cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SPECTROPHOTOMETRY AND ORGANIC MATTER ON IAPETUS. 2 : MODELS OF INTERHEMISPHERIC ASYMMETRY

Abstract The albedo asymmetry of Iapetus is unique in the Solar System. Many models have been proposed to explain why the leading hemisphere has a reflectance 10–20 times lower than the trailing hemisphere and the poles. Compositional and observational constraints appear to rule out many of these models. Little attempt has been made to explain why, of all the moons in the Solar System, only Iapetus displays such properties. The photometric differences between Phoebe and the dark material on Iapetus, and the expectation that accreted dust from Phoebe would darken the poles more than the antapex of orbital motion on Iapetus, make the Phoebe dust model inconsistent with observations. Other models that instead have Iapetus accreting circumsaturnian material coming from either Hyperion or Iapetus itself are also beset by an inability to explain the bright poles. The endogenous extrusion of dark organics, by itself, is ruled out, since it is extremely unlikely that this model would produce elliptical albedo contours centered on the apex of orbital motion. The modern impact flux does not deliver enough kinetic energy to Iapetus's surface to vaporize significant quantities of water ice and produce a lag deposit. Also, impact vaporization is expected to form a similar lag deposit on the trailing hemisphere. Our most optimistic estimate of the amount of organic material that accumulates on the surface from in situ radiation synthesis of solid organics from methane clathrate is more than sufficient to explain the albedo and spectrum. This process, however, is more effective on the trailing than leading hemisphere, so the reverse asymmetry is expected. Iapetus's asymmetry is best explained by a thick primordial low-albedo subsurface layer of organics exhumed by impact erosion. The layer may be the consequence of ancient thermochemistry in Iapetus's interior, processing methane and/or HCN into dark organic matter which was then extruded over the entire surface. The model requires a thin layer of nearly pure water ice, either exogenous or endogenous, deposited over the dark organics. Subsequent impacts would have preferentially eroded the ice on the leading hemisphere, revealing the underlying dark material. The uniqueness of Iapetus's albedo asymmetry can be understood by its impact-induced erosion rate, size, and formation distance from the Sun and Saturn—a combination of parameters duplicated nowhere else in the Solar System. Tests of these conclusions can be made by Cassini.
Energy decay estimates for the dissipative wave equation with space–time dependent potential

We study the asymptotic behavior of solutions of dissipative wave equations with space–time-dependent potential. When the potential is only time-dependent, Fourier analysis is a useful tool to derive sharp decay estimates for solutions. When the potential is only space-dependent, a powerful technique has been developed by Todorova and Yordanov to capture the exact decay of solutions. The presence of a space–time-dependent potential, as in our case, requires modifications of this technique. We find the energy decay and decay of the L2 norm of solutions in the case of space–time-dependent potential. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Whole-body PET parametric imaging employing direct 4D nested reconstruction and a generalized non-linear Patlak model

Graphical analysis is employed in the research setting to provide quantitative estimation of PET tracer kinetics from dynamic images at a single bed. Recently, we proposed a multi-bed dynamic acquisition framework enabling clinically feasible whole-body parametric PET imaging by employing post-reconstruction parameter estimation. In addition, by incorporating linear Patlak modeling within the system matrix, we enabled direct 4D reconstruction in order to effectively circumvent noise amplification in dynamic whole-body imaging. However, direct 4D Patlak reconstruction exhibits a relatively slow convergence due to the presence of non-sparse spatial correlations in temporal kinetic analysis. In addition, the standard Patlak model does not account for reversible uptake, thus underestimating the influx rate Ki. We have developed a novel whole-body PET parametric reconstruction framework in the STIR platform, a widely employed open-source reconstruction toolkit, a) enabling accelerated convergence of direct 4D multi-bed reconstruction, by employing a nested algorithm to decouple the temporal parameter estimation from the spatial image update process, and b) enhancing the quantitative performance particularly in regions with reversible uptake, by pursuing a non-linear generalized Patlak 4D nested reconstruction algorithm. A set of published kinetic parameters and the XCAT phantom were employed for the simulation of dynamic multi-bed acquisitions. Quantitative analysis on the K i images demonstrated considerable acceleration in the convergence of the nested 4D whole-body Patlak algorithm. In addition, our simulated and patient whole-body data in the postreconstruction domain indicated the quantitative benefits of our extended generalized Patlak 4D nested reconstruction for tumor diagnosis and treatment response monitoring.
Spectrum of Morbidity Related to Bolster Placement at Time of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy: Buried Bumper Syndrome to Leakage and Peritonitis

Setting the external bolster at the time of placement of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a key factor in the spectrum of morbidity and complications related to the procedure. Setting the bolster too tight results in various gradations of buried bumper syndrome, whereas setting the bolster too loose can lead to leakage and acute peritonitis. Aspects of the initial technique, awareness of contributing factors, and strategies for monitoring and surveillance of the PEG once placed are all important in preventing more serious sequelae.
Nonspecific immunotherapy with intratumoral lipopolysaccharide and zymosan A but not GM-CSF leads to an effective anti-tumor response in subcutaneous RG-2 gliomas

Purpose Nonspecific stimulation of cells of the immune system may be useful in generating an anti-tumor response for a variety of cancers and may work synergistically with currently available cytotoxic therapies. In this study we examined the response of syngeneic rat gliomas to treatment with several nonspecific stimulators of dendritic cells and macrophages alone or in combination with radiation therapy.
The first institution of democracy. Tocqueville on religion: What faith adds to reason

Tocqueville is considered one of the most important thinkers and intellectuals for our times, best known for his works Democracy in America (1835) and The Old Regime and the Revolution (1856). This essay seeks to give a short synopsis of Tocqueville’s most important conclusions and to shed light on his understanding of the importance of religion in a modern democracy.
Blind source separation-based multi-user detection for multi-antenna QAM receivers with I/Q imbalances

This paper presents a blind multi-user detection technique for multi-antenna quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) receivers with Inphase/Quadrature phase (I/Q) imbalances. The estimation of multiple users in the presence of I/Q imbalances is performed by Blind Source Separation (BSS) methods. While the complex-valued signal model for multi-antenna QAM receivers does not lend itself to BSS due to the effect of I/Q imbalances, reformulating the signal model to a real-valued equivalent form enables the application of BSS. The proposed method enables multiple users to share the same bandwidth simultaneously in different geographical locations, and avoids the need for the knowledge of the channel state information. In addition, despite of the presence of I/Q imbalances in all receiver branches, the number of antenna required in the receiver is equal to the number of users. Computer simulations are conducted using the popular Fast-ICA (Independent Component Analysis) algorithm, and the simulation results confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed technique.
Effects of thermodynamic nonideality in protein crystal growth

Abstract The driving force for crystallization is the difference in chemical potential between the protein in supersaturated solution and at its solubility. This chemical potential difference depends in a complicated manner on protein concentration and solution conditions (temperature, ionic strength and pH). Consequently, driving forces estimated from the nominal ideal solution supersaturation may be in error. In this work, the chemical potential of protein in solution is estimated from a virial expansion in protein concentration. The thermodynamic driving force for the crystallization of hen egg white lysozyme is calculated as a function of temperature, salt concentration, and protein concentration. In all cases examined here, the driving force for crystallization is lower than that for the corresponding ideal solution and the deviation from ideal solution behavior increases with the protein solubility.
Fatigue behavior of continuous glass fiber composites: Effect of the matrix nature

The effect of the matrix morphology on the fatigue behavior of a continuous glass fiber/polypropylene (GF/PP) composite system was studied by means of stress-life and mode II cyclic delamination tests. The stress-life behavior of a GF composite is considerably affected by the nature of the matrix. A two-stage fatigue damage curve was observed in the composite made with a PP matrix, whereas a three-stage curve was observed in the composite made with a thermoset polyester matrix. For a fatigue stress higher than 50% of the yield stress, the PP matrix composite showed a considerably longer fatigue life than the thermoset polyester matrix composite. Mode II cyclic delamination tests showed that the morphology itself of the PP matrix also played an important role. Higher fatigue delamination growth rates, at given strain energy release rates, and lower strain energy release rates at failure were obtained for a composite showing a coarse spherulitic morphology and well-marked interspherulitic regions than for a composite showing a finer spherulitic morphology and less-marked interspherulitic regions. While the fatigue mode of the composite with a coarse spherulitic morphology was interspherulitic, that of the composite with a finer spherulitic morphology was transpherulitic.
Edward Hitchcock's pre-Darwinian (1840) "tree of life".

The “tree of life” iconography, representing the history of life, dates from at least the latter half of the 18th century, but evolution as the mechanism providing this bifurcating history of life did not appear until the early 19th century. There was also a shift from the straight line, scala naturae view of change in nature to a more bifurcating or tree-like view. Throughout the 19th century authors presented tree-like diagrams, some regarding the Deity as the mechanism of change while others argued for evolution. Straight-line or anagenetic evolution and bifurcating or cladogenetic evolution are known in biology today, but are often misrepresented in popular culture, especially with anagenesis being confounded with scala naturae. Although well known in the mid 19th century, the geologist Edward Hitchcock has been forgotten as an early, if not the first author to publish a paleontologically based “tree of life” beginning in 1840 in the first edition of his popular general geology text Elementary Geology. At least 31 editions were published and those between 1840 and 1859 had this “paleontological chart” showing two trees, one for fossil and living plants and another for animals set within a context of geological time. Although the chart did not vary in later editions, the text explaining the chart did change to reflect newer ideas in paleontology and geology. Whereas Lamarck, Chambers, Bronn, Darwin, and Haeckel saw some form of transmutation as the mechanism that created their “trees of life,” Hitchcock, like his contemporaries Agassiz and Miller, who also produced “trees of life,” saw a deity as the agent of change. Through each edition of his book Hitchcock denounced the newer transmutationist hypotheses of Lamarck, then Chambers, and finally Darwin in an 1860 edition that no longer presented his tree-like “paleontological chart.”
Antibody immobilization using heterobifunctional crosslinkers.

Abstract Covalent attachment of functional proteins to a solid support is important for biosensors. One method employs thiol-terminal silanes and heterobifunctional crosslinkers such as N -succinimidyl 4-maleimidobutyrate (GMBS) to immobilize proteins through amino groups onto glass, silica, silicon or platinum surfaces. In this report, several heterobifunctional crosslinkers are compared to GMBS for their ability to immobilize active antibodies onto glass cover slips at a high density. Antibodies were immobilized at densities of 74–220 ng/cm 2 with high levels of specific antigen binding. Carbohydrate-reactive crosslinkers were also compared to GMBS using a fiber optic biosensor to detect fluorescently-labeled antigen. At the concentrations tested, the antibodies immobilized with carbohydrate-reactive crosslinkers bound more antigen than GMBS immobilized antibodies as indicated by the fluorescence signal.
Parenting influences on bicycle helmet rules and estimations of children's helmet use

ABSTRACT The present study examined the potential relationship between parenting variables and estimations of children's bicycle helmet use. Parents (N = 121) completed surveys asking about parental monitoring and questions about their bicycle habits and attitudes, as well as their expectations for their children to wear a helmet and their estimation of how often their children wear a helmet. Parents reported stronger helmet rules for their children who are beginning cyclists rather than experienced cyclists, and rules for experienced cyclists were more strongly endorsed among parents who reported more parental monitoring as well. Parents who wear helmets themselves endorsed stronger helmet rules for their experienced riders, compared to parents who do not wear helmets. Parents without helmet rules reported more peer pressure in that they were more likely to agree that their friends do not make their kids wear helmets and that their child's friends do not wear helmets. In addition, believing other parents...
Anderson localization of 3He with variable disorder provided by a 4He solid/liquid interface

Abstract When liquid helium is in contact with a graphite surface, and the pressure of the liquid is increased toward the bulk solidification pressure, the solid helium will pass through smooth and rough configurations during layering transitions. When 3He is added to the system, it preferentially resides at the solid/liquid interface. When the interface is atomically sharp, the 3He will diffuse easily on the surface, but when the interface is rough, the 3He, with a deBroglie wavelength of ∼1.5 nm, may experience Anderson localization. Currently we are using an NMR technique, which monitors the diffusion of the 3He, as a probe of this effect.
Reproductive biology of two dominant prairie grasses (Andropogon gerardii and sorghastrum nutans, Poaceae): male-biased sex allocation in wind-pollinated plants?

It has been proposed that some wind-pollinated plants have the necessary conditions for an optimal sex allocation that is male biased, though there are few data that address this prediction. We determined that two prairie grass species ( Andropogon gerardii and Sorghastrum nutans) had reproductive characteristics that theoretically would result in a male-biased allocation: both species were self-incompatible and neither species had increased seed set after supplemental hand pollination. The relative allocation to pollen and seed production was measured in terms of biomass, energy, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Sex allocation in A. gerardii was significantly male biased (from 60 to 89% male) when measured in currencies of biomass, energy, potassium, and calcium; there was no significant bias in the sex allocation (from 49 to 57% male) when measured in currencies of nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium. Sex allocation in S. nutans was significantly male biased (from 69 to 81% male) for all currencies except phosphorus (61% male). This is the first evidence for male-biased sex allocation in any plant or animal hermaphrodite. Though the necessary conditions may be uncommon, male-biased allocation may be found in other species with similar reproductive biology.
Subduction zone dip angles and flow driven by plate motion

Abstract Kinematic models of the large scale flow in the mantle accompanying the observed plate motions are calculated by neglecting thermal buoyancy forces. The large scale flow is therefore determined by the mass flux imposed by the moving plates. The energy and momentum equations decouple, and with the assumption of a radially symmetric Newtonian viscosity, the flow accompanying the plate motions can be obtained using harmonic analysis and propagator matrices. The resulting flow models predict remarkably well the observed dips of subducted slabs if the flow extends into the lower mantle. The plates drag along a thick boundary layer which should be included in models of the heating of subducted slabs.
An in vitro model system that can differentiate the stages of DNA replication affected by anticancer agents.

Abstract We have previously reported on the potential use of a novel in vitro human cell-derived model system to investigate the mechanism of action of anticancer agents that directly affect the process of DNA replication. Our cell-free system uses a multiprotein DNA replication complex (designated the DNA synthesome) that has been isolated, characterized, and extensively purified from a wide variety of mammalian cells and tissues. The DNA synthesome is competent to orchestrate simian virus 40 (SV40) origin-specific and large T antigen-dependent DNA replication in vitro. In this study, the synthesome-based cell-free system was tested to evaluate the mechanism of action of 1-β- d -arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C), camptothecin (CPT), and doxorubicin (DOX). Using a novel synthesome-based in vitro kinetic assay, we demonstrated that DNA replication mediated by the synthesome is initiated within the SV40 replication origin and proceeds bidirectionally in a manner analogous to that occurring within the cell. Ara-CTP, CPT, and DOX have been found to affect different stages of the in vitro DNA replication process mediated by the complex. Ara-CTP inhibited both the initiation and elongation stages, whereas CPT produced most of its effects by inhibiting the elongation phase of DNA replication. DOX inhibited the termination stage of DNA synthesis mediated by the synthesome. The data presented here support our contention that the DNA synthesome represents a highly effective in vitro model system for investigating the mechanism by which some anticancer agents can directly affect the process of DNA replication.
Complementing the Sense-Making Approach With a Survey to Enhance Communication of HIV/AIDS Knowledge

In 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, metropolitan area, in a tie with Miami, Florida, the second highest for new cases of AIDS per capita in the nation. This study uses the Baton Rouge case to suggest improvements to sense-making theory. It posits that complementing sense-making's traditional qualitative approach with quantitative analyses will improve long-term community-based health-promotion campaigns by uncovering HIV/AIDS knowledge gaps that exist between groups and within individuals about their own risk for the disease. As the results show, many similarities were indeed found, but some differences also emerged. This triangulation approach is important in creating health communication messages that are effective with the entire population.
Effects of Chronic Glucocorticoid Excess in Man on Insulin Binding to Circulating Cells: Differences between Endogenous and Exogenous Hypercorticism

We measured [125I]insulin binding to circulating monocytes or erythrocytes from 16 patients with chronic glucocorticoid excess, 9 chronically treated with prednisone and 7 with adrenocortical hyperfunction. With monocytes, [125I]insulin binding was iincreased in all patients. Analysis of binding data indicated that increased binding in patients treated with prednisone was due to an ncrease in receptor concentration, whereas in patients with adrenocortical hyperfunction, it was due to an increase in receptor affinity. With erythrocytes from patients with adrenocortical hyperfunction there was an increase in receptor affinity and a decrease in receptor concentration, so that the binding of [125I]insulin was normal. The disparity of results between endogenous and exogenous hypercorticism, between the two cell types, and between the present studies and previous studies suggest that the effects of glucocorticoid excess on the insulin receptor are extremely complex and wide-ranging and that in this condition, extrapolations in humans from data with circulating cells to liver and muscle may not be appropriate.
Public health impacts of climate change in Washington State: projected mortality risks due to heat events and air pollution

Illness and mortality related to heat and worsening air quality are core public health concerns associated with climate change projections. We examined the historical relationship between age- and cause-specific mortality rates from 1980 through 2006 and heat events at the 99th percentile of humidex values in the historic period from January 1, 1970 to December 31, 2006 in the greater Seattle area (King, Pierce and Snohomish counties), Spokane County, the Tri-Cities (Benton and Franklin counties) and Yakima County; the relative risks of mortality during heat events were applied to population and climate projections for Washington State to calculate number of deaths above the baseline (1980–2006) expected during projected heat events in 2025, 2045 and 2085. Three different warming scenarios were used in the analysis. Relative risks for the greater Seattle area showed a significant dose-response relationship between heat event duration and daily mortality rates for non-traumatic deaths for persons ages 45 and above, typically peaking at four days of exposure to humidex values above the 99th percentile. The largest number of projected excess deaths in all years and scenarios for the Seattle region was found for age 65 and above. Under the middle warming scenario, this age group is expected to have 96, 148 and 266 excess deaths from all non-traumatic causes in 2025, 2045 and 2085, respectively. We also examined projected excess deaths due to ground-level ozone concentrations at mid century (2045–2054) in King and Spokane counties. Current (1997–2006) ozone measurements and mid-twenty-first century ozone projections were coupled with dose-response data from the scientific literature to produce estimates overall and cardiopulmonary mortality. Daily maximum 8-h ozone concentrations are forecasted to be 16–28% higher in the mid twenty-first century compared to the recent decade of 1997–2006. By mid-century in King County the non-traumatic mortality rate related to ozone was projected to increase from baseline (0.026 per 100,000; 95% confidence interval 0.013–0.038) to 0.033 (95% CI 0.017–0.049). For the same health outcome in Spokane County, the baseline period rate of 0.058 (95% CI 0.030–0.085) was estimated increase to 0.068 (95% CI 0.035–0.100) by mid-century. The cardiopulmonary death rate per 100,000 due to ozone was estimated to increase from 0.011 (95% CI 0.005–0.017) to 0.015 (0.007–0.022) in King County, and from 0.027 (95% CI 0.013–0.042) to 0.032 (95% CI 0.015–0.049) in Spokane County. Public health interventions aimed at protecting Washington’s population from excessive heat and increased ozone concentrations will become increasingly important for preventing deaths, especially among older adults. Furthermore, heat and air quality related illnesses that do not result in death, but are serious nevertheless, may be reduced by the same measures.
Supporting Asynchronous Dialogs in the Communication of Army Operations Orders

An empirical study was completed to study the use of an asynchronous multimedia communication tool to support dialogs during a joint forces military exercise. Ten captains, majors and colonels from Canada, France, Germany, Israel and the US who participated in the joint forces exercise had the option of using this multimedia communication tool whenever they felt it would help them to communicate information to commanders in other units. Two of the messages consisted of one-way communications. The remaining 13 were asynchronous dialogs. In these messages, the officers:•Made extensive use of pointing, drawing and embedded written notes•Used these asynchronous dialogs to detect and repair misconceptions that arose from live face-to-face briefings (6/13 dialogs)•Used these asynchronous dialogs to share expertise while developing a plan (13/13 dialogs). On Likert scales (1=strongly disagree; 7=strongly agree), the ratings for usefulness and usability were 6.2 and 6.4, respectively.
Target influences on the morphology of trigeminal axons

Axons grow in two stages: First, they exhibit rapid, target-directed extension; then they begin to collateralize and elaborate terminal arbors in their targets. To investigate possible regulatory influences on these phases of axon growth, we have used an in vitro paradigm in which we cocultured embryonic or postnatal rat trigeminal ganglion explants with isochronic, heterochronic, and/or heterotypic targets. Cultures were fixed after 5 days and ganglion cell processes were labeled with DiI. Trigeminal processes were able to regenerate into several peripheral targets as well as into CNS explants from trigeminal or nontrigeminal regions of the brain. In peripheral tissues, the processes showed target-specific growth patterns. In CNS tissue, the type of growth (unbranched extension versus collateralization/arbor formation) varied markedly with the explant age: If trigeminal ganglia were harvested at a time (E15) when their axons would be elongating in the embryo and cocultured with isochronic tissues, their processes had a simple morphology, were loosely bundled, and reconstituted a distinct fiber tract, mimicking their in vivo growth pattern. If, challenged by more mature tissue, axons of E15 ganglion cells formed discrete arbors. Finally, if trigeminal ganglia were harvested at an age (E20, PND 5) when their axons had already formed arbors in the brain and induced to innervate younger (E15) targets, their axons reverted back to the elongation stage. These results demonstrate that the target environment sets specific, developmentally regulated constraints on the patterns of growth manifested by primary sensory axons.
Mobilization of lipid and protein by embryonic snapping turtles in wet and dry environments

Eggs of common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) were incubated at 26°C on substrates with water potentials of – 150 kPa (wet) and – 850 kPa (dry) to assess the effects on patterns of mobilization of nutrients from the yolk. Embryos developing at – 150 kPa mobilized and incorporated both lipid and protein more rapidly than did embryos developing at – 850 kPa. As a consequence, embryos developing in wet environments hatched at a larger size than did embryos developing in dry settings. This effect of moisture on embryonic metabolism and growth in snapping turtles differs from that found in birds in which embryonic growth apparently is unaffected by moisture.
Size Exclusion Chromatography

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform molecular weight measurement and separation of a fluorine containing organic substance slightly soluble in a general organic solvent by means of size exclusion chromatography by using a solvent containing dichloro pentafluoropropane as a mobile phase and using polymethyl methacrylate with a known molecular weight as a molecular weight measurement standard specimen. SOLUTION: As a mobile phase. a solvent containing HCFC225 such as a solvent containing only HCFC225 and a mixture solvent containing HCFC225 and other solvents are available. HCFC225 is selected from one or more kinds of substances selected from chlorinated fluorinated hydrocarbons with a molecular formula represented by C3 HF3 Cl2 . As the HCFC225, several kinds of isomers with the same molecular formula and different structures are known, however, HCFC225ca (CF3 CF2 CHCl2 ), HCFC225cb (CF2 ClCF2 CFHC1), and a mixture of them are desirable. As a molecular weight measurement standard specimen, polymethyl methacrylate with a known molecular weight is used.
Antiplatelet monoclonal F(ab')2 antibody directed against the platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor complex prevents coronary artery thrombosis in the canine heart.

with direct current induced intimal injury (100 PA for 5 h) and critical stenosis of the left circumflex coronary artery (LCCA). Baseline LCCA blood flow (CBF) was similar in 7E3 F(ab’), and control groups, but decreased in the controls [24 + 2 ml/min to 0 + 0 ml/min, n = 13 (mean ~s.E.M.)] due to thrombotic occlusion in each case (time to thrombosis 136 f 15 min). In the group treated with 7E3 F(ab’),, CBF did not change significantly (27 + 3 ml/min to 22 k 3 ml/min, a = 6) and thrombotic occlusion did not occur during the 5-h observation period in which intimal injury was produced in the LCCA (P < 0.001). Oscillations in CBF preceded thrombosis in the control group, but did not occur with 7E3 F(ab’), treatment (2.2 + 0.7 vs. 0 + 0, P < 0.05). The thrombus mass recovered from the LCCA 30 min after occlusion was 8.8 + 1.3 mg in the controls compared to 2.2 & 1.2 mg determined 5 h after administration of 7E3 F(ab’)s (P < 0.05). When studied ex uivo, before the administration of the test agents, platelets from both groups of dogs aggregated in response to ADP and arachidonic acid. However, after treatment, the ex viva aggregation of platelets from 7E3 F(ab’), animals was inhibited whereas platelets from the control animals continued to aggregate ex tiuo throughout the period of the experimental protocol (P < 0.05). The labeling of platelets with “‘iridium showed accumulation of radioactivity within the thrombus and upon the vascular endothelium which was less in 7E3 F(ab’), treated dogs as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The murine monoclonal antibody 7E3 F(ab’)s did not affect hemodynamic values or the circulating platelet count during the experimental protocol. In conclusion, antibody
Three-dimensional subband coding implemented in programmable real-time hardware

Pyramid codes such as 3-D subband coding, wavelet and fractile can be implemented with much simpler encoders and decoders than DCT-based compression systems. Since they do not use blocks, they do not suffer from blocking artifacts. They are particularly useful when the cost of the encoder is a concern, such as picture phone, teleconferencing, and camcorders. If used in production, post-production processing can be implemented without degradation. A programmable real-time encoder and decoder have been constructed for evaluating color 3-D subband coding algorithms. The results of tests with this hardware are presented for a wide range of compression ratios as well as the post-production processing of compressed video.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
There Is Minimal Risk for Adverse Events in Hypertensives Associated with the Use of Epinephrine in Local Anesthetics

Article Title and Bibliographic Iynformation Bader JD, Bonito AJ, Shugars DA. Cardiovascular Effects of Epinephrine on Hypertensive Dental Patients. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment Number 48. AHRQ Publication No. 02-E006. Level of Evidence 1A Purpose To identify the additional risks of adverse cardiovascular outcomes to controlled and uncontrolled hypertensive individuals represented by the use of epinephrine-containing anesthetic solutions and epinephrine-impregnated retraction cords during dental treatment. Source of Funding (Prepared by Research Triangle Institute under Contract No. 290-97-0011.) Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; July 2002. Type of Study/design Systematic review
Measuring Structural Gender Equality in Mexico: A State Level Analysis.

The main goal of this article is to assess the level of gender equality across the 32 Mexican states. After reviewing conceptual and methodological issues related to previous measures of structural inequality I detail the logic and methodology involved in the construction of a composite and multidimensional measure of gender equality, at the social structural or macrosystem, level in Mexico: GEIMS (Gender Equality Index in Mexican States). The importance of assessing the level of gender equality among Mexican states is of theoretical and practical relevance for understanding potential sources of regional differences regarding many social phenomena. The methodology can be also used to construct gender equality indexes in other Latin American countries.
The Need for Consistency to Avoid the Perception of Impropriety in Recruiting

In response to an article advocating the creative use of dual job descriptions in dealing with conflicting constituencies in recruitment, this article cautions that exposure is created when a job description developed for external recruiting purposes does not accurately represent actual job requirements. If the discrepancy in job descriptions serves to the disadvantage of protected group applicants, legal exposure may result. The author argues that if one of the agendas behind the use of a second job description is to increase the probably of good fit and thus, the likelihood of success of the chosen candidate, the actual result may be dysfunctional. For a variety of strategic, psychometric, ethical, and legal reasons, recruiters should only consider using a consistent, transparent and one-dimensional approach to the development of job descriptions for recruiting and orientation. The importance of a professionally conducted job analysis and validation procedure is emphasized.
Dephosphorylation of the Linker Regions of Smad1 and Smad2/3 by Small C-terminal Domain Phosphatases Has Distinct Outcomes for Bone Morphogenetic Protein and Transforming Growth Factor-β Pathways

Smad proteins transduce bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) signals upon phosphorylation of their C-terminal SXS motif by receptor kinases. The activity of Smad1 in the BMP pathway and Smad2/3 in the TGFbeta pathway is restricted by pathway cross-talk and feedback through protein kinases, including MAPK, CDK2/4, p38MAPK, JNK, and others. These kinases phosphorylate Smads 1-3 at the region that links the N-terminal DNA-binding domain and the C-terminal transcriptional domain. Phosphatases that dephosphorylate the linker region are therefore likely to play an integral part in the regulation of Smad activity. We reported previously that small C-terminal domain phosphatases 1, 2, and 3 (SCP1-3) dephosphorylate Smad1 C-terminal tail, thereby attenuating BMP signaling. Here we provide evidence that SCP1-3 also dephosphorylate the linker regions of Smad1 and Smad2/3 in vitro, in mammalian cells and in Xenopus embryos. Overexpression of SCP 1, 2, or 3 decreased linker phosphorylation of Smads 1, 2 and 3. Moreover, RNA interference-mediated knockdown of SCP1/2 increased the BMP-dependent phosphorylation of the Smad1 linker region as well as the C terminus. In contrast, SCP1/2 knockdown increased the TGFbeta-dependent linker phosphorylation of Smad2/3 but not the C-terminal phosphorylation. Consequently, SCP1/2 knockdown inhibited TGFbeta transcriptional responses, but it enhanced BMP transcriptional responses. Thus, by dephosphorylating Smad2/3 at the linker (inhibitory) but not the C-terminal (activating) site, the SCPs enhance TGFbeta signaling, and by dephosphorylating Smad1 at both sites, the SCPs reset Smad1 to the basal unphosphorylated state.
ATR kinase activation in G1 phase facilitates the repair of ionizing radiation-induced DNA damage

The kinase ATR is activated by RPA-coated single-stranded DNA generated at aberrant replicative structures and resected double strand breaks. While many hundred candidate ATR substrates have been identified, the essential role of ATR in the replicative stress response has impeded the study of ATR kinase-dependent signalling. Using recently developed selective drugs, we show that ATR inhibition has a significantly more potent effect than ATM inhibition on ionizing radiation (IR)-mediated cell killing. Transient ATR inhibition for a short interval after IR has long-term consequences that include an accumulation of RPA foci and a total abrogation of Chk1 S345 phosphorylation. We show that ATR kinase activity in G1 phase cells is important for survival after IR and that ATR colocalizes with RPA in the absence of detectable RPA S4/8 phosphorylation. Our data reveal that, unexpectedly, ATR kinase inhibitors may be more potent cellular radiosensitizers than ATM kinase inhibitors, and that this is associated with a novel role for ATR in G1 phase cells.
Gravitational-wave probe of effective quantum gravity

All modern routes leading to a quantum theory of gravity - i.e., perturbative quantum gravitational one-loop exact correction to the global chiral current in the standard model, string theory, and loop quantum gravity - require modification of the classical Einstein-Hilbert action for the spacetime metric by the addition of a parity-violating Chern-Simons term. The introduction of such a term leads to spacetimes that manifest an amplitude birefringence in the propagation of gravitational waves. While the degree of birefringence may be intrinsically small, its effects on a gravitational wave accumulate as the wave propagates. Observation of gravitational waves that have propagated over cosmological distances may allow the measurement of even a small birefringence, providing evidence of quantum gravitational effects. The proposed Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will be sensitive enough to observe the gravitational waves from sources at cosmological distances great enough that interesting bounds on the Chern-Simons coupling may be found. Here we evaluate the effect of a Chern-Simons induced spacetime birefringence to the propagation of gravitational waves from such systems. Focusing attention on the gravitational waves from coalescing binary black holes systems, which LISA will be capable of observing at redshifts approaching 30, we find that the signature ofmore » Chern-Simons gravity is a time-dependent change in the apparent orientation of the binary's orbital angular momentum with respect to the observer line-of-sight, with the magnitude of change reflecting the integrated history of the Chern-Simons coupling over the worldline of the radiation wave front. While spin-orbit coupling in the binary system will also lead to an evolution of the system's orbital angular momentum, the time dependence and other details of this real effect are different than the apparent effect produced by Chern-Simons birefringence, allowing the two effects to be separately identified. In this way gravitational-wave observations with LISA may thus provide our first and only opportunity to probe the quantum structure of spacetime over cosmological distances.« less
Diagnostic medical physicists and their clinical activities

Abstract Purpose The primary objective of this study was to obtain basic, descriptive information about medical physicists involved in diagnostic radiology-related activities, the diagnostic-related activities that they performed, and the time spent on these activities. Methods A survey was sent to a randomly selected sample of 1511 medical physicists from July through October 2001 using primarily e-mail methods; a total of 851 surveys was received, for a response rate of 56%. Of these, 427 were responses from physicists who do partly or only clinical diagnostic medical physics; it is this group for which results are presented. Results Fifty-four percent of the physicists who reported doing any clinical diagnostic medical physics performed clinical activities only in diagnostic medical physics. Fourteen percent of all those doing clinical diagnostic medical physics were women. Over 97% of the physicists doing clinical diagnostic medical physics reported having graduate degrees in physics; 53% had PhDs. The mean total weekly hours worked by physicists doing clinical diagnostic medical physics was 42. Medical physicists doing only clinical diagnostic activities reported working approximately 40 hours weekly, whereas those doing partly clinical diagnostic medical physics reported working 14 hours weekly in the field (approximately one-third of their work time). Radiography and fluoroscopy, computed tomography, nuclear medicine, and mammography are all fields in which the majority of those doing any clinical diagnostic medical physics are active. Full-time physicists working only in diagnostic medical physics were responsible for a median of 25 units of equipment, compared with a median of 10 units for those working only partly in the field. Number of units evaluated, frequency of evaluation, and hours per evaluation were reported for almost 20 types of equipment. Conclusions Medical physicists performing diagnostic clinical activities typically are responsible for a large number and wide variety of imaging equipment. It would be helpful to study their work further, focusing in particular on whether there is a shortage, as is true of diagnostic radiologists, and whether the variety of responsibilities creates strain.
The Behavior of Human Skin, Its Appendages and Tumors in Heterologous Hosts1

Several workers, notably Greene and Toolan, have grown human tissues, both normal and malignant, in heterologous hosts with or without prior radiation or treatment with cortisone (9, 6, 15, 8). Highly malignant tumors have been maintained for several years in hamsters (17). According to Greene, the degree of transplantability of a given tumor parallels the degree of malignancy within the patient and is of prognostic significance (6). Toolan (14) maintains, however, that even adult non-malignant tissues live for several weeks within heterologous hosts.
Reflectarray element using variable ring with slot on ground plane

A novel structure using a variable microstrip ring with a slot ring on part of the ground plane is proposed as an auxiliary unit cell in a reflectarray. A progressive phase range larger than 682° has been achieved by changing the sizes of the microstrip rings and adding slot rings on part of the ground plane. A K-band reflectarray has been fabricated and shows very good performance.
Source-Location Privacy through Dynamic Routing in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have the potential to be widely used in many areas for unattended event monitoring. Mainly due to lack of a protected physical boundary, wireless communications are vulnerable to unauthorized interception and detection. Privacy is becoming one of the major issues that jeopardize the successful deployment of wireless sensor networks. While confidentiality of the message can be ensured through content encryption, it is much more difficult to adequately address the source-location privacy. For WSNs, source-location privacy service is further complicated by the fact that the sensor nodes consist of low-cost and low-power radio devices, computationally intensive cryptographic algorithms and large scale broadcasting-based protocols are not suitable for WSNs. In this paper, we propose source-location privacy schemes through routing to randomly selected intermediate node(s) before the message is transmitted to the SINK node. We first describe routing through a single a single randomly selected intermediate node away from the source node. Our analysis shows that this scheme can provide great local source-location privacy. We also present routing through multiple randomly selected intermediate nodes based on angle and quadrant to further improve the global source location privacy. While providing source-location privacy for WSNs, our simulation results also demonstrate that the proposed schemes are very efficient in energy consumption, and have very low transmission latency and high message delivery ratio. Our protocols can be used for many practical applications.
Quantum-dot nanocrystals for ultrasensitive biological labeling and multicolor optical encoding.

Semiconductor nanoparticles in the size range of 2-6 nm are of great current interest, not only because of their size-tunable properties but also because of their dimensional similarity with bio- logical macromolecules (e.g., nucleic acids and proteins). This simi- larity could allow an integration of nanomaterials with biological mol- ecules, which would have applications in medical diagnostics, targeted therapeutics, and high-throughput drug screening. Here we report new developments in preparing highly luminescent and bio- compatible CdSe quantum dots (QDs), and in synthesizing QD- encoded micro- and nano-beads in the size range of 100 nm-10 mm. We show that the optical properties of ZnS-capped CdSe quantum dots are sensitive to environmental factors such as pH and divalent cations, leading to the potential use of quantum dots in molecular sensing. We also show that chemically modified proteins can be used to coat the surface of water-soluble QDs, to restore their fluorescence, and to provide functional groups for bioconjugation. For multiplexed optical encoding, we have prepared large microbeads with sizes simi- lar to that of mammalian cells, and small nanobeads with sizes similar
ESR STUDIES OF CHLOROPHYLL ONE-ELECTRON PHOTOCHEMISTRY: KINETICS AND MECHANISM OF REVERSIBLE HYDROQUINONE OXIDATION IN SOLUTION*

— ESR studies have been made of the kinetics of semiquinone radical formation and disappearance resulting from the reversible photosensitization by chlorophyll of hydroquinone oxidation in a pyridine-water solvent. The rate of radical decay was found to be second order with respect to the radical concentration, with a rate constant of 6.7 × 105 l./mole sec at -30°C and an activation energy of 6900 cal/mole. The rate of radical formation was recombination-limited and, through the use of β-carotene as a quencher, the rate constant was determined to be 8.81 × 105 l./mole sec at -30°C. The effect of light intensity and hydroquinone concentration on the rate of semiquinone radical formation and on the steady state radical concentration was also investigated and possible mechanisms to explain the results are discussed.
Interpreting Linked Psychomotor Performance Scores

Given that equating/linking applications are now appearing in kinesiology literature, this article provides an overview of the different types of linked test scores: equated, concordant, and predicted. It also addresses the different types of evidence required to determine whether the scores from two different field tests (measuring the same construct) can be used interchangeably (equated). Thus, evidence issues are addressed to help the reader determine whether the creation of equipercentile equated or concordant scores is appropriate and useful. The article is organized according to the following issues: (a) the degree to which the two tests measure the same construct, (b) the equating/linking process, (c) the evaluation of equating/linking function, and (d) stability of equating/linking function across populations.