cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EEG spectral analysis for Nova computers.

Abstract Two programs for the spectral analysis of EEG data are presented. Both are designed to be independent of any particular I/O environment. The implementation of the programs on different Nova configurations is therefore easily accomplished.
Alcohol Exposure after Mild Focal Traumatic Brain Injury Impairs Neurological Recovery and Exacerbates Localized Neuroinflammation

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among young individuals. Alcohol abuse is a risk factor associated with increased TBI incidence. In addition, up to 26% of TBI patients engage in alcohol consumption after TBI. Limited preclinical studies have examined the impact of post-injury alcohol exposure on TBI recovery. The aim of this study was to determine the isolated and combined effects of TBI and alcohol on cognitive, behavioral, and physical recovery, as well as on associated neuroinflammatory changes. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (∼300g) were subjected to a mild focal TBI by lateral fluid percussion (∼30PSI, ∼25ms) under isoflurane anesthesia. On day 4 after TBI, animals were exposed to either sub-chronic intermittent alcohol vapor (95% ethanol 14h on/10h off; BAL∼200mg/dL) or room air for 10days. TBI induced neurological dysfunction reflected by an increased neurological severity score (NSS) showed progressive improvement in injured animals exposed to room air (TBI/air). In contrast, TBI animals exposed to alcohol vapor (TBI/alcohol) showed impaired NSS recovery throughout the 10-day period of alcohol exposure. Open-field exploration test revealed an increased anxiety-like behavior in TBI/alcohol group compared to TBI/air group. Additionally, alcohol-exposed animals showed decreased locomotion and impaired novel object recognition. Immunofluorescence showed enhanced reactive astrocytes, microglial activation, and HMGB1 expression localized to the injured cortex of TBI/alcohol as compared to TBI/air animals. The expression of neuroinflammatory markers showed significant positive correlation with NSS. These findings indicated a close relationship between accentuated neuroinflammation and impaired neurological recovery from post-TBI alcohol exposure. The clinical implications of long-term consequences in TBI patients exposed to alcohol during recovery warrant further investigation.
The Earth and Cosmology: The earth may be affected by the distant matter of the universe through a long-range interaction.

The detection of a slow decrease in the gravitation stant (G), by analyzing changes in the earth's size, internal and external temperature, magnetic field, and continental configuration, is discussed. Cosmologies having a slowly decreasing G are outlined. (T.F.H.)
Host-parasite factors in group A streptococcal infections. A comparative study of streptococcal pyrogenic toxins and gram-negative bacterial endotoxin.

The data presented in this study suggest that Group A streptococci produce two distinct pyrogenic toxins: one primarily an intracellular toxin and the other mainly an extracellular toxin. Both of these toxins are not extractable by the conventional methods, phenol and TCA, used for isolation of Gram-negative bacterial endotoxin. Their chemical composition, therefore, differs from that of Gram-negative bacterial endotoxin. On the basis of tolerance studies it appears that similar non-specific host factors may be involved in the detoxification of both the streptococcal intracellular pyrogenic toxin and the Gram-negative bacterial endotoxin. Detoxification of streptococcal exotoxin requires a more immunologically specific mechanism. Because all the Group A sonic extracts studied elicited reciprocal tolerance to one another, it is suggested that tolerance to the intracellular pyrogenic toxin is not correlated with type-specificity.
Initial Investigation on Joining ODS Alloy Using Friction Stir Welding for Gen IV Nuclear Reactor Heat Exchanger Applications

To investigate the possibility of joining oxide-dispersion-strengthened (ODS) alloys while preserving the dispersion for high temperature strength in potential applications to Gen IV nuclear reactor compact heat exchanger, solid-state welding of ODS alloy sheets using friction stir welding (FSW) was studied. Butt weld was successfully produced, and the weld and base metals were characterized using optical, scanning electronic, and transmission electronic microscopes, as well as energy dispersion x-ray spectrum. Microhardness mapping was also conducted over the weld region. Analyses indicate that the distribution of the strengthening oxides was preserved in the weld. Decrease in microhardness of the weld was observed but was insignificant. The preliminary results seem to confirm the envisioned feasibility of FSW application to ODS alloy joining. Further investigation activities are suggested for providing better mechanistic understanding and processing control for applications to Gen IV nuclear reactor systems.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
The temperature variation of the electron diffusion length and the internal quantum efficiency in GaAs electroluminescent diodes

Abstract A method is developed to calculate the electron diffusion length in GaAs electroluminescent diodes from their measured spontaneous emission spectra. The technique is based on selective self-absorption in the p-region of the device and on the detailed balance principle. The results of our calculations are a diffusion length of 3.5±1 ωm at 300°K and 0.75±0.25 ωm at 77°K. It is shown that the decrease in the external efficiency with increase in temperature in these diodes is due to both the increase in self-absorption and the decrease of the internal quantum efficiency. It is concluded that the quantum efficiency increases by a factor of about 3.5 to 5 in going from 300 to 77°K.
Influence Of Atmospheric Uncertainties On Predicting Infrared Atmospheric Attenuation And Radiance

AbstractAn indication is given of the effect which variations in pressure, temperature,relative humidity, water content, aerosols, and gaseous concentrations have on the attenuation and thermal radiance of the atmosphere in the 2 -14 pm region for both horizontaland slant paths.IntroductionThe atmosphere is constantly changing, and many of these changes are not apparent to the naked eye without the help of several sensing devices for monitoring specificatmospheric properties. The eye can perceive changes in visual range, brightness, and contrast; however, such information is generally not sufficient for predicting atmospheric attenuation and radiance effects at ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths. Some of the factors which affect atmospheric attenuation, scattering, and emission processes will be discussed here and in particular the dependence of these phenomena on atmosphericmeteorological and optical properties. The major loss mechanisms which affect the propagation of infrared radiation through
A comparison of Guatemalan and USA nurses' attitudes towards nursing.

Background: Student nurses from the United States of America (USA) spent 5 weeks working with Guatemalan nurses in an acute care setting in Guatemala. This experience led to a heightened awareness of the global scope of nurses’ discontent and a desire to better understand the driving factors and drawbacks to practising nursing in both the USA and Guatemala. Aim: The purpose of this research was to identify those factors that discourage nurses and those that motivate nurses to continue in their practice despite the drawbacks. Method: Qualitative interviews using field notes were conducted with five Guatemalan and five USA nurses. Themes were derived through qualitative content analysis. Findings: Nurses in both the USA and Guatemala had similar reasons for choosing and staying in nursing. The different health care systems presented different problems resulting in different discontents. Conclusion: The two groups of nurses had much in common, especially in their reasons for staying in nursing. The Guatemalan nurses were most discontent with the lack of resources to treat patients, while the USA nurses focused on work environment drawbacks. Implications for practice: Strategies to support nurses and nursing in developing countries need to be developed and implemented. As nurses reach out to their colleagues in other nations, understanding our commonalities and differences will help us to support each other in improving health throughout the world.
17O-enriched α-azohydroperoxides: 17O NMR spectroscopy, 17O-labeling reagents

Abstract 17 O-enriched α-azohydroperoxides, prepared by autoxidation, are efficient 17 O-labeling reagents; 17 O NMR (CD 3 CN) of 2 showed broad signals at δ 254 and 204 PPM; the solvent dependence of the 17 O chemical shifts and the kinetics of ionic oxidations are interrelated.
Case-of-the-month: Autosomal recessive myotonia congenita: Marked muscle weakness in a 16-year-old boy

A 16-year-old boy had a 10-year history of stiffness in leg muscles. There was marked weakness of neck flexors, shoulder abductors, and ankle dorsiflexors, with hypertrophy of most muscle groups and both action and percussion myotonia. The parents were normal. Motor unit potential mean duration was reduced in the weakest muscle (tibialis anterior), and a biopsy of the same muscle showed only minimal abnormalities. Exercise and repetitive stimulation (30 Hz) of the tibialis anterior disclosed a decline in the compound muscle action potential that appeared to correlate with the muscular weakness.
Interactions of DNA with divalent metal ions. II. Proton relaxation enhancement studies.

The extent and modes of binding of the divalent metal ions Mn2+ and Co2+ to DNA and the effects of salt on the binding have been studied by measurements of the effects of these paramagnetic metal ions on the longitudinal and transverse relaxation rates of the protons of the solvent water molecules, a technique that is sensitive to overall binding. The number of water molecules coordinated to the DNA–bound Mn2+ and Co2+ is found to be between five and six, and the electron spin relaxation times and the electron-nuclear hyperfine constants associated with Mn2+ and Co2+ are little or not affected by the binding. These observations indicate little disturbance of the hydration sphere of Mn2+ and Co2+ upon binding to DNA. An average 2–3-fold reduction in the exchange rate of the water of hydration of the bound metal ions and an order-of-magnitude increase in their rotational correlation time are attributed to hydrogen-bond formation with the DNA. The binding constants of Mn2+ to DNA, at metal concentrations approaching zero, are found to be inversely proportional to the second power of the salt concentration, in agreement with the predictions of Manning's polyelectrolyte theory. A remarkable quantitative agreement with the polyelectrolyte theory is also obtained for the anticooperativity in the binding of Mn2+ to DNA, although the experimental results can be well accounted for by another simple electrostatic model. The various modes of binding of divalent metal ions to DNA are discussed.
Five-layered symmetrically configured ac light-emitting (SCALE) devices and their three-layered variations: use of gold as an electron and hole injection electrode

Symmetrically configured ac light-emitting (SCALE) devices based on conjugated polymers utilizing indium-tin oxide (ITO) and aluminum as electrodes have been demonstrated recently. Here we report the fabrication of SCALE devices using a more stable high workfunction metal, such as gold, as a charge (both electron and hole) injection electrode. Also, a variation of such devices in which the electroluminescent polymer, instead of being separated from the insulating polymer, is dispersed in the insulating polymer to form a unified emitter-insulator is reported. These devices emit light in both forward and reverse dc bias with symmetric current- voltage characteristics. Under low frequency ac (sinusoidal) driving voltage, light pulses with double the driving frequency are observed. A model is proposed to account for the device operation.
Single-dose extended-release oral azithromycin vs. 3-day azithromycin for the treatment of group A β-haemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis/tonsillitis in adults and adolescents: a double-blind, double-dummy study

The azithromycin immediate-release formulation (AZ-IR) provides effective treatment for group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis in adults. Single-dose therapy with a novel azithromycin extended-release (AZ-ER) formulation could reduce treatment failure and eliminate non-compliance contributing to antimicrobial resistance. A randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, multicentre trial was conducted comparing AZ-ER (single oral 2-g dose) with AZ-IR (3 days, 500 mg once daily) for the treatment of group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis/tonsillitis in adults and adolescents (n = 598). The primary endpoint was bacteriological eradication at test -of-cure (TOC; day 24-28) in the bacteriological per-protocol population (n = 420). Bacteriological eradication was achieved in 85.4% (175/205) and 81.4% (175/215) of subjects in the AZ-ER and AZ-IR groups, respectively (95% CI -3.1-11.1). Clinical cure at TOC occurred in 99.0% of subjects in the AZ-ER group and in 96.7% in the AZ-IR group. At long-term follow-up, bacteriological recurrence was observed in 5.5% (9/163) and 7.7% (12/156), respectively. Both treatments were well tolerated; and most adverse events (AEs) were mild to moderate in intensity. The most frequent treatment-related AE was diarrhoea, or loose stools, in 11% of both treatment groups. AZ-ER-treated and AZ-IR-treated subjects had AE burdens (AE days/patient-year) of 7.6 days and 9.2 days, respectively. A similar trend in favour of AZ-ER was noted for treatment-related diarrhoea burden (1.9 days vs. 2.5 days). A single 2-g dose of AZ-ER is as effective and well tolerated as 3 days of AZ-IR (500 mg once daily) for treating group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis/tonsillitis in adults and adolescents.
Dermatologic side effects of psychotropic medications.

Background Although relatively uncommon, cutaneous reactions to psychotropic medications may thwart treatment of psychiatric illness and confuse diagnostic efforts especially when they occur in the context of comorbid medical conditions. Psychiatrists may be asked to comment on whether a particular cutaneous condition is due to a psychotropic medication or to recommend a replacement psychotropic agent. Objective To review the available literature describing cutaneous adverse effects prompted by psychotropic medications. Method A search of the literature using PubMed was undertaken using the terms "psychotropic," "psychiatric," "antidepressant," "anxiolytic," "mood stabilizer," "antipsychotic," and "neuroleptic" in combination with either of the terms "dermatologic," "cutaneous" or "skin." Results Psychotropic medications from all classes have been associated with a broad variety of dermatologic reactions with variable rates of incidence. Psychiatrists should be aware of the potential cutaneous adverse effects of the medications they prescribe. Psychiatrists practicing in the general hospital, where cutaneous symptoms may present for any number of reasons, should be aware of the typical presentations and relative likelihood of these reactions to forestall unnecessary "blaming" of psychotropics for cutaneous reactions.
Hypercubes, shuffle-exchange graphs and de Bruijn digraphs

The hypercube Q"n, the shuffle-exchange graph S"n and the teleprinter diagram T"n have the same set of 2^"^n nodes, namely the n digit binary strings. Our purpose is to specify precisely the pairwise intersections of their edge sets and of their arc sets.
Low-level microwave irradiation and central cholinergic systems.

Abstract Our previous research showed that 45 min of exposure to low-level, pulsed microwaves (2450-MHz, 2-μsec pulses, 500 pps, whole-body average specific absorption rate 0.6 W/kg) decreased sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of the rat. The effects of microwaves on central cholinergic systems were further investigated in this study. Increases in choline uptake activity in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus were observed after 20 min of acute microwave exposure, and tolerance to the effect of microwaves developed in the hypothalamus, but not in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, of rats subjected to ten daily 20-min exposure sessions. Furthermore, the effects of acute microwave irradiation on central choline uptake could be blocked by pretreating the animals before exposure with the narcotic antagonist naltrexone. In another series of experiments, rats were exposed to microwaves in ten daily sessions of either 20 or 45 min, and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in different regions of the brain were studied by 3H-QNB binding assay. Decreases in concentration of receptors occurred in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of rats subjected to ten 20-min microwave exposure sessions, whereas increase in receptor concentration occurred in the hippocampus of animals exposed to ten 45-min sessions. This study also investigated the effects of microwave exposure on learning in the radial-arm maze. Rats were trained in the maze to obtain food reinforcements immediately after 20 or 45 min of microwave exposure. Exposure to microwaves for 20 min prior to training had no significant main effect on maze learning but affected the shape of the learning curve, whereas 45-min exposure significantly retarded the performance of the rats.
QM/MM (ONIOM) study of glycerol binding and hydrogen abstraction by the coenzyme B12-independent dehydratase.

Glycerol binding and the radical-initiated hydrogen transfer by the coenzyme B12-independent glycerol dehydratase from Clostridium butyricum were investigated by using quantum mechanical/molecular ...
The Effects of Resistive Loading of "TEM" Horns

A short transverse electromagnetic (TEM) horn with continuously tapered resistive loading was developed for directional reception or transmission of picosecond pulses with minimal distortion. It was found to be broadband and nondispersive with a low VSWR. The receiving transient response of the resistively loaded "TEM" horn indicates that the waveform of a 70-ps impluse is well preserved. The theoretical analyses using the method of moments and the fast Fourier transform (FFT) technique were performed and agreed well with time-domain measurements.
Age-related alterations in cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity in dystrophic mouse leg muscle.

Previous reports have described both increased and decreased cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in dystrophic muscle. Total PDE activity was measured in hind leg muscle from a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (mdx) and a genetic control strain at 5, 8, 10, and 15 weeks of age. Total PDE activity declined in fractions isolated from mdx muscle over this time period, but was stable in fractions from control mice. Compared with age-matched controls, younger mdx muscle had higher cAMP and cGMP PDE activity. However, at 15 weeks, fractions from both strains had similar cGMP PDE activity and mdx fractions had lower cAMP PDE activity than controls. Particulate fractions from mdx muscle showed an age-related decline in sensitivity to the PDE4 inhibitor RO 20-1724. A similar loss of sensitivity to the PDE2 inhibitor erythro-9-(2-hydroxyl-3-nonyl)-adenine (EHNA) was seen in a particulate fraction from mdx muscle and to a lesser degree in control muscle. These results suggest that the earlie...
Stabilized phospholipid membranes in chromatography: toward membrane protein-functionalized stationary phases

Transmembrane protein (TMP)-functionalized materials have resulted in powerful new methods in chemical analysis. Of particular interest is the development of high-throughput, TMP-functionalized stationary phases for affinity chromatography of complex mixtures of analytes. Several natural and synthetic phospholipids and lipid mimics have been used for TMP reconstitution, although the resulting membranes often lack the requisite chemical and temporal stability for long-term use, a problem that is exacerbated in flowing separation systems. Polymerizable lipids with markedly increased membrane stability and TMP functionality have been developed over the past two decades. More recently, these lipids have been incorporated into a range of analytical methods, including separation techniques, and are now poised to have a significant impact on TMP-based separations. Here, we describe current methods for preparing TMP-containing stationary phases and examine the potential utility of polymerizable lipids in TMP affinity chromatography.
Review of Occupational Hazards Associated With Aquaculture

Aquaculture is an emerging sector that is associated with most of the same hazards that are present in agriculture generally, but many fish farming tasks entail added danger, including working around water and working at night. Comprehensive studies of these hazards have not been conducted, and substantial uncertainty exists as to the extent of these hazards. The question addressed in this investigation was, "What is known about potential hazardous occupational exposures to aquatic plant and animal farmers?" In this review, causes of death included drowning, electrocution, crushing-related injury, hydrogen sulfide poisoning, and fatal head injury. Nonfatal injuries were associated with slips, trips, and falls; machines; strains and sprains; chemicals; and fires. Risk factors included cranes (tip over and power line contact), tractors and sprayer-equipped all-terrain vehicles (overturn), heavy loads (lifting), high-pressure sprayers, slippery surfaces, rotting waste (hydrogen sulfide production), eroding levees (overturn hazard), storm-related rushing water, diving conditions (bends and drowning), nighttime conditions, working alone, lack of training, lack of or failure to use personal flotation devices, and all-terrain vehicle speeding. Other hazards included punctures or cuts from fish teeth or spines, needlesticks, exposure to low temperatures, and bacterial and parasitic infections .
Structure-activity study of cytotoxicity and microtubule assembly in vitro by taxol and related taxanes.

Abstract Structure-activity relationships of natural and semisynthetic taxanes are reported. Activity is measured in vivo by cytotoxicity toward the macrophage-like cell line J774.2, and in vitro by promotion of microtubule assembly in the absence of exogenous GTP and by inhibition of [3H]taxol binding to microtubule protein. Cytotoxicity and in vitro activity require both an intact taxane ring and ester side chain at position C-13. Addition of acetyl moieties at positions 2′ and 7 results in loss of in vitro activity but not cytotoxicity.
Histological organization of the right and left atrioventricular valves of the chicken heart and their relationship to the atrioventricular purkinje ring and the middle bundle branch

In the avian heart the right and left atrioventricular (AV) valves not only exhibit their own special anatomical characteristics, but they also are in close proximity to the conduction system. The right AV valve is a single, spiral plane of myocardium, in remarkable contrast to the fibrous structure characteristic of the mammalian tricuspid valve. A ring of Purkinje tissue encircles the avian right AV orifice and connects to the muscular valve. The chicken has no crista supraventricularis, its right AV valve serving that function as well as opening and closing the right AV orifice. The left AV valve consists of three leaflets instead of the two typical of mammalian hearts. Its anterior and posterior leaflets are small; its large aortic (medial) leaflet merges with the bases of both the left and noncoronary cusps of the aortic valve by fibrous tissue, resembling that of the mammalian heart. However, unlike in mammals, there is a slim cylinder of continuous myocardium coursing parallel to this fibrous junction. This unusual arc of myocardium in the chicken serves to complete an entire subaortic ring of myocardium and is thus potentially capable of constricting the outflow tract of the chicken's left ventricle. The middle bundle branch connects with both the muscle arch and the AV Purkinje ring. Thus the myocardium in or near both AV valves (and the left ventricular outflow tract) in the chicken heart is so arranged that it may receive direct early activation from the conduction system. ©1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Decline in tornado death rate faces test

Although records show a 3-year decline in tornado-related deaths, the trend could reverse between now and May, the peak tornado month. Therefore, NOAA and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) are urging that the public be prepared to take the appropriate safety measures. ‘It is vital that people not relax their vigilance against these destructive storms,’ Richard E. Hallgren, director of the National Weather Service (NWS) said. ‘If they do, we could witness an unwarranted number of casualties.’
Attracting manifolds for attitude estimation in flatland and otherlands

Non-convex and non-affine parameterizations of uncertainty are intrinsic within every attitude estimation problem given the fact that minimal and/or nonsingular representations of the attitude matrix are invariably nonlinear functions of the unknown attitude variables. Of course, this fact remains true for rotation matrices both in the 2-D plane (flatland) and in higher dimensional spaces (otherlands). Therefore, estimation problems involving minimal nonsingular representations of unknown attitude matrices bring significant challenges to the adaptive estimation community. This paper develops a novel algorithm for attitude estimation. The proposed algorithm relies upon the design of an adaptive update law for the attitude estimate while preserving its inherent orthogonal structure. The underlying approach borrows from the classical Poisson differential equation in rigid-body rotational kinematics and endows certain manifold attractivity features within the adaptive estimation algorithm. Consequently, we are not only able to efficiently handle the non-affine and non-convex nature of the parameter uncertainty, but are also ensured of estimation algorithm stability and robustness under bounded measurement noise. In addition to a rigorous discussion on the overall methodology, the paper provides example simulations that help demonstrate the effectiveness of the attracting manifolds design.
H-2 and non-h-2 determinants in the genetic control of cell-mediated lympholysis.

Histocompatibility loci of the H-2 complex in mouse have been divided into two genetically and functionally distinct components: the lymphocyte defined (LD) and serologically defined (SD) systems. Generation in mixed leukocyte cultures of cytotoxic lymphocytes which mediate 51Cr release from appropriate targets in cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) tests involves an interaction between the responses to the H-2 LD and SD differences. Data presented here show that genetic differences for the Mls locus can substitute for H-2 LD in the generation of cytotoxic lymphocytes; relataively low level but significant CML is associated with H-2 LD.
Registration of ‘HoCP 00-950’ Sugarcane

'HoCP 00-950' (Reg. No. CV-135, PI 654823) sugarcane (a complex hybrid of Saccharum officinarum L., S. spontaneum L., S. barberi Jeswiet, and S. sinense Roxb. amend. Jeswiet) was selected and evaluated by the USDA-ARS, working cooperatively with the Louisiana State University AgCenter, and the American Sugar Cane League, Inc. It was released to growers in Louisiana in April 2007. In 67 machine-harvested trials on light- and heavy-textured soils from 2004 to 2007 (plant-cane through third-ratoon crop) averaged over nine southern Louisiana locations, HoCP 00-950 produced 5% more sugar and had 6% higher sugar content than the industry standard, 'HoCP 96-540'. In plant-cane and ratoon-crop maturity tests harvested in 2007, HoCP 00-950 had significantly higher sugar content than HoCP 96-540 across all harvest dates, with 35% higher sugar content at the outset of the harvest season (late September). HoCP 00-950 is resistant to brown rust (Puccinia melanocephala), smut (Ustilago scitaminea), leaf scald (Xanthomonas albilineans), and mosaic diseases. It is susceptible to the sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis) and should not be planted in areas where pesticide use is restricted. The early maturity characteristic of HoCP 00-950 provides growers with a variety that can produce profitable sugar yields early in the milling season without the need to apply a chemical ripener.
Randomized, controlled trial of intravenous immunoglobulin in myasthenia gravis.

We initiated a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment in myasthenia gravis (MG). Patients received IVIG 2 gm/kg at induction and 1 gm/kg after 3 weeks vs. 5% albumin placebo. The primary efficacy measurement was the change in the quantitative MG Score (QMG) at day 42. Fifteen patients were enrolled (6 to IVIG; 9 to placebo) before the study was terminated because of insufficient IVIG inventories. At day 42, there was no significant difference in primary or secondary outcome measurements between the two groups. In a subsequent 6-week open-label study of IVIG, positive trends were observed.
Trellis quantization of frames

We address the optimization of the quantization of overcomplete frames. The optimization problem is formulated as a quadratic integer programming problem. We develop a suboptimal dynamic programming solution that uses a scalable trellis expansion. The proposed solution offers significant improvement of the quantization error and it can be combined with projection-based quantization, e.g., sigma-delta quantization. The effectiveness of the algorithm is established using harmonic tight frames.
Some Remarks on Finite Horizon Markovian Decision Models

It is shown that finite horizon Markovian decision problems can be handled as linear programming problems. Thus, problems with large numbers of side constraints, which would be difficult to treat by dynamic programming methods, can be handled by linear programming methods. Fixed and random horizon problems are discussed.
Asymptotic and quadratic failure criteria for anisotropic materials

Abstract A criterion is proposed for describing the macroscopic states of stress which result in failure of brittle and ductile materials. For isotropic conditions, the criterion defines a failure surface in stress space where the deviatoric stress at failure is a nonlinear function of hydrostatic stress and asymptotically approaches a limiting value for extreme hydrostatic compression. The criterion involves three material parameters, and as special limiting cases, the criterion reduces to the isotropic von Mises and Drucker-Prager criteria. The anisotropic form of the criterion is based on a generalization of the distortion energy which is exponentially dependent upon the hydrostatic pressure. The criterion is especially suited for describing the failure envelope of materials which exhibit brittle deformation at low hydrostatic pressure and ductile deformation at high hydrostatic pressure. Unlike many criteria, the anisotropic criterion is capable of describing material failure due to the application of purely hydrostatic compression. The exponential yield function is then used in the application of plastic limit analysis. This function is used for isotropic materials which are idealized as rigid, perfectly plastic. Post yield deformations are assumed to obey the normality rule. The associated rate of energy dissipation is derived and proof of convexity is provided. It is demonstrated that post-yield material dilatancy and Poison's ratio can be accurately modelled. The upper and lower bound theorem can be applied in a straightforward manner without the need for using a tensil cutoff. It is also shown that for some materials, the generalization of the exponential criterion for anisotropic materials can be approximated by the quadratic yield function. The associated rate of energy dissipation is derived for the anisotropic quadratic criterion and the conditions for convexity are described. Example limit analyses are provided for the forces necessary to split a circular cylinder and for the edge pressures required to indent a semi-infinite sheet.
Thermal Modeling, Analysis, and Management in VLSI Circuits: Principles and Methods

The growing packing density and power consumption of very large scale integration (VLSI) circuits have made thermal effects one of the most important concerns of VLSI designers. The increasing variability of key process parameters in nanometer CMOS technologies has resulted in larger impact of the substrate and metal line temperatures on the reliability and performance of the devices and interconnections. Recent data shows that more than 50% of all integrated circuit failures are related to thermal issues. This paper presents a brief discussion of key sources of power dissipation and their temperature relation in CMOS VLSI circuits, and techniques for full-chip temperature calculation with special attention to its implications on the design of high-performance, low-power VLSI circuits. The paper is concluded with an overview of techniques to improve the full-chip thermal integrity by means of off-chip versus on-chip and static versus adaptive methods
Microwave spectrum and substitution structure of methylene chloride

Abstract The microwave spectrum of methylene chloride has been reinvestigated in order to obtain a complete substitution ( r s ) structure of well-defined precision. Measurements on the 13 CH 2 Cl 2 species have yielded the following rigid-rotor rotational constants: A = 30746.20 ± 0.10 MHz, B = 3320.63 ± 0.11 MHz, and C = 3053.44 ± 0.10 MHz. These data, combined with revised values reported earlier for other isotopic species, yields the following r s structural parameters: CCl = 1.767 ± 0.002 A, CH = 1.085 ± 0.002 A, ∠HCH = 112.1 ± 0.2°, and ∠ClCCl = 112.2 ± 0.1°.
The thermal transformation of alumina monohydrate, boehmite

The thermal transformation of boehmite (alumina monohydrate) prepared hydrothermally from alumina trihydrate (hydrargillite or bayerite) to α-alumina has been studied by X-ray diffraction and infra-red spectra. As a result, it is seen that the thermal transformation of boehmite proceeds in the following sequence. Boehmite γ-alumina δ-alumina θ-alumina α-alumina.
The development of competence for meiotic maturation during oogenesis in Xenopus laevis

Abstract Meiotic maturation of large, 1.2–1.4 mm in diameter, stage VI oocytes of Xenopus laevis can be induced to mature in vitro by exposure to progesterone or by microinjection of maturation-promoting factor (MPF). Small, 0.95 mm in diameter, stage IV oocytes do not respond to progesterone but do undergo germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in response to microinjection of MPF. The possibility that small oocytes are nonresponsive to progesterone due to a specific defect in an event known to occur with large oocytes is investigated. Both large and small oocytes possess a plasma membrane steroid receptor (Mr = 110,000) as measured by photoaffinity labeling with [3H]R5020, but the density of receptors in small oocytes is only 20% of that in large oocytes. Adenylate cyclase activity stimulated by guanyl-5′-yl-imidodiphosphate is equally inhibited by steroid (50%) in plasma membranes from both large and small oocytes with an apparent IC50 of 2 × 10−7 M progesterone. Microinjection of the heat-stable inhibitor protein of cAMP-dependent protein kinase induces GVBD in large but not in small oocytes. These results indicate that the nonresponsiveness of small, stage IV oocytes to progesterone is due to a deficiency in an event(s) subsequent to cAMP fluctuations but prior to MPF action.
Spectator ligand effects on the vibrational spectra of heteroleptic complexes of ruthenium with bipyrazine

Resonance Raman (RR) and transient resonance Raman (TR2) spectra were acquired for a series of heteroleptic complexes of ruthenium, i.e. RuL2(bpz)2+, where bpz is 2,2′-bipyrazine and L is 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) or an alkylated 2,2′-bipyridine [i.e. diazafluorene (daf) or 4,4′-dimethyl-5,5′-diethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (dmdeb)]. Resonance Raman spectra acquired at different excitation wavelengths for the ground-state complexes reveal selective enhancement of modes associated with the coordinated bpz or the spectator ligands, as expected. The TR2 spectra, acquired with excitation at 355 nm, confirm selective population of a bpz-localized 3MLCT excited state for each complex. Both the ground-state RR spectra and the excited state TR2 data indicate that only slight shifts are observed in a few modes as the donor strengths of the spectator ligands are varied. Such data for a systematically manipulated set of complexes, acquired here for the first time, imply that both the RR and TR2 spectral parameters are reliably characteristic for a given ligand, varying only slightly as the nature of other ligands in the complex is changed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SU-E-T-265: A Simple Method for Clinical Verification of the Digital Graticule on a Per-Patient Basis

Purpose: As clinical radiation oncology centers move away from using film, digital imagers(EPIDs) are increasingly used to verify patient setup prior to treatment. Shifts are determined via the application of a digital graticule to the MV image. In theory, the origin of the digital graticule should be perfectly aligned to the radiation isocenter, and the digital graticule displayed at the treatment console should be identical to that observed in offline software. In practice, however, discrepancies in graticule position do occur. This poster presents a simple method by which the alignment of the digital graticule to isocenter can be verified on a per‐patient basis prior to making shifts in patient setup. Methods: A metal ball bearing (BB) 2 mm in diameter was placed on the EPID'simaging plate coincident with the light field crosshairs or central axis (CAX). The EPID was moved through its range of motion, 50 cm vertically, to verify that the physical BB position tracked with the CAX. Crosshair alignment was further verified by retracting and re‐extending the imager at the four cardinal gantry angles. Results: The BB appears as an opaque point in a dark field for portal images. Without obscuring patient anatomy or localization markers, it serves as a marker of the CAX to which the physician and therapists can align the digital graticule prior to making shifts in patient position for treatment. Conclusions: The BB serves as a reference point by which the accuracy of the digital graticule alignment can be verified on a per‐patient basis. As long as a patient's portal images include the CAX, the BB enables verification of measured shift accuracy prior to adjusting the patient's position for treatment.
Optical implementation of hit-miss transform based on phase encoding

One-channel representations of hit-miss transform are described. The hit-miss transform can be reduced to be a cross-correlation followed by a thresholding operation after combining the foreground and background structuring elements into one structuring element. A phase-only joint transform correlator is proposed to realize one of the representations. Simulation results are provided.
Use of a two‐mode soil pore size distribution to estimate soil water transport in a land surface model

[1] Hydraulic properties determine the soil water content and its transport in the soil. They are provided in most current climate models as empirical formulas by functions of the soil texture. Such is not realistic if the soil contains a substantial amount of macropores. A two-mode soil pore size distribution is incorporated into a land surface model to provide more accurate estimation of hydraulic properties of well-aggregated soils. The pore-size distribution for soils with heterogeneous pore systems is regarded as a linear combination of two simple (uni-mode) distributions, thus the macropores can be isolated as an component of the size distribution. The matric potential and the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity are derived from this distribution. Using an observational dataset at a tropical forest site with aggregated soils, the treatment is found to significantly improve the simulation of its soil moisture and surface water fluxes.
Poisson-noise-induced escape from a metastable state

We provide a complete solution of the problems of the probability distribution and the escape rate in Poisson-noise driven systems. It includes both the exponents and the prefactors. The analysis refers to an overdamped particle in a potential well. The results apply for an arbitrary average rate of noise pulses, from slow pulse rates, where the noise acts on the system as strongly non-Gaussian, to high pulse rates, where the noise acts as effectively Gaussian.
Technological approaches to promoting physical activity

This paper reflects on the HCI community's current and potential contributions to the problem of promoting physical activity. It does so by first presenting a conceptual overview of existing research, and then draws from the findings of a study of attitudes towards health and health-related behaviour to frame a critical review of the current state of the art. In doing so, we identify an area of outstanding need and opportunity for future research: conveying the value of physical activity to those unconvinced of its importance.
Increase in lysozyme activity in kidneys of irradiation chimeras.

Assay of lysozyme activity in homogenates of kidney of irradiation chimeras has shown that a marked increase in activity is associated with the presence of grafted homologous bone marrow. This increase began about 3 days after injection of the marrow cells, reached its peak 20 to 40 days and returned to normal 100 to 200 days after treatment. A significant increase in weight of kidney, maximal at 9 days after treatment, was observed in the animals given homologous bone-marrow cells. (auth)
New approach to calculating oscillator strengths and transition energies: Liouville Dirac-Fock theory.

The relativistic eigenvalue equation involving the Liouville operator [H, ] applied to the general relativistic transition operator represented symbolically by t, [H,t]=\ensuremath{\lambda}t, is solved for many-electron atomic systems. We derive the governing equations for Liouville Dirac-Fock theory in the restricted case where we limit the states used inside the commutator to those contained in the model space defined by multiconfiguration initial and final wave functions, and in the unrestricted case where we do not. The unrestricted theory is applied to calculations of transition energies and oscillator strengths for test cases in both closed- and open-shell systems.
2-D assembly of colloidal particles on a planar electrode

Abstract Electrical voltage externally applied between parallel-plate electrodes can cause colloidal particles located near one of the electrodes to aggregate; thus monodisperse particles can be driven to form hexagonally close-packed arrays which can be useful in the fabrication of photonic materials. The mechanism for lateral motion of particles on the electrode surface is electroosmotic flow driven by the action of the applied electric field acting either on the equilibrium charges in the diffuse layer of the particles (ECEO) or on charge induced by the electric field on the surface of the electrode (ICEO). For steady currents, ECEO dominates whereas ICEO dominates for high-frequency alternating current. For intermediate frequencies (10 Hz to 1 kHz) both mechanisms are active. This critical review attempts to integrate concepts from electrochemistry and colloid chemistry to understand this electrokinetic phenomenon.
Unconventional Secretion, Unconventional Solutions

Most eukaryotic secretory proteins are directed into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by an amino-terminal signal peptide (leader sequence) and progress to the cell surface through vesicular flow via the Golgi apparatus ( 1 , 2 ). However, many claims have been made for a number of diverse membrane and soluble proteins that lack a typical signal peptide being transported from the cytoplasm or nucleus independently of this classical ER-Golgi route, so-called unconventional secretion ( 3 – 5 ). Some examples, such as secretion of the yeast a-factor mating pheromone by a plasma membrane peptide transporter ( 6 ), are well understood. However, other examples are of proteins that are inefficiently secreted, and the concern is that in some experiments this “export” is due to cell lysis rather than actual secretion ( 7 ). Here we summarize the key evidence for unconventional secretion, and pose questions that remain to be addressed.
Hypoalbuminaemia in the perioperative period: clinical significance and management options.

Albumin has been the focus of literally thousands of articles since its first use in the clinical setting during World War II. Despite being at the centre of several clinical controversies, many questions still remain regarding the use and abuse of albumin. The major physiologic functions include maintaining colloid osmotic pressure, binding and transport of metabolically active molecules, serving as an antioxidant, use as a surrogate marker of nutritional status and predictor of outcome in elective surgical populations, having an anti-thrombotic influence on platelets, aiding in acid–base balance and having a protective influence on capillary membrane integrity. Albumin will continue to be widely used in clinical medicine despite many of the drawbacks. It now appears the benefits in the use of albumin in most cases outweigh the risks. The clinical implications of hypoalbuminaemia as an indicator of surgical or intensive care unit (ICU) outcome or nutritional status is clearly disease- and organ specific. The use of albumin as a volume expander appears to have limited, if any, benefit over crystalloid. The "secondary" benefits of albumin in specific surgical and intensive-care conditions, such as sepsis and organ dysfunction, are numerous and are well supported in the current literature.
Unbiased Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting in Z‐Scheme Device Using W/Mo‐Doped BiVO4 and ZnxCd1−xSe

Photoelectrochemical water splitting to generate H2 and O2 using only photon energy (with no added electrical energy) has been demonstrated with dual n-type-semiconductor (or Z-scheme) systems. Here we investigated two different Z-scheme systems; one is comprised of two cells with the same metal-oxide semiconductor (W- and Mo-doped bismuth vanadate), that is, Pt-W/Mo-BiVO4, and the other is comprised of the metal oxide and a chalcogenide semiconductor, that is, Pt-W/Mo-BiVO4 and Zn(0.2)Cd(0.8)Se. The redox couples utilized in these Z-scheme configurations were I(-)/IO3(-) or S(2-)/S(n)(2-), respectively. An electrochemical analysis of the system in terms of cell components is shown to illustrate the behavior of the complete photoelectrochemical Z-scheme water-splitting system. H2 gas from the unbiased photolysis of water was detected using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy and using a membrane-electrode assembly. The electrode configuration to achieve the maximum conversion efficiency from solar energy to chemical energy with the given materials and the Z-scheme is discussed. Here, the possibilities and challenges of Z-scheme unbiased photoelectrochemical water-splitting devices and the materials to achieve practical solar-fuel generation are discussed.
The Borexino purification system

Purification of 278 tons of liquid scintillator and 889 tons of buffer shielding for the Borexino solar neutrino detector is performed with a system of combined distillation, water extraction, gas stripping and filtration. The purification system removed K, U and Th by distillation of the pseudocumene solvent and the PPO fluor. Noble gases, Rn, Kr and Ar were removed by gas stripping. Distillation was also employed to remove optical impurities and reduce the attenuation of scintillation light. The success of the purification system has facilitated the first time real time detection of low energy solar neutrinos.