cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Excitation of Circularly Polarized Wave In Substrate Integrated E-Plane Waveguide

a novel SMA Adaptor is proposed to excite circularly polarized wave in the substrate integrated E-plane waveguide (SIEW). The adaptor is built by binding two printed circuit board parts, which allows the insertion of copper strips into the middle layer of the structure. A piece of ‘T’ shape copper strip is inserted at the middle layer to excite the horizontal component of electric field. A small plated through hole is used to excite the vertical component of electric field. The two orthogonal field components propagate in the SIEW with different propagation constants. A 90 degree phase difference between the two orthogonal components can be obtained after the wave propagates a certain distance in the SIEW. Consequently, circularly polarized wave is excited at that location.
Checks and balances? Leadership configurations and governance practices of NGOs in Chile

The emergence of Governance practices in the non-governmental organisation (NGO) sector has become associated with increasingly high levels of organisational complexity. In the light of an expanding civil society sector in Chile and the emergence of formalised governance practices, this paper explores the construction of the Executive Director role in Chilean NGOs with reference to organisational functions, organisational dynamics, and external influences.,Grounded theory is used to explore qualitative data derived from a set of N = 39 interviews conducted in Chile These interviews involve NGO founders, funders, Executive Directors, scholars, consultants, and team members.,The findings reveal the pivotal role played by Executive Directors in conducting organisational activities which, in other types of organisations, are often distributed across various organisational functions. The data also highlight complex dynamics involving overt compliance with external regulatory requirements, uncertainties about financial sustainability, the recruitment of Executive Board members, the exercise of power by Executive Directors, and the influence of founders in leadership configurations.,The implications of the study are discussed in relation to the governance and accountability of NGOs, the nature of the Executive Director role, the purpose of Executive Boards in the NGO sector, and the recruitment and training of Board members. It is noted that the study was conducted in the NGO sector in Chile; further research is necessary to establish the generalisability of the findings to other contexts.,This paper addresses the shortage of organisational research on NGOs. It contributes by offering analytical perspectives on organisational processes of Leadership and Governance. This paper highlights the relationship between, and interdependency of, those processes.
Considerations for maintaining resource adequacy of electricity systems with high penetrations of PV and storage

Abstract Solar photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage deployment has grown rapidly in recent years and is expected to continue as the costs of these technologies continues to decline. As PV penetration grows, peak net load hours—where net load is load minus variable renewable energy generation—become increasingly important for understanding resource adequacy of power systems. In this work, we evaluate scenarios of a future U.S. power system with high penetrations of PV. We do so by using a national-scale capacity expansion model to consider 15 scenarios with national annual PV generation penetration levels of 16%–47%, combined wind and PV penetrations are 40%–64%, and storage capacity ranging from 5% to 47% of peak demand. The modeled scenarios incorporate 7-years of coincident weather data and load profiles (2007–2013) for the contiguous United States. In doing so, we evaluate when peak net load hours occur and how their occurrence is impacted by PV penetration, region, and weather. We find that with increasing PV penetration, peak net load hours move from afternoon periods to evenings or from midmorning to early morning, and that the frequency of winter peak net load hours increases. We also simulate hourly system dispatch in 3 of the 15 scenarios using a commercially available unit commitment and dispatch model—PLEXOS-- to evaluate with much greater resolution how the systems behave under specific weather conditions observed from 2007 to 2013. The hourly results show substantial shifts in how peak net load hours are served as PV penetration increases, and that how the system serves those top peak net load hours varies considerably across different regions of the country. Finally, we employ a simple method for estimating the impacts of snow cover in the high PV penetration scenarios and find that for the moderate and highest levels of PV we examine, snow cover has the potential to result in capacity and energy shortfalls.
Sex-based differences in time to surgical care among pancreatic cancer patients: A national study of Medicare beneficiaries.

INTRODUCTION The objective of this study was to characterize time from cancer symptoms to diagnosis and time from diagnosis to surgical treatment among patients undergoing pancreatectomy for cancer. METHODS Medicare beneficiaries who underwent pancreatectomy for cancer between 2013 and 2017 were identified using the 100% Medicare Inpatient Standard Analytic Files. Mixed effects negative binomial regression models were utilized to determine which factors were associated with the number of weeks to diagnosis and pancreatic resection. RESULTS Among 7647 Medicare beneficiaries, two-thirds (n = 5127, 67%) had symptoms associated with a pancreatic cancer diagnosis before surgery. Median time from the first symptom to diagnosis was 6 weeks (IQR: 1-25) and the median time from diagnosis to surgery was 4 weeks (IQR: 2-15). In risk-adjusted models, female patients had 13% longer waiting times from identification of a related symptom to pancreatic cancer diagnosis (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.05-1.21) and 12% longer waiting times from diagnosis to surgery (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.07-1.18). Older age was associated with 10% longer waiting times from symptom identification to diagnosis (p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS Female and older patients had longer wait times between symptom presentation and pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Sex-based disparities in cancer care need to be recognized and addressed by policymakers and health care institutions.
Thermoelastic Modeling of Layered Composites Considering Bending and Shearing Effects

AbstractComposite materials and structures often exhibit thermal stresses and deformations due to their thermal expansion mismatch. For a layered laminate, the stress transfer mechanism involves bo...
I, Fiduciary: Some Reflections on the Definition of Fiduciary Under Erisa

In 1975, the year following ERISA's enactment, the Department of Labor issued two interpretative bulletins and a regulation on the definition of "fiduciary." This collective guidance was designed to address employer and investment communities' concerns about who was a fiduciary and what fiduciary status entailed. This Reflection suggests problems with the early guidance, which, at least in retrospect, might have benefited from a longer gestation period for a variety of reasons. First, the Department of Labor did not have prior experience implementing or regulating a fiduciary legal regime and, indeed, had little experience with pension or welfare benefit plans beyond the collection of documents under the Pension and Welfare Disclosure Act. Second, in 1975, when the Department issued the guidance, there were apparently no participant-oriented advocacy organizations commenting on Department positions, and thus the Department did not benefit from comments from the perspective of consumers and workers and their families. Third, the statute itself was in its infancy, and the regulatory interpretation of the statute's definition of "fiduciary" might have awaited judicial consideration of some important, related issues, such as whether non-fiduciaries would have financial liability under the statute. Fourth, although few, if any, observers in 1975 anticipated it, the design of employee benefit plans was about to undergo a revolution, particularly in the move from defined benefit retirement plans to self-directed 401(k) savings plans, and from fee-for-services health care plans to health maintenance organizations. The regulations did not anticipate these changes, and today are arguably an anachronistic holdover from a different era.
Single-plane versus three-plane methods for relative range error evaluation of medium-range 3D imaging systems

Within the context of the ASTM E57 working group WK12373, we compare the two methods that had been initially proposed for calculating the relative range error of medium-range (2 m to 150 m) optical non-contact 3D imaging systems: the first is based on a single plane (single-plane assembly) and the second on an assembly of three mutually non-orthogonal planes (three-plane assembly). Both methods are evaluated for their utility in generating a metric to quantify the relative range error of medium-range optical non-contact 3D imaging systems. We conclude that the three-plane assembly is comparable to the single-plane assembly with regard to quantification of relative range error while eliminating the requirement to isolate the edges of the target plate face.
Effect of Amino Acid Imbalance on Dietary Choice in the Rat

A study was undertaken in an effort to determine more precisely the influence of the severity of an amino acid unbalanced diet and the importance of the quantity of the limiting amino acid on the choice of the rats for or against the unbalanced diets. When rats were allowed to choose between an unbalanced diet (which would support a slow rate of growth) and a protein-free diet (which would not support growth), they selected the latter almost exclusively. They also selected the unbalanced diet supplemented with the most-limiting amino acid over the imbalanced diet. Rats offered a choice between a protein-free diet and one of a series of imbalanced diets containing increasing increments of the amino acid mixture lacking threonine (from 1% to 5.4% ) showed a decreasing preference for the im balanced diet and an increasing preference for the protein-free diet as the quantity of amino acid mixture in the imbalanced diet was increased. When increasing levels of threonine (from 0.05% to 0.45% ) were added to the imbalanced diet, the rats showed a gradually decreasing preference for the protein-free diet. Rats pre-fed a high protein diet consumed greater quantities of the imbalanced diet than those pre- fed diets with lower concentration of protein. Depression in food intake and growth and changes in food preference are some of the early effects of dietary amino acid imbalances. When rats that had previously been protein-depleted, starved or fed ad libitum were offered a choice between an imbalanced diet containing an amino acid mixture lacking histidine and a protein- free diet, the rats invariably rejected the imbalanced diet (1). The time required for the distinctive preference to become evident varied with the previous treatment of the animals. Also rats showed no clear- cut choice between two balanced diets (the basal and the corrected histidine-im- balanced diets) even though the diets dif fered in nutritive value. Rats were, how ever, able to discriminate between the imbalanced diet and the corrected diet. These 2 diets were nearly identical in tex ture and presumably in palatability since they differed only by 0.1% of L-histidine- HC1. Furthermore, Harper and Rogers (2) have demonstrated that rats kept in the cold, and offered a choice between a pro tein-free diet and an imbalanced diet show a decided preference for the protein-free diet even though they show no depression in food intake or weight gain when offered the imbalanced diet alone. Thus, it is ap parent that some physiological or bio chemical change must occur in rats fed an amino acid imbalanced diet to cause them to select a nutritionally inferior diet over one of higher nutritive value. The present studies were undertaken to determine the effects of graded levels of the imbalancing amino acid mixture, the effects of graded levels of the limiting amino acid, and the influence of the pre vious diet on food preferences of the rat.
Changes in winter precipitation extremes for the western United States under a warmer climate as simulated by regional climate models

[1] We find a consistent and statistically significant increase in the intensity of future extreme winter precipitation events over the western United States, as simulated by an ensemble of regional climate models (RCMs) driven by IPCC AR4 global climate models (GCMs). All eight simulations analyzed in this work consistently show an increase in the intensity of extreme winter precipitation with the multi-model mean projecting an area-averaged 12.6% increase in 20-year return period and 14.4% increase in 50-year return period daily precipitation. In contrast with extreme precipitation, the multi-model ensemble shows a decrease in mean winter precipitation of approximately 7.5% in the southwestern US, while the interior west shows less statistically robust increases.
SOURCES OF SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION OF MEAT FOLLOWING APPROVED LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTERING PROCEDURES

Samples were taken from 218 animals of 3 species slaughtered at 3 plants to determine the spread of bacterial contamination during slaughter. Salmonellae and Escherichia coli were cultured from swabs taken of the equipment during slaughter, from various carcass sites, and from fecal samples. The study indicated that some equipment contamination occurred during slaughter and that carcass washing did not remove contaminants but simply washed them lower on the carcass. Rumen/cecum samples were most effective for isolation of salmonellae from the gastrointestinal tract. The average level of salmonellae contamination of the carcass for all species was 10% and of the processed product, 2%. There were no salmonellae isolated from cattle carcasses. Isolation of the bung (rectum) with a plastic bag did not reduce contamination but sterilization of the bung dropper's knife between carcasses reduced the incidence by an average of greater than 50%. Salmonellae were isolated from boneless mutton but not from raw or co...
Assessment of image quality and radiation dose of prospectively ECG-triggered adaptive dual-source coronary computed tomography angiography (cCTA) with arrhythmia rejection algorithm in systole versus diastole: a retrospective cohort study

In this study, we sought to evaluate the image quality and effective radiation dose of prospectively ECG-triggered adaptive systolic (PTA-systolic) dual-source CTA versus prospectively triggered adaptive diastolic (PTA-diastolic) dual-source CTA in patients of unselected heart rate and rhythm. This retrospective cohort study consisted of 41 PTA-systolic and 41 matched PTA-diastolic CTA patients whom underwent clinically indicated 128-slice dual source CTA between December 2010 to June 2012. Image quality and motion artifact score (both on a Likert scale 1-4 with 4 being the best), effective dose, and CTDIvol were compared. The effect of heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability [HRV] on image motion artifact score and CTDIvol was analyzed with Pearson's correlation coefficient. All 82 exams were considered diagnostic with 0 non-diagnostic segments. PTA-systolic CTA patients had a higher maximum HR, wider HRV, were less likely to be in sinus rhythm, and received less beta-blocker vs. PTA-diastolic CTA patients. No difference in effective dose was observed (PTA-systolic vs. PTA-diastolic CTA: 2.9 vs. 2.2 mSv, p = 0.26). Image quality score (3.3 vs. 3.5, p < 0.05) and motion artifact score (3.5 vs. 3.8, p < 0.05) were lower in PTA-systolic CTAs than in PTA-diastolic CTAs. For PTA-systolic CTAs, an increase in HR was not associated with a negative impact on motion artifact score nor CTDIvol. For PTA-diastolic CTA, an increase in HR was associated with increased motion artifacts and CTDIvol. HRV demonstrated no correlation with motion artifact and CTDIvol for both PTA-systolic and PTA-diastolic CTAs. In conclusion, both PTA-diastolic CTA and PTA-systolic CTA yielded diagnostic examinations at unselected heart rates and rhythms with similar effective radiation, but PTA-systolic CTA resulted in more consistent radiation exposure and image quality across a wide range of rates and rhythms.
Characterization of Barley Tissue-Ubiquitous β-Amylase2 and Effects of the Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms on the Enzyme's Thermostability

There are two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) β-amylase genes encoding important starch-degrading enzymes. The endosperm-specific β-amylase (Bmy1), the more abundant isozyme in cereal seeds, has been thoroughly characterized. The lesser abundant β-amylase2 (Bmy2) has not been biochemically characterized from any cereal seeds. Characterization of Bmy2 from two commonly grown barley cultivars, Morex and Steptoe, was a major objective of this study. The bmy2 cDNAs were sequenced, expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant enzymes (rBmy2) characterized. The relative hydrolysis rates of various α-D-glucans and the pH activity optima of Morex and Steptoe rBmy2s were the same and not significantly different from barley rBmy1. The Morex rBmy2 was 7°C more thermostable than the Steptoe rBmy2, determined by differences in their T 50 values, and is more thermostable than any reported wild-type β-amylase1. Three amino acid differences were identified between the two Bmy2 sequences and the contributions to enzyme thermostability evaluated by site-directed mutagenesis. Examination of mutant enzymes with one amino add substitution revealed that each of the three residues contributed 3°C to the thermostability of the Morex wild-type rBmy2. Mutant enzymes with two amino add substitutions contributed 5.6°C, and the triple amino add mutant enzyme contributed 8.7°C to thermostability. To date, no quantitative trait loci (QTL) for malting quality traits have been assodated with the bmy2 locus. Should an association be discovered, the Morex bmy2 allele, containing D238, M337, and Q362, provides a discrete signature of a thermostable β-amylase2 that could be targeted for marker assisted selection.
Optimization of parameters for gas-diffusion flow-injection systems

Abstract The effects of flow rate, flow direction, flow ratio, pressure, membrane area, channel depth and channel shape on the optimization of gas-diffusion flow-injection systems are described in detail. A nonreacting chemical system, chlorine dioxide, was used to study the physical dispersion of the gas-diffusion systems. It was found that slow flow rates and shallow channels are optimal. Stopped-flow conditions in a nonreacting chemical system may not be worth the cost in time. For chemical systems in which the analyte is consumed, the optimized parameters included stopped flow.
Optimization and Interaction of an Economic and Sociological Model

The use of dynamic economic models based on the work of Leontief has received increased attention due to the current interest in the dynamic analysis of urban and world areas. Stable dynamic models have been developed and consideration of labor in these areas has been proposed. The optimum dynamic allocation of labor has also been considered. The availability of labor as the output of a sociological model has been previously developed. In this paper, an optimum allocation problem is formulated based on the previously developed economic and sociological models. This extension results in an interacting dynamic socioeconomic model.
Repetitive naming and the detection of word retrieval deficits in the beginning reader.

Abstract The claim has been advanced that children with severe reading disability are generally deficient in word retrieval compared with normal readers. Support for the claim is based largely on studies of rapid naming of repetitively presented pictured objects or other nameable stimuli, a task which is apparently more sensitive to retrieval problems than the confrontation naming of items presented singly. The purpose of this study was to examine whether there is a general relationship between word retrieval speed and reading ability in beginning readers. Although such a relationship has not been detected with confrontation naming, repetitive naming may provide a more sensitive test. Accordingly, second-grade children were required to name as rapidly as possible repeated presentations of five pictured items drawn from a single category. Separate naming tests were made for objects, colors, animals, letters, and words. The results showed that there was no relationship between reading ability and naming times when the test items were selected from sets of objects, colors, or animals, whereas on letters and words, a significant relationship was found. The lessskilled readers were not, therefore, consistently slower in all repetitive naming situations. Instead their word retrieval deficits extended only to the orthographic materials.
Liver-specific expression of the human factor VII gene.

Abstract Promoter and silencer elements of the immediate 5' flanking region of the gene coding for human factor VII were identified and characterized. The major transcription start site, designated as +1, was determined by RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) analysis of human liver cDNA and was found to be located 50 bp upstream from the translation start site. Two minor transcription start sites were found at bp +32 bp and +37. Progressive deletions of the 5' flanking region were fused to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene and transient expression in HepG2 and HeLa cells was measured. Two promoter elements that were essential for hepatocyte-specific transcription were identified. The first site, FVIIP1, located at bp -19 to +1, functioned independently of orientation or position and contributed about one-third of the promoter activity of the factor VII gene. Electrophoretic mobility-shift, competition, and anti-hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF4) antibody supershift experiments demonstrated that this site contained an HNF-4 binding element homologous to the promoters in the genes coding for factor IX and factor X. The second site, FVIIP2, located at bp -50 to -26, also functioned independent of orientation or position and contributed about two thirds of the promoter activity in the gene for factor VII. Functional assays with mutant sequences demonstrated that a 10-bp G + C-rich core sequence which shares 90% sequence identity with the prothrombin gene enhancer was essential for the function of the second site. Mobility-shift and competition assays suggested that this site also binds hepatic-specific factors as well as the transcription factor Sp1. Two silencer elements located upstream of the promoter region spanning bp -130 to -103 (FVIIS1 site) and bp -202 to -130 (FVIIS2) were also identified by reporter gene assays.
Voices of Homeless Alcoholics Who Frequent Bellevue Hospital: A Qualitative Study

Study objective We describe the evolution, environment, and psychosocial context of alcoholism from the perspective of chronically homeless, alcohol-dependent, frequent emergency department (ED) attendees. We use their words to explore how homelessness, health care, and other influences have contributed to the cause, progression, and management of their alcoholism. Methods We conducted detailed, semistructured, qualitative interviews, using a phenomenological approach with 20 chronically homeless, alcohol-dependent participants who had greater than 4 annual ED visits for 2 consecutive years at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. We used an administrative database and purposive sampling to obtain typical and atypical cases with diverse backgrounds. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. We triangulated interviews, field notes, and medical records. We used ATLAS.ti to code and determine themes, which we reviewed for agreement. We bracketed for researcher bias and maintained an audit trail. Results Interviews lasted an average of 50 minutes and yielded 800 pages of transcript. Fifty codes emerged, which were clustered into 4 broad themes: alcoholism, homelessness, health care, and the future. The participants' perspectives support a multifactorial process for the evolution of their alcoholism and its bidirectional reinforcing relationship with homelessness. Their self-efficacy and motivation for treatment is eroded by their progressive sense of hopelessness, which provides context for behaviors that reinforce stigma. Conclusion Our study exposes concepts for further exploration in regard to the difficulty in engaging individuals who are incapable of envisioning a future. We hypothesize that a multidisciplinary harm reduction approach that integrates health and social services is achievable and would address their needs more effectively.
Modeling Fluid Flow In Heterogeneous And Anisotropic Porous Media

Permeability distribution in reservoirs is very important for the flow ofwater or oil and gas. In this study, the effects of various heterogeneous permeability distributions on the flow field are simulated using the finite difference technique. We have simulated the flow for two types of heterogeneous distributions, one is Gaussian and the other is self-similar or fractal, the latter being much rougher than the former. The results show that the flow is not sensitive to the roughness of the distribution. In the case of lineated heterogeneities, anisotropy in the flow properties occurs. The anisotropy is not very significant if the lineated highly permeable regions are surrounded by less permeable regions. However, in the case of lineated fractures, where the background permeability is small, the flow is very sensitive to the direction of the lineation, such anisotropy can produce orders of magnitude difference in permeability. Furthermore, it is shown that the degree of anisotropy depends on the connectivity of the fractures. The anisotropy decreases with decreasing connectivity.
Mode Couplings and Conversions for Horizontal Dust Particle Pairs in Complex Plasmas

The normal modes for horizontal dust particle pairs in a complex plasma are investigated using two methods, a numerical calculation and a molecular dynamics simulation. The ion wakefield downstream of each particle and the variation of charge with particle levitation height are taken into account independently. It is shown that both mechanisms can create mode couplings or hybrid modes. As the modes hybridize, their frequencies are altered. Mode conversions and resonance instabilities are also observed and examined near the resonance points. The resulting power spectrum clearly resembles the experimentally observed high energy density signature for large crystals. The criteria for the occurrence of both the mode conversion and resonance instability are found to be accurately calculated by the double derivative of the interparticle potential, for both the ion wakefield and charge variation cases.
The control of gastric emptying

The control of gastric emptying has been restudied. Methods used are described. It was found that in the alert unanesthetized monkey saline is emptied from the stomach at a rate that is volume-dependent; an exponential curve results since higher volumes provoke more rapid emptying and lower volumes slower emptying. For glucose test meals emptying is quite linear; also emptying is slower and progressively slower with progressive increases in glucose concentration. There is, however, an early rapid phase of gastric emptying that converts to a slower, more linear pattern. Calories rather than osmoles appear to control emptying. Glucose in the pyloris has an inhibitory effect in gastric emptying. A theory of control is discussed. The control of gastric emptying also relates to the control of feeding.
Oxidative stress in the aging rat heart is reversed by dietary supplementation with (R)-α-lipoic acid

Oxidative stress has been implicated as a causal factor in the aging process of the heart and other tissues. To determine the extent of age-related myocardial oxidative stress, oxidant production, antioxidant status, and oxidative DNA damage were measured in hearts of young (2 months) and old (28 months) male Fischer 344 rats. Cardiac myocytes isolated from old rats showed a nearly threefold increase in the rate of oxidant production compared to young rats, as measured by the rates of 2,7-dichlorofluorescin diacetate oxidation. Determination of myocardial antioxidant status revealed a significant twofold decline in the levels of ascorbic acid (P = 0.03), but not alpha-tocopherol. A significant age-related increase (P = 0.05) in steady-state levels of oxidative DNA damage was observed, as monitored by 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine levels. To investigate whether dietary supplementation with (R)-alpha-lipoic acid (LA) was effective at reducing oxidative stress, young and old rats were fed an AIN-93M diet with or without 0.2% (w/w) LA for 2 wk before death. Cardiac myocytes from old, LA-supplemented rats exhibited a markedly lower rate of oxidant production that was no longer significantly different from that in cells from unsupplemented, young rats. Lipoic acid supplementation also restored myocardial ascorbic acid levels and reduced oxidative DNA damage. Our data indicate that the aging rat heart is under increased mitochondrial-induced oxidative stress, which is significantly attenuated by lipoic acid supplementation.
Coupling of deoxyribonucleic acid to solid supports using 3′ terminal ribose incorporation

To develop a new form of DNA coupling under mild reaction and coupling conditions, DNA oligonucleotides were synthesized containing a 3′ ribonucleotide. Upon reaction with millimolar sodium metaperiodate (NaIO4), the ribose is oxidized to a dialdehyde at pH 6.8. This reaction is complete in 30 min, is quenched with millimolar sodium metabisulfite (Na2S2O5) and is then suitable for coupling to hydrazide-agarose supports. Coupling occurs with a half-time of 27 min and 80% couples in 2 h. The EP18 oligonucleotide which binds to the CAAT enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) was synthesized with a 3′ ribose (rEP18) and coupled to hydrazide-agarose. The columns prepared show no significant loss of the oligonucleotide after 50 days. A crude bacterial extract from cells expressing a chimeric fusion protein of GFP-C/EBP was applied to the columns and eluted with different salt concentrations. The active protein elutes in 0.5 M NaCl and SDS-PAGE/silver stained gels show a single major band which comigrates with GFP-C/EBP as well as three minor contaminants. This provides a new alternative way of coupling DNA to solid supports using mild chemistry which is non-detrimental to the DNA and can be performed if required in the presence of nuclear extract.
Multimodal quantitation of the effects of endovascular therapy for vasospasm on cerebral blood flow, transcranial Doppler ultrasonographic velocities, and cerebral artery diameters

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to quantify the effects of endovascular therapy on vasospastic cerebral vessels. METHODS We reviewed the medical records for 387 patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms who were treated at a single institution (University of California, Los Angeles) between May 1, 1993, and March 31, 2001. Patients who developed cerebral vasospasm and underwent cerebral arteriographic, transcranial Doppler ultrasonographic, and cerebral blood flow (CBF) studies before and after endovascular therapy for cerebral arterial spasm (vasospasm) were included in this study. RESULTS Forty-five patients fulfilled the aforementioned criteria and were treated with either papaverine infusion, papaverine infusion with angioplasty, or angioplasty alone. After balloon angioplasty (12 patients), CBF increased from 27.8 +/- 2.8 ml/100 g/min to 28.4 +/- 3.0 ml/100 g/min (P = 0.87); the middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity was 1 57.6 +/- 9.4 cm/s and decreased to 76.3 +/- 9.3 cm/s (P < 0.05), with a mean increase in cerebral artery diameters of 24.4%. Papaverine infusion (20 patients) transiently increased the CBF from 27.5 +/- 2.1 ml/100 g/min to 38.7 +/- 2.8 ml/100 g/min (P < 0.05) and decreased the middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity from 109.9 +/- 9.1 cm/s to 82.8 +/- 8.6 cm/s (P < 0.05). There was a mean increase in vessel diameters of 30.1% after papaverine infusion. Combined treatment (13 patients) significantly increased the CBF from 33.3 +/- 3.2 ml/100 g/min to 41.7 +/- 2.8 ml/100 g/min (P< 0.05) and decreased the transcranial Doppler velocities from 148.9 +/- 12.7 cm/s to 111.4 +/- 10.6 cm/s (P < 0.05), with a mean increase in vessel diameters of 42.2%. CONCLUSION Balloon angioplasty increased proximal vessel diameters, whereas papaverine treatment effectively dilated distal cerebral vessels. In our small series, we observed no correlation between early clinical improvement or clinical outcomes and any of our quantitative or physiological data (CBF, transcranial Doppler velocities, or vessel diameters).
Oocyte-follicle epithelial cell dynamics in Arrhenothrips ramakrishnae hood (Insecta: Thysanoptera). II: Observations on the preterminal and terminal oocytes

Transmission electron microscopic studies relating to the changes taking place in the follicular epithelial cells and oocyte cytoplasm of the penultimate and terminal oocytes ofArrhenothrips ramakrishnae Hood during vitellogenesis and the role of the follicular cells in this process are discussed.
Echocardiographic Speckle Tracking Radial Strain Imaging to Assess Ventricular Dyssynchrony in a Pacing Model of Resynchronization Therapy

Background Speckle tracking imaging is a promising new echocardiographic method to assess left ventricular (LV) mechanical dyssynchrony. Our aim was to assess a new speckle tracking regional strain algorithm by comparison with angle-corrected tissue Doppler (TD) in an animal model of left bundle branch block and cardiac resynchronization therapy. Methods and Results Ten open-chest dogs had routine gray-scale and TD images of the mid-LV short-axis plane. Electrical activation was altered by pacing from right ventricular, LV free wall, and biventricular sites to create various degrees of mechanical dyssynchrony and alter regional function. Segmental time to peak strain, peak strain, and frame-by-frame strain were measured by angle-corrected TD, TD M-mode, and speckle tracking on the same digital cineloop. Of 240 possible paired TD and speckle tracking segments, data were available for 222 segments (93%); images with catheter artifacts were prospectively excluded. Comparative overall time to peak strain by each method correlated well: r = 0.96, bias=−6 ± 20 ms. Of 80 possible paired M-mode TD and speckle tracking segments, strain data were available for 76 segments (95%). Comparative overall time to peak strain, peak strain, and frame-by-frame strain analysis in 1012 frames by each method correlated well: r = 0.98, bias of 1 ± 14 ms; r = 0.82, bias of 3% ± 7%; and r = 0.91, bias of 0% ± 6%, respectively. Conclusion Regional strain analysis using echocardiographic speckle tracking radial strain strongly correlated with strain by angle-corrected TD imaging in an animal model of dyssynchrony. Speckle tracking radial strain has potential for clinical applications.
Single vibronic level fluorescence. III. Fluorescence yields from three vibronic levels in the 1B2u state of benzene

Abstract Absoute quantum yields of luorescence have been determined for each of three specific vibronic levels in isolated 1B2u benzene molecules. The yields are 0.22, 0.27 and 0.25 for the zero point level and for the state ν16 and (ν16 + ν11) respectively. The methods used to derive these yields are described.
Minnesota studies on community-based approaches to weight loss and control.

Community-based approaches to weight control including worksite interventions, intervention by home correspondence, and multimodal community strategies are reviewed. Community-based programs have s...
Linear Quadratic Control of a Loaded Agonist-Antagonist Muscle Pair

A discrete-time control law which gives the optimal applied force for a given position trajectory of a linear second-order external load is computed using linear quadratic regulator (LQR) theory. This control law is used with an existing first-order fixed interpulse interval (IPI) muscle force controller to regulate position in a simulated electrically stimulated loaded agonist-antagonist muscle system. Both force and position feedback are required to implement the control strategy. A nonlinear second-order model of a predominantly slow twitch muscle is used in the simulation. The results suggest that good position control of a loaded antagonist-agonist muscle system is possible if a linear model of the external load is appropriate.
Transport of intense ion beams

Abstract The maximum transportable current for an ion beam is determined by considerations of focal strength, space charge equilibrium and stability, structural practicality, and emittance. These factors are described within the context of a heavy ion driver for inertial confinement fusion. Recent supporting results from particle-in-cell simulations and transport experiments will be described.
MDR: performance model driven runtime for heterogeneous parallel platforms

We present a runtime framework for the execution of work-loads represented as parallel-operator directed acyclic graphs (PO-DAGs) on heterogeneous multi-core platforms. PO-DAGs combine coarse-grained parallelism at the graph level with fine-grained parallelism within each node, lending naturally to exploiting the intra --- and inter-processing element parallelism present in heterogeneous platforms. We identify four important criteria - Suitability, Locality, Availability and Criticality (SLAC) --- and show that all these criteria must be considered by a heterogeneous runtime framework in order to achieve good performance under varying application and platform characteristics.The proposed model driven runtime (MDR) considers all the aforementioned factors, and tradeoffs among them, by utilizing performance models. These performance models are used to drive key run-time decisions such as mapping of tasks to PEs, scheduling of tasks on each PE, and copying data between memory spaces.We discuss the software architecture and implementation of MDR, and evaluate it using several benchmark programs on three different heterogeneous platforms that contain multi-core CPUs and GPUs. The hardware platforms represent server, laptop, and netbook class systems. MDR achieves up to 4.2X speedup (1.5X on average) over the best of CPU-only, GPU-only, round-robin, GPU-first, and utilization-driven schedulers. We also perform a sensitivity analysis that establishes the importance of considering all four SLAC criteria in order to achieve high performance execution in a heterogeneous runtime framework.
Glowing Praise and the Envious Gaze: Social Dilemmas Surrounding the Public Recognition of Achievement

To determine whether well-intentioned attempts to recognize superior achievement might backfire, these studies drew on recent advances to social comparison theory that emphasize interpersonal costs of outperformance (e.g., Exline & Lobel, 1999b). Undergraduates (N = 122) were asked how top performance on exams should be recognized (Study 1). Students strongly preferred private, anonymous forms of recognition to more public forms of recognition. Study 2 suggested that preferences for recognition reflect sensitivity to both positive and negative peer responses. Study 2 also revealed individual differences in preferences for recognition. Narcissism was positively associated with desire for public recognition and negatively associated with concern about being the target of peer hostility. Competitiveness was associated with beliefs that being recognized for superior achievement would bring hostile reactions from peers. Sociotropy was associated with high levels of concern about both negative and positive peer...
Short Wave-Length Cut-Off Filters for the Ultraviolet*

A number of organic compounds have been investigated for possible use as short wave-length cut-off filters in connection with fluorescence studies in the near ultraviolet region (3000–2300A). The absorption of these filter compounds has been studied, in the pure liquid state and in isooctane solutions of various concentrations, by means of a Beckman DU spectrophotometer. It was found that for a number of substances the cut-off wave-length can be shifted over a fairly wide range by varying the concentration of the solution. Curves are given for phenol, benzene, cumene, and thiophene. A table lists the cut-off wave-lengths for these compounds and also for chlorobenzene, dihydropyran, and mesitylene.
Acute Cocaine Toxicity: Pharmacology and Clinical Presentations in Adult and Pediatric Populations

Cocaine remains the most prevalent drug responsible for emergency department (ED) visits. A majority of acute cocaine toxicity cases involve young, habitual, adult cocaine users and often present with a range of cardiac, neurologic, gastrointestinal (GI) or renal symptoms. In addition, atypical populations (neonates, infants, toddlers, young children and adolescents) are presenting in EDs with varying symptoms that are unknowingly associated with cocaine exposure. Unfortunately, juvenile presentations are generally anecdotal in nature, and while enlightening, are difficult to quantify epidemiologically. Outlining the types of symptom presentation in these young populations may assist healthcare providers in expediting proper treatment for such demographic groups. Therefore, this review examines the current knowledge regarding cocaine's pharmacologic activity as it relates to its potential toxicity, and outlines the clinical manifestations of cocaine exposure and toxicity in adult and pediatric populations...
Loving‐kindness meditation to enhance recovery from negative symptoms of schizophrenia

In this article, we describe the clinical applicability of loving-kindness meditation (LKM) to individuals suffering from schizophrenia-spectrum disorders with persistent negative symptoms. LKM may have potential for reducing negative symptoms such as anhedonia, avolition, and asociality while enhancing factors consistent with psychological recovery such as hope and purpose in life. Case studies will illustrate how to conduct this group treatment with clients with negative symptoms, the potential benefits to the client, and difficulties that may arise. Although LKM requires further empirical support, it promises to be an important intervention since there are few treatments for clients afflicted with negative symptoms.
A nanotherapy strategy significantly enhances anticryptosporidial activity of an inhibitor of bifunctional thymidylate synthase-dihydrofolate reductase from Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidiosis, a gastrointestinal disease caused by protozoans of the genus Cryptosporidium, is a common cause of diarrheal diseases and often fatal in immunocompromised individuals. Bifunctional thymidylate synthase-dihydrofolate reductase (TS-DHFR) from Cryptosporidium hominis (C. hominis) has been a molecular target for inhibitor design. C. hominis TS-DHFR inhibitors with nM potency at a biochemical level have been developed however drug delivery to achieve comparable antiparasitic activity in Cryptosporidium infected cell culture has been a major hurdle for designing effective therapies. Previous mechanistic and structural studies have identified compound 906 as a nM C. hominis TS-DHFR inhibitor in vitro, having μM antiparasitic activity in cell culture. In this work, proof of concept studies are presented using a nanotherapy approach to improve drug delivery and the antiparasitic activity of 906 in cell culture. We utilized PLGA nanoparticles that were loaded with 906 (NP-906) and conjugated with antibodies to the Cryptosporidium specific protein, CP2, on the nanoparticle surface in order to specifically target the parasite. Our results indicate that CP2 labeled NP-906 (CP2-NP-906) reduces the level of parasites by 200-fold in cell culture, while NP-906 resulted in 4.4-fold decrease. Moreover, the anticryptosporidial potency of 906 improved 15 to 78-fold confirming the utility of the antibody conjugated nanoparticles as an effective drug delivery strategy.
Long-term effects of magnesium carbonate on coronary artery calcification and bone mineral density in hemodialysis patients: A pilot study

Observational data suggest that elevated magnesium levels in dialysis patients may prevent vascular calcification and in vitro magnesium can prevent hydroxyapatite crystal growth. However, the effects of magnesium on vascular calcification and bone mineral density have not been studied prospectively. Seven chronic hemodialysis patients participated in this open label, prospective pilot study to evaluate the effects of a magnesium-based phosphate binder on coronary artery calcification (CAC) scores and vertebral bone mineral density (V-BMD) in patients with baseline CAC scores >30. Magnesium carbonate/calcium carbonate (elemental Mg: 86 mg/elemental Ca 100 mg) was administered as the principal phosphate binder for a period of 18 months and changes in CAC and V-BMD were measured at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months. Serum magnesium levels averaged 2.2+/-0.4 mEq/L (range: 1.3-3.9 mEq/L). Phosphorus levels (4.5+/-0.6 mg/dL) were well controlled throughout the 18 months study. Electron beam computed tomography results demonstrated a small not statically significant increase in absolute CAC scores, no significant change in median percent change, and a small none significant change in V-BMD. Magnesium may have a favorable effect on CAC. The long-term effect on bone mineral density remains unclear. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Fixed-bed adsorption of acid gases on a macroreticular ion-exchange resin

Abstract The fixed-bed adsorption behavior of sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide on a macroreticular, styrene-divinylbenzene, anion-exchange resin has been studied. The effects of feed composition, feed flow rate, bed length, and bed temperature on bed performance have been determined experimentally. It has been established that the bed has a low capacity for carbon dioxide, and heat of sorption effects are negligible. In contrast, a high adsorption capacity was observed for sulfur dioxide, with significant heat of sorption effects. At sulfur dioxide loadings typical of flue gases from high sulfur (4 wt. %) coals, a bed capacity of about 1500 bed volumes was obtained. Selectivity for sulfur dioxide over carbon dioxide was also found to be very high, with a separation factor of about 1000. The fixed-bed adsorption process has been modeled with the equilibrium coherence theory of chromatography, using a pseudo-isothermal approach that establishes the effective adsorption temperature from the feed composition. This approach has been used to predict bed behavior for frontal development with binary mixtures, and for elution development. It was found that the method is effective for the frontal case, but has limitations with regard to elution development.
Albumin Syracuse: a variant demonstrated at acid pH.

ELECTROPHORETIC variants of human albumin seem to be quite rare. Screening for albumin heterogeneity has been carried out conventionally at alkaline pH, usually 8.6. Several studies of different animal species suggest that additional albumin variants could be identified by electrophoresis at acid pH1–3. To test this hypothesis it was decided to screen sera by electrophoresis in acid buffers.