cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Growth mechanism and structure of ultrathin Pd films vapor-deposited on Ta(110)

The structure and growth of Pd films formed by vapor-deposition on Ta(110) have been studied using AES and LEED over a wide range of substrate temperatures. The thermal stability of monolayer, bilayer and trilayer Pd was examined also. At 300 K, the growth of Pd on Ta(110) is best described by a Frank-van der Merwe (layer-by-layer) growth mode. Initially, the first Pd layer grows in 2D pseudomorphic islands up to a Pd coverage of θPd = 0.65 (defined relative to the atomic density of the (111) surface of bulk Pd, θPd = 1). Subsequent deposition of Pd atoms induces a phase structural phase transition; for 0.65 < θPd< 1.0 the monolayer growth proceeds through formation of 2D islands of Pd fcc (111) structure. At 125 K, the growth mode of Pd/Ta(110) is similar, but seems to deviate slightly from the layer-by-layer mode. For a substrate temperature of 500 K the growth mechanism changes. The first layer is still pseudomorphic initially, but the phase transition to the Pd fcc(111) structure occurs at θPd = 0.82. After completion of the Pd monolayer, additional Pd deposition results in the formation of 3D crystallites 2–3 layers thick on top the first Pd layer, i.e., a Stranski-Krastanov growth mode occurs at 500 K. Annealing studies show that the pseudomorphic Pd monolayer is stable to very high temperatures (up to 1350 K), but the growth of Pd crystallites occurs upon heating thicker Pd layers above 370 K.
Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Placental Extract in the Prevention and Modification of Measles.

Summary Placental extract can be prepared in large amounts and can be made available for the large scale prevention or modification of measles. Attempts to refine and concentrate the measles antibody have resulted in preparations of less potency than the extracts containing all of the globulins. However, the refined preparations can be passed through Berkefeld filters and may therefore be deemed safer to use. The results in a series of 1,258 cases demonstrate that the refined extracts, although less active than the crude preparations, are still effective in the prevention or modification of measles. However, this number of tests is inadequate to permit the determination of the best fraction of the extract to use and the dosage required in children of various ages and at various stages of the incubation period of the disease. The scarlet fever and diphtheria antibodies in placental extract appear to be almost entirely in the pseudoglobulin fraction, whereas the measles and poliomyelitis antibodies appear to be distributed throughout several protein fractions. The tissue protein insoluble in acidified salt solution contains no diphtheria antitoxin but does contain the antibody neutralizing poliomyelitis virus. It has not been tested for activity against measles. Reactions following the injection of placental extract, although infrequent, appear to be due in some measure to the inclusion in the finished extract of variable amounts of a specific tissue protein. A method of preparation and administration of extract to eliminate reactions is at present under investigation.
Application of linear programming theory to crystal faceting

Abstract The determination of the minimum free energy that an infinite planar surface of orientation σ 0 can achieve by faceting (breaking up into orientations other than the one originally present) is formulated as a linear programming (L.P.) problem. By appealing to the dual theorem of L.P. theory, the minimum is found to be given by the distance from the origin to a plane which is perpendicular to σ 0 , and which touches but does not cut the Gibbs-Wulff equilibrium form. The construction also gives the orientations present on the faceted surface. A λ-plot is constructed, representing the minimum energy attainable by faceting as a function of orientation. Certain previous results due to HERRING are reinterpreted by comparing the λ-plot with the ordinary polar plot of free energy (γ-plot).
Comparisons of Shipboard Infrared Sea Surface Skin Temperature Measurements from the CIRIMS and the M-AERI

Abstract Extensive comparisons are made of the infrared sea surface skin temperature Tskin measured by the Calibrated Infrared In situ Measurement System (CIRIMS) and the Marine-Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (M-AERI). Data were collected from four separate deployments on the NOAA research vessel (R/V) Ronald H. Brown and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Polar Sea over a wide range of latitudes and environmental conditions. The deployment time totaled roughly 6 months over a 4-yr period and resulted in over 7000 comparison values. The mean offset between the two instruments showed that CIRIMS consistently measured a lower temperature than the M-AERI, but by less than 0.10°C. This mean offset was found to be dependent upon sky condition, wind speed, and ship roll, which implies the offset is likely due to uncertainty in the emissivity. The CIRIMS Tskin was recomputed using two alterative emissivity values, one based on emissivity measured by the M-AERI and the other based on a wind-speed-dependent ...
An investigation of apparent mass psychogenic illness in an electronics plant.

An investigation of a case of apparent mass psychogenic illness was undertaken in a midwestern electronics assembly plant. The plant employed 500 workers, of whom 80% were female. The illness outbreak involved a total of 90 female first shift workers who reported a variety of nonspecific symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and lightheadedness in response to a strange odor in the workplace. Although environmental testing revealed some localized concentrations of a few airbone contaminants, no environmental toxins were discovered that could account for the continuing outbreaks of illness. An ad hocsample of affected and nonaffected workers was surveyed to assess the influence of psychological, sociological, and work environment factors in the outbreak. Analysis of the data revealed that affected workers reported more physical discomfort (temperature, variations, poor lighting) in the workplace as well as psychological job stress (increase in workload, conflicts with supervisors) than did nonaffected workers. Moreover, affected workers scored significantly higher than nonaffected workers on personality tests measuring extraversion and hysteria traits.
Neurotransmitter specificity of cells and fibers in the medial preoptic nucleus: an immunohistochemical study in the rat

The medial preoptic nucleus (MPN) is a sexually dimorphic complex with three major subdivisions. The cell-dense central (MPNc) and medial (MPNm) subdivisions are larger in male rats, while the cell-sparse lateral subdivision (MPNl) occupies a majority of the nucleus in females. In the present study we evaluated the distribution of possible monoaminergic and peptidergic cells and fibers within the MPN, as well as in adjacent regions of the medial preoptic area of the adult male rat. For this, we used an indirect immunohistochemical method with antisera to serotonin (5HT), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), neuropeptide Y (NPY), cholecystokinin (CCK), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), substance P (SP), neurotensin (NT), corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), luteotropin-releasing hormone (LRH), somatostatin (SS), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), oxytocin (OXY), vasopressin (VAS), adrenocorticotropic hormone (1-24; ACTH), alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), leucine-enkephalin (L-ENK), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). The results suggest that cell bodies and/or fibers crossreacting with all of these putative neurotransmitters are differentially distributed within the MPN. Within the MPNm, the densest plexuses of fibers were stained with antisera to SP and NPY, while moderate densities of fibers were stained with anti-DBH, SS, CCK, CGRP, ACTH, and alpha-MSH, and only a few fibers were stained with anti-5HT, TH, NT, VAS, and L-ENK. Moderate numbers of SP- and L-ENK-immunoreactive cell bodies, and a few SS-, NT-, CRF-, and TRH-stained cell bodies were also found within the MPNm. The MPNc contained a dense plexus of CCK-immunoreactive fibers, as well as a few CRF-immunoreactive fibers. Both fiber types were localized almost exclusively to this subdivision, while most of the others studied here appeared to avoid it selectively. This suggests that there are relatively few inputs to the MPNc, and that they tend to avoid other parts of the nucleus, although moderate densities of DBH- and NPY-immunoreactive fibers were found in both the MPNm and MPNc. The MPNc contained several CCK-immunoreactive cell bodies as well as a moderate number of TRH-stained cell bodies. Both cell types were nearly completely localized to the MPNc. The major inputs to the MPNl studied here appear to be stained with antisera to 5HT and L-ENK, although moderate numbers of NT- and CRF- immunoreactive fibers were also found in this part of the nucleus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Nature of the striated muscle fibre membrane.

AT the present time, considerable confusion exists as to what should properly be called the sarcolemma, or true muscle fibre membrane. Long1 denned the sarcolemma as a bipartite structure consisting of an inner layer, the true plasma membrane, and an outer layer composed of reticular fibrils. Meyer and Bernfeld2 concluded that the sarcolemma is a collagenous-type protein. Jones and Barer3 failed to find evidence of a collagenous or fibrillar structure.
Analytical characteristics of an optimized miniature inductively-coupled plasma source for atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract The inside dimensions of a miniature (13 mm i.d.) inductively-coupled plasma (i.c.p.) torch were optimized in an attempt to reduce further the r.f. power and argon gas required to sustain an i.c.p. As found earlier with a conventional-sized (18 mm i.d.) torch, the annular spacing between the plasma (intermediate) and coolant (outer) tube was shown to be the most critical design parameter. However, the optimized miniature i.c.p. could not necessarily be operated at lower r.f. power and argon flow rate than the optimized 18-mm torch or at lower argon flow rate than the original 13-mm torch. Moreover, although the detection limits and working-curve linearity of the optimized mini-i.c.p. were comparable to those of a conventional-sized torch, the errors caused by classical vaporization interferents were somewhat greater.
ASSEMBLY MECHANISM OF DICTYOSTELIUM MYOSIN II : REGULATION BY K+, MG2+, AND ACTIN FILAMENTS

Regulated assembly of myosin II in Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae partially controls the orderly formation of contractile structures during cytokinesis and cell migration. Kinetic and structural analyses show that Dictyostelium myosin II assembles by a sequential process of slow nucleation and controlled growth that differs in rate and mechanism from other conventional myosins. Nuclei form by an ordered progression from myosin monomers to parallel dimers to 0.43 microns long antiparallel tetramers. Lateral addition of dimers to bipolar tetramers completes the assembly of short (0.45 microns) blunt-ended thick filaments. Myosin heads are not staggered along the length of tapered thick filaments as in skeletal muscle, nor are bipolar minifilaments formed as in Acanthamoeba. The overall assembly reaction incorporating both nucleation and growth could be kinetically characterized by a second-order rate constant (kobs,N+G) of 1.85 x 10(4) M-1 s-1. Individual rate constants obtained for nucleation, kobs,N = 4.5 x 10(3) M-1 s-1, and growth, kobs,G = 2.5 x 10(4) M-1 s-1, showed Dictyostelium myosin II to be the slowest assembling myosin analyzed to date. Nucleation and growth stages were independently regulated by Mg2+, K+, and actin filaments. Increasing concentrations of K+ from 50 to 150 mM specifically inhibited lateral growth of dimers off nuclei. Intracellular concentrations of Mg2+ (1 mM) accelerated nucleation but maintained distinct nucleation and growth phase kinetics. Networks of actin filaments also accelerated the nucleation stage of assembly, mechanistically accounting for spontaneous formation of actomyosin contractile fibers via myosin assembly (Mahajan et al., 1989). The distinct assembly mechanism and regulation utilized by Dictyostelium myosin II demonstrates that myosins from smooth muscle, striated muscle, and two types of amoebae form unique thick filaments by different pathways.
Mechanism of ion conduction in alkali metal-polymer complexes

Abstract Polymer electrolytes have many materials properties which are attractive for applications in advanced electrochemical devices. However the ionic conductivities are still too low for widespread utilization. One avenue for the improvement of the conductivity is the delineation of the factors which influence ion transport in polymers. The most successful models for alkali metal ion transport in polymers are based on the concept that ions are passed between polymer segments by large amplitude polymer motions, and that relatively few interactions between the ion and polar polymer groups are broken in the transition state. Evidence for the contribution of polymer segmental motion to ion transport is obtained from the form of the temperature-dependent conductivity, from the higher conductivity for amorphous than for crystalline polymers, from the decrease in conductivity with increasing pressure, and from doping experiments. Simple energy estimates indicate that the ion motion probably occurs with the breaking of at most one or two cation-polar group interactions, rather than the hop of an ion from one polymer chain to the next.
Monitoring Universal Protocol Compliance Through Real-Time Clandestine Observation by Medical Students Results in Performance Improvement

Objective To measure universal protocol compliance through real-time, clandestine observation by medical students compared with chart audit reviews, and to enable medical students the opportunity to become conscious of the importance of medical errors and safety initiatives. Design With endorsement from Tufts Medical Center's (TMC's) Chief Medical Officer and Surgeon-in-Chief, 8 medical students performed clandestine observation audits of 98 cases from April to August 2009. A compliance checklist was based on TMC's presurgical checklist. Our initial results led to interventions to improve our universal protocol procedures, including modifications to the operating room white board and presurgical checklist, and specific feedback to surgical departments. One year later, 6 medical students performed observations of 100 cases from June to August 2010. Setting Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, which is an academic medical center and the principal teaching hospital for Tufts University School of Medicine. Participants An operating room coordinator placed the medical students into 1 of our 25 operating rooms with students entering under the premise of observing the anesthesiologist for clinical education. The observations were performed Monday to Friday between 7 am and 4 pm . Although observations were not randomized, no single service or type of surgery was targeted for observation. Results A broad range of departments was observed. In 8.2% of cases, the surgical site was unmarked. A Time Out occurred in 89.7% of cases. The entire surgical team was attentive during the time out in 82% of cases. The presurgical checklist was incomplete before incision in 13 cases. Images were displayed in 82% of cases. The operating room “white board” was filled out completely in 49% of cases. Team introductions occurred in 13 cases. One year later, compliance increased in all Universal Protocol dimensions. Conclusions Direct, real-time observation by medical students provides an accurate and granular assessment of compliance with specific components of the universal protocol and engages medical students in the quality improvement process, raises their awareness of the gravity of medical errors, and ensures appreciation of the importance of quality and safety initiatives.
The use of oven heat sag to determine heat resistance in polypropylenes

Heat deflection is often the only test used to determine a materials ability to withstand exposure to elevated temperatures under load. This test has its limitations, simply because not all materials operate under loads of 1820 kPa (264 psi) or 455 kPa (66 psi). Consequently, heat deflection cannot always give a true indication of a materials high temperature capabilities. The automotive industry has used the heat sag test to measure the deformation of elastomeric materials during the paint curing process. The heat sag test measures the sag of a molded bar. One end of the bar is clamped while the other end is free to sag or deflect. Samples are tested over a range of temperatures to determine the failure deflection point. This study examines the correlation of the heat sag to heat deflection and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) on polypropylene resins and compounds and polystyrene.
Lateral Diffusion from Ligand Dissociation and Rebinding at Surfaces

The lateral diffusion coefficient of a ligand which repeatedly dissociates and rebinds to sites on a planar surface is described. An analytical expression showing the manner in which the diffusion ...
Medical education for minorities at a US medical school

Summary. The University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSM) has initiated new efforts to build a regional minority applicant pool and to expand its educational programmes to accommodate students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Specific interventions include: establishment of medical career planner position to coordinate region-wide outreach; pre-entry education; and support activities once enrolled. This study describes specific services and presents sociodemographic and performance data on 56 minority and 280 majority students entering the UWSM between 1981 and 1985. Economic status and educational background of minority students were significantly below that of majority students. While academic performance of minority students tended to fall below that of majority students, several flexible academic policies enabled most students to achieve mastery in courses and to progress through the curriculum. The educational data base utilized in this study, and those at other institutions, can assume important roles in the identification of problem areas in the education of disadvantaged students and in evaluation of the interventions attempted.
THE EFFECT OF AGEING ON RNA/DNA RATIOS IN BRAIN REGIONS OF THE C57BL/6J MALE MOUSE

—The effect of ageing on RNA/DNA was investigated in brain regions and liver of a healthy subpopulation of C57BL/6J male mice. A decrease of 10% in RNA/DNA was found in senescent striatum in contrast to absence of significant change in the hypothalamus, cerebellum, hippocampus, septum and liver.
A Signaling Pathway Involving TGF-β2 and Snail in Hair Follicle Morphogenesis

In a common theme of organogenesis, certain cells within a multipotent epithelial sheet exchange signals with their neighbors and develop into a bud structure. Using hair bud morphogenesis as a paradigm, we employed mutant mouse models and cultured keratinocytes to dissect the contributions of multiple extracellular cues in orchestrating adhesion dynamics and proliferation to shape the cluster of cells involved. We found that transforming growth factor β2 signaling is necessary to transiently induce the transcription factor Snail and activate the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in the bud. In the epidermis, Snail misexpression leads to hyperproliferation and a reduction in intercellular adhesion. When E-cadherin is transcriptionally down-regulated, associated adhesion proteins with dual functions in signaling are released from cell-cell contacts, a process which we demonstrate leads to Ras-MAPK activation. These studies provide insights into how multipotent cells within a sheet are stimulated to undergo transcriptional changes that result in proliferation, junctional remodeling, and bud formation. This novel signaling pathway further weaves together the web of different morphogens and downstream transcriptional events that guide hair bud formation within the developing skin.
Immunologic characterization of oligodendroglia.

Abstract Oligodendrocytes were isolated from bovine white matter by trypsinization and sucrose gradient centrifugation, and were injected into rabbits. Indirect immunofluorescence studies showed that antisera reacted specifically with the surface of isolated oligodendrocytes in suspension, as well as with perineural and interfasicular oligodendroglia in bovine and human brain sections. This activity was blocked by pre-incubation of cells or brain sections with non-fluoresceinated goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin, and absorbed by oligodendrocytes or white matter, but not by purified myelin, neuroblastoma or liver.
Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase 1 Receptor Internalization and Endosomal Signaling Mediate the Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide-Induced Increase in Guinea Pig Cardiac Neuron Excitability

After G-protein-coupled receptor activation and signaling at the plasma membrane, the receptor complex is often rapidly internalized via endocytic vesicles for trafficking into various intracellular compartments and pathways. The formation of signaling endosomes is recognized as a mechanism that produces sustained intracellular signals that may be distinct from those generated at the cell surface for cellular responses including growth, differentiation, and survival. Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP; Adcyap1) is a potent neurotransmitter/neurotrophic peptide and mediates its diverse cellular functions in part through internalization of its cognate G-protein-coupled PAC1 receptor (PAC1R; Adcyap1r1). In the present study, we examined whether PAC1R endocytosis participates in the regulation of neuronal excitability. Although PACAP increased excitability in 90% of guinea pig cardiac neurons, pretreatment with Pitstop 2 or dynasore to inhibit clathrin and dynamin I/II, respectively, suppressed the PACAP effect. Subsequent addition of inhibitor after the PACAP-induced increase in excitability developed gradually attenuated excitability with no changes in action potential properties. Likewise, the PACAP-induced increase in excitability was markedly decreased at ambient temperature. Receptor trafficking studies with GFP-PAC1 cell lines demonstrated the efficacy of Pitstop 2, dynasore, and low temperatures at suppressing PAC1R endocytosis. In contrast, brefeldin A pretreatments to disrupt Golgi vesicle trafficking did not blunt the PACAP effect, and PACAP/PAC1R signaling still increased neuronal cAMP production even with endocytic blockade. Our results demonstrate that PACAP/PAC1R complex endocytosis is a key step for the PACAP modulation of cardiac neuron excitability.
Synthesis of Zeolitic Mesoporous Materials by Dry Gel Conversion under Controlled Humidity

A new variation to the dry gel conversion method for the preparation of zeolite is introduced, where the conversion to zeolite was accomplished under water vapor below the saturation condition. The dry gel was made either by vacuum concentration or by surfactant flocculation from a silica precursor sol after the preliminary hydrothermal step. Depending of the humidity under which the conversion took place, mesoporous structures with varying MFI crystallinity, BET, and crystalline external surface areas were produced. The effects of precursor preparation and surfactant flocculation conditions on mesoporosity and crystallinity of the final product, as well as the steam stability of the product, were also investigated. The approach could find general application in the synthesis of other zeolites as well as metal oxides.
The maximal dissipation rate criterion—I. Hypothesis and theoretical considerations

Abstract Fatigue cracks in FCC single crystals often propagate along planar slip bands which form on {111} planes ahead of the propagating crack. Such crystallographic crack propagation behavior, which develops even in sharp notched fatigue specimens subjected to mode I loading, is not predicted by any of the currently available criteria for determining crack plane orientation under mixed mode loading conditions. In this paper the following hypothesis is investigated: Crack propagation occurs such that a cracked body's global dissipation rate is maximized . This maximal dissipation rate criterion is developed via consideration of a simple energy balance. The criterion is shown to be equivalent under certain conditions to a form of the maximum energy release rate criterion. A special case of the criterion applicable to planar slip band cracks in FCC single crystals is also developed.
Inhibitory effect of paclitaxel and rapamycin individual and dual drug-loaded polymeric micelles in the angiogenic cascade.

Angiogenesis is an essential process for disease progression in many solid tumors. There are several major cascade events in the angiogenic process that can be targeted to inhibit new blood vessel formation in the tumor tissue. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the inhibitory effect of paclitaxel (PTX) and rapamycin (RAP) as individual and in dual drug-loaded poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(d,l-lactic acid) (PEG-b-PLA) micelles on the angiogenic cascade processes of proliferation, migration, and tube formation. PEG-b-PLA PTX and/or RAP micelles were formed and characterized for size and drug loading. Sizes of individual and dual drug micelles were below 40 nm. PEG-b-PLA micelles significantly enhanced the aqueous solubility of PTX 1.80 mg/mL and RAP 1.60 mg/mL. The PTX–RAP dual drug PEG-b-PLA micelles were able to load PTX and RAP at 1.60 mg/mL for both drugs. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, tubule formation, and migration studies were performed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). PTX...
Expanding the Parameters of Service Learning: A Case Study

Service learning is an increasingly significant component of academic programs on many college campuses. International studies programs and study-abroad programs are becoming important frontiers in...
Chemisorptioh of gases on a promoted iron catalyst: II. Exchange between deuterium and preadsorbed ammonia☆

Abstract As an extension of the study of chemisorption of gases on a promoted iron catalyst, the chemisorption of ammonia has been studied by the temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and by the exchange reaction with deuterium. TPD generally gave three peaks, ammonia, hydrogen and nitrogen. When the amount of ammonia adsorbed was less than 9 × 10 13 molecules/cm 2 ; however, all ammonia decomposed in TPD and gave only two peaks, hydrogen and nitrogen. The exchange reaction between deuterium and ammonia preadsorbed on the surface was studied over a temperature range between −75 and 50 °C. When ammonia was preadsorbed at room temperature, it was found that two distinctively different reactions took place: a fast exchange occurred at the initial stage to an extent that corresponded to the participation of one hydrogen atom of ammonia; and this fast reaction was followed by a slower exchange reaction which involved all hydrogen atoms of ammonia. The results suggest that ammonia adsorbed dissociates into amino radicals and hydrogen atoms on the surface, and upon the admission of deuterium the hydrogen atoms are quickly equilibrated with deuterium in the initial fast exchange reaction. The rate of transfer of hydrogen atoms from the gas phase to ammonia or vice versa was obtained from the slower exchange reaction, and some possible mechanisms were discussed.
High-bandwidth multichannel optoelectronic interconnects for parallel data and image transmission and processing

A high-bandwidth, free-space integrated optoelectronic interconnect system was built for high-density, parallel data transmission and processing. Substrate-emitting 980 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays and photodetector arrays, both driven by complimentary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuitry, were employed as a transmitter and receiver. We designed, fabricated, hybridized, and packaged the VCSEL transmitter and photoreceiver arrays. Data rates above 1 Gbs for each channel on the VCSEL/CMOS emitter and 500 MHz for each channel on photoreceiver were measured, respectively. We integrated the optical interconnects using free-space optical alignment and demonstrated serial and parallel transmissions of digital data and video images.
Effect of Auxin and Cytokinin on Newly Synthesized Proteins of Cultured Douglas Fir Cytoledons

Newly synthetized cyloplasmic proteins of Douglas fir cotyledon culture capable of initiating adventitious bud formation (bud culture) were compared with those of morphologically distinct types of cultures, bud-callus culture (some adventitious buds with callus), and callus culture (no adventitious buds; only callus). SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic profiles of double labeled (14C-and 3H-) proteins showed that a persistent increase of low molecular weight proteins (16,000 to 20,000 daltons) was associated with bud culture. Similar electrophoretic profiles of proteins extracted in the absence and in the presence of protease inhibitor (4-mcthylbenzene sulfonyl fluoride) or phenolic compounds absorbents (Dowex I-X8 and polyvinylpolypyrolidine) were obtained indicating that the detected low molecular weights of these proteins represented the real monomeric state of these molecules.
A compton-suppressed phoswich detector for gamma spectroscopy

A phoswich detector with two scintillation layers has been designed and assembled at Oregon State University. This detector is able to identify and reject Compton events and ultimately reduce the Compton continuum in gamma energy spectra. In this detector, CsI(Tl) crystal is used to primarily detect photoelectric events. The CsI(Tl) crystal is partially surrounded by a BGO crystal layer to capture and identify Compton-scattered photons. Both crystals are optically coupled to a single photomultiplier tube. A real-time, FPGA-based digital pulse shape analysis was developed to discriminate and reject Compton-induced pulses from the CsI(Tl) crystal. All the digital pulse processing functions including pulse shape discrimination analysis, pile-up rejection and energy measurement were implemented in an on-board FPGA device. In this paper, the results of recent measurements using radioactive lab sources will be presented and discussed.
Colorimetric phospholipid determination with erythrosin B.

Abstract Binding of phospholipid vesicles to erythrosin B results in a shift of the absorption maximum of the dye from 528 to 549 nm. This effect was employed to develop a simple, rapid, and sensitive quantification method for unilaminar phospholipid vesicles. At room temperature the color development of the phospholipid-dye complex at 549 nm is essentially complete in 5 min and only a slight decrease is observed in the following hours. The pH optimum of 4.5 for the assay is related to the tight binding at this pH ( K d = 3.6 μg/ml). A maximal binding of one erythrosin to seven phospholipid molecules is found. The sensitivity of the assay is high for zwitterionic phospholipids (e.g., 0.023 Δ A 549 × ml/μg for dioleoyl phosphatidyl choline) and lower for anionic phospholipids. The assay depends on the size of the phospholipid liposomes, indicating the importance of the phospholipid surface area for binding.
SURGICAL REPAIR OF URETHRAL CIRCUMCISION INJURIES

AbstractPurpose: The 2 types of urethral injury that can occur during circumcision are urethrocutaneous fistula and urethral distortion secondary to partial glans amputation. We report the surgical repair of these rare injuries.Materials and Methods: In 8 patients urethrocutaneous fistulas located on the distal penile shaft or at the coronal margin were managed by splitting the glans and using a Mathieu style skin flap in 4 or vascularized penile skin flap in 4 to bridge the urethral defect. Three patients underwent repair of a hypospadiac deviated urethra secondary to partial glans amputation by 1 cm. of urethral mobilization and repositioning the meatus into a terminal position within the remaining glans tissue.Results: The 8 patients with urethrocutaneous fistulas voided via a terminal meatus without fistula recurrence at a mean followup of 3.2 years (range 1 to 6). The 3 patients with partial glans amputation and urethral deviation repaired by short urethral advancement had functionally acceptable res...
Remotely sensed object recognition using multiple comparative measures

In the real world of remote sensing, rarely does the extracted object precisely match a stored template of that object. A certain level of uncertainty must be permitted between the stored template and the extracted object. One solution to deal with this uncertainty is to evaluate measures between the object and template. Many measures have been introduced independently in literature for evaluating the statistical nature of the extracted objects such as a variety of shape and texture measures. The object is measured and compared to similar measures taken from the template. This paper suggests using measures extracted through a joint comparative process of template and object. It also suggests using multiple measures from the joint class of measures as opposed to using an individual measure to determine the sufficiency of the match. In particular, this paper demonstrates the value of using multiple comparative shape measures as opposed to one particular shape measure to achieve confidence in a match. The multiple-shape measure approach uses a matched filter measure, a Procrustes metric, a partial-direct hausdorf measure, and percent-pixels same measure. Each shape measure gives slightly different insight about the shape comparison which allows more confidence in the match. An experimental result is given that demonstrates the implementation and usefulness of the multiple comparative measure approach for recognizing objects from remotely sensed imagery.
Asymptotic properties of distributed and communication stochastic approximation algorithms

The asymptotic properties of extensions of the type of distributed or decentralized stochastic approximation proposed in [1] are developed. Such algorithms have numerous potential applications in decentralized estimation, detection and adaptive control, or in decentralized Monte Carlo simulation for system optimization (where they can exploit the possibilities of parallel processing). The structure involves several isolated processors (recursive algorithms) that communicate to each other asynchronously and at random intervals. The asymptotic (small gain) properties are derived. The communication intervals need not be strictly bounded, and they and the system noise can depend on the (communicating) system state. State space constraints are also handled. In many applications, the dynamical terms are merely indicator functions, or have other types of discontinuities. The “typical” such case is also treated, as is the case where there is noise in the communication. The linear stochastic differential equation ...
Insights into the prevalence and management of soilborne cereal pathogens under direct seeding in the Pacific Northwest, U.S.A.

Direct seeding or no-till leaves the soil undisturbed, except where the seed is planted and the soil fertilized. It offers several advantages in small-grain cereal production, including reduction in labor and other operating costs, reduction of soil erosion, and improvement of soil quality. However, only about 10% of small grains in the U.S.A., and 6% of the small grains in the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S.A. are currently direct seeded. Root diseases are major constraints to adoption of direct seeding; they increase because of lack of tillage, increased crop residue left on the surface, and typically cooler and wetter soil conditions in the spring. This review covers some recent research on the four most important root diseases of cereals in the Pacific Northwest and their causal agents. These diseases are rhizoctonia root rot and bare patch [Rhizoctonia solani AG-8, Rhizoctonia oryzae], pythium damping-off and root rot [Pythium spp.], take-all [Gaeumannomyces tritici var. tritici], and fusarium f...
Fast beam steering cholesteric diffractive devices

Electrically-controlled diffractive gratings are developed on the basis of cholesteric liquid crystal confined between two transparent non-patterned electrodes. The electrodes are coated with alignment layers providing either planar or homeotropic anchoring. For planar alignment the applied electric field causes reorientation of initial (zero field) planar state and creates 1D modulated structures in the plane of the cell. The modulations occur via two distinct scenarios: (1) nucleation and expansion of `stripes' and (2) undulation of quasinematic layers in the plane normal to the cell's plates. the process (2) is faster since it does not require overcoming an energy barrier. In cells with homeotropic surface alignment modulated structures exist without applied voltage. Magnetic field is used to provide uniform orientation of these structures. Confocal microscope studies and 2D computer simulations are carried out to reveal the fine structure of the diffractive gratings.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Orientation to rat pup cues: Effects of maternal experiential history

Abstract Pup odours and ultrasonic vocalizations interact to produce effective location of rat pups out of the nest. Whereas ultrasounds were effective directional cues for localization of pups, pup odours were not. However, pup odours determined the speed at which females initiated searching and, in addition, increased the choice of ultrasounds when these two cues were presented together. Litter removal, removing cues provided by the litter, affected orientation to ultrasounds. Stimuli from pups not only initiate and direct the location of pups but also maintain the females' predisposition to retrieve.
Voluntary accreditation of cellular therapies: Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT).

Summary Voluntary accreditation of cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products intended for human transplantation is an important mechanism for improving quality in cellular therapy. The Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) has developed and implemented programs of voluntary inspection and accreditation for hematopoietic cellular therapy, and for cord blood banking. These programs are based on the standards of the clinical and laboratory professionals of the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT), the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT), and NETCORD. FACT has collaborated with European colleagues in the development of the Joint Accreditation Committee in Europe (JAClE). FACT has published standards documents, a guidance manual, accreditation checklists, and inspection documents; and has trained as inspectors over 300 professionals active in the field. All inspectors have a minimum of 5 years' experience in the area they inspect. Since the incorporation of FACT in 1996, 215 hematopoietic progenitor cell facilities have applied for FACT accreditation. Of these facilities, 113 are fully accredited; the others are in the process o/document submission or inspection. Significant opportunities and challenges exist for FACT in the future, including keeping standards and guidance materials current and relevant, recruiting and retaining expert inspectors, and establishing collaborations to develop standards and accreditation systems for new cellular products. The continuing dialogue with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is also important to ensure that they are aware of the accomplishments of voluntary accreditation, and keep FACT membership alerted to FDA intentions for thefuture. Other potmtial avenues of communication and cooperation with FDA and other regulatory agencies are being investigated and evaluated.
Qualities of Great Leadership

Leadership is often shrouded in myths, some of which can block our ability to think clearly and accurately about what makes a leader great. Many commonly listed characteristics of “great leaders” are off the mark and some are actually negatively associated with good leadership outcomes.
Service Orientation of Restaurant Employees

Service orientation has been characterized as the disposition of employees to be helpful, thoughtful, considerate, and cooperative toward guests. The purpose of this study was to examine service or...
Relationship of plantar-flexor peak torque and dorsiflexion range of motion to kinetic variables during walking

Background and Purpose. Limited ankle plantar-flexor moments and power during walking have been documented in several patient populations and are believed to contribute to gait deviations. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of plantar-flexor peak torque (PFPT) and dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) to peak ankle moments and power during walking in a group of subjects without diabetes mellitus (DM) and in a group of subjects with DM and associated peripheral neuropathies. Subjects. Nineteen subjects, 9 with DM and associated peripheral neuropathies (mean age=58 years, SD=14, range=35–75 years) and 10 without DM (mean age=57 years, SD=11, range=37–68 years), were evaluated. Methods. The following data were collected on all subjects: PFPT, dorsiflexion ROM, and ankle moments and power during walking (using a two-dimensional link-segment model). Hierarchical multiple regression was used for data analysis. Results. Plantar-flexor peak torque made substantial contributions to the ankle moment (40%) and ankle plantar-flexor power (53%) during walking. There also was a high correlation between PFPT and dorsiflexion ROM (r=.78) and between dorsiflexion ROM and ankle power (r=.72). Conclusion and Discussion. Plantar-flexor peak torque and dorsiflexion ROM are interrelated and appear to be important factors that contribute to ankle plantar-flexor moments and power during walking. This finding suggests that increasing PFPT and dorsiflexion ROM may help decrease gait deviations such as decreased step length and walking speed. When increasing PFPT is not possible, the natural occurrence of limited dorsiflexion ROM may help to maximize ankle moments during walking. Further research is needed to test whether these proposed treatment strategies can have a clinically useful effect.
Unintended pregnancy in the United States: incidence and disparities, 2006.

Abstract Background The incidence of unintended pregnancy is among the most essential health status indicators in the field of reproductive health. One ongoing goal of the US Department of Health and Human Services is to reduce unintended pregnancy, but the national rate has not been estimated since 2001. Study Design We combined data on women's pregnancy intentions from the 2006���2008 and 2002 National Survey of Family Growth with a 2008 national survey of abortion patients and data on births from the National Center for Health Statistics, induced abortions from a national abortion provider census, miscarriages estimated from the National Survey of Family Growth and population data from the US Census Bureau. Results Nearly half (49%) of pregnancies were unintended in 2006, up slightly from 2001 (48%). The unintended pregnancy rate increased to 52 per 1000 women aged 15���44 years in 2006 from 50 in 2001. Disparities in unintended pregnancy rates among subgroups persisted and in some cases increased, and women who were 18���24 years old, poor or cohabiting had rates two to three times the national rate. The unintended pregnancy rate declined notably for teens 15���17 years old. The proportion of unintended pregnancies ending in abortion decreased from 47% in 2001 to 43% in 2006, and the unintended birth rate increased from 23 to 25 per 1000 women 15���44 years old. Conclusions Since 2001, the United States has not made progress in reducing unintended pregnancy. Rates increased for nearly all groups and remain high overall. Efforts to help women and couples plan their pregnancies, such as increasing access to effective contraceptives, should focus on groups at greatest risk for unintended pregnancy, particularly poor and cohabiting women.
Patient satisfaction with service quality in an oncology setting: implications for prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer

Objective. To evaluate the relationship between self-reported satisfaction with service quality and overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Design. A prospective cohort study. Setting. Cancer Treatment Centers of America ® from July 2007 and December 2010. Participants. Nine hundred and eighty-six returning NSCLC patients. Intervention. Overall patient experience ‘considering everything, how satisfied are you with your overall experience’ was measured on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from ‘completely dissatisfied’ to ‘completely satisfied.’. Main Outcome Measure. Patient survival was the primary end point. Results. The response rate for this study was 69%. Six hundred patients were newly diagnosed, while 386 were previously treated. Four hundred sixty-nine were males, while 517 were females. 101, 59, 288 and 538 patients had stage I, II, III and IV disease, respectively. Mean age was 58.9 years. Six hundred and thirty (63.9%) patients had expired at the time of this analysis. Seven hundred and sixty-two (77.3%) patients were ‘completely satisfied’. Median overall survival was 12.1 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 10.9–13.2 months). On univariate analysis, ‘completely satisfied’ patients had a significantly lower risk of mortality compared with those not ‘completely satisfied’ [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.59–0.84; P< 0.001]. On multivariate analysis controlling for stage at diagnosis, prior treatment history, age and gender, ‘completely satisfied’ patients demonstrated significantly lower mortality (HR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.60–0.85; P < 0.001) compared with those not ‘completely satisfied’. Conclusions. Self-reported experience with service quality was an independent predictor of survival in NSCLC patients undergoing oncologic treatment, a novel finding in the literature. Based on these provocative findings, further exploration of this relationship is warranted in well-designed prospective studies.
Review of Pathological Hallmarks of Schizophrenia: Comparison of Genetic Models With Patients and Nongenetic Models

Schizophrenia is a condition that impairs higher brain functions, some of which are specific to humans. After identification of susceptibility genes for schizophrenia, many efforts have been made to generate genetics-based models for the disease. It is under debate whether behavioral deficits observed in rodents are sufficient to characterize these models. Alternatively, anatomical and neuropathological changes identified in brains of patients with schizophrenia may be utilized as translatable characteristics between humans and rodents, which are important for validation of the models. Here, we overview such anatomical and neuropathological changes in humans: enlarged ventricles, dendritic changes in the pyramidal neurons, and alteration of specific subtypes of interneurons. In this review, we will overview such morphological changes in brains from patients with schizophrenia. Then, we will describe that some of these alterations are already recapitulated even in classic nongenetic models for schizophrenia. Finally, in comparison with the changes in patients and nongenetic models, we will discuss the anatomical and neuropathological manifestation in genetic models for schizophrenia.