cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dual chamber shape memory alloy unplugging and mixing system coupled to a high pressure optical cell for biophysical studies

High pressure optical measurements are useful for understanding structure and function of biological molecules. Commonly used high-pressure optical cells can only observe a single sample under elevated pressure. If researchers wish to observe the interaction between different biological samples, they must mix the samples at atmospheric pressure, place the mixture within the pressure chamber, and wait until the desired pressure is reached. In many cases, researchers want to observe the initial reaction between two separate biological samples; however, the sample mixing and the assembly of the high pressure optical cell coupled with a spectrometer at desired pressures can take several minutes or longer. Our current design uses a shape memory alloy (SMA) spring actuator to seal a dual chamber cuvette for separation of two different biological samples. Once the desired pressure is reached, power is applied to the system that activates the SMA to unplug and mix the two samples using a micro dc-motor. During the mixing efficiency tests, deionized water was placed in the top chamber of the cuvette and an aqueous solution of carboxyfluorescein (a fluorescent dye) placed in the bottom chamber. Based on this design, we were able to achieve a total unplugging and mixing time within a few seconds (at atmospheric pressure). Quicker mixing means researchers will have more reliable data for analyzing the initial reactions between two different biological samples. Future tests on this new actuator will be conducted at elevated pressures.
Variational calculation of multiphoton ionization processes for the H atom.

Well-known variational principles for second-order perturbation matrix elements are extended to higher-order multiphoton processes for atomic hydrogen. Numerical applications to two- and three-photon ionization of the hydrogen ground state provide results comparable to those of analytic calculations, even near intermedaite-state resonances, yet without the complications involved in summation over intermediate states. Extensions to multiphoton processes for many-electron atoms are discussed briefly.
Hybrid parallelism in MFIX CFD-DEM using OpenMP

Abstract This paper supplements previous work done by Gopalakrishnan and Tafti [21] for the parallel implementation of the Discrete Element Method (DEM) in the open source code Multiphase Flow with Interphase eXchange (MFIX) for distributed memory architectures using MPI. The current study extends the parallel implementation to shared memory architectures using OpenMP making the code amenable to hybrid MPI + OpenMP computations on multicore multiprocessor architectures. The contact force computation, the drag force computation, and locating the particle in fluid cell for neighbor searches are identified to be some of the major time consuming routines and instrumented with OpenMP directives. The OpenMP instrumented code is shown to give a speedup of 7 on 8 threads in a 3D bubbling fluidized bed with 80,000 particles and 18,000 fluid cells. Furthermore, the hybrid performance of MPI + OpenMP is evaluated for a large scale CFD-DEM system of 5.12 million particles. The strong scaling analysis shows good scalability with a speed up of 185 on 256 processors (20,000 particles/processor) for hybrid versus a speed up of 138 for a standalone MPI.
Time series prediction by estimating Markov probabilities through topology preserving maps

Topology preserving maps derived from neural network learning algorithms are well suited to approximate probability distributions from data sets. We use such algorithms to generate maps which allow the prediction of future events from a sample time series. Our approach relies on computing transition probabilities modeling the time series as a Markov process. Thus the technique can be applied both to stochastic as well as to deterministic chaotic data and also permits the computation of `error bars' for estimating the quality of predictions. We apply the method to the prediction of measured chaotic and noisy time series.
What do the hydrocarbons from trees contribute to air pollution

Plant species release appreciable quantities of volatile organic substances to the atmosphere. The major compounds emitted are monoterpenes (C10) like α-pinene, β-pinene, and limonene and the hemiterpene (C5) isoprene. The rate of emission of isoprene is light dependent and ranges between 0.04 to 2.4 ppb/cm2/min/l for oak, cottonwood, and eucalyptus foliage. The rate of emission of a- and/3-pinene and limonene is dependent on the rate of transpiration, structural integrity of the oil cells and resin glands, and temperature of the foliage. Rates of emission for conifer foliage range from 0.4 to 3.5 ppb/g/min/l. An inventory of North American forest regions for the frequency of occurrence of these chemicals released by different tree species showed that 15% was the lowest value for a specific forest-type that emitted terpenes to the atmosphere. More commonly 100% of the trees of a given forest-type emitted terpenes to the atmosphere. An average of 70% is typical of the United States forested regions as a wh...
Vibrational dephasing of the ν3 mode of liquid allene

The Raman spectrum of the ν3 mode of allene has been studied as a function of temperature throughout the temperature range of the liquid. Analysis of the spectral band shape shows that the vibrational dephasing is a fast-modulation process. Evidence is presented for a vibrational-rotational coupling involving the tumbling reorientation of the molecule. Dilution studies in GeH4 indicated significant resonant vibrational energy transfer.
Monitoring Anhydride and Acid Conversion in Supercritical/Hydrothermal Water by in Situ Fiber-Optic Raman Spectroscopy

The hydrolysis of acetic anhydride to acetic acid in a hydrothermal/supercritical water reactor is monitored via in situ fiber-optic Raman spectroscopy to demonstrate the use of in situ spectroscop...
A twin study of specific behavioral problems of socialization as viewed by parents.

Our study focused on the etiology of specific behavioral problems rather than on a global syndrome such as hyperactivity. As a first step in studying specific behavioral problems, we revised the Conners (1970) Parent Symptom Rating questionnaire to improve its factor structure. Our revised instrument and the testretest reliabilities of its 12 scales are described. A classical twin analysis comparing intraclass correlations for 54 pairs of identical twins and 33 pairs of same-sex fraternal twins indicated substantial genetic influence on behavioral problems in schoolaged children.
Reduction of feeding behavior by the serotonin uptake inhibitor sertraline

Administration of the selective serotonin (5-HT) uptake inhibitor sertraline produced a dose-dependent reduction of food intake in rats. Doses of sertraline of 10 mg/kg or greater reduced the intake of solid pellets significantly (P less than 0.01) during the 1st hour of a 4-h feeding test in rats deprived of food and water for 24 h. Food intake during the remaining 3 h and water intake during the feeding test was unaffected by sertraline. Sertraline (2-18 mg/kg IP) also reduced milk consumption in food-deprived rats. Pretreatment with the nonselective 5-HT antagonists metergoline (2 mg/kg IP) or methysergide (3.3 mg/kg IP) blocked sertraline's inhibition of dry food intake, whereas pretreatment with the selective 5-HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserin (3.3 mg/kg IP) or the peripheral 5-HT2 antagonist xylamidine (2.5 mg/kg IP) failed to block sertraline's anorexic effect. The feeding-suppressant effect of 10 mg/kg sertraline was prevented following the destruction of central 5-HT neurons by the 5-HT neurotoxic agent, 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (200 micrograms ICV). This result is consistent with sertraline's anorexic effect depending on intact 5-HT neurotransmission. Therefore, sertraline appears to reduce feeding by enhancing the action of endogenous serotonin at central synapses mediated by 5-HT1 rather than 5-HT2 receptors.
Mivacurium as an alternative to succinylcholine during outpatient laparoscopy.

Abstract Study Objectives: To compare (1) the adequacy of conditions for tracheal intubation; (2) the onset, depth, clinically effective duration, and recovery profile; and (3) adverse effects associated with mivacurium as an alternative to succinylcholine during general (endotracheal) anesthesia for outpatient laparoscopy. Design: A randomized, controlled clinical trial. Setting: Barnes Hospital Outpatient Surgery Center. Patients: Sixty healthy consenting ASA physical status I or II adult female outpatients. Interventions: Following a standardized thiopental sodium-alfentanil induction, patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Group I - alfentanil-nitrous oxide (N 2 O)-succinylcholine; Group II - alfentanil-N O-mivacurium; Group III — enflurane-N 2 O-mivacurium. Measurements and Main Results: Neuromuscular blockade was measured by electromyography of the stimulated adductor pollicis muscle contraction. Tracheal intubation was attempted after achieving 70% or greater blockade and was graded on a fourpoint scale. Onset and recovery were more rapid with succinylcholine than with mivacurium. The clinically effective duration of action of mivacurium was not significantly different in the enflurane-N 2 O group compared with the alfentanil-N O group. Side effects with mivacurium included flushing and occasional wheezing. Conclusions: Mivacurium 0.15 mglkg given intravenously provided good to excellent conditions for tracheal intubation in 2 to 3 minutes. This dose provided a clinically effective duration of action of 20 to 25 minutes, and the residual blockade was readily reversible with neostigmine. Mivacurium did not, however, offer any apparent advantage over succinylcholine in this outpatient population.
Multi-objective design optimization of a single-sided axial Flux permanent magnet machine

This paper presents an optimal design approach for a single-sided axial flux permanent magnet(AFPM) machine. A multi-objective differential evolution based optimization algorithm is implemented, which is to maximize the output torque density (Nm/kg) and efficiency. Design constraints including geometrical and operating limits are considered. Total of seven independent variables are employed in the design. Optimization results are compared with a prototype design.
Application of the method of lines to cylindrical inhomogeneous propagation structures

The method of lines is applied to the Helmholtz equation in cylindrical co-ordinates to analyse cylindrical inhomogeneous propagation structures such as finlines in circular waveguide housings. The numerical results for the frequency dependent propagation characteristics and the dominant mode characteristic impedance for the finline structures are presented.
The neurotoxicity of sulfur-containing amino acids in energy-deprived rat hippocampal slices

The rat hippocampal slice preparation and its electrophysiology were used to assess the toxicity of two sulfur-containing amino acids, L-cysteate (CA) and L-cysteine (CYS). Both compounds were innocuous under normal conditions but became toxic in energy-deprived (lack of oxygen or glucose) slices. CA and CYS toxicity was apparent as both reduced the number of slices that normally recover their neuronal function (evoked CA1 population spike) after a standardized period of hypoxia or glucose deprivation (GD). The competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate blocked the toxicity of both CA and CYS in hypoxic slices, but it was effective only against CYS toxicity in glucose-deprived slices. The glycine antagonist 7-chlorokynurenate blocked CA and CYS toxicity in hypoxic slices but was unable to block their toxicity in glucose-deprived tissue. Perfusing slices with medium containing a high magnesium concentration blocked the toxicity of CA in both hypoxic and glucose-deprived slices, a treatment that was ineffective against CYS toxicity under either condition. Calcium depletion from the perfusion medium completely blocked the damaging effect of both amino acids in hypoxic slices, but it only partially blocked the toxicity of CA and did not block that of CYS in glucose-deprived slices. These results suggest that CA and CYS activate different NMDA receptor subsets and other glutamate receptor subtypes. Moreover, the results indicate a possible difference between the mechanism that lead to hypoxic neuronal damage and the one that lead to hypoglycemic neuronal damage.
Spatially resolved spectroscopy of monolayer graphene on SiO 2

We carried out scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements on exfoliated monolayer graphene on ${\text{SiO}}_{2}$ to probe the correlation between its electronic and structural properties. Maps of the local density of states are characterized by electron and hole puddles that arise due to long-range intravalley scattering from intrinsic ripples in graphene and random-charged impurities. At low energy, we observe short-range intervalley scattering which we attribute to lattice defects. Our results demonstrate that the electronic properties of graphene are influenced by intrinsic ripples, defects, and the underlying ${\text{SiO}}_{2}$ substrate.
Ease: an environment for architecture study and experimentation

Gathering detailed measurements of the execution behavior of an instruction set architecture is difficult. There are two major problems that must be solved. First, for meaningful measurements to be obtained, programs that represent typical work load and instruction mixes must be used. This means that high-level language compilers for the target architecture are required. This problem is further compounded as most architectures require an optimizing compiler to exploit their capabilities. Building such a compiler can be a formidable task.The second problem is that gathering detailed dynamic measurements of an architecture using typical user programs reading typical data sets can consume significant computation resources. For example, a popular way to gather execution measurements is to simulate the architecture. This technique is often used when the architecture in question does not yet exist, or is not yet stable and available for production use. Depending on the level of the simulation, programs can run 100 to 500 times slower than directly-executed code [HUGU87]. Tracing is another alternative one can use if the architecture being measured exists, is accessible, and tracing is possible on that machine. Tracing can be even slower than simulation [HUGU87]. Because of the large performance penalties with these methods, the tendency is to use small programs with small data sets. The relevance of measures collected this way is always subject to question.This paper describes an environment called ease (Environment for Architecture Study and Experimentation) that solves both these problems. It consists of a easily retargetable optimizing compiler that produces production-quality code. The compiler also supports the generation of instrumented code that gathers very fine-grained execution statistics with little overhead. Typically, instrumented code runs 10 to 15 percent slower than code that is not instrumented. Similarly, because information about instructions are collected as a side effect of the compiler generating code, compilation time is only increased by 15 to 20 percent. The combination of an easily retargetable compiler and an efficient method of observing the run-time behavior of real programs provides an environment that is useful in a number of contexts.
Pathogenicity evaluation of different Newcastle disease virus chimeras in 4-week-old chickens

The aim of this study was to evaluate the disease-inducing ability of four chimeric Newcastle disease viruses (NDV) by clinicopathological assessment. The infectious clones were previously generated by insertion of hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and/or fusion (F) genes from virulent strains (Turkey North Dakota and California 02) into a mesogenic strain (Anhinga) backbone. Groups of 4-week-old chickens were inoculated via eye drop instillation, clinical signs were monitored daily, and necropsies with collection of tissues were performed at 2, 5, 10, and 14 days post infection. Tissue sections were evaluated for histopathology and immunohistochemistry for NDV nucleoprotein. All viruses replicated successfully in the natural host, although viral recovery, seroconversion, and extent of immunohistochemical staining were greatest from birds infected with those viruses containing both F and HN genes from the same virulent virus. There was minimal to no increase in clinicopathologic disease due to infection with the chimeras compared to the recombinant backbone. However, all birds developed histological evidence of encephalitis. The results suggest that the inherent virulence of Turkey North Dakota and California 2002 strains is due to more than the simple presence of their F and HN genes.
Brokering ISUComm Sites: Toward the Creation of a Large Scale ePortfolio Platform for Multimodal Composition

This report outlines the authors' experiences developing and piloting ISUComm Sites, an electronic portfolio platform currently in development for ISUComm foundation courses at Iowa State University. Since 2007, ISUComm has sought to better teach students the electronic mode of communication through such a platform, but for some time the project had stalled. This changed in the spring of 2014, when the authors of this article negotiated the resources necessary to build a WordPress installation created both for and by teachers of ISUComm courses. This platform affords students the capability to build online portfolios that showcase their developing identities as scholars and professionals. But to be successful, our project needed "boundary brokers," or graduate students who use their experience as system developers and teachers to negotiate between stakeholders and users at all levels of implementation and development.
Preload Induces Troponin I Degradation Independently of Myocardial Ischemia

Background —Although global ischemia induces troponin I (TnI) degradation, regional ischemia does not. We hypothesized that this disparity is related to preload-induced proteolysis, which varies as a function of the amount of myocardium at risk of ischemia. Methods and Results —Isolated rat hearts were buffer-perfused at controlled levels of preload. Increasing preload to 25 mm Hg in the absence of ischemia produced pronounced TnI degradation (27 kDa versus 31 kDa bands: 16.4±3.6% versus 4.7±1.9% in immediately excised controls, P <0.05). TnI degradation could be blocked by preventing the activation of endogenous calpains with 25 μmol/L calpeptin (4.3±0.6%). This improved function, with left ventricular systolic pressure increasing from 103±4 mm Hg to 137±7 mm Hg ( P <0.05). Eliminating elevations in preload after global ischemia-induced stunning also prevented TnI degradation. Conclusions —Calpain-mediated TnI proteolysis can be dissociated from stunning and arises from elevations in preload rather than ischemia. This raises the possibility that ongoing preload-induced TnI degradation could impair myocardial function long-term.
Peripheral precocious puberty: causes and current management.

Background: Peripheral precocious puberty (PPP) results from sex steroid exposure by a process other than activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. It is much less comm
357. Altered relationships in RCMRGLU associativity in bipolar and unipolar illness

of the serotonergic system is correlated with impulsive aggression. In the current study, we used positron emission tomography (PET) and the radioligands 18F-setoperone and 11C-SCH 23,390 to quantify 5-HT2 and D1 receptor binding, respectively, in eight subjects with MDD with anger attacks and a control population. Data were analyzed using the Simplified Reference Tissue Model, with the cerebellum as the input tissue to solve for the binding potential for 18F-setoperone and 11C-SCH 23,390 in multiple brain regions. Initial analysis did not demonstrate significant global cortical differences in 5-HT2 and D1 binding potential between subjects with MDD with anger attacks and control subjects. Subsequent data of 5-HT2 and D1 binding potential in both populations using circumscribed region of interest analysis of specific brain regions will be presented. Results will be discussed with regard to the role of 5-HT and D1 in the pathophysiology of MDD with anger attacks.
Shear Sensitivity of Hybridoma Cells in Batch, Fed-Batch, and Continuous Cultures

Previously, we observed that CRL-8018 hybridoma cells were more sensitive to well-defined viscometric shear during the lag and stationary phases than during the exponential phase of batch cultures. Some potential hypotheses for explaining the increase in shear sensitivity are (1) nutrient limitations that result in a decrease in production of specific cellular components responsible for the mechanical strength of the cell, (2) nutrient limitations that lead to synchronization of the culture in a cell cycle phase that is more sensitive to shear, or (3) a link between cell growth and shear sensitivity, such that slowly growing cells are more sensitive to shear. Here, the duration of the exponential phase was increased with use of fed-batch, and the effect on shear sensitivity of the cultures was measured with a viscometric technique. Extension of exponential growth resulted in an increased period during which the cells were insensitive to shear. Additionally, the shear sensitivity of the cells was constant over a wide range of growth rates and metabolic yields in chemostat cultures. These observations suggest that as long as the cells are actively (exponentially) growing, their shear sensitivity does not depend on the growth rate or metabolic state of the cell as expressed by metabolic yields. Thus, hypothesis 3 above can be dismissed.
Acceptance of the HPV vaccine among women, parents, community leaders, and healthcare providers in Ohio Appalachia

To assess HPV vaccine acceptability, focus groups of women (18-26 years), parents, community leaders, and healthcare providers were conducted throughout Ohio Appalachia. Themes that emerged among the 23 focus groups (n=114) about the HPV vaccine were: barriers (general health and vaccine specific), lack of knowledge (cervical cancer and HPV), cultural attitudes, and suggestions for educational materials and programs. Important Appalachian attitudes included strong family ties, privacy, conservative views, and lack of trust of outsiders to the region. There are differences in HPV vaccine acceptability among different types of community members highlighting the need for a range of HPV vaccine educational materials/programs to be developed that are inclusive of the Appalachian culture.
Funicular location of the ascending axons of neurons adjacent to the spinal cord central canal in the rat

Abstract Neurons adjacent to the central canal in the rat spinal cord were retrogradely labeled bilaterally after injection of horseradish peroxidase into the bulbar reticular formation. Lesions restricted to parts of the ventral lateral funiculus in thoracic or high lumbar segments on the side ipsilateral to the injections produced significant bilateral reductions in labeling. Lesions that included the entire ipsilateral ventral lateral funiculus greatly reduced the number of labeled neurons surrounding the central canal caudal to the lesion. Lesions of either the dorsal lateral funiculus, or midline lesions encompassing both the dorsal and ventral columns had no significant effect labeling. Spinoreticular tract neurons on both sides of the central canal issue axons that ascend in the ventral lateral funiculus of the side ipsilateral to their termination.
MODELING OF WAVE-CURRENT INTERACTION USING A MULTIDIRECTIONAL WAVE-ACTION BALANCE EQUATION

This study presents an integrated numerical model to simulate wave deformation/transformation in tidal inlets or river mouths with ambient currents (e.g. tidal currents, river inflows) by carefully modeling the effect of wave-current interaction. A multidirectional wave-action balance equation is used to compute random/directional wave processes such as diffraction, refraction, shoaling, wave breaking, as well as wave-current interaction. This wave action model is coupled with a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model, the feedback effect of wave and current can be effectively simulated. This model is validated by simulating wave laboratory experiments in an inlet entrance, and waves and tidal currents in Grays Harbor, WA by using available field observation data in 1999. The capabilities of the wave model for simulating wave-current interaction and the corresponding breaking effect are confirmed in the study.
A microcalorimetric procedure for evaluating the kinetic parameters of enzyme-catalyzed reactions: Kinetic measurements of the nitrogenase system

The mechanism of nitrogenase catalysis, as evaluated from steady-state kinetic measurements, is presently unresolved primarily due to conflicting results regarding the reaction order of the nitrogenase reductant, S2O42−, at high concentrations. A microcalorimetric method was developed and is described which measures the rate of heat production (and hence the rate of reactant disappearance or product formation) as a function of time. Because each substrate reaction order has a unique profile for the rate of heat production with time, the described procedure provides a means for establishing the substrate reaction order for the enzyme-catalyzed reaction under consideration by visual inspection of the resulting thermogram. The rate constant and other kinetic parameters are obtained from analysis of the shape of the thermogram and thermodynamic parameters are evaluated from either the shape of or the area bound by the thermogram. Application of this procedure to the nitrogenase system has confirmed onehalf- and first-order reaction orders under limiting conditions for the S2O42− and MgATP substrates during the enzyme-catalyzed reaction for this important biological process. From a single thermogram, the enthalphy of reaction and the kinetic rate law are readily evaluated. The procedure is completely general in nature and is applicable to any chemical or biochemical system that evolves heat.
Cloning and characterization of the secreted hemocytic prophenoloxidases of Heliothis virescens.

The plasma enzyme phenoloxidase plays an important role in host resistance against viral, bacterial, fungal, filarial, and parasitoid challenge. Two Heliothis virescens prophenoloxidase transcripts, HvPPO-1 and HvPPO-2, were assembled from ESTs derived from a hemocyte cDNA library. The 2,363-bp HvPPO-1 contig encoded a 696–amino acid protein. The 3,255-bp HvPPO-2 contig encoded a 684–amino acid protein. Hemocyte and fat body transcript levels of HvPPO-1 were slightly elevated by bacterial infection in 5th instar larvae; however, HvPPO-2 expression was not significantly elevated above controls by bacterial infection. Per os infection of 4th instar larvae with the baculovirus Helicoverpa zea SNPV (HzSNPV) had a mild but significant suppressive effect upon fat body and hemocytic HvPPO-1 expression when compared to expression in same-aged controls. HvPPO-2 expression levels in fat bodies and hemocytes from 4th instar larvae was not significantly altered by HzSNPV infection. HzSNPV infection of 5th instar larvae caused no significant alteration of HvPPO-1 or of HvPPO-2 expression in either fat bodies or hemocytes. Thus, even though prophenoloxidase subunits are constitutively expressed at high levels in larval H. virescens hemocytes and fat bodies, the subunit HvPPO-1 is differentially regulated by bacterial and baculoviral infection. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 69:127-142, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
In situ optical property measurement in layered tissue: theoretical and experimental assessment of an unconstrained approach

We have investigated a potential technique based on spatially resolved reflectance to determine optical properties (OPs) in two-layer turbid media. Reflectance from two-layer tissue was simulated for a wide range of OP combinations (μ a = 1-22.5, μs' = 5-42.5 cm -1 ) using a condensed Monte Carlo (MC) model and utilized to train neural network (NN) inverse models. Experimental data from two-layer tissue phantoms with top layer thicknesses (D) ranging from 0.22 to 0.66 mm were collected at three UV-Vis wavelengths. Estimation accuracy was compared to simulated results with added noise. The mean error in experimental determination of μa ranged from 1.5 to 5.9 cm -1 and mean error for μs' ranged from 2.1 to 12.1 cm -1 as a function of D. Although numerous realistic challenges remain, this initial experimental study of an unconstrained two-layer diffuse reflectance based OP estimation approach provides support that such a technique has a strong potential to provide accurate in situ measurements in layered tissues.
Operational tracking issues in the presence of closely spaced objects (CSOs)

The real world presents a much messier tracking environment than the usual pristine world of tracking simulations. In particular, simulations often do not properly account for the presence of CSOs in the vicinity of the objects being tracked, thereby producing potentially misleading results. CSOs have several nasty effects on trackers, which, if not mitigated, may result in show-stopping surprises when attempting to use a tracker operationally. This paper will describe and quantify some of the limitations that CSOs impose on single sensor and/or multisensor trackers. These limitations include delaying the expected time that a given object can be confidently resolved, interfering with the ability to asso-ciate objects between sensors properly, contaminating track files with spurious signature information, and forcing some form of cluster tracking to be employed. Analytic predictions of these limitations, based on local object density over time, will be presented, backed up by various Monte Carlo simulations. A more robust metric is proposed to allow the prediction of a more operationally meaningful probability of correct target association in a multisensor environment.© (2003) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The photocatalysis of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) using dispersions of Degussa P-25 TiO2 particles

Abstract The photocatalysis of N , N -diethyl- meta -toluamide (DEET) was examined using aqueous Degussa P-25 TiO 2 dispersions and a 350 nm Hg lamp UV reactor. Various concentrations of humic acid (HA) were added to the photocatalytic sample matrix in order to simulate the influence of natural organic matter (NOM) present during water treatment. A municipal secondary treatment effluent was also used as a sample matrix to provide a field sample comparison with laboratory matrixes. Pseudo-first-order kinetic rate constants were calculated for each set of samples. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) results showed a marked decrease in the photocatalytic degradation of DEET after the addition of HA, which continued to decrease with increasing HA concentration. The rate of degradation was further reduced after the addition of the municipal secondary treatment effluent, likely due to competition from dissolved organic matter and surface interference from soluble salts.
Sr2.975−xBaxCe0.025AlO4F: a Highly Efficient Green-Emitting Oxyfluoride Phosphor for Solid State White Lighting

A new, highly efficient green oxyfluoride phosphor family Sr2.975−xBaxCe0.025AlO4F (SBAF:Ce3+) has been developed as a component of solid state white light emitting diodes (LED). The phosphor emits with a maximum at 502 nm when excited by 405 nm excitation, with a quantum efficiency approaching 100%. When SBAF:Ce3+ (x = 1.0) is incorporated with encapsulant on an ultraviolet (405 nm) LED, greenish-white light with a color rendering index of 62 under a forward bias current of 20 mA is obtained. The results suggest that phosphors deriving from SBAF:Ce3+ have potential for incorporation in formulations for white LEDs and related applications. The preparation and structural and optical characterization of the phosphor family is described. Attempts to understand the origins of the high efficiency on the basis of the thermal quenching characteristics of SBAF:Ce3+ in comparison with related compounds are presented.
Use of quantum nanodot crystals as imaging probes for cereal proteins

Abstract Quantum dots (QDs) also known as fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals have unique optical and chemical properties. Their properties make them excellent fluorescent probes for biological applications which enable long term high quality imaging with the ability to conjugate to multiple biological targets. There are many applications of QDs in the biomedical field; however no applications exist in imaging of food structures. In this paper a detailed protocol for the use of QDs in imaging of gluten network in flat bread and zein in corn extrudates by combining covalent bioconjugation principles to the rules of immunohistochemistry is presented. In this study water soluble CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots containing carboxyl terminated groups were used. The quantum dots had a wavelength of emission of 620 nm. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to observe the structure of cereal proteins tagged by QDs to visualize their location within the food matrix. Optical sections were collected within a sample size of 20 μm and processed with Zen 2009 image analysis software (Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbH) to obtain three dimensional images. Results showed that QDs can be covalently conjugated to both gluten and zein. They provide long term bright stable imaging capability for wheat gluten with very little quenching after multiple laser excitations overtime.
Fetal monkey surfactants after intra-amniotic or maternal administration of betamethasone and thyroid hormone.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To compare direct intra-amniotic injection of betamethasone and thyroxine (T4) with maternal treatment and controls for accelerating pulmonary surfactant production. METHODS: Twelve pregnant monkeys (Macaca mulatta) on gestational day 125 (term 165 ± 10 days) had surfactant protein A and B concentrations measured in amniotic fluid. In four controls, normal saline was injected into the amniotic fluid; four others (intra-amniotic) received intra-amniotic betamethasone (1 mg) and T4 (60 μg); and in four others (maternal), the dam was given betamethasone (12 mg) intramuscularly, repeated in 24 hours, plus TRH (400 μg) intravenously, repeated every 6 hours for 24 hours. Seventy-two hours after the initial amniocentesis, a hysterotomy was performed and fetal tissue and amniotic fluid harvested for determination of surfactant protein A and B concentrations and immunohistochemical staining for surfactant protein A. RESULTS: Amniotic fluid surfactant protein A was higher with intra-amniotic injection than with maternal treatment (P CONCLUSION: Intra-amniotic injection of betamethasone and T4 enhanced lung (and possibly intestinal) maturation of the preterm rhesus fetal monkey compared with maternal injections.
Seller Responsiveness to the Need to Divest

Little theoretical attention has been given to divestiture; that is, to the question of why two firms that face similar environments make different selling decisions and reap different performance outcomes from a sale. This article proposes a framework of divestiture built around the core concept of seller responsiveness, which is defined as the readiness of the management at the selling firm to respond to the need to divest. The data show how divestiture context, management characteristics, and governance attributes influence seller responsiveness and, in turn, the price the divesting firm receives. Finally, the framework’s implications for research and practice are discussed.
Film Cooling Effectiveness From a Single Scaled-Up Fan-Shaped Hole: A CFD Simulation of Adiabatic and Conjugate Heat Transfer Models

This paper documents a computational investigation of the film cooling effectiveness of a 3-D gas turbine endwall with one fan-shaped cooling hole. The simulations were performed for adiabatic and conjugate heat transfer models. Turbulence closure was investigated using three different turbulence models; the realizable k-e model, the SST k-ω model, as well as the v2 –f turbulence model. Results were obtained for a blowing ratio of one, and a coolant-to-mainflow temperature ratio of 0.54. The simulations used a dense, high quality, O-type, hexahedral grid with three different schemes of meshing for the cooling hole: hexahedral-, hybrid-, and tetrahedral-topology grid. The computed flow/temperature fields are presented, in addition to local, two-dimensional distribution of film cooling effectiveness for the adiabatic and conjugate cases. Results are compared to experimental data in terms of centerline film cooling effectiveness downstream cooling-hole, the predictions with realizable k-e turbulence model exhibited the best agreement especially in the region for (2 ≤ x/D ≤ 6). Also, the results show the effect of the conjugate heat transfer on the temperature (effectiveness) field in the film cooling hole region and, thus, the additional heating up of the cooling jet itself.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Aqueous Chemistry of Ammonium (Dipicolinato)oxovanadate(V): The First Organic Vanadium(V) Insulin-Mimetic Compound

The aqueous speciation, formation constants, and solution structure were determined for a new insulin-mimetic organic vanadium(V) compound (ammonium (dipicolinato)oxovanadate(V)). The solution properties of the system were characterized by using potentiometry, 1H, 13C, and 51V NMR 1D and 2D spectroscopy, and UV/visible spectroscopy. These studies were conducted using the crystalline compound as well as combinations of the free ligand and the metal salt. The major complex is most stable in the acidic pH range, although it does protonate at low pH. It protonates at pH ∼1 and decomposes below pH 0. The dipic ligand is coordinated in a tridentate manner throughout the pH range studied. Protonation at low pH takes place on one of the oxo groups. Dynamic processes were explored using 1H and 13C EXSY NMR spectroscopy. VO2dipic- was found to exchange between the complex and the ligand at high and at low pH values. In the intermediate-pH range, no evidence for exchange processes was obtained, documenting the inert...
Evaluation of simethicone-coated cellulose as a negative oral contrast agent for abdominal CT.

Abstract Rationale and Objectives Because of the increased clinical use of computed tomography (CT) for imaging the abdominal vasculature and urinary tract, there is a need for negative contrast agents. The authors undertook this study to assess the suitability of simethicone-coated cellulose (SCC), which is approved for use as an oral contrast agent in sonography, for use as a negative oral contrast agent in abdominal CT. Materials and Methods This prospective study involved 40 adult patients scheduled to undergo abdominal CT for the evaluation of hematuria. Prior to scanning, 20 subjects received 800 mL of SCC and 20 received 800 mL of water as an oral contrast agent. Imaging was performed with a multi–detector row helical scanner in two phases, according to the abdominal CT protocol used for hematuria evaluation at the authors' institution. The first, “early” phase began an average of 15 minutes after the ingestion of contrast material; the second, “late” phase began an average of 45 minutes after the ingestion of contrast material. Blinded analysis was performed by three abdominal radiologists separately, using a three-point scale (0 = poor, 1 = acceptable, 2 = excellent) to assess the effectiveness of SCC for marking the proximal, middle, and distal small bowel. Average scores for enhancement with SCC and with water were obtained and compared. Statistical analysis was performed with a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results SCC was assigned higher mean scores than water for enhancement in each segment of the bowel, both on early-phase images (0.8–1.35 for SCC vs 0.6–1.1 for water) and on late-phase images (1.1–1.4 vs 0.81–0.96). Bowel marking with SCC, particularly in the jejunum and ileum, also was rated better than that with water in a high percentage of patients. The differences between the scores for water and for SCC, however, were not statistically significant (P > .05). Conclusion SCC is effective as a negative oral contrast agent for small bowel marking at CT.
Synthesis of a peptide nucleic acid with a novel 1‐methyl‐6‐mercaptopurine base

A novel peptide nucleic acid (PNA) monomer 16 containing a novel 1-methyl-6-mercaptopurine base was synthesized by coupling the in situ generated acid chloride of (1-methyl-6-mercaptopurin-9-yl)acetic acid (6) into an L-lysine backbone (13) using 10% CCl4 in pyridine and Ph3P. Compound 6 was synthesized from 6-mercapto-1-methylpurine and ethylbromoacetate in the presence of NaH followed by alkaline hydrolysis and subsequent neutralization with a cation exchange resin. The L-lysine backbone (13) was obtained by the reaction of Nϵ-CBZ-L-lysine allyl ester with Boc-aminoactaldehyde in the presence of NaBH3CN under reductive amination conditions. Oligomerization of the monomer 16 to PNA analogues was achieved using BOC-BHA-PEG-PS resin as a solid support and the in situ generated acid chloride of 16 by 10% CCl4 in DCM in the presence of Ph3P.
Detection of autoantibodies against heat shock proteins and collapsin response mediator proteins in autoimmune retinopathy

Autoimmune retinopathy (AR) and Cancer-Associated Retinopathy (CAR) are associated with a diverse repertoire of anti-retinal autoantibodies (AAbs) but not all antigenic targets have been characterized. Identification of new AAbs may help with clinical diagnosis and prognosis of retinal dysfunction in AR. The goal was to identify frequently targeted retinal autoantigens within the 60-70-kDa molecular weight range. Human retinal proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE and 2D gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and sera from AR patients with and without cancer were used to identify immunoreactive proteins by Western blotting. Proteins were identified following separation by electrophoresis, Coomassie staining using in-gel trypsin digestion and mass spectrometric analysis. Circulating serum hsp60 and anti-hsp60 antibody levels were determined by quantitative ELISA. Retrospective evaluation of 819 patients with anti-retinal AAbs showed that 29% patients had AAbs targeted proteins between 60-70-kDa. Shotgun mass spectrometry of human retinal proteins present in 1D-gel found 66 species within this range. To identify the immunoreactive proteins, we performed Western blots of 2-DE gels and showed a group of heat shock proteins (hsps), including hsp60 and CRMP proteins that were frequently recognized by AR patient AAbs, irrespective of cancer status. These results were validated by immunostaining of purified hsp60 and CRMP2 proteins. ELISA results revealed that patients with AR and CAR had significantly increased levels of serum anti-hsp60 antibodies compared to control healthy subjects (p < 0.0001). However, circulating hsp60 protein was not significantly elevated in sera of either patient group. Different anti-retinal antibodies frequently co-exist in a single patient, creating antibody-arrays related to the syndrome. Hsps and CRMP-2 are newly identified autoantigens in AR. A frequent co-association of anti-hsp antibodies with other anti-retinal AAbs may augment pathogenic processes, leading to retinal degeneration.
Somatic gene mutation and human disease other than cancer: An update

Somatic mosaicism is well known in disorders where the manifestations are readily seen, e.g. the skin in neurofibromatosis I. In single gene disorders of higher frequency, especially X-linked ones, the frequency of combined germ-line and somatic mosaicism is increasingly being appreciated, e.g. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Cell separation techniques; such as the fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) also detect much somatic mosaicism among blood cells in disorders such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Depending on the disorder and the class of mutation, in genes for which there are sufficient numbers of patients studied, 6-20% of cases are due to somatic mutation. This update of my previous review is stimulated by the rapid application of new technologies for the study of DNA variation in disease. The results of these studies implicate somatic mutation in a greater variety of genetic diseases and a wider spectrum of tissues than have previously been shown, including heart and kidney. The classes of mutation have also expanded beyond base pair changes, insertions/deletion (indels), and short tandem repeat mutations to include copy number variants and transposon-mediated mutations. I also briefly discuss previously well-known mosaicism for chromosomal mutations. Genomic sequencing, performed on DNA from blood, shows many mutations which are conclusively somatic in origin. It is still too early to see if there is a different pattern of somatic mutation compared to germ-line mutation. Though the parameters to allow careful quantification are not yet available, it seems that the frequency of gene mutation in embryonic cells is not markedly different than that in the germ line.
Traumatic Sternomanubrial Dislocation with Associated Bilateral Internal Mammary Artery Occlusion

23-year-old man sustained extensive polytrauma in a high-speed motor vehicle crash. Initial chest radiography showed a widened mediastinum, and thoracic aortography showed an isolated occlusion of the internal mammary arteries bilaterally and posterior dislocation of the manubriosternal joint (Fig. 1). Sternomanubrial dislocation is a rare injury, typically resulting from a high-energy trauma. However, among patients with preexisting sternomanubrial arthropathy (most commonly, rheumatoid arthritis), dislocation can be caused by a minor trauma [1]. The sternomanubrial joint may be synovial, synchondral, or synosteal. Dislocation is most common with the synovial type of joint, whereas synchondral and synosteal types typically fracture through the manubrium rather than dislocate at the joint [2]. Two types of sternomanubrial dislocations have been described: type 1, in which the sternum is dislocated posteriorly with respect to the manubrium, and type 2, in which the manubrium is dislocated posteriorly with respect to the sternum. Type 1 injuries are caused by a direct impact to the body of the sternum. Type 2 injuries, which are more common, are due to hyperflexion of the upper thoracic spine that transmits a downward and posterior force to the manubrium via the first ribs [3].
Single versus serial assessment of skeletal age: either, both or neither?

Assessments of skeletal age are a valuable adjunct to the clinical evaluation of physical maturity but are more meaningful when considered in relation to chronological age, especially over time, than as separate entities. Data on 51 girls from the Child Research Council study series gave a correlation coefficient of 0.51 between skeletal age (SA) at menarche and chronological age (CA) at menarche — a value in close agreement with data reported from other studies. With a range in SA of 11.58 to 14.89 years, these data were examined further for changes in SA related to timing of adolescence. SA was greater than CA in each of the nine girls whose menarche occurred between 10.5 and 12 years of age. SA was equal to CA in one girl, greater than CA in eight girls and less than CA in 11 girls with menarche between 12.15 and 13.4 years. Of the 22 girls with menarche after 13.5 years, one had SA = CA at 14.89 years and the other 21 all had SA less than CA. An r of 0.84 was calculated between the values of CA minus SA at menarche and CA at menarche. Similar relationships were found between SA and CA at age of maximum increment in growth in height for these girls and for 53 boys in the study series. Longitudinal data for height, weight and SA for four boys and five girls demonstrate the problems of prediction of the timing of adolescence and of adult size from skeletal ages in the childhood years.