cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Cold War and the United States Information Agency: American Propaganda and Public Diplomacy, 1945-1989

Prologue: the foundations of US information overseas 1. Getting the sheep to speak: the Truman years, 1945-53 2. Mobilizing 'the P-Factor': Eisenhower and the birth of the USIA, 1953-6 3. In the shadow of Sputnik: the second Eisenhower administration, 1957-61 4. Inventing truth: the Kennedy administration, 1961-3 5. Maintaining confidence: the early Johnson years, 1963-5 6. 'My radio station': the Johnson administration, 1965-9 7. Surviving detente: the Nixon years, 1969-74 8. A new beginning: the Ford administration, 1974-7 9. From the 'two-way' mandate to the second Cold War: the Carter administration, 1977-81 10. 'Project Truth': the first Reagan administration, 1981-4 11. Showdown: the second Reagan administration, 1985-9 Epilogue: victory and the strange death of the USIA, 1989-99 Conclusion: trajectories, maps, and lessons from the past of US public diplomacy.
Virtual MRTD experiments

Virtual minimum resolvable temperature difference (MRTD) measurements have been performed on an infrared sensor simulation based on FLIR 92 input parameters. By using this simulation , it is possible to perform virtual laboratory experiments on simulated sensors. As part of the validation of this simulation, a series of MRTD experiments were conducted on simulated and real sensors. This paper describes the methodology for the sensor simulation. The experimental procedures for both real and simulated MRTD are presented followed by a comparison and analysis of the results. The utility of the simulation in assessing the performance of current and notional sensors is discussed.
Abnormal returns of thrift versus non-thrift IPOs

This paper examines the issue of underpricing for converting thrift institutions. Evidence has found this underpricing to be pervasive in the mutual-to-stock thrift conversion process. The issue is of importance given the debate over whether any windfall gains should accrue to depositors, managers, or taxpayers. An event study is conducted to determine if there is a significant difference between the initial returns of thrift and non-thrift IPOs. Our overall results indicate that a significant difference does exist.
Application Of Expert Systems In The Common Module Electrical Power System

Each Common Module (CM) of the Space Station must be capable of handling a 50 kW electricity supply, 25 kW for transmission and 25 kW for consumption. The power must be handled and managed by on-board systems, a necessity that dovetails with the objectives of Public Law 98-371, which mandates that the Space Station push the state of the art of automation and AI. Expert systems will be needed to handle the large data flow for the power system and to ensure that the system degrades gracefully. Features of the first expert systems expected for the power system, i.e., a dynamic load planner/scheduler and energy storage subsystem management, fault diagnosis/analysis, health status/trend analysis, and orbital replacement advisor expert systems, are described. Finally, growth Space Station expert systems applications are discussed.
Excessive cycling converts PCR products to random-length higher molecular weight fragments.

During the development of a method to sequence PCR products from cell lysates of Salmonella hisD3052 revertants generated in the Ames mutagenicity assay (1), we wondered why PCR reactions greater than 30 cycles often resulted in reduced amounts of specific product and also produced smears on agarose gels. To investigate this effect, two 100- 1 PCR reactions, identical except for the primer concentrations (50-pmol or 100-pmol), were performed as described below, and 5-/tl aliquots were removed after 20, 26, 32, 38, and 44 cycles. These aliquots were electrophoresed on a 1 % agarose/2% NuSieve GTG agarose gel, Southern blotted to nitrocellulose, and hybridized with a Pendlabeled oligonucleotide probe by standard methods. The results are displayed in lanes 6-15 of Figure la and lb. Maximum amplification of the 328-bp product in the two parallel reactions occurred at about 26 cycles. Upon further cycling, specific product yield was reduced, additional bands appeared, and a smear developed. As can be seen in lane 10, the specific product has nearly disappeared after 44 cycles. The Southern blot hybridization also shows this effect and demonstrates that the smear contains sequences internal to the specific PCR fragment. Comparison of the higher cycles of the 50-pmol reaction to those of the 100-pmol reaction (lanes 9, 10 and 14, 15) reveals that in the latter case the loss of product has not progressed to the same extent. When a 60°C annealing temperature for 36 cycles was used (lane 2, 5°C higher than lanes 6-15), the smearing was eliminated.
Factor analysis and the cerebral hemispheres: temporal, occipital and frontal functions.

Abstract Three experiments are reported that use a number of lateralized tasks believed to draw on processes localized to the temporal, occipital or frontal lobes. Oblique factor analyses of the resultant asymmetries indicate the existence of mine lateralized functions, characterized as auditory lexical, facial figural, facial motive, spatial attentive, spatial positional, spatial quantitative, tactile figural, visual lexical, and visual phonetic in nature. Most functions are uncorrelated, but as in an earlier report (B oles , Neuropsychologia29, 59–91, 1991), both positive and negative correlations are observed. These outcomes continue to be consistent with neurodevelopment theory, and inconsistent with lateralization strength, hemisphericity, and independence views of individual differences in lateralization.
Psychiatric Hospitalization Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

This study examined predictors of psychiatric hospitalization among children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Data were collected from 760 caregivers of children with ASD. Cox regression was used to determine factors associated with hospitalization. Almost 11% were hospitalized. Youth in single parent homes were more likely to be hospitalized (OR = 2.54), as were youth diagnosed at a later age (OR = 1.10). Engaging in self-injurious behavior (OR = 2.14), aggressive behavior (OR = 4.83), and being diagnosed with depression (OR = 2.48) or obsessive compulsive disorder (OR = 2.35) increased the odds of hospitalization. Risk for hospitalization increased with age and over time. The results suggest early diagnosis and community-based interventions for aggressive and self-injurious behaviors may reduce hospitalizations.
Microscopic evidence of adenoviral infection in a muskrat in Illinois

A wild muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) found moribund in Illinois (USA) had minimal meningitis and pleuritis, probably of bacterial origin. There were large, basophilic, intranuclear inclusion bodies within scattered enterocytes. The inclusions were microscopically typical of those produced by adenoviruses, and ultrastructurally were intranuclear paracrystalline arrays of virus particles with characteristics of adenoviruses. The significance of the adenovirus infection in this muskrat is unknown.
Computerized mouse pupil size measurement for pupillary light reflex analysis

Accurate measurement of pupil size is essential for pupillary light reflex (PLR) analysis in clinical diagnosis and vision research. Low pupil-iris contrast, corneal reflection, artifacts and noises in infrared eye imaging pose challenges for automated pupil detection and measurement. This paper describes a computerized method for pupil detection or identification. After segmentation by a region-growing algorithm, pupils are detected by an iterative randomized Hough transform (IRHT) with an elliptical model. The IRHT iteratively suppresses the effects of extraneous structures and noise, yielding reliable measurements. Experimental results with 72 images showed a mean absolute difference of 3.84% between computerized and manual measurements. The inter-run variation for the computerized method (1.24%) was much smaller than the inter-observer variation for the manual method (7.45%), suggesting a higher level of consistency of the former. The computerized method could facilitate PLR analysis and other non-invasive functional tests that require pupil size measurements.
A Study of Lateralized Cognitive Processes in Upper-Division Electrical Engineering Students': Correlating Written Language Functions with Analytical Reasoning in Microelectronics

The human brain is asymmetrical in function, with each of its two hemispheres being somewhat responsible for distinct cognitive and motor tasks, to include writing. It stands to reason that engineering students who have established entrance into their upper-division programs will have demonstrated cognitive proficiency in math and logical operations, abstract and analytical reasoning and language usage, to include writing. In this study the question was asked: is there a correlation between an upper-division electrical engineering students’ analytical reasoning ability and their descriptive writing ability? Descriptive writing is taken here to mean a students’ ability to identify key physical aspects of a mathematical model and to express—in words—a concise and well-balanced description that demonstrates a deep conceptual understanding of the model. This includes more than a description of the variables or the particular application to an engineering problem; it includes a demonstrated recognition of the basic physics that govern the model, certain limitations (idealizations) inherent in the model, and an understanding of how to make practical experimental measurements to verify the governing physics in the model. A student at this level may demonstrate proficiency in their analytical reasoning skills and hence be capable of correctly solving a given problem. However, this does not guarantee that the same student is skilled in associating equations with their physical meaning on a deep conceptual level or in understanding physical limitations of the equation. Consequently, such a student may demonstrate difficulty in mapping their comprehension of the model into written language that demonstrates a sound conceptual understanding of the governing physics. The findings represent a sample of two independent class sections of Electrical and Computer Engineering junior’s first course in Microe-lectronic Devices and Circuits during fall semesters 2012 and 2013 at a private mid-size university in NW Oregon. A total of three exams were administered to each of the 2012/2013 groups. Correlations between exam scores that students achieved on their descriptive writing of microelectronics phenomena and their analytical problem-solving abilities were examined and found to be quite significant.
Salivary cortisol response during exposure treatment in driving phobics.

OBJECTIVE: Extensive research on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to stress has not clarified whether that axis is activated by phobic anxiety. We addressed this issue by measuring cortisol in situational phobics during exposure treatment. METHODS: Salivary cortisol was measured in 11 driving phobics before and during three exposure sessions involving driving on crowded limited-access highways and compared with levels measured in 13 healthy controls before and during two sessions of driving on the same highways. For each subject, data collected in the same time period on a comparison nondriving day served as an individual baseline from which cortisol response scores were calculated. RESULTS: Cortisol levels of driving phobics and controls did not differ on the comparison day. Phobics also had normal cortisol response scores on awakening on the mornings of the exposures but these were already increased 1 hour before coming to the treatment sessions. Phobics had significantly greater cortisol response scores during driving exposure and during quiet sitting periods before and afterward. These greater responses generally paralleled increases in self-reported anxiety. At the first exposure session, effect sizes for differences in cortisol response scores between the two groups were large. Initial exposure to driving in the first session evoked the largest responses. CONCLUSION: The data demonstrate that the HPA axis can be strongly activated by exposure to, and anticipation of, a phobic situation.
Two-handed input using a PDA and a mouse

We performed several experiments using a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) as an input device in the non-dominant hand along with a mouse in the dominant hand. A PDA is a small hand-held palm-size computer like a 3Com Palm Pilot or a Windows CE device. These are becoming widely available and are easily connected to a PC. Results of our experiments indicate that people can accurately and quickly select among a small numbers of buttons on the PDA using the left hand without looking, and that, as predicted, performance does decrease as the number of buttons increases. Homing times to move both hands between the keyboard and devices are only about 10% to 15% slower than times to move a single hand to the mouse, suggesting that acquiring two devices does not cause a large penalty. In an application task, we found that scrolling web pages using buttons or a scroller on the PDA matched the speed of using a mouse with a conventional scroll bar, and beat the best two-handed times reported in an earlier experiment. These results will help make two-handed interactions with computers more widely available and more effective.
Primer on molecular imaging technology

A wide range of technologies is available for in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro molecular and cellular imaging. This article focuses on three key in vivo imaging system instrumentation technologies used in the molecular imaging research described in this special issue of Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging: positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, and bioluminescence imaging. For each modality, the basics of how it works, important performance parameters, and the state-of-the-art instrumentation are described. Comparisons and integration of multiple modalities are also discussed. The principles discussed in this article apply to both human and small animal imaging.
Glucosylceramide Synthase of Mouse Kidney: Further Characterization with an Improved Assay Method'

The synthesis of glucosylceramide from ceramide and UDP-[3H]glucose by mouse kidney homogenates is very sensitive to the concentration of tissue. This was shown to be due to the presence of a UDP-glc pyrophosphatase, which could be blocked by adding NAD to the medium. A new solvent partitioning system is described, containing t-butyl methyl ether, isopropyl alcohol, and aqueous sodium sulfate, which separates the original substrate (UDP-[3H]glc) from the enzyme product, [3H]cerebroside. A particular advantage of the solvent system is that only a single partitioning step is needed, without backwashes, and the enzyme product appears in the upper phase, making transfer to a counting vial more reliable. A novel incubation device, a thermostatically controlled ultrasonic bath, is used to produce highly uniform enzyme reaction rates. Ca2+, as well as Mg2+ and Mn2+, was found to be a good stimulator of the glucosyltransferase. The enzyme activity in kidney of 22-day old mice, approximately 240 pmol/h/mg tissue, is significantly greater than previously demonstrated. The enzyme was stable in intact kidneys stored at -70 degrees C but unstable at 4 degrees C. The enzyme, when acting on endogenous ceramides, showed no demonstrable glucosylation of the C24 family of ceramides although this family is the predominant one in kidney.
Primary Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence for Women’s Health A Response to Plichta

The aim of this work is to make the case that prevention is essential and that concrete strategies for prevention exist and need to be prioritized. The women’s movement of the late 1960s advocated for a more comprehensive tertiary prevention for intimate partner violence (IPV) (Schechter, 1982) to include law enforcement and legal responses to IPV. The women’s movement also inspired creation of battered women’s shelters and community-based support services for women seeking assistance in coping with IPV or safely leaving a violent relationship. These essential and life-saving services are tertiary prevention because violence has already occurred, and, for many women, the violence has become chronic and health consequences have already occurred. The focus of these tertiary prevention interventions is preventing death or disability not in preventing the violence. More effective and cost-efficient primary and secondary prevention strategies are needed, in addition to adequately funding the necessary tertiary prevention approaches to address the epidemic of IPV. The remainder of this article will be a presentation of the range of primary and secondary prevention strategies that can and, in some cases, are being implemented in the United States and elsewhere. The lists provided are not meant to be exhaustive, but illustrative. Many dedicated individuals and groups have given careful thought to the range of prevention strategies. See Table 1 for an illustrative list of references for these strategies and notes on the focus of the work.
Fuzzy approach to object recognition

Certain effective object recognition schemes involve the location of various distinguishing object components, extraction of component features, and the recognition based on these features. For certain classes of object recognition problems, a critical part is the automatic location of the object components. A common method for locating the object components involves the correlation of point to point or area to area. This correlation procedure can be relatively computationally expensive. This paper develops a fast, stable fuzzy approach for locating object components. The effectiveness of the approach is illustrated by an application to the human face recognition problem.
Computational studies of aqueous interfaces of SrCl2 salt solutions

The electron density profiles and corresponding surface structures of an aqueous interface of SrCl(2) salt solution were computed by use of molecular dynamics simulations. We used both polarizable and nonpolarizable potential models to describe molecular interactions. The results demonstrate that the polarizable models captured the essential features of the corresponding X-ray reflectivity experimental data while the corresponding nonpolarizable models could not. In addition, we demonstrated that the shape of the X-ray reflectivity curve could be quantitatively reproduced if the simulations were carried out at lower SrCl(2) concentrations, making it likely that the polarizable models used in this study somewhat overestimate the surface concentration of ions. However, significant interfacial enhancement of both Sr(2+) and Cl(-) appears necessary to reproduce the experimental spectra. This is in contrast to systems with monovalent cations, which have generally been found to have a double layer, in which anions are enhanced at the surface but cations are repelled.
Products of the gas-phase reactions of the OH radical with 1-methoxy-2-propanol and 2-butoxyethanol

Glycol ethers are used as solvents and are hence liable to be released to the atmosphere, where they react and contribute to the formation of photochemical air pollution. In this work, products of the gas-phase reactions of the OH radical with 1-methoxy-2-propanol and 2-butoxyethanol in the presence of NO have been investigated at 298 {+-} 2K and 740 Torr total pressure of air by gas chromatography, in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and in situ atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The products observed from 1-methoxy-2-propanol were methyl formate, methoxyacetone, and acetaldehyde with molar formation yields of 0.59 {+-} 0.05, 0.39 {+-} 0.04, and 0.56 {+-} 0.07, respectively. The products observed and quantified from 2-butoxyethanol were n-butyl formate, 2-hydroxyethyl formate, propanal, 3-hydroxybutyl formate, and an organic nitrate with molar formation yields of 0.57 {+-} 0.05, 0.22 {+-} 0.05, 0.21 {+-} 0.02, 0.07 {+-} 0.03, and 0.10 {+-} 0.03, respectively. An additional product of molecular weight 132, attributed to one or more hydroxycarbonyl products, was also observed from the 2-butoxyethanol reaction by atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry. For both glycol ethers, the majority of the reaction products and reaction pathways are accounted for, and detailed reaction mechanisms are presented which accountmore » for the observed products.« less
Synthesis and characterization of manganese(III) and high-valent manganese-oxo complexes and their roles in conversion of alkenes to cyclic carbonates

Abstract A novel manganese(III) complex (2) of an amido-amine ligand (1) was successfully synthesized and characterized using various analytical techniques such as 1H NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray crystallography data of 2 has demonstrated that the complex is a six-coordinated species. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) also showed the characteristic peak (m/z 401.6, negative ion mode) of 2 indicating the formation of the complex. 2 was successfully employed to convert a variety of olefins to cyclic carbonate in the presence of carbon dioxide (CO2), an oxidant (e.g. tert-butylhydroperoxide, TBHP) and a co-catalyst (tetrabutylammonium bromide, TBAB) in a single-pot under mild reaction conditions. Upon reaction with an oxidant, 2 generated a non-heme high-valent manganese-oxo species (3), which was responsible for conversion of alkene to epoxide, and further cycloaddition of CO2 occurs in the presence of 2 and TBAB. The effect of reaction conditions (temperature and pressure), oxidants, and alkenes were systematically investigated for cyclic carbonate synthesis. High turnover numbers (50–240) and yield were obtained when various alkenes were employed. Additionally, 3 was characterized using various spectroscopic and mass spectrometry techniques. Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR) of 3 indicated a peak at 839 cm−1 corresponding to manganese-oxo stretching. Isotope labeling studies of the oxo group of 3 revealed a peak shift to 804 cm−1 upon exchange of the 16O with 18O. 3 was also characterized by ESI-MS. 18O isotope studies were performed to understand the role of 3 in the catalytic cycle and to further establish the mechanism of the reaction.
The histologic spectrum of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a range of histologic lesions in the liver that occur in individuals who do not consume alcohol in quantities that generally are considered to be harmful. The histologic spectrum of NAFLD includes isolated predominantly macrovesicular steatosis alone at one end and steatohepatitis at the other. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis can progress to cirrhosis and now also is considered to be a precursor of cryptogenic cirrhosis. This article provides an understanding of the histologic features of NAFLD and the potential pitfalls in the histologic assessment of this condition.
Near-Surface Geologic Units Exposed Along Ares Vallis and in Adjacent Areas: A Potential Source of Sediment at the Mars Pathfinder Landing Site

A sequence of layers, bright and dark, is exposed on the walls of canyons, impact craters and mesas throughout the Ares Vallis region, Chryse Planitia, and Xanthe Terra, Mars. Four layers can be seen: two pairs of alternating dark and bright albedo. The upper dark layer forms the top surface of many walls and mesas. The upper dark-bright pair was stripped as a unit from many streamlined mesas and from the walls of Ares Valles, leaving a bench at the top of the lower dark layer, approximately 250 m below the highland surface on streamlined islands and on the walls of Ares Vallis itself. Along Ares Vallis, the scarp between the highlands surface and this bench is commonly angular in plan view (not smoothly curving), suggesting that erosion of the upper dark-bright pair of layers controlled by planes of weakness, like fractures or joints. These near-surface layers in the Ares Vallis area have similar thicknesses, colors, and resistances to erosion to layers exposed near the tops of walls in Valles Marineris (Treiman et al.) and may represent the same pedogenic hardpan units. From this correlation, and from analogies with hardpans on Earth, the light-color layers may be cemented by calcite or gypsum. The dark layers are likely cemented by an iron-bearing mineral. Mars Pathfinder instruments should permit recognition and useful analyses of hardpan fragments, provided that clean uncoated surfaces are accessible. Even in hardpan-cemented materials, it should be possible to determine the broad types of lithologies in the Martian highlands. However, detailed geochemical modeling of highland rocks and soils may be compromised by the presence of hardpan cement minerals.
ISOCHROMOSOME 9q IN AN INFANT EXPOSED TO ETHANOL PRENATALLY

A two year old girl with several dysmorphic features was found to have an isochromosome for the long arm of number 9: 46,XX,−9,+i(9q). We could find no previous report of this chromosome abnormality. Furthermore, the mother reported that she "drank 3 to 6 beers a day, plus occasional binge drinking" up until pregnancy was diagnosed at 7 weeks gestation. Birth weight was 2.2 kg (below 3rd percentile). Placenta was small, with thin cord and only 2 vessels. The baby was "malnourished" and "peeling", with blood glucose values as low as 15 mg/dl. At age 19 months there was global developmental delay, with skills at 9-10 month level and mild hypotonia. At 23 months she exhibited a small midface, narrow palpebral fissures, slight epicanthal folds, mild ptosis, pectus excavatum, bilateral simian creases, clinodactyly V, syndactyly toes 2-4 and dystrophic toe nail V. There was a bicuspid aortic valve and slight aortic insufficiency. It is difficult to sort out phenotypic effects of i(9q) and ethanol embryopathy. Ethanol (via acetaldehyde) has been shown to interfere with the spindle apparatus (Harsanyi et al. Mutation Res. 48:51, 1977). Acetaldehyde is clastogenic in man, causing chromosomal aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges (Obe & Ristow Mutation Res 65:229, 1979). Our patient may have suffered both clastogenic and teratogenic effects of prenatal ethanol toxicity.
Nonlinear regression and ARIMA models for precipitation chemistry in East Central Florida from 1978 to 1997.

Abstract Continuous monitoring of precipitation in East Central Florida has occurred since 1978 at a sampling site located on the University of Central Florida (UCF) campus. Monthly volume-weighted average (VWA) concentration for several major analytes that are present in precipitation samples was calculated from samples collected daily. Monthly VWA concentration and wet deposition of H + , NH 4 + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , NO 3 − , Cl − and SO 4 2− were evaluated by a nonlinear regression (NLR) model that considered 10-year data (from 1978 to 1987) and 20-year data (from 1978 to 1997). Little change in the NLR parameter estimates was indicated among the 10-year and 20-year evaluations except for general decreases in the predicted trends from the 10-year to the 20-year fits. Box–Jenkins autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models with linear trend were considered as an alternative to the NLR models for these data. The NLR and ARIMA model forecasts for 1998 were compared to the actual 1998 data. For monthly VWA concentration values, the two models gave similar results. For the wet deposition values, the ARIMA models performed considerably better.
Geochemical evolution of arc magmatism during arc-continent collision, South Mayo, Ireland

The Lough Nafooey arc, in the western Irish Caledonides, collided with Laurentia during the Early Ordovician. This event is recorded in the stratigraphy of the South Mayo trough, the preserved forearc basin of this system. Lavas at the base of the oldest Lough Nafooey Group show intraoceanic arc composition. eNd(t) decreases and light rare earth elements (REEs) become more enriched upsection in the Lough Nafooey Group (ca. 495‐ 481 Ma), reflecting early collision with Laurentia. The subsequent Tourmakeady Group (ca. 481‐470 Ma) is rhyolitic, light REE enriched, and has strongly negative eNd(t). These rocks were erupted during the Grampian orogeny. The Rosroe and Mweelrea Formations (,470 Ma) show wide scatter of La/Sm and Nb/Zr values, suggesting mixed mantle sources. This correlates with rapid exhumation of the adjacent Connemara metamorphic terrane. The chemical evolution of the arc supports models of collision, orogeny, and tectonic unroofing within ;15 m.y., and shows that genesis of magmas more enriched than continental crust can occur during arc-continent collision, clarifying the potential role of arc volcanism in continental crust formation.
Plus ça Change…? Multiraciality and the Dynamics of Race Relations in the United States

The issue of race has long cast a shadow on the founding mythology of the United States, but today some scholars argue race is declining in significance, as evidenced by the rise of interracial unions and the fact that the offspring of such unions can now officially acknowledge their mixed-race backgrounds. However, the sizeable growth of the Asian and Latino populations in the United States through immigration complicates the issue. Seemingly neither black nor white, the new immigrants are generating increased diversity and raising questions about whether today's color line replicates the old Black–White demarcation. The research results introduced in this article suggest the contemporary color line in the United States more reflects a Black/non-Black division than a White/non-White one.
Primary Graft Dysfunction

Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a syndrome encompassing a spectrum of mild to severe lung injury that occurs within the first 72 hours after lung transplantation. PGD is characterized by pulmonary edema with diffuse alveolar damage that manifests clinically as progressive hypoxemia with radiographic pulmonary infiltrates. In recent years, new knowledge has been generated on risks and mechanisms of PGD. Following ischemia and reperfusion, inflammatory and immunological injury-repair responses appear to be key controlling mechanisms. In addition, PGD has a significant impact on short- and long-term outcomes; therefore, the choice of donor organ is impacted by this potential adverse consequence. Improved methods of reducing PGD risk and efforts to safely expand the pool are being developed. Ex vivo lung perfusion is a strategy that may improve risk assessment and become a promising platform to implement treatment interventions to prevent PGD. This review details recent updates in the epidemiology, pathophysiology, molecular and genetic biomarkers, and state-of-the-art technical developments affecting PGD.
In situ Infrared Spectroscopic Study of CH4 Oxidation Over Co–ZSM-5

Surface species formed in CH4 activation over Co–ZSM-5 were monitored by in situ DRIFT spectroscopy. IR absorption bands assigned to adsorbed methoxide, formate and polyoxymethylene were detected. The similarities in the IR bands and their evolution during He purge after reactions conducted under anaerobic and aerobic conditions suggested that Cannizzaro disproportionation of formaldehyde is a significant reaction pathway. This was verified when water was found to react with a surface species to form adsorbed formate. Continued formation of surface formate was observed during purging in He which indicated substantial surface storage of formaldehyde as polyoxymethylene.
Linewidth studies on the NI(4S−4P) resonance multiplet

Abstract We have measured the linewidths of the NI multiplets [2p 2 3p 4 D 0 −2p 2 3s 4 P, λ8691 A ; 2p 2 3p 4 P 0 −2p 2 3s 4 P, λ8212 A ; 2p 2 3s 4 P−2p 3 4 S 0 , λ1200 A ] produced in the dissociative excitation of N2 by energy electrons. The infrared transitions excite the N(4P) resonance state by cascade and they account for > 50% of the total N(4P) cross section at 100 eV. Both the i.r. and v.u.v. lines are found to be highly Doppler broadened ( ∼ 25 times the thermal Doppler line width). These results indicate that dissociative excitation of N2 produces N (4P) atoms with sufficient kinetic energy so that the λ1200 A resonance radiation [2p 2 3s 4 P −2p 3 4 S 0 ] emitted by these excited atoms would be optically thin in the Earth's upper atmosphere. We also found that the line strength ratios for the resolved components of the λ1200 A triplet excited by dissociative excitation differ from those predicted by the multiplicities of the states involved and used in current entrapment models; the intensity ratios also vary with the energy of the incident electron. These developments introduce new complications into the analysis of the terrestrial ultraviolet dayglow.
Behavioral regulators of carbohydrate homeostasis

Thus, this brief account of our experiments has indicated that homeostasis may be maintained by “behavioral” as well as “physiological” mechanisms. How these two mechanisms probably operate and inter-react in intact organisms has been discussed elsewhere6, 7. It is hoped that this concept of “behavioral” mechanisms may be of use in the field of carbohydrate metabolism on the one hand to the experimenters who are working on animals, and on the other to the clinical workers on man. It should make the experimenters aware that animals themselves with their dietary selections and other forms of behavior may attempt to regulate carbohydrate metabolism; and the clinicians that patients may do likewise. It must be added that in man the operation of “behavioral” mechanisms may be complicated or confused by beliefs, habits, or social pressure.
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induces Fas-dependent activation-induced cell death in superantigen-primed T cells.

Immune response against a foreign antigen is characterized by a growth phase, in which antigen-specific T cells clonally expand, followed by a decline phase in which the activated T cells undergo apoptosis, a process termed activation-induced cell death (AICD). In the current study, we have investigated the phase at which 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) acts to downregulate the antigen-specific T cell response. To this end, C57BL/6 +/+ mice were injected with staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) into the footpads (10 µg/footpad), and simultaneously treated with TCDD (10 or 50 µg/kg intraperitoneally). At various time points, the draining lymph node (LN) cells were analyzed for SEA-activated T cells. The data demonstrated that in C57BL/6 +/+ mice, TCDD treatment did not alter the growth phase but facilitated the decline phase of SEA-reactive T cells. TCDD caused a significant decrease in the percentage and absolute numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ SEA-responsive T cells expressing Vβ3+ and Vβ11+ but did not affect SEA-nonresponsive Vβ8+ T cells. Upon in vitro culture, TCDD-exposed SEA-immunized LN cells exhibited increased levels of apoptosis when compared with the vehicle controls. When Fas-deficient (C57BL/6 lpr/lpr) or Fas ligand defective (C57BL/6 gld/gld) mice were treated with TCDD, they failed to exhibit a decrease in percentage and cellularity of SEA-reactive T cells, thereby suggesting a role of Fas-Fas ligand interactions in the TCDD-induced downregulation of SEA-reactive T cell response. The resistance to TCDD-induced decrease in T cell responsiveness to SEA seen in Fas- and FasL-mutant mice was neither due to decreased aryl hydrocabon receptor (AhR) expression nor to altered T cell responsiveness to SEA. The current study demonstrates that TCDD does not prevent T cell activation, but prematurely induces Fas-based AICD, which may contribute to the deletion of antigen-primed T cells.
Photon self-absorption corrections for the minimization of systematic errors in 14-mev neutron activation analysis

Abstract In comparative 14-MeV neutron activation analysis for oxygen, systematic errors are evidenced if attenuation of incident neutrons and induced γ-radioactivity by a thick sample is ignored. The present study pertains to the general case of measurement where photopeaks resulting from either direct nuclear transitions or from. positron annihilation are counted. A quantitative evaluation of these attenuation processes is presented. The results show that the photon attenuation correction factor is related to the difference between the calculated linear absorption coefficients for sample and standard through a simple exponential expression. The slopes of the respective correction factor lines are compared with that for integral γ-counting in oxygen analysis. Differences in the magnitudes of the slopes are discussed. The results of this study are consistent with the removal cross-section theory describing 14-MeV neutron attenuation over a wide range of threshold energies. Typical analyses of Standard Reference Materials, with these correction factors, are given.
Development of a chemically crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel for injectable nucleus pulposus replacement

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels have been chemically crosslinked using poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEG-DGE) to develop a material for injectable nucleus pulposus replacement. The effects of PVA and PEG-DGE concentrations on compressive modulus and swelling have been deteremined in addition to the cytotoxic effects of crosslinking PVA with PEG-DGE.
The role of chemical bonding and surface topography in adhesion between carbon fibers and epoxy matrices

A series of PAN-based IM6 carbon fibers which were surface treated to different levels with a commercial method were pretreated with compounds representing the constituents encountered in epoxy mat...
Mitigation of multipath effects in broadband wireless systems using quantized state adaptive equalization methods

Broadband wireless systems are currently in a rapid evolutionary phase in terms of development of various technologies, development of various applications, deployment of various services and generation of many important standards in the field. Among the many factors to be considered in the design of these systems, the key factor has been the bandwidth utilization efficiency offered by orthogonal frequency division multiple accessing (OFDM) techniques. However, in severe multipath environments, which may occur, for example, in indoor environments especially for the high-speed data links, the proper operation of the OFDM link requires techniques such as adaptive equalization to overcome the intersymbol interference caused by multipath propagation and channel fading. This paper presents simulation results on the performance of various equalizer algorithms when applied to the OFDM link operating in such a severe multipath environment. The algorithms that are compared include the recursive least squares (RLS) and quantized state (QS) algorithms. While the RLS algorithms are more familiar to the engineers in this field, a set of a number of algorithms termed QS algorithms have also been invented earlier by the first author of this paper and have certain advantages in terms of computational efficiency and numerical robustness. A number of simulation examples are presented showing the bit error rates achieved with the adaptive equalizer algorithms.
Productivity growth and convergence in US agriculture: new cointegration panel data results

Dynamic effects of health and inter-state and inter-industry knowledge spillovers, Total Factor Productivity (TFP) growth and convergence in US agriculture are examined using recently developed procedures for panel data and a growth accounting model. Strong evidence is found to support the hypothesis that TFP converges to a steady state. Health care supply in rural areas and research spillovers from other states and from nonagricultural sectors are found to have significant impacts on the productivity growth rate in both the short and the long run. These results suggest a richer set of opportunities for policy makers to enhance productivity growth than previously considered.
CACTIN is an essential nuclear protein in Arabidopsis and may be associated with the eukaryotic spliceosome

CACTIN is a conserved eukaryotic protein without known functional domains. Previous research revealed that CACTIN is essential in animals and protists and that it may function in inflammation pathways in animals; however, these pathways are not as broadly conserved as CACTIN. Therefore, the ancestral molecular function of CACTIN remains unknown. Our studies using Arabidopsis show that CACTIN is required for embryogenesis. Fluorescently tagged CACTIN localizes to nuclear speckles and colocalizes with known splicing proteins. In yeast-two-hybrid studies, we found that CACTIN binds to a putative component of the spliceosome. These findings support a possible role for CACTIN in splicing.
Ultrasound imaging simulation and echocardiographic image synthesis

Presents a ray tracing ultrasound imaging simulation method that accounts for the effects of reflection, scattering and attenuation. Two-dimensional echocardiographic images were synthesized using this method. Nonlinear effects introduced by the signal processing units in an ultrasound imaging system were also emulated. Three-dimensional triangular facet mesh models were employed in representing the heart structures and generating the synthetic two-dimensional echocardiographic images. The synthetic images agreed with the corresponding real ultrasound images in major ultrasound effects. No other prior work in echocardiographic image synthesis is known.
An adverse event capture and management system for cancer studies

Comprehensive capture of Adverse Events (AEs) is crucial for monitoring for side effects of a therapy while assessing efficacy. For cancer studies, the National Cancer Institute has developed the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) as a required standard for recording attributes and grading AEs. The AE assessments should be part of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system; yet, due to patient-centric EHR design and implementation, many EHR's don't provide straightforward functions to assess ongoing AEs to indicate a resolution or a grade change for clinical trials. At UAMS, we have implemented a standards-based Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) that is integrated with the Epic EHR and other research systems to track new and existing AEs, including automated lab result grading in a regulatory compliant manner. Within a patient's chart, providers can launch AERS, which opens the patient's ongoing AEs as default and allows providers to assess (resolution/ongoing) existing AEs. In another tab, it allows providers to create a new AE. Also, we have separated symptoms from diagnoses in the CTCAE to minimize inaccurate designation of the clinical observations. Upon completion of assessments, a physician would submit the AEs to the EHR via a Health Level 7 (HL7) message and then to other systems utilizing a Representational State Transfer Web Service. AERS currently supports CTCAE version 3 and 4 with more than 65 cancer studies and 350 patients on those studies. This type of standard integrated into the EHR aids in research and data sharing in a compliant, efficient, and safe manner.
Cost Accounting Implications For Corporate Wellness Programs

The health of a company’s employees is a considerable challenge for today’s corporate executives. The reality of ever increasing healthcare costs has resulted in more companies now recognizing the value of health promotion through employee health and wellness programs. The potential return on investment is ultimately less turnover, less absenteeism, greater satisfaction in employment, better recruitment, and sustained success of companies. As the workplace is increasingly recognized as a potentially effective site for wellness intervention and employee health promotion, the challenges in offering these types of programs are apparent. The greatest challenge for employers is to maintain workplaces that provide health-promoting and sustaining policies, programs, and practices. Employees should have ready access to effective programs and services that protect their health, safety, and well-being. Wellness programs offered at the work site are one way for corporate America to meet this challenge.
"Impact of technology on individuals and society": a critical thinking and lifelong learning class for engineering students

This paper presents a rationale, course objectives, and sample exercises for a newly developed general education class that is encouraged especially for engineering and technology students. The class was developed in response to a need to engage students with social and ethical issues related to their disciplines, as well as to empower them as critical thinkers who will be actively involved in democratic decision-making about technical issues. The class has two primary objectives: First, students are provided the opportunity to reflect critically on the merits and drawbacks of technology in their lives and across broad social contexts. Second, to promote life-long learning commitment and skills, the class also focuses on self-assessment of personal learning styles and understanding how new technology information and skills are acquired.
A Process Control Test for Lateral Charge Spreading Susceptibility

A rapid process control stress test is described, for use in evaluating the susceptibility of MOS circuits-to lateral charge spreading and subsequent channel formation. Measurements of the temperature, time, and stress voltage dependence of the induced channel conductance are described, and these lead to the specification of the standardized stress conditions for the test procedure. The observed temperature dependence is consistent with an activation energy of 1 eV for the charge spreading mechanism. Choice of an appropriate stress voltage is dependent upon field oxide, substrate, and protective overcoat material parameters, in relation to the physical site of the charge spreading. Measurements to separate charge spreading at the overcoat-field oxide interface or in the film bulk are described. The standardized test procedure has been validated for use as a process control by correlating its results with the life test behavior of MOS integrated circuits having various types of overcoat materials. Inversion failure rates of these circuits subjected to conventional life test procedures are found to be proportional to the induced channel conductances observed in the accelerated process control test.
A joint adaptive interferometric phase unwrapping and filtering algorithm

SAR interferometry has come to the fore with the realization of the applicability and the general availability of interferometric data. With the widespread use of interferometry come problems concerning analysis and interpretation. Two aspects of these problems are phase unwrapping and speckle filtering. The authors present a joint phase unwrapping and filtering algorithm that optimally extracts the absolute phase from the relative phase via an adaptive weighted least-square method. SIR-C/X-SAR interferometric images of Mt. Etna, Italy are used to illustrate the method.
The Prevention Science of Reading Research within a Response-to-Intervention Model.

The purpose of this article is to describe research-based reading intervention within a Response-to-Intervention (RTI) model, using prevention science as a context. First, RTI is defined and a rationale is provided for its use in improving the reading performance of all students, particularly those students identified as at risk for reading-related learning disabilities. Next, reading risk is defined and discussed, including prevalence, antecedents, and how risk is assessed through universal screening and progress monitoring. Existing literature on the use of RTI models in reading is summarized, including small- and large-scale implementation studies. Finally, future research directions in the area of reading within an RTI model are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.