cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Displacement-Induced Switching Rates of Bioresponsive Hydrogel Microlenses

We report investigations of the response rates of bioresponsive hydrogel microlenses in order to gain a deeper understanding of their potential utility as a new label-free biosensing construct. Bioresponsive microgels were prepared from multi-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (pNIPAm-AAc) microgels after conjugation with biotin (as a bound target) and aminobenzophenone (ABP) (as a photoaffinity label) via carbodiimide chemistry. Bioresponsive hydrogel microlenses were then formed from individual microgels via Coulombic assembly of the anionic microgels onto a positively charged glass substrate. Incubation with polyclonal anti-biotin resulted in antibody-cross-linked microlenses. The antibodies were then photoligated to the hydrogel network via UV irradiation, making the microlenses reversibly sensitive to free biocytin by disruption of biotin−antibiotin binding. The response rates of the microlenses to biocytin binding (bound antibody−antigen displacement) were studied by monitoring t...
American Thyroid Association Guidelines for Use of Laboratory Tests in Thyroid Disorders

Selection of appropriate laboratory determinations will enable the clinician to diagnose thyroid dysfunction readily in the majority of patients. At the present time, estimation of free thyroxine and a "sensitive" thyrotropin assay are recommended as the principal laboratory tests for thyroid disease. A decrease in serum free thyroxine estimate and a raised level of serum thyrotropin confirm the diagnosis of hypothyroidism caused by thyroid gland failure. An increase in free thyroxine estimate combined with a serum sensitive thyrotropin level suppressed to less than 0.1 mU/L establishes the diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis. In sick patients, a normal or raised serum free thyroxine estimate together with a normal level of serum thyrotropin suggests that the patient has neither hypothyroidism nor thyrotoxicosis. Patients with severe illnesses, generally in the intensive care unit, and those treated with certain drugs, as well as individuals with unusual thyroid disorders, may present with confusing laboratory findings. An understanding of the regulation of the thyroid hormone system and/or judicious consultation with an endocrinologist should enable the clinician to diagnose thyroid disease, if present, in such patients.
Determination of momentum and angles of bubble-chamber tracks in a nonuniform magnetic field☆

Abstract A method of calculating momentum components for bubble-chamber tracks in a nonuniform magnetic field has been developed. This method has been incorporated into a FORTRAN subroutine (TRED 2) which is now a part of a working version of the spatial reconstruction program TRED. Examples of results are given. Typical computer time is about 0.2 sec per track on IBM 7094.
Utility of the Social Communication Questionnaire-Current and Social Responsiveness Scale as Teacher-Report Screening Tools for Autism Spectrum Disorders

Limited research exists regarding the role of teachers in screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The current study examined the use of the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) as completed by parents and teachers about school-age children from the Simons Simplex Collection. Using the recommended cutoff scores in the manuals and extant literature, the teacher-completed SCQ and SRS yielded lower sensitivity and specificity values than would be desirable; however, lowering the cutoff scores on both instruments improved sensitivity and specificity to more adequate levels for screening purposes. Using the adjusted cutoff scores, the SRS teacher form appears to be a slightly better screener than the SCQ. Implications and limitations are discussed, as well as areas for future research.
Cue utilization in serial learning

Four experimental groups (N = 24 each) in which the intertriai interval (ITI) was shifted to the middle of the 12-item list after S attained at least 1, 4, 7, or 10 correct anticipations on a single trial (Groups E1, E4, E7, and E10, respectively) were compared to a control group (N = 24) in which the ITI maintained a constant location. The results showed no significant impairment in performance for Groups E4 and E7 a temporary decrement for E10, and a more extended decrement for Group E1, supporting predictions based upon the extent to which S is dependent upon the ITI for maintenance of the cue value of the first item and the extent to which S has acquired a set regarding the location of the ITI within the series. It was suggested that interference effects were minimized in the present experiment due to the visual identity of the ITI to the inter-item space.
A discrete-time sliding mode formulation for automotive cold-start emission control

Automotive powertrain control strategies are implemented on digital systems with finite sampling rates. If an infinite sampling rate is assumed during design, the resulting control law can exhibit degraded performance and instability when digitally implemented. In this work, a discrete-time sliding mode formulation is developed to overcome this hardware limitation. A Lyapunov function is used to verify stability. The formulation is used to develop control laws for the cold-start emission control problem. The performance of the discrete controller is simulated with the system model and compared to its continuous-time counterpart for various sampling rates. As the sampling time is increased beyond 20 milliseconds, the continuous-time version causes significant chattering and fails to meet the control targets. The discrete-time controller yields superior performance, as it demonstrates robustness to chatter and meets the desired targets even at sampling rates which cause instability in the continuous-time controller.
Regulation of protein H expression in M1 serotype isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes

Protein H is an immunoglobulin-binding protein expressed by certain M1 serotypes of Streptococcus pyogenes. In a recent study of invasive group A isolates, it was found that none of the 16 M1 serotype isolates analyzed expressed protein H on their surface despite the presence of the protein H gene (sph) in approximately one-third of the isolates. Selection of stable protein H-expressing variants could be achieved by infection of prtH+ non-expressing strains into a mouse skin and recovering bacteria from the spleen. This effect was independent of the transcription regulator Mga, since a similar effect was noted in an mga− mutant. Thus, host passage of S. pyogenes can lead to stable high level expression of Protein H.
Influence of desmethylimipramine on the appetite-lowering effects of d-amphetamine and other anorectics.

Abstract The influence of desmethylimipramine (DMI) pretreatment on the anorectic and central stimulant effects of d-amphetamine, phentermine, chlorphentermine, phenmetrazine and diethylpropion in rats were studied. DMI caused marked potentiation and prolongation of the effects of d-amphetamine and diethylpropion, but did not cause any significant change in the effects of the other two drugs. This effect of DMI might be due to its interference on the metabolic inactivation of the above anorectics.
Artifacts in computational optical-sectioning microscopy

We tested the most complete optical model available for computational optical-sectioning microscopy and obtained four main results. First, we observed good agreement between experimental and theoretical point-spread functions (PSF's) under a variety of imaging conditions. Second, using these PSF's, we found that a linear restoration method yielded reconstructed images of a well-defined phantom object (a 10-microns-diameter fluorescent bead) that closely resembled the theoretically determined, best-possible linear reconstruction of the object. Third, this best linear reconstruction suffered from a (to our knowledge) previously undescribed artifactual axial elongation whose principal cause was not increased axial blur but rather the conical shape of the null space intrinsic to nonconfocal three-dimensional (3D) microscopy. Fourth, when 10-microns phantom beads were embedded at different depths in a transparent medium, reconstructed bead images were progressively degraded with depth unless they were reconstructed with use of a PSF determined at the bead's depth. We conclude that (1) the optical model for optical sectioning is reasonably accurate; (2) if PSF shift variance cannot be avoided by adjustment of the optics, then reconstruction methods must be modified to account for this effect; and (3) alternative microscopical or nonlinear algorithmic approaches are required for overcoming artifacts imposed by the missing cone of frequencies that is intrinsic to nonconfocal 3D microscopy.
Kings Stormwater Channel and I-5/Gilman Bridges, USA

Advanced composite materials, or fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, have found wide application in recent years in the rehabilitation of structures. Most of the primary structure applicatio...
A Hierarchical Modeling Framework for Multiple Observer Transect Surveys

Ecologists often use multiple observer transect surveys to census animal populations. In addition to animal counts, these surveys produce sequences of detections and non-detections for each observer. When combined with additional data (i.e. covariates such as distance from the transect line), these sequences provide the additional information to estimate absolute abundance when detectability on the transect line is less than one. Although existing analysis approaches for such data have proven extremely useful, they have some limitations. For instance, it is difficult to extrapolate from observed areas to unobserved areas unless a rigorous sampling design is adhered to; it is also difficult to share information across spatial and temporal domains or to accommodate habitat-abundance relationships. In this paper, we introduce a hierarchical modeling framework for multiple observer line transects that removes these limitations. In particular, abundance intensities can be modeled as a function of habitat covariates, making it easier to extrapolate to unsampled areas. Our approach relies on a complete data representation of the state space, where unobserved animals and their covariates are modeled using a reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. Observer detections are modeled via a bivariate normal distribution on the probit scale, with dependence induced by a distance-dependent correlation parameter. We illustrate performance of our approach with simulated data and on a known population of golf tees. In both cases, we show that our hierarchical modeling approach yields accurate inference about abundance and related parameters. In addition, we obtain accurate inference about population-level covariates (e.g. group size). We recommend that ecologists consider using hierarchical models when analyzing multiple-observer transect data, especially when it is difficult to rigorously follow pre-specified sampling designs. We provide a new R package, hierarchicalDS, to facilitate the building and fitting of these models.
Three-Dimensional Occupancy Grids With the Use of Vision and Proximity Sensors in a Robotic Workcell

This paper discusses the use of multiple vision sensors and a proximity sensor to obtain three-dimensional occupancy profile of robotic workspace, identify key features, and obtain a 3-D model of the objects in the work space. The present research makes use of three identical vision sensors. Two of these sensors are mounted on a stereo rig on the sidewall of the robotic workcell. The third vision sensor is located above the workcell. The vision sensors on the stereo rig provide information about three-dimensional position of any point in the robotic workspace. The camera to robot calibration for these vision sensors in stereo configuration has been obtained with the help of a three-layered feedforward neural network. Squared Sum of Difference (SSD) algorithm has been used to obtain the stereo matching. Similarly, camera to robot transformation for the camera located above the work cell has been obtained with the help of a three-layered feedforward neural network. Three-dimensional positional information from vision sensors on stereo rig and two-dimensional positional information from a camera located above the workcell and a proximity sensor mounted on the robot wrist have been fused with the help of Bayesian technique to obtain more accurate positional information about locations in workspace.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
The first row anomaly and recoupled pair bonding in the halides of the late p-block elements.

The dramatic differences between the properties of molecules formed from the late p-block elements of the first row of the periodic table (N–F) and those of the corresponding elements in subsequent rows is well recognized as the first row anomaly. Certain properties of the atoms, such as the relative energies and spatial extents of the ns and np orbitals, can explain some of these differences, but not others.In this Account, we summarize the results of our recent computational studies of the halides of the late p-block elements. Our studies point to a single underlying cause for many of these differences: the ability of the late p-block elements in the second and subsequent rows of the periodic table to form recoupled pair bonds and recoupled pair bond dyads with very electronegative ligands. Recoupled pair bonds form when an electron in a singly occupied ligand orbital recouples the pair of electrons in a doubly occupied lone pair orbital on the central atom, leading to a central atom-ligand bond. Recoup...
Weighting functions and parameter resolvability for oxygenation data subject to error in the independent variable.

Abstract Parameter resolvability and bias has been investigated for weighted nonlinear regression of data where the independent variable is subject to instrumental uncertainty. The specific example of cooperative oxygenation of hemoglobin was studied, where fractional saturation is determined spectrophotometrically and the oxygen activity is measured with a Clark polarographic electrode. For this system the instrumental uncertainty in the oxygen electrode was measured directly and the influence of the uncertainties on resolution of oxygen binding parameters was determined by Monte Carlo simulations. Four weighting functions were tested for their ability to minimize parameter uncertainty and bias: (1) uniform weighting; (2) “propagated weighting” whereby uncertainties in the independent variable are propagated into and added to uncertainties of the dependent variable; (3) Hill plot transform, or “end weighting”; and (4) maximum likelihood analysis, where deviations between fitting function and data are minimized as weighted horizontal and vertical distance vectors. Results of the Monte Carlo simulations favor the use of either uniform weighting, propagated weighting, or maximum likelihood weighting methods. Use of the Hill transform as a weighting function produced poorer parameter resolvability and inaccurate representation of the data in general. Bias error was negligible for all weighting functions.
Site blocking in surface diffusion

Interactions between adatoms can change the diffusivity in a surface layer as the concentration is increased. Another effect that may contribute, however, is site blocking: the probability that an atom can find a site into which to jump diminishes as the concentration increases. The contribution of site blocking to the concentration dependence of the diffusivity is illustrated by considering two non-interacting lattice gases: a Langmuir layer, and a lattice gas with exclusion of nearest-neighbor sites. In both, site blocking is shown to compete with the thermodynamic factor in affecting the diffusivity.
Insulin inhibits AMPK activity and phosphorylates AMPK Ser485/491 through Akt in hepatocytes, myotubes and incubated rat skeletal muscle

Recent studies have highlighted the importance of an inhibitory phosphorylation site, Ser485/491, on the α-subunit of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK); however, little is known about the regulation of this site in liver and skeletal muscle. We examined whether the inhibitory effects of insulin on AMPK activity may be mediated through the phosphorylation of this inhibitory Ser485/491 site in hepatocytes, myotubes and incubated skeletal muscle. HepG2 and C2C12 cells were stimulated with or without insulin for 15-min. Similarly, rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were treated +/− insulin for 10-min. Insulin significantly increased Ser485/491 p-AMPK under all conditions, resulting in a subsequent reduction in AMPK activity, ranging from 40% to 70%, despite no change in p-AMPK Thr172. Akt inhibition both attenuated the increase in Ser485/491 p-AMPK caused by insulin, and prevented the decrease in AMPK activity. Similarly, the growth factor IGF-1 stimulated Ser485/491 AMPK phosphorylation, and this too was blunted by inhibition of Akt. Inhibition of the mTOR pathway with rapamycin, however, had no effect on insulin-stimulated Ser485/491 p-AMPK. These data suggest that insulin and IGF-1 diminish AMPK activity in hepatocytes and muscle, most likely through Akt activation and the inhibitory phosphorylation of Ser485/491 on its α-subunit.
Supply chain disclosure and ethical sourcing

Abstract This paper explores the question of whether ethical sourcing and disclosure of supply chain sources is linked to competitiveness. We model competition between two firms, both of which produce the same consumer good. One sources ethically and the second does not, and market share is affected by the nature of their sources and whether or not they disclose them. Costs include procurement and disclosure. We investigate the tradeoffs involved and the incentives for a firm to disclose the nature of its sourcing in response to its cost and market structure, as well as the characteristics of its competitors. We find that a firm׳s decision to disclose its sources should depend not only on its cost of disclosure, but also on the actions of its competitor and the effect that its actions will have on its own market share.
Generalized innovation and inference algorithms for hidden mode switched linear stochastic systems with unknown inputs

In this paper, we propose inference algorithms for simultaneously estimating the mode, input and state of hidden mode switched linear stochastic systems with unknown inputs. First, we define the generalized innovation for the recently proposed optimal filter for simultaneous input and state estimation [1] and show that the sequence is a Gaussian white noise. Then, we utilize this whiteness property of the generalized innovation, which reflects the estimation quality to form the likelihood function of the system model. Consequently, we employ the multiple model (MM) approach based on the likelihood function for inferring the hidden mode of switched linear stochastic systems. Algorithms for both static and dynamic MM estimation are presented and compared using a simulation example of vehicles at an intersection with switching driver intentions.
Capacitive feed through calculations in MOSFET IC's

Coupling between high-voltage clock lines and high-impedance diffused regions in MOSFET IC's can be significant. A method is described for calculating the voltage fed onto a nonlinear p-n junction capacitance from a metal interconnect lead. Analysis is based upon a load line drawn on the p-n junction Q-V characteristic.
γδT Cells Regulate the Development of Hapten-Specific CD8+ Effector T Cells in Contact Hypersensitivity Responses

It has been reported that γδT cells are required for transfer of contact hypersensitivity responses by hapten-primed T cells. The mechanism by which they do so, however, remains to be elucidated. To specifically investigate the role of γδT cells in the development of contact hypersensitivity, this study employed Tδ gene knockout mice that are deficient in γδT cells but are normal in the development of αβT cells. The result indicates that contact hypersensitivity responses were significantly greater in γδT cell deficient mice than in wild-type mice. Similar results were obtained when wild-type mice were depleted of γδT cells with antibody treatment before hapten sensitization. Depletion of CD4 + T cells did not affect the increased contact hypersensitivity response in γδT cell deficient mice, suggesting that the effect of γδT cells is on CD8 + T cells and does not require CD4 + T cells. Further experiments demonstrated that primed CD8 + T cells from the deficient mice exhibited significantly higher CTL activity. The cytokine profile of CD4 + T cells was not significantly altered. Transfer of primed lymph node cells from hapten-primed γδT cell deficient mice elicited a similar level of contact hypersensitivity in naive wild-type and the deficient recipient mice, indicating that γδT cells have little effect on the elicitation of primed T cells and contact hypersensitivity responses. We conclude that γδT cells downregulate contact hypersensitivity responses to hapten sensitization by limiting the development of hapten-specific CD8 + effector T cells during sensitization and that this effect is independent of CD4 + T cells.
Occlusive concomitant dissections of the carotid and coronary arteries treated with stent placement

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is rare and previously was associated with a high mortality rate. Spontaneous dissection of the internal carotid artery is a cause of ischemic stroke, especially in young patients. Medical therapy allows healing of the carotid dissection in most patients, although endovascular stent placement has been reported for the treatment of selected cases. A case is reported of a patient in their late 30s who presented with a symptomatic occlusive cervical carotid artery dissection and, 7 days later, developed an acute coronary syndrome due to an occlusive dissection of the intermediate artery. Both lesions were treated with stent placement.
Non-specific termination of simian virus 40 DNA replication.

The termination site of bidirectionally replicating simian virus 40 DNA molecules was examined with mutants which contain a deletion in either replicating arm. Pulse-label distribution in newly completed viral DNA and electron microscopic measurement of replicating molecules were consistent with a shift of replication terminus in each mutant genome to a site opposite the origin of replication. Based on these results we conclude that SV40 DNA replication terminates wherever two growing forks meet and involves no specific nucleotide sequence signal.
Physician Opportunity Costs in Physician Practice Cost Functions

Estimation of cost functions for physician firms is problematic because many physicians are self-employed, and the marginal opportunity cost of physician labor is not observed. In this paper, we show how to recover marginal costs and conventional measures of economies of scale from cost functions that condition on the amount of physician labor input. In addition, we introduce the new concepts of marginal nonphysician input costs and 'behavioral' economies of scale, which reflect the structure of costs when physician labor input moves along a utility-maximizing expansion path. Our results could be useful in the design of resource-based physician fee schedules.
Repeat Testing Effects on Credentialing Exams: Are Repeaters Misinformed or Uninformed?

To mitigate security concerns and unfair score gains, credentialing programs routinely administer new test material to examinees retesting after an initial failing attempt. Counterintuitively, a small but growing body of recent research suggests that repeating the identical form does not create an unfair advantage. This study builds upon and extends this research by investigating changes in responses to specific items encountered on both the first and repeat attempts. Results indicate that scores gains for repeat examinees who were assigned an identical form were not different from repeat examinees who received a different, but parallel, form. Analyses of responses to individual items answered incorrectly on the initial attempt found that examinees 68% of the time selected the same incorrect option on their second attempt, suggesting repeaters are misinformed rather than uninformed. Implications for feedback, remediation, and retesting policies are discussed.
Visualization of assembled and disassembled microtubule protein by double label fluorescence microscopy

Indirect immunofluorescence with rhodamine labelled antibodies and fluoresceinated colchicine (FC) are used to simultaneously localize microtubules and soluble tubulin in cultured ovarian granulosa cells. FC labelled tubulin is most concentrated in regions of the cell occupied by antitubulin stained microtubule bundles. Pretreatment of granulosa cells with colchicine results in a central accumulation of FC and antibody labelled tubulin that coincides with the disposition of 10-nm filament cables. In contrast, the microtubule disrupting agent nocodazole produces a diffuse tubulin distribution as detected with both FC and antibody probes. Taxol treatment, which enhances microtubule assembly, results in a striking concentration of microtubule bundles associated with the nucleus that avidly bind FC. These results suggest that disassembled tubulin is preferentially associated with cytoplasmic microtubules and possibly other formed elements of the cytoskeleton.
Analytic formulae for estimation of dose along the central ray of diagnostic x‐ray beams

Empirically derived analytic formulae for estimation of dose delivered along the central ray by conventional diagnostic x‐ray procedures are presented. The formulae are based on a computational model employing tissue–air ratios along the central axis of beams with 2.5 and 3.5 mm Al filtration, and for 3φ waveform (15% ripple) throughout the range from 70 to 120 kVp.
25-Hydroxyvitamin D, dementia, and cerebrovascular pathology in elders receiving home services

Background: Vitamin D deficiency has potential adverse effects on neurocognitive health and subcortical function. However, no studies have examined the association between vitamin D status, dementia, and cranial MRI indicators of cerebrovascular disease (CVD). Methods: Cross-sectional investigation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], dementia, and MRI measures of CVD in elders receiving home care (aged 65–99 years) from 2003 to 2007. Results: Among 318 participants, the mean age was 73.5 ± 8.1 years, 231 (72.6%) were women, and 109 (34.3%) were black. 25(OH)D concentrations were deficient ( p p p p = 0.04), and prevalence of large vessel infarcts (10.1% vs 6.9%, p Conclusions: Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency was associated with all-cause dementia, Alzheimer disease, stroke (with and without dementia symptoms), and MRI indicators of cerebrovascular disease. These findings suggest a potential vasculoprotective role of vitamin D.
Sex choice and the size advantage model in jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

Abstract Arisaema triphyllum is a perennial herb whose sex and size often change from one growing season to the next. The proportional gain in reproductive success (RS) with size is much greater for female (carpellate) plants than it is for male (staminate) plants. I constructed RS-size curves for males and females; the curves intersect at a point t = 398 mm. According to theory derived from the size advantage model, t is the point below which the plants should be male and above which they should be female. Plots of size-frequency distributions of males and females show that below 380 mm the proportion of males is greater than the proportion of females, whereas above that point the proportion of females is greater than the proportion of males. Thus prediction and observed results are in very close conformity.
The tunneling frequencies of NH4+ and NH3D+ in (NH4)2PdCl6

Abstract Is the hindered rotation of NH 3 D + in ammonium solids one or three dimensional? Results of a recent inelastic neutron scattering study of NH 3 D + in (NH 4 ) 2 PdCl 6 indicate that NH 3 D + is a one-dimensional rotor in this solid. The tunneling frequencies of NH 3 D + in a tetrahedral field have been computed using only the first term ( J =3) in the rotational potential function. The results indicate that the motion of NH 3 D + is three dimensional. The tunneling frequencies of NH 3 D + in the cubic (NH 4 ) 2 PdCl 6 and in the low temperature monoclinic phase of (ND 4 ) 2 PdCl 6 have been computed and compared to the tunneling frequencies that had been observed in [(NH 4 ) 2 x (ND 4 ) 2(1− x ) ]PdCl 6 ( x =0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5). The results indicate that the motion of NH 3 D + in cubic ammonium solids is three dimensional, but in the monoclinic phase the motion is one dimensional. The tunneling frequency of NH 3 D + in NH 4 ClO 4 has also been computed. The computed results indicate that one-dimensional motion can always be expected when NH 3 D + is in a crystalline field of C 1 symmetry. Rules are presented for which site symmetries will yield one-dimensional rotation for NH 3 D + .
Deletion of the Igκ Light Chain Intronic Enhancer/Matrix Attachment Region Impairs but Does Not Abolish VκJκ Rearrangement

Roles of the kappa intronic enhancer (iE kappa) and its associated matrix attachment region (MAR) during B cell development were examined using mutant embryonic stem (ES) cell lines in which the entire region on both chromosomes was replaced with either a recombined LoxP site (E kappa ND) or the PGK-neomycin resistance (PGK-neo(r)) gene (E kappa NI). B cells derived from E kappa ND ES cells had greatly impaired V kappa J kappa rearrangement, normal levels of kappa expression, and kappa:lambda ratios of 1:1 instead of the usual 10:1. Furthermore, lambda-producing hybridomas derived from E kappa ND cells displayed little kappa rearrangement. Thus, the MAR and iE kappa are quantitatively significant for kappa rearrangement but not necessary. In addition, little V kappa J kappa rearrangement could be detected in B cells derived from E kappa NI ES cells, demonstrating that an inserted PGK-neo(r) gene dominantly suppresses V kappa J kappa rearrangement.
A 35,000-Kw. Induction Frequency Converter Description, Operating Characteristics and Test Data

The application of the induction frequency converter is not new, but its use for connecting together described in this paper were put in operation. This paper describes the rating and mechanical construction of the two units, with special attention to the induction machine. The testing of the machines was done after installation, and the results of these tests are given. The theory of the operation of the induction unit is developed, being simplified by neglecting losses and resistance, thus avoiding complicated equations, but securing results agreeing quite closely with the more accurate calculations. The behavior of the set under short circuits is discussed.
A portable visual acuity device used in diabetic retinal screening.

Purpose To correlate visual acuity measured with the Optec 800 to the gold-standard Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart. Design Prospective, cross-sectional study. Methods Forty patients of the Vanderbilt Eye Institute agreed to undergo visual acuity testing. Five patients were excluded because of enucleation or functional blindness of one or both eyes. Two patients were excluded because of poor cooperation during testing. Patients were randomized to one of the two methods and participated in visual acuity testing in a forced-choice manner. The sequence was repeated with the alternate instrument. A total-correct score was calculated for each data set. Results There was no statistically significant difference in scores between the two methods (P1 = .153, P2 = .307.) Other factors such as gender, age, and instrument testing order did not affect performance. Age was inversely correlated with total correct score. Conclusions In this small cohort, the Optec 800 (Chicago, Illinois, USA) and the ETDRS chart recorded similar visual acuity measurements.
Distribution of plastic strain and negative pressure in necked steel and copper bars

The distributions of plastic strain and negative pressure (hydrostatic tensile stress) have been computed both by an approximate method based on an extension of the Bridgman development and by a finite element analysis in inhomogeneously deforming bars after necking. The computations have been made for both initially smooth bars as well as bars having machined initial natural neck profiles, for two types of stress-strain behavior, modelling a spheroidized 1045 steel and a fully aged Cu-0.5 pct Cr alloy. The results of the finite element analysis show that the approximate method based on an extension of the Bridgman development is good only for slightly necked bars. In more acutely necked bars the Bridgman development is good only near the center of the neck. Some experimental results on strain distribution and on neck profiles are also presented.
The stability, structure and reactivity of the outer sphere complex formed between the hexakis (d4-methanol) cobalt(II) ion and pyridine in d4-methanol

Abstract Proton NMR spinlattice (Tι) relaxation times and chemical shifts were used to characterize the outer sphere complex formed between the hexakis (d4-methanol) cobalt(II) ion and pyridine in d4-methanol. Analysis of the bulk α-hydrogen Tι data of pyridine resulted in an outer sphere complex stability constant (Kos) which varied from 0.51 ± 0.16 M−1 at −60.0 °C to 0.62 ± 0.17 M−1 at −40.0 °C. The extrapolated Kos value at 25.0 °C (1.0 M−1) is almost an order of magnitude larger than predicted larger predicted by theory. The combination of Tι and shift data suggested a preferred orientation of pyridine in the outer sphere of the [Co(CD3OD)6]2+ ion. Further quantitative structural information was obtained by the application of the Solomon-Bloembergen relationship to the system studied. Pyridine dissociation rate constant data were combined with solvent exchange and equilibrium data to obtain values for the interchange probability or statistical factor (f) which ranged from (7.0 ± 3.7) × 10−3 at −60.0 °C to (9.5 ± 4.7) × 1-−3 at −40.0 °C. These values are more than two orders of magnitude smaller than normally assumed and represent the first direct measurement of an ion-neutral outer sphere complex's reactivity. Implications regarding the relationship between outer sphere complex stability and reactivity are discussed.
Evaluation of dielectric film beam splitters at cryogenic temperature.

The stability of self-supporting dielectric film beam splitters at cryogenic temperature was studied with a test interferometer that allowed continuous visual monitoring of the surface figure. Test beam splitters using Mylar film remained flat to within a wavelength of visible light in a 3-cm diam central area during multiple cycles between room temperature and ~4 K. Factors that could affect the surface figure, such as assembly procedures and the mechanical design of the film holder, were studied to determine some of the conditions for employing Mylar beam splitters in cryogenic space instrumentation.
The minimum important differences for the urinary scales of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire

Objective We sought to estimate the minimum important difference (MID) for the Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI), UDI-stress subscale of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, and Urinary Impact Questionnaire (UIQ) of the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire. Study Design We calculated MID using anchor- and distribution-based approaches from a randomized trial for nonsurgical stress incontinence treatment. Anchors included a global impression of change, incontinence episodes from a urinary diary, and the Incontinence Severity Index. Effect size and standard error of measurement were the distribution methods used. Results Anchor-based MIDs ranged from -22.4 to -6.4 points for the UDI, -16.5 to -4.6 points for the UDI-stress, and -17.0 to -6.5 points for the UIQ. These data were supported by 2 distribution-based estimates. Conclusion Reasonable estimates of MID are 11, 8, and 16 points for the UDI, UDI-stress subscale, and UIQ, respectively. Statistically significant improvements that meet these thresholds should be considered clinically important.
Orthogonal meshless finite volume method applied to elastodynamic crack problems

An orthogonal meshless finite volume method has been presented to solve some elastodynamic crack problems. An orthogonal weighted basis function is used to construct shape function so there is no problem of singularity in this new form. In this work, for three-dimensional dynamic fracture problems, a new displacement function is used at the tip of the crack to give a new OMFVM. When the new OMFVM is used, the singularity of the stresses at the tip of the crack can be shown to be better than that in the primal OMFVM. High computational efficiency and precision are other benefits of the method. Solving some sample crack problems of thin-walled structures show a good performance of this method.
External reflection FTIR of peptide monolayer films in situ at the air/water interface: experimental design, spectra-structure correlations, and effects of hydrogen-deuterium exchange

A Fourier transform infrared spectrometer has been interfaced with a surface balance and a new external reflection infrared sampling accessory, which permits the acquisition of spectra from protein monolayers in situ at the air/water interface. The accessory, a sample shuttle that permits the collection of spectra in alternating fashion from sample and background troughs, reduces interference from water vapor rotation-vibration bands in the amide I and amide II regions of protein spectra (1520–1690 cm-1) by nearly an order of magnitude. Residual interference from water vapor absorbance ranges from 50 to 200 microabsorbance units. The performance of the device is demonstrated through spectra of synthetic peptides designed to adopt alpha-helical, antiparallel beta-sheet, mixed beta-sheet/beta-turn, and unordered conformations at the air/water interface. The extent of exchange on the surface can be monitored from the relative intensities of the amide II and amide I modes. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange may lower the amide I frequency by as much as 11–12 cm-1 for helical secondary structures. This shifts the vibrational mode into a region normally associated with unordered structures and leads to uncertainties in the application of algorithms commonly used for determination of secondary structure from amide I contours of proteins in D2O solution.
Understanding nanofluid stability through molecular simulation

Abstract Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to systematically study solvation and nanoparticle–particle interactions in n -hexane, water and methanol solvents. The dynamics of the n -hexane molecules was significantly influenced by the solvated nanoparticles. Water and methanol show significant structural signatures binding to the metal coordination sites of the nanoparticles while liquid hexane does not. The computed free energy profiles illustrate that the associations between nanoparticles in solution are stable and depend on the relative orientation of them. Also, these profiles indicate a low interaction potential between nanoparticles in methanol, confirming experimental observations of inherent nanofluid stability without need for added surfactant.
Promising early results with immunosuppression using rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin and steroids with delayed introduction of tacrolimus in adult liver transplant recipients.

Induction therapy with T-cell depleting drugs in liver transplantation is controversial. This study examined the use of rabbit antithymocyte globulin (RATG) with delayed introduction of tacrolimus in liver transplant recipients. Additional subgroup analysis compared patients with or without hepatitis C (HCV) cirrhosis. Over 17 months, 116 adults received 120 liver allografts. Four patients who died before receiving RATG were excluded. Immunosuppression included steroids, 3 doses of RATG (2 mg/kg), and tacrolimus started on postoperative day 3 to 4. Ninety-six percent of patients were alive with a mean follow-up of 12.94.5 months. No graft was lost to rejection. Two patients developed hepatic artery thrombosis. Six percent of patients had acute rejection. No patient had steroid resistant or recurrent rejection. RATG related drug events were limited to fever, chills, tachycardia, and oxygen desaturation. There were no cases of lymphoproliferative disease. Forty-two percent of patients were transplanted for HCV. Thirty-two percent of HCV-patients had biopsy proven hepatitis C recurrence occurring at 4 weeks to 10 months posttransplant. RATG induction therapy is associated with good patient and graft survival, a low incidence of rejection, and minimal side effects. In addition, RATG induction is safe in patients transplanted for HCV. (Liver Transpl 2004;10: 404 – 407.)
Acid-Base Balance and the Distribution of Fat in the Blood

Conclusions1. A reciprocal relationship has been shown to exist between the carbon dioxide combining power of the blood and the concentration of total fat in the blood serum. 2. Changes in serum fat content produced by altering the acid-base balance are not accompanied by changes in the fat content of the whole blood, within the duration of our acute experiments. 3. The changes in serum fat are therefore the result of a shift of fat between the red blood cells and the blood plasma. 4. The significance of serum and whole blood lipemias as regards fat transport, is discussed.
Crystal structure of Ce5Rh4 and analogous phases

Abstract Single-crystal studies were used to establish the crystal structure of Ce5Rh4. It is orthorhombic, Pnma, with lattice constants a = 7.434(5), b = 14.86(1), and c = 7.604(5) A , and is isotypic with Gd5Si4. Lattice parameters of analogous isotypic phases La5Rh4, Nd5Rh4, Sm5Rh4, Gd5Rh4 and Ce5Ir4 were determined from powder X-ray diffraction data.
On the Allelism of Blue Plumage and Dominant White

Abstract In the domestic chicken carrying the gene for the extension of black (E), blue plumage (Bl) and dominant white (I) both restrict black pigmentation. The homozygous blue (BlBl) results in a blue-splashed phenotype, the heterozygote (BlBl+) in blue and the homozygous recessive (Bl+ Bl+) in black. Dominant white produces a white homozygote (II), a heterozygote (II+) which often results in a black-flecked phenotype and a homozygous recessive (I+ I+) in a black phenotype. The location of the blue locus is not known and the question arises whether these two genes are alleles. Lippincott (1923) in attempting to answer this question observed the segregation of I and Bl. His data indicated they segregated independently; however, difficulty could arise in the classification of genotypes since both genes restrict black. If some linkage relationship could be established with a morphological character then color classification errors could be eliminated. Dominant white has been shown to be…
Effects of percentage reinforcement on choice in a concurrent chain schedule

The effects of random reinforcement omissions (percentage reinforcement) on choice behavior was studied with three pigeons trained on a two-link concurrent chain schedule. A terminal-link VI schedule on one key always produced primary reinforcement; a terminal-link VI-percentage reinforcement schedule on the other key produced with equal probability either reinforcement or blackout. Relative response rates in the choice links matched the relative rates of reinforcement associated with the terminal-link schedules when these were VI 30 sec vs VI 30 sec (50%); VI 1 min vs VI 30 sec (50%); and VI 30 sec vs VI 30 sec (baseline). These results suggest that percentage reinforcement affects choice solely through its effect on rate of primary reinforcement.
Particle-Size Dependent Sorption and Desorption of Pesticides within a Water-Soil-Nonionic Surfactant System

Although nonionic surfactants have been considered in surfactant-aided soil washing systems, there is little information on the particle-size dependence of these processes, and this may have significant implications for the design of these systems. In this study, Triton-100 (TX) was selected to study its effect on the sorption and desorption of two pesticides (Atrazine and Diuron) from different primary soil size fractions (clay, silt, and sand fractions) under equilibrium sorption and sequential desorption. Soil properties, TX sorption, and pesticide sorption and desorption all exhibited significant particle-size dependence. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the bulk soils and the soil fractions determined TX sorption capacity, which in turn determined the desorption efficiency. Desorption of pesticide out of the clay raction is the limiting factor in a surfactant-aided washing system. The solubilization efficiency of the individual surfactant micelles decreased as the amount of surfactant added to the systems increased. Thus, instead of attempting to wash the bulk soil, a better strategy might be to either (1) use only the amount of surfactant that is sufficient to clean the coarse fraction, then separate the fine fraction, and dispose or treat it separately, or (2) to separate the coarse fractions mechanically and then treatthe coarse and fine fractions separately. These results may be applicable to many other hydrophobic organic compounds such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) strongly sorbed onto soils and sediments.
Synthesis and characterization of biocompatible polyurethanes for controlled release of hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs

Design of biocompatible and biodegradable polymer systems for sustained and controlled release of bioactive agents is critical for numerous biomedical applications. Here, we designed, synthesized, and characterized four polyurethane carrier systems for controlled release of model drugs. These polyurethanes are biocompatible and biodegradable because they consist of biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(caprolactone diol) as soft segment, linear aliphatic hexamethylene diisocyanate or symmetrical aliphatic cyclic dicyclohexylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate as hard segment, and biodegradable urethane linkage. They were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscope, and differential scanning calorimetry, whereas their degradation behaviors were investigated in both phosphate buffered saline and enzymatic solutions. By tuning polyurethane segments, different release profiles of hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs were obtained in the absence and presence of enzymes. Such difference in release profiles was attributed to a complex interplay among structure, hydrophobicity, and degradability of polyurethanes, the size and hydrophobicity of drugs, and drug-polymer interactions. Different drug-polyurethane combinations modulated the distribution and location of the drugs in polymer matrix, thus inducing different drug release mechanisms. Our results highlight an important role of segmental structure of the polyurethane as an engineering tool to control drug release.