cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simplified Synthesis of Na-4-Mica from Kaolinite and Its Cation-Exchange Properties

The synthetic process of a high-charge-density sodium fluorophlogopite mica, Na-4-mica (with an ideal chemical composition of Na4Mg6Al4Si4O20F4·nH2O), using kaolinite as a raw material, has been investigated with respect to developing a simplified procedure and controlling crystal size. A fine and highly crystalline phase of the hydrated Na-4-mica, which is essential for practical applications, could be easily prepared from a mixture of kaolinite (or metakaolin) and magnesium nitrate using NaF flux at temperatures below 800°C. An increased mass of NaF flux in the simplified process at 800°C yielded somewhat larger and well-dispersed Na-4-mica crystals with hexagonal and plate-like shapes of 2–3 μm in size. Cation-exchange equilibria was studied for alkaline earth metal ions of Sr, Ba, and Ca, as well as transition metal ions of Cu and Pb, at room temperature using the hydrated Na-4-mica synthesized by the simplified process. The order of selectivity for the alkaline earth metal ions was Ba2+ > > Sr2+ > Ca...
Quantification of volume, mass, and density of thrombus formation using brightfield and differential interference contrast microscopy

Flow chamber assays, in which blood is perfused over surfaces of immobilized extracellular matrix proteins, are used to investigate the formation of platelet thrombi and aggregates under shear flow conditions. Elucidating the dynamic response of thrombi/aggregate formation to different coagulation pathway perturbations in vitro has been used to develop an understanding of normal and pathological cardiovascular states. Current microscopy techniques, such as differential interference contrast (DIC) or fluorescent confocal imaging, respectively, do not provide a simple, quantitative understanding of the basic physical features (volume, mass, and density) of platelet thrombi/aggregate structures. The use of two label-free imaging techniques applied, for the first time, to platelet aggregate and thrombus formation are introduced: noninterferometric quantitative phase microscopy, to determine mass, and Hilbert transform DIC microscopy, to perform volume measurements. Together these techniques enable a quantitative biophysical characterization of platelet aggregates and thrombi formed on three surfaces: fibrillar collagen, fibrillar collagen +0.1 nM tissue factor (TF), and fibrillar collagen +1 nM TF. It is demonstrated that label-free imaging techniques provide quantitative insight into the mechanisms by which thrombi and aggregates are formed in response to exposure to different combinations of procoagulant agonists under shear flow.
Accommodations for Licensure and Certification Examinations Policy and Research Issues

The public develops confidence in the skills and abilities of many professionals by recognizing that a professional has demonstrated his or her competence through successful completion of certification or licensure examinations. The Americans With Disabilities Act requires that accommodations on licensure and certification exams be provided to qualified individuals who request them. Policy discussions on this topic typically focus on the eligibility of individuals to receive such accommodations. The research literature is virtually silent on the practical issues related to appropriate accommodations and the effect that these may have on exam accommodation policy. This review describes the legal and policy background related to exam accommodations. It reviews the scant research related to appropriate exam accommodations in higher education and public education and puts forth a series of policy and implementation questions that should be considered as reasonable accommodation policies are developed and impl...
Morphological variation and nutrition of a new monocentric marine fungus.

The life cycle of a new marine Phycomycete, Thraustochytrium aureum, is described based on its development on pollen in sea water. Comparisons are made with the amoeboid habit of the fungus on nutrient agar and an hypothesis as to the cause of the phenomenon is discussed. Inoculation studies suggest that T. aureum may be primarily a saprophyte of vascular plant debris. The fungus is obligately marine and apparently euryhaline. Maximal growth occurs with 2.0% NaCl not replaceable by KCl. The omission of KCl from media does not affect yields. The salinity optimum does not vary with temperature and the organism grows best at 12–25°C. It can utilize the nitrogen in (NH4)2SO4 but optimal harvests are obtained with glutamate as the source of that element and with carbon supplied as glucose, maltose, or soluble starch.
When “Sugar and Spice” Turn to “Fire and Ice”: Factors Affecting the Adverse Consequences of Relational Aggression among Adolescent Girls

This study investigated factors affecting the relative harm of relationally aggressive acts among adolescent girls. One hundred twenty-seven high school girls completed a survey in which they described an event where another girl did something to them that was mean or hurtful. Girls also completed measures of the extent to which the aggressive act threatened their positive face, and the extent to which the aggressive act led them to experience negative affect. Results supported the prediction that aggressive acts committed by girls who were more popular than the victim were associated with greater perceived face threat and negative affect than aggressive acts committed by girls who were equally popular or less popular than the victim. In addition, events in which the perpetrator involved other individuals in the commission of aggression were associated with greater perceived face threat and greater negative affect than events in which the perpetrator acted alone. Contrary to predictions, degree of interpe...
On the nature of rate-dependent processing during phonetic perception

We previously reported (Miller& Liberman, 1979) that when listeners use transition duration to identify syllables as /ba/or /wa/, they do so in relation to the overall duration of the syllables: As the syllables become longer and are perceived as having been produced at a slower rate of speech, the transition duration that differentiates /ba/ from /wa/ also becomes longer. In the present experiments, we investigated whether the adjustment for rate was based on the actual physical rate of the syllables (i.e., syllable duration) or on their subjective rate. We used an anchoring procedure to alter the subjective rate of the syllables while keeping physical rate constant, and then assessed the effect of this manipulation on the identification of the syllables as /ba/ or /wa/.We found that changes in subjective rate induced by the anchoring procedure had no reliable effect on syllable identification. However, in a control study, changes in physical rate that produced equivalent changes in subjective rate did reliably alter identification of the syllables. These findings indicate that, during phonetic perception, listeners accommodate for changes in the physical rate of speech, not for changes in its subjective rate.
Lithium chloride, administered chronically to rats, does not affect the fractional phosphorylation of brain cytosolic phospholipase A2, while reducing its net protein level

Abstract Lithium, used to treat bipolar disorder, has been reported to decrease rat brain mRNA and protein levels of cytosolic phospholipase A 2 (cPLA 2 ), an enzyme that selectively hydrolyzes arachidonic acid from the stereospecifically numbered ( sn )-2 position of membrane phospholipids, and to decrease PLA 2 activity. cPLA 2 can be activated by being phosphorylated at its Ser-228, Ser-505, and Ser-727 sites. In this study, we show that the percent phosphorylated cPLA 2 protein in rat brain is unaffected by lithium. Male Fischer-344 rats were fed lithium chloride for 6 weeks, so as to produce a therapeutically equivalent brain lithium concentration; control rats were fed lithium-free chow under parallel conditions. cPLA 2 was immunoprecipitated from brain homogenate and phosphorylated cPLA 2 protein was quantified using an anti-phosphoserine antibody, and compared to net cPLA 2 protein. The mean ratio of phosphorylated/total cPLA 2 was not changed significantly in the lithium-treated compared to the control group. Thus, decreased brain PLA 2 enzyme activity caused by chronic lithium is likely a consequence only of lithium’s downregulation of cPLA 2 transcription.
Comparison of Cone-to-Cylinder Junction Reinforcement Requirements Between ASME Section VIII, Division 1 and Code Case 2286-1

Paragraph UG-28 of the ASME Section VIII, Division 1 provides rules for reinforcement of the cone-to-cylinder junction based on line of support criteria. Code Case 2286, on the other hand, provides rules based on actual stresses versus allowable stresses. In this paper, the authors compare the results of the calculations for the reinforcement of the cone-to-cylinder junction for each method. It was found that, in some cases, the reinforcement method of UG-28 will produce non-conservative results.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Cellecx-C®-Topical vitamin C solution*

“Comparing Notes” is a readers' column devoted to sharing information on problems associated with aesthetic surgical procedures. Readers can share experiences, submit questions and respond with solutions by writing to: John G. Penn, MI), editor, Aesthetic Surgery Quarterly , c/o ASAPS Conmmnications Office, 444 East Algonquin Road, Suite 110, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Please limit submissions to 300 words. Those submitting questions may suggest a surgeon from whom Aesthetic Surgery Quarterly might request a response, or ASQ will make the selection. Names of individuals submitting problem cases will not be published. Submissions are subject to editing.
Influence of follicular maturation on the susceptibility of chicken ovarian granulosa cells to free oxygen radicals.

Abstract The influence of ovarian follicular maturation on lipid peroxidation-induced changes in the fluidity of plasma membrane of granulosa cells was investigated using the fluorogenic polyunsaturated fatty acid cis-parinaric acid (cPNA). An increase in lipid peroxidation results in the decrease of fluorescence intensity of cPNA. A decrease in membrane fluidity results in the decrease of fluorescence polarization of cPNA. Granulosa cells isolated from the largest (F1; mature), and third largest (F3; developing) preovulatory follicles as well as from a pool of immature small yellow follicles (SYF) of the domestic hen ovary were pre-labelled with cPNA. The cPNA-labelled cells were exposed to a free oxygen radical generating agent 2,2′azobis-(2-amidinopropane)-hydrochloride (AAPH). AAPH enhanced the rate of decrease in fluorescence intensity of cPNA-labelled cells. This effect of AAPH was greater in the more differentiated granulosa cells obtained from mature follicles than in less diferentiated cells isolated from immature follicles. Similarly, the degree of change in fluorescence polarization was greater in more differentiated F1 granulosa cells than in the less differentiated ones. The analysis of fatty acid composition of phospholipids indicated that the plasma membrane of differentiated granulosa cells contained a higher proportion of the unsaturated fatty acids, oleic and linoleic acids. The fluorescence data show that the rigidity of the plasma membrane of chicken granulosa cells decreases with advancing follicular maturation presumably due to relative increase in the unsaturated fatty acid content of plasma membrane phospholipid.
Determination of urinary tetrahydroaldosterone glucosiduronic acid by radioimmunoassay.

Abstract A procedure is described for determining tetrahydroaldosterone 3-glucosiduronic acid in unprocessed human urine by radioimmunoassay. The procedure is simple, accurate and requires relatively little time. Data on cross reactivity, on within-assay and betweeen-assay variability, and on reliability are given. Values for urinary excretion of tetrahydroaldosterone, aldosterone and sodium are given for a group of 72 normal individuals (35 M; 37 F) who were on ad libitum salt intake. The average excretion of tetrahydroaldosterone is 5.3 times as great as that of aldosterone and the range of deviation (in percent) from the mean value is the same for tetrahydroaldosterone as for aldosterone.
Host resistance in hemorrhagic shock. IX. Demonstration of circulating lethal toxin in hemorrhagic shock.

Summary and ConclusionsI. Normal dogs tolerate an infusion of blood from dogs dying of advanced hemorrhagic shock without noticeable harm. Dogs in hemorrhagic shock recover rapidly and without signs of illness if transfused after 2 hours with normal donor blood, or with their own shed blood. But about 70% of such dogs die if the transfused blood is from dogs dying of prolonged hemorrhagic shock. Most of the recipients that survive, as well as all those that die, are prostrated, unable to stand, drink or take fluid after the transfusion, and display a bloody diarrhea until recovery or death. Only 37% of the 2 hour shock recipients of blood from dogs in prolonged shock die if the latter have been vigorously pretreated with non-absorbable antibiotics given orally and by rectum. The survivors, moreover, recover rapidly and disclose no signs of illness. Hence the blood of dogs in prolonged hemorrhagic shock contains a lethal toxin, which, for the reasons given, is considered to be an exogenous toxin derived fr...
Fatal hepatic hemorrhage: an unresolved problem in the management of complex liver injuries

The operative records of 683 patients who required an exploratory laparotomy for trauma with the findings of a liver injury were reviewed. Of the 683 patients 18% (121) sustained severe liver injuries with difficult to control hemorrhage, and 82% of the deaths, in this group of severe liver injuries, were due to exsanguination. A critical analysis of the specific surgical techniques used for hemostasis was undertaken. Hepatotomy with subsequent direct vascular and/or biliary duct repair or ligation was used in 44% of the cases and was successful 87% of the time. Hepatic resection was employed in 10% of the cases with a 50% mortality. Liver packs were used in 29% of the cases which included 14 hepatic vein and six retrohepatic vena caval injuries and five extensive bilobar parenchymal disruptions. The survival rate for this group of patients was 86%. Vascular isolation of the liver was used 8.3% of the cases and was successful 40% of the time. An algorithm for the successful surgical control of hemorrhage from severe liver injuries including indications and contra-indications of specific surgical techniques is presented.
Scaling Law of Coherent Synchrotron Radiation in a Rectangular Chamber

We study the threshold of longitudinal instability driven by coherent synchrotron radiation in a rectangular chamber in electron storage rings. Starting with Maxwell's equation, we first derive a point-charge wakefield for longitudinal motion. Then we use the wake, along with the Vlasov-Fokker-Planck equation, to show that the threshold can be described by a simple scaling law of $\ensuremath{\xi}={\ensuremath{\xi}}^{\mathrm{th}}(\ensuremath{\chi},A,\stackrel{^}{\ensuremath{\beta}})$, where $\ensuremath{\xi}$ is a dimensionless current, $\ensuremath{\chi}$ is the shielding parameter, $A$ is the aspect ratio of the vacuum chamber, and $\stackrel{^}{\ensuremath{\beta}}$ is the damping rate relative to the rate of synchrotron oscillation. We further investigate the threshold with simulations for various values of aspect ratios. In particular, for a square chamber, we find that ${\ensuremath{\xi}}^{\mathrm{th}}\ensuremath{\approx}0.25$, which is a factor 2 lower than the threshold in free space.
On modality classification and its use in text-based image retrieval in medical databases

Medical databases have been a popular application field for image retrieval techniques during the last decade. More recently, much attention has been paid to the prediction of medical image modality (X-rays, MRI…) and the integration of the predicted modality into image retrieval systems. This paper addresses these two issues. On the one hand, we believe it is possible to design specific visual descriptors to determine image modality much more efficiently than the traditional image descriptors currently used for this task. We propose very light image descriptors that better describe the modality properties and show promising results. On the other hand, we present a comparison of different existing or new modality integration methods. This comprehensive study provide insights on the behavior of these models with respect to the initial classification and retrieval systems. These results can be extended to other applications with a similar framework. All the experiments presented in this work are performed using datasets provided during the 2009 and 2010 ImageCLEF medical tracks.
A Clockwork Orange: Burgess and Behavioral Interventions

One of the more popular, and negative, images of behavioral interventions held by the lay public is that presented in Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange. It is suggested that because this image is so popular, the book and its author must be understood by behavior analysts if they are to adequately respond to claims made in the book and subsequent movie. The book was originally published in the United States with only 20 chapters, the movie also ending with the 20th chapter. The 21st chapter, first published in the U.S. in 1986, changes the focus of the book from the morality of behavioral interventions per se to the more general issue of the existence of free will and the State’ s destruction of same. Several of Burgess’ works are examined. It is suggested that Burgess wrote his books from the standpoint of a Catholic with a belief in original sin and deity-granted free will. It is concluded that although Burgess raises an important concern, A Clockwork Orange fails to offer any real answers to the questions it poses. With regard to behavioral interventions, it is suggested that the conditioning Burgess describes would rapidly extinguish, that his understanding of the philosophical and political ramifications of behaviorism is lacking, and that he fails to acknowledge any good that could come from such interventions.
STUDIES ON THE PREPARATION AND NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF BULGUR FROM TRITICALE

Bulgur of acceptable quality was prepared from two commercially available cultivars of triticale by boiling 10 min and cooking for 3 min or 10 min at 15 psi and 120°C. Moisture contents of 32-41% were needed to achieve a desirable level of gelatinization of starch. Compared to triticale whole meal, bulgur had almost similar amounts of protein, amino acids and gross energy but lower amounts of crude fat, thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid, vitamin E, calcium, iron, copper, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, potassium, sodium and magnesium.
G-to-A mutation at a 5 splice site of fad3c caused impaired splicing in a low linolenic mutant of canola (Brassica napus L.)

Two genes (fad3a and fad3c) encode for endoplasmic delta-15 linoleate desaturase, which is responsible for the desaturation of linoleic acid (C18:2) into linolenic acid (C18:3) in canola (Brassica napus). The canola mutant line DMS100 carries a G-to-A base substitution at the 5′ splice site, located at +1 G, of fad3c intron 6 and contains reduced C18:3 content in oil seeds. Reverse transcription (RT) PCR analysis was used to amplify part of the fad3c transcript spanning intron 5, exon 6 and intron 6 using the primers specific to the exon 5 and 7 to investigate whether the mutation caused any abnormal splicing. The RT-PCR amplified a fragment of larger size in the fad3c mutant than in wild-type. Sequencing of the RT-PCR fragments revealed that the mutation activated an impaired splicing which retained the entire intron 6 in the mature fad3c transcript of the mutant. The impaired splicing could result in early termination of translation and synthesis of a shorter fad3c polypeptide because the intron 6 contained stop codons in all three possible reading frames. The incomplete translation could produce an inactive enzyme which blocked the desaturation of linoleic acid (C18:2) to linolenic acid (C18:3), resulting in the decrease of C18:3 accumulation in canola seeds. This is consistent with the observation that the fad3c mutant has significantly lower C18:3 content (<3%) than the wild type (~7%).
Effectiveness of quetiapine in rapid cycling bipolar disorder: A preliminary study

Abstract Objective The authors examined long-term effectiveness and study retention during open-label quetiapine treatment for rapid cycling bipolar disorder. Methods An open-label, nonrandomized trial was conducted in 41 patients with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder (type I = 33, type II = 7, NOS = 1) who received flexibly dosed quetiapine monotherapy (n = 19) or add-on therapy (n = 22) for up to one year. Linear growth curves were calculated to assess longitudinal changes in depression and mania. Results Linear growth curves demonstrated highly significant reductions in manic (p Limitations The study protocol involved an open label design with no placebo or active comparator group. The sample size provided adequate statistical power to detect large but not medium or small within-group effects. Premature dropout during the first six months precluded inferences about longer-term treatment outcome. Conclusions These observational findings provisionally suggest some benefit with quetiapine for both manic and depressive symptoms in rapid cycling bipolar disorder, at dosages somewhat lower than previously described either for mania or bipolar depression. The relatively high dropout rate underscores the complexity of rapid cycling bipolar disorder and likely necessity for pharmacotherapy adjustments over time.
Physical Solubility of Gases in Fused Silica

Experimental data on the physical solubility of gases in fused silica are presented. A “free” volume for fused silica was calculated from these solubilities and was compared to the free volume calculated by other methods. The relation of this free volume to the molecular structure of fused silica is also discussed.
A 480-MHz, multi-phase interleaved buck DC-DC converter with hysteretic control

We propose an on-chip 1.8 V-to-0.9 V DC-DC converter aimed to reduce the input current and decoupling requirements of future microprocessors. By utilizing a 90-nm CMOS process, employing a four-phase hysteretic control, and operating at ultra-high frequency of 480-MHz, we achieved a 10% output droop with only 2.5 nF of on-chip decoupling, for 0.5 A of load current. No off-chip decoupling was connected to the output. At 480 MHz the measured efficiency was 72%. At 250 MHz, the efficiency improved to 76% at the cost of a 17% droop or larger decoupling of 11.5 nF. A converter with 100 A rating would require a capacitor of 0.5 /spl mu/F, which is comparable to the size of an on-chip capacitor of a typical microprocessor.
A call for qualitative power analyses.

The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the importance of sampling and sample size considerations in all qualitative research. Such considerations would help qualitative researchers to select sample sizes and sampling designs that are most compatible with their research purposes. First, we discuss the importance of sampling in qualitative research. Next, we outline 24 designs for selecting a sample in qualitative research. We then discuss the importance of selecting a sample size that yields data that have a realistic chance of reaching data saturation, theoretical saturation, or informational redundancy. Based on the literature, we then provide sample size guidelines for several qualitative research designs. As such, we provide a framework for making sampling and sample size considerations in interpretive research.
Gastric bypass and On-Q pump: effectiveness of Soaker Catheter system on recovery of bariatric surgery patients

Abstract Background The continuous infusion of ropivacaine is effective in controlling pain for a wide variety of surgical procedures and reducing opioid adverse effects and dependency. The present study assessed the efficacy of ropivacaine infusion using the I-Flow dual Soaker Catheter system at the surgical site for bariatric surgery recovery at the Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center Hospital (Dallas, TX). We hypothesized that patients receiving ropivacaine would report lower levels of morphine requirement and pain, would have shorter hospital stays, and would return to ambulating faster than patients in the control group. Methods A total of 45 patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery were randomized to 1 of 2 treatment groups, with a target study population of 50 patients, receiving either .2% ropivacaine (n = 24) or saline solution (n = 21). Before incision closure, the surgeon infiltrated the surrounding tissues with 30 mL of ropivacaine (.5%) or saline solution. The catheter was then placed in both the subfascial space and subcutaneously. Next, the infusion pump was connected to the Soaker Catheters to complete the system design and deliver solution to the surgical site. Results No significant differences were found in the pain scores, morphine requirement, or length of stay between the 2 groups. The ropivacaine group interval to sitting up was one half day shorter than that of patients receiving saline ( P = .038). Conclusions Patients receiving ropivacaine were found to ambulate much more quickly than did the control group patients. This could be very beneficial in reducing the complications from blood clots and improving patient recovery and overall well-being after surgery by assisting with a quicker return to activities of daily living and reducing the dependence on the nursing staff.
Perception of Personal Control and Academic Achievement in Sri Lanka Cross-Cultural Generality of American Research

Several American studies have reported a correlation between superior academic achievement and internal locus of control. This internality-achievement relationship has been interpreted in light of contemporary changes in American education. In this study, the internality-achievement relationship is examined in the highly traditional educational system of Sri Lanka. Results demonstrated that the American findings generalize to the classroom environment in Sri Lanka. It is suggested that the American results may be unrelated to modern educational changes-that, instead, they are a consequence of an attribution process which may possess cross-cultural generality.
Pathways for Positive Identity Construction at Work: Four Types of Positive Identity and the Building of Social Resources

In this paper we organize research on work-related identities into a four-perspective typology that captures different ways identities can be “positive.” Each perspective on positive identity—virtue, evaluative, developmental, and structural—highlights a different source of positivity and opens new avenues for theorizing about identity construction. We use these four perspectives to develop propositions about how different forms of positive work-related identity construction can strengthen employees through building social resources.
Application of discrete events systems for modeling and controlling robotic agents

In this paper we present a framework for modeling behaviors and tasks for heterogeneous robotic agents. For this purpose we have adopted a formalism from the discrete events systems (DES) theory. We distinguish two kinds of scenarios. In the first one, reactive behaviors of mobile agents directly connect observations with actions. The overall objective is to achieve controllability of the system which is composed from modular components operating in parallel. In the second one, observations are implicitly connected with actions and the objective is to design an observer for manipulatory tasks which would guarantee the task's observability. The use of the DES formalism allows one to describe complex interactions between different components in a systematic fashion and guarantee some control-theoretic properties. We demonstrate our approach by presenting examples of navigation, obstacle avoidance, piercing and picking. >
Essentially all models are wrong, but some are useful

There has been intense scrutiny of the failure to translate preclinical studies in stroke. By contrast, much less attention has been directed to asking how treatments get from an early-phase to late-phase clinical trial. While much of the focus has been in stroke, a similar failure to translate has been all too common in other neurologic disorders.
In situ measurements of carbon dioxide, 0.37–4.0 μm particles, and water vapor in the stratospheric plumes of small rockets

[1] Carbon dioxide (CO2) and large particles (0.37–4.0 μm) were measured in the stratospheric plume wakes of three rockets, an Atlas IIAS, a Delta II, and an Athena II. The correlations between CO2 mass and particle number densities in each plume are consistent with the unique combination of solid and liquid engine emissions of each rocket. Measured size distributions indicate a 1.1 μm mode with density of 2 g cm−3, consistent with spherical alumina particles emitted by solid rocket motors. Disagreement between the measured size distributions and the mean sizes inferred from the known alumina and CO2 emission indices and an observed increase in the particle number emission index with altitude are evidence for large particle oversampling effects and the presence of condensed volatile compounds within the particle population. Direct evidence for the latter is a persistent ∼0.5–1 part per million (ppm) shortfall of water vapor relative to CO2 measured in the plume of the Athena II rocket based on the expected H2O/CO2 emission ratio. Although pure ice particles would not persist at the conditions of the measurements, a more stable coating of HNO3 (as either nitric acid trihydrate or as a liquid layer) could have reduced the sublimation rate of the underlying ice, thereby increasing the lifetimes of volatile particles within the plume. If confirmed, such a process would have important implications for the radiative and chemical properties of rocket plumes, including global ozone depletion associated with rocket launch activities.
Potassium-dependent slow inactivation of Kir1.1 (ROMK) channels.

The ROMK (Kir1.1) family of epithelial K channels can be inactivated by a combination of low internal pH and low external K, such that alkalization does not reopen the channels unless external K is elevated. Previous work suggested that this inactivation results from an allosteric interaction between an inner pH gate and an outer K sensor, and could be described by a simple three-state kinetic model. In the present study, we report that a sustained depolarization slowly inactivated (half-time = 10–15 min) ROMK channels that had been engineered for increased affinity to internal polyamines. Furthermore, this inactivation occurred at external [K] ≤1 mM in ROMK mutants whose inner pH gate was constitutively open (ROMK2-K61M mutation). Both pH and voltage inactivation depended on external K in a manner reminiscent of C-type inactivation, but having a much slower time course. Replacement of ROMK extracellular loop residues by Kir2.1 homologous residues attenuated or abolished this inactivation. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that there are (at least) two separate closure processes in these channels: an inner pH-regulated gate, and an outer (inactivation) gate, where the latter is modulated by both voltage and external [K].
Exploring the power of heuristics and links in multi-relational data mining

Relational databases are the most popular repository for structured data, and are thus one of the richest sources of knowledge in the world. Because of the complexity of relational data, it is a challenging task to design efficient and scalable data mining approaches in relational databases. In this paper we discuss two methodologies to address this issue. The first methodology is to use heuristics to guide the data mining procedure, in order to avoid aimless, exhaustive search in relational databases. The second methodology is to assign certain property to each object in the database, and let different objects interact with each other along the links. Experiments show that both approaches achieve high efficiency and accuracy in real applications.
Improving safety and mobility at high-speed intersections with innovations in sensor technology

A series of innovations has been made in the vehicle sensors field. Technologies such as IntelliDrive and radar-based smart sensors make it possible to track each vehicle in proximity to an intersection. However, current technologies have limitations, such as lack of robustness, accuracy, or level of penetration. This paper assumes an accurate wide-area detector (WAD), which might be soon available, and highlights the potential benefits that might be derived in safety and efficiency of operations at high-speed intersections from the deployment of the WAD. Two critical areas in which wide-area detection can lead to significant improvements are discussed: (a) location of crash risk on onset of yellow and (b) location of vehicles on onset of yellow. A case study was conducted at an instrumented intersection in Noblesville, Indiana, to estimate potential improvement from the use of an ideally operating WAD and green extension logic for signal control. Findings revealed that the replacement of the single loop ...
Comparison of Brain Phantom Lesion Imaging Capability of the Brain and Whole-Body Modes of the Transformable HOTPET Camera

The high-resolution oncologic transformable PET (HOTPET) camera can operate in several modes including a whole-body mode and a brain mode. In the whole-body mode, the HOTPET camera has a transverse field-of-view (FOV) of 60 cm and an axial FOV of 13 cm. In the brain mode, it has a transverse FOV of 39 cm and an axial FOV of 21 cm. We compared the performance of the two modes of the HOTPET camera for detecting small brain lesions ( <; 10mm). We also generated data for a whole-body PET camera with crystals twice the average size of the HOTPET's crystals by rebinning HOTPET body mode data for comparison with HOTPET data. The purpose of this work was to investigate the effective gain in lesion detection by using a dedicated brain PET camera with high sensitivity and high spatial resolution over a whole-body PET camera. To accomplish this, we scanned a Hoffman brain phantom with three small, spherical lesion inserts for several lesion activity contrasts in both modes of the HOTPET camera. The inner diameters of the lesion inserts were 3.95 mm, 4.95 mm, and 7.86 mm. The ratio of the activity concentration in the lesions to the activity in the background (gray matter regions) ranged from 1 to 20. Images of the lesion inserts were reconstructed and they were compared by visual inspection and also by measuring the contrast of lesions and studying their radial profiles. On visual inspection, the 7.86-mm lesion with a lesion-to-background activity ratio of 2 or higher was clearly identifiable in both modes of the HOTPET camera. The 4.95-mm lesion was observable with a lesion-to-background activity ratio of 4 or higher in the HOTPET brain mode, 5.5 or higher in the HOTPET whole-body mode, and 8 or higher for the rebinned whole-body data. The 3.95-mm lesion was observable with a lesion-to-background activity ratio of 8 or higher in the brain mode and of 11 (16) or higher in the HOTPET (rebinned) whole-body mode. This study demonstrated the potential advantage of the brain mode of the HOTPET camera over the whole-body mode, and especially over the rebinned data generated for a whole-body PET camera with larger crystals, for detecting small brain lesions ( <; 7 mm).
Induction of Tibial Dyschondroplasia by Carbamate and Thiocarbamate Pesticides

Abstract Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is a major poultry leg problem, the natural etiology of which is unknown. Certain dithiocarbamate pesticides such as tetramethyl thiuram disulfide (thiram) have been shown to induce the disease in chickens. Because many different carbamate and thiocarbamate chemicals are used in a number of agricultural, industrial, and household applications, the objective of this study was to determine whether all chemicals of these categories induce TD and whether there is a concentration-dependent relationship between the ingestion of these chemicals and the incidences and the severity of the disease. Week-old broiler chicks were fed diets containing thiram or other assorted carbamate and thiocarbamate pesticides mixed in feed for 24–48 hr between ages 8 and 10 days. The birds were killed on day 15 and the proximal tibial and tarsometatarsal growth plates were evaluated for the presence and severity of TD lesions. TD was distinguished by broadening of growth plates; upon histologi...
On the relationship between ocean DMS and solar radiation

[1] Biologically produced dimethylsulfide (DMS) is an important source of sulfur to the marine atmosphere that may affect cloud formation and properties. DMS is involved in a complex set of biochemical transformations and ecological exchanges so its global distribution is influenced by numerous factors, including oxidative stress from UV radiation. We re-examine correlations between global surface DMS concentrations and mixed layer solar radiation dose (SRD), and find that SRD accounts for only a very small fraction (14%) of total variance in DMS measurements when using minimal aggregation methods. Moreover this relationship arises in part from the fact that when mixed layers deepen, both SRD and DMS decrease. When we control for this confounding effect, the correlation between DMS and SRD is reduced even further. These results indicate that factors other than solar irradiance play a leading role in determining global DMS emissions.
A hybrid system for affine-invariant trajectory retrieval

This paper studies efficient feature spaces for content based indexing and retrieval of object motion trajectories. Taking object trajectory data as input, we first investigate highly compact affine invariant feature spaces based on Fourier Descriptors (FD) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) techniques. Based on these feature spaces, we then develop a hybrid content based indexing and retrieval system that employs a two-stage matching scheme. The first stage uses affine-invariant Fourier Descriptor (FD) for indexing and retrieval. Top few results from this stage along with the original query are then posed to the second stage of the matching system that employs Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for fast retrieval. We compare our system's performance with two other approaches borrowed from 2-D shape representation in image analysis. For quantitative analysis of the system performance, we report query results in terms of precision-recall metrics
Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia in Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) Infesting Raccoons (Carnivora: Procyonidae) and Opossums (Marsupialia: Didelphimorphidae) in Tennessee

Spotted fever group Rickettsia were present in 13 of 1,171 (1.1%) of adult Dermacentor variabilis Say removed from raccoons (Procyon lotor L.) and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana Kerr) in western Tennessee. Spotted fever group Rickettsia were detected by amplification of a 617-bp segment of the citrate synthase gene by polymerase chain reaction.
The effect of vitamins A, E and K on experimentally induced histomoniasis in turkeys

Vitamins A, E and K were incorporated into turkey starter rations at normal (1 x ), 5 x and 50 x the National Research Council recommended vitamin levels and evaluated for their effect on histomoniasis in turkeys. Infected as well as comparable unifected poults were included in all trials. Each vitamin was also evaluated at normal and 50 x the NRC level in combination with ipronidazole, a low-level antihistomonal agent. In addition to performance parameters, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) plasma enzyme levels were used to evaluate the vitamin effect. None of the vitamins tested alone were found to be effective in terms of reducing mortality and morbidity following a severe Histomonas meleagridis challenge, regardless of the vitamin dose. A significant improvement in performance was demonstrated with the vitamin E (50 X)--ipronidazole combination and a numerical improvement with the vitamin A (50 X)--ipronidazole combination over ipronidazole alone or the poults fed NRC recommended vitamin levels. The GOT and LDH plasma enzyme levels correlated well with the progressive pathological changes associated with the disease. At 11 days post-infection both enzymes were consistently and significantly elevated above those of the uninfected controls, irrespective of the vitamin levels provided. The presence of low ipronidazole in most instances delayed the onset of clinical symptoms and was associated with a delay in enzyme elevation, indicating the excellent correlation and sensitivity of the enzyme method in assessing liver damage.
Genomic Privacy in the Information Age

One premise of the notion of “personalized medicine” is that an individual's unique genetic makeup provides key information to guide prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Indeed, it is highly probable that no one besides you has ever been born, or ever will be again, with your precise DNA base sequence (except, perhaps, if you are an identical twin, and even then maybe not). Hence, in principle, your complete DNA sequence precisely identifies you, and anyone with access to even partial information about your genotype could, in theory, identify you as the source of your DNA sequence. This risk of breach of privacy is frequently included in consent forms for DNA sequencing or genotyping, whether for medical reasons, research, or recreation (such as searching for ancestors). To date, the risk has been theoretical, but a recent report by Gymrek et al. (1) shows that real breach of privacy is feasible with access to limited genomic data, bare-bones demographic information, and publicly available Internet tools. Now that we know it can be done, how should this potential for breach of privacy change our approach to collection of genomic data? Gymrek et al. focused on identification of male surnames from Y chromosome short tandem repeat (Y-STR)2 genotypes (2) (Fig. 1). These repeats are stretches of 3–5 DNA bases (usually 4), repeated multiple times (in the range of 10–20), that are located at multiple sites along the Y chromosome. The exact number of repeats of any particular sequence differs from one Y chromosome to another, but it is a stable heritable trait. Genotyping or sequencing can easily identify specific alleles at dozens of these loci, providing a kind of “fingerprint” of a specific Y chromosome. Indeed, a major use of Y-STR genotyping is forensic, for example in identifying the source of DNA …
Impact of International Accounting Harmonization

Harmonization is a process of increasing the compatibility of accounting practices by setting limits on how much they can vary. Harmonized standards are free of logical conflict, and should improve the compatibility of financial information from different countries. Efforts to harmonize accounting standards began even before the creation of the International Accounting Standard Committee (IASC) in 1973. More recently, companies seeking capital outside of their home markets and investors attempting to diversify their investment internationally faced increasing problems resulting from national differences in accounting measurements, disclosures, and auditing. In response, harmonization efforts accelerated during the 1990s. International Accounting harmonization now is one of the most important issues facing accounting standard setters, securities market regulators, stock exchanges, and those who prepare or use financial statements. Efforts to achieve international harmonization have been marked by sharp debates. Should accounting standards be harmonized, made uniform, or less alone? Is it reasonable that less-developed countries adopt the same accounting standards as those used in highly developed countries? This paper aims to address these issues.
The" Angry" Macrophage and Its Impact on Host Response Mechanisms

The severely injured or critically ill surgical patient in the intensive care unit (ICU) is at high risk for immune dysfunction. This immune dysfunction is thought to be caused by an uncontrolled, unfocused, disseminated activation of the host’s normally protective inflammatory cascades. This resultant “malignant systemic inflammation” produces an immunologic dichotomy. The nondiscriminant systemic activation of the inflammatory process produces diffuse multiple organ bystander injury leading to progressive organ dysfunction and organ failure as seen in the multiple organ failure syndrome (MOFS) [1]. Concomitantly, this excessive activation and consumption plus a simultaneous endogenous attempt to downregulate or suppress this inflammatory response leads to a loss of normal immune responsiveness. This immunosuppression inhibits the ability to mount a focused immune response to contain areas of acute inflammation and early invasive infections. Thus, loss of local homeostasis occurs while simultaneous diffuse systemic organ injury and subsequent dysfunction occur.
Feedback-Based Temperature and Irradiation Estimation for Photovoltaic Systems

This paper develops two algorithms for estimating photovoltaic (PV) module temperature and effective irradiation level. The efficiency of PV systems depends on the module temperature, and both temperature and irradiation determine the power output of the system. Estimating these two quantities allows for improved state-based control methods while eliminating the need of additional sensors. Thermal models and irradiation estimators have been developed in the literature, but none incorporate feedback for estimation. This paper outlines two feedback-based observers for temperature and irradiation, each with a different irradiation model, and validates the proposed observer techniques through simulation.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Progress of Sustaining Polio-free Status in 2005-2008 in Hefei

Objective To evaluate the current situation of sustaining polio-free status and stabilize the achievement of polio-free in Hefei city from 2005 to 2008.Methods The latest data reported by AFP surveillance system and routine immunization reporting system of Hefei city was analyzed with Excel software.Results The results showed that the reported incidence of AFP cases among children under 15 years old from 2005 to 2008 were 1.86/100000,3.00/100000,5.50/100000 and 4.00/100000 that distributed in 7 countries,and all indicators of the most prefectures did attain the criteria issued by WHO at provincial level.Only 8.20% cases were not detailed and not administered 3 doses of Oral Polio Vaccine(OPV) through analyzing the immunization history of AFP cases.Conclusion So the AFP surveillance and OPV immunization should be strengthened continually until there is no polio in the world.
Chronic Distal Biceps Repair With an Achilles Allograft

In cases of chronic distal biceps ruptures, the combination of muscle atrophy, distal tendon retraction, and fibrosis makes primary anatomic reattachment of the tendon particularly challenging. To regain tendon length and avoid flexion contractures, reconstruction with graft augmentation has been proposed as an alternative for cases not amenable to primary repair. We describe our technique using an Achilles allograft through a modified Henry approach to reconstruct the distal biceps tendon to regain length as well as restore flexion and supination strength. With proper and detailed exposure, chronic distal biceps injuries can be reconstructed safely and efficaciously using an Achilles allograft.