cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of CF3Br Flame Suppression Activity Using Quantitative Laser-Induced Fluorescence Measurements of the Hydroxyl Radical

The recent ban on the production of CF3Br (Halon 1301) because of its deleterious effect on the global ozone layer has intensified the search for new fire suppressants with comparable properties. The present study focuses on further understanding the relatively established mechanism by which CF3Br operates as an effective fire suppressant so as to help guide the search for alternative suppressants. Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) was used to measure quantitatively the concentration of hydroxyl in opposed CH4/air di ffusion flames as a function of the amount of CF3Br added to the air steam. Experimental profiles of OH concentration in undoped and CF3Br-doped flames were obtained and compared with those predicted from kinetic modeling. Good agreement was found at lower percentages of CF3Br, but at higher percentages nearer extinction, the reduction in OH concentration was overpredicted by the kinetic model. Quantitative reaction path (QRP) and sensitivity analyses were performed so as to improve our unders...
A demonstration of glial filament distribution in astrocytes isolated from rat cerebral cortex

Astrocytes have been classically described based on morphological characteristics as either protoplasmic or fibrous. However, the appearance of astrocytes at the light microscopic level following immunoreaction with glial filament acidic protein antisera or Cajal's gold-chloride method is markedly different from the morphology of Golgi-impregnated or horseradish peroxidase-filled astrocytes. The present study combines immunohistochemistry using glial fibrillary acidic protein antisera and a cellular suspension of structurally intact astrocytes isolated from the rat cerebral cortex to demonstrate that the distribution of glial filaments is limited to major astrocytic processes. Because the sheet-like processes which decorate the major branches of protoplasmic astrocytes do not contain glial filaments, the entire protoplasmic astrocyte is not visible when viewed in situ in the gray matter of the cerebral cortex. Thus staining techniques that have a propensity for the glial filaments such as antisera to glial fibrillary acidic protein and the gold-chloride method provide only a skeletal outline of the major processes of the protoplasmic astrocyte. On the other hand, fibrous astrocytes which do not have feathery decorations on major processes are visible in the cerebral cortex in their structural entirety. The present investigation also offers additional evidence of the specificity of glial fibrillary acidic protein antisera for astrocytes.
THE ELECTRONIC-STRUCTURES OF FE-3+ COORDINATION SITES IN IRON-OXIDES - APPLICATIONS TO SPECTRA, BONDING, AND MAGNETISM

The electronic structures of Fe3+ coordination sites in hematite and maghemite are obtained from self-consistent field Xα scattered-wave (SCF-Xα-SW) molecular orbital calculations on an octahedral (FeO6)9− cluster, a trigonally distorted (FeO6)9− cluster, and a tetrahedral (FeO4)5− cluster. The electronic structures of these coordination sites should also give a good description of those of Fe3+ cations in other oxides and silicates. The overlapping sphere approach to the SCF-Xα-SW formalism is used and is found to give more accurate results than previous calculations on these systems.
Temperature Distribution in a Composite of Opaque and Semitransparent Spectral Layers

The analysis of radiative transfer becomes computationally complex for a composite when there are multiple layers and multiple spectral bands. A convenient analytical method is developed for combined radiation and conduction in a composite of alternating semitransparent and opaque layers. The semi- transparent layers absorb, scatter, and emit radiation, and spectral properties with large scattering are included. The two-flux method is used, and its applicability is verified by comparison with a basic solution in the literature. The differential equation in the two-flux method Is solved by deriving a Green's function. The solution technique is applied to analyze radiation effects in a multilayer zirconia thermal barrier coating with internal radiation shields for conditions in an aircraft engine combustor. The zirconia radiative properties are modeled by two spectral bands. Thin opaque layers within the coating are used to decrease radiant transmission that can degrade the zirconia insulating ability. With radiation shields, the temperature distributions more closely approach the opaque limit that provides the lowest metal wall temperatures.
Thrombopoiesis: Capturing the unicorn

Abstract The elusive factor that stimulates megakaryocytes to produce platelets has at last been found; as well as its physiological interest, this factor — thrombopoietin — may be of considerable therapeutic importance.
THE CHANGING ROLE OF SOIL PESTS ATTACKING POTATO TUBERS

Published January 1967. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog
Zernike-Bessel representation and its application to Hankel transforms

The duality between the well-known Zernike polynomial basis set and the Fourier-Bessel expansion of suitable functions on the radial unit interval is exploited to calculate Hankel transforms. In particular, the Hankel transform of simple truncated radial functions is observed to be exact, whereas more complicated functions may be evaluated with high numerical accuracy. The formulation also provides some general insight into the limitations of the Fourier-Bessel representation, especially for infinite-range Hankel transform pairs.
Pathogenesis of left ventricular aneurysms: An experimental study in the rat model

Left ventricular aneurysms, convex protrusions at sites of transmural scar, are clinically recognized late after myocardial infarction because of their hemodynamic or arrhythmic complications. Whether aneurysms develop from dilation of freshly infarcted myocardium early after myocardial infarction or from late dilation of scar is not known. To investigate this question, the time course of changes in shape of the left ventricle early and late after myocardial infarction was studied. One hundred forty-one myocardial infarcts were produced in rats by coronary ligation, and the animals were killed at time periods of up to 6 weeks. True aneurysms developed as early as 2 weeks and only in rats with a transmural infarct. The percent of rats that manifested "aneurysmal shape changes" (defined as a protrusion of the full thickness of the left ventricular wall) increased from day 1 to day 5, but did not change significantly thereafter. The extent of left ventricular dilation in hearts with early aneurysmal shape changes did not progress significantly up to day 42. Accordingly, in the rat, regional aneurysmal shape alterations are due not to late dilation of scare tissue, but rather to "expansion" of freshly necrotic myocardium within the first 5 days of infarction. Thus, early changes in shape appear to determine late aneurysm formation.
Predictors and outcomes of stent thrombosis. An intravascular ultrasound registry

Aims To investigate whether intravascular ultrasound provides additional information regarding the prediction of stent thrombosis, a retrospective multicentre registry was designed to enrol patients with stent thrombosis following stent deployment under ultrasound guidance. Methods and Results A total of 53 patients were enrolled (mean age 61±9 years) with stable angina (43%), unstable angina (36%), and post-infarct angina (21%) who underwent intracoronary stenting. The majority had balloon angioplasty alone prior to stenting (94%) with 6% also undergoing rotational atherectomy. The indication for stenting was elective (53%), suboptimal result (32%) and bailout (15%). There were 1·6±0·8 stents/artery with 87% undergoing high-pressure dilatation (≥14 atmospheres). The minimum stent area was 7·7±2·8mm2with a mean stent expansion of 81·5±21·9%. Overall, 94% of cases demonstrated one abnormal ultrasound finding (stent under-expansion, malapposition, inflow/outflow disease, dissection, or thrombus). Angiography demonstrated an abnormality in only 32% of cases (chi-square=30·0, P <0·001). Stent thrombosis occurred at 132±125h after deployment. Myocardial infarction occurred in 67% and there was an overall mortality of 15%. Conclusion On comparison with angiography, the vast majority of stents associated with subsequent thrombosis have at least one abnormal feature by intravascular ultrasound at the time of stent deployment.
Enhanced efficacy of photodynamic therapy via a sequential targeting protocol

This study was designed to examine determinants of the discovery that low-dose lysosomal photodamage (lyso-PDT) could potentiate the efficacy of subsequent low-dose mitochondrial photodamage (mito-PDT). The chlorin NPe6 and the benzoporphyrin derivative (BPD) were used to separately target lysosomes and mitochondria, respectively, in murine hepatoma cells. Lyso-PDT (LD(5) conditions) followed by mito-PDT (LD(15) conditions) enhanced the loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of procaspases-3/7 and photokilling. Reversing the sequence was less effective. The optimal sequence did not enhance reactive oxygen species formation above that obtained with low-dose mito-PDT. In contrast, alkalinization of lysosomes with bafilomycin also enhanced low-dose mito-PDT photokilling, but via a different pathway. This involves redistribution of iron from lysosomes to mitochondria leading to enhanced hydroxyl radical formation, effects not observed after the sequential procedure. Moreover, Ru360, an inhibitor of mitochondrial calcium and iron uptake, partially suppressed the ability of bafilomycin to enhance mito-PDT photokilling without affecting the enhanced efficacy of the sequential protocol. We conclude that sequential PDT protocol promotes PDT efficacy by a process not involving iron translocation, but via promotion of the pro-apoptotic signal that derives from mitochondrial photodamage.
A Self-Aligned Air Gap Interconnect Process

A self-aligned air gap interconnect structure with sidewall reinforcement is developed. The new structure lowers the capacitance of 0.09um/0.09um (w/s) metal wires by as much as 25%, and exhibits low leakage current. As compared to un-protected air gaps, the structure also greatly improves the electromigration resistance and the misalignment margin for unlanded vias. Furthermore, the sidewall protection layer strengthens the overall mechanical strength and increases the packaging reliability.
A coordination framework and architecture for Internet groupware

We discuss a group coordination architecture to support Internet-wide distributed collaboration, in particular for WWW-based distance education. With the current surge in e-commerce and Web-centric information exchange among users, the need for systems offering better telepresence and interaction capabilities becomes tangible. Group coordination in distributed systems and networked multimedia systems has many faces manifested in a variety of user interfaces and network protocols. However, to date no general methodology exists for engineering group coordination protocols to streamline the deployment of remote learning and collaboration environments. The objective of this article is to identify the key elements of a general group coordination framework, complementing existing group membership and multicast dissemination models, and to set the cornerstones for a coordination architecture which may be used to leverage the rapid development of group-oriented distributed collaborative applications in the Internet, for example for distance education, distributed scientific simulation and visualization, or similar applications.
Aggregation of polyamphiphiles with the polar head on the main chain

The preparation of the polyamphiphiles I and II is presented and their aggregational properties in aqueous media are discussed. The experimental methods employed were primarily electrical conductivity and fluorescence spectroscopy.
(E)‐1‐Bromo‐4‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐buten‐3‐yne and (E)‐1‐Bromo‐4‐(tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)‐1‐buten‐3‐yne

[107646-62-8] C7H11BrSi (MW 203.15) InChI = 1S/C7H11BrSi/c1-9(2,3)7-5-4-6-8/h4,6H,1-3H3/b6-4+ InChIKey = HLZBLUKDUBOQPX-GQCTYLIASA-N (cross-coupling reagent used as a four-carbon synthon in the synthesis of conjugated oligoenes and oligoenynes) Physical Data: bp 72–74 °C/15mm-Hg; d 1.076 g cm−3. Solubility: insoluble in water; soluble in hexane, ether, alcohol, and most other organic solvents. Analysis of Reagent Purity: 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 0.19 (s, 9 H), 6.21 (d, J = 14.1 Hz, 1 H), 6.75 (d, J = 14.1Hz, 1 H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ −0.325 (3 C), 97.33, 100.91, 117.61, 119.97 ≥ 99% E by 13C NMR; IR (neat), 3075, 2168, 2111, 1696, 1577, 1252, 1199, 1062, 845 cm−1. Preparative Methods: obtained by the Pd(PPh3)4 catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of (E)-1-bromo-2-iodoethylene with TMS—≡—ZnBr generated in situ by the reaction of TMS—≡, MeMgBr, and ZnBr2. Purification: distilled at reduced pressure. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: the reagent should be stored in the refrigerator.
Shifts in the flowering phenology of the northern Great Plains: Patterns over 100 years

 Premise of the study : Climate change is associated with phenological shifts in an increasing number of organisms worldwide. However, accurate estimates of these shifts are dependent on long-term data sets that include phenological observations from before annual average temperatures began to rise.  Methods : We compared the fi rst fl owering times of native prairie plants between 2007 and 2010 with historical data recorded by O. A. Stevens from 1910 to 1961. By merging climate variable data from the same time period, it also was possible to correlate fi rst fl owering dates with associated climate variables.  Key results : Over the past 100 years, spring temperatures in the Red River Valley near Fargo, North Dakota, USA, have increased, and growing seasons have lengthened signifi cantly. Seventy-fi ve percent of the 178 species observed by Stevens had fl owering times that were sensitive to at least one variable related to temperature or precipitation. Over the past 4 yr, 5% to 17% of the species observed have signifi cantly shifted their fi rst fl owering time either earlier or later relative to the previous century.  Conclusions : The results of this study indicate that as spring temperatures in the northern Great Plains have increased and the growing season has lengthened, some spring fl owering species have advanced their fi rst fl owering time, some fall species have delayed their fi rst fl owering, and some species have not changed. Given the importance of fltiming for reproductive success, the changing climate in the Great Plains is expected to have long-term ecological and evolutionary consequences for native plant species.
Party Platforms and Party Coalitions: The Christian Right and State-Level Republicans

In this article, I make a first attempt at identifying how coalitions are represented in a state party’s platform. Using the Christian Right as a test case for Republican coalition membership, I fu...
Drug delivery by contact lens in spontaneously glaucomatous dogs.

Purpose: The efficacy of ophthalmic drug delivery through contact lenses in animal model was explored to evaluate its potential for serving as an alternative to eye drops, which are inefficient vehicles for delivering ophthalmic drugs.Methods: The efficacy of timolol delivered via contact lenses was compared to eye drops in beagle dogs that suffer from spontaneous glaucoma. Experiments were conducted with NIGHT & DAY™ silicone hydrogel contact lenses and NIGHT & DAY™ loaded with vitamin E, which was included in the lens to extend the release duration of the drug. Timolol was loaded into contact lenses by soaking in drug/phosphate buffered saline solution, and the drug-loaded lenses were subsequently inserted in one of the eyes, with the other eye serving as control. The lenses were replaced every 24 hours, and the pharmacodynamics of intraocular pressure (IOP) and pupil size were monitored in both eyes.Results: The IOP reduction from baseline by NIGHT & DAY™ (5.02 ± 0.83 mmHg) was comparable with that by ...
Raising Medical Students' Awareness of Nutrition and Fitness in Disease Prevention: Nutrition and Fitness Program at the University of Iowa

At the University of Iowa we devised a learning experience, called the Nutrition and Fitness Program, for third-year medical students. The program was designed to raise awareness of the role of nutrition and exercise in the prevention and treatment of disease. Students spent one af-ternoon learning about their personal health risk factors, such as body mass index, percent body fat, other anthropometric measures such as waist, hip and mid-arm circumference, blood lipids, bone-mass density, dietary analysis, and fitness assessment. Students spent another afternoon vis-iting the cardiac rehabilitation center. At the end of each rotation, students gathered for a heart-healthy meal that served as a focus for a discussion with dietitians about important nutrition is-sues. The literature and our work with medical students support the need and acceptance of a personal-ized, practical approach to nutrition education. By offering medical students the opportunity to learn about their own nutrition and fitness risk factors, this Nutrition and Fitness Program appears to have played an important role in the students’ medical education by narrowing the gap between the “science of nutrition” and the “application of nutrition”. Students appreciated learning more about their own health factors and felt that personalizing the information made the learning more valuable and would help in counseling their future patients more effectively.
Predictors of African American Well-Being

This study examines panel data from the National Survey of Black Americans with regard to the predictors of African American quality of life between 1980 and 1992. Objective measures (such as health, education, and income) indicate that the situation for African Americans has either stagnated or declined during this period. Regression analyses found: (a) measures of general life satisfaction, happiness, and family satisfaction to be interrelated across time; (b) global well-being measures of general life satisfaction and happiness to be the strongest predictors of each other; and (c) variation in general life satisfaction to be consistently accounted for by domain well-being measures of family satisfaction and health satisfaction. Implications for further research are discussed.
Autonomous map construction using three-dimensional feature descriptors

Autonomous robotic mapping has been an open research topic for more than twenty years. The primary objective of the robotic mapping problem is to design methods that can guide a robot around an environment and allow it to create a map of what has been sensed. Most automatic mapping algorithms rely on robot pose estimation to fuse map data together. This paper demonstrates that through feature extraction using spin-histograms, the pose of the robot can be estimated accurately enough for an Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm to register overlapping data sets. By eliminating consideration for points according to curvature and saliency, the spin-histogram matching process can improve in both accuracy and computation time. In combination with a global registration algorithm known as simultaneous matching, this process can obtain a fully autonomous registration process.
Studies on the Amino Acid and Protein Requirements of Laying Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Six experiments were conducted to define the amino acid and protein requirements of laying Japanese quail. In the initial experiments the diets contained 12% protein from a mixture of casein and soybean meal and were supplemented with essential amino acids and glutamic acid to promote optimum egg production. Later studies were conducted with corn-soybean meal diets. Results from varying the levels of essential amino acids led to the following estimates of amino acid requirements (as percent of the diet): arginine, 1.13; histidine, .38; isoleucine, .81; leucine, 1.28; lysine, .86; methionine plus cystine, .68; phenylalanine plus tyrosine, 1.25; threonine, .67; tryptophan, .17; and valine, .83. These amino acid requirements are correlated with the amino acid composition of quail eggs (r = .74). The total protein requirement of laying Japanese quail was found to be slightly greater than 16% of the diet when quail were fed diets based on either casein and soybean meal alone or casein and soybean meal supplemented with essential amino acids and glutamic acid. Based on the consumption of from 18 to 19 g of this diet per day the daily protein requirement was 2.88 to 3.08 g. Quail fed a methionine supplemented corn-soybean meal diet consumed up to 22 g of feed per day resulting in an estimated protein requirement of 3.52 g per day.
Effects of a concurrent musical task on a unimanual skill

In contrast to general findings of interference between concurrent tasks, Kinsbourne and Cook (1971) found evidence of facilitation of a right-hemisphere mediated motor task by simultaneous verbalization. The present study utilized 16 human subjects and found comparable facilitation of a left-hemisphere mediated motor task by a concurrent musical task. The results were interpreted as supporting Kinsbourne and Cook’s model of hemispheric competition and facilitation.
Intracellular metabolism and action of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates on DNA replication.

9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)guanine (PMEG) is an acyclic nucleoside phosphonate derivative that has demonstrated significant anticancer activity in a number of in vitro and in vivo animal model systems. In this study, we compared the cellular metabolism of PMEG and 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA), a clinically active anti-HIV and antihepatitis agent, and the inhibitory activities of their putative active diphosphate derivatives, PMEGpp and PMEApp, respectively, toward human cellular DNA polymerases. PMEG was significantly more cytotoxic than PMEA against a panel of human leukemic cells. The diphosphate derivatives were the major metabolites formed in cells on both these agents, with PMEGpp reaching cellular concentration approximately 4-fold higher than that achieved for PMEApp. These differences in cellular accumulation of the diphosphate derivatives were not, however, sufficient to account for the 30-fold difference in cytotoxicity between the two analogs. PMEGpp was also at least a 7-fold more effective inhibitor of in vitro simian vacuolating virus 40 DNA replication system than that of PMEApp (IC50 = 4.6 μm). Studies with a defined primed DNA template showed that PMEGpp was a potent inhibitor of both human polymerases α and δ, two key enzymes involved in cellular DNA replication, whereas PMEApp inhibited these enzymes relatively poorly. From these studies, we can conclude that the factors that contribute to the enhanced antileukemic activity of PMEG derives both from its increased anabolic phosphorylation and the increased potency of the diphosphate derivative to target the cellular replicative DNA polymerases.
Rectifying and thermocouple junctions based on Portland cement

Rectifying and thermocouple junctions have been achieved using electrically dissimilar Portland cement pastes. The preferred junction is a pn-junction involving steel fiber cement paste (n-type) and carbon fiber cement paste (p-type). For this junction, the thermocouple sensitivity is 70 eV/°C.
Detecting and masking transient failures in computers used for coal mining operations

The effect of lightning poses a significant problem to computer systems and electronic equipment used in surface and underground mines. Conventional protection schemes such as shielding, insulation, and filtering circuits are not adequate. The field-induced voltages and currents cause transients that can create an upset in digital or computer systems. Two effective approaches are proposed to detect and recover from transient faults when monitoring, processing, or controlling critical mining operations. >
A New Electrical Method of Frequency Analysis and Its Application to Frequency Modulation

A method of analyzing an arbitrary combination of sine wave voltages is described and the analysis of several examples carried out. The method is based on the appearance of certain figures, typical of definite frequency ratios, appearing in an oscillogram of the superposition of a constant frequency and a "search" voltage. The resolving power of the method is very high, allowing component voltages of only two cycles per second frequency difference to be clearly resolved. A frequency modulated wave is then analyzed and the spectrum representation f(t)=n-0 J n (Δf/α) sin 2π(f+nα)t found to hold under the approximate conditions Δf 0 /10, α 0 /10. The consequences of the periodicity or nonperiodicity which can occur with relatively large Δf and α is discussed. A simple expression for the spectrum of a wave with both amplitude and frequency modulation is derived, which allows an immediate oversight of the changes in side band magnitude occurring when one type of undesired modulation accompanies the other. Finally, the relation of the oscillogram of superposed constant frequency and search voltages to Lissajous figures is pointed out, and a comparison with diatonic harmony made.
Galactosemia Diagnosis Gets an Upgrade

Classic galactosemia, a defect of the metabolism of galactose, was one of the earliest defects of intermediary metabolism to be recognized in the mid 20th century(1)(2). The disease is caused by a defect of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT),1 an enzyme central to the Leloir pathway in which galactose is converted into glucose. Galactose is primarily derived from the lactose content of milk that a newborn receives. The well-described and frequently taught clinical phenotype of an untreated newborn with classic galactosemia begins shortly after the onset of regular milk feeding and includes feeding intolerance with vomiting and diarrhea caused by galactose fermentation in the gut; hepatic failure leading to jaundice; bleeding manifestations; hypoalbuminemia and hypoglycemia; a renal Fanconi syndrome with loss of phosphate, glucose, and amino acids; congenital bilateral cataracts; and susceptibility to fatal gram-negative sepsis (primarily Escherichia coli ). The hepatic and renal manifestations are caused by intracellular accumulation of galactose 1-phosphate, the substrate for GALT. Cataracts are due to an alternative metabolic pathway of galactose in the lens that leads to galactitol accumulation. Treatment is relatively simple. Once the diagnosis is suspected or confirmed, lactose and lactose-containing products are removed from the diet to reduce the metabolic burden, and most of the neonatal toxicities are alleviated. Subsequent to the recognition of GALT deficiency, 2 additional enzymatic defects of galactose metabolism that also caused galactose accumulation were identified. Galactokinase (GALK) converts galactose to galactose 1-phosphate. GALK deficiency leads to failure to generate the cytotoxic galactose 1-phosphate and therefore does not have the potentially fatal hepatic and renal manifestations. GALK-deficient patients are still at high risk for developing cataracts, which may be congenital or may develop later in life(3). The third enzyme is UDP-galactose 4-epimerase (GALE), which converts UDP-galactose to UDP-glucose, which subsequently is converted to glucose or …
ENERGY CONSUMPTION ASSESSMENT IN A CONVENTIONAL FOODSERVICE SYSTEM

A schematic energy flow decision model was developed for a conventional foodservice system. Quantitative energy consumption data were obtained by metering the flow of natural gas, steam condensate, and electricity in 15 selected pieces of foodservice equipment along the continuum from receiving through service for 11 menu items. The mean energy consumption by equipment during the food product flow of each menu item ranged from 240 to 3,076 British thermal units per pound menu item.
Impacts of Shorebirds on Macroinvertebrates in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley

Abstract Shorebirds use stopover sites throughout the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV) to fuel their southern migration. At these stopover sites shorebirds exploit macroinvertebrates as their primary foraging material during migration. Studies from coastal areas suggest that shorebirds can significantly deplete macroinvertebrate abundance and biomass at stopover sites. Whether these results are true for the LMAV remains to be evaluated. An exclosure experiment was conducted on five National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) stretching 400 km throughout the LMAV to see if shorebird foraging impacted macroinvertebrate community composition, abundance and standing stock biomass. Macroinvertebrates were sampled in the late summer of 2001 and 2002 from exclosure areas and open areas and compared using 2-sample paired t-tests. Community composition was relatively similar between the five refuges sampled. Macroinvertebrate abundances ranged from 300 to 433,000 individuals/m2 with a mean of 66,500 (±6000) individua...
Back to the future: sagittal CT in the evaluation of COPD.

To identify features of obstructive airway disease on sagittal reconstruction, compare the accuracy of findings to traditional imaging characteristics of COPD, and determine the fraction of additional cases identified using new characteristics. The study was approved by the centre’s Institutional Review Board and is HIPAA compliant. Two hundred sixteen patients with HRCT and spirometry within a 3-month window were included. Four radiologists evaluated each HRCT for traditional characteristics of COPD and new quantitative and qualitative features of obstruction on axial and sagittal reconstructions. Imaging characteristics were assessed for correlation with the spirometric diagnosis of obstructive airway disease. Quantitative and qualitative findings on sagittal reconstruction are highly specific for COPD (specificity >90 %). Features of hyperinflation on sagittal reconstruction are more accurate predictors of obstruction than traditional axial measures, with greater interobserver reliability (hyperinflation left hemidiaphragm: accuracy: 70.08 % ± 2.49 %; kappa: 0.511 versus traditional measures: accuracy: 62.00 % ± 5.38 %; kappa: 0.407). Sagittal reconstruction identified 27-70 % more patients with COPD than traditional axial findings (p < 0.05). Analysis of sagittal reconstruction enables greater accuracy and specificity in the diagnosis of obstructive airway disease compared to traditional measures on axial imaging. Use of sagittal reconstructions can help identify up to 70 % more patients with COPD than traditional imaging findings alone. • HRCT sagittal reconstruction is useful in the evaluation of obstructive lung disease. • Findings on sagittal reconstructions allow physicians to more accurately diagnose COPD. • Routine use of sagittal reconstructions increases the sensitivity for diagnosing COPD.
Elevated GM-CSF in COPD may drive defective macrophage phenotype

Healthy pulmonary macrophages (mΦ) respond to environmental change by altering their phenotype. In COPD, mΦ are phenotypically distinct with increased pro-inflammatory mediator release and defective phagocytosis. The reasons for this are unclear, but the growth factors GM-CSF and M-CSF can determine mΦ differentiation. We generated monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) from non-smokers (NS=5), smokers (S=4) and COPD patients (COPD=5) using GM-CSF (GmΦ) or M-CSF (MmΦ) and then examined plasticity by switching culture conditions. Phagocytosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) and Haemophilus influenzae (HI) was measured fluorometrically at baseline, 2, 4 and 6 days post-switching. Baseline MmΦ phagocytosed more SP and HI than GmΦ in all subject groups (NS 170±40%, S 180±60%, COPD 110±20%). Switching to M-CSF significantly increased phagocytosis in non-smokers (SP:280±25% HI:200±40%) (p<0.05) but to a far lesser extent in smokers (SP:170±30% HI:70±50%) and COPD mΦ (SP:2%±1% HI:50±20%) by day 6. Switching to GM-CSF for decreased phagocytosis by half in all subject groups. As GM-CSF suppressed phagocytosis, GM-CSF and M-CSF sputum levels were analysed using ELISA. GM-CSF was significantly higher in COPD sputum (183±32pg/ml, n=9) compared to sputum from non-smokers (47±3pg/ml, n=5) and smokers (36±4pg/ml, n=8) (p<0.05). M-CSF was lower in sputum from COPD patients (14±7pg/ml, n=9) and smokers (9±4pg/ml, n=8) compared to sputum from non-smokers (22±12pg/ml, n=5). Regardless of culture changes, COPD macrophages retain phagocytic defects indicating lack in plasticity. This may be further exacerbated by a pro-inflammatory, GM-CSF-rich lung environment.
Elevated surface chlorophyll associated with natural oil seeps in the Gulf of Mexico

Natural hydrocarbon seeps account for up to 47% of the oil released into the oceans. In situ and remote measurements of chlorophyll concentrations suggest that natural hydrocarbons enhance productivity in surface waters in the Gulf of Mexico.
Abstract 535: Impaired Natriuresis and Increased Salt Sensitivity in Response to Acute Salt Load During Western Diet-intake: Role of Trpv1

Western diet (WD) intake increases morbidity of obesity, diabetes, and salt sensitive hypertension albeit mechanisms are largely unknown. We tested the hypothesis that the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channels are activated during WD intake to protect against salt-induced increases in blood pressure possibly via enhancing natriuresis. Wild-type (WT, C57BL/6) or gene-targeted TRPV1-null mutant (TRPV1 -/- ) mice were fed a normal (CON) or Western (WD) diet for 16-18 weeks. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), determined by radiotelemetry after acute sodium loading (NS, 0.9% NaCl) or vehicle (C) by gavage with or without treatment with Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester ( L - NAME, 10mg/kg, ip. ) or a TRPV1 agonist, N-oleoyldopamine ( OLDA, 0.1mg/kg, ip ), was not different between two strains fed a CON diet. WT or TRPV1-/- mice fed a WD diet had increased MAP after NS, with a greater magnitude in TRPV1-/- mice (p
Microstrip antennas

Microstrip antennas consist of a planar resonant radiating element parallel to, but separated, from a ground plane by a thin dielectric substrate ( t \ll \lambda ). These antennas are very thin and consequently rugged and easy to mount. They may be fed from the back through the ground plane or from the edge by depositing microstrip lines on the dielectric substrate. Several varieties of microstrip antennas are discussed in this paper. Design procedures are given for both linearly and circularly polarized antennas. Measured patterns are presented for antennas from UHF through C band.
Kinetics of Water Vapor Adsorption on Single-Layer Molecular Sieve 3A: Experiments and Modeling

The objective of the current work was to shorten the gap for fundamental adsorption kinetic data required for the development of advanced adsorption unit-operation models to be incorporated into an overall plant-level model for spent nuclear fuel reprocessing. The kinetics of water-vapor adsorption on molecular sieve 3A was investigated at 25–80 °C and water dew points from −69 to 17 °C. Water uptake curves were fitted with three kinetic models including the linear-driving-force model, the shrinking-core model, and the Langmuir kinetic model. The results suggest that the water-vapor adsorption on molecular sieve 3A under the investigated experimental conditions was controlled by both external film resistance and internal macropore resistance. The contribution of the external film resistance varied from 25% to 50% of the total mass-transfer resistance depending on the adsorption temperature. It was also found that the Langmuir kinetic model fitted individual sets of kinetic data very well, but the Langmuir...
Pseudokinases from a structural perspective.

The catalytic (C) subunit of PKA was the first protein kinase structure to be solved, and it continues to serve as the prototype for the protein kinase superfamily. In contrast, by comparing many active and inactive kinases, we developed a novel ‘spine’ concept where every active kinase is composed of two hydrophobic spines anchored to a hydrophobic F-helix. The R-spine (regulatory spine) is dynamically assembled, typically by activation loop phosphorylation, whereas the C-spine (catalytic spine) is completed by the adenine ring of ATP. In the present paper, we show how the spine concept can be applied to B-Raf, specifically to engineer a kinase-dead pseudokinase. To achieve this, we mutated one of the C-spine residues in the N-lobe (N-terminal lobe), Ala 481 , to phenylalanine. This mutant cannot bind ATP and is thus kinase-dead, presumably because the phenylalanine ring fills the adenine-binding pocket. The C-spine is thus fused. However, the A481F mutant is still capable of binding wild-type B-Raf and wild-type C-Raf, and dimerization with a wild-type Raf leads to downstream activation of MEK [MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase)/ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) kinase] and ERK. The mutant requires dimerization, but is independent of Ras and does not require enzymatic activity. By distinguishing between catalytic and scaffold functions of B-Raf, we define kinases as being bifunctional and show that, at least in some cases, the scaffold function is sufficient for downstream signalling. Since this alanine residue is one of the most highly conserved residues in the kinome, we suggest that this may be a general strategy for engineering kinase-dead pseudokinases and exploring biological functions that are independent of catalysis.
Broadening the Concept of Entrepreneurship: Comparing Business and Consumer Entrepreneurs:

It is proposed that entrepreneurial behavior occurs in many domains of life, not Just in business. Examples of nonbusiness entrepreneurial behavior are provided. Domain-specific versions of the Ent...
Highly ordered ion-conducting block copolymers by hydrophobic block modification

Block copolymer-based AEMs provide advanced materials with tunable properties through manipulation of both the ionic domains for high conductivity and the hydrophobic domains for mechanical integrity. Herein, we describe the ionic conductivity and self-assembly behavior of cationic block copolymers based on quaternized vinyl benzyl chloride (QAVBC) by tuning the hydrophobic block composition with hexyl methacrylate (HMA), lauryl methacrylate (LMA), stearyl methacrylate (SMA), and 4-butylstyrene monomers (BS). The block copolymers showed self-assembly of highly-ordered microstructures as confirmed by small angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy. A non-ionic block copolymer composed of PVBC100-b-PBeS183 showed less ordered phase separation compared to the quaternized PQAVBC100-b-PBeS183 sample. The PQAVBC100-b-PBeS107 and PLMA68-b-PQAVBC129 samples with long-range ordered microstructures had approximately three times higher conductivity than that of the less-ordered non-block copolymer based quaternized poly(arylene ether ketone) with a similar ion exchange capacity (∼2.8 meq. g−1). Moreover, the robust anionic PQAVBC44-b-PBS202 block copolymer immersed in liquid water had an ionic conductivity three orders of magnitude greater than the samples under 95% relative humidity conditions due to the increased water uptake of the material under liquid conditions.
Mapping of Point Mutations on the Physical Map of Coliphage Lambda: Absence of Clustering for Odd-Numbered Exchanges

One of the classic problems of genetics concerns the relationship between the genetic map, measured in recombination frequency units, and the physical map, measured in nucleotide pairs along a DNA molecule. For Escherichia coli bacteriophage λ the gross correlation between the genetic and physical maps was discussed by Campbell (1971), Davidson and Szybalski (1971) and Signer (1971). In the present study we undertook to analyze recombination very precisely and quantitatively within a short segment of the λ genome in the so-called immunity region. The advantage of this region is the availability of many point mutations and deletions, studied intensively by earlier authors (see e.g., Kaiser, 1957; Kayajanian, 1968, 1970; Lieb, 1966; Gussin et al., 1973), and of a precise physical map (Fiandt and Szybalski, 1973; Blattner et al., 1972, 1974). The position of mutations can be established by several methods, including calculations based on recombination frequency between point mutations, the techniques of deletion mapping, and the present method of extrapolation mapping. This work is an extension of our earlier and current mapping of the p L mutant sexl (Blattner et al., 1972, 1974), and was summarized by Blattner and Borel (1973).
Whistle-blowing in American police agencies

Given the potential of severe retaliation for whistle-blowing, what makes police officers choose to report the misconduct of their colleagues? This paper provides a comprehensive overview of whistl...
Neutron stimulated emission computed tomography for brain cancer imaging

Neutron stimulated emission computed tomography (NSECT) uses photons emitted from inelastic scattering of neutrons with biological objects to quantify the elemental composition of the object and reconstruct an image. Previously, NSECT has been used to detect liver and breast disease in vivo. In this study, we investigated the capability of imaging brain tumors using NSECT. A GEANT4 simulation was developed to model the brain, skull, and a spherical lesion. Images corresponding to phosphorus, sulfur, and iron (both individually and as combinations) were generated from a simulated NSECT scan. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and full width at half maximum (FWHM) in the tumor region were calculated to assess image accuracy (FWHM ≤ 5% error) and detectability (SNR > 2.5). The scan with the least amount of absorbed dose required to achieve these criteria was defined as the optimal acquisition. The lowest dose value was found to be 0.0837 cGy for a 2 cm brain tumor imaged using a single germanium detector, 6 equally spaced angles from 0 to 180 degrees, 20 projections per angle and 0.5 million neutrons per projection. The SNR for the combination of phosphorus, sulfur, and iron with the given condition was 9.288 and FWHM for the iron was 15 mm with the given condition. In conclusion, NSECT is capable of imaging a 2 cm brain tumor using the elemental composition of phosphorus, sulfur, and iron with reasonable SNR, FWHM and radiation dose.
An Inquiry-Based Investigation of Freshwater Diatom Ecology

Understanding habitat heterogeneity and habitat preference are central tenets of undergraduate ecology courses, but many urban campuses, particularly community colleges and others with large student enrollments, may lack the means for extensive field sampling and monitoring. We outline the use of diatoms living in decorative water fountains as a proxy for field sample collection, data analysis, and ecological interpretation. These methods are amenable to undergraduate laboratory courses and independent student research projects.
An Analysis of Forced Auditor Change: The Case of Former Arthur Andersen Clients

This study examines former Arthur Andersen clients and provides evidence on the factors involved in their selection of new auditors after Andersen's collapse. Using a unique dataset that identifies whether former Andersen clients followed their audit team to a new auditor, findings reveal companies with greater agency concerns were more likely to sever ties with their former auditor, whereas those with greater switching costs were more likely to follow their former auditor. We also investigate the effect of the forced auditor change on financial statement quality in an effort to provide insight into the mandatory auditor rotation debate. Using performance‐adjusted discretionary accruals as a proxy for reporting quality, our results fail to reveal significant improvements for companies with extreme discretionary accruals that severed ties with Andersen, which is inconsistent with the notion that mandatory rotation improves financial reporting.
A Physically Based Sound Space for Procedural Agents

Physically based sound models have a “natural” setting in dimensional space: a physical model has a shape and an extent and can be given a position relative to other models. In our experimental system, we place procedurally animated agents in a world of spatially situated physical models. The agents move in the same space as the models and can interact with them, playing the models and changing their configuration. The result is an ever-varying audiovisual landscape. This can be seen as purely generative—as a method for creating algorithmic music—or as a way to create instruments that change autonomously as a human plays them. A third perspective is in between these two: agents and humans can cooperate or compete to produce a gamelike or interactive experience.
Platform Dynamism: Heterogeneous Seller Responses to Design Change and Implications for Platform Effectiveness

This study explores how different types of platform sellers respond to a major change on the platform that redefines the competitive landscape (platform reform), and how that matters for platform d...
Agronomic performance of Populus deltoides trees engineered for biofuel production

One of the major barriers to the development of lignocellulosic feedstocks is the recalcitrance of plant cell walls to deconstruction and saccharification. Recalcitrance can be reduced by targeting genes involved in cell wall biosynthesis, but this can have unintended consequences that compromise the agronomic performance of the trees under field conditions. Here we report the results of a field trial of fourteen distinct transgenic Populus deltoides lines that had previously demonstrated reduced recalcitrance without yield penalties under greenhouse conditions. Survival and productivity of the trial were excellent in the first year, and there was little evidence for reduced performance of the transgenic lines with modified target gene expression. Surprisingly, the most striking phenotypic effects in this trial were for two empty-vector control lines that had modified bud set and bud flush. This is most likely due to somaclonal variation or insertional mutagenesis. Traits related to yield, crown architecture, herbivory, pathogen response, and frost damage showed few significant differences between target gene transgenics and empty vector controls. However, there were a few interesting exceptions. Lines overexpressing the DUF231 gene, a putative O-acetyltransferase, showed early bud flush and marginally increased height growth. Lines overexpressing the DUF266 gene, a putative glycosyltransferase, had significantly decreased stem internode length and slightly higher volume index. Finally, lines overexpressing the PFD2 gene, a putative member of the prefoldin complex, had a slightly reduced volume index. This field trial demonstrates that these cell wall modifications, which decreased cell wall recalcitrance under laboratory conditions, did not seriously compromise first-year performance in the field, despite substantial challenges, including an outbreak of a stem boring insect (Gypsonoma haimbachiana), attack by a leaf rust pathogen (Melampsora spp.), and a late frost event. This bodes well for the potential utility of these lines as advanced biofuels feedstocks.