cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fast and memory-efficient LOGISMOS graph search for intraretinal layer segmentation of 3D macular OCT scans

Image segmentation is important for quantitative analysis of medical image data. Recently, our research group has introduced a 3-D graph search method which can simultaneously segment optimal interacting surfaces with respect to the cost function in volumetric images. Although it provides excellent segmentation accuracy, it is computationally demanding (both CPU and memory) to simultaneously segment multiple surfaces from large volumetric images. Therefore, we propose a new, fast, and memory-efficient graph search method for intraretinal layer segmentation of 3-D macular optical coherence tomograpy (OCT) scans. The key idea is to reduce the size of a graph by combining the nodes with high costs based on the multiscale approach. The new approach requires significantly less memory and achieves significantly faster processing speeds (p < 0.01) with only small segmentation differences compared to the original graph search method. This paper discusses sub-optimality of this approach and assesses trade-off relationships between decreasing processing speed and increasing segmentation differences from that of the original method as a function of employed scale of the underlying graph construction.
The Relationship between Tropical Warm Pool Precipitation, Sea Surface Temperature, and Large-Scale Vertical Motion in IPCC AR4 Models

AbstractA regime sorting analysis is used to identify Caribbean and western Pacific precipitation, sea surface temperature, and large-scale vertical circulation relationships and biases within coupled and uncoupled Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report (IPCC AR4) general circulation models. This analysis shows that an oversensitivity of precipitation to both SST and vertical circulation (as represented by ω500) is inherent in the atmospheric models in both regions, with models using a spectral-type convective parameterization performing best in the Caribbean, but less separation between convective parameterization groups is seen in the western Pacific. The error in magnitude of precipitation for a given SST and vertical circulation causes uncoupled models to overestimate Caribbean and western Pacific mean precipitation. In coupled models, however, errors in the frequency of occurrence of SSTs (the distribution is cold biased in both regions) and deep convective vertical circul...
Developmental effects of intraperitoneal saline injections in neonatal rats.

Abstract The response to neonatal intraperitonal (IP) saline injections was investigated in neonatal male and female rats from split- and whole-litters. The results demonstrate that male or female rats housed under split-litter conditions and subjected to daily IP injections during the early neonatal period have the same body weight and plasma corticosteroid and testosterone (males only) levels as littermate controls. On the other hand, treated male and female animals from whole-litters weigh significantly less than controls. Additionally, plasma testosterone and cortisteroids from treated males did not differ from controls at any age tested, but treated females from whole-litters had significantly elevated corticoids at days 100 and 150 when compared to controls. These results suggest that when doing developmental studies involving IP injections, it would be advisable to house animals under split-litter conditions.
B7h-expressing dendritic cells and plasma B cells mediate distinct outcomes of ICOS costimulation in T cell-dependent antibody responses

Background: The ICOS-B7h costimulatory receptor-ligand pair is required for germinal center formation, the production of isotype-switched antibodies, and antibody affinity maturation in response to T cell-dependent antigens. However, the potentially distinct roles of regulated B7h expression on B cells and dendritic cells in T cell-dependent antibody responses have not been defined. Results: We generated transgenic mice with lineage-restricted B7h expression to assess the cell-type specific roles of B7h expression on B cells and dendritic cells in regulating T cell-dependent antibody responses. Our results show that endogenous B7h expression is reduced on B cells after activation in vitro and is also reduced in vivo on antibody-secreting plasma B cells in comparison to both naive and germinal center B cells from which they are derived. Increasing the level of B7h expression on activated and plasma B cells in B-B7hTg mice led to an increase in the number of antibody-secreting plasma cells generated after immunization and a corresponding increase in the concentration of antigen-specific high affinity serum IgG antibodies of all isotypes, without affecting the number of responding germinal center B cells. In contrast, ICOS costimulation mediated by dendritic cells in DC-B7hTg mice contributed to germinal center formation and selectively increased IgG2a production without affecting the overall magnitude of antibody responses. Conclusions: Using transgenic mice with lineage-restricted B7h expression, we have revealed distinct roles of ICOS costimulation mediated by dendritic cells and B cells in the regulation of T cell-dependent antibody responses.
Efficient algorithms for some special cases of the polynomial equivalence problem

We consider the following computational problem. Let F be a field. Given two n-variate polynomials f(x1,.., xn) and g(x1,.., xn) over the field F, is there an invertible linear transformation of the variables which sends f to g? In other words, can we substitute a linear combination of the xi's for each xj appearing in f and obtain the polynomial g? This problem is known to be at least as difficult as the graph isomorphism problem even for homogeneous degree three polynomials. There is even a cryptographic authentication scheme (Patarin, 1996) based on the presumed average-case hardness of this problem.Here we show that at least in certain (interesting) special cases there is a polynomial-time randomized algorithm for determining this equivalence, if it exists. Somewhat surprisingly, the algorithms that we present are efficient even if the input polynomials are given as arithmetic circuits. As an application, we show that if in the key generation phase of Patarin's authentication scheme, a random multilinear polynomial is used to generate the secret, then the scheme can be broken and the secret recovered in randomized polynomial-time.
Student-peer mentoring on a drug information response.

Objective. To implement a student peer-mentoring program with a drug information response assignment in an introductory pharmacy practice course.Design. Second-year student pharmacists (P2 mentors)...
Structure and properties of the solution space of general anisotropic laminates

Abstract The algebraic structure of the solution space of all types of anisotropic laminates is determined. The full space is shown to be the direct sum of a number of orthogonal eigenspaces, one for each simple or multiple eigenvalue, whose dimension equals the multiplicity. There are eight different types of eigenvalues, which combine to yield eleven distinct types of laminates with peculiar representations of the general solution. All such representations are explicitly obtained, along with the pseudo-metrics based on the binary product of the eigenvectors. This leads to the projection operators in the solution space, spectral sums and intrinsic tensors analogous to the Stroh–Barnett–Lothe tensors in 2-D elasticity. The present theoretical results are obtained by adopting a mixed formulation involving the deflection function and Airy’s stress function, and by using new laminate elasticity matrices different from the conventional stiffness matrices A , B and D . The new formulation also discloses an isomorphism relating each anisotropic laminate to an image laminate, such that every equilibrium solution of the former directly yields an image solution of the latter by interchanging the kinematical and kinetic variables and the in-plane and out-of-plane variables. This implies, in particular, that the classical bending theory of homogeneous plates and symmetric laminates is not a distinct subject, despite its historical development and pedagogical recognition, but is mathematically identical to the plane stress problem of anisotropic elasticity.
LOW OXYGEN RECYCLED VAPOR (LORV) FOR FOOD DRYING

An exploratory study has been made where drying was done by reheating the vapors of evaporation which were then recycled with the combustion gasses through a partially closed system containing a low oxygen atmosphere. Fresh carrots dried in this manner were simultaneously dried and blanched and appeared to have more flavor and color and a more natural texture compared to conventionally air-dried carrots when reconstituted. Drying temperatures greater than 143°C throughout drying caused heat damage to the drying product, but higher temperatures may be possible in the initial drying stages by replacing the batch system used in this investigation with a two-stage continuous system.
Challenges and recent advances in affinity purification of tag-free proteins

There is currently no generic, simple, low-cost method for affinity chromatographic purification of proteins in which the purified product is free of appended tags. Existing approaches for the purification of tagless proteins fall into two broad categories: (1) direct affinity-based capture of tag-free proteins that utilize affinity ligands specific to the target protein or class of target protein, and (2) removal of an appended affinity tag following tag-mediated protein capture. This paper reviews current state-of-the-art approaches for tagless protein purification in both categories, including specific examples of affinity ligands used for the capture of different classes of proteins and cleavage systems for affinity tag removal following chromatographic capture. A particular focus of this review is on recent developments in affinity tag removal systems utilizing split inteins.
The effect of job stress and job interdependency on menstrual cycle length, regularity and synchrony

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of job stress and job interdependency on menstrual cycle length, regularity and synchrony. In addition, the effect of menstrual cycle phase on self-reported measures of daily stress was assessed. Women coworkers in occupations characterized by levels of interdependency that were greater than or equal to levels of stress displayed synchrony. Women in a high stress, low interdependency occupation were not synchronized. Multiple regression analyses revealed that women who lived with their sexual partners displayed less synchrony than women who were not cohabiting; women who experienced high levels of anxiety and job stress were less synchronized than women with low levels of these variables; and women who perceived their jobs as requiring moderate to high levels of interdependency were more synchronized than those who did not. Longer menstrual cycles were associated with women who cohabited, who reported high levels of anxiety and who had high scores on the Holmes-Rahe Schedule of Recent Events. Regular cycles were associated with lower levels of anxiety and lower scores on the Holmes-Rahe inventory. Finally, self-reports of daily stress were greater during the late luteal and early menstrual phase of the cycle.
The role of child gender and ethnicity in teacher–child relationship quality and children's behavioral adjustment in preschool

Abstract The present study examined the role of child gender, child ethnicity, and teacher–child ethnic match in moderating the association between teacher–child relationship quality and children's classroom behavioral adjustment. The study was conducted using data from an ethnically diverse sample of 301 Head Start children and their teachers. Teacher–child conflict was found to be a stronger predictor of hostile–aggressive behavior for boys than girls. In contrast, teacher–child closeness was found to be more predictive of school competence for girls than boys. Similar patterns of association were found between teacher–child relationship quality and school behavioral adjustment for Non-Hispanic, white children and those of Mexican-origin. Results also revealed that teacher–child ethnic match did not moderate the association between teacher–child relationship quality and child behavioral adjustment.
A new weighted Bellman function

Abstract We give sharp in p and w estimates of operator norms of Riesz transforms in the L p ( w d x ) spaces, when the A p characteristic of the weight is close to 1 (flat case). This is done by proving the existence of a certain Bellman function.
Mechanical compression attenuates normal human bronchial epithelial wound healing

Airway narrowing associated with chronic asthma results in the transmission of injurious compressive forces to the bronchial epithelium and promotes the release of pro-inflammatory mediators and the denudation of the bronchial epithelium. While the individual effects of compression or denudation are well characterized, there is no data to elucidate how these cells respond to the application of mechanical compression in the presence of a compromised epithelial layer. Accordingly, differentiated normal human bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to one of four conditions: 1) unperturbed control cells, 2) single scrape wound only, 3) static compression (6 hours of 30 cmH2O), and 4) 6 hours of static compression after a scrape wound. Following treatment, wound closure rate was recorded, media was assayed for mediator content and the cytoskeletal network was fluorescently labeled. We found that mechanical compression and scrape injury increase TGF-β2 and endothelin-1 secretion, while EGF content in the media is attenuated with both injury modes. The application of compression after a pre-existing scrape wound augmented these observations, and also decreased PGE2 media content. Compression stimulated depolymerization of the actin cytoskeleton and significantly attenuated wound healing. Closure rate was partially restored with the addition of exogenous PGE2, but not EGF. Our results suggest that mechanical compression reduces the capacity of the bronchial epithelium to close wounds, and is, in part, mediated by PGE2 and a compromised cytoskeleton.
A walk on the other side: adding statistical components to a transfer-based translation system

This paper seeks to complement the current trend of adding more structure to Statistical Machine Translation systems, by exploring the opposite direction: adding statistical components to a Transfer-Based MT system. Initial results on the BTEC data show significant improvement according to three automatic evaluation metrics (BLEU, NIST and METEOR).
The amperometric titration of plasma chloride and urine chloride.

Abstract It has been shown that the method of Laitinen, Jennings, and Parks for the amperometric titration of chloride can be easily adapted to analyses of plasma (serum) and urine chlorides. For the procedure 1.0-ml. samples are diluted so that the mixture being titrated is 50% in acetone and 0.8 N in nitric acid. Silver nitrate, 0.0100 N , is used as the titrant, and the rotating platinum electrode is used as the indicator electrode. The method is simple, rapid, and as accurate as existing methods. When 0.1-ml. samples are analyzed, the accuracy is decreased a little over that obtained when 1.0-ml. samples are used. The method is not satisfactory for the analysis of chloride in the presence of whole blood or muscle tissue.
The Photo-Ionization of the Vapors of Caesium and Rubidium

A modification of Foote and Mohler's space charge method for the measurement of photo-ionization was devised which compensated out spurious effects due to fluctuations of temperature and increased the useful sensitivity of the space charge to positive ions about one hundred fold. By measuring simultaneously photo-ionization and light intensities the following results have been obtained. In caesium, the ionization per unit light intensity ${B}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ varies with frequency $\ensuremath{\nu}$ (over the range 2200A to 3130A) according to the equation ${B}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}=\frac{\mathrm{const}}{{\ensuremath{\nu}}^{3}(\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{0})}$ This relation also represents fairly well the experimental observations of ${B}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ in rubidium. Thus, the continuous absorption resulting in ionization decreases with wave-length much more rapidly than the analagous absorption beyond the Lyman and Balmer series limits as calculated on the wave mechanics by Sugiura, Oppenheimer, and Reiche. The results, moreover, are not even qualitatively similar to Hargreaves' calculation of the variation with frequency of ${B}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ for lithium. Assuming the principle of detailed balance it follows from these experiments that the effective collision capture cross-sections of caesium and rubidium ions for electrons vary inversely as the square of the energy of the electrons relative to the ions. This is the Thomson recombination law and has been derived on the wave mechanics by Oppenheimer for the recombination of protons and electrons. The existence of photo-ionization by absorption of principal series lines in caesium, so clearly exhibited by Mohler, Foote and Chenault, has been confirmed and also has been observed in rubidium.
Formation of [Pt(η3-allyl)(TPPTS)2]+ from Reaction of cis-Pt(Cl)2(TPPTS)2 with Alkenols in Water

Reactions of alkenols with cis-Pt(Cl)2(TPPTS)2 (TPPTS = P(m-C6H4SO3Na)3) in water result in [Pt(η3-allyl)(TPPTS)2]+ as the exclusive platinum product with 1 equiv of oxidized alkenol. The η3-allyl is not fluxional in water, and the syn and anti isomers can be distinguished at room temperature. For 3-buten-1-ol and 4-penten-1-ol, in addition to the η3-allyl complex and oxidation of the alkene, catalytic isomerization of the alkene is observed. No reaction occurs for cis-Pt(Cl)2(P(p-tolyl)3)2, cis-Pt(Cl)(THF)(P(p-tolyl)3)2+, or cis-Pt(THF)2(P(p-tolyl)3)22+ with the alkenols in THF, indicating the importance of H2O. Excess Cl- inhibits the reaction. The oxidation product is selectively deuterated. These observations are combined into a proposed mechanism.
Immunologic quantitation of the carcinoma specific human carcinoma antigen in clinical samples.

BACKGROUND Based on the cross-reactivity of the human carcinoma antigen, HCA, with epiglycanin, a mouse mammary carcinoma cell surface glycoprotein, HCA has been detected in the tissue and blood of patients with every type of epithelium-derived cancer tested. METHODS Competitive binding assays utilized the following antiepiglycanin antibodies: a polyclonal rabbit antiserum (immunoglobulin [Ig] G and IgM) in a radioimmunoassay; mouse monoclonal antibodies (Ab-1, IgM) on immunoplates; anti-idiotypic (Ab-2) and anti-anti-idiotypic (Ab-3) monoclonal antibodies (both IgG) from spleen cells of C57BL mice immunized, respectively, with Ab-1 and Ab-2, and utilized on immunoplates. IgG and IgM antibodies were evaluated for their ability to detect HCA and to distinguish between the blood of patients with, or without, carcinomas. RESULTS Assays with the rabbit antiserum distinguished plasmas of metastatic breast carcinoma patients from those of patients with benign breast disease with a sensitivity of approximately 93% (specificity 90%). Antiepiglycanin IgM monoclonal antibodies (i.e., AE3) showed high specificity and sensitivity (> 90%) with sera from advanced carcinoma patients when compared with normal sera. The IgG anti-anti-idiotypic (Ab-3) monoclonal antibodies (i.e., AF2), which bind the same epitope as Ab-1, appear to possess less nonspecific binding capacity, however, than the Ab-1 (IgM) antibodies. Anti-Ab-1 (i.e., C8F2) anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies, which bear an idiotope equivalent to the epitope present in epiglycanin and the HCA, demonstrated greater consistency as a standard calibrator and for coating wells than epiglycanin. CONCLUSIONS The concentration of the HCA in the body fluids of patients with carcinomas may be accurately determined by competitive binding assays. It is suggested that the use of anti-idiotypic antibodies (IgG), rather than epiglycanin/HCA, and Ab-3 anti-anti-idiotypic antibodies (IgG), rather than Ab-1 (IgM), will improve the consistency, as well as the sensitivity and specificity, of the assay. Cancer 2002;94:803–13. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10124
Community-wide interventions for tobacco control.

This article describes the rationale and evidence supporting community-wide interventions for tobacco control. Data were collected from published evaluation studies, government reports, and commentaries that describe the use of community-based approaches to tobacco control. Community-wide interventions attempt to change tobacco use in populations--not just individuals--and have increasingly begun to focus on influencing policies that promote and/or tolerate tobacco use. Examples of community-based tobacco-control activities include organizing community groups to advocate adoption of tobacco-control ordinances (e.g., smoke-free restaurants, ban on self-service tobacco displays); media advocacy to raise public awareness about illegal tobacco sales to minors; paid counter-advertising; and sponsorship of community-wide stop-smoking events such as a quit-and-win contest. Evidence in support of the effectiveness of community-based interventions to reduce smoking is found in the consistently sharper decline in tobacco consumption observed in states that have invested in comprehensive tobacco-prevention and control programs compared to those that have not. However, the results from several randomized controlled trials of community-based tobacco-control interventions have been disappointing in demonstrating large-scale changes in tobacco use. Although there appears to be a wide consensus that community-based approaches to tobacco control are an important part of a comprehensive program to reduce tobacco use, the essential elements and methods of implementation of some community-based tobacco-control efforts are less well defined. Also, given the dynamic nature of community tobacco-control interventions, the traditional randomized controlled trial model probably is not applicable for evaluation purposes. It is more likely that research models based on time-series designs will be most applicable for evaluating the impact of community-based interventions.
The One-Drop Rule in Reverse? Interracial Marriages in Napoleonic and Restoration France

In the early nineteenth century, an obscure rural policeman petitioned the French government with an unusual story. Charles Fanaye had served with Napoleon's armies in Egypt. Chased by Mameluks, he was rescued in the nick of time by a black Ethiopian woman and hidden in her home. Threatened in turn by the Mameluks, Marie-Helene (as the woman came to be called) threw in her lot with the French army and followed Fanaye to France. The couple then sought to wed. They easily overcame religious barriers when Marie-Helene was baptized in the Cathedral of Avignon. But another obstacle was harder to overcome: an 1803 ministerial decree banned marriage between blacks and whites. Though Fanaye and Marie-Helene begged for an exception, the decree would plague them for the next sixteen years of their romance.
The relationship of long term global temperature change and human fertility.

Summary According to the United Nations, global fertility has declined in the last century as reflected by a decline in birth rates. The earth’s surface air temperature has increased considerably and is referred to as global warming. Since changes in temperature are well known to influence fertility we sought to determine if a statistical relationship exists between long-term changes in global air temperatures and birth rates. The most complete and reliable birth rate data in the 20th century was available in 19 industrialized countries. Using bivariate and multiple regression analysis, we compared yearly birth rates from these countries to global air temperatures from 1900 to 1994. A common pattern of change in birth rates was noted for the 19 industrialized countries studied. In general, birth rates declined markedly throughout the century except during the baby boom period of approximately 1940 to 1964. An inverse relationship was found between changes in global temperatures and birth rates in all 19 countries. Controlling for the linear yearly decline in birth rates over time, this relationship remained statistically significant for all the 19 countries in aggregate and in seven countries individually (p <0 :05). Conclusions. The results of our analyses are consistent with the underlying premise that temperature change affects fertility and suggests that human fertility may have been influenced by change in environmental temperatures. a 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Optically Active Carbon: Kinetic Resolution of C76 by Asymmetric Osmylation

The chiral fullerene C76 was kinetically resolved by asymmetric osmylation providing an example of an optically active allotrope of a pure element. C76 recovered from the treatment of racemic C76 with OsO4 and a chiral alkaloid ligand, showed a specific rotation [α]D of -4000° (> 97 percent enantiomeric excess) and a circular dichroism spectrum corresponding to the ultraviolet spectrum. Regenerated C76 formed by reducing the asymmetrically osmylated C76 with SnCl2 was enriched in the opposite enantiomer. Analysis of the local curvature of the C76 molecule indicated that OsO4 should selectively add to 2 of the 30 types of bonds in C76. This regioselectivity was supported chromatographically and interpreted in terms of the kinetic resolution.
Leadership with an Enduring Impact: The Legacy of Chief Burtell Jefferson of the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C.

On January 13, 1978, after nearly 30 years of public service, Burtell Jefferson became the first African American to serve as chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. This profile describes his personal and professional journey and describes—from the perspective of a cadre of active and retired police chiefs and chief executive officers—the impact of Jefferson’s career on the Metropolitan Police Department and policing in America more broadly. Jefferson’s story, an exemplary illustration of public sector leadership, has profound implications for contemporary efforts to ensure the equality of employment opportunity. Jefferson’s career provides a model of effective leadership that is applicable across organizations and sectors. He not only led his organization well but also encouraged and developed generations of future leaders.
Thermomechanical processing of reactively sintered Ag-clad (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox tapes

Abstract Agclad tapes of Bi 1.8 Pb 0.4 Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O x annotated as 2223, were fabricated from polyphase powders which reactively sinter in situ to form 2223, and from completely reacted 2223. Annealing temperatures, as well as mechanical processing schemes involving intermittent cold uniaxial pressing, were investigated to arrive at a thermomechanical regimen that would promote increased critical current density (J c ). Reactive sintering of polyphase tapes is very sensitive to annealing temperature and must be optimized to allow maximum transformation to, and prevent decomposition of, the 2223 phase. Continued intermittent pressing, after initial grain-growth annealing, is necessary to advance the reaction and allow consumption of alkaline earth cuprate second phases, as well as to promote grain texturing. The highest J c values (9000 A/cm 2 at 77 K and 0 T field) were obtained in tapes containing a polyphase starting powder composed of nearly equal fractions of 2212 and 2201 annealed for 350 h at 845°C with three intermittent pressings. Similarly treated tapes containing completely reacted starting powders attained J c values of only 3000 A/cm 2 .
Using ethnography in the evaluation of drug prevention and intervention programs.

As more community-based substance-misuse prevention and intervention programs are funded by government and private agencies, innovative evaluation designs are required. Traditional impact or outcome evaluations based on quantitative experimental designs are not enough. Without discarding die use of statistically analyzed survey instruments, a triangulate evaluation approach centered on ethnographic fieldwork has proven successful in fulfilling this need. This paper discusses changing attitudes about ethnography in the evaluation field, describes the development and usefulness of ethnography in evaluation research, and reports on the incorporation of ethnography as part of a triangulation evaluation design as used by National Development and Research Institutes, Inc.
Fluorescent viral vectors: A new technique for the pharmacological analysis of gene therapy

Fluorescent viral vectors: A new technique for the pharmacological analysis of gene therapy
Communication schemes for aerospace wireless sensors

Wireless communications has been a preferred and reliable data transmission means in many aerospace applications, including flight-critical ones. The aerospace industry should consider replacing some aerial-vehicle sensor wiring with wireless communications; the related sensors are referred to as aerospace wireless sensors (AWSs). This replacement can lower the weight of aerial-vehicle wiring and thus lead to increased payload capacity. It can also improve the overall safety of aerial vehicles via reducing wiring problems, ease the design of aerial-vehicle structures for running wiring, and lower the sensor installation and maintenance cost. The major concern for using AWSs is whether they will negatively affect the overall reliability and safety of the aerial vehicles. In this paper, the feasibility of using AWSs is discussed. In particular, the employment of wireless communication schemes is studied in terms of immunity to jamming signals, interference to other on-board wireless systems, simultaneous data transmission from multiple AWSs, and low detectability to unintended parties. We recommend using the code-division multiple-access (CDMA) scheme and demonstrate its feasibility in terms of communication performance.
Evaluating the hydraulic effects of changes in aquifer elevation using curvilinear coordinates

Abstract The groundwater flow equation is written in curvilinear coordinates whose coordinate surfaces coincide with the top and bottom surfaces of folded layers of aquifers. The coordinates are general enough for these surfaces to coincide for almost all groundwater systems. The terms of the finite-difference approximation for the flow equation can be separated into two groups. One group corresponds to a similar system of horizontal aquifers and the other group corresponds to the folding. The latter group is zero if the vertical gradients of hydraulic head and hydraulic conductivity are zero. Furthermore, it is noted that vertical gradients in head must be modelled for the effects of folding to result. When these vertical gradients and dips are not too large, the effects of folding can be calculated using a perturbation method wherein the flow in folded aquifers is considered to be a perturbation of the flow in similar horizontal aquifers. With the method presented, three-dimensional finite-difference models can be modified to simulate folded aquifer systems. Perturbation solutions are obtained for a class of folded three-aquifer systems. For these systems, with vertical head gradients as great as 0.23, with aquifer hydraulic conductivities differing by two orders of magnitude, and with dips as great as 30°, only small hydraulic changes due to folding were simulated.
Accurate three-dimensional quantum probabilities and collision lifetimes of the H+O2 combustion reaction

Accurate 3D quantum state‐to‐state reaction probabilities and collision lifetimes for the H+O2→OH+O combustion reaction for total angular momentum J=0 are reported. The reaction probabilities are dominated by resonances, many of which overlap. The total reaction probability is not enhanced by vibrational or rotational excitation of the reactants. The first accurate final state distributions are presented, and probability is found to spread out into all open product vibrational and rotational channels, with a rather strong tendency to produce highly excited product rotational states. The first calculated collision lifetimes are presented, and resonances with lifetimes of 1–10 ps are found at most energies. Whether the reaction behaves statistically is discussed, and future extensions needed are also discussed.
An improved method for the determination of homovanillic acid and vanilmandelic acid by gas chromatography.

Abstract A gas Chromatographic method for the determination of urinary homovanillic acid and vanilmandelic acid has been developed which is simpler and less timeconsuming than previous methods. It consists of extraction of the free acids into ether followed by complete silylation of the phenolic alcoholic and carboxylic acid groups with bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide.
Textural Differences Between Two Types of Shoestring Sands: ABSTRACT

Exploitation of oil and gas accumulations in "shoestring sands" can be aided materially by determining, with samples from even a single well, whether a sand stringer is an offshore bar deposit with a linear shape and lying parallel with the depositional trend, or whether it is a river deposit cutting across the depositional trend and having a sinuous shape. The present research has disclosed textural criteria applicable to well samples which serve to differentiate these two types of "shoestring sands." Samples taken from rivers and from beaches along the Texas Gulf Coast indicate clear textural differences between the two environments. Compared with river sands, beach sands show an extremely restricted range of mean sizes and sorting coefficients. Furthermore, river sands with sorting coefficients equal to those of beach sands are invariably coarser than beach sands, whereas river sands of the same mean size as beach sands are more poorly sorted. Consequently, plots of mean size versus sorting yield a clear distinction between the two types of sediment. The foregoing information has been obtained by sieve analyses of unconsolidated sediments. Mean sizes and sorting coefficients of sandstones, however, can be approximated readily by grain counts in thin sections. In 15 minutes, or less, sufficient grains can be counted in section to enable the geologist to differentiate the typical beach and river sands studied in the present work. End_of_Article - Last_Page 2516------------
Rationale, study design and sample characteristics of a randomized controlled trial of directly administered antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected prisoners transitioning to the community — A potential conduit to improved HIV treatment outcomes

Background HIV-infected prisoners experience poor HIV treatment outcomes post-release. Directly administered antiretroviral therapy (DAART) is a CDC-designated, evidence-based adherence intervention for drug users, yet untested among released prisoners.
Hold or fold--proteins in advanced heart failure and myocardial recovery.

Advanced heart failure (AHF) describes the subset of heart failure patients refractory to conventional medical therapy. For some AHF patients, the use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) provides an intermediary “bridge” step for transplant-eligible patients or an alternative therapy for transplant-ineligible patients. Over the past 20 years, clinical observations have revealed that approximately 1% of patients with MCS undergo significant reverse remodeling to the point where the device can be explanted. Unfortunately, it is unclear why some patients experience durable, sustained myocardial remission, while others redevelop heart failure (i.e. which hearts “hold” and which hearts “fold”). In this review, we outline unmet clinical needs related to treating patients with MCS, provide an overview of protein dynamics in the reverse-remodeling process, and propose specific areas where we expect MS and proteomic analyses will have significant impact on our understanding of disease progression, molecular mechanisms of recovery, and provide new markers with prognostic value that can positively impact patient care. Complimentary perspectives are provided with the goal of making this important topic accessible and relevant to both a clinical and basic science audience, as the intersection of these disciplines is required to advance the field.
CMOS Stuck-Open Fault Detection Using Single Test Patterns

CMOS combinational circuits exhibit sequential behavior in the presence of open faults, thus making it necessary to use two pattern tests. Two or multi-pattern sequences may fail to detect CMOS stuck-open faults in the presence of glitches. The available methods for augmenting CMOS gates to test CMOS stuck-open faults, are found to be inadequate in the presence of glitches. A new CMOS testable design is presented. The scheme uses two additional MOSFETs, which convert a CMOS gate to either pseudo nMOS or pseudo pMOS gate during testing. The proposed design ensures the detection of stuck-open faults using a single vector during testing.
Phylogeny of cyanobacterial nifH genes: evolutionary implications and potential applications to natural assemblages

DNA sequences of a fragment of nifH from diverse cyanobacteria were amplified, cloned and sequenced to determine the evolutionary relationship of nitrogenase within the cyanobacteria as a group, and to provide a basis for the identification of uncultivated strains of cyanobacteria in the environment. Analysis of 30 nitrogenase DNA and deduced amino acid sequences from cyanobacteria representing five major taxonomic subdivisions showed great variation in phylogenetic distances between the sequences. Sequences from heterocystous cyanobacteria formed a coherent cluster, in which branching forms did not form a clade distinct from the non-branching forms. Nitrogenase sequences from the unicellular cyanobacteria Gloeothece and Synechococcus sp. RF-1 formed a cluster, as did sequences from the genera Xenococcus and Myxosarcina. The nifH sequences of filamentous nonheterocystous cyanobacteria were not closely related to each other, forming deep branches with respect to the heterocystous cyanobacterial nifH sequences. The phylogeny of nifH based on amino acid sequences was consistent with taxonomic relationships among the strains; for example, a sequence obtained from a natural assemblage believed to be dominated by ‘Lyngbya' clustered with nifH from Lyngbya lagerheimii. Results also indicate that the phylogeny of nifH among the cyanobacteria is largely consistent with the phylogeny of 16S rRNA, and furthermore that the nifH sequence can be used to identify uncultivated strains of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria.
High-Throughput DNA Extraction and Allele Specific PCR Primers Enables Efficient Screening for Mutant (gsf) and Wild-Type (GSF) Alleles in Eastern Gamagrass

Eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.], is a perennial warm-season bunchgrass with high forage potential if properly managed. Low seed production is one factor that has limited wide spread use of this native grass. A recessive gynomonoecious sex form (GSF) mutation previously found in a wild population has the potential to increase seed production, although it may also be linked to other deleterious traits. Allele specific primers were designed to detect the wild-type (GSF) and mutant (gsf) allele. Primers were successful at confirming the genotype of an assortment of plants tested using template DNA from ahigh-throughputextraction protocol. Atissue-poolingstrategy enabled detection of the mutant allele when present in a predominantly wild-type background. The low cost, lack of toxic waste, and speed of the DNA extraction protocol and the ability to efficiently genotype a large number of individuals makes this a practical tool in a breeding program working with the GSF trait.
Particle size dependence of threshold stress in diffusive creep

Abstract An expression for the threshold stress arising in diffusive creep according to a model originally proposed by Burton is derived analytically. It predicts a slow variation of the threshold stress as a function of the particle size of the dispersion. This is in agreement with experimental results for the creep of polycrystalline sodium chloride containing a dispersion of alumina.
On Jordan Algebras with Two Generators

A (non-associative) algebra \( \mathfrak{A} \) is called a Jordan algebra if its multiplication satisfies the identities $$ ab = ba,\;\left( {{a^2}b} \right)a = {a^2}\left( {ba} \right) $$ (1.1) We shall assume that the base ring Φ or \( \mathfrak{A} \) is a field of characteristic not two. If \( \mathfrak{A} \) is an associative algebra over a field of characteristic not two and multiplication composition (×), then \( \mathfrak{A} \) defines a Jordan algebra \( {\mathfrak{A}^{+} } \) relative to the Jordan multiplication ab = 1/2(a × b + b × a). A Jordan algebra is called special if it is isomorphic to a subalgebra of an algebra \( {\mathfrak{A}^{+} } \), \( \mathfrak{A} \) associative. It has been known for a long time that there exist exceptional (non-special) Jordan algebras and it has been shown by P. Cohn [2] that there exist special Jordan algebras with homomorphic images which are not special.
Control of the Ore Enrichment and Zinc Oxide Dissolution Processes by Potentiometric Monitoring

Potentiometric methods were developed for on-line monitoring of thiosulfate ion during aeration of polymetallic sulfide ore and zinc ion during the dissolution of zinc oxide. Mechanisms were proposed for these processes and verified by comparing electrochemical data with chemical analysis obtained by titrating the respective species in solution. Experimental and theoretical results were within 10%.
The role of peroperative radionuclide ejection fraction in direct abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Abstract Preoperative radionuclide ventriculography was performed in 60 patients to assess whether such testing could define those at increased risk after direct abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. None of the patients had prophylactic coronary artery reconstruction to reduce the risk of AAA repair despite angina in 27% and previous myocardial infarction (MI) in 42%. The mean ejection fraction (EF) was 52% ± 15% (range 14% to 78%). Low EF (normal greater than 50%) was present in 40%, whereas ventricular wall motion abnormalities were present in 39% of patients. The overall perioperative (30-day) mortality rate was 5%. MI occurred in 7% within 30 postoperative days; none was fatal. Life-table analysis revealed that overall survival after AAA repair was significantly lower in patients with an EF of 50% or less ( p p = 0.003, Mantel Cox). There was a marked difference in the cumulative mortality rate during followed-up, being 50% in those patients with an EF of 35% or less (n = 10) compared with 14% in those with an EF greater than 35% (n = 50, p = 0.036, Fisher exact test). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of perioperative MI or perioperative death for those with an EF of 35% or less vs EF greater than 35%. An EF of 35% or less is not associated with a statistically significant increase in the incidence of perioperative MI or perioperative death after direct AAA repair but is associated with significantly reduced overall survival after surgery. Although patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction tend to survive the operation and the 30-day postoperative period, the reduction in overall survival decreases the potential benefit from direct AAA repair in those patients with an EF of 35% or less. Radionuclide ventriculography can define a group with reduced overall survival direct AAA repair. (J VASC SURG 1988;8:128-36.)
Identification of Chemical Species in a Plasma by Emission Spectroscopy

Optical spectroscopy was used to identify the chemical species and the state of excitation of these species in argon, air, and nitrogen plasmas. The 2400 to 8800 A wavelength region was studied. Copper—tungsten and graphite—graphite electrodes were used. The species observed were Ar, Ar+, O, N, N2, N2 +, C, C2, and CN, the latter three being due to graphite electrodes. The major species found correlated with those species predicted from thermodynamic calculations in air. However, certain species as NO and O2 were not observed.
Higher-Order Motion-Compensation for In Vivo Cardiac Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Rats

Motion of the heart has complicated in vivo applications of cardiac diffusion MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), especially in small animals such as rats where ultra-high-performance gradient sets are currently not available. Even with velocity compensation via, for example, bipolar encoding pulses, the variable shot-to-shot residual motion-induced spin phase can still give rise to pronounced artifacts. This study presents diffusion-encoding schemes that are designed to compensate for higher-order motion components, including acceleration and jerk, which also have the desirable practical features of minimal TEs and high achievable b-values. The effectiveness of these schemes was verified numerically on a realistic beating heart phantom, and demonstrated empirically with in vivo cardiac diffusion MRI in rats. Compensation for acceleration, and lower motion components, was found to be both necessary and sufficient for obtaining diffusion-weighted images of acceptable quality and SNR, which yielded the first in vivo cardiac DTI demonstrated in the rat. These findings suggest that compensation for higher order motion, particularly acceleration, can be an effective alternative solution to high-performance gradient hardware for improving in vivo cardiac DTI.
Empirical Evidence on the Validity of Litigated Patents

We have studied all final patent validity decisions issued by the federal courts between 1989 and 1996 reported in United States Patents Quarterly. We test this dataset to determine a number of facts of interest to scholars and patent litigators, including the rate at which patents are held valid, the subject matter of the patents litigated, the rate at which judges and juries hold patents valid, the most common grounds for invalidity, how validity decisions fare on appeal, and numerous other hypotheses.
The 1996 U.S. Preventive Servlces Task Force Report: What's No Longer Worth Doing?

How often does a report tell clinicians what they no longer need to do? In this era of increasing managed care, primary care physicians are seemingly being asked to do more and more. Therefore, it's worth taking note of the new U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Report and the 11 interventions pertaining to pediatrics this document suggests could be dropped without sacrificing quality of care. In addition, a listing is included of the newly added chapters in this report that are of potential interest to pediatricians.