cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental Verification of Ground-Based Response of a Spinning, Cyclic Symmetric, Rotor Assembled to a Flexible Stationary Housing via Multiple Bearings

This paper is to present an experimental study that measures ground-based response of a spinning, cyclic, symmetric rotor-bearing-housing system. In particular, the study focuses on rotor-housing coupled modes that are significantly dominated by housing deformation. In the experiments, a ball-bearing spindle motor, carrying a disk with four evenly spaced slots (i.e., the rotor), is mounted onto a stationary housing. The housing is a square plate supported with steel spacers at four corners and fixed to the ground. Two different ways are used to excite the rotor-housing system to measure frequency response functions (FRFs). One is to use an automatic hammer tapping at the disk, and the other is to use a piezoelectric actuator attached to the housing. Vibration of the rotor and housing is measured via a laser Doppler vibrometer and a capacitance probe. The experiments consist of two parts. The first part is to obtain FRFs when the rotor is not spinning. The measured FRFs reveal two rotor-housing coupled modes dominated by the housing. Their mode shapes are characterized by one nodal line in housing and one nodal diameter in the rotor. The second part is to obtain waterfall plots when the rotor is spinning at various speeds. The waterfall plots show that the housing dominant modes split into primary branches and secondary branches as the spin speed varies. The primary branches almost do not change with respect to the spin speed. In contrast, the secondary branches evolve into forward and backward branches. Moreover, their resonance frequencies increase and decrease at four times of the spin speed. The measured results agree well with the predictions found in the authors’ previous theoretical study [1].Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Clinical spectrum of chromosome 6-linked autosomal dominant drusen and macular degeneration.

Abstract PURPOSE: To describe the clinical phenotype and the intrafamilial variation in retinal findings in a North American family with an autosomal dominant drusen disorder that maps to chromosome 6q14. METHODS: Ophthalmic examinations were carried out on participating family members. Fundus photographs were obtained whenever possible. Electroretinography was performed on the proband and her father. Blood was drawn for DNA analysis. RESULTS: Twelve family members had drusen and/or atrophic macular degeneration. The disease in asymptomatic young adults is characterized by fine drusen that are most conspicuous in the macula. The proband presented at 3 years of age with atrophic maculopathy and drusen. Her cousin was found to have atrophic macular lesions and drusen in the first year of life. Two older affected individuals have reduced vision from cicatricial and atrophic macular changes. The gene for the disease was mapped to chromosome 6q14 and appears to be adjacent to but distinct from the locus for North Carolina macular dystrophy. CONCLUSIONS: There is extreme variability in the clinical expression of this dominant form of drusen and macular degeneration. Most young adults have fine macular drusen and good vision. Affected infants and children may have congenital atrophic maculopathy and drusen. There is historical evidence of progression of the disease in late adulthood with moderate visual loss.
The long history of environmental migration: Assessing vulnerability construction and obstacles to successful relocation in Shishmaref, Alaska

Abstract Migration decisions are complex and are linked to multiple vulnerabilities, including changing ecological conditions precipitated by climate change. As ecological thresholds are met, community-wide migrations will become more common. These community-wide migrations are more likely to occur to already vulnerable populations, and may levy high social costs. In order to prevent the negative outcomes associated with forced migration and diaspora, policy intervention is likely. Our research examines the case study of Shishmaref, Alaska, where relocation as an adaptation strategy to changing ecological conditions is the only sustainable option. We find that the colonial history in Shishmaref is explicitly linked to contemporary exposure to hazards and increased vulnerability. We further assess obstacles to a State sponsored relocation. These obstacles include disaster response protocol that does not adequately accommodate climate change scenarios. Relocation planning is further complicated by feelings of mis- and under-representation of local voices in political arenas. This case demonstrates the interrelatedness between historically constructed vulnerability and obstacles to adaptation planning. We also offer unique insight into the details of relocation planning as an adaptation strategy among one of the first community-wide migrations associated with climate change.
The lower E and D regions of the ionosphere as deduced from long wave measurements

A diurnal and seasonal model representing the E and D regions of the ionosphere above State College, Pennsylvania is presented. This model consists of a Chapman-like E-region and an electron D-region. Approximate 150-kc wave solutions including coupling are obtained for this model. These wave solutions, of course, exhibit the well known reflection condition corresponding to an N value of around 3,000 electrons per cm3. It is shown that the effect of the coupling is to cause a wave traversing a coupling region to excite a new wave propagated in the direction of propagation of the incident wave and also a back scattered wave propagated in the reverse direction. The back scattered wave will appear as a reflected wave originating in the coupling region. The forward scattered wave due to the downgoing wave from the upper "reflection" level also must be considered in calculating the polarization of ionospherically reflected waves.
Decisions to leave home. What will the neighbors say

This paper discusses two of the problems encountered when a decision not to institutionalize patients is made. When patient, physician, and family jointly decide to forego institutionalization, the family often subconsciously fears communal censure if it fails to call for help when the end is near. This may, at the last moment, prompt some families to call emergency teams and thwart the original purpose of the decision. Instances in which a previous decision not to institutionalize is justifiably interrupted, are discussed. Such an interruption does not necessarily foil the original plan if it is transient and one to provide comfort. An interactive model in which patients, health-care workers, families, and the community share is used. It is suggested that when a decision not to institutionalize is well-discussed, compassiontely made, and carefully implemented, it may itself tend to reshape the communal ethos. As a result, communities, rather than expecting reflex action, are more prone to examine the appropriateness of institutionalization or emergency measures in particular cases and under particular circumstances.
Geometry and Number Theory on Clovers

(2005). Geometry and Number Theory on Clovers. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 112, No. 8, pp. 682-704.
Surgical Repair of a False Aneurysm of the Left Ventricle Resulting from a Separation Between the Aorta and the Heart

In the case of at 44-year-old Negro man with lupus erythematosus reported, a rapidly expanding mass had developed in the region of the left ventricle. Surgical exploration revealed a false aneurysm arising from a defect at the base of the heart. The defect is interpreted as a separation of the aorta from the heart in the region of the left coronary cusp of the aortic valve. Surgical repair is outlined and illustrated. The relationship of this defect to annular subvalvular aneturysm occurring in African Negroes is discussed.
Energy-coupling in mitochondria during resting or state 4 respiration

Abstract The resting or State 4 respiration of freshly prepared, intact rat liver mitochondria can support energy-linked accumulation of Ca++ or Sr++ or the oxidative phosphorylation of ADP. However, under these conditions the coupling efficiency is relatively low; about 10% maximal for Ca++, about 20% for Sr++ accumulation, and about 12% maximal for oxidative phosphorylation of ADP.
Manometric Measurement of a Cell-Virus Relationship.

A method for rapid measurement of HeLa cell destruction by cytopathic poliovirus based upon alterations of the rate of oxygen uptake of infected cell populations is presented. Alterations of the rate of respiration of infected cell populations occurred concomitantly maximal virus production. The magnitude of the alteration in rate of oxygen uptake was proportional to the virus-cell ratio within limits. Quantification of the yield of virus as well as the length of the latent period could be readily made.
A UML package for specifying real-time objects

Abstract The Unified Modeling Language (UML) provides a robust set of tools for modeling software systems. However, these tools do not directly address the requirements of real-time systems. Many real-time systems require the specification of data that has strict timing constraints. This paper presents a UML package for specifying real-time objects called RT-Object. The constructs in the package are based on the objects of the Real-Time Semantic Objects Relationships And Constraints (RTSORAC) model. The RT-Object package has been used to design real-time objects in a Real-Time Multi-User Virtual Environment (RTMUVE), in which widely distributed users collaborate in time-critical planning and decision making.
Variations in moisture retention of contact-printed soil bacteria surface colonies using confocal microscopy

The retention of soil moisture enables vegetation to remain viable between rainfall or irrigation events. Microbial production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) can influence soil moisture in two ways: first, by retaining moisture directly in the carbohydrate-rich hydrogel material itself; and second, by promoting an aggregated structure of soil grains. In whole soils, it can be difficult to decouple these two effects. The objective of this study was to measure the direct moisture-retaining properties of extracellular polymeric substances produced by a common soil isolate. Here, water retention in biofilm-like colonies of GFP-expressing Sinorhiobium meliloti were measured under controlled relative humidity as a volume change with time using confocal microscopy. S. meliloti strains with muccoid (EPS+) and non-muccoid (EPS-) traits were compared. Methods to collect and contact-print biofilm-like colonies on a glass substrate and to quantify volume changes with time were developed. The results show EPS+ biofilms are more resistant to drying than are EPS-biofilms. Under identical atmospheric conditions, similarly-sized EPS-biofilms decreased in volume to 17% of their original size, while EPS+ biofilms retained 50% of their original volume. This work may enable development of environmental biotechnologies to improve moisture retention and enhance agricultural productivity.
Mechanism of Proton Polarization in High-Energy Collisions

Recently experimental evidence has accumulated showing that high-energy collisions of protons with various nuclei induce a considerable polarization in proton beams, and a mechanism has been proposed to account for this effect.
Purification to homogeneity and characterization of major fatty acid ethyl ester synthase from human myocardium

Non-oxidative metabolism of ethanol via fatty acid ethyl ester synthase is present in those extrahepatic organs most commonly damaged by alcohol abuse. DEAE-cellulose chromatography of human myocardial cytosol at pH 8.0 separated synthase I, minor and major activities, eluting at conductivities of 5, 7 and 11 mS, respectively. The major synthase was purified 8900-fold to homogeneity by sequential gel permeation, hydrophobic interaction, and anti-human albumin affinity-chromatographies with an overall yield of 25%. SDS-PAGE showed a single polypeptide with a molecular mass of 26 kDa and gel permeation chromatography under nondenaturing conditions indicated a molecular mass of 54 kDa for the active enzyme. The purified enzyme catalyzed ethyl ester synthesis at the highest rates with unsaturated octadecanoic fatty acid substrates (Vmax = 100 and 65 nmol/mg/h for oleate and linoleate, respectively). Km values for oleate, linoleate, arachidonate, palmitate and stearate were 0.22 mM, 0.20 mM, 0.13 mM, 0.18 mM and 0.12 mM, respectively. Thus, human heart fatty acid ethyl ester synthase (major form) is a soluble dimeric enzyme comprised or two identical, or nearly identical, subunits (Mr = 26000).
Single Gene Control of Glutathione Concentration in Blood and Its Association with Yield Traits in Lactating Holstein Cows

Abstract Blood samples from 262 lactating Holstein cows were analyzed to determine the glutathione concentration in erythrocytes. Concentration data were fitted by an animal model that contained stage of lactation, herd, parity, and season as fixed effects; milk yield as a covariate; and 520 animal effects. A derivate-free algorithm of the REML procedure was applied for estimation and prediction. Heritability estimates were .61 ± .16 for the ratio of glutathione concentration to red blood cell count and .67 ± .17 for glutathione concentration in whole blood. After the 35 cows with breeding values >.50 were excluded from the data, heritability estimates reduced to .03 ± .19 and .19 ± .19, respectively. These 35 cows were progeny of 19 sires that showed an intrasire bimodal distribution of the erythrocyte glutathione concentrations. These results suggested a single gene diallele polymorphism in erythrocyte glutathione in Holstein cows, as found in other ruminant species. No evidence indicated association between glutathione concentrations and 305-d milk yield, protein yield, fat yield, or fat percentage. However, glutathione concentration in whole blood explained an additional 2.3% of total variation in protein percentage. Protein percentage and glutathione concentration were related positively phenotypically, but genetic correlations between protein percentage, protein yield, and blood values were significantly negative.
Hybrid InGaAsP-InP Mach-Zehnder Racetrack Resonator for Thermooptic Switching and Coupling Control

An InGaAsP-InP optical switch geometry based on electrical control of waveguide-resonator coupling is demonstrated. Thermooptic tuning of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer integrated with a racetrack resonator is shown to result in switching with ON-OFF contrast up to 18.5 dB. The optical characteristics of this unique design enable a substantial reduction of the switching power, to a value of 26 mW in comparison with 40 mW for a conventional Mach-Zehnder interferometer switch. Modulation response measurements reveal a 3 dB bandwidth of 400 kHz and a rise time of 1.8 µs, comparing favorably with current state-of-the-art thermooptic switches.
Using photo-induced EMF to characterize femtosecond laser pulses

Summary form only given. Femtosecond pulses are usually characterized by measuring their autocorrelation functions. Intensity autocorrelation using second-harmonic generation (SHG) is the most commonly used technique, which gives information on the pulse shape directly. However, the intensity requirement for SHG is high, and group-velocity mismatch can distort the pulses in phase-matched SHG crystals. In addition, it cannot give information on the phase of femtosecond pulses, which is important in pulse characterization. Electric-field autocorrelation can be performed without nonlinear optical effects and can give the phase information. For transform-limited pulses, the pulse width can be obtained. In cross correlation, if the reference pulse is fully characterized, the pulse envelope of the signal pulse can be extracted. We propose and demonstrate a linear technique to detect the envelope of the electric-field correlation of femtosecond pulses, using a detector based on the photo-induced-EMF. Our experiment uses a mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser operating at 800 nm to write the intensity pattern in a PI-EMF photodetector.
pHi controls cytoplasmic calcium in rat parotid cells

The goal of this investigation was to determine if cytoplasmic pH (pHi) modulated the basal level of the concentration of calcium ions in the cytoplasm (Cai) in rat parotid cells. We investigated the effects of various experimental manipulations on both pHi and Cai as measured with BCECF and the calcium photoprotein aequorin, respectively. We found that various experimental manipulations that increased pHi, such as exposure of the cells to NH4Cl, a decrease of the partial pressure of CO2 or an increase in extracellular pH in the presence of nigericin invariably increased Cai. Moreover, experimental manipulations which lowered Cai, such as a reduction of extracellular [NaHCO3] or the removal of loaded NH4 invariably decreased Cai. Thus pHi and Cai are directly related in parotid cells. Since recent studies have shown that Cai directly influences pHi, we suggest that Cai-handling and pHi-handling are tightly linked in parotid cells.
Nonphototactic mutants in a study of vision of Drosophila.

Most of the nonphototactic mutants of Drosophila respond to light stimuli with normal electroretinograms. Mutants x-7 and tan, however, seem to represent mutants of the visual pathway. Their electroretinograms have two components—a fast one and a slow one—representing separate processes.
The marine geochemistry of strontium

Abstract A study of the path of strontium to and through the sea has been made with the aid of 150 new analyses of deep-sea cores for strontium and available data on the parts of the surficial Earth involved in the cycle. Most of the strontium supplied to the sea is from limestones through weathering and loss during diagenesis. The major part of the strontium and calcium reaching the sea is taken out in the deep sea at present. If the deep-sea calcium carbonate, with its associated strontium, is not effectively recycled, the strontium-calcium ratio of streams and the ocean would be expected to decrease with time. The apparently long time constant for change in the strontium-calcium ratios of streams coupled with the diagenetic alteration of possible records of ancient oceanic compositions in fossil shells prohibits a quantitative evaluation of the possibly small change in the strontium-calcium ratio in the oceans during the Phanerozoic.
Seat allocation distributions and seat biases of stationary apportionment methods for proportional representation

In a proportional representation system, apportionment methods are used to round the vote proportion of a party to an integer number of seats in parliament. Assuming uniformly distributed vote proportions, we derive the seat allocation distributions for stationary divisor methods. An important characteristic of apportionment methods are seat biases, that is, expected differences between actual seat numbers and ideal shares of seats, when the parties are ordered from largest to smallest. We obtain seat bias formulas for the stationary divisor methods and for the quota method of greatest remainders.
Nobel committee tags ubiquitin for distinction.

It must be very difficult to serve on the committee to select Nobel Prize winners—to have to select one or two scientific advances amidst many outstanding discoveries, to have to choose the two or three key investigators (who may not be the most visible or most cited ones), and to have to sift through many nominations that extol the achievements of some candidates (but overlook those of others). Nevertheless, the scientists selected in recent years have consistently been ones who have made outstanding contributions, and this year’s decision to award the Nobel Prize for Chemistry to Avram Hershko, Aaron Ciechanover, and Irwin Rose for the discovery of the ubiquitin system is particularly insightful and honors three biochemists whose seminal work has altered modern biology.
Effects of Light Intensity on Plasma Cortisol Concentrations in Migrating Smolts of Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Held in Tanks or Raceways and after Passage through Experimental Flumes

Abstract The stress responses of migrating smolts of chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss (formerly Salmo gairdneri) to passage through three flumes (small baffled, large baffled, and unbaffled with corrugations) were determined by assaying plasma cortisol concentrations before and after fish passed through each flume. The flumes were tested under three conditions: nighttime, partly darkened in the daytime (400–900 lx at surface of water), and completely darkened in the daytime (1–4 lx). Flume design significantly affected post-passage cortisol concentrations in steelhead but not in chinook salmon smolts; concentrations were lowest in steelhead smolts that passed through the corrugated flume. In daytime tests, cortisol concentrations were significantly lower in chinook salmon smolts that passed through completely darkened flumes than in those that passed through partly darkened flumes. Cortisol concentrations did not, however, differ significantly in steelhead smolts t...
Character of function and size in kidney during normal growth of rats.

Extract: During normal growth in male rats (3 weeks to 3 months of age) weighing from 50–400 g, kidney weight and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) increased at slower rates than did body weight; in contrast, the rate of increase in kidney weight and glomerular filtration rate were the same, and the ratio of GFR:g kidney weight was constant after 4–5 weeks of age. The ratio of maximal glucose reabsorption (TmG) to GFR increased only slightly with growth. Na-K-dependent ATPase activity/mg light microsomal protein from kidney cortex and QO2 did not change during growth. Kidney growth up to 200 g body weight at 16 weeks of age was due more to an increase in cell number; beyond then it was due more to an increase in cell size. The pattern of function-structure relation during growth differed from that observed in kidney hypertrophy secondary to uninephrectomy. It was not specifically determined from cell number or size but from some property proportional to total protein mass or to the product of cell number and cell mass. Speculation: Tubular functions of the nephron during growth increase in proportion to each other and in proportion to total renal mass. This pattern of increase differs in several respects from that which occurs following uninephrectomy. The inference is that growth response differs in fundamental biological character from the hypertrophy response.
Extended use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after lung transplantation

Objectives Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for severe graft failure after lung transplantation is accepted immediately postoperatively; extending its use is controversial. We evaluated our post–lung transplant ECMO experience, which included extended indication, to (1) determine its prevalence, risk factors, indications, and timing, (2) compare complications and outcomes of these patients with those not requiring it, and (3) identify risk factors, including indications, for mortality. Methods From February 1990 to October 2005, 474 patients underwent lung transplantation; postoperative ECMO support was instituted for severe graft failure 23 times in 22 patients (4.0%). Indications for ECMO and its timing were obtained by reviewing medical records and survival by systematic follow-up. Results No factor evaluated predicted severe graft failure leading to ECMO. The most common indication for ECMO was early graft failure (13 patients); however, it was also used for pneumonia or sepsis (6) and acute rejection (4). ECMO was initiated at a median arterial oxygen tension/inspired oxygen fraction of 59 at a median of 2 days postoperatively and was maintained for a median of 4 days. The most common complications were renal failure (57%) and bleeding (43%). ECMO was effective in salvaging patients with rejection and early graft failure (survival at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months: 62%, 54%, 49%, and 41%), but ineffective for pneumonia or sepsis (survival at these intervals: 9%, 4%, 4%, and 3%). Conclusions ECMO can be extended beyond early severe graft failure to acute rejection and can be considered after the immediate postoperative period. Survival after ECMO in patients with pneumonia or sepsis is poor.
A quantal method for the study of tolerance to analgetics.

A quantal modification of a thermal analgesimetric procedure was applied to the study of tolerance in albino rats. Four potent narcotic analgetics, morphine sulfate, methadone hydrochloride, metopon hydrochloride, and levorphan tartrate, were administered daily for seven weeks and the amount of each drug required to produce a chosen degree of analgesia, the AD50, determined at weekly intervals. Analysis of the data so obtained indicated that the rate of tolerance development is different for each of these four drugs. The rate was most rapid with levorphan, while metopon, methadone, and morphine showed lesser rates. The results seem to agree reasonably well with clinical impressions and the procedure is suggested as a simple and reliable method for the measurement of tolerance development to analgetics in animals.
Pleiades: Real-time-sharing control in the behavioral science laboratory

Pleiades, a seven-user, real-time-sharing executive was developed on a PDP-15 computer for control of psychological experiments. The goal of the system development was to provide millisecond timing accuracy for all users and to permit easy computer utilization for the novice user. Two modes of operation are available: the standard language approach and the experiment writer approach. The system is discussed from the user’s viewpoint, and a brief description of the details of system design is given. The system has been operating successfully for several months.
Positive and negative outcomes of anger in early adolescents.

The purposes of this study were to examine symptom patterns and diminished general well-being as negative outcomes and vigor and change as positive outcomes of trait and state anger via two structural equation models. In a school auditorium, a convenience sample of 141 boys and girls, ages 12-14 years, responded to the Trait Anger Scale and the State Anger Scale and to instruments measuring general well-being, symptom patterns, vigor, and change. In the negative outcome model, results indicated that diminished general well-being and increased symptom patterns were outcomes of trait anger and state anger in early adolescents. In the positive outcome model, contrary to expectation, less vigor and less inclination to change were outcomes of trait anger in early adolescents, while state anger had no appreciable influence on the same variables. The findings suggest that anger, particularly trait anger, had a negative influence on the outcome variables studied.
Film structure and enhanced superconductivity in evaporated aluminum films

The increase in the superconducting transition temperature of evaporated aluminum films is correlated with the following structural properties of the films: the average grain size, the average lattice constant, the film thickness, and the presence or absence of a thin oxide layer surrounding each grain in the film. It is found that for all the films studied, the transition temperature ${T}_{c}$ is a function only of the average grain size $a$ with $\mathrm{ln}({T}_{c})\ensuremath{\propto}{a}^{\ensuremath{-}0.82}$. This approximate $\frac{1}{a}$ dependence is in agreement with several theories which indicate that the increased transition temperatures result from changes in the phonon spectrum at the surface of small grains. Even though we have determined that there is a thin oxide layer surrounding each grain in several films, an electron-exciton-electron enhancement mechanism that has been proposed is not observed. However, the presence of the oxide may influence the magnitude of the enhancement.
Structural impact of hydrodynamic injection on mouse liver

The impact of hydrodynamic injection on liver structure was evaluated in mice using various microscopic techniques. Upon hydrodynamic injection of approximately 9% of body weight by volume, the liver rapidly expanded, reaching maximal size at the end of the injection and returned to its original size in 30 min. Histological analysis revealed a swollen appearance in the peri-central region of the liver where delivery of genes and fluorescence-labeled markers was observed. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed enlargement and rupture of endothelium that in about 24-48 h regains its morphology and normal function as a barrier against infection by adenovirus viral particles. At the cellular level in hydrodynamically treated animals, four types of hepatocytes were seen: cells with normal appearance; cells with enriched vesicles in the cytoplasm; cells with lightly stained cytosol; and cells with significant dilution of the cytoplasm. In addition, red blood cells and platelets were observed in the space of Disse and even inside hepatocytes. Vesicle formation is triggered by hydrodynamic injection and resembles the process of macropinocytosis. These results, whereas confirming the physical nature of hydrodynamic delivery, are important for a better understanding of this efficient method for intrahepatic gene and small interfering RNA delivery.
Is there a role for an external beam boost in cervical cancer radiotherapy

Abstract Objectives: Some patients are medically unfit for or averse to undergoing a brachytherapy boost as part of cervical cancer radiotherapy. In order to be able to definitively treat these patients, we assessed whether we could achieve a boost plan that would mimic our brachytherapy plans using external beam radiotherapy. Methods: High dose rate brachytherapy plans of 20 patients with stage IIB cervical cancer treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy were included in this study. Patients had undergone CT simulations with tandem and ovoids in place. Point “A” dose was 600-700 cGy. We attempted to replicate the boost dose distribution from brachytherapy plans using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT, Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT, Rapid Arc, Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA), or TomoTherapy (Accuray, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) with the brachytherapy 100% isodose line as our target. Target coverage, normal tissue dose, and brachytherapy point doses were compared with ANOVA. Two-sided p-values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. Results: External beam plans had excellent PTV coverage, with no difference in mean PTV V95% among planning techniques (range 98 – 100%). External beam plans had lower bladder Dmax, small intestine Dmax, and vaginal mucosal point dose than brachytherapy plans, with no difference in bladder point dose, mean bladder dose, mean small intestine dose, or rectal dose. Femoral head dose, parametria point dose, and pelvic sidewall point dose were higher with external beam techniques than brachytherapy. Conclusions: External beam plans had comparable target coverage and potential for improved sparing of most normal tissues compared to tandem and ovoid brachytherapy.
Glucose transport in thymocyte plasma-membrane vesicles.

Calf-thymocyte membrane vesicles, prepared by hypotonic lysis and homogenization, were isolated by standard centrifugal techniques designed for enrichment of plasma membrane. At 20°C, these vesicles equilibrated with d-glucose and 3-O-methyl-d-glucose more rapidly than with l-glucose. About 25% of the equilibrium d-sugar space (6 μl/mg protein) was very slowly penetrated by l-glucose (t12 ≅ 6 h). The time course of d-sugar accumulation in excess of l-glucose accumulation indicated that this space equilibrated with d-glucose and 3-O-methyl-d-glucose with half-times of approximately 0.2–0.4 min. The remainder of the equilibrium d-sugar space (about 75%) appeared equally accessible to both glucose isomers (t12 ≅ 2 to 5 min). This was confirmed in studies of efflux from preloaded vesicles, where the d-glucose space fell with a short half-time (0.2 min) to the l-glucose space, after which the two isomers exited with the same half-time. Addition of sucrose to increase osmolarity reduced both spaces (specific and non-specific) in a manner which indicated that little if any of the vesicle sugar was bound. This was confirmed by the fact that equilibrium glucose space was independent of glucose concentration and by the fact that vesicles immediately lost their sugar when diluted with water at 0°C. These data indicate the presence of two vesicle types, discriminant and indiscriminant as regards transport of the glucose isomers. Entry of d-glucose into the discriminant (stereospecific) vesicles was temperature sensitive (Q10 > 2), saturable (Km ≅ 2 mM), and was inhibited by phloretin (Ki < 200 μM), N-ethylmaleimide (Ki < 10 mM) and cytochalasin B (Ki < 2 μM), suggesting that these vesicles contain the plasma-membrane glucose carrier. Entry of l- and d-glucose into the indiscriminant vesicles showed none of these properties. The equilibrium-exchange Km and V were about five times the entry Km and V, indicating the substrate loading greatly facilitates carrier translocation, at least in the outward direction.
Contribution of marine algae to trihalomethane production in chlorinated estuarine water

Three species of marine algae representing major taxonomic groups of phytoplankton, Isochrysis galbana (Chrysophyceae), Carteria sp. (Chlorophyceae), and Thalassiosira pseudonana (Bacillariophyceae), were utilized to investigate the potential of naturally occurring chlorophyll a of living algae to produce trihalomethanes during the chlorination of saline waters. Chlorination of filtered natural estuarine water (salinity=23 p.p.t.) from the North Edisto River, South Carolina, results in rapid formation of 201–221 μg 1 −1 trihalomethanes comprised mainly of bromoform (CHBr 3 ) and chlorodibromomethane (CHBr 2 Cl). In the presence of 10 6 cells ml −1 Isochrysis galbana , chlorination of filtered estuarine water with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) to a nominal 10 mg 1 −1 chlorine increased the total trihalomethane concentration by an average of 41% ( N = 6). The presence of Thalassiosira pseudonana resulted in an average 24% decrease ( N = 6) while Carteria sp. did not produce a statistically significant effect upon the total trihalomethane concentration formed. The absence of any significant statistical correlations between the chlorophyll a content of algal cultures and trihalomethane concentrations causes us to discount chlorine-chlorophyll a interactions as a source of these compounds. However, trihalomethane concentrations produced from the chlorination of algal culture media, after removal of algal populations, suggests instead that the observed trends in trihalomethane production are mainly due to chlorines reaction with the by-products of algal metabolism.
Situational domains of social phobia

Abstract Although social phobia is defined as severe anxiety in social situations, little is known about the range or prevalence of social situations that elicit anxiety in social phobic individuals. The present study developed the concept of situational domains, groups of similar situations that may provoke anxiety in subsets of social anxious persons. Four conceptually derived situational domains were examined: formal speaking/interaction, informal speaking/interaction, observation by others, and assertion. Ninety-one social phobic patients were classified as anxiety-positive or anxiety-negative within each situational domain, varying inclusion criteria of anxiety experienced in each situation and the number of anxiety-producing situations within a domain. Patients were highly likely to be classified to the formal speaking/interaction domain, regardless of inclusion criteria employed or presence of anxiety within other domains. Support was also found for previous findings that most social phobics experience anxiety in more than one social situation, even under conservative classification criteria. Implications for the current diagnostic nosology and directions for future research are discussed.
Regioselective Iodination of Chlorinated Aromatic Compounds Using Silver Salts.

Abstract The iodination of chlorinated aromatic compounds using Ag2SO4/I2, AgSbF6/I2, AgBF4/I2, and AgPF6/I2 offers access to iodoarenes that are valuable intermediates in organic synthesis. Specifically, iodination of phenols, anisoles, and anilines with a 3,5-dichloro substitution pattern preferentially yielded the ortho, para, and para iodinated product, respectively. In the case of chlorobenzene and 3-chlorotoluene, AgSbF6/I2, AgBF4/I2, and AgPF6/I2, but not Ag2SO4/I2, selectively introduced the iodine in para position to the chlorine substituent.
The cytoplasmic tail of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus spike protein contains a novel endoplasmic reticulum retrieval signal that binds COPI and promotes interaction with membrane protein

Like other coronaviruses, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS CoV) assembles at and buds into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC). Accumulation of the viral envelope proteins at this compartment is a prerequisite for virus assembly. Previously, we reported the identification of a dibasic motif (KxHxx) in the cytoplasmic tail of the SARS CoV spike (S) protein that was similar to a canonical dilysine ER retrieval signal. Here we demonstrate that this motif is a novel and functional ER retrieval signal which reduced the rate of traffic of the full-length S protein through the Golgi complex. The KxHxx motif also partially retained two different reporter proteins in the ERGIC region and reduced their rates of trafficking, although the motif was less potent than the canonical dilysine signal. The dibasic motif bound the coatomer complex I (COPI) in an in vitro binding assay, suggesting that ER retrieval may contribute to the accumulation of SARS CoV S protein near the virus assembly site for interaction with other viral structural proteins. In support of this, we found that the dibasic motif on the SARS S protein was required for its localization to the ERGIC/Golgi region when coexpressed with SARS membrane (M) protein. Thus, the cycling of SARS S through the ER-Golgi system may be required for its incorporation into assembling virions in the ERGIC.
Health Care Workers as Source of Hepatitis B and C Virus Transmission

Transmission of hepatitis B and C from health care workers to patients remains rare in developed medical care systems but may be more common in systems that are still developing. Since the 1970s, at least 69 health care workers infected with hepatitis B or C have been implicated in transmission of their infection. This likely underestimates the magnitude of the problem. In this article, risk factors associated with transmission are reviewed and infection prevention and control practices outlined. Management of infected providers is also discussed. National guidelines are compared, highlighting different countries' approaches to this complex challenge.
Exon B of human surfactant protein A2 mRNA, alone or within its surrounding sequences, interacts with 14-3-3; role of cis-elements and secondary structure

Human surfactant protein A, an innate immunity molecule, is encoded by two genes: SFTPA1 (SP-A1) and SFTPA2 (SP-A2). The 5′ untranslated (5′UTR) splice variant of SP-A2 (ABD), but not of SP-A1 (AD)...
The Effect of Social Dominance Orientation on Perceptions of Corporal Punishment

Previous research has suggested the use of corporal punishment is widely endorsed in our society (Straus, 2000; Straus & Stewart, 1999). Furthermore, perceptions of what constitutes corporal punishment vary. The present study examined social dominance orientation (SDO) and age of child as potential factors that may influence perceptions of what is viewed as corporal punishment versus physical abuse. The sample consisted of 206 undergraduate students enrolled at a Rocky Mountain University. A series of regressions were used to examine the relationships between SDO and six forms of punishment. Findings suggest, higher levels of SDO are significantly related to more ratings of physical punishment versus physical abuse. The primary findings of the present study showed SDO was significantly related to how an individual perceives corporal punishment. These results have important implications by serving as a stepping-stone into further understanding what factors may have an influence on perceptions of corporal p...
Nanosecond rise time minipulser for cell electroperturbation

The design of a compact pulse generator with sub-ns rise time for the study of short pulse cell electroperturbation is presented. The generator is based on a small, water dielectric Blumlein PFN (pulse forming network) switched with an overvoltage air spark gap. This arrangement delivers 3/spl sim/5-nanosecond long pulses with sub-nanosecond rise time to the cuvette load. In order to minimize the spark gap distance, and thus the rise time, the Blumlein PFN is charged within 500 ns by a MOSFET-based high-voltage resonant charger.
CORAL: miniature acoustic communication subsystem architecture for underwater wireless sensor networks

Conventional wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are increasing in use; however, not all environments can support the typical wireless sensor model, which utilizes RF as a communication medium. Hostile sensing and communication environments, such as underwater and subterranean, require the practical use of other methods. In particular, the underwater domain has necessitated the use of acoustics to enable communication in underwater WSNs. Previous work in this area consists of sensor nodes built with bulky, costly acoustic modems. In contrast, we present the low cost, small form factor CORAL testbed, which consists of piezo-transducers, a microcontroller-based architecture and interface circuitry. We illustrate the operation of a prototype, show the performance in various environments, and explain its integration into a micronode for underwater WSNs. We conclude with a discussion on the results, limitations, and challenges, as well as a discussion on potential applications
Storing Covariance With Nonlinearly Interacting Neurons

A time-dependent, nonlinear model of neuronal interaction which was probabilistically analyzed in a previous article is shown here to be a natural generalization of the Hartline-Ratliff model of the Limulus retina. Although the primary physical variables in the model are the membrane potentials of neurons, the equations which govern the means and covariances of the membrane potentials are coupled through the average firing rates; as a consequence, the average firing rates control the selective storage and retrieval of covariance information. Motor learning in the cerebellar cortex is treated as a problem of covariance storage, and a predicition is made for the underlying synaptic plasticity: the change in synaptic strength between a parallel fiber and a Purkinje cell should be proportional to the covariance between discharges in the parallel fiber and the climbing fiber. Unlike previous proposals for synaptic plasticity, this prediction requires both facilitation and depression to occur (under different conditions) at the same synapse.
Modeling stream-bank erosion in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains

Deforestation, followed by soil erosion and subsequent deposition of alluvium in valleys, played a critical role in the formation of historical terraces in much of the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Such terraces add a significant amount of sediment to the tributaries of the region as streams laterally erode the terrace banks. This study examined the contribution of total sediment yield derived solely from eroded stream banks in small watersheds (<20 km²), using floodplain widths as proxies for long-term lateral erosion rates. The raw data were derived from watersheds with different land covers (Coweeta Creek and Skeenah Creek watersheds in the Upper Little Tennessee River basin). Bank-derived sediment yield estimates were modeled in a Geographic Information System, using linear regression to relate floodplain widths and erodible terrace bank heights. We found total stream length to be a good predictor of both lateral erosion rates and erodible bank heights. Land cover, basin/network morphometrics, and re...
An analytical approximation for a size-broadened profile given by the lognormal and gamma distributions

The size-broadened profile given by the lognormal and gamma size distributions of spherical crystallites is considered. An analytical approximation for the size-broadened profile is derived that can be analytically convolved with the strain-broadened and instrumental-broadened profiles. The method is tested on two CeO2 powders; one shows `super-Lorentzian' profiles that were successfully modelled under the assumption of a broad lognormal size distribution. It is shown that the Voigt function, as a common model for a size-broadened profile, fails for both very narrow and broad size distributions. It is argued that the size-broadened line profile is not very sensitive to variations in size distribution and that an apparent domain size or even column-length distribution function can correspond to significantly different size distributions.
Previous use of alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana and subsequent abuse of prescription opioids in young adults.

Abstract Purpose There has been an increase in the abuse of prescription opioids, especially in younger individuals. The current study explores the association between alcohol, cigarette, and/or marijuana use during adolescence and subsequent abuse of prescription opioids during young adulthood. Methods We used demographic/clinical data from community-dwelling individuals in the 2006–2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. We used logistic regression analyses, adjusted for these characteristics, to test whether having previous alcohol, cigarette, or marijuana use was associated with an increased likelihood of subsequently abusing prescription opioids. Results Twelve percent of the survey population of 18–25 year olds (n = 6,496) reported current abuse of prescription opioids. For this population, prevalence of previous substance use was 57% for alcohol, 56% for cigarettes, and 34% for marijuana. We found previous alcohol use was associated with the subsequent abuse of prescription opioids in young men but not young women. Among both men and women, previous marijuana use was 2.5 times more likely than no previous marijuana to be associated with subsequent abuse of prescription opioids. We found that among young boys, all previous substance use (alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana), but only previous marijuana use in young girls, was associated with an increased likelihood of subsequent abuse of prescription opioids during young adulthood. Conclusions Previous alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use were each associated with current abuse of prescription opioids in 18–25-year-old men, but only marijuana use was associated with subsequent abuse of prescription opioids in young women. Prevention efforts targeting early substance abuse may help to curb the abuse of prescription opioids.
Variants of Open Adoptions: The Early Years

SUMMARY This analysis begins with the argument that conceptual ambiguity and related measurement inconsistencies have surfaced in the growing number of studies about open adoption -because the term subsumes a range of possibilities of contact between birth and adoptive families, as well as other sources of variation which affect the developing post-placement relationship between members of these two families. It then turns to the first report from a longitudinal study of adoptive (n = 41) and associated birth parents (n = 26) based on initial face-to-face (within six months of the placement); subsequent follow-up (telephone) interviews (18 months to two years post-placement) with these families and observations from over three years of fieldwork in the private agency which arranged these adoptions. Three post-placement patterns are identified and distinguished: Rejecters, Acceptors and Embracers. The paper concludes with a discussion about enabling conditions for successful post-placement openness.