cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Psychosocial variables and time to injury onset: a hurdle regression analysis model.

Context: Psychological variables have been shown to be related to athletic injury and time missed from participation in sport. We are unaware of any empirical examination of the influence of psychological variables on time to onset of injury. Objective: To examine the influence of orthopaedic and psychosocial variables on time to injury in college athletes. Patients or Other Participants: One hundred seventy-seven (men = 116, women = 61; age = 19.45 ± 1.39 years) National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II athletes. Main Outcome Measure(s): Hurdle regression analysis (HRA) was used to determine the influence of predictor variables on days to first injury. Results: Worry (z = 2.98, P = .003), concentration disruption (z = −3.95, P < .001), and negative life-event stress (z = 5.02, P < .001) were robust predictors of days to injury. Orthopaedic risk score was not a predictor (z = 1.28, P = .20). Conclusions: These findings support previous research on the stress-injury relationshi...
The Role of the Cost-of-Crime Literature in Bridging the Gap Between Social Science Research and Policy Making

Research Summary In this article, we review the theoretical paradigm underlying cost–benefit analysis and address some of the critiques of this framework that have arisen within criminal justice circles and other policy areas. We also review existing studies devoted to estimating the costs of specific crimes. We offer a brief discussion categorizing the alternative costs of crime and the various methodological approaches taken (hedonic analysis, contingent valuation, and accounting methods), with an explicit discussion of the relative strengths and weaknesses of each approach and debates within the economics profession pertaining to these methodologies. We argue that cost considerations broadly defined should be of central importance in criminal justice policy debates. However, we also highlight the potential for cost-consideration and important equity criteria to come into conflict. Policy Implications Policy makers should consider careful cost–benefit analysis as an important criterion in criminal justice policy. Given some features of criminal justice policy choices such as the unequal distribution of the costs of criminal victimization, anti-crime enforcement, and the potential for perceived illegitimacy of the criminal justice system to undermine various public institutions, we argue that equity considerations also deserve careful attention. In practice, we place greater confidence in the use of cost-of-crime estimates to judge the relative effectiveness of alternative interventions, and we are cautious regarding policy prescriptions emanating from benefit–cost ratios that are marginally greater than one.
RF power transistor reliability

The purpose of this paper is to share the results of the accelerated life and reliability tests performed on the Motorola MRF-8123 RF power transistor. The tests were designed to produce data to determine if the part meets the reliability requirements established for RF power transistors in government electronic equipment. This paper includes the following for the MRFX123 RF power transistor: 1) accelerated life DC test methods and results, 2) rated power RF test methods and results, 3) failure rate based on experimental test data, and 4) failure rate in a military transmitter application using MIL-HDBK-217F1 methods and the test results. >
Video-assisted extended transcervical thymectomy.

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to demonstrate extended thymectomy via the transcervical route.MethodsWith the use of the Rultract retractor (Rultract, Cleveland, OH), videothoracoscopy an...
Urodynamic characteristics of womenwith complete posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse

Abstract Objectives To review the symptoms and lower urinary tract function in women with posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse. Methods A retrospective review was carried out of the urodynamic records of 19women with posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse who had been evaluated in the Bladder Function Laboratory of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke University Medical Center. Results A full urodynamic evaluation was carried out on 19 women who had had a hysterectomy and who had subsequently experienced complete prolapse of the vaginal vault. Vaginal eversion produced massive distortion of the lower urinary tract and was associated with complex symptoms. Among the cystometric findings in these patients was an early average first desire to void (94 mL) and a reduced average cystometric capacity (370 mL). Symptoms of voiding difficulty were common. During noninstrumented uroflowmetry, the average peak and mean flow rates were reduced in these women (16.5 mus and 8.1 mL/s, respectively), suggestive of functional obstruction of the outlet due to the prolapse. Pressure-flow voiding studies showed a reduced peak flow rate (11 mL/s) with an increased detrusor pressure at peak flow (50 cm H 2 0), also indicative of functional obstruction. All women underwent urethrocystoscopy, and no patient had a urethral stricture or urethral stenosis. Although symptoms of urgency (79%) and urge incontinence (63%) were common, detrusor instability was confirmed by urodynamic studies in only 3 women (16%), suggesting that urge-related symptoms in these women may often be due to anatomic distortion of the lower urinary tract rather than to detrusor overactivity. “Genuine” stress incontinence was documented in only 2 women (11 %) during cystometry; however, when these patients were examined with full bladders with their prolapses reduced and returned to a normal anatomic position with a single-bladed speculum, the physical sign of stress incontinence was demonstrated in all 9 women (47%) who had a complaint of stress incontinence. This suggests that massive vaginal prolapse may mask an incompetent continence mechanism, which may then be revealed after surgical repair of the prolapse. Conclusions Women with posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse present complicatedreconstructive problems for the pelvic surgeon. The same pathophysiological process may produce both voiding dysfunction and stress incontinence. These patients should be evaluated carefully before surgical repair is undertaken. Stress incontinence may not be demonstrated in these patients unless they are examined with a full bladder with their prolapse carefully reduced to a normal anatomic position. Women who demonstrate stress incontinence with the vaginal prolapse reduced and the urethra supported normally should be suspected of having “type 111” incontinence (demonstrable stress incontinence in the presence of normal urethral support). Women with these findings may require a suburethral sling procedure if they are to remain continent after correction of posthysterectomy vaginal vault eversion.
Shape of the Crab pulsar and its period fluctuations.

Crab pulsar /neutron star NP 0532/ possible spherical asymmetry indicated by pulse arrival time anomalies
Membrane changes in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine B lymphocytes associated with cell activation

Abstract The lateral diffusion of the fluorescent lipid analog 3,3′-dioctadecylindocarbocyanine iodide (DiI) was measured in the membranes of murine B lymphocytes treated with the B cell mitogen lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The mobility of DiI, as measured by fluorescence photobleaching recovery (FPR) techniques, was temperature-dependent with a value of 6.1 · 10−9 cm2 s−1 at 37°C. Untreated cells exhibited this diffusion coefficient over 72 h in culture. In contrast, DiI mobility decreased to 2.0 · 10−9 cm2s−1 at 37°C in membranes of LPS-stimulated lymphocytes 24 h following LPS exposure. Interestingly, this decreased lipid lateral diffusion was not accompanied by any change in surface immunoglobulin lateral diffusion which remained essentially unchanged at 3.6-4.3 · 10−11 cm2s−1 over 72 h. To determine whether LPS effects on lipid lateral diffusion were due to insertion of LPS into the cell plasma membrane, we examined TRITC-LPS diffusion in B lymphocytes from LPS-responsive Balb/c and C3Heb/FeJ mice and from hypo-responsive C3H/HeJ mice. DiI and TRITC-LPS mobility decreased more than 50% in LPS-stimulated Balb/c and C3Heb/FeJ cells by 72 h. On C3H/HeJ lymphocytes, there was no change in DiI or TRITC-LPS lateral diffusion throughout the incubation period. These data indicate that B lymphocyte membrane compositions is altered in LPS-activated lymphoblasts and that the decreased lateral diffusion of lipid probes does not result from membrane perturbation by LPS insertion into the lipid bilayer. Further, similarities between TRITC-LPS and DiI lateral diffusion suggest that most LPS molecules interact non-specifically with B cell membranes, presumably by acyl chain insertion of the lipid A moiety.
Hidden Markov model approach to spectral analysis for hyperspectral imagery

The hidden Markov model (HMM) has been widely used in speech recognition where it models a speech signal as a doubly sto- chastic process with a hidden state process that can be observed only through a sequence of observations. We present a new application of the HMM in hyperspectral image analysis inspired by the analogy be- tween the temporal variability of a speech signal and the spectral vari- ability of a remote sensing image pixel vector. The idea is to model a hyperspectral spectral vector as a stochastic process where the spectral correlation and band-to-band variability are modeled by a hidden Markov process with parameters determined by the spectrum of the vector that forms a sequence of observations. With this interpretation, a new HMM- based spectral measure, referred to as the HMM information divergence (HMMID), is derived to characterize spectral properties. To evaluate the performance of this new measure, it is further compared to two com- monly used spectral measures, Euclidean distance (ED) and the spectral angle mapper (SAM), and the recently proposed spectral information divergence (SID). The experimental results show that the HMMID per- forms better than the other three measures in characterizing spectral information at the expense of computational complexity. © 2001 Society of
Inference in randomized studies with informative censoring and discrete time-to-event endpoints.

SUMMARY. In this article, we present a method for estimating and comparing the treatment-specific distributions of a discrete time-to-event variable from right-censored data. Our method allows for (1) adjustment ,for informative censoring due to measured prognostic factors for time to event and censoring and (2) quantification of the sensitivity of the inference to residual dependence between time to event and censoring due to unmeasured factors. We develop our approach in the context of a randomized trial for the treatment of chronic schizophrenia. We perform a simulation study to assess the practical performance of our methodology.
EMPATHY AND PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

ABSTRACT Using the 2002 General Social Survey (GSS), this study illuminates the relationships among empathy—the imaginative transporting of oneself into the thinking, feeling, and acting of another and by doing so viewing the world as the person does—two intervening variables, and public support for the death penalty. More specifically, we investigate whether empathetic Americans are less likely to be racially and ethnically intolerant and politically conservative, and whether these intervening variables mediate the relationship between empathy and support the death penalty. Our results show that empathy has a direct and indirect effect on public support for capital punishment. Thus, we discovered that empathy directly predicts support for the death penalty and empathetic Americans were less likely to support capital punishment because they tended to be politically liberal and racially and ethnically tolerant. Accordingly, our results indicate that scholars investigating public support for the death penal...
United to Fight HIV/AIDS?

Two critical challenges stand in the way of U.S. efforts to lead the international response to HIV/AIDS successfully; the UN is uniquely qualified to help find solutions for each.
Selective area growth materials for widely tunable semiconductor lasers

We report preliminary results ofwidely tunable semiconductor laser materials using selective area growth techniques. This material has very broad gain profiles ofmore than 250 nm and is promising to be used as widely tunable laser diodes for future broadband wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) access networks.
Surface analysis and depth profiles of calcium in hepatoma cells during pyruvate-induced DNA synthesis.

Abstract Induction of DNA synthesis is associated with increased uptake of calcium in cultured cells. Calcium distribution within the plasma membrane and adjacent cytoplasmic layers of hepatoma cells was investigated with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and oxygen plasma etching. Cells in minimal growth medium initiate active DNA synthesis 16 h after addition of sodium pyruvate. Cells stimulated with pyruvate and pyruvate-free controls were analysed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy—oxygen plasma etching at 0–40 A (layer I), 0–450 A (layer II) and 0–4000 A (layer III) from the outer cell surface. Calcium concentrations were elevated in induced cells compared with controls: +20% in layer I, +60% in layer II, and +300% in layer III. As the plasma membrane is 90–120 A thick, these results indicate that pyruvate-induced DNA symthesis is preceded by an increase in calcium, most marked in the cytoplasm subjacent to the plasma membrane, moderate at its inner surface, and minimal at its outer surface.
The Reactions of Aqueous Bromólkyltriphhenylphosphonium Bromides with Zerovalent Metals

Abstract Water-soluble bromolkyl compounds provide a useful model for investigating aqueousreactions of alkyl bromides and metals. Bromolkyltriphenylphosphonium bromides, (C6H5)PR Br, have proven particularly useful for this purpose.
Hexosamine biosynthesis and accumulation by fungi in liquid and solid media

Abstract Hexosamine biosynthesis and incorporation into polysaccharides glyco-proteins have been studied in four species of fungi— Aspergillus niger, Penicillium citrinum, Cladosporium cladosporoides, and Fusarium moniliforme . Hydrolytic, recovery, and analytical methods are described for the estimation of hexosamine accumulation in fungal growth. Optimum yields of hexosamine from matrix are achieved by using hydrolysis with strong acid (8 M hydrochloric acid) over a period of 2–3 h. For all fungal-growth studies, hexosamine was quantitated, after hydrolysis, by an automated, amino acid analyzer programmed for the separation of amino sugars. Methods were also developed, using gas-liquid chromatography (nitrogen-selective alkaline flame-ionization detector and trimethylsilyl derivatives of hexosamines), and the modified Morgan-Elson reaction of N -acetylated hexosamines. Both the amino acid analyzer and gas-chromatographic method quantify nmol amounts of hexosamine per mg of dry-weight sample. In all phases of the growth cycle, a linear correlation was found for the four fungi between the amount of hexosamine per unit time, age of culture, and quantity of mycelial biomass in liquid medium. With solid corn-meal as a fungal growth-medium, samples also demonstrated a linear correlation, but only between hexosamine biosynthesis and age of culture, as biomass was not determinable. Autolysis of hexosamine occurs to only a limited extent during late stationary-phase in liquid medium and on corn.
Shotgun proteomic analysis of human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line SQ20B with diminished AHSG expression

Background The Alpha-Heremans-Schmid Glycoprotein (AHSG) has tumor promoting properties in animal models of breast cancer and lung cancer [1,2]. These cancer cells do not synthesize AHSG, instead utilizing the liver-generated glycoprotein that is abundant in serum. We have reported that head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines synthesize AHSG (in press) and have also detected abundant AHSG in primary HNSCC tumors (unpublished). Growth in serum-free medium and in vitro tumorigenic properties, including proliferation, adhesion and migration, are diminished in the HNSCC SQ20B cell line modified with AHSG-specific shRNA to express only twenty percent of the wild-type SQ20B cell line (SQ20B-AH20) compared to SQ20B modified with empty vector alone and expressing the wild-type amount of AHSG (SQ20B-EV) [3]. Here we have used shotgun proteomic analysis to identify additional proteins whose expression may also affect these in vitro properties of tumorigenesis associated with AHSG.
Predicting the topology of transmembrane helical proteins using mean burial propensity and a hidden-Markov-model-based method.

Helices in membrane spanning regions are more tightly packed than the helices in soluble proteins. Thus, we introduce a method that uses a simple scale of burial propensity and a new algorithm to predict transmembrane helical (TMH) segments and a positive-inside rule to predict amino-terminal orientation. The method (the topology predictor of transmembrane helical proteins using mean burial propensity [THUMBUP]) correctly predicted the topology of 55 of 73 proteins (or 75%) with known three-dimensional structures (the 3D helix database). This level of accuracy can be reached by MEMSAT 1.8 (a 200-parameter model-recognition method) and a new HMM-based method (a 111-parameter hidden Markov model, UMDHMMTMHP) if they were retrained with the 73-protein database. Thus, a method based on a physiochemical property can provide topology prediction as accurate as those methods based on more complicated statistical models and learning algorithms for the proteins with accurately known structures. Commonly used HMM-based methods and MEMSAT 1.8 were trained with a combination of the partial 3D helix database and a 1D helix database of TMH proteins in which topology information were obtained by gene fusion and other experimental techniques. These methods provide a significantly poorer prediction for the topology of TMH proteins in the 3D helix database. This suggests that the 1D helix database, because of its inaccuracy, should be avoided as either a training or testing database. A Web server of THUMBUP and UMDHMMTMHP is established for academic users at http://www.smbs.buffalo.edu/phys_bio/service.htm. The 3D helix database is also available from the same Web site.
The effect of cupric ion on the reoxidation pathway of an IgG1 immunoglobulin.

Abstract The addition of a 5–10μM of cupric ion to the reoxidation medium of a partially reduced IgG protein results in an altered pathway for covalent reassembly of the molecule. The formation of HL is favored over that of H2 and H2L.
Hydrocephalus in Crouzon's syndrome

We reviewed 42 cases of Crouzon's syndrome. There were 16 cases with ventricular dilation. We believe that shunt should be inserted after fronto-orbital advancement if there are persistent signs of raised intracranial pressure. However, in cases presenting with severe ventricular dilation and papilloedema, a shunt is inserted prior to fronto-orbital advancement. Medium- or high-pressure systems should be used.
The Hautmann neobladder with a chimney: a versatile modification.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We describe a modification to the popular Hautmann ileal neobladder comprised of a chimney for the ureterointestinal anastomosis in order to enhance its flexibility, reduce its pitfalls and hence make more patients for this type of diversion.Materials and Methods: The Hautman ileal neobladder is prepared in the standard fashion except that an additional 5 to 10 cm. (or more if needed in the case of a short ureter) of small bowel are selected to be added for either a left or right “chimney” (depending on which side the ureter may be shorter or if there is a solitary kidney). The V segment of the W which will be anastomosed to the urethra is made longer than the contralateral V segment. A neobladder neck is created by sewing together the cut edges of a 5 cm. lip in the lowermost W configuration of the neobladder, allowing an end-to-end urethrointestinal anastomosis.Results: Between March and October 1996, 3 patients have undergone this procedure at the University of Virginia. Two had right ...
Associations of Alkyl Carbonates: Intermolecular C−H···O Interactions

Self- and cross-associations of cyclic as well as linear carbonates such as ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), vinylene carbonate (VC), and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) are investigated with ab initio (MP2) and density functional theory (DFT) methods. The results show that cyclic and linear carbonates associate mainly through the intermolecular interactions of C-H‚‚‚O. The basis set superposition error and zero-point energy-corrected binding energy, D0(BSSE), for the global minimum of the linear carbonate DMC dimer (1.7 kcal/mol at B3LYP/6-311++G**) is much lower than those of the cyclic carbonates, and for the involved cyclic carbonates, it decreases in the following order: 5.1 (EC) 5.1 (EC/PC) > 4.7 (PC) > 3.9 (PC/VC) 3.8 (EC/VC) > 3.0 (VC). The dimer of DMC with EC (D0(BSSE) ) 2.8 kcal/mol) is also much less stable than the EC and PC dimers. Consistent with experimental findings, the results indicate that PC may also associate with EC molecules in their mixture; therefore, the cyclic carbonate molecules apparently still behave like associates instead of free molecules. However, EC molecules would be more free in a DMC/EC mixture because of weak intermolecular interactions. On the basis of the atoms-in-molecules (AIM) calculations, the C-H‚‚‚O interactions may be classified as hydrogen bonds, although the C-H‚‚‚O interaction exhibits a bond contraction and a blue vibrational frequency shift as compared with the monomer when the proton donor is linked with saturated molecules such as EC/PC/DMC, whereas it shows a C-H stretch and a red shift for the case of a proton linking with an unsaturated carbon such as VC. Such a difference perhaps arises from the opposite effect of a C-H bond stretch upon the monomer dipole moment. In line with the AIM analysis, the electron localization function technique (ELF) nicely demonstrates the existence of clear C -H‚‚‚ O interactions for VC dimers and trimers, which demonstrates the ability of the ELF procedure to characterize C-H‚‚‚O systems.
Overview of reduced dimensionality quantum approaches to reactive scattering

In this overview I discuss recent advances as well as outstanding issues in reduced dimensionality quantum approaches to reactive scattering. “Reduced dimensionality” in the present context signifies treating a subset of all degrees of freedom (the most strongly coupled ones) by rigorous quantum methods and treating the remaining (weakly coupled) degrees of freedom by a variety of approximate methods, ranging from simple, so-called energy shifts to more elaborate adiabatic treatments. The most widely used example of this approach is termed “J-shifting”, and this overview will concentrate on this method and discuss its application and generalization to both “direct” and “complex” reactions, exemplified by O(3P) + HCl and O(1D) + HCl, respectively. In addition, for O(3P) + HCl, resonances in the tunneling region, due to van der Waals wells, are discussed and their challenge to reduced dimensionality methods is stressed. Another new aspect of the reduced dimensionality treatment of polyatomic reactions is the need to describe anharmonicity in a consistent fashion. This is exemplified by the H + CH4 reaction.
Data modelling of scientific simulation programs

Current research into data modelling of large scientific simulation programs is described. The research includes an empirical study of data management in such programs and an analysis of how scientists actually use their data. The goal of the research is to provide theoretical tools to improve data management for this class of applications. In this paper, data modelling in the scientific environment is described, and some comparisons between data modelling for scientific simulation programs and commercial applications are made.
Stochastic self-reconfigurable cellular robotics

Implementations of self-reconfigurable robotics rearrange modules through a planned, deterministic reconfiguration path. Reconfiguration is achieved using active module locomotion or manipulation. Here we propose a form of self-reconfigurable robotics based on passive, stochastic self-organization. Solid-state cellular units exploit "Brownian motion" in their environment and require no local power or locomotion ability. This form of reconfiguration avoids many of the barriers that prevent self-reconfigurable robotics from extending to large numbers and small scales. We demonstrate working prototypes and discuss preliminary analytical and computational models for analyzing the scalability of this concept.
Experiments in Long-Distance Holographic Imagery

Long-range holographic experiments have been performed over distances as large as 12 km. Holograms and images of retroreflector and Scotchlite objects were obtained. The reference wave was supplied by a retroreflector placed next to the object, and the source of illumination was a Q-switched ruby laser. Resolutions obtained varied with atmospheric seeing conditions, ranging from 3 see of arc to 0.5 see of arc. The primary practical problem encountered was detector saturation, a consequence of the limited dynamic range of photographic film. The use of a low contrast developer only partially alleviates this problem.
A glycoprotein involved in aggregation of D. discoideum is distributed on the cell surface in a nonrandom fashion favoring cell junctions

Abstract We studied the distribution on the cell surface of a glycoprotein (gp150) involved in the aggregation process of Dictyostelium discoideum. Using immunohemocyanin labeling of intact aggregates and visualization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we found a distribution gradient of gp150 wherein the concentration was enriched at or near sites of cell contact. When the distribution of gp150 on the cell surface was examined with immunoferritin and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we found that gp150 was closely associated with the plasma membrane.
Computer simulation of tracer diffusion in a concentrated alloy with long-range order

Abstract Tracer diffusion via the agency of vacancies in a simple cubic binary alloy with long-range order has been simulated using a Monte Carlo method. Extensive results for the exchange frequencies, vacancy availability factors and tracer correlation factors were collected over the entire composition range at five temperatures. It was found that the ordered region slowed down diffusion from that expected from an extrapolation of the behaviour from the disordered region. The stoichiometric composition signalled the greatest Configurational impediment to diffusion; much of this was provided by the tracer correlation factor.
A modeling study of the Satilla River estuary, Georgia. I: Flooding-drying process and water exchange over the salt marsh-estuary-shelf complex

The flooding-drying process over the intertidal zone of the Satilla River estuary of Georgia was examined using a three-dimensional (3-D) primitive equations numerical model with Mellor and Yamada's (1982) level 2.5 turbulent closure scheme. The model was forced by the semi-diurnal M2, S2, and N2 tides and freshwater discharge at the upstream end of the estuary. The intertidal salt marsh was treated using a 3-D wet-dry point treatment technique that was developed for the σ-coordinate transformation estuary model. Good agreement was found between model-data comparison at anchor monitoring sites and also along the estuary that suggested that the model provided a reasonable simulation of the temporal and spatial distribution of the 3-D tidal current and salinity in the Satilla River estuary. Numerical experiments have shown that the flooding-drying process plays a key role in the simulation of tidal currents in the main river channel and in water transport over the estuarine-salt marsh complex. Ignoring this process could lead to a 50% under-estimation of the amplitude of tidal currents. The model results also revealed a complex spatial structure of the residual flow in the main channel of the river, with characteristics of multiple eddy-like cell circulations. These complicated residual currents are formed due to tidal rectification over variable topography with superimposition of inertial effects, asymmetry of tidal currents, and baroclinic pressure gradients. Water exchanges over the estuary-intertidal salt marsh complex are asymmetric across the estuary, and tend to vary periodically on the northern side while quickly washing out of the marsh zone on the southern side. Strong Stokes’ drifting velocity was predicted in the estuary, so that the Lagrangian trajectories of particles were characterized by strong nonlinear processes that differ significantly from those estimated by the Eulerian residual currents.
Renal basolateral membrane anion transporter characterized by a fluorescent disulfonic stilbene.

The fluorescence enhancement of 4,4′-dibenzamido-2,2′-disulfonic stilbene (DBDS) upon binding to membranes was used to examine proximal tubule stilbene binding sites. Equilibrium binding studies of DBDS to renal brush border (BBMV) and basolateral membrane vesicles (BLMV) were performed using a fluorescence enhancement technique developed for red blood cells (A.S. Verkman, J.A. Dix and A.K. Solomon,J. Gen. Physiol. 81:421–449, 1983). In the absence of transportable anions, DBDS bound reversibly to a single class of sites on BLMV isolated from rabbit (K d =3.8 μm) and rat (3.2 μm); 100 μm dihydro-4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-disulfonic stilbene (H2DIDS) blocked >95% of binding. H2DIDS inhibitable DBDS binding was not detected using rat or rabbit BBMV. In rabbit BLMV, DBDSK d doubled with 10mm SO4, 50mm HCO3 and 100mm Cl, but was not altered by Na or pH (6–8). In stopped-flow experiments the exponential time constant for DBDS binding slowed with SO4, HCO3 and Cl, but was unaffected by Na. These results are consistent with competitive binding of DBDS and anions at an anion transport site. To relate DBDS binding data to anion transport inhibition we used35SO4 uptake to characterize several modes of rabbit BLM anion transport: H/SO4 and Na/SO4 cotransport, and Cl/SO4 countertransport. Each transport process was electroneutral and was inhibited by H2DIDS, furosemide, probenecid, chlorothiazide and DBDS. The apparentK t 's for DBDS (3–20 μm) were similar toK d for DBDS binding. These studies define a class of anion transport sites on the proximal tubule basolateral membrane measureable optically by a fluorescent stilbene.
Semi-supervised co-training and active learning framework for hyperspectral image classification

Hyperspectral imaging enables detailed ground cover classification with hundreds of spectral bands at each pixel. Rich spectral information can be a drawback since supervised classification of a hyperspectral image requires a balance between the number of training samples and its dimension. Achieving this balance requires a large number of training or ground truth samples, which is generally difficult, expensive and time-consuming. This led researchers to explore the use of semi-supervised learning techniques where new training samples (unlabeled) are obtained from a small set of available labeled samples without significant effort. In this paper, we propose a semi-supervised approach which adapts active learning to a co-training framework in which the algorithm automatically selects new training samples from abundant unlabeled pixels. Efficacy of the proposed approach is validated using a probabilistic support vector machine classifier. Our experimental results with an Indian Pines hyperspectral image collected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Airborne Visible-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer indicate that the use of this co-training based approach represents promising strategy in the context of hyperspectral image classification.
Temporal analysis of human leucocyte surface antigen expression and neutrophil respiratory burst activity after thermal injury

Abstract Sepsis, the major cause of morlidity and mortality after burn injury, is related to multiple immune derangements. Using monoclonal antibodies and two-colour flow cytometry to identify surface antigens, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) populations were analysed and correlated with lymphocyte proliferation assays for 21 days postinjury. In addition, in vitro expression of activation antigens by mitogen-stimulated PBMCs was analysed during the time period. Twenty-nine burn patients were studied, with burn injuries ranging from 19 to 97 per cent TBSA; PBMCs from human volunteers were used for control cells. Patients received aggressive enteral nutritional support starting on day 1 postburn and underwent early excision and grafting of wounds; no patients developed sepsis during the study period. The most consistent changes in PBMCs after thermal injury were decreased percentages of total T cells (CD3 + ), T helper/inducer cells (CD4 + ), and T suppressor/cytotoxic cells (CD8 + ); the percentages of natural killer (CD16 + ) cells were not altered. Expression of surface ‘activation’ antigens on CD4 + and CD8 + cells (HLA-DR, interleukin-2 receptor and transferrin receptor) after mitogen stimulation was significantly depressed as early as 1 day postburn. An early monocytosis was seen on day 1 postburn, but decreases were found on days 4 and 7. Monocyte expression of HLA-DR antigen was suppressed throughout the study. Lymphocyte proliferation after mitogen stimulation and the responses of lymphocytes in mixed lymphocyte culture were suppressed postburn. Neutrophil respiratory burst responses were supranormal on days 1 and 7 postburn, but the differences were not statistically significant. Although burn morbidity and mortality are primarily due to bacterial organisms, defects in T-cell and monocyte immune functions are more predominant than defects in neutrophil bactericidal function in these patients. The block in T-cell blastogenesis is early in the cell cycle, prior to DNA synthesis.
Excited-State Hydrogen Atom Transfer Reaction in Solvated 7-Hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin

Excited-state enol to keto tautomerization of 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (C456) with three water molecules (C456:3H2O), is theoretically investigated using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) combined with the polarizable continuum model and 200 waters explicitly modeled with the effective fragment potential. The tautomerization of C456 in the presence of three water molecules is accompanied by an asynchronous quadruple hydrogen atom transfer reaction from the enol to the keto tautomer in the excited state. TDDFT with the PBE0 functional and the DH(d,p) basis set is used to calculate the excited-state reaction barrier height, absorption (excitation), and fluorescence (de-excitation) energies. These results are compared with the available experimental and theoretical data. In contrast to previous work, it is predicted here that the coumarin 456 system undergoes a hydrogen atom transfer, not a proton transfer. The calculated reaction barrier of the first excited state of C456:3H2O with 200 wate...
Simulating vernal pool hydrologic regimes for two locations in California, USA

Abstract Ecological processes and community composition in vernal pools are dominated by a suite of interrelated hydrologic factors collectively described as a hydrologic regime. This study reports on the development of a hydrologic regime simulation model called PHYDO and its application to two locations in California. PHYDO calculates daily water balance using meteorological data and parameters describing basin morphology, soil characteristics, and vegetation cover. The model provides daily estimates of water depth, volume, and temperature, as well as statistics on seasonal and inter-annual variability. Model predictions are compared to field observations for coastal vernal pools in southern Santa Barbara County, CA, USA (2000–2001), and interior vernal pools near Oroville in the Central Valley of CA, USA (1994–1998). The model was also run for the period 1990–2000 to investigate patterns of inter-annual variation in hydrologic conditions at both sites. Results indicate that vernal pool hydrologic regimes can be modeled primarily based on the direct interception of precipitation and the loss of water to evapotranspiration. Results also suggest differences in hydrologic limiting factors between the sites. Storm frequency appears to be the primary control of hydrologic conditions for Santa Barbara pools, while basin morphology dominates conditions in Oroville. These findings suggest ecologically important differences in hydrologic regimes between the two vernal pool localities, and PHYDO provides a new set of tools for quantifying these differences for a range of hydrologic variables.
Neurons of the hypothalamus concentrate (3H)progesterone or its metabolites.

Selective concentration of [ 1 H ] progesterone or its metabolites is observed in nuclei of neurons in certain hypothalamic regions of the guinea pig 15 minutes after injection of [ 1,2,6,7- 3 H ] progesterone, by use of dry-mount autoradiography. Highest concentrations of progestin target neurons exist in the nucleus arcuatus, the nucleus preopticus periventricularis, and the nucleus preopticus suprachiasmaticus. Previous administration of unlabeled progesterone inhibits the nuclear concentration of radioactivity, but cortisol has no effect. Estradiol priming enhances the nuclear uptake of radioactivity. The results demonstrate the existence of progestin target sites in the hypothalamus and suggest a direct action of progestin on certain hypothalamic structures.
Evaluating reconnaissance CSEM survey designs using detection theory

Marine controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) surveys have recently found wide application for mapping resistive hydrocarbon reservoirs (Ellingsrud et al., 2002). Typically, these surveys have been target oriented and have been used to delineate potential reservoirs already mapped by other methods. However, CSEM surveys can also be used for reconnaissance in areas where no specific targets have been identified (Srnka et al., 2005). The objective of a reconnaissance CSEM survey is to detect the presence of resistive bodies that are large enough to be economic hydrocarbon reservoirs. These bodies would then be candidates for more detailed seismic or CSEM surveys.
A nonlinear modeling procedure applied to hippocampal convulsant activity

A strategy is described for fitting complex nonlinear models to experimental data. The procedure is demonstrated using an amplitude and frequency damped sine wave. The nature of the time dependency of the amplitude and frequency components was determined by fitting preliminary models to extreme data values and half-wave frequency estimates, respectively. In both cases, an exponential damping model fit the data. Parameter estimates from these preliminary models were used as starting values for a simultaneous nonlinear fit using all the data. Data used in this analysis were obtained from the picrotoxin-induced rhythmic discharges recorded from CA1 cells in vitro hippocampal slice. This analysis allows the response to be described by six parameters: a linear trend with slope and intercept, and a sinusoidal component with amplitude, amplitude decay, frequency, and frequency decay. This damped sine-wave model may be useful in quantifying seizure activity and the actions of convulsant and anticonvulsant drugs.
Clinical experience with a second-generation hospital-integrated picture archiving and communication system.

In a previous report we described a second-generation hospital-integrated picture archiving and communication system (HI-PACS) developed in-house. This HI-PACS had four unique features not found in other PAC systems. In this report, we will share some of our clinical experiences pertaining to these features during the past 12 months. We first describe the usage characteristics of two 2,000-line workstations (WSs), one in the in-patient and the second in the out-patient neuroradiology reading area. These two WSs can access neuro-images from 10 computed tomographic and magnetic resonance scanners located at two medical centers through an asynchronous transfer mode network connection. The second unique feature of the system is an intensive care unit (ICU) server, which supports three WSs in the pediatric, medical surgery, and cardiac ICUs. The users’ experiences and requests for refinement of the WSs are given. Another feature is physician desk-top access of PACS data. The HI-PACS provides a server connected to more than 100 Macintosh users for direct access of PACS data from their offices. The server’s performance and user critiques are described. The last feature is a digital imaging and communication in medicine (DICOM) connection of the HI-PACS to a manufacturer’s ultrasound PACS module. The authors then outline the interfacing process and summarize some of the difficulties encountered. Developing an in-house PACS has many advantages but also some drawbacks. Based on experience, the authors have formulated three axioms as a guide for in-house PACS development.
Signals that maintain leukemic cell viability.

Although integrins and cytokines have been reported as triggers for preventing apoptosis and maintaining viability of CLL cells in vivo, evidence presented here by Muzio and colleagues suggests that self-antigens may be responsible for this activity in a subset of CLL patients. They describe signaling characteristics that simulate anergic B cells in mice. In addition, their findings do not support the hypothesis that mutation frequency defines anergy in leukemic B cells.
In-car game design for children: child vs. parent perspective

Family car rides can become a source of boredom for child passengers, and consequently cause tension inside the car. In an attempt to overcome this problem, we developed Mileys -- a novel in-car game that integrates location-based information, augmented reality and virtual characters. It is aimed to make car rides more interesting for child passengers, strengthen the bond between family members, encourage safe and ecological driving, and connect children with their environment instead of their entertainment devices. We evaluated Mileys with a six-week long field study, which revealed differences between children and parents regarding their desired in-car experience. Children wish to play enjoyable games, whereas parents view car rides as an opportunity for strengthening the bond between family members and for educating their children. Based on our findings, we identify five key challenges for in-car game design for children: different expectations by parents and children, undesired detachment, short interaction span, poor GPS reception, and motion sickness.
New scintillators for X-ray computed tomography

Abstract The conversion of X-ray radiation to visible light can be performed by luminescent materials. This effect finds an attractive application in X-ray computed tomography (XCT). The centre of the XCT system with a solid state detector arrangement is the luminescent material coupled to a photosensitive diode. The requirements for efficient luminescent materials are: high X-ray absorption, high light output, fast decay time, and low afterglow. The dominant single crystalline scintillators which meet these specifications, at least in part, are CsI:T1, CdWO4. and ZnWO4. Recently, polycrystalline scintillators such as rare earth-doped gadolinium oxysulphide, Gd2O2S:RE, and yttrium-gadolinium oxide, (Y,Gd)2O3:RE have been created. These scintillators exhibit high chemical stability. Homogeneous incorporation of rare earth (RE) activators as well as other chemical additives is achieved by controlled ceramic processing.
Field Testing of an Abstinence-Based Sexuality Education Program for Upper Elementary School Students

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the upper elementary Sex Can Wait curriculum. Specifically, the study examined the effect of the Sex Can Wait curriculum on the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of upper elementary students relative to sexuality. Subjects for the study were fifth and sixth grade students (n=287) from eight different elementary schools that had been recruited to participate in the project. Students from five schools participated in the curriculum taught by teachers who had participated in a special teacher training workshop. Students from the remaining three schools served as controls. Students in both groups were surveyed before and after implementation of the curriculum. Results indicated that students in the curriculum group increased in knowledge, evidenced higher scores on life skills, and reported a more positive attitude toward adolescent sexual abstinence. Findings should be considered by persons interested in educational programs designed to ...
Ethnic Minority Women’s Experiences with Intimate Partner Violence: Using Community-Based Participatory Research to Ask the Right Questions

Current definitions, instruments, and processes for measuring intimate partner violence, including sexual assault, are insufficient to detect the nature and scope of violence against all women. To remedy this problem, we recommend the use of community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles to develop culturally informed quantitative instruments that measure ethnic minority women’s experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV). CBPR requires community members and researchers to work equitably together throughout the research process, sharing decision-making and ownership. This paper identifies problems with current measurement approaches and describes the strengths and challenges of the CBPR approach. We argue that this research orientation offers the potential for “flexible standardization” that can provide better estimates of the extent of IPV and sexual assault, and provide communities with the knowledge they need to address these problems in a culturally sensitive manner.
Characterization of Ceramic Matrix Composites Fabricated by Chemical Vapor Infiltration

A process for the preparation of fiber-reinforced SiC composites by chemical vapor deposition has been developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Composites are prepared by infiltrating fibrous preforms with reactant gases that decompose at elevated temperatures to deposit silicon carbide between and around the fibers. Because the infiltration process utilizes both temperature and pressure gradients, SiC is deposited under conditions that vary considerably from the hot face to the cool face of the composite. Matrix characterization of composite samples by transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy are described.
Effects of manipulating spray-application parameters on efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana against western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, infesting greenhouse impatiens crops

Abstract The effects of various spray application parameters on the efficacy of a clay-based wettable powder formulation of Beauveria bassiana strain GHA conidia against western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, were evaluated in a series of greenhouse tests. With the aim of optimizing spray application methods to maximize biopesticide efficacy, a series of independent experiments was conducted that varied four spray parameters: application interval, rate, volume, and spray-program timing. Impatiens crops infested with western flower thrips were treated with (1) multiple sprays at the rate of 5×1013 conidia in 935 L aqueous carrier ha−1 applied at 3-, 5-, and 7-day intervals, (2) weekly sprays at rates of 5×1013, 1×1014, and 2.0×1014 conidia in 935 L carrier ha−1, (3) weekly sprays at a rate of 2.0×1014 conidia in volumes of 935, 1870, and 3740 L water ha−1, and (4) multiple sprays at the rate of 2.0×1014 conidia in 3740 L carrier ha−1 applied at 5-day intervals in spray programs initiated before...