cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morphological and quantitative analysis of spermatogonia in mouse testes using whole mounted seminiferous tubules : I. The normal testes

In adult male mice exposed to 300 R X-irradiation, the spermatogonial population was selectively killed except for the radioresistant type As stem cells. Type A spermatogonia were minimal two days after irradiation, when only 20% of the control population was present in stage 5-6; these were predominately single and paired undifferentiated cells. When multiple injections of 3HTdR were given between 2 and 3.5 days post-irradiation, 90-95% of these survivors in stages 4-6 became labeled. Enhanced proliferation of these stem cells, and at times when they were normally quiescent, led to restoration of all classes of spermatogonia by 11 days after irradiation. Several autoradiographic studies were undertaken to better characterize the radioresistant cells. In mice given single or multiple injections of 3HTdR prior to irradiation, there was appreciable retention of label by those type As spermatogonia that had originally incorporated 3HTdR in stages 2-4. This labeling pattern was identical to that of the long-cycling As stem cells in nonirradiated testes. Since the long-cycling As stem cells are thought to be characterized by a prolonged G1 or "A-phase" which is known to be a highly radioresistant portion of the cell cycle, it was clear why these cells could preferentially survive irradiation doses that killed other spermatogonial types. It was proposed that following germ cell depletion, as after irradiation injury, the long-cycling As survivors could be prematurely triggered from A-phase into DNA synthesis, thereby, initiating restoration of the germ cell population.
On the Use of College Students in Social Science Research: Insights from a Second‐Order Meta‐analysis

A second‐order meta‐analysis was conducted to assess the implications of using college student subjects in social science research. Four meta‐analyses investigating response homogeneity (cumulative N > 650,000) and 30 meta‐analyses reporting effect sizes for 65 behavioral or psychological relationships (cumulative N > 350,000) provided comparative data for college student subjects and nonstudent (adult) subjects for the present research. In general, responses of college student subjects were found to be slightly more homogeneous than those of nonstudent subjects. Moreover, effect sizes derived from college student subjects frequently differed from those derived from nonstudent subjects both directionally and in magnitude. Because there was no systematic pattern to the differences observed, caution must be exercised when attempting to extend any relationship found using college student subjects to a nonstudent (adult) population. The results augur in favor of, and emphasize the importance of, replicating r...
Some parametric sensitivity analyses for high velocity impact computations

Abstract This paper presents a variety of two- and three-dimensional impact computations performed with the EPIC code, which has recently been combined and modified to include one-, two-, and three-dimensional capabilities. The first portion of the paper provides EPIC computations of yawed rod impacts onto thin plates, and a comparison of the computed results to experimental data. The primary portion involves a parametric sensitivity study for a normal impact problem and an oblique impact problem. Here the effects of grid size, fracture, sliding/eroding interface algorithms, and geometry (axisymmetric, plane strain, three-dimensional) are examined.
Exact localized solutions of two-dimensional field theories of massive fermions with Fermi interactions

The classical equations of motion for field theories of massive fermions with Fermi interactions in one space and one time dimension are investigated. It is shown that they all possess exact stationary solutions which are localized, due to the vanishing of the stress tensor, a feature for this type of solutions only in two dimensions. The explicit forms of these solutions are presented. More importantly, exact solutions for the bound state of $N$ localized massive fermions with scalar or vector Fermi interactions are also found.
Concentration Dependency and Stage of Crop Growth in Alfalfa Autotoxicity

Shoots of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) contain water-soluble chemical compounds which are autotoxic, i.e., inhibit the growth of alfalfa itself. The objectives of this study were to (i) determine the inhibition threshold of the water-soluble chemical compounds (autotoxic principle), and (ii) demonstrate that the inhibition of seed germination on early seedling growth of alfalfa is due to autotoxinic compounds from alfalfa shoots and not from microbes. A farmer must make a decision on whether or not it would be advisable to replant alfalfa based on the level of alfalfa residue still growing in the field. Laboratory and greenhouse studies were conducted to determine if autotoxicity in alfalfa due to water-soluble compounds is concentration dependent. Filter-sterilized and non-filter-sterilized shoot aqueous extracts from vegetative and reproductive stages of ‘WL-316’ alfalfa were assayed at 20, 40, 60, and 80 g L⁻¹ (fresh shoot weight basis) for their effect on seed germination and root and shoot elongation of seedlings of WL-316 alfalfa in a growth chamber. Compared with the control, root length, shoot length, and germination were inhibited beyond 20 g L⁻¹ concentration. Shoot extract from the reproductive stage was more inhibitory than from the vegetative stage under laboratory conditions. In the greenhouse, incorporation of 4-wk-old green herbage from vegetative stage beyond 48 shoots per square meter level resulted in severe reductions in seedling emergence and plant fresh weight per unit area. Among the several phenolic compounds assayed for their phytotoxicity on root and shoot growth of alfalfa, coumarin and transcinnamic acid at 60 ± 10 μg mL⁻¹ were the most inhibitory. Mixtures of five or more phenolic acids were more phytotoxic than their respective individual components except in the case of trans-cinnamic acid and coumarin. Autotoxicity in alfalfa may be caused by an interaction of many, yet uncharacterized chemical compounds present in shoots.
Application of Hard-Pion Three-Point Functions

Some comparisons with experiment of the hard-pion three-point functions obtained from $\mathrm{SU}(2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{SU}(2)$ current algebra are given. Available experimental data involving $\ensuremath{\pi}$, $\ensuremath{\rho}$, ${A}_{1}$, and $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ mesons are examined. The hard-pion current-algebra method is used to calculate the decays $\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}+\ensuremath{\pi}$, ${A}_{1}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}+\ensuremath{\rho}$, and $\ensuremath{\sigma}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}+\ensuremath{\pi}$, and the electromagnetic form factor of the pion. Peripheral processes such as $\ensuremath{\pi}+N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\rho}+N$ are also examined as a test of meson-vertex functions for spacelike momentum transfers. Here, to reproduce correctly the momentum-transfer dependence at the nucleon vertex, a new extrapolation for the pionic nucleon form factor is introduced, using the Goldberger-Treiman relation. The results of the above calculations are found to be consistent with the present experimental situation. Current-algebra predictions for the $\ensuremath{\gamma}+N\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{A}_{1}+N$ cross section and the decays ${A}_{1}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}+\ensuremath{\gamma}$ and ${A}_{1}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}+\ensuremath{\sigma}$ are given. A cross section of about 0.1 \ensuremath{\mu}b is obtained for the ${A}_{1}$ photoproduction, which is on the verge of being detectable.
NMR Paramagnetic Relaxation Enhancement: Measurement of an Axial/Equatorial T1 Ratio for S = 1 in the Zero-Field Splitting Limit

An experimental test of one of the central predictions of the theory of paramagnetic enhancement of NMR relaxation rates in solution (the NMR-PRE) for spins S > 1/2 is reported. For S ≥ 1, zero-fie...
Stochastic and quantum space-time metrics and the weak-field limit

In this review we present a simple method of introducing stochastic and quantum metrics into gravitational theory at short distances in terms of small fluctuations around a classical background space-time. We consider only residual effects due to the stochastic (or quantum) theory of gravity and use a perturbative stochastization (or quantization) method. By using the general covariance and correspondence principles, we reconstruct the theory of gravitational, mechanical, electromagnetic, and quantum mechanical processes and tensor algebra in the space-time with stochastic and quantum metrics. Some consequences of the theory are also considered, in particular, it indicates that the value of the fundamental lengthl lies in the interval 10−23≲l≲10−22 cm.
Mutational analysis of the conserved bases C1402 and A1500 in the center of the decoding domain of Escherichia coli 16 S rRNA reveals an important tertiary interaction

Interactions within the decoding center of the 30 S ribosomal subunit have been investigated by constructing all 15 possible mutations at nucleotides C1402 and A1500 in helix 44 of 16 S rRNA. As expected, most of the mutations resulted in highly deleterious phenotypes, consistent with the high degree of conservation of this region and its functional importance. A total of seven mutants were viable under conditions where the mutant ribosomes comprised 100 % of the ribosomal pool. A suppressor mutation specific for the C1402U-A1500G mutant was isolated at position 1520 in helix 45 of 16 S rRNA. In addition, lack of dimethylation of A1518/A1519 caused by mutation of the ksgA methylase enhanced the deleterious effect of many of the 1402/1500 mutations. These data suggest that a higher-order interaction between helices 44 and 45 in 16 S rRNA is important for the proper functioning of the ribosome. This is consistent with the recent high-resolution crystal structures of the 30 S subunit, which show a tertiary interaction between the 1402/1500 region of helix 44 and the dimethyl A stem loop.
Studies on ATPase activity of sea urchin eggs and the isolated mitotic apparatus

The ATPase activity of sea urchin eggs and isolated mitotic apparatus has been investigated. The egg contains ATPase activity which is readily solubilized by homogenization in an isotonic sucrose-MgCl2 solution. Most of this activity migrates with a sedimentation coefficient of about 13 ± 1 S in sucrose gradient centrifugation. The soluble ATPase is activated by both Mg and Ca, has a pH dependence with optima at about pH 7.5 and 9.5 and hydrolyses ATP at a faster rate than GTP or ITP. These properties are similar to those of the ciliary ATPase dynein, and the soluble enzyme may be a cilia precursor. A readily soluble 13 S ATPase is also present in the isolated mitotic apparatus in small amounts. The addition of MgCl2 to the isolation medium did not affect the level of soluble activity obtained, although it did increase the level of particulate activity. The specific activity of the soluble enzyme of mitotic apparatus is about equal to that obtainable from the cytoplasm when treated, as nearly as possible, in the same way. It is not possible, therefore, to positively identify the ATPase as a specific mitotic apparatus component. The amount of ATPase activity present is nevertheless adequate to account for the energy output of the spindle.
Racing climate change: Collaboration and conflict in California's global climate change policy arena

Media accounts routinely refer to California's Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32), the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, as “landmark” climate change legislation. On its surface, this label is an accurate reflection of the state's forward-thinking stance across many environmental issues including pesticides, toxic substances, solid waste, and air quality. For all its promise, however, AB 32 can also be considered a low point in the landscape of conflict between state environmental regulators and California's environmental justice movement. While the legislation included several provisions to address the procedural and distributive dimensions of environmental justice, the implementation of AB 32 has been marked by heated conflict. The most intense conflicts over AB 32 revolve around the primacy of market mechanisms such as “cap and trade.” This article examines the drivers and the manifestations of these dynamics of collaboration and conflict between environmental justice advocates and state regulators, and pays particular attention to the scalar and racialized quality of the neoliberal discourse. The contentiousness of climate change politics in California offers scholars and practitioners around the world a cautionary tale of how the best intentions for integrating environmental justice principles into climate change policy do not necessarily translate into implementation and how underlying racialized fractures can upend collaboration between state and social movement actors.
Heats of reactions between dentine bonding agents and tooth components

Summary The heat of reaction of dentine bonding agents alone and dentine bonding agents with dentine, hydroxyapatite and collagen were measured using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) in the isothermal mode. The bonding agents were Scotchbond® and Panavia Ex® adhesives, and GC Fuji-II glass ionomer cement. The heat of reaction for Scotchbond® and Panavin Ex® bonding adhesives were 44.3 and 6.9 mcal/mg, respectively. Furthermore, results support the view that the glass ionomer cements adhere to tooth structure by chemical bonding.
Isozyme Variation and Phylogenetic Relationhips among Open-Pollinated Sweet Corn Cultivars

Research supported by the College of Agric. and Life Sci. Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison and the Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia, Madrid, Spain
Autonomous target following by unmanned aerial vehicles

In this paper we present an algorithm for the autonomous navigation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) following a moving target. The UAV in consideration is a fixed wing aircraft that has physical constraints on airspeed and maneuverability. The target however is not considered to be constrained and can move in any general pattern. We show a single circular pattern navigation algorithm that works for targets moving at any speed with any pattern where other methods switch between different navigation strategies in different scenarios. Simulation performed takes into consideration that the aircraft also needs to visually track the target using a mounted camera. The camera is also controlled by the algorithm according to the position and orientation of the aircraft and the position of the target. Experiments show that the algorithm presented successfully tracks and follows moving targets.
Child-raising attitudes family size and the value of children

Summary Attitudes towards having and raising children were assessed in a two-county survey in northern Idaho. Ss, 360 women and 258 men of various ages and educational level, completed a questionnaire designed to measure the degree to which the respondent: (a) manifests a negative and punitive stance towards children, (b) is overprotective, (c) thinks children should be pushed in acquiring social skills, and (d) believes that children are essential for the well being of a family and marriage. In support of earlier research negative attitudes towards children were associated with younger women who had three or more children in a relatively short time. However, it seems that educational level of the respondents as well as the value they place upon children may offset negative attitudes towards child-rearing attributed to family size or density.
On designing communication-intensive algorithms for a spanning optical bus based array

The Reconfigurable Array with Spanning Optical Buses (or RASOB) architecture provides flexible reconfiguration and strong connectivities with low hardware and control complexities. We use a parallel implementation of the matrix transposition as well as multiplication algorithms as an example to show how the architectural capabilities can be taken advantage of in designing efficient parallel algorithms.
Personality and Foreign Policy: Tony Blair's Iraq Decisions

The British choice in Iraq has been characterized as “Tony Blair's War,” with many believing that the personality and leadership style of the prime minister played a crucial part in determining British participation. Is this the case? To investigate, I employ at-a-distance measures to recover Blair's personality from his responses to foreign policy questions in the House of Commons. I find that he has a high belief in his ability to control events, a low conceptual complexity, and a high need for power. Using newly available evidence on British decision making, I show how Blair's personality and leadership style did indeed shape both the process and outcome of British foreign policy toward Iraq. The research reemphasizes the importance of individual level factors in theories of foreign policy, as well as offering a comprehensive explanation of a critical episode.
Selective Tracing of Auditory Fibers in the Avian Embryonic Vestibulocochlear Nerve

The embryonic chick is a widely used model for the study of peripheral and central ganglion cell projections. In the auditory system, selective labeling of auditory axons within the VIIIth cranial nerve would enhance the study of central auditory circuit development. This approach is challenging because multiple sensory organs of the inner ear contribute to the VIIIth nerve 1. Moreover, markers that reliably distinguish auditory versus vestibular groups of axons within the avian VIIIth nerve have yet to be identified. Auditory and vestibular pathways cannot be distinguished functionally in early embryos, as sensory-evoked responses are not present before the circuits are formed. Centrally projecting VIIIth nerve axons have been traced in some studies, but auditory axon labeling was accompanied by labeling from other VIIIth nerve components 2,3. Here, we describe a method for anterograde tracing from the acoustic ganglion to selectively label auditory axons within the developing VIIIth nerve. First, after partial dissection of the anterior cephalic region of an 8-day chick embryo immersed in oxygenated artificial cerebrospinal fluid, the cochlear duct is identified by anatomical landmarks. Next, a fine pulled glass micropipette is positioned to inject a small amount of rhodamine dextran amine into the duct and adjacent deep region where the acoustic ganglion cells are located. Within thirty minutes following the injection, auditory axons are traced centrally into the hindbrain and can later be visualized following histologic preparation. This method provides a useful tool for developmental studies of peripheral to central auditory circuit formation.
Affective and informational meaning and their relationship to familiarization

Subjects were familiarized on one of two dissyllables lists, and on one other “filler” list. Following familiarization, association latencies and polarization scores were obtained from each subject for all non-filler stimuli. The lists differed significantly in pre-familiarization latencies; i.e., one was inherently more “meaningful” than the other. Polarization scores were increased as a function of familiarization for stimuli in the low initial latency (high m) lists, but were decreased for the high initial latency (low m) stimuli.
Die Verantwortung der Techniker — Kommentare zur aktuellen Diskussion

Technik ist wie die Politik eine Kunst des Moglichen, und Weltanschauung fuhrt auch hier nicht zu Losungen. Das wird am „Technologischen Imperativ” ausfuhrlich dargestellt. Am Ende stehen Uberlegungen zur spezifischen Verantwortung der Techniker.
Hydrolysis of Secondary Alcohol Sulphate by a Bacterial Enzyme

ROY'S speculation1 that alkyl sulphatases exist has been substantiated by our demonstration in a species of Pseudomonas, which we have designated C12B (ref. 2), of a primary alcohol sulphatase3 inactive with either aryl or secondary alcohol sulphatases. We have now isolated from soil enriched with a mixture of C10–C20 secondary alcohol sulphates (Oronite Division, California Chemical Co., San Francisco) a bacterium, tentatively identified as Aerobacter cloacae, which hydrolyses pentan-3ol sulphate. Cell free activity has been demonstrated.
Mapping of tide and tidal flow fields along a tidal channel with vessel-based observations

[1] We present the results of a study focused on the tidal regime of a shallow channel with a large intertidal area. Data from a vessel-towed acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) were used to infer tidal constituents for both tidal elevation and tidal current along an upstream portion of the Okatee River, South Carolina. The tidal elevation is estimated from the depth recorded by the moving ADCP. This tidal elevation is then used to correct the vertical coordinates of each depth bin below the ADCP for the velocity profiles. The ability to resolve both tidal elevation and velocity allows us to determine that the tide is a standing wave. A statistical analysis demonstrates that the along-channel velocity has a stronger tidal signal (larger R2 values) than the across-channel velocity. When only the M2 and mean components are included in the harmonic analysis, about 75% of the covered area along the ship track has a “good fit,” where at least 70% of the variability can be explained by the tidal and mean components. By adding the M4 component to the harmonic analysis, an additional 2% of the covered area has “good fit” for the elevation, depth-averaged velocity, and mid-depth velocity, but 12% for the near-surface velocity. The observed spatial distribution of the residual flow is in reasonable agreement with that predicted by an unstructured grid, finite-volume coastal ocean model (FVCOM).
DETERMINATION OF THE TIME-DOMAIN EQUIVALENTS OF HIGHER ORDER LAPLACE TRANSFER FUNCTIONS BY ANALOG COMPUTATION,

Abstract : In the theory of the optimal inventory control a class of complex Laplace transforms arises where it becomes highly desirable for the theoretist to know the form and shape of their time domain equivalents. Several methods have been used to obtain these time domain equivalents. In this paper an Analog Computer simulation has been used. Furthermore, a low order approximation of higher order transfer functions has been simulated. The accuracy of this low order approximation has been determined by use of time domain plots. (Author)
Differential cross sections and angular correlation functions in electron-hydrogen scattering for energies betweenn=3 andn=4 thresholds

Differential cross sections and electron-photon angular correlation functions for electron impact excitation of hydrogen atoms in the energy range between then=3 andn=4 thresholds were calculated using the algebraic variational method. The cross sections and correlation functions show complicated and irregular structures associated with overlapping resonances in different partial waves. The availability of these quantities may help interested experimentalists to determine resonance positions, and also may furnish an important test of the adequacy of the computations.
Tests of hypothesis in a repeated measures design from a permutation viewpoint

Repeated measures designs have been widely employed in psychological experimentation, however, such designs have rarely been analyzed by means of permutation procedures. In the present paper certain aspects of hypothesis tests ina particular repeated measures design (one non-repeated factor (A) and one repeated factor (B) withK subjects per level ofA) were investigated by means of permutation rather than sampling processes. The empirical size and power of certain normal theoryF-tests obtained under permutation were compared to their nominal normal theory values. Data sets were established in which various combinations of kurtosis of subject means and intra-subject variance heterogeneity existed in order that their effect upon the agreement of these two models could be ascertained. The results indicated that except in cases of high intra-subject variance heterogeneity, the usualF-tests onB andAB exhibited approximately the same size and power characteristics whether based upon a permutation or normal theory sampling basis.
Different Teachers, Different Peers The Magnitude of Student Sorting Within Schools

The authors use administrative data from three large urban school districts to describe student sorting within schools. Students are linked to each of their teachers and students’ classmates are identified. There are differences in the average achievement levels, racial composition, and socioeconomic composition of classrooms within schools. This sorting occurs even in self-contained elementary school classrooms and is much larger than would be expected were students assigned to classrooms randomly. Much of the racial and socioeconomic sorting is accounted for by differences in achievement, particularly at the high school level. Classrooms with the most low-achieving, minority, and poor students are more likely to have novice teachers. Sorting students by achievement level exposes minority and poor students to lower quality teachers and less resourced classmates.
Alcohol effects on human motor unit reaction time.

Abstract Control of single motor unit activity in adult human subjects (59–73 kg) was studied by requiring a single spike discharge to a flash of light and recording the resultant reaction time (RT). Experimental sessions without alcohol were followed by ingestion of 20 cm 3 95% ethyl alcohol and re-testing the reaction time performance. Median latencies were slower following the intake of alcohol; however, the capacity to respond as defined simply by the ability to produce a motor unit spike was not altered. Electromyographic RT responding also slowed following alcohol, although to a lesser degree than did single motor unit RT.
Structural and spectroscopic properties of potassium bis(glycylglycinato(2−)-O,N,N′)chromate(III) piperazine-2,5-dione

Abstract K[Cr(C4H6N2O3)2·C4H6N2O2·2H2O, Mr = 501.44, crystallizes in the mono-clinic space group P21/c, with a = 11.364(4), b = 12.333(6), c = 14.630(7) A, β = 107.39(4)°, V = 1956.6 A3 and Z = 4. The structure was solved by direct methods and converged to a final R value of 0.062 (Rw = 0.072). The incorporation of piperazine-2,5-dione, formed by self-condensation of glycylglycine, in the crystal structure results in some changes in bond lengths and bond angles and a many-fold increase in the luminescence lifetime of the chromium complex, relative to the structure without piperazinedione.
From short-term benefits to long-term outcomes: the evolution of clinical trials in pulmonary arterial hypertension

AbstractOver the past 2 decades, major advances in our understanding of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have led to the development of new targeted therapeutics and management strategies that have provided benefits to patients with this devastating disease. Despite such improvements, no therapies are curative, and PAH remains a progressive disease associated with high morbidity and suboptimal survival in many patients. Clinical research in PAH is currently at a crossroads. To move forward, not only are new therapies needed, but novel approaches to clinical trial design are also required. Trials should be designed to assess the longer-term benefits of investigational therapies in what has become a chronic disease. Moreover, there is a need to consider moving away from short-term trials that use markers such as the 6-minute walk distance as a measure of exercise capacity as primary end points to longer-term, event-driven trials with composite end points made up of clinically relevant measures that bet...
Polymer optical fiber for large strain measurement based on multimode interference.

This Letter reports a polymer optical fiber (POF) based large strain sensor based on the multimode interference (MMI) theory for the application of structural health monitoring. A section of POFs is sandwiched between two silica single mode fibers to construct a single-mode-multimode-single-mode structure that produces a MMI spectrum. The strain sensing mechanism of the device was investigated and experimentally verified. A large dynamic range of 2×104 μe (2%) and a detection limit of 33 µe have been demonstrated.
The Role of the Pathologist in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Dysplasia in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

It has been clearly demonstrated that patients suffering from long-standing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease) are at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). The exact magnitude of this risk is difficult to measure and ranges widely according to different reports. Several reasons could explain this variability including (1) selection bias: population based vs specialized centers; (2) practice patterns, different threshold among physicians to perform colectomies; (3) widespread use of medications that have been proven to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer (5ASA); and (4) rigorous endoscopic surveillance programs. In a meta-analysis of 116 studies that included almost 55,000 patients, Eaden at al demonstrated that the risk of developing CRC associated with IBD was 2, 8, and 18% after 10, 20, and 30 years, respectively. Even when the variation in cancer risk among several institutions is considered, there appears to be a trend towards a decreased incidence in CRC in the most recent reports.
An approximation for computing the throughput of closed assembly-type queueing networks

In this paper, we examine throughput (mean number of completed assemblies per unit time) of closed assembly type queueing networks where machine processing times are drawn from general distributions. The system dynamics are characterized via a set of stochastic difference equations; it is shown that the system state can be modeled by a discrete index Markov chain on a continuous state space. Standard Markovian analysis is employed to derive an approximate expression for system throughput, following discretisation of state space. Four examples of CONWIP (CONstant Work IN Process) systems are given that illustrate the results.
Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Focus on Liver Metastatic Lesions

Transhepatic radionuclide infusion (THRI) has been introduced as a new treatment approach for unresectable liver neuroendocrine metastatic lesions with the prerequisite of a positive In-111 Pentetreotide (Octreoscan). Patients with multiple liver neuroendocrine metastases can be locally treated after selective hepatic artery catheterization and infusion of radiolabelled somatostatin analogues, and in case of extra-hepatic secondary spread, after simple i.v. application. According to the world wide references, the average dose per session to each patient is 6.3±0.3 GBq (~ 160-180 mCi) of In-111-DTPA-Phe1- Pentetreotide, 10-12 fold in total, administered monthly or of 4.1± 0.2 GBq (~105-116 mCi) of Y-90 DOTA TOC, 3 fold in total or of 7.0 ± 0.4 GBq (~178-200 mCi) of Lu-177 DOTA TATE, 4-6 fold in total (the choice of which being based on the tumor size, assessed by CT or MRI) . Follow-up at monthly intervals has to be performed by means of ultrasonography (US). Treat- ment response has to be assessed according to the WHO criteria (RECIST or SWOG).
Ultrasonographic study of the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the management of congenital muscular torticollis

Abstract Background: Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) in infancy is caused by the fibrotic change of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCMM). The etiology and management strategies remain controversial. Methods: One hundred ninety-seven infants and children aged 1 month to 16 years who had CMT were examined by real-time ultrasonography of the SCMM between June 1995 and September 1996 in a prospective and longitudinal study. A total of 362 examinations were performed. There were 122 boys and 75 girls. Results: The right side was involved in 117 patients (59.3%), the left side in 79 patients (40.1%), and both sides in one patient. The sonographic findings were homogenous or heterogenous (patchy) hyperechoic lesion within the SCMM, and all were diagnostic. The ultrasonographic appearance of the SCMM in this study has a close resemblance to the clinical course of CMT. The extent of fibrosis as represented by the cross section of lesion to muscle ratio (LM ratio) decreased from 83.6% at 2 months to 59.9% at 9 months of age and further decreased to 40% beyond 1 year of age. This consistent decrease in fibrosis was caused by the increased normal muscle volume at the periphery and by the regenerated muscle fibers within the lesion. In this series of 197 patients, 32 (16.2%) eventually underwent surgery to release the SCMM because of persistent head tilt, chin deviation and limited range of neck motion beyond 1 year of age. The LM ratio of the operative group was 62.7 ± 16.0% compared with an LM ratio of 54.5 ± 14.2% ( P = .035) for the nonoperative group at 1 year of age. The extent of fibrotic change in the cross section of the muscle was a significant factor in determining prognosis. In the longitudinal section, the fibrotic change was limited to only the lower third of the SCMM in 27 patients, and all of them recovered without operation. In 95 patients, the fibrotic lesion was limited to the middle and lower third or middle third only, and only six (6.3%) underwent operation. However, in 75 cases the entire length of muscle was involved, and 26 (34.7%) required surgical release of the contracted muscle. Whole-length muscle involvement was also important for predicting recovery without operative intervention. Conclusions: Ultrasonographic study of the SCMM is not only a valuable diagnostic tool but can also serve as a useful guideline for the treatment of infants who have congenital muscular torticollis.
Real-Time Structural Damage Monitoring by Input Error Function

A newly developed structural damage monitoring technique is presented. The study focuses on capturing the initiation of multiple damages as they occur in a structure, which is similar to the concept of the fault detection filter. Previously, it has been shown that modified interaction matrix formulation provides a series of input error functions that generate a nonzero residual signal when the system experiences erroneous inputs. Error functions for each individual structural member are developed from the analogy between actuator failure and damageinduced residual force. When each individual error function is monitored, multiple damages as they occur in a structure can be simultaneously detected and isolated. Because the technique does not require frequency-domain measurements, it is readily applicable to online monitoring systems. This real-time technique also accommodates nonlinear breathing cracks and works for any type of excitation. A numerical simulation using a spring‐mass system and truss structure successfully demonstrates the proposed method.
Hexose diphosphates and phosphofructokinase in rat brain during development

Fructose 2,6-diphosphate and glucose 1,6-diphosphate concentrations were determined during late gestation and over the course of suckling in rat brain cortex and cerebellum. Cortex fructose 2,6-diphosphate concentration was greatest in neonatal animals and gradually declined thereafter by 25% to reach the adult level at 15 days of age. In contrast, the glucose 1,6-diphosphate concentration increased 4-fold over the same period to reach its highest level by postnatal day 15. Neither cerebellar fructose 2,6-diphosphate nor glucose 1,6-diphosphate concentrations varied significantly. Six day cortex 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase was less sensitive to inhibition by citrate than the enzyme obtained from 15 day pups, and fructose 2,6-diphosphate was better than glucose 1,6-diphosphate at relieving the inhibition imposed by citrate at either age. It is suggested that the rise in cerebral glucose use which occurs during suckling cannot be attributed to either changes in the concentrations of fructose 2,6-diphosphate or glucose 1,6-diphosphate, or the age-related differential sensitivity of 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase toward these effectors.
Regulation of food intake in ruminants. 7. Interrelations between food intake and body temperature.

Abstract Temperature of goats maintained in metabolism stalls was monitored at several sites during oral, intraruminal, or false intraruminal feeding treatments to test the applicability of the thermostatic hypothesis of food intake regulation to ruminants. Temperature was monitored by thermistor probes in the hypothalamus, rectum, and rumen and on the horn, ear, and chest every 2 minutes, from 30 minutes before feeding to 90 minutes after feeding. Ruminal fluids were taken 4 minutes before feeding, at the end of a meal or 20 minutes after intraruminal and false intraruminal feeding, and at the end of 2-hour periods. Hypothalamic temperature increased at the time of feeding, irrespective of treatment, and also increased when ruminal fluid was sampled. Temperature at this location decreased when the goats lay down. Thus, it appeared that hypothalamic temperature was related to activity rather than to food consumption per se, the goats being more active during eating. There were no consistent temperature changes at any of the body locations that could be correlated with food consumption. Concentrations of ruminal acetate, propionate, and total volatile fatty acids at the end of meals were not significantly (P
Intermolecular Forces and Bond Length Changes in High-Pressure Fluids. Vibrational Spectroscopic Measurement and Generalized Perturbed Hard Fluid Analysis

Pressure-dependent vibrational frequency shifts are used to measure intermolecular-interaction-induced forces and bond length changes in solution. The results are employed to quantitate changes in solute−solvent coupling as a function of solvent density using a generalized perturbed hard fluid (G-PHF) analysis of solvent mean-force-induced perturbations of molecular potential energy surfaces. Repulsive solvation forces are calculated using the cavity distribution function of a reference hard-sphere fluid. Attractive forces are treated using a generalized van der Waals mean-field approximation, which allows for both long-range and short-range solute−solvent cohesive interactions. The results indicate marked differences in the density dependence of the attractive solvation force along different types of bonds. Hydrogen stretch vibrations (i.e., C−H and O−H stretches) display a strongly nonlinear density dependence, which is indicative of a short-range attractive solute−solvent coupling mechanism and, thus, ...
Increases in myocardial workload induced by rapid atrial pacing trigger alterations in global metabolism.

Objective To determine whether increases in cardiac work lead to alterations in the plasma metabolome and whether such changes arise from the heart or peripheral organs. Background There is growing evidence that the heart influences systemic metabolism through endocrine effects and affecting pathways involved in energy homeostasis. Methods Nineteen patients referred for cardiac catheterization were enrolled. Peripheral and selective coronary sinus (CS) blood sampling was performed at serial timepoints following the initiation of pacing, and metabolite profiling was performed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Results Pacing-stress resulted in a 225% increase in the median rate·pressure product from baseline. Increased myocardial work induced significant changes in the peripheral concentration of 43 of 125 metabolites assayed, including large changes in purine [adenosine (+99%, p = 0.006), ADP (+42%, p = 0.01), AMP (+79%, p = 0.004), GDP (+69%, p = 0.003), GMP (+58%, p = 0.01), IMP (+50%, p = 0.03), xanthine (+61%, p = 0.0006)], and several bile acid metabolites. The CS changes in metabolites qualitatively mirrored those in the peripheral blood in both timing and magnitude, suggesting the heart was not the major source of the metabolite release. Conclusions Isolated increases in myocardial work can induce changes in the plasma metabolome, but these changes do not appear to be directly cardiac in origin. A number of these dynamic metabolites have known signaling functions. Our study provides additional evidence to a growing body of literature on metabolic ‘cross-talk’ between the heart and other organs.
Dynamic building blocks for science: comment on Kronegger, Ferligoj, and Doreian

There are two very good reasons to study the social organization of science, and Kronegger, Ferligoj and Doreian’s paper exemplify both (henceforth K, F, D). First, we rarely have such rich and detailed data in most other areas of social life. Because science is a written social sphere where credit and authorship matter greatly, we have rich data on scientific careers that allows us to develop new research methodologies. Second, with a nod to the sociology of science, the ever-increasing importance of scientific discovery to national economies, the extension of science through metaphor (or evidence) to other types of organizations with emphasis on the development of new ideas, career trajectories and so forth, underscore the substantive importance of studying science.
Estimation of primary production using five different methods in a Spartina alterniflora salt marsh

The aboveground production of Spartina alterniflora in a salt marsh in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, USA was estimated using five different harvest methods: peak standing crop (PSC), Milner-Hughes, Smalley, Wiegert-Evans, and Lomnicki et al., and a non-destructive method based on measurement of stem density and longevity. Annual production estimates were 831 ± 41, 831 ± 62, 1231 ± 252, 1873 ± 147 and 1437 ± 96 g dry wt m−2 for each method, respectively. The average longevity of individually tagged young shoots was 5.2 ± 0.2 months, equivalent to an annual turnover rate of 2.3 crops per year. Among the five methods, Wiegert-Evans and Lomnicki et al. were considered more accurate than the other three because they corrected for mortality losses between sampling times. The Lomnicki et al. method was preferred over the Wiegert-Evans method because of its greater simplicity.
Comparison of a new screw-tipped intraosseous needle versus a standard bone marrow aspiration needle for infusion

The purpose of this study is to compare the speed and ease of establishing intraosseous infusion using a standard bone marrow needle (SBMN; $8) and a new screw-tipped intraosseous needle (Sur-Fast; $42). The study is an experimental design. A total of 42 medical students, without prior IO experience, were recruited as study subjects. Subjects were randomized to perform the IO procedures in one of two models: (1) turkey femur or (2) pork ribs. Each subject performed an initial trial using both IO needles without practice (inexperienced) and a second trial using both IO needles after practice (experienced attempt), such that in total, each subject completed four attempts (two with each needle type). IO placement times were measured, and placement difficulty scores were measured using a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS). The averaged elapsed time to successful IO completion was significantly shorter for the SBMN in the initial "inexperienced" attempt (33 versus 54 seconds, P = .019), but there was no significant difference in the postpractice "experienced" attempt. VAS difficulty scores were lower (easier) for the SBMN for both inexperienced and experienced trials. Success rates were significantly higher for the Sur-Fast needle during the experienced attempt (95% versus 79%, P < .05), but there was no significant difference in success rates during the inexperienced attempt. The Sur-Fast screw-tipped intraosseous needle does not show superiority over the SBMN in this intraosseous model, therefore its higher cost is difficult to justify based on this study.
The insoluble part of phosphorus fertilizers, obtained by processing of phosphorites of central kyzylkum with partially ammoniated extraction phosphoric acid

It is shown in the article that using ammophosphate treatment technology with poor in phosphorus highly carbonized ordinary phosphorite flour, washed dried concentrate, dust-like fraction, and mineralized phosphorite mass of Central Kyzylkum, it is possible to prepare concentrated phosphorus fertilizers of prolonged effect with the high content of assimilable form of P2O5.
Role of Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer in the Redox Interconversion between Benzoquinone and Hydroquinone

Benzoquinone/hydroquinone redox interconversion by the reversible Os(dmb)33+/2+ couple over an extended pH range with added acids and bases has revealed the existence of seven discrete pathways. Ap...
The allocation of pollutant discharge permits by competitive auction

Abstract The control of pollution by transferable discharge permits is rapidly gaining acceptance as a useful government policy. It is known that if the trading of these permits among polluting firms is competitive, then aggregate abatement costs will be minimized; if trading is non-competitive then the industry will bear excess abatement costs. This paper examines how the initial allocation of discharge permits by competitive auction affects the competitiveness of further trading. Algebraic analysis of the model shows that allocation by competitive auction increases the likelihood of achieving a competitive resale market. Moreover, simulation results suggest that the welfare loss due to price setting, when it occurs, will be relatively small. These results suggest that the transferable discharge permit allocated by competitive auction may be a useful second-best policy instrument.
Modular interactive analysis-design of prestressed concrete structural elements

Abstract A computer system for interactive analysis-design of pretensioned prestressed concrete members has been developed adding another working tool to the designer's collection of design aids. The interactive concept allows the designer to interact with the computer, making decisions that might be impractical or impossible to include in a program but allowing the computer to carry out rigorous computations. The process of designing pretensioned prestressed concrete members is organized into distinct phases. In order to produce an optimum design, various phases of the design process may have to be carried out numerous times depending on the effect of the design variables that are changed during the process. The modular interactive design system allows each module to be examined in any order and in any frequency after initial data has been input. This flexibility has been obtained by treating each module as a subroutine called by a control module. The system is designed to communicate with the designer in a conversational mode. Instructions are given to the user before requiring a response and the user has before him sufficient information to make necessary decisions. The present system can be used for the analysis-design of simple span beams and one-way slabs, with or without cantilever end spans, and of structures where the dead load is carried by simple beam action and superimposed dead and live loads are carried by continuous beam action where mild steel is provided to develop continuity over interior supports. The system is designed to be used on a minicomputer.
Fuzzy replacement algorithm for cache memory

This paper reports a replacement procedure for cache memories. The procedure is essentially a fuzzy algorithm that makes use of 18 rules to select the cache block to be replaced. These rules are primarily a function of three parameters: age and the frequency of usage of a cache block, and the global hit ratio of the cache system. Computationally, the proposed algorithm calculates a replacement index for each cache block and the block with highest replacement index is selected as a victim. The performance of this fuzzy procedure is compared with traditional replacement algorithms such as least recently used (LRU) and first in First out (FIFO). Our simulation experiments indicate that the proposed algorithm is a strong contender to the traditional counterparts. The unique feature of the proposed algorithm is its flexibility; that is, one can always improve its performance further by fine-tuning the rules.