cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neurotoxicity from Airborne Chemicals Around a Superfund Site

A pilot investigation had shown that 88 people living within 2.4 km of a waste chemical disposal and oil-reprocessing facility which operated from 1966 to 1983 had reduced neurobehavioral performance compared to 66 regional referents. A geographic model of dispersal predicted less effect with greater distance from the distilling. To explore this gradient and the boundaries of the adverse effects, we tested 408 residents in random proportional samples of concentric zones from the center out to 4.8 km that were divided by compass octants. Reaction times, balance, blink reflex latency, color discrimination, Culture Fair, pegboard, and Trail Making A and B were measured. Patients completed a Profile of Mood States, frequency of 33 symptoms, and medical, occupational, and exposure histories. Distance and direction from the site and duration of residence were examined for effect on each test score by stepwise linear regression. Exposed subjects' had diminished reaction time, balance, color score, and scores for Culture Fair, pegboard, and Trail Making A and B compared to referents. Functional impairment was not correlated with distance or direction from the site but subjects with short durations of residence had better function on one test. Combinations of these factors were not predictive.
The Cutting Edge of Corporate IT: Are You Where You Should Be?

You may think you're on the cutting edge of technological pace of computer development left you using older, less efficient software and hardware? The authors show how to handle these problems, and include a quick guide to the latest generation of integrated enterprise resource planning software. ©2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The effects of social pressure on false memories

The present experiments were designed to examine the effects of social pressure on false memories. Participants studied lists created to elicit false memories and then worked in conjunction with virtual confederates on a recognition memory task. In Experiment 1, participants worked with one or two confederates to complete multiple study-test trials. On the group tests, participants were implicitly pressured to recognize words that did not appear on the studied lists. Experiment 2 was implemented similarly, but utilized a presumably more difficult recognition test involving one long study phase followed by one long test phase. After the purported group tests in both experiments, participants completed surprise individual recognition tests. In both experiments, social pressure influenced participants' responses on group recognition tests and subsequent individual recognition tests. Furthermore, the results indicated that social pressure affected both veridical memories and false memories.
Sound velocity near the Néel point of MnF2

Abstract The sound velocity, V , of 10 MHz longitudinal waves propagating along [100] was measured near the Neel point, T N , of MnF 2 . The result is expressed as V ≈ (T−T N ) - v with v =0.13 2 for T > T N . This value of v is the same as that in the power-law expression for the variation of the attenuation coefficient.
Russian Accession to the WTO: An Assessment

A senior World Bank economist presents a study focusing on issues controlling Russia's accession to the WTO in 2007. The paper discusses the principal reform commitments that Russia has made in an effort to become a member of the organization and addresses the question of whether the country faces excessive demands due to political considerations. While exploring such issues as potential relations with foreign exporters and investors, the author summarizes the relevant parts of his recent joint study of Russian import tariffs that casts a new light on a complex aspect of international trade. Among other problems relating to Russia's entry, he discusses in some detail branch banking and the tradedistorting subsidies in agriculture. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: F13, F40, O19. 3 tables, 26 references.
Jamming countermeasures for multi-user MISO broadcast channels - a DoF perspective

Jamming attacks can significantly impact the performance of wireless communication systems, and lead to insurmountable overhead in terms of re-transmissions and increased power consumption. In this paper, we consider the multi-user multiple-input single-output (MISO) broadcast channel (BC) in the presence of jamming attacks in which a subset of the users can be selectively jammed at any given time. We present countermeasures for mitigating the effects of such jamming attacks. The effectiveness of these anti-jamming countermeasures is quantified in terms of the degrees-of-freedom (DoF) of the MISO BC under various assumptions regarding the availability of the channel state information (CSIT) and the jammer state information at the transmitter (JSIT).
The rationale for using a topical retinoid for inflammatory acne.

Both comedogenesis and the development of inflammatory lesions in acne vulgaris appear to be related to genetic as well as immune processes. The key regulatory cytokine, interleukin-1α, has recently been documented as playing a major role in both the hypercornification and the orchestration of immune factors, ultimately resulting in noninflammatory and inflammatory lesions. Topical retinoids, such as tretinoin, and topical retinoid analogs, such as adapalene and tazarotene, help normalize the abnormal follicular keratinocyte desquamation — a key pathophysiologic factor in comedogenesis. This normalization also helps mitigate against the development of a propitious microenvironment for Propionibacterium acnes. Preclinical data suggest that topical retinoids and retinoid analogs may also have direct anti-inflammatory effects. A wealth of clinical data confirms that topical retinoids and retinoid analogs significantly reduce inflammatory lesions. Comparative clinical trials also demonstrate that adapalene has the best cutaneous tolerability profile of all these agents. Optimal therapy for inflammatory acne would involve the use of topical retinoids or retinoid analogs combined with oral or topical antibacterials.
Continuous test suite augmentation in software product lines

Software Product Line (SPL) engineering offers several advantages in the development of families of software products. There is still a need, however, to generate test cases for individual products in product lines more efficiently. In this paper we propose an approach, CONTESA, for generating test cases for SPLs using test suite augmentation. Instead of generating test cases for products independently, our approach generates new test cases for products in an order that allows it to build on test cases created for products tested earlier. In this work, we use a genetic algorithm to generate test cases, targeting branches not yet covered in each product, although other algorithms and coverage criteria could be utilized. We have evaluated CONTESA on two non-trivial SPLs, and have shown that CONTESA is more efficient and effective than an approach that generates test cases for products independently. A further evaluation shows that CONTESA is more effective at achieving coverage, and reveals as many faults as an existing feature-based testing approach.
Nanometer-scale features in dolomite from Pennsylvanian rocks, Paradox Basin, Utah

Abstract Scanning electron microscopy reveals an association between early dolomite in the Pennsylvanian Desert Creek (Paradox Fm.) and small (approximately 0.1 μm) nanometer-scale textures, termed `nannobacteria'. Three diagenetically distinct dolomites are present: early dolomite, limpid dolomite, and baroque dolomite. In this study, only the early dolomite contained nanometer-scale features. These textures occur as discrete balls and rods, clumps of balls, and chains of balls. Precipitation experiments demonstrate that these textures may be the result of precipitation in an organic-rich micro-environment. The presence of these nanometer-scale textures in Pennsylvanian rocks suggests that these early dolomites precipitated in organic-rich, bacterial environments.
A comparison of wind turbine design loads in different environments using inverse reliability techniques

The influence of turbulence conditions on the design loads for wind turbines is investigated by using inverse reliability techniques. Alternative modeling assumptions for randomness in the gross wind environment and in the extreme response given wind conditions to establish nominal design loads are studied. Accuracy in design load predictions based on use of the inverse first-order reliability method (that assumes a linearized limit state surface) is also investigated. An example is presented where three alternative nominal load definitions are used to estimate extreme flapwise bending loads at a blade root for a 600 kW three-bladed, stall-regulated horizontal-axis wind turbine located at onshore and offshore sites that were assumed to experience the same mean wind speed but different turbulence intensities. It is found that second-order (curvature-type) corrections to the linearized limit state function assumption inherent in the inverse first-order reliability approach are insignificant. Thus, we suggest that the inverse first-order reliability method is an efficient and accurate technique of predicting extreme loads. Design loads derived from a full random characterization of wind conditions as well as short-term maximum response (given wind conditions) may be approximated reasonably well by simpler models that include only the randomness in the wind environment but account for response variability by employing appropriately derived ‘‘higher-than-median’’ fractiles of the extreme bending loads conditional on specified inflow parameters. In the various results discussed, it is found that the higher relative turbulence at the onshore site leads to larger blade bending design loads there than at the offshore site. Also, for both onshore and offshore environments accounting for response variability is found to be slightly more important at longer return periods (i.e., safer designs). @DOI: 10.1115/1.1796971#
AE-941, a multifunctional antiangiogenic compound: trials in renal cell carcinoma

The therapy of renal cell carcinoma remains a challenge for medical oncologists and urologists. During the past 10 years, the molecular abnormalities occurring in various subtypes of renal cancer, such as clear cell renal carcinoma, have been well described. The genetic abnormalities found in clear cell tumours involve chromosome 3p and, additionally, hypermethylation of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene can be detected. The VHL protein is involved in the angiogenic cascade in non-hypoxic conditions, and the possible role of mutant or hypermethylated VHL protein in promoting angiogenesis is, therefore, of interest. The majority of patients with renal cell carcinoma who receive treatment, such as IL-2 and/or IFN, fail and develop progressive disease. Therapy is therefore inadequate and novel approaches, such as those inhibiting angiogenesis, are of interest. The agent AE-941 (Neovostat trade mark; AEterna) was developed based on the observation that shark cartilage may contain biologically active inhibitors of angiogenesis. A variety of in vitro and in vivo activities of this preparation have been identified. At the molecular level, AE-941 appears to exhibit four different potential mechanisms of action: modulation of matrix proteases; inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor binding to its receptor; induction of endothelial cell apoptosis; and stimulation of angiostatin production. The antitumour effects of AE-941 are seen in multiple murine models and involve not only effects on primary tumour growth but also on development of metastases. AE-941 is administered orally and has an excellent toxicity profile. Of interest are the findings in patients with renal cell carcinoma. Preliminary trials in this setting have suggested that responses to AE-941 occur and that patients receiving higher doses of this agent may have improved survival. Based on these preliminary data, a large, multi-institutional, randomised, Phase III trial of this agent has now been conducted in patients with metastatic clear cell carcinoma of the kidney. Over 300 patients have been entered into this trial, accrual is complete and results still remain preliminary. The clinical studies in a malignancy such as renal cell carcinoma will provide sentinel and potentially important observations on the clinical effectiveness of this agent.
Interrelationships Between Certain Measurements of External Body Form, Internal Anatomy, and Fat Production

Summary Correlations between butterfat production and certain measurements of external body form were calculated from data on 216 first-lactation Holstein cows in the Beltsville herd. The correlations between production and cross-section areas of chest or paunch were lower, in most cases, than those between production and other chest or paunch measurements. They were 0.18 between production and area of chest and 0.23 between production and area of paunch. Measurements most highly correlated with production were body length (0.31), height at withers (0.35), and depth of paunch (0.36). Multiple correlation coefficients between different sets of measurements and fat production did not exceed 0.40. Measurements of external and internal anatomy were studied on 146 Holstein cows that had been measured before and after slaughter. Depth of chest was significantly correlated with internal chest depth (0.69), heart weight (0.57), and lung weight (0.32); depth of paunch with liver weight (0.48), stomach weight (0.38), length of small intestines (0.31), length of large intestines (0.37), and length of total intestines (0.36). Height at withers showed significant correlations with heart weight (0.50) and lung weight (0.28); body length with heart weight (0.49) and length of intestines (0.34). Partial correlations, with empty body weight held constant, showed that the correlations between certain external and internal measurements were a result of the common association with body weight. The relationship between size of internal organs and fat production was studied on 115 Holstein cows. Correlations were significant only in the case of length of large intestines (0.29) and length of total intestines (0.25). The correlation between depth of paunch and butterfat production was partitioned into a direct component and a component contributed by the association between depth of paunch and organs of the digestive tract. The contribution of the direct path from depth of paunch to fat production amounted to at least 35% of the total correlation. The findings do not support a general supposition that correlations between external body measurements and production are a result of interrelationships with size of internal organs.
Item–trait association, scale multidimensionality, and differential item functioning identification in personality assessment

Abstract This report documents relationships between differential item functioning (DIF) identification and: (1) item–trait association, and (2) scale multidimensionality in personality assessment. Applying [Zumbo, B. D. (1999). A handbook on the theory and methods of differential item functioning (DIF): Logistic regression modeling as a unitary framework for binary and Likert-type (ordinal) item scores. Ottawa, ON: Directorate of Human Resources Research and Evaluation, Department of National Defense.] logistic regression model, DIF effect size is found to become increasingly inflated as investigated item associations with trait scores decrease. Similar patterns were noted for the influence of scale multidimensionality on DIF identification. Individuals who investigate DIF in personality assessment applications are provided with estimates regarding the impact of the magnitude of item and trait association and scale multidimensionality on DIF occurrence and effect size. The results emphasize the importance of excluding investigated items in focal trait identification prior to conducting DIF analyses and reporting item and scale psychometric properties in DIF reports.
Democracy, Legitimacy and Local Government Electoral Reform

Abstract Local government electoral system reforms have been implemented in many countries across Europe during the past two decades. These reforms have, by and large, shifted power from the local councils to the mayors, primarily through adoption of a system of direct election of mayors. The reforms are promoted with the aim of making decision-makers more accountable, and improving the effectiveness of policymaking. Governance by directly elected mayors differs from that of their predecessors, with greater power and increased interaction with a variety of other actors. Although there has been a good deal of research on the effect of a shift to direct elections on mayors, surprisingly little attention has been paid to the impact of this kind of reform on local councils. While these reforms are relatively new in Europe, Israel enacted similar reforms more than three decades ago. This research examines the effect of the adoption of direct election of mayors in Israel and the way in which it affected voting ...
A model for hot spot formation in shocked energetic materials

Abstract Shock initiation and detonation are often attributed to wave interactions in the micro-structure of condensed materials, which involve complex thermo-chemical, fluid and structural processes. Due to their broad range of scales, the simulation of hot spot formation, reaction growth, and transition to detonation is therefore rendered challenging. The extension of these complex couplings to simulate full-scale tests is prohibitively costly. This paper introduces a hot spot formation model to account for heterogeneous effects based on physical and chemical properties. The formulation is first evaluated in a HMX (cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine) sample where hot spots are known to form due to void collapses. Transition to detonation is achieved with impact pressures that match those found in experiments. Parametric studies are performed to determine the effects of the void size and population on the sensitivity of the material. Then, the same hot spot model is used to study detonation in nanocrystalline PETN (pentaerythritol-tetranitrate) where heating is primarily the result of grain boundary effects such as friction, plasticity, and deformation. The inclusion of the hot spot model increases the sensitivity of the material and predicts shock pressures, again similar to experimental values. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of the results is performed to assess the uncertainty in the input variables of the model and to identify the critical parameters with implications on the accuracy of the results.
Hsp70 prevents disuse muscle atrophy in senescent rats

This study determined the effects of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) overexpression on disuse muscle atrophy in senescent rats. Solei of young and senescent rats were co-injected with Hsp70 plus a nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κΒ) reporter plasmid. After 4 days, the hind limbs of half the young and senescent rats were immobilized for 6 days with the remainder serving as weight bearing controls. Hsp70 protein levels and cross-sectional area decreased in both groups (~20%) after immobilization. Atrophy was prevented in those fibers overexpressing Hsp70. NF-κΒ activity increased in the soleus of both young (three-fold) and senescent (five-fold) animals after immobilization and was prevented by Hsp70 overexpression. Inhibitor of κΒ decreased in young (~30%) and senescent (~10%) animals with immobilization and returned to normal with Hsp70. Heat shock protein 70 overexpression prevents disuse atrophy in senescent rats, possibly through suppression of the NF-κB pathway.
On the characterization of extreme switching sequences

In this paper, we consider the problem of finding a switching sequence to minimize or maximize the norm of certain classes of linear switched systems in the sense of H2, and induced l∞ or l1 norm. The motivation is to study certain types of model matching problems including filtering. In particular we show that, for FIR switching system models and induced l∞ norms, the minimizing switching sequence can be chosen to be periodic.
Three-Dimensional Elasticity Solutions for Isotropic and Generally Anisotropic Bodies

Classical methods of two-dimensional elasticity can be extended to give an exact solution of the three-dimensional problem for the beam — i.e. a general solution for the pris- matic bar loaded on its lateral surfaces, subject only to the restriction that the tractions can be expanded as power series in the axial coordinate z. A series of sub-problems Pj is defined by successive partial differentiations with respect to z. For isotropic materials, a recursive al- gorithm can be used for generating the solution to Pj+1 from that for Pj in the context of the Papkovich-Neuber solution. For the generally anisotropic material, a similar strategy is proposed, based on partial integrations of Stroh’s formulation of the two-dimensional problem.
The 2000/2001 Missoula Valley PM2.5 chemical mass balance study, including the 2000 wildfire season—seasonal source apportionment

Abstract One in twelve day sampling for ambient PM 2.5 was conducted at two sites in Missoula, Montana, from March 2000 to March 2001. In conjunction with measured PM 2.5 mass and chemical species collected from both an urban site two blocks from a major intersection and a rural site at the opposite end of Missoula Valley, fingerprints of significant sources of PM 2.5 specific to Missoula Valley served as inputs into a chemical mass balance (CMB) receptor model (version 8.0) to apportion the sources of the fine fraction. Model results revealed that the largest source throughout the year at both the urban and rural background sites was wood combustion, contributing an average of 41% to the fine fraction. The identified wood combustion included residential wood combustion during the winter, slash and prescribed burns from the surrounding areas during the spring and fall, and smoke from wildfires during the summer of 2000. The second largest source of PM 2.5 in Missoula Valley throughout the year was diesel exhaust (19%), followed by secondary ammonium nitrate (17%), a kraft recovery boiler (14%) and hog fuel boilers (6%) from local wood products industry, and street sand (5%). During the forest fire season of summer 2000, CMB results of samples collected during smoky conditions on 13 August 2000 and 25 August 2000 revealed that 81% of the ambient PM 2.5 came from wood combustion (forest fires).
A Liquid Chromatographic Study of the Effect of Adsorption on the Concentration of Aqueous Temephos Solutions

Abstract A new HPLC method to determine temephos in water was developed and tested. The method is reliable for measuring concentrations of temephos in aqueous solutions from 0.005 to 5.0 ppm. The detection limit at 254 nm is 1 ng. The standard curve is not linear over the entire range; separate curves are required for concentrations above and below 0.1 ppm. The method was used to study adsorption of temephos on plastic and glass surfaces. The size of the container, is important to minimize adsorption effects if solutions of 0.01 ppm or less are used. For these solutions, glass containers at least as large as a standard 50 mL beaker should be used for experiments in which a relatively constant concentration of temephos must be maintained for a period of hours.
Weight loss predicts mortality after recurrent oral cavity and oropharyngeal carcinomas.

BACKGROUND The prognosis of patients with recurrent tumors of the head and neck generally is considered poor. Better prediction of outcomes can help physicians counsel patients about the merits of additional treatment. The TNM system, which was created for patients with primary tumors, may not provide optimal information. Anatomic staging systems traditionally have ignored symptom-based variables, such as weight loss, despite their known prognostic value. The objectives of this study were 1) to measure the prognostic impact of weight loss, 2) to evaluate the prognostic value of the TNM staging system, and 3) to create a practical staging system capable of predicting survival after patients develop recurrent tumors of the oral cavity and oropharynx. METHODS A retrospective chart review was used to identify an inception cohort of patients seeking treatment for recurrent, persistent, and second primary tumors of the oral cavity and oropharynx at the University of Washington. The primary outcome variable was 1-year survival. RESULTS The 1-year survival rate for the cohort (n = 97 patients) was 38%, with a median survival of 0.7 years. Multivariate analysis (Cox regression) identified weight loss, previous radiation to the head and neck, and TNM stage of the recurrent tumor as factors that had a substantial impact on mortality. A second multivariate technique called conjunctive consolidation was used to determine the relative quantitative impact of each variable on survival and to develop a clinical staging system. Weight loss and previous radiation had the greatest influence, and the use of just these two variables resulted in a three-tiered staging system with 1-year survival rates of 62% (16 of 26 patients), 44% (18 of 41 patients), and 10% (3 of 30 patients). In contrast, the TNM staging system produced survival rates of 60% (patients with Stage I disease), 67% (patients with Stage II disease), 32% (patients with Stage III disease), and 32% (patients with Stage IV disease). CONCLUSIONS The authors found substantial variation in survival after patients developed recurrent tumors of the oral cavity and oropharynx. Two readily available clinical variables—weight loss and previous radiation—were combined to create a clinically practical staging scheme with more prognostic power than the TNM staging system. Until molecular markers can reliably used be to predict outcomes, greater attention needs to be given to the utility of simple, inexpensive, and surprisingly powerful clinical variables. Cancer 2002;95:553–62. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10711
Insights into the Regulatory Landscape of the Lysine Riboswitch

A prevalent means of regulating gene expression in bacteria is by riboswitches found within mRNA leader sequences. Like protein repressors, these RNA elements must bind an effector molecule with high specificity against a background of other cellular metabolites of similar chemical structure to elicit the appropriate regulatory response. Current crystal structures of the lysine riboswitch do not provide a complete understanding of selectivity as recognition is substantially mediated through main-chain atoms of the amino acid. Using a directed set of lysine analogs and other amino acids, we have determined the relative contributions of the polar functional groups to binding affinity and the regulatory response. Our results reveal that the lysine riboswitch has >1000-fold specificity for lysine over other amino acids. The aptamer is highly sensitive to the precise placement of the e-amino group and relatively tolerant of alterations to the main-chain functional groups in order to achieve this specificity. At low nucleotide triphosphate (NTP) concentrations, we observe good agreement between the half-maximal regulatory activity (T(50)) and the affinity of the receptor for lysine (K(d)), as well as many of its analogs. However, above 400 μM [NTP], the concentration of lysine required to elicit transcription termination rises, moving into the riboswitch into a kinetic control regime. These data demonstrate that, under physiologically relevant conditions, riboswitches can integrate both effector and NTP concentrations to generate a regulatory response appropriate for global metabolic state of the cell.
Dental x-ray exposure of sites within the head and neck

Abstract Measurements made with miniature ionization chambers and a phantom head have indicated the magnitude of the radiation exposure at selected sites within the head and neck. With few exceptions, the exposures made with 65 and 90 KVP were comparable, and all were relatively low compared with earlier studies reported in the dental literature.
Photochemical redox cycling of iron in NaCl solutions

Abstract Rates of Fe(III) photoreduction were measured as a function of pH in 0.5 M NaCl solutions using a laboratory solar simulator. Photoreduction rates were first order with respect to Fe(III) and decreased rapidly with increasing pH. The pH dependence of photoreduction rates for sunlight irradiated solutions was fit to the function: dFe(II) dt =0.15[α Fe(OH) 2+ ][Fe(III)] where αFe(OH)2+ is the distribution function for the first hydrolysis of Fe(III). Fe(OH)2+ appears to be the predominate chromophore responsible for inorganic Fe(III) photoreduction. Concurrent with Fe(III) photoreduction was a stoichiometric production of ·OH (≈ 1 : 1) and a stoichiometric removal of H2O2 (≈ 1 : 4). A mechanism for H2O2 removal is proposed in which ·OH reacts rapidly with Cl− to produce ·Cl2− and/or Cl2 which consume H2O2. The ·OH measurements were made using a new method employing p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid as an ·OH scavenger. The oxidized p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid forms a highly fluorescent product. A dynamic model for Fe(II) concentration was developed based on the total iron concentration, light flux, Fe(III) photoreduction rates, and Fe(II) oxidation rates. The model predicts complete conversion of Fe(III) to Fe(II) within three hours at a solution pH below 5. Predicted Fe(II) concentrations decrease rapidly above pH 5 to less than 1% of total iron concentrations at pH 7. The model predicts the maximum rate of iron redox cycling and ·OH production at pH 5.6.
Snitching, Lies and Computer Crashes: An Experimental Investigation of Secondary Confessions

Two laboratory studies with 332 student participants investigated secondary confessions (provided by an informant instead of the suspect). Participants allegedly caused or witnessed a simulated computer crash, then were asked to give primary or secondary confessions during interrogation. Study 1 replicated the false evidence effect for primary confessions. Secondary confessions were obtained at a high rate, which was increased by false evidence in combination with incentive to confess. In Study 2 a confederate either confessed to or denied crashing the computer. Incentive increased the rate of secondary confession only in the presence of a denial; that is, incentive increased the number of false secondary confessions only. Implications for the use of incentives during informant interrogation are discussed.
Constructing bimatrix games with special properties

This work is concerned primarily with presenting techniques for constructing bimatrix games with predetermined equilibrium points. Some partial results on Nash-solvability are also given.
Infrared measurement of configuration and stereoregularity in polymers—I. Theory

Abstract A perturbation treatment of the intramolecular coupling in helical molecules is examined. A general classification of characteristic band types resulting from changes in stereoregularity is established. Comparisons are made with previous classifications and experiment.
Prospective-gated cardiac micro-CT imaging of free-breathing mice using carbon nanotube field emission x-ray

Purpose: Carbon nanotube CNT based field emission x-ray source technology has recently been investigated for diagnostic imaging applications because of its attractive characteristics including electronic programmability, fast switching, distributed source, and multiplexing. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the potential of this technology for high-resolution prospective-gated cardiac micro-CT imaging. Methods: A dynamic cone-beam micro-CT scanner was constructed using a rotating gantry, a stationary mouse bed, a flat-panel detector, and a sealed CNT based microfocus x-ray source. The compact single-beam CNT x-ray source was operated at 50 KVp and 2 mA anode current with 100 m100 m effective focal spot size. Using an intravenously administered iodinated bloodpool contrast agent, prospective cardiac and respiratory-gated micro-CT images of beating mouse hearts were obtained from ten anesthetized free-breathing mice in their natural position. Fourdimensional cardiac images were also obtained by gating the image acquisition to different phases in the cardiac cycle. Results: High-resolution CT images of beating mouse hearts were obtained at 15 ms temporal resolution and 6.2 lp/mm spatial resolution at 10% of system MTF. The images were reconstructed at 76 m isotropic voxel size. The data acquisition time for two cardiac phases was 449 min. The CT values observed within the ventricles and the ventricle wall were 45549 and 12048 HU, respectively. The entrance dose for the acquisition of a single phase of the cardiac cycle was 0.10 Gy. Conclusions: A high-resolution dynamic micro-CT scanner was developed from a compact CNT microfocus x-ray source and its feasibility for prospective-gated cardiac micro-CT imaging of free-breathing mice under their natural position was demonstrated. © 2010 American Association of Physicists in Medicine. DOI: 10.1118/1.3491806
A case of mutual need--the elderly and the dental profession in the USA.

The increasing needs of the elderly for dental services are considered in terms of the changing environment for the dental profession. It is suggested that the increasing use of dental care by the elderly could provide an answer to some of the problems facing the dental profession.
Nuclear physics: Into the fission valley.

Why are new elements difficult to make? Fusion of two nuclei to produce heavy elements seems to be hindered by a competing process of 'quasi-fission'. New work builds a more complete picture.
On the combined use of UVA, HALS, photooxidation, and fracture energy measurements to anticipate the long-term weathering performance of clearcoat/basecoat automotive paint systems

Transmission UV spectroscopy measurements of clearcoat ul traviol et light absorber (UVA) disposition, electronspin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy measurements of clearcoat and basecoat Active hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) disposition, and transmission Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements of photooxidation have been carried out on 5 µm thickslioes of clearcoat/basecoat/primer/e-coatpaint systems on steel panels as a function of outdoor exposure. These analysis results are combined with clearcoat fracture energy measurements to assess the possibility that a clearcoat/basecoat paint system will resistcatastrophic cracking/peeling failure at long times. Taken together, all results indicate that these nontraditional paint weathering performance metrics should be added to the existing repertoire of paint weathering performancemetrics to ensure that inferior clearcoat/basecoat automotive paint systems are not introduced into service.
SOME EFFECTS OF FORM FACTOR DISTORTION IN THE NUCLEAR OPTICAL MODEL

Abstract The effects of depressing and raising the real part of the central nuclear potential in the optical model are investigated by numerical studies. It is shown that elastic scattering data do not determine the shape of the interior of the nuclear potential and that one may say that polarization studies probe the nuclear surface only after adopting some standard shape for the interior which is assumed valid for all nuclei. The shape of the back angle portion of the polarization curves is discussed and some practical applications are suggested.
Clindamycin colitis following clindamycin therapy: report of a case.

Clindamycin colitis is being reported with increased frequency. It occurs in patients who have been taking large doses of the drug for more than ten days. It manifests as abdominal cramps associated with massive diarrhea. The plain roentgenogram of the abdomen and bariumenema study in conjunction with sigmoidoscopic and histologic examination should confirm the diagnosis. Since the disease is self-limiting, the treatment consists mainly of supprotive measures. These include maintaining electrolyte balance by administration of solutions containing salt, plasmanate and blood.
Further Thoughts on the Degeneration of Market Socialism: A Reply to Schweickart

David Schweickart has challenged a number of claims that are central to my argument that market socialism would probably degenerate into something only nominally distinguishable from capitalism. Chief among these is the claim that competitive pressures would force the workers in a worker-controlled firm to create pay and authority differentials that would make such firms structurally homologous to capitalist firms. Schweickart challenges this on two fronts: He argues that there is no good reason to believe that market forces under market socialism would create the pay and authority differentials characteristic of capitalism. He further argues that certain structural features of market socialism would insure that competition would not be as intense as it is under capitalism. Consequently, even if capitalistically structured firms were more efficient, it would not make much difference, since no sword of Damocles would hang over the heads of those firms whose workers prefer more collectivist methods of control. Let us consider each of these points in turn.
Inhibition of carboxypeptidase A by a naturally occurring polypeptide from potatoes.

Summary A polypeptide inhibitor of carboxypeptidase B, previously isolated from potatoes, was found to be a powerful inhibitor of carboxypeptidase A. This polypeptide is the first naturally occurring inhibitor of carboxypeptidase A and it is the smallest naturally occurring proteinase inhibitor isolated to date, having a molecular weight of about 3500. It neither inhibited nor was it inactivated by chymotrypsin or trypsin.
Inhibition of cyclic AMP formation in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells is mediated by a non-cardiac M2 muscarinic receptor subtype

The cardioselective muscarinic antagonist, AF-DX 116 [11[2-[(diethyl-amino)-methyl]-O-1-piperidinyl]-5,11-dihydro-6H-pyrido- [2,3-b][1,4]-benzodiazepine-6-one), was weak at blocking the M2 muscarinic receptor-mediated inhibition of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) formation in mouse neuroblastoma cells (clone N1E-115). In contrast, the glandular-selective antagonists, hexahydro-sila-difenidol (HHSiD) and 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methyl-piperidine methiodide (4-DAMP), were quite potent at inhibiting this response, being 14- and 318-fold more potent than AF-DX 116 in this regard, respectively. According to the rank order of potency of these two classes of antagonists, these data provide the first pharmacological evidence that inhibition of cAMP formation in a neuronal tissue is mediated by a non-cardiac M2 muscarinic receptor subtype.
A Genomic Study of Leuconostoc mesenteroides and the Molecular Ecology of Sauerkraut Fermentations

: Most vegetable fermentations are carried out without the use of starter cultures, using a technology that has remained virtually unchanged for centuries. As the scale of industrial vegetable fermentations increases worldwide, the disposal of salt (chloride) waste, which is generated during processing of these products, has become a major problem. The development of new technology to reduce the amount of salt used in vegetable fermentations may require a greater understanding of the microbial ecology of these fermentations, and may also require the use of starter cultures.
Glycine Esters of Therapeutically Useful Phenols

In a search for water-soluble derivatives that might be free from various undesirable side effects, the preparation of glycine esters of diethylstilbestrol, methyl salicylate, and other therapeutically useful phenols, was undertaken. The esters were obtained as hydrochlorides by hydrogenolysis of the corresponding N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-glycyl esters. The analgetic activity of methyl glycylsalicylate hydrochloride was tested by a variable radiant heat procedure and found to be equal to or slightly greater than that of acetylsalicylic acid under the conditions of the experiment.
Too Black, Too Gay: The Disco Inferno

A review of Tim Lawrence's Love Saves the Day: A History of American Dance Music Culture (Duke University Press, Durham NC, 2003).
Anthocyanins. IV. Anthocyanin Pigments of Cabernet Sauvignon Grapesa,b

SUMMARY Six anthocyanins were isolated from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Four major and one minor pigment were identified by paper chromatography, color reactions, and spectroscopy. The four major anthocyanins were identified as delphinidin-3-monoglucoside, petunidin-3-monoglucoside, malvidin-3-monoglncoside, and malvidin-3-monoglueoside acetylated with chlorogenic acid. Malvidin-3-monoglucoside was the most abundant pigment of the grapes. One of the minor pigments was identified as petunidin.
Modelling the interrelationship between downtimes and uptimes of CNC machines

Abstract Plant and equipment represent over 50% of the assets in most manufacturing industries. New technologies such as FMS are having a pervasive effect on technology adoption rates and the resultant productivity gains. The acquisition of CNC machines, which is an integral part of FMS, has been justified of financial grounds; however, this does not take the breakdown behavior of these machines into consideration. The downtime resulting from these breakdowns leads to loss of productivity. In this paper an attempt has been made to determine the interrelationship between the downtimes and uptimes of CNC machines using transfer function modeling. The models are tested using data from a farm equipment manufacturer.
Functional and pathologic effects of multiple echocardiographic contrast injections on the myocardium, brain and kidney

Myocardial contrast echocardiography can define in vivo the area at risk for necrosis after coronary occlusion. However, if this technique is to be used, it cannot be intrinsically toxic to the heart or other critical organs. To determine the functional and pathologic effects of contrast echocardiography, six intracoronary, six intrarenal and six intracarotid artery injections of 2 to 6 cc of a commonly employed contrast agent (agitated Renografin-saline solution) were performed in five dogs. A sixth dog served as a sham to assess any deleterious effects of the model preparation. Two-dimensional echocardiographic images and electrocardiograms were recorded during intracoronary injections, and heart rate, blood pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and rate of rise of left ventricular pressure (dP/dt) were continuously monitored. At 24 hours, echocardiographic and hemodynamic measurements were repeated, the dogs were killed and the heart, brain and kidneys were removed and prepared for light microscopic examination. Quantitative analysis of left ventricular wall motion was performed on control, peak contrast, post-contrast and 24 hour studies. With each intracoronary injection, there were transient decreases in blood pressure (p = 0.05 versus control) and increases in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (p = 0.04 versus control). These were associated with depression of wall motion in contrast-enhanced regions (p = 0.01 versus control) and ST-T segment changes on the electrocardiogram. No significant change in heart rate or left ventricular dP/dt was noted. All variables normalized with the clearance of the contrast effect and remained normal to 24 hours. Light microscopic examination revealed no myocardial or cerebral changes attributable to the contrast agent injections. In three kidneys there were nonspecific changes consistent with an osmotic diuresis. It is concluded that repeated injections of echocardiographic contrast medium do not appear to cause permanent cardiac functional disturbances or light microscopic evidence of cardiac, renal or cerebral injury, despite dramatic acute depression of regional myocardial function at the time of contrast effect.
Comparing Natural and Abstract Categories: A Case Study from Computer Science.

In order to address the issue of whether abstract and concrete objects are categorized similarly, this paper looks at how computer scientists categorize the common concepts of their field. Using the methodology of Rosch, Mervis, Gray, Johnson, and Boyes-Braem (1976) and of Rosch and Mervis (1975) to identify the categorizations used by computer scientists, this study found that the categorization phenomena reported for concrete objects are quite general, operating over a wider range than was previously thought.
Unusual mechanisms can dominate reactions at hyperthermal energies: an example from O(3P) + HCl --> ClO + H.

An unusual mechanism in the reaction, O(3P) + HCl → ClO + H, dominates at hyperthermal collision energies. This mechanism applies to collision geometries in which the H atom in the HCl molecule is oriented toward the reagent O atom. As the Cl−O bond forms, the H atom experiences a strong repulsive force from both the O and Cl atoms. The ClO product scatters forward with respect to the initial velocity of the O atom, and the H atom scatters backward. This mechanism accounts for more than half the reactive trajectories at energies >110 kcal mol−1, but it does not involve motion near the minimum energy path, which favors an SN2-like reaction mechanism where the H atom is oriented away from the reagent O atom during the collision.
Shadow based building extraction from single satellite image

Automatic building extraction in satellite imagery is an important problem. Existing approaches typically involve stereo processing two or more satellite views of the same region. In this paper, we use shadow analysis coupled with line segment detection and texture segmentation to construct rectangular building approximations from a single satellite image. In addition, we extract building heights to construct a rectilinear height profile for a single region. We characterize the performance of the system in rural and urban regions of Jordan, Philippines, and Australia and demonstrate a detection rate of 76.2 - 86.1% and a false alarm rate of 26.5 - 40.1%.
Economic Benefit, Ideology, and Senate Voting On the B-1 Bomber

Most previous studies of congressional voting on national defense have found that the level of economic benefit that a member's district receives is not related to his vote on national defense. Rather, many of these studies argue that voting on national defense is largely ideological. This article developed and tested an interactive model that predicts that (1) conservatives from both high and low benefit states would support higher defense budgets and (2) only liberals from high benefit states would support increased defense spending. Using data on the B-1 bomber, the results provide support for the first hypothesis but little support for the second proposition. Furthermore, it was found that ideology was strongly related to voting behavior even after controlling for level of economic benefit. Finally, the data indicate that ideology was less strongly related to vote choice after President Carter announced his opposition to the B-1 than was the case for the three votes that occurred prior to Carter's ann...