cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
All-optical polarization-independent diffraction in dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystal

We present a detailed description of a novel dye-doped cholesteric LC cell that exhibits polarization-independent diffraction based on a photochromic mechanism. The photochromic phase grating exhibited over 90% polarization independence of the writing beams, and over 90% polarization-independent self and probe diffractions were observed. No external ac or dc field is needed for operation. Unpolarized light can also be used for writing-in beam and/or read-out beam, making this method immediately suitable for applications of light modulation. To our knowledge this cell represents the first example of polarization-independent photochromic phase modulation and light diffraction, for both writing and probe beams, in an anisotropic liquid crystalline material.
Secular trend of adhesive capsulitis

Objective Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is a painful shoulder disorder resulting in restrictions of daily activities. Given the recent increase in risk factors for AC, such as diabetes mellitus, research is needed to examine if the incidence of AC has also increased. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the secular trend of AC. Methods Subjects were from The Health Improvement Network, an electronic medical record database of general practices across the UK from 1995–2008. General practitioners diagnosed AC. We included subjects ages 40–79 years and defined an incident case as the first diagnosis of AC following at least 1 year of enrollment in the database. We examined the potential independent effects of age, calendar time, and birth cohort using an age–period–cohort model. To approximate effect estimates, we applied proportional hazards models and separately adjusted for diabetes mellitus. Results Of 2,188,958 subjects (50.0% women), the incidence of AC was 2.36 and 3.38 per 1,000 person-years for men and women, respectively. Age–period–cohort model graphs suggested a secular trend due to a birth cohort, but not calendar effect. For each 10-year increment in birth cohort, the incidence rate increased by 8% in women (hazard ratio 1.08, 95% confidence interval 1.05–1.13). There was no increase in AC incidence for men. Adjusting for diabetes mellitus did not change these associations materially. Conclusion We found women born more recently are at a higher risk of developing AC compared with women born earlier. Future research is needed to identify risk factors that may be responsible for this increase.
Pentoxifylline: Aphthous Stomatitis:

Off-Label Drug Uses — This Hospital Pharmacy feature is extracted from Off-Label DrugFacts, a quarterly publication available from Wolters Kluwer Health. Off-Label DrugFacts is a practitioner-orien...
Adenosine scavenging: A novel mechanism of chloride secretory control in intestinal epithelial cells

Background. Adenosine released by cells during ischemia typically serves as a feedback inhibitor of further organ work. However, in ischemic intestine, adenosine appears to act via stimulatory A 2b receptors to increase work in the form of chloride ion (Cl - ) secretion. This unusual response may contribute to luminal fluid sequestration in intestinal ischemia. In nonischemic cells feed-forward activation of Cl - secretion does not occur despite the fact that adenosine may be continuously generated during normal cell metabolism. Thus we postulated that intestinal epithelia normally control the disposition of adenosine to prevent inappropriate activation of secretion. Methods. Model T84 intestinal epithelia were studied by means of electrophysiologic and isotopic techniques. Results. Dipyridamole and nitrobenzylthioinosine (inhibitors of nucleoside transport) and iodotubercidin (an inhibitor of adenosine kinase) caused adenosine to accumulate extracellularly and induced a Cl - secretory response that was prevented by adenosine receptor blockade. Uptake of exogenous adenosine was restricted to the basolateral compartment and was blocked by nucleoside transport inhibitors. Conclusions. Adenosine released from nonischemic intestinal epithelial cells is scavenged by a basolaterally restricted adenosine transporter. This system maintains extracellular adenosine levels below the prosecretory threshold and thus limits adenosine-elicited activation of Cl - secretion (and hence diarrhea) under normal conditions.
Bush decides on Yucca Mountain

Yucca Mountain in Nevada will be the U.S. long-term geologic repository for high-level radioactive waste, President George W. Bush announced on 15 February. Bush endorsed a formal recommendation by Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Spencer Abraham, which followed more than 20 years of scientific study. The decision, which the state of Nevada is challenging in the U.S. Congress, allows the government's plans for the repository to proceed to the licensing phase. The plan calls for Yucca Mountain to accept a total of 84,900 metric tons of radioactive waste from temporary storage facilities at 131 sites in 39 states.
Seawater transport and reaction in upper oceanic basaltic basement: chemical data from continuous monitoring of sealed boreholes in a ridge flank environment

Osmotically pumped fluid samplers were deployed in four deep-sea boreholes that were drilled during Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 168 on the eastern flank of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. Samplers were recovered from ODP Sites 1024 and 1027 and aliquots were analyzed for a variety of dissolved ions. Results from both of the samplers show a drastic change in the major ion composition within the first 20–40 days after the borehole was sealed at the seafloor followed by a more gradual change in composition. This gradual change ceased after 820 days at Site 1024 but continued throughout the 3-year deployment at Site 1027. We modeled this change in composition to estimate the flux of formation fluid through the open borehole. The rapid early change requires a flow of ∼1500 kg of formation fluid per day. The more gradual later change requires flow rates of 38 kg/day at Site 1024 and 17.5 kg/day at Site 1027. The latter fluxes require a minimum average specific discharge of meters to hundreds of meters per year through the surrounding basaltic matrix. Trace element data show surprisingly little contamination given the presence of steel casing, Li-organic-rich grease at each joint, cement, and drilling muds. Observed changes in trace element concentrations relative to those of bottom seawater provide a measure for the global significance of cool (23°C; ODP Site 1024) ridge flank hydrothermal systems relative to warm (64°C; Baby Bare and ODP Site 1027) hydrothermal systems and illustrate the importance of these cooler systems to global geochemical budgets.
Modeling mechanisms of vegetation change due to fire in a semi-arid ecosystem

Vegetation growth and community composition in semi-arid environments is determined by water availability and carbon assimilation mechanisms specific to different plant types. Disturbance also impacts vegetation productivity and composition dependent on area affected, intensity, and frequency factors. In this study, a new spatially explicit ecosystem model is presented for the purpose of simulating vegetation cover type changes associated with fire disturbance in the northern Chihuahuan Desert region. The model is called the Landscape and Fire Simulator (LAFS) and represents physiological activity of six functional plant types incorporating site climate, fire, and seed dispersal routines for individual grid cells. We applied this model for Big Bend National Park, Texas, by assessing the impact of wildfire on the trajectory of vegetation communities over time. The model was initialized and calibrated based on landcover maps derived from Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper data acquired in 1986 and 1999 coupled with plant biomass measurements collected in the field during 2000. Initial vegetation cover change analysis from satellite data showed shrub encroachment during this time period that was captured in the simulated results. A synthetic 50-year climate record was derived from historical meteorological data to assess system response based on initial landcover conditions. This simulation showed that shrublands increased to the detriment of grass and yucca-ocotillo vegetation cover types indicating an ecosystem-level trajectory for shrub encroachment. Our analysis of simulated fires also showed that fires significantly reduced site biomass components including leaf area, stem, and seed biomass in this semi-arid ecosystem. In contrast to other landscape simulation models, this new model incorporates detailed physiological responses of functional plant types that will allow us to simulated the impact of increased atmospheric CO2 occurring with climate change coupled with fire disturbance. Simulations generated from this model are expected to be the subject of subsequent studies on landscape dynamics with specific regard to prediction of wildlife distributions associated with fire management and climate change.
Cowpea Yield Response to Light Reflected from Different Colored Mulches

The spectral balance (quality) of canopy light, which influences plant growth and development, may be altered by colored mulches. Field studies were conducted to evaluate the influence of mulch surface color on spectral composition of canopy light and the effect of these changes on pod yield of Colossus and Mississippi Silver cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] Cowpea was grown on a Norfolk Loamy sand (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Kandiudult) and mulced with red, white, and black surface-colored mulches for four site-years. The far-red (FR) to red (R) photo ratios of reflected light were expressed relative to the FR/R ratio in incoming sunlight, which was assigned a value of 1.00 at the time of measurement. The FR/R ratios of light reflected from the various colored surfaces were stable relative to sunlight during the study periods; light reflected from black and white mulch surfaces had mean FR/R ratios of 1.05±0.05. Red mucles reflected light with mean FR/R ratios of 1.25±0.05. White, red, and black surfaces reflected >35, 12, and 3% of the incoming photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), respectively. Mean daily soil temperatures at 20 mm varied <1 o C among treatments. The cultivar and the color × cultivar treatment effects were no significant. Cowpea grown over red, white, and black mulches ahd 4-site-yr means of 6.74, 6.32, and 6.02 Mg ha −1 , respectively; the red treatment mean was significantly higher (P=0.08). It was concluded that the FR/R ratio in light reflected from mulch surfaces can influence yield of cowpea
Exact finite range DWBA results for the 12C(p, d)11C reaction at 700 MeV

Abstract The differential cross-sections for the 12C(p, d)11C (g.s.) reaction at 700 MeV have been calculated in a full finite range DWBA approach. The absolute cross sections agree with the data and are dominated by contributions arising from the deuteron D-state.
Axis switching and spreading of an asymmetric jet: the role of coherent structure dynamics

The effects of vortex generators and periodic excitation on vorticity dynamics and the phenomenon of axis switching in a free asymmetric jet are studied experimentally. Most of the data reported are for a 3:1 rectangular jet at a Reynolds number of 450 000 and a Mach number of 0.31. The vortex generators are in the form of ‘delta tabs’, triangular-shaped protrusions into the flow, placed at the nozzle exit. With suitable placement of the tabs, axis switching could be either stopped or augmented. Two mechanisms are identified governing the phenomenon. One, as described by previous researchers, is due to the difference in induced velocities for different segments of a rolled-up azimuthal vortical structure. The other is due to the induced velocities of streamwise vortex pairs in the flow. While the former mechanism, referred to here as the ωθ-dynamics, is responsible for a rapid axis switching in periodically forced jets, e.g. screeching supersonic jets, the effect of the tabs is governed mainly by the latter mechanism, referred to as the ωx-dynamics. Both dynamics can be active in a natural asymmetric jet; the tendency for axis switching caused by the ωθ-dynamics may be, depending on the streamwise vorticity distribution, either resisted or enhanced by the ωx-dynamics. While this simple framework qualitatively explains the various observations made on axis switching, mechanisms actually in play may be much more complex. The two dynamics are not independent as the flow field is replete with both azimuthal and streamwise vortical structures which continually interact. Phase-averaged measurements for a periodically forced case, over a volume of the flow field, are carried out in an effort to gain insight into the dynamics of these vortical structures. The results are used to examine such processes as the reorientation of the azimuthal vortices, the resultant evolution of streamwise vortex pairs, as well as the redistribution of streamwise vortices originating from secondary flow within the nozzle.
Delta endotoxin inhibits Rb+ uptake, lowers cytoplasmic pH and inhibits a K+-ATPase in Manduca sexta CHE cells.

Delta endotoxin, a 68 kilodalton protein isolated fromBacillus thuringiensis spp.Kurstaki, is a potent entomocidal agent that alters a K+ current across midgut tissue of many phytophagous insects. This toxin completely inhibited the vanadate-sensitive86Rb+ uptake and mimicked the vanadate-induced decrease in cytosolic pH in a cell line (CHE) originating fromManduca sexta embryonic tissue. The toxin also inhibited a K+-sensitive-ATPase in the plasma membranes isolated from these cells. Using the K+-sensitive-ATPase substratp-nitrophenyl phosphate, delta endotoxin was found to have aK i of 0.4 μm. These data suggest that the toxin inhibits a K+-ATPase responsible for86Pb+ uptake in the CHE cells. The relationship between the toxin inhibition of K+-ATPase and toxin-altered K+ current is discussed.
The relationship among childhood risk and protective factors, racial microaggression and ethnic identity, and academic self-efficacy and antisocial behavior in young adulthood

We examined how childhood and adolescent risk and protective factors and perceptions of racial microaggression and ethnic identity during young adulthood contributed to academic self-efficacy, substance abuse, and criminal intentions of 409 undergraduate students enrolled in a public urban university. Participants (mean age -- 24) completed a web-based survey subsequent to a stratified, random sampling procedure. FINDINGS from structural equation models revealed that risk factors reflecting problem behavior during childhood were associated with higher levels of substance use and criminal intentions during adulthood. The early protective factor of school engagement was positively related to academic self-efficacy and negatively related to criminal intentions in young adults. Racial microaggression was inversely related, while ethnic identity was positively associated, with academic self-efficacy among young adults after controlling for the influence of child and adolescent risk and protective factors. Implications for advancing interventions that address the influence of child and adolescent risk and protective factors, racial microaggression, and ethnic identity on academic and behavioral outcomes for young adults are noted.
DISTRIBUTED TRANSFER FUNCTION ANALYSIS OF MULTI-BODY PRISMATIC ELASTIC SOLIDS

A semi-analytical method is developed for static and dynamic analyses of three-dimensional elastic solids composed of prismatic subregions. Based on a prism distributed transfer function formulation, the method is capable of synthesizing multi-body continua, and at the same time maintains the high accuracy and efficiency of analytical solutions. The proposed method is unique in that it systematically generates closed-form, semi-analytical regional solutions that can be used for multi-body assembly. Unlike many analytical approaches, the method does not depend on any series expansion, and is valid for arbitrary external loads and boundary conditions. Numerical examples are provided to justify the advantages of the proposed method.
The Psychology of Eco-Consumption

Information programs to promote cellulosic biofuels may not achieve their objectives unless consumers can be induced to care about the information presented to them. The social psychology literature highlights two commonly used models to link psychological variables to environmentally related behaviors: the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Norm Activation Theory (NAT). Other studies have compared the strength of these models or have adapted these models by adding additional variables, but few have compared across the alternative variable combinations noted in the literature. That is, most studies have added one or two psychological variables to the NAT or TPB models and have found that the additional variable is a significant factor influencing behavior. However, we are unfamiliar with any study that has included the full suite of examined variables within one model. This could be a problem in that the psychological variables are likely to be correlated. In turn, the output of these models may suffer from omitted variable bias; which could lead to erroneous conclusions about the importance of any specific variable. Previous findings that individual variables are significant in influencing behaviors may be incorrect. One objective here then is to start examining whether these 'significant findings' are robust, and if not, whether we can be more parsimonious in future modeling efforts. Economists often assume preferences are adequately proxied by the person's socioeconomic characteristics or by the person's participation in some environmental behavior. Recently, economists have begun to recognize that these characteristics are poor proxies especially since the proxies commonly used are binary (0/1) variables that provide relatively little detail, are usually not policy or program relevant and lack a theoretical justification. Thus, another objective is to compare the performance of models that incorporate these proxy variables with models incorporating psychological variables. Our results suggest: that a combined TPB and NAT model may be more effective than either model alone; that many variables seen as important in the literature may be less important than previously thought (allowing for more parsimonious models - resulting in less costly data collection); and that common proxy variables like membership in an environmental group may not work that well.
APPLICATION OF FORMAL SCATTERING THEORY TO MANY-BODY PROBLEMS

It is pointed out that the Lippmann-Schwinger integral equation, as it is usually written, does not necessarily have a unique solution when applied to the motion of three or more bodies. It follows that a certain amount of caution must be exercised in using the Lippmann-Schwinger equation as the basis for an approximation procedure.
Stability criteria for non-Doppler lasers

Under some conditions many types of laser oscillators are known to produce their output in the form of an infinite periodic pulse train, even when the pump rate and cavity losses are independent of time. For some lasers the underlying cause of the instability is well understood, while for others the source of pulsations remains unknown. Emphasis here is on a coherent pulsation effect which previously has only been analyzed in relation to Doppler-broadened gas lasers. The same effect is shown to apply also to lasers with non-Doppler line broadening and the governing stability criteria are derived.
Effects of the free radical scavenger DMTU and mannitol on the oxygen paradox in perfused rat hearts

The oxygen paradox refers to the abrupt release of cytoplasmic enzymes and severe cellular disruption that occurs following reoxygenation of anoxic perfused hearts. In this study, the ability of a series of oxygen-derived free radical inhibitors and scavenging agents to protect isolated perfused rat hearts from the oxygen-induced enzyme release following 30 or 60 mins of anoxic perfusion (oxygen paradox) and cumene hydroperoxide-induced injury was evaluated. Malondialdehyde (MDA) release, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, and creatine kinase (CK) release, an indicator of cellular injury, were monitored. We evaluated five agents previously reported to scavenge or inhibit the formation of oxygen free radicals. The putative hydroxyl radical scavengers dimethylthiourea (DMTU) and mannitol; catalase, an agent protective against peroxide injury; allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase; and albumin, a non-specific protein control, were evaluated. Coronary flow rates and myocardial temperature were continuously monitored to ensure uniform perfusion conditions. The MDA assay was carefully monitored by constructing standard curves on each experimental day. Addition of 20 μ m cumene hydroperoxide to oxygenated perfused hearts caused peroxidative cell injury as evidenced by significant MDA and CK release in the coronary effluent. DMTU and catalase provided near complete protection from cumene hydroperoxide-induced cell injury but did not reduce CK release from hearts subjected to either the mild (30-min) or the severe (60-min) oxygen paradox (reoxygenation-induced injury). Allopurinol caused a significant reduction in MDA release but not CK release from oxygen paradox-injured hearts. Allopurinol and albumin had no significant effect on MDA release from cumene-hydroperoxide-injured hearts. Catalase (300 U/ml) caused a mild but not statistically significant reduction in MDA release from cumene hydroperoxide injury but did not provide protection from the oxygen paradox at either injury level. Mannitol (120 m m ), in contrast to DMTU, was ineffective in reducing cumene-induced injury but showed a significant protective effect against oxygen paradox-induced damage. It is concluded that the ability of mannitol to reduce reoxygenation-induced CK release in the oxygen paradox may be due to its osmotic activity and consequent ability to prevent cellular swelling rather than its activity as an oxygen-free radical scavenger.
The aldehyde reaction with bilirubin of bile and of bile pigment in the icteric liver.

Golden brown bile is promptly turned green, even under oil, by addition of various aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes: formaldehyde, paraldehyde, chloral hydrate, isobutyraldehyde, glyoxal, glyoxalic acid, glutaraldehyde, benzaldehyde, p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde and vanillin. In the case of formaldehyde this color change is accompanied by spectroscopic alterations and by a decrease in bilirubin assay by the Malloy-Evelyn technic. Brown yellow icteric liver tissue is similarly colored green by immersion in formaldehyde, paraldehyde, chloral hydrate, benzaldehyde and p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde. This color is returned to yellow by reducing agents: sodium bisulfite or thiosulfate, ferrous salts, acetone and alcohols: methyl, ethyl and ethylene glycol. Thus reduced tissue is again colored green by reexposure to aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes. This color cycle may be repeated at least three times. Formaldehyde also oxidizes ferrous salts to ferric, as well as reducing ferric salts to ferrous, incompletely in both instances, so that ferroso-ferric mixtures result. On weighing of ferrous ferricyanide precipitates an oxidation of about 16% of a ferrous sulfate solution and a reduction of 30% of a ferric chloride solution was indicated. These two salts respectively reduced biliverdin to bilirubin and oxidized bilirubin to biliverdin in reported histochemical studies.
Influence of a "friendly visitor" program on the cognitive functioning and morale of elderly persons.

Forty-nine nursing home residents were randomly assigned to a visitation condition focusing on conversational interaction, a visitation condition in which the playing of cognitively challenging games supplemented conversation, or a no-treatment control condition. Each subject in a visitation condition was visited by an undergraduate student twice per week for 8 weeks. Before and after the visitation period, all subjects were given four tests of cognitive functioning (vocabulary, matrices, memory, problem-solving), three tests of morale (Life Satisfaction Index A; Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale, self-perceived health), and were rated by nursing home activity directors on morale, program participation, alertness, sociability, and physical condition. A multivariate analysis of covariance, in which age, education, and length of nursing home residency were covariates, revealed a reliable overall effect for the treatment (p = .001). Subjects in both visitation conditions generally demonstrated improved performance relative to control subjects, and subjects in the conversation-plus-games condition demonstrated the greatest improvement. The univariate effects for memory, self-perceived health, and ratings of sociability were reliable.
Scintillation characterization under diverse conditions

The Starfire Optical Range (SOR) has measured scintillatjon at 1 .5microns over a wide range of elevation angles. Comparison of measured results with theoretical expectations revealed widespread agreement. Increasing zenith angle produced increased spatial correlation distances and loss of high spatial frequency content. The magnitude of the increase in correlation distance agreed with accepted theory which predicts dependence on the distance to the turbulence, which is at the tropopause in this case. The bandwidth ofthe collected signal had no discernible effect on correlation distance nor on the amount of scintillation. For the experimental bandwidths used, none were expected. Aperture averaging followed Yura and McKinley's prediction of a diameter to the 716th dependence. Using spatially separated apertures was also shown to be effective at decreasing the amount of scintillation beyond total area effects. Increasing the aperture dimensions had an even larger effect on the number of fades below a given threshold. For optical communication applications, this should be considered closely.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The delivery of low-cost, low-carbon rural energy services

The provision of both electrical and mechanical energy services can play a critical role in poverty alleviation for the almost two billion rural users who currently lack access to electricity. Distributed generation using diesel generators remains a common means of electricity provision for rural communities throughout the world. Due to rising fuel costs, the need to address poverty, and consequences of global warming, it is necessary to develop cost efficient means of reducing fossil fuel consumption in isolated diesel microgrids. Based on a case study in Nicaragua, a set of demand and supply side measures are ordered by their annualized costs in order to approximate an energy supply curve. The curve highlights significant opportunities for reducing the costs of delivering energy services while also transitioning to a carbon-free electrical system. In particular, the study demonstrates the significant cost savings resulting from the implementation of conventional metering, efficient residential lighting, and electricity generation using renewable energy sources.
Thyroid involvement in systemic sarcoidosis.

children between the ages of 6 and 9 years. The use of anticancer drugs, radiation, and corticosteroids favors the inception and perpetuation of infestation. Dissemination of strongyloidiasis in the patients reported by Rogers and Nelson 1 and Viola 2 was probably due to altered immunologic mechanisms. At least one complication of parasitic infestation, intestinal malabsorption with steatorrhea, apparently may be precipitated by the administration of corticosteroids2 Eosinophilia was not a helpful indicator of parasitic infestation in these patients. Thirty-one of 32 patients presented with eosinophilia, but parasitic disease was proved in only 9. Fernbach and associates 7 found eosinophilia of up to 49 per cent in a group of leukemic patients receiving cyclophosphamide. All 32 patients included in this study were receiving, or had recently received, this agent. The experience of this study indicates that parasitic infestation can be treated successfully in children with malignant disease without apparent toxicity or sequelae.
Variant BDNF (Val66Met) impact on brain structure and function.

Neurotrophins, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), are a unique family of polypeptide growth factors that influence differentiation and survival of neurons in the developing nervous system. In adults, BDNF is important in regulating synaptic plasticity and connectivity in the brain. Recently, a common single-nucleotide polymorphism in the human BDNF gene, resulting in a valine to methionine substitution in the prodomain (Val66Met), has been shown to lead to memory impairment and susceptibility to neuropsychiatric disorders. An understanding of how this naturally occurring polymorphism affects behavior, anatomy, and cognition in adults is an important first step in linking genetic alterations in the neurotrophin system to definable biological outcomes in humans. We review the recent literature linking this BDNF polymorphism to cognitive impairment in the context of in vitro and transgenic animal studies that have established BDNF’s central role in neuronal functioning in the adult brain.
A strand plain soil development sequence in Northern Michigan, USA

Abstract A practical problem limiting the theoretical application of a soil chronosequence study lies in the difficulty of identifying an appropriate geomorphic age sequence with more than a few surfaces. A sequence of approximately 75 strand plain beach ridges located along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, USA, overcomes this problem, and was used to explore rates of soil development in the initial stages of podzolization. Well drained pedons were sampled on 24 of the ridges, with an age range of 10 to 5200 years. Chronofunctions were developed using statistical regression techniques. For most forms of extractable Fe and Al, both linear and log–linear functions adequately describe the changes in property with surface age. Dithionite–citrate extractable Fe content, however, shows little correlation with surface age. High r 2 values (>0.7) for chronofunctions representing most extractable sesquioxide forms suggest that B horizon sesquioxide content increases with surface age, as expected for soils undergoing podzolization. Visual inspection of chronofunction data suggests that scatter increases on surfaces older than 3000 years, possibly because soil spatial variability increases with surface age. Theory suggests that the log–linear form of chronofunctions may be preferable to the linear form for these pedons. In general, equation slopes are steeper for chronofunctions representing only the initial 1650 years of soil development than for those representing the entire 5200-year sequence, suggesting that initially rapid pedogenesis slows over time. Most chronofunctions for pH and weighted profile organic C are not statistically significant, possibly because the temporal resolution of the chronosequence is too coarse to detect valid trends for properties that rapidly approach a steady state.
SU‐E‐I‐70: Semi‐Automatic, User‐Driven Breast, Chest Wall and FGT Segmentations Based on Hough Transform, Morphology Tools and Histogram Technology

Purpose: Preliminary analysis shows that breast fibroglandular tissue (FGT) ratio and background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) of magnetic resonance(MR)imaging are predictive of future breast cancer risk. Adequate methods for automatic/semi‐automatic breast and chest wall segmentation, and FGT histogram extraction and analysis were not available. Methods: This method is tested on the retrospective HIPAA‐compliant study, which includes 1275 women who underwent breast MRimaging between December 2002 and February 2008. The method works in user‐directed stages for each image slice: 1. A straight‐line and ellipse Hough transform are applied to detect chest wall boundaries and separate out the chest region if it is present. 2. Edge detection and morphology tools are deployed to segment out the breast region. Human input is required to justify and adjust the segmentation result. 3. Typical breast MRI histograms have double peaks, of fat regions and FGT content inside the segmented breast. Human input is needed here to justify and select a proper segmentation threshold value for whole breast FGT segmentation. Interactive GUIs were developed in Matlab for all the human input sections. Results: Various chest wall boundary lines are detected by Hough transform. Breast region is segmented out either automatically by the morphology tools or redefined by researchers if there is no proper boundaries available in the MRimages. Breast region is analyzed by histogram technology to separate FGT from fat. Conclusions: We have developed a semi‐automatic human‐guided breast segmentation method for MRI based on Hough transform, morphology tools and histogram technology. This approach enables novel breast segmentation and analysis.
Effects of caffeine on skin and core temperatures, alertness, and recovery sleep during circadian misalignment.

Caffeine promotes wakefulness during night shift work, although it also disturbs subsequent daytime sleep. Increased alertness by caffeine is associated with a higher core body temperature (CBT). A lower CBT and a narrow distal-to-proximal skin temperature gradient (DPG) have been reported to be associated with improved sleep, yet whether caffeine influences the DPG is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that the use caffeine during nighttime total sleep deprivation would reduce the DPG, increase CBT and alertness, and disturb subsequent daytime recovery sleep. We also expected that a greater widening of the DPG prior to sleep would be associated with a greater degree of sleep disturbance. Thirty healthy adults (9 females) aged 21.6 ± 3.5 years participated in a double-blind, 28-h modified constant routine protocol. At 23 h of wakefulness, participants in the treatment condition (n = 10) were given 2.9 mg/kg caffeine, equivalent to ~200 mg (or 2 espressos) for a 70-kg adult, 5 h before a daytime recovery sleep episode. Throughout the protocol, core and skin body temperatures, DPG, sleep architecture, and subjective alertness and mood were measured. Prior to sleep, caffeine significantly widened the DPG and increased CBT, alertness, and clear-headedness (p < 0.05). Caffeine also disturbed daytime recovery sleep (p < 0.05). Increased CBT and a wider DPG prior to sleep were associated with a longer latency to sleep, and a wider DPG was associated with disturbed recovery sleep (i.e., increased wakefulness after sleep onset, increased stage 1 sleep, decreased sleep efficiency, and decreased slow wave sleep) (p < 0.05). A widening of the DPG following nighttime caffeine may represent a component of the integrated physiological response by which caffeine improves alertness and disturbs subsequent daytime recovery sleep. Furthermore, our findings highlight that sleep disturbances associated with caffeine consumed near the circadian trough of alertness are still present when daytime recovery sleep occurs 5 h or approximately 1 half-life later.
Preparation of an electrophilic glycine cation equivalent and its reaction with heteroatom nucleophiles

Abstract A variety of heteroatom substituted Schiff base amino esters 4 - 7 are prepared either from the benzophenone imine of glycine ethyl ester ( 3 ) or by reaction of acetate 4 with heteroatom nucleophiles.
An asthma management program for urban minority children

Abstract Morbidity and mortality continue to increase for children with asthma. Minority children have dis-proportionately higher rates of adverse outcomes on almost all disease measures. An asthma management program for urban minority children was developed with research-based intervention strategies and insights gained from the child and family per-spectives on illness and health care delivery. The goal of the intervention program was to deliver care that was culturally sensitive, focused on decreasing barriers to appropriate self-man-agement, and committed to promoting partnerships among children, families, the health care system, and the broader community.
Thickness Dependent Ordering in Laterally Confined Monolayers of Spherical-Domain Block Copolymers

Monolayers of spherical-domain block copolymer, exhibiting hexagonal symmetry with a (10) periodicity of 25 nm, are laterally confined in hexagonal wells 12 μm wide and 26 nm deep that span the entire area of a two-inch diameter silicon wafer. The structure is characterized with grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray diffraction, which provides a quantitative measure of the positional and orientational order over macroscopic areas. Results are interpreted within the KTNHY framework for 2D phase behavior. At T = 210 °C, films that are 41 nm thick (monolayer plus brush) form oriented single crystals where the close-packed rows of the lattice are aligned with the edges of the wells. Translational order is determined to decay algebraically with a correlation function of the form gT(r) ∼ r-0.25, consistent with a KTNHY 2D crystal having a shear modulus μ = 1.7 × 10-4 N/m. Orientational order is long-range, with a full width at half-maximum of 1.1°. Decreasing the film thickness by 1 nm results in hexatic ordering...
Improved resolution and signal-to-noise ratio in MRI via enhanced signal digitization.

Abstract The high frequency k -space data in magnetic resonance imaging is often poorly reproduced due to the finite dynamic range of an analog-to-digital converter. The magnitude of this digitization error can equal and even exceed the magnitude of the thermal noise. Under such conditions, attempts to increase image signal-to-noise ratio via signal averaging meet with diminishing success. Because the relative size of the digitization error increases at higher spatial frequencies, a reduction in image resolution is incurred as well. By adjusting the level of the analog signal sampled by the analog-to-digital converter during the course of an imaging experiment, the magnitude of the digitization artifact can be greatly reduced. The results of simulations and imaging experiments are presented which demonstrate that this strategy improves both the signal-to-noise ratio and resolution of magnetic resonance images.
The use of outcome measures by psychologists in clinical practice

This survey investigated psychologists' use of outcome measures in clinical practice. Of the respondents, 37% indicated that they used some form of outcome assessment in practice. A wide variety of measures were used thatwere rated by the client or clinician. Clinicians who assess outcome in practice are more likely to be younger, have a cognitive-behavioral orientation, conduct more hours of therapy per week, provide services for children and adolescents, and work in institutional settings. Clinicians who do not use outcome measures endorse practical (e.g., cost, time) and philosophical (e.g., relevance) barriers to their use. Both users and nonusers of outcome measures were interested in similar types of information, including client progress since entering treatment, current strengths and weaknesses, and determining if there is a need to alter treatment. Implications for practicing clinicians are discussed.
PERCUTANEOUS DELIVERY OF PROTEINS AND PEPTIDES USING IONTOPHORETIC TECHNIQUES

Summary There has been much interest recently in the delivery of proteins and peptides following the research and development of biotechnology: derived drugs and other bioactive substances. This article summarizes the use of iontophoresis to deliver proteins and peptides across the skin. This technique offers considerable promise for delivering drugs in therapeutic amounts by bypassing the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and liver metabolism. This article discusses the theory underlying iontophoretic drug delivery and the devices available. The future development of these systems would require the use of specialized approaches to enhance delivery of larger molecules but overall there is considerable optimism.
Exploring the Impact of Race on Mental Health Service Utilization Among African Americans and Whites With Severe Mental Illness

BACKGROUND: Disparities among African Americans and Whites with severe mental illness have been identified in numerous studies. Yet it remains unknown if disparities are associated with race or other vulnerabilities common to this population. OBJECTIVES: This study used the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations to examine mental health service utilization among 155 African Americans and Whites with severe mental illness for 12 months after discharge from a residential crisis program. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was a secondary analysis of data from a randomized trial. RESULTS: Race did not emerge as a significant predictor of mental health service utilization. Factors associated with frequency of service use were diagnosis, age, drug use, gender, health benefit status, and enrollment in an outpatient mental health program. CONCLUSION: It is possible that the geographic location of the study, equal access to services, and equal rates of substance use between racial groups explain the lack of r...
Trying to understand the QCD phase transition(s)

Abstract The ( m , n f ) phase diagram suggested by recent numerical simulations of finite-temperature lattice QCD can be interpreted in terms of three physical mechanisms: deconfinement, restoration of chiral symmetry, and (partial) restoration of axial U (1) symmetry. The question arises whether these mechanisms are independent, or whether they are driven by a single dynamical property of QCD field configurations. Traditionally, field theorists have favored the latter alternative, with topological charge (dominated by instantons) providing the unifying mechanism. We discuss how lattice simulations might shed light on this problem, and we present some preliminary results from a numerical experiment designed to address these issues.
New Methods for Inference of Local Tree Topologies with Recombinant SNP Sequences in Populations

Large amount of population-scale genetic variation data are being collected in populations. One potentially important biological problem is to infer the population genealogical history from these genetic variation data. Partly due to recombination, genealogical history of a set of DNA sequences in a population usually cannot be represented by a single tree. Instead, genealogy is better represented by a genealogical network, which is a compact representation of a set of correlated local genealogical trees, each for a short region of genome and possibly with different topology. Inference of genealogical history for a set of DNA sequences under recombination has many potential applications, including association mapping of complex diseases. In this paper, we present two new methods for reconstructing local tree topologies with the presence of recombination, which extend and improve the previous work in. We first show that the "tree scan” method can be converted to a probabilistic inference method based on a hidden Markov model. We then focus on developing a novel local tree inference method called RENT that is both accurate and scalable to larger data. Through simulation, we demonstrate the usefulness of our methods by showing that the hidden-Markov-model-based method is comparable with the original method in terms of accuracy. We also show that RENT is competitive with other methods in terms of inference accuracy, and its inference error rate is often lower and can handle large data.
Zur Bildung und Stabilität von Difluormethylenphosphoranen, R3P⊕‐C̄–F2

Inhaltsubersicht. Die Reaktion von Difluorhalogenmethanen, CF2X2, mit Phosphanen, R3P, in Gegenwart von Metallen und Carbonylverbindungen, R″R′CO, fuhrt zur Bildung geminaler Difluorolefine, R″R′C=CF2. Die sorgfaltige Untersuchung der Einzelschritte dieser komplexen Reaktion zeigt, das intermediar Difluorhalogenmethylphosphoniumhalogenide, [R3P–CF2X]X, und Difluormethylenphosphorane, R3P⊕ – c⊖-F2, gebildet werden. Die Phosphoniumsalze sind stabil und konnen als kristalline Substanzen isoliert werden. Durch Metalle oder Phosphene werden sie zu den instabilen Difluormethylenphosphoranen reduziert. Diese zersetzen sich beim Fehlen geeigneter Reaktionspartner in Phosphan und Difluorcarben, CF2. Ihre Bildung durch Addition von CF2 an R3P ist nicht moglich. Mit Halogenwasserstoffen bilden sie Difluormethylphosphoniumsalze, [R3P-CHF2]X. Formation and Stability of Difluoromcthylene Phosphoranes, R3P⊕ —cF2 In the presence of metals and carbonyl compounds, R″R′CO, the reaction of difluoro-halomethanes, CF2X2, with phosphanes, R3P, leads to the formation of geminal difluoroolefins, R″R′C=CF2. Our investigations have proved that difluorohalomethylphosphonium halides, [R3P–CF2X]X, and difluoromethylene phosphoranes, R3P⊕–C⊖F2, are formed intermediately. The phosphonium salts are stable. They can be isolated as crystalline substances. They are reduced by metals or phosphanes forming unstable difluoromethylene phosphoranes as intermediates. These decompose into phosphane and difluorocarbene, CF2, if suitable reactants are absent. Their reaction with hydrogen halides, HX, yields difluoromethylphosphonium salts, [R3P–CHF2]X. The formation of difluoromethylene phosphoranes by addition of CF2 to R3P is not possible.
Man-made Objects on the Surface of the Central North Pacific Ocean

IN August 1972, on the Scripps Institution of Oceanography's expedition C′BOG I in the Central North Pacific, there was a rare combination of clear warm weather and calm seas which tempted the scientific personnel to spend their leisure time on the bow of the ship. From this vantage point it was obvious that the sea surface is littered with a startling array of man-made objects, even 600 miles from the nearest major civilization (Hawaii) and outside the major shipping lanes.
Diagnostic defaulters: an overlooked aspect in the Indian Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program

Introduction: The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) aims to achieve detection of 70% of new smear-positive patients in a community and to cure 85% of such patients. Though an elaborate recording and reporting system is in place to monitor the success of the program, no record of patients who do not complete the diagnostic process is currently maintained. The present study, performed in a tertiary care hospital, attempted to estimate the proportion of this group of patients, who were labeled "diagnostic defaulters."Methodology: This prospective observational study was conducted over one year on consecutive patients presenting with cough of more than two weeks' duration. A total of two sputum samples were obtained from each patient, including a spot sample and a morning sample collected on the following day. Zeihl-Neelsen staining, reporting and external quality assessment of smear-microscopy was done per RNTCP guidelines. Results: Of the 2,349 patients recruited, 175 defaulted on the second day. The positivity rates for the spot and morning samples were 18.3% and 18.9%, respectively (p > 0.001). Of the 175 defaulters, 31 were found to be smear-positive, thereby implying that the proportion of diagnostic defaulters was 17.7%. All 21 diagnostic defaulters contacted by telephone were found to be unaware of their smear-positive status.Conclusion: The high proportion of diagnostic defaulters, the majority of whom were unaware of their sputum-positive status, emphasizes the need to recognize the importance of this group of patients to better control tuberculosis.
On the adequacy of the "sargan distribution"as an approxihation to the normal

The Sargan distribution has been suggested as an alternative to the normal distribution in models Eor which the likelihood function contains the c.d.f. of the errors. However, in such models an incorrect assumption on the error distribution causes the maximum likelihood estimators to be inconsis tent. We calculate this inconsistency, for three simple models. In models with a moderate degree of censoring or truncation, the inconsistency is large e3?0>!gh to he bothersome.