cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regional contrast enhancement and data compression for digital mammographic images

The wide dynamic range of mammograms poses problems for displaying images on an electronic monitor and printing images through a laser printer. In addition, digital mammograms require a large amount of storage and network transmission bandwidth. We applied contrast enhancement and data compression to the segmented images to solve these problems. Using both image intensity and Gaussian filtered images, we separated the original image into three regions: the interior region, the skinline transition region, and the exterior region. In the transition region, unsharp masking process was applied and an adaptive density shift was used to simulate the process of highlighting with a spot light. The exterior region was set to a high density to reduce glare. The interior and skinline regions are the diagnostically informative areas that need to be preserved. Visually lossless coding was done for the interior by the wavelet or subband transform coding method. This was used because there are no block artifacts and a lowpass filtered image is generated by the transform. The exterior region can be represented by a bit-plane image containing only the labeling information or represented by the lower resolution transform coefficients. Therefore, by applying filters of different scales, we can accomplish region segmentation and data compression.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Search field size and lesion detection performance

In this study, we evaluated the ability of an observer to identify abnormal foci on CT and how that ability is affected by changing the search field size from a whole abdomen to the liver region alone. A 2-Alternate Forced Choice (2 AFC) experimental paradigm was used to quantify observer detection performance. Each AFC experiment yielded the intensity needed to achieve 92% accuracy in lesion detection (I92%). Abdominal images were obtained at an x-ray tube voltage of 120 kV with a CTDIvol of 20 mGy. Circular lesions were generated by projecting spheres onto the image plane, followed by blurring function. Five lesion sizes (5 mm, 7 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, and 15 mm), and four readers who were extensively trained in AFC methodology, were used in the 2AFC experiments. Each experiment was repeated 4 times to improve the experimental precision, as well as to provide an estimate of experimental uncertainty. For each observer, the experimental order of the 40 experiments was randomized to eliminate learning curve and/or observer fatigue. We measured contrast detail slopes for both Abdomen and Liver search field size, and determined ratio of I92% value for Abdomen search field to the corresponding I92% for the Liver search field (i.e., R abd:liv ). Values of Rabd:liv provides quantitative indicator of the relative difficulty of detection lesions in the whole Abdomen relative to lesion detection restricted to the Liver. The slope of the contrast detail curve for the Abdomen search field was -0.03, whereas the corresponding slope for the Liver search field was -0.18. R abd:liv ranged between 1.3 and 1.6, with an average of 1.4 ± 0.1. The value of Rabd:liv monotonically increased from 1.35 for 5 mm lesions to nearly 1.6 for the largest 15 mm lesion. The results of our study indicate that limiting the area of search to the liver on a CT of the abdomen improves the detection of mass lesions. This finding is almost certainly related to the fact that the liver provides a relatively homogenous background for identifying abnormalities, while the rest of the abdomen is much more heterogeneous. The clinical relevance of our findings is that CT can have limitations for detection of mass lesions outside of the liver, and sizes of masses necessary for detection are larger outside the liver than within.
Structure of 88Kr derived from the 86Kr(t, p)88Kr reaction

Abstract The 86Kr(t, p)88Kr has been used to measure the previously unknown 88Kr level spectrum. Comparison of the proton angular distributions to DWBA predictions leads to Jπ assignments for many observed levels.
Detecting Subclinical Change in Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults: Part I: Explication of the Method.

This research reports on the practicality of performing repeated measures of cognitive functioning in older adults. The detection of acute or subacute changes in cognitive functioning in the clinical setting could be facilitated by the development of an objective screening tool. Such a tool would not depend on the observation of symptoms only in pathological states, but rather, would depend on monitoring the cognitive functioning of patients over time. These repeated assessments allow us to define the magnitude of normal fluctuations in performance, thereby allowing us to define the magnitude of change in performance that represents a significant decrement or improvement in functioning. The findings reveal that routine monitoring of cognitive performance could allow identification of acute or subacute cognitive change in older adults.
Cecal fecaloma mimicking colonic neoplasm

We present the case of a young man with chronic diarrhea associated with an apparent cecal neoplasm roentgenographically. The lesion was diagnosed as a fecaloma only after the curative right hemicolectomy specimen was examined.
Comparable operative times with and without surgery resident participation

Background Both physicians and patients may perceive that having surgical residents participate in operative procedures may prolong operations and worsen outcomes. We hypothesized that resident participation would prolong operative times and potentially adversely affect postoperative outcomes. Objective To evaluate the effect of general surgery resident participation in surgical procedures on operative times and postoperative patient outcomes. Design Retrospective study of general surgery procedures performed during two 1-year time periods, 2007 without residents and 2011 with residents. Procedures included laparoscopic appendectomy and cholecystectomy, thyroidectomy, breast procedure, hernia repair, lower extremity amputation, tunneled venous catheter, and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. The primary outcome was operative time and secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS) and mortality. Setting Academic general surgery residency program. Results There were 2280 operative procedures performed during the 2 periods: 1150 with resident involvement (RES group) and 1130 without residents (NORES group). The RES and NORES groups were similar for patient age (42 vs 41, p = 0.14) and male gender (46% vs 45%, p = 0.68), and there was no difference in overall operative time (68 min vs 66 min, p = 0.58). More specifically there was no difference in operative time (minutes) for specific procedures including laparoscopic appendectomy (67 vs 71, p = 0.8), thyroidectomy (125 vs 109, p = 0.16), breast procedure (38 vs 26, p = 0.79), hernia repair (61 vs 60, p = 0.74), lower extremity amputation (65 vs 77, p = 0.16), tunneled venous catheter (49 vs 47, p = 0.75), and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (49 vs 46, p = 0.76). However, laparoscopic cholecystectomy took slightly longer in the RES group (71 vs 66, p = 0.02). LOS was shorter during the year with resident involvement (2.6 days vs 3.7 days, p = 0.0004) and there was no difference in mortality (0.17% vs 0.35%, p = 0.45). Conclusions There is no difference in operative time for common general surgery procedures with or without resident involvement. In addition, resident involvement is associated with a decrease in LOS. This information should be used to change physician and patient negative perceptions regarding resident involvement while performing surgical procedures.
Insight to human and robotic parallels in spacecraft and space tool design

The parallels between human space activity and robotics and the role of their compatibility in the design of critical spacecraft elements are discussed with reference to current manned spacecraft programs, such as the Shuttle and Space Station Freedom. In particular, it is noted that the human variable may be the limiting factor with regards to repetition, fatigue, and possibly strength. This limiting factor serves as the natural constraint in the design of compatible interfaces. However, the mechanism or tool, not the capability of the robot, is constrained to human limits. Results of a limited test to study the robotic compatibility of the EVA-suitable connectors are reported.
Run-away electrons in relativistic spin (1) /(2) quantum electrodynamics

Abstract The existence of run-away solutions in classical and non-relativistic quantum electrodynamics is reviewed. It is shown that the less singular high energy behavior of relativistic spin 1 2 quantum electrodynamics precludes an analogous behavior in that theory. However, a Landau-like [1] anomalous pole in the photon propagation function or in the electron-massive photon foward scattering amplitude would generate a new run-away, characterized by an energy scaleω∼me exp(1/α). This contrasts with the energy scaleω∼me/αassociated with the classical and non-relativistic quantum run-aways.
Stochastic innovation and product market organization

This paper analyzes how different types of product market organization affect firms' R&D investments in a stochastic innovation framework. Product market competition determines payoffs to successful and unsuccessful firms. Restrictions on the research project success probability distribution are identified that yield an invariance result for expenditure per R&D project. The impact of the number of firms (n) on the amount of market R&D is shown to be sensitive to product market organization. For a major process innovation, firms undertake more R&D projects under Cournot product market competition than under Bertrand competition, forn sufficiently large. A numerical example is used to illustrate welfare tradeoffs.
ESR SPECTRA OF ASCORBIC ACID RADICALS IN APROTIC SOLVENTS

ESR spectral parameters of the radicals from L-ascorbic acid and its analogs in aprotic solvents are reported and compared with those for the same radicals in aqueous solutions. Marked differences in g factor as well as shifts (up to 16%) in proton and 13C hyperfine coupling constants have been observed. Conformational changes in the side chain result in the C6 protons becoming magnetically nonequivalent in the radical from L-ascorbic acid while equivalent in the radical from D-araboascorbic acid.
Bisolute Equilibrium Studies for the Sorption of Basic Dyes on a GAC from Almond Shells: A Nonlinear Approach

Aqueous phase adsorption of three textile dyes onto a granular activated carbon produced from acid activation of almond shells is presented. Primarily, the sorption of three basic dyes, methylene blue, rhodamine b, and malachite green oxalate were studied. Four models, the Freundlich, the Langmuir, the Redlich-Peterson, and the Toth isotherms were compared for their quality of fit to the single-solute sorption data. Next, sorption of the three likely binary systems was examined. Four bi-solute models, the extended Langmuir with and without an interaction term, the extended Redlich-Peterson with an interaction term, and the empirical extended Freundlich model were used to predict sorption in the binary systems. Nonlinearly determined constants of the corresponding single-solute isotherms were used in the binary models to compare with experimental binary sorption data. For the single-solute system, the three-parameter models of the Redlich-Peterson and the Toth isotherms outperformed the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The empirical extended Freundlich model produced the closest comparison to the binary data in each system. In general, the nonlinear method provided a simple and computationally effective technique of producing optimal fitting parameters for the bi-solute sorption models.
Trazodone: A 5-Year Review of Antidepressant Efficacy

Results from double-blind studies reported since 1981 were reviewed to evaluate trazodone's relative antidepressant efficacy and its safety profile. Trazodone's therapeutic efficacy compared favorably with that of the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) agents in both endogenous and nonendogenous patients. Data also suggested that trazodone had a more pronounced, earlier anxiolytic action than the TCA agents. Trazodone may be more effective at lower than maximal doses; some studies that used high dosages--starting at 200 mg/day and rapidly titrated doses to as high as 600 mg/day--reported poorer therapeutic responses than did those that employed more conservative dosages. Trazodone therapy generally produced less pronounced anticholinergic effects than did the comparison TCA agent and it is often as sedating as amitriptyline but more sedating than imipramine. Untoward side effects may be reduced by taking trazodone after meals, and by using bedtime dosing. Issues of possible cardiotoxicity and priapism are reviewed briefly. Overall, studies in the past 5 years point to trazodone as being an effective antidepressant agent with a relatively favorable safety profile.
Estimating provisional acceptable residues for extralabel drug use in livestock.

In 1996, the United States Congress passed legislation (Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act, AMDUCA), which allows some veterinary or human drugs to be used off label in food-producing animals. In order to implement this Act and protect the U.S. consumer, tolerances or safe concentrations are required before a withdrawal time can be estimated for extralabel drug use. Use of foreign MRLs to satisfy these data needs may not be applicable because of differences in safety standards between the U.S. and other countries. This paper presents strategies that can be used to derive equivalent safe concentrations, referred to as provisional acceptable residues (PARs), that may then be used to estimate drug withdrawal times. Health-based methods are proposed for calculating a PAR for a tissue. Procedure A partitions 50% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) to edible tissues and reserves the remainder for milk. Procedure B equally partitions the ADI into all edible tissues. Procedure C partitions 50% of the ADI to milk and equally partitions the remaining 50% ADI into edible tissues. Simulations were performed for florfenicol, tetracycline, dexamethasone, azaperone, ivermectin, eprinomectin, and doramectin. In general, these simulations resulted in derivation of conservative PARs, which did not result in daily intakes of residues greater than the health-based ADI. These simulations demonstrated that provided the safe concentrations or equivalent PARs are based on rigorous toxicology safety data (e.g., NOELs, ADIs), the safety of food animal products will not be compromised. It is proposed that these PARs can be used for estimating withdrawal times after extralabel drug use or inadvertent exposure to an environmental contaminant where no approved withdrawal time exists. Finally, implementing similar transparent methods could have a positive impact on international harmonization and trade.
Periodic light variations in HDE 226868 (Cyg X-1).

The positional coincidence of the ninth magnitude B01b supergiant HDE 226868 with the radio counterpart of Cyg X-1 (refs. 1, 2) and the radial velocity variations in the single-lined spectrum of this star have led to the speculation that a collapsed companion may be the source of the observed X-ray emission3,4. We have photometrically monitored the Hα index and the intermediate-band b magnitude of HDE 226868 for several months using the 24-inch telescope of the Pine Mountain Observatory. No significant variations were detected in the photometric Hα index. We have, however, observed changes of 0.07 in the b magnitude for which the minima coincide with the spectroscopic phases of conjunction as given by Bolton's radial measurements4. An independent observation of similar optical variations has been reported by Lyutiy5. The reported absence of optical variation6 is explained by the coincidence of those measurements with the two minima of approximately equal depth.
Chebychev approximation methods for evaluating conicity

This paper addresses the problem of determining the right circular cone that best fits a finite set of data points when the vertex of the cone has been specified. The problem of determining the best-fit cone when only the axis is specified is also discussed. In both problems, we have determined the best-fit (substitute) cone by minimizing the maximum normal deviation of the data points from the substitute cone. In other words, we have the Chebychev or the minimum zone solution. Finally, we develop a method to fit a cone, without a specified vertex point, to a set of data points. This is achieved with a simplex search of the vertex space to converge to the optimal vertex location where, at each step of the search, a vertex location is chosen, and the envelope width associated with the Chebychev cone for that vertex location is determined.
Models of care in New York State Medicaid substance abuse clinics: Range of services and linkages to medical care

Abstract Purpose: to explore the range of health care services in substance abuse clinics. Methods: survey of directors of a stratified random sample of 125 substance abuse treatment clinics offering methadone, drug-free therapy, or both, representing 344 clinics participating in the New York State (NYS) Medicaid program. Survey asked about clinic services and referral patterns. We defined five categories of linkage of substance abuse to medical care ranging from unlinked (e.g. referral to distant sites) to highly linked (e.g. on site). To estimate the number of patients served, State data on licensed patient capacity for each clinic were used. Results: This sample represented 344 clinics statewide serving an estimated 60,914 patients. For patients with acute, chronic, or HIV-related medical conditions, weighted analyses showed highly linked care in 54 of the 344 (16%) clinics statewide, serving an estimated 13,741 patients. Unlinked care for all these medical conditions was found for 28% of statewide clinics, serving an estimated 8866 patients. Clinics offering both methadone and drug-free therapy were generally more likely to have medically related services on site. Implications: The extent of medical care services available at substance abuse clinics varies widely. Over one-quarter of clinics offered only loosely connected medical and substance abuse care.
Fast peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence for minimized analytical separation systems.

The maximum intensity, Imax, and time required to reach the maximum emission, τmax, for 1-aminopyrene monitored in 1,1′-oxalyldi-4-methylimidazole (OD4MI) chemiluminescence (CL) reactions are approximately 61 times higher and 16 times faster than their respective values for bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)oxalate (TCPO) CL reactions in the presence of imidazole (ImH).
Recent trends in chronic disease, impairment and disability among older adults in the United States

To examine concurrent prevalence trends of chronic disease, impairment and disability among older adults. We analyzed the 1998, 2004 and 2008 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative survey of older adults in the United States, and included 31,568 community dwelling adults aged 65 and over. Measurements include: prevalence of chronic diseases including hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease and arthritis; prevalence of impairments, including impairments of cognition, vision, hearing, mobility, and urinary incontinence; prevalence of disability, including activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). The proportion of older adults reporting no chronic disease decreased from 13.1% (95% Confidence Interval [CI], 12.4%-13.8%) in 1998 to 7.8% (95% CI, 7.2%-8.4%) in 2008, whereas the proportion reporting 1 or more chronic diseases increased from 86.9% (95% CI, 86.2%-89.6%) in 1998 to 92.2% (95% CI, 91.6%-92.8%) in 2008. In addition, the proportion reporting 4 or more diseases increased from 11.7% (95% CI, 11.0%-12.4%) in 1998 to 17.4% (95% CI, 16.6%-18.2%) in 2008. The proportion of older adults reporting no impairments was 47.3% (95% CI, 46.3%-48.4%) in 1998 and 44.4% (95% CI, 43.3%-45.5%) in 2008, whereas the proportion of respondents reporting 3 or more was 7.2% (95% CI, 6.7%-7.7%) in 1998 and 7.3% (95% CI, 6.8%-7.9%) in 2008. The proportion of older adults reporting any ADL or IADL disability was 26.3% (95% CI, 25.4%-27.2%) in 1998 and 25.4% (95% CI, 24.5%-26.3%) in 2008. Multiple chronic disease is increasingly prevalent among older U.S. adults, whereas the prevalence of impairment and disability, while substantial, remain stable.
SU‐GG‐I‐10: An Evaluation of a Solid State Dosimeter in Direct Measurement of CT Dose

Purpose: Our group presented in the past the results of pediatric CT dose monitoring using a small volume solid state dosimeter (SD). This paper studies the responses of such a dosimeter with various technique settings and the limitations implied. Method and Materials: A variety of phantoms has been involved, including anthropomorphic adult head, chest and abdomen phantoms as well as pediatric head and body phantoms. In addition, cylindrical acrylic phantoms are utilized with varying diameters from 6 cm to 32 cm. A pediatric 64 slice VCT scanner is utilized in this study. We evaluate the angle and energy dependence of the SD dosimeter and the effect on dose measurement. Result: The results measured with the SD dosimeter are compared to the CTDI measurements by a pencil ion chamber (IC). The SD energy response is within +/− 10%. It is angle dependent which affects CT dose measurement. It is shown that the IC results are higher than those of SD. The discrepancy increases with kVp, e.g., 20% at 80 kVp, 36% at 100 kVp, 49% at 120 kVp and 61% at 140 kVp using a 16 cm diameter phantom. In addition, the variation appears to be more significant as the phantom size reduces, e.g., 12% at 120 kVp for a 32 cm diameter phantom, 39% for 24 cm, 49% for 16 cm and 77% for 10 cm. Similar trends are observed with anthropomorphic phantoms. This leads us to adjust the setting and use the SD sensors in pair with one facing up and the other facing down. Corrective factors are calculated to compensate for the angle dependence. Conclusion: The angular sensitivity in the SD dosimeter affects the ultimate dose reading and needs correction factors. Overall, the SD dosimeter provides a new tool for direct and instantaneous measurement of CT dose.
Dressed spin of He 3

We report a measurement of dressed spin effects of polarized $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ atoms from a cold atomic source traversing a region of a constant magnetic field ${B}_{0}$ and a transverse oscillatory dressing field ${B}_{d}\mathrm{cos}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{d}t$. The observed effects are compared with a numerical simulation using the Bloch equation as well as a calculation based on the dressed atom formalism. An application of the dressed spin of $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ for a proposed neutron electric dipole moment measurement is also discussed.
Advanced EMI models for survey data processing: targets detection and classification

One of the most challenging aspects of survey data processing is target selection. The fundamental input for the classification is dynamic data collected along survey lines. These data are different from the static data obtained in cued mode and used for target classification. Survey data are typically collected using just one transmitter loop (the Z-axis loop) and feature short data point collection times and short decay transience. The collection intervals for each data point are typically 0.1 s, and the signal repetition rates are typically 90 or 270 Hz (in other words, the transient decay times are 2.7 ms or 0.9 ms). Reliable classification requires multiple side/angle illumination; i.e., to conduct reliable classification it is necessary to combine and jointly invert multiple data points. However, picking data points that provide optimal information for classifying targets is a difficult task. The traditional method plots signal amplitudes on a 2D map and picks peaks of signal level without properly accounting for the underlying physics. In this paper, the joint diagonalization is applied to survey data sets to improve data pre-processing and target picking. The JD technique is an EMI data analysis and target classification technique and is applicable for all next-generation multi-static array EMI sensors. The method extracts multi-static response data matrix eigenvalues. The eigenvalues are main characteristics of the data. Recent studies have demonstrated that the method has great potential to quickly estimate the number of potential targets and moreover classify these targets at the data pre-processing stage, in real time and without the need for a forward model. Another advantage of JD is that it provides the ability to separate signal from noise making it possible to de-noise data without distorting the signal due to the targets. In this paper the JD technique is used to process dynamic data collected at South West Proving Ground and Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) sites using the 2 × 2 TEMTADS and OPTEMA systems, respectively. The joint eigenvalues are extracted as functions of time for each data point and summed/stacked together before being used to create detection maps. Once targets are detected, a set of data is chosen for each anomaly and inverted using the ortho-normalized volume magnetic source technique.
Age differences in the impact of employment on antisocial behavior.

While research suggests that working more than 20 hr weekly is associated with greater antisocial behavior among middle- and upper-class youth, some have argued that employment benefits at-risk youth and leads to desistance from crime among youthful offenders. This study investigates the relation between hours worked, school attendance, and employment characteristics on antisocial behavior in a sample of approximately 1,300 juvenile offenders (ages 14–17 at baseline) tracked over 5 years. The combinations of high-intensity employment and irregular school attendance, unemployment and irregular school attendance, and unemployment and not being enrolled in school are associated with significantly greater antisocial behavior, particularly during early adolescence. High-intensity employment diminishes antisocial behavior only when accompanied by attending school.
Quantification of specific interactions between CO2 and the carbonyl group in polymers via ATR-FTIR measurements

Abstract We have used in situ ATR-FTIR measurements to provide estimates of the strength of specific interactions between carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbonyl groups in polymers such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), poly(lactide) (PLA) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA). Polymer films were exposed to high pressure CO2 and the carbonyl stretching vibration at 1700 cm−1 and the CO2 bending mode at 660 cm−1 were studied. The observed shift in the carbonyl stretching band to higher wavenumber was attributed to dielectric effects according to the Kirkwood–Bauer–Magat (KBM) equation. On the other hand, the splitting of the CO2 bending mode provided direct evidence of specific interactions between the polymer and CO2. These interactions were quantified via an equilibrium constant for the association reaction between CO2 and the carbonyl group.
Synthesis and Application of Porous Sm 0.2 Ce 0.8 O 1.9 Nanocrystal Aggregates

Highly porous Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 (SDC) powder was synthesized by a novel PVA assisted self-rising approach (SDC_SR). The as-synthesized SDC powders were composed of 3−5 nm nanocrystals, which displayed extremely low filled density and high BET surface area. Compared with the SDC powders obtained by the traditional combustion synthesis method (SDC_CB), SDC_SR powders showed better sinterability and higher ionic conductivity.
An Instant Center Approach Toward the Conceptual Design of Compliant Mechanisms

The conceptual design of compliant mechanisms is generally performed using one of two methods: topology optimization or the Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model. In this paper, we present a conceptual design methodology which utilizes a building block approach. The concept of the instant center is developed for compliant mechanisms and is used to characterize the building blocks. The building block characterization is used in guiding the problem decomposition. The compliant four-bar building block is presented as a base mechanism for the conceptual design. The geometric advantage is used as a quantitative measure to guide the designer in determining the shape of the building block. An example problem demonstrates the methodology’s capacity to obtain viable conceptual designs in a straightforward manner. Resulting mechanisms satisfy initial kinematic requirements and are ready for further refinement using size and geometry optimization.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Psychometric and Clinimetric Validity of the 31-Item Rhinosinusitis Outcome Measure (RSOM-31):

Descriptions of rhinosinusitis (RS) patients and evaluation of treatment effectiveness are currently hindered by the lack of a valid measure of health status and quality of life. The RSOM contains ...
Coma morphology and dust-emission pattern of periodic Comet Halley. II - Nucleus spin vector and modeling of major dust features in 1910

The continuous ejection of dust from discrete emission sources on the rotating nucleus of the Comet Halley is modelled in order to explain the evolution of spiral jets which unwind from the nucleus condensation into envelopes or halos in the comet head. The model is applied to digitally processed images of three features of the comet taken from Mount Wilson plates during the 1910 fly-by. The model permits a determination of the motion and spin vector for each emission source, its cometocentric coordinates, and a function relating particle ejection velocity to the solar radiation pressure exerted on the ejecta. It is found that the obliquity of the comet orbit's plane to its equatorial plane is 45 deg, the axis of rotation period of 17.3 days. The derived function of particle ejection velocity to the solar radiation pressure implied no contribution from grains larger than 10 microns in radius. High dust loading of gas flows from the June 1910 emission sources is indicated. It is estimated that because of the favorable approach geometry of the Gioto spacecraft during its 1986 flyby, the likelihood of encountering dense jets of dust is small.
30-Year-Old Man With Chest Pain and Nausea

30-year-old man with no notable medical history presented to the emergency department with nausea, emesis, and paininhischestandbetweentheshoulderblades. Threedaysbeforepresentation,henotedtheonset ofthebackpainwithassociatedvomitingandloose stools. He reported feeling somewhat improved over the course of the night into the next morning butsubsequentlyhaddevelopmentofdiaphoresis withreturnofthebackpain.Therecurrentepisode wasassociatedwithchestpaindescribedasnonpositional,nonradiatingsubsternalheaviness.Hehad no cardiovascular risk factors. On physical examination, he was afebrile, with apulse rateof72beats/min,blood pressure
Online interaction arrangements on quality of online interactions performed by diverse learners across disciplines

Abstract This in-situ, causal-comparative study examined the difference in the quality of online discussions performed by learners with diversity in age and ethnicity status within different online interaction arrangements. Data was collected from 463 students in 19 online courses mainly via a content analysis with online interaction transcripts and an artifact analysis of online course sites and documents. The findings indicated a negative correlation between older adult students and online discussions of individualistic knowledge construction. The interaction arrangement prioritizing the student-to-student interaction reinforced knowledge-constructive online discussions. The interaction arrangement with a balanced requirement of student-to-content, student-to-instructor, and student-to-student interactions promoted reflective learning discussions. There is disciplinary effect on the interactivity and the amount of social and knowledge-sharing discussions.
The Rights of Animals and the Demands of Nature

This paper discusses two central themes of the work of Alan Holland: the relations between the natural and the normative and how our duties regarding animals cohere with our obligations to respect nature. I explicate and defend an anti-speciesist argument that entails strong moral demands on how we should live and what we should eat. I conclude by discussing the implications of antispeciesism for rewilding and reintroduction programmes.
Development and validation of a statistical shape modeling-based finite element model of the cervical spine under low-level multiple direction loading conditions.

Cervical spinal injuries are a significant concern in all trauma injuries. Recent military conflicts have demonstrated the substantial risk of spinal injury for the modern warfighter. Finite element models used to investigate injury mechanisms often fail to examine the effects of variation in geometry or material properties on mechanical behavior. The goals of this study were to model geometric variation for a set of cervical spines, to extend this model to a parametric finite element model, and, as a first step, to validate the parametric model against experimental data for low-loading conditions. Individual finite element models were created using cervical spine (C3-T1) CT data for five male cadavers. Statistical shape modeling was used to generate a parametric finite element model incorporating variability of spine geometry, and soft tissue material property variation was also included. The probabilistic loading response of the parametric model was determined under flexion-extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending and validated by comparison to experimental data. Based on qualitative and quantitative comparison of the experimental loading response and model simulations, we suggest that the model performs adequately under relatively low-level loading conditions in multiple loading directions. In conclusion, statistical shape modeling methods coupled with finite element analyses within a probabilistic framework, along with the ability to statistically validate the overall model performance, provide innovative and important steps towards describing the differences in vertebral morphology, spinal curvature, and variation in material properties. We suggest that these methods, with additional investigation and validation under injurious loading conditions, will lead to understanding and mitigating the risks of injury in the spine and other musculoskeletal structures.
Nucleation, Growth, and Composition of Crystals Obtained from Solutions of Na2CO3 and Na2SO4

The formation of crystals from solutions containing sodium carbonate and sodium sulfate is a complex process that often results in fouling of heat-transfer surfaces. Complexity results from a dependence of the composition of crystals formed on the composition of the solution, and the solution composition changes with crystallization. In the present work, experiments involving evaporation at 115 °C were used to identify these species and the specific regimes in which they are formed. Crystals produced in these experiments were sodium sulfate, burkeite, a new species referred to as dicarbonate, and either sodium carbonate monohydrate or anhydrous sodium carbonate.
Personal Values about Sex among Virginal and Experienced Urban Adolescent Girls: Implications for Reducing STD Rates

Personal Values about Sex among Virginal and Experienced Urban Adolescent Girls: Implications for Reducing STD Rates
Energy exchange in single-particle electron-electron scattering

Abstract Electron–electron scattering has been of interest in the treatment of hot carriers for several decades. Recently, the details of this scattering process have become much more important with regard to the degradation of Si MOS transistors, where it is suggested that intercarrier scattering excites electrons well above 3 eV, even with only 2 V bias. On the other hand, it is generally found that the energy exchange found in the electron–electron interaction is quite small. As a consequence, we have examined the detailed energy loss (gain) through the electron–electron interaction for carriers in Si. This is evaluated assuming a thermal Maxwellian hot carrier distribution at 2500 K and the parameters for Si. We find that the energy exchange is highly peaked around small energies (less than 20 meV), and falls off rapidly with energy.
Leadership Reexamined: A Behavioral Approach

Leadership is examined from a behavioral perspective. Evidence is presented that shows that existing theory and research largely builds in normative preconceptions about leadership and provides no prediction and control of performance behavior. An alternative behavioral interpretation is offered. A behavioral model is presented that examines both the macro and micro contingencies affecting leader-subordinate behavior. An expanded functional analysis that includes both overt and covert contingencies is presented. Specific guidelines for a behavioral approach to the study and practice of leadership are provided.
Fabrication of temporary and treatment partial dentures.

Abstract The method of pouring cold-curing acrylic resin into an alginate mold for making temporary and treatment partial dentures requires no special equipment or materials and has been found to be fast, accurate, practical, and economical. Denture adjustments to permit insertion are seldom necessary.
Correlation between endogenous auxin and its destruction in vivo by 2:4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in plants.

SEVERAL investigators have recently pointed out the accelerating effect of 2 : 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on the destruction of auxin in dicotyledonous plants1–3. In addition, one group3 has revealed that the opposite effect prevails in oat coleoptile sections, that is, 2,4-D effects a prevention or ‘sparing action’ of the previously reported destruction of indolylacetic acid in oat coleoptiles4.
A Case of False-Positive Test Results in a Pregnant Woman of Unknown HIV Status at Delivery

We report a case of a false-positive HIV result in an apparently healthy pregnant woman. Since no prenatal HIV testing had been performed, we screened for HIV reactivity utilizing the Architect HIV-Ag/Ab Combo assay. Results obtained were inconsistent in that they were repeatedly HIV reactive on a single serum sample while nonreactive on a plasma sample. However, both sample types were nonreactive on the Advia Centaur HIV-1/O/2 and Oraquick assays. For further confirmation, an HIV-1 Western blot and viral load were performed; blot results were indeterminate while the viral load was undetectable. We concluded that the repeatedly reactive serum serology results were false-positive. While the cause of this false reactivity is not clear, most likely fibrin microclots in the serum sample interfered with the assay and thus accounted for the false positivity. Plasma may thus provide a more appropriate sample type when using the Architect assay, especially when testing pregnant women.
Effect of various properties of fcc metals on their adhesion as studied with LEED

Abstract The forces of adhesion for various face-centered-cubic metals after surface contact were measured. Surfaces were examined with LEED before and after contact to determine nature of surface changes resulting from adhesive contact. The results of the study indicate that elastic properties of metals can be related to cohesion, adhesion and the character of surface transfer with adhesion. LEED indicated that, for some material pairs studied, epitaxial transfer may occur. It was also found that the addition of a small concentration of alloying element (aluminum to copper in this study) markedly increased adhesion. Surface orientation was observed to have substantial influence on adhesive force. With gold contacting copper, the force of adhesion to the (100) surface of gold was in the following order for the various copper orientations: (HO) > (100) > (111). The amount of metal transferred from one surface to another was found to be related to applied force of adhesion.
Measures of Multigroup Segregation

In this paper we derive and evaluate measures of multigroup segregation. After describing four ways to conceptualize the measurement of multigroup segregation—as the disproportionality in group (e.g., race) proportions across organizational units (e.g., schools or census tracts), as the strength of association between nominal variables indexing group and organizational unit membership, as the ratio of between-unit diversity to total diversity, and as the weighted average of two-group segregation indices—we derive six multigroup segregation indices: a dissimilarity index (D), a Gini index (G), an information theory index (H), a squared coefficient of variation index (C), a relative diversity index (R), and a normalized exposure index (P). We evaluate these six indices against a set of seven desirable properties of segregation indices. We conclude that the information theory index H is the most conceptually and mathematically satisfactory index, since it alone obeys the principle of transfers in the multigr...
Development of DHT-receptor (DHT-R) estimation through (3H)-DHT exchange

The convenient dihydrotestosterone-(DHT)-R estimation with (3H)-methyltrienolone (R1881)in human tissue is unspecific as it is also bound by the progestin receptors. We have, therefore, developed a highly specific (3H)-DHT exchange assay for cytoplasmic and nuclear DHT-R. In parallel to the suppression of DHT metabolism during incubation by NADase, suppression of low capacity binding was carried out in the presence of an overdose (100-fold) of R1881. In this way, the residual metabolism of (3H)-DHT remained equal in both assays. Free (3H)-DHT and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were separated by agar gel electrophoresis (R. Wagner, 1972). Under these conditions, the binding characteristics of DHT and R1881 were not different in relation to KS value (5.08×10-9 mol/1), association and dissociation velocities, and number of estimated binding sites (free 0.5 fmol/mgDNA; total 1.C fmol/mg DNA). The data indicate that the higher affinity of R1881 to the DHT-R may not be real as DHT concentration diminishes in the usual assay systems.
Phosphatidylinositol (4,5) bisphosphate controls T cell activation by regulating T cell rigidity and organization

Here we investigate the role of Phosphatidylinositol (4,5) bisphosphate (PIP2) in the physiological activation of primary murine T cells by antigen presenting cells (APC) by addressing two principal challenges in PIP2 biology. First, PIP2 is a regulator of cytoskeletal dynamics and a substrate for second messenger generation. The relative importance of these two processes needs to be determined. Second, PIP2 is turned over by multiple biosynthetic and metabolizing enzymes. The joint effect of these enzymes on PIP2 distributions needs to be determined with resolution in time and space. We found that T cells express four isoforms of the principal PIP2-generating enzyme phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K) with distinct spatial and temporal characteristics. In the context of a larger systems analysis of T cell signaling, these data identify the T cell/APC interface and the T cell distal pole as sites of differential PIP2 turnover. Overexpression of different PIP5K isoforms, as corroborated by knock down and PIP2 blockade, yielded an increase in PIP2 levels combined with isoform-specific changes in the spatiotemporal distributions of accessible PIP2. It rigidified the T cell, likely by impairing the inactivation of Ezrin Moesin Radixin, delayed and diminished the clustering of the T cell receptor at the cellular interface, reduced the efficiency of T cell proximal signaling and IL-2 secretion. These effects were consistently more severe for distal PIP5K isoforms. Thus spatially constrained cytoskeletal roles of PIP2 in the control of T cell rigidity and spatiotemporal organization dominate the effects of PIP2 on T cell activation.
Expressions of resistance and cross-resistance in teniposide-resistant L1210 cells.

Resistance to teniposide (VM-26) by VM-26 selected resistant L1210 cells in culture was attributed to alterations in the flux of VM-26 across the plasma membrane and to functions of homogeneously staining regions that appeared on one or more chromosomes. In the present study, electrophoresis of membrane-cytosol fractions of these resistant sublines demonstrated a protein band, Mr 22 kd, that was not evident in similar fractions of drugsensitive L1210 cells or three revertant sublines. The distribution of this protein among various cellular fractions could be altered by manipulation of the concentration of calcium ions. A representative subline, LIa5 μM, was observed to have vesicles that reacted with Sudan black B stain, an indication of altered lipid metabolism. The LIa5 μM subline was cross-resistant to etoposide, vincristine, doxorubicin, amsacrine, and actinomycin D. Concentrations of VM-26 that inhibited cell division to the same extent caused an accumulation of fewer cells in the G2 stage of cell division in LIa5 μM cultures than in L1210 cultures. These observations indicate that the LIa5 μM subline expressed multiple drug resistance, as well as changes in the expression of cytotoxicity to VM-26.
Expression of Na,K-ATPase-β1 subunit increases uptake and sensitizes carcinoma cells to oxaliplatin

Purpose The ovarian carcinoma subline A2780/C10B (C10B) is an oxaliplatin resistant clone derived from the human ovarian carcinoma cell line A2780. The C10B cells are characterized by mesenchymal phenotype, decreased platinum uptake and increased glutathione levels (Hector et al. in Cancer Lett 245:195–204, 2007; Varma et al. in Oncol Rep 14:925–932, 2005). Na,K-ATPase-β subunit (Na,K-β1) functions as a cell–cell adhesion molecule in epithelial cells and is reduced in a variety of carcinoma cells that show mesenchymal phenotype. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between Na,K-β expression and sensitivity to oxaliplatin.
Stable isotopic evidence in support of active microbial methane cycling in low-temperature diffuse flow vents at 9°50’N East Pacific Rise

Abstract A unique dataset from paired low- and high-temperature vents at 9°50′N East Pacific Rise provides insight into the microbiological activity in low-temperature diffuse fluids. The stable carbon isotopic composition of CH4 and CO2 in 9°50′N hydrothermal fluids indicates microbial methane production, perhaps coupled with microbial methane consumption. Diffuse fluids are depleted in 13C by ∼10‰ in values of δ13C of CH4, and by ∼0.55‰ in values of δ13C of CO2, relative to the values of the high-temperature source fluid (δ13C of CH4 =−20.1 ± 1.2‰, δ13C of CO2 =−4.08 ± 0.15‰). Mixing of seawater or thermogenic sources cannot account for the depletions in 13C of both CH4 and CO2 at diffuse vents relative to adjacent high-temperature vents. The substrate utilization and 13C fractionation associated with the microbiological processes of methanogenesis and methane oxidation can explain observed steady-state CH4 and CO2 concentrations and carbon isotopic compositions. A mass-isotope numerical box model of these paired vent systems is consistent with the hypothesis that microbial methane cycling is active at diffuse vents at 9°50′N. The detectable 13C modification of fluid geochemistry by microbial metabolisms may provide a useful tool for detecting active methanogenesis.
Nutrition and Learning

(1982). Nutrition and Learning. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 55, No. 7, pp. 300-304.