cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comments on the paper by S. Samuel "On the speed of gravity and the Jupiter/Quasar measurement"

Recent review article by S. Samuel "On the speed of gravity and the Jupiter/Quasar measurement" published in the International Journal of Modern Physics D13, 1753 (2004) provides the reader with a misleading "theory" of the relativistic time delay in general theory of relativity. Furthermore, it misquotes original publications by Kopeikin and Fomalont & Kopeikin related to the measurement of the speed of gravity by VLBI. We summarize the general relativistic principles of the Lorentz-invariant theory of propagation of light in time-dependent gravitational field, derive Lorentz-invariant expression for the relativistic time delay, and finally explain why Samuel's "theory" is conceptually incorrect and confuses the speed of gravity with the speed of light.
Roots of Hate: The Racial Root

During the latter half of the nineteenth century, Jews were increasingly depicted as members of a unique race rather than as members of a separate religious group. Spurred on by European colonialism, nationalistic fervor, and fear of immigration, the new science of race dug deep roots into European mass culture. “Scientific racism,” or “race science,” referred to the ideology that differences in human behavior derive from inherent group characteristics, and that human differences can be demonstrated through anthropological, biological, and statistical proofs. During the nineteenth century, race science rose and gained respectability. To assert that race science won wide acceptability by no means overstates the case. Between 1870 and 1940, race science was not merely the ideology of an extremist fringe of rabid anti-Semitic demagogues. The belief in the existence of separate races and that fundamental differences among races derived from physical and psychological attributes was shared by all social classes and ethnic groups, including well-educated Jews. Proponents of racial theory held a firm belief that there are inexorable natural laws, beyond the control of humans, governing individuals and cultures. Arguments that territorial national sovereignty should be based on a culturally identifiable nation and that the superior cultures of Europe had the right and duty to colonize non-European areas of the world found justification in scientific racism. The impact of scientific racism on European Jewry would be profound, for race science permitted anti-Semites to attire their hatred of Jews in the disguise of science.
Using Transcendental Phenomenology to Explore the “Ripple Effect” in a Leadership Mentoring Program

Several approaches exist for organizing and analyzing data in a phenomenological qualitative study. Transcendental phenomenology, based on principles identified by Husserl (1931) and translated into a qualitative method by Moustakas (1994), holds promise as a viable procedure for phenomenological research. However, to best understand the approach to transcendental phenomenology, the procedures need to be illustrated by a qualitative study that employs this approach. This article first discusses the procedures for organizing and analyzing data according to Moustakas (1994). Then it illustrates each step in the data analysis procedure of transcendental phenomenology using a study of reinvestment or the “ripple effect” for nine individuals who have participated in a youth leadership mentoring program from the 1970s to the present. Transcendental phenomenology works well for this study as this methodology provides logical, systematic, and coherent design elements that lead to an essential description of the experience.
Influence of Syringe Material on Arterial Blood Gas Determinations

A comparative analysis w ~ s made of 38 arterial blood eters, with respect to time, revealed no variaHom of c b gas samples d h b g plastic and glass syringes Paplyzcd ical importance between the glpps and plnstic syringes at varioua btervals to determine the acceptability of using over the two-hoar period of inve~@ation. preplastic syringes. Although the values for the two typea cantiom are taken, plastic syriuges have no major disof syringes varied for each parameter studied, this variadvantages over glass syringes; they are generany availability was similar to variations fomd when sampks in able, are dispoeeble m d inexpensive. two ghcm syringes were -zed. Changes for dl param
Polysaccharide content of the poison apparatus of the cottonmouth moccasin Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus

Abstract The venom apparatus from decapitated adult cottonomouth moccasins was excised, sectioned, and stained by various histological and histochemical procedures. Biochemical analyses to characterize mucopolysaccharide extracted from the accessory and main portions of the glands were also performed. The accessory gland contains a mucosecretion which is a strongly acidic, sulfated, uronic-acid containing mucopolysaccharide.
Oxygen pulse during exercise is related to resting systolic and diastolic left ventricular function in older persons with mild hypertension.

Background The mechanisms responsible for impaired cardiovascular hemodynamics during exercise among persons with milder forms of hypertension are not well documented. We examined the relationship of oxygen pulse during exercise, a correlate of stroke volume, with echocardiographic indices of resting left ventricular function to determine whether abnormal contractility and relaxation are related to abnormal cardiovascular dynamics during exercise among such persons. Methods Subjects were 44 men and 55 women ages 55 to 75 years with mild hypertension but who were otherwise healthy. Resting left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions were assessed with 2-dimensional Doppler echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging. Oxygen pulse (millimeters per beat) at rest and during multistage treadmill testing was derived from measurements of oxygen consumption and heart rate. The slope of oxygen pulse between successive exercise stages was calculated. Results After a steep rise in oxygen pulse from rest to stage 1 of exercise, a markedly diminished oxygen pulse slope was seen between subsequent exercise stages. In stepwise regression analysis, the increase in the slope of oxygen pulse from rest to stage 1 was explained by a greater lean body mass (57%, P P P P P Conclusions These results suggest that a blunted oxygen pulse response to exercise among older persons with milder forms of hypertension may reflect impaired left ventricular stroke volume changes during exercise secondary to subtle abnormalities in both systolic and diastolic left ventricular functions.
The extended transorbital craniotomy: an anatomic study.

Background Supra-/transorbital approaches are mostly limited to suprasellar and anterior fossa pathologies, whereas lateral supraorbital approaches provide less retrosellar exposure and less overall operative volume, especially in the temporal region. Objective Our cadaveric study proposes removal of the lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid bone to increase both the lateral angle typically achieved with pterional approaches and exposure to the temporal lobe and perisellar region. Methods In 5 cadaveric specimens, our 3 steps to expand transorbital exposures included the following: step 1, standard transorbital craniotomy via a 3-cm supra-eyebrow incision; step 2, removal of the lesser sphenoid wing completed extradurally; and step 3, partial removal of the greater sphenoid wing. Operative extension in sylvian, parasellar, and anterolateral temporal exposures were quantified for each step (t test). Results Step 2 provided the greatest increased exposure in the sylvian and parasellar regions compared with step 3, whereas step 3 provided a significant proportion of the exposure in the lateral temporal region. Finally, the lateral view progressively increased with each subsequent step. Conclusion Our 3-step removal of the lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid bone quantified increased sylvian, anterior temporal, and parasellar exposures for this minimally invasive approach with excellent cosmesis. Its increases the anterolateral view (similar to a subfrontal pterional approach) and offers potential applications to vascular and neoplastic (ie, sphenoid meningiomas) pathologies classically treated via a pterional or frontotemporal orbitozygomatic approach.
Medical device epidemiology and surveillance: patient safety is the bottom line.

(2004). Medical device epidemiology and surveillance: patient safety is the bottom line. Expert Review of Medical Devices: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 1-2.
Mouse Hepatitis Virus Type 2 Enters Cells through a Clathrin-Mediated Endocytic Pathway Independent of Eps15

It has recently been shown that cell entry of mouse hepatitis virus type 2 (MHV-2) is mediated through endocytosis (Z. Qiu et al., J. Virol. 80:5768-5776, 2006). However, the molecular mechanism underlying MHV-2 entry is not known. Here we employed multiple chemical and molecular approaches to determine the molecular pathways for MHV-2 entry. Our results showed that MHV-2 gene expression and infectivity were significantly inhibited when cells were treated with chemical and physiologic blockers of the clathrin-mediated pathway, such as chlorpromazine and hypertonic sucrose medium. Furthermore, viral gene expression was significantly inhibited when cells were transfected with a small interfering RNA specific to the clathrin heavy chain. However, these treatments did not affect the infectivity and gene expression of MHV-A59, demonstrating the specificity of the inhibitions. In addition, overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of caveolin 1 did not have any effect on MHV-2 infection, while it significantly blocked the caveolin-dependent uptake of cholera toxin subunit B. These results demonstrate that MHV-2 utilizes the clathrin- but not caveolin-mediated endocytic pathway for entry. Interestingly, when the cells transiently overexpressed a dominant-negative form (DIII) of Eps15, which is thought to be an essential component of the clathrin pathway, viral gene expression and infectivity were unaffected, although DIII expression blocked transferrin uptake and vesicular stomatitis virus infection, which are dependent on clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Thus, MHV-2 entry is mediated through clathrin-dependent but Eps15-independent endocytosis.
Effect of development, photoperiod, and stress on octopamine levels in the house cricket, Acheta domesticus

Abstract The adult brain octopamine content (2.7 ng) of Acheta domesticus was about 50% greater than that of last-instar larvae (1.7 ng). There were no significant peaks in brain octopamine during larval or adult development. The condition of being mated or virgin had no effect on octopamine levels. The octopamine concentration in the brain is 100 times greater than in the blood. 2 days before the final moult the blood octopamine concentration increased from the larval level (22 pg/μl) to nearly adult levels (38 pg/μl), perhaps in response to preparation for the moult. A broad peak of elevated blood and brain octopamine occurred in adult crickets during the 4 h after lights off when entrained to a 14 h light-10 h dark photoregime. Newly emerged adults placed in constant darkness for 9 days showed no octopamine rhythm, but if newly emerged adults were exposed to 14 h light-10 h dark for 2 days, followed by 7 days of constant darkness, then a free running octopamine rhythm in the brain developed. The brain rhythm in Acheta appeared to be endogenous with a period of about 24.4 h. This is the first evidence of a free running rhythm of a biogenic amine in insects. A free running blood rhythm was indicated but not statistically demonstrable. 5 min of running stress doubled the blood octopamine concentration which did not increase with an additional 10 min of running stress. Recovery to control levels of octopamine after 15 min of running was rapid, requiring only 15 min of rest.
A VLSI design methodology for distributed arithmetic

Real-time signal processing requires fast computation of inner products. Distributed arithmetic is a method of inner product computation that uses table-lookup and addition in place of multiplication. Distributed arithmetic has previously been shown to produce novel and seemingly efficient architectures for a variety of signal processing computations; however the methods of design, analysis and comparison have been ad hoc. We propose a systematic method for synthesizing optimal VLSI architectures using distributed arithmetic. A partition of the inner product computation at the word and bit level produces a computation consisting of lookups and additions. We study two classes of algorithms to implement this computation, regular iterative algorithms and tree algorithms, each of which can be expressed in the form of a dependency graph. We use linear and nonlinear maps to assign computations to processors in space and time. Expressions are developed for the area, latency, period and arithmetic error for a particular partition and space/time map of the dependecy graph. We use these expressions to formulate a constrained optimization problem over a large class of architectures. We compare distributed arithmetic with more conventional methods for inner product computation and show how area, latency and period may be traded off while maintaining constant error.
Strengthening gold thin films with zirconia nanoparticles for MEMS electrical contacts

Abstract Thin gold films can be strengthened by the incorporation, during reactive sputtering, of nanosized dispersions of monoclinic zirconia. Micron-thick films containing ∼2 vol.% zirconia particles having a particle size of 1–3 nm are found to have an indentation hardness of 3.8 GPa after annealing for 60 h at 500 °C in air. Sputtered gold films of the same thickness and annealed under the same conditions had a hardness of 2.3 GPa. The nanoparticles of zirconia resist coarsening with no change in diameter between deposition and after 60 h at 500 °C. They also suppress grain growth of the gold grains. The electrical resistivity of the strengthened gold films was 4.5 μΩ cm, about 55% higher than gold films. The temperature coefficient of resistivity was unaffected.
Experimental Verification of the Aerodynamics of Stream Thrust Probes

§** †† ‡‡ Determining the local stream thrust (a vector quantity) from a measured pitot pressure (a scalar quantity) requires either knowledge of the flow direction or a probe shape that compensates for flow direction. This compensation ideally would make the measured pressure directly proportional to the component of momentum along the probe axis. The flow angle sensitivity required to resolve this component of momentum was previously determined theoretically. A proposed probe nose shape was analyzed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and was found to produce a flow angle sensitivity close to the required sensitivity. In the current work, the proposed nose shape was tested in a wind tunnel at Mach numbers 1.67, 2.45, and 3.48 at angles of attack from 0 to 15 deg. The test results indicate that the flow angle sensitivity of the proposed nose shape agrees with the required sensitivity to within 1 percent up to a flow angle of 15 deg.
Mortality of Passerines Adjacent to a North Carolina Corn Field Treated with Granular Carbofuran

Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were collected during an epizootic in southeastern North Carolina (USA). Activity of brain cholinesterase (ChE) was inhibited by 14 to 48% in three of five specimens, and returned to normal levels after incubation. Gastrointestinal tracts were analyzed for 30 anti-ChE agents. Carbofuran, the only compound detected, was present in all specimens at levels from 5.44 to 72.7 μg/g wet weight. Application of granular carbofuran in an adjacent corn field, results of necropsy examinations, and chemical analyses are consistent with a diagnosis of carbofuran poisoning in these specimens.
Effect of amygdaloid lesions on retention of an avoidance response in overtrained and non-overtrained rats

The effects of electrolytic amygdala lesions on retention of an active avoidance response were investigated in overtrained and non-overtrained rats. All overtrained rats exhibited normal retention following bilateral amygdala lesions while retention was impaired in three out of four of the non-overtrained rats in which the basolateral nuclei were damaged. These results were interpreted as supporting the hypothesis that the amygdala is primarily involved in acquisition processes and not long-term memory storage.
Substitution of Concentrated Ethanol for Water in the Laboratory Washing Fractionation of Protein and Starch from Hydrated Wheat Flour

ABSTRACT An unprecedented, ethanol-based, washing process was used at a laboratory scale to produce both concentrated protein and starch fractions from hydrated wheat flour. In this multistep process, flour was first hydrated and mixed to a batter and then chilled and rested. The cold batter was then mixed and washed in chilled and concentrated ethanol using a modified device that normally applies the water-based Martin process. Control of the separation was affected by each of these steps. For instance, the hydration of the flour, the time of mixing, the temperature of the wash, the ethanol concentration, and the time of washing were influential. The method produced a gluten concentrate similar in yield and protein content to that reported for a pilot-scale Martin process but without the need for added salt. Notably, ethanol washing resulted in nonsticky, partially disintegrated curds that dried easily, whereas water washing resulted in a sticky, glutinous, cohesive mass that dried slowly. The process ha...
Random Walks and the Cointegration of the ACLI and NCREIF

Do NCREIF returns influence commercial mortgage underwriters when they adjust capitalization rates? Are the ACLI capitalization series and the NCREIF return series cointegrated at the national and the smaller geographic sub-division levels? This research uses a two-step procedure to test for cointegration. First, the Phillips–Perron unit-root procedure must show that each series is a unit-root random walk. Previous research usually has assumed that these series are random walks, with the implication that the commercial mortgage market is efficient. Second, the Phillips–Ouliaris test of the residuals of a function of the two series determines the possibility of cointegration. At the national level and for the Northeast and Pacific regions the two series are random walks and cointegrated. In other geographic sub-divisions, neither or only one series is a random walk and therefore the data does not support a relationship. The lack of functional relationships in four of the six smaller geographic regions suggests that underwriters are not obtaining the NCREIF information or are ignoring it. The lack of random walks with the implication about capital-market efficiency invites further research.
Low plasma androgens in women with systemic lupus erythematosus

The high ratio of women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has remained unexplained, despite the recent description of metabolic abnormalities of estrogen and androgen metabolism. Alterations of steroid metabolism in patients with SLE could be important in the pathogenesis of this disease, since it has been reported that gonadal steroids modulate the immune system. Moreover, research with inbred lupus mice has shown that estrogens have adverse effects on the disease in both sexes, whereas androgen therapy or oophorectomy is protective in females. Recently, the finding of elevated testosterone oxidation at C-17 in females with SLE suggested that plasma androgen levels in males and females with SLE should be examined more closely. We studied the varying degrees of clinical activity, with regard to plasma levels of 4 significant androgens: testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in a series of 5 male and 42 female SLE patients. Decreased levels of all androgens were observed in women with SLE. The lowest levels of plasma androgens were found in female patients who had active disease, as determined by laboratory and clinical assessment. These data support the fact that specific abnormalities of androgen metabolism in the female are associated with SLE, and may contribute in some way to morbidity and mortality. More importantly, these data may have implications for future therapeutic regimens based on male hormone replacement.
Modeling of complex chemical reactions in a continuous-flow reactor: A Markov chain approach

Abstract To simulate the dynamics of a chemically reacting system as a Markov chain, the states of the chain need to be properly identified. In the present approach, a molecule is viewed as an “object”, “entity” or system. The transformation of the molecule from one species to another is visualized as the transition of this “entity” from one form to another. Furthermore, appropriately selected chemical species or entities in the mixture serve as the states of the chain. The selection of such species is subject to the stoichiometric constraint based on the atomic balance. The approach is illustrated with several chemically reacting systems. The results are in good agreement with the known results obtained from the deterministic approach.
The MICHR Genomic DNA BioLibrary An Empirical Study of the Ethics of Biorepository Development

In this article, we report on an effort to study the development and usefulness of a large, broad-use, opt-in biorepository for genomic research, focusing on three ethical issues: providing appropriate understanding, recruiting in ways that do not comprise autonomous decisions, and assessing costs versus benefits. We conclude the following: (a) Understanding can be improved by separating the task of informing subjects from documenting informed consent (Common Rule) and permission to use personal health information and samples for research (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act [HIPAA]); however, regulations might have to be changed to accommodate this approach. (b) Changing recruiting methods increases efficiency but can interfere with subject autonomy. (c) Finally, we propose a framework for the objective evaluation of the utility of biorepositories and suggest that more attention needs to be paid to use and sustainability.
TH-A-WAB-07: A Method for the Assessment of Heterogeneity in Total Bone Marrow

Purpose: Spatial heterogeneity of hematological disease is suspected to affect treatment response. In this study, we developed a method to quantitatively assess heterogeneity in bone marrow response to treatment via a voxel‐to‐voxel analysis for intra‐and inter‐regional marrow assessment. Methods: The method begins with articulated registration — registration of whole body CTs by auto‐segmenting individual bones then rigidly aligning them — of pre‐and post‐treatment CTs. Resulting segmentations and transformations are applied to the respective PET data allowing for voxel‐to‐voxel comparisons. Intra‐and inter‐regional heterogeneity of PET uptake and response is assessed through four distinct analyses: (1) Intra‐regional uptake heterogeneity, (2) Intra‐regional response heterogeneity, (3) Interregional uptake heterogeneity, and (4) Inter‐regional response heterogeneity. Mean SUV (SUVmean) and SUV coefficient of variation (SUVCoV)) are calculated within each region at each time point. Response (R) is calculated as a change in SUVmean). The method was applied to two patients with acute myeloid leukemia having received standard ‘7+3’ induction chemotherapy, but experiencing different clinical responses. Results: In the two patients, our method revealed wide variation in uptake and response within skeletal regions. Intra‐regionally we observed high uptake heterogeneity in all regions (SUVCoV</sub≫ 0.8) as well as high response heterogeneity; this was evidenced by standard deviations of Rmean) spanning 0.7xRmean) to 1.3×Rmean). Despite clear heterogeneity within each region, inter‐regional uptake heterogeneity was low (CoV<0.05 for both patients pre‐treatment). Interestingly, the method revealed significantly different inter‐regional response heterogeneity between the patients, with the clinically responding patient having a more homogeneous response (variation of Rmean) <0.06), than the non‐responding patient (variation of Rmean) <0.14). Conclusion: The newly developed heterogeneity assessment method allows for a quantitative assessment of bone marrow response. The localization of treatment failure could assist in clinical decision making by discriminating between responding and non‐responding patients.
Immunosignaturing can detect products from molecular markers in brain cancer.

Immunosignaturing shows promise as a general approach to diagnosis. It has been shown to detect immunological signs of infection early during the course of disease and to distinguish Alzheimer’s disease from healthy controls. Here we test whether immunosignatures correspond to clinical classifications of disease using samples from people with brain tumors. Blood samples from patients undergoing craniotomies for therapeutically naive brain tumors with diagnoses of astrocytoma (23 samples), Glioblastoma multiforme (22 samples), mixed oligodendroglioma/astrocytoma (16 samples), oligodendroglioma (18 samples), and 34 otherwise healthy controls were tested by immunosignature. Because samples were taken prior to adjuvant therapy, they are unlikely to be perturbed by non-cancer related affects. The immunosignaturing platform distinguished not only brain cancer from controls, but also pathologically important features about the tumor including type, grade, and the presence or absence of O6-methyl-guanine-DNA methyltransferase methylation promoter (MGMT), an important biomarker that predicts response to temozolomide in Glioblastoma multiformae patients.
Further Results on the Detection of Targets in Non-Gaussian Sea Clutter

A recent work calculated the probabilities of detection and false alarm for the mean and median detectors for the log-normal and contaminated-normal descriptions of sea clutter. This correspondence extends the previous work by first calculating the performance of the trimmed-mean detector and then calculating the detection performance of all three detectors when the target exhibits Rayleigh fluctuations. Finally, a simple example is used to show that the optimal beamwidth of a radar need not be the smallest obtainable beamwidth.
Perturbed Angular Correlation Study of Naturally Occurring Zircon with Very Small Impurity Concentrations

We used 181Ta-PAC spectroscopy to characterize the electric field gradient at Zr sites of zircon samples from the Harts Range in Australia. Zircons from this region contain very low levels of radioactive impurities. The PAC spectra between room temperature and 1100°C are axially symmetric and show little damping. The quadrupole frequency decreases linearly with increasing temperature, and the slope of the v Q vs. T graph increases above 900°C. This is attributed to a rearrangement of the Si-O coordination, which affects the Zr-O coordination. The spectra of all zircons show a distinct decrease of the anisotropy between 800 and 600°C. This behavior is also seen with samples that do not exhibit the change in slope in the v Q vs. T data. We believe that the decrease in the anisotropy is due to an aftereffect following the β-decay of 181Hf.
Purification and Characterization of Monomeric Escherichia coli Vitamin B12 Receptor with High Affinity for Colicin E3

The btuB gene product fromEscherichia coli is a 66.5-kDa integral outer membrane protein required for high-affinity uptake of cyanocobalamin and the translocation of E group colicins and colicin A. Efficient purification of overexpressed BtuB containing stoichiometric levels of bound lipopolysaccharide has been achieved through the extraction of the outer membrane with nonionic detergent followed by ion-exchange chromatography. Analysis of far UV circular dichroism spectra indicates a predominantly β-sheet secondary structure (76 ± 4%) with a low α-helical content (15 ± 3%), providing the first direct evidence for secondary structure models derived from sequence and hydropathy analysis. Characterization of the octylglucoside-solubilized receptor by sedimentation equilibrium and sedimentation velocity analysis reveals a monodisperse protein-detergent complex of approximately 89 kDa with a sedimentation coefficient of 4.7 S which, after correction for bound detergent, indicates that BtuB is purified as a monomer. BtuB binds vitamin B12 with a stoichiometry of approximately 1:1, as observed by a shift in the sedimentation profile of the vitamin to the much faster velocity observed for the protein-detergent complex. The preincubation of colicin E3 with stoichiometric levels of BtuB protects susceptible strains from the lethal effects of the colicin and results in a complex with a sedimentation coefficient appropriate for a BtuB-detergent-colicin E3 complex, demonstrating that monomeric BtuB retains high affinity for this particular ligand after isolation.
Uptake of arsenic and mercury from soil by bermudagrass Cynodon dactylon

Abstract High point source concentrations of As and Hg occur in soils and may constitute a hazard to animals grazing in such environments. Common bermudagrass Cynodon dactylon L. was grown on three soils amended with As and Hg singly and in combination to determine uptake and concentration of these elements in its leaves, stems and roots. Plant growth was reduced on all soils containing 90 mgkg −1 As and on two soils containing 50 mgkg −1 Hg. Concentrations of As in leaves, stems and roots of plants grown on soil containing 45 mg kg −1 As, often exceeded 15, 25 and 200 mg kg −1 , respectively, on a dry weight basis. The maximum concentration of As in plant tops was 45 mg kg −1 . The range in concentrations of Hg in leaves, stems and roots of plants grown on soil containing 50 mg kg −1 Hg was 1·4 to 37·6, 0·4 to 1·2 and 80 to 800 mg kg −1 , respectively. The concentrations of As and Hg in bermudagrass growing on contaminated soils were high enough to be potentially hazardous to foraging animals.
A method of mounting multiple otoliths for beam-based microchemical analyses

Beam-based analytical methods are widely used to measure the concentrations of elements and isotopes in otoliths. These methods usually require that otoliths be individually mounted and prepared to properly expose the desired growth region to the analytical beam. Most analytical instruments, such as LA-ICPMS and ion and electron microprobes, have sample holders that will accept only one to six slides or mounts at a time. We describe a method of mounting otoliths that allows for easy transfer of many otoliths to a single mount after they have been prepared. Such an approach increases the number of otoliths that can be analyzed in a single session by reducing the need open the sample chamber to exchange slides—a particularly time consuming step on instruments that operate under vacuum. For ion and electron microprobes, the method also greatly reduces the number of slides that must be coated with an electrical conductor prior to analysis. In this method, a narrow strip of cover glass is first glued at one end to a standard microscope slide. The otolith is then mounted in thermoplastic resin on the opposite, free end of the strip. The otolith can then be ground and flipped, if needed, by reheating the mounting medium. After otolith preparation is complete, the cover glass is cut with a scribe to free the otolith and up to 20 small otoliths can be arranged on a single petrographic slide.
Dimensions of Psychological Capital in a U.S. Suburb and High School: Identities for Neoliberal Times

In this article, we describe the identities of U.S. suburban high school students as they attempt to ensure their “market relevance” in a neoliberal era. The data are drawn from a four-year ethnographic study of the construction of educational advantage conducted by a diverse five-person research team. These identities were characterized by strong agentic beliefs, predispositions to exert control, deeply held attachments to individual success, highly developed self-advocacy skills, precociously circumscribed aspirations, keen awareness of new forms of cultural capital, self-consciously cultivated work ethics, and habituation to stress and fatigue. The study uncovered gender and racial differences in the acquisition of specific components of these identities, which are attributed in part to larger contextual factors, such as the subordination of the school's efforts to meet the needs of minority students to its broader goals of remaining competitive. Overall, we interpret these identity characteristics as components of psychological capital that these young people developed to manage risks: in particular, their ability to achieve “success” in a future characterized by acute competition, declining social support, and uncertainty.[identity, neoliberalism, social stratification, high school, United States]
Treatment of hydromyelia in spina bifida

Abstract BACKGROUND Cavitation of the spinal cord (hydrosyringomyelia) seems to be common in spina bifida patients, although the overall clinical and radiological incidence has very rarely been analyzed. The real incidence of the condition is, in fact, difficult to assess as patients with this complication may remain relatively asymptomatic. The mechanisms accounting for the occurrence of hydrosyringomyelia in myelodysplasia are still a subject of debate. Similarly, the indications for the surgical treatment are still to be defined and its results to be assessed. METHODS In this study, 142 patients with spina bifida were screened with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the incidence of hydromyelia. Thirty-two patients presented a cavitating lesion on MRIs of which 18 were not a cause of symptoms and 14 were. Clinical characteristics of the lesions and their correlation to the radiological picture were analyzed. All the symptomatic children underwent surgical treatment. Outcomes were evaluated and correlated also with the MRI findings. RESULTS A correlation between the presence of symptomatology and the extension and/or dilation of the hydromyelia was observed. A significant relationship between the presence of symptoms and adequate control of associated hydrocephalus was also noted. No correlation was observed between the presence of hydromyelia and the level of the myelomeningocele or the degree of ventricular dilation in those cases that presented with hydrocephalus. The mean age at hydromyelia diagnosis for all patients affected was 3.9 years and, in particular, 4 years for those patients who presented with symptoms. A total of 15 operations were performed in the 14 symptomatic patients. Seven direct procedures were carried out to drain the hydromyelia: five hydroperitoneal shunt insertions and two hydrosubarachnoid shunting procedures. Eight indirect treatments were performed to eliminate the filling mechanism of the hydromyelia: five posterior fossa decompressions, two ventriculoperitoneal shunt revisions, and one spinal cord untethering procedure with terminal syringostomy. All patients improved postoperatively, except one who remained clinically stable at follow-up. This patient had undergone a posterior fossa decompression followed by a hydrosubarachnoid shunting procedure. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of syringohydromyelia is actually higher than that reported in the literature, although not all lesions are symptomatic. The radiological picture may be helpful in planning a more careful follow-up program for patients theoretically at risk for neurologic deterioration. Surgical treatment is possible with good results in the majority of cases and should be carried out as soon as possible before further deterioration occurs. Not all symptoms respond equally to treatment. Generally, improvement of clinical status correlates with a reduction in size of the hydromyelic cavity on MRI.
Prediction of vibrational force fields using Extended Huckel Theory

Abstract A method is presented for efficiently predicting the energies and intensities of vibrational fundamentals within the framework of Extended Huckel Theory (EHT). Applications to the series of planar, unsaturated hydrocarbons, (CH) n , are discussed for n = 3 to 7. The spectral predictions are made in conjunction with the application of a procedure for predicting the EHT equilibrium molecular geometry. Reasonable success is obtained for the prediction of the CH bending modes. These are typically within 30 cm −1 of the corresponding experimental values. The overall procedure is shown to be rapid and accurate within the EHT approximation, requiring that the wavefunction and energy be determined only for the equilibrium configuration.
Significance of atypical and suspicious small acinar proliferations, and high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia on prostate biopsy: implications for cancer detection and biopsy strategy.

Purpose: We reviewed our results from a urological pathology reference laboratory with respect to the incidence of HGPIN, and atypical and suspicious lesions in the spectrum of ASAP. Subsequent CaP findings on repeat biopsy with relevant clinical implications were assessed.Materials and Methods: A review of 42,667 prostate biopsies was performed. We defined atypical and suspicious as variants of ASAP with suspicious being more worrisome for CaP. Findings were correlated with the location of CaP on repeat prostate biopsy.Results: The rate of subsequent CaP detection was significantly higher for an initial diagnosis of suspicious findings (51% or 54 of 107 cases) than for atypical findings (34% or 39 of 116) or HGPIN (22% or 79 of 358, p <0.001). CaP was found on the same side of the prostate in 61 of 78 (78%), 30 of 39 (77%) and 41 of 54 patients (76%) with initial HGPIN, atypical and suspicious biopsies, respectively. There was no significant difference among the 3 groups in the likelihood of future CaP a...
NMR SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF LITHIUM DIETHYLAMIDE: INSIGHTS INTO RING LADDERING

6Li and 15N NMR spectroscopic studies of lithium diethylamide (Et2NLi) solvated by oxetane, THF, and Et2O are described. Four-, five-, and six-rung ladders, as well as cyclic dimers and trimers, are identified. In addition, dynamic processes within the trimers and ladders are detected. The symmetries of the aggregates facilitated the determination of relatively complex solution structures and equilibria.
Use of Nitrobenzene Oxidation for Study of Lignin Composition with an Improved Method for Product Extraction

Abstract Sample stability, extraction procedures and solvents and various gas chromatographic procedures were studied in an attempt to improve procedures for the determination of lignin by the nitrobenzene oxidation technique. Extraction of oxidation products with ether, although needed to extract p-coumaric acid, resulted in a marked decrease in sample stability and increased extraneous material. Studies using a variety of phases and sample preparations showed that with 5% OV-25 on Gas Chrom Q the peaks corresponding to caffeic and ferulic acids were largely or entirely azoxybenzene and p-phenylazophenol. The introduction of disposable diatomaceous earth columns for extracting oxidation products resulted in a faster procedure and the removal of the by-products azoxybenzene and p-phenylazophenol from the extracted products.
Dual chain migration: post-1965 Filipino immigration to the United States.

In analyzing Filipino migration to the United States since 1965 the authors identify two distinct chains of immigrants. One derives from the Filipinos who entered the country prior to 1965; the other comes from the flow of highly trained professionals who immigrated during the late 1960s and early 1970s. "To establish the historical basis for the two patterns of immigration that unfolded in the post-1965 period the article begins with a brief examination of Filipino immigration to the United States. An analysis of the modes of entry used in both chains follows this overview. The study concludes with a discussion of the degree of convergence in these two chains and the consequences of each for contemporary Filipino-American community development." Data are from published U.S. census material and from Immigration and Naturalization Service reports and tapes dating from 1972 to 1985. (EXCERPT)
Analysis of hyperamylasemia in patients with severe head injury.

To evaluate the influence of severe head injury (SHI) on amylase activity, we studied the amylase profile of 60 patients with SHIs and Glasgow Coma Scores 2 SD above the normal mean were considered elevated. All SHI patients were comatose; 14 died. In the SHI group, TA increased in 23 patients, PA increased in 40, and NPA increased in 14. The source of hyperamylasemia was PA in 14, NPA in one, and mixed in 8 patients. While PA increases occurred throughout the study, NPA elevations occurred early. These increases did not correlate with shock (BP < 80 mm Hg; 17 patients), facial trauma (24 patients), or associated injury (29 patients). On Day 7 postinjury, the mean TA (215 du%) and the mean PA (203.8 du%) were significantly elevated in the SHI patients compared to controls (122.1 du%, P < 0.05, Wilcoxon's rank sum test). These data indicate that serum amylase is not a reliable index of pancreatic injury in patients with SHI. Severe head injury and multiple trauma activate pathways that increase amylase levels in the blood, suggesting a central nervous system regulation of serum amylase levels.
R/S analysis of foreign exchange rates under two international monetary regimes

Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine empirically the behavior of foreign exchange markets during the most recent experiences with fixed and flexible rates. Specifically, this study explores the possibility that long-term dependence is present in the exchange rate series for the British pound, French franc, and German mark in terms of the U.S. dollar. Using R/S analysis, positive long-term dependence is uncovered for each exchange rate during the flexible regime but negative dependence is found in the fixed period.
A catalogue of helium abundance indicators from globular cluster photometry

We present a survey of helium abundance indicators derived from a comprehensive study of globular cluster photometry in the literature. For each of the three indicators used, we conduct a thorough error analysis, and identify systematic errors in the computational procedures. For the population ratio RNHBNRGB, we find that there is no evidence of a trend with metallicity, although there appears to be real scatter in the values derived. Although this indicator is the one best able to provide useful absolute helium abundances, the mean value is Y≈0.20, indicating the probable presence of additional systematic error. For the magnitude difference from the horizontal branch to the main sequence Δ and the RR Lyrae mass–luminosity exponent A, it is only possible to determine relative helium abundances reliably. This is due to continuing uncertainties in the absolute metallicity scale for Δ, and uncertainty in the RR Lyrae temperature scale for A. Both indicators imply that the helium abundance is approximately constant as a function of [Fe/H]. According to the A indicator, both Oosterhoff I and II group clusters have constant values independent of [Fe/H] and horizontal branch type. In addition, the two groups have slopes d log〈Pab〉/d[Fe/H] that are consistent with each other, but significantly smaller than the slope for the combined sample.
The Identical Distribution Hypothesis for Stock Market Prices—Location- and Scale-Shift Alternatives

Abstract This article explores the identical distribution hypothesis for stock-price changes through a set of optimum non-parametric tests for randomness against location- and scale-shift alternatives. An application of these tests to the daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly rates of return from 1966 through 1976 for each of the first 15 stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average reveals that these series may have constant location parameters throughout the sample period, but the stability of their scale parameters is questionable.
The home information utility

Abstract The First Conference on Viewdata, Videotex and Teletext, organized by Online Conferences Ltd, London, UK, 26–28March 1980
Gibberellins in Relation to Flowering and Stem Elongation in the Long Day Plant Silene armeria

Two long days induced some flowering and 4 or more long days caused 100% flowering in Silene armeria. On long days microscopically detectable flower primordia were first seen after 6 days, which is at least 1 day before the start of stem elongation. Both gibberellin A(3) and A(7) caused flowering on short days, but the results were variable and flowering was never 100%. Three different gibberellins were detected in Silene extracts. The pattern of gibberellins extracted from plants on short and long days was qualitatively the same, but on long days gibberellin content was up to 100% higher than on short days. Only small amounts of diffusible gibberellins were obtained from Silene shoot tips (including very young leaves) on short days. However, on long days the diffusible gibberellins increased by as much as 10-fold after 4 to 6 long days but then declined somewhat after 10 long days. The gibberellins extracted from the shoot tips at the completion of the diffusion period also increased under long days, although the increase was not as large as for the diffusible gibberellins. An A(5)-like gibberellin present in extracts was not detected in diffusates.Treatment with AMO 1618 (2-isopropyl-4-dimethylamino-5-methylphenyl-1-piperidine-carboxylate methyl chloride) completely inhibited stem elongation on long days but had no effect on flowering. In addition, treatment with AMO 1618 caused at least an 80% decrease in the level of extractable gibberellin, while the diffusible gibberellin was reduced below the limits of detection in the d5 corn bioassay. When endogenous gibberellin levels were suppressed by pretreatment with AMO 1618 on short days, gibberellin A(3) caused more stem elongation in plants moved to long days than in plants left on short days. Thus the sensitivity of Silene plants to gibberellin with respect to stem growth is affected by photoperiod. It is concluded that in Silene endogenous gibberellins are a controlling factor for stem elongation but apparently are not required for flower formation.
Memory's grip on attention: The influence of item memory on the allocation of attention.

Many studies have investigated the capture of attention to physically and emotionally salient events in the environment. Much less is known, however, about the influence of memory on the allocation of attention, both in terms of the attraction towards a previously seen item and the holding of attention on that item. In the present study, participants viewed scenes while eyetracking was used to explore whether item memory influences the allocation of attention. The results revealed that “old items” (presented in an earlier encoding phase) were fixated sooner and held attention longer (as indexed by more and longer duration fixations) than novel comparison items. These results did not differ between participants given different task instructions or between participants reporting different intended strategies, suggesting the effects on attentional allocation were unintentional. These results provide evidence that item memory affects the allocation of attention, influencing both the guidance of attention and ...