cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Eriophyid mite Floracarus perrepae readily colonizes recovering invasive vine Lygodium microphyllum following herbicide treatment

Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br. (Schizaeales: Lygodiaceae) is among the most damaging invasive plant species in Florida, USA. Following mechanical and herbicide treatment, the plant typically recovers to pre-treatment levels within 1–2 years through regrowth from the adult rhizome and recruitment of new sporelings. A classical biocontrol agent, the gall-inducing mite Floracarus perrepae Knihinicki & Boczek (Acariformes: Eriophyidae), could attack recovering L. microphyllum, thereby reducing the need for repeated treatments. Here, we investigated natural F. perrepae colonization of recovering L. microphyllum following treatment using two field experiments. First, we monitored F. perrepae colonization on adult regrowth and sporelings on tree islands that were clipped and treated with herbicide (glyphosate or triclopyr). At 24 months post-treatment, mite galls were most abundant on glyphosate treated islands where > 50% of adult rachises and > 80% of sporelings exhibited galls and were rare on untreated islands. Second, we investigated the separate effects of clipping and herbicide (triclopyr) treatment on F. perrepae colonization of regrowth within small-scale plots at four heavily invaded sites. Galls were most prevalent following cutting and least prevalent following herbicide seven months post-treatment, but, on a per pinna (i.e., leaflet) basis, were equivalent across treatments. Taken together, we report that both L. microphyllum regrowth and especially sporelings were highly susceptible to colonization by F. perrepae. Our findings suggest that biological control of L. microphyllum is compatible with herbicide treatment, and future research is needed to determine how best to integrate these management tactics.
The Search for Heavy Particles

Direct and indirect evidence for the existence of a new heavy quark b and of new heavy neutral leptons N e and N μ can be sought in neutrino and e+e- scattering.
Factors associated with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome and chronic graft‐versus‐host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is a form of chronic graft vs. host disease (cGVHD) and a highly morbid pulmonary complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We assessed the prevalence and risk factors for BOS and cGVHD in a cohort of HSCT recipients, including those who received reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) HSCT. Between January 1, 2000 and June 30, 2010, all patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT at our institution (n = 1854) were retrospectively screened for the development of BOS by PFT criteria. We matched the BOS cases with two groups of control patients: (1) patients who had concurrent cGVHD without BOS and (2) those who developed neither cGVHD nor BOS. Comparisons between BOS patients and controls were conducted using t-test or Fisher's exact tests. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to examine factors associated with BOS diagnosis. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.2. We identified 89 patients (4.8%) meeting diagnostic criteria for BOS at a median time of 491 days (range: 48-2067) after HSCT. Eighty-six (97%) of our BOS cohort had extra-pulmonary cGVHD. In multivariate analysis compared to patients without cGVHD, patients who received busulfan-based conditioning, had unrelated donors, and had female donors were significantly more likely to develop BOS, while ATG administration was associated with a lower risk of BOS. Our novel results suggest that busulfan conditioning, even in RIC transplantation, could be an important risk factor for BOS and cGVHD.
Electron microscopic observations of bronchial epithelium: I. Annulate lamellae

Abstract Large quantities of annulate lamellae have been found in the ciliated columnar cells of bronchial epithelium of man. They occurred in cells with no distinct abnormalities and came from areas of the epithelium which showed no gross morphological changes. They were also found in distinctly abnormal cells from sites near a tumor. The structural similarity and possible relationship of annulate lamellae to the nuclear envelope and their occasional close association with nuclear material is noted. Stacked cisternae of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum have frequently been found adjacent to, and in register with, stacked annulate lamellae. An unequivocal continuity of the membranes of these two systems has not been observed but a functional relationship appears possible.
Political Agency and the Classroom: Reading John Dewey and Judith Butler Together

In Toronto last year, several PES members joined a panel session to discuss “agency after Foucault.” Many philosophers of education, in the wake of Foucault and other recent poststructuralists, often struggle to make sense of agency, intention, and the individual subject, particularly within social justice education. Some participants in this session and others challenged certain assumptions about human subjects as autonomous, self-made, efficacious agents of social and political change, many of which were held by the pragmatists whose work largely began and continues to influence our field.
The effects of n-3 fatty acids on the secretion of carboxyl-terminally truncated forms of human apoprotein B.

We have previously reported that in primary rat hepatocytes, n-3 fatty acid (either eicosapentaenoic or docosahexaenoic) stimulates intracellular degradation of apoprotein B100 (apoB100) and apoB48 (Wang, H., Chen, X., and Fisher, E.A. (1993) J. Clin. Invest. 91, 1380-1389). There was a greater effect on apoB100 than on apoB48. Rat hepatoma (McArdle RH-7777) cell lines expressing carboxyl-truncated human apoB species apoB42, apoB28, and apoB18 were used to explore the relationship between the effects of n-3 fatty acids and apoB lipidation. After density gradient separation of conditioned media, apoB42 was found at d 1.21 (lipid-poor), and apoB28 in both fractions. After incubation with albumin complexed with eicosapentaenoic or docosahexaenoic acids, relative to oleic acid, the secretion of newly synthesized apoB was 35% (apoB42), 54% (apoB28), and 96% (apoB18). Further analysis of the apoB28 data showed decreased secretion of only lipid-rich (d < 1.21) apoB28. Pulse-chase studies indicated that with n-3 fatty acid there was increased intracellular degradation of apoB42 concomitant with its decreased secretion. We conclude that the ability of the n-3 fatty acids to promote apoB degradation correlated with the degree of lipidation of the secreted apoB, consistent with specialized intracellular pathways for the degradation of apoB and the assembly of buoyant, apoB-containing lipoproteins.
Peritoneoscopy in the management of ovarian cancer

The results obtained from the routine use of peritoneoscopy in the initial evaluation and follow-up of 99 patients with ovarian cancer treated at the National Cancer Institute between 1970 and 1978 have been analyzed. Prior to treatment, peritoneoscopy documented new sites of involvement undetected by conventional radiologic and isotopic procedures in 42 patients (48%) and provided the only evidence for follow-up of disease in 25 patients (28%). Twenty-one percent of patients referred with Stages I and II disease were upstaged to Stage III on the basis of diaphragmatic disease detected at peritoneoscopy. In the 66 restaging (posttreatment) peritoneoscopies, residual disease was found in 33 (50%) and peritoneoscopic findings provided the only evidence for disease in 24 cases (36%). These patients were spared an unnecessary second-look laparotomy. Twenty-two patients with negative peritoneoscopies underwent laparotomy. Residual ovarian cancer was found in 12 (55%), mainly in the pelvis and mesentery. Thus, a negative peritoneoscopy must be followed by a laparotomy before a patient with ovarian cancer can be considered disease free. Peritoneoscopy was found to be a safe and feasible procedure, even in patients who had prior laparotomies. It could not be performed for technical reasons in only 6% of the patients. There were few serious complications and in only 2.5% of the cases was medical therapy required to deal with a complication. There were no deaths or perforations of the viscus and no patient required surgical exploration because of a peritoneoscopy complication.
[11] Approaches to assessing ontogeny of processing enzymes

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the approaches to assessing ontogeny of processing enzymes that include reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) fractionation methods combined with immunoassay of specific pre-pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides. The 125 I –labeled peptides used in the immunoassays are generated by either the hypochlorite or the chloramine-T method. The chapter also describes findings in light of what is now known about the prohormone convertases and their endoproteolytic specificities. POMC-specific antisera are generated in rabbits, using standard techniques. The β-endorphin antiserum used is midportion specific and recognizes all molecules containing β-endorphin, including POMC. The adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) antisera were midportion and C-terminus specific. Further, the ACTH midportion antiserum has an absolute requirement for an uncleaved KKRR sequence in the middle of ACTH. The β-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) antisera is C-terminus specific. The α-MSH antiserum is acetyl specific and demonstrates approximately 15% cross-reactivity with deacetyl-α- MSH and less than 0.01% cross-reactivity with ACTH.
Some Verbs Are More Perfect than Others: Why Learners Have Difficulty with ser and estar and What It Means for Instruction

In this essay, I apply current linguistic theory to reanalyze earlier research on the acquisition of ser and estar (e.g., VanPatten 1985, 1987). Using insights from Roby and Schmitt ("Semi-Copulas"), for example, I argue that the acquisition of the copular verbs is an issue of the acquisition of their aspectual properties (see also Bruhn de Garavito and Valenzuela 2008, as well as Montrul 2004); that is, the difficulty in the acquisition of the Spanish copular verbs is akin to the acquisition of aspect. In addition, I reconceptualize the traditional notion of the acquisition problem being ser versus estar and instead posit that the problem comes down to the acquisition of estar and its perfective nature. I conclude by describing some possible implications for instruction based on this research.
Optical radiation from shock-compressed materials

Recent observations of shock-induced radiation from oxides, silicates, and metals of geophysical interest constrain the shock-compressed temperature of these materials. The relationships between the temperature inferred from the observed radiation and the temperature of the shock-compressed film or foil and/or window were investigated. Changes of the temperature field in each target component away from that of their respective shock-compressed states occur because of: shock-impedance mismatch between target components; thermal mismatch between target components; surface roughness at target interfaces; and conduction within and between target components. In particular, conduction may affect the temperature of the film/foil window interface on the time scale of the experiments, and so control the intensity and history of the dominant thermal radiation sources in the target. This type of model was used to interpret the radiation emitted by a variety of shock-compressed materials and interfaces.
Studies on modified hemoglobins. 1. Preparation and properties of a hemoglobin containing heme only in -chains.

A semihemoglobin containing prosthetic groups only in the β -subunits (two hemes per tetramer) has been prepared by mixing together apo- α -subunits and native, heme-containing β -subunits. The semihemoglobin is found to be tetrameric and has optical properties similar to those of hemoglobin A. The oxygen affinity of the semihemoglobin is lower than that of isolated (Fe +2 )-subunits but not nearly so low as that of hemoglobin A, and the Hill coefficient for the semihemoglobin is near one. Addition of heme to the semihemoglobin (two hemes per tetramer) substantially lowers its oxygen affinity and partially restores cooperative oxygen binding. The semihemoglobin demonstrates the requirement for a prosthetic group to be present in each hemoglobin subunit in order for the low oxygen-affinity configuration of hemoglobin to be present. Also, it lends further support to the nonequivalence of the subunits in the hemoglobin tetramer.
Sensory Function in Animals

The sections in this article are: 1 Behavioral Principles 1.1 Operant and Respondent Conditioning 1.2 Schedules of Stimulus Presentation and Reinforcement 1.3 Development of Stimulus Control 1.4 Auditory Stimulus Control in Guinea Pig 1.5 Response Shaping 1.6 Behavioral Sequences 1.7 Negative Reinforcement Procedures 2 Sensation 2.1 Threshold Procedures 2.2 Sound Localization in Monkey 2.3 Visual Acuity in Cat 2.4 Relation of Psychophysics to Structure and Physiological Function 2.5 Relation of Hearing Impairment and Inner Ear Damage in Guinea Pig 2.6 Somatosensory Discrimination in Monkeys and Humans 2.7 Criteria for Selection of Behavioral Procedures 3 Perception 3.1 Loudness Judgment in Monkeys 3.2 Brightness Scaling in Pigeon 3.3 Visual Aftereffects in Monkey 3.4 Use of Generalization Procedure 4 Summary
Characterization of Brucella abortus Soluble Antigen Employed in Immunoassay

A soluble antigen extract of Brucella abortus (BASA) has been prepared by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories and furnished to a number of workers who are examining antibody-mediated and cell-mediated immune responses of cattle infected with B. abortus. Three lots of BASA were examined. There were quantitative but not qualitative differences among lots by content of protein, total carbohydrate, hexose, fatty acid, and 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonic acid. The presence of smooth lipopolysaccharide was demonstrated by the presence of 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonic acid and lipid, by Limulus lysate gelation activity, and by formation of characteristic lipopolysaccharide precipitates in immunoelectrophoresis. A polysaccharide antigen as well as two nonsurface antigens, A2 and C, were also identified. BASA is a satisfactory antigen for use in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay since the smooth lipopolysaccharide component bound to polystyrene and functioned in the test. Normal murine spleen cells showed a mitogenic response to BASA similar to that produced by purified smooth lipopolysaccharide. BASA has been used in other laboratories to stimulate peripheral blood leukocytes from cattle infected with B. abortus. Because BASA is a mixture of antigenic components shown to have mitogenic effects in the mouse system, questions on the nature of its stimulatory effect on bovine cells are raised.
Approximate Dynamic Programming I: Modeling

The first step in solving a stochastic optimization problem is providing a mathematical model. How the problem is modeled can impact the solution strategy. In this article, we provide a flexible modeling framework that uses a classic control-theoretic framework, avoiding devices such as one-step transition matrices. We describe the five fundamental elements of any stochastic, dynamic program. Different notational conventions are introduced, and the types of policies that can be used to guide decisions are described in detail. This discussion puts approximate dynamic programming in the context of a variety of other algorithmic strategies by using the modeling framework to describe a wide range of policies. A brief discussion of model-free programming is also provided. Keywords: approximate dynamic programming; Markov decision process; state variable; transition function; model-free dynamic programming
Normal Blood Pressures and the Evaluation of Sustained Blood Pressure Elevation in Childhood: The Muscatine Study

This study describes the seated blood pressure distributions of 6,622 predominantly white schoolchildren in Muscatine, Iowa. Subjects with seated pressures equal to or greater than the 95th percentile for age and sex or 140 mm Hg systolic or 90 mm Hg diastolic were examined on repeated occasions. Approximately 13% of subjects were found to have blood pressures at these levels when first examined, but less than 1% were found to have persistent blood pressure elevations. Of 41 subjects found to have persistent blood pressure elevations, 23 were obese with relative weights in excess of 120%. Of the 18 lean subjects, 5 had secondary hypertension and 13 were considered to have essential hypertension. Mass screening of school-age children identifies many children with transient elevation of blood pressure and few with fixed high blood pressures. Children9s blood pressures should be assessed during their continuing care where pressures can be measured over a period of time to identify those with fixed blood pressure elevations.
Teaching about How Language Works to Diverse Populations

In this article, we describe a program that we developed at The Ohio State University's Department of Linguistics that is geared towards foreign language learners. The goal is to teach students about language rather than about linguistics. The program has been implemented as a freshman university course (Basics of Language for Language Learners), a summer institute for high school students interested in language (Summer Linguistics Institute for Youth Scholars), and an institute for high school teachers of foreign languages (Linguistics Institute for Language Teachers). The fundamental philosophy of the program is that we focus on describing how language works, not on linguistic theory, even though our theoretical perspectives guide the materials we use, how we talk about them, and what we think students should know. In this article, we outline the reasons for developing the program, its general content, details about the course and institutes, as well as some of the challenges associated with offering them.
The Electron Transport Chain: An Interactive Simulation.

This activity provides students an interactive demonstration of the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis during aerobic respiration. Students use simple, everyday objects as hydrogen ions and electrons and play the roles of the various proteins embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane to show how this specific process in cellular respiration produces ATP. The activity works best as a supplement after you have already discussed the electron transport chain in lecture but can be used prior to instruction to help students visualize the processes that occur. This demonstration was designed for general college biology for majors at a community college, but it could be used in any introductory college-level or advanced placement biology course.
Formative research for the development of a market-based home fortification programme for young children in Niger

The objective of this formative research was to assess the acceptability of a micronutrient powder (Sprinkles®) and a lipid-based nutrient supplement (Nutributter®), and to explore people's willingness to pay for these products in a resource-poor context like Niger. In four sites, 84 focus group discussions among mothers, fathers and grandmothers of children 6–23 months were conducted, as well as 80 key informant interviews of mothers who participated in a home study where their children 6–23 months were given either Sprinkles® or Nutributter® to use either for a period of 4 weeks, or they were given both products over the 4-week period, i.e. Sprinkles® for 2 weeks and Nutributter® for an additional 2 weeks. The mothers understood how to use the products and generally used the products correctly. Both products were highly acceptable to adults and most children. In Niamey, where the 4-week home study used both products for 2 weeks each, the mothers tended to prefer Nutributter®. The mothers who used either product were pleased with the improvements they saw in their children's health, including increased appetite, weight gain and increased energy and activity. A few mothers were concerned with how they would be able to provide for their child's increased appetite. Most participants across all four sites reported that they would be willing and able to afford to buy a single sachet of either Sprinkles® at a cost of US$0.03 or Nutributter® at a cost of US$0.08 several times a week. This study provides evidence that both of these products were are highly acceptable in different settings in Niger and suggests that delivery of Nutributter® or Sprinkles® at a low or subsidized cost through a market-based system may be possible in Niger, if an appropriate distribution system can be identified.
Powerful room-temperature stable LiF:F2+**tunable laser

A powerful photo- and thermostable, LiF:F 2 + color center laser pumped by radiation at 740 nm or at 683 nm is described. This is the first time an average power as high as approximately 1.4 W and an energy per pulse as high as approximately 100 mJ, with record real efficiency of 53 percent and 28 percent were achieved for a room temperature LiF:F 2 + color center laser. Such color center laser, tunable in the 820-1210 nm range, features a number of important advantages over pulsed lasers based on Ti or Cr doped crystals.
Invention, wit and melancholy in the art of Annibale Carracci

Deploying the methods of epideictic rhetoric, the Bolognese biographer Carlo Cesare Malvasia compared the Carracci's dedication to their art, even to the point of putting at risk their own well-bei...
The Effect of Colchicine on the Seminiferous Tubules of Fowl Testis

Abstract IT has long been known that the drug colchicine has a striking effect on biological organisms by interfering with cell division, generally resulting in polyploidy, or causing the death of the cell. Studies in plants (see Levine (1945) for review) have contributed much to our knowledge of cell division and cytology. The comparatively few investigations of the effect of this drug on animal cells have been less productive of basic information but do indicate that further studies are justified. Some such studies have been concerned with various stages of development of the fowl. The effect of colchicine on the 48 hour chick embryo has been described by Paff (1939) and Woodard and Estes (1945). Higbee (1940, 1941a, b, 1942) has briefly described the effect of this drug when injected into eggs incubated 24 hours on the chicks subsequently hatched. The effect of colchicine injected subcutaneously in adult fowls was studied . . .
Comparisons of body image dimensions by race/ethnicity and gender in a university population.

Objective We examined affective and cognitive components of body image related to physical appearance, weight, and health among 120 university men and women of three racial/ethnic groups: African American, European American, and Latino/a American. Method Participants completed a Background Information Sheet, the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), the Body-Esteem Scale (BES) with additional items, and the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding (BIDR). We tested for effects of race/ethnicity and gender on the body image measures while controlling for age, body size, social desirability, and socioeconomic status (SES). Results African Americans reported greatest body satisfaction and least overestimation of weight. Latino/a Americans were equal to or higher than European Americans on all indices. Gender differences occurred on global body image, weight concerns, fitness, and health. There were no Gender × Race/Ethnicity interactions. Discussion This pattern of racial/ethnic and gender differences shows a need for exploring a wider range of culturally relevant body image dimensions. © 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 27: 310–316, 2000.
Affordable analog design

PC-based analog circuit design systems are discussed. Math tools for solving equations that describe the proposed behavior of the circuit, either symbolically or numerically, are described. Schematic capture programs for drawing blocks and circuits are surveyed, as are simulation packages. Tables giving information on representative packages are provided. >
Husserl’s Galileo Needed a Telescope!

Husserl’s Crisis argues that early modern science, exemplified in Galileo, separates the Lifeworld from a world of science by forgetting its origins in bodily perception on the one side, and the practices which found the science on the other. This essay argues that, rather, by overemphasizing mathematization and underemphasizing instruments or technologies which mediate perception, Husserl creates the division he describes. Positively, through the embodied use of instruments science remains thoroughly immersed in the Lifeworld.
Monitoring the effects of BCNU chemotherapy Wafers (Gliadel ® ) in glioblastoma multiforme with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging at 3.0 Tesla

Carmustine wafers (Gliadel® Wafer) are implanted at resection in some patients with high-grade gliomas. Studies suggest that proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (1H MRSI) demonstrates early changes predictive of future failure or response to systemic chemotherapy. This study explores 1H MRSI as a means to assess peri-tumoral tissue response post-resection and Gliadel® implantation in patients with high-grade gliomas. Pilot 1H MRSI data are presented that demonstrate noninvasive, serial monitoring of metabolic changes at the tumor site following Gliadel® implantation. Three patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) underwent MRI and 1H MRSI at 3.0 Tesla prior to resection and at 3–5 and ≥12 weeks post-operatively. Baseline MRS spectra of tumor tissue from all patients were characterized by marked increases of choline (CHO) and lactate (LAC), and a decrease of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), typical of GBM compared with normal contra-lateral brain tissue. Post-operatively, spectra were analyzed from the resection cavity and peri-tumoral regions and compared with normal tissue from the contra-lateral brain at baseline. In 2 of 3 patients, peri-tumoral NAA/CRE increased and CHO/NAA decreased compared to contra-lateral brain at 3–5 weeks compared with baseline following Gliadel® therapy and surgery but prior to radiotherapy. This study indicates that 1H MRSI has the ability to localize regions of heterogeneous response following Gliadel treatment. Although data are limited, these results suggest that metabolic indicators of outcome can be successfully monitored pre- and post-surgical resection and Gliadel implantation with 1H MRSI. Additional study of patients receiving Gliadel® Wafers using 1H MRSI may serve to aid clinicians in assessing tumor regression and gauging efficacy of this chemotherapy treatment.
Complete atrioventricular heart block due to gumma of the interventricular septum.

Abstract A case of complete A-V heart block due to gumma of the interventricular septum is described with autopsy findings.
Bovine serum albumin does not completely block synaptosomal cholinergic activities of presynaptically acting snake venom phospholipase A2 enzymes.

Abstract Bovine serum albumin (BSA), which binds fatty acids, was used to test the contribution of free fatty acid to the presynaptic toxicity of phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) enzymes. The effects of BSA on inhibition of [ 14 C]choline uptake and stimulation of [ 14 C]acetylcholine (ACh) release in synaptosomes by PLA 2 enzymes that do not have a predominant presynaptic action at the neuromuscular junction (PS−) were compared with those on the cholinergic actions of PLA 2 enzymes that do have a predominant presynaptic action at the neuromuscular junction (PS+). The inhibition of choline uptake by the Naja naja atra PLA 2 , a PS− PLA 2 , was completely antagonized by BSA (0.5%); whereas that by β-bungarotoxin, a PS+ PLA 2 , was unaffected by BSA. The inhibition of choline uptake by two other PS+ PLA 2 toxins (scutoxin and pseudexin) was partially antagonized by BSA. The effects of the PLA 2 enzymes were antagonized in the same manner by BSA whether on Na + -dependent or on Na + -independent choline uptake. Likewise, the stimulation of ACh release by two PS− PLA 2 enzymes (from Naja naja atra and Naja naja kaouthia snake venoms) was completely blocked by BSA; whereas that by β-bungarotoxin was unaffected and that by scutoxin and pseudexin was only partially antagonized by BSA. The results suggest that the PS− PLA 2 enzymes are completely dependent on fatty acid production for their cholinergic toxicity and that BSA can be used to investigate further the neurotoxic mechanisms of PS+ PLA 2 enzymes in synaptosomes.
Analysis of X-gal plates for quantitative plasmid stability determinations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

X-gal plates were evaluated for the measurement of plasmid stability in yeast cells carrying the Escherichia coli lacZ gene. The influence of the medium, cloned gene number, and cell state on the accuracy of the results was determined by comparison with traditional replica plating. With few exceptions, X-gal plates provide a good quantitative one-step assay for plasmid stability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing β-galactosidase.
Estimating recharge at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, USA: comparison of methods

Obtaining values of net infiltration, groundwater travel time, and recharge is necessary at the Yucca Mountain site, Nevada, USA, in order to evaluate the expected performance of a potential repository as a containment system for high-level radioactive waste. However, the geologic complexities of this site, its low precipitation and net infiltration, with numerous mechanisms operating simultaneously to move water through the system, provide many challenges for the estimation of the spatial distribution of recharge. A variety of methods appropriate for arid environments has been applied, including water-balance techniques, calculations using Darcy's law in the unsaturated zone, a soil-physics method applied to neutron-hole water-content data, inverse modeling of thermal profiles in boreholes extending through the thick unsaturated zone, chloride mass balance, atmospheric radionuclides, and empirical approaches. These methods indicate that near-surface infiltration rates at Yucca Mountain are highly variable in time and space, with local (point) values ranging from zero to several hundred millimeters per year. Spatially distributed net-infiltration values average 5 mm/year, with the highest values approaching 20 mm/year near Yucca Crest. Site-scale recharge estimates range from less than 1 to about 12 mm/year. These results have been incorporated into a site-scale model that has been calibrated using these data sets that reflect infiltration processes acting on highly variable temporal and spatial scales. The modeling study predicts highly non-uniform recharge at the water table, distributed significantly differently from the non-uniform infiltration pattern at the surface.
Divergent oxidative rearrangements in solution and in a zeolite: distal vs proximal bond cleavage of methylenecyclopropanes.

Irradiation of 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (DCA) or p-chloranil in the presence of E-1-benzylidene-2-phenylcyclopropane (E-5) in CH2Cl2 causes E-5 to undergo methylenecyclopropane rearrangement. An adduct, Z-7, between DCA and 5 firmly supports the involvement of a bifunctional trimethylenemethane radical cation. In contrast, incorporation of E-5 into HZSM-5 produces trans,trans-1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene radical cation sequestered in the HZSM-5 interior, tt-8•+@HZSM-5, identified by ESR and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. In addition, low yields of tt-8, its cis,trans-isomer (ct-8), and 1-phenyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (9) were isolated from the supernatant solution. The sharp contrast between the photoinduced electron-transfer reaction with photosensitizers in solution and the spontaneous reaction with redox-active acidic zeolite offers the prospect of further zeolite-induced regiodivergent reactions in a range of additional substrates.
Evaluation of conization specimens done with the wide Fischer cone biopsy excisor and cold knife

Abstract Objective: To see if the wide-angle Fischer cone biopsy excisor (WACBE) produces conization specimens with less margin involvement than the cold knife (CKC). Methods: The WACBE electrode was designed in March 1997 and is produced by the Apple Medical Corporation. After IRB approval, patients were randomly assigned to the WACBE or to the CKC. Data are from September 1997 to September 1999. Inclusion criteria were cytology with high-grade lesion and inadequate colposcopy. Conizations were performed with the WACBE in 36 patients and with the CKC in 40 patients. Force 2 Valley Lab or Bard 5000 electrosurgical units with a setting at 50 watts of pure cutting current were used for the WACBE. Results: The margins were unable to be interpreted due to thermal damage in 1/36 (2.7%) in the WACBE group. The margins were involved in 1/36 (2.7%) in the WACBE group and in 4/40 (10%) in the CKC group (P = 0.36). Both groups, the WACBE and CKC, produced single conization specimens. Conclusions: The WACBE provided conization specimens with less margin involvement than the CKC method. Figure 1 Download : Download high-res image (7KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 1 . Wide-angle cone biopsy. Excisor electrode (patented).
Relationship of holo-free and transthyretin-bound plasma retinol-binding protein levels with liver vitamin A in rats

Abstract Vitamin A containing (holo) free and transthyretin-bound (TTR) retinol binding protein (RBP) concentrations in plasma from rats with variable vitamin A status were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Two different methods were used: (1) molecular exclusion with a TSK 2000 column and (2) reverse phase using a Protesil Octyl 300 column. Holo TTR-RBP peak areas were positively correlated to liver vitamin A concentrations (r = 0.79 for molecular exclusion 0.81 for reverse phase) in rats with marginal and normal vitamin A status. This correlation was higher than the correlation of serum retinol to liver vitamin A in these rats (r = 0.58). The correlation of holo-TTR-RBP to liver vitamin A was also higher than its correlations to plasma vitamin A. Therefore, plasma concentrations of holo—TTR-RBP may be influenced by marginal vitamin A liver stores to a greater extent than plasma retinol is. This suggests that holo—TTR-RBP protein concentrations may be the better indicator of marginal vitamin A nutritional status in rats. The correlations of both holo—TTR-RBP and serum retinol decreased sharply at high liver vitamin A concentrations. Neither method is suitable for measuring sub-toxicity in rats.
Evaluation of psychometric estimates of vibratory hand-tool grip and push forces

Abstract Tool grip and push forces are important determinants of health risk associated with operation of powered hand tools. In the field, use of sophisticated hand-force instrumentation can be impractical. This study investigated the potential for using psychophysical force recall methods to estimate grip and push forces when operating vibratory hand tools. This study examined various combinations of handle vibration and grip and push force exposures upon one's ability to recall those forces using psychophysical methods. Twelve male subjects grasped and pushed an instrumented handle for 45 s at one of three levels of force while it vibrated sinusoidally at one of five frequencies (0, 12.5, 40, 125, or 250 Hz). We examined the effects of post-exertion rest periods of 10 and 20 s upon force recall performance, and day-to-day test-retest reliability. Results showed vibration frequency and force level differentially influenced grip and push force recall accuracy. Subjects characteristically overestimated grip and push forces; especially during vibration exposures of 40 and 125 Hz. The magnitude of the overestimations increased as target force levels decreased. Test–retest correlations were reasonably strong. Relevance to industry Operators of powered hand tools are at risk of developing health problems associated with repeated forceful actions and exposure to intense hand-transmitted vibration. To better assess health risks, hand-tool coupling forces should be quantified. Psychophysical force recall techniques may permit assessment of these forces without the need for expensive or fragile instrumentation. An understanding of the effects of vibration and force level upon force recall accuracy and reliability must first be explored before such methods are proposed for research or field assessments.
Religious conservatism: an evolutionarily evoked disease-avoidance strategy

Abstract Issues of purity and symbolic cleansing (e.g., baptism) play an important role in most religions, especially Christianity. The purpose of the current research was to provide an evolutionary framework for understanding the role of disgust in religiosity, which may help elucidate the relationship between religious conservatism and non-proscribed prejudice (e.g., prejudice toward sexual minorities). The behavioral immune system (BIS) is a cluster of psychological mechanisms (e.g., disgust) that encourage disease-avoidance (Schaller, 2006). Out-group members have historically been a source of contamination. Consequently, evidence suggests that the BIS predicts negative attitudes toward out-groups (Faulkner, Schaller, Park, & Duncan, 2004). The purpose of the current research is to investigate whether religious conservatism mediates the relationship between the BIS and prejudice toward sexual minorities. Study 1 demonstrated that the disease-avoidant components of disgust (e.g., sexual and pathogen di...
Quantitative interpretation of multifrequency eddy current data by using data fusion approaches

Multi-frequency techniques are widely adopted for eddy current testing. One of the advantages of these techniques can be deduced from the skin depth formula (formula available in paper) where delta is the standard depth of penetration at excitation frequency f, with the other two parameters, mu and sigma, related to material properties. Thus, an inspection can be performed at several depths into the material with the simultaneous use of multiple frequencies. To investigate the potential of a multi-frequency eddy current technique (MFECT) for corrosion quantification, an experiment was carried out on a two-layered fuselage lap joint splice. Two data fusion approaches, namely Bayesian inference and multiresolution analysis, are investigated in this study to fuse eddy current images of different frequencies. The corrosion types are classified based on the percentage of material loss. The estimated thickness results, based on the fusion processes, are compared with accurate thickness maps obtained from teardown X-ray inspection data.
Formulation of Dacarbazine-Loaded Cubosomes—Part I: Influence of Formulation Variables

The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined influence of three-level, three-factor variables on the formulation of dacarbazine (a water-soluble drug) loaded cubosomes. Box–Behnken design was used to obtain a second-order polynomial equation with interaction terms to predict response values. In this study, the selected and coded variables X1, X2, and X3 representing the amount of monoolein, polymer, and drug as the independent variables, respectively. Fifteen runs of experiments were conducted, and the particle size (Y1) and encapsulation efficiency (Y2) were evaluated as dependent variables. We performed multiple regression to establish a full-model second-order polynomial equation relating independent and dependent variables. A second-order polynomial regression model was constructed for Y1 and confirmed by performing checkpoint analysis. The optimization process and Pareto charts were obtained automatically, and they predicted the levels of independent coded variables X1, X2, and X3 (−1, 0.53485, and −1, respectively) and minimized Y1 while maximizing Y2. These corresponded to a cubosome formulation made from 100 mg of monoolein, 107 mg of polymer, and 2 mg with average diameter of 104.7 nm and an encapsulation efficiency of 6.9%. The Box–Behnken design proved to be a useful tool to optimize the particle size of these drug-loaded cubosomes. For encapsulation efficiency (Y2), further studies are needed to identify appropriate regression model.
VARIATION IN POPULATION GROWTH RATE IN THE WOODLAND ANNUAL IMPATIENS PALLIDA (BALSAMINACEAE)

Variation in population growth rate over environmental gradients was determined for the annual Impatiens pallida (Balsaminaceae), by monitoring age- and size-specific survivorship and fecundity in five populations of this summer-flowering and primarily woodland species. All L pallida seedlings emerged within a few days of each other and a size hierarchy was established within a month, and remained unchanged thereafter. Light and initial seedling density together explained 67% of the variance in mean adult plant size. As a result of differences among populations in the amount of disturbance, survivorship to the time of floral bud production ranged from 39% to 93% ofthe initial seedling total. Survivorship during the reproductive period was most affected by plant size and soil moisture. For plants surviving to flowering time, the probability of setting seed, the type of seed and the number of seeds produced per plant were significantly positively correlated with plant size. More than 82% of all seeds were produced by plants greater than or I m tall. Cleistogamy was the major form of reproduction in 4 out of 5 populations monitored. The net reproductive rate (RO) differed greatly among populations, ranging from 1.23 to 16.27. Population growth rate increased with increasing resource availability and decreasing disturbance during the growing season. The magnitude of Ro depended primarily on 1) timing, intensity and frequency of disturbance, 2) length of the reproductive period, and
Simulated village locations in Thailand: a multi-scale model including a neural network approach.

The simulation of rural land use systems in general, and rural settlement dynamics in particular, has developed with synergies of theory and methods for decades. Three current issues are: linking spatial patterns and processes, representing hierarchical relations across scales, and considering nonlinearity to address complex non-stationary settlement dynamics. We present a hierarchical simulation model to investigate complex rural settlement dynamics in Nang Rong, Thailand. This simulation uses sub-models to allocate new villages at three spatial scales. Regional and sub-regional models, which involve a nonlinear space–time autoregressive model implemented in a neural network approach, determine the number of new villages to be established. A dynamic village niche model, establishing a pattern–process link, was designed to enable the allocation of villages into specific locations. Spatiotemporal variability in model performance indicates that the pattern of village location changes as a settlement frontier advances from rice-growing lowlands to higher elevations. Simulation experiments demonstrate that this simulation model can enhance our understanding of settlement development in Nang Rong and thus gain insight into complex land use systems in this area.
Preservation of biomolecules in sub-fossil plants from raised peat bogs — a potential paleoenvironmental proxy

The relationship between changes of peat bog hydrology and the mechanisms of decomposition suggests that the chemical modification of biopolymers of peat macrofossils might be used in paleoenvironmental reconstructions. A series of sedge (Eriophorum vaginatum) macrofossils from an Upper Holocene peat profile has been studied by analytical pyrolysis (Py-GC/MS). The major diagenetic changes of biopolymers included loss of ester-bound ferulic and coumaric acids, an increase of oxidation (particularly due to Cα ketones) and shortening of alkyl side-chains, demethylation of methoxy groups of the lignin/polyphenol fraction, loss of pentosan polysaccharides and modification of cellulose (relative increase in the pyrolytic yield of anhydroglucose). The yield of oxidized methoxy-moieties (particularly of Cα ketones) and shortening of alkyl side-chains of methoxyphenols were suggested as the best indicators of oxidative degradation. Statistically significant differences in chemical composition between samples from individual depth increments occur, in part in agreement with a sequence of wet and dry phases determined by paleobotanical analysis. The paleoenvironmental significance of the chemical record of degradation and relationship of paleohydrology reconstructed by the present technique and by means of botanical analysis is discussed. The former was proposed to respond primarily to the frequency of seasonal droughts.
Academic Penetration in Faculty Collective Bargaining Contracts in Higher Education.

The purpose of this research was to analyze faculty collective bargaining contracts at 124 institutions of higher education that had a 10-year history of collective bargaining from 1975 to 1985 to determine if contracts negotiated in 1975 significantly differed from those negotiated in 1985 with regard to 18 selected academic items. Each academic item in both the 1975 and 1985 contracts was coded according to a scaling code with rankings showing the direction of faculty control. The findings revealed that the 1985 contracts contained both an increased number of academic items and an increased level of faculty control over most of those academic items compared with the 1975 contracts.
Relative equilibrium and collapse configurations of heterogeneous vortex triple rings

Abstract Configurations of point vortices in a 2D fluid that are placed at the vertices of concentric regular m -gons, i.e. point vortex rings, are considered. The number of configurations that rotate uniformly–relative equilibria–is shown to be finite in the case of three rings with arbitrary circulations, subject to a few circulation constraints. Similar finiteness results for collapse configurations of three rings are also obtained, and an effective computational method is described.
Congenital Splenic Cyst: A Rare Prenatal Finding

A congenital splenic cyst is a rare prenatal sonographic finding. This case reports a 17.6 × 15.1-mm cystic structure visualized in the upper pole of the fetal spleen during a sonographic examinati...
The effect of liver dysfunction on colchicine pharmacokinetics in the rat.

Recent work has shown that colchicine may benefit patients with primary biliary or alcoholic cirrhosis. However, very little is known about its pharmacokinetics in the presence of impaired liver function. To study this we examined the effects of three models of experimental liver dysfunction and one of cytochrome P-450 inhibition on colchicine elimination in the rat. The models of experimental liver dysfunction included bile duct ligation (with sham-operated controls), α-naphthylisothiocyanate-induced intrahepatic cholestasis and galactosamine-induced diffuse hepatocelluar necrosis. The control group had a colchicine clearance of 77.33 ml/min. kg ± 8.27 ml/min kg, a half-life of 16.68 min ± 0.97 min and a volume of distribution of 1.84 L/kg ± 0.15 L/kg. Cimetidine administration, 120 mg/kg intraperitoneally 15 min before colchicine administration, caused clearance to decrease by 32% (p < 0.05) and half-life to increase by 38% (p < 0.05). Volume of distribution did not change. At 48 hr after bile duct ligation, colchicine clearance decreased by 84% (p < 0.05), terminal half-life increased to 513.7 min ± 106.6 min (p < 0.05) and volume of distribution increased by 175% (p < 0.05). Colchicine pharmacokinetics in sham-operated rats were not statistically different from the above mentioned controls. After α-naphthylisothiocyanate administration, colchicine clearance decreased by 55% (p < 0.05), the halflife increased by 56% (p < 0.05) and the volume of distribution decreased by 30% (p < 0.05). After administration of galactosamine, 1,000 mg/kg, colchicine clearance decreased by 62% (p < 0.05), half-life increased to 144.72 min ± 35.30 min (p < 0.05) and volume of distribution increased by 124% (p < 0.05). These data show that experimental hepatic injury in the rat significantly impairs colchicine pharmacokinetics. They also support the hypothesis that the liver is a major route of colchicine elimination.