cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Screening for Hematological Disorders in Mosaic Down Syndrome Parent Report of Experiences

Children with Down syndrome (DS) have increased risk for multiple medical conditions with published health care guidelines. Current guidelines do not specify whether or not they apply to mosaic DS (mDS). We surveyed families of patients with mDS regarding screening, including monitoring practices as well as complications identified. Hematological complications were similar to those reported in nonmosaic DS. Of 91 parents of children with mDS surveyed, only 69% had ever had a screening lab; only 57% had ever had a screening complete blood count (CBC). Younger children were less likely to be screened (for CBC, 50% of 0- to 3-year-olds vs 90% of 4- to 12-year-olds; P = 0.0036). Screening practices are suboptimal, with the youngest children at greatest risk. Comparing reported screening practices with physician adherence, there was discrepancy between perceptions of adherence and perceptions of practice. Children with mDS should be monitored on the same schedule as other children with DS.
Violent societies: an application of orbital decomposition to the problem of human violence.

This study uses orbital decomposition to analyze the patterns of how governments lose their monopolies on violence, therefore allowing those societies to descend into violent states from which it is difficult to recover. The nonlinear progression by which the governing body loses its monopoly is based on the work of criminologist Lonnie Athens and applied from the individual to the societal scale. Four different kinds of societies are considered: Those where the governing body is both unwilling and unable to assert its monopoly on violence (former Yugoslavia); where it is unwilling (Peru); where it is unable (South Africa); and a smaller pocket of violent society within a larger, more stable one (Gujarat). In each instance, orbital decomposition turns up insights not apparent in the qualitative data or through linear statistical analysis, both about the nature of the descent into violence and about the progression itself. Language: en
Regional patterns in mercury and selenium concentrations of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Pacific Ocean

Mercury (Hg) concentrations in high trophic level fish, such as bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), can often exceed consumption advisories. Here we sampled 444 yel...
A network level fractional channel to support guaranteed real-time communication

A network-level abstraction called phi -channel that supports the requirements of real-time applications is proposed. A phi -channel represents a simplex, end-to-end communication channel between a source and a destination. The channel is characterized by a set of specific performance parameters associated with its traffic, namely packet maximum end-to-end delay and the maximum number of packets that can be sent over that delay. The primary attribute supported by the phi -channel is on-time reliability. The basic scheme used to verify the feasibility of accepting a phi -channel, and the run-time support to guarantee its performance are described. The results of a simulation experiment implementing the basic functionalities of the proposed scheme are presented. >
Estuarine Nitrifiers: New Players, Patterns and Processes

Ever since the first descriptions of ammonia-oxidizing Bacteria by Winogradsky in the late 1800s, the metabolic capability of aerobic ammonia oxidation has been restricted to a phylogenetically narrow group of bacteria. However, the recent discovery of ammonia-oxidizing Archaea has forced microbiologists and ecologists to re-evaluate long-held paradigms and the role of niche partitioning between bacterial and archaeal ammonia oxidizers. Much of the current research has been conducted in open ocean or terrestrial systems, where community patterns of archaeal and bacterial ammonia oxidizers are highly congruent. Studies of archaeal and bacterial ammonia oxidizers in estuarine systems, however, present a very different picture, with highly variable patterns of archaeal and bacterial ammonia oxidizer abundances. Although salinity is often identified as an important factor regulating abundance, distribution, and diversity of both archaeal and bacterial ammonia oxidizers, the data suggest that the variability in the observed patterns is likely not due to a simple salinity effect. Here we review current knowledge of ammonia oxidizers in estuaries and propose that because of their steep physico-chemical gradients, estuaries may serve as important natural laboratories in which to investigate the relationships between archaeal and bacterial ammonia oxidizers.
Using C. elegans for antimicrobial drug discovery.

Introduction: The number of microorganism strains with resistance to known antimicrobials is increasing. Therefore, there is a high demand for new, non-toxic and efficient antimicrobial agents. Research with the microscopic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans can address this high demand for the discovery of new antimicrobial compounds. In particular, C. elegans can be used as a model host for in vivo drug discovery through high-throughput screens of chemical libraries. Areas covered: This review introduces the use of substitute model hosts and especially C. elegans in the study of microbial pathogenesis. The authors also highlight recently published literature on the role of C. elegans in drug discovery and outline its use as a promising host with unique advantages in the discovery of new antimicrobial drugs. Expert opinion: Caenorhabditis elegans can be used, as a model host, to research many diseases, including fungal infections and Alzheimer's disease. In addition, high-throughput techniques for screening...
Construction and characterization of region-specific microdissection libraries and single-copy microclones for short arm of human chromosome 2

The short arm of human chromosome 2, comprising approximately 93 million bp, has been divided into four regions to construct region-specific microdissection libraries to facilitate physical mapping and gene cloning. These four regions include 2p23-p25 (designated 2P1), 2p21-p23 (2P2), 2p14-p16 (2P3), and 2p11-p13 (2P4). Together with three previously constructed microdissection libraries of 2P1, 2P2 and 2P4, a fourth library for the region 2p14-p16 (2P3) has been constructed and characterized to complete all four region-specific libraries for the entire 2p. The 2P3 library is very large, potentially comprising 1,000,000 recombinant microclones with insert sizes ranging between 50 and 800 bp and a mean of 250 bp. Approximately 40% of the microclones contain unique sequences. Of the 77 single-copy microclones analyzed, 66 clones (86%) hybridized to both human and chromosome 2 DNAs, indicating that they were derived from human and are chromosome 2 specific. The hybridizing HindIII genomic fragments for the 66 microclones have also been determined.
Nontraditional degree options for nurses: A model program

The Institute for Personal and Career Development of Central Michigan University offers external degree programs for adult learners utilizing nontraditional study. The competency-based programs described in this paper include credit given for the educational background and relevant career-life experiences of registered nurses in Michigan. The curriculum options most often chosen by nurses culminate in a BS degree in Community Development with a concentration either in school health or in public health and a BS degree in Management and Supervision with a concentration in health care administration.
Uncertainty Assessment of Ramjet Performance Determination in Connected-Pipe Testing

The results of an uncertainty assessment of data reduction methods for ramjet performance determination in connected-pipe testing are presented. The study reviews and investigates different methods of determining characteristic exhaust velocity C*, efe ciency based on C*, specie c impulse Isp, efe ciency based on Isp, and thermal efe ciency. The uncertainty assessment of the data reduction methods is presented in two ways, one general and independent of test facility identity and one based on specie c uncertainty estimates for input variables. The general case presents an uncertainty magnie cation factor illustrating how the uncertainty of each input variable is magnie ed or diminished as it propagates through the data reduction method into the result. The specie c case presents an uncertainty percentage contribution of each input variable to the uncertainty of the result using specie c uncertainty estimates for the input variables. It is shown that, for identical input variable values, the different data reduction methods give a wide range of performance values and uncertainties (a primary reason for the undertaking of this work). It is also shown that efe ciencies based on C* and Isp are poor parameters for characterizing ramjet combustion performance and are not recommended for use when comparing results that vary in altitude simulation.
Mechanical Defects of Muscle Fibers with Myosin Light Chain Mutants that Cause Cardiomyopathy

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease caused by single mutations in several sarcomeric proteins, including the human myosin ventricular regulatory light chain (vRLC). The effects of four of these mutations (A13T, F18L, E22K, and P95A) in vRLC on force generation were determined as a function of Ca 21 concentration. The endogenous RLC was removed from skinned rabbit psoas muscle fibers, and replaced with either rat wildtype vRLC or recombinant rat vRLC (G13T, F18L, E22K, and P95A). Compared to fibers with wildtype rat vRLC, the E22K mutant increased Ca sensitivity of force generation, whereas the G13T and F18L mutants decreased the Ca sensitivity, and the P95A mutant had no significant effect. None of the RLC mutants affected the maximal tension (observed at saturating Ca 21 concentrations), except for F18L, which decreased the maximal tension to 69 6 10% of the wildtype value. Of the mutant RLCs, only F18L decreased the cooperativity of activation of force generation. These results suggest that the primary cause of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, in some cases, is perturbation in the Ca sensitivity of force generation, in which Ca-sensitizing or Ca-desensitizing effects can lead to similar disease phenotypes.
Virtual libraries of tetrapyrrole macrocycles. Combinatorics, isomers, product distributions, and data mining.

A software program (PorphyrinViLiGe) has been developed to enumerate the type and relative amounts of substituted tetrapyrrole macrocycles in a virtual library formed by one of four different classes of reactions. The classes include (1) 4-fold reaction of n disubstituted heterocycles (e.g., pyrroles or diiminoisoindolines) to form β-substituted porphyrins, β-substituted tetraazaporphyrins, or α- or β-substituted phthalocyanines; (2) combination of m aminoketones and n diones to form m × n pyrroles, which upon 4-fold reaction give β-substituted porphyrins; (3) derivatization of an 8-point tetrapyrrole scaffold with n reagents, and (4) 4-fold reaction of n aldehydes and pyrrole to form meso-substituted porphyrins. The program accommodates variable ratios of reactants, reversible or irreversible reaction (reaction classes 1 and 2), and degenerate modes of formation. Polya’s theorem (for enumeration of cyclic entities) has also been implemented and provides validation for reaction classes 3 and 4. The output...
Interactive web-based radiology teaching file

This multimedia radiology teaching file was developed for medical students, residents, physicians, and researchers to present teaching components related to clinical studies. Patient studies are used to create teaching cases, user can also create lecture series and custom presentations (catalogs) by linking related text and images. The user is able to make and preserve his/her own notes related to reviewed information. From the computer workstation, the user can perform search our case library by American College of Radiology (ACR) codes, keywords, modalities, or text. Results are presented in custom pages and include text lists, thumbnails lists, rescaled images, and full-size images. Text can be easily printed in custom format or exported to an ASCI file. To preserve the privacy of the student, access to our database is granted to the web browser by log-in panel. Image and text can be imported from Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM)-compatible devices or entered by using web forms. In conclusion, we developed a multifunctional interactive teaching environment accessible for multiplatform internet users.
Learning Rules for Conceptual Structure on the Web

This paper presents an infrastructure and methodology to extract conceptual structure from Web pages, which are mainly constructed by HTML tags and incomplete text. Human beings can easily read Web pages and grasp an idea about the conceptual structure of underlying data, but cannot handle excessive amounts of data due to lack of patience and time. However, it is extremely difficult for machines to accurately determine the content of Web pages due to lack of understanding of context and semantics. Our work provides a methodology and infrastructure to process Web data and extract the underlying conceptual structure, in particular relationships between ontological concepts using Inductive Logic Programming in order to help with automating the processing of the excessive amount of Web data by capturing its conceptual structures.
Camera evidence: visibility analysis through a multicamera viewpoint

A major criterion in the design of backhoes (and other heavy machinery) is the ability of the operator to see all critical portions of the vehicle and the surrounding environment. Computer graphics provides a method for analyzing this ability prior to the building of full-scale wooden models. By placing the computer graphic camera at the operator's eyepoint, designers can detect poor placement of supports, blind spots, etc. In this type of analysis, the camera becomes an active, yet somewhat imperfect, participant in our understanding of what an operator of the backhoe 'sees'. In order to simulate a backhoe operator's vision from within a cab, one needs to expand the angle of view of the camera to mimic unfocused, peripheral vision. A traditional wide-angle lens creates extreme distortions that are not present in 'natural' vision, and is therefore hardly an adequate representation. The solution we arrived at uses seven cameras fanned out horizontally in order to capture a relatively undistorted 155 degree angle of view. In addition, another camera displays and numerically analyzes the percentage of the loader bucket visible and blocked. These two views are presented simultaneously in order to address both the 'naturalistic' and quantitative needs of the designers, as well as to point to the incompleteness of any one representation of a scene. In the next phase of this project we will bring this type of analysis into a machine environment more conducive to interactivity: a backhoe simulator with levers to control the vehicle and bucket positions, viewed through a virtual reality environment.
Chronic L-dopa treatment in the unilateral 6-OHDA rat: evidence for behavioral sensitization and biochemical tolerance.

Abstract Two separate experiments were conducted to assess the behavioral and biochemical effects of chronic l -dihydroxyphenylalanine ( l -DOPA) treatment in rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions. In this animal model, contralateral rotation provides the behavioral indicator response for l -DOPA activation of the dopamine denervated striatum. Following 30 daily l -DOPA treatments, a subthreshold dose (10 mg/kg) for rotation became suprathreshold and the contralateral rotation induced by a suprathreshold dose (20 mg/kg) became exaggerated. This motoric sensitization to l -DOPA was not reversed by a three-day period of l -DOPA withdrawal. In contrast with the emergence of behavioral sensitization to l -DOPA, biochemical measurements showed that the increase of dopamine metabolite concentrations (DOPAC and HVA) induced by acute l -DOPA treatment became attenuated with chronic treatment. This finding suggests that chronic l -DOPA treatment produces a partial tolerance in the conversion of l -DOPA to extracellular dopamine. The emergence of l -DOPA sensitization-overstimulation effects was hypothesized to reflect the combined effects of dopamine receptor priming and Pavlovian drug conditioning and to contribute to the emergence of dyskinetic effects of l -DOPA therapy. The partial tolerance observed for dopamine metabolites was hypothesized to represent a decreased conversion of l -DOPA to dopamine which with long-term treatment could progress to an eventual wearing-off effect of l -DOPA therapy.
Duplicate Bladder Exstrophy with Complete Duplication of Müllerian Structures

The authors report a rare variant of the exstrophy-epispadias complex in which the patient has two bladders and complete duplication of mullerian structures. We also discuss the treatment of the patient's orthopedic and genitourinary conditions. The patient's prognosis is excellent, and she is expected to be fully continent, able to void spontaneously, and conceive children.
Soils of the Tropics and the World Food Crisis

The properties and potential of soils of the tropics are poorly understood. The old idea that laterite is formed when tropical soils are cleared is true of only a small proportion of the area. In most features, soils in the tropics are similar or equivalent to soils in the temperate regions. Specifically, soil organic matter contents, commonly believed to be low in the tropics, are essentially similar to those of the temperate regions. While the basic concepts about physical and chemical behavior developed in the nonglaciated temperate regions are directly applicable to the tropics, the development of soil management practices for sustained food production involves different strategies because of environmental and economic constraints. A major distinction is made between the development of high base status and low base status soils. With the former, soil management practices should be aimed at maximizing the potential of high-yielding varieties and improving intercropping systems with relatively intensive fertilizer inputs. With the low base status soils of the vast savanna and jungle areas energyrelated inputs should be optimized by (i) selecting of crop varieties and species more tolerant to nutritional deficiencies or toxicities, (ii) applying fertilizers at lower rates than those recommended by classic marginal analysis, and (iii) increasing the efficiency of applied fertilizers in such soils.
Protein kinase Cδ and c‐Abl kinase are required for transforming growth factor β induction of endothelial–mesenchymal transition in vitro

Objective The origin of the mesenchymal cells responsible for the intimal fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) has not been fully identified. Here, we investigated whether subendothelial mesenchymal cells may emerge through transdifferentiation of endothelial cells (EC) into myofibroblasts via endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) in vitro and the signaling pathways involved in this process.
In vivo clearance of low-density lipoproteins and β-very-low-density lipoproteins in normal and hypercholesterolemic white carneau pigeons

Abstract Low-density lipoproteins (hLDL) and β-migrating-very-low-density lipoproteins (β-VLDL) were isolated from the plasma of cholesterol-fed White Carneau (WC) pigeons and low-density lipoproteins (nLDL) were isolated from the plasma of grain-fed WC pigeons. The lipoproteins were radiolabeled with 125I or 131I and injected into normocholesterolemic or hypercholesterolemic WC pigeons WC pigeons to determine their rate of clearance from the plasma. The fractional catabolic rate (FCR) of nLDL and hLDL in normocholesterolemic pigeons averaged 0.202 and 0.206 pools/h, respectively. β-VLDL was cleared at a significantly slower rate of 0.155 pools/h. The FCR of the same lipoproteins injected into hypercholesterolemic pigeons was reduced 17% for nLDL, 50% for hLDL and 57% for β-VLDL, indicating that the effect of hypercholesterolemia on clearance in vivo was different for the three lipoproteins. The FCR of reductively methylated pigeon LDL (MeLDL), which gives a measure of receptor-independent clearance of LDL, was shown previously to be 0.037 pools/h. These studies therefore that LDL and β-VLDL are cleared from the plasma of normocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic pigeons at a rate substantially greater than that predicted for non-specific processes. Despite the reduction in the clearance rate of hLDL and β-VLDL due to cholesterol feeding, the absolute amount of cholesterol that was cleared from the plasma by these lipoproteins was increased from approx. 200 mg/kg body weight per day in the normocholesterolemic pigeons to greater than 1000 mg/kg body weight per day in the hypercholesterolemic pigeons. This is due principally to the enrichment in cholesterol relative to protein of the lipoproteins isolated from cholesterol-fed pigeons and the failure of hypercholesterolemia to completely inhibit receptor-dependent clearance of LDL and β-VLDL. The lower rate of clearance of β-VLDL relative to LDL is in marked contrast to mammalian β-VLDL, which is cleared much faster than LDL, but is consistent with the lack of apo E on pigeon lipoproteins. Apo E is the apoprotein that is thought to be responsible for the rapid clearance of β-VLDL in normocholesterolemic mammals. The low rate of β-VLDL clearance in pigeons also suggests that pigeons lack an apolipoprotein that function like mammalian apo E.
Volatile production and transport in regional metamorphism

Calculations show that H2O and CO2 produced during devolatilization of an average pelite will occupy ∼12 vol. % of the rock at 500°C and 5 kb. Because the tensional strength of well foliated rock at metamorphic conditions is vanishingly small, such a volume of fluid having any vertical extent will fracture the rock and escape upward owing to its lower density.
Comparing Corn Stover and Switchgrass Biochar: Characterization and Sorption Properties

A switchgrass biochar (SB) produced by fast pyrolysis and a corn stover biochar (CSB) from a slow pyrolysis process were mechanically milled and characterized. Both of these biochars are very cost-effective and originate as residues from bioenergy production and the corn industry, respectively. These two biochars were evaluated for their sorptive properties with both water and the estrogen containing compounds estrone, b-estradiol, and zearalenone via batch rebinding assays in salt solutions. Although CSB had greater total surface area than SB, SB was a more porous biochar, indicated by its greater micropore surface area. For both water and all estrogen containing compounds, SB had better sorptive capability, most likely due to its higher micropore surface area. These results suggest ball milled biochars from switchgrass and corn stover offer promise for a sustainable approach to removing toxins from water.
Menarche, menopause, and migration: Implications for breast cancer research.

A multigenerational delay in the rise of breast cancer incidence rates has been documented among immigrants to the United States. Prompted by this observation, this study examines three breast cancer risk factors, age at menarche, parity, and age at menopause, in relation to each other and in relation to migration status and language most often used in U.S. Hispanic populations. Mexican American (n = 1,502), Cuban American (n = 534), and Puerto Rican (n = 700) women, aged 30-74 years, were drawn from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES), 1982-1984. Mean recalled age at menarche was significantly later among first generation compared to second generation immigrants in both Mexican Americans (13.3 vs 12.8 years) and Puerto Ricans (12.8 vs 11.9 years). Among Mexican Americans, more children were reported by first generation immigrants than women of the third or more generations (4.9 vs 4.0 children) and by Spanish speakers compared to women who used English more frequently (4.5 vs 3.3 children). Mean and median ages at menopause were later among second generation Mexican American women than first generation women. There was a small, significant, positive correlation between recalled ages at menarche and menopause within each of the first generation Hispanic subgroups. The unique positive correlation between ages at menarche and menopause among first generation immigrants may relate to having spent early years in the country of origin and later years in the United States. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 10:451-457, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Suckling behaviour in natural and artificially fed neonate calves.

Zusammenfassung Das Trinken von Holstein- und Hereford-Kalbern an der Mutter und an Trinkapparaten wird beschrieben und verglichen. Die Kalber suchen nach der Geburt, sobald sie stehen konnen, nach der Milchquelle; sie saugen an der Maschine in gleicher Haltung wie an der Mutter. Kommt keine Milch, so lutschen sie dennoch am Sauger oder an Ohr, Skrotum, Euter oder an der Penis-scheide anderer Kalber. Dieses Ersatzlutschen verringert die Trockenfutteraufnahme erheblich. Am Trinkapparat saugen Holsteinkalber 16–24 Min./24 Std., Hereford-Kalber 22–42 Min./24 Std. (letztere an der Mutter 37–57 Min./24 Std.). Der Rasseunterschied hangt mit dem Korpergewicht und dieses mit der Trockenfutteraufnahme und der Wachstumsrate zusammen. Alle Kalber ergriffen die ihnen jeweils nachste Zitze zuerst, ohne eine bestimmte zu bevorzugen. An der Mutter saugten die Kalber 4-6mal pro Tag, am Trinkapparat mit verdunnter Milch bis zu 55mal; ein Paar Hereford-Zwillinge saugten an der Mutter 11 mal pro Tag, wohl weil deren Milch fur zwei Junge etwas knapp war.
Anterior cervical plating enhances arthrodesis after discectomy and fusion with cortical allograft.

OBJECTIVE: Anterior plate fixation has gained widespread acceptance for the treatment of cervical spondylosis, theoretically enhancing the rate of arthrodesis. There are few studies comparing fusion rates after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with and without a plate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of anterior cervical plating for fusion enhancement after one- and two-level ACDF with cortical allograft. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed with 251 patients who underwent one- or two-level ACDF with cortical allograft and plate stabilization between 1993 and 1999. An independent surgeon reviewer determined fusion status and complications. A successful fusion was defined by the absence of lucency around the graft, evidence of bridging bone between the endplate and the graft, and the absence of movement on dynamic imaging scans. Follow-up data, ranging from 9 months to 3.6 years, were available for 233 patients. A control group of 289 patients who underwent ACDF without plating was described in a previously published report by the senior author (RWH). Therefore, a total of 540 patients were evaluated for determination of the efficacy of anterior cervical plating with cortical allograft bone. Statistical significance was determined by X 2 test. RESULTS: The fusion rates for one- and two-level ACDF with anterior fixation were 96 and 91%, respectively, compared with 90 and 72% for one- and two-level ACDF without anterior fixation. The observed increases in fusion rates for both one- and two-level procedures proved to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). There were no recorded infectious, neurological, or graft-related complications among the cohort treated with anterior cervical plating. Compared with the results for the cohort treated without anterior cervical plates, there was a statistically significant decrease in the graft-related complication rate with the application of plates (P < 0.001). Two patients who received plates were noted to have adjacent-segment degenerative changes that required surgical intervention. No hardware fractures were noted; however, one patient was noted to have a single displaced screw, without clinical consequences. CONCLUSION: The use of anterior cervical plating after one- and two-level ACDF with allograft cortical bone significantly enhanced arthrodesis. The improved fusion rate and negligible complication rate associated with anterior cervical plating are compelling factors justifying its use in the treatment of cervical spondylosis.
Simulation and control of iono-elastic beam dynamic deflection model

An effort to model the dynamic motion of an ionic-polymer metal composite elestic beam was undertaken. Development of the static portion of the model was begun by assuming the beam behaves in accordance with the nonlinear equation used to describe large-angle deflection of elastic cantilever beams. A Simulink simulation was developed to estimate the final deflection of a beam due to a constant moment. The dynamic portion of the model was developed by assuming that each segment of the beam could be represented as a simple second-order system. Future efforts to more accurately model beam motion - by modifying the method used to model the forcing moment, by expanding the model to predict the performance of beams of all dimensions, and by validating model performance against actual beam motion - were recommended.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Microarchitecture and elemental spatial segregation of envelopes ofTrachelomonas lefevrei (Euglenophyceae)

Envelopes of the euglenoid flagellate,Trachelomonas lefevrei may range in color from hyaline to golden to dark brown and may be variously ornamented with spines, papillae and puncta. Elemental composition affects both envelope color and microarchitecture, which may be granular and/or microcrystalline. TEM-EDS microanalyses of granular envelopes or regions show Fe as the predominant element, whereas Mn is the predominant element in envelopes or regions with high concentrations of needle-like microcrystallites. In envelopes composed of both structural components, there is a spatial segregation of Fe and Mn that corresponds to the distribution of the granular and/or microcrystalline entities. Extraction of the needle-like components with leucoberbelin blue indicates that they are Mn oxides. Quantitative elemental analyses show shifting ratios of Mn: Fe that correlate with envelope color and microarchitecture. This is the first direct demonstration both of such a spatial segregation of elements and of the presence of Mn oxides in envelopes ofTrachelomonas.
Binder distribution in Si3N4 ceramic green bodies studied by stray-field NMR imaging

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging is an emerging technology which provides a unique material-diagnostic technique by in situ internal mapping. It can provide information not only on material distribution, but also on the chemical and physical characteristics of materials. However, due to the nuclear dipole dipole interaction in solid state materials, NMR spectroscopic signals are normally very broad. NMR imaging based on these unresolved broad lines is extremely difficult, and resolution is poor. The binder distribution was studied in ceramic green bodies with a stray-field NMR imaging facility at a proton frequency of 163 MHz near the edge of a 9.394 T superconducting magnet. The 1H nuclear spin echo signal from silicon nitride green bodies containing 10 wt% of either polyethylene glycol or polyvinyl alcohol as a binder was detected at 163 MHz. NMR images show a good homogeneity of the binder distribution in the cross-sections of the samples. Overall results show that the distribution of polyethylene glycol in Si3N4 green bodies is more homogeneous than that of polyvinyl alcohol under similar processing parameters. NMR spectroscopic results also indicate a higher moisture content in the green bodies containing a polyvinyl alcohol binder.
HgCdTe Mosaic Arrays For Hybrid Applications

AbstractThe demands of many mission requirements have greatly increased the need for a commonapproach to IR focal planes that is flexible enough to meet these demands without majorchanges of technology. Hybrid HgCdTe focal planes represent a potential solution to thesemission requirements. Recent developments in HgCdTe liquid phase epitaxial technology haveproduced device quality epitaxial layers grown on transparent CdTe substrates with cut -offwavelength uniformity of < t 0.1 um at 11 um and < ± 0.01 um at 4.8 um. Devices fabricatedin these layers by ion implantation show broad band spectral response with high quantumefficiency (up to 79% external without Ar coating). RoA values appear to be limited bybulk properties at temperatures at least as low as 80K for all wavelengths investigated.Both MWIR and LWIR devices have exhibited limited diffusion volume enhancement of perfor-mance at temperatures where diffusion mechanisms dominate reverse bias current characteris- tics. Hybrid structures have been fabricated and evaluated; the preliminary results indi-cate the suitability of these mosaics for hybrid focal plane applications.IntroductionIt is recognized by the infrared community that a large part of the next generation ofinfrared focal planes will be hybrid devices, consisting of an intrinsic semiconductordiode mosaic flip chip bonded to a Si area CCD multiplexer. Because such devices combinethe high quantum efficiency and high operating temperature advantages of the intrinsicphotodiode with the sophistication of silicon processing, high performance imagers can beobtained without the need for developing complex monolithic signal processing structures inthe intrinsic semiconductor. Staring hybrid imagers have already been demonstrated.
Impact of acidic deposition onEncelia farinosa gray (Compositae: Asteraceae) and feeding preferences ofTrirhabda geminata horn (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Container grownEncelia farinosa were exposed to three 3-hr episodes of acidic fog (pH 2.5) typical of events in southern California. Adults and larvae of the specialist leaf-feeding herbivore,Trirhabda geminata, preferred to feed on the acidic-treated foliage compared to control fogged (pH 6.3–6.5) foliage. Previous feeding damage on the plants did not affect feeding preference. The acidic-fogged foliage was significantly higher in total nitrogen and soluble protein but not different from control-treated tissue in water content. Stress on native populations of this drought-deciduous shrub caused by atmospheric pollutants may also result in altered feeding ecology of the beetle.
FISHing for chick genes: Triple-label whole-mount fluorescence in situ hybridization detects simultaneous and overlapping gene expression in avian embryos

Multi-color whole-mount in situ hybridization is a powerful technique for comparing the spatial expression patterns of two or more genes in developing embryos. We have developed an amplified triple-label whole-mount fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) protocol that permits detection of three different mRNAs in a single embryo. Our protocol uses simultaneous in situ hybridization to haptenylated riboprobes, followed by sequential antibody detection using anti-hapten antibodies conjugated to horseradish peroxidase, and the tyramide signal amplification (TSA) fluorescence detection system. Conventional fluorescence microscopy identifies areas of overlapping gene expression at the tissue level, whereas confocal fluorescence microscopy permits single-cell resolution and differentiates specialized cell types within a given tissue. This protocol will provide researchers engaged in the use of FISH with a solid starting point for adapting their own in situ hybridization protocols, either alone or in combination with immunohistochemistry or green fluorescence protein colocalization.
Distillate water quality of a single-basin solar still: laboratory and field studies

Abstract Solar water distillation has long been used to provide potable water in locations where the quality of the local water is poor, especially in remote areas where other treatment options are not available. This paper reports on the performance of single-basin, solar stills for the removal of a selected group of inorganic, bacteriological, and organic contaminates. Laboratory and field trials were run on these stills in Southern New Mexico, USA, by New Mexico State University. The still design proved to be very successful in removing non-volatile contaminants from the water. The stills were also successful in removing bacteria if care was taken to avoid cross contamination from the raw water source. Stills had mixed success when it came to the removal of volatile organic compounds, such as pesticides. The ability to remove the organic compounds was directly dependent on the volatility of the compound as measured by the Henry’s law constant. The stills’ ability to remove contaminants from the water did not vary significantly between the units tested in the laboratory and those tested in the field.
Venous thrombosis in relation to fibrinogen and factor VII genes among African-Americans.

Abstract We evaluated the relation between venous thrombosis and plasma fibrinogen levels, the HaeIII and BcI polymorphisms of the β fibrinogen gene, and the MspI polymorphisms of the factor VII gene in a case-control study of African-Americans. The study included 91 venous thrombosis cases and 185 control subjects obtained from a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. High plasma fibrinogen was associated with increased risk of venous thrombosis, but the finding was not statistically significant. There was little association between the HaeIII polymorphisms and the BclI polymorphisms and the risk of venous thrombosis. The prevalence of the M2/M2 genotype of the factor VII gene was higher among cases than controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. The prevalence of the HaeIII H2 allele and the BclI B2 allele of the β fibrinogen gene, both of which have been associated with slightly higher levels of plasma fibrinogen in most studies, is considerably lower among African-Americans in this study than it is among Whites in the United States and among Northern Europeans. The study is limited by its small size. However, despite this limitation, it supports the belief that increased plasma fibrinogen levels are associated with increased venous thrombosis risk. The study also indicated that the HaeIII and the BclI polymorphisms of the β fibrinogen gene and the MspI polymorphisms of the factor VII gene are not strong determinants of venous thrombosis.
The time-optimal problem in binary batch distillation with a recycled waste-cut

Abstract Recently Pontryagin's maximum principle has been applied to find the time-optimal reflux policy to achieve a given separation of two components by batch distillation. In the case where a sequence of identical charges is available, it is possible to improve upon this optimal policy by exploiting the extra degrees of freedom that result if a waste-cut is permitted. This is demonstrated with the aid of a specific example, using both piecewise constant and piecewise continuous reflux policies. Two methods of solution are discussed.
Non-autonomous normal forms for Hamiltonian systems

A method for calculating normal forms for non-autonomous periodically perturbed Hamiltonian systems is developed. The solution for an autonomous Hamiltonian normal form is well known, and involves the solution of a homological equation on the vector space of homogeneous scalar polynomials. An algorithm is presented for generating an analogous non-autonomous homological equation using Lie transforms. Solution of this equation will generate a normal form for the non-autonomous Hamiltonian. Although this equation is defined on an infinite-dimensional space, it is shown that the problem can be reduced to an equivalent one on a finite-dimensional space. A solution can then be found in an analogous way to the solution for the autonomous problem. It is also shown that the normal form satisfies invariance properties. Finally, an example problem is presented to illustrate the solution technique.
A case of bilateral morning glory disc anomaly and associated transsphenoidal encephalocele

Abstract Morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA) is a congenital ocular defect characterized by a funnel shaped excavation of the posterior fundus incorporating the optic nerve head. Not only has the condition been associated with both rhegmatogenous and non-rhegmatogenous retinal detachments, it has been associated with systemic abnormalities such as midline and paramidline facial anomalies, transsphenoidal encephalocele, and endocrine abnormalities. Coordinated care of these patients may be useful in ruling out associated systemic anomalies, especially in children where intervention can be beneficial in correcting growth pattern abnormalities related to endocrine dysfunction.
Adiabatic shear band formation in explosively driven Fe–Ni–Co alloy cylinders

AerMet-100 alloy cylinders were explosively driven to fragmentation. Soft-captured fragments were studied to characterize the deformation induced by high explosive loading. The characterization of the fragments reveals that the dominant failure mechanism appears to be dynamic fracture along adiabatic shear bands. These shear bands differ in size and morphology depending on the heat-treated conditions. Nanoindentation measurements of the adiabatic shear bands in either material condition indicate higher hardness in the bands compared to the matrix regions of the fragments.
Stresses and Distortion Due to Green Density Gradients During Densification

Finite element analysis (FEA) was performed on a bi-layer cylindrical structure consisting of a low-density layer on top of a high-density layer. For this model, the layers used the shrinkage behavior, viscosity, and elastic properties of barium titanate determined for the 45% and 55% green densities. The stresses predicted by FEA showed good agreement with stresses predicted using analytical equations for a linear viscous bi-layer cylinder. The model was then extended to use more complex density gradients measured by X-ray computed tomography on a bi-layer compact. In this case, the shrinkage behavior and viscosity properties were extrapolated from the experimental data. In the subsequent simulation, the stresses and strains were predicted during sintering. For the bi-layer structure studied, a highly stressed region was identified on the free surface of the sintering compact and this was shown to lead to edge cracking during densification.
Design considerations for pulsed microwigglers

Abstract Pulsed wigglers can generate planar wiggler fields near 5 T with periods of 3 mm or less, but many engineering problems are encountered in devising reliable systems that include the wiggler, the cooling system, and the power supply. We discuss these problems and our progress in solving them.
Iron-related adverse effects from stored blood

In this issue of Blood , Cortes-Puch and colleagues investigate a strategy to improve the quality of stored red blood cells (RBCs) by washing the blood, thereby removing “noxious” substances, including cell-free hemoglobin, transferrin-bound iron, non–transferrin-bound iron (NTBI), and plasma labile iron, that accumulate during storage. 1 Cortes-Puch and colleagues found that in a canine model of Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia, transfusion of “old” (42-day) blood was associated with impaired hemodynamics, greater lung injury and shock index, and reduced survival. These outcomes were improved upon when washing RBCs, which was associated with a reduction of NTBI in the circulation. Importantly, washing “fresh” (7-day) RBCs had the opposite effect, reversing the improved survival that was observed after exchange transfusion with younger RBCs; this effect was also related to an increased release of NTBI.
Design of Precast Diaphragm Chord Connections for In-Plane Tension Demands

This paper discusses the design and modeling of a welded chord connection commonly used in pretopped precast double tee panels. In conventional design, the chord is intended to achieve its tension strength based on the axial capacity of the anchorage bars. An experimental study has shown that premature failure of the weld and flexure of the bar may occur, significantly reducing the tension capacity of the connection. A detailed finite-element model is developed and verified with experimental data and used for a parametric investigation. The results indicate that a ductile chord connection, with predictable capacity, can be achieved through concentric placement of the welds relative to the anchorage bar. Variations in faceplate thickness and weld throat are found to alter the load path but do not prevent premature failure. Mechanical debonding of the anchorage bars is found to significantly enhance the deformability of the connection. These findings are incorporated in a force and displacement based design procedure for the chord connection; an example is included for illustration.
GaSb/ZnTe double-heterostructures grown using molecular beam epitaxy

Abstract A series of GaSb/ZnTe double-heterostructures proposed for laser diode applications was successfully grown by molecular beam epitaxy using GaSb (001) substrates. During the growth of GaSb on ZnTe, a temperature ramp was applied for the region near the GaSb/ZnTe interface to protect the material from damage due to thermal evaporation. Post-growth characterization using high-resolution X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy reveals low defect density and coherent interface morphology. Strong photoluminescence emission is observed at temperatures up to 200 K, indicating good optical properties.
Effects of Long-Term Feeding of Milk and Milk Components to Rats

Abstract To study effects of long-term feeding of milk and of certain milk components, but with butteroil reduced to supply 30% of calories, rats were fed a diet composed principally of dried milk, or purified diets with the same protein, fat, and carbohydrate content and with the fat (corn oil) or part of the carbohydrate (cornstarch), or both, replaced by milk fat and lactose. Food intakes, weight gains, and fat-free weights of rats fed the milk diet were lower than those of rats fed the purified diets. For rats fed purified diets, gross calorie intakes were similar, but weight gains were higher for rats receiving cornstarch than for rats fed lactose. Differences in digestible calorie intakes accounted for part but not all of the differences in gain. Calcium absorption was higher for rats fed milk and lactose–butteroil diets, but not for those fed the lactose-corn oil diet, than for those fed no lactose. Carcass calcium contents of lactose-fed groups were similar and higher than those of cornstarch-fed groups. Kidney stones were found in 47% of rats fed the milk diet, 29% of those fed lactose-butteroil, in one animal fed lactose-corn oil, and in no animals fed cornstarch.