cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crop Yield and Soil Phosphorus as Affected by Liquid Swine Manure Phosphorus Application Using Variable-Rate Technology

Soil-test P (STP) and crop P needs vary within fields and variable-rate technology can be used to apply P more effectively. The objective of this study was to evaluate within a corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation grain yield and STP response to fixed-rate (FR) and variable-rate (VR) liquid swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) manure P application using strip-trials, global positioning systems (GPS), yield monitors, and geographical information systems (GIS). Treatments replicated four or five times were a control and manure P applied with FR or VR once before soybean of two rotation cycles in one field and three cycles in another. Strip width and length were 18.3 m and 605 to 660 m, respectively. Initial soil samples were taken from 0.3-ha cells and post-harvest samples were taken each year by treatment (0.1-ha cells). High N (for corn) and K rates were applied uniformly across all strips. Manure P increased strip-average grain yield (P ≤ 0.05) in eight of nine site-years but yield for FR and VR did not differ. The study of yield responses for field areas with different STP showed that manure P always increased yield with STP very low or low (< 16 mg Bray-P 1 kg -1 ) and only in three site-years with STP optimum (16-20 mg P kg -1 ). Yield responses differed between FR and VR in very low areas of one site-year, where VR increased corn yield more than FR. The VR method reduced within-field STP variability compared with FR with the exception of only one site-year. Although VR did not increase yield compared with FR, less manure P was applied to high-testing areas and it reduced STP variability.
A small tandem duplication is responsible for the unstable white-ivory mutation in drosophila

Abstract The white-ivory ( w i ) mutation, an unstable allele of the white locus in Drosophila, reverts to wild-type at frequencies of 5 × 10 −5 in homozygous females, and 5 × 10 −6 in males and deletion heterozygous females. We show by molecular cloning and Southern blot analysis of DNA from w i flies that a 2.9 kilobase tandem duplication within the white locus is responsible for the mutation. Phenotypic reversion appears, in most cases, to be due to an exact excision of the extra copy of the sequence. Two derivative alleles of w i , one phenotypically wild-type, the other a partial revertant, carry insertions of moderately repetitive DNA from outside the locus, in addition to suffering deletions of some white locus DNA. Earlier genetic data preclude unequal crossing-over between homologs as an explanation for the precise reversions. Rather, an intrachromosomal meiotic event seems to be responsible. Our results suggest that intrachromosomal recombination may be responsible in other systems for a larger number of rearrangements than has been suspected, and that interallelic recombination frequencies in Drosophila do not always correlate in a simple way with DNA length or extent of homology.
Ultrawideband imaging radar based on OFDM: system simulation analysis

Orthogonal frequency division-multiplexing (OFDM) is rapidly emerging as a preferred method of UWB signaling in commercial applications aimed mainly at low-power, high data-rate communications. This paper explores the possibility of applying OFDM to use in imaging radar technology. Ultra-wideband nature of the signal provides for high resolution of the radar, whereas usage of multi-sub-carrier method of modulation allows for dynamic spectrum allocation. Robust multi-path performance of OFDM signals and heavy reliance of transceiver design on digital processors easily implemented in modern VLSI technology make a number of possible applications viable, e.g.: portable high-resolution indoor radar/movement monitoring system; through-the-wall/foliage synthetic aperture imaging radar with a capability of image transmission/broadcasting, etc. Our work is aimed to provide a proof-of-concept simulation scenario to explore numerous aspects of UWB-OFDM radar imaging through evaluating range and cross-range imaging performance of such a system with an eventual goal of software-defined radio (SDR) implementation. Stripmap SAR topology was chosen for modeling purposes. Range/cross-range profiles were obtained along with full 2-D images for multi-target in noise scenarios. Model set-up and results of UWB-OFDM radar imaging simulation study using Matlab/Simulink modeling are presented and discussed in this paper.
Prenatal Depression Effects on Pregnancy Feelings and Substance Use

ABSTRACT Depressed (n = 110) and nondepressed (n = 104) mothers were given a set of self-report measures, including the CES-D (depression), the STAI (anxiety), the STAXI (anger), the Perinatal Anxieties and Attitudes Scale, a questionnaire on substance use and the Feelings About Pregnancy and Delivery Scale that was designed for this study and that includes scales on coping, support, intimacy, common knowledge of depression, and cultural effects on pregnancy. During the neonatal period, the depressed mothers scored higher on the depression, anger, and anxiety scales as well as the Perinatal Anxieties and Attitudes Scale. They also reported using more substances including cigarettes, caffeine, and medications (primarily antibiotics). Their scores on the Feelings About Pregnancy and Delivery Scale were lower including the coping, support, intimacy, and cultural effects scores. In addition, they reported having more stressful situations during pregnancy, being less happy when finding out they were pregnant a...
From a 'success' story to a highly indebted poor country: Ghana and neoliberal reforms

Abstract Drawing on the experience of Ghana, which the World Bank itself proclaimed as an African success story in the early 1990s, this paper sheds important light on why neoliberal policies have had limited success in Africa and what strategies are likely to be necessary to foster growth and industrialisation in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa. In 2001, a few short years after being proclaimed as an economic miracle, Ghana joined the growing ranks of highly indebted poor countries (HIPC) – an especially humbling development for this once proud nation. Why did Ghana's economy collapse after recovering so well? Ghana's experience highlights both the promise and limitation of neoliberal reforms.
The relationship between pellet size and the quantity of imidacloprid applied to sugar beet pellets and the consequences for seedling emergence

Abstract When imidacloprid was applied to sugar beet pellets at 90 g a.i. per unit of 100,000 seeds, the quantity of imidacloprid applied to individual sugar beet pellets was directly proportional to the size of pellet, resulting in lower dosing of some pellets and high dosing of others. This variability in application resulted in a slowing of germination in a laboratory experiment but had no effect on the rate of emergence in a field trial of young seedlings produced from large pellets compared with that from smaller pellets. However, there was a significant reduction in total number of seedlings emerging from large imidacloprid-treated pellets in a spring-sown field trial suggesting that additional phytotoxicity had occurred. Uptake of imidacloprid in leaf tissue was also greater in plants produced from large pellets. In a field trial at Broom's Barn, sown in the autumn, imidacloprid at 30, 60, 90 and 120 g a.i. per unit significantly slowed the rate of emergence of three varieties of sugar beet but there was no effect on pellet size. However, in contrast to the earlier trial, small pellets of two of the three varieties produced significantly fewer seedlings than large pellets, irrespective of the rate of imidacloprid applied, and there were no interactions between pellet size and rate of imidacloprid applied. Similar results were observed in another field trial in Norfolk where small pellets of one of the varieties, untreated, or treated with 30, 60 and 90 g a.i. of imidacloprid, but not 120 g a.i., produced significantly fewer seedlings. Small pellets of another variety produced the highest number of seedlings. Thus the variability in application of imidacloprid to sugar beet pellets can sometimes cause increased phytotoxicity to plants produced from large pellets, but this effect was not consistent with different varieties and different batches of the same variety.
An economic model of guerrilla warfare

This paper draws on the guerrilla warfare literature so as to synthesize and to describe the dynamics of the initial stages of a guerrilla war against an established government. It combines two classical economic models, the Solow growth model and the Ricardian model of economic rents, with two classic studies of guerrilla warfare by T. E. Lawrence and by Mao Tse‐tung. The transitional stages of the guerrilla warfare are modeled as conflict over control of the real line. Four different Ricardian distribution functions describe the country: the resources the guerrillas can extract from territory under their control; the porosity of the country, indicating the guerrilla's ability to obtain weapons; the government's ability to tax; and the mobility the guerrillas. Depending on initial conditions, the course of the guerrilla war could take one of several paths. One is a direct movement to a stable equilibrium independent of the initial conditions. Another is a situation in which for the guerrillas to make a s...
The elucidation of the lignin structure effect on the cellulase-mediated saccharification by genetic engineering poplars (Populus nigra L. × Populus maximowiczii A.)

Abstract The lignin structure effect on the recalcitrance of biomass degradation was elucidated by twelve transgenic hybrid poplars ( Populus nigra L. and Populus maximowiczii A.). Samples have different levels of the syringaldehyde (S) to vanillin (V) ratio from 0.1 to 2.6 and the lignin content from 10.5 to 24.3%, compared to the control (the S to V ratio 1.7 and the lignin content 22.0%). The dilute acid (0.1% sulfuric acid, 185 °C, and 30 min) and the green liquor (6% total titratable alkali (TTA), 25% sulfidity based on TTA, 185 °C and 15 min) were used as pretreatments. The enzymatic saccharification was performed at 5 FPU g −1 based on the substrate. The removal of lignin and hemicelluloses varied with pretreatments. The high delignification originated from the high S to V ratio. However, the high S to V ratio retarded the enzymatic saccharification. The decrease of the lignin and the hemicelluloses benefited the enzymatic saccharification with or without the pretreatment.
Fluorogenic peptide sequences--transformation of short peptides into fluorophores under ambient photooxidative conditions.

Long-lived proteins are susceptible to nonenzymatic chemical reactions and the evolution of fluorescence; however, little is known about the sequence-dependence of fluorogenesis. We synthesized a library of over half a million octapeptides and exposed it to light and air in pH 7.4 buffer to identify fluorogenic peptides that evolve under mild oxidative conditions. The bead-based peptide library was composed of the general sequence H2N-Ala-(Xxx)6-Ala-resin, where Xxx was one of nine representative amino acids: Asp, Gly, His, Leu, Lys, Pro, Ser, Trp, and Tyr. Next, we selected five highly fluorescent beads from the library and subjected them to microsequencing, revealing the sequence of the unreacted peptide. All five of the fluorogenic sequences were ionic; lacked Tyr, His, and Leu; and most of the sequences contained only one Trp. We then synthesized the five soluble peptides corresponding to the fluorogenic peptide sequences and exposed them to photooxidative conditions. In general, the soluble peptides...
Influence of cattle diet on survival of horn fly larvae.

Four widely different roughages (alfalfa, sorghum, prairie hays, and freshly cut green oats) were evaluated for their influence on the suitability of cattle dung for larval growth of the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.). Animal feces were tested by 2 methods: (1) the surface of unaltered feces was seeded with horn fly eggs or newly emerged larvae; (2) a liquid extract of feces (on cotton pads) was seeded with newly emerged larvae. Pupae produced in prairie hay manure were lightest in weight, whether the medium was unaltered feces or extract of liquefied feces, and averaged at least 1 mg less than pupae produced in other manures. Unaltered alfalfa and sorghum hay manures produced the heavier pupae, and the heaviest pupae produced from liquid extracts of manure were produced from oat manure extract. Adult emergence was lowest from pupae produced in prairie hay feces.
Extension of the Isobaric Nucleon Model for Pion Production in Pion-Nucleon, Nucleon-Nucleon, and Antinucleon-Nucleon Interactions

The isobaric nucleon model of pion production in nucleon-nucleon and pion-nucleon collisions has been extended to include the effect of the higher resonances in the isotopic spin $T=\frac{1}{2}$ state of the pion-nucleon system, in addition to the effect of the well-known low-energy $T=\frac{3}{2}$ resonance which has been previously investigated. The higher $T=\frac{1}{2}$ resonances are centered at incident pion energies of 600 and 880 Mev, and thus correspond to isobar masses ${m}_{\mathrm{I}}=1.51 \mathrm{and} 1.68$ Bev, respectively, as compared to ${m}_{\mathrm{I}}=1.23$ Bev for the $T=\frac{3}{2}$ resonance. For the inelastic pion-nucleon interactions, calculations of the various pion and recoil nucleon energy spectra have been carried out for incident pion energies ${T}_{\ensuremath{\pi},\mathrm{inc}}=1.0, 1.4, \mathrm{and} 2.0$ Bev. We have considered both single and double pion production by the incident pion, corresponding to two-pion and three-pion final states, respectively. General equations for the center-of-mass energy spectra of the final-state pions and nucleons have been obtained for all single and double pion production reactions from both ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{-}p$ and ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}\ensuremath{-}p$ collisions. The results of the present extended isobar model at ${T}_{\ensuremath{\pi},\mathrm{inc}}=1.0$ Bev are in reasonable agreement with the combined data from three experiments on ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{-}p$ interactions in the region of 1.0 Bev incident energy. The $Q$ value distributions for pion-nucleon and pion-pion pairs have been calculated for single pion production at ${T}_{\ensuremath{\pi},\mathrm{inc}}=1.0$ Bev. The present extension of the isobar model can also be used to treat up to four-pion final states in $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}N$ interactions, and up to eight-pion final states in $N\ensuremath{-}N$ interactions.For pion production in nucleon-nucleon collisions, we have obtained the branching ratios for all pion production reactions which involve the isobaric states ${{N}_{1}}^{*}$, ${{N}_{2a}}^{*}$, and ${{N}_{2b}}^{*}$, corresponding to the $T=\frac{3}{2}$ and $T=\frac{1}{2}$ resonances. General equations for the energy spectra of the final-state pions and nucleons have been derived for all single- and double-pion production reactions from both $p\ensuremath{-}p$ and $n\ensuremath{-}p$ collisions. Calculations of the various pion and nucleon energy spectra have been carried out for incident nucleon energies of 2.3 and 3.0 Bev. For the processes of pion production in antinucleon-nucleon interactions which do not result in annihilation, it has been assumed that an anti-isobar ${{\overline{N}}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}^{*}$ can be produced, which is the antiparticle of the isobar ${{N}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}^{*}$. Specific results have been obtained for both single and double pion production in $\overline{p}\ensuremath{-}p$, $\overline{p}\ensuremath{-}n$, and $\overline{n}\ensuremath{-}p$ collisions.
Sustainability economics: an introduction

What makes an economy sustainable? That simple question, arguably dating back to the Reverend Malthus in 1798, has been a central issue in economics since the inception of the discipline. And yet w...
Teacher Education Students an Classroom Teachers: A Comparison of Conative Levels

In this study, Nelli and Atwood attempt to examine whether prospective teach ers measure at the same personality level as practicing teachers. The selected personality variable was conative level. Seventy-three elementary teacher prep aration students at a major state univer sity and 41 elementary teachers in an urban area in the same state partici pated in the study. Analysis of variance showed no significant difference be tween the conative levels of preservice teachers and regular teachers. The authors offer three possible explana tions for this finding and outline sugges tions for further research.
Teachers' Perceptions of Teasing in Schools

Teasing is a prevalent behavior in schools that can result in both positive and negative outcomes for students. This article presents an exploratory investigation into teachers' perceptions of teasing in schools, an underrepresented perspective in the literature. Semistructured interviews with 28 teachers of grades 4–8 revealed complex decision-making processes regarding how they differentiate between teasing and bullying interactions and how they select and implement interventions. These processes suggested that teachers conceptualize teasing as a prosocial or an antisocial behavior. Implications and opportunities for future research also are discussed.
Meconium Hydrocele in a Female Newborn: An Unusual Cause of a Labial Mass

Meconium peritonitis results from in utero perforation of the bowel and subsequent spillage of meconium into the peritoneal cavity. Free communication of the peritoneal space with the processus vaginalis during gestation permits formation of a meconium hydrocele. Meconium hydrocele has been reported in the newborn scrotum but to our knowledge there has been no previous report of meconium hydrocele in the labium of a female neonate. The predominance of meconium hydrocele in the male infant may be due to the obliteration of the processus vaginalis occurring later in the male than in the female fetus.
Purification and Biochemical Characterization of Recombinant N-Methylpurine-DNA Glycosylase of the Mouse

The mouse N-methylpurine-DNA glycosylase (MPG), responsible for the removal of most N-alkyladducts in DNA, was purified to homogeneity as a recombinant nonfusion protein from Escherichia coli. Only 10-15% of the protein was present in the soluble form in E. coli cells. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified protein which lacks 48 residues from the amino terminus of the wild type protein was identical to that predicted from the nucleotide sequence. The glycosylase hydrolyzes 3-methyladenine (m3A), 7-methylguanine(m7G), and 3-methylguanine (m3G) from DNA, and the Km and kcat values were 130 nM and 0.8 min-1 for m3A, and 860 nM and 0.2 min-1 for m7G, respectively, when methylated calf thymus DNA was used as the substrate. A comparison of kcat/Km values for different bases indicates that the enzyme was more efficient in excising both m3A and m3G than m7G from methylated DNA. The enzyme showed moderate binding affinities (KA) for both methylated (5.8 x 10(7) M-1) and nonmethylated DNAs (4.2 x 10(7) M-1). The mouse protein has an extinction coefficient E280nm1% of 10.5 and a pI of 9.3. The enzyme activity was optimal in the presence of 100 mM NaCl, with a broad pH optimum of 8.5-9.5. The enzymatic release of both m3A and m7G was stimulated 50-75% by 0.5 mM MgCl2 and 0.02 mM spermine but inhibited by higher concentrations of these agents. Product inhibition by 40-50% of the reaction occurred in the presence of 10 mM m3A or m7G. However, 1.0 mM m3A stimulated release of m7G. The enzyme was inhibited by 60% in the presence of 0.9 mg/mL DNA which, at the same time, protected it from thermal inactivation.
Block copolymers by transformation of “living” carbocationic into “living” radical polymerization. II. ABA‐type block copolymers comprising rubbery polyisobutene middle segment

A general method for the transformation of “living” carbocationic into “living” radical polymerization, without any modification of chain ends, is reported for the preparation of ABA block copolymers. For example, α,ω-difunctional polyisobutene, capped with several units of styrene, Cl-St-PIB-St-Cl, prepared cationically (Mn = 7800, Mw/Mn = 1.31) was used as an efficient difunctional macroinitiator for homogeneous “living” atom transfer radical polymerization to prepare triblock copolymers with styrene, PSt-PIB-PSt (Mn = 28,800, Mw/Mn = 1.14), methyl acrylate, PMA-PIB-PMA (Mn = 31,810, Mw/Mn = 1.42), isobornyl acrylate, PIBA-PIB-PIBA (Mn = 33,500, Mw/Mn = 1.21), and methyl methacrylate, PMMA-PIB-PMMA (Mn = 33,500, Mw/Mn = 1.47). © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 3595–3601, 1997
Rational continuity: parametric, geometric, and Frenet frame continuity of rational curves

The parametric, geometric, or Frenet frame continuity of a rational curve has often been ensured by requiring the homogeneous polynomial curve associated with the rational curve to possess either parametric, geometric, or Frenet frame continuity, respectively. In this paper, we show that this approach is overly restrictive and derive the constraints on the associated homogeneous curve that are both necessary and sufficient to ensure that the rational curve is either parametrically, geometrically, or Frenet frame continuous.
Bilipid layer molecular organization in Pβ phase studied by scanning tunneling microscopy

Abstract Replicas of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) P β phase have been investigated by STM to evaluate the surface configuration and the molecular arrangement in the bilayer as the basis of ripple asymmetry. Left and right angles of the ripple slopes with respect to the horizontal plane were found to be significantly different. The lengths of the left and right sides of a ripple revolution were also uneven as a consequence of the wave asymmetry. It is shown that the left-to-right asymmetry of the ripples is dictated by the van der Waals interaction between the polar heads of DMPC molecule, whose hydrocarbon chains are assumed titled with respect to the bilayer normal, in order to protect its hydrophilic-hydrophobic polarity.
Iterative (Turbo) equalization for doubly-selective channels using exponential basis expansion models

We present an adaptive soft-input soft-output (SISO) turbo equalization receiver for doubly-selective channels. The proposed receiver exploits the complex exponential basis expansion model (CE-BEM) for the overall channel variations, and an autoregressive (AR) model for the BEM coefficients. We extend an existing turbo equalization approach based on symbol-wise AR modeling of channels to channels based on BEMs. Simulation examples and an EXIT chart analysis demonstrate that our CE-BEM-based approach outperforms the existing symbol-wise AR model-based turbo equalizer.
Planning an MR suite: What can be done to enhance safety?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), frequently touted as the "the safe modality," suffers from significant, and growing, numbers of preventable adverse events. Improvements in MR safety can result from enhancements to expected operational elements: training, screening, and patient-management protocols. Less frequently considered is the safety benefits that may be realized through smart design of MR facilities. Through conscientious and thorough prospective site planning involving MR staff and radiologists in the design process for MR physical facilities, MR providers can have a positive impact on improving safety as well as efficiency for the benefit of their patients, for ancillary healthcare workers, and for themselves. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:566–571.
A model for alcohol-enhanced permeation through polydimethylsiloxane membranes.

In this study the influence of paraben concentration on flux from solution in 1-propanol through polydimethylsiloxane membranes was investigated. Alcohol was sorbed by the polymer membrane leading to changes in membrane dimensions and increased membrane capacity to contain paraben (partition coefficient). Diffusion coefficients were not significantly influenced by alcohol sorption. Flux was increased 5–30 fold over nonimbibed donors such as water and polyols. An increase in paraben concentration reduced alcohol activity, its uptake by the membrane, and consequently the partition coefficient of paraben. As a result, flux increased with paraben concentration, reached a peak, and then declined. Maximal membrane concentration involves a trade-off between alcohol-membrane interaction (solvent activity) and paraben concentration, and occurred at paraben concentrations in the range of 1.3 to 1.4 mmol/g. At equimolar concentrations, flux was highest for methylparaben and declined as the series was ascended. Differences in flux between parabens at a specified molar concentration were due only to differences in diffusivity.
Some Issues to Consider in Lean Production

Lean production starts from the premise that adding value and reducing waste are the primary goals of any business. Lean production is a philosophy with a series of tools to get to the top and to stay there. But for many still, the teething pains of change and a steep climb are too much to bear and sustain. There are a number of weak points in a company that makes it difficult if not impossible to achieve the promised gains for the efforts they put in. To implement lean requires careful planning. This paper discusses some of the basic issues that companies should consider and follow when going the transition of change to lean production system.
Horizontal Collaborative e-Purchasing for Hospitals : IT for Addressing Collaborative Purchasing Impediments

Horizontal collaborative purchasing (HCP) has often been cited as a way for hospitals to address the challenges of the rising healthcare costs. However, hospitals do not seem to utilize horizontal collaborative purchasing on any large scale, and recent initiatives have had mixed results. Focusing on Dutch hospitals, in this paper we present major impediments for collaborative purchasing, resulting in a first component of our proposed electronic horizontal collaborative purchasing model for hospitals; as a second component it contains a collaborative purchasing typology. A first validation round with hospital purchasing professionals, described separately in Kusters and Versendaal (2011), confirmed four applicable purchasing types and fourteen salient collaborative purchasing impediments. The model is operationalized by including possible information technology (IT) solutions that address the specific fourteen impediments. This model is validated through methodological triangulation of four different validation techniques. We conclude that IT has the potential to support, or overcome, the impediments of HCP. The validation also reveals the need to distinguish between more processrelated, as opposed to social-related, obstacles; the immediate potential for IT solutions is greater for the process-related impediments. Ultimately, we conclude that the collaborative epurchasing model (e-HCP) and implementation roadmap can be used by healthcare consortia, branche organizations, partnering healthcare institutes and multi-site healthcare institutes as a means to help identifying strategies to initiate, manage and evaluate collaborative purchasing practices
An experimental human model of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-mediated hypercalciuria.

Abstract An increase in fasting calcium excretion occurs in hypercalciuric patients and has been interpreted by many investigators as evidence for a primary renal tubular leak of calcium. In a recent series of 50 patients with absorptive hyper-calciuria, we found a mean increase in fasting fractional calcium excretion (calcium clearance) and provided data suggesting that this leak of calcium was secondary to intestinal hyperabsorption of calcium and suppression of parathyroid secretion. To examine this question, a model of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [l,25-(OH)2D]-mediated hypercalciuria was created by administering a large dose of 1,25-(OH)2D to normal subjects. In addition to the expected features of absorptive hypercalciuria during 1,25-(OH)2D administration, the subjects had an increase in fasting calcium excretion and a marked increase in calcium excretion during a restricted calcium diet, points that might be interpreted as favoring a resorptive and/or renal component to the net hypercalciuria. However,...
Bone Marrow–generated Dendritic Cells Pulsed with Tumor Extracts or Tumor RNA Induce Antitumor Immunity against Central Nervous System Tumors

Recent studies have shown that the brain is not a barrier to successful active immunotherapy that uses gene-modified autologous tumor cell vaccines. In this study, we compared the efficacy of two types of vaccines for the treatment of tumors within the central nervous system (CNS): dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines pulsed with either tumor extract or tumor RNA, and cytokine gene–modified tumor vaccines. Using the B16/F10 murine melanoma (B16) as a model for CNS tumor, we show that vaccination with bone marrow–generated DCs, pulsed with either B16 cell extract or B16 total RNA, can induce specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes against B16 tumor cells. Both types of DC vaccines were able to protect animals from tumors located in the CNS. DC-based vaccines also led to prolonged survival in mice with tumors placed before the initiation of vaccine therapy. The DC-based vaccines were at least as effective, if not more so, as vaccines containing B16 tumor cells in which the granulocytic macrophage colony-stimulating factor gene had been modified. These data support the use of DC-based vaccines for the treatment of patients with CNS tumors.
Effect of distributed gate diode on MESFET power performance evaluated by harmonic balance simulation

A mechanism for power limitation in GaAs MESFETs which arises from the distributed conduction properties of the resistive gate diode is evaluated using harmonic balance simulation in conjunction with a distributed diode model. It is shown that 1 dB compressed power output and peak efficiency depend on unit gate finger width, which has significance for device layout and choice of gate technology in high-power applications. Simulations for a typical X-band FET showed that 1 dB compressed power output and peak efficiency decreased with increasing gate finger width. The predicted power reduction of 50 mW/mm and efficiency reduction of 8% when gate finger width was increased from 50 to 200 mu are supported qualitatively by experimental data. >
Metamaterial-inspired absorbers for Terahertz packaging applications

In this paper, thin metamaterial-inspired structures are investigated for wide-band absorption of stray signals for THz packages. The absorber itself consists of a low-index, low-loss dielectric sandwiched between a patterned, two-dimensionally periodic, thin metallic layer, and a metal backing. Numerical simulations were performed using both the finite element (FEM) and finite-difference time domain (FDTD) numerical methods. Design, fabrication and tests were carried out for absorbers having center frequencies of 0.2 THz and 0.4 THz. Ultra-wide bandwidth and strong absorption were obtained by taking advantage of skin-effect losses in metamaterial structures, and through multi-stacking of these structures. Absorbers having high absorption coefficients and bandwidth (> 1THz) can easily be fabricated using the approach demonstrated in this paper. Two measurement approaches are applied to characterize these structures, details of which are presented in this paper.
Solidification/Stabilization of Contaminated Soils-An Overview

Stabilization/solidification processes for immobilization of hazardous wastes have been used for approximately 15 years. These techniques are now being applied to immobilization of pollutants in contaminated soils. This paper provides an overview of the subject. Included are descriptions of the processes used, their regulatory basis, the types of wastes for which these processes are applicable, the principles of immobilization, leaching mechanisms, and available tests for degree of immobilization achieved.
Transition to Caregiving, Marital Disagreement, and Psychological Well-Being A Prospective U.S. National Study

Guided by a life course perspective, this study investigated whether the psychological consequences of transitioning into a caregiver role for a biological parent, parent-in-law, spouse, other kin, or nonkin among married adults might be moderated by marital role quality. Using longitudinal data from a national sample of 1,842 married adults aged 35 years and older, this study estimated regression models examining whether marital disagreement prior to the transition to caregiving predicted differences in change in global happiness and depressive symptoms because of a transition into caregiving. Results indicated that, compared to noncaregivers, new caregivers for a biological parent or spouse experienced both a greater decline in happiness and a greater increase in depressive symptoms when they reported a higher level of marital disagreement. These findings suggest that the psychological effects of becoming a caregiver for a biological parent or spouse among married adults are contingent on marital role q...
A self-organizing pattern retrieval system and its applications

This article is an overview of research on the design and application of a Self-Organizing Pattern Retrieval System. This system is a nontraditional form of database for several reasons: (1) the objects (patterns) stored in the database are complex data structures such as graphs, or matrices as opposed to relations, sets, lists or frames; (2) the system attempts to optimize its internal structure for retrieval efficiency by taking advantage of classificatory information (common patterns) it discovers about the patterns in the database; and (3) the system is representation-independent, allowing the user to use whatever representation scheme he desires as long as he provides a small set of I/O routines and comparison functions for the representation. This system has been applied to the organization of molecules and reactions in organic chemistry. the system is able to select valid precursors to molecules based on its knowledge of real-world reactions. It is also able to suggest new chemical reactions based on generalizations from its knowledge base. the system has also been applied to the retrieval, generalization, and classification of chess positions. Its ability to recognize the tactical similarity of positions is compared with that of a chess master. the design objectives of a system for classifying Radio Frequency Interference required by NASA's SETI (Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence) project is also discussed.
The effect of hiatus hernia on gastro-oesophageal junction pressure

BACKGROUND Hiatus hernia and lower oesophageal sphincter hypotension are often viewed as opposing hypotheses for gastro-oesophageal junction incompetence. AIMS To examine the interaction between hiatus hernia and lower oesophageal sphincter hypotension. METHODS In seven normal subjects and seven patients with hiatus hernia, the squamocolumnar junction and intragastric margin of the gastro-oesophageal junction were marked with endoscopically placed clips. Axial and radial characteristics of the gastro-oesophageal junction high pressure zone were mapped relative to the hiatus and clips during concurrent fluoroscopy and manometry. Responses to inspiration and abdominal compression were also analysed. RESULTS In normal individuals the squamocolumnar junction was 0.5 cm below the hiatus and the gastro-oesophageal junction high pressure zone extended 1.1 cm distal to that. In those with hiatus hernia, the gastro-oesophageal junction high pressure zone had two discrete segments, one proximal to the squamocolumnar junction and one distal, attributable to the extrinsic compression within the hiatal canal. Inspiration and abdominal compression mainly augmented the distal one. Simulation of hernia reduction by algebraically summing the proximal segment pressures with the hiatal canal pressures restored normal maximal pressure, radial asymmetry, and dynamic responses of the gastro-oesophageal junction. CONCLUSIONS Hiatus hernia reduces lower oesophageal sphincter pressure and alters its dynamic responsiveness by spatially separating pressure components derived from the intrinsic lower oesophageal sphincter and the extrinsic compression of the oesophagus within the hiatal canal.
Robust estimation of time-of-flight shear wave speed using a radon sum transformation

Time-of-flight methods allow quantitative measurement of shear wave speed (SWS) from ultrasonically tracked displacements following impulsive excitation in tissue. However, application of these methods to in vivo data are challenging because of the presence of gross outlier data resulting from sources such as physiological motion or spatial inhomogeneities. This paper describes a new method for estimating SWS by considering a solution space of trajectories and evaluating each trajectory using a metric that characterizes wave motion along the entire trajectory. The metric used here is found by summing displacement data along the trajectory as in the calculation of projection data in the Radon transformation. The algorithm is evaluated using data acquired in calibrated phantoms and in vivo human liver. Results are compared with SWS estimates using a random sample consensus (RANSAC) algorithm described by Wang et al. Good agreement is found between the Radon sum and RANSAC SWS estimates with a correlation coefficient of greater than 0.99 for phantom data and 0.91 for in vivo liver data. The Radon sum transformation is suitable for use in situations requiring real-time feedback and is comparably robust to the RANSAC algorithm with respect to outlier data.
Amphiphilic protein micelles for targeted in vivo imaging

A variety of polymeric nanoparticles have been developed for bioimaging applications. This study reports on the use of a 50 nm recombinant protein nanoparticle with a multivalent surface as a vehicle for functionalization with a model imaging agent. Multiple fluorescent probes were covalently conjugated to surface amines of crosslinked amphiphilic elastin-mimetic protein micelles using N-hydroxysuccinimide ester chemistry. In vivo fluorescence imaging confirmed that protein micelles selectively accumulated at sites of angioplasty induced vessel wall injury, presumably via an enhanced permeability and retention effect. This investigation demonstrates the potential of amphiphilic protein micelles to be used as a vehicle for selective imaging of sites associated with a disrupted or leaky endothelium.
The electronic textile interface workshop: Facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration

We present our findings from the Electronic Textile Interface Swatch Book Workshops. The workshops were designed as the first in a series of collaborative design experiences that introduce small groups of faculty/students teams from particular design disciplines to the concept of electronic textile interfaces (ETIs) through the use of a textile interface “swatch book” with the support of technician/facilitators. The work here focuses on the experience of the working relationship between the designer participants and the more technologically oriented facilitators, rather than on how much the participants learned about technology. The contribution of this work is a an exploration into understanding how through the use of technology we can bridge the gap between the distant discipline expertise needed to work on projects like ETIs.
Land Surface Brightness Temperature Modeling Using Solar Insolation

Retrieval of land surface emissivity and temperature from microwave brightness temperature data is a complex problem. The diurnal variation of temperature due to the diurnal cycle of solar radiation and weather conditions makes this problem even more challenging. In this paper, we use solar radiation in modeling the temporal variation of the brightness temperature state of the surface. Solar insolation modeling is used to estimate the diurnal variation of land surface brightness temperature. Solar radiation and brightness temperature are linked through temperature of the surface which is derived based on the radiation balance equation. The temperature state model behaves consistent to the measured temperature data. The root-mean-square (rms) error of the model and measured temperature during 1999 is 1.47 K with a correlation of 0.98. Brightness temperature is calculated as a product of physical temperature and emissivity. This relationship is used to transform the temperature state model into the temporal model of the brightness temperature. The model is validated using Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) brightness temperature observations at 10.65-GHz vertical polarization. The rms error of the modeled and measured brightness temperature during 1999 is 2.15 K with a correlation of 0.98. Physical and brightness temperature models are ordinary differential equations that are solved numerically to estimate model parameters. The model parameters are related to geophysical characteristics that modulate the temporal variation of the physical and brightness temperature. These parameters provide new insight into the thermal characteristics of the land surface. Brightness temperature model is used to retrieve emissivity from TMI measurements. Images of emissivity and other model parameters are spatially coherent and reflect ground geometrical and dielectric conditions. The results confirm that incident solar radiation is an important input in modeling the temporal variation in the physical temperature and brightness temperature.
Selective plasmalogen substrate utilization by thrombin-stimulated Ca2+-independent PLA2in cardiomyocytes

Thrombin stimulation of rabbit ventricular myocytes activates a membrane-associated, Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2(PLA2) capable of hydrolyzing plasmenylcholine (choline plasmalogen), plasmanyl...
Effects of Funding Allocation for Safe Routes to School Programs on Active Commuting to School and Related Behavioral, Knowledge, and Psychosocial Outcomes Results From the Texas Childhood Obesity Prevention Policy Evaluation (T-COPPE) Study

Few controlled evaluations of Safe Routes to School (SRTS) initiatives have been conducted. The Texas Childhood Obesity Prevention Policy Evaluation (T-COPPE) study included three conditions: schools awarded infrastructure (I) projects (n = 23), schools awarded noninfrastructure (NI) projects (n = 21), and matched comparison (C) schools (n = 34). Fourth-grade children completed tallies to determine transport to/from schools. Serial cross-sectional surveys were collected from students and parents at baseline (2009) and follow-up (2012). Data were analyzed using mixed linear regression and growth curve models. Morning percent active commuting to school (ACS) in I and NI schools were higher than C schools (p = .024, p = .013, respectively). Afternoon percent ACS in NI schools decreased more over time compared with C schools (p = .009). I and NI school students had higher ACS self-efficacy; similar results were noted for parents in I schools. Policies that provide cost-reimbursement funding for SRTS achieve m...
Nationwide Patterns of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Utilization among Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack Patients in the Emergency Department (P2.309)

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to characterize nationwide magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) utilization patterns in emergency departments (ED). BACKGROUND: MRI has the potential to reliably diagnose acute ischemic stroke in the ED and may replace emergent computed tomography (CT) where MRI is readily available. MRI utilization patterns on a nationwide scale have not been well characterized. DESIGN/METHODS: In a nationally representative sample of ED visits included in the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) from 2005 to 2010, we quantified MRI utilization in the ED among patients with cerebral ischemia consisting of ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA). We investigated patient and hospital characteristics associated with ED MRI utilization through multivariate analysis controlling for age, gender, urban/rural status, hospital admission, and triage status. RESULTS: Of the 4,686,804 ED visits for stroke or TIA, 10.9[percnt] received MRIs; 61.8[percnt] were 蠅65 years old; 54.5[percnt] were female; 85.7[percnt] occurred in urban hospitals; 39.4[percnt] were triaged as immediate/emergent; and 70.7[percnt] were admitted. Of the 10.9[percnt] (511,897 patients) who received MRIs, 48.6[percnt] were 蠅65 years old; 50.7[percnt] were female; 87.9[percnt] occurred in urban hospitals; 47.0[percnt] were triaged as immediate/emergent; and 81.5[percnt] were admitted. Compared with rural hospitals, urban hospitals were more likely to evaluate patients with MRI (Rate ratio [RR]=4.86, 95[percnt] CI: 1.52-15.48). In addition, immediate/emergent triaged patients were more likely to receive MRI than non-immediate/emergent triages (RR=1.46, 95[percnt] CI: 1.03- 2.07). MRI was utilized in 11.5[percnt] of stroke and 9.4[percnt] of TIA cases (p=0.30). CONCLUSIONS: Nationwide patterns of MRI utilization among ischemic stroke and TIA patients demonstrate variations given an urban vs. rural setting and the patient’s triage status. These results characterize factors associated with MRI use in the ED and may guide efforts in better understanding MRI use in EDs among ischemic stroke and TIA patients on a nationwide basis. Disclosure: Dr. Ng has nothing to disclose. Dr. Fu has nothing to disclose. Dr. He has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mack has nothing to disclose. Dr. Liebeskind has received personal compensation for activities with Stryker and Covidien as a consultant. Dr. Sanossian has received personal compensation for activities with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as a speakers bureau participant.
A Simple Model of Gas Flow in a Porous Powder Compact

This report describes a simple model for ideal gas flow from a vessel through a bed of porous material into another vessel. It assumes constant temperature and uniform porosity. Transport is treated as a combination of viscous and molecular flow, with no inertial contribution (low Reynolds number). This model can be used to fit data to obtain permeability values, determine flow rates, understand the relative contributions of viscous and molecular flow, and verify volume calibrations. It draws upon the Dusty Gas Model and other detailed studies of gas flow through porous media.
A Limit Comparison Test for General Series

The well-known limit comparison test is only applicable for series with nonnegative terms. Thus, it can be used only for proving or disproving the absolute convergence of a series. In this note we ...
Sub-10-nm Fin-Width Self-Aligned InGaAs FinFETs

We study the scaling properties of self-aligned InGaAs FinFETs with sub-10-nm fin widths fabricated through a CMOS compatible front-end process. Working devices with fins as narrow as 7 nm, fin aspect ratios in excess of 5, and gate lengths as short as 20 nm have been fabricated using precision dry etching and digital etch. The devices feature self-aligned metal contacts that are 20–30 nm away from the edge of the gate. FinFETs with $L_{g}=30$ nm, $W_{f}=7$ nm, and channel height of 40 nm exhibit a transconductance of $900~\mu \text{S}/\mu \text{m}$ at $V_{\mathrm { {DS}}}=0.5$ V. When normalized to $W_{f}$ , this is a record value among all III–V FinFETs, indicating that our device architecture makes efficient use of conduction along the fin sidewalls.