cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome in children

A retrospective study was carried out on eight consecutively treated children, 2 to 14 years of age, seven with toxic epidermal necrolysis and one with transitional-type Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The body surfaces affected ranged from 40% to 100%. Seven of the patients were taking a sulfonamide or anticonvulsant before the onset of their disease. Complete reepithelialization took an average of 15 days, but newly evolving lesions of the lips and oropharynx continued for approximately 4 more weeks. These lesions took an additional 2 to 4 weeks to heal. Only one of the children died.
A complex-scalar-field model for dark matter

As a consequence of the global definition for the cosmological constant Λ, the empirical relation Λ 2.7κρ0 (with ρ0 the density of all matter and radiation) implies that a stringent condition must be satisfied by the Lagrangian for the non-baryonic (dominant) component of dark matter. It is shown that this stringent condition is satisfied by a complex-scalar-field Lagrangian with Higgs-type quartic nonlinearity. An exact spatially homogenous solution to the associated nonlinear field equation satisfies the relation Λ 2.7κρ0 by having an amplitude and an oscillation frequency of the magnitude m 2.47×10−3 eV. Interestingly enough, the latter cosmological value for m falls in the range of the neutrino masses, suggesting that the complex-scalar cosmological field may interact with neutrinos and possibly impart mass to them via Yukawa couplings.
Spectral analysis of target-appropriate /t/ and /k/ produced by phonologically disordered and normally articulating children

Previous research (Forrest, Weismer, Hodge, Dinnsen and Elbert, 1990) has shown that some phonologically disordered children differentially mark seemingly homophonous phonemes; however, the resulting contrast may be spectrally distinct from that produced by normally articulating children of the same age. In the present investigation possible sources for these differences between normally articulating and phonologically disordered children's productions of target-appropriate phonemes were pursued. Spectral characteristics of seemingly correct productions of /t/ and /k/ in word-initial position were analysed for four normally articulating and seven phonologically disordered children to assess the effect of recency of acquisition, depth of knowledge of the contrast and/or the effect of a phonological disorder on accuracy and variability of production. Results revealed that children who had acquired the velar-alveolar contrast more recently, and who had incomplete knowledge of that contrast, produced target-a...
Economic Importance of the 1983 Payment in Kind Program and Summer Drought on Seasonal Broiler Production Cost in Georgia

Abstract This study was initiated to determine the effects of the USDA Payment in Kind (PIK) program and the 1983 summer drought on seasonal broiler production costs in Georgia during the August 1982 through September 1983 period. Actual monthly production, processing, and marketing costs for the 14 months were obtained from seven instate broiler production firms whose annual broiler production represented approximately 250 million birds or 40% of Georgia’s total 1983 production. Feed conversion rates varied by .1 kg or less of feed/kg of body weight from a high of 2.03 in February 1983 to a low of 1.93 in September 1983. This amounted to a cost difference of 10.1¢/kg (4.58¢/lb). Feed efficiency cost rates indicated that broiler production efficiencies were more adversely affected in Georgia by winter temperatures than summer temperatures. The PIK program and the summer drought were unexpected events that increased costs to the Georgia broiler industry. Estimated costs from January 1983 through September 1983 were $33.3 million from the PIK program, $6.5 million from the summer drought, and $1.25 million from heat wave damage.
Energy dependence of the average charged-particle multiplicity in hadronic collisions

Previous results pertaining to the growth of the pion-production cross section at 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} in the center-of-mass frame are used to infer the dependence of the charged-particle multiplicity on the momentum of the projectile particle.
SI units and the Friedewald formula.

Excerpt To the Editors:Bagatell and colleagues (1) studied the effects of experimentally induced androgen deficiency on levels of serum lipoproteins. To estimate the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) c...
A comparison of cluster algorithms for Potts models

Abstract We have measured the dynamical critical exponents for the Swendsen-Wang and the Wolff cluster update algorithms, as well as a number of variants of these algorithms, for the q = 2 and q = 3 Potts models in two dimensions. We find that although the autocorrelation lengths differ considerably between algorithms, the critical exponents are the same.
General anesthetic effects on protein kinase C

(1) Protein kinase C is a family of phospholipid-dependent protein kinases which are involved in the regulation of diverse cellular functions. (2) Evidence is emerging that certain general anesthetics can stimulate the activity of protein kinase C by interacting with the regulatory domain of the enzyme, possibly with the diacylglycerol binding sites. Anesthetics also potentiate activation-dependent down-regulation of the enzyme. (3) A role for PKC in the mediation and/or modulation of the cellular effects of general anesthetics is a potential molecular target for anesthetic action.
Vaccine Development for Tuberculosis: Current Progress

Very substantial efforts have been made over the past decade or more to develop vaccines against tuberculosis. Historically, this began with a view to replace the current vaccine, Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG), but more recently most candidates are either new forms of this bacillus, or are designed to boost immunity in children given BCG as infants. Good progress is being made, but very few have, as yet, progressed into clinical trials. The leading candidate has advanced to phase IIb efficacy testing, with disappointing results. This article discusses the various types of vaccines, including those designed to be used in a prophylactic setting, either alone or BCG-boosting, true therapeutic (post-exposure) vaccines, and therapeutic vaccines designed to augment chemotherapy. While there is no doubt that progress is still being made, we have a growing awareness of the limitations of our animal model screening processes, further amplified by the fact that we still do not have a clear picture of the immunological responses involved, and the precise type of long-lived immunity that effective new vaccines will need to induce.
Mechanisms of mutagenicity and toxicity of sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) in Salmonella typhimurium

The mechanisms of selenite toxicity and mutagenicity in S. typhimurium have been characterized. In contrast to previous reports, selenite toxicity was shown not to involve nonspecific incorporation into protein via the sulfur metabolic pathways. Selenite toxicity was, however, shown to involve its ability to act as an oxidizing agent, primarily through reactions with sulfhydryls. Strains which lack glutathione (GSH) are more sensitive to killing by sulfhydryl reagents. The selenite sensitivity of such a mutant was a biphasic phenomenon. The mutant was much more sensitive than a strain which contained GSH at lower selenite concentrations whereas, at higher concentrations, the mutant was much more resistant to selenite. The mechanism of selenite toxicity at lower concentrations in this mutant thus appeared to involve damage to intracellular sulfhydryls. The sensitization to higher doses of selenite by GSH could be explained by the generation of toxic oxygen species. The in vitro reactions of selenite with both cysteine and GSH readily produced H2O2 and O2-. A S. typhimurium strain which overproduces superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase was more resistant to high concentrations of selenite, but not killing by the lower doses. Pretreatment of cells with a nonlethal dose of selenite induced the synthesis of proteins which protected the cells from killing by H2O2 or high doses of selenite. Selenite was also a mutagen in the tester strain TA104, in which a number of other oxidizing agents have also been found to be mutagens. These results were consistent with a model in which the reactions of selenite and intracellular thiols with concomitant production of active oxygen species are the primary causal agents of selenite mutagenicity and toxicity in S. typhimurium.
Cytokine-induced increases in endothelial permeability occur after adhesion molecule expression

Background . Transmigration of neutrophils (PMNs) through endothelial cell tight junctions is a critical stage in the tissue injury of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Although cytokines are released in I/R, it is unclear whether cytokines directly increase permeability or this phenomenon requires both expression of cell adhesion molecules and PMN adhesion-activation. Methods. We exposed confluent monolayers of human umbilical vein endothelial cells to physiologic concentrations of interleukin-1 (10 pg/ml) and tumor necrosis factor-α (10 pg/ml) in the absence of PMNs. Tight junction permeability was quantified with both transendothelial electrical resistance and albumin flux, whereas expression of endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 was measured by flow cytometry (t test p Results. Stimulation with tumor necrosis factor-α or interleukin-1 produced maximal transendothelial electrical resistance decreases at 12 hours with return to baseline at 24 hours. Increases in albumin flux began at 6 hours, with maximum effects at 24 hours. These changes occurred soon after maximal expression of endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 at 4 hours. Conclusions. Cytokines induced increases in both cell adhesion molecule expression and endothelial permeability. This sequence of events is consistent with direct cytokine effects on cytoarchitecture, because it occurred without the adhesion-activation of PMNs.
Ice Nuclei in Seawater, Fog Water and Marine Air off the Coast of Nova Scotia: Summer 1975

Abstract Ice nuclei were measured in seawater, fog water and the free atmosphere from 28 July to 11 August during the 1975 Hayes Fog Cruise off the east coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. Some seawater samples were found to contain ice nuclei active at −4 to −5°C, although the majority of seawater samples contained no nuclei active at temperatures warmer than −14°C. Half of the fog water samples contained ice nuclei active at temperatures warmer than −10°C; some nuclei were active at −2°C. Atmospheric ice nucleus concentrations varied from 1.1 to 580 nuclei m−3 active at −15°C. Some bacteria isolated from fog water were observed to initiate ice at −1.5°C. High concentrations of active ice nuclei in seawaters and fog waters were associated with high concentrations of biological materials in the same samples.
Micro assay for 3-hdyroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase in rat liver and in L-cell fibroblasts

Abstract A rapid, highly reproducible, micro-incubation, direct thin-layer chromatographic assay for 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase is described. The isolation and quantitation of mevalonic acid is simplified by direct application of the deproteinized, acidified incubation mixture to thin-layer chromatography sheets. The tedious and variable extraction of mevalonic acid into ether is eliminated by this procedure. Background levels are lower than those obtained with comparable assays and permit quantitation of as little as 30 pmoles of mevalonic acid. The method is illustrated by analysis of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase from rat liver, cultured L cells, and solubilized microsomal reductase. The rapid inactivation of reductase by MgATP and the low levels of reductase activity in cholesterol-treated L cells are accurately determined by using the micro-incubation, direct thin-layer chromatography method.
Monte Carlo simulations of phase transitions and adsorption isotherm discontinuities on surface compression

Low temperature, Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations were used to study the adsorption of fluid layers on cubic, hexagonal, and atomically smooth substrates to determine the effects of registry and surface compression on the system. The size of the fluid molecules was fixed to be 20% larger than the substrate molecules in order to observe the transition from an expanded to commensurate and finally to an incommensurate monolayer. For relatively weak fluid-substrate interactions, the cubic system underwent a first-order phase transition. As the strength of the fluid-substrate interactions increased, the molecules became fixed at commensurate locations and the transition from low density to commensurate packing became continuous. The strong fluid-substrate interactions lead to the development of a kink in the adsorption isotherm that showed the increased stability of the commensurate phase. This kink became more pronounced as the system temperature was decreased. The hexagonal system showed less dramatic results due to a decrease in the substrate well depth of the relative to the cubic system. The system did experience a first-order phase transition for a weak fluid-substrate interactions and the transition became much more gradual as the fluid-substrate interaction increased. The molecules became fixed to commensurate substrate locations, but the surface was not corrugated sufficiently to have a stable commensurate phase. The atomically smooth substrate showed the first-order phase transition expected of a low temperature system with no effects of registry.
The Effects of Process Characteristics on the Value of B2B E-Procurement

Even as more organizations are moving towards implementing Web-based B2B procurement solutions, they are unsure of the real benefits of the Web. In other words, what is the value of B2B e-procurement to an organization and how to measure this value? What factors affect this value? In this paper, we discuss an evaluation framework to determine the value of B2B e-procurement and the effect of process characteristics on the value. We use an empirical study to highlight the different value created by different procurement types. We then develop a more comprehensive economic model to capture the additional effects of demand volume and process complexity. The integration of theoretical and empirical approaches provides a strong foundation to develop and evaluate useful adoption strategies for B2B e-procurement.
Fermion propagator in lattice chiral gauge theories: Analytic results

Abstract Using a hopping parameter expansion, we demonstrate the decoupling of fermion doubler modes in lattice chiral gauge theories, where both the right-handed and left-handed fermions may be non-singlets. The decoupling of the doublers for the case of a single right-handed fermion was previously first shown by Aoki, Lee, and Xue. We also show analytically that it is possible to tune the bare Yukawa coupling to a value such that the fundamental physical fermion mass is zero in lattice units.
Deloitte & Touche Takes an Integrated Approach to the Advancement of Women

In 1996,10 out of 24 people newly admitted to the Canadian partnership of Deloitte & Touche were women. In the last three years, retention of women at the senior manager level of the firm has improved by 10%. Women now occupy some key leadership positions never previously held by women. In professions as traditionally male‐dominated as chartered accountancy and management consulting, these are important successes — and ones that we can attribute to significant initiatives within the firm aimed at re‐shaping our corporate culture. How did this come about?
A progressive anterior fibrosis syndrome in patients with postsurgical congenital aniridia.

Purpose To report the characteristics of a newly recognized clinical entity in congential aniridia that we have termed aniridic fibrosis syndrome . Design Interventional case series. Methods Retrospective chart review of 155 eyes in 80 patients with congenital aniridia was carried out to identify and characterize eyes that had anterior chamber fibrosis. Histopathologic evaluation was performed in three eyes. Results Seven eyes in six patients were identified to have aniridic fibrosis syndrome. All eyes had undergone previous intraocular anterior segment surgery, some eyes with multiple procedures. Seven eyes had undergone cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens; six eyes had undergone previous implantation of tube shunt devices, and four eyes had undergone previous penetrating keratoplasty. Clinically, the syndrome was characterized by a progressive retrolenticular and retrocorneal membrane that caused forward displacement of intraocular lenses. Surgical findings indicated that the fibrotic membrane also can involve the ciliary body and anterior retina. Histopathologic evidence from three eyes indicated that the extensive fibrotic tissue originated from the root of the rudimentary iris and entrapped the intraocular lens haptics. Endothelial decompensation that was subsequent to the formation of the aniridic fibrosis syndrome was seen in all eyes. Conclusion Aniridic fibrosis syndrome is characterized by the development of a progressive anterior chamber fibrosis. A possible mechanism that promotes the formation of this fibrotic material may be the proximity or touching of intraocular devices on immature vessels in the rudimentary iris found in aniridia. Patients with aniridia with a history of penetrating keratoplasty, intraocular lenses, and tube shunts should be monitored for aniridic fibrosis syndrome; early surgical intervention is recommended.
The effect of metal-hydride activation of hydrogen and investigation of its influence on the characteristics of gas-discharge hydrogen-using energy conversion devices

Abstract Detection of ion currents m z = 1–6 of hydrogen and deuterium supplied to the mass spectrometer MU-1201 via a flow-through metal-hydride activator LaNi5 and inert SiO2 powder has carried out at the MH-activator LaNi5 and inert SiO2 powder has been carried out at the MH-activator inlet with pressures equal to 24–190 Pa and the outlet pressures of 18–84 Pa. This corresponds to the hydrogen pressure in the ionization box being equal to 10−1 to 10−2 Pa and in the temperature range of the MH-activator 300–780 K. The results of experimantal investigations of the influence of the MH-activation effect on the characteristics of a non-self-maintained gas discharge are given. The possibility and expendency of using the hydrogen MH-activation effect in hydrogen-using gas discharge energy conversion devices with the aim of increasing their efficiency and improving their operating characters has been substantiated.
Transport of [3H]IAA label in gravistimulated primary roots of maize

The curvature of roots in response to gravity is attributed to the development of a differential concentration gradient of IAA in the top and bottom of the elongation region of roots. The development of the IAA gradient has been attributed to the redistribution of IAA from the stele to cortical tissues in the elongation region. The gravistimulated redistribution of IAA was investigated by applying [3H]IAA to the cut surface of 5 mm apical primary root segments. The movement of label from the stele-associated [3H]IAA into the root, tip, root cap, and cortical tissues on the top and bottom of the elongation region was determined in vertically growing roots and gravistimulated roots. Label from the stele moved into the region of cell differentiation (root tip) prior to accumulating in the elongation region. Little label was observed in the root cap. Gravistimulation did not increase the amount of label moving from the stele; but gravistimulation did increase the amount of label accumulating in cortical tissues on the lower side of the elongation region, and decreased the amount of label accumulating in cortical tissues on the upper side of the elongation region. Removal of the cap prior to or immediately following gravity stimulation rendered the roots partially insensitive to gravity and also prevented gravity-induced asymmetric redistribution of label. However, removal of the root cap following 30 min of gravistimulation did not alter root curvature or the establishment of an IAA asymmetry across the region of root elongation. These results suggest that a signal originating in the root cap directs auxin redistribution in tissues behind the root cap, leading to the development of an asymmetry of IAA concentration in the elongation region that in turn causes the differential growth rate in the elongation region of a graviresponding root.
Questioning current definitions of gender identity: Implications of the Bem Sex-Role Inventory for transsexuals

To examine the relationship between sex role and gender identity, the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) was given to 72 self-defined transsexuals [55 male-to-female (M-F), 17 female-to-male (F-M)]. The F-Ms scored primarily masculine sex typed (six) or androgynous (six). The modal M-F scored feminine sex typed (33). The distribution of F-Ms across the four BSRI categories did not differ significantly from Bem's normative college student male distribution [χ2(3) = 2.30, p> 0.50] but was marginally different from that of Bem's females [χ2(3) = 6.45, p<0.10]. The distribution of M-Fs was significantly different from that of both college females [χ2 (3) = 19.71, p<0.001] and males [χ2 (3) = 88.72, p<0.0001], because of the very high proportion of feminine sex-typed M-Fs. Psychometric data on the BSRI are presented. The score patterns of the transsexuals are compared to those from the clinical literature, and implications of the data for the relationship between gender identity and sex role are discussed.
Ellipsometric evaluation of β-lactoglobulin adsorption onto low- and high-energy materials

Ellipsometry was used to study solid-surface energetic and temperature effects on the apparent equilibrium adsorptive behavior exhibited by β-lactoglobulin. Adsorption isotherms were constructed for β-lactoglobulin on seven different silicon surfaces chemically modified to exhibit varying hydrophobicities: plateau values of adsorbed mass were observed to increase with increasing degree of solid-surface silanization with dichlorodimethylsilane. β-Lactoglobulin isotherms at 2,27, and 52°C were constructed on unsilanized and completely silanized silicon surfaces: adsorbed mass increased upon increasing temperature beyond 2°C, but no difference was observed between isotherms drawn at 27 and 52°C for either surface. Isotherms were then constructed for acrylic, polycarbonate, polyester, glass, and no. 304 stainless steel surfaces at 37 and 55°C. In all cases, optical properties of the protein films were ellipsometrically measured and their adsorbed mass was calculated from film thickness and refractive index. The protein adsorption results recorded for the polymer, glass, and stainless steel surfaces could not be explained with reference to solid-surface hydrophobicity alone. For polymers, adsorbed mass is suggested to be related to the extensibility of molecular structure at the surface. Glass was observed to adsorb the greatest mass of β-lactoglobulin, and no. 304 stainless steel the lowest; however, glass and the polymers, being transparent, presented a different optical problem for ellipsometry compared to that posed by silicon and stainless steel. A temperature dependence of β-lactoglobulin adsorption was not observed between 37 and 55°C, probably due in part to the temperatures studied having been below the denaturation temperature of β-lactoglobulin, as indicated by differential scanning calorimetry.
The evaluation of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in a community hospital

Summary Introduction Clostridium difficile is a serious reemerging pathogen in Europe and North America. C. difficile infection (CDI) has been of concern over the last decade in view of its significant morbidity and mortality, as well as the high health care costs involved with each case. Although multiple risk factors are known to be associated with CDI, a number of patients develop severe infection even in the absence of known risk factors. CDI is diagnosed by the detection of the toxin A/B in stools by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). There is conflicting literature regarding whether any particular group of antibiotics is associated with higher risk for CDI. There is also a tendency to perform repeated stool tests for toxin A/B if the first test is negative. We evaluated 100 consecutive hospitalized patients who tested positive for C. difficile over a one-year period. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive patients with CDI admitted to our hospital between July 2008 and June 2009. Patient records were reviewed for risk factors, treatment, and clinical outcomes. We also evaluated the number of stool tests performed for the detection of C. difficile and fecal leukocyte testing in each patient. Results The majority of the patients were more than 60 years of age (87%). Forty-four percent of patients presented from a nursing facility. More than 50% were on Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) at the time of admission. Co-morbidities in our patients included malignancy in 28%, diabetes mellitus in 25%, and chronic renal disease in 23%. Most of the patients had multiple co-morbidities. Patients who had taken antibiotics in the previous six months constituted 74% of the total study population. A beta-lactam alone or in combination with other antibiotics was prescribed in 48%, quinolones in 13% and clindamycin in 4% of patients. Stool samples were tested only once in 53% of patients and twice or more in 43%. Metronidazole was the initial therapy in 86% of patients. Intensive care unit stay was required in 33% of patients. Seventeen percent died during their hospitalization. Conclusions Elderly patients are especially vulnerable to CDI when exposed to antibiotics, and higher mortality and morbidity is observed in this age group. PPI use was common in our patients. Metronidazole was used as the first line agent in the majority of patients. We also determined a tendency to test for the C. difficile toxin in more than one stool sample. All of these practices need to be modified based on the current guidelines.
Reproducibility of erythrocyte polyamine measurements and correlation with plasma micronutrients in an antioxidant vitamin intervention study.

Erythrocyte polyamine measurements have been previously investigated as candidate biomarkers for hyperproliferation and recently as a potential intermediate endpoint in clinical chemoprevention trials with difluoromethylornithine, an inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis. This study was performed to determine the reproducibility of erythrocyte polyamine measurements and their possible correlation with plasma micronutrients in seven healthy adults in an antioxidant vitamin intervention study. As part of this cross-over intervention study, three subjects took β-carotene (31.4 mg/day) plus D-α-tocopherol acetate (720 IU/day) supplements during the first 3 months and four subjects took the supplements during the second 3 months. Heparinized blood samples were collected at baseline and every month over total 6 months for simultaneous determination of erythrocyte polyamines and plasma micronutrients by the high-performance liquid chromatographic method. For all the measures of erythrocyte polyamines the intraindividual variation was smaller than that between subjects, and three or four measurements required to accurately characterize long-term erythrocyte polyamines for an individual. The intra-class correlations were moderately high for all erythrocyte polyamine measurements, indicating a good reproducibility for intra-individual erythrocyte polyamine measurements. Based on monthly values, significant inverse correlations were found between erythrocyte spermidine and the plasma levels of retinol (r = -0.50) and lutein (r = -0.52). There were also significant inverse associations between erythrocyte spermine and plasma levels of α-tocopherol (r = -0.29), lutein (r = -0.44), lycopene (r = -0.29), β-cryptoxanthin (r = -0.30), and total carotenoids (r = -0.29). The effects of supplementation upon the associations between erythrocyte polyamines and plasma nutrient levels were additionally addressed. The results indicate an acceptable longitudinal reproducibility of erythrocyte polyamine measurements, support the hypothesis that erythrocyte polyamine measurements may be correlated with plasma levels of certain nutrients, and suggest a further biomarker application in cancer prevention trials involving dietary modifications or specific relevant micronutrients. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Nanobiomedical science in China: a research field on the rise

Medical and health care applications of nanotechnology have increasingly attracted research and innovation attention. Nano-biomedical science (NBMS) is a term we use to define this emerging domain. As China is one of the leading countries in nanotechnology, but lacks a long history as a biosciences leader, this paper explores the competitive positioning of China in the development of NBMS. Specifically, this paper profiles the research patterns of Chinese NBMS in comparison with the four other largest countries in NBMS, using bibliometric techniques. The results indicate that China is a leader in NBMS, leveraging its strengths in chemistry and physics in the broader nanotechnology domain. However, China's relative weakness in traditional biomedical disciplines, and its lack of presence in highly influential global journals, could prove to be limiting factors.
PVT analysis of a new cubic‐perturbed, hard‐sphere equation of state

The cubic-perturbed, hard-sphere equation of state proposed in 1980 by Ishikawa, Chung and Lu, has been analyzed by PVT criteria, as contrasted to the single component and multicomponent vapor-liquid equilibria to which it was applied. The analysis compares its representation of the PVT behavior of substances with that of a simpler equation.
Design of a perfluorocarbon tracer based monitoring network to support monitoring verification and accounting of sequestered CO2

The levels of CO2 in the atmosphere have been growing since the beginning of the industrial revolution. The current level is 391 ppm. If there are no efforts to mitigate CO2 emissions, the levels will rise to 750 ppm by 2100. Geologic carbon sequestration is one strategy that may be used to begin to reduce emissions. Sequestration will not be effective unless reservoir leak rates are significantly less than 1%. There must be rigorous monitoring protocols in place to ensure sequestration projects meet regulatory and environmental goals. Monitoring for CO2 leakage directly is difficult because of the large background levels and variability of CO2 in the atmosphere. Using tracers to tag the sequestered CO2 can mitigate some of the difficulties of direct measurement but a tracer monitoring network and the levels of tagging need to be carefully designed. Simple diffusion and dispersion models are used to predict the surface and atmospheric concentrations that would be seen by a network monitoring a sequestration site. Levels of tracer necessary to detect leaks from 0.01 to 1% are presented and suggestions for effective monitoring and protection of global tracer utility are presented.
Continental outflow from the US to the upper troposphere over the North Atlantic during the NASA INTEX-NA Airborne Campaign

A case of continental outflow from the United States (US) was examined using airborne measurements from NASA DC-8 flight 13 during the Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment-North America (INTEXNA). Mixing ratios of methane (CH4) and carbon monoxide (CO) at 8-11 km altitude over the North Atlantic were elevated to 1843 ppbv and 134 ppbv respectively, while those of carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbonyl sulfide (COS) were reduced to 372.4 ppmv and 411 pptv respectively. In this region, urban and industrial influences were evidenced by elevated mixing ratios and good linear relationships between urban and industrial tracers compared to North Atlantic background air. Moreover, low mixing ratios and a good correlation between COS and CO2 showed a fingerprint of terrestrial uptake and minimal dilution during rapid transport over a 1-2 day time period. Analysis of synoptic conditions, backward trajectories, and photochemical aging estimates based on C3H8/C2H6 strongly suggested that elevated anthropogenic tracers in the upper troposphere of the flight region were the result of transport via convection and warm conveyor belt (WCB) uplifting of boundary layer air over the southeastern US. This mechanism is supported by the similar slope values of linear correlations between long-lived (months) anthropogenic tracers (e. g., C2Cl4 and CHCl3) from the flight region and the planetary boundary layer in the southeastern US. In addition, the aircraft measurements suggest that outflow from the US augmented the entire tropospheric column at mid-latitudes over the North Atlantic. Overall, the flight 13 data demonstrate a pervasive impact of US anthropogenic emissions on the troposphere over the North Atlantic.
Optimal robot plant planning using the minimum-time criterion

A path planning technique is presented which produces time-optimal manipulator motions in a workspace containing obstacles. The full nonlinear equations of motion are used in conjunction with the actuator limitations to produce optimal trajectories. The Cartesian path of the manipulator is represented with B-spline polynomials, and the shape of this path is varied in a manner that minimizes the traversal time. Obstacle avoidance constraints are included in the problem through the use of distance functions. In addition to computing the optimal path, the time-optimal open-loop joint forces and corresponding joint displacements are obtained as functions of time. The examples presented show a reduction in the time required for typical motions. >
Dissociation between mane development and sexual maturity in lions (Panthera leo): solution to the Tsavo riddle?

The mane characteristics of lions Panthera leo in the greater Tsavo ecosystem (GTE) were compared with those of lions from the equatorial middle-elevation plains (EMEP). Contrary to popular belief, most full-grown GTE lions are not maneless; 87% had manes, with 49% possessing good manes. The manes of GTE lions, however, were poorer on average, relative to age, than the manes of EMEP lions. For both groups, there was a significant relationship between age and mane type. In EMEP lions, mane development started early and grew to a full mane by age 4–5. In GTE lions, mane development began later and developed more slowly. Delayed onset and a slower rate of development are correlated with the consistently hot Tsavo climate. Poorly maned but fully mature lions mated actively, showing dissociation between mane development and sexual maturity. The correlation between climate and mane development suggests that climatic adaptation results in the inhibition and/or delay in the development of a secondary sexual character without compromising reproductive viability.
Quasi-Isotropic Triaxially Braided Cellulose-Reinforced Composites

In this article, we investigate experimentally and analytically the mechanical properties of a natural fiber quasi-isotropic triaxially braided composite. The composite is prepared from triaxially braided regenerated cellulose fibers and a high-bio-content epoxy resin system using a resin infusion process. Simultaneous mechanical loading, digital image correlation, and acoustic emission tests were performed on notched and unnotched specimens to understand the tensile behavior of the composites and the initiation and propagation of damage. Experimental results were compared with the effective tensile properties determined using an analytical model. The model is a discrete three-layer analytical representation based on a mechanics transformation-based representation of the quasi-isotropic braided layers. The model is used to determine the elastic stiffness and Poisson effects based on the constituent properties such as the fiber volume fractions, the waviness of the bias tows, and the relative thickness of ...
Non-contact biomedical photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging

The detection of ultrasound in photoacoustic tomography (PAT) usually relies on ultrasonic transducers in contact with the biological tissue through a coupling medium. This is a major drawback for important potential applications such as surgery. Here we report the use of a remote optical method, derived from industrial laser- ultrasonics, to detect ultrasound in tissues. This approach enables non-contact PAT (NCPAT) without exceeding laser exposure safety limits. The sensitivity of the method is based on the use of suitably shaped detection laser pulses and a confocal Fabry-Perot interferometer in differential configuration. Reliable image reconstruction is obtained by measuring remotely the surface profile of the tissue with an optical coherence tomography system. The proposed method also allows non-contact ultrasound imaging (US) by applying a second reconstruction algorithm to the data acquired for NCPAT. Endogenous and exogenous inclusions exhibiting optical and acoustic contrasts were detected ex vivo in chicken breast and calf brain specimens. Inclusions down to 0.3 mm in size were detected at depths exceeding 1 cm. The method could expand the scope of photoacoustic and US to in-vivo bio- medical applications where contact is impractical. © 2012 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). (DOI: 10.1117/1 .JBO.17.6.061217)
Reappraisal of the Role of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in the Diagnosis and Treatment of the Nonpalpable Testis: A 10-year Experience

AbstractPurpose: We retrospectively evaluated the ability of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) to make the nonpalpable cryptorchid testis become palpable and promote testicular descent.Materials and Methods: Through surgical bookings we identified 94 patients younger than 11 years who received HCG between 1984 and 1994 for the diagnosis or treatment of a nonpalpable undescended testis. The dose of HCG was 1,500 IU/m.2 intramuscularly 2 times weekly for 4 weeks. Testis location was determined by physical examination before and after hormone administration, and confirmed at surgical exploration.Results: Of the 99 nonpalpable testes identified in 94 patients 39 (39 percent) became palpable following HCG administration and only 2 (2 percent) completely descended. A total of 60 testes remained nonpalpable with the most common reason being an absent or severely atrophic testis (40, 67 percent). Of the testes remaining nonpalpable after hormonal stimulation 73 percent were surgically located at or distal to the...
Power minimization in a backlit TFT-LCD display by concurrent brightness and contrast scaling

This paper presents a concurrent brightness and contrast scaling (CBCS) technique for a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) backlit TFT-LCD display. The proposed technique aims at conserving power by reducing the backlight illumination while retaining the image fidelity through preservation of the image contrast. First, we explain how CCFL works and show how to model the non-linearity between its backlight illumination and power consumption. Next, we propose the contrast distortion metric to quantify the image quality loss after backlight scaling. Finally, we formulate and optimally solve the CBCS optimization problem with the objective of minimizing the fidelity and power metrics. Experimental results show that an average of 3.7X power saving can be achieved with only 10% of contrast distortion.
No-Reflow Phenomenon

Because total coronary artery occlusion was found in the early hours of transmural myocardial infarction, most of our research interest and treatment strategies focus on epicardial coronary arteries.1 Little attention, however, is paid to the coronary microvasculature. When a coronary artery is occluded, detrimental changes occur in the cardiac capillaries and arterioles. After relief of the occlusion, blood flow to the ischemic tissue may still be impeded, a phenomenon known as no reflow. This article attempts to provide an in-depth understanding of this phenomenon from the laboratory bench to the clinical arena. The no-reflow concept was first suggested in brain ischemia.2 Brains of rabbits that suffered a brief 2 1/2 minutes of ischemia had normal blood flow when the ischemia was relieved. When the rabbits were exposed to longer ischemic periods, normal flow to brain tissues was not restored, even after relief of the vessel obstruction. Prolonged ischemia resulted in significant changes in the microvasculature that interfered with normal flow to the brain cells. The existence of this phenomenon was confirmed in a variety of animal models of brain ischemia.3–6⇓⇓⇓ It was also shown in a variety of other organs, including skin,7,8⇓ skeletal muscle,9 and the kidney.10–12⇓⇓ Kloner et al13 sought to find out whether the no-reflow phenomenon would be observed in ischemic canine hearts and whether it was related to microvascular damage. Dogs were subjected to 40 or 90 minutes of proximal coronary artery occlusion. When the coronary occlusion was relieved after 40 minutes of occlusion, the blood flow was restored to the damaged myocardium as assessed by markers of perfusion such as thioflavin S and carbon black. However, after 90 minutes of coronary occlusion, there was only partial restoration of blood flow to the myocardial …
A2-1: Patterns of Colorectal Cancer Testing in Men and Women Newly Eligible for Screening.

Background/Aims Since 1993, the US Preventive Services Task Force has recommended screening to prevent colorectal cancer among average risk adults, beginning at age 50. Many studies over the past 20 years evaluated factors associated with screening uptake; however, few have focused on individuals who are newly eligible (i.e., those turning 50 years). We evaluated patient characteristics associated with uptake and time to initiation of colorectal cancer tests in a population newly-eligible for screening.
A micropower electronic integrator for meteorological applications

Abstract A simple battery operated counting integrator was developed for field integration of millivolt analog signals. The circuit uses a micropower operational amplifier and C/MOS digital circuitry to minimize current drain. Two small mercury batteries operate the circuit for an entire growing season. An error analysis indicates that errors are smaller than 1% of full scale (5 mV) for signals between 0.5 and 5 mV over a temperature range of 0°–50°C.
Meiotic resumption in response to luteinizing hormone is independent of a Gi family G protein or calcium in the mouse oocyte

The signaling pathway by which luteinizing hormone (LH) acts on the somatic cells of vertebrate ovarian follicles to stimulate meiotic resumption in the oocyte requires a decrease in cAMP in the oocyte, but how cAMP is decreased is unknown. Activation of Gi family G proteins can lower cAMP by inhibiting adenylate cyclase or stimulating a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, but we show here that inhibition of this class of G proteins by injection of pertussis toxin into follicle-enclosed mouse oocytes does not prevent meiotic resumption in response to LH. Likewise, elevation of Ca2+ can lower cAMP through its action on Ca2+-sensitive adenylate cyclases or phosphodiesterases, but inhibition of a Ca2+ rise by injection of EGTA into follicle-enclosed mouse oocytes does not inhibit the LH response. Thus, neither of these well-known mechanisms of cAMP regulation can account for LH signaling to the oocyte in the mouse ovary.
‘RUBBER FEVER’, COMMERCE AND FRENCH COLONIAL RULE IN UPPER GUINÉE, 1890–1913

This article examines the trade in wild rubber that emerged in Upper Guinee, in the colony of Guinee Francaise, at the end of the nineteenth century. Guinee's rubber boom went through two phases. The first, from the 1880s to 1901, was dominated by local collectors and Muslim traders who directed the trade to the British port of Freetown, Sierra Leone. In the second phase, 1901–13, expatriate merchant houses entered the long-distance trade and, with the help of the colonial state, reoriented the commerce to Conakry, port city and capital of Guinee. The Guinee case offers an alternative perspective to that provided by the better studied rubber markets of Central Africa and South America, and contributes to scholarly debates about export economies, colonial rule and social change. In Guinee, local production and commercial networks maintained significant influence in the market throughout the rubber boom, thwarting colonial efforts to control the trade. The colonial state proved particularly challenged by the practice of rubber adulteration, whereby local collectors and traders corrupted rubber with foreign objects to increase its weight. While the trade exposes the limits of colonial power, rubber also played a largely overlooked role in the social and economic transformations of the period. Evidence suggests that profits from the rubber trade enabled peasants, escaped slaves and former masters to alter their circumstances, accumulate wealth and rebuild homes and communities destroyed during the preceding era of warfare and upheaval.
Decision tools to benefit children needing adoption

Millions of children worldwide need permanent families. But traditional paper based methods, disagreements between agencies, and excessive nationalistic restrictions keep many children apart from potential parents able and eager to nurture them. This paper focuses on the use of Weighted Ordered Weighted Averages and linear assignment programming for matching orphaned or abandoned children with adoptive families. Traditional paper based, one-child-at-a-time approaches are slow, and speed matters, because of the well documented harm done when children spend too much time waiting. Our focus is on simul- taneous matching in which a pool of potential families is viewed as a resource to be used of the benefit for a pool of children in a global way rather than one at a time. A special case of the Weighted Ordered Weighted Average, designed to be transparent to social workers with little or no mathematical training or inclination, is used to aggregate criteria. The United States Department of Health and Human Services estimates that over 500,000 children are in foster care with 130,000 available for adoption (6). In sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, a joint report by the UN/AIDS/UNICEF/USAID estimates that in 2003 there were 143 million orphans (24). Negative experiences with the foster care system also lead to more children available for adoption (8,10,15,16). Furthermore, with the rapid increase in drug dependency, AIDS, child maltreatment, and homelessness, the number of children available for adoption increases concomitantly (1). It is universally agreed that a more efficient and swifter system needs to be developed in order to place these children in permanent homes (2,14,17). This paper focuses on the use of Weighted Ordered Weighted Averages (21) and linear assignment programming for matching orphaned or abandoned children with adoptive families. We begin by reviewing traditional paper based, one-child-at-a-time approaches using unaided human judgment or human judgment aided by semi-automated systems for preliminary screening and short-listing. The primary focus is on simultaneous matching in which a pool of potential families is viewed as a resource to be used for the benefit of a pool of children in a global way rather than one at a time. A special case of the Weighted Ordered Weighted Average, designed to be transparent to social workers with little or no mathematical training or inclination, is used to aggregate criteria.