cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immuno-LCM: laser capture microdissection of immunostained frozen sections for mRNA analysis.

Microdissection of routinely stained or unstained frozen sections has been used successfully to obtain purified cell populations for the analysis of cell-specific gene expression patterns in primary tissues with a complex mixture of cell types. However, the precision and usefulness of microdissection is frequently limited by the difficulty to identify different cell types and structures by morphology alone. We therefore developed a rapid immunostaining procedure for frozen sections followed by laser capture microdissection (LCM) and RNA extraction, which allows targeted mRNA analysis of immunophenotypically defined cell populations. After fixation, frozen sections are immunostained under RNAse-free conditions using a rapid three-step streptavidin-biotin technique, dehydrated and immediately subjected to LCM. RNA is extracted from captured tissue, DNAse I treated, and reverse transcribed. Acetone-, methanol-, or ethanol/acetone-fixed sections give excellent immunostaining after 12 to 25 minutes total processing time. Specificity, precision, and speed of microdissection is markedly increased due to improved identification of desired (or undesired) cell types. The mRNA recovered from immunostained tissue is of high quality. Single-step PCR is able to amplify fragments of more than 600 bp from both housekeeping genes such as β-actin as well as cell-specific messages such as CD4 or CD19, using cDNA derived from less than 500 immunostained, microdissected cells. Immuno-LCM allows specific mRNA analysis of cell populations isolated according to their immunophenotype or expression of function-related antigens and significantly expands our ability to investigate gene expression in heterogeneous tissues.
Usefulness of Beta Blockade in Contemporary Management of Patients With Stable Coronary Heart Disease

Considerable progress has been made over the last few decades in the management of clinically stable coronary heart disease (SCHD), including improvements in interventions (e.g., percutaneous revascularization), pharmacological management, and risk factor control (e.g., smoking, diet, activity level, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension). Although β blockers have long been used for the treatment of SCHD, their efficacy was established in the era before widespread use of reperfusion interventions, modern medical therapy (e.g., angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers), or preventive treatments (e.g., aspirin, statins). On the basis of these older data, β blockers are assumed beneficial, and their use has been extrapolated beyond patients with heart failure and previous myocardial infarction, which provided the best evidence for efficacy. However, there are no randomized clinical trials demonstrating that β blockers decrease clinical events in patients with SCHD in the modern era. Furthermore, these agents are associated with weight gain, problems with glycemic control, fatigue, and bronchospasm, underscoring the fact that their use is not without risk. In conclusion, data are currently lacking to support the widespread use of β blockers for all SCHD patients, but contemporary data suggest that they be reserved for a well-defined high-risk group of patients with evidence of ongoing ischemia, left ventricular dysfunction, heart failure, and perhaps some arrhythmias.
The Evolving Housing Market in Moscow: Indicators of Housing Reform:

With the Russian housing reform underway for several years, this is an appropriate time to review the progress made towards the stated goal of creating a market-oriented housing sector. From the fundamental shift towards private ownership to the supporting legislation, substantial progress has been made towards the realisation of this goal. One of the most significant elements of the housing reform is the law on privatisation of the housing stock passed by the Supreme Soviet in June 1991. Subsequent legislation passed in December 1992 further spurred the reform process. The most far-reaching of these measures was the law On Fundamentals of Housing Policy in the Russian Federation, which addressed the overall orientation of housing policy. This paper examines the results of the housing policy reforms in terms of their effects on private ownership, residential mobility, housing conditions and housing affordability. Longitudinal data on these four characteristics of the Moscow housing sector document the lar...
Damage assessment of square RC bridge columns subjected to torsion combined with axial compression, flexure, and shear

Reinforced Concrete (RC) bridge columns can be subjected to combined flexure, shear, axial and torsional loadings under multidirectional earthquake motions and significant vertical motions, specifically in skewed and curved bridges, bridges with specific structural restraints, and bridges with unequal spans or column heights. This paper presents experimental and analytical studies to assess the damage progression of square RC bridge columns under combined loadings including torsion. The main variable in this study is the ratio of Torsional-to-bending Moments (T/M). The effects of combined loadings on the torsional and flexural hysteretic responses, strength, plastic hinge distribution, and progression of damage states are highlighted in this paper. A unified equivalent damage index model is proposed to couple the flexural and torsional actions for combined loadings. Quantified damage indices value under combined loadings can be correlated to the categorized damage states from a performance-based point of view. Based on the experimental and analytical results, the progression of damage was found to be amplified by the torsion effect, and the rotational ductility was decreased due to the effect of combined loadings.
Nd:YAG Slab Oscillators, Amplifiers And Optical Phase Conjugation

Slab lasers offer an inherent advantage over conventional devices when operated in the total internal reflection mode. Further improvements can be gained with these devices using SBS Optical Phase Conjugation. This paper describes experimental and theoretical studies of this combined approach for several geometries. Limitations imposed by thermal distortion, passive losses, birefringence, optical damage, parasitics and extraction efficiencies are addressed. Non-linear frequency conversion with emphasis on improved beam quality is also discussed.
It's Time to Explore New Global Trade Options

By insisting on 100 percent ownership of foreign ventures and refusing to enter into partnerships with foreign investors or governments, U.S. corporations are losing business to international competitors.
Misapplications Reviews: Lightning Strikes Twice

Although the “Misapplications Reviews” section is nearly five years old, I have never before felt an urge to discuss the reaction to one of my columns. This is largely because the written response to such pieces has typically ranged from sparse to nonexistent. When Steve Pollock asked “is anyone out there?” he was articulating a question that had been twitching on my lips. But there has been one deviation from this pattern that was so altogether striking that I've decided to use this column to describe it. That doing so might seem subtly boastful troubled me at first, but then I concluded that life would be terribly bland if we all suppressed interesting stories out of an obsession with appearing modest. The column in question March--April 1986 proposed that airport operations be suspended whenever a thunderstorm cell exists within say five miles of the control tower.
Evaporation, Diffusion and Convection in Containerless Melts at Low Gravity

S with its vacuum and its near-zero gravity offers a place for containerless purification of melts. Nonconducting refractory materials can be ^ levitated easily for containerless purification in a space laboratory, such as the Space Shuttle, thereby eliminating the earthbound problem of contamination by a container. These materials may find uses as analytical standards and as materials for research. We will describe here a technique for estimating evaporative purification rates. This technique takes account of the chemical environment and evaporation at the melt surface and of the convective diffusion within the melt.
An intelligent data acquisition system for fluid mechanics research

A new approach to experimental data acquisition has been demonstrated. The results of the proof-of-concept experiment show that by incorporating a degree of specific fluid dynamics knowledge to the data acquisition process, it is possible to increase the resolution of the experiment, or alternately, reduce the total number of data points required to achieve parity with the results of most conventional data acquisition approaches.
Bio-physical modeling of time-resolved forward scattering by Listeria colonies

We have developed a detection system and associated protocol based on optical forward scattering where the bacterial colonies of various species and strains growing on solid nutrient surfaces produced unique scatter signatures. The aim of the present investigation was to develop a bio-physical model for the relevant phenomena. In particular, we considered time-varying macroscopic morphological properties of the growing colonies and modeled the scattering using scalar diffraction theory. For the present work we performed detailed studies with three species of Listeria; L. innocua, L. monocytogenes , and L. ivanovii . The baseline experiments involved cultures grown on brain heart infusion (BHI) agar and the scatter images were captured every six hours for an incubation period of 42 hours. The morphologies of the colonies were studied by phase contrast microscopy, including measurement of the diameter of the colony. Growth curves, represented by colony diameter as a function of time, were compared with the time-evolution of scattering signatures. Similar studies were carried out with L. monocytogenes grown on different substrates. Non-dimensionalizing incubation time in terms of the time to reach stationary phase was effective in reducing the dimensionality of the model. Bio-physical properties of the colony such as diameter, bacteria density variation, surface curvature/profile, and transmission coefficient are important parameters in predicting the features of the forward scattering signatures. These parameters are included in a baseline model that treats the colony as a concentric structure with radial variations in phase modulation. In some cases azimuthal variations and random phase inclusions were included as well. The end result is a protocol (growth media, incubation time and conditions) that produces reproducible and distinguishable scatter patterns for a variety of harmful food borne pathogens in a short period of time. Further, the bio-physical model we developed is very effective in predicting the dominant features of the scattering signatures required by the identification process and will be effective for informing further improvements in the instrumentation.
Regulation of expression of the intestinal oligopeptide transporter (Pept-1) in health and disease

The abundance of the oligopeptide transporter (Pept-1) in the brush-border membrane of the intestinal epithelium is the central mechanism for regulation of transport of products of protein digestio...
Effectiveness of nanoscale zero-valent iron for treatment of a PCE-DNAPL source zone

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) has received considerable attention as a potential in situ remediation technology for treating chlorinated solvent source zones. Experimental and mathematical modeling studies were conducted to investigate the performance of nZVI in the transformation of tetrachloroethene (PCE) entrapped as a dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL). Injection of a 60 g/L suspension of nZVI into a column containing 20-30 mesh Ottawa sand and PCE-DNAPL at a residual saturation of 5.5% resulted in a uniform distribution of nZVI and minimal displacement of PCE. Subsequent flushing with 267 pore volumes of water containing 3mM CaCl(2) at a Darcy velocity of 0.75 m/day resulted in steady-state effluent concentrations of PCE near the solubility limit (ca. 200mg/L) and production of dissolved-phase ethene (10-30 mg/L). Over the duration of the experiment, approximately 30% of the initial PCE-DNAPL mass reacted to form ethene, 50% was eluted as dissolved-phase PCE, and 20% remained in the column as PCE-DNAPL. To further explore the implications of the nZVI column results, a multiphase transport model was developed that incorporated rate-limited PCE-DNAPL dissolution and reactions with nZVI. Using a fitted pseudo first-order transformation rate coefficient of 1.421/h, the model accurately captured observed trends in effluent concentrations of PCE and ethene and overall mass balance. A model sensitivity study reveals a strong dependence of treatment effectiveness on system characteristics. The sensitivity analysis suggests that an increase in the extent of PCE transformation is facilitated by decreasing flow rate, emplacement of nZVI down-gradient of the DNAPL source zone, and decreasing length of the DNAPL source zone. These findings indicate that, although emplacement of high concentrations of nZVI within a PCE-DNAPL source zone can result in substantial transformation of the parent compound, careful attention to design parameters (e.g. flow rate, location and amount nZVI delivered) will be required to achieve complete conversion to benign reaction products.
Generalized quasilinearization versus Newton's method

In this paper we compare and contrast Newton's method and the method of generalized quasilinearization. Some of the several possible situations are explored providing preliminary discussion.
A piecewise construction of permutation polynomials over finite fields

Abstract We describe a piecewise construction of permutation polynomials over a finite field F q which uses a subgroup of F q ⁎ , a “selection” function, and several “case” functions. Permutation polynomials obtained by this construction unify and generalize several recently discovered families of permutation polynomials.
The systematic assessment of depressed elderly primary care patients.

Studies of the primary care treatment of depressed elderly patients are constrained by limited time and space and by subject burden. Research assessments must balance these constraints with the need for obtaining clinically meaningful information. Due to the wide-ranging impact of depression, assessments should also focus on suicidality, hopelessness, substance abuse, anxiety, cognitive functioning, medical comorbidity, functional disability, social support, personality, service use and satisfaction with services. This paper describes considerations concerning the assessment selection process for primary care studies, using the PROSPECT (Prevention of Suicide in Primary Care Elderly: Collaborative Trial) study as an example. Strategies are discussed for ensuring that data are complete, valid and reliable.
Development of a two-photon polymerization and optical tweezers microscope for fabrication and manipulation of microstructures

We report development of a two-photon polymerization (TPP) microscope, for micro-fabrication of microstructures, which is capable of optical manipulation by use of optical tweezers. The system is based on an inverted Nikon microscope with a tunable Ti: Sapphire femto-second (fs) laser coupled to the upper back port. While in modelocked condition, nanoparticles and wires were fabricated in photo-polymerizable synthetic materials using TPP. By axial positioning of the focused TPP laser beam, 1D-structures (for use as wave guide) were fabricated at desired height above the surface of the substrate. In the mode lock-OFF condition the same tunable laser microbeam was employed as optical tweezers to the hold the nanostructures and manipulate them even in highly viscous medium before immobilizing. Size of the TPP induced structure was found to depend on the fs laser intensity and exposure. Further, by shaping the fs laser beam to line pattern, linear 1D structures could be fabricated without scanning the beam or stage, which remain aligned along the line intensity profile due to anisotropic trapping force of the line tweezers in X and Y-directions. Use of optical tweezers with two-photon polymerization not only allowed in-situ corrective positioning of the polymerized structures, but also the integration of fluorescent microspheres (resonator/detector) with polymerized waveguide.
The ab initio structure of O-methyl methylphosphonofluoridate☆

Abstract The molecular structure of O-methyl methylphosphonofluoridate,(CH3)P(O)(F)(OCH3), has been determined from SCF calculations. STO-3G* and 3-21G* basis sets with polarization functions on the phosphorus atom were used. We compare the structures computed with the two basis sets and with the structure determined from electron diffraction spectra. This comparison suggests that the latter may contain some serious errors, particularly in the angles about the phosphorus atom. We have found that although the existence of two stable conformations is predicted using the STO basis set, only one is found using the larger basis. In each case the conformation of minimum energy is completely different from that deduced from the experimental results. Other bonding data are generally in excellent agreement with previous experimental and theoretical studies of smaller related compounds. We discuss the role of various basis sets in determining the detailed structures, including conformations, of phosphorus esters. Finally we discuss the computed dipole moments and their relationship to the relative energies of the conformations.
Glucocorticoid-mediated selective reduction of functioning collagen messenger ribonucleic acid.

Abstract Polysomes were isolated from both lung and dermis of neonatal rats and the poly(A) RNA therein was isolated by oligo(dT)-cellulose chromatography. The RNA fractions were then translated in the nuclease-treated reticulocyte lysate in the presence of radioactive proline. Optimal collagen and noncollagen protein synthesis directed by lung poly(A) RNA occurred at 0.7 m m magnesium and 100 m m potassium. The RNA fraction directed the synthesis of both pro α 1 and pro α 2 chains as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The poly(A) RNA isolated from both lung and dermis polysomes of rats treated with triamcinolone diacetate synthesized significantly less collagen peptides as determined by collagenase digestion as did the RNA isolated from polysomes of nontreated animals. Noncollagen protein synthesis was decreased to a lesser extent than collagen synthesis. Glucocorticoid treatment did not affect the ability of either polysomes in wheat germ extract or polysomal poly(A) RNA in nuclease-treated reticulocyte lysate to synthesize prolyl hydroxylase as determined by immunoprecipitation. These data indicate the glucorticoid-mediated inhibition of collagen polypeptide synthesis does not result from nonspecific effect on total cellular protein synthesis of normal fibroblasts, but a selective reduction of poly some-associated messenger RNA. Furthermore these data provide a molecular basis for selective inhibitory effect of synthetic anti-inflammatory steroids on collagen synthesis.
Cytochrome c peroxidase from Methylococcus capsulatus Bath.

A bacterial cytochrome c peroxidase was purified from the obligate methanotroph Methylococcus capsulatus Bath in either the fully oxidized or the half reduced form depending on the purification procedure. The cytochrome was a homo-dimer with a subunit mol mass of 35.8 kDa and an isoelectric point of 4.5. At physiological temperatures, the enzyme contained one high-spin, low-potential (E m7 = –254 mV) and one low-spin, high-potential (E m7 = +432 mM ) heme. The low-potential heme center exhibited a spin-state transition from the penta-coordinated, high-spin configuration to a low-spin configuration upon cooling the enzyme to cryogenic temperatures. Using M. capsulatus Bath ferrocytochrome c 555 as the electron donor, the K M and V max for peroxide reduction were 510 ± 100 nM and 425 ± 22 mol ferrocytochrome c 555 oxidized min–1 (mole cytochrome c peroxidase)–1, respectively.
The Helix-Loop-Helix Inhibitor of Differentiation (ID) Proteins Induce Post-Mitotic Terminally Differentiated Sertoli Cells to Re-Enter the Cell Cycle and Proliferate

Prior to puberty the Sertoli cells undergo active cell proliferation, and at the onset of puberty they become a terminally differentiated postmitotic cell population that support spermatogenesis. The molecular mechanisms involved in the postmitotic block of pubertal and adult Sertoli cells are unknown. The four known helix-loop-helix ID proteins (i.e., Id1, Id2, Id3, and Id4) are considered dominant negative regulators of cellular differentiation pathways and act as positive regulators of cellular proliferation. ID proteins are expressed at low levels by postpubertal Sertoli cells and are transiently induced by serum. The hypothesis tested was that ID proteins can induce a terminally differentiated postmitotic Sertoli cell to reenter the cell cycle if they are constitutively expressed. To test this hypothesis, ID1 and ID2 were stably integrated and individually overexpressed in postmitotic rat Sertoli cells. Overexpression of ID1 or ID2 allowed postmitotic Sertoli cells to reenter the cell cycle and undergo mitosis. The cells continued to proliferate even after 300 cell doublings. The functional markers of Sertoli cell differentiation such as transferrin, inhibin alpha, Sert1, and androgen binding protein (ABP) continued to be expressed by the proliferating Sertoli cells, but at lower levels. FSH receptor expression was lost in the proliferating Sertoli cell-Id lines. Some Sertoli cell genes, such as cyclic protein 2 (cathepsin L) and Sry-related HMG box protein-11 (Sox11) increase in expression. At no stage of proliferation did the cells exhibit senescence. The expression profile as determined with a microarray protocol of the Sertoli cell-Id lines suggested an overall increase in cell cycle genes and a decrease in growth inhibitory genes. These results demonstrate that overexpression of ID1 and ID2 genes in a postmitotic, terminally differentiated cell type have the capacity to induce reentry into the cell cycle. The observations are discussed in regards to potential future applications in model systems of terminally differentiated cell types such as neurons or myocytes.
Landscape-scale changes in canopy fuels and potential fire behaviour following ponderosa pine restoration treatments

We evaluated canopy fuels and potential fire behaviour changes following landscape-scale restoration treatments in a ponderosa pine forest at Mt Trumbull, Arizona, USA. The goal of the project was to restore historical forest structure by thinning and burning, thereby reducing canopy fuels and minimising active crown fire potential. We measured 117 permanent plots before (1996–97) and after (2003) treatments. The plots were evenly distributed across the landscape and represented an area of ~1200 ha, about half of which was an untreated control. We compared canopy fuel estimates using three different methods to assess whether fire behaviour modelling outputs were sensitive to the choice of canopy fuel equation. Treatments decreased canopy fuel load by 43–50% from 0.77–1.83 kg m–2 to 0.44–0.91 kg m–2 (the range of values reflects the different canopy fuel equations) and decreased canopy bulk density by 42–61% from 0.038–0.172 kg m–3 to 0.022–0.067 kg m–3 in the treated area, while slight increases occurred in the control. We applied two fire models to estimate potential fire behaviour: FlamMap and NEXUS. These models differ in several important features but predicted outcomes were consistent: under extreme drought and wind conditions, the proportion of the landscape susceptible to active crown fire decreased in the treated area while little change occurred in the control.
Snipers, Stalkers, and Nibblers: Online Auction Business Ethics

Spirited disagreement exists among online auction participants over the ethics of sniping: delaying one's bid until the closing seconds of an online auction. Through analysis of the structural features of online auctions and by deploying Rawls's (1955) distinction between justifying an action under a practice and justifying the practice itself, I argue that: (i) the disagreement is better conceived as one over the ethics of online auction hosting (and therefore, over business ethics) than over the ethics of online auction participation; (ii) so conceived, the argument against sniping is nonetheless implausible; and (iii) the disagreement remains interesting not on the merits, but for the curious fact that it is bidders who complain about sniping.
Work in progress - an online support system for women in Computer Science

In this work, we propose the creation of an online social network with the following objectives: (a) provide a platform for our female students to interact with our alumnae, (b) provide a platform for high school students in the Indiana neighborhood to interact with our female students and alumnae. This social network will facilitate a support system for our current students, our alumnae, and young women who are interested in pursuing careers in computer science. In the long term, we anticipate that the interactions made possible by the social network will be extended to encompass other educational institutions.
The Remnants of Theocracy: The Puritans, the Jeremiad and the Contemporary Culture Wars

In this commentary I investigate the roots of American exceptionalism in the Puritan conception of the special covenantal relationship of New England (and later, America) with God. I argue that the...
A Framework for Thermohydrodynamic Lubrication Analysis

Thermohydrodynamic lubrication is complicated by the multiplicity of heat transfer paths from the site of dissipation to the surroundings. This has impeded a general understanding of thermohydrodynamic phenomena. The method of lumped variables is applied to a simple slider bearing (as an example) to explore thermohydrodynamic lubrication. This approach leads to a better understanding of the interplay between the different modes of heat transfer and the influence of the associated temperature rises on performance, and how this can be captured by the use of appropriate non-dimensional measures. Such measures also allow the mapping of the problem into a set of regimes characterized by the relative importance of different heat transfer modes.
Pre- and Post-Rigor Sectioned and Formed Beef Steaks Manufactured with Different Salt Levels, Mixing Times and Tempering Times

This study was designed to identify processing parameters necessary for the incorporation of pre-rigor beef in sectioned and formed steaks. Meat logs were prepared from pre- or post-rigor beef muscle with 0.0, 0.5 or 1.0% salt, mixed for 0, 6, 12 or 18 min, frozen and tempered to —3°C. Logs were pressed and cleaved after 0, 24, 48 or 72 hr tempering. Tempering at -3°C resulted in sufficient metabolic activity (as measured by pH and R-value) to deplete the ATP content of pre-rigor muscle. The presence of salt hastened the onset of rigor, maintained a higher ultimate muscle pH and improved cooking yields, bind (adhesion) and tenderness. Longer mixing times enhanced bind. These data suggest that, with appropriate modification in the processing procedure, pre-rigor muscle can be incorporated into sectioned and formed products.
Influence of serum cholesterol and albumin on partitioning of PCB congeners between human serum and adipose tissue

Abstract The influence of serum lipids and proteins on partitioning of individual polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congener peaks between human serum and adipose tissue lipid was assessed using regression analysis. Subjects were 55 repair workers who were either currently or previously exposed, and 56 comparison workers without occupational exposure to PCBs. Seven congeners (2,4,5,4′-tetra CB, 2,3,5,2′,3′,6′-hexa CB, 2,3,4,2′,3′,6′-hexa CB, 2,3,4,2′,4′,5′-hexa CB, 3,4,5,3′,4′-penta CB, 2,3,4,5,2′,3′,4′-hepta CB, and 2,3,4,5,2′,3′,4′,5′-octa CB) which had been quantified in both serum and adipose tissue in at least one-third of the total study population were selected for evaluation. Initially the crude correlations between the serum PCB and certain candidate variables were assessed; more than one congener was correlated with serum cholesterol, albumin, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins, very low-density lipoproteins, age, body fat content, and average servings of fish per day. Stepwise regression of log serum congener concentration on log adipose congener concentration and these variables was performed. Only cholesterol, albumin, and average servings of fish per day were significant for at least one congener peak. Congeners behaved in two groups, depending on their order of chromatographic elution. For 2,4,5,4′-tetra CB, 2,3,5,2′,3′,6′-hexa CB, and 2,3,4,2′,3′,6′-hexa CB, log serum concentration was not significantly correlated with log adipose congener concentration, and there was no consistent pattern for significant candidate variables. For congeners 2,3,4,2′,4′,5′-hexa CB, 3,4,5,3′,4′-penta CB, 2,3,4,5,2′,3′,4′-hepta CB, and 2,3,4,5,2′,3′,4′,5′-octa CB, log serum congener concentration was consistently significantly correlated with log adipose congener concentration and serum cholesterol positively, and with serum albumin negatively. For these four congeners the explanations of variation ( R 2 ) in serum congener concentration using adipose congener concentration alone were 3, 23, 20, and 30%, respectively, and after adding cholesterol and albumin were 13, 56, 43, and 46%. Thus we conclude that serum cholesterol and albumin can influence the distribution or partition of PCBs between serum and adipose tissue.
Method of evaluating image-recovery algorithms based on task performance

A method of evaluating image-recovery algorithms is presented that is based on the numerical computation of how well a specified visual task can be performed on the basis of the reconstructed images. A Monte Carlo technique is used to simulate the complete imaging process including generation of scenes appropriate to the desired application, subsequent data taking, image recovery, and performance of the stated task based on the final image. The pseudorandom-simulation process permits one to assess the response of an image-recovery algorithm to many different realizations of the same type of scene. The usefulness of this method is demonstrated through a study of the algebraic reconstruction technique (ART), a tomographic reconstruction algorithm that reconstructs images from their projections. The task chosen for this study is the detection of disks of known size and position. Task performance is rated on the basis of the detectability index derived from the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. In the imaging situations explored, the use of the nonnegativity constraint in the ART dramatically increases the detectability of objects in some instances, particularly when the data consist of a limited number of noiseless projections. Conversely, the nonnegativity constraint does not improve detectability when the data are complete but noisy.
HiRLoc: high-resolution robust localization for wireless sensor networks

In this paper, we address the problem of robustly estimating the position of randomly deployed nodes of a wireless sensor network (WSN), in the presence of security threats. We propose a range-independent localization algorithm called high-resolution range-independent localization (HiRLoc), that allows sensors to passively determine their location with high resolution, without increasing the number of reference points, or the complexity of the hardware of each reference point. In HiRLoc, sensors determine their location based on the intersection of the areas covered by the beacons transmitted by multiple reference points. By combining the communication range constraints imposed by the physical medium with computationally efficient cryptographic primitives that secure the beacon transmissions, we show that HiRLoc is robust against known attacks on WSN, such as the wormhole attack, the Sybil attack, and compromise of network entities. Finally, our performance evaluation shows that HiRLoc leads to a significant improvement in localization accuracy compared with state-of-the-art range-independent localization schemes, while requiring fewer reference points.
Influence of depressive symptoms on speech perception in adverse listening conditions.

It is widely acknowledged that individuals with elevated depressive symptoms exhibit deficits in inter-personal communication. Research has primarily focused on speech production in individuals with elevated depressive symptoms. Little is known about speech perception in individuals with elevated depressive symptoms, especially in challenging listening conditions. Here, we examined speech perception in young adults with low- or high-depressive (HD) symptoms in the presence of a range of maskers. Maskers were selected to reflect various levels of informational masking (IM), which refers to cognitive interference due to signal and masker similarity, and energetic masking (EM), which refers to peripheral interference due to signal degradation by the masker. Speech intelligibility data revealed that individuals with HD symptoms did not differ from those with low-depressive symptoms during EM, but they exhibited a selective deficit during IM. Since IM is a common occurrence in real-world social settings, this ...
Striatal dopamine transporters correlate with simple reaction time in elderly subjects.

The decline in motor performance that accompanies advanced age has unclear neurobiological substrates but may relate, in part, to degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopamine system. This research tested the hypothesis that striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) availability in healthy elderly individuals was related to measures of motor performance. Thirty-six healthy volunteers (18 male, 18 female) who ranged in age from 68 to 88 (75.4 ± 4.9 years) received a neuropsychological evaluation that included two primary motor measures (tested with dominant hand): (1) simple reaction time (SRT); and (2) finger tapping (FT). Subjects underwent SPECT scanning with [ 123 I]2s-carbomethoxy-3s(4-iodophenyl)tropane ([ 123 I]s-CIT) for measurement of striatal DAT availability. A ratio of specific to nondisplaceable brain uptake (i.e.,
Improving year-end transfers of care in academic ambulatory clinics: a survey of pediatric resident physician perceptions.

Background: In resident primary care continuity clinics, at the end of each academic year, continuity of care is disrupted when patients cared for by the graduating class are redistributed to other residents. Yet, despite the recent focus on the transfers of care between resident physicians in inpatient settings, there has been minimal attention given to patient care transfers in academic ambulatory clinics. We sought to elicit the views of pediatric residents regarding year-end patient handoffs in a pediatric resident continuity clinic. Methods: Residents assigned to a continuity clinic of a large pediatric residency program completed a questionnaire regarding year-end transfers of care. Results: Thirty-one questionnaires were completed out of a total 45 eligible residents (69% response). Eighty seven percent of residents strongly or somewhat agreed that it would be useful to receive a written sign-out for patients with complex medical or social issues, but only 35% felt it would be useful for patients with no significant issues. Residents more frequently reported having access to adequate information regarding their new patients’ medical summary (53%) and care plan (47%) than patients’ functional abilities (30%), social history (17%), or use of community resources (17%). When rating the importance of receiving adequate signout in each those domains, residents gave most importance to the medical summary (87% of residents indicating very or somewhat important) and plan of care (84%). Residents gave less importance to receiving sign-out regarding their patients’ functional abilities (71%) social history (58%), and community resources (58%). Residents indicated that lack of access to adequate patient information resulted in additional work (80%), delays or omissions in needed care (56%), and disruptions in continuity of care (58%). Conclusions: In a single-site study, residents perceive that they lack adequate information during year-end patient transfers, resulting in potential negative consequences for patient safety and medical education. Keywords: continuity clinic; resident training; transfers of care; sign-out; medical home (Published: 24 May 2012) Citation: Med Educ Online 2012, 17 : 17815 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/meo.v17i0.17815
Equipment Cost Estimating

As indicated in Chapter 1, one of the basic economic skills that chemical engineers often need is the ability to make cost estimates. The foundation of most estimates is the cost of individual pieces of equipment, and developing that estimating skill is the purpose of this chapter. All chemical engineers should know how to do this, as it is fundamental to considering costs and economics for engineering decisions and recommendations, as well as being “practical” and “cost conscience” in one’s work. On a direct use basis, equipment cost estimates are frequently required in many types of work, and are the first step in more detailed plant cost estimates.
Conclusions and Future Directions: Ecology and Conservation of the Threatened Blackside Dace, Chrosomus cumberlandensis

in Table 1. Although each article addresses its own particular set of questions and objectives, a number of common themes emerge from the collection. In the following paragraphs we highlight several themes that merit attention. Threats and impacts are still occurring. Despite the advantage of legal protections provided by federal and state regulatory mechanisms, Blackside Dace populations continue to be exposed to threats across much of their distributional range. Human-induced impacts associated with extraction of natural resources,
Wing and Tail Molts of the Ruddy Duck

Abstract Stiff-tailed ducks (Oxyurini) are reputed to be unique among waterfowl in having two complete wing and tail molts annually. We examined molt patterns in wild Ruddy Ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) and in captives of known age. Adults of both groups underwent a complete wing molt in early autumn. A spring wing molt was very rare in wild Ruddy Ducks, but occurred more often in captives, especially in adult females. Ruddy Ducks replace rectrices twice annually. These molts are complete but unusual in that feathers are typically replaced in two waves, in which (1) every other rectrix is lost and largely re-grown before (2) the intervening feathers are molted. As a result, the molt is protracted and the tail plumage, at times, includes feathers of two generations. The pattern ensures that a functional tail is maintained at all times.
Mimickers of Inflammatory Diseases of the Spine

This chapter emphasizes commonly encountered, etiologically unrelated patho-anatomic changes that may simulate primary inflammatory diseases of the spine. Such “pseudoinflammations” are important to recognize, since inappropriate treatment or intervention may follow their misinterpretation as an infection.
Student Records: The Harvard Experience

The passage of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act in 1974, the concern and confusion surrounding the Buckley Amendment, and the questionable use of student records by government agencies have made particularly timely the discussion of access to and confidentiality of student records. But I will touch upon these important subjects only in passing, leaving to my colleagues their detailed discussion. My aim in this paper is largely historical, to show through the experience of one large and old university the research use of student records and the importance of their permanent retention for researchers of the future. The ubiquitous student-folder did not appear upon the Harvard scene until the 1890s. Nevertheless, for the two and one-half centuries previous to that decade, the records of students at Harvard are many and varied. While we cannot produce a detailed record for every student who attended Harvard in the seventeenth century, we can for many. Student records for this period are found among the papers of the university presidents and in the recorded minutes of the Harvard Corporation and Board of Overseers, the two Harvard governing bodies, as well as in surviving diaries and commonplace books. Detailed records of student board, room, and other expenses may be found in the records of the steward, butler, and treasurer. A close study of these records will indicate how much (and in some cases what type) food a student ate, how much beer he drank, and how much he was fined for various infractions of the college laws. In the majority of cases, this information can be determined for individuals. Through an overall study of such material, the individual student can be placed within the social and intellectual tenor of his times. By the third decade of the eighteenth century, an organized faculty was formed at Harvard, and their records became another important source of information on students. As is still the case in some small, private secondary schools, the Harvard faculty of this period discussed students individually, particularly if academic failings or conduct were in question. The results of these discussions appear in the minutes of the Harvard faculty and are an unbroken record of information about individual students from the 1 720s to the end of the nineteenth century. For the record of the eighteenth century, the District Reports and Disorders Papers are important also. The former consist of the records of how students kept their rooms and who their roommates were, and what repairs were required; the latter concern participation of students in various riots and disruptions. Beginning early in the nineteenth century, student records became more numerous and more varied. We have available for different periods such records as absences from recitation, admission books, class rank lists, concentration cards, course lists, disciplinary material, final returns, general exams, grade sheets, language requirement results, parentage cards, prayer cut records (daily chapel attendance
Effect of Heat Cycling and Joining Method on the Mechanical Performance of Multi-Material Single Lap Joints

In this experimental study, both environmental effects and various joining methods are investigated for their impact on the static and dynamic performance of multi-material lightweight single lap joints (SLJ). Adherends are conveniently divided into either composite-based or steel-based lightweight materials that include glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), steel (St), aluminum (Al), or magnesium (Mg). A commercially available adhesive is selected for bonded-only and hybrid bonded-and-bolted joints. Changes in joint static load transfer capacity (LTC) and durability life are investigated for bonded-only, bolted-only, and hybrid bonded-and-bolted joints. Cyclic temperature profile fluctuates between 20° C and 80° C at a constant relative humidity (RH) level of either 20 % or 85 %. Effect on durability life is also studied under a cyclic load that fluctuates between 67.5 % and 75 % of the static load transfer capacity at ambient condition. Detailed discussion of the results, observations, and conclusions are presented in this paper.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Weight and skin colour as predictors of vitamin D status: results of an epidemiological investigation using nationally representative data

Objective Current US dietary recommendations for vitamin D vary by age. Recent research suggests that body weight and skin colour are also major determinants of vitamin D status. The objective of the present epidemiological investigation was to clarify the role of age as a predictor of vitamin D status, while accounting for body weight and skin colour, among a nationally representative sample. Design We calculated the mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels for the US population by age and weight, as well as by weight and race/ethnicity group. Multiple regression analyses were utilized to evaluate age and weight as predictors of vitamin D status: serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with age alone, age and body weight, and age, body weight and their two-way interaction were modelled for the entire sample and each age subgroup. Graphical data were developed using B-spline non-linear regression. Setting National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (31 934 unweighted cases). Subjects Individuals aged 1 year and older. Results There were highly significant differences in mean vitamin D status among US residents by weight and skin colour, with those having darker skin colour or higher body weight having worse vitamin D status. Although a significant factor, the impact of age on vitamin D status was notably less than the impact of body weight. Conclusions Vitamin D status varied predominantly by body weight and skin colour. Recommendations by nutritionists for diet and supplementation needs should take this into account if vitamin D-related health disparities are to be meaningfully reduced across the USA.
Extraction, Enrichment, Solubilization, and Digestion Techniques for Membrane Proteomics

The importance of membrane proteins in biological systems is indisputable; however, their amphipathic nature makes them difficult to analyze. In this study, the most popular techniques for extraction, enrichment, solubilization, and digestion are compared, resulting in an overall improved workflow for the insoluble portion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell lysate. Yeast cells were successfully lysed using a French press pressure cell at 20 000 psi, and resulting proteins were fractionated prior to digestion to reduce sample complexity. The proteins were best solubilized with the addition of ionic detergent sodium deoxycholate (1%) and through the application of high-frequency sonication prior to a tryptic digestion at 37 °C. Overall, the improved membrane proteomic workflow resulted in a 26% increase in membrane protein identifications for baker’s yeast. In addition, more membrane protein identifications were unique to the improved protocol. When comparing membrane proteins that were identified in the impr...
Chemical Vapor Deposition of Vanadium Oxide Tiiin Films

Vanadium oxide thin films were grown on glass substrates by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) from the reaction of vanadium(IV) chloride with isopropanol and t-butanol. Films were deposited in the temperature range 250 to 450°C. The as-deposited films were a dark greenish color consistent with formation of a lower oxide of vanadium. Annealing a film deposited on Corning 7059 glass in air converted the material to a yellow film. X-ray diffraction of the yellow film revealed the presence of V 2 O 5 . Optical spectra of the films are presented. Glass substrates previously coated with conductive fluorine doped tin oxide were coated with V 2 O 5 and evaluated for electrochromic activity.
Mechanical and Thermo-Mechanical Protection by Alumina Sol-Gel Coatings

Alumina coatings made by the sol-gel process using aluminum sec butoxide can be made with variable surface area and porosity by firing on dense alumina substrates in the firing range 700 to 1000 C. These coatings are found to have large (over 100 MPa) compressive stresses and to cause a small but significant strengthening of the substrates. Within this firing range the surface area decreases while both the internal stress and strengthening effect increase with increasing firing temperature. Wear rate values are high but decrease with increasing firing temperature.