cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of aortic annular size on rate of reoperation for left ventricular outflow tract obstruction after repair of interrupted aortic arch and ventricular septal defect.

Background The neonatal repair of interrupted aortic arch and ventricular septal defect (IAA/VSD) presents a surgical challenge. Although one-stage repair has become well established, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) continues to be an important factor affecting survival and reintervention rates after IAA/VSD repair. We investigated the relationship between the preoperative aortic annulus and the rates of reoperation for LVOTO. Methods Between July 1994 and July 2006, 38 patients with IAA/VSD have undergone complete single-stage repair. Patients with single ventricle physiology, transposition of the great arteries, or truncus arteriosus were excluded. Surgical technique involved the aortic arch reconstruction and VSD closure. Three patients underwent subaortic resection at the time of first operation and one patient underwent Yasui operation. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether the aortic annulus is greater than the patient's weight (kg) + 1.5 mm or less. Results The average follow-up was 7.9 ± 4.2 years. Among the patients with small aortic annulus (n = 12), there was one hospital death and 6 reoperations for LVOTO, and one late death. There was only one reoperation for LVOTO among the patients with larger aortic annulus (n = 26, p Conclusions Neonatal single-stage repair for IAA/VSD achieves excellent survival. For the patients whose aortic annulus is greater than patient's weight (kg) + 1.5 mm, low reoperation rate for LVOTO is expected. For the patient whose aortic annulus is less than patient's weight + 1.5 mm, almost half of them needed reoperation. An LVOT bypass procedure (Yasui or Norwood) is recommended if the aortic annulus is less than the patient's weight + 1.0 mm.
Optimal Excitation of Neutral Rossby Waves

Abstract Properly configured disturbances are known to be effective in transferring the kinetic energy of a mean shear flow to neutrally stable modal and nonmodal waves. Consideration of perturbation energetics requires that such disturbances produce down-gradient momentum fluxes which are associated with perturbation phase lines oriented against the mean shear. Initial conditions chosen arbitrarily, except that they satisfy this requirement, have been shown to result in robust excitation of neutral waves. A question naturally arising from such studies is whether there exists, in some well-defined sense, a best or most effective choice of initial conditions which optimally excites the waves. This question is addressed as a variational problem, and examples of optimal initial conditions are identified for the barotropic β-plane channel. These examples include the most effective excitation of a given neutral Rossby mode and the most rapidly growing perturbation for a given time period without restriction on...
Aerenchyma Formation and Methane and Oxygen Exchange in Rice

Limited information exists on the direct link between the intensity of soil reduction or anaerobiosis and gas exchange in rice (Oryza sativa L.). A laboratory experiment was conducted to determine the extent to which specific levels of soil redox potential (Eh) could influence aerenchyma formation, O₂ transport, and CH₄ production and emission. Plants were grown in a Crowley silt loam (fine, montmorillonitic, thermic Typic Albaqualf) under controlled Eh values of 200, -200, and −300 mV. Radial O₂ loss (ROL) from plant roots was estimated colorimetrically by using Ti³⁺-citrate solution, a reduced compound. Methane production and its emission increased with decrease in soil Eh; CH₄ production increased 10-fold while its emission was enhanced 17-fold when soil Eh dropped from -200 to −300 mV. A positive relationship was established between the intensity of soil anaerobiosis and both aerenchyma formation and ROL. Root and shoot dry weights and root length decreased with decrease in soil Eh. Results of this study demonstrate that soil Eh influences net CH₄ flux from rice in two ways: (i) it directly determines the amount and rate of CH₄ production in the soil, and (ii) it initiates morphological and physiological changes in the rice plant that affect gas exchange between the soil and the atmosphere. Although the results may not necessarily reflect actual conditions in the field, they provide a theoretical basis for understanding the influence of soil Eh on rice growth, CH₄ production, and gas exchange.
Influence of ion-associated water on the hydrolysis of Si-O bonded interactions.

Previous studies show the demineralization of biogenic, amorphous, and crystalline forms of silica is enhanced in the presence of alkali and alkaline earth cations. The origins of this effect are difficult to explain in light of work suggesting predominantly weak outer-sphere type interactions between these ions and silica. Here we investigate the ability of M(II) aqua ions to promote the hydrolysis of Si−O bonded interactions relative to ion-free water using electronic structure methods. Reaction pathways for Si−O hydrolysis are calculated with the B3LYP and PBE1PBE density functionals at the 6-31G(d) and 6-311+G(d,p) levels in the presence of water, and both inner- and outer-sphere adsorption complexes of Mg2+(6H2O) and Ca2+(6H2O). All reaction trajectories involving hydrated ions are characterized by one or more surmountable barriers associated with the rearrangement of ion-associated water molecules, and a single formidable barrier corresponding to hydrolysis of the Si−O bonded interaction. The hydrol...
The Design and Implementation of Local and Wide Area Networks in Student Affairs

Local and wide area networks on college campuses in general and in student affairs in particular still represent a relatively new technology. Accordingly, literature on the design and operation of ...
Catatonia and ECT: Meduna's Biological Antagonism Hypothesis Reconsidered

Summary: Catatonia is a motor syndrome with abnormalities in neuroendocrine regulation. Both the motor syndrome and the neuroendocrine abnormalities respond rapidly to electroconvulsive therapy (EC...
Multiscale Constitutive Model Development and Finite Element Implementation for Magnetostrictive Materials

A multiscale constitutive model is developed and applied to magnetostrictive materials to predict multi-axial ferromagnetic switching. The modeling framework is an extension of a one-dimensional homogenized energy model that employs a stochastic distribution of localized magnetic moments. Here, the model is extended to multi-axial ferromagnetic switching in a polycrystalline ferromagnetic material. A mean-field approximation is adopted to quantify ferromagnetic switching from multi-axial magnetic field loading at the single crystal length scale. Polycrystalline ferromagnetic behavior is modeled by homogenizing stochastic distributions of underlying microscopic fields associated with material inhomogeneities at the grain length scale. Approximations of the stochastic distributions are made to improve computational efficiency for finite element implementation. The constitutive model is numerically validated and implemented in the commercial finite element software, COMSOL.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Potential lifestyle and dietary supplement options for the prevention and postdiagnosis of bladder cancer

Apart from smoking, certain occupational exposures, and schistosomiasis, little is known about other potential lifestyle risk factors for bladder cancer. Other investigations thus far have also been important because of the large number of individuals who are diagnosed with this cancer that apparently have no known risk factors. Preventing the recurrence of bladder cancer has generated some interest because several preliminary trials have found that a combination dietary supplement of vitamins and minerals or a probiotic agent (Lactobacillus casei) may impact this outcome favorably. Advising patients on some of these lifestyle modifications is currently recommended because the majority of them are also currently recommended for cardiovascular disease reduction.
Self-Assembled Monolayers on Gold of Thiols Incorporating Conjugated Terminal Groups†

Thiols 3, 6, and 14 incorporating ω-attached conjugated aromatic groups form self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on polycrystalline gold. The thicknesses of the films as measured by optical ellipsometry correspond well to the expected thickness of monolayer films in which the components are oriented roughly perpendicular to the Au surface. Cyclic voltammetry measurements of K4Fe(CN)6 in aqueous KCl solution on a SAM modified gold electrode show that these monolayers are densely packed and attenuate electron transfer between the gold and the solution electrophore. Grazing angle reflectance−Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (GAR−FTIR) shows that the conjugated arenes of 3, 6, and 14, as well as the C6 chains of thiols 6 and 14, are roughly perpendicular to the plane of the Au surface. Fluorescence spectroscopy indicates that the terminal arenes in SAMs of 6 and of 11 interact, causing red-shifted, structured emission in the SAM relative to that observed for the same species in dilute homogeneous solution.
Fate of water‐insoluble and water‐soluble dichlorobenzidine‐based pigments in fischer 344 rats

The fate of two water‐insoluble (W l) dichlorobenzidine‐based pigments, chlorodiane blue (CDB) and pigment yellow 12 (PY12), and of their sulfonated water‐soluble (WS) analogs was studied in male Fischer 344 rats. Water‐soluble analogs of chlorodiane blue and pigment yellow 12 were synthesized in order to study the effect of water solubility on the absorption and metabolism of dichlorobenzidine‐based pigments. [14C] WI‐CDB, [14C] WI‐PY12, and the water‐soluble analogs [14C] WS‐CDB and [14C] WS‐PY12 were administered by gastric intubation or dermal application at doses of 1.24–2.65 μmol/kg. Neither [14C] WI‐CDB nor [14C] WI‐PY12 could be detected in any tissue at time points up to 1 d. The entire dose was accounted for in the feces after oral administration, and at the application site after dermal administration. Water‐insoluble CDB is a component of a photoconductor (Weaver, 1981). Approximately 4.1% of [14C] WS‐CDB was absorbed and located primarily in the urine and liver after oral administration, but ...
Progressive pan-colonic fibrosis secondary to oral administration of pancreatic enzymes

Most patients with cystic fibrosis require oral administration of pancreatic enzymes to treat pancreatic insufficiency. Recent use of higher-strength enzyme preparations in large doses has been found to be associated with fibrotic strictures of the colon. We report a case of pan-colonic fibrosis due to pancreatic enzyme use.
The Yukawa2 quantum field theory without cutoffs

Abstract We construct the Heisenberg picture dynamics for the Yukawa quantum field theory in two-dimensional space-time. All cutoffs are removed in the field operators, and the fields are formally Lorentz covariant. The fields are local, and commute or anticommute at space-like separated points. The field equations are verified.
A comparison of the tryptic peptides of hemoglobin from two cricetine genera: Peromyscus and Calomys

The composition of tryptic peptides was determined for the major hemoglobin from two cricetine rodents. Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii and Calomys callosus. Amino acid sequences are proposed from homologous alignment with the respective sequences of white mouse and a microtine ‘stem’ developed from previous studies. These two hemoglobins differed at 11 α- and 17 β-positions, showing only one common position beyond the cricetid stems (Hesperomyini, Cricetinae) and only three common positions with the microtinae beyond the muroid or myomorph stem (Cricetidae).
Surgical Outcome and Postoperative Work Status of Lumbar Discogenic Pain Following Transforaminal Interbody Fusion

The clinical outcome and resumption of work were investigated in 21 patients with lumbar discogenic pain (15 males and 6 females, mean age 37.2 years), who failed to respond to intensive conservative therapy, treated by transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) augmented with the pedicle screw system from January 2005 to December 2007. Perioperative assessment was performed using the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score, the Oswestry Disability Index, and the visual analogue scale (VAS). Type of occupation and work status of the patients were also assessed before and after surgery. Preoperative occupation was divided into two groups according to the work content (heavy labor vs. light labor). Follow-up period was mean 26.1 months, and greater than 1 year in all patients. Perioperative assessment showed postoperative improvement with statistical significance. Recovery rates at final follow-up examination were 53% of the mJOA score and 65% of the VAS. This study showed that postoperative overall resumption rate was 90%. However, only 23% of the heavy labor group returned to the previous work compared with 71% of the light labor group. TLIF is thought to be a safe and effective technique in patients with intractable chronic lumbar discogenic pain with an acceptable overall work resumption rate, whereas complete return to previous jobs was limited in the heavy labor group.
Knowledge of Variable Binding in VP–Ellipsis: Language Acquisition Research and Theory Converge

In this paper, we relate results from recent experimental study of young children's (3;0–7;11) comprehension of coordinate VP–ellipsis structures in English to a new theoretical proposal regarding their representation. Historically, theoretical treatments of these structures have been challenged by the nature of the ambiguity they involve, which includes both a “sloppy” interpretation (represented in terms of a bound variable) and a “strict” interpretation (represented as referential), at the same time that other interpretations are ruled out. Based on our study of language acquisition, we propose a solution capturing the ambiguity in the syntax, including two different types of operator–variable binding (local and long–distance) over a shared coordinate configuration. Pragmatic focus motivates the choice of the syntactic option for the long–distance strict interpretation. Empirical results reveal that, at all ages, (i) the sloppy interpretation is preferred, (ii) the strict interpretation is nevertheless in evidence, (iii) ungrammatical interpretations are ruled out, and (iv) choice of the strict reading is influenced by semantic/pragmatic factors.
Research Note: Reconditioning of Prechiller Overflow Water Using a Diatomaceous Earth Pressure Leaf Filter

Abstract Broiler prechiller water from a commercial broiler processing plant was successfully reconditioned using a bench top diatomaceous earth (DE) pressure leaf filter. The volumes of DE precoat and body feed used in this study were .15% and .075%, respectively, of the chiller water volume. Flow rate was held constant at 84 mL/min. The DE filtration resulted in significant reductions in chemical oxygen demand (70.9%) and aerobic plate counts (90 to 96%). Water clarity or percentage of light transmission (%T, 500 nm) of the filtered water improved significantly to an average %T value of 97.9%.
The role of t/b lymphocyte collaboration in the regulation of autoimmune and alloimmune responses.

The present review highlights the two areas of research pursuit in our laboratory: (1) the regulation of the autoimmune T cell response to pancreatic islet β cells using the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of type 1 diabetes and (2) the regulation the T cell response to alloantigens. Our work has established a central role for B lymphocytes in driving both autoimmune and allo-immune T cell responses. Our studies indicate that: (1) B cell-deficient NOD mice are protected from autoimmune diabetes; (2) targeted disruption of cognate T/B cell collaboration via major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II prevents both T cell-mediated islet destruction and allograft rejection; and (3) maternal transmission of islet-reactive autoantibodies potentiates the activation of diabetogenic T cells, highlighting the important role of B cells in the early targeting of islet β cells.
Comparison of the plastic deformation and failure of A359/SiC and 6061-T6/Al2O3 metal matrix composites under dynamic tension

Abstract A comparison is presented of the dynamic plastic deformation and tensile failure of two metal-matrix composites (one with a cast alloy matrix and the other with a wrought alloy matrix). The two composites are ceramic particle reinforced aluminum alloys: F3S.20S (A359 aluminum alloy reinforced by 20% SiC particles) and W6A20A (6061-T6 aluminum alloy reinforced by 20% Al2O3 particles). The corresponding unreinforced matrix alloys were also examined. The effects of strain rate on the tensile responses of these composites were determined using the tension Kolsky bar. The microstructures and fracture surfaces of the specimens of each composite were examined using SEM and optical microscopy. The experimental results show that the flow stresses of both composites are higher than that of their matrix alloys, whereas the composite fracture strains are lower. The fracture strains of the W6A20A composite and the 6061-T6 monolithic matrix alloy were much higher than those of the F3S20S composite and the A359 monolithic matrix alloy. Both the W6A20A composite and 6061-T6 monolithic matrix alloy behaved in a ductile manner with necking prior to fracture, while both the F3S.20S composite and A359 monolithic matrix alloy behaved in a brittle manner with no necking prior to fracture. Microscopic examination revealed tensile failure of the A359 matrix alloy and its composite to be controlled by the microcracking of Si network, which formed in the interdendritic silicon rich region, whereas failure of the 6061-T6 based composite is controlled by cracking of reinforcement particles.
Robustness of locally most powerful invariant test for normal mixture model in control and treatment populations

Two independent samples from control with N(μ1, σ2) and treatment with pN(μ1, σ2) + (1 − p)N(μ2, σ2) are considered. A locally most powerful invariant test for testing H0: μ1 = μ2 against H1 : μ2 > μ1, where σ2 > 0, 0 < p < 1 are unknown, is obtained. Also, the robustness of the test statistic on the lines of Kariya and Sinha (Robustness of Statistical Tests (1989). Academic Press, New York) is studied.
The reactivity of tetramesityldisilene with epoxides: dependence of product distributions on steric and structural characteristics of the epoxide

Abstract Mono- and 1,1-disubstituted epoxides react with tetramesityldisilene ( 1 ) to give disilyl enol ethers ( 5 ) five-membered rings ( 6 ) and the products of epoxide deoxygenation, alkenes and 1,1,2,2-tetramesityl-3-oxa-1,2-disilacyclopropane ( 4 ). Adducts 5 and 6 are formed with complete regioselectivity, suggesting involvement of an epoxide ring-opened intermediate. Product ratios vary systematically with a dependence on the steric properties of the epoxide. Single crystal X-ray diffraction results are given for 6a and 6g , the five-membered ring products derived from propylene and cyclohexene oxides.
Alkali Ash Material: A Novel Fly Ash-Based Cement

The United States generates 110 million t of coal ash annually. Approximately 70 million t of this coal ash is fly ash, of which 27% is recycled and the remaining 73% is landfilled. Disposal of such a huge quantity of ash poses a significant environmental problem. A new cementitious material has been developed, called alkali ash material (AAM), which is used to produce concrete for construction. AAM can be used to create a variety of concrete strengths and could revolutionize the concrete product manufacturing industry due to its economic advantage. AAM contains 40-95% Class F fly ash and is used as cement to bind sand, stone, and fibers creating concrete. AAM concrete has been tested for strength, durability, mechanical properties, and, most importantly, economic viability. AAM concrete is economically and technically viable for many construction applications. Some properties include rapid strength gain (90% of ultimate in 1 d), high ultimate strengths (110 MPa or 16,000 psi in 1 d), excellent acid resistance, and freeze-thaw durability. AAM's resistance to chemical attack, such as sulfuric (H2SO4), nitric (HNO3), hydrochloric (HCl), and organic acids, is far better than portland cement concrete. AAM is resistant to freeze-thaw attack based on ASTM C-666 specifications. Potential immediate applications of AAM are blocks, pipe, median barriers, sound barriers, and overlaying materials. Eventual markets are high strength construction products, bridge beams, prestressed members, concrete tanks, highway appurtenances, and other concrete products.
Distribution of VIP mRNA and two distinct VIP binding sites in the developing rat brain: Relation to ontogenic events

The peptide neurotransmitter vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has neurotrophic properties and influences neurobehavioral development. To assess the role of VIP during neural ontogeny, the present work traces the development of VIP mRNA with in situ hybridization and VIP receptors with in vitro autoradiography in rat central nervous system (CNS) from embryonic day 14 (E14) to the adult. VIP mRNA was not evident in the CNS until birth. Postnatally, it was expressed in several distinct brain regions, but its distribution bore little relation to that of VIP receptors. VIP receptors were present and expressed changing patterns of distribution throughout CNS development. The changing patterns were the result of 1) the transient appearance of GTP-insensitive VIP receptors in several regions undergoing mitosis or glial fasciculation and 2) the transient appearance of GTP-sensitive VIP receptors homogeneously distributed throughout the CNS during the first 2 postnatal weeks, the period of the brain growth spurt. At E14-16 VIP binding was dense throughout the brainstem and spinal cord, but limited in the rest of the brain. From E19 to postnatal day 14 (P14), while VIP binding was higher in germinal zones, it tended to be uniformly dense throughout the remainder of the brain. By P21 the adult pattern began to emerge; VIP binding was unevenly distributed and was related to specific cytoarchitectural sites. Since the expression of VIP in the CNS is limited to postnatal development but VIP receptors are abundant prenatally, we suggest that extraembryonic VIP may act upon prenatal VIP receptors to regulate ontogenic events in the brain.
Alternative Ways to Measure Recreation Values by the Travel Cost Method

The travel cost method is widely used for estimating the economic value of outdoor recreation services. Much early research was empirical applications of the Hotelling-Clawson model (Brown, Singh, Castle; Clawson; Clawson and Knetsch; Trice and Wood). Recently, model specification and functional form problems have attracted greater attention (Allen, Stevens, Barrett; Burt and Brewer; Cesario and Knetsch; Gum and Martin; Smith 1975b; Ziemer, Musser, Hill). A major focus of attention is estimating the recreation participation equation (often called step one of the travel cost method). It measures participation in an activity based on travel costs and other explanatory variables. However, misspecification of this equation is only one possible source of inaccuracy. The procedure for estimating consumer surplus once the participation equation has been derived also can affect the values derived from recreation demand analysis. This paper considers how alternative ways to estimate economic value from participation equations can affect travel cost study results. Empirical study of the economic value of the St. Lawrence River-eastern Lake Ontario bass fishery in New York illustrates the point. The underlying theory of the travel cost method comes from neoclassical demand theory. Demand equations are derived for an outdoor recreation activity by observing how individuals respond to various costs of travel to use the resource. The net economic value (NEV) of the resource in its current use is the amount that users would be willing to pay in excess of their actual expenditures. This is the sum of the users' consumer surplus (Knetsch, Smith 1975a). Assuming that any net user benefits are associated with the recreation site itself rather than the trip, this value represents the net economic value of the recreation resource (Brown, Singh, Castle; Dwyer, Kelly, Bowes). Empirical applications of the travel cost method use visitation data from points of origin at various distances from the site. The traditional approach uses distance zones as units of observation. The quantity variable (visitation rate) is the expected participation rate for a "representative individual" from a particular origin zone.' Observations of individuals rather than zone averages generally will lead to efficiency gains in estimating the travel cost coefficient and other parameters (Brown and Nawas). The second step is to derive the implied demand for and economic value of the resource from the participation equation. Several methods have been used. One calculates the site's economic value as the area under an aggregate demand curve for the site (Cesario and Knetsch; Grubb and Goodwin; Knetsch, Brown, Hansen). Another method uses the participation equation to derive a demand curve and economic value for the site from each origin. Then aggregation across all origins measures the site's total economic value (McConnell and Norton). This study compares these methods for estimating recreation demand curves and economic value.
New input to IRI from the worldwide digisonde network

Abstract Electron density profiles derived from Digisonde ionograms at Argentia, Millstone Hill, Wallops Island, Bermuda, Dourbes and Karachi are compared with IRI model prediction. Four months of data for 1989/90 were analyzed. For a number of station/months N(h) profiles were available every 15 or 30 minutes providing a good statistical database for the evaluation of the IRI model in terms of diurnal and seasonal variations. The data presented here are part of the VIM study (Validation of Ionospheric Models) initiated by the URSI Working Group G3 on Ionospheric Informatics.
Performance of students in grades six, nine, and twelve on five logical, spatial and formal tasks

Performance on five logical, spatial and formal tasks was used to make inferences about the reasoning structures of the subjects. The tasks used were: seriation matrix, tilt of a cone, location of a point in two and three dimensions, flexible rods and projection of shadows. Three research questions were asked: first, what is the general level of performance; second, are there grade level differences; and third, are there gender differences in task performance. The subjects were 101 middle and high school students chosen at random from the school population. Each task was given in an individual interview. Findings include grade level differences in performance and gender differences in performance on one of the tasks. Implications for classroom teachers were proposed.
Learning Journals, Self-Reflection, and University Students' Changing Perceptions

Abstract Reflection is critical to decision making that confronts educators on a daily basis and journal writing can be a powerful tool to enhance that reflection process. Therefore, we used journal writing as an instructional strategy with preservice and inservice, general and special education teachers, school counselors, and educational administrators enrolled in a university course regarding children and youth who are at-risk for educational failure. This article presents results of a qualitative research study which explored how journal writing as a reflective tool served to help university students think about and integrate experiences, encountered outside the classroom, with course content.
An Objective Analysis of Support Vector Machine Based Classification for Remote Sensing

Accurate thematic classification is one of the most commonly desired outputs from remote sensing images. Recent research efforts to improve the reliability and accuracy of image classification have led to the introduction of the Support Vector Classification (SVC) scheme. SVC is a new generation of supervised learning method based on the principle of statistical learning theory, which is designed to decrease uncertainty in the model structure and the fitness of data. We have presented a comparative analysis of SVC with the Maximum Likelihood Classification (MLC) method, which is the most popular conventional supervised classification technique. SVC is an optimization technique in which the classification accuracy heavily relies on identifying the optimal parameters. Using a case study, we verify a method to obtain these optimal parameters such that SVC can be applied efficiently. We use multispectral and hyperspectral images to develop thematic classes of known lithologic units in order to compare the classification accuracy of both the methods. We have varied the training to testing data proportions to assess the relative robustness and the optimal training sample requirement of both the methods to achieve comparable levels of accuracy. The results of our study illustrated that SVC improved the classification accuracy, was robust and did not suffer from dimensionality issues such as the Hughes Effect.
Timing characteristics of a Cd/sub 1-x/Zn/sub x/Te detector-based X-ray imaging system

The timing characteristics of a planar Cd/sub 1-x/Zn/sub x/Te sample at each frequency of a scanning square-wave test pattern, has been measured. This study is aimed at evaluating the speed characteristics of a Cd/sub 1-x/Zn/sub x/Te detector for X-ray imaging and computed tomographic (CT) applications. The experimental results of this study indicate that the temporal response of a Cd/sub 1-x/Zn/sub x/Te detector based X-ray system, improves significantly by optimizing the X-ray tube and detector parameters.
Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Four Species of Gonatodes (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae) from Central and South America

Four species of Gonatodes, Gonatodes albogularis, Gonatodes antillensis, Gonatodes concinnatus, and Gonatodes humeralis, were examined for helminths. Found were 8 species of Nematoda: gravid specimens of Cosmocerca parva, Parapharyngodon scleratus, Physaloptera retusa, Skrjabinelazia galliardi, Spauligodon bonairensis, and Spauligodon oxkutzcabiensis and larvae of Physaloptera sp. and Acuariidae gen. sp. It appears that species of Gonatodes are parasitized by generalist helminths. A list for currently known helminths infecting species of Gonatodes and 4 new host records are provided.
Architecture and Narrative: The Formation of Space and Cultural Meaning

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The original publication can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com.
Interaction of an obliquely rising vortex ring with a free surface in a viscous fluid

A vortex ring, which approaches a free surface under various initial conditions and different values of flow parameters, is investigated by means of numerical solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations. The study focuses on the connection process of the vortex ring with the free surface at low Reynolds number. Discrepancies between a numerical solution and experimental observations found recently with regard to the shape of the reconnected vorticity tubes have been resolved. The crucial parameter, which determines the essential differences at the low Reynolds number selected, is the angle of inclination at which the vortex ring rises toward the free surface. At an angle of inclination of 20° circular vorticity tubes at the free surface evolve, while at an angle of 45° the reconnection takes place in the form of an almost circular sheet. At higher Reynolds number this form of reconnection may change to the other form through instability. The possibility of vortex-ring reflection at the free surface is discussed.
Photolysis of Na+(Cryptand[2.2.2])Na-: Photobleaching of Absorbance and Quenching of Fluorescence

The optical properties of the alkalide Na+(cryptand[2.2.2])Na- are sensitive to the presence of defect electrons and can be dramatically altered by irradiation with light. Fluorescence intensities decrease markedly at excitation power densities above about 1 mW cm-2, even though this power level is some 107 times lower than that required to affect the absorbance. Partial recovery occurs in powder samples over a period of several minutes at 30−100 K. The enhanced quenching of fluorescence is attributed to the presence of photoproduced trapped electrons. Pronounced changes occur in the optical absorbance spectra of vapor-deposited thin films of Na+(cryptand[2.2.2])Na- following irradiation by high intensity doubled- and tripled-YAG laser pulses. The effects are attributed to the intermediate formation of a “p-band metal” in which half of the electrons in the ground s2 state of Na- are promoted to the p-level, resulting in a high concentration of electrons trapped at some distance from the parent anion site.
Two-Photon Photoionization Limits of Detection of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Reversed Phase Liquid Chromatography

Two-photon photoionization detection was used to detect 28 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) separated by reversed phase liquid chromatography. A windowless flow cell and a nitrogen laser were used to obtain the photoionization signals. The analytical merit of the technique was illustrated by the determination of the limits of detection (LOD) for the 28 PAHs. LODs as low as 50 and 70pg injected were obtained for anthracene and pyrene, respectively. The importance of the chromatographic efficiency is discussed. The dramatic influence of the mobile phase conductivity, which is mainly responsible for the leakage currents, is shown. The lower the leakage current and the solvent polarity, the better the two-photon photoionization detection.
Why do malaria parasites increase host erythrocyte permeability

Malaria parasites increase erythrocyte permeability to diverse solutes including anions, some cations, and organic solutes, as characterized with several independent methods. Over the past decade, patch-clamp studies have determined that the permeability results from one or more ion channels on the infected erythrocyte host membrane. However, the biological role(s) served by these channels, if any, remain controversial. Recent studies implicate the plasmodial surface anion channel (PSAC) and a role in parasite nutrient acquisition. A debated alternative role in remodeling host ion composition for the benefit of the parasite appears to be nonessential. Because both channel activity and the associated clag3 genes are strictly conserved in malaria parasites, channel-mediated permeability is an attractive target for development of new therapies.
Food Sold in School Vending Machines Is Associated With Overall Student Dietary Intake

Abstract Purpose To examine the association between food sold in school vending machines and the dietary behaviors of students. Methods The 2005–2006 U.S. Health Behavior in School-aged Children survey was administered to 6th to 10th graders and school administrators. Dietary intake in students was estimated with a brief food frequency measure. School administrators completed questions regarding food sold in vending machines. For each food intake behavior, a multilevel regression analysis modeled students (level 1) nested within schools (level 2), with the corresponding food sold in vending machines as the main predictor. Control variables included gender, grade, family affluence, and school poverty index. Analyses were conducted separately for 6th to 8th and 9th–10th grades. Results In all, 83% of the schools (152 schools; 5,930 students) had vending machines that primarily sold food of minimal nutritional values (soft drinks, chips, and sweets). In younger grades, availability of fruit and/or vegetables and chocolate and/or sweets was positively related to the corresponding food intake, with vending machine content and school poverty index providing an explanation for 70.6% of between-school variation in fruit and/or vegetable consumption and 71.7% in sweets consumption. Among the older grades, there was no significant effect of food available in vending machines on reported consumption of those food. Conclusion Vending machines are widely available in public schools in the United States. In younger grades, school vending machines were either positively or negatively related to the diets of the students, depending on what was sold in them. Schools are in a powerful position to influence the diets of children; therefore, attention to the food sold at school is necessary to try to improve their diets.
Plasma levels of methotrexate in cancer patients as studied by an improved spectrophotofluorometric method

An improved spectrophotofluorometric method for the determination of methotrexate (MTX) in biological samples has been developed with special emphasis on the analysis of human plasma. A major feature of the procedure is the extraction of MTX into n-butanol in the presence of TCA.3 Following reextraction into an aqueous phase, the drug was oxidized using potassium permanganate to yield products whose fluorescence was linear over a wide range of plasma concentrations. Conditions such as pH, length of oxidation, stability of fluorescence, and concentration of appropriate reagents were studied to optimize partition coefficients and RFI.3 Plasma recoveries ranged from 85 to 97% with a usual value of 93%. Drugs which interfered with previous methods (sodium hypaque, EDTA, sodium tungstate, heparin) did not interfere in the present method. MTX could be determined in the presence of Ara-C and triamterene. Compared to previous spectrofluorometric methods we obtained a more than 10-fold higher fluorescence using equal aliquots of plasma. Readings were based on a direct measurement rather than an increment and the lower limit of reliable measurement was 0.1 mg/liter of MTX in plasma. Only readings with a sample: “blank” ratio of at least 2 were considered significant. This method was employed to study plasma levels of MTX in cancer patients.
Quantization Scheme Design in Distributed Event-Triggered Networked Control Systems

Abstract In an event-triggered networked control system (NCS), an agent broadcasts its state information to its neighbors when some local event occurs. This paper studies the design of quantization scheme in such systems. We derived conditions on quantized event-triggered NCS which, when satisfied, can guarantee the asymptotic stability of the system. We also propose an event-triggered dynamic logarithmic quantizer, which fits well into the current system framework, and incurs little communication overhead.
Magnetic penetration depth measurements with the microstrip resonator technique

The microstrip resonator technique is a convenient way to sensitively measure the temperature dependence of the magnetic penetration depth λ(T) in superconducting thin films. Because the method relies on measuring the resonant frequency of a high-Q transmission line resonator at microwave frequencies, one can very precisely measure small changes in λ(T). This technique is applied to studying the low-temperature dependence of λ(T), since that is in principle a measure of the low-lying pair-breaking excitations of the superconductor. We find that the penetration depth in niobium films is consistent with the predictions of weak coupled BCS theory. The low-temperature dependence of λ(T) inc-axis YBa2Cu3O7−δ films can be interpreted as either a weak exponential or as a power law. In addition, the measured value of λ(0) is found to be strongly dependent on the form of the temperature dependence for λ(T) used in fitting the data. Best fits over the entire temperature range are obtained with a BCS temperature dependence having values for 2Δ(0)/kBTc strictly less than 3.5, consistent with our measurements of the temperature dependence of λ(T) at low temperatures in YBa2Cu3O7−δ.
Diffusivity of Cu2+ in calcium alginate gel beads: recalculation.

Calculations of the diffusivity of Cu2+ in calcium alginate gel beads using the shrinking core model were checked by us. Corrected results are reported here. Diffusivity was still found to increase with increasing alginate concentration, but at a lower rate than reported in the cited paper. The diffusivity increased by a factor of 2 over the range of alginate concentrations studied rather than 10. The original data is included with sample calculations. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Generation of HIV-1 Resistant and Functional Macrophages From Hematopoietic Stem Cell–derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have radically advanced the field of regenerative medicine by making possible the production of patient-specific pluripotent stem cells from adult individuals. By developing iPSCs to treat HIV, there is the potential for generating a continuous supply of therapeutic cells for transplantation into HIV-infected patients. In this study, we have used human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to generate anti-HIV gene expressing iPSCs for HIV gene therapy. HSCs were dedifferentiated into continuously growing iPSC lines with four reprogramming factors and a combination anti-HIV lentiviral vector containing a CCR5 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and a human/rhesus chimeric TRIM5α gene. Upon directed differentiation of the anti-HIV iPSCs toward the hematopoietic lineage, a robust quantity of colony-forming CD133+ HSCs were obtained. These cells were further differentiated into functional end-stage macrophages which displayed a normal phenotypic profile. Upon viral challenge, the anti-HIV iPSC-derived macrophages exhibited strong protection from HIV-1 infection. Here, we demonstrate the ability of iPSCs to develop into HIV-1 resistant immune cells and highlight the potential use of iPSCs for HIV gene and cellular therapies.
Resolution of binocular rivalry : Perceptual misbinding of color

Is neural binding of color and form required for perception of a unified colored object? Individual cells selectively tuned to both color and orientation are proposed to moot the binding problem. This study reveals perceptual misbinding of color, thereby revealing separate neural representations of color and form followed by a subsequent binding process. Low luminance-contrast, rivalrous chromatic gratings were presented dichoptically. Each grating had alternating chromatic and gray stripes (e.g., red/gray in the left eye, green/gray in the right eye). Observers viewed the two rivalrous, 2 cpd gratings for 1 min. The duration of exclusive visibility was measured for four percepts: left-eye stimulus, right-eye stimulus, fusion of the two colors, or a two-color grating (e.g. a red/green grating). The percept of a two-color grating (misbinding) was observed with Michelson luminance contrast in the grating up to 20%. In general, for a given level of luminance contrast either misbinding (low luminance contrast) or color mixture (high luminance contrast) was observed, but not both of them. The perceived two-color gratings show that two rivalrous chromaticities are both represented neurally when color and form are combined to give a unified percept. "Resolution" of competing chromatic signals from the two eyes is not restricted to color dominance and color mixture. The transition from misbinding to color mixture by increasing luminance contrast shows that luminance edges have an important role in correct localization of color.
Time consistency of dynamic risk measures

Abstract In this paper we discuss time consistency of risk averse multistage stochastic programming problems. We show, in a framework of finite scenario trees, that composition of law invariant coherent risk measures can be law invariant only for the expectation or max-risk measures.
Outcome of the Use of Stent Grafts to Salvage Failed Arteriovenous Accesses

Background Since elements of the Dialysis Outcome Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) were implemented a decade ago, there has been a reduction in mortality for patients on hemodialysis. As patient longevity has increased, AV access site preservation by salvaging failed arteriovenous (AV) accesses has become increasingly important. However, efforts to salvage an AV access must be balanced against futile and expensive procedures. The Viabahn Endoprosthesis is a self-expandable stent graft (SG) that can be used to treat vein rupture or fibrotic lesions with significant elastic recoil following balloon angioplasty. The literature comprising the outcome of the use of SGs in salvaging failed AV accesses is limited. The purpose of this study is to determine the outcome of failed AV accesses treated with SGs and to identify patient or graft factors predictive of success. Methods The vascular access database and office, hospital, and dialysis unit records were retrospectively reviewed to identify all patients who underwent placement of an SG for the treatment of a thrombosed AV access between September 2004 and December 2007. Mean patient follow-up was 6 months. The K/DOQI goal for patency following a surgical intervention (6 months or later) was used to determine procedure success or failure. Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis was used to determine patency. Patient demographics and graft factors (location, diameter, length) were analyzed to identify predictors of success. Results Fifty-five SGs were placed in 48 patients (males, 29%; mean age, 61 years; diabetes mellitus, 47%) with a failed AV access. The indications were to treat significant elastic recoil or vein rupture following balloon angioplasty (47 patients) and to treat an AV graft seroma (1 patient). Cost for the VE ranged from $2337 to $3367 per patient. The procedure was deemed successful (patent at 6 months) in 29 ± 7% of cases. Procedure success was not influenced by AV access location, endoprosthesis size (diameter or length), or patient demographic factors (p > 0.05). Conclusion Use of the SG to salvage AV accesses falls short of the current K/DOQI clinical outcome goals for successful surgical intervention in the majority of cases. Given these results and the cost of the SG, its use is indicated in cases where AV access salvage will have an impact on long-term survival such as for patients in whom there are few options for new access placement. Further studies are needed to compare the SG to less costly options, such as angioplasty alone or angioplasty with the use of bare metal stents.
The Educational Community as In-tentional Community

This paper reassesses a perennial concern of philosophy of education: the nature of the educational community and the role of the teacher in relation to such a community. As an entry point into this broader question, we turn to Philosophy for children (P4C), which has consistently emphasized the importance of community. Yet, not unlike pragmatist notions of community more broadly, the P4C community has largely focused on the goal-directed, purposive, aspect of the process of inquiry. The purpose of our paper is to move beyond P4C (as it has traditionally been conceived) in order to theorize a non-instrumental, in-tentional, educational community without pre-conceived goals or intentions. Drawing largely from the work of Italian philosopher Giorgio Agamben, we describe the P4C-classroom as one that refuses to be operative (moving forward toward reaching common goals) and thus undermines the taken-for-granted logic of means and ends that underlies how educational communities are typically depicted and justified. Again drawing from Agamben, we identify the specific ways in which the experience of love and friendship (both of which are pure means rather than means to an end) constitute the in-tentional community. The silence of the voice of the teacher enables the experience of love and friendship to come about. Being included as an exclusion via his/her silence, the teacher is neither immanent (facilitator of student learning) nor transcendent (outside or beyond learning) but alongside the community as a paradigm of friendship.