on radiological finding (such as mass, calcification and architectural distortion), shape and assessment, using ACR BI-RADS specified lexicon. The case library so far has 103 cases selected from over 800 digital mammography studies carried out at the Mt. Zion hospital, UCSF, during an on-going digital telemammography project. We believe that an Intranet based digital mammography case library with mammographic finding search capability facilitates continuous medical education and online decision support, by providing exemplary study to compare with case in question.
Microsoft Research Treelet Translation System: NAACL 2006 Europarl Evaluation

The Microsoft Research translation system is a syntactically informed phrasal SMT system that uses a phrase translation model based on dependency treelets and a global reordering model based on the source dependency tree. These models are combined with several other knowledge sources in a log-linear manner. The weights of the individual components in the log-linear model are set by an automatic parameter-tuning method. We give a brief overview of the components of the system and discuss our experience with the Europarl data translating from English to Spanish.
Effects of annealing and stoichiometry to (Nd, Mg)(Ni, Al)3.5 metal hydride alloys

Abstract The structures, gaseous phase hydrogen storage, and electrochemical properties of a series of (Nd0.83Mg0.16Zr0.01)(Ni0.953Al0.046Co0.001)α alloys, where α = 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, and 3.7, before and after annealing (900 °C and 5 h in argon) were studied. Besides the main Nd2Ni7 phase, other secondary phases, such as MgNdNi4, NdNi5, NdNi3, NdNi, and CeNi3, were present in most of the samples and influenced the hydrogen storage properties. After annealing, several changes happened: the stoichiometry of the main Nd2Ni7 phase remained constant at B/A = 3.3 and its abundance increased; the abundances of the major secondary phases decreased but were not totally eliminated (which helped preserve the catalytic effects); both the gaseous phase hydrogen storage and electrochemical capacity increased; the high-rate dischargeability decreased slightly; and the activation became more difficult. A stoichiometry of AB3.5 showed the best compromise among electrochemical capacity, high-rate dischargeability, and ease of activation.
Volatile Constituents from the Flowers of Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

The flowers of Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) have been shown by field observation to be attractive to a variety of economically important adult lepidoptera. The present study was performed to identify and quantify the volatile chemical constituents of L. japonica flowers, at different stages of development, to provide a basis for systematic evaluation of insect attraction. Methylene chloride extracts of flowers obtained at three stages of development (freshly opened, overnight, and 24 h) were subjected to vacuum-steam distillation/hexane extraction using a modified Likens−Nickerson apparatus. Volatile constituents were identified and quantitated using gas capillary chromatography/mass spectrometry. Twenty-seven compounds, 13 of which have not been reported in Lonicera spp. flowers, were identified among the three developmental stages. Germacrene D was a major component at all stages; linalool and α-farnesene appeared in high concentrations in fresh and 24 h flowers but were greatly reduced in o...
Personality type for physicians' assistants and associates based on vocational preference inventory.

Weighted profiles for the Vocational Preference Inventory were computed for 74 students in the Health Assistant and Health Associate programs of the Johns Hopkins University School of Health Services. The three letter summary code was ISA, which is the same as the code for physicians. These results suggest the personality type assigned to these groups is similar.
Finding bias, and making do with data that have it

Much of statistics and machine learning relies on random sampling and designed experiments, but sometimes the only data that we can have were obtained by other means. The data may be just whatever is available in transaction logs. Or, an advertiser may use data on everyone exposed to an ad campaign and a random sample of people who were not exposed to a campaign ad to measure ad effectiveness. Such data may give badly biased estimates. However, even perfect random sampling can give flawed estimates. The time spent in hospital for a random sample taken from patients in a hospital on a given day will overestimate duration of hospital stay, even though the patients are randomly chosen. This tutorial will describe some sources of selection bias, some ways to detect when it is so overwhelming that no valid estimate is possible, and some strategies that can sometimes be used to dilute the influence of selection bias on estimates.