cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Credit Evaluation: Monitoring the Financial Health of Agriculture

The last decade has been a stressful period for farm borrowers and their lenders. The extent of the stress can be characterized in terms of debt-asset ratios of farmers, delinquencies of farm debt, farm failures, increasing chargeoffs of debt, loss of capital, and reorganization and failure of financial institutions. Moreover, rural communities and agribusinesses have also been adversely impacted because they are highly dependent on economic conditions in agriculture. The individual, economic, and social losses associated with the farm crisis of the 1980s have been astounding. Because of this crisis, increased attention has been focused on the financial well-being and creditworthiness of agricultural firms. One lesson from the period is that accurate, up-todate information on the financial condition of farmers is essential for effective monitoring (Harl). Lack of financial data resulted in increased Farm Credit System losses in 1985-86 and hampered the recovery of its farm borrowers (Duncan). Credit information is critical to farm managers who measure, evaluate, control, and improve the financial performance of their businesses; to agribusinesses, landlords, lenders, and others who supply resources and services based upon farmers' needs; and to policy makers with jurisdiction over the sector's performance. This paper begins by reviewing farmers' historical use of credit, defining the concept of credit, and identifying determinants of creditworthiness. An understanding of these principles is critical to the design of comprehensive financial indicators. Latter sections then examine recent developments in credit evaluation and suggest areas of needed research.
Tertiary structure and spectral tuning of UV and violet pigments in vertebrates.

Abstract Many vertebrate species use ultraviolet (UV) vision for such behaviors as mating, foraging, and communication. UV vision is mediated by UV-sensitive visual pigments, which have the wavelengths of maximal absorption (λmax) at ∼360 nm, whereas violet (or blue) vision is mediated by orthologous pigments with λmax values of 390–440 nm. It is widely believed that amino acids in transmembrane (TM) I–III are solely responsible for the spectral tuning of these SWS1 pigments. Recent molecular analyses of SWS1 pigments, however, show that amino acids in TM IV–VII are also involved in the spectral tuning of these pigments through synergistic interactions with those in TM I–III. Comparisons of the tertiary structures of UV and violet pigments reveal that the distance between the counterion E113 in TM III and amino acid sites 87–93 in TM II is narrower for UV pigments than for violet pigments, which may restrict the access of water molecules to the Schiff base pocket and deprotonate the Schiff base nitrogen. Both mutagenesis analyses of E113Q and quantum chemical calculations strongly suggest that unprotonated Schiff base-linked chromophore is responsible for detecting UV light.
Egg-white lysozyme as a food preservative: an overview

The use of lysozyme as a food preservative and the factors affecting lysozyme activity (temperature, chemicals, processing and complexes) is reviewed. Lysozyme inhibits the growth of deleterious organisms thus prolonging shelf life. Chemicals used to improve the preservative effect of lysozyme and those that inhibit the enzyme are discussed along with the stability of lysozyme in various chemical environments. Lysozyme has been used to preserve fresh fruits and vegetables, tofu bean curd, seafoods, meats and sausages, potato salad, cooked burdock with soy sauce, and varieties of semi-hard cheeses such as Edam, Gouda and some Italian cheeses. Lysozyme added to infant feeding formulae makes them more closely resemble human milk.
Reversible watermarking using two-way decodable codes

Traditional variable length codes(VLC) used in compressed media are brittle and suffer synchronization loss following bit errors. To counter this situation, resynchronizing VLCs(RVLC) have been proposed to help identify, limit and possibly reverse channel errors. In this work we observe that watermark bits are in effect forced bit errors and are amenable to the application of error-resilient techniques. We have developed a watermarking algorithm around a two-way decodable RVLC. The inherent error control property of the code is now exploited to implement reversible watermarking in the compressed domain. A new decoding algorithm is developed to reestablish synchronization that is lost as a result of watermarking. Resynchronization is achieved by disambiguating among many potential markers that are abundantly emulated in data. The algorithm is successfully applied to several MPEG-2 streams.
Noise analysis of the reflected power signal from a microwave-induced plasma gas chromatographic detector

Abstract Noise analysis of the signal from a non-optical microwave plasma detector for gas chromatography is presented. The signal in this detector is reflected microwave power. White noise, low-frequency 1/ f noise and high-frequency discrete noise were the major noise types observed in the frequency window considered (0−200 Hz). The overall magnitude of the noise spectra exhibited a marked dependence on the degree of coupling of power to the microwave cavity and, to a lesser extent, on the flow-rate of the plasma gas. The noise did not change consistently as the plasma tube cooling-water flow-rate was changed.
Physical conceptualization of the gravitational vacuum field equations.

It is observed that the gravitational vacuum field equations can be conceptualized in physical terms: In all free-falling nonrotating frames, the mean time recorded by a suitably prescribed ensemble of clocks through a cubical volume L/sup 3/ is independent of L if and only if the field equations R/sub munu/ = 0 are satisfied by the metric tensor through the spacetime region of observation.
Arthroscopic single- versus double-bundle posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions using hamstring autograft

Summary This prospective study compared the clinical results of single- and doublebundle posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. There were 35 patients including 19 single- and 16 double-bundle posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions using hamstring autograft. The average age was 29:4 � 13:6 years versus 28:2 � 10:4 years; and the average follow-up was 41:0 � 13:1 months versus 28:2 � 4:2 months for single- and double-bundle reconstruction, respectively. The indication for surgery was functional disability of the knee due to pain and instability as the result of high-energy PCL injury. The evaluation parameters included functional assessment, ligament laxity, functional score and radiographs of the knee. The results showed no significant difference in functional assessment, ligament laxity, functional score and radiographic changes of the knee between the two techniques. The rate of overall satisfaction with the operation was comparable from patient and surgeon perspectives. Contrary to many recent reports, the results of this study showed that single- and double-bundle PCL reconstruction using hamstring autograft produced comparable clinical results in medium-term follow-up. The difference between singleand double-bundle PCL reconstruction, if any, can be concluded only with long-term results and larger number of patients. 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Rural Mental Health and Elders: Historical Inequities:

Although there have been unexpected and unintended consequences—and what many might consider inadequate care—America has consistently attempted to care for its mentally ill. This article provides a historical review of the pathways this care has taken, with particular focus on the persistent inequities older and rural adults experience with regard to mental health care. The care of people with mental illness has taken different forms as social, political, and economic environments have changed. The persistent social construction of myths about aging in rural areas and ageist biases necessitate greater advocacy if more equitable care is to be provided. This will unquestionably involve addressing the myths surrounding rural life, removing the stigma attached to mental illness, becoming aware of the biases inherent in current service delivery systems, and developing new and different models for the delivery of care that is appropriate to diverse, rural settings.
Augmentation of cerebral blood flow and reversal of endothelin-1-induced vasospasm: a comparison of intracarotid nicardipine and verapamil.

OBJECTIVE: Local intra-arterial infusions of verapamil and nicardipine have been used to treat human cerebral vasospasm. Only a few reports of early clinical experience with these medications are currently available, and limited data are available regarding their cerebral physiological activity. We assessed the efficacy of intracarotid administration of verapamil and nicardipine on augmenting cerebral blood flow of New Zealand White rabbits and compared the ability of these drugs with reverse topical endothelin (ET)-1 -triggered vasospasm. METHODS: In the first group of New Zealand white rabbits, cerebral blood flow (laser Doppler) and systemic hemodynamic measurements were recorded at baseline and with increasing intracarotid doses of verapamil and nicardipine. In the second group, topical ET-1 (10 -4 mot/L) was applied in an acutely implanted cranial window. Dose responses to nonspecific reversal of ET-1 -induced vasospasm were evaluated with intra-arterially administered nicardipine and verapamil. RESULTS: The dose-response studies revealed that intracarotid administration of nicardipine, compared with verapamil, was more effective in augmenting cerebral blood flow. Topical ET-1 -induced vasospasm was completely reversed by nicardipine and partially reversed by verapamil. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that intra-arterially administered nicardipine is a more potent cerebral vasodilator and is superior to verapamil for treating ET-1 -induced experimental cerebral vasospasm and supports further investigation of these agents in subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced vasospasm.
The ope and the exact renormalization group

Abstract The operator product expansion is motivated and developed within the context of effective lagrangians. The exact renormalization group may be used to establish the asymptotic properties of the expansion. The example field theory considered throughout the paper is a cutoff λφ 4 theory in four dimensions. A detailed proof of the asymptotics for the special case of the expansion of φ ( p + k ) φ (− p ) is given. The ideas of the proof are sufficient to prove the general case of any two local operators in the theory. This approach to the OPE should extend beyond λφ 4 to any theory with a physical cutoff.
Chemicapacitive microsensors for volatile organic compound detection

Abstract A low-cost, low-power volatile organic compound (VOC) sensor has been constructed from an array of micromachined parallel-plate capacitors. The sensor has demonstrated detection of many VOCs well below the lower explosive limits and could be used in industrial leak monitoring applications or for homeland defense. In place of a standard dielectric, the individual capacitors were filled with selectively absorbing polymers. Absorption of a target vapor alters the permittivity of the polymers and thereby changes the capacitance of the elements in the array. A variety of polymers have been used, including polyethylene-co-vinylacetate, which was sensitive to nonpolar hydrocarbons, and siloxanefluoro alcohol, which was highly sensitive to polar VOCs and chemical warfare agent simulants. The response magnitude for each element depends on a combination of different phenomenon such as the dielectric constant of the analyte and polymer swelling. The measured sensitivity of the sensor to most VOCs was found to be in the low parts per million (ppm) range. The response magnitude from one capacitor to the next is reproducible to within 3.2% at 20 °C. The sensor typically responded within a second but frequently required 5–10 min to reach equilibrium. Response times could likely be substantially improved with an optimized capacitor structure that contains a decreased gap between the plates and provisions for more rapid vapor exchange.
A versatile Mössbauer spectrometer and its applications in structural mechanics

Abstract A versatile 57 Fe-Mossbauer spectrometer, equally efficient in transmission and reflection geometries, is described. The radiation detector consists of a 0.6″ × 2″ × 2″ rectangular NaI(Tl) crystal with a 0.6″ diameter hole. The front and back face of the crystal are covered with 0.005″ thick, 1.5″ diameter beryllium windows. The energy of the radiation accepted for counting ranges from 6.3 keV conversion X-rays to the 14.4 keV reemitted gamma rays. An application of the spectrometer involving low amplitude, low frequency, sinusoidal motion of the scatterer is described.
Epitaxial growth and properties of MBE-grown ferromagnetic Co-doped TiO2 anatase films on SrTiO3(001) and LaAlO3(001)

Abstract We have investigated the heteroepitaxial growth and materials properties of pure and Co-doped TiO2 anatase on SrTiO3(001) and LaAlO3(001), grown by oxygen plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy. This material is a promising new diluted magnetic semiconductor that shows large magnetization and a Curie temperature well above room temperature. We have found that epitaxial films with the highest crystalline quality and most uniform distribution of Co result when a rather slow growth rate (∼0.01 nm/s) is used over a substrate temperature range of 550–600 °C on LaAlO3(001). These conditions result in layer-by-layer growth of single-crystal films and a very low density of extremely small nanocrystalline inclusions. In contrast, growth at a higher rate (∼0.04 nm/s) leads to extensive formation of secondary-phase rutile nanocrystals to which Co diffuses and segregates. The rutile nanocrystals nucleate on the evolving anatase film surface in such a way that lattice strain between the two phases is minimized. Cobalt appears to substitute for Ti in the lattice and exhibits a +2 formal oxidation state. Both pure and Co-doped films can be grown as n-type semiconductors by controlled incorporation of oxygen atom vacancies. Free electrons are required to couple the Co(II) spin to a ferromagnetic state.
Measuring the non-Gaussian stochastic gravitational-wave background: A method for realistic interferometer data

A stochastic gravitational-wave background (SGWB) can arise from the superposition of many independent events. If the fraction of time that events emit in some frequency band is sufficiently high, the resulting background is Gaussian in that band, which is to say that it is characterized only by a gravitational-wave strain power spectrum. Alternatively, if this fraction is low, we expect a non-Gaussian background, characterized by intermittent subthreshold signals. Many experimentally accessible models of the SGWB, such as the SGWB arising from compact binary coalescences, are expected to be of this non-Gaussian variety. Primordial backgrounds from the early Universe, on the other hand, are more likely to be Gaussian. Measuring the Gaussianity of the SGWB can therefore provide additional information about its origin. In this paper we introduce a novel maximum likelihood estimator that can be used to estimate the non-Gaussian component of an SGWB signature measured in a network of interferometers. This method can be robustly applied to spatially separated interferometers with colored, non-Gaussian noise. Furthermore, it can be cast as a generalization of the widely used stochastic radiometer algorithm.
Designing nonsaccharide, allosteric activators of antithrombin for accelerated inhibition of factor Xa.

Antithrombin is a key regulator of coagulation and prime target of heparins, clinically used anticoagulants. Heparins induce a two-step conformational activation of antithrombin, a process that has...
Somatostatin inhibition of insulin release from freshly isolated and organ cultured rat islets of Langerhans in vitro.

Abstract 1×10−6M somatostatin causes a 37–44% inhibition of glucose induced insulin release from freshly isolated rat islets of Langerhans. A 81 to 95% inhibition is observed when the isolated islets are maintained in organ culture for 2 days prior to the somatostatin treatment. The dose curve of somatostatin on cultured islets shows an apparent KI of 1.4×10−9. The tetradecapeptide also causes a reversible inhibition of the stimulation of insulin release by 5 mM theophylline and 23 mM K+.
Application of linear polarization techniques to the measurement of corrosion rates in simulated geothermal brines

The linear polarization or polarization resistance (PR) technique was investigated in high and low salinity geothermal brine at 150 and 250/sup 0/C on a low-carbon steel (A53B) and a ferritic stainless steel (E-Brite 26-1) with and without the presence of oxygen in the brine. There was good agreement between the weight loss data and the linear polarization data. Oxygen generally accelerates the corrosion rate, and in the presence of oxygen the usual form of the polarization resistance equation must be replaced by the mass transfer equation to predict the correct corrosion rates. The results were compared with the corrosion rate determined by commercial PR instrumentation, and it was concluded that this instrumentation is adequate for field investigations in which oxygen is absent. However, when oxygen is present, the commercial instruments may underestimate the actual corrosion rate by a considerable amount.
Errors in Measuring and Calculating Eggshell Quality

Abstract Three experiments were conducted to examine potential errors in measuring or calculating eggshell quality. In Experiment 1, specific gravity of eggs was measured in increments of .001 and .0025, and the increments of .0025 were combined for increments of .005. Average specific gravity of a group of eggs increased significantly as the increments of solution increased. These increased specific gravity values resulted in significant increases in calculated eggshell weight. In Experiment 2, egg content density was measured after eggs were stored at three temperatures. As the temperature during storage increased, egg content density decreased. This decreased egg content density resulted in a significant increase in calculated eggshell weight. In Experiment 3, eggshell weights were measured and calculated for two groups of hens. Specific gravity of eggs was measured in increments of .001, and egg content density of eggs from that flock was used for calculating shell weight. Shell weight and calculated weight agreed very well.
Characteristics of health promotion programs in Federal worksites: findings from the Federal Employee Worksite Project.

Abstract Purpose. To describe how well-established health promotion programs at selected federal worksites were designed, organized, and implemented and to identify factors related to employee participation. Design. This descriptive study related characteristics of the health promotion program, worksites, and workforce to employee participation and perceptions of program impacts. Setting. The study was conducted at 10 established federal worksite health promotion programs in various regions of the country. Subjects. A total of 3403 of 5757 federal employees (59%) sampled completed employee surveys. Measures. Study data were collected from on-site observations, interviews, focus groups, and employee surveys. Results. Overall, program participation rates were high, and employees reported positive impacts on their health and attitudes toward the agency. Participation in health screening, perceived program convenience, and perceived support by management and others were important determinants of participation...
High-precision MRI-guided adaptive brachytherapy for cervical carcinoma

Over the past 20 years advances in radiological technology have led to dramatic changes in cervical cancer management. External beam radiotherapy has evolved radically as a result of these changes. More recently, though, three-dimensional (3D) image guidance and volume-based prescribing has been adopted into cervical cancer brachytherapy. This overview covers the science and technology behind magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided adaptive brachytherapy and explains why it is now considered the new international standard of care.
Source authenticity in the UMLS - A case study of the Minimal Standard Terminology

As the UMLS integrates multiple source vocabularies, the integration process requires that certain adaptation be applied to the source. Our interest is in examining the relationship between the UMLS representation of a source vocabulary and the source vocabulary itself. We investigated the integration of the Minimal Standard Terminology (MST) into the UMLS in order to examine how close its UMLS representation is to the source MST. The MST was conceived as a ''minimal'' list of terms and structure intended for use within computer systems to facilitate standardized reporting of gastrointestinal endoscopic examinations. Although the MST has an overall schema and implied relationship structure, many of the UMLS integrated MST terms were found to be hierarchically orphaned, and with lateral relationships that do not closely adhere to the source MST. Thus, the MST representation within the UMLS significantly differs from that of the source MST. These representation discrepancies may affect the usability of the MST representation in the UMLS for knowledge acquisition. Furthermore, they pose a problem from the perspective of application developers. While these findings may not necessarily apply to other source terminologies, they highlight the conflict between preservation of authentic concept orientation and the UMLS overall desire to provide fully specified names for all source terms.
Iatrogenic Ethanol Intoxication from Splenic Cyst Sclerosis

hours have passed. However, others have noted success with thrombolytic therapy with symptom durations as long as 60 hours (9). Mechanical thrombectomy can be helpful, but it carries an additional risk of distal emboli. We present a case of successful long-term outcome in a patient who experienced acute mesenteric ischemia and was primarily treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis. Our case shows that catheter-directed thrombolysis for SMA occlusion can result in positive long–term outcomes. Prompt surgical intervention and resection of the necrotic bowel is vital for patients. Catheter-directed thrombolysis is feasible for patients with acute SMA occlusion without signs of bowel necrosis and in patients in whom surgery is contraindicated. Percutaneous treatments are associated with a lower rate of perioperative mortality, especially in patients with pulmonary and/or cardiovascular comorbidities (6). Careful patient selection and early clinical suspicion and diagnosis followed by rapid interventions are factors that can determine the successful outcomes in this challenging patient population. References
Fabrication and visualization of capillary bridges in slit pore geometry.

A procedure for creating and imaging capillary bridges in slit-pore geometry is presented. High aspect ratio hydrophobic pillars are fabricated and functionalized to render their top surfaces hydrophilic. The combination of a physical feature (the pillar) with a chemical boundary (the hydrophilic film on the top of the pillar) provides both a physical and chemical heterogeneity that pins the triple contact line, a necessary feature to create stable long but narrow capillary bridges. The substrates with the pillars are attached to glass slides and secured into custom holders. The holders are then mounted onto four axis microstages and positioned such that the pillars are parallel and facing each other. The capillary bridges are formed by introducing a fluid in the gap between the two substrates once the separation between the facing pillars has been reduced to a few hundred micrometers. The custom microstage is then employed to vary the height of the capillary bridge. A CCD camera is positioned to image either the length or the width of the capillary bridge to characterize the morphology of the fluid interface. Pillars with widths down to 250 µm and lengths up to 70 mm were fabricated with this method, leading to capillary bridges with aspect ratios (length/width) of over 1001.
Epidermal cooling crystal collar device for improved results and reduced side effects on leg telangiectasias using intense pulsed light.

Background. Intense pulsed light (IPL), utilizing noncoherent yellow, red, and near-infrared wavelengths can be used to treat telangiectasias. In order to circumvent epidermal heating and allow greater fluence to be delivered safely, a new device that circulates water around the IPL crystal in contact with the skin to provide continuous cooling at 1°C–4°C range was developed. Objective. To observe the effects of contact cooling on IPL treatment of leg telangiectasias. Methods. A total of 25 patients were treated using two similar sites of matted telangiectasias on the leg, one site was treated without epidermal cooling and the other with the epidermal cooling crystal collar device. Results were evaluated by comparison with pretreatment photographs at 1 month. At one treatment center, a crossover was performed at the 1-month visit in which the non-E3C site was treated by cooling. Parameters consisted of a 570 nm filter, coupled pulses of 2–2.5 msec/6–7 msec with a 10-msec delay with fluences of 38–40 J. On the site receiving contact cooling the fluence was increased by 10% (4 J/mm2). Sites were graded worse, unchanged, or improved (RAW) or on a numerical scale of 1–4 (NSS). Results. Compared to the contact cooling sites, uncooled sites showed 7 were improved, 5 were unchanged, and 3 were worsened, but cooled sites showed 10 were improved, 5 were unchanged, and none were worsened (P < .05). The grading scale on 10 patients revealed a mean improvement of 1.7 for noncooled sites and 2.7 for cooled sites (P < .001). For crossover treatment, eight noncooled sites (unchanged or worsened) were subsequently treated with cooling, demonstrating six improved (P < .001) and two with no change. Less erythema and edema was noted at all cooled sites. Furthermore, pain was significantly reduced with cooling (P < .003). Epidermal injury involving hyper- or hypopigmentation, crusting, or vesiculation was not observed in any of the cooled sites, but was recorded in three of the noncooled sites. Conclusions. These data indicate that continuous epidermal cooling with IPL allows delivery of higher fluences with less pain and fewer side effects. Efficacy is significantly improved using the coupled short pulse/long pulse protocol. An additional benefit is that IPL treatment becomes less operator dependent because the chilled crystal may be placed directly in contact with the skin.
Improved perioperative outcomes with minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy: results from a population-based analysis.

Importance Interest in minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) has grown in recent years, but currently available data are limited. Greater insight into application patterns and outcomes may be gained from a national database inquiry. Objectives To study trends in the use of MIDP and compare the short-term outcomes of MIDP with those of open distal pancreatectomy. Design, Setting, and Participants Population-based retrospective cohort study evaluating perioperative outcomes and hospital charge measures for distal pancreatectomy, comparing the surgical approaches and adjusting for patient- and hospital-level factors, among patients undergoing elective distal pancreatectomy from 1998 to 2009 in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample in a 20% stratified sample of all US hospitals. Main Outcomes and Measures In-hospital mortality, rates of perioperative complications and splenectomy, total charges, and length of stay. Results A total of 8957 distal pancreatectomies were included in this analysis, of which 382 (4.3%) were MIDPs. On a national level, this projected to 42 320 open distal pancreatectomies and 1908 MIDPs. The proportion of distal pancreatectomies performed via minimally invasive approaches tripled between 1998 and 2009, from 2.4% to 7.3%. The groups were comparable for sex and comorbidity profiles, while patients who underwent MIDP were 1.5 years older. On multivariate analysis, MIDP was associated with lower rates of overall predischarge complications, including lower incidences of postoperative infections and bleeding complications, as well as a shorter length of stay by 1.22 days. There were no differences in rates of in-hospital mortality, concomitant splenectomy, or total charges. Conclusions and Relevance This population-based study of MIDP reveals that the application of this approach has tripled in practice and provides strong evidence that MIDP has evolved into a safe option in the treatment of benign and malignant pancreatic diseases.
Seamless Simulation of Hybrid Systems with Discrete Event Software Packages

This paper characterizes a class of hybrid systems that can be readily integrated with discrete event models and seamlessly simulated using available discrete event simulation software. We characterize this class of hybrid systems in terms of the discrete event system specification, hybrid input/output automata, and as an event oriented simulation program. A small, but illustrative, example demonstrates the utility of these types of hybrid systems and the relative ease with which they can be incorporated into a discrete event simulation
First records of plesiosaur remains in the lower Smoky Hill Chalk Member (Upper Coniacian) of the Niobrara Formation in western Kansas

Abstract Although plesiosaurs are known to occur in the Upper Cretaceous Smoky Hill Chalk Member of the Niobrara Formation, their remains are uncommon, rarely complete and unequally distributed in the unit. There are only three reasonably complete plesiosaur skeletons (all Dolichorhynchops osborni) known from the Smoky Hill Chalk in Kansas. All three are from the upper one-third (Early Campanian) of the chalk. Other remains are fragmentary and, in most cases, consist of body parts that could have been readily removed by predators or scavengers. Many of these specimens have teeth marks or appear to be partially digested. In spite of observations to the contrary by Williston and others, reliable stratigraphic and locality information for museum specimens exists only for plesiosaur remains in the upper portions of the Smoky Hill Chalk (Santonian - Lower Campanian). Recent discoveries reported here suggest that plesiosaurs were present throughout the deposition of the chalk, albeit in small numbers.
Post-Mating Changes in Restlessness, Speed and Route Directness in Males of the Parasitoid Wasp Spalangia endius (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Changes in movement patterns can affect the probability of encountering resources, including mates. This study examined movement in males of the parasitoid wasp Spalangia endius, specifically changes in locomotion after mating that could be responsible for males’ post-mating sexual inhibition to approach a female. In the presence of a female, mated males were faster moving than virgin males, which by itself would make them quicker, not slower, to reach her. However, mated males also tended to be less restless (i.e., spent less of their time locomoting) and their paths were less direct, both of which would make them slower to reach her. In contrast, in the absence of a female, having recently mated had no significant effect on restlessness, speed or path-directness. Thus the post-mating locomotor changes in males appeared not to be intrinsic changes but rather changes in how they responded to females. Video recordings were corrected for aspect ratio prior to analyses.
Nonstationary modeling of neural population dynamics

A stochastic state point-process adaptive filter was used to track the temporal evolution of several simulated nonlinear dynamical systems. The estimated Laguerre coefficients and Laguerre poles were used to reconstruct the feedforward and feedback kernels in the system. Simulations showed that the proposed method could track the actual underlying changes of nonlinear kernels using spike input and spike output information alone. The estimated models also converge quickly to the actual models after abrupt step changes in kernels. The proposed method can be used to track the functional input-output properties of neural systems as a result of learning, changes in context, aging or other factors in the natural flow of behavioral events.
Growing a patterned array of double-anchored elastomeric microwires using lost-wax casting

We propose and demonstrate a new, lost-wax casting-based technique for fabricating elastomeric microwires that are anchored to external supporting structures at both ends monolithically. The technique will grow the microwires, allowing them aligned in the out-of-plane, surface-normal direction and facilitating the formation of patterned arrays. With the new technique, we fabricated PDMS microwires with diameter ranging 150∼250 µm which withstood >400% elongations and >70 mN of pulling force with little degradation in surface smoothness. Optical characterization also revealed that the PDMS microwires can function as elastic lightpipes optically connecting two points in miniaturized systems.
Collaborative File Editor Using Repository in a Box

Collaborative text editing is to allow multiple users over a network to work on the same set of files simultaneously. In this paper, we present a collaborative file editing system that is based on the client-server architecture and uses a metadata management tool, called Repository in a Box, to handle the metadata of the files and users and to keep track of the consistency criteria. The primary goal of this work is to develop a simple but very practical way to support distributed multi-user file editing, a common task that we do everyday.
Lorentz invariance in heavy particle effective theories

Employing induced representations of the Lorentz group (Wigner's little group construction), formalism for constructing heavy particle effective Lagrangians is developed, and Lagrangian constraints enforcing Lorentz invariance of the $S$ matrix are derived. The relationship between Lorentz invariance and reparametrization invariance is established and it is shown why a standard ansatz for implementing reparametrization invariance in heavy fermion effective Lagrangians breaks down at order $1/{M}^{4}$. Formalism for fields of arbitrary spin and for self-conjugate fields is presented, and the extension to effective theories of massless fields is discussed.
Common Respiratory Diseases

The self-medication phenomenon in upper respiratory tract infections, rhinosinusitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are significant and will continue to increase. Current level of evidence is poor because of the small number of good quality studies, small sample size, short duration, and variation in the composition of the herbal interventions or therapies. The current review points to several potential therapies that could be effective either alone, or as adjuncts to conventional therapies.
Discrete time passivity in bilateral teleoperation over the Internet

In this paper, we investigate issues in the discrete-time implementation of passivity based control of bilateral teleoperators. The usual scattering formalism which, in continuous time, guarantees passivity for any constant delay, is extended in several important ways to the discrete domain, in particular to the case where communication between the master and slave robots occurs over a packet-switched network. We first show that passivity can be maintained in the face of varying delay and packet loss but that it depends fundamentally on the mechanism used to handle missing packets. Passivity alone is not sufficient to guarantee good performance. Therefore, we also introduce a novel buffering and interpolation scheme which not only preserves passivity but has been shown through simulation and experiments to improve tracking performance and transparency in a single-degree-of-freedom teleoperator system.
Effects of attractiveness, gender, and athlete-reporter congruence on perceived credibility of sport reporters.

Studies examining factors that influence credibility perceptions have demonstrated the importance of a source’s gender and attractiveness. However, scholars have only begun to extend these findings to credibility in the context of mediated sports. This experiment tested the relationship that gender and attractiveness have with credibility and whether this varies as a function of the gender of the athlete in a given story. Results indicate that reporters’ gender and attractiveness and athlete gender affect perceptions of credibility such that when reporters are of the opposite gender of an athlete, they are perceived as most credible when they are less attractive. Results also reveal a gender bias such that reporters are perceived as most credible when covering male athletes, regardless of reporter gender. Explanations are offered for these findings, in addition to a discussion of the implications for news practitioners.
Variability in length and arm ratio of the pachytene chromosomes of corn.

Absolute length measurements are reported for all chromosomes of 271 pachytene microsporocytes from 89 anthers of 31 related corn plants. Arm ratios are reported for all of these chromosomes where it was possible to locate the centromere. Data are compared to previously published measurements of corn chromosomes.Sample variances and coefficients of variation of chromosome lengths and arm ratios are compared. The results include findings that longer chromosome arms have greater variances but smaller coefficients of variability and that chromosomes with larger arm ratios have inherently more variable arm ratios. These greater variabilities in arm ratio were not correlated with corresponding greater variabilities in length of the chromosomes involved. All results are consistent with the interpretation that the chromosomes have two kinds of variability: one which seems to contribute approximately uniformly per unit length to variability throughout the genome while the other kind of variability may be a characteristic property of each chromosome unrelated to length in any consistent way.Chromosome knobs do not appear to influence variability in length of chromosome arms in which they occur.Tripsacum chromosome material does not appear to differ in its length variability from corresponding corn chromosome material for which it has been substituted.
The clinical significance of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Summary Four unrelated families having hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia are presented to demonstrate the course of the disease and the complications, and to review the methods of treatment. The finding of cutaneous lesions in the children of one family led to the discovery of a pulmonary arteriovenous fistula in the oldest child. The recognition of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia will enable the physician to alert the patient to the complications of the condition and aid in the prevention of sequelae.
Clonação e sobre expressão de um gene que codifica para uma proteína de união ao cálcio em Giardia intestinalis

As proteinas que unem calcio do tipo EF-HAND tem um papel muito importante nas vias de transducao de sinais que permitem as celulas eucariotas adaptarem-se as mudancas no ambiente externo. O parasita Giardia intestinalis e reconhecido como um excelente modelo para estudar as vias de sinalizacao, por sua altamente simplificada maquinaria molecular. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar o gene que codifica para uma possivel proteina do tipo EF-HAND. O gene foi clonado e a proteina EF 453 foi expressa no parasita. Analises de bioinformatica foram realizadas por meio do software I-TASSER. O gene foi amplificado por PCR com primers desenhados (5’ATGACATCTCTGGGTGCCA3’ e 5’CTAGACCTCAAAAGGCAA3’) e foi clonado no vetor de expressao pTubN (possui um tag de HA e um gene de resistencia a puromicina) usando E. coli cepa TOP 10. Com o plasmideo recombinante foi feita a transfeccao em trofozoitos de Giardia intestinalis por eletroporacao. Logo, foram selecionados os parasitas resistentes a puromicina. Nesses parasitas foi confirmada a expressao da proteina EF-453 por ensaios de Western Blot pela deteccao de uma proteina a 55 KDa com um anticorpo contra HA.
Optical Properties of Nanocomposites

Optical characteristics of nanocomposites provide deeper insights into the overall function of these materials. This chapter describes steady-state and time-resolved optical properties of nanocomposites in the UV-Vis range derived through the analysis of a variety of nanoparticle architectures and the extrapolation of general trends from these examples.
Detailed Analysis of Olefins in Processed Petroleum Streams by Combined Multi-dimensional Supercritical Fluid Chromatography and Field Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

A combination of multi-dimensional supercritical fluid chromatography and field ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SFC FI-TOF MS) is developed for the detailed analysis of olefins and other hydrocarbon types in total petroleum liquid products from catalytic cracking experiments. With a silver-modified silica column, SFC separates the petroleum samples into saturates, aromatics, and olefins. SFC with a flame ionization detector provides quantitation of the three major compound classes. SFC effluents are softly ionized by FI to form intact molecule ions, which are subsequently analyzed by TOF MS to determine elemental formulas via accurate mass analysis.
Visual Stimuli and the Response of Female Oriental Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) to Fruit-Mimicking Traps

Experiments were conducted to determine the response of female oriental fruit flies, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), and 2 fruit fly parasitoids, Fopius arisanus (Sonan) and Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead), to the color, shape, and size of visual sticky traps. Numbers of females captured on yellow spheres increased as sphere size increased with diameters of 5-11 cm. Preference of females for yellow spheres over green and red spheres was positively correlated with sphere size. Yellow-colored spheres and rectangular blocks of equivalent surface area were equally attractive to females; however, females were more attracted to red spheres than to red blocks of equivalent surface area. The influence of background colors on the attractiveness of spheres was investigated by comparing the response of flies to 8 color combinations of the panels and spheres of Ladd traps. Standard Ladd traps, with red spheres attached to the center of yellow panels, captured more females than any other trap tested and could be used to monitor populations of oriental fruit flies in orchards. Female oriental fruit flies may be attracted to standard Ladd traps because of the visual contrast of red spheres against a light background.
Vasodilators, intrarenal distribution of blood flow, and renal function in isolated perfused canine kidneys.

SummaryEach of the seven different vasodilators (acetylcholine, histamine, PGE2, bradykinin, saralasin, SQ 20881, and eledoisin) infused into isolated blood-perfused canine kidneys at constant systolic perfusion pressure (130 mm Hg) at rates to cause 20-40% increases in RBF caused increases of fractional blood flow to the inner renal cortex and medulla as measured by radioactive microspheres. Despite similar hemodynamic effects of the different vasodilators on RBF, perfusion pressure and intrarenal distribution of blood flow, their effects on GFR, UNaV, and V were dissimilar. In particular, eledoisin and PGE2 reduced GFR and acetylcholine produced the greatest di-uresis and natriuresis by its effect to interfere with the tubular reabsorption of salt and water.We wish to acknowledge the expert technical assistance of J. Meller, B. MacMillan, and B. Rood. We also wish to thank M. Brock for help in preparing this manuscript. Saralasin was generously provided by Norwich Pharmacal Company and SQ 20881 was prov...
Pituitary ACTH and plasma free corticosteroids following bilateral adrenalectomy in the rat.

SummaryPituitary ACTH and plasma free corticosteroids were concurrently determined following bilateral adrenalectomy in the rat. Free corticosteroids disappeared from the plasma within 4 hours. Pituitary ACTH rose to 150% of the control level within the first 30 minutes, fell to 40% after 4 hours, to 30% after 12, stabilized at this level for the next 12 hours, rose from then on to supernormal levels, up to a crest of 575% on the 32nd day, and regressed, thereafter, to lower, though still markedly elevated, values. From a correlation of these findings with available data on blood ACTH levels under comparable conditions, it is inferred that, following a transient burst of synthesis reflected by the initial peak, a predominant, though gradually receding, acceleration of the rate of release accounts for the pituitary ACTH depletion, a greater and sustained acceleration of synthesis, for its subsequent rise. It is further suggested that the ACTH-releasing effect of stress is markedly influenced by the level o...
The Microorganism Growth in Vacuum Sealed Products of Stone Milled Rice

The number of bacteria and mould in different storage temperature for three months were used to determine the effects of storage temperature on the vacuum sealed products of stone milled rice. The results showed that the number of microbes did not increase significantly with the time passing. It decreased obviously when the storage temperature increased. It is indicated that there was no special requirements for the storage temperature to prevent the mildew.
Press rites and O.J. wrongs: behind the scenes at “Camp O.J.”

Few of us in the press corps were ever rational about it. The case devoured our waking hours and invaded our dreams. After the not-guilty verdict, many trial reporters were physically sick for weeks – earaches, flu, back pain. Was it just exhaustion – or something else? Many left the newspaper business altogether. (I am one of them.) I was present at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse on the morning the not-guilty verdicts were read, observing the hurried activities of newsworkers. The Simpson case was clearly the news story to end all news stories. Two-hundred and fifty phone lines had been installed in the court's twelfth-floor pressroom to accommodate the day-to-day communications needs of the 1,159 credentialed newsworkers who covered the case (Coffey 1995). In addition to the suffocating presence of US media, news operations from more than a dozen foreign nations had also sent newsworkers to cover the latest developments. Of the fifty-eight highly coveted seats in Judge Ito's courtroom, twenty-four had been set aside for this corps of newsworkers (Elias and Schatzman 1996). Seven of these seats had been permanently assigned to the Los Angeles Times (see chapter 5), two book authors, and four other mainstream news operations. The remaining seventeen seats were rotated between two other book authors and thirty-nine other news operations. One of these less-favored news operations was the largest black-owned newspaper in the West, the Los Angeles Sentinel (see chapter 6).