cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of neutron irradiation on the microstructure and properties of titanium-stabilized type 316 stainless steels

The effects of titanium additions up to 0.6 wt percent on the irradiation-induced swelling and changes in creep-rupture properties were investigated. Samples were irradiated in the Experimental Breeder Reactor II at temperatures in the range from 450 to 700/sup 0/C to a maximum neutron fluence of 7.8 x 10/sup 26/ n/m/sup 2/ (>0.1 MeV). In annealed material, the irradiation-induced swelling exhibited a minimum in the range 0.2 to 0.4 wt percent titanium. The minimum in swelling was directly attributable to a minimum in the concentration of voids. Samples irradiated in the 20 percent cold-worked condition exhibited slight densification at 3.0 x 10/sup 26/ n/m/sup 2/ (>0.1 MeV) at both 500 and 600/sup 0/C. A small density decrease (0.23 percent) occurred during irradiation to 6.6 x 10/sup 26/ n/m/sup 2/ (>0.1 MeV). Postirradiation creep-rupture ductility was a maximum for alloys containing 0.23 and 0.33 wt percent titanium. The observed swelling behavior in the annealed material is thought to be associated with changing amounts of titanium and carbon in solution in the austenite as the total titanium concentration is increased. The improved ductility is attributable to a decreased tendency for grain boundary crack formation and appears to be associated with removal ofmore » sulfur and possibly other impurities from solution in the austenite.« less
A Longitudinal Study Involving The Utilization Of A Team-Oriented Structure And An Enterprise Resource Planning Framework In A Medium-Sized Organization

The paper provides an analysis of a custom manufacturer facing issues of growth, productivity concerns, changes in technology, competitive threats, financial management, marketing development, and internal human resource responsibilities, and the response to these issues. The paper traces the changes that took place in this medium-sized organization over a fifteen-year period in order to improve the culture of the company. The implementation of a team oriented structure utilizing an external change agent, and the reorganization of employee responsibilities in a major restructuring effort are discussed. A new enterprise resource planning system (ERP) was implemented to operate and coordinate the company. The authors analyze in detail the evolution that has taken place in the company over the last four years. The major benefits and learnings of the change are presented.
Knowledge-based computer-aided detection of masses on digitized mammograms: a preliminary assessment.

The purpose of this work was to develop and evaluate a computer-aided detection (CAD) scheme for the improvement of mass identification on digitized mammograms using a knowledge-based approach. Three hundred pathologically verified masses and 300 negative, but suspicious, regions, as initially identified by a rule-based CAD scheme, were randomly selected from a large clinical database for development purposes. In addition, 500 different positive and 500 negative regions were used to test the scheme. This suspicious region pruning scheme includes a learning process to establish a knowledge base that is then used to determine whether a previously identified suspicious region is likely to depict a true mass. This is accomplished by quantitatively characterizing the set of known masses, measuring “similarity” between a suspicious region and a “known” mass, then deriving a composite “likelihood” measure based on all “known” masses to determine the state of the suspicious region. To assess the performance of this method, receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were employed. Using a leave-one-out validation method with the development set of 600 regions, the knowledge-based CAD scheme achieved an area under the ROC curve of 0.83. Fifty-one percent of the previously identified false-positive regions were eliminated, while maintaining 90% sensitivity. During testing of the 1000 independent regions, an area under the ROC curve as high as 0.80 was achieved. Knowledge-based approaches can yield a significant reduction in false-positive detections while maintaining reasonable sensitivity. This approach has the potential of improving the performance of other rule-based CAD schemes.
THE ADVANCED X-RAY ASTROPHYSICS FACILITY (AXAF)

The authors discuss the optics and instruments of NASA’s nearly completed x-ray observatory.
A Modified Inclined-Screen Trap for Catching Salmonid Smolts in Large Rivers

Abstract A modification of the inclined-screen trap was constructed to capture and facilitate processing of runs of salmonid smolts in large rivers. Modifications included a hanging inclined screen, a floating catch barge, and a fish sorter. Two such traps operated in the Little Manistee River in northwestern Michigan caught and held up to 2,500 steelhead (Salmo gairdneri) smolts per night. By sampling only a portion of the total river flow and using pipe weirs to guide smolts toward the two traps, we successfully sampled the smolt migration during periods of fluctaating water levels and debris content. It was estimated that our trapping scheme caught 42% of the steelhead smolts, 31% of the chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) smolts, and 22% of the coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) smolts migrating downstream.
The Battle of the books: History and literature in the Augustan age

(1994). The Battle of the books: History and literature in the Augustan age. History of European Ideas: Vol. 18, No. 6, pp. 953-954.
SEX-STEREOTYPED ATTITUDES OF MALE AND FEMALE PRESCHOOL TEACHERS AS A FUNCTION OF PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

Summary.-The present study assmsed the correlations between the personality characteristics and sex-stereotyped attirudes of 20 male and 20 female preschool teachers and 20 male engineers. Masal~ne genders held masculine-preferred attitudes toward children while feminine genders held femininepreferred attirudrts toward children. Recent research has shown that both male and female preschool teachers reinforce children for engaging in feminine behaviors instead of masculine behaviors (Fagot, 1977, 1978; Robinson & Canaday, 1978). In other studies where male early and elementary education teachers were surveyed, they had attitudes, personality traits, and behavioral preferences identical to those of their female counterparts (Biedenkapp & Goering, 1971; Etaugh & Hughes, 1975; Farrall, 1968; Gold, Reis, & Berger, 1979; Robinson, Skeen, & Flake-Hobson, 1980; Wright, 1977). These empirical data suggest that, other than teachers' sex, factors such as experience, formal training, and personality may determine preschool teachers' sex-role behaviors toward young children. For example, Fagot (1977) reported teachers' experience exerts a significantly greater influence on sex-stereotyped treaunenc of preschoolers than does teachers' sex. Lee ( 1973) also suggested that sex of teachers does not operate in isolation. Inscead, he maintained that teachers' sex is grounded by more pervasive constraint systems of our educational institutions in which male and female teachers are "sd.looled" or molded to conform to the function and controls of the school environment. Thus, the constraint of behavioral options of teachers results in a "feminizing" trend. Yee (1973) argued that personality composition may be a more imporrant consideration than whether teachers are male or female. Other studies reported no differences among male and female preschool teachers in their attitudes about child-rearing (Gold, Reis, & Berger, 1979) or their attitudes toward their jobs (Wright, 1977 ) . This study is a further analysis based on data published elsewhere (Robinson & Canaday; Robinson, Skeen, & Flake-Hobson, 1980). Congruent with previous findings, male preschool teachers had personality traits identical to those of their female coworkers (Robinson & Canaday, 1978). Moreover, three occupational groups, male preschool teachers, female preschool teachers, and male 'Request reprints from Dr. Bryan E. Robinson, Universiry of North Carolina, UNCC Station, Charlotte, NC 28223.
Design and evaluation of a partial state router

We present the design and evaluation of a partial state router. A partial state router maintains a fixed amount of state irrespective of the number of flows served at the router. We show the practical feasibility of partial state routers by implementing a novel partial state scheme, LRU-FQ, on the Linux platform. We report on our experience in employing the developed LRU-FQ router in several realistic experiments. Our results show the effectiveness of LRU-FQ in controlling high-bandwidth traffic and providing better response times for Web traffic. We also present a detailed evaluation of the developed router to demonstrate the feasibility and scalability of partial state schemes.
Economic Return on Training Investment at the Organization Level

This study examined labor-productivity returns from investments in training in a manufacturing industry. The study was conducted using data from auto parts manufacturing firms in Taiwan. Data included two labor-productivity dependent variables (sales per worker and value added per worker), and two training-investment independent variables (total training costs, and direct costs of training). The relationship between each independent and dependent variable was analyzed using multiple regressions that controlled for 14 other independent variables that might affect the relationship between investment in training and labor productivity. Results showed a significant relationship between investments in training and labor productivity as measured by value added per worker, but not total sales per worker. Value added per worker was defined as the dollar value of products sold, minus the cost of materials in those products, divided by the number of workers. This study provides evidence that investments in training do yield significant and practical increases in labor productivity at the organizational level.
Styloid-stylohyoid syndrome in the differential diagnosis of atypical facial pain.

Abstract Differential diagnosis of atypical facial pain can be a perplexing problem. Similarities in symptomatology and nonspecific subjective findings make diagnosis difficult. The astute diagnostician, regardless of his speciality, must be acutely aware of key findings that will differentiate the myriad of chronic pain syndromes in his patients. Accurate correlation of clinical and radiographic findings in patients with “Eagle's syndrome” may assist the clinician in distinguishing this entity from other pain syndromes, such as glossopharyngeal or vagoglossopharyngeal neuralgia.
Glucocorticoid Regulation of the Major Surfactant Associated Protein (SP-A) and Its Messenger Ribonucleic Acid and of Morphological Development of Human Fetal Lung in Vitro*

In the present study we investigated the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) on the accumulation of the major pulmonary surfactant-associated protein (SP-A), a glycoprotein of about 35,000 mol wt, and on the levels of mRNA encoding this protein in human fetal lung in organ culture. In addition, the effects of DEX on the structural development of the fetal lung tissue was investigated using morphometric techniques. We observed that DEX had a biphasic effect on the accumulation of SP-A and its mRNA; at concentrations of 10(-10) and 10(-9) M, a stimulatory effect was observed, while at concentrations of 10(-8) M or greater, the glucocorticoid was markedly inhibitory. The inhibitory effect of DEX (10(-7) M) was evident at all time points of incubation and was apparent within 24 h of its addition to the medium at any time during the culture period. In addition, DEX (10(-7) M) antagonized the stimulatory effects of (Bu)2cAMP on the accumulation of SP-A and its mRNA. DEX also had pronounced effects on the morphological development of human fetal lung tissue. At a concentration of 10(-7) M or greater, DEX caused a marked reduction of alveolar lumen size compared to that of fetal lung explants maintained in control medium. A biphasic effect of DEX on the volume density of type II cells in fetal lung explants was observed; at a concentration of 10(-10) M, DEX significantly increased the volume density of type II cells, whereas at a concentration of 10(-7) M or more, the glucocorticoid significantly reduced the volume density of type II cells compared to that of control explants. These findings suggest that synthetic glucocorticoids at concentrations of 10(-10) and 10(-9) M are stimulatory whereas elevated levels are inhibitory of SP-A synthesis and morphological development of the human fetal lung.
Generalized differential approximations in one-dimensional radiative transfer.

Abstract The Jacobi polynomial expansion of the angular dependence of the specific intensity of radiation leads to a class of differential approximations which are the generalization of the ordinary spherical harmonics result. It is shown that many kernel substitutions in the exact formulation of planar radiative transfer are equivalent to specific angular approximations. In spherical geometries, one may choose boundary data to improve the prediction of heat fluxes. The method is applied to the computation of both equilibrium and nonequilibrium radiative fields. The best choice of approximation depends upon the situation to which it is to be applied, but an appropriate procedure is that based on use of Jacobi polynomial P(+0.13535, -0.25)n (cos θ).
The contemporary distribution of pollen in eastern North America: A comparison with the vegetation

By mapping and summarizing 478 pollen counts from surface samples at 406 locations in eastern North America, this study documents the relationships between the distributions of pollen and vegetation on a continental scale. The most common pollen types in this region are pine, birch, oak, and spruce. Maps showing isopercentage contours or isopolls for 13 important pollen types reflect the general N-S zonation of the vegetation. The maps and tabulations of average pollen spectra for the six major vegetational regions indicate high values for the following pollen types in each region: (1) tundra-nonarboreal birch, sedge, and alder; (2) forest/tundra-spruce, nonarboreal birch and alder; (3) boreal forest-spruce, jack pine (type), and arboreal birch with fir in the southeastern part; (4) conifer/hardwood forest-white pine, arboreal birch, and hemlock with beech, maple, and oak in the southern part; (5) deciduous forest-oak, pine, hickory, and elm, with beech and maple in the northern part, and highest values of oak and hickory west of the Appalachian crest; and (6) southeastern forest-pine, oak, hickory, tupelo, and Myricaceae. In some cases, less abundant pollen types are diagnostic for the region, e.g., bald cypress in the southeast. In the conifer-hardwood region and southward, pollen of weeds associated with deforestation and agriculture is abundant. The maps also show that much of southeastern U.S. and the area just to the east of Hudson Bay are in need of additional sampling. At 51 of the sites, absolute pollen frequencies (APF; grains/ml lake sediment) were obtained. These confirm the major conclusions from the percentage data, but differences are evident, e.g., the percentages of alder pollen peak in the tundra whereas alder APFs peak in the boreal forest, and spruce percentages peak in the forest-tundra whereas spruce APFs peak in the boreal forest. Because the APF data reflect the patterns of absolute abundance of individual taxa in the vegetation as well as the overall forest densities, future counts of modern pollen should include APF determinations. The effects of sedimentation processes on APF quantities indicate that APF samples should be obtained from moderate size lakes of similar morphology and hydrology and that, in each lake, several samples from the profundal zone should be pooled to create a sample representative of that lake.
ON CONSUMER- VERSUS FIRM-LEVEL ANALYSIS OF ADVERTISING EFFECTIVENESS: IMPLICATIONS FOR MODEL BUILDING*

Issues relating to the construction of marketing models are discussed. These include determining the level of aggregation of model construction, specifying the structure of the model, and the aggregation level of data to be employed in estimating model parameters. These issues are addressed through specifying and estimating both consumer-level and firm-level models and comparing the results. An important conclusion is that inferences about consumer behavior should not be drawn from firm-level models since aggregation bias may exist.
Effects of oral equiblocking doses of a cardioselective and noncardioselective β-adrenergic blocking agent on left ventricular function in the normal conscious dog

The effects of propranolol, a noncardioselective beta-adrenergic blocking agent, and practolol, a cardioselective agent, on left ventricular function were compared in an awake dog model at an equiblocking dose range. Both agents produced modest depression of inotropic state at rest, and during volume and phenylephrine loading. No significant differences between the two agents were detected.
A Note on Two Conceptions of Aesthetic Realism

The term 'aesthetic realism' has recently taken on great currency in analytic philosophical aesthetics. What is not generally known is that the American philosopher Eli Siegel called the philosophy he founded in the I94osAesthetic Realism. His philosophy has as its central principle: 'The world, art, and self explain each other: each is the aesthetic oneness of opposites.' Thus, two distinct uses of the same terminology exist, and should not be confused.
Lactogens and estrogens in breast cancer chemoresistance.

Tumor resistance to chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer is a major impediment to treatment success. Resistance can be induced by the drugs themselves or result from the action of internal factors. The role of hormones in chemoresistance has received little attention. This article focuses on two classes of hormones: lactogens and estrogens. Lactogens include prolactin, growth hormone and placental lactogen, all of which can activate the prolactin receptor. Estrogens include endogenous steroids and nonsteroidal compounds from the environment termed endocrine disruptors, all of which can activate ‘classical’ estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), as well as other types of receptors. Both lactogens and estrogens antagonize cytotoxicity of multiple chemotherapeutic agents through complementary mechanisms. The implications of chemoresistance by these hormones to patients with breast cancer, and the potential benefits of developing combinatorial anti-lactogen/anti-estrogen treatment regimens, are discussed.
Highlights of the 12th International Workshop on Adverse Drug Reactions and Co-Morbidities in HIV, London, November 2010

This presentation will review highlights from the 12th International Workshop on Adverse Drug Reactions and Co-morbidities in HIV that will be held in London on 4-6 November 2010. As in the past, the meeting will consist of plenary lectures by experts from outside the field of HIV medicine as well as oral presentations and posters selected from abstracts submitted by attendees. The plenary speakers for this year's meeting include John Adams (vit D insufficiency), Remy Burcellin (microbial translocation), Kenneth Feingold (TLRs and lipid metabolism), Rolf Jager (neuroimaging), Cliff Rosen (bone and fat) and Heiner Wedemeyer (ADRs in HBV treatment.). Abstract categories include: adipocyte biology, insulin resistance, aging and associated disorders, lipid metabolism, body composition, liver disease and hepatotoxicity, bone metabolism and toxicities, mitochondrial disorders, cancer in patients with HIV/AIDS, neurocognitive disorders, cardiovascular disease, renal toxicities, clinical management of ADRs, other toxicities and hepatitis. Supplement: Abstracts of the Tenth International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1758-2652-13-S4-info.pdf Conference: Tenth International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection 7-11 November 2010 Glasgow, UK (Published: 8 November 2010) doi:10.1186/1758-2652-13-S4-O38 Cite this article as: Schambelan: Highlights of the 12th International Workshop on Adverse Drug Reactions and Co-Morbidities in HIV, London, November 2010. Journal of the International AIDS Society 2010 13 (Suppl 4):O38. Full text: PubMed Central: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3112852/
Coin-sliding and Go

Abstract We define and solve a two-player perfect information game, the coin-sliding game . Solution of this game provides the key to perfect play of certain endgame positions in the game of Go.
Deletion of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae TRR1 Gene Encoding Thioredoxin Reductase Inhibits p53-dependent Reporter Gene Expression

The prevalence of p53 gene mutations in many human tumors implies that p53 protein plays an important role in preventing cancers. Central among the activities ascribed to p53 is its ability to stimulate transcription of other genes that inhibit cells from entering S phase with damaged DNA. Human p53 can be studied in yeast where genetic tools can be used to identify proteins that affect its ability to stimulate transcription. Although p53 strongly stimulated reporter gene expression in wild type yeast, it only weakly stimulated reporter gene expression in Δtrr1 yeast that lacked the gene encoding thioredoxin reductase. Furthermore, ectoptic expression of TRR1 in Δtrr1 yeast restored p53-dependent reporter gene activity to high levels. Immunoblot assays established that the Δtrr1 mutation affected the activity and not the level of p53 protein. The results suggest that p53 can form disulfides and that these disulfides must be reduced in order for the protein to function as a transcription factor.
Density-Functional Calculations on Platinum Nanoclusters: Pt13, Pt38, and Pt55

The results of an accurate density-functional study of the structure, energetics and electronic structure of Ptn clusters (with n = 13, 38, and 55) are presented. For Pt38, a truncated octahedral geometry is considered; for Pt13 and Pt55, icosahedral, truncated decahedral, and cuboctahedral geometries are considered. In each case, the structure of the neutral and positively and negatively charged clusters is fully optimized within the given symmetry group. For Pt13, allowing symmetry breaking starting from the symmetrical structures derives additional local minima. The computational procedure is thoroughly tested to keep numerical accuracy under control. From the electronic structure point of view, it is found that these systems start developing metallic characteristics, with ionization introducing small changes. From the structural point of view, for Pt13 the icosahedral configuration is not favored, whereas it becomes the ground state for Pt55, in agreement with the predictions of atom−atom potentials. ...
Foreword: Introduction to Restylane SubQ, a novel non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid tissue filler (NASHA).

This special supplement to Aesthetic Surgery Journal provides an in-depth discussion of the clinical characteristics and technique of using Restylane SubQ (Q-Med, Uppsala, Sweden) as a surgical tissue filler. Within the Restylane family of stabilized non-animal hyaluronic acid (NASHA) gels, there exists a technology to tailor the gel particle size to allow for differential applications as a tissue filler, from very superficial to deep-tissue locations. Filler technology has evolved considerably from simple filling of rhytids to a more advanced approach that allows …
Identification of metastatic nodal disease in a phase 1 dose-escalation trial of intraoperative sentinel lymph node mapping in non–small cell lung cancer using near-infrared imaging

Objectives Early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a high recurrence rate and poor 5-year survival, particularly if lymph nodes are involved. Our objective was to perform a dose-escalation study to assess safety and feasibility of intraoperative near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging to identify the first tumor-draining lymph nodes (ie, sentinel lymph nodes [SLNs] in patients with NSCLC). Methods A-dose escalation phase 1 clinical trial assessing real-time NIR imaging after peritumoral injection of 3.8 to 2500 μg indocyanine green (ICG) was initiated in patients with suspected stage I/II NSCLC. Visualization of lymphatic migration, SLN identification, and adverse events were recorded. Results Thirty-eight patients underwent ICG injection and NIR imaging via thoracotomy (n = 18) or thoracoscopic imaging (n = 20). SLN identification increased with ICG dose, with fewer than 25% SLNs detected in dose cohorts of 600 μg or less versus 89% success at 1000 μg or greater. Twenty-six NIR + SLNs were identified in 15 patients, with 7 NIR + SLNs (6 patients) harboring metastatic disease on histologic analysis. Metastatic nodal disease was never identified in patients with a histologically negative NIR + SLN. No adverse reactions were noted. Conclusions NIR-guided SLN identification with ICG was safe and feasible in this initial dose-escalation trial. ICG doses greater than 1000 μg yielded nearly 90% intrathoracic SLN visualization, with the presence or absence of metastatic disease in the SLN directly correlating with final nodal status of the lymphadenectomy specimen. Further studies are needed to optimize imaging parameters and confirm sensitivity and specificity of SLN mapping in NSCLC using this promising imaging technique.
The search for wide pairs among nearby stars

The detectability and confirmation of wide pairs among nearby stars is difficult due to uncertainties in their motions arising from errors in the observational data. Statistical tests for wide pairs reveal the increasing unevenness in space motions with decreasing age. They cannot so easily distinguish between the supposed finer structure of wide pairs and triples, and larger clumps commonly associated with small moving groups and star streams. Improved radial velocities and parallaxes which are now possible, will decrease the error in space motion to well under one km s−1, and this will permit such distinction to be made.
Caenorhabditis elegans as a model for obesity research

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is a small nematode that conserves 65% of the genes associated with human disease, has a 21-day lifespan, reproductive cycles of 3 days, large brood sizes, lives in an agar dish and does not require committee approvals for experimentation. Research using C. elegans is encouraged and a Caenorhabditis Genetics Center (CGC, Minnesota) is funded by the National Institutes of Health-National Center for Research Resources. Many genetically manipulated strains of C. elegans are available at nominal cost from the CGC. Studies using the C. elegans model have explored insulin signaling, response to dietary glucose, the influence of serotonin on obesity, satiety, feeding and hypoxia-associated illnesses. C. elegans has also been used as a model to evaluate potential obesity therapeutics, explore the mechanisms behind single gene mutations related to obesity and to define the mechanistic details of fat metabolism. Obesity now affects a third of the US population and is becoming a progressively more expensive public health problem. Faster and less expensive methods to reach more effective treatments are clearly needed. We present this review hoping to stimulate interest in using the C. elegans model as a vehicle to advance the understanding and future treatment of obesity.
A Chlamydomonas reinhardii mutant with catalytically and structurally altered ribulose-5-phosphate kinase.

The biochemical lesion in a light-sensitive, acetate-requiring Chlamydomonas mutant was identified. This strain, designated rpk, exhibited photosynthetic rates less than 3% of the wild-type. Analysis of photosynthetic products by high-performance liquid chromatography demonstrated an accumulation of 14C label in pentose and hexose monophosphates. After 1 min of photosynthesis in 14CO2 these intermediates comprised 27.5% of the label in the mutant compared with 8% in the wild-type. The mutant pheno-type was caused by a 20-fold reduction in ribulose-5-phosphate (Ru5P)-kinase (EC 2.7.1.19) activity. The mutant exhibited wild-type levels of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39), fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (EC 4.1.2.13) and transketolase (EC 2.2.1.1) indicating that the mutation specifically affected Ru5P kinase. In a cross of the mutant with the wild-type, tetrad progeny segregated in a Mendelian fashion (1:1) and light-sensitivity cosegregated with reduced Ru5P-kinase activity and an acetate requirement for growth. Almost normal levels of Ru5P-kinase protein were detected in the mutant by probing nitrocellulose replicas of sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gels with anti-Ru5P-kinase antibody. The subunit size of the mutant enzyme, 42 kDa, was identical to that of the wild-type. Isoelectric focusing of the native protein determined that the mutant protein was altered, exhibiting a more acidic isoelectric point than the wild-type protein. Thus, the molecular basis for the lesion affecting Ru5P-kinase activity in mutant rpk is a charge alteration which results in a partially impaired enzyme.
The ODCAT: One Dimensional Coded Aperture Tomography

Current emission computed tomographic (ECT) scanners suffer from the inability to perform dynamic studies. The investigation presented here was initiated with a specific goal in mind, that is, to design a system to image a radionuclide distribution in cross-section in a stationary arrangement capable of dynamic data acquisition. Two systems are proposed. Both systems utilize a two-dimensional cross-section type of geometry. The first consists of multiple pinhole apertures each with its own separate one-dimensional detector. The second system employs coded-aperture techniques and is a result of allowing the projections from each pinhole aperture to overlap. The initial reconstructed image with both systems is degraded by a high level of correlated background noise. This background is significantly reduced by an iterative subtraction technique which is described. Computer simulations are presented to illustrate the technique.© (1978) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
DNA-Bound peptide radicals generated through DNA-mediated electron transport.

Flash-quench experiments were carried out to explore peptide/DNA electron-transfer reactions. DNA-bound [Ru(phen)_2(dppz)]^(3+) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; dppz = dipyridophenazine) and [Ru(phen)(bpy‘)(dppz)]^(3+) [bpy‘ = 4-(4‘-methyl-2,2‘-bipyridyl)valerate], generated in situ by flash-quench methodology, are powerful ground-state oxidants, capable of oxidizing guanine or tyrosine intercalated in DNA. In flash-quench experiments with mixed-sequence oligonucleotides in the presence of Lys-Tyr-Lys, transient absorption spectroscopy yielded a spectrum with a sharp maximum at 405 nm assigned to the tyrosine radical. Experiments with poly(dG·dC) suggested the intermediacy of the guanine radical, since the rise of the 405 nm signal occurred with the same kinetics as the disappearance of the guanine radical, as monitored at 510 nm. In oligonucleotide duplexes containing [Ru(phen)(bpy‘)(dppz)]^(2+) tethered at one end, damage to distant guanines was observed by gel electrophoresis, consistent with the mobility of the electron hole through the DNA duplex; the presence of the peptide did not inhibit but instead altered the distribution of guanine damage. Covalent adducts of the DNA and Lys-Tyr-Lys were detected as final irreversible products of this peptide-to-DNA electron-transfer chemistry by mass spectrometric and enzymatic digestive analysis. From these different assays and comparison of reactions of Lys-Trp-Lys and Lys-Tyr-Lys, the reactivity of the DNA-bound tyrosine radical was found to differ considerably from that of the tryptophan radical. These results establish that Lys-Tyr-Lys and Lys-Trp-Lys can participate in long-range electron-transfer reactions through the DNA from a distinct binding site. On that basis, proposals for functional roles for these peptide radicals may be considered.
Meteorological and Ground Effects on the Propagation of Aircraft Noise Close to the Earth's Surface

Dickinson [1] reported observations of unexpectedly low attenuations between aircraft take-off noise levels measured at ranges of 320 m and 2900 m at London (Gatwick) Airport. The anomalous attenuations were attributed to the effects of focussing by a temperature inversion. These data are investigated and a ray trace study shows that the low attenuations are unlikely to be caused by atmospheric focussing by the temperature inversion. Further, it is shown that a combination of the effects of a finite impedance ground and of atmospheric refraction in overcoming part of the ground absorption at the distant position can adequately explain the observed data.
Coupling model interpretation of thermorheological complexity in polybutadienes with varied microstructure

Small-amplitude oscillatory shear rheology was used to investigate relaxation dynamics for two linear polybutadienes with low-vinyl (7% 1,2-addition; PBd-L) and high-vinyl (94% 1,2-addition; PBd-H) microstructures. The Mw values were equal to 38.7 and 80.1 kg/mol for PBd-L and PBd-H, respectively, and both polymers were near-monodisperse (Mw/Mn < 1.05). These molecular weights were selected in order to keep the number of entanglements per chain, and hence the plateau length, fairly equivalent for these two polymers. Well-defined terminal flow and segmental relaxation (α-relaxation) loss modulus peaks in the isothermal linear viscoelastic data were used to determine relaxation times, thus the necessity of time−temperature superposition was avoided. These results are interpreted in the context of the Ngai coupling model (CM). We apply the model to both relaxation processes in a unified approach by adopting the CM framework which contends that the primitive relaxation which underlies the cooperative α-relaxa...
Argument Forms, Frames, and Value Conflict: Persuasion in the Case of Same-Sex Marriage:

Is telling stories politically effective? Recent debates around the efficacy of storytelling have challenged the view that narratives are an effective means of political persuasion. This article empirically examines the persuasiveness of narratives through the lens of recent controversies over same-sex marriage. Through a survey-experiment, I test the effects of different kinds of arguments on heterosexuals' views on same-sex marriage. I find some support for long-standing claims of the efficacy of stories; however, stories are not always effective, and their perceived efficacy outstrips their actual efficacy.The findings suggest that narrative appeals along with non-narrative appeals that directly challenge ideas of same-sex marriage as inherently a religious issue are most likely to induce greater favourability toward same-sex marriage.The results help specify the types of issues for which narrative appeals might be expected to be effective, ineffective, or counterproductive, and further illuminate cult...
A class-oriented replacement technique for lost speech

A replacement technique for lost speech packets is presented. This technique is based on the classification of the packets into four distinct classes. Different encoding schemes and lost packet replacement techniques are used for each class. Results of subjective tests indicate that giving preferential delivery treatment to packets based on class can improve subjective quality. >
Quantifying the Diffusion of a Fluid through Membranes by Double Phase Encoded Remote Detection Magnetic Resonance Imaging

We demonstrate that a position correlation magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experiment based on two phase encoding steps separated by a delay can be used for quantifying diffusion across a membrane. This method is noninvasive, and no tracer substance or concentration gradient across the membrane is required. Because, in typical membranes, the T1 relaxation time of the fluid spins is usually much longer than the T2 time, we developed and implemented a new position correlation experiment based on a stimulated spin−echo, in which the relaxation attenuation of the signal is dominated by T1 instead of T2. This enables using relatively long delays needed in the diffusion measurements. The sensitivity of the double encoded experiment detected in a conventional way is still low because of the low filling factor of the fluid inside the NMR coil around the sample. We circumvent this problem by using the remote detection technique, which significantly increases the sensitivity, making it possible to do the measureme...
Coherence properties of a reflected optical wave in atmospheric turbulence

The transverse spatial coherence radius is studied for both the monostatic and bistatic laser radar problems involving an optical wave propagating through atmospheric turbulence in the weak-fluctuation regime over a path of length L and then reflected in the reverse direction from a finite mirror with finite focal length FR. Formal expressions are developed for the wave structure function and the modulus of the complex degree of coherence in the general Gaussian-beam wave case, and tractable analytic results are derived for the special case of a diverging (or spherical) wave at the transmitter and observation points in the beam symmetrically located with respect to the beam centerline. By varying the focal length of the mirror, one minimizes the spatial coherence radius of a reflected spherical wave when the receiver is located near the plane defined by the radius of curvature of the mirror (i.e., L/FR ~ 2) and maximizes it when L/FR is approximately 6–7. Effects of inner scale, outer scale, and the high wave-number deviation from pure power-law behavior are taken into account in the assumed spectral models for refractive-index fluctuations. Analogous to line-of-sight propagation, the spatial coherence radius based on a modified spectrum is generally less than that based on the von Karman spectrum, particularly when the coherence radius is of the order of the inner scale of turbulence.
n-Type microcrystalline silicon oxide layer and its application to high-performance back reflectors in thin-film silicon solar cells

Abstract Light trapping is a key issue in improving the efficiency of thin-film Si solar cells, and using a back reflector material plays a critical role in improving a cell's light-trapping efficiency. In this study, we developed n -type microcrystalline silicon oxide ( n -μc-SiO x ) films that are suitable for use as back reflectors in thin-film silicon solar cells. They exhibit a lower refractive index and lower absorption spectra, especially at long wavelengths of >700 nm, than conventional ZnO:Al materials, which are beneficial for this application. The n -μc-SiO x films were prepared by the PECVD (plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition) method and applied to the fabrication of back reflectors in μc-Si:H solar cells. We also characterized the changes in cell performance with respect to the refractive index, conductivity, and thickness of the n -μc-SiO x back reflectors. The novel back reflector boosts the total current density by up to 3.0% with the help of the enhanced long-wavelength response. It also improves open circuit voltage ( V oc ) and fill factor (FF), which may be attributed to the reduced shunt current caused by the anisotropic electrical characteristics of the n -μc-SiO x layer. Finally, we could achieve a conversion efficiency for the hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si:H) solar cells of up to 9.3% ( V oc : 0.501 V, J sc : 27.4 mA/cm 2 , FF: 0.68) using the n -μc-SiO x back reflector.
Seating Location in Large Lectures: Are Seating Preferences or Location Related to Course Performance?

Using data on individuals taking principles of economics courses in large lecture rooms, the authors investigate whether a student's seating preference is related to success in the classroom. They find that individuals who prefer to sit near the front of the room have a higher probability of receiving As, whereas those who prefer the back have a higher probability of receiving Ds and Fs. A preference for sitting in the back, regardless whether one did so, increased the probability of receiving a D or F by 23 percentage points. Students unable to sit in their preferred locations and forced forward tend to receive higher grades, despite their preferences for back seats. Seating preferences and final seat location may be separate factors affecting grade performance. How instructors should teach large lectures is unclear. Developing seating distribution that addresses learning needs may impose high opportunity costs on students who have reasons unrelated to learning for their seating choices.
Central nesfatin-1 reduces the nocturnal food intake in mice by reducing meal size and increasing inter-meal intervals

Abstract Nesfatin-1 is well established to reduce food intake upon brain injection in rats, while in mice its anorexigenic action and brain expression are largely unexplored. We characterized the influence of intracerebroventricular (icv) and peripheral (intraperitoneal, ip, subcutaneous, sc) injection of nesfatin-1 on dark phase ingestive behavior using an automated feeding monitoring system and co-localized NUCB2/nesfatin-1 immunoreactivity in the associated brain areas. Nesfatin-1 (0.3, 1 or 3 μg/mouse, icv) caused a dose-related reduction of 4-h dark phase food intake by 13%, 27%, and 46% respectively. Nesfatin-1 (3 μg/mouse, icv) action had a 2-h delayed onset, 82% peak inhibition occurring at 3–4 h post-injection and was long lasting (30% reduction for 12 h period post-injection). Nesfatin-1 (3 μg/mouse, icv)-treated mice had a 46% lower meal frequency associated with 2-times longer inter-meal intervals and a 35% reduction in meal size compared to vehicle during the 1–4 h post-injection ( p
Olfactory Inputs to Hypothalamic Neurons Controlling Reproduction and Fertility

In order to gain insight into sensory processing modulating reproductive behavioral and endocrine changes, we have aimed at identifying afferent pathways to neurons synthesizing luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH, also known as gonadotropin-releasing hormone [GnRH]), a key neurohormone of reproduction. Injection of conditional pseudorabies virus into the brain of an LHRH::CRE mouse line led to the identification of neuronal networks connected to LHRH neurons. Remarkably, and in contrast to established notions on the nature of LHRH neuronal inputs, our data identify major olfactory projection pathways originating from a discrete population of olfactory sensory neurons but fail to document any synaptic connectivity with the vomeronasal system. Accordingly, chemosensory modulation of LHRH neuronal activity and mating behavior are dramatically impaired in absence of olfactory function, while they appear unaffected in mouse mutants lacking vomeronasal signaling. Further visualization of afferents to LHRH neurons across the brain offers a unique opportunity to uncover complex polysynaptic circuits modulating reproduction and fertility.
Full-Field and Single-Shot Full-Field Optical Coherence Tomography: A Novel Technique for Biomedical Imaging Applications

Since its introduction, optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology has advanced dramatically in various field of both clinical and fundamental research. Full-field and Single-shot full-field OCT (FF-OCT and SS-FF-OCT) are alternative OCT concepts, which aims to improve the image acquisition speed and to simplify the optical setup of conventional point-scan OCT by realizing direct line field or full-field sample imaging onto an array or line detector such as CCD or CMOS camera. FF-OCT and SS-FF-OCT are based on bulk optics Linnik-type Michelson interferometer with relatively high numerical aperture (NA) microscopic objectives. This paper will give you an overview of the principle of various types of FF-OCT and SS-FF-OCT techniques and its associated system design concept and image reconstruction algorithms.
Outcomes of Living Donor Renal Transplants With a Negative Cross-Match and Pretransplant Donor-Specific Antibody

Abstract Introduction Management of renal transplant recipients with a negative complement-dependent cytotoxicity-antihuman globulin (CDC-AHG) cross-match and pretransplant donor-specific antibody (DSA) is controversial. We sought to compare outcomes of immunologically high-risk living donor (LD) renal transplant recipients with and without DSA. Methods We conducted a single-center, retrospective review of all high immune-risk LD renal transplant recipients with a negative CDC-AHG cross-match performed between January 2008 and December 2010. Pretransplant desensitization for DSA was not utilized. Immunosuppression consisted of thymoglobulin induction, followed by tacrolimus, myeophenolate mofetil, and prednisone. DSA was assessed pretransplant and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, and every 6 months thereafter. Results Between January 2008 and December 2010, 44 LD renal transplants were performed in high immune-risk recipients with a negative CDC-AHG cross-match. Outcomes of 14 recipients with pretransplant DSA were compared with 30 recipients with no DSA. After a median follow-up of 26 months (range, 12–40), overall death-censored graft survival was 100%, with no acute rejection episodes in the DSA group and 1 antibody-mediated rejection in the non-DSA cohort. Mean serum creatinines of the DSA and non-DSA groups at 1 year post-transplant were 1.0 ± 0.4 and 1.2 ± 0.6 mg/dL (P = NS), respectively. Among the pretransplant DSA cohort, 5 of the 14 (36%) developed persistent post-transplant DSA at a median of 9 months (range, 3–24) versus 2 of 30 (7%; P = .025) at a median of 12 months post-transplant in the non-DSA cohort. All recipients in the pretransplant DSA group underwent renal biopsy for persistent post-transplant DSA. Three of 5 biopsies showed C4D deposition in peritubular capillaries without glomerulopathy or arteriopathy. Conclusions Early post-transplant outcomes for LD recipients with a negative cross-match and pretransplant DSA were excellent. In recipients with good and stable renal function, the significance of persistent post-transplant DSA in combination with C4D deposition on biopsy is unclear at this time.
An analysis of the effect of CO2 injection on the recovery of in situ methane from bituminous coal: an experimental simulation

A set of experiments is described in which CO/sub 2/ is injected into large cores of CH/sub 4//sup -/ and water-saturated bituminous coal at elevated pressures. CO/sub 2/ at pressures up to 800 psig (5516 KPa) is used to simulate the enhanced recovery of in-situ CH/sub 4/ from coal beds. CO/sub 2/ injection increases the recovery of CH/sub 4/ by a factor of two to three times that achieved in simple desorption by pressure drawdown and atmospheric diffusion. In general, higher CO/sub 2/ pressures achieve greater CH/sub 4/ recovery. The presence of even small amounts of N/sub 2/ in the injection gas greatly reduces the CH/sub 4/ recovered. CO/sub 2/ at 500 to 800 psig (3447 to 5516 kPa) is shown to be capable of completely demethanating integral coal samples. This was confirmed by tests run on crushed cores. CO/sub 2/ consumption by permanent adsorption is quite high vis-a-vis the CH/sub 4/ recovered and may preclude its use as an enhanced-recovery energy process. Its primary function would appear to be as a means of safely demethanating coal beds before mining.