cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
X-ray beam equalization for digital fluoroscopy

The concept of radiographic equalization has previously been investigated. However, a suitable technique for digital fluoroscopic applications has not been developed. The previously reported scanning equalization techniques cannot be applied to fluoroscopic applications due to their exposure time limitations. On the other hand, area beam equalization techniques are more suited for digital fluoroscopic applications. The purpose of this study is to develop an x- ray beam equalization technique for digital fluoroscopic applications that will produce an equalized radiograph with minimal image artifacts and tube loading. Preliminary unequalized images of a humanoid chest phantom were acquired using a digital fluoroscopic system. Using this preliminary image as a guide, an 8 by 8 array of square pistons were used to generate masks in a mold with CeO2. The CeO2 attenuator thicknesses were calculated using the gray level information from the unequalized image. The generated mask was positioned close to the focal spot (magnification of 8.0) in order to minimize edge artifacts from the mask. The masks were generated manually in order to investigate the piston and matrix size requirements. The development of an automated version of mask generation and positioning is in progress. The results of manual mask generation and positioning show that it is possible to generate equalized radiographs with minimal perceptible artifacts. The equalization of x-ray transmission across the field exiting from the object significantly improved the image quality by preserving local contrast throughout the image. Furthermore, the reduction in dynamic range significantly reduced the effect of x-ray scatter and veiling glare from high transmission to low transmission areas. Also, the x-ray tube loading due to the mask assembly itself was negligible. In conclusion it is possible to produce area beam compensation that will be compatible with digital fluoroscopy with minimal compensation artifacts. The compensation process produces an image with equalized signal to noise ratio in all parts of the image.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Substitution patterns in aromatic rings by increment analysis. Model development and application to natural organic matter

The aromatic region of two-dimensional heteronuclear 1H, 13C NMR spectra of natural organic matter and related materials (e.g., 1H and 13C chemical shifts ranging from approximately 5 to 10 and 80 to 140 ppm, respectively) is highly complex and difficult to interpret using conventional approaches. In principle, this region of the NMR spectrum should be amenable to detailed analysis, because the effects of many common substituents on the chemical shifts of aromatic carbon and hydrogen are well documented. This paper describes the development of a model for prediction of substitution patterns in aromatic rings by increment analysis (SPARIA). In the forward mode, SPARIA is used to predict the chemical shifts of 1H and 13C on aromatic moieties containing every possible combination of eight common substituents that are likely to be representative of substituents on aromatic moieties in natural organic matter. The accuracy of SPARIA in the forward mode is evaluated for 29 aromatic compounds (100 peaks) by compa...
A System of Electric Remote-Control Accounting

THE ACCOUNTING system which will be outlined in this paper will be discussed mainly in its application to a department store. However, it will not require any great stretch of the imagination to visualize the application of the same system and devices to other fields, including factory production control and pay rolls, public-utility accounts receivable, and others.
Measurement of functional residual capacity in distressed neonates by helium rebreathing

A simple bedside helium rebreathing test for measurement of functional residual capacity (FRC) in premature infants is described and evaluated. Twenty-one infants with respiratory distress were studied serially by the method, and a comparable group of nondistressed infants were used as control subjects. Infants with roentgenographic criteria of hyaline membrane disease had significantly decreased FRC. Several other clinical entities were detected: 2 infants with rapid return of FRC to normal associated with streaks on the chest roentgenogram, and one infant with meconium aspiration who had an increased FRC. It is suggested that this method can be used as a diagnostic test as well as an indication of severity of hyaline membrane disease in premature infants.
Evaluation of baking properties and gluten protein composition of field grown transgenic wheat lines expressing high molecular weight glutenin gene 1Ax1

Summary The unique breadmaking properties of wheat are closely related to the quality and quantity of high molecular weight (HMW) glutenins present in wheat flour. We have produced several transgenic wheat lines expressing the high molecular weight glutenin subunit (HMW-GS) gene 1Ax1. They were analyzed for stability of gene expression and the effect of over-expressed 1Ax1 protein on protein composition, agronomic traits and flour functionality in R4 seeds obtained from plants grown in the field. The expression of 1Ax1 in R4 seeds was similar to that found in R3 seeds harvested from plants reared in a growth chamber, indicating that the high level expression of 1Ax1 under its own promoter was stable under field conditions. Quantitative differences were observed in gliadins, flour yield and single kernel characteristics between 1Ax1 transgenic wheat and the Bobwhite control. No qualitative differences in the gliadin or low molecular weight glutenin subunits were seen between the control and transgenic plants. Two of the transgenic lines showed some very high molecular weight proteins in addition to the 1Ax1 and the native HMW-GS. Purification and N-terminal sequencing of these proteins did not reveal any similarity to HMW-GS. In some of the transgenic lines, mixing time, loaf volume and water absorbance improved relative to the control cultivar. This was the first large scale baking and mixing test of field grown transgenic wheat. Our results show that the integration of a seventh HMW-GS gene (1Ax1), and its expression resulting in the presence of six HMW-GS in the wheat endosperm, neither caused any gene silencing nor any undesirable effect on yield, protein composition or flour functionality.
Identifying Metal Surfaces In Color Images

Previous work [2] has examined the properties of metals which might allow them to be distinguished from dielectrics in color images. This previous work assumes ideal surfaces, i.e. surfaces which are optically smooth and uncontaminated by coatings. In this paper, we discuss the problem of material identification and review the previous work. We then examine to what extent the ideas presented in [2] extend to more real-istic surfaces. We present analysis describing a color shift which might occur for the light reflected from a rough metal surface. We also give a brief discussion of the effect of surface coatings on the optical properties of materials. Some experimental results are given.
A Case of Unilateral Deuteranopia

Studies are reported of a subject with deuteranopia of the right eye and mild deuteranomaly of the left. On the Nagel anomaloscope this subject, using the right eye, matched both spectral red and spectral green to yellow. The left eye did not differ from normal on this test. Selected pseudo-isochromatic charts and the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue test, however, revealed, in the left eye, definite color deficiency of the deutan type. Scores on the color threshold tester indicated a marked defect in the right eye, slight in the left.Because of the relatively slight abnormality of the left eye it is possible to obtain reliable information as to the colors actually perceived by the deuteranopic right eye. Tests with the 100-hue series of Munsell papers and with a spectrometer showed that perception of red and green is entirely lacking. The Munsell papers were described as browns, grays, and blues. In the spectrum the range from 501 to 505 millimicrons was reported as white; longer wave-lengths were reported as yellow, shorter ones, as blue. The only regions of the spectrum identical in appearance to the two eyes were those wave-lengths chosen by the deuteranomalous left eye as unitary blue (451–453) and unitary yellow (584).
Fears in Clinic-Referred Children: Relations with Child Anxiety Sensitivity, Maternal Overcontrol, and Maternal Phobic Anxiety.

Relations among maternal phobic anxiety, maternal overcontrol, child anxiety sensitivity, and child level of fear were explored in 156 children referred to an outpatient clinic for psychological evaluation. In addition, these relations were examined separately in analyses of age, gender, and diagnostic status. Overall, age, gender, and child anxiety sensitivity, along with maternal ratings of an overly controlling parenting strategy were significant predictors of levels of fear. These four variables predicted approximately 50% of the variance associated with fear levels. Surprisingly, maternal phobic anxiety was not a significant predictor in this sample of clinic-referred children. In separate analyses of age, gender, and diagnostic status (presence or absence of an anxiety disorder), anxiety sensitivity was a significant predictor of fear levels for both older and younger children, for both boys and girls, and for both children with and without an anxiety disorder. However, maternal overly controlling parenting strategy was significant only for the younger children (and not the older ones) and only for girls (and not boys). Moreover, maternal overcontrol was a marginally significant predictor for the anxiety-disorder group (and not the non-anxiety-disordered group). Results are discussed within a developmental framework, and implications for treatment are explored.
Inhibitors of the Large Ribosomal Subunit from Haloarcula marismortui

The crystal structures that have been obtained for 23 different inhibitors bound to the large ribosomal subunit from Haloarcula marismortui are reviewed here. These structures provide important insights into how anti-ribosomal antibiotics inhibit protein synthesis, how species specificity arises, and the relationship between ribosomal mutations and antibiotic resistance. These structural studies also provide compelling evidence that the conformation of the peptidyl transferase center of the large ribosomal subunit is intrinsically variable, and that conformational equilibria play a role in determining its functional properties.
Early physical medicine and rehabilitation for patients with acute respiratory failure: a quality improvement project.

Abstract Needham DM, Korupolu R, Zanni JM, Pradhan P, Colantuoni E, Palmer JB, Brower RG, Fan E. Early physical medicine and rehabilitation for patients with acute respiratory failure: a quality improvement project. Objectives To (1) reduce deep sedation and delirium to permit mobilization, (2) increase the frequency of rehabilitation consultations and treatments to improve patients' functional mobility, and (3) evaluate effects on length of stay. Design Seven-month prospective before/after quality improvement project. Setting Sixteen-bed medical intensive care unit (MICU) in academic hospital. Participants 57 patients mechanically ventilated 4 days or longer. Intervention A multidisciplinary team focused on reducing heavy sedation and increasing MICU staffing to include full-time physical and occupational therapists with new consultation guidelines. Main Outcome Measures Sedation and delirium status, rehabilitation treatments, functional mobility. Results Compared with before the quality improvement project, benzodiazepine use decreased markedly (proportion of MICU days that patients received benzodiazepines [50% vs 25%, P =.002]), with lower median daily sedative doses (47 vs 15mg midazolam equivalents [ P =.09] and 71 vs 24 mg morphine equivalents [ P =.01]). Patients had improved sedation and delirium status (MICU days alert [30% vs 67%, P P =.003]). There were a greater median number of rehabilitation treatments per patient (1 vs 7, P P =.03). Hospital administrative data demonstrated that across all MICU patients, there was a decrease in intensive care unit and hospital length of stay by 2.1 (95% confidence interval: 0.4–3.8) and 3.1 (0.3–5.9) days, respectively, and a 20% increase in MICU admissions compared with the same period in the prior year. Conclusions Using a quality improvement process, intensive care unit delirium, physical rehabilitation, and functional mobility were markedly improved and associated with decreased length of stay.
Delivery of Molecular Medicine to Solid Tumors

Molecular medicine is increasing our understanding of the molecular basis of cancer and is providing new targets for therapeutic intervention. But at present we do not have appropriate ways to deliver these agents to the tumor, and without this ability their potential will not be realized. Jain proposes a three-part strategy for overcoming this obstacle to successful treatment of tumors.
The oceanic boundary layer driven by wave breaking with stochastic variability. Part 1. Direct numerical simulations

We devise a stochastic model for the effects of breaking waves and fit its distribution functions to laboratory and field data. This is used to represent the space-time structure of momentum and energy forcing of the oceanic boundary layer in turbulence-resolving simulations. The aptness of this breaker model is evaluated in a direct numerical simulation (DNS) of an otherwise quiescent fluid driven by an isolated breaking wave, and the results are in good agreement with laboratory measurements. The breaker model faithfully reproduces the bulk features of a breaking event: the mean kinetic energy decays at a rate approaching t -1 , and a long-lived vortex (eddy) is generated close to the water surface. The long lifetime of this vortex (more than 50 wave periods) makes it effective in energizing the surface region of oceanic boundary layers. Next, a comparison of several different DNS of idealized oceanic boundary layers driven by different surface forcing (i.e. constant current (as in Couette flow), constant stress, or a mixture of constant stress plus stochastic breakers) elucidates the importance of intermittent stress transmission to the underlying currents. A small amount of active breaking, about 1.6% of the total water surface area at any instant in time, significantly alters the instantaneous flow patterns as well as the ensemble statistics. Near the water surface a vigorous downwelling-upwelling pattern develops at the head and tail of each three-dimensional breaker. This enhances the vertical velocity variance and generates both negative- and positive-signed vertical momentum flux. Analysis of the mean velocity and scalar profiles shows that breaking effectively increases the surface roughness z o by more than a factor of 30; for our simulations z o /λ0.04 to 0.06, where λ is the wavelength of the breaking wave. Compared to a flow driven by a constant current, the extra mixing from breakers increases the mean eddy viscosity by more than a factor of 10 near the water surface. Breaking waves alter the usual balance of production and dissipation in the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) budget; turbulent and pressure transports and breaker work are important sources and sinks in the budget. We also show that turbulent boundary layers driven by constant current and constant stress (i.e. with no breaking) differ in fundamental ways. The additional freedom provided by a constant-stress boundary condition permits finite velocity variances at the water surface, so that flows driven by constant stress mimic flows with weakly and statistically homogeneous breaking waves.
Developing a hierarchical modular PV array model using PLECS block-set in MATLAB

This work elaborates on design of a Photovoltaic (PV) array model using Piecewise Linear Electrical Circuit Simulation (PLECS) block-set in Si urn I ink. First it describes the model development procedure. Next it compares the I-V curves generated using the developed model with the experimental I-V curves of a HIS-M215SG reported in the product datasheet. Then it illustrates the use of the developed model for study of partial shading effect in a PV system.
Ethanol effects on electrophysiological properties of astrocytes in striatal brain slices.

Abstract Ethanol (EtOH) is known to alter neuronal physiology, but much less is known about the actions of this drug on glial function. To this end, we examined acute effects of ethanol on resting and voltage-activated membrane currents in striatal astrocytes using rat brain slices. Ten minutes exposure to 50 mM EtOH reduced slope conductance by 20%, increased input resistance by 25% and decreased capacitance by 38% but did not affect resting membrane potential. Current generated by a hyperpolarizing pulse was inhibited in a concentration dependent manner in passive astrocytes, while no significant EtOH effect was observed in complex astrocytes or neurons. The EtOH effect was blocked when intracellular KCl was replaced with CsCl, but not during chelation of intracellular calcium with BAPTA. During blockage of gap junction coupling with high intracellular CaCl2 or extracellular carbenoxolone the EtOH effect persisted but was reduced. Interestingly, EtOH effects were largely irreversible when gap junctions were open, but were fully reversible when gap junctions were closed. Ethanol also reduced the spread to other cells of Lucifer Yellow dye from individual glia filled via the patch pipette. These data suggest that EtOH inhibits a calcium-insensitive potassium channel, most likely a passive potassium channel, but also affects gap junction coupling in a way that is sustained after ethanol withdrawal. Astrocytes play a critical role in brain potassium homeostasis, and therefore EtOH effects on astrocytic function could influence neuronal activity.
Sex, Steroids, and Stroke. Introduction

Stroke remains a major source of mortality and disability, particularly among women. Stroke statistics consistently show a greater number of strokes occurring in women, more hospital discharges for stroke among women, and more women dying from stroke each year than men. American Stroke Association statistics show that 53% of the stroke fatalities each year are among women.1 Largely a function of the longer life-expectancy among women and the marked increasing stroke incidence with age, there may be other contributing factors to this stroke gender disparity. Most epidemiological studies have shown a greater age-specific stroke incidence for men compared with women. In Northern Manhattan, we observed an attenuation in the male–female incidence ratio with age and a greater stroke incidence for women compared with men, only in our oldest age category of 85 years …
The game of Life Science self-directed learning in a middle school classroom

A state-mandated 8th grade Life Science curriculum reconfigured as a set of self-directed learning experiences. Throughout the year of the program, students demonstrated high levels of engagement and participation. Additionally, they began to relate to this set of self-directed learning experiences as an open-ended, multi-player game.
Tousled-like Kinases Modulate Reactivation of Gammaherpesviruses from Latency

Summary Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is linked to human malignancies. The majority of tumor cells harbor latent virus, and a small percentage undergo spontaneous lytic replication. Both latency and lytic replication are important for viral pathogenesis and spread, but the cellular players involved in the switch between the two viral life-cycle phases are not clearly understood. We conducted a small interfering RNA (siRNA) screen targeting the cellular kinome and identified Tousled-like kinases (TLKs) as cellular kinases that control KSHV reactivation from latency. Upon treatment of latent KSHV-infected cells with siRNAs targeting TLKs, we saw robust viral reactivation. Knockdown of TLKs in latent KSHV-infected cells induced expression of viral lytic proteins and production of infectious virus. TLKs were also found to play a role in regulating reactivation from latency of another related oncogenic gammaherpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus. Our results establish the TLKs as cellular repressors of gammaherpesvirus reactivation.
The clinical application of interphase FISH in prenatal diagnosis.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for five chromosomes (13, 18, 21, X and Y) detected 87 of 107 (81%) of the chromosome aberrations identified by conventional chromosome analysis applied to fetal interphase cells obtained by chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis. The choice of FISH was solely determined by prospective parents after formal genetic counselling concerning the advantages and disadvantages of FISH analysis. Excluding known familial chromosome aberrations, if FISH analysis revealed normal signals, there was an overall residual risk of 1 in 149 for an undetectable chromosome aberration. This risk varied according to the indication for prenatal diagnosis: 1 in 177 for women of advanced maternal age; 1 in 60 for women at increased risk for Down syndrome based on maternal serum screening; and, 1 in 43 for women whose ultrasound examination revealed fetal anomalies. There were 20 cases of discordance between the FISH results and standard karyotype analysis: four were the outcome of a failure to apply the appropriate FISH probe; 16 were not detectable by the available FISH probes. Of these 16, nine were chromosome abnormalities with clinical significance and seven were familial. If FISH is to become a standard part of prenatal genetic diagnosis, genetic counselling that is sensitive to patient health needs must be based on accurate information about the biological and obstetrical implications of the results of FISH analysis.
MediaScope: selective on-demand media retrieval from mobile devices

Motivated by an availability gap for visual media, where images and videos are uploaded from mobile devices well after they are generated, we explore the selective, timely retrieval of media content from a collection of mobile devices. We envision this capability being driven by similarity-based queries posed to a cloud search front-end, which in turn dynamically retrieves media objects from mobile devices that best match the respective queries within a given time limit. Building upon a crowd-sensing framework, we have designed and implemented a system called MediaScope that provides this capability. MediaScope is an extensible framework that supports nearest-neighbor and other geometric queries on the feature space (e.g. clusters, spanners), and contains novel retrieval algorithms that attempt to maximize the retrieval of relevant information. From experiments on a prototype, MediaScope is shown to achieve near-optimal query completeness and low to moderate overhead on mobile devices.
Solvation of transmembrane proteins by isotropic membrane mimetics: a molecular dynamics study.

Mixtures of organic solvents are often used as membrane mimetics in structure determination of transmembrane proteins by solution NMR; however, the mechanism through which these isotropic solvents mimic the anisotropic environment of cell membranes is not known. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations to study the solvation thermodynamics of the c-subunit of Escherichia coli F1F0 ATP synthase in membrane mimetic mixtures of methanol, chloroform, and water with varying fractions of components as well as in lipid bilayers. We show that the protein induces a local phase separation of the solvent components into hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers, which provides the anisotropic solvation environment to stabilize the amphiphilic peptide. The extent of this effect varies with solvent composition and is most pronounced in the ternary methanol−chloroform−water mixtures. Analysis of the solvent structure, including the local mole fraction, density profiles, and pair distribution functions, reveals considerable...
Chemisorption of organic molecules on ZnO(11̄00) surfaces: C5H5N, (CH3)2CO, and (CH3)2SO

Abstract Ultraviolet photoemission studies of pyridine, acetone, and dimethyl sulfoxide adsorbed on ZnO(1100) show the involvement of molecular orbitals having π, π ★ , and nitrogen and oxygen lone-pair character in formation of the chemisorption bond. No decomposition products from adsorption of these molecules are observed on the surface.
Low-Dimensional Learning for Complex Robots

This paper presents an algorithm for learning the switching policy and the boundaries conditions between primitive controllers that maximize the translational movements of a complex locomoting system. The algorithm learns an optimal action for each boundary condition instead of one for each discretized state-action pair of the system, as is typically done in machine learning. The system is modeled as a hybrid system because it contains both discrete and continuous dynamics. With this hybridification of the system and with this abstraction of learning boundary-action pairs, the “curse of dimensionality” is mitigated. The effectiveness of this learning algorithm is demonstrated on both a simulated system and on a physical robotic system. In both cases, the algorithm is able to learn the hybrid control strategy that maximizes the forward translational movement of the system without the need for human involvement.
Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Central Role for the Hippocampus—A Theoretical Construct

Objective: A growing body of evidence implicates the central nervous system as playing a primary role in the diverse phenomena associated with fibromyalgia, including hyperactivity of stress systems and enhanced nociception. The objective of this review is to propose a unifying theory to explain a majority of these.Findings: Stress exposure causes deleterious changes within the central nervous system, the hippocampus being particularly vulnerable. The hippocampus is perhaps best known for its role in memory and cognition, two functions which are impacted by elevated glucocorticoid levels such as occur in prolonged stress. The hippocampus also provides inhibitory drive to brain centers associated with the stress response, i.e., the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, central amygdala, and locus coeruleus. In addition, the hippocampus has been demonstrated to participate in nociception, a function positively correlated with the activity of hippocampal N-methyl-D-aspartate [NMDA] subtype glutamate receptor...
The interaction of supernovae with circumstellar bubbles

This paper examines the interaction of a massive star supernova with the shell created by the fast wind from a blue supergiant, either in the main-sequence phase or in a late evolutionary phase. Making a number of idealizations, the general features of shell interaction are described by semianalytical solutions. The expected properties of the supernova and its environment are discussed, and the hydrodynamics of the interaction is described. It is found that, typically, the shock traversal occurs before the energy transfer is significant. Applications of the model to observed objects are considered, with special attention given to the interaction of SN 1987A with its circumstellar shell, which is expected to occur within decades.
Self-administration of Pentobarbital by means of schedule-induced polydipsia

Rats self administered large quantities of sodium pentobarbital when a solution of the drug was substituted for water during schedule-induced polydipsia. Changes in the food baseline indicated that the drug was affecting the animals’ behavior. The pattern and time course of responding for the drug were measured by making presentation of the drug contingent upon a lever press.
Anti-equality: Social comparison in young children

Young children dislike getting less than others, which might suggest a general preference for equal outcomes. However, young children are typically not averse to others receiving less than themselves. These results are consistent with two alternatives: young children might not have any preferences about others receiving less than themselves, or they might have preferences for others receiving less than themselves. We test these alternatives with 5- to 10-year-old children. We replicate previous findings that children will take a cost to avoid being at a relative disadvantage, but also find that 5- and 6-year-olds will spitefully take a cost to ensure that another’s welfare falls below their own. This result suggests that the development of fairness includes overcoming an initial social comparison preference for others to get less relative to oneself.
Nucleotide sequences of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) affecting virus entry, cell fusion, and production of glycoprotein gB (VP7)

Abstract The tsB5 strain of Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) contains at least two mutations (Haffey and Spear, J. Virol. 35, 114–125, 1980; Honess et al., J. Virol. 34, 716–742, 1980); one mutation specifies the syncytial phenotype and the other confers temperature sensitivity for virus growth. These functions are known to be located between the prototypic map coordinates 0.30 and 0.42 (Ruyechan et al., J. Virol. 29, 667–697, 1979). In this study it was demonstrated that tsB5 enters human embryonic lung (HEL) cells more rapidly than KOS, another strain of HSV-1. The EcoRI restriction fragment F from the KOS strain (map coordinates 0.315 to 0.421) was mapped with eight restriction endonucleases, and 16 recombinant plasmids were constructed which contained varying portions of the KOS genome. Recombinant viruses were generated by marker-rescue and marker-transfer cotransfection procedures, using intact DNA from one strain and a recombinant plasmid containing DNA from the other strain. The region of the crossover between the two nonisogenic strains was inferred by the identification of restriction sites in the recombinants that were characteristic of the parental strains. The recombinants were subjected to phenotypic analysis. Syncytium formation, rate of virus entry, and the production of gB were all separable by the crossovers that produced the recombinants. The KOS sequences which rescue the syncytial phenotype of tsB5 were localized to 1.5 kb (map coordinates 0.345 to 0.355), and the temperature-sensitive mutation was localized to 1.2 kb (0.360 to 0.368), giving an average separation between the mutations of 2.1 kb on the 150-kb genome. DNA sequences that specify a functional domain for virus entry were localized to the nucleotide sequences between the two mutations. All three functions could be encoded by the virus gene specifying the gB glycoprotein.
Simultaneous Measurements of Trace Chromium and Uranium Using Mixed Ligand Adsorptive Stripping Analysis

Abstract Simultaneous adsorptive–stripping voltammetric measurements of trace chromium and uranium, based on the use of a mixed-ligand solution, are described. Both metals can be readily determined in a single scan in the presence of propyl gallate (PG) and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). Variables affecting the response, including the concentration of both ligands, pH, adsorption potential or time, are assessed and optimized. The performance is not compromised (in comparison to the individual ligand protocols), with detection limits of 15(Cr) and 200 (U) ng l−1 (5 min adsorption), good reproducibility (RSDs of 5.1–6.0%; n=15), and suitable linear ranges (up to 3- and 80 μg l−1 Cr and U (one min adsorption)). The procedure offers high selectivity, with the presence of DTPA masking some metal ions that commonly affect the single-ligand uranium-PG procedure. Applicability to the simultaneous measurements of uranium and chromium in a groundwater sample is illustrated, and prospects for on-site environmental analysis are discussed.
Optical second-harmonic generation in atomic thallium vapor

Abstract We observe coherent optical second-harmonic generation in atomic thallium vapor when the fundamental is tuned to half the resonance frequency of the following transitions: 6 2 P 1 2 − 7 2 P 3 2 and 6 2 P 1 2 − 8 2 P 3 2 in the presence of a static magnetic field; and 6 2 P 1 2 − 7 2 P 1 2 , 6 2 P 1 2 − 8 2 P 1 2 in the absence of any external field .
The interaction of polyene antibiotics with thin lipid membranes.

Optically black, thin lipid membranes prepared from sheep erythrocyte lipids have a high dc resistance (Rm ≅ 108 ohm-cm2) when the bathing solutions contain NaCl or KCl. The ionic transference numbers (Ti) indicate that these membranes are cation-selective (TNa ≅ 0.85; TCl ≅ 0.15). These electrical properties are independent of the cholesterol content of the lipid solutions from which the membranes are formed. Nystatin, and probably amphotericin B, are cyclic polyene antibiotics containing ≈36 ring atoms and a free amino and carboxyl group. When the lipid solutions used to form membranes contained equimolar amounts of cholesterol and phospholipid, these antibiotics reduced Rm to ≈102 ohm-cm2; concomitantly, TCl became ≅0.92. The slope of the line relating log Rm and log antibiotic concentration was ≅4.5. Neither nystatin (2 x 10-5 M) nor amphotericin B (2 x 10-7 M) had any effect on membrane stability. The antibiotics had no effect on Rm or membrane permselectivity when the lipids used to form membranes were cholesterol-depleted. Filipin (10-5 M), an uncharged polyene with 28 ring atoms, produced striking membrane instability, but did not affect Rm or membrane ionic selectivity. These data suggest that amphotericin B or nystatin may interact with membrane-bound sterols to produce multimolecular complexes which greatly enhance the permeability of such membranes for anions (Cl-, acetate), and, to a lesser degree, cations (Na+, K+, Li+).
Sinusoidal phase modulation as a gate for FROG

A sinusoidal phase-modulation gate for cross-correlation frequency-resolved optical gating (PM- FROG) is demonstrated. This low-loss, linear gating technique can be used without separate gate characterization via a blind FROG algorithm with a simple intensity constraint.
Investigation of Depth of Interaction Encoding for a Pixelated LSO Array With a Single Multi-Channel PMT

A new approach to depth of interaction (DOI) encoding for a pixelated LSO array using a single multi-channel PMT was investigated. In this method the DOI information was estimated by taking advantage of optical crosstalk between LSO elements and examining the standard deviation (spread) of signals on all channels of the PMT. Unpolished and polished 6 times 6 LSO arrays with a crystal size of 1.3 times 1.3 times 20 mm3 were evaluated on a Hamamatsu H7546 64-channel PMT. The arrays were placed on the center of the PMT and the central 16 channels of the PMT were individually read out and digitized. For the unpolished array, all crystals were resolved in the flood histogram. An average DOI resolution of 8 mm was obtained. The energy resolution was ~25% after the signal amplitude was corrected using the measured DOI information. For the polished array, the flood histogram was superior to the unpolished array, however no DOI information could be measured. Using unpolished crystals, this method could be a practical way to achieve limited DOI information in PET detectors. The standard deviation of all PMT channels can be readily obtained using a resistor network. Only five signals (four signals to determine the x-y position and one signal measuring the standard deviation) need to be digitized, and this method only requires a single photon detector to read out the array. Unlike phoswich detectors, the method does not require segmenting the scintillator array into layers. The measured DOI resolution was much worse than that obtained with the dual-ended readout method, however, it was similar to that obtained with a two-layer phoswich detector.
Targeting brain angiotensin and corticotrophin-releasing hormone systems interaction for the treatment of mood and alcohol use disorders.

The brain renin–angiotensin system (RAS) participates importantly in the regulation of endocrine, autonomic, and behavioral response to stress. Recent data indicate that central action of AT1 receptor antagonists can reduce anxiety symptoms in experimental animals. Furthermore, central inhibition of RAS activity decreases ethanol intake in an animal model of alcoholism. Pathological anxiety responses and the development of substance dependence are both critically mediated through corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) systems, and the RAS is positioned to interact both with hypothalamic as well as extrahypothalamic CRH systems. The thesis of this paper is that the RAS is part of the neurochemical dysregulation underlying negative affective states, anxiety disorders, and ethanol dependence and that medications targeting the RAS should be considered to augment the treatment of these disorders.
Interventions for Students with Traumatic Brain Injury Managing Behavioral Disturbances

The present article provides information about the behavioral sequelae that are commonly seen in children and adolescents following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ways that educators can begin to address these problems. Because, for the most part, behavioral interventions have not been empirically validated for use with TBI populations, this article focuses on the unique needs of these students and the factors that should be considered in designing intervention strategies. Emphasis is placed on the cognitive sequelae of TBI that can cause further behavioral problems and interfere with interventions (e.g., impaired attention, executive function, reasoning and problem solving, and learning and memory).
Cops and robbers in Cincinnati: a spatial modeling approach for examining the effects of aggressive policing

Aggressive policing tactics have been frequently examined in crime prevention studies, both in their effectiveness at reducing crime and possible problems of displacement of crime. This study examines robberies in the city of Cincinnati following a major increase of arrests for minor offenses in a relatively small area – the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of the city, as a result of an aggressive policing operation named Operation Vortex. A spatio-temporal weighted displacement quotient test is developed to examine possible displacement of crime or a diffusion of benefits. A diffusion of benefits is found to be taking place at the immediate neighboring areas of Over-the-Rhine; however, at a greater distance from the treatment area, an increase of crime has occurred. The relationship between the change of robberies and distance to the treatment area is examined by using regression models.
Epiglottic and arytenoid cyst in a preterm infant: Case report and review of the literature

Abstract Supraglottic cysts are rare laryngeal lesions that can cause stridor, dysphagia, and fatal airway occlusion in infancy. Treatment is usually surgical with favorable prognosis. In this report, we present a case of a premature infant with supraglottic cyst in an unusual location that was successfully treated with endoscopic marsupialization.
Congenital Pseudoarthrosis of the Clavicle: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Congenital pseudoarthrosis of the clavicle (CPC) is a rare clinical defect first described by Fitzwilliams in 1910.1 This condition is more common in females than in males.2 CPC is mostly unilateral, on the right side, while bilateral involvement has been reported in some cases.3 In rare case CPC associated with bifurcation has been described.4 The characteristic feature of CPC is the presence of a painless swelling over the right clavicle. The distance from the sternum to acromion is shortened in CPC. The swelling is considered to be due to enlarged ends of the bones and the overlapping of the fragments.5 Although CPC is a condition that has been described in the literature, the relative infrequency of its occurrence makes it a diagnostic challenge. Since it occurs in newborns and is often presented at a young age, it could be confused with clavicle fracture or child abuse as has been in our case.
Drying Shrinkage Mechanisms in Portland Cement Paste

The shrinkage mechanisms of portland cement paste were investigated from shrinkage, weight loss, and pore structure measurements using nitrogen sorption and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). Thin samples (2.3 mm) of well-hydrated (165 d) pastes of 0.4 and 0.6 water-to-cement (W/C) ratios were dried directly from saturated surface dry state to 75%, 50%, 11%, and 0% relative humidity (rh). From equilibrium shrinkage vs calculated increase in surface free energy curves two active stress mechanisms were identified. The Gibbs-Bangham (surface free energy) effect is the major stress mechanism, which is active in the entire rh range investigated, whereas the capillary stress effect is active above 25% rh. From elastic modulus calculations it can be concluded that true Gibbs-Bangham shrinkage accounts for only 33% of total first drying shrinkage. Thus nearly 67% of first drying shrinkage may be due to a decrease in interlayer spacing caused by Gibbs-Bangham and capillary induced stresses. Further, nitrogen measures the true external surface area, and total external pore volume can be obtained from combined measurements using nitrogen sorption and MIP.
Genome-wide association study identifies possible genetic risk factors for colorectal adenomas.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death, and most CRC usually arises from colorectal adenomas. Removal of polyps reduces mortality from CRC. Colorectal adenomas are known to aggregate in families; however the genetic determinants for risk of polyps are largely unknown. Methods: In this study, we used data from the Tennessee Colorectal Polyp Study and the Tennessee-Indiana Adenoma Recurrence Study to conduct a GWAS of adenoma cases and controls. Our design consisted of discovery and replication phases for a total of 2,551 Caucasian adenoma cases and 3,285 Caucasian controls. We performed logistic regression to test for association in both the discovery and replication phase and further examined the results with meta-analysis. Results: No SNP achieved a genome-wide significant p-value; however, the most significantly associated SNPs were either previously associated with CRC in GWAS, such as rs10505477 in the gene POU5F1 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81-0.94, p-value = 4.4x10-4), or have been biologically linked to benign growths in other tissues, such as rs1919314 in the gene HDAC9 (OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.18-1.47, p-value = 1.1x10-6). Conclusions: This study suggests that several SNPs may be related to adenoma risk and provides clues for future studies. Impact: These results suggest that some known CRC genetic risk factors are necessary but not sufficient for carcinogenesis.
Political programs on national television networks: 1968

In its Summer 1965 issue, the Journal published a report on “Political Programs on National Television Networks: 1960 and 1964” by Lawrence Lichty, Joseph Ripley and Harrison Summers. This sequel, incorporating additional data, should be of interest and value to politicians, broadcasters, legislators and researchers—and is, we are glad to say, published well in advance of the 1972 campaigns. Dr. Malachi Topping is associate professor in the Speech Department (radio‐television‐film) of Bowling Green State University, and Dr. Lawrence Lichty is associate professor in the Communication Arts department of the University of Wisconsin.
Identifying and Meeting the Needs of Foreign Language Educators in American Colleges and Universities.

Foreign language faculty have various needs for professional development. Some of these are unique to the discipline and others are shared with all other academics. This article examines the demographics of foreign language departments today, the tasks which language professors undertake as part of their professional lives, and the results of a survey of foreign language professors in three state-supported institutions in which faculty have rank ordered their professional needs. Implications for faculty development at the department level are suggested.
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol alters flow of blood to subcortical areas of the conscious rat brain

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9THC), 1 mg/kg injected intravenously into conscious, unrestrained rats induced “cateleptoid” postures, vocalization, and in about half of the animals, a unique jumping behavior. During the period of cataleptoid behavior at 20 minutes after injection, the flows of blood to dorsal hippocampus, hypothalamus, cerebellum and basal ganglia were reduced significantly, whereas perfusion of cortical areas was unaffected. These regional changes in flow are believed to reflect acute functional responses to Δ9THC.
Parental Refusal of Medical Treatment for a Newborn

When there is a conflict between parents and the physician over appropriate care due to an infant whose decision prevails? What standard, if any, should guide such decisions?This article traces the varying standards articulated over the past three decades from the proposal in Duff and Campbell's 1973 essay that these decisions are best left to the parents to the Baby Doe Regs of the 1980s which required every life that could be salvaged be continued. We conclude with support for the policy articulated in the 2007 guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics on non-intervention or withdrawal of intensive care for high-risk newborns.
A concept for emittance reduction of DC radioactive heavy-ion beams

Numerical simulations indicate that it should be possible to use an electron beam to strip 1/sup +/ DC radioactive ion beams to 2/sup +/ or higher charge states with on the order of 40-80% efficiency. The device, which we call an electron-beam charge-state amplifier, is similar to an electron beam ion source, except that it is not pulsed, the beams are continuous. The 2/sup +/ beams are obtained in a single pass through a magnetic solenoid while higher charge states may be reached via multiple passes. An unexpected result of the ion optics simulations is that the normalized transverse emittance of the ion beam is reduced in proportion to the charge-state gain. Ion beams with realistic emittances and zero angular momentum relative to the optic axis before entering the solenoid will travel though the solenoid on helical orbits which intercept the axis once per cycle. With an ion beam about 2 mm in diameter and an electron beam about 0.2 mm in diameter, the ion stripping only occurs very near the optic axis, resulting in the emittance reduction.
Predicting vaccine efficacy against tuberculosis using immunologic and radiologic markers in the non-human primate model (VAC7P.974)

The only licensed vaccine (BCG) for tuberculosis (TB) has variable efficacy and does not protect against pulmonary TB. New vaccines are in development and in human clinical trials. However, vaccine trials are long and expensive without useful surrogate markers of protection. A problem thus emerges: what does a protective response to TB look like? This project’s goal is to identify markers of vaccine efficacy that can further be developed as new clinical endpoints. We posit that exploiting differences in vaccine outcome (protected vs. unprotected) will identify novel immunologic markers that correlate with outcome, and serial PET/CT will predict outcome early in infection. Vaccine-induced protection could work at any point in early infection: movement of bacilli from airway to parenchyma; formation of primary lesions; migration of bacteria to LN; and development of secondary lesions. In both our rhesus and cynomolgus macaque models of infection, prime-boost vaccination with BCG followed by viral-expressed or protein antigens protects against TB disease better than BCG alone or no vaccine. However, granuloma formation is not prevented and the vaccines do not reduce initial granuloma numbers. However, total PET signal, as a surrogate for inflammation and disease, in lungs of vaccinated animals is significantly lower at early time points. Future work will develop the predictive markers to elucidate early immune mechanisms that confer protection in the lungs.