cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defective T cell function in atopic dermatitis.

Abstract The cellular immune system of 37 patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) was assessed by measuring peripheral blood T and B cells and the in vitro lymphocyte response to graded doses of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (background and 6 concentrations of PHA from 100 to 1.6 μg). These were then correlated with clinical severity, eosinophil counts, and serum IgE levels. The IgE levels (1,482 IU ± 252 SEM), eosinophil counts (977 ± 143), and absolute number of B cells (958 ± 123) were significantly (p
Enzyme–inorganic nanoporous materials: Differential scanning calorimetric studies and protein stability

Abstract Direct assessment of the thermodynamic stabilities of enzymes bound to solids is essential to understand the factors that control bound enzyme stability. Here, the first reports of the thermodynamic stabilities of enzymes/proteins which are bound to an inorganic solid [α-Zr(HPO 4 ) 2 · H 2 O, abbreviated as α-ZrP] are described. The thermal denaturation of hen egg white lysozyme (Lys), met-myoglobin (Mb) and met-hemoglobin (Hb) bound to α-ZrP occurs over a wide range of temperatures (50–100 °C). This is in contrast to the behavior of the free enzyme/proteins in the solution, which indicated sharp transitions at their respective denaturation temperatures. Denaturation of the bound protein depended on the scan rate and the denaturation process was kinetically controlled. At rapid scan rates (2 °C/min), for example, the thermal profiles of the intercalated proteins became sharper while the free proteins indicated little or no changes. Careful analysis of the calorimetric data provided a clear distinction between the moving-boundary model and the uniform distribution model for protein binding. Calorimetric data also revealed that a distribution of thermodynamic states or kinetically-slow forming states are important in the denaturation. While the thermal denaturation of Mb bound to α-ZrP indicated a significant extent of reversibility, Lys and Hb did not. The solid stabilized a fraction of the intercalated protein, and efforts will be focused to maximize this portion. Improved thermal stabilities are important for biosensor or biocatalysis applications of enzyme–inorganic materials.
The "real world" of hospital nursing practice as perceived by nursing undergraduates.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the expectations of senior nursing undergraduates in the “real world” of hospital nursing practice, with particular regard to the ethical dimensions of their role. The method was qualitative; specifically, a grounded theory approach was used. The sample consisted of 23 senior baccalaureate nursing students, from a possible population of 120, who were in their final clinical rotation before graduation. Informants were volunteers who gave informed consent, having been briefed on the purposes of the study and how their confidentiality would be protected. Data were collected through audiotaped interviews and clinical logs and analyzed through the constant comparative method. The study concluded that (1) senior nursing students were not naive about the reality of practice; (2) most perceived themselves as fairly powerless; (3) they voiced a commitment to the ethical principle of respect for the client as evidenced by listening, providing information, accepting values, and encouraging a climate for self-determination; (4) they experienced guilt when they did not “say something”; and (5) they expressed disappointment that nurses did not “stand up” for patients.
Ascertainment adjustment in complex diseases.

Genetic studies of complex diseases must confront two statistically difficult issues simultaneously. First, in many settings, to minimize the number of individuals to be genotyped, families enriched for disease must be oversampled. Also, statistical models in family studies should allow for residual association. This association will represent unmeasured genetic and environmental factors influencing disease risk. Dealing with these features simultaneously is both compelling and challenging. Burton et al. [2000] (Am. J. Hum. Gen. 69: 1505–14) recently discussed this issue and suggested that ascertainment corrections may lead to problematic parameter estimation. We revisit the issues and examples of Burton et al. [2000] (Am. J. Hum. Genet. 69: 1505–14) and present a more optimistic assessment. Estimation in this context is conceptually straightforward, but may be more problematic in practice. Specifically, we find that even slight misspecification of the random effects distribution in ascertainment-adjusted likelihood can yield severely biased parameter estimates. This result should make scientists wary when interpreting results from ascertainment-adjusted variance-component models. Genet. Epidemiol. 23:201–208, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Introduction to haptic rendering

For a long time, human beings have dreamed of a virtual world where it is possible to interact with synthetic entities as if they were real. To date, the advances in computer graphics allow us to see virtual objects and avatars, to hear them, to move them, and to touch them. It has been shown that the ability to touch virtual objects increases the sense of presence in virtual environments [Insko 2001].
Image discrimination models predict detection in fixed but not random noise

By means of a two-interval forced-choice procedure, contrast detection thresholds for an aircraft positioned on a simulated airport runway scene were measured with fixed and random white-noise masks. The term fixed noise refers to a constant, or unchanging, noise pattern for each stimulus presentation. The random noise was either the same or different in the two intervals. Contrary to simple image discrimination model predictions, the same random noise condition produced greater masking than the fixed noise. This suggests that observers seem unable to hold a new noisy image for comparison. Also, performance appeared limited by internal process variability rather than by external noise variability, since similar masking was obtained for both random noise types.
Control of strain gradient in doped polycrystalline silicon carbide films through tailored doping

Polycrystalline 3C-SiC (poly-SiC) films are deposited by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition on Si substrates using 1,3-disilabutane and are in situ doped by NH3. Microstrain gauges and cantilever beam arrays are fabricated to study the doping effect on average residual strain and strain gradient. A bi-layer deposition scheme consisting of films with different residual strains due to differing doping content is developed to minimize the strain gradient without compromising the electrical resistivity of the deposited film. In this way, a 3 µm thick poly-SiC film with a strain gradient of 5 × 10−5 µm−1 and a resistivity of 0.024 Ω cm is achieved.
Accelerating Team Interdependence with a Cooperative Learning Paradigm

A common problem confronting organizations is integrating the activities of functional departments. This article describes an approach for covering course content and, at the same time, providing s...
Efficacy of TMJ radiographs in terms of expected versus actual findings

Results. The temporomandibular joint tomograms revealed unanticipated osseous changes in 61% of case judgments of condyles and 47% for the temporal bone or 34% and 22%, respectively, when subtle changes were excluded. Unexpected condyle positional findings were revealed in 31% of the patients. When stratified by clinical class, osteoarthritis and internal derangement, false-positive and false-negative interpretations were 12.1% and 25.5%, respectively, for osteoarthritis, and 12.2% and 17.3% for derangement. Conclusions. The fairly high rate of unexpected new osseous and positional findings supports the need for tomograms in patients with a clinical diagnosis of derangement or osteoarthritis. (ORAl SURG ORAL MED ORAL PATHOL ORAL RADIOL ENDOD 1995;79:367-74)
Response of serotonin-containing neurons in nucleus raphe magnus to morphine, noxious stimuli, and periaqueductal gray stimulation in freely moving cats.

Extracellular single-unit recordings were made in nucleus raphe magnus in unanesthetized, unrestrained cats. Discharge of serotonergic neurons in this region was increased when animals were aroused by noxious stimuli such as pinch and radiant heating of the tail, but these cells were not specifically nociceptive. Peristimulus time histograms indicated that stimulation in the periaqueductal gray was excitatory but alveolar nerve stimulation at a noxious current intensity was no more effective than nonnoxious nerve stimulation in activating serotonergic unit discharge. Similarly, stressful treatments such as physical restraint increased the discharge of some serotonergic neurons, but these cells were activated during any period of behavioral arousal whether or not arousal was the result of aversive treatment. Injection of Formalin into the paw produced pain lasting about 30 min without increasing serotonergic unit discharge above rates observed during undisturbed active waking behavior. The activity of serotonergic neurons was not increased by an analgesic dose of morphine (2 mg/kg, i.p.). These results then are not consistent with the hypothesis that morphine analgesia depends on activation of serotonergic neurons in nucleus raphe magnus or that these cells are specifically involved in modulation of nociception. These neurons may, however, be involved in nociceptive control within the context of a general modulation of sensorimotor processes by serotonin in the central nervous system. We did observe neurochemically unidentified neurons in the medulla whose discharge was more specifically activated by aversive stimuli and also by morphine. It is possible that these neurons are more directly involved in the mediation of opiate and/or stress-induced analgesia.
Estimation of local anisotropic scattering properties using measurements of multiply scattered radiation

Abstract The local anisotropic scattering function is estimated on the basis of knowledge of multiple-scattering properties. The phase function is expanded in a series of Legendre polynomials, and the coefficient are determined so as to best explain diffuse reflection measurements. The quasilinearization procedure for digital computers is described and computational results are given.
Multiple isolated brain metastases from a Duke's B colon carcinoma.

Brain metastases from colorectal carcinomas are very uncommon and are almost uniformly seen in the setting of advanced, systemic disease. We describe a unique case of multiple, isolated brain metastases occurring from a Duke’s B carcinoma of the sigmoid colon. Careful staging at two intervals at which clinical brain metastases were found did not disclose additional evidence of systemic disease. The cascade mechanism thought to be involved in the development of systemic metastases is reviewed, and a possible alternate route is suggested for direct access by tumor cells to the brain via Batson’s vertebral plexus.
Feasible graphs with standard universe

Abstract A computable graph is constructed which is not computably isomorphic to any polynomial-time graph with a standard universe (that is, the natural numbers represented either in tally or binary notation). Conditions are given under which a computable graph is computably isomorphic to a polynomial-time graph with a standard universe — for example, if every vertex has finite degree. Two special types of graphs are studied. It is shown that any computable tree is recursively isomorphic to a p-time tree with standard universe and that any computable equivalence relation is computably isomorphic to a p-time equivalence relation with standard universe.
Proposed Model for the Peroxidase-Catalyzed Oxidation of Indole-3-acetic Acid in the Presence of the Inhibitor Ferulic Acid

Linear increments in ferulic acid concentration produce logarithmic increases in the ferulic acid-induced lag periods prior to the peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid in a system containing 2,4-dichlorophenol and MnCl(2) in acetate buffer at pH 5.6. Maintaining the ratio of indole-3-acetic acid to ferulic acid constant at 100 while linearly raising the ferulic acid concentration results in linear increases in the lag period. Both indole-3-acetic acid and ferulic acid are substrates of horseradish peroxidase in the presence of H(2)O(2), and indole-3-acetic acid competitively inhibits the oxidation of ferulic acid. A model for the enzymatic oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid catalyzed by peroxidase is proposed.
Recent advances in stripping analysis

A review is given of the key developments of stripping voltammetry in recent years. Important advances such as non-electrolytic (adsorptive) preconcentration schemes, modified or ultramicro stripping electrodes, and versatile and rapid flow systems are discussed. Such developments substantially enhance the analytical power of stripping voltammetry, allowing it to retain its place as one of the most useful techniques for trace analysis.
Threshold for creating excitations in a stirred superfluid ring

We have measured the threshold for creating long-lived excitations when a toroidal Bose-Einstein condensate is stirred by a rotating (optical) barrier of variable height. When the barrier height is on the order of or greater than half of the chemical potential, the critical barrier velocity at which we observe a change in the circulation state is much less than the speed for sound to propagate around the ring. In this regime we primarily observe discrete jumps (phase slips) from the noncirculating initial state to a simple, well-defined, persistent current state. For lower barrier heights, the critical barrier velocity at which we observe a change in the circulation state is higher, and approaches the effective sound speed for vanishing barrier height. The response of the condensate in this small-barrier regime is more complex, with vortex cores appearing in the bulk of the condensate. We find that the variation of the excitation threshold with barrier height is in qualitative agreement with the predictions of an effective one-dimensional hydrodynamic model.
Renal Excretion of 3-O-Methyl-D-glucose

SummaryThe renal tubular transport of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose (3MG) was studied in dogs and rats. The 3MG was found to be actively secreted by a phlorizin sensitive mechanism in dogs. The nature of the renal handling of 3MG in rats was found to be different from that found in dogs, since, 3MG was reabsorbed by the renal tubules of rats at a rate of about 10% of the 3MG filtration rate. This was interpreted as a result of a reabsorptive process having a larger magnitude than a simultaneously operating secretory process for the same compound. The secretion of 3MG in dogs was found to occur in the proximal tubules and was not inhibited by 2,4-DNP. It was significantly augmented by an intravenous infusion of D-glucose. The results of these experiments were taken as evidence for the existence of a bidirectional sugar transport system in the renal tubules of dogs. This system would be capable of reabsorbing D-glucose and also capable of secreting 3MG and L-glucose.
Concentrations and phase distributions of nitrated and oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air

Abstract The concentrations of nitrated and oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in ambient air, both in the vapor phase and adsorbed on airborne particles, were measured over a 12-month period in Houston, Texas. Seasonal variations in the levels of the target compounds were weakly related to changes in ambient temperature, but more strongly related to fluctuations in the levels of ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and other oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Phase distributions of the target compounds were determined by the denuder difference method. These phase distributions varied greatly over 12 months and were related to the molecular sizes, hence vapor pressures, of the compounds, but few significant associations were found between the percentages of compounds present in the vapor phase and ambient temperatures.
MO‐D‐T‐617‐04: Determination of Midplane Fetal Doses Arising From Distant Sites Treated Via Typical Helical Tomotherapy IMRT

Purpose: To determine the fetal dose arising from a typical helical tomotherapy IMRT treatment delivered at anatomical sites distant from the embryo/fetus. Method and Materials: An anthropomorphic phantom (Rando™ slices 1–25) with the pelvis section replaced by a plastic water™ phantom was used to develop a treatment sinogram with the Hi‐Art™ device using typical parameters: 6 MV photons, 2.5 cm field width, pitch of 0.3, and modulation factor of 2. Target dimensions were 8 cm (W) × 7 cm (H) × 11 cm (L) and was centrally located in the abdominal region of Rando™, which was planned and treated to a dose of 5 Gy. Fetal dose measurements were made at a midplane depth of 10 cm in the plastic water using TLD and a calibrated diode. Four sites in Rando™ were treated using the same sinogram allowing the fetal dose to be determined as a function of distance from the treatment site center, which varied from 23 cm to 75 cm. To express results as a percent of the delivered dose for the same sinogram, an approximate correction was made to account for differences in tissue thicknesses at the various treatment sites. Results: For the same sinogram delivery (of approximately 5 Gy), fetal dose varied from 3.53 cGy for a lower abdominal treatment at a distance of 23 cm to 0.23 cGy for a brain/head treatment at a distance of 75 cm. A power law fit indicates fetal dose is proportional to the distance to the −2.3 power. Conclusion: Typical helical tomotherapy treatments at distant sites may yield fetal doses approaching 1 percent of delivered dose; and fetal dose is reduced by more than the square of the distance to the treatment site. Conflict of Interest: A collaborative research relationship is currently being developed with TOMOTHERAPY, Inc.
Soil texture affects soil microbial and structural recovery during grassland restoration

Many biotic and abiotic factors influence recovery of soil communities following prolonged disturbance. We investigated the role of soil texture in the recovery of soil microbial community structure and changes in microbial stress, as indexed by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles, using two chronosequences of grasslands restored from 0 to 19 years on silty clay loam and loamy fine sand soils in Nebraska, USA. All restorations were formerly cultivated fields seeded to native warm-season grasses through the USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program. Increases in many PLFA concentrations occurred across the silty clay loam chronosequence including total PLFA biomass, richness, fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and actinomycetes. Ratios of saturated:monounsaturated and iso:anteiso PLFAs decreased across the silty clay loam chronosequence indicating reduction in nutrient stress of the microbial community as grassland established. Multivariate analysis of entire PLFA profiles across the silty clay loam chronosequence showed recovery of microbial community structure on the trajectory toward native prairie. Conversely, no microbial groups exhibited a directional change across the loamy fine sand chronosequence. Changes in soil structure were also only observed across the silty clay loam chronosequence. Aggregate mean weighted diameter (MWD) exhibited an exponential rise to maximum resulting from an exponential rise to maximum in the proportion of large macroaggregates (>2000 μm) and exponential decay in microaggregates ( 53 μm) and the silt and clay fraction (<53 μm). Across both chronosequences, MWD was highly correlated with total PLFA biomass and the biomass of many microbial groups. Strong correlations between many PLFA groups and the MWD of aggregates underscore the interdependence between the recovery of soil microbial communities and soil structure that may explain more variation than time for some soils (i.e., loamy fine sand). This study demonstrates that soil microbial responses to grassland restoration are modulated by soil texture with implications for estimating the true capacity of restoration efforts to rehabilitate ecosystem functions.
GM-CSF secretion in primary cultures of normal and cancerous human renal cells.

GM-CSF secretion in cultures of normal and cancerous human renal cells. Rates of secretion of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were measured in 50 primary cell cultures derived from cancerous and normal human kidneys. Mean rates of GM-CSF secretion measured by TF-1 cell proliferation assay ( N = 21) and by ELISA ( N = 31) were 2.5 and 7.8 ng/10 6 cells/24 hr, respectively. There was no significant difference between the mean rates of GM-CSF secretion by cancerous and normal renal cells. GM-CSF was also secreted by primary renal cell cultures grown in serum-free medium and by renal cell lines. GM-CSF mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in cultured renal cells, but not in undissociated kidney tissue. Rates of GM-CSF secretion were reduced up to 99% under conditions where the cellular density or substratum more closely resembled the in vivo environment. Some cultured human renal carcinoma cells (RCC) secreted GM-CSF at levels that occasionally overlapped the levels produced by the GM-CSF gene-modified human RCC vaccine now in phase I trial. The data indicate that GM-CSF is not expressed in vivo , and that stable GM-CSF secretion is induced by the dissociation and culture of human renal cells.
Automating scholarly article data collection with Action Science Explorer

Keeping up with rapidly emerging research fronts in various inter-disciplinary fields requires significant effort from scholars and researchers. These users are concerned not only with finding relevant articles or websites, but also for gaining the understanding of key articles, authors, citation information, and current trends. Several tools such as Action Science Explorer (ASE) have been developed to evaluate the network of citations between articles, recognize important papers and their clusters, summarize them automatically, delve into the full-text of papers to fetch context, generate reviews, create annotations and finally export results in numerous document authoring formats. Although ASE is useful for researchers and scholars, as a research prototype it is limited and tested on data from the ACL Anthology Network. ASE does not have the ability to automatically import and process scholarly articles from external repositories such as Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, and the ACM Digital Library. This paper contributes an enhanced ASE which automates the data import process: starting with a web search, then generating a citation network, statistics, text analytics, and cluster summaries. Our enhanced ASE gives researchers in many fields the ability to gain an understanding of their academic literature: the key papers, authors, research fronts, hypothesis, and state of the art.
A Cough Aerosol Simulator for the Study of Disease Transmission by Human Cough-Generated Aerosols

Aerosol particles expelled during human coughs are a potential pathway for infectious disease transmission. However, the importance of airborne transmission is unclear for many diseases. To better understand the role of cough aerosol particles in the spread of disease and the efficacy of different types of protective measures, we constructed a cough aerosol simulator that produces a humanlike cough in a controlled environment. The simulated cough has a 4.2 l volume and is based on coughs recorded from influenza patients. In one configuration, the simulator produces a cough aerosol containing particles from 0.1 to 100 µm in diameter with a volume median diameter (VMD) of 8.5 µm and a geometric standard deviation (GSD) of 2.9. In a second configuration, the cough aerosol has a size range of 0.1-30 µm, a VMD of 3.4 µm, and a GSD of 2.3. The total aerosol volume expelled during each cough is 68 µl. By generating a controlled and reproducible artificial cough, the simulator allows us to test different ventilation, disinfection, and personal protection scenarios. The system can be used with live pathogens, including influenza virus, which allows isolation precautions used in the healthcare field to be tested without risk of exposure for workers or patients. The information gained from tests with the simulator will help to better understand the transmission of infectious diseases, develop improved techniques for infection control, and improve safety for healthcare workers and patients.
Weed Population Dynamics after Six Years under Glyphosate- and Conventional Herbicide-based Weed Control Strategies

Field studies using glyphosate-resistant corn (Zea mays L.), sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.), and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were conducted at Scottsbluff, NE, Torrington, WY, and Fort Collins, CO, over 6 yr to evaluate weed population dynamics under glyphosate- and conventional herbicide–based weed control strategies. We report the response of common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), wild buckwheat (Polygonum convolvulus L.), and all grasses combined to four management strategies imbedded in two crop rotations. There were no consistent or highly signifi cant benefi ts from a diverse crop rotation versus continuous corn when weed control was considered. Rotating herbicide mode of action for general weed control provided no benefi t above that provided by glyphosate at 0.8 kg acid equivalent (ae) ha –1 applied twice each year. There was no evidence that any weed species developed resistance to glyphosate. The most striking fi nding of these studies was the buildup of common lambsquarters and wild buckwheat that occurs when glyphosate is applied at 0.4 kg ae ha –1 twice each year. Such a low-use-rate approach is to be completely discouraged since it appears to enrich the gene pool for individuals that survive low rates of glyphosate. The continuing decline in the real cost of glyphosate should eliminate any legitimate reason for growers to consider using less than the full labeled rate of glyphosate. All treatments that included glyphosate at all three locations over 6 yr provided signifi cantly better grass control than the nonglyphosate conventional treatments.
Massive rectal bleeding in the adult

A case of massive rectal bleeding from a nonspecific lesion of the rectum has been presented. The implications of this case have been discussed and the causes of massive rectal bleeding outlined.
Studies in valine biosynthesis: II. Enzymatic dehydration of α,β-dihydroxyisovaleric acid by plant extracts

The dehydration of a, /3-dihydroxyisovaleric acid to a-ketoisovaleric acid is an intermediate step in the biosynthesis of the amino acid, valine. The dehydrase that catalyzes this conversion was first observed in the mold, Neurospora crassa and in a bacterium, Escherichia coli (12). More detailed studies on the dehydrase of baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been reported (22). Recently the dehydration of a, /3-dihydroxyisovaleric acid was found to be catalyzed by cell-free extracts of Torulopsis utilis, Serratia marcesens, Bacterium cadaveris, and Micrococcus lysodeikticus (23). All of the above seven organisms are able to grow with an inorganic nitrogen source and thus can synthesize all of their amino acids. The above two characteristics are likewise shared by higher plants. Verification is found in the nutritional requirements of plant organs in aseptic tissue culture. However there have been no reported studies to date on the pathway of valine biosynthesis in higher plants. In this connection and to continue the above dehydrase distribution studies, this enzymatic activity was found in crude extracts of Chlorella pyrenoidosa. As the photosynthetic algae and fungi, including the above bacteria, belong to the
On the determination of a tridiagonal matrix from its spectrum and a submatrix

Abstract Given a set of 2 n real numbers λ 1 2 2 n , the authors describe the set { S } of n × n tridiagonal matrices with the property that each S can be completed to a 2 n ×2 n tridiagonal matrix L with spec( L )={λ 1 , λ 2 ,…,λ 2 n }.
Laser characterization of ultrasonic wave propagation in random media

Lasers can be used to excite and detect ultrasonic waves in a wide variety of materials. This allows the measurement of absolute particle motion without the mechanical disturbances of contacting transducers. In an ultrasound transmission experiment, the wave field is usually accessible only on the boundaries of a sample. Using optical methods, one can measure the surface wave field, in effect, within the scattering region. Here, we describe noncontacting (laser source and detector) measurements of ultrasonic wave propagation in randomly heterogeneous rock samples. By scanning the surface of the sample, we can directly visualize the complex dynamics of diffraction, multiple scattering, mode conversion, and whispering gallery modes. We will show measurements on rock samples that have similar elastic moduli and intrinsic attenuation, but different grain sizes, and hence, different scattering strengths. The intensity data are well fit by a radiative transfer model, and we use this fact to infer the scattering mean free path.
Noise sources in microwave photonic links

This paper presents an overview of the dominant noise sources in microwave-photonic links. The origins of these noise sources are described and their dependence on system and device parameters are outlined. The need for high signal-to-noise ratios in microwave-photonic links makes such links especially sensitive to amplitude and phase noise sources. All such links include a transmission laser, an electrooptic modulator, a transmission medium (such as optical fiber), and a photodetector for converting the microwave signal used to modulate the laser back into an electrical signal. All of these components contribute to the link noise. Complex interactions within microwave-photonic links that couple noise sources to, or distort, the transmitted microwave signals are also listed. In addition,the paper outlines several techniques for suppressing the various noise and distortion effects in microwave photonic links. Finally, the tradeoffs between the various noise-suppression techniques are described. The information provided in this work will aid in the optimization of microwave-photonic links for specific applications. .
Protected Left Main Angioplasty: Alterations of Intracoronary Doppler Flow Velocity

Coronary blood flow velocity measurements during protected left main coronary angioplasty have not been previously reported. In a patient undergoing angioplasty of left main and circumflex vessels with prior coronary artery bypass grafting, distal coronary flow velocity was measured before, during, and after angioplasty, and again after stenting of the circumflex stenosis. The data demonstrated preserved coronary flow during left main occlusion in this individual and provided new observations that highlight the limitations of our understanding of myocardial blood flow in complex circumstances of high risk angioplasty and interventions following bypass graft surgery.
Mars odyssey neutron sensing of the south residual polar cap

[1] Measurements from the neutron spectrometer instrument of the Mars Odyssey Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (GRS) package for solar aereocentric longitude between 340° and 360° are used to estimate the CO 2 mass, dust content, and covered area of the south residual polar cap. Two models for the cap are explored; a cap uniformly covered in dust-free CO 2 and a Swiss cheese model with an exposed H 2 O ice substrate and 8m mesas composed of CO 2 and dust. A range of 1.0 to 3.0 x 10 17 g is found for the mass of residual CO 2 on the cap, or about 3 to 9% of the total CO 2 seasonally cycled in and out of the atmosphere. For the Swiss cheese model, if the CO 2 is dust-free then 60% of the cap area must be the exposed H 2 O ice substrate. This area decreases with increasing dust concentration in the CO 2 . For example if 45% of the cap area is exposed water ice then 224 g/cm 2 of dust is in the CO 2 and for a typical dust deposition rate of 0.9 x 10 -3 g/cm 2 /yr, the dust can be deposited in ∼25,000 yrs.
Piezoelectric Vibration Control of Translational Flexible Beams Using Switched Stiffness

A switch-shunt stiffness method for vibration attenuation of flexible beams undergoing translational base motion with a laminated piezoelectric patch attachment is presented. The piezoelectric actuator, bonded on the top surface of the flexible beam, is switched between open and short circuit configurations. This results in a variable equivalent stiffness which, in turn, can remove energy from the overall system by directly affecting the stored potential energy in the flexible beam. Initially, a single degree of freedom system is considered for validation of the switched stiffness method. The method is then applied to a flexible beam with moving base, representing a Cartesian-type one-link robot manipulator. Simulation results demonstrate favorable vibration attenuation in both cases; the single degree of freedom oscillator and the cantilever flexible beam. Several variations of the switching mechanisms are explored in an effort to achieve optimal vibration characteristics. Experimental testing is currently under investigation for validation of the simulation results presented here.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Fisheries Education from the Federal Perspective

Abstract Federal fisheries responsibilities are becoming more complex, but without commensurate increases in numbers of personnel. There is an important need to provide a broader education with increased exposure to decision-making and to the political system.
Benefits and Role Performance in Voluntary Organizations: An Exploration of Social Exchange*

This paper reports an exploration of the relationship between members' role performance and the benefits they receive from their organizations. The general relationship is interpreted in the context of a "social exchange model" for voluntary associations. Data for the analysis pertain to members of four voluntary farm organizations: Farm Bureau, Farmers Union, National Farmers Organization, and Grange. The data were obtained in a state-wide survey of Wisconsin farm operators in 1965. In general, the data show a moderate relationship, in a positive direction, between benefits and role performance. The benefits tend to differ in the magnitude and, in some instances, in the direction of their relationships to such performance. The findings indicate the importance of taking into account magnitude and direction of relationship, as well as interaction among the benefits and among costs, in order to devise a viable social exchange model of costbenefit relations for voluntary associations.
Gain characteristics of deep UV AlGaN quantum wells lasers

The optical gain characteristics of high Al-content AlGaN quantum wells (QWs) are analyzed for deep UV lasers. The effect of crystal-field split-off hole (CH) and heavy-hole (HH) bands crossover on the gain characteristics of AlGaN QW with AlN barriers is analyzed. Attributing to the strong transition between conduction - CH bands, the TM spontaneous emission recombination rate is enhanced significantly for high Al-content AlGaN QWs. Large TM-polarized material gain is shown as achievable for high Al-content AlGaN QWs, which indicates the feasibility of TM lasing for lasers emitting at ~220-230 nm.
Treatment with poly I.C. enhances lipid peroxidation and the activity of xanthine oxidase, and decreases hepatic P-450 content and activities in mice and rats

Treatment of mice and rats with polyriboinosinic acid-polyribocytidylic acid (poly I.C., 5 mg/kg i.p.), a potent interferon inducer, decreased hepatic cytochrome P-450 system content and activities without influencing P-450-independent xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes. Treatment with poly I.C. decreased the content of P-450 by 28% in mice (P
Categories and sexuality

The categories we create and how we think about these categories are fundamentally important—and are often open to misinterpretation. The following points are illustrated using examples related to gender, sexual orientation, and other aspects of sexuality: (a) Categories are created by people; thus, there are no objective or universal definitions. Definitions change over time and place, and they have political implications, advantaging some people and disadvantaging others. (b) Beware of exaggerating differences between categories. A significant difference between groups does not mean that they do not overlap; they usually overlap considerably. There is almost always more variability within groups than between groups. (c) Categories are often proxies for other variables. When interpreting differences between categories, remember that other variables confounded with these categories could be driving the effect. (d) Neither a similarities perspective, in which the differences between two categories are mini...
Statewide ban on recreational fires resulted in a significant decrease in campfire-related summer burn center admissions

Every summer, there is an increase in the number of burn injuries caused by accidents around campfires. Because of the prevalence of drought, high winds, and uncontrolled wild fires, a statewide ban on recreational fires was instituted in New Mexico from June to July 2011. We hypothesized that this legislation would have a significant impact on burn admissions caused by campfire-related injuries. A retrospective review of summer admissions to a state burn center was conducted to assess the effect of this ban on recreational fire injuries, and these data were compared with that of the previous summer when no ban was in effect. All burn admissions to a state burn center were reviewed from Memorial Day to Labor Day in 2010 and 2011. Data collected included cause, % TBSA, age, days of hospitalization, intensive care unit days, and total surface area grafted. Nonparametric statistical analysis was performed with Fisher exact test for dichotomous data and Mann-Whitney test for continuous data with significance at P < .05. There were 164 burn center admissions between Memorial Day and Labor Day in 2010 (n = 82) and 2011 (n = 82). Compared with all summer burn center admissions, patients injured by campfires were younger (18 vs 37 years; P = .002) with smaller total surface area burns (3.2 vs 6.2%; P = .41) and had shorter lengths of stay (10-11 vs 6-7 days; P = .62). There was more than a 3-fold decrease in burn admissions due to recreational fires during the study period (n = 14 [17%] in 2010 and 4 [5%] in 2011; P = .02). This resulted in a decrease in the number of patient-days from 91 in 2010 to 25 in 2011. Half of the camp fire admissions required skin grafts to definitively close the wounds (6/14 in 2010 and 2/4 in 2011). Recreational fire bans targeted at controlling wildfires during conditions favoring rapid spread were associated with a 3- to 4-fold decrease in campfire-related burn admissions. Compared with a summer when no fire ban was in effect, the number of patient-days decreased from 91 to 25.
MO-D-220-08: Quantitative Embryonic Central Nervous System Imaging Using High- Frequency Annular Arrays

Purpose: The central nervous system(CNS) is the first organ to develop during mammalian embryogenesis and the CNS dynamically evolves well into the postnatal stages. Abnormal CNS phenotypes are normally visualized in vivo or with fixed samples using magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). Current MRI coil technology does not permit early‐stage in vivo imaging of the mouse embryo CNS. Here, a custom‐made, high‐frequency‐ultrasound annular‐array system operating at 38 MHz was utilized to perform in vivo imaging of early‐stage mouse embryo CNS. Methods: A custom‐made ultrasound scanning system using a piezopolymer‐based annular array was utilized for the imaging studies. The array had five equal‐area elements, a 6 mm total aperture, and a 12 mm geometric focus. The scanning system was designed to perform five scans across an object in order to acquire all transmit‐to‐receive data (25 data sets). This data was then synthetically focused to achieve enhanced depth of field and lateral resolution. In addition, the system utilized a coded‐excitation scheme to enhance SNR and penetration depth, and a respiratory gate to reduce motion artifacts. A full 3D volumetric data set could be acquired in approximately 2 minutes. Results: In vivo, in utero volumetric data were acquired from 78 mouse embryos spanning embryonic days 10 to 13. The data sets were processed with a semi‐automated image segmentation algorithm and brain volumes were calculated. The results indicated that during these mid‐gestational stages, there was an increase in CNS volume of 38% while volumetric renderings revealed the complex remodeling of the neuroarchitecture showing more cell proliferation than increase in brain mass. Conclusions: High‐frequency annular arrays with coded excitation offer an effective means of acquiring in vivo, in utero ultrasound data of the embryonic mouse and can be used to rapidly analyze the normal or abnormal development of the CNS during longitudinal studies. This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (EB008606).
Blood pressure and pulse responses to three stressors: associations with sociodemographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors

Cardiovascular reactivity is hypothesized to increase the risk of hypertension and other CVD-related conditions. However, studies to date are inconclusive. We compared the association of blood pressure and pulse responses to three stressors (postural challenge, handgrip test, mental arithmetic) with sociodemographic characteristics and CVD risk factors. We included 782 participants from the Hypertension Genetic Epidemiology Study. Blood pressure and pulse responses to stressors were defined as the difference between post- and pre-stress measurements. Stepwise regression analyses examined change in SBP and pulse in response to stressors as a function of sociodemographic and CVD risk factors. Age, race, and gender were forced into models and other variables (education, BMI, waist circumference, resting SBP and DBP, cigarette smoking, LDL and HDL cholesterol, glucose, and antihypertensive medications (beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, ace inhibitors)) were retained if P<0.10. Age was a significant predictor of SBP response to all stressors. The SBP response to a change in posture was not related to other variables. The SBP response to mental arithmetic was significantly higher among men, those with larger waists, higher SBP, beta-blocker users, and lower among smokers. SBP response to the handgrip was significantly higher among those with higher SBP and beta-blocker users. Similarly, the association of the pulse response to the risk factors varied considerably across the stressors. Overall, the socio-demographic and CVD risk factors accounted for between 9 and 14% of the variance in the SBP response to the stressors and from between 4 and 12% of the variance in the pulse response to the three stressors. The associations between sociodemographic and CVD risk factors and the SBP and pulse response to stress were modest and inconsistent across stressors. The findings suggest that cardiovascular reactivity is a concept that needs to be defined in reference to specific stressors so that mechanisms leading to responses can be better understood.
Threat of renovated .NET viruses to mobile devices

This research investigates the threat .NET viruses pose to mobile devices supporting the .NET Compact Framework. The focus is on (1) the feasibility of transforming, via renovation, a .NET virus to comply with the .NET Compact Framework and (2) deciding if the transformed virus can succeed in infecting a mobile device supporting the .NET Compact Framework. A formal model to identify non .NET CF compliant source code and to derive transformation rules is presented and characterized. The model was used to transform a test suite of .NET viruses to comply with the .NET Compact Framework. These transformed viruses successfully infected files on two mobile devices. Four desktop virus detectors were tested to detect the .NET viruses and their transformed versions. Three of the four did worse in detecting the transformed versions than on the original .NET version. The research shows that .NET viruses pose an apparent and realizable threat to mobile devices supporting the .NET Compact Framework.
Ankle-foot orthoses: Effect on gait abnormalities in tibial nerve paralysis

To study the biomechanical effects of gastrocnemius-soleus dysfunction and its potential remediation, the gait patterns of six able-bodied young adults were analyzed before and after induced temporary tibial nerve paralysis. Ambulation with the tibial nerve block was performed with and without the assistance of an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) with a rigid anterior stop adjusted to either 5 degrees plantarflexion or 5 degrees dorsiflexion. The gait abnormalities resulting from tibial nerve paralysis include delayed advancement of the center of pressure, delayed ipsilateral heeloff and early contralateral heelstrike, decreased steplength, decreased ankle dorsiflexion moment, and increased knee flexion moment. This study provides quantitative information on the degree to which these abnormalities were corrected by appropriately adjusted AFOs. When using an AFO with an anterior stop, subjects with tibial nerve paralysis had improved advancement of the center of pressure (p less than 0.01). The body's ground reactive force line moved forward more normally, pivoting over the metatarsal head area and raising the heel earlier than observed with uncorrected tibial nerve paralysis, thus approximating the normal ankle dorsiflexion moment, normal timing of gait events, normal advancement of the hip, and normal steplength. The AFO with the anterior stop set at 5 degrees plantarflexion was more effective in restoring the values to normal than the AFO with the anterior stop set at 5 degrees dorsiflexion, but still did not consistently achieve the normal values. Only by using the AFO with the anterior stop set at 5 degrees plantarflexion was the increased knee flexion moment observed during the block reduced to normal levels (p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The impact of ADC nonlinearity in a mixed-signal compressive sensing system for frequency-domain sparse signals

Abstract Compressive sensing (CS) holds new promises for the digitization of wideband frequency-domain sparse signals at sub-Nyquist rate sampling without compromising the reconstruction quality. In this paper, the impact of ADC nonlinearity in a CS receiver for frequency-domain sparse signals is investigated. In a mixed-signal CS system, signals are randomized before sampling. The signal spectrum at each building block in the mixed-signal CS system is analyzed and compared to a conventional Nyquist-rate sampling system. It is shown that the signal randomization in a mixed-signal CS system is able to spread the spurious energy due to ADC nonlinearity along the signal bandwidth, rather than the concentration of harmonic distortion on a few frequencies as it is the case for a conventional ADC. As a result, this paper shows that a significant ADC SFDR (Spurious Free Dynamic Range) improvement is achieved in a CS receiver when processing sparse signals. Simulation results are reported which are in good agreement with the qualitative analysis.