cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-GG-T-272: Evaluation of the Use of Optically Stimulated Luminescent Detectors and Thermoluminescent Detectors for Measuring the Output of Self-Shielded X-Ray Units and the Absorbed Dose to Patients from a CT Procedure

Purpose: To evaluate the use of optically stimulated luminescent detectors (OSLDs) and thermoluminescent detectors(TLDs) for calibrating kilovoltage x‐ray units replacing 137Cs and 60Co irradiators used for blood sterilization and radiobiological studies and to measure absorbed doses to patients undergoing CT procedures. Method and Materials: The OSLDs are 0.7 cm diameter, 0.02 cm thick, plastic disks containing Al2O3:C within a light‐tight plastic holder and TLD 100 LiF chips with dimensions 0.038×0.32×0.32 cm3. Relative sensitivity factors were determined for the detectors. Two self‐shielded x‐ray devices operating at 160 kVp with effective monoenergetic energies of 70 KeV, and a CT unit with effective monoenergetic energy of 47 KeV were investigated. The unit irradiating blood uses two opposed x‐ray sources. A 6 MV photon beam was used to calibrate the detectors. To determine the energy dependence of the detectors over the range of kilovoltage energies relative to 6 MV photons, an orthovoltage therapy unit provided effective monoenergetic energies from 15 to 90 KeV. For x‐ray irradiations the detectors were placed in a cylindrical tissue equivalent phantom having dimensions similar to a blood packet and a small animal. For the CT measurements the detectors were placed on the patient surface. Results: The energy response of the detectors was approximately linear from 30 to 90 KeV with the OSLD response increasing faster with decreasing energy than the TLDs due to the difference in their atomic number. Accounting for energy dependence, their dose measurements agreed within the estimated uncertainty of 5% (1SD) for the x‐ray units and patient CT measurements. Timer errors of 2.5 and 1.3 s were measured for the single and double x‐ray units, respectively. Conclusion: With energy corrections both detectors provide relatively simple and accurate measurements of the output for the x‐ray units and absorbed dose to patients undergoing a CT procedure.
Protein kinase and ribonuclease domains of IRE1 confer stress tolerance, vegetative growth, and reproductive development in Arabidopsis.

The unfolded protein response (UPR) endows plants with the capacity to perceive, respond, and protect themselves from adverse environmental conditions. The UPR signaling pathway in Arabidopsis has two “arms,” one arm involving the bifunctional protein kinase (PK)/ribonuclease, IRE1, a RNA splicing enzyme, and another involving membrane-associated transcription factors, such as basic leucine zipper transcription factor 28 (bZIP28). Because of functional redundancies, single gene mutations in the plant UPR signaling pathway generally have not resulted in prominent phenotypes. In this study we generated multiple mutations in the UPR signaling pathway, such as an ire1a ire1b double mutant, which showed defects in stress tolerance and vegetative growth and development. Complementation of ire1a ire1b with constructs containing site-specific mutations in the PK or RNase domains of IRE1b demonstrated that a functional RNase domain is required for endoplasmic reticulum stress tolerance, and that both the PK and RNase domains are required for normal vegetative growth under unstressed conditions. Root growth under stress conditions was dependent on the splicing target of IRE1b, bZIP60 mRNA, and on regulated IRE1-dependent decay of target genes. However, root and shoot growth in the absence of stress was independent of bZIP60. Blocking both arms of the UPR signaling pathway in a triple ire1a ire1b bzip28 mutant was lethal, impacting pollen viability under unstressed conditions. Complementation with IRE1b constructs showed that both the PK and RNase domains are required for normal gametophyte development, but bZIP60 is not. Hence, the UPR plays a critical role in stress tolerance, and in normal vegetative growth and reproductive development in plants.
Tetrodotoxin analysis of direct cortical responses

Abstract Excitation of the negative wave type of direct cortical response (N wave DCR) is reversibly blocked by placing a small volume of 10 −5 to 10 −6 g/ml tetrodotoxin on the stimulated site. A similar low concentration of tetrodotoxin placed over the line of a molecular layer preparation made by cutting all layers up to but not including the first, reversibly blocked transmission of the N wave DCR. Tetrodotoxin placed on the responding site produces either a block or a reversal of the response, a surface positive potential. This reversed potential was shown by laminar recording to represent a source to sinks present lower down in the intermediate cortical layers, at 300–1000 μ. The interpretation of these results is that axons passing laterally in the cortex synapse on upper apical dendrites and, to a lesser extent, also synapse deeper; e.g. , on shafts of apical dendrites, basilar dendrites and somas in the intermediate layers. With the upper apical dendrites blocked by tetrodotoxin, these sinks in the intermediate levels of the cortex are responsible for the upper dendritic membranes acting as sources.
Sufficient conditions for the discrimination of motion

When one half of a randomly contoured pattern is displaced in one of four directions between successive exposures, Ss are capable of discriminating the direction of the displacement. Accuracy of discriminating decreases as a function of the relative displacement within the pattern, independent of the visual angle subtended by the pattern. Supplementary data suggest that Ss are unrealistically confident in the accuracy of their discrimination. The results demonstrate that identification of specific contours is not necessary for the discrimination of motion and suggest that some type of correlational process is employed by the visual system in dealing with spatially and temporally displaced patterns.
Interfaith Dialogue and the Science-and-Religion Discussion

The science-and-religion dialogue has so often assumed that the key issues for discussion are those that have arisen within the Western Christian religious and intellectual tradition that little interest has been devoted to the possible insights that the presence of non-Christian voices in the dialogue might bring. In the following I explore the benefits of a truly multireligious dialogue on science and religion and offer a model for integrating various religious perspectives into the science-and-religion dialogue. Of course, taking the multifaith perspectives of the religions seriously also means making a dialogue etween religions a component of the science-and-religion dialogue, and I discuss how such a dialogue might unfold along with key ideas that might emerge in ever more interesting ways once the dialogue begins.
A simple 3 cm Q-meter

Following a brief review of existing refiectometer methods for the measurement of Q-factors of microwave cavities, a simplified system is described in which the complexity and cost of components are reduced appreciably. Values of Q-factors, from 200 to 4 000, measured in this way are in good agreement with those obtained with established techniques. Because the local oscillator is tuned manually, a frequency range wider than that obtainable with electronic tuning may be covered.
Eavesdropping by bats on the feeding buzzes of conspecifics

Echolocation calls of most bats are emitted at high intensities and subject to eavesdropping by nearby conspecifics. Bats may be especially attentive to “feeding buzz” calls, which are emitted immediately before attack on airborne insects and indicate the potential presence of prey in the nearby area. Although previous work has shown that some species are attracted to feeding buzzes, these studies did not provide a well-controlled test of eavesdropping, as comparisons were made between responses to natural and altered signals (e.g., forward versus backward broadcasts of calls). In this study, I assessed the importance of feeding buzzes by conducting playbacks of controlled echolocation stimuli. I presented free-flying Brazilian free-tailed bats, Tadarida brasiliensis (I. Geoffroy, 1824), with echolocation call sequences in which feeding buzz calls were either present or absent, as well as a silence control. I determined levels of bat activity by counting the number of echolocation calls and bat passes rec...
Immobilization of high‐affinity heparin oligosaccharides to radiofrequency plasma‐modified polyethylene

Oligosaccharides of heparin with high affinity for antithrombin III (ATIII) have been immobilized onto surface-modified NHLBI Primary Reference low density polyethylene (PE). PE was modified by radiofrequency plasma polymerized (<150 nm thick) films derived from N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (PPNVP) or allyl alcohol (PPAA), and coupled by chemical derivatization to either 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane or amino-terminated poly ethylene oxide). High affinity heparin oligosaccharides (HA-heparin, anti-factor Xa activity of 592 ± 120 IU/mg) prepared by partial deaminative cleavage of commercial crude heparin and fractionated by agarose-ATIII affinity chromatography, were immobilized to surface-modified PE by reductive amination. The anticoagulant activity, as determined by a chromogenic assay for the inhibition of factor Xa, was estimated to be 30–70 mIU/cm2, with binding estimated to be 56–119 ng/cm2. The highest activity was obtained for the HA-heparin immobilized to PE modified by PPNVP with a PEO spacer. Visual confirmation of ATIII binding to immobilized HA-heparin was demonstrated by a goldlabeled double antibody method with imaging by SEM. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An assessment of the CES-D scale factor structure in black women: The Black Women's Health Study

This study investigates the dimensional structure of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale in US Black women with and without history of cancer via single-group and multi-group analyses. The CES-D questionnaire was administered in 1999 to 50,774 black women who are participants in the Black Women's Health Study (BWHS). For our analysis, we utilized a group of 690 women with a history of at least one of the three types of cancer (breast cancer, colon cancer or lung cancer) and an age-matched group of 1,380 healthy women with no history of any cancer or other chronic conditions including myocardial infarctions, stroke, angina, diabetes, lupus, and sarcoidosis. Three a priori hypothesized models were tested via confirmatory factor analysis: single-, three- and four-factor structures. The four-factor model provided the best fit and remained largely invariant across the groups when tested via multi-group comparisons. Two internal consistency measures of the scale (Cronbach's α coefficient and split-half coefficient) were also shown to be satisfactory. We concluded that the CES-D scale is appropriate for use in black women regardless of their cancer status.
The Ventilatory and Arousal Responses to Prolonged Hypoxia in Preterm Infants are Sleep State Dependent. 1575

Recently, we have shown that during the response to a more prolonged (20 min) hypoxia in preterm infants (Lemke, et al, Pediatr. Res., 39:389A, 1996), ventilation falls after initial hyperventilation and remains depressed between 5 and 20 min. To test the hypothesis that the response is influenced by the infant's sleep state and the presence or absence of arousal we studied 14 healthy preterm infants [BW 1.6±0.1 kg (mean±SE), SW 2.0±0.2 kg, GA 31±1 wk, PNA 27±4 d]. Ventilation was measured using a flow-through system. Sleep states were defined using EEG, EOG, and body movements. Arousal was defined using eye opening, body movements, agitation, and crying. The experimental procedure consisted in giving the infants 21% O2 for 2 min, 15% O2 for 20 min, followed by 2 min of recovery in 21% O2. Fourteen experiments were conducted in quiet sleep and 7 in REM sleep. Arousal was observed in 71% of experiments in quiet sleep (10 out of 14) and 0% in REM sleep (0 out of 7; p<0.01). In quiet sleep, minute ventilation remained above baseline at 5(6.7±2.5%), 10 (7.4±2.8%), 15 (3.4±2.1%), and 20(6.3±2.7%) minutes of hypoxia. On the contrary, in REM sleep minute ventilation decreased below baseline at 5 (-4.2±2.3), 10(-4.5±5.0), 15 (-7.4±2.3%), and 20 (-7.9±3.1%) minutes of hypoxia (p<0.001 quiet vs REM for all time points). During quiet sleep minute ventilation at 10, 15, and 20 min of hypoxia was significantly higher in infants who exhibited arousal (12.6±3.1%, 8.6±2.3%, and 12.0±3.1% respectively) than in infants who did not (-5.6±4.9%,-8.2±3.5%, and -4.8±4.4% respectively; p<0.001). The difference in minute ventilation at each time point was primarily related to a decrease in frequency with no significant change in VT. These observations suggest 1) preterm infant's ventilatory response to prolonged hypoxia is sleep state dependent, 2) arousal is more frequent during quiet sleep than in to REM sleep. We speculate that sleep state determines ventilatory and arousal responses to prolonged hypoxia in preterm infants which in turn may determine the infant's predisposition to SIDS.Supported by the Children's Hospital of Winnipeg Research Foundation.
Sexual Knowledge, Attitudes, and Risky Sexual Behavior among Inner-City Black Male Adolescents:

Sexual knowledge, attitudes toward sex and contraception, contraception use, and sexual behavior were examined among 200 Black male inner-city junior and senior high school students who completed an anonymous questionnaire. Virtually all of the students (97%) reported having had coitus at least once. Most (78%o) reported not using any contraceptive during initial coitus, and a majority (54%) reported not using one during their most recent coitus. Multivariate multiple regression analyses revealed that students with greater sexual knowledge and more positive attitudes toward contraception were more likely to report using contraception than were other students. Students with more liberal sexual attitudes reported greater sexual activity, including a higher frequency of, and number of female partners for, coitus and fellatio. Among students who reported involvement in a steady romantic relationship, relatively liberal sexual attitudes were associated with self-reports of a sexual relationship with a woman be...
Coefficients of relatedness in sociobiology

A much-discussed, quantitative criterion for the spread of an altruistic gene is Hamilton's rule1,2c/b 0, the rule can be interpreted as requiring that the gene-caused action increase the ‘inclusive fitness’ of the actor. Since its introduction, Hamilton's rule and the attendant concept of inclusive fitness have gained increasing acceptance and use among biologists and have become integral in the field now named sociobiology. However, the essentially heuristic reasoning used in deriving these concepts, along with the lack of a complete specification even in the original outbred model2, have led to many investigations into the population genetical underpinnings of Hamilton's rule3–18. On the basis of these considerations, several reports3,10,12,13,18 have proposed new formulae for R. These formulae have no obvious relation to each other or to the coefficients originally suggested by Hamilton. This proliferation of coefficients is undoubtedly confusing to many and the net effect may be to generate distrust both of the rule and of the notion of inclusive fitness. Our purpose here is to show that these various formulae for R (refs 3,10,12,13,18), although independently derived, are actually the same.
Alternative organizing communities: Collectivist organizing, telework, home-based internet businesses, and online communities.

Alternative work communities encompass various organizing forms, including democratic organizing practices, participative decision making, feminist organizing principles, and technological alternatives, such as telecommuting and Internet businesses. These nontraditional organizing practices discursively construct identity and community in the day-to-day negotiation of the tensions of technological empowerment and organizational control. This review of literature pulls together varied, multidisciplinary sources from organizational communication, critical management studies, feminist theory, and gender studies, as well as business, organization studies, and sociology to aid in the development of future research in gender and organizational communication studies or, as Martin and Collinson (2002) referred to this growing area of study, gendered organizational studies.
Review of The Handbook of Positive Emotions

POSITIVE EMOTIONS ARE HIGHLY VALUED experiences in people’s everyday lives. Indeed, many people often express the life goal of “I just want to be happy.” The Handbook of Positive Emotion establishe...
On a class of universal modular sequence spaces

The class of all subspaces of quotient spaces ofl p ⊕l, contains all separable Orlicz sequence spaces.
Spectral analysis of Pennes' bio-heat equation

Contained herein is a spectral analysis of Pennes' Bio-heat equation in three dimensions. Each section focuses upon a necessary step in the total solving of the differential system. Complex analysis was found necessary in resolving the inversion of the inhomogeneous term, yielding an unexpected result, where the solution space apparently is divided into two main curvatures, elliptic and hyperbolic. Each space represents a fundamental difference in heat transfer modality; hyperbolic being a reduction in magnitude, elliptic being a transfer of heat. From differential geometry, elliptic curvature complements hyperbolic spaces and the former is considered to be nested within the later.© (2008) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Fluoroquinolones for malaria: the newest kid on the block?

Excerpt Malaria has been a scourge probably since the dawn of mankind. The earliest recorded history resides in cuneiform tablets dating back to 2000 BC that describe malarial fevers in Mesopotamia...
Density-Functional-Derived Structures, Spin Properties, and Vibrations for Phenol Radical Cation

Phenol radical cation (PhOH•+) structures, proton hyperfine coupling constants, atomic spin densities, vibrational frequencies, and deuterium isotopic vibrational frequency shifts were calculated by using spin-unrestricted Hartree−Fock (UHF), second-order Moller−Plesset perturbation (UMP2), as well as density-functional (DF) and hybrid Hartree−Fock/density-functional (HF/DF) methods. Of the methods tested, the three-parameter, hybrid HF/DF method incorporating the gradient-corrected correlation functional of Lee, Yang, and Parr (B3LYP) appears to yield the most accurate overall results. Calculated CC bond distances for PhOH•+ display pronounced quinoidal features, and the CO bond distance (1.313 A) implies significant double-bond character. Unscaled vibrational frequencies calculated by using the B3LYP method differ from experiment by an average absolute magnitude of only 15 cm-1 and are therefore more accurate than uniformly scaled UMP2-derived frequencies. Our assignment of the CO stretching mode to a c...
The information systems management system: a framework for planning

Considering the fundamental economic changes that are taking place in our nation, in which we find ourselves in transition from resource "fat" to resource "lean" conditions, it is not surprising that there should be a rekindled interest in planning and control techniques that will enable us to preclude suboptimization, or dissipation of our resources.
Communications: Motile Stage of Aurantiactinomyxon sp. (Actinosporea: Triactinomyxidae) Isolated from Dero digitata Found in Channel Catfish Ponds during Outbreaks of Proliferative Gill Disease

Abstract Dero digitata infected with Aurantiactinomyxon sp. were obtained from a pond with channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus during an outbreak of proliferative gill disease. These worms were maintained until actinosporeans were released. Aurantiactinomyxon sp. was exposed to channel catfish gills then observed microscopically. After exposure to gills, the sporoplasm of the actinosporean began to change and a motile stage was observed. During the motile stage, pseudopodia-like structures retracted and protruded. In the final stage, all movement ceased, and the sporoplasm rounded up and detached from the valves. This motile stage is a possible link to the penetration of Aurantiactinomyxon sp. into channel catfish gills.
Measurement of enthalpies of association between CO2 and polymers via in situ ATR-FTIR spectroscopy

Abstract Although the existence of Lewis acid–base interactions between CO 2 and electron donating functional groups in polymers can be determined from the vibrational spectra of the polymers in question, only a few quantitative estimates of the strength of such interactions have been reported. We have previously reported values of the enthalpy of association between CO 2 and the carbonyl group in polymers from the bending vibrations of CO 2 . In the present work, we extend these measurements to other functional groups and relate the strength of these interactions to the structure of the polymer.
Characteristics of Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Ejaculates Collected by Rectal Probe Electrostimulation and by Artificial Vagina

This study compares characteristics of ejaculates collected from 16 adult male chimpanzees using rectal probe electrostimulation (RPE) and from 10 adult male chimpanzees trained to use an artificial vagina (AV). Ejaculate weight, semen volume, and sperm number were significantly lower (P < 0.01) and percentage liquefaction was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in ejaculates collected by RPE. Percentages of motile sperm and of live sperm in semen did not differ significantly between the two collection methods. Total amounts of protein and of α-glucosidase activity were significantly lower (P < 0.01) in seminal fluid from RPE samples. For ejaculates collected by RPE, semen volume correlated positively with protein (r = 0.8640, P < 0.001), fructose (r = 0.6976, P < 0.001), and citrate (r = 0.6976, P < 0.001); sperm number correlated positively with α-glucosidase activity (r = 0.6547, P < 0.001); and protein correlated positively with fructose (r = 0.5906, P < 0.002), citrate (r = 0.5926, P < 0.002) and α-glucosidase activity (r = 0.6006, P < 0.001). For ejaculates collected by AV, semen volume correlated positively with percentage liquefaction (r = 0.6058, P < 0.001), protein (r = 0.8055, P < 0.001), fructose (r = 0.6606, P < 0.001), and citrate (r = 0.8272, P < 0.001); sperm number correlated positively with percentage of motile sperm (r = 0.4196, P 0.004); percentage of motile sperm correlated positively with percentage of live sperm (r = 0.4388, P < 0.002); and, protein correlated positively with fructose (r = 0.6947, P < 0.002) and with citrate (r = 0.5926, P < 0.002). These data show that there is a significant difference in semen parameters and in biochemical parameters of ejaculates obtained by RPE and by AV. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Toward single molecule detection in physiological buffer using planar FET biosensors

Among a variety of sensing mechanisms and device architectures, field effect transistors (FETs) based devices are ideal biosensors that can directly convert interactions of biomolecules to electrical signals for low cost, rapid, label free, and sensitive detection. Si-based MOSFETs (planar or nanowire) have the great advantage of compatibility to the current microelectronic manufacturing processes, but suffer from current drift due to ion diffusion into the gate oxide layer, making them difficult to detect target analytes at low concentrations in physiological buffers or fluids with high ionic strengths. III-nitride semiconductors have attracted considerable interests for biosensor applications due to their unique properties, such as chemical inertness, non-toxicity, and thermal stability. Especially, III-nitrides FETs are ion-impermeable and highly stable in electrolytic solutions, making them ideal for detection at ultralow concentration in fluids with high ionic strengths. Theoretical calculations suggest that nanowire and quantum dot FETs should have higher sensitivity than planar FETs due to the large surface to volume ratio. Single molecule detection has been demonstrated using single wall carbon nanotube devices1. Previously we demonstrated pM sensitivity of streptavidin (SA) protein detection in 0.25×PBS with an ionic strength of 40 mM using an AlGaN/GaN FET biosensor with a control gate electrode when the device was biased in the sub-threshold regime2. Here we show a recessed gate AlGaN/GaN heterojunction FET (HFET, Fig. 1) for detection of proteins at a concentration of 16 aM in PBS buffer (163 mM).
Distribution of thyroid and glucocorticoid hormone receptors in transcriptionally active and inactive chromatin

Abstract We have studied the distribution of glucocorticoid and thyroid hormone receptors in partially purified transcriptionally active and inactive chromatin fractions obtained after shearing of chromatin from cultured pituitary (GC) cells with DNase II. The results show that the receptors for both classes of hormones are present in both chromatin fractions, with over 80% confined to the genetically inactive regions.
Multisite downscaling of daily precipitation with a stochastic weather generator

Stochastic models of daily precipitation are useful both for characterizing different pre- cipitation climates and for stochastic simulation of these climates in conjunction with agricultural, hydrological, or other response models. A simple stochastic precipitation model is used to downscale— i .e . disaggregate from area-average to individual station— precipitation statistics for 6 groups of 5 U.S. stations, in a way that is consistent with observed relationships between the area-averaged series and their constituent station series. Each group of stations is located within a General Circulation Model grid-box-sized area, and collectively they exhibit a broad range of precipitation climates. The down- scaling procedure is validated using natural climate variability in the observed precipitation records as an analog for climate change, by alternately considering collections of the driest and wettest seasons as 'base' and 'future' climates, and comparing the 2 sets of downscaled station parameters to those fit directly to the respective withheld observations. The resulting downscaled stochastic model parame- ters can be readily used for local-scale simulation of climate-change impacts.
Perturbative thermodynamics of lattice QCD with chiral-invariant four-fermion interactions

Lattice QCD with additional chiral-invariant four-fermion interactions is studied at nonzero temperature. Staggered Kogut-Susskind quarks are used. The four-fermion interactions are implemented by introducing bosonic auxiliary fields. A mean field treatment of the auxiliary fields is used to calculate the model's asymptotic scale parameter and perturbative thermodynamics, including the one-loop gluonic contributions to the energy, entropy, and pressure. In this approach the calculations reduce to those of ordinary lattice QCD with massive quarks. Hence, the previous calculations of these quantities in lattice QCD using massless quarks are generalized to the massive case.
THE EFFECTS OF THE DEPOSIT FEEDING POLYCHAETE PECTINARIA GOULDII ON THE INTERTIDAL SEDIMENTS OF BARNSTABLE HARBOR1

ABS ACT r Under laboratory conditions, individual Pectinmin god&i worked 6 g of sediment/day. This rate was related directly to sediment temperature and inversely to scdimcnt pigment concentration. At this rate, corrected for the effects of daily tidal cxposurc and annual tcmpcraturc fluctuations, the worm population in the flat studied (10 worms/m’) would completely work all sediment in the 6-cm thick surface layer cvcry 15 years. The observed activity of other deposit feeders would substantially reduce this time. P. god& removed 3.55 units of sediment pigment (42% ) and 1.43 mg of organic carbon (45% ) from each gram of sediment workccl, suggesting a rapid utilization of the nvailablc organic matter.
Podcasting in dermatology education.

Background: Podcasting is a relatively new technology, which allows users to subscribe to audio/video broadcasts online, download new ones, and transfer to their MP3 devices. Studies in medical and dental schools have demonstrated that podcasting is an effective learning method. Objective: To discuss the history, strengths, and weaknesses of the dermatology-related podcasts available for download. Methods: An iTunes search was performed, and five dermatology-related podcasting subscriptions were accessed; the previous 10 podcasts in each subscription were assessed to compile an overall picture. Authors listened to all podcasts, evaluated them independently, then shared their evaluations to optimally capture details. Results: Each of the podcasting services had its own strengths and weaknesses. While some were targeted towards practicing physicians, others were targeted to patients and medical students. Furthermore, none of the services updated at a regular, timely interval. Our analysis was limited to pod...
Plant–rhizobia mutualism influences aphid abundance on soybean

The mutualism between legumes and nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria (rhizobia) is a key feature of many ecological and agricultural systems, yet little is known about how this relationship affects aboveground interactions between plants and herbivores. We investigated the effects of the rhizobia mutualism on the abundance of a specialized legume herbivore on soybean plants. In a field experiment, soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) abundances were measured on plants (Glycine max) that were either (1) treated with a commercial rhizobial inoculant, (2) associating solely with naturally occurring rhizobia, or (3) given nitrogen fertilizer. Plants associating with naturally occurring rhizobia strains exhibited lower aphid population densities compared to those inoculated with a commercial rhizobial preparation or given nitrogen fertilizer. Genetic analyses of rhizobia isolates cultured from field plants revealed that the commercial rhizobia strains were phylogenetically distinct from naturally occurring strains. Plant size, leaf nitrogen concentration, and nodulation density were similar among rhizobia-associated treatments and did not explain the observed differences in aphid abundance. Our results demonstrate that plant–rhizobia interactions influence plant resistance to insect herbivores and that some rhizobia strains confer greater resistance to their mutualist partners than do others.
Conflict of Interest Policies Among Institutions and Organizations Offering Chiropractic Continuing Education

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study is to document and describe the policies governing conflict of interest (COI) among select organizations and institutions offering chiropractic continuing education. Methods Surveys were sent to the following: all North American chiropractic colleges; major national chiropractic organizations; and state chiropractic organizations in states with more than 3500 licensed Doctors of Chiropractic. Each organization or institution was surveyed regarding written and verbal COI policies. Results Half of the respondents in this survey indicated that they had written policies for management of COI, whereas half did not. None included most of the common elements typically outlined in continuing medical education COI policies. Content varied among the policies available for review. Relevant financial interest is the issue most often defined, and respondents generally prohibit presenters from selling products or services directly during presentations. Conclusions Overall, these results suggest that processes for managing COI in chiropractic CE are less robust than those previously described for continuing medical education. This study provides preliminary insight into the status of COI management in chiropractic CE.
Use of monoclonal antibodies in the indirect fluorescent antibody technique (IFA) for the diagnosis of Edwardsiella ictaluri

. Forty-five channel catfish, Ictalurus pitnctaius (Rafinesque), fingerlings were inoculated with Edwardsiella ictaluri to determine the usefulness of monoclonal antibodies for indirect fluorescent antibody techniques for confirming clinical diagnosis of enteric septicaemia of catfish. Bacteriological and indirect fluorescent antibody results were compared statistically and found to correlate in 90·3% of the cases. A method for incorporating monoclonals for indirect fluorescent antibody into the speciation of Edwardsiella ictaluri and the use of monoclonal antibodies in diagnosis is described.
Long-term outcomes of primary ocular adnexal lymphoma treatment with intraorbital rituximab injections.

We recently reported on the efficacy of intralesional rituximab for treating primary ocular adnexal lymphoma in a pilot study. After treatment, a complete response was observed in two of five patients, a partial response in one patient, and lesion recurrence in two patients. In this study, we evaluate the long-term follow-up of the five previously treated patients as well as the response of two new patients to an augmented dose of rituximab. We followed up the five patients who were treated with rituximab during the initial pilot study. Two additional patients were also enrolled and treated with four intraorbital injections of 10 mg rituximab once a week for 1 month (total dose of 40 mg). Median follow-up period was 4 years for the first five patients and 1 year for the last two patients. Lymphoma did not relapse in the two patients who originally responded immediately to treatment. Of the initial partial responders, one became disease-free after additional rituximab treatment, and one experienced a standardized uptake value reduction, as measured with positron emission tomography–CT. One patient who experienced abdominal and pulmonary localization 7 months later showed no local recurrence. The two newly enrolled patients had complete remission after the first cycle of treatment and no disease recurrence eight and 11 months later, respectively. This study suggests that intralesional administration of rituximab for treating localized ocular adnexal CD20+ lymphomas could be an effective front-line therapeutic option with negligible side effects and a good response rate and duration.
Ethanol production from dilute acid hydrolyzate of sawdust treated with hydrogen peroxide

Sawdust was hydrolyzed with 1% H2SO4 to produce fermentable sugars which were fermented to ethanol by Saccharomyces uvarum NRRL 978 and Pachysolen tannophilus NRRL 2460. The hydrolysis conditions were 1% H2SO4, sawdust-to-acid (w/v) ratio of 1:10, 120°C at 15 psi for 40 min. Treatment of sawdust with H2O2 and KMnO4 prior to hydrolysis greatly increased the reducing sugar concentration in the hydrolyzate and the reducing sugar yield from sawdust. The acid hydrolyzate of sawdust treated with 1% H2O2 produced 4·62% reducing sugar with a per cent sugar yield of 56·47, while that of sawdust treated with 2% KMnO4 contained 4·1% reducing sugar and a sugar yield of 49·5%. The major sugars in the hydrolyzate were glucose (2·6%) followed by xylose (0·7%). Acid hydrolyzate derived from sawdust treated with 1% H2O2 followed by 1% H2SO4 was evaluated as a fermentation substrate for ethanol production. The substrate contained 10% sugar and was supplemented with 0·14% NH4H2PO4 and 0·1% yeast extract at pH 5. Saccharomyces uvarum NRRL 978 and Pachysolen tannophilus NRRL 2460 were grown statically in the sawdust hydrolyzate medium for 14 days at 25°C. Ethanol concentration reached 36·57 mg ml−1 for S. uvarum and 27·5 mg ml−1 for P. tannophilus.
Imp 6 measurements in the distant polar cusp during substorms

High time-resolution data from the magnetic field, plasma, energetic particle, and VLF wave experiments performed aboard Imp 6 in a study of the distant dayside cusp during substorms are described. The cusp was studied when its location was slightly equatorward of its normal location and the geomagnetic dipole was tilted in the appropriate direction. The data support both reconnection and diffusion as methods of particle entry to the magnetosphere. The evidence (1) indicates an acceleration process to explain enhancements of 400 to 600-km/sec protons above their magnetosheath intensities, and (2) suggests convection of field lines over the polar cap as a means of explaining the lack of low-energy protons near the low-latitude boundary of the cusp. Magnetic field fluctuations, a perturbation vector, ion cyclotron waves, and an abrupt change in the intensity of both whistler waves and electrostatic waves are characterized.
An efficient algorithm for terrain simplification

Given a set S of n points in {Re}{sup 3}, sampled from an unknown bivariate function f (x, y) (i.e., for each point p {element_of} S, z{sub p} = f (x{sub p}, y{sub p})), a piecewise-linear function g(x, y) is called an {epsilon}-approximation of f (x, y) if for every p {element_of} S, {vert_bar}f (x, y) - g (x, y){vert_bar} {le} {epsilon}. The problem of computing an {epsilon}-approximation with the minimum number of vertices is NP-Hard. We present a randomized algorithm that computes an {epsilon}-approximation of size O(c{sup 2} log{sup 2} c) in O(n{sup 2+{delta}} + c{sup 3} log{sup 2}c log n/c) expected time, where c is the size of the {epsilon}-approximation with the minimum number of vertices and {delta} is any arbitrarily small positive number. Under some reasonable assumptions, the size of the output is close to O(c log c) and the expected running time is O(n{sup 2+{delta}}). We have implemented a variant of this algorithm and include some empirical results.
Red Lines and Green Books: Ruth First in Libya

Abstract Ruth First visited the country of Libya four times in its immediate post‐revolution/coup period, researching her study of Qaddafi's then still embryonic, but already embattled, regime. Libya: The Elusive Revolution was published in the United Kingdom by the Penguin African Library series in 1974 and reprinted in the United States the following year. The fifth of her books at the time, four of which had been written in the ten years since her departure from South Africa, Libya is both continuous and discontinuous with that previous work. This essay considers the significance of Ruth First's reading of the Libyan revolution both in the context of her own oeuvre and against its ongoing historical narrative.
‘Thirlwall's Law’ and balance of payments constrained growth: more on the debate

The various criticisms that have levelled against Thirlwall's Law by McGregor and Swales are examined. It is shown that their arguments are untenable. The relationship between the necolassical law of one price and Thirlwall's Law is clarified. Thirlwall's Law is not overwhelmingly rejected by the evidence as McGregor and Swales assert. Their suppression of the influence of the price term on the estimates used in the test proposed by McCombie is inappropriate. Their regression analyis is also mid-specified and a preferable specification provides no support for their conclusions. They repeatedly argue that Thirlwall's modele cannot account for changes in market shares and the that the estimated income elasticities of demand for exports and imports cannot capture the effects of non-price competition. This was shown to be erroneous by McCombie and the reasons advanced are further elaborated. McGregor and Swales provide another interpretation of the relationship between Thirlwll's Law and the Harrod foreign tr...
Time-resolved shadowgraphs of large individual water and ethanol droplets vaporized by a pulsed CO 2 laser

Carbon dioxide laser-induced explosive vaporization of water and ethanol droplets at high laser fluence has been observed with time-resolved shadowgraphs. The asymmetry seen in the droplet vaporization can be qualitatively explained by comparison to the internal-field intensity distribution. A central green spot observed in the shadowgraph is attributed to the near-field distribution just outside the shadow face of the droplet when the droplet is illuminated by a visible laser. This spot can be used to probe the shape deformation and optical inhomogeneity of the droplet. The energy dependence of the explosive vaporization of water was also studied. Increasing the CO2 laser fluence increases the rate of explosive vaporization.
Color Doppler regurgitant jet area for evaluating eccenteric mitral regurgitation: An animal study with quantified mitral regurgitation☆

Objectives . The purpose of the present study was to rigorously evaluate the accuracy of the color Doppler jet area planimetry method for quantifying chronic mitral regurgitation. Background . Although the color Doppler jet area has been widely used clinically for evaluating the severity of mitral regurgitation, there have been no studies comparing the color jet area with a strictly quantifiable reference standard for determining regurgitant volume. Methods . In six sheep with surgically produced chronic mitral regurgitation, 24 hemodynamically different states were obtained. Maximal color Doppler jet area for each state was obtained with a Vingmed 750. Image data were directly transferred in digital format to a microcomputer. Mitral regurgitation was quantified by the peak and mean regurgitant flow rates, regurgitant stroke volumes and regurgitant fractions determined using mitral and aortic electromagnetic flow probes. Results . Mean regurgitant volumes varied from 0.19 to 2.4 liters/ min (mean [±SD] 1.2 ± 0.59), regurgitant stroke volumes from 1.8 to 29 ml/beat (mean 11 ± 6.2), peak regurgitant volumes from 1.0 to 8.1 liters/min (mean 3.5 ± 2.1) and regurgitant fractions from 8.0% to 54% (mean 29 ± 12%). Twenty-two of 24 jets were eccentric. Simple linear regression analysis between maximal color jet areas and peak and mean regurgitant flow rates, regurgitant stroke volumes and regurgitant fractions showed correlation, with r = 0.68 (SEE 0.64 cm2), r = 0.63 (SEE 0.67 cm2), r = 0.63 (SEE 0.67 cm2) and r = 0.58 (SEE 0.71 cm2), respectively. Univariate regression comparing regurgitant jet area with cardiac output, stroke volume, systolic left ventricular pressure, pressure gradient, left ventricular/ left atrial pressure gradient, left atrial mean pressure, left atrial v wave pressure, systemic vascular resistance and maximal jet velocity showed poor correlation (0.08 0.76 cm2). Conclusions . This study demonstrates that color Doppler jet area has limited use for evaluating the severity of mitral regurgitation with eccentric jets.
Indian Consumers' Value-Based New Food Product Adoption

In response to increased attention toward Indian markets in general and food markets specifically, multinational companies need to accurately identify the attitudinal and product attribute factors that impact new food product adoption among Indian consumers. Applying integrated decision utility theories, we examined the influence of product familiarity on value-based product purchase decisions and intentions. The results indicate that expected value, perceived value, and purchase intentions are influenced by familiarity; only expected value influences purchase intentions. Marketing implications are also discussed.
Energy Flow in Ecosystems: A Historical Review

A generalized model of energy flow applicable both to individual populations and food chains is discussed. The basic ideas of energy flow and trophic levels are described, and it is emphasized that the concept of trophic level is not primarily applicable to individual species. The efficacy of rates of population energy flow as a measure of importance in community function is stressed, and the disadvantages associated with measures of density and biomass are pointed out. Finally, the historical development of energy-oriented thinking in ecology is traced in a series of ten steps dating from the late 19th century. The growing importance of systems analysis and the use of computer models to simulate ecological functions are recognized as major areas of emphasis during the next decade.
The effect of cyclophosphamide and methotrexate on the 'field effect' or unresponsiveness observed in the rat and mouse GvHR.

The Field effect is the decreased biological response to a second challenge in the graft versus host reaction (GvHR). Treatment of recipient rats or mice during the initial GvHR by methotrexate or cyclophosphamide effected the secondary unresponsiveness. Methotrexate and cyclophosphamide demonstrated different temporal responses indicating different mechanisms of their immunosuppressive activities.
Uplift and thermal history of the Teton Range (northwestern Wyoming) defined by apatite fission-track dating

Abstract In order to determine the pattern and timing of exhumation and uplift in the Teton Range, fission-track analysis of apatites has been applied to three sections encompassing ∼ 2 km of vertical relief along the Teton escarpment. The resulting data provide new insights on the doming of the Precambrian-Cambrian unconformity and on the Teton exhumation/uplift history prior to the Miocene initiation of range-front faulting. Each section exhibits successively younger fission-track ages with decreasing sample elevation. The majority of these dates are between 85 and 65 my. Mean track lengths decrease and the statistical distribution of track lengths broadens with decreasing elevation. These data indicate Late Cretaceous cooling and an inferred uplift of 1–2 km. Younger dates (26–67 my) and typically broader track-length histograms characterize the northernmost section. Although mid-to-late Cenozoic volcanic heat sources could have perturbed the northern section, modeling of two reasonable thermal sources indicates that such heat perturbation is unlikely. Instead, it appears that this section and the lower parts of the more southerly sections, which also exhibit broad track-length distributions, resided in the partial annealing zone for a considerable span of the Tertiary. The Laramide deformation in the Tetons involved both uplift and folding of the basement, rather than being restricted to compressional structures within the Phanerozoic strata. Consequently, deep-seated, basement-involved structures must have been active beneath the range in the Late Cretaceous. The fission-track data suggest that the most extensive, post-Cretaceous uplift occurred in the northern part of the Teton Range and resulted in a southward tilt of 2–3° between the northernmost and southernmost sections. To the extent discernable from the fission-track data, much of the arching of the Precambrian-Cambrian unconformity occurred in the Late Cretaceous and was rotated into its present position by differential footwall uplift during late Cenozoic extension.
ESEM Analysis of Polymeric Film in EVA-Modified Cement Paste

Portland cement pastes modified by 20% weight (polymer/cement ratio) of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) were prepared, cured, and immersed in water for 11 days. The effects of water saturation and drying on the EVA polymeric film formed in cement pastes were observed using environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). This technique allowed the imaging of the EVA film even in saturated samples. The decrease of the relative humidity inside the ESEM chamber did not cause any visual modification of the polymeric film during its drying.
An acetylcholine receptor preparation lacking the 42,000 Dalton component.

Abstract Acetylcholine receptor has been purified from Electrophorus in the presence of the serine protease inhibitor phenylmethyl sulfonyl flouride. The purified material has a specific toxin-binding capacity of 3.6 nmoles of toxin per mg of protein. Electrophoresis of reduced, dissociated receptor on acrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulfate reveals components of 110,000, 60,000, 54,000, and 48,000 daltons. No component with an apparent molecular weight of less than 48,000 daltons is seen. Limited digestion of this preparation with trypsin results in the appearance of components of 44,000 and 42,000 daltons. Prolonged digestion with trypsin generates species with apparent molecular weights of less than 42,000 and has no effect on the specific protectable toxin-binding capacity of the preparation.