cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Can FDG-PET reduce the need for mediastinoscopy in potentially resectable nonsmall cell lung cancer?

Abstract Background . Few fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) trials have had sufficient patients to adequately evaluate PET for mediastinal staging. We question whether once PET is performed, is mediastinoscopy necessary? Methods . We performed a 5-year retrospective analysis of operable patients with known or suspicious NSCLC. Standard PET techniques were used. Inclusion criteria were (1) surgical mediastinal nodal sampling by mediastinoscopy within 31 days of the PET and (2) definitive diagnosis. Results . There were 237 patients who met the evaluation criteria; ninety-nine patients with NSCLC and 138 with suspicious lesions (137 men and 100 women; aged 20 to 88 years). The PETs were performed from 0 to 29 days before mediastinoscopy (median, 7 days). The standardized uptake value for the primary lesion was 0 to 24.6 (7.9 ± 5.0). Nine primary lesions had no FDG uptake (1 benign, 8 NSCLCs). Seventy-one patients (31%) had mediastinal PET positive disease, and 44 patients (19%) had histologic positive mediastinal disease; N 2 41 patients (17%) and N 3 9 patients (4%). In 6 patients (3%), the initial frozen sections were negative, but PET positivity encouraged further biopsies that were positive for cancer. The PET sensitivity was 82%, specificity 82%, accuracy 82%, negative predictive value 95%, and positive predictive value was 51%. All primary lesions with a standardized uptake value less than 2.5 and a negative mediastinal PET were negative histologically (n = 29). Logistic regression analysis resulted in 100% specificity for PET in this group. Conclusions . In NSCLC PET may reduce the necessity for mediastinoscopy when the primary lesion standardized uptake value is less than 2.5 and the mediastinum is PET negative. Accepting this approach in our patient population, the need for mediastinoscopy would have been reduced by 12%.
Parenthood and lipid and lipoprotein levels in older men

Abstract PURPOSE: Parenthood for men and women has been associated with longevity, good physical health, and a deterrent effect on negative health behaviors which may affect subsequent mortality. However, decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels have been reported in women with greater numbers of pregnancies. Similar studies have not been reported in men. The present study examines the association of number of biological and nonbiological children with lipid and lipoprotein levels in men. METHODS: Subjects included 1039 community-dwelling men aged 50–89 years. A standardized interview was used to obtain information on numbers of biological, adopted and stepchildren. Fasting total HDL, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured. RESULTS: Men with five or more biological children were more obese than men without biological children. Alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and exercise did not vary in relation to the number of biological children. Only triglyceride levels were higher in men with four, five, or more children, and lower in men with one child as compared to men with no children, but this difference was no longer statistically significant after adjustment for obesity. CONCLUSIONS: These results show no favorable effect of parenthood for men with regard to lifestyle, lipid, or lipoprotein levels. Increased triglyceride levels in men with more children appeared to be mediated by greater obesity in men with five or more biological children. These data also suggest that relations between parity and HDL-C levels found for women, could be associated with either the long term biologic consequences of pregnancy or the stress of childrearing.
A Histological Study of the Corpus Callosum in Chronic Schizophrenia

As a followup to a post-mortem study of the brains of schizophrenic and control subjects where the corpus callosum was found to be significantly thicker anteriorly in early onset compared to late onset schizophrenia, histological sections of 18 schizophrenic, 7 manic-depressive, and 11 medical/surgical control subjects were prepared using a stain for glia and a stain for callosal fibers. A quantitative study of the concentration of glial cells and interhemispheric callosal fibers revealed no difference between groups. A neuropathologist unaware of the tissue origin rated the histological sections for gliosis. There was significantly more severe gliosis in the callosi of the late onset schizophrenics compared to early onset schizophrenics as well as the control group. These preliminary findings suggesting callosal pathology are discussed, and the need for further studies is stressed.
Blends of thermotropic polyester with poly(phenylene oxide)

A thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) based on wholly aromatic copolyesters based on hydroxynaphthoic and hydroxybenzoic acid was melt-blended with a thermoplastic poly(phenylene oxide) by corotating twin screw extruder. Rheological properties, temperature transitions, dynamic and mechanical properties, and electron microscopy study have been performed. Rheological study indicated significant viscosity reductions with increasing LCP content leading to ease of processing. From the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer results, these blends showed incompatibility for the whole range of concentrations. Mechanical properties were found to be slightly improved at low LCP and dramatically improved at above 50% LCP contents. In addition, impact strength was significantly increased up to two times after adding 10% LCP into the matrix. The morphology of blends was affected by composition. Droplets and stubby fibrils structures caused lower tensile strength, whereas fibrillar structure improved this property.
Measurement of adsorption and cracking of hydrocarbons over processed oil shale particles

A parallel reactor system was used to monitor adsorption, desorption and/or cracking of vapour-phase hydrocarbons over processed oil shale with short contact times at elevated temperatures. Hydrocarbons ranging from benzene to n-decane were passed across samples of pyrolysed, gasified and combusted shales at 300–650 C. The gasified shale exhibited the greatest adsorption capacity at low temperatures and the highest cracking activity at higher temperatures. Liquid products were analysed by g.c. and g.c.-m.s. in an effort to determine any significant differences in the cracking products over time or between substrates.
Studies of the reproductive physiology of Cimicidae (Hemiptera)—II. Artificial insemination and the function of the seminal fluid

Abstract Cimex lectularius L. was artificially inseminated by injecting sperm and seminal fluid into the spermalege. The fecundity of females inseminated in this way is about the same as normally inseminated females. Insemination may be made directly into the haemocoele but the resulting mortality is high. Seminal fluid is essential in insemination; without it spermatozoa do not migrate. Spermatozoa in seminal fluid in vitro become active and aggregate into dense masses from which the tails extend and move actively. The waves originate at the end of the tail and move towards the head. In vitro activity of the sperm resembles that observed in vivo . Spermatozoa can be activated in 0·07 M sodium citrate containing seminal fluid. Seminal fluid of various other cimicids can activate the sperm of C. lectularius . Artificial insemination may be done using activated sperm masses washed free of seminal fluid. The principal function of the spermalege is probably to hold the semen until activation occurs. Once activated the sperm pass through the haemocoele as a mass. Injection of activated sperm masses into the haemocoele is usually harmless and results in fecundation. Injection of unactivated sperm into the haemocoele often results in the death of the female and no eggs are produced. Eggs do not mature unless spermatozoa reach the upper part of the reproductive tract; this region is probably the source of the stimulus activating the corpus allatum.
Chelation of iron by sugars

Abstract Reducing sugars and polyols are shown to form soluble stable complexes with a series of metal ions at alkaline pH. Several properties of an iron-fructose complex have been studied. The specific conditions of pH and concentrations of iron and fructose necessary for complex formation are described. Evidence for the existence of the complex is (a) its solubility at alkaline pH, (b) its characteristic spectral properties, (c) titration and redox measurements, and (d) the direct isolation of the water-soluble complex. Ferric-fructose can be isolated and purified by precipitation from an aqueous solution with ethanol or other organic solvents. Elemental analysis indicates the complex at pH 9.0 is formed with 2 Fe: 2 fructose: 1 Na. Ferric-fructose is a low-molecular-weight compound which rapidly dialyses through a Visking sac. It is isoionic at pH 4.5–4.7. Metal-sugar complexes may play an important biological role in the transport of the mineral elements across cell membranes.
“Somos del Campo”: Latino and Latina Gardeners and Farmers in Two Rural Communities of Iowa — A Community Capitals Framework Approach

Using the Community Capitals Framework ap­proach, this study describes what makes it possible for Latinos and Latinas to become gardeners and beginning farmers in two rural Iowa communities. Four in-depth interviews were carried out in Denison, Iowa, and four in Marshall­town, Iowa, with Latino and Latina gardeners and beginning farmers participating in community gardening and farming programs. I used participant observation in people’s homes and garden plots to understand the meaning of gardening and farming among Latinos. Human, cultural, and social capitals are essential elements in the success of Latino garden­ers. The interaction between these three capitals mobilizes other community capitals to improve household well-being. These Latinos bring to their new gardening and farming efforts their previous knowledge of agriculture, fresh food, and how to cook it from their countries of origin and other parts of the U.S. Recommendations center on how to strengthen the most critical community capitals.
A dc-biased Kerr cell light modulator.

A dc-biased Kerr cell light modulator has been operated continuously at 5 Mc/sec. An analysis has been made showing the generation of harmonics as a function of applied bias and rf voltages. This shows how these may be chosen to optimize generation of a selected harmonic. Experimental data in excellent agreement with theory have been obtained. Modulation in excess of 50% at first harmonic has been obtained with rf voltages of the order of 15% of the dc extinction voltage.
THE OXIDATION OF MALATE BY BLASTOCLADIELLA EMERSONII

FURTHER DIRECT EVIDENCE for the role of the tricarboxylic acid cycle in the morphogenetic mechanism leading to the formation of resistant sporangia in Blastocladiella emersonii was provided recently by Cantino and Hyatt (1953). However, quite aside from its bearing upon morphogenesis, this investigation also led to some preliminary insight into the nature of the reactions involved in hydrogen transport in cell-free preparations of the fungus. The oxidation of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was easily coupled, via pyridine nucleotides, to the reduction of cytochrome C. In certain instances, however, reduction of cytochrome C quickly tapered off and reached a standstill, apparently because of the appearance of a reactive, newly-formed metabolic product. It was tentatively suggested that the transient metabolite was pyruvate, and that it was immediately reduced to lactate by reduced DPN derived from the DPN-dependent oxidation of malate (as well as succinate and ketoglutarate). At the time, however, direct evidence for this postulation was not available; the purpose of this brief report is to provide some of that evidence. MATERIALS AND METHODS.-The general culture techniques were those of Cantino (1951) and Cantino and Hyatt (1953), except that the fungus w,as grown at 20?C. in 150-ml. or 250-ml. batches of media in 500-ml. Erlenmeyer flasks, and later in 3000 ml. of medium in aerated, "continuous culture" flasks (like those described by Cantino, 1949). The composition of the medium was as follows: 1.25 g. peptone (Difco), 1.25 g. yeast extract (Difco), 3.0 g. glucose (Merck), 0.67 ml. 0.4 per cent aq. bromcresol purple, and 1000 ml. distilled water. Cultures were neutralized intermittently with 1-N KOH whenever the medium became yellowish. Cell-free homogenates were prepared according to Cantino and Hyatt (1953), with the following modifications: (1) cultures were harvested during the log phase of growth, and (2) because of the need for larger amounts of plant material, mortar, pestle and purified sand were used instead of a glass homogenizer for disrupting the cells. Except, when specified otherwise, the buffer used was always M/15 phosphate, pH 6.8. Manometric and spectrophotometric measurements were made with a conventional BarcroftWarburg respirometer, and a model DU Beckman spectrophotometer, respectively.
The Iroquois Confederation Constitution: An Analysis

The Iroquois Confederation was not an influence on the U.S. Constitution, but it is worthy of study as an independently developed political system with the oldest surviving constitution in North America. A systematic institutional analysis of the Great Binding Law, the orally transmitted constitution of the Confederation, reveals, among other things: tribal inequality despite their formal equality under a unanimity rule; a high level of responsiveness despite a nondemocratic, elitist method for selecting leaders; many ancillary institutions for achieving a traditional form of consensus rather than simple majority rule; two means of elevating men to the Confederation Council, each a paradoxical blend of the pre political and the post-traditional; the first use of a formal amendment process in constitutional history; and an underlying "code of imperialism "that, together with the second method of selecting Confederation Council members, transformed a defensive alliance into apotent actor in North American history. Overall, the Confederation institutionally approximated an Aristotelian "mixed regime" which, despite its creation under circumstances the Iroquois describe in Hobbesian terms, was quite libertarian.
Global stabilization of linear discrete-time systems with bounded feedback

Abstract This paper deals with the problem of global stabilization of linear discrete time systems by means of bounded feedback laws. The main result proved is an analog of one proved for the continuous time case by the authors, and shows that such stabilization is possible if and only if the system is stabilizable with arbitrary controls and the transition matrix has spectral radius less than or equal to one. The proof provides in principle an algorithm for the construction of such feedback laws, which can be implemented either as cascades or as parallel connections (“single hidden layer neural networks”) of simple saturation functions.
Assessment of the Transferability of a Protein Force Field for the Simulation of Peptide-Surface Interactions

In order to evaluate the transferability of existing empirical force fields for all-atom molecular simulations of protein adsorption behavior, we have developed and applied a method to calculate th...
The Action of Riboflavin on Folic Acid

Folic acid undergoes oxidative cleavage on exposure to light, and riboflavin markedly intensifies this action of light. As little as 50 μg. of riboflavin per 100 cc. of solution can accelerate the destruction of 10 mg. of folic acid. The reaction is much more rapid at pH 4.0 than at pH 6.5, and is retarded when the air is replaced by nitrogen. The products of the riboflavin-induced photo-oxidation of folic acid are p-aminobenzoylglutamic acid and a carbonyl compound, presumably 2-amino-4-hydroxy-6-pteridine-carboxaldehyde. Most of the riboflavin remains undecomposed. A possible mechanism is proposed for this reaction, and other data on folic acid stability are presented.
Assessment of Galileo modal test results for mathematical model verification

The modal test program for the Galileo Spacecraft was completed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the summer of 1983. The multiple sine dwell method was used for the baseline test. The Galileo Spacecraft is a rather complex 2433 kg structure made of a central core on which seven major appendages representing 30 percent of the total mass are attached, resulting in a high modal density structure. The test revealed a strong nonlinearity in several major modes. This nonlinearity discovered in the course of the test necessitated running additional tests at the unusually high response levels of up to about 21 g. The high levels of response were required to obtain a model verification valid at the level of loads for which the spacecraft was designed. Because of the high modal density and the nonlinearity, correlation between the dynamic mathematical model and the test results becomes a difficult task. Significant changes in the pre-test analytical model are necessary to establish confidence in the upgraded analytical model used for the final load verification. This verification, using a test verified model, is required by NASA to fly the Galileo Spacecraft on the Shuttle/Centaur launch vehicle in 1986.
Thyroid hormone-induced GLUT-1 expression in rat cerebral tissue: effect of age

To determine if thyroid hormone (TH) modulates the expression of cerebral glucose transporter one (GLUT-1) and whether there are age-related differences in TH effect, young male Fischer 344 rats (6 months old) and aged rats (26 months old) were studied at euthyroid, hyperthyroid and hypothyroid conditions. Immunoblot analysis indicated that 55 kDa GLUT-1 mass was decreased in hypothyroid young rats (174±15 arbitrary units) and hyperthyroid rats (144±22) compared to euthyroid young rats (395±57) P<0.01. In aged rats, the 55 kDa GLUT-1 mass was significantly increased in hyperthyroidism (392±49) compared to euthyroid aged rats (237±27) P<0.05. The 45 kDa isoform of GLUT-1 in rat cerebral tissue did not significantly change with age or thyroidal state. The changes in 55 kDa GLUT-1 mass did not correlate with the changes in GLUT-1 mRNA content. It is concluded that alterations in cerebral GLUT-1 content in response to altered thyroid state are age-specific.
OPTIMUM OPERATION OF RECORDING COUNT RATE METERS FOR RADIOACTIVE PAPER CHROMATOGRAMS

Abstract Operating variables in the use of recording ratemeters for scanning radioactive paper chromatographic strips are discussed. Bes sensitivity, and least statistical error in estimation of peak area, is obtained with a wide slit. However, wide slits give poor fidelity, that is, the shape of the record is not an accurate representation of the shape of the actual peak. Short time constnts give a record showing undesirable fluctuations due to statistical count rate variations, while long time constants give poor fidelity. Slow strip speed is required for strips of low activity. Optimal selection of operating conditions is considered from a quantitative standpoint.
Motivators for and barriers against workplace flexibility: comparing nonprofit, for-profit, and public sector organizations

Despite growing interest in workplace flexibility, relatively little is known about how the dynamics of flexible options might differ in for-profit, nonprofit, and public sector organizations. This short report evaluates the relative importance of various barriers against and motivators for flexible options in the public, nonprofit private, and for-profit private sectors using two similar surveys of private sector (2006 National Study of Business Strategy and Workforce Development Survey) and public sector (2008 States as Employers-of-Choice Survey) organizations in the USA. While there are some differences in what motivates organizations in each sector to adopt flexible work options, the differences in barriers to flexibility are more noticeable. For instance, the three groups of organizations differ significantly in the importance of implementation costs, employee pressures to adopt these policies and programs, and the extent to which more pressing issues prevent a focus on workplace flexibility. The re...
POE chain length selectivity in the clouding of a triton surfactant

The POE chain length distribution between the coacervate and aqueous phases of a clouded Triton X-114 solution was studied. The average chain length of the surfactant in the aqueous layer was determined by HPLC and compared to the distribution in the original (unclouded) solution. Both the clouding temperature and the equilibration time were found to govern the chain length selectivity. A slight excess of longer POE chains were encountered in the aqueous layer, thus enriching the coacervate layer with shorter, less soluble chains. Chain length selection appeared to occur when the surfactant particles were dispersed in the clouded suspension, rather than after the establishment of the aqueous and coacervate layers.
Phylogenetic Relationships of Tribes Within Harpalinae (Coleoptera: Carabidae) as Inferred from 28S Ribosomal DNA and the Wingless Gene

Harpalinae is a large, monophyletic subfamily of carabid ground beetles containing more than 19,000 species in approximately 40 tribes. The higher level phylogenetic relationships within harpalines were investigated based on nucleotide data from two nuclear genes, wingless and 28S rDNA. Phylogenetic analyses of combined data indicate that many harpaline tribes are monophyletic, however the reconstructed trees showed little support for deeper nodes. In addition, our results suggest that the Lebiomorph Assemblage (tribes Lebiini, Cyclosomini, Graphipterini, Perigonini, Odacanthini, Lachnophorini, Pentagonicini, Catapiesini and Calophaenini), which is united by a morphological synapomorphy, is not monophyletic, and the tribe Lebiini is paraphyletic with respect to members of Cyclosomini. Two unexpected clades of tribes were supported: the Zuphiitae, comprised of Anthiini, Zuphiini, Helluonini, Dryptini, Galeritini, and Physocrotaphini; and a clade comprised of Orthogoniini, Pseudomorphini, and Graphipterini. The data presented in this study represent a dense sample of taxa to examine the molecular phylogeny of Harpalinae and provide a useful framework to examine the origin and evolution of morphological and ecological diversity in this group.
Toward a standard for remote microscope control systems

Remote access to scientific instruments provides a way to share a variety of valuable resources with a worldwide audience. By pooling these resources and providing a common network and user interfaces to these resources, science researchers and educators will have capabilities that no one institution could afford. The Microscope And Graphic Imaging Center (MAGIC) at California State University, Hayward (CSU Hayward) is developing a model for such a system. We are developing model software for interactive remote-shared access to an unmodified Philips XL 40 scanning electron microscope (SEM). Located within the Department of Biological Sciences, MAGIC provides facilities and expertise in specimen preparation as well as providing remote access to researchers and educators over the Internet. We have used a wide range of networking technologies, including modem, ISDN, Ethernet, T1, and ATM to control the SEM, and a wide range of image transmission technologies, including closed circuit TV, compressed video over ATM, and digital imaging (Smith et al. 1996a,b,c). We have taken a modular approach to software control which allows us to arrange key pieces in a variety of ways on a number of different platforms. Results indicate that under the correct conditions, access to expensive and sensitive commercially available scientific equipment can be shared by large research, educational, and industrial communities. However, care must be taken to address issues of security, robustness, and performance. Plans are to incorporate remote access into university, community college, and high school use starting in 1998. Based upon this experience, we propose a framework for standardizing remote access to visual scientific equipment. This framework consists of three layers: (1) clients, (2) servers, and (3) instruments. This approach will allow a wide variety of equipment to be shared in a flexible and uniform manner.
Ezetimibe ameliorates hepatic steatosis but potentiates hepatic oxidative stress

INTRODUCTION: The pandemic of diet-induced obesity has resulted in an increased incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Increased lipid oxidation and consequentially oxidative stress catalyze the progression of NAFLD to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and potentially cirrhosis and cancer. Ezetimibe, which inhibits intestinal fat absorption, has been shown to decrease visceral fat accumulation. However, the influence of ezetimibe on hepatic lipids and oxidative stress on a high fat diet are unknown. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that ezetimibe would ameliorate NAFLD by inhibiting lipid accumulation and oxidative stress in the liver.
Electrolocation of objects in the electric fishEigenmannia (Rhamphichthyidae, Gymnotoidei)

The electric fish,Eigenmannia, is able to sense objects which differ in electrical conductivity from the surrounding water by detecting distortions of the current field associated with its electric organ discharges. While resting,Eigenmannia hovers near electrically-detectable objects and follows their motions. When such objects are swung in a sinusoidal manner, the fish follows with a certain gain and phase lag. This allows one to quantify performance in “electrolocation” in terms of gain and phase values as functions of frequency of object motion, object size and distance. As these parameters reach threshold values, the gain of the animal's Following Response approaches zero while its phase lag tends toward-π. Electrolocation deteriorates under “jamming” conditions, i.e. in the presence of electric signals with frequencies near the animal's discharge frequency.Eigenmannia prevents the deterioration of electrolocation by shifting its frequency away from noise frequencies.
Transcriptional control of T cell development.

Abstract Transcriptional control of T cell development is a complex and rapidly moving area of investigation. Recent advances reveal critical roles for several transcription factors in T cell commitment, differentiation and selection. In particular, new roles for E proteins as well as members of the Notch signaling pathway have been described. Additionally a unique function of Ikaros in chromatin remodeling reveals a novel mechanism by which transcriptional control may be exerted.
Flooded utilization and electrochemical voltage spectroscopy studies on nickel electrodes

A group of standard nickel electrodes were evaluated at different test temperatures and in different electrolyte concentrations. These production quality electrodes came from different backgrounds in terms of number of charge/discharge cycles, cycling temperature, electrolyte concentration, and cobalt level in the active material. The results of the matrix of tests using the flooded utilization (FU) technique demonstrated that capacity gains are available when cycling at lower temperatures and when higher concentrations of KOH are used as the electrolyte. Electrochemical voltage spectroscopy (EVS) scans were also taken for the complete matrix of tests. Since the cycling conditions used in the FU technique are much closer to those in actual cell cycling tests, they will be emphasized in this study in regard to the capacity trends. Comparative EVS scans were helpful in displaying the shifting potentials of the charging peaks of the active material relative to the oxygen evolution characteristics of these electrodes. The voltage span between the potential at which the active material is charged and the potential at which the co-evolution of oxygen becomes a significant parallel reaction determines the charging efficiency for the recharge step and is the root cause of the differences in useable electrode capacity.
Multivariate analysis of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy chemical signatures for geomaterial classification

A large suite of natural carbonate, fluorite and silicate geological materials was studied using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Both single- and double-pulse LIBS spectra were acquired using close-contact benchtop and standoff (25 m) LIBS systems. Principal components analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were used to identify the distinguishing characteristics of the geological samples and to classify the materials. Excellent discrimination was achieved with all sample types using PLS-DA and several techniques for improving sample classification were identified. The laboratory double-pulse LIBS system did not provide any advantage for sample classification over the single-pulse LIBS system, except in the case of the soil samples. The standoff LIBS system provided comparable results to the laboratory systems. This work also demonstrates how PCA can be used to identify spectral differences between similar sample types based on minor impurities.
Deterministic tolerance synthesis: a comparative study

The problem of the synthesis of discrete tolerances is modelled as a combinatorial optimization problem, which is then solved by an integer programming approach, a design of experiments method, and the Taguchi method. The paper is perhaps the first attempt to apply the DOE and TM approaches to deterministic tolerance synthesis. Although the design of experiments approach and the Taguchi method are statistical tools for the design and analysis of experiments, they are useful in deterministic tolerance synthesis. A comparative study has been conducted to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of the three approaches for solving the problem of the synthesis of discrete tolerances, with the objective of minimizing the manufacturing cost. The research shows that, while the integer programming approach is suitable for solving linear deterministic problem, the design of experiments approach is more appropriate for nonlinear problems, and it can be used to solve probabilistic problem.
Effect of forage harvests on reserve and mineral components of the stem base of cicer milkvetch

Abstract The effect of two forage harvests on total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC), total nitrogen, and hemicellulose in the stem base of three cultivars of cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.): Oxley, Lutana, and Loveland, was determined. Trends of these reserve components were cyclic, indicating utilization and accumulation. The cultivars did not differ significantly with respect to TNC, N, or hemicellulose. This was an indication that only slight differences in their rates of regrowth and potential forage yield can be expected. The relationship between the reserve components and P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu was studied using Lutana. A high degree of association was obtained between TNC and P, K, Fe, and Zn; and between hemicellulose and Cu. This suggested the possibility of accurately predicting the values of these organic reserve compounds by means of simple models, using mineral composition as independent variable.
Augmented Burnett-equation solutions over axisymmetric blunt bodies in hypersonic flow

We obtained augmented Burnett-equation solutions and conducted some preliminary studies on the extent to which the Burnett equations can be used in estimating the departure from the Navier-Stokes model for hypersonic flow over axisymmetric blunt bodies. The augmented Burnett equation solutions were restricted to the flow inside the bow shock in the stagnation region because of the uncertainty of boundary conditions. On one hand, the present results partly confirm the past observation that the Burnett equations can only make insignificant improvement over the Navier-Stokes equations when the latter are adequate, but the Burnett equations fail when the NavierStokes equations become inadequate. On the other hand, though both the Navier-Stokes and Burnett equations are inaccurate for flow inside a strong shock, to some extent the augmented Burnett solutions do seem to agree better with results obtained by the direct simulation Monte Carlo technique than the Navier-Stokes solutions do. Further studies are needed on the validity and significance of the augmented Burnett solutions for such flowfields.
Quantitative characterization of differential ion suppression on liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometric bioanalytical methods.

Ion suppression is a known phenomenon in atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry. These suppression effects have been shown to adversely affect the accuracy and precision of quantitative bioanalytical methods. This paper presents a simple procedure for determining the impact of differential ion suppression on bioanalytical methods that utilize atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometric (APIMS) detection. This procedure was applied to the assessment of two potential internal standards, and to determine selectivity issues for another analyte which was to be measured in multiple species.
Computational Identification of Cis-regulatory Elements Associated with Pungency of Chili Peppers

In silico characterization of promoter or regulatory regions of genomes is an important aspect of understanding gene expression regulation. Plant secondary metabolism represents an opportunity to discover promoter elements among coordinately transcribed genes on these complex pathways. We used CisFind, a software tool we developed, for finding un-extendable conserved matches among multiple DNA sequences. The underlying algorithm for this tool is a modified suffix tree. We used CisFind to detect unknown common regulatory elements in the 5' proximal regions of four genes on the capsaicinoid biosynthetic pathway. These DNA sequences were retrieved by genome walking from eight different chili peppers differing in pungency levels; tomato DNA was included as an outgroup. Nine unique candidate promoter elements were identified among these sequences. Their distribution is consistent with a role in regulating these genes for expression related to chili pungency. These candidate promoter elements were also predicted by other online software tools with different algorithms, increasing the probability that these elements are in fact biologically relevant.
ClC-3: more than just a volume-sensitive Cl- channel.

Pulmonary vascular medial hypertrophy due to enhanced pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation and/or decreased PASMC apoptosis is a primary cause of increased pulmonary vascular resistance and arterial pressure in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. While many factors can contribute to this form of vascular remodeling, it is generally agreed upon that altered transmembrane ion flux via ion channels is involved. While much focus has centered on the role of cations and cation channels in controlling PASMC contraction and proliferation, anion efflux via Cl− channels has recently gained interest for its role in SMC proliferation, differentiation, migration, contraction, and angiogenesis. In this issue, Dai et al. report that the putative volume-sensitive ClC-3 channel is upregulated in PASMC from monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertensive rats and in inflammatory cytokine-treated canine PASMC. They also provide evidence that ClC-3 upregulation may protect against oxidative stress-induced PASMC necrosis, thereby improving PASMC survival and promoting medial hypertrophy.
Voice of the patient: the essence of patient-centered care

Health care is being compelled to adopt patient-centered care. Consumers, professionals, and health care and community organizations are partnering to bring the voice of patients to health care reform. Nurses may recognize some professional organizations involved, such as the Institute of Medicine and The Joint Commission. Patient advocacy groups and other organizations playing an important role in reform may be less familiar. There are many consumer groups and organizations working to elevate the voice of patients in health care. This article presents the work of just a few who are changing health care.
IES '81—Effect of the ionosphere on radiowave systems

A symposium entitled ‘Effect of the Ionosphere on Radiowave Systems’ was held on April 14–16, 1981, at the Ramada Inn, Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia. Over 250 participants from government, private industry, and academia were in attendance at the symposium, which was organized by John M. Goodman of the Naval Research Laboratory and Jules Aarons of the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory and was sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, NRL, and AFGL. The purpose of the symposium, as in the two previous IES conferences, held in 1975 and 1978, was to improve the information transfer between system architects, managers, and designers on the one hand and ionospheric physicists and propagation specialists on the other hand. Although the military (DoD) interest associated with various topics presented at the conference was transparent, the commercial and scientific research areas were also in evidence.
"Thomas-Fermi-pseudopotential" approach for calculating the static properties of simple metals

A completely local-density energy-functional pseudopotential study is performed to analyze the static properties of several simple metals. The great advantages of calculating the electronic structure of solids with local-density energy-functional approaches, or "Thomas-Fermi" approaches, are that these approaches, unlike fully quantum-mechanical treatments, possess the attributes of simplicity, flexibility, and physical immediacy. The local-energy-density functional can yield accurate static properties provided we employ "hard-core" pseudopotentials which have been derived from atomic charge densities. Moreover, our approach allows a real-space decomposition of the various energy contributions to cohesion.
Dually Responsive Microgels from Polyether-Modified Poly(acrylic acid): Swelling and Drug Loading

Gel microparticles composed of lightly cross-linked poly(acrylic acid) networks, onto which polyether chains (Pluronic F127) are grafted, are introduced. The hydrophobic poly(propylene oxide) chains aggregate within the microgel structure, and the resulting aggregates are capable of solubilizing hydrophobic drugs, such as taxol. At temperatures where the Pluronic chains are not aggregated, the microgels behave like networks without spatial heterogeneity. Upon formation of aggregates within hydrogels, their equilibrium swelling diminishes, and the swelling behavior indicates non-Gaussian chain distribution. The kinetics of gel swelling shows unusual temperature dependence of the effective diffusion coefficient, indicative of chain rearrangement within a certain temperature range. The microgels exhibit high ion-exchange capacity for cationic hydrophilic drugs. The potential for the newly obtained microgels to be used as drug carriers is discussed.
Hydrography of the West Spitsbergen Current, Svalbard Branch: Autumn 2001

[1] The Atlantic inflow is the primary source of water and heat to the Arctic Ocean. A large portion enters through Fram Strait where it splits into the Yermak and Svalbard Branches. In October to November 2001 the USCGC Healy occupied five oceanographic transects across the Svalbard Branch west and north of Spitsbergen. Temperature and salinity sections show the warm, salty Atlantic Water cooling and freshening as it flows along the continental slope for 553 km. The temperature in the upper 500 m of the water column decreased by 0.25°C/(100 km) implying a heat flux across the sea surface of up to 520 W/m2 if one assumes a nominal current of speed of 0.1 m/s. A temperature-salinity (T-S) analysis shows that the shape of the T-S curves can be explained in terms of the ratio of the atmospheric-to-ice-melt heat flux. The observations imply that ice melt accounts for progressively more surface cooling as the flow moves toward the Arctic Ocean. An autonomous underwater vehicle completed a vertical section in the region of maximum water mass gradient and revealed layer interleaving in fine detail. Data from this cruise extend a long time series of Atlantic layer source temperature beginning in 1910 (Saloranta and Haugan, 2001). The extended observations show that after the temperature of the Atlantic layer inflow reached a peak in 1992, it cooled to a minimum in 1998 and rose again through 2001.
Optical candidates for two X-ray bursters and an X-ray pulsar

Faint blue stars are suggested as the optical counterparts of the X-ray bursters 4U (MXB) 1636-53 and 4U (MXB) 1735-44 as well as the 7-sec X-ray pulsar 4U 1626-67. The candidate stars have large UV excesses and were discovered well within the 20- and 30-arcsec error radii determined with the rotating modulation collimator aboard SAS 3. Photographic observations and photoelectric photometry of the candidate stars are discussed. It is shown that the candidates for 4U 1626-67 and 4U 1636-53 lie further from the reddened-supergiant or main sequence than any known X-ray source counterparts and have colors that are inconsistent with those of a reddened normal star, while the candidate for 4U 1735-44 has the colors of both Sco X-1 and a late O or BO star suffering about 1 mag of extinction.
The Galaxy Track Browser: Transforming the genome browser from visualization tool to analysis tool

The proliferation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies and analysis tools present new challenges to genome browsers. These challenges include supporting very large datasets, integrating analysis tools with data visualization to help reason about and improve analyses, and sharing or publishing fully interactive visualizations. The Galaxy Track Browser (GTB) is a Web-based genome browser integrated into the Galaxy platform that addresses these challenges. GTB is the first Web-based genome browser to provide a full multi-resolution data model; this model supports efficient data retrieval from very large datasets. GTB leverages the Galaxy platform to combine data visualization and data analysis; users can specify parameter values and run tools to produce new data, all within GTB. GTB also provides interactive filters that dynamically show and hide data and can be used to identify data for further investigation. GTB is available on every Galaxy server, and visualizations can be created for both standard and custom genome builds. Fully interactive GTB visualizations can be shared with colleagues and published on the Web using a simple graphical user interface.
Computed tomography of pediatric cardiovascular disease.

Advances in multidetector computed tomography (CT) technology have revolutionized cardiovascular imaging in children. Faster acquisition times and high-quality reconstructions have enabled CT to become a valuable modality for the evaluation of cardiac and vascular pathology. Identification of congen
Characterization of the effect of fatty ester composition on the ignition behavior of biodiesel fuel sprays

Abstract The effect of fatty ester composition on the combustion behavior of biodiesel fuel sprays is investigated for soy-based methyl esters, canola-based methyl esters and canola-based butyl esters. The purpose of this study is to aid fuel engineering efforts by identifying molecular structure features of biodiesel which can influence the compression ignition process during direct biodiesel utilization in diesel engines. Combustion behavior is classified through ignition delays and maximum apparent heat release rates measured in a rapid compression machine, and these measurements have been taken at the low temperatures (676–815 K) and reduced oxygen concentrations (12% and 18%) corresponding to the low temperature combustion regime of advanced diesel engines. Ignition delay measurements show that the appearance of first heat release from the fuels is decreasingly sensitive to oxygen concentration as the reaction zone temperature is increased. Growth in the ester alkoxy chain length from one to four carbon atoms had minimal effect on the ignition delay. For tests in 12% oxygen, the increased polyunsaturated of soy methyl esters relative to canola methyl esters leads to longer ignition delays. This is not observed using 18% oxygen where physical transport processes are more important. The canola butyl esters exhibited the largest peak values for heat release rates, with the distinction becoming clear at reaction zone temperatures above 750 K. Normalization on ignition delay and input energy bases indicates that variation of the maximum apparent heat release rates among the fuels is primarily due to unique mixing times and fuel heating values.
Health Maintenance Insurance: Toward an Optimal HMO*

The financial incentive structure of today's health maintenance organizations addresses certain problems attributed to fee-for-service medical care, but at a theoretical level it does not induce optimal provider behavior. Health maintenance insurance--a combined package of medical, morbidity/disability, and life insurance--encourages providers to compete for the health dollar, and not simply the medical care dollar, thereby remedying deficiencies in prepayment and promoting true health maintenance. The principle underlying health maintenance insurance emphasizes the need to search for effective means of preventing disability, morbidity, and premature death.
Swelling and Delamination Behaviors of Birnessite-Type Manganese Oxide by Intercalation of Tetraalkylammonium Ions

Intercalations of tetramethylammonium (TMA), tetraethylammonium (TEA), tetrapropylammonium (TPA), and tetrabutylammonium (TBA) ions into layered birnessite-type manganese oxide, BirMO(H), were studied in aqueous tetraalkylammonium hydroxide solutions with different concentrations. Expansions of the interlayer were not observed clearly in the TEA, TPA, or TBA systems. Stable colloidal suspensions were obtained in the TMA system at TAl/Hs (molar ratio of tetraalkylammonium ions over exchangeable protons in BirMO(H)) larger than 1. XRD analyses for these colloidal sediments in the wet state showed a short-range swelling by the TMA+ intercalation, with an increase in the basal spacing (dbs) from 0.73 to 1.56 nm. The basal spacing decreased stepwise from 1.56 through 1.27 to 0.96 nm with a decrease of the relative humidity during drying. The chemical analysis results showed that the cation intercalation progressed by an ion exchange mechanism. The intrinsic selectivity coefficient for intercalation had a tende...
An investigation of acid precipitation in Qinghai province, China

Abstract Precipitation and surface water samples from the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai Province, China. were collected in June 1981, in both remote and settled areas on the plateau. A pH measurement in one urban precipitation sample indicated extremely acidic precipitation, with a pH of 2.25. In the remote Amne Machin mountains, precipitation pH's did not vary significantly from a value of approximately 6, but levels of certain ions were unexpectedly high. In all samples for which major anions were measured, including the very acidic urban sample, nitrate concentrations exceeded sulfate concentrations by a wide margin, despite the dominance of coal burning in the region.
Setting optimal due dates in a basic safe-scheduling model

We examine a basic stochastic sequencing model with due dates as decisions. The objective is to make due dates as tight as possible while meeting service level constraints. We develop an optimizing procedure using branch and bound, and we evaluate the performance of heuristic procedures as well.
The new isotopes Pu246 and Am246

Abstract The beta-emitting isotopes Pu 246 and Am 246 were found in the debris of a thermonuclear test. These isotopes have half-lives of 11·2 ± 0·2 days and 25 ± 0·2 minutes, respectively. The chemical evidence for the existence of these isotopes is described. The final mass assignment was made on the basis of mass spectrographic evidence. The beta and gamma energies were obtained from scintillation spectrometer studies. The total disintegration energy of Am 246 was found to be 2·29 MeV, which is in fair agreement with that estimated by Seaborg from closed decay cycle considerations.