cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Predictive Validity of the Minnesota Reading Assessment for Students Inpostsecondary Vocational Education Programs

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the predictive validity of the Minnesota Reading Assessment (MRA) when used as a means of projecting the potential performance of postsecondary vocational-technical education students. The MRA scores of 50 students randomly selected from those who had participated in the field-testing of the MRA were correlated with student grade point averages (GPAs), teacher ratings of students' overall performance and reading ability, standardized reading test scores, and disadvantaged status. Multiple regression analyses were performed by using scores from the MRA, Stanford TASK, and disadvantaged status for prediction of teacher ratings of students' reading abilty and student GPAs. Findings confirmed that the MRA was a valid predictor in determining postsecondary vocational-technical students' performance as reflected by GPA and teacher-rated reading ability, although the error in prediction varied between the criterion variables. The MRA did not seem to be as closely ...
Pathogenic Mechanisms of Idiopathic Nonallergic Rhinitis

Idiopathic nonallergic rhinitis (iNAR) has been difficult to define because of the long differential diagnosis of rhinopathy in the absence of allergic rhinitis. iNAR has traditionally been a diagnosis of exclusion with no clear unifying pathophysiology. Increased sensitivity to triggers such has climate changes, cold air, tobacco smoke, strong odors, and perfumes have been thought to be characteristic, but recent studies do not support this hypersensitivity hypothesis. New investigations of the local nasal environment and systemic "functional" syndromes have offered new insights into this condition. iNAR may be a heterogenous disorder that includes (1) anatomic abnormalities requiring nasal endoscopy for diagnosis, (2) incipient, local atopy (entopy), (3) dysfunction of nociceptive nerve sensor and ion channel proteins, and (4) autonomic dysfunction as found in chronic fatigue syndrome and other functional disorders.
Recent Changes in the Near-Infrared Structure of η Carinae*

Near-infrared imaging at two phases in the 5 yr spectroscopic cycle of η Carinae reveals changes in the spatial structure of the inner core that may be related to recently reported near-infrared photometric variability. The central source changed from a pointlike object to a more extended, bipolar or shell structure. This behavior is reminiscent of changes observed in the radio continuum. NICMOS images show a toroidal distribution of dust and gas around the central star and confirm the morphology of several other structures observed in ground-based images of the Homunculus. The morphological variations appear to be confined to the central core of the nebula.
Effects of extracellular matrix analogues on primary human fibroblast behavior

In vitro cell culture is a vital research tool for cell biology, pharmacology, toxicology, protein production, systems biology and drug discovery. Traditional culturing methods on plastic surfaces do not accurately represent the in vivo environment, and a paradigm shift from two-dimensional to three-dimensional (3-D) experimental techniques is underway. To enable this change, a variety of natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic extracellular matrix (ECM) equivalents have been developed to provide an appropriate cellular microenvironment. We describe herein an investigation of the properties of four commercially available ECM equivalents on the growth and proliferation of primary human tracheal scar fibroblast behavior, both in 3-D and pseudo-3-D conditions. We also compare subcutaneous tissue growth of 3-D encapsulated fibroblasts in vivo in two of these materials, Matrigel™ and Extracel™. The latter shows increased cell proliferation and remodeling of the ECM equivalent. The results provide researchers with a rational basis for selection of a given ECM equivalent based on its biological performance in vitro and in vivo, as well as the practicality of the experimental protocols. Biomaterials that use a customizable glycosaminoglycan-based hydrogel appear to offer the most convenient and flexible system for conducting in vitro research that accurately translates to in vivo physiology needed for tissue engineering.
On the temperature calibration of a thermo-optical apparatus

Abstract Saraiva et al. (1993) reported cloud-point curves for the system poly(ethylene glycol) water using a thermo-optical analysis apparatus identical to that used by Bae et al. (1991). Even though both groups used nearly the same chemicals, a slight discrepancy was found between the data by Bae et al. and those by Saraiva et al. This discrepancy is, in part, due to a temperature calibration method that neglects temperature gradients in the heating chamber. An improved calibration method and an easy way to minimize temperature gradients is presented here.
Crohn's ileitis and ileocolitis: a study of the anatomical distribution of recurrence.

The records were reviewed of 56 consecutive patients with Crohn's disease (CD) who had had an ileocolonic anastomosis formed during surgical resection for Crohn's ileitis or ileocolitis. Twenty-seven patients (48%) were found to have radiological, pathological, or surgical evidence of recurrent CD. Of 24 patients with a diagnosis of Crohn's ileitis at initial surgery, 9 were found to have recurrent disease proximal to the anastomotic site. Of 32 patients with ileocolitis, 11 had recurrent disease proximal and distal to the anastomosis. Contrary to many prior reports, recurrent CD is not always located proximally to a surgical anastomosis. The distribution of recurrent CD tends to be a statistically significant function of the initial anatomical location with proximal recurrence found most often in Crohn's ileitis, while proximal and distal recurrence is associated with Crohn's ileocolitis (X2=4.5,P<0.05).
INFLUENCE OF HOSPITALIZATION ON SIMPLE REACTION TIME.

(RT) , termination of a visual stimulus, was compared with that of 12 nonhospitalized adult males. Times between stimulus presentations (intertrial interval) were 3, 9, and 15 sec. A counterbalanced order of interval presentation was used. The data showed that both groups responded similarly at the 3- and 15-sec. intertrial intervals, but there was a significant difference between groups at the 9-sec. intertrial interval. The results are discussed in terms of appropriate control groups in psychomotor studies and the differential effect of the intertrial intervals used on the RT of the two groups studied. Several investigators have indicated the need to evaluate the types of control groups used in simple psychomotor testing in order to determine the effect of such factors as hospitalization and illness. Blackburn and Benton ( 1955) raised this issue in reporting a study on the reaction time (RT) of hospitalized braindamaged Ss, and later Blackburn ( 1958) reiterated that nonhospitalized, normally healthy persons should be srudied to assess these affects. Within the framework of visual vigilance, McDonald and Burns (in press) also raised the question of appropriate control groups. Their data indicated that in one of their conditions the performance of a hospitalized control group, mainly with lower limb fractures, was significantly poorer than that of a nonhospitalized population composed primarily of older college students. These studies indicate that the determination of appropriate control groups in psychomotor testing is a question of some importance. This study compared the RT performance of a hospitalized Medical Service patient population with that of a nonhospitalized population. A second purpose was to determine whether the RT performance of these two groups varied differentially as a function of the length of the intertrial interval ( foreperiod). Kushner ( 1963) found no difference between hospitalized and nonhospitalized Ss with a 6-sec. intertrial interval although McDonald (1964) determined that hospitalized Ss are significantly slower,than nonhospitalized Ss with a 15sec, foreperiod. The term intertrial interval refers to the time between successive presentations of the visual stimulus. No independent preparatory signal was given, although the preceding stimulus may be construed as a preparatory signal for the succeeding stimulus. McDonald and Burns (in press) postulated an "easy-difficult" dichotomy to account for the occurrence or absence of differences between hospitalized and nonhospitalized 5s. They speculated that when many signals are presented to S during an experimental session, he is confronted with an easy task in that there is more to hold his attention (more signals), whereas the lower signal presentation rate would represent a more difficult task. Thus, they felt that the discrep
Malignant mixed müllerian tumor of the oviduct

Malignant mixed mullerian tumor is an uncommon gynecologic neoplasm, especially in the oviduct, where fewer than 30 have been described. We report two additional cases which clinically mimicked carcinoma of the oviduct. Both patients were postmenopausal and had the chief complaint of abdominal pain associated with increased abdominal girth. Presurgical vaginal cytologies were negative and both diagnoses were made only with histologic examination of tissues removed at surgery. As most of the cases from the literature involved low-parity women, the high parity of these women is unusual. Unfortunately both presented with stage III disease and died of recurrent disease 18 and 12 months following surgery.
Detection of airborne cytomegalovirus in hospital rooms of immuncompromised patients

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a major pathogen in immunocompromised patients. Transmission in this population is known to occur by fomites, but the potential for airborne spread is unknown. In this study, air from the rooms of two immunosuppressed patients with CMV pneumonia and one patient with latent infection was filtered and examined by a polymerase chain reaction assay. CMV-DNA was easily detected in the rooms of the patients with pneumonia and a weak positive signal was detected in the room of the patient with latent CMV infection. This technique permits the detection of aerosolized CMV-DNA and could possibly be adapted to detect other airborne pathogens.
Helping Low-Conflict Divorced Parents Establish Appropriate Boundaries Using a Variation of the Miracle Question: An Integration of Solution-Focused Therapy and Structural Family Therapy

The authors discuss the implications of divorce and the effect that divorce has on the relationships between family members. Parents are encouraged to develop appropriate co-parental boundaries that direct and influence subsequent interactions between family members. Using an integration of solution-focused therapy and structural family therapy, a variation of the miracle question is suggested as a means to help parents gain confidence in making changes in behavior. The miracle question also is intended to help parents set new goals for themselves and increase the ability to cooperate and communicate as co-parents. A case study provides an example of this idea.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography: anatomic fundamentals

Due to lack of appropriate anatomic visualization using fluoroscopy, radiological scans such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are increasingly used to provide detailed anatomy of cardiac structures. Furthermore, these imaging modalities are now being used to integrate images with other modalities to navigate catheters in real time on the detailed depicted anatomy. This review details the anatomic fundamentals of these modalities.
The Induction of Serine/Threonine Protein Phosphorylations by a PDGFR/TrkA Chimera in Stably Transfected PC12 Cells

Stably transfected PC12 cells expressing a chimeric receptor composed of the extracellular domain of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor BB and the transmembrane and intracellular domains of TrkA, the nerve growth factor receptor, were stimulated for 20 min with platelet-derived growth factor and the resulting phosphoproteome was determined from affinity purified tryptic peptides identified by tandem MS (MS/MS) analyses. The changes in the levels of individual phosphorylation sites in stimulated cells versus control were ascertained by the stable isotope labeling of amino acids in cell culture technique. A total of 2035 peptides (806 proteins) were indentified and quantified in both data sets. Of these, 424 phosphopeptides on 259 proteins were found to be up-regulated and 392 sites on 206 proteins were down-regulated (1.8-fold or more). Protein kinases and phosphatases, as well as sites in many proteins involved in G-protein signaling, were prominently represented in the up-regulated group and more than half of the kinase up-regulated phosphosites could be clustered into three sequence motifs; a similar distribution was also found for the down-regulated sites. A comparison of the up-regulated motif profile observed to that calculated from a previous study of the EGFR-induced phosphoproteome in human HeLa cells at the same time point showed a considerable amount of similarity, supporting the view that RTK signal transduction pathways and downstream modifications are likely to be extensively overlapping.
Social capital and farming at the rural–urban interface: the importance of nonfarmer and farmer relations

Abstract Because of growth and development in agricultural areas at the rural–urban interface, a variety of farmer adaptations have been identified. While exiting from farming or entrepreneurial adaptations that tap urban markets are frequently identified responses, farmers might also attempt to develop social capital, or neighborly relations, with nonfarm neighbors to mitigate social constraints created by nonfarmer concerns at the rural–urban interface. In a case study of an agricultural region within a large metropolitan area, this research reports data from a survey of farm and nonfarm residents ( N =620). The analysis operationalizes the concept of social capital, nonfarmer trust of farmers and frequency of nonfarmer interaction with farmers, to determine whether these social relations have a discernable impact on nonfarmer support or tolerance of agriculture. Results reveal a relationship, indicating that support and tolerance of agriculture is stronger when nonfarmers report the existence of social capital with farmers. These findings have implications for farm operator adaptations as well as community capacity to preserve or develop local agriculture.
Bipyridyl-modified phosphonium polyelectrolytes: synthesis, photophysics, metal ion coordination and layer-by-layer assembly with anionic conjugated polymers

A novel class of chromophoric polyelectrolytes bearing phosphonium moieties in their backbones has been prepared to incorporate metal-binding 2,2′-bipyridyl (bipy) units. The effect of metal ion binding on the photophysical properties of the polyelectrolyte was probed. By binding metal ions to the polycation, the relative charge loading could be progressively increased as a strategy to control its supramolecular assembly with polyanions. The metallated and metal-free polyelectrolytes were utilized in layer-by-layer self-assembly with poly(acrylic acid) or anionic conjugated polymers including a poly(p-phenylene vinylene) and polythiophene derivative. The photophysical properties, nanomorphology, and substrate dependence of the resultant multilayer films were examined, and indicate that layer density, composition, and morphology can be tuned by metallation and ion pairing effects.
Is the 'tunnel of death' a suitable modality for investigating the severely traumatized child?

Background: The child who has suffered severe physical trauma and is physiologically unstable can often present a diagnostic dilemma to the clinician in the emergency room. Methods: In an attempt to clarify the situation there is often a decision made to perform computed tomographic scanning in such children. Results: This is an extremely dangerous investigation in this situation given that the child has to have a GA as well as being unstable from the injuries. Conclusion: Ultrasound is easier, less expensive, can be performed in the emergency room and can be performed by relatively inexperienced operators with good diagnostic accuracy.
Transcription factor TFII-I conducts a cytoplasmic orchestra.

In response to extracellular ligands, surface receptor tyrosine kinases and G-protein-coupled receptors activate isoforms of phospholipase C (PLC) and initiate calcium signaling. PLC can activate expression of surface transient receptor potential channels (TRPC) such as TRPC3, which modulate calcium entry through the plasma membrane. A recent paper shows that competitive binding of cytoplasmic TFII-I, a transcription factor, to PLC-γ results in inhibition of TRPC3-mediated agonist-induced Ca2+ entry. These results establish a novel cytoplasmic function for TFII-I.
Levels of interferon-Γ and tumor necrosis factor-α in sera and cervical mucus of fertile and infertile women: implication in infertility

Concentrations of two immune cytokines, namely interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), were determined in the sera and cervical mucus samples of fertile (n = 16), idiopathic infertile (n = 44), and immunoinfertile women (n = 45) to investigate their role, if any, in female infertility. Sera of idiopathic infertile women demonstrated significantly (P 0.05) correlate (r = 0.12-0.43) with the concentrations in cervical mucus, when all the three groups were compared together. However, when the serum levels were compared with the cervical mucus concentrations by condition, only the idiopathic infertile group showed a significant (P = 0.005) correlation (r = 0.70). Serum levels of TNF-alpha did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) among three groups of women. Cervical mucus concentrations of TNF-alpha, however, varied among groups with levels being significantly (P = 0.04) higher-in idiopathic infertile women compared with fertile controls and in immunoinfertile women significantly (P = 0.0007) higher than in fertile controls as well as idiopathic infertile women. TNF-alpha levels in serum correlated (r = 0.65) significantly (P < 0.001) with the concentrations in cervical mucus when all the three groups were compared together or individually by infertility condition. These findings suggest the involvement of cytokines in infertility, and thus may have potential applications in diagnosis and treatment of female infertility.
Evaluation of [111In]-Labeled Zinc–Dipicolylamine Tracers for SPECT Imaging of Bacterial Infection

This study prepared three structurally related zinc–dipicolylamine (ZnDPA) tracers with [111In] labels and conducted biodistribution and single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging studies of a mouse leg infection model. Two monovalent tracers, ZnDPA-[111In]DTPA and ZnDPA-[111In]DOTA, each with a single zinc–dipicolylamine targeting unit, and a divalent tracer, Bis(ZnDPA)-[111In]DTPA, with two zinc–dipicolylamine units were prepared. Organ biodistribution and SPECT and CT imaging studies were performed on living mice with a leg infection created by injection of clinically relevant Gram positive Streptococcus pyogenes. Fluorescent and luminescent Eu3+-labeled versions of these tracers were also prepared and used to measure relative affinity for the exterior membrane surface of bacterial cells and mimics of healthy mammalian cells. All three 111In-labeled radiotracers were prepared with a radiopurity of >90 %. The biodistribution studies showed that the two monovalent tracers were cleared from the body through the liver and kidney, with retained percentage injected dose for all organs of <8 % at 20 h and infected leg target to non-target ratio (T/NT) ratio of ≤3.0. Clearance of the divalent tracer from the bloodstream was slower and primarily through the liver, with a retained percentage injected dose for all organs <37 % at 20 h and T/NT ratio rising to 6.2 after 20 h. The SPECT/CT imaging indicated the same large difference in tracer pharmacokinetics and higher accumulation of the divalent tracer at the site of infection. All three [111In]-ZnDPA tracers selectively targeted the site of a clinically relevant mouse infection model that could not be discerned by visual external inspection of the living animal. The highest target selectivity, observed with a divalent tracer equipped with two zinc–dipicolylamine targeting units, compares quite favorably with the imaging selectivities previously reported for other nuclear tracers that target bacterial cell surfaces. The tracer pharmacokinetics depended heavily on tracer molecular structure suggesting that it may be possible to rapidly fine tune the structural properties for optimized in vivo imaging performance and clinical translation.
Advantages and limitations of nonhuman primates as animal models in genetic research on complex diseases

The genetic similarity between humans and nonhuman primates makes nonhuman primates uniquely suited as models for genetic research on complex physiological and behavioral phenotypes. By comparison with human subjects, nonhuman primates, like other animal models, have several advantages for these types of studies: 1) constant environmental conditions can be maintained over long periods of time, greatly increasing the power to detect genetic effects; 2) different environmental conditions can be imposed sequentially on individuals to characterize genotype-environment interactions; 3) complex pedigrees that are much more powerful for genetic analysis than typically available human pedigrees can be generated; 4) genetic hypotheses can be tested prospectively by selective matings; and 5) essential invasive and terminal experiments can be conducted. Limitations of genetic research with nonhuman primates include cost and availability. However, the ability to manipulate both genetic and environmental factors in captive primate populations indicates the promise of genetic research with these important animal models for illuminating complex disease processes. The utility of nonhuman primates for biomedical research on human health problems is illustrated by examples concerning the use of baboons in studies of osteoporosis, alcohol metabolism, and lipoproteins.
Progress toward understanding the regulation of amniotic fluid volume: Water and solute fluxes in and through the fetal membranes

Presently the regulation of amniotic fluid volume is poorly understood. There are multiple reasons for this: (1) the volume regulatory mechanisms are complex because there are multiple pathways over which water and solute exchanges occur simultaneously; (2) the volume regulatory mechanisms differ dramatically in early compared to late gestation; (3) diffusional water movement across the membranes has sometimes been confused with net water movement (which is orders of magnitude less); and (4) there appears to be extensive and rapid exchanges between amniotic fluid and fetal blood which occur on the fetal surface of the placenta and within the vascularized fetal membranes (for those species in which the membranes are vascularized) which have not been fully recognized. Knowledge of the direct exchange between amniotic fluid and fetal blood is undergoing significant expansion. Over the past S-10 years, there have been major advances which show that reabsorption of amniotic water and solutes into fetal blood within the membranes and into the fetal surface of the placenta is an important contributor to amniotic homeostasis. Further, there is an accumulating body of data characterizing exchange (i.e. the lack of) between amniotic fluid and the maternal uterine wall. Thus, the present review attempts to clarify these issues by integrating available information regarding fluxes within and across the fetal membranes. Since a large majority of the new data is from the last half of pregnancy, only data derived during that time period will be considered below. Further, although data from humans, monkeys and sheep are discussed, it is important to recognize that a large majority of the data generated during the past few years has been derived from the chronically catheterized fetal sheep. Several of these recent studies have used the sheep model where the urachus was ligated or fetal urine was diverted into the amniotic sac so that no allantoic fluid was present. This represents an improved animal model in comparison with the normal ovine fetus for studying the dynamics and control of amniotic fluid volume and composition.
Use of Available Dosage Forms of Cephalexin in Clinical Comparison with Phenoxymethyl Penicillin and Benzathine Penicillin in the Treatment of Streptococcal Pharyngitis in Children

The effectiveness of cephalexin, an oral cephalosporin using a dosage equivalent to available capsular dosage forms, was studied in relation to the effectiveness of phenoxymethyl penicillin and benzathine penicillin in the treatment of 128 patients with beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis, all but six of whom had group A streptococci isolated from throat cultures. Approximately one-half, 66 patients, received cephalexin for 10 days; 34 patients received phenoxymethyl penicillin for 10 days; and 28 patients had a single injection of benzathine penicillin. There were four treatment failures determined bacteriologically post-therapy, two in the cephalexin treatment group and one each in the oral penicillin and intramuscular penicillin groups. Similar cure rates of 96.7, 97.1, and 96.4% were computed for the respective treatment regimens. Whereas intramuscular benzathine penicillin remains the regimen of choice in most instances, cephalexin appeared to be as effective as oral penicillin in the elimination of group A streptococci from the pharynx when oral treatment was desired for streptococcal pharyngitis.
Receptor-mediated targeting of gene delivery vectors: insights from molecular mechanisms for improved vehicle design.

One way to deliver transgenes to cells in a selective manner is to target the delivery vehicles, or vectors, to specific cell-surface receptors as a first step toward ulimate transport of the gene to the nucleus for expression. While selective delivery, although often to undesired cell types, occurs naturally for some viral vectors and can be achieved for nonviral vehicles, current understanding and control of the delivery mechanism is inadequate for many therapeutic applications. The complicated nature of receptor-mediated transgene uptake and transport requires improved analysis to more effectively evaluate delivery vehicles. As receptor-mediated pathways for gene delivery typically involve vector binding, internalization, subcellular trafficking, vesicular escape, nuclear translocation, and unpackaging for transcription, each of these processes offer mechanisms that can be exploited to enhance targeted gene delivery via properly designed vehicles. For the purpose of this review, current targeted gene delivery vehicles are divided into three approaches: viral, synthetic, and hybrid vectors. Each approach possesses advantages as well as disadvantages at the present time for in vitro and in vivo application, and provides particular challenges to overcome in order to gain significantly improved targeted delivery properties. Quantitative experiments and mathematical modeling of the gene delivery pathway will serve to provide insight into molecular mechanisms and rate-limiting steps for effective gene expression. Information on molecular mechanisms obtained by such methodologies can then be applied to specific vectors, whether viral, synthetic, or hybrid, allowing for the creation of targeted, effective, and safe gene therapeutics. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 70: 593–605, 2000.
Considering Our Relationships With Animals: The Message From Zuni Pueblo

The current reconsideration of the place in nature of human beings unfortunately continues to be an acrimonious one. All too often the debate is more akin to a warlike encounter where each side att...
Angiotensin binding to rat adrenal capsular cell suspensions.

Abstract Adrenal cell suspensions obtained by collagenase digestion of rat adrenal capsules was demonstrated to bind tritiated angiotensin II. The binding was rapid and reversible and was temperature dependent. Saturation of binding sites of a low order of capacity could be demonstrated by the addition of unlabeled angiotensin II. Specificity for this binding was demonstrated using several peptide analogues. Specificity was also observed with respect to cell type. These studies suggest the presence of a biologically significant receptor for angiotensin in cells of the zona glomerulosa of rat adrenal glands.
Epidemiology of hepatitis C in the West

Most hepatitis C occurs among young adults with high-risk behaviors or lifestyles. Although the most efficient transmission of HCV is through large or repeated percutaneous exposures to infectious blood, transmission also seems to occur through occupational exposure, sexual activity, household contact, and perinatal exposure. The risk of transmission in these settings is most likely dependent on the titer of virus as well as the type and size of the inoculum and the route of transmission. The apparent inconsistency of results between studies is probably a result of the small sample sizes, in that insufficient numbers of infectious persons are included, as well as the variations in methodology and serologic testing. Although HCV may be inefficiently transmitted by inapparent parenteral or mucosal exposures, the high rate of persistent infection with HCV creates a large reservoir of persons who are infectious to others. Current preventive measures, such as donor screening, prevent only a small proportion of the disease. Epidemiologic studies to define the risk of, and the factors facilitating transmission of HCV in other settings, still need to be conducted to develop measures to prevent most disease acquisition.
SU‐C‐214‐02: Reduced CBCT Imaging Dose Due to the New X‐Ray Source in TrueBeam™

Purpose: To report the x‐ray beam characteristics of the new x‐ray source and to describe the CBCTimaging dose to patients for the TrueBeam™ system. Methods: The Monte Carlo code, BEAMnrc, was used to simulate the new tube including its x‐ray defining systems and beam hardening filters. Two kV‐CBCT scan modes (100 kVp beam for Head scan and 125 kVp for Pelvis scan) available in the TrueBeam™ system were simulated. The simulated realistic incident beams were stored in phase‐space files, which were analyzed to obtain the beam characteristics. The kV‐CBCT beam output was determined by an ionization chamber in a phantom under specified reference conditions. The simulated realistic beams were then used to calculate dose to patients resulting from CBCT scans. The doses to the patients, as well as image quality using a Catphan‐504 phantom, for the TrueBeam and OBI imaging systems were compared. Results: The additional kV beam hardening filter in the new x‐ray source design removes lower energy photons in the energy spectrum, which in turn results in reduced radiation dose to patient. For a head scan the dose to eye, brain,brain stem, spinal cord are 0.14, 0.15, 0.13 and 0.13 cGy which are approximately 38% lower compared to Standard Head scan in OBI 1.4. For pelvic scan the dose to prostate, rectum, bladder, and femoral heads are 0.8, 0.86, 0.87 and 1.5 cGy, which are approximately 43% lower compared to Pelvis scan in OBI 1.4. In addition the dose to skin from new tube is only half of the doses from OBI 1.4. For the same CTDIw doses, the contrast sensitivity is superior in the TrueBeam images compared to OBI images. Conclusions: The newly designed x‐ray source is able to reduce CBCTimage dose to the patient without compromising image quality.
Tests of the Salt-Nuclei Hypothesis of Rain Formation

Atmospheric chlorides in sea-salt nuclei and the chlorides dissolved in shower rainwaters were recently measured in Hawaii. A comparison of these measurements reveals the remarkable fact that the weight of chloride present in a certain number of nuclei in a cubic meter of clear air tends to be equal to the weight of chloride dissolved in an equal number of raindrops in a cubic meter of rainy air. This result is explained as an indication that the raindrops grow on the salt nuclei in some manner which prevents a marked change in the distribution of these nuclei during the drop-growth process. The data presented add new evidence in further support of the salt-nuclei raindrop hypothesis previously proposed by the first author (Woodcock, 1952). DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1955.tb01182.x
Role of isospin in the statistical decay of the giant dipole resonance built on excited states

Abstract The statistical γ-decay of the giant dipole resonance built on excited states was investigated in several nuclei in the sd-shell region. The yield of high-energy γ-rays in self-conjugate nuclei populated by T = 0 entrance channels was found to be strongly inhibited compared to the yield from T ≠ 0 entrance channels and compared to that in nuclei with Z ≠ Z . This can be explained as due to good isospin purity in the compound nuclear states at high excitation energy.
Relationships among air-water interfacial area, capillary pressure, and water saturation for a sandy porous medium

[1] The relationships among air-water interfacial area, capillary pressure, and water saturation were investigated for a sandy, natural porous medium. Air-water interfacial areas as a function of water saturation were measured using two methods, gas phase partitioning tracer tests and synchrotron X-ray microtomography. The tracer test method provides a measure of effective total (capillary and film) interfacial area, whereas microtomography can be used to determine both capillary-associated and total areas (the latter is the focus of this study). Air-water interfacial areas determined with both methods increased continuously with decreasing water saturation. The areas measured with the tracer test method were significantly larger than those obtained from microtomography. The maximum values measured with the tracer test method approached the N2/BET-measured specific solid surface area, whereas the maximum values measured by microtomography approached the smooth-sphere-calculated specific solid surface area. The interfacial area-saturation data were combined with capillary pressure-saturation data obtained from water drainage experiments to examine the relationship between total air-water interfacial area and capillary pressure. Air-water interfacial area was observed to increase monotonically with increasing capillary pressure and then to plateau at values that correspond to areas associated with residual water saturation. These results are consistent with previously reported theoretically and computationally based analyses of functional relationships between total nonwetting-wetting interfacial area and capillary pressure.
DIG: a tool for software process data extraction and grooming

A data collection and grooming tool named DIG is reported. The tool allows the management of a software process to be able to extract data from a variety of project repositories, groom the data, and generate reports. The reports are aimed at assisting the management in the control of the software development process. DIG allows management to build a complete representation of the productivity data in order to better tease out the parameters and understand the causes of variation in the data. In addition, the data obtained and groomed by DIG may be used to calibrate and apply process control models.
Electrolyte changes in heart tissue and coronary arterial and venous plasma following coronary occlusion.

When coronary sinus and arterial plasma samples obtained during a period of ventricular tachycardia 8 to 11 hours after coronary ligation were analyzed for electrolyte concentrations, it was found that there was an increase in K and Mg and a decrease in Ca and Na. By comparison, when blood samples were taken from sham dogs 8 to 11 hours after the ligatures had simply been placed under the artery, no significant change in plasma cation concentrations over control values was observed. Infarcted ventricular tissue, as compared with noninfarcted tissue, contained an average of 5.1 mEq./100 Gm. wet weight more Na, 4.0 mEq./100 Gm. wet weight less K, and 1.12 mEq./100 Gm. wet weight less Mg.
The transfer dynamics of Pseudomonas sp. plasmid pQBR11 in biofilms

Plasmid pQBR11 (294 kb) is one of a group of genetically similar conjugative plasmids that are common to and persist in pseudomonad populations colonising leaves and roots of crops and wild plants. This plasmid was marked by insertion of a green fluorescent protein reporter cassette to facilitate epifluorescence microscopy tracking and enumeration of transconjugant formation in biofilms. The intrinsic transfer activity of the plasmid, the conditions which affect this activity and the patterns of infectious spread of the plasmid in simple biofilms were evaluated. Transfer was observed over a range of nutritional and other conditions but no transitory de-repression of plasmid transfer was observed from new transconjugants and re-transfer of the plasmid by transconjugant cells played only a secondary role in the establishment of the plasmid in biofilm populations. As the plasmid was poorly invasive the parasitic persistence of pQBR11 by transfer alone is highly unlikely. The key factors for establishment of this plasmid in these biofilm populations were the size and activity of the donor population and the effect of plasmid carriage on host fitness.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks and Encephaloceles of Temporal Bone Origin: Nuances to Diagnosis and Management

Objective Temporal bone encephalocele has become less common as the incidence of chronic mastoid infection and surgery for this condition has decreased. As a result, the diagnosis is often delayed, and the encephalocele is often an incidental finding. This situation can result in serious neurologic complications with patients presenting with cerebrospinal fluid leak and meningitis. We review the occurrence of, characteristics of, and repair experience with temporal encephaloceles from 2000–2012. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of 32 patients undergoing combined mastoidectomy and middle cranial fossa craniotomy for the treatment of temporal encephalocele. Results The diagnosis of temporal encephalocele was made in all patients using high-resolution temporal bone computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. At the time of diagnosis, 12 patients had confirmed cerebrospinal fluid leak; other common presenting symptoms included hearing loss and ear fullness. Tegmen defect was most commonly due to chronic otitis media (n = 14). Of these patients, 8 had undergone prior mastoidectomy, suggesting an iatrogenic cause. Other etiologies included radiation exposure, congenital defects, and spontaneous defects. Additionally, 2 patients presented with meningitis; 1 patient had serious neurologic deficits resulting from venous infarction. Conclusions The risk of severe neurologic complications after the herniation of intracranial contents through a tegmen defect necessitates prompt recognition and appropriate management. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging aid in definitive diagnosis. A combined mastoid/middle fossa approach allows for sustainable repair with adequate exposure of defects and support of intracranial contents.
Incommensuration and other structural anomalies in rhenium disilicide

The structure of solidification-processed rhenium disilicide is investigated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. It is usually reported to have the tetragonal C11 b MoSi 2 structure and the stoichiometry of ReSi 2 . In the present study it is found that rhenium disilicide exhibits an off-stoichiometric Si-deficient composition of Re 4 Si 7 . In addition, several structural instabilities are observed by electron microscopy including firstly an orthorhombic distortion of about 0.6% from the tetragonal C11 b MoSi 2 structure with spot splitting across the {110} twin plane, secondly an incommensuration along the a axis with a periodicity of 1.3 nm, thirdly another longer period modulation along the c axis, fourthly a weak monoclinic distortion (β90.4°) in some specimens, as revealed by spot splitting in the high-order Laue zone reflections of [100] diffraction patterns, accompanied by twinning on the (001) planes, and fifthly much larger distortions in some [010] patterns plus a chevron structure in the image which may result from a displacive transformation. These structural anomalies are probably related to the stoichiometry of Re 4 Si 7 which may result in a composite modulated structure where the Si sublattice has a larger average periodicity along the a axis than the Re sublattice, as is the case with manganese silicides.
On the incompatibility of faithfulness and monotone DAG faithfulness

Cheng, Greiner, Kelly, Bell and Liu [Artificial Intelligence 137 (2002) 43-90] describe an algorithm for learning Bayesian networks that-in a domain consisting of n variables-identifies the optimal solution using O(n^4) calls to a mutual-information oracle. This result relies on (1) the standard assumption that the generative distribution is Markov and faithful to some directed acyclic graph (DAG), and (2) a new assumption about the generative distribution that the authors call monotone DAG faithfulness (MDF). The MDF assumption rests on an intuitive connection between active paths in a Bayesian-network structure and the mutual information among variables. The assumption states that the (conditional) mutual information between a pair of variables is a monotonic function of the set of active paths between those variables; the more active paths between the variables the higher the mutual information. In this paper, we demonstrate the unfortunate result that, for any realistic learning scenario, the monotone DAG faithfulness assumption is incompatible with the faithfulness assumption. Furthermore, for the class of Bayesian-network structures for which the two assumptions are compatible, we can learn the optimal solution using standard approaches that require only O(n^2) calls to an independence oracle.
Synthon preference in O-protonated amide crystals – dominance of short strong hydrogen bonds

Although the amide functional group is weakly ionizable, there have been serendipitous discoveries of amide salts. To facilitate their systematic design, we sought to identify the preference of 12 possible synthons in oxygen protonated amide structures. An analysis of a total of 81 protonated amide crystal structures retrieved from the Cambridge Structural Database and 12 new protonated amide structures prepared by us, revealed that ∼86% of these structures involving charge assisted short strong hydrogen bonds, including ∼54% of the hydrogen bridged dimers formed between protonated and neutral amide. The probability of forming hydrogen bridged dimers increases in the order of primary amide < secondary amide < tertiary amide. The two previously missing synthons, R22(8) and R12(6), in primary amides are realized for the first time in this work. However, the two predicted ring (R) hydrogen bonding synthons, R22(8) and R12(6), for cis secondary amides remain to be discovered.
Cloning and Characterization of the Promoter Region of a Gene Encoding a 67-kDa Glycoprotein

A rat genomic library constructed in lambda-EMBL3 (SP6/T7) vector () was screened using 32P-labeled rat p67 cDNA. A clone containing a segment of 5'-upstream region of p67 genomic DNA was obtained. The DNA (about 1.7 kilobase pairs) was isolated and characterized. Sequence analysis of this DNA fragment showed that the 898 base pairs at the 5'-end of the upstream region was identical to several long interspersed nucleotide sequences. One hundred forty-eight base pairs at the 3'-end contained the beginning of the first exon including the ATG initiator codon. The remaining 652 base pairs in between contained two AT-rich regions and several regulatory sequences. The mRNA initiation site was identified at 89 base pairs upstream from the translation start codon. The DNA fragment was also analyzed by transient transfection. When linked to a firefly luciferase reporter gene, this fragment enhanced transcription in a rat hepatoma cell line (KRC-7). Using a series of deletions in the DNA, the minimum essential promoter region (from -177 to -60) was identified. The promoter activity was also enhanced by treatment with phorbol 13-myristate 12-acetate (PMA). This enhancement required an AP-1 sequence (-298 to -292; 5'-TGACTCA-3') and a similar sequence (-97 to -88; 5'-ATGACATCAT-3'). Deletion of either of these sequences significantly reduced PMA enhancement. Deletion of both of these sequences almost completely eliminated PMA enhancement.
Optimal collinear Gaussian beams for spontaneous parametric down-conversion

I investigate the properties of spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) involving co-linear Gaussian spatial modes for the pump and the photon collection optics. Approximate analytical and numerical results are obtained for the peak spectral density, photon bandwidth, pair collection probability, heralding ratio, and spectral purity, as a function of crystal length and beam focusing parameters. I address the optimization of these properties individually as well as jointly, and find focusing conditions that simultaneously bring the pair collection probability, heralding ratio, and spectral purity to near-optimal values. These properties are also found to be nearly scale invariant, that is, ultimately independent of crystal length. The results obtained here are expected to be useful for designing SPDC sources with high performance in multiple categories for the next generation of SPDC applications.
The Influence of Precedent on State Supreme Courts

Studies of policy making by courts need to examine the actual policy adopted in the majority opinion rather than studying votes. The authors examine the responsiveness of state supreme courts to pr...
Broken rotor bar detection in induction machines with transient operating speeds

Previous work on condition monitoring of induction machines has focused on steady-state speed operation. Here, a new concept is introduced based on an analysis of transient machine currents. The technique centers around the extraction and removal of the fundamental component of the current and analyzing the residual current using wavelets. Test results of induction machines operating both as a motor and a generator shows the ability of the algorithm to detect broken rotor bars.
Pertussis in an Adult Man Infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus

A 25-year-old man infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) presented with paroxysmal cough and dyspnea of 4-months duration. An extensive evaluation including bronchoscopy was negative. A nasopharyngeal swab was positive by direct fluorescent antigen detection and culture for Bordetella pertussis. Respiratory isolation, treatment with erythromycin, and prophylaxis of household contacts was used to eradicate the organism and prevent transmission. Pertussis should be considered as a cause of prolonged cough and dyspnea in patients with HIV infection. The course of this patient was consistent with the concept that cell-mediated immunity is necessary for elimination of B. pertussis.