cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling ground water flow and radioactive transport in a fractured aquifer

Three-dimensional numerical modeling is used to characterize ground water flow and contaminant transport at the Shoal nuclear test site in north-central Nevada. The fractured rock aquifer at the site is modeled using an equivalent porous medium approach. Field data are used to characterize the fracture system into classes: large, medium, and no/small fracture zones. Hydraulic conductivities are assigned based on discrete interval measurements. Contaminants from the Shoal test are assumed to all be located within the cavity. Several challenging issues are addressed in this study. Radionuclides are apportioned between surface deposits and volume deposits in nuclear melt glass, based on their volatility and previous observations. Surface-deposited radionuclides are released hydraulically after equilibration of the cavity with the surrounding ground water system, and as a function of ground water flow through the higher-porosity cavity into the low-porosity surrounding aquifer. Processes that are modeled include the release functions, retardation, radioactive decay, prompt injection, and ingrowth of daughter products. Prompt injection of radionuclides away from the cavity is found to increase the arrival of mass at the control plane but is not found to significantly impact calculated concentrations due to increased spreading. Behavior of the other radionuclides is affected by the slow chemical release and retardation behavior. The transport calculations are sensitive to many flow and transport parameters. Most important are the heterogeneity of the flow field and effective porosity. The effect of porosity in radioactive decay is crucial and has not been adequately addressed in the literature. For reactive solutes, retardation and the glass dissolution rate are also critical.
Investigation of some biochemical and functional effects of cryopreservation of human spermatozoa using an automated freezing–quick‐thawing method

The objective of the present studies was to assess the functional integrity of the sperm plasma membrane and metabolic and motility characteristics of the recovered motile fraction of human spermatozoa subjected to an automated freezing/quick-thawing method. Sperm membrane features examined included progesterone-induced changes in intracellular levels of calcium ([Ca2+]i), as measured by the fluorescent fura-2 indicator, and the tight binding of spermatozoa to homologous zonae pellucidae as assessed by the hemizona assay (HZA). Basal [Ca2+]i intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) levels determined using chemiluminescence with luciferin-luciferase, and motility parameters determined using a computer-aided semen analyser (CASA) were studied concomitantly as an expression of metabolic/functional status. Ejaculates from fertile men (donors) were evaluated after swim-up separation of the motile fraction in both fresh and cryopreserved-thawed samples, and fractions of each ejaculate (fresh and frozen-thawed) were subjected to parallel measurements of the same parameters at the same time frame. Basal and progesterone-induced increase in [Ca2+]i, and ATP levels (up to 24 h) were similar in fresh and frozen-thawed samples. HZA results showed a modest (26%) although significant (p = 0.008) decrease in binding in frozen-thawed samples. The ratios of ATP/ADP in fresh and frozen-thawed samples were also found to be similar. Although post-thaw sperm motility was significantly lower than that of the fresh samples, comparison of the results indicated that the method was capable of preserving > 65% of motile spermatozoa in almost all of the samples cryopreserved. Additionally, the swim-up rescued a motile fraction in the frozen-thawed samples that was not significantly impaired with regard to motility, mean linear velocity or linearity as compared to the fresh fractions in the first 4 h. Our results show that this automated freezing-quick-thawing method results in a small reduction in sperm-zona binding capacity, and that the time-dependent decline in motility parameters observed for both fresh and cryopreserved-thawed samples cannot be related to ATP deficiency under the conditions of our experiments. These in-vitro results are coincident with the maintenance of fertilizing capacity for donor spermatozoa in the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) setting.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging investigation of sustained ventricular fibrillation in a swine model—With a focus on the electrical phase

Summary Objectives We sought to develop a method to evaluate the rapidly changing cardiac dimensions during sustained ventricular fibrillation (VF). We also present details of our CPR research imaging program to facilitate this avenue of clinically important research. Background The changes in cardiac dimensions occurring during the initial critical electrical phase of sustained VF are not entirely known. Conventional cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) functional imaging lacks the temporal resolution necessary to capture the dynamic changes within this early time period of sustained VF. We hypothesized that changes in the middle short axis slice of the ventricles will reflect changes in ventricular volumes accurately. Methods Ventricular dimensions were determined from CMR for 30 min of untreated VF in a closed chest, closed pericardium model in seven swine. Ungated steady-state free precession images (SSFP) from the cardiac base to the apex were acquired, taking care to align the anatomical short axis (SAX) imaging planes maximally. The middle slice of the ventricles was determined as the mathematical center of the stack of SAX slices. We then compared the relative changes of right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) volumes to relative changes in mid-ventricular single slice area. Results During 30 min of sustained VF, there was an excellent correlation between the changes in exact mid-slice area and the quantitative changes in ventricular volumes (r2 > 0.95). Conclusions Mid-slice area data can be used as a surrogate marker of prompt ventricular volume changes during VF. By imaging the heart 10 times faster, the rapid anatomical changes occurring during the initial few minutes of sustained VF can be understood better.
Facile tailoring of thermal transition temperatures of epoxy shape memory polymers

A critical parameter for a shape memory polymer (SMP) lies in its shape memory transition temperature. For an amorphous SMP polymer, it is highly desirable to develop methods to tailor its Tg, which corresponds to its shape memory transition temperature. Starting with an amine cured aromatic epoxy system, epoxy polymers were synthesized by either reducing the crosslink density or introducing flexible aliphatic epoxy chains. The thermal and thermomechanical properties of these epoxy polymers were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). All the crosslinked epoxy polymers with Tg's above room temperature were found to possess shape memory properties. Overall, our approach represents a facile method to precisely tune the Tg of epoxy SMP polymers ranging from room temperature to 89 °C.
Human injuries caused by Bangladesh’s cyclone sidr: an empirical study

The objectives of this paper are to examine the extent of human injuries caused by Cyclone Sidr, which made landfall in Bangladesh coast on November 15, 2007, and report on the circumstances, type and causes of injuries, along with selected risk factors associated with such injuries. Relevant data was collected through a questionnaire survey administered among the cyclone victims. Semi-structured interviews with key personnel were also conducted to obtain information regarding the circumstances causing injuries and public response to care for the injured. The questionnaire survey data reveals that among the respondent families, 132 persons sustained various types of injuries. Since the respondent families comprised of 1,443 members, the injury rate was 9.15%. All injured victims were treated either onsite or in local hospitals. The most common types of injuries were soft-tissue injuries (cuts, bruises, and scrapes) and fracture/dislocations. The most common causes of injuries for survivors were associated with falling trees. Analysis of risk factors reveals that age is significantly correlated with injuries. Both formal and informal interviews suggest that injured persons and their family members were in general pleased with medical response they received from various sources. Several recommendations have been suggested to reduce future cyclone-related injuries in Bangladesh.
Significance of Pathologic T3a Upstaging in Clinical T1 Renal Masses Undergoing Nephrectomy

Abstract Background The objectives of the present study were to report the incidence of pathologic T3a upstaging in a contemporary cohort of patients with clinical stage T1 (cT1) renal tumors treated with partial or radical nephrectomy; investigate the clinical outcomes; and identify the predictors associated with pathologic upstaging. Materials and Methods From a single-institution, institutional review board–approved renal tumor database of 945 patients, we identified 610 patients who had undergone surgery for a cT1 renal mass. Data for 494 patients were available for analysis. Of these, 66 lesions had been pathologically upstaged to T3a after surgery and 428 had not. The oncologic follow-up data and clinical and pathologic features were recorded, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for pT3a upstaging, controlling for age, gender, body mass index, and nephrectomy type. Results The cT1 tumors of 66 patients (13.3%) were upstaged to pT3a after surgery. Of these 66 patients, 44 (66.7%) had undergone partial and 22 (33.3%) radical nephrectomy. The median follow-up period was 50 months. No patient with upstaging developed recurrence, and all were disease free at their last follow-up visit. On multivariable analysis, tumor size > 4 cm (odds ratio [OR], 3.766; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.417-10.011; P P P Conclusion Of the cT1 lesions in 66 patients, 13% were pathologically upstaged after surgery. The patients with larger tumors, clear cell histologic features, and positive surgical margins were at the greatest risk of upstaging. However, after an intermediate follow-up period, pathologic upstaging did not appear to result in worsened oncologic outcomes.
Hypnosis as a conversation: ‘believed‐in imaginings’ revisited

The experiences of hypnosis subjects are known only through the accounts they render during or after the hypnosis session. The accounts of their counterexpectational conduct are communicated through spoken and body language. For this reason, it is useful to regard the hypnosis interaction as a conversation. It follows that the conversation can be studied with the tools of discourse analysis. I provide three examples of discourse analysis all of which are consistent with the claim that accounts of counterexpectational conduct are ‘believed-in imaginings’. I offer a psychological and semiotic analysis of those human actions that are identified as imaginings and believings. The reasons for believing in one's imaginings are best uncovered through examining the subject's self-narrative. Copyright © 1997 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis
Endotracheal intracuff pressures in the ED and prehospital setting: is there a problem?

Abstract Introduction Cuffed endotracheal tubes are used to prevent gas leak and also pulmonary aspiration in ventilated patients. The pressure exerted on the tracheal wall is similar to intracuff pressure. The perfusion pressure for the tracheal mucosa is 40 cm H 2 O. Cuff pressures greater than 40 cm H 2 O may cause various ischemic changes and complications. High cuff pressures have also been implicated in postoperative sore throat and nonischemic complications. Postintubation endotracheal tube cuff pressures are not routinely measured in the ED or prehospital setting. The time spent in these settings may be long enough for pressure-induced tracheal mucosal injury to occur. The purpose of this study is to assess cuff pressures in intubated patients before aeromedical transport. Methods All intubated patients transported by an aeromedical transport program during a 3-month period were included in this study. Patients were intubated either by helicopter physicians or before helicopter arrival at the referring hospital or by ambulance personnel. Cuff pressure was measured using a manometer (Cuffpressure, Posey Co, USA). This measurement was recorded, and correction was performed, if necessary, to achieve a cuff pressure of 14 to 27 cm H 2 O while preventing an air leak. Data were analyzed for the distribution of intracuff pressures and incidence of elevated pressure on first measurement and the need for correction. Results There were 62 patients in this study. The mean first recorded pressure was 63 ± 34 cm H 2 O. Initial cuff pressures were greater than 40 cm H 2 O in 36 (58%) patients and required correction. Conclusions In this study, most cuff pressures exceeded safe pressure and required correction. Measurement of intracuff pressure is a simple and inexpensive procedure and should be done whenever a patient is intubated, in either the prehospital or hospital setting, because this may reduce long-term morbidity.
Determination of lead in blood by laser ablation ICP-TOF-MS analysis of blood spotted and dried on filter paper: a feasibility study

Screening programs for pediatric lead (Pb) poisoning routinely collect blood by finger stick onto specially designed filter paper (FP) for subsequent laboratory testing. Here, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry is evaluated as a novel method for the determination of Pb in blood spotted onto FP cards. The method requires no sample pretreatment and may be particularly suitable for rapidly screening a large number of samples. Signal intensity from the ICP-MS strongly correlated (r 2 = 0.996) with Pb target values for five blood cards from a laboratory proficiency testing program. Better precision was obtained by replicate ablation line scans ( 30% rsd). Because <2% of the sample is consumed in the laser ablation analysis, selected samples can also be analyzed by traditional techniques or archived. Lead isotope ratios determined during the same total-Pb analysis appear to be effective for discerning contamination extraneous to the blood sample. Determining that an elevated result was due to contamination may negate the need for retesting with invasive pediatric venipuncture. Some elements monitored along with Pb exhibited signal profiles conducive to potential quantitation (Ca, V, Fe, Cu Zn), whereas others did not (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cd, Hg, Tl, U). Copper, Ca, and V were inversely correlated with Pb (r = −0.89, −0.90, and −0.92, respectively). Scanning electron microscope images revealed surface modality differences between FP spotted with fresh whole blood and reconstituted freeze-dried blood reference material.
The Adsorbed Helium Film: Two Dimensionality Versus Reality

The lesson of monolayer physics is certainly the usefulness of two-dimensional models in the understanding and interpretation of experimental results.1 This is especially true for those systems using graphite-like substrates and, in particular, those systems in which helium is the adsorbed species. The two-dimensional nature of adsorption on the graphite-like substrates is due to both the strong interaction of gases with these solids, and the fact that the surfaces of these substrates are unusually clean and nearly ideal.2,3
The elastic constants and related properties of the epsilon polymorph of the energetic material CL-20 determined by Brillouin scattering.

The acoustic phonons of the epsilon polymorph of 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo [5.5.0.05,9.03,11] dodecane (e-CL-20) have been studied using Brillouin scattering spectroscopy. Analysis of the acoustic phonon velocities allowed determination of the complete stiffness tensor for this energetic material. The results are compared to a theoretical determination of the e-CL-20 elastic constants, bulk moduli, and shear moduli. The observed ordering of elastic constants, C22>C33>C11, is noted to be different from other nitramine energetic materials. Finally, the elasticity of e-CL-20 is compared to recently published reports on cyclotrimethylene trinitramine’s (RDX) elasticity and the beta polymorph of cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine’s (β-HMX) elasticity.
Variants of mitochondrial autophagy: Types 1 and 2 mitophagy and micromitophagy (Type 3)

Mitophagy (mitochondrial autophagy), which removes damaged, effete and superfluous mitochondria, has several distinct variants. In Type 1 mitophagy occurring during nutrient deprivation, preautophagic structures (PAS) grow into cup-shaped phagophores that surround and sequester individual mitochondria into mitophagosomes, a process requiring phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and often occurring in coordination with mitochondrial fission. After sequestration, the outer compartment of the mitophagosome acidifies, followed by mitochondrial depolarization and ultimately hydrolytic digestion in lysosomes. Mitochondrial damage stimulates Type 2 mitophagy. After photodamage to single mitochondria, depolarization occurs followed by decoration and then coalescence of autophagic LC3-containing structures on mitochondrial surfaces. Vesicular acidification then occurs. By contrast to Type 1 mitophagy, PI3K inhibition does not block Type 2 mitophagy. Further, Type 2 mitophagy is not associated with phagophore formation or mitochondrial fission. A third form of self-eating of mitochondria is formation of mitochondria-derived vesicles (MDVs) enriched in oxidized mitochondrial proteins that bud off and transit into multivesicular bodies. Topologically, the internalization of MDV by invagination of the surface of multivesicular bodies followed by vesicle scission into the lumen is a form of microautophagy, or micromitophagy (Type 3 mitophagy). Cell biological distinctions are the basis for these three types of mitophagy. Future studies are needed to better characterize the molecular and biochemical differences between Types 1, 2 and 3 mitophagy.
Effects of an LL-37-derived antimicrobial peptide in an animal model of biofilm Pseudomonas sinusitis

BackgroundLL-37, an innate immunity protein expressed within sinonasal mucosa, has in vitro antibacterial and antifungal properties as well as efficacy against preformed Pseudomonas aeruginosa biof...
Diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer.

This paper reviews current concepts and recent advances in the diagnosis and staging of carcinoma of the prostate (CaP). Open perineal biopsy is seldom performed because of unnecessary morbidity and a substantial risk of impotence. Transurethral biopsy is inaccurate in detecting both early CaP and residual Cap following transurethral resection of the prostate. Transrectal needle biopsy is contraindicated because of a high rate of sepsis. Transperineal needle biopsy is accurate, has a low risk of complications, and can be performed in an out-patient setting. Transrectal needle aspiration of the prostate appears very accurate with even less morbidity and may replace core needle biopsy in the future. The staging of CaP includes measurement of prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), radionuclide bone scan, and pelvic lymphadenectomy. PAP should be measured enzymatically using thymolphthalein monophosphate as the substrate. Patients with elevated serum levels of PAP (0.8 IU/L) generally have advanced disease and are not candidates for radical prostatectomy. Radioimmunoassay measurements of PAP have not proved useful because of low specificity. Prostate specific-antigen (PSA) levels are similar in CaP and BPH, and PSA does not appear useful in either the diagnosis or staging of CaP. PSA is, however, extremely sensitive in detecting residual disease after radical prostatectomy. Alkaline phosphate and other biochemical markers have not been reliable because of low specificity. Flow cytometry is a new technique that may be useful in selecting patients for radical prostatectomy. The value of transrectal ultrasound both in diagnosis and staging remains uncertain. Radionuclide bone scan is extremely accurate in detecting osseous metastasis with a false negative rate of two percent. Pelvic lymphadenectomy with frozen section diagnosis is highly accurate in detecting lymphnode metastases with a false negative rate of three point five percent.
Catalytic partial oxidation of methane and isotopic oxygen exchange reactions over 18O labeled Rh/Gadolinium doped ceria

Abstract 18 O labeled catalysts, Rh/(Ce 0.91 Gd 0.09 )O 2−x (Rh/GDC10) and Rh/γ-Al 2 O 3 (Rh/ALU) were used to study the catalytic partial oxidation of methane (CPOM) and oxygen isotopic exchange reactions. During the CPOM tests, higher C 18 O than C 16 O concentrations were observed over 18 O labeled Rh/GDC10 than Rh/ALU, which is explained by the higher oxygen storage capacity and oxygen mobility of the former catalyst. Similarly, Rh/GDC10 showed higher oxygen exchange rates than Rh/ALU during the isotopic exchange experiments. The oxygen exchange between the gas phase and the solid is limited by the oxygen mobility in/on the catalyst. This catalytic behavior is due to the fact that ceria has two stable oxidation states, Ce 3+ and Ce 4+ and the addition of Gd 3+ to ceria lattice enhanced the oxygen mobility by the creation of oxygen vacancies. These higher oxygen exchange rates also correlate to higher concentrations of C 18 O than C 16 O during the CPOM experiments. Pulse experiments suggest that the reaction mechanism for the CPOM on Rh/GDC10 occurred through a mixed (direct and indirect) mechanism. The direct mechanism assumes that H 2 and CO are primary reaction products formed in the oxidation zone at the catalyst entrance. Thus, CO formed from the reaction between lattice oxygen in Rh/GDC10 and adsorbed atomic carbon. CO 2 is formed through an indirect mechanism, where CH 4 reacts with O 2 to form CO 2 and H 2 O. CO forms through the reactions between 1) CO 2 and CH 4 and 2) CH 4 and H 2 O.
Computer-Aided Design, Part 2 An approach to convergence and tearing in the solution of sparse equation sets

Abstract This paper is a sequel to the previous one on enhancing of convergence properties by a proper choice of output variable assignment for sparse equation sets. A new criterion for the output set assignment selection is presented. Two algorithms—one based on dynamic programming and the other on branch and bound techniques—implement this selection criterion. The paper also indicates that the resulting dynamic programming network is a compact structural representation for the equation set and can be used to obtain tearing information for all output set assignments for the equations directly.
Mycotic aneurysm in a digital artery : case report and literature review

Abstract A mycotic aneurysm of the common digital artery at its junction with the palmar arch, extending into the ulnar proper digital artery of the index finger, is reported in a patient with endocarditis. A review of the English-language literature revealed no case of a mycotic aneurysm in a digital artery. Diagnosis of the aneurysm was established noninvasively by ultrasound. Because this patient lacked a radial proper digital artery to the finger, the aneurysm was managed by excision and revascularization with a bypass graft from the long finger. Postoperative circulatory monitoring was facilitated by a pulse oximeter.
A Generalized Coupling Theorem for Ultra-High-Frequency Circuits

It is proved that a distributed potential gradient of any form maintained along a parallel line is, in general, equivalent to three pairs of point generators of proper amplitudes and phases suitably arranged along the line. In the special case in which the potential gradient is characterized by cosine (direct) symmetry with respect to a central reference co-ordinate, a single pair of point generators placed at the co-ordinate of the reference point is sufficient. If the symmetry is sinusoidal (inverted) with respect to the reference co-ordinate, two pairs of symmetrically placed point generators are required.
C-Galactosylceramide Diastereomers via Sharpless Asymmetric Epoxidation Chemistry.

Abstract C-Glycoside analogs of α-galactosylceramide (KRN7000) were synthesized in 19 linear steps with Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation as a key reaction. Opening of a hydroxy epoxide with sodium azide provided an anti vicinal azido diol with inversion of configuration at the azide-bearing carbon while opening with Ti(O-i-Pr)2(N3)2 gave syn vicinal azido diol with retention. The latter, unusual outcome could be rationalized either by invoking Ti-catalyzed intramolecular double SN2 inversion or by epoxide opening/intramolecular delivery of azide from the Ti complex.
In-situ fabrication of three-dimensionally confined GaAs and InAs volumes via growth on non-planar patterned GaAs(001) substrates

Three-dimensionally confined GaAs/AlGaAs and InAs/GaAs structures on 〈100〉 oriented square mesas patterned onto GaAs(001) substrates are realized, in-situ, via size-reducing molecular beam epitaxy. Two stages of mesa top pinch-off involving ∼ {103} and subsequently {101} side facets are revealed. GaAs and InAs quantum boxes with lateral linear dimensions down to 40 nm and confined by AlGaAs and GaAs, respectively, are reported. For InAs, the strain relief in mesas is found to enhance the well known ∼ 2 ML thickness for three-dimensional island formation on unpatterned substrates to, remarkably, > 5 ML for mesa size ∼ 75 nm. Cathodoluminescence emission from the InAs on the mesa top attests to its good optical quality.
Statistics without spin. Massless D=3 systems

The “spin”-statistics connection is more properly a Lorentz-group-representation-statistics correlation: For massless excitations in D=3, spin is undefined, but spinors-despite being expressible in terms of scalars-are still fermions.
Techniques And Applications Of Xenon Flash

Discharge lamps filled with xenon gas through which electrical capacitors are discharged have found many applications for producing pulsed energy in photography and energy discharges. The object of this paper is to review sane of the more important characteristics of flash lamps. The flash duration of specific flash lamps when operated from a given capacitor charged to same known voltage is dis-cussed below. The dimensions of the lamp are one of the most impor-tant factors since the response of the lamp to the circuit is greatly influenced. Experimentally measured flash duration as a function of capacitance and voltage is given in graphical form for one type of flash lamp. Rules (approximate) are given for converting the data into data for other flash lamps and circuits. Efficiency of a xenon lamp can be as high as 5 candela/watt for a lamp that is loaded so that the arc fills the inner diameter of the constraining tube. The life of the xenon lamp can be many, many flashes. In fact, this is one of the lamp's strong points. The spectral distribution of the light from a xenon lamp closely approximates daylight with a small shift to the blue if the applied voltage is high. Details of a specific flash lamp showing the nature of the spectral output is given. A list of some of the oractical uses of electronic flash lamps is given and discussed.
Use of a palladium(II)-catalyzed oxidative kinetic resolution in synthetic efforts toward bielschowskysin

Progress toward the cyclobutane core of bielshowskysin is reported. The core was thought to arise from a cyclopropane intermediate via a furan-mediated cyclopropane fragmentation, followed by a 1,4-Michael addition. The synthesis of the cyclopropane intermediate utilizes a Suzuki coupling reaction, an esterification with 2-diazoacetoacetic acid, and a copper catalyzed cyclopropanation. An alcohol intermediate within the synthetic route was obtained in high enantiopurity via a highly selective palladium(II)-catalyzed oxidative kinetic resolution (OKR).
Pre-harvest foliar application of Prohexadione-Ca and gibberellins modify canopy source-sink relations and improve quality and shelf-life of ‘Bing’ sweet cherry

This research evaluated the potential of gibberellins (GA), and Prohexadione-Ca (PCa) to affect sweet cherry (Prunus avium) fruit size and quality. The results demonstrate the ability of ostensibly counter-acting plant growth regulators to significantly improve sweet cherry cv ‘Bing’ fruit size, fruit quality and postharvest characteristics compared to the current commercial application of GA3 alone. In 2008, we found that the combination of GA3 or GA4/7 (30 mg l−1) with PCa (150 mg l−1) applied to entire 3-year-old limbs 30 days after anthesis increased fruit size and improved fruit quality in ‘Bing’. In 2009, we investigated the effect of application timing in larger-scale field trials, comparing treatments made at 30 or 37 days after anthesis, on fruit quality, storability and sensory attributes after storage. Treatment with PCa + GA3 or PCa + GA4/7 delayed fruit maturity by about 7 days compared to the untreated control. Both the first and second applications of PCa + GA4/7 resulted in 35–40% fruit being ≥10 g, compared with only 20% in the control. PCa + GA3 treatment also showed greater potential for improving fruit storability by maintaining fruit firmness, sweetness, and consumer appeal than PCa + GA4/7. PCa alone or in combination with GAs inhibited current shoot growth and delayed fruit coloring development. After 30 days of 4°C storage, fewer than 5% fruit from untreated trees were rated as healthy and marketable, compared to 50 and 30% fruit from PCa + GA3 treatment applied at 30 or 37 days after anthesis, respectively. In conclusion, preharvest foliar application of PCa + GA3 at the onset of Stage II of fruit development shows potential to affect canopy source-sink relations and improved quality and shelf life of ‘Bing’ sweet cherries.
Electrode performance parameters for a radioisotope-powered AMTEC for space power applications

The alkali metal thermoelastic converter (AMTEC) is a device for the direct conversion of heat to electricity. Recently a design of an AMTEC using a radioisotope heat source was described, but the optimum condenser temperature was hotter than the temperatures used in the laboratory to develop the electrode performance model. Now laboratory experiments have confirmed the dependence of two model parameters over a broader range of condenser and electrode temperatures for two candidate electrode compositions. One parameter, the electrochemical exchange current density at the reaction interface, is independent of the condenser temperature, and depends only upon the collision rate of sodium at the reaction zone. The second parameter, a morphological parameter, which measures the mass transport resistance through the electrode, is independent of condenser and electrode temperatures for molybdenum electrodes. For rhodium-tungsten electrodes, however, this parameter increases for decreasing electrode temperature, indicating an activated mass transport mechanism such as surface diffusion.
The Senate Judiciary Committee and Supreme Court Nominees: Measuring the Dynamics of Confirmation Criteria

R obert Bork's 1987 confirmation event generated a debate that continues to divide judicial scholars and commentators. Some contend that those hearings mark a pivotal change in the Senate confirmation process. They claim that by focusing on Bork's constitutional theories instead of his professional competence or his personal character, the Senate altered the criteria by which it assesses Supreme Court nominees.' Others disagree, claiming that the confirmation process remains essentially unchanged. Conceding that Bork's experience was unique, they explain the uniqueness by pointing to either the distinctiveness of the nominee, or to the political element that regularly surfaces in controversial nominations.2 This debate over the meaning and importance of Bork's failed nomination remains unresolved, in part, because judicial scholars lack ways to measure change
Comparison of Biexponential and Monoexponential Model of Diffusion Weighted Imaging in Evaluation of Renal Lesions: Preliminary Experience

Objectives:To obtain intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters with biexponential analysis of multiple b-value diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and compare these parameters to apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) obtained with monoexponential modeling in their ability to discriminate enhancing
Balancing High‐Tech Nursing With Holistic Healing

Ask the Expert Provides research-based answers to practice questions submitted by JSPN readers.
Effective interactions of 3He quasiparticles in dilute solutions of 3He in superfluid 4He

We compute the effective interaction at long wavelength of two opposite-spin 3He in superfluid 4He to second order in 3He-4He mass difference perturbation theory. The correction to the Bardeen, Baym, Pines result V(0) = − α2 m 4 s 2/n 4, in second order, is expressed exactly in terms of the dependence of the pure 4He kinetic energy on the 4He mass; this correction turns out to be an order of magnitude smaller than one would at first expect.
THE EVOLVING ROLES OF MODELS IN DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS

An important aspect of decision support systems (DSS) is their utilization of computational models. To illustrate the evolving roles of models in decision support systems, several representative systems are reviewed. These illustrations reveal three major interfaces that must be considered by a decision support system's designer. Successful treatment of these DSS interfaces depends upon two types of languages: one for directing computations and one for directing data manipulation. Each language type is presented as forming a spectrum of languages. Combined, the two spectra provide a classification scheme for decision support systems. This scheme is both useful as a framework for comparative study of decision support systems and also suggestive of directions for future research and developments in the decision support field.
Positive Changes in Perceptions and Selections of Healthful Foods by College Students After a Short-Term Point-of-Selection Intervention at a Dining Hall

Abstract Objective: Determine the effects of a short-term, multi-faceted, point-of-selection intervention on college students’ perceptions and selection of 10 targeted healthful foods in a university dining hall and changes in their self-reported overall eating behaviors. Participants: 104 college students, (age 18–23) completed pre-I and post-I surveys. Methods: Pre-survey collected at dining hall in April 2007, followed by 3-week intervention then post-survey collected via email. Healthy choice indicators, large signs, table tents, flyers and colorful photographs with “benefit-based messages” promoted targeted foods. Response rate to both surveys was 38%. Results: Significantly more participants reported that healthful choices were clearly identified in the dining hall after the intervention. Over 20% of participants reported becoming more aware of healthful food choices in the dining hall after the intervention. Significant increases in self-reported intake were reported for cottage cheese and low-fat ...
Pediatric otolaryngology procedures in the United States: 1977–1987

Common pediatric otolaryngology inpatient procedures for the years 1977 through 1987 are analyzed utilizing data provided by the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) of the National Center for Health Statistics. The data available reveal that adenotonsillar surgery remains the most frequent inpatient surgical procedure performed on all children under age 15 in spite of a decline in both the total number of adenotonsillar procedures and the rate per 100,000 population of greater than two-fold over this 11 year period. The total number of myringotomies with and without insertion of ventilation tubes and the rate per 100,000 children also decreased by greater than threefold during the same time span. Although representative of inpatient, non-institutionalized health care, the NHDS suffers from its lack of data concerning surgery performed in freestanding, ambulatory surgical facilities and military hospitals.
The amino acid sequence of the activation peptide of bovine pro-carboxypeptidase A

Abstract The amino acid sequence of the activation peptide of bovine pro-carboxypeptidase A subunit I has been determined by automated Edman degradation of the cyanogen bromide fractions derived from the precursor protein. The activation peptide contains 94 amino acid residues in a unique sequence which precedes directly the amino-terminal alanine residue of carboxypeptidase Aα. A notable feature of the activation peptide is the presence of acidic amino acid residues immediately preceding the site of activation. The amino acid sequence of the activation peptide of bovine pro-carboxypeptidase A shows extensive similarity to those of the corresponding porcine and rat enzymes.
Local approximation to the spinless Falicov-Kimball model.

The local approximation is applied to the spinless Falicov-Kimball model in one and two dimensions. The local approximation may be viewed as a zeroth-order expansion in 1/d that is exact in the weak-coupling limit. The local approximation rapidly becomes inaccurate as a function of interaction strength in one dimension, but is accurate in two dimensions. This result indicates that the 1/d expansion converges rapidly for the Falicov-Kimball model in d\ensuremath{\ge}2 and that exact solutions of many-body problems in infinite dimensions are quantitatively relevant for physical dimensions.
Bochdalek hernia in the adult: demographics, presentation, and surgical management

Bochdalek hernias are a very rare form of diaphragmatic hernias. There are no robust studies that reveal the true natural history of this disease process. The aim of this study was to summarize clinically relevant data for the purpose of assisting surgeons with the work-up, diagnosis, and treatment of adult patients with Bochdalek hernia. A literature search was performed using PubMed, Google scholar, EMBASE and the following keywords: Bochdalek hernia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and posterolateral hernia. All case reports and series after 1955 that pertained to adults were included in the review. The following data points were queried: age, sex, presentation, studies utilized during work-up, laterality, surgical approach, hernia sac management, specific minimally invasive surgical techniques, and follow-up. A total of 124 articles comprising 173 patients met the inclusion criteria. Based on the data provided, several conclusions regarding this disease process can be made. Most patients present with symptoms related to their hernia (86%). Pain is the most common complaint (69%). While laparotomy is the most widely used surgical approach (38%), minimally invasive surgical techniques have gained popularity since their first report in 1995. Laparoscopic repair can be performed with a low complication rate (7%) and short hospital stay (4 days). Using modern surgical techniques to include laparoscopy, repair can be performed safely, with a short hospital stay, and with minimal morbidity or mortality.
Wnt Signaling Activates Shh Signaling in Early Postnatal Intervertebral Discs, and Re-Activates Shh Signaling in Old Discs in the Mouse

Intervertebral discs (IVDs) are strong fibrocartilaginous joints that connect adjacent vertebrae of the spine. As discs age they become prone to failure, with neurological consequences that are often severe. Surgical repair of discs treats the result of the disease, which affects as many as one in seven people, rather than its cause. An ideal solution would be to repair degenerating discs using the mechanisms of their normal differentiation. However, these mechanisms are poorly understood. Using the mouse as a model, we previously showed that Shh signaling produced by nucleus pulposus cells activates the expression of differentiation markers, and cell proliferation, in the postnatal IVD. In the present study, we show that canonical Wnt signaling is required for the expression of Shh signaling targets in the IVD. We also show that Shh and canonical Wnt signaling pathways are down-regulated in adult IVDs. Furthermore, this down-regulation is reversible, since re-activation of the Wnt or Shh pathways in older discs can re-activate molecular markers of the IVD that are lost with age. These data suggest that biological treatments targeting Wnt and Shh signaling pathways may be feasible as a therapeutic for degenerative disc disease.
Why is ATPG easy

Empirical observation shows that practically encountered instances of ATPG are efficiently solvable. However, it has been known for more than two decades that ATPG is an NP-complete problem. This work is one of the first attempts to reconcile these seemingly disparate results. We introduce the concept of circuit cut-width and characterize the complexity of ATPG in terms of this property. We provide theoretical and empirical results to argue that an interestingly large class of practical circuits have cut-width characteristics which ensure a provably efficient solution of ATPG on them.
Etiology of stillbirth at term: a 10-year cohort study.

Objective. To examine etiological factors contributing to cases of intrauterine fetal demise in term pregnancies over a 10-year period.Methods. This was a retrospective cohort analysis of 29 908 term (37+0 to 41+6 weeks gestation) infants delivering in a single tertiary-referral university institution over the 10-year period from 1996 to 2005. Cases of stillbirth were identified from a computerized hospital database, and pathological, clinical, and biochemical data were reviewed for all cases. Trends were analyzed using the Cusick test for trend. Categorical data were analyzed using the Fisher's exact test, with the 5% level considered significant.Results. The incidence of intrauterine fetal demise at term was 1.8 per 1000 at-risk pregnancies. There was no significant downward trend in the rate of term stillbirth between 1996 and 2005 (p = 0.0808). Stillbirths were unexplained in 51% of cases, although in many cases a possible etiological factor was identified but not necessarily proven. There was a signi...
Classification of Cinematographic Shots Using Lie Algebra and its Application to Complex Event Recognition

In this paper, we propose a discriminative representation of a video shot based on its camera motion and demonstrate how the representation can be used for high level multimedia tasks like complex event recognition. In our technique, we assume that a homography exists between a pair of subsequent frames in a given shot. Using purely image-based methods, we compute homography parameters that serve as coarse indicators of the ambient camera motion. Next, using Lie algebra, we map the homography matrices to an intermediate vector space that preserves the intrinsic geometric structure of the transformation. The mappings are stacked temporally to generate vector time-series per shot. To extract meaningful features from time-series, we propose an efficient linear dynamical system based technique. The extracted temporal features are further used to train linear SVMs as classifiers for a particular shot class. In addition to demonstrating the efficacy of our method on a novel dataset, we extend its applicability to recognize complex events in large scale videos under unconstrained scenarios. Our empirical evaluations on eight cinematographic shot classes show that our technique performs close to approaches that involve extraction of 3-D trajectories using computationally prohibitive structure from motion techniques.
Comparative strategies in the investigation of neural networks.

Comparative studies on nervous systems, though infrequently undertaken for the purpose of comparison, have yielded some important generalities about the formats of nervous networks, and about the cell biology of certain neural types. In the first category, it is clear that convergent evolutionary processes arrived at very similar networks to accomplish reciprocal and lateral inhibition, and load-compensation in “resistance reflexes.” A newer general network format is described, command-derived inhibition, in which the central nervous elements controlling a rapid movement deliver presynaptic inhibition to the terminals of sensory neurons that carry reafferent excitation from the movement. It is argued that such circuits occur in several groups of animals, and that they include as a special class the efferent inhibitory neurons innervating acoustico-lateralis receptors in vertebrates. The properties of circuit elements that now seem to constitute useful generalizations include size principle (the inverse relationship between size and excitability in a variety of neurons), and the late differentiation of sensory neurons, failure to decussate, and their inability to mediate inhibition. Many other generalities have emerged, only to fall; one conclusion from such searches is that many supposedly “basic” properties of cell types or neural circuits are in fact not phylogenetically conservative, however much the physiologist may expect them to be.
Communicating With Local Elected Officials: Lessons Learned From Clean Indoor Air Ordinance Campaigns

This article describes a study of the effectiveness of communication strategies used to influence policy makers to support local smoke-free laws in the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan region. Twenty-seven of 41 members of three city councils and two county boards of commissioners were individually interviewed as were seven advocates who campaigned for the bans. Officials valued public health and economic data, public opinion polls, personally written e-mails, and dialogue with constituents. Phone banking messages indicated public support but were a nuisance. Officials felt that media ads were a waste of money and leafleting and other personal targeting were unacceptable. Advocates tended not to critically examine their own efforts for strengths and weaknesses and seemed unconcerned by public officials’ negative reception to some strategies. This case study suggests the need for reflection on the pros and cons of well-funded, highly orchestrated campaigns for public health policy, as these strategies may clash with the political process of building relationships.
Dietary silicon affects bone turnover differently in ovariectomized and sham‐operated growing rats

An experiment was performed to test the hypothesis that low dietary silicon affects blood, bone, and urine indices associated with bone formation and breakdown, bone strength and physical characteristics, and the circulating amount of an extracellular matrix protein (osteopontin) involved in bone cell adhesion and activation. A second objective was to ascertain whether ovariectomy (estrogen deficiency) alters the effects of low dietary silicon on bone formation. Female rats weighing about 56 g were assigned to groups of 10 in a factorially arranged experiment. The variables were supplemental dietary silicon at 0 or 35 mg/kg and ovariectomy (estrogen-deficient) or sham operation at the start of the experiment. The basal silicon-low diet contained about 2 mg Si/kg. Low dietary silicon compared with adequate silicon decreased plasma osteopontin concentration, increased plasma sialic acid concentration, and increased urinary helical peptide excretion. Low dietary silicon also affected the response to estrogen deficiency. Ovariectomy increased plasma alkaline phosphatase in the silicon-supplemented, but not in the silicon-low rats. In contrast, ovariectomy decreased liver ornithine aminotransferase in silicon-low but not in silicon-supplemented rats. Ovariectomy increased the urinary excretion of deoxypyridinoline and decreased the femur concentration of sialic acid more markedly in silicon-supplemented than silicon-low rats. Silicon and an interaction between silicon and ovariectomy only mildly changed bone strength and physical measurements and did not affect femur calcium concentration. The findings suggest that silicon has a biochemical function that affects bone growth processes before bone crystal formation by affecting bone collagen turnover and sialic acid-containing extracellular matrix proteins such as osteopontin. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 17:137–149, 2004. Published 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.