cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crystal field analysis and electric dipole intensity parameters for holmium in Na3[Ho(oxydiacetate)3]· 2NaClO4·6H2O☆

Abstract Locations and assignments of 104 crystal-field levels have been made for Ho3+ in the trigonal Na3[Ho(oxydiacetate)3]·2NaClO4·6H2O system. These energy levels span the 0–36100 cm−1 energy region, and they were located and assigned from axial and orthoaxial (σ and π polarized) absorption measurements on single crystals. The assigned levels are analyzed in terms of a 26-parameter hamiltonian in which six of the parameters are defined to represent the 4f-electron-crystal-field interactions for Ho3+ ions located at sites with trigonal dihedral (D3) symmetry. Quantitative line intensities have been determined for 59 individual 4f → 4f (crystal-field) transitions observed in the low-temperature (10 K) absorption spectra, and these intensity data have been analyzed in terms of a general parametric model for 4f → 4f transition intensities in lanthanide systems. The energy and intensity parametrizations provide a basis for calculating the 4f → 4f absorption spectra of Ho3+ in Na3[Ho(oxydiacetate)3]·2NaClO4·6H2O over a wide spectral range, and excellent agreement between calculated and experimentally measured spectra is obtained.
Prosthetic joint infection in solid organ transplant recipients: a retrospective case-control study.

: Background The clinical features and outcome of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients have not been characterized. We performed a retrospective, matched case-control study to examine potential risk factors. Methods We reviewed cases of PJI among transplant recipients who were evaluated at the Mayo Clinic between 1989 and 2009. Cases were matched to non-infected controls based on transplant type, prosthetic joint type, and order of organ transplantation/joint implantation. Results Among 367 patients with both a joint prosthesis and an SOT, there were 12 cases of infection in those receiving immunosuppression. These occurred in 8 renal recipients, 3 liver recipients, and 1 heart transplant recipient. Six subjects had hip and 6 had knee arthroplasty infections. The observed time to prosthesis failure ranged from 0.5 to 148 months after implantation. Gram-positive bacteria (staphylococci and streptococci) caused the infection in 8 subjects. Two cases were caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria, whereas the remaining 2 cases were culture-negative in the setting of antimicrobial use. We did not find a statistically significant association between obesity, diabetes mellitus, or antimicrobial prophylaxis (given in the setting of immunosuppression) and development of PJI. A marginal association was seen between surgical site infection and the risk of PJI; however, this did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion In our series, infection was mainly caused by gram-positive bacterial pathogens, similar to the commonly encountered organisms in the immunocompetent host, although opportunistic pathogens were also isolated.
Material input rates and dietary breadth during the Upper Paleolithic through Mesolithic at Franchthi and Klissoura 1 Caves (Peloponnese, Greece)

Two deeply stratified cave sites in southern Greece show how the relations between material input rates and human prey choice may reflect local site function and regional food supply effects simultaneously. The Upper Paleolithic through Mesolithic faunas at Klissoura Cave 1 and Franchthi Cave on the Argolid Peninsula (Peloponnese) provide clear evidence of diet expansion with time, based on increasing use of costly small animals. These cases also reflect, albeit to very different degrees, variation in occupation intensity as determined from sediment and artifact accumulation rates. Centrality is a critical issue for residential sites, and consistency (or the lack of it) in use provides a relative indication of site “importance” in the overall territory of foragers. Changes in site importance explain much of the variation in material inputs in Klissoura Cave 1, with the heaviest use of the site during the Upper Paleolithic and lighter use in the later periods. Small game data from Klissoura 1 nonetheless present a single general trend toward greater resource intensification with time. At Franchthi Cave, the intensity of occupations of the cave increased in tandem with intensified use of animal and plant resources. The parallel trends are explained by greater temporal consistency in the central importance of the latter site on the Pleistocene and early Holocene landscape.
Choosing an innovation strategy: Theory and practice

Understanding what type of innovation fits your company best can help it improve in the proper fashion. I n n o v a t l o n s c o m e as bo th inven t ions and adop t ions . They c o m e in m a n y types and vary grea t ly in c o m p l e x i t y and s c o p e C o m p a n i e s a t t empt ing to m a k e a profi t canno t cont inue for long per i ods wi thou t mnova t ing If they try, their cus tomers will leave them for firms with m o r e up to -da t e p roduc t s or services It is an o b s e r v e d fact that different c o m p a n i e s take different app r o a c h e s to the use of innova t ion in a t t empt ing to m~prove thmr p e r f o r m a n c e Both a c a d e m i c and p rac t lnone r pub l i ca t ions in recent years have con t a ined a grea t dea l of wri t ing a b o u t mnovat ton , the sublects of w h i c h have r anged f rom c o m p a r i s o n s of na t ional patterns of innova t ion to s tudies of indiv idual innova t ions However , little has b e e n p u b l i s h e d rega rd ing o n e issue of bo th theorenca l and practical impor t ance the innova t ion p o h c y or s t ra tegy of indiv idual firms Busmess s t ra tegy as a field of s tudy is conce rned with h o w a c o m p a n y c o m p e t e s in its chosen bus iness It dea l s with the analysis of a firm's s t rengths and w e a k n e s s e s and the o p p o r t u nines and threats p r e s e n t e d by the firm's env i ronmen t Strategy looks toward cons is ten t execu t ion of b r o a d p lans to ach ieve certain levels of performance Innova t ion s t ra tegy d e t e r m i n e s to wha t d e g r e e and in wha t w a y a firm a t tempts to use innova t ion to execu te ~ts bus iness s t ra tegy and improve its p e r f o r m a n c e To c h o o s e an renova t ion strategy, manage r s might logical ly start by th ink ing abou t var ious k inds of m n o v a n o n s and their r equ i r emen t s We shall d iscuss three malor features of i nnovanon , and ana lyze each in te rms of dist inct oppos i t e s , even t h o u g h innova t ions f o u n d in the real w o r l d m o r e of ten a p p e a r at va r ious po in ts b e t w e e n these o p p o s i t e s Innova t ion is s o m e t i m e s used in a l imi ted sense to refer on ly to m v e n n o n s (p roduc t s , services, or admmls t ra t lve p r o c e d u r e s that no o the r firm has i n t roduced ) More often, however , it app l i e s in a m o r e gene ra l s ense that inc ludes bo th inven t ion as d e s c r i b e d a b o v e and imi ta t ion ( a d o p t i o n b y a firm of a p roduc t , service, or adminis t ra t ive p r o c e d u r e that is not an inven t ion bu t IS n e w to that firm). We use the te rm in this s e c o n d sense Innova t ions can be cha rac te r i zed in a var ie ty of ways In the fo l lowing sec t ions w e will rev iew three ways of desc r ib ing innova t ions i nc rementa l / radical , first m o v e r / l a t e mover , and imi ta t ive / invent ive. The th ree ca tegor ies are not mutua l ly exc lus ive However , each po in ts to a different fea ture of innova t ion and reveals insights not found as readi ly in the o the r two
Energy calculation with guaranteed error bounds for the states of para-helium singlets from spectral measurements

A simple but modern numerical approach to error analysis is applied to spectral measurements for para-helium singlets to yield energy states. The methodology yields approximations with guaranteed error bounds and can be extended in a natural way to other atomic species.
Neuroradiology case presentation.

Abstract A 16-year-old boy presented with a 9-day history of intermittent severe generalized headaches and confusional state. On the day of hospitalization, the patient had several focal seizures involving the right side of the body; he subsequently became increasingly lethargic and developed an expressive aphasia. Examination revealed a lethargic, febrile patient with a mild right hemiparesis and expressive aphasia.
The effect of trypsin treatment on rabbit muscle phosphofructokinase.

Abstract The consequences of trypsin treatment of rabbit muscle phosphofructokinase, in terms of the physical and kinetic properties of the enzyme, have been investigated. At 1% trypsin (w/w) and 25 °C, no activity is lost over a period of 60 min. The complex sedimentation behavior at pH 8 (three peaks) is unchanged by this treatment as is the extent of dissociation of the enzyme when the pH is lowered from 8 to 6 or reassociation when the pH is raised back to 8. However, the trypsin-treated enzyme shows a subunit molecular weight, determined in the guanidine HCl or 0.5 m acetic acid, of 35,000–40,000 compared to the subunit molecular weight of the untreated enzyme at 75,000–80,000. Similarly, SDS gels give only a single species of about 80,000 for the native enzyme but two species, 42,000 and 48,000, for the trypsin-treated enzyme. Kinetic studies showed no differences in the regulatory properties of the enzyme including fructose 6-phosphate cooperativity, ATP inhibition, NH 4 + activation, and cAMP activation. Small differences in stability and inhibition by citrate and creatine phosphate were observed.
Experimental PID Controller Design: A New Frequency Domain Approach Based on Desired Performance

This paper presents an alternative approach to design PID controllers based on frequency response measurements. The proposed method does not require any mathematical model of the system and can handle the design process directly from a small set of frequency domain data. It is shown that for the class of Linear Time-Invariant (LTI) control systems, there exists a rational multilinear function for the frequency response between any two arbitrary breaking points in terms of the design controller. This function can be determined by conducting a small set of frequency response measurements and then will be used to synthesize a controller that guarantee a set of desired frequency-domain specifications. In this paper, we use this result to design a PID controller for a servomechanism control system. In particular, we show that such desirable PID controller can be calculated by solving an optimization problem.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate Inhibits Induction of Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity in Rat Alveolar Macrophages

Since nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) is activated during many inflammatory conditions, we assessed its role in expression of the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway by rat alveolar macrophages. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an inhibitor of NF-kappa B activation, was added to cultured macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN gamma). Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity was determined by measuring the stable nitrogen oxide end products of L-arginine oxidation: nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-). Ten, 25 and 50 microM PDTC progressively inhibited iNOS activity by macrophages. When 50 microM PDTC was added 2 h before LPS + IFN gamma, L-arginine oxidation by macrophages was inhibited by > 99%; L-arginine oxidation was reduced by 70% if 50 microM PDTC and the stimuli were introduced together; NO2- and NO3- were not decreased significantly if 50 microM PDTC was added 6 h after LPS + IFN gamma. Cycloheximide added along with LPS + IFN gamma totally inhibits iNOS activity, while cycloheximide added 6 h after LPS + IFN gamma did not reduce NO2- and NO3- in tissue culture supernatants. These findings suggest iNOS activity in macrophages treated with LPS + IFN gamma requires NF-kappa B activation.
Abstract B82: The TASK2 potassium ion channel is differentially expressed in ER-negative breast cancer

Current use of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as tamoxifen and raloxifene, and aromatase inhibitors has reduced breast cancer incidence in high‐risk women to develop ER‐positive breast cancer. However, a significant portion of ER‐positive and all ER‐negative breast cancers (both count for ∼60% of all breast cancer) are not prevented with these preventive drugs. Thus, new targets and more effective agents for the prevention of ER‐positive and especially ER‐negative breast cancer are urgently needed. Ion channels are specific cellular membrane proteins that transport inorganic ions in and out of cells to maintain membrane integrity, cell polarity and cellular homeostasis and may therefore play critical role in transforming normal epithelial cells into malignant cells. The ion channels for transporting Na+, Ca2+, and K+ ions are deregulated in many cancer types including breast cancer. Potassium ion channels are essential in non‐excitable cells for regulation of cell volume, secretion of ions and hormones, and are required for maintaining cellular homeostasis. A number of potassium channels such as TASKs, GIRK1, Kca1.1, Kv1.1 and Kv1.3 are differentially expressed in normal breast tissue and breast cancer tissues. We hypothesized that TASKs may be involved in the development of ER‐negative breast cancer. We first examined the public microarray databases which contain the mRNA expression profiles from multiple series of human breast cancer samples (http://www.oncomine.org). Transcription of the majority of ion channels for sodium, potassium and calcium were compared in intra‐database and inter‐database manners. Most of the ion channels show insignificant variations comparing ER‐positive versus ER‐negative breast cancers. However, TASK2 of the TASKs potassium ion channel family is overexpressed in human breast carcinomas but not in normal mammary gland tissue in three studies. Furthermore, TASK2 is significantly up‐regulated in ER‐negative vs ER‐positive breast cancers in two studies. We then examined expression of TASK2 protein among breast cancer cell lines. TASK2 protein level was undetectable in four ER‐positive breast cancer cell lines, while medium/high expression in majority of ER‐negative breast cancer cells (all Basal A and Basal B subtypes). We are now investigating the phenotypic alterations in normal and malignant breast cells after overexpressing or knocking down TASK2 gene. Current results suggest that TASK2 may play a role in malignant transformation of breast cells into ER‐negative breast cancer cells and maintenance of an ER‐negative phenotype. Thus, TASK2 is a potential novel target for future preventive intervention of breast cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):B82.
The Effect of Autotransplantation on the Progression or Reversibility Of Aging in Human Skin

Split thickness, 4 cm 2 sections of skin were reciprocally transplanted from the extensor forearm and abdomen of 18 aged subjects. After 4 years, the transplants clearly maintained the characteristic clinical appearance of the donor site. Transplanted actinic keratoses and senile lentigines were unaffected. Cherry angiomata from the abdominal skin remained intact, while new ones developed in the forearm skin on the abdomen. Senile lentigines formed on the periphery of the abdominal transplants which had been grafted to the forearm. The microscopic structural and histochemical hallmarks of the epidermis and dermis, as well as the melanocyte population also convincingly demonstrate that the transplanted skin is not altered by the new dermal milieu onto which it is grafted.
Ion implantation and SIMS profiling of impurities in II-VI materials (HgCdTe and CdTe)

Abstract Ions from throughout the periodic table have been implanted into HgCdTe and CdTe under a variety of conditions, and the resulting atom depth distributions measured using oxygen and cesium secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Many of these ions were implanted in the 〈110〉 crystal direction as well as in a random orientation close to 〈111〉. Most of the HgCdTe material implanted was solid-state-recrystallized bulk Hg1-xCdxTe (x = 0.19 to 0.35) thermally processed at 350°C for 3 or 4 weeks (device-quality material) and etched prior to implantation. Ions from H to Ta were implanted at energies from 100 to 700 keV and fluences from 1013 to 3x1015 cm-2. Both oxygen and cesium SIMS techniques were studied and developed. Many of the implanted elements were profiled using both oxygen and cesium SIMS. Implant profiles and determinations of range and range straggle versus atomic number (Z1) of the elements implanted in a random (111) orientation and in some cases, profile moments determined from a Pearson IV computer-fitting routine are illustrated. Profiles for 〈110〉 channeled implantations and the deeper channeled ranges and impurity densities achievable in the deep 〈110〉 channeled regions are shown. Determinations of the electronic stopping Se and its Z1-dependent nature (oscillations) are described in the channeling range as a function of Z1. The SIMS technology developed for this work is discussed. SIMS sensitivity factors for HgCdTe and CdTe are shown to be the same within experimental accuracy (relative to Te).
Ethanol and the GABA receptor complex: studies with the partial inverse benzodiazepine receptor agonist Ro 15-4513.

Abstract Ethanol potentiates GABA-receptor-medated Cl − ion flux in vitro and, at similar concentrations, has anxiolytic and intoxicating properties in vivo. The imidazobenzodiazepine, Ro 15-4513 (ethyl-8-azido-5-6-dihydro-5-meth-6-oxo-4H-imidazo (1,5-a)(1,4)benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate), is a potent partial inverse agonist of the benzodiazepine/GABA receptor which can antagonize the in vitro actions of ethanol in potentiating GABA receptor-mediated Cl − ion flux. Moreover, several of the behavioral effects of ethanol are also antagonized by Ro 15-4513, and these effects can be demonstrated in several paradigms at doses of Ro 15-4513 that do not produce opposite behavioral effects. In contrast, in our studies, other benzodiazepine receptor antagonist and inverse agonists, including Ro 15-1787, FG-7142, and β-CCE were not able to antagonize these biochemical or behavioral effects by ethanol at doses that were without intrinsic effects. However, both Ro 15-1788 and β-CCE blocked the antagonism of ethanol's effects by Ro 15-4513, suggesting a role for the GABA receptor complex in the actions of ethanol. These studies provide further evidence that GABAergic neurones may mediate at least some of the behavioral and biochemical actions of low-to-moderate doses of ethanol.
Use of invasive ergometric exercise to assess the hemodynamic response to nicardipine

Abstract The calcium antagonists are potent vasodilators. This physiologic property suggests that these agents have a potential role in the treatment of patients with hypertension and congestive heart failure. Although the clinical response to calcium antagonism in hypertension is promising, the response in patients with congestive heart failure is less than hoped for; this is due to the fact that this class of agents may induce a hemodynamically important degree of negative inotropic effect. To test the hemodynamic response to nicardipine, a second-generation dihydropyridine, the hemodynamic response to maximal ergometric exercise was evaluated in a group of patients with moderate to severe chronic congestive heart failure. One week of nicardipine therapy was associated with a significant reversal of vasoconstriction at rest and during peak exercise with a secondary increase of cardiac index, and a decrease in pulmonary wedge pressure. The reversal of vasoconstriction was associated with a decrease in mean arterial pressure, with no change in the heart rate. There was no change in oxygen consumption or carbon dioxide production; however, there was a decrease in arteriovenous oxygen difference, consistent with a reduction of oxygen extraction. This short-term study identified the potent vasodilator properties of nicardipine in patients with chronic congestive heart failure; a hemodynamically significant negative inotropic effect could not be identified. Although the use of calcium antagonists for the treatment of congestive heart failure may have a limited role, this study nonetheless suggests that nicardipine may have a favorable vasodilator effect without an overt negative inotropic effect. This would be of considerable advantage in the treatment of hypertension, when compared with β-adrenergic blocking agents.
Preemptive dosing of plerixafor given to poor stem cell mobilizers on day 5 of G-CSF administration

Preemptive dosing of plerixafor given to poor stem cell mobilizers on day 5 of G-CSF administration
Between Local Culture and School Science: The Case of Provincial and Urban Students from Eastern Colombia

A lack of congruency between the teaching and learning of science and the student’s personal worlds has long been recognised by the international science education community as an issue deserving space in the research agenda. The purpose of this study was to explore the diversity of student reactions when subcultures such as family, community peers, and personal worldviews are considered along side the subculture of school science. Two-hundred and fifty students from urban and provincial schools in the northeastern region of Colombia (South America) participated. From this group, 18 students were interviewed. It was observed that students adopt a compartmentalisation of knowledge that is evident as both an avoiding strategy in the classroom and as a mechanism to differentiate between the natural world of their everyday situations and the one portrayed by a Westernised science instruction in the classroom. The findings reflect how multiple worldviews correlate with student frameworks as implanted by school science.
Mast cell tumors in cats: clinical update and possible new treatment avenues.

Practical relevance:Feline mast cell tumors (MCTs) are frequently encountered in general practice. MCTs are the most common splenic tumor, second most common skin tumor and third most common intest...
Sulfobetaine derivatives of bile acids: Nondenaturing surfactants for membrane biochemistry

The syntheses of four new sulfobetaine derivatives of bile salts are presented, along with a general set of criteria for useful detergents in membrane biochemistry. Physical properties including the critical micelle concentration, aggregation number, partial specific volume, critical micellar temperature, uv-vis spectrum, and circular dichroism spectrum are examined for the new compounds. To examine the interaction of this class of compounds with macromolecules, one of these (CHAPS) was further studied. Circular dichroism spectra of apolipoprotein C-III2 were measured in the presence of varying concentrations of CHAPS to determine the effect of this compound on secondary structure. Gel-exclusion chromatography and sedimentation equilibrium studies of cytochrome P-450 in the presence of CHAPS were also performed to establish the ability of this detergent to disaggregate cytochrome P-450 to a monomeric/dimeric state.
Development of hybrid amorphous barrier coatings on polymer substrates

Flexible hybrid Ta–C–O–F coatings were deposited on polyethylene naphthalate substrates using RF co-sputtering method. The morphologies of the hybrid Ta–C–O–F coatings co-sputtering were strongly d...
Batch scheduling in optical networks

Batch scheduling accommodates a group of tasks with the start/end time constraints to maximize the revenue from scheduling tasks over a number of servers, which has been extensively studied in the context of job-machine scheduling. In optical networks, batch scheduling refers to the process of scheduling a group of data units (i.e., the jobs) competing for the same set of wavelength channels (i.e., the machines). Classical job-machine scheduling studies have considered both the case of a pure-loss system, and the case with waiting rooms (i.e., buffers), which are generally in the form of random access memory (RAM). In optical networks, the buffering is achieved by feeding the optical signal into a fixed length of fiber, namely, a fiber delay line (FDL), since optical RAM is not yet available. The unique feature of the discrete and predefined buffering time in fact instantiates a new type of problem, namely, job-machine scheduling with discrete-time buffers. In this work, we comprehensively study batch scheduling in optical networks. We show that batch scheduling with and without FDLs corresponds to two different instances of the job-machine scheduling problem. While proving their NP-completeness, we mathematically model both cases using integer linear programming formulations to provide an optimal scheduling. Given the timeliness request for on-line batch scheduling and the dramatic problem size in optical networks, we also propose polynomial-time heuristic algorithms, which are shown to be near optimal in our simulations.
Radiation Does Not Add to Cardiac Specific Death in Patients With Lung Cancer

Purpose/Objective(s): Prior studies have suggested a significant increase in cardiac toxicity following thoracic radiation therapy (RT) for lung cancer. In RTOG 0617 study evaluating the benefit of dose escalation in non-small cell lung cancer, factors predictive of less favorable OS on multivariate analysis included heart volume> 5 Gy. We wanted to evaluate the risk of cardiac cause specific (CCS) death in patients with Stage III lung cancer who received external beam radiation (XRT) in a large population-based analysis. Materials/Methods: Patients diagnosed in 1990-1997 with stage III lung cancer registered in the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program were included. CCS survival was compared between patients treated with definitive XRT, definitive surgery, and surgery combined with XRT using Kaplan Meier Analysis. Heart disease was the primary endpoint; deaths from other causes were censored, and surviving patients were censored at 10 years. Cox proportional hazard ratio was used to calculate the hazard of death from heart disease. Results: A total of 60,308 patients were analyzed. Median CCS survival was not significantly between patients who received definitive XRT compared to definitive surgery (106.00 months and 108.37 months, P Z 0.428). Compared to both definitive XRT and definitive surgery, CCS survival was improved in patients who received combined surgery and radiation (112.05 months, P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis revealed increased age (HR Z 1.06, 95% 1.05-1.06), African American race (HR Z 1.503, 95% CI Z 1.27-1.74), and male gender (HR Z 1.43, 95% CI Z 1.28-1.59) is associated with increased risk of CCS mortality. Treatment modality and site laterality were not associated with a significant increase in CCS risk. Conclusions: Risk from CCS death due to XRT was not increased compared to those that received surgery in patients with stage III lung cancer. Adjuvant XRT does not increase risk to CCS death in patients who undergo surgery for lung cancer. CCS mortality continues to decrease over time with improvements in radiation techniques. Author Disclosure: A. Pham: None. S. Arora: None. A. Wernicke: None. D. Nori: None. K. Chao: None. B. Parashar: None.
The van Cittert-Zernike Theorem

The beam of light emanating from a quasi-monochromatic point source (or a sufficiently distant extended source) is said to be spatially coherent: the reason is that, at any two points on a given cross-section of the beam, the oscillating electromagnetic fields maintain their relative phase at all times. If an opaque screen with two pinholes is placed at such a cross-section, Young's interference fringes will form, and the observed fringe contrast will be 100% (at and around the center of the fringe pattern). This is the sense in which the fields at two points are said to be spatially coherent relative to each other. If the relative phase of the fields at the two points varies randomly with time, the pair of point sources will fail to produce Young's fringes and, therefore, the fields are considered to be incoherent. In practice there is a continuum of possibilities between the aforementioned extremes, and the resulting fringe contrast may fall anywhere between zero and 100%. The fields at the two points are then said to be partially coherent with respect to one another, and the properly defined fringe contrast in Young's experiment is used as the measure of their degree of coherence. Optical systems involving partially coherent illumination are explored in several other chapters of this book; see, for example, “Coherent and incoherent imaging” (Chapter 5), “Michelson's stellar interferometer” (Chapter 35), “Zernike's method of phase contrast” (Chapter 38), and “polarization microscopy” (Chapter 39).
Fabrication and Characterization of a Nitric Oxide-Releasing Nanofibrous Gelatin Matrix

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in cardiovascular homeostasis, immune responses, and wound repair. The pro-angiogenic and antimicrobial properties of NO has stimulated the development of NO-releasing materials for wound dressings. Gelatin, an abundant natural biodegradable polymer derived from collagen, is able to promote wound repair. S-Nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) can release NO under physiological conditions and when exposed to light. The objective of this project was to fabricate a NO-releasing gelatin-based nanofibrous matrix with precise light-controllable ability. Results showed that under controlled phase separation fabrication conditions, the gelatin formed a highly porous matrix with the nanofiber diameter ranging from 50 to 500 nm. Importantly, the removal of the trace amount of divalent metal ions within gelatin generated a more stable nanofibrous structure. N-acetyl-D-penicillamine (NAP) was functionalized onto the matrix and nitrosated with t-butyl nitrite, yielding a SNAP-gelatin matrix. Analysis of the photoinitiated NO-release showed that the SNAP-gelatin matrices released NO in a highly controllable manner. Application of increasing light intensities yielded increased NO flux from the matrices. In addition, the dried matrices stored in dark at 4 °C maintained stable NO storage capacity, and the purified (ion-removed) gelatin preserved higher NO-releasing capacity than nonpurified gelatin. The antibacterial effect from the SNAP-gelatin matrices was demonstrated by exposing Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) to a light-triggered NO flux. This controllable NO-releasing scaffold provides a potential antibacterial therapeutic approach to combat drug resistant bacteria.
Comment: Can APOE genotyping predict cognitive damage from brain tumor therapy?

Brain tumor therapy conveys risk of neurocognitive deficits as well as neuroimaging effects including white matter changes and brain atrophy. While these are best studied for radiation therapy, increasing evidence supports a potential contribution of chemotherapy. Some risk factors for developing these adverse effects are recognized, e.g., increasing dose and volume of radiation treatment, and synergistic toxicity of radiation with methotrexate. The individual patient risk factor of age is well-known, while other individual risk factors are speculative (e.g., preexisting small-vessel disease). Knowledge regarding individual risk factors would be clinically useful. As a risk factor for dementia, APOE e4 is a logical target to study, and some preliminary data already suggest it may be a risk factor for cancer treatment–related neurotoxicity.
Fabrication and characterization of tightly confining AlGaAs waveguides and microcavities for nonlinear optical applications

For applications such as fiber optic networks, wavelength conversion, or extracting information from a predetermined channel, are required operations. All-optical systems, based on non-linear optical frequency conversion, offer advantages compared to present systems based on optical-electronic-optical (OEO) conversion. Thanks to the large nonlinear susceptibility of AlGaAs (d14 = 90pm/V) and mature device fabrication technologies, quasi-phasematched non-linear interactions in orientation-patterned AlGaAs waveguides for optical wavelength conversion have already been demonstrated. However, they require long interaction length (~ centimeters) and a complex fabrication process. Moreover, the conversion efficiency remains relatively low, due to losses and poor confinement. We present here the design and fabrication of a very compact (~ tens of microns long) device based on tightly confining waveguides and photonic crystal microcavities. Our device is inherently phase-matched due to the short length and should significantly increase the conversion efficiency due to tight confinement and high cavity-Q value. We characterized the waveguides, measuring the propagation loss by the Fabry-Perot method and by a variant of the cutback method, and both give a consistent loss value (~5 dB/mm for single-mode waveguides and ~3 dB/mm for multimode waveguide). We also characterized the microcavities measuring the transmission spectrum and the cavity-Q value, obtaining Q's as large as 700.
Detection of biologically important compounds in flowing aqueous streams by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy at a silver electrode

Flow-injection analysis has been utilized to generate surface-enhanced Raman spectra of pyridine, adenosine, and adenosine 3' monophosphate. These biologically important compounds have been recorded in a 10-μL spectroelectrochemical flow cell while under flowing conditions. Charge-coupled-device detection and low-power Ar+ laser excitation allowed an 1800-cm-1 region to be observed with 10-s integration times. A computer-controlled potential waveform which efficiently adsorbs and desorbs the analytes at the electrode surface is described. The effects of the quantity of anodic charge passed during the ex situ and in situ roughening of the silver electrode on the SERS intensity are discussed. The limit of detection for 50-μL injections of adenosine under true dynamic conditions is less than 800 pmol. The technique yields both quantitative data and structural fingerprinting information for analytes eluting through the cell.
Fracture behavior of PBT–ABS blends compatibilized by methyl methacrylate–glycidyl methacrylate–ethyl acrylate terpolymers

Abstract The fracture properties of blends of poly(butylene terephthalate), PBT, with acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene materials, ABS, compatibilized by a methyl methacrylate–glycidyl methacrylate–ethyl acrylate terpolymer, MGE, have been characterized by Izod impact and single-edge notch, three-point bend (SEN3PB) type tests. The impact properties have been shown to be very sensitive to specimen thickness and mildly sensitive to notch sharpness. Blends containing 30 wt% ABS and molded into 3.18 mm samples are super tough in the absence of a compatibilizer; however, 6.35 mm specimens require higher ABS contents and compatibilization to achieve significant toughness. Low quantities of MGE (1 wt%) are required to produce super tough blends of 6.35 mm thickness; whereas, higher quantities of MGE result in a decrease in the impact strength. A dual mode of deformation during Izod impact testing has been observed for uncompatibilized blends molded into 6.35 mm samples where brittle failure occurs in the region of fracture initiation and ductile failure occurs in the region of crack termination. Similarly, a more brittle mode of failure occurs for SEN3PB samples with long ligament lengths and ductile failure for samples with short ligament lengths. The distance a crack can propagate and the size of the stress whitened zone created during Izod impact testing have been shown to be related to the impact properties determined by Izod and SEN3PB tests.
Lipids of retina: I. Analysis of gangliosides in beef retina by thin layer chromatography

Lipids were extracted from beef retina by chloroform-methanol (2∶1); the gangliosides were removed from the total lipid extract by partitioning into water and chromatographing on thin layer plates coated with silica gel. The analytical methods are described for estimating ganglioside components, i.e., N-acetyl neuraminic acid, hexoses, hexosamine, sphingosine and fatty acids, in the presence of silica gel. Major gangliosides present in beef retina have been tentatively identified as follows: a ganglioside containing two N-acetyl neuraminyl groups but no hexosamine; two gangliosides containing two N-acetyl neuraminyl groups and one hexosamine; and a ganglioside with three N-acetyl neuraminyl moieties and one hexosamine.
Measuring Underground-Explosion Effects on Water Levels in Surrounding Aquifersa

Underground detonations may produce observable effects in surrounding aquifers and wells. The nature and the duration of the effect at any observation point seem to depend on several factors such as the amount of energy released by the detonation, the geologic environment, the position of the buried explosive device in relation to the saturated zone, aquifer characteristics, and the distance from point of detonation. Precise measurement of these effects in wells presented numerous technical problems and resulted in the development of specialized techniques. Initially, these effects were observed by measuring the fluctuation of the free water surface in wells. The current technique employs high-resolution pressure transducers deep in the water column. Pneumatic packers may be used to restrict the movement of water into the well. Data are recorded on high-speed oscillographs.
Sand Waves in the Tidal Entrance to Chesapeake Bay: Preliminary Observations

Sand waves are present on the bottom in the tidal entrance to Chesapeake Bay. As far as known they are confined largely to the northern part of the entrance in an area of sand shoals and tidal channels. The waves found are 5 to 10 feet in height, and 200 to 800 feet in crest-to-crest length. They occur in water 15 to 35 feet deep and are found both atop shoals and in channels. Symmetrical and asymmetrical profile types were observed. Near the tidal current thalweg in North Channel, sand waves are largely asymmetrical and face seaward with the ebb. At greater lateral distances away from the thalweg, symmetrical forms are more common, a situation suggestive of equal ebb and flood currents. With even greater distance, sand waves are not developed, a situation suggestive of current incompetence. In a closed-end flood channel, asymmetrical sand waves face landward toward the closed end of the channel with the flood current. On one sand shoal, marginally-located sand waves face convergently toward the higher center of the shoal where symmetrical waves are found. Sand wave migration is believed to be a factor in the maintenance and evolution of some tidal shoals.
Speaker Verification Using Adapted Gaussian Mixture Models

Reynolds, Douglas A., Quatieri, Thomas F., and Dunn, Robert B., Speaker Verification Using Adapted Gaussian Mixture Models, Digital Signal Processing10(2000), 19Â?41.In this paper we describe the major elements of MIT Lincoln Laboratory's Gaussian mixture model (GMM)-based speaker verification system used successfully in several NIST Speaker Recognition Evaluations (SREs). The system is built around the likelihood ratio test for verification, using simple but effective GMMs for likelihood functions, a universal background model (UBM) for alternative speaker representation, and a form of Bayesian adaptation to derive speaker models from the UBM. The development and use of a handset detector and score normalization to greatly improve verification performance is also described and discussed. Finally, representative performance benchmarks and system behavior experiments on NIST SRE corpora are presented.
Longitudinal vibration of a model space vehicle propellant tank.

Vibrational response of elastic scaled model of S-IC stage LOX propellant tank under longitudinal excitation
Simulation of a teleautonomous multiple robot system with a single human operator

This paper reports on a simulation conducted to determine the number of semiautonomous robots that one operator can handle. Robots can be teleoperated, meaning a human controls the robot and tells it what to do; autonomous, where the robot makes its own decisions; or teleautonomous, a combination of the two. The use of autonomous robots may reduce operator errors due to fatigue. However, at times, these robots may require human intervention, e.g., if they get stuck or in Urban Search and Rescue if a victim is found. A simulation of multiple autonomous robots and one human operator was conducted. The results indicate that while 7--10 robots give the operator barely any idle time, 1--4 robots allow too much. Based on these results, a single human operator handling somewhere between 5--6 robots might be ideal.
Managing Microgrids Using Grid Services

In order for electric power generating capacity to be supplanted to a meaningful extent by sources smaller than 200 kW, an automated means of managing systems of small sources must be found or their sheer number will over-whelm the power production community. Micro grids - power systems comprising multiple small interconnected generators - are a promising response to this need, but an automated micro grid management system has not been demonstrated. This paper describes the energy management task and its execution in a standardized grid services environment.
The Condensation and Ferromagnetism of Triplet Frenkel Excitons

The problem of coexistence of condensation and ferromagnetism in the triplet excitonic system is studied by using the symmetry-broken Hartree approximation. It is found that the ground state of the system is the mixed state of both orders. Two kinds of particular cases, pure condensing phase and pure ferromagnetic phase, are discussed. A phase diagram is obtained from the calculation of free energies. Das Problem der Koexistenz von Kondensation und Ferromagnetismus im Triplettexziton-System wird unter Benutzung der symmetriegebrochenen Hartree-Naherung untersucht. Es wird festgestellt, das der Grundzustand des Systems ein gemischter Zustand beider Ordnungszustande ist. Es werden zwei spezielle Falle diskutiert: die reine Kondensat-Phase und die reine ferromagnetische Phase. Ein Phasendiagramm wird aus der Berechnung der freien Energien gewonnen.
A theory of the permanent magnetic field of the Sun and Earth

In this paper (published in full in Phys. Rev., v. 34, 335–343, 1929) the motions of electrons executing short free-paths under the influence of thermal agitation in an inhomogeneous magnetic field or in crossed electric and magnetic fields is shown to give rise to electric current-systems. Gravitational separation of charge produces a symmetrical radial electric field inside the Earth and Sun. This radially symmetrical electric field and a small initial symmetrical inhomogeneous magnetic field give rise to current-systems which are in such a direction as to increase the original magnetic field and regeneration takes place. The field is limited by some mechanism which is not understood. The permanent fields arise from the thermal energy of the body and would be maintained even if the bodies ceased their rotation. In order to account quantitatively for the observed current-system it is necessary that the electron mean free-path inside the Earth approximate 10−7 cm. The theory emphasizes the necessity for a better understanding of electrical conduction in solids; in particular a more satisfactory theory of the Hall effect is desirable.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)-active Metabolites From Platanus Occidentalis (American Sycamore)

One known and three new potent, selective, and nontoxic anti-MRSA metabolites, kaempferol 3-O-alpha-l-(2'',3''-di-E-p-coumaroyl)rhamnoside (1) (IC(50) 2.0 microg/mL), kaempferol 3-O-alpha-l-(2''-E-p-coumaroyl-3''-Z-p-coumaroyl)rhamnoside (2) (IC(50) 0.8 microg/mL), kaempferol 3-O-alpha-l-(2''-Z-p-coumaroyl-3''-E-p-coumaroyl)rhamnoside (3) (IC(50) 0.7 microg/mL), and kaempferol 3-O-alpha-l-(2'',3''-di-Z-p-coumaroyl)rhamnoside (4) (IC(50) 0.4 microg/mL), were isolated from the leaves of the common American sycamore, Platanus occidentalis. Compounds 2-4 are new. Due to the unusual selectivity, potency, and safety of the pure compounds and the semipure glycoside mixture against MRSA, it is clear that this represents a viable class of inhibitors to prevent growth of MRSA on surfaces and systemically.
Motor vehicle manufacturing and prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the relation between employment in motor vehicle manufacturing (MVM) and fatal prostate cancer. METHODS The study included 322 prostate cancer deaths occurring in 1973 through 1987 and 1,285 controls, selected from a cohort of 126,100 male MVM workers. RESULTS Men employed in casting operations had an odds ratio of 1.5 (95% CI = 1. 1-2.0). The association was consistent across casting facilities and was attributable primarily to work in core and mold making (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.2) and metal melting and pouring jobs (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.0-3.6). Other results included ORs of 1.9 (95% CI = 1.0-3.7) for warehousing and distribution operations and 2.1 (95% CI = 1.2-3. 7) for electric and electronic equipment manufacturing. The latter two associations exhibited little internal consistency. CONCLUSIONS The relationships seen in this study were weak and may have been due to chance. Core and mold making and metal melting and pouring foundry operations entail potential exposure to metal dusts and fumes, to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and to other chemicals. However, associations between these exposures and prostate cancer have not been reported consistently, nor have other studies of foundry workers consistently noted an excess of prostate cancer.
The peripheral cytoplasm of adrenocortical cells: Zone-specific responses to ACTH

Background: Differences in the cytoskeletal protein actin in cells from the zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata would be of considerable interest because there is persuasive evidence that rat corticosteroids are secreted by mechanisms that are somewhat zone-specific. We have previously shown evidence that actin may be involved in steroid secretion, possibly in connection with changes in adrenocortical microvilli. However, the cells upon which the data were based were not separated according to zone of origin. Methods: Immunogold electron microscopy and morphometric procedures were used to determine whether ACTH-induced changes in the peripheral cytoplasm of isolated adrenocortical cells occur in both zona fasciculata and zona glomerulosa cells. Results: Actin immunoreactivity was more concentrated in the cytoplasm adjacent to the plasma membrane (including the cytoplasm within the microvilli) than it was in the internal cytoplasm in cells from both zones (4–6 times more concentrated in zona glomerulosa cells and 3–6 times more concentrated in zona fasciculata cells). However, the mean aggregate microvillar surface length (microvillar index) of untreated zona fasciculata cells previously reported (Loesser and Malamed, 1987) was 23% greater than that of untreated zona glomerulosa cells. Although ACTH (at a maximal steroidogenic concentration) had no effect on the peripheral cytoplasmic actin concentration of zona glomerulosa cells, there was a 24% increase in the aggregate microvillar length. In contrast, in zona fasciculata cells, ACTH treatment was accompanied by an increase in peripheral cytoplasmic actin concentration of 58–64% and an increase in aggregate microvillar surface length of 40% (previously reported (Loesser and Malamed, 1987)), almost twice that for zona glomerulosa cells. Conclusion: The results suggest that ACTH-induced hormone release from zona fasciculata cells is mediated by increases in peripheral cytoplasmic actin and aggregate microvillar length; in zona glomerulosa cells such changes are small or absent. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.