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This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and can be found at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291748-7692. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work.

To evaluate the potential to conduct population-based epidemiologic studies using multi-institutional data, the quality of data extracted from the MedARKS system was evaluated with regard to atoxoplasmosis in Bali mynahs (Leucopsar rothschildi). Data extracted for 338 Bali mynahs from 34 institutions were analyzed for completeness, correctness, and consistency and subjectively analyzed for accessibility. Data completeness was ascertained by analysis of missing records, tests, and blank fields. Two hundred and sixty four records had animal enclosure information missing, nine records were missing from the parasitology module, and 85 records did not include tests or results. Data correctness was assessed by evaluation of unclear and inaccurate results. From 2,432 parasitology records, 81 tests (3.3%) were not definitive because of uninterpretable entries. Data consistency was assessed by comparing the problem list to positive tests in the parasitology module and listing of buffy coat smears in the clinical pathology module. Overall, six different terms with 28 values were used to denote "positive for Atoxoplasma sp.," and a substantial number of discrepancies were found between problem lists, parasitology modules, and test findings among these data records. In general, this study showed that the data contained in a computer patient record (CPR) system for zoos has great promise for population-level studies if specific areas are addressed, including 1) reduced reliance on free-text data entry, 2) universal use of a standardized vocabulary, 3) use of methods to identify and track individual animals accurately and easily, 4) integration of data checks and maintenance methods, and 5) concerted use of "centralized" animal medical record information.

Muon catalyzed dd fusion in D2 and HD gases in the temperature range from 28 to 350 K was investigated in a series of experiments based on a time-projection ionization chamber operating with pure hydrogen. All main observables in this reaction chain were measured with high absolute precision including the resonant and non-resonant ddμ formation rates, the rate for hyperfine transitions in dμ atoms, the branching ratio of the two charge symmetric fusion channels 3He + n and t + p and the muon sticking probability. The report presents the final analysis of the data together with a comprehensive comparison with calculations based on recent μCF theories. The energy of the loosely bound ddμ state with quantum numbers J = 1, ν = 1, which is central to the mechanism of resonant molecule formation, is extracted with precision ɛ11(fit) = −1.9651(7) eV. in impressive agreement with the latest theoretical results ɛ11(theory) = −1.9646 eV.

Millimeter-wave imaging techniques, based on synthetic aperture focusing (SAF), have been successfully used for nondestructive testing (NDT) of various composite and aerospace structures. Most current imaging mechanisms utilize raster scanning platforms, whereby the imaging system is scanned in a rectangular grid over the structure-under-test (SUT). Most raster scanning platforms, although relatively simple in design and construction, are inherently slow. Furthermore, SAF techniques necessitates the use of vector-measuring instruments such as a vector network analyzer (VNA), which are typically: 1) bulky; 2) cannot be mounted on scanning platforms; 3) are not suitable for in-field use; and 4) expensive. These factors limit the effectiveness of these millimeter-wave imaging techniques in applications where frequent and rapid inspection of large structures is required. Hence, there is a great demand for rapid mechanical scanning systems combined with portable wideband transceivers in order to increase the utility of these imaging techniques, and provide a real solution to many practical NDT applications. To this end, a unique rotary scanner system, capable of scanning a relatively large area in a relatively short span of time, was designed and constructed. In addition, a custom-designed portable transceiver system operating in the frequency range of 35-45 GHz (Q-band) was developed and incorporated into the rotary scanner system for producing coherent (amplitude and phase) and accurate data suitable for synthetic aperture imaging and the 10-GHz bandwidth allows the generation of relatively high-resolution millimeter-wave holographical images. This paper presents the design of the rotary scanning system, the associated Q-band transceiver and the integration of the two systems via a custom-designed software. To illustrate the efficacy of the complete imaging system, SAF of several complex structures produced using the proposed system, are presented and discussed.

Recently, a real-time and portable 2-D microwave imaging system operating at 24 GHz, incorporating modulation schemes similar to modulated scatterer technique and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging technique, was designed using a heterodyne receiver with superior performance compared with a homodyne receiver. Multifrequency SAR images have the added advantage of providing for: 1) coherent averaging of image data over frequency and hence increasing system signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and 2) enable volumetric (3-D) image production. This letter describes modifications to this receiver for enabling multifrequency operation through phase uncertainty (PU) analysis. These modifications show significant reduction in PU, thereby allowing the coherent addition of data necessary for SAR image formation with higher overall SNR.

Tarsal coalition is a congenital defect that results when adjacent tarsals fail to separate properly during embryonic development. Anatomically, coalitions present as non-osseous bridges of cartilage or fibrocar- tilage - and occasionally as osseous bridges - between two neighboring bones. In skeletons, non-osseous tarsal coalitions are recognizable as matching lesions between two bones at predictable locations. These coalitions are of interest because they are known to be heritable and are therefore useful for tracing genetic relatives in archaeological cemeteries, because they can be misinterpreted in skeletons as trauma or joint disease, and because they can result in associated pathology. However, despite a considerable literature on tarsal coalition, estimates of coalition frequencies disagree considerably, perhaps due to biases inherent in clinical sampling. In order to gain a better estimate of tarsal coalition frequencies in human populations, data were gathered on 342 European-Americans from the Terry Collection (Smithsonian Institution), 536 South Africans from the Dart Collection (University of Witwatersrand, South Africa), and 756 medieval Danish skeletons (Anthropological Database, Odense University). The Danish skeletons are archaeological, with sample sizes by coalition type ranging from 366-507 individuals. Examples of eight different types of intertarsal coalition were identified among the 1634 skeletons examined. Overall frequency estimates for tarsal coalition ranged from 2.1%-3.5%. South Africans exhibited significantly higher frequencies in the midfoot, with naviculocuneiform I coalition (1.0%) the most common type. Conversely, no coalitions of the midfoot were found among the Euro-Americans or medieval Danes. Instead, these groups exhibited calcaneonavicular coalition as the most common type in the hindfoot (2.0% and 2.1% respectively), while calcaneonavicular coalition was among the least common in the South Africans (0.2%). Copyright 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Nursery container preemergence herbicides must be applied multiple times, usually every 6 to 8 wk, in order to maintain acceptable weed control. Nursery growers have identified extended duration of container preemergence activity as a research priority for reduction of herbicide usage and costs. The objective of this study was to determine if the combination of slow-release (microencapsulated [ME]) formulations of alachlor and acetochlor with wood-based organic mulches could provide extended efficacy and reduced phytotoxicity vs. over-the-top (OTT) sprays or mulch alone. Efficacy and phytotoxicity studies were conducted over 3 yr with various plants. Both acetochlor formulation OTT sprays reduced spirea shoot dry weights at 45 and 110 days after treatment (DAT) compared with the controls, and emulsifiable concentrate (EC) acetochlor OTT spray also reduced shoot dry weights of rose. No herbicide-treated bark mulch (TBM) combination reduced rose or spirea shoot dry weights. EC acetochlor + hardwood (in 2003) was the only treatment to provide 100% weed control at 45 and 110 DAT. The addition of EC or ME acetochlor to mulch reduced phytotoxicity and extended efficacy in 2002 and 2003; alachlor EC or ME TBM did not. Regardless of bark type, 3-yr average EC and ME TBM were 80% more effective than untreated bark mulch (UBM) and 83% and 98% more effective at 45 and 110 DAT, respectively than their comparable OTT sprays. Of the eight treatments that received ratings above commercially acceptable, averaged over dates and years, the three providing the least phytotoxicity and greatest extent, consistency, and duration of efficacy were all TBM combinations: EC acetochlor + Douglas fir or hardwood bark, EC acetochlor + pine, and ME acetochlor + pine. TBM-reduced phytotoxicity compared with OTT sprays.

A production system developed at Ohio State University (OSU), Columbus, OH, using retractable roof greenhouses (RRGs) (Cravo Equipment, Ltd., Brantford, ON, Canada) and containerized tree liner production has indicated acceleration of production times when out planted to Pot-in-Pot (PIP) or nursery fields versus conventional bareroot (BR) or polyhouse production. The system also increased cropping consistency via reduced mortalities and showed promise in new market expansion, including higher priced, difficult-to-grow species. In 2004, #3 (trade 3-gallon or 11.4 L) containerized tree liners from RRGs had 0% mortality versus field BR production Quercus rubra at 42% after out-planting into nursery fields to grow on as specimen trees. Averaged over species, RRG liners reached saleable size of 50 mm caliper two years sooner than the BR liners (a 40% reduction in production time). In 2006, #3 containerized tree liners from RRG's had 27% mortality versus field BR production at 87% after out-planting to #7 (trade 7-gallon or 26.5 L) containers and harsh conditions in PIP fields. Averaged over species and one growing season, caliper and height of RRG liners were 82 and 84% larger than BR liners, respectively. Recently RRG liners have shown utility in high stress environments along Ontario, Canada highways leading The Ontario Ministry of Transportation to research an optimized planting process including use of RRG's liners.

Summary Reasons for performing study: To improve the understanding of exercise related sudden death in Thoroughbred racehorses. Objectives: To describe the post mortem findings in cases of sudden death associated with exercise in 268 Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Gross and histological post mortem findings of 268 cases of sudden death were collated and reviewed. Cases originated from 6 racing jurisdictions around the world. Sudden death was defined as acute collapse and death in a closely observed and previously apparently healthy Thoroughbred racehorse, during, or within one hour after, exercise. Cause of death as determined by the attending pathologist was categorised as definitive, presumptive or unexplained and compared between the different populations. Cardiopulmonary lesions recorded at post mortem examination were compared between different populations. Results: Pathologists recorded a definitive cause of death in 53% (143/268) of cases. Major definitive causes of sudden death included cardiac failure, apparent pulmonary failure, pulmonary haemorrhage, haemorrhage associated with pelvic fractures or with idiopathic blood vessel rupture, and spinal cord injury. A presumptive cause of death was made in 25% (67/268) of cases and death remained unexplained in 22% (58/268) of cases. There were several statistically significant inter-population differences in the cause of death and in reporting of cardiopulmonary lesions. Conclusions: Sudden death can be attributed to a variety of causes. Causes of sudden death and the lesions found in cases of exercise-related sudden death are similar in different racing jurisdictions. However, the lesions are often not specific for the cause of death and determination of the cause of death is therefore affected by interpretation by the individual pathologist.

The accessory navicular is a supernumerary bone of the human foot located medial to the navicular tuberosity and represents a secondary center of ossification that has failed to fuse to the main body of the navicular. Three forms of the accessory bone have been identified: Type I is an independent ossicle that is often embedded within the tibialis posterior tendon; Type II is a triangular accessory bone that attaches to the navicular tuberosity by means of a cartilaginous or fibrocartilaginous bridge; and Type III represents a fused Type II, which forms a hook-like protuberance extending from the tuberosity. The Type II accessory navicular is the most common of the three forms and is the most readily identifiable in skeletal material since it causes the navicular tuberosity to become abnormally flattened and porous. The purpose of this study was to describe the various manifestations of the accessory navicular in dry bone, to present and compare frequency data for several skeletal populations, and to consider questions of laterality and sex bias in trait expression. In total, the skeletons of 497 Danes, 460 Euro-Americans, 300 African Americans, 100 Japanese, and 205 Europeans were examined for the presence of the Type II accessory navicular. Overall frequencies for the five groups ranged from 2% in the African American sample to 5% in the Japanese sample. Since several family pedigrees have documented the accessory navicular as being an inherited skeletal defect, the relatively low frequency found in the present study makes this trait a potentially useful indicator of genetic relatedness within archaeological cemeteries. In addition, the trait was found to occur more often unilaterally than bilaterally and there was nearly equal incidence among males and females. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Summary Myelogenous leukemia was diagnosed in a 4-year old female cat. The onset of clinical illness was sudden, and clinical signs present were weakness, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and pale mucous membranes. Hematologic examination revealed anemia, leukocytosis and many immature granulocytes in the peripheral blood. Splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, lymphadenopathy and increased amount of red bone marrow were the principal lesions seen post mortem. Microscopic examination of tissue sections revealed masses of tumor cells in the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, kidney and adrenal. The true myelogenous origin of the tumor cells was determined by peroxidase staining of blood, bone marrow and tissue impression smears. Zusammenfassung Ein Fall von myelonischer Leukose bei der Katze Bei einer 4jahrigen Katze wurde eine myeloische Leukose diagnostiziert. Die Krankheit setzte plotzlich ein. Klinisch wurden folgende Symptome festgestellt: Allgemeine Schwache, Splenomegalie, Lymphadenopathie, blasse Schleimhaute. Hamatologie: Anamie, Leukozytose, viele unreife Granulozyten im peripheren Blut. Sektionsbefund: Splenomegalie, Hepatomegalie, Lymphadenopathie, Vermehrung des roten Knochenmarkes. Histologie: Tumorzellen in Leber, Milz, Lymphknoten, Knochenmark, Niere und Nebenniere. Der myeloische Ursprung der Tumorzellen wurde durch die Peroxydase-Reaktion der Zellen aus dem Blut, dem Knochenmark und andern Geweben erhartet. Resume Un cas de leucemie myelogene chez le chat On diagnostique une leucemie myelogene chez un chat femelle âge de 4 ans. Les signes cliniques de la maladie se sont declares brusquement, avec des symptomes de faiblesse, splenomegalie, lymphadenopathie et muqueuses pâles. L'examen hematologique revele une anemie, une leucocytose et de nombreux granulocytes immatures dans le sang peripherique. Les principales lesion observees post mortem sont une splenomegalie, hepatomegalie, lymphadenopathie et une quantite accrue de moelle osseuse rouge. Un examen microscopique des coupes de tissus revele une multitude de cellules tumorales dans le foie, le rate, les ganglions lymphatiques, la moelle osseuse, les reins et les surrenales. On determine l'origine myelogene reelle des ces cellules tumorales par une coloration peroxydasique du sang et de la moelle osseuse et par des decalques de tissus. Resumen Un caso de leucemia mielogena en el gato En una gata, de 4 anos de edad, se diagnostico leucemia mielogena. La aparicion de la enfermedad clinica fue repentina, y los sintomas clinicos presentes eran adelgazamiento, esplenomegalia, linfadenopatia y membranas mucosas palidas. El examen hematologico revelo anemia, leucocitosis y muchos granulocitos inmaduros en la sangre periferica. Las lesiones principales observadas en la autopsia fueron: esplenomegalia, hepatomegalia, linfadenopatia y aumento de la cantidad de medula osea roja. El examen microscopico de cortes histologicos evidencio masas de celulas tumorales en el higado, bazo, ganglios linfaticos, medula osea, rinon y glandula anterrenal. El origen mielogeno verdadero de las celulas tumorales se confirmo mediante la coloracion peroxidasica de la sangre, medula osea y extensiones de impresion histica.

We constructed a gene encoding rCAS, recombinant constant and subrepeat protein, modeled after tandem repeats found in the major silk proteins synthesized by aquatic larvae of the midge, Chironomus tentans. Bacterially synthesized rCAS was purified to near homogeneity and characterized by several biochemical and biophysical methods including amino-terminal sequencing, amino acid compositional analysis, sedimentation equilibrium ultracentrifugation, and mass spectrometry. Complementing these techniques with quantitative sulfhydryl assays, we discovered that the four cysteines present in rCAS form two intramolecular disulfide bonds. Mapping studies revealed that the disulfide bonds are heterogeneous. When reduced and denatured rCAS was allowed to refold and its disulfide bonding state monitored, it again adopted a conformation with two intramolecular disulfide bonds. The inherent ability of rCAS to quantitatively form two intramolecular disulfide bonds may reflect a previously unknown feature of the in vivo silk proteins from which it is derived.

The Air and space Operations Center (AOC), also deployed as Joint (JAOC) or Combined (CAOC), is the United States Air Force's (USAF's) weapon system for planning and executing theater-wide air and space forces. Like any USAF weapon system, trainers and warfighters need to assess AOC performance on a continual basis. Currently, no automated methods or tools exist to assess this performance. To address this need, a prototype assessment capability, the CAOC Performance Assessment System (CPAS) was developed. Working with and observing subject matter experts allowed engineers to identify the information required to support dynamic targeting training and assessment. Using rapid-prototyping spiral development, a “non-intrusive” data capture (collection and archiving) capability and an informative user display were developed and demonstrated. Specifically, CPAS collects AOC process data, correlates AOC data sources, and displays events and decisions that occur within the dynamic targeting cell of the AOC to support post-mission assessment of AOC process performance. It has been in use by the Air Force for over two years.

Measurements of atmospheric gases and fine particle chemistry were made in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) at a site ~30 km down wind of the city center. Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) dominated the inorganic aerosol fraction and showed a distinct diurnal signature characterized by rapid morning production and a rapid mid-day concentration decrease. Between the hours of 08:00–12:45, particulate water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) concentrations increased and decreased in a manner consistent with that of NO3−, and the two were highly correlated (R2=0.88) during this time. A box model was used to analyze these behaviors and showed that, for both NO3− and WSOC, the concentration increase was caused primarily (~75–85%) by secondary formation, with a smaller contribution (~15–25%) from the entrainment of air from the free troposphere. For NO3−, a majority (~60%) of the midday concentration decrease was caused by dilution from boundary layer expansion, though a significant fraction (~40%) of the NO3− loss was due to particle evaporation. The WSOC concentration decrease was due largely to dilution (~75%), but volatilization did have a meaningful impact (~25%) on the decrease, as well. The results provide an estimate of ambient SOA evaporation losses and suggest that a significant fraction (~35%) of the fresh MCMA secondary organic aerosol (SOA) measured at the surface volatilized.

Container production has many advantages over traditional in-ground (field) production, including less damage occurring to the root system when transplanted, better establishment after transplanting, decreased labor and land acquisition costs for production, and increased product availability and longevity in the retail market. Growing plants in containers, however, alters root growth and function and can change root morphology. Numerous factors influence root growth in containers. Roots of container-grown plants are subjected to temperature and moisture extremes not normally found in field production. The effects of substrate aeration (Ea) as well as water holding capacity (Pv) interact with different pot characteristics, resulting in changes to root morphology. Successful plant establishment after transplanting is often linked to root health. This review focuses on the roles of substrate physical and chemical properties, container characteristics, and temperature in altering root growth in container-grown woody nursery crops. Root circling, planting too deeply or “too-deep syndrome” (TDS), and the use of composts as container substrates will also be examined.

An integrated approach to weed control in nursery containers is crucial if herbicide applications during the growing season are to be reduced. This experiment, conducted in 2002 and 2003 in Urbana, Ill., evaluated rice hulls, leaf-waste pellets, and pine bark as herbicide carriers for the preemergence herbicides oryzalin at 2 lb/acre a.i. and diuron at 1 lb/acre a.i. The efficacy of the treatments in controlling annual weeds and the phytotoxic effects of the treatments on the woody plant species were evaluated in separate completely randomized designs. For the efficacy experiment, no ornamental plants were present and containers were each seeded with a mixture of 1:1:1 (by volume) of annual bluegrass (Poa annua), common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), and shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) immediately after treatment applications. For the phytotoxicity experiment, ‘Goldflame’ spirea (Spiraea japonica), ‘Hetz Midget’ american arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), and ‘Snowmound’ nippon spirea (Spiraea nipponica) were evaluated. No weed seeds were sown in the phytotoxicity containers. Treatments for both experiments included spray applications of herbicides with water or with one of the organic mulches as a carrier or one of the mulches alone. Evaluations were done 45 and 120 days after treatment (DAT) in both years. The organic carriers with herbicide sprays gave efficacy visual ratings equivalent to water as a carrier for both herbicides. Phytotoxicity was not observed in the spirea species in either year. For ‘Hetz Midget’ american arborvitae in 2002, diuron with water had the highest visual phytotoxicity rating. Diuron phytotoxicity on the ‘Hetz Midget’ american arborvitae was alleviated when diuron was applied with any of the three mulches as a carrier. Pine bark treatments increased plant biomass for ‘Goldflame’ spirea in 2003, 45 DAT. At 120 DAT in 2002, pine bark gave increased plant biomass as compared with no organic mulch treatments for ‘Goldflame’ spirea. The study was conducted to ascertain whether the use of organic mulches as carriers could reduce phytotoxic effects of a herbicide on container-grown woody ornamentals, improve crop plant biomass, and act as a herbicide carrier for container-grown woody ornamentals.

The striatum is essential for many aspects of mammalian behavior, including motivation and movement, and is dysfunctional in motor disorders such as Parkinson's disease. The vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGLUT3) is expressed by striatal cholinergic interneurons (CINs) and is thus well positioned to regulate dopamine (DA) signaling and locomotor activity, a canonical measure of basal ganglia output. We now report that VGLUT3 knock-out (KO) mice show circadian-dependent hyperlocomotor activity that is restricted to the waking cycle and is due to an increase in striatal DA synthesis, packaging, and release. Using a conditional VGLUT3 KO mouse, we show that deletion of the transporter from CINs, surprisingly, does not alter evoked DA release in the dorsal striatum or baseline locomotor activity. The mice do, however, display changes in rearing behavior and sensorimotor gating. Elevation of DA release in the global KO raised the possibility that motor deficits in a Parkinson's disease model would be reduced. Remarkably, after a partial 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-mediated DA depletion (∼70% in dorsal striatum), KO mice, in contrast to WT mice, showed normal motor behavior across the entire circadian cycle.l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine-mediated dyskinesias were also significantly attenuated. These findings thus point to new mechanisms to regulate basal ganglia function and potentially treat Parkinson's disease and related disorders.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTDopaminergic signaling is critical for both motor and cognitive functions in the mammalian nervous system. Impairments, such as those found in Parkinson's disease patients, can lead to severe motor deficits. Vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGLUT3) loads glutamate into secretory vesicles for neurotransmission and is expressed by discrete neuron populations throughout the nervous system. Here, we report that the absence of VGLUT3 in mice leads to an upregulation of the midbrain dopamine system. Remarkably, in a Parkinson's disease model, the mice show normal motor behavior. They also show fewer abnormal motor behaviors (dyskinesias) in response tol-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, the principal treatment for Parkinson's disease. The work thus suggests new avenues for the development of novel treatment strategies for Parkinson's disease and potentially other basal-ganglia-related disorders.

Micro Computed Tomography (micro-CT) of cores is an emerging technology that yields vital information about key rock and fluid properties at pore-scale resolution. Micro-CT imaging results presented to date are encouraging and indicate that this technology has the potential to revolutionize petrophysical analysis and reservoir engineering. The application of micro-CT in petroleum engineering requires reconstructed scan data to be of high and uniform image quality to enable reliable analysis during subsequent segmentation and numerical modeling. This is achievable in existing micro-CT systems using standard circular scan trajectories with non-exact filtered backprojection (FBP) reconstruction, but requires small cone angles to keep cone beam artifacts below detectable limits. We describe the implementation and results of adapting an exact helical FBP reconstruction algorithm (the so-called “Katsevich Algorithm” or KFBP) and data acquisition scheme on a high-performance micro-CT system normally running in circular scan trajectory mode. Side-by-side comparisons of stitched circular scan trajectories with continuous helical scan trajectories on simulated and real rock core data show the throughput advantage of this modality for applications relevant for the petroleum industry keeping equivalent image quality to low cone angle circular scans. The analytical exact helical reconstruction can be performed in quasi-real time leading to instantaneous results. Simulated and experimental results indicate that an imaging throughput improvement of 2-5 times can be achieved employing KFBP-based exact helical reconstruction compared to the standard circle scan trajectory when imaging whole rock cores/plugs that are significantly longer than their diameter.

Objective Standards terminologies may be large and complex, making their quality assurance challenging. Some terminology quality assurance (TQA) methodologies are based on abstraction networks (AbNs), compact terminology summaries. We have tested AbNs and the performance of related TQA methodologies on small terminology hierarchies. However, some standards terminologies, for example, SNOMED, are composed of very large hierarchies. Scaling AbN TQA techniques to such hierarchies poses a significant challenge. We present a scalable subject-based approach for AbN TQA. Methods An innovative technique is presented for scaling TQA by creating a new kind of subject-based AbN called a subtaxonomy for large hierarchies. New hypotheses about concentrations of erroneous concepts within the AbN are introduced to guide scalable TQA. Results We test the TQA methodology for a subject-based subtaxonomy for the Bleeding subhierarchy in SNOMED's large Clinical finding hierarchy. To test the error concentration hypotheses, three domain experts reviewed a sample of 300 concepts. A consensus-based evaluation identified 87 erroneous concepts. The subtaxonomy-based TQA methodology was shown to uncover statistically significantly more erroneous concepts when compared to a control sample. Discussion The scalability of TQA methodologies is a challenge for large standards systems like SNOMED. We demonstrated innovative subject-based TQA techniques by identifying groups of concepts with a higher likelihood of having errors within the subtaxonomy. Scalability is achieved by reviewing a large hierarchy by subject. Conclusions An innovative methodology for scaling the derivation of AbNs and a TQA methodology was shown to perform successfully for the largest hierarchy of SNOMED.

Background: The rate \lambda_pp\mu\ characterizes the formation of pp\mu\ molecules in collisions of muonic p\mu\ atoms with hydrogen. In measurements of the basic weak muon capture reaction on the proton to determine the pseudoscalar coupling g_P, capture occurs from both atomic and molecular states. Thus knowledge of \lambda_pp\mu\ is required for a correct interpretation of these experiments. Purpose: Recently the MuCap experiment has measured the capture rate \Lambda_S from the singlet p\mu\ atom, employing a low density active target to suppress pp\mu\ formation (PRL 110, 12504 (2013)). Nevertheless, given the unprecedented precision of this experiment, the existing experimental knowledge in \lambda_pp\mu\ had to be improved. Method: The MuCap experiment derived the weak capture rate from the muon disappearance rate in ultra-pure hydrogen. By doping the hydrogen with 20 ppm of argon, a competing process to pp\mu\ formation was introduced, which allowed the extraction of \lambda_pp\mu\ from the observed time distribution of decay electrons. Results: The pp\mu\ formation rate was measured as \lambda_pp\mu = (2.01 +- 0.06(stat) +- 0.03(sys)) 10^6 s^-1. This result updates the \lambda_pp\mu\ value used in the above mentioned MuCap publication. Conclusions: The 2.5x higher precision compared to earlier experiments and the fact that the measurement was performed at nearly identical conditions to the main data taking, reduces the uncertainty induced by \lambda_pp\mu\ to a minor contribution to the overall uncertainty of \Lambda_S and g_P, as determined in MuCap. Our final value for \lambda_pp\mu\ shifts \Lambda_S and g_P by less than one tenth of their respective uncertainties compared to our results published earlier., Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, to be submitted to Phys. Rev. C

Socioeconomic status (SES) impacts educational opportunities and outcomes which explains, in part, why the majority of medical students come from the upper two quintiles of family income. A two-factor SES indicator based on parental education (E) and occupation (O) has recently been established by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). This study validates this two-factor indicator as applicable to the national pool of medical school applicants.The AAMC SES EO indicator classifies applicants into five ordered groups (EO-1 through EO-5) based on four aggregated categories of parental education and two aggregated categories of occupation. The EO indicator was applied to the 2012 American Medical College Application Service applicant pool. The authors examined the associations that the EO category had with six additional and independent indicators of socioeconomic (dis)advantage, as well as with demographic and educational characteristics and life experiences.The EO indicator could be applied to 89% of the 2012 applicants. The lower the EO category, the stronger the association with each of the six indicators of socioeconomic disadvantage. Other notable, but weaker, associations with the EO indicator were differences by age, race/ethnicity, performance on the Medical College Admission Test, community college attendance, and certain self-reported life experiences.The EO indicator provides a simple, intuitive, widely applicable, and valid means for identifying applicants from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. This affords admissions committees an additional factor to consider during the holistic review of applicants in order to further diversify the medical school class.

Weed control is the largest expense faced in the nursery and landscape industries. Nursery growers spend $967 to $2,228/A, depending on species, for supplemental hand weeding in addition to three to four yearly herbicide applications. Herbicide-treated mulches have utility in addressing many current nursery/landscape weed control issues such as non-target herbicide losses, leaching and off-site herbicide movement, and reduction of weed control costs. The objectives of this study were to compare seven types of mulches, including Douglas fir nuggets, pine nuggets, shredded hardwood, shredded Cypress, PennMulch™, rice hulls, and cocoa shells sprayed with Surflan [aqueous solution (AS) (oryzalin) at 1.12 (0.5×) and 2.24 (1×) kg ai/ha (1.0 and 2.0 lb ai/A)] and SureGuard [(water dispersible granular (WDG) (flumioxazin) at 0.19 (0.5×) and 0.38 (1×) kg ai/ha (0.17 and 0.34 lb ai/A)] to determine efficacy on common chickweed (Stellaria media), annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and spotted spurge (Chamaesyce humistrata) and phytotoxicity to Golden vicary privet (Ligustrum × vicaryi), creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis ‘P.C. Youngstown’), and wintergreen boxwood (Buxusmicrophylla ‘Wintergreen’) at 45 and 115 days after treatment (DAT). The herbicide-treated mulches were compared to untreated mulches, over-the-top sprays of the herbicides and a combination spray of Surflan + SureGuard each applied at the 1× rate, described above, an industry-standard granular formulation Rout (oxyfluorfen + oryzalin) at 3.41 kg ai/ha (3.0 lb ai/A), an industry standard nonchemical alternative Geodisc™, and an untreated control. The experiment was conducted in 2001 and repeated in 2002. In 2001, 17 of 43 treatments provided commercially acceptable visual ratings at 45 DAT; 14 were herbicide treated mulches. Four of five treatments in 2001 providing acceptable control at 115 DAT were herbicide treated mulches. In 2002, three treatments providing commercially acceptable control at 45 DAT were: PennMulch™ + 0.5 × Surflan, PennMulch™ + SureGuard, and Rout. Rout was the only treatment providing commercially acceptable control at 115 DAT in 2002. Golden vicary privet exhibited the greatest phytotoxicity in both years. In 2001-2002, the over-the-top sprays of Surflan + SureGuard were the most phytotoxic treatments to Golden vicary privet when averaged across 45 and 115 DAT. The data indicated a significant herbicide × mulch interaction and that some combinations, such as hardwood + SureGuard or pine nuggets + SureGuard, increased and extended efficacy and reduced phytotoxicity versus mulches or herbicides applied alone.

The os acromiale is an accessory bone resulting from failure of the acromial apophysis to fuse to the scapula. It is a relatively frequent defect affecting 4-18% of most large skeletal series. The etiology of os acromiale is poorly understood, and two competing hypotheses have been proposed: (1) that the accessory bone represents a genetic defect, and (2) that it results from mechanical stress on the developing acromion. In order to assess the evidence for these two hypotheses, os acromiale frequencies from a South African cadaver sample (n = 494) were compared to frequencies from a medieval Danish archaeological sample (n = 532). The South African frequency (18.2%) was significantly higher than the medieval Danish frequency (7.7%, p < 0.0001). These results mirror those of another study comparing African- and Euro-Americans, and tend to support the genetic hypothesis. However, a left side bias (72%) was also found among the South Africans (p = 0.013), lending some support to the mechanical stress hypothesis. Sex and age biases were also examined but were not found. In order to further test the mechanical hypothesis, the medieval Danes were divided into groups of higher and lower socioeconomic status based upon cemetery type. Lower status individuals were presumed to have engaged in strenuous labor activities more often and at a younger age than higher status individuals. However, comparison of these two groups failed to demonstrate a significant frequency difference (p = 0.105). Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that a third etiology combining a genetic predisposition for os acromiale with mechanical stress as the proximate cause should also be considered.

General surveys of skeletal collections from Arizona for evidence of trauma and pathology led to the identification of polydactyly in two subadults. Polydactyly is a congenital condition characterised by the presence of extra digits on the hands or feet. Both affected subadults exhibit a sixth digit in the form of a branching fifth metatarsal. One of the affected individuals is an infant from the Tapia del Cerrito site exhibiting Y-shaped fifth metatarsals indicative of postaxial type A polydactyly. The second individual is a juvenile from the Nuvakwewtaqa (Chavez Pass Ruin) site exhibiting a left fifth metatarsal with a lateral branch, also diagnosed as postaxial type A polydactyly. These two cases appear to be the first examples of polydactyly from archaeological contexts identified among subadults, and bring the total number of known cases from the American Southwest to six. Discovery of so many examples of this relatively rare condition amongst the Puebloan people of the Southwest adds to the evidence that, rather than simply being an artistic motif, rock art depictions featuring hands and feet with six digits were probably inspired by observation of the condition amongst living people. Furthermore, burial treatment of the Tapia del Cerrito infant suggests that polydactyly may have conferred a special status on the bearer. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a blind test of siding techniques for the 14 phalanges of the human hand. A list of possible siding techniques was initially developed using four loosely articulated hand skeletons from an anatomical supply company, was later refined using ten skeletons with individually labelled hand bones from the Terry Anatomical Collection, and then was ‘field tested’ on protohistoric Arikara skeletons from South Dakota. The most promising of these techniques were blind tested by the authors on a sample of 50 Terry collection individuals. For each bone, the first author selected a specimen from either the right or left side, and the second author determined the side to which it most likely belonged, based on a written description of each technique and a rough sketch. Accuracies for the proximal phalanges (PP) were generally good, ranging from 100% for PP1 to 88% for PP5. Among the intermediate phalanges (IP), accuracies clustered between 96% and 98% except for IP4, which could only be correctly sided 78% of the time. Results for the distal phalanges (DP) were generally poor. Although DP1 was correctly sided 94% of the time, accuracies for the other distal phalanges ranged from a low of 52% to a high of 78%. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The relatively large number of naviculo-cuneiform I cases reported from Japan, and their rarity in American and European clinical literature, suggests that populations may vary in tarsal coalition frequency [Kumai T, Tanaka Y, Takakura Y, Tamai S. Isolated first naviculocuneiform joint coalition. Foot Ankle Int 1996;17:635–40]. Our objective is to test for significant differences in naviculo-cuneiform I coalition frequency between geographically distinct populations. Skeletal remains from one African sample and two samples of European ancestry were analyzed. Fisher's Exact tests [Uitenbroek DG. Fisher Exact [online]. 2000 [cited 2004 March 10]. Available from: URL: http://home.clara.net/sisa/fisher.htm] were employed to identify sample differences ( α =0.05). Six cases of naviculo-cuneiform I coalition were identified in the African sample; no cases were found in the Danish or American samples. Naviculo-cuneiform I coalition was significantly more prevalent in South African Bantu than in medieval Danes ( p =0.014; 1− β =0.70) or the combined sample of European ancestry ( p =0.003; 1− β =0.83). Given the sample sizes studied, a statistical difference was not found between the American and South African samples ( p =0.087; 1− β =0.52). Population differences in naviculo-cuneiform I coalition are clinically relevant since tarsal coalition may be symptomatic and associated with other abnormalities. Carpal coalition and transposition of the maxillary canine and first premolar were each found to be significantly associated with naviculo-cuneiform I coalition.

Pedal symphalangism is a surprisingly common heritable trait of the human foot. In individuals exhibiting the trait, the joint between the intermediate and distal phalanges of one or more lateral toes never develops, resulting in toes with two phalanges rather than three. This study was undertaken to explore variation in the frequency of pedal symphalangism among groups with widely different geographic ancestry, and to consider the applicability of this trait to skeletal biological distance studies. A total of 460 Euro-American, 191 African-American and 99 Japanese skeletons were examined for presence of pedal symphalangism. The American individuals date to the first half of the 20th c, while the Japanese individuals date to the late 19th and early 20th c. Although the country of ancestry is unknown for most of the American individuals, the Euro-Americans appear to be largely northern European, with roots in Germany, Ireland and Scandinavia, while the African-Americans are primarily descendants of slaves with roots in west African countries such as Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Sierra Leone. Frequencies of fifth toe pedal symphalangism were calculated and compared among all three samples and found to be significantly higher in modern Japanese (83.7%) than in either Euro-Americans (46.4%) or African-Americans (44.0%). The Euro- and African-American frequencies were statistically indistinguishable for symphalangism of the fifth toe. In the fourth toe, however, the opposite result was found. The African-American frequency (7.9%) was significantly higher than the Euro-American frequency (2.6%), while no difference was found between the African-Americans and Japanese (11.7%). Since fourth toe pedal symphalangism has never been observed in the absence of fifth toe involvement, some of the same genes are clearly involved in producing the trait in both toes. However, differences in the pattern of fourth and fifth toe expression among the three groups identified in this study suggest that additional genetic or developmental factors may play a role in expression of pedal symphalangism in each of the toes.

ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. Application efficiency, cyclic irrigation, irrigation scheduling Summary. As limitations on water used by container nurseries become commonplace, nurseries will have to improve irrigation management. Several ways to conserve water and improve on the management of irrigation water applied to container plants are discussed in this review. They include 1) uniform application, 2) proper scheduling of irrigation water, 3) substrate amendments that retain water, 4) reducing heat load or evaporative loss from containers, and 5) recycling runoff water.

Container production has increased rapidly in many parts of the U.S. over the past 15 years. Container production has been the fastest growing sector in the nursery industry and the growth is expected to continue. Weed growth in container-grown nursery stock is a particularly serious problem, because the nutrients, air, and water available are limited to the volume of the container. The extent of damage caused by weeds is often underestimated and effective control is essential. Various researchers have found that as little as one weed in a small (1 gal) pot affects the growth of a crop. However, even if weeds did not reduce growth, a container plant with weeds is a less marketable product than a weed-free product. Managing weeds in a container nursery involves eliminating weeds and preventing their spread in the nursery, and this usually requires chemical controls. However, chemical controls should never be the only management tools implemented. Maximizing cultural and mechanical controls through proper sanitation and hand weeding are two important means to prevent the spread and regeneration of troublesome weeds. Cultural controls include mulching, irrigation methods (subirrigation), and mix type. Nursery growers estimate that they spend $500 to $4000/acre of containers for manual removal of weeds, depending on weed species being removed. Economic losses due to weed infestations have been estimated at approximately $7000/acre. Reduction of this expense with improved weed control methodologies and understanding weed control would have a significant impact on the industry. Problems associated with herbicide use in container production include proper calibration, herbicide runoff concerns from plastic or gravel (especially when chemicals fall between containers) and the need for multiple applications. As with other crops, off-site movement of pesticides through herbicide leaching, runoff, spray drift, and non-uniformity of application are concerns facing nursery growers. This article reviews some current weed control methods, problems associated with these methods, and possible strategies that could be useful for container nursery growers.

Data are presented on antiproton neutron annihilation at rest into ωπ − π 0 taken with the Crystal Barrel detector at LEAR (CERN) using a liquid deuterium target. The partial wave analysis shows evidence for at least two ωπ vector resonances above the ρ (770) ground-state. Possible evidence for a third ρ ′ state with a mass around 1180 MeV is discussed. The results are compared to model dependent predictions concerning the nature of the ρ ′ states.

Corrosion of steel rebar in a concrete structure compromises its structural integrity and hence its performance. Chloride intrusion into concrete can lead to depassivation of the steel and initiation of corrosion. Methods exist to detect chlorides in concrete, but the practical use of many of these may be problematic because they are destructive and time consuming, and cannot be used to analyze large structures. Microwave nondestructive evaluation techniques applied to mortar have proven successful for detecting mixture constituents, chloride ingress, and cure-state monitoring. In this paper several concrete samples are cyclically soaked in distilled water and saltwater while also experiencing compression force. Compression force, simulating in-service loading, results in increased microcracking and permeability, which promotes chloride ingress. The daily microwave reflection properties of these samples were measured at 3 GHz. The results show the capability of these microwave measurements for detecting the increased level of chloride permeation as a function of increasing number of soaking cycles. In addition, comparisons between the reflection properties of mortar and concrete cubes soaked in distilled water exhibit similarity in trends, indicating that the various phenomena that occur within them are systematically similar.

The temperature-programmed desorption of nitric oxide, NO, and nitrogen dioxide, NO_2, during the 302 nm photolysis of KNO_3-doped, spray-frozen ice layers was investigated using two-photon laser-induced NO_x fluorescence detection in the range −35 ≤ T/°C ≤ 0. Upon applying steady illumination and a 0.67 °C min^(-1) heating ramp, frozen KNO_3 solutions begin to evolve NO_2 at increasing rates, while NO emissions plateau soon after until, at ∼ −8 ° C, both species surge abruptly. Although the primary photoproduct NO_2 avoids geminate recombination by escaping from a permeable molecular cage throughout, NO_2(g) levels are controlled by desorption from the outermost ice layers rather than by NO_3^- photolysis rates. The NO_x accumulated in the deeper layers bursts when the solid undergoes a sintering transition following the onset of surface melting at −10 °C. Since elementary photochemical events occur in a communal fluid phase of molecular dimensions at temperatures far below the KNO_3/H_2O eutectic (T_(eutectic) = − 2.88 °C), we infer that doped polycrystalline ice contains operationally distinguishable fluid phases of low dimensionality over various length scales and temperature ranges.

Disease is among the suspected causes of amphibian population declines, and an iridovirus and a chytrid fungus are the primary pathogens associated with amphibian mortalities. Ambystoma tigrinum virus (ATV) and a closely related strain, Regina ranavirus (RRV), are implicated in salamander die-offs in Arizona and Canada, respectively. We report the complete sequence of the ATV genome and partial sequence of the RRV genome. Sequence analysis of the ATV/RRV genomes showed marked similarity to other ranaviruses, including tiger frog virus (TFV) and frog virus 3 (FV3), the type virus of the genus Ranavirus (family Iridoviridae), as well as more distant relationships to lymphocystis disease virus, Chilo iridescent virus, and infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus. Putative open reading frames (ORFs) in the ATV sequence identified 24 genes that appear to control virus replication and block antiviral responses. In addition, >50 other putative genes, homologous to ORFs in other iridoviral genomes but of unknown function, were also identified. Sequence comparison performed by dot plot analysis between ATV and itself revealed a conserved 14-bp palindromic repeat within most intragenic regions. Dot plot analysis of ATV vs RRV sequences identified several polymorphisms between the two isolates. Finally, a comparison of ATV and TFV genomic sequences identified genomic rearrangements consistent with the high recombination frequency of iridoviruses. Given the adverse effects that ranavirus infections have on amphibian and fish populations, ATV/RRV sequence information will allow the design of better diagnostic probes for identifying ranavirus infections and extend our understanding of molecular events in ranavirus-infected cells.

In 1998 viruses were isolated from tiger salamander larvae (Ambystoma tigrinum diaboli and A. tigrinum melanostictum) involved in North Dakota and Utah (USA) mortality events and spotted salamander (A. maculatum) larvae in a third event in Maine (USA). Although sympatric caudates and anurans were present at all three sites only ambystomid larvae appeared to be affected. Mortality at the North Dakota site was in the thousands while at the Utah and Maine sites mortality was in the hundreds. Sick larvae were lethargic and slow moving. They swam in circles with obvious buoyancy problems and were unable to remain upright. On the ventral surface, near the gills and hind limbs, red spots or swollen areas were noted. Necropsy findings included: hemorrhages and ulceration of the skin, subcutaneous and intramuscular edema, swollen and pale livers with multifocal hemorrhage, and distended fluid-filled intestines with areas of hemorrhage. Light microscopy revealed intracytoplasmic inclusions, suggestive of a viral infection, in a variety of organs. Electron microscopy of ultra thin sections of the same tissues revealed iridovirus-like particles within the inclusions. These viruses were isolated from a variety of organs, indicating a systemic infection. Representative viral isolates from the three mortality events were characterized using molecular assays. Characterization confirmed that the viral isolates were iridoviruses and that the two tiger salamander isolates were similar and could be distinguished from the spotted salamander isolate. The spotted salamander isolate was similar to frog virus 3, the type species of the genus Ranavirus, while the tiger salamander isolates were not. These data indicate that different species of salamanders can become infected and die in association with different iridoviruses. Challenge assays are required to determine the fish and amphibian host range of these isolates and to assess the susceptibility of tiger and spotted salamanders to heterologous virus isolates.

Annihilation of antiprotons and protons at rest into neutral particles has been studied with the Crystal Barrel detector at LEAR. Annihilation frequencies are determined for final states containing π 0 , η , η ′ and ω mesons using a liquid and a room temperature, 12 bar, gaseous hydrogen target. Including annihilation frequencies for production of neutral kaons from other experiments, the identified reactions for annihilation in liquid hydrogen add up to a branching fraction of (3.56±0.28)% per annihilation compared to the frequency of (3.50±0.30)% with which we observe the all-neutral decay modes inclusively. Since the exclusive final states are normalized to the Crystal Barrel measurement of the π 0 π 0 branching ratio, the latter result is strongly supported by this present study.

An experiment to measure γ-ray asymmetry A γ with a high precision in neutron-proton radiative capture is under construction at LANSCE. The experiment will determine the weak pion-nucleon coupling constant H π 1 ,, 30% of its predicted value.

The Logical Observation Identifier Names and Codes (LOINC®) database provides a universal code system for reporting laboratory and other clinical observations. Its purpose is to identify observations in electronic messages such as Health Level Seven (HL7) observation messages, so that when hospitals, health maintenance organizations, pharmaceutical manufacturers, researchers, and public health departments receive such messages from multiple sources, they can automatically file the results in the right slots of their medical records, research, and/or public health systems. For each observation, the database includes a code (of which 25 000 are laboratory test observations), a long formal name, a “short” 30-character name, and synonyms. The database comes with a mapping program called Regenstrief LOINC Mapping Assistant (RELMATM) to assist the mapping of local test codes to LOINC codes and to facilitate browsing of the LOINC results. Both LOINC and RELMA are available at no cost from http://www.regenstrief.org/loinc/. The LOINC medical database carries records for >30 000 different observations. LOINC codes are being used by large reference laboratories and federal agencies, e.g., the CDC and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and are part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) attachment proposal. Internationally, they have been adopted in Switzerland, Hong Kong, Australia, and Canada, and by the German national standards organization, the Deutsches Instituts für Normung. Laboratories should include LOINC codes in their outbound HL7 messages so that clinical and research clients can easily integrate these results into their clinical and research repositories. Laboratories should also encourage instrument vendors to deliver LOINC codes in their instrument outputs and demand LOINC codes in HL7 messages they get from reference laboratories to avoid the need to lump so many referral tests under the “send out lab” code.

Corrosion of the reinforcing steel is a major cause of damage and deterioration in reinforced concrete structures such as concrete bridge decks and columns. Chloride intrusion into concrete can lead to depassivation of the steel and initiation of corrosion. Thus, it is very important to be able to nondestructively detect and evaluate the free chloride content in concrete. Near-field microwave nondestructive testing techniques, using open-ended rectangular waveguide probes, have shown great potential for evaluating various properties of concrete, including the successful detection of sodium chloride added to mortar mixing water. In this study, several mortar samples are cyclically soaked in distilled and salt water while also experiencing compression force. Compression force, simulating in-service loading, causes microcracking, which results in increased microcracking and permeability, promoting chloride ingress. The daily microwave reflection and dielectric properties of these samples were measured at 3 GHz. The results show the capability of these microwave measurements for detecting the increased level of chloride permeation and loading as a function of the increasing number of soaking cycles. The influence of salt ingress is shown to be more prominent in the loss factor, while the effect of loading is more evident in the permittivity of the samples.

Infection with Brucella spp. continues to pose a human health risk in California despite great strides in eradicating the disease from domestic animals. Clustering of human cases in time and space has important public health implications for understanding risk factors and sources of infection. Temporal-spatial clustering of human brucellosis in California for the 20-year period 1973–1992 was evaluated by the Ederer-Myers-Mantel, Moran’s I, and population-adjusted Moran’s I procedures. Cases were clustered in concentrated agricultural regions in the first 5-year interval (1973–1977). Time-space clustering of human brucellosis cases in California late in the 20-year study period may reflect the distribution of Hispanic populations. Public health programs in California should focus on educating Hispanic populations about the risk of consuming dairy products, such as soft cheeses, made from unpasteurized milk.

The E895 Collaboration has investigated a number of mixed-particle correlations involving neutral strange particles (K0s and Λ) in 2, 4, 6 and 8 A GeV Au + Au collisions at the AGS. The first measurements for pΛ correlations indicate a correlation magnitude of about 50% with a 26 MeV width. Detailed comparisons between data and theory suggest an emitting source with an effective Gaussian radius close to 4.5 fm. This radius is much larger than the value of 2.8 fm predicted by the relativistic transport code ART. Pairs of pK0, π−Λ and π−K0 are found to display essentially zero correlation at 6 A GeV. The latter observations are not unexpected considering that the proton–K0 interaction has a very small scattering length and there are no very well known interactions between pions and Λs or K0s.

This work was carried out as part of a project aiming at a greatly improved measurement of the muon capture rate from the singlet state of the μp atom. The experiment will be performed at the intense muon beam of PSI using a new experimental method allowing high precision measurements of the lifetime of muons stopped in ultra-pure deuterium-depleted hydrogen (protium). The basic element of the detector is a time projection chamber operating in hydrogen gas at 10 bar pressure. The arrival times and trajectories of the incoming muons and the outgoing decay electrons are measured with this device providing effective suppression of background. The system of chambers and electronics is designed for the large muon stop rates required for attaining high statistical accuracy. During four beam periods at PSI, data were taken. Also, various studies of the MWPC performance in hydrogen were made including ageing studies of the chambers under irradiation with stopped muons and with alpha and beta sources. It was demonstrated that the MWPCs can operate in pure hydrogen under 10 bar pressure with gas gains up to 5000, which is sufficient for the detection of relativistic electrons.

Infection with Brucella spp. continues to pose a human health risk in California despite great strides in eradicating the disease from domestic animals. Clustering of human cases in time and space has important public health implications for understanding risk factors and sources of infection. Temporal-spatial clustering of human brucellosis in California for the 20-year period 1973-1992 was evaluated by the Ederer-Myers-Mantel, Moran's I, and population-adjusted Moran's I procedures. Cases were clustered in concentrated agricultural regions in the first 5-year interval (1973-1977). Time-space clustering of human brucellosis cases in California late in the 20-year study period may reflect the distribution of Hispanic populations. Public health programs in California should focus on educating Hispanic populations about the risk of consuming dairy products, such as soft cheeses, made from unpasteurized milk.

The vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGLUT3) is expressed at several locations not normally associated with glutamate release. Although the function of this protein has been generally elusive, when expressed in non-glutamatergic synaptic terminals, VGLUT3 can not only allow glutamate co-transmission but also synergize the action of non-glutamate vesicular transporters. Interestingly, in the immature glycinergic projection between the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) and the lateral superior olive (LSO) of auditory brainstem, the transient early expression of VGLUT3 is required for normal developmental refinement. It has however been unknown whether the primary function of VGLUT3 in development of these inhibitory synapses is to enable glutamate release or to promote loading of inhibitory neurotransmitter through vesicular synergy. Using tissue from young mice in which Vglut3 had been genetically deleted, we evaluated inhibitory neurotransmission in the MNTB-LSO pathway. Our results show, in contrast to what has been seen at adult synapses, that VGLUT3 expression has little or no effect on vesicular synergy at the immature glycinergic synapse of brainstem. This finding supports the model that the primary function of increased VGLUT3 expression in the immature auditory brainstem is to enable glutamate release in a developing inhibitory circuit.

Objective Large and complex terminologies, such as Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine–Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT), are prone to errors and inconsistencies. Abstraction networks are compact summarizations of the content and structure of a terminology. Abstraction networks have been shown to support terminology quality assurance. In this paper, we introduce an abstraction network derivation methodology which can be applied to SNOMED CT target hierarchies whose classes are defined using only hierarchical relationships (ie, without attribute relationships) and similar description-logic-based terminologies. Methods We introduce the tribal abstraction network (TAN), based on the notion of a tribe—a subhierarchy rooted at a child of a hierarchy root, assuming only the existence of concepts with multiple parents. The TAN summarizes a hierarchy that does not have attribute relationships using sets of concepts, called tribal units that belong to exactly the same multiple tribes. Tribal units are further divided into refined tribal units which contain closely related concepts. A quality assurance methodology that utilizes TAN summarizations is introduced. Results A TAN is derived for the Observable entity hierarchy of SNOMED CT, summarizing its content. A TAN-based quality assurance review of the concepts of the hierarchy is performed, and erroneous concepts are shown to appear more frequently in large refined tribal units than in small refined tribal units. Furthermore, more erroneous concepts appear in large refined tribal units of more tribes than of fewer tribes. Conclusions In this paper we introduce the TAN for summarizing SNOMED CT target hierarchies. A TAN was derived for the Observable entity hierarchy of SNOMED CT. A quality assurance methodology utilizing the TAN was introduced and demonstrated.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center offers a seven-week summer program to students who have been accepted into medical or dental schools but may encounter difficulty because of low scores on MCAT or other adverse factors. Besides concrete academic contents from first year basic science courses (Gross anatomy, Biochemistry and Histology), the program also emphasizes study skills and test-taking strategies. In the current study, grades in the Medical Gross Anatomy course from the past three years were analyzed. Since contents covered in the summer program match well with the actual Block 1 (back & upper limb) and Block 4 (head & neck) sections, we compared the differences between these two blocks with the other two un-targeted blocks (2-thorax & abdomen; 3-pelvis & lower limb). Result 1: Compared with the rest of the class, summer participants performed either at or above the class average for Block 1 and 4 exams; in contrast, their grades were lower or not different for Block 2 and 3 exams. Result...

The principle of flux quantization of gauge fields is used to define a new Quantum Chromodynamic (QCD) theory. Calculated mass spectra results are presented for 26 different baryons. Variations are within 2% of the measured values.

Directed flow measurements for {Lambda} hyperons are presented and compared to those for protons produced in the same Au+Au collisions (2A, 4A, and 6AGeV; b

Developmental toxicology (teratology) studies were done on two perfluorinated compounds—perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and 2-( N-ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamido)ethyl alcohol ( N-EtFOSE) in rats and rabbits. Dose selection for these oral developmental toxicity studies were based upon dose-range study results. Dose levels of 0,1,5,10, and 20 mg/kg/day were used for the rat N-EtFOSE study, and dose levels of 0, 0.1, 1.0, 2.5, and 3.75 mg/kg/day were used for both the PFOS and the N-EtFOSE rabbit studies. Although no compound-related deaths occurred in the dosed pregnant females on the developmental toxicity studies, maternal toxicity (reduced body weight gain and feed consumption) was present at higher dose levels in all three studies. At high maternally toxic doses, associated effects occurred in the conceptuses—increased abortions in PFOS and N-EtFOSE rabbits, reduced fetal weights in N-EtFOSE rats and PFOS rabbits, and increased late resorptions in N-EtFOSE rabbits. Detailed external gross, soft tissue, and skeletal fetal examinations failed to reveal any compound-related malformations in either species. Similar results, that is, only effects associated with maternal toxicity, had been found in previously conducted PFOS rat developmental toxicity studies. It was concluded that these perfluorinated compounds were not selective developmental toxicants in either rats or rabbits.