cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Progress in O2 separation for oxy-fuel combustion–A promising way for cost-effective CO2 capture: A review

Abstract Oxy-fuel combustion has received significant attention because it is widely considered to be a promising method for cost-effective CO2 capture. The key to the success of oxy-fuel combustion processes is the availability of inexpensive O2. Therefore, development of low-cost and robust technologies for air separation or separating O2 from air is critical. Great progress has been made in this research and development area. However, a recent review of the progress made in the area is lacking. This review is designed to fill the gap. The review focuses on three major technologies for separating oxygen from air, including membranes, adsorption, and chemical-looping with oxygen uncoupling. The separation principles, characteristics, challenges and the associated solutions of these major technologies are systematically discussed. Future opportunities are outlined for each.
Biomechanics and energetics of walking in powered ankle exoskeletons using myoelectric control versus mechanically intrinsic control.

Controllers for assistive robotic devices can be divided into two main categories: controllers using neural signals and controllers using mechanically intrinsic signals. Both approaches are prevalent in research devices, but a direct comparison between the two could provide insight into their relative advantages and disadvantages. We studied subjects walking with robotic ankle exoskeletons using two different control modes: dynamic gain proportional myoelectric control based on soleus muscle activity (neural signal), and timing-based mechanically intrinsic control based on gait events (mechanically intrinsic signal). We hypothesized that subjects would have different measures of metabolic work rate between the two controllers as we predicted subjects would use each controller in a unique manner due to one being dependent on muscle recruitment and the other not. The two controllers had the same average actuation signal as we used the control signals from walking with the myoelectric controller to shape the mechanically intrinsic control signal. The difference being the myoelectric controller allowed step-to-step variation in the actuation signals controlled by the user’s soleus muscle recruitment while the timing-based controller had the same actuation signal with each step regardless of muscle recruitment. We observed no statistically significant difference in metabolic work rate between the two controllers. Subjects walked with 11% less soleus activity during mid and late stance and significantly less peak soleus recruitment when using the timing-based controller than when using the myoelectric controller. While walking with the myoelectric controller, subjects walked with significantly higher average positive and negative total ankle power compared to walking with the timing-based controller. We interpret the reduced ankle power and muscle activity with the timing-based controller relative to the myoelectric controller to result from greater slacking effects. Subjects were able to be less engaged on a muscle level when using a controller driven by mechanically intrinsic signals than when using a controller driven by neural signals, but this had no affect on their metabolic work rate. These results suggest that the type of controller (neural vs. mechanical) is likely to affect how individuals use robotic exoskeletons for therapeutic rehabilitation or human performance augmentation.
Retinal Detachment Surgery

There have been numerous advancements in vitreoretinal surgical instrumentation and techniques in recent years. This chapter describes several of these in the context of retinal detachment surgery. Some of them, such as macular and suprachoroidal buckling, are older techniques that have recently been revived; others, like chandelier-assisted scleral buckling, represent modified approaches to conventional retinal detachment surgery. Strategies for managing traditionally challenging conditions including optic disc pit maculopathy and submacular hemorrhage are presented. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the complications of retinal detachment and retinal detachment surgery, including retained perfluorocarbon, retinal folds, and subretinal proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
Human Factors Psychology

Short-Term Memory Limits in Human Performance (S.T. Klapp). Attention (C.D. Wickens). Mental Workload (B.H. Kantowitz). Human Decision Processes: Heuristics and Task Structure (D.N. Kleinmuntz). Automatic and Controlled Processing Theory and Its Applications to Human Factors Problems (A.D. Fisk, P.L. Ackerman and W. Schneider). Describing Movement Control at Two Levels of Abstraction (R.J. Jagacinski, B.D. Plamondon and R.A. Miller). Human Computer Interaction (R. Eberts). Adaptive Control in Human-Machine Systems (P.A. Hancock and M.H. Chignell). Human Factors in Organizational Design and Management (H.W. Hendrick). Index.
Spoliation in Child Welfare: Perspectives and Solutions

Author examines spoliation in child welfare litigation and provides ideas for preserving evidence and improvement record-keeping.
Fractal Image Encoding

Increasingly, the output of physical and numerical experiments is presented as two dimensional images, instead of as tables and graphs of observed real variables. Instances include pictures of diffusion limited aggregates, fractal fingering boundaries between fluids, and images of turbulent flows. One approach to understanding the intricate geometries of such experimental data is traditional: try to isolate physically meaningful real parameters, such as fractal dimension (Mandelbrot, 1982), by passing straight lines through data points derived from the pictures. Another approach is to attempt to approximate the image with a geometrical entity whose structure is, despite appearances, quite simple. Straight lines, squares, circles and other fundamentally Euclidean models will not suffice for this purpose when the data possesses structure which cannot be fully resolved or simplified by rescaling (i.e., magnification). The first purpose of this paper is to describe in simple terms how fractal geometries may be succinctly understood in terms of iterated function systems and to explain how one can go about finding a fractal model to fit given two dimensional data. The second purpose is to relate attractors for iterated function systems to attractors for cellular automata (Wolfram, 1983). The latter is motivated by the following question: Once one has found an iterated function system encoding of an image, can one deduce a set of cellular automata rules which would allow one to construct the image of a lattice? The answer is “Yes”, which delights us for this reason. For some time, via the Collage Theorem (Barnsley, et al., 1984), one has known how to make iterated function system models for ferns and leaves; now one may also model the manner in which these forms both grow and stop growing.
Data-driven multiple-level analysis of gut-microbiome-immune-joint interactions in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common autoimmune disease and affects about 1% of the population. The cause of RA remains largely unknown and could result from a complex interaction between genes and environment factors. Recent studies suggested that gut microbiota and their collective metabolic outputs exert profound effects on the host immune system and are implicated in RA. However, which and how gut microbial metabolites interact with host genetics in contributing to RA pathogenesis remains unknown. In this study, we present a data-driven study to understand how gut microbial metabolites contribute to RA at the genetic, functional and phenotypic levels. We used publicly available disease genetics, chemical genetics, human metabolome, genetic signaling pathways, mouse genome-wide mutation phenotypes, and mouse phenotype ontology data. We identified RA-associated microbial metabolites and prioritized them based on their genetic, functional and phenotypic relevance to RA. We evaluated the prioritization methods using short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which were previously shown to be involved in RA etiology. We validate the algorithms by showing that SCFAs are highly associated with RA at genetic, functional and phenotypic levels: SCFAs ranked at top 3.52% based on shared genes with RA, top 5.69% based on shared genetic pathways, and top 16.94% based on shared phenotypes. Based on the genetic-level analysis, human gut microbial metabolites directly interact with many RA-associated genes (as many as 18.1% of all 166 RA genes). Based on the functional-level analysis, human gut microbial metabolites participate in many RA-associated genetic pathways (as many as 71.4% of 311 genetic pathways significantly enriched for RA), including immune system pathways. Based on the phenotypic-level analysis, gut microbial metabolites affect many RA-related phenotypes (as many as 51.3% of 978 phenotypes significantly enriched for RA), including many immune system phenotypes. Our study demonstrates strong gut-microbiome-immune-joint interactions in RA, which converged on both genetic, functional and phenotypic levels.
The FBI in Latin America: The Ecuador Files by Marc Becker

Becker, Marc. The FBI in Latin America: The Ecuador Files . Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2017.
Probabilistic Life-Cycle Management Framework for Ship Structures Subjected to Coupled Corrosion–Fatigue Deterioration Processes

AbstractFatigue and corrosion are two major deterioration mechanisms of ship structures. These mechanisms can lead to a reduction of structural safety. When occurring simultaneously, corrosion can ...
Getting Their Attention: Using Human Factors Engineering to Design the Optimal Isolation Sign

Background The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends transmission-based precautions for patients with suspected or confirmed infection of select pathogens. Isolation signs are used in healthcare to alert staff of the precautions needed to prevent transmission, including the usage of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) prior to entering patients’ rooms. However, isolation signs can lack clarity or signal saliency, making it difficult for healthcare staff to process critical information. We sought to apply human factors design principles to isolation signs to increase signage clarity to ultimately improve compliance with isolation precautions. Methods We applied human factors design principles to modify existing isolation signs at a quaternary care children's hospital in order to increase saliency of the graphics, and align with how individuals naturally process visual information. Key design changes included converting to a vertical layout, increasing graphic size, and adding number indicators to align with proper donning order. Modified signs were trialed on two pilot units between April and May 2019. Staff feedback was collected using a standardized form to assess sign effectiveness and comprehension. Upon sign implementation on four units in July 2019, direct observations were performed to measure PPE compliance. These observations were compared to the baseline compliance from 2017 and 2018 using chi-square. Results Seventy-six staff were surveyed during the trial: 94.7% found the order of donning PPE easy to understand and the majority (71.1%) found the signs to be effective. PPE compliance increased on the four post-implementation units from 87.2% (n=141) in 2017 and 2018 to 100% (n=21) between July and December 2019 (p=0.53). Conclusions We found that implementation of human factors principles to isolation sign design improved sign effectiveness and correlated with an increase in PPE compliance. Human factors design principles should be considered by Infection Prevention programs to enhance effectiveness of prevention practices in healthcare.
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Substance Use and Association with Opioid Use Disorder in Patients with Non-malignant and Cancer Pain: a Review

The following review will highlight recent studies reporting associations between alcohol and tobacco use with non-medical opioid use in the post-operative period, as well as patients with chronic non-malignant and cancer pain. The use of alcohol, tobacco, and other illegal substances are associated with an increased risk of opioid use disorder in the post-operative setting and in patients with chronic non-malignant and cancer pain. Opioid overdoses are at a national epidemic afflicting the general population. A comprehensive assessment of the risk for opioid use disorder is advocated prior to the prescription of opioids and includes obtaining a family and personal history of any substance use including alcohol and tobacco, as well as any psychiatric mood disorders. Strategies to manage pain in patients with high risk for opioid use disorders include decreased intervals between clinic visits, increase frequency of compliance monitoring with urine drug screens, and psychosocial support.
Dualband Stacked Metasurface Reflectarray

A reflectarray antenna operating at two distinct frequencies is reported. The antenna consists of two metasurfaces (subwavelength patterned metallic claddings) above a ground plane, separated by dielectric substrates. The metasurfaces are homogenized and the reflectarray is designed using a system of coupled volume-surface integral equations. The system includes three surface integral equations for the currents on the thin metasurfaces and ground plane, and two volume integral equations for the polarization currents within the dielectric substrates. The system of integral equations is discretized using the method of moments and simultaneously solved for the currents and the electric sheet impedances of the metasurfaces needed to collimate an incident cylindrical wave upon reflection at two different frequencies. The system is initially nonlinear as both the currents and the sheet impedances are unknown. A guess and update design procedure is used to linearize the system and solve it iteratively. The performance of the metasurface reflectarray antenna is verified using a commercial finite element solver, validating the design algorithm.
Generative adversarial networks for data augmentation and transfer in credit card fraud detection

Augmenting a dataset with synthetic samples is a common processing step in machine learning with imbalanced classes to improve model performance. Another potential benefit of synthetic data is the ...
Do Riskier Borrowers Borrow More

Conventional wisdom in the mortgage industry holds that loan-to-value (LTV) ratios are positively correlated with mortgage default rates. However, not all empirical studies of mortgage loan performance support this view. This paper offers a theoretical signaling model of why the correlation between LTV ratios and default risk is contingent upon the default costs of the borrower. Specifically, the model proposes that when default costs are high there exists a separating equilibrium in which risky borrowers will self-select into lower LTV loans to reduce the probability of facing a costly default, while safe borrowers will self-select into higher LTV loans as a signal of their enhanced creditworthiness. This adverse selection process gives rise to the possibility of higher default probabilities for lower LTV loans. Conversely, when default costs are low the conventional result, in which risky borrowers select higher LTV loans than safe borrowers, is obtained. Empirical results, based on a sample of 859 single family residential mortgage loans drawn from the portfolio of a national mortgage lender, are consistent with the separating equilibria predicted by the model.
Subclassification estimation of the weighted average treatment effect.

Weighting and subclassification are popular approaches using propensity scores (PSs) for estimation of causal effects. Weighting is appealing in that it gives consistent estimators for various causal estimands if appropriate weights are well defined and the PS model is correctly specified. Subclassification is known to be more robust to model misspecification than weighting, but its application to diverse causal estimands is limited. In this article, we propose generalized stratum weights to implement subclassification estimators for various causal estimands. These weights include stratum weights for the average treatment effect (ATE) of the overall population and those for the ATE of the treated as special cases. For this, we incorporate strata into the expression of the weighted average treatment effect (WATE). Particularly, we identify stratum weights for the ATE for the overlap population (ATO), for which the weighting estimator is known to be most efficient among the class of WATE estimators. We show that the identified stratum weights for ATO are equivalent to the optimal stratum weights, which are the inverse variances of the stratum-specific estimators. Simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed subclassification estimator for ATO is more robust to model misspecification than the weighting estimator for ATO. We also propose augmented subclassification estimators, which are shown to be less biased than the subclassification estimators when only the outcome model is correctly specified. The practical utility of the proposed methods is illustrated in a study of right heart catheterization.
Culture at Play: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Mother-Child Communication during Toy Play

Maternal scaffolding and four-year-old children’s linguistic skills were examined during toy play. Participants were 21 American-English monolingual and 21 Thai monolingual mother-child dyads. Resu...
Adverse selection and the presence of informed trading

Abstract We combine two concepts of informed trading – contrarian trades and stealth trading – to develop proxies for the probability of informed trading. These proxies are used to test the link between informed trading and adverse selection as measured by bid–ask spreads and stock illiquidity. The estimation results show that these proxies, which are based on the probability of contrarian trading (PC) and progressively refined thereon, are all highly significantly positive in various empirical specifications of the cross-sectional determinants of spreads and illiquidity across stocks, and after controlling for important firm characteristics and trading factors. The robustness of our PC-based proxies for informed trading in these analyses, especially for the further refined measures, suggests that they successfully capture the adverse selection component of bid–ask spreads and illiquidity due to information asymmetry.
Novel use of superdisintegrants as viscosity enhancing agents in biocompatible polymer films containing griseofulvin nanoparticles

Abstract The advantages of using superdisintegrants, sodium starch glycolate (SSG), croscarmellose sodium (CCS) and crospovidone (CP) over traditional high molecular weight (MW) viscosity enhancing agents, guar gum (GG), xanthan gum (XG), pectin and high MW HPMC are examined for improving drug content uniformity without compromising dissolution of films containing nanoparticles of griseofulvin (GF), used as a model poorly water-soluble drug. Films were fabricated by preparing low MW HPMC solutions to which a fixed amount of viscosity enhancing agents was added and mixed with GF nanosuspensions produced via wet milling, followed by casting and drying. The addition of superdisintegrants and high MW HPMC led to an increase in viscosity of precursor suspensions without GF particle aggregation, and hence excellent drug content uniformity along with retention of the high surface area of the GF nanoparticles in dried films. In contrast, the addition of XG and pectin resulted in aggregation of GF particles in suspensions, leading to poor content uniformity and incomplete recovery of GF nanoparticles upon redispersion of dried films. In spite of their high precursor viscosity, the films containing superdisintegrants did not lead to increased mechanical strength and demonstrated fast drug release, suggesting faster matrix erosion. In contrast, films with high MW polymers (GG, XG, and pectin and high MW HPMC) had increased mechanical strength and their subsequent slow erosion/disintegration along with longer hydration times resulted in significant delay of drug release, which was found to be directly proportional to their MW. These results demonstrate novel use for superdisintegrants as economical and superior alternative to traditional viscosity enhancing agents in forming drug laden biocompatible polymer films.
Psychophysiological Measurement and Meaning: Cognitive and Emotional Processing of Media

This research volume serves as a comprehensive resource for psychophysiological research on media responses. It addresses the theoretical underpinnings, methodological techniques, and most recent research in this area. It goes beyond current volumes by placing the research techniques within a context of communication processes and effects as a field, and demonstrating how the real-time measurement of physiological responses enhances and complements more traditional measures of psychological effects from media. This volume introduces readers to the theoretical assumptions of psychophysiology as well as the operational details of collecting psychophysiological data. In addition to discussing specific measures, it includes brief reviews of recent experiments that have used psychophysiological measures to study how the brain processes media. It will serve as a valuable reference for media researchers utilizing these methodologies, or for other researchers needing to understand the theories, history, and methods of psychophysiological research.
Universal Semantic Communication II: A Theory of Goal-Oriented Communication

We continue the investigation of the task of meaningful communication among intelligent entities (players, agents) without any prior common language. Our generic thesis is that such communication is feasible provided the goals of the communicating players are verifiable and compatible. In a previous work we gave supporting evidence for one specific goal — where one of the players wished to solve a hard computational problem and communicated with the other in the hope of finding a solution. In this work we initiate a “generic” study of the goals of communication. We present two definitions: one of a “generic” meta-goal, which captures the (potentially unrealizable) wishes of communicating agents, and the other being a “generic” syntactic goal, which captures effects that can observed by an agent. We then show, under some technical conditions, that those metagoals that have corresponding syntactic versions are also universally achievable, i.e., achievable when the two communicators do not (necessarily) share a common language. We also show how our formalism captures a variety of commonplace examples of goals of communication, including simple control-oriented goals that aim to effect a remote physical action by communication, as well as more subtle intellectual goals where the communicator’s intent is mostly to gain knowledge. Our examples from the latter class include a variety of settings where meta-goals differ significantly from syntactic goals.
Interference Modeling in Wireless Communications

In wireless communication networks, signal reception is often corrupted by interference from other sources that share the same propagation medium. Knowledge of the statistics of interference is important in achieving optimum signal detection and estimation. We here discuss statistical-physical models for modeling interference. The interesting feature of these models is that they are non-Gaussian, and in certain cases are heavy-tail distributed. The latter property introduces several challenges in the analysis of interference, since heavy-tail processes lack second-order statistics. A introduction on heavy-tail processes is also provided. Keywords: heavy-tail processes; alpha-stable processes; infinite variance; interference modeling; wireless communications; class A noise; impulsive processes
Effect of Anesthetics on Testosterone Production in Rats

Changes in testicular vein and peripheral testosterone concentrations in mature rats were monitored during anesthesia with six different agents. Samples taken 2–3 minutes after initial disturbance of the resting animal yielded mean testicular vein testosterone levels of 59–247 ng/ml plasma in nine separate groups of rats. Sustained anesthesia under halothane, enflurane, pentobarbital, ether, urethan, or ketamine/promazine resulted in a decline in testicular vein testosterone to 10–60 ng/ml by the third hour. Luteinizing hormone levels, measured under enflurane anesthesia, also fell significantly by 1 and 2 hours after administration of anesthesia, although follicle-stimulating hormone remained constant. Testes of the enflurane-anesthetized rat were still able to respond to gonadotropins, but withdrawal of the anesthetic did not reverse the downward trend in testosterone. No changes in testicular blood flow were detected during anesthesia, although flow under urethan anesthesia was consistently slower than with other agents. The first 90 minutes of urethan anesthesia were characterized by severe fluctuations in testicular vein testosterone. Halothane, enflurane, and pentobarbital resulted in a larger ratio of peripheral to testicular vein testosterone compared with ether or rapid sampling, suggesting a reduction in turnover rate under these three agents. Conclusions were that different anesthetic agents can distort hormone levels and endocrine function of the testes in various ways, and that the production rate of testosterone by rat testes is higher than has been previously suggested.
Abstract 15991: Chronic Asthma Predicts Cardiovascular Disease Events: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Background: Chronic asthma and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share a common inflammatory pathophysiology. We hypothesized that chronic asthma requiring daily controller medications is associated with higher CVD risk. Methods: Presence of chronic asthma and use of controller medications (CM; inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene inhibitors, oral corticosteroids) were assessed in the MESA at Exam 1. Participants were followed for a mean (standard deviation) 9.1 (2.8) years for development of CVD (coronary death, myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, and CVD death). Multivariable Cox regression models were used to assess associations of chronic asthma and CVD. Results: The 6792 MESA participants were 62.2 (10.2) years old: 47% male, 28% African-American, 22% Hispanic and 2% Chinese. The 156 asthmatics that were on CM were compared with the 511 who were asthmatic but not on CM and the 6125 non-asthmatics. Asthmatics on CM, compared to those not on CM and non-asthmatics, respectively had higher age-adjusted levels of C-reactive protein (1.2 \[1.2] vs 0.9 [1.2] vs 0.6 [1.2] mg/L) and fibrinogen (379 [88] vs 356 [80] vs 345 [73] mg/dL) (both p<0.006). Asthmatics on CM had the lowest 10-year unadjusted CVD free survival rate of 84.1%, (95% confidence interval [CI] 78.9-90.3%) compared with asthmatics not on CM 91.1%, [95% CI 88.5-93.8%] and non-asthmatics 90.2%, [95% CI 89.4-91%\] (p=0.028). After adjustment for age, sex, race, smoking, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, body-mass index, family history, income, anti-hypertensive and lipid medication use, asthmatics on CM had higher risk of CVD events than non-asthmatics (HR 1.6 [95% 1.01-2.5, p=0.040]). CVD-free survival was similar among asthmatics on or not on CM (p=0.155). Discussion: In this large multi-ethnic cohort, asthmatics on CM had a higher CVD event rate compared to non-asthmatics. Increased CVD risk among asthmatics may be related to increased inflammatory stress. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Imaging of ex vivo nonmelanoma skin cancers in the optical and terahertz spectral regions Optical and Terahertz skin cancers imaging

We tested the hypothesis that polarization sensitive optical and terahertz imaging may be combined for accurate nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) delineation. Nine NMSC specimens were imaged. 513 μm and 440 nm wavelengths were used for terahertz and optical imaging, respectively. Histopathology was processed for evaluation. Terahertz reflectance of NMSC was quantified. Our results demonstrate that cross-polarized terahertz images correctly identified location of the tumours, whereas cross-polarized and polarization difference optical images accurately presented morphological features. Cross-polarized terahertz images exhibited lower reflectivity values in cancer as compared to normal tissue. Combination of optical and terahertz imaging shows promise for intraoperative delineation of NMSC.
A video eye tracking system based on a statistical algorithm

Presents the design and analysis of an algorithm which determines the yaw, pitch, roll and pupil diameter states of an eye viewed with a standard video camera. A maximum likelihood estimation technique tracks the location and size of the pupil in a video image to find horizontal and vertical eye position. Simulations and analyses show that the noiseless measuring resolution of horizontal and vertical movements is less than 0.05 pixel on an image. Eased on accurate measurements of pupil position, counterroll movements are calculated using cross correlations between one dimensional templates which consist of equidistant pixels on a partial annulus overlying the iris and concentric with the pupil center. Another advantage of the algorithm is a robustness with respect to intrusions of droopy eyelids and random light reflections. Analysis shows that eyelids which cover pupils by less than a third of pupil radius do nor cause a bias in pupil position estimates. Light reflections on the pupil boundary have a minimal effect on estimate bias, while light reflections embedded inside the pupil have a lesser effect. The speed of image analysis (about 10 frames per second on Macintosh IIfx computer), the robustness for eyelid cover and random light reflections, and the ability to track 4 dimensional eye movement (horizontal, vertical, counterroll movement and pupil size) are major characteristics of the algorithm. >
Detection of colorectal polyps by computed tomographic colography: Feasibility of a novel technique

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Computed tomographic colography (CTC) represents a novel technique for colorectal polyp detection. A prospective study was undertaken to determine the optimal CTC scanning parameters based on an artificial colon model and to assess the feasibility of CTC to detect clinically significant colorectal polyps. METHODS: A colon model was scanned by helical computed tomography at multiple parameters. Reformatted two-dimensional and three-dimensional images were then graded for polyp detection and image quality. Subsequently, 10 patients with known colon polyps underwent CTC immediately before colonoscopy. The number of polyps detected by two radiologists using CTC were compared with colonoscopy results that served as the gold standard. RESULTS: The optimal scanning parameters in the colon model were 5-mm collimation, 5 mm/s table speed, and 1-mm reconstruction interval. Ten patients had 30 polyps (range, 0.2-2.0 cm) by colonscopy, and all polyps > or=0.5 cm were adenomas. Polyp detection by CTC for both observers was 100% (5 of 5) > or=1 cm, 71% (5 of 7) between 0.5 and 0.9 cm, and 11%-28% (2-5 of 18) or=0.5 cm in diameter. (Gastroenterology 1996 Jan;110(1):284-90)
On the subtransitions of deuterated derivatives of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine☆

Abstract By means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy the subtransition temperature of 1,2-dipalmitoyl- sn -glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and the derivatives in which either or both of the acyl chains were deuterated were determined. It was found that, while the temperatures of the gel to liquid-crystal and the pre-transitions decrease with increasing deuteration, the temperature of the subtransition is independent of the degree of deuteration.
Induction of the myofibroblast phenotype following elastolytic injury to mouse lung

The repair of alveolar structures following endotracheal administration of porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) to mice involves the coordinated deposition of new matrix elements. We determined the induction of the myofibroblast phenotype following elastolytic injury to mouse lung by examining the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) by immunohistochemistry. We also examined elastin and α1(I) collagen mRNA expression by in situ hybridization. Changes in airspace dimensions were assessed by determining mean linear intercept. In untreated mice, α-SMA was localized to vascular structures and large airways, with no detectable expression in alveolar units. PPE induced α-SMA expression in damaged areas surrounding large vessels, in septal remnants, and in the opening ring of alveolar ducts. Elastin and α1(I) collagen mRNA expression were up-regulated in residual alveolar structures and septal walls. PPE dose-response studies indicated that α1(I) collagen and elastin mRNA expression were not induced in areas of normal lung adjacent to damaged lung. The administration of low dose PPE resulted in increased α-SMA protein and elastin mRNA expression in the cells comprising the opening ring of alveolar ducts. Our data suggest that repair mechanisms following elastolytic injury are confined to overtly damaged alveolar structures and involve the induction of the myofibroblast phenotype.
Outcome of fetuses in women with pregestational diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of pregestational diabetes on pregnancy outcome. METHODS Data of 126 women with pregestational diabetes prospectively collected and controlled in a single tertiary center. HbA(1C) levels at early pregnancy were registered. Adverse pregnancy outcome was defined as spontaneous abortion, congenital defect, stillbirth, or neonatal death. RESULTS There were 10 spontaneous abortions (7.9%) and 17 fetuses with congenital anomalies (13.4%), including 8 major malformations (6.3%). Compared with pregnancies with a favorable outcome, a higher HbA(1C) concentration in early pregnancy was observed in pregnancies with adverse perinatal outcome [mean (SD): 6.3 (1.6) vs. 7.2 (1.7), P=0.001]. A positive correlation between increased maternal HbA(1C) levels and the rate of fetal malformations was observed, and the group of women with poor metabolic control (early maternal HbA(1c) concentration >7%) showed a 3 to 5-fold increase in the major malformation rate. Cardiovascular and genitourinary defects accounted for 58.8% of the anomalies, and the ultrasound examinations detected seven of them (41.2%). For major malformations, the detection rate was 50% (4/8). Perinatal mortality rate was 26 per thousand (3/116). There was almost 5-fold increase in the total pregnancy loss rate in the poor control group compared with the group with fair control [22.2% vs. 5.3%, OR (95% CI): 5.1 (1.4-17.1)]. Only 11.9% of mothers used a preconception care program. CONCLUSIONS Pregestational diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for the developing fetus. Spontaneous abortions and congenital defects are more common when a poor metabolic control is present in early pregnancy. It is most important to improve access to preconception care programs for achieving a good metabolic control in early pregnancy. Ultrasound examinations have a low performance for detecting congenital defects in diabetic pregnancies.
Sensitivity of estimated light extinction coefficients to model assumptions and measurement errors

Abstract The optical properties of aerosol particles, expressed in terms of scattering and absorption coefficients, determine radiation transfer and visibility in the atmosphere. In principle, given sufficiently detailed input data regarding particle concentration, morphology, size, and index of refraction, particulate scattering and absorption coefficients can be estimated. In reality, the estimation of light extinction is constrained by our limited ability to measure the physical and chemical properties of aerosol particles. To evaluate the reliability of light-extinction estimates under such constraints, we applied impactor size distribution inversion and Mie scattering models to several urban and rural U.S. aerosol data sets. The scattering algorithm includes five chemical components, nitrate, sulfate, organic carbon, elemental carbon, and geological dust in internally mixed particles. Particle composition may be treated as homogeneous or distributed between an insoluble core and an aqueous shell. Liquid water is added to dry aerosol mass in discrete size bins and a distribution number is estimated. Extinction is calculated with Mie theory. For the data sets examined, light scattering estimated with this model agreed with measured scattering to within 26% on average. We describe the sensitivity of the method to input assumptions about particle composition and morphology, liquid water as a function of relative humidity, and particle size distribution. Apportioning estimated scattering to chemical components of an ambient aerosol using species extinction efficiencies has no clear theoretical basis. The merits of several approaches for doing so are examined.
EELS and AES study of epitaxially grown Pd(111) thin films

Abstract Electron energy loss spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy have been used to study epitaxially grown Pd(111) thin films on mica. Four loss lines at 7, 18, 24 and 33 eV have been observed and are interpreted as due to combinations of surface and bulk plasmon excitations. The effect of trace amounts of surface impurities, as detected by AES, was correlated with ELS spectra. The plasmon loss line at 7 eV was found to decrease in intensity in varying amounts due to the presence of surface impurities. The other lines, being rich in bulk character, were not affected significantly. The results were compared with earlier studies on palladium films and bulk single crystals using ELS, photoemission, and optical reflection techniques.
Characterization of a pollen-expressed gene encoding a putative pectin esterase of Petunia inflata.

From a pollen tube cDNA library ofPetunia inflata, we isolated cDNA clones encoding a protein, PPE1, which exhibits sequence similarity with plant, bacterial, and fungal pectin esterases. Genomic clones containing thePPE1 gene were isolated using cDNA for PPE1 as a probe, and comparison of the cDNA and genomic sequences revealed the presence of a single intron in thePPE1 gene. During pollen development,PPE1 mRNA was first detected in anthers containing uninucleate microspores; it reached the highest level in mature pollen and persisted at a high level inin vitro germinated pollen tubes. The observed expression pattern of thePPE1 gene suggests that its product may play a role in pollen germination and/or tube growth.
In vivo chemosensitivity testing in patients with gynecologic malignancies and nude mouse xenografts by monitoring cell kinetic parameters and DNA distribution patterns: A preliminary report

Using flow cytometry (FCM) and autoradiography we have evaluated changes in DNA-ploidy patterns as well as cell-cycle perturbations after chemotherapy in 12 patients with accessible tumors and 22 nude mice xenografts. Gynecologic malignancies growing as nude mouse xenografts serve as an experimental model to study the effect of chemotherapy at the cellular level. Excellent correlation was found between fine needle aspiration (FNA) and biopsy material for either FCM or autoradiography. It now appears possible to study the effects of chemotherapy in the patient as well as the animal model using serial FNAs as a microsampling technique.
Physical characterization of nanoimprinted polymer nanostructures using visible light angular scatterometry

Visible light angular scatterometry is applied to characterize the geometry and physical properties of sub-100-nm-wide polymer gratings fabricated using nanoimprint lithography and electron beam lithography. Measurement sensitivities to small variations in linewidth and slope angle were evaluated theoretically, which suggests that TM polarized incident light offers improved sensitivity for the measurements of sub-45-nm critical dimensions (CDs). A variable angle scatterometer using a red laser is built, and measurement results of various polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) gratings with sub-100-nm CDs reveals good accuracies and fit well to the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements. In addition to geometry and dimension measurements, new functionality is implemented in the modeling to characerize polymer residue thickness, polymer flow dynamics, and evidence of stress in the nanoimprinted polymer gratings. Scatterometry is also applied to detect possible undercut line profiles resulting from electron beam lithography. The results promote using this low-cost and noninvasive technique to characterize polymer nanostructures as well as understand and control the underlying lithographic processes.
End organ metabolism of testosterone: I—Effects of hypophysectomy and growth hormone

Abstract The effects of hypophysectomy and growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy on the metabolism of testosterone by the rat prostate in vitro were studied. Forty-one Sprague-Dawley rats were hypophysectomized and twenty-one of these animals were treated with rat GH until 60 days of age. Intact animals were sacrificed at 25, 35 and 60 days of age. The ventral prostates from these animals were incubated with increasing concentrations of radio-active testosterone. The disappearance rate of testosterone and the rate of formation of 5 α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were determined for each level of substrate concentration for each group of animals. In all animals, the disappearance rate of testosterone increased progressively with increasing concentrations of testosterone. In intact animals, the rate of formation of DHT increased progressively and leveled off at a maximum rate with higher concentrations of testosterone. In contrast, the rate of formation of DHT by the prostrates from hypophysectomized rats appeared to be inhibited by higher substrate concentration. Although GH increased the protein content of the prostates from hypophysectomized rats, GH therapy did not correct the inhibition of the conversion of testosterone to DHT by high concentration of substrate.
Sidestream smoke inhalation decreases respiratory clearance of 99mTc-DTPA acutely.

Background : The permeability of the alveolar-capillary barrier to an inhaled aerosol of technetium 99m labelled diethylenetriamine penta-acetate ( 99m Tc-DTPA) is used as an index of alveolar epithelial injury. Permeability is greatly increased in active smokers. Aims : To determine the effect of sidestream smoke inhalation on permeability as this has not been described previously. Methods : We measured lung clearance of inhaled 99m Tc-DTPA aerosol in 20 normal non-smoking subjects before and after exposure to one hour's sidestream smoke inhalation. Results : Measured carbon monoxide (CO) levels rose to a maximum of 23.5±6.2 ppm (mean ± SD) from baseline values of 0.6±1.3 (p<0.001) and plasma cotinine levels to a maximum of 9.5±4.5 nmol/L (mean ± SD). The half time (Tl/2 in minutes) for 99m Tc-DTPA clearance rose from baseline 69.1±15.6 (mean ± SD) to 77.4±17.8 (p<0.05) after smoke exposure. No effect of 99m Tc-DTPA scanning or of sidestream smoke was demonstrated on lung function. Conclusions : We conclude that low level sidestream smoke inhalation decreases 99m Tc-DTPA clearance acutely in humans. The mechanism of this unexpected result is not established but may include differences in constituents between sidestream and mainstream smoke, alterations in pulmonary microvascular blood flow, or changes in surfactant due to an acute phase irritant response.
Astronomical imaging using ground-layer adaptive optics

Over the past several years, experiments in adaptive optics involving multiple natural and Rayleigh laser guide stars have been carried out by our group at the 1.5 m Kuiper telescope and the 6.5 m MMT telescope. From open-loop data we have calculated the performance gains anticipated from ground-layer adaptive optics (GLAO) and laser tomography adaptive optics corrections. In July 2007, the GLAO control loop was closed around the focus signal from all five laser guide stars at the MMT, leading to a reduction in the measured focus mode on the laser wavefront sensor by 60%. For the first time, we expect to close the full high order GLAO control loop around the five laser beacons and a tilt star at the MMT in October 2007, where we predict image quality of < 0.2 arc seconds FWHM in K band (λ = 2.2 μm) over a 2 arc minute field. We intend to explore the image quality, stability and sensitivity of GLAO correction as a function of waveband with the science instrument PISCES. PISCES is a 1-2.5 µm imager with a field of view of 110 arc seconds, at a scale of 0.11 arc seconds per pixel. This is well matched to the expected FWHM performance of the GLAO corrected field and will be able to examine PSF non-uniformity and temporal stability across a wide field. FGD.
Estrual rise in body temperature in the bovine. II. The temporal relationship with ovulation.

Abstract Increases in internal body temperature have been observed near estrus in cattle. In our companion paper, an estrual rise in vaginal temperature occurred within a consistent interval from the LH surge. However, the relationship of this rise in temperature to ovulation was not determined. The objectives of this study were to: (1) characterize the temporal relationship between the estrual increase in body temperature and ovulation in the heifer, and (2) assess the consistency of this temporal relationship among individuals by comparing it to the consistency of intervals between other periovulatory events. Body temperature was monitored automatically and recorded every 15 min with intravaginal radiotransmitters in post-puberal heifers. Temperatures were averaged hourly. To monitor the demise of the corpus luteum and anticipate estrus, progesterone (P) concentrations were monitored. Blood samples were collected daily, beginning on day 16, until serum P fell to ≤ 0.5 ng/ml. Samples were then collected every 4 h until ovulation. Serum concentrations of estradiol-17β (E) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured in these samples. Serum concentrations of P, E and LH were determined by radioimmunoassay. Hourly temperature averages were compared to the previous 3 days' hourly temperature averages for each hour of the day. A significant ( P P > 0.10, F -test): E peak to onset of a TS (1.00 ± 5.90 h, mean ± s.d., n = 6), LH peak to onset of a TS (0.29 ± 5.22 h, n = 7), E peak to TO (22.30 ± 3.92 h, n = 6), LH peak to TO (21.43 ± 4.31 h, n = 7), and onset of a TS to TO (21.14 ± 6.07 h, n = 7). In conclusion, intervals between periovulatory events had similar variances among heifers. Since the interval between the LH peak to ovulation is considered a repeatable periovulatory relationship, all periovulatory intervals in the current study can be considered repeatable. As such, relative to other periovulatory intervals, the interval between the onset of a TS to TO is consistent. Therefore, the onset of a TS, as monitored by radiotelemetry, may be as reliable a predictor of ovulation as the LH surge or other periovulatory events.
The MMPI as an aid in evaluating patients with premenstrual syndrome.

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) was used to evaluate the psychologic status of 20 women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and 20 women without PMS during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Women without PMS had no clinically significant MMPI changes during their cycles. Women with PMS, however, had many statistically and clinically significant changes in MMPI response patterns over their cycles. The changes indicated more feelings of worry, tension, anxiety, and interpersonal oversensitivity than were observed in the control group or in a census-matched sample of contemporary normal women. Some evidence for two PMS subgroups was found: a group with significant changes during the cycle and a smaller group with significant psychologic dysfunction throughout the cycle. The latter group may require further psychiatric evaluation and treatment concurrent with management of PMS.