cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Micro- and Nucleolar-organizing B-Chromosomes in Calycadenia (Asteraceae)

Cytological studies of seven taxa in four species of the genus Calycadenia revealed the existence of several types of B-chromosomes. Of special interest is the occurrence of at least three forms of nucleolar-organizing B's in a total of six taxa in three species of the genus. Also of note is the occurrence in one species of an unusual structure less than 1μ in length that is interpreted as a micro-B chromosome. Its morphology is reminiscent of that of a “naked” centromere. The B-chromosomes of Calycadenia are variable in size, morphology, and meiotic behavior. They have probably had multiple origins, perhaps as abnormal meiotic products in structural heterozygotes produced by hybridizing populations or species or as by-products of aneuploid reduction.
A connexin 43 antisense vector reduces the ability of normal cells to inhibit the foci formation of transformed cells

Antisense gene constructs have been very useful in the functional analysis of genes and their products. In this report we used a connexin 43 (Cx43) antisense gene construct to study the role that heterologous gap-junctional intracellular communication (GJIC) plays in the ability of untransformed fibroblasts to suppress the foci-forming ability of src oncogene-transformed cells. Untransformed Rat-1 fibroblasts transfected with the Cx43 antisenese DNA construct showed marked decreases in Cx43 RNA and protein, which were accompanied by a corresponding decrease in GJIC. These Cx43 antisense-transfected cells maintained normal cell morphology, growth rates, and saturation densities and did not grow in soft-agar suspension. However, in coculture experiments, the Cx43 antisense cells were less effective than vector-alone-transfected, sense-trans-fected, and untransfected cells at in hibiting foci formation of pp60v-src-transformed cells. These effects of junctionally competent, normal cells were associated with the existence of heterologous GJIC with the transformed cells and did not appear to result from the elaboration of a stable, diffusible inhibitory factor. Thus, gap-junction-mediated transfer of putative regulatory molecules may play a role in the ability of untransformed cells to suppress the expression of certain properties of transformed cells. ©1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Restricted Modal Analysis Applied to Internal Annular Combustor Autospectra and Cross-Spectra Measurements

A treatment of the modal decomposition of the pressure field in a combustor as determined by two pressure time history measurements is developed herein. It is applied to a Pratt and Whitney PW4098 engine combustor over a range of operating conditions. For modes other than the plane wave the assumption is made that there are distinct frequency bands in which the individual modes, including the plane wave mode, overlap such that if circumferential mode m and circumferential mode m-1 are present then circumferential mode m-2 is not. In the analysis used herein at frequencies above the first cutoff mode frequency, only pairs of circumferential modes are individually present at each frequency. Consequently, this is a restricted modal analysis. As part of the analysis one specifies mode cut-on frequencies. This creates a set of frequencies that each mode spans. One finding was the successful use of the same modal span frequencies over a range of operating conditions for this particular engine. This suggests that for this case the cut-on frequencies are in proximity at each operating condition. Consequently, the combustion noise spectrum related to the circumferential modes might not change much with operating condition.
Line-of-sight kinematics for a two-axis head mirror: equations for predicting and controlling mirrored LOS pointing

Gimbaled planar mirrors are used to point and stabilize a camera's or laser's line-ofsight (LOS). The mirror with its reflection property adds another degree of complexity to the already complex area of LOS pointing and stabilization modeling and control. For example, when the optics and detector are located off gimbal and utilizing a 2-axis gimbaled mirror to point the LOS, the image at the detector rolls one for one with the outer gimbal rotation. This is difficult to understand unless the equations are developed to show this. The LOS pointing kinematic equations for a planar gimbaled mirror begin with the mirror reflectance equation [2,3]. This equation describes the reflected ray or vector in terms of the incoming ray and the mirror unit normal, and ultimately creates the mathematical relationship between the reflected ray, the base (or a user-defined reference frame), and the detector reference frame. This kinematic relationship is differentiated to form the LOS rate equations from which one can easily see what states are necessary, and how these states are combined, for inertially stabilizing the LOS about its roll, pitch, and yaw axes.
Interaction of formic acid with the silica gel network

Silica gels can be made by direct reaction of formic acid with tetraethyl orthosilicate. We have characterized wet gels of this type using a beam-bending technique that yields the elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio, viscoelastic relaxation function, and permeability. When the experiment is performed in ethyl formate, the silica network behaves in an elastic fashion; the permeability is low (<1 nm2), indicating a pore radius of <4.3 nm. The capillary pressure generated in such small pores is estimated to be sufficient to cause collapse of the pores during drying, which would account for the observed ultramicropores in this type of gel. When the pore liquid contains formic acid, viscoelastic relaxation is relatively rapid. Studies of cyclosiloxane compounds indicate that formic acid can attack only the strained siloxane bonds of the network, which would account for the relaxation behavior. Aging in formic acid causes rapid initial shrinkage, because formic acid accelerates condensation of silanols, which drives syneresis; the modulus increases and the permeability decreases monotonically, so there is no indication of coarsening during aging in formic acid, even at 70°C.
Efficient laser cleaning of small particulates using pulsed laser irradiation synchronized with liquid-film deposition

Pulsed laser heating of a surface is shown to be a promising new approach for effective cleaning of small particulate contaminations. Various versions of such a technique of laser cleaning is possible, depending on where the laser irradiation is absorbed and whether a thin film is deposited on the surface to enhance the cleaning. We have observed that laser cleaning with the highest efficiency can be achieved by choosing a laser wavelength (typically ultraviolet) that is strongly absorbed by the surface, and by pulse-depositing a water film of thickness on the order of microns on the surface momentarily before the pulse laser irradiation. This permits the effective removal of particles smaller than approximately equals 20 micrometers , down to as small as 0.1 micrometers , from a solid surface, using a modest ultraviolet laser fluence of approximately equals 0.1 J/cm2.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A prospective study of CD38/45 flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy to detect blood plasma cells in patients with plasma cell proliferative disorders.

Malignant plasma cells can be detected in the blood of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) using flow cytometry (FC), immunofluorescence microscopy (IM), or a variety of molecular techniques. Increased numbers of light chain-restricted blood plasma cells as detected by IM is associated with a diagnosis of overt MM and a decreased overall survival. The IM technique is time consuming; therefore, a prospective study was designed to test whether CD38 CD45 FC could simplify the procedure. Blood samples from 769 patients with plasma cell proliferative disorders were studied prospectively by FC and IM over a one-year period. The FC technique was performed on 1 ml of whole blood after ammonium chloride red blood cell lysis and utilized anti-CD38PE and anti-CD45PerCP. The number of CD38+ 45- events were enumerated and compared to the number of light chain-restricted plasma cells detected by the standard IM technique. In 46% (353/769) of cases ≥1 CD38+ CD45- events were detected by FC whereas IM was positive for li...
Sheet Metal Formability Studies at the National Institute of Standards and Technology

Sheet-metal forming is a multi-billion-dollar industry in the United States, with an overwhelming portion of its use in automotive markets as formed-sheet components. With roughly one-third of the weight of an auto in this form, the Big Three automakers (Ford, General Motors, and Daimler-Chrysler) are looking for lighter, yet high-strength alternative sheet materials. Such materials would reduce the overall weight of vehicles, helping the automakers achieve gas mileage goals set down in the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles. Progress has been slow, however, because of a lack of knowledge and experience in forming these new materials. The National Institute of Standards and Technology, in keeping with its mission to assist industry by developing technology and standard test methods, has initiated a program to help the auto industry, as well as other industries that produce and utilize sheet metal, make the transition to these new materials.
Rigid-layer modes in chalcogenide crystals

In layer crystals in which the crystal unit cell is two or more layers thick, there appear very-low-frequency zone-center optical phonons in which the layers move very nearly as rigid units. Such rigid-layer modes occur as a consequence of the weakness of the interlayer bonding. Low-temperature Raman scattering experiments on crystalline ${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Se}}_{3}$ have uncovered the rigid-layer modes in this crystal, as well as many new intralayer modes. The latter have been used to test and extend a scaling relation connecting intralayer frequencies in ${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Se}}_{3}$ and ${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$${\mathrm{S}}_{3}$. The rigid-layer frequencies have been exploited to derive quantitative information about the interlayer forces. This has been done not only for ${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Se}}_{3}$ and ${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$${\mathrm{S}}_{3}$, but also for the other cases for which rigid-layer modes have been seen: Mo${\mathrm{S}}_{2}$, GaS, GaSe, and graphite. The results for the interlayer-intralayer force-constant ratio reveal a strong similarity among the chalcogenide layer crystals, despite their structural differences. In the layer chalcogenides, the shear and compressional interlayer force constants are about 60 and 20 times smaller, respectively, than the intralayer covalent-bond force constant. The contrastingly higher anisotropy factors which characterize the greater layerlike character of graphite are, respectively, approximately ${10}^{3}$ and ${10}^{2}$.
Warped midgets in the Mandelbrot set

Abstract Warped midgets in the Mandelbrot set have been measured, using an algorithm that allows the positions of the head, and cardioid atoms (north and south) of any midget to be found, once one has placed the cursor on the computer terminal somewhere inside any midget. We describe two distortions of midgets: linear distortions and angular distortions. When the north and south angles are plotted in the north/south angle plane, families of points are formed. The angle and distance measures of warped midgets from the Sea Horse Valley of the Mandelbrot set and from other sea horse valleys of midgets, whether on the Spike or on tendrils above atoms, all fall closely together in one part of the north/south plane. Measures of warped midgets from tendrils above the major atoms on the surface of the Cardioid fall closely together in another part of the north/south plane. This different way of looking at the Mandelbrot set offers an interesting way of studying the distortions of midgets.
High resolution crystal structure of a paired (Pax) class cooperative homeodomain dimer on DNA

The crystal structure of the paired homeodomain bound to DNA as a cooperative dimer has been determined to 2.0 A resolution. Direct contacts between each homeodomain and the DNA are similar to those described previously. In addition, an extensive network of water molecules mediates contacts between the recognition helix and the DNA major groove. Several symmetrical contacts between the two homeodomains underlie the cooperative interaction, and deformations in the DNA structure are necessary for the establishment of these contacts. Comparison with structures of homeodomains bound monomerically to DNA suggests that the binding of a single paired homeodomain can introduce these DNA distortions, thus preparing a template for the cooperative interaction with a second homeodomain. This study shows how the paired (Pax) class homeodomains have achieved cooperativity in DNA binding without the assistance of other domains, thereby enabling the recognition of target sequences that are long enough to ensure specificity.
Solar distillers for use on coral islands

Abstract Solar distillers seem appropriate for use on the coral islands as a supplement to the collection of rainfall due to their simplicity, the high incidence of solar energy, the small capital outlay required and the scattered nature of habitations on the islands. Small units, in sizes producing from five to 25 gpd, have been operated on certain islands beginning in 1963. Until 1966 these units were operated by governmental organizations. In 1966 a number of “family-sized” units were installed in private homes to test the practicability of operation under these auspices. It is suggested that solar stills be rated for comparison on the basis of the projected area of the transparent cover and that this area be adjusted for latitude when the location of the distiller is at a latitude greater than ± 23.5. A scheme for latitude correction is presented.
The Metamorphosis of European Retailing

Investigates the European retailing industry and how it is dominated by independent, small or medium‐sized downtown stores with a narrow focus. Shows that, in spite of their power and respect, the independent downtown retailers have not been able to block bigger or foreign retailers from entry, although other forces such as urbanization were also to blame. States that the big oil crisis of 1973 also had a deleterious affect, promoting severe recession, high inflation and high unemployment. Submits that many traditional small retailers could not survive this and closed down. Concludes that the downtown stores have, in many countries, enjoyed the political pull but are now facing a ‘change or quit’ policy. Acknowledges that there has been an increase in mail order buying and the use of computerized business systems in the Scandinavian countries, the UK, Benelux countries and Germany.
Surface/Thickness Translated: Design-Build as Vehicle

Abstract The Building-Design Workshop at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning pursues the integration of teaching, design research, and the design-build process. The program brings University-sponsored projects into the teaching context, offering a unique forum for testing pedagogies about making. Collaborating with faculty on both architectural and constructional aspects of a project, students are given a valuable occasion to realize a design in built form. The project shown here is a renovation of the College's Faculty Resource Room (FRR), a support facility for the research and teaching of the Architecture and Planning faculty.
Induced Cotton effects of hyaluronic acid-acridine orange complex and conformation of the polymer.

Abstract Hyaluronic acid-acridine orange complexes in water show a symmetric doublet CD band centered at 455 nm. The exciton-like CD band indicates a preferred left-handed chirality for this polymer in solution, which correlates with the proposed left-handed double helical structure of hyaluronic acid in oriented film. The sign and general shape of the induced CD band with hyaluronic acid (dye concentration 2.5×10−5M) is the same throughout the range of polymer-dye ratio studied. The single CD band which appears at a 10−4M concentration of dye has been attributed to dye-dye interaction. Hyaluronic acid, preheated to 95°C for one hour, followed by rapid cooling, does not show any induced CD band.
Utility maximizing portfolio insurance strategies when hedgers consider the impact of their trading on security prices

Portfolio insurance strategies can destabilize markets to such an extent that they may be counterproductive. Destabilization results when hedgers take share prices as given and follow exogenously specified price-based trading rules. We recognize that such trading rules may not be utility maximizing and that hedging affects share prices. Accordingly, we develop a portfolio insurance strategy where hedgers consider the impact of their trading on prices and endogenize their trading rule which is obtained by maximizing expected utility. Moreover, our strategy does not require the dissemination of information about the extent of portfolio-insurance based hedging activity in the economy.
Injection-locked optical orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing for radio-over-fiber communications

A novel injection-locked optical orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (ILO-OFDM) method using an optically injection-locked semiconductor laser is presented in this paper. In this system, an optically injected semiconductor laser under stable locking takes the role of an optical modulator to directly impose the OFDM signal on the optical carrier intensity. The goal is to achieve the maximum enhanced modulation bandwidth with desirable flatness while simultaneously reducing signal distortions due to the effects of nonlinearities, frequency chip, and noise. This method is effective for broadband radio-over-fiber communications systems.
Implications of National Suicide Trends for Social Work Practice with Black Youth

Although homicide is the leading cause of death for African-Americans aged 15–24, suicide is silently claiming the lives of many African-American youth, males in particular. Given the disproportionate number of African-American adolescents in many of the primary human service institutions, it is important to increase social workers’ understanding of the nature and trends in self-destructive behaviors of this population. This paper presents the descriptive epidemiological trend data on African-American adolescent suicide completion and parasuicidal behavior, reviews current explanatory hypotheses, highlights important risk and protective factors, and outlines several culturally-congruent practice guidelines for working with suicidal African-Americans adolescents.
Sustainability of Asian-American Nonprofit Organizations in U.S. Metropolitan Areas

This article examines the factors for the sustainability of Asian-American nonprofits formed in major U.S. metropolitan areas by 2000. Consistent with studies on other nonprofits, the youngest and smallest among Asian-American organizations are the most vulnerable. The age effect is nonlinear and the marginal effect of an additional year of age on sustainability decreases at higher values of age. Chinese-American nonprofits or Asian-American social service nonprofits are more likely to remain active than other Asian ethnic or other functional types of organizations. More sustainable Asian-American nonprofits are better at managing their finances. A growing Asian-American population also provides these nonprofits with more sustaining power. This study contextualizes the importance of organization age and size as central determinants of nonprofit sustainability. It also demonstrates the relevance of race and ethnicity, organizational function, as well as management capacity for future research.
TRIMETHOPRIM RESISTANT (TMPR) E. COLI IN STOOL SPECIMENS FROM CHILDREN IN DAY CARE CENTERS (DCC)

In the U.S. E. coli are rarely resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents outside the hospital setting. In a recent pilot study, we demonstrated TMPR E. coli in 15 of 79 children (19%) in DCC, presumably due to frequent antimicrobial drug use and fecal oral transmission. Because of these findings we determined the proportion of resistant E. coli in stools from 203 children in 12 DCC, 41 children not in DCC, and 66 children newly entering DCCs. All children were < 24 months of age. 65 of 203 children (32%) had TMPR E. coli in stools compared with 2 of 41 children (5%) not in a DCC and 5 of 66 children (8%) newly entering a DCC. The proportion of children with TMPR E. coli varied from 0 in the smallest to 58% in the largest DCC. Predominant antibiograms were noted in individual centers; these antibiograms differed among centers. Total plasmid DNA detected by electrophoresis in 0.7% agarose gels were identical or similar in 3 centers where a large number of TMPR isolates were identified, but distinct from each other and from other DCC isolates. There was an association of TMPR E. coli with antimicrobial use In the 2 weeks prior to sampling. These findings extend our earlier observations of high levels of TMPR E. coli in DCC. TMPR E. coli in DCC may be common and appear to be related to the DCC size and prevalence of antimicrobial use. The role of DCC in the epidemiology of resistant human enteric bacteria remains to be determined.
Excluding Reasons: Impossible Comparisons and the Law

The law excludes reasons. More precisely, it routinely denies the status of legal reason to considerations that, outside the legal domain, unquestionably qualify as reasons.2 Take price-fixing. Price-fixing can arguably increase employment, and increasing employment is ordinarily something we have reason to do; however, anti-trust law does not recognize 'it increased employment' as a reason that might justify or excuse price-fixing.3 Price-fixing agreements are per se illegal. Two more examples: first, '[i]n the law of free speech, offence at the content of ideas is not a legitimate reason to regulate speech, even if the offence is very widespread and intense';4 second, '[a]dministrative law consists in large part of the identification of a range of statutorily irrelevant factors-bases for decision that may not be introduced at all, however pertinent they may seem in the abstract'.5 It is natural--but crucially wrong-to think that an underlying comparison of reasons always does, or at least should, justify the exclusion of reasons. Sometimes comparisons justify exclusions; other times, exclusions lack any comparative ground. Let us first look at an exclusion that is grounded in an underlying comparison and then contrast the non-comparative cases. The contrast clarifies what is at issue. The anti-trust example illustrates an exclusion grounded in an underlying comparison. Anti-trust law refuses, as we noted, to recognize 'it increases
Perinatal death and respiratory apparatus dysgenesis due to a bis (dichloracetyl) diamine

N, N1-bis (dichloroacetyl) diamine 1, 8-octomethylenediamine (WIN 18,446) is an experimental drug which was first investigated as a male contraceptive. It is soluble in lipid solvents but not in water. The administration of 1,200 to 1,600 mg/kg to pregnant rats on the tenth day of gestation produced multiorgan fetal malformations. Smaller doses, 400 to 800 mg/kg, especially if divided over 2 or 3 days, caused perinatal death. Thus, 60 to 100% of offspring of rats given WIN 18,446 on the tenth and 11th days of gestation died at birth or within 4 days (Taleporos et al., 78). The present study investigated such deaths. At doses of 200 mg/kg on day 10 or 50 mg/kg on days 10 and 11, 67% of offspring had defective or absent diaphragms, 48% had tracheobronchiomegaly with cystic lungs, and 67% had pleural hemorrhage. At doses of 100 mg/kg given on 1 day or 25 mg/kg each day for 2 days, 50% had tracheobronchiomegaly with cystic lungs and rudimentary acini. At lower doses (18.8 mg/kg X 2 or 12.4 mg/kg X 3), a majority of fetal lungs had rudimentary acini, thick septa, few capillaries, and wide cuffs of perivascular connective tissue. Thus, a chemical given during organogenesis produced dysgenesis of the respiratory apparatus. Varying the dose produced malformed lungs with persistently deficient acini which model such human lung faults as tracheobronchiomegaly (Mournier-Kuhn Syndrome; Mounier-Kuhn, '32), bronchiolar dysplasia (Wilson-Mikity Syndrome), and perinatal death with acinar failure resembling neonatal hyaline membrane disease.
Efeito da restricao alimentar qualitativa no desempenho, na incidencia de disturbios metabolicos e no rendimento de carcaca em frangos de corte

Este estudo foi realizado para avaliar o desempenho, o controle da manifestacao de doencas metabolicas e o rendimento de carcaca de frangos de corte machos submetidos a restricao alimentar no periodo de 8 a 14 dias de idade. A restricao nutritiva da dieta foi obtida diluindo-se a dieta inicial (21,5% PB e 3050 kcal/kg EM) com 25 e 50% de casca de soja. Os tratamentos de restricao envolveram a oferta dessas dietas de forma continua ou intercalada (com a dieta inicial nao-diluida). Apos o periodo de restricao, as aves retornaram ao consumo da racao inicial ate os 21 dias de idade. No periodo seguinte, 22 a 35 dias de idade, as aves receberam racao de crescimento (21% PB e 3200 kcal/kg EM) e de 36 a 42 dias, racao final (19% PB e 3200 kcal/kg de EM). Apos terem sido submetidas a restricao alimentar, as aves mostraram pesos corporais inferiores aos das aves do tratamento controle em todas as idades avaliadas. A diluicao da dieta nao influenciou a manifestacao da sindrome ascitica ou morte subita. Nao houve diferenca no rendimento de carcaca, peito e coxas. O conteudo em gordura abdominal nao mostrou diferencas consistentes entre tratamentos. Os tratamentos em que se utilizou a diluicao com 50% de casca de soja apresentaram menor margem bruta. A estrategia nutricional, para reduzir as perdas por mortalidades de origem metabolica e o teor de gordura abdominal na carcaca foi acompanhada por perdas em termos de desempenho das aves.
Experimental measurement of velocity correlations for two microparticles with ion wakes

We study velocity distributions and correlations in a dusty plasma that contains only two polymer microparticles. We used 4.8 µm polymer microparticles, which became charged negatively when dropped into an argon rf glow-discharge plasma operated at 13.56 MHz and 13 mTorr. Due to their large charge, the microparticles were electrically levitated in the sheath above the horizontal electrode. Natural electric potentials in the glow discharge provided confinement for the microparticles in all directions, so that oscillatory modes dominated their random motion. Extending our earlier experiment1, we shaped the levitating sheath two ways, so that the two microparticles were aligned either vertically or horizontally. This alignment direction is significant because the ion flow was in the vertical direction, and ion flow causes a wake potential to form downstream of a microparticle. This wake potential modifies the interparticle interaction and can lead to an instability that adds kinetic energy to the microparticle motion2. By using only two microparticles, we are better able to distinguish the effects of ion wakes. We also designed the experiment to have symmetries for the microparticle confinement that allow distinguishing the effects of confinement from those of the wake potential.
Impact of Cognitive Communications on the Performance of the Primary Users

This article investigates how the performance of the primary user is affected by the presence of a spectrum-sharing cognitive user. The performance under both cooperative and non-cooperative cognitive schemes is considered. Primary user's transmission rate, average channel capacity, and average bit error rate are considered as the performance measures. Moreover, the performance is compared with that of a wireless user in a Rayleigh channel, and the gain in performance is found. In addition, a process on how the primary user can accommodate a cognitive user without sacrificing its own performance is explained. Results of this work indicate that the primary user experiences a very close performance in both non-cooperative cognitive and Rayleigh environments. However, the primary user enjoys a pronounced better performance in the cooperative cognitive mode.
Moral and conceptual issues in investment and finance: An overview

As director of the second East Carolina University Conference in Applied Philosophy, it is my pleasure to introduce this fine collection of papers on "Moral and Conceptual Issues in Investment and Finance." The essays address a wide range of topics: South African disinvestment, the professional responsibil ities of accountants, decision-theoretic problems for fiduciaries, and the rights of employees in corporate takeovers, to cite just a few examples. Consequently, any attempt to somehow summarize or tie together all this material would be either extremely super ficial or far exceed the available space. Instead, in what follows, I try to supplement the papers, first by offering some general observations about our con ference topic, and secondly by identifying what seem to me to be some of the fertile areas for further research. The title of our conference was meant to em phasize two points. First, although a number of philosophers and business scholars now study a field commonly called "business ethics," a more natural and general description of their interests might be "philosophical issues in business:" the study of the particularly abstract, foundational, or normative aspects of business. Thus, while topics such as the rights of employees or the social obligations of corporations are of course part of the philosophical study of business, so are non-normative (or less explicitly normative) questions such as whether and in what sense corporations are persons, the extent to
A simplified technique for chronic cerebrospinal fluid collection in the awake dog

A modified design for a guide tube to facilitate collection of cerebrospinal fluid from the lateral ventricle of awake dogs was developed. The modifications allowed for rapid, inexpensive and secure implantation. The tested guide tubes remained in place and patent for 20 weeks.
Absolute accuracy of water vapor measurements from six operational radiosonde types launched during AWEX-G and implications for AIRS validation

[1] A detailed assessment of radiosonde water vapor measurement accuracy throughout the tropospheric column is needed for assessing the impact of observational error on applications that use the radiosonde data as input, such as forecast modeling, radiative transfer calculations, remote sensor retrieval validation, climate trend studies, and development of climatologies and cloud and radiation parameterizations. Six operational radiosonde types were flown together in various combinations with a reference-quality hygrometer during the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) Water Vapor Experiment-Ground (AWEX-G), while simultaneous measurements were acquired from Raman lidar and microwave radiometers. This study determines the mean accuracy and variability of the radiosonde water vapor measurements relative to simultaneous measurements from the University of Colorado (CU) Cryogenic Frostpoint Hygrometer (CFH), a reference-quality standard of known absolute accuracy. The accuracy and performance characteristics of the following radiosonde types are evaluated: Vaisala RS80-H, RS90, and RS92; Sippican Mark IIa; Modem GL98; and the Meteolabor Snow White hygrometer. A validated correction for sensor time lag error is found to improve the accuracy and reduce the variability of upper tropospheric water vapor measurements from the Vaisala radiosondes. The AWEX data set is also used to derive and validate a new empirical correction that improves the mean calibration accuracy of Vaisala measurements by an amount that depends on the temperature, relative humidity, and sensor type. Fully corrected Vaisala radiosonde measurements are found to be suitably accurate for AIRS validation throughout the troposphere, whereas the other radiosonde types are suitably accurate under only a subset of tropospheric conditions. Although this study focuses on the accuracy of nighttime radiosonde measurements, comparison of Vaisala RS90 measurements to water vapor retrievals from a microwave radiometer reveals a 6–8% dry bias in daytime RS90 measurements that is caused by solar heating of the sensor. An AWEX-like data set of daytime measurements is highly desirable to complete the accuracy assessment, ideally from a tropical location where the full range of tropospheric temperatures can be sampled.
Health information needs and health-related quality of life in a diverse population of long-term cancer survivors.

Objective To investigate health information needs and their association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a diverse, population-based sample of long-term cancer survivors.
Susceptibility of monoclonal IgG paraproteins to plasmic cleavage using glycerin-stabilized human plasmin.

Abstract To shed further light on plasmin-IgG interactions a simple procedure is described that permitted 48 monoclonal IgG isolates from human serum to be profiled for their susceptibility to plasmic cleavage. In addition to anodal Fc and cathodal Fab fragments, combined immunoelectrophoresis electrophoresis revealed transient anodal banding, as well as Fab-fragment subcleavage in many of the IgG subclass-1 isolates. The subcleavage of released Fab fragments, which bear the idiotype determinants, points to a possible ancillary role of plasmin in "idiotype processing" leading to immunoregulatory antiidiotype networks. The cleavage of IgG by endogenous plasmin also points to a possible active role of plasmin in the "steady-state" metabolism of IgG.
Strategies to Improve Minority Access to Public Mental Health Services in California: Description and Preliminary Evaluation.

The present study documented and evaluated steps taken by public mental health administrators to recruit members of underrepresented ethnic minority populations into treatment. By surveying county-level ethnic program specialists in the decentralized California state system, the study identified strategies considered effective for reaching African American, Asian American, Latino, and Native Americans communities and overcoming barriers to treatment-seeking. In multivariate analysis, strategies were linked to ethnic-specific Medi-Cal penetration rates calculated as measures of access. Results indicated that undertaking outreach activities was associated with greater access for Latinos and Native Americans. For Asian Americans, hiring bilingual or bicultural staff was associated with greater access but having a bilingual or bicultural receptionist was associated with lesser access. For all minority groups as well as for Whites, the overall supply of mental health practitioners in the county was strongly associated with greater access. The study documented real-world efforts to improve minority access and, despite limitations imposed by its cross-sectional design, provided preliminary evidence of effectiveness. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electronic photochromism: case study of bismuth germanate

Abstract In this paper we examine the various mechanisms which can lead to photochromism, based on electronic rather than chemical effects. We make a distinction between passive and active photochromic materials. We show that in the case of solids, the simple models, adequate for organic molecules, no longer apply. Photochromism encountered in bismuth germanate (Bi4Ge3O12) requires the postulation of inhomogeneously broadened absorption due to trap states. It is suggested that the results indicate the emergence of a new technique of excited-state site selection spectroscopy.
Biomechanical Stimuli Effects on Valve Endothelial Cell Anti-thrombotic Mechanisms

Abstract Because of the degeneration and thrombosis in artificial heart valve implants, it is important to understand the anti-thrombotic mechanisms of cardiac valve endothelial cells (VECs). These anti-thrombotic mechanisms can be integrated into poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) tissue-engineered heart valve (TEHV) design. This work will study the effects of (1) PEGDA hydrogel stiffness and (2) specific extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesive peptides on VEC phenotype and anti-thrombotic mechanisms. PEGDA 10% (w/v) hydrogels of MWs 3.4 and 20kDa were polymerized to apply different substrate rigidities in VEC culture. Thiol-ene reactions were used to covalently bind laminin- and fibronectin- derived peptides to the acrylate groups on PEGDA hydrogel surfaces. Laminin-derived peptide motif RKRLQVQLSIRT (RKR) and fibronectin adhesive peptide RGD were modified to include an additional cysteine at the end of each sequence, introducing a free thiol to undergo the thiol-ene reaction. Thiol-PEG-fluorescein (SH-PEG-FITC) served as a negative adhesive substrate control. Porcine aortic VECs were seeded onto each of the ECM-hydrogel combinations and cultured for 2, 6, and 10 days. Cell phenotype, adhesion, and proliferation were then assessed. Analysis of specific VEC anti-thrombotic protein regulation is in progress. At each time point, samples will be analyzed for maintenance of VEC phenotype and expression of thrombotic (von Willebrand Factor [VWF]) and anti-thrombotic (VWF cleaving enzyme [ADAMTS-13], eNOS, PGI2, tPA) proteins using histochemistry and qRT-PCR. Addition of histamine has been shown to stimulate rapid release of thrombogenic ultra-large VWF (ULVWF) strings by vascular endothelial cells. This method will be used to study VEC ULVWF string production and the associated cleavage activity of ADAMTS-13. Control of the hemostatic process will be quantified via western blot and ELISAs. The 3.4 and 20kDa MW PEGDA hydrogels had compressive moduli of 131±5 and 7.5±2kPa, respectively. Binding different concentrations of SH-PEG-FITC onto the gel surfaces showed that acrylate saturation was achieved for both MW compositions using ~5mM of peptide solution. After 2 days, the VECs on the stiffer 3.4kDa RKR gels appeared spread and elongated, whereas the 3.4kDa RGD seeded VECs had cobblestone morphology. VEC adhesion on the RKR and RGD 20kDa gels was observed, but with limited spreading. The cultured VECs may prefer the stiffer 3.4kDa gels over the softer 20kDa gels. After 10 days, VECs on the 3.4kDa RGD gels had minimal proliferation, while VECs on RKR grew confluent, were cobblestone shaped, and expressed VWF. Results suggest that both substrate rigidity and adhesive substrate greatly influence VEC survival, and likely affects anti-thrombotic regulation. Future studies include the use of basal lamina components collagen IV and perlecan peptides to evaluate changes in VEC behavior.
Deformable image and dose registration evaluation using two commercial programs

Purpose: To evaluate the daily dose delivered to the patients using daily imaging. Methods : Thirty (n = 30) patients that were previously treated in our clinic (10 prostate, 10 SBRT lung and 10 abdomen) were used in this study. The patients’ plans were optimized and calculated using the Pinnacle treatment planning system. The daily CBCT scans were retrieved and imported into the Velocity and RayStation software along with the corresponding planning CTs, structure sets and 3D dose distributions. In addition, the critical structures were contoured on each CBCT by the prescribing physician and were included in the evaluation of the daily delivered dose. After registering each CBCT scan to the planning CT using deformable registration, the dose volume histograms (DVH) for the organs at risk (OAR) and the respective planning target volumes (PTV) were calculated in Velocity and Raystation. Results: For the prostate patients, we observed daily volume changes for the bladder, rectum and sigmoid. The DVH analysis for those patients showed variation in the sparing of the critical structures while PTV coverage showed no significant changes. Similar results were observed for patients with abdominal targets. In contrast, in SBRT lung patients, the DVH for the critical structures and the PTV were comparable to those from the initial treatment plan. By using daily CBCT dose reconstruction, we proved PTV coverage for prostate and abdominal targets is adequate. However, there is significant dosimetric change for the OAR. These changes were random with no apparent trending. For lung SBRT patients, the delivered daily dose for both PTV and OAR is comparable to the planned dose with no significant differences. Conclusion : Daily tracking of the delivered dose is feasible. The doses can be evaluated only if the OARs have been segmented taken into account any daily anatomical changes and not by deformation of the structures along. ------------------- Cite this article as: Tuohy R, Bosse C, Mavroidis P, Shi Z, Crownover R, Papanikolaou N, Stathakis S. Deformable image and dose registration evaluation using two commercial programs. Int J Cancer Ther Oncol 2014; 2(2):020242. DOI: 10.14319/ijcto.0202.42
A Six-degree-of-freedom Laser Vibrometer, Part I: Theoretical Development

Abstract The operational principle and evaluation of a novel multi-dimensional vibration transducer is discussed in this paper. The measurement system can determine three translational and three rotational displacements of a vibrating structure by sensing the positions of three light beams reflected by a tetrahedral target. Computation of target pose from light beam positions is achieved with an iterative algorithm. Part I of this work develops the operational principle of the technique. An optimization analysis is used to define feasible system geometries. The most feasible configuration had three photodetectors and three lasers placed equidistantly around concentric circles. A better performance was predicted with the laser circle having a larger diameter than the photodetector circle. The practical implementation and experimental evaluation of this measurement technique is discussed in Part II of this work.
The algebraic degree of geometric optimization problems

In this paper we apply Galois methods to certain fundamentalgeometric optimization problems whose exact computational complexity has been an open problem for a long time. In particular we show that the classic Weber problem, along with theline-restricted Weber problem and itsthree-dimensional version are in general not solvable by radicals over the field of rationals. One direct consequence of these results is that for these geometric optimization problems there existsno exact algorithm under models of computation where the root of an algebraic equation is obtained using arithmetic operations and the extraction ofkth roots. This leaves only numerical or symbolic approximations to the solutions, where the complexity of the approximations is shown to be primarily a function of the algebraic degree of the optimum solution point.
Predicting eddy detachment for an equivalent barotropic thin jet

The time-dependent meandering of thin ocean jets in reduced gravity models has recently been shown to obey a natural coordinate version of the standard modified Korteweg-deVries (mKdV) equation. The detachment of eddies from such a jet begins when different segments of the jet path come into contact, causing the initially simply connected jet to “pinch” together. It is shown that this pinching process is effected primarily by breather solutions to the mKdV equation. For a given initial condition the solution will evolve into a dispersive wave train plus a finite number of breathers, the connectivity of which is determined by a steepness parameter λ. Using the scattering transform for the mKdV equation the value(s) of λ can be calculated in a straightforward manner, and the detachment (or lack thereof) of meanders can be forecast to a high degree of confidence by calculating λ. Examples with simple meander disturbances show a remarkable degree of stability and resistance to detachment.
Techniques for Measuring the Responsiveness of the Ventilatory Apparatus in Man in Disease

More complete understanding of the disturbances in the regulation of ventilation in disease must await techniques which can estimate the neural output of the respiratory centers and also the neural inputs. Some of these techniques, such as diaphragmatic electromyography, offer the prospect of clinical usefulness even now and newer techniques, such as mouth occlusion pressure, are promising but have just begun to be evaluated in disease. Despite the limited ability of current techniques to clearly distinguish abnormal central nervous system function of ventilatory control from peripheral mechanical limitations to ventilation, a useful interpretation of clinical tests of ventilatory responsiveness may be gained by an awareness of the many physiologic and pathogenetic factors which are interposed by disease. These factors may reinforce or diminish both stimuli and response. In chronic disease states, these modifying factors must be identified and evaluated for their role in altered ventilatory responsiveness. Frequently, therapeutic measures can induce substantial effects on these modifying factors, whereas primary disturbances of central nervous system function may be difficult to alter. For the above reasons, tests of ventilatory responsiveness which provide information focussed only on the normality or abnormality of responsiveness to CO2 breathing from measurement of minute ventilation and alveolar PCO2 in an unsteady state, as in the CO2 rebreathing test, may, in a patient, require the addition of tests which allow more complete evaluation of these modifying factors. The state of arterial blood gases, hydrogen ion concentration, bicarbonate concentration, pulmonary function, ventilatory response to exercise, as well as understanding of the state of body temperature, catecholamine secretion, the functional state of the muscles of ventilation, as well as the resistances to ventilation are all a necessary part of the evaluation.
EFFECTS OF POTASSIUM ON THE NITROGENOUS CONSTITUENTS OF ANANAS COMOSUS (L.) MERR.

This study, concerned with the nitrogenous constituents of the tissues of A. comosus (L.) Merr. grown in nutrient solutions containing either high or low amounts of potassium and supplied with equal quantities of nitrogen either as nitrate or ammonium, is intended to furnish information on potassium and nitrogen interrelationships in growth. Ash constituents, chlorophyllose pigments, titratable acidity, and carbohydrates in the same plants were reported in earlier publications (20, 21). The effects of nitrate and ammonium nutrition on the nitrogenous fractions of A. comosus were also reported previously (22), but without variation in potassium.
Feasibility of an IFM-based system for broadband tunable gain slope equalization

Broadband microwave receivers with electronic warfare applications often exhibit frequency variations that degrade performance. Most notably, a negative gain slope is inherent to an RF/Microwave receiver chain, in-part, because of attenuation that results from frequency-dependent ohmic losses in the dielectric. We present a novel approach to tunable gain slope equalization that solves this problem by taking advantage of the existing IFM capability in an electronic warfare receiver. The demonstrated 0.4-2.4 GHz system circumvents problems associated with impedance mismatch, and offers an efficient means to tune the gain slope. In this feasibility assessment, we discuss the theory, measurement results, and challenges associated with practical IFM-based gain slope equalization. We also extend this discussion into an evaluation of the challenges of increasing the system's unambiguous bandwidth.