cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gene expression and serum thyroxine-binding globulin are regulated by adrenal status and corticosterone in the rat.

Supraphysiological doses of glucocorticoids reduce serum T4-binding globulin (TBG) concentrations when administered to human subjects. Studies were performed in rats to determine if glucocorticoid administration alters serum TBG in another species, if circulating concentrations of glucocorticoids tonically affect serum TBG concentrations, and if changes in TBG production are likely to be a cause of the glucocorticoid-induced changes in serum TBG concentrations that are observed in humans. The serum TBG-binding capacity was 14.9 +/- 2.3 nmol/liter in adrenalectomized male rats compared to 6.6 +/- 1.0 nmol/liter in intact male rats and 4.8 +/- 0.9 nmol/liter in adrenalectomized male rats that received corticosterone in a dose equal to or less than the replacement dose, as assessed by thymus weight (P < 0.01 for serum TBG in adrenalectomized vs. intact or adrenalectomized corticosterone-treated groups). Hepatic TBG mRNA content, as assessed by polymerase chain reaction amplification and expressed as a ratio ...
Differentiation of metabolic concentrations between gray matter and white matter of human brain by in vivo 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Differentiation of absolute metabolite concentrations between gray and white matter in the occipital region of normal human brain was performed by in vivo localized single-voxel 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 1.5 Tesla with long echo time (136 ms). With the combination of image segmentation between white and gray matter and cerebrospinal fluid, signal compensation of T1 and T2 effects, tissue water signal as the internal concentration reference, as well as compensation by different water contents in gray and white matters, it was determined that the levels of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine and/or phosphocreatine (Cr), and choline-containing compounds (Cho) in gray matter were significantly higher than in white matter. The averaged NAA, Cr, and Cho concentrations in gray matter were 11.0, 9.7, and 1.9 mM/liter, respectively, in comparison with 7.5, 5.2, and 1.6 mM/liter in white matter. These results suggest that precise composition of white and gray matter and cerebrospinal fluid is necessary to avoid partial voluming effect in a single voxel and to accurately quantify the metabolite concentrations.
Pretreating landfill leachate with peat to remove metals

In this investigation, the capacity of peat to treat two different landfill leachates was determined. Freundlich isotherms showed that, for the tested metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb), an increased time of contact increased the level of adsorption over the entire range of influent values studied. In addition, metal interaction may play an important role in the adsorption of metals from leachate, as the various metal ions compete for the available adsorption sites on the peat. Column studies using two leachates, one from a municipal refuse fill (Al, Ca, Cd, Fe, Mg, Na, and Pb), and one from a fill which receives mainly oil and fly ash (Al, Ca, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, and V), were conducted to establish design parameters for full-scale design. The efficiency of treatment was evaluated as a function of factors important for developing filter design criteria. Further considerations were given to filter longevity and ease of replacement, as well as for the ultimate disposal of the peat from the filters. For the municipal leachate a compaction density of 0.12 g mL−1 gave the best results as clogging occurred at higher densities, whereas 0.18 g mL−1 provided the best removal for the industrial leachate. While peat is incapable of adequately removing metals to acceptable levels for direct discharge, peat can provide substantial removal as a pretreatment process at low hydraulic loadings. Desorption of up to 50% was found when deionized water was applied to spent columns so ultimate disposal of the peat would require a dry environment.
Improving ultrasound gene transfection efficiency by controlling ultrasound excitation of microbubbles

Ultrasound application in the presence of microbubbles has shown great potential for non-viral gene transfection via transient disruption of cell membrane (sonoporation). However, improvement of its efficiency has largely relied on empirical approaches without consistent and translatable results. The goal of this study is to develop a rational strategy based on new results obtained using novel experimental techniques and analysis to improve sonoporation gene transfection. In this study, we conducted experiments using targeted microbubbles that were attached to cell membrane to facilitate sonoporation. We quantified the dynamic activities of microbubbles exposed to pulsed ultrasound and the resulting sonoporation outcome, and identified distinct regimes of characteristic microbubble behaviors: stable cavitation, coalescence and translation, and inertial cavitation. We found that inertial cavitation generated the highest rate of membrane poration. By establishing direct correlation of ultrasound-induced bubble activities with intracellular uptake and pore size, we designed a ramped pulse exposure scheme for optimizing microbubble excitation to improve sonoporation gene transfection. We implemented a novel sonoporation gene transfection system using an aqueous two phase system (ATPS) for efficient use of reagents and high throughput operation. Using plasmids coding for the green fluorescence protein (GFP), we achieved a sonoporation transfection efficiency in rate aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) of 6.9%±2.2% (n=9), comparable with lipofection (7.5%±0.8%, n=9). Our results reveal characteristic microbubble behaviors responsible for sonoporation and demonstrated a rational strategy to improve sonoporation gene transfection.
Specificity and mechanism of RNA cap guanine-N2 methyltransferase (Tgs1).

The 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine (TMG) cap structure is characteristic of certain eukaryotic small nuclear and small nucleolar RNAs. Prior studies have suggested that cap trimethylation might be contingent on cis-acting elements in the RNA substrate, protein components of a ribonucleoprotein complex, or intracellular localization of the RNA substrate. However, the enzymatic requirements for TMG cap formation remain obscure because TMG synthesis has not been reconstituted in vitro from defined components. Tgs1 is a conserved eukaryal protein that was initially identified as being required for RNA cap trimethylation in vivo in budding yeast. Here we show that purified recombinant fission yeast Tgs1 catalyzes methyl transfer from S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) to m7GTP and m7GDP. Tgs1 also methylates the cap analog m7GpppA but is unreactive with GTP, GDP, GpppA, m2,2,7GTP, m2,2,7GDP, ATP, CTP, UTP, and ITP. The products of methyl transfer to m7GTP and m7GDP formed under conditions of excess methyl acceptor are 2,7-dimethyl GTP and 2,7-dimethyl GDP, respectively. Under conditions of limiting methyl acceptor, the initial m2,7GDP product is converted to m2,2,7GDP in the presence of excess AdoMet. We conclude that Tgs1 is guanine-specific, that N7 methylation must precede N2 methylation, that Tgs1 acts via a distributive mechanism, and that the chemical steps of TMG synthesis do not require input from RNA or protein cofactors.
Evaluation of Beef Liver, Fruits, and Vegetables as Dietary Supplements for Indoor Nursery Culture of Freshwater Prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Frozen beef liver fed at dietary levels of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% (dry weight) to postlarval Mucrobruchium rosenbergii was evaluated as a supplement to Mna Trout Chow No. 2. Final mean wet weights and yields of prawns fed 15, 20, and 25% beef liver were significantly higher than those of prawns that received 5 and 10% levels. Survival rates and food conversion ratios of dry matter fed to wet biomass produced were not significantly different among treatments. The suitability of 47 fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables as dietary supplements was tested. Fourteen fruits and vegetables sank and were readily consumed by prawns, and seven (fresh orange and sweet potato, and frozen banana, carrot tops, butternut squash, yellow squash, and turnip greens) were tested as supplements (10% dry weight of the total ration) to trout chow and 15% beef liver. There were no significant differences (P < 0.05) in final mean weight, survival, yield, or food conversion ratio. Pigmentation of prams fed carrot tops or turnip greens was enhanced. No significant differences in final mean weight, yield, or survival were found when frozen banana was evaluated at levels of 0, 5,10,15, and 20% as a supplement to trout chow and 15% beef liver. Food conversion ratios for prawns fed 15 and 20% levels of banana were not different from those fed 10%, but were significantly higher than for prawns fed the 0 and 5% levels. Thus, a diet of Purina Trout Chow No. 2 plus 15% beef liver gives good results with postlarval M. rosenbergii in aquaria. Largescale testing and an economic analysis are needed to determine if this diet is practical for commercial prawn nurseries.
The Disposition of Felony Arrests

While we know a great deal about the disposition of felony arrests that reach the trial stage, we know little about the details of the dispositions reached without trial. And yet, this latter category forms as a rule over 90 percent, in New York City 98 percent, of all dispositions. Basing his analysis on a study done in the early 1970s, the author describes and presents data on the various stages in the process from arrest to final disposition through plea bargaining, trial, or dismissal of the case. For the first time, this usually opaque disposition pattern prior to trial emerges in the clarity of 23 graphs that illustrate the analysis. Of particular interest are some new insights into the mechanism of the plea bargaining process.
The short gamma-ray burst ― SGR giant flare connection

Abstract We review the notion that some extragalactic giant magnetar flares could be mistaken for short cosmic gamma-ray bursts. There are at least two general ways to approach this problem. One is statistical, while the other considers individual bursts. Both methods appear to agree that extragalactic flares can be, and indeed are, present in the short burst population, although the rate of such events remains uncertain. The statistical studies all suggest a rate of ∼1–15% in the short GRB sample.
A Hilbert space multi-reference coupled-cluster study of the H4 model system

Employing the Hilbert space ansatz, a fully quadratic coupled-cluster method with a multidimensional reference space is applied to a DZP basis study of the model system, H4. The reference space is described by two to four configurations at the level of single and double excitations, and single and double excitation operators are included in the expansions for the cluster and wave operator through quadratic terms. The performance of quadratic MRCCSD is investigated for the ground and three excited states of the H4 system consisting of two stretched hydrogen molecules in a trapezoidal configuration where the degree of quasidegeneracy is varied from a nondegenerate situation to a completely degenerate one. Compared to full CI, in the highly degenerate region, the MRCCSD works quite well. In less degenerate regions, the accuracy is less satisfactory.
Reciprocity in Manager-Subordinate Relationships: Components, Configurations, and Outcomes

The present study examines both positive and negative norms of reciprocity in managerial work relationships by assessing three components of reciprocal behavior: immediacy, equivalence, and interest motive. The findings show that subordinate reports of immediacy, equivalence, and self-interest were negatively associated, and mutual-interest was positively associated, with relationship quality as reported by both subordinates and managers (other-interest was not significant). These components of reciprocity were also subjected to cluster analysis to identify groupings of reciprocity styles. The results indicate styles reflecting high quality (n = 65), low quality (n = 120), and negative social exchanges (n = 23). Analyses addressing reciprocity configurations and work outcomes showed that the higher quality exchange relationships had higher levels of perceived organizational support and altruism (but not commitment) than the lower and negative exchange groups, while only the negative reciprocity group show...
Parametric what-if analysis in MTTF: A single-run Monte-Carlo-based approach

Abstract This study develops and implements procedures and an algorithm which will help reduce the time and computational effort required when using Monte-Carlo simulation models, for both performance evaluation and extrapolation of reliability networks. We also investigate the efficiency of some variance reduction techniques, in particular the control variate procedures (nonlinear and optimal linear types) based on the single-run approach. The algorithm properties and validity of the estimates are examined by applying it to a multiple-component reliability network with known analytic solution. Operational algorithms to be incorporated in the existing simulation packages are provided.
Simultaneous electrical and optical mapping in rabbit hearts.

Local cardiac excitation is measured from either extracellular voltage (Ve) or optical transmembrane voltage (Vm) with fluorescent dye. We used a transparent electrode array and a laser scanner to test whether Ve and coepicentral optical Vm give equivalent excitation times during epicardial pacing and sinus beats. To help explain time differences, we estimated interrogation width/depth ratios for Ve and optical Vm with dipole and Monte Carlo models. Magnitudes of time differences between excitation measured with Ve and optical Vm during pacing were 1.9 ± 1.9 ms (n=1,112 recording pairs). Deeper interrogation for optical Vm vs Ve was indicated with sinus beats that contained a transmural propagation component. When pacing produced propagation along epicardial fibers, excitation time measured from optical Vm was later than excitation time measured with epicardial Ve When pacing produced propagation across epicardial fibers, excitation time measured from optical Vm was earlier than that measured with epicardial Ve These time differences could be attributed to deeper optical interrogation and fiber rotation with depth in ventricles. © 2003 Biomedical Engineering Society.
Outcomes of hemisphericity questionnaires correlate with unilateral dichotic deafness.

Using the Dichotic Deafness Test, 145 university workers were separated into dichotic deafness and hearing groups based on minor ear responses to dichotic consonant-vowel stimuli. They were also separated into putative right and left brain-oriented groups by Zenhausern's Preference Questionnaire. Interestingly, members of the dichotically hearing group chose mainly right brain-oriented answers and vice versa. A correlation coefficient twice that obtained for Zenhausern's Preference Questionnaire resulted when subject groups separated by the novel Polarity Questionnaire were compared to Dichotic Deafness Test groups. Only 30% of Preference Questionnaire items, versus 90% of Polarity Questionnaire items, were significantly correlated with Dichotic Deafness Test groups. This is the first report of hemisphericity-type questionnaires showing significant correlations with a biophysical measure of brain laterality.
Adding rule-based techniques to procedural languages

The world of software for applications in industry is dominated by compiled, algebraic (Algol derivative) programming languages such as C, Pascal, and PL/I. One approach to popularizing expert systems techniques in the industrial environment is to integrate software techniques appropriate for expert systems development into algebraic programming languages. While programmers in industry seek more powerful software tools, generally they do not want to give up existing capabilities in order to gain access to new techniques. Thus the question becomes how to integrate expert system techniques into a procedural language so that important characteristics of the procedural language are preserved.YES/LI (Yorktown Expert System / Language One) is an experimental tool for developing expert systems that is an integration of PL/I with data-driven rules. This paper reviews a number of technical issues encountered in the development of YES/LI. The achieved resolution of these issues establishes that rule-based techniques intended for use in large, industrial expert systems can be integrated into the standard features of an existing, algebraic programming language without reducing the functionality of the underlying, procedural language. Features of YES/LI include: condition-action rules with support for both highly expressive conditions and complex actions, PL/I as a subset, block structuring including recursively invoked blocks of rules, support for large blocks of rules written in several source code files, the same access to data bases and routines written in other languages as found in PL/I, excellent performance, portability across several operating systems and computer architectures, the ability for YES/LI routines to be linked, loaded, started, and called just as PL/I routines.
Cutaneous reflexes and pathways affecting them in the monkey, Macaca mulatta.

Abstract Cutaneous reflexes of decerebrate monkeys were studied in terms of threshold and receptive field before and after various lesions of the cord and brain stem. They were more severely depressed than in the decerebrate cat. This was true of extensor as well as flexor reflexes. They were released by lesions of the dorsolateral funiculi of the cord below the level of these lesions and further inhibited above that level. They were severely depressed blow the level of lesions of the ventrolateral funiculi with the exception of digital reflexes, which were lowered in threshold with no change of receptive field. In each of these cases a unilateral lesion had bilateral effects. Ventrolateral lesions induced no change in cutaneous reflexes above the level of the lesion. Spinal transection usually abolished all cutaneous reflexes below the lesion except the digital, which was altered in pattern, lowered in threshold, and unchanged in receptive field. In some instances high threshold cutaneous reflexes were elicited from small reflexoginous zones immediately after transection (ephaptic period) and disappeared after 30–60 min. Chronic lesions of descending spinal paths resulted in spinal compensation with considerable preservation of flexor and extensor cutaneous reflexes after spinal transection. Extensive lesions of the vestibular nuclei had little effect upon cutaneous reflexes but did abolish ascending effects on proprioceptive reflexes following transection of the cord (Schiff-Sherrington phenomenon). Pontomedullary lesions abolished the ascending effects of dorsolateral lesions. Midline lesions at either medullary or medullopontine levels released cutaneous reflex activity. Animals decerebrated at a level high in the medulla displayed far more active skin reflexes than those decerebrated at midcollicular level. We concluded that descending paths inhibitory to skin reflexes arise in the reticular formation above the level of the lower medulla, probably in the medial portion of the pons and upper medulla and course down the dorsolateral funiculi, that paths mediating facilitation of these reflexes arise in nuclei of the brain stem extending into the lower medulla and run down the ventrolateral funiculi, and that ascending pathways of facilitation follow the dorsolateral funiculi.
Sensitivity of the Faschingbauer abbreviated MMPI to hospitalized adolescents

Comparisons were obtained between Faschingbauer's abbreviated MMPI (FAM) and the standard MMPI for a sample of hospitalized adolescent psychiatric patients. The results showed close statistical correspondence, highly correlated scale group means, and high comparability in identifying valid and invalid profiles. Additionally, the FAM was successful in predicting several gross indices of psychopathology as well as high-point elevations on the standard-form MMPI. A replication supported the stability of these findings.
DESA: Dependable, Efficient, Scalable Architecture for Management of Large-Scale Batteries

Conventional battery management systems (BMSs) for electric vehicles (EVs) are designed in an ad hoc way, causing the supply of EVs to fall behind the market demand. A well-designed and combined hardware-software architecture is essential for the efficient management of a large-scale battery pack that may consists of thousands of battery cells as in Tesla Motors and GM Chevy Volt. We propose a Dependable, Efficient, Scalable Architecture (DESA) that effectively monitors a large number of battery cells, efficiently controls, and reconfigures, if needed, their connection arrangement. DESA supports hierarchical, autonomous management of battery cells, where a global BMS orchestrates a group of local BMSs. A local controller on each local BMS autonomously manages an array of battery cells, and the global controller reconfigures the connectivity of such battery-cell arrays in coordination with the local controllers. Also, DESA allows individual arrays and local BMSs to be selectively powered-off for energy savings. The performance of this energy-saving capability is modeled and evaluated using a Markov chain. Our evaluation results show that DESA effectively tolerates battery-cell failures by an order-of-magnitude-while achieving 7.4 × service cost savings-better than a conventional BMS. This superior performance not only extends the battery life significantly, but also provides the flexibility in supporting diverse electric power demands from a growing number of on-board applications.
Early reionization and its cosmological implications

We discuss how future CMB polarization measurements will provide detailed information about the reionization history and the implications of early reionization for cosmology.
Pneumatic Hand Rehabilitation Device

A prototype of a pneumatic device for rehabilitation of the hand was designed, built and tested. Progressive impairment of hand function may result from a prolonged condition of hemiparesis, such as resulting from stroke. Reduced daily use of the affected limb, spasticity and contracture contribute to progressive impairment. Physical therapy attenuates the impairment in many patients, but regular sessions of physical therapy are difficult to maintain due to the associated costs, limited insurance coverage, and necessity of being at the clinic for each session. Systems or devices suitable for home-based therapy sessions would widen the accessibility of physical therapy to more patients. However, reported therapeutic systems appear to be expensive, heavy and complicated, thus limiting their suitability for widespread application in home settings. Recent reports of pneumatic based hand therapy systems suggest a platform for hand rehabilitation that would be simpler, lighter, less expensive, and have a lower risk of safety concerns. The design utilized in this project has the affected hand encased in a glove apparatus that has an embedded air bladder positioned ventral to each of the five digits on the palmer side of the hand, such that the bladder acts to assist extension of each finger and thumb as internal air pressure increases. Several alternative designs of glove-bladder combinations were designed, fabricated and tested. An electro-pneumatic regulator (SMC Corp. of America, Noblesville, IN) controlled the pressure of air to the bladders from an air compressor. The pneumatic regulator was controlled by a custom designed and assembled microcontroller (Arduino, open source) based control system. The microcontroller controlled solenoids that functioned as valves for the passage of air to the bladders from the pneumatic regulator, one solenoid for each of the 5 bladders in a glove. Tests were done to compare alternative glove-bladder designs. For a bladder corresponding to one digit, the relations between air pressure and the resulting torque were explored using a system of weights. Moreover, for constant pressure levels, the relations between angle of a digit and torque were explored. The pneumatic hand rehabilitation system developed in this project shows promise toward development of pneumatic hand therapy systems that would be suitable for home-based therapy.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
A counterexample to Beder's conjectures about Hadamard matrices

Abstract In this note we provide a counterexample which resolves conjectures about Hadamard matrices made in this journal. Beder [1998. Conjectures about Hadamard matrices. Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference 72, 7–14] conjectured that if H is a maximal m × n row-Hadamard matrix then m is a multiple of 4; and that if n is a power of 2 then every row-Hadamard matrix can be extended to a Hadamard matrix. Using binary integer programming we obtain a maximal 13 × 32 row-Hadamard matrix, which disproves both conjectures. Additionally for n being a multiple of 4 up to 64, we tabulate values of m for which we have found a maximal row-Hadamard matrix. Based on the tabulated results we conjecture that a m × n row-Hadamard matrix with m ⩾ n - 7 can be extended to a Hadamard matrix.
Dislocation structure and low frequency mechanical hysteresis in copper single crystals

Abstract Copper single crystals of several orientations were grown and sectioned at various stages of prestrain such that both primary and forest dislocations could be directly observed using etch-pit techniques. Half-cycle hysteresis loops, at positive stress bias, representing damping frequencies in the range of ≈ 10 −1 Hz were performed on these samples at room temperature. The results of the etch-pit and mechanical damping studies were correlated, and a model was formulated which describes the damping in terms of a dislocation-dislocation interaction model. The controlling pinning mechanism was associated with primary-forest dislocation combinations, and a discussion of the appropriate binding energy is made.
Darkening of Mercury's surface by cometary carbon

Mercury’s surface is darker than expected given its low iron content. The delivery of cometary carbon to Mercury in micrometeorite impacts may explain the planet’s globally low reflectance.
Toward the Reduction of Population Obesity: Macrolevel Environmental Approaches to the Problems of Food, Eating, and Obesity.

The authors reviewed the evidential basis of three environmental approaches to reducing population obesity: What are the effects of (a) taxing or subsidizing foods, (b) manipulating the ease of food access, and (c) restricting access to certain foods? A narrative review evaluated evidence using National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute criteria. There was strong evidence that subsidization influences food purchases, but not necessarily food consumption or body weight. Ease of food access may influence food purchases, and possibly food intake and body weight. Data on restriction were lacking. More studies are needed to justify that altering these macro-environmental variables will necessarily reduce population obesity. A proposed conceptual model posits that the steps through environmental interventions may exert intended and unintended influences on body weight and obesity prevalence. Contemplated policy changes should weigh scientific evidence with social judgments and values concerning changes to the environment.
Young children's motivational beliefs about learning science

Abstract For learning science, motivational beliefs such as confidence in one's science abilities and liking of science are associated with current and future science achievement, as well as continued interest in science classes and careers. However, there are currently no measures to test young children's motivational beliefs related to science learning. To meet this need, we developed the Puppet Interview Scales of Competence in and Enjoyment of Science (PISCES). We piloted PISCES with 113 kindergarten children in public schools participating in the Scientific Literacy Project (SLP). Factor analysis supported the multidimensional structure of young children's self-related beliefs about learning science. PISCES scales measured Science Liking, Science Competence, and Ease of Science Learning. Correlations among PISCES scales and achievement subtests provided evidence of PISCES's validity. Children's motivational beliefs varied as a function of length of time spent learning science, with competence beliefs associated positively with science experience. There were no gender differences.
Interpretation of field observations of wind- and rain-wind-induced stay cable vibrations

Abstract Wind- and rain-wind-induced vibrations have been a long-standing and frequent problem for the stays of cable-stayed bridges. This paper summarizes characteristics of wind- and rain-wind-induced vibrations observed during two long-term full-scale measurement efforts. Based on these characteristics, and their relationship to the ambient meteorological environment (wind and rainfall), several distinct types of vibration are identified. The potential connection between the prevalent, large-amplitude, rain-wind-induced vibration and a type of large-amplitude dry cable vibration is explored. The characteristics of these large-amplitude vibrations are also compared to those of the classical Karman-vortex-induced vibration, which provides considerable insight into the mechanisms of wind- and rain-wind-induced stay cable vibrations.
Pelvic imaging using a t1w fat-suppressed three-dimensional dual echo dixon technique at 3T

Purpose To compare two T1-weighted (T1W) fat-suppressed sequences for 3D breath-hold pre- and postcontrast fat-suppressed T1W imaging of the female pelvis at 3T. Materials and Methods Pelvic MRI scans of 16 female patients were retrospectively identified who were scanned with two 3D breath-hold sequences: 1) a fast spoiled gradient echo sequence with spectral inversion at lipids (SPECIAL) (called 3D FSPGR), and 2) a dual-echo two-point Dixon (DE Dixon) sequence. Contrast between soft tissue and fat, soft tissue and fluid, and fat and fluid was measured on pre- and postcontrast images. Additionally, two readers subjectively scored the images for degree and homogeneity of fat suppression plus presence and severity of artifacts. Results Contrast between muscle and myometrium to fat was improved with the Dixon technique (0.61 vs. 0.09 and 0.7 vs. 0.3, respectively, P < 0.001). Both readers agreed that fat suppression was stronger with the Dixon sequence (P < 0.001 and P = 0.06). Artifacts were equivalent (P = 0.53 and 0.65). Conclusion The 3D DE Dixon sequence achieved stronger fat suppression in the female pelvis when compared to a 3D FSPGR sequence with SPECIAL. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;28:121–127. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Creativity and achievement in design coursework

Abstract: Findings from this investigation with 81 college students indicate that ideational fluency is a valid predictor of student achievement in an interior design course. Both original and popular ideational fluency as measured by the Multidimensional Stimulus Fluency Measure were related to the course grade, design criteria scores, and the final project grade. Very few studies have found such a clear relationship between performance on any measure of creativity and actual performance in a course. The results suggest that the MSFM is a valuable tool for use in conjunction with other criteria in admissions screening for an interior design program.
Inhibition of parathyroid hormone secretion correlates with increased incorporation of 32P into phosphatidylinositol and lysophosphatidylinositol.

We have studied the incorporation of radioactive P (32P) into lipids of bovine parathyroid tissue under conditions of stimulated and inhibited hormone secretion. Utilizing low (0.5 mM) and high (3.0 mM) concentrations of calcium to regulate parathyroid hormone secretion, we initially found that the labeling of the cellular phospholipids with 32P was greater in those tissues incubated in high-calcium medium. Thin-layer chromatography of lipid extracts prepared from tissue incubated in either low- or high-calcium media revealed that the increased incorporation of 32P (high or low) was localized primarily to two phospholipids. To determine whether the increases were due directly to the different calcium concentrations, the experiments were performed in media containing normal calcium concentrations (1.25 mM) and low (0.5) or high (3.0) magnesium concentrations to modulate hormone secretion. The results were identical to those obtained using low and high calcium, indicating that the increased 32P incorporation was not an effect of high calcium but rather correlated with the inhibition of hormone secretion. The use of other secretagogues confirmed this correlation. The identity of the two phospholipids was established, by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography, to be phosphatidylinositol (PI) and lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI). The correlation of increased 32P incorporation with inhibition of secretion led us next to examine isolated secretory granules from tissues exposed to either high-or low-calcium conditions. Thin-layer chromatography of granule lipid extracts yielded chromatograms containing PI and LPI, and the radioactivity of each was greater in the high-calcium sample than in the low-calcium sample. Our data suggest that a pathway for the synthesis and/or recycling of PI and LPI is present in secretory granules. Taken together, our observations suggest that phosphatidylinositol and lysophosphatidylinositol may play a role, either directly or indirectly, in the secretory pathway.
EXCITATION WAVELENGTH DEPENDENCE OF PROTOTROPIC DISSOCIATION AND TAUTOMERISM OF SALICYLAMIDE IN THE LOWEST EXCITED SINGLET STATE

—The fluorescence spectra of salicylamide in cyclohexane, ethanol and at different pH in water were studied. The short and long wavelength fluorescences observed in the organic solvents originate from emissions of a weakly or non-intramolecularly hydrogen bonded conformer and from phototautomerization of a strongly intramolecularly hydrogen bonded conformer, respectively. Evidence for at least 2 conformers in the ground state exists in the excitation wavelength dependence of the ratio of short wavelength to long wavelength emission. In water, prototropic dissociation of the phenolic group of salicylamide in the lowest excited singlet state also shows an excitation wavelength dependence, indicating that the weakly or non-intramolecularly hydrogen bonded conformer in water is predominately responsible for photodissociation.
Use of thermography to screen for subclinical bumblefoot in poultry

Thermographic imaging is a noninvasive diagnostic tool used to document the inflammatory process in many species and may be useful in the detection of subclinical bumblefoot and other inflammatory diseases. Bumblefoot is a chronic inflammation of the plantar metatarsal or digital pads of the foot (pododermatitis), or both. It is one of the major health problems in birds including chickens and is responsible for significant economic losses in commercial poultry operations. Early diagnosis of bumblefoot is essential for the prevention of economical loss and the improvement of animal well-being. The object of this study was to determine the suitability of thermography for the identification of subclinical bumblefoot in chickens. Experiment 1 was designed to validate thermography as a tool for screening avian populations for bumblefoot. The plantar surface of the feet of 150 randomly selected hens was imaged using a thermal camera. The thermal images were identified as suspect, positive, or negative for bumblefoot based on thermal patterns of the plantar surface. Visual inspection of the feet identified as suspect followed 14 d later. A visual score of clinical, mildly clinical, or negative for bumblefoot was assigned, based on gross pathological changes in the plantar surface. A correlation between initial thermal images identified as suspect for bumblefoot and a visual score of positive 14 d later was 83% (P < 0.01). In experiment 2, hens whose feet were free of lesions were inoculated in the metatarsal foot pad with Staphylococcus aureus. Thermal images and visual clinical scores were taken, prechallenge and 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 d postchallenge. The correlation between thermal images classified as clinical and a visual score of clinical for bumblefoot was 86.7% (P < 0.001). However, the correlation between the thermal images classified as mild (subclinical) and a visual score of mild was only 26.7%, suggesting that thermography is a more sensitive indicator of subclinical infection than visual appraisal. Thermography may thus provide a useful tool for screening avian populations for signs of bumblefoot, early in the course of the disease, which will improve recovery percentages and bird well-being.
Transthoracic defibrillation: does electrode adhesive pad position alter transthoracic impedance?

Successful termination of ventricular fibrillation by transthoracic shocks is dependent on achieving adequate current flow, which in turn is governed by transthoracic impedance (TTI). The American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiac Life Support textbook recommends three electrode positions for defibrillation: (1) anterior-apex, (2) apex-posterior and (3) anterior-posterior. However, there are few data available comparing TTI of these positions. To study this, we applied large (78 cm2) self-adhesive monitor-defibrillator pads to 20 subjects (ten male, ten female, ages 21-79) and measured TTI using a validated test-pulse technique which does not require actual shocks. We performed two studies. In Study 1 (all 20 subjects) the electrode pads were applied in the three positions recommended by the AHA, with the posterior electrode placed in the right infrascapular location. All TTI measurements were made at end-expiration and body surface area (BSA) was recorded. The results (TTI, omega, mean +/- S.D.) for the respective positions were the following: anterior-apex, 82.0+/-24.7; apex-posterior, 71.2+/-23.5; anterior-posterior, 77.0+/-24.7 (P NS). In Study 2 (six subjects) we compared the effect of right vs. left infrascapular posterior electrode placement (TTI, omega): apex-right infrascapular (RIS), 76.8+/-18.4; apex-left infrascapular (LIS), 72.1+/-18.7; anterior-RIS, 72.5+/-19.4; anterior-LIS, 71.6+/-18.6 (P NS). Correlation of TTI (anterior-apex placement) with BSA: TTI = 15.9 (BSA) + 46.7, r = 0.60, P < 0.01; the correlations of TTI and BSA were similar in the other two electrode positions. Thus, the three AHA-recommended electrode positions for transthoracic defibrillation have equivalent and acceptable TTIs; current flow should be similar using any of these positions. Furthermore, the posterior electrode may be placed in either the right or the left infrascapular position without affecting TTI. TTI is related to BSA in any of the three recommended positions; patients with high BSA and TTI may require higher energy selection to achieve defibrillation.
Oxygen Saturation in Optic Nerve Head Structures by Hyperspectral Image Analysis

Purpose: A method is presented for the calculation and visualization of percent blood oxygen saturation from specific tissue structures in hyperspectral images of the optic nerve head (ONH). Methods: Trans-pupillary images of the primate optic nerve head and overlying retinal blood vessels were obtained with a hyperspectral imaging (HSI) system attached to a fundus camera. Images were recorded during normal blood flow and after partially interrupting flow to the ONH and retinal circulation by elevation of the intraocular pressure (IOP) from 10 mmHg to 55 mmHg in steps. Percent oxygen saturation was calculated from groups of pixels associated with separate tissue structures, using a linear least-squares curve fit of the recorded hemoglobin spectrum to reference spectra obtained from fully oxygenated and deoxygenated red cell suspensions. Color maps of saturation were obtained from a new algorithm that enables comparison of oxygen saturation from large vessels and tissue areas in hyperspectral images. Resul...
CMOS RF modeling for GHz communication IC's

With the advent of submicron technologies, GHz RF circuits can now be realized in a standard CMOS process. A major barrier to the realization of robust commercial CMOS RF components is the lack of adequate models which accurately predict MOSFET device behavior at high frequencies. The conventional microwave table-lookup-based approach requires a large database obtained from numerous device measurements and computationally intense simulations for accurate results. This method becomes prohibitively complex when used to simulate highly integrated CMOS communication systems; hence, a compact model, valid for a broad range of bias conditions and operating frequencies is desirable. BSIM3v3 has been widely accepted as a standard CMOS model for low frequency applications. Recent work has demonstrated the capability of modeling CMOS devices at high frequencies by utilizing a complicated substrate resistance network and extensive modification to the BSIM3v3 source code. This paper first describes a unified device model realized with a lumped resistance network suitable for simulations of both RF and baseband analog circuits; then verifies the accuracy of the model to measured data on both device and circuit levels.
Characterization of permeability anisotropy using wavelet analysis

[1] Wavelet analysis is an image analysis technique that can extract local information at multiple scales. Because of this capability, wavelet analysis can be used to identify dominant scales in statistically heterogeneous and anisotropic random fields. We develop and test a wavelet analysis method for identifying dominant scales and orientations in permeability fields and for identifying boundaries between regions with different dominant orientations. We evaluate three different wavelets (fully anisotropic Morlet wavelet, Mexican hat wavelet, and Cauchy wavelet) and show that the Morlet wavelet is the most effective of these three wavelets in identifying dominant orientations. We also investigate the use of several different quantitative wavelet measures in identifying dominant scales and orientations in permeability fields. The technique is demonstrated using both a synthetic data set with known characteristics and a laboratory-collected permeability data set from Massillon sandstone.
Disentangling Heidegger’s transcendental questions

Recapitulating two recent trends in Heidegger-scholarship, this paper argues that the transcendental theme in Heidegger’s thought clarifies and relates the two basic questions of his philosophical itinerary. The preparatory question, which belongs to Being and Time, I.1–2, draws from the transcendental tradition to target the condition for the possibility of our openness to things: How must we be to access entities? The preliminary answer is that we are essentially opened up ecstatically and horizonally by timeliness. The fundamental question, which belongs to the unpublished Being and Time, I.3, and the rest of Heidegger’s path of thinking, is accessed by means of the first. In a turn of perspective, it targets that in terms of which we relate to the givenness of being. Heidegger first attempts to handle this question using the transcendental language of temporal horizon before happening upon the terminologically more fitting “event of appropriation” and thereafter criticizing transcendental terms. By reconstructing the preparatory question and its reversal, we can see that Heidegger’s later criticism of transcendence in fact relies on its initial success. The turn from timeliness to appropriation (initially by means of transcendental temporality) happens within the domain initially disclosed by the preparatory question.
A networked/autonomous receiving array system

A new hydrophone array and recording system has been developed at the SIO Marine Physical Laboratory for the collection of multi-channel broadband acoustic data at sea. Five of these systems have been constructed and successfully deployed at sea from a variety of research ships during several recent experiments. The typical array configuration is 16 elements at 3.75 m spacing for a total aperture of 56.25 m, but the arrays can be reconfigured with up to 64 hydrophones at any element spacing. The system can be deployed in a completely autonomous fashion or in conjunction with a surface buoy that provides remote system control and access to acoustic data files. The technical details of the arrays and recording systems as well as the different deployment configurations and techniques will be provided. In addition, a general description of the use of these systems for geoacoustic inversion and acoustic data communications research will be provided.
Bianalogies from traffic phenomena to inspire linear scheduling models with singularity functions

Established techniques like the Critical Path Method and Linear Scheduling Method are activity centered and exhibit schedules statically, which impedes their ability to plan and control projects holistically. Scheduling therefore should be enhanced by incorporating new capabilities of measuring and displaying the dynamic nature of projects. In another technical field that employs a time-space coordinate system, however, traffic engineering, researchers successfully apply various parameters to measure the perfor-mance of an inherently dynamic behavior, which is identified as having significant potential to be adapted for scheduling purposes. This paper identifies concepts in traffic measurement that currently lack analo-gies in scheduling, including signals and trajectories. They are modeled with singularity functions, range-based expressions for variable phenomena, for new application in linear scheduling. Examples demon-strate the feasibility of deriving analogies from a related engineering field, which provides a compass to navigate future research to explore concepts that emerge from interaction of dynamic elements.
Head-to-tail photodimerization of a thiophene in a co-crystal and a rare adipic acid dimer in the presence of a heterosynthon

A saturated dicarboxylic acid is employed to achieve a photoreactive hydrogen-bonded assembly based on a thiophene that reacts to generate a head-to-tail photoproduct. A co-crystal that exhibits both a homo- and heterosynthon in the same co-crystal based on adipic acid and the thiophene is also presented.
Is intestinal inflammation linking dysbiosis to gut barrier dysfunction during liver disease

Changes in the intestinal microbiota composition contribute to the pathogenesis of many disorders including gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Recent studies have broadened our understanding of the “gut-liver” axis. Dietary changes, other environmental and genetic factors can lead to alterations in the microbiota. Dysbiosis can further disrupt the integrity of the intestinal barrier leading to pathological bacterial translocation and the initiation of an inflammatory response in the liver. In this article, the authors dissect the different steps involved in disease pathogenesis to further refine approaches for the medical management of liver diseases. The authors will specifically discuss the role of dysbiosis in inducing intestinal inflammation and increasing intestinal permeability.