cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immune lysis of Sindbis virus.

Abstract A simple technique is reported for the demonstration of immune lysis of Sindbis virus. The reagents required are virus labeled in its RNA, antiviral antibody, complement, and ribonuclease. The method is considerably simpler than those previously used to demonstrate immune virolysis.
Faster and easier methods for quantitative lipid extraction and fractionation from miniature samples of animal tissues

A less time-consuming dry-column method for total lipid extraction from tissue samples was scaled down and modified to permit the evaluation of 1-g samples of liver and muscle tissues from rats and from obese (ob/ob) and lean mice. Lipid yields obtained by the new dry-column method compared well with those obtained by the widely accepted traditional chloroform/methanol method. For subsequent separation of neutral and polar lipid classes, a solid-phase fractionation method was developed. Its performance was verified by thin-layer chromatogrphy. Both column chromatographic methods were found to be especially convenient when running multiple samples simultaneously.
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS IN CONCENTRATED V--N SOLUTIONS.

Abstract The internai structure and crystallography of banded microstructures occurring in alloys of vanadium containing from 6 to 12 at. % nitrogen have been investigated by electron and X-ray diffraction, optical and transmission microscopy and two-surface analyses. In this composition range the vanadium atoms existed in at least two phases, one of which was body centered tetragonal and the other hexagonal. Both phases coexisted within a given band with the tetragonal phase in the majority and forming the matrix. This caused a fine structure internal to each band. The hexagonal phase was oriented with its basal plane normal to the tetragonal axis of matrix and with [1120]//[010]. Its parameters were a = 2.14 A and c a = 2.4 . The tetragonal phase parameters varied linearly with composition with c = 3.00 A , a = 3.08 A for a 7.4% alloy and c = 2.97 A , a = 3.11 A for a 10.0% alloy. Adjacent bands were twin related across a {101} twin plane of the tetragonal lattice while alternate bands had the same orientation. A large scale deflection of the wire sample as well as audible clicking sounds accompanied the transformation. The significance of the present findings is discussed in relation to other systems exhibiting such banded microstructures.
Crystallization of sodium sulfate salts in limestone

Crystallization pressure of salt crystals growing in confined pores is found to be the main cause for damage to stone and masonry. In this work, the crystallization of sodium sulfate salts in Cordova Cream and Indiana limestones is investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The DSC experiments indicate that sodium heptahydrate always precipitates prior to the decahydrate (mirabilite), at a temperature between 15 and 7°C in the selected stones. The threshold supersaturation for the nucleation of heptahydrate is less than 2. In constrast, mirabilite precipitates close to or below 0°C and its crystallization pattern is completely different: precipitation takes place abruptly when the threshold supersaturation is reached, which is greater than 7. Indeed, the DSC and the DMA experiments reveal the rare nature of the nucleation of mirabilite for the investigated stones. The crystallization pressure exerted by heptahydrate does not cause damage under the conditions of the cooling experiments. In contrast, mirabilite exerts a very high crystallization pressure on the pore wall causing damage of the stone; moreover, the transient stress can remain for a long period of time since the relaxation process is slow.
Seismotectonics of thin‐ and thick‐skinned deformation in the Andean Foreland from local network data: Evidence for a seismogenic lower crust

Local network data from San Juan, Argentina, provides new information about crustal seismicity in the Andean foreland above a horizontal segment of the subducted Nazca Plate. Two areas of foreland seismicity are found, one associated with the Sierras Pampeanas basement uplifts, and the other beneath, but not within, the Precordillera foreland fold-thrust belt. The Precordillera seismicity provides direct evidence for basement deformation beneath the sediments of the thrust belt and supports the idea that its eastern part is significantly modified by underlying basement deformation. In both areas, events are concentrated between 15 and 35 km depth and have volumetric, rather than planar, faultlike distributions. The depth distribution is unusually deep for intraplate earthquakes and suggests a brittle-ductile transition near 30-35 km.
Effects of Shading on the Reproductive Output and Embryo Viability of Gulf Killifish

Abstract Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis broodstock (7.3 ± 0.2 g [mean ± SE]) were held in static outdoor tanks at a 4:1 (female : male) sex ratio and a density of 20 fish/m3. Shade cloth was used to cover 0, 40, or 80% of the surface area of 12 randomly selected outdoor tanks. Eggs were collected from all tanks twice per week by using spawning mats suspended 15 cm below the water surface. Collected eggs were measured volumetrically and assessed for total number and embryo viability. The use of shade cloth had a significant effect on water temperature, the number of eggs collected, and embryo viability. Specifically, shading affected mean weekly water temperature, and the 80% treatment had significantly lower temperatures than both the 0% and 40% treatments during the months of June through August and than the 0% treatment in September. There was a clear cyclical reproductive pattern across all treatments, in which peaks in egg production occurred between the full and new moon phases for the majority of c...
Flight enhances juvenile hormone inactivation inDanaus plexippus plexippus L. (Lepidoptera: Danaidae)

Adult Monarch butterflies injected with3H-juvenile hormone (JH) showed a significant increase in haemolymph JH metabolites after a 40 min flight compared to unflown controls. In addition, haemolymph enzymatic JH metabolism was shown to increase with thoracic temperature increases previously shown to be associated with flight.
Occupant preferences and satisfaction with the luminous environment and control systems in daylit offices: a literature review

This paper presents an overview of peer-reviewed investigations of subjective issues linked to the use of daylighting in office buildings, particularly studies of preferred physical and luminous conditions in daylit office environments, and studies of occupant satisfaction and acceptance of electric lighting and window shading controls. The literature shows a consistent strong preference for daylight and a wide distribution between individuals in relation to the preferred illuminance levels in daylit offices. Existing knowledge about how people respond to daylight-linked lighting and shading controls in the workplace is very limited; therefore, this paper presents a summary of knowledge gaps in the field of daylighting and its interaction with the occupants. The resulting key directions for future research highlight issues for which a better understanding is required for the development of lighting and window shading control systems that are both energy efficient and suitable for the office occupants.
Residual misalignments of the Keck Telescope primary mirror segments: classification of modes and implications for adaptive optics

Because of limitations in the alignment process resulting from the telescope active control system and from atmospheric turbulence, the segments of the Keck Telescope primary mirror are never perfectly aligned. We describe a scheme for classifying these misalignments in terms of modes of the primary mirror. We describe these modes in terms of noise propagation, symmetry (specifically their resemblance to Zernike polynomials), and how discontinuous they are. Modal spectra of typical mirror misalignments are presented. The edge discontinuities which result from these misalignments are significantly smaller than what one would expect from random, uncorrelated tip/tilt errors of the same size, a fact which may have important implications for adaptive optics systems on segmented mirror telescopes.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Test-retest reliability of in situ unaided thresholds in adults.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine test–retest reliability of in situ unaided thresholds measured using a handheld hearing aid programmer coupled to a hearing aid transducer in adults...
ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF FEATHERS

Summary I. Feather papillae are regarded as individually persistent throughout life, from the time of their origin between the sixth and ninth days of embryonic life. In each feather tract the order of origin is significantly related to dynamic field properties of the tract, such as growth rates, degrees of asymmetry, etc. 2. Recent work on the anatomy and development of the rhachis with special reference to barb relations and the independent origin of the central rhachis is considered; also the development of the after-feather and of the pulp and its blood supply. 3. By plotting axial growth and isochrones on the vane of the feather it is possible to relate any definitive locus to its time and place of origin in the germ, and hence to the conditions of its determination. 4. The papillae of definitive feathers may be transplanted, or subdivided, or parts of papillae of different tracts may be recombined. The results of the operations show that papillae have a definitive bilateral organization, like amphibian eggs, for example; that they are tract-specific; and that a dorsal field, including the central rhachis, exerts a dominant influence on development. Various abnormalities of feather form produced may be interpreted. Twins and chimaerae may be produced. Abnormalities artificially produced persist through successive generations of feathers from the same follicle. The mesoderm of the papilla is regarded as the seat of the initial inductions. 5. The melanophores of feather germs are derived from the neural crest. When transplanted to foreign fowl hosts they determine the donor pattern in the host, as, for instance, barring in a white host. The genotypic composition of the donor melanophore is the controlling factor in both colour and pattern of the host feather in these experiments in all breeds of fowl examined. 6. The growing feather germ is a very sensitive indicator; reactions may be read by pattern modifications in the finished feather and referred to their locus of origin in the germ (cf. no. 3). 7. The thresholds of reaction of feathers to female hormone increase in proportion to rates of axial growth. This is very conspicuous with reference to the discontinuous rates of different tracts, and is also to be observed with reference to gradations of growth rate within a single tract. 8. Within the individual feather germ of breast and saddle tract, threshold of reaction to female hormone and thyroxin rises from dorsal to ventral loci of the collar. These transverse gradients produce transverse patterns on the vane of the feather varying in form according to rise and fall of hormone in the blood stream by absorption and excretion after injection: the principle of rate of reaction which is inversely proportional to threshold is also a factor in the determination of pattern. 9. The principles of physiology of development may be applied to some problems of physiological genetics, as, for instance, in the case of barred patterns.
The Ups and Downs of Ventricular Fibrillation Waveforms

In this issue of the Journal , Indik et al. [(1)][1] describe the predictive value of a spectral method to characterize ventricular fibrillation (VF) waveforms for out-of-hospital survival of cardiac arrest. This work adds to the growing body of evidence that electrocardiographic (ECG) recordings
Lateral conduction in structured amorphous silicon p+–i–n+ photodiodes

Abstract Two-dimensional amorphous silicon image sensor arrays are used for medical imaging and document scanning. Our high-resolution arrays use a continuous p + –i–n + photodiode sensor layer with patterned n + -doped contacts. We report measurements of the lateral conduction phenomena that can arise with this sensor layer design, particularly when different illumination conditions give a non-zero voltage between adjacent pixels. The lateral conduction is affected by the sensor bias and by the potential of buried metal contacts. We also investigate the photocurrent collection properties by shining a focused laser beam in the gap between sensors. Collection at the contacts is evaluated, together with losses at the center of the gap. The effect of sensor bias on the collection is evaluated as well.
Tiebout's Sorting Hypothesis

The sorting of residential populations among metropolitan area communities and its impact on municipal service bundles is studied across 216 metropolitan areas. There is strong empiricial support for the policy implications of Tiebout's model. The service bundles of metropolitan communities are significantly differentiated. Support for the homogeneous sorting of residential populations is not confirmed, nor is there a significant relationship between the sorting of residential populations and the content of municipal service bundles. State-local relations are examined as a potential constraint on the operation of this aspect of Tiebout's model.
Observation of three distinct phases leading to pulsed surface flashover along silicon without end contacts in vacuum

Preliminary voltage and current data for pulsed surface flashover phenomena on high-purity ( rho >30 k Omega -cm) silicon in vacuum ( approximately 10/sup -4/ Pa) are presented. Pulses with 390-ns risetime, 10->or approximately=s duration, and voltages ranging from 5 to 25 kV were used for this investigation. The authors observed three distinct phases leading to the breakdown condition. These are bulk conduction (leakage current), surface conduction, and complete surface flashover processes. The impulse-volt-time characteristic for the silicon sample is presented. >
Covering the symmetric groups with proper subgroups

Let G be a group that is a set-theoretic union of finitely many proper subgroups. Cohn defined σ(G) to be the least integer m such that G is the union of m proper subgroups. Tomkinson showed that σ(G) can never be 7, and that it is always of the form q + 1 (q a prime power) for solvable groups G. In this paper we give exact or asymptotic formulas for σ(Sn). In particular, we show that σ(Sn) ≤ 2n-1, while for alternating groups we find σ(An) ≥ 2n-2 unless n = 7 or 9. An application of this result is also given.
Children of the parsonage

This article reports on a retreat and survey done with twenty-three youth, all of whom were children of clergy in the Louisville Annual Conference, the United Methodist Church. It explores their opinions and attitudes toward various facets of parsonage life, including general satisfaction, parsonage moves, family and church expectations, etc. It discusses the need for increased study of parsonage children and outlines common features of their experience.
Partially defined computer instructions and guards

We here extend our earlier work on the theory of computer instructions to consider instructions which are only partially defined. For every such instruction, we assume that it is defined whenever a certain Boolean expression is true; we refer to such a Boolean expression as a guard, following Dijkstra. This is a special case of a more general function on the set of states of a computer, representing an expression in a programming language. Many constructs for instructions now generalize to partially defined instructions; in particular, we define the notion of conditional input and output regions, as well as the relevant region of a more general expression. Fundamental theorems about instructions generalize to theorems about guards and about partially defined instructions. We also define the parallel execution of such instructions, which is useful in validating a generalized instruction commutativity criterion.
Immigration and changes in the French party system

. This article explores the role of political, especially party, elites in the emergence of the politics of racism in France. It argues that these elites seem to have reacted more to the changing dynamics of the party system than to mass opinion in raising and exploiting the issues of race and immigration. The anti-immigrant feelings of the electorate were mobilised and provided with a political outlet by these changing dynamics. The electoral rise of the National Front and the decline of the Communist party have profoundly altered the dynamics of French electoral politics. Both of these phenomena are indirectly related to the immigration issue. The changing dynamics of the party system have in turn contributed significantly to the sustenance and development of immigration as an issue in French politics in the 1980s.
Multiplex newborn screening for Pompe, Fabry, Hunter, Gaucher, and Hurler diseases using a digital microfluidic platform.

Purpose New therapies for lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) have generated interest in screening newborns for these conditions. We present performance validation data on a digital microfluidic platform that performs multiplex enzymatic assays for Pompe, Fabry, Hunter, Gaucher, and Hurler diseases.
Mean residual life and its association with failure rate

The life time distributions having decreasing, increasing, or upside-down bathtub shaped MRL (mean residual life) are used as models in many applications. Mi (1995) has shown that if a component has a bathtub shape failure rate function, then the MRL is unimodal but the converse does not hold. This paper develops sufficient conditions for the unimodal MRL to imply that the failure rate function has a bathtub shape.
Remifentanil analgosedation in preterm newborns during mechanical ventilation

Aim: To assess efficacy of remifentanil in preterm newborns during mechanical ventilation. Methods: Remifentanil was administered by continuous intravenous infusion to provide analgesia and sedation in 48 preterm infants who developed respiratory distress and required mechanical ventilation. We examined the doses needed to provide adequate analgesia, extubation time after the discontinuation of opioid infusion, the presence of side effects and safety of the use. Results: Remifentanil provided adequate analgesia, with a significant reduction of NIPS and COMFORT score since 1 h after starting the infusion of remifentanil. The drug was initially administered at a dose of 0.075 μg/kg/min, but in 73% of newborns the latter had to be increased; at a dose of 0.094 ± 0.03 (mean ± standard deviation) μg/kg/min, 97% of the newborns received adequate analgesia and sedation. The time elapsed between the discontinuation of remifentanil infusion and extubation was 36 ± 12 min. Treatment was started between the 1st and the 17th day of life. The mean duration of therapy was 5.9 ± 5.7 days. No side effects on the respiratory or cardiovascular system were observed. Conclusion: Remifentanil is a manageable and effective opioid in the newborn undergoing mechanical ventilation, though randomized controlled trials and information about long-term outcomes are necessary.
Critical factors limiting the interpretation of regression vectors in multivariate calibration

It is common to see published manuscripts and presentations making interpretive comments about correct or incorrect features of the regression vector obtained from multivariate-calibration methods. While model validation is crucial, a considerable body of literature casts doubt on the value of qualitative interpretation of the regression vector. Following a review of this literature, we discuss two simple examples, which illustrate the exceptionally complex behavior of the inverse calibration methods that dominate current chemometrics practice. We show that the behavior of regression vectors in inverse calibration is too complex to be interpreted transparently unless an unusual amount of system information is available. If explicit information about sensitivity and selectivity is desired, it should be quantified using conventional figures of merit.
The working environment of the working poor: an analysis based on workers' compensation claims, census data and known risk factors.

Analysis of 1980 U.S. Census data reveals that a sizeable percentage of adult females employed full-time (working more than 2080 hours in 1979) worked in female-dominated service, sales and factory occupations and had family incomes which placed them in poverty or impoverishment status. Workers' compensation data on women in these occupations, drawn from the 27-state Supplemental Data System, show that they filed approximately 250,000 claims for compensation in 1980. Analysis of the claims by nature of injury and body part affected is consistent with the published medical literature. Injury to the back is the leading complaint filed and large numbers of hand and wrist injuries are also reported. Compensation data, however, are usually reflective of acute conditions, especially traumatic injury, not of chronic illnesses and injuries. Additional data are therefore drawn from the medical and scientific literature. This review shows the presence of cancer-causing agents, infectious agents, reproductive toxins, safety hazards and social stressors in these occupations. Recommendations for future programs and needs are presented.
A Cross-Cultural Comparison of the Need for Uniqueness in Malaysia and the United States

Abstract It has been hypothesized and empirically supported that an individual's need for uniqueness is a factor that leads to the expression of innovative behavior. This need for uniqueness has been hypothesized to be environmentally, or culturally, based, raising concerns as to its stability across cultures. This study was conducted to investigate the possibility that the need for uniqueness varies in form across cultures. The results suggest that for collegiate business students the need for uniqueness does vary among cultural settings. This finding raises questions concerning the cross-cultural transferability of innovative behavior models that incorporate this need.
Survival of Escherichia coli after storage in various frozen menstrua.

The effect of storage at −9 C onEscherichia coli was examined. In buffer or water, survival after three days was less than 40%. Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) (10%) and glycerol (10%) were very protective with over 90% survivors. Variability of replicate samples was greater with frozen than with non-frozen suspensions.
Sorption of CO2/CH4 mixtures in poly(phenylene oxide) and a carboxylated derivative

The sorption of CO2 and CH4 and their binary mixtures in poly(phenlene oxide) (PPO) and its carboxylated derivative (CPPO) is reported. All mixed gas data are accurately described by the dual model sorption model, which predicts mixed gas sorption on the basis of pure gas sorption parameters. The present paper extends the mixed gas sorption data base to include polymers having a wide range of permeabilities and chemical structures. The confirmed accuracy of the model for these systems provides strong support for applying the mixed gas dual mode sorption model to any gas/polymer system. A numerical simulation of the mixed gas sorption experiment is also presented which greatly simplifies the experimental procedures used to maintain the partial pressure of one of the gas components at a constant value over the course of a sorption isotherm measurement. By establishing the appropriate amounts of each gas component which are added to the polymer sample chamber of the sorption cell, the mixed gas apparatus simulator (MIGAS) can be used to maintain the partial pressure of one of the components to within 1% of the desired value.
1-(m-chlorophenyl)piperazine (mCPP) interactions with neurotransmitter receptors in the human brain.

Abstract The affinity of 1-(m-chlorophenyl)piperazine (mCPP) for 11 neurotransmitter receptor binding sites was determined in human brain membranes. mCPP is essentially equipotent at all 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor subtypes (IC 50 values ranging from 360 to 1300 nM). The drug displays similar affinity ( IC 50 = 570 nM for alpha 2 -adrenergic receptors labeled for 3 H-rauwolscine. mCPP is less potent at alpha 1 and beta-adrenergic, dopamine, and muscarinic cholinergic receptors (IC 50 values 2500-24,000 nM). mCPP is inactive at both benzodiazepine receptors and the 5-HT uptake sites at concentrations below 100,000 nM. These data demonstrate that mCPP displays similar potency for multiple neurotransmitter receptor binding sites in human brain.
Preparation of CdS nanoparticles within an ordered polypeptide matrix

Abstract CdS nanoparticles have been synthesized within an ordered polypeptide matrix of Poly-L-glutamic acid (PGA). PGA forms a lyotropic liquid crystalline phase which can be mechanically sheared to prepare macroscopically oriented films of closepacked, parallel, helical polypeptides. Cadmium was introduced into the polypeptide by neutralizing the acid groups on exposing PGA films to an aqueous solution of Cd(OH)2 for different times, and subsequent reaction with H2S causes CdS nanoparticles to form in this uniaxial matrix. Absorption spectroscopy and polarizing optical and infrared spectroscopy were used to determine PGA conformation and alignment. Absorption spectroscopy and TEM were used to determine the sizes of the CdS particles. Sizes ranged from 27 A to 46 A and were inversely dependent upon the length of the Cd(OH)2 exposure period. However, no evidence for CdS nanoparticle shape anisotropy or orientation was detected in materials synthesized in the aligned polypeptide host matrix.
Constipation: Diagnosis and treatment in eating disorders

Abstract Constipation is a common complaint among all eating disorder patients. It is variably defined by patients and staff, often leading to false expectations. A limited search for organic causes is indicated, as is a thorough review of the patient's medication history. Forewarning and education are cornerstones of the treatment process. Other medical therapies are also reviewed.
A comparison of professional performance examination scores of graduating associate and baccalaureate degree nursing students

The Professional Performance Examination has four subtests of professional nursing performance: leadership, collaboration, research, and management of client care. If these four elements characterize the professional rather than the technical nurse, and if this test is representative of these elements, professional and technical nurses should be differentiated. Two alternate forms of each of the four subtests were administered to 86 subjects graduating from 12 associate degree nursing programs and 83 subjects graduating from 11 bachelor degree programs. Results showed no difference in leadership, collaboration, and management subtest scores, but the bachelors degree group scored significantly higher than the associate degree on the research subtest. These results suggested that either the test was not sensitive enough to detect all differences between the two groups, or the associate degree and bachelor degree subjects were not as different as generally supposed.
The measurement and study of maternally-directed activity in the developing rat

Abstract Procedures and methods are described for measuring the vigorous search behavior of developing rats on their anesthetized mothers, or other test stimuli. The apparatus yields three measures of maternally-directed activity: (1) vibrations, (2) time, and (3) active 1 2 sec intervals- in proximity. Deprived pups (8–9 days old) had higher vibrational levels than nondeprived pups, and they graded their activity responses into 5 different levels. The highest levels were obtained next to the ventrum of their natural mother, and only slightly lower levels were emitted toward the ventrum of lactating females with pups of comparable age. Activity was significantly lower next to the ventrum of a virgin female, and still lower levels were emitted next to the ventrum of a male rat or the dorsal surface of a lactating female. Deprivation effects were absent with these last two stimuli. The lowest activity levels were emitted toward a wooden block or plastic container. This apparatus yields a sensitive and discriminitive measure of maternally-directed activity, and provides information on the features of the mother involved in producing this response.
Contextual and pedagogical considerations in teaching for forgiveness in the Arab world

This study was conducted among Arab teachers in four countries in the Middle East (Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Palestine) to examine their views and methods on teaching for forgiveness in their classrooms. A total of 87 teachers in K-12 classrooms participated in semi-structured interviews as part of a larger study on teaching for forgiveness in the region. Thematic analyses of interviews suggested that teachers created opportunities to model and teach forgiveness as part of their civics education curriculum. They also expressed eagerness for instructional guidance and curriculum materials to systematically teach forgiveness in schools. The strength of religion and historical religious figures as positive sources for teaching forgiveness was also evident. Findings highlight the need to integrate education for peace and forgiveness in the education system, especially as a result of recent political developments in the Middle East, and to provide methods to assist teachers to do so in their classrooms.
Cost-effectiveness of new technologies for staging endometrial cancer.

To ensure the dissemination of new imaging technology, radiologists must demonstrate that diagnostic information is worth more than the cost of the test. Methodology of cost-effectiveness is complex and new to the radiological community. In this review an evaluation of diagnostic imaging for patients with endometrial cancer is used to illustrate numerous methods to define value of imaging. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis determines value of test efficacy while Bayesian analysis determines value in the context of disease prevalence. The value of imaging tests for clinical practice, however, depends on the patient’s specific circumstance. This value can be defined by cost-effectiveness analysis which can assist in developing imaging guidelines that are patient specific. Technology development vs dissemination During the twentieth century, the remarkable evolution of diagnostic radiology has depended on the development and dissemination of new technologies. New technology was rapidly adapted into clinical practice, and the pace of evolution was largely governed by the product development cycle. However, health care reform introduced by managed care and cost containment has constrained the dissemination of new technology. Indeed, in many circumstances technology dissemination is now the “choke point” for the advancement of medical imaging. To ensure the dissemination of new technology, radiologists must demonstrate to the medical community including clinical colleagues and health administrators that the diagnostic information provided by the technology is worth the costs of obtaining the information. For most radiologists, technology assessment and health care are an unfamiliar and difficult endeavor. This paper evaluates the use of modern imaging in the management of endometrial cancer to illustrate how radiologists can analyze the value of new technology in clinical practice.
Diestrous treatment with lindane disrupts the female rat reproductive cycle.

Abstract Regularly cycling, adult female rats were treated during diestrus with 10, 25, 33 or 50 mg/kg lindane or with 2.5 mg/kg picrotoxin. The effects of the treatments on estrous cyclicity and on sexual behavior were examined. Doses of lindane greater than or equal to 25 mg/kg significantly increased the length of the vaginal cycle. Sexual receptivity was reduced by doses greater than or equal to 33 mg/kg, but reduction of sexual receptivity appeared to be secondary to the elongation of the estrous cycle. Most females treated with 50 mg/kg lindane failed to exhibit vaginal proestrus during the duration of the experiment (6–8 d following treatment). For the lower doses, vaginal proestrus occurred later than was predicted from the cyclic history but was usually accompanied by sexual receptivity. Although lindane is reported to inhibit the GABAergic system, its reproductive effects were not mimicked by diestrous treatment with picrotoxin.
Targeted GOES Satellite Observations to Improve Hurricane Track Forecast: A Case Study of Hurricane Floyd

This study performs a set of Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs) using Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) soundings. The primary objective of the OSSEs is to demonstrate that targeted observations can improve forecast accuracy by enhancing the initial conditions and mitigating their uncertainties. Hurricane Floyd (1999) is chosen as a study case. The main reason for choosing hurricane Floyd as a test case is that the movement of the storm was dictated by a mid-level complex polar jet steering flow region. This well-defined feature allowed us to examine the inaccuracy of analysis over the steering flow area using GOES soundings as targeted observations and its impact on the forecast track error. The set of experiments starts from a baseline forecast of hurricane Floyd using the Operational Multiscale Environment model with Grid Adaptivity (OMEGA). From GOES satellite soundings, atmospheric vertical profiles were extracted to simulate targeted observations. These data extracts were assimilated in the initial conditions to simulate new forecasts of hurricane Floyd which were then compared against both the baseline track and observed track. It was found that targeted observations in a forecast sensitive area can help to reduce hurricane forecast track error. Assimilation of only the subset of data (about 50 soundings) from the subjectively chosen fully sampled target region produced a considerable reduction of the track forecast errors (about 30%) within the first critical three days of the forecast.
Disruption of Pheromone Communication in Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Tomatoes, Alfalfa, and Cotton

Capillary tube evaporators arrayed in grids in tomato, alfalfa, and cotton fields released into the air four previously identified pheromone components, either separately or in various blend combinations, of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner). Disruption of pheromone communication in this species was measured by the decrease in the numbers of male moths orienting to female moths that were used as bait in traps in the centers of the grids. The only pheromone component that appeared essential to provide disruption of communication was ( Z,E -9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate. Research comparing grids equipped with evaporators of four different sizes, each size spaced at three separations in the field, indicated that the spacing between evaporators, up to 4.6 m apart, was not the most critical factor determining the amount of disruption obtained. Rather, the most important factor appeared to be evaporator size; the largest evaporators, releasing 25 μg of the pheromone component per day, provided the highest amount of disruption, even when spaced in the field at the maximum tested separation. The S. exigua pheromone component, ( Z,E )-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate, did not disrupt communication between males and females of the tomato pinworm, Keiferia lycopersicella (Walsingham), and the K. lycopersicella pheromone, ( E )-4-tridecenyl acetate, did not disrupt communication between the sexes of S. exigua.
The effects of conducting breaks on electrostatic discharges (ESDs) on optical solar reflector (OSR) panels

Charging tests were performed on a 21-cm*21-cm panel covered with a square of 25 fused-silica OSRs. In subsequent tests the middle rows and for columns were replaced with ITO (indium tin oxide)-coated OSRs. This did not stop the propagation of discharges, which apparently jumped across the conducting gaps generating multiple unipolar current pulses. A propagation model can be used to predict transient amplitude and propagation delay across conducting gaps (separation between the current pulses). >
A bridging domain and strain computation method for coupled atomistic–continuum modelling of solids

We present a multiscale method that couples atomistic models with continuum mechanics. The method is based on an overlapping domain-decomposition scheme. Constraints are imposed by a Lagrange multiplier method to enforce displacement compatibility in the overlapping subdomain in which atomistic and continuum representations overlap. An efficient version of the method is developed for cases where the continuum can be modelled as a linear elastic material. An iterative scheme is utilized to optimize the coupled configuration. Conditions for the regularity of the constrained matrices are determined. A method for computing strain in atomistic models and handshake domains is formulated based on a moving least-square approximation which includes both extensional and angle-bending terms. It is shown that this method exactly computes the linear strain field. Applications to the fracture of defected single-layer atomic sheets and nanotubes are given. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Theoretical Analysis of Smuggling

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a theoretical analysis of smuggling. It is commonly argued that smuggling must improve economic welfare since it constitutes (partial or total) evasion of the tariffs (or quantitative restrictions), which, for a small country, would signify a suboptimal policy. As smuggling merely represents, from a welfare point of view, yet another way in which exportable are transformed into importable, it must be represented as a smuggling transformation (or offer) curve. However, it is clear that this transformation curve must be less favorable than the terms of trade. With perfect competition in smuggling, both the foreign price (the terms of trade) and the domestic price are given to the individual smuggler. With monopoly in smuggling, however, several possibilities are open. In the monopolistic smuggling case, the smuggler is a nonresident whose profits, therefore, do not constitute welfare for the country that experiences smuggling. For nonprohibitive tariffs and constant costs smaller than the tariff-included price and perfect competition in smuggling, smuggling cannot be uniquely welfare-ranked vis-a-vis non-smuggling.
A History of Research on Warfare in Anthropology-Reply to Keith Otterbein

Packer credits Bertram for giving his studies a foundation with the hypothesis of infanticide by male lions, even though Bertram was tentative about this possibility. I would caution that hypotheses should be accepted reluctantly, and only after every effort to disprove them has been made to ensure they are valid. If they are accepted too readily, they may influence the collection of data, which prohibits the possibility of alternate hypotheses being tested later on.
A Direct Method for Determination of Digestibility in Growing Chickens

ABSTRACT THE fact that the chicken excretes urine and feces together has greatly complicated digestibility studies, and accounts for the limited amount of data in this field. A few investigators have used birds on which the fecal and urinary outlets were separated by surgical means, the most popular method being the anus praeter-naturalis, but this has been limited largely to mature birds. Voltz (1909) used the artificial anus, but it was the work of Katayama (1924), that has been most widely cited. He operated on two cocks, and determined the digestibility of the various feedstuffs by a direct method and by a chemical method. Stotz (1931) also developed a chemical method for determining urinary nitrogen of mixed excrement and made use of the artificial anus to check the method. Daikow (1931) dissolved all the uric acid and ammonia from mixed excrement and determined the nitrogen left in the residue which he . . .
Influence of Encapsulation on Phagocytosis of Pasteurella multocida by Bovine Neutrophils

The effect of encapsulation on phagocytosis of Pasteurella multocida by bovine neutrophils was examined by using two encapsulated strains, NA77 (capsular type A) and C42 (capsular type B), and comparing them with an unencapsulated counterpart strain, 1173. The uptake of [3H]thymidine-labeled bacteria by neutrophils was quantitatively measured after incubation of the bacteria in normal bovine serum, heat-inactivated serum, and hyperimmune sera (anti-NA77 and anti-C42). Results showed that all three strains of P. multocida were ineffectively opsonized by the heat-labile serum complement system. The unencapsulated strain was completely phagocytized in the presence of heat-stable opsonins found in normal serum. Although encapsulation of strain C42 was found to interfere with opsonization by normal serum, this strain was completely phagocytized when hyperimmune serum (anti-C42) was used as the opsonin source. These results suggest that specific anticapsular antibodies found in the hyperimmune serum readily opsonized the encapsulated strain C42 and enhanced phagocytosis. The presence of a thick capsule on strain NA77 interfered with phagocytosis in the presence of normal or hyperimmune serum (anti-NA77). This interference was due to the presence of hyaluronic acid which was a major component of the capsule. Treatment of this encapsulated strain with hyaluronidase decapsulated the bacteria. Bacteria treated in this way were almost completely phagocytized (90%) in the presence of heat-stable opsonins. The exact mechanism by which the capsule of P. multocida NA77 interfered with phagocytosis was not demonstrated; perhaps the slimy nature of the hyaluronic acid makes the phagocytic act difficult by changing the physiochemical surface properties, or it may prevent opsonization.
Physics literacy, energy and the environment

Socially aware science literacy courses are sorely needed in every nation that is industrialized and democratic. This article puts societal topics into the more general context of science literacy, suggests that socially significant topics can fit comfortably into a physics literacy course, looks at energy and environment issues, and discusses how one might teach three such issues: energy use in transportation, global ozone depletion and global warming.
Comparative genome analysis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common pathogen that causes upper and lower respiratory tract infections in people of all ages, responsible for up to 40 % of community-acquired pneumonias. It also causes a wide array of extrapulmonary infections and autoimmune phenomena. Phylogenetic studies of the organism have been generally restricted to specific genes or regions of the genome, because whole genome sequencing has been completed for only 4 strains. To better understand the physiology and pathogenicity of this important human pathogen, we performed comparative genomic analysis of 15 strains of M. pneumoniae that were isolated between the 1940s to 2009 from respiratory specimens and cerebrospinal fluid originating from the USA, China and England. Illumina MiSeq whole genome sequencing was performed on the 15 strains and all genome sequences were completed. Results from the comparative genomic analysis indicate that although about 1500 SNP and indel variants exist between type1 and type 2 strains, there is an overall high degree of sequence similarity among the strains (>99 % identical to each other). Within the two subtypes, conservation of most genes, including the CARDS toxin gene and arginine deiminase genes, was observed. The major variation occurs in the P1 and ORF6 genes associated with the adhesin complex. Multiple hsdS genes (encodes S subunit of type I restriction enzyme) with variable tandem repeat copy numbers were found in all 15 genomes. These data indicate that despite conclusions drawn from 16S rRNA sequences suggesting rapid evolution, the M. pneumoniae genome is extraordinarily stable over time and geographic distance across the globe with a striking lack of evidence of horizontal gene transfer.
The Effect of Grouping or Randomizing Items on Leniency Response Bias.

This study was concerned with the effects of item presentation mode on the degree of leniency bias inherent in responses to standard field research questionnaires. Two types of modes were examined ...
Reduction of Cache Coherence Overhead by Compiler Data Layout and Loop Transformation

This paper presents a systematic approach that integrates compiler optimization of data layout and traditional loop transformations to reduce cache coherence overhead. A formal model based on an interference graph, overview of the optimization algorithms, and an example are given. Excerpts from an empirical evaluation of the complexity of the compiler analysis, and the simulation study of the resulting reductions in bus traffic and execution time, are also presented. Additional details appear in [7].
Assessment of the activity distribution of metal radionuclides in plastic phantoms using μSPECT imaging and gamma counting

At neutral pH, metal radionuclides, e.g., In-111 and Y-90, precipitate and adhere to container walls, yielding nonuniform activity distributions in compartments of plastic phantoms used for dosimetry validation. For various concentrations of a chelator, EDTA, we evaluated the uniformity of activity distributions in phantoms, as well as the accuracy of a fluorescent liquid dosimeter, coumarin-3-carboxylic acid (CCA). Solutions of In-111 and Y-90 with activity concentrations of 10-25 μCi/cc containing increasing EDTA concentrations (0-25 μM) were stored in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantoms for 24 h to accumulate dose. Activity in the solution was then measured in a gamma counter and/or by μSPECT imaging. Phantoms containing 0.1 mM CCA with EDTA were also irradiated either with a Cs-137 irradiator or with Y-90 to evaluate the effect of EDTA concentration on fluorescence intensity (FI). Activity measurements from images and gamma counting indicated that 40-50% of the activity of In-111 and Y-90 (25 μCi/cc) accumulated on phantom walls for EDTA concentration 2.5 μM. For a fixed absorbed dose, fluorescence intensity decreased by <15% when using 2.5 μM EDTA. For all EDTA concentrations, a linear dose-FI relationship was observed up to ~15Gy. For phantom dose measurements using metal radionuclides, solutions should contain ~1,000 EDTA molecules for each radiolabeled atom to obtain a uniform activity distribution.
A Distributed Differentially Space-Time-Frequency Coded OFDM for Asynchronous Cooperative Systems with Low Probability of Interception

Recently, Li, Hwu and Ratazzi have proposed a physical-layer security design to guarantee low probability of interception (LPI) for MIMO systems without relying on upper- layer data encryption. The proposed scheme utilizes antenna array redundancy to deliberately randomize the transmitted signals to prevent eavesdropping. Motivated by their idea, in this paper we design a physical-layer transmission scheme to achieve LPI in cooperative systems. There are two major differences in cooperative systems: 1) each relay node may have only one antenna that can not provide antenna array redundancy for signal randomization; 2) there may exist timing errors due to the asynchronous nature of the cooperative systems. Considering the two differences, we propose a distributed differentially space- time-frequency coded OFDM transmission scheme with deliberate signal randomization to prevent eavesdropping and exploit the available spatial and frequency diversities in asynchronous cooperative systems. We use unitary codes to perform the differential encoding in the frequency domain across several OFDM blocks. By some deliberate signal randomization, the eavesdropper can not detect the transmitted symbols. However, the authorized receiver can perform differential decoding successfully without the knowledge of the channels or the timing errors.