cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU‐FF‐T‐435: Use of a Two‐Dimensional Ionization Chamber Array for Proton Therapy Quality Assurance Checks

Purpose: To investigate the characteristics and the suitability of a two‐dimensional ion chamber array detector for proton therapyquality assurancedosimetry measurements. Methods and Material: Matrixx (Scanditronix‐Wellhofer, Bartlett, TN) is equipped with 32 × 32 parallel plate ion chambers with 4.5 mm diameters and separation of 7.5 mm. The water equivalent thickness (WET) for buildup material was determined by measuring the shift of the location of 90% distal dose point measured using plastic water relative to the depth dose measurement in water tank using a Markus chamber. The measured WET of the build up material was found to be 3.9 ± 0.1 mm. The device was used to obtain the profiles and isodose distribution for the patient portals at different depths. The dose distribution calculated by the Eclipse Treatment Planning Systems (TPS) was imported to Matrixx for comparison purpose. The Matrixx was also used for the determination of absolute dose at a calibration point and the monitor units to be used for patient treatment.Results: The point dose measured by Matrixx was found to be within 1% of that measured by a Framer type chamber. However, the penumbra width for open field for 250 MeV measured with matrix was 1.58 cm as compare to 1.24 cm measured in the water tank using a PTW pinpoint chamber. This significant difference in penumbra width is mainly due to the large inter‐chamber separation in Matrixx. The measured 2‐D dose distribution by Matrixx agreed well with that from TPS. Most of the differences in the separation of a given isodose line were within 2mm. Conclusion: The device is found to be well suited for measurement and verification of proton therapy dose distribution of patient treatment fields. Measurements are in real time, which makes this device more convenient compare to filmdosimetry.
Constrained supervised learning

When distinct outputs of an adaptive system have equivalent effects on the environment, the problem of finding appropriate actions given desired results is ill-posed. For supervised learning algorithms, the ill-posedness of such “inverse learning problems” implies a certain flexibility—during training, there are in general many possible target vectors corresponding to each input vector. To allow supervised learning algorithms to make use of this flexibility, the current paper considers how to specify targets by sets of constraints, rather than as particular vectors. Two classes of constraints are distinguished—configurational constraints, which define regions of output space in which an output vector must lie, and temporal constraints, which define relationships between outputs produced at different points in time. Learning algorithms minimize a cost function that contains terms for both kinds of constraints.
Malnutrition, child morbidity and the family decision process.

Abstract This paper suggests a microeconomic model of the process by which infants and toddlers are subject to malnourishment, diarrhea and other illnesses in developing countries. It is econometrically estimated on a cross-section, time-series basis for 1200 children from Candelaria, Colombia. The model focuses on four issues: (i) the impact of economic constraints and intra-family resource allocation decisions on a child's nutritional and health status, (ii) the interrelationship between malnutrition, diarrhea and other diseases, (iii) the impact on health and nutritional status of specific policy interventions (maternal-child health education, food supplementation and the encouragement of breast feeding), and (iv) the importance of distinguishing between the effect of different policy variables on a child's height and weight during this period.
Molecular basis of the potent membrane-remodeling activity of the epsin 1 N-terminal homology domain.

The mechanisms by which cytosolic proteins reversibly bind the membrane and induce the curvature for membrane trafficking and remodeling remain elusive. The epsin N-terminal homology (ENTH) domain has potent vesicle tubulation activity despite a lack of intrinsic molecular curvature. EPR revealed that the N-terminal α-helix penetrates the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-containing membrane at a unique oblique angle and concomitantly interacts closely with helices from neighboring molecules in an antiparallel orientation. The quantitative fluorescence microscopy showed that the formation of highly ordered ENTH domain complexes beyond a critical size is essential for its vesicle tubulation activity. The mutations that interfere with the formation of large ENTH domain complexes abrogated the vesicle tubulation activity. Furthermore, the same mutations in the intact epsin 1 abolished its endocytic activity in mammalian cells. Collectively, these results show that the ENTH domain facilitates the cellular membrane budding and fission by a novel mechanism that is distinct from that proposed for BAR domains.
When to Run and When to Hide: The Influence of Concealment, Visibility, and Proximity to Refugia on Perceptions of Risk

An animal’s ability to avoid predation likely depends on its ability to detect approaching predators, conceal itself, and seek refuge or protection from predators. Habitat, especially vegetation structure, can influence all of these factors concurrently. Binary categorical assessments of habitat as ‘open’ or ‘closed’, however, confound at least two functions of habitat structure that could influence the perceived risk of predation: concealment, which functions to hide an individual, and visibility, which enhances detection of a potential predator. Both can influence predation risk independently and simultaneously. In this study, we decoupled these functional properties of vegetation and studied the effects of concealment, visibility, and proximity to a refuge on the distance at which pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) fled from an approaching threat (flight initiation distance; FID). Concealment by vegetation decreased perceptions of risk; however, pygmy rabbits exhibited elevated risk at high levels of visibility, regardless of the amount of concealment. Proximity to burrow entrances also influenced perceptions of risk, such that risk was significantly lower when rabbits were on or near burrow systems. Disentangling the functional properties of habitat can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence perceived risk and escape behaviors of prey and provide insight into how habitat structure mechanistically relates to predation risk.
Faithful representation of separable distributions

A geometric approach to data representation incorporating information theoretic ideas is presented. The task of finding a faithful representation, where the input distribution is evenly partitioned into regions of equal mass, is addressed. For input consisting of mixtures of statistically independent sources, we treat independent component analysis (ICA) as a computational geometry problem. First, we consider the separation of sources with sharply peaked distribution functions, where the ICA problem becomes that of finding high-density directions in the input distribution. Second, we consider the more general problem for arbitrary input distributions, where ICA is transformed into the task of finding an aligned equipartition. By modifying the Kohonen self-organized feature maps, we arrive at neural networks with local interactions that optimize coding while simultaneously performing source separation. The local nature of our approach results in networks with nonlinear ICA capabilities.
Gamma-ray escape peak characteristics of radiation-damaged reverse-electrode germanium coaxial detectors

Abstract A comparison of the characteristics of full-energy gamma-ray peaks and their corresponding escape peaks when high energy photons interact in radiation damaged reverse-electrode (n-type) germanium coaxial detectors is presented. Coaxial detector geometry is the dominant factor, causing charge collection to be dramatically better for interactions occurring near the outer periphery of the detector as well as increasing of the probability of escape events occurring in this region. It follows that the resolution of escape peaks is better than that of ordinary gamma-ray peaks. This is experimentally verified. A nearly identical but undamaged detector exhibited significant Doppler broadening of single escape peaks. Because double escape events preferentially occur at outer radii, energy shifts of double escape reflect extremely small amounts of charge trapping in undamaged detectors.
Functions of Noncoding RNAs in Neural Development and Neurological Diseases

The development of the central nervous system (CNS) relies on precisely orchestrated gene expression regulation. Dysregulation of both genetic and environmental factors can affect proper CNS development and results in neurological diseases. Recent studies have shown that similar to protein coding genes, noncoding RNA molecules have a significant impact on normal CNS development and on causes and progression of human neurological disorders. In this review, we have highlighted discoveries of functions of noncoding RNAs, in particular microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs, in neural development and neurological diseases. Emerging evidence has shown that microRNAs play an essential role in many aspects of neural development, such as proliferation of neural stem cells and progenitors, neuronal differentiation, maturation, and synaptogenesis. Misregulation of microRNAs is associated with some mental disorders and neurodegeneration diseases. In addition, long noncoding RNAs are found to play a role in neural development by regulating the expression of protein coding genes. Therefore, examining noncoding RNA-mediated gene regulations has revealed novel mechanisms of neural development and provided new insights into the etiology of human neurological diseases.
Effects of pine-produced chemicals on selected understory species in aPinus ponderosa community.

Pinus ponderosa accounted for more than 98% of all tree and shrub stratum stems in a climax community with low herb coverage and aboveground biomass, 35% and 60 g/m(2), respectively. Because of our previous report that nitrification and nitrifying bacteria in the same community were allelopathically inhibited, we speculated that the pine-produced allelochemics might also directly influence the development and growth of the herb stratum. In most cases decaying needles, needle leachate, and field soils significantly reduced germination and radicle growth ofAndropogon gerardii andA. scoparius, pine-associated herbaceous species. Additionally, growth ofAndropogon scoparius seedling radicles was reduced 28-56% by pine needle extracts, 33% by pine bark extracts, and 67% by soil hydrolysate extracts.Andropogon seed germination was reduced 20-25% by pine needles and soil. Phytotoxins identified in various plant parts and associated soils were caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and condensed tannins. Pine needle water and soil hydrolysate extracts were most inhibitory to the radicle growth of the test species. Thus it appears that the limited growth of the herbaceous stratum in the pine community may be accounted for, in part, by allelopathy. Such allelopathic interactions may have an adaptive ecological significance in various forest and other plant communities.
A portable apparatus for measuring exposure in roentgens from strong γ-ray sources

Abstract Measurement of the radiation from cobalt-60 and cesium-137 sources is the main purpose of the apparatus described here. Precision (±0.1%) and long-term stability (±0.2%) combined with portability and ruggedness were aimed for in its design. A fully guarded cavity ionization chamber is used in a Townsend balance circuit, with an amplifier-electrometer to sense the null. The ionization current is collected on a teflon-dielectric capacitor and the balancing potential, derived from a source stabilized by zener diodes, is read directly from the dial of a ten-turn potentiometer. Possible errors arising from the response of the chamber to the scattered radiation from large cobalt-60 sources are considered in the light of recently published spectral information.
Effects of High Temperatures on Dry Seeds.

It has recently been reported that when bacterial cells and spores are heated to high temperatures, a high frequency of mutations is induced (19, 20). The treatment is believed to affect the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in that a loss of purines, and concomitantly, a loss of genetic information occurs (5). DNA is rather resistant to heat (18); thus, special methods must be sought if one intends to inflict high frequency of genetic damage to DNA without excessive lethality to the cell caused by high temperatures. It was found that survival at high temperatures and higher mutation frequencies can be obtained by subjecting vegetative cells or spores of bacteria to heat in the dried state under vacuum (20). This is partially due to the fact that without water the proteins are less susceptible to hydrolysis at higher temperatures. The purpose of this work is to extend these studies to higher plants. Pollen and seeds can be conveniently subjected to drying; only the latter were used in this study. The effect of heat on seeds and pollen has been the subject of several publications in the past (3,4, 9-17). It was reported that the survival increases with decreasing moisture content of the heated seeds and that the heating produced delay in germination and other phenotypic as well as genotypic effects. In the present work it was found that, as in the case of bacteria, on heating dry seeds under vacuulm much higher temperatures can be used Avithout lethal effects than in the case of heating at atmospheric pressure. These high temperatures produced pronounced phenotypic effects, both in the physiology and morphology of the plants. In addition, chromosome injuries were observed, some of which may represent genetic damage; this work will be presented at a later date.
Identification of mineral modulation sequences within the nacre-associated oyster shell protein, n16

Nature's use of proteins to direct and control the synthesis of inorganic solids represents an important paradigm for bioinspired materials synthesis. However, the mechanism by which polypeptides d...
Texturization of silicon wafers with Na2CO3 and Na2CO3/NaHCO3 solutions for heterojunction solar-cell applications

Abstract The formation of pyramidal structures by anisotropic etching of 〈1 0 0〉-oriented monocrystalline silicon wafer surfaces is an effective method to reduce reflection losses originating on the front side of conventional silicon solar cells and silicon-heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells. One of the most common methods of texturization used in the solar-cell industry is based on aqueous solutions of NaOH or KOH and isopropyl alcohol (IPA). However, IPA is toxic and relatively expensive, so efforts are being made to replace it. Among the potential alternatives, solutions based on Na 2 CO 3 and Na 2 CO 3 /NaHCO 3 mixtures have been proposed. In the present study, solutions of Na 2 CO 3 and Na 2 CO 3 /NaHCO 3 mixtures were prepared in order to form pyramidal structures on silicon wafer surfaces. It was not possible to obtain uniform and completely textured surfaces by using aqueous solutions consisting only of Na 2 CO 3 . NaHCO 3 must be added in order to achieve uniform textured surfaces with low hemispherical reflectance suitable for SHJ solar-cell applications. Textured surfaces with good uniformity and low average hemispherical reflectance (15.4%) were prepared from 〈1 0 0〉 silicon substrates with relatively low etching times (25 min). Good surface passivation (lifetime >600 μs and implicit open-circuit voltage of 690±10 mV) on these p-type textured wafers were achieved.
Therapeutic potential of the SARMs: revisiting the androgen receptor for drug discovery.

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMS) bind to the androgen receptor and demonstrate anabolic activity in a variety of tissues; however, unlike testosterone and other anabolic steroids, these nonsteroidal agents are able to induce bone and muscle growth, as well as shrinking the prostate. The potential of SARMS is to maximise the positive attributes of steroidal androgens as well as minimising negative effects, thus providing therapeutic opportunities in a variety of diseases, including muscle wasting associated with burns, cancer, end-stage renal disease, osteoporosis, frailty and hypogonadism. This review summarises androgen physiolology, the current status of the R&D of SARMS and potential therapeutic indications for this emerging class of drugs.
DNA Identification After Conflict or Disaster

Over the last 30 years, DNA profiling has been used to identify human remains that are so badly damaged, comingled, or decayed that they might otherwise have been lost to history ( 1 ). Despite growing recognition of the importance of forensic identification to promote the welfare and rights of survivors of large-scale conflict or natural disaster, access to it is often piecemeal and ad hoc.
Shock-tube pyrolysis of chlorinated hydrocarbons: Formation of soot

Soot formation in pyrolysis of chlorinated methanes, their mixtures with methane, and chlorinated ethylenes were studied behind reflected shock waves by monitoring the attenuation of an He-Ne laser beam. An additional single-pulse shock-tube study was conducted for the pyrolysis of methane, methyl chloride, and dichloromethane. The experiments were performed at temperatures 1300-3000 K, pressures of 0.4-3.6 bar, and total carbon atom concentrations of 1-5 x 10 to the 17th atoms cu cm. The amounts of soot produced in the pyrolysis of chlorinated hydrocarbons are larger than that of their nonchlorinated counterparts. The sooting behavior and product distribution can be generally explained in terms of chlorine-catalyzed chemical reaction mechanisms. The pathway to soot from chlorinated methanes and ethylenes with high H:Cl ratio proceeds via the formation of C2H, C2H2, and C2H3 species. For chlorinated hydrocarbons with low H:Cl ratio, the formation of C2 and its contribution to soot formation at high temperatures becomes significant. There is evidence for the importance of CHCl radical and its reactions in the pyrolysis of dichloromethane.
Theories of budgetary decisionmaking and revenue decline

The responses of municipal governments to declining real revenue are used to conduct a critical test of three theories of budgetary decisionmaking. Contrary to the expectations generated by the bureaucratic process theory, there is little evidence of the application of any budget cutting algorithm based on stable account priorities. Contrary to the expectations generated by the interest group politics model, there is equally little evidence of across-the-board cuts. The results are, however, broadly consistent with what we have termed the managerial theory which emphasizes the relative “controllability” of expenditure categories, transient decisionmaker preferences, and the stochastic impact of short-term expenditure solutions. The difficulties associated with the conduct of critical tests in this area are also discussed.
Microanatomy of the renal cortex in the domestic fowl

Two aspects of the avian renal cortical microanatomy previously were unclear. The precise in situ folding patterns and orientations of the nephrons with respect to the other cortical elements had not been demonstrated. It also was not known whether certain nephron segments are supplied exclusively by either the arterial or the portal blood flow. In the present study, a new casting compound was developed to allow selective examination of the cortical components by light microscopy. Cortical nephrons at the surface of the kidney were serially sectioned and reconstructed in order to determine: (a) their relationships to the vasculature and collecting ducts; (b) the location and characteristics of the tubule segments; and (c) the primary and secondary folding patterns of the tubules. The anatomical findings were documented individually and then summarized in a comprehensive diagram of the superficial cortical microanatomy. In addition, an in vivo method was used to determine the extent of portal blood distribution to the nephron segments. It was demonstrated that renal portal blood suffuses all of the segments except for the loops of Henle.
THE ORIGIN AND STRUCTURE OF A FIBROUS TISSUE FORMED IN WOUND HEALING

1. In experimental wounds, made by removing various sized pieces of skin from the frog, there is a rapid coagulation of the blood plasma and lymph to form a coagulation tissue which fills the wound cavity. 2. The observations on the living animals show that the coagulation a grave intoxication, but a low reading may be observed in some fatal cases and gives no assurance that a fatal intoxication may not supervene. The kidneys in practically all these experiments are normal in all respects. It is possible that protein or tissue destruction rather than impaired eliminative function is responsible for the rise in non-coagulable nitrogen of the blood in these acute intoxications. Transfusions of dextrose solutions often benefit intestinal obstruction, and may depress the level of the non-coagulable nitrogen in the blood. Some cases show no change in non-coagulable nitrogen following transfusions and diuresis, and, as a rule, such cases present the most severe intoxication.
Sex differences in mitochondrial biogenesis determine neuronal death and survival in response to oxygen glucose deprivation and reoxygenation

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to neuronal death and a wide array of neurodegenerative diseases. Previously, we have shown sex differences in mitochondria-mediated cell death pathways following hypoxia-ischemia. However, the role of mitochondrial biogenesis in hypoxic-ischemic brain injury between male vs. female has not been studied yet. Primary cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs), isolated from P7 male and female mice (CD-1) segregated based on visual inspection of sex, were exposed to 2 h of oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) followed by 6–24 h of reoxygenation (Reox). Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and cellular ATP levels were reduced significantly in XX CGNs as compared to XY CGNs. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content was increased (>2-fold) at 2 h OGD in XY CGNs and remained increased up to 24 h of Reox compared to XX neurons and normoxia controls. The expression of mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam), the nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1) and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, were up-regulated (2-fold, ***p < 0.001) in XY CGNs but slightly reduced or remained unchanged in XX neurons. Similarly, the TFAM and PGC-1α protein levels and the mitochondrial proteins HSP60 and COXIV were increased in XY neurons only. Supportively, a balanced stimulation of fusion (Mfn 1and Mfn 2) and fission (Fis 1 and Drp 1) genes and enhanced formation of donut-shaped mitochondria were observed in XY CGNs vs. XX neurons (**p < 0.01). Our results demonstrate that OGD/Reox alters mitochondrial biogenesis and morphological changes in a sex-specific way, influencing neuronal injury/survival differently in both sexes.
Molecular weight distributions from linear viscoelastic measurements

A method is presented whereby the molecular weight distribution of a molten polymer can be determined from measured values of the storage and loss moduli (the response of the system to small amplitude oscillatory shear flow). The Curtiss-Bird theory for the constitutive behavior of polymer melts is used. This results in an integral equation relating the moduli to the molecular weight distribution. The method that we describe here uses a regularization scheme with quadratic programming to extract the MWD from the components of the moduli (or, equivalently, from the components of the complex viscosity). We verify the applicability of the scheme by considering concocted “data” for given molecular weight distributions. The scheme is also used to predict the molecular weight distributions of polystyrene from complex viscosity data that have been presented in the literature. Variations between the predicted and measured molecular weight distributions can be attributed to the inadequacy of the underlying molecular theory at large frequencies. The predicted average molecular weights obtained using the truncated dynamic data are in reasonable agreement with the experimental values.
Dynamic penetration of soil media by slender projectiles

Abstract In the investigation of earth penetration by projectiles, new experimental techniques, refined constitutive models, and multidimensional wavecodes are providing insights into the complex mechanisms which control the penetration process.
Network distribution capacity and content-pipe gap

The growth of video content and diversification of content-sharing methods in the Internet lead to an exciting range of new problems in networking, communications, and signal processing. They range from fundamental theory and analytic models to practical design and industry deployment. This informal note briefly discusses some of the opportunities arising out of the "content-pipe" gap and presents some of the fundamental problems in distributing content over a network.
An endogenous modulator of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-coupled glycine receptors.

Abstract Extensive washing of a membrane preparation from rat brain resulted in a progressive enhancement of strychnine-insensitive [ 3 H]glycine binding, which was due to an increase in the number of binding sites with no changes in the apparent affinity of this radioligand, precluding an explanation based solely on the elimination of endogenous glycine. Moreover, after extensive washing a population of [ 3 H]glycine binding sites with very high affinity for L-serine was observed in addition to the sites with low affinity for L-serine present in less extensively washed tissue. The observed changes in [ 3 H]glycine binding were attributable to the elimination of a low molecular weight, heat-stable compound which was readily detected in the wash supernatant. Extensive washing also altered [ 3 H](+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo-[a,d]cyclohept-5,10-imine maleate ([ 3 H]MK-801) binding to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-associated channels, decreasing basal binding at equilibrium and producing slower association rates in the presence of either glycine or L-glutamate. Moreover, in well-washed membranes both glycine and glutamate enhanced [ 3 H]MK-801 binding acting at high- and low-affinity sites. These findings suggest that the NMDA receptor complex can assume interconverting conformational states regulated by an endogenous substance(s).
On the Mechanism of Dielectric Breakdown of Solids

The mechanism of dielectric breakdown in solids, according to recent experimental evidence, involves the creation of a gaseous channel through the dielectric. The high conductance of breakdown appears to be associated with this channel, not with conduction through the solid itself. The central problem in the theory of dielectric breakdown in solids is thus to explain the development, in a strong electric field, of a macroscopic gaseous channel through the dielectric before the large change of conductance characteristic of dielectric breakdown. Recent experimental results will be reviewed and a gaseous model of breakdown in solids will be described in terms of four stages: Formative, Tree Initiation, Tree Growth and Return Streamer. The model is still in the stage of phenomenological development.
International After-Sales Services

Abstract After-sales services have tended to be thought of as services that complement the offerings of other departments in a firm. Their present strategic and financial importance for manufacturing firms, however, encourages more complete understanding of these services. Existing literature suggests that it may be instructive to consider companies' approaches to marketing practice as part of the system development for their after-sales services. Consequently, field interviews were conducted with an international firm dependent on after-sales services for its competitive position. These interviews suggested that indeed a separate organization and treatment within the company were required to handle their after-sales services properly. In particular, use of independent service suppliers appeared to be useful in those situations where expectations were high and the psychic differences in international communication were large. Advantages thus may accrue to being portfolio oriented in after-sales service wh...
Pulmonary perfusion imaging in the rodent lung using Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI

With the development of various models of pulmonary disease, there is tremendous interest in quantitative regional assessment of pulmonary function. While ventilation imaging has been addressed to a certain extent, perfusion imaging for small animals has not kept pace. In humans and large animals perfusion can be assessed using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI with a single bolus injection of a gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agent. But the method developed for the clinic cannot be translated directly to image the rodent due to the combined requirements of higher spatial and temporal resolution. This work describes a novel image acquisition technique staggered over multiple, repeatable bolus injections of contrast agent using an automated microinjector, synchronized with image acquisition to achieve dynamic first-pass contrast enhancement in the rat lung. This allows dynamic first-pass imaging that can be used to quantify pulmonary perfusion. Further improvements are made in the spatial and temporal resolution by combining the multiple injection acquisition method with Interleaved Radial Imaging and "Sliding window-keyhole" reconstruction (IRIS). The results demonstrate a simultaneous increase in spatial resolution (<200 mum) and temporal resolution (<200 ms) over previous methods, with a limited loss in signal-to-noise-ratio.
Small Heat Shock Proteins in Redox Metabolism: Implications for Cardiovascular Diseases

A timely review series on small heat shock proteins has to appropriately examine their fundamental properties and implications in the cardiovascular system since several members of this chaperone family exhibit robust expression in the myocardium and blood vessels. Due to energetic and metabolic demands, the cardiovascular system maintains a high mitochondrial activity but irreversible oxidative damage might ensue from increased production of reactive oxygen species. How equilibrium between their production and scavenging is achieved becomes paramount for physiological maintenance. For example, heat shock protein B1 (HSPB1) is implicated in maintaining this equilibrium or redox homeostasis by upholding the level of glutathione, a major redox mediator. Studies of gain or loss of function achieved by genetic manipulations have been highly informative for understanding the roles of those proteins. For example, genetic deficiency of several small heat shock proteins such as HSPB5 and HSPB2 is well-tolerated in heart cells whereas a single missense mutation causes human pathology. Such evidence highlights both the profound genetic redundancy observed among the multigene family of small heat shock proteins while underscoring the role proteotoxicity plays in driving disease pathogenesis. We will discuss the available data on small heat shock proteins in the cardiovascular system, redox metabolism and human diseases. From the medical perspective, we envision that such emerging knowledge of the multiple roles small heat shock proteins exert in the cardiovascular system will undoubtedly open new avenues for their identification and possible therapeutic targeting in humans. This article is part of a Directed Issue entitled: Small HSPs in physiology and pathology.
Immunoelectron Microscopy of Type III Collagen in Normal and Scleroderma Skin

Normal and scleroderma skin was studied by indirect immuno-electron microscopy with specific antibodies against Type III collagen. Fine collagen fibrils, 200–400 A in diameter were labeled with antitype III collagen antibodies. These antibodies attached to the collagen fibril forming rings with a 650 A periodicity. Fibrils with more than 600 A in diameter were only labeled with antitype I collagen antibodies. Type III collagen was found around small blood vessels, adipocytes and smooth muscle cells, thus, corresponding to the distribution of reticulin.
A 40-Year-Old Woman With Diabetes Contemplating Pregnancy After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Mrs T is a 40-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes and chronic hypertension who has had a gastric bypass procedure and is planning to conceive. She would like to know whether she can continue using metformin during the pregnancy and also is concerned about the effect of the gastric bypass surgery. This article discusses the management of diabetes prior to and during pregnancy, including appropriate preconception evaluation and the use of insulin and oral antidiabetic agents. The implications of gastric bypass surgery for pregnancy are also outlined. Important aspects include the need to optimize metabolic control prior to conception, to evaluate and treat vascular complications of diabetes prior to conception, and to provide the services of a health care team to gravid women with diabetes. Gastric bypass surgery with subsequent weight loss is likely to ameliorate type 2 diabetes, and special attention must be paid to nutrition when women who have undergone such procedures become pregnant.
Finite Element Approach to the Prediction of Foil Bearing Rotor Dynamic Coefficients

A finite element perturbation approach to the prediction of foil bearing stiffness and damping coefficients is presented. The fluid lubricant is modeled as a simple barotropic fluid which is described by the Reynolds equation. The structural model includes membrane, bending, and elastic foundation effects in a general geometry. The equivalent viscous damping of the Coulomb friction caused by the foil relative motion is included in the structural calculation. Bearing stiffness and damping coefficients are predicted for an air-lubricated foil bearing with a corrugated sub-foil. The effects of the bearing number, bearing compliance, sub-foil Coulomb friction, and foil membrane stiffness on the bearing dynamic coefficients are discussed.
On line sensing of weld penetration using infrared thermography

The objective of this research is to apply new sensing techniques, artificial intelligence, and robotics to improve the welding process through control of penetration depth and width parameters. By producing a constant depth and width of penetration through on line control, the quality and strength of welds may be improved to a new level of reliability previously unobtainable. Experimental data presented in this paper indicate that depth and width of penetration can be monitored by infrared thermography and hence controlled dynamically during the weld process. Infrared thermography is used to monitor surface temperature distributions in the vicinity of the molten metal pool. Characteristics of temperature distributions perpendicular to the direction of arc travel are analyzed and correlated with weld bead width and depth as measured by destructive examination after the weld production. The results show that there is a linear relationship between peak weld plate surface temperature and depth of penetration. Additionally, surface puddle width is found to be directly correlated to measured distance separating solidus temperatures of the molten metal as measured by infrared thermography.
Theoretical calculation of anisotropie creep and stress-strain behavior for a class of metal-matrix composites

A unified microcontinuum theory is developed to calculate the development of the anisotropic creep strain and the stress-strain relations under a constant strain rate for a class of metal-matrix composites from the constitutive equations of its constituent phases. Here, the ductile matrix is strengthened with aligned, identically shaped, spheroidal inclusions, which may be disc-like, spheres, or whiskers, so that at a given volume concentration, its anisotropic properties will further depend on the inclusion shape. The principle of stress transfer from the ductile matrix to the reinforcing inclusions is established for both creep and constant strain-rate processes. The theoretical analysis points to enhanced response with reinforcement along the axial direction with whiskers, but disc-reinforcement is far superior along the transverse direction. It is also found that the stress-strain curve of the dual-phase system can reach a saturation stress under a constant strain rate. The simple theory developed here is intended for the low volume concentration and small creep strain range, and it is demonstrated that, within this range, the theoretical predictions for the development of creep strain of a Borsic/aluminum system and for the stress-strain curves of a silicon carbide/aluminum system are in close accord with the experimental observations.
Lessons in possession: colonial resource geographies in practice on Vancouver Island, 1859–1865

Abstract This paper considers the establishment of a major sawmill at the head of the Alberni Canal on the west coast of the colony of Vancouver Island in the 1860s and the legacy of that enterprise in producing geographies of colonial possession. I argue that the institution of industrial forestry in the colony relied upon a conception of property rights that turned on the identification of civilized and savage space, holding that only particular kinds of labour and land improvement warranted claims of ownership. This ideology found official state sanction within the regimes of Western liberal law, was mapped onto the region around Alberni by a uniquely placed individual, and was eventually made durable through the practices of everyday life at settlement sites. In these ways, I show, colonial possession relied upon precedents within British imperial culture. However, I also argue that another geography of possession was put in place along the way. By eventually adopting a scheme wherein timberlands could be brought into production without being alienated by land speculators, the state enabled the actual practice of possession in crown territory that was previously claimed through general appeals to the British imperative to overturn its wild nature. Showing that the lessons learned at Alberni were re-applied in other parts of the region, I conclude by arguing that the historical geographies of industrial forestry reinforced crown possession of much of the Pacific Northwest. Ultimately, I claim that this story demonstrates the centrality of practice to possession, thereby highlighting an analytical space that might yield fruitful insights into the intensely situated and local nature of colonial territorial control.
The impacts of pollution and exposure pathways on home values: A stated preference analysis

► Stated preference study on the impacts of groundwater pollution on home values ► Study incorporates two experimental treatments where exposure and pollution levels vary. ► Survey mimics information given to actual households with impacted groundwater. ► Find 18% to 24% price decline even if the home itself is not contaminated ► Prices drop more if pollution exceeds standard, and an exposure pathway is present.
The ecology of yeast flora associated with cactiphilic Drosophila and their host plants in the Sonoran desert

Yeasts were isolated from the rotting stems of 7 species of cereoid cacti and 4 species ofDrosophila which utilize them as host plants. The yeast most common among 132 nonidentical isolates from the cacti and 187 nonidentical isolates from the flies, respectively, were:Pichia membranaefaciens (59 and 126),Candida ingens (22 and 8),Torulopsis sonorensis (16 and 20), andCryptococcus cereanus (11 and 14). Isolates capable of utilizingD-xylose were recovered primarily fromD. pachea andL. schotti. Adult flies were present on the substrates whenP. membranaefaciens was at high concentrations. As the pH of the substrates increased, the percent ofC. ingens cells increased relative to other yeast species. Larvae were detected mainly in alkaline substrates, and since adults did not yieldC. ingens to the extent the substrates did,C. ingens may be important in larval nutrition.Torulopsis sonorensis was recovered mainly fromD. mojavensis and its host plants,M. gummosus andL. thurberi. The concentration ofT. sonorensis in the substrates was negatively correlated with the temperature of the substrate.Cryptococcus cereanus was found in high concentrations in suitable tissues for adult flies but most adults did not yield this species to any extent. The yeast habitat diversities from the substrates had the following order:L. thurberi > C. gigantea > C. gigantea soils ≫ M. gummosus > L. schotti > others. Habitat diversity is discussed in relation to the variation of the physical conditions and chemical composition of the substrates. The yeast habitat diversities from the flies had the orderD. pachea > D. mojavensis ≫ D. nigrospiracula > undescribed Species M. The degree of habitat diversity is possibly a function of the surface feeding behavior of the flies.
Programmed automatic customer engineer (PACE) dispatch

An experimental real-time system is described for assigning customer engineers (servicemen) to requests for service, preventive maintenance and engineering- and sales-change activities. The system, which can be applied to service organizations of many kinds, is viewed as a stochastic programming formulation. The resultant mathematical programming problem is structured as a control system, an inner control loop and an outer adaptive feedback loop in which system parameters are adjusted based on a performance index. Tests of the system have been made using data from the Brooklyn, New York and Washington, D. C. IBM Field Engineering Division branch offices.
Essential Magnesium Alloys Binary Phase Diagrams and Their Thermochemical Data

Magnesium-based alloys are becoming a major industrial material for structural applications because of their potential weight saving characteristics. All the commercial Mg alloys like AZ, AM, AE, EZ, ZK, and so forth series are multicomponent and hence it is important to understand the phase relations of the alloying elements with Mg. In this work, eleven essential Mg-based binary systems including Mg-Al/Zn/Mn/Ca/Sr/Y/Ni/Ce/Nd/Cu/Sn have been reviewed. Each of these systems has been discussed critically on the aspects of phase diagram and thermodynamic properties. All the available experimental data has been summarized and critically assessed to provide detailed understanding of the systems. The phase diagrams are calculated based on the most up-to-date optimized parameters. The thermodynamic model parameters for all the systems except Mg-Nd have been summarized in tables. The crystallographic information of the intermetallic compounds of different binary systems is provided. Also, the heat of formation of the intermetallic compounds obtained from experimental, first principle calculations and CALPHAD optimizations are provided. In addition, reoptimization of the Mg-Y system has been done in this work since new experimental data showed wider solubility of the intermetallic compounds.
Endoscopic Microprobe with a LVD Microlens Scanner for Confocal Imaging

We report a large-vertical-displacement (LVD) microlens-scanner packaged inside a 5-mm diameter endoscopic probe for confocal microscopy. The LVD microscanner can vertically displace the focal length of the integrated polymer microlens by 0.7 mm at 23 V
An Acvr1 R206H knock-in mouse has fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP; MIM #135100) is a debilitating genetic disorder of dysregulated cellular differentiation characterized by malformation of the great toes during embryonic skeletal development and by progressive heterotopic endochondral ossification post-natally. Patients with these classic clinical features of FOP have the identical heterozygous single nucleotide substitution (c.617G>A; R206H) in the gene encoding ACVR1/ALK2, a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type I receptor. Gene targeting was used to develop a knock-in mouse model for FOP (Acvr1R206H/+). Radiographic analysis of Acvr1R206H/+ chimeric mice revealed that this mutation induced malformed first digits in the hind limbs and post-natal extra-skeletal bone formation, recapitulating the human disease. Histological analysis of murine lesions showed inflammatory infiltration and apoptosis of skeletal muscle followed by robust formation of heterotopic bone through an endochondral pathway, identical to that seen in patients. Progenitor cells of a Tie2+ lineage participated in each stage of endochondral osteogenesis. We further determined that both wild-type and mutant cells are present within the ectopic bone tissue, an unexpected finding that indicates that although the mutation is necessary to induce the bone formation process, the mutation is not required for progenitor cell contribution to bone and cartilage. This unique knock-in mouse model provides novel insight into the genetic regulation of heterotopic ossification and establishes the first direct in vivo evidence that the R206H mutation in ACVR1 causes FOP.
Modeling the cooling due to CO2 increases in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere

Sensitivity of the upper-atmospheric structure to the increase of carbon dioxide amounts over the last four decades and to the standard 2×CO2 scenario has been investigated with the Spectral Mesosphere/Lower Thermosphere Model. The global thermal response is negative and its magnitude is much stronger than in the lower atmosphere. There is a pronounced seasonal–latitudinal structure, especially at solstice, that perhaps may explain some differences in long-term temperature trends derived from observations at different locations. The strong overall cooling results in hydrostatic contraction of the atmosphere and in considerable downward displacement of constant-pressure levels. Attention is again drawn to the fact that upper-atmospheric temperature changes differ substantially depending on whether the temperatures are compared at a given altitude as in many observations or at a constant pressure commonly used as the vertical coordinate in numerical models. Lower temperatures correspond to greater densities at fixed pressure. Combined with the hydrostatic contraction, however, the cooling results in significant mass density reductions as a function of height in the thermosphere similar to those recently derived from historic satellite drag data.
Are university students' component reading skills related to their text comprehension and academic achievement?☆

Among developing and poor readers, text comprehension is strongly related to word decoding accuracy and reading fluency. However, among relatively skilled adult readers, these aspects of reading skill are largely independent of one another. The reading of 193 second- and third-year students enrolled in an educational psychology course at a public research university was described well by three orthogonal principal components: Word Decoding Accuracy, Reading Speed, and Text Comprehension Accuracy. Furthermore, component reading skills were not associated with individual differences in the extent to which students in this sample had succeeded in postsecondary education. Decoding Accuracy was most related to spelling accuracy and phonemic awareness. Only Text Comprehension Accuracy was associated even minimally with grade-point average. A subgroup of 15 students who reported various reading problems did not have a low mean grade-point average.
A Note From the Guest Editor

This special issue of the Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media presents a clear statement about the continuing importance and relevance of issues of race, gender, and class in media studies...