cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Homothallic and heterothallic mating in the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans

Candida albicans is the most common fungal pathogen in humans, causing both debilitating mucosal infections and potentially life-threatening systemic infections. Until recently, C. albicans was thought to be strictly asexual, existing only as an obligate diploid. A cryptic mating cycle has since been uncovered in which diploid a and alpha cells undergo efficient cell and nuclear fusion, resulting in tetraploid a/alpha mating products. Whereas mating between a and alpha cells has been established (heterothallism), we report here two pathways for same-sex mating (homothallism) in C. albicans. First, unisexual populations of a cells were found to undergo autocrine pheromone signalling and same-sex mating in the absence of the Bar1 protease. In both C. albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Bar1 is produced by a cells and inactivates mating pheromone alpha, typically secreted by alpha cells. C. albicans Deltabar1 a cells were shown to secrete both a and alpha mating pheromones; alpha-pheromone activated self-mating in these cells in a process dependent on Ste2, the receptor for alpha-pheromone. In addition, pheromone production by alpha cells was found to promote same-sex mating between wild-type a cells. These results establish that homothallic mating can occur in C. albicans, revealing the potential for genetic exchange even within unisexual populations of the organism. Furthermore, Bar1 protease has an unexpected but pivotal role in determining whether sexual reproduction can potentially be homothallic or is exclusively heterothallic. These findings also have implications for the mode of sexual reproduction in related species that propagate unisexually, and indicate a role for specialized sexual cycles in the survival and adaptation of pathogenic fungi.
Direct cardiac actions of the H2 receptor agonists, impromidine and dimaprit

Intracoronary administration of the H2 receptor agonists impromidine and dimaprit at doses that did not alter systemic hemodynamics increased coronary blood flow but had no regional positive inotropic effects. Dose-related increases in myocardial blood flow were observed with both drugs. These effects were attenuated by prior administration of cimetidine. The results of this study demonstrate that H2 coronary receptor stimulation results in vasodilation of both subepicardial and subendocardial regions.
Re-Ordering Justice: Towards A New Methodological Approach to Studying Transitional Justice

Scholars and policymakers have turned increasing attention to questions of transitional justice, those legal responses to a former regime’s repressive acts following a change in political systems. Although there is a rich, interdisciplinary literature that addresses the value of various transitional justice measures, theoretical arguments for how and under what conditions we should expect to see these measures implemented tend to gravitate to intuitively appealing relative power considerations. But attempts at parsimony have tended to leave the dependent variable either overly restrictive or poorly defined, yielding theories that are difficult to test. In this article, the author proposes a ‘transitional justice spectrum’ based on a hierarchical series of possible accountability mechanisms and designed to allow researchers to conduct more rigorous, cross-national tests of justice arguments. The objective here is not to posit a broad theory of transitional justice, but to open the debate into a methodological weakness in the transitional justice literature. The article includes seven accountability mechanisms: cessation and codification of human rights violations; condemnation of the old system; rehabilitation and compensation for victims; creation of a truth commission; purging human rights abusers from public function; criminal prosecution of ‘executors’ (those lower on the chain-of-command); criminal prosecution of commanders (those higher on the chain-of-command).
A reassessment of the brain mechanisms that control thirst.

Abstract The classic “hypothalamocentric” theory of thirst has increasingly been challenged because the effects of hypothalamic lesions are not as behaviorally or anatomically specific as earlier research indicated. Instead, the attention of investigators in the field has increasingly been drawn to the lateral preoptic region and the tissues surrounding the anterior third ventricle. The present paper reviews these developments and proposes that still another diencephalic structure, the subthalamic region known as the zona incerta, may play a major role in the regulation of thirst and water intake.
Modifying Public Domain Software for Use by the Learning Disabled Student

Computer software purchased off-the-shelf may not accommodate the needs of learning disabled (LD) students. This article presents eleven types of modification techniques that can be applied to enhance the quality of public domain instructional software. Implications of these modifications for LD students are discussed.
Spin Resonance and Electrical Conductivity of Indole-Iodine

INDOLE and iodine form a black complex that exhibits a strong electron spin resonance signal1. The interpretation that has been given is that indole, if complexed with a small acceptor such as iodine, may act as an especially strong electron donor due to the negative formal charge that exists on carbon 2 and 3.
Shading and Stereo in Early Perception of Shape and Reflectance

Recent experiments involving shaded 2-D stimuli have shown that early-vision mechanisms are capable of interpreting 3-D shape from shading. In particular, target discrimination tasks suggest that a target 'pops out' when background distractors, but not the target, can be interpreted as convex and lit from above or top-left. Since the problem of extracting 3-D shape from shading is intrinsically ill-defined, early vision may need to make these twin assumptions of convexity and top-left lighting in order to constrain the problem. Would these assumptions be recognized as unnecessary and consequently discarded when 3-D shape could be unambiguously defined by some other cue, like stereo disparity? A 2AFC stimulus onset asynchrony paradigm with masking was used in target discrimination experiments. The performance of five naive subjects on tasks where only shading cues were present was compared with that on tasks involving shading as well as stereo cues that define shape unambiguously. The results show that although stereo disparity information is incorporated by early-vision 3-D mechanisms, it is not used to overturn the default assumptions of lighting and shape. Stereo information is interpreted within the framework of top-left lighting, and a consistent preference for convexity is seen over concavity.
Desorption kinetic detection of different adsorption sites on opened carbon single walled nanotubes : The adsorption of n-nonane and CCl4

We show that thermal desorption kinetics clearly resolve adsorbates bound in different sites on single walled carbon nanotube bundles. The molecules n-C9H20 and CCl4 were compared and it was found that the nanotube internal sites exhibited the highest desorption temperature, whereas external groove sites exhibited the next highest desorption temperature for both molecules. When n-C9H20 and CCl4 coadsorb, the more strongly bound n-C9H20 quantitatively displaces CCl4 from internal sites to groove sites. Molecular shape governs the capacity of the different sites for the two molecules.
Critical thicknesses for the transition from intermediate- to mixed-state behavior in superconducting thin films of Pb, Sn, and In

Recent direct observations of the magnetic structure in thin films of Pb, Sn, and In are discussed relative to resistance measurements on the same films and to earlier experimental and theoretical work on thin films. Comparison to the theoretical results of Maki and Lasher is made and it is found that these results predict reasonably accurately the critical thickness separating intermediate-and mixed-state behavior in the thin films studied. This implies that the critical thickness has been overestimated in earlier work on similar films. It is suggested that this accounts, in part, for the high values obtained for the pure, bulk Ginzburg-Landau parameter in those experiments.
Primordial Oil Slick

Calculations and some preliminary experiments suggest that an early methane atmosphere would have been polymerized by solar ultraviolet radiation in geologically short periods of time. An oil slick 1 to 10 meters thick could have been produced in this way and might well have been of considerable importance in the development of life.
Objective analysis of monthly temperature and salinity for the world ocean in the 21st century: Comparison with World Ocean Atlas and application to assimilation validation

[1] A new World Ocean atlas of monthly temperature and salinity, based on individual profiles for 2003–2007 (WOA21c), is constructed and compared with the World Ocean Atlas 2001 (WOA01), the World Ocean Atlas 2005 (WOA05), and the data assimilation analysis from the Coupled Data Assimilation (CDA) system developed by the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL). First, we established a global data management system for quality control (QC) of oceanic observed data both in real time and delayed mode. Delayed mode QC of Argo floats identified about 8.5% (3%) of the total floats (profiles) up to December 2007 as having a significant salinity offset of more than 0.05. Second, all QCed data were gridded at 1° by 1° horizontal resolution and 23 standard depth levels using six spatial scales (large and small longitudinal, latitudinal, and cross-isobath) and a temporal scale. Analyzed mean temperature in WOA21c is warm with respect to WOA01 and WOA05, while salinity difference is less evident. Consistent differences among WOA01, WOA05, and WOA21c are found both in the fully and subsampled data set, which indicates a large impact of recent observations on the existing climatologies. Root mean square temperature and salinity differences and offsets of the GFDL's CDA results significantly decrease in the order of WOA01, WOA05, and WOA21c in most oceans and depths as well. This result suggests that the WOA21c is of use for the collocated assessment approach especially for high-performance assimilation models on the global scale.
PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF HYPOPLASTIC UMBILICAL ARTERY

This study reports the maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes in cases with hypoplastic umbilical artery. The sonographic finding of a three-vessel umbilical cord showing an artery-to-artery diameter difference of more than 50 per cent was defined as hypoplastic umbilical artery. All fetuses diagnosed with hypoplastic umbilical artery underwent genetic amniocentesis and ultrasound. Fetal, maternal, and neonatal outcomes were analysed. Twelve fetuses with hypoplastic umbilical artery were detected over a 6-year period (1989-1995). Associated abnormalities included trisomy 18 (one case), polyhydramnios (three cases), congenital heart disease (one case), and fetal growth restriction (two cases). Maternal diabetes was detected in four cases. The pregnancy was terminated in one case; one neonate with severe fetal growth restriction expired; and one survived with congenital heart disease. The presence of hypoplastic umbilical artery was associated with increased perinatal morbidity and congenital abnormalities. Diabetes was frequently detected. Fetal surveillance and echocardiography are indicated in cases of hypoplastic umbilical artery.
A General Solution to the Scattering of Electromagnetic Waves from a Strip Grating

Abstract We describe a new robust approach for the analysis of strip gratings, both of finite and infinite conductivity, for the TE and TM cases. The field distributions in the plane of the grating are expanded in a Fourier series, whose coefficients are derived as the solution to an infinite-dimensional system of linear equations. Various configurations of the scatterer are considered and it is shown that even in cases where the Tsao-Mittra SIT procedures fails to converge and the moment method requires a large matrix to arrive at a solution, our method yields reasonable results even for small matrix sizes. The accuracy of the solution procedure is analysed by considering the mean-square error in the field magnitudes as a function of the truncation size of the infinite system of linear equations.
Learning from international business affiliates: developing resource-based learning capacity through networks and knowledge acquisition ☆

Abstract Resource-based learning capacity (RBLC) is an organization's specific resources – both human and tangible – that can be organized to enhance learning processes. This study develops and tests a model that examines the relationship between the learning efforts of focal firms from their international business affiliates (IBAs) – organizations located outside the focal firm's domestic market with whom the focal firm has a relationship – and the focal firms' RBLC. This learning process refers to the transfer of knowledge from the IBA to the focal firm. Results indicate that while learning effectiveness positively influences the RBLC of the focal firm, learning efficiency has a negative impact on RBLC. The IBA's home country network centrality and the tie strength between the focal organization and the IBA are found to influence learning effectiveness positively. Tie strength also enhances learning efficiency. Finally, the findings indicate that the IBA's home country network centrality enhances the strength of the ties between the focal organization and its IBA.
Evoked potential augmenting-reducing and personality differences

Abstract Normal volunteers ( N = 120) were screened on the evoked potential (EP) measure of augmenting/reducing introduced by Buchsbaum and Silverman (1968). Extreme augmenters were compared with extreme reducers on the Zuckerman Sensation-seeking Scales, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices (RAPM) and a measure of pain sensitivity. Reducers are more extraverted and more sensation-seeking than augmenters; they are also less sensitive to pain and they have higher scores on the RAPM test. The fact that individuals selected for contrasting EP response patterns differ on these psychological variables supports the idea that there is a neurophysiological basis for individual differences in personality, pain perception and intelligence.
Evaluating public health effectiveness of alcohol label warnings.

Louise and colleagues (2015) express concern about some important ethical nuances inherent in public health recommendations to the general public, specifically concerning mandatory cancer risk warn...
INTERPOPULATIONAL VARIATION IN THE GAMETOPHYTES OF PELLAEA ANDROMEDAEFOLIA

The development and mature morphology of the gametophytes from both sexual and apogamous populations of the fern Pellaea andromedaefolia were investigated. While most sexual examples were indistinguishable, some differences were noted. An insular collection was distinctive in its variability and irregularity of form. Although the latter was a representative of var. pubescens, other collections of the variety could not be distinguished from var. andromedaefolia on the basis of gametophytic characteristics. The apogamous gametophytes were decidedly more variable in development and often very different from sexual thalli. The mature asexual thalli tended to be more irregular in form and usually sharply divergent from the typical cordate type characteristic of the sexual populations. Each of the five apogamous samples was unique with respect to gametophyte development. The differences among the gametophytes of the various populations do not correlate with the sporophytic characteristics which differentiate the two varieties of the species. PELLAEA ANDROMEDAEFOLIA (Kaulf.) Fee, a member of the light-stiped series of section Pellaea (Tryon, 1957), is a widely distributed fern'throughout cismontane California, northern Baja Califomia, and contiguous islands. Within this range there are two clearly distinguishable varieties: the widespread glabrous var. andromedaefolia and the restricted coastal var. pubescens D.C. Eaton (Pray, 1968b). In the course of a detailed study of the gametophytes of this section of the genus (Pray, 1968a) a remarkable degree of variation was found for this species. An examination of this variation is the subject of this paper. Both varieties of this fern produce sexual and apogamous gametophytes. The geographic distribution of these two reproductive types has been described (Pray, 1968b). Some of the most striking interpopulational differences to be analyzed below are correlated with these different types of reproduction. As will be shown, variability is not limited to differences in the reproductive nature of the gametophyte. Variations in the gametophytic generation are not correlated with the obvious sporophytic differences distinguishing the taxonomic varieties. Therefore, in this paper the sexual and apogamous types will be described separately, regardless of varietal distinctions. The gametophytes of all dark-stiped species of section Pellaea have been investigated (Pray, 1968a). Pellaea ovata (Desv.) Weath. (as P. flexuosa [Kaulf.] Link) is the only closely related member of the series to which P. andromedaefolia belongs that has been studied previously (Nayar ' Received for publication 5 February 1968. Supported in part by grants fG-13283 and #GB-1716 from the National Science Foundation. and Bajpai, 1964). These authors have investigated gametophyte development of an apogamous
Exactly Solvable Model of a Magnetic Impurity

A slight modification of the "mixing" term in Anderson's model of a magnetic impurity produces an exactly solvable model. Results of some preliminary calculations are given, and upper and lower bounds on Anderson's model are obtained by means of the exact solutions.
Mathematical modeling of vertebrate limb development

In this paper, we review the major mathematical and computational models of vertebrate limb development and their roles in accounting for different aspects of this process. The main aspects of limb development that have been modeled include outgrowth and shaping of the limb bud, establishment of molecular gradients within the bud, and formation of the skeleton. These processes occur interdependently during development, although (as described in this review), there are various interpretations of the biological relationships among them. A wide range of mathematical and computational methods have been used to study these processes, including ordinary and partial differential equation systems, cellular automata and discrete, stochastic models, finite difference methods, finite element methods, the immersed boundary method, and various combinations of the above. Multiscale mathematical modeling and associated computational simulation have become integrated into the study of limb morphogenesis and pattern formation to an extent with few parallels in the field of developmental biology. These methods have contributed to the design and analysis of experiments employing microsurgical and genetic manipulations, evaluation of hypotheses for limb bud outgrowth, interpretation of the effects of natural mutations, and the formulation of scenarios for the origination and evolution of the limb skeleton.
Plasma androgens and estrogens in paraplegic men.

Abstract The plasma testosterone, estrone (Ed, and estradiol (E 2 ) levels were measured in paraplegic men and age-matched controls. Sephadex LH-20 columns and the celite technique were used to extract the sex steroids and a radioimmunoassay was used to measure them. Leydig cell Stimulation was achieved with human chorionic gonadotropin administration.
Role of Fibronectin and Sulfated Proteoglycans in Endothelial Cell Migration on a Cultured Smooth Muscle Layer

Endothelial cell (EC) migration is essential for the healing of denudation injuries to the vessel wall. This event occurs in vivo in a pericellular environment and should be regulated in part by juxtacrine and paracrine interactions with underlying smooth muscle cells (SMCs). To investigate the EC migration behavior over SMCs under direct cell-cell contact conditions, we have utilized human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) grown to confluence on microcarrier beads and radiolabeled with chromium-51. The EC carrying beads were spread over a confluent human aortic SMC monolayer and cocultured for 48 hr, allowing the EC to migrate from beads onto the underlying SMC monolayer in the presence of sodium chlorate, cycloheximide (CHM), or anti-fibronectin monoclonal antibody (anti-FN mAb). The level of EC migration was quantified by counting the amount of radioactivity on the SMC layer after the removal of the beads. The presence of a SMC layer enhanced EC migration more than threefold (P < 0.05). Furthermore, EC migration was inhibited from 30 to 80% (P < 0.05) by sodium chlorate, CHM, and anti-FN mAb in a dose-dependent fashion. This model has shown that smooth muscle cells augment endothelial motility. Both fibronectin and sulfated proteoglycans released by ECs and SMCs likely play an important role in the regulation of EC migration behavior over SMCs. The method described of using radiolabeled ECs on microcarrier beads should prove to be a useful tool in the study of cell migration in a heterotypic cellular environment.
Clinical Risk Factors for Portopulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease which is characterized by elevated pulmonary vascular resistance, right heart failure, exercise limitation, and an increased risk of death. Histopathologic examination reveals intimal proliferation, medial hypertrophy, and adventitial fibrosis in the small muscular pulmonary arteries. Plexiform lesions and in situ thrombosis are also commonly seen. Most commonly idiopathic, PAH may also be associated with portal hypertension, termed portopulmonary hypertension (PPHTN). McDonnell et al. showed a prevalence of histopathologic changes of PAH in 0.61% of autopsies of patients with cirrhosis, and PPHTN was the third most common form of PAH in a population-based epidemiologic study in France.1,2 Recent cohort studies showed a prevalence of PPHTN of 5%-6% in patients presenting for liver transplant evaluation.3-5 Patients with PPHTN have an increased risk of death, even with specific PAH treatment.4,6 In many cases, PPHTN greatly complicates or precludes liver transplantation, significantly affecting the course of hepatic failure in these patients.7,8 There are no known clinical factors which determine the risk of PPHTN in patients with advanced liver disease. Similarly, the mechanism for pulmonary vascular obliteration in patients with portal hypertension (characterized by systemic vasodilation) is unknown. It follows that the identification of patient characteristics that increase or decrease the probability of developing PPHTN might not only be clinically useful, but could also shed light on the etiology of this relatively common comorbidity of portal hypertension. Therefore, we studied whether demographics, type and severity of underlying liver disease, or other patient factors were associated with the risk of PPHTN.
Pharmacogenetics of Anti-Diabetes Drugs

A variety of treatment modalities exist for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). In addition to dietary and physical activity interventions, T2D is also treated pharmacologically with nine major classes of approved drugs. These medications include insulin and its analogues, sulfonylureas, biguanides, thiazolidinediones (TZDs), meglitinides, α-glucosidase inhibitors, amylin analogues, incretin hormone mimetics, and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors. Pharmacological treatment strategies for T2D are typically based on efficacy, yet favorable responses to such therapeutics are oftentimes variable and difficult to predict. Characterization of drug response is expected to substantially enhance our ability to provide patients with the most effective treatment strategy given their individual backgrounds, yet pharmacogenetic study of diabetes medications is still in its infancy. To date, major pharmacogenetic studies have focused on response to sulfonylureas, biguanides, and TZDs. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of pharmacogenetics investigations of these specific anti-diabetes medications. We focus not only on the results of these studies, but also on how experimental design, study sample issues, and definition of ‘response’ can significantly impact our interpretation of findings. Understanding the pharmacogenetics of anti-diabetes medications will provide critical baseline information for the development and implementation of genetic screening into therapeutic decision making, and lay the foundation for “individualized medicine” for patients with T2D.
Lectin staining of sheep microglia

The B4-isolectin from Griffonia simplicifolia is known to stain microglial cells in a variety of species. The present report describes a lectin staining method that has been modified to facilitate staining of resting microglia, as well as perivascular cells, in vibratome sections of normal sheep brain. This modified method employs tissue fixed in formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde and requires incubating sections with Triton X-100 prior to staining.
Characteristics of Master's in Accounting Degree Programs

Using survey data gathered from 42 universities for the period 1998–2001, we provide data on enrollment trends, the input quality of students, and the relation between student input quality and several other variables for master's in accounting programs. In addition, we analyze program designs and content, and profile the curricula of several programs. This study is motivated by concerns about accounting education cited in the Albrecht and Sack (2000) monograph and by a paucity of evidence pertaining to graduate accounting programs. The enrollment data show that the number of graduate students in accounting has increased in recent years, for both existing programs and for new programs added in response to the 150‐hour requirement. However, the average enrollment level of these programs is not large, especially in comparison to M.B.A. programs. The input quality of students is assessed based on GMAT score data. For a sample of 11,255 students over the four‐year period 1998–2001, the average GMAT score for ...
P1-S6.24 Estimation of prenatal screening rates for chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV among low-income women, California, 2007

Background Prenatal screening for chlamydia (CT), syphilis, and HIV infection is recommended to diagnose and treat infection that might otherwise be transmitted to the neonate and result in perinatal complications. Assessment of screening is important for programs serving low-income women who may be more likely to initiate care late in pregnancy and may be at higher risk for adverse perinatal outcomes. Methods We analysed Medi-Cal program claims to identify low-income California female clients who delivered an infant in 2007 with ≥9 months Medi-Cal eligibility, ≥1 prenatal and family planning claim in the 42 weeks before delivery. Test claims in Medi-Cal and family planning claims during this period for CT, syphilis (including obstetric panels), and HIV were identified based on Common Procedural Terminology-4 codes. We estimated the percent of women screened for CT, syphilis, and HIV, and stratified by trimester screened, age (≤25 years; >25 years), and race/ethnicity. Results of 181 390 Medi-Cal clients who delivered in 2007, the percent with ≥1 prenatal test for all 3 STDs was 62% and for CT, syphilis, and HIV was 73%, 77%, and 62%, respectively, with little variation by age and race/ethnicity. Among 125 444 women who initiated care in the first trimester the percent tested for CT, syphilis, and HIV was 78%, 83%, and 68%, respectively. Among 11 802 women who initiated care in the third trimester the percent tested for CT, syphilis, and HIV of was lower at 43%, 48%, and 31%. Among women who were tested in the first trimester, the percent re-tested in the third trimester for CT, syphilis and HIV was 21%, 30%, and 5%, respectively. Conclusions These lower than expected STD prenatal screening rates should be considered minimum estimates. Estimates have not included testing from all other healthcare programs accessed by women prior to delivery in the Medi-Cal program and have not been validated against medical records. Nevertheless, the lower rates of testing among women with late prenatal care initiation and the relatively low rates of HIV testing as compared with syphilis testing despite legislative mandate are concerning and further studies are needed to understand reasons for these differential rates.
Transient mass transfer processes during the perfusion of a biological organ with a cryophylactic agent solution.

Abstract An analytical study was performed for the mass transfer processes which occurs during a typical CPA introduction protocol in a biological organ. In such a protocol the concentration of CPA in the perfusate changes linearly with time to a maximal value and is then kept at that value for an additional period of time. Numerical solutions to the Kedem-Katchalsky equations for mass transfer processes in an organ modeled by a large number of typical Krogh tissue units were found. The solutions indicate that several phenomena possibly harmful to the organ occur in the tissue as a function of H , the rate of increase in the CPA concentration.
The impact of dietary fat and fiber on intestinal carcinogenesis

The effect of dietary fiber on intestinal carcinogenesis in animals is controversial. Some find that the addition of wheat bran or cellulose inhibits intestinal cancer in rats, while others report no effect. Such mixed results often are due to differences in the design of experiments. One important aspect in this regard is the amount of fat in the diet. Some fiber supplements inhibit cancer formation when the fat content is normal but not when it is high. However, a recent epidemiological study in Scandinavia showed a lower cancer incidence in a rural population compared with an urban area, in spite of the fact that the dietary fat content was high in both regions. There was a modest difference in the amount of fiber, and this may not have accounted completely for the variation in cancer incidence. Other dietary factors might have added inhibitory response to help overcome the promotional effect of an excessive amount of fat. The interaction among dietary components must be considered when designing animal experiments to assess the effect of fiber on cancer development.
Comparison of a PACS workstation with conventional film for interpretation of neonatal examinations: a paired comparison study.

The diagnostic value of neonatal examinations using picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) was compared with that of conventional radiographs. A total of 202 consecutive chest or abdominal radiographs from the newborn intensive care unit were digitized for display on a commercially available PACS console. Experimental design was a paired comparison study. Plain films and PACS images were reviewed alternately in unbiased fashion. After the examination was evaluated using the second modality, any change in diagnosis or confidence in diagnosis was noted. Overall evaluation showed slight preference for the PACS modality. Change of diagnosis or in confidence of diagnosis was more than twice as likely to occur with evaluation of PACS (35%) after hadcopy than with evaluation of conventional radiographs (14%) after PACS. Of the variety of image processing features available on PACS, only window and leveling were judged to be of significant value. These results indicate that PACS and conventional radiographs of the neonatal chest and abdomen are of similar diagnostic value.
Logic-Based Formal Analysis of Cryptographic Protocols

We develop informal principals and formal rules to verify security properties in cryptographic protocols. These principals are based on the notions of message origination, message freshness, ideal cryptography, message count, and etcetera. Our focus is the authentication and the secrecy properties. We offer a different perspective for analysis in which participants try to achieve guarantees from their own run of the protocol by investigating the set of messages they send and receive instead of by looking at several attack strategies of an illegitimate participant We provide a computational model and present formal semantics of our proposed logical framework according to which our formulas are sound
Two unusual complications of ventriculoperitoneal shunts in the same infant

Ventriculoperitoneal shunts have been associated with many different complications. We describe two rare complications in a 10-month-old girl. To the best of our knowledge, protrusion of ventriculoperitoneal shunt through the knee has not been reported before.
Amplified spontaneous emission spectroscopy of strained quantum well lasers: theory and experiment

We discuss a theoretical model for the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) from both Fabry-Perot (FP) and distributed- feedback semiconductor lasers and show how to use the ASE spectrum to characterize important laser parameters. A systematic experimental procedure to extract optical gain, refractive-index change and linewidth enhancement factor from the spontaneous emission (SE) and ASE spectra is presented. We show good agreement between our experimental and theoretical results for strained InGaAsP quantum-well lasers. Our gain spectrum is calculated from the SE spectrum using their fundamental relationship, which avoids the nonphysical negative value below the band edge energy. This fundamental relationship is also confirmed experimentally. The electronic properties such as the band structures are calculated first, and then the optical properties such as the gain and the refractive index change induced by carrier injection. The optical properties are used to calculate the ASE spectrum which is compared directly with the experimental data, with the mirror reflectivity or the distributed-feedback effects taken into account. Our model and experimental procedures provide a rigorous approach to extract important physical parameters for strained quantum- well lasers.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of hippotherapy on postural stability, in persons with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.

Purpose The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of hippotherapy as an intervention for the treatment of postural instability in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Subjects A sample of convenience of 15 individuals with MS (24-72 years) were recruited from support groups and assessed for balance deficits. Methods This study was a nonequivalent pretest-posttest comparison group design. Nine individuals (4 males, 5 females) received weekly hippotherapy intervention for 14 weeks. The other 6 individuals (2 males, 4 females) served as a comparison group. All participants were assessed with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) at 0, 7, and 14 weeks. Results The group receiving hippotherapy showed statistically significant improvement from pretest (0 week) to posttest (14 week) on the BBS (mean increase 9.15 points (x (2) = 8.82, p = 0.012)) and POMA scores (mean increase 5.13 (x (2) = 10.38, p = 0.006)). The comparison group had no significant changes on the BBS (mean increase 0.73 (x (2) = 0.40, p = 0.819)) or POMA (mean decrease 0.13 (x (2) = 1.41, p = 0.494)). A statistically significant difference was also found between the groups' final BBS scores (treatment group median = 55.0, comparison group median 41.0), U = 7, r = -0.49. Discussion Hippotherapy shows promise for the treatment of balance disorders in persons with MS. Further research is needed to refine protocols and selection criteria.
Probabilistic resolution of the twentieth century conundrum in elastic stability

Abstract This paper overviews the efforts that led to resolution of the 20th century conundrum in elastic stability of shells. In particular, the dramatic disagreement between theoretical and experimental results and the subsequent introduction of the empirical knockdown factor, is discussed in detail. The mismatch between theory and experiment was qualitatively explained by Warner Tjrdus Koiter, in his now-famous thesis, as well as in the paper by Lloyd H. Donnell and C.C. Wan. However, these studies did not offer means for rigorous, theoretical derivation of the knockdown factor for the shells with generic imperfection patterns encountered in practice. Numerous attempts to resolve the conundrum via deterministic theoretical, experimental and probabilistic analyses remained unsuccessful. The concendrum consists in two facts. On one hand, it consists of impossibility of using of hundreds and perhaps thousands of deterministic studies in predicting the rigorous knockdown factors. On the other hand, it lies in the fact that Wynstone Barrie Fraser and Bernard Budiansky (1969) [79] and numerous other investigators, although recognized the need to utilize probabilistic approach to resolve the above concendrum asserted that the buckling load of stochastic structures was a deterministic quantity. Some investigators suggested to use that result as the design load. In 1979, this author lucked out on reliability-based theoretical means for derivation of the knockdown factor and its judicious allocation.
New Type of Collective Accelerator

Described here is a collective accelerator based on magnetically confined plasma rings. Typical rings which have been produced and which have 10-kJ magnetic energy and 0.1 to 10 C of nuclei are predicted to be accelerated magnetically to 10 MJ or higher in acceleration lengths of 100 m. Applications are discussed of current drive in tokamak fusion reactors, fueling and heating magnetic fusion reactors, transuranic element synthesis, and, for focused rings, a high-energy density driver for inertial confinement fusion.
The effect of ion plating on the low cycle fatigue behavior of copper single crystals

Abstract Copper single crystals were ion plated with copper, nickel and silver, and cycled to fracture in tension-compression under strain control over a range of amplitudes. All crystals, except those cycled at very high strain amplitudes, exhibited rapid hardening followed by softening and secondary hardening prior to fracture. The fatigue softening is associated with duplex slip induced by the high strain amplitudes. The cyclic hardening is a result of a bulk hardening effect and is insensitive to the surface condition. However, crack initiation is sensitive to the surface topography of the slip bands and can be changed by using coating materials of different stacking fault energies.
A polymer-based bidirectional micropump driven by a PZT bimorph

This paper presents a polymer-based micropump for liquid control or drug delivery. The dimension of the pump was 20 × 24 × 3 mm3. A pair of O-ring SU-8 passive valves was fabricated by lift-off technique to control the fluid movement. Micropumps with dimple, bridge, and cantilever valves were studied. The PZT bimorph acted on the polymer membrane to periodically drive fluid. The maximum flow rate was 16.4 ml/min, and the back pressure was 1,525 mmH2O at 150 V (Vp-p). In frequency sweeping experiments, two flow rate peaks and back pressure peaks were analyzed. Bidirectional flow rate was achieved by changing the valve seat from a one-size hole to a step hole. The maximum backward flow rate was 5.1 ml/min, and the driving frequency was about 355 Hz higher than the forward flow rate driving frequency.
Electrical characterization of nanowire bridges incorporating biomolecular recognition elements

We have investigated the formation and electrical properties of nanowire bridges formed when nanowires modified with the biomolecule biotin span across a gap between gold microelectrodes functionalized with the complementary biomolecule, avidin. Dielectrophoretic manipulation with a 1 MHz AC voltage is used to manipulate biotin-modified nanowires into the inter-electrode gap. Biomolecular recognition between the biotin-modified nanowires and the avidin-modified gold microelectrodes then holds the nanowires securely in place. By simultaneously applying a second, lower-frequency AC voltage and using lock-in detection, we are able to monitor individual bridging events in real time and to characterize the change in electrical response associated with individual nanowire bridges. The combined use of physical manipulation with biomolecular recognition can be used for selective assembly of nanoscale materials, as well as analytical application as a biologically activated switch in which an electrical contact is controlled by a biomolecular recognition process.
Formulation and optimization of desogestrel transdermal contraceptive patch using crystallization studies.

Levonorgestrel (LNG) is the most commonly used progestin in contraception. In this study we report the use of an alternative progestin desogestrel for transdermal contraception. The drug was found to be significantly more permeable as compared to LNG (p<0.05). Crystallization studies were used to select the best adhesive among acrylate (Duro-Tak 87-4098 and Duro-Tak 87-202A) and polyisobutylene (PIB Duro-Tak 87-608A) pressure sensitive adhesives by determining the drugs saturation solubility in them. The use of copovidone and mineral oil as formulation excipients was investigated to increase drug loading in the PIB adhesive. Physical characterization of the patches was performed using in vitro drug release content analysis patch weight and thickness variations and rolling ball tack and peel adhesion studies. Optimized patches were evaluated for in vitro transdermal delivery across hairless rat skin. The saturation solubility of desogestrel was found to be approximately 49.3% (w/w) and 55.6% (w/w) in Duro-Tak 87-4098 and Duro-Tak 87-202A acrylate adhesives respectively. The saturation solubility of desogestrel was significantly lower (3-4% w/w) in the PIB adhesive. Mineral oil (10% w/w) and copovidone (30% w/w) were found to be optimum for increasing drug loading and patch cosmetics. Results from the physical characterization studies suggest that a uniform and reproducible 7 day drug-in-adhesive patch could be developed. Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Mutational analysis of ethanol interactions with G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels.

Abstract G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels play a major role in regulating inhibitory responses in the nervous system. Previously, we showed that function of GIRK channels, but not that of the related inwardly rectifying potassium (IRK) channels, was enhanced by intoxicating concentrations of ethanol in native and recombinant systems. In addition, by using chimeras constructed between GIRK2 and IRK1 channels and truncation mutants of GIRK2 channel, a region of 43 amino acids in the carboxyl (C) terminus of GIRK2 channels was shown to be important for enhancement by ethanol. In the present study, we attempted to define the critical amino acids for ethanol actions within this 43 amino acid region. We made GIRK2 channel mutants with single or multiple amino acids changed to those corresponding to IRK1 channel by using site-directed mutagenesis and expressed them in Xenopus oocytes. Each of the amino acid residues not identical between GIRK2 and IRK1 channels was systematically changed. Ethanol (100 mM) enhanced function of wild type GIRK2 channel by 38%, as observed previously. However, none of the mutants showed any significant difference from wild type, indicating that none of the mutations tested were sufficient to abolish the enhancement by ethanol.
Penetrating injuries of the subclavian artery

Abstract Background Penetrating injuries of the subclavian artery occurs infrequently but represent a surgical challenge. We reviewed our experience with penetrating injury of the subclavian artery and identify factors that influenced morbidity and mortality. Methods A retrospective review was performed on 54 consecutive patients who sustained penetrating injury to the subclavian artery during a 10-year period. Results The causes of injuries were gunshot wounds in 46 patients (85%), stab wounds in 5 patients (9%), and shotgun wounds in 3 patients (6%). The overall mortality was 39%. Operative management of the subclavian artery injury included primary repair in 38 patients, interposition grafting in 13 patients, and ligation in 3 patients. The most common associated injury was subclavian vein (44%) followed by brachial plexus (31%). Predictors of survivability include mechanism of penetrating injuries, hemodynamic status of patients on arrival, and three or more associated injuries involving other structures. Associated brachial plexus injury accounts for the majority of long-term morbidity in survivors. Conclusions Penetrating injuries of the subclavian artery are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Multiple concomitant injuries, unstable vital signs upon presentation, and gun shot injuries greatly increase mortality.
Redox Effects in Self-Sustainiing Combustion Synthesis of Oxide Ceramic Powders

The glycine/nitrate process (GNP) is a combustion synthesis method that is particularly useful for synthesizing ultra-fine, multi-component oxide powders. During the self-sustaining combustion, the precursor solution is rapidly converted into an oxide product with glycine serving as the fuel and nitrates providing the oxidant. This paper examines the effects of altering the fuel/oxidant ratio on the characteristics of the product. Examples discussed include La(Sr)CrO3 and La(Sr)FeO3 perovskites and NiO.
Comparison of in-situ to ex-situ activities of bitumen-deactivated catalysts

Catalyst deactivation runs were carried out in a flow reactor using bitumen and its maltene fraction as feeds in heptane solvent. Catalytic activity tests, using a mixture of model compounds, were performed to evaluate hydrogenation and C−N hydrogenolysis activities both directly after the aging run and again after the same aged catalyst had been posttreated by extraction with chloroform and resulfided. Two types of carbonaceous deposits were identified on the aged catalysts. One type, deposits left on the catalyst directly after the aging run, contained relatively large amounts of polymer-like material and caused significant losses in catalyst surface area. Catalytic activity was best related to residual, unblocked surface area and some poisoned sites. The second type, deposits remaining after extraction of the aged catalyst, was typical of conventional coke and did not block any pores. Subsequent activity tests showed activities were related to catalyst coke content.
Measuring the 3D position and orientation of single molecules simultaneously and accurately with the double helix microscope

Ignoring the anisotropic nature of single-fluorophore emission in super-resolution microscopy can lead to large localization errors. We use the Double-Helix microscope to correct such mislocalizations while simultaneously extracting 3D position and molecular orientation.
PSEUDOGAPS : A THIRD PEAK IN THE FERMION SPECTRAL FUNCTION

I present an exactly solvable model of a pseudogap with two zero-energy fermion modes coupled to each other by a classical source of frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$ and strength $|\ensuremath{\Delta}|$. A suitably defined fermion propagator has an infinite number of poles at frequencies that are multiple integers of ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$. In the adiabatic limit, ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}\ensuremath{\ll}|\ensuremath{\Delta}|$, the situation is qualitatively different from the static case ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}=0$: the residue of the pole at $\ensuremath{\omega}=0$ (a remnant of the bare fermion) vanishes linearly with ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$, a result that could not be anticipated by perturbation theory; the multiple poles of the propagator coalesce into a continuum instead of forming two single poles at $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}|\ensuremath{\Delta}|$, which should be interpreted as inhomogeneous broadening of the Bogoliubov quasiparticles.