cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU‐E‐I‐49: Estimating Effective Doses to Patients Undergoing CT Pulmonary Arteriography

Purpose: To estimate the effective dose (E), corrected for patient size, delivered to patients undergoing CT Pulmonary Arteriography (CTPA). Method and Materials: IRB exemption was obtained to review CT scans for 650 consecutive patients undergoing CTPA in 2005, who were followed for additional CTPA through 2009. Information was collected to calculate the dose‐length product (DLP), as CT dose reports were available only for more recent studies. Patient dimensions were used to estimate patient mass. E was estimated using E/DLP conversion factors for 70kg patients. Patient mass was used to estimate the energy imparted relative to a 70 kg patient. Relative energy imparted and patient mass were used to calculate effective dose correction factors. Cumulative E for individual patients was also calculated. Results: The average number of scans per patient was 1.33, with 14 patients receiving >3 scans. Single‐scan DLP values averaged 316. ± 44.2 mGy‐cm. Using an E/DLP conversion factor of 17.5 μSv/mGy‐cm yields an uncorrected average effective dose of 5.4 ± 0.75 mSv with a range of 0.65 to 7.9 mSv. Correction factors ranged from 0.48 for the heaviest patient to 1.42 for the lightest patient, with a mean of 0.92. After correction, the mean effective dose was 5.1 ± 1.1 mSv, with a range of 0.92 to 8.7 mSv. Cumulative effective doses averaged 7.0 ± 6.9 mSv, with a range of 0.92 to 111.9 mSv. The highest cumulative dose was for a patient who received 14 CTPA exams. Conclusions: Effective dose calculations in CT are generally performed without correction for patient mass. This may result in errors of about a factor of two. CTPA effective doses are similar to other thoracic CT exams; however it is not uncommon for individuals to have repeat exams. Cumulative effectve doses can exceed 100 mSv, potentially increasing the risk of cancer induction.
A generalized comninou contact model for interface cracks in anisotropic elastic solids

An open question of interest to the mechanics of interface fracture is how to generalize the Comninou contact model for interface cracks in isotropic solids to the general anisotropic case. Part of the difficulty lies in that the peculiar oscillatory behavior can not be fully eliminated by Comninou's original assumption of pure pressure contact between the crack surfaces. In this paper, we propose a model that strictly enforces the non-oscillatory condition by allowing the crack face contact force to have a shear component normal to the direction of slip, which is somewhat reminiscent of frictionless slip between a pair of grooved surfaces. Based on that model, complex variable representations are adopted to determine the complete series expansion for the crack-tip field. The solutions are incorporated into a hybrid finite element procedure to develop a special element for closed interfacial crack tips obeying the generalized contact model. Numerical examples involving a partially closed crack between a pair of misoriented cubic crystals are given to illustrate how the special crack-tip element helps in determining the stress intensity factors as well as the contact zone geometry.
Development and validation of a fast high pressure liquid chromatography method for the analysis of lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysis and fermentation products

A simple, precise, and accurate 10-min high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed and validated for the analysis of organic acids, alcohols, and furans from processing biomass into renewable fuels. The method uses an H(+) form cation-exchange resin stationary phase that has a five-fold shorter analysis time versus that in the traditional method. The new method was used for the analysis of acetic acid, ethanol, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, and furfural. Results were compared with a legacy method that has historically has been used to analyze the same compounds but with a 55 min run time. Linearity was acceptable on the new method with r(2)>0.999 for all compounds using refractive index detection. Limits of detection were between 0.003 and 0.03 g/L and limits of quantification were between 0.1 and 0.01 g/L. The relative standard deviations for precision were less than 0.4% and recoveries ranged from 92% to 114% for all compounds.
Coupling the lactate oxidase to electrodes by ionotropic gelation of biopolymer.

A direct ionotropic gelation of the polycationic biopolymer chitosan (CHIT) with the polyanionic enzyme lactate oxidase (LOx) was used to form thin biopolymer−enzyme films on the surface of platinum electrodes. The electrochemical assays of such films revealed a well-defined capacity of CHIT for the retention of LOx. The stoichiometry of the CHIT−LOx polyelectrolyte complexes was found to be ∼1:40, i.e., on average, 1 CHIT chain retained 40 molecules of LOx in the CHIT−LOx films. The enzyme retention was ascribed to strong electrostatic interactions between the LOx and a fraction of the protonated amino groups on the CHIT chains. Although the LOx is inherently unstable outside its natural matrix, it displayed high surface activity of 0.26 units cm-2 in the matrix of CHIT. This correlated with good stability of the biopolymer−enzyme films as demonstrated by a constant response of Pt/CHIT−LOx electrodes to lactate during continuous 24-h testing. When compared to other single-film lactate sensors, the Pt/CHI...
Breeding-habitat use by five Amazonian frogs at forest edge

Understanding patterns of speciesl habitat use and their response to dramatic changes in habitat constitutes a basis for sound conservation practice. This study examined use of breeding habitat by two rainforest-breeding frog species near primary forest edge. Nine artificial breeding pools were established along each of three transects perpendicular to continuous primary forest near Manaus, Brazil. Five frog species bred in the pools over the six-month monitoring period. For the two most abundant species, patterns of habitat use were independent of proximity to forest edge. Also,Epipedobates femoralis used pools outside the forest, in secondary growth, at the same frequency as pools inside the forest.Osteocephalus taurinus did not breed outside primary forest. These results have clear implications for conservation biology: (i) buffer zones around isolated reserves, to counter possible negative edge effects on habitat, are unnecessary for these frog species, and (ii) secondary growth habitat, which is not ‘natural’ breeding habitat forE. femoralis, could serve as a source of colonists for emigration into new areas and does not represent a barrier to dispersal for this species. These results argue against generalization of edge effects for different taxa.
Capsular glaucoma: management philosophy.

. This paper attempts to evaluate exfoliative glaucoma management. Exfoliative glaucoma is generally considered to be more severe than chronic open angle glaucoma. Pressures are generally higher and more resistant to the pressure lowering effect of various medications. Laser trabeculoplasty is generally more effective in exfoliative glaucoma in the first year but successful in only 50% of eyes at two years follow-up. Filtration surgery is far more effective in exfoliative glaucoma than it is in chronic open angle glaucoma.
Profiles of Malawian adolescents at risk for HIV infections: Implications for targeted prevention, policy, and practices

Abstract Young people are at the center of the HIV epidemic. In fact, HIV has been referred to as a “youth-driven disease” worldwide. This cross-sectional study identified a typology of risk for HIV among Malawian adolescents, examined the distribution of HIV status within each group in the typology, and tested the association between class membership and changes in sexual behaviors to avoid HIV. The sample was restricted to males and females between the ages of 15 and 18 from three regions in Malawi who reported never having been married. Latent Class Analysis was conducted to examine youth population clusters based on shared characteristics. A chi-squared test was used to test whether class membership was associated with changes in sexual behaviors to avoid HIV. The study results indicate that two classes of risk exist among Malawian youths in this sample: At High Risk class and At Risk class. Individuals in the At High Risk class were significantly more likely than the At Risk class to perceive themsel...
"Headed for Louisville": Rethinking Rural to Urban Migration in the South, 1930-1950

During the period between 1930 and 1970 more than 17,000migrants were drawn to Louisville, challenging us to rethink the centralityof rural to urban migration narratives during the era of the Second GreatMigration. African American migration in Louisville, Kentuckydemonstrates the necessity of recognizing the distinctiveness of theSecond Great Migration as well as the need to turn our attention to Blackmobility within the South. Between 1935-1940, the largest Southerncities witnessed an influx of Black population; many of these migrantsoriginated in the urban, not rural South. That Kentucky's Blackpopulation was primarily urban stood in stark contrast with much of theSouth; however, Blacks in Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and NorthCarolina were also predominantly urban. Not only does examining urbanto urban migration patterns offer a more complex view of AfricanAmerican migration, it also offers a more nuanced view of AfricanAmerican urbanization as a process. African American migration inLouisville, Kentucky challenges us to rethink the centrality of rural tourban migration narratives during the era of the Second Great Migration.
Re2(CO)10-Mediated Carbon−Hydrogen and Carbon−Sulfur Bond Cleavage of Dibenzothiophene and 2,5-Dimethylthiophene†

Ultraviolet photolysis of Re2(CO)10 and excess dibenzothiophene (DBT) in the noncoordinating solvent hexanes produces the S-bound eq-Re2(CO)9(η1(S)-DBT) (1) and the novel C−H-cleaved DBT complex Re2(CO)8(μ-C12H7S)(μ-H) (2). Under similar conditions, Re2(CO)10 reacts with excess 2,5-dimethylthiophene (2,5-Me2T) to give the interesting C−S-cleaved 2,5-Me2T complex Re2(CO)7(μ-2,5-Me2T) (3). The photolysis reactions of Re2(CO)10 with DBT and 2,5-Me2T were inhibited by CO (1 atm) and also by the radical scavenger TEMPO, which suggests that both CO dissociation and homolytic Re−Re bond cleavage are involved. The η1(S)-bound thiophene complexes 1 and Re2(CO)9(η1(S)-2,5-Me2T) (5) were prepared from Re2(CO)9(THF) (4). The DBT ligand in 1 is labile and rapidly (<2 min) reacts with CO (1 atm) to form Re2(CO)10 in 1,2-DCE. On the basis of its X-ray structure, complex 1 has one of the smallest tilt angles (θ = 113°) observed for a metal−thiophene complex, which may be understood in terms of π-back-bonding arguments. C...
Efficacy of orally administered immune serum globulin against type III group B streptococcal colonization and systemic disease in an infant rat model

ABSTRACT: We established an experimental animal model of the gastrointestinal colonization and systemic disease following oral challenge of type III group B streptococcal strain in 3-day-old newborn rats. Two type III group B streptococcal strains isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of septic newborn infants produced colonization in 57-87% of the challenged animals and 13-31% of these colonized animals developed systemic disease. Using this new animal model, we evaluated the effect of orally administered human immune serum globulin on the colonization and systemic disease. This antiserum contained 21 μg/ml of type III group B streptococcal antibody of human IgG class. Animals fed with immune serum globulin developed significantly lower rates of colonization and systemic disease than those of control (albumin or saline) (23 versus 71%,p 0.1). These findings suggest that orally administered immune serum globulin is beneficial in the prevention of colonization and systemic disease in this rat model and that this protective effect of oral immune serum globulin occurs primarily at the mucosal level
Analysis of Tetrahymena mucocyst material with lectins and alcian blue

. There are numerous mucocysts in Tetrahymena; however, little is known about their composition, organization, biosynthesis, or function. Mucocysts of Tetrahymena are membrane-bounded vesicles located at the cell cortex. They are torpedo-shaped structures (0.9 μm x 0.3 μm) lined up in longitudinal rows along the surface. It is estimated here that each cell contains about 5000 mucocysts. Mucocyst contents are organized in a crystalline manner, but when that material is released by exocytosis, it swells and forms a gel. Using fluorescence microscopy, we demonstrate that mucocysts contain concanavalin A (Con A)-binding material. First, intracellular fluorescent particles in fixed cells incubated with fluorescein-derivatized Con A (F-Con A) have the same distribution, shape, and orientation as mucocysts in living cells. Also, mucocysts were induced to undergo synchronous exocytosis, and the released material formed a capsule around the cell. The capsule was fluorescent after incubation with F-Con A. In both cases fluorescence was abolished by competition with α methyl mannoside, indicating that Con A is binding specifically to a glycosidic component of the mucocyst. Mucocyst capsules also bind wheat germ agglutinin but not soybean agglutinin, pea lectin, or lentil lectin. Preparations of mucocyst material were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Silver stain revealed a high molecular weight band that had not previously been detected by Coomassie blue staining. That band also stained with Alcian blue, indicating that it is a mucopolysaccharide. Finally, that same band was shown to be Con A binding. Thus the Con A-binding and Alcian blue-staining properties of mucocysts can be attributed to the same high molecular weight mucopolysaccharide component. This study indicates that it may be possible to purify a specific carbohydrate component of mucocysts which may be helpful in analyzing their function, biogenesis, and structural organization.
Spacecraft Design-for-Demise implementation strategy & decision-making methodology for low earth orbit missions

Abstract Space missions designed to completely ablate upon an uncontrolled Earth atmosphere reentry are likely to be simpler and cheaper than those designed to execute controlled reentry. This is because mission risk (unavailability) stemming from controlled reentry subsystem failure(s) is essentially eliminated. NASA has not customarily implemented Design-for-Demise meticulously. NASA has rather approached Design-for-Demise in an ad hoc manner that fails to entrench Design-for-Demise as a mission design driver. Thus, enormous demisability challenges at later formulation stages of missions aspired to be demisable are evident due to these perpetuated oversights in entrenching Design-for-Demise practices. The investigators hence propose a strategy for a consistent integration of Design-for-Demise practices in all phases of a space mission lifecycle. Secondly, an all-inclusive risk-informed, decision-making methodology referred to as Analytic Deliberative Process is proposed. This criterion facilitates in making a choice between an uncontrolled reentry demisable or controlled reentry. The authors finally conceive and synthesize Objectives Hierarchy, Attributes, and Quantitative Performance Measures of the Analytical Deliberative Process for a Design-for-Demise risk-informed decision-making process.
Purification and characterization of human liver cytochrome P-450-ALC.

Abstract Cytochrome P-450-ALC, an ethanol-oxidizing form of microsomal cytochrome P-450 (P-450), has been purified from human liver. P-450-ALC (Mr = 54,000 daltons) is a low-spin ferric hemeprotein with a CO-reduced Soret maximum at 452 nm, and has an NH2-terminal amino acid sequence nearly identical to that deduced from a human P-450-ALC cDNA clone. In a reconstituted system, P-450-ALC oxidizes ethanol and aniline at turnover rates (12.2 and 7.3 nmol min−1, respectively) 10-fold greater than two other human P-450 isozymes (termed P-450-B and P-450-C) purified from the same liver. Both P-450-ALC and P-450-C effectively demethylate N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) at low substrate concentrations (0.5 mM), especially in the presence of cytochrome b5. Our results provide direct evidence for a liver P-450 isozyme in humans with catalytic properties similar to the related alcohol-inducible rodent P-450s and also reveal a new human NDMA demethylase.
Psychophysical determination and modeling of load carrying capacity

Abstract This paper presents a study that was conducted to review the research on the determination of maximum acceptable carrying capacity using the psychophysical method. The characteristics of load carrying activity are first discussed. The psychophysics and its validity when applied to load carrying activity are then examined. The dependent, independent, and fixed variables in past psychophysical studies of load carrying activities are summarized, and the experiment design and procedure are reviewed. Both the factors affecting maximum carrying capacity studied by past research and the main results are also summarized. Finally, modeling efforts in determining maximum carrying capacity are reviewed. The results indicate many areas needing further study. The factors that may affect the maximum carrying capacity and that are unique to carrying activity should be emphasized. These factors include carrying mode, walking speed, carrying distance, time, and terrain/grade. Research is also needed to integrate the psychophysical method with other objective research approaches such as the physiological method and biomechanical method.
Effects of beam spoiler on radiation dose for head and neck irradiation with 10-MV photon beam

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of a lucite beam spoiler on the dose distribution to points inside and outside the primary beam for head and neck irradiation with a 10-MV photon beam. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Build-up and depth-dose measurements were performed with a parallel-plate ionization chamber for 5 x 5, 10 x 10, and 15 x 15-cm field sizes using lucite spoilers with two different thicknesses at two different lucite-to-skin distances (LSD) for a 10-MV x-ray beam. Corrections were applied to account for finite chamber size. Beam profiles and isodose curves were obtained at several depths using film dosimetry. Beam uniformity was determined from uniformity indices. Peripheral doses (PD) were measured at the surface and at 1.5- and 2.5-cm depths using film dosimetry and a parallel-plate ionization chamber. Measurement points were positioned at the edge of a 10 x 10-cm field and at distances extending to 5.0 cm away. The treatment planning data for the 10-MV x-ray beam were modified to account for the effects of the beam spoiler when treating head and neck patients. RESULTS: The spoiler increased the surface and build-up dose and shifted the depth of maximum dose toward the surface. With a 10-MV x-ray beam and a 1.2-cm-thick lucite at 15 cm LSD, a build-up dose similar to a 6-MV x-ray beam was achieved. The beam uniformity was altered at shallow depths. The peripheral dose was enhanced particularly at the surface and at the points close to the beam edge. The effects of the beam spoiler on beam profile and PD were reduced with increasing depths. CONCLUSION: The lucite spoiler allowed use of a 10-MV x-ray beam for head and neck treatment by yielding a build-up dose similar to that of a 6-MV x-ray beam while maintaining skin sparing. The increase in PD was at superficial depths and was reduced at points away from the edge; therefore, it is clinically nonsignificant. Spoiling the 10-MV x-ray beam resulted in treatment plans that maintained dose homogeneity without the consequence of increased skin reaction or treatment volume underdose for regions near the skin surface.
Parallel and distributed sparse optimization

This paper proposes parallel and distributed algorithms for solving very large-scale sparse optimization problems on computer clusters and clouds. Modern datasets usually have a large number of features or training samples, and they are usually stored in a distributed manner. Motivated by the need of solving sparse optimization problems with large datasets, we propose two approaches including (i) distributed implementations of prox-linear algorithms and (ii) GRock, a parallel greedy block coordinate descent method. Different separability properties of the objective terms in the problem enable different data distributed schemes along with their corresponding algorithm implementations. We also establish the convergence of GRock and explain why it often performs exceptionally well for sparse optimization. Numerical results on a computer cluster and Amazon EC2 demonstrate the efficiency and elasticity of our algorithms.
Depositional Facies Across Carbonate Shelf Margins: ABSTRACT

Nine depositional facies, in idealized sequence across a typical carbonate shelf margin, include basinal, tidal-shelf, basin-margin, platform-foreslope, organic-reef, platform-edge-sand, open-marine-platform, restricted-marine platform, and platform-evaporite facies. Each facies is characterized by sedimentologic parameters, prevailing rock types, color, microfacies, sedimentary structure, terrigenous content, and distinctive biota. Descriptions of this very widespread sequence should aid in location of reservoir rock. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1793------------
The Resurgence of Religion in America’s Prisons

This article discusses the growing prominence of “faith-based” programs in American corrections and the historical context of penal regime change during periods of economic crisis. The article traces areas of overlap and divergence in recent discussions of penal reform in the U.S. The article suggests a new American penitentiary movement is emerging, noting central tenets of faith-based programs have salience for both conservatives and liberals: on the one hand, faith-based programs are largely paid for by church congregations and volunteers, which appeals to conservatives’ desire to shrink government and get taxpayers out of the business of community building; on the other, faith-based programs demonstrate a recommitment to having at least some level of programming in prisons, which satisfies the left’s view that community building and social capital ultimately lower recidivism. The paper documents several prominent faith-based correctional programs while articulating an agenda for research.
Exhausting or exhilarating? Conflict as threat to interests, relationships and identities

Abstract Some conflicts are experienced as depleting and exhausting whereas others are experienced as stimulating and invigorating. We explored the possibility that the focus of perceived threat in conflict determines whether it produces taxing stress or vitalizing arousal. Studies 1 and 2 established that attending to threats to interests, relationships, and identities during interpersonal conflict differentially relates to motivational goals, empathy and perspective-taking, femininity, and a collectivistic self-construal. Study 2 also found that perceived threats to relationships are associated with lower challenge appraisals and energy mobilization. Studies 3 and 4 experimentally manipulated threats to different targets and demonstrated causal effects of threat perceptions on self-reported energy mobilization and the consumption of comfort foods. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that conflicts which threaten relationships are experienced as significantly more depleting than conflicts that threaten either tangible interests or elements of individuals' identities, and explain when, why and for whom conflict is exhausting.
Psychology and its role in information technology

This paper discusses a role for psychology in the development of information technology. Because of the popularity of psychology as an undergraduate major, psychology’s expertise in measurement, and the assertion of some that cognitive science provides the scientific basis for advancements in information technologies, psychology has a responsibility as a discipline to advance information technology and to educate students about this technology. Studies suggest that higher education in psychology can facilitate reasoning about general issues. A process-oriented course in psychology and computers is suggested as a way of incorporating computer literacy into the psychology curriculum. The role of the Society for Computers in Psychology is also discussed.
Narratives of age and uprootedness among older Cambodian refugees

Abstract This article examines Cambodian refugees' beliefs and traditions about age from the perspective of the cultural life course. Drawing on a study of 39 Cambodians between the ages of 50 and 79, the article explores the process of life reorganization from the standpoint of social liminality. The narratives of these refugees illustrate how cultural traditions shape views of who is old. Moreover, these narratives illustrate how gender roles and their loss, as well as factors that mitigate role loss, shape the experience of old age. It is concluded that (1) subscribing to the traditional cultural template for the Cambodian life course provides a sense of continuity in the face of disruption, and (2) the Cambodian family, as a central social institution, serves as a vehicle for role continuity, role loss, and the management of conflict. The extended family thus continues to be a primary source of meaning as elders reorganize their lives in old age.
The Changing Risk of Infant Mortality by Gestation, Plurality, and Race: 1989–1991 Versus 1999–2001

OBJECTIVE. Our aim was to quantify contemporary infant mortality risks and to evaluate the change by plurality, gestation, and race during the most recent decade. PATIENTS AND METHODS. The study population included live births of 20 to 43 weeks9 gestation from the 1989–1991 and 1999–2001 US Birth Cohort Linked Birth/Infant Death Data Sets, including 11317895 and 11181095 live births and 89823 and 67129 infant deaths, respectively. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate the change in risk by plurality and gestation and to compare the change with that for singletons. RESULTS. Overall, the infant mortality risk decreased significantly for singletons, twins, and triplets but nonsignificantly for quadruplets and quintuplets. Compared with singletons, significantly greater reductions were experienced by twins overall and at CONCLUSIONS. The improvements in survival were greater for multiples versus singletons and for white versus black infants. Within each plurality, at each gestation the racial disparity in mortality has widened.
Decreased β Globin mRNA Activity in Bone Marrow Cells in Homozygous and Heterozygous β Thalassaemia

BETA-THALASSAEMIA is an hereditary haemolytic anaemia characterized by decreased synthesis of structurally normal β chains of adult haemoglobin1–3. The defect in β chain synthesis demonstrated in intact reticulocytes can be reproduced by the ribosome fraction4 and the mRNA isolated from these cells and assayed in an in vitro globin synthesizing system5–7.
Contested Visions of American Democracy: Citizenship, Public Housing, and the International Arena

This essay reexamines the history of public housing and the controversy it generated from the Great Depression to the Cold War. By recasting that history in the global arena, it demonstrates that the debate over public housing versus homeownership was also a debate over the meaning of American citizenship and democracy, pointing up starkly divergent notions about what was and was not American. Through an examination of national conflicts and neglected local struggles, this article further shows that the fight over public housing was far more meaningful and volatile than traditionally assumed. Both critics and advocates of public housing drew from international experiences and imagery in positioning the home as a constitutive feature of citizenship in American democracy. Fears of Bolshevism, fascism, and communism served to internationalize issues of race, space, and housing and together shaped the decision of whether a decent home was an American right or privilege.
The diurnal and nocturnal effect of travoprost with sofZia on intraocular pressure and ocular perfusion pressure.

Purpose To determine the 24-hour effects of travoprost with sofZia on intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular perfusion pressure as well as the endurance of IOP lowering after last dosing. Design Prospective, open-label study. Methods Forty subjects with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were admitted to our sleep laboratory for three 24-hour sessions monitoring IOP, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate. The first baseline session occurred after medication washout or immediately after enrollment for treatment-naive patients. A second 24-hour monitoring session was performed after 4 weeks of once-nightly treatment of travoprost with sofZia. The medication was then discontinued and a third 24-hour session was completed 60-84 hours after the last dose taken. IOP measurements were taken using a pneumotonometer every 2 hours in the sitting position during the 16-hour diurnal period and in the supine position during the 8-hour nocturnal period. Ocular perfusion pressure was defined as 2/3[diastolic BP + 1/3(systolic BP − diastolic BP)] − IOP. Results Treatment with travoprost with sofZia significantly lowered mean diurnal and nocturnal IOP levels from baseline (diurnal 18.1 ± 3.9 to 15.3 ± 3.3 mm Hg; nocturnal 20.6 ± 3.6 to 19.4 ± 3.4 mm Hg, P P = .01; nocturnal 64.4 ± 12.6 to 64.2 ± 11.1 mm Hg, P = .67). Conclusion Travoprost with sofZia significantly lowers IOP throughout the diurnal and nocturnal periods, and increases ocular perfusion pressure in the diurnal, but not the nocturnal, period in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The treatment effect on IOP endures for at least 84 hours after the last dose.
Mechanism of protection against arachidonate induced sudden death by glucocorticoid

Dexamethasone at a dose of 6 mg•kg−1 given to rabbits for three days prior to challenge with sodium arachidonate (2 mg•kg−1) intravenously, improved survival from 0% to 90% (p<0.01). Dexamethasone, given for shorter periods prior to arachidonate injection resulted in survival rates from 17% to 40%. In dexamethasone (3 days) treated rabbits, plasma thromboxane B2 concentrations were only increased by 30% compared with increases of 950% in untreated rabbits (p<0.001). Dexamethasone treated rabbits did not exhibit pulmonary thrombosis as did untreated rabbits given arachidonate. However, platelet rich plasma from both control and treated rabbits was aggregated by 0.2 mM arachidonate in vitro. The mechanism of the protective effect of dexamethasone appears to be related to induction of enzymes or stimulation of clearance of injected arachidonic acid, since steroid treated rabbits cleared labeled arachidonic acid more rapidly than untreated rabbits.
An experimental study of the blending of granular materials

Abstract Experimental results are reported on the blending efficiency of an industrial-size silo-blender fitted with one two side ports and downcomers. The blender was originally filled with layers of pellets of different colors. The recording of the color patterns on horizontal layers at the end of the experiment made possible the observance of the active flow channels and estimation of the average flow velocities inside the silo. In the case of the blender fitted with two side ports, strong interaction and merging of the two flow channels was observed. The dimensions of the active flow channels in the silo-blenders and the flow velocities of the granular materials are reported in this paper.
Decision making tasks in time-critical medical settings

We examine decision-making tasks and information sources during fast-paced, high-risk medical events, such as trauma resuscitation. Interviews with surgical team leaders and ED physicians reveal several environmental aspects that make decision making difficult, including diagnostic tradeoffs, missing and unreliable information, and managing multiple patients simultaneously. We discuss the implications of these findings for the design of wall displays to support decision making in time-critical medical settings.
Bone mineral density in the femur and lumbar vertebrae decreases after twelve weeks of diabetes in spontaneously diabetic-prone BB/Worcester rats

The accumulated data indicate that bone mineral density (BMD) is decreased in humans with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to prospectively determine sequential lumbar and femoral BMD utilizing dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in rats that spontaneously become diabetic to determine if weight and blood glucose control would prevent the diabetes-related bone mass changes. BMD of the lumbar spine and femur was measured prior to the onset of diabetes and at 3-week intervals after the diagnosis of diabetes for 12 weeks in 14 diabetes-prone BB/Wor rats (DP) and eight diabetes-resistant BB/Wor control rats (DR). At 12 weeks, the lumbar (0.238±0.013 vs 0.262±0.007 g/cm2, P<0.001) and femoral (0.313±0.013 vs 0.343±0.013 g/cm2, P<0.001) BMD were significantly lower in the DP rats despite significantly greater body weights (387±26 vs 329±46 g, P<0.001) and plasma glucose levels of only 178 mg/dl. There was no difference in plasma values of calcium, phosphorus, osteocalcin, or tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase between groups or differences in osteoblast numbers in histologic sections. There was a significant (P<0.001) decrease in plasma creatinine in the diabetic animals. The results indicate that in this animal model of type I diabetes, spine and femoral BMD do not increase comparable to control despite weight and blood glucose control. This would suggest that the diabetic condition itself affects bone mass in the absence of weight loss and poor blood glucose control.
Crystal optics as guard apertures for coherent x-ray diffraction imaging

A crucial issue in coherent x-ray diffraction imaging experiments is how to increase the signal-to-noise ratio when measuring relatively weak diffraction intensities from a nonperiodic object. A novel crystal guard aperture is described that makes use of a pair of multiple-bounce crystal optics to eliminate unwanted parasitic scattering background. This background is often produced by upstream optical elements such as a coherent-beam defining aperture. Recent experimental observation and theoretical analysis confirm the effectiveness of the crystal guard aperture method with coherence-preserved wave propagation through the crystal guard aperture and dramatically reduced scattering background in coherent x-ray diffraction images.
A Rapid Synthesis of Cobalticinium Salts from Substituted Cyclopentadienylthallium Derivatives

Abstract Cobalticinium (1), Methylcobalticinium (2) and 1,1 '-Dimethyl-cobalticinium (3) salts may be prepared in 30–50% yields by reaction of mixtures of cyclopentadienylthallium and methylcyclopentadienyl-thallium with aqueous cobalt (II) chloride in the presence of DMSO. This procedure avoids the necessity for inert atmospheres and anhydrous reagents and is suitable for rapid preparation of 50–100 g of mixed cobalticinium salts.
Cyber-enabled manufacturing systems for additive manufacturing

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study cyber-enabled manufacturing systems (CeMS) for additive manufacturing (AM). The technology of AM or solid free-form fabrication has received considerable attention in recent years. Several public and private interests are exploring AM to find solutions to manufacturing problems and to create new opportunities. For AM to be commercially accepted, it must make products reliably and predictably. AM processes must achieve consistency and be reproducible. Design/methodology/approach – An approach we have taken is to foster a basic research program in CeMS for AM. The long-range goal of the program is to achieve the level of control over AM processes for industrial acceptance and wide-use of the technology. This program will develop measurement, sensing, manipulation and process control models and algorithms for AM by harnessing principles underpinning cyber-physical systems (CPS) and fundamentals of physical processes. Findings – This paper describes the challeng...
Low Cost, Open-Loop Temperature Controller for MEMS and Modular Microfluidics Applications

A commercially manufactured thermostat (Model C Thermostat, Portage Electronic Products Inc., North Canton, OH) was employed as a precision MEMS temperature controller for a simulated continuous flow thermal reactor, with three temperature zones to mimic a polymerase chain reaction (CFPCR) device but different temperature set points to allow use of off-the-shelf controllers and thermally-responsive fluids. The ability of the commercial thermostats to maintain the temperatures within given tolerance bands in the thermal reactor was investigated. The factory supplied and calibrated thermostats were actuated by trimetallic strips, and supplied in a normally-closed configuration. Each thermostat was arranged in series with a 28 VDC power supply, a Kapton heater, and an aluminum thermal block to establish a constant temperature boundary condition for each temperature zone. Calibration temperatures for each thermostat reflected the three temperature set points of the simulated PCR device in the testing apparatus. Temperatures were collected by fixing Type K thermocouples in the fluidic channels of the simulated PCR device, and recording the temperature over time. The commercial, off-the-shelf, open-loop controllers successfully maintained ±1°C tolerance bands within each thermal zone. The ±1°C variation in the channel temperature was caused by the chatter due to the switching of the thermostat.© 2011 ASME
Understanding the triaging and fixing processes of long lived bugs

ContextBug fixing is an integral part of software development and maintenance. A large number of bugs often indicate poor software quality, since buggy behavior not only causes failures that may be costly but also has a detrimental effect on the user's overall experience with the software product. The impact of long lived bugs can be even more critical since experiencing the same bug version after version can be particularly frustrating for user. While there are many studies that investigate factors affecting bug fixing time for entire bug repositories, to the best of our knowledge, none of these studies investigates the extent and reasons of long lived bugs. ObjectiveIn this paper, we investigate the triaging and fixing processes of long lived bugs so that we can identify the reasons for delay and improve the overall bug fixing process. MethodologyWe mine the bug repositories of popular open source projects, and analyze long lived bugs from five different perspectives: their proportion, severity, assignment, reasons, as well as the nature of fixes. ResultsOur study on seven open-source projects shows that there are a considerable number of long lived bugs in each system and over 90% of them adversely affect the user's experience. The reasons for these long lived bugs are diverse including long assignment time, not understanding their importance in advance, etc. However, many bug-fixes were delayed without any specific reasons. Furthermore, 40% of long lived bugs need only small fixes. ConclusionOur overall results suggest that a significant number of long lived bugs may be minimized through careful triaging and prioritization if developers could predict their severity, change effort, and change impact in advance. We believe our results will help both developers and researchers better to understand factors behind delays, improve the overall bug fixing process, and investigate analytical approaches for prioritizing bugs based on bug severity as well as expected bug fixing effort.
Actin-Dependent Propulsion of Endosomes and Lysosomes by Recruitment of N-Wasp✪

We examined the spatial and temporal control of actin assembly in living Xenopus eggs. Within minutes of egg activation, dynamic actin-rich comet tails appeared on a subset of cytoplasmic vesicles that were enriched in protein kinase C (PKC), causing the vesicles to move through the cytoplasm. Actin comet tail formation in vivo was stimulated by the PKC activator phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and this process could be reconstituted in a cell-free system. We used this system to define the characteristics that distinguish vesicles associated with actin comet tails from other vesicles in the extract. We found that the protein, N-WASP, was recruited to the surface of every vesicle associated with an actin comet tail, suggesting that vesicle movement results from actin assembly nucleated by the Arp2/3 complex, the immediate downstream target of N-WASP. The motile vesicles accumulated the dye acridine orange, a marker for endosomes and lysosomes. Furthermore, vesicles associated with actin comet tails had the morphological features of multivesicular endosomes as revealed by electron microscopy. Endosomes and lysosomes from mammalian cells preferentially nucleated actin assembly and moved in the Xenopus egg extract system. These results define endosomes and lysosomes as recruitment sites for the actin nucleation machinery and demonstrate that actin assembly contributes to organelle movement. Conversely, by nucleating actin assembly, intracellular membranes may contribute to the dynamic organization of the actin cytoskeleton.
Frequency Finder: a multi-source web application for collection of public allele frequencies of SNP markers

Summary: Publicly available single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) allele frequencies are an important resource for the selection of genetic markers that may be most useful for gene mapping and association studies. Data mining these allele frequencies through disparate public databases and Websites is time consuming and can result in inconsistent findings. We have developed a web-based software tool, Frequency Finder, to acquire SNP allele frequencies from multiple public data sources and return a summarized result to the user. Our software optimizes and automates the search of candidate markers, decreasing the amount of time it would take to extract pertinent data manually. We have included several methods to output the data, including on-screen and as a compressed text file. We show that Frequency Finder accurately retrieves available frequency data from the available sources. Using this tool, we detect significant differences between Asian, African and Caucasian populations in the allele frequency spectra of 246 097 SNPs. While limited to public databases that provide web-based access to allele frequencies, Frequency Finder provides a single, user-friendly interface for retrieving allele frequencies for large batches of SNPs from multiple data sources. Availability: Frequency Finder is available for public use at http://mapgenetics.nimh.nih.gov/frequencyfinder and at http://bluegenes.bsd.uchicago.edu/frequencyfinder
Military UHF body-worn antennas for armored vests

In this paper, we present new body-worn antennas specifically designed for armored vests used by the military and law enforcement agencies. Typically, these vests have hard ceramic reinforced plates protecting the abdomen. The proposed antennas are mounted on these plates. New designs are shown for front, back and side armor plates and the simulations are validated using measurements. A diversity study is also performed to assess practical performance.
Base-Transposed Chiral Isomeric Nucleosides

Abstract The synthesis and anti-HIV activities of a number of new analogues of basetransposed chiral isomeric nucleosides are described. Modifications of the anti-HIV active compound, (S,S)-isodideoxyadenosine, included both the base and carbohydrate regions.
Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 Promotes Primitive Endoderm Development in Bovine Blastocyst Outgrowths

Primitive endoderm (PE) is the second extraembryonic tissue to form during embryogenesis in mammals. The PE develops from pluripotent cells of the blastocyst inner cell mass. Experimental results described herein provide evidence that FGF2 stimulates PE development during bovine blastocyst development in vitro. Bovine blastocysts were cultured individually on a feeder layer-free, Matrigel-coated surface in the presence or absence of FGF2. A majority of blastocysts cultures formed outgrowths (76.8%) and the rate of outgrowth formation was not affected by FGF2 supplementation. However, supplementation with FGF2 increased the incidence of PE outgrowths on Days 13 and 15 after in vitro fertilization. Presumptive PE cultures contained cells with a phenotype distinct from trophectoderm (TE). Cell identity was validated by expression of GATA4 and GATA6 mRNA and transferrin protein, all markers of the PE lineage. Expression of GATA4 occurred coincident with blastocyst expansion and hatching. These cells did not express IFNT and CDX2 (TE lineage markers). Profiles of FGF receptor (FGFR) isoforms were distinct between PE and TE cultures. Specifically, FGFR1b and FGFR1c were the predominant FGFR transcripts in PE whereas FGFR2b transcripts were abundant in TE. Supplementation with FGF2 increased the mitotic index of PE but not TE. Moreover, FGF signaling appears important for initiation of PE formation in blastocysts, presumably by lineage committal from NANOG-positive epiblast cells, because chemical disruption of FGFR kinase activity with PD173074 reduces GATA4 expression and increases NANOG expression. Collectively, these results indicate that FGF2 and potentially other FGFs specify PE formation and mediate PE proliferation during early pregnancy in cattle.
Breast Conservation Therapy in Patients with Early‐Stage Breast Cancer Who Have Undergone a Second Re‐Excision of the Primary Tumor Bed: A Report of Four Cases

: For the women with early-stage breast cancer who are candidates for breast conservation therapy, re-excision of the primary tumor bed has commonly been used in patients for several indications. These indications include positive margin or uncertain margin status of the primary excision or residual microcalcifications on postbiopsy mammogram. If the pathology from the re-excision does not confirm negative margin status, mastectomy is generally recommended. This article examines patients who have undergone a second re-excision (i.e., a lumpectomy followed by two re-excisions) who have been treated with breast conservation therapy rather than a mastectomy. From September 1977 to November 1995, 1,562 patients underwent breast conserving therapy at this institution. Seven hundred forty of these patients underwent a re-excisional biopsy because of positive or uncertain margin status or residual microcalcifications after the first excision. Four patients (0.5%) underwent a second re-excision because of positive or uncertain margin status or residual microcalcifications on mammogram after the first re-excision. The final margin status after the second re-excision of all four patients was negative. The radiation dose was 4,600–5,000 cGy to the whole breast followed by a conedown to bring the total dose to 6,400–6,800 cGy to the primary tumor bed. Follow-up in the four patients was 13 years, 4 years, 14 months, and 8 months respectively. All four patients are clinically without disease and have not had a locoregional recurrence. Cosmesis was excellent in all four patients. One patient had an adriamycin-induced recall reaction causing a cellulitis, which resolved with antibiotics. There were no other complications. Highly selected patients may undergo breast-conserving therapy after a second re-excision. Good outcome and cosmesis can be achieved for this small subset of patients with avoidance of a mastectomy.