cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies on platelets. III. The absence of selective sequestration and destruction of platelets by the spleen in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

1. The morphologic characteristics of the megakaryocytes were studied in fourteen normal or nonthrombocytopenic individuals, in nine patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (I.T.P.), in two individuals with pernicious anemia, and in two normal individuals in whom thrombocytopenia was temporarily induced by the administration of plasma from a patient with a circulating high-titer platelet agglutinin. Phase contrast microscopy was used on unfixed, unstained materials. 2. The characteristics observed in normal megakaryocytes and in those from patients with I.T.P. confirmed data previously obtained with the use of fixed and stained material. In I.T.P. the bone marrow megakaryocytic series presented the following significant findings: (a) an increase in the number of the megakaryocytes, particularly of the younger forms. Young forms were particularly prominent in I.T.P. of the "acute" variety. (b) Production of platelets by promegakaryocytes, the platelets appearing large and bizarre. (c) Lack of platelet formation at the periphery of the cell and lack of granularity in the outer layer of the mature megakaryocyte. (d) Presensce of marked degenerative changes in the nucleus and cytoplasm of the megakaryocytes. The abnormalities observed suggested the possibility of a double mechanism: one in which the circulating platelets were injured, the other in which the megakaryocyte itself was attacked. 3. In a patient with a high-titer circulating platelet agglutinin the alterations of the megakaryocytes were fundamentally similar, although the granularity of the cytoplasm appeared to be less affected and the degenerative changes more pronounced. Similar abnormalities could be reproduced in the normal individuals receiving the patient's plasma. These results again suggested that, at least in those cases of I.T.P. in which the thrombocytopenia was due to a circulating antiplatelet factor, this acted by: (a) attacking the platelets being discharged from the megakaryocyte; (b) preventing the normal formation of platelets; (c) preventing the normal development of the megakaryocyte from younger to more mature forms.
Clinical Outcome of Patients with Intermediate Probability Lung Scans During Six-Month Follow-Up

UNLABELLED A retrospective review of a consecutive series of patients with intermediate probability (IP) ventilation/perfusion lung scans was performed to evaluate: the frequency of documented thromboembolic (TE) disease, either pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep-venous thrombosis (DVT), at time of presentation; the prevalence of new diagnoses of TE disease during 6-mo follow-up; and occurrence of mortality during the same follow-up interval. METHODS Radiologic and clinical records for all patients who had ventilation/perfusion lung scans reported as IP or indeterminate during a 7-yr period were reviewed. TE disease at presentation or during follow-up was identified from results of pulmonary angiography, chest CT, lower extremity Doppler ultrasound and venography, and repeat lung scans. Occurrence of mortality and cause of death were determined by medical record review. RESULTS Of 164 patients studied, 36 (22%) had TE disease confirmed at initial presentation (PE = 19; DVT only = 17), and four others (2%) developed evidence of TE disease during follow-up, two with PE and two with DVT. Prevalence of TE disease was significantly greater in patients with matching perfusion/chest radiographic abnormalities and ventilation/perfusion mismatches (0.5-1.5 segmental equivalents) than in those with various patterns of matching ventilation/perfusion defects (31% versus 14%, p < 0.01). Twenty-eight patients (18%) died during follow-up, but recurrent PE was implicated in only one death in a patient with angiographically-confirmed PE at initial presentation. Among the 116 patients who did not receive long-term anticoagulation after their initial lung scans, 22 (19%) died, none of whom had PE confirmed or suspected as a contributing cause. CONCLUSION The prevalence of new or recurrent TE disease is low in patients with IP lung scans who are appropriately evaluated and managed after their initial presentation. No evidence of significant mortality secondary to untreated PE was found in the study group.
Immunological response of rodents to murine mycoplasmas.

Mycoplasma arthritidis, M. pulmonis, M. neurolyticum , and M. felis strains administered on various immunization schedules induced complement-fixing and agglutinating antibodies in rats, mice, and guinea pigs. Metabolic inhibiting (MI) antibodies against M. felis were produced by guinea pigs, mice, and rats. M. neurolyticum did not induce MI antibody in mice but induced high titers in guinea pigs and rats. M. pulmonis failed to induce MI antibody titers in mice, induced low titers in rats, and induced high titers in guinea pigs. M. arthritidis induced no or very low titers in rats and low titers in mice, but induced high MI titers in guinea pigs. A positive correlation was demonstrated between ability of the mycoplasma to induce disease and lack of MI antibody formation by its natural host. It is suggested that the apparent inability of the various animals to produce MI antibodies against their natural mycoplasmal parasites may enable the mycoplasmas to become established in their hosts. The concept of biological mimicry is brought forward to explain these observations.
Renal Function Descriptors in Neonates: Which Creatinine-Based Formula Best Describes Vancomycin Clearance?

Growth and maturational changes have been identified as significant covariates in describing variability in clearance of renally excreted drugs such as vancomycin. Because of immaturity of clearance mechanisms, quantification of renal function in neonates is of importance. Several serum creatinine (SCr)-based renal function descriptors have been developed in adults and children, but none are selectively derived for neonates. This review summarizes development of the neonatal kidney and discusses assessment of the renal function regarding estimation of glomerular filtration rate using renal function descriptors. Furthermore, identification of the renal function descriptors that best describe the variability of vancomycin clearance was performed in a sample study of a septic neonatal cohort. Population pharmacokinetic models were developed applying a combination of age-weight, renal function descriptors, or SCr alone. In addition to age and weight, SCr or renal function descriptors significantly reduced variability of vancomycin clearance. The population pharmacokinetic models with Leger and modified Schwartz formulas were selected as the optimal final models, although the other renal function descriptors and SCr provided reasonably good fit to the data, suggesting further evaluation of the final models using external data sets and cross validation. The present study supports incorporation of renal function descriptors in the estimation of vancomycin clearance in neonates.
Taxonomy to Guide Systems-of-Systems Decision-Making in Air Transportation Problems

a system of systems, many engineering methods and tools used to design and analyze large-scale, but monolithic, systems do not appear to work for systems of systems. This paper presents a three-axis taxonomy that can guide design method development and analysis of alternatives for aeronautical systems of systems. Based on this perspective, two experiments in applying the methods are presented for system-of-systems problems that involve aircraft and/or air transportation. Nomenclature AR = aspect ratio T=W = thrust-to-weight ratio W=S = wing loading
An Observational Analysis of Tropical Cyclone Recurvature

Abstract Data for 21 years (1957–77) of North Pacific rawinsondes were examined to investigate the interaction between the synoptic-scale circulation and tropical cyclones prior to, and during, the recurvature process. This study is believed to be the first to quantitatively examine how the environmental wind fields at all levels of the troposphere are related to tropical cyclone motion prior to, and during, recurvature. For tropical cyclones that recurve, significant changes in the upper-tropospheric zonal wind fields were observed 1–2 days prior to beginning recurvature in the environmental sector northwest of the storm. Cyclones actually began to recurve when positive zonal winds (westerlies) penetrated the middle and upper troposphere to within 6° of the cyclone's center. Tropical cyclones that did not recurve consistently showed negative zonal winds at this radius. From the results of this study, a recurvature forecasting scheme was developed that uses environmental wind field data for the region nor...
A new beta-carbolinone synthesis using a Rh(II)-promoted [3 + 2]-cycloaddition and Pd(0) cross-coupling/Heck cyclization chemistry.

A short and efficient synthesis of the β-carbolinone ring system was achieved using a rhodium(II)-catalyzed [3 + 2]-cycloaddition, a Pd(0)-catalyzed C−N amination reaction, and a subsequent intramolecular Heck reaction as the key synthetic steps.
The metabolic enzyme CTP synthase forms cytoskeletal filaments

Filament-forming cytoskeletal proteins are essential for the structure and organization of all cells. Bacterial homologues of the major eukaryotic cytoskeletal families have now been discovered, but studies suggest that yet more remain to be identified. We demonstrate that the metabolic enzyme CTP synthase (CtpS) forms filaments in Caulobacter crescentus. CtpS is bifunctional, as the filaments it forms regulate the curvature of C. crescentus cells independently of its catalytic function. The morphogenic role of CtpS requires its functional interaction with the intermediate filament, crescentin (CreS). Interestingly, the Escherichia coli CtpS homologue also forms filaments both in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that CtpS polymerization may be widely conserved. E. coli CtpS can replace the enzymatic and morphogenic functions of C. crescentus CtpS, indicating that C. crescentus has adapted a conserved filament-forming protein for a secondary role. These results implicate CtpS as a novel bifunctional member of the bacterial cytoskeleton and suggest that localization and polymerization may be important properties of metabolic enzymes.
Conflict, Cooperation, And Separation Of Powers In City Government

: The conflict that typifies urban politics has been considered a central characteristic of the relationship among city government officials as well. This need not be the case. If a distinction is made between the total political process in cities and the governmental process in cities, conflict does not necessarily dominate the latter. Interactions among officials may be characterized not simply by the absence of conflict but by the presence of positive relations based on cooperation. Although forms of government have been differentiated in their capacity to handle conflict, they also differ in the generation of conflict or cooperation. Cities with separation of powers engender conflict among officials, whereas cities without separation of powers possess the conditions under which cooperation is possible. Differences in the nature of interactions among officials cannot be explained entirely by the characteristics of cities, which tend to use one form of government or the other. Observations from selected pairs of moderately large cities of similar size and demographic features, but with different forms of government, support this contention. The cooperative pattern, common in council-manager cities, is a second model of the governmental process that may be used along with the conflictual pattern.
Methylation of the Escherichia coli Chemotaxis Receptors: Intra- and Interdimer Mechanisms†

The mechanism(s) of methylation of the Escherichia coli chemotaxis receptors was analyzed by experiments involving the construction of a series of aspartate receptor variants. Truncation of five or more residues from the C-terminal end of the aspartate receptor, which prevents the methyltransferase from binding to the receptor, resulted in very low rates of methylation, indicating that the methyltransferase is activated by binding to the receptor. Coexpression of a receptor variant that is unmethylatable but able to C-terminally bind the methyltransferase resulted in much higher methylation rates for all of the truncated receptors. By preventing the possibility of subunit exchange between receptor variants, we showed that the truncated receptors were methylated via an interdimer mechanism. The interdimer methylation rates of the truncated receptors were found to be 3-fold lower than the methylation rate of the unaltered receptor, suggesting that intradimer methylation as well as interdimer methylation acc...
A volumish theorem for the Jones polynomial of alternating knots

The Volume Conjecture claims that the hyperbolic volume of a knot is determined by the colored Jones polynomial. Here we prove a “Volumish Theorem” for alternating knots in terms of the Jones polynomial, rather than the colored Jones polynomial: The ratio of the volume and certain sums of coefficients of the Jones polynomial is bounded from above and from below by constants. Furthermore, we give experimental data on the relation of the growths of the hyperbolic volume and the coefficients of the Jones polynomial, both for alternating and nonalternating knots.
Early environment shapes the development of gaze aversion by wild bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata).

Among many species of primates, staring is perceived as a sign of aggression and averting the gaze usually serves to reduce such conflict. The current study conducted in southern India documented developmental differences among wild bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata) in their latency to gaze avert after establishing eye contact with other individuals. Feeding stations were used to gather macaques within a small area to facilitate the video recording of group dynamics and eye contact between subordinate and dominant individuals. Individuals were grouped into three age classes: juveniles, subadult males, and adult males. Comparisons were also made between urban and forest dwelling troops. In the forest, juveniles established eye contact with older males for significantly longer periods of time than did adults. A linear trend was observed in which the latency to gaze avert after establishing eye contact decreased with age. This trend was not evident in the urban troops, for which the latency to gaze avert did not change significantly with age. Urban juveniles were also more likely to be chased when they established eye contact with adults compared with their forest counterparts. These differences could be the result of increased predatory risk in the forest setting — the necessity for heightened predator vigilance in forests may reduce the frequency with which juveniles are monitored and chased or attacked as a result of their eye contact. Conversely, the rarity of predators in the city may engender more intense aggressive behavior between monkeys, accelerating the rate of learning to signal appeasement to dominant males.
Online Public Access Catalogs: Two Studies

In September, 1982, a graduate seminar was held for the first time at Syracuse University on Online Public Access Catalogs (OPACs). The focus was on aspects of OPAC design, the impact of OPACs on staff and users, and comparative analysis of their features and functions. Of the 15 people enrolled, eight were academic librarians representing four different institutions; one was a public librarian, one a special librarian; and five were MLS students enrolled at Syracuse.
Strobovideolaryngoscopic findings in singing teachers.

Abstract Professional voice users often present to otolaryngologists and laryngologists with specific voice complaints. The contributions of pathologic lesions to the patients' vocal complaints are not always clear on examination, and often, premorbid examinations of the larynx are not available for review. This study examines the incidence of laryngeal pathology among singing teachers. At a national convention of singing teachers, volunteers were recruited for a “free strobovideolaryngoscopic examination.” All volunteers completed a detailed questionnaire of their vocal and medical history and underwent strobovideolaryngoscopic examination. Strobovideolaryngoscopic examinations were completed in 20 volunteers, 7 of whom had voice complaints and 13 of whom perceived their voices to be normal. Vocal fold masses were common among the asymptomatic singing teachers. Evidence of reflux laryngitis was a common finding among both symptomatic and asymptomatic singing teachers. Asymmetries in vocal fold hypomobility were more common among those with voice complaints than was the presence of vocal fold masses in the population studied.
Determining Optimal Installed Capacity and the Interconnected Bus of Renewable Energy Sources Considering the Cost of Energy Not Supplied

Due to environmental regulation and technical improvements, renewable energy sources (RES) are increasingly penetrated and operated in power systems. Clean energy technologies have become cost-competitive with conventional power systems, and in the near future, the generation cost of RES is expected to approach grid parity. In this situation, it should be considered an extraordinarily important issue to be maximized resulting in utilization of RES as well as to develop technologies for efficiency improvement of RES. Therefore, in this paper, the method for determining an optimal installed capacity and interconnected location of RES is proposed in order to minimize the cost of energy not supplied, which can contribute to improve distribution reliability.
Relation between PROP (6-n-propylthiouracil) taster status, taste anatomy and dietary intake measures for young men and women.

Previous studies have related 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) taster status to preference for, and consumption of various (bitter-tasting) foods recognized for their cancer-preventive properties. The aim of this study was to examine PROP taster status in relation to general measures of dietary intake as well as the consumption of specific food groups. College students (n=183) were classified as non-tasters (n=49), medium tasters (n=89) and supertasters (n=45) of PROP based on intensity ratings of NaCl and PROP solutions. Dietary intake measures were derived from a food frequency questionnaire and body mass indices (BMI) were derived from self-reported height and weight. Supertasters had higher fungiform papillae counts on the anterior tongue than tasters and non-tasters, yet the distributions of papillae counts overlapped across PROP taster groups. No significant differences were found for BMI values and energy intake among taster groups. PROP-tasting women derived a greater percentage of their dietary energy from fat, and consumed less fruit than non-tasters. PROP supertasters did not differ from tasters and non-tasters in intake of bitter fruits, vegetables or beverages except for a lesser intake of green salad. The hypothesis that PROP supertasters, through heightened sensitivity to, and avoidance of, bitter-tasting fruits, vegetables and other foods with antioxidant properties, may therefore be at increased risk for diet-linked diseases such as cancer, is not supported by these findings.
Characteristics of the enzymatic hydrolysis of 5'-adenylylimidodiphosphate: implications for the study of adenylate cyclase.

Abstract The characteristics of the hydrolysis of 5′-adenylylimidodiphosphate [AMP-P(NH)P] by partially purified plasma membranes from rat liver are described. Hydrolysis was less with membranes from fat cells and was poor with a detergent-dispersed preparation from rat cerebellum. The Chromatographic behavior of the principal degradation products suggests that AMP-P(NH)P is first hydrolyzed to 5'−AMP, which is then hydrolyzed further to adenosine. The adenosine is shown to inhibit adenylate cyclase noncompetitively with respect to substrate and in a cation-dependent manner. Sensitivity to inhibition by adenosine was markedly enhanced by agents that stimulated adenylate cyclase. The characteristics of the initial hydrolysis of AMP-P(NH)P fit best those of nucleotide pyrophosphatase and support the conclusion that several of the various phosphatase activities present in membranes may be due to the same enzyme. Under conditions shown to be linear with respect to time and membrane protein concentration, hydrolysis of AMP-P(NH)P exhibited a pH optimum between 9.5 and 10. At pH 9.5, hydrolysis occurred with a K m of about 20 μ m and a V of about 220 nmol (min) 1 (mg of protein) −1 . The initial hydrolysis of AMP-P(NH)P was inhibited in a linear-competitive manner by ATP, ADP, 5′-AMP, GTP, 5′-guanylylimidodiphosphate, NAD + , and p -nitrophenyl-dTMP and in a noncompetitive manner by UDP-glucose. Adenosine 3′:5−cyclic phosphate and guanosine 3′:5′-cyclic phosphate were not inhibitory at concentrations up to 1 m m . ATP, GTP, and 5′-guanylylimidodiphosphate were also hydrolyzed in a manner comparable to that for AMP-P(NH)P. Hydrolysis of AMP-P(NH)P did not require the presence of added metal, and some metals were inhibitory. Activity was inhibited by dithiothreitol (50% at m ) and by EDTA (50% at about 10 m m ). Following pretreatment with EDTA or dithiothreitol, the readdition of certain metals, especially Zn or Co, caused some restoration of hydrolytic activity. The evidence suggests that hydrolytic activity involves the participation of bound metal and that the enzyme is a metallo-protein.
A Soft Computing Approach to Controlling Emissions Under Imperfect Sensors

NOx emissions from commercial equipment vehicles can be controlled by the introduction of cleansing agents into output of the equipment. This process requires a monitoring of the output by sensors. Typically, these sensors can be of two types, physical and virtual, each of which can be imperfect in their readings. Physical sensors gradually deteriorate in time while virtual sensors have limit range of reliability. We provide an approach for fusing these imperfect sensor readings using the ordered weighted averaging (OWA) operator. The use of the OWA operator allows users to easily provide their preferred tradeoff between costly introductions of too much cleansing agent versus the possibility of penalization for emission violation. We also provide a methodology for determining the state of the physical sensor. We observe that the system described in this paper has been operationally implemented.
Estimating Aquifer Permeability from Formation Resistivity Factors

A comparison of permeability results for individual producing zones obtained from pumping tests and flow-meter logs showed a good correlation to calculated corresponding formation resistivity factors (F). Where F = a/Om or F = R0/RW, and porosity (O) is obtained from the neutron log, m is the formation cementation factor, Ro is saturated formation resistivity from normal electric logs, and Rw is formation pore-water resistivity. Unlike formations containing saline water where the electrical current is conducted through the pore fluid, in fresh-water aquifers the electrical current appears to be conducted along the grain-aqueous interface by surface conductance rather than through the grain or pore fluid. Surface conductance of the current serves to increase the current path length which is recorded as an increase in the measured saturated resistivity (Ro). The current path direction and length through the formation is directly related to the shape, diameter, and sorting of the grains, geometric packing arrangement, and degree of matrix cementation. Fortunately, all of these factors that serve to increase the current path [which in turn directly increase saturated formation resistivity (Ro) and F] also are factors that increase formation permeability. Relative changes in F values can be matched with known permeabilities from aquifer tests and flowmeter logs to quantify the relative productivity of the various zones analyzed. Once this relationship is established, F values can be used to assign relative permeabilities within a single borehole or from borehole to borehole for a given geographical area. This method has been successfully used to estimate permeability in both unconsolidated sands and Tertiary carbonate aquifers in the southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States.
Significance of tissue myo-inositol concentrations in metabolic regulation in nerve

Approximately 25 percent of resting energy utilization in isolated nerve endoneurium is inhibited by medium containing defatted albumin and selectively restored by arachidonic acid but is unaffected by indomethacin or nordihydroguaiaretic acid. The same component of energy utilization is inhibited by small decreases in endoneurial myo-inositol, which decrease incorporation of carbon-14-labeled arachidonic acid into phosphatidylinositol. The fraction of the resting oxygen uptake inhibited by ouabain is decreased 40 to 50 percent by a reduced tissue myo-inositol concentration or by defatted albumin. Metabolic regulation by rapid, basal phosphatidylinositol turnover is dependent on the maintenance of normal tissue myoinositol concentrations.
Remodeling of the gliding surface after flexor tendon repair in a canine model in vivo

Maintaining a smooth lubricated surface between the flexor tendon and sheath after tendon repair is very important for restoration of digit function. We studied the tendon surface after tendon repair mechanically in a canine model in vivo by measuring frictional force. One hundred and twenty flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons were lacerated to 80% of their cross-section and repaired with either a modified Kessler (MK) or Becker (MGH) repair. The postoperative therapeutic regimen was either synergistic wrist and digit motion (SWM) or passive digit flexion and extension with the wrist fixed in 45 degrees of flexion (FIX). The dogs were sacrificed at one, three, or six weeks postoperatively. Thirty six FDP tendons from normal paws served as the control group, with each control tendon tested in two different conditions: intact and immediately after partial laceration and repair (0 time), making a total of five different timing points (intact, 0 time, one week, three weeks, and six weeks) for each repair type and each postoperative therapy. Frictional force between tendon and proximal pulley was evaluated after breaking any adhesions. Compared to intact tendons, friction was significantly increased immediately after tendon repair. The friction of the MK repair was significantly less than that of the MGH repair at all time and therapy groups, except at six weeks in the SWM group. For the MGH repair, at six weeks friction in the SWM group was significantly less than friction in the FIX group. This study showed that postoperative tendon gliding depends on the method of tendon repair and the postoperative therapy regimen. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the gliding surface after tendon repair remodels with time.
Low-level vision on a linear multicomputer array

Efficient execution of low-level vision in a linear multicomputer array is discussed. A relationship between the number of computing nodes, kernel size and throughput is established, and applied to the special case of a linear array of transputers.
Two Sample Tests in the Weibull Distribution

A test based on maximum likelihood estimators is given for testing the equality of the shape parameters in two Weibull distributions with the scale parameters unknown. Tests for the equality of the scale parameters are also presented along with a procedure for selecting the Weibull process with the larger mean life.
Hydrogen absorption and phase transitions in rapidly quenched LaNi alloys

Abstract Several LaNi binary alloys were rapidly quenched by melt spinning. A metastable phase and an uniform Laves phase were obtained. Differences in behaviour were observed between hydrogenation of quenched materials and of as-cast materials whose compositions were identical. The quenched materials, in contrast to the as-cast phases, had a tendency to form amorphous LaNiH alloys. The amorphous alloy was stable, in particular when the ratio La:Ni was 1:2.
Preproenkephalin mRNA expression in the developing and adult rat brain

[Met5]-Enkephalin is derived from the protein precursor, proenkephalin A, which in turn is encoded by the preproenkephalin (PPE) gene. [Met5]-Enkephalin is not only a putative neuromodulatory substance, but also serves as a growth factor (= opioid growth factor, OGF). OGF exerts an inhibitory influence on the developing nervous system and is especially targeted to cell proliferative and differentiative events. This study examined the relationship of PPE mRNA expression to late prenatal and postnatal rat brain development. Northern blot analysis of the whole brain and cerebellum showed that message is present in the fetal nervous system on prenatal day 15 (the earliest timepoint examined), is expressed at relatively similar levels within each tissue during the first 2 postnatal weeks, and reaches adult levels by the beginning of the 3rd postnatal week. In situ hybridization methodology revealed that PPE mRNA was prominent in areas associated with cell generation. Message was found in sites of primary (i.e., ventricular region) and secondary (e.g., external germinal layer of the cerebellum) cellular replication, as well as in discrete foci of cell proliferation (e.g., medullary layer of the cerebellum). PPE mRNA was also present for varying periods of time in postmitotic cells. During development, a number of patterns (decrease, increase, and no perceptible change) of PPE mRNA could be detected in relationship to the fetal/neonatal period. Given the strong evidence (e.g., regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, temporal and spatial patterns of peptide and zeta opioid receptor) that enkephalin immunoreactivity is associated with proliferating and differentiating neurons and glia, these results suggest that the source of [Met5]-enkephalin is both autocrine and paracrine in nature.
MTF modelling of backside-illuminated PV detector arrays

Abstract Backside-illuminated detector arrays are used extensively in hybrid focal plane arrays. The MTF of the detector array is affected by the cross-diffusion of photo-generated carriers, especially for materials with long diffusion lengths such as HgCdTe. In this paper, the MTF of the backside-illuminated detector arrays, including the effect of carrier diffusion, are modelled. The MTFs are calculated as a function of detector thickness, absorption coefficient, pixel size and diffusion length. The trade-off of detector MTF and quantum efficiency is also analyzed.
Unified Matrix Processor Design for FCT-IV and FST-IV Hartley Based Transforms

A new Unified Fast Shifted Cosine and Sine Transform Matrix Processor based on Fast Hartley Transform is presented and described. It is also shown that the decimation-in-frequency (DIF) FCT-IV and FST-IV can be computed using the same building blocks which are used for computing decimation-in-time FCT-IV and FST-IV. A Unified Fast Shifted Cosine and Sine Transform Matrix Processor can be designed to compute either the DCT-IV or DST-IV.
Mitochondrial ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channel Activation Protects Cerebellar Granule Neurons From Apoptosis Induced by Oxidative Stress

Background and Purpose— Mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mitoKATP) channels are present in the brain, and several reports have shown that mitoKATP channel openers protect the brain against ischemic injury. However, the precise mechanisms of this protection are not well established. We hypothesized that mitoKATP channel openers prevent apoptosis by preserving mitochondrial membrane potential. Methods— We investigated the effect of mitoKATP channel openers on apoptosis induced by oxidative stress using cultured cerebellar granule neurons. Results— The mitoKATP channel opener diazoxide (100 μmol/L) significantly suppressed the number of cells with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL)–positive nuclei and the increase in caspase-3 activity induced by 20 μmol/L H2O2. Diazoxide and another opener, pinacidil, prevented the loss of mitochondrial inner membrane potential (ΔΨm) induced by H2O2. These effects were abolished by 5-hydroxydecanoate (500 μmol/L), a mitoKATP ...
ECONOMIC FREEDOM, ETHNIC SEPARATISM, AND ETHNIC CONFLICT

Ethnic conflict has not been tested using economic theory, except its most extreme forms violence and warfare. This paper adopts the newer economic approach to conflict to analyze ethnic conflict more broadly defined. The analysis is able for the first time to derive equilibrium discrimination by a dominant group and separatism by a weaker group. Consistent with the predictions developed, cross-sectional instrumental-variables estimates and other evidence indicate that government restrictions on commerce promote separatism and conflict and hamper trust. Economic freedom is thus argued to be a key if thus far largely neglected force for ethnic cooperation within states, consistent with the empirical findings for nation-state interactions.
Neural network control of intelligent end-effector for a rehabilitation robot

This paper will describe the development of a technique using an Artificial Neural Network system for the intelligent control of a rehabilitation robot that can grasp objects dexterously with active optical proximity sensors. Multi-layer neural networks are presented to process the sensor information for grasping objects dexterously via iterative learning of the network. Complex nonlinear operations for processing the information can be performed easily by the Artificial Neural Network and total processing can be performed in real-time by using a DSP system.
Laser risk reduction technology program for NASA's Earth Science Enterprise

The findings of an independent panel commissioned by NASA’s Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) to assess the current missions utilizing advanced solid-state lasers and the programmatic actions by the Enterprise to define how NASA Centers will cooperate on future lidar competitive opportunities together formulate a strategy for technology development of advanced solid-state laser systems. In this paper we will describe a program created to address risks in the development of laser transmitter technologies. This program grew out of concern that there are no lasers as active sources for space-based remote sensing that have been space qualified for long-term science measurements. Presently, the risks inherent in developing these technologies have been born by programs funded to produce scientific results. The intention of this program is to mitigate risks in certain technical areas so that other technology programs can further the maturation of the instruments prior to infusion into a science program. The program will invest in several critical areas: • Advancing transmitter technologies to enable science measurements (tropospheric ozone, water vapor, winds, altimetry) • Development and qualification of space-based laser diode arrays • Advancing nonlinear wavelength conversion technology for space-based lidars
Terrorism, Homeland Security and the National Emergency Management Network

On September 11, 2001, officials and agencies that are part of the national emergency management system orchestrated the responses to the collapse of the World Trade Center towers and the fires at the Pentagon. The efforts of local, state, and federal emergency agencies were augmented by nonprofit organizations, private firms, and organized and unorganized volunteers. The system reacted much as it would have for a major earthquake or similar disaster. In the rush to create federal and state offices to deal with the threat of terrorism and, ultimately, to create a Department of Homeland Security, the very foundation of the nation's capacity to deal with large scale disasters has been largely ignored. Although the human and material resources that the emergency management network provides may again be critical in a terrorist-spawned catastrophe, the new Homeland Security system may not be capable of utilizing those resources effectively. The values of transparency, cooperation, and collaboration that have come to characterize emergency management over the past decade seem to be supplanted in the new command-and-control-oriented Homeland Security system. If that occurs, when the resources of the national emergency management system are needed most, the capacity to utilize the system may be severely damaged and cultural interoperability will be a serious problem.
Reduction of supragingival plaque accumulations in institutionalized Down's syndrome patients by periodic treatment with topical kanamycin

Summary-A small group of institutionalized Down’s syndrome patients were treated with topical kanamycin sulphate paste, once or twice a day for 3-5 days, every fifth week over a 52-week-period. The teeth were not brushed during this 52-week-period. The wet weight of the supragingival plaque in the kanamycin group was significantly reduced when compared to the supragingival plaque formed in the group receiving a placebo paste. The gingivitis score of the kanamycin group did not deteriorate during the period of antibiotic administration despite the absence of oral hygiene procedures. No increase in kanamycin-resistant bacteria or yeasts were detected in plaque or tongue samples during the period of kanamycin treatment.
Sandstone petrology of the Archean Fig Tree Group, Barberton greenstone belt, South Africa: Tectonic implications

It has become clear that simple vertical tectonics do not adequately describe the tectonic evolution of many greenstone belts and that horizontal shortening played an important role in the development of these unique terranes from Earth9s early history. The Fig Tree Group of the Barberton greenstone belt in South Africa has recently been interpreted, mainly by structural and stratigraphic analyses, as having been deposited in a foredeep associated with thrusting. Sandstone modal mineralogy has been shown to primarily reflect tectonic setting and prove-nance terrane. Fig Tree sandstones have framework mineralogies that fall mainly in the recycled orogen field and show an evolution consistent with interpretations of the greenstone belt that utilize petrographic and other evidence.
Our current understanding of giant magnetoresistance in transition-metal multilayers

Abstract We review the basic concepts that have been developed to understand the magnetoresistance of transition-metal multilayers, and we present some unsolved issues that relate to features of the electronic structures that are observed in transport measurements. We discuss how close current models are to describing the magnetotransport in real multilayers.
Rate Data and Material Model Parameter Estimation

Traditionally stress-strain data are used to estimate material parameters in viscoplastic material models. Since the models exist in rate form, they must be integrated in time for the duration of the laboratory tests to give response models for parameter estimation. In this paper the alternative is considered in which the rate form of the material models is fitted to time-differentiated stress-strain data. Material parameters, their 95% confidence intervals, and their correlation coefficients are compared with their counterparts determined from the more traditional stress versus strain form of the data. It was found that the use of the stress-rate form of the data gave well-determined parameter estimates with equivalent or superior fitting statistics to those determined in the conventional manner. It is concluded that different forms of the same data can be used to extract significant and distinct sensitivity coefficients to enhance the overall robustness of an optimization algorithm for parameter estimation.
The structure of hydridocarbonyl(fumaronitrile)bis(triphenylphosphine)iridium, an olefin-metal hydride complex

Abstract The structure of the complex hydridocarbonyl(fumaronitrile)bis(triphenylphosphine)iridium, IrH(CO)( trans -NCCHCHCN)[P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 ] 2 , has been determined from a single crystal X-ray analysis. The complex crystallizes in a monoclinic cell of dimensions a = 21.289(14), b = 9.383(3), c = 21.650(10) A, β= 123.87(2)°. The observed density is 1.53 g·cm −3 , whereas the density calculated for four formula units per unit cell is 1.524 g·cm -3 . On the basis of a successful structure analysis, the space group is C 2/ c . The structure has been refined by least-squares methods to a conventional R -factor of 0.056 for the 2274 independent reflections whose intensities were above background, when measured by counter techniques. The molecules are monomeric; the configuration around the iridium atom is trigonal bipyramidal, with the olefin and phosphine ligands in the equatorial plane, which also contains a twofold axis of crystallographic symmetry. The fumaronitrile ligand is nonplanar, the dihedral angle between the two planes which contain a carbon atom of a cyanide group and both olefinic carbon atoms is 136(2)°. The IrP and IrC distances are respectively 2.317(3) and 2.110(9) A, while the CC distance is 1.431 (20) A. Assuming an IrH bonded distance of 1.6 A, the nonbonded contact between the hydridic hydrogen atom and an olefin carbon atom is 2.6 A. It is of interest that the hydridic hydrogen atom is cis to the olefin since complexes related to the present one are believed to play a role in the catalyzed hydrogenation reactions of olefins.
An exact algorithm for self-calibration of two-dimensional precision metrology stages

We describe an algorithm that can achieve exact self-calibration for high-precision two-dimensional (2-D) metrology stages. Previous attempts to solve this problem have often given nonexact or impractical solutions. Self-calibration is the procedure of calibrating a metrology stage by an artifact plate whose mark positions are not precisely known. By assuming rigidness of the artifact plate, this algorithm extracts the stage error map from comparison of three different measurement views of the plate. The algorithm employs the orthogonal Fourier series to expand the stage error map, which allows fast numerical computation. When there is no random measurement noise, this algorithm exactly calibrates the stage error at those sites sampled by the mark array. In the presence of random measurement noise, the algorithm introduces a calibration error of about the same size as the random measurement noise itself, which is the limit to be achieved by any self-calibration algorithm. The algorithm has been verified by computer simulation with and without random measurement noise. Other possible applications of this algorithm are also discussed.
Two-dimensional echocardiographic spectrum of univentricular atrioventricular connection.

The spectrum of anomalies in hearts having a univentricular atrioventricular (AV) connection was examined by two-dimensional echocardiography in 183 patients and the anatomic findings were compared with angiography. The mode of AV connection was found to be of three types: 1) double inletvia two A V valves; 2) singleinlet via one AV valve with absence of the other (left or right AV valve atresia); and 3) common inletvia a common AV valve. Identification of an accessory chamber by two-dimensional echocardiography was possible with 90% sensitivity, but it was limited compared with angiography in patients with severely hypoplastic anterior Chambers and pulmonary valve atresia. All patients with subaortic outlet foramen obstruction were detected. Great artery position and the presence of obstruction to pulmonary flow were correctly predicted in all but one patient. Two-dimensional echocardiography was superior to angiography for the detection of AV valve abnormalities which were present in 27% and included abnormal chordae, hypoplasia or dysplasia of either valve. Two-dimensional echocardiography should play an essential role in the complete preoperative assessment of patients with univentricular AV connection.
High Optical Response in Forward Biased (In,Ga)N–GaN Multiquantum-Well Diodes Under Barrier Illumination

The authors report on the current-voltage (I-V) characteristic under forward biases obtained in low leakage, small size p-(In,Ga)N-GaN-n multiquantum well diodes. Under barrier illumination, the devices present a high optical response with capabilities to detect optical powers in the pW range without further amplification. This response is attributed to the screening of the internal electric fields. Recombination times of a few seconds are found to be associated to this mechanism. Moreover, a step-like feature is found in the I-V characteristic before the diode turn-on voltage. Our model proposes tunneling current through the multiquantum-well structure as responsible of this feature. Fast modulation of the tunneling effect under barrier illumination is used to evaluate the detection of low photon fluxes.
Tissue Culture of Corn and Sorghum

Summary A fast growing cell suspension culture of sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L. Moench ) has been established. Out of 15 genetic strains, cv. GPR-168 responded most favorably to conditions for callus formation. The callus was friable and upon transfer to liquid medium produced cell suspension cultures. During 96 h of subculturing the cells showed mitotic indices of 1.0 to 6.5 %. Plant regeneration from callus derived from seedlings and immature embryos was achieved in two sorghum strains. Cytology of callus, cell suspension cultures, and regenerated plants indicated a strong prevalence of polyploidization. The study also includes observations on a fast growing cell culture of corn. The culture had a doubling time of 48 h and during a 72 h period showed mitotic indices from 3.6 to 10.9 %. Protoplasts were readily isolated from the cell culture, but spontaneous fusion occurred extensively. On average 52 % of the isolated protoplasts were multinucleated. Attempts to eliminate the phenomenon were not successful. During subsequent culture some of the protoplasts regenerated cell walls and limited division occurred.
Gender differences in the long-term economic consequences of parental divorce

Abstract This paper reports tests of the broad hypothesis that there are gender differences in the long-term impact of parental divorce on the offsprings' achievement motivation and achievement behaviors. The hypothesis was tested with a sample of approximately 700 white men and women who wrote adequate protocols for the Thematic Apperception Test that was given in the 1976 survey of Americans' mental health. Principle inferences were that, holding control variables constant, parental divorce (1) raises the achievement motivation of daughters but does not lower it for sons, (2) lowers the earnings of daughters who work but has no effect on the earnings of sons. Through marriage, the offspring of divorce are able to attain the family income of the offspring of an intact family.
The Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus with Autologous Osteochondral Transplantation and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate: Surgical Technique.

Objective:To present the functional results after autologous osteochondral transplantation with bone marrow aspirate concentrate in 72 patients, while placing an emphasis on the surgical technique....