cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fast Automatic Registration Algorithm for Large Microscopy Images

In this paper, a framework of fast registration algorithm for large microscopy images is presented. The rationale behind this approach is that the rigid transform gives the global mapping between the two images while the nonrigid components further refines the local matching of the pixels by taking care of local nonrigid distortion and variation. Therefore, to estimate rigid transform, the global features such as specific anatomical structures need to be used instead of point features which does not contain any global information. Then to estimate local nonrigid transform, the local features such as points are used. The algorithm is divided into two stages: the first stage is to find an accurate estimate of the rigid (Euclidean) transform between the two images. To achieve this goal, high level (global) features such as small regions with anatomical meanings such as clusters of cells or blood vessels are exploited for matching purposes. A voting scheme is used to confirm the matching and compute the rigid transformation between two consecutive images. This then transforms the foundation for the second stage of nonrigid registration. Using the accurate estimate of the rigid transform, a large number of point feature correspondence is established and used as control points for the nonrigid transform
Deamidation of a model hexapeptide in poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels and xerogels

Polymeric controlled release systems have been proposed to prolong the half-lives of protein and peptide drugs in vivo and to deliver active drug at a controlled rate. These systems are ineffective, however, if the drug is not stable during storage and release. This study addresses the effect of poly(vinyl alcohol) on the stability and release of an incorporated hexapeptide, VYPNGA, which undergoes deamidation. Two types of peptide-loaded poly(vinyl alcohol) matrices were formed, a semisolid hydrogel and a lower water content 'xerogel', and stored at 50 degrees C for up to 122 days. The hexapeptide was less stable in both poly(vinyl alcohol) matrices than in aqueous buffer or lyophilized polymer-free powders. The type of poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix appeared to influence the degradation mechanism, since the product distributions differ in the hydrogel and the xerogel. The results suggest that, rather than stabilizing this peptide, incorporation in poly(vinyl alcohol) matrices reduces stability relative to solution and lyophilized controls.
A Sub-PPM Automated 1-10 Volt DC Measuring System

An automated measuring system has been developed for measuring arbitrary-voltage references in the range of 1-10 V with an inherent measurement accuracy of ± 0.22 ppm (3?). This paper discusses the design and uncertainty analysis of the system and presents data obtained on a Zener voltage reference.
The mechanical properties of dry, electrospun fibrinogen fibers

Abstract Due to their low immunogenicity, biodegradability and native cell-binding domains, fibrinogen fibers may be good candidates for tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery vehicles and other medical devices. We used a combined atomic force microscope (AFM)/optical microscope technique to study the mechanical properties of individual, electrospun fibrinogen fibers in dry, ambient conditions. The AFM was used to stretch individual fibers suspended over 13.5 μm wide grooves in a transparent substrate. The optical microscope, located below the sample, was used to monitor the stretching process. Electrospun fibrinogen fibers (diameter, 30–200 nm) can stretch to 74% beyond their original length before rupturing at a stress of 2.1 GPa. They can stretch elastically up to 15% beyond their original length. Using incremental stress–strain curves the viscoelastic behavior of these fibers was determined. The total stretch modulus was 4.2 GPa while the relaxed elastic modulus was 3.7 GPa. When held at constant strain, fibrinogen fibers display stress relaxation with a fast and slow relaxation time of 1.2 s and 11 s. In comparison to native and electrospun collagen fibers, dry electrospun fibrinogen fibers are significantly more extensible and elastic. In comparison to wet electrospun fibrinogen fibers, dry fibers are about 1000 times stiffer.
An interpretation of research on feedback interruption in speech

Abstract The controversial question of the scope of sensory control in the voluntary motor patterns involved in speech is examined by reviewing studies in which the auditory, tactile, and proprioceptive feedback channels have been distorted or interrupted. The author makes a case for open loop control of well-learned speech patterns under normal circumstances. The concept of internal feedback is introduced as a possible control system of skilled speech, whereas response feedback and external feedback are viewed as necessary for children developing speech or adults learning new speech patterns.
Rydberg states of helium: An optical-potential analysis

The Feshbach projection-operator technique has been applied to the problem of electrostatic level shifts in $1sNL$ Rydberg states of helium. It is assumed at first that, for sufficiently high $L$, only long-range terms in the optical potential affect the energy of the outer electron. These terms up to ${x}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ are carefully derived, used in a first-order perturbation calculation, and compared with recent accurate experimental results. Second-order effects due to the leading ${x}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ potential and some short-range terms are also calculated in a few cases; these effects are generally not negligible for $L\ensuremath{\le}4$.
Recognition and rejection of self in plant self-incompatibility: comparisons to animal histocompatibility

In many flowering plants, intraspecific barriers to self-fertilization ensure outbreeding by interrupting the path of pollen tube growth before egg–sperm interaction. These self-sterility or self-incompatibility (SI) systems are unique among recognition systems, in that they are based on the recognition and rejection of self, rather than non-self. Consistent with multiple evolutionary origins of SI, different plant families use distinct mechanisms for pollen recognition and inhibition. These mechanisms range from the arrest of pollen tube emergence by specific interactions between surface receptors and ligands and activation of intracellular signaling cascades, to the destruction of pollen tubes by the cytotoxic activity of RNases or by induction of a programmed cell death pathway. These mechanistic differences notwithstanding, all plant SI systems analyzed to date share a high degree of recognition specificity, effected by a large number of highly diverged, genetically linked and co-evolving genes, with immunity and other systems that discriminate between self and non-self.
Structure, movement, locomotion, and stimulation in amoeba

Amoeba proteus contains a central elongated fluid portion (plasmasol), a rigid layer surrounding this (plasmagel), a thin elastic surface layer (plasmalemma), and a hyaline layer between the plasmagel and the plasmalemma which is fluid at the tip of active pseudopods and in certain other regions. The plasmasol is an emulsion. It consists of a fluid in which various vacuoles and granuoles are suspended. The plasmagel is probably alveolar in structure. It contains the same kinds of substances as the plasmasol, but some of the fluid appears to be gelated so as to form alveoli. The plasmalemma probably consists of interwoven protein fibers and a lipoid which fills the interstices. The plasmasol is probably hypertonic; the plasmagel and the plasmalemma are probably semipermeable. This and other factors result in an excess inflow of water, stretching the plasmagel and the plasmalemma. When a pseudopod is formed, the inner portion of the plasmagel liquefies locally. This produces a local decrease in elastic strength resulting in the formation of a protuberance, a pseudopod. As this is formed there is contraction at the posterior end, resulting in forward flow of the plasmasol and extension of the pseudopod. If the pseudopod is attached, the plasmalemma, being attached to the substratum and to the adjoining plasmagel, slides over the plasmagel above and remains stationary below, rolling movement results. If it is free, the plasmalemma is stretched out with movement in it equal on all sides. If the free pseudopods become attached to the substratum at the tip after they are thus formed, walking movement results. During locomotion of either type, the plasmasol continuously gelates at the tip of the extending pseudopods forming plasmagel, and the plasmagel continuously solates at the posterior end forming plasmasol. Response is due largely to changes in the elastic strength of the plasmagel in the adhesiveness of the plasmalemma and in turgidity. Locomotion in Amoeba verrucosa is in principle the same as it is in Amoeba proteus.
Effect of age on blood pressure and membrane-dependent vascular responses in the rat

Alterations in endothelium-dependent, sodium pump-mediated, and calcium-dependent responses of vascular smooth muscle were investigated in 5-7-, 24-26-, and 50-52-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats. Age-dependent changes in systolic blood pressure were also determined. Although systolic blood pressure increased significantly with age, rats in all 3 age groups were considered normotensive. Initial studies on the passive force-response characteristics of strips of aortic and femoral arterial smooth muscle revealed that the level of passive force required for maximum active tension generation increased with increasing age. Subsequent studies were carried out using optimum passive force requirements. Endothelium-dependent relaxations of aortic smooth muscle induced by acetylcholine and the calcium ionophore A23187 decreased significantly with increasing age. An age-dependent decrease in the contractile response of aortic smooth muscle to ouabain and potassium-free physiological salt solution (PSS) was observed. Potassium relaxation of femoral smooth muscle following contraction to norepinephrine (NE) in a potassium-free PSS was also significantly attenuated with increasing age. No age-related alterations in calcium sensitivity (in the presence of 10(-7) M NE) or calcium relaxation (membrane stabilization) of femoral arterial smooth muscle was seen. These results show that endothelium-dependent and sodium pump-mediated responses are reduced in vascular smooth muscle of the rat with increasing age. However, no changes in calcium-dependent responses are apparent. These observations are discussed in relation to the vascular changes observed in hypertension.
HETEROGENEOUS REACTION HOCL + HBR BRCL + H2O ON ICE FILMS

The heterogeneous reaction HOCl + HBr(s) → BrCl + H2O(s) on the ice surface at 189 and 220 K has been investigated in a flow reactor interfaced with a differentially pumped quadrupole mass spectrometer. Pseudo first-order decay of HOCl over the HBr-treated ice surfaces has been determined under the condition of PHOCl < PHBr. For the HBr partial pressure in the range of 1.1 × 10-7 to 6.6 × 10-5 Torr, the reaction probability (γg) was determined in the range of 0.06 to 0.38 at 189 K. The reaction probability is in the range of 0.01 to 0.07 at 220 K for HBr partial pressure from 7.2 × 10-7 to 1.3 × 10-5 Torr. The reaction probability was found to be strongly dependent on the ice surface temperature. The reaction probability is higher at the lower temperature than that at the warmer temperature and a mechanistic explanation is provided. The “true” reaction probabilities (γt) of the reaction were calculated using a pore diffusion model. The kinetic analysis indicates that the heterogeneous reaction of HOCl + H...
Medium and Low Field HTS Magnets for Particle Accelerators and Beam Lines

High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) magnets may offer an attractive alternative to both water-cooled copper and conventional low temperature superconducting magnets in many accelerators and beam lines. With energy cost rising and conductor cost falling, HTS magnets operating in the 20-60 K temperature range are gaining renewed interest for the lower cost of ownership (capital + operation). Moreover, in a few low to medium field R&D applications, HTS magnets not only provided a better technical solution but also proved to be less expensive to build and test than the magnets made with conventional Low Temperature Superconductors (LTS). In addition, HTS magnets can tolerate large energy and radiation loads and can operate with a simpler cryogenic system. This paper will present several specific examples.
THE ROLE OF DIFFUSION IN APPLICATIONS OF NOVEL NANOPOROUS MATERIALS AND IN NOVEL USES OF TRADITIONAL MATERIALS

Abstract Nanoporous materials such as zeolites and carbon molecular sieves are widely used in industrial catalysis, separations, and purifications. In addition, discovery of new classes of nanoporous materials is currently a very active area of research. This short review focuses on fundamental aspects of diffusion in novel materials and on how a molecular-level understanding of diffusion is important to the development of new applications of traditional zeolites. 1. Introduction Porous materials with well-controlled structures at the nanoscale can be extremely useful because of their ability to recognize and discriminate between adsorbed molecules ( 1 ). This can be due to differences in the adsorption strength or the mobility of different molecules within the porous structure. This well-known concept leads to applications of nanoporous materials in adsorption separations, catalysis, membrane processes, sensing, and energy storage. For all of these applications molecules must get in and out of the pores, or we may try to trap them inside – either forever (e.g. storage of nuclear waste) or until they are needed (energy storage). In heterogeneous catalysis, if the diffusion rates are slower than the intrinsic rate of the catalytic reaction, diffusion is often viewed as a hindrance. On the other hand, differing rates of diffusion for different product molecules can be exploited, as in shape-selective catalysis (
Effect of changes in the definition of ventricular tachycardia on the prevalence of complex ventricular ectopy.

Abstract The presence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) is commonly considered to represent a risk factor for sudden cardiac death as well as an indication for antiarrhythmic drug therapy. Although spontaneous VT is generally diagnosed by the presence of three or more consecutive ectopic beats, proposed criteria for induced VT require six or more complexes at rates exceeding 90 or 100 beats/min. To determine the clinical implications of a similar change in the diagnostic criteria for spontaneous VT, the authors examined 324 consecutive 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiograms. Of these, 111 (34.3%) had episodes of three or more ventricular premature beats. If six or more beats were required, only 34 (30.6%) would have been diagnosed as having VT. Requiring a minimum rate of 90 or 100 beats/min had less consequence, eliminating only 10 (9.0%) and 12 (10.8%) patients, respectively. Patients with only three to five beat runs had significantly fewer isolated premature beats (4,462.8 ± 588.4 vs 7,158.1 ± 1,688.1) and ventricular couplets (186.2 ± 39.2 vs 294.3 ± 74.4) per day, and slower average rates (142.1 ± 4.6 vs 171.8 ± 6.7 beats/min) during ventricular tachycardia than did those with runs of six or more beats. Thus, altering the definition of spontaneous VT has marked effects on the prevalence of this arrhythmia. Those patients excluded did, however, have a lower prevalence of associated electrocardiographic risk factors.
Social-Relational Risk Factors for Predicting Elder Physical Abuse: An Ecological Bi-Focal Model

Annually in the United States, 1 to 5 million older adults, 65 and above, are physically or sexually injured or mistreated by their caregivers in family settings. This study examined the prevalence and risk factors involved in elder physical abuse by adult child caregivers, moving from the immediate elderly parent/adult child relationship context to more distal social support contexts, utilizing a subsample of 203 elderly participants from the Midlife Development in the United States study (MIDUS II, 2004-2006). LISREL modeling examined causal pathways between elderly demographic characteristics, physical/emotional health, and behavioral and contextual characteristics from an ecological perspective. Data modeling was accomplished using Mplus, PAXW, and SYSTAT statistical software packages. Results indicate that latent factors including older adult health, social isolation of the older adult, and adult child characteristics were significantly associated with elder physical abuse, as mediated by the quality of the elderly parent/adult child relationship.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Evidence-Based Guidelines for Management of Infants with Cystic Fibrosis

Newborn screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) offers the opportunity for early medical and nutritional intervention that can lead to improved outcomes. Management of the asymptomatic infant diagnosed with CF through newborn screening, prenatal diagnosis, or sibling screening is different from treatment of the symptomatically diagnosed individual. The focus of management is on maintaining health by preventing nutritional and respiratory complications. The CF Foundation convened a committee to develop recommendations based on a systematic review of the evidence and expert opinion. These guidelines encompass monitoring and treatment recommendations for infants diagnosed with CF and are intended to help guide families, primary care providers, and specialty care centers in the care of infants with CF.
Drug-Induced Esophageal Injuries and Dysphagia

OBJECTIVE:To review and analyze medical literature documenting drug-induced esophageal injury and dysphagia and to formulate strategies to enhance pharmacists' prevention, detection, and treatment of these iatrogenic complications.DATA SOURCES:A MEDLINE search (1966–April 2002) was conducted to identify primary and secondary literature using variable combinations of the following search terms: pill-induced, drug-induced, or iatrogenic with esophageal injury, esophageal damage, or dysphagia. Bibliographies were also reviewed to identify additional relevant references.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:All case reports, reviews, and clinical studies relating to drug-induced esophageal injury or swallowing dysfunction were evaluated.DATA SYNTHESIS:Drug-induced esophageal injury may be under-recognized. Several drugs have been associated with physical or chemically mediated injuries. Risk factors for injury have been identified and preventive and treatment strategies have been successful in limiting esophage...
Effects of Wafer Cleaning Reduction on Metals Removal and Ultrathin Gate Oxide Quality

The drive to reduce chemical consumption for cost savings is high in the semiconductor industry. Recently, studies have shown that the traditional 1:1:5 ratios of the SC1, SC2 cleans can be reduced and still maintain good cleaning. The optimization of process parameters must be done in accordance with the type of cleaning tool. Processes in wet decks may be optimized differently from single chamber tools, especially if extended bath lifetimes are expected. In this study, temperature reduction and dilution of the SC1 and SC2 cleans in a wet deck are examined for their effects on metals removal efficiency from silicon surfaces as measured by TRXRF. For an HF, SC1, SC2 sequence, good metal removal can be maintained by dropping the SC1 temperature down to 35°C and chemical ratio to 1:1:40. At too low an SC1 dilution and temperature, the Cu removal efficiency drops. In SC2, good metals removal remains without peroxide and a lower limit for HC1 is determined. It is also found that peroxide must be reduced if HCl is reduced in SC2. otherwise metals plating out from SC1 cannot be removed effectively. To understand the impact of these reduced cleans on gate oxide integrity, the electrical properties of 30 A gate oxides grown using these experimental pre-gate cleans is discussed.
Stressor-dependent Alterations in Glycoprotein 130: Implications for Glial Cell Reactivity, Cytokine Signaling and Ganglion Cell Health in Glaucoma

Objective: The interleukin-6 (IL-6) family of cytokines is associated with retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival and glial reactivity in glaucoma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate glaucoma-related changes in glycoprotein-130 (gp130), the common signal transducer of the IL-6 family of cytokines, as they relate to RGC health, glial reactivity and expression of IL-6 cytokine family members.Methods: For all experiments, we examined healthy retina (young C57), aged retina (aged C57), retina predisposed to glaucoma (young DBA/2) and retina with IOP-induced glaucoma (aged DBA/2). We determined retinal gene expression of gp130 and IL-6 family members, using quantitative PCR, and protein expression of gp130, using multiplex ELISA. For protein localization and cell-specific expression, we performed co-immunolabeling for gp130 and cell type -specific markers. We used quantitative microscopy to measure layer-specific expression of gp130 and its relationships to astrocyte and Muller glia reactivity and RGC axonal transport, as determined by uptake and transport of cholera toxin β-subunit (CTB).Results: Gene expression of gp130 was elevated with all glaucoma-related stressors, but only normal aging increased protein levels. In healthy retina, gp130 localized primarily to the inner retina, where it was expressed by astrocytes, Muller cells and RGCs. Layer-specific analysis of gp130 expression revealed increased expression in aging retina and decreased expression in glaucomatous retina that was eccentricity-dependent. These glaucoma-related changes in gp130 expression correlated with the level of GFAP and glutamine synthetase expression, as well as axonal transport in RGCs. The relationships between gp130, glial reactivity and RGC health could impact signaling by many IL-6 family cytokines, which exhibited overall increased expression in a stressor-dependent manner.Conclusions: Glaucoma-related stressors, including normal aging, glaucoma predisposition and IOP-induced glaucoma, differentially alter expression of gp130 and these alterations have direct implications for astrocyte and Muller glia reactivity, RGC health and cytokine signaling.
Exploiting spatial locality in data caches using spatial footprints

Modern cache designs exploit spatial locality by fetching large blocks of data called cache lines on a cache miss. Subsequent references to words within the same cache line result in cache hits. Although this approach benefits from spatial locality, less than half of the data brought into the cache gets used before eviction. The unused portion of the cache line negatively impacts performance by wasting bandwidth and polluting the cache by replacing potentially useful data that would otherwise remain in the cache.This paper describes an alternative approach to exploit spatial locality available in data caches. On a cache miss, our mechanism, called Spatial Footprint Predictor (SFP), predicts which portions of a cache block will get used before getting evicted. The high accuracy of the predictor allows us to exploit spatial locality exhibited in larger blocks of data yielding better miss ratios without significantly impacting the memory access latencies. Our evaluation of this mechanism shows that the miss rate of the cache is improved, on average, by 18% in addition to a significant reduction in the bandwidth requirement.
Supraclavicular central venous catheterization

Percutaneous central venous catheterization is a well-accepted procedure for cardiac monitoring, total parenteral nutrition, and long-term drug therapy. The supraclavicular approach was used for 90 catheterizations in 81 gynecologic patients to evaluate ease of insertion, complication rate, and patient compliance. Anatomic considerations, insertion technique, and the rationale for the supraclavicular approach are discussed in detail. A successful catheterization rate of 91% was achieved with acceptable morbidity. There were three instances each of pneumothorax, catheter malposition, and catheter infection. Advantages of the supraclavicular approach include a wider target area, a more direct route to the superior vena cava, and less pain on insertion. With reliable and constant landmarks, relative ease of and comfort on insertion, and low complication rate, the supraclavicular technique is the preferred method when percutaneous central venous catheterization is indicated.
Updates in the General Approach to the Pediatric Poisoned Patient

Poison prevention remains essential to prevent the most vulnerable population from becoming exposed to potentially lethal toxins. The evaluation of a child presumed to have been exposed to a toxic substance should include a precise history of the exposure, a physical examination, and knowledge of current ingestions and recreational practices. New treatments and research guiding therapy continue to evolve. Poison centers and medical toxicologists can be consulted to assist with the diagnosis of medicinal/drug overdoses, for advice about the pitfalls inherent in stabilizing children who have been exposed to toxic compounds, and for treatment recommendations based on the latest research.
Prediction and measurement of incipient boiling heat flux in micro-channel heat sinks

Abstract Experiments were performed to measure the incipient boiling heat flux in a heat sink containing 21 rectangular (231 μm wide and 713 μm deep) micro-channels. Tests were performed using deionized water with inlet liquid velocities of 0.13–1.44 m/s, inlet temperatures of 30, 60 and 90 °C, and an outlet pressure of 1.2 bar. Using a microscope, boiling incipience was identified when the first bubbles were detected growing at, and departing from the micro-channel wall near the outlet. A comprehensive model was developed to predict the incipient boiling heat flux, accounting for the complexities of bubble formation along the flat and corner regions of a rectangular flow channel, as well as the likelihood of bubbles growing sufficiently large to engulf the entire flow area of a micro-channel. The model is based on a bubble departure criterion, which combines both mechanical considerations (force balance on a bubble) and thermal considerations (superheating entire bubble interface). The model shows good agreement with the experimental results.
Effects of Source Redistribution on Jet Noise Shielding

*† The potential of jet noise shielding from the Hybrid Wing Body (HWB) airplane is investigated in subscale experiments. The jet nozzle had a bypass ratio 10 and was operated at realistic takeoff exhaust conditions using helium-air mixtures. The shield, fabricated from a thin flat plate, had the generic shape of the HWB planform. Redistribution of the jet noise source is essential for achieving substantial noise reduction. Devices used to alter the jet noise source comprised chevrons (in mild and aggressive configurations) and a number of porous wedge fan flow deflectors. Using the estimated cumulative (downward plus sideline) EPNL reduction as a figure of merit, shielding of the plain nozzle yields a 2.4 dB reduction. Application of the aggressive chevrons increases the reduction to 6.5 dB, while the best wedge configuration improves this figure to 6.9 dB. Combination of wedge and aggressive chevrons yields a benefit of 7.6 dB. Examination of high-definition noise source maps shows a direct link between the insertion loss and the axial location of peak noise source. The aggressive chevrons cause an abrupt contraction of the noise source length at Strouhal number Sr=1.2, while the wedge induces a gradual contraction with increasing frequency. As a result, the insertion loss with the aggressive chevrons is stronger than with the wedge. However, because the wedge is inherently quieter than the chevrons, it gives a slightly better overall benefit. Surveys of the mean flow field show that the wedge, and its combination with chevrons, produces a significant reduction in the potential core length. On the other hand, the chevrons alone induce modest changes in the length of the high-speed region of the jet. Therefore, the mean velocity field by itself cannot provide useful information for inferring the noise source length for these complicated flows.
A miniature phoswich detector for gamma-ray localization and beta imaging

A combined /spl gamma/-ray probe//spl beta//sup /spl plusmn// imaging detector was created by modification of a beta imaging intra-operative probe. This phoswich detector consists of a thin CaF/sub 2/(Eu) /spl beta//sup /spl plusmn// imaging disk, coupled through a light diffuser to 7 or 19 parallelepiped high-Z scintillation crystals arranged hexagonally in columns. These elements are either 2/spl times/2/spl times/10 mm/sup 3/ or 4/spl times/4/spl times/10 mm/sup 3/ LSO, GSO or EGO crystals, and act as both light guides for the imaging light and as intrinsic /spl gamma/ detectors. The coincidence between the CaF/sub 2/(Eu) and phoswich scintillators identifies /spl beta//sup +/ or true /spl beta//sup -/ events and suppresses accompanying annihilation or background /spl gamma/ events. The phoswich crystals are in turn coupled through optical fibers to a multi-channel PMT with positioning and discrimination electronics. Various characteristics of this novel imaging phoswich detector are investigated and presented for each of the phoswich combinations including: detector anisotropy, effects of time blocking and energy windows on phoswich imaging, intrinsic singles and phoswich spectral and spatial resolution characteristics, and phoswich imaging ability within /spl gamma/ background environments. The performance characteristics of the assembled prototype devices demonstrate that in surgery, this device can be used three ways: (1) rapid localization of /spl gamma/ emitting radionuclides with the modestly directional, self-collimated phoswich crystals; (2) high resolution /spl beta//sup m/aging or coarse (annihilation background corrupted) /spl beta//sup +/ imaging in singles mode; or (3) /spl beta//sup +/ imaging in coincidence mode with reduced /spl gamma/ background contamination.
Research and Realization on Real-Time Interaction in m-Learning

This paper mainly discusses about real-time interaction in m-Learning based on mobile devices. The traditional measure of interaction in m-Learning is unable to achieve real-time interaction. The method researched in the paper practically breaks through this limitation. Base on windows mobile 5 SDK, we design and realize real-time interaction between windows mobile device and personal computer grounded on Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, and the demonstration is given.
Enhancement of spectral purity of injection-seeded titanium:sapphire laser by cavity locking and stimulated Brillouin scattering

We report improvements to and better characterization of the spectral purity of a diode laser injection-seeded, cavity-locked titanium sapphire laser that serves as the source for a previously reported rubidium vapor spectrally filtered Thomson scattering apparatus at 780.24 nm. In a detailed set of measurements the spectral purity P of the laser, defined as the ratio ofthe narrowband component of the laser output to the total output, has been studied as a function of frequency mismatch between the seed laser frequency and the central frequency of the unseeded cavity. It is found that spectral purity exceeding 0.999 can be obtained for a seed-cavity mismatch as high as +/- 0.25 nm, corresponding to approximately 950 cavity longitudinal-mode spacings and as high as approximately 0.9999 for a cavity-seed mismatch in the range +/- 0.10 nm (380 mode spacings). It is also shown that the addition of an external-cavity stimulated Brillouin-scattering phase-conjugate mirror increases both the spectral purity, to a minimum of 0.99999, and the cavity-seed mismatch range, to +/- 0.25 nm, for which this maximum effective purity is obtained.
The economics and politics of reform in Hungary

Reform of the domestic economic system is the distinctive element of Hungary's foreign economic strategy in the 1980s. The need for systemic economic reform stems from Hungary's status as a small country, heavily dependent on foreign trade, many of whose imports can no longer be met within the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance alone. The many obstacles to economic reform lie in a heritage of policy choices that responded to domestic and CMEA supply constraints rather than to principles of comparative advantage. Such policies undercut the initial economic reform in 1968 and contributed to a major economic crisis in 1979–82. The subsequent changes in policy priorities and institutional mechanisms prompted by this crisis aimed to reduce Hungary's insulation from the larger international economy and make the economy more efficient. Politically, economic reform is possible in Hungary largely because of the impact of the 1956 revolt on both the subsequent composition of the political elite and the norms and features of collective leadership that guided its decision making afterwards. Nevertheless, the political and economic structures on which collective leadership rests weaken reform advocates and obstruct consistent implementation of their policy preferences. Yet Hungary's economic situation in the late 1970s altered the political balance offerees in favor of reformists, permitting them to alter both economic structures and policies.
Identification of HIV-1 inhibitors targeting the nucleocapsid protein.

The HIV-1 nucleocapsid (NC) is a RNA/DNA binding protein encoded within the Gag polyprotein, which is critical for the selection and chaperoning of viral genomic RNA during virion assembly. RNA/DNA binding occurs through a highly conserved zinc-knuckle motif present in NC. Given the necessity of NC–viral RNA/DNA interaction for viral replication, identification of compounds that disrupt the NC–RNA/DNA interaction may have value as an antiviral strategy. To identify small molecules that disrupt NC–viral RNA/DNA binding, a high-throughput fluorescence polarization assay was developed and a library of 14 400 diverse, druglike compounds was screened. Compounds that disrupted NC binding to a fluorescence-labeled DNA tracer were next evaluated by differential scanning fluorimetry to identify compounds that must bind to NC or Gag to impart their effects. Two compounds were identified that inhibited NC–DNA interaction, specifically bound NC with nanomolar affinity, and showed modest anti-HIV-1 activity in ex vivo...
Comprehensive Review of the Anatomy, Function, and Imaging of the Popliteus and Associated Pathologic Conditions

The anatomy, function, and imaging of the popliteus and associated structures are described, with emphasis on MR imaging of the musculotendinous complex and associated pathologic conditions.
Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Patients With Symptomatic Vertebrobasilar Stenosis Undergoing Surgical Procedures

Background and Purpose—There is little information to provide an estimate for stroke risk in patients with established stenosis or occlusion in the basilar or intracranial vertebral arteries undergoing surgical procedures. The objective of this study was to determine the ischemic stroke risk in this specific patient population. Methods—A medical records linkage system retrospectively identified patients with a diagnosis of symptomatic vertebrobasilar stenosis or occlusion matched with surgical procedures. Patients were selected if they had stenosis or occlusion of the basilar or intracranial vertebral arteries identified on vascular imaging before undergoing surgical procedures under general anesthesia. Clinical and radiographic features were reviewed, along with the nature of the surgeries and details of the perioperative management. Records were reviewed for the diagnosis of stroke occurring within 1 month of surgery. Results—Thirty-eight patients with a history of symptomatic vertebrobasilar ischemia underwent 50 operations under general anesthesia, and 3 had ischemic strokes in the vertebrobasilar territory immediately after surgery, a per-procedure rate of 6.0% (95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 16.6) All 3 had episodes of prolonged hypotension (systolic blood pressure 100 mm Hg for 10 minutes) during surgery. Conclusions—The risk of perioperative stroke in patients with vertebrobasilar stenosis undergoing surgery under general anesthesia is 6.0%, which is notably higher than the risk for patients with other patterns of cerebrovascular disease. (Stroke. 2003;34:2659-2663.)
A Kabbalah System Theory Modeling Framework for Knowledge Based Behavioral Economics and Finance

Kabbalah and its Tree of Life integrate the cognitive, behavioral/emotional and action levels of human existence, explaining the relations between these and their unity. This makes it an ideal framework for behavioral economics and finance where cognitive and emotional biases and heuristics play a central role. In Burstein and Negoita [9], we began to develop a Kabbalah system theory, modeling the Tree of Life as a hierarchical three level feedback control system corresponding to the cognitive, behavioral/emotional and action levels. We will further develop this here by focusing on system dynamics, in order to create a Kabbalah system theory modeling framework for a knowledge based behavioral economics and finance. In this new framework, emotional intelligence theory [19–21, 40] and Polanyi personal tacit/explicit knowledge theory [36, 37] are used to model the emotional and cognitive level processes. Here we are connecting these theories with behavioral economics and finance. While behavioral finance focuses on the impact of knowledge/cognition and emotional factors, the intrinsic dynamics of these factors is not considered in depth. This is why behavioral economics and finance can benefit from integrating emotional intelligence and knowledge theory in their modeling. Our Kabbalah system theory creates the modeling framework for that. In particular, it allows connecting the recent knowledge based economic theory attempts with behavioral economics in a unified knowledge based behavioral economics. We apply this in particular to Kabbalah behavioral, knowledge based asset pricing modeling.
Monetary Incentive and Cooperation/Competition Instructions in a Minimal Social Situation:

To investigate the influence of monetary incentive and cooperation/competition instructions upon performance in a minimal social situation, pairs of Ss were interconnected so that the button-pressing responses of S1 provided positive or negative rewards to S2, and vice versa. Competing Ss were told to make more points than the opponent. Cooperating Ss were told to make as high a combined score as possible. Ss were offered a monetary incentive for the highest score or no incentive. Analyses indicated more correct responses for cooperating Ss and no significant monetary incentive effects.
Effect of Hormonal Deprivation on the Bladder Defense Mechanism

Abstract The mucopolysaccharide (MPS) layer of the bladder has been implicated as a bacterial anti-adherence factor in previous experimentation. Production of MPS is known to be related tohormones in other systems of the body and probably to the urinary system. Due to the known risingincidence of urinary tract infection in post menopausal females, an experimental model usingoophorectomized rabbits was designed. Oophorectomized and control rabbits were observed for theirability to clear their bladder of experimentally induced Escherichia coli 04 infections. There was a2-fold increase in the mean number of days for clearance of bacteria among oophorectomized rabbitsversus control rabbits. Twice as many rabbits cleared their infection within 1 week in the controlpopulation versus the oophorectomized population. To further examine the relationship of oophorectomy to urinary tract infection, a group of 1030 female canines in an animal veterinary practicewas studied. It was found that the incidence of infection was higher in the spayed population thanin the non-spayed group. The non-spayed group seem to have an age dependent history of urinaryinfection whereas ovariohysterectomy appeared to abolish this relationship to age.
Phospholipids of Azotobacter agilis, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and Escherichia coli

The principal lipid of A. agilis, A. tumefaciens, and E. coli extractable with ethanol and methanol-chloroform was a phosphatidyl ethanolamine. A phosphatidyl choline was detectable only in A. tumefaciens. The fatty acids of phospholipid from A. agilis were found to be myristic (7%), palmitic (35%), palmitoleic (41%), and octadecenoic (17%) acids. The fatty acids from A. tumefaciens were myristic (l%), palmitic (15%), hexadecenoic (l%), methylene hexadecanoic (6%), octadecenoic (30%), and lactobacillic (47%) acids. The neutral lipid was a minor fraction (5% to 10%) of the extractable lipids and was found to consist of free fatty acids, esters, and coenzyme Q.
Inequalities creating economic barriers to owning mobile phones in India: factors responsible for the gender digital divide

In India, men own around 70% of mobile phones, creating a gender digital divide for the most widely owned information and communication technology (ICT) in the world. This study investigates the fa...
Long-term effects of developmental exposure to 2,2',3,5',6- pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 95) on locomotor activity, spatial learning and memory and brain ryanodine binding

There is mounting evidence that perinatal exposure to ortho-substituted PCB congeners causes neurobehavioral and neurochemical alterations. The molecular mechanism for these effects is not understood, but certain ortho-substituted PCBs have been found to interact specifically with ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ channels in vitro. These channels are widely expressed in brain and are thought to be responsible for Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release. Thus, the ryanodine receptor may represent a selective molecular target through which ortho-substituted PCBs disrupt calcium signaling in neurons, and produce neurochemical and neurobehavioral alterations. Of the PCBs evaluated, 2,2',3,5',6-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 95) exhibits the highest potency and efficacy towards the ryanodine receptor in vitro. Therefore, we conducted an in vivo study to investigate the effects of developmental exposure to PCB 95 on neurobehavioral functional and regional brain ryanodine binding. Time-mated Sprague-Dawley rats were dosed with PCB 95 (8 or 32 mg/kg/day) or corn oil vehicle via gavage on gestation days 10-16. One male and one female from each litter were evaluated for neurobehavioral effects. Locomotor activity was evaluated in an automated open field at 35 and 100 days of age. Spatial learning and memory was assessed using an eight arm radial maze working memory task at 60 days of age and a T-maze delayed spatial alternation task at 140 days of age. The animals were then euthanized and [3H] ryanodine binding was assayed in homogenates of cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. Rats exposed to PCB 95 showed normal levels of activity as juveniles, but were hypoactive in adulthood. They also showed a faster acquisition of the working memory task on the radial arm maze, but did not differ from controls on the T-maze delayed spatial alteration task. Region-specific changes in ryanodine binding to Ca2+ channels were also observed, with decreased binding in the hippocampus, increased binding in the cerebral cortex and a biphasic effect in the cerebellum. How these changes in ryanodine receptor function are related to the alterations in behavior will be a challenging problem to elucidate.
Adenoid Stones – “Adenoliths”

Stones made of bacterial aggregates can be found in chronically inflamed lymphoid tissue such as hypertrophied tonsils. Although it is common to find tonsilloliths in cryptic tonsils, it is rare to find stones in adenoid tissue. Here we present an interesting case of a patient who underwent adenoidectomy for adenoid hypertrophy, recurrent malaise and upper respiratory infections. Intraoperatively we found numerous bright green stones in the crypts of the adenoid tissue, reminiscent of tonsilloliths in tonsillar crypts. Pathology revealed polymicrobial bacterial aggregates surrounded by neutrophils. Our findings suggest that the pathophysiology is similar to that of tonsillolith formation. Thus, we should at least consider the presence of adenoid stones and consider adenoidectomy for symptoms often attributed to tonsilloliths. We have coined the term "adenoliths" to describe this interesting finding and present it as a potential source of recurrent infection.
P034 Detection of soluble HLA antigens (sHLA) in blood for early detection of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC)

Aim Non-small and small cell lung cancer (NSCLC and SCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Early detection and appropriate intervention are critical for successful treatment. Current screening methods cannot clearly distinguish between benign and malignant nodules. The human histocompatibility antigens (HLA), which control the immune response, can be crucial in escape from tumor immune surveillance resulting in tumor progression and metastasis. Increased HLA levels in circulation of cancer patients have been detected in the past. Therefore, the aim was to determine circulating HLA antigens could serve as potential biomarkers to distinguish between benign and malignant lung cancer nodules. Methods HLA class I (ABC) and class II (DRB1 and DQ) antigen levels were analyzed in cell lines and conditioned media of epithelial H358 and mesenchymal H1703. Then, serum samples from 25 patients with benign nodules (non-invasive cells) and 25 patients with malignant nodule (Stage I NSCLC-with invasive cells) were analyzed for HLA-class I (ABC), HLA-class II (DRB1, DQA1, DQ, DMB) antigens in their serum. Equal amounts of total proteins from each group were used for comparison of HLA antigen levels. Western Blot with Chemiluminiscence detection system was used for evaluating HLA antigen levels in samples. Results A significantly higher level of HLA class I antigens was observed in conditioned medium from the invasive cell line compared to conditioned medium from non-invasive cell line ( p p Conclusion In-vitro studies using non-invasive and invasive cell lines showed significantly increased levels of HLA-class I in conditioned medium obtained from the invasive cell line compared to the non-invasive cell line. The Mann–Whitney Rank Sum Test showed significant differences in the serum levels of HLA-ABC, DQA1, HLA-DQ, HLA-DRB1, HLA-DMB, between patients with benign nodule and Stage I NSCLC patients. These preliminary data suggest that levels of HLA class I and class II antigens could act as potential biomarkers to diagnose early stages of NSCLC.
Congenital Muscular Dystrophy / Rigid Spine Syndrome

A detailed phenotypic description of 4 siblings (3 boys and 1 girl) with congenital muscular dystrophy and rigid spine syndrome is reported from the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.