cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Density Functional Investigation of High-Spin XY (X ) Cr, Mo, W and Y ) C, N, O) Molecules

The performance of a density functional theory approach in calculating the equilibrium bond length, dipole moment, and harmonic vibrational frequency in a series of group 6 (Cr, Mo, W) transition metal-containing diatomic molecules is evaluated. Using flexible basis sets comprised of Slater type functions, a wide range of exchange-correlation functionals is investigated. Comparing with known experimental values and published results from high-level theoretical calculations, the most suitable functional form is selected. The importance of relativistic effects is checked, and predictions are made for several unknown dipole moments. The best agreement with experimental parameters is obtained when using a general gradient approximation, while special and hybrid functional forms give less accurate results.
An Evaluation of Alternative Sludge Technologies: a Surrogate Worth Tradeoff Approach

: The surrogate worth tradeoff method is utilized for evaluation of alternative sewage sludge disposal systems for the Boston, Massachusetts, area. The two objectives incorporated into a decision-making framework are net economic benefit and level of environmental impact.
Optical Gabor, wavelet, and morphological filters for image processing

We consider wavelet and Gabor transforms for detection of candidate regions of interest in a 2-D scene. We generate wavelet and Gabor coefficients for each spatial region of a scene using new linear combination optical filters to reduce the output dimensionality and to simplify post-processing. We use two sets of wavelet coefficients as indicators of edge activity to suppress background clutter. The Gabor coefficients are found to be excellent for object detection and robust to object distortions and contrast differences. We provide insight into the selection of the Gabor parameters.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Chronic ethanol treatment alters AMPA-induced calcium signals in developing Purkinje neurons.

Cerebellar Purkinje neurons developing in culture were treated chronically with 30 mM (140 mg%; 3-11 days in vitro) ethanol to study the actions of prolonged ethanol exposure on responses to exogenous application of AMPA, a selective agonist at the AMPA subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors. There was no consistent difference between control and chronic ethanol-treated neurons in resting membrane potential, input resistance, or the amplitude or duration of the membrane responses to AMPA (1 or 5 microM applied by brief microperfusion) as measured using the nystatin patch method of whole cell recording. In additional studies, the Ca2+ signal to AMPA was examined using the Ca2+ sensitive dye fura-2. The mean peak Ca2+ signal elicited by 5 microM AMPA was enhanced in the dendritic region (but not the somatic region) of chronic ethanol-treated Purkinje neurons compared to control neurons. In contrast, there was no difference between control and chronic ethanol-treated neurons in the peak amplitude of the Ca2+ signal to 1 microM AMPA, whereas the recovery of the Ca2+ signals was more rapid in both somatic and dendritic regions of ethanol-treated neurons. Resting Ca2+ levels in the somatic and dendritic regions were similar between control and ethanol-treated neurons. These data show that the membrane and Ca2+ responses to AMPA in Purkinje neurons are differentially affected by prolonged ethanol exposure during development. Moreover, chronic ethanol exposure produces a selective enhancement of AMPA-evoked dendritic Ca2+ signals under conditions reflecting intense activation (i.e., 5 microM AMPA), whereas both somatic and dendritic Ca2+ signals are attenuated with smaller levels of activation (i.e., 1 microM AMPA). Because Ca2+ is an important regulator of numerous intracellular functions, chronic ethanol exposure during development could produce widespread changes in the development and function of the cerebellum.
Effects of nuclear correlations on low-energy pion charge-exchange scattering

An isospin-invariant optical-potential framework is used to make a coordinated analysis of low-energy pion elastic and single- and double-charge-exchange scattering to isobaric analog states. The form of the potential studied here is motivated by the work of Stricker, McManus, and Carr, who emphasized the importance of isoscalar absorption-dispersive and correlation effects for low-energy pion elastic scattering. In this paper we examine the influence of the corresponding isovector and isotensor nuclear correlations on low-energy charge exchange. Comparison of our results to 50 MeV data supports the existence of the isovector correlation terms, but shows a need for an additional isotensor effect. A distorted-wave Born approximation analysis confirms that distortions are weak (the mean density of interaction is roughly 50% of the central value), but demonstrates that distortions of the pion waves by the nuclear medium cannot be neglected in describing charge exchange.
Grating-assisted polarization optical time-domain reflectometry for distributed fiber-optic sensing

We report a novel type of polarization optical time-domain reflectometry (POTDR) for fully distributed fiber-optic sensing, in which the reflected optical signal is from a series of fiber Bragg gratings that are uniformly distributed along the fiber. Compared with a conventional POTDR that uses the Rayleigh backscattering, this grating-assisted POTDR can have a much better signal-to-noise ratio and consequently a better measurement resolution and a larger measurement range of the fiber birefringence. Experimental results have shown that the measurement resolution of the grating-assisted POTDR is almost an order of magnitude better than that of a conventional POTDR.
Management of Hereditary Angioedema During Off-Pump Coronary Arterial Surgery

A 62-year-old man presented with coronary artery disease complicated by a history of hereditary angioedema. In preparation, extensive consultation and literature review were completed. Close cooperation between immunology, anesthesiology, and cardiac surgery teams, as well as an off-pump technique led to a favorable outcome.
Growth analysis of hybrid poplar cuttings fumigated with ozone and sulphur dioxide

Abstract To measure the influence of air pollutants on the partitioning of photosynthate into leaves or stems and roots, softwood cuttings of a hybrid poplar clone ( Populus deltoides Bartr. × P. trichocarpa Torr. and Gray) were fumigated with either zero pollutants, 0·15 ppm ozone (O 3 ), 0·25 ppm sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) or 0·15 ppm O 3 plus 0·25 ppm SO 2 for 12 h a day for 7 weeks. Cuttings were harvested at 3- or 4-day intervals and leaf area and dry weights of leaves, stems and roots were determined. Relative growth rate ( K W ), relative leaf area expansion rates ( K A ) and relative leaf weight growth rates ( K L ) were calculated. Values for K W and K L were reduced from approximately 0.04 g g −1 day −1 for the control cuttings to near zero with the O 3 plus SO 2 gas fumigation. K A was reduced from 0.04 cm 2 cm −1 day −1 for the control cuttings to zero for the O 3 plus SO 2 gas treatment. As K W ) decreased among treatments, K A and K L decreased by a proportional amount. These results indicate that even though total biomass was reduced by air pollutants, the proportion of total available photosynthate used in leaf growth remained nearly constant.
High fidelity optogenetic control of individual prefrontal cortical pyramidal neurons in vivo.

Precise spatial and temporal manipulation of neural activity in specific genetically defined cell populations is now possible with the advent of optogenetics. The emerging field of optogenetics consists of a set of naturally-occurring and engineered light-sensitive membrane proteins that are able to activate (e.g. channelrhodopsin-2, ChR2) or silence (e.g. halorhodopsin, NpHR) neural activity. Here we demonstrate the technique and the feasibility of using novel adeno-associated viral (AAV) tools to activate (AAV-CaMKllα-ChR2-eYFP) or silence (AAV-CaMKllα-eNpHR3.0-eYFP) neural activity of rat prefrontal cortical prelimbic (PL) pyramidal neurons in vivo . In vivo single unit extracellular recording of ChR2-transduced pyramidal neurons showed that delivery of brief (10 ms) blue (473 nm) light-pulse trains up to 20 Hz via a custom fiber optic-coupled recording electrode (optrode) induced spiking with high fidelity at 20 Hz for the duration of recording (up to two hours in some cases). To silence spontaneously active neurons, we transduced them with the NpHR construct and administered continuous green (532 nm) light to completely inhibit action potential activity for up to 10 seconds with 100% fidelity in most cases. These versatile photosensitive tools, combined with optrode recording methods, provide experimental control over activity of genetically defined neurons and can be used to investigate the functional relationship between neural activity and complex cognitive behavior.
Isoprostanes: Potential Markers of Oxidant Stress in Atherothrombotic Disease

Isoprostanes are emerging as a new class of biologically active products of arachidonic acid metabolism of potential relevance to human vascular disease. Their formation in vivo seems to reflect primarily, if not exclusively, a nonenzymatic process of lipid peroxidation. Enhanced urinary excretion of 8-iso-PGF2 alpha has been described in association with cardiac reperfusion injury and with cardiovascular risk factors, including cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia. Besides providing a likely noninvasive index of lipid peroxidation in these settings, measurements of specific F2 isoprostanes in urine may provide a sensitive biochemical end point for dose-finding studies of natural and synthetic inhibitors of lipid peroxidation. Although the biological effects of 8-iso-PGF2 alpha in vitro suggest that it and other isoeicosanoids may modulate the functional consequences of lipid peroxidation, evidence that this is likely in vivo remains inadequate at this time.
RELATION BETWEEN FRUIT SIZE AND FOOD SUPPLY IN THE TOMATO.

Recently Gustafson and Stoldt (2) made a study of the relation between leaf area and fruit size of the tomato. In this study it was found that by increasing the leaf area per fruit, the size of the fruit produced was also increased. In their experiments the leaf area was not adjusted until after the ovary had completed its growth and the fruits had set. It has therefore seemed desirable to attempt to influence the size of the fruit while the ovary is being formed as well as during the period of its development into a fruit. In the present study we have measured the volume of the ovaries at the time of blossoming, the volume of the mature fruits, the cell size of these ovaries and mature fruits, and the diameter of the pith of the stem just below the insertion of the flower cluster ; and we have also counted the number of locules in the fruits measured.
On certain spanning subgraphs of embeddings with applications to domination

We prove the existence of certain spanning subgraphs of graphs embedded in the torus and the Klein bottle. Matheson and Tarjan proved that a triangulated disc with n vertices can be dominated by a set of no more than n/3 of its vertices and thus, so can any finite graph which triangulates the plane. We use our existence theorems to prove results closely allied to those of Matheson and Tarjan, but for the torus and the Klein bottle.
Effect of Spatial Correlations on Hopping Transport

Spatial fluctuations of the potential are inherent in hopping transport. The effect is considered of the stochastic dependence between the potentials of hopping sites, specifically the case when the correlation length of the potential is considerably longer than the hopping distance. The percolation approach is used. The behavior is found to depend on certain characteristics of the equipotential surface at the Fermi energy. If this surface is non-connected, an activated conductivity is expected. If the surface consists of parts connected through narrow channels, a T−l/2 dependence is predicted. For stronger connectivity, a T−1/3 dependence is deduced. The T−1/4 dependence, characteristic of hopping in the absence of spatial correlation, is not expected to occur.
Oscillating behavior of quality factor of a film bulk acoustic resonator in liquids

When a film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) is coupled to a thin liquid layer, the quality factor (Q) of the resonator varies in a damped oscillatory pattern versus the liquid thickness. This paper reports this behavior with an analytical modeling and experimental demonstration of it. The thin liquid layer with thickness comparable to the acoustic wavelength is realized by integrating a microfluidic channel to the FBAR. Q assumes its maxima (up to 150) and minima (as low as 50) when the channel thickness is an odd multiple of quarter-wavelength and a multiple of half-wavelength, respectively. We also present a bio-molecular detection test for aptamer immobilization and thrombin binding as a proof-of-concept sensing application.
A Smart-NIC-Based Power-Proxy Solution for Reduced Power Consumption during Instant Messaging

The major challenge to achieving efficient power management for local computers that serve as edge devices of the Internet is to achieve long sleeping times while at the same time maintaining network connectivity. By modifying the network interface card (NIC) with a low-weight proxy module that can handle a certain amount of network protocol semantics and hence still keep the local computer alive on the Internet, a longer host sleeping time can be achieved, while keeping many of the components, including CPU, memory, motherboard, hard drive, etc, remain in a very-low-energy mode. In this paper, we pursue a power-proxy solution to the widely-used Instant Messenger (IM) applications. Yahoo! Messenger® is selected for a case study to investigate its communication protocol YMSG. Furthermore, the decision on inactivity time-out values is a crucial factor for energy savings, but the random nature of idle periods makes the decision another challenge. We formulate the decision problem into a stochastic program and propose an adaptive algorithm to set up appropriate inactivity time-out values. Simulations show that the proposed power-proxy solution combined with the inactivity time-out setup algorithm can efficiently reduce the power consumption of an edge computer.
Galanin Hyperinnervation Upregulates Choline Acetyltransferase Expression in Cholinergic Basal Forebrain Neurons in Alzheimer's Disease

Background: Fibers containing galanin (GAL) enlarge and hyperinnervate cholinergic basal forebrain (CBF) nucleus basalis (NB) neurons in late-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD), yet the
TANGO-UD: A simple solid modeling software package for mass properties analysis of robot welding tools

Abstract Robot end-effector welding tools typically have complex three-dimensional geometry. In the design of these tools, the dynamics are often neglected because of the difficulty of calculating the moment of inertia. Many robots are unwittingly overloaded in production due to this neglect, at considerable financial loss to the manufacturer. This work presents a technique for calculating inertias of welding guns with relative ease. An example of the inertial modeling of a weld gun is presented utilizing software designed to simplify this complex procedure.
A New Approach for Evaluating the Frictional Behavior of Cotton Fibers: Part I: Fundamental Aspects and Measuring Techniques

This study presents a new approach for characterizing the frictional behavior of cotton fibers. Fiber-to-fiber or fiber-to-metal friction is determined over length incre ments of a fiber fringe, each containing a different number of contacting fibers. The total sliding distance corresponds to the maximum fiber length in the sample. The resulting relationship between frictional force and sliding distance is termed the "friction profile" of fibers, and it can be used to determine the frictional force corresponding to a certain fiber intensity. The nonlinear nature of this profile is represented by an equation of the form F = ao(nf) 2(1-n), where n f is an estimated value of the number of contacting fibers, F is the frictional force, and ao and n are friction indexes. Using the principle of the fiber friction profile, a measuring technique is described for mea suring both fiber/ fiber and fiber/metal friction parameters. This technique is believed to simulate fiber friction in both processing and deformation...
Hepatic Oxidative Stress Following Prolonged Sublethal Microcystin LR Exposure

Microcystin LR (MCLR) is a naturally occurring protein phosphatase inhibitor and potent hepatotoxin produced by strains of Microcystis aeruginosa. Although its acute toxicity has been well characterized, little is known about its chronic effects. In this study, we sought to acquire evidence that oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of prolonged sublethal MCLR toxicity. Twelve rats (3 per group) weighing on average 185 g were exposed to 1 of 3 different concentrations of MCLR (16, 32, and 48 microg/kg/day) or to saline via intraperitoneal osmotic pumps for 28 days. Histologic evidence of dose-dependent hepatic inflammation was seen, including infiltration of centrilobular regions by lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils, centrilobular fibrosis, apoptosis, and steatosis. Analysis of lipid peroxidation products revealed a dose-dependent increase in malondialdehyde concentrations with an approximate 4-fold increase in the livers of the high-dose rats over those of the saline-treated controls. Livers from MCLR-exposed rats were more sensitive than those of controls to the cytotoxic effects of the organic oxidizing agent tert-butyl hydroperoxide, based on an MTT (3-[dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) viability assay. These histopathologic and biochemical findings indicate that oxidative stress may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of chronic MCLR toxicosis.
Recent advances of sensors for pacemakers

In this paper, the recent advances of sensors incorporated in pacemakers are presented. Based on the functions and operations of modern pacemakers, a variety of sensors are described with their rationales, features and applications. Further improvements and future trend of body sensors are pointed out. The comparison of the sensors' features is performed.
Hemispherical Contrasts in Support for the Offset Dipole Hypothesis During the Brunhes Epoch: The Case for an Unequal Co-axial Dipole Pair as a Possible Geomagnetic Field Source

Summary Palaeomagnetic results from sites in the Indian Ocean (Possession and East Island in the Crozet Archipelago; New Amsterdam; and Grande Comore and Anjouan in the Comores Archipelago) and in the Atlantic Ocean (Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, Hierro, in the Canary Islands) have been added to previously published results, to test Wilson's (1970) offset dipole hypothesis, for the Brunhes Epoch (t= 0 to 0.69 My). Results from the Northern Hemisphere are consistent with the offset dipole, but the Southern Hemisphere results strongly oppose the concept. A real long-term hemispheric disymmetry of the geomagnetic field would explain the results. The most simple model required to cause the required decrease in total field inclinations in the Northern Hemisphere only, would involve a very small axial dipole with substantial northward offset superimposed on the major centred axial dipole field.
Modeling of Boron Diffusion and Activation for Nonequilibrium Rapid Thermal Annealing Application

The diffusion and activation of ion implanted boron and BF 2 during rapid thermal annealing (RTA) was modeled by considering the reaction kinetics between point defects and boron. The diffusion model uses the Monte Carlo generated point defect profiles, an extended defect model and a surface amorphization model for high dose BF 2 implantation. Excellent simulation results have been achieved by using a single set of diffusion and kinetic parameters to model the enhanced diffusion of boron during RTA for a wide range of B and BF 2 implant doses.
II. STERILIZATION EFFECTS ON PROPERTIES OF CLAYS

Five clays were prepared in duplicate series. One series of each was sterilized. Samples of the sterile and raw series were aged at 40°F and at 85°F. All samples were subjected to physical tests intended to determine plasticity before aging and after three subsequent aging periods. The effects of sterilization and temperature of aging upon the different clays are noted.
Evaluating Lyapunov exponent spectra with neural networks

Abstract A method using discrete cross-correlation for identifying and removing spurious Lyapunov exponents when embedding experimental data in a dimension greater than the original system is introduced. The method uses a distribution of calculated exponent values produced by modeling a single time series many times or multiple instances of a time series. For this task, global models are shown to compare favorably to local models traditionally used for time series taken from the Henon map and delayed Henon map, especially when the time series are short or contaminated by noise. An additional merit of global modeling is its ability to estimate the dynamical and geometrical properties of the original system such as the attractor dimension, entropy, and lag space, although consideration must be taken for the time it takes to train the global models.
Power anomaly effects and costs in low-voltage mobile power systems

Electric power anomalies or disturbances can disrupt the normal operation of equipment, accelerate aging, or even cause outright failures thus resulting in increased costs of maintenance and reduced system reliability. Past research on the effects caused by power anomalies has been mostly focused on industrial, commercial, or residential systems, or on power distribution equipment. A literature survey reveals that there is no comprehensive review related to low-voltage (LV) power systems and utilization equipment applicable to military combat vehicles, such as aircraft and ships. This paper summarizes the results of a new literature survey that focused on the causes, effects, and mitigation methods for power anomalies typical of LV mobile power systems. Electric power anomaly cost data collected from the literature are also presented, from which the costs of anomalies to the national defense are estimated using some simple rationales.
Sepsis increases production of total secreted proteins, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and peptide YY in isolated rat enterocytes

The effect of sepsis on the synthesis of endogenous and secretory proteins, including vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and peptide YY (PYY), was determined in enterocytes from jejunum of rats. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Control rats were sham-operated. Total endogenous and secreted protein synthesis was assessed in incubated jejunal enterocytes by measuring incorporation of 3H-phenylalanine into protein. Release of VIP and PYY into the medium of incubated enterocytes and cellular levels of the gut peptides were measured by radioimmunoassay. Sixteen hours after CLP, synthesis rates of both endogenous and secreted proteins were increased, and this effect of sepsis was most pronounced in cells from the lower parts of the villi and crypts. Enterocytes from septic rats released more VIP and PYY into the incubation medium, and approximately half of the peptides they released were newly synthesized VIP and PYY. Intracellular levels of VIP and PYY were increased as early as 4 hours after induction of sepsis. Our results suggest that sepsis stimulates the synthesis of endogenous and secretory proteins, including certain gut peptides, in small intestine mucosa. This is consistent with previous observations of increased circulating levels of VIP, PYY and other gastrointestinal hormones during sepsis. The biological significance of increased synthesis of gut peptides and other intestinal proteins during sepsis remains to be determined.
Southerners in the West: The Relative Well-being of Direct and Onward Migrants

The Great Migration of southerners away from their region of birth stands as one of the most significant demographic events in U.S. history. The first waves of migrants headed primarily to the Northeast and Midwest. During and after World War II, a larger proportion moved to the West. We use information from the 1970 through 2000 public use samples to compare the economic status of "onward migrants" from the Northeast and Midwest with that of "direct migrants" from the South. Our findings show that onward migrants had greater incomes and higher occupational statuses, but were not more likely to be employed than direct migrants with the same socio-demographic profiles. The economic advantages enjoyed by onward migrants were shared by blacks and whites and prevailed across three of the four decades considered in our analysis.
An algorithm for answering queries efficiently using views

Algorithms for answering queries using views have been used in query planning in order to answer queries posed to knowledge bases, databases, and information systems. However, these algorithms do not scale well when the number of views increases. Three known algorithms, the bucket algorithm, the inverse-rules algorithm and an algorithm suggested by Leser (1998) have been used to rewrite queries using views before executing the queries. The bucket algorithm, predominantly used to reformulate queries, generates a candidate rewriting to a query using views, and checks that the rewriting is contained in the original query. An exponential conjunctive-query-containment-test needs to be performed to check each candidate rewriting. Using a few extra a buckets (shared-variable-buckets), we show how we can avoid the conjunctive-query-containment-test. This paper presents a scalable query rewriting algorithm-the shared-variable-bucket (SVB) algorithm. Experimental results demonstrate its superiority over other known algorithms.
Defects and faults in quantum cellular automata at nano scale

There has been considerable research on quantum dot cellular automata (QCA) as a new computing scheme in the nano-scale regimes. The basic logic element of this technology is majority voter. In this paper, a detailed simulation-based characterization of QCA defects and study of their effects at logic-level are presented. Testing of these devices is investigated and compared with conventional CMOS-based designs. Unique testing features of designs based on this technology are presented and interesting properties have been identified.
Freeway traffic data prediction via artificial neural networks for use in a fuzzy logic ramp metering algorithm

A multilayer perceptron type of artificial neural network predicts congested freeway data while demonstrating robustness to faulty loop detector data. Test results on historical data from the I-5 freeway in Seattle, Washington demonstrate that a neural network can successfully predict volume and occupancy one minute in advance, as well as fill in the gaps for missing data with an appropriate prediction. The volume and occupancy predictions will be used as inputs to a fuzzy logic ramp metering algorithm currently under development.
Paper path of an on-line computer-output printer

This paper describes the development of a paper handling system designed to move paper at a speed of 81 cm/s in the IBM 3800 Printing Subsystem. During the development of the printer a number of unique problems arose from the interaction among paperline components. The various approaches and solutions to these problems, including paper path alignment, character stretch, registration within the fuser, and path error detection, are discussed and illustrated.
Porphyrins with exocyclic rings. Part 9 [1] Synthesis of porphyrins by the ‘3 + 1’ approach

Tripyrrane dibenzyl esters are readily available from the reaction of two equivalents of 5-acetoxymethylpyrrole-2-carboxylates with 2,5-diunsubstituted pyrroles in refluxing acetic acid-ethanol. Hydrogenolysis of the benzyl ester moieties affords the corresponding dicarboxylic acids, and subsequent condensation with 2,5-diformylpyrroles in 5% trifluoroacetic acid-dichloromethane, followed by neutralization with triethylamine and oxidation with DDQ, gives porphyrin products in good to excellent yields. The isomeric purity of these products has been rigorously demonstrated by proton and carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy. This chemistry allows the direct synthesis of porphyrin structures that would otherwise only be accessible via multistep procedures. In addition, this approach provides a convenient synthetic entry to the geochemically important tetrahydrobenzoporphyrins and cycloalkanoporphyrins. The first examples of tripyrranes with tetrahydroindole subunits are reported and their utility in the synthesis of novel cycloalkanoporphyrins is disclosed.
A polynomial-complexity tool for evaluating the performance of structurally controlled FMS

The problem of evaluating the capacity of the structurally controlled FMS has been raised previously by us (1996). In that paper, an analytical framework for the problem, and a methodology able to provide accurate performance estimates were developed, but it was also observed that the computational complexity of the approach rendered it inapplicable to most practical situations. Here, we propose an approximating scheme for the performance evaluation of the structurally controlled FMS, which presents polynomial computational complexity, and therefore, is applicable to real-life FMSs. Initial experimentation with the approach indicates that it holds considerable promise for effective evaluation of the production capacity of these systems.
ROENTGEN RAY INTOXICATION : II. A STUDY OF THE SEQUENCE OF CLINICAL, ANATOMICAL, AND HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES FOLLOWING A UNIT DOSE OF X-RAYS.

Roentgen radiation in lethal dosage, given over the abdomen of a normal dog, is followed by a physiological reaction of remarkable uniformity. The first 24 hour period following the exposure is negative clinically and anatomically, but histologically we see frank changes in the bone marrow, spleen, lymph glands, and ovaries. There are definite nuclear changes with degeneration in the crypt epithelium of the small intestine. The second 24 hour period shows slight clinical disturbances of gastrointestinal nature (vomitus and diarrhea). The mucosa of the small intestine shows scattered ecchymoses, but the histology of the small intestine is important. The necrosis of the crypt epithelium may be almost complete, while the epithelium of the villi remains practically intact. There are a little edema and invasion of wandering cells. The third 24 hour period shows increasing clinical disturbance with vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Anatomically the small intestine from the edge of the pylorus to the rim of the ileocecal valve looks raw, red, and inflamed. The crypt and villous epithelium has in large part vanished, leaving a collapsed framework of the mucosa showing a little edema and invasion of wandering cells. The 4th day marks the peak of the intoxication, and death usually takes place at this time, preceded by coma. Anatomically and histologically the picture is like that of the 3rd day. There is more evidence of mitosis and efforts of repair on the part of the intestinal epithelium. The stomach is not concerned in this reaction, but the colon may show evidences of a slight injury. The colon is obviously much more resistant than is the small intestine. We believe the evidence is conclusive that the injury done the epithelium of the small intestine is wholly responsible for the stormy clinical picture and fatal intoxication.
Analysis of electromigration-induced void motion and surface oscillations in metallic thin-film interconnects

An analysis is presented of electromigration-induced migration and oscillatory dynamics of morphologically stable void surfaces based on self-consistent numerical simulations of morphological evolution of voids in metallic thin films. As the morphological stability limit is approached, the migration speed of a stable void deviates substantially from being inversely proportional to the void size, a well-known result that is rigorously valid in an infinite conductor with isotropic material properties. A non-linear shape function that includes both current crowding and diffusional anisotropy effects is used to rescale properly the void migration speed resulting in a universally valid relationship for the migration speed as a function of void size. Furthermore, in grains characterized by high symmetry of surface diffusional anisotropy, our analysis predicts the onset of stable time-periodic states for the void surface morphology that correspond to waves propagating on surfaces of voids that migrate along the metallic film at constant speeds.
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) in Mathematics Teacher Education

rapid increases in knowledge and technology call for the use of such tools as a personal digital assistant (Pda) to increase the quality of education and student performance. Pdas evolved from personal organizers, but today’s handhelds can be effective tools that help students organize facts and concepts, develop written documents, understand science and math concepts, and provide tools that help to empower students with special needs. this article gives an overview of the current use of handheld computers or Pdas in teacher education. Specifically, this article explores the potential of these tools in mathematics teacher education within the framework of mathematics education reform. this article shows that with appropriate software, the Pda can support a variety of effective learning activities that support the goals of reform in mathematics. Further, the authors show that preservice teachers who participated in the sessions with Pdas developed positive attitudes towards their use.
Ground-Penetrating Radar Data to Develop Wavelet Technique for Quantifying Railroad Ballast–Fouling Conditions:

Ballast fouling is detrimental to railroad track functions. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR), a nondestructive testing tool, has been used to assess ballast-fouling conditions. However, processing the extensive amount of data to quantify ballast conditions is challenging. Although several approaches have been developed, each of them has certain disadvantages, such as being unable to detect fouling without a clear interface between clean and fouled ballast and being user dependent. To overcome these disadvantages, a new approach based on wavelet transform was investigated. Laboratory tests were conducted to collect GPR data on ballast with controlled fouling levels. The data were processed by choosing the proper mother wavelet, selecting appropriate wavelet decomposition coefficients, and de-noising the signal. Standard deviation (SD) values of the processed wavelet detail coefficients were calculated. On the basis of the scattering theory, the resulting SD value, which represents the scattering intensity of...
Relationship between cerebral perfusion and EEG in the rat brain

Changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the human cortex during seizures have been visually observed during surgery as early as the late 19th century. However, the study of continuous cerebral blood flow (CCBF) during seizures was not possible until the development of a subdural thermal-resistance cerebral blood-flow probe. The current experiment investigated cerebral perfusion (CP) in the rat neocortex using commercially available laser Doppler equipment. Epidural EEG of the rat brain was recorded simultaneously under anesthesia. A seizure was induced in the rat by intravenous injection of bicucullin. CP was measured continuously for a) baseline anaesthetized state, b) during the seizure induced by bicucullin, c) after arresting the seizure by injection of nembutal, and d) after return of the EEG to baseline anaesthetized state. We showed that the laser Doppler technique can be used for continuous recording of CP in the anesthetized rat brain, and also demonstrated the relationship between CP and epileptic discharges in the brain.
Insulin suppresses ischemic preconditioning-mediated cardioprotection through Akt-dependent mechanisms☆

Abstract It is believed that the diabetic myocardium is refractory to cardioprotection by ischemic preconditioning (IPC) mainly because of impaired insulin signaling to phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (PKB or Akt). However, human as well as animal studies have clearly showed that the hearts of type 2 diabetic humans and animals may exhibit increased signaling through PI3K–Akt but yet are resistant to cardioprotection by IPC or ischemic post-conditioning. Therefore, this study was designed to determine whether activation of insulin signaling prior to IPC is detrimental for cardioprotection and to assess the role of insulin receptors (IRs) and Akt in mediating this effect. Wild-type (WT) hearts, hearts lacking IRs or hearts expressing an active form of Akt (myrAkt1) were perfused ex vivo using a Langendorff preparation and were subjected to IPC (3cycles of 5min ischemia followed by 5min reflow before 30min no flow ischemia and then by 45min reperfusion) in the presence or absence of 1nmol/L insulin. Interestingly, whereas insulin was protective against I/R (30min no flow ischemia and 45min reperfusion), it completely abolished cardioprotection by IPC in WT hearts but not in mice lacking insulin receptors (IRs) in cardiomyocytes (CIRKO) or in all cardiac cells (TIRKO). The suppression of IPC-mediated cardioprotection was mediated through downstream signaling to Akt and Gsk3β. In addition, transgenic induction of Akt in the heart was sufficient to abrogate IPC even when insulin was absent, further confirming the involvement of Akt in insulin's suppression of cardioprotection by IPC. These data provide evidence that excessive insulin signaling to Akt is detrimental for cardioprotection by IPC and could explain the failure of the diabetic myocardium to precondition.
Safety of Culdotomy as a Surgical Approach: Implications for NOTES (Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery)

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of culdotomy as a surgical approach to access the peritoneal cavity and discuss its implications for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). Methods: A retrospective chart review of women undergoing culdotomy for tubal sterilization (N219) between January 1995 and December 2005 was performed. The Accordion Grading System was used for the severity of complications. Results: No intraoperative complications were noted. Postoperative complications occurred in 7 patients (3.2%): 6 infections (grade 2) and 1 case of hemorrhage (grade 3). Conversion to laparoscopy was necessary in 10 patients (2.2%) due to anatomical constraints or pelvic adhesions; however, culdotomy with entry into the abdominal cavity was nevertheless successful in all 10 cases. The difference in the proportion with a history of pelvic surgery between the conversion and nonconversion groups was not statistically significant (P .068). Patients with BMI 30 had a higher conversion rate compared to patients with BMI 30 (11.4% versus 1.5%, P .011). Tubal sterilization via culdotomy was successfully performed in all 11 women with no prior vaginal deliveries. Conclusion: Culdotomy appears to be a safe surgical approach to access the peritoneal cavity and is associated with a low complication rate. These data support the feasibility and safety of utilizing the cul-de-sac as an ac
The Characteristic Equation for the Rigid Body Problem for Quaternion State Variables

In pre vious confere nce papers, the authors discussed obtaining exact solutions for the rigid body problem obtained by combining quaternion algebra with elliptic functions. This mathematical representation could be used for both the torque free case and certain cases of appl ied torque. In this paper, the authors determine the characteristic equation for the quaternion state variables from which one can compute the eigenvalues of the system. This will be done in three ways.
Porous Substoichiometric TiO2 Anodes as Reactive Electrochemical Membranes for Water Treatment

This research investigates the characterization and testing of an anodic reactive electrochemical membrane (REM) for water treatment. The REM consists of a porous substoichiometric titanium dioxide (Ti4O7) tubular, ceramic electrode operated in cross-flow filtration mode. Advection-enhanced mass transfer rates, on the order of a 10-fold increase, are obtained when the REM is operated in filtration-mode, relative to a traditional flow-through mode. Oxidation experiments with model organic compounds showed that the REM was active for both direct oxidation reactions and formation of hydroxyl radicals (OH•). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data interpreted by transmission line modeling determined that the electro-active surface area was 619 times the nominal geometric surface area. Results from filtration-mode experiments with p-methoxyphenol indicate that compound removal occurred by electro-assisted adsorption and subsequent oxidation. Electro-assisted adsorption was the primary removal mechanism at ...
Transcriptional Response of Malus to Erwinia amylovora Infection

Suppression subtractive cDNA hybridization (SSH) was used to identify genes that are differentially up- and down-regulated in apples (Malus × domestica) in response to challenge with Erwinia amylovora (Ea). cDNA libraries were constructed from E. amylovora- and mock-challenged 'Gale Gala' apple leaf tissue at various time intervals after challenge treatment, ranging from 1 to 72 hours post inoculation (hpi) and utilized in SSH. A total of 432 non-redundant Malus ESTs isolated by SSH in response to E. amylovora challenge were characterized by bioinformatic analysis. Many ESTs identified following Ea-challenge of apple were similar to genes previously reported to respond to bacterial challenge in Arabidopsis thaliana. The results indicate that there was a substantial early (1 and 2 hpi) transcriptional response in apple to fire blight disease involving both the down- and up-regulation of host genes. Additionally, genes identified responding to fire blight challenge early (1 and 2 hpi) differed from those identified later (24, 48, 72 hpi) in the infection process. For example, within the defense/stress functional category, ESTs representing several different PR proteins were first detected 48 hpi (up-regulated), whereas earlier defense/stress ESTs were primarily associated with oxidative and osmotic stress.
Outcomes Following Suture-Anchor Repair of Pectoralis Major Tears: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Rupture of the pectoralis major muscle (PMM) is an uncommon injury that occurs during physical exercise and high-impact contact sports; it may result in pain, weakness, and disability. Surgical repair is currently the preferred treatment of PMM rupture. Our study assesses subjective and functional outcomes of patients following repair of acute and chronic PMM ruptures.Retrospective review identified twenty patients who underwent PMM repair by the senior author (BRW) between 2003 and 2011. Injury and surgical data was reviewed for all 20 patients. Six patients were assessed minimum 1-year post operatively for clinical outcomes, (SF-36, DASH, and ASES), physical exam (ROM & cosmesis), and Cybex isokinetic strength testing.All patients were men with an average age of 30 years (range 20-55) at time of injury. The average time from injury to surgical repair was 3.8 months (range <1-28 months), and average follow up was 16.5 months (range 0-99). The majority of patients suffered injury while bench pressing (12/20; 60%) or wrestling (3/20; 15%). The most common intra-operative findings were partial sternal tears (9/20; 45%) followed by complete sternal tears (4/20; 20%). Six (30%) of twenty patients consented for on-site follow-up and clinical assessment. Average preoperative physical component scores from SF-36 improved from 43 (range 37.8-52.7) to 53.1 (range 48.1-55.8) at follow up. Average preoperative DASH scores decreased from 74 points (range 68.7-83.3) to 5.3 points (range 1.7-8.3) at follow-up. Average pre-operative ASES scores improved from 82.8 points (range 71.7-96.7) to 96.7 points (range 91.7-98.3) at follow up. Average isokinetic strength deficiency in horizontal adduction at 60°/s was 15% (range 16%-29%) and average at 120°/s was 9% (range 2%-21%). According to the Bak criteria, overall results were excellent in two patients (33%), good in two (33%), while two (33%) had a fair result.Surgical repair of PMM rupture by suture anchor fixation provides high patient satisfaction and predictable return of strength, cosmesis, and overall function. Suture anchor fixation produced similar clinical outcomes and return of strength when compared to other surgical repair methods. Our results demonstrate isokinetic strength deficiency similar to historical results.Level 4: Retrospective Case Series.
Oral therapy for Peyronie’s disease, does it work?

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a localized, wound-healing, connective tissue disorder of the penis characterized by scarring of the tunica albuginea. This fibrous inelastic scar leads to penile pain, penile deformity and erectile dysfunction (ED), and a difficulty performing coitus. Over the past several decades, a myriad of oral agents for the treatment of PD have been studied and suggested. While the gold standard of care remains surgical therapy, many physicians continue to prescribe oral and intralesional injections for treatment during the acute phase of the disease. This article seeks to summarize the different oral therapy agents for PD and the research associated with each medication. While the American Urological Association has not recommended most of the mentioned medications for the treatment of PD, two newer therapies have shown success and have the potential of becoming baseline treatments for the acute phase of PD.
ASYMPTOTIC DEVELOPMENT FOR GUIDED WAVE PROPAGATION

The relationship between mode theory and ray theory is discussed in a general manner for stratified media.
Children and road traffic injuries: can't the world do better?

Road traffic injuries (RTI) impose a substantial health burden among children. Globally, 186 300 children (under 18 years) die from RTI each year. It is the fourth leading cause of death among children aged 5–9 years, third among children aged 10–14 years and first among children aged 15–17 years. At the regional level, sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 35.2% of global child deaths caused by RTI; that number is still increasing. Male children are about two times more likely to die due to RTI than female children. RTI are also related to socioeconomic inequalities; low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC) account for 95% of global child RTI deaths, and children from poor households are more likely to fall victims to RTI. Intervention strategies promoted in the five pillars of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011–2020 are available to prevent mortality and morbidity caused by RTI, though validation and implementation of such interventions are urgently needed in the LMIC. Through concerted efforts to cultivate strong political will, build action and advocacy capacity, increase global funding and enhance multisectoral collaboration promoted by the Sustainable Development Goals, the world is challenged to do better in saving children from RTI.