cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Task-modulated neural activation patterns in chronic stroke patients with aphasia

Background: Neuroimaging research on language recovery in patients with aphasia due to left hemisphere damage has generated some intriguing results. However, it is still not clear what role the right hemisphere plays in supporting recovered language functions in the chronic phase for patients with different site and size of lesion when different tasks are used. Aims: The present study aimed at exploring the role of perilesional, ipsilesional, and contralesional activation in participants with aphasia with different site and size of lesion using two different language tasks. All participants were in the chronic stage with well- recovered or significant improvements in language functions. Methods & Procedures: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to characterise brain activations in eight stroke patients and eight age/gender-matched controls during semantic judgement and oral picture naming. An event-related design using jittered interstimulus intervals (ISIs) was employed to present the st...
The flag burning controversy and the Sui Generis argument

This article contends that the flag burning controversy in American politics during the past two decades is anchored in a discussion of symbolic speech, the article examines the degree of protection that symbolic speech provides to flag burning and the emergence of a sui generis position that would remove flag burning from traditional First Amendment safeguards. The article is divided into three sections. The first section examines the evolution of the construct of “symbolic speech.” The second section discusses the governmental speech thesis that the flag represents a sui generis exception from traditional First Amendment concerns. The third section analyzes the flaws with the government speech thesis. The conclusion explores why discussions about flag burning issues are treated differently by the public than by the courts.
High-performace liquid chromatography of bis[1,2-bis-(diphenylphosphino)ethane]gold(I) chloride, a potential antineoplastic agent

The chromatography of [Au(dppe)2]+ (I), a potential antineoplastic drug, was studied on a variety of stationary phases (ODS Hypersil, PLRP-S, Partisil SAX and Partisil SCX) using aqueous mobile phases containing 60% acetonitrile, 15% tetrahydrofuran and various electrolytes. The effects of both the concentration (0-20 mM) and the nature of the electrolytes, added to the mobile phase, on the chromatography of I were investigated. A wide variety of electrolytes were investigated in which the hydrophobicity of both the anion and the cation were varied. The analyte of interest was found to be unretained by the like-charged Partisil SAX column. On the other hand, I was retained on the Partisil SCX by an ion-exchange mechanism and retention could be controlled by manipulating the electrolyte composition of the mobile phase. I was retained on the two reversed-phase materials by a mixture of solvophobic and electrostatic interactions but, under the conditions studied, the latter mechanism was the dominant one. The retention of I on the two reversed-phase materials was influenced much more by the nature and concentration of the cation added to the mobile phase than it was by the nature and concentration of the anion. Therefore, manipulation of the nature and concentration of the cationic species in the mobile phase appears to afford the most useful means of manipulating the retention of I, and presumably its analogues, on reversed-phase columns.
Knowledge of derivational suffixes in students with language learning disabilities

Knowledge of derivational suffix meanings was investigated in 10- to 12-year-old students with language learning disabilities and individually matched chronological- and language-age peers. Students produced derived forms from nonce bases in an elicitation task and selected derived forms in a forced choice task. For instance, students produced a word to label the baby of an invented animal called a TEM (TEMlet, TEMette, TEMkin, etc.) and chose an appropriate label from four options (TEMlet, TEMkin, TEMship, TEMhood). Twenty-eight suffixes (e.g., less, y, ize) conveying seven derivational meanings (e.g., “without X,” “approximately X,” “to make X”) were studied. All groups showed higher accuracy on the forced choice task than on the elicitation task. However, elicitation task accuracy of students with language learning disabilities fell substantially below that of typically achieving students. Suffixes for “agent X,” “character of X,” and “to make X” were produced in the elicitation task with higher accuracy than suffixes for “approximately X,” “diminutive X,” and “state of X.” In both tasks, suffix use was associated with productivity (i.e., regularity of suffix attachment). All groups chose highly productive suffixes (e.g., TEMlet) over less productive suffixes (e.g., TEMkin) to convey each meaning.
Councilmaanic Intervention in Municipal Administration

This study deals with the impact of city council intervention on municipal administration. Based on a survey of department heads in all cities in the United States with a population of 50,000 or more, it presents information about the extent to which constituent casework leads to intervention by city councilpersons in municipal administration and discusses the consequences of the intervention patterns (informant, mediator and procurer) identified. The study concludes that although councilmanic intervention continues despite the efforts of the municipal and executive reform movements, reform institutions have nevertheless been successful in structuring the patterns of intervention in such a manner as to preserve the "informational" purposes of intervention without significantly threatening the reform goal of "neutrality" in municipal administration.
Toward a Middle-Class Cinema: Thomas Ince and the Social Problem Film, 1914–1920

Thomas H. Ince (1882–1924) was a popular motion-picture producer and director in the 1910s. He built his reputation and fortune by making feature films that appealed to middle-class tastes. In addition to his westerns and the epics for which he is best known, Ince made a number of social-problem films. Three of his films— The Italian (1914), Dangerous Hours (1920), and The Dark Mirror (1920)—are particularly interesting for how they illuminate the relationship between the American cinema and Progressive Era reform. A close analysis of these three films suggests ways that popular culture reflected the concerns of mainstream progressives and how these concerns shifted during the course of the decade.
Coupled Lorenz systems in an optically pumped CH3F laser

The output emission of a short CH3F metallic waveguide laser pumped by an injection-locked CO2 transversely excited atmosphere laser is studied experimentally. The output is found to be extremely unpredictable when lasing occurs in both the excited and ground vibrational states on two separate transitions (496 and 452 microns, respectively). The dynamics and sensitivity to initial conditions are explained in terms of two Lorenz lasers with pump coupled population inversions.
A faster algorithm for finding edge-disjoint branchings

Abstract An O(k2mn) algorithm is proposed for finding k edge-disjoint branchings in a directed multigraph with m edges and n vertices. With appropriate preprocessing the time bound can be reduced to O(kmn + k3n2). Our proposed algorithm runs faster than any previously known algorithm and provides yet another constructive proof of Edmonds' Branchings Theorem.
Clustering for bioinformatics via matrix optimization

A new matrix-based clustering method is presented that is able to handle medium to large data sets that is related to semi-definite programming techniques. The method proposed involves solving a non-convex optimization problem. The problem of local minima that are far from global minima, however, does not appear to be a great difficulty. The method was applied to a well known biological clustering problem, and appears to produce consistent clusterings that are close to the original claimed clustering.
Back pain and agricultural work among farmers: an analysis of the Colorado Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Survey

Background Back pain is the most prevalent occupational health problem experienced by much of the world's workforce. However, agricultural work-related back pain occurring among US farmers working on small operations or family farms is usually not included in surveillance. With data collected by Colorado Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Survey, this study reports characteristics of and risk factors for back pain among adult farmers living in eight Colorado counties. Methods A stratified probability sample of 500 farms was selected in proportion to the number of farms in study areas. During the 4-year period from 1993 through 1996, 458 farms were enrolled in the study and 759 farmers were interviewed using a questionnaire. Information on self-reported back pain and potential risk factors among 742 white farmers was evaluated and reported here. Results A total of 194 farmers (26.2%) reported to have had at least one episode of back pain lasting for 1 week or more. Males had a slightly higher prevalence of back pain than females (28.6% vs. 22.5%) and the lower back was the predominantly affected part of body among both males and females. In 45.4% of males and 43.9% of females back pain was brought on by repeated activities. Males' activities at work were more likely to cause back pain while females' activities at home were more likely to cause back pain. Three factors were found to be significantly associated with back pain: being depressed (odds ratio (OR) = 3.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.23–6.09), farming/ranching as main activities (OR = 1.66, CI = 1.17–2.36), and worked in agriculture for 10 to 29 years (OR = 1.62, CI = 1.14–2.30). Conclusions Our analyses indicate that back pain is an occupational health problem among farmers on small operations or family farms and that back pain affected males and females differently. The finding of significant positive associations between depression, farming activities, and back pain warrants further attention. Am. J. Ind. Med. 35:310–336, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Outcomes of cholecystectomy after endoscopic sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for treatment of symptomatic common bile duct stones (CBDS) after endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) is associated with increased conversion and complications compared with other indications. We examined factors associated with conversion and complications of LC after ES. A retrospective study of 32 patients undergoing ES for CBDS followed by cholecystectomy was undertaken. Surgical outcomes for this group were compared with a control population of 499 LCs for all other indications. Factors associated with open cholecystectomy and complications in the ES group were analyzed. Patients undergoing LC preceded by ES had a significantly higher complication (odds ratio [OR] = 7.97; 95% CI, 2.84–22.5) and conversion rate (OR = 3.45; 95% CI, 1.56–7.66) compared with LC for all other indications. Pre-ES serum bilirubin greater than 5 mg/dL was predictive of conversion (positive predictive value = 63%, P < 0.005). Patients with symptomatic CBDS that undergo LC after ES have higher complication and conversion rates than patients undergoing LC without ES. Pre-ES serum bilirubin is useful in identifying patients who may not have a successful laparoscopic approach at cholecystectomy.
Tail pinch vs. cervical probing: Opposite effects upon intracranial reinforcement in female rats

Tail pinch, that is, the application of mild pressure to the base of a rat’s tail for a brief period, has been shown to facilitate a variety of dopamine (DA) dependent motivated behaviors, among them feeding, sexual activity, and intracranial reward (intracranial self-stimulation, ICS). Antelman, Caggiula, and their co-workers have presented a theory of nigro-neostriatal function in which tail pinch and cervical probing, a procedure consisting of the brief application of mild pressure against the wall of the cervix, respectively facilitate and inhibit behavioral activity through opposite effects upon DA cells within the substantia nigra (A9). We tested this model further using A9 implanted female rats responding for ICS. Tail pinch facilitated ICS response rates, while cervical probing reduced them. This is consistent with previously reported behavioral and electrophysiological evidence and with the hypothesized model in which increased and decreased nigrostriatal function serves to activate or suppress behaviors.
A Note on Qualitative Forecast Evaluation: Comment

Naik and Leuthold (NL) have pointed out the need for a more thorough evaluation of forecasting models when models are assessed by ability to forecast turning points. Their 4 x 4 contingency table considers two possibilities neglected by the more traditional 2 x 2 table. First, the 2 x 2 merely records whether a turning point occurs. If a trough occurs when a peak was forecast, the forecasting model is credited with having been right because a turning point occurred (even though it is the wrong turn). Second, NL address the idea that the value being forecast may move up or down in the absence of a turning point. Unfortunately, NL neglected to define their terms unambiguously. For example, when discussing multiperiod-ahead forecasts, the authors refer
C-H Activation by Platinum(II): What Do Gas-Phase Studies Tell Us about the Solution-Phase Mechanism?

C−H activation reactions of benzene by organoplatinum(II) cations in the gas phase and in solution are stoichiometrically similar but mechanistically distinct.
Ubiquitin-mediated proteasome activity is required for agonist-induced endocytosis of GluRs

Recent studies documenting a role for local protein synthesis in synaptic plasticity have lead to interest in the opposing process, protein degradation, as a potential regulator of synaptic function [1–7]. The ubiquitin-conjugation system identifies, modifies, and delivers proteins to the proteasome for degradation [8, 9]. We found that both the proteasome and ubiquitin are present in the soma and dendrites of hippocampal neurons. As the trafficking of glutamate receptors (GluRs) is thought to underlie some forms of synaptic plasticity [10, 11], we examined whether blocking proteasome activity affects the agonist-induced internalization of GluRs in cultured hippocampal neurons. Treatment with the glutamate agonist AMPA induced a robust internalization of GluRs. In contrast, brief pretreatment with proteasome inhibitors completely prevented the internalization of GluRs. To distinguish between a role for the proteasome and a possible diminution of the free ubiquitin pool, we expressed a chain elongation defective ubiquitin mutant (UbK48R), which causes premature termination of polyubiquitin chains but, importantly, can serve as a substrate for mono-ubiquitin-dependent processes. Expression of K48R in neurons severely diminished AMPA-induced internalization establishing a role for the proteasome. These data demonstrate the acute (e.g., minutes) regulation of synaptic function by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in mammalian neurons.
AIRSLUG: A Fortran Program for the Computation of Type Curves to Estimate Transmissivity and Storativity from Prematurely Terminated Air‐Pressurized Slug Tests

The Fortran code AIRSLUG can be used to generate the type curves needed to analyze the recovery data from prematurely terminated air-pressurized slug tests. These type curves, when used with a graphical software package, enable the engineer or scientist to analyze field tests to estimate transmissivity and storativity. Prematurely terminating the slug test can significantly reduce the overall time needed to conduct the test, especially at low-permeability sites, thus saving time and money.
Visualization of surface structures on embryonic cells with a simple electron gun scanning microscope

Abstract It has been possible in this preliminary study to show that the use of the electron gun scanning electron microscope with a field emission source, combined with appropriate preparation of the sample, is a useful approach to the study of cell surfaces. Two kinds of cell surface structure have been identified. These are (1) pits or depressions in the cell surface, and (2) specialization at the end of cytoplasmic filaments. The structures which have been detected have been visualized in topographic detail which would have been difficult to obtain by other techniques.
Differential behavioral and neurochemical effects following lesions of the dorsal or median raphe nuclei in rats

Abstract Locomotor activity and regional forebrain levels of serotonin (5-HT) were measured following the placement of electrolytic lesions in either the dorsal or median raphe nucleus of adult male rats. In the first two experiments, control lesions were placed in the brachium conjunctivum, and in the third experiment, a sham lesion group served as control. Median lesions significantly increased locomotor actiivity as measured in tilt cages, by 250–300% on the second day post-lesion, and this elevation stabilized at approximately 100% above control levels on day 9 post-lesion. There were no statistically significant differences in the amount of locomotor activity in the dorsal, brachium or sham lesioned groups on any post-lesion day. When the amount of 5-HT depletion was measured 5 days post-lesion, it was found that the dorsal (D) and median (M) lesions produced similar reductions in cerebral cortex (D — 40%; M — 31%); hypothalamus (D — 54%; M — 58%) and striatum (D — 50%; M — 29%). However, the effects of the two lesions were markedly different in the hippocampus. The dorsal lesion produced a non-significant 10% reduction in hippocampal 5-HT level, while the median lesion caused an 82% reduction. On the basis of these data it is hypothesized that a reduction in hippocampal 5-HT may account for the increased activity in the median lesioned group.
Tetranuclear and binuclear iron-sulfur clusters in succinate dehydrogenase: a method of iron quantitation by formation of paramagnetic complexes.

Abstract Soluble succinate dehydrogenase contains 8 atoms of iron, 8 atoms of acid labile sulfur and one covalently bound FAD per molecule; however, the distribution of iron and sulfur has not been well established. An iron counting method was devised in which electron spin resonance detectable complexes containing one iron each were formed with NO and cysteine and complex formation was measured during the gradual dissociation of the iron-sulfur clusters. In addition, a method described by Cammack was used to provide independent evidence. Both methods point to the existence of two binuclear clusters and one tetranuclear iron-sulfur cluster in the succinate dehydrogenase molecule.
The Association between Heart Rate Reactivity and Fluid Intelligence in Children

This study aimed to examine (a) whether findings of increased cardiovascular reactivity in relation to cognitive ability seen in infants, young adults and the elderly can be extended to middle childhood and (b) which specific aspect(s) of intelligence is related to cardiovascular reactivity. We examined cardiovascular activity in 340 8- and 9-year-old children during a number judgment task and measured fluid and crystallized IQ using the WISC-IV (Wechsler, 2003). Regression analyses revealed that heart rate (HR) reactivity was positively associated with fluid intelligence and perceptual reasoning in particular, after controlling for the effects of sex, age, task performance, social adversity, and resting HR. Intelligence scores were not associated with respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) reactivity. Findings are consistent with prior literature in infants and older populations and for the first time suggest that the association between HR reactivity and cognitive ability is specific for fluid reasoning.
Effect of size and temperature on the quantity of immunoglobulin in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus.

Concentrations of serum immunoglobulin (Ig) were determined for 30 channel catfish from pond water at 10°C. These values were compared to measurements of 15 channel catfish from pond water at 30°C. Channel catfish from 10°C pond water had no significant (P>0.05) different Ig concentrations (mean, 398 mg/dl) than catfish from 30°C pond water (mean, 367 mg/dl). Serum Ig concentrations appear not to be different in cold (10°C) vs warm (30°C) pond water for 37.5–45 cm catfish. Channel catfish, 7.5–15 cm (n=24) had significantly (P<0.05) lower Ig levels (mean, 104 mg/dl) than catfish either 7.5–25.5 cm (n=57, mean, 232 mg/dl) or 37.5–45 cm (n=45, mean, 388 mg/dl). Also, catfish 17.5–25.5 cm had a significantly (P<0.05) less Ig than catfish 37.5–45 cm. The concentrations of serum Ig increase with size (P=0.0001) of catfish. The mean Ig concentration for 7.5–45 cm catfish (n=126) was 263 mg/dl. The Ig concentration range was 44 to 650 mg/dl of serum.
Interplanar relaxation at the (0001) surface of Be

Abstract Using ab initio many body interatomic potential and molecular dynamics approach we have calculated the interplanar relaxation at the (0001) surface of Be. A slab of 392 atoms in seven layers with periodic boundary conditions was used to model the surface. All but two layers were allowed to relax. The results indicate an expansion of 5.9% of the top two layers. The relaxation between the second and third layers is considerably smaller, namely 0.9%, while the remaining layers do not relax at all. Our results are in excellent agreement with the experiment and provide additional insight into the nature of bonding between atoms with low coordination.
Perceptions of Women in Management: A Thematic Analysis of Razing the Glass Ceiling

Despite advances that women have made in organizations over the past century, women continue to be underrepresented in upper management positions. Based on a review of literature, six issues that w...
Ultrafast study of 9-diazofluorene: direct observation of the first two singlet states of fluorenylidene.

Ultrafast photolysis of 9-diazofluorene (DAF) produces a broadly absorbing transient within the instrument time resolution (300 fs), which is assigned to an excited state of the diazo compound. The diazo excited state fragments to form fluorenylidene (Fl) in both its lowest energy singlet state (1Fl, 405−430 nm, depending on the solvent) and a higher energy singlet state (370 nm, 1Fl*). The excited singlet carbene has a lifetime of 20.9 ps in acetonitrile and decays to the lower energy singlet state (1Fl), which relaxes to the triplet ground state (3Fl) in acetonitrile, cyclohexane, benzene, and hexafluorobenzene. The equilibrium mixture of singlet and triplet fluorenylidene reacts with these solvents. Singlet fluorenylidene reacts with methanol and cyclohexene in competition with relaxation to 3Fl. One of the reaction products in methanol is the 9-fluorenyl cation. The rate of intersystem crossing (ISC) in hexafluorobenzene and other halogenated solvents is remarkably slow given that carbene ISC rates ar...
How do mental health paraprofessionals form judgments about patients? The development of a patient evaluation scale

Current trends in mental health imply increased use of mental health paraprofessionals in a variety of mental health settings. The present investigation was an attempt to explore the semantics of paraprofessional's judgments about patients. Psychiatric technicians in a public mental hospital were asked to make evaluative judgments about patients in their wards. In addition, they were asked to rate the patients on a 22-item scale concerned with specific behaviors or first-order inferences about behavior. The pattern of correlations as well as regression weights between evaluations and behavioral ratings were used to infer the “meanings”of the paraprofessionals evaluations of patients. Results indicated that most paraprofessionals tended to look for similar behaviors in making evaluations of patients. The semantic framework was simple and intelligible. Training uses of the research method were also discussed.
Light deprivation produces accelerated behavioral recovery of function from neglect produced by unilateral medial agranular prefrontal cortex lesions in rats.

Abstract Environmental manipulations involving 48 h of light deprivation have been found to produce sparing of function from neglect produced by unilateral destruction of the medial agranular prefrontal cortex (AGm) in rats. The present study is an extension of these findings and examined whether light deprivation would produce recovery in subjects with demonstrated severe neglect produced by unilateral AGm destruction. The orientation behavior of the subjects, 25 left and 16 right AGm operates, was tested at 4 h post injection and if severe neglect was demonstrated, the subjects were placed into one of three environmental conditions: (1) 48 h of total light deprivation, (2) 48 h of continuous light, or (3) 48 h of a 12:12 light dark cycle. The left vs. right hemisphere comparisons indicated that the left hemisphere operates were significantly more responsive by 4 h postsurgery than the right hemisphere operates, and only five of the right hemisphere operates demonstrated severe neglect. Therefore, the effects of environment on behavioral recovery of function were only examined in left AGm operates with severe neglect. The results indicated that 48 h of light deprivation could produce dramatic behavioral recovery in left AGm operates with demonstrated severe neglect, and that these effects were not produced by disruption of the light dark cycle.
Targeted RNA-Sequencing with Competitive Multiplex-PCR Amplicon Libraries

Whole transcriptome RNA-sequencing is a powerful tool, but is costly and yields complex data sets that limit its utility in molecular diagnostic testing. A targeted quantitative RNA-sequencing method that is reproducible and reduces the number of sequencing reads required to measure transcripts over the full range of expression would be better suited to diagnostic testing. Toward this goal, we developed a competitive multiplex PCR-based amplicon sequencing library preparation method that a) targets only the sequences of interest and b) controls for inter-target variation in PCR amplification during library preparation by measuring each transcript native template relative to a known number of synthetic competitive template internal standard copies. To determine the utility of this method, we intentionally selected PCR conditions that would cause transcript amplification products (amplicons) to converge toward equimolar concentrations (normalization) during library preparation. We then tested whether this approach would enable accurate and reproducible quantification of each transcript across multiple library preparations, and at the same time reduce (through normalization) total sequencing reads required for quantification of transcript targets across a large range of expression. We demonstrate excellent reproducibility (R 2 = 0.997) with 97% accuracy to detect 2-fold change using External RNA Controls Consortium (ERCC) reference materials; high inter-day, inter-site and inter-library concordance (R 2 = 0.97–0.99) using FDA Sequencing Quality Control (SEQC) reference materials; and cross-platform concordance with both TaqMan qPCR (R 2 = 0.96) and whole transcriptome RNA-sequencing following ‘‘traditional’’ library preparation using Illumina NGS kits (R 2 = 0.94). Using this method, sequencing reads required to accurately quantify more than 100 targeted transcripts expressed over a 10 7 -fold range was reduced more than 10,000-fold, from 2.3610 9 to 1.4610 5 sequencing reads. These studies demonstrate that the competitive multiplex-PCR amplicon library preparation method presented here provides the quality control, reproducibility, and reduced sequencing reads necessary for development and implementation of targeted quantitative RNA-sequencing biomarkers in molecular diagnostic testing.
Internal conversion in Fe57 from the Mössbauer effect in iron

Abstract The conversion coefficient of the 14.4 keV Mossbauer transition in Fe57 was determined from the effective nuclear resonance cross section of a thin natural iron foil placed in a saturating magnetic field. Near natural line widths were obtained with a single line source with precisely known resonant fraction. The total conversion coefficient of 9.0±0.4 is in agreement with recent values from nuclear spectroscopy.
Alpha smooth muscle actin distribution in cytoplasm and nuclear invaginations of connective tissue fibroblasts.

Alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was recently shown to be present in mouse subcutaneous tissue fibroblasts in the absence of tissue injury. In this study, we used a combination of immunohistochemistry and correlative confocal scanning laser and electron microscopy to investigate the structural organization of α-SMA in relation to the nucleus. Furthermore, we explored colocalization analysis as a method for quantifying the amount of α-SMA in close approximation to the nucleic acid marker, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenyl-indole, dihydrochloride. Our findings indicate the presence of α-SMA within nuclear invaginations in close proximity to the nuclear membrane, but not in the nucleoplasm. Although the function of these α-SMA-rich nuclear invaginations is at present unknown, the morphology of these structures suggests their possible involvement in cellular and nuclear mechanotransduction as well as nuclear transport.
SU-FF-T-143: Determination of Electron Output Factors Using An Empirical, Mathematical Model

Purpose: To empirically develop a mathematical method to determine electron output factors with varying energies, source to surface distances (SSD), and irregular cutout shapes used in electron beam therapy. Method and Materials: Circular Cerrobend cutouts of diameters ranging from 2 cm to cone size, for various cone sizes, were used to measure electron output factors for a Varian 21EX linear accelerator. Measurements were made in a 30 × 30 × 20 cm3 solid water phantom with a 0.3 cc PTW ion‐chamber and a Standard Imagingelectrometer. Electrons with energies of 6, 9, 12, 16 and 20 MeV, with SSDs of 100, 105, 110 and 115 cm were measured at the position of maximum dose (Dmax) to determine output factor. The virtual source method was used to model extended SSD conditions. All measured output data from these circular cutouts were fitted with the same linear regression function using Wolfram's Mathematicasoftware to predict output factors. The effective radius of a clinical cutout is then matched with the circular cutout data to determine an output factor. The average of twelve measured equiangular radii determines the effective radius for each irregularly shaped clinical cutout. An additional empirical mathematical formula was used to incorporate extreme minimum width and aspect ratio combinations. To validate this empirical mathematical approach, we measured output factors for 100 clinical cutouts of various shapes and sizes, and compared these with predictions. Results: It is found that the measured output factor differs from prediction by more than 3% in two out of 100 cutouts. In most cases this difference, however, is under 2%. Conclusion: The empirical method developed in the present study successfully determines electron output factors for various energy, SSD, cone, and irregular shape combinations. This method is a viable alternative to traditional methods of electron output factor determination.
Cobalt(III) complexes of the cyclic triamine 1,4,7-triazacyclononane and Aminoalcohol Ligands

Abstract New Co(III) complexes of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (TACN) have been prepared. These include [Co (TACN)(NO2)3], [Co(TACN)Cl3] and [Co(TACN) Br3] which were precursors to aminoalcohol complexes of the type [Co(TACN)tmOH]3+ (tmOH = 2,3-diamino-l-propanol and 1,3-diamino-2-propanol bonded in tridentate fashion) and [Co(TACN)tmOH (X)]2+ (tmOH same as above bonded in bidentate fashion and X = Cl and Br). Base hydrolysis reactions of the latter complexes were studied. No chelation of the dangling hydroxyl group was observed in any hydrolysis reaction. Complexes containing chelated hydroxyl groups were very resistant to substitution.
Carbon monoxide and nitric oxide consumption in polluted air: the carbon monoxide-hydroperoxyl reaction

A recent laboratory measurement of the ratio of the rate constant for the reaction CO + HO (2) --> C0(2) + OH relative to that for H + HO(2) --> 2OH indicates that the former reaction is probably faster than CO + OH --> CO(2) + H. On this basis a simple analysis is given showing that the calculated lifetime of nitric oxide in polluted atmospheres would be appreciably longer than that estimated on the assumption that the carbon monoxide-hydroperoxyl reaction may be neglected. A fast carbon monoxide-hydroperoxyl reaction implies that the cyclic consumption of carbon monoxide (an atmospheric sink) could occur even with no nitric oxide present.
Influence of permeant lipophilicity on permeation across human sclera.

Purpose The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of permeant lipophilicity on permeant uptake into and transport across human sclera for transscleral delivery.
Review of studies of child and adolescent offspring of bipolar parents.

OBJECTIVE The authors reviewed studies of child and adolescent offspring of bipolar (BP) parents. Findings from these studies are critically discussed with respect to methodological issues that can inform future designs. METHODS A Medline search was performed to identify studies that examined child and adolescent offspring of BP parents. Publications were excluded if they did not separate offspring of BP parents from offspring of major depressive disorder or schizoaffective parents ("affective offspring") or did not separately analyze data from child- and adolescent-age versus adult offspring. RESULTS Seventeen studies fit these review criteria. Rates of mood disorders in child and adolescent offspring of BP parents ranged from 5 to 67% compared with rates in offspring of healthy volunteers of 0-38%. Rates of non-mood disordered psychopathology ranged from 5 to 52% in offspring of BP parents and from 0 to 25% in offspring of healthy volunteers. Rates of mood disorders and of other psychopathology were increased in offspring of BP parents compared with offspring of healthy volunteers in all of the eight studies that included a comparison group of offspring of healthy volunteers. CONCLUSIONS Studies suggest that children (< or =21 years) of BP parents are at increased risk for developing mood and other disorders (e.g., disruptive, anxiety). Therefore, additional investigations are clearly warranted. In the context of current research on diagnosis, assessment, longitudinal course and comorbidity of childhood mania, the following suggestions for the design of future studies should be considered: 1) Phenotypic specification of bipolar manifestations (e.g., BP-I, BP-II, BP-NOS) in child/adolescent offspring and in bipolar parents themselves. 2) Control groups that are pediatric-age relevant and thus include attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. 3) Assessments that include items for prepubertal mania and for onsets and offsets of all occurrences of symptoms and of environmental factors (e.g., life events) in offspring and in parents so that trajectories of overlap and sequence between child and parental mania can be investigated. 4) These detailed onsets and offsets of symptoms are also necessary to investigate prodromal manifestations of mania in the offspring. 5) Unaffected offspring present a unique opportunity to study pre- and postmorbid cognitive and physiological endophenotypes and structural and functional brain abnormalities. Findings from offspring studies will be crucial to inform research on the development of early intervention and prevention strategies.
Interplay between symmetry breaking and quasiperiodicity in spin chains

An isotropicXY spin chain is studied in the presence of symmetry-breaking perturbations and a periodic modulation with wave vector incommensurate with the periodicity of the chain. The ground states of the system are obtained in terms of a two-dimensional area-preserving map defined on a cylinder of finite extent. The spin distributions are found to exhibit KAM and Cantorus phases with the onset of transition being the critical phase. The relationship between these three phases and the magnetic properties of the model is also studied. The presence of two competing easy axes for spin alignment results in incommensurate reentrant phase diagram with fractal boundary.
Reexamining the Molecular/Macromolecular Model of Coal from Comparative in Situ Variable-Temperature 1H NMR Studies of Argonne Premium Coal 601 and Its Pyridine Extraction Residue

We have carried out the first systematic in situ variable-temperature 1H NMR study, using the CRAMPS (combined rotation and multiple pulse spectroscopy) technique, of the residue from pyridine extraction of Argonne premium coal 601. The change of molecular mobility in the residue under various thermal treatments and pyridine swelling conditions were monitored quantitatively through a proton dipolar-dephasing experiment based on CRAMPS detection. Correlations among molecular structure, molecular mobility and solvent-extraction components were established through comparative variable-temperature 1H CRAMPS studies on the C5D5N-saturated original coal and its extraction residue. A critical review of the molecular/macromolecular (M/M) structural model of coal has been made on the basis of the new results, showing that the relationships between the M/M model and molecular dynamics is much more complicated than previously thought. Both the molecular phase and the macromolecular phase can show molecular dynamics ...
Effects of an Enzyme Mixture, an Inoculant, and Their Interaction on Silage Fermentation and Dairy Production

Abstract Second-crop, mixed grass-legume forage was ensiled in four bunker silos either untreated or after application at the forage harvester of an enzyme mixture containing cellulase, xylanase, cellobiase, and glucose oxidase, a commercial inoculant, or both additives combined. Sixteen multiparous midlactation Holstein cows in a 4 × 4 Latin square design received each silage in a 50:50 forage: concentrate diet to determine effects of silage additives on milk production and composition. Enzyme treatment reduced silage pH, concentrations of xylose and total sugars, and concentration and proportion of cell-wall arabinose. Titratable acidity, buffering capacity, concentration of residual water-soluble carbohydrate, and digestibility of DM in vitro were increased, and levels of silage structural carbohydrates were reduced. Inoculation, both alone and in the combined treatment, reduced silage pH compared with control, but inoculation alone was more effective than the combination. Enzyme treatment increased DMI and production of milk, FCM, SCM, milk protein, and milk SNF. The two silage additives were antagonistic when combined and did not improve silage fermentation, nutritional value, or animal performance, and enzyme degradation of forage structural carbohydrates was reduced. Inoculation also reduced silage aerobic stability. Combination of enzyme systems with inoculants requires careful evaluation to avoid antagonistic interactions.
24-Oxo and 26,23-lactone metabolites of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 have direct bone-resorbing activity

The biological activities of several 24-oxo and 26,23-lactone metabolites of vitamin D were determined in bone organ cultures. The 24-oxo metabolites were significantly more potent bone-resorbing agents than the lactones. 1,25-(OH)2-24-oxo-D3 had 0.18 X the bone-resorbing activity of 1,25-(OH)2D3 in fetal rat limb bones and was equipotent with 1,25-(OH)2D3 in neonatal mouse calvaria. In the limb bone system, 1,23,25-(OH)3-24-oxo-D3 had 0.08 X the activity of 1,25-(OH)2D3. 1,25-(OH)2D3 and 1,25-(OH)2-24-oxo-D3 had a similar time course of bone-resorbing effects in both bone culture systems. The most potent of the lactones, 1,25S-(OH)2D3-26,23R-lactone, had approximately 0.009 X the activity of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and approximately 500 times the activity of the 25S-OH-D3-26,23R-lactone. The 25S and 1,25S lactones were more potent than the 25R and 1,25R isomers. In experiments designed to determine whether either 1,25-(OH)2-24-oxo-D3 or 25R-OH-D3-26,23S-lactone could prevent the bone-resorbing activity of 1,25-(OH)2D3, no inhibitory effects were observed. The results suggest that conversion to the lactones represents a substantial inactivation step, whereas conversion to 24-oxo-derivatives results in less reduction in biological activity.
Occlusive atherosclerotic disease of the coronary arteries in monkey (Macaca irus) induced by diet

Abstract The M. irus is a monkey species that is highly susceptible to experimental atheroslerosis induced by feeding a diet moderately high in cholesterol content. The dietary-induced atherosclerosis is associated with moderate serum cholesterol elevations without concomitant elevations of the serum triglycerides. All monkeys on the atherogenic diet that had serum cholesterol levels that rose above 350 mg/100 ml, developed severe atherosclerosis of the proximal segment of the coronary arteries with occlusions of the coronary arterial lumen of more than 50%. Two monkeys, which died suddenly on exertion after 12 months on the atherogenic diet, had coronary artery occlusions of more than 75%. One of these animals showed histological evidence suggestive of myocardial ischemia. After 12 months on the atherogenic diet, only the coronary arteries revealed gross atherosclerosis; after 18 months the aorta and other arteries also showed gross atherosclerotic lesions, but always to a lesser extent than the coronary arteries. The predict able early involvement of the coronary arteries with severe occlusive atherosclerotic disease, and the consistent predominance of coronary atherosclerotic lesions over lesions in other arteries are unusual features of this monkey species. The M. irus monkey lends itself well as an experimental model for the study of coronary atherosclerosis and its sequelae.
A 43.5mW 77GHz receiver front-end in 65nm CMOS suitable for FM-CW Automotive Radar

A low power mmW receiver front-end, suitable for a FM-CW Automotive Radar has been implemented using a 1P6M 65nm RFCMOS process. It has been designed using a direct conversion architecture. The input and interstage impedance matching networks have been implemented using Multi-layer Coplanar Wave guide (MCPW) based inductors. MCPW lines can realize small inductance values with high quality factor at mmW frequencies, improving gain, noise figure and power consumption performance of the receiver. It is shown that by adjusting the ground spacing and conductor width of the MCPW, an optimized 52pH inductor can achieve a quality factor of 37 at 77GHz. The fabricated front-end exhibits a maximum voltage gain of 15 dB over the baseband and presents a LNA noise figure of 7dB which makes it suitable for next generation of collision avoidance systems. The achieved power consumption of the receiver front-end is only 43.5mW from a 1.5V voltage supply.
Significant parameters in the catalysed CO2 gasification of coal chars

Abstract Alkali and alkaline earth carbonates have been used to catalyse the C02 gasification of coal chars prepared by pyrolysis of Illinois No.6 coal. This study found that alkaline earth carbonates are fair gasification catalysts, though throughputs are insensitive to loadings in the range of 5–20 wt%. The order of efficacy is Ba > Sr > Ca. Alkali carbonates are excellent catalysts, with throughputs showing a dependence on loadings and atomic number. In particular, at high loadings (20 wt%) the order is Cs > K > Na > Li. As kinetic parameters for the alkali carbonate catalysed Boudouard reaction with coal chars differ significantly from those for graphites, an alternative redox cycle mechanism has been proposed involving an alkali hydride intermediate.
A fluid dynamic model of the draft tube gas-liquid-solid fluidized bed

Abstract Fluid dynamics of gas-liquid-particle flow in the draft tube and liquid-particle flow in the annulus were studied for a draft-tube fluidized bed (DTFB) operating in the circulating regime. The local concentrations and velocities of the continuous liquid phase, solid particles and air bubbles were assessed in flow visualization studies, using a two-dimensional column, 1 cm thick × 8 cm wide × 105 cm high, with a 4 cm wide × 83 cm high internal draft tube. The drift-flux model was extended to take into account the momentum transfer between all phases in the three-phase system studied, and used to describe the circulating flow in the DTFB. Additional momentum transfer from gas bubbles to solid particles was identified and attributed to the changes in relative velocities and drag forces induced by bubble motion in three-phase flow.
Prenatal Zinc Deficiency: Influence on Heart Morphology and Distribution of Key Heart Proteins in a Rat Model

The etiology of congenital heart disease is multifactorial, with genetics and nutritional deficiencies recognized as causative agents. Maternal zinc (Zn) deficiency is associated with an increased risk for fetal heart malformations; however, the contributing mechanisms have yet to be identified. In this study, we fed pregnant rats a Zn-adequate diet (ZnA), a Zn-deficient (ZnD), or a restricted amount of Zn adequate diet (RF) beginning on gestation day (GD) 4.5, to examine whether increased cell death and changes in cardiac neural crest cells (NCC) play a role in Zn deficiency-induced heart defects. Fetuses were collected on GD 13.5, 15.5, and 18.5 and processed for GATA-4, FOG-2, connexin-43 (Cx43), HNK-1, smooth muscle α-actin (SMA) and cleaved caspase-3 protein expression. Fetuses from ZnA-fed dams showed normal heart development, whereas fetuses from dams fed with the ZnD diet exhibited a variety of heart anomalies, particularly in the region of the outflow tract. HNK-1 expression was lower than normal in the hearts of GD13.5 and 15.5 ZnD fetuses, particularly in the right atrium and in the distal tip of the interventricular septum. Conversely, Cx43 immunoreactivity was increased throughout the heart in fetuses from ZnD dams compared to fetuses from control dams. The distribution and intensity of expression of SMA, GATA-4, FOG-2, and markers of apoptosis were similar among the three groups. We propose that Zn deficiency induced alterations in the distribution of Cx43 and HNK-1 in fetal hearts contribute to the occurrence of the developmental heart anomalies.
A conversation on definition of life.

(2012). A Conversation on Definition of Life. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics: Vol. 29, No. 4, pp. 597-598.
Measurement of the absolute Stokes Raman cross sections of the longitudinal optical (LO) phonons of room-temperature GaP

Abstract Absolute first-order Stokes Raman cross sections ( σ R ) of the longitudinal optical (LO) phonons of room-temperature GaP at 811 nm (1.53 eV) and 1112 nm (1.12 eV) have been measured, using pump/excitation wavelengths of 785 (1.58 eV) and 1064 nm (1.17 eV), respectively. A temperature-controlled, small-cavity blackbody source was used to calibrate the signal output of the Raman spectrometer system; this allows a direct measurement of the absolute Raman cross section without the need for the use of a known material as the reference standard. Measurements were made on a GaP single-crystal plate with (001) faces, using backscattering geometry. The measured values of σ R are 3.0± 0.6×10−28 and 1.1± 0.2×10−28 cm2 at 811 and 1112 nm, respectively, compared with the corresponding values of 2.8×10−28 cm2 and 0.7×10−28 cm2 extrapolated from the values measured at 647 nm (1.92 eV) by Calleja et al. in 1981, using the λ − 4 wavelength dependence and decrease of Raman polarizability with wavelength due to resonance enhancement associated with the direct energy gap ( E 0 ) at 2.78 eV and the split-off energy gap ( E 0 + Δ 0 ) at 2.86 eV.