cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Large-area photoconductive X-Ray pickup-tube performance

This article describes the general characteristics and detection sensitivity of a large-area low-velocity-scanned photoconductive X-ray pickup tube. An industrial inspection system using these tubes has undergone field test. Sensitivity measurements, as well as possible future applications of systems, are discussed.
Electrophoretic determination of C-reactive protein which appears following surgery.

SummaryA study was made of the sera of surgical patients in which preoperative serum was negative for CRP and postoperative serum was strongly CRP-positive. In all cases there was a marked elevation in the alpha globulin fraction of the positive postoperative serum. When the CRP was removed from the postoperative serum, there was a significant reduction in alpha globulin, chiefly in the alpha 1 globulin fraction. When this CRP-positive serum was fractionated with ammonium sulfate, the fraction containing CRP contained no gamma globulin. It was concluded that CRP which appears following surgery is an alpha globulin.
A Model-Based Mission Planning and Decision Support Tool

Impact Technologies developed a model-based decision support Framework that facilitates the use and development of decision support tools in a CBM environment. The Framework leverages existing CBM and PHM data to provide enhanced automated strategic analysis. Its modular structure promotes reusability of components to expedite development of new decision capabilities, making it extensible to many different operational environments. The Framework also embraces open architecture and standardized data interfaces for increased supportability and upgradeability. An advanced probability-based mission readiness forecasting and assessment tool developed by Impact Technologies for the U.S. Navy was used to illustrate how the proposed Framework facilitates the assembly of independent decision support tools to provide a high fidelity knowledge product. In this application the Framework combined three separate functional areas — a mission profile modeling tool, a system relational model, and a maintenance optimization module. The mission profile modeling tool provided the ability to create functional representations of multi-layered complex systems for any mode of operation, accounting for different machinery line-ups, redundancy, system-to-system interactions, and component and sub-system criticalities. The system relational model provided the overall system probability of failure calculated based on the current and projected system configuration and usage. The maintenance optimization module determined the safest and most cost-effective time to perform required and opportunistic maintenance. The resulting software product enables the comparison of multiple what-if scenarios where the scheduling of maintenance and logistics support activities can be optimized based on resource availability and the propagation effects of those actions can be measured in terms of readiness at any level within the system hierarchy. A visual assessment of the ship’s probability of completing the prescribed mission of any combination of ship operations (e.g., anti-surface warfare, non-combat operations, or mine warfare) can be generated so corrective actions in the form of maintenance or changes to mission operations can be evaluated. The tool incorporates several novel approaches including fusion of multiple independent low-level indicators to predict overall system readiness, methodologies to account for the interactive effects of interconnected subsystems, and a risk-based optimization to select and schedule the optimal maintenance schedule. This paper summarizes the features of the model-based decision support tool Framework and the mission readiness software application developed using this architecture.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Transcriptional Analysis of the Mouse β-Casein Gene

These studies were designed to further elucidate the relative contributions of transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms involved in βcasein gene regulation in the mammary epithelial cell line designated COMMA-D and a clonal subline designated HC-11. Primary transcripts were mapped under various hormonal and substratum conditions using the technique of nuclear run-on transcription and single stranded sense and antisense probes spanning the β-casein gene. In the presence of insulin alone very little sense transcription is detectable, but antisense transcription is observed, which originates at least 150 basepairs upstream of the normal start site of transcription and is present regardless of hormonal, cell substratum, cell type, or gene activity. Antisense transcription is also detectable in the 3′ end of the gene. Insulin, glucocorticoids, and PRL are all necessary for a maximal increase in transcription. A 2- to 4-fold increase in transcriptional activity is observed in the presence of insulin a...
Rule-Based Translation with Statistical Phrase-Based Post-Editing

This article describes a machine translation system based on an automatic post-editing strategy: initially translate the input text into the target-language using a rule-based MT system, then automatically post-edit the output using a statistical phrase-based system. An implementation of this approach based on the SYSTRAN and PORTAGE MT systems was used in the shared task of the Second Workshop on Statistical Machine Translation. Experimental results on the test data of the previous campaign are presented.
On the stability proof of adaptive schemes with static normalizing signals and parameter projection

It has been shown previously that robust stability in model-reference adaptive control (MRAC) is guaranteed by simply using a static, instead of a dynamic, normalizing signal together with a parameter projection in the adaptive law. It is shown here that the stability proof associated with such modification follows directly from the proof of schemes with dynamic normalization. Consequently, the proofs and stability arguments can be simplified considerably. >
An analysis of oxygen enrichment of combustion air in fossil fuel fired glass melting tanks

Abstract An energy balance analysis of the effect of oxygen enrichment of combustion air in a glass melting tank (with a flue gas heat recovery system) has been carried out which takes into account the decrease in the amount of heat carried away by flue gases due to a reduction in the amount of nitrogen and in the amount of combustion products because of reduced fuel input. According to this formulation, the effects of enrichment depend only on the level of enrichment, the efficiency of the heat recovery system and on a dimensionless parameter, θ, the ratio of the useful calorific value of the fuel to the heat carried away by nitrogen when using stoichiometric amounts of normal air combustion. The value of θ does not depend significantly on the composition of the fuel. The results of the analysis are in reasonable agreement with the available experimental data.
Dynamics of head movement trajectories: Main sequence relationship

Abstract Head movements, mainly rapid rotations of the skull in the horizontal plane, were measured and dynamic parameters of the trajectories displayed in “main sequence” diagrams. Basic neurological control patterns and several sources of variability were studied and compared with earlier results in the literature and with patterns of control of eye and arm rotation.
Social strategy and tactics in the search for safety

In The Search for Safety, Aaron Wildavsky argues that the pervasiveness of uncertainty, the complexity of economy and society, and the trial‐and‐error strengths of a competitive market system make alleviating damages through market processes superior to a preventive strategy of regulatory anticipation. Close examination of a number of issues that are central to his argument— anticipation vs. resiliency, the effects of wealth on health, the competitive market as an engine for social trial and error, and equity in aggregating benefits and costs across individuals and different probabilistic states—leads to considerable skepticism as to whether Wildavsky's strategy of less government regulation and a more unfettered market would indeed produce greater safety.
Cavity-enhanced stimulated raman scattering from short GaP nanowires.

We report the first observation of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) from semiconductor nanowires (SNWs). Using continuous wave (CW) excitation (514.5 nm), very strong nonlinear SRS was observed in backscattering from short segments of crystalline GaP NWs with diameter d = 210 nm when the wire length L < 1.1 μm. The SRS intensity was found to increase dramatically with decreasing L down to 270 nm. The effective threshold pump power PT needed to observe the SRS is quite small. Indeed, we observe values of PT 3 orders of magnitude smaller than reported for bulk crystals of strongly nonlinear LiIO3 and Ba(NO3)2 and 2 orders of magnitude smaller than that reported recently for SRS from “top-down” fabricated silicon microwaveguides. PT was observed to decrease linearly with decreasing L. Our data are discussed in terms of theoretical results developed for dielectric cavities. The quality factors Q for the short GaP cylindrical cavities studied here are estimated to be ∼15 000. Our results suggest that SNWs may...
Systematic bias in self-reported annual household incomes among unpartnered elderly cardiac patients

Abstract The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine whether specific patient characteristics were associated with not reporting individual incomes among elderly unpartnered cardiac patients. Two hundred forty-seven unpartnered patients (age, ≥65 years) who were admitted with coronary artery disease to one of five university medical centers were interviewed during their hospitalization. Their average age was 76 years ( SD = 6.3 years, range=65–101 years). Of the sample, approximately 34% were men, 92% were Caucasian, 19% had less than 12 years of education, and 55% had at least 12 years (but not more than 16 years) of education. Approximately 13% of the patients did not report their annual household income. In a logistic regression analysis, higher education and greater social and economic satisfaction were significantly related to refusal to self-report income after controlling for age and sex ( p p > .05). Our findings indicate that there was a potential systematic bias regarding self-reporting of annual household income. Thus, this systematic bias needs to be examined before performing a multivariate analysis that includes income as a covariate.
Determination of amino sugars in environmental samples with high salt content by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography and pulsed amperometric detection.

Amino sugars were determined in natural samples, including seawater, using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection and a new off-line sample cleanup procedure. Samples were hydrolyzed with 3 M HCl for 5 h (100 °C) and neutralized with an ion retardation resin. Before injection, salts and organic contaminants were removed with a strong cation exchanger in the Na+ form. Detection limits for amino sugars were between 1 and 4 nM (signal-to-noise ratio 3), allowing for the first time quantification of amino sugars in seawater without preconcentration. Precision was 2−11% at the 20 nM level. The relatively simple and rapid sample preparation makes it suitable for routine analyses.
Hartree-Fock Functions and Spectral Isotope Shift for Excited States of Carbon and Oxygen

Hartree-Fock type atomic wave functions have been calculated for the $3s^{5}S$ and $3p^{5}P$ terms of oxygen and for the $2p3s^{1}P$ term of carbon. The calculations were carried out on an IBM card programmed calculator. A simple rapidly-converging method for determining the eigenvalues was developed.Spectral isotope shifts were computed for the $3s^{5}S\ensuremath{-}3p^{5}P$ and other transitions of oxygen and for the $2{p}^{2}^{1}S\ensuremath{-}2p3s^{1}P$ transition of carbon. The results are compared with values previously reported by the authors, computed with wave functions without exchange. A comparison is made between these calculated values and the experimental determinations. For oxygen, the values of the specific shifts computed with exchange agree with measured values to within experimental error and are much better than the results obtained without exchange. For carbon, the isotope shift value using exchange shows no improvement on the value without exchange, both calculations disagreeing slightly with experimental results. A possible reason for the difference in behavior between the results for oxygen and carbon is postulated, based on the relative magnitudes of factors making up the formula for isotope shift.
Children's perceptions of helpers and helper motivation

Abstract The present study examined children's preferences for help and helpers from the child's viewpoint as help-seeker. Preschool, first-, third-, and fifth-grade children were asked to indicate the persons from whom they would seek help in situations requiring either academic or social assistance. Reasons for selecting specific helpers were also obtained. Examination of spontaneous responses indicated that over all ages and situations teachers, peers, and parents were most frequently chosen as helpers. Age-related changes in selection of and preference for helpers were also found. There was a trend toward decreased preference for parents with increasing age. Whereas preferences for teachers increased only slightly across age groups, there was a strong developmental trend toward increasing selection of peers. In addition, with increasing age children's reasoning about thier helper selections focused less on their own needs and global characteristics of the helper, and focused more on specific attributes of helpers and existing relationships between themselves as help-seekers and the selected helper.
Thermal Anomalies Around Evolving Salt Sheets

The thermal conductivity of salt is about a factor three larger than that of sediments at sediment surface temperatures. The increase of sedimentary thermal conductivities with burial and compaction, and the rapid decrease of salt thermal conductivity with increasing temperature, both imply that the focusing and defocusing of heat around salt sheets depends on (1) sub-surface depth of salt, (2) the shape of a salt body and (3) regional temperature gradient and mud-line temperature. Examples are given illustrating the impact of all of the above factors for different salt shapes and burial depths, with emphasis on the thermal conditions under mobile sheets connected to a feeder salt stem. Generally, thermal anomalies provide a cooler regime under salt sheets relative to a regional picture (with about 30 C anomaly possible under extreme conditions) provided the salt top is shallower than about 5 km and/or the salt sheet is thinner than about 5 km. For deeper buried salt sheets and/or thicker sheets, the sediment thermal conductivity is larger than that of salt, thereby reversing the trend of salt as a thermal focusing region. The sub-salt thermal regime is then warmer than regionally. This variation of the thermal regime under evolving salt sheetsmore » has impacts on hydrocarbon generation and on retention in the oil phase rather than to gas conversion, both of which are discussed.« less
TCT-724 Low-Flow Low-Gradient Severe Aortic Stenosis by Echocardiography Does Not Reliably Predict Aortic Stenosis Classification by Invasive Hemodynamics

It may be challenging to distinguish low-flow low-gradient (LFLG) severe aortic stenosis (AS) from pseudo-severe AS, underestimation normal-flow high-gradient (NFHG) AS, or inaccurate effective orifice area (EOA) on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). We evaluated changes in classification of AS
DYNAMIC DISTRIBUTION OF BALANCED SALT AND MANNITOL INFUSION AFTER BLOOD LOSS IN MAN

Summary 1. During post-hemorrhagic transcapillary refilling, the distribution of extracellular fluid is biased toward the plasma. The ratio of plasma volume to interstitial fluid, normally about 0.23, remains elevated after blood volume restoration is complete at 24 to 36 hr following non-shocking hemorrhage. 2. The preferential filling of plasma volume is also evident after balanced salt and mannitol infusions. The incremental plasma volume to interstitial fluid ratio observed with the infusion of 2000 ml of lactated Ringer's solution was elevated to 0.43. 3. The post-hemorrhagic state retards the transfer of infused mannitol from the circulation into the interstitial fluid and delays the osmotic withdrawal of cellular water. 4. During short term infusions of mannitol, hyponatremia is the predominant extracellular abnormality. This is in sharp contrast to the severe hypertonicity produced by renal losses of salt-poor urine seen with chronic mannitol infusion. 5. Transcapillary refilling after hemorrhage is accompanied by the movement of protein from extravascular sources into the circulation. In these experiments, about 26 gm of new albumin appeared in the vascular space by final equilibrium. The continued ingress of protein even during dispersal of an infusate from the circulation supports a “two channel” concept of the movement of fluid and solute across the vascular wall.
Cell-specific expression of preproenkephalin intronic heteronuclear RNA in the rat forebrain.

Abstract Using in situ hybridization with multiple probes to the rat preproenkephalin gene, we have identified a novel population of cells in the reticular thalamic nucleus and basal forebrain which express RNA derived from the preproenkephalin gene. These cells contain nuclear RNA from downstream of an alternate transcription start site in intron A of the preproenkephalin gene (Kilpatrick et al., Mol. Cell Biol ., 10 (1990) 3717–3726), while in the same cells preproenkephalin exon 2 RNA is undetectable. The results suggest that in this population of cells, preproenkephalin gene transcription initiates from the intron A initiation site, and is regulated by an additional mechanism which results in the accumulation of nuclear preproenkephalin intron A-derived heteronuclear RNA. The anatomical distribution of these cells indicates that they may be involved in the control of cerebral cortical function.
Sulphur isotope compositions in the Åmmeberg Zn-Pb ore deposit, south-central Sweden: Genetic implications

The distribution of sulphur isotope compositions in the Ammeberg sulphide ore deposit is discussed. The δ34S values for various sulphides show a complex pattern of fluctuations between isotopic equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions. This feature as well as the observed variations in the δ34S values of galena and sphalerite are interpreted to have originated from successive pulses of sulphide-forming solutions. On the basis of geological field criteria and sulphur isotope data, the Ammeberg deposit is considered to be a typical distal mineralization, belonging to the volcanic-exhalative group of ore deposits. The banded structure of the ore, the spatial separation of Pb and Zn and the presence of discrete, persistant ore layers probably relate to the type of convective system that created the mineral-forming solutions and to the various processes taking place when the brines were expelled onto the sea floor.
H2O catalysis of aluminum carbide formation in the aluminum-silicon carbide system

Aluminum carbide was found to form catalytically at aluminum-silicon carbide interfaces upon exposure to water vapor. Samples, composed of approximately 2 nm thick layers of Al on SiC, were fabricated and reacted in vacuo, and analyzed using XPS. Enhanced carbide formation was detected in samples exposed to 500 Langmuirs H2O and subsequently reacted for 600 s at 873 K. The cause of the catalysis phenomenon is hypothesized to be the weakening of silicon-carbon bonds caused by very strong bonding of oxygen atoms to the silicon carbide surface. Aluminum carbide formation is of interest because of its degrading effect on the mechanical properties of aluminum/silicone carbide reinforced metal matrix composites, as well as its effect on the electrical properties of aluminum metallizations on silicon carbide layers in microelectronic components.
Influence of air on oil agglomeration of carbonaceous solids in aqueous suspension

Abstract Graphite or coal particles in aqueous suspension were agglomerated with various paraffinic hydrocarbons in a specially developed system which made it possible to exclude air from the system or to conduct agglomeration with controlled amounts of air present. The agglomerates were recovered by screening the suspension. Under certain conditions air was incorporated in the agglomerates which increased the recovery of carbonaceous material with a given amount of liquid hydrocarbon. Incorporation of air occurred when lower molecular weight alkanes (i.e., smaller than octane) were used as the collecting or bridging phase in limited amounts. Air had no effect on the system when higher molecular weight alkanes were employed or when larger amounts of the collecting phase were used.
ON OPTIMAL CHEMOTHERAPY FOR HETEROGENEOUS TUMORS

A mathematical model for cancer chemotherapy of heterogeneous tumor populations is considered as an optimal control problem with the objective to minimize the tumor burden over a prescribed therapy horizon. While an upfront maximum tolerated dose (MTD) regimen with rest-period has been confirmed as mathematically optimal for models when the tumor population is homogeneous, in the presence of partially sensitive or even resistant cells, protocols that administer the therapeutic agents at lower dose rates described by so-called singular controls become a viable alternative. In this paper, the structure of protocols that follow an initial upfront maximum dose treatment with reduced dose rate singular controls is investigated. Such protocols reflect structures which in the medical literature sometimes are called chemo-switch protocols.
Polarization and Differential Cross Section for Neutrons Scattered from C 12

The polarization $P(\ensuremath{\theta})$ and differential cross section $\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\theta})$ for the scattering of neutrons of $0.1\ensuremath{\le}{E}_{n}\ensuremath{\le}2.0$ MeV from $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ have been measured at five or nine angles. $P(\ensuremath{\theta})$ contains a slowly varying $sin\ensuremath{\theta}$ term and is dominated by a negative $sin2\ensuremath{\theta}$ term which grows strongly with energy so that $P(120\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{})$ reaches as much as 40% at higher energies. The experimental values of $\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\theta})$ and $P(\ensuremath{\theta})$ are simultaneously described reasonably well over this energy range in terms of a two-level $R$-function formalism. Anomalous background effects are estimated by use of a square-well interaction potential.
Temperature dependence of the photoluminescence emission from InAs quantum dots in a strained Ga0.85In0.15As quantum well

Photoluminescence from InAs quantum dots in a strained Ga0.85In0.15As quantum well is investigated over a temperature range from 10 to 300 K using low intensity optical excitation. A rate equation model for the carrier dynamics is fitted to the experimental data obtained for the integrated intensity of the photoluminescence at different temperatures. It is found necessary to assume a potential barrier, possibly arising from the strain, at the interface between the dots and the quantum well that makes the carrier capture in dots less effective at low temperatures. In addition, two thermal escape mechanisms for carriers in the dots are identified that have the onsets at 110 K and 220 K, respectively. At low temperatures, the ground state photoluminescence has a large full width at half maximum, while at temperatures above 220 K, the full width decreases as emission from larger dots dominate. The activation energies for different carrier thermal escape channels are estimated using the solutions of the steady-state rate equation system.
The effect of estrogen-progestin treatment on opioid control of gonadotropin and prolactin secretion in postmenopausal women

Abstract Naloxone (10 mg) was given intravenously to seven postmenopausal women not receiving hormone treatment and to six postmenopausal women receiving Premarin-Provera treatment during the Premarin phase and also during the Premarin-Provera phase of therapy. Baseline estrone and estradiol levels (mean ± SEM) were significantly lower in the group not receiving hormones (46.0 ± 5.2 pg/ml and 28.4 ± 3.1 pg/ml, respectively) than in the group in the Premarin phase of therapy (154 ± 14 pg/ml and 79 ± 13 pg/ml) and the group in the Premarin-Provera phase (135.1 ± 8.3 pg/ml and 57.5 ± 3.0 pg/ml) (p
Quantitative genetic analysis of injury liability in infants and toddlers

A threshold model of latent liability was applied to infant and toddler twin data on total count of injuries sustained during the interval from birth to 36 months of age. A quantitative genetic analysis of estimated twin correlations in injury liability indicated strong genetic dominance effects, but no additive genetic variance was detected. Because interpretations involving overdominance have little research support, the results may be due to low order epistasis or other interaction effects. Boys had more injuries than girls, but this effect was found only for groups whose parents were prompted and questioned in detail about their children's injuries. Activity and impulsivity are two behavioral predictors of childhood injury, and the results are discussed in relation to animal research on infant and adult activity levels, and impulsivity in adult humans. Genetic epidemiological approaches to childhood injury should aid in targeting higher risk children for preventive intervention.
Tension pneumothorax as a complication of video-assisted thorascopic surgery for anterior correction of idiopathic scoliosis in an adolescent female.

Study design This case report illustrates the occurrence of intraoperative tension pneumothorax, a previously unreported complication occurring during anterior instrumentation for correction of scoliosis by video-assisted surgery. Objectives To demonstrate a consequence of overadvancement of a Steinmann pin (guide wire). Summary of background data Although intraoperative tension pneumothorax is admitted to be a theoretical complication of video-assisted surgery for anterior correction of idiopathic scoliosis, there has yet to be a case reported in the literature. This report presents the first case of this complication. Methods A 13-year-old girl who had right thoracic scoliosis with a curve measuring 54 degrees underwent video-assisted surgery discectomy and anterior spinal fusion with instrumentation of T5 through T11. Single-lung ventilation had been achieved with a double-lumen tube and the right lung was deflated. After approximately 4.5 hours of complication-free surgery, intraoperative fluoroscopy showed an approximately 2-cm overadvancement of a guide wire into the opposite hemithorax. Approximately 5 minutes after the overadvancement was corrected, the patient experienced a gradual increase in heart rate and a corresponding gradual decrease in oxygen saturation and both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Approximately 35 minutes later, it was determined that the patient had sustained a tension pneumothorax of the left hemithorax. Results The patient underwent urgent partial reinflation of the right lung and a tube thoracostomy of the left thoracic cavity. Vital signs quickly returned to stable levels, and the left lung easily reinflated with the chest tube suction. The patient remained stable after the procedure was resumed (by right lung deflation). The remainder of the surgery and the postoperative course were uneventful. Conclusions Although video-assisted surgery continues to gain popularity in the management of spinal deformities, the surgical team must be certain to pay meticulous attention to detail throughout the procedure. The early detection and treatment of complications can be life-preserving.
Sliding wear behavior and microstructure change of deformation-processed Cu-20vol.%Nb in situ composite

Abstract This paper presents the dry sliding wear behavior of deformation-processed Cu-20vol.%Nb in situ composite and the composite microstructure change during the sliding process. The composite was tested on a pin-on-disk wear tester with the composite pin rubbing against an AISI 52100 steel disk under dry ambient atmosphere. The effects of sliding speed, normal pressure, and thickness of subsurface deformation layer on wear behavior were investigated. A quantitative effort was made to study the change in the composite microstructure due to sliding using an image analysis technique. The wear rate increased linearly with increasing normal pressure in the range between 0.06 and 0.56 MPa, whereas the wear rate decreased with increasing sliding speed between 2.78 and 6.49 m s−1. The thickness of subsurface deformation layer increased with increasing normal pressure, which accounted for the increased wear due to increasing normal pressure. The thickness of subsurface deformation layer increased slightly with increasing sliding speed. The subsurface material was deformed not only along the sliding direction but also in the lateral direction perpendicular to the sliding direction. The complex deformation was revealed clearly by the deformation flow pattern of the ribbon-like Nb filaments. It was shown that the ribbon-like Nb filaments were sheared in the sliding direction and twisted laterally in the subsurface layer. Subsurface deformation flow was affected by particle inclusion on the surface. Material transfer took place in the form of cutting by steel asperities at early stage while more back transfer occurred at later stage of the sliding in the form of adhesion and particle patching.
IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL DEMONSTRATION OF THE RETICULOENDOTHELIAL CLEARANCE OF CIRCULATING FIBRIN AGGREGATES

In rabbits given an intravenous infusion of thrombin or an injection of endotoxin, immunohistochemical examination of the tissues, using conjugated antiserum against rabbit fibrin, showed bright intracytoplasmic staining in many of the phagocytic cells of the liver and spleen. In normal rabbits as well as in animals injected with large doses of heparin prior to thrombin or endotoxin administration, no such intracellular staining was observed. The findings of this study substantiate the hypothesis that fibrin aggregates formed in the circulating blood during low grade intravascular coagulation are largely removed by the reticuloendothelial system.
Computing and estimating the number of n-ary Huffman sequences of a specified length

An n-ary Huffman sequence of length q is the list, in non-decreasing order, of the lengths of the code words in a prefix-free replacement code for a q-letter source alphabet over an n-letter code alphabet, optimal with respect to some probability (relative frequency) distribution over the source alphabet, meaning that the code minimizes the average number of code letters per source letter. Here we extend a theorem in [E. Norwood, The number of different possible compact codes, IEEE Trans. Inform. Theory (October) (1967) 613-616] about the case n=2 to arbitrary n>=2. The theorem permits the recursive computation of the number, h(q,n), of different n-ary Huffman sequences of length q, and the estimation of h(q,n), which turns out to grow geometrically with q, for each n>=2. Upper and lower estimates of h(q,n) are given for [email protected][email protected]?6. For instance, c"1(1.75488)^[email protected]?h(q,2)@?c"2(1.83929)^q for some constants c"1,c"2; this result significantly tightens the estimates of h(q,2) in [J. Burkert, Simple bounds on the numbers of binary Huffman sequences, Bull. Inst. Combin. Appl. 58 (2010) 79-82].
An integral analysis of transonic normal shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interactions in internal flow

An approximate integral viscous-inviscid interaction method is presented for calculating the development of a turbulent boundary layer subjected to a normal shock wave induced adverse pressure gradient in an internal axisymmetric flow. The inflow conditions and the downstream pressure are provided for the computation. In the supersonic region of shock pressure rise, the Prandtl-Meyer function is used to couple the viscous and inviscid flows. An analytical model for the coupling process is postulated and appropriate equations are defined. Downstream of the sonic point, one-dimensional inviscid flow is assumed for coupling with the viscous flow. The turbulent boundary layer is calculated using Green's integral lag-entrainment method. Comparisons of the solutions with the experimental data are made for interactions which are unseparated, near separation and separated. For comparison purposes, solutions to the time-dependent, mass-averaged, Navier-Stokes equations incorporating a two-equation, Wilcox-Rubesin turbulence model are also shown. The computed results from the integral method show good agreement with experimental data for unseparated interactions and reasonable agreement with the trend of the viscous effects when the interaction becomes increasingly separated.
Responses of children to booster immunization with their primary conjugate Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine or with polyribosylribitol phosphate conjugated with diphtheria toxoid

Children primed with one of four conjugate Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines received booster immunization with their primary vaccine or with polyribosylribitol phosphate conjugated with diphtheria toxoid. The latter vaccine produced postbooster antibody levels that equaled or exceeded those produced by boosting with the original vaccine, and thus may be used as a booster irrespective of the original vaccine.
Energy efficiency of optical interconnections using photorefractive holograms

We propose and demonstrate the use of a Fourier transform to achieve maximum energy efficiency in a photorefractive optical interconnection. The results of experimental investigations on reconfigurable optical interconnections using photorefractive holograms in a barium titanate crystal are presented and discussed. High energy efficiency is achieved by matched amplification at the Fourier plane.
Mutations That Increase Acidity Enhance the Transcriptional Activity of the Glutamine-rich Activation Domain in Stage-specific Activator Protein

Sea urchin stage-specific activator protein (SSAP) activates transcription of the late H1 gene at the mid-blastula stage of development. Its C-terminal 202 amino acids form a potent glycine/glutamine rich activation domain (GQ domain) that can transactivate reporter genes to levels 5-fold higher than VP16 in several mammalian cell lines. We observed that, unlike other glutamine-rich activation domains, the GQ domain activates transcription to moderate levels in yeast. We utilized this activity to screen in yeast for intragenic mutations that enhance or inhibit the transcriptional activity of the GQ domain. We identified 37 loss of function and 23 gain of function mutants. Most gain of function mutations increased the acidity of the domain. The most frequently isolated mutations conferred enhanced transcriptional activity when assayed in mammalian cells. These mutations also enhance the ability of SSAP to up-regulate the late H1 promoter in sea urchin embryos. We conclude that the GQ domain fundamentally differs from other glutamine-rich activators and may share some properties of acidic activators. The ability of acidity to enhance SSAP-mediated transcription may reflect a mechanism by which phosphorylation of SSAP activates late H1 gene transcription during embryogenesis.
Immunochemical quantitation of enzymes in human diploid cell line WI-38.

Abstract A quantitative immunochemical study was carried out of four enzymes, cathodal esterase, acid phosphatase, glucosaminidase and β-glucuronidase. In homogenates of the human diploid cell line WI-38, the relative amounts of the enzymes increased with the passage number of the culture, although great variation was found in later passages just before death of the culture.
BURNING OF OILED LOUISIANA COASTAL MARSH: FIELD EVALUATION

ABSTRACT Burning was evaluated as a method of remediating oiled Louisiana Spartina alterniflora salt marsh. A short-term reduction in plant biomass was observed; however, 1 year after burning, plant biomass was the same as in control plots. A comparison of the normal alkane profile in the soil residue following oiling to preburn oil showed a loss of more volatile hydrocarbons. Similar patterns were observed for aromatic hydrocarbons. More than half the aromatic hydrocarbons detected in the plume were derived from unburned hydrocarbons. Carbonyl sulfide and carbon disulfide were the main sulfur gases found in the smoke plume.
HPV AWARENESS AMONG LATINA IMMIGRANTS AND ANGLO-AMERICAN WOMEN IN THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES: CULTURAL MODELS OF CERVICAL CANCER RISK FACTORS AND BELIEFS

Latinas have higher cervical cancer age-adjusted incidence and mortality rates, and present with more advanced disease compared to non-Latino whites. This study used a cross-sectional mixed methods survey design, exploring knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding the human papillomavirus (HPV), the HPV vaccine, and cervical cancer screening with four groups of women (Mexican, Honduran, Puerto-Rican, Anglo American; n=80) attending low-income health clinics along with one group of Latina health care workers (n=17). Data analyses included univariate frequency distributions and one-way ANOVA tests for quantitative data, thematic and content analysis of qualitative data, and cultural consensus analysis using the covariance method to compare groups. Results indicate overall cultural consensus for the five subgroups for both the agree/disagree questions and rankings on cervical cancer risk factors. However, differences were found between Latina women compared to Anglo American patients and health care clinic workers around birth control practices as possible causal factors for cervical cancer. Other findings suggested greater awareness of HPV and the HPV vaccine among Anglo American and Puerto Rican women compared to Mexican and Honduran women. Mexican and Honduran women were less likely to be aware of HPV and the HPV vaccine, and more likely to be uninsured and without a regular health care provider. Results point to the need to assess knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs in specific subgroups experiencing cervical cancer disparities to identify target areas for health education. Study findings will be used to inform the development and pilot testing of health education curriculum modules for cervical cancer prevention.
Benchmarking rehabilitation practice in the intensive care unit

IntroductionEarly rehabilitation in critically ill patients has been demonstrated to be safe and is associated with many positive outcomes. Despite this, there are inconsistencies in the early acti...
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in internal carotid artery dissection.

Background Acute multiple brain infarction pattern on diffusion-weighted imaging is associated with arterial or cardiac sources of embolism. Objectives To review the diffusion-weighted imaging characteristics of patients with strokes secondary to internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection and to gain further insights into the mechanisms of cerebral ischemia. Design Patients with ICA dissection and ischemic stroke were identified by review of an angiographic database and hospital discharge codes. Patients were included if the diagnosis of ICA dissection was confirmed and diffusion-weighted imaging was obtained within 10 days of symptom onset. Infarct patterns were analyzed according to established templates of vascular territories. Results Inclusion criteria were met by 14 patients. Internal carotid artery occlusion was present in 10. Acute multiple brain infarction was found in 10 (71%) of the 14 patients. Cortical involvement was found in 8 patients, while the infarct was restricted to the subcortical region in 6. In 9 (64%) of the 14 patients, ischemic lesions were located in 1 of the 3 border zones. Conclusions Acute multiple brain infarction pattern with border zone involvement is frequently found in ICA dissection–related strokes. This finding may further support an interaction of hemodynamic and embolic mechanisms as a cause of cerebral ischemia in this condition.
Mitochondrial C1-Tetrahydrofolate Synthase (MTHFD1L) Supports the Flow of Mitochondrial One-carbon Units into the Methyl Cycle in Embryos

Mitochondrial folate-dependent one-carbon (1-C) metabolism converts 1-C donors such as serine and glycine to formate, which is exported and incorporated into the cytoplasmic tetrahydrofolate (THF) 1-C pool. Developing embryos depend on this mitochondrial pathway to provide 1-C units for cytoplasmic process such as de novo purine biosynthesis and the methyl cycle. This pathway is composed of sequential methylene-THF dehydrogenase, methenyl-THF cyclohydrolase, and 10-formyl-THF synthetase activities. In embryonic mitochondria, the bifunctional MTHFD2 enzyme catalyzes the dehydrogenase and cyclohydrolase reactions, but the enzyme responsible for the mitochondrial synthetase reaction has not been identified in embryos. A monofunctional 10-formyl-THF synthetase (MTHFD1L gene product) functions in adult mitochondria and is a likely candidate for the embryonic activity. Here we show that the MTHFD1L enzyme is present in mitochondria from normal embryonic tissues and embryonic fibroblast cell lines, and embryonic mitochondria possess the ability to synthesize formate from glycine. The MTHFD1L transcript was detected at all stages of mouse embryogenesis examined. In situ hybridizations showed that MTHFD1L was expressed ubiquitously throughout the embryo but with localized regions of higher expression. The spatial pattern of MTHFD1L expression was virtually indistinguishable from that of MTHFD2 and MTHFD1 (cytoplasmic C1-THF synthase) in embryonic day 9.5 mouse embryos, suggesting coordinated regulation. Finally, we show using stable isotope labeling that in an embryonic mouse cell line, greater than 75% of 1-C units entering the cytoplasmic methyl cycle are mitochondrially derived. Thus, a complete pathway of enzymes for supplying 1-C units from the mitochondria to the methyl cycle in embryonic tissues is established.
The Primitive Relations of Knowledge by Acquaintance

In this chapter, I focus on certain very fundamental issues related to any theory of whatever it is that allows us to become directly aware of something. In doing so, I start with what is perhaps the best realist analysis historically available to us, Russell’s theory of knowledge by acquaintance, though I include considerations from James’ theory as well. Given the prevalence of views which either deny that there is anything specifically “mental” about mental events, or deny that there are such things at all, there are a lot of good reasons to start with a realist who took their existence quite seriously. Russell’s intention to avoid fallacies of all kinds, including that of assuming as premises the very facts one intends to prove or disprove, renders his analysis very useful. He has provided us with a carefully thought out, albeit faulty classification of many of the most basic primitive relations of what he called “knowledge by acquaintance.” This was his concept of immediate awareness, though he did not clearly distinguish levels of awareness generally.
Nicotine inhibits human gingival fibroblast migration via modulation of Rac signalling pathways

It has been well documented that cell migration is a key aspect of many biological processes, including wound healing, tumour cell invasion, and embryonic development. During the wound-healing process, epithelial cells at wound edges start to migrate and proliferate to cover the denuded area. This cell migration is necessary for re-epithelialization (O’Toole 2001). At the same time, fibroblasts migrate into the wound area, proliferate, and participate in the formation of granulation tissue (Hakkinen et al. 2000). Rho family G proteins, which include Rho, Rac1, and Cdc42, interact with each other and play an important role in regulating cell migration (Evers et al. 2000). Many investigations have demonstrated that Rho family G proteins cycle between an active guanosine triphosphate (GTP) bound form and an inactive guanosine diphosphate (GDP) bound form (Van Aelst & D’Souza-Schorey 1997, Ridley 2001). Once activated, these proteins signal through a variety of effectors, thereby regulating diverse cellular events (Etienne-Manneville & Hall 2002). We concentrated the current investigation on Rac and one of its downstream proteins, p21-activated kinases (PAKs). These proteins regulate actin re-organization and have a role in cell migration (Aspenstrom 1999, Jaffer & Chernoff 2002). Once activated, PAKs signal through other proteins including myosin light chain kinase, myosin I heavy chain, myosin II heavy chain, and desmin to regulate actin cytoskeleton dynamics and cell motility (Bokoch 2003). In addition, other pathways, including mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and integrins regulate actin cytoskeleton and cell motility. The activated p44/42 MAPK proteins are also named the extracellular regulated kinase (erk 1 and 2). These proteins promote cell mobility; whereas, inhibiting erk activation decreases cell migration (Crean et al. 2002, Pintucci et al. 2002).
Predictors of Social Support and Caregiver Outcomes

SUMMARY Purpose: This study identified predictors of caregiver's burden, satisfaction, depression, and social support. Little has been done to identify predictors of social support for caregivers at risk for negative outcomes. Design: Correlational descriptive study. Methods: A subset of interview data from a larger intervention study was utilized. Independent variables were caregiver/care-recipient characteristics and social support. Dependent variables included caregiver burden, satisfaction, depression, anxiety, and hostility. Results: Eighty-one caregiver/care-recipient dyads from the community participated in this study. Caregivers were women with a mean age of 67.53 years (range 39–86). Difficulty arranging assistance from confidante or friends correlated significantly and positively with caregiver burden (r = .38; p <.001) and depression (r = .34; p = .002), and negatively with satisfaction (r = −.28; p = .013). Findings/Implications: Arranging assistance is more important than frequency of social ...
New transport assay demonstrates vesicular acetylcholine transporter has many alternative substrates.

Abstract The acetylcholine-binding site in vesicular acetylcholine transporter faces predominantly toward the outside of the vesicle when resting but predominantly toward the inside when transporting. Transport-related reorientation is detected by an ATP-induced decrease in the ability of saturating substrate to displace allosterically bound [ 3 H]vesamicol. The assay was used here to determine whether structurally diverse compounds are transported by rat VAChT expressed in PC12 A123.7 cells. Competition by ethidium, tetraphenylphosphonium and other monovalent organic cations with [ 3 H]vesamicol is decreased when ATP is added, and the effect depends on proton-motive force. The results indicate that many organic molecules carrying +1 charge are transported, even though the compounds do not resemble acetylcholine in structural details.