cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scope and functions of the U.S. nuclear safety analysis center

The Nuclear Safety Analysis Center (NSAC) was set up at EPRI t in April 1979, soon after the Three Mile Island accident, at the request of the nation's electric power utility industry. NSAC was conceived as one of the nuclear utility industry's responses to the TMI accident. Industry leaders perceived a need for the industry's own impartial and objective investigation and analysis of the TMI accident. NSAC was instructed to carry out this investigation and analysis, and to draw lessons applicable to the industry generally. It was to indicate areas where safety-related improvements were desirable, and to set up mechanisms for better exchange of safety information among the nuclear utilities. Administratively, NSAC operates as a division of EPRI and is served by similar administrative and facility support, and advisory committee structure as is EPRI. NSAC is supported by special funding assessments which are separate from those which support EPRI or the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations. Both public and private companies of the utility industry participate, including APPA (American Public Power Association); NRECA (National Rural Electric Cooperatives) and the investor owned companies of EEI (Edison Electric Institute). NSAC's output is information data analysis and advice on matters of nuclear plant safety. To be valid, such information and advice must be independent, objective, and technically sound. These important requirements are generally recognized and respected by the utilities which support NSAC. The work of NSAC is organized in four departments. These include (l) Plant Engineering Department (Significant Events Program); (2) Instrumentation and Control Department (Safety Display Panel, Human Factors, Safety Instrumentation and Control); (3) Operations Analysis Department (Degraded Core studies, environment and health
Lightweight Aggregates From Incinerated Sludge Ash

A range of artificial aggregates has been developed from incinerated sewage sludge ash. The ash is either pelletized or slabbed and subsequently fired until it sinters and expands to form lightweight products which are later graded for use as aggregates in concrete. From the standard tests conducted on size grading, bulk density, absorption and fracture strength, it appears that both the pellets and slabs are potentially suitable as lightweight aggregates in concrete. Preliminary studies on concrete incorporating these aggregates support this hypothesis. No studies of potential containment release at high temperature was made during these studies.
A Microarray-Based Genetic Screen for Yeast Chronological Aging Factors

Model organisms have played an important role in the elucidation of multiple genes and cellular processes that regulate aging. In this study we utilized the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in a large-scale screen for genes that function in the regulation of chronological lifespan, which is defined by the number of days that non-dividing cells remain viable. A pooled collection of viable haploid gene deletion mutants, each tagged with unique identifying DNA “bar-code” sequences was chronologically aged in liquid culture. Viable mutants in the aging population were selected at several time points and then detected using a microarray DNA hybridization technique that quantifies abundance of the barcode tags. Multiple short- and long-lived mutants were identified using this approach. Among the confirmed short-lived mutants were those defective for autophagy, indicating a key requirement for the recycling of cellular organelles in longevity. Defects in autophagy also prevented lifespan extension induced by limitation of amino acids in the growth media. Among the confirmed long-lived mutants were those defective in the highly conserved de novo purine biosynthesis pathway (the ADE genes), which ultimately produces IMP and AMP. Blocking this pathway extended lifespan to the same degree as calorie (glucose) restriction. A recently discovered cell-extrinsic mechanism of chronological aging involving acetic acid secretion and toxicity was suppressed in a long-lived ade4Δ mutant and exacerbated by a short-lived atg16Δ autophagy mutant. The identification of multiple novel effectors of yeast chronological lifespan will greatly aid in the elucidation of mechanisms that cells and organisms utilize in slowing down the aging process.
A diversity oriented synthesis of 3′-O-modified nucleoside triphosphates for DNA ‘sequencing by synthesis’

The nucleoside triphosphates 1, containing a photochemically cleavable group, and 2, having one that may be cleaved via palladium catalysis, were prepared as a prelude to investigating sequencing of DNA via sequencing by synthesis.
Vasodilator Therapy in Chronic Congestive Heart Failure

Vasodilator agents are relatively new additions to the armamentarium for the management of patients with congestive heart failure. Myocardial failure, irrespective of the aetiology, tends to create a vicious cycle characterised by reduced cardiac output and elevated systemic vascular resistance, which further decrease cardiac output by increasing left ventricular ejection impedance. The rationale for the use of vasodilators is to interrupt the vicious cycle by decreasing the left ventricular ejection impedance by peripheral vasodilatation. Although most vasodilator agents produce qualitatively similar haemodynamic responses, quantitatively their haemodynamic effects differ considerably. Knowledge of the haemodynamic effects of the various vasodilators helps in the selection of a particular drug for the management of such patients. This article reviews the mechanisms of action, haemodynamic effects, pharmacokinetics, clinical usage and adverse effects of non-parenteral vasodilator agents currently available for the management of patients with chronic heart failure.
Thematic review series: The Immune System and Atherogenesis. Paying the price for pathogen protection: toll receptors in atherogenesis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory response characterized by the accumulation of cells of innate and acquired immune systems within the intima of the arterial wall. Macrophages are the predominant participant in innate immune responses in atherosclerosis. Protein receptors expressed by macrophages and endothelial cells recognize components and products of microorganisms and play a vital role in innate immunity. In particular, the members of the toll-like receptor (TLR) family play a critical role in the inflammatory components of atherosclerosis. Both exogenous ligands involved in microbial recognition as well as endogenous ligands involved in sterile inflammation pathways are implicated in the pathology of atherosclerosis. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the role of TLRs and their coactivators in atherosclerosis, with particular emphasis on studies in atherosclerosis-prone hypercholesterolemic mice.
Some effects, especially on yield, of artificially defoliating sugar beet

SUMMARY The effects of completely defoliating sugar beet at different dates from May to October were examined in four years. In each year there were plots given the usual nitrogen fertiliser application to the seedbed, and also in two of the years plots given no nitrogen. At harvest in mid-November, minimum root weights followed defoliation in July or August, but defoliation in August or later gave minimum sugar contents. When nitrogen was applied to the seedbed sugar yields were smallest after August defoliation; in the absence of nitrogen, July defoliation gave the lowest sugar yields, root yield being smaller but sugar content usually greater than with nitrogen. Up to 40% of the sugar yield was lost by July or August defoliation and late defoliation increased some of the impurities in the root juice. Yields, and recovery from defoliation, were greater with nitrogen than without. Partial defoliation in May had relatively little effect on yield. Defoliation affected the incidence of virus yellows differently in different years.
Reversible arrest of Chinese hamster cells in G1 by partial deprivation of leucine.

Abstract The cell cycle of Chinese hamster cells in culture can be arrested by removal of leucine from the medium. When a growing culture is completely deprived of leucine, part of the cell population accumulates in G1, but some cells are arrested in the S and G2 periods. When a trace of leucine (0.1% or 1.0% of the normal concentration) is left in the medium, more of the cells accumulate in G1 during a 36-h period of deprivation. The maximum G1 accumulation has been obtained using 0.1% of the normal leucine concentration with a culture of low cell density. Release of the culture by addition of leucine is followed by a moderate amount of synchrony in DNA synthesis and cell division. The experiments show that cells can complete the S, G2, and division periods with levels of leucine in the medium that do not permit cells to traverse through G1. This differential sensitivity of G1 appears to be positioned several hours before the initiation of DNA synthesis. In addition, the progress of cells in middle and late G1 at the time of leucine withdrawal is cancelled, and such cells revert to an earlier position in G1 where they remain in cycle arrest unless released by reprovision of leucine.
Appearance of multiple benign paraproteins during early engraftment of soy lectin T cell-depleted haploidentical bone marrow cells in severe combined immunodeficiency.

Recent advances in the prevention of graft-versus-host disease through postthymic T-cell depletion have allowed the use of haploidentical bone marrow cells for immunologic reconstitution of severe combined immunodeficiency disease. We report a male infant with severe combined immunodeficiency (with normal adenosine deaminase) who developed two IgG kappa and one IgA lambda paraproteins 7 weeks following the administration of 1.4×109 maternal bone marrow cells depleted of postthymic T cells by soy lectin agglutination and sheep erythrocyte rosetting. Serum IgG rose from 128 to 820 mg/dl, and IgA from 0 to 2400 mg/dl, peaking at 10 weeks postgrafting. By 14 weeks posttransplantation T-cell numbers and function had risen to normal (all dividing T cells had the donor karyotype) and paraprotein concentrations began to decline. These observations strongly suggest that the later-appearing T cells regulated the B-cell clones from which the paraproteins were derived. Failure of such function to appear could account for the increased incidence of B-cell lymphomas in severe combined immunodeficiency.
Vanishing lung syndrome and HIV infection: an uncommon yet potentially fatal sequela of cigarette smoking.

Persons with HIV infection have a higher risk of infectious pulmonary complications, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, and pulmonary fibrosis than individuals not infected with HIV. Herein, we describe the clinical course of a patient with longstanding and well-controlled HIV infection and multiple previous pneumothoraces who presented to medical attention with insidious onset of shortness of breath and was diagnosed with vanishing lung syndrome (VLS). The VLS or giant bullous emphysema is a distinct clinical syndrome characterized by large bullae, predominantly in the upper lobes, occupying at least one third of the hemithorax and compressing surrounding normal lung parenchyma. It is a progressive disorder that typically occurs in young men, the majority of whom are smokers. As people with HIV/AIDS are now surviving well into middle age and beyond, clinicians are more likely to encounter VLS and severe obstructive lung disease, which are potentially fatal but pre...
Resonant DC/DC converter with class-E inverter and class-E rectifier

A new type of high-frequency high-efficiency resonant DC/DC converter is proposed, analyzed, and verified experimentally. It is called a class-E converter because it consists of a class-E inverter and a class-E rectifier. The class-E rectifier acts as an impedance inverter and is compatible with the class-E inverter. Consequently, the converter can operate with load resistances from a full load to infinity while maintaining zero-voltage switching of the transistor in the inverter and the diode in the rectifier. It operates safely with a short circuit at the output. Because of a high value of the load quality factor Q/sub 1/, a narrow frequency range suffices to regulate the DC output voltage over the whole load range. The measured relative bandwidth was delta f/f/sub min/=42.2% as the load resistance was varied from 70 Omega to open circuit. The measured efficiency at the full load was 89% with a 9 W output power at 1 MHz. A family of class-E/sup 2/ resonant DC/DC power converters is given. The possibility of reduction of class-E/sup 2/ converters to lower-order resonant and pulse-width-modulation converters is shown. >
Anxiety and motor performance: Where to from here?

Abstract The purpose of this paper was to briefly review the traditional existing theories attempting to explain the relationship between anxiety and motor performance and then suggest some future directions for research. Specifically, a review of drive theory and the inverted-U hypothesis led to the conclusion that due to methodological, conceptual and interpretive problems, these explanations for the anxiety-performance relationship are overly simplistic and lack heuristic value. Future research should focus on the interaction of psychobiological states as they relate to motor performance. Some specific suggestions include more precision in the measurement of anxiety as a multidimensional construct which includes psychophysiological, cognitive, and affective components. In addition, individual differences need to be recognized with intraindividual comparisons replacing between-subject comparisons. Hanin's zone of optimal functioning is offered as one such approach. Finally, more sensitivity and precisio...
Adiponectin but not leptin is involved in early hepatic disease in morbidly obese patients

Background Pathologic changes in the liver are common in morbidly obese patients, and insulin resistance may potentiate the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis to fibrosis and cirrhosis. This study investigates the impact of leptin and adiponectin in morbidly obese diabetic and nondiabetic patients with regard to histopathologic changes in the liver.
Relativistic Electron-Beam-Generated Coherent Submillimeter Wavelength Cerenkov Radiation

A cylindrical wave guide lined with thin dielectric layer can be used as a slow wave structure. As the dielectric filling factor becomes arbitrarily small and as the dielectric constant of the load material approaches unity the wavelength at which the phase velocity of the guide modes become less than the speed of light becomes arbitrarily short. The azimuthally symmetric TM modes of this structure will couple to an axially propagating electron stream and the resulting linearized dispersion relation has roots which correspond to exponentially growing waves. Relativistic electron beams will permit operation at millimeter wavelengths without resorting to high loss dielectric loads. The intensity of the available beams is such that high power operation can be expected. Intense relativistic electron beams propagating in structures of the type described above have already been used to make coherent sources at wavelengths in the 5mm range [1,2].
Engine-Component Wear Modeling With Consideration of Growth and Removal of Surface Films: Computational Framework and Preliminary Results

The life of an automotive engine is often limited by the ability of its components to resist wear. The ability to predict wear, particularly for the effects of lubricant and additive characteristics, would greatly aid the development process of both engine components and lubricants. This paper addresses the development and function of thin solid films on rough surfaces and their effect on surface wear, as that occurring between contacting engine component surfaces. Completely deterministic modeling of such films may not be possible due to the complex interactions between the numerous mechanical, thermal, and chemical variables over disparate magnitudes of time and length scales. However, it is believed that useful predictions can be made by constructing a mechanistic model in which all of the most important effects are included, even if only at an approximate level. This work outlines the early stages of such a modeling effort in the context of zinc dialkyl-dithiophosphate (ZDDP) antiwear films on iron surfaces. The key concepts behind the theoretical model will be introduced, while its numerical implementation will be the focus of the discussion. Preliminary results from this effort are presented to illustrate feasibility and functionality on a qualitative level.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Intrinsic Frequency and the Single Wave Biopsy Implications for Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is the hallmark of classical type II diabetes. In addition, insulin resistance plays a central role in metabolic syndrome, which astonishingly affects 1 out of 3 adults in North America. The insulin resistance state can precede the manifestation of diabetes and hypertension by years. Insulin resistance is correlated with a low-grade inflammatory condition, thought to be induced by obesity as well as other conditions. Currently, the methods to measure and monitor insulin resistance, such as the homeostatic model assessment and the euglycemic insulin clamp, can be impractical, expensive, and invasive. Abundant evidence exists that relates increased pulse pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and vascular dysfunction with insulin resistance. We introduce a potential method of assessing insulin resistance that relies on a novel signal-processing algorithm, the intrinsic frequency method (IFM). The method requires a single pulse pressure wave, thus the term “ wave biopsy.”
Carotid-subclavian bypass and subclavian-carotid transposition in the thoracic endovascular aortic repair era.

Objective Beyond traditional indications, subclavian revascularization is increasingly performed to allow for aortic arch debranching in the setting of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Endovascular treatment options for subclavian disease have emerged, perhaps altering the patient population undergoing open revascularization. We leveraged prospectively collected American College of Surgeons (ACS)-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) data to delineate evolving stroke and mortality rates after carotid-subclavian bypass (CSB) and subclavian-carotid transposition (SCT) in this dynamic context. Methods The ACS-NSQIP database (2005 to 2010) was used to examine patients who underwent CSB or SCT. Patients admitted for emergency cases were excluded. Factors associated with 30-day postoperative cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or death (CVA/D) were defined using univariable and multivariable analyses. Results CSB comprised 41% of revascularizations associated with TEVAR and 89% of isolated revascularizations. A greater proportion of TEVARs were performed in the SCT group (37.4% vs 4.9%; P P = .06). For patients undergoing isolated revascularization, increasing age (adjusted odds ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.10; P P Conclusions In this contemporary data set, there was no significant difference in CVA/D by surgical approach. TEVAR trended toward an association with CVA/D compared with isolated subclavian reconstruction. CVA/D continues to complicate contemporary CSB and SCT, especially among elderly and nonindependent patient subsets.
Synthesis and structures of acyclic monoanionic tetradentate aza β-diketiminate complexes of magnesium, zinc, and cadmium

An acyclic monoanionic tetradentate nitrogen ligand was prepared through the condensation of 2-(4-tolyl)-malondialdehyde and 8-aminoquinoline to give (BDIQQ)H where (BDIQQ)H = (8-quinolyl)-NCHC(4-tolyl)CHNH-(8-quinolyl). Metal complexes, (BDIQQ)MX, were prepared where MX = MgBr 2, ZnCl 3, and CdOAc 4. The spectroscopic and crystallographic properties of compounds 2, 3, and 4 were explored. Structures of complexes 2, 3, 4, and the tridentate ligand, (BDIQ)OH, 5, are reported.
Psychosocial Adjustment to Breast Cancer: A Review of Selected Literature

The following is a review of the clinical and research literature concerning women's emotional adjustment to the detection of breast cancer and its subsequent management. The review is organized into ten themes which focus on three general areas: 1) women's response to the diagnosis of breast cancer; 2) involvement of spouse, family and professional providers; and 3) the patient's milieu—how it impinges on the course of her treatment and rehabilitation. Also noted is the paucity of systematic research dealing with the effectiveness of support interventions, their content and duration, and the appropriate individual to provide such support.
CDER Risk Assessment Exercise to Evaluate Potential Risks from the Use of Nanomaterials in Drug Products

The Nanotechnology Risk Assessment Working Group in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) within the United States Food and Drug Administration was established to assess the possible impact of nanotechnology on drug products. The group is in the process of performing risk assessment and management exercises. The task of the working group is to identify areas where CDER may need to optimize its review practices and to develop standards to ensure review consistency for drug applications that may involve the application of nanotechnology. The working group already performed risk management exercises evaluating the potential risks from administering nanomaterial active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) or nanomaterial excipients by various routes of administration. This publication outlines the risk assessment and management process used by the working group, using nanomaterial API by the oral route of administration as an example.
CD13 Regulates Anchorage and Differentiation of the Skeletal Muscle Satellite Stem Cell Population in Ischemic Injury

CD13 is a multifunctional cell surface molecule that regulates inflammatory and angiogenic mechanisms in vitro, but its contribution to these processes in vivo or potential roles in stem cell biology remains unexplored. We investigated the impact of loss of CD13 on a model of ischemic skeletal muscle injury that involves angiogenesis, inflammation, and stem cell mobilization. Consistent with its role as an inflammatory adhesion molecule, lack of CD13 altered myeloid trafficking in the injured muscle, resulting in cytokine profiles skewed toward a prohealing environment. Despite this healing-favorable context, CD13(KO) animals showed significantly impaired limb perfusion with increased necrosis, fibrosis, and lipid accumulation. Capillary density was correspondingly decreased, implicating CD13 in skeletal muscle angiogenesis. The number of CD45-/Sca1-/α7-integrin+/β1-integrin+ satellite cells was markedly diminished in injured CD13(KO) muscles and adhesion of isolated CD13(KO) satellite cells was impaired while their differentiation was accelerated. Bone marrow transplantation studies showed contributions from both host and donor cells to wound healing. Importantly, CD13 was coexpressed with Pax7 on isolated muscle-resident satellite cells. Finally, phosphorylated-focal adhesion kinase and ERK levels were reduced in injured CD13(KO) muscles, consistent with CD13 regulating satellite cell adhesion, potentially contributing to the maintenance and renewal of the satellite stem cell pool and facilitating skeletal muscle regeneration.
Simulation of an atmospheric pressure methane-hydrogen micro-discharge for diamond like carbon (DLC) film deposition

Summary form only given. Plasma assisted chemical vapor (PACVD) reactors are frequently used to deposit amorphous carbon layers on materials. These layers also called diamond-like-carbon layers, can be deposited on a variety of substrates by PACVD using different kinds of plasmas, which are generally maintained at low pressure. Operating the plasma at low pressure has several drawbacks which include expensive vacuum systems and high maintenance cost. Atmospheric pressure glow discharges are attractive for a wide range of material processing application largely due to their operation flexibility afforded by the removal of the vacuum system. Atmospheric pressure micro glow discharge of the cold type has been generated in our laboratory. Experimental studies are being performed to use the micro glow discharge for deposition. A hybrid model has been developed to simulate direct current methane-hydrogen plasma operating at atmospheric pressure. The model developed consists of the momentum and energy conservation for the multi-component gas mixture, and continuity equations for each component of the mixture (electrons, ions radicals and neutrals). The model considers a drift-diffusion approximation for the species fluxes. The species considered include 6 neutral species, 8 ionic species, 5 radicals and the electron. The electric field is obtained from the simultaneous solution of the Poisson's equation. The electron induced reaction rates, electron mobility and diffusion coefficients were obtained by solving a zero-dimensional Boltzmann equation. In the model two or more vibrational excitations for every neutral was included, since a considerable traction of the electron energy is lost in the vibrational excitation reactions. Two dimensional simulations were carried out for a pin-plate electrode configuration together with an external circuit. The results obtained indicated H3 + and CH5 + to be the dominant ionic species. Volumetric production of C2H5 + and CH5 + were observed and H3 + ion density indicated a larger concentration at the sheaths. The radical density indicated abundance of CH3 and CH5 radicals, which are the key radicals for DLC depositions. The simulations further indicated the discharge to be a normal glow discharge having a normal current density of 22 A cm-2. The simulations will help to optimize the plasma parameters (power, gas flow and gas mixture) for good quality deposition.
Light-trapping nano-structures in organic photovoltaic cells

We review nano-structures used as light trapping schemes in organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells. Light management via nano-structures enables one to exploit sub-diffraction limit properties, thereby giving access to enhanced light absorption in OPV cells. Light trapping schemes have been demonstrated in the form of surface plasmons, anti-reflection coatings, and photonic crystal patterns. Versatile methods are now available to facilitate fabrication of such nano-structures on sufficiently large areas for OPV applications.
Thermal phenomena during the encapsulation of electronic devices

Difficulties resulting from plastic encapsulation for large semiconductor chips, electronic modules such as ceramic hybrid circuits, and passive components are classified into three problem areas. These are temperature excursion, moisture, and electrical. The failure related to each item is listed. A review of thermally reduced failures of encapsulated devices, and assembly sequences and testing are discussed for a broad range of applications. >
keeping it oral: a Yekuana ethnology

Following a brief survey of early ethnographic contact, this paper focuses on the dynamics of what Roy Wagner has termed “reverse anthropology,” the “metaphorization” of the foreign into one's own ideology. Through an analysis of various myths, the manner in which new historical realities have been incorporated into the existing symbolic structures of the Yekuana Indians of Venezuela is discussed. While attention is devoted to the transformation of the Spanish into a powerful negative symbol, it is the technology they introduced, particularly literacy, that is mainly focused upon. Issues such as cultural creativity, mythopoesis, and the relation between history and myth are all central to this discussion of oral cultures as dynamic systems of thought capable of accommodating new information and ideas.
The National Teacher Corps: A Study of Shifting Goals and Changing Assumptions

This article investigates the lasting legacy of the National Teacher Corps (NTC), which was created in 1965 by the U.S. federal government with two crucial assumptions: that teaching poor urban children required a very specific skill set and that teacher preparation programs were not providing adequate training in these skills. Analysis reveals that, though these assumptions still undergird many of today’s current alternative certification programs, political and institutional issues prevented the NTC from realizing its full potential. Analysis also reveals that the NTC, because of changes, left a legacy of assumptions but never uncovered how to actually prepare teachers for urban schools.
Image plane interaction techniques in 3D immersive environments

This paper presents a set of interaction techniques for use in headtracked immersive virtual environments. With these techniques, the user interacts with the 2D projections that 3D objects in the scene make on his image plane. The desktop analog is the use of a mouse to interact with objects in a 3D scene based on their projections on the monitor screen. Participants in an immersive environment can use the techniques we discuss for object selection, object manipulation, and user navigation in virtual environments. CR Categories and Subject Descriptors: 1.3.6 [Computer Graphics]: Methodology and Techniques - InteractionTechniques; 1.3.7 [Computer Graphics]: Three-Dimensional Graphics and Realism - VirtualReality. Additional Keywords: virtual worlds, virtual environments, navigation, selection, manipulation.
Vibration Analysis of Curvilinearly-Stiffened Functionally Graded Plate Using Element Free Galerkin Method

The element free Galerkin (EFG) method is developed for the free vibration of a functionally-graded plate with curvilinear stiffeners. The governing equations for the plate and stiffeners are derived by using the first order shear deformation theory. The in-plane deformation, transverse deflection and rotations of the plate and stiffener are expressed using moving least square (MLS) approximation. The penalty method is used to impose the boundary conditions. Material properties of the plate are assumed to vary continuously through the thickness, according to a power law, in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. The formulation can model stiffeners having arbitrary orientation, curvature, and eccentricity. Several numerical examples for various material compositions and boundary conditions are compared with the other results available in the literature, illustrating the accuracy of the present approach. Finally, the influences of material composition, stiffener's number, and size on natural fr...
The Impact of Monte Carlo Dose Calculations on Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy

The effect of dose calculation accuracy for IMRT was studied by comparing different dose calculation algorithms. A head and neck IMRT plan was optimized using a superposition dose calculation algorithm. Dose was re-computed for the optimized plan using both Monte Carlo and pencil beam dose calculation algorithms to generate patient and phantom dose distributions. Tumor control probabilities (TCP) and normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCP) were computed to estimate the plan outcome. For the treatment plan studied, Monte Carlo best reproduces phantom dose measurements, the TCP was slightly lower than the superposition and pencil beam results, and the NTCP values differed little.
Amenability to Counseling of Opiate Addicts on Probation or Parole

Fifty-two opiate addicts were classified as abstainers or continued abusers by their probation or parole officer. Eighteen variables—nine demographic and nine psychological—were evaluated for all subjects. Following factor analysis, 13 remaining variables were entered into a stepwise discriminant function analysis which significantly differentiated the abstaining and abusing groups. Abstainers were characterized by less dogmatism, higher education and personality integration, fewer aggressive incidents and previous drug arrests, and older age. The discriminant function classified 78.8% of the observations correctly and accounted for 27% of the variance. Rokeach's Dogmatism Scale, the Personality Integration Subscale of the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, and the effective demographic discriminators have been included in a screening battery for counseling amenability by which incoming opiate addicts scoring like abstainers are granted priority in treatment assignment.
Gender-Specific Physiology, Carbon Isotope Discrimination, and Habitat Distribution in Boxelder, Acer Negundo

In the semiarid Intermountain West, boxelder, Acer negundo var. interior, a deciduous, dioecious tree, exhibits significant habitat-specific sex ratio biases. Although the overall sex ratio (male/female) does not deviate significantly from one, the sex ratio is significantly male biased (1.62) in drought-prone habitats, while it is significantly female biased (0.65) in moist, streamside habitats. The causes underlying gender-specific habitat associations in this species are not known. We hypothesized that spatial segregation of the sexes is maintained by differences in gender-specific photosynthetic behavior, water rela- tions characteristics, and both instantaneous and integrated water-use efficiency. Gender- specific physiological characteristics were measured and related to growth, reproduction, population age structure, and habitat distribution of male and female trees. Under both field and controlled-environment conditions, males and females differed significantly in a number of physiological traits. Males maintained lower stomatal con- ductance to water vapor (g), transpiration (E), net carbon assimilation (A), leaf internal CO2 concentration (ci), carbon isotope discrimination (AL; an index of time-integrated ci and water-use efficiency), and higher instantaneous (A/E) and long-term (A) water-use efficiency than females. Furthermore, male trees exhibited greater stomatal sensitivity to both declining soil water content and increasing leaf-to-air vapor pressure gradients, a measure of evaporative demand. Higher rates of carbon fixation in female trees were correlated with higher g, higher leaf nitrogen concentrations, and greater stomatal densities. For females growing in both wet and dry habitats, vegetative shoots had higher growth rates than reproductive shoots, while for males, growth rates of the two shoot types did not differ. In streamside habitats, female trees exhibited significantly greater vegetative shoot growth when compared to male trees. In contrast, males showed slightly greater vegetative and much greater reproductive shoot growth in non-streamside habitats. Re- gardless of habitat or growing conditions, females allocated proportionately more of their aboveground biomass to reproduction than did males. These results suggest that (1) gender-specific physiological traits can help explain the maintenance of habitat-specific sex ratio biases in A. negundo along a soil moisture gradient, and (2) that the combination of the gender-specific physiology, growth, and allocation differences contribute to differences in the size (=age) structure of male and female plants within the population. Gender-specific physiological differences may have evolved as a product of selection to meet significantly different costs associated with reproduction in male and female plants.
Analysis of Host Cells Associated with the Spv-Mediated Increased Intracellular Growth Rate of Salmonella typhimurium in Mice

The 90-kb virulence plasmid of Salmonella typhimurium encodes five spv genes which increase the growth rate of the bacteria within host cells within the first week of systemic infection of mice (P. A. Gulig and T. J. Doyle, Infect. Immun. 61:504-511, 1993). The presently described study was aimed at identifying the host cells associated with Spv-mediated virulence by manipulating the mouse host and the salmonellae. To test the effects of T cells and B cells on the Spv phenotype, salmonellae were orally inoculated into nude and SCID BALB/c mice. Relative to normal BALB/c mice, nude and SCID BALB/c mice were unaffected for splenic infection with either the Spv+ or Spv- S. typhimurium strains at 5 days postinoculation. When mice were pretreated with cyclophosphamide to induce granulocytopenia, there was a variable increase in total salmonella infection, but the relative splenic CFU of Spv+ versus Spv- S. typhimurium was not changed after oral inoculation. In contrast, depletion of macrophages from mice by treatment with cyclophosphamide plus liposomes containing dichloromethylene diphosphate resulted in equivalent virulence of Spv+ and Spv- salmonellae. To examine if the spv genes affected the growth of salmonellae in nonphagocytic cells, an invA::aphT mutation was transduced into Spv+ and Spv- S. typhimurium strains. InvA- Spv+ salmonellae were not significantly affected for splenic infection after subcutaneous inoculation compared with the wild-type strain, and InvA- Spv- salmonellae were only slightly attenuated relative to InvA+ Spv- salmonellae. Invasion-defective salmonellae still exhibited the Spv phenotype. Therefore, infection of nonphagocytes is not involved with the Spv virulence function. Taken together, these data demonstrate that macrophages are essential for suppressing the infection by Spv- S. typhimurium, by serving as the primary host cell for Spv-mediated intracellular replication and possibly by inhibiting the replication of salmonellae within other macrophages.
POSTFLEDGING MOVEMENTS AND SURVIVAL OF JUVENILE EASTERN MEADOWLARKS (STURNELLA MAGNA) IN ILLINOIS

Abstract The postfledging period is the least-studied stage of avian life cycles. Survival during this period has crucial effects on population dynamics. Survival of fledged young may be influenced by dispersal from their nest sites, because juveniles must cope with the hazards of novel environments. To better understand this important life stage, we used radiotelemetry techniques to study postfledging movements and survival of 50 juvenile Eastern Meadowlarks (Sturnella magna) at Prairie Ridge State Natural Area in Jasper County, Illinois, in 1999 and 2000. Juveniles began to move away from the nesting area in the third week after fledging. Most juveniles moved only 1–5 km from their birth site by the end of the study (90 days). Juvenile survival for the first 90 days after fledging was estimated as 56–69%. Mortality was greatest during the first week of the postfledging period, likely because of high rates of predation. Juvenile meadowlarks are flightless at fledging and thus are vulnerable to predators....
One-Dimensional Heat Conduction in Source-Free Media

Fourier’s Law of heat conduction states that heat flows in proportion to the temperature gradient. A number of problems of interest can be analyzed just on the basis of Fourier’s Law. A more complete description of heat conduction involves, in addition, application of the principle of conservation of energy, leading to a second-order differential equation for temperature. Such situations are dealt with in Chapter 3.
Impact of a Collaborative Radiology Utilization Management Program: Does the Specialty of the Referring Provider Matter?

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a collaborative radiology utilization management program on the disposition of cases according to provider specialty. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A utilization management program directed by a radiology benefit management company provided peer-to-peer decision support for providers ordering advanced outpatient imaging studies. After a radiologist reviewed the cases, based upon provider specialty, the rates of the following dispositions were analyzed: study approved by consensus, study changed by consensus, study not performed by consensus, study approved (no consensus), and study administratively not performed (no callback). Aggregated rates of study changed or not performed by consensus (withdrawals) were used to assess the effect of provider-radiologist collaboration. The rate of no callback was used to assess sentinel effect. The combined rate of withdrawals and no callback represented the overall impact of radiologist participation. The pro...
The effect of potassium on accumulation and distribution of materials assimilated in sweet potatoes

The experiment studied that output of different supplied the potassium level to the sweet potato, and influence of the dry material accumulation and the assignment. The result indicated that, In the certain scope, increasing the potassium level may enhance the output, reduce the photosynthesis potential and improve net assimilation rate, is advantageous to accumulation of dry material; The sufficient supply of potassium, may promote the photosynthesis products to the underground transport raise distribution rate of the dry material and the starch content in the root-tuber, and reduce the starch content in the stem, is advantageous to the material transportation; The sufficient using potash fertilizer, may decrease the protein content in the later period and restrain the activeness of hydro enzyme oxide, so effectively had prevented exuberant growth above the earth, and promotion transform growth center to root-tuber.
Party Entrepreneurship in Russia's Electoral Market 1989–2005

Entrepreneurship begins with a dream but gets nowhere without capital. Political entrepreneurship is no different. In the land of electoral opportunity that was transitional Russia, there was no shortage of dreams. Political capital, the set of tangible and intangible resources with the potential to translate into electoral success, was another story. The USSR's history of “patrimonial communism” and the particular path that Russia's leaders chose for its transition to markets and electoral democracy had left in place a society in which political capital was highly concentrated in a few pockets, most of which required access to the state to obtain. With few exceptions, then, only a small set of individuals with strong connections to Russian power structures had a realistic chance to launch Russia's initial political parties. But if dreams and political capital were necessary to get a party off the ground, still more depended on how the political entrepreneur chose to use this capital; like financial capital, it could be squandered without the skill and forethought to develop a solid strategy for long-term growth. Party leaders were still not completely in control of their own fates, even given healthy supplies of political capital and favorable institutions; events that are best considered random exogenous shocks periodically rocked the Russian political market in ways nearly impossible for any theory to predict. Russia's presidential administrations also intervened at times to tip the political scales away from certain party-building projects.
Unaltered Glutamate Transporter-1 Protein Levels in Aquaporin-4 Knockout Mice

Maintenance of glutamate and water homeostasis in the brain is crucial to healthy brain activity. Astrocytic glutamate transporter-1 (GLT1) and aquaporin-4 (AQP4) are the main regulators of extracellular glutamate and osmolarity, respectively. Several studies have reported colocalization of GLT1 and AQP4, but the existence of a physical interaction between the two has not been well studied. Therefore, we used coimmunoprecipitation to determine whether a strong interaction exists between these two important molecules in mice on both a CD1 and C57BL/6 background. Furthermore, we used Western blot and immunohistochemistry to examine GLT1 levels in AQP4 knockout (AQP4-/-) mice. An AQP4-GLT1 precipitate was not detected, suggesting the lack of a strong physical interaction between AQP4 and GLT1. In addition, GLT1 protein levels remained unaltered in tissue from CD1 and C57BL/6 AQP4-/- mice. Finally, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that AQP4 and GLT1 do colocalize, but only in a region-specific manner. Taken together, these findings suggest that AQP4 and GLT1 do not have a strong physical interaction between them and are, instead, differentially regulated.
Concert along the Edge: Dynamics and the Nature of the Border between General and Specific Acid–Base Catalysis

Reactions that involve a combination of proton transfer and heavy-atom bonding changes are normally categorized by whether the proton transfer is occurring during the rate-limiting step, as in the distinction between general and specific acid–base catalysis. The experimental and computational study here of a β-ketoacid decarboxylation shows how the distinction between the two mechanisms breaks down near its border due to the differing time scales for proton versus heavy-atom motion. Isotope effects in the decarboxylation of benzoylacetic acid support a transition state in which the proton transfer is complete. In quasiclassical trajectories passing through this transition state, the new O–H bond after proton transfer undergoes several vibrations before heavy-atom motion completes the reaction. The bonding changes are thus temporally separated at a “dynamic intermediate” structure that acts equivalently to an ordinary intermediate in the trajectories, including the reversal of trajectories at the intermedi...
Fate and impacts of triclosan, sulfamethoxazole, and 17β-estradiol during nutrient recovery via ion exchange and struvite precipitation

Increasing emphasis on resource recovery from wastewater highlights the importance of capturing valuable products, e.g., nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, while removing contaminants, e.g., organic micropollutants. The objective of this research was to evaluate the fate of the micropollutants triclosan (present as a mixture of neutral and anionic species at neutral pH), 17β-estradiol (neutral at neutral pH), and sulfamethoxazole (anionic at neutral pH) during nutrient recovery using ion exchange-precipitation. Adsorption of the three micropollutants to the phosphate-selective ion exchange resins LayneRT and DOW-HFO-Cu ranged from 54% to 88% in Milli-Q water tests and 50% to 71% in wastewater tests using anaerobic effluent. The micropollutants did not sorb to the ammonium-selective exchanger, clinoptilolite. The presence of the micropollutants reduced the kinetic rates of nutrient exchange onto ion exchangers. However, the micropollutants did not interfere with nutrient capacity on the ion exchangers, likely due to the low concentration of micropollutants and potentially different mechanisms of adsorption (i.e., Coulombic and non-Coulombic attractions for micropollutants) compared to the target ions. Micropollutants that sorbed to the phosphate exchangers were released with phosphate ions during regeneration. Concentrations of NaOH and NaCl in regeneration solutions did not correlate with micropollutant desorption. Among the micropollutants studied, the more hydrophobic triclosan and 17β-estradiol adsorbed to the resins to greater extents. These compounds also demonstrated lower desorption rates than sulfamethoxazole during regeneration in Milli-Q water tests. Batch struvite precipitation tests revealed that the micropollutants were not enmeshed in precipitated struvite crystals nor sorbed during crystallization, indicating that the struvite product was free of triclosan, 17β-estradiol, and sulfamethoxazole.
The scientific development of biometrics over the last 40 years

Publisher Summary This chapter explores the past 40 years of development of biometrics from a U.S. perspective. Biometrics is defined as the automated recognition of living individuals, based on biological and behavioral traits. A quick overview of biometric history shows that much of what is consider to be “new” in biometrics was really considered decades ago. But even today, there is much left to be done. The most efficient route is to learn from history, focusing on the current efforts on what is yet unknown and not unknowingly rediscovering the developments of the past. It is much too early to speculate on what the first decade of the new millennium ultimately holds for biometrics. It seems clear, however, that the industry will continue to grow and that technical and human improvements to the systems will be made.