cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of O2 adsorbates on field emission properties of single-wall carbon nanotubes: A density functional theory study

We report a theoretical study on the effects of O2 adsorption at tips of single-wall carbon nanotubes for capped and uncapped geometries. Adsorption mechanisms that take place at the tip, also including the effects of an electric field, are described, highlighting configurations that alter emission properties. Changes in the first ionization potentials upon O2 adsorption are consistent with the experimentally observed current suppression, demonstrating the usefulness of first principles calculations in understanding adsorption mechanisms, and the prediction of properties related to field emission.
Investigation of the Nitric Oxide Reduction of the Bis(2,9-Dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) Complex of Copper(II) and the Structure of [Cu(dmp)2(H2O)](CF3SO3)2

The reaction between nitric oxide (NO) and the Cu(II) complex Cu(dmp)2(H2O)2+ (1, dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) has been quantitatively examined in solution. In neutral or alkaline aqueous solutions or in methanol, 1 (E1/2 = 0.58 V vs NHE in water) is reduced by NO to give the corresponding cuprous species Cu(dmp)2+ plus RONO (R = H, CH3). The analogous reaction for Cu(phen)2(H2O)2+ (2, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) (E1/2 = 0.18 V) is much slower and does not go to completion. In aqueous solutions, the conjugate base of 1 reacts with NO at a slower rate. At low pH, the cuprous complex Cu(phen)2+ reacts quantitatively with NO2- in the reverse reaction to give 2 plus NO, detected with a NO-sensitive electrode. The crystal structure of the triflate salt of 1 was determined, and the cupric ion was found to be 5-coordinate with two bidentate dmp ligands and one H2O ligand. The triflate salt of 1, [Cu(dmp)2(H2O)](CF3SO3)2, crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pbca, with a = 20.531(4) A, ...
Computer simulation study of the approximations associated with the generalized Flory theories

The chain increment method and configurational bias Monte Carlo methods are used to test the approximations made in the derivation of the generalized Flory‐Dimer (GF‐D) theory for tangent hard sphere chains. Insertion probabilities and residual chemical potentials are calculated for hard chain fluids containing chains of length n=4, 8, 16, and 32 at monomer densities, ρM, up to 0.8. We find that the largest errors in the GF‐D theory are those associated with assuming that the probability of inserting a monomer into a chain fluid is approximately equal to the probability of inserting a monomer into a monomer fluid, as predicted by the Carnahan–Starling equation of state. The errors in the incremental compressibility factor of the second segment associated with assuming that the conditional probability of inserting a second bead next to the first bead in a chain fluid is approximately equal to the probability of inserting a second bead next to the first bead in a dimer fluid as predicted by combining the Ca...
Hybrid optical transmitter for microwave communication systems

We report results of an improved hybrid optical transmitter suitable for use in microwave communication systems. Based on a double up-conversion technique, a 1.3 micrometers wavelength semiconductor diode laser is actively mode-locked, and its output is externally modulated by a lithium niobate Mach-Zehnder amplitude modulator to generate a transmitter output from 19 GHz to 21 GHz. Following a brief review of recent table top system measurements and motivation, we show a second generation engineering scheme for packaging the mode-locked source components. The initial performance results of this source are -34.2 dBm(e) mode-locked output power at 13.1 GHz, with an input rf power of 14.5 dBm(e); RIN is measured at -106.5 dBc(e)/Hz.
Effects of instructions and biofeedback for increasing and decreasing systolic blood pressure.

Subjects (N = 120) were instructed to increase, instructed to decrease, or not instructed to change their blood pressure and either were or were not given biofeedback concerning their systolic blood pressure every 6 sec. The results indicated (a) that instructions alone were effective for increasing but not for decreasing systolic blood pressure; (b) that biofeedback facilitated both increases and decreases in systolic blood pressure, but that the changes that were due to the biofeedback were extremely limited; and (c) that changes in blood pressure were generally paralleled by change in pulse rate. Although the results provided methodologically sound evidence that biofeedback had a statistically reliable effect, they also indicate that the magnitude of that effect was practically negligible.
Study Of Anharmonic Vibrations By Low Frequency FT-IR Spectroscopy

Our research efforts in the area of anharmonic vibrations, which include the skeletal bending modes in quasilinear molecules, the ring puckering and ring bending modes in four- and five-membered rings, and the torsional modes for molecules with two internal C3, rotors, have been concentrated more recently on the determination of the asymmetric potential function governing the internal rotation in a number of three-membered ring carbonyl compounds, substituted allylic compounds, propenoyl halides and alkyl halides. Although asymmetric potential functions had been previously proposed for some of these molecules, relatively few of these can be given a significant level of confidence due to a number of experimental problems which have been previously encountered. For example, far infrared spectroscopy has been used in the past for the determination of asymmetric torsional frequencies but we have found that a resolution of at least 0.1 cm-1 needs to be used to record the low frequency data because many torsional bands are extremely sharp and therefore were not even observed with the relatively low resolution utilized. Additionally, insufficient resolution may result in misleading relative intensities of the Q-branches so that incorrect assignments have resulted. In many cases, due to symmetry, both infrared and Raman spectroscopic results are needed to identify the high and low energy conformers. Examples will be provided to demonstrate how asymmetric torsional data can be used to obtain potential constants.
Soil arthropods from weed and crop roots of an agroecosystem in a wheat-soybean-corn rotation: Impact of tillage and herbicides

Abstract Soil arthropods were collected in 1985 and 1986 from the root systems of weeds, corn and wheat within experimental, low-input agroecosystems located in the coastal plain region of North Carolina. Eight treatments forming a gradient from high (conventional tillage) to low (no-tillage) soil disturbance in combination with herbicide (glyphosate, alachlor, atrazine, linuron) and non-herbicide treatments were established in October 1985 in a wheat-soybean-corn rotation. Soil arthropod density was consistently higher ( P r =0.62, N =17), although arthropod number differed widely among individual weed species. Below ground phytophagous arthropod number from the root systems of corn, dogfennel ( Eupatorium capillifolium ), ragweed ( Ambrosia artemisiifolia ), lambsquarter ( Chenopodium album ) and pigweed ( Amaranthus retroflexus ) did not differ significantly ( P > 0.05). However, predaceous arthropod number from dogfennel, ragweed, lambsquarter and pigweed root systems was consistently higher ( P
TU-C-303A-07: Pediatric Organ Motion Evaluated by Respiratory-Correlated CT with a Pressure-Sensitive Abdominal Belt

Purpose: We present the first report of pediatric thoracic and abdominal organ motion extent measured using respiratory‐correlated CT with an abdominal sensor belt. The knowledge is essential for defining internal target volumes and planning organ at risk volumes. It is also critical for safe employment of treatment techniques producing high dose gradient such as IMRT and intensity‐modulated proton therapy.Methods and Materials: Seventeen pediatric patients have undergone radiotherapy simulation including a respiratory‐correlated 4D CT scan in supine position for evaluation of target and internal organ motion. A pressure‐sensitive belt was wrapped around the abdomen just below the diaphragm. The pressure change was used as a respiratory surrogate. Each respiration cycle was divided into eight phases. Liver, left and right kidneys, and the representative 3rd, 7th, and 11th rib pairs were contoured on each of the eight CT datasets. Results: The center‐of‐mass displacements of kidneys in the lateral and anterior/posterior directions due to respiration were small (0–2mm). The superior/inferior displacement was larger (0.6–4.6mm). Younger pediatric patients tend to have smaller kidney motion than their older counterparts. Diaphragm motion (4–10mm) was larger than kidney motion. The magnitude of diaphragm motion did not predict the magnitude of kidney motion. The rib motion ranged from 0.5 to 2mm maximum displacement in the lateral direction and 2 to 4mm in the anterior/posterior and superior/inferior directions. The 11th pair of ribs had smaller respiratory motion than the 3rd and the 7th pair. Conclusion: Pediatric internal organ motion was smaller compared to adult data reported in the literature. Conventional large planning margin of 5–10mm may be reduced for tumors neighboring these organs such as neuroblastoma or chest wall sarcoma if treated with 3D conformal technique and verified with on‐treatment imaging. Whether motion management is required for proton beam scanning in children needs further investigation.
Energetics of allosteric negative coupling in the zinc sensor S. aureus CzrA.

The linked equilibria of an allosterically regulated protein are defined by the structures, residue-specific dynamics and global energetics of interconversion among all relevant allosteric states. Here, we use isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to probe the global thermodynamics of allosteric negative regulation of the binding of the paradigm ArsR-family zinc sensing repressor Staphylococcus aureus CzrA to the czr DNA operator (CzrO) by Zn2+. Zn2+ binds to the two identical binding sites on the free CzrA homodimer in two discernible steps. A larger entropic driving force Δ(−TΔS) of −4.7 kcal mol−1 and a more negative ΔCp characterize the binding of the first Zn2+ relative to the second. These features suggest a modest structural transition in forming the Zn1 state followed by a quenching of the internal dynamics on filling the second zinc site, which collectively drive homotropic negative cooperativity of Zn2+ binding (Δ(ΔG) = 1.8 kcal mol−1). Negative homotropic cooperativity also characterizes Zn2+ ...
Dielectronic recombination for oxygenlike ions relevant to astrophysical applications

In the modeling of the astrophysical plasmas, the relative elemental abundance inferred from solar and stellar upper atmosphere can be affected by as much as a factor of 5 due to the uncertainties in the current dielectronic recombination (DR) rate coefficients used to analyze the spectra [Savin and Laming, Astrophys. J. 566, 1166 (2002)]. DR rate coefficients for oxygenlike ions have been identified as the most urgent needs for the astrophysical applications. In this work, we report on the calculations of DR rate coefficients for Mg V, Si VII, S IX, and Fe XIX ions which are important for the modeling of the astrophysical plasmas. The calculations are carried out in isolated resonance and distorted-wave approximations. The relevant atomic data are calculated using the multiconfigurational Dirac-Fock method. We include 2s-2p, 2p{sub 1/2}-2p{sub 3/2}, 2l-3l{sup '}, and 1s-2p excitations and cover temperatures ranging from 0.001 eV to 10 000 eV. For low temperatures, it is essential to have accurate DR resonance energies and to include fine-structure excitations in order to obtain reliable DR rate coefficients. Good agreement with experiment has been found for Fe XIX. For Mg V, Si VII, and S IX, significant discrepancies are noted between this work andmore » recommended rate coefficients.« less
Geminin Is Targeted for Repression by the Retinoblastoma Tumor Suppressor Pathway through Intragenic E2F Sites

The geminin protein is a critical regulator of DNA replication. It functions to control replication fidelity by blocking the assembly of prereplication complexes in the S and G(2) phases of the cell cycle. Geminin protein levels, which are low in G(0)/G(1) and increase at the G(1)/S transition, are controlled through coordinate transcriptional and proteolytic regulation. Here we show that geminin is regulated transcriptionally by the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor (RB)/E2F pathway. Initially, we observed that the activation of RB led to the repression of geminin transcription. Conversely, Rb-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts have enhanced the expression of geminin relative to wild type mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Similarly, an acute loss of Rb in mouse adult fibroblasts deregulated geminin RNA and protein levels. To delineate the responsible regulatory motifs, luciferase reporter constructs containing fragments of the geminin promoter were generated. An analysis of the critical regulatory cis-acting elements in the geminin promoter indicated that intragenic E2F sites down-stream of the first exon were responsible for RB-mediated repression of geminin. The direct analysis of the endogenous geminin promoter revealed that these intragenic E2F sites are occupied by E2F proteins, and the mutation of these sites eliminates responsiveness to RB. Together, these data link the expression of geminin to the RB/E2F pathway and represent the first promoter analysis of this important regulator of DNA replication.
KINETICS OF THE SWELLING OF CELLS AND TISSUES.

The rate of swelling of Arbacia eggs in dilute sea water, studied by Lillie and by Lucke and McCutcheon, may be expressed by the formulae derived for the rate of increase in volume of a solution enclosed in a collodion sac. The rate of swelling of slices of carrot in distilled water, measured by Stiles and Jorgensen, may be expressed by the equation derived previously for the swelling of similarly shaped blocks of gelatin.
The impact of fluctuations in intensity patterns on the number of monitor units and the quality and accuracy of intensity modulated radiotherapy

The purpose of this work is to examine the potential impact of the frequency and amplitude of fluctuations ("complexity") in intensity distributions on intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) dose distributions. The intensity-modulated beams are efficiently delivered using a multileaf collimator (MLC). Radiation may be delivered through a continuous (dynamic mode) or discrete (step-and-shoot) sequence of windows formed by the leaves. Algorithms and software that convert optimized intensity distributions into leaf trajectories apply approximate empirical corrections to account for the various effects associated with MLC characteristics, such as the rounded leaf tips, tongue-and-groove leaf design, leaf transmission, leaf scatter, and collimator scatter upstream from the MLC. Typically, the difference between inter- and intraleaf transmissions is ignored. In this paper, using a schematic example of IMRT for head and neck carcinomas, we demonstrate that complex anatomy and severe optimization constraints produce complex intensity patterns. Using idealized intensity patterns we also demonstrate that, for complex intensity patterns, the average window width tends to be smaller and, for the same dose received by the tumor, the number of MUs is larger. We found that as the complexity increases, so does the contribution of radiation transmitted through and scattered from the leaves ("indirect radiation") to the total delivered dose. As a consequence, the lowest deliverable intensity in complex intensity patterns may be significantly greater than that required to provide adequate protection for some normal tissues. Furthermore, since corrections for leaf transmission and scatter effects are approximate and the difference between inter- and intraleaf transmission is ignored, the accuracy of the delivered dose may be affected. Using the results of a simple experiment and a typical intensity-modulated beam for a head and neck case as examples, we show the effect of window width and complexity on the accuracy and deliverability of intensity patterns. Some possible strategies for improving the accuracy and for relaxing the lower limit on deliverable intensity are discussed.
Retrospective estimation and correction of physiological artifacts in fMRI by direct extraction of physiological activity from MR data

A physiological artifact reduction method based on extracting respiratory motion and cardiac pulsation directly from functional MR data is described. In fast low angle shot (FLASH), respiratory cycles are derived utilizing the phase of the center of a navigator echo, in echo-planar imaging (EPI) from the phase of the center k-space point. Cardiac cycles are determined from projections obtained from the navigator echo (FLASH) and the center k-space line (EPI). Because direct extraction of physiological parameters eliminates the need for external monitoring, the method can be more readily implemented. Experimental results illustrate that the technique provides effective compensation for physiology-related signal fluctuations in functional MRI and performs as well as the retrospective technique using external physiological monitoring.
Thermal-pH inactivation of herpes simplex virus: Interdependence of the medium composition and the pH on the rate of virus inactivation

The composition and pH of the suspending medium were shown to be interdependent effectors of thein vitro thermal inactivation of herpes simplex virus (HSV). In addition, enhanced thermal sensitivity of HSV at alkaline pH was a medium dependent effect and, therefore, is not an inherent property of the virus.
Optimal regulation of land development through price and fiscal controls

Abstract This paper examines the effectiveness of instruments existing residents of a community might use to regulate developers of vacant land in a community. Instruments examined include zoning laws, price regulation, and the shifting of fiscal burdens between existing residents and the developer. Traditional instruments such as zoning are not efficient. In a world of perfect certainty, price controls and creative fiscal arrangements produce efficient outcomes. With uncertainty over future prices, only by restructuring fiscal arrangements can the community efficiently control the developer.
Observation of stimulated emission in KrCl

Stimulated emission at 222.9±0.1 nm in KrCl has been observed in electron‐beam‐excited Ar/Kr/Cl2 mixtures. Approximately 50 kW of laser output in a 30‐ns pulse with ∼14% output coupling has been obtained. Both the peak spontaneous emission wavelength and vibrational spacing (ωe) of KrCl* are in agreement with the alkali‐halide analog (RbCl) model. The kinetics of this new rare‐gas–halide laser molecule are briefly discussed.
HÆMATOPOIETIC TRANSPLANTS AND THE IMMUNOGLOBULIN SEQUENCE

Abstract Immunological enhancement is a suppression of the immune response to graft tissue by the passive transfer of antibody directed against that tissue. The humoral immune response to cellular antigens can also be suppressed by administration of specific antibody. An hypothesis is presented with evidence which links these two areas of research in a specific approach to tissue transplantation.
Treatment of short stature and growth hormone deficiency in children with somatotropin (rDNA origin).

Somatotropin (growth hormone, GH) of recombinant DNA origin has provided a readily available and safe drug that has greatly improved management of children and ado- lescents with GH defi ciency (GHD) and other disorders of growth. In the US and Europe, regulatory agencies have given approval for the use of GH in children and adults who meet specifi c criteria. However, clinical and ethical controversies remain regarding the diagnosis of GHD, dosing of GH, duration of therapy and expected outcomes. Areas which also require consensus include management of pubertal patients, transitioning pediatric patients to adult- hood, management of children with idiopathic short stature and the role of recombinant IGF-1 in treatment. Additionally, studies have demonstrated anabolic benefi ts of GH in children who have infl ammatory-based underlying disease and effi cacy of GH in overcoming growth delays in people treated chronically with corticosteroids. These areas are open for possible new uses of this drug. This review summarizes current indications for GH use in children and discusses areas of clinical debate and potential anabolic uses in chronic illness.
Activated RhoA binds to the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of PDZ-RhoGEF, a potential site for autoregulation.

Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) catalyze exchange of GDP for GTP by stabilizing the nucleotide-free state of the small GTPases through their Dbl homology/pleckstrin homology (DH·PH) domains. Unconventionally, PDZ-RhoGEF (PRG), a member of the RGS-RhoGEFs, binds tightly to both nucleotide-free and activated RhoA (RhoA·GTP). We have characterized the interaction between PRG and activated RhoA and determined the structure of the PRG-DH·PH-RhoA·GTPγS (guanosine 5′-O-[γ-thio]triphosphate) complex. The interface bears striking similarity to a GTPase-effector interface and involves the switch regions in RhoA and a hydrophobic patch in PRG-PH that is conserved among all Lbc RhoGEFs. The two surfaces that bind activated and nucleotide-free RhoA on PRG-DH·PH do not overlap, and a ternary complex of PRG-DH·PH bound to both forms of RhoA can be isolated by size-exclusion chromatography. This novel interaction between activated RhoA and PH could play a key role in regulation of RhoGEF activity in vivo.
The effects of quality of working life (QWL) on employee behavioral responses

Quality of work life (QWL) was conceptualized in terms of need satisfaction stemming from an interaction of workers' needs (survival, social, ego, and self-actualization needs) and those organizational resources relevant for meeting them. It was hypothesized that need satisfaction (or QWL) is positively related to organizational identification, job satisfaction, job involvement, job effort, job performance; and negatively related to personal alienation. A survey study was conducted based on a sample of 219 service deliverers to the elderly in a large midwestern city. The results were consistent with the hypotheses. Managerial implications were also discussed.
Sex and handedness differences in EEG measures of hemispheric specialization

Abstract EEG alpha asymmetry was studied in 90 normal adults: right-handed, left-handed, and ambidextrous, male and female. Recordings were made from homologous central, parietal, and occipital leads, referenced to vertex, while subjects engaged in writing, speaking, reading, listening to speech, singing, and block design construction. These data confirm our previous findings that alpha asymmetry is task-dependent and extend them to a broader range of tasks, subjects, and leads. Among right-handers significant differences were found between the language tasks and the musical and spatial tasks: the R L alpha ratio is higher in the language tasks. In addition, significant ordering of R L alpha ratios was found among the language tasks themselves: WRITE a SPEAK > READ > LISTEN. No one “verbal” task can be considered representative of all language behaviors. Task differences in asymmetry were greater at the central than at the parietal leads, and no differences were found at the occiput. Differences among the handedness groups were found in R L alpha ratio in specific tasks, in the relationship among tasks, and in alpha power level. Non-right-handers showed less task-dependent asymmetry. On some measures ambidexters appear to be a distinct group, not simply representing the middle range of a left-handed/right-handed continuum. Reversal of the “expected” right-handed pattern (SPEAK R L ratio > BLOCKS R L ratio) was seen in 10% of right-handers, and in 36% of left-handers, particularly among left-handed females (46%), suggesting a possible sex difference among non-right-handers. No sex difference was found among right-handers on any task with any measure at any lead.
Ultrasensitive immunosensor for the detection of cancer biomarker based on graphene sheet

Abstract An ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensor based on graphene sheet (GS) has been developed. GS was used to immobilize mediator thionine (TH), horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and secondary anti-prostate-specific antigen (PSA) antibody (Ab 2 ) and the resulting nanostructure (GS-TH-HRP-Ab 2 ) was used as the label for the immunosensor. With primary anti-PSA antibody (Ab 1 ) also immobilized onto the GS, the immunosensor displayed a wide range of linear response (0.002–10 ng/mL), low detection limit (1 pg/mL), good reproducibility, selectivity and stability. The good performance of the immunosensor is attributed to the graphene sheet's high surface-to-volume ratio which allows the immobilization of a high-level of Ab 1 , Ab 2 , TH and HRP and its good electrical conductivity which can improve the electron transfer among TH, HRP, H 2 O 2 and electrode. The immunosensor was used to detect the PSA contents in serum samples from patients and satisfactory test results were obtained in comparison with the ELISA test results. Thus, graphene-based labels may provide many potential applications for the detection of different cancer biomarkers.
The clinical significance of thickened gastric folds found on upper gastrointestinal series.

AbstractGoalsTo assess the impact of upper endoscopy and biopsy on the outcome of patients with isolated thickened gastric folds found on barium upper gastrointestinal series (UGIS).StudyA total of 8,325 consecutive UGIS reports were reviewed to identify 182 patients who were found to have isolated
Hysterectomy and loss of fertility: Implications for women's mental health

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to assess the percentage of women scheduled for hysterectomy who would have liked to have had a child or more children and associated factors. Methods The study sample included 1140 premenopausal women having hysterectomy for benign indications who were interviewed before and after their surgery over the course of a 2-year follow-up period. The main outcome measures for this study were desire for a (or another) child measured preoperatively; concurrent measures of psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, anger, and confusion, and seeking of professional help for emotional problems; and psychological distress measured 12 and 24 months postoperatively. Results Of the sample, 10.5% (n=120) answered yes to the question, “Before you were told you needed a hysterectomy, would you have wanted a (or another) child?” As compared with those who did not, those who desired a (another) child were younger; more likely to be nulliparous; waited longer before having surgery; were more likely to have an indication of endometriosis; had higher levels of depression, anxiety, anger, and confusion; and were more than twice as likely to have seen a mental health professional for anxiety or depression in the 3 months before their surgery. These differences in psychological distress persisted over the course of the 2-year follow-up period. Conclusions The issue of loss of fertility should be discussed candidly with women considering hysterectomy, and those who express ambivalence, sadness, or regret at the loss of future childbearing options may benefit from further exploration of fertility-sparing treatments.
The Surprisingly Nonviolent Aftermath of the Beslan School Hostage Taking

The horrific 2004 hostage taking in Beslan, North Ossetia, was widely expected to provoke retaliatory violence by ethnic Ossetians against ethnic Ingush and Chechens. The peaceful political activism that ensued suggests a key to breaking the cycle of ethnic violence.
To See from Below: Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Mandates and Feminist Ethics

Scholars celebrate Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a “prophet of justice for the oppressed” who identified the need “to see the great events of world history from below.” But few address the thorniest aspect of Bonhoeffer’s ethics for the marginalized: the mandates or divine commissions in church, marriage, work, and government made concrete within certain orders of relationship and authority. Bonhoeffer’s marriage mandate poses particular problems as it reinforces unjust social structures. Fortunately, striking similarities between Bonhoeffer’s ethics and feminist thought—attention to concrete contexts, the role of emotion in moral reasoning, opposition to harmful dualisms, and emphasis on relationality—suggest that feminists are well-placed to critique and reconstruct Bonhoeffer’s account. Construing the mandates as contexts for “genuine communities of argument” repurposes them to combat rather than condone injustice.
1245 INTERACTION OF SUBSTRATE OXIDATION AND PHOSPHOLIPID SYNTHESIS IN DEVELOPING LUNG

The developing lung is dependent on substrate availability to support both growth and the specialized synthetic pathways of surfactant phospholipid (PPL) synthesis. We have investigated fatty acid (FA) oxidation in developing lung and have examined interactions between glucose and FA oxidation and pulmonary lipid synthesis during fetal and newborn development. Oxidation of capric acid (10 carbons) decreased between 17 and 21 days of fetal development but showed a marked increase on the first postnatal day. Palmitate oxidation showed a similar postnatal increase but oxidative rates were lower. At one day of age capric acid oxidation was 20% that of glucose oxidation. Triglyceride and PPL synthesis from palmitate by lung slices paralleled the postnatal increase in FA oxidation. There was an inverse relationship between FA oxidation and increasing FA chain length with highest oxidative rates seen with caprate and lowest rates with palmitate. This was not influenced by the addition of carnitine to the medium. There was a direct relationship between increasing FA chain length and incorporation into lung lipids. Palmitate was the FA most actively incorporated. These data suggest that while FA can be actively oxidized by newborn lung, long chain fatty acids may be utilized preferentially for PPL synthesis rather than as oxidative substrates. Metabolic change in developing lung may influence substrate and energy availability and the course of surfactant production.
Geochronology and geochemistry of multiple generations of monazite from the Wepawaug Schist, Connecticut, USA: implications for monazite stability in metamorphic rocks

U-Pb isotope analyses, rare earth and trace element analyses, and petrographic observations are presented for monazites from the Wepawaug Schist in southern Connecticut, USA. Two samples of kyanite zone schist were collected less than a meter apart. Each sample contains a different variety of monazite with distinct morphology, chemistry, and Pb isotopic composition. One sample preserves a largely amphibolite facies mineralogy, including kyanite, staurolite, garnet, biotite, and chlorite, with little textural evidence of later shearing. Monazites from this sample are xenoblastic with about 1 wt% ThO2, 0.3 wt% CaO, and a more LREE enriched pattern than monazites from the second sample. These xenoblastic monazites preserve textural evidence of a retrograde reaction to apatite which involves chlorite, indicating that these monazites became unstable during retrograde chloritization of biotite. These monazites give strongly discordant U-Pb ages which fit a chord with an upper intercept age of 411±18 Ma, interpreted as the minimum growth age of these xenoblastic monazites, perhaps during amphibolite facies metamorphism. The second sample contains S-C banding, evidence of dynamic recrystallization, and abundant retrograde chlorite. This sample contains idioblastic monazites with about 3 wt% ThO2, 0.8 wt% CaO, and with less fractionated REE patterns. These monazites give close to concordant U-Pb ages with a mean 207Pb*/206Pb* age of 388 ± 2 Ma. This age is interpreted as probably representing the time of monazite growth during retrogression of the sample from an amphibolite to greenschist facies mineralogy.
An exact Kolmogorov–Smirnov test for the Poisson distribution with unknown mean

We develop an exact Kolmogorov–Smirnov goodness-of-fit test for the Poisson distribution with an unknown mean. This test is conditional, with the test statistic being the maximum absolute difference between the empirical distribution function and its conditional expectation given the sample total. Exact critical values are obtained using a new algorithm. We explore properties of the test, and we illustrate it with three examples. The new test seems to be the first exact Poisson goodness-of-fit test for which critical values are available without simulation or exhaustive enumeration.
The co-pathogenesis of influenza viruses with bacteria in the lung

Concern that a highly pathogenic virus might cause the next influenza pandemic has spurred recent research into influenza and its complications. Bacterial superinfection in the lungs of people suffering from influenza is a key element that promotes severe disease and mortality. This co-pathogenesis is characterized by complex interactions between co-infecting pathogens and the host, leading to the disruption of physical barriers, dysregulation of immune responses and delays in a return to homeostasis. The net effect of this cascade can be the outgrowth of the pathogens, immune-mediated pathology and increased morbidity. In this Review, advances in our understanding of the underlying mechanisms are discussed, and the key questions that will drive the field forwards are articulated.
On the cyclic behavior of a directionally solidified eutectic alloy containing ductile fibers

A study of the low cycle fatigue behavior of the unidirectionally solidified eutectic alloy Ni3Al(γ′)-molybdenum has been carried out. A difference in thermal contraction characteristics of fiber and matrix led to the development of residual stresses on the composite which influenced the initial flow processes as well as the shape of hysteresis loops. The fatigue tests were carried out under reversed strain-control conditions, and for lives less than 104 cycles fiber buckling led to a curvature of the log strain-log life plot. Dislocation arrays in both matrix and fibers were examined by TEM. Of particular interest was a unique dislocation arrangement in the fibers which consisted of a dense tangle of dislocation debris in the core of the fiber and a relatively dislocation-free region between the core and outer surface of the fiber. The development of this core structure was attributed to the operation of multiple dislocation sources and the annihilation of trailing screw segments of dislocation loops within the fibers.
Neopilina (Vema) ewingi, a Second Living Species of the Paleozoic Class Monoplacophora

In December 1958 the Lamont Geological Observatory research vessel "Vema" dredged four specimens of Monoplacophora from the Peru-Chile Trench off northern Peru. This is the second discovery of living representatives of this class of Mollusca which was thought, until 1957, to have become extinct in the Devonian. The specimens are considered to represent a new subgenus and species: Neopilina (Vema) ewingi , and the discovery suggests that more relict types may exist alive in the deep sea off Central and South America.
A comparison of ballistic limit with adaptive-mesh Eulerian hydrocode predictions of one- and two-plate aluminum shielding protection against millimeter-sized Fe–Ni space debris

Abstract Hypervelocity collisions with space debris (SD, natural meteoroids and man-made artifacts) can significantly affect the performance of spacecraft. Here, I compare (1) the predictions of the Cour-Palais/Christiansen (C-P/C) ballistic limit equations (BLEs) spacecraft shield models with (2) the predictions of the response of those shields generated by an adaptive-mesh Eulerian hydrodynamic code, incorporating Mie-Gruneisen solid mechanics and a simple material-failure model, running on a modern PC, for hypervelocity collisions with millimeter-sized iron–nickel (Fe–Ni) spheres. The results show that the shield thicknesses predicted by the C-P/C BLEs are consistent with the adequacy of the shield response predicted by the hydrodynamic modeling. Although several hydrocodes have been used to validate the C-P/C BLEs, validating them with an (inherently computing resource-efficient) adaptive-mesh Eulerian hydrodynamic code for this impact regime appears to be novel.
Genetic Selection of a Plasmodium-Refractory Strain of the Malaria Vector Anopheles gambiae

The anopheline mosquito is the target in most malaria control programs, primarily through the use of residual insecticides. A mosquito was studied that is refractory to most species of malaria through a genetically controlled mechanism. A strain of Anopheles gambiae, which was selected for complete refractoriness to the simian malaria parasite Plasmodium cynomolgi, also has varying degrees of refractoriness to most other malaria species examined, including the human parasites P. falciparum, P. ovale, and P. vivax for which this mosquito is the principal African vector. Furthermore, the refractoriness extends to other subhuman primate malarias, to rodent malaria, and to avian malaria. Refractoriness is manifested by encapsulation of the malaria ookinete after it completes its passage through the mosquito midgut, approximately 16 to 24 hours after ingestion of an infective blood meal. Fully encapsulated ookinetes show no abnormalities in parasite organelles, suggesting that refractoriness is due to an enhanced ability of the host to recognize the living parasite rather than to a passive encapsulation of a dead or dying parasite. Production of fully refractory and fully susceptible mosquito strains was achieved through a short series of selective breeding steps. This result indicates a relatively simple genetic basis for refractoriness. In addition to the value these strains may serve in general studies of insect immune mechanisms, this finding encourages consideration of genetic manipulation of natural vector populations as a malaria control strategy.
Insulin resistance despite tight glucose control is associated with mortality in critically ill surgical patients.

Background: The hyperglycemic state following trauma and surgery is related partially to insulin resistance (IR). The objective is to determine if critically ill surgical patients vary in their extent of IR and is IR associated with mortality. Methods: Prospective observational study in trauma and surgical intensive care units. There were 925 ventilated, critically ill surgical patients who were placed on an automated euglycemia protocol. A mathematic multiplier (M) employed by the protocol was used as a measure of IR. Outcome, phenotypic, laboratory, and treatment variables were analyzed. Results: 54,141 entries for glucose (mg/dl) and M were analyzed. Median glucose was 118mg/dL, with 45% of values between 80-110mg/dL, 81% between 80-150 mg/dL, and 0.2% less than 40 mg/ dL. M varied by 42 fold over the entire population, and by an average of 11-fold among individual patients. The median blood glucose was not different between groups (118 mg/dl for survivors and 118 mg/dl for non-survivors, P = 0.36). Th...
FACTORS AFFECTING SENSITIVITY OF A TRANSDUCER FOR MEASURING ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT FORCE

Abstract In order to determine the measurements and calibration methods necessary to accurately measure in vivo forces in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the goat, an in vitro study was conducted to evaluate the effect of several factors that could influence the sensitivity of a transducer implanted within the ligament. Four factors were studied in six specimens: flexion angle [0°, 10°, 30°, 50°, and 70° from full extension (FFE)]; tibial rotation (0° and 10° of internal rotation at 30°, 50°, and 70° flexion FFE); loading rate (cycling frequencies of 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 Hz); and temperature (22°C and 37°C). Anteroposterior tibial displacements were applied to the specimens following tissue resection to isolate the ACL. The resultant ACL force magnitude was measured with a multi-component load cell, and transducer sensitivity was calculated as the slope of the output vs force curve in the linear response region. Transducer sensitivity varied with joint position in each specimen, but there was no consistent trend from specimen to specimen in how the sensitivity changed. As a result, there were no statistically significant mean differences ( p >0.05). There were no significant differences and little variation in sensitivity due to changes in either loading rate or tissue temperature, although the latter produced a voltage offset. The results show that the transducer output with zero force on the ligament must be determined in vivo , after which in vitro calibrations may be conducted at room temperature. The variation in sensitivity suggests that the transducer is best calibrated on a specimen by specimen basis and at multiple joint positions.
Balloon catheter dilatation for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

Abstract Balloon dilating catheters (BDC) have provided a nonoperative means of managing obstructive lesions within the gastrointestinal tract. Its potential utility in infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) was studied. Six patients with HPS underwent balloon catheter dilatation of the pylorus under the direct observation of the surgeon. The pylorus was exposed using a standard right upper quadrant incision. The BDC was passed transorally into the stomach and manipulated into the pyloric canal by the surgeon. The balloon was inflated with saline to a maximum pressure of 50 psi for 2 minutes. Four patients were dilated with a 10-mm diameter balloon catheter, and in two patients, a 15-mm balloon was used. Success was defined as the complete and longitudinal disruption of the seromuscular ring without violation of mucosal integrity. Using this criterion, none had successful pyloric dilatation. No disruption occurred in three patients, partial disruption in two. These patients subsequently underwent a Ramstedt pyloromyotomy. Complete disruption was observed in one; however, a breach of the mucosa was evident. This was repaired without incident. All seromuscular breaks occurred at the point of vascular entry along the lesser curve, presumably the weakest point of the ring. Pyloric dilatation using BDC does not reliably disrupt the muscular ring. This preliminary report recognizes that major refinements must occur before this method will supplant the time-honored surgical pyloromyotomy for HPS.
Edge detection methods applied to the analysis of spherical raindrop images

Optical imaging of raindrops provides important information on the statistical distribution of raindrop size and raindrop shape. These distributions are critical for extracting rainfall rates from both dual- and single-polarization radar signals. A large number of raindrop images are required to obtain these statistics, necessitating automatic processing of the imagery. The accuracy of the measured drop size depends critically on the characteristics of the digital image processing algorithm used to identify and size the drop. Additionally, the algorithm partially determines the effective depth of field of the camera/image processing system. Because a large number of drop images are required to obtain accurate statistics, a large depth of field is needed, which tends to increase errors in drop size measurement. This trade-off between accuracy and depth of field (dof) is also affected by the algorithm used to identify the drop outline. In this paper, eight edge detection algorithms are investigated and compared to determine which is best suited for accurately extracting the drop outline and measuring the diameter of an imaged raindrop while maintaining a relatively large depth of field. The algorithm which overall gave the largest dof along with the most accurate estimate of the size of the drop was the Hueckel algorithm [J. Assoc. Comput. Mach. 20, 634 (1973)].
Is computerization worth the price? an evaluation of 7 years use of tmr

Pickens Health Center, a university-based, multi-program ambutatory care center, conducted an evaluation of its computer services to determine whether the computerization of medical practice was worth the price. Pickens had implemented TMR, an interactive medical and management information system, in 1977. After seven years of computerization, increasing financial pressures forced Pickens to ask itself whether its programs might be better off financially and operationally if converted back to a manual system. An indepth anaLysis of the use of TMR at Pickens HeaLth Center led to the conclusion that computerization was cost-effective, encouraged high quality medical care and was worth the price.
HIV-associated immune complex glomerulonephritis with "lupus-like" features: a clinicopathologic study of 14 cases.

HIV-associated immune complex glomerulonephritis with "lupus-like" features: A clinicopathologic study of 14 cases. Background While the most common glomerular lesion associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) [HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN)], immune complex-mediated forms of glomerulonephritis have been increasingly reported. One form of glomerulonephritis that has been described in the HIV-infected population is immune complex glomerulonephritis with "lupus-like" features, characterized by histologic, immunohistologic, and ultrastructural features resembling lupus nephritis, but occurring in patients without evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Data regarding clinical outcomes in patients with this form of glomerulonephritis are very limited. Methods We reviewed pathology reports for all native renal biopsy specimens from HIV-positive patients processed at our center from January 1999 through December 2003. Of 77 total specimens, 14 met the following criteria for lupus-like glomerulonephritis: ( 1 ) immunofluorescence microscopy showed granular glomerular staining for IgG, IgA, IgM, C3 and C1q, with ≥1+ (0 to 4+ scale) staining for C1q; and ( 2 ) the patient's serum was negative for antinuclear antibodies (ANA), or weakly positive (titer ≤1:80) for ANA and negative for antidouble-stranded DNA. Results Clinically, ten of the 14 patients with lupus-like glomerulonephritis presented with nephrotic syndrome, all had microscopic hematuria, and nine had serum creatinine >3.0 mg/dL. All but one were African American. Histologically, seven biopsies showed diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis, six focal proliferative glomerulonephritis, and one membranous nephropathy. All but two biopsies showed moderate or severe chronic change, and three showed concurrent HIVAN. Ten of the 14 patients developed end-stage renal disease (ESRD) within 1 year of the biopsy. Nine of these ten patients presented with proteinuria >5.0 g/24 hours and nephrotic syndrome, while three of four patients who did not develop ESRD had proteinuria ≤3.0 g/24 hours. Conclusion Lupus-like glomerulonephritis, defined by immunohistologic features and absence of serologic evidence of SLE, is not an uncommon form of glomerular disease in HIV-infected patients undergoing a renal biopsy. Renal outcomes in these patients were poor, although this may be due largely to most patients presenting with advanced disease.
Generating binary trees using rotations

A new algorithm that, for the first time, exploits the rotational geometry of binary trees is developed in order to allow for the lexicographic generation of computer representations of these trees in average time O(1) per tree. “Rotation” codewords for these trees (in average time O(1) per tree) are also generated. It is shown how these codewords relate to lattice paths, and, using this relationship, that n(n - 1)/(n + 2) is the average number of rotations needed to generate a binary tree on n nodes. Finally, a necessary and sufficient condition that a codeword represent a full binary tree (each node has 0 or 2 sons) on n = 2m + 1 nodes is given and how to contract this codeword to obtain the codeword for the binary tree on m nodes for which this full tree is the extended binary tree is shown.