cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How do viruses traffic on the ‘vascular highway’?

Considerable progress has been made in understanding how plant viruses move from cell to cell in infected plants. Far less is known of the mechanisms by which viruses move long distances in the direction of photoassimilate flow in the vascular system, and this represents an important frontier in plant virology. Recent evidence has suggested that the mechanism(s) by which viruses enter and exit the vasculature may be quite different from those involved in cell-to-cell movement, and the challenge is to determine precisely how, where and when this occurs. Our attention has focussed on the companion cell—sieve element boundary, and on the need to identify viral and host factors involved in these processes. Central to these studies will be the identification of the viral form(s) that are involved in long-distance movement. The use of new technologies may provide insight into these questions, and the foundation for a thorough understanding of viral movement and macromolecular trafficking within the phloem.
Interfacing PACS, HIS, RIS, and voice recognition for optimal functionality

When faced with the enormous task of merging several rural and community hospitals with a university hospital, developers were faced with the problem of accessing radiology reports in an electronic radiology practice. Voice recognition systems were installed to handle diagnostic reporting, but not all the facilities had hospital information systems that could receive and disseminate reports. The project goal was to make radiology reports available to clinicians to facilitate treatment and for radiologists to use when comparing previous studies with current ones.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
RNA as a tumor vaccine: a review of the literature

Many approaches have been attempted to harness the host immune system to act against malignant tumors. These have included animal and clinical trials with agents to non-specifically boost immunity, factors to augment specific immunity, transfer of lymphokine-activated killer cells and transfer of expanded populations of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Therapeutic vaccination strategies have been employed using tumor extracts, purified tumor antigens, recombinant peptide tumor antigens and specific DNA sequences coding for a tumor antigen (genetic vaccination) both through direct administration to the host and by administration of antigen presenting cells exposed to these materials ex vivo. Recently, the use of RNA has been proposed for use in tumor vaccination protocols. The use of RNA has several potential advantages. Since total cellular RNA or mRNA can be utilized, it is not necessary to know the molecular nature of the putative tumor antigen(s). RNA can be effectively amplified; thus, unlike tumor-extract vaccines, only a small amount of tumor is needed to prepare the material for vaccination. Also, unlike DNA-based vaccines, there is little danger of incorporation of RNA sequences into the host genome. The possible utility of RNA-based vaccines for tumor immunotherapy should be further explored to determine whether such approaches are clinically useful.
A simple method for calculating the dissociation constant of a receptor (or enzyme).unlabeled ligand complex from radioligand displacement measurements.

A general procedure is described for determining the dissociation constant of a receptor (or enzyme).unlabeled ligand complex (EI) by analyzing the I-dependent displacement of bound radioligand (A*) from EA*. The procedure (which involves measuring free A* in the presence of I) requires a knowledge of the total concentrations of receptor ([E]t), unlabeled ligand ([I]t) and radioligand ([A*]t), and the dissociation constant of the EA* complex. The unknown Kd is obtained from five simple, sequential calculations which are valid for either high or low affinity competitive unlabeled ligands and are independent of total receptor concentration or initial degree of saturation with A*. The procedure also provides the information needed to construct a distribution curve of all enzyme and ligand species (E, EA*, EI, A*, I) as [I]t is varied.
Treatment of atrial fibrillation in horses: new perspectives.

Forty-one horses were treated for atrial fibrillation (AF) with 22 mg/kg quinidine sulfate via nasogastric tube every 2 hours until conversion to sinus rhythm, a cumulative dose of 88 to 132 mg/kg had been administered in 2-hour increments, or the horse had adverse or toxic effects from the drug. Treatment intervals were prolonged to every 6 hours if conversion had not occurred. Digoxin was administered before treatment if the horse had a fractional shortening or = 60 beats/min) (1 horse), or had a previous history of sustained tachycardia of over 100 beats/min during prior conversion (3 horses). Digoxin was administered during day 1 of quinidine sulfate treatment if the horse developed a sustained tachycardia of over 100 beats/min during treatment (11 horses) or on day 2 if conversion had not occurred (7 horses). Plasma quinidine concentrations within 1 hour of conversion of AF to sinus rhythm ranged from 1.7 to 7.5 micrograms/mL (mean, 4.05 +/- 1.6) and ranged from 1.7 to 4.7 micrograms/mL in 97% of horses. Most horses (92%) with plasma quinidine concentrations > 5 micrograms/mL exhibited an adverse or toxic effect of quinidine sulfate (clinical or electrocardiographic). There was no statistical association between plasma quinidine concentrations and sustained tachycardia (> 100 beats/min), diarrhea, or colic. Ataxia and upper respiratory tract stridor were significantly associated with plasma quinidine concentrations. In most instances (98%) conversion did not occur while toxic or adverse effects of quinidine sulfate were present or when plasma quinidine concentrations were > 5 micrograms/mL.
A mostly digital variable-rate continuous-time ADC ΔΣ modulator

A digitally background calibrated ring oscillator ADC ΔΣ modulator is presented that consists mostly of digital circuitry. It does not contain analog integrators, feedback DACs, comparators, or reference voltages, and does not require a low-jitter clock. Unlike conventional ΔΣ modulators, its performance depends mainly on the speed of its digital circuitry, so it works best in IC processes optimized for fast digital circuitry. A 65nm LP CMOS prototype is presented with comparable performance to and much lower area than previously published ΔΣ modulators.
A New Species of Volvulina Playfair

A new species of Volvulina, V. pringsheimii, was isolated from Texas. This species differs from the well-known species of Volvulina, V. steinii, in having pyrenoids in the vegetative cells, a common gelatinous envelope surrounding the colony, a protoplasmic protrusion on the anterior end of each gamete, and spines on the secondary wall of the zygospore.
Influence of different polymers on the crystallization tendency of molecularly dispersed amorphous felodipine

Abstract The ability of various polymers to inhibit the crystallization of amorphous felodipine was studied in amorphous molecular dispersions. Spin-coated films of felodipine with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS), and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) were prepared and used for measurement of the nucleation rate and to probe drug–polymer intermolecular interactions. Bulk solid dispersions were prepared by a solvent evaporation method and characterized using thermal analysis. It was found that each polymer was able to significantly decrease the nucleation rate of amorphous felodipine even at low concentrations (3–25% w/w). Each polymer was found to affect the nucleation rate to a similar extent at an equivalent weight fraction. For HPMC and HPMCAS, thermal analysis indicated that the glass transition temperature ( T g ) of the solid dispersions were not significantly different from that of felodipine alone, whereas an increase in T g was observed for the PVP containing solid dispersions. Infrared spectroscopic studies indicated that hydrogen bonding interactions were formed between felodipine and each of the polymers. These interactions were stronger between felodipine and PVP than for the other polymers. It was speculated that, at the concentrations employed, the polymers reduce the nucleation rate through increasing the kinetic barrier to nucleation.
The Use of ACD Bank Blood and Fresh Heparinized Blood in Open‐Heart Surgery:*

A study was undertaken to establish whether the use of stored ACD blood, up to four days old and subsequently heparinized and recalcified, in the pump-oxygenator for open-heart surgery would have any detrimental effect upon postoperative coagulation and hemostasis. A comparison was made with cases in which fresh heparinized blood was used. Postoperative abnormalities were encountered in all patients. There was no significant difference between the two groups. No evidence was found of any disadvantage in the use of ACD blood.
Consumer misbehaviour: an exploratory study of shopliftin

Although customer theft is traditionally researched from a criminological or psychological perspective, this paper investigates shoplifting as consumer behaviour, demonstrating that well-defined models of normal consumer behaviour can be applied to aberrant behaviour such as shop theft. Empirical research is used to show how adults and teenagers form belief systems that amount to rational intentions in the decision to shoplift. The theory of planned behaviour (Ajzen, 1991) was used as the basis for two self-report surveys which investigated the interaction between consumers' attitudes and beliefs about shoplifting and their perceptions of retail security. The first survey utilised a sample of shoppers from the South East Midlands; the second a sample of school students from the same area (861 respondents in total, 109 respondents admitting to shoplifting in the previous year). Both studies indicate that the decision to shoplift is influenced by pro-shoplifting attitudes, social factors, opportunities for shoplifting and perceptions of low risks of apprehension. This implies that the deterrent messages we use must be reassessed. Copyright © 2002 Henry Stewart Publications.
Serial immune evaluation of cyclosporine- and placebo-treated multiple sclerosis patients

During an ongoing clinical trial of cyclosporine (CsA) immunosuppression therapy for chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), a comparison was made of the immune responses of 18 CsA- and 18 placebo (P)-treated MS patients. Patients randomized to receive either CsA or P had identical entry immune profiles. However, these MS patients displayed significantly increased T-helper:T-suppressor (TH:TS) ratios (P less than 0.01), percentage (%) active-T (P less than 0.01), % Ia+-T (P less than 0.05) and % Ta1+-T (P less than 0.01) cell phenotypes when compared to age-matched normal controls. Further, the MS-P-treated patients displayed significant increases (all P less than 0.01) in % pan-T, % helper-T, % active-T and % Ta1+-T cell phenotypes as well as panel mixed lymphocyte culture (panel MLC) functional responsiveness from entry to cumulative 12-month study data. In contrast, the MS-CsA-treated patients only displayed an increased % pan-T cell phenotype. The cumulative 12-month follow-up data showed that the MS-P-treated patients displayed significantly higher immune parameters than the MS-CsA-treated patients for % pan-T (P less than 0.05), % helper-T (P less than 0.01), TH:TS ratio (P less than 0.05), % active-T (P less than 0.01), % Ta1+-T cells (P less than 0.01) and panel MLC stimulation index (P less than 0.01). Thus, MS-CsA-treated patients did not display the progressive immune activation seen on serial evaluation during the follow-up time period that characterized the placebo-treated MS group.
Control factors in bubble aeration

Based on molecular motion and turbulent diffusion, a mathematical model is presented to determine the relationships between the diffusion coefficient and different variables in a bubble aeration process. The different variables affecting the diffusion coefficient are rate of air flow, pressure, absolute temperature, and size of bubbles.
The education of the American political elite: 1949–2001

Abstract The two primary objectives of the paper are to develop a more complete and precise profile of the educational experiences of national political leaders and to use that profile to illuminate several significant aspects of the American educational system and process. The universe of the study consists of 578 presidents, vice-presidents, cabinet members, Supreme Court Justices, and congressional leaders in office from the beginning of the first full Truman administration in early 1949 through the end of the second Clinton administration in early 2001. Among the principal conclusions are that a graduate or professional degree is a prerequisite for attaining high-public office and that political elites are more extensively, but less exclusively, educated than top leaders of other sectors of American society. Twelve American universities, and one foreign institution, have had a consistently disproportionate impact on elite education for a long period of time. Having a law school significantly enhances an institution's contribution to elite education. The training of the American political elite is characterized by both institutional pluralism and homogeneity.
Excluded volume in protein side-chain packing.

Abstract The excluded volume occupied by protein side-chains and the requirement of high packing density in the protein interior should severely limit the number of side-chain conformations compatible with a given native backbone. To examine the relationship between side-chain geometry and side-chain packing, we use an all-atom Monte Carlo simulation to sample the large space of side-chain conformations. We study three models of excluded volume and use umbrella sampling to effectively explore the entire space. We find that while excluded volume constraints reduce the size of conformational space by many orders of magnitude, the number of allowed conformations is still large. An average repacked conformation has 20 % of its χ angles in a non-native state, a marked reduction from the expected 67 % in the absence of excluded volume. Interestingly, well-packed conformations with up to 50 % non-native χ angles exist. The repacked conformations have native packing density as measured by a standard Voronoi procedure. Entropy is distributed non-uniformly over positions, and we partially explain the observed distribution using rotamer probabilities derived from the Protein Data Bank database. In several cases, native rotamers that occur infrequently in the database are seen with high probability in our simulation, indicating that sequence-specific excluded volume interactions can stabilize rotamers that are rare for a given backbone. In spite of our finding that 65 % of the native rotamers and 85 % of χ 1 angles can be predicted correctly on the basis of excluded volume only, 95 % of positions can accommodate more than one rotamer in simulation. We estimate that, in order to quench the side-chain entropy observed in the presence of excluded volume interactions, other interactions (hydrophobic, polar, electrostatic) must provide an additional stabilization of at least 0.6 kT per residue in order to single out the native state.
Transient adrenal gland uptake of gallium during septicemia

A LTHOUGH FIRST introduced as a bonescanning agent, 67Ga citrate was soon found to concentrate in many other sites generally characterized by inflammation or malignancy. Gallium 67 citrate was used for that purpose in this case, as well. Surprisingly, however, prominent activity of 67Ga citrate was noted in both adrenal glands of a patient in the course of a diagnostic workup to determine the cause of a fever of unknown origin. After recovery, a follow-up 67Ga citrate scan demonstrated no adrenal gland activity.
The configurational structure of a nonconfigurational language

In this article, I present evidence for hierarchy and movement in Warlpiri, the proto-typical nonconfigurational language. Within the verb phrase, I identify both a symmetric and an asymmetric applicative construction, show that these are problematic for an LFG-style account that claims Warlpiri has a flat syntactic structure, and outline an account of the symmetric/asymmetric applicative distinction based on a hierarchical syntactic structure. Above the verb phrase, I establish syntactic hierarchy through ordering restrictions of adverbs, and ordering of topics, wh-phrases, and focused phrases in the left periphery. Finally, I present evidence that placement of phrases in the left periphery is accomplished through movement, with new data that show island and Weak Crossover effects.
Grand molecular dynamics: A method for open systems

Abstract We present a new molecular dynamics method for studying the dynamics of open systems. The method couples a classical system to a chemical potential reservior. In the formulation, following the extended system dynamics approach, we introduce a variable, v to represent the coupling to the chemical potential reservoir. The new variable governs the dynamics of the variation of number of particles in the system. The number of particles is determined by taking the integer part of v. The fractional part of the new variable is used to scale the potential energy and the kinetic energy of an additional particle: i.e., we introduce a fractional particle. We give the ansatz Lagrangians and equations of motion for both the isothermal and the adiabatic forms of grand molecular dynamics. The averages calculated over the trajectories generated by these equations of motion represent the classical grand canonical ensemble (μVT) and the constant chemical potential adiabatic ensemble (μVL) averages, respectively. Th...
Ca2+ uptake by endoplasmic reticulum of renal cortex. II. Effects of uninephrectomy and parathyroidectomy.

Calcium uptake by the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is important for cellular calcium homeostasis, yet its regulation in nonmuscle cells is poorly understood. We reported that Ca2+ uptake by a light fraction of canine renal cortical ER (LER) is stimulated by protein kinase C in vitro. Here we describe conditions in vivo that stimulated renal cortical LER Ca2+ uptake. Thirty minutes after contralateral nephrectomy in the dog, 45Ca2+ uptake into renal cortical LER was increased 42% above control LER. There was no difference in LER Ca2+ uptake 24 hours after uninephrectomy. Acute denervation did not reproduce the increase in LER 45Ca2+ uptake seen at 30 minutes after uninephrectomy, nor did prior thyroparathyroidectomy abolish it. Forty-eight hours after thyroparathyroidectomy, 45Ca2+ uptake activity into renal cortical LER was decreased ≈sevenfold. In a proximal tubular cell line (LLC-PK1), 30-minute incubation with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate doubled 45Ca2+ uptake into a nonmitochondrial pool. Pretreatment with epidermal growth factor halved ER Ca2+ uptake, whereas insulin-like growth factor and growth hormone, alone or in combination, had no effect. Our data suggest that Ca2+ uptake into renal cortical ER is stimulated acutely during compensatory renal growth, perhaps through protein kinase C, and is stimulated chronically by parathyroid hormone.
Poly(lactic acid) brushes grow longer at lower temperatures

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) brushes prepared by the ring opening of lactide were thicker when polymerized at a lower temperature (25 °C) than was typically used for polymerization in solution. The molecular weight of solution polymerized lactide was also higher when lactide was polymerized at 25 °C compared with polymerization at higher temperatures. However, the yield of PLA was low at this temperature. These results highlight the different requirements for solution polymerization and brush growth. In the former case, both percentage of conversion and molecular weight are important considerations. In the latter case, however, percentage of conversion is unimportant as a brush represents a very small amount of polymer. It was also shown during the course of these studies that the native hydroxy groups on silicon substrates and silanols in solution were equally good initiators when compared with hydroxy terminated self-assembled monolayers on gold and alcohols, respectively.
Examining the Breadth and Depth of Environmental Health through a Modified Delphi Technique.

Abstract Background: Environmental health, a crucial part of our everyday lives, is a multidisciplinary field with many discrepancies as to what encompasses the core areas. Purpose: This study intended to establish core areas and corresponding topics of environmental health as a preliminary step to identifying knowledge, attitude and behavior questions for use in needs assessment and program planning. Methods: Fourteen to sixteen experts in various fields of environmental health participated in a modified three-round Delphi Technique. Results: Experts established 11 core areas and 25 corresponding topic areas, and identified 443 potential questions for environmental health survey development. Discussion: The core areas, topic areas and corresponding survey questions were produced to be applicable for people in all areas of United States. This is important for continuity within the field to have a universal tool to measure awareness across the country. Translation to Health Education Practice: Standardizin...
On the scent

For Marcel Proust, the madeleine evoked childhood memories — a new treatment of the science of smell attempts to take our everyday experience of odour to a more insightful level, explains Gary Beauchamp.
Semi-automated training approaches for spectral class definition

A semi-automated approach to spectral training for a maximum likelihood classification is shown to maintain or improve classification accuracy while reducing analyst input five-fold. The semi-automated approach is based on spectral sampling via region growing and training set refinement via transformed-divergence based mergers and deletions. Classification accuracies at the Anderson level II/III in northern Wisconsin were higher for the semi-automated approach in five of six combinations of imagery, analyst, and study area, at significantly reduced training expense.
Advertising and R&D investments in the wealth-maximizing firm

Abstract Advertising and R&D outlays are more similar to than different from capital outlays in modern corporations. All three can properly be thought of as investments, and can be ranked and evaluated using the tools of modern capital budgeting. One problem with bringing advertising and R&D outlays into the same planning framework as capital outlays is the constraints implicitly imposed by suppliers of external capital on the use of funds they advance. These constraints basically restrict the use of external funds to capital projects. A simple model is constructed of the cash flow-maximizing firm faced with both market and internal funds constraints. This model shows that marginal productivity rules evolve for these outlays and that a multiplier process is present in the movement of advertising and R&D from one equilibrium to another. Implications of this view of advertising and R&D for financial managers are discussed.
Synthesis And Hot Pressing Of ZnS Powders

Zinc sulfide powders with submicron particle size were prepared by homogeneous precipitation from acidic zinc solutions by aging with thioacetamide at elevated temperatures. Monosize, polycrystalline particles having 0.35 μm diameter were obtained. Sulfide ion generation rate in solution depended on temperature, pH and initial thioacetamide concentration. The rate of sulfide ion generation, in turn, influenced precipitation kinetics and particle morphology. The types of supporting anions in solution also influenced the morphology of the particles produced. Monosize powders were hot pressed for various time, temperature and pressure combinations. Compacts aehieved near-theoretical density in less than 30 minutes at temperatures 850-900°C and applied pressures of about 70-105 MPa. The dominant densification mechanisms were identified at various stages of the process.
Vapor quality measurement by a discharging calorimeter

A theoretical development is presented showing that the quality of saturated mixture inside a heat-insulated discharging container may be expressed as a function of pressure and a parameter defined as instant flow work per unit flow mass, leaving the container. Since both the parameter and the pressure inside the container are easily measured, the derived relation may be used to create a device for measuring the vapor quality. Possible schemes and characteristics of such device as well as some properties of discharging process and accuracy are discussed.
THE ODD EFFECT AND MULTIPLE MEANINGS IN ENGLISH OF THE WORDS ODD AND EVEN

Under a variety of conditions, people take longer to make judgments about odd than about even digits and digit names. In English the words "odd" and "even" have multiple meanings. Perhaps the multiple meanings of these words are responsible for the slowing of responses to odd stimuli. This hypothesis was tested using participants who spoke no English and in whose native language, Polish, the words for the mathematical concepts of odd and even do not have multiple meanings.
The acquisition of vowel discriminations by nonhuman primates.

Three adult male baboons were trained on a psychophysical procedure to discriminate five synthetic, steady‐state vowel sounds (/a/, /1/, /c/, /U/, and /q/) from one another. A pulsed train of one vowel comprised the reference stimulus during a session. Animals were trained to press a lever and release the lever only when this reference vowel sound changed to one of the comparison vowels. All animals learned the vowel discriminations rapidly and, once learned, performed the discriminations at the 95%–100% correct level. During the initial acquisition of the discriminations, however, percent correct detections were higher for those vowels with greater spectral differences from the reference vowel. For some cases, the detection scores correlated closely with differences between first formant peaks, while for others the detection scores correlated more closely with differences between second formant peaks. Once the discriminations were acquired, no discriminability differences were apparent among the differen...
Effect of hydrologic subsidy on self-organization of a constructed wetland in Central Florida

Abstract This study examined the self-organizational influences that an external subsidy had on a constructed wetland between 1991 and 1993. This wetland, a freshwater marsh, received a subsidy of continuously pumped hypereutrophic lake water. For comparison, an adjacent unsubsidized marsh served as a reference. Although the marshes were similar in renewable energies, adding the pump structure and purchased energies resulted in a higher emergy flux in the subsidized marsh. As a result of the subsidies of water and nutrients from the pump system, community parameters including vegetative percent cover dominance, animal density and overall biomass were higher in the subsidized marsh, but at a cost of lowered richness and diversity. Long-term changes in biomass were predicted with the use of a computer model using data from the evaluation of the unsubsidized marsh and from the literature. Simulations of the model produced higher levels of biomass with increased fuel useage of a pump system which represented the control of additional subsidies to the system. Model results suggested that the rate of successional processes in a constructed marsh could be manipulated by the control of hydrology subsidies.
Bronchoscopy and bronchial lavage (BBL) in children with cystic fibrosis

Abstract The morbidity and mortality of cystic fibrosis are consequences of chronic endobronchial obstruction. To retard or reverse the pulmonary complications, we have evaluated bronchoscopy and bronchial lavage with acetylcysteine ∗ ∗Mucomyst, Mead Johnson Laboratories, Evansville, Ind. in the management of these children. Two groups have been treated: (1) a stable group in whom treatments were elective, and (2) those critically ill with advanced pulmonary insufficiency treated on an emergency basis. Our experience with 270 procedures in 100 patients forms the basis of this report.
Radioiodinated α1-Adrenergic receptor ligands

The synthesis and preliminary characterization of three radioiodinated α1-adrenergic receptor ligands [125I]5a–c are described. These tracers are analogs of L-760,478, 1b, itself an analog of prazosin, 1a. The highest affinity tracer, [125I]5a, has six fold higher affinity for the α1 receptor subtypes than prazosin. These ligands could be useful for autoradiographic studies of the α1 receptor subtypes. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Digital Switchover in Europe

This article discusses the political, economic, technological and human aspects of the digital switchover in Europe and explores various policies for managing the process. The article first examines the advantages and drawbacks of digital switchover, and identifies a number of challenges and policy dilemmas of making switchover an achievable objective. It goes on to look at digital television adoption across Europe and assesses the effectiveness of free-to-air digital television to accelerate take-up. Finally, the article examines EU initiatives as well as national plans in digital switchover and proposes various measures for encouraging the take-up of digital services and therefore bringing forward the likely idea of analogue switch-off.
Controlled formation of mixed nanoscale domains of high capacity Fe2O3-FeF3 conversion compounds by direct fluorination.

We report a direct fluorination method under fluorine gas atmosphere using a fluidized bed reactor for converting nanophase iron oxide (n-Fe2O3) to an electrochemically stable and higher energy density iron oxyfluoride/fluoride phase. Interestingly, no noticeable bulk iron oxyfluoride phase (FeOF) phase was observed even at fluorination temperature close to 300 °C. Instead, at fluorination temperatures below 250 °C, scanning transmission electron microscopy coupled with electron energy loss spectroscopy (STEM-EELS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed surface fluorination with nominal composition, Fe2O3-xF2x (x < 1). At fluorination temperatures of 275 °C, STEM-EELS results showed porous interconnected nanodomains of FeF3 and Fe2O3 coexisting within the same particle, and overall the particles become less dense after fluorination. We performed potentiometric intermittent titration and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies to understand the lithium diffusion (or apparent diff...
Phosphorus Limitation of Microbial Processes in Moist Tropical Forests: Evidence from Short-term Laboratory Incubations and Field Studies

Although there is a widespread belief that phosphorus (P) limits basic ecosystem processes in moist tropical forests, direct tests of this supposition are rare. At the same time, it is generally believed that P does not limit soil microorganism respiration or growth in terrestrial ecosystems. We used natural gradients in P fertility created by soils of varying age underlying tropical rain forests in southwestern Costa Rica, combined with direct manipulations of carbon (C) and P supply, to test the effects of P availability on the decomposition of multiple forms of C, including dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and soil organic carbon (SOC). Results from a combination of laboratory and field experiments suggest that C decomposition in old, highly weathered oxisol soils is strongly constrained by P availability. In addition, P additions to these soils (no C added) also revealed that microbial utilization of at least labile fractions of SOC was also P limited. To our knowledge, this is the first direct evidence of P limitation of microbial processes in tropical rain forest soil. We suggest that P limitation of microbial decomposition may have profound implications for C cycling in moist tropical forests, including their potential response to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide. Furthermore, this site is still relatively rich in P when compared to many other tropical forests on old soils; thus, we believe that P limitation of soil microorganisms throughout the humid tropics is a possibility.
A static model of chromospheric heating in solar flares

The response of the solar chromosphere to flare processes, namely nonthermal electrons, thermal conduction, and coronal pressure, is modeled. Finite difference methods employing linearization and iteration are used in obtaining simultaneous solutions to the equations of steady-state energy balance, hydrostatic equilibrium, radiative transfer, and atomic statistical equilibrium. The atmospheric response is assumed to be confined to one dimension by a strong vertical magnetic field. A solution is obtained to the radiative transfer equation for the most important optically thick transitions of hydrogen, magnesium, and calcium. The theoretical atmospheres discussed here are seen as elucidating the role of various physical processes in establishing the structure of flare chromospheres. At low coronal pressures, conduction is found to be more important than nonthermal electrons in establishing the position of the transition region. Only thermal conduction can adequately account for the chromospheric evaporation in compact flares. Of the mechanisms considered, only nonthermal electrons bring about significant heating below the flare transition region.
A fixed point interpretation of Pareto optimization

Pareto optimization is shown to be equivalent to a fixed point problem for a certain multivalued function. This viewpoint provides a solution procedure for some problems.
The chance fracture: Anteroposterior radiographic signs

Chance fractures and their ligamentous equivalents may be readily diagnosed on lateral radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine, but often, the lateral view is of insufficient diagnostic quality in the emergency setting. It is imperative, therefore, to recognize the findings of Chance injuries on the anteroposterior view of the spine. This pictorial essay emphasizes the various manifestations of the Chance fracture on the anteroposterior radiograph, an understanding of which is facilitated by a review of the mechanism of this injury.
Association of soluble cell adhesion molecules with ankle-brachial index in a biethnic cohort of predominantly hypertensive individuals

Background: Higher plasma concentrations of soluble adhesion molecules have been shown to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. We investigated the association of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) with ankle-brachial index (ABI), a measure of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), in a biethnic cohort of adults without known coronary heart disease or stroke. Methods: Participants included 1102 blacks (mean age, 63 years; 74% women) and 1013 non-Hispanic whites (mean age, 58 years; 59% women) belonging to sibships ascertained on the basis of hypertension. We measured plasma concentrations of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 using high-sensitivity immunoassays and ABI using a standard protocol; PAD was defined as ABI <0.9. We used generalized estimating equations to assess whether sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were associated with ABI and PAD, independently of conventional risk factors. Results: After adjustment for conventional risk factors, blacks with sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 concentrations in the highest quartiles had lower ABIs than those in the lowest quartiles (mean ABI 1.02 vs 0.98, P = 0.007, vs 1.02 vs 0.99, P = 0.003, respectively). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 concentrations in the highest quartiles were each associated with a higher odds ratio of having PAD, compared with the lowest quartiles: odds ratio (95% CI): 5.2 (1.8–15.2) and 2.2 (1.0–4.8), respectively. In contrast, in non-Hispanic whites, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 concentrations were not associated with ABI or PAD. Conclusions: Higher sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 concentrations were independently associated with lower ABI and PAD in blacks, but not in non-Hispanic whites.
Nuclear Dipole Field Quenching of Integer Spins

For magnetic dipole-dipole coupling among integer nuclear spins in an asymmetric electric field gradient, the coupling is partially reduced by the asymmetry, and the coupling between integer spins and any nonresonant spins is highly reduced in first order. This "spin-quenching" mechanism is analogous to the quenching of electron orbital angular momentum of paramagnetic ions by low-symmetry crystal fields. These reductions in coupling are demonstrated by an examination of expectation values for the dipole-moment operator and, more formally, by calculating the Van Vleck second moment for a collection of identical spins $I=1$ in both axially symmetric and non-axially symmetric electric field gradients, with and without applied magnetic fields. The contribution to the second moment of an unlike set of half-integer spins by spins $I=1$, and its converse, is calculated as a function of applied magnetic field. The normal Van Vleck result is obtained, except that it is multiplied by a factor $\frac{{z}^{2}}{(1+{z}^{2})}$, where $z$ is proportional to the applied magnetic field, and is inversely proportional to the amount of asymmetry. The quenching effect is confirmed from ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{35}$ spin-echo double-resonance measurements of BaCl${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$O, where the deuterium spins have $I=1$, and couple to the ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{35}$ spins which serve as a probe to measure the interspecies coupling.
Improved accuracy of myocardial perfusion SPECT for detection of coronary artery disease by machine learning in a large population

We aimed to improve the diagnostic accuracy of myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) by integrating clinical data and quantitative image features with machine learning (ML) algorithms. 1,181 rest 201Tl/stress 99mTc-sestamibi dual-isotope MPS studies [713 consecutive cases with correlating invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and 468 with low likelihood (LLk) of CAD <5%] were considered. Cases with stenosis <70% by ICA and LLk of CAD were considered normal. Total stress perfusion deficit (TPD) for supine/prone data, stress/rest perfusion change, and transient ischemic dilatation were derived by automated perfusion quantification software and were combined with age, sex, and post-electrocardiogram CAD probability by a boosted ensemble ML algorithm (LogitBoost). The diagnostic accuracy of the model for prediction of obstructive CAD ≥70% was compared to standard prone/supine quantification and to visual analysis by two experienced readers utilizing all imaging, quantitative, and clinical data. Tenfold stratified cross-validation was performed. The diagnostic accuracy of ML (87.3% ± 2.1%) was similar to Expert 1 (86.0% ± 2.1%), but superior to combined supine/prone TPD (82.8% ± 2.2%) and Expert 2 (82.1% ± 2.2%) (P < .01). The receiver operator characteristic areas under curve for ML algorithm (0.94 ± 0.01) were higher than those for TPD and both visual readers (P < .001). The sensitivity of ML algorithm (78.9% ± 4.2%) was similar to TPD (75.6% ± 4.4%) and Expert 1 (76.3% ± 4.3%), but higher than that of Expert 2 (71.1% ± 4.6%), (P < .01). The specificity of ML algorithm (92.1% ± 2.2%) was similar to Expert 1 (91.4% ± 2.2%) and Expert 2 (88.3% ± 2.5%), but higher than TPD (86.8% ± 2.6%), (P < .01). ML significantly improves diagnostic performance of MPS by computational integration of quantitative perfusion and clinical data to the level rivaling expert analysis.
Activity-based value-chain analysis for U.S. college student vacation travelers' hotel room experience

This study developed an activity-based value-chain model for hotel room experience and identified activity-based value-adding room attributes for college student vacation travelers using an online survey (N = 2545). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square test of independence, ordinal measures of association, and multinomial logistic regression. Results revealed that the common hotel room activities were overnight sleeping, dressing and taking care of personal hygiene, having a meal and/or snack, taking a nap, relaxing and entertaining, exercising, and, finally, working, studying, and browsing the Internet. Based on student responses, all hotel room attributes were assigned to one of four categories along a value continuum: high-value, medium-value, low-value, and no-value. This study contributes to hospitality research by providing an analysis framework for assessing customer value. This research will help hoteliers focus on room attributes that most likely satisfy their customers' needs and provide high-value experiences, which could result in increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and profits.
Modeling and Analysis of Induction Machines Containing Space Harmonics Part I: Modeling and Transformation

The coupled-circuit approach is used to derive a mathematical model of a general m-n winding machine in which all MMF harmonics are taken into account. The model, which is applicable to both squirrel cage and phase- wound rotors, has provision for cage rotors with non-integral number of rotor bars per stator pole-pair. The effects of the transformations from polyphase to a-P-0 and to d-q-0 on the machine equations are analyzed. It is shown that the polyphase to a-P-0 transformation, when applied to the stator and rotor of the m-n winding machine, divides the harmonics into different groups of harmonics with possible interaction, whereupon each group of harmonics can then be represented by an a-P or a zero component circuit. This result shows that the usual assumption of representing the cage rotor by independent harmonics circuits is, in general, not valid. It is also shown that the polyphase to rotating d-q transformation is applicable when only one harmonic from each a-P component is to be considered, otherwise a new problem of separating the harmonic voltages within each a-P component is created.
Purification and Characterization of Glutathione Reductase Isozymes Specific for the State of Cold Hardiness of Red Spruce

Isozymes of glutathione reductase (GR) have been purified from red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) needles. Two isozymes could be separated by anion-exchange chromatography from both nonhardened or cold-hardened tissue. Based on chromatographic elution profiles, the isozymes were designated GR-1NH and GR-2NH in preparations from nonhardened needles, and GR-1H and GR-2H in preparations from hardened needles. N-terminal sequencing and immunological data with antisera obtained against GR-1H and GR-2H established that the isozymes from hardened needles are different gene products and show significant structural differences from each other. Chromatographic, electrophoretic, and immunological data revealed only minor differences between GR-2NH and GR-2H, and it is concluded that these isozymes are very similar or identical. Anion-exchange chromatography and native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis also established that GR-1NH and GR-1H are different proteins. From these data we conclude that GR-1H is a distinct gene product, present only in hardened needles. Therefore, GR-1H can be considered to be a cold-hardiness-specific GR isozyme, and GR-1NH can be considered to be specific for nonhardened needles. It is proposed that GR-1H is a cold-acclimation protein.
Modeling of slow dynamics in the oxidation of CO over supported silver

The oxidation of CO over aluminum-supported Ag was studied at 147°C using transient experiments. Long-time-scale dynamics were observed that could not be explained by previously postulated kinetic mechanisms for this reaction system. A model is presented with kinetic parameters estimated from steady state and transient data that is able to reproduce a variety of cycled feed stream experiments. The model incorporates a slow reversible step which forms an adsorbed oxygen species that blocks reaction sites.
One foot in the furrow: linkages between agriculture, plant pathology, and public health.

▪ Abstract Plant pathology is a field of biology that focuses on understanding the nature of disease in plants as well as on more practical aspects of preventing and controlling plant diseases in crop plants that are important to agriculture. Throughout history, plant diseases have had significant effects on human health and welfare. Several examples, in both historical and contemporary contexts, are presented in this review to show how plant pathogens, biotechnology, and farming practices have affected public health. Specific topics illustrating clear linkages between agriculture and human health include allergens in the environment, food-safety and agricultural practices, mycotoxigenic fungi, agrobioterrorism, and the biological control of plant diseases. The further argument is made that in order to monitor and ensure that good health and safety practices are maintained from “farm to fork,” public health specialists may benefit from the resources and expertise of agricultural scientists. Man does no...
Why Do Welfare States Persist

The shape and aggregate output of welfare states within many developed democracies have been fairly resilient in the face of profound shifts in their national settings, and with respect to the global environment of the past 20 years. This contrasts with once-widespread predictions of universal retrenchment, and it has broadened debates over trends in social policymaking to focus on the phenomenon of welfare state persistence. Research on persistence has not, to date, directly considered the possibility that welfare states survive because of enduring popular support. Building from recent welfare state theory and the emerging literature on policy responsiveness, we consider the possibility that mass public opinion—citizens' aggregate policy preferences—are a factor behind welfare state persistence. We analyze a new country-level data set, controlling for established sources of welfare state development, and buttressing estimates by testing for endogeneity with respect to policy preferences. We find evidence...
Effects of Purifying and Adaptive Selection on Regional Variation in Human mtDNA

A phylogenetic analysis of 1125 global human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences permitted positioning of all nucleotide substitutions according to their order of occurrence. The relative frequency and amino acid conservation of internal branch replacement mutations was found to increase from tropical Africa to temperate Europe and arctic northeastern Siberia. Particularly highly conserved amino acid substitutions were found at the roots of multiple mtDNA lineages from higher latitudes. These same lineages correlate with increased propensity for energy deficiency diseases as well as longevity. Thus, specific mtDNA replacement mutations permitted our ancestors to adapt to more northern climates, and these same variants are influencing our health today.
Deviant social positions in small groups: The relation between role and individual

Abstract This paper studies a deviant social position within a small group of Italian Fishermen. The role of “court-jester” emerges and, as the title suggests, the relation between this role and the inherent properties of the deviant are explored. It is argued that the emergence of roles among deviant social positions is dependent upon the personal attributes of the deviant and the characteristics of his relations to other members of the group.