cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermochemistry of synthetic Ca2Al2SiO7 (gehlenite)-Ca2MgSi2O7 (åkermanite) melilites

Abstract Enthalpy of solution measurements at 970 K in molten Pb 2 B 2 O 5 were made on eleven synthetic melilites of seven different compositions on the join gehlenite (Ca 2 Al 2 SiO 7 )-akermanite (Ca 2 MgSi 2 O 7 ). Measurements on samples crystallized both from glass and by solid state growth from compressed oxide mixtures at 1300°C at several compositions gave nearly identical results. The enthalpies of formation of gehlenite and akermanite determined at 970 K by comparison with the enthalpies of solution of the component oxides in the same master batch of calorimeter melt are: ΔH 0 f,970,08 ( gehlenite ) = −30.64 ± 0.31 kcal/mol ΔH 0 f,970,08 ( a kermanite ) = −42.92 ± 0.27 kcal/mol Using measured heat contents and enthalpies of formation of the oxide components from the elements ( Robie et al . 1978), the enthalpies of formation from the elements at 298.15 K are: ΔH 0 f,298,01 ( gehlenite ) = −951.00 kcal/mol ΔH 0 1,298,01 ( a kermanite ) = −924.10 kcal/mol These values are several kilocalories different from those given by recent compilations of thermochemical data, but are shown to be in agreement with those computed from reliable phase equilibrium data involving reactions between melilites and other minerals and thermochemical measurements on the other minerals of the reactions. The excess enthalpy of mixing of the melilite end-members is given by: ΔH ex ( kcal , ± 0.09 kcal ) = 5.805X Ge X 2 Ak + 0.120X Ak X 2 Ge , where X Ge and X A k are, respectively, the mole fractions of Ca 2 Al 2 SiO 7 and Ca 2 MgSi 2 O 7 . Positive deviations from enthalpic ideality exist over the entire solid solution series and are greatest nearer the Ca 2 MgSi 2 O- end. Consideration of theoretical mixing entropies ( Waldbaum , 1973) with the present enthalpy determinations leads to a simple Gibbs energy of mixing curve at 1000 K, which is very close to ideal binary mixing.
Characterization and sequence analysis of a recombination site in the hybrid virus Ad2+ND.

Restriction endonuclease mapping of an adenovirus-simian virus 40 hybrid virus and adenovirus-2 DNA allowed the characterization of fragments of Ad2+ND1† which contain the two junctions between simian virus (SV40) sequences and adenovirus-2 sequences. The corresponding fragments of Ad2++ DNA were also characterized. One fragment of Ad2+ND1 containing a recombination site, and the corresponding fragment of Ad2++ were analyzed by direct DNA sequence analysis. Comparison of nucleotide sequences in Ad2++, Ad2+ ND1, and SV40 DNAs precisely localized those sequences involved in the final recombination event which produced the stable hybrid virus Ad2+ND1. No sequence homology was detected between the two parent DNAs.
Paleoenvironmental Changes in the Lake Baringo Basin, Kenya, East Africa Since AD 1650: Evidence from the Paleorecord∗

This article presents some of the findings of a multi-indicator investigation of the history of vegetational changes and land degradation in the Lake Baringo basin, Kenya, East Africa, during the Late Holocene. 14C- and 210Pb-dated record of the lithostratigraphy is used to reconstruct the paleoenvironment in the region of the lake. The stratigraphic record from Lake Baringo reveals the presence of two abrupt dry episodes at ca. AD 1650 and AD 1720 in east Africa that led to drying up of the lake. The record also shows evidence of a third period of desiccation at ca. AD 1880, which resulted in lowering of the lake level and is corroborated by oral tradition from the area. This article shows the potential of how the paleoenvironmental record can be combined with the historical record to understand East Africa's paleoenvironment.
Microbial oxidation of dibenzothiophene by the thermophilic organism Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

The refractory organic sulfur compound dibenzothiophene (DBT) has been oxidized by the thermophilic, sulfur oxidizing organism Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. Sulfate ions were released into the medium as the oxidation product. The kinetics of this oxidation have been investigated on the basis of sulfate released as a result of oxidation. Dibenzothiophene was found to be inhibitory to the organisms for initial concentrations over 500 mg/L. The organism may prove to be capable of oxidizing thiophene compounds present in oil refinery wastewater, coal, and crude oil.
Evaluation of pulsatility index and diameter of the jugular vein and superficial body temperature as physiological indices of temperament in weaned beef calves: Relationship with serum cortisol concentrations, rectal temperature, and sex

Abstract The relationship between temperament, pulsatility index and diameter of the jugular vein, and body temperature was assessed in Angus crossbred calves (262±24.9 days old). Temperament scores were used to classify calves as calm ( n =31), intermediate ( n =32), or temperamental ( n =28). Blood samples were collected for serum cortisol concentration analysis. Rectal, skin and hair coat temperatures were also recorded. The pulsatility index and luminal diameter corrected by BW (diameter) of the right jugular vein were measured via Doppler and B-mode ultrasound, respectively. Temperament and sex groups [heifers ( n =35) and steers ( n =44)] were compared. Temperament and sex did not interact to affect any of the studied variables. Cortisol (4.05±0.30 and 2.97±0.18 μg/dl; P =0.016) and rectal temperature (39.26±0.13 and 38.87±0.09 °C; P =0.012) were greater in temperamental than in calm calves, respectively. Hair temperature was greater in temperamental than in calm calves (26.07±0.52 and 24.71±0.60 °C, respectively; P =0.052). Temperamental and calm calves did not differ in skin temperature (33.61±0.45 and 33.29±0.49 °C, respectively; P =0.837) or jugular vein diameter (0.052±0.002 and 0.052±0.002 mm/kg, respectively; P =0.204). Temperamental calves tended to have greater pulsatility index values than calm calves (1.97±0.22 and 1.67±0.11, respectively; P =0.095). No differences were observed in cortisol (3.88±0.27 and 3.36±0.21 μg/dl; P =0.104) or skin temperature (33.60±0.39 and 33.66±0.43 °C; P =0.905) between heifers and steers, respectively. Heifers had greater rectal (39.22±0.10 and 38.84±0.08 °C; P =0.002) and tended to have greater hair temperatures (26.91±0.57 and 25.66±0.49 °C; P =0.093) than steers, respectively. However, rectal temperature was not associated to skin temperature ( P =0.123), pulsatility index ( P =0.719), or diameter ( P =0.650). Nor was cortisol related to skin temperature ( P =0.710), pulsatility index ( P =0.266) or diameter ( P =0.548). Therefore, under the conditions existent in the present study, rectal temperature and cortisol were able to reflect physiological differences associated with temperament in beef cattle whereas the superficial temperatures and the pulsatility index and diameter of the jugular vein did not. Arterial hemodynamic (i.e., carotids) and other superficial temperature recording methods may need to be evaluated in future studies.
Effect of the diffusion rate of surfactants on the deemulsification of petroleum

The coalescence of droplets of water and surfactant solutions in oil is described and the corresponding diffusion data are presented.
Getting From Sense of Place to Place-Based Management: An Interpretive Investigation of Place Meanings and Perceptions of Landscape Change

ABSTRACT This article presents the findings of an interpretive investigation of the meanings that local community members attribute to the Niobrara National Scenic River in north central Nebraska and their perceptions of the river landscape. Twenty-five in-depth interviews were conducted and analyzed through an iterative qualitative analysis process. A holistic and integrative Web of River Meanings emerged from the analysis. The model provides insight into participants' perceptions of and attitudes toward landscape change, and in particular the highly contentious issue of river development, which proved to be a common theme in the interviews. The study findings expand on current conceptualizations of sense of place and place attachment. The findings also have implications for local planning and management by providing a more sophisticated meanings-based framework for understanding contentious management issues.
Performance analysis of a neutron and X-ray combined computed tomography system

Abstract A novel neutron and X-ray combined computed tomography system (NXCT) has been developed at the Missouri University of Science & Technology. It is believed that it will provide a superior method for non-destructive testing and evaluation. The system is housed within the Missouri University of Science & Technology Reactor (MSTR) and is the first such imaging platform and synthesis method to be developed. The system utilizes neutrons obtained directly from the reactor core and X-rays from an X-ray generator. Characterization of the newly developed digital imaging system is imperative to the performance evaluation, as well as for describing the associated parameters. The preliminary evaluation of the NXCT system was performed in terms of image uniformity, linearity and spatial resolution. Additionally, the correlation between the applied beam intensity, the resulting image quality, and the system sensitivity was investigated. The combined neutron/X-ray digital imaging system was evaluated in terms of performance parameters and results are detailed. The Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) of the X-ray imaging module was calculated using the Edge method. The spatial frequency at 10% of the MTF was found to be 8 l p/mm, which is in agreement with the value of 8.5 l p/mm determined from the square wave response method. The highest detective quantum efficiency of the X-ray imaging module was found to be 0.53. Furthermore, the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF), Noise Power Spectrum (NPS) and Detective Quantum Efficiency (DQE) spectrum for the neutron imaging module was also evaluated in a similar way as the X-ray imaging module. In order to improve the image quality of the neutron imaging module, a pin-hole mask phantom was used to correct the geometrical non-linearity of the delay line anode readout. The non-linearity correction of the delay line anode readout has been shown through the corrected images of perforated cadmium strip and electroformed phantom.
The mutagenicity of urine fractions from patients administered antineoplastic therapy

A concern among hospital personnel is their exposure to mutagenic drugs and in the incidental exposures that could occur in caring for the patients. In a recent published study the mutagenicity of urine from patients administered antineoplastic drugs was determined and techniques were developed to chemically inactivate the mutagenicity. A question still remained as to what components of the excreted urine were mutagenic. Urine samples from patients receiving mutagenic drugs were fractionated by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) to then assay by the Ames test the collected and concentrated fractions to determine what were the mutagenic compounds in the urine. Urine samples from patients on single agent cancer treatment with cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and mitomycin C were assayed. In general, all urine samples containing the cytotoxic agents studied were mutagenic because of the presence of the parent compound, except cyclophosphamide which requires activation and therefore an active metabolite was the major mutagenic constituent in the urine sample. This data indicates that the mutagenicity of urine from patients receiving these antineoplastic agents is the result of the parent compound or a single major metabolite.
Compressibility of Binary Alkaline‐Earth Borate Glasses at High Pressures

Compression data to 10,000 atm. were obtained for a series of barium, strontium, and calcium borate glasses at 21°C. The compressibility was found to be in the order Ba > Sr > Ca at corresponding molar concentrations and was not appreciably affected by pressure in the experimental pressure range. Comparison of data on alkali and alkaline-earth borate glasses shows that the compressibility at corresponding molar concentrations is smaller in the alkaline-earth glasses. Numerical comparisons at appropriate compositions show that a large part of the decreased compressibility produced by the alkaline-earth oxides arises from electrovalent sources.
CW silver ion laser with electron beam excitation

A continuous-wave (CW) laser power of 140 mW was obtained in the 840.39-nm transition of Ag II by electron-beam excitation. The electron-beam excited metal-vapor ion laser is capable of operating using metals with high vaporization temperatures, and is of interest for generation of CW coherent radiation in th 220-260-nm spectral region. >
Inherited haemoglobin ionographic properties in cotton rats.

A RECENT comparative study1 showed that cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) were more variable, regarding haemoglobin electromigration properties, than the other species examined. Several cotton rats of different haemoglobin types were retained as breeders in order to investigate the genetic basis for these differences.
Electron traps created by high temperature annealing in MBE n-GaAs

An electron trap with a thermal activation energy of 0.83 eV from the conduction band is common in the deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) spectra of vapor phase epitaxial (VPE) n-GaAs, but is not observed in the DLTS spectra of as-grown molecular beam epitaxial (MBE) n-GaAs. We show here that this trap is created during high temperature annealing of MBE samples with a Si3N4, encapsulant. The trap concentration is correlated with the annealing temperature and time, suggesting the outdiffusion of a constituent atom resulting in the formation of a vacancy or vacancy-complex. Other electron traps observed in the DLTS spectra of asgrown MBE n-GaAs are annealed out for temperatures at or above 800° C.
Gate control of a quantum dot single-electron spin in realistic confining potentials: Anisotropy effects

Among recent proposals for next-generation non-charge-based logic is the notion that a single electron can be trapped and its spin can be manipulated through the application of gate potentials. In this paper, we present numerical simulations of such spins in single-electron devices for realistic (asymmetric) confining potentials in two-dimensional electrostatically confined quantum dots. Using analytical and numerical techniques we show that breaking the in-plane rotational symmetry of the confining potential leads to a significant effect on the tunability of the $g$ factor with applied gate potentials. In particular, anisotropy extends the range of tunability to larger quantum dots.
A preference aggregation rule approach for structural optimization

In this paper, preference aggregation rules are used to define overall design evaluation measures in optimal design problems. A methodology for the efficient solution of the corresponding design optimization problems is presented. Each design criterion as well as the constraints imposed on the design variables and problem parameters are characterized by preference functions. The nondifferentiable nature of the optimization problems which arise in this formulation is coped with using a first-order algorithm combined with approximation concepts. High-quality approximations for the system response functions are constructed using the concepts of intermediate response quantities and intermediate variables. These approximations are used to replace the original problem by a sequence of approximate problems. Example problems are presented to study the performance of the proposed optimization technique as well as the methodology based on approximation concepts.
Distribution of fish larvae among artificial vegetation in a diked Lake Erie wetland

Influences of habitat and selected physical and chemical variables on distribution of fish larvae were evaluated during spring and summer, 1984–85 in a diked Lake Erie wetland by determining densities of larvae in three simulated vegetation types and open water. Larval gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), crappie (Pomoxis spp.), sunfish (Lepomis spp.) carp (Cyprinus carpio), and goldfish (Carassius auratus) were the most abundant taxa in samples, collectively comprising over 94% of the total catch during both 1984 and 1985. Gizzard shad and crappie were collected most often from open water areas of the marsh during both years of sampling. Cyprinids (carp and goldfish) and sunfish were collected primarily from artificially vegetated habitats, usually floating vegetation in 1984 and emergent vegetation in 1985. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and transparency, measured concurrently with sampling did not seem to directly influence larval distribution. Higher abundance of some species of larvae in the artificial vegetation may reflect both the use of vegetation as spawning substrate and increased availability of food or shelter. Additional data collected from nearby undiked wetlands would help determine the function of diked wetlands as spawning and nursery habitat in terms of their importance to Great Lakes fish populations.
A Study of the Short Wave Components in Computational Acoustics

The feasibility of performing direct numerical simulations of acoustic wave propagation problems has recently been demonstrated by a number of investigators. It is easy to show that the computed acoustic wave solutions are good approximations of those of the exact solutions of the linearized Euler equations as long as the wavenumbers are in the long wave range. Computed waves with higher wavenumber, or the short waves, generally have totally different propagation characteristics. There are no counterparts of such waves in the exact solutions. The short waves are contaminants of the numerical solutions. The characteristics of these short waves are analyzed here by group velocity consideration. Numerical results of direct simulations of these waves are reported. To purge the short waves so as to improve the quality of the numerical solution, it is suggested that artificial selective damping terms be added to the finite difference scheme. It is shown how the coefficients of such damping terms may be chosen so that damping is confined primarily to the high wavenumber range. This is important for then only the short waves are damped leaving the long waves basically unaffected. The effectiveness of the artificial selective damping terms is demonstrated by direct numerical simulations involving acoustic wave pulses with discontinuous wave fronts.
Conspiracy of Faith: Fighting for Justice After Child Abuse. By Wilmer, G.

Graham Wilmer writes a provocative book, Conspiracy of Faith: Fighting for Justice after Child Abuse, describing his journey through life of being a survivor of child sexual abuse. He takes readers...
Does Morality Policy Exist? Testing a Basic Assumption

Does morality policy exist? A growing body of scholarship has examined the ways that the politics of so-called “morality policy” (e.g., abortion regulation, same-sex marriage policy, and capital punishment) differ from the politics of other types of policy. In this literature, morality policies are assumed to be distinctive in that they generate conflicts of basic moral values, do not lend themselves to compromise, and are widely salient and technically simple. Using an email survey of morality policy scholars and a telephone survey of just over seven hundred Illinois residents in 2005, we test this assumption. We find that citizen responses about these policies vary along three of these four characteristics, just as morality policy scholars predicted. Thus, morality policies do exist, as assumed by these scholars. Our analysis also suggests some potentially fruitful avenues for future research on morality policy and other policy typologies.
Implementation of functional components of the Locomotion Processing Unit

A Locomotion Processing Unit (LPU) processes sensory feedback and intrinsic feed forward control to produce a stimulation pattern for producing walking movements. The aim of the LPU is to emulate the functionality of the biological central pattern generator (CPG). The concept of the LPU has been previously described and this work presents experimental results of the sensory feedback comparators, an integrate-and-fire neuron, and a current stimulator implemented in a 0.5 micron VLSI process. The sensory feedback comparators were tested by setting a threshold voltage and sweeping the input to observe when the output changed its binary value. The bias current to the integrate-and-fire neuron was varied to generate spiking frequencies between 5Hz and 1kHz. The parameters (pulse width, amplitude, and waveform) of the current stimulator were programmed and for each waveform type the amplitude was measured up to 100µA (peak to peak). In addition, the LPU current outputs were tested through a phantom material to estimate its performance in an in vivo experiment.
Multiple types of neurotransmitter binding sites in the rat neuroblastoma B 50 cell line. II. Response of second messenger systems to physiological stimuli in proliferating and differentiated cells

Abstract The functionality of the α1-, β-adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic binding sites of neuroblastoma B 50 is investigated under proliferating and differentiating conditions. In proliferating cells, the stimulation of the α1-adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic binding sites by their respective agonists causes an increase in both extracellular calcium association with the cells and phosphatidylinositol (PI) turnover; effects usually associated with functional receptors. When the cells are induced to differentiate morphologically with dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db-cAMP), extracellular calcium or a combination of both, the activity of the muscarinic receptor-coupled PI turnover is strictly correlated with the binding affinity of the receptor. This is not the case for the α1-adrenergic receptor stimulation of PI turnover. The latter result, however, may be explained in terms of the intrinsic properties of the inducing agents used to cause neurite extension. The stimulation of the β-adrenergic binding site with isoproterenol in proliferating cells, both with and without a phosphodiesterase inhibitor present, does not result in cellular cAMP accumulation. In morphologically differentiated cells, only the db-cAMP-induced state exhibits an increase in [3H]adenosine incorporation into cellular cAMP upon isoproterenol stimulation. This happens only in the presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. The data presented in this study are discussed in terms of the affinity of the receptors for their respective ligands and in terms of the intrinsic properties of the inducing agents.
A system model for geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide.

In this paper we describe CO2−PENS, a comprehensive system-level computational model for performance assessment of geologic sequestration of CO2. CO2−PENS is designed to perform probabilistic simulations of CO2 capture, transport, and injection in different geologic reservoirs. Additionally, the long-term fate of CO2 injected in geologic formations, including possible migration out of the target reservoir, is simulated. The simulations sample from probability distributions for each uncertain parameter, leading to estimates of global uncertainty that accumulate through coupling of processes as the simulation time advances. Each underlying process in the system-level model is built as a module that can be modified as the simulation tool evolves toward more complex problems. This approach is essential in coupling processes that are governed by different sets of equations operating at different time-scales. We first explain the basic formulation of the system level model, briefly discuss the suite of process-...
Parametric study and simplified design of tuned mass dampers

Abstract This paper summarizes the results of a parametric study performed to enhance the understanding of some important characteristics of tuned mass dampers (TMD). The effect of detuning on some of the TMD parameters on the performance is studied using steady-state harmonic excitation analysis and time-history analysis. The El Centro and Mexico excitations are used for time-history analysis. The effects of tuning criteria and significance of numerical tuning are also studied. The correspondence between the design of a TMD for a SDOF structure and a certain mode of a MDOF structure is drawn to simplify TMD design to control a single mode of a multimodal structure. An example is given to illustrate the design procedure. Investigations are made regarding controlling multiple structural modes using multi-tuned mass dampers (MTMD).
DTrp6-Pro9-NEt)-luteinising hormone-releasing factor inhibits follicular development in hypophysectomised rats.

THE super-luteinising hormone-releasing factors (super-LRFs) are a group of synthetic analogues at least 100 times more potent than the native peptide in vitro and in vivo1. Several laboratories have demonstrated inhibitory effects of super-LRFs on ovulation, egg implantation, pregnancy, testicular weight and spermatogenesis2–6. Their proposed mechanisms of action involve some type of desensitisation of the pituitary to the highly potent LRF analogue and of the gonads to the gonadotropins released in large quantities by the super-LRf, in both target tissues through receptor down-regulation. Another, seemingly unlikely, explanation for the gonadal inhibitory effects of super-LRFs is that the synthetic peptide acts directly at the level of follicular ovarian tissues. Such a direct effect of super-LRF on the gonads has been suggested by the observation that large doses of LRF prevent cultured granulosa cells from aromatising androgens to oestrogens7. We now report that a super-LRF inhibits follicular development in hypophysectomised rats pretreated with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin.
A connectionist approach to the quadratic assignment problem

Abstract The possibilities of applying a Boltzmann machine, and a related connectionist model in which the escape from local optima is performed in a deterministic way using tabu search, are tested for the quadratic assignment problem (QAP). Inefficiences with this approach led to an improved computational model for the QAP which is based on connectionist architecture. Computational results for problems of dimensions ranging from 5 up to 90 are given.
Human herpesvirus 8 and the biology of Kaposi's sarcoma

Abstract Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the leading neoplasm of AIDS patients and also occurs at a lower frequency in HIV-negative hosts. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that a sexually transmitted agent or cofactor other than HIV plays a key role in KS development. The DNA of a novel herpesvirus (termed human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) or KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)) is regularly associated with both the AIDS-related and HIV-negative forms of the disease. Seroepidemiologic studies suggest that HHV8 is sexually transmitted and show that HHV8 infection is tightly linked to KS risk. Infection precedes tumor development and targets the spindle (endothelial) cell component of the tumor, thought to be the dominant cell in KS pathogenesis. Most such cells are latently infected, but tumors also appear to harbor a small subpopulation of productively infected cells. Thus, mounting evidence supports the view that HHV8 is the sexually transmitted cofactor predicted by the epidemiology of KS. In addition, HHV8 also infects B lymphocytes and is associated with several uncommon lymphoproliferative syndromes in AIDS patients.
SRC-3 Coactivator Functional Lifetime Is Regulated by a Phospho-Dependent Ubiquitin Time Clock

Summary SRC-3/AIB1 is an important growth coactivator whose activity should be tightly regulated since excess activation results in oncogenesis. Herein, we provide evidence that coordinated phosphorylation-dependent ubiquitination regulates SRC-3 coactivator activation and transcriptional specificity. We discovered a critical "actron/degron" element in SRC-3 that is required for this phosphorylation-dependent ubiquitination event and identified GSK3 and SCF Fbw7α as the respective responsible kinase and E3 ubiquitin ligase. Interestingly, despite that SCF Fbw7α enhances ubiquitination and promotes eventual transcription-coupled degradation of SRC-3 in a phosphorylation- and Fbw7α dosage-dependent manner, our results also uncovered a nonproteolytic "activation" code for SRC-3 ubiquitination induced by Fbw7α. We propose that ubiquitination of SRC-3 is a phospho-mediated biphasic event and that a transition from multi-(mono)ubiquitination (SRC-3 activation) to long-chain polyubiquitination (SRC-3 degradation) is processive during the transcriptional coactivation of select transcription factors and can serve as a "transcriptional time clock" to control both the activation and the functional lifetime of coactivators.
PIPE (pipelined image-processing engine)

Abstract The Sensory-Interactive Robotics Group of the National Bureau of Standards' Industrial Systems Division is designing and constructing an experimental multistage pipelined image-processing device for research in machine vision. The device can acquire images from a variety of sources, such as analog or digital television cameras, ranging devices, and conformal mapping arrays. It can process sequences of images in real time, through a serial pipeline of local operations, under the control of an external device. Its output can be presented to such devices as monitors, robot vision systems, iconic-to-symbolic mapping devices, and image-processing computers. In addition to a forward flow of images through successive stages of operations in the pipeline, other paths between the stages of the device permit recursive operations within a single stage, and feedback of the results of operations from a stage to the preceding stage. This architecture facilitates a variety of relaxation operations, interactions of images over time, and other interesting functions. Numerous operations are supported, including arithmetic and Boolean neighborhood operations on images within each stage, and between-stage operations on each pixel such as thresholding, Boolean and arithmetic operations, functional mappings, and a variety of functions for combining pixel data converging via the multiple image paths. The device can also be used to implement several alternative processing modes. Some operate within each stage, for example, to control edge effects or to implement “MIMD” operations specific to regions of interest defined by the host device. Others operate between stages, for example, to support variable-resolution pyramids.
Capillary electrochromatography of cholesterol and its ester derivatives.

Separation of cholesterol and its ester derivatives using micellar electrokinetic chromatography is a challenge due to the extreme hydrophobicity of these compounds. In this work, an isocratic capillary electrochromatography (CEC) method has been developed to separate a complex mixture of cholesterol and its 12-ester derivatives. The proportions of mobile phase (tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, water), as well as the effects of acid modifiers, buffer concentrations, voltage, and temperature on the separation of cholesterol derivatives were investigated. Addition of a polymeric surfactant, poly(sodium N-undecanoyl-l-glycinate), to the mobile phase reduced migration time and improved resolution of the analytes. The CEC method developed allows baseline separation of a complex mixture of cholesterol and 12 ester derivatives in less than 40 min. Finally, the method is applied to the characterization of cholesterol, cholesterol linoleate, and cholesterol oleate extracted from atherosclerotic plaque deposits in th...
Screening for structural heart disease: time to stop listening and start looking.

See related article on page 736. In the early 1800s, the stethoscope was introduced into clinical medicine. Shortly after its introduction, a prominent London physician reviewing the use of the stethoscope in medicine was quoted as saying “that it will ever come into general use, not withstanding its value, is extremely doubtful, because beneficial application requires much time and give a good bit of trouble to both patients and practitioner; and because its hue and character are foreign to all our habits and applications” (London Times, 1834). He was wrong, and today the stethoscope is the ubiquitous symbol of the bedside clinician. Our ability to diagnose important cardiac structural abnormalities with the inspection, palpation, and auscultation of physical diagnosis, however, is severely limited. In fact, left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, arguably the most important single structural abnormality in terms of both prognosis and treatment, is not even grossly assessable by history or physical diagnosis. Fortunately, technology has evolved since the introduction of the stethoscope. Today, cardiac structural abnormalities can be routinely and accurately diagnosed by echocardiography. In this issue of the Journal, Baker and colleagues report on the use of a brief (6.5 3 minutes on average) echocardiographic evaluation to screen general medicine and geriatric clinic patients at risk for LV dysfunction but without a diagnosis of heart failure or history of LV dysfunction. 1 Undiagnosed LV dysfunction, defined as LV ejection fraction 45%, ranged from 5.4% in patients with hypertension to 15.4% in patients with a history of myocardial infarction. Among the 38 patients with LV dysfunction, only 34% and 8% were receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and -blockers, respectively, and only 33% had reasonable blood pressure control. Despite this high rate of undiagnosed and inadequately treated LV dysfunction, the authors conclude that screening for LV dysfunction should be considered “investigational” until additional studies are conducted to “show that screening alters treatment or improves clinical outcomes.”
Hasidei de'ar‘a and Hasidei dekokhvaya’: Two Trends in Modern Jewish Historiography

Gershon Hundert, one of the leading scholars of Eastern European Jewry, has portrayed Hasidism as “one of many movements of religious enthusiasm that arose in the eighteenth century.” Though most scholars today agree with this description, they diverge regarding the goals of the movement, the causes of its emergence and spread, and its impact on Eastern European Jewry. Simon Dubnow, the father-founder of modern Eastern European Jewish historiography, considered Hasidism to be a response to the seventeenth-century communal crisis. He portrayed Hasidism as a spiritual movement of ordinary Jews who rebelled against the stringencies of rabbinic Judaism and sought spiritual accommodation from charismatic yet uneducated leaders. Benzion Dinur saw Hasidism as a popular revolution against the corrupt power of the kahal, the umbrella self-governing organization of Polish Jewry. Gershom Scholem maintained that it was the popularization of Kabbalah that was responsible for the phenomenal success of Hasidism, its rapid spread, and the mass following of the zaddikim, the hasidic masters. By the end of the late twentieth century, most scholars agreed that Hasidism was a popular movement triggered by the economic breakdown of Polish Jewry, directed against the legal authorities, and led by mystically oriented leaders with no significant rabbinic pedigree or deep knowledge of traditional Jewish sources.
Commercial‐Scale Pulsed Electric Field Processing of Orange Juice

Effects of commercial-scale pulsed electric field (PEF) processing on the microbial stability, ascorbic acid, flavor compounds, color, Brix, pH, and sensory properties of orange juice were studied and compared with those of thermal processing. Freshly squeezed orange juice was thermally processed at 90 °C for 90 s or processed by PEF at 40 kV/cm for 97 ms. Both thermally processed and PEF-processed juices showed microbial shelf life at 4 °C for 196 d. PEF-processed juice retained more ascorbic acid, flavor, and color than thermally processed juice (P<0.05). Sensory evaluation of texture, flavor, and overall acceptability were ranked highest for control juice, followed by PEF-processed juice and then by thermally processed juice (P<0.01).
Methoxsalen is a potent inhibitor of the metabolism of caffeine in humans

The acute effect of a single oral dose of methoxsalen on the pharmacokinetics of caffeine was investigated in five nonsmoking volunteers with psoriasis. Caffeine, 200 mg orally, was administered to each subject at baseline before treatment with methoxsalen. One week later each subject was given a single oral dose of 1.2 mg/kg methoxsalen 1 hour before administrations of another oral dose of 200 mg caffeine. The clearance of caffeine declined markedly from 110 +/- 17 ml/min (mean +/- SE) in the control study to 34 +/- 5 ml/min after methoxsalen. During the period of maximum inhibition the mean elimination half-life of caffeine increased from 5.6 hours at baseline to 57 hours after administration of methoxsalen. The peak concentration of caffeine and the time to reach the peak concentration of caffeine were not affected by pretreatment with methoxsalen. Thus, methoxsalen, administered acutely, is a potent inhibitor of caffeine metabolism in humans with psoriasis. Results of this investigation suggest that the elimination of concurrently administered drugs may be inhibited in patients receiving methoxsalen. In comparison with other drugs, methoxsalen is the most potent inhibitor of drug metabolism in humans. Other work has shown that inhibition of drug metabolism by methoxsalen is associated with both extensive covalent binding of metabolite(s) of methoxsalen to liver microsomal protein in vitro and in vivo and inactivation of cytochrome P-450.
A molecular characterization of the choroid plexus and stress-induced gene regulation.

The role of the choroid plexus (CP) in brain homeostasis is being increasingly recognized and recent studies suggest that the CP has a more important role in physiological and pathological brain functions than currently appreciated. To obtain additional insight on the CP function, we performed a proteomics and transcriptomics characterization employing a combination of high resolution tandem mass spectrometry and gene expression analyses in normal rodent brain. Using multiple protein fractionation approaches, we identified 1400 CP proteins in adult CP. Microarray-based comparison of CP gene expression with the kidney, cortex and hippocampus showed significant overlap between the CP and the kidney. CP gene profiles were validated by in situ hybridization analysis of several target genes including klotho, CLIC 6, OATP 14 and Ezrin. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed for CP and enpendyma detection of several target proteins including cytokeratin, Rab7, klotho, tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease 1 (TIMP1), MMP9 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The molecular functions associated with various proteins of the CP proteome indicate that it is a blood–cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier that exhibits high levels of metabolic activity. We also analyzed the gene expression changes induced by stress, an exacerbating factor for many illnesses, particularly mood disorders. Chronic stress altered the expression of several genes, downregulating 5HT2C, glucocorticoid receptor and the cilia genes IFT88 and smoothened while upregulating 5HT2A, BDNF, TNFα and IL-1b. The data presented here attach additional significance to the emerging importance of CP function in brain health and CNS disease states.
Family environment of youngsters with school refusal behavior: A synopsis with implications for assessment and treatment

Abstract Several predominant themes for conceptualizing school refusal behavior in children and adolescents have endured across decades of study, including the idea that problematic family relationships are integral to etiology. We review evidence that several familial subtypes are characteristic of this population. These include enmeshed, conflictive, detached, isolated, and healthy parent-child dyads, as well as mixed familial profiles. Recommendations for educators and health professionals who interact with this population are made subsequently. These include guidelines for integrating familial profiles into contemporary classification and assessment strategies, and for modifying treatment protocols based on differential family dynamics.
Successful resuscitation of a verapamil intoxicated child with a dextrose-insulin infusion

Objective: To report the use of dextrose-insulin infusion in the successful resuscitation of an adolescent following an overdose of sustained-release verapamil that was refractory to traditional medical management.Case summary: A 13-year-old female with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder ingested 25–30 120-mg tablets (120–140 mg/kg) of sustained-release verapamil in a suicide attempt. Gastric lavage was performed, and activated charcoal and sorbitol were given for gastric decontamination. She developed atrial-ventricular (A-V) dissociation, bradycardia, hypotension and somnolence. Initial interventions included endotracheal intubation for airway protection, fluid resuscitation, high-dose intravenous calcium chloride, and glucagon. Hypotension and A-V block continued despite the addition of dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine infusions. Normal sinus rhythm and hemodynamic stability occurred only after an infusion of regular insulin (0.1 U/kg/hr) and dextrose (0.5 g/kg/hr) was started. She ...
Hydration, Structure, and Molecular Interactions in the Headgroup Region of Dioleoylphosphatidylcholine Bilayers: An Electron Spin Resonance Study

The relationship between bilayer hydration and the dynamic structure of headgroups and interbilayer water in multilamellar vesicles is investigated by electron spin resonance methods. Temperature variations of the order parameter of a headgroup spin label DPP-Tempo in DOPC in excess water and partially dehydrated (10 wt % water) show a cusp-like pattern around the main phase transition, Tc. This pattern is similar to those of temperature variations of the quadrupolar splitting of interbilayer D2O in PC and PE bilayers previously measured by 2H NMR, indicating that the ordering of the headgroup and the interbilayer water are correlated. The cusp-like pattern of these and other physical properties around Tc are suggestive of quasicritical fluctuations. Also, an increase (a decrease) in ordering of DPP-Tempo is correlated with water moving out of (into) interbilayer region into (from) the bulk water phase near the freezing point, Tf. Addition of cholesterol lowers Tf, which remains the point of increasing headgroup ordering. Using the small water-soluble spin probe 4-PT, it is shown that the ordering of interbilayer water increases with bilayer dehydration. It is suggested that increased ordering in the interbilayer region, implying a lowering of entropy, will itself lead to further dehydration of the interbilayer region until its lowered pressure resists further flow, i.e., an osmotic phenomenon.
Green’s function treatment of a two-level atom: Effect of a ground-state-electromagnetic-field interaction

The Heisenberg Green’s function approach is applied to a two-level atom interacting with a quantized radiation field. A model Hamiltonian that includes a ground-state-electromagnetic-field interaction in addition to the rotating-wave approximation (RWA) model is employed. It is shown that the effects of the ground-state interaction may be exactly computed for the cases of excited-state deeay and the scattering of a photon by a ground-state atom. A comparison is made between the results for the present model and those that are obtained using the EWA model. The application of the Green’s function techniques to more complicated interactions is discussed relative to the results based on the present modification of the RWA model.
Phase II study of temozolomide and thalidomide with radiation therapy for newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme.

Abstract Purpose The chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide (TMZ) and the antiangiogenic agent thalidomide have both demonstrated antitumor activity in patients with recurrent malignant glioma. The objectives of this study were to determine if the combined strategy of these oral agents with radiation therapy (RT) is associated with an improved median survival of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme and to evaluate toxicity. Methods and materials Sixty-seven patients were enrolled in this trial. Radiotherapy parameters were a total dose of 60 Gy delivered in 2 Gy fractions over 6 weeks. Temozolomide was administered starting the first day of RT at 150 mg/m 2 daily for 5 days every 4 weeks for the first cycle and escalated to a maximum dose of 200 mg/m 2 . Thalidomide was started on Day 7 of RT at 200 mg and escalated by 100–200 mg every 1–2 weeks depending on patient tolerance, to a maximum of 1,200 mg daily. Results Sixty-one patients have progressed, with a median time to progression of 22 weeks. Fifty-six patients have died, and the median survival was 73 weeks. Conclusions This strategy of combination TMZ, thalid and RT was relatively well tolerated with favorable survival outcome for patients with GM when compared to patients not treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and similar to those who have received nitrosourea adjuvant chemotherapy. It is unclear the added advantage thalid has in combination with TMZ for this patient population.
Distributed quality-of-service routing in ad hoc networks

In an ad hoc network, all communication is done over wireless media, typically by radio through the air, without the help of wired base stations. Since direct communication is allowed only between adjacent nodes, distant nodes communicate over multiple hops. The quality-of-service (QoS) routing in an ad hoc network is difficult because the network topology may change constantly, and the available state information for routing is inherently imprecise. In this paper, we propose a distributed QoS routing scheme that selects a network path with sufficient resources to satisfy a certain delay (or bandwidth) requirement in a dynamic multihop mobile environment. The proposed algorithms work with imprecise state information. Multiple paths are searched in parallel to find the most qualified one. Fault-tolerance techniques are brought in for the maintenance of the routing paths when the nodes move, join, or leave the network. Our algorithms consider not only the QoS requirement, but also the cost optimality of the routing path to improve the overall network performance. Extensive simulations show that high call admission ratio and low-cost paths are achieved with modest routing overhead. The algorithms can tolerate a high degree of information imprecision.
Reflective Diffraction Gratings From Hydrogels as Biochemical Sensors

We report reflective diffraction gratings made from smart hydrogels for ultrasensitive biochemical detection. As an example for a stimuli-responsive hydrogel, we chose a pH-sensitive hydrogel to construct diffraction gratings that swell/shrink reversibly due to changes in pH. Interferometric analysis of the grating enabled detection of the hydrogel's motions with nanoscale precision and resulted in a resolution of 6 × 10-4 pH units. The developed system is remarkably simple both to fabricate and operate, and yet extremely sensitive. Moreover, the concept of the reflective hydrogel grating is generic and can be applied detection of a wide range of other stimuli.
Adverse Events: A Classification System for Use in Clinical Trials

Accompanying this article are two very succinct reviews, one authored by Enas and the other by Huster. They present important and timely information on methods of analysis of adverse event data and the alternative benefits and shortcomings of such analyses. I was originally asked to provide a medical perspective of the information presented by Enas and Huster. In preparing this perspective, it became clear that some improvement in the recognition of various roles of adverse event data was desirable. This paper is an attempt to delineate a classification of adverse event data.