cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-E-I-53: Radiation Dose-Dependent Characteristics of CT Images Reconstructed with Statistical Iterative Algorithms

Purpose: To characterize the dependence of image noise, contrast‐to‐noise and noise structure in CT images on algorithm weighting‐factors (AWF) and radiation dose for three different commercially available iterative reconstruction algorithms. Methods: Images were acquired using the 20 cm ACR CT accreditation phantom on scanners manufactured by three different vendors at four different CTDI levels from approximately 10 mGy‐70 mGy. Images were reconstructed using conventional filtered backprojection (FBP) image reconstruction and with each vendor's proprietary statistical iterative reconstruction (SIR) algorithms: ASiR™, SAFIRE™ and iDOSE™. At each CTDI level, images were reconstructed with multiple AWF. Image noise (standard deviation of background near contrast objects), contrast‐to‐noise (CNR) and Noise Power Spectrum (NPS) were plotted as a function of both weighting factor and CTDI. Results: All SIR algorithms demonstrated significant improvement in both noise reduction and CNR, typically 30%– 60% depending upon the AWF. NPS was found to be a function of both reconstruction kernel and SIR weighting factor. All SIR reconstructed images showed the same general shift in noise power to lower spatial frequencies with increased AWF regardless of vendor. With dose reduction as high as 80%, heavily weighted SIR reconstructed images can produce CNR values comparable to images produced with 100% dose levels. Conclusion: All three SIR algorithms provide significant noise reduction and CNR improvement with minimal reduction of spatial resolution. The noise‐reduction performance with different algorithm weighting was approximately linear for all SIR algorithms. For all CTDI levels measured, each algorithm was capable of providing increased CNR by at least a factor of 90%. However, the weighting factors are vendor specific, thus a direct comparison is not appropriate. The use of greater SIR weighting factors also resulted in a shift in the NPS to lower spatial frequencies, producing a background texture that could potentially affect image interpretation.
Including Inperfect Competition in Spatial Equilibrium Models: A Comnent

In a recent issue of this Journal, Nelson and McCarl proposed an interesting Cournot model with zero transportation costs and a constant marginal cost. From the well-known first-order condition, Nelson and McCarl derived a quadratic program with two sets of linear constraints. The purpose of this note is to show that the Nelson and McCarl formulation is not valid without some qualifications.
An organized approach to complex ethical cases on a surgical service.

Ethical scenarios, such as the one above, frequently arise in surgical specialties. The surgical environment often is saturated with complicated decisions, critically ill patients, and delivering bad news. Ethics is central to both medical and surgical practice. However, surgical ethics is different from other areas of medical ethics in that surgeons are necessarily an active part of the patient’s treatment. When a surgical plan is created, there is always an action by a person, the surgeon, upon another person, the patient. If the surgeon is removed from the operative plan, the treatment falls apart. The fact that a surgeon is required to complete surgical procedures differs greatly from other medical specialties where once a plan is generated, it can continue without the direct involvement of the physician. Across the field of bioethics, four principles can frequently be identified as central to most ethical situations and decisions: respect for persons—allowing the patient to play an active role in making decisions regarding their own medical care [1]; nonmaleficence—avoiding harm to a patient; beneficence—maximizing benefits and minimizing harms to patients; and justice—being fair and equitable [2]. These principles guide the evaluation and interpretation of the ethical issues in patient care. Surgical care most commonly occurs when a patient is sick and vulnerable as patients often present when acutely ill or with a malignancy or other condition that requires operative resolution. The vulnerability of the patient requires the surgeon to exercise additional caution in caring for patients who are in dire need of assistance and may be willing to consent to extreme procedures. When the surgeon and patient discuss an operative plan, it is the surgeon’s responsibility to effectively communicate the indications, risks, and alternatives of the operation to the patient. Although official documentation of informed consent occurs through signing a form, the actual consent process is the conversation between the surgeon and patient [3]. This conversation is a critical component of any surgical procedure. It is in this interaction that the relationship is established with the patient; confidence and trust are instilled, the usual postoperative course defined, and possible complications are explained. For high-risk procedures, the surgeon should go further than the informed consent conversation and discuss what the patient might want done if complications arise. This conversation should outline what the patient would want in specific and unlikely, but still possible scenarios; e.g., not regaining baseline mental status or not being able to be extubated. Beyond the consent process itself, surgeons must continually communicate with patients S. C. Wightman (&) P. Angelos Department of Surgery, University of Chicago Medicine, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC6040, Chicago, IL 60637, USA e-mail: sean.wightman@uchospitals.edu
A selective adenosine sensor derived from a triplex DNA aptamer

The aim of this study is to develop a selective adenosine aptamer sensor using a rational approach. Unlike traditional RNA aptamers developed from SELEX, duplex DNA containing an abasic site can function as a general scaffold to rationally design aptamers for small aromatic molecules. We discovered that abasic site-containing triplex DNA can also function as an aptamer and provide better affinity than duplex DNA aptamers. A novel adenosine aptamer sensor was designed using such a triplex. The aptamer is modified with furano-dU in the binding site to sense the binding. The sensor bound adenosine has a dissociation constant of 400 nM, more than tenfold stronger than the adenosine aptamer developed from SELEX. The binding quenched furano-dU fluorescence by 40%. It was also demonstrated in this study that this sensor is selective for adenosine over uridine, cytidine, guanosine, ATP, and AMP. The detection limit of this sensor is about 50 nM. The sensor can be used to quantify adenosine concentrations between 50 nM and 2 μM.
Nuclear Isomerism in Element 43

A case of nuclear isomerism in element 43 has been thoroughly studied and is described. An activity of 6.6 hours half-life, which grows from a 67-hour molybdenum activity and has been chemically identified as element 43, decays with the emission of a line spectrum of electrons and no observable nuclear beta-particles. Absorption measurements in aluminum and measurements with a magnetic spectrograph give an energy for the electrons of 116 kev. This line spectrum must be due to the conversion electrons of a highly converted gamma-ray of energy 136 kev and arises as the result of a transition from an excited state of this isotope of element 43. The ground state is either stable or very long-lived. X-rays are also observed, and critical absorption measurements, as well as observations with a bent crystal spectrograph, show that they are to be ascribed to the $K\ensuremath{\alpha}$ line of element 43, as is to be expected from this interpretation. The 6.6-hour activity also emits gamma-rays of about 180 kev energy; the measurements show that these are to be interpreted as following the transition which gives rise to the conversion electrons. A description of the chemical identification of the 6.6-hour activity is given. Other activities of element 43 are mentioned.
Cleaning up down South: Supermarkets, ethical trade and African horticulture

Supermarkets in Great Britain have joined the country's Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) in order to demonstrate their commitment to social welfare and environmental standards in their supply chains. They have been particularly concerned to enforce ethical as well as food safety standards in the African horticultural industry, which has historically depended on cheap labour to produce high-value vegetables. The supermarkets' 'ethical turn' appears to signal an important change from forms of commodity fetishism that obscured exploitative relations of food production in the South. This paper, however, argues that in an era of high food anxiety for both retailers and consumers, ethical standards are themselves fetishized. It also shows how the effort to impose such standards on Zambia's horticultural export industry resembles the colonial 'hygienic mission', and faces a similar contradiction.
Handicap-related problems in mothers of children with physical impairments☆

An inventory was developed for the measurement of handicap-related problems experienced by mothers of children with chronic physical conditions and an initial evaluation of its psychometric properties was completed in a sample of 119 mothers of children with physical or sensory impairments. Principal component analysis of the Handicap-related Problems for Parents Inventory (HPPI) yielded three subscales, which accounted for 54% of the total variance. The HPPI demonstrated excellent internal consistency for each scale and total score. It also generally had good test-retest reliability over 6-, 12-, and 18-month periods. There was minimal covariation between HPPI scores and demographic status. Concurrent validity was demonstrated by significant correlations between appropriate HPPI scales and measures of daily stress and the child's physical condition or disability status. Support for its construct validity was obtained when expected convergent and discriminant relationships were confirmed between HPPI scales and measures of maternal adaptation, maternal social support, and child behavior problems. Among other results, HPPI scores predicted maternal adaptation 18 months later. The potential uses of the HPPI in research and intervention with mothers of children with chronic physical conditions were discussed.
Evidence for the involvement of singlet oxygen in the photodestruction by chloroaluminum phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate

In recent years, chloroaluminum phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (AlPCTS) has been shown to be a promising photosensitizer for the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer. Although its mechanism of photodynamic action is not well defined, AlPCTS is going to be under clinical trials of PDT. In this study, in vitro addition of AlPCTS to a suspension of rat epidermal microsomes followed by irradiation with red light (∼675 nm) resulted in significant destruction of cytochrome P-450 and associated monooxygenase activities. The photodestructive effect was dependent on both the dose of AlPCTS and the duration of light exposure. Studies using various quenchers of reactive oxygen species showed that only scavengers of singlet oxygen such as histidine, 2,5-dimethylfuran, β-carotene and sodium azide afforded substantial protection against photodestruction. Our data indicate the direct involvement of singlet oxygen in the AlPCTS-mediated photodestructive process.
The cardiac output in chronic cor pulmonale.

A comparative study was made of the resting cardiac index in 12 cases of chronic cor pulmonale, in 14 normal subjects, and in 10 patients suffering from heart failure due to vascular or valvular disease. The mean cardiac index in the subjects with chronic cor pulmonale was significantly higher than in the group with other types of heart disease and was significantly lower than in the normal individuals. An explanation for the failure to observe elevation of cardiac output in some of these cases of chronic cor pulmonale is offered.
Fluorinated N,N-dialkylaminostilbenes repress colon cancer by targeting methionine S-adenosyltransferase 2A

Methionine S-adenosyltransferase 2A (MAT2A) is the catalytic subunit for synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), the principal methyl donor in many biological processes. MAT2A is up-regulated in many cancers, including liver cancer and colorectal cancer (CRC) and is a potentially important drug target. We developed a family of fluorinated N,N-dialkylaminostilbene agents, called FIDAS agents, that inhibit the proliferation of CRC cells in vitro and in vivo. Using a biotinylated FIDAS analogue, we identified the catalytic subunit of MAT2A as the direct and exclusive binding target of these FIDAS agents. MAT2B, an associated regulatory subunit of MAT2A, binds indirectly to FIDAS agents through its association with MAT2A. FIDAS agents inhibited MAT2A activity in SAM synthesis, and depletion of MAT2A by shRNAs inhibited CRC cell growth. A novel FIDAS agent delivered orally repressed CRC xenografts in athymic nude mice. These findings suggest that FIDAS analogues targeting MAT2A represent a family of novel and potentially useful agents for cancer treatment.
Mining Software History to Improve Software Maintenance Quality: A Case Study

Errors in software updates can cause regressions failures in stable parts of the system. The Binary Change Tracer collects data on software projects and helps predict regressions in software projects.
Oligothiophene Nanoparticles: Photophysical and Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Studies

Thiophene oligomer nanoparticles (NPs) were studied by fluorescence spectroscopy and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL). Distinct spectroscopic differences between aggregates or NPs of thiophene hexamers having differing substitution patterns of solubilizing alkyl groups were observed. The α,ω-unsubstituted thiophene hexamer, Hexamer-2, exhibited fluorescence properties that were similar in solution and as colloidal NPs; there was only a small red shift compared with what was observed for the discrete system dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (THF). In contrast, the oligomer substituted in the α,ω-positions with branched alkyl substituents (Hexamer-1) displayed a gradual bathochromic shift of the fluorescence maximum in proportion to the amount of a poor solvent (water) added to the THF solution. Moreover, the fluorescence characteristics for the oligomer(s) dissolved in a mixture of THF and water were similar to those seen by annihilation ECL in a mixture of benzene/acetonitrile. On this basis, we conclu...
Cooperative adaptive control for synchronization of second‐order systems with unknown nonlinearities

This paper studies synchronization to a desired trajectory for multi-agent systems with second-order integrator dynamics and unknown nonlinearities and disturbances. The agents can have different dynamics and the treatment is for directed graphs with fixed communication topologies. The command generator or leader node dynamics is also nonlinear and unknown. Cooperative tracking adaptive controllers are designed based on each node maintaining a neural network parametric approximator and suitably tuning it to guarantee stability and performance. A Lyapunov-based proof shows the ultimate boundedness of the tracking error. A simulation example with nodes having second-order Lagrangian dynamics verifies the performance of the cooperative tracking adaptive controller. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The airway pipeline: How do you know where your ETT is?

Endotracheal intubation is one of the most important functions of a transport team. The consequences of an unrecognized esophageal intubation, however, are obvious and disastrous. Most unrecognized esophageal intubations result in death or significant, permanent brain damage. A review of unrecognized esophageal intubation anesthesia claims reported that 81% of these cases resulted in patient death and 17% resulted in permanent brain injury. A study on urban paramedic pediatric intubations reported 14/15 pediatric patients with unrecognized esophageal intubation or unrecognized endotracheal tube (ETT) dislodgment died. All crewmembers intubate the esophagus at some point, but fortunately, it usually is recognized rapidly. Most intubations performed by transport crews are done in emergency situations involving unstable patients who can ill-afford any period of esophageal intubation. With the resources available to transport teams for ETT placement confirmation, unrecognized esophageal intubations should rarely occur.
Angular Distribution and Cross Section of Li 6 ( n , α ) H 3 for Neutrons of 1.1, 1.5, and 2.0 Mev

The angular distribution of ${\mathrm{Li}}^{6}(n, \ensuremath{\alpha}){\mathrm{H}}^{3}$ has been determined for 1.1, 1.5, and 2.0 Mev neutrons by track measurements in 100-micron Ilford $C2$ and $E1$ lithium-six loaded emulsions. The triton yield function has been expressed as a finite series of spherical harmonics in the center-of-mass system. The $s$ and $p$ components of the neutron wave appear to predominate in the reaction, but the data are not sufficiently accurate to exclude the possibility of contributions from higher angular momentum components.The cross section was also determined for the reaction at neutron energies of 1.5 and 2.0 Mev relative to that at 0.60 Mev. This was done by exposing the same plate to 0.60-, and to 1.5- or 2.0-Mev neutrons; a long counter was used to measure the neutron flux at each energy. Tracks were selected in a suitable cone so as to resolve the two energy groups. Ther esults were 0.32\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06 and 0.27\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04 barn at 1.5 and 2.0 Mev, respectively.
Assessment of Diet‐induced Obese Rats as an Obesity Model by Comparative Functional Genomics

Objective: We applied a comparative functional genomics approach to evaluate whether diet-induced obese (DIO) rats serve as an effective obesity model. Methods and Procedures: Gene-expression profiles of epididymal fat from DIO and lean rats were generated using microarrays and compared with the published array data of obese and non-obese human subcutaneous adipocytes. Results: Caloric intake and fuel efficiency were significantly higher in DIO rats, which resulted in increased body weight and adiposity. Circulating glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, insulin, and leptin levels in DIO rats were significantly higher than those in the lean controls. DIO rats also exhibited impaired insulin sensitivity. A direct comparison of gene-expression profiles from DIO and lean rats and those from obese and non-obese humans revealed that global gene-expression patterns in DIO rat fat resemble those of obese human adipocytes. Differentially expressed genes between obese and non-obese subjects in both human and rat studies were identified and associated with biological pathways by mapping genes to Gene Ontology (GO) categories. Immune response–related genes and angiogenesis-related genes exhibited significant upregulation in both obese humans and DIO rats when compared with non-obese controls. However, genes in fatty acid metabolism and oxidation exhibited a broad downregulation only in obese human adipocytes but not in DIO rat epididymal fat. Discussion: Our study based on gene-expression profiling suggested that DIO rats in general represent an appropriate obesity model. However, the discrepancies in gene-expression alterations between DIO rats and obese humans, particularly in the metabolic pathways, may explain the limitations of using DIO rodent models in obesity research and drug discovery.
Prenatal diagnosis of renal anomalies

Within the past 24 months, we have performed prenatal diagnostic studies in 4 pregnancies known to be at risk for well-described genetic syndrome involving renal abnormalities, ie, Meckel syndrome, Roberts syndrome, and bilateral renal agenesis. The diagnostic techniques utilized were ultrasonographic scanning (B-mode and grey scale), biochemical assays, and radiographic evaluation. The ultrasound finding common to the 3 affected cases was extreme oligohydramnios, which we considered indirect evidence that renal anomalies were present. The ultrasound scans of the fetuses affected with Meckel and Roberts syndrome demonstrated anechoic cystic spaces in the abdomen, representing the enlarged dysplastic cystic kidneys. An encephalocele was well demonstrated by B-mode scan in the fetus with Meckel syndrome. The absence of normal limbs in the Roberts syndrome was evident on serial grey scale scans of the fetus. Biochemical and radiographic studies provided results consistent with the suspected diagnoses. The importance of providing genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis to families at risk is emphasized.
Framework for Providing Customized Data Representations for Effective and Efficient Interaction with Mobile Computing Solutions on Construction Sites

Conceptual representations of information contained in product and process models are often difficult to use for accessing data when performing engineering tasks. This is especially true if project-management information contained in product and process models needs to be made accessible on a mobile computer on construction sites. To make this information accessible, customized conceptual and visual information representations are needed. For the project-management tasks of progress monitoring and creating and administering punch lists, existing approaches that provide access to relevant project information are ineffective and inefficient in transforming information from product and process models into usable representations. As a result, these applications do not always provide information representations that are of the required structure, granularity, and type. In this paper, we describe a navigational model framework, which is an approach that effectively and efficiently creates and manages different views of information contained in product and process models. We validated this framework by implementing a prototype system and testing it through a designed set of experiments. The use cases for these experiments were established in an extensive study on the information and data collection needs on construction sites.
A γ-cyclodextrin thiazolium salt holoenzyme mimic for the benzoin condensation

Abstract Several thiazolium salts have been attached to a C-6 carbon of γ-cyclodextrin. They catalyze the benzoin condensation of benzaldehyde very effectively.
Effects of Hypophysectomy and Administration of Cortisone or ACTH on Adrenal 5α-Reductase Activity and Steroid Production1

Preliminary studies in female rats demonstrated that adrenal 5α-reductase activity is inhibited by ACTH administration and stimulated by cortisone administration. Hypophysectomy in either sex results in enhanced activity of the enzyme in adrenal homogenates 48 hr after operation and markedly decreased recovery of corticosterone (Cpd. B) measured by acid fluorescence. Total production of corticosteroids measured by the blue tetrazolium reaction is only minimally affected. Replacement with ACTH reverses these changes, but is less effective in female rats. Acute loss of gonadal function may be excluded as the sole cause of the response to removal of the pituitary since gonadectomy is ineffective in the same time interval. Testosterone administered to hypophysectomized male rats inhibits adrenal reductase activity and increases the production of Cpd. B in vitro. Estradiol produces no change. Activity of the reductase increases progressively up to at least 96 hr after hypophysectomy. Cpd. B production varies i...
Corrective treatment of isolated ventricular septal defect in infancy.

Abstract Intracardiac correction of VSD in infants should be indicated if the mortality and morbidity of the operation at this age group is lower than cumulative mortality of pulmonary artery banding plus second-staged procedure mortality. Experience with closure of VSD in 23 patients under 1 yr of age with 4% mortality and low morbidity is presented. Indications for operation are: (1) intractable heart failure; (2) persistence or progression of pulmonary hypertension; and (3) failure of banding procedure. Deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest facilitated the intracardiac repair in all patients. Mortality and morbidity related to the banding procedure are emphasized, and it is suggested that banding be restricted only to patients with associated coarctation of the aorta or to patients with multiple muscular ventricular septal defects in whom left ventriculotomy can be safely performed at an older age.
Cloud-Active Nuclei from Coal-Fired Electric Power Plants and Their Interactions with Clouds

Abstract The concentrations of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) in the plumes from coal-fired electric power plants are generally about 2 to 5 times greater than in the ambient air unaffected by the plumes. However, if the ambient air is very clean, the concentrations of CCN in a coal power plant plume can be up to ∼80 times greater than in the ambient air. The rates of production of CCN due to gas-to-particle (g-to-p) conversion in the plume from one of the plants studied were measured on different occasions to be ∼2 × 1015 and ∼5 × 1013 CCN h−1 per mole of SO2. The maximum current of CCN to be expected in the plume from a coal power plant is ∼1017 CCN s−1. After a travel time of ∼1 h, most of the CCN in power plant plumes have been produced by g-to-p conversion rather than emitted directly from the stack. The concentrations of ice nuclei in the plumes did not differ significantly from those in the ambient air. The materials in a plume may be transported rapidly in the vertical if the plume is entrained i...
Epithelial Downgrowth Following Penetrating Keratoplasty in the Aphake

• Four of approximately 1,500 patients receiving corneal grafts developed epithelial downgrowth following penetrating keratoplasty. All were aphakic prior to grafting and had complicated postoperative courses. Epithelial proliferation over the iris and endothelium was demonstrated in three cases at the time of a repeat keratoplasty. While rare, this complication may occur more frequently than has been previously recognized. ( Arch Ophthalmol 95:464-467, 1977)
Peripheral artery tonometry demonstrates altered endothelial function in children with type 1 diabetes.

Objectives: To assess the ability of reactive hyperemia–peripheral artery tonometry (RH-PAT) to serve as a surrogate marker of endothelial dysfunction in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Research Design and Methods: Forty-four children with T1D [age 14.6 ± 2.7 yr; duration of diabetes 6.01 ± 4 yr; range of diabetes duration 1–16 yr; and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 8.34 ± 1.2%] and 20 children without diabetes (age 14.1 ± 1.5 yr) underwent RH-PAT endothelial function testing after an overnight fast. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), fasting lipid profile, and glucose level were determined in each child. Children with T1D underwent a second RH-PAT study 4 wk after their initial study to determine the intrapatient variability of the technique. Results: Children with T1D had endothelial dysfunction as evidenced by lower mean RH-PAT scores (1.63 ± 0.5) when compared with children without diabetes (mean RH-PAT score 1.95 ± 0.3) (p = 0.01). Repeat RH-PAT scores were predicted by initial RH-PAT scores (p = 0.0025). Mean intrapatient standard deviation of RH-PAT score was 0.261 and mean coefficient of variation was 14.8. Variations in RH-PAT score were not explained by differences in glucose, HbA1c, BMI, systolic BP, diastolic BP, or lipids. Conclusions: Although larger validation studies are required, RH-PAT is a promising non-invasive technique to assess endothelial function in children with T1D. Non-invasive measures of endothelial dysfunction may provide the additional risk stratification data needed to justify more aggressive primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in children with T1D.
Achalasia: Prospective Evaluation of Relationship Between Lower Esophageal Sphincter Pressure, Esophageal Transit, and Esophageal Diameter and Symptoms in Response to Pneumatic Dilation

The aims of this study were to investigate a group of patients with achalasia prospectively to determine (1) the relationship between changes in symptoms and esophageal motor function in response to pneumatic dilation and (2) the effects of the balloon size as well as the frequency and duration of inflation on the outcome of treatment. Fourteen patients with achalasia who were symptomatic for a median duration of 27 months participated in the study. The patients were randomized to one combination of the following pneumatic dilation conditions: a 30- or 35-mm balloon dilator, one or two balloon inflations, and 20, 40, or 60 seconds per balloon inflation. A comprehensive assessment of their symptoms and esophageal motility, transit, and diameter was performed before and 3 months after pneumatic dilation. Pneumatic dilation provided significant relief of dysphagia ( P
Irreversibility and Thermoeconomics Based Design Optimization of a Ceramic Heat Exchanger

This paper illustrates the optimization procedure for heat exchangers residing in complex power plants. A specific case of optimizing a new technology ceramic heat exchanger, which is part of the complex power plant, is shown. The heat exchanger design methods presented are based on two different objective functions, namely, a modified irreversibility rate based objective function proposed by the authors in earlier work and an objective function based on thermoeconomics. This paper also extends existing work by illustrating a method to obtain the cost coefficients for thermoeconomic optimization, based on the use of an overall plant simulation model. A discussion on possible methods of improving the design guideposts obtained from irreversibility minimization analysis is presented.
The dispersibility and stability of coal particles in hydrocarbon media with a polyisobutene succinamide dispersing agent

Abstract A commercial polyisobutene succinamide type dispersant was shown to be an effect stabilizer/dispersant for a suspension of coal in hydrocarbon (at concentration levels of about 0.1 to 0.4 wt% dispersant to coal). It was suggested that the dispersant could act by a combination of electrostatic and steric mechanisms with the basic amide groups strongly adsorbed on the acid sites on the coat surface and the polyisobutene chains extending into the hydrocarbon. This type of dispersant could be of potential interest in the area of coal/oil dispersions.
Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis due to adenovirus type 19

A new type of epidemic kerotoconjunctivitis, caused by adenovirus type 19, is currently present in this country. It can be spread by tonometry, but in this report, appeared to be more likely to be spread by finger to eye contact.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of analogues of the peptaibol ampullosporin A.

A series of analogues of the fungal peptaibol type metabolite ampullosporin A containing modifications in the C and N terminus as well as α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) substitutions in different pos...
Bi-Polar: College Education and Loans to Small Businesses Headed by Black Females:

This paper uses the 1998 and 2003 Surveys of Small Business Finance (SSBF) to detail the recent experiences of black female headed small businesses (BFHBs) in the capital markets. It documents, a large disparity in the importance of a college education for black and non-black female headed businesses (NFHBs); that the race of a female headed business is an important factor in determining whether a loan is approved; and that although receiving a college education does not remove the cost BFHBs face due to their owner’s race, it is significantly lower than that faced by their peers without a college educated owner. Together, this paper provides striking evidence of taste-based and statistical discrimination , both in violation of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
Biomechanics of cross‐sectional size and shape in the hominoid mandibular corpus

Mandibular cross sections of Pan, Pongo, Gorilla, Homo, and two fossil specimens of Paranthropus were examined by computed tomography (CT) to determine the biomechanical properties of the hominoid mandibular corpus. Images obtained by CT reveal that while the fossil hominids do not differ significantly from extant hominoids in the relative contribution of compact bone to total subperiosteal area, the shape of the Paranthropus corpora indicates that the mechanical design of the robust australopithecine mandible is fundamentally distinct from that of modern hominoids in terms of its ability to resist transverse bending and torsion. It is also apparent that, among the modern hominoids, interspecific and sexual differences in corpus shape are not significant from a biomechanical perspective. While ellipse models have been used previously to describe the size, shape, and subsequent biomechanical properties of the corpus, the present study shows that such models do not predict the biomechanical properties of corpus cross-sectional geometry in an accurate or reliable manner. The traditional “robusticity” index of the mandibular corpus is of limited utility for biomechanical interpretations. The relationship of compact bone distribution in the corpus to dimensions such as mandibular length and arch width may provide a more functionally meaningful definition of mandibular robusticity.
Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis: atypical presentations and outcomes

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is an acute drug eruption characterized by erythematous plaques and papules studded with numerous, pinpoint pustules. Several atypical clinical presentations and triggers of AGEP have been described in the literature. These include systemic presentations similar to toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) and localized presentations mimicking other medication reactions. We herein aim to review atypical presentations and medication triggers of AGEP to assist clinicians in recognizing this condition and making appropriate therapeutic interventions.
Coherent subcarrier fiber-optic communication systems with phase-noise cancellation

A phase-noise-cancelled coherent subcarrier fiber- optic communication system that uses integrated-optic Mach- Zehnder waveguide modulators for frequency-pair encoding is introduced. Optical double-sideband suppressed-carrier signals with the same random phase noise and information encoded in the frequency separation of the two sidebands are generated by properly biasing the modulator. Phase noise is eliminated at the receiver by a nodhear operation on the two sidebands. System performance analysis with numerid examples, taking into ac- count the modulation index and laser normalized linewidth, is presented.
Phoenix-based clone detection using suffix trees

A code clone represents a sequence of statements that are duplicated in multiple locations of a program. Clones often arise in source code as a result of multiple cut/paste operations on the source, or due to the emergence of crosscutting concerns. Programs containing code clones can manifest problems during the maintenance phase. When a fault is found or an update is needed on the original copy of a code section, all similar clones must also be found so that they can be fixed or updated accordingly. The ability to detect clones becomes a necessity when performing maintenance tasks. However, if done manually, clone detection can be a slow and tedious activity that is also error prone. A tool that can automatically detect clones offers a significant advantage during software evolution. With such an automated detection tool, clones can be found and updated in less time. Moreover, restructuring or refactoring of these clones can yield better performance and modularity in the program.This paper describes an investigation into an automatic clone detection technique developed as a plug-in for Microsoft's new Phoenix framework. Our investigation finds function-level clones in a program using abstract syntax trees (ASTs) and suffix trees. An AST provides the structural representation of the code after the lexical analysis process. The AST nodes are used to generate a suffix tree, which allows analysis on the nodes to be performed rapidly. We use the same methods that have been successfully applied to find duplicate sections in biological sequences to search for matches on the suffix tree that is generated, which in turn reveal matches in the code.
Joint optimization of capacity and flow assignment for self-healing ATM networks

This paper addresses an optimal link capacity design problem for self-healing ATM networks. Given a projected traffic demand capacity and flow assignment is jointly optimized to find a truly optimal capacity placement. The problem can be formulated as a large-scale linear programming. The basis matrix can be readily factorized into an LU form by taking advantage of its special structure, which results in a great reduction on the computation time of the revised simplex method. The proposed method was tested on two sample networks for several random traffic demands. The results indicate that a significant amount of cost saving is possible through the joint optimization.
Development of Al-Cu-Fe Quasicrystal-Poly(p-phenylene sulfide) Composites

Quasicrystalline Al-Cu-Fe powders were used as a novel filler material in poly(p-phenylene sulfide) (PPS). These polymer/quasicrystal composites showed useful properties that may be beneficially exploited in applications such as dry bearings and composite gears. Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystalline filler significantly improved wear resistance to volume loss in polymer-based composites. In addition to improving the composite wear resistance, the Al-Cu-Fe filler showed low abrasion to the 52100 chrome steel counterface. Furthermore, mechanical testing results showed a two-fold increase in the storage modulus of the reinforced composites compared with the polymer samples. In addition, the Al-Cu-Fe filler was compared to its constituent metals, aluminum oxide, and silicon carbide in PPS. Chemical analysis of the wear interface by X-ray spectroscopy indicated the generation of a third body oxide layer during wear. The fabrication in addition to the thermal, mechanical, and wear properties of these unique materials is described.
Burkholderia mallei cellular interactions in a respiratory cell model.

Burkholderia mallei is a facultative intracellular pathogen that survives and replicates in phagocytic cell lines. The bacterial burden recovered from naive BALB/c mice infected by intranasal delivery indicated that B. mallei persists in the lower respiratory system. To address whether B. mallei invades respiratory non-professional phagocytes, this study utilized A549 and LA-4 respiratory epithelial cells and demonstrated that B. mallei possesses the capacity to adhere poorly to, but not to invade, these cells. Furthermore, it was found that B. mallei was taken up by the murine alveolar macrophage cell line MH-S following serum coating, an attribute suggestive of complement- or Fc receptor-mediated uptake. Invasion/intracellular survival assays of B. mallei-infected MH-S cells demonstrated decreased intracellular survival, whilst a type III secretion system effector bopA mutant strain survived longer than the wild-type. Evaluation of the potential mechanism(s) responsible for efficient clearing of intracellular organisms demonstrated comparable levels of caspase-3 in both the wild-type and bopA mutant with characteristics consistent with apoptosis of infected MH-S cells. Furthermore, challenge of BALB/c mice with the bopA mutant by the intranasal route resulted in increased survival. Overall, these data suggest that B. mallei induces apoptotic cell death, whilst the BopA effector protein participates in intracellular survival.
Role of substrate functional groups in binding to nitric oxide synthase.

The interactions between the heme CO ligand in the oxygenase domain of nitric oxide synthase and a set of substrate analogues were determined by measuring the resonance Raman spectra of the Fe–C–O vibrational modes. Substrates were selected that have variations in all the functional units: the guanidino group, the amino acid site and the number of methylene units connecting the two ends. In comparison to the substrate free form of the enzyme, Interactions of the analogues with the CO moiety caused the Fe–CO stretching and the Fe–C–O bending modes to shift in frequency due to the electrostatic environment. An unmodified guanidino group interacted with the CO in a similar fashion despite changes in the amino acid end. However, an unmodified amino acid end is required for catalysis owing to the H-bonding network involving the substrate, the heme and the pterin cofactor.
Ontogeny of brain catecholamine turnover and susceptibility to audiogenic seizures in DBA/2J mice

We have investigated the relationship between catecholamine turnover and susceptibility to audiogenic seizures (AGS) in the developing DBA/2J mouse. Turnover of dopamine and norepinephrine was determined after administration of alphamethylparatyrosine at 3 weeks of age when nearly all mice (94%) exhibited AGS, at 6 weeks when only 30% were susceptible, and at 12 weeks when none developed seizures. Turnover of brain dopamine increased progressively from 236 ng/g/hr at 3 weeks to 389 ng/g/hr by 12 weeks of age. Norepinephrine turnover increased significantly between 3 and 6 weeks of age, then remained stable thereafter. Turnover times for each catecholamine did not change appreciably with maturation. Our results support the notion that susceptibility to AGS may be mediated in part by brain catecholaminergic mechanisms.
Controllability Properties of a Vibrating String with Variable Axial Load and Damping Gain

We show, in a constructive way, that the set of equilibrium states like (yd,0) of a vibrating string that can approximately be reached in H10 (0,1)× L2(0,1) by varying its axial load and the gain of damping is dense in the subspace H10 (0,1)×{0} of this space.
No shades of gray: Splitting and self-esteem instability

Splitting refers to the tendency to form cognitive representations of the self and others that are either all-good or all-bad. Previous research and theory concerning splitting has proposed that reliance on this defense mechanism should be associated with unstable self-esteem. The present research examined this hypothesis by measuring the tendency of 183 participants to engage in splitting and then tracking their state self-esteem each evening for seven consecutive days. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses found that the proposed association between splitting of the self image and self-esteem instability only emerged among individuals with relatively high levels of self-esteem. For individuals with low levels of self-esteem, their self-esteem was unstable regardless of whether they relied on splitting or not. The implications of splitting for the stability of self-esteem are discussed.
Mesenchymal stem cells utilize CXCR4-SDF-1 signaling for acute, but not chronic, trafficking to gastric mucosal inflammation.

Background Helicobacter infection is the main risk factor in developing gastric cancer. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are non-hematopoietic stromal cells, which are able to differentiate into different cell lineages. MSC contribute to cancer development by forming the tumor directly, contributing to the microenvironment, or by promoting angiogenesis and metastasis. CXCR4/SDF-1 axis is used by MSC in trafficking, homing, and engraftment at chronic inflammation sites, and plays an important role in tumorigenesis.
Ecology and radiation of galling aphids (Tamalia; Hemiptera: Aphididae) on their host plants (Ericaceae)

Summary At least two species of aphid, Tamalia coweni and Tamalia dicksoni (Hemiptera: Aphididae) induce galls on the leaves of Arctostaphylos spp. shrubs (Ericaceae). These galls are frequently inhabited by at least one species of congeneric inquiline. The inquiline clade has branched off from the gall-inducing clade and appears to be radiating rapidly on different host-plants, in contrast to the gall inducers. This striking pattern may offer insight into the factors driving speciation. Three key innovations present ecological opportunities for Tamalia gall-inducers and inquilines: (1) the induction of galls not only on leaf margins, but also on leaf midribs and inflorescences, both of which are novel host plant organs for Tamalia. (2) Gall-induction on well-armed host plants, otherwise protected with dense and viscous pubescence. (3) The origin of the inquiline habit in congeneric Tamalia aphids is a shift into a novel adaptive zone. Inquiline Tamalia exploit gall-inducers by competing successfully within the gall. They may have specialized along host-plant lines because of the critical need for precise timing with the plant during the gall invasion process.
Self-Constitution in the Ethics of Plato and Kant

Plato and Kant advance a “constitutional” model of the soul, in which reason and appetite or passion have different structural and functional roles in the generation of motivation, as opposed to the familiar “Combat Model” in which they are portrayed as independent sources of motivation struggling for control. In terms of the constitutional model we may explain what makes an action different from an event. What makes an action attributable to a person, and therefore what makes it an action, is that it issues from the person's constitution, and therefore from the person as a whole, rather than from some force working on or in the person. This in turn implies an account of what makes an action good: what makes an action good is that it is deliberated upon and chosen in a way that unifies the person into a constitutional system. Through deliberative action we constitute ourselves as unified agents. Platonic justice and Kant's categorical imperative are shown to be normative standards for action because they are principles of self-constitution.
Recognition of emotion from inverted schematic drawings of faces.

The present study investigated whether facial expressions of emotion are recognized holistically, i.e., all at once as an entire unit, as faces are or featurally as other nonface stimuli. Evidence for holistic processing of faces comes from a reliable decrement in recognition performance when faces are presented inverted rather than upright. If emotion is recognized holistically, then recognition of facial expressions of emotion should be impaired by inversion. To test this, participants were shown schematic drawings of faces showing one of six emotions (surprise, sadness, anger, happiness, disgust, and fear) in either an upright or inverted orientation and were asked to indicate the emotion depicted. Participants were more accurate in the upright than in the inverted orientation, providing evidence in support of holistic recognition of facial emotion. Because recognition of facial expressions of emotion is important in social relationships, this research may have implications for treatment of some social disorders.