cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Shifting gears : technology, literature, culture in modernist America

Shifting Gears is a richly illustrated exploration of the American era of gear-and-girder technology. From the 1890s to the 1920s machines and structures shaped by this technology emerged in many forms, from automobiles and harvesting machines to bridges and skyscrapers. The most casual onlooker to American life saw examples of the new technology on Main Street, on the local railway platform, and in the pages of popular magazines. A major consequence of this technology was its effect on the arts, in particular the literary arts. Three prominent American writers of the time -- Ernest Hemingway, John Dos Passos, and William Carlos Williams -- became designer-engineers of the word. Tichi reveals their use of prefabricated, manufactured components in poems and prose. As designers, they enacted in style and structure the new technological values. The writers, according to Tichi, thought of words themselves as objects for assembly into a design. Using materials from magazines, popular novels , movie reviews, the toy industry, and advertising, as well as the texts of the nation's major enduring writers, Tichi shows how turn-of-the-century technology pervaded every aspect of American culture and how this culture could be defined as a collaborative effort of the engineer, the architect, the fiction writer, and the poet. She demonstrates that a technological revolution is not a revolution only of science but of language as well. Originally published in 1987. A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.
Using grasping tasks to evaluate hand force coordination in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Abstract Mackenzie SJ, Getchell N, Modlesky CM, Miller F, Jaric S. Using grasping tasks to evaluate hand force coordination in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Objective To assess force coordination in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) using a device that allows for testing both unimanual and bimanual manipulation tasks performed under static and dynamic conditions. Design Nonequivalent groups design. Setting University research laboratory for motor control. Participants Six children with hemiplegic CP (age, mean ± SD, 11.6±1.8y) and 6 typically developing controls (11.6±1.6y). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Children performed simple lifting and force-matching static ramp tasks by way of both unimanual and bimanual pulling using a device that measures grip force (force acting perpendicularly at the digits-device contact area) and load force (tangential force). Main outcome measures were grip/load force ratios (grip force scaling) and correlation coefficients (force coupling). Results CP subjects showed significantly higher grip/load force ratios ( P P >.05). Conclusions Compared with healthy children, the impaired hand function in the hemiplegic CP pediatric population could be reflected in excessive grip force that is also decoupled from ongoing changes in load force. Therefore, the bimanual grip load device used in this study could provide a sensitive measure of grip force coordination in CP, although nonmotor deficits should be taken into account when asking children to perform more complex tasks.
DIELECTRONIC SATELLITE SPECTRA OF HYDROGENLIKE CA, TI, AND CR

Abstract We present theoretical x-ray wavelengths and satellite intensity factors of hydrogenlike Ca, Ti, and Cr ions undergoing dielectronic recombination processes 1s → (2lnl′) ∗ → 1sml″ + γ with n = 5–8 , and all allowed values of l , l ′ and l ″. The calculation has been performed using multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock atomic model. Spin-orbit interactions and other relativistic effects are included. These data will permit better analysis of dielectronic satellite spectra obtained in high-temperature laboratory and astrophysical plasmas.
SIMILARITY AMONG PLANT GROWTH INHIBITORS PRODUCED BY PENICILLIUM THOMII, P. OXALICUM AND BYSSOCHLAMYS NIVEA.

WHEN seedlings of Phaseolus vulgaris var. Black Valentine were treated on one of the simple leaves with culture filtrates of P. thomii, P. oxalicum, or B. nivea (Arachniotus trisporus), subsequent growth of the plants was inhibited more or less selectively on the treated side1. As a result, the first, second, and often the third trifoliolate leaves were asymmetrical. In severe cases, both sides of the trifoliolate leaves were inhibited. ‘Asymmetrin’ has been proposed as a name for the growth inhibitor produced by these fungi2. Preliminary investigations showed that culture filtrates of the three fungi produced a red-purple colour when treated with ferric chloride. Because of their similar effects on bean plants and coloration with ferric chloride, the relationship of the inhibitors to each other and to the ferric chloride reactive compounds was investigated.
Bioinformatic analysis of expressed sequence tags from grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio exposed to environmental stressors.

Abstract Six libraries of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were constructed by suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) from the grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio , exposed to environmental stress: severe (Dissolved Oxygen (DO) 1.5 mg/L) and moderate (DO 2.5 mg/L) chronic hypoxia, cyclic hypoxia (1.5→7 mg/L), contaminant-induced stress (pyrene and copper), and biological stress (molt). A total of 1553 ESTs were clustered and assembled using Paracel Transcript Assembler software. The resulting 661 potential transcripts included 181 contigs and 480 singlets. The assembled sequences were annotated by BLAST searches against the public protein database. Gene Ontology (GO) terms for each sequence were provided using GOblet software. A total of 312 assembled transcripts matched a protein with an E-value less than 1E-5. The most similar matches (18%) were from different crustaceans. Large proportions of sequences had no significant BLAST hits (53%) or GO terms (64%). GO analysis by libraries showed several genes that were present in only one library suggesting that their expression may be stressor specific. Up-regulation of muscle proteins and GSH-peroxidase appeared specific for chronic (1.5 mg/L) and cyclic hypoxia exposures, respectively. Several genes involved in sulfur redox and (homo)cysteine metabolism were all down-regulated in response to cyclic hypoxia. Up-regulation of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and down-regulation of vitellogenin was a common response to chronic (1.5 mg/L and 2.5 mg/L) and cyclic DO exposures. The molting process was accompanied by changes in expression of many genes not found in the hypoxia/copper/pyrene libraries. The cDNA clones and sequence information can be used for future functional analysis and for construction of microarrays for monitoring of environmental stressors in coastal waters using wild or caged grass shrimp.
Repetitive Sequence Variations in the Promoter Region of the Adhesin-Encoding Gene sabA of Helicobacter pylori Affect Transcription

The pathogenesis of diseases elicited by the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori is partially determined by the effectiveness of adaptation to the variably acidic environment of the host stomach. Adaptation includes appropriate adherence to the gastric epithelium via outer membrane protein adhesins such as SabA. The expression of sabA is subject to regulation via phase variation in the promoter and coding regions as well as repression by the two-component system ArsRS. In this study, we investigated the role of a homopolymeric thymine [poly(T)] tract −50 to −33 relative to the sabA transcriptional start site in H. pylori strain J99. We quantified sabA expression in H. pylori J99 by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), demonstrating significant changes in sabA expression associated with experimental manipulations of poly(T) tract length. Mimicking the length increase of this tract by adding adenines instead of thymines had similar effects, while the addition of other nucleotides failed to affect sabA expression in the same manner. We hypothesize that modification of the poly(T) tract changes DNA topology, affecting regulatory protein interaction(s) or RNA polymerase binding efficiency. Additionally, we characterized the interaction between the sabA promoter region and ArsR, a response regulator affecting sabA expression. Using recombinant ArsR in electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), we localized binding to a sequence with partial dyad symmetry −20 and +38 relative to the sabA +1 site. The control of sabA expression by both ArsRS and phase variation at two distinct repeat regions suggests the control of sabA expression is both complex and vital to H. pylori infection.
Continuous extraction rate measurements during supercritical CO2 drying of silica alcogel

Abstract We investigated the kinetics of supercritical CO2 (SCCO2)-based drying of silica aerogels, a common, but time consuming and energy intensive step in their manufacture. An apparatus was developed to continuously measure alcohol extraction rates from alcogels as a function of key process variables by two redundant techniques. Kinetics data are reported for the drying of 2.5 mm, 5 mm, and 7.5 mm thick annular alcogels by pumping SCCO2 through a 10 mm-thick concentric annulus surrounding their exterior. The SCCO2 was at a temperature of 323 K and a pressure of 12.4 MPa and its mass flow rate varied from 1 kg/h to 5 kg/h. Gel thickness and SCCO2 flow rate were both shown to significantly effect drying rate and required drying time. The results of a conjugate mass transfer model assuming pure diffusion in the alcogel compared favorably with the data when the composition dependence of molecular diffusivity was captured utilizing available correlations.
Advances in Transcatheter Valve Therapies

The surgical treatment for valvular heart disease is well established with excellent long-term outcomes in appropriately selected patients. For patients at elevated risk for surgical intervention, options have traditionally been limited to medical therapy with disappointing results. The advent of transcatheter techniques of valvular repair or replacement has revolutionized treatment options for these patients at significantly elevated risk for surgery. In both the aortic and mitral realms, landmark clinical trials and real-world registries have begun to define the roles of these therapies, and the development of multidisciplinary heart teams have helped optimize patient treatment pathways and outcomes. Transcatheter treatment of aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation has emerged as an approved option for properly selected patients, and guidelines have evolved to include these therapies. Further procedural refinement, device development, and clinical trials will continue to evolve this field.
Depression in multiple sclerosis as a function of length and severity of illness, age, remissions, and perceived social support

Degree of depression found in 120 spinal multiple sclerosis (MS) outpatients was related significantly to selected illness, demographic, and social variables. The more depressed individuals tended to be more disabled, older, and, in particular, perceived their families and friends as providing less social support than those who were less depressed. Those who had experienced at least one remission were less depressed than those who never had had a remission. Contrary to hypothesized expectations, the results also suggested that the longer a patient has MS, the more depressed he will be. Such results raise implications for psychotherapeutic intervention in this population, as well as suggest the need for future investigations of the MS patients's body image, self-concept, and perception of disability.
Developing a digital mammography data warehouse

This paper discusses our initial efforts to design and develop a digital mammography data warehouse to facilitate clinical and research activities. Data warehouse is a complete and consistent integration of data from many information sources. It enables users to explore the warehouse for various analysis and decision support purposes. We are designing an infra-structural information system by incorporating various kinds of breast imaging data, from a diversity of existing clinical systems, into a digital data warehouse. Various types of breast imaging data, including patient demographics, family history, digital mammography and radiological reports, will be acquired for the University of California San Francisco digital mammography PACS modules, as well as Radiological Information System.
Linear magnetoresistance from Dirac-like fermions in graphite

We show that magnetoresistance of Bernal-stacked graphite (with the magnetic field $\mathbf{B}$ parallel to the $c$ axis and the current in the $ab$ plane ) scales linearly with the magnetic field over an interval of classically weak fields. The linearity is related to the presence of extremely light, Dirac-like carriers near the $H$(${H}^{\ensuremath{'}}$) points of the Brillouin zone. The Hall resistivity in this interval also shows a nonanalytic $B\mathrm{ln}|B|$ behavior, and is dominated by holes.
PENALIZED‐R2 CRITERIA FOR MODEL SELECTION*

It is beneficial to observe that popular model selection criteria for the linear model are equivalent to penalized versions of R2. Let PR2 refer to any one of these model selection criteria. Then PR2 serves the dual purpose of selecting the model and summarizing the resulting fit subject to the penalty function. Furthermore, it is straightforward to extend the logic of PR2 to instrumental variables estimation and the non-parametric selection of regressors. For two-stage least squares estimation, a simulation study investigates the finite-sample performance of PR2 to select the correct model in cases of either strong or weak instruments.
Masculinization of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus by Oral Administration of Trenbolone Acetate

All-male populations of channel catfish, Ictalurus punelatus, were produced by feeding a diet containing trenbolone acetate to swim-up fry for 60 d. This hormone was effective in producing 100% males at doses of 50 to 150 mg/kg of diet. Fish that received 0 or 1 mg/kg of diet did not differ from the expected 1:1 sex ratio. Survival of control fish and fish fed diets containing trenbolone acetate were similar (P > 0.05) at the end of the treatment period and after a 60-d grow-out period. Our results represent the first report of successful masculinization of channel catfish with a synthetic anabolic androgenic steroid.
Epidural use and clinical chorioamnionitis among women who delivered vaginally.

OBJECTIVE Chorioamnionitis, an important cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity, is influenced by epidural use and the occurrence of epidural fever. We evaluated the association between chorioamnionitis, histologic placental findings, and intrapartum factors focusing on epidural use. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of different doses of oxytocin to prevent postpartum hemorrhage among women who delivered vaginally. The primary outcome was clinical diagnosis of chorioamnionitis leading to antibiotic therapy. Intrapartum factors examined included epidural use, parity, labor induction, gestational age, maternal age, ethnicity, body mass index, cervical dilatation at admission, preeclampsia/eclampsia, preterm labor, and duration of labor. RESULTS Of the 1,798 women randomized, we excluded 13 multifetal births leaving 1,785 for analysis: 1,491 had an epidural and 294 did not. Of those with epidural, 8.0% had clinically diagnosed chorioamnionitis compared with only 1.0% without epidural: unadjusted odds ratio (OR) = 8.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.63-26.40); p < 0.0001. After multivariable logistic regression, epidural use (adjusted OR: 5.80; 95% CI: 1.77-19.11), increasing parity (0.42; 0.32-0.55), and preeclampsia (0.31; 0.14-0.66) were significantly associated with chorioamnionitis. CONCLUSION Epidural use is statistically associated with an increase in clinical diagnosis of chorioamnionitis. A cause and effect relationship cannot be confirmed from this study. Independently of labor duration and increasing parity, preeclampsia appeared protective.
Glucagonoma syndrome: In vitro evidence that glucagon increases epidermal arachidonic acid

A 63-year-old white woman with perioral dermatitis, a sore tongue, and an erythematous dermatosis in the inframammary and perineal regions underwent surgical removal of a pancreatic glucagonoma. The patient's plasma and pooled normal human plasma containing Sigma glucagon were fed to human keratinocyte cultures and increased arachidonic acid levels by 300% and 200%, respectively, when compared to pooled normal human plasma with no added commercial glucagon. These experiments suggest that glucagon may increase inflammatory mediators such as arachidonic acid and its metabolites in the epidermis, causing the skin lesions seen in the glucagonoma syndrome.
High thermoelectric figure of merit and improved mechanical properties in melt quenched PbTe–Ge and PbTe–Ge1−xSix eutectic and hypereutectic composites

We report the synthesis, microstructure, and transport properties of composite thermoelectric materials based on the eutectic phase relationship between PbTe and Ge. When quenched, these eutectic mixtures exhibit considerably stronger mechanical strength and reduced brittleness compared to PbTe itself, while at the same time they possess lower lattice thermal conductivity. Thermal conductivity measurements show values lower than expected based on the law of mixtures and multiphase composites. We find that the thermoelectric performance in these composites can be tuned through the use of hypereutectic compositions and alloying of Ge with Si. PbI2 was used as an n-type dopant, and precise control of the carrier concentration was achieved to optimize the electrical transport and thermoelectric properties. ZT values approaching 1.3 at 778 K have been obtained in samples of PbTe–Ge0.8Si0.2(5%), which represent an ∼62% improvement over that of PbTe.
Specific reactions between purified HIV-1 particles and CD4+cell membrane fragments in a cell-free system of virus fusion or entry

The initial step of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection has been studied by Env-mediated fusion or entry assays with appropriate cells expressing CD4 or CXCR4/CCR5 receptors in cultures, where many factors underlying cellular activities likely regulate the fusion/entry efficiency. Here we attempted to develop a more simplified in vitro cell-free fusion/entry reaction that mimics HIV-1 infection in cultures. Membrane fragments of target cells and intact infectious HIV-1 particles were purified, mixed and incubated. The core p24 protein was released from the purified virions and detected by ELISA without detergents in the supernatant of the reaction mixtures. This release reaction proceeded temperature-dependently and in a dose-dependent manner between the virion and membrane fractions, and was specific for HIV-1 Env and CD4. Env-deleted or VSV-G-pseudotyped HIV-1 released little p24, if any. Pretreatment of the membrane fragments with anti-CD4 antibodies inhibited the p24 induction from both X4-tropic and R5-tropic HIV-1. Furthermore, X4 but not R5 HIV-1 reacted with the membrane prepared from intrinsically CXCR4-positive HeLa-CD4 cells, whereas both viruses reacted with that prepared from CCR5-transduced HeLa-CD4 cells, indicating that this cell-free reaction mimics coreceptor usage of HIV-1 infection. Therefore, a potent entry inhibitor of X4 HIV-1, SDF-1α, blocked the release from X4 but not R5 HIV-1. Inversely, a weak entry inhibitor of R5 HIV-1, MIP-1β, partially affected only the release from R5 HIV-1. These results suggest that this cell-free reaction system provides a useful tool to study biochemical fusion/entry mechanisms of HIV-1 and its inhibitors.
Complaint Avoidance and Complaint-Related Appraisals in Close Relationships: A Dyadic Power Theory Perspective

This study explored the role of decision-making power in withholding communicating about relational complaints. A total of 350 participants (nested in 175 couples) completed surveys about the balance of decision-making power in their relationship, complaint avoidance, and complaint-related appraisals. Decision-making power had a curvilinear association with avoidance, such that individuals engaged in the least complaint avoidance when they were relatively equal to their partners in power. For complaint-related appraisals, problems were perceived as least severe, and outcome expectancies and communication efficacy assessments were most positive, when power was equal. Furthermore, severity appraisals and outcome expectancies mediated the curvilinear association of power with complaint avoidance. Results provided support for Dyadic Power Theory outside of laboratory contexts, and highlight cognitive mechanisms through which decision-making power may influence communication in close relationships.
Reactions to Territorial Contamination as a Function of Culture

The present study examined individuals' responses to contamination of private, semipublic, and public territory. It was predicted that individuals would dispose of litter on territory they controlled (private and semipublic) but would not do so on territory that was not under their personal control (public). Previous research demonstrates that territorial classification is influenced by culture and therefore it was expected that culture would influence reactions to territorial contamination. A bag of litter was placed in one of three locations in residences in Greece and the United States: front yard, sidewalk in front of residence, or street curb in front of home. The dependent measure was the amount of time it took for the litter to be removed. The results indicated that there was no difference in the speed of removal between the two cultures when the litter was placed in the yard of the residence. However, the litter was removed significantly more quickly from the sidewalk and street in the United Stat...
Evolution of Eukaryotic Transcription Circuits

The gradual modification of transcription circuits over evolutionary time scales is an important source of the diversity of life. Over the past decade, studies in animals have shown how seemingly small molecular changes in gene regulation can have large effects on morphology and physiology and how selective pressures can act on these changes. More recently, genome-wide studies, particularly those in single-cell yeasts, have uncovered evidence of extensive transcriptional rewiring, indicating that even closely related organisms regulate their genes using markedly different circuitries.
Paradoxical Relationship Between N-Terminal Proatrial Natriuretic Peptide and Filling Pressure in Adults With Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease

Background Many adults with cyanotic congenital heart disease are characterized by reduced ventricular filling pressures and decreased systemic oxygen transport. Data from animals suggest that hypoxia can induce synthesis and secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide. Methods and Results We measured plasma N-terminal (1-98) proatrial natriuretic peptide (proANP) in 26 cyanotic adults and 28 noncyanotic control subjects. Resting arterial oxygen saturation was significantly lower and hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit significantly greater in cyanotic patients than in control subjects (82±6 versus 96±3%, 19.7±2.2 versus 14.7±2.1 g/dL, and 59.0±8.5% versus 44.3±5.2%, respectively, P<.0001 in all cases). Four cyanotic patients had evidence of iron deficiency. Plasma proANP levels were elevated in cyanotic patients compared with control subjects (1828±1147 versus 689±343 pmol/L, P<.0001). Comparison of resting arterial oxygen saturation and proANP levels demonstrated an inverse linear relationship between t...
Removal of texture from steels

An x-ray technique was employed to evaluate an average amount of texture in a series of Fe-C alloys with percentages of carbon varying from 0.1 to 1 wt%. The texture was removed by two types of cyclic heat treatments: normalizing or quenching and annealing (Q& A). The major emphasis of this study was an evaluation of the effectiveness of these heat treatments in removing the texture. A single normalizing cycle was found to be adequate to remove texture for C > 0.7wt%, whereas lower percent carbon alloys required additional normalizing cycles. The Q& A treatment was found to be slightly less effective at removing texture. The x-ray technique also revealed that surface texture may be produced by the usual metallographic mechanical polishing techniques.
Comparison of the statistics of two fracture modes

Abstract T he relative strengths of an aggregate material are calculated for the following two modes of fracture: (i) by independent fracture of individual volume elements separated by a crack propagation barrier, (ii) by propagation of a crack from the weakest volume element in the absence of a propagation barrier. The first case is analysed by means of a model which consists of an assembly of layers in series, each layer representing a bundle of volume elements uniformly loaded in parallel. The strength distribution of the stacked layers is obtained by an application of the statistical theory of bundles of filaments after Daniels and others, and ‘weakest link’ statistics are used to yield the strength distribution of the cylindrical bodies. For comparison, the ‘weakest link’ statistics of Epstein and others are given for the second case which corresponds to the usual cleavage fracture model of brittle materials. The expected volume and shape effects of the two modes are compared.
Growth pattern of pioneering chick spinal cord axons

The early growth pattern of axons in the embryonic chick spinal cord was studied by electron microscopy. Serial perisagittal thin sections were obtained from the lateral margins of spinal cords of stage 17 (S17) and S19 embryos. A simple stereotypic pattern of axonal growth was found. Axons originated from a dispersed population of presumptive interneurons located along the lateral spinal cord margin. They first grew ventrally in a nonfasciculative pattern and later turned at right angles and grew in a fasciculative manner longitudinally in the ventrolateral fasciculus. Growth along the circumferential pathway was analyzed in detail by reconstructing individual axons and growth cones from the S17 specimen. Most circumferential axons, regardless of their site of origin, grew in a parallel orientation, and each of their growth cones projected ventrally. This pattern suggested that circumferential growth cones were guided at many, if not all, points along their path. Study of the region in front of these seven growth cones, however, revealed no apparent structural basis for their guidance. Alternative guidance mechanisms are discussed. In conjunction with previous studies (e.g., Windle and Baxter, 1936; Lyser, 1966), these findings suggest that the circumferential-nonfasciculative and the longitudinal-fasciculative patterns of axonal growth are the two fundamental patterns followed by most early forming axons in the brain stem and spinal cord of all higher vertebrates.
Method to Characterize the Air Flow and Water Removal Characteristics during Vacuum Dewatering. Part I—Experimental Method

An experimental method using a novel design to characterize the air flow and water removal during vacuum dewatering in paper manufacturing is discussed. The experimental setup involves the intermittent application of vacuum, similar to commercial systems, using a rotating disk with slot opening arrangement. The system is capable of commercially realistic residence times of the order of milliseconds. The intermittent application of vacuum simulates vacuum dewatering on commercial paper machines. The air flow rate is calculated from changes in pressure and temperature in the vacuum tank underneath the sample. The role and importance of air flow during vacuum dewatering is studied by accurately measuring the air flow, properly taking into account the leaks during vacuum dewatering. The method described here provides for the first time accurate air flow and water removal data during vacuum dewatering. Methods of analysis of the experimental data are also presented. This information can be used to better under...
A generalization of Hiraguchi's: Inequality for posets

Abstract For a poset X, Dim(X) is the smallest positive integer t for which X is isomorphic to a subposet of the cartesian product of t chains. Hiraguchi proved that if | X | ⩾ 4, then Dim(X) ⩽ [| X |/2]. For each k ⩽ 2, we define Dimk(X) as the smallest positive integer t for which X is isomorphic to a subposet of the cartesian product of t chains, each of length k. We then prove that if | X | ⩾ 5, Dim3(X) ⩽ {| X |/2} and if | X | ⩾ 6, then Dim4(X) ⩽ [| X |/2].
Real-time flat-panel detector-based-volume tomographic angiography imaging: detector evaluation

The purpose of this study is to characterize a real time flat panel detector (FPD)-based imaging system for cone beam volume tomographic digital angiography (CBVTDA) applications. A prototype FPD-based imaging system has been designed and constructed on a modified GE 8800 CT scanner. This system is evaluated for CBVTDA using two phantoms. The system is first characterized in terms of linearity and dynamic range of the detector, the effect of image lag and scatter on the image quality, low contrast resolution and high contrast spatial resolution. The results indicate that the FPD-based imaging system can achieve 2lp/mm spatial resolution and provide appropriate low contrast resolution for intravenous CBVTDA angiography with clinically acceptable entrance exposure level.
Synthesis of tritium‐labeled puerarin—a potential antidipsotropic agent

Puerarin 1 (8-β-D-Glucopyranosyl-4′-7-dihydroxyisoflavone, NPI-031G) is the major isoflavone C-glycoside isolated from Pueraria lobata, a traditional Chinese medicine widely used for the treatment of alcohol intoxication. In order to understand the mode of action of puerarin in the reward pathway of the central nervous system and to study its bioavailability and pharmacokinetics, we developed a synthetic route for the preparation of tritium-labeled puerarin. The key intermediate 4 was obtained by trimethylsilyl protection of all hydroxyl groups followed by selective deprotection. The corresponding aldehyde 5 was obtained through the subsequent oxidation of the primary alcohol. Standard NaB[3H]4 reduction and hydrolysis produced the tritium-labeled puerarin 6. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ionization- and cohesive-energy errors arising from norm-conserving pseudopotentials

Norm-conserving pseudopotentials are constructed to yield exact eigenvalues for an atom or ion in a particular configuration and nearly correct eigenvalues for other configurations or for crystals containing the atom. This does not guarantee that ionization energies or cohesive energies will be accurate. We here calculate and compare all-electron and pseudopotential total valence energies for Mo atoms and ions in several configurations. We find a huge error in the sixfold ionization energy but very small to small errors in the onefold ionization and cohesive energies.
A Survey of Current Coronal Visible Line Identifications

A literature search has been made pertaining to the identifications of coronal visible lines. Of over one hundred lines reported seen at eclipses, about forty identifications are widely quoted. Close scrutiny of the literature, however, reveals that only twenty of these identifications are not disputed by one or more authors.
Safety and efficacy of a heparin removal device: a prospective randomized preclinical outcomes study

Abstract Background . Systemic protamine sulfate for heparin reversal after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with uncommon, but life-threatening adverse reactions. Methods . In a prospective randomized 3-day outcomes study, a heparin removal device (HRD) group (n = 12; 60-, 80-, 100-kg subgroups) was compared with a matched systemic Protamine group (Protamine; n=6) for safety and efficacy using an adult swine model of CPB (60 minutes, 28°C). Results . HRD run time was 25 to 38 minutes depending on weight without complications. After HRD, heparin concentration decreased from 4.77 ± 0.17 to 0.45 ± 0.06 U/mL (activated clotting time [ACT] 776 ± 83 to 180 ± 12 seconds), and in Protamine, 3.94 ± 0.63 to 0.13 ± 0.02 U/mL (ACT 694 ± 132 to 101 ± 5 seconds) (p = 0.01 between groups, but no significant differences 60 minutes later). No significant difference between HRD and Protamine to 72 hours was seen in plasma-free hemoglobin C3a, heparin concentration, thromboelastogram index, platelet count, activated partial thromboplastin time, anti-thrombin III, fibrinogen, ACT, and tissue histology. Conclusions . In a prospective randomized outcomes study, HRD achieved predictable reversal of systemic heparinization after CPB with no difference in safety or outcomes compared with protamine.
Digital Image Processing in Radioisotope Scanning

The ready availability and high speeds of small digital processors (minicomputers) has made possible fast translation to and from discrete time and frequency domains through the fast Fourier transform (FFT). Formerly time-consuming operations on sequences can now be performed more efficiently and easily in the discrete frequency domain.
Determination of erythrocyte deformability and its correlation to cellular ATP release using microbore tubing with diameters that approximate resistance vessels in vivo.

A novel method is described for measuring the deformability of red blood cells (RBCs) in tubing whose diameters approximate forces encountered in vivo. Here, RBCs from rabbits are loaded into a 50 cm section of 75 µm id microbore tubing and connected to a syringe pump. This section of tubing is then connected to a 15 cm section of 25 µm id tubing. As buffer is pumped through the flow system, the RBCs are evacuated from both sections of tubing. However, the inability of the RBCs to move freely through the 25 µm id section of tubing results in a buildup of cells at the inlet of this portion of tubing. The continued force output by the syringe pump results in a deformation of the RBCs until all of the cells are eventually evacuated from the flow system. It was found that a measurement of the time required to reach half of the maximum pressure (½Pmax) may be used as an indicator of the RBC deformability. For a given sample, a simple buffer results in less time to reach ½Pmax (6.9 ± 0.2 s) than deformable RBCs (21.6 ± 0.8 s). To verify that the increased amount of time to reach ½Pmax is indeed due to the RBCs, various hematocrits of an RBC sample were investigated and, as expected, it was found that a 12% RBC hematocrit had a higher ½Pmax value (26.0 s ± 2.2 s) when compared to a 7% hematocrit (19.1 ± 0.3 s). In addition, RBCs chemically stiffened with glutaraldehyde were shown to be 25% less deformable than normal RBCs. Finally, a study was performed to examine the relationship between RBC deformability and ATP release and it was found that ATP release increased as a function of RBC deformability. This method greatly simplifies deformability measurements, employing only a syringe pump and microbore tubing, and may lead to a more complete understanding of the physiological significance of erythrocyte deformability.
Tissue engineering strategies for adipose tissue repair.

Tissue engineering is a relatively young field that combines engineering, clinical science, and life sciences to, in part, repair or regrow tissues. Adipose tissue has recently become a focus area for tissue engineering, encouraged by the large number of reconstructive, cosmetic, and correctional indications that could be addressed with clinically translatable adipose tissue engineering strategies. This review discusses the three aspects of an adipose construct, namely cell types, scaffold, and microenvironment, and presents current tissue engineering strategies under pursuit.
Seamap – A postmortem

Early in the development of an ocean program by U.S. government research agencies, it was recognized that the systematic collection of meaningful data would contribute tremendously to our knowledge of the oceans. The list of proponents of this approach to ocean investigations read like a Who's Who in Oceanography. Out leading the pack was Harris B. Stewart, Jr., as godfather to this country's Seamap (Scientific Exploration and Mapping Program) efforts. But these scientific greats have gone on to more challenging arenas, and no one has come forward to assume the helm. Hence, after more than a decade of valiant effort, Project Seamap was finally laid to rest in 1973.
Development of a job-exposure matrix for exposure to total and fine particulate matter in the aluminum industry

Development of a job-exposure matrix for exposure to total and fine particulate matter in the aluminum industry
Physical and chemical constraints on the evolution of the Columbia River basalt

Physical and chemical constraints require that Columbia River basalt flows were fed from a large (>700 km 3 ) magma reservoir near the crust-mantle boundary and prohibit significant crystal fractionation or crustal assimilation between reservoir and surface. Demonstrable fractionation of plagioclase + olivine ± pyroxene in the reservoir largely obviates the need for an unusual iron-rich pyroxenite source. Variation of Sr and Nd isotope ratios with age in the main series of Columbia River basalt and variation in such incompatible trace-element ratios as Ba/P suggest lower crustal assimilation at the top of the reservoir combined with crystal fractionation. However, decoupling between isotope ratios and incompatible element ratios implies two separate processes in addition to crystal fractionation, of which lower crustal assimilation may be one. The other process may involve the participation of a vertically heterogeneous mantle resulting from metasomatism in the continental lithosphere.
A Prochelator Activated by Hydrogen Peroxide Prevents Metal‐Induced Amyloid β Aggregation

Alzheimer’s is a progressive and fatal brain disease that is the most common form of dementia. Its characteristic pathology includes extracellular amyloid plaques that form as a result of abnormal clearance and/or increased production of amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) that are released from the amyloid precursor protein (APP).[1, 2] Metal ions, particularly Cu+/2+ and Zn2+ but also Fe2+/3+, have been implicated in two processes related to Aβ pathology: peptide aggregation and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).[3]
A study of pollutant dispersion near highways

Abstract As a part of a major roadway dispersion project undertaken by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, several tracer release experiments were conducted on an open, at-grade highway site. The observed concentration profiles indicate that the tracer concentration decreases with increasing distance from the roadway more rapidly for parallel wind-road orientation than for perpendicular wind-road orientation. However, the decrease of concentration with height on the tower at the nearest, downwind roadside receptor is slow for parallel case as compared to perpendicular case. Four Gaussian dispersion models (HIWAY, GM, CALINE-2, AIRPOL-4) and four numerical models (DANARD, MROAD 2, RAGLAND, ROADS) are used to predict the tracer gas concentrations. Of the models tested, GM and HIWAY perform well compared to other Gaussian models. The numerical models performed about the same as the above two Gaussian models. The GM model provides a better simulation by far for parallel wind cases than any of the other models tested. The computed wind flow patterns indicate upward motions over the roadway in parallel wind cases which may be due to the mechanical turbulence generated by the traffic flow. The dispersion parameter values computed from the concentration measurements agree very closely to those prescribed for neutral conditions in the GM model and unstable conditions in the HIWAY model. It is suggested that the stability adjacent to the roadway may be determined either through bulk Richardson number, or wind fluctuation data obtained at the site. Further, a better formulation of the dispersion parameters may be σ z ~ σ σ x , and σ y ~ σ θ x , rather than the power law relationship ( σ z ~ α 1 x b 1 and σ y ~ α 2 x b 2 ) commonly used in the existing highway dispersion models. In this regard, wind fluctuation statistics sampled for a duration of one hour are appropriate for describing the dispersion mechanism near roadways.
Manufacture of robust surface plasmon resonance fiber optic based dip-probes

Abstract Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy has been conducted on both prism and fiber optic (FO) based sensors for several years. This technique measures the refractive index (RI) of a solution or layer adsorbed to a thin (∼50 nm) Au layer on the sensor substrate. To date a succinct set of protocols have not been published regarding the optimization of fiber-based SPR dip-probe sensors. Such sensors would allow application of SPR to a wider variety of applications. This paper focuses on consideration of the choice of fiber, isolation of the mirror from the sensing area, and orientation of the probes in the metal layer sputter deposition chamber in the manufacture of SPR dip-probes for reproducibility and robustness. Optimization of the process yields sensors with a batch to batch reproducibility as low as 0.5 nm in the location of the SPR spectral minima. Further study of RI measurements by the same probe over 2 months show these SPR dip-probes have a long shelf-life. A selection of probes was exposed to various solutions to monitor their drift. The data shows the probes’ response indicated a lowering of the RI measured over a period of 3 or 7 days depending on the probe type. Evidence of surface porosity and damage upon exposure to hydrothermal water seems to indicate these sensors are prone to chemical attack. Further research is needed to characterize this attack and allow creation of more robust sensors.
Lithium ion diffusion in the defect thiospinel LixCu0.07Ti2S4 (0.1 ⩽ x ⩽ 1.85)

Abstract The room-temperature chemical diffusion coefficient ( D ) of lithium in the lithiated defect thiospinel Li x Cu 0.07 Ti 2 S 4 (0.1 ⩽ x ⩽ 1.85) was measured by galvanostatic pulse and ac impedance methods. The galvanostatic pulse experiment gave D = 1 × 10 −9 cm 2 s −1 ( x = 1.0) at 293 K. This corresponds to a lithium self-diffusion coefficient D Li = 2 × 10 −10 cm 2 s −1 and to a bulk lithium-ion conductivity α Li = 6 × 10 −6 ω −1 cm −1 . The ac impedance experiments gave similar values of D over most of the lithium composition range, but indicated that D is an order of magnitude lower at the extreme compositions x = 0.1 and x = 1.85. The lithium-ion chemical diffusion coefficient in Li x Cu 0.07 Ti 2 S 4 is thus clearly lower than that in the corresponding layered insertion compounds Li x TiS 2 ( D ≈1 × 10 −8 cm 2 s −1 ; this may be due to the residual copper present in Li x Cu 0.07 Ti 2 S 4 .
Integrated barrier/plug fill schemes for high aspect ratio Gb DRAM contact metallization

Abstract New contact fill integration schemes were developed for high aspect ratio Gb DRAM contact metallization. Integration schemes for both tungsten-plug contacts and aluminum-plug contacts were studied. For tungsten-plug contacts, various types of titanium liners and titanium nitride barriers were investigated and evaluated. These included collimated PVD (physical vapor deposition) titanium, ion metal plasma (IMP) titanium, and CVD (chemical vapor deposition) titanium liners; plasma enhanced CVD (PECVD) titanium nitride and plasma enhanced MOCVD (ECVD) titanium nitride barriers. The electrical results of 0.3 μm, 5:1 aspect ratio (AR) contact structures processed with a TiCl4-based CVD titanium liner and plasma enhanced CVD titanium nitride barrier show the lowest and the most tightly distributed contact parametrics. This is attributed to the conformal nature of the CVD process. In addition, the high titanium-deposition temperature, which leads to a simultaneous titanium silicide formation during the CVD titanium deposition process, may also have attribution to the low contact resistance and diode leakage obtained. In the case of aluminum-plug contacts, two different types of titanium nitride barriers (ECVD titanium nitride vs. silane-treated MOCVD titanium nitride) were evaluated and both showed comparable contact parametrics.
A Topographic Interpretation of the Mathematician Ridge, Clipperton Ridge, East Pacific Rise System

WITHIN the framework of plate tectonics, dating of the ocean floor has been almost exclusively achieved by studies of magnetic anomalies. But a north–south striking mid-ocean ridge system generating new seafloor in the equatorial region produces magnetic anomalies which are of small amplitude and are frequently distorted and disguised by magnetic “noise”. The correspondence between the absolute depth of oceanic crust and its age1 has provided an alternative method of age dating the oceanic crust anywhere in the world's oceans, provided, of course, that the crust was generated by a seafloor spreading system. Such a correlation tool has been used on the East Pacific Rise (Fig. 1) between 20° N and the equator1 and between 0° and 20° S (ref. 2).
Developer-focused assurance requirements [Evaluation Assurance Level and Common Criteria for IT system evaluation]

In 1999, the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission jointly published the Common Criteria for Information Technology Security revaluation to provide IT security evaluation guidelines that extend to an international community. The assurance requirements, including prepackaged sets of Evaluation Assurance Levels (EALs) in the Common Criteria (CC), represent the paradigm that assurance equals evaluation, and more evaluation leads to more assurance. This paradigm is at odds with the commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) marketplace, neither reflecting how confidence is typically achieved nor providing a cost-effective means for supplying grounds for confidence in the security capabilities of the information technology being evaluated.
Balancing the power in dating relationships

This paper explores the link between perceived egalitarianism in dating relationships and several social-psychological factors that characterize intimate relationships. Data from a sample of nonmarried college students (N=328) suggest that factors such as trust, commitment, other orientation, and dependency are strongly related to perceived egalitarianism, but that comparative resources generally are not significantly related to perceived egalitarianism in dating relationships. It is suggested here that various interpersonal values that operate in intimate relationships may disguise or counteract inequality in intimate heterosexual relationships. These findings suggest the importance of moving beyond a social-exchange perspective in order to understand interpersonal power and of focusing on the role that interpersonal values play in this process.
A new method of recording endoscopic and operative findings in colorectal neoplasia

A new method of recording 12 relevant facts concerning patients with colorectal neoplasia has provided a neoplastic profile for each patient. With this information recorded on an outline of the colon one can see at a glance the date, histology, and location of the initial lesion; the number and timing of both synchronous and metachronous lesions and their histology; the size, differentiation, and location of each lesion; plus a family tree. This method provides pertinent clinical facts in chronological order and characterizes each patient's neoplastic activity without the need to refer to operative notes and laboratory reports. With this method, it is easy to record and easy to interpret, and it has been extremely useful in the clinical assessment of patients with colorectal neoplasia and in arranging appropriate surveillance for these patients.