cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On-the-Road Visual Performance with Electrochromic Rearview Mirrors

The study was part of a series of studies on variable-reflectance rearview mirrors. Previous work included laboratory studies of human visual performance, field collection of photometric data, and mathematical modeling of the visual benefits of variable-reflectance mirrors. The authors extended that work in this study by collecting photometric and human performance data while subjects drove in actual traffic. Results indicated that variable-reflectance mirrors provided substantial reduction in discomfort glare without a measurable reduction in subjective ratings of rearward seeing ability. No major improvements were caused in forward seeing. The present study is inconclusive with respect to the benefits of a variable-reflectance driver-side mirror relative to a fixed-reflectance mirror with 50-percent reflectance. The reason for this is that the particular driver-side mirror used in this study became noticeably green in the low-reflectivity state, and thus low reflectivity was confounded with a color change. The effect of the driver-side mirror should be clarified by further research.
Does previa location matter? Surgical morbidity associated with location of a placenta previa.

Does previa location matter? Surgical morbidity associated with location of a placenta previa
Finding eigenvalues and eigenvectors of unsymmetric matrices using a hypercube multiprocessor

Distributed-memory algorithms for finding the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a dense unsymmetric matrix are given. While several parallel algorithms have been developed for symmetric systems, little work has been done on the unsymmetric case. Our parallel implementation proceeds in three major steps: reduction of the original matrix to Hessenberg form, application of the implicit double-shift QR algorithm to compute the eigenvalues, and back transformations to compute the eigenvectors. Several modifications to our parallel QR algorithm, including ring communication and pipelining, are discussed and compared. Results and timings are given.
Simultaneous sample preconcentration and matrix removal using field-flow fractionation coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry ☆

Abstract An on-channel sample preconcentration-matrix removal arrangement, based on coupling field-flow fractionation (FFF) to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), has been constructed for on-line sample pretreatment ICP-MS trace element determination. A commercial FFF system is modified to incorporate an on-channel preconcentration procedure allowing injection of up to 50 ml of sample, which could be preconcentrated by 50–1400 fold. A high molecular weight complexing agent added to the sample forms strong complexes with the measured trace analytes but not with the sample matrix. When the sample-complexing agent mixture is introduced to the FFF unit, the uncomplexed matrix element is removed by permeation through a membrane that separates the FFF sample compartment. The trace analytes remain in the FFF channel, because their high molecular weight complexes do not permeate through the membrane. Preconcentration and matrix elimination occur simultaneously. The matrix-free, preconcentrated sample is introduced directly to the ICP-MS nebulizer. The method was tested using 10-ml sample aliquots that contain As, Cd, Cu, Mo, Pb, Re, Sn, Te, Tl, Y, Zn and Zr analytes and 5000 mg l−1 Ca or Na matrices and ethylene imine polymer complexing agent. Copper and Re isotopic ratio values in reference standards also were determined after preconcentration and matrix element removal.
Low-level CO2 laser–induced release of 51chromium from canine 2C5 gliosarcoma cells

Recently, interest has grown in the area of low-power laser effects upon tissues. We used a 51Cr cell labeling technique with glioma tissue to better understand these effects. Canine 2C5 gliosarcoma cells with intracellular 51Cr were exposed to CO2 laser in the range of 0.2 to 3.0 J/cm2. Correlative analysis of the data indicated that there is a strong direct relationship between laser fluence and the percent of total intracellular 51Cr released from the glioma cells with a coefficient of correlation (r) of +0.93. The calculated standard error of the correlation coefficient was ± 0.06 and the coefficient of determination (r2) was 0.86. These results indicate that the 51Cr cell labeling technique is a useful method for quantifying the low-power laser effects on the integrity of the cell membrane of gliosarcoma cells in vitro. However, further investigation is needed to clarify the specific mechanisms by which the CO2 laser induces changes upon these cells. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effects of antenatal magnesium sulfate and corticosteroid therapy on sleep states of preterm infants

This exploratory longitudinal study was designed to compare the neonatal illness severity, sleep–wake, and respiratory sleep behaviors of preterm infants whose mothers received prenatal corticosteroids and/or magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) with those of infants whose mothers did not receive these medications. The 134 infants were divided into four groups: those whose mothers received MgSO4 only, those who received steroids only, those who received both MgSO4 and steroids, and those who received neither. The groups did not differ on infant characteristics or illness severity. Infants exposed to MgSO4 had more active sleep without rapid eye movement, indicating poorly organized active sleep. The MgSO4-only group had higher quiet sleep regularity scores and fewer state changes. These findings suggest that fetal exposure to MgSO4 may subtly affect the central nervous system. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 29: 269–280, 2006
Source apportionment of ambient particles in steubenville, oh using specific rotation factor analysis

Abstract A statistical approach, Specific Rotation Factor Analysis (SRFA), has been developed to identify and apportion sources of ambient air pollutants. To increase the statistical weight of the source tracer elements, this technique is based on the analysis of the covariance matrix. The obtained eigenvectors are obliquely rotated in order to maximize the loadings of the tracer quantities of the corresponding source (specific rotations). Source contributions and profiles are estimated by regressing elemental and mass concentrations on the factor loadings. The ability of the SRFA technique to resolve major aerosol sources and determine their profiles and contributions at the receptor site is demonstrated by applying it to a subset of fine particle elemental and mass concentration data from Steubenville, OH.
Early Stage Quiescent and Flow-Induced Crystallization of Intercalated Polypropylene Nanocomposites by Time-Resolved Light Scattering

Time-resolved light scattering demonstrates that the early-stage quiescent and flow-induced crystallization kinetics of an intercalated polypropylene clay nanocomposite differs significantly from t...
Susceptibility of Spodoptera exigua pupae from different pupation sites to the nematode Neoaplectana carpocapsae

Comparaison du pouvoir infectant de differentes souches de N.c. envers les pupes de S. ex. de differents sites de pupaison
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-mediated disruption of the CD40 ligand-induced activation of primary human B cells

Suppression of the primary antibody response is particularly sensitive to suppression by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in mice; however, surprisingly little is known concerning the effects of TCDD on humoral immunity or B cell function in humans. Results from a limited number of previous studies, primarily employing in vitro activation models, suggested that human B cell effector function is suppressed by TCDD. The present study sought to extend these findings by investigating, in primary human B cells, the effects of TCDD on several critical stages leading to antibody secretion including activation and plasmacytic differentiation using an in vitro CD40 ligand activation model. These studies revealed important differences in the response of human and mouse B cells to TCDD, the most striking being altered expression of plasmacytic differentiation regulators, B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 and paired box protein 5, in mouse but not human B cells. The activation of human B cells was profoundly impaired by TCDD, as evidenced by decreased expression of activation markers CD80, CD86, and CD69. The impaired activation correlated with decreased cell viability, which prevented the progression of human B cells toward plasmacytic differentiation. TCDD treatment also attenuated the early activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and Akt signaling in human B cells. Collectively, the present study provided experimental evidence for novel mechanisms by which TCDD impairs the effector function of primary human B cells.
Surgical treatment of malrotation after infancy: a population-based study

Abstract Purpose Because malrotation most commonly presents in infants, treatment recommendations for older children (>1 year) have been based on data obtained from small case series. The purpose of this study was to use a large national database to determine the clinical significance of older children presenting with malrotation to develop treatment recommendations for this group. Methods Records of children undergoing a Ladd's procedure were identified in the Kids' Inpatient Database, an administrative database that contains all pediatric discharges from 27 states during 2000. Patient characteristics, associated diagnoses, operations performed, and mortality were evaluated. Discharge weighting was used to obtain a national estimate of the number of children older than 1 year treated for malrotation. Results Two hundred nineteen older children (>1 and Conclusions These findings provide support for performing a Ladd's procedure in older children with incidentally found malrotation to prevent the rare but potentially devastating complications of this anomaly.
High-Throughput Screening of Small Molecule Libraries using SAMDI Mass Spectrometry

High-throughput screening is a common strategy used to identify compounds that modulate biochemical activities, but many approaches depend on cumbersome fluorescent reporters or antibodies and often produce false-positive hits. The development of “label-free” assays addresses many of these limitations, but current approaches still lack the throughput needed for applications in drug discovery. This paper describes a high-throughput, label-free assay that combines self-assembled monolayers with mass spectrometry, in a technique called SAMDI, as a tool for screening libraries of 100 000 compounds in one day. This method is fast, has high discrimination, and is amenable to a broad range of chemical and biological applications.
A new suckling device for artificial infant feeding

Summary A new principle in artificial infant feeding is presented. The basis of this principle is discussed and its advantages are shown diagrammatically. To fulfill the functioning of this principle, a simple device, operating on a check-valve mechanism, is used. This device is shown in photographs. The utilization of this principle in infant feeding is discussed and illustrater by representative cases. Trial of this new principle in premature infants, full-term newborn infants, babies with the hunger-air syndrome, infants with lip and palate defects, and normal infants has demonstrated evidence of its value.
Recognition of two-person interactions using a hierarchical Bayesian network

Recognizing human interactions is a challenging task due to the multiple body parts of interacting persons and the concomitant occlusions. This paper presents a method for the recognition of two-person interactions using a hierarchical Bayesian network (BN). The poses of simultaneously tracked body parts are estimated at the low level of the BN, and the overall body pose is estimated at the high level of the BN. The evolution of the poses of the multiple body parts are processed by a dynamic Bayesian network. The recognition of two-person interactions are expressed in terms of semantic verbal descriptions at multiple levels; individual body-part motions at low level, single-person actions at middle level, and twoperson interactions at high level. Example sequences of interacting persons illustrate the success of the proposed framework.
On damping in two-layer elastic-viscoelastic media

We consider one-dimensional wave propagation through two layers consisting, respectively, of an elastic and a viscoelastic medium. We show that, if the instantaneous elastic modulus of the viscoelastic medium is infinite, then there exists a family of modes with frequencies going to infinity, but damping rates going to zero. Hence the overall rate of damping is not exponential. On the other hand, there is a possibility of faster than exponential damping (i.e., the damping rate goes to infinity with frequency) if the elastic moduli of the two media are matched and the derivative G'(0) of the relaxation modulus of the viscoelastic medium is -∞.
RNA-binding Proteins and microRNAs in Gastrointestinal Epithelial Homeostasis and Diseases

The epithelium of gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa is a rapidly self-renewing tissue in the body, and its homeostasis is preserved through strict regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Epithelial cells originate from a small number of pluripotent stem cells, which divide to either renew themselves or become committed crypt cells. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level and are recently shown to modulate GI mucosal growth and repair after injury. Here we highlight the roles of RBPs HuR, CUG-binding protein 1, AU-binding factor 1, and several GI epithelial-specific miRNAs in gut mucosal homeostasis and diseases and also further analyze the mechanisms through which RBPs and miRNAs modulate the stability and translation of target mRNAs.
Modeling the partitioning and bioaccumulation of TCDD and other hydrophobic organic chemicals in lake Ontario

Abstract Lake trout and sediment data were used to define the biota-to-sediment ratio ( BSR ) for hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOCs) in Lake Ontario, including 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs). The BSRs for bioaccumulative PCDD/PCDFs were found to be approximately two orders of magnitude (i.e., 100x) lower than for other HOCs of similar hydrophobicity. To evaluate this difference, a modeling framework is applied which accounts for the significant processes affecting BSR : bioaccumulation, partitioning, and sediment-water chemical distribution. If these processes are indexed by chemical hydrophobicity alone, the approach taken in this model, the observed discrepancy in BSR s between PCDD/PCDFs and other HOCs is inadequately explained. The possible influence of chemical metabolism on the BSR of PCDD/PCDFs is suggested.
Focal nerve inflammation induces neuronal signs consistent with symptoms of early complex regional pain syndromes.

Abstract Early forms of complex regional pain syndromes (CRPS) are characterized by severe pain and autonomic dysfunction in a limb, both of which seem out of proportion to the inciting event. While often caused by obvious nerve injury, the syndromes also occur following relatively trivial trauma. Persistent inflammation has been implicated in the etiology of CRPS. We hypothesized that inflammation of a nerve proximal to the symptoms could lead to neural changes consistent with clinical CRPS. Using a rat model of neuritis, the activity of sensory and autonomic neurons was recorded distal to the inflamed site using single fiber electrophysiological methods. In normal rats, no sensory neurons had ongoing activity. The discharge rate of sympathetic postganglionic neurons was 2.26 ± 1.33 Hz (mean ± SD). However, in rats with inflamed nerves, 27% of slowly conducting neurons had ongoing activity after 3–4 days, and 50% had such activity after 7–8 days. Other sensory neurons did not exhibit ongoing activity. Sympathetic postganglionic neurons had a significantly slower ongoing discharge rate during inflammation (1.96 ± 1.19 Hz after 3–4 days, 1.48 ± 1.23 Hz after 7–8 days). Additionally, none of the sympathetic axons in any group were mechanically sensitive. These findings support that focal nerve inflammation is sufficient to cause neuronal discharge changes that are consistent with clinical findings in early CRPS. Furthermore, the lack of axonal mechanical sensitivity in sympathetic axons rules out channels expressed in these neurons as possible mechano-electrical transducers.
Precocene II treatment inhibits terminal oöcyte development but not vitellogenin synthesis and release in the black blowfly, Phormia regina Meigen

Abstract An antiallatal agent, precocene II. was used to assess the effect of the corpus allatum on vitellogenin synthesis/release and oocyte development of the adult black blowfly, Phormia regina . Oocyte development was greatly retarded by a treatment of precocene II given topically within 12 h after emergence. A single dose of 20 or 40 μg of precocene II per fly inhibited oocyte development whereas a treatment given to flies more than 12 h after emergence was less effective. The precocene-inhibited oocyte development could be reversed by a single treatment of methoprene—a juvenile hormone analogue. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the volume of the corpus allatum of precocene-treated females was significantly smaller than that of untreated females. Radiochemical assay showed that the juvenile hormone biosynthesis/release ( in vitro ) by the corpus allatum of precocene-treated flies was significantly reduced but not stopped. In precocene-treated females, haemolymph protein and vitellogenin accumulated after a liver-meal, while ovarian soluble protein and vitellin content remained low. Application of methoprene lowered both the amount of haemolymph protein and vitellogenin and increased the quantities of the ovarian soluble protein and vitellin. Our data demonstrate that the major function of the hormone is to regulate the uptake of vitellogenin by developing oocytes.
Coherent nuclear resonant optics for third-generation synchrotron radiation sources

The insertion-device-based, third-generation, synchrotron radiation sources now under construction in Europe, the USA, and Japan bring new opportunities and challenges in the design and manufacture of x-ray optics. These high brightness sources provide new opportunities to overcome some of the outstanding problems associated with nuclear resonant monochromatization of synchrotron radiation. New methods such as polarizing monochromators, and zone plates provide alternative methods for production of (mu) eV-neV resolution in the hard x-ray regime. The design principles, and characterization, and performance of crystal monochromators and of nuclear coherent scattering optics, including Grazing Incidence Anti Reflection (GIAR) films, multilayers, zone plates, as well as single crystals are discussed.
Incidence of Tuberculosis in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1990-2001

OBJECTIVE To describe and compare the incidence and clinical characteristics of tuberculosis in Olmsted County, Minnesota, among US-born and foreign-born persons. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, of all residents of Olmsted County (2000 population 124,277) diagnosed as having tuberculosis between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2001. Potential cases were identified with use of a computerized diagnostic coding database and microbiological laboratory data; all identified medical records were abstracted. Definite cases were those in which Mycobacterium tuberculosis was recovered in culture. Probable cases were those that met predefined clinical or radiographic evidence of tuberculosis and other criteria. Age-specific, sex-specific, and country of origin-specific incidence rates were calculated with use of Olmsted County census data. Variables were compared among risk groups using the Fisher exact test. RESULTS During a 12-year period, 71 cases of tuberculosis (53 definite, 18 probable) were identified, for an incidence of 5.3 per 100,000 person-years. Of these cases, 54 (76%) occurred during the second half of the study (incidence 7.7 per 100,000 person-years). The incidence among US-born persons was similar throughout the study period; however, the incidence among foreign-born persons increased more than 3-fold during the second half of the study period. Twenty-five patients (35%) were former refugees. All isoniazid-resistant infections (12% of isolates) and multidrug-resistant infections (6% of isolates) occurred among foreign-born persons. CONCLUSION The incidence of tuberculosis increased substantially in Olmsted County between 1990 and 2001, primarily because of an increase in the number of cases among foreign-born persons.
TU‐E‐141‐01: Using Respiratory Motion as a Degree of Freedom Through Weighted Phase‐Correlated 4D Planning

Purpose: We investigate a novel 4D treatment planning strategy that exploits respiratory motion as an additional degree of freedom. The key idea is to deliver more (less) fluence when the tumor target is out‐of‐line (in‐line) with an organ‐at‐risk (OAR). We have developed our weighted‐phase‐correlated (WPC) 4D treatment planning paradigm on a commercial platform (Eclipse, Varian) and designed it for an “open‐gate” delivery, where beam is on throughout the respiratory cycle. Methods: 4DCT data were collected from twenty lung SBRT patients who exhibited >= 5mm tumor motion despite the use of abdominal compression. For each patient, (i)f × θ 3D‐conformal plans were created and corresponding 3D dose distributions were calculated, where θ = number of respiratory phases (10) and f = number of fields (7 – 12) (ii) For each beam, the dose from nine phases was registered to the reference phase (end‐exhale) using a GPU‐based B‐spline deformable registration, NiftyReg. (iv) using dynamic‐penalized‐likelihood optimization, fluence weights were optimized over all dose distributions. This key step ensured that for each motion‐induced state of the anatomy, an optimal fluence would be delivered. (v) A summed fluence map was imported back into Eclipse and an MLC leaf sequence was generated. In order to ensure deliverability, a maximum leaf velocity constraint (v <= 3.5 cm/s) was imposed. Each WPC‐4D plan was compared with the corresponding, clinically‐delivered, ITV‐based plan. Results: In all 20 patients, WPC‐4D plans gave PTV conformity comparable to ITV‐based plans. The percent dose‐sparing (maximum, average) achieved using WPC‐4D compared to ITV‐based planning: Spinal Cord Dmax=(66,20); Esophagus Dmax=(94,29), Heart Dmax=(84,30); Heart Dmean=(82,35); Lung V20=(27,7); Lung Dmean=(27,13). Conclusion: We have developed a novel 4D‐planning solution that exploits rather than trying to mitigate respiratory motion. Initial results indicate that this approach achieves significant dose‐sparing in OARs compared to conventional motion‐management (abdominal compression) + ITV‐based planning. This research was partially supported by Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA
Seismic Risk Evaluation of Retrofitted Reinforced Concrete Buildings Utilizing Base Isolation and Considering Mainshock-Aftershock

The insufficient consideration of seismic risk caused hidden danger for structural safety in many areas. A promising retrofit method for these structures is base isolation. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach, a hypothetical RC frame based on actual situation is designed to be retrofitted using base isolation. Then, seismic fragilities for both un-retrofitted and isolated frames are analyzed, utilizing the results obtained from nonlinear finite-element analysis. The ground motion of the analysis contains 22 earthquake motions, and the results of considering mainshock-aftershock and those of considering only mainshock are compared. The study proves the well designed base isolation can reduce the seismic fragility of the RC frame effectively, and the exclusive consideration of mainshock will underestimate the seismic hazards for structures.
Combination parametric resonance leading to periodic and chaotic response in two-degree-of-freedom systems with quadratic non-linearities

The dynamic response of a parametrically excited non-linear system with two degrees of freedom is studied. The system of equations, which describes the compliant motion of a robotic manipulator, exhibits internal resonance and is excited at a frequency near a primary resonance. The effect of coupling is studied in detail. Non-zero periodic motions are observed to co-exist with a stable equilibrium state over a range of detuning near the resonant frequency. Loss of stability of the periodic response is observed at points of vertical tangency (corresponding to a jump in the response), while for some of the cases, Hopf bifurcation in the response corresponding to amplitude-modulated motions is observed. In the latter case, period-doubling of the amplitude of response is observed with a monotonic change in detuning, eventually leading to chaotic motion in the system. Near exact tuning to the parametric resonance, a quenching of the chaotic motion is found, leaving only the stable zero equilibrium state for the system over some detuning interval.
Analysis of the Pan Genome of Campylobacter jejuni Isolates Recovered from Poultry by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis, Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST), and Repetitive Sequence Polymerase Chain Reaction (rep-PCR) Reveals Different Discriminatory Capabilities

Campylobacter jejuni is one of the leading bacterial causes of food-borne illness in the USA. Molecular typing methods are often used in food safety for identifying sources of infection and pathways of transmission. Moreover, the identification of genetically related isolates (i.e., clades) may facilitate the development of intervention strategies for control and prevention of food-borne diseases. We analyzed the pan genome (i.e., core and variable genes) of 63 C. jejuni isolates recovered from chickens raised in conventional, organic, and free-range poultry flocks to gain insight into the genetic diversity of C. jejuni isolates recovered from different environments. We assessed the discriminatory power of three genotyping methods [i.e., pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and repetitive extragenic palindromic polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR)]. The rep-PCR fingerprint was generated by determining the presence of repetitive sequences that are interspersed throughout the genome via repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR, enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence PCR (ERIC-PCR), and BOX element PCR (BOX-PCR) and combining the data to form a composite fingerprint. The genetic fingerprints were subjected to computer-assisted pattern analysis. Comparison of the three genotypic methods revealed that repREB-PCR showed greater discriminatory power than PFGE and MLST. ERIC-PCR and BOX-PCR yielded the highest number of PCR products and greatest reproducibility. Regardless of the genotyping method, C. jejuni isolates recovered from chickens reared in conventional, organic, and free-range environments all exhibit a high level of genotypic diversity.
Radionuclide bone image in growing and stable bone island

A normal radionuclide bone image can facilitate distinction between a bone island and significant pathologic processes, especially an osteoblastic metastasis. This distinction becomes more crucial when growth is detected in an isolated sclerotic bone lesion or if a relatively large sclerotic lesion is detected de novo in patients with a known neoplasm. This report presents three patients with isolated bone islands: two with interval growth, the other with a relatively large stable lesion; all showing a normal radionuclide bone image.
Synthesis and initial evaluation for in vivo chelation of Pu(IV) of a mixed octadentate spermine-based ligand containing 4-carbamoyl-3-hydroxy-1-methyl-2(1H)-pyridinone and 6-carbamoyl-1-hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridinone

An improved synthesis for a series of 1-hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridinone-based octadentate ligands is reported. The mixed chelate, octadentate ligand, 3,4,3-LI(1,2-Me-3,2-HOPO), was designed, synthesized, and tested for in vivo chelation of Pu in a mouse model. This ligand incorporates both 1,2-HOPO and Me-3,2-HOPO metal chelating units; the latter has higher affinity toward actinide ions than does 1,2-HOPO at physiological pH. Injected or administered orally to fasted or normally fed mice at the standard clinical dose 30 micromol/kg, both 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) and 3,4,3-LI(1,2-Me-3,2-HOPO) remove significantly more Pu than injected CaNa(3)DTPA. Injected doses of 0.1 micromol/kg of these HOPO ligands are as effective as 30 micromol/kg of injected CaNa(3)DTPA. Ten daily injections of 30 micromol/kg of a HOPO ligand did not induce detectable acute toxicity in mice. The mixed HOPO ligand is somewhat more effective than 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) when given orally, and the enhanced reduction of liver Pu by the mixed ligand is statistically significant. Thus, both octadentate HOPO ligands meet the criterion of low toxicity at doses that are more effective than the standard dose of CaNa(3)DTPA. Their improved effectiveness at low dose along with great oral activity (despite low gastrointestinal absorption) implies that new treatment regimens can be developed using the HOPO ligands alone or as adjuncts to CaNa(3)DTPA therapy, which will greatly exceed the amount of Pu excretion that is achievable with CaNa(3)DTPA alone.
Central cell effects on acceptor spectra in Si and Ge

Abstract The excited state spectra of the Group III acceptors in Si and Ge are calculated using a semi-empirical short range potential which is adjusted in each case to give the observed ground state binding energy. The model is in good agreement with the previously published data on the chemical shifts of the even-parity s-like excited states, as well as with our new measurements of the energies of these states for the deep acceptor In in Si. For odd-parity states, the model shows that the chemical shifts are negligibly small, in agreement with experiment.
Sulfate air quality control strategy design

An approach to the design of emission control strategies for sulfate air quality improvement is described. Methods developed are tested within a case study of the nature and causes of the high sulfate levels observed in the Los Angeles area. An air quality model for sulfate formation and transport is developed which computes long-term average sulfate concentrations using a Lagrangian marked particle technique. The air quality model is verified by application to the Los Angeles air basin during each month of the years 1972 to 1974. The time sequence of observed sulfate air quality is reproduced closely in spite of the fact that emission peaks are six months out of phase with observed peak sulfate concentrations. An important finding is that there is a seasonal trend in the rate of SO2 oxidation to form sulfates in the Los Angeles atmosphere with conversion rate averaging about 6% per hour in the late spring, summer and early autumn, and declining to between 3% and 0.5% per hour in winter months. The problem of identifying the least costly combination of emission controls needed to achieve a major sulfate concentration reduction is addressed using the air quality model results. Example calculations show that close to a 50% improvement in sulfate air quality could be achieved in downtown Los Angeles at a cost of circa $100 million annually. Since the effect on visibility of such a sulfate concentration reduction has been estimated previously, a partial remedy for the Los Angeles visibility problem is described.
Conjugated Polymer Network Films of Poly(p-phenylene vinylene) with Hole-Transporting Carbazole Pendants: Dual Photoluminescence and Electrochromic Behavior

A series of poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) copolymers functionalized with hole-transport and electrochemically active carbazole units as pendant moieties is reported. These polymers exhibit photoluminescence properties by virtue of the PPV analogous backbone. They were also designed as precursor polymer bearing the electroactive carbazole group to form conjugated polymer network (CPN) films by electrodeposition. The electrochemical polymerization of the pendant units eventually lead to a dual property electro-optically active thin film — photoluminescence (PL) behavior that can be attenuated with CPN formation, and a reversible doping and dedoping processes at controlled potentials that lead to an electrochromic behavior. This reveals the ability to incorporate complementary optical and electro-optical properties within the same film using the CPN approach. It should be possible to design and synthesize other PPV π-conjugated polymers with efficient pendant hole-transport groups exhibiting tunable PL an...
The Information Age Confronts Education: Case Studies on Electronic Classrooms

Information technology is slowly becoming a part of educational classrooms and corporate training facilities. The current study examines the use and outcomes of computer-based instructional technology in the context of graduate business education. Case study data is gathered to explore how computer technology is used in the university classroom, and how computer-based teaching methods differ from traditional teaching methods in terms of class interaction and in-class learning. The study found that there are many potential computer-based teaching methods and that the methods can have different outcomes. The use of computer-based teaching methods requiring hands-on student use appear to offer an advantage over traditional methods and over computer-based methods not requiring hands-on student use in providing a forum for exploratory analysis during class and for acquiring technical procedural knowledge. A model of in-class learning is developed for future research.
Rapid purification of detergent-solubilized ia antigens by immunoabsorbent chromatography.

Abstract The Ia antigens from strain 2 and strain 13 guinea pig lymphocytes were solubilized with the non-ionic detergent Nonidet P-40* (NP-40) and purified by two simple affinity chromatography steps. The first step consisted of lentil lectin chromatography from which a glycoprotein-enriched fraction was obtained. The final step consisted of chromatography using la-specific immunoabsorbents, from which the antigens were eluted with acid glycine buffer. Antigen yields were determined by inhibition of cytotoxicity, and mean yields were 21% for the strain 13 Ia antigens and 19% for the strain 2 Ia antigens. Electrophoretic analysis demonstrated the high degree of purification attained. Immunoabsorbent chromatography offers a rapid and effective method for the isolation of Ia antigens.
Issue Area and Foreign-Policy Process: A Research Note in Search of a General Theory

The purpose of this research note is to suggest a potential general paradigm for the study of foreign policy processes. It is explicitly synthetic in that it combines Arnold Wolfers's notion of a continuum, the extremities of which he labels the pole of power and pole of indifference, with Theodore Lowi's efforts to affirm the nexus between issue and policy process. Two questions prove crucial in the determination of issue area: Is or is not the domestic impact of the issue symmetrical? And are the political goods at stake exclusively tangible or not? With the answers to these questions it becomes possible to specify the issue area (distribution, regulation, “interaction-protection,” redistribution) in which an event may be classified and to hypothesize the nature of the policy process (the identity of the major actors, the intensity of conflict) to be observed. Particular attention is paid to limited war as a redistributive issue area in order to make the case that redistribution, contrary to Lowi's view, is an important foreign policy process. Finally an effort is made to suggest how issue-based propositions could be utilized in the transnational comparison of foreign policy processes. It is suggested that differences in the policy process across issue areas within a given state may be as great as differences in process within a particular arena of power for two states as different in political system as the United States and the USSR.
Contralateral paw sensitization following injection of endothelin-1: effects of local anesthetics differentiate peripheral and central processes

Abstract Subcutaneous injection of the peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1) into the rat's footpad is known to cause rapid, transient ipsilateral mechanical and thermal sensitization and nocifensive hind paw flinching. Here we report that local injection of ET-1 (2 nmoles) into one hind paw slowly sensitizes the contralateral paw to chemical and mechanical stimulation. There was a 1.5–2-fold increase in the hind paw flinching response, over that from the first injection, to a second injection of the same dose of ET-1 delivered 24 h later into the contralateral paw. A similar increase in the number of flinches during the second phase of the response to formalin also occurred in the contralateral paw 24 h after ET-1. The contralateral paw withdrawal threshold to von Frey hairs was lowered by ∼55% at 24 h after ipsilateral ET-1 injection. ET-1 injected s.c. at a segmentally unrelated location, the nuchal midline, caused no sensitization of the paws, obviating a systemic route of action. Local anesthetic block of the ipsilateral sciatic nerve during the period of initial response to ipsilateral ET-1 prevented contralateral sensitization, indicating the importance of local afferent transmission, although ipsilateral desensitization was not changed. These findings suggest that peripheral ET-1 actions lead to central sensitization that alters responses to selected stimuli.
The cytoskeleton and spatial control of cytokinesis in the plant life cycle.

One of the intriguing aspects of development in plants is the precise control of division plane and subsequent placement of walls resulting in the specific architecture of tissues and organs. The placement of walls can be directed by either of two microtubule cycles. The better known microtubule cycle is associated with control of the future division plane in meristematic growth where new cells become part of tissues. The future daughter domains are determined before the nucleus enters prophase and the future site of cytokinesis is marked by a preprophase band (PPB) of cortical microtubules. The spindle axis is then organized in accordance with the PPB and, following chromosome movement, a phragmoplast is initiated in the interzone and expands to join with parental walls at the site previously occupied by the PPB. The alternative microtubule cycle lacks both the hooplike cortical microtubules of interphase and the PPB. Wall placement is determined by a radial microtubule system that defines a domain of cytoplasm either containing a nucleus or destined to contain a nucleus (the nuclear cytoplasmic domain) and controls wall placement at its perimeter. This more flexible system allows for cytoplasmic polarization and migration of nuclei in coenocytes prior to cellularization. The uncoupling of cytokinesis from karyokinesis is a regular feature of the reproductive phase in plants and results in specific, often unusual, patterns of cells which reflect the position of nuclei at the time of cellularization (e.g., the arrangement of spores in a tetrad, cells of the male and female gametophytes of angiosperms, and the distinctive cellularization of endosperm). Thus, both microtubule cycles are required for completion of plant life cycles from bryophytes to angiosperms. In angiosperm seed development, the two methods of determining the boundaries of domains where walls will be deposited are operative side by side. Whereas the PPB cycle drives embryo development, the radial-microtubule-system cycle drives the common nuclear type of endosperm development from the syncytial stage through cellularization. However, a switch to the PPB cycle can occur in endosperm, as it does in barley, when peripheral cells divide to produce a multilayered aleurone. The triggers for the switch between microtubule cycles, which are currently unknown, are key to understanding plant development.
Investigating relationships between in vivo and in vitro pharmacological variables for the purpose of prediction.

Consistency of effect in vivois an important characteristic of a drug product, and great variation from lot to lot or between manufacturers is not desirable. The variation usually arises when some lots fail to meet minimum standards. It may then be necessary to develop a procedure for detecting and screening out these defective lots. A new, heuristic approach is presented for evaluating procedures in which screening is to be based on in vitromeasurements rather than more costly in vivomeasures. A quantification of risks is defined from which a minimum (in a certain sense) risk procedure may be selected from a set of candidate procedures. This approach is shown to be more appropriate than those based on correlational techniques.
Finding Teens in TheirSpace: Using Social Networking Sites to Connect Youth to Sexual Health Services

The increasing popularity and widespread use of the Internet has made it an emerging venue for delivering health-related messages and interventions. The current study explored the potential for using social networking sites (SNS), specifically MySpace, to connect youth to sexual health services. Surveys and focus groups with youth aged 14–19 living in low-income communities in California revealed high levels of overall Internet access, frequent use of SNS, and experience in searching for health information online. However, disparities in frequency and location of Internet access by race/ethnicity, and hesitancy among some youth to join a clinic’s online social network, may affect the success of this new strategy in some populations. Interviews with clinic staff highlighted the successes and challenges of using MySpace as part of their outreach efforts. Staff described balancing the benefits of web-based outreach, including its low cost, wide reach, and teen friendliness, with its challenges, including overcoming technological barriers, ensuring teens’ safety from inappropriate contact, and remaining timely and relevant given the dynamic nature of the Internet. This study indicates that SNS and other technologies have strong potential for reaching diverse youth with critical health information when implemented as part of a comprehensive outreach strategy.
CLUSTER DECOMPOSITION PROPERTIES OF THE S MATRIX

Conditions on the $S$ matrix which arise from the assumption that it describes interactions which are at least approximately local are discussed. Particular conditions of this kind, which may be called cluster decomposition properties, are formulated and the implications of these conditions for the structure of the $S$ matrix are studied. The discussion is restricted to the case of a world in which there is only one kind of particle, namely a spinless boson of finite mass. The considerations presented apply equally well to relativistic, as well as to nonrelativistic scattering theories. It is not assumed that the $S$ matrix can be derived within the framework of a strictly local field theory, nor is it assumed that the $S$-matrix elements possess any particular properties of analyticity. As an illustration it is pointed out that the cluster decomposition properties assumed hold good in the conventional perturbation theory approach to field theory.
Biomimetic synthesis of photoactive α-Fe2O3 templated by the hyperthermophilic ferritin from Pyrococus furiosus

Utilizing a biomimetic approach toward materials synthesis a ferritin protein cage, from the hyperthermophilic archeaon Pyrococcus furiosus, was utilized to first tempate the formation of a largely amorphous ferrihydrite iron oxide and then bring about its transformation to hematite (α-Fe2O3). This was achieved under boiling aqueous conditions by refluxing the ferritin protein cage/ferrihydrite composite. The resultant material showed diffraction indicative of hematite, a visible band gap semiconductor, and photocurrents were measured under visible illumination. The resultant protein/mineral composite was also studied via dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and size exclusion chromatography.
Staple, an experimental structured programming language

Abstract STAPLE is a structured programming language with nested block structure in the source language to indicate flow of control. The semantics of the non-control structures are essentially the same as FORTRAN. The design goals were an easily implemented, easily modified tool for experiments and demonstrations of structured versus unstructured programming techniques.
The Hawaii geothermal project: Phytotoxicity of geothermal separator brine, An exploratory study

The Hawaii Geothermal Project (HGP) separator brine is toxic to a number of plant species, including papaya and ‘ohi’ a (Metrosideros). A great deal but not all of the brine toxicity on the latter is related to salinityper se. In contrast, papaya growth was stimulated by NaCI brines 3500 ppm and even higher, but inhibited by HGP brine of comparable salt content. Combinations of borate, fluoride, trace metals and salts may generate phytotoxicity. Disposal of HGP brine by direct release into the soil or groundwater is contraindicated.
Pathologic Correlation Study of Microwave Coagulation Therapy for Hepatic Malignancies Using a Three-Ring Probe

Microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) for the ablation of unresectable hepatic malignancies is a promising alternative to radiofrequency and cryoablation techniques. There are few data on the clinical effectiveness of MCT. In vivo pathologic evaluation of ablated tumor tissue is not well described for the three-ring microwave probe. The study design was a prospective trial enrolling patients with resectable hepatic malignancies. Lesions underwent in vivo MCT with the three-ring probe prior to liver resection. Gross and histologic evaluations of the tumor were performed, including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) vital staining. A total of nine patients with metastatic colon cancer were enrolled and had NADH stains performed of their pathologic specimens. The median size of the metastasis being ablated was 3.5 cm (range, 1.5–12.3). Fifty-six percent of the tumors demonstrated evidence of spontaneous coagulative necrosis on immediate histologic examination. The median dimensions of the ablation zones were 5 cm (range, 3–7) × 4.5 cm (range, 2.5–5.2) × 4.2 cm (range, 2–5) with a 5-min ablation at 60 W. The median ablation volume was 50.6 cm3 (range, 9–78). NADH vital staining was performed of the ablation zones with 100% absence of staining in the tumor tissue and in benign hepatic parenchyma, which is consistent with irreversible cellular damage. In conclusion, in vivo MCT of hepatic malignancies with the three-ring probe produces nonviable tumor cells after a 5-min ablation. The ablation time is significantly shorter than other available ablative techniques. Immediate histologic exam produces some evidence of coagulative necrosis. Further study of this promising technology is warranted.
Mixed-language development tool for HAVNET research

While the Hausdorff-Voronoi network has demonstrated promising capabilities for three-dimensional object recognition and classification, serious investigation and refinement of this network required something more than the ad hoc programs currently available. To fill this need an object-oriented mixed-language MATLAB d and C++ software toolkit has been developed, together with a user-friendly graphical user interface.