cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toward electron encapsulation: polynitrile approach.

This study seeks an answer to the following question: Is it possible to design a supramolecular cage that would “solvate” the excess electron in the same fashion in which several solvent molecules do that cooperatively in polar liquids? Two general strategies are outlined for this “electron encapsulation”, viz. electron localization using polar groups arranged on the (i) inside of the cage or (ii) outside of the cage. The second approach is more convenient from the synthetic standpoint, but it is limited to polynitriles. We demonstrate, experimentally and theoretically, that this second approach faces a problem: the electron attaches to the nitrile groups, forming molecular anions with bent C−C−N fragments. Because the energy cost of this bending is high, for dinitrile anions in n-hexane, the binding energies for the electron are low and, for mononitriles, these binding energies are lower still, and the entropy of electron attachment is anomalously small. Density functional theory modeling of electron t...
Alpha-particle scattering from 9Be

Abstract The elastic and inelastic scatterings of 35.5 MeV 4He ions from 9Be are analyzed in the strong coupling limit by the coupled channel method. A good account of the ground-state ( K = 3 2 − ) band is obtained, in agreement with the electromagnetic properties of this band. Data for three states of the K = 1 2 + band are analyzed, yielding much larger isoscalar dipole scattering amplitudes for the 3 2 + state than are obtained by electron scattering for electric dipole transitions.
Sustainable Community Development: A Social Approach from Vietnam

Sustainable development has emerged over the past few decades as an important paradigm for community development. In searching for ways to achieve a balance among the social, economic, and ecological health of communities, Western scholars and practitioners concerned with sustainable development have generally given priority to environmentally-oriented frameworks. However, in places with different cultural and political characteristics and material conditions compared to the industrialized West, a human-oriented, social approach to sustainable development can be observed. This article describes and analyzes how sustainable development is being approached using a non- Western, non-environmentally-oriented approach. We present a case study of a mangrove management program in Southern Vietnam to illustrate such a social approach to sustainability - through collaborative efforts among government, quasi-governmental organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and local communities. We emphasize the role of w...
Stabilization of linear strict-feedback systems with delayed integrators

The problem of compensation of input delays for unstable linear systems was solved in the late 1970s. The systems with simultaneous input and state delay have remained a challenge, although exponential stabilization has been solved for systems that are not exponentially unstable, such as chains of delayed integrators and systems in the ‘feedforward’ form. We consider a general system in strict-feedback form with delayed integrators, which is an example of an exponentially unstable system with simultaneous input and state delays, and design a predictor feedback controller for this class of systems. Exponential stability is then proven using a Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional.
Efficiency of ethidium bromide mutagenesis as a function of different stages in the cell cycle of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract Periodic increases in sensitivity to ethidium bromide (EB) mutagenesis were observed at specific intervals during successive synchronous cell cycles in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Maximal rates of petite induction roughly coincided with the time of nuclear DNA replication although prolonged treatment with EB ultimately resulted in complete petite induction at all stages during the cell cycle.
Microbial transformation of sampangine.

Microbial transformation studies of the antifungal alkaloid sampangine (2) have revealed that it is metabolized by a number of microorganisms. Using a standard two-stage fermentation technique, Beauvaria bassiana (ATCC 7159), Doratomyces microsporus (ATCC 16225), and Filobasidiella neoformans (ATCC 10226) produced the 4‘-O-methyl-β-glucopyranose conjugate (3), while Absidia glauca (ATCC 22752), Cunninghamella elegans (ATCC 9245), Cunninghamella species (NRRL 5695), and Rhizopus arrhizus (ATCC 11145) produced the β-glucopyranose conjugate (4). Metabolites 3 and 4 have been characterized on the basis of spectral data. Both 3 and 4 had significant in vitro activity against Cryptococcus neoformans but were inactive against Candida albicans. Metabolite 4 was inactive in vivo in a mouse model of cryptococcosis.
Boundary-layer separation on moving walls using an integral theory

References 1 Koosinlin, M. L., Launder, B. E., and Sharma, B. I., "Prediction of Momentum, Heat and Mass Transfer in Swirling, Turbulent Boundary Layers," Journal of Heat Transfer, Vol. 96, May 1974, pp. 204209. Furuya, Y., Nakamura, L, and Kavachi, H., "The Experiments on the Skewed Boundary Layer on a Rotating Body," Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, Vol. 9, 1966, p. 702. 3 Parr, V. O., "Untersuchungen der dreidimensionalen Grenzschicht an rotierenden Drehkorpern bei Axialer Anstrmung," Ingenieur Archives, Vol. 32, 1963, p. 393. Jones, W. P. and Launder, B. E., "The Calculation of Low Reynolds Number Phenomena with a Two-Equation Model of Turbulence," International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 16, June 1973,p.1119. Launder, B. E., Priddin, C. H., and Sharma, B. I., "The Calculation of Turbulent Boundary Layers on Spinning and Curved Surfaces," Journal of Fluids Engineering, Paper number 493-FMW (in press), 1976. Patankar, S. V. and Spalding, D. B., Heat and Mass Transfer in Boundary Layers, Intertext Books, London, 1970.
Effects of the Low-Temperature Transitions of Confined Water on the Structures of Isolated and Cytoplasmic Proteins

Molecular motions and properties of water and biomacromolecules change when confined in nanoporous matrices. Freezing and melting points of water are depressed, and generally, the activity of enzymes and stability of proteins are increased. We performed temperature ramp FTIR analyses of silica matrix confined water and proteins to identify the kinetic and thermodynamic transitions of water at cryogenic temperatures and to understand the water−protein interactions in confinement. In our studies, confined water did not freeze at temperatures as low as −180 °C but underwent liquid−liquid and liquid−glass transitions during cooling. During warming from cryogenic temperatures, the formations of cubic and hexagonal ice were detected. Additionally, the changes in the secondary structures of proteins correlated to the changes in the H-bonding characteristics of the confined water. Our results showed that the kinetic and thermodynamic transitions of water dictate the structural transitions of encapsulated proteins...
Implications of Electronic Marketing for Agriculture: Discussion

There is a consistency in the three papers. The orientation in each is pro-electronic marketing. The authors have been at the forefront of the conceptualization and development of electronic marketing systems across the past ten years. Schrader was candid in noting that electronic marketing has not advanced as far as many proponents had expected. To some extent, we are all groping for the reasons for the lack of more widespread acceptance. An important reason could be our inability to bridge effectively the perceptual gap between the academic and the private sectors. We cannot expect participants to perceive systemwide inefficiencies and problems in a system they use every day. During development phases of the system now operating as National Electronic Marketing Association (NEMA), this truth was obvious. In recent efforts to
A Revision of the Academic Locus of Control Scale for College Students

This study presents a revision of Trice's (1985) Academic Locus of Control Scale for College Students. A principal component analysis involving 322 college students produced four factors including 21 of the original 28 items. Inspection of the seven items not included in the four-factor solution suggested that they could be eliminated on both content and technical grounds. The resulting revised scale was similar to the original scale with respect to its relations with GPA, attendance, and measures of Academic Entitlement, procrastination, depression, and anxiety.
Effect of water chemistry on calcium carbonate deposition on metal and polymer surfaces

The formation of calcium carbonate on the surfaces of polypropylene and copper tubes was studied by exposing tubes to a laminar flow of room temperature distilled water, supersaturated with respect to calcite. Three water chemistries were used: a control (pH 9.3), one with lower supersaturation but similar pH as the control, and one with higher pH (pH 11) but similar supersaturation as the control. The accumulation of calcium carbonate with time was characterized along with the microstructure and the crystal structure of the deposits. On both tube materials, the amount of calcium carbonate deposited per unit surface area increased with time. At any given time, the accumulation was significantly less when the low supersaturation water was used. For all three water chemistries, more calcium carbonate formed on polyproplyene as compared with copper, with the greatest difference between the two noted for the higher pH water. The deposits consisted of discrete particles and particle clusters, the number and size of which increased with time. Calcite was the dominant polymorph for deposits on copper. On polyproplyene, the deposits were a mixture of calcite, vaterite and aragonite with aragonite dominating except at low supersaturation. A simple model for the mass accumulation of particulate-based deposits with time is presented and the factors responsible for the differences between materials are discussed.
Diffraction Properties of Stratified Volume Holographic Optical Elements

We present a unified treatment of the diffraction properties of stratified volume holographic optical elements (SVHOE’s). We show that the relative phasing of the diffraction orders as they propagate from layer to layer gives rise to a unique notched diffraction response of the +1 order (for the case of Bragg incidence) as a function of the normalized buffer-layer thickness, the grating spatial frequency, and the readout wavelength. For certain combinations of these parameters Bragg diffraction behavior characteristic of volume holographic optical elements (VHOE’s) is observed, whereas for other combinations pure Raman–Nath behavior periodically recurs. By using these same relative-phasing arguments, the principal features of the periodic angular sensitivity of the +1 and −1 orders can be predicted. In addition to examining the fundamental aspects of SVHOE diffraction behavior, we discuss several possible applications, including optical array generation, spatial frequency filtering, and wavelength notch filtering. With the use of the SVHOE concept, holographic materials with otherwise exemplary characteristics that are currently available only in thin-film form can be used in structures designed either to access unique SVHOE diffraction properties or to emulate conventional VHOE’s.
Agglutinin Responses to Salmonella pullorum in Japanese Quail Selected for Plasma Cholesterol Response to Adrenocorticotropin and a Model Describing the Dynamics of the Response

Abstract Japanese quail from the S16 generation of lines selected for high (HR) and low (LR) plasma cholesterol response to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), and the randombred control line (C) from which the selected lines had been derived, were immunized with a heat-killed Salmonella pullorum antigen. Plasma from blood samples taken at 0, 5, 8, and 12 days postimmunization was titered for total agglutinin levels. A quadratic equation and its first derivative, calculated for each bird, produced mean values by line for maximum titers, mean day of maximum titer, and rate of titer decline. Results indicated that the LR line had significantly lower titers than the HR or C lines but that the HR line reached maximum titer later than the LR line. The rate of titer decline was fastest in the C line.
The Effect of Word Anagrams High and Low in Association Value on Solution Times

Summary Sixty male and female undergraduates were requested to solve one group of five letter word anagrams high in free association value and a similar group low in association value. It was expected the two groups of word anagrams would reflect significant differences with regard to Ss' solution times. As hypothesized, Ss' performances indicated that word anagrams high in association value were more difficult to solve than the word anagrams low in association value (p < .01). Apparently word anagrams high in association value bring about a great number of possibilities which interfere with the correct solution.
The use of technology in mathematics education

Technology is important in teaching and learning mathematics. This paper will discuss the use of graphing calculators, the internet and computer math software in mathematics education. Our modern world has entered the information age. Internet online teaching and learning, and online testing have become important part of faculty development and student learning.
Are the current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association stable ischemic heart disease guidelines too conservative?

The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) practice guidelines, published in 2012, represent a tremendous collaborative effort to synthesize the existing literature and evidence base for patients with SIHD. Notably, the guidelines focus not only upon the appropriate identification of patients with SIHD, but also upon the comprehensive treatment of SIHD patients. In doing so, these guidelines have no doubt already helped numerous practicing physicians who have referenced them; however, the goal of guideline documents is not for the included recommendations to be static, but instead to dynamically adapt over time. In this editorial, we discuss three potential areas of improvement in the guidelines, ranging from the use of specific diagnostic testing and risk-stratification modalities to the preferred treatment approach for symptomatic patients with SIHD.
Activation of specific suppressor cells with heat-treated allogeneic tumor cells.

Abstract The ability of heat-treated allogeneic cells to induce suppressor cells was examined. The tumor cell lines EL-4 (H-2 b ) and P815-X2 (H-2 d ), were heated to 56 °C for 10 min and injected intravenously into mice of the DBA/2J (H-2 d ) and C57BL/6J (H-2 b ) strains, respectively. After 4 days, the splenocytes of the treated mice were mixed with normal spleen cells and cultured for 5 days with allogeneic tumor cells. The cytotoxic T-cell response was reduced in cultures of these cell mixtures. An allogeneic difference was required to induce suppression because the syngeneic combination did not induce suppressor cell activity. Furthermore, the induction of cytotoxic T cells to the C118 cell line (H-2 k ) was not suppressed by this procedure, which suggests that the suppression was haplotype specific. These suppressor cells were sensitive to anti-Thy 1.2 and complement, cortisone, and cyclophosphamide, but insensitive to irradiation. These are characteristics similar to suppressor cells activated by intact cells. Heat treatment abrogated the tumor cell's ability to induce a proliferative and a primary, but not a secondary, cytotoxic T-cell response. The heat-treated cells also lost their ability to function as cold target inhibitor cells, but retained the same quantity of serologically detected antigens as the intact cells. These results suggest that the serologically detected antigens are responsible for the activation of the suppressor cells of the cytotoxic T-cell response.
Scanning MeV-ion microprobe for light and heavy ions

Abstract The University of Oregon scanning ion microprobe uses a 65 cm focal length plasma lens to form 8.65 × demagnified image of an object aperture. The plasma lens focuses a positive ion beam using the self-electric field of a trapped cylindrical column of electrons of density 3−9 × 10 9 cm −3 and length 13–18 cm. Since the focusing field is electric, the focal length depends only on ion accelerating voltage and not on ion mass or charge state. Our 5 MV Van de Graaff accelerator illuminates the object aperture with a current density of ∼ 0.5 pA/mu;m 2 . The lens aperture is defined by a set of slits 3.35 m beyond the object aperture slits and 2.79 m from the lens. Four pairs of deflection plates are located between the intermediate aperture and the lens. Two pairs of plates are used for each scanning direction so the beam always passes through the lens center during rastering. The 1 kV operational amplifiers that drive these plates combine three sets of signals. Computer generated voltages raster the beam. Individual dc offset voltages align the beam with the lens axis. A small 60 Hz signal cancels the effects of background 60 Hz magnetic fields along the beam line. With 1 kV rastering voltage the rastered field at the focal plane is 3 mm square for 3 MeV ions. Focal spot size is now 10 μm with a 2 mm diameter lens aperture and 5 μm with a 0.5 mm lens aperture.
Preterm VLBW infants: post-extubation respiratory support

Prolonged intubation in preterm neonates is associated with increased morbidity, including greater infection risk and development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500 g) infants often require ongoing respiratory support after extubation due to residual lung disease and/or apnea of prematurity. In recent years, there has been a growing trend toward early extubation after surfactant or complete avoidance of intubation and mechanical ventilation for preterm neonates.1, 2
Foods and nutritional components of diets of black bear in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

We used scat analysis to determine diets and relative nutritional values of diets for black bears (Ursus americanus Pallas, 1780) in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, from 2003 to 2006, and c...
Temperature dependence of the peak power of a Hänsch-type dye laser

The temperature dependence of the peak power of a Haensch-type dye laser is discussed with application to coumarins.(AIP)
Slow change interaction design

A theoretical sketch exploring the mindsets required for creating interactive technologies that facilitate attitudinal and behavioral change over time.
Role of Isoprenoid Lipids on the Heterotrimeric G Protein γ Subunit in Determining Effector Activation

Post-translational prenylation of heterotrimeric G protein γ subunits is essential for high affinity α-βγ and α-βγ-receptor interactions, suggesting that the prenyl group is an important domain in the βγ dimer. To determine the role of the prenyl modification in the interaction of βγ dimers with effectors, the CAAX (where A indicates alipathic amino acid) motifs in the γ1, γ2, and γ11 subunits were altered to direct modification with different prenyl groups. Six recombinant βγ dimers were overexpressed in baculovirus-infected Sf9 insect cells, purified, and examined for their ability to stimulate three phospholipase C-β isozymes and type II adenylyl cyclase. The native β1γ2 dimer (γ subunit modified with geranylgeranyl) is more potent and effective in activating phospholipase C-β than either the β1γ1 (farnesyl) or the β1γ11 (farnesyl) dimers. However, farnesyl modification of the γ subunit in the β1γ2dimer (β1γ2-L71S) caused a decrement in its ability to activate phospholipase C-β. In contrast, both the β1γ1-S74L (geranylgeranyl) and the β1γ11-S73L (geranylgeranyl) dimers were more active than the native forms. The β1γ2dimer activates type II adenylyl cyclase about 12-fold; however, neither the β1γ1 nor the β1γ11 dimers activate the enzyme. As was the case with phospholipase C-β, the β1γ2-L71S dimer was less able to activate adenylyl cyclase than the native β1γ2dimer. Interestingly, neither the β1γ1-S74Lnor the β1γ11-S73L dimers stimulated adenylyl cyclase. The results suggest that both the amino acid sequence of the γ subunit and its prenyl group play a role in determining the activity of the βγ-effector complex.
Treating neuropsychiatric disorders with PDE10A inhibitors

Phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) is a recently identified cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase expressed primarily in dopaminoreceptive medium spiny neurons of the striatum. This article provides a brief overview of the characterization, localization and function of this enzyme, the currently available pharmacological and genetic tools, and discusses recent data suggesting potential uses of PDE10A inhibitors in CNS disorders.
Vibrational spectrum, ab initio calculations, conformational equilibria and torsional modes of 1,3-dichloropropane.

The infrared and Raman spectrum of 1,3-dibromopropane is reported in the crystalline, liquid and gaseous states. These measurements are compared to the results of ab initio calculations carried out using the 6-31+g* Gaussian basis set for a restricted Hartree-Fock computation. The calculation was repeated using second order Moeller-Ploesset perturbation theory to accommodate electron correlation using the 6-31 g* basis set. The three most stable conformers are GG (C2), AG (C1) and AA (C2v), where A and G stand for anti and gauche orientations of the bromomethyl group relative to the plane of the carbon atoms. The point group symmetry of each structure is given in parentheses. The fourth conformer, G'G (Cs) is of such high energy that it is not observed experimentally in isotropic media in either the infrared or Raman spectrum. In the crystalline state, comparison of the infrared and Raman spectrum with that calculated for the C2 conformer shows that only the GG (C2) conformer survives, and the doublet structure of many of the bands in the spectrum indicates at least two molecules per unit cell. The ab initio calculations predict and the temperature dependence of the Raman spectrum of the liquid confirms that the stability order is C2<C1<C2v<<Cs. These data show that in the liquid the C1 conformer lies 220+/-30 cm-1 above the lowest energy C2 conformer, while the C2v is 435+/-60 cm-1 above it. A nearly complete assignment of fundamentals is possible for the C2 conformer, and a number of bands can be confidently identified for the C1. However, only two weak Raman bands with very weak infrared counterparts could be confidently assigned to the C2v conformer. A complete scaled normal coordinate calculation was conducted. The spectrum calculated from the results agrees very well with the observed. The average error for the C2 conformer could be reduced to as little as 0.6% (6.8 cm-1) by appropriate scaling.
Nurses Improving the Care of Healthsystem Elders: Creating a Sustainable Business Model to Improve Care of Hospitalized Older Adults

The Nurses Improving the Care of Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) program helps its more than 450 member sites to build the leadership capabilities to enact system-level change that targets the unique needs of older adults and embeds evidence-based geriatrics knowledge into practice. NICHE received expansion funding to establish a sustainable business model for operations while positioning the program to continue as a leader in innovative senior care programs. The expansion program focused on developing an internal business infrastructure, expanding NICHE-specific resources, creating a Web platform, increasing the number of participating NICHE hospitals, enhancing and expanding the NICHE benchmarking service, supporting research that generates evidence-based practices, fostering interorganizational collaboration, developing sufficient diversified revenue sources, and increasing the penetration and level of activity of current NICHE sites. These activities (improved services, Web-based tools, better benchmarking) added value and made it feasible to charge hospitals an annual fee for access and participation. NICHE does not stipulate how institutions should modify geriatric care; rather, NICHE principles and tools are meant to be adapted to each site's unique institutional culture. This article describes the historical context, the rationale, and the business plan that has resulted in successful organizational outcomes, including financial sustainability of the business operations of NICHE.
Parametric instability of laminated composite shear-deformable flat panels subjected to in-plane edge loads

Abstract The dynamic instability of simply supported shear-deformable laminated composite plates subjected to parametric excitation by in-plane compressive edge loadings is examined. Towards the end of investigating this problem, a higher-order geometrically non-linear theory of symmetrically laminated plates is used. The governing equations associated with this theory, as well as their linearized counterpart, allow one to obtain a series of results which reveal the influence played, in this respect, by transverse shear deformation, transverse normal stress, higher-order effects, and the movable and immovable character of in-plane boundary conditions.
Blood pressure and outcome after severe pediatric traumatic brain injury.

Background: The relationship between systolic blood pressure and outcome in children after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is unclear. We examined the relationship between age-appropriate systolic blood pressure (AASBP) percentile and outcome after severe pediatric TBI. Methods: We examined the association between AASBP percentiles and outcome in 172 children younger than 14 years of age with a Glasgow Coma Scale score < 9. Outcome was evaluated using discharge Glasgow Outcome Scale score. Poor outcome was defined as a Glasgow Outcome Scale score < 4. Results: Poor outcome was associated with AASBP < 75th percentile (odds ratio, 4.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.1-8.3). Patients with systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 90 mm Hg and AASBP < 75th percentile had a higher odds for poor outcome compared with patients with SBP ≥ 90 mm Hg and AASBP ≥ 75th percentile (odds ratio, 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-7.3). Conclusion: AASBP < 75th percentile was associated with poor outcome after severe pediatric TBI, even when SBP was ≥ 90 mm Hg.
Continuity of caregiver for infants and toddlers in center-based child care: Report on a survey of center practices

Abstract The purposes of this mail survey were to describe the extent to which child care programs use continuity of caregivers with infants and toddlers, the factors influencing decisions to move infants and toddlers to new classes, the practices used to prepare them for such moves, and the extent to which respondents agreed with the concept of providing continuity of caregivers. Child care programs accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and those that were not accredited were selected randomly from existing data bases. Results indicate that (a) relatively few programs use continuity of caregivers for infants and even fewer use it for toddlers; (b) the majority of programs consider children’s attainment of developmental milestones, their age, and the space available in the next class when deciding when to transition infants and toddlers to new classes; (c) most centers used a number of practices to prepare infants and toddlers to move to new classes; and (d) more respondents report agreement with using continuity of caregivers than practice it. Relatively few differences were noted across accredited and nonaccredited centers on these issues.
Osmolyte contents of cultured astrocytes grown in hypoosmotic medium

Primary rat cerebral astrocyte cultures were grown for 2 weeks in isoosmotic medium (305 mosmol) and then placed in similar medium with a reduced NaCl concentration. During the first hour of growth in this moderately hypoosmotic medium (240 mosmol), the cells lose 88% of their taurine contents, 62% of their alanine contents, and 54% of their aspartate contents while regaining normal volume. Loss of these amino acids accounts for 43% of observed volume regulation. Contents of these amino acids remain decreased during 24 h of growth in hypoosmotic medium. In contrast, potassium, glutamate, glutamine, and asparagine contents are not changed, relative to cells in isoosmotic medium, at time points between 1 h and 24 h of hypoosmotic exposure. The data suggest astrocytes contribute to net loss of amino acids, but not potassium, from brains exposed to hypoosmotic conditions in situ.
Transient modulated photocurrent studies in hydrogenated amorphous silicon: a new look at defect relaxation dynamics

The first results using the modulated photocurrent (MPC) method in a transient mode to study deep electron trapping in a-Si:H are reported. The measurements show that the distribution of such gap states shifts monotonically to shallower thermal energies after bias light is applied, with a time of roughly 5 s to saturation at 300 K. It shifts monotonically to deeper thermal energies after the light is turned off, with a recovery time of roughly 100 s. The photoconductivity transients have also been recorded in this long time regime under identical conditions. It is found that there exists an intimate relation between the motion of the MPC peak and that of the quasi-Fermi level as deduced by the transient photoconductivity. These results thus provide direct evidence for the effects of deep defect relaxation on the trapping dynamics and the photoconductivity decay in a-Si:H.
Influence of Severity of Myocardial Injury on Distribution of Macromolecules: Extravascular Versus Intravascular Gadolinium-Based Magnetic Resonance Contrast Agents

Abstract Objectives. This study sought to 1) compare the distribution of extravascular (573 Da) and intravascular (92 kDa) magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents in reperfused infarcted myocardium, and 2) investigate the effect of injury severity on these distribution patterns. Background. Myocardial distribution of low and high molecular weight contrast agents depends on vascular permeability, diffusive/convective transport within the interstitium and accessibility of the intracellular compartment (cellular integrity). Methods. To vary the severity of myocardial injury, 72 rats were subjected to 20, 30, 45 or 75 min (n = 18, respectively) of coronary artery occlusion. After 2 h of reflow, the animals received either 0.05 mmol/kg of gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-bismethylamide (Gd-DTPA-BMA) (n = 24), (Gd-DTPA)30-albumin (n = 24) or saline (control group, n = 24). Three minutes after injection, the hearts were excised and imaged (spin-echo imaging parameters: repetition time 300 ms, echo time 8 ms, 2-tesla system), followed by triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining for infarct detection and sizing. Results. Histomorphometric and MR infarct size (expressed as percent of slice surface) correlated well: r = 0.96 for Gd-DTPA-BMA; r = 0.95 for (Gd-DTPA)30-albumin. On Gd-DTPA-BMA–enhanced images, reperfused myocardial infarctions were homogeneously enhanced. The ratio of signal intensity of infarcted/normal myocardium increased with increasing duration of ischemia (overall p Conclusions. At 2 h of reperfusion, the distribution of MR contrast agents in postischemic myocardium is 1) specific for extravascular and intravascular agents, and 2) modulated by the duration of ischemia.
Suggestions for Implementing a Content Mastery Center.

The content mastery center (CMC) model is responsive to the federal requirements of providing access to the general education curriculum for students with disabilities and allowing special educatio...
A Virtual Reality Interface for the Design of Compliant Mechanisms

The objective of this research is to develop an immersive interface and a design algorithm to facilitate the synthesis of compliant mechanisms from a user-centered design perspective. Compliant mechanisms are mechanical devices which produce motion or force through deflection or flexibility of their parts. Using the constraint-based method of design, the design process relies on the designer to identify the appropriate constraint sets to match the desired motion. Currently this approach requires considerable prior knowledge of how non-linear flexible members produce motion. As a result, the design process is based primarily on the designer’s previous experience and intuition. A user-centered methodology is suggested where the interface guides the designer throughout the design process, thus reducing the reliance on intuitive knowledge. This methodology supports constraint-based design methods by linking mathematical models to support compliant mechanism design in an immersive virtual environment. A virtual reality (VR) immersive interface enables the designer to input the intended motion path by simply grabbing and moving the object and letting the system decide which constraint spaces apply. The user-centered paradigm supports an approach that focuses on the designer defining the motion and the system generating the constraint sets, instead of the current method which relies heavily on the designer’s intuition to identify appropriate constraints. The result is an intelligent design framework that will allow a broader group of engineers to design complex compliant mechanisms, giving them new options to draw upon when searching for design solutions to critical problems.© 2009 ASME
Antipsychotic prophylaxis in surgical patients modestly decreases delirium incidence — but not duration — in high-incidence samples: A meta-analysis

Abstract Objective The objective was to examine whether prophylactic treatment with antipsychotics can decrease the incidence and severity of postsurgical delirium. Method A meta-analysis of existing trials comparing delirium incidence between patients given prophylactic antipsychotic and placebo was performed. Secondary outcomes were total hospital days, total days of delirium and severity. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences were calculated using a random-effects model. Results Five randomized placebo-controlled trials comprising a total of 1491 patients were included. In the pooled analysis, prophylactic antipsychotic administration showed a reduction in delirium incidence (OR: 0.42; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.24, 0.74). Among the studies reporting other outcomes, patients receiving antipsychotics prophylactically showed no differences in total hospital days (0.1; 95% CI: −0.73, 0.94), days of delirium (−1.17; 95% CI: −5.22, 2.88) or delirium severity (−1.02; 95% CI: −6.81, 4.76). Conclusions Prophylactic antipsychotic treatment in surgical patients modestly decreases the incidence of delirium, but not the length of hospital stay, duration of delirium or its severity. Given the modest protective effect of antipsychotics and their potential adverse reactions, there is insufficient evidence to support its universal use as a preventive agent, though potential benefit may be seen in populations at high risk of developing delirium.
Multiple Sites of Gas Exchange

SYNOPSIS. For many years the general body surface has been recognized as the primitive site of respiratory gas exchange in the animal kingdom. Even in simple animals such as the sea anemones, however, some specialization has occurred. In epifaunal species the tentacular crown appears to be the major site of gas exchange while in one infaunal species dermal papillae are more important. In both, the columnar body wall remains an additional site of O2 uptake. In the polychaete annelids an evolutionary trend can be seen from the predominance of the general body surface over simple, metameric gills to the predominance of highly specialized and branched anterior gills over the general body surface. n the oligochaetes reversion to the general body surface was followed in at least one species to specialization of the tail region to form a “lung.” Multiple sites clearly exist in the molluscs, but their relative importance is poorly known. Several sites exist in the echinoderms, the best known being the approximately equal allocation of O2 uptake between modified tube feet and respiratory trees in the holothurians. Multiple sites of gas exchange persist even in the crustaceans, in temporal as well as spatial dimensions. Water breathers revert to cutaneous O2 uptake following a molt, and air breathers have evolved an array of gas exchangers adapted to their new medium. This array is so diverse that it does not provide a single selection pressure for hemocyanin O2 binding properties which, when compared broadly, remain indistinguishable from those of water breathers found in similar thermal regimes.
A serial study of muscle microsomes during the early growth of genetically dystrophic chickens.

Abstract Two lines of genetically involved and control chickens were compared with regard to the onset of muscle dystrophy during the early stages of growth ex ovo. Definite structural and functional involvement of pectoralis muscle developed within the first 4–5 weeks. In parallel experiments, microsomal membranes were obtained weekly from pectoralis muscle during the first 14 weeks ex ovo. The microsomes were studied with respect to ultrastructural features, protein composition, Ca 2+ uptake and ATPase activity. Microsomal preparations obtained from all newborn chickens contain two types of vesicles: one type reveals an asymmetric distribution and ‘high density’ of particles on freeze-fracture faces which is characteristic of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane; the other type reveals a symmetric distribution and ‘low density’ of particles. The yield of ‘low density’ microsomes from muscle of normal birds is very much reduced as the chicks grow from 1 to 4–5 weeks ex ovo. On the contrary, it remains high in chicks developing muscle dystrophy. Ca 2+ uptake and coupled ATPase activity are found to be of nearly identical specific activity in control and genetically involved newborn chicks. The specific activity of the control birds, however, increases as the chicks grow from 1 to 4–5 weeks of age, while the specific activity of the dystrophic birds remains low. Such a difference appears to be related to the relative representation of sarcoplasmic reticulum and ‘low density’ vesicles in the microsomal preparations. It is concluded that failure to obtain a normal differentiation of muscle cell membranes is a basic defect noted in the early growth of genetically involved chickens. This defect appears along with the earliest signs of the dystrophic process.
Rearing environment, sex and developmental lead exposure modify gene expression in the hippocampus of behaviorally naïve animals.

Abstract Developmental lead (Pb) exposure impairs various cognitive processes and behaviors in both humans and animals. In particular, specific deficits in spatial learning and memory have been described in Pb-exposed rats. It is also known that rearing environment (i.e., non-enriched vs. enriched) can have significant influences on cognitive performance and that rearing environment and sex may modify the influence of Pb exposure on learning and memory processes. It is also known that behavioral testing can alter hippocampal gene expression and interactive effects of environment. Little is known however about the molecular correlates of developmental Pb-exposure on expression of key sets of cognition-relevant genes in the hippocampus and how sex and environmental rearing condition may modify these effects. The present study examined expression profiles of neurobiologically-relevant genes (i.e., neurotrophic factors, NMDA receptors, metabotropic glutamate receptors, synaptic function/plasticity, and transcription/gene regulation) in behaviorally naive rats with perinatal exposure (i.e., gestation through weaning) to different levels of Pb (250, 750 and 1500 ppm Pb acetate) in males and females raised in a non-enriched environment (standard housing without toys) or an enriched environment (large cage containing toys changed twice weekly). Unlike previous studies identifying gene changes following behavioral testing, which alters expression analysis, we identified both sex and environmental related changes in hippocampal genes following Pb exposure alone. The gene expression changes described may be associated with learning and memory and may pre-determine how cognitive profiles develop following Pb exposure.
Heterojunctions, Quantum Confinement, and Electronic Competitions in Mixed Halide MX Solids

Abstract The mixed-halide MX solids [Pt(en)2] [Pt (en)2(XyX′1-y)2] (C104)4 (X,X′=Cl, Br, or I; en=1, 2-diaminoethane) - abbreviated PtX1-yX′y - are realizations of nanoscale 1-D heterostructures in a well-characterized crystalline environment. Using resonance Raman spectroscopy, the complex interplay between quantum confinement, lattice mismatch effects, charge transfer at heterojunctions, and electronic interaction lengths across the junctions is explored for two CDW strength combinations: the strong-/moderate-CDW case of PtCl1-xBrx the strong-/weak-CDW case of PtCl1-xIx.
Theoretical determination of stable fourfold coordinated vacancy clusters in silicon

We have identified stable fourfold coordinated vacancy clusters (${V}_{n}$ $3\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}18$) in Si using a combination of metropolis Monte Carlo, tight-binding molecular-dynamics, and density-functional theory calculations. Our calculations show that the small vacancy defects exclusively favor fourfold coordination thermodynamically rather than hexagonal ringlike structure formation, which has widely been adapted to explain the behavior and properties of vacancy defects. Among those examined, the fourfold ${V}_{12}$ cluster with ${S}_{22}$ symmetry is identified to be the most stable, yielding a formation energy of 1.16 eV per vacancy. The fourfold ${V}_{12}$ structure is about 4 eV more favorable than the conventional hexagonal ring structure. We also discuss how the relative stability between the fourfold and hexagonal ring configurations will change as the cluster size increases to greater than a few tens of vacancies.
Recent developments in intense polarized hydrogen and deuterium ion sources

The author reviews recent advances for the two major types of H and D polarized sources being used today: optically pumped sources and atomic beam sources. Since development and use of any polarized source ultimately must rely on acquiring accurate knowledge of the emerging beam's polarization, he also briefly discusses low-energy polarimetry techniques which have proven most successful as diagnostics. Present technical limits to source performance are outlined. >
Preoperative considerations and outcomes of primary intraocular lens implantation in children with posterior polar and posterior lentiglobus cataract

Purpose To report outcomes for pediatric posterior polar and posterior lentiglobus (lenticonus) cataracts. Methods All posterior polar and posterior lentiglobus cataracts operated by the senior author were identified by retrospective database review. Excluding one eye in bilateral cases, preoperative and intraoperative details were collected. All eyes were analyzed for preoperative biometry and surgical details; however, a minimum of 4 weeks of follow-up was required for analysis of visual function. Results Of 415 nontraumatic cataract cases with primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, 62 (15.0%) were identified with posterior polar (30/415, 7.3%) or posterior lentiglobus cataract (32/415, 7.7%). Twenty-eight (93%) posterior polar and all 32 posterior lentiglobus cases were monocular. Statistical comparison between the posterior polar and posterior lentiglobus groups for each of the following: age at time of surgery, preoperative axial length, lens thickness, and keratometry, showed no significant differences. IOL implantation was primarily in the capsular bag in both groups, 27/28 (96%) posterior polar and 25/32 (78%) posterior lentiglobus. Operative complications were rare. Twenty-five eyes in each group have follow-up greater than 4 weeks and were analyzed for visual function. A robust majority of patients in both groups, 21/25 (84%) posterior polar and 17/25 (68%) posterior lentiglobus cases, demonstrated postoperative visual acuity of 20/40 or better (or none to only a slight contralateral eye preference). Strabismus was infrequent in both groups pre- and postoperatively. Conclusions Posterior polar and posterior lentiglobus cataracts represent a large subset of nontraumatic cataracts in a pediatric cataract specialty practice. Visual outcomes are generally good. Complications are rare.
Experimental tests of EEG source localization accuracy in realistically shaped head models.

Abstract Objectives : To determine the accuracy with which electrical sources in the human brain can be located using realistically shaped boundary element models of the head and to compare this accuracy with that using spherical head models. Methods : In a previous study, electroencephalographs (EEGs) produced by sources at known locations in the brains of human subjects were recorded. The sources were created by injecting current into implanted depth electrodes. The locations of the implanted depth and scalp EEG electrodes and head shape were determined from computerized tomography images. The EEGs were used to calculate source locations in spherical head models and localization accuracy was determined by comparing the calculated and actual locations. In this study, these same EEGs are used to determine localization accuracy in realistically shaped head models. Results : An average localization error of 10.5 (SD=5.4) mm was obtained in the realistically shaped models for all 176 sources in 13 subjects. This compares with 10.6 (5.5) mm in the spherical models. The average localization error for 105 sources at superior locations in the brain is 9.1 (4.2) mm. The average error for 71 inferior location sources is 12.4 (6.4) mm. The corresponding values for the spherical models are 9.2 (4.4) and 12.8 (6.2) mm. Conclusions : The realistically shaped head boundary element models used in this study produced very nearly the same localization accuracy as spherical models.
EndSec: An end-to-end message security protocol for mobile telecommunication networks

A major security vulnerability in the mobile telecommunication network is that wireline signaling messages are cleartext. The latest protocol for wireline signaling message security is mobile application part security (MAPSec), which protects MAP (a signaling message protocol) messages on the link between nodes. MAPSec is a limited solution because it still leaves MAP signaling messages unsecured in intermediate nodes, and also leaves other wireline signaling message protocols unsecured both on the link and in intermediate nodes. Hence, there is a need for a more comprehensive wireline security scheme to protect all types of wireline signaling messages end-to-end i.e., both on the link and in intermediate nodes. As a solution, we propose EndSec, an end-to-end wireline signaling message security protocol for all types of signaling messages. EndSec works by inserting cryptographic checks on data items in signaling messages, has capabilities to self-detect and repair corruption, and identifies the nodes causing corruption.