cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inorganic nitrogen acquisition in the seagrass Thalassia testudinum: Development of a whole‐plant nitrogen budget

Whole-plant nitrogen (N) uptake experiments were used to quantify the N budget of Thalassia testudinumgrowing under different sediment nutrient regimes at two locations in the western Gulf of Mexico. At both sites, Corpus Christi Bay (CCB) and lower Laguna Madre (LLM), Texas, concurrent measurements of plant biomass and levels of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in the water column and sediments were made over a 12-month period (October 1996‐October 1997). Water-column NH and NO 1 NO concentrations were not significantly different 12 2 43 2 between study sites (ca. 1.2 mM [NH ] and 0.7 mM [NO 1 NO ] at both sites), but sediment NH concentrations 12 2 1 43 2 4 in CCB (87 mM) were significantly higher than in LLM (26mM). The higher sediment NH levels at CCB correlated 1 4 with significantly higher leaf biomass at CCB, but there was no difference in root biomass between study sites. Leaf NH uptake showed clear seasonal variation: Vmax was highest in summer and fall, but Km was highest in 1 4 winter. Vmax of leaf NO uptake did not change with season, but Km decreased with increasing incubation temperature. 2 3 There were no clear differences in leaf NH and NO uptake rates between study sites, although leaf NH uptake 12 1 43 4 affinity was higher than that of NO . Root NH uptake was variable with season and did not saturate at the 21 34 experimental NH concentrations at either site (0‐300 mM). Based on these measurements, N acquisition was 1 4 highest during summer and fall and lowest during winter and spring. Roots and leaves contributed nearly equally to total plant N acquisition (root NH 5 52%; leaf NH 5 38%; and leaf NO 5 10%) at both sites. Annual N 11 2 44 3 acquisition in CCB was double that of LLM (97.03 and 53.49 g N m 22 yr 21 , respectively), but .50% of N uptake was not incorporated into biomass at either site. DIN turnover time ranged from 0.21 to 0.91 d in the water column and from 0.95 to 1.75 d in sediment pore water, indicating the importance of DIN regeneration processes for supporting seagrass production. The similarity in the relative tissue contributions between plants at both sites, despite a significant difference in sediment NH pool sizes, results from the higher fraction of biomass allocated to below1 4 ground tissues in plants living under low-sediment N conditions (LLM). In N-sufficient sediments, overall plant productivity is greater as T. testudinum is able to allocate a greater proportion of its biomass into photosynthetic aboveground tissues.
Airflow patterns in flat storage aeration systems

ABSTRACT Airflow patterns in flat grain storages are predicted with a two-dimensional finite element model. Plots of the isotraverse times are used for comparison. Where grain is allowed to peak at an angle of 22 degrees or greater, placing one duct in the center of the storage provides at least as good an airflow distribution as when two or three ducts are used. When the effects of fine material concentration in the center of the pile are considered, one duct in the center of the storage will provide the most airflow to this region. For level filled storages, using a duct spacing equal to the grain depth provides good airflow distribution.
A Leading Indicator Model for Ohio SMSA Employment

The methodology used to build a leading indicator model for Ohio SMSA employment is described in this paper. A composite leading indicator series for each of the eight major metropolitan areas and the state of Ohio was constructed. These composite indicators appear to work well in a “real-time” simulation of their actual use. The methodology employed here departs from traditional methods for constructing such leading indicators in the approach to weighting the individual indicator series in order to devise a composite index. An econometric approach to determining the weights was employed. The weighting method can be said to be “optimal” in that the weights were chosen to maximize the out-of-sample ability of the composite index to detect future changes in economic activity, proxied here by the level of employment. This approach to weighting the component series in devising a composite index is computationally expensive, since it requires that a number of models be estimated and simulated in an actual use environment. It does overcome the usual subjective nature of the weighting schemes employed, and has resulted in composite indexes for the eight metropolitan areas and Ohio that perform quite well.
Boresight calibration of the aerial multi-head camera system

This paper introduces a novel geometric constraint to boresight calibration for aerial multi-head camera systems. Using the precise EOPs (exterior orientation parameters) estimated for each physical camera and the surface information of the area of interest, multi head camera provides a synthetic image at each time epoch. The camera EOPs can be computed directly from the navigation solution provided by an onboard GPS/INS system and camera platform geometric calibration parameters, which represent the geometric relationship between the camera heads. For direct acquisition of EOPs from the navigation system, the camera frame and the INS frame should be precisely aligned. Boresight can be defined as mounting angles between the INS frame and camera frame. Since small but unknown misalignment angles could cause large errors on the ground, which suggests that they should be precisely estimated. In this paper, unknown boresight angles are estimated by using camera platform geometric calibration parameters as constraints. Since each physical camera of the multi-head camera system is tightly affixed to the platform, the geometry between camera frames remains constant. Simulation results show that the constrained method provides better estimation in terms of both accuracy and precision compared to traditional approach which does not use the constraint.
Weight based dominating set clustering algorithm for small satellite networks

Due to the size and density of small satellite networks (SSNs), the traditional clustering algorithms of large monolithic satellite networks are often limited. This paper proposes a novel distributed weight-based dominating set clustering algorithm to address the clustering problems in the stochastically deployed SSNs. Considering the unique features of small satellites, this algorithm is able to form the clusters efficiently and stably. In this algorithm, satellites are separated into different groups according to their spatial characteristics. Firstly, a minimum dominating set is chosen as the candidate cluster head set based on their weight, which is a weighted combination of residual energy and connection degree. Then the cluster heads admit new neighbors that accept their invitations into the cluster, until the maximum cluster size is reached. Evaluated by the simulation results, in a SSN with 200 to 800 nodes, the algorithm is able to efficiently cluster more than 90% of nodes in 3 seconds.
Superconducting glassy state in high-Tc oxides

Abstract Starting with the first observation of a superconducting glassy state in La 2- x Ba x CuO 4 ceramics by susceptibility and magnetic moment measurements, recent microwave absorption experiments as well as magnetic relaxation effects will be presented and discussed in the light of very large scale Monte Carlo computer simulations. The origin of the superconducting glass state is inferred as being due to Josephson junctions or weak links partly internal to the ceramic grains or single crystals occuring at twin boundaries.
Zur Reaktion von PtF4 mit Wasser und mit Methanol

Es wird uber Fluorohydroxo- und Fluoromethoxoplatinate (IV) berichtet. Folgende Verbindungen wurden gewonnen und charakterisiert: H2[PtF2(OH)4], M2[PtF2(OH)4] (M = K, Na), K[PtF2(OCH3)3H2O], M2[PtF5OCH3] (M = K, Na, NH4). Auserdem wurden die Hexafluoroplatinate mit den Kationen [N(CH3)4]+, [N(C2H5)4]+, [N(C4H9)4]+ und [pyH]+ erhalten. Chromatographisch wahrscheinlich gemacht wurden die Anionen [PtF5OH]2− und [PtF4(OH)2]2−. Bei den Reaktionen entstanden weiterhin die Verbindungen PtF2(OCH3)2 und Pt(OCH3)4. Beide Verbindungen sind sehr explosive Substanzen. Pt(OCH3)4 zersetzt sich bei vorsichtigem Erwarmen langsam; seine methanolische Losung eignet sich zur Herstellung von Pt-Uberzugen auf Glas oder anderen Materialien. Several fluorohydroxo- and fluoromethoxoplatinates(IV) were prepared and characterised: H2[PtF2(OH)4], M2[PtF2(OH)4] (M = Na, K), K[PtF2(OCH3)3H2O] and M2[PtF5OCH3] (M = Na, K, NH4). Further, hexafluoroplatinates of the cations NR4+ (R = CH3, C2H5, C4H9) and pyH+ were obtained. There is chromatographic evidence for the anions [PtF5OH]2− and [PtF4(OH)2]2−. In addition, the esters PtF2(OCH3)2 and Pt(OCH3)4 were prepared as very explosive substances. A methanolic Pt(OCH3)4 solution can be applied for depositing metallic platinum films on glass or other materials.
Bibliomining for automated collection development in a digital library setting: using data mining to discover web-based scholarly research works

This research creates an intelligent agent for automated collection development in a digital library setting. It uses a predictive model based on facets of each Web page to select scholarly works. The criteria came from the academic library selection literature, and a Delphi study was used to refine the list to 41 criteria. A Perl program was designed to analyze a Web page for each criterion and applied to a large collection of scholarly and nonscholarly Web pages. Bibliomining, or data mining for libraries, was then used to create different classification models. Four techniques were used: logistic regression, non-parametric discriminant analysis, classification trees, and neural networks. Accuracy and return were used to judge the effectiveness of each model on test datasets. In addition, a set of problematic pages that were difficult to classify because of their similarity to scholarly research was gathered and classified using the models. The resulting models could be used in the selection process to automatically create a digital library of Web-based scholarly research works. In addition, the technique can be extended to create a digital library of any type of structured electronic information.
Gender stereotyping and the influence of race in sport among adolescents.

(2009). Gender Stereotyping and the Influence of Race in Sport Among Adolescents. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport: Vol. 80, No. 3, pp. 676-684.
Differential requirement for SLP-76 domains in T cell development and function

The hematopoietic cell-specific adaptor protein, SLP-76, is critical for T cell development and mature T cell receptor (TCR) signaling; however, the structural requirements of SLP-76 for mediating thymopoiesis and mature T cell function remain largely unknown. In this study, transgenic mice were generated to examine the requirements for specific domains of SLP-76 in thymocytes and peripheral T cells in vivo. Examination of mice expressing various mutants of SLP-76 on the null background demonstrates a differential requirement for specific domains of SLP-76 in thymocytes and T cells and provides new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying SLP-76 function.
Juvenile Delinquency and Adolescent Fatherhood

This study examined ecological risk factors associated with teen paternity in a sample of 2,931 male adolescents coming to the attention of juvenile courts across five midwestern counties. In contrast to previous studies documenting significantly higher rates of teen paternity among African American youth, we found that the European American court-involved youth in our sample were as likely to be teen fathers as their African American counterparts. However, an in-depth examination of the social ecologies of these court-involved youth revealed significant racial differences (regardless of the paternity status), with African American males reporting more prior offenses, delinquent peer associations, traumatic pasts, risky sexual behaviors, and educational risks as compared to European American youth, who reported greater involvement in substance use. Furthermore, logistic regression analyses revealed that after controlling for age and racial background, youth who reported greater exposure to trauma and prior offenses had significantly greater odds of having fathered a child. Surprisingly, youth who were teen fathers reported lower rates of behavioral problems as compared to their nonfathering peers. Given the cross-sectional nature of our data, interpretation of this result is limited. Overall, our findings underscore the need for developing a comprehensive understanding of the ecological risk and protective factors present in the lives of teen fathers coming in contact with the juvenile justice system, as an essential first step in designing effective and relevant intervention programs and services for this at-risk population.
Overuse injuries in the pediatric athlete: Evaluation, initial management, and strategies for prevention

The emergency physician will be asked to evaluate student athletes who have sustained injuries related to participation in either organized sports or physical play. It is important to identify these injuries accurately and to institute initial therapeutic interventions in the emergency department while minimizing diagnostic interventions when approapriate. By applying knowledge of normal development and maturation of the musculoskeletal system to the assessment of these injuries, an initial plan for management and rehabilitation may be developed. Finally, the emergency physician should be able to review with the patient the anticipated course of healing and should give directions related to the student athlete's ability to return to moderate or high levels of activity. Involvement of sports medicine specialists or orthopedists with an interest in pediatric sports injuries in the follow up of these patients is crucial.
Gravitational deposition of particles from laminar flows in inclined channels

Abstract A new approach, based on the concepts of the particle trajectory function and the limiting trajectory, is developed for calculating the precipitation efficiency of channels of different cross-sections. The analysis is limited to two-dimensional motions of small particles. Solutions are derived for gravitational deposition of particles from laminar flows in inclined flat channels and circular tubes. In an uphill flow, the axial component of the particle velocity at some locations is negative with respect to the direction of the fluid flow. These problems have practical application to particle deposition in the human lungs.
A randomized controlled trial of telephone calls to young patients with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes

Objective: To determine if scheduled telephone calls from a pediatric diabetes educator to children who have type 1 diabetes improve hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, hospital admissions, diabetes knowledge, compliance, and psychological well-being. Research design and methods: A randomized controlled trial of 123 young subjects (mean age 11.9 yr, 69 male) with type 1 diabetes (mean duration 3.65 yr). For 7 months, the intervention group held bimonthly 15–30 min scheduled supportive telephone discussions. The primary outcome was change in the HbA1c level. Admission rates and changes in diabetes knowledge, psychological parameters, compliance, and patient perception were measured. Results: There was no significant difference between the treatment and control groups either before or after the intervention. The mean HbA1c level in the control group increased from 8.32 to 8.82% and in the intervention group from 8.15 to 8.85% (p = 0.24). Both groups showed an increase in admissions of 0.2 per yr (p = 0.57). There was no improvement in diabetes knowledge (p = 0.34), compliance, or psychological function. The intervention group viewed their contact with the clinic as more helpful (p = 0.003). Analysis of family function did not reveal subgroups with statistically significant differences. A mean of 13 calls was made to each subject at a cost of $A36 per child per month. Conclusions: Scheduled bimonthly phone support does not improve the HbA1c level, admission rates, diabetes knowledge, psychological function, or self-management but is perceived by patients as helpful. Further study into the effects of more frequent but shorter periods of support for patients experiencing specific difficulties is needed.
Rumination: One Construct, Many Features in Healthy Individuals, Depressed Individuals, and Individuals with Lupus

Rumination has been associated with depression and negative health effects. Yet measures of rumination appear to index multiple constructs that may be differentially related to clinical phenomena. To clarify this literature, we explored convergence and divergence among self-report measures of rumination in 349 undergraduates, 59 depressed adults, 81 healthy adults, and 15 never-depressed adults with Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE). Results suggested there are separate constructs labeled rumination with different relationships to depression. Yet, aggregate measures index a central construct. Depressed individuals ruminated more, across measures, than individuals with SLE, who ruminated more than healthy individuals; this relationship was mediated by dysphoria. Thus, administering multiple rumination measures and attending to constructs assessed by rumination measures appears important in clinical studies.
Cancer gene therapy update

Objective. To provide an update about gene marking and gene therapy trials in cancer patients.Data Sources. A MEDLINE search using the term “gene therapy” was conducted for the period 1985 to 1998. The reference lists from retrieved articles were reviewed. Meeting abstracts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting (published in their proceedings) and the Annual Cancer Gene Therapy Symposium (published in Cancer Gene Therapy) that concerned gene therapy in cancer patients were also included.Data Extraction. Both authors reviewed the retrieved material and included preclinical data, case reports, and clinical trials related to gene transfer or gene therapy in cancer patients.Data Synthesis. There are several possible approaches to using gene therapy for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and for the monitoring of cancer therapy. Exogenous genes may be used to mark cells to help better understand cancer biology or may be used directly for cancer treatment. Gene-marking trials have alr...
An investigation of regulatory and voluntary environmental capital expenditures

Abstract This paper investigates the firm-specific economic consequences of regulatory and voluntary environmental capital expenditures. Using firm-level environmental data, I decompose total environmental capital expenditures into estimates of regulatory and voluntary components. I then examine the relations of regulatory and voluntary environmental capital outlays with future abnormal earnings, stock prices, and stock returns. As predicted, the empirical analysis reveals that regulatory environmental capital expenditures are negatively associated with future abnormal earnings. Moreover, market-based tests indicate that the regulatory component of environmental capital expenditures is negatively priced. Finally, the results suggest that voluntary environmental capital expenditures and regulatory environmental capital expenditures have different firm-specific economic consequences.
Selecting a patient characteristics index for the prediction of medical outcomes using administrative claims data

Abstract Recently, there has been a great deal of discussion regarding the use of administrative databases to study outcomes of medical care. A major issue in this discussion is how to classify patients in terms of characteristics such as disease-severity, comorbidities, resource needs, stability, etc. Different indices have been developed in an attempt to provide a common classification scheme in terms of these characteristics. In this paper, we examine the utility of four indices in the prediction of length of stay and 30-day mortality for patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery between 1985 and 1989. The indices that we compare are the Deyo-adapted Charlson Index, the Relative Intensity Score derived from Patient Management Categories (PMCs), the Patient Severity Level derived from PMCs, and the number of diagnoses (up to five) listed in the Medicare claims data. The first three of these indices represent measures of comorbidity, resource use, and severity of illness, respectively. The number of diagnoses is likely to capture aspects of each of these characteristics. We find that all of the indices improve (in terms of model fit) over the baseline (no index) models of length of stay and mortality, and the Relative Intensity Score and Patient Severity Level result in the greatest improvement in measures of model fit. We found, however, that these two indices have a non-monotonic relationship with length of stay and mortality. The Deyo-adapted Charlson Index performed least well of the four indices in terms of explanatory ability. The number of diagnoses performed well, and does not suffer from problems associated with miscoding on claims data.
Investigation of the Holding Capability of a Single Dielectrophoretic Gate for the Front-End Device of a Bio-Detection System

This paper will examine the holding capability of a single dielectric gate. Bennett et al. have previously developed a single dielectrophoretic (DEP) gate for the front-end device of a bio-detection system [12]. By applying a high frequency AC electric field on the top and bottom electrodes, particles which are negatively polarized are repelled from the high field gradient region near the electrodes, and the particles are held in place due to the balancing of the DEP force and the Stokes drag force. However, the particles will flush through the channel if the fluid flow force becomes larger than that the DEP force. Thus, there is a holding capability for the single dielectrophoretic gate which corresponds to the maximum flow rate at which particles can balanced by the DEP force. In this paper, we present a 3D numerical simulation to investigate the parameters that influence the DEP force such as the width of the electrodes, the applied electric field, the ratio of the width of top electrode to the bottom of electrode as well as the horizontal shift between the top electrode and bottom electrode. A select group of parameters is studied in order to achieve the optimal holding capability of the single dielectrophoretic gate. The influence of the phase variation of the AC electric field between the top electrode and bottom electrode is also analyzed.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
False-positive diagnosis of spina bifida in a fetus with triploidy

Background : Neural tube defects can be difficult to diagnose using ultrasound. Cranial markers, such as the lemon and banana signs, are useful sonographic findings that alert the ultrasonographer to examine the spine more carefully. The false-positive rate for the banana sign has been reported previously as zero. Case : A patient with elevated maternal serum alphafetoprotein presented for a fetal ultrasound examination. Findings on the scan included a lemon sign, a banana sign, an effaced cistema magna, and splayed lumbar vertebrae. After pregnancy termination, no spinal abnormality was detected on autopsy. X-rays of the fetal spine demonstrated narrowing in the thoracic spine. The karyotype of the fetus was 69,XXY. Conclusion : The sonographic cranial findings suggestive of a neural tube defect were misleading in this case.
In vitro glucocorticoid inhibition of steroid-treated residual circulatory human lymphocytes.

Abstract Various doses of glucocorticoids given in vivo caused a similar degree of maximal lymphopenia. The sensitivities of mitogen-induced proliferation to the suppressive effects of glucocorticoid added in vitro were studied in residual lymphocytes obtained after steroid injection. Methylprednisolone (MP) administered intravenously depleted circulatory lymphocytes and reduced markedly the proliferative responses of residual cells to mitogens (phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A) 4 to 8 hr after the injection. The addition of MP in vitro to the residual cells further inhibited the cell proliferation. The degrees of proliferation inhibition induced by in vitro MP were compared in cells obtained at various intervals after MP injection. At each specific mitogen concentration, lymphocytes obtained at various intervals were inhibited to a similar degree by MP in the cultures. There was no evidence that cells obtained at the period of maximal lymphopenia, 4 to 8 hr after MP injection, were more resistant to the inhibition of glucocorticoid added in vitro . Hence, the residual lymphocytes were not “steroid-resistant” in the sense of proliferative responses to T-cell mitogens. These results indicate the mechanism of lymphocyte sequestration is unrelated to the suppressive effects of glucocorticoid on cell proliferation.
Corrigendum: "The role of prefrontal catecholamines in attention and working memory".

On Page 4, second column, first paragraph, the sentence currently reading (errors in bold): “One group of PFC neurons, which included all the modulated narrow-spiking, putatively inhibitory neurons, was inhibited by DA; these showed short onset latency of DA effects (~ 10 ms), with no change in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or inter-trial variability. A second set of prefrontal neurons was excited by DA application, displaying an increase in SNR and decrease in inter-trial variability; this effect was slower (~ 200 ms) and observed only in broad-spiking, putatively pyramidal neurons.” Both instances of “ms” (milliseconds) in this sentence should be changed to seconds, “s.” Correct text will read: “One group of PFC neurons, which included all the modulated narrow-spiking, putatively inhibitory neurons, was inhibited by DA; these showed short onset latency of DA effects (~ 10 s), with no change in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or inter-trial variability. A second set of prefrontal neurons was excited by DA application, displaying an increase in SNR and decrease in inter-trial variability; this effect was slower (~ 200 s) and observed only in broad-spiking, putatively pyramidal neurons.”
Mechanics of torque generation during quadrupedal arboreal locomotion

Quadrupedal animals moving on arboreal substrates face unique challenges to maintain stability. The torque generated by the limbs around the long axis of a branch during locomotion may clarify how the animals remain stable on arboreal supports. We sought to determine what strategy gray short-tailed opossums (Monodelphis domestica) use to exert torque and avoid toppling. The opossums moved across a branch trackway about half the diameter of their bodies. Part of the trackway was instrumented to measure substrate reaction forces and torque around the long axis of the branch. Kinematic analysis was used to estimate the center of pressure of the manus and pes; from center of pressure and vertical and mediolateral forces, the torque generated by substrate reaction forces versus muscular effort could be determined. Forelimbs generated significantly greater torque than hindlimbs, which is probably explained by the greater weight-bearing role of the forelimbs. Fore- and hindlimbs generated torque in opposite directions because contralateral fore- and hindlimbs typically contacted the branch. Torque generated by muscular effort, however, was often in the same direction in both fore- and hindlimbs. The muscle-generated torque is likely the result of mediolateral movement of the center of mass caused by mediolateral undulation of the torso. These results bear an important implication for the study of arboreal locomotion: center of mass dynamics are at least as important as static positions. M. domestica is a good representative for a primitive mammal, and comparisons with arboreal specialists will shed light on how proficient arboreal locomotion evolved.
Hemodynamic Accompaniments of Angina A Comparison During Angina Induced by Exercise and by Atrial Pacing

The hemodynamic responses of nine patients with severe coronary artery disease were studied during the precipitation of angina by both supine exercise and increasing rates of atrial pacing. Tension-time index and the first derivative of left ventricular pressure pulse (LV dp/dt) at the onset of angina were significantly higher (P<0.01) in each patient when angina was induced by exercise than when angina was provoked by atrial pacing. Heart rate, in contrast, was significantly greater (P<0.05) when angina was precipitated by atrial pacing. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was abnormally elevated in each patient when angina occurred during supine exercise, whereas LVEDP was normal in all patients at the onset of angina provoked by atrial pacing. On the basis of these results it appears that the hemodynamic accompaniments of angina depend to a large extent on the particular circumstances leading to the development of angina. Tension-time index, LV dp/dt, and heart rate are major determinants o...
Standardized Patient-Narrated Web-Based Learning Modules Improve Students’ Communication Skills on a High-stakes Clinical Skills Examination

BACKGROUND Use of web-based standardized patient (SP) modules is associated with improved medical student history-taking and physical examination skills on clinical performance examinations (CPX), but a benefit for communication skills has not been shown.
A case-based reasoning system for identifying failure mechanisms

Abstract Correctly identifying the mechanism responsible for a failure is a major step in failure analysis. Today, human experts normally perform this task. In the problem-solving process, human experts often recall similar cases to help identifying the mechanism involved. This has motivated the use of case-based reasoning to develop a computerized system for failure-mechanism identification in this study. Major issues and the methods applied are discussed. To determine its accuracy, the system is subsequently evaluated using historical cases, which are classified into two categories: standard and exceptional. The test results show that 100% accuracy can be achieved for standard cases, and that exceptional cases also attain accuracy as high as 71.25%. It is thus concluded that case-based reasoning is a viable approach for the identification of failure mechanisms.
Effect of a constant rate infusion of lidocaine on the quality of recovery from sevoflurane or isoflurane general anaesthesia in horses.

Summary Reasons for performing study: Lidocaine constant rate infusions (CRIs) are common as an intraoperative adjunct to general anaesthesia, but their influence on quality of recovery has not been thoroughly determined. Objectives: To determine the effects of an intraoperative i.v. CRI of lidocaine on the quality of recovery from isoflurane or sevoflurane anaesthesia in horses undergoing various surgical procedures, using a modified recovery score system. Hypothesis: The administration of intraoperative lidocaine CRI decreases the quality of recovery in horses. Methods: Lidocaine (2 mg/kg bwt bolus followed by 50 μg/kg bwt/min) or saline was administered for the duration of surgery or until 30 mins before the end of surgery under isoflurane (n = 27) and sevoflurane (n = 27). Results: Horses receiving lidocaine until the end of surgery had a significantly higher degree of ataxia and a tendency towards significance for a lower quality of recovery. There was no correlation between lidocaine plasma concentrations at recovery and the quality of recovery. Conclusions: Intraoperative CRI of lidocaine affects the degree of ataxia and may decrease the quality of recovery. Potential relevance: Discontinuing lidocaine CRI 30 mins before the end of surgery is recommended to reduce ataxia during the recovery period.
The free rider argument for compulsory union dues

This paper examines the free rider argument for compulsory union dues. The contemporary theory of collective goods does not support the union argument because a free rider problem is not a sufficient condition to rationalize the private use of coercion. The paper evaluates quantitative data on union security and applies the theory of local public goods to union services. The focus is on efficiency aspects of security arrangements.
Perinatal dexamethasone-induced alterations in apoptosis within the hippocampus and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus are influenced by age and sex.

Exposure to high levels of glucocorticoids (GCs) during development leads to long-term changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation, although little is known about the neural mechanisms that underlie these alterations. In this study, we investigated the effects of late gestational (days 18–22) or postnatal (days 4–6) administration of the GC receptor agonist dexamethasone (DEX) on an apoptosis marker in two brain regions critical to HPA axis regulation, the hippocampus and the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). One day after the final DEX injection, male and female rats were sacrificed, and brains were processed for immunohistochemical detection of cleaved caspase-3, an apoptotic cell death indicator. DEX increased cleaved caspase-3 immunoreactivity in the CA1 hippocampal region of both sexes following prenatal but not postnatal treatment. Prenatal DEX also increased caspase-3 immunoreactivity in the CA3 region, an elevation that tended to be greater in females. In contrast, postnatal DEX resulted in a much smaller, albeit significant, induction in CA3 caspase-3 compared with prenatal treatment. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that prenatal but not postnatal DEX-induced hippocampal cleaved caspase-3 correlated with elevated mRNA of the proapoptotic gene Bad. Few caspase-3-ir cells were identified within the PVN regardless of treatment age, although postnatal but not prenatal DEX increased this number. However, the region immediately surrounding the PVN (peri-PVN) showed significant increases in caspase-3-ir cells following pre- and postnatal DEX. Together these findings indicate that developmental GC exposure increases apoptosis in HPAaxis-associated brain regions in an age- and sex-dependent manner. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Graphical comparison of means with a standard in the one-way layout

Some simple test procedures are considered for comparing several group means with a standard value when the data are in a one-way layout. The underlying distributions are assumed to be normal with possibly unequal variances. The tests are based on a union-intersection formulation and can be applied in a form similar to a Shewhart control chart. Both two-sided and one-sided alternatives are considered. The power of the tests can be obtained from tables of a non-central t distribution. Implementation of the tests is illustrated with a numerical example. The tests help identify any group means different from the standard and might lead to a decision about rejecting the null hypothesis before all the group means are observed. The resulting savings in time and resources might be valuable in applications where the number of groups is large and the cost of acquiring data is high. For situations where the normality assumption is untenable, a non-parametric procedure, based on one-sample sign tests is considered.
Diameter control of Ti-catalyzed silicon nanowires

Titanium silicide nanoparticles on silicon substrates catalyze the decomposition of a silicon-containing gas, resulting in accelerated growth of silicon in one direction to form nanowires. Under some processing conditions, however, the Ti-catalyzed growth results in tapered silicon nanowires. The tapered nanowires are typically several microns long with diameters of tens of nanometers near the base and less than 10 nanometers at the tip. We show that the tapering is caused by uncatalyzed deposition of silicon on the sidewalls of the growing nanowires. We demonstrate that introducing chlorine-containing species in the gas phase greatly inhibits the uncatalyzed silicon deposition rate, thus yielding nanowires with uniform diameter along their length. Controlling the nanowire diameter along its length is essential for novel nanowire-based electronic, optical, and optoelectronic applications.
Low-Level Representations for Robot Vision

Current models of robot perception tend to isolate low-level visual processing from behavior and include unrealistic assumptions concerning the modularity of low-level processing. In this paper, I suggest a new way of viewing low-level vision computations based on an extension of Ullman's visual-routines idea. The earliest visual computations are measurements of intrinsic properties of the scene. This is followed by the computation of perceptual organizations. Beyond these two generic types of representations, most visual representations are task-specific and their computations task-dependent. The paper discusses various types of visual measurements that may be useful for a robot-vision system.
Malignant lymphoma of the retina and brain. Initial diagnosis by cytologic examination of vitreous aspirate.

• A case of malignant lymphoma reticulum cell sarcoma in a 42-year-old woman who had bilateral uveitis and vitreitis and neurologic manifestations is reported. The diagnosis was first established by cytologic examination of vitreous aspirate, which showed neoplastic cells consistent with malignant lymphoma and led to cancellation of a planned craniotomy for suspected intracranial tumor. The diagnosis was later confirmed postmortem by histopathologic examination of the eyes and brain. The role of cytologic examination of the vitreous in the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma is discussed briefly.
Development patterns of oil exporting countries

This study analyzes empirically the impact of rising income levels on the economic structure of several oil producing and exporting countries during the 1970s and early 1980s. The results indicate that the agricultural sector showed declining rates of growth, and negative growth elasticities were indicated by nine of the ten countries included in this study. On the other hand, the industrial sector in all countries showed positive growth to varying degrees. However, this growth may be more policy-induced than real growth. Disparity and inequality ratios were highest in Middle East and North African countries.
Effect of bone strain on cortical bone structure in macaques (Macaca mulatta)

It has recently been shown that the consistency of food significantly affects levels of bone strain in the mandible during mastication (Hylander, '79a). Mandibular bone histology was examined to test the effects of a diet of hard food compared to a diet of soft food in two group of monkeys. One group of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) was fed a diet of commercially prepared hard biscuits. The second group was fed a soft diet the consistency of fudge. Both diets were nutritionally adequate for normal growth and development. As a control for other factors influencing cortical bone structure, fibular morphology was also examined. At the end of the test period, mandibular and fibular tissue samples from the two groups were prepared to determine the amount of secondary Haversian bone present. Mandibular depth at M2 and fibular anteroposterior diameter were also measured and compared between the two dietary groups. The soft-diet monkeys showed low levels of remodeling in their mandibles. There were large patches of unremodeled bone and resorption spaces were common. The hard-diet monkeys exhibited more extensive evidence of secondary Haversian remodeling in their mandibles. The hard-diet monkeys also had deeper mandibles. In contrast, the fibulae from the two groups had similar mean diameters and showed comparable levels of secondary remodeling. We infer that the higher mandibular bone remodeling levels in the hard-diet monkeys represent an adaptive response to remove and replace fatigued mandibular bone due to higher stress levels associated with the ingestion and mastication of hard foods. We also infer that greater depth of the mandible at M2 found in the harddiet group represents an adaptive response to higher stress levels associated with the ingestion and mastication of hard foods.
Low-temperature, seed-mediated synthesis of monodispersed hyperbranched PtRu nanoparticles and their electrocatalytic activity in methanol oxidation

We report a seed-mediated synthetic approach to produce hyperbranched PtRu alloy nanoparticles under mild conditions. As-synthesized PtRu particles have a high alloying degree, display high index facets, and show improved activity for electro-oxidation of methanol when compared to commercial PtRu black.
Sonoran Desert Network Weavers: Surprising Environmental Successes on the U.S./Mexico Border

An interpretive tapestry created by Arizona artist Ann Keuper who wove in items—using sausage casing—brought by attendees of the Celebration of Desert Cultures. At a time when public opinion is con...
Continuous-infusion vinblastine in refractory carcinoma of the cervix: A phase II trial

Twenty patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix were treated with continuous-infusion vinblastine sulfate. Two patients (10%) had partial responses of 4 and 7 months' duration. Neutropenia was dose limiting. Vinblastine sulfate given by continuous infusion has limited activity in this malignancy.
Psychology of the Menstrual Cycle

IN MANY primitive cultures menstruation has been ascribed to the cycles of the moon or tides. It has, moreover, been thought of as a dangerous condition requiring various taboos. Frazer in his ‘Golden Bough’ cites countless restrictions imposed upon the menstruating woman for the protection both of herself and the community. Even today there are cautions observed during the menstrual period which are directly descended from these earlier superstitions. The prohibition of bathing—originally intended to protect the local stream, used in common by the whole tribe, from contamination by menstrual blood—is a good example of such survival. In this sphere as elsewhere, however, knowledge gradually replaces superstition and physiology and psychology elbow out lunar myths and tribal taboos. It is now well known that sex hormones follow a definite pattern in the menstrual cycle. While estrogen gradually increases with the ripening of the follicle and sharply drops off after the ovum is released, progesterone begins...
Effects of the pyrimido-pyrimidine derivative RX-RA 85 on metastatic tumor cell-vascular endothelial cell interactions.

An important step in the metastatic process is the interaction of blood-borne malignant cells with the vascular endothelium. Among the agents that may interfere with this process are pyrimido-pyrimidines, such as RX-RA 85, developed originally as an antiplatelet agent. Using an endothelial cell momolayer attachment assay we have investigated the effects of RX-RA 85 on tumor cell and endothelial cell properties. Exposure of bovine aortic endothelial cells for 3 h to > 4 µg/ml RX-RA 85 produced toxic effects, resulting in vacuole formation, retraction and finally rounding up of the cells. Endothelial cells derived from different sources behaved dissimilarly; human brain, human meninges, mouse brain, mouse lung and rat lung endothelial cells were less sensitive to drug treatment than bovine aortic endothelial cells. RX-RA 85 treatment of bovine aortic endothelial cells increased B16-F1 melanoma cell adhesion. When B16-F1 cells were exposed to 4–8 µg/ml RX-RA 85, increased adhesion to the subendothelial matrix occurred, whereas exposure to higher drug concentrations (8–16 µg/ml RX-RA 85) decreased adhesion. Indirect immunofluorescence staining of cytoskeletal structures in B16-F1 cells adhering to and spreading on matrix revealed that the differential effects of RX-RA 85 on the organization of microtubules and microfilaments might explain the dose-dependent differences in adhesion kinetics.
Ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass of energy cane

Ethanol produced from lignocellulosic biomass is a renewable alternative to diminishing petroleum based liquid fuels. The release of many new sugarcane varieties by the United States Department of Agriculture to be used as energy crops is a promising feedstock alternative. Energy cane produces large amounts of biomass that can be easily transported, and production does not compete with food supply and prices because energy cane can be grown on marginal land instead of land for food crops. The purpose of this study was to evaluate energy cane for lignocellulosic ethanol production. Energy cane variety L 79-1002 was pretreated with weak sulfuric acid to remove lignin. In this study, 1.4 M sulfuric acid pretreated type II energy cane had a higher ethanol yield after fermentation by Klebsiella oxytoca without enzymatic saccharification than 0.8 M and 1.6 M sulfuric acid pretreated type II energy cane. Pretreated biomass was inoculated with K. oxytoca for cellulose fermentation and Pichia stipitis for hemicellulose fermentation under simultaneous saccahrification and fermentation (SSF) and separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) conditions. For enzymatic saccharification of cellulose, the cellulase and β-glucanase cocktail significantly increased ethanol production compared to the ethanol production of fermented acid pretreated energy cane without enzymatic saccharification. The results revealed that energy cane variety L 79-1002 produced maximum cellulosic ethanol under SHF (6995 mg/L) and produced 3624 mg/L ethanol from fermentation of hemicellulosic sugars.
Kinetics of dehalogenation of chloroform by a metal-chelate system

Abstract The kinetics of dehalogenation of chloroform by mixtures of bis(N-butylsalicylideneiminato)nickel(II) and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine in 50% (v/v) methanol-chloroform at 60–75°, measured as rates of chloride release were followed potentiometrically. Dehalogenation occurs at a negligible rate in the absence of nickel(II) compound. At a constant amine concentration (4·29 × 10−3 M), the observed pseudo-first order rate constants varied directly with nickel concentration (0·125 − 0·750 × 10−3 M). Two mechanisms are proposed for dehalogenation routes in the absence and presence of nickel(II) compound. The former involves proton abstraction as a rate-determining step; the second mechanism involves chelate exchange leading to a transition state in which the enhanced attraction of nickel(II) ion for an incipient chloride ion causes a weakening of the carbon-chlorine bond of the coordinated chloroform molecule. The latter mechanism is consistent with the scope of the reaction and with the observed entropy of activation. The reaction followed the rate expression rate = kψ [diamine]t = (k1 + k2[Ni]T)[diamine]T. A least-squares treatment of the data obtained at 63° gave values of k1 = 0·098±0·047 sec−1 and k2 = 0·582±0·015 sec−1 M−1. Activation parameters were calculated. The Arrhenius energy of activation was 17·±0·6 kcal/mole over the range 60–75° ([Ni] = 2·5 × 10−3 M, [Diamine]t = 4·29 × 10−3 M). The enthalpy and entropy of activation were calculated to be 16·5±0·6 kcal/mole and −27 e.u., respectively.