cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
FilmPlane2: design and implementation

In this document we describe the design of FilmPlane2, its user interface and implementation. The underlying mental model of the workstation design is that of a virtual electronic view box. Viewed "from a distance" the whole view box can be seen, but with only in rough detail. Viewed "from up close", individual images can be seen at full resolution. The system provides a natural way to determine which images show up in the "up close" view. Additional features allow for sequential and nonsequential access to images, measuring anatomical features, contrast adjustment, and limited zooming. FilmPlane2 is being implemented using X Windows and C++. The full system is designed to run on a Stellar graphics workstation with three 1280x1024 greyscale display screens, as well as Sun and DEC workstations. The system can be adapted to an arbitrary number of display screens.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
GABAB receptors in the dorsomedial hypothalamus and heart rate in anesthetized rats.

Previous studies have shown that: (1) activation of neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) of the rat by blockade of local GABAA receptors with bicuculline methiodide (BMI) elicits cardiovascular changes resembling those seen in experimental stress, including marked sympathetically-mediated tachycardia, and (2) inhibition of neurons in the same region by local microinjection of the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol can virtually abolish stress-induced tachycardia. This study examined the possibility that GABAB receptors exist in the neural circuitry of the DMH, and that stimulation of these receptors might suppress the cardiovascular response to local disinhibition with BMI. Microinjection of BMI 10 pmol into the DMH in urethane-anesthetized rats resulted in marked tachycardia with little or no effect on arterial pressure. Simultaneous injection of the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen at doses of 2.5, 5.0 and 10 pmol produced dose-related suppression of BMI induced tachycardia. Coinjection of the GABAB receptor antagonist 2-hydroxysaclofen 100 or 200 pmol had no significant effect on the heart rate response to BMI, but reversed the suppression elicited in the presence of baclofen. These findings indicate that (1) functional GABAB receptors exist in the DMH, and (2) stimulation of these receptors inhibits the tachycardia resulting from blockade of local GABAA receptors.
Neonatal effects of magnesium sulfate given to the mother.

Objective Magnesium historically has been used for treatment and/or prevention of eclampsia or preterm labor. More recently, antepartum magnesium sulfate has been suggested for prevention of cerebral palsy in preterm infants. Although adverse effects and toxicity of magnesium in pregnant women are well known, the fetal-neonatal effects of magnesium are less clear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of magnesium on the newborn infant. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort analysis of women who received antepartum magnesium sulfate for prevention or treatment of eclampsia. Magnesium sulfate was given intravenously beginning with a 6-g dose, followed by 2- to 3-g/h infusion. Newborn hypotonia was diagnosed if an infant exhibited less than normal tone/activity upon admission to the nursery. Results Between January 2000 and February 2009, a total of 6654 women with preeclampsia were treated with intravenous magnesium sulfate as described; 88 (6%) of the infants were diagnosed with hypotonia. Lower 1-minute and 5-minute Apgar scores, intubation in the delivery room, admission to special care nursery, and hypotonia were all significantly increased as maternal serum magnesium concentrations increased before birth. Conclusion Several neonatal complications are significantly related to increasing concentrations of magnesium in the maternal circulation.
The effect of comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders on health care utilization and costs among adolescents with asthma

Objective To assess whether youth with asthma and comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders have higher health care utilization and costs than youth with asthma alone.
Freehand 3D ultrasound volume imaging using a miniature-mobile 6-DOF camera tracking system

Spatial registration of 2D ultrasound (US) scans and 3D volume reconstruction are very useful tools for clinical diagnosis. However, the existing methods for freehand US scan registration tend to be hindered by physical constraints of the equipment and patient motion artifacts. This paper describes a low-cost and unobtrusive method for spatially registering 2D US scans with six degrees of freedom (6 DoF). This method uses a lightweight camera mounted on the US probe to track skin features of the patient body for probe motion recovery, which is performed efficiently by approximating the skin surface as a planar structure. As probe position and motion are determined with respect to the body, this method is robust to patient motion and could potentially facilitate longitudinal studies. In this paper, the performance of 3D volume reconstructions in linear, tilt, and rotational scanning is quantitatively examined through in-vitro experiments.
Laser profile changes due to photon–axion induced beam splitting

Abstract This paper looks at a potentially unique measurable due to photon–axion coupling in an external magnetic field. Traditionally, detection of such a coupling has focused on observation of an optical rotation of the beam's polarization due to either a birefringence or a path length difference (p.l.d.) between two polarization states. Such experiments, utilizing mirror cavities, have been significantly limited in sensitivity; approaching coupling strengths of ~ g a =10 −7 GeV −1 . Here the bifurcation of a beam in a cavity is explored along with the possibility of measuring its influence on the photon density. Simulations indicate that coupling to levels g a ~10 –12 are, with an appropriate choice of cavity, within measurable limits. This is due to a rapid growth of a signal defined by the energy loss from the center accompanying an increase in the region beyond the beam waist. Finally, the influence of a non-zero axion mass is explored.
In vitro synthesis of deoxynucleotide kinase, dihydrofolate reductase and deoxycytidylate hydroxymethylase from RNA transcripts of T2 phage DNA

Abstract RNA transcripts of specified lengths were isolated from an in vitro system containing T2 phage DNA and E. coli RNA polymerase. The informational content of these RNA segments was monitored for deoxynucleotide kinase, dihydrofolate reductase and deoxycytidylate hydroxymethylase with a cell-free protein synthesizing system from E. coli . All three enzymes were translated from RNA chains of 2,300 nucleotides, but deoxycytidylate hydroxymethylase appeared not to be translated from chains of 1,500 nucleotides. Only deoxynucleotide kinase synthesis was directed by transcripts 700–900 nucleotides long. Based on the recently reported subunit molecular weight of this enzyme (1), the gene for deoxynucleotide kinase would appear to be located adjacent to its promoter.
Undiagnosed hypercoagulable state: A case study

Vascular nursing presents constant challenges. The natural bistory of vascular disease coupled with the complexity of the patient population provides an environment for constant learning. Providing care to these unique individuals demands a thorough knowledge of vascular anatomy and physiology, diagnostic interventions, treatment modalities, multidisciplinary resources, and nursing interventions. this case study explores the multifaceted realm of vascular nursing by examining the hospital course and multidisciplinary plan of care of a 22-year-old man whose hospital course began with a lower extremity deep venous thrombosis and progressed to pulmonary embolus, phlegmasia cerulea dolens, compartment syndrome, sepsis, arterial thrombosis, severe coagulopathy, priapism, laryngeal bleeding/laryngospasm, and subsequent notification of having received a unit of blood from a donor whose human immunodeficiency virus status was later determined to be positive. The intent of this article is not to define a specific means of practice but to share with colleagues the wealth of knowledge that was gained from this experience.
Driving personalized medicine forward: the who, what, when, and how of educating the health-care workforce

I spent most of my career as a genome scientist working on advancing personalized medicine in both academic and industry settings. For years now we have heard about the barriers to implementing personalized medicine and each discussion invariably ends with a call to educate health-care providers. The educational challenges are well known and formidable: a crowded curriculum; lack of knowledgeable faculty; lack of evidence-based guidelines; misconceptions about the nature of genomic medicine, and based on my own experience, a lack of enthusiasm by health-care providers to learn about an area that they see as invalidated and expensive (unpublished survey). Many are quick to outline the challenges, but comparatively few have offered viable solutions. Some basic questions remain unanswered: Who exactly is it that we need to educate? What exactly do they need to know? When is the best time in their training or career to be educated? How do we move forward, given the real time constraints of doctors in both training and practice?
Estrogen Receptor (α and β) Expression in the Excurrent Ducts of the Adult Male Rat Reproductive Tract

The understanding of estrogen's function in the male reproductive tract is limited, and estrogen receptor (ER) localization in the reproductive tract of the adult male rat has not been described. In the present study, ERalpha was localized by immunohistochemistry using ER21 antibody, which recognizes only ERalpha. Strongest immunoreactivity was seen in epithelia of ductuli efferentes and the initial segment of the epididymis. Nuclei of both ciliated and nonciliated cells were positive. The epithelium of the rete testis, and caput, corpus, and cauda epididymides stained less intensely for ERalpha. The vas deferens epithelium was ERalpha-negative. Stromal tissue in the excurrent ducts was also ERalpha-positive. Using 3H-estradiol autoradiography, specific binding of estradiol was seen in nuclei of ductuli efferentes. Estrogen receptor alpha mRNA expression was greatly enhanced in ductuli efferentes compared to other regions of the male tract and was 3.5x greater than in the uterus. For comparison, the presence of ERalpha was determined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification. Estrogen receptor beta mRNA was expressed throughout the male tract and in the prostate. These results indicate that all organs in the male excurrent ductal system of the rat express ERalpha and are potential targets of estrogen. However, the ductuli efferentes are the site of the most intense ERalpha expression. The role of ERbeta remains to be determined, but its expression appears ubiguitous in the male tract.
WATER INTOXICATION IN RELATION TO THYROID AND ADRENAL FUNCTION1

THYROXIN IS a diuretic agent (Epstein, 1926; Marine, 1935; and Brull, 1940), particularly in diabetes insipidus (Fisher, Ingram and Ranson, 1938). It also causes other changes in renal function (Heinbecker, Rolf and White, 1943; and Eiler, Althausen and Stockholm, 1944) together with a renal hypertrophy (Hoskins, 1916). In hyperthyroidism there is also a well known adrenal hypertrophy (Tepperman and Engel, 1942) and presumably increased adrenal cortical hormone secretion. The present experiments were originally undertaken to study the effects on water diuresis and water intoxication of agents such as thyroxin known to alter adrenal cortical function. It has been shown that variations in the body level of cortical hormones affect markedly the response of animals (Gaunt, 1944a) and man (Robinson, Power, and Kepler, 1941) to water. The effects of hyper- and hypothyroidism on the response to excess water, and the relation of the adrenal cortex to that response, is reported here. Preliminary note has been made...
Generation of hydrophilic poly(dimethylsiloxane) for high-performance microchip electrophoresis

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) has become one of the most widely used materials for microchip capillary electrophoresis and microfluidics. The popularity of this material is the result of its low cost, simple fabrication, and rugged elastomeric properties. The hydrophobic nature of PDMS, however, limits its applicability for microchip CE, microfluidic patterning, and other nonelectrophoresis applications. The surface of PDMS can be made hydrophilic using a simple air plasma treatment; however, this property is quickly lost through hydrophobic recovery caused by diffusion of unreacted oligomer to the surface. Here, a simple approach for the generation of hydrophilic PDMS with long-term stability in air is presented. PDMS is rendered hydrophilic through a simple two-step extraction/oxidation process. First, PDMS is extracted in a series of solvents designed to remove unreacted oligomers from the bulk phase. Second, the oligomer-free PDMS is oxidized in a simple air plasma, generating a stable layer of hydrop...
Massively parallel tabu search for the quadratic assignment problem

A new heuristic algorithm to perform tabu search on the Quadratic Assignment Problem (QAP) is developed. A massively parallel implementation of the algorithm on the Connection Machine CM-2 is provided. The implementation usesn2 processors, wheren is the size of the problem. The elements of the algorithm, calledPar_tabu, include dynamically changing tabu list sizes, aspiration criterion and long term memory. A new intensification strategy based on intermediate term memory is proposed and shown to be promising especially while solving large QAPs. The combination of all these elements gives a very efficient heuristic for the QAP: the best known or improved solutions are obtained in a significantly smaller number of iterations than in other comparative studies. Combined with the implementation on CM-2, this approach provides suboptimal solutions to QAPs of bigger dimensions in reasonable time.
1497 COMPARISON OF SCREENING OF HIGH RISK INFANTS BY AUDITORY BRAINSTEM RESPONSES (ABRs) AND BY PNEUMOGRAMS

ABRs assess function of the brainstem auditory pathway. Interwave distances reflect brainstem conduction time and wave V latency is an index of maturation. Pneumograms are recordings of respiratory activity which allow quantitation of breathing pauses during sleep. Pneumogram abnormalities reflect dysfunction or immaturity of brainstem respiratory control mechanisms. We compared screening results for 15 high risk infants (GA 30.7 ± 4 wks), BW 1300 ± 600 gm) who had pneumograms and reproducible ABRs and were not receiving theophylline at the time of either screen. All had identifiable waves I and V and 12 (80%) also had wave III. Sleep portions of 12 hr pneumograms were scored for density of short (≥6 sec) apneas (A6/D), % time spent in periodic breathing (% PB) and number episodes PB/100 min (#PB/100). Relationship of ABR and pneumogram measurements was analyzed by linear regression. Postconceptual age at the time of screening was 38.5 ± 5.9 wks for ABRs and 38.4 ± 5.7 wks for pneumograms. Wave V latency showed significant correlation with all pneumogram measurements: for A6/D, r=0.73, p=0.002; for % PB, r=0.67, p=0.007; for #PB/100, r=0.61, p=0.015. Interwave distances (I-III, I-V) showed no significant correlation with pneumograms. Thus assessment of the brainstem auditory pathway by ABR wave V latency correlates well with assessment of brainstem respiratory control mechanisms by pneumograms. These findings strengthen the validity of both the ABR and the pneumogram as tests of brainstem maturation and function.
Is routine postoperative chest radiography needed after open nephrectomy

Abstract Objectives To assess whether routine postoperative chest radiography (CXR) is required after open nephrectomy for the detection and possible management of a pneumothorax. It has become the standard of care by many urologists to obtain routine postoperative CXRs after open nephrectomy to assess for the presence of a pneumothorax. However, at our institution, very few patients have developed a pneumothorax postoperatively, and, furthermore, the CXR findings almost never affected the clinical management. Methods Retrospective data were collected on the last 150 open nephrectomies performed by two urologists at our institution. All laparoscopic nephrectomies and thoracoabdominal nephrectomies were excluded from analysis. Results A total of 150 patients underwent open nephrectomy between 1998 and 2003. The procedure was performed with an anterior subcostal, 11th rib, 12th rib, midline, and 10th rib incision in 60 (40%), 51 (34%), 18 (12%), 20 (13.3%), and 1 (0.67%) patient, respectively. Of the 150 patients, 92 (61.3%) underwent postoperative CXR and 58 (38.7%) did not. Of the 150 patients, 92 of whom had undergone postoperative CXR, 4 (2.7%) had a postoperative pneumothorax. One of these patients (0.67%) received a chest tube. Of the 4 patients with a pneumothorax, 3 had had a recognized pleural tear that was repaired at nephrectomy and the fourth had had an unrecognized pleural injury. Conclusions Routine postoperative CXRs are not needed after open nephrectomy. Obtaining a selective CXR when a recognized intraoperative pleural tear has occurred, a central line is placed, the physical examination reveals an abnormality (ie, decreased breath sounds), or the patient experiences respiratory difficulties in the postoperative period is safe, cost-effective, and decreases the radiation exposure to patients.
Pharmspresso: a text mining tool for extraction of pharmacogenomic concepts and relationships from full text.

Background Pharmacogenomics studies the relationship between genetic variation and the variation in drug response phenotypes. The field is rapidly gaining importance: it promises drugs targeted to particular subpopulations based on genetic background. The pharmacogenomics literature has expanded rapidly, but is dispersed in many journals. It is challenging, therefore, to identify important associations between drugs and molecular entities – particularly genes and gene variants, and thus these critical connections are often lost. Text mining techniques can allow us to convert the free-style text to a computable, searchable format in which pharmacogenomic concepts (such as genes, drugs, polymorphisms, and diseases) are identified, and important links between these concepts are recorded. Availability of full text articles as input into text mining engines is key, as literature abstracts often do not contain sufficient information to identify these pharmacogenomic associations.
Histone demethylation by hydroxylation: chemistry in action

Histone methylation plays an essential role in epigenetic regulation and has been thought to be an irreversible and stable modification of histones. However, several enzymes have recently been discovered to demethylate mono- and dimethylated lysine residues of histone H3 as well as monomethylated arginines via either amine oxidation or deimination, respectively. The JmjC domain-containing histone demethylase 1 (JHDM1), which is conserved from yeast to human, has been demonstrated to demethylate mono- and di- but not trimethylated H3 K36 via hydroxylation of the methyl moiety within the methylated lysine residue. This study broadens our understanding of different types of reaction mechanisms and cofactor requirements for a different category of histone demethylating machinery.
Information status and noncanonical word order in English

This work provides a comprehensive discourse-functional account of three classes of noncanonical constituent placement in English – preposing, postposing, and argument reversal – and shows how their interaction is accounted for in a principled and predictive way. In doing so, it details the variety of ways in which information can be 'given' or 'new' and shows how an understanding of this variety allows us to account for the distribution of these constructions in discourse. Moreover, the authors show that there exist broad and empirically verifiable functional correspondences within classes of syntactically similar constructions. Relying heavily on corpus data, the authors identify three interacting dimensions along which individual constructions may vary with respect to the pragmatic constraints to which they are sensitive: old vs. new information, relative vs. absolute familiarity, and discourse- vs. hearer-familiarity. They show that preposed position is reserved for information that is linked to the prior discourse by means of a contextually licensed partially-ordered set relationship; postposed position is reserved for information that is 'new' in one of a small number of distinct senses; and argument-reversing constructions require that the information represented by the preverbal constituent be at least as familiar within the discourse as that represented by the postverbal constituent. Within each of the three classes of constructions, individual constructions vary with respect to whether they are sensitive to familiarity within the discourse or (assumed) familiarity within the hearer's knowledge store. Thus, although the individual constructions in question are subject to distinct constraints, this work provides empirical evidence for the existence of strong correlations between sentence position and information status. The final chapter presents crosslinguistic data showing that these correlations are not limited to English.
High ion density dry etching of compound semiconductors

The use of plasma sources that generate high ion densities (> 1011 cm−3) enables dry etching of compound semiconductors at high rates with anisotropic sidewalls. In this paper we review the use of several types of electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma sources and contrast the result with those obtained under reactive ion etching conditions. Various problems occurring in dry etching will be discussed, including aspect ratio dependent etch rates, mask erosion, sidewall roughening and damage introduction into the semiconductor. This damage may consist of point and line defect creation, non-stoichiometric surfaces, resputtering of mask materials or deposition of contaminating films. The use of low or high substrate temperatures to control the desorption kinetics of etch products is also discussed; at low temperatures problems can occur with condensation of the etch gases onto the substrate, while at elevated temperatures it is necessary to thermally bond the sample to the r.f. powered electrode to obtain reproducibility. Etch selectivity between the components of heterostructure systems such as GaAs/AlGaAs, GaAs/InGaP, InGaAs/AlInAs and GaN/AlN is usually much worse under high ion density conditions because of the high rates and large physical component.
B‐MODE AND DOPPLER ULTRASOUND IMAGING OF THE SPLEEN WITH CANINE SPLENIC TORSION: A RETROSPECTIVE EVALUATION

The ultrasonographic appearance of splenic torsion has been described; the splenic parenchyma can be normal, hypoechoic or anechoic with interspersed linear echoes (coarse/"lacy" appearance). The ultrasonographic parenchymal appearance of 15 dogs in this report with splenic torsion varied: mottled hypoechoic regions (n=2), diffusely hypoechoic (n=11) and normal (n=2). Because splenic torsion causes vascular congestion due to splenic vein compression and eventual thrombosis, visible splenic vein intraluminal echogenicities compatible with thrombi were seen in 13 dogs using B-mode. Using spectral Doppler and color Doppler imaging of the splenic veins, no measurable flow velocities were detected in any of the 15 dogs. The varied B-mode ultrasonographic appearance of the splenic parenchyma with splenic torsion necessitates B-mode evaluation of the splenic veins for intraluminal echoes and spectral or color Doppler evaluation for absent velocity flow.
Multifractality as a Measure of Complexity in Solar Flare Activity

In this paper we use the notion of multifractality to describe the complexity in Hα flare activity during the solar cycles 21, 22, and 23. Both northern and southern hemisphere flare indices are analyzed. Multifractal behavior of the flare activity is characterized by calculating the singularity spectrum of the daily flare index time series in terms of the Holder exponent. The broadness of the singularity spectrum gives a measure of the degree of multifractality or complexity in the flare index data. The broader the spectrum, the richer and more complex is the structure with a higher degree of multifractality. Using this broadness measure, complexity in the flare index data is compared between the northern and southern hemispheres in each of the three cycles, and among the three cycles in each of the two hemispheres. Other parameters of the singularity spectrum can also provide information about the fractal properties of the flare index data. For instance, an asymmetry to the left or right in the singularity spectrum indicates a dominance of high or low fractal exponents, respectively, reflecting a relative abundance of large or small fluctuations in the total energy emitted by the flares. Our results reveal that in the even (22nd) cycle the singularity spectra are very similar for the northern and southern hemispheres, whereas in the odd cycles (21st and 23rd) they differ significantly. In particular, we find that in cycle 21, the northern hemisphere flare index data have higher complexity than its southern counterpart, with an opposite pattern prevailing in cycle 23. Furthermore, small-scale fluctuations in the flare index time series are predominant in the northern hemisphere in the 21st cycle and are predominant in the southern hemisphere in the 23rd cycle. Based on these findings one might suggest that, from cycle to cycle, there exists a smooth switching between the northern and southern hemispheres in the multifractality of the flaring process. This new observational result may bring an insight into the mechanisms of the solar dynamo operation and may also be useful for forecasting solar cycles.
Combining AIRS and MODIS: High Resolution Radiances and Atmospheric Profiles in the Presence of Different Cloud Types

We use a combination of AIRS and MODIS to analyze atmospheric profiles and high-resolution infrared spectra for different cloud types. By using simulated spectra we can test the influence of parameters on the high-resolution spectra.
Influence of iodination on proteolytic activity and blood pressure lowering ability of trypsin.

SummaryIodination serves to decrease greatly the hypotensive effect of intravenously-administered trypsin. Proteolytic activity is decreased to a lesser extent. Iodination of a substrate under similar conditions decreases the ease with which it is digested by untreated trypsin.
Finite element simulations of martensitic phase transitions and microstructures based on a strain softening model

Abstract A new approach for modeling multivariant martensitic phase transitions (PT) and martensitic microstructure (MM) in elastic materials is proposed. It is based on a thermomechanical model for PT that includes strain softening and the corresponding strain localization during PT. Mesh sensitivity in numerical simulations is avoided by using rate-dependent constitutive equations in the model. Due to strain softening, a microstructure comprised of pure martensitic and austenitic domains separated by narrow transition zones is obtained as the solution of the corresponding boundary value problem. In contrast to Landau–Ginzburg models, which are limited in practice to nanoscale specimens, this new phase field model is valid for scales greater than 100 nm and without upper bound. A finite element algorithm for the solution of elastic problems with multivariant martensitic PT is developed and implemented into the software ABAQUS. Simulated microstructures in elastic single crystals and polycrystals under uniaxial loading are in qualitative agreement with those observed experimentally.
Particle Confinement Scaling in Field-Reversed Configurations

The particle confinement time in field-reversed configurations has been experimentally investigated in the FRX-$C$ device. The measured confinement times of 70 to 190 \ensuremath{\mu}s are consistent with $\frac{{R}^{2}}{{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{i0}}$ scaling and are in good agreement with theoretical predictions of lower-hybrid-drift-induced particle transport.
A Feldmannia Algal Virus Has Two Genome Size-Classes

Abstract Persistent viruses occur intracellularly in brown algae, specifically the Ectocarpales, and as reported here in the genus Feldmannia. Feldmannia species are small (1 mm–several cm), filamentous forms with single-celled meiotic sporangia that normally produce haploid zoospores. In the isolate reported here, spores were not observed in the sporangia but rather numerous (∼10 6 per cell) polyhedral viruses are formed in their place. Two dsDNA genome classes of 158 and 178 kbp, with two restriction site variants of each, are described. The individual abundance of each genome in viral preparations is affected by culture temperature. A cosmid library was used to generate circular restriction enzyme ( Bam HI, Not I, and Pst I) site maps.
Long-Range AC Electroosmotic Trapping and Detection of Bioparticles

Microfluidic devices with integrated electrical detection will enable fast, low-cost or portable sensing and processing of biological and chemical samples. By employing microfabrication, microelectrical impedance spectroscopy detectors are designed to take advantage of AC electroosmosis to rapidly concentrate bioparticles, leading to enhanced sensitivity due to a reduction of the transport time to the detector. Electrodes were fabricated by integrated circuit technology. Experiments were performed to find the optimal voltage and frequency ranges such that a trapping converging flow exists on the electrodes and the assembled cells exhibit sensitive impedance spectrum signatures. Preliminary results show resolution at a concentration of 10 4 bacteria/mL, indicating that combining AC electroosmosis with impedance measurement can improve the sensitivity and speed of detection of bacteria in solutions with conductivity comparable to that in environmental applications. The bacterial impedance signatures are, however, different in tap water and PBS buffers, due perhaps to different ion transport properties across the cell membranes in the two solutions.
Superspace formulation of ten-dimensional N=1 supergravity coupled to N=1 super Yang-Mills theory.

We present an on-shell superspace formulation of ten-dimensional N = 1 supergravity coupled to N = 1 super Yang-Mills theory. The coupling is completely specified in superspace by the Bianchi identity dH = c/sub 1/trF/sup 2/, where H is the gauge-invariant three-form field strength of supergravity and F is the two-form super Yang-Mills field strength. We also briefly discuss the theory that results from modifying this Bianchi identity by the addition of a piece proportional to the square of the super curvature two-form.
Improved Resolution and Image Separation (IRIS) Satellite: astronomical observations with a large occulting satellite

Natural occultations have long been used to study sources on small angular scales, while coronographs have been used to study high contrast sources. We propose launching the Improved Resolution and Image Selection (IRIS) Satellite, a large steerable occulting satellite. IRIS will have several advantages over standard occulting bodies. IRIS woudl block over 99.8 percent of the visible light from an occulted point source. Because the occultation occurs outside both the telescope and the atmosphere, seeing and optical imperfections do not degrade this performance. If placed in Earth orbit, integration times of 160-1600 s can be achieved from most major telescope sites for objects in over 90 percent of the sky. Alternately, IRIS could be combined with a 2-4 meter space telescope at the Earth-Sun L2 point to yield very long integration times. Applications for IRIS include direct imaging of planets around nearby stars, and resolution of micro-lensed images of LMC and Galactic bulge stars into distinct image pairs. Resolution of microlensed stars would greatly improve our understanding of the massive compact halo objects comprising 20-90 percent of the mass of our galaxy. Direct imaging of planets, would enhance our understanding of star formation, formation of planetary systems, and perhaps ultimately help evaluate the probability of extraterrestrial life.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Stochastic finite element analysis of a vibrating string

Abstract The response of a vibrating string subjected to spatial white noise excitation is analyzed by using the finite element (Galerkin) method. The discretization is achieved by using basis functions in the spatial and random spaces. The continuous time finite element equations are then integrated in time by using the central difference algorithm. It is shown that when the string is divided into N segments, the Galerkin approach leads to N ( N −1) degrees of freedom which are governed by N subsets of equations. The subsets are similar in form. Furthermore, for a uniform string, they are governed by the same operator as that which governs the system of ( N −1) degrees of freedom arising from the corresponding deterministic problem. Random initial conditions can also be treated by the same method, and the analysis of strings with initial conditions described by the standard Brownian process is carried out. Numerical results are given to illustrate the stochastic response.
Quality variations and the choice between foreign and indigenous goods or technology

Abstract In this paper, different production techniques are distinguished by both their resource requirements and the quality of their outputs. The optimal choice of production methods depends upon demand conditions, as well as the economy's capital-labor endowment and the technical characteristics of the alternatives. When product quality improvement is possible through the adoption of a foreign, advanced, capital-intensive technique, at most two techniques should be employed and the more closely matched are the capital-labor requirement of the advanced method and the aggregate capital-labor ratio, the greater the extent of adoption. The presence of a competing quality-improving activity using the indigenous technology reduces the range of aggregate capital-labor endowments for which the advanced technique should be employed. We consider quality inspection of units which reduces the amount of tradable output produced by given inputs as its market value increases. Economies of scale, in that the per unit cost of a given quality improvement falls with increasing sectoral output, are included.
Effect of dose on the energy dependence of LiF thermoluminescent radiation dosimeters

Abstract Lithium fluoride crystals used as thermoluminescent dosimeters show a clear energy dependence which is a function of the radiation dose. Dosimeters are more sensitive to low than to high energy radiation at low dose, of equal sensitivity at some intermediate dose range, and less sensitive at high dose. The prior annealing history of the crystals influences their absolute sensitivity and also their dose-dependence which can be minimized by proper choice of annealment time and temperature. Thus, when LiF is used as a dosimeter for different energy radiations or in a radiation field consisting of high and low energy components, the influence of energy dependence, but also of dose must be known and considered.
Determination of quantitative and site-specific DNA methylation of perforin by pyrosequencing.

Background: Differential expression of perforin (PRF1), a gene with a pivotal role in immune surveillance, can be attributed to differential methylation of CpG sites in its promoter region. A reproducible method for quantitative and CpG site-specific determination of perforin methylation is required for molecular epidemiologic studies of chronic diseases with immune dysfunction. Findings: We developed a pyrosequencing based method to quantify site-specific methylation levels in 32 out of 34 CpG sites in the PRF1 promoter, and also compared methylation pattern in DNAs extracted from whole blood drawn into PAXgene blood DNA tubes (whole blood DNA) or DNA extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC DNA) from the same normal subjects. Sodium bisulfite treatment of DNA and touchdown PCR were highly reproducible (coefficient of variation 1.63 to 2.18%) to preserve methylation information. Application of optimized pyrosequencing protocol to whole blood DNA revealed that methylation level varied along the promoter in normal subjects with extremely high methylation (mean 86%; range 82–92%) in the distal enhancer region (CpG sites 1–10), a variable methylation (range 49%–83%) in the methylation sensitive region (CpG sites 11–17), and a progressively declining methylation level (range 12%–80%) in the proximal promoter region (CpG sites 18–32) of PRF1. This pattern of methylation remained the same between whole blood and PBMC DNAs, but the absolute values of methylation in 30 out of 32 CpG sites differed significantly, with higher values for all CpG sites in the whole blood DNA. Conclusion: This reproducible, site-specific and quantitative method for methylation determination of PRF1 based on pyrosequencing without cloning is well suited for large-scale molecular epidemiologic studies of diseases with immune dysfunction. PBMC DNA may be better suited than whole blood DNA for examining methylation levels in genes associated with immune function.
Direct Coupling Of Single-Mode Nd Fiber Laser To Multimode Laser Diode Pump

We report the alignment details for efficient direct coupling of a single-mode Nd fiber laser to a multimode, highly divergent laser diode pump source. A double-clad fiber structure with a rectangular shape and large NA (0.4) allows for efficient excitation of the single-mode core in a simple end-pumped configuration. Pump conversion efficiency of up to 25% is observed, with CW output power to 0.12 Watt in the case of a single laser diode pump.
The evolution of a nontraditional nursing curriculum in Switzerland.

This article introduces the transition of Haute Ecole de Sante Geneve (HEDS) from Le Bon Secours (LBS). History reveals that unlike many nursing schools in Switzerland, HEDS absorbed the nurse education culture of the United States. HEDS was influenced by the vision of its founder Dr. Champendal, the support and strategies of the Rockefeller Foundation, American nurse education through its past directors, and eventually the European educational reform. Founded in 1905 with a vision to be in constant evolution, HEDS is still making a difference in the local and global community through opportunities for transcontinental presence for its students. The international vision of this school with new English-speaking strategies will lead HEDS to define and develop nursing science research in Western Europe and Switzerland. This article will inspire academics to initiate steps to provide a unique experience for their nursing students.
Inherited primary renal tubular hypokalemic alkalosis: A review of Gitelman and Bartter syndromes

Inherited hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, or Bartter syndrome, comprises several closely related disorders of renal tubular electrolyte transport. Recent advances in the field of molecular genetics have demonstrated that there are four genetically distinct abnormalities, which result from mutations in renal electrolyte transporters and channels. Neonatal Bartter syndrome affects neonates and is characterized by polyhydramnios, premature delivery, severe electrolyte derangements, growth retardation, and hypercalciuria leading to nephrocalcinosis. It may be caused by a mutation in the gene encoding the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter (NKCC2) or the outwardly rectifying potassium channel (ROMK), a regulator of NKCC2. Classic Bartter syndrome is due to a mutation in the gene encoding the chloride channel (CLCNKB), also a regulator of NKCC2, and typically presents in infancy or early childhood with failure to thrive. Nephrocalcinosis is typically absent despite hypercalciuria. The hypocalciuric, hypomagnesemic variant of Bartter syndrome (Gitelman syndrome), presents in early adulthood with predominantly musculoskeletal symptoms and is due to mutations in the gene encoding the Na-Cl cotransporter (NCCT). Even though our understanding of these disorders has been greatly advanced by these discoveries, the pathophysiology remains to be completely defined. Genotype-phenotype correlations among the four disorders are quite variable and continue to be studied. A comprehensive review of Bartter and Gitelman syndromes will be provided here.
Short-Term Soil Responses for an Emulated Loblolly Pine Silvopasture

Pine (Pinus spp. L.) stands are often overstocked early in the tree rotation, prior to initial thinning. While pre- and/or post-thinning fertilizer applications are best-management practices to optimize growth of southern pines, there can be poor nitrogen (N) utilization and adverse environmental impacts associated with fertilization. Our objective was to determine short-term (3-year) soil responses of an emulated loblolly pine (P. taeda L.) silvopasture, which received a single application of commercial N–phosphorus (P)–potassium (K) fertilizer (CF) or pelletized poultry litter (PPL) applied at about midrotation (12 years postplanting). Compared to the control, CF decreased soil pH at depths of 0–10 and 10–30 cm, and PPL increased Mehlich 3 available P at 0–10 cm. Fertilizer responses were found for soil extractable ammonium (NH4 +)-N, and nitrate (NO3 −)-N concentrations, mineral N ha−1, pH, and available P but not for diel carbon dioxide–carbon (CO2-C) flux, total C, and total N. Total soil C, total so...
Multi-stream video transport over MPLS networks

This paper presents a study on traffic management for transporting progressive video streams over multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) networks. Based on the variety of MPLS service models, a unique multi-stream video transport scheme is proposed. A 3-D subband video coder is used in generating the source data traffic. A special feature of this video coder is that the coded bit stream can be easily segmented into sub-streams with different quality of service (QoS) requirements. After source coding and segmentation, multiple streams are formed. Upon their entering into the network, they are labeled with different forwarding equivalence classes (FECs). Specific label switch paths (LSPs) are selected by the MPLS protocols to achieve the desired quality levels. The proposed scheme is studied under the metrics such as the end-to-end video delivery quality, the bandwidth consumption and the pricing of the service. Extensive simulations have been conducted in this study, and some of the results are presented in this paper.
Conversion of Linoleic-I-C14 Acid to Arachidonic Acid in the Gerbil:

SummaryThe fatty acid composition of total body fat of the gerbil was determined by gas liquid chromatography and compared to that of the rat. Oleic was the major fatty acid while in the rat linoleic and oleic were the predominant acids. Linoleic-1-C14 acid was administered orally as the methyl ester and C14 arachidonic acid isolated from total body fat. Stepwise degradation of the product revealed the synthesis of arachidonic acid, as in the rat, by the condensation of linoleate with an acetate moiety derived from linoleic acid.
Monobit Subsampler for Digital Downconversion in Pulse-Doppler Radar Applications

This paper introduces a monobit RF subsampling technique for digital downconversion in pulse-Doppler radar systems. Design considerations for this application include the level of quantization imbalance given a noise-only input, the relation between input and output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the affect of jitter over the complete dynamic range of operation, and sensitivity to intermodulation distortion. An RF integrated circuit is designed to demonstrate the monobit subsampling approach. Measured results show excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. The device can detect a 495-MHz signal at input SNR levels less than -30 dB using a 1-MHz sampling clock. Excellent performance is maintained even in severe timing environments showing more than 400 ps of rms clock jitter.
Dynamic ECO-driving for arterial corridors

There are a variety of strategies that are now being considered to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from the transportation sector. One strategy that is gaining interest worldwide is known as “eco-driving”. Eco-driving typically consists of changing a person's driving behavior based on general (static) advice to the driver, such as accelerating slowly, driving smoothly, reducing high speeds, etc. Taking this one-step further, it is possible to provide realtime advice to drivers based on changing traffic and infrastructure conditions for even greater fuel and emission savings. This concept of dynamic eco-driving takes advantage of real-time traffic sensing and infrastructure information, which can then be communicated to a vehicle with a goal of reducing fuel consumption and emissions. In this paper, we consider dynamic eco-driving in an arterial corridor with traffic signals, where signal phase and timing information of a traffic light is provided to the vehicle. The vehicle can then adjust its velocity while traveling through a signalized corridor with the goal of minimizing fuel consumption and emissions. A dynamic eco-driving velocity planning algorithm has been developed and is described herein. This algorithm has then been tested in simulation, showing initial fuel economy and CO 2 improvements of around 12%.
Evidence for Lateral Angle Effect on Single-Event Latchup in 65 nm SRAMs

Single event latchup (SEL) in a 65 nm CMOS SRAM technology due to heavy ions is observed and device sensitivity is shown to be a strong function of lateral beam orientation, angle of incidence, and temperature. Experimental results show the importance of testing at multiple lateral beam orientations to properly characterize device sensitivity.
On the Experiential Link Between Spatial and Temporal Language

How do we understand time and other entities we can neither touch nor see? One possibility is that we tap into our concrete, experiential knowledge, including our understanding of physical space and motion, to make sense of abstract domains such as time. To examine how pervasive an aspect of cognition this is, we investigated whether thought about a nonliteral type of motion called fictive motion (FM; as in The road runs along the coast) can influence thought about time. Our results suggest that FM uses the same structures evoked in understanding literal motion, and that these literal aspects of FM influence temporal reasoning.
The in vitro effect of toluene diisocyanate on lymphocyte cyclic adenosine monophosphate production by isoproterenol, prostaglandin, and histamine: a possible mode of action.

Abstract Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) significantly inhibits the rise in intracellular cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) that follows in vitro incubation of human lymphocytes with 6.7 × 10 −3 M isoproterenol and 1 × 10 −6 M prostaglandin E 1 (p −3 M). The inhibitory action of TDI is greatest at a concentration of 3.3 × 10 −4 M and diminishes as the TDI concentration is increased or decreased. TDI also causes four- to fivefold stimulation of lymphocyte cAMP, an effect that is maximal at 1 × 10 −3 M, a concentration which has no significant inhibitory effect on stimulation of cAMP by isoproterenol or prostaglandin E 1 . Conversely, 3.3 × 10 −4 M TDI, which inhibits cAMP production by isoproterenol and prostaglandin, has little stimulatory effect itself on cAMP production. This evidence suggests that TDI might induce obstructive airways disease through pharmacologic mechanisms and that TDI may be acting as a partial agonist.