cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Session details: Special Issue on Big Spatial Data (Part 2)

This issue is Part 2 of SIGSPATIAL Special issue on Spatial Big Data. The issue includes five interesting articles. The first two articles present two approaches for MapReduce-based systems built to support Big Spatial Data. In particular, the first article by Eldawy and Mokbel presents the ecosystem of SpatialHadoop, which includes the SpatialHadoop engine with a built-in support for spatial data, the Pigeon spatial language, and a visualization layer. The second article by Wang et al. presents the Hadoop-GIS system; a scalable and high performance spatial data warehousing system for large scale spatial queries, equipped with GPU-based geometric algorithms integrated into the MapReduce pipeline.The next two articles focus on using GPUs as a means of accelerating large-scale spatial data processing. In particular, in the third article, Prasad et al. lay out a vision for accelerating geo-spatial computations and analytics using a combination of shared and distributed memory platforms,with GPUs and hundreds to thousands processing cores. The fourth article by Zhang et al. presents data parallel designs on GPU-accelerated clusters for spatial indexing, spatial joins, and various other spatial operations. The issue is concluded with an article by Bhaduri et al., discussing various trending applications of big data at Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL).This concludes the second part of the special issued on Big Spatial Data; all composed of ten interesting and thought-provoking articles. I would like to sincerely thank all the authors for their invited contributions.
On Italian mobilities and ecological fretwork

This invited commentary explores the ecological fretwork binding people and nature, and, specifically, how Italy and Italianness serve as critical frames for envisioning an environmental history of migration. It examines how each contribution in this special issue adds rigorous archival research to the growing body of academic literature on Italy and the environmental humanities. It also comments on the future research directions, which are connected to this emerging history. Situating these contributions in the wider context of climate change and planetary transformation, this article illuminates how mobilities, understood as an Italian phenomenon, have shaped the globe on a scale previously unknown.
Government’s Obligation to Address Obstacles to Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining Rights Reiterated in Korea Metal Workers’ Union and others v the Republic of Korea

In a complaint to the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association against the government of the Republic of Korea, multiple unions alleged a no-union corporate policy in the context of disguised subcontracting and employment relations, anti-union practices involving harassment, intimidation, pressure to withdraw from trade unions and dismissal of union leaders, resistance to collective bargaining and noncompliance with agreements, and government failure to address allegations. In response, the government stated that on numerous occasions its labor agencies and courts had responded to filed charges and found no violations and that its own investigations had concluded similarly. The Korean Employer’s Federation, tasked with collective bargaining on behalf of the subcontractors, asserted that the subcontractors were employers, independent of a Samsung subsidiary, acted according to the law, responded to filed complaints before government institutions, and made corporate decisions based on business interests rather than anti-union practices. The Committee, however, determined that the allegations had not yet been fully addressed by either the government or the subcontractors, including the alleged kidnapping of a union member and termination of a union leader for his union activities. The Committee requested further investigation and reporting and invited the complainants to submit to the government further necessary information in several areas. The Committee also requested that the government develop appropriate mechanisms to protect subcontracted workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining and to keep the Committee informed of the outcome of independent investigations of the allegations.
Perovskite-like K 3 TiOF 5 Exhibits (3 + 1)-Dimensional Commensurate Structure Induced by Octahedrally Coordinated Potassium Ions.

Elpasolite- and cryolite-type oxyfluorides can be regarded as superstructures of perovskite and exhibit structural diversity. While maintaining a similar structural topology with the prototype structures, changes in the size, electronegativity, and charge of cation and/or anion inevitably lead to structural evolution. Therefore, the nominal one-to-one relation suggested by a doubled formula of perovskite does not guarantee a simple 2-fold superstructure for many cases. Herein, the commensurately modulated perovskite-like K3TiOF5 was refined at 100 K from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data by using a pseudotetragonal subcell with lattice parameters of a = b = 6.066(2) A and c = 8.628(2) A. The length of the modulation vector was refined to 0.3a* + 0.1b* + 0.25c*. In the commensurate supercell of K3TiOF5, the B-site Ti4+ and K+ cations in [TiOF5]3- and [KOF5]6- octahedral units were found to be significantly displaced from the average atomic positions refined in the subcell. The displacements of the K+ cations are ±0.76 A, and those for the Ti4+ cations are approximately ±0.13 A. One- and two-dimensional solid-state 19F NMR measurements revealed two tightly clustered groups of resonances in a ratio of ca. 4:1, assigned to equatorial and axial fluorine, respectively, consistent with local [TiOF5]3- units. S/TEM results confirmed the average structure. Electronic structure calculations of the idealized I4mm subcell indicate the instability to a modulated structure arises from soft optical modes that is controlled by the octahedrally coordinated B-site potassium ions in the cryolite-type structure.
RNA compensation: A positive feedback insulation strategy for RNA-based networks

The lack of signalling modularity of biomolecular systems poses major challenges toward engineering complex networks. An important problem is posed by the consumption of signaling molecules upon circuit interconnection, which makes it possible to control a downstream circuit but compromises the performance of the upstream circuit. This issue has been previously addressed with insulation strategies including high-gain negative feedback and phosphorylation-dephosphorylation reaction cycle. In this paper, we focus on RNA-based circuits and propose a new positive-feedback insulation strategy to mitigate signal consumption. An RNA input is added in tandem with transcription output to compensate the RNA consumption, leading to concentration robustness of the input RNA molecule regardless of the amount of downstream modules. We term this strategy RNA compensation, and it can be applied to systems that have a stringent input-output gain, such as Small Transcription Activating RNAs (STARs). Our analysis shows that RNA compensation not only eliminates the signaling consumption in individual STAR-based regulators, but also improves the composability of STAR cascades and the modularity of RNA bistable systems.
Social network typology and health among parents of children with developmental disabilities: Results from a national study of midlife adults

Abstract Objective There is increasing interest in the role of contextual factors in promoting well-being among parents of children with developmental disabilities. This study aimed to examine whether social network types moderate the impacts of having a child with a developmental disability on parents' health. Methods Using cross-sectional data from the Midlife in the United States survey (MIDUS 2 and Refresher cohorts), we analyzed a sample of 363 parents of children with developmental disabilities and 4919 parents of children without developmental disabilities. K-means cluster analysis was implemented to identify a social network typology. Modified Poisson and negative binomial regression models estimated the effect of having a child with a developmental disability and the typology on parents' physical health (self-rated health, number of chronic conditions) and mental health (self-rated mental health, major depression). Results The cluster analysis revealed two social network types. Parents of children with developmental disabilities were more likely to have “restricted/unsupported” networks, whereas parents in the comparison group were more likely to have “diverse/supported” networks. Social support was more important for differentiating the network types of parents of children with developmental disabilities, while social integration was more salient for the comparison group. Parents of children with developmental disabilities fared worse on all outcomes relative to parents of children without disabilities. However, the typology had a compensatory psychological effect; the diverse/supported network type conferred greater mental health benefits to parents of children with developmental disabilities than to those in the comparison group. The diverse/supported network type was also associated with better physical health, but the associations did not differ between the two parent groups. Conclusions The results of this study emphasize the importance of social determinants of well-being for those with exceptional parenting responsibilities. Strengthening social networks may have a particularly positive impact on such parents' mental health.
Resistance of Canada Yew ( Taxus canadensis ) Branch Wood to Two Wood Decay Fungi

Wood of the larger yews ( Taxus spp.) is reported to be decay-resistant, but little is known about the decay resistance of Canada Yew ( Taxus canadensis Marsh.) wood. Branch wood from Canada Yew was compared to branch wood from Northern Red Oak ( Quercus rubra L.) and Eastern White Cedar ( Thuja occidentalis L.) in a standard laboratory decay test to evaluate its resistance to decay by two decay fungi. Canada Yew was shown to be significantly more resistant to decay by Gloeophyllum trabeum (Pers.) Murr. (a brown rot fungus) and Trametes versicolor (L.: Fr.) Quel. (a white rot fungus) than Northern Red Oak ( P ≤ 0.05). Canada Yew was shown to be equal to Eastern White Cedar in resistance to decay by G. trabeum and more than twice as resistant to decay by Trametes versicolor (P ≤ 0.05). These results may have relevance for survival of Canada Yew, which is under pressure from browsing by White-tailed Deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ).
Approach to the Patient with Elevated Pulmonary Arterial Pressure

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) refers to a mean pulmonary arterial pressure ≥25 mmHg and may be related to elevations in left atrial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, cardiac output, or combinations thereof. When the mechanism of PH is related to an elevation in vascular resistance, the term pulmonary arterial hypertension is used, and may occur in the presence or absence of certain associated conditions. Identification of this subset is important as these patients are at an elevated risk of morbidity and mortality related to progressive right heart failure. Symptoms are nonspecific, and the clinician must maintain a high index of suspicion in order to minimize diagnostic delay, particularly when the history and results of ancillary testing do not suggest an alternative explanation for cardiopulmonary symptoms. Echocardiography provides valuable information that can aid the clinician in estimating the degree of PH, as well as gauge the likelihood that any observed elevations in pulmonary pressures are related to left atrial hypertension. In addition, relatively simple metrics of right ventricular size and function can be obtained. When such abnormalities exist in isolation, the clinician should have a high suspicion for pulmonary vascular disease. Right heart catheterization remains the gold standard for confirming the presence of PH, determining its hemodynamic basis, and guiding therapeutic decisions. Assessing hemodynamics with exercise may be informative in patients with predominantly exertional symptoms who display normal or equivocal values at rest.
Straightedge and Compass Constructions

Having covered an immense amount of abstract material in the previous six chapters, we are finally at the point where we can study constructibility!
Temperature-Sensitive mutants of influenza virus. VII. Transfer of the TS-1[E] lesions to a wild-type influenza A virus with the HON1 surface antigens.

Abstract The nature of the genetic defect(s) present in the influenza A/Hong Kong/1968-ts-1[E] (H3N2) candidate vaccine virus, was analyzed by transferring them by genetic recombination to a 1943 HON1 wild-type virus. Three classes of ts viruses bearing the HO hemagglutinin were identified. One class consisted of two clones of virus, R1 and R8, which underwent complementation-recombination with each other but not with the Hong Kong/1968 (H3N2)-ts-1[E] parent virus. The second class consisted of clones of virus, such as R4 and R11, that failed to undergo complementation-recombination with R1, with R8, or with the ts-1[E] parent. These data indicated that the parent Hong Kong ts-1[E] virus possessed two ts lesions that segregated independently of each other and were presumably on different segments of the influenza A virus genome. The third class of ts mutants consisted of a spontaneously occurring ts mutant, clone R9; this clone underwent complementation-recombination with the ts-1[E] parent and other HO-ts recombinants and was shown to belong to a complementation group different than clones R1 and R8. The ts defects present in the Hong Kong-ts-1[E] donor virus segregated independently of the genes that coded for the epidemiologically important surface antigens, i.e., the hemagglutinin and the neuraminidase glycoproteins. The implications of these findings for the development of a live attenuated influenza virus vaccine are discussed.
Precordial S-T segment depression in inferior myocardial infarction

The relation of initial precordial S-T segment depression to anterior ischemia and eventual prognosis was studied in 70 patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction (MI). Early quantitative thallium-201 scintigraphy and technetium-99m ventriculography were used to evaluate anterior ischemia. In comparison with patients without S-T segment depression, those with depression had lower global ejection fraction (EF), 45 ± 10 versus 52 ± 7 (p precordial S-T segment depression is a marker of larger MI size and not of anterior ischemia . When examined with other variables reflecting MI size and left ventricular function, precordial S-T segment depression was not a significant independent risk factor.
Enhanced Antitumor Responses Elicited by Combinatorial Protein Transfer of Chemotactic and Costimulatory Molecules

Thus far, immunotherapies based on one or a few immunostimulatory molecules have shown limited antitumor efficacy. This highlights the need to use multiple immunostimulatory molecules, to target different immune cells, including immunosuppressive cells, simultaneously. Consequently, in this study, we delivered intratumorally via protein transfer four molecules, including the chemotactic molecules secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine and Fas ligand and the costimulatory molecules 4-1BBL and TNF-related activation-induced cytokine. Secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine and Fas ligand together can attract an array of immune cells and induce apoptosis in CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Treg), whereas 4-1BBL and TRANCE together can stimulate T cells and dendritic cells (DCs). We show that the transfer of all four molecules increases tumor-infiltrating neutrophils, DCs, and CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and decreases intratumoral Treg. We show that the treatment favors the generation of a Th1 cytokine milieu at the tumor site, which is attributed not only to an increase in IL-12-producting DCs and IFN-gamma-producing CD8(+) T cells, but also to a decrease in IL-10-producing Treg. Importantly, in the L5178Y lymphoma model, we show that compared with transfer of the chemotactic molecules alone or the costimulatory molecules alone, transfer of all four molecules demonstrates stronger antitumor responses against established tumors. Furthermore, we show that the antitumor responses elicited by transfer of all four molecules are mediated by long-term, systemic antitumor immunity. Hence, this study demonstrates for the first time that combinatorial use of chemotactic and costimulatory molecules provides a useful strategy for enhancing antitumor responses.
Hybrid Atomistic-Continuum Formulations for Multiscale Hydrodynamics

Hybrid atomistic-continuum formulations allow the simulation of complex hydrodynamic phenomena at the nano and micro scales without the prohibitive cost of a fully atomistic approach. Hybrid formulations typically employ a domain decomposition strategy whereby the atomistic model is limited to regions of the flow field where required and the continuum model is implemented side-by-side in the remainder of the domain within a single computational framework. This strategy assumes that non-continuum phenomena are localized and that coupling of the two descriptions can be achieved in a spatial region where both formulations are valid. In this article we review hybrid atomistic-continuum methods for multiscale hydrodynamic applications. Both liquid and gas formulations are considered. The choice of coupling method and its relation to the fluid physics as well as the differences between incompressible and compressible hybrid methods are discussed using illustrative examples.
TIME-OF-FLIGHT NEUTRON-SCATTERING STUDY OF YBINCU4 AND YBIN0.3AG0.7CU4

We report neutron-scattering experiments for ${\mathrm{YbInCu}}_{4}$ that were performed in the time-of-flight mode at a neutron spallation source. Two independent methods were used to determine the nonmagnetic scattering and both gave comparable results for the magnetic scattering. The magnetic scattering was measured at temperatures $T=30$ and 60 K, below and above the temperature of the valence transition ${T}_{s}=40\mathrm{K}.$ Our key result is that the spin dynamics in the mixed valent phase are well described over a broad range of energy transfer $(10l\ensuremath{\Delta}El150\mathrm{meV})$ and incident energies $(35l~{E}_{i}l~150\mathrm{meV})$ by a Lorentzian power spectrum, centered at ${E}_{0}\ensuremath{\cong}40\mathrm{meV},$ and with halfwidth $\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{\cong}13\mathrm{meV}.$ The magnetic susceptibility derived from the fits is within 20% of the value measured for the dc susceptibility. The peak energy is in good agreement with the Kondo temperature derived from thermodynamic studies but the Lorentzian line shape fits the data significantly better $({\ensuremath{\chi}}^{2}\ensuremath{\cong}2)$ than the line shape expected for a Kondo impurity $({\ensuremath{\chi}}^{2}\ensuremath{\cong}10).$ In addition we report results for ${\mathrm{YbIn}}_{0.3}{\mathrm{Ag}}_{0.7}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{4}.$ For this compound, the scattering is inelastic at low temperature (at 10 K ${E}_{0}=7.4\mathrm{meV},$ and $\ensuremath{\Gamma}=7.6\mathrm{meV}$) but is quasielastic at higher temperature where $\ensuremath{\Gamma}=10.0$ and 13.2 meV at 150 and 300 K, respectively. This increase in linewidth is contrary to the 50% decrease in linewidth predicted by the Anderson impurity model for this temperature range, and is also smaller than the factor of four increase in characteristic energy suggested by application of the impurity model to the magnetic susceptibility.
Exsanguination by intent: controlled phlebotomy during resection of a giant vascular malformation in a 22-month-old child

Resection of large vascular malformations may require transection across the lesion, resulting in uncontrollable bleeding with the risk of exsanguination or massive transfusion-related complications such as hyperkalemic cardiac arrest. We present the anesthetic management of a 22-month-old child with a giant vascular malformation who required surgical intervention because of increasing pain and bleeding from the lesion. As a standard resection carried a high risk of mortality for the patient, a novel surgical approach was performed, consisting of gradual compression of the lesion, reducing its base to allow transection across the smallest possible area. This compression resulted in acute massive autotransfusion managed by therapeutic phlebotomy of more than twice the circulating blood volume of the patient, guided by CVP and blood pressure. Although subsequent resection was still associated with large blood loss, the hemodynamic course of the patient was stable, and both bleeding and massive transfusion occurred in a controlled fashion allowing safe and successful resection of the malformation.
Porphyria cutanea tarda and pregnancy

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is an inborn error of metabolism. It is one of a family of six genetically distinct porphyrias and is characterized by a disorder of heme synthesis, resulting in the excess accumulation and excretion of uroporphyrins and coproporphyrins. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of a successful pregnancy in a patient undergoing active therapy for this biochemical and clinical abnormality.
Irradiation sensitivity of cervix cancer: response of cultured cervix cancer cells to irradiation.

Abstract 1. 1. A new in vitro approach to the problem of predicting irradiation sensitivity of female genital tumors is described. 2. 2. The results indicate that some carcinomas are relatively resistant to irradiation, whereas others are readily destroyed. Although the results appear promising, it is premature to assume that irradiation sensitivity of cultured cancer cells in vitro truly reflects the tumor's response in vivo.
Screening antidepressants in the chick separation-stress paradigm

Rationale Clinical research has indicated that antidepressants are efficacious in the treatment of anxiety disorders, especially when repeatedly administered. However, few animal models of anxiety are sensitive to antidepressants, a finding that may be due to procedures limited to acute administrations.
San Andreas Fault Earthquake Chronology and Lake Cahuilla History at Coachella, California

The southernmost ~100 km of the San Andreas fault has not ruptured historically. It is imperative to determine its rupture history to better predict its future behavior. This paleoseismic investigation in Coachella, California, establishes a chronology of at least five and up to seven major earthquakes during the past ~1100 yr. This chronology yields a range of average recurrence intervals between 116 and 221 yr, depending on assumptions, with a best-estimate average recurrence interval of 180 yr. The most recent earthquake occurred c.1690, more than 300 yr ago, suggesting that this stretch of the fault has accumulated a large amount of tectonic stress and is likely to rupture in the near future, assuming the fault follows a stress renewal model. This study also establishes the timing of the past 5–6 highstands of ancient Lake Cahuilla since A.D. 800. We found that earthquakes do not tend to occur at any particular stage in the lake cycle.
An energy dissipation-based model for damage stimulated bone adaptation

Based on experimental observations, several researchers have proposed a role for damage processes in stimulating an adaptive response in bone. In the current study we propose a model for bone adaptation based on cyclic energy dissipation as a measure of bone damage creation. By reanalyzing the fatigue data of Pattin et al. (1996), we derive a uniaxial form of the damage based formulation applicable to cortical regions experiencing primarily longitudinal stresses. Because of the experimentally observed difference between damage formation under tension and compression (Pattin et al., 1996), this formulation naturally predicts a difference in the adaptive response to tensile and compressive loading. This feature distinguishes the new formulation from existing strain energy based adaptation theories which treat tensile and compressive strains identically. Thus, developmental adaptation in response to unequal generation of damage provides one possible explanation for the experimentally observed difference between peak tensile and compressive bone surface strains.
Attitudes of State Legislators toward Contracting for Public Services

The extent to which state legislators believe that contracting with the private sector is proper for certain public functions is examined in this article. The authors argue that these legislative attitudes toward contracting are important to administrators expected to design service delivery systems. Results of a survey are presented to document preferences of legislators about contracting. The authors then illustrate that these preferences form a hierarchy. At the top of this hierarchy are public functions for which contracting generally is perceived as proper or improper by state legislators. Theoretical arguments are then presented to help explain why these patterns in legislative attitudes occur.
Interactions Among Phenolic Monomers and In Vitro Fermentation

Abstract Phenolic monomers commonly in four roughages (alfalfa hay, soybean stover, smooth bromegrass hay, or ensiled cornstalks) were included in semipurified substrates in in vitro fermentation experiments. In Experiment 1, phenolics were added as mixtures of compounds to mimic phenolic monomer composition of roughages. In Experiment 2, phenolics were added individually at 1.0, 5.0, and 9.0%. Cellulose, starch, and protein digestions were measured in these experiments. In Experiment 3, eleven phenolic monomers were added to the substrate individually at 1.0%, and residues were analyzed after 48h of digestion for remaining phenolic monomers. Mixtures of phenolic monomers tested in Experiment 1 did not affect cellulose, starch, or protein digestion. The higher percentages of phenolic monomers tested in Experiment 2 resulted in linear decreases of cellulose and starch digestion with increasing phenolic concentrations. Salicyclic acid produced the greatest inhibition for cellulose degradation, whereas vanillin was most effective for depressing starch digestion. Protein digestion was inhibited only by protocatechuic acid additions to the substrate. Recoveries of phenolic monomers in Experiment 3 were low for all compounds. The presence of several unidentified compounds in the fermentation residues suggested extensive microbial metabolism of phenolic monomers.
Effects of urbanization on streamflow in the Atlanta area (Georgia, USA): a comparative hydrological approach

For the period from 1958 to 1996, streamflow characteristics of a highly urbanized watershed were compared with less-urbanized and non-urbanized watersheds within a 20000 km 2 region in the vicinity of Atlanta, Georgia: in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge physiographic provinces of the southeastern USA. Water levels in several wells completed in surficial and crystalline-rock aquifers were also evaluated. Data were analysed for seven US Geological Survey (USGS) stream gauges, 17 National Weather Service rain gauges, and five USGS monitoring wells. Annual runoff coefficients (RCs; runoff as a fractional percentage of precipitation) for the urban stream (Peachtree Creek) were not significantly greater than for the less-urbanized watersheds. The RCs for some streams were similar to others and the similar streams were grouped according to location. The RCs decreased from the higher elevation and higher relief watersheds to the lower elevation and lower relief watersheds: values were 0! 54 for the two Blue Ridge streams, 0! 37 for the four middle Piedmont streams (near Atlanta), and 0! 28 for a southern Piedmont stream. For the 25 largest stormflows, the peak flows for Peachtree Creek were 30% to 100% greater than peak flows for the other streams. The storm recession period for the urban stream was 1‐2 days less than that for the other streams and the recession was characterized by a 2-day storm recession constant that was, on average, 40 to 100% greater, i.e. streamflow decreased more rapidly than for the other streams. Baseflow recession constants ranged from 35 to 40% lower for Peachtree Creek than for the other streams; this is attributed to lower evapotranspiration losses, which result in a smaller change in groundwater storage than in the less-urbanized watersheds. Low flow of Peachtree Creek ranged from 25 to 35% less than the other streams, possibly the result of decreased infiltration caused by the more efficient routing of stormwater and the paving of groundwater recharge areas. The timing of daily or monthly groundwater-level fluctuations was similar annually in each well, reflecting the seasonal recharge. Although water-level monitoring only began in the 1980s for the two urban wells, water levels displayed a notable decline compared with non-urban wells since then; this is attributed to decreased groundwater recharge in the urban watersheds due to increased imperviousness and related rapid storm runoff. Copyright ! 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dual-frequency, dual-quadrature, birdcage RF coil design with identical b1 pattern for sodium and proton imaging of the human brain at 1.5 T

Rapid quantification of tissue metabolites in vivo by MRS or MRI can be achieved using dual-frequency RF coils with identical B1 field distributions at the observation frequencies of the metabolites and tissue water protons. Tissue sodium is used as an example for optimizing the dual-frequency, dual-quadrature RF coils for such measurements in humans. In the setting of sodium imaging, the challenge of dual-quadrature birdcage configurations is to decouple the sodium and proton channels because the fourth harmonic of the sodium frequency is very close to the proton frequency. A generalizable method for effectively decoupling these two RF frequencies is presented in this paper. The method is demonstrated with the design of an EPI compatible, dual-quadrature, double-tuned, 23Na/1H birdcage coil. The performance of the RF probe is reported at 1.5 Tesla in terms of signal-to-noise ratio, B1 homogeneity and image quality.
Low-temperature storage influences morphological and physiological characteristics of nonrooted cuttings of New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri)

Abstract Herbaceous shoot-tip cuttings of New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) are commonly harvested in equatorial countries and then packaged, shipped, and subsequently rooted by greenhouse growers in subtropical and temperate climates. We quantified how storage temperature (0–30 °C) and duration (0–5 d) influenced chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange, and visual quality of nonrooted cuttings of New Guinea impatiens ‘Harmony White’ and ‘Harmony Magenta’ and their subsequent survival, rooting, growth, and development. Stock plants were grown at 23.2 ± 1.7 °C (mean ± standard deviation) under a 16-h photoperiod and a mean photosynthetic daily light integral (DLI) of 9.2–12.3 mol m−2. Cuttings were harvested and stored for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 d at 0.7 ± 2.2, 5.7 ± 1.8, 10.9 ± 1.2, 15.3 ± 0.7, 21.0 ± 0.5, 26.2 ± 0.7, or 30.0 ± 0.6 °C. Rooting occurred in a controlled greenhouse environment with overhead mist, a vapor-pressure deficit of 300 Pa, mean air and media temperatures of 24.2 ± 1.7 and 23.7 ± 1.7 °C, respectively, a mean DLI of 3.9 mol m−2, and natural photoperiods. As storage duration increased from 0 to 5 d at 0 °C, chlorophyll fluorescence and visual quality decreased by 65% and 80% in ‘Harmony White’ and by 76% and 80% in ‘Harmony Magenta’, respectively. In addition, net photosynthesis had decreased from 10.6 to 2.4 μmol m−2 s−1 and respiration increased from 1.4 to 2.0 μmol m−2 s−1 in ‘Harmony White’ cuttings when measured after 11 d of propagation. The fresh-weight loss percentage was 25 °C. However, there were no significant trends on the effects of storage temperature and duration on subsequent time to flower, number of lateral branches formed, and plant height in cuttings. These results indicate that New Guinea impatiens cuttings can be stored for up to 5 d at 10–20 °C, with little or no impact on postharvest photosynthetic recovery, survival, visual quality, rooting, and subsequent plant performance.
Heritability of plasma leptin in a population sample of African-American families.

The aim of this study was to examine familial patterns of plasma leptin levels and the potential association with cardiovascular risk factors in a population sample of African-American families recruited from metropolitan Chicago. The study included 68 mothers, 31 fathers, 143 daughters, and 119 sons, for a total of 361 individuals from 118 families. Leptin levels were adjusted for the effect of age separately for mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons. Residuals were then standardized before estimating familial correlation using the maximum-likelihood method available in SEGPATH. With the exception of height, plasma leptin level was strongly correlated with all measured anthropometric variables. Familial effect (i.e., heritability) of leptin levels was estimated as 39% in this population at high risk for over weight. A significant sex difference was observed, and most of the estimated familial effect may be attributed to genetic influences since the spouse correlation was not statistically different from zero. A strong nonshared environmental effect is also suggested, however.
Robustness of adiabatic quantum computation

We study the fault tolerance of quantum computation by adiabatic evolution, a quantum algorithm for solving various combinatorial search problems. We describe an inherent robustness of adiabatic computation against two kinds of errors, unitary control errors and decoherence, and we study this robustness using numerical simulations of the algorithm.
Extraction of whole versus ground source rocks: Fundamental petroleum geochemical implications including oil-source rock correlation

Abstract In petroleum geochemistry, extractable hydrocarbons (HCs) in source rocks have typically been studied by grinding the rock to a fine powder (≤100 mesh) and then extracting the HCs from the rock with a solvent. This procedure carries the implicit assumption that the HCs are homogeneously distributed throughout the rock. However, sequential Soxhlet extractions of whole (unpowdered) source rocks have shown that progressive extracts from the same rock can be quite different and may not even correlate with each other. A crude oil-like material clearly has been fractionated from indigenous bitumen in these rocks, has moved to cracks and parting laminae in the rocks, is ready for expulsion from the rocks, and is thus most accessible to the first extracting solvents. This process, which we believe is largely due to HC gases and carbon dioxide generated over all maturation ranks in source rocks, carries petroleum geochemical implications of a fundamental nature for oil-source rock correlations and gives insight into primary migration mechanisms, origin of oil deposits, and use of maturity and organic-facies indices.
Laparoscopic versus open resection of colorectal liver metastasis

Background Findings have shown laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) to be feasible and safe, but the data in the literature regarding oncologic outcomes are scant. This study aimed to compare the perioperative and short-term oncologic outcomes between LLR and open resection of colorectal liver metastasis (CLM).
Meta-analysis of effectiveness and safety of abciximab versus eptifibatide or tirofiban in percutaneous coronary intervention.

Abstract Three platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists have been evaluated in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). One of these agents, abciximab, is structurally and pharmacologically quite different from the other 2, eptifibatide and tirofiban. We conducted a meta-analysis to determine whether different antagonist types achieved different clinical outcomes, possibly related to their structural differences. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated and a random effects model was used to combine the outcomes of 14,644 patients enrolled in 8 prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials assessing treatment with a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor to prevent ischemic complications of PCI. Neither abciximab (OR 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.4 to 1.9) nor eptifibatide or tirofiban treatment (OR 0.74; 95% CI 0.4 to 1.28) resulted in reductions in mortality. Only the abciximab-treated patients had reductions in myocardial infarction (4.3% vs 8.5%, OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.40 to 0.59). There was no effect of eptifibatide or tirofiban on myocardial infarction (OR 0.85; 95% CI 0.69 to 1.04). Urgent revascularization was reduced in both abciximab-treated (2.7% vs 6.2%, OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.53) and eptifibatide- and tirofiban-treated (4.2% vs 5.5%, OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.60 to 0.96) groups. Only abciximab-treated patients had increased major bleeding (5.8% vs 3.8%; OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.24 to 1.90). There was no effect of eptifibatide or tirofiban on major bleeding (5.0% vs 4.3%; OR 1.19; 95% CI 0.94 to 1.52). Thus, significant differences exist between clinical outcomes achieved by abciximab and those achieved by eptifibatide or tirofiban following PCI procedures.
Experimental evidence for the pore continuum in hybrid catalysts used in the selective deep catalytic cracking of n-hexane and petroleum naphthas

The hybrid catalyst investigated in this work comprises an acidified silica-rich ZSM-5 zeolite, the microporous H-silicalite, and a mesoporous cocatalyst, being an amorphous silica-alumina doped with molybdenum and cerium oxides. When compared to a mechanical mixture of extrudates made of H-silicalite and silica-alumina based cocatalyst, respectively, the hybrid catalyst gives faster adsorption of nitrogen and desorption of preadsorbed nitrogen. On the other hand, a much higher conversion of n-hexane (cracking) was obtained with the hybrid catalyst while the product selectivities are almost the same for all the cases. Such behavior is ascribed to the kinetic effect of the pore continuum being formed in the hybrid catalyst pore system, which has as a consequence to speed up the diffusion of reactant molecules and that of reaction products from the zeolite micropores. By changing the support for the cocatalyst, which is now a mesoporous silica, we observe the same pore continuum effect, i.e. the resulting hybrid catalyst experiences a very significant activity enhancement.
Using affective appraisal to help readers construct literary interpretations

Students can readily engage in summary and literal sense-making when reading poems, short stories, and other literary texts, but are often unable to construct inferences and thematic interpretations of these works. This paper discusses the results of an instructional intervention built on an affect-based model of literary interpretation. Students in the intervention group spent four weeks reading and writing about popular and canonical texts, with a focus on poetry. As they read, they identified valence-laden language, made appraisals of valence, and then explained or justified their appraisals. Analyses of pre- and post-test results show that the intervention group made significant gains in the level of interpretive responses to poems compared to a control group of students who were not explicitly taught to engage in affective appraisal. This work sheds light on ways in which affect-based interpretive strategies can support novice readers’ interpretive practices.
Scanning Electron Microscopy of Saponified Starch‐g‐Polyacrylonitrile

A series of starch-g-polyacrylonitrile (PAN) copolymers was prepared by ceric ammonium nitrate initiation, the only differences being in the degree of swelling and gelatinization of starch granules. This variable was governed by the temperature at which starch-water slurries were heated before graft polymerization. Graft copolymers were then saponified with sodium hydroxide to convert the nitrile substituents of PAN to sodium carboxylate and carboxamide. Comparison of scanning electron micrographs of each starch-g-PAN copolymer with those of the corresponding saponified product showed particles which retain the outward appearance of graft polymerized starch granules. Since starch is soluble in alkali and PAN is also rendered soluble on alkaline saponification, a crosslinking reaction either during graft polymerization or during base saponification is proposed to account for the observation that granules are not totally disrupted or dissolved.
A novel role of complement in retinal degeneration.

Purpose The association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of components of the complement alternative pathway with the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) indicates that complement signaling plays an important role in retinal physiology. How genetic variation leads to retinal degeneration is unknown. It has been assumed that complement activation augments immune responses, which in turn initiate AMD pathogenesis. To better understand the relationship between complement and the outer retina, we examined mice lacking the main complement component C3 and the receptors for complement activation fragments C3a (C3aR) and/or C5a (C5aR). Methods Complement mutant mice were studied along with wild-type (WT) littermates from 6 weeks to 14 months of age. Strobe flash electroretinography (ERG) was used to examine outer retinal function and a dc-ERG technique was used to measure ERG components generated by the retinal pigment epithelium. Retinas were examined by histology, immunohistochemistry, and biochemistry. Results Mice lacking C3aR and/or C5aR developed early onset and progressive retinal degeneration, accompanied by cleaved caspase-3 upregulation. Genetic deletion of C3aR and/or C5aR led to cell-specific defects that matched the cellular localization of these receptors in the WT retina. Compared to WT, C3aR(-/-) and C3aR(-/-)C5aR(-/-) mice showed increased retinal dysfunction upon light exposure. C3aR(-/-)C5aR(-/-) mice immunized with 4-hydroxynonenal-adducted protein developed severe retinal impairment unrelated to immune response. Conclusions C3aR- and C5aR-mediated signaling was necessary to maintain normal retinal function and structure. These receptors may be important biomarkers for predicting retinal degeneration including AMD.
Laser opto-acoustic imaging of the breast: detection of cancer angiogenesis

First clinical prototype laser optoacoustic imaging system (LOIS) for breast cancer detection was designed and fabricated using a compact Nd:YAG laser, fiberoptic light delivery system, a linear array of 12 wide-band acoustic transducers, and a data acquisition card operated by computer with original signal processing and image reconstruction code. Initially images of small absorbing spheres were recorded in the milk with optical properties resembling those of the breast at the wavelength of 1064-nm. The system was optimized for contrast, sensitivity and axial (in-depth) resolution. The small number of acoustic transducers (12), which in turn was determined by the system cost and the time of image acquisition limited the lateral resolution of the images. Clinical ex-vivo studies on radical mastectomy specimens were performed and compared with x-ray radiography, MRI and ultrasound imaging. The results of our pilot clinical studies showed pronounced opto-acoustic contrast of ~300% between breast tumors and normal breast tissues. This contrast substantially exceeds any other endogenous tissue contrast currently utilized in clinical ultrasonography, MRI and x-ray mammography. Based on literature data and our gross observations of tumor cross-sections we hypothesize that the opto-acoustic contrast results primarily from increased optical absorption in the dense microvascularity of the tumors. In patients receiving radiotherapy, tumors were found to contain enhances concentration of dense highly scattering fiberotic tissue.
The reliability of several accelerated tool life testing methods

This paper presents the results of an investigation which compared tool life values obtained from three accelerated tool life testing methods : the facing method, the taper turning method, and a curtailed conventional method, with a ‘ full time ’ conventional testing method. In addition, the experiment was repeated, using tools having an artificial wearland prehoned on the cutting edge of a sharp tool to investigate the effect on data variability occurring with the prehoned wearland tools. The research was conducted under single point turning conditions, using disposable carbide insert tools. The tools and workpiece. materials were utilized in the ‘ as received ’ condition in an effort to try and duplicate actual shop usage as closely as possible. The tool life criterion value chosen was flank wear.
Magnetic resonance imaging of experimental demyelinating lesions

An animal model of central nervous system demyelination was created by injecting rat internal capsules with lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). The resulting chemically induced demyelinating lesions were readily visible in T1 -weighted spin-echo, T2 weighted spin-echo, and inversion-recovery magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. Changes in lesions were followed over 8 weeks and correlated with histopathology. Histologically, lesions were characterized initially by an acute, inflammatory phase with edema and blood-brain barrier breakdown, followed by macrophage-mediated removal of myelin debris and finally by remyelination after 3 to 4 weeks. MRI can differentiate lesion stages in the LPC model and may be useful in investigating mechanistic aspects of the demyelinating process. In addition the well-localized lesions may be amenable to study by techniques of volume-localized NMR Spectroscopy. © 1990 Academic Press, Inc.
Ultrastructural localization of plasma lipoproteins in human intracranial arteries.

The fine-structural localization of apoB, the major protein constituent of both the low and very low density plasma lipoprotein fractions, was described in human middle cerebral and basilar arteries. Using an immunoperoxidase technique together with electron microscopy, apoB was localized only in arteries with atherosclerotic involvement and to the following regions in these arteries: 1. on the outer aspects of extracellular spherical structures with diameters of 250 to 700 A found predominantly in lipid cores and between bands of collagen fibers of advanced atherosclerotic lesions; 2. on the surface of reduplicated elastica; 3. along collagen fibers and; 4. on aggregates of extracellular spherical lipid globules. These results suggest that the extracellular spheres may represent the fine-structural morphology of deposited low and very low density lipoproteius and that free apoB may be bound to lipid globules, elastica, and collagen fibers.
A MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF ECHINOCEREUS ENGELMANNII (CACTACEAE). IV. LEAF AND SPINE PRIMORDIA

A stereological morphometric study of leaf primordia (P1 and P2) of Echinocereus engelmannii indicated that primordia are significantly different ultrastructurally from the shoot apical meristem tissues (tunica and peripheral zone) that produce the primordia. Leaf initiation involves readjustments of rates of synthesis and growth of cytoplasm, vacuoles, mitochondria, chloroplasts, and dictyosomes, such that leaf initiation must be a complex process in which different cell components are affected individually. Furthermore, leaf primordia are ultrastructurally distinct from spine primordia. Leaf and spine primordia as young as these are not yet irrevocably determined, thus different types of primordia, from the time of their inception and before their determination, have distinctly unique metabolisms; primordia are not merely generalized, uncommitted outgrowths whose developmental fate is set at some time later than inception.