cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calcium release site ultrastructure and the dynamics of puffs and sparks.

When Markov chain models of intracellular Ca 2+ -regulated Ca 2+ channels are coupled via a mathematical representation of a Ca 2+ microdomain, simulated Ca 2+ release sites may exhibit the phenomenon of ‘stochastic Ca 2+ excitability’ reminiscent of Ca 2+ puffs and sparks. Interestingly, some single-channel models that include Ca 2+ inactivation are not particularly sensitive to channel density, so long as the requirement for inter-channel communication is satisfied, while other single-channel models that do not include Ca 2+ inactivation open and close synchronously only when the channel density is in a prescribed range. This observation led us to hypothesize that single-channel models with Ca 2+ inactivation would be less sensitive to the details of release site ultrastructure than models that lack a slow Ca 2+ inactivation process. To determine if this was the case, we simulated Ca 2+ release sites composed of instantaneously coupled Ca 2+ -regulated Ca 2+ channels whose random spatial locations were chosen from a uniform distribution on a disc of specified radius and compared the resulting release site dynamics to simulations with channels arranged on hexagonal lattices. Analysis of puff/spark statistics confirmed our hypothesis that puffs and sparks are less sensitive to the spatial organization of release sites when the single-channel model includes a slow inactivation process. We also investigated the validity of several different mean-field reductions that do not explicitly account for the details of release site ultrastructure. The most successful approximation maintains a distinction between each channel's substantial influence on its own stochastic gating and the collective contribution of elevated [Ca 2+ ] from neighbouring channels.
Cloud-Based Information Integration & Informatics Framework for Healthcare Applications

We propose an Information Integration and Informatics (III) framework for healthcare applications that leverages the parallel computing capability of a computing cloud based on a large-scale distributed batch processing infrastructure that is built of commodity hardware. Healthcare information integration and informatics presents a potential for building advanced healthcare applications given the massive scale of data which is collected by EHR systems. Traditional EHR systems are based on different EHR standards, different languages and different technology generations. EHRs are mainly designed to store individual-level data on patient-provider interactions. EHRs capture and store information on patient health and provider actions. In this paper we provide a use case of the proposed III framework for development of a healthcare application for epidemiological surveillance. Epidemiological research involves collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data for describing and monitoring a health events. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed III framework for developing advanced healthcare applications that are backed by massive scale healthcare data integrated from heterogeneous and distributed healthcare systems and a scalable cloud infrastructure.
Fluorescent retrograde axonal tracing of the facial nerve.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate retrograde fluorescent axonal labeling of motor nerves as an aid to surgical dissection in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery. Methods: Cholera toxin B subunit conjugated to a fluorescent dye was injected into the facial musculature of New Zealand white rabbits. At variable time points after injection, the facial nerves were harvested and analyzed for fluorescence in the peripheral axon. Results: All injected animals demonstrated axonal fluorescence. No animal demonstrated facial weakness. Fluorescence was detected a maximum of 20 mm from the distal end of the nerve. Time periods greater than 48 hours did not substantially increase transport distance. Conclusions: Cholera toxin B subunit fluorescent conjugates, when administered intramuscularly, reliably label the distal portion of the facial nerve. In vivo labeling of a motor nerve may have significant potential for identifying a nerve in surgery. This work represents a preliminary investigation into the adaptation of in vivo fluorescence techniques as an aid to surgical dissection. Further research to refine this technique should be supported.
Bronchial Adenoma: A Clinicopathologic Study

Among 28 patients with bronchial adenomas, 24 adenomas (86 percent) were of the carcinoid type. The 28 bronchial adenomas provided an incidence of 0.6 percent of all primary lung tumors seen in our institutions. There was a slightly greater preponderance of female patients and a greater incidence of the lesion occurring in the right bronchopulmonary tree than the left. Symptoms of bronchial adenoma may exist for many years before the condition is diagnosed, and prolonged survival is recorded, even in the absence of surgical treatment Although pneumonectomy was performed in several patients, lobectomy, bronchoplastic procedures, or sleeve resection of the affected area are generally recommended.
Spiro[9,10-dihydroanthracene]-9,3'-pyrrolidine-a structurally unique tetracyclic 5-HT2A receptor antagonist.

Abstract Structural elaboration of phenylethylamine to spiro[9,10-dihydroanthracene]-9,3′-pyrrolidine (SpAMDA) produces an agent with unexpectedly high affinity ( K i =4 nM) at 5-HT 2A receptors. It was shown that SpAMDA acts as a 5-HT 2A receptor antagonist. The structure and molecular geometry of SpAMDA are not consistent with existing pharmacophore features, and a novel 5-HT 2A antagonist pharmacophore model is proposed for the binding of aminomethyl-9,10-dihydroanthracene analogs. Thus, SpAMDA may be a structurally novel parent of a new class of 5-HT 2A receptor antagonists that binds to the receptor in a unique fashion that is distinct from the binding topology of existing 5-HT 2A receptor antagonists.
A microstructural interpretation of the fracture strain and characteristics fracture distance

Fracture toughness is a function of both the spacing of the primary inclusions and the extent of growth of the voids nucleated at these inclusions. Only by includng the effect of void growth can the high toughness of the HP 9-4-20 be understood. The HP 9-4-20 and the base + Ni + Si steel have comparable values of X /SUB O/ , but the higher toughness of the HP 9-4-20 is due to a much larger value of (R /SUB V/ /R /SUB I/ )exclamationR /SUB o/ . Second, there should be a close relationship between the growth of the voids nucleated at the primary inclusions and the measure of ductility appropriate to the characteristic distance model of ductile fracture. Finally, it is suggested that the characteristic fracture distance will be determined by both the spacing of the primary inclusions and the extent of growth of the voids which they nucleate. It is emphasized that these comments apply only to alloys containing a unimodal dispersion of primary inclusions which are weakly bound to the matrix. Distributions of much smaller particles strongly bound to the matrix are admissible, but large inclusions strongly bound to the matrix are not.
Ungraded writing assignments in geography classes

Abstract Two examples of ungraded writing assignments are described: in‐class writing and periodic writing. The purposes of these assignments are (1) to increase the use of writing as a learning tool to complement lectures and readings, and (2) to enable students to write more frequently in geography classes without unduly burdening the geography instructor with papers to correct.
Absolute rate constants for silylene reactions with diatomic molecules

Abstract Absolute rate constants have been determined for the reaction of SiH2 with the diatomics HCl, Cl2, NO and O2. Upper limits are reported for rate constants for the reaction of SiH2 with N2 and CO. Comparisons are made between the reactivity of silylene, singlet methylene and halogenated silylenes.
Lymphoid tissue homing chemokines are expressed in chronic inflammation.

Secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC) and B lymphocyte chemoattractant (BLC) are homing chemokines that have been implicated in the trafficking of lymphocytes and dendritic cells in lymphoid organs. Lymphotoxin-α (LTα), a cytokine crucial for development of lymphoid organs, is important for expression of SLC and BLC in secondary lymphoid organs during development. Here we report that transgenic expression of LTα induces inflammation and ectopic expression of SLC and BLC in the adult animal. LTβ was not necessary for induction of BLC and SLC in inflamed tissues, whereas, in contrast, tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 was found to be important for the LTα-mediated induction of these chemokines. The ectopic expression of LTα is associated with a chronic inflammation that closely resembles organized lymphoid tissue and this lymphoid neogenesis can also be seen in several chronic inflammatory diseases, including in the pancreas of the prediabetic nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse. Expression of SLC was also observed in the pancreas of prediabetic NOD mice. This study implicates BLC and SLC in chronic inflammation and presents further evidence that LTα orchestrates lymphoid organogenesis both during development and in inflammatory processes.
Translation of Fuzzy Queries for Relational Database System

The concept of a database skeleton which reflects both the user's conception of the real world and the system's understanding of the interrelationships among database entities is described. It consists of a conceptual schema (conceptual graphs) and a relational schema (information graph). With the aid of the database skeleton, fuzzy queries can be translated and disambiguated by analyzing the queries using the conceptual graphs of a database skeleton. The query language XQL is introduced, and the XQL translator is described in some detail.
Recovery from spinal cord injury mediated by antibodies to neurite growth inhibitors

There is little axonal growth after central nervous system (CNS) injury in adult mammals. The administration of antibodies (IN-1) to neutralize the myelin-associated neurite growth inhibitory proteins leads to long-distance regrowth of a proportion of CNS axons after injury. Our aim was: to determine if spinal cord lesion in adult rats, followed by treatment with antibodies to neurite growth inhibitors, can lead to regeneration and anatomical plasticity of other spinally projecting pathways; to determine if the anatomical projections persist at long survival intervals; and to determine whether this fibre growth is associated with recovery of function. We report here that brain stem-spinal as well as corticospinal axons undergo regeneration and anatomical plasticity after application of IN-1 antibodies. There is a recovery of specific reflex and locomotor functions after spinal cord injury in these adult rats. Removal of the sensorimotor cortex in IN-1-treated rats 2-3 months later abolished the recovered contact-placing responses, suggesting that the recovery was dependent upon the regrowth of these pathways.
Patterns of tobacco use in the early epidemic stages: Malawi and Zambia, 2000-2002.

Objectives. I examined demographic and socioeconomic patterns of tobacco use in 2 African nations in the early stages of epidemic.Methods. I used population-based data from the Demographic Health Surveys of men aged 15–59 years (N=5111) and women aged 15–49 years (N=20809) in Malawi (2000) and Zambia (2001/2002) and multinomial logistic regression models to examine tobacco use (nonsmoker, light cigarette smoker, heavy cigarette smoker, and user of other tobacco) as a function of age, residence, education, occupation, marital status, and religion.Results. Male tobacco users tend to be less educated, urban, household service or manual workers, formerly married, and non-Christian and non-Muslim. Although tobacco use is less common among women, it relates inversely to their education and occupational status. Tobacco users more often reported drinking, getting drunk, and, among men, paying for sex.Conclusions. Tobacco use patterns in 2 African nations at the early stages of epidemic suggest the need for public...
Statistical Procedures to Evaluate Quality of Scale Anchoring

Providing information to test takers and test score users about the abilities of test takers at different score levels has been a persistent problem in educational and psychological measurement (Carroll, 1993). Scale anchoring (Beaton & Allen, 1992), a technique that describes what students at different points on a score scale know and can do, is a tool to provide such information. Scale anchoring for a test involves substantial amount of work, both by the statistical analysts and test developers involved with the test. In addition, scale anchoring involves considerable use of subjective judgment, so its conclusions may be questionable. This paper describes statistical procedures that can be used to determine if scale anchoring is likely to be successful for a test. If these procedures indicate that scale anchoring is unlikely to be successful, then there is little reason to perform a detailed scale anchoring study. The procedures are applied to several data sets from a teacher licensing test.
Characterizing and Dealing With Uncertainty: Insights from the Integrated Assessment of Climate Change

After posing four-broad questions about uncertainty and climate change, Part 1 of this paper provides a review of basic ideas about uncertainty and its treatment in quantitative policy analysis. Part 2 reports very briefly on a series of expert elicitations of climate experts which the author and his colleagues have conducted. The final portion of the paper uses integrated assessment of climate change as a vehicle to explore some limitations to conventional policy analysis and the treatment of uncertainty. Because the climate problem is global in scope, involving many societies, and because it will involve large changes that unfold on a time-scale of several centuries, many standard analytic methods for policy analysis cannot be appropriately applied. Several such difficulties are identified and explored. Strategies for addressing a few of them are discussed. The paper closes by offering answers to the four opening questions.
Stress Relaxation of Articular Cartilage in Unconfined Compression

The articular cartilage function is to allow the bones in a joint to move without causing excess friction and damage. When this cartilage becomes damaged, the supportive and lubricating mechanisms break down, leading to injuries which can be permanent or take extended periods of time for recovery. Because of its importance in general health and body mobility, the unique lubricating properties of cartilage have been studied for many decades. Many current theories exist to characterize the biphasic and triphasic nature of cartilage; however, an important reason that cartilage is so effective is its viscoelastic nature, which allows elastic and dissipative mechanisms to exist simultaneously. It is desired to derive the material properties of cartilage in order to better understand its mechanical effectiveness. Utilizing a CETR-UMT-3 Tribometer, stress relaxation experiments will be performed on freshly harvested equine cartilage plugs that remain hydrated in a fluid bath. Viscoelastic models, such as the Prony series and fractional derivative, are applied to the experimental data to determine the storage and loss moduli of the sample explants. The storage and loss information characterizes the mechanical response of cartilage, and provides insight into the effectiveness and longevity of biological joints. A comparison will be made between joints that experience similar loads, but undergo different relative motions, to determine if the mechanical properties of cartilage are tailored to joint function. Osteoarthritic cartilage will also be explored for deviations in viscoelastic behavior compared to healthy cartilage. Ultimately, it is hoped that a viscoelastic characterization of articular cartilage will lead to insight into the precursors of osteoarthritis, more advanced prosthetics, and biomimetric applications such as the integration of flexible surfaces in mechanical systems.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Speech recognition threshold in noise: effects of hearing loss, frequency response, and speech materials.

Speech recognition threshold (SRT) was measured in quiet and in noise for normal-hearing subjects and subjects with high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. For the hearing-impaired subjects, SRT in quiet approximated the amount of hearing loss in the frequency region of importance for each of two sets of speech materials—spondees and monosyllables. With changes in frequency response of the stimulus delivery system, SRT shifted differentially for spondees and monosyllables. The speed, reliability, and apparent sensitivity of the SRT in quiet and noise to frequency response characteristics make it a potentially useful tool for hearing aid evaluation if speech materials appropriate to both the hearing loss configuration and the frequency response of amplification are chosen.
The synthesis and chelation properties of oximes of certain 2-quinolylmethyl and 2-phenanthrolylmethyl ketones and of various hydrazones of 2-acetylquinoline and 2-acetyl-1,10-phenanthroline

Certain oximes were prepared from 2-quinolylmethyl 2-pyridinyl ketone and 2-(1,10-phenanthrolyl)methyl 2-pyridinyl ketone. Also, the preparation of two series of hydrazones was effected: one from 2-acetylquinoline and one from 2-acetyl-1,10-phenanthroline. The latter compound and 2-(2-quinolyl)-1,10-phenanthroline were also synthesized. All the compounds were tested for their metal-chelation properties.
Hydrologic Drought Atlas for Texas

AbstractThis paper presents a hydrologic drought atlas for the state of Texas. The atlas depicts the spatial variation of drought severity for durations of 3, 6, 12, and 24 months corresponding to the return periods of 10, 25, 50, and 100 years. Using the variable infiltration capacity model which is a large-scale land surface model, drought characteristics were derived from monthly stream flow simulated at 1/8° resolution over the state of Texas. Appropriate marginal distributions of drought severity and duration were selected from amongst exponential, gamma, log-normal, and Weibull distributions, whereas the joint distribution of severity and duration was selected from the Archimedean, extreme value, Plackett, and elliptical families. Then, severity-duration-frequency (SDF) curves were obtained which were used for preparing the drought atlas that depicts the drought severity for any drought duration and return period at any location in Texas. Results indicate a decreasing pattern of severities from west...
Comodulation masking release for single and multiple rates of envelope fluctuation.

Two experiments are presented that investigate the influence of envelope fluctuation rate upon the magnitude of comodulation masking release (CMR). In Experiment 1, thresholds were measured for a tonal signal centered in either one or five masker bands. The maskers were either narrow‐band noises or 100% sinusoidally amplitude‐modulated (SAM) tones. The five masker bands had either the same (coherent) or different (incoherent) envelopes. Envelope rate was varied by manipulating either the noise bandwidth (10–200 Hz) or the SAM rate (10–128 Hz). The CMR values were largest for slow envelope rates. In Experiment 2, envelope coherence was simultaneously manipulated at two rates by amplitude modulating (10 Hz) narrow‐band noises (100 Hz). The modulation depth was 100%, 83%, or 50%. The CMR based on the coherence of the noise carriers was about 5 dB, regardless of the SAM coherence or the modulation depth. The CMR based on the SAM coherence decreased from about 19 to 2 dB as modulation depth decreased, regardle...
Partial argentation resin chromatography (PARC): III. the effects of sodium ion incorporation and solvent on the separation of mixtures of fatty acids, of fatty esters, and of triglycerides

Partial argentation resin chromatography (PARC) was used to separate mixtures of fatty acids, of fatty esters and of triglycerides. Various eluting solvents (methanol, acetone, ether, benzene) were investigated and acetone was the preferred solvent. To prevent acid-catalyzed condensation of the acetone, the sulfonic acid protons of the XN1010 resin were replaced with sodium ions before silver ion incorporation. Atomic absorbtion spectrophotometry was used to determine the number of silver ions incorporated per volume of resin. A mixture containing stearic, elaidic and oleic acids was separated on a saturated silver resin column. A commercially available sample of linoleic acid was purified on a 53% PARC column (meaning 53% of the available sulfonic acid protons in the resin were replaced by silver ions). A 39% PARC column was used to separate a mixture of linseed acids. Methyl linoleate, linolenate and arachi-donate also were isolated on a 39% PARC column. A mixture containing triolein, trilinolein and trilinolenin was separated on a 32% PARC column.
Topographic patterns of v2 cortical connections in a prosimian primate (Galago garnetti).

Topographic patterns of cortical connections of the second visual area (V2) were examined in a lorisiform prosimian primate (Galago garnetti). Up to five different tracers were injected into dorsal and ventral V2. Tracers included wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) and up to four fluorochromes. Tracer injections consistently labeled neurons and terminals in primary visual cortex (V1), V2, the middle temporal area (MT), and the dorsolateral visual area (DL). Labeled neurons were also found in other proposed extrastriate areas such as the dorsomedial visual area (DM), dorsointermediate area (DI), middle temporal crescent (MTc), medial superior temporal area (MST), ventral posterior parietal area (VPP), and caudal inferotemporal cortex (ITc), but these connections were more variable and less dependent on the retinotopic position of injection sites in V2. Areal boundaries were identified by differences in cytochrome oxidase (CO) and myelin staining. We conclude that V2 cortical connections in prosimian galagos are similar to those in simian primates, suggesting that prosimians and other lines of primate evolution have retained several visual areas from a common ancestor that relate to V2 in similar ways. Architectural features of striate and extrastriate areas in prosimian galagos are similar to simian primates, with notable exceptions such as stripes in V2, which appear to be less differentiated in galagos.
Latent infection as a source of disseminated disease caused by organisms of the Mycobacterium avium complex in simian immunodeficiency virus-infected rhesus macaques.

Whether infection with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) among patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome results from recent exposure to virulent strains or reactivation of latent infection acquired years earlier is unknown. To address this question, tissue samples from 47 simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected and 63 SIV-uninfected rhesus macaques were cultured. MAC was cultured from 14 SIV-uninfected macaques (22.2%) and 32 SIV-infected macaques (68.1%); median bacterial burdens were 33.3 and 998.7 cfu/g, respectively. Genetically distinct strains of MAC were identified for 13 SIV-uninfected macaques (20.6%) and 15 SIV-infected macaques (31.9%). A genetically identical MAC strain (K128A) was identified for 25 SIV-infected macaques (53.2%) and 1 SIV-uninfected macaque (1.6%). Multivariate analysis identified infection with SIV/Delta B670 , diagnosis of an SIV-related tumor or opportunistic infection, and birth on site as risks for MAC infection. SIV-uninfected and SIV-infected macaques yielding unique strains of MAC were considered to have latent and reactivation infection, respectively, whereas animals infected with strain K128A were considered to have recent infection, demonstrating that both mechanisms occur among rhesus macaques.
Torsion as a source of expansion in a Bianchi type-I universe in the self-consistent Einstein-Cartan theory of a perfect fluid with spin density

It is shown that a generalized (or 'power law') inflationary phase arises naturally and inevitably in a simple (Bianchi type-I) anisotropic cosmological model in the self-consistent Einstein-Cartan gravitation theory with the improved stress-energy-momentum tensor with the spin density of Ray and Smalley (1982, 1983). This is made explicit by an analytical solution of the field equations of motion of the fluid variables. The inflation is caused by the angular kinetic energy density due to spin. The model further elucidates the relationship between fluid vorticity, the angular velocity of the inertially dragged tetrads, and the precession of the principal axes of the shear ellipsoid. Shear is not effective in damping the inflation.
Seven‐year performance evaluation of a permeable reactive barrier

In June and July 2001, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) installed a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) to treat a groundwater plume of chlorinated solvents migrating from an electronics manufacturer in Needham, Massachusetts, toward the Town of Wellesley's Rosemary Valley wellfield. The primary contaminant of concern at the site is trichloroethene (TCE), which at the time had a maximum average concentration of approximately 300 micrograms per liter directly upgradient of the PRB. The PRB is composed of a mix of granular zero-valent iron (ZVI) filings and sand with a pure-iron thickness design along its length between 0.5 and 1.7 feet. The PRB was designed to intercept the entire overburden plume; a previous study had indicated that the contaminant flux in the bedrock was negligible. Groundwater samples have been collected from monitoring wells upgradient and downgradient of the PRB on a quarterly basis since installation of the PRB. Inorganic parameters, such as oxidation/reduction potential, dissolved oxygen, and pH, are also measured to determine stabilization during the sampling process. Review of the analytical data indicates that the PRB is significantly reducing TCE concentrations along its length. However, in two discrete locations, TCE concentrations show little decrease in the downgradient monitoring wells, particularly in the deep overburden. Data available for review include the organic and inorganic analytical data, slug test results from nearby bedrock and overburden wells, and upgradient and downgradient groundwater-level information. These data aid in refining the conceptual site model for the PRB, evaluating its performance, and provide clues as to the reasons for the PRB's underperformance in certain locations. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Voyager 2 data on Saturn analyzed

Whereas the fundamentals of Saturn's rings remain a mystery, new results from data obtained last August when Voyager 2 encountered the vicinity of Saturn are beginning to offer a number of explanations. According to results discussed at the Saturn Conference held May 11–15 in Tucson and sponsored by the Lunar and Planetary Institute of Houston, there are a series of gravitationally stratified sequences of particles that orbit in resonance with Saturn's satellites (Science, June 11, 1982). Thus at least a few of the ring features may be caused by resonances originating at the satellites. An astronomy concept, the spiral density wave, has been postulated as particles orbit in inside rings and periodically come into identity and pass a satellite, suffering gravitational perturbation.
VOLLEY: design framework for collaborative animation

Users are increasingly empowered to produce visual content by a proliferation of online tools to create, publish and share within online communities and social networks. Despite advancements in web browser and image processing, the act of animation building is still considered a solitary activity. A design challenge: Can animation building become accessible to a general audience if it becomes a social activity? Volley is a concept design for a web application that enables users to collectively share, edit, and animate images. We created a design framework for an online community and animation tool that supports meaningful social collaborations and desirable, new animated works.
Measuring workload during a dynamic supervisory control task using cerebral blood flow velocity and the NASA-TLX

While automated systems have been shown to improve safety and efficiency in operational environments, automation failures can lead to abrupt shifts in workload. Subjective workload scales have been...
Gender differences in self-confidence and educational beliefs among secondary teacher candidates

Abstract This longitudinal study examined gender differences among secondary teacher candidates across three categories of criterion measures: (a) levels of self-confidence in teaching, (b) anticipated sources of professional knowledge, and (c) educational orientations and beliefs. Relative to males, females entered teacher preparation programs with lower levels of confidence in themselves as teachers and higher expectations for what they would gain from education courses and practical experiences related to teaching. Females were also more likely to favor student-centered approaches to instruction and to believe that instructional strategies have limited generalizability. These differences in self-confidence and educational beliefs persisted to program completion.
Suitability of methylmalonic acid and total homocysteine analysis in dried bloodspots

Abstract Methylmalonic acid (MMA) and total homocysteine (tHCYS) concentrations are used to detect acquired and inborn errors of cobalamin (vitamin B12, Cbl) metabolism and to evaluate the effect of therapeutic interventions. Dried blood spot sampling offers a patient-friendly and easy alternative to plasma sampling. However, dried blood spot concentrations are not necessarily equal to plasma concentrations. Therefore, the objective of this work was to establish the relationship between MMA and tHYS dried blood spot and plasma concentrations to facilitate clinical implementation of dried blood spot sampling. MMA and tHCYS in both plasma and DBS were validated on ultra performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS). While position of the punch (in DBS) did affect tHCYS concentration, no influence of hematocrit (Ht) and blood volume on both MMA and tHCYS concentrations was observed. The plasma assay performed better than the DBS assay by most criteria. However, the DBS matrix was superior for tHCYS stability. Paired plasma and DBS samples were obtained from patients suspected for Cbl deficiency and from patients with a known inborn error of metabolism affecting MMA or tHCYS concentration. Based on the strong correlation of tHCYS in both matrices ( y = 0.46 ± 1.12 ( r 2 = 0.91)), determination of tHCYS in plasma can be replaced by tHCYS in DBS. However, for MMA, a correlation in the higher (pathological) range of MMA exist, but no correlation was observed in the lower ranges. Therefore the added value of MMA concentrations in DBS is currently unknown and should be further investigated.
The influence of artificial aging on the microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion, and environmental cracking susceptibility of a 7075 friction-stir-weld

The influence of overaging to the T7451 temper on the microstructure, the mechanical properties, and the corrosion susceptibility of friction-stir-welded 7075 aluminum alloy was investigated by means of transmission electron microscope (TEM), SEM investigations, constant extension rate tests (CERT), alternate immersion tests, and potentiodynamic scans. The overaging that occurs during welding within the heat-affected zones of the friction-stir-welded 7075-O tempered plates promotes a slight formation of intragranular and grain boundary precipitates and increases the mechanical as well as the corrosion resistance properties as compared to the T7451 welded plates. The "double" overaging treatment, consisting of the T7451 temper and the thermal transient experienced by the heat-affected zones of the 7075-T7451 welded plates, increases the size of the intragranular and the grain boundary precipitates as well as the precipitate-free zones. These facts decrease the mechanical and corrosion properties of the 7075-T7451 weld. The T7451 thermal treatment applied after the welding of the 7075-O plates promotes the high presence of small precipitates and reduces the size of the precipitate-free zones. This fact increases the general corrosion resistance, but decreases the mechanical properties. Therefore, the corrosion as well as the mechanical properties are greatly correlated with minute changes in the microstructure, which can arise by short-term heat exposure as for instance during welding. It was also found that the environmental susceptibility measured by means of CERTs may be influenced by "solution-strengthening" corrosion mechanisms which increase the strain. This fact is present in weld microzones particularly susceptible to corrosion.
Psychometric Re-evaluation of the Image of Science and Scientists Scale (ISSS)

An enduring concern among science education researchers is the “swing away from science” (Osborne. 2003). One of their central dilemmas is to identify—or construct—a valid outcome measure that could assess curricular effectiveness, and predict students' choices of science courses, university majors, or careers in science. Many instruments have been created and variably evaluated. The primary purpose of this paper was to re-evaluate the psychometric properties of the Image of Science and Scientists Scale (ISSS) (Krajkovich 1978). In the current study, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the dimensionality of the 29-item ISSS, which was administered to 531 middle school students in three San Antonio. Texas school districts at the beginning of the 2004–2005 school year. The results failed to confirm the presumed 1-factor structure of the ISSS. but instead showed a 3-factor structure with only marginal fit with the data, even after removal of 12 inadequate items. The three dimensions were “Positive Images of Scientists” (5 items). “Negative Images of Scientists” (9 items), and “Science Avocation” (3 items). The results do not support use of the original form of the ISSS for measuring “attitudes toward science,”“images of scientists. “or “scientific attitudes. “Shortening the scale from 29 to 17 items makes it more feasible to use in a classroom setting. Determining whether the three dimensions identified in our analysis. “Positive Images of Scientists. ““Negative Images of Scientists. “and “Science Avocation “contain useful assessments of middle school student impressions and attitudes will require independent investigation in other samples.
Anatomic and radiographic analysis of arthroscopic tack placement into the superior glenoid

Abstract Purpose: To anatomically and radiographically describe tack location within the anterosuperior (AS) and posterosuperior (PS) aspects of the glenoid when performing simulated repairs of type II SLAP lesions. Type of Study: Cadaveric anatomic and radiographic analysis. Methods: Arthroscopy was performed on 7 fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders and bioabsorbable tacks were placed in the AS and PS aspects of the glenoid to simulate repair of a type II SLAP lesion. The PS tack was placed through an accessory portal 1 cm lateral and 1 cm anterior to the posterolateral corner of the acromion. Dissection was then performed, and the incision made in the rotator cuff when creating the posterolateral accessory portal (PLAP) was identified and measured. Tack location within the glenoid was visually studied after removal of all soft tissues and recorded as being either completely within bone or partially within bone. The tacks were recannulated with guide pins and 3 radiographs were then taken of each specimen (true anteroposterior, axillary, and en face glenoid views) and angles of entry determined. In addition, the angle of deviation from the orthogonal at the point of entry of each tack was measured on the en face glenoid view. Results: The average incision made in the rotator cuff for creation of the PLAP measured 10.3 mm in maximum diameter. In 6 of 7 specimens, this incision was made through muscle and not tendon. Seven of 7 AS tacks were completely within bone, and only 5 of 7 PS tacks remained completely within bone. On the true anteroposterior view, the average angle of entry from the vertical for the AS tack was 64°. For the PS tack, this angle measured 86°. On the axillary view, the angle of placement from the coronal averaged 22° for the AS tack and 42° for the PS tack. For the en face glenoid view, the angle of entry from the vertical was 34° for the AS tack and 93° for the PS tack. Lastly, the angle of deviation from the orthogonal on the en face glenoid view was 12° and 35° for the AS and PS tacks, respectively. This difference was statistically significant at P Conclusions: This study provides quantitative data on the angle of placement and location of tacks within the superior glenoid when performing repairs of type II SLAP lesions. It also shows the PLAP to be a safe portal for the placement of devices into the posterosuperior aspect of the glenoid. Furthermore, the data show the AS tack to be more reliably placed than the PS tack. Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 18, No 4 (April), 2002: pp 366–371
Single-crystal electronic spectra of some quadrate chromium(III) complexes

Abstract Polarised electronic spectra of trans -[Cr(tmd) 2 F 2 ](ClO 4 ), trans -[Cr(en) 2 (dma) 2 ](ClO 4 ) 3 , trans -[Cr(en) 2 (dmf)Cl](ClO 4 ) 2 and trans -[Cr(en) 2 (dmf)Br](ClO 4 ) 2 have been measured at 77 K (tmd = trimethylenediamine; dma = N , N -dimethylacetamide; dmf = N , N -dimethylformamide; en = ethylenediamine, pn = propylenediamine). The observed quartet bands have been given definitive quadrate assignments based on polarisation characteristics. The four-component quadrate quartet bands have been uncovered and assigned also in the unpolarised crystal spectrum of trans -[Cr(en) 2 (dmf) 2 ](ClO 4 ) 3 at 77 K and the solution spectrum of trans -[Cr(en)(pn)F 2 ] + . The band maxima derived by gaussian analysis in these spectra have been fitted with the theoretical energy equations of d 3 configuration in quadrate ligand fields including full configuration interaction. The ligand field parameters Dq , Dt , and Ds and the election correlation parameter, B , extracted by such a fitting, have been compared with those obtained for other similar systems earlier. The significance of the ligand field symmetry parameters and the translated angular overlap model parameters is discussed.
Phase-dispersion optical tomography

We report on phase-dispersion optical tomography, a new imaging technique based on phase measurements using low-coherence interferometry. The technique simultaneously probes the target with fundamental and second-harmonic light and interferometrically measures the relative phase shift of the backscattered light fields. This phase change can arise either from reflection at an interface within a sample or from bulk refraction. We show that this highly sensitive 5 phase technique can complement optical coherence tomography, which measures electric field amplitude, by revealing otherwise undetectable dispersive variations in the sample.
Terahertz-frequency electrical conductivity measurements of ultrashort laser-ablated plasmas

We investigate the phase transitions of intense ultrashort laser-heated solids, from the cold solid to the hot dense plasma state, by measuring the complex electrical conductivity (or refractive index) transients at terahertz (1 THz = 1012 Hz) frequencies. Using optical-pump, terahertz-probe spectroscopy, we measured the phase shifts and absorption of terahertz probe pulses that were reflected from the warm dense plasma. To characterize the THz field, we developed and used a single-shot, high-temporal-resolution THz diagnostic capable of measuring free-space electromagnetic pulse fields in time and space. Due to relatively large focal spot sizes of the THz probe (~mm), mainly limited by the diffraction properties of THz radiation, the optical pump pulse was weakly focused onto the target in order to overfill the THz probe spot size with a peak intensity of ~1013 W/cm2. In contrast to the previous measurements of conductivities at optical frequencies, our THz non-contact probe method can directly measure quasi-DC electrical conductivities, providing insight into the transport nature of warm dense matter and any present discrepancies with the Drude model. In case of warm dense aluminum, we observe a noticeable deviation from the Drude model even in the ~1013 W/cm2 laser intensity regime. In addition, we observe strong coherent THz emission produced by a current surge in the laser-produced plasma.© (2006) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Pions in and out of equilibrium

Abstract Nonequilibrium phenomena in pion p T spectra may signal the approach to equilibrium.
Translating the Preposition ‘m in the Book of Ruth

AbstractThis article argues that there are six cases in the Book of Ruth where the preposition ‘m may be translated as “under the authority of . . .” (1:7, 11, 22; 2:6, 19 [2x]). The preposition means more than just “with” in these verses.
Fludarabine finds its significant other

Comment on de Lima et al, page [857][1], and de Lima et al, page [865][2] Fludarabine-based conditioning regimens for allogeneic stem cell transplantation offer distinct advantages for reducing treatment-related mortality; the problem is how to conserve low toxicity while maintaining antileukemic
Helium scattering from metal surfaces: potential determination and crystallography

Abstract We describe a method for determining the interaction potential between a helium atom and a metal surface from diffraction data. Results are presented for He/Ni(110) and He/Cu(110). For He/Cu(110) the potential 3s in good agreement with a first principles calculation but this is not true for He/Ni(110). We also show that a surface relaxation of 10% produces measurable changes in intensities.
216 ALTERED URINARY NITROGEN EXCRETION IN SEPSIS AND LIVER FAILURE IN CRITICALLY-ILL CHILDREN

Urinary nitrogen determination provides important information regarding dietary protein intake and relative state of catabolism and anabolism. Stress, e.g. surgery, sepsis, organ system failure, causes increased tissue breakdown resulting in increased body nitrogen loss. Urea, formed in the liver, is the primary means in humans for nitrogen removal through urinary excretion (UUN). UUN has been shown to be 80–85% of Total Urinary Nitrogen (TUN) in adults but somewhat less in children. We examined UUN vs. TUN excretion in 16 Peds ICU patients over 25 patient days (PD). The values for TUN and UUN agree with values in the literature. We found that patients with liver failure and bacterial or fungal sepsis have UUN production similar to post-surgical patients but higher TUN production. We conclude that stress associated with these two conditions causes an increase in non-urea nitrogen excretion.
MO-D-134-01: K-Factors for Overweight and Obese Patients in CT Examinations as a Function of Body Mass Index

Purpose: To generate Dose Length Product to Effective Dose conversion factors (k‐factors) for a series of overweight and obese patients and to establish a functional form for k‐factors in relation to body mass index. Methods: Using the Monte Carlo code MCNPX 2.5.0 and a validated model of the CT source, CT scans were simulated on a series of overweight and obese adult male and female phantoms with fixed height and body mass index (BMI) ranging from 23 to 45. For several CT scan protocols simulations generated the organ doses and effective doses using ICRP 103 tissue weighting factors. The k‐factors were then derived using the dose length product (DLP) for each protocol and the effective dose from pairs of phantoms with the same BMI. For each protocol, a regression analysis was performed for k‐factors to BMI. Results: The calculated k‐factors showed a consistent trend of decreasing with increasing BMI for each of the protocols. In the pelvic scan protocol, for example, the k‐factor for patients with a BMI of 45 is 42% of that for an average sized individual. The k‐factor equations in terms of BMI fit an exponential function regression for all protocols with R‐squared values greater than 0.99 in every case. Conclusion: Where patient height and weight are available, the BMI‐dependent k‐factor equations can provide more accurate effective dose estimation for overweight and obese patients. While they do not provide the patient‐specific dose information that is the purpose of some modern CT dose tracking software, they provide easy access to more appropriate risk estimation and a better metric for performance tracking of a diverse patient population than DLP alone. One member was funded by the 2012‐2013 J. Newell Stannard Fellowship Award from Health Physics Society.
Mother-Blaming among College Students:

The purpose of this study was to examine the tendency for mother-blaming among college students to determine if such a bias existed outside the clinical profession. The subjects were 49 men and 50 women at a small private university, who were asked to attribute responsibility for 45 behavioral and personal-psychological problems to one of the following targets: Father, Individual, Mother, and Society. Analysis showed Individual receiving most attributions, followed by Society, Mother, and Father, in that order. Relatively more problems are blamed on Mother than on Father, with a tendency to blame mothers for emotional problems such as dependency and shyness and fathers for behavioral-physiological problems such as child abuse and alcoholism. Intercorrelations of the number of attributions made to different targets clearly suggest that there are parent-blamers, society-blamers, and individual-blamers. Implications of blame attribution for mental health are acknowledged.
A user-driven approach to better user manuals

To produce more effective user manuals, writers can be guided by the results of user polls. The information collected can come from response forms in the back of each manual, from surveys among selected user groups, and from personal communication with members of user groups. Such polls typically point out that most users want (1) manuals with fewer words, (2) instructions that are task-oriented, not software-descriptive, and (3) more explanation on how to use a software product. The apparent contradiction between the first and third findings implies that different classes of users require different information. By reorganizing both the content and the format of a manual a writer can come closer to satisfying the needs of different users. Each manual should contain a learning section and a retrieval section; chapters should be self-contained and exercises should abound.
Ultrasensitive Polychromatic Silver Staining of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gels With the Gelcode System Using the PhastSystem Development Unit

The Gelcode color-based silver staining system, an improved formulation based on the original publication by Sammons et al. (Electrophoresis 1981, 2, 141-147) has been adapted to automated rapid staining in the PhastSystem Development Unit. The use of elevated temperatures in the fixation, washing, staining, and stabilization steps of the protocol reduces the total time of the process from 18 h to 1 h. The limit of detection, which is at least tenfold more sensitive than the silver staining protocol recommended for the PhastSystem, corresponds to 0.05-0.1 ng of protein per band. The method is applicable to both one- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels.
Numerical stability analysis and the route to chaos for TE/sub 1/ waves in nonlinear slab waveguides

The stability characteristics of TE/sub 1/ waves guided by a dielectric slab bounded by semi-infinite, Kerr-type nonlinear media are investigated numerically using variational methods. It is shown that portions of the solutions are not only unstable but follow a route to chaos through period doubling as the guided-wave power increases. The results are presented by means of a bifurcation diagram. >