cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glutathione depletion modulates methanol, formaldehyde and formate toxicity in cultured rat conceptuses

The proposed use of methanol (H3COH) as an alternative to fossil fuels has prompted concern about potential health risks resulting from widespread environmental exposure. Methanol is teratogenic in rodents and, although the exact toxic species is not known, teratogenesis may result from the enzymatic biotransformation of H3COH to formaldehyde (CH2O) and formic acid causing increased biological reactivity and toxicity. A protective role for the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) has been described for H3COH, CH2O and formic acid toxicity in various biological systems but has yet to be evaluated in the developing conceptus. Whole embryo culture studies were conducted using GD 10-11 rat conceptuses to elucidate the relationship between H3COH and its metabolites and GSH status. Methanol exposure produced a decrease in normal growth parameters and a dose-dependent loss of viability. CH2O had deleterious effects on embryo growth and viability. Sodium formate (HCOONa) exposure resulted in a high mortality rate but viable embryos did not manifest any abnormalities. Methanol, CH2O, and HCOONa all produced a significant depletion of GSH in both embryo and VYS. Inhibition of GSH synthesis by L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (BSO) treatment exacerbated H3COH, CH2O and HCOONa embryotoxicity. Interestingly, only H3COH/BSO and CH2O/BSO co-treatments caused increased malformation, while embryos treated with HCOONa/BSO did not produce any developmental deformities. These results implicate CH2O as the most embryotoxic H3COH metabolite, on a molar basis, in terms of causing dysmorphogenesis, alterations of normal growth parameters and embryolethality. HCOONa was selectively embryolethal and did not produce dysmorphogenesis. CH2O toxicity is potentiated by GSH depletion, indicating that GSH may be more directly involved in its detoxication in the embryo.
Stable multiple non-Foster circuits loaded waveguide for broadband non-dispersive fast-wave propagation

Periodically loading non-Foster circuits (NFCs) in a conventional waveguide has been proved to be possible for achieving broadband non-dispersive fast-wave (FW) propagation. However, the unconditional stability of such structures has been argued due to the multiple NFC loadings. Despite the potential instability, it is demonstrated that the NFC-loaded waveguide can still be stable for specific terminations, in particular, with the 50 Ω load that is commonly used in radio frequency/microwave applications. For purpose of demonstration, a NFC-loaded waveguide that contains substantially more unit cells than in prior work has been designed and measured, showing a stable and causal FW propagation with a 1.2 c phase velocity over the bandwidth of 80–120 MHz.
Within-subject comparison of the subjective and psychomotor effects of a gaseous anesthetic and two volatile anesthetics in healthy volunteers.

Abstract Inhalant abuse is a serious public health problem throughout the world. The present study compared the states of intoxication produced by three inhaled anesthetics that represent two of the three major classes of abused inhalants, as classified by [Balster, R.L., 1998. Neural basis of inhalant abuse. Drug Alcohol Depend 51, 207–214.]. Isoflurane and sevoflurane represent the class of volatile substances, and nitrous oxide (N2O) comprises a class of its own. Fourteen healthy volunteers inhaled the vehicle (100% O2) and two concentrations each of isoflurane (0.1 and 0.2%), sevoflurane (0.2 and 0.4%), and N2O (15 and 30%) for 40 min each, across seven separate sessions. Drug concentrations were chosen to produce similar ratings of drug effect strength and similar impairment on a psychomotor test, the digit-symbol substitution test (DSST). Ratings of drug effect strength and performance on the DSST were similar across drugs; however, the volatile anesthetics produced greater sedation and greater impairment on three other psychomotor tests than N2O, whereas N2O produced a greater magnitude of putatively pleasant and psychedelic-like subjective effects. These results are consistent with the drugs’ putative receptor mechanisms of action and confirm Balster's classification of the volatile anesthetics into a class distinct from N2O.
The change in the ph 4 and ph 6 forms of α-glucosidase in cultured amniotic fluid cells and its implication in prenatal diagnosis of Pompe's disease

Abstract Activities of two major forms of α-glucosidase in cultured amniotic fluid cells have been measured by the 4-methylumbelliferyl-α- d -glucoside assay after 3, 6 and 9 weeks of culturing. Activity of the pH 4 form of α-glucosidase, which is deficient in Pompe's disease, was low in early culture but increased rapidly as the culture time was increased. The cells harvested at 3 weeks had a low absolute activity of the pH 4 form as well as low ratio of the pH 4 to pH 6 enzyme. The pH 6 form is not affected in Pompe's disease. The results suggest cautions when attempting early diagnosis by use of microtechniques and re-emphasizes the need for differentiation of these two forms of α-glucosidases in prenatal diagnosis of Pompe's disease.
Speed-Flow Curves for Freeways in Highway Capacity Manual 2010

Since the 1965 edition of the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM), fundamental curves representing the relationship between speed and volume or flow rate have formed the basis of design and analysis methodologies for basic freeway segments and for uninterrupted flow segments of multilane highways. As the 2010 edition of the HCM was being developed, a new set of freeway speed–flow curves was recommended. Somewhat late in the development process, the recommended curves became controversial. This paper presents the recommended curves and the research behind them and the controversies that affected the outcome. A final set of curves for HCM 2010 was recommended on the basis of extensive comparative statistical analyses of a substantial database and on several conditions that the TRB Highway Capacity and Quality of Service Committee voted to impose on the curves characteristics. Recommendations for the future are made.
Lack of Osteoradionecrosis of the Mandible After Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer: Likely Contributions of Both Dental Care and Improved Dose Distributions

Purpose: To assess the prevalence and dosimetric and clinical predictors of mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN) in patients with head and neck cancer who underwent a pretherapy dental evaluation and prophylactic treatment according to a uniform policy and were treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Methods and Materials: Between 1996 and 2005, all patients with head-and-neck cancer treated with parotid gland-sparing IMRT in prospective studies underwent a dental examination and prophylactic treatment according to a uniform policy that included extractions of high-risk, periodontally involved, and nonrestorable teeth in parts of the mandible expected to receive high radiation doses, fluoride supplements, and the placement of guards aiming to reduce electron backscatter off metal teeth restorations. The IMRT plans included dose constraints for the maximal mandibular doses and reduced mean parotid gland and noninvolved oral cavity doses. A retrospective analysis of Grade 2 or worse (clinical) ORN was performed. Results: A total of 176 patients had a minimal follow-up of 6 months. Of these, 31 (17%) had undergone teeth extractions before RT and 13 (7%) after RT. Of the 176 patients, 75% and 50% had received ≥65 Gy and ≥70 Gy to ≥1% of the mandibular volume, respectively. Falloff across the mandible characterized the dose distributions: the average gradient (in the axial plane containing the maximal mandibular dose) was 11 Gy (range, 1–27 Gy; median, 8 Gy). At a median follow-up of 34 months, no cases of ORN had developed (95% confidence interval, 0–2%). Conclusion: The use of a strict prophylactic dental care policy and IMRT resulted in no case of clinical ORN. In addition to the dosimetric advantages offered by IMRT, meticulous dental prophylactic care is likely an essential factor in reducing ORN risk.
Sex, race, and experiences of aggression

Most previous research on sex differences in experienced aggression has confounded the sex of the aggressor and of the target by considering married or dating couples. In the present study, black and white male and female college students were asked about specific acts of aggression which they had received from or directed toward a male or female. As predicted, males were likely to have both received and exhibited more forms of aggressive behavior, although females were somewhat more likely to have been honked at, to have been forced by a male to have sex, and to have slapped someone. Few racial differences were found, but it appeared that blacks might have been relatively more likely to exhibit physical aggression and whites to exhibit nonphysical aggression. Some differences were found in specific behaviors directed toward and received from males and females, but in general subjects said that they received more aggressive behaviors than they directed toward others. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Introduction: ORI and Research on Research Integrity

(2003). Introduction: ORI and Research on Research Integrity. Accountability in Research: Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 203-204.
Coenzyme Q10 in vesicles composed of archaeal ether lipids or conventional lipids enhances the immuno-adjuvanticity to encapsulated protein

Cellular accumulation, tissue distribution, and immuno-adjuvanticity were evaluated for liposomal CoQlO prepared from either distearoylphosphatidylcholine:dicetylphosphate:cholesterol (4:1:5, mol. ratio) (conventional liposomes) or porn the total polar lipids of the archaeon Methanosarcina mazei (archaeosomes). Liposomal CoQlO vesicles of approximately 100 nm diametel; containing up to 179 ~01 of CoQlO per mg of lipid have been evaluated using J774A.l macrophages and Balblc mice. Archaeosomes uptake by J774A.I macrophages was better than with the conventional liposome, and the incorporation of CoQIO enhanced the uptake of both lipid vesicle types. All vesicle types were detected in the liver and spleen of mice (4-27% of injected dose) within 3 h of intraperitoneal injection. Moreover; incorporation of CoQlO into lipid vesicles enhanced the immuno-adjuvanticity of both conventional liposomes and archaeosomes, to achieve approximately a doubling in the titres of BSA-specific antibody in sera to 169 and 430 pg ml-‘, respectively. Increases in IgGl and IgG2al2b accounted for most of the CoQlO-induced increases in anti-BSA titres. These results are rationalized on the basis of su$ace hydrophobic@ and opsonization changes induced by the presence of CoQlO in vesicles. We suggest that liposomal CoQlO has potential as a new generation of vaccine delivery system to enhance the immune response. Its use as a novel delivery system may be particularly effective under pathological conditions where the occurrence of an oxidative stress condition significantly impairs the immune system functions. 0 1998 National Research Council of Canada. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
Cooking for Health

Abstract To understand the effect cooking classes may have The 1997 American Institute for Cancer Research report, Food, Nutrition, and the Prevention of Cancer states that 60 to 70 percent of cancers may be preventable through lifestyle changes. The Cooking for Health series was developed to teach consumers about health-promoting food selection and preparation. Participants attended 4 weekly classes on the following topics: Soy, Seafood, Plant-based Entrees, and Fruits and Vegetables. Each class consisted of an educational session, a cooking demonstration, and a food tasting. Written educational materials and recipes were provided. Telephone and mail surveys were conducted by an objective party within 3 weeks of the last class to assess selected dietary practices of 11 participants. Eighty-two percent had used the recipes, with half using 6 or more recipes. A review of the previous day's food intake indicates that 73%consumed at least 5 servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables, and over half consumed more than 7 servings of fruits and vegetables. During the previous day, all consumed a good source of beta carotene, 10 consumed an excellent source of ascorbic acid, and half consumed a cruciferous vegetable. Ten had consumed at least 1 serving of seafood during the previous week. All had tried at least 1 soy product since attending the class, with tofu and veggie burgers most frequently chosen. In conclusion, cooking classes appear to play a role in helping consumers follow dietary practices for cancer prevention by empowering them with knowledge and skills.
Surface and Corrosion Electrochemical Characterization of Titanium Foams for Implant Applications

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy has been revealed to be a useful tool to evaluate the exposed surface area and consequently to evaluate the corrosion behavior of titanium foams intended for biomedical applications.In order to find the most accurate corrosion assessment, a new equivalent circuit involving a porous model in series with a double TiO 2 layer model was proposed to fit the experimental data. Although seldom used in the literature, such technique could be useful for the characterization of porous media. Determining corrosion potentials and current densities, the titanium foams have revealed to be slightly more resistant to corrosion in simulated body fluid solutions at 37°C under static mode (no stress applied to the samples) compared to dense and polished titanium. The best titanium foams exibited penetration rates around 0.07 μm yr - 1 . Cyclic voltammetry experiments have shown that the titanium oxide layer stability was not affected by the fabrication process of the foams.
Discrimination between coastal subenvironments using textural characteristics

The objective of this study was to discriminate between modern beach subenvironments based on textural characteristics obtained using the graphical (percentile) method, the moment method, and the log-hyperbolic distribution (LHD). A total of 126 surface sedimentation units were sampled at the nodes of a 21 x 6 rectangular grid (1000 m2) on a carbonate sand beach, Oahu, Hawaii. Sampling was conducted at low energy conditions from the lower foreshore to the backshore. Non-parametric discriminant analysis was used as an objective tool in defining distinct subenvironments. Confidence bands around the canonical variates derived from the graphic mean, sorting, skewness and kurtosis indicated four separate subenvironments (lower foreshore, mid-foreshore, upper foreshore and backshore). Three distinct subenvironments were identified using the mean, sorting (standard deviation) and skewness measures derived by the method of moments. A similar subenvironment distinction was obtained using five statistics of the LHD (gamma, γ; nu ν; delta, δ; tau, τ; and xi, ξ). No significant difference was noted in textural characteristics between the upper foreshore and backshore zones, and these zones were grouped into one subenvironment. These results indicate that different process scenarios would be needed to explain different subenvironment partitioning based simply on the approach adopted. Discriminant analysis indicated that fewer subenvironment samples were misclassified and separation distances between subenvironments in bivariate canonical plots were greater for the standard moment measures compared with the statistics derived from fitting the computationally intensive LHD model. Examination of the mass frequency grain size distributions indicated that the LHD was generally the most appropriate model. These observations were confirmed by the hyperbolic shape triangle which indicated that the LHD rather than the more commonly used log-normal distribution was generally optimal in describing sediments. These results support the use of the LHD statistical measures in subenvironment discrimination over the graphic-inclusive measures.
Population, Resources, and the Ideology of Science

It would be convenient indeed if such a contentious issue as the relationship between population and resources could be discussed in some ethically neutral manner. In recent years scientific investigations into this relationship have multiplied greatly in number and sophistication. But the plethora of scientific investigation has not reduced contentiousness; rather, it has increased it. We can venture three possible explanations for this state of affairs: (1) science is not ethically neutral; (2) there are serious defects in the scientific methods used to consider the population-resources problem; or (3) some people are irrational and fail to understand and accept scientifically established results. All of these explanations may turn out to be true, but we can afford to proffer none of them without substantial qualification. The last explanation would require, for example, a careful analysis of the concept of rationality before it could be sustained (Godelier, 1972). The second explanation would require a careful investigation of the capacities and limitations of a whole battery of scientific methods, techniques, and tools, together with careful evaluation of available data, before it could be judged correct or incorrect. In this paper, however, I shall focus on the first explanation and seek to show that the lack of ethical neutrality in science affects each and every attempt at ‘rational’ scientific discussion of the population-resources relationship. I shall further endeavor to show how the adoption of certain kinds of scientific methods inevitably leads to certain kinds of substantive conclusions which, in turn, can have profound political implications.
Circumferential propagation of the canine gastric pacesetter potential.

Four conscious fasting dogs, with chronically implanted gastric electrodes, underwent electrical stimulation of the posterior and then the anterior gastric walls. Five rectangular pulses per minute, with a strength of 2 milliamperes and a duration of 0.5 seconds were used. Electrical activity of both gastric walls was recorded simultaneously from electrodes not being used for stimulation. Pacesetter potentials were generated consistently at both sites of stimulation, while simultaneous suppression of the natural gastric pacesetter potential occurred. The generated potentials were propagated aborally from sites of stimulation and also, circumferentially around the greater curvature of the stomach to the opposing gastric wall. Longitudinal myotomy, along the greater curvature, interrupted propagation of the generated-pacesetter potentials around the greater curvature, and propagation around the lesser curvature then became apparent. The experiments indicate that the distal, gastric tunica muscularis behaves as a functional syncytium.
Transmission disequilibrium as a test of linkage and association between HLA alleles and pauciarticular-onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective To determine if HLA class I and II alleles previously found to be associated with (or protective against) pauciarticular-onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (pauci-onset JRA) in population-association studies are transmitted from heterozygous parents to an extent different from the expected 50%. Methods One hundred one Caucasian North American families that had a child with pauci-onset JRA and at least 1 parent who was heterozygous for the allele of interest were available for analysis. Both biologic parents and all children (affected and unaffected) were typed for HLA class I and II alleles. The transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) was used to determine if affected offspring received the disease-associated (or protective) allele more (or less) frequently than its alternate allele. In families in which an unaffected sibling was available, the unmatched chi-square test was used to determine if a meiotic segregation distortion bias existed. Results HLA class I alleles A2, B27, and B35 showed a significantly higher than expected frequency of transmission to affected offspring, as did class II alleles DR5 and DR8. HLA-DR4 was found to be transmitted significantly less frequently than expected to affected, but not unaffected, offspring. All alleles that showed an excess transmission to affected offspring were transmitted to unaffected offspring at expected rates. When the data were stratified by age and sex, the likelihood of transmission of some of the alleles was strongly influenced by these variables. For example, excess transmission of HLA-DR5 was found exclusively in female patients who were younger at the time of disease onset. Conclusion Results from these family-based studies rule out the possibility that HLA disease associations found in earlier studies were a result of population stratification and establish linkage and association between the major histocompatibility complex and pauci-onset JRA.
A role for estrogen-related receptor alpha in the control of mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation during brown adipocyte differentiation.

Little is known about the factors involved in the brown adipocyte gene regulatory program. In contrast to the white adipocyte, the brown adipocyte is characterized by abundant mitochondria and high level expression of mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation enzymes. Previous studies in transgenic mice have shown that the brown adipose-enriched expression of a key β-oxidation enzyme, medium chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase (MCAD), requires cis-acting elements located within the proximal promoter region of the MCAD gene. The levels of mRNA encoding MCAD and several other β-oxidation cycle enzymes were coordinately induced during differentiation of brown adipocytes in culture. Expression of transgenes comprised of MCAD gene promoter fragments fused to chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporters in differentiating brown adipocytes revealed that a known nuclear receptor response element (NRRE-1) was required for the transcriptional induction of the MCAD gene during brown adipocyte differentiation. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and antibody recognition studies identified distinct brown adipocyte differentiation stage-specific, NRRE-1-protein complexes; the orphan nuclear receptors, chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factors I and II, were identified as major the NRRE-1 binding proteins in the pre-adipocyte, whereas the estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα) bound NRRE-1 in extracts prepared from differentiated brown adipocytes. DNA binding studies performed with a series of NRRE-1 mutant probes indicated that ERRα was capable of binding two distinct sites within NRRE-1, each of which conform to the known ERRα monomeric binding consensus. The expression of ERRα paralleled NRRE-1 binding activities and MCAD expression during brown adipocyte differentiation, cardiac development, and among a variety of adult mouse tissues. These results identify a new class of ERRα target genes and implicate ERRα and chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor in the control of a pivotal metabolic pathway during brown adipocyte differentiation.
Effects of Repeated Reading on Second-Grade Transitional Readers' Fluency and Comprehension.

THE STUDY was designed to investigate the effect of two repeated reading procedures on second-grade transitional readers' (Chall, 1983) oral reading performance with practiced and unpracticed passages. Seventeen transitional readers were selected on the basis of average or better decoding ability but below-average reading rate and were assigned to one of two types of repeated reading training, using either a read-along procedure or independent practice. Results showed that transitional readers' rate, accuracy, comprehension, and prosodic reading (reading in meaningful phrases) were significantly improved by repeated reading practice regardless of the training procedure employed. Gains in repeated reading of practiced passages transferred to unpracticed, similar passages; however, practice on a single passage was not as effective as practice on a series of passages. Prosodic reading was most facilitated by the read-along procedure.
Mars Pathfinder six-degree-of-freedom entry analysis

The Mars Pathfinder mission provides the next opportunity for scientific exploration of the surface of Mars following a 7.6 km/s direct entry. In support of this effort, a six-degree-of-freedom trajectory analysis and aerodynamic characteristic assessment are performed to demonstrate vehicle flyability and to quantify the effect that each of numerous uncertainties has upon the nominal mission profile. The entry vehicle is shown to be aerodynamically stable over a large portion of its atmospheric flight. Two low angle-of-attack static instabilities (freestream velocities of about 6.5 and 3.5 km/s) and a low angle-of-attack dynamic instability (supersonic) are identified and shown to cause bounded increases in vehicle attitude. The effects of center-of-gravity placement, entry attitude, vehicle roll rate, aerodynamic misprediction, and atmospheric uncertainty on the vehicle attitude profile and parachute deployment conditions are quantified. A Monte Carlo analysis is performed to statistically assess the combined impact of multiple off-nominal conditions on the nominal flight characteristics. These results suggest that there is a 99.7% probability that the peak attitude throughout the entry will be less than 8.5 deg, the peak heating attitude will be below 6.2 deg, and the attitude at parachute deployment will be less than 3.9 deg.
Logarithmic Sobolev inequalities and strong data processing theorems for discrete channels

The noisiness of a channel can be measured by comparing suitable functionals of the input and output distributions. For instance, if we fix a reference input distribution, then the worst-case ratio of output relative entropy to input relative entropy for any other input distribution is bounded by one, by the data processing theorem. However, for a fixed reference input distribution, this quantity may be strictly smaller than one, giving so-called strong data processing inequalities (SDPIs). This paper shows that the problem of determining both the best constant in an SDPI and any input distributions that achieve it can be addressed using so-called logarithmic Sobolev inequalities, which relate input relative entropy to certain measures of input-output correlation. Another contribution is a proof of equivalence between SDPIs and a limiting case of certain strong data processing inequalities for the Renyi divergence.
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis – epidemiology aspects in children and adults

The histologic features of idiopathic forms of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) were first described by Theodor Fahr in the Handbuch der speziellen pathologischen Anatomie und Histologie in 1925 [1]. Over the subsequent eight decades much has been written about the histologic features and clinical characteristics of patients with FSGS, but it is only in recent years that attention has been directed to the incidence and prevalence of the disorder in various populations. This article will provide an overview of the epidemiology of FSGS by reviewing published surveys of renal biopsies, experiences from clinical registries of children with renal insufficiency, and data from the U.S. Renal Data Systems (USRDS).
Memory in a monolingual mode: When are bilinguals at a disadvantage?

Abstract Comparisons of bilinguals and monolinguals have typically found poorer performance by bilinguals in a variety of memory tasks. However, these studies have used bilinguals who were not native speakers of the monolingual's language, and who were often required to process both languages during the session. In the present study, Native English-speaking bilinguals were compared to English monolinguals on four verbal memory tasks: episodic recognition, lexical decision, object naming, and free recall. Only English words were used in the session to avoid activation of the second language. There were no differences in accuracy between groups on any task. Bilinguals were slower than monolinguals, but only for the list recognition and lexical decision tasks, where language-specific, data-driven processing predominates.
Optimal quasi-phase-matching for high-order harmonic generation in gases and plasma.

We theoretically demonstrate the feasibility of optimal quasi-phase-matching (QPM) of high-order harmonic generation in gases and plasma with modulated density. QPM optimization, being possible for both tight and loose focusing of the fundamental beam, may increase the conversion efficiency of high-order harmonic generation by several orders of magnitude as compared to the efficiency attainable now.
A GRACE‐based water storage deficit approach for hydrological drought characterization

We present a quantitative approach for measuring hydrological drought occurrence and severity based on terrestrial water storage observations from NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite mission. GRACE measurements are applied by calculating the magnitude of the deviation of regional, monthly terrestrial water storage anomalies from the time series' monthly climatology, where negative deviations represent storage deficits. Monthly deficits explicitly quantify the volume of water required to return to normal water storage conditions. We combine storage deficits with event duration to calculate drought severity. Drought databases are referenced to identify meteorological drought events in the Amazon and Zambezi River basins and the southeastern United States and Texas regions. This storage deficit method clearly identifies hydrological drought onset, end, and duration; quantifies instantaneous severity and peak drought magnitude; and compares well with the meteorological drought databases. It also reveals information about the hydrological effects of meteorological drought on regional water storage. Key Point GRACE-based drought severity using water storage rather than just precipitation explicitly quantifies the volume of water needed to return to normal conditions and identifies hydrological drought onset, peak magnitude, duration, and severity ©2014. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
Effects Of Quantizing The Phase In Correlation Filters

There has been a growing interest recently in the use of Phase-Only Filters (POFs) and Binary Phase-Only Filters (BPOFs) for optical pattern recognition. While BPOFs can be obtained by binarizing the phase of the classical matched filters, one wonders if the filter performance can be improved by allowing more phase levels. This paper provides a theoretical analysis of the increase in output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) as the number of phase levels is increased.
Nature of growth of dual titanium boride layers with nanostructured titanium boride whiskers on the surface of titanium

The nature of growth of hard surface layers consisting of a titanium diboride (TiB2) layer and a titanium boride (TiB) whisker layer on titanium, and the kinetics have been critically examined. High density of nanostructured TiB whiskers have been found to form in the sub-layer in most conditions. A very surprising and unusual result is the kinetics of growth of TiB whiskers at temperatures within a few degrees of the beta transus – the whiskers grew denser and to depths larger than that at any other temperature investigated.
The British Taxes on Land Values in Practice

I. The valuation, 795. — Reasons for delay, 796. — Minus site values, 796. — Possibility of taxing builders' profits, 796. — Value of real property in Great Britain, 799. — Accuracy of valuation, 800. — Difficulty of valuing agricultural land, 801. — Other duties of the Valuation Department, 802. — Cost of valuation, 803. — II. The fiscal yield: (1) Increment Value Duty, 804. — (2) Reversion Duty, 805. — (3) Undeveloped Land Duty, 808. — (4) Mineral Rights Duty, 810. — Increased yield of Death Duties, 812. — Other revenue from valuation, 814. — Is it a capital expenditure? 814. — III. Some conclusions: effect on building, 815. — Theory of incidence, 817. — Is an increment duty shown to be impracticable? 818.
A note on Landahl's theory of psychophysical discrimination

In his theory of psychophysical discrimination H. D. Landahl assumes that because of the symmetry of the neural circuit considered the fluctuation of the difference of excitations at the two parallel connections is the same as if the fluctuations occurred only at either one of the connections. It is shown that if the excitation at both connections fluctuates independently according to a simple exponential probability function, the difference of excitation fluctuates according to a different probability function.
Classical Psychophysics and the Assessment of Agreement and Accuracy In Judgments of Personality

The just noticeable difference (jnd) unit of classical psycho-physics is introduced as a new way to describe accuracy and agreement in observer evaluations of personality. A formula for estimating jnd's from typically available summary statistics is derived from Thurstone's law of comparative judgment. A study examining four traits judged in 10 samples of subjects where the design permitted the calculation of jnd's by the method of paired comparisons indicated that the formula predicted the empirically derived jnd's associated with the mean judge ratings with considerable precision. Jnd's of criterion measures were also predicted, and while fit was somewhat less impressive in this case, there was still appreciable convergence between predicted and empirical values. The implications of jnd measures of agreement and accuracy are discussed. These implications include (a) possibilities for increased understanding of bias in observer judgments, (b) a new recognition that equal correlations to external criteria do not necessarily imply equal accuracy, and (c) alternative ways of describing the magnitude of effect in psychological research.
Ibuprofen fails to increase plasma growth hormone levels in humans

In eight healthy volunteers, basal and arginine-stimulated plasma glucose and growth hormone levels were determined during administration of a placebo and after 3 days of ibuprofen (800 mg four times daily). Ibuprofen had no significant effect on basal or stimulated plasma glucose or growth hormone levels. As is not the case with indomethacin, ibuprofen fails to increase basal and arginine-stimulated plasma growth hormone levels. This suggests that the effect of indomethacin on growth hormone secretion is due to a mechanism unrelated to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.
Assessing Experiences of Children Who Attended a Camp for Children with Cancer and Their Siblings: A Preliminary Study.

Summer camps are commonly implemented as a psychosocial intervention for children with chronic illnesses; however, there have been few published consumer (parent and child) satisfaction evaluations of summer camps. Such evaluations are important both for improving existing services for children and families, as well as to build an empirical understanding of camp interventions. To illustrate the use of a program evaluation methodology within the context of a chronic illness summer camp, a program evaluation was conducted of a camp for children with cancer and their siblings. Results from the evaluation indicated that parents and children were highly satisfied with the camp experience, ranging from the food, staff, facilities, to campers’ activities. Campers reported that the recreation opportunities, peer support, and respite from their lives at home were reasons they appreciated the camp experience. Parents reported that peer support for their children, respite for themselves and their children, and improvements to their child’s behaviors and level of independence were helpful features of the camp experience.
Image storage in radiation oncology: What did we learn from diagnostic radiology?

The Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard was developed by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) for medical image archiving and retrieval. An extension to this implemented a standard named DICOM-RT for use in Radiation Oncology. There are currently seven radiotherapy-specific DICOM objects which include: RT Structure Set, RT Plan, RT Dose, RT Image, RT Beams Treatment Record, RT Brachy Treatment Record, and RT Treatment Summary Record. The type of data associated with DICOM-RT includes (1) Radiation treatment planning datasets (CT, MRI, PET) with radiation treatment plans showing beam arrangements, isodose distributions, and dose volume histograms of targets/normal tissues and (2) Image-guided radiation modalities such as Siemens MVision mega-voltage cone beam CT (MV-CBCT). With the advent of such advancing technologies, there has been an exponential increase in image data collected for each patient, and the need for reliable and accessible image storage has become critical. A potential solution is a Radiation Oncology specific picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) that would allow data storage from multiple vendor devices and support the storage and retrieval needs not only of a single site but of a large, multi-facility network of radiation oncology clinics. This PACS system must be reliable, expandable, and cost-effective to operate while protecting sensitive patient image information in a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant environment. This paper emphasizes the expanding DICOM-RT storage requirements across our network of 8 radiation oncology clinics and the initiatives we undertook to address the increased volume of data by using the ImageGrid (CANDELiS Inc, Irvine CA) server and the IGViewer license (CANDELiS Inc, Irvine CA) to create a DICOM-RT compatible PACS system.
Isolation by hydrophobic chromatography of the chemotactic factor inactivators from human serum

Abstract A system of chemotactic factor inactivators (CFI) exists within human serum which inactivates various chemotactic factors derived from complement, microorganisms, leukocytes, and synthetic peptides. In the present study we demonstrate the physiochemical heterogeneity of the CFI system in human serum, including the purification of the CFI activity (CFI c ) directed against the chemotactins derived from the third and fifth components of complement (C3fr, C5fr). The CFI c activity from human serum was purified by the uses of ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel filtration, anionic exchange chromatography, and repeated recycling on the hydrophobic gel ω-aminohexyl agarose. Physiochemical characterization of the CFI c indicated that the inactivator has a molecular weight of approximately 135,000 by PAGE and 170,000 by gel filtration with an isoelectric point of approximately 5.0. The CFI c was devoid of leucine amino peptidase activity (LAP) and serum carboxypeptidase B (carboxypeptidase N)-type activity. Additionally, the CFI c did not inactivate the bacterial derived chemotactin(s) nor did it inactivate the synthetic chemotactin Met-Leu-Phe or formyl-Met-Leu-Phe. A physiochemically distinct inactivator activity directed against the bacterial factor chemotactin was detected in human serum and was designated CFI bf . CFI bf had no effect on C3fr or C5fr and was readily separable from CFI c by the use of hydrophobic chromatography. These results indicate that a heterogeneity of CFI activities exists in human serum that reflects the heterogeneity of chemotactic factors and underscores the complexity of regulation in inflammatory reactions.
RAPD (arbitrary primer) PCR is more sensitive than multilocus enzyme electrophoresis for distinguishing related bacterial strains

The RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) fingerprinting method, which utilizes low stringency PCR amplification with single primers of arbitrary sequence to generate strain-specific arrays of anonymous DNA fragments, was calibrated relative to the widely used, protein-based multilocus enzyme electrophoretic (MLEE) typing method. RAPD fingerprinting was carried out on five isolates from each of 15 major groups of Escherichia coli strains that cause diarrheal disease worldwide (75 isolates in all). Each group consisted of isolates that were not distinguishable from one another by MLEE typing using 20 diagnostic enzyme markers. In our RAPD tests, three or more distinct subgroups in each MLEE group were distinguished with each of five primers, and 74 of the 75 isolates were distinguished when data obtained with five primers were combined. Thus, RAPD typing is far more sensitive than MLEE typing for discriminating among related strains of a species. Despite their different sensitivities, the same general relationships among strains were inferred from MLEE and RAPD data. Thus, our results recommend use of the RAPD method for studies of bacterial population genetic structure and evolution, as well as for epidemiology.
N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine, a Gut- Derived Circulating Factor Induced by Fat Ingestion, Inhibits Food Intake

Summary N-acylphosphatidylethanolamines (NAPEs) are a relatively abundant group of plasma lipids of unknown physiological significance. Here, we show that NAPEs are secreted into circulation from the small intestine in response to ingested fat and that systemic administration of the most abundant circulating NAPE, at physiologic doses, decreases food intake in rats without causing conditioned taste aversion. Furthermore, 14 C-radiolabeled NAPE enters the brain and is particularly concentrated in the hypothalamus, and intracerebroventricular infusions of nanomolar amounts of NAPE reduce food intake, collectively suggesting that its effects may be mediated through direct interactions with the central nervous system. Finally, chronic NAPE infusion results in a reduction of both food intake and body weight, suggesting that NAPE and long-acting NAPE analogs may be novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of obesity.
Genetic control of cellular longevity in Neurospora crassa: A relationship between cyclic nucleotides, antioxidants, and antioxygenic enzymes

Short-lived conidial longevity mutants of Neurospora were studied. Mutations at a number of closely-linked and probably functionally-redundant genes lead to deficiency of five anti-oxygenic enzymes, including superoxide dismutase. The results of this investigation indicate that: 1) the mutants are deficient in 3′, 5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP); 2)their survival is enhanced by dietary cAMP, or 3′, 5′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), or antioxidants and; 3)dietary cGMP enhances wild-type levels of superoxide dismutase isozymes. The results support and extend the hypotheses that: 1) the genes regulate cyclic nucleotide concentration which, in turn, regulates the level of superoxide dismutase; 2) the genes are functionally-redundant and; 3) dietary antioxidants may enhance survival by supplanting the function of the deficient anti-oxygenic enzymes.
Overcoming the barrier to graphitization in a polymer-derived nanoporous carbon

Abstract A new pathway to synthesize a carbon with both nanoporosity and pre-graphitic structures has been discovered by annealing at 2000 °C a CO 2 activated, non-graphitizing, nanoporous carbon originally derived from polyfurfuryl alcohol. The activation process with CO 2 overcomes the barrier to graphitization normally present in this carbon even when treated at high temperature. Gas adsorption analysis, skeletal density measurements, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy are utilized to probe the structure of both the non-activated and the activated carbons at 800, 1200, 1800, and 2000 °C. The influence of activation time is also examined. Prior to activation the nanopore walls are comprised of several layers of disordered graphenes. Activation eliminates the barrier to graphitization by reducing the number of layers below the limit of detection and by removing carbon material highly susceptible to oxidation. Annealing at 2000 °C of the carbon activated to 84% burnoff induces the formation of pre-graphitic domains amongst the nanoporous carbon. The (0 0 2) bands corresponding to 2 θ = 24.3°, 26°, and 26.5° are identified and assigned to amorphous, turbostratic, and graphitic morphologies. A pore volume of 0.50 cm 3 g −1 localized in pores below 2 nm in size is preserved after annealing.
Toward automating the process of determining polypeptide secondary structure from 1H NMR data

A computer program has been constructed to perform a qualitative analysis of nuclear magnetic resonance data on polypeptide sequences to identify α-helical and β-strand secondary structure segments. The criteria embodied within the program are some of those which have proven useful in studies where secondary structure was described by visual interpretation of NOESY and COSY spectra. Other rules used in these studies, however, remain implicit in the description of the analysis or are ill-specified, so that they are not used uniformly across studies. The structure of the program presented allows the rules and assumptions of this qualitative method to be modeled explicitly and used consistently, allowing a flexible and understandable framework for investigating both proteins of interest and the method involved in the analysis. The system has been tested on data sets from twelve proteins and was in agreement with 97% of the o-helical regions of the proteins when compared to the reports in the literature, as well as with 95% of the residues included, and in agreement with 96% of the β-strand regions of the proteins, as well as with 90% of the residues included in them. Over the entire primary sequence, the system was in agreement with the placement of 83% of the residues in the major secondary structures.
Parity violation in muonic atoms and cesium

Abstract The physics implications of measurements of parity violation in muonic atoms at a precision of 1−10% are described, and contrasted with the results of measurements of parity violation in cesium at 1%. It is argued that both types of experiment are extremely sensitive to certain types of new physics, such as extra Z bosons with small mixing, leptoquarks, and eq contact terms associated with compositeness, and that they are complementary with the Z-pole observables at LEP and SLC.