cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Finite-element method for intermodality nonrigid breast registration using external skin markers

We are developing a method using nonrigid co-registration of PET and MR breast images as a way to improve diagnostic specificity in difficult-to-interpret mammograms, and ultimately to avoid biopsy. A deformable breast model based on a finite-element method (FEM) has been employed. The FEM “loads” are taken as the observed intermodality displacements of several fiducial skin markers placed on the breast and visible in PET and MRI. The analogy between orthogonal components of the displacement field and the temperature differences in a steady-state heat transfer (SSHT) in solids has been adopted. The model allows estimation, throughout the breast, of the intermodality displacement field. To test our model, an elastic breast phantom with simulated internal "lesions" and external markers was imaged with PET and MRI. We have estimated fiducial- and target-registration errors vs. number and location of fiducials, and have shown that the SSHT approach using external fiducial markers is accurate to within ~5 mm.
Polarographic behaviour of halide ions: I. Chloride

Abstract The wave obtained in the a.c. polarography of chloride is attributed mainly to the adsorption of chloride ion which results in a high differential capacity of the electrical double-layer. The alternating current at potentials more negative than the summit of this a.c. wave is non-faradaic in character since no faradaic direct current can be detected in this potential region. D.c. polarographic current-time curves indicate that discharge of chloride ion begins almost discontinuously at a potential corresponding to the summit of the a.c. wave.
Decision-directed Passive Phase Conjugation for underwater acoustic communication: experimental results

Passive Phase Conjugation is a method for coherent underwater acoustic communication that uses multiple receive-only hydrophones. The technique is essentially a space-time matched filter. Previous results from a field experiment demonstrating the method were reported by Rouseff et al. [IEEE J. Oceanic Eng. 26, pp. 821-831, 2001]. In this paper, performance results are presented for Decision-Directed Passive Phase Conjugation, an adaptive extension to the basic technique. Using decision directed estimates for the channel impulse response, the method requires training overhead of less than 2% for the 10000-symbol packets used in the experiment. Mean-Square-Error and Bit-Error-Rates are reported for various array configurations including a three-element horizontal array.
Building the History of Working-Class America

SOME SIXTY years AGO, Charles Beard and Mary Beard speculated in The Rise of American Civilization that "when the full story of self-government in America is written, reviewing the commonplace no less than the spectacular, pages on the cellular growth of local craft unions will be placed besides the records of town meetings; while chapters on the formation of national labor structures will comple ment the sections on the origin and development of the federal Constitution." Someday historians would recognize and document the "prosaic effort of trade union agents and secretaries" that had helped bring "about an immense and compact organization of industrial workers capable of supporting their demands
Oxide scale formation on 316L and FeCrAl steels exposed to oxygen controlled static LBE at temperatures up to 800 °C

Abstract The corrosion behavior of three stainless steels (316L, Alkrothal 720 and Kanthal-APM) in static LBE with oxygen concentration of 10−5 wt% at temperatures of 700 °C for 230 h and 800 °C for 360 h was studied. The steel surface morphology of the oxide scales formed was investigated by SEM, XRD and Raman spectroscopy and the cross-section by SEM and EDX. A transitional inner-layer of Fe–Cr–Al oxides was found at the substrate interface and an Al-oxide outer layer on the Fe–Cr–Al alloys. Fast growing non-protective oxide scale with underlying dissolution was observed on the 316L alloy.
Auditor Conservatism, Management Incentives and Managerial Optimism

Managers tend to overstate firm value because their immediate payoffs are tied to it. An overstated disclosure may attract an audit qualification that adversely affects the firm value. The audit qualification may also be used by the managerial labor market to evaluate managerial performance, and thus manager's ability to command superior pay in the long run. Managers must, therefore, consider the two sets of offsetting incentives while deciding their disclosure strategy. In this environment, an increase in auditor's conservatism improves the informational efficiency of the market by reducing the incentives of the lower quality firms to mimic a higher quality firm's disclosure. Increased audit conservatism, thus, acts as an endogenized proprietary cost to the bad firms. An increase in firm value based (short run) incentives tends to increase a manager's propensity to overstate results, whereas an increase in (long run) payoffs associated with the managerial labor market achieves the opposite.
Reinvestigating the Noticing Function of Output

A conceptual replication of Izumi and Bigelow's research, this study used multiple measures to investigate second language (L2) learners’ processes in output-input-output sequences. Specifically, it examined whether producing the target language impacts learners’ attention to L2 structures in subsequent input. Thirty learners of English as a second language were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (EGs) and a control group (CG). The EGs were given opportunities for written output that elicited either the past or the present hypothetical-conditional (more complex vs. less complex structures) while the CG was not prompted to produce output requiring the use of the target structures. All groups engaged in follow-up reading and underlining activities. The input text modeled targetlike use of the relevant structure for the EGs. Subsequently, all participants produced a second essay and participated in a stimulated recall interview. While the quantitative underlining and test data did not support an effect of output (EGs vs. CG) on specific attention to grammar in subsequent text, the qualitative stimulated-recall data revealed how output influences learners’ subsequent noticing of vocabulary and/or awareness of their linguistic limitations concerning grammar structures. Learning was greater with the more complex structure, which is discussed in light of the noticing hypothesis and information processing theory.
Outcomes of Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Elderly Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

A large number of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are not offered treatments with curative intent, such as allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT), because of fears of toxicity and perceived futility of intensive treatment. Therefore, the outcomes of SCT in elderly AML patients remain poorly defined. We performed a meta-analysis of all previous articles up until September 22, 2015 of SCT in AML patients >60 years. The primary endpoints were relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) at 6 months and at 1, 2, and 3 years. A total of 13 studies (749 patients) were included. The pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for RFS at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years were 62% (95% CI, 54% to 69%), 47% (95% CI, 42% to 53%), 44% (95% CI, 33% to 55%), and 35% (95% CI, 26% to 45%), respectively. The corresponding numbers for OS were 73% (95% CI, 66% to 79%), 58% (95% CI, 50% to 65%), 45% (95% CI, 35% to 54%), and 38% (95% CI, 29% to 48%), respectively. We found no evidence of publication bias in our primary endpoints, with the exception of relapse, where there appeared to be a relative lack of small studies with high relapse rates. Sensitivity analysis did not identify an overtly influential study for our primary endpoints, with 1 exception in 2-year RFS analysis. The present analysis argues against significant publication bias and demonstrates consistency among reports despite differences in patient-, disease-, center-, and transplantation-related characteristics. Our results suggest that reduced-intensity SCT is a viable treatment option for elderly AML patients with a 3-year RFS of 35% for those over the age of 60. These results argue against using age per se as the sole criterion against SCT and would help remove some of the barriers that often preclude curative intent treatment. Correct identification of patients who would benefit from SCT can improve outcomes in this frequently undertreated population.
Relative ionizations in the nearest interstellar gas

We compare CLOUDY predictions for the equilibrium ionization in the interstellar cloud surrounding the solar system with pick-up ion data. The incident radiation field includes contributions from hot stars, the emission from the conductive cloud boundary and the diffuse FUV background. To within the observational uncertainties, CLOUDY predictions for the ratios n(He°)/n(O°), n(N°)/n(O°), n(Ne°)/n(O°), and n(He°)/n(Ne°) are consistent with pick-up ion data, provided that O°and N°are filtered by ~ 50% in the heliopause region and the outer heliosphere as predicted by others. Thus, the steady-state ionization model and assumed radiation field appear approximately valid. However, the youth and low intervening column density towards the Vela pulsar leave open the possibility that the parent supernova explosion ~ 10,500 years ago, and 200 pc distant, may also have affected LISM ionization, although the mechanism is uncertain. Support for this last possibility is provided by the apparent signature of the Vela explosion in the terrestrial geological record.
The Allocation of Household Labor in Gay, Lesbian, and Heterosexual Married Couples

This study compared how gay, lesbian, and heterosexual married couples (ns = 95, 61, and 145, respectively) allocated household labor. Partners in each couple lived together without children. Compared to both married and gay couples, lesbian couples tended to share tasks. Compared to lesbian couples, gay couples and married couples were likely to have one or the other partner perform the tasks; in married couples, this was most likely the wife. Compared to married couples, gay couples and lesbian couples were likely to split tasks so that each partner performed an equal number of different tasks. The relation between the extent to which household tasks were performed and personal power, gender role orientation, relationship satisfaction, and psychological symptoms generally varied by partner and type of couple. It is concluded that although gender is a powerful determinant of how household labor gets allocated in heterosexual married couples, no single variable carries as much weight with gay or lesbian couples.
Use of preventive care by the working poor in the United States.

Abstract Objective. Examine the association between poverty and preventive care use among older working adults. Method. Cross-sectional analysis of the pooled 1996, 1998 and 2000 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative sample of older community-dwelling adults, studying self-reported use of cervical, breast, and prostate cancer screening, as well as serum cholesterol screening and influenza vaccination. Adults with incomes within 200% of the federal poverty level were defined as poor. Results. Among 10,088 older working adults, overall preventive care use ranged from 38% (influenza vaccination) to 76% (breast cancer screening). In unadjusted analyses, the working poor were significantly less likely to receive preventive care. After adjustment for insurance coverage, education, and other socio-demographic characteristics, the working poor remained significantly less likely to receive breast cancer (RR 0.92, 95% CI, 0.86–0.96), prostate cancer (RR 0.89, 95% CI, 0.81–0.97), and cholesterol screening (RR 0.91, 95% CI, 0.86–0.96) than the working non-poor, but were not significantly less likely to receive cervical cancer screening (RR 0.96, 95% CI, 0.90–1.01) or influenza vaccination (RR 0.92, 95% CI, 0.84–1.01). Conclusion. The older working poor are at modestly increased risk for not receiving preventive care.
2014 Rockefeller Prize Winner: Sameness in Being Is Sameness in Species: Or: Was an Aristotelian Philosophy of Identity Ever Credible?

The sun is in fact the same thing as the brightest object in the sky, but it would seem that the sun and the brightest object might have been different. Socrates may now be the same thing as the seated thing (because Socrates is now seated), but it would seem that Socrates and the seated thing will later be different (once Socrates rises). Now Aristotle’s usual way of describing such situations is to say that such pairs of entities are accidentally the same or accidentally one, the idea being that the sun and the brightest object just happen to be the same thing, by a kind of cosmic accident. Now Aristotle often observes the multivocity of terms, and sameness (or, I suppose, ‘sameness’ or ‘ταὐτoν’) is no exception: Things are said to be the same in many ways; thus accidental sameness is only one of several senses of sameness. What I shall argue in this paper is that Aristotle’s description of accidental sameness is incompatible with what he says elsewhere about other sorts of sameness. I shall then detail what I take to be the best way of emending the incoherent—but official —Aristotelian account.
Calculation of Ion Bombarding Energy and Its Distribution in rf Sputtering

The energy distribution of bombarding ions in typical rf sputtering conditions has been calculated. The Mathieu-type equations of motion of ions and electrons in the cathode-fall region are numerically integrated by a computer with various initial and boundary conditions. The self-biased dc component ${V}_{\mathrm{dc}}$ is found to be 0.999928 of one-half the peak-to-peak rf potential applied across the cathode dark space, which is in agreement with the value obtained from mobility considerations. The ion energy distribution is found to depend on rf voltage and frequency, dark-space distance, and $\frac{e}{(\mathrm{ion}\mathrm{mass})}$ ratio. Physical explanations are provided for the fact that a large percentage of the ions possess energies greater than $e{V}_{\mathrm{dc}}$. The effect of high electron temperature on the ion-energy distribution has been studied and found to be very small. Trajectories of both the ion and electron in the cathode-fall region have also been calculated.
Covalently Bonded Adducts of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Oligonucleotides with Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes: Synthesis and Hybridization

We have developed a multistep route to the formation of covalently linked adducts of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) oligonucleotides. X-ray photoelectron spectr...
Changes in the activity of enzymes of phenylpropanoid metabolism in tomatoes stored at low temperatures

Abstract A large increase in the activity of an enzyme involved in chlorogenic acid metabolism, hydroxycinnamyltransferase occurs in tomatoes stored at low temperatures. In contrast, the activity of the enzyme remains constant or falls slightly during normal ripening at 20°. The rise in activity occurs at temperatures below 10° and fails to occur at 15° or 20°. This increase in activity during low temperature storage occurs with fruit at all stages of ripening from mature green to fully ripe. The hydroxycinnamyltransferase of chilled tomatoes falls rapidly on transfer to 20° with a lag of about 4–8 hr and within 48 hr returns to that of unchilled fruit. The effects of such warming treatments are reversible since when a chilling period is resumed following warming to 20°, the rise in hydroxycinnamyltransferase activity is also resumed. Of the 5 other enzymes of phenylpropanoid metabolism studied, only PAL shows a similar increase in activity during low temperature storage although the activity of the other enzymes was maintained at higher levels in fruit at 2° than at 20°. The possible relationship between the behaviour of hydroxycinnamyltransferase activity at various temperatures and the known susceptibility of tomatoes to chilling injury is discussed.
Nonadditive two-way ANOVA for event-related fMRI data analysis.

A significant recent development in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is the introduction of event-related fMRI, also known as time-resolved fMRI. Because the exact shape of the MR response in an event-related fMRI experiment is often not known, traditional methods developed for block design experiments, such as t test and correlation analysis, are not well-suited for extracting activated pixels from the event-related data. In this work, a statistical technique based on nonadditive two-way analysis of variance is developed for use in event-related studies. Theoretical and experimental work were carried out for establishing a statistical threshold to determine pixel activation. Experimental studies were performed to demonstrate the utility of this approach.
β-SiC MESFETs

A β-SiC MESFET structure with functional DC characteristics has been fabricated and evaluated. The MESFET employs an epitaxialn onp SiC layer grown by chemical vapor deposition on ap-type Si(100) substrate. Modulation of then-type channel current is achieved with a Au Schottky barrier gate. A transconductance of 2.3 mS/mm was obtained using a 5 micron gate length.
Biological stimulus and drug effect

Abstract According to theoretical pharmacology the drug effect is a function of the biological stimulus generated by the association of a drug with its receptor; but the theory provides no method to measure the stimulus or to determine the nature of the functional relationship between stimulus and effect. The present paper demonstrates that the stimulus can be measured provided the equilibrium constant of the drug-receptor association is known; comparison of the stimulus, generated by a given drug concentration, with the effect of the same drug concentration then yields empirical information on the stimulus-effect relationship.
A thermodynamic assessment of the CuMgNi ternary system

Abstract A complete thermodynamic description of the CuMgNi ternary system was carried out based on the CALPHAD method. Ternary solubilities of the binary phases Mg 2 Cu, Cu 2 Mg, Mg 2 Ni and Ni 2 Mg were considered. The Gibbs energies of these semi-stoichiometric compounds were expressed by the compound-energy formalism. Liquid and solid solution phases were described using the Redlich-Kister-Muggiani formalism. The model parameters were evaluated using ThermoCalc software, utilizing the experimental data available in the literature including experimental thermodynamic functions and previously established portions of the phase diagram, such as isopleths and isotherms. Reasonable agreement was obtained between calculated results and experimental information.
Algorithms and reductions for rewriting problems. II

In this paper we give polynomial-time reductions between a version of joinability for rewrite systems and the word problem for rewrite systems. We prove log-space hardness or completeness for P for several problems of ground rewrite systems. We show that matching (and unification) modulo ground equations is NP-hard even when variables are restricted to at most two occurrences in the pattern and the subject is just a constant. Finally, we give the first polynomial-time algorithms for matching modulo ground equations with linear pattern and for joinability problem with ground rewrite systems. The joinability result leads to polynomial time algorithms for: local confluence of ground rewrite systems, confluence of terminating ground rewrite systems, and completeness of ground rewrite systems. The results for matching modulo ground equations are optimal with respect to occurrences of variables.
Characterization of uranium-contaminated sediments from beneath a nuclear waste storage tank from Hanford, Washington: Implications for contaminant transport and fate

Abstract The concentration and distribution of uranium (U) in sediment samples from three boreholes recovered near radioactive waste storage tanks at Hanford, Washington, USA, were determined in detail using bulk and micro-analytical techniques. The source of contamination was a plume that contained an estimated 7000 kg of dissolved U that seeped into the subsurface as a result of an accident that occurred during filling of tank BX-102. The desorption character and kinetics of U were also determined by experiment in order to assess the mobility of U in the vadose zone. Most samples contained too little moisture to obtain quantitative information on pore water compositions. Concentrations of U (and contaminant phosphate—P) in pore waters were therefore estimated by performing 1:1 sediment-to-water extractions and the data indicated concentrations of these elements were above that of uncontaminated “background” sediments. Further extraction of U by 8 N nitric acid indicated that a significant fraction of the total U is relatively immobile and may be sequestered in mobilization-resistant phases. Fine- and coarse-grained samples in sharp contact with one another were sub-sampled for further scrutiny and identification of U reservoirs. Segregation of the samples into their constituent size fractions coupled with microwave-assisted digestion of bulk samples showed that most of the U contamination was sequestered within the fine-grained fraction. Isotope exchange (233U) tests revealed that ∼51% to 63% of the U is labile, indicating that the remaining fund of U is locked up in mobilization-resistant phases. Analysis by Micro-X-ray Fluorescence and Micro-X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Spectroscopy (μ-XRF and μ-XANES) showed that U is primarily associated with Ca and is predominately U(VI). The spectra obtained on U-enriched “hot spots” using Time-Resolved Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy (TRLIFS) provide strong evidence for uranophane-type [Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2(H2O)5] and uranyl phosphate [Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2(H2O)10–12] phases. These data show that disseminated micro-precipitates can form in narrow pore spaces within the finer-grained matrix and that these objects are likely not restricted to lithic fragment environments. Uranium mobility may therefore be curtailed by precipitation of uranyl silicate and phosphate phases, with additional possible influence exerted by capillary barriers. Consequently, equilibrium-based desorption models that predict the concentrations and mobility of U in the subsurface matrix at Hanford are unnecessarily conservative.
Evaluation of Diffusion Coefficients of Metallic Ions in Aqueous Solutions

Many techniques are available for the determination of diffusion coefficients of ions in aqueous solutions. A review of classical and modern techniques is presented. Non-electrochemical methods are discussed briefly. Electrochemical methods reviewed include chronoamperometry, chronopotentiometry, polarography, and h drod namics. Selected values of the diffusion coefficients determined by these electrochemical methods of the metallic ions Ag', Bi XI , Cd Y, , Cu", In"', Pb", TI', and Zn" are presented.
Stability and change in a perspective reversal illusion

A phenomenologieal explanation is presented for the stability and instability of the appearance of the form of objects as a consequence of changes in (1) the spatial position of the observer with respect to the object, and (2) the amount of time the object is observed from a specific spatial position. In support of the explanation, an object was constructed so that it would have multiple appearances when observed continuously from the same viewpoint. The initial appearance of this object when observed from different spatial positions and the constancy over time of these appearances were demonstrated to be in agreement with the theoretical expectations.
Research evidence for reducing sugar sweetened beverages in children.

Aims and Objectives: Sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) have become commonplace in our society and are positively associated with an increase in body mass index (BMI) in our youth.Methods: This project presents an evidence-based review of the current research literature from 2001 to 2009 to examine the association between SSBs and children’s BMI.Results: An analysis of nine primary research studies is reported and eight of nine studies support that a decrease or reduction in SSBs by our youth can have a positive impact on their BMI.Conclusion: Education and political action by nurses to promote a decrease in SSB intake is a step in the right direction in reducing obesity in our children.
Breast meat quality and composition in unique chicken populations

The objective of this project was to examine the diversity of breast meat composition and quality traits among unique resource populations. Birds from 5 groups (inbred Leghorn, inbred Fayoumi, commercial broilers, F5 broiler-inbred Leghorn cross, and F5 broiler-inbred Fayoumi cross) were utilized. Contemporary stocks (broilers, inbreds, and crosses) were grown in a single house but in separate pens. Birds were harvested at 8 wk of age. Breast muscle weight, moisture, lipid and protein contents, color, pH, and Kramer shear force values were determined on birds from each group. Breasts from broilers contained lower percentages of protein (P < 0.05) and greater percentages of lipid (P < 0.05) compared with all other groups. The 5 genetic stocks did not differ for Hunter L values or pH. The data indicate that the Leghorn inbred line breasts were a more pure and more intense red color than the crossbred contemporary (P < 0.05). Kramer shear force (kg/g sample) was higher (P < 0.05) in breasts from broilers than in breasts from the inbred lines. Our results demonstrate that the 5 genetic groups differed markedly in breast meat composition and quality characteristics. The described outbred by inbred advanced intercross lines will be useful in searches for genes affecting meat quality traits. Definition of the molecular factors that influence these traits will enhance our ability to make improvements in composition and quality of poultry meats.
Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Identifies a Subset of Lacunar Infarction Associated With Embolic Source

Background and Purpose —Small infarcts in the territory of penetrator arteries were described as causing a number of distinct clinical syndromes. The vascular pathophysiology underlying such infarcts is difficult to ascertain without careful pathological study. However, the occurrence of multiple, small infarcts, linked closely in time but dispersed widely in the brain, raises the possibility of an embolic mechanism. The current study determines the frequency and clinical characteristics of patients with well-defined lacunar syndromes and the diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) evidence of multiple acute lesions. Methods —Sixty-two consecutive patients who presented to the emergency room with a clinically well-defined lacunar syndrome were studied by DWI within the first 3 days of admission. Results —DWI showed multiple regions of increased signal intensity in 10 patients (16%). A hemispheric or brain stem lesion in a penetrator territory that accounted for the clinical syndrome (“index lesion”) was found in all. DWI-hyperintense lesions other than the index lesion (“subsidiary infarctions”) were punctate and lay within leptomeningeal artery territories in the majority. As opposed to patients with a single lacunar infarction, patients with a subsidiary infarction more frequently ( P <0.05) harbored an identifiable cause of stroke. Conclusions —Almost 1 of every 6 patients presenting with a classic lacunar syndrome has multiple infarctions demonstrated on DWI. This DWI finding usually indicates an identifiable cause of stroke and therefore may influence clinical decisions regarding the extent of etiologic investigations and treatment for secondary prevention.
Detecting particles in cryo-EM micrographs using learned features

Abstract A new learning-based approach is presented for particle detection in cryo-electron micrographs using the Adaboost learning algorithm. The approach builds directly on the successful detectors developed for the domain of face detection. It is a discriminative algorithm which learns important features of the particle’s appearance using a set of training examples of the particles and a set of images that do not contain particles. The algorithm is fast (10 s on a 1.3 GHz Pentium M processor), is generic, and is not limited to any particular shape or size of the particle to be detected. The method has been evaluated on a publicly available dataset of 82 cryo-EM images of keyhole lympet hemocyanin (KLH). From 998 automatically extracted particle images, the 3-D structure of KLH has been reconstructed at a resolution of 23.2 A which is the same resolution as obtained using particles manually selected by a trained user.
Cytological Response to Infectious Hepatitis Specimens in Embryonated Eggs.

SummarySerums from 10 acute cases of infectious hepatitis were inoculated into the allantoic cavity of embryonated eggs. The allantoic fluids from these eggs contained numbers of histiocytes far in excess of the limits detected in uninoculated eggs, and in eggs inoculated with heat-inactivated serums and with icteric serums from cases of obstructive jaundice. This histiocyte promoting factor could not be demonstrated in serums from convalescent patients. No bacteria could be associated with this cellular response. Histiocyte counts engendered through inoculations with acute IH serums were returned to normal limits by gamma globulin, by serums experimentally produced in chickens, and by serums from 3 IH-convalescent patients.
Chlorosis of ‘Anjou’ pear trees reduced with foliar sprays of iron compounds

Abstract In 1985 and 1986, bearing ‘Anjou’ pear (Pyrus communis L.) trees were sprayed with different iron (Fe) compounds in an attempt to reduce a severe Fe chlorosis condition without causing unacceptable spray phytotoxicity to the fruit. All Fe materials increased the Fe concentration in the leaves and fruit peel, and reduced Fe chlorosis by increasing the green color of the leaves and fruit. For both years, the Fe lignosulfonate sprays resulted in greater fruit firmness than the controls and in the least amount of phytotoxicity to the fruit (acceptable). The residual effect of the 1986 sprays also resulted in greater shoot growth and fruit set in 1987 than on the unsprayed controls indicating a slight carry‐over effect of the Fe sprays to the following year.
Task-Oriented Comparison of Power Spectral Density Estimation Methods for Quantifying Acoustic Attenuation in Diagnostic Ultrasound Using a Reference Phantom Method

Reported here is a phantom-based comparison of methods for determining the power spectral density (PSD) of ultrasound backscattered signals. Those power spectral density values are then used to estimate parameters describing α(f), the frequency dependence of the acoustic attenuation coefficient. Phantoms were scanned with a clinical system equipped with a research interface to obtain radiofrequency echo data. Attenuation, modeled as a power law α(f)= α0fβ, was estimated using a reference phantom method. The power spectral density was estimated using the short-time Fourier transform (STFT), Welch’s periodogram, and Thomson’s multitaper technique, and performance was analyzed when limiting the size of the parameter-estimation region. Errors were quantified by the bias and standard deviation of the α0 and β estimates, and by the overall power-law fit error (FE). For parameter estimation regions larger than ~34 pulse lengths (~1 cm for this experiment), an overall power-law FE of 4% was achieved with all spec...
Oxidation of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate by soluble rat muscle α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase. A comparison with purified lactate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase

1. 1. NADPH was observed to disappear from a Tris-histidine medium (pH 7·5) in the presence of glucose 6-phosphate, ATP, magnesium ion and a particle-free supernatant fraction obtained from a rat-muscle homogenate. This phenomenon can be explained by direct oxidation of the NADPH by the soluble α-glycerohosphate dehydrogenase (l-glycerol-3-phosphate:NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.18). From measurements of α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity in the muscle preparation in the presence of NADPH, we can conclude that the capacity of this dehydrogenase to oxidize NADPH exceeds by thr the capacities of the dehydrogenases that act on glucose 6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate to generate NADPH. 2. 2. Kinetic characteristics of a α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase of the particle-free fraction obtained from rat muscle and commercially purified (a) rabbit-muscle α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, (b) rabbit-muscle lactate dehydrogenase (l-lactate:NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.27), and (c) porcine-heart malate dehydrogenase (l-malate:NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.37) were investigated and found to be quite similar: for each enzyme, pH-optima were higher for the reaction with NADH than for that with NADPH; the substrate inhibited the enzymes when NADH acted as the coenzyme (especially at low pH's), but not when NADPH did; and the apparent Km values for NADH were considerably lower than those for NADPH. 3. 3. Inhibition of rabbit-muscle α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase by NAD+ was observed with NADPH as the coenzyme, but not with NADH, NADP+ produced no inhibition with either coenzyme.
Human Contamination of the Marine Environment-Arthur Harbor and McMurdo Sound, Antarctica

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, and trace metal concentrations in McMurdo Sound and Arthur Harbor, Antarctica, sediments and marine biota are reported. Biomarkers of contaminant exposure, biliary metabolites and EROD assays, were also measured. Hydrocarbon and trace metal contamination are generally limited to within hundreds of meters of human settlements. Local releases of fossil fuels, disposal of waste materials, and aging of ship and station structures contribute to contamination. High concentrations of PCBs were detected in sediments (250-4200 ng g{sup -1}) and organisms (up to 420 ng g{sup -1}) from Winter Quarters Bay (WQB). Trace metal and PAH sediment concentrations rarely exceed levels known to cause toxic effects in marine organisms, whereas PCBs in WQB often do. Biological responses to exposure include the formation of PAH metabolites and the inducement of the P4501A detoxification system in fish. Induction of EROD activity in in vitro rat hepatoma H4IIE cell bioassays by tissue extracts correlated with known levels of PCB contamination in invertebrate tissues. Local sources of contaminants greatly exceed those attributable to long-distance atmospheric transport. 31 refs., 4 figs.
Spatiotemporal development of physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of stormwater plumes in Santa Monica Bay, California (USA)

This study characterized stormwater plume development and associated phytoplankton dynamics in a coastal marine ecosystem through shipboard monitoring. We focused on plumes within Santa Monica Bay, California (USA), a coastal system that is subject to rapid pulses of untreated runoff from the urbanized watershed of Los Angeles during the winter rainy season. The physical, chemical, and biological signatures of stormwater plumes were tracked over time after each of 4 precipitation events ranging in magnitude from 1.5 cm to 9 cm. Low salinity surface plumes persisted in Santa Monica Bay for at least 2 to 5 days over spatial scales of up to 15 km. This is consistent with a 6-day residence time for surface water plume parcels, which was estimated from a drifter trajectory in the bay. Shipboard sampling and salinity measurements in the surf zone showed that plumes often persisted even longer nearshore. Plume waters were generally characterized by higher concentrations of dissolved nitrogen, colored dissolved organic matter, and higher light attenuation than non-plume waters. The magnitude of the effect of stormwater runoff on phytoplankton dynamics was dependent on the size of each storm and subsequent residence time of runoff within the bay. Rain events led to increases in primary productivity, phytoplankton biomass, and specifically, increases in diatom biomass, as measured by concentrations of biogenic silica.
Cross Section and Recoil Studies of Reactions of U 238 with Protons of 0.5 to 6.2 GeV

Radiochemical investigations of Cu/sup 64,67/, Mo/sup 99/, Ag/sup 11/, Pd/sup and I/sup 121-135/ produced from irradiations of U/sup 238/ with highenergy protons are reported. Cross sections are given for proton energies between 0.5 and 6.2 Bev. Recoil properties from thick targets are reported for irradiations with 0.72and 6.2-Bev protons. All the products investigated at 0.72 Bev result from nuclear fission. Deposition energies of the same order as calculated for all nucleon-nucleon collision cascades. Excitation functions and the relative values of the deposition energies are reasonably well reconciled with nucleonic cascade followed by fission. Proton irradiations at 6.2 Bev produce Moss, Ag/sup 111/, Pd/sup 112/ and I/sup 131/-135/ by nuclear fission after depositing an average of <200 Mev in the struck nuclei. Cu/sup 64/ is probably not produced by binary fission. The neutron-deficient iodine isotopes are probably produced by a fast process. A correlation is suggested with fragment (A approximately 20 to 60) production. (auth)
A note on efficient SS/TDMA assignment algorithms

A time-slot assignment procedure using the maximum-weight matching algorithm is proposed and investigated. In contrast with previous methods, based on the maximum-cardinality matching, the proposed procedure allows the inclusion of known heuristics in a more direct manner. Computer simulation gives evidence of efficiency improvements by using this approach. >
General versus specific actions of mild-moderate hypothermia in attenuating cerebral ischemic damage

Mild or moderate hypothermia is generally thought to block all changes in signaling events that are detrimental to ischemic brain, including ATP depletion, glutamate release, Ca2+ mobilization, anoxic depolarization, free radical generation, inflammation, blood—brain barrier permeability, necrotic, and apoptotic pathways. However, the effects and mechanisms of hypothermia are, in fact, variable. We emphasize that, even in the laboratory, hypothermic protection is limited. In certain models of permanent focal ischemia, hypothermia may not protect at all. In cases where hypothermia reduces infarct, some studies have overemphasized its ability to maintain cerebral blood flow and ATP levels, and to prevent anoxic depolarization, glutamate release during ischemia. Instead, hypothermia may protect against ischemia by regulating cascades that occur after reperfusion, including blood—brain barrier permeability and the changes in gene and protein expressions associated with necrotic and apoptotic pathways. Hypothe...
Complement Fixation in Intestinal Parasitism of Dogs

Infestation of the intestines with the commoner varieties of parasites is generally regarded as exercising no particular harm on the host, except to produce such general disturbances as digestive derangements or anemia, the latter being ascribed to the loss of blood through blood-sucking parasites and to the absorption of hemotoxic substances. Examples are not wanting, however, both among men, and among animals?notably the dog and the horse?of blood changes and many symptoms of disease which may be ascribed to the production by the parasites of toxic substances, capable of being absorbed and exercising harmful effects.
Steady-state concentrations of potassium in the ocular fluids

The steady-state concentrations of potassium in the plasma, aqueous humours and vitreous body of the rabbit, cat and dog have been measured. The results show that the fluids are by no means in equilibrium with the plasma in respect to this ion, and the relative concentrations in anterior and posterior aqueous humours, and the anterior and posterior halves of the vitreous body, may best be explained on the assumption of the secretion of a high-potassium fluid by the ciliary epithelium associated with passive diffusion across the iris and choroid. In addition, the active accumulation of potassium by the anterior surface of the lens, associated with passive diffusion from the posterior surface, may modify the relative concentrations in aqueous humours and vitreous body. Studies on the effect of incubation of the isolated eye demonstrate the existence of a net transport of potassium from aqueous humour to vitreous body by way of the lens. The effects of raising the plasma concentration of potassium on the concentrations of this ion in the ocular fluids suggest that the influx by way of the ciliary body is controlled by an active, or carrier, transport process that is saturated at normal plasma concentrations. By infusion of RbCl, a competitive inhibition of the influx of potassium into the posterior aqueous humour may be demonstrated. It is concluded that it is unlikely that the pigment epithelium of the retina is concerned with active transport of potassium into the vitreous body.
Sudden changes in variance and volatility persistence in foreign exchange markets

Abstract Participants in the foreign exchange markets should be concerned with how a major event may lead to a sudden change in volatility as well as the role that shocks play in determining the persistence of volatility over time. This paper examines these issues by first identifying the time periods of sudden changes in volatility and then examining economic events surrounding those shifts. This research detects time periods of sudden changes in variance (i.e. regime shifts) by using the iterated cumulated sums of squares (ICSS) algorithm. Examining five major exchange rates from January 1990 to September 2000, it is found that accounting for volatility shifts in the GARCH model considerably reduces the persistence in volatility. The results suggest that many previous studies may have significantly overestimated the degree of volatility persistence that exists in financial time series.
The Relationship of Astrocytes and Macrophages to CNS Demyelination After Experimental Herpes Simplex Virus Infection

Corneal inoculation of mice with herpes simplex virus type I (HSV) produces central nervous system (CNS) demyelination 7 to 8 days after infection. The demyelination originates at the junction between PNS and CNS in the trigeminal root entry zone. The pathogenesis for this selective demyelination is unknown. Immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide reduces the extent of demyelination, but does not eliminate the lesion entirely. This report concerns the electron microscopic evaluation of the events preceding demyelination. The astrocytes forming the CNS junction are heavily infected 62 hours after corneal inoculation before myelin breakdown. These cells then undergo lysis, releasing viral and cellular debris. Perivascular monocytes appear in the CNS at this time, and proceed to phagocytize the dying cells. These monocytes may be important in transferring antigenic information to the cell-mediated immune system, which responds by producing extensive CNS demyelination by 6 to 7 days postinfection.
A constant momentum transfer average study of pleed data from W(100)

Abstract We performed a constant momentum transfer averaging (CMTA) data reduction of PLEED data obtained from a W(100) surface. The results of averaging (00) beam intensity profiles, I(E, θ), difference profiles, D(E, θ), and strength of spin dependent scattering profiles, S(E, θ), are presented and discussed.
How to encourage employee motivation.

What is the most critical productive resource that determines the efficiency and ultimately the success or failure of an organization? The answer is: people. This is almost obvious. What is not obvious is how to get the best out of your employees in terms of the amount of work and the quality of work they consistently give you. Here is how to plan for optimum personnel utilization.
The PHQ-8 as a measure of current depression in the general population

Abstract Background The eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-8) is established as a valid diagnostic and severity measure for depressive disorders in large clinical studies. Our objectives were to assess the PHQ-8 as a depression measure in a large, epidemiological population-based study, and to determine the comparability of depression as defined by the PHQ-8 diagnostic algorithm vs. a PHQ-8 cutpoint ≥ 10. Methods Random-digit-dialed telephone survey of 198,678 participants in the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS), a population-based survey in the United States. Current depression as defined by either the DSM-IV based diagnostic algorithm (i.e., major depressive or other depressive disorder) of the PHQ-8 or a PHQ-8 score ≥ 10; respondent sociodemographic characteristics; number of days of impairment in the past 30 days in multiple domains of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Results The prevalence of current depression was similar whether defined by the diagnostic algorithm or a PHQ-8 score ≥ 10 (9.1% vs. 8.6%). Depressed patients had substantially more days of impairment across multiple domains of HRQoL, and the impairment was nearly identical in depressed groups defined by either method. Of the 17,040 respondents with a PHQ-8 score ≥ 10, major depressive disorder was present in 49.7%, other depressive disorder in 23.9%, depressed mood or anhedonia in another 22.8%, and no evidence of depressive disorder or depressive symptoms in only 3.5%. Limitations The PHQ-8 diagnostic algorithm rather than an independent structured psychiatric interview was used as the criterion standard. Conclusions The PHQ-8 is a useful depression measure for population-based studies, and either its diagnostic algorithm or a cutpoint ≥ 10 can be used for defining current depression.
The isolation of high molecular weight DNA from wheat, barley and rye for analysis by pulse-field gel electrophoresis.

A method is presented for the preparation of large DNA molecules from protoplasts embedded in agarose blocks of three different cereals-hexaploid bread wheat (Triticum aestivum), barley (Hordeum vulgare) and rye (Secale cereale). Pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis of these DNA preparations using a contour-clamped homogeneous field (CHEF) apparatus indicated that the size of the DNA molecules was greater than 6 Mb. DNA samples prepared by this method were shown to be useful for restriction analysis using both frequent and rare cutting enzymes.
Evaluation of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) versus PCA plus continuous infusion in postoperative cancer patients

Abstract The benefits of two dosing methods, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine sulfate (MS) alone and PCA plus continuous infusion of morphine sulfate (PCA + CI) were clinically evaluated in a randomized, single-blinded study of 30 adult abdominal surgery patients. Doses were adjusted based on pain and sedation ratings. Respirations, pulse, blood pressure, pain and sedation ratings were assessed. Subjects rated their pain twice daily using a visual analog scale for 72 hr postoperatively. The subjects reported pain relief with both dosing regimens. No statistically significant differences between the groups were found in pain and sedation ratings, or length of time using the device, with the exception of a higher amount of MS used on postoperative day two by the infusion group (p There seems to be a trend for the PCA + CI group to have less fluctuation in sedation between days and better pain control (as demonstrated by verbal and visual analog pain scores) on the third postoperative day. Statistical significance was not found, however. PCA plus continuous infusion of MS may be a beneficial approach to the management of postoperative pain in selected patients; studies to identify these patients need to be done.
Successful Treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Related Castleman's Disease with Interferon-α

Multicentric Castleman's disease is an atypical lymphoproliferative disorder for which multiple chemotherapeutic regimens have been used without much success. Role of biological response modifiers like interferon used as a single agent is discussed in this case report.