cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytological and physiological activity of the ultimobranchial glands in the premetamorphic anuran Rana catesbeiana

Abstract The physiological influence of ultimobranchial glands as a source of calcitonin in larvae of Rana catesbeiana was investigated by ultimobranchialectomy (UBX) and by the cytological response of glands and larvae under conditions of a low (3 meq/l) or high (15 mEq/l) calcium environment. Normal glands from stages III–XVIII generally consist of a single follicle composed of pseudostratified epithelium with a small central cavity. Glands examined from larvae (Stages III–XVIII) kept in high calcium (15 mEq/l) exhibited an increase in secondary follicle formation after 6 weeks' treatment. Cytoplasmic secretory material in secretory cells could be increased after 3 weeds in high calcium at all stages and was associated with secondary follicle formation. In addition, there was an increase in contents in the central cavity. Ultimobranchialectomy at Stages III–XIX followed by maintenance in low calcium environment resulted in decreased calcium uptake by paravertebral lime sacs and poorly ossified metamorphosed adults. Ultimobranchialectomized larvae kept in high calcium also were unable to accumulate calcium in the lime sacs until stage XVIII. At stage XVIII (metamorphosis) UBX larvae accumulated calcium in lime sacs in amounts greater than controls and skeleton was ossified to the extent seen in intact animals kept in low calcium. The cytological alterations suggest that ultimobranchial glands can undergo precocious hyperactivity with high calcium challenge prior to metamorphosis. The presence of the ultimobranchial glands influences accretion of calcium into lime sacs during larval development, apparently to ensure maximal accretion of calcium into bone during metamorphosis.
Tu1614 Abdominal Compression During Endoscopy (the Bolster Technique) Demonstrates Hidden Schatzki Rings

procedure and did not have significant clinical pathology. There was 50% incidence of esophageal stricture in the 180 EMR group, and 100% in the 270 and 360 EMR groups. The strictures in non-stented Yorkshire pigs with 270 EMR peaked by 4 wk. (w50% reduction in esophageal lumen diameter), while the lumen reduction in non-stented animals with 360 EMR was O 80% by 2 weeks requiring euthanasia per protocol. In Yucatan swine, the reduction in lumen diameter peaked by 3 wk (w70%) for both 270 and 360 EMR groups. In general, mild mucosa/submucosa fibrosis was observed in Yorkshire pigs at all evaluated time points and often extended into the muscularis externa. Moderate to severe mucosa/submucosa fibrosis was observed in Yucatan pigs at 6 wk., with no pathology in the muscularis externa. There was 33% (1/3) and 66% (2/3) stent migration into the stomach in 360 and 270 EMR stented-animals, respectively. Conclusion: Both swine models demonstrated a reproducible reduction in esophageal lumen diameter with O 270 degree EMR. However, controlled rate of skeletal growth is a key feature for long-term studies; therefore the Yucatan is the recommended model. We demonstrated reduced stent migration in the Yorkshire model compared to historical data in naive animals. EMR-induced stricture models are more suitable than naive swine to evaluate esophageal stent
Increased surface tension decreases pulmonary capillary volume and compliance

Increased surface tension is an important component of several respiratory diseases, but its effects on pulmonary capillary mechanics are incompletely understood. We measured capillary volume and s...
Infants’ neuroelectric responses to missing stimuli: Can missing stimuli be novel stimuli?

Event‐Related Potentials (ERPs) were recorded as 6‐month‐old infants were presented with a picture whose appearance was cued by a preceding tone. On a subset of these trials the picture was deleted. ERPs reflecting “surprise” to the stimulus deletion were observed on the trial following the deleted trial. These results are discussed in the context of the degree to which physically absent events act as novel events, and the limits of infants’ short‐term memory.
Calculation of chemical potential for structured molecules using osmotic molecular dynamics simulations

A previously reported osmotic molecular dynamics (OMD) method for calculation of chemical potential is extended to structured molecules. The viability of the method is confirmed by the agreement between chemical potential values obtained directly from the OMD simulations and those obtained using a thermodynamic identity and the simulated pressures. The validity of the method was also supported by the agreement of densities and pressures for the fluid in the central portion of the half-cell with the same properties computed via standard molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A site-site model of four equivalent Lennard-Jones (LJ) potentials was used to represent n-butane, for which accurate equations of state over large temperature and density ranges are available in the literature. Values of the model n-butane chemical potential computed from OMD simulations agreed well with the values obtained from these accurate n-butane equations of state over the whole temperature-density domain studied. Problems in obtaining chemical potential values for structured molecules at high densities, common to traditional methods that are based on artificial particle insertions, are alleviated by OMD simulations, because the chemical potential is calculated directly from the mechanical variables of a system in osmotic equilibrium.
Organizational power and the information services department: a reexamination

In a recent application of the theory of strategic contingencies in three large multinational firms, Lucas found that information services departments were perceived by others as having low levels of power and influence and suggested a variety of reasons for the results. This note continues the application of the theory of strategic contingencies to the information services department by describing a study of intraorganizational power that uses basically the same procedures as the Lucas study and obtains similar results. In an effort to stimulate future power-related research in the information systems area, this note concludes by suggesting several reasons, beyond those given by Lucas, for the levels of power attributed to information services departments.
A retrospective chart review of uncontrolled use of metformin as an add-on therapy in type 2 diabetes

The hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and obesity syndrome associated with type 2 diabetes can have debilitating consequences. The biguanide metformin has a mechanism of action that is complementary to those of insulin and the sulfonylureas, suggesting that combination therapy that includes metformin may result in improved glycemic control. The purpose of this retrospective chart review was to determine the effects of adding metformin in an uncontrolled fashion to existing therapy in obese patients with type 2 diabetes who had suboptimal glycemic control and insulin resistance. For the review, the records of 124 patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included 71 patients who were taking insulin with or without a sulfonylurea, and group 2 consisted of 53 patients who were taking a sulfonylurea alone. Metformin was added to patients' existing therapy in conjunction with downward titration of the sulfonylurea and insulin doses. A retrospective chart review was conducted at the end of 6 months for group 1 and at the end of 12 months for group 2 to determine the change from baseline in measures of diabetes control (ie, insulin and sulfonylurea dose, glycated hemoglobin [Hb A1c] value, body mass index [BMI], and lipid profiles). In group 1, the mean insulin dose decreased from 46.4 U/d at baseline to 6.1 U/d at the end of follow-up. Eighty-three percent of the patients were able to discontinue insulin therapy completely. Similarly, group 2 had statistically significant reductions in mean sulfonylurea dose. Both groups also achieved statistically significant reductions in Hb A1c, BMI, and total cholesterol level. The addition of metformin to treatment with insulin or sulfonylureas, either alone or in combination, significantly improved glycemic control and cholesterol levels and promoted weight loss in obese type 2 diabetic patients with insulin resistance. Less than 5% of patients reported mild, transient gastrointestinal side effects, none of which required cessation of metformin therapy. Five patients discontinued metformin due to lack of efficacy.
The Functional Asymmetry of ON and OFF Channels in the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (LGN) during a Perceptual Decision Task

Early behavioral studies indicated that separate psychophysical channels underlie the perception of light (i.e. contrast increments) and dark (i.e. contrast decrements) (Anstis 1967; De Valois 1977; Krauskopf 1980; Cavanaugh and Anstis 1986; Chichilnisky and Wandell 1996; Westheimer 2007), and that human observers are faster and more accurate in perceiving contrast decrements rather than increments (Blackwell 1946; Short 1966; Bowen et al. 1989, 1992; Chan and Tyler 1992; Kontsevich and Tyler 1999; but see Komban et al. 2011). In the early visual system, the segregation of ON and OFF channels starts at bipolar cells (Nomura et al. 1994; Masu et al. 1995; Vardi and Morigawa 1997; Wassle 2004) and is preserved throughout the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) (Casagrande and Norton 1991; Westheimer 2007; Schiller 2010). These ON and OFF pathways were initially thought of as independent, parallel systems that mirror each other in their light/dark responses (Schiller 1992, 2010; Kremers et al. 1993; Benardete and Kaplan 1997, 1999). Several physiological studies, however, have revealed significant functional asymmetries between the two systems. On the one hand, it was reported that the ON pathway could signal both contrast increments (i.e. via increase in spikes) and decrements (via decrease in spikes) at low contrast, whereas the OFF pathway could only signal contrast decrements (Chichilnisky and Kalmar 2002). On the other hand, it was reported that over a great range of luminance levels, the contrast responses of OFF neurons were stronger and more linear than those of ON neurons (Kremkow et al. 2014), and, under scotopic conditions, OFF neurons responded to much higher temporal frequencies than ON neurons (ArmstrongGold and Rieke 2003; Pandarinath et al. 2010). Additionally, projections from the OFF pathway were reported to dominate the cortical representation of central vision (Jin et al. 2008, 2011), and visual responses to dark stimuli were reported to dominate the superficial layers of V1 (Yeh et al. 2009; Xing et al. 2010). How do the ON and OFF pathways contribute to the perception of light and dark? How can the physiological asymmetry of the ON/OFF pathways be linked to the psychophysical asymmetry of light and dark perception? To answer these questions, we recorded from LGN Parvocellular (P) ON-Center and OFF-Center neurons in awake monkeys while they passively viewed (i.e. simple fixation) and actively detected (i.e. two-alternative, forced-choice detection) contrast increment and decrement changes. Neurometric Sensitivity
WE-C-342-01: X-Ray Image Acquisition- Two Long Standing Problems and a New Promise

In the last two decades, there have been rapid advances in projection x‐ray imaging in the areas of x‐ray detector and infrastructures for image management, processing and display. Following the development and commercialization of flat panel detectors, there have also been rapid advances in using the large area detectors to implement reconstructive 3‐D imaging techniques, including the cone beam CT and digital tomosynthesisimaging techniques. In contrast to these advances, the issues of x‐ray scatter and heavy patient attenuation remain the two biggest challenges in our effort to improve the image quality while keeping the patient dose in check. The presence of the x‐ray scatter component in the image signals biases the transmitted x‐ray intensity and results in erroneous x‐ray attenuation measurements which degrades the image quality and prevents accurate quantitative analysis in both projection and reconstructed images. Heavy patient attenuation could result in excessively low photon flux in certain anatomical regions, such as abdomen or retrocardium. This can combine with the lowered detective quantum efficiencies (DQEs) to lead to excessively low and unusable image signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs) Along with these two long standing issues is the long awaiting wish to develop a “weightless” x‐ray source that can be digitally controlled to shift without having to move a bulky and heavy housing. The development of a CT or digital tomosynthesisimaging system with no moving parts has become the holy grail of x‐ray imaging research. In this paper, efforts to address the scatter and exposure issues and to develop a “weightless” x‐ray source in the past two decades are reviewed with an educated guess on where we might head to in the future. Educational Objectives: 1. To review the issues of and solutions to the scatter problem in x‐ray image acquisition. 2. To review the issues of and solutions to the problem of excessive patient attenuation. 3. To review the efforts and potential use of digitally addressable “weightless” x‐ray source
CONCEPTUAL AND MATHEMATICAL MODELS OF BATCH SIMULTANEOUS SACCHARIFICATION AND FERMENTATION: DIMENSIONLESS GROUPS FOR PREDICTING PROCESS DYNAMICS

This paper describes a modeling effort demonstrating that dimensionless groupings of classical process parameters can be used to predicting process dynamics of batch simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) processes. Michaelis–Menten enzyme kinetics and Monod growth kinetics were employed, and inhibition of enzyme action and inhibition of microbial growth were neglected. The SSF process was characterized by the relative durations of three phases: A microbially-limited phase, a hydrolysis-limited phase, and a monosaccharide-depletion phase. The duration of these three phases were interrelated, and well predicted by the dimensionless magnitude of the monosaccharide peak (MSP). Thus, the MSP could be used as a single-value descriptor of an SSF process. The dimensionless ratio of the initial hydrolysis rate to the initial substrate consumption rate was shown to predict MSP, and an overall system time constant was shown to predict the total run time of a batch SSF process.
A cochlear model using feedback from motile outer hair cells

Abstract A model of cochlear vibrations based upon motile outer hair cells (OHCs) has been developed using physiologically demonstrated phenomena. Rapid longitudinally directed OHC forces are connected in such a way as to form a negative- feedback system. The responses at the higher frequencies (> 1 kHZ) are quite realistic: they have properly shaped amplitude curves with large tip-to-tail ratios (30–50 dB), Q10's of 2–6, and ‘shoulders’ at frequencies an octave below the resonant frequency. The phases are also quite realistic, though asymptoting at somewhat lower values (about −6π radians) than observed physiologically. The responses in the apical section are not so realistic. The form of the OHC force is physically unrealizable, but realizable forms are discussed.
On the readability of COBOL manuals

Abstract Comparative readability of COBOL language manuals from the top five mainframe vendors is analyzed. A program to derive the Flesch Reading Ease Index is used as the measure of text readability. This formula estimates readability based upon sentence length (number of words) and word length (number of syllables). Thirty text samples of approximately 100 words each are systematically selected from each manual. The manuals represent both “user” and “reference” manuals. Results showed all manuals to be categorized as “difficult” reading characteristic of academie journals. The COBOL manual from Sperry/Univac was found to have a significantly lower readability index than those of Burroughs and the CDC User manual. No significant differences were found between the two “user” and the five “reference” manuals. This study shows the feasibility of using readability indexes for COBOL manuals and provides readability measures of COBOL manuals. These results can be used by customers, vendors, and technical writers in developing more effective documentation materials.
Condensation of acetonitrile into N-acetimidoylacetamidine promoted by a dinuclear nickel(II) complex

Acetonitrile reacts with a dinuclear nickel(II) complex [Ni2(μ-OH)2(tpa)2](ClO4) 2 [tpa = tris-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine] in solution forming a novel square-planar nickel(II) complex Ni{HNC(Me)–NC(Me)–NH}2.
A Schlieren System for Time and Space Resolved Photography of Self-Luminous Electrical Discharges

A schlieren apparatus capable of recording index of refraction gradients in self-luminous discharges such as arcs, sparks, and inductively coupled plasmas is described. Resolution of better than 50 μm is obtained over a clear, bright, uniform field. The geometric design of the system cancels coma, and small off-axis angles are used to keep astigmatism low.
A Note on Partitions and Triangles with Integer Sides

(1979). A Note on Partitions and Triangles with Integer Sides. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 86, No. 6, pp. 477-478.
Cyclic hemiketals from the sponge Raspailia (Raspaxilla) sp

Abstract The Palauan sponge Raspailia (Raspaxilla) sp. contains two cyclic hemicacetals, raspailols A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ) that do not fall into any established chemotaxonomic group. The structure and stereochemistry were determined by spectroscopic methods.
Sonoelectrochemical synthesis of low band gap titania nanotubes for photoelectrochemical generation of hydrogen

ABSTRACT The sonoelectrochemical method is a highly efficient technique for the synthesis of well ordered and robust titanium dioxide nanotube arrays. Self ordered arrays of TiO 2 nanotubes of various diameters and length can be rapidly synthesized under an applied potential of 5-20 V in the presence of organic electrolyte solvents like ethylene glycol. The TiO 2 nanotubes prepared in the organic electrolytes and annealed under N 2 atmospheres give a TiO 2  x C x type of semiconductor materials having a band gap of 2.0 eV. The hybride nanotubes demonstrated promising efficiency in splitting water in the presence of solar light. In addition, the modeling of titania nanotubes using the first principles of the Density Functional Theory (DFT) approach is underway for calculating electronic properties of the TiO 2 nanotubular structure. It is envisioned that the DFT modeling will yield valuable information in developing improved titania photoanodes for high efficiency photoelectrochemical splitting of water. Keywords: titanium dioxide nanotube, photoelectrochemical water splitting, density functional theory
Studies of growth hormone (GH), thyrotropin (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) secretion in anorexia nervosa.

Abstract (1) Studies of serum thyrotropin (TSH), growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) responses following TRH administration were performed in 7 subjects with anorexia nervosa (AN). (2) Five patients demonstratod significant increases in circulating GH from a mean of 15.6 ng/ml to a peak of 31.8 ng/ml 30 min after TRH. (3) Basal TSH concentrations were undetectable ( 6 μU/ml) in TSH were identified in 3/7 patients. (4) The largest elevations in TSH occurred in the two subjects in whom no GH rises were found, whereas blunted TSH rises were noted in 4/5 subjects who showed substantial GH secretory responses to TRH. (5) Basal PRL concentrations were normal and rose appropriately after TRH in all subjects. (6) These studies demonstrate that GH secretion can be provoked in AN by TRH similar to patterns in other states (acromegaly, uremia, protein-calorie malnutrition), characterized by elevated basal GH concentrations. (7) It is hypothesized that activated GH secretion may favor TRH responsivity of somatotrophs. (8) Obtundation of TSH secretion in AN, moreover, may be related to the augmented secretion of GH, since TSH secretion can be lowered by exogenous GH administration in man.
Participation in E-Rulemaking: Interest Groups and the Standard-Setting Process for Hazardous Air Pollutants

ABSTRACT The advent of e-rulemaking raised concerns that regulatory agencies could become deluged if interest groups mobilized supporters to submit a high volume of comments electronically. This study examines the sources of comments on 56 proposed rules by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over the decade that the agency began to solicit comments through electronic dockets. The analysis finds that comments submitted by regulated industries greatly outnumber those from other individuals and groups before and after e-commenting became common. E-rulemaking was associated with an increase in the volume of public comments overall, and the proportion of private citizen comments increased. With few exceptions, industry continued to provide the majority of comments. Mass comment campaigns by interest groups were evident in only three of the cases.
Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence of Dye-Doped Silica Nano Particles

Recent advancements in metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) suggest that it can be a promising tool for detecting molecules at very low concentrations when a fluorophore is fixed near the surface of metal nanoparticles. We report a simple method for aggregating multiple gold nanoparticles (GNPs) on Rhodamine B (RhB)-doped silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) utilizing dithiocarbamate (DTC) chemistry to produce MEF in solution. Dye was covalently incorporated into the growing silica framework via co-condensation of a 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) coupled RhB precursor using the Stober method. Electron microscopy imaging revealed that these mainly non-spherical particles were relatively large (80 nm on average) and not well defined. Spherical core-shell particles were prepared by physisorbing a layer of RhB around a small spherical silica particle (13 nm) before condensing an outer layer of silica onto the surface. The core-shell method produced nanospheres (~30 nm) that were well defined and monodispersed. Both dye-doped SiNPs were functionalized with pendant amines that readily reacted with carbon disulfide (CS2) under basic conditions to produce DTC ligands that have exhibited a high affinity for gold surfaces. GNPs were produced via citrate reduction method and the resulting 13 nm gold nanospheres were then recoated with an ether-terminated alkanethiol to provide stability in ethanol. Fluorescent enhancement was observed when excess GNPs were added to DTC coated dye-doped SiNPs to form nanoparticle aggregates. Optimization of this system gave a fluorescence brightness enhancement of over 200 fold. Samples that gave fluorescence enhancement were characterized through Transmission Emission Micrograph (TEM) to reveal a pattern of multiple aggregation of GNPs on the dye-doped SiNPs.
Model calculations of the electron affinities and ionization potentials of DNA

Abstract We have studied the electron affinities and ionization potentials for models of DNA. We conclude that removing an electron is most favorable on the PO 4 − groups; whereas, addition of an electron is most favorable on a nucleic acid. The computed electron affinities are 1.9, 4.8, 5.7, and 7.9 kcal/mol for adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine, respectively. Our best estimate of the IP for hydrated DNA is 4.5 eV and for hydrated DNA plus Na + counter ions is 5.6 eV.
Ethnicity and Electoral Politics and Ethnic Bargaining: The Paradox of Minority Empowerment

Ethnicity and Electoral Politics. By Johanna Kristin Birnir. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007. 279p. 45.00.The literature on ethnic mobilization has benefited considerably in recent years from a wave of innovative scholarship examining such ostensibly disparate issues as ethnic party formation, the psychological and emotional underpinnings of group violence, the utility (and disutility) of ethnic appeals by power-seeking elites, and the limits and benefits of civic associations as a means of ameliorating intergroup conflict. A common feature shared by this work is its focus on problem-oriented research questions, creative research design, a rigorous application of diverse methodological approaches, and, perhaps most importantly, the willingness to develop and empirically test potentially contentious theories. Johanna Kristin Birnir's Ethnicity and Electoral Politics and Erin K. Jenne's Ethnic Bargaining are reflective of these qualities and make strong contributions to the field of ethnic politics. Both books make striking claims about contemporary debates in communal politics research and employ a broad array of empirical tools to test their core hypotheses. At the same time, they diverge regarding the implications of political liberalization and the greater political latitude it affords organized ethnic communities.
Accumulation Rates of Airborne Heavy Metals in Wetlands

Accumulation rates of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn) retained in wetland sediments in northwest Indiana—downwind of the Chicago-Gary-Hammond industrial area—are quantified to assess anthropogenic influences on atmospheric fluxes. Metal concentrations for 22 sediment cores are determined by ICP-AES after ashing and strong acid extraction. Relations between organic content and metal concentrations at depth are used to separate natural and anthropogenic sources. Accumulation rates over the lifetime of the wetlands (~4500 years) have averaged 0.2 (Cd), 1.4 (Cu), 1.7 (Cr), 13.4 (Mn), 4.8 (Pb), and 18.7 (Zn) mg m-2 y-1. Rates for the last 100 years have increased on average by factors of 6 (Cd), 8 (Cu), 10 (Mn), 15 (Pb), and 30 (Zn), remaining effectively constant for Cr. Where the wetlands have been drained, metals have been lost from the sediments, owing to changes in organic content and local hydrochemistry (exposure to acidic rainfall). Sediment-based accumulation rates at the undrained sites are...
Fast variable-block-size motion compensation algorithm for H.264 video coding

The emerging H.264 video coding Standard can achieve a substantial coding gain as compared with existing coding standards. One major contribution of its gain comes from a very rich syntax for motion compensated prediction at the expense of a higher computational complexity. To be more specific, seven modes of different block sizes and shapes (i.e. 16x16, 16x8, 8x16, 8x8, 8x4, 4x8 and 4x4) are supported. To do full search over all modes requires an extremely large amount of computation. We propose a fast search algorithm for the variable block size motion estimation. The proposed algorithm includes three stages. First, an initial estimate of the motion vector is obtained by a multi-resolution motion search. Then, based on the estimated motion vector and its corresponding distortion measure, a rate-distortion model is used to select the initial mode for motion search. Finally, some early-termination rules are adopted to reject impossible block sizes and motion locatios sooner. By avoiding search through all block sizes, the amount of computation involved in the motion search can be substantially reduced. The proposed algorithm can achieve a speed-up factor up to 120 times when compared to the fastest full-search algorithm.
Thermodynamics of the monohydrogen difluorides V. Melting thermodynamics of NH4HF2

Abstract The heat capacity of ammonium hydrogen difluoride was extended from 300 to 450 K by adiabatic calorimetry in order to study the melting phenomenon and provide thermodynamics into the liquid region. The corrected enthalpy of melting at the triple-point temperature, 399.6 K, was found to be (4564 ± 2) calth mol−1 and the corresponding entropy increment is (11.42 ± 0.01) calth K−1 mol−1. Our enthalpy of melting is at variance with a published value (3940 calth mol−1) derived from cryoscopic measurements and is large compared with the sum of transition and melting enthalpies for the nearly isostructural alkali hydrogen difluorides. Heat capacities in excess of 104 calth K−1 mol−1 in the essentially isothermal region and significant premonitory thermal effects were observed.
Sustainable development of China's commercial vehicles

Automobiles are the major contributor to fuel consumption and emission of pollutants. The growth of the vehicle fleet has also placed enormous pressure on China’s energy supply and environment. Thus sustainable development of the Chinese automotive industry must pay significant attention to fuel-saving and emission-reduction of vehicles. Although commercial vehicles make up only about 20% of the entire automobile fleet, their contribution to energy-consumption and emission of pollutants is significant. Thus, priority should be given to fuel-saving and emission-reduction of commercial vehicles. As a result of concerted efforts by Chinese government, industry and enterprises, great progress has been made in technologies concerning new-energy, intelligent and lightweight automobiles. However, compared with developed countries, the level of lightweighting of commercial vehicles produced in China remains comparably low. This means that great potential for development of lightweight commercial vehicles in China exists and it will be an efficient path towards fuel-saving and emission-reduction.
Specificity of patients requests in the initial interview.

The concept of the patient's request is described in detail in relation to a negotiated approach to conduct an initial interview in a walk-in clinic and in relation to other related concepts such as patient's goals. The verbalization of specific requests of 363 patients to the psychiatric walk-in clinic of a general hospital was investigated, using a structured pre-intake interview. Although a majority of the patients (69.5%) verbalized a specific request, it was significantly less than the percentage (93%) who endorsed at least one request on the Patient Request Form. Specificity was related to socialization in the mental patient role, conditions of entry into the mental health system, and presenting complaint, but not related to demographic measures. The nonspecific patient is likely to come to the clinic at the suggestion of someone else, to be new to the clinic, having no past treatment history, and having general or situational complaints. The implications of these results for the conduct of an initi...
NSAID ulcers: prevalence and prevention

The epidemic of life-threatening complications of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use has prompted the development of prevention strategies. Recent clinical trials of endoscopic ulcer prevention are critiqued regarding their results in relation to doses and outcome measures as well as H. pylori status. Misoprostol is the only agent proven to prevent life-threatening ulcer complication in NSAID users. Proton pump inhibitor therapy was not significantly better than the minimally effective dose of misoprostol for prevention of gastroduodenal ulcers in chronic NSAID users, and was significantly inferior to misoprostol in those with "true" NSAID ulcers (i.e., without complicating H. pylori infection). Antisecretory therapy accelerates corpus gastritis in those with H. pylori infection, suggesting it is prudent to consider H. pylori eradication in those in whom long term co-therapy with anti-secretory therapy is contemplated. H. pylori status is a critical variable with regard to endoscopic ulcers in NSAID users. The data suggest that if full-dose misoprostol cannot be given, the combination of an antisecretory drug (e.g., either ranitidine or omeprazole) plus low-dose misoprostol may be better than either alone for the prevention of NSAID ulcer complications. The use of omeprazole alone likely results in a false sense of security.
Novel Copolymers of Styrene. 13. Oxy Ring-Substituted Methyl 2-Cyano-3-Phenyl-2-Propenoates

Electrophilic trisubstituted ethylenes, oxy ring-substituted methyl 2-cyano-3-phenyl-2-propenoates, RPhCH = C(CN)CO2CH3 (where R is 2-C2H5O, 3-C2H5O, 4-C6H11O, 4-C6H5O, 3-(3,4-Cl2-C6H5O), 3-(3,5-Cl2-C6H5O), 4-(2,4-Cl2-C6H5O), 2-C6H5CH2O, 3-C6H5CH2O, 4-C6H5CH2O, and 4-CH3CO2) were prepared and copolymerized with styrene. The monomers were synthesized by the piperidine catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of ring-substituted benzaldehydes and methyl cyanoacetate, and characterized by CHN analysis, IR, 1H and 13C-NMR. All the ethylenes were copolymerized with styrene (M1) in solution with radical initiation (ABCN) at 70°C. The compositions of the copolymers were calculated from nitrogen analysis and the structures were analyzed by IR, 1H and 13C-NMR. The order of relative reactivity (1/r1) for the monomers is 3-(3,4-Cl2-C6H5O) (11.0) > 2-C6H5CH2O (7.8) > 4-(2,4-Cl2-C6H5O) (6.6) > 3-(3,5-Cl2-C6H5O) (4.6) > 3-C2H5O (1.5) > 2-C2H5O (1.3) > 4-CH3CO2 (0.7) > 3-C6H5CH2O (0.4) > 4-C6H11O (0.3) > 4-C6H5CH2O (0.2) = 4-...
SU-E-I-66: Radiomics and Image Registration Updates for the Computational Environment for Radiotherapy Research (CERR)

Purpose: To present new tools in CERR for Radiomics, image registration and other software updates and additions. Methods: Radiomics: CERR supports generating 3-D texture metrics based on gray scale co-occurance. Two new ways to calculate texture features were added: (1) Local Texture Averaging: Local texture is calculated around a voxel within the userdefined bounding box. The final texture metrics are the average of local textures for all the voxels. This is useful to detect any local texture patterns within an image. (2) Image Smoothing: A convolution ball of user-defined radius is rolled over an image to smooth out artifacts. The texture metrics are then computed on the smooth image. Image Registration: (1) Support was added to import deformation vector fields as well as non-deformable transformation matrices generated by vendor software and stored in standard DICOM format. (2) Support was added to use image within masks while computing image deformations. CT to MR registration is supported. This registration uses morphological edge information within the images to guide the deformation process. In addition to these features, other noteworthy additions to CERR include (1) Irregularly shaped ROI: This is done by taking intersection between infinitely extended irregular polygons drawn on any of the two views. Such an ROI is more conformal and useful in avoiding any unwanted parts of images that cannot be avoided with the conventional cubic box. The ROI is useful to generate Radiomics metrics. (2) Ability to insert RTDOSE in DICOM format to existing CERR plans. (3) Ability to import multi-frame PET-CT and SPECT-CT while maintaining spatial registration between the two modalities. (4) Ability to compile CERR on Unix-like systems. Results: The new features and updates are available via https://www.github.com/adityaapte/cerr. Conclusion: Features added to CERR increase its utility in Radiomics, Image-Registration and Outcomes modeling.
The Navy Electronics Program and Some of Its Past, Present, and Future Problems

The decisive factor in determining the outcome of the present world conflict may well be the wide and intelligent use of the latest products in the field of electronics. Certainly when it is possible to tell the whole story of the effectiveness in combat of many new electronic devices, all those who have made significant contributions in this field will have reason to be proud of the part they have played. This paper emphasizes the significant part played by the men and women of science and industry who have assisted our country in maintaining the lead which the United Nations now hold in electronic equipment used by the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps in modern warfare. Comparisons are presented which indicate the amount of money appropriated for electronic research and development in the Navy prior to the war, with the amounts being currently expended for the same purpose. The paper presents in its broad outlines the author's ideas of what he considers to be a forward-looking research and development program of adequate scope. The magnitude of the production and installation problem which has faced the Navy in equipping its vast fleet and air arm is reviewed, with a brief description of the organization required to accomplish the program. Some of the unusual climatic and atmospheric conditions which must be met by electronic equipment in service are outlined to give emphasis to the need for high performance standards in specifications.
PPPS-2013: Comparison of dielectric materials for energy storage and microwave tuning for pulsed power applications

Among high dielectric constant materials being used for energy storage and tuning applications the dominant material for the last thirty years has been modified barium titanate. This is surprising since the requirements for tunable materials are very different from the energy storage ones. For the high energy storage dielectrics, it is required to extend high polarizability to as high field as possible while for tunable dielectrics as large a change in polarizability with field as possible are commonly desirable. In this presentation we will attempt to reconcile this apparent contradiction. We will also discuss alternative dielectrics for energy storage and tuning including composite materials. Interestingly, for the composites layered structures are very attractive for both applications but the preferred connectivity of phases for the energy storage is in series and for tunability is in parallel. We will present examples of tunable and energy storage materials based on our work in collaboration with TRS Technologies, Inc., University of Southhampton, and Sheffield University which were not presented at the prior pulsed power conferences.
Effects of information on the reinforcing, subjective, and psychomotor effects of nitrous oxide in healthy volunteers

The purpose of this study was to characterize the reinforcing, subjective, and psychomotor effects of nitrous oxide (N2O) in healthy volunteers who were given different amounts of information regarding the drugs they were being administered in the experiment. A choice procedure was used in which subjects first sampled a placebo and a given concentration of N2O and then chose between the two. N2O concentration varied across the four-session experiment from 10-40%. Besides choice, subjective and psychomotor effects served as dependent measures. In the INFORMED group (n = 11), subjects were told at the beginning of each sampling trial what concentration of N2O they were inhaling or whether they were inhaling 100% oxygen (placebo). They were also informed about the prototypic effects of N2O (e.g. tingling or numbing, euphoria, dysphoria) and oxygen (e.g. no discernible effects). In the NON-INFORMED group (n = 11), subjects were only told at the beginning of each sampling trial that the drugs they would be inhaling came from one of six classes of drugs. Thirty percent N2O was chosen by a significantly higher proportion of subjects than expected by chance in the INFORMED group, but not in the NON-INFORMED group. Further, the probability of choosing 20-40% N2O was higher in the INFORMED group than in the NON-INFORMED group. Subjective effects of N2O were not affected by the information manipulation. Psychomotor performance at the highest N2O concentration tested (40%) was impaired to a greater extent in the NON-INFORMED than in the INFORMED group. We conclude that the reinforcing effects of N2O, and perhaps the impairing effects, can be modulated by telling subjects beforehand that they are inhaling N2O and what effects they might be expected to experience from the drug.
Impaired T cell function in argininosuccinate synthetase deficiency

ASS1 is a cytosolic enzyme that plays a role in the conversion of citrulline to arginine. In human and mouse tissues, ASS1 protein is found in several components of the immune system, including the thymus and T cells. However, the role of ASS1 in these tissues remains to be defined. Considerable attention has been focused recently on the role of metabolism in T cell differentiation and function. Based on the expression of ASS1 in the immune system, we hypothesized that ASS1 deficiency would result in T cell defects. To evaluate this question, we characterized immune function in hypomorphic fold/fold mice. Analysis of splenic T cells by flow cytometry showed a marked reduction in T cell numbers with normal expression of activation surface markers. Gene therapy correction of liver ASS1 to enhance survival resulted in a partial recovery of splenic T cells for characterization. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated the persistence of the ASS1 enzyme defect in T cells and abnormal T cell differentiation and function. Overall, our work suggests that ASS1 plays a role in T cell function, and deficiency produces primary immune dysfunction. In addition, these data suggest that patients with ASS1 deficiency (citrullinemia type I) may have T cell dysfunction.
Psychodynamics and Medication

Abstract. In many training programs and for many practitioners there is conflict between the importance and use of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Some of the historical, political, interpersonal, and intrapersonal roots of the problem are summarized in the hope that understanding and self-scrutiny will help break down the splitting that remains all too common.
Embedded fiber optic ultrasonic sensors and generators

Ultrasonic sensors and generators based on fiber-optic systems are described. It is shown that intrinsic fiber optic Fabry-Perot ultrasound sensors that are embedded in a structure can be stabilized by actively tuning the laser frequency. The need for this method of stabilization is demonstrated by detecting piezoelectric transducer-generated ultrasonic pulses in the presence of low frequency dynamic strains that are intentionally induced to cause sensor drift. The actively stabilized embedded fiber optic Fabry-Perot sensor is also shown to have sufficient sensitivity to detect ultrasound that is generated in the interior of a structure by means of a high-power optical fiber that pipes energy from a pulsed laser to an embedded generator of ultrasound.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Hydrogen migration in Fe3(CO)9H4

Abstract The Fenske-Hall method of semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations was used to analyze the capped transition metal cluster Fe3(CO)9CH4. This type of cluster is of interest because it can be used as a model for the activation of hydrocarbons on metal surface catalysts. The process of hydrogen migration between the metal base and the cap was studied, with particular emphasis on the agostic MCH interaction, which occurs in some isomers of the compound. For the three isomers produced in the migration process, the primary distinction that leads to the variation in stabilities among these structures is the extent of metal-metal overlap between 3d orbitals of the iron atoms. It was found that, if there are hydrogen atoms bridging the metal centers at the base of the complex, the isomer is stabilized by the reduction of overlap between atomic orbitals on adjacent metal centers, thereby reducing the impact of filled metal-metal antibonding orbitals. Agostic interactions between cap hydrogens and the base also tend to stabilize the compound. This was found to be largely due to a reorganization of the bond between the carbon in the capping group and the agostic metals. In addition, Mulliken overlap populations indicate that the hydrogens involved in MCH agostic interactions also reduce metal-metal overlap.
Vulnerability of macaque cranial nerve neurons to ethanol is time- and site-dependent.

The present study tested the hypotheses that vulnerability to ethanol depends upon (1) population-based characteristics of the neuronal progenitors and (2) the maturation of that population by examining the effects of prenatal exposure to ethanol on brainstem nuclei derived from different rhombomeres and from the alar and basal plates. Macaca nemestrina received an ethanol-containing solution 1 day per week during the first 6 (Et6) or 24 (Et24) weeks of gestation. Control animals received an equivalent volume of saline. The treatment regime for some animals included early gastrulation (gestational day [G] 19 or G20), whereas others were treated later (on G21 or G24). Brainstems were cryosectioned and stained with cresyl violet. Stereological methods were used to determine the numbers of neurons in six different nuclei: the abducens, vagal, and hypoglossal motor nuclei and sensory components of the trigeminal brainstem nuclear complex (the principal, oral, and interpolar subnuclei). There were no differences in the numbers of neurons in any of the nuclei between controls and Et6-, or controls and Et24-treated monkeys. In contrast, the number of trigeminal sensory neurons was significantly (P < .05) lower in animals treated on G19/G20 than in control. No differences between controls and monkeys treated on G21/G24 were detected. No motor nuclei exhibited an ethanol-induced change. These data together with data on the trigeminal motor nucleus show that vulnerability to ethanol (1) is greater in sensory nuclei than in motor nuclei and (2) is temporally restricted to the time of gastrulation.
The kinetics of ulvöspinel reduction: Synthetic study and applications to lunar rocks

The kinetics of Fe2TiO4 reduction to FeTiO3 + Fe were studied using CO-CO2 gas mixtures with fO2 measured by a solid ceramic (calcia-zirconia) oxygen electrolyte cell. Isothermal rate studies at 900 C suggest that the mechanism of Fe2TiO4 reduction is one of nucleation and growth, where the growth stage may be controlled by the diffusion of the reactant through the product layer or volume diffusion. The activation energy for the growth stage of the process was determined to be 46 plus or minus 4 kcal/mole.
Monitoring foreign gene incorporation into the plastome of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by multiplex qPCR

The genetic material of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii chloroplast can be easily manipulated and creation of transgenic plastomes is of interest for both photosynthetic research and for biofuel and biomass production. Because multiple copies of the chloroplast genome are present, it is important to understand whether, following the introduction of a foreign gene, the resulting transgenic plastome is homoplasmic or heteroplasmic. By quantitative PCR together with a simple DNA extraction procedure and a series of DNA oligonucleotides the following protocol will determine the extent of foreign gene incorporation into a host chloroplast plastome. This approach is used to follow the degree of heteroplasmy following biolistic transformation of several transgenic strains. The approach used is quick, simple to set up, and gives an accurate quantitation of foreign genes within of the chloroplast plastome. Possible future uses of the technique are discussed.
Prevention of pink-pigmented methylotrophic bacteria (Methylohacterium mesophilicum) contamination of plant tissue cultures

Pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophic bacteria (PPFMs) have been found on the surfaces of leaves of most plants tested. We found PPFMs on the leaf surfaces of all 40 plants (38 species) tested and on soybean pods by pressing onto AMS medium with methanol as the sole carbon source. The abundance ranged from 0.5 colony forming unit (cfu) /cm2 to 69.4 cfu/cm2 on the leaf surfaces. PPFMs were found in homogenized leaf tissues of only 4 of the species after surface disinfestation with 1.05% sodium hypochlorite and were rarely found in cultures initiated from surface disinfested Datura innoxia leaves or inside surface disinfested soybean pods. Of 20 antibiotics tested for PPFM growth inhibition, rifampicin was the most effective and of seven others which also inhibited PPFM growth, cefotaxime should be the most useful due to the expected low plant cell toxicity. These antibiotics could be used in concert with common surface sterilization procedures to prevent the introduction or to eliminate PPFM bacteria in tissue cultures. Thus, while PPFMs are present on the surfaces of most plant tissues, surface disinfestation alone can effectively remove them so that uncontaminated tissue cultures can be initiated in most cases.