cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel beam analysis of end notched flexure specimen for mode-II fracture

Abstract A novel beam model of end notched flexure (ENF) specimen for mode-II fracture testing is presented. By applying the principle of superposition, the ENF specimen is modeled as two sub-problems: (1) an un-cracked beam under three-point bending; and (2) a skew symmetric cracked beam under shear traction on the crack surface. Due to skew-symmetry of sub-problem two, only the upper half of the beam is analysed, and based on compatibility of deformation, a shear compliance coefficient is introduced to establish beam deformation equation. Explicit and simple closed form solutions of compliance and strain energy release rate are obtained, and they compare well with existing finite element analyses. Compared to other available analytical methods of the ENF specimen, the present beam model is relatively simple and easy to use; further, it can be applied to other beam fracture specimen analysis (e.g., mixed mode fracture and bi-material interface specimen).
Pleural Effusion in Two Children with Histiocytosis X

Histiocytosis X commonly involves the lung and pleura, but rarely produces pleural effusion. Two children with histiocytosis X had roentgenographically demonstrated pleural effusions. The effusions were exudates and were presumably caused directly by the disease process. Histiocytosis X should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion, especially when the effusion is associated with diffuse interstitial pulmonary infiltration.
Oscillographic study of hydroelectric units

AMAGNETIC oscillograph, with auxiliary equipment, has been found useful at the Grand Coulee Power Plant, Columbia Basin Project, for obtaining information about operating characteristics of hydroelectric units which cannot be obtained from the ordinary indicating and recording instruments. Quantities recorded include mechanical movement, hydraulic pressure, bearing loads, and turbine vibration and noise.
Infrared and Raman spectra and normal coordinate analysis of trans-1,2-dicyanocyclopropane and its deuterated isotopomers

Abstract Infrared and Raman spectra are presented for trans -1,2-dicyanocyclopropane and its 1,2- d 2 - and 3,3- d 2 -isotopomers. Most of the d 0 assignments agree with previous assignments of Strumpf and Dunker encompassing 26 of the 27 fundamentals. The 1,2- d 2 assignments are similar, but for the 3,3- d 2 species only 11 bands could be assigned. A complete ab initio quantum mechanical force field has been calculated for this molecule at the 6-31 G * basis set level. This force-field was scaled and least-squares optimized using eight parameters for functionally related diagonal force constants and their geometric mean for off-diagonals. Both theoretical minimum energy and “experimentally corrected” geometries were used with no significant difference in results. An earlier calculation with a 4-31 G basis set gave a similar frequency fit but different scaling factors. As an alternative approach, the scaled ab initio force field, was also used as a starting point for a more conventional refinement of 27 force constants which had a significant influence on the potential energy distribution. The remainder were fixed at the scaled ab initio values. This empirical force field resulted in a fit to 65 fundamentals of d 0 , 1,2- d 2 and 3,3- d 2 to
Animal models for vascular tissue-engineering

Because of rise in cardiovascular disease throughout the world, there is increasing demand for small diameter blood vessels as replacement grafts. The present review focuses on the animal models that have been used to test small-diameter TEVs with emphasis on the attributes of each model. Small animal models are used to test short-term patency and address mechanistic hypotheses; and large, preclinical animal models are employed to test long-term patency, remodeling and function in an environment mimicking human physiology. We also discuss recent clinical trials that employed laboratory fabricated TEVs and showed very promising results. Ultimately, animal models provide a testing platform for optimizing vascular grafts before clinical use in patients without suitable autologous vessels.
The effect of domain shape on principal components analyses

In a recent article, Richman criticized principal components analysis for not reflecting the spatial covariance structure observed in the data owing to an overdependence on the shape of the domain. This assertion, originally posited by Buell, is re-examined using Buell's correlation functions and the geophysically based studies cited by Richman. Two examples—gauge-corrected, global precipitation and global surface air temperature—are given to illustrate that even though both fields are from the same domain, maps of the spatial distribution of the loadings on the first four principal components are highly dissimilar. These fields are mapped using a rectangular (cylindrical equal-area) projection and compared with other geophysically based studies that have employed rectangularly shaped domains as well as the rectangular domain mapping of Buell's correlation functions. Results indicate that component loading patterns are mainly determined by the structure exhibited in the dispersion matrix and only influenced by the domain shape (through spatial autocorrelation) to a limited degree.
Laser raman studies on carbons

Laser Raman spectra were studied of natural graphite (SP-1) and carbonaceous materials including pyrolytic graphite, carbon black, glassy carbon, coal, “white” carbon and sputtered carbon. All of these carbons have two Raman bands at 1580 cm−1 and 1360 cm−1, except for natural graphite which has a single sharp Raman band at 1580 cm−1. The relative intensity of the 1360 cm−1 band to the 1580 cm−1 band and the half band width increase going from graphite through glassy carbon to carbon black. The 1360 cm−1 band in glassy carbon becomes sharper and stronger with the increase of heat-treatment temperature (HTT), while the addition of iron to the glassy carbon matrices results in a decrease in intensity and half band width of this band with increasing HTT and iron content. Sputtered carbon and “white” carbon, prepared from graphite irradiated by a high power laser, showed an additional broad band around 2140cm−1. This band is believed to originate from conjugated acetylenic bands (—CC—)n.
Differentiation of mammalian skeletal muscle cells cultured on microcarrier beads in a rotating cell culture system.

The growth and repair of adult skeletal muscle are due in part to activation of muscle precursor cells, commonly known as satellite cells or myoblasts. These cells are responsive to a variety of environmental cues, including mechanical stimuli. The overall goal of the research is to examine the role of mechanical signalling mechanisms in muscle growth and plasticity through utilisation of cell culture systems where other potential signalling pathways (i.e. chemical and electrical stimuli) are controlled. To explore the effects of decreased mechanical loading on muscle differentiation, mammalian myoblasts are cultured in a bioreactor (rotating cell culture system), a model that has been utilised to simulate microgravity. C2C12 murine myoblasts are cultured on microcarrier beads in a bioreactor and followed throughout differentiation as they form a network of multinucleated myotubes. In comparison with three-dimensional control cultures that consist of myoblasts cultured on microcarrier beads in teflon bags, myoblasts cultured in the bioreactor exhibit an attenuation in differentiation. This is demonstrated by reduced immunohistochemical staining for myogenin and alpha-actinin. Western analysis shows a decrease, in bioreactor cultures compared with control cultures, in levels of the contractile proteins myosin (47% decrease, p < 0.01) and tropomyosin (63% decrease, p < 0.01). Hydrodynamic measurements indicate that the decrease in differentiation may be due, at least in part, to fluid stresses acting on the myotubes. In addition, constraints on aggregate size imposed by the action of fluid forces in the bioreactor affect differentiation. These results may have implications for muscle growth and repair during spaceflight.
Using a combination inhaler (budesonide plus formoterol) as rescue therapy improves asthma control

Asthma is one of the commonest chronic diseases worldwide and is effectively controlled in most patients with maintenance treatment. In those with moderate or severe persistent asthma, control may be achieved with an inhaled corticosteroid or a combination inhaler containing a corticosteroid and a long acting β2 agonist. The combination inhaler is more effective, but patients still require short acting β2 agonists such as salbutamol or terbutaline to relieve symptoms. I describe a new approach for acute exacerbation—SMART (single inhaler maintenance and reliever therapy). This uses the combination inhaler, rather than the short acting β2 agonist, as the reliever. Using a formulation of budesonide plus formoterol (budesonide/formoterol) both as a reliever and as maintenance therapy once or twice daily is more effective in controlling asthma than conventional approaches using budesonide/formoterol, fluticasone/salmeterol, or high dose corticosteroids (budesonide or fluticasone) as the maintenance treatment with short acting β2 agonists as relievers (table⇓).1 2 3 4 5 The most striking benefits are fewer exacerbations (severe exacerbations, defined as needing a course of oral corticosteroids, are …
CORDS AND SURFACE-MARKINGS IN GLASSWARE1

In the manufacture of glassware it is important to distinguish between surface-markings and cords, both of which are serious defects and detrimental to quality. To do this immerse the piece of glass under test in a liquid of the same refringence and sight through liquid and glass toward a distant light. Under these conditions surface-markings disappear altogether. Cords, on the other hand, stand out more distinctly than before. The relative refringence of a cord compared with that of the adjacent glass can also be determined at the same time. For ordinary crown glasses monochlorbenzene is suggested as an immersion liquid. To lower its refractive index add benzene; to raise it add carbon bisulfide or monochlornaphthalene.
Incidental paranasal sinus abnormalities on MRI of the brain

T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) presents paranasal sinus pathology with remarkable clarity. However, it has yet to be demonstrated that all MRI findings represent true pathology and not minor or incidental findings of no consequence. In an effort to resolve this question, we have analysed retrospectively 263 consecutive T2-weighted MRI examinations of the head performed for indications not associated with possible sinus pathology. We examined these studies for abnormally increased signal in the paranasal sinuses and the sites of involvement. Mucoperiosteal thickening, mucus retention cysts, air-fluid levels or total sinus opacification were recorded. Of the 263 studies examined, 65 (24.7%) demonstrated abnormalities in the paranasal sinuses. We conclude that because of its great sensitivity MRI will often detect abnormalities in the paranasal sinuses which are unrelated to the patients' presenting problems.
Accidental beta radiation burns from an electron accelerator

A 61-year-old man presented to the emergency department after accidental exposure to beta radiation and low dose x radiation from an industrial linear electron accelerator. Over 40 days he developed burns on the extremities, abdomen, and face which eventually healed with topical silver sulfadiazine treatment, but suffered no acute x or gamma radiation symptoms. Beta burns and other radiation effects are discussed.
Challenge differentially affects cytokine production and metabolic status of growing and finishing swine.

Abstract Growing (35 kg body weight) and finishing (85 kg body weight) swine challenged with endotoxin ( Escherichia coli O55:B5) at a dose of either 2 or 20 μg/kg produced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α in a dose-response relationship as measured by bioassay. Peak TNFα plasma levels were observed 1–2 hr post-challenge, returning to basal values 4 hr post-challenge. However, both an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay specific for swine TNFα and total human TNFα demonstrated no dose-response relationship; peak plasma levels of immunoreactive TNFα were also observed 1–2 hr post-challenge. Maximal plasma interleukin-6 levels occurred 1–2 hr post-challenge and remained elevated through 8 hr post-challenge; there was no effect of lipopolysaccharide dose or metabolic status. Although the metabolic status of the animals also affected glucose levels, with growing animals exhibiting greater sensitivity compared with finishing animals, endotoxin-induced decreases in blood glucose levels were primarily dose-dependent. In contrast, changes in plasma urea nitrogen and free fatty acid (FFA) levels were strictly related to the metabolic status. Urea nitrogen levels were unchanged in growing swine, whereas they were increased in finishing swine and remained elevated 24 hr post-challenge. FFA levels in growing and finishing swine increased 3–6 hr post-challenge. FFA levels returned to basal values for finishing swine 24 hr post challenge, but in growing swine remained elevated 24 hr post-challenge. Plasma aspartate transaminase levels were increased through 24 hr post-challenge; animals given a dose of 20 μg/kg exhibited the greatest increase. Similarly, swine challenged with a dose of 20 μg/kg also exhibited the greatest increase in levels of conjugated bilirubin; there was no effect on unconjugated (free) bilirubin. These results demonstrate that endotoxin challenge of swine result in a pattern of changes that are dependent on both the dose of endotoxin used and the metabolic status of the animal examined.
Mechanism of Spectral Tuning in the Dolphin Visual Pigments

The absorption maxima of both rod and cone visual pigments of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) are blue-shifted relative to those of terrestrial mammals. A comparison of the sequence of the dolphin rod photopigment gene with that of the bovine rod suggests that, of the 28 nonidentical amino acids, three amino acid substitutions at positions 83, 292, and 299 in the dolphin rod pigment are responsible for the 10 nm blue shift in absorption maxima. A similar comparison of the dolphin long-wavelength sensitive (LWS) cone photopigment gene with those of the human LWS cones suggests that a single substitution at position 292 (using the convention of rhodopsin numbering) in the dolphin LWS cone pigment results in a blue shift in absorption maxima. A mutagenesis study reveals that the combination of the three dolphin specific substitutions in the bovine rod pigment (83D to 83N, 292A to 292S, and 299A to 299S) causes a blue shift from the wild-type λmax of 499 nm to 489 nm. The single substitution in th...
The Technical Communicator as Author Meaning, Power, Authority

The authors explore the parallels to be found by comparing descriptions of the technical communicator with differing views of the communication process—the transmission, translation, and articulation views of communication. In each of these views, the place of the technical communicator and of technical discourse shifts with respect to the production of meaning and relations of power. The authors argue from the standpoint of the articulation view for a new conception of the technical communicator as author and of technical communication as a discourse that produces an author.
Pinnacle: An approach toward object oriented quantum chemistry

This article presents an object orientated approach to the calculation of quantum chemical quantities, specifically Moller-Plesset second- and third-order energies. Blocking and index symmetry is used to take advantage of the sparsity of the data structures. The two main classes, Arrays and BlockArrays, are presented along with a sample code segment. While this code has been specifically used to calculate quantum chemical quantities, the code has been made general enough to be of use in other computational settings. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effects of a limited class of nonlinearities on estimates of relative weights.

Perturbation analyses have been applied in recent years to determine the relative contribution of individual stimulus components in detection and discrimination tasks. Responses to stimulus samples are compared to stimulus parameters to determine the details of the decision rule. Often, a linear model is assumed and it is of interest to determine the relative contribution of different stimulus elements to the decision. Here, biases in estimated relative weights are considered for the case where the decision variable is given by D=(∑(αiXin)k)m and the stimulus components, the Xi, are normally distributed, of equal variance, and mutually independent. The αi are the “true” combination weights, and n, k, and m are positive reals. The method used to estimate relative weights is the correlation coefficient between the Xi and the observer’s responses. Estimates of relative αi do not depend on m but may depend on the mean values of the Xi and the values of n and k (a dependence on the variance, σi2, holds even fo...
Bushspeak and the Politics of Lying: Presidential Rhetoric in the "War on Terror"

The Bush administration, aided and abetted by U.S. corporate media, manipulated a politics of fear to push through a right-wing agenda that included the Patriot Act, massive changes in the legal system, a dramatic expansion of the U.S. military, and U.S.-led military intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq. Accordingly, I dissect Bush-Cheney administration rhetoric in the period following the 9/11 terror attacks, George W. Bush's “axis of evil” speech and the lead-up to the Iraq War, and the discourse and spectacle of the war itself. Building on George Orwell, I deconstruct Bush's rhetoric as an instrument of “Bushspeak” and the politics of lying. I argue that subsequent events in Iraq deconstructed Bush's discourse and showed the dangers and limitations of the politics of lying and of the spectacle, which can be reversed and undermined by subsequent events.
One sided chebyshev inequality when the first four moments are known

An one sided Chebyshev inequality is derived when the first four moments are known. The inequality is surprisingly simple and is an improvement over the one. sided inequality when the first two moments are known.
Curve veering and mode localization in a buckling problem

It is shown on a simple example that small disorder, or mistuning, may alter drastically the eigensolution of buckling problems in nearly periodic structures with weak internal coupling. Specifically, the phenomena of eigenvalue loci veering and mode shape localization, which are known to occur for free vibration problems, are evidenced in the case of structural buckling as well.
Amino acid residues of heparin cofactor II required for stimulation of thrombin inhibition by sulphated polyanions

Abstract A variety of sulphated polyanions in addition to heparin and dermatan sulphate stimulate the inhibition of thrombin by heparin cofactor II (HCII). Previous investigations indicated that the binding sites on HCII for heparin and dermatan sulphate overlap but are not identical. In this study we determined the concentrations (IC50) of various polyanions required to stimulate thrombin inhibition by native recombinant HCII in comparison with three recombinant HCII variants having decreased affinity for heparin (Lys-173→Gln), dermatan sulphate (Arg-189→His), or both heparin and dermatan sulphate (Lys-185→Asn). Pentosan polysulphate, sulphated bis-lactobionic acid amide, and sulphated bis-maltobionic acid amide resembled dermatan sulphate, since their IC50 values were increased to a much greater degree (≥8-fold) by the mutations Arg-189→His and Lys-185→Asn than by Lys-173→Gln (≤1.5-fold). By contrast, the IC50 values for fucosylated chondroitin sulphate, chondroitin sulphate E, dextran sulphate, and fucoidan were minimally affected. Only in the case of heparin was the IC50 increased to a greater degree by both Lys-173→Gln and Lys-185→Asn (≥6-fold) than by Arg-189→His (≤1.5-fold). None of the polyanions significantly stimulated inhibition of thrombin by an N-terminal deletion mutant of HCII (Δ1–74). These results suggest that, like dermatan sulphate and heparin, other polyanions stimulate HCII primarily by an allosteric mechanism requiring the N-terminal acidic domain.
Thermoacidophilic proteins for biofuel production

Growing concerns about global climate change and energy dependence have led to an increased effort to reduce carbon emissions. A considerable reduction could be achieved by using biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass instead of fossil fuels. One major bottleneck of biofuel production from lignocellulose is the availability of efficient and inexpensive biocatalysts (i.e. alcohol dehydrogenases, cellulases and esterases) that are active and stable at high temperatures and low pH values. Although heterologous gene expression is used effectively to obtain recombinant proteins derived from mesophiles, the production of thermoacidophilic proteins is often unsuccessful. Some of the reasons for this failure and potential solutions for an increased production of novel extremophilic biocatalysts are discussed here.
Student Course Selection in a Non-Requirement Program : an Exploratory Study

AbstractThis research investigates the decision process exercised by students in course selection in a non-requirement academic program. The research has, two major purposes: l) to serve as a diagnostic tool for administrators evaluating the merits of non-requirement programs; and 2) to serve a pragmatic purpose for administrators as a source of data from which predictions of success or failure of non-requirement systems can be made. The major considerations in students’ course selections were: personal interest in the area, course content, compatibility with major field, and instructor. Major information sources used by students were: friends, catalogue descriptions, and faculty members (other than advisors). Therefore, both informal and formal information sources were explored by students, formal and formal information sources were explored by students.
The establishment of a failure criterion in cross wedge rolling

Internal defects in the cross wedge rolling (CWR) process can lead to the catastrophic failure of products. Using specialised experiments and the explicit dynamic finite element model (FEM), this work investigates the mechanisms of void generation and growth in the cross wedge rolling process. Based on a combined numerical and experimental approach, the morphology of void generation is determined as a function of the workpiece material and three primary parameters in the cross wedge rolling process: the forming angle, α, the stretching angle, β and the area reduction, Δ A . Through the definition of a non-dimensional deformation coefficient, e, a method for predicting the likelihood of void formation is subsequently ascertained and discussed with respect to CWR tooling design and operating conditions.
What is the Internet learning about you while you are learning about the Internet

Privacy, confidentiality, and security are largely taken for granted in physicians' offices. However, increasingly, physicians and insurance providers will be obtaining and exchanging information through the sophisticated resources available on the Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW, or the Web). Some of these resources will maintain the same privacy experienced in the office of a trusted clinician or in the reading room of a great library, but more often than not, while people are learning from the Web, the Web will be learning about them. The author describes a new type of file used by Web browsers (the "cookies" file) that may enable users to browse the Web more efficiently but that may also compromise the user's privacy. He then discusses exactly how abuses might occur if information obtained through cookies files is misused, particularly by health insurance providers. Finally, he considers privacy and confidentiality issues raised by computer-based medical records, and the role of the health care provider in maintaining confidential and helpful doctor-patient relationships in the face of rapid technological change and the pressures of managed care.
Effects of orexin-A on memory processing.

Orexin-A is an endogenous peptide with receptors present throughout the brain. Here, we examined the effect of post-training administration of orexin-A on retention in active and passive avoidance. Orexin-A administered by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection to CD-1 mice post-training improved retention in both T-maze footshock avoidance and one trial step-down passive avoidance. SAMP8 mice have age-related deficits in learning and memory, which correlate with an increase in brain levels of beta amyloid (Abeta) and an impaired response to memory-enhancing compounds. Orexin-A at 3nmol improved retention in young and old SAMP8 mice. These findings show that orexin-A can improve memory even with overproduction of Abeta.
Effects of film morphology and gate dielectric surface preparation on the electrical characteristics of organic-vapor-phase-deposited pentacene thin-film transistors

Organic vapor phase deposition was used to grow polycrystalline pentacene channel thin-film transistors. Substrate temperature, chamber pressure during film deposition, and growth rate were used to vary the crystalline grain size of pentacene films on O2-plasma treated SiO2 from 0.2 to 5 μm, leading to room-temperature saturation regime field-effect hole mobilities (μeff) from 0.05±0.02 to 0.5±0.1 cm2/V s, respectively. Surface treatment of SiO2 with octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) prior to pentacene deposition resulted in μeff⩽1.6 cm2/V s, and drain current on/off ratios of ⩽108 at room temperature, while dramatically reducing the average grain size. X-ray diffraction studies indicate that the OTS treatment decreases the order of the molecular stacks. This suggests an increased density of flat-lying molecules, accompanying the improvement of the hole mobility at the pentacene/OTS interface.
Educability and group differences

1 Subpopulation differences in educability. 2 Current technical misconceptions and obfuscations. 3 Intelligence and educability. 4 the heritability of scholastic achievement Appendix A 5 Between-groups heritability 6 Social class differences in intelligence 7 Race differences in intelligence 8 Multiple and partial correlation methods 9 Intelligence of racial hybrids 10 Environmental rationalization versus environmental research 11 Equating for socioeconomic variables 12 Accentuated environmental inequalities 13 Inequality of schooling 14 Teacher expectancy 15 Motivational factors 16 Language deprivation 17 Culture biased-tests 18 Sensori-motor differences 19 Physical environment and mental development 20 Recapitulation Appendix on heritability. References. Indices.
Water, plants, and early human habitats in eastern Africa

Water and its influence on plants likely exerted strong adaptive pressures in human evolution. Understanding relationships among water, plants, and early humans is limited both by incomplete terrestrial records of environmental change and by indirect proxy data for water availability. Here we present a continuous record of stable hydrogen-isotope compositions (expressed as δD values) for lipid biomarkers preserved in lake sediments from an early Pleistocene archaeological site in eastern Africa—Olduvai Gorge. We convert sedimentary leaf- and algal-lipid δD values into estimates for ancient source-water δD values by accounting for biochemical, physiological, and environmental influences on isotopic fractionation via published water–lipid enrichment factors for living plants, algae, and recent sediments. Reconstructed precipitation and lake-water δD values, respectively, are consistent with modern isotopic hydrology and reveal that dramatic fluctuations in water availability accompanied ecosystem changes. Drier conditions, indicated by less negative δD values, occur in association with stable carbon-isotopic evidence for open, C4-dominated grassland ecosystems. Wetter conditions, indicated by lower δD values, are associated with expanded woody cover across the ancient landscape. Estimates for ancient precipitation amounts, based on reconstructed precipitation δD values, range between approximately 250 and 700 mm·y−1 and are consistent with modern precipitation data for eastern Africa. We conclude that freshwater availability exerted a substantial influence on eastern African ecosystems and, by extension, was central to early human proliferation during periods of rapid climate change.
Grandparents Rearing Grandchildren: A School-Based Small Group Intervention

Although support groups are the most popular source of education and support for the growing number of grandparents who are rearing their grandchildren, the nature and efficacy of these groups have...
AVERAGING CORPORATION INCOME FOR TAX PURPOSES: A STATISTICAL STUDY

PROPOSALS for allowing the averaging of net taxable income' for income tax purposes ordinarily exclude the taxable income of corporations. The cogent rationale favoring the averaging (over several years) of personal income-a sharply progressive income tax structure and a desire that taxpayers reporting the same total taxable income over a period of years pay the same total income taxes-are almost absent in the case of the corporate' tax. Nevertheless, the averaging of income for tax purposes2 has some merit in the case of the corporate income tax also. For one thing, the many administrative difficulties of the present tax law caused by rigid adherence to an annual tax period concept would be decreased.3 Placing depreciation and inventory change amounts into their "proper" annual compartments would no longer require the effort currently expended by the Treasury Department. However, averaging would bring into tax law its own complexities,4 which would diminish its advantages in this area. The proposal's economic effects offer a more tangible argument in its favor. The liquidity and retained earnings position would improve
Value of radiation therapy in the management of patients with cerebral metastases from malignant melanoma: Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Brain Metastases Study I and II.

Sixty patients from two Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) studies with cerebral metastases from malignant melanoma were analyzed to determine the response to whole brain irradiation. General performance status, neurologic function, and specific neurologic symptoms were evaluated for rate and duration of improvement. Also analyzed was the influence of chemotherapy and steroids, although neither was a controlled factor. Results indicate a significant benefit from radiation therapy in terms of symptomatic and neurologic function improvement. Symptomatic improvement was observed in 76%, with 31% completely improved. Of the four most frequent symptoms, complete or partial improvement was observed as follows: headache—27 of 37 patients (73%); motor loss—14 of 23 patients (61%); impaired mentation—13 of 24 patients (62%); and convulsions—10 of 12 patients (83%). Improvement in neurologic function class was observed in 18 of 44 patients (41%). Median survival for Study 1 patients was 10 weeks (range 1–200) and that of Study II patients 14 weeks (range 1–76). These results are comparable to those found in radiation therapy of brain metastases from all other primary tumors. Cancer 45:679-683, 1980.
Dietary supplementation with blueberry extract improves survival of transplanted dopamine neurons

AbstractThe exact mechanisms contributing to poor neuronal survival in cell transplantation paradigms for Parkinson's disease (PD) are unknown. However, transplantation-induced host immune response, inflammation, and subsequent oxidative stress are likely contributors to cell death since dopamine (DA) neurons are exquisitely sensitive to oxidative damage. Multiple studies have attempted to improve cell survival by treating transplant material with antioxidant and antiinflammatory compounds, whereas far fewer studies have attempted to modify the host environment to reduce these threats. Flavonoids, phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables, have antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. For example, supplementation with dietary blueberry extract (BBE) prevents oxidative stress-associated impairment of striatal motor function during aging and restores lost motor function in aged rats. We hypothesized that dietary supplementation of rodent diets with BBE would improve the survival o...
A procedure for the ultraviolet spectral detection of ortho-dihydroxyl groups in flavonoids

Abstract A spectroscopic procedure using anhydrous AlCl 3 and AlCl 3 /HCl is described for the detection of ortho -dihydroxyl groups in flavonoids. This method complements the sodium acetate-boric acid method which is commonly used for this purpose.
The role of sialography in extraparotid disease

Abstract Sialography is an important aid in the diagnosis of diseases of the parotid area. In addition to sialograms, examination of the salivary flow, probing of the duct, and preinjection radiographs are essential if one is to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.
Massive Thromboembolism Captured By Real-Time Echocardiography

Thromboembolism is a potentially serious complication following any surgical procedure. Its incidence is particularly high after elective orthopedic procedures, such as a total knee arthroplasty. We present a patient who developed a massive thromboembolism captured by real-time echocardiography, who was undergoing ultrasound as part of an unrelated clinical study. Citation: Schroeder R (2015) Prog Science 2(2):e10 | doi: 10.14721/ pscience.2015.e10 Original Published: J Surg Radiol. 2010 Jul 1;1(1) | Republished: 02/18/2015 Copyright: © 2015 Schroeder R. Published by TranScience. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Funding: none Competing Interests: The author have declared that no competing interests exist. E-mail: schro016@mc.duke.edu
Schemaless XML document management in object-oriented databases

XML has emerged as the universal format for data exchange and is being widely used in technical documentation of manufacturing companies, book publishing, and Web publishing. It is also being used in contexts that are mission-critical, such as banking and e-commerce. One of the main reasons for the popularity of XML is its semi-structured nature and the flexibility of its component parts. Schemaless XML documents, which do not have a schema or Document Type Definition (DTD), have the highest level of flexibility, as they are not bound to any kind of structure. However, support for schemaless XML documents in the major relational and object-oriented databases is limited to storing each of them as a CLOB (Character Large Object). This kind of storage requires the usage of associative search criteria to query the document, and does not support piecewise update and multiple document queries. In this research, we developed a middleware layer over an Oracle DBMS to support the storage, retrieval, query and update of schemaless XML documents. We also propose an algorithm by which we can store the logical structure of the XML document in addition to storing its content. The final part of this paper presents an algorithm that can rebuild XML documents by using the stored logical structures and the content of the XML documents. The rebuilt XML document is a well-formed document and is similar to the original document.
Glibenclamide does not abolish the protective effect of preconditioning on stunning in the isolated perfused rat heart

Objective: The aim was to determine if the beneficial effects of preconditioning would be affected by inhibiting ATP sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in the isolated, perfused rat heart. Methods: The effects of inhibiting KATP channels with glibenclamide (10 μM) were evaluated on ionic alterations and recovery of function after 30 min ischaemia in non-preconditioned hearts and in hearts that had been preconditioned with four intermittent periods of 5 min ischaemia each separated by 5 min of reflow. [Ca2+]i, pHi, and high energy phosphate levels were measured using 19F and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance during the preconditioning periods of ischaemia, during 30 min of ischaemia, and during reflow, in the presence and absence of 10 μM glibenclamide. Results: High energy phosphate contents were decreased during the preconditioning period to a greater extent in glibenclamide treated hearts and the onset of contracture was hastened during the subsequent 30 min period of sustained ischaemia. However, glibenclamide (10 μM) did not abolish the protective effects of preconditioning on ion accumulation during ischaemia or on postischaemic recovery of contractile function. Recovery of left ventricular developed pressure (as % of initial value) following 30 min of ischaemia was 74(SEM 5)% in the preconditioned hearts without drug and 62(4)% in the preconditioned hearts with glibenclamide, while recovery was 25(5)% in the non-preconditioned hearts without drug and 19(2)% in the non-preconditioned hearts with drug. The alterations in [Ca2+]i and pHi during ischaemia were similar in the glibenclamide treated and untreated preconditioned hearts and in both cases were less marked than in the non-preconditioned untreated hearts. Conclusions: Thus, although inhibition of KATP channels accelerates high energy phosphate depletion during the preconditioning period, this does not result in accentuation of the ionic derangements during a subsequent sustained period of ischaemia and does not abolish the protective effect of preconditioning on stunning in the isolated rat heart. Cardiovascular Research 1993; 27 :630-637
Large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel β1-subunit knockout mice are not hypertensive

Large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels are composed of pore-forming α-subunits and accessory β1-subunits that modulate Ca2+ sensitivity. BK channels regulate arterial myogenic tone and r...
Automatic extraction of candidate nomenclature terms using the doublet method.

Background New terminology continuously enters the biomedical literature. How can curators identify new terms that can be added to existing nomenclatures? The most direct method, and one that has served well, involves reading the current literature. The scholarly curator adds new terms as they are encountered. Present-day scholars are severely challenged by the enormous volume of biomedical literature. Curators of medical nomenclatures need computational assistance if they hope to keep their terminologies current. The purpose of this paper is to describe a method of rapidly extracting new, candidate terms from huge volumes of biomedical text. The resulting lists of terms can be quickly reviewed by curators and added to nomenclatures, if appropriate. The candidate term extractor uses a variation of the previously described doublet coding method. The algorithm, which operates on virtually any nomenclature, derives from the observation that most terms within a knowledge domain are composed entirely of word combinations found in other terms from the same knowledge domain. Terms can be expressed as sequences of overlapping word doublets that have more specific meaning than the individual words that compose the term. The algorithm parses through text, finding contiguous sequences of word doublets that are known to occur somewhere in the reference nomenclature. When a sequence of matching word doublets is encountered, it is compared with whole terms already included in the nomenclature. If the doublet sequence is not already in the nomenclature, it is extracted as a candidate new term. Candidate new terms can be reviewed by a curator to determine if they should be added to the nomenclature. An implementation of the algorithm is demonstrated, using a corpus of published abstracts obtained through the National Library of Medicine's PubMed query service and using "The developmental lineage classification and taxonomy of neoplasms" as a reference nomenclature.
Cover Crop and Herbicide Combinations for Weed Control in Polyethylene-mulched Bell Pepper

ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. biofumigation, methyl bromide alternative, vegetables, management SUMMARY. Field trials were conducted in 2006 and 2007 to evaluate the performance of ‘Caliente’ mustard cover crop and herbicide combinations for weed control in polyethylene-mulched bell pepper (Capsicum annuum). ‘Caliente’ mustard is a blend of brown mustard (Brassica juncea) and white mustard (Sinapis alba). Herbicide treatments included 1/2· and 1· rates of two pre-emergence (PRE) and two postdirected (PD) herbicides. PRE herbicides were applied 1 week before transplanting, whereas PD herbicides were applied at 4 to 5 weeks after transplanting. ‘Caliente’ mustard did not supplement weed control or improve bell pepper yield in herbicide-treated plots. There was a significant herbicide selection by application rate interaction for large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) control and bell pepper yield, but only the main effect of herbicide selection and application rate affected the control of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus), and palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri). Bell pepper injury was not more than 9% from all herbicides and application rates. Except for large crabgrass, control of all weed species improved by increasing the application rate from 1/2· to 1·. S-metolachlor PRE provided more broad-spectrum weed control than other herbicides. Halosulfuron applied PRE or PD was selective to purple nutsedge and yellow nutsedge, whereas trifloxysulfuron performed better than halosulfuron on palmer amaranth and large crabgrass. Plots treated with the 1· rate of S-metolachlor or trifloxysulfuron produced the highest marketable bell pepper yield among the herbicide treatments, but no herbicide treatment allowed for marketable yield equivalent to the weed-free treatment.
VESTA: A statistical model-checker and analyzer for probabilistic systems

We give a brief overview of a statistical model-checking and analysis tool VESTA. VESTA is a tool for statistical analysis of probabilistic systems. It supports statistical model-checking and statistical evaluation of expected values of temporal expressions.
Making the boundary element method less sensitive to changes or errors in the input data

To solve a problem by the boundary element method requires a solution of an integral equation. By discretizing the boundary, the integral equation is reduced to a set of linear algebraic equations. If the matrix in algebraic equation is not diagonal dominant or more precisely, poorly conditioned, then the accuracy of the numerical solution becomes very sensitive to small changes in the input data. Small errors in the input data or changes in the mesh description can change the solution drastically. In this paper a scheme is described which improves the condition of the matrix. Furthermore, it also reduces the sensitivity of the condition of the matrix to changes in the mesh description. The ideas described are applicable to any boundary element formulation. However, the numerical examples are from two-dimensional elastostatics solved by the indirect version of the boundary element method.
Constrained adaptive beamforming: point and contrast resolution

Adaptive beamforming has been widely used as a way to correct phase and amplitude aberration errors in medical ultrasound. A less-studied concern in ultrasound beamforming is the deleterious contribution of off-axis bright targets. We describe a new approach, the constrained adaptive beamformer (CAB), which builds on classic array processing methods. Given a desired frequency response in the focal direction, the CAB dynamically imposes an optimal set of time-dependent weights on the receive aperture, reducing signals from directions other than the focal direction. Two implementations of the CAB are presented which differ in their use of calculated weights to form an output image: the Single Iteration CAB and Multiple Iteration CAB. We present results from experiments performed on a Philips SONOS 5500 imaging system operating with an 8.7 MHz linear array and contrast the performance of the two CAB implementations. Data was acquired from wire targets in a water tank and low echogenicity cysts in a grayscale tissue mimicking phantom. The desired system frequency response was specified by a FIR filter with the same center frequency as the transducer. Improvements in lateral resolution for wire targets and contrast for low echogenicity cysts are shown. Simulations are used to demonstrate limitations of the CAB.
Intensive Faculty-led International Multicultural Courses: Understanding the Perceptions from Students and Improving the Quality of Course Delivery by Faculty

Graduate programs in counselor education have historically offered the on campus multicultural course to increase students’ diversity knowledge, skills, and cultural self-awareness in order to satisfy state, national and international accreditation mandates. This article analyzes the self-reported perceptions and experiences of 21 master’s level counselor education students who participated in an intensive faculty-led international course (IFLIC) as an alternative format to the traditional on campus multicultural course. The pedagogy and curriculum of the IFLIC format is cemented on current multicultural international methodologies of instruction. Subsequently, it presents an in-depth analysis of students’ perceptions of their acquisition of multicultural concepts and skills, as well the role of the course’s curricular and instructional components in their multicultural learning outcomes. It offers a set of recommendations based on the research findings for academic/educational/faculty developers in higher education with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of international higher education. And, it provides delivery strategies for international programs seeking effective implementation of short-term faculty-led international courses (IFLIC).
Use of Strong Relativistic Electron Rings for the Confinement of Thermonuclear Plasmas

Various schemes proposed for the confinement of thermonuclear plasmas are reviewed in which it may be possible to generate and maintain the necessary plasma-internal ring currents by strong self-focussed rings of relativistic electrons or protons. Thus, confinement advantages inherent in some of these schemes may become available for an actual fusion reactor. The results of first experiments injecting very-high current beams of relativistic electrons into a magnetic mirror trap show that such electron rings can be generated and give good indications for their stability.
Segmented Digital Clock Manager- FPGA based Digital Pulse Width Modulator Technique

A new digital pulse width modulator (DPWM) design for a field programmable gate array (FPGA) based systems is presented in this paper. The proposed architecture fully utilizes the digital clock manager (DCM) resources available on new FPGA boards. The proposed segmented DCM DPWM is a digital modulator architecture with low power that allows for high switching frequency operation. It relies on the power-optimized resources already existing on new FPGAs. The inherit phase shifting properties of the DCM blocks simplify the duty cycle generation. The architecture can be applied to achieve various number of bits for the DPWM resolution, and is implemented and verified experimentally on a Virtex4 FPGA board.