cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analytical evaluation of hybrid ceramic design concepts for optimized structural performance

Abstract Many high temperature structural applications demand a material which has a combination of high thermo-chemical stability, hot strength and good foreign object damage (FOD) resistance. The possibility of combining the advantages of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) and monolithic forms of ceramics in a single hybrid design to obtain a strong damage tolerant material design was explored using modeling. The desired advantage will be enhanced reliability retaining high strength and other density-dependent properties such as thermal conductivity. Two key factors, identified as crucial to the concept, were analyzed. One of them was the prevention of cracks that form from foreign object damage (FOD) at the surface within the CMC, from entering the monolithic core. Finite element models predict that the use a porous interphase to engineer the interface is a viable strategy, and that an optimal thickness of this layer exists for maximum tendency to deflect cracks. The second factor examined was the ability of these hybrid materials to withstand thermal gradients. The model predicts that the concept is feasible if the CMC layer is sufficiently thin (
Age-dependent sexual dimorphism in cognition and stress response in the 3xTg-AD mice.

Abstract We sought to determine if sex impacts the cognitive and neuropathological phenotype of the 3xTg-AD mice. We find that male and female 3xTg-AD mice show comparable impairments on Morris water maze (MWM) and inhibitory avoidance (IA) at 4 months. Shortly thereafter, however, the cognitive performance varies among the sexes, with females performing worse than males. These behavioral differences are not attributable to differences in Aβ or tau levels. The behavioral effect is transient as from 12 months onward, the disparity is no longer apparent. Because females perform worse than males on stressful tasks, we explored their corticosterone responses and find that young female 3xTg-AD mice show markedly heightened corticosterone response after 5 days of MWM training compared to age-matched male 3xTg-AD mice; this difference is no longer apparent in older mice. Thus, the enhanced corticosterone response of the young female mice likely underlies their poorer performance on stressful tasks.
SYNDROMES OF THYROTOXICOSIS WITH LOW RADIOACTIVE IODINE UPTAKE

It is very important to diagnose correctly the etiology of thyrotoxicosis, because the course and treatment of thyrotoxicosis with low radioactive iodine uptake differ significantly from that of hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease or toxic nodular goiter. Many causes of subacute thyroiditis have been identified producing a characteristic course of transient hyperthyroidism, followed by hypothyroidism, and usually recovery. Ectopic hyperthyroidism includes factitious thyroid hormone ingestion, struma ovarii, and, rarely, large deposits of functioning thyroid cancer metastases. Iodine-induced hyperthyroidism may be associated with low radioiodine uptakes. Amiodarone-associated hyperthyroidism may be the result of subacute thyroiditis or iodine-induced hyperthyroidism; assessment and treatment can be quite challenging.
Processing the presence, placement, and properties of a distractor in spatial language tasks.

A common way to describe the location of an object is to spatially relate it to a nearby object. For such descriptions, the object being described is referred to as the located object; the object to which it is spatially related is referred to as the reference object. Typically, however, there are many nearby objects (distractors), resulting in the need for selection. We report three experiments that examine the extent to which a distractor in the display is processed during the selection of a reference object. Using acceptability ratings and production measures, we show that the presence and the placement of a distractor have a significant impact on the assessment of the spatial relation between the located and reference objects; there is also evidence that the properties of the distractor are processed, but only under limited conditions. One implication is that the dimension that is most relevant to reference object selection is its spatial relation to the located object, rather than its salience with respect to other objects in the display.
A continuous analog of Ford-Fulkerson flows in networks and its application to a problem of Rota

Given a poset Q, a natural question to ask is “What is the largest subset of Q having no comparable elements?” In 1928 E. Sperner [SP] showed that for Q = B,, the set of all subsets of an n-set ordered by containment, the answer is Bn,,n,2,, its largest rank. Subsequently, sets of incomparable elements have become known as Sperner sets; the general maximization problem as the Sperner problem, and the property of a graded poset that the solution be the largest rank as the Sperner property. In 1970 G.-C. Rota [RO] asked if II,, the lattice of partitions of an n-set, ordered by refinement, has the Sperner property. E. R. Canfield showed in 1976 [CA] that the answer to Rota’s question is “not for n sufficiently large.” Follow-on papers by J. B. Shearer [SHI, J.C. Sha and D. J. Kleitman [SK] simplified Canfield’s argument and lowered the bound on II to 3.4 x 106. None of these studies, however, gave any additional information about the asymptotic growth of Sperner sets (e.g., can they grow significantly faster than the largest rank?). Meanwhile the present author [HA 1; HA 2; HA 31 developed a notion of morphism for the weighted Sperner problem, showing that Rota’s question is equivalent to that for the weighted poset II,/s,, = {a E 2: 1%~~ = n], partially ordered by the cone K, = (Zcq, j(6, + Sj ai+j)Jai,j 2 01, ai being 0 except in component i where it is 1, II,/S, has rank function r-(v) = Cy= iui, and weights w(u) = n!/IJ~,,(i!h,!. Since II,/s,, is embedded in R”, the possibility of passing to a continuous limit presented itself, the limit object being infinite dimensional (a
Learning Through Discussions: Comparing the Benefits of Small-Group and Large-Class Settings

The literature on teaching and learning heralds the benefits of discussion for student learner outcomes, especially its ability to improve students' critical thinking skills. Yet, few studies compare the effects of different types of face-to-face discussions on learners. Using student surveys, we analyze the benefits of small-group and large-class discussions in an upper-level political theory course. We also analyze whether the same types of students are likely to participate and reap the benefits of both types of discussions. We find that, overall, participation is higher in small-group discussions, as are students' perceptions of learner outcomes. We also find a more equal participation of students of different ethnic backgrounds in small-group discussions; similarly, previous academic achievements have less influence on discussion participation in small groups.
Teaching students to understand and control verbal aggression

This article presents a unit for teaching students to understand and control verbal aggression in their interpersonal relationships. The basic contention here is that the communication discipline should devote considerable attention to verbal aggression because it is a highly destructive form of communication. It is suggested that while there are several courses of action the discipline may take, one which is presently feasible is to include the topic in some of our courses. Theory and research are reviewed, and material for teaching the understanding of verbal aggression is suggested. The second part of the unit deals with methods of controlling verbal aggression and also suggests appropriate classroom activities.
Flavoring-related bronchiolitis obliterans.

Purpose of reviewIn 2000, inhalation of butter flavoring vapors was first associated with clinical bronchiolitis obliterans among workers in microwave popcorn production. Toxicologic and epidemiologic studies in the succeeding 5 years have intervention and research implications.Recent findingsIrreve
Studies on Enzyme Concentration and Adaptation in Human Liver and Adipose Tissue

ABSTRACT A series of potentially adaptive enzymes, which have been related to the control of metabolic pathways in rats, were studied in human liver and adipose tissue. Under the conditions of the experiments used, no changes in enzyme concentration from normal were found in adipose tissue from obese individuals, either in the usual state or after a period of starvation and refeeding. Similar results were obtained in diabetic patients treated with insulin for a long time period. In a series of hyperthyroid patients, the malic enzyme in adipose tissue was found to be elevated; however, treatment of normal volunteers with doses of triiodothyronine equivalent to twice normal thyroid maintenance dose for 2 months was without effect. An important aspect related to the control of lipogenesis in human adipose tissue was the finding of a virtual absence of the citrate cleavage enzyme.
Low cerebrospinal fluid glucose associated with meningeal neoplasia.

Summary A case of diffuse meningeal gliomatosis with hypoglycorrhachia in a 4-year-old child is presented. Inclusion of this syndrome in the differential diagnosis of central nervous system disease is emphasized.
Use of mitomycin C in the pediatric airway.

Purpose of review Mitomycin C was not used in the field of otolaryngology before 1998. Currently it is commonly used by all pediatric otolaryngologists dealing with airway stenoses. Mitomycin C offers the surgeon a method of modifying healing and diminishing granulation tissue and cicatricial scar. Recent findings There are numerous animal studies showing the beneficial effect of mitomycin C on wound healing in the airway. The human studies rarely have controls and in many cases are case reports. Human studies typically use dosages commonly used in ophthalmology, which are in the low range in relation to the animal airway studies. Summary This article attempts to summarize the available research on mitomycin C, helping the clinical otolaryngologist choose the proper dosage, indications, and frequency of use.
Methods for quantitating sea urchin sperm-egg binding.

Abstract Two simple photometric methods are described for determining the average number of bound sea urchin spermatozoa per egg between 0 and 60 sec after insemination. One method is based on stopping gamete interaction with formaldehyde and then, after the eggs settle with sperm bound to their surfaces, measuring the turbidity of sperm remaining in suspension. An alternative method involves removal of the dead, unbound sperm from the formaldehyde fixed eggs by repeated washing in sea water. The bound sperm are then released from the egg surface by pronase digestion and the turbidity of the sperm suspension measured and related to sperm concentration by direct cell counts. Two phases of gamete interaction exist (1) the binding phase, from 0 to 20 or 25 sec, during which time sperm continuously bind to the egg surfaces; (2) the unbinding phase, from 20 or 25 to 50 sec, during which time the sperm are unbound from the eggs and return to the suspension. The results of experiments in which the method is used to assess sperm binding at different pH values and at different calcium concentrations are presented. Data are presented suggesting that a definite number of sperm binding sites may exist on the vitelline layer.
Contrast enhancement materials for yield improvement in submicron i-line lithography

Contrast Enhancement Lithography has been in existence for almost two decades, yet its practical advantages are relatively unknown among the general lithography community. This paper attempts to redress this situation by discussing the implementation of a Contrast Enhancement Material into manufacturing. Contrast Enhancement Materials (CEMs) are photobleachable solutions applied as a thin top coat to the photoresist after softbake. The CEM is initially opaque at the actinic wavelength but becomes essentially transparent upon exposure. Optimising the relative bleaching parameters of the photoresist and the Contrast Enhancement Material makes it possible to prevent exposure in nominally unexposed resist regions, while bleaching the exposed resist areas. Thus, a temporary contact mask is formed on the photoresist during exposure, allowing high-intensity parts of the aerial image to pass through while eliminating low intensity regions. The resulting aerial image which exposes the photoresist has higher contrast than the original. This allows superior resist depth-of-focus, improves resist profile, increases exposure latitudes and reduces proximity effects among other benefits. Initially, this paper discusses the chemistry and physics of the CEM process. Next the authors look at the lithographic requirements for a final metal level on a sub-micron CMOS process. Analysis of the Depth-Of-Focus error budget indicated that the process would not be manufacturable without significantly increased DOF. The authors also present the results of the characterization of the CEM, including simulation work, with regard to the effect on primary lithography outputs such as depth-of-focus, resist sidewall and exposure latitude.
Long-term survival of large diameter penetrating keratoplasties for keratoconus and pellucid marginal degeneration.

Corneal transplantation in eyes with keratoconus is known to have an excellent prognosis for graft survival. The favorable prognosis for penetrating keratoplasty in these eyes is in large part attributed to the lack of corneal vascularization or ocular inflammation in this disorder (Arentsen 1983). In some patients with keratoconus, and in patients with pellucid marginal degeneration, which is presumed to be a related disorder (Krachmer et al. 1984), severe stromal thinning extends into the corneal periphery. Penetrating keratoplasty with standard diameter recipient beds of 7.5–8.5 mm in these patients may result in graft-host tissue disparity, wound leaks, and high post-keratoplasty astigmatism. Corneal grafts employing a larger than standard diameter recipient bed allows more peripheral placement of the graft-host interface where the host cornea is less severely thinned. Placement of the graft in closer proximity to the limbal vasculature is, however, thought to increase the probability of allograft rejection reactions (Cherry et al. 1979). In this report, we present our experience with large diameter grafts for keratoconus and pellucid marginal degeneration.
Feedback in dynamic psychotherapy: Notes on selected clinical issues and practical applications

In this presentation of selected clinical issues and applications of feedback in dynamic psychotherapy, I have ranged from metaphor to paradox and the sharing of the therapist’s wisdom; from feedback of silence, empathy, and memories to working through alienation from self; from feedback of the therapist’s psychophysiologic reactions during a session to feedback of the fear of separation and mortality. Believing that all too often the therapeutic process is based on linear feedback, I have focused on the circularity of interactive, interpersonal systems, suprasystems, and subsystems as well as their simultaneous, mutually influencing perception through many equally important channels of communication and levels of awareness. These serve as the ground, frame, and context for constructive feedback between therapist and patient that can promote personality reconstruction and development of human potentials.
Pharmacologic Modulation of Serine/Threonine Phosphorylation Highly Sensitizes PHEO in a MPC Cell and Mouse Model to Conventional Chemotherapy

Background The failure of cytotoxic cancer regimens to cure the most drug-resistant, well-differentiated solid tumors has been attributed to the heterogeneity of cell types that differ in their capacities for growth, differentiation, and metastases. We investigated the effect of LB1, a small molecule inhibitor of serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), on its ability to inhibit a low growth fraction and highly drug-resistant solid neuroendocrine tumor, such as metastatic pheochromocytoma (PHEO). Subsequently, we evaluated the increased efficacy of chemotherapy combined with LB1.
Ultrafast terahertz detector and mixer using a hot electron 2DEG device

Hot electron bolometric (HEB) detectors and mixers for the THz frequency range, which use thin-film superconductors, have been developed recently. They have short response times due to efficient cooling of ht hot electrons by either (i) phonon transmission from the film to the substrate, or (ii) diffusion of the electrons into the contacts. We have previously demonstrated a 2DEG detector which uses the heated 2D electron gas medium, as well as phonon-cooling. Here we propose and analyze a new version of this detector which employs diffusion cooling. A response time of 1 ps and responsivity of 3,000 V/W are calculated for a device which is 0.8 (mu) l long. This response time is considerably shorter than for any of the superconducting HEB detectors. The predicted double sideband receiver noise temperature for the mixer version is in the range 1,000 K to 2,000 K at 1 THz, with a 100 GHz intermediate frequency bandwidth. The new detector could be operated at 77K and the local oscillator power is estimated to be about 1 (mu) W.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Management of midgut volvulus with extensive necrosis by patch, drain, and wait in early infancy and childhood

Midgut volvulus with extensive intestinal necrosis in the newborn period and in early infancy and childhood presents a difficult therapeutic dilemma of how to control sepsis and preserve a maximum and life-sustaining amount of large and small intestine. This problem is similar to that faced in cases of necrotizing enterocolitis with extensive intestinal ischemia and necrosis. The successful use of the “patch, drain, and wait” approach in necrotizing enterocolitis suggested its potential usefulness in midgut volvulus with similarly extensive necrosis in early life [7]. The basic principles of this approach involve maximum bowel salvage by avoidance of both resection and enterostomy; extensive bilateral Penrose drainage of the peritoneal cavity to provide an exit for sepsis and debris for peritonitis control; and “de facto” enterostomies for potential enteric fistula capture, gastrostomy for upper gastrointestinal tract venting and decompression, and Broviac catheter placement for long-term hyperalimentation. Three cases involving the successful use of this approach are reported.
African American Adolescent Mothers' Early Caregiving Involvement and Childrens' Behavior and Academic Performance at Age 7

The United States continues to have the highest incidence of adolescent births among industrialized nations. This study used transactional and life span theories of development to examine whether caregiving patterns assessed over the first 24 months postpartum predicted children's behavior and academic achievement at 7 years. Participants included 120 primiparous, urban, low-income, African American adolescent mothers who participated in a randomized controlled trial of home intervention. Group-based trajectories were used to examine the pattern of caregiving involvement over time. Two distinct, consistent trajectories of caregiving involvement were found: maternal and shared. Maternal caregiving involvement over the first 24 months postpartum predicted positive child behavior and academic achievement at 7 years. In keeping with both transactional and life span theories, findings suggest that adoption of the parent role may lead to positive long-term outcomes for children of adolescent mothers.
An optimal stopping problem with a reward constraint

This article studies an optimal stopping problem with an endogenous constraint on the set of admissible stopping times. The constraint stipulates that continuation is permitted, at any given date t, only if the endogenous reward achieved exceeds a prespecified threshold. Characterizations of the value function and the optimal stopping time are presented. An application to the pricing of corporate claims, when the capital structure of the firm includes equity-trigger debt, is carried out.
PHENIX upgrade: Novel stripixel detector for heavy quark detection and proton spin structure measurements at RHIC energies

New design of silicon stripixel sensor has been developed at BNL for PHENIX upgrade. The sensor is a single-sided, DC-coupled, two-dimensional position sensitive device with good position resolution. This design is simpler for sensor fabrication and signal processing than the conventional double-sided strip sensor. HPK has produced pre-production stripixel sensors with thickness of 625 μm. The quality assurance tests show that the very low leakage current 0.12 nA per strip allows the use of the SVX4 chip. A long term stability test shows that the leakage current is stable over a long period of time. The study of the effects of irradiation on the performance of the stripixel sensor has been made using p+p collisions at 200 GeV at PHENIX, 14 MeV neutron and 20 MeV proton beams.
Telomere length in peripheral blood and breast cancer risk in a prospective case-cohort analysis: results from the Sister Study

Telomeres are required for maintaining genomic integrity and may play a role in carcinogenesis. Some, but not all, epidemiologic studies have found that short telomeres in leukocytes are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. To further elucidate this potential association, we examined telomere length in relation to breast cancer risk in prospectively collected blood samples from the Sister Study, a cohort of women aged 35–74 years who have a sister with breast cancer. We performed a case-cohort analysis comparing incident breast cancer cases (n = 342) with a subcohort (n = 735), randomly selected from 29,026 participants, enrolled by June 1, 2007. Relative telomere length in peripheral blood cells was estimated using a single-tube monochrome multiplex quantitative PCR assay. No association was observed between telomere length and breast cancer risk. Compared with the longest quartile, hazard ratios (HR) associated with the second, third, and the shortest quartile were 0.91 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.62–1.34], 1.11 (95% CI: 0.77–1.60), and 0.93 (95% CI: 0.64–1.35), respectively. Subgroup analyses by menopausal status, invasiveness, or estrogen receptor status of breast cancer did not reveal evidence of association between telomere length in blood cells and subsequent breast cancer risk. This prospective investigation does not support telomere length in blood cells as a biomarker for breast cancer risk.
SU-FF-T-671: Investigation of Effects of Treatment Planning Variables On Small Animal Therapy Dose Distributions

Purpose: Methods used for small animal radiation treatment have yet to achieve the same dose targeting as in clinical radiation therapy. Toward understanding how to better plan small animal radiation, we characterized dose distributions of conformal radiotherapy of small animals in a microCT scanner with a variable aperture collimator.Method and Materials:Dose distributions were simulated on a cylindrical solid water phantom (radius 2.5mm, resolution 195μm) using a Monte Carlo algorithm. Phase‐space files for collimator widths of 1–10mm were generated using BEAMnrc software, and dose distributions were generated in DOSXYZ for centered spherical targets with radii of 1, 2, 5, and 10mm; 2mm spherical targets offset by 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% of the phantom diameter; and asymmetric elliptical targets of 2×4×2mm, 2×6×2mm, and 2×8×2mm. For each target, treatment plans included evenly‐space, matched‐isocenter beams ranging in number from 5–100, with multiple beam widths allowed for asymmetric targets. Dose distributions were analyzed in RT_Image. Results: For centered, symmetric targets, the number of beams required to achieve a smooth dose‐volume histogram decreased with target size; for a 1mm target, no significant increase in smoothness was achieved with beam numbers beyond 60; for a 2mm target, beyond 60; for a 5mm target, beyond 50; and for a 10mm target, beyond 40. Dose distributions for non‐centered, symmetric targets did not exhibit any significant loss of conformality with increasing offset from the phantom center, indicating sufficient beam penetration through the phantom for targeting superficial targets from all angles. Even with variable collimator widths, targeting of asymmetric targets was found to have less conformality than that of spherical targets. Conclusion: This method of generating and analyzing dose distributions provides a quantitative method for developing practical guidelines for small animal radiotherapytreatment planning. Future work should address methods to improve conformality in asymmetric targets.
Examining Road Rage / Aggressive Driving Media Depiction and Prevention Suggestions

Reports on road rage/aggressive driving imply that most everyone who drives could be involved and affected by such emotions. As victims, witnesses, perpetrators, or protectors, many drivers are confronted with at least some type of aggression and violence on the roadways. Despite inconsistent definitions and subsequent questionable measurements of road rage/aggressive driving, formal social control efforts directed at problematic drivers seem to be the preferred approach for prevention. The present study used newspaper accounts for issue identification regarding the proposed causes of road rage/aggressive driving. It was found that personal/individual factors are more often noted than environmental cues regarding the causes of road rage. In contrast to the more popular crime control approach, a nontraditional application of crime prevention through environmental design, which focuses on traffic facilitation, is offered to address violent and aggressive drivers.
Shearwave dispersion ultrasound vibrometry (SDUV) for measuring tissue elasticity and viscosity

Characterization of tissue elasticity (stiffness) and viscosity has important medical applications because these properties are closely related to pathological changes. Quantitative measurement is more suitable than qualitative measurement (i.e., mapping with a relative scale) of tissue viscoelasticity for diagnosis of diffuse diseases where abnormality is not confined to a local region and there is no normal background tissue to provide contrast. Shearwave dispersion ultrasound vibrometry (SDUV) uses shear wave propagation speed measured in tissue at multiple frequencies (typically in the range of hundreds of Hertz) to solve quantitatively for both tissue elasticity and viscosity. A shear wave is stimulated within the tissue by an ultrasound push beam and monitored by a separate ultrasound detect beam. The phase difference of the shear wave between 2 locations along its propagation path is used to calculate shear wave speed within the tissue. In vitro SDUV measurements along and across bovine striated muscle fibers show results of tissue elasticity and viscosity close to literature values. An intermittent pulse sequence is developed to allow one array transducer for both push and detect function. Feasibility of this pulse sequence is demonstrated by in vivo SDUV measurements in swine liver using a dual transducer prototype simulating the operation of a single array transducer.
Strength and ductility of HPS flexural members

Abstract An experimental and analytical research program was recently completed that examined in detail the parameters affecting the strength and ductility of high-performance steel (HPS) flexural members. HPS is a term used to describe a new class of steels being produced under strictly controlled conditions that have high strength, usually greater than 448 MPa (65 ksi) and exceptional toughness and weldability. The mechanical characteristics of these steels are different from conventional steels, leading to concerns over their use in some structural applications. Under earthquake loading, flexural members are expected to deform inelastically, so members fabricated with HPS steels must possess adequate ductility. This paper discusses the inelastic behavior of welded, I-shaped flexural members fabricated from an HPS steel, HSLA-80, having a nominal yield stress of 550 MPa (80 ksi) and an ultimate strength between 610–690 MPa (90–100 ksi) and compares the results to similar flexural members fabricated from conventional A36 steel. The effects of material properties: yield stress, strain-hardening modulus, yield stress-to-ultimate strength ratio, and strain at ultimate stress; cross-section geometry: flange slenderness, web slenderness, and lateral slenderness; and loading condition: monotonic moment gradient, monotonic uniform moment, and cyclic moment gradient are described from the results of experimental testing and analytical modeling. The results are evaluated against the existing design criteria established in the AISC-LRFD specifications and recommendations are made for revising the specifications.
Hemodynamic determinants of the mitral annulus diastolic velocities by tissue Doppler

Abstract OBJECTIVES Our goal was to identify the hemodynamic determinants of the mitral annulus (MA) diastolic velocities by tissue Doppler. BACKGROUND The MA diastolic velocities are promising indexes of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. However, their hemodynamic determinants have not yet been evaluated. METHODS Ten adult mongrel dogs underwent left atrial (LA) and LV pressure measurements by Millar catheters while tissue Doppler was applied to record the MA diastolic velocities at the septal and lateral corners. Conventional transmitral flow was also obtained. Left atrial and LV pressures were modified utilizing fluid administration and caval occlusion, whereas dobutamine and esmolol were used to change LV and LA relaxation. Left ventricular filling pressures were altered during different lusitropic states to evaluate for the possible interaction of preload and LV relaxation on the early diastolic velocity (Ea). RESULTS In the majority of dogs, a positive significant relation was observed between Ea and the transmitral pressure gradient (r = 0.57, p = 0.04). The Ea had strong correlations with tau (r = −0.83, p 50 ms. Furthermore, the late diastolic velocity at both corners of the MA had significant positive relations with LA dP/dt (r = 0.67, p CONCLUSIONS Left ventricular relaxation, minimal pressure and preload determine Ea while late diastolic velocity determinants include LA dP/dt, LA relaxation and LV end-diastolic pressure.
Self-compassionate young adults show lower salivary alpha-amylase responses to repeated psychosocial stress

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that participants higher in dispositional self-compassion would show lower stress-induced reactivity of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), a marker of sympathetic nervous system activation. Thirty-three healthy participants (18–34 years old) were exposed to a standardized laboratory stressor on two consecutive days. Self-compassion, self-esteem, and demographic factors were assessed by questionnaire, and sAA was assessed at baseline and at 1, 10, 30, and 60 min following each stressor. Self-compassion was a significant negative predictor of sAA responses on both days. This relationship remained significant when controlling for self-esteem, subjective distress, age, gender, ethnicity, and body mass index. These results suggest that self-compassion may serve as a protective factor against stress-induced physiological changes that have implications for health.
Structure and function of bone collagen fibrils.

Abstract The intermolecular volume of fully hydrated collagen fibrils from a number of mineralized and non-mineralized tissues of adult rats has been determined both by an exclusion technique and by a method which involves the monitoring of specific X-ray diffraction parameters. The intermolecular volume of either bone or dentinal fibrils is approximately twice that of either tail or achilles tendon, and the most frequent intermolecular distance in bone or dentine fibrils is approximately 3 A larger than of the tendons. A number of fibrillar structures are most compatible with the intermolecular volume of rat tail tendon. These include hexagonal molecular packing and orthogonal arrays of microfibrils comprising seven parallel molecular strands. The intermolecular volume of bone or dentinal collagen fibrils, on the other hand, appears to arise from structures having a disordered or pseudo-hexagonal molecular packing, in which the most frequent intermolecular distance is about 19 A. The space associated with collagen fibrils in adult bone is such that 70 to 80% of the mineral is located within the intermolecular space of the fibrils—approximately equal amounts of mineral being in spaces having lateral dimensions of 25 to 75 A and 6 to 12 A, respectively. Particles located in the latter kind of intermolecular space probably constitute, to a large extent, the non-crystalline mineral phase of adult bone. The stereo-chemical constraints on the transport of mineral ions into and within collagen fibrils of bone and tendon support the postulate that bone collagen is an in vivo catalyst for mineral deposition and further suggests that its catalytic activity may be partially regulated through its molecular packing.
Poly(A+)RNA levels of growth-, differentiation- and transformation-associated genes in the progressive development of hepatocellular carcinoma in the rat.

The development of chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma in the rat proceeds through a series of premalignant changes that may ultimately progress to a primary malignant tumor. Using the selection technique based on diminished binding of preneoplasic hepatocytes to tissue culture plates precoated with asialofetuin, we have isolated poly(A+)RNA from early preneoplastic foci as well as preneoplastic persistent nodules and primary hepatocellular carcinoma induced by the Solt-Farber protocol in the Fischer rat. The steady-state poly(A+)RNA levels of genes traditionally associated with growth, differentiation and/or transformation were then determined to address the question of their temporal expression in the multistep nature of cancer development. Ornithine decarboxylase- and P53-specific transcripts did not significantly change in preneoplastic foci but were increased in later-stage preneoplastic nodules and hepatocellular carcinoma. Albumin-specific transcripts were decreased in all hepatocellular carcinoma but there was no consistent coordinated increase in α-fetoprotein-specific transcripts. c-myc and raf transcripts increased at the very early preneoplastic foci stage and continued to increase throughout the neoplastic process. No L-myc or N-myc transcripts could be detected in any RNA sample. c-Ha-ras-specific transcripts were essentially unaltered in all RNA samples whereas no c-Ki-ras or N-ras transcripts could be detected throughout the neoplastic process. In addition, no dominant-acting transforming mutations in the ras gene family were detected by DNA transfection experiments using NIH/3T3 cells.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the right ventricle in pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension.

AbstractPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) causes changes in the right ventricle (RV), affecting RV size and function, ultimately leading to death. These changes have been evaluated by cardiac MRI (CMR) in adults with PAH, but not in children. Using CMR in pediatric patients with PAH, we examined how RV size and function (1) compare to normal data, (2) change over time, and (3) compare to similar studies in the adult population. Data from two institutions were retrospectively reviewed. Subjects with PAH and a CMR were included. Baseline CMR variables (right and left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes indexed for body surface area, and calculated stroke volume and ejection fraction) were compared to normative data and follow-up CMR data. Twenty-six subjects (15 female), age 2–16 (mean 11) years, with idiopathic PAH were included. All patients were on PAH medication, and 65% on prostacyclin therapy. The baseline 6-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD; 481 ± 137) was normal. RV volumes and ejection ...
Report on the status of linear drive coolers for the Department of Defense Standard Advanced Dewar Assembly (SADA)

The Standard Advanced Dewar Assembly (SADA) is the critical module in the Department of Defense (DoD) standardization effort of scanning second-generation thermal imaging systems. DoD has established a family of SADA's to address requirements for high performance (SADA I), mid-to-high performance (SADA II), and compact class (SADA III) systems. SADA's consist of the Infrared Focal Plane Array (IRFPA), Dewar, Command and Control Electronics (C&CE), and the cryogenic cooler. SADA's are used in weapons systems such as Comanche and Apache helicopters, the M1 Abrams Tank, the M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the Line of Sight Antitank (LOSAT) system, the Improved Target Acquisition System (ITAS), and Javelin's Command Launch Unit (CLU). DOD has defined a family of tactical linear drive coolers in support of the family of SADA's. The Stirling linear drive cryo-coolers are utilized to cool the SADA's Infrared Focal Plane Arrays (IRFPAs) to their operating cryogenic temperatures. These linear drive coolers are required to meet strict cool-down time requirements along with lower vibration output, lower audible noise, and higher reliability than currently fielded rotary coolers. This paper will (1) outline the characteristics of each cooler, (2) present the status and results of qualification tests, and (3) present the status and test results of efforts to increase linear drive cooler reliability.
Status and future prospects for use of the graphite furnace for elemental trace analysis of liquids and solids

An overview of the versatility and use of the graphite furnace for elemental trace analysis of liquids and solids using spectrochemical detection is presented. The analytical performance of conventional graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry is compared to other popular state of the art spectrochemical techniques with respect to detection power, precision, sample compatibility and throughput. Some applications of the graphite furnace to practical problem solving in trace analysis are highlighted, including its use with atomic absorption, coherent forward scattering, laser excited atomic fluorescence, laser enhanced ionization and coupled methodologies. Prospects for future use and evaluation are given.
Kalman Filtering Tools for Early Detection of Change in Random Processes

There are many areas of science and engineering that involve random processes that are subject to structural changes. Examples of such changes can be caused by a failed machine component, or the onset of an epileptic seizure, to name a few. The Kalman filter (KF) has been a valuable tool for change detection for many years. But only in recent years have advances in computer processing power and software allowed the elements of the KF to be explored in any real depth. Traditionally, the depth in KF research has been focused on settings that were mathematically tractable. In this work we investigate a number of fundamental elements of the KF in settings that are sufficiently realistic to preclude in-depth mathematical analysis. Instead, we rely upon simulations. Two of the most fundamental and important elements of the KF include the covariances of the state and measurement processes. The state process covariance is perhaps the most important single element in the KF setting. Setting it to a value that is too small results in lack of adaptability, but low variability. Setting it too high allows the KF to track more rapid changes, but with greater variability (hence, more false alarms). In this work we explore the performance of the KF in relation to detecting short time changes associated with a slowly time-varying first order autoregressive process [AR(1)]. Such processes are more common that one might think. For example, even if the continuous process is of a high order, if it is sampled fast enough it can be well-modeled by an AR(1) process. And due to major advances in high speed data collection systems, many processes are sampled at much higher rates than is necessary to satisfy sampling laws. Our contribution includes a collection of KF tools that, when used together, can quickly and reliably detect certain types of small changes. To demonstrate the potential of these tools, we apply them to early detection of the onset of an epileptic seizure. The goal is to detect the change early enough, so that action to mitigate it can be applied.© 2008 ASME
Transfer reactions and the dispersive optical model

The dispersive optical model is applied to transfer reactions. A systematic study of $(d,\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}p)$ reactions on closed-shell nuclei using the finite-range adiabatic reaction model is performed at several beam energies and results are compared to data as well as to predictions using a standard global optical potential. Overall, we find that the dispersive optical model is able to describe the angular distributions as well as or better than the global parametrization. In addition, it also constrains the overlap function. Spectroscopic factors extracted using the dispersive optical model are generally lower than those using standard parameters, exhibit a reduced dependence on beam energy, and are more in line with results obtained from $(e,{e}^{\ensuremath{'}}p)$ measurements.
Romance and irony, personal and academic: How mothers of children with autism defend goodness and express hope

This article tells about stories with stories alongside a theoretically based analysis. The author’s personal story is combined with the story of this research project to tell and analyze the stories of two mothers whose children have autism. The mothers’ narratives are interpreted in this study as a defense of the narrators’ goodness as mothers and a defense of their children’s goodness. The narratives do this is in part through their structure, which holds many qualities in common with two traditional Western literary structures: romance and irony.
A duality principle and correspondence relations in elasticity

Abstract The equilibrium equations for elasticity problems with field variables depending on two rectangular Cartesian coordinates, χ1 and χ2, reduce to σj1, 1 + σj2, 2 = 0, j = 1, 2, 3. These equations are satisfied if a vector potentialis introduced for the stress components σij, such that σj1 = ∂j/∂χ2 and σj2= −∂j/∂χ1. In terms of the six-dimensional vector field η = [u, ]T, the basic elasticity equations reduce to ∂ ∂ x 2 [ u , φ ] T = N ∂ ∂ x 1 [ u , φ ] T where u is the displacement field and N is called the fundamental elasticity matrix, given by the elastic moduli of the solid. This formulation removes the distinction between the displacement vector field u, and the stress potential vector field . Indeed, these two vector fields are, in many respects, each other's dual, in the sense that the solution to a class of “displacement problems” also provides the solution of the corresponding dual “force problems”. This duality principle is examined in terms of the known solutions of an edge dislocation and a concentrated line force. Then several correspondence relations are also pointed out and discussed. It is shown that the displacement (stress potential) field of a displacement (stress) boundary-value problem can be reduced to the corresponding stress potential (displacement) field by a simple parameter manipulation.
Artificial spawning and rearing of lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens, in Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery, Wisconsin, 1982–1983

Attempts to culture lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens, in the past have generally met with limited success. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has been experimenting with artificial propagation of this species since 1979. The intent has been to develop egg collection and handling techniques, hatching regimes, larva and juvenile diet formulations, and to evaluate juvenile survival after stocking. Eggs were collected by caesarian section and fertilized with milt from ripe males taken during annual sturgeon spawning runs on the Fox and Wolf rivers in central Wisconsin. After insemination, the eggs were treated in a saturated solution of Bentonite clay and transported to the hatchery. Eggs were incubated at temperatures ranging from 13–16° C and embryos began hatching within 4 to 8 days. Hatching success ranged from 42 to 96%. Yolksac absorption was complete within 10 days of hatching. Larvae then became positively phototactic and swam actively as if searching for food. Successful larval diets consisted of live brine shrimp nauplii followed by larger zooplankton, primarily Daphnia sp. Juveniles grew best on diets of live Tubifex sp. and chopped earthworms. Liver, fish mash (ground up trout) and pelleted dry food were poorly accepted. Hatchery reared sturgeon grew more slowly than did wild fish.
Postnatal growth of lung parenchyma in the piglet: morphometry correlated with mechanics.

Background: A previous study of piglet lung growth (Mansell et. al. 1989. J. Appl. Physiol., 67:1422–1427) showed transient stiffness to changes in shape and volume immediately after birth. Later, elastic recoil was found to increase as the lung grew in weight and volume. The present study uses morphometry to test possible structural correlates of these two mechanical changes. Methods: Piglet lungs were fixed near full inflation via the airways during the immediate newborn period (6–12 hours, n=3), at 3–5 days (n=6), 25–30 days (n=5), and 80–85 days (n=3). Morphometry comprised arithmetic and harmonic mean thicknesses of alveolar septae and average mean surface curvature. Measurements of curvature and airspace volume were combined to differentiate alveolar expansion from septal proliferation as mechanisms for volumetric growth. Results: The unique mechanical behavior of the newborn lungs was associated with relatively thick alveolar septae. Marked thinning of the septae and resolution of the stiffness to shape and volume change had occurred by 3–5 days. An increase in elastic recoil during the first postnatal month was found to be associated with simple airspace expansion. The second and third months were characterized by septal proliferation and increase in arithmetic mean septal thickness but elastic recoil did not increase further. Harmonic mean septal thickness and airspace volume per gram of lung tissue did not change over the course of the study. Conclusions: 1) A relative stiffness to shape and volume change in freshly newborn piglet lung is associated with relatively thick alveolar septal walls; 2) postnatal development of piglet lung parenchyma involves septal lengthening and thinning followed by septal proliferation; 3) the initial phase of septal lengthening, rather than the later phase of septal proliferation, is associated with increase in parenchymal recoil. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An analysis of the effects of the interstitial matrix on plasma-lymph transport

Abstract The influence of the interstitial matrix on the movement of large molecules between plasma and lymph has been investigated. It is first shown that a single-compartment analysis of plasma-lymph transport cannot explain the in vivo data of Garlick and Renkin ( Amer. J. Physiol. 219, 1595–1605, 1970). Three physical properties of the interstitial matrix are then included in the analysis in stages and the results compared to the same data at each stage. The properties used are the restricted diffusion, restricted convection, and excluded volume effect. The final model is able to explain the data for the steady-state volumes of distribution and the equilibration time constants for nine dextran fractions and sucrose. The model predicts that solutes with larger than 30-A radii should show “gel column” effects, that is, the larger molecules should appear to approach their steady-state lymph concentrations faster than the smaller ones.